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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& M AY 2018
DANVILLE’S NEW FRIEND By Linda Summers Pirkle
Craggy coastline, magnificent views, lush green hills, good food and cozy pubs: Ireland is calling! Five thousand miles apart, the inland port city New Ross, County Wexford in Southeast Ireland and Danville, California share a common bond with a connection to the Irish actor James O’Neill and his son Eugene O’Neill. Tao House located in the Las Trampas hills above Danville, was the home to playwright Eugene and his wife Carlotta O’Neill from 1938 to 1944. Eugene is the only American playwright to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature. While living at Tao House, he wrote some of his most famous plays. Eugene’s father, James, emigrated from New Ross, Ireland in the 1850’s. In celebration and recognition of the tie between the two municipalities, a new relationship has been formed. Danville and New Ross are now officially Friendship Cities. The inaugural event, “One Festival, Two Countries,” will be held this fall in both New Ross, Ireland and Danville. The alliance between Danville and New Ross came about with hard work by many, impeccable timing, and as the Irish say a “wee bit of luck.” Dan McGovern, President of the board of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House, shared the genesis of the partnership. “In July of 2017, I delivered a paper at the International Conference of the Eugene O'Neill Society in Galway, Ireland. Afterwards, my wife Carolyn and I went South Street New Ross with traditional shop fronts and family businesses. to New Ross at the invitation of Richard Hayes, the Vice President for Strategic Planning at the Waterford Institute of Technology. Richard Hayes is an O'Neill scholar
See Friend continued on page 18 MOUNT DIABLO ROSE SOCIETY: OPEN TO ALL ROSE JOIN WHITE PONY EXPRESS IN $250,000 ADMIRERS MATCHING FUND CHALLENGE By Steve Spraitzar
By Jody Morgan
As White Pony Express (WPE) moves closer to meeting its mission goals, it needs more support than ever before. In 2018, White Pony Express increased its financial needs due to the capacity-building its done in the past two years. Its budget in 2018 is triple what it was in 2016—with more and more lives uplifted.
Most Americans appreciate seeing the rose, our National Floral Emblem, in bloom. Few are adept at coaxing a variety of roses into award-winning displays. Among the members of the Mount Diablo Rose MDRS volunteer Sandy Barclay tends roses at Dublin's Emerald Glen Park (Photo courtesy of Kathy Knabke). Society (MDRS), there are experts who enjoy sharing their knowledge of growing and showing roses. Nevertheless, individuals who have trouble getting a single specimen to survive are equally welcome to attend meetings. You don’t need sufficient space to establish your own rose garden to join. All you need to embrace the camaraderie of MDRS is an interest in learning about roses. Many of the 26 original devotees of roses who came together to create MDRS already belonged to the East Bay Rose Society (EBRS). They wanted a gathering place in the Tri-Valley. Theo Kahle, President of EBRS presided at the first official meeting held on Through our new School Pantry Program, we are in the process of doubling October 8, 1986, in the Activities Room of Trinity Lutheran Church in Dublin, CA. our food distribution to 10,000 pounds a day over the next two years, reaching Today, MDRS is one of the area’s fastest growing rose societies. Asked why, MDRS 12,000—15,000 of those suffering from hunger that we are not reaching today. President Barbara Norkus replies, “Foremost among the reasons why MDRS is so See White Pony continued on page 26 successful at attracting new members and retaining current members are excellent
See Rose continued on page 16
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
A year and a half ago I received a call from a woman named Lois who wished to place an ad in the paper for the Waste Management ‘Recycle Smart’ program. While I was talking to her, I mentioned that my daughter Amy had just graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. I quickly thought there may be a good match for her degree and the “Recycle Smart” program. I fully realize many kids don’t want their parents stepping in to meddle with their career paths, but I took a chance and mentioned my recent graduate and asked Lois if she knew of any careers in the industry. Surprisingly Lois noted that she was retiring shortly and considering mentoring students like my daughter. It was a win-win. I passed Lois’s name on to Amy, and Amy reached out to her. Lois stepped in and took Amy under her wing. She had Amy finalize her resume, create a LinkedIn page, read industry articles, and take skills and assessment tests, all in order to nurture and guide her in her post-college plans. Little did either of us realize how this chance phone call, and me sticking my neck out a little, would prove to be a valuable connection. Through Lois’s industry experience, she networked my daughter’s name with others in the field. A connection was made with “someone who knew somebody,” and Amy’s name was passed on to someone who “might be looking for an intern” at a relatively young company. Amy reached out and made an appointment to “tour the company” a month later. Since the tour appointment got set so far in advance, the date slipped through the cracks for the person she was slated to meet with. When Amy showed up, an impromptu tour was led, and a spontaneous interview was held out in front of the building. Amy called after the tour and said, “I think I just got an internship job,” and so she started her career. In two weeks time, a full time position opened which she applied to and was hired for. Through her hard work, her education, and her people skills Amy grew and moved with the company from the Bay Area to Portland, Oregon, and now she has an upcoming move to a Facilities Manager position in Tucson, Arizona. We often reflect on the snowball effect from my initial brief conversation with Lois. We can never know which doors will lead to opportunities, and which connections and people can open those doors and change a life path. I recently watched a 2017 TED Talk with psychologist Susan Pinker. The talk was titled, “The secret to living longer may be your social life.” Her book, The Village Effect: How faceto-face contact can make us healthier and happier, discusses how human interactions were shown to be one of the strongest predictors as to how long you’ll live - social interaction and close relationships bore more weight on living a long life than quitting smoking and drinking, exercise, body weight, and more. Pinker found that connecting via texting, email, or social media proved to be no match for face-to-face contact with which she notes is crucial for “learning, happiness, resilience, and longevity.” She goes on to say, “from birth to death, human beings are hard-wired to connect to other human beings. Face-to-face contact matters: tight bonds of friendship and love heal us, help children learn, extend our lives and make us happy. Looser in-person bonds matter, too, combining with our close relationships to form a personal ‘village’ around us, one that exerts unique effects. Not just any social networks will do: we need the real, in-the-flesh encounters that tie human families, groups of friends and communities together.” In Amy’s work environment she found a village of like-minded individuals. In our day-to-day lives, however, many of us have left the literal ‘village’ behind. Often we prefer to hide behind our keyboards and don’t want to give up our emails, text messages, and online social media accounts to go back to in-person gatherings. However, these gathering places such as our towns, work, schools, clubs, and familial settings where we interact face-to-face with those that are close to us are needed to thrive and even survive. Pinker found, “The power of face-to-face contact is really why there are the lowest rates of dementia among people who are socially engaged. It’s why women who have breast cancer are four times more likely to survive their disease than loners are and why men who’ve had a stroke who meet regularly to play poker or to have coffee or to play old-timer’s hockey are better protected by that social contact than they are by medication.” Direct person-to-person, face-to-face human interaction is something very powerful we all can do, and yet, studies show that almost a quarter of the population say they have no one to talk to. You never know where the spark for a connection may happen. Putting yourself out there face-to-face can feel vulnerable. It takes work but can be beneficial for all involved. Real Simple magazine editor Leslie Yazel wrapped up her September 2017 column saying, “In a busy, noisy world, it is our connections with one another that truly elevate our days.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
THE IRON ROAD: BUILDING THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
Join San Damiano for MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
GOLD MOUNTAIN
May 13, 2018
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) is proud to present the next program in The Iron Road: Building the Transcontinental Railroad series. This free program is entitled Gold Mountain and will take place on Friday, May 11th from 7-8:30PM at the Danville Library, located at 400 Front Street in Danville. Gold Mountain is the name the Chinese gave to the western United States, and this program is focused on Chinese culture and arts. Come and enjoy the ancient art of lantern making and calligraphy demonstrated by masters in their craft. Enjoy poetry and dance as well as both traditional and modern Chinese music performed live by master musicians. This will be a great evening of Chinese culture that is not to be missed.
Mass at 10:00 AM followed by Brunch Adults $40; Kids 12 and under $15 Register today sandaminano.org / (925) 837-9141
THE CHINESE AND THE IRON ROAD EXHIBIT
Are you ready for a change?
(925) 360-7051
livingleanprogram.com
The Chinese and the Iron Road exhibit now at MSRV provides a stunning visual understanding of the incredibly difficult work, accomplished by Chinese laborers, to build the railroad from California across the Sierras and ending at Promontory Point, Utah. Informational panels will show pictures of the work and life of the Chinese workers. Accompanying these photos is a story line that provides insights and details providing a deeper understanding of their lives. The exhibit also covers the 12,000 men who built the railroad and continues on through the 19th century. What happened to theses people? Did they return to China? What jobs did they take? Did they settle in California? Did they settle in the San Ramon Valley? These and other questions complete this exhibit and give new insight into the Chinese that connected the west and helped it to grow and prosper. The exhibit closes on June 10. For more information on the upcoming program Gold Mountain or the exhibit, please contact MSRV. The Museum is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. For questions, call 925-837-3750. The Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM.
BLACKHAWK REPUBLICAN WOMEN
The Blackhawk Republican Women are pleased to present Paul Graves, candidate for District Attorney of Contra Costa County. The presentation will take place Thursday, May 10th Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents the at the Blackhawk Country Club, Grille Room. Check-in and social with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar begins at 5:30PM and the speaker at 6PM. The cost is $25. Fridays 6:30 6:30-- 8:30p.m. at Livorna Park Paul’s 23 years of experience in the DA’s office, (At the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue in Alamo) trying approximately 70 cases and supervising the FREE ADMISSION! Homicide, Felony and Family Violence units, uniquely qualifies him to prevent and prosecute crime – the main roles of the District Attorney’s office. Paul will June 22nd: Petty Theft Delivering a heart-felt salute to the everlasting continue to change the culture of the office away from reactionary prosecution musical legacy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. to a more proactive, crime strategies office, implementing innovative alternative methods of increasing safety in our community. To learn more visit www.paulgravesforda.com. Reservations can be made by May th 8 at www.blackhawkrepublicanwomen.com, by mail, email, or phone to Shirley Meloy at blessedm@sbcglobal.net or 925-968-1550. June 29th: The Sun Kings
Living Lean Personal Training & Nutrition
2018 Summer Concert Series
The San The Ramon San Ramon Valley Valley Republican Republican Women Women Federated Federated
Performing the music of The Beatles with driving rhythm, spot-on arrangements, and vocal harmonies.
SRVRWF PANEL DISCCUSSION Proudly Proudly presents presents
The San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated (SRVRWF) proudly presents a panel discussion with Danville Police Chief, Allan Shields; Teen Esteem Director, Linda Turnbull; and Discovery Center Counselor, Patty Hoyt. The event July 6th: Mike Amaral’s will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd. Social hour begins at 11:30AM, and the lunch California Beach Boys Tribute band to the Beach Boys bringing and program begin at precise harmonies, dynamics, and excitement. noon. The event takes place at Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Dr. July 13th: Fog City Swampers Energizing the crowd with tunes from the 60’s to the in Danville. The cost present inspiring all to sing and dance along. is $30. The panel will discuss, “What is the Opioid epidemic, and how does it effect our community?” Danville Police Danville Chief, Police Allan AllanofShields They will also talk about the Chief, newShields epidemic “vaping” among our school age children. Come and learn about these issues and much more at the May luncheon. July 27th: Jake Gill Teen Esteem TeenDirector, Esteem Director, Linda Turnbull Linda Turnbull The moderator for this lively event will be Club President and Jake Gill and his band bring a raw energy and charisma to Jake’s original brand of country music. former Danville Mayor, Renee Morgan. Family, friends, and studentsHoyt are Patty cordiallyHoyt welcome. DiscoveryDiscovery Center Counselor, Center Counselor, Patty Bring blankets, chairs, snacks, family, and friends. Reservations can be made online at www.srvrwf.org or by For information, call recreation staff at (925) 313-2272. calling Marianne at (925)is447-7023 or Carol at our (925) 820-0774. What is What the Opioid is theepidemic? Opioid epidemic? How is itHow effecting it effecting our community? community
A PanelADiscussion Panel Discussion with: with:
What about Whatthe about newthe epidemic new epidemic of “vaping” of “vaping” among our among school ourage school ag
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
DANVILLE CONCERTS & MOVIES ALAMO CONCERTS & MOVIES
2018 DANVILLE MUSIC IN THE PARK
2018 ALAMO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Contra Costa County Public Works, Alamo Parks & Recreation, and the Alamo Municipal Music in the Park summer concerts will take place June 23, July 7, July 21, and August 11 at Oak Hill Park Advisory Council present the 2018 “Alamo Summer Concert Series” at Livorna Park, located at the intersection of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue in Alamo. This five-concert series features live and the Town Green. music from a variety of genres. Concerts will take place on Friday evenings from 6:30-8:30PM and will 2018 MOONLIGHT MOVIES full of dynamic bands including: Summertime Moonlight Movies will be held June 15, feature a schedule nd June 22 — Petty Theft (Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers Tribute Band) June 29, July 13, July 27, and August 10 at the Town Green. th June 29 — Sun Kings (Beatles Tribute Band) For more details on these upcoming events visit July 6th — Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys (Beach Boys Tribute Band) www.danville.ca.gov. July 13th — Fog City Swampers (Rock & Pop Music) GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER July 27 — Jake Gill (Rock & Country) Bring family, friends, chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner and enjoy music in the park. Snacks will be No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center! The mission of the Center is to promote available for purchase at the event. physical and mental well-being through programs and 2018 ALAMO MOVIE UNDER THE STARS social activities for those aged 50+ year-old. On Mondays Come and enjoy movies under the stars at beautiful Livorna Park. This summer, two family-fun films and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical will be shown: Despicable Me 3 on Friday, June 8th and Coco on Friday, August 10th. Showtime is at 8:45PM. and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities Bring family, friends, chairs, blankets, include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, and flashlights. Snacks will be available for camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, purchase. calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, Mah-Jong, For details, contact Alamo Recreation Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. Staff at 925-313-2272, or visit www.cccounty. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual Gopher/Mole Removal $50 member fee. No Poison Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Boulevard Tri-Valley Trapper in Alamo. For more information contact Wendy Lee, 925-718-6222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www.goldencrane.org.
925-765-4209
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
CELEBRATING MOMS The Alamo Plaza Shopping Center recently held a “Celebrating Mothers” giveaway asking entrants to tell, “Why your mom or motherhood role model is special to you and deserves 1 of 10 gift card price packs valid at the Center.” Below are a few of the winning entries. “My mom deserves to win because she was a hardworking and fun mom who has become an even more wonderful grandmother. At 81, she still drives her grandchildren to sporting events and never misses a game. She is their biggest cheerleader and has taught me patience and how to be more present as a mother.” Elisa F.
“She is the glue of our family. Always there for us through thick and thin. I have a brother that is autistic and she has dedicated her life to caring for him and making sure he has a full and active life. She spends all of her free time with him and her family. A gentle soul with a heart of gold.” Daughter of Monica O.
See Moms continued on page 30
PROS AND CONS OF BALLOT MEASURES PRESENTED BY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
The Bay Area Quakes recently won the 3 on 3 Jr. NBA 11u National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. They went 10 and 0 in winning the regional competition in Walnut Creek in early March and then traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete against the winners of the other nine regional tournaments from across the country. They went 7 and 0 and defeated the team from Atlanta for the National Championship. Finley Chastain also won the 11u National Champion free throw competition. From left to right: Karyss Lacanlale (San Ramon), Sierra Chambers (San Ramon), Finley Chastain (Alamo), and Zakara Cooper (San Jose). Not pictured, Kendall Walpole (Danville).
ALAMO RUN
The sixth annual Alamo Run will take place Sunday, June 10 in downtown Alamo. The starting gun will go off at 8:30AM. Please visit alamorun.org to sign up. Registration is $35 for all events. A family rate of $100 is available for up to four family members. Rates increase to $40 for all events and $120 for family registration on the day of the race. Same day registration will begin at 7:30AM at the northwest corner of Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd. The run has been expanded to include a 5K family friendly/competitive run & 10K competitive run for serious runners. Baby joggers and dogs are also encouraged to participate in the 5K event. Prizes will be awarded to top youth runners in two age groups (18 and under) and also to seven adult age groups from ages 19 to 80 plus. The top two overall runners (male and female) will receive special prizes. Additionally, the categories of fastest dog and fastest baby jogger will be recognized. An Alamo Run T-shirt will be available on race day for all participants who register by May 23. Those registering after May 23 will be notified by email as to when and where their T-shirt will be available. Proceeds of the Run are used to support the youth education programs of the Walnut Creek based, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Charity group Delta Nu Psi has now sent 38,722 pounds of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! This is made possible by contributions from individuals in the Alamo and Danville communities. The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on Friday, May 4th, and at Lunardi’s in Danville on May 13th. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:30PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more and see photos of recipients receiving packages, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
Is raising the bridge toll for transportation projects a good idea? What do you know about the five State propositions that will be on your ballot on June 5? Let the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley help you! The League will present pros and cons of a Bay Area regional measure and the five State ballot measures on Saturday, May 5 from 3-4:30PM. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Room of the Lafayette Community Center at 500 St. Mary’s Road. Instead of reading through the often dry language in the ballot pamphlet, people attending will see and hear a dynamic presentation of the pros and cons. League members Kay James and Janet Thomas will synthesize the material in the voter’s pamphlet and take opposing viewpoints, with one presenting the pros listed in the ballot material and the other presenting the cons. Bay Area voters will be asked to provide answers to some weighty policy questions, such as Regional Measure 3, which asks whether to raise bridge tolls in the Bay Area to pay for highway, transit and ferry improvements. State Proposition 68 would exempt road repair revenues from California’s annual spending limits. Other questions voters will be asked by the State include funding $4.1 billion in bonds for parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and flood protection; excluding new rain-capture systems from homeowners’ reassessment on their property taxes; requiring a 2/3 vote of the Legislature on cap-and-trade issues; and deciding when ballot measures approved by voters will take effect. How to use Voter’s Edge, a nonpartisan online guide to federal, state, and local elections, will also be demonstrated. Using this online tool, voters can access their own ballot, get information about candidates and who supports them, and read neutral summaries of ballot measures with lists of their supporters and opponents. The Saturday, May 5 meeting is free to the public and parking is available on site. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley website at info@LWVDV.org.
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship, and members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, bowling, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, bridge, reading, computers and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. The next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 16th at 11am. The guest speaker will be Dan Ashley, News Anchor for ABC Channel 7. Dan started with ABC in 1995 and has over 30 years in broadcasting. He has many wonderful experiences and stories to share. Be ready for a very interesting presentation. Your $25 luncheon includes a meal, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email send an email to info@SIR128.com by Thursday, May 10th. The meeting will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information about this Sons in Retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
Last month, you may have read that some of our 7th grade students will be attending the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Competition at Iowa State University after earning second place for the state of California. We couldn’t be more proud of these students, mostly because of their tenacity, creative thinking, collaboration, and encouragement to one another. The Bible teaches us that God has gifted each individual uniquely. SRVCA celebrates the fact that our differences are part of God’s plan, and if we use them in cooperation with others, we can do so much more than we ever would have accomplished on our own. We’re excited to see what God does through Lucas Apger, Nolan Collins, Ainsley Jacobsen, Logan O’Connell, Ella Shaw, and Jordan Stein as they present their play and project to the judges at the final level of competition May 23-27. The Odyssey of the Mind experience is only one of the many ways our students compete during the school year. Each year our students participate in the Scripps Geography Bee and ACSI meets such as the Creative Writing Festival, Math Olympics, Spelling Bee, and Speech Meet. In addition, we compete in the Bay Area Christian School Athletic League (BACSAL) with 24 other schools in Northern California. Our middle school students participate in an after-school program for softball, flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and cross country. SRVCA students historically excel in the area of both academics and athletics, and we praise God for their efforts. Just this past year we earned the top school award, earning more points than any other school in the BACSAL league. Go Eagles! Our overall goal at the San Ramon Valley Christian Academy is to inspire students to love God, love others, and love learning. Providing opportunities to explore students’ giftedness through healthy competition contributes to furthering this mission, knowing good sportsmanship and a spirit of humility must always be present. I couldn’t be more proud of our students who enjoy the learning process and make an effort to do their very best.
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ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
Wow, where has the year gone? As principal I am getting ready to say goodbye to some of dearest families that have called Alamo School “home” for many years. As I reflect, I look to a saying we use in elementary math,“part-part-whole”(PPW). PPW relates to the concept of seeing numbers as being made of two or more parts. Many researchers have said this is the major conceptual achievement of the early years. A strong understanding of PPW has been shown to increase understanding of subsequent work. For me, that concept holds the same truth in understanding school communities as it does in the understanding of mathematics. The sooner we all understand how PPW works in school, the more effective we can be as staff, students, and parents. Each year we recognize those who have figured out the idea of PPW. These are individuals who volunteer, lead, and support our school. I will reflect on a couple of them we will surely miss at Alamo School. This spring we will be saying good-bye to Krista Ciapponi, our PTA co-president. Krista has been a fixture at our school for over a decade. She has served as PTA co-president, PTA EVP, and 4th VP – Community Involvement. She has led or been involved with registration, directory, fitness run, KGA, Holiday Shoppe, Room Parent, and Hoedown. She has been the chair/co-chair of our annual Talent Show for the past several years, which is a full-time job in itself. Krista will be truly missed. We are also saying good-bye to Jo Stratton, our Ed Fund president, 2015-2017. Jo took what was a very strong program to a new level. She applied her background as a business executive to provide a systems approach to budget, fundraising, and collaboration. Jo, working with Krista, was able to bring our two parent organizations (PTA and Ed Fund) more closely together to leverage both resources and expertise. Jo’s service line includes Ed Fund President, Auction Gala Chair, Fall Book Fair, and Holiday Shoppe. Jo and her family are moving to San Diego over the summer. We wish them the best of luck! I will be following up in my June letter with a more comprehensive list of those who have supported our school community in 2017-2018, but from my letter this month you can easily see that our community learns about PPW early and often.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
In March, Rancho Romero (RR) was one of eight schools in the county notified of their eligibility to apply for the 2018 Distinguished School Award. It’s important to note that within the District’s 34 schools, Rancho Romero was one of three to be nominated. On April 2nd, RR was recognized as a California Distinguished Schools for 2018. This award reflects our school’s success in making exceptional gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education for all students by meeting state indicators. Our success is a direct result of dedicated and talented staff as well as our supportive school community. I am invited to attend the California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremony on May 3rd in Anaheim. The event includes photos with the State Superintendent, a reception, and a dinner with student entertainment and speakers. SRVUSD’s Speech Contest will be held at Monte Vista High School. The contest is an opportunity for a fifth grade student to demonstrate their ability to think creatively, write a speech, and present in front of an audience. Adam Davis, Chenmay Komandur, Caiden O’ Connell, and Neil Chandran presented their speeches to their peers, teachers, and parents. Their speeches were courageous and well spoken. Describing what he considered to be his greatest fear, Neil Chandran was selected to represent RR. Our 2018 CAASPP testing begins for our third, fourth, and fifth grade students. CAASPP testing is a multiple measure of our student’s progress and the results help inform instruction. The test results help us understand what knowledge, skills, and processes students have mastered and which ones they may still need to learn. The scores can allow parents and teachers to monitor student progress each year and help students reach and achieve their highest academic potential. We use the results as one indicator of multiple measures for various student placement purposes. Collectively, the scores reflect on our students, schools, and district. April was an exciting and busy month. With Courage as our Character of the Month, students are courageously working at their very top performance as we sprint to the finish line. Hoping April showers bring May flowers.
STONE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Since 1973
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council presents
2018 Movie Under the Stars Movie starts at 8:45 p.m. Livorna Park in Alamo.
(Located at the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue)
Admission is Free
Despicable Me 3 Friday, June 8th
Coco Friday, August 10th
Bring blankets, chairs, flashlights, snacks, family and friends. For information call recreation staff at (925) 313-2272.
By Jon Campopiano, Principal
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I am sure you are as busy as we are at Stone Valley with many exciting and important events and activities occurring. A few of our highlights include: • Our very own Ms. Konopacky was awarded with the 2018 San Ramon Valley Education Foundation Shining Star award. Ms. Konopacky has distinguished herself as an extremely dedicated educator. Over the years that I have worked with her, she has tirelessly sought to assist students with their projects, to teach them new skills, and to assist their learning in a myriad of ways. Ms. Konopacky is beloved by students and staff, and is the ultimate encourager of her students. All of her students feel welcomed, valued, challenged, and empowered to make a difference at Stone Valley and in our community. Ms. Konopacky is always willing to dive into projects to improve the learning experience at Stone Valley, and she leads many different groups on campus: SV Literacy Project and Book Club, Student of the Month Recognition, Standards Based Grading Task Force, Response to Intervention leader, and Field Day Coordinator, to name a few. Teaching is the most noble and important job that exists, and Ms. “Kono,” as she is affectionately referred to, is making a positive difference daily with our students. She is greatly deserving of the 2017-2018 Shining Star award! • Prior to spring break, ten students partnered with Pledge for Humanity to participate in a Special Olympics event at our neighboring Mauzy school. Our students joined in relays, basketball competitions, lunch, and many other activities. We are blessed and honored to have partnered and participated in this event. • Stone Valley has been honored as a 2018 Anti-Defamation League No Place for Hate School. Stone Valley was recognized for our work in building a kind, empathic, and tolerant campus. • Stone Valley has been awarded the 2018 Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship recognition for the second consecutive year. Our librarian, Ms. Volenec, instructed students on being cyber safe, creating a positive digital footprint, and safe searching strategies. Additionally, we had student assemblies on the safe use of technology, teacher education, and parent communication. Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 We are proud of the work of our students and 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J staff at Stone Valley and look forward to Field 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Concord San Ramon Day, Open House, CAASPP testing and 8th grade Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) promotion. We hope to see you on campus soon!
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Maria Ward, Principal SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
The sun makes us warmer, the days are longer, and students can see the end of the school year in sight. The time has flown by, and there are only six weeks of school left until we break for summer. There are lots of fun and exciting things happening at St. Isidore’s! May is one of our busiest months here at SIS, when we celebrate our Blessed Mother Mary and our 8th grade graduates with many traditional events. We start our month with May Crowning on Friday, May 4th. Our graduates have selected four 8th grade students who they feel have conducted a life honoring our Blessed Mother. During this special liturgy, these students process in and crown the statue of Mary on the altar with flowers. The flowers represent our love for our Heavenly Mother, and the event is a St. Isidore tradition that anchors us in our Catholic faith. This is the start of many 8th grade special graduation events during May.
FUN RUN
The annual SIS Fun Run will kick off on Tuesday, May 1st! The students will run/walk on Friday, May 11th. The students have a great time participating in the run with their classmates and learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The proceeds from this event will go to campus upgrades.
CARONDELET SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
We would like to congratulate the following students for being awarded scholarships by Carondelet High School. The “Heart-Faith-Courage Award” has been given to Maggie Bowes, Chloe De Smedt, and Annaliese Giusto for leadership and involvement in activities demonstrating care for others. Isabella de Melo has been given the “Carondelet Award,” which is given for academic merit, demonstration of leadership, and teacher recommendation. Emma Semansky has been given the “President Award,” which is given to a student with top HSPT scores and grades. Way to go, girls! We couldn’t be more proud!
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Rou n d Hi l l C ou n t r y C l u b
Time to Jump in! Come make a splash this year by joining at the Associate-Swim level. We offer a full range of activities for your children, including swim lessons, activity camps and Kids Club. Our fabulous clubhouse renovation is now complete, and our Social and Golf Membership are full with wait lists. We still have a limited number of Memberships available in the following levels: • Associate-Swim Membership: Initiation $1000. Includes access to dining, Club events, Bocce Courts, Kids Club and the Aquatics Complex. • Tennis Membership: Initiation $6,000. Includes all the access of Associate-Swim plus use of the Tennis Courts. Admissions Requirements apply. Offer subject to change without prior notice.
Limited number of Memberships available. For more information, please contact our Membership Office rhcc@roundhillcc.org or 925.314.2901
www.rhcountryclub.com
YOUNG AUTHORS FAIRE
I am proud to announce that all grades, TK-8, took part in the Young Authors Faire, and many of our students were recognized. It was a wonderful showing of effort and creativity. Thank you to our 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Goetze, for organizing this event.
SPRING CONCERT
Thursday, May 10th is the date of our Spring Concert. Our students have been diligently working with our music teacher, Ms. Groman, on fun summer songs for the event. It is always a packed house, and our school community enjoys getting together to support all our students. Please come join us at 1PM and/or 7PM. At the evening show, our 8th grade students will entertain us with a special dance they’ve been practicing for weeks. We are excited to see it!
8TH GRADE CARWASH
Each year, our 8th grade class chooses a charity to support with its end-of-the-year fundraiser. This year, our students will host a carwash and are giving all proceeds to breast cancer and pancreatic cancer associations. The students will be washing vehicles from 11AM to 1:30PM on Friday, May 18. Come by and get your vehicle washed! We still have openings for the 2018–2019 school year for grades kindergarten, first, second, and third grade. Call the school office at (925) 837-2977 to schedule a tour, or submit an application on our website www.stisidore.org.
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
We are in the final few weeks of school and headed towards graduation. Things get really stacked up at the end of the year and each week there seems to be something important going on. State assessments have been the subject over the past few weeks with all of our 11th graders completing their English and Math CAASPP assessments and our 12th graders finishing the pilot CSAT assessments for science. Starting on May 7th, Monte Vista (MV)S students will take their Advanced Placement Exams. Students scoring well on these exams can enter participating colleges and universities with transferable college units that allow them to move past entry level college courses and directly into higher level classes. On April 27th, students participated in the “Day of Silence” which spreads awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students. The day culminated at the annual Gayla Prom. The following day students celebrated at our annual Senior Ball. May th th 4 and 5 is the Senior Disneyland Trip. Less than a month later the Graduation Ceremony, which is set for June 1st, will be held. MV’s arts programs have a full calendar as they close out the 2017-18 school year. The Dance program just finished its Spring Performance, Fire Under My Feet. Straight from their award-winning performances in Nashville and at the Golden State Competition, MV’s choir will present two concerts on May 17th and 18th. MV’s music program will be presenting a series of concerts starting on May 12th and concluding on May 22nd. And MV’s drama department will be presenting their spring comedy which will run from May 10th through May 12th in Al Gentile Theater. MV athletics are enjoying an excellent spring campaign led by our CIF Champion women’s swimming team and our EBAL leading baseball team. Men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, track, softball, swimming, men’s tennis, men’s volleyball, and men’s golf are all currently in the hunt for EBAL and NCS titles with lots of action to follow. With rivalry games and playoff runs coming up against De La Salle and San Ramon Valley, there should be a great deal of action for the Mustangs as their seasons wind down. May 21st through May 25th is Senior Week, and right after Memorial Day Weekend, we head directly into Finals Week. MVs students and faculty would like to thank our community for all of their support for our school in 2017-18. As always, I would like to invite everyone from our community to come out and support Monte Vista’s students as they finish up what has been a truly amazing year.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
FAQ Contra Costa
Starting this April, residents and businesses in Danville and Alamo, along with Concord, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon, and unincorporated Contra Costa County will have more renewable and locally controlled energy service with MCE at lower rates than PG&E, or they can choose another option.
CHOOSE FROM 33%, 50%, OR 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY
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MCE Light Green | 50% RENEWABLE Take no action to start saving automatically in April with Light Green 50% renewable energy. MCE Deep Green | 100% RENEWABLE Eliminate your electricity–related carbon footprint by opting up to 100% California renewable energy at mceCleanEnergy.org/DG–enroll or 1 (888) 632–3674.*
33%
PG&E | 33% RENEWABLE You can choose to opt out and continue purchasing energy from PG&E at mceCleanEnergy.org/opt–out or 1 (888) 632–3674.*
*Please have your PG&E account number on hand.
How does MCE affect electricity services for Danville and Alamo residents and businesses?
Aside from having access to more renewable energy, not much will change. Residents and businesses can choose 50–100% renewable energy from a local public agency. MCE customers continue to enjoy the same reliable electricity service, with PG&E delivering power, maintaining the wires, and providing billing and gas services.
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Which communities does MCE serve?
Yes. MCE’s 50% renewable electricity costs less than PG&E’s 33% renewable electricity. Part of MCE’s mission is to provide stable and competitive rates. MCE has reduced rates the past two years in a row. Discount programs such as CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline are unaffected by enrollment; these customers receive the same discount with MCE as they would with PG&E. For rates and cost comparisons visit: mceCleanEnergy.org/rates
MCE has been serving Bay Area electric customers since 2010. Today, about 255,000 customers in Marin and Napa Counties, and the cities of Benicia, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Richmond, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek are buying more renewable energy from MCE. Concord, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon, and unincorporated Contra Costa County (including Alamo) will enroll with MCE in April.
Will my billing change?
How is MCE funded?
No. PG&E will continue to send one monthly bill. Instead of one fee that combines charges for the delivery and generation of your electricity, the bill will show separate charges — one for electric delivery (PG&E) and one for electric generation (MCE). MCE’s generation rates simply replace the generation charges you currently pay to PG&E; they are not an additional charge.
Like PG&E, MCE is funded by electricity ratepayers through their monthly energy purchases. MCE is not funded by taxpayers. A cornerstone to MCE’s mission is to redirect ratepayer dollars back to local economies, and reinvest in its communities by providing low, stable rates, supporting local workforce development, and partnering with community–based organizations.
mceCleanEnergy.org/ContraCosta | 1(888) 632–3674 | info@mceCleanEnergy.org
SHE’S GOT LEGS
By Monica Chappell
A common question I receive from my wine students is to explain wine “legs,” a mythical indicator of wine quality. In wine, “legs” refer to the way that wine when swirled in a glass runs down the inside surface. Fill a wine glass one quarter full, and gently move the glass in a circular motion so that the wine swirls
up the sides. Hold the glass still and look at the wine as it runs down. It may flow down in a fairly-even sheet, or it may pull into more concentrated streaks. These legs, or tears as the French refer to them, are the streaks of wine.
WHAT IT MEANS
Once upon a time, these legs were interpreted as the sure sign of a rich, high-quality wine. While some people believe that the presence and thickness of legs relates to the sweetness, viscosity or quality of wine, none of these is correct. Today, we know that a wine’s legs are a complicated phenomenon having to do with the surface tension of the wine and the evaporation rate of the wine’s alcohol. Because a wine’s body is affected by the alcohol content, there is some relationship between legs and body, but there are so many other factors involved that legs are a poor indicator of quality.
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Yo e of We Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Alamo or Danville Home for Sale According to industry experts, there Alamo,Danville Alamo,Danville - over 33 physical problems that will come under areer 33 physical pro ysical problems that will come un ysical problems that will come under ver 33 physical pro scrutiny during a home inspection when your home er is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away
Yes, considerably! MCE’s power supply contains a higher portion of renewable resources like solar, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal. According to the most recent California Energy Commission Power Content Labels, MCE’s Light Green service is 55% renewable and PG&E’s service is 33% renewable.
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altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help homesellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1866-265-1682 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
00941526 This report is courtesy of McDaniel Callahan CalBRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buy ers or sellers currently under contract. Copy right © 2016
GIVE IT A TRY
Still not convinced that it’s physics and not quality that drives this phenomenon? Try covering your next glass of wine, and see if the legs present decrease when covered compared to when open. What you’ll find is no evaporation, no legs. This is because the air inside the glass contains enough alcohol vapor to prevent more from evaporating, and the formation of legs stops. Uncover the glass, and legs will start to form again.
SWIRL AWAY
If this is true, then why do wine lovers still swirl their wine? They do it because swirling it helps to release aromas which in turn makes tasting and smelling the wine easier. Swirling also increases oxygenation of the wine, which in turn affects the flavor, so swirl away! Monica Chappell is an East Bay wine writer and educator and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
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VALLEY VIGNETTES
JOSE MARIA AMADOR’S RANCHO SAN RAMON By Beverly Lane
One warm August night in 1834, Jose Maria Amador found himself waiting for a card game to end so he could finalize the title to his San Ramon Rancho grant. Fortythree years later, he recalled the circumstances: “The title to my rancho had been drawn up by…a secretary and amanuensis to (Governor Jose) Figueroa, in a room at Mission San Jose…I placed (the title) in an envelope, in the hands of Senor Figueroa, requesting him to look over the documents. The Governor was playing manilla with two priests…and Eugenio Montenegro. When I voiced the request, he asked me to excuse him until he had finished playing the hand.” When the card game was over, Figueroa talked to Padre Jose Gonzalez Rubio of Mission San Jose about the title and, according to Amador, “the padre, whether willingly or not, furnished the statement as he had been ordered to do, and Figueroa By Jo Mora in Californios. then turned the documents over to me.” Thus, Don Jose Maria Amador received his title for the Rancho San Ramon. Amador’s life as a soldier and the owner of this Rancho are well documented. Because of a complete oral history he gave to Thomas Savage for Bancroft in 1877 and several other interviews, we know about his experiences as an Indian fighter, his years as administrator of Mission San Jose, his family, his expert knowledge of horses, and his bad opinion of John Fremont and the Bear Flag Rebellion. Amador thought the Bear Flag Rebellion in Sonora was an outrageous insult to the prominent pro-American Mariano Vallejo. And, when Fremont brought his California Battalion through the valley and requisitioned Amador’s best tamed horses, Fremont told Amador he would pay for them “with an ounce of lead from every rifle in his troop.” Amador’s father, Pedro, came to California with the first Spanish overland expedition in 1769. Born in San Francisco in 1794, Jose Maria’s mother, Maria Noriega Amador, was literate and taught him to read, which gave him advantages over many others in this period. His Rancho San Ramon grant eventually encompassed around five square leagues, or 20,000 plus acres, and covered today’s San Ramon (south of Crow Canyon Road), Dougherty Valley, Tassajara Valley and historic Dublin. Amador was married three times and had at least 22 children. He built several adobes at his rancho headquarters near Alamilla Springs in today’s Dublin, including a two-story adobe which was used by James and Elizabeth Dougherty until the 1861 Calaveras Fault earthquake. He stocked the land with an estimated 400 horses, 14,000 cattle, and 3,000 sheep and he planted corn, melons, vineyards and orchards. In 1837, he and Roberto Livermore grew a successful large wheat crop in Sunol Valley. His rancho headquarters was really a small village where 150 Mexican and Indian workers produced a wide range of leather goods (saddles, harnesses, boots, etc.), furniture, and wagons. In Amador’s “Recollections,” he pointed out that the Indians “were exceptional workmen.” In 1848, he mined for gold in today’s Amador County, accompanied by his sons and several Indian workers. An Alta California newspaper article quoted Amador as saying that he brought three mules back laden with gold, some of which was given to friends by the tin cup-full and the remainder distributed among his relatives, to be played away at monte..”. As the Gold Rush settlers moved into this area, many squatted on his land and he was unable to move them off. Jose Maria Amador Amador gradually sold his rancho to several different people. Two of these transactions included the sale of about 4,000 acres on the northwest corner to Leo Norris (a sale begun in 1850) and 10,000 acres to James Witt Dougherty in 1852. The Dublin area was called “Amador” for many years. Amador was extraordinary for his energy, long life, and amiable personality. He was typical of many Mexican rancho owners who were unable to make a successful transition to life in the new American state. While he sometimes described his tale as a doleful one, in one newspaper interview he stated, “It is my wish that my reputation should be preserved and that it be said Amador wronged no man.” Sources: Amador’s Recollections (1877) at The Bancroft Library; A California Patriarch in Oakland Daily Tribune (May, June 1875); Mildred Hoover’s Historic Spots in California; Alta California newspaper (9-22-1860).
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in our center. We are located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call (925) 646-4461.
ACTION POOL REPAIR
Serving Alamo & Danville Since
925.820.3640 www.actionpoolrepair.com Contractor Lic# 978033-C53
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
Results. Pure and Simple. Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
400 Blue Ridge Drive, Martinez 3 Bed 2 Bath 1530 Sq Ft $749,000 400blueridge.com
1 Dogwood Court, San Ramon 2 Bed 2 Bath 1005 Sq Ft $599,000 55+ Sunny Glen Senior Community 1dogwood.com
9 Dogwood Court, San Ramon 2 Bed 2 Bath 1165 Sq Ft $649,000 55+ Sunny Glen Senior Community 9dogwood.com
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
AMAWATERWAYS RHINE AND MOSEL RIVER CRUISE
By Mike Mullery, Alamo World Travel
We really like AmaWaterways River Cruises, and we keep going back for more. What’s not to like about river cruising and AmaWaterways? You check in to a modern (all under 10 years old) river cruise ship, enjoy your comfortable cabin (each one with a view), and enjoy the ambiance. The ship docks in the middle of towns, and shore excursions are included. Walking tours are offered for fast, average, and “gentle” walkers, and Quiet Vox headsets are provided. Many passengers opt for more active bicycle touring which is offered as well. When the ship is cruising, you will see endless picture-postcard views. Add in good food, and wine or beer with lunch and dinner, along with a friendly and attentive crew and interesting guests, and you will be hooked. Our most recent cruise was on the new AmaKristina and was round trip to and from Amsterdam. We had been to Amsterdam previously but love to return. Amsterdam is the cultural center of the Netherlands with historic 17th century canals (UNESCO World Heritage list), the Rijksmuseum, the Hermitage, the Anne Frank house, and of course the famous red-light district. Bicycles are everywhere, which is fortunate because there is a lack of parking places. We checked in, did some sightseeing, and had a great dinner. The next morning, we met with our excellent cruise manager Rachel, then took an Amsterdam city tour. In the evening, we had another good meal with wine, listened to a string quartet, then cruised to Cologne. In Cologne, we took the Kolsch Beer and Local Specialties tour instead of the walking or bike tour. We cruised the Rhine Gorge
which is an UNESCO World Heritage site (30+ castles, charming villages, and vineyards) to Rudesheim where we went wine tasting and then visited the fascinating Siegfried Mechanical Music Museum. Next, we cruised to the town of Cochem which is on the Mosel River. We took a walking tour, then visited the very impressive Reichsburg Castle. In the Mosel Valley, there are 2,600 vineyard sites and some of the steepest vineyards I have ever seen. In the evening, we ate at the Chef’s Table Restaurant, an intimate restaurant at the back of the AmaKristina. Next stop was Lahnstein and a visit to the 13th century Lahneck Castle. Afterwards, we cruised to, and spent the night in, Dusseldorf. In the morning, we cruised to Amsterdam where we visited the Hermitage Museum. We overnighted in Amsterdam, then had to depart the ship, envying those staying onboard for the next cruise. Contact me about the next generation in river cruising, the AmaMagna, coming to the Danube in May 2019. The ship will have larger staterooms, more dining options, a health and wellness studio, enhanced entertainment, and more. Or reach out if you are interested in attending the Eugene O’Neill One Festival-Two Countries Tour and Post Festival Tour in New Ross, Ireland this October. Please call, email, or better yet visit our office to discuss your next river cruise, ocean cruise, tour, or resort stay. I can be reached at 925-837-8742 x 14, or mike@ alamoworld.com, or visit our website www.alamoworld.com. Advertorial
Did you know there is a Travel Agency in Alamo?
Alamo World Travel has been helping make Travel Dreams come true for 38 years! 925-837-8742 www.alamoworld.com 3201 Danville Blvd #255 Alamo |Alamo Commons-next to Ace Hardware
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
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AL AMO DOWNTOWN ROUNDABOUT PROJECT CONTINUES TOWARD CONSTRUCTION By Supervisor Candace Andersen
After years of discussion and many Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meetings to discuss the options of what to do with the increased traffic in downtown Alamo, the Contra Costa County Public Works team has a draft design for a roundabout to help calm traffic and address the unsafe conditions between Stone Valley Road and Jackson Way. The roundabout project is fully funded, and drawings are 35% complete. The roundabout will sit just outside the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center and assist the nearly 20,000 vehicles that make their way through this intersection each day. A traffic calming solution was necessary at this location because the collision rate at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Orchard Court is 2.5 times the statewide average for similar intersections. There are definitely mixed feelings about roundabouts. People seem to either love them or hate them. However, after studying the issue and receiving significant community input, this is what the Alamo MAC recommended. Studies show that roundabouts are safer, more efficient, cheaper, and are more aesthetically pleasing than standard, conventional intersection designs with traffic signals. The project will also reconstruct sidewalks to provide American Disabilities Act (ADA) pedestrian access throughout the corridor, and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. It also offers a wonderful sense of a centralized downtown for the community, which many have said they look forward to. The project concept and design are not only supported by the Alamo MAC but also the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA). With 35% design plans now complete, the County’s Public Works Design Team has finished with the survey and topographical work, and documentation has been submitted to Caltrans to determine whether an exception will be granted for a Historical Resource Evaluation Report, which is otherwise required as part of the project. The cost for the downtown roundabout is $4.1 million. Partial funding of $1.4 million has been received from Measure J regional sales tax funds. The County Public Works Department applied for grants to fund the balance of the project, resulting in a $2.7 million Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant. With the project now fully funded, construction is estimated to begin in the summer of 2020. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
QUICK TRIPS
By Linda Summers Pirkle
My husband is a collector of film posters and vintage photos. Pieces from his collection hang framed on the walls of our home. One of his prized pictures is a copy of Life photographer Hank Walker’s photo of RFK and JFK conferring in a Los Angeles hotel suite during the 1960 Democratic convention aptly named Head to Head. Eight years after Walker’s iconic photo was taken, JFK, RFK, as well as Martin Luther King had all been assassinated. June 8, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the funeral train transporting the body of Robert Kennedy from New York City to Washington D.C. where he would be buried near his brother at Arlington Cemetery. A sublimely beautiful and emotionally powerful exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art pays tribute to that day in June 1968. My daughter and I visited the extraordinary exhibit The Train at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) where three artists contributed their works. The first is a group of color photographs by Paul Fusco who was on assignment to capture images of that hot, sticky day. Linde Lehtinen, assistant curator of photography at SFMOMA and co-curator of the exhibition, commented, “Many of the photographs are affecting people in different ways, but I have noticed some visitors commenting on a photograph that was most likely taken as the train was passing through Baltimore, featuring massive crowds of people standing in a grassy area between two streets lined with row houses and cars. I think there is something visually appealing about the range of vibrant colors and deep perspective combined with a palpable sense of community that this photograph evokes.” The second body of work features photographs and home movies by spectators themselves, collected by Dutch artist Rein Jelle Terpstra in his project The People’s View (2014-18). Lehtinen noticed, “People study the small vernacular pictures, slides, and home movies with another level of fascination, especially because of the unique way in which the works are installed along the actual route of the train.” By Paul Fusco. The third is a compelling work by French artist Phillipe Parreno which is a 70mm film reenactment of the funeral train journey inspired by Fusco’s original photographs. Lehtinen adds, “Visitors are transfixed by the scale and immersive quality of that film which recreates the trains journey, and they often say that it’s like being there on that day. The response from visitors to the exhibition has been overwhelmingly positive and also quite emotional.” The Train: RFK’s Last Journey exhibit at SFMOMA runs through June 10th. Their website is SFMOMA.org. Their address is 131 Third Street, San Francisco. They are open Friday-Tuesday 10AM-5PM, Thursday 10AM-9PM, and closed Wednesday. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
Jeff Snell & Lynda Snell ~ Your Real Estate Resource TECHNOLOGY ALAMO WESTSIDE Jeff Real Resource Jeff Snell Snell & Lynda Snell ~ Your Estate Resource ROUND HILL COUNTRY CLUB MATTERS ALAMO ROUND HILL COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB ALAMOWESTSIDE WESTSIDE
ENCRYPTION By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Jeff Snell & Lynda Snell ~ Your Real Estate Resource
Like me, many ALAMO WESTSIDE ROUND HILL COUNTRY CLUB people have large 21 Gran Via, Alamo 560 Oakshire Place, Alamo amounts of personal Amazing home and location near Downtown Alamo! 5 bdrm, 4.5 bath just under Located in Roundhill560 Country Club,Place, one of the Bay Area’s most desirable 21 560 Oakshire Place, Alamo 21 Gran GranVia, Via,Alamo Alamo Oakshire Alamo sq.ft.ranch home with updates & stunning Alamo! remodeling throughout! Incredible residential this contemporary combines Amazing home and near 4.5 under Located in area, Roundhill Country Club, Club,home one of of the Bay Baysophisticated Area’s most most elegance desirablewith Amazing home andlocation location nearDowntown Downtown Alamo! 55 bdrm, bdrm, 4.5 bath just Country one the Area’s desirable and business data, and they keep it on their 3,100 quality park likesq.ft. 1/2 ranch pancake flatwith lot updates with sparkling pool, covered throughout! patio, sport Incredible court and residential charm plusarea, sweeping views. Custom designed and renovated with the finest 3,100 &&stunning remodeling this contemporary home combines sophisticated elegance with 3,100 sq.ft. ranchhome home with updates stunning remodeling throughout! combines sophisticated elegance with personal computers instead of storing it on plenty detailing workmanship can be foundand throughout property. play Close towith town, Iron Horse trail, schools, fwy and more! quality park like 1/2 pancake flflat sparkling pool, patio, court and charm plusand sweeping views.Custom Custom designed and renovatedthis withsensational thefifinest nestquality parkof like 1/2area. pancake atlot lot with sparkling pool,covered covered patio, sport sport views. designed renovated with the workmanship can be be found found|throughout throughout this sensational sensational property. property. area. to Horse this plenty of of play play area. Close Close to town, town, Iron Iron Horse trail, trail, schools, schools, fwy and more! detailing and workmanship Offered at $1,995,000 | www.21GranVia.com Offered at can $1,995,000 www.560Oakshire.com servers that are backed up. There have been plenty Offeredat at $1,995,000 $1,995,000 || www.21GranVia.com www.21GranVia.com Offered Offered Offered at at $1,995,000 $1,995,000 || www.560Oakshire.com www.560Oakshire.com many times we’ve had to rescue someone who stored their entire digital life on their machine. When their hard disk crashed, or 21 Gran Via, Alamo 560 Oakshire Place, Alamo someone stole the laptop, we’ve done diving Amazing home and location near Downtown Alamo! 5 bdrm, 4.5 bath just under Located in Roundhill Country Club, one of the Bay Area’s most desirable catches to get what data we can. It’s heart- 3,100 sq.ft.ranch home with updates & stunning remodeling throughout! Incredible residential area, this contemporary home combines sophisticated elegance with park like 1/2 pancake flat lot with sparkling pool, covered patio, sport court and charm plus sweeping views. Custom designed and renovated with the finest quality breaking to experience this. Either situation plenty of play area. Close to town, Iron Horse trail, schools, fwy and more! detailing and workmanship can be found throughout this sensational property. Offered at $1,995,000 | www.21GranVia.com Offered at $1,995,000 | www.560Oakshire.com Jeff@jeffsnell.com LyndaSnell@aol.com is bad, but these days I think having your Jeff@jeffsnell.com || LyndaSnell@aol.com Jeff@jeffsnell.com LyndaSnell@aol.com machine stolen is worse and certainly much harder from which to recover. Virtual photos&&details details@@www.jeffsnell.com www.jeffsnell.com Giving Dreams an Address Virtualtour, tour, more Virtual tour, more photos Giving Dreams an Giving Giving Dreams Dreams an anAddress Address Address For our financial services and healthcare clientele, we insist on encrypting any device that will be used outside of their office, no matter what. In some cases, we’re also encrypting desktop computers and servers that stay in their office, because the Federal penalties are so severe if their data is exposed, and encryption renders the issue moot. Encryption is so effective that it is considered the ultimate data protection by regulating agencies. What is encryption? Put simply, it is the on-the-fly transformation of your stored data into a human-unintelligible format via an encoding algorithm. The Jeff@jeffsnell.com | LyndaSnell@aol.com algorithm renders all of the data unreadable by anyone not possessing the special key. The key is typically a particularly long and complex phrase of letters and numbers that would take lifetimes to crack. When you’re using an encrypted Virtual computer, works and&feels like any other system, and you can’t tell the differtour, it more photos details @ www.jeffsnell.com Giving Dreams an Address ence except when it is initially encrypting the data. When you turn that computer off, your data is locked tight on the disk. When you turn it on, it will prompt you for the key. If you don’t have the key, you don’t get access. If someone stole that computer and extracted the hard disk, they would only see random letters and numbers instead of your data unless they had your decryption key. You as the owner possess that key; a thief would not. Therefore, if someone steals your computer, they may get your machine, but they don’t get your data. That’s why encryption is so powerful. Encryption is just one of three components to consider for your data safety, and encrypting a computer without first having current computer backups would be crazy. If something went wrong with the encryption, you’d be as locked out of your data as a thief. There is no “hacking” an encrypted computer; for all practical purposes, it’s impossible. Equally crazy is not first protecting yourself from the most common risks we deal with right now, namely ransomware, viruses, and other malware. The common thread here is protecting your data. The point is that the care and feeding of your data requires forethought and planning. We can’t let the fact that nothing has happened to you be confused with something not being able to happen at all. Here are some basic questions everyone should be asking of themselves and their businesses. 1. Are there legal, financial, or privacy implications if the data I keep on my laptop is stolen and accessed by a hostile third party? If you answer “yes,” then that machine should be encrypted. 2. If you lost your computer and the data was inaccessible, what would you miss? Business plans? Family photographs? The book you’re writing? Your Quickbooks database? Patent designs? Analysis and spreadsheets? Intellectual property? What would be the impact on your person or business, and could you tolerate it? Sometimes we use computers as nothing more than an appliance with all of our data on the web, so the hardware is disposable. However, if there is data on that computer that you’ 28d miss, a regular, professional backup should be employed. 28 3. What would the impact on your business 28be if all of the computers were suddenly externally encrypted by ransomware, and you were asked to pay Bitcoin to recover the data? Hopefully, you have backups and can thumb your nose at the perpetrators. The bigger question to ask is what failed that allowed you to get infected? We created the PCIO TSP product to prevent exactly this situation. If you have been attacked and would prefer to avoid it in the future, please consider that we have a 100% track record of successful ransomware protection with this product. Computers come and go. Your data is the only thing that matters. To your data, having good backups, encryption, and proper security products is the same as you wearing a seatbelt when you drive a car. You can 28 probably skip it for a while without getting into an accident, but the odds are against you. Eventually, it’s going to hurt a lot when it all gone and irretrievable. Need help? Let’s chat. Preserving your data with scalable and secure solutions is our business. Reach us at info@pcioit.com, or call 925-552-7953, option 1. Advertorial
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Lions Club has been saving sight for millions of people around the world, including our local schools and preschools. On March 5th local Lion volunteers screened 362 students at Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville. Lions members used the Spot camera which utilizes an infrared camera that combines auto-refraction and video-retinoscopy. From one meter (just over a 3 feet) away, the camera is used to take a digital photograph. The information acquired is used to automatically assess a person’s vision in a little as five seconds. The test is for farsightedness and nearsightedness.
Here’s Looking At You! I’m at the new David M. Brian Furniture Studio I’m 195.00. My name is Bessie The Danville Livery Center
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
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Rose continued from front page
speakers, an award-winning newsletter, and members who are generous with their ideas. MDRS has a cozy atmosphere like a family.” Speakers include nationally recognized experts. Stephen Scanniello, Curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden and consulting rosarian for America’s oldest municipal rose garden at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, Connecticut, is now a regular January presenter for MDRS. On September 12, 2018, Tom Carruth, who has created more winners of the prestigious All-American Rose Selection award than any other living hybridizer, will talk about an unnamed seedling he almost lost that became chief progenitor of many of his highly-prized hybrid roses. Local talent also brings programs not to be missed. Kathy Knabke, MDRS Secretary writes: “Our President Barbara Norkus has given PBS-worthy presentations on her visits to England’s Chelsea Flower Show. MDRS member and former American Rose Society President, Jolene Adams, has regularly wowed us with beautifully presented tales of her travels to American Rose Society Conventions in France and New Zealand. We recently enjoyed and envied the chronicled garden transformations of two members’, The arch dedicated in 2017 frames the entrance to McCormick Family Rose Garden at Emerald Glen Park. Photo courtesy of MDRS. Belinda and John Dronkers-Laureta, Fremont home.” Monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month, September-June, in the Dublin Library’s Community Room are open free to guests. Meetings begin at 7:30PM. On May 9th, Barbara Gordon will share her secrets for when to pick, how to pack, and how to transport roses for exhibition. Programs address other subjects of special interest from bees and hummingbirds to photographing flowers. On June 13th, Dawn Saks will speak about bats, revealing which of the many myths about these beneficial flying creatures are fact and which are fiction. During months when roses are in bloom, the Little Rose Show is staged in conjunction with regular meetings. Members and guests learn from examples and critiques by ARS-certified judges how to exhibit roses or simply enjoy the lovely display. Knabke relates, “I originally joined MDRS for the social aspects. I wanted to talk with rose gardeners and get tips from them. It worked! I’ve met wonderful warm people and continually learn from them.” Kathy attended her first meeting simply hoping to get some advice on the few roses in her garden. She still does not have the huge rose collection some other members possess, but as Emerald Glen Rose Chair she enjoys coordinating the work of volunteers who prune and deadhead the roses in the McCormick Family Roses Gardens in Dublin’s Emerald Glen Park. “Deadheading roses at Emerald Glen Park is the one job I’ve ever had that people always come up and thank you for,” Knabke remarks. About her much more experienced pruning partner, Sandy Barclay, who logs more EG volunteer hours than any other MDRS member, she writes: “She may be volunteering to make rose bushes look better and stay healthy, which she does so well, but she achieves so much more.” Sandy has special talent for welcoming visitors and making each person experience the garden as a personal retreat. Some members join specifically to receive the MDRS newsletter, “The Diablo Rose.” Last year ARS recognized editor Sally Estee for Excellence in Local Newsletter presentation. Knabke explains, “MDRS is an organization you can enjoy to your own limits. Each member chooses the level of participation that makes him or her comfortable.” Dolores Moffat, MDRS Consulting Rosarian Coordinator, notes that free expert advice is available from the society to non-members as well as members. She fields calls and emails from gardeners wanting to know what they should do. Moffat has taken ARS courses and passed the examinations first for Consulting Rosarian and subsequently for Master Consulting Rosarian. Asked what aspect of MDRS she values most, she insists, “What I enjoy most is the exchange of knowledge and the camaraderie. I still learn something at every meeting.” How did Moffat first become interested in rose culture? “I was a young teenager when our next door neighbor who was moving offered me his rose bush saying, ‘It’s yours if you want it.’ I talked my dad into digging it up and planting it. It was a Peace Rose. I have loved growing roses ever since.” Norkus was even younger when she fell in love with roses. “My Swedish grandmother and my ‘Chinese’ mother taught me to love roses at an early age. My mother grew up in a part of China renowned for peonies where roses also flourished. She made sure I got outside to really look at different growing things and also made me aware of the benefits of bringing beauty into the home. I was no more than seven years old when she bought me a dotted Swiss Rose Show entries include individual flowers, multiple dress with a red rose appliquéd the length of the dress. The rose has been my flower ever since.” blooms of a single variety and also arrangements of Last year MDRS initiated a new tradition at their annual spring rose show to inspire the event’s youngest blooms. Photo courtesy of MDRS. attendees to grow their own roses. The first hundred children to arrive at the event received a miniature rose plant to take home. Supplies ran out quickly. MDRS Past President Lou Evans never knew he had a competitive nature until he entered his first MDRS rose show. He recalls, “I saw an ad for the MDRS Fall Rose Show at Alden Lane Nursery back in 2000 or 2001. I had no idea how to cut a rose for a show. I took a nice bloom of a rose called ‘Touch of Class.’ Someone helped me stage it for exhibition. I ended up winning Queen of Show, the top award for a hybrid tea rose.” Evans inadvertently became hooked on collecting roses. “The first house I bought had a few roses. I knew nothing about how to grow them, so I asked a friend for advice. The roses did well, so I bought some more. By the time I moved to Livermore, I’d gone from 3 to 30 roses.” Today he estimates he has 120-125 different rose varieties in his garden. Preparing roses for a show is a labor of love. Two to three weeks prior to the event, Evans begins selecting possible blooms. On a spray, he may remove the center bud to make the surrounding flowers all open the same size, or he may pinch off side buds to generate a large central blossom. Two to three days before the competition, he cuts selected blooms and stores them in his refrigerator. The day before the show he makes the final cuttings. Filling out entry tags is timeconsuming. He enjoys displaying roses almost as much for the pleasure their breathtaking beauty gives non-exhibitors as for the joy of seeing his entries looking their best. Competition classes include single blooms, groupings of blooms of a single variety and even spectacular bouquets. Watch for MDRS volunteers at the Alameda County Fair’s annual rose show. They are dedicated to helping new enthusiasts to present their entries like experienced exhibitors. MDRS is a non-profit affiliate of the American Rose Society. Visit www.mtdiablorosesociety.org for additional information. See this month’s Clip Notes for details on the newest Emerald Glen rose garden designed and donated by MDRS. Advertise in your hometown paper, share a story with the community,or let us know about a local non-profit to profile! Contact us at 925.405.6397 or Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
GUARDING AGAINST WILL AND TRUST CONTESTS
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
In the course of drafting estate planning documents - a Will, Codicil (Will amendment), Revocable Living Trust, or Trust amendment - clients sometimes ask me about the best way to prevent someone from being able to challenge the document in the future. This is a fair question but not a simple one. In general, there is no legal presumption about who will or must be one’s Will or Trust beneficiaries. Anyone who is not specifically designated as a beneficiary under a Will or Trust will typically only win a court challenge if very compelling evidence proves that the decedent nevertheless intended the claimant to be a beneficiary. An exception applies for an omitted (the legal term is “pretermitted”) spouse or child. Relevant law gives relief to a spouse or child when a person (hereafter “testator”) a) establishes a Will or Trust; b) later marries and/or has a child; and c) dies without amending her documents to provide for the spouse or child. Essentially, the law presumes that the spouse or child was inadvertently omitted by the testator. Without delving into details of applicable law, it should suffice to state that careful planning and appropriate documents are critical to rebut this presumption when an omission by the testator is intentional. Of course, anyone can file a Will or Trust contest, regardless of how strong or weak the legal grounds may be to support their claim. Common grounds asserted in such lawsuits are lack of capacity, undue influence, duress, or that a beneficiary is a “disqualified” beneficiary (a statute presumptively voids gifts to certain people in certain circumstances). In fact, contestants often lose if their case goes to trial. Nevertheless, litigation is very expensive and inconvenient to defend. So, what reasonable steps can a testator take to try to prevent someone from filing of a Will or Trust contest? First and foremost, the testator should work with an experienced trust/estates attorney who will make a threshold
www.yourmonthlypaper.com determination about the testator’s capacity, evaluate her circumstances, and discuss her wishes. Next, a “no contest” provision - commonly included in estate planning documents - should be considered. Such a clause is designed to help prevent a Will or Trust contest when no probable cause supports such claim. The example and commentary below illustrates why sound and thoughtful legal advice about this is critical. Typically, a “no contest” clause provides that if someone challenges the validity or enforceability of applicable estate planning documents and a judge rules that the claim lacks probable cause, the contestant loses the right to receive whatever beneficial interest he would have otherwise received under the documents. Example: a testator has a $2 million estate, she wants to disinherit her son, and she asks her attorney to insert a “no contest” clause in her estate planning documents. All this is fine conceptually, but consider an important practical problem. In this set of facts, the clause serves as a “shield” when what may be needed is a “stick.” Even if the son’s grounds to contest his mother’s estate planning documents are weak or non-existent, he isn’t risking anything by filing the Will or Trust contest. If he loses the lawsuit, he will receive nothing, but the estate planning documents provide that he would not have received anything anyway. Alternatively, if, in addition to inserting a no contest provision, the documents included a relatively modest cash gift (e.g. $50,000 or $100,000) to her son, then this would serve as a “stick” – potentially discouraging him from filing suit. If he files and loses, he will forfeit the $50,000 or $100,000 he would have otherwise received. Estate Planning*Trust Administration & Probate*Real Estate*Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@ rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.
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Friend continued from front page
and had arranged for us to be given a tour of O’Neill sites in Tinneranny, near New Ross, by Alice McLaughlin, Eugene O’Neill’s second cousin, twice removed. In the course of the afternoon, Richard Hayes and Sean Reidy, former CEO of the JFK Trust, confided to me that they had long wished to start a Eugene O’Neill festival in New Ross… I agreed to help, and we developed “One Festival, Two Countries.” Back in Danville, McGovern discovered a “happy accident”; the Danville Town Council had been interested in forming a Friendship City relationship with an appropriate partner. McGovern briefed the Council on “One Festival, Two Countries” and was then asked to explore the formation of a Friendship City relationship with New Ross when he returned there in November 2017. Robert Storer, Vice Mayor of Danville, says, “One Festival, Two Countries offers Danville the opportunity to distinguish itself from the San Ramon Valley as well as the Bay Area as an international cultural New Ross skyline at night. Photo by Des Kiely. destination while we recognize Eugene O’Neill’s literary genius.” He added, “The Tao House will no longer be Danville’s best kept secret!” Throughout the month of September 2018, the 19th annual Eugene O’Neill festival will feature two plays: All My Sons by Arthur Miller in the Village Theater during the first half of September and O’Neill’s Hughie in the Old Barn at Tao House during the second half of the month. Robert O’Driscoll, the Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco, the Mayor and Vice Mayor of New Ross, Ireland, council members along with various other Irish dignitaries will be attending the festivities. In October, the troupe will travel to Ireland to perform O’Neill’s Hughie in the historic 300 seat St. Michael’s Theater in New Ross. In addition to Hughie, three other plays will be presented at the New Ross Festival two of them by Eugene O’Neill: Mounting Becomes Electra and the four one-act plays known as the S.S. Glencairn Cycle. The S.S. Glencairn Cycle plays will be performed on a full-scale replica of one of the Famine ships that brought immigrants from New Ross to America. The formal presentation, including exchanging the keys to the city, a Proclamation, and then formally creating the relationship as a Friendship city and cultural destination for the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Tao House and Danville, will take place during the New Ross Festival (October 11-14). Attending the festivities in New Ross will be Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich along with Vice Mayor Robert Storer, council members Karen Stepper, Renee Morgan, and Lisa Blackwell. (All council members will pay for their own trip to Ireland and no Town funds were used to create the relationship except for staff time to establish policies.) Sean Reidy, Co-Chair of the Eugene O' Neill International Festival of Theatre and Chairman of the O'Neill Ancestral Trust in New Ross will be among the Irish welcoming committee. He shared, “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Eugene O' Neill Foundation in Danville in honoring the historic legacy of the great US playwright Eugene O'Neill. Eugene's father James left New Ross in 1851 shortly after the Great Famine in Ireland and during a time of great deprivation. His story is particularly inspiring, as he overcame great hardship to become a famous stage actor and starred in one of the earliest silent movies. Eugene O'Neill's work is very influenced by his Irish heritage and by the great hardships and struggles the O'Neills and many other Irish immigrants endured in the 19th century as they struggled to overcome adversity.” Councilor Willie Fitzharris, Chairman of New Ross Municipal Council added, “We are delighted to be entering this new friendship with the city and people of Danville and to be supporting the ‘Two Countries, One Festival’ Eugene O'Neill International Festival of Theatre initiative. We are particularly looking forward to
See Friend continued on page 22
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INTEGRATED TAX PLANNING
By Robert Cucchiaro
Now that tax season is over (unless you are on extension) if you are like most people, you will not think about taxes again until early 2019. If you are an affluent family with a high income and/or lots of assets, this would be a big mistake and one that could cost you thousands. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed on December 22, 2017, making our already complex tax code even more onerous and complex. And while for some lower earning families the new tax code will simplify things, for those of us in California with high incomes, the new tax code will do just the opposite. The good news is if you get started soon, you will have plenty of time to navigate the new rules and potentially come out ahead on next year’s returns. Here are five things to consider when assessing your individual situation: 1. Do you own an asset that creates a lot of income? Let’s say you own an apartment building that creates a lot of income which you pay taxes on each year. Under the new tax code, the amount one can gift without gift tax has doubled. This asset could be partially gifted to family members (kids/ grandkids) in lower tax brackets who could benefit from this income and pay less in taxes than you do. 2. Do you have an asset that has appreciated significantly since it was purchased? Over the past nine years, both the stock and the real estate markets have grown like weeds, benefiting many of us here in the Bay Area. However, now that means you may be sitting on an asset that you’d like to sell, but doing so would trigger a big capital gains tax bill. There is a strategy, the complexity of which is beyond the scope of this article, where one can gift an asset and later receive it back all while potentially eliminating the capital gains taxes that would normally be due upon sale. 3. Do you have both pre-tax investments (401K/IRA) and after tax investments (brokerage account, trust account)? Let’s say you have two investment accounts, an IRA and a Trust account. Both are balanced and contain a mix
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
of stocks and bonds. From a tax perspective, this could be less than ideal. There is a concept called ‘asset location’ where you use the tax nature of an investment to decide if it should be held in your IRA vs. your Trust account. If you are not doing this already, it could cost you up to 0.50% per year based on a study done by Ernst & Young. On a $1,000,000+ portfolio, that’s $5,000 per year in unnecessary taxes. 4. Do you give money to charity? Charitable donations have always been an itemized deduction. But under the new tax code, many individuals won’t itemize their taxes, and therefore they will lose this valuable tax break. There are two smart ways to avoid this happening to you: donor advised funds and directing required minimum distributions (RMDs) straight to charity. 5. Do you own your own business? Last but not least, you may be eligible for a 20% deduction on qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation, or sole proprietorship based on the new tax laws. The rules here are very complex, so don’t count on this break as being automatic. Careful planning must be done to see if you qualify, and if not, how you could qualify for this break. If you are unsure whether or not your tax bill can be lowered, give us a call or send us an email, and we will analyze your taxes for you. You can reach me at 925-927-1900 or rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Rob specializes in helping people reduce their tax bills, enjoy a comfortable retirement, and pass along wealth to their loved ones. www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
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CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
The rose became the National Floral Emblem of the United States in Proclamation 5574 signed by President Ronald Reagan on November 20, 1986. Although 16-20 species are native to North America, most roses considered garden-worthy, like the majority of US citizens, owe much of their genetic heritage to immigrants. While naturally occurring hybrids happen, few of the 30,000 currently known rose varieties did not come into existence without human intervention. Despite having sunk their roots into earth’s soil long before people populated the globe, the world’s most admirable bloomers are now dependent on the ministrations of faithful gardeners catering to their cultural requirements. Robert Prince opened the first commercial nursery in the thirteen colonies on Long Island in 1737. Visited in 1789 by President George Washington accompanied by then Vice-President John Adams, the Flushing Landing enterprise specialized in fruiting shrubs and trees as well as roses. The 1790 catalogue offered Moss Provence rose, Yellow rose, Rosa Mundi, Large Provence rose, the monthly rose, the red damask rose, the white damask rose, Primrose, Musk rose, Cinnamon rose, Thornless rose, and American wild rose, many sorts. Prince’s nursery remained in family hands through four generations. William Robert Prince, great-grandson of the founder, published Manual of Roses in 1846, the first definitive American volume on the subject. The business closed in about 1865. Thomas Jefferson placed a large order following his trip to Prince’s establishment on June 15, 1791. His subsequent addition to the order included a substantial selection of roses. Although Jefferson owned the parents of the earliest documented American-bred rose, he probably did not have a specimen of ‘Champneys’ Pink Cluster.’ Charleston, South Carolina rice planter John Champneys is credited with crossing a pink China rose (Rosa chinensis), thought to have been ‘Old Blush’ (aka ‘Parson’s Pink’), with the Musk Rose (Rosa moschata) in the early nineteenth century. Sometime between 1802 and 1811, the resultant seedling grew into a large shrub. While its flowers were not individually elegant, the rose called ‘Champneys’ Pink Cluster’ repeatedly produced abundant clusters of fragrant pink blossoms from June to November.
Champneys sent seedlings to friends and gave some to his neighbor Phillippe Noisette. Noisette’s father had reputedly been head gardener to Louis XVI, and Phillippe’s brother Louis still maintained an impressive collection of roses in Paris. From seedlings Phillippe sent to his brother, the Frenchman developed the line of Noisette roses. Within a decade catalogues contained more 100 different Noisette variations. The advent of the first hybrid tea rose in 1867 marks the division of roses into two classifications: “old garden roses” pre-existing the advent of the hybrid tea and “modern roses” bred thereafter. Founded in 1892, the American Rose Society showcases gardens at ARH headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana with more than 20,000 rose bushes in a collection boasting 400 cultivars of modern and old garden roses. Asked to create the newest section of the McCormick Family Rose Garden at Dublin, California’s Emerald Glen Park installed in 2018, Mount Diablo Rose Society chose four rose varieties in complimentary colors to complete the requested Celtic Knot design. All are remarkably fragrant. Bill Mann of Starr Roses generously donated all of the plants of three selections: ‘Perfume Delight’, ‘Apricot Candy,’ and ‘Julia Child’. Perfume Delight garnered the All-American Rose Selection Award in 1974. Bred by Ollie Weeks who founded his Santa Ana rose business in 1937, Perfume Delight is a deep pink hybrid tea. Weeks passed away in 2002 at 90. Elaine Woo writes in the Los Angeles Times obituary: “Rose breeding is a tedious affair that can take as long as 10 years of patient tending of thousands of rose seedlings before finding one worth cultivating. Weeks produced more than 40 new roses during his five decades in the business.” Meillard International, operated in France by six generations of Meillards, introduced Apricot Candy in 2007. The soft apricot hybrid tea has above average disease resistance. Tom Carruth, responsible for creating more All-America Rose Selections than any other living hybridizer, released AARS winner ‘Julia Child’ in 2005. The yellow floribunda is said to have a fragrance the legendary culinary expert would have welcomed in her kitchen. Finding ‘Dublin’, the centerpiece needed to complete the project, took extensive research by Karen Jefferson. She eventually obtained plants from a Mississippi rose breeder. Aston Perry, Professor of Agronomy at North Carolina State University, introduced the deep rose-red hybrid tea rose in 1983. His professional specialty was peanut growing, but his long-time passion was raising remarkable roses.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
ARTS & GARDENS
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Registration for the 14th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which will take place on Sunday, May 6 from 10AM to 5PM, is now open. This award-winning tour features 40 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens that are pesticide-free, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 60% or more native plants. This year the theme is “Art and Music in the Gardens.” Artwork will be available for sale in a number of gardens, and gardens containing sculptures and mosaics will be featured. Bluegrass, Baroque, Renaissance, and other music will be performed at various gardens. Children’s activities will be offered. This self-drive tour showcases a variety of gardens, from large wooded lots in the hills to small parcels in the flats. Native plants will be available for sale, and more than 40 talks will be offered on the weekend of the event. Pre-registration for the Tour is required. The cost is $10 to purchase the garden guide; donations are requested. This tour will fill, so register early to ensure a place. Volunteers are needed. For additional information, visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net.
LAMORINDA GARDEN TOUR
The Lafayette Garden Club will hold a garden tour Saturday, May 12, from 10am to 3pm at a series of five unique, private gardens in Lamorinda. The tour, Artful Gardens, also will include a pop- up market and a plant sale. The tour can give you good ideas of what you might want to do in your garden, to learn about new plants, and to have a fun day out with friends and family. The gardens were selected for their variety of design, plant material, and garden features. The tour includes a sculpture garden with new discoveries around every corner, a hillside garden with wit and whimsy, a lush paradise with a meandering stream, an expansive family retreat designed for social and intimate gatherings, and an artist’s personal creation filled with extensive plant varieties and rustic antiques. Each garden reflects the unique personality of the owner and displays a range of the artistic and practical as well as the sophisticated and playful. Tickets may be purchased by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope and check to the Lafayette Garden Club, P. O. Box 294, Lafayette, CA 94549. They also may be purchased online at lafayettegardenclub.com. For more information contact Carolyn Poetzsch at 925-285-6651 or cpoetzsch@gmail.com.
KITCHEN TOUR
The Lafayette Juniors 19th Annual Kitchen Tour takes place Saturday, May 19th from 10am – 3pm. Tour six beautiful Lafayette homes with masterfully designed unique, elegant, and awe-inspiring kitchens. The Tour benefits No One Left Behind, Girls Inc., City Slicker Farms, White Pony Express and Contra Costa Crisis Center. Tickets are $50 ($45 tax deductible), a box lunch is available for $15. Purchase tickets at www.lafayettejuniors.org or Premier Kitchens in Lafayette.
THE GARDENS AT HEATHER FARM’S ANNUAL GALA FUNDRAISER
From Cuba to Mexico and Puerto Rico to Peru, savor the flavors of Latin America at The Gardens at Heather Farm’s gala fundraiser, Fiesta Nueva. The afternoon garden party takes place from 2 to 5pm, Sunday, May 6th, on the beautiful, flower-filled grounds at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek. The afternoon will showcase a variety of delectable Latin-themed appetizers, live music by an authentic salsa band, craft beer as well as a selection of wine, a chance to win raffle items and prizes, and more! Tickets may be purchased online at https://gardenshf.org or by calling (925) 947-1678. Please, ages 21 and over only. Proceeds from Fiesta Nueva allow The Gardens to bring natural and environmental science classes to local school children, support the maintenance of its free public garden, and promote the importance of nature to the community.
The 18th Annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour will be held Friday and Saturday, May 11th and 12th from 10AM to 4PM. Tickets are $35 if purchased before May 4th; $40 thereafter. Outstanding gardens in Alamo and Danville will be featured. Among the many highlights are a sculptor’s garden containing fascinating basalt rocks and original artwork, a garden that features rooms with extensive and diverse plantings created by a self-described “hoardaculturalist.” The spectacular views and incredible gardens on an acre-sized hill plot and yet another with a perfect seating area providing a panoramic view of Mount Diablo. Before May 4th mail your $35 check payable for to “AAUW Fund” with a selfaddressed, stamped business sized #10 envelope to AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Starting on April 10, tickets will be available at East Bay Flower Company located at 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W., Danville with payment by cash or check only. Or, purchase tickets online by credit card at https://daw-ca. aauw.net/payment/ and the ticket will be mailed to you. For questions, email daw.aauw@gmail.com. No children under 12 are allowed. Profits from the spring Garden Tour help AAUW provide funding for more than 244 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations.
OPEN STUDIOS SET FOR MAY 5 & 6
TOUR OF LOCAL ARTISTS’ SPACES
The community is invited to spend the weekend touring the creative spaces of several working artists as the Town of Danville sponsors a two-day Artists’ Open Studios event. This free event is set for May 5-6 from 11am-6pm each day. The public will be able to visit artists’ studios throughout Danville, view their work, and purchase pieces. “Danville is a town focused on the arts, and Open Studios will be a great addition,” said Recreation, Arts and Community Services Director Henry Perezalonso. “We appreciate the efforts of the Arts Commission to bring this event back to the community.” Headquarters for the event will be the Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street. Members of the public will be able to view the artists’ work and obtain maps that will indicate the studios they can visit all over Danville. This is a self-guided tour which interested community members can conduct at their own pace. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Program Supervisor Tamara Whitney at (925) 314-3426 or twhitney@danville.ca.gov.
CALL FOR ARTIST SUBMISSIONS FOR “MIX IT UP!” EXHIBIT
The Town of Danville’s Village Theatre & Art Gallery is seeking artists who create art using all types of media to submit their work for the Juried Exhibition, ‘Mix it Up!’, set for June 29 – August 25. The Gallery seeks to promote and celebrate the visual arts in a variety of media. Accepted artwork submissions can be in the form of sculpture, print, photography, original paintings, and all mixed media. For information on submitting artwork, visit www.villagetheatreartgallery.com. The deadline for entries is May 1. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5PM, Saturday from 11AM to 3PM, and Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The Art Gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov.
DANVILLE-ALAMO GARDEN CLUB
Anglophile Barbara Norkus has attended the Chelsea Flower Show four times. She started attending Chelsea because of the introduction to new roses at the show. She is the President of the Mount Diablo Rose Society, a Master Consulting Rosarian through the American Rose Society, and loves our National Flower...the rose. She will take us on a fabulous virtual tour of the Chelsea Flower Show at our next meeting. The Danville-Alamo Garden Club meets at 9:15am on the second Thursday of the months between September and June, at the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo. The public is welcome with the guest fee of $10. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@dagc.us or go to our website: www.dagc.us.
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
REPORTING UNSAFE CONDITIONS - UTILITIES
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
By Roger Smith, President PIPELINE SAFETY WORKSHOP
Please attend our 6:30PM meeting on Tuesday, May 29 at the Creekside Community Church, located at 1350 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. We will hold a Pipeline Safety Workshop with representatives from CA Public Utilities Commission, CA State Fire Marshal’s office, PG&E Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials, and the Pipeline Safety Trust. The Pipelines Safety Trust staff will discuss pipeline safety in the national context and review recent local incidents.They will explain the types of pipelines, regulatory framework, how to find information, causes of incidents, risks, ways to reduce risk, and safety requirements for construction, operation, and maintenance. Representatives from Pacific Gas & Electric, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the California State Fire Marshal will go over changes in State Regulations for pipeline operations/maintenance/inspection, high-consequence areas of Alamo and Danville, testing, maintenance, repair, and communications for pipelines. Pipeline Safety Trust Staff and Michael Kent, Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman will cover how we can increase safety and will facilitate a Question & Answer panel. NOTE: If possible, please submit your specific questions in advance to President@AlamoCA.org. We will be providing stakeholders an initial list of resident’s questions on May 15th.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND OTHER ALAMO/ DANVILLE RESIDENTS?
If you are an Alamo/Danville resident, you need to become aware of Pipeline Location and Safety Issues. Please attend the Pipeline Safety Workshop, become aware of any digging being performed in your area, and become safe by asking parties performing any digging to provide proof of their verification of pipelines in the vicinity.
Friend continued from page 18
welcoming a big delegation from Danville in October when we will roll out the red carpet and afford them a full civic welcome and the best of Irish hospitality.” The Irish theme with the new Friendship status between New Ross and Danville sparked “Celtic Jazz,” the first in a new concert series presented by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House and the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Vocalist Melanie O’Reilly was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and currently is based in the Bay Area. She has performed at festivals and venues worldwide including Lincoln Center, Edinburgh International Festival, and Musique d’Ici et d’Ailleurs in France. Pianist/arranger Frank Martin has performed and recorded with such giants of the jazz and pop worlds as Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, and the Turtle Island String Quartet. Bassist Fred Randolph is a master of many musical styles including jazz, salsa, samba, rock, and fusion. Drummer Jack Dorsey has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as The Coasters, Jose Feliciano, Bobby Freeman, Etta Jones, and Buddy Miles. He has also recorded soundtracks for 20th Century Fox, Zoetrope, and Skywalker Ranch. The Celtic Jazz group will perform on Thursday, May 3 at 7:30PM at the Village Theater. The fusion of Celtic melodies and American jazz create a riveting and unique sound. Tickets for “Celtic Jazz” are available at www.villagetheatreshow.com. Anyone interested in attending the October festivities in Ireland is “absolutely” invited says Danville Vice Mayor Robert Storer. Fifty rooms are being held in New Ross for visitors going to the “One Festival, Two Countries” event. There is plenty to do in the New Ross area including touring such sights as Hook Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey, Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny Castle, Smithwick’s Brewery, and the Ros Tapestry. Also, in the area is the Kennedy Homestead, the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy. JFK’s young cousin still farms the land. For more information, check out http://eugeneoneillfestival.com or contact Mike Mullery at Alamo World Travel & Tours, mike@alamoworld.com. The Irish Festival will be held October 11-14, 2018. The Danville O’Neill festival coincides with the Role Players Ensemble new season. Performances in Danville will be held on select dates from August 31 through September 30, 2018. Go n-éirí an bóthar libh! Bon Voyage to you all!
If you are a customer and need to report an unsafe situation, contact your utility company directly at the number shown on your utility billing. If you need to file a complaint, call (800) 649-7570 or do so online at www.cpuc.ca.gov/complaints/. If you are aware of an emergency such as a downed electrical wire or the smell of gas, first call 911. You can also call the main number for your utility listed in your phone directory.
BE CAREFUL BEFORE YOU DIG!
California State Law says you must call before you dig! Contact your underground alert service by dialing “811.” Digging on your property before calling 811 for the free Call Before You Dig marking can have dire consequences. You could damage underground utilities and disrupt service to your home and others. You could also expose yourself to costly repairs and fines from accidents that are a result of not calling first. In addition, there is also the real possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or electrocution from hitting an electric line.
ALAMO FARMERS’ MARKET
Fresh, quality strawberries and asparagus will appear in May! All produce is picked and arrives at our Alamo Farmer’s Market within 24-48 hours of harvest versus a week or much more for chain grocery stores. What type of produce are you looking for? Organic or conventionally grown? Several vendors offer both. Vendors are the best source of information about their own produce, so step up and ask them. The Alamo Farmer’s Market is open 9AM – 2PM every Sunday at the Alamo Plaza. There is plenty of easy, free parking, live music, and fun!
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Now in its 63rd year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement: to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts over the last 62 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please watch for your AIA 2018 Annual Report, ballot and membership form, then complete and return to AIA at PO Box 156, Alamo, CA. 94507. Please visit our website at www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more.
DEVIL MOUNTAIN RUN CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
The East Bay's oldest foot race takes to the streets of Danville on Sunday, May 6 at 8am marking the 40th anniversary of the beloved local race. Featuring distances suitable for the entire family, the annual run, includes a 5K and 10K, the Danville Rotary Kids Fun Run, the Mile of Truth, the Buddi Love Dog Mile and an expo. This year’s Mile of Truth, run in six separate heats, is the Pacific Association USA Track and Field Grand Prix Championship event and will attract some of the fastest runners in Northern California competing to take home part of a $5,000 prize purse. Unique in its ability to stoke the fire of even the most competitive runners, the mile is 5,280 feet of pure, unadulterated effort. Find out who has the fastest dog in the Tri-Valley at the Buddi Love Dog Mile. Designed for runners and their canine companions, the one-mile chiptimed race sponsored by Nulo includes top finisher prizes and goody bags for all participants. Proceeds from this year's event benefit Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley. Discovery Counseling Center (DCC) is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for individuals and families in the greater San Ramon Valley. The Devil Mountain Run got its start in 1978 as a benefit for Children’s Hospital in Oakland. After a one-year hiatus in 2012, Chris McCrary, founder of Katalyst Events and a Danville resident brought back the race. “Bringing back Devil Mountain Run and keeping the fundraising dollars local to benefit our community was an important decision,” he says. “We’ve seen first-hand just how meaningful and impactful Discovery’s work truly is. Day after day, the staff is helping children, adults, seniors and families get through some of life’s most difficult challenges. The work they do is incredibly important and I am proud to put on an event that provides them with a platform to raise awareness and funds”. Registration is $25-$44. The Kids Fun Run is free. Registration is available online at www.devilmtnrun.com.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
IS EVENING EATING DESTROYING YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
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Revolutionary Nonsurgical Eyebag Therapy
available. Do you eat what you think is a balanced breakCosmetic Dermatology Call for For Beautiful Skin fast, mid-morning snack, and a healthy lunch, and consultation! Offering treatments for: then come home in the evening and go on a feeding Body Sculpting frenzy? Do you feel in control and everything is Eyebag Reduction going fine until you come home at night starving, Introducing Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, and Rejuvenation eat a large dinner, say yes to dessert (and seconds), Women’s Wellness Frown Lines and Jawline/Jowl and finish off a bag of chips before bed? Center, featuring Vlase Reduction From a metabolic standpoint, there is no Hair Removal nonablative laser for feminine Pigmentation and Melasma reason to not eat food in the evening. A calorie dryness, atrophy, and stressRosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and is a calorie, regardless of when it is consumed. induced urinary incontinence, Post-injection Bruising A “morning calorie” is metabolized in basically Sun Damage and Scars and PRP for hair thinning Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars the same way as an “evening calorie.” However, and rejuvenation. Thinning Hair and/or Balding eating in the evening is a problem for many, not Technology & Procedures because of the way food is metabolized, but Offered because of the quantity of food that is consumed. A place where beauty Cellfina Skipping meals is a major culprit of overeating Cool Mini for neck and healthy skin meet at night. Recent studies reveal that when people ate Coolsculpting Visit us at our Center of Excellence Cryoshape three meals a day, only 13% binged at night. When Diolite 532 laser with a 10,000 square foot, people skipped breakfast, 24% binged, and when Enlighten Pico Genesis Laser state of the art, newly renovated people skipped breakfast and lunch, 60% binged. Excel V Laser suite. We are dedicated to Excimer Laser In general, people who spread their meals evenly Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical Fractional CO2 Laser throughout the day seem better able to control their GenesisPlus Laser Dermatology and are a place for eating. They are less likely to feel hungry and less Infini Microneedling RF medical skin consultation, Kybella likely to overeat. So by eating breakfast, lunch, and aesthetic rejuvenation, and Liposonix dinner and planning snacks in between, you can face and body contouring. Microneedling help yourself lose weight as well as maintain better MiraDry Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com Mohs Micrographic Surgery control of your eating throughout the day and night. NBUVB Phototherapy for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, For most people, the evening is “down-time,” PicoSure Laser product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. used to relax, watch television, and unwind from PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation Schedule your free consultation appointment today! Vbeam Laser the stresses of the day. Others view this as a time to Spectra Laser multi-task and catch up on household chores, bills, Superficial Radiotherapy Dr. William Ting, MD homework, and other responsibilities. Whether Thermage™ Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon Ultherapy™ you’re winding down or working on your to-do list, 2262 Camino Ramon 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 Vaginal Rejuvenation unconscious eating can accompany your routine and San Ramon, CA 94583 Hercules, CA 94547 Vaser Shape Tel: (925) 328-0255 Tel: (510) 669-5700 result in a massive calorie intake. Devouring a bag VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation *Welcoming new Medicare patients of chips, a sleeve of cookies, or a pint of ice cream Email: staff@CalDermCare.com www.DrWilliamTing.com can easily occur when your mind is somewhere else. Sleep deprivation is also major source of excessive weight. Research strongly suggests a connection between obesity and lack of adequate sleep. Statistics show that overweight individuals sleep about 1.8 hours less a week than people of normal weight. Since the 1960’s, sleep duration for American adults has dropped by as much as two hours a night, while obesity has drastically increased. Late night binging and sleep deprivation feed on each other. Late night binging often creates indigestion and lack of sleep which, in turn, leads to overeating on subsequent days. The chemical link between lack of sleep and obesity lies in the fact that sleep is a regulator of two hormones that effect appetite, leptin and ghrelin. Leptin helps suppress food intake and stimulates energy expenditure, while ghrelin stimulates appetite, fat production, and body growth. When one is sleep deprived, the level of leptin drops and ghrelin increases. The result is a drastic increase in hunger. One study reported a 24% increase in hunger, with cravings for such items as cookies, candy, and cake when there is inadequate sleep time. In my practice I have found many helpful ways of reducing late night overeating. They include: 1. Examining clients’ eating patterns and computing what percentage of their calories are consumed after 6PM. If the answer is one third or more, there is a problem. 2. Discussing the need to normalize sleeping patterns. If they are home in the afternoon, I suggest taking a nap if they are having a craving and know they are not hungry. Taking a nap is “low calorie,” and the craving will definitely go away because they only last for minutes. 3. Establishing a meal plan that includes favorite foods with balanced meals. I show how their “best friend” is protein and fiber at every meal. Protein and fiber prevent cravings. I teach how to read food labels for the important nutrition facts. I provide a list of snacks that are portable for the office or car when commuting. After dinner I allow 100 calories of snacks that are low in fat and yummy such as a low fat ice cream sandwich, a bowl of cereal, or even dark chocolate. 4. Exploring what activities at night tend to trigger their overeating and develop strategies for changing them. At night I recommend that my clients micromanage their time with non-food related activities such as going online, taking a bath, working on a hobby, or even cleaning out the closets. Watching TV all evening sets you up to want to snack, especially with all of the food commercials. 5. Informing clients of the critical importance of exercise. If practiced, it will lead to being more relaxed at night and not getting caught up in mindless eating. The good news is that nutritional counseling is covered by many health insurance companies such as Aetna, ABMG, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CIGNA, Sutter, and United Healthcare. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutrition concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@gmail.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com. Advertorial ®
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
DISCOVER DIABLO, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO’S FREE PUBLIC HIKES SERIES
Discover Diablo is Save Mount Diablo’s (SMD) free public hike series program, offering an annual schedule of guided interpretive family walks, hikes, and property tours open to any and all trail blazers looking to get out in nature. Hosted by SMD, the Discover Diablo program, now in its second year, continues to build awareness of local land conservation efforts and to convey the importance of protecting open space for habitat and recreation. Through this initiative, SMD intends to reach new audiences; build their membership base of adventurers, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts; spark a passion for the Diablo Range; and engender community conservation by deepening connections to the land and nature. “We are pleased to sponsor this opportunity for people to explore and discover the beauty of Mount Diablo, a wonderful natural resource in our own backyard, with experienced guides,” said Ann Notarangelo, External Relations Manager for the Shell Martinez Refinery.“We hope that people will enjoy learning more about the diverse habitats and the striking vistas while spending time outside with their families and friends.” SMD invites you to join in exploring the Bay Area’s beautiful wild lands and open spaces. Discover Diablo offers two events per month for the entire year – either taking place on a SMD property or hosted on a collaborating agency’s land. SMD’s Family Walks are for hikers of all skill levels and will take place on other portions of open space on and around the mountain. SMD’s Property Tours will illustrate the importance of preserving wildlife habitat, building corridors between existing parks, and of course, exploring all the beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer. The group hopes that with two events per month in various locations, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. To honor SMD’s mission, the group aims to display both current property holdings as well as those the group has helped protect over the years. Hosting monthly hikes is an effective way to engage and grow communities invested in the sustainability of local open space. SMD properties aren’t usually open to the public, so these are rare opportunities. To complete the land conservation picture in the Diablo Range and pay homage to collaborating agencies, SMD also hosts monthly outings on Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation lands. Discover Diablo ties these outings together by offering an annual schedule of free public hikes to explore these diverse lands - with the added bonus of being guided by knowledgeable staff and experienced volunteer hike leaders.
According to Ted Clement, Executive Director of SMD, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, SMD, and the land, helping communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants - so as to grow the land ethic and stewardship for our precious Mount Diablo area.” SMD intends to reach audiences from all over the Bay Area to improve awareness of and advocacy efforts for the Diablo Range. There is something for all to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo. Please join on the trails to find your own individual inspiration! RSVP is required. See the group’s full schedule of upcoming hikes at http:// bit.ly/Discover-Diablo-Hikes-Calendar.
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THE EYE OPENER
SPRING ALLERGIES AND CONTACTS By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Around this time of year, seasonal allergies are in full swing. Speaking from a personal point of view, I know dealing with the running nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and tearing is no fun. I am already having patients come into the office with complaints similar to my own. The treatment plan for each person is different, but the drugs, drops, and contact lens modalities we use are similar. Most of us take either a prescription or over-the-counter oral antihistamine including Zyrtec and Claritin. These usually help alleviate the systemic symptoms of runny nose, congestion, etc. In some patients, it also helps with some of the ocular issues of tearing, itching, and redness. However, the main side effect of these medications is dryness. If the eyes are dry, it can actually worsen some of the ocular symptoms because there are fewer tears to wash away the allergens in your eye. For this reason, I also recommend topical drops to help in the fight against allergies. These drops do not solve the problems, but they generally enable the patient to function in the spring months. There are several types of drops that can be used depending on the severity of the symptoms. For a mild case of dryness, I usually recommend artificial tears and a prescription anti-histamine drop like Bepreve or Patanol. The tears are used to help lubricate the eye and flush out the allergens that are sitting on your eye, causing the itching and redness. The prescription drops are used to counteract the effect of the allergens on and around your eye while also helping to prevent further episodes. For the more advanced case, I recommend a short-term use of a topical steroid which will calm down the eye more quickly. Because of the potential side effects of steroids, a drop of this kind should only be used for a relatively short period of time. I usually instruct my patients to use the drop for about a week, and then use Bepreve or Patanol to keep the allergic reaction at bay. I believe the use of steroids should only be used when indicated, but is a wise treatment choice in those patients that are really suffering. For contact lens wearers, this is the time of year that leads to decreased wear time, build-up on the lenses, and overall intolerance of wear. Most patients wear their lenses for less time and/or dispose of them more often. For all of my potential contact lens patients including those with allergy issues, I recommend daily disposable contacts. These lenses are thin and easy to adapt to, do not require any cleaning or solutions, and are always comfortable because you put a fresh lens on every day. Whether you are a recreational wearer for sports or weekends or wear them every day, these lenses are best for convenience, lens hygiene, and lens comfort. A new lens leads to better vision and eye health because of no lens build up and a decreased risk for infection. Even though wearing contact lenses during the spring months might be difficult, having a fresh lens every day provides the possibility of longer and more comfortable wear. Obviously, every patient and situation is different. Some patients don’t like taking drops, and some patients are in love with their current lenses, so daily disposables might not be an option. At your visit, you will be evaluated on your particular signs and symptoms and be given the appropriate treatment plan. The issues and treatments discussed have generally worked well for my patients in the past. Most of the time, it will be a combination of these that will work best. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Neighborhood Watch is a Community Action and Problem-Solving Program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any community issues that concern residents. Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-Winters (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
ALL IN ONE DAY, ALL IN ONE PLACE
A NEW BREAST CANCER CLINIC By Tiffany Svahn, MD
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her life is turned upside down. Suddenly, she is consumed with the process of making appointments, getting more testing, making decisions, and consulting with a variety of specialists on different days – all at different locations. She may even seek second and third opinions. This process is overwhelming and exhausting and can take weeks to months. For these reasons, our team developed a program to make the process easier for breast cancer patients. I am excited to announce that Diablo Valley Oncology and West Coast Surgical Associates have opened the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, located in our NEW Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic in Pleasant Hill. This new program focuses on breast cancer patients and brings together physician expertise from Breast Surgery, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology. Similar to Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards at academic centers, our board certified, highly trained, and experienced physicians offer a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis and treatment planning. The benefit of multidisciplinary care is that patients receive multiple medical opinions from a group of specialists, helping them feel confident they have explored all of their options. Research shows that a multidisciplinary approach leads to better outcomes with improved quality of life and improved survival rates. This is how our program works: in a single appointment at our breast cancer clinic, patients meet with a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, nurse navigator, and patient care coordinator. After the physicians have examined each patient, they come together to discuss the best treatment options. By the end of the appointment, each patient receives a comprehensive treatment plan and a list of the next steps. Our program will minimize the anxiety and uncertainty that patients experience while waiting days and weeks between individual appointments by reducing the time between diagnosis and treatment, resulting in the best possible outcomes for each patient. We believe the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay integrates all of the essential components necessary for a comprehensive world-class breast cancer program. All in one day – all in one place! We invite the public to an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 8, 2018 at 6pm. The event will take place at 400 Taylor Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. Dr. Svahn is a Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. She can be reached at 925-677-5041. Advertorial
“Home Care Assistance caregivers really do care! They were there for me 24/7 after my open heart surgery.” - Bill S., Alamo, CA
THE EBRPD WANTS YOU!
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) includes 65 regional parks in its two-county jurisdiction, covering more than 113,000 miles and 1,200 miles of trail. Helping to oversee and manage this vast recreational territory are nearly 200 volunteers from all over the Bay Area. EBRPD offers a volunteer position for nearly every interest. Consider work in the Botanic Garden, or help with a Coastal Clean-up Day. Become a Regional Parks ambassador, or participate in the companion dog patrol. Help with trail maintenance, or walk the trails as part of the safety patrol. Whether you may seek a special one-time volunteer job or ongoing yearround programs, EBRPD would love to hear from you. Positions are offered for all ages and can be tailored for school groups, students, corporate groups, and Scouting and service clubs. They also offer company team-building service projects. Those seeking to help restore parklands to their original state can help replace non-native plants with natives, or work with staff to restore vital habitats. EBRPD volunteers help lead tours, take photos, distribute flyers, serve as hosts and greeters, and help with recycling activities. Volunteering with EBRPD can provide new skills, new friends, a greater knowledge of natural and cultural resources, and the personal satisfaction of making a difference in the community. For information, email Volunteers@EBParks.org, or visit www.ebparks. org/about/getinvolved/volunteer. (Some events require registration and some programs require training, fingerprinting, background checks, or TB testing.)
Home Care Liaison, Francesca Vogel and her client, Bill S.
The Only Home Care Solution Offering an Innovative, Science-Based Approach to Aging Home Care Assistance has elevated the standard of care for older adults through our Balanced Care Method™, a holistic approach to care for older adults that promotes healthy mind, body and spirit and is based on the scientifically studied lifestyles of the longest-living people in the world.
Speak to a Care Advisor to schedule your free in-home consultation today. From our family to yours! 925-820-8390
190-G Alamo Plaza Alamo, CA 94507
HomeCareAssistance.com/Alamo Next to Safeway and Five Guys!
Changing the Way the World Ages Serving Happy Clients Across Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Lamorinda and Walnut Creek!
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
White Pony continued from front page
Fortunately, WPE has been presented with an incredible opportunity! Luis Gerardo del Valle Torres and Heart’s Path Foundation have pledged $250,000 in matching funds for all financial donations, grants, and pledges received between April 1 and May 31, 2018. This means that WPE can raise $500,000 in the next two months, taking a HUGE step toward achieving our annual fundraising goal. If you are interested in making a contribution to help WPE with this matching opportunity, please send your contribution to White Pony Express at 1966 Tice Valley Blvd., #101, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, or go online to www.whiteponyexpress.org/donate.
ABOUT WHITE PONY EXPRESS
Carol Weyland Conner, PhD, spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented, founded WPE in September 2013 when she was troubled that in a county of such abundance, scores of thousands were going hungry, while at the same time food retailers were throwing out huge quantities of healthy, fresh food. Her idea was to create a Food Rescue Program, where this good surplus food could be picked up directly from food retailers and delivered to local service organizations which serve those in need. Dr. Conner continues to serve as WPE’s Advisor. Each day, WPE’s trucks are sent to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets to pick up an average of 5,000 lb. of fresh produce, milk, and deli meats that would otherwise go to the landfill. The food is taken to WPE’s distribution facility in Pleasant Hill, where it is sorted. Then, the food is distributed free-ofcharge, the same day, to nonprofits who feed the hungry in Contra Costa County. Starting with just one food donor four years ago, WPE now has 50 regular food donors, 70+ nonprofit recipient partners, and 400+ volunteers. In addition to the Food Rescue Program, WPE also has a Free General Store (FGS), which distributes new and like-new clothing, primarily through innovative and joyful events called Mobile Boutiques. To date, the FGS has given away over 300,000 items of clothing and more than 100,000 children’s books, games, and toys in underserved parts of the county. “We always need dedicated volunteers to help WPE further its important work of eliminating hunger and poverty in the county,” remarked Conner. For more information on WPE, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.
ROTARY CLUB OF ALAMO
The Rotary Club of Alamo held its Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 31st at Livorna Park. Over 2,500 people including over 700 children showed up! The weather was perfect, the kids had a great time, and the Rotary Club raised $41,000 for its many philanthropic activities.
IS YOUR WORKOUT WORKING?
By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Custom Fitness
You’re drenched with sweat and gasping for air. You glance at the clock. It HAS to be over soon. Realizing you still have a half hour of this torture left, you put your head down and just get it over with. You dread these agonizing workouts, but they leave you with a great feeling of accomplishment and some serious soreness to boot. Isn’t that what they are supposed to do? While rigorous workouts have a purpose, they are certainly not the only way to reap the benefits of exercise. Workouts like the one described above hold a high risk for injury and are not well suited for anyone entering into fitness. If a workout is too much too soon, it can cause a relapse into sedentary behavior. If you dread exercise, then it may be time to reassess the intention behind your workout. If the intention is to adopt fitness as a lifelong behavior, doing something you enjoy is critical to accomplishing your goal. Don’t mistake workouts as punishment for unhealthy choices. The mind is the source of much of our motivation, and the association of fitness with punishment is not going to help our cause in the long term. This cycle of punishment is one that perpetuates, often leading to injury or longer, more intense periods of unhealthy behavior. Exercise consistency is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining fitness. Move EVERY DAY. Workouts don’t have to “kill” you to have value, unless your goal is to feel like dying while you are working out! There are huge benefits to taking long walks, hiking, biking, dancing, and experiencing mindful movement. Maybe these workouts won’t keep you “burning all day” (that theory is highly subjective anyway), but they will build a foundation of sustainable fitness. Should the time come when a harder workout seems appealing, you will be more likely to enjoy it! People of all fitness levels can find regular activity they look forward to. More often than not, the benefits of exercise lead to more healthy behaviors. Longterm adherence to your health is part of a larger picture that includes considerate lifestyle choices, periodic self-evaluation, and a willingness to embrace change. Weight loss and a toning effect may be the result, but the most important thing is that you enjoy the time spent caring for your mind and body. Gumsaba offers award-winning fitness programs including outdoor group classes, semi-private training, private training, and self-defense. We also offer sport and event-specific training, and the Gumsaba running club is a great way to meet people of all fitness levels and keep on moving. Stop punishing yourself. Reward yourself with movement you actually ENJOY. Contact me today to get moving and make your workout work for you! Michelle Brown is owner of Gumsaba Custom Fitness in Alamo and Gumsaba Fitness Boot Camp. Michelle is a Functional Patterns Practitioner, ACE Medical Exercise Specialist and Subject Matter Expert, Martial Arts & Self Defense Expert, and Spartan SGX Coach. Michelle has been helping people in our community unleash their potential for 20 years. To learn more, visit gumsaba.com. Advertorial
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
In addition to the Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, there was also music by the East Bay Banjo Club, children’s games, balloon men, face painting provided by the Monte Vista High School Interact Club (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Alamo), and other fun activities. The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and has 50 members. The major activities ongoing at the club include: support for two RotaCare clinics that provide free health care for the indigent in our community, cash and volunteer time for Meals on Wheels, renovations at the East Bay Crisis Nursery, and the Choice in Aging Adult Day Care, support for two Cub Scout troops, support for a water harvesting project in Tanzania, contributions to the Rotary International End Polio campaign, school dictionaries distribution to third grade students, support for the Wheelchair Foundation, and roadside cleanup and beautification in Alamo.
The Danville Lions Club meets for dinner at Crow Canyon Country Club on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. The group has interesting speakers at each meeting. Contact Truman Howard (925) 787-2565 or truman. howard@gmail.com for reservations. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, visit www.danvillelionsclub.org.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests, and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.
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3 NEAT WAYS TO BURN MORE CALORIES AT WORK By Dr. Jesse Call, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic
The “sitting epidemic” has swept across the western world, and people are growing sicker and sicker because of it everyday! Children sit at school hourafter-hour, adolescents are seated while checking their cell phones and notifications, and hardworking adults are stuck to computer monitors in a seated position for multiple hours every week. It is actually scary how sedentary our lives have become. New societal “norms” require sitting occupations more so than standing work tasks. And the crazy part is that our school habits made us think that it is normal to spend our lives sitting! We are raised thinking this is okay. It’s not. The sitting epidemic is out of control. We are too sedentary. Society is suffering from “Sitting Disease.”
NON-EXERCISE ACTIVITY THERMOGENESIS
Dr. Levine, a lead researcher on Sitting Disease explains NEAT the following way, “Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural tasks, and fidgeting. Even trivial physical activities increase metabolic rate substantially, and it is the cumulative impact of a multitude of exothermic actions that culminate in an individual’s daily NEAT” (Levine, 2002). What we do in our occupations has a great impact on the amount of NEAT caloric expenditure. For example, a farmer working in the fields has a much higher NEAT than a desk worker who sits all day. The farmer is moving all day, squatting down to the land, then standing up to move among the fields, walking from one crop to the next, and changing their posture constantly throughout the day to perform their many different job tasks. The desk worker, on the other hand, clocks in at 9am and sits their way through to lunchtime. They are worried that if they get up to take a walk, it will look like they are avoiding work. So they keep sitting and working from their desk day after
REGRET THAT INK?
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Look at your skin. Do you have a mole or a spot that you’re worried about? Chances are you’re not alone. I see people everyday who worry that they have skin cancer. Some people get things checked out as soon as they notice them while others procrastinate. When it comes to skin cancer early diagnosis is likely the most important thing that can be done to improve your outcome. When in doubt, get your spot checked out by a board certified dermatologist. May marks skin cancer awareness month. There are about 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated that there will be about 144,860 cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2018. In the United States there are more cases of skin cancer than cancers of the breast, colon, lung, and prostate combined. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure. Surprisingly, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults aged 25-29. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. Of the three most common skin cancers, melanoma is the one most likely to be life threatening. Recent advances in treatment have resulted in cures, even for some people who have had their melanoma spread to other parts of their body. Most melanomas develop denovo, meaning not from a preexisting mole. However, some will arise from a preexisting mole, so it is important to do self-checks of your skin to look for new spots or changing spots. Many people will benefit from an annual full body skin exam by a board certified dermatologist. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancers. These can appear as non-healing sores or crusted bumps. Some simply appear as a red patch that can be misdiagnosed as dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these skin cancers are much less likely to spread. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a sample known as a skin biopsy. Most patients with basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma have their skin cancers treated with minor in-office surgical procedures.
May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
day. In reality, the only time they leave their cubicle is to go to a meeting down the hall, use the copy machine, or fill up their coffee mug in the break room. This minimal amount of activity exerts a very low amount of calories per day. Humans were designed to move. We were designed to be athletic, mobile, and agile. We were not designed to be bound to a chair.
3 WAYS TO INCREASE NEAT AND BURN MORE CALORIES AT WORK
1) Get a sit-stand capable desk: Set yourself up for success with the tools you need to increase NEAT. Having a desk that allows you to go from sitting to standing is a great way to increase NEAT. Although you don’t have to stand all day, you can sit and stand. An ideal ratio is standing for three times longer than you sit. With adjustable workstations you can take breaks as needed, but plan to spend the majority of your time standing. 2) Walk while you work: Take walks while you work to increase NEAT. Remember, your brain and your body were designed to move, not to be stagnant. Walk throughout your workday. A great strategy is to list out three activities you can do while walking instead of sitting. For example, walk and talk on the phone, have walking meetings, and walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. 3) Change your posture often: Again, we were designed to move. Because of the structural framework of your body, your posture was not designed to hold you upright in a static position without movement. We are dynamic beings. When posture becomes sedentary, what tends to happen is that your posture distorts and you see posture faults such as forward head posture and slouched shoulders. Changing your posture from sitting to standing is important. These three NEAT ways to increase your caloric expenditure at work can transform your life. By being active at work, you can prevent obesity, metabolic disease, and posture faults leading to musculoskeletal injuries. Your occupation is a great part of your life. Maximize your work capacity while staying healthy in the workplace. Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www. sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial Most skin cancers have a genetic component. The other key ingredient is sun and ultraviolet exposure such as that from tanning beds. In order to prevent skin cancer, I recommend an ounce of prevention. Do what you love, but avoid the peak sun hours between 10PM and 2PM. Apply and reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Forget about going to tanning beds (spray on tans are fine). Lastly, see a board certified dermatologist once a year for a full body skin check. A skin check is a snap to go through and much easier than a colonoscopy. It is also a good idea for you to check yourself once a month so that you will be able to notice if a mole or a spot is changing. Luckily for most people, a skin cancer diagnosis can have a happy ending. If you have any spots that you are concerned about or if you can’t remember the last time you were checked from head to toe by a board certified dermatologist, please call my office now at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. 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
HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients and their caregivers. Opportunities include Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling, Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy, Administrative Support Volunteers to assist in the Pleasant Hill office, Thrift Shoppe Volunteers to work in one of the organization’s five stores which are located in Alamo, Concord, Martinez, Danville, and Walnut Creek, Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died, and Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice at (925) 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
BLADDER HEALTH MATTERS
By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BLADDER BOTHERS YOU?
If your bladder bothers you, an initial assessment should start with urine testing and culture. If this is normal, then a bladder diary or record of what you drink is important. This diary should include amounts and types of liquids (water, caffeine, juice, etc.), how often you void, and if there is any urine leakage. This bladder diary can then be reviewed with your doctor. Initial strategies on managing urine leakage usually involves pads. The pads should be designed for incontinence and not menstrual loss. These pads pull moisture away from the vulva and can be drying which is why it is important to protect the vulvar skin with emollients like Aquaphor whenever you are using a pad. Chronic exposure to wet pads can result in contact dermatitis and skin breakdown, causing irritation and vulvar discomfort. Information on pad varieties and urinary incontinence supplies is available from advocacy groups such as The Simon Foundation, www.simonfoundation.org. Lifestyle modifications are always considered as initial treatments. Lifestyle changes typically should be tried for 12 weeks before moving on to more aggressive treatments like medicine or surgery. Modifications include: Modest weight loss (~10-15 lbs.) which can significantly decrease stress incontinence and to a lesser extent urge incontinence. Limiting alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, and not drinking more than 64 oz. a day can mitigate urinary incontinence. Managing constipation and chronic cough, and not smoking can make a big difference. Correctly contracting pelvic floor muscles (Kegels) can help and is demonstrated on YouTube at www.youtube. com/watch?v=wRKhtfbJHdo with physiotherapist Michelle Kenway. Personal biofeedback devices such as Pericoach (www.pericoach.com) and Elvie (www. elvie.com) can work just like a Fitbit to help you Kegel correctly and track your progress. Patients have better outcomes with regular, 10-12 contraction Kegels, performed correctly, 2-3 times daily. Certified pelvic floor physical therapists can be helpful with teaching proper Kegel technique and help with body mechanics that put less pressure on the pelvic floor. Phone app reminders like Pelvic Track www.pelvictrack.com or journal entries can help make these pelvic floor contractions a “daily habit.” Bladder retraining, which is most effective for urge incontinence, helps to retrain your bladder to hold more urine and increase the storage capacity between voids. A bladder diary will identify the shortest voiding interval and the goal is to lengthen these intervals and void on a schedule. Urgency between voiding is controlled with either distraction
www.yourmonthlypaper.com or relaxation techniques i.e. performing mental math, deep breathing, or quick pelvic floor contractions --“quick flicks.” When you go two days without leakage, the time between scheduled voids is increased. Medications/Devices/Surgery: Low dose vaginal estrogen can help if you are peri-menopausal or menopausal. Loss of vaginal tissue health from no estrogen can be associated with bladder dysfunction, urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Low dose replacement of estrogen into the vagina twice weekly has been proven to decrease bladder bother. A 2012 systematic review of four randomized trials of postmenopausal women found that vaginal estrogen was associated with less incontinence. MonaLisa Touch vaginal laser has demonstrated similar efficacy to vaginal estrogen in a recent randomized trial. Stress incontinence is when unplanned urine loss is caused by coughing, sneezing, or jumping and urine comes out from too much pressure on the bladder. If conservative measures are not helpful, then devices like intravaginal supports such as Poise Impressa (www.poise.com/en-us/), pessaries, or surgical mesh slings can significantly reduce stress incontinence. OAB (overactive bladder) is a symptom complex with urgency, defined as a strong sudden urge to void and frequency defined as voiding more than eight times in 24 hours, with or without leaking urine. Leaking when you get the urge to void and can’t make it the toilet in time is called urge incontinence. With an overactive bladder, there is an inability to store urine. OAB is not cured but is managed. Medicines you take for other medical problems may cause bladder problems. Diuretics for high blood pressure, antidepressants, and antipsychotics may cause urinary retention. Narcotics for pain and some blood pressure medicine like calcium channel blockers may reduce bladder contractility. Some over-thecounter sleep meds and cold remedies may affect bladder storage. Behavioral therapies are first line treatment and include weight loss (5-10%), not smoking, pelvic floor strengthening, and avoiding bladder irritants. Bladder irritants can include spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato-based foods, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, and nicotine. Minimizing constipation and limiting fluid intake after dinner can reduce the need to get up to urinate after you go to sleep. If these lifestyle changes are not sufficient, then medications can be taken to calm the bladder muscles down. When this does not work, Botox injections into the bladder wall has proven helpful. Refractory cases of bladder urgency and incontinence may be treated with implanted devices which deliver painless electrical impulses to calm the bladder down. These last two options are interventions you can review with a urologist. (Hyperlinks in this article can be accessed by reading this article on my website at www.leachobgyn.com.) Bladder health matters! Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at (925)935-6952. Advertorial
To place an ad, share a story, or for more information about our papers, call 925.405.6397 or visit our website www.yourmonthlypaper.com SRV KIWANIS FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS
The San Ramon Valley (SRV) Kiwanis Foundation has awarded over $35,500 in grants to 25 area non-profit agencies this year. The grants will be presented at the club’s annual grants breakfast ceremony, to be held on May 17th at Round Hill Country Club. Representatives of the recipient organizations will make brief presentations on their programs. Kiwanis of San Ramon Valley has awarded nearly $1,035,000 through their grants program since 1995. This year, Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $2,000, including a grant to the San Ramon Valley Educational Foundation for distribution to worthy school projects that the Education Foundation identifies. Other recipients include Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, Assistance Leagues of Amador Valley and Diablo Valley, Canine Companion for Independence, Child Abuse Prevention Council of CCC, Court Appointed Special Advocates Program of CCC, Diablo Valley Quilters, Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, Hearing Loss Association of America-Diablo Valley Chapter, Hope Hospice, Inc., Hospice of the East Bay Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa, Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach, Mobility Matters, Moment by Moment, Monument Crisis Center, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, Nayeli Faith Foundation, San Ramon Historic Foundation, SonRise Equestrian Foundation, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Sunflower Hill, Teen Esteem, The Museum of the SRV, We Care Services for Children, and White Pony Express. Funds for the annual grants program are raised by the SRV Kiwanis Foundation primarily through the solicitation of sponsorships of the Kiwanis
4th of July Parade in Danville, which the Kiwanis Club has been organizing and conducting since 1975. Grant applications are solicited in February of each year and awarded in May with an additional several thousand dollars held in reserve to provide emergency grants and fund additional Kiwanis community projects throughout the year. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of SRV meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch (up to three visits). For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH TOASTMASTERS
Do you hate speaking in front of a group? You’re not alone. However, good presentation skills are demanded by nearly every employer these days. Toastmasters can help you overcome your public speaking challenges! Toastmasters is an organization where people can fine-tune their speaking skills and receive valuable feedback. Beginning and advanced speakers are welcome. Local chapter Danville AM Toastmasters meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30AM in downtown Danville. For the location and other details, please visit 4143.toastmastersclubs.org, or email DanvilleAMToastmasters@gmail.com.
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 29
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PAGE 30 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
Moms continued from page 6
“My mother Lisa, has been my rock, my light, my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, my teacher for the past 30 years. Through all of my teenage hormones, bad relationships, big mistakes, coming and going of friends, the birth of my children, my marriage, buying my 1st home, even deciding what color nail polish to wear. She's always been on my side. She's always there for me, even when I don't realize she's fighting her own battles. My mom gave up her career and a good chunk of her own dreams to move my siblings and I to Alamo, almost 20 years ago. She wanted us to have the best, to be safe, to have a good education. She's always wanted her family to have more than she ever did, because of her we are paving our own way to success and accomplishment. She rocks!!” Courtney J. “My Mom has been a long time Alamo resident and she just recently retired in December. I would love to surprise her with a gift card! She is just an amazing Mom and "Na" and has been such an amazing support to me and my two girls in everything we do. She is rarely without a smile and goes the extra mile to ensure our smiles stay intact. We love her beyond measure. :)” Daughter of Patricia D. “My mother sacrificed a lot for my family and I. She worked hard from the time I was born all the way until I graduated from college. She even took a second job so I didn't have to work while I attended grad school. My mother now watches my three children every day so my husband and I can work full time to give our family the same life that she and my father gave me. My mom was the reason my father quit smoking. She helped me when I struggled in high school with some of my classes. She even supported my multiple instrument musical habit. Without her I never would've had the wonderful life that I have had and am having. Without her, we are nothing. At 86 years old she still makes everyone's lunches, sees us off every morning, and is there for us at the end of every night. Arthritis infests her body, but she still struggles every day to be there for us. Still sacrificing whatever she has for us. She is a saint and we love her more and more every day!” Rosetta M. “My mom is the most amazing and special role model. She’s a strong woman with a big heart and is extremely involved in her community. Growing up in a troubled, broken household, she made it through a lot of scary and difficult times as a child. She single-handedly put herself through college, waitressing in the evenings, and paid for every expense in life on her own without even so much as words of encouragement. Because of this situation and the other things she went through as a child, her main goal in life was to be a good mom and to be there for her children in every way possible. She has done that for me and my sister, and so much more! She is my art buddy, my shoulder to cry on, my shopping buddy, someone who will never judge me, my best friend, and so much more! As a child, I never appreciated how much my mom did for me and how much she extended herself just to make me happy each and every day. No one I have ever met has a mom as loving as mine, and I am forever grateful for that. My mom is also her own version of superwoman. She is president of the sisterhood at her temple, teaches student teachers how to teach part time, somehow coordinates contractors, painters, construction workers, and gardeners to renovate our new house and still has time for me to vent to her on the phone about my worries! I am so proud of what she has achieved in life and feel so blessed to be lucky enough to be her daughter. I love her more than anything. She deserves this more than anyone.” Carly Z.
CARING HANDS ~HELP A SENIOR, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the community-atlarge, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. If you have time to volunteer, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Training classes are held in odd numbered months. An orientation/interview and pre-registration is required. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist will now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a video-recorded space. Besides taking place right outside police headquarters, the spaces are under constant video recording, helping to create an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers and dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. According to police officials, having the Exchange Zone should help prevent residents from being the victim of a crime using a classified ad site. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
The “Good Old Days” are now!
Rates are better than 50-60 years ago (see proof above)
The Alison Company Nationwide Financing on Commercial Property Kevin Corstorphine DRE#01944908
805.845.5200
Kevin@alisonmortgage.com
www.alisonmortgage.com
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May 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 31
BEAUTIFUL BROWS
By Dr. Barbara Persons
Are you using your forehead muscles to hold up your brow? Do you see horizontal lines on your forehead? Do you have to hold your forehead up in order to see? Patients often mistakenly relate these issues with the need for having their eyelids rejuvenated (blepharoplasty). However, these issues are not resolved with the pulled back look of a blepharoplasty alone. What is needed is a complete repositioning of the brow to a natural, youthful position...a brow lift. The brow line for women tends to be proportionally higher on the face and is naturally arched – positioned just above the rim of the upper orbital bone. In men, the brow line is less arched and is positioned closer to the rim. As we grow older, the change from a youthful position of the brow presents itself as forehead wrinkles, as a subtle hood, or as excess skin over the eyes or on the brow between the eyes. A sagging forehead places excess tissue at the eyebrow line and just above the eyes. This gives the face a tired, frowning, and often times, angry look. This sagging tissue can actually also impair vision. Repositioning the tissues back to their natural location eases this aged appearance and opens up the eye region of the face. When evaluating the face during a consult I look at, and make note of, the morphology/anatomic features, then evaluate those changes resulting from the aging process. Morphology refers to the shape or form of anatomy. It is the morphology of the face, rather than the anatomy itself, that we change through aesthetic surgery. As a highly trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon I understand the artistry behind morphology, while also possessing the detailed knowledge of the related anatomy essential for superior aesthetic surgery results. Depending on age, there are a variety ways to achieve a brow lift. Younger patients can have carefully placed Botox to temporarily lift the eyebrow and smooth the forehead. However, expert placement of Botox used for this purpose is required to ensure that the eyelid does not inadvertently droop. Fillers such as Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Restylane can also be used to provide a minor lift to the brow. These treatments can last anywhere from four months for Botox to two years for Sculptra or Radiesse. Additionally, recent advances in Laser technology allow treatment that can reinvigorate the collagen in the skin, providing a short term natural looking lift to the brow. When we start looking at longer-lasting results available through the use of surgical options, there have been significant technological advancements in the procedure which have improved effectiveness while ensuring a more natural look post-surgery. Surgical brow lifts are performed either “open” or “closed.” In most cases I prefer to perform a closed, or endoscopic, brow lift. The endoscopic brow lift procedure utilizes small incisions in the hairline and a tiny microscope to guide the surgeon during the procedure. Post-operative recovery time is shorter and results are more natural looking. An open brow lift involves a longer incision at the hairline or scalp, allowing for removal of forehead tissue and excess skin when necessary, and tends to be more appropriate for a patient with a high forehead. A closed brow lift is appropriate for patients with a moderate or low forehead as there is generally little or no skin removed with a closed procedure. Whether open or endoscopic, the brow lift procedure is the same. The tissue above the forehead bone is released and re-positioned. Small muscles which cause frowning are weakened or removed. The tissues are then re-attached to the bone using sutures, screws, or my preference, endotine technology. The absorbable natural endotine plate holds the brow in its new position after surgery and during the healing process. Endotine technology enables the soft tissue of the forehead to be repositioned and fixed into place so it can heal as the surgeon intends. An endotine is made of the same substance as dissolvable sutures and is ultimately absorbed by the body. Many of my patients elect to have a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) at the same time as the brow lift. A blepharoplasty removes the sagging skin which develops around the eyes. We target the upper eye, lower eye, or both. Laser skin resurfacing around the eyes is also often incorporated with the brow lift to rejuvenate the eyelid skin and to eliminate crow’s feet. The brow, eyelid, and face are best rejuvenated from the top down. That means we evaluate the brow and move lower to the eyelids, cheeks, chin, and neck when discussing your goals for a natural, aesthetic, and lasting change. It would be my pleasure to consult with you on how the aesthetic benefits of a brow lift may be the change you are looking for... back to a more natural and youthful facial appearance. 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 925283-4012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 32 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2018
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ALAMO DANVILLE REAL ESTATE MARKET: PRICES UP!
out on the weekends shopping for these homes. Perhaps confidence is higher, or perhaps concern over rising interest rates are drawing demand forward. Not listed on the chart is median price. It stands at $1,745,000 for Alamo and $1,252,000 for Danville. These are really important numbers to aid our understanding of the Alamo/Danville market. It means simply that half of the properties closed for more than their respective median price number, and half sold for less. Half of all Alamo and Danville sales were below median price, and significantly more than half were below the average (mean) price. As inventory shrank, home sales increased in Alamo by 31% from the previous year. Danville experienced a 5% decrease in units sold, and its current inventory stands at 98 homes for sale. Last year I noted, “Alamo has reached the point where it has fully recovered. Moving forward we probably will see only small incremental price increases driven by real growth in jobs and income as opposed to rebound appreciation from the down turn.” I appear to have been correct in last year’s prediction. What I can’t know or predict moving forward is if tax law changes for 2018 will have an appreciable effect on pricing, and how quickly will mortgage interest rates rise. Both are wild cards.
We’re near the end of April, so we have enough data to review this year’s market performance against the same time period last year (January 1-April 16) and be fairly confident that it has meaning. On average, home prices as measured by dollars paid per-square-foot continue to rise both in Alamo and Danville. A key driver to that growth appears to be relatively low inventory at the mid to lower price points for homes as well as great interest rates for buyers. Low inventory coupled with insatiable demand have been the price drivers in Danville and Alamo for several years. The Alamo homes that have sold so far in 2018 have sold on average within 28 days. Let’s contrast that with the 35 active listings (homes not sold) that carry an average of 91 days-on-market with a list price ranging from $725,000 for a condo to $39,000,000 for an estate. I am beginning to perceive that inventory and sales are becoming more balanced this year than last, even though inventory is not high. In fact, there are fewer active listings on the market than during the same time last year. The upper price tier properties, above $2 million, account for 68% of all active listings, which is greater than their percentage of sold listings (34%). They It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home, and no two represented 80% of last year’s unsold inventory. This is an encouraging improvement in the high homes are exactly alike. Computer generated estimates of your home’s market value end market. are probably wrong. If you would like multi-dimensional analysis of your home’s I think it is worth mentioning that dollars paid per-square-foot are up 5% from last year in Alamo and up 6% in Danville. Size of homes sold in Alamo increased 4%. The size of homes sold current market value, based on solid sales data and years of Alamo market experience, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. in Danville are up about 5%. So, in reality prices haven’t moved much from last year. Alamo Danville Home Sales Jan. 1-Apr. 16 Something of consequence and worth noting is that actual selling price Sold DOM List Price Sold Price Sq. Foot $ Sq. Foot in both Alamo and Danville is now a bit lower than list price. That means Alamo 2017 42 20 $ 1,758,881 $ 1,739,604 3,415 $ 539 there are fewer multiple offers, and buyers are standing on footing more equal to sellers than we have observed over the last few years. That said, the Alamo 2018 55 27 $ 1,942,003 $ 1,939,477 3,562 $ 569 scales remain tipped in favor of sellers. % Change 31.0% 35.0% 10.0% 11.0% 4.0% 5.0% In 2017, a great many Alamo homes listed in the upper price tiers were Danville 2017 217 23 $ 1,178,699 $ 1,173,780 2,529 $ 481 significantly over priced. This year, there are fewer. It appears to me that 207 17 $ 1,285,453 $ 1,300,130 2,648 $ 512 the appetite for homes in the 5,000 to 6,000 square foot class is improving. Danville 2018 The reason is unclear, but my personal observation is that more people are % Change -5.0% -16% 9.0% 11.0% 5.0% 6.0%
Alamo 10 Acre Estate
Round Hill Oaks
Round Hill Area
ING D N PE Beautiful custom home with views, gardens, huge master, 3 ensuite bedrooms, bonus room/au pair suite with private entrance. Priced to sell $5,650,000.
Rare Round Hill Oaks home. Never on Market. Nancy and I represented the buyer and the seller. Wish to sell quietly? We can help you.
Pristine 5 bedroom in a great location. Stainless steel and granite Kitchen. Private lot. Priced to sell $1.4 million.
Danville Gated Community
Alamo Single Story
Alamo Springs!
NG I D PEN Five bedroom 3 bath in gated community. One bed downstairs, designer kitchen, spacious master. Priced to sell $1,300,000
D L O S Charming light and bright 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Single story home on a large private lot. Sold $1,550,000.
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
Five bedroom 4.5 bath, Luxury abounds. Chef’s kitchen, outdoor kitchen, pool & spa, sports court. Priced to sell $2.8M J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526