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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& M AY 2019
TR AVEL AND FRIENDSHIP VIA 4-H STATE PICKLEBALL: FAST TO LEARN, FUN TO PLAY By Jody Morgan EXCHANGE By Fran Miller
Head, heart, hands, and health - for more than 100 years, these four words have expressed the 4-H mission of engaging youth in reaching their fullest potential. While 4-H likely brings to mind the image of white jeans and green scarf-clad youth parading livestock at the county fair the core content includes life skills, leadership, public speaking, and community service. In addition to the classic 4-H category projects such as poultry, sheep, horse, and swine, 4-H has broadened its scope to include geocaching, sewing, cooking, rocketry, robotics, and virtually any subject for which a member has an interest. And
within Alameda County and Contra Costa County, 4-H content also includes travel and friendship for teens ages 13 to 18 via the State Exchange program.
See Exchange continued on page 14
Photo by Alamo Rotarian, Skip Kuebel, Cyber Island Graphics.
A mad dash was made in the hunt for hidden eggs at the recent Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day sponsored by Rotary Club of Alamo. The event attracted over 2,500 including 800 children and their families. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time finding the eggs hidden throughout Livorna Park. In addition to the Egg Hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny, there was music by the East Bay Banjo Club and the Alamo Elementary School Chorus as well as fun activities including face painting provided by volunteers and the Monte Vista High School Interact Club, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Alamo.
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ECRWSS
Born on a Bainbridge Island badminton court in 1965, pickleball gained momentum as a competitive sport as it spread across the country without losing its original laid-back essence as old-fashioned family fun. Since Bill Dougherty initiated pickleball play in Rossmoor in 2009, the number of enthusiasts in Walnut Creek and nearby communities has increased exponentially every year. Researching the story with pickleball’s progenitors, Beverly Youngren and Jennifer Lucore discovered that five decades after the events that got the game going, each of the princi- Kris Hunter, WCPB President, poses with Bill pals had slightly different Dougherty who put pickleball in play locally in 2009. (Photo courtesy of Kris Hunter) recollections. In Pickleball: History of more than 50 years of Fun! published in 2018, the authors faithfully record those occasionally conflicting memories. Summering on Bainbridge Island with their families, the Pritchard, McCallum, Smith, Bell, and Brown children began lamenting on a July day in 1965 that they had nothing to do. To squelch their whining, Joel Pritchard sent them to the badminton court to devise something. Surprised by their extended absence, the parents went to investigate. The kids were happily engaged in playing a sport of their own invention. Over the course of that summer, the adults became hooked on the still nameless game. Rules followed their desire to keep scoring points equally possible for all family members regardless of size or gender. A tree hugging the court’s baseline dictated an original regulation permitting service to happen with one foot in the court. Underhand service worked best. Joel Pritchard wanted to hit the ball a bit harder, so he lowered the badminton net to hip height. Two rules minimizing the taller, stronger player’s ball-smashing advantage at net were adopted. The served ball had to bounce once on each side before a volley could be made, and no volley could be played within an area by the net initially termed the no-volley zone, now called the “kitchen.” Wiffle balls, readily at hand for early experiments with equipment, soon
See Pickelball continued on page 18
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XIX Number 5
Volume X Number 5
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
BOULEVARD VIEW
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By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Just like the seasons, life is always full of transitions -- births, deaths, health changes, moves, graduations, marriages, job relocations and restructurings, natural disasters, and unexpected surprises. Some events are planned, and some are decidedly not planned. Some are joyous, and some are painful and sorrowful. A long-time neighbor recently passed away. Every day he would walk around the neighborhood. If we were in the yard, he always reached out in conversation; he always had something nice to say. He was joyful when our plants started blooming and loved to see the springtime transformation. We were talking plants the week before he passed away, and we had no idea that conversation would be our last. Just like that he was gone. Things transpire so quickly. Just as quickly, my unfortunate January trip-in-a-pothole resulted in a broken leg. After getting a plate, seven screws, and multiple weeks of healing, I'm getting around on two feet again. I keep reflecting on how my innocent hike turned into something completely different in the blink of an eye. No wearing a helmet or other safety item would have changed the outcome that day. I was being mindful and present with the friend I was hiking with. One mis-step, though, and I had a completely different outcome from what I had planned. With the seasons and with the transitions, I contemplate “time.” I have as much time each day as a president, king, CEO, farmer in a far off country, or YOU. Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes, as noted in the song “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent, are each of ours to use every year; one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes each day. An article I read noted, “Time is NOT money.” It went on to say, “I know people love to say, 'time is money,' but that’s actually not true. Money can be banked, invested, and saved. Time cannot. All 'time-saving' devices and tactics are simply a play on words. You spend less time doing a certain activity, but you can simply squander that time on something else, so you’re not really ahead by anything. Plus, you can make up money you lose and get it back, but you can’t get back a single second that has passed.” It went on to say,“No one has time for anything. We make choices about where we will invest our time, minute-by-minute, day-by-day.” We all have choices on what we will do with our time. I look forward to the many upcoming joyous spring-time transitions. Our youth will soon be graduating and getting ready for the next steps in their academics or careers. Many will marry with weddings held throughout our area. Quarterly, the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder offers Destination Weddings at special locations in our area. On May 24 from 10AM-3PM, that site will be the summit of Mt. Diablo where weddings will be performed on the observation deck. Other venues have included the John Muir House, California Theatre, and the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front. Learn more at https://www.ccclerkrec.us/destination-weddings. The many recent transitions that have surrounded me fuel my motivation to seize the time I do have and to even splurge a little -- otherwise, what am I saving and waiting for? The pages of this paper are filled with shows to see, activities to try, concerts and lectures to attend, groups to become a part of, new shops to explore, and more. Our area has so much to offer. I encourage you to begin, or add to, your bucket-list, start taking advantage of the bounty of opportunities at our doorstep, and use all of the minutes of your days in the most fulfilling manner possible. Happy spring!
DANVILLE COMMUNITY BAND “PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS”
The Danville Community Band closes out its 2018-19 concert season with a theme of “People, Places, and Things” and will be sharing the stage with a guest group, the San Ramon Symphonic Band. The concert will be held Sunday, June 2nd at 3pm at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The Danville Community Band will be playing music from the film Lincoln by John Williams, as well as tunes such as “Sedona” by Stephen Reineke, which musically captures the natural landscape of mountains and wide-open spaces of Arizona, “In the Forest of the King” by Pierre LaPlante, a suite based on three traditional French folksongs, “Ross Roy” by Jacob DeHaan, referring to the late 19th century villa where St. Peters Lutheran College was founded, and John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post” march. The Danville Community Band also will present the winner of its annual Student Instrument Scholarship with a new musical instrument. For tickets, please visit the Center Ticket Office, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek for walk-up purchase, call (925) 943-7469 for phone orders, or find the concert page on the Lesher website at www.lesherartscenter.org to purchase online. The Band hopes to see you in the audience. For more information about the Danville Community Band, visit www.danvilleband.org.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
For almost two decades, The Danville Family History Center has been serving the community. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal which provides access to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. The Center is located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. The Center is closed on major holidays and the last two weeks of December. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
PENDING
59 LEEDS COURT E., DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 2,220 SF, 5,550 SF LOT
319 LA PAZ COURT, SAN RAMON 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 1,461 SF, 7,500 SF LOT
433 SYCAMORE CIRCLE, DANVILLE 2 BEDS, 1.5 BATHS, 1,148 SF, 912 SF LOT
292 DAVEY CROCKETT COURT, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,500 SF, .49 ACRE LOT
OFFERED AT $885,000
OFFERED AT $799,900
OFFERED AT $659,900
OFFERED AT $1,399,000
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL | 925.990.9952
SABRENA LAWTON | 925.768.2992
SABRENA LAWTON | 925.768.2992
MICHAEL & JACKIE GERRY | 925.209.5130
PENDING
PENDING • OFF MARKET
SOLD
SOLD
8376 SATURN PARK DRIVE, SAN RAMON 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2543 SF, 4,240 SF LOT
610 DERBYSHIRE PLACE, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,334 SF, 15,000 SF LOT
16 TREETOP TERRACE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 5,000 SF, .4 ACRE LOT
1 TYLER COURT, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 3,655 SF, .51 ACRE LOT
OFFERED AT $1,129,000
SOLD FOR $1,400,000
SOLD FOR $2,725,000
LISTED FOR $1,729,000
LAURA BARBARA TEAM | 925.389.7601
LAURA BARBARA TEAM | 925.389.7601
TERESA ZOCCHI | 925.360.8662
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
Star Wars Fun in Danville!
SOLD • REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD • REPRESENTED BUYER
SOLD OFF MARKET • REPRESENTED BUYER
42 NEW BOSTON COURT, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 2,819 SF,.27 ACRE LOT
2096 CASA NUESTRA, DIABLO 4 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 4,310 SF, .34 ACRE LOT
1225 TULANE DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK 6 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,712 SF, .23 ACRE LOT
CALL AGENTS FOR PRICE
LISTED FOR $2,750,000
SOLD FOR $1,320,000
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
REALTOR® | DRE#01177737
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DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047 925.482.4142
Visit https://www.danville.ca.gov for more details
EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409
JOHN FONDNAZIO 925.817.9053
JULIE DEL SANTO 925.818.5500
KATIE HENDERSON 925.286.0026
KERI FRYER 925.980.9979
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MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS 925.765.9095 925.765.0629
MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952
MICHAEL & JACKIE GERRY 925.209.5140 925.209.5130
SABRENA LAWTON 925.768.2992
STEFANIE PASSEY 925.268.0780
TERESA ZOCCHI 925.360.8662
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LAURA BARBARA 925.389.7601
MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380
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DANVILLE
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WWW.DUDUM.COM ©2019 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
THE SIXTIES AT FIFTY AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Sixties at Fifty exhibit is now at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The Sixties were an exciting, awful, inspiring, innovative, but always memorable time. The exhibit will close on June 2nd, so don’t delay your visit to see it. No exhibit on the Sixties would be complete without a presentation on the music of this period. On May 30th at 7PM at the Veterans Hall in Danville, rock historian and author Richie Unterberger will present rare vintage film clips of the 1960s. His 90-minute program will feature rock greats like the Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin. Richie will also show clips of performers based in Contra Costa County at the time such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, and he will talk about the region's venues, connections to Bay Area rock stars like the Grateful Dead, and artists who toured here during this era. The Sixties movie series will continue with the following: May 24 - Hello Dolly at the Veterans Hall, 400 Hartz Ave., Danville June 7 - Patch of Blue at the Veterans Hall, 400 Hartz Ave., Danville June 28 - Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville All shows start at 1:45PM, and admission is free. Come and enjoy these great classics! As the Sixties at Fifty exhibit winds down, come by on Saturday, June 1st. The museum will be open from 10am to 3pm, and there will be cookies for visitors. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm, and Sunday 12-3pm. For more information, contact the Museum at 925-837-3750 or visit museumsrv.org.
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MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU EVENT
STAR WARS FANS INVITED TO A FUN DAY OF ACTIVITIES
All Star Wars fans who are strong in the Force are invited to join the Town of Danville on Saturday, May 4th to celebrate the fourth annual "May the 4th Be With You" event. Each year, this fantastic event continues to grow and evolve, and this year is no different. For the first time, families can enjoy "Pancakes with the Jedi" at the Danville Community Center. There will be two sessions available: 8:15AM - 9:15AM and 9:30AM - 10:30AM. Cost is $5 per person. Visit www.danville.ca.gov/recguide to register. For those with Star Wars costumes or who just like to sport their inner Jedi, sign-up for the Costume Contest at the Village Theatre for the chance to win some out-of-this-world prizes. Sign-ups end by 4:45PM on May 4th. The contest runs from 5:30 - 6:30PM. Costumes are strongly encouraged at all activities throughout the day. For those that don’t have a Star Wars costume but would like to celebrate, May the 4th Be With You t-shirts will be on sale for $10 per shirt at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front St. During the day, there will be plenty of other ways for Jedi to celebrate as well. Scavenger Hunt 11AM - 5PM - Stop by the Danville Community Center to pick up a free scavenger hunt card, and start looking for famous Star Wars characters at participating Downtown Danville businesses. The first 100 participants to complete the hunt will receive prizes from a galaxy far, far away! Jedi Training 3PM - 5PM - Young padawans will have the opportunity to learn the ways of the Force on the Danville Town Green. Cost is $5 per child, and there are two sessions to choose from. Visit www.danville.ca.gov/recguide to register. Pre-registration is required to participate. Cantina Crawl - After mastering the ways of the Force, new Jedi Masters need to eat and celebrate. Local Danville businesses are joining in on the fun by offering Star Wars themed food and drink. Stop by the Danville Community Center or the Village Theatre to pick up a list of participating businesses. Instagram takeover - Will you choose the light side or the dark side? Follow the events on Instagram @danvilleparksca and @townofdanvilleca, and show your allegiance! Tag your photos with #DanvilleDarkSide or #DanvilleLightSide to see who will triumph. For more information, contact the Danville Community Center at (925) 314-3400.
SPRING SPEAKER SERIES 2019 editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
ALAMO DANVILLE ARTISTS SOCIET Y STAGES 42ND PRIMAVERA SHOW & SALE
By Jody Morgan
For the 42nd year, Alamo Danville Artists Society welcomes the public to their Primavera Art Show and Sale May 18th and 19th am pm from 10 -5 at the Blackhawk Plaza. Showcasing the work of 70 artists from throughout the Bay Area, the display includes paintings in various mediums, pastels, works in colored pencil and mixed media, and also sculptures, ceramics, glass, and jewelry pieces. Founded in 1977, ADAS is a non-profit organization that promotes appreciation of art through educational programs open to the public and support of art education in local schools. The Blackhawk Gallery, a non-profit co-op gallery, features the work of member and guest artists in 10-week exhibits open daily throughout the year. A percentage of sales from both Primavera and the Blackhawk Gallery is dedicated to community outreach. Artists painting in Plein Air around the plaza during Primavera captivate children and give adults the opportunity to ask about technique. At the Gala Reception on Saturday, May 18th from 5-7pm in the Blackhawk Plaza Rotunda, the public is invited to mingle with the artists. To enhance the experience of strolling among the 150 pieces of art displayed at Primavera, ADAS provides wine-tasting opportunities and musical entertainment both afternoons. Saturday, “Groove Inc.” performs cool jazz with Tony Fernandes from noon-3pm. Sunday, Roy Gonzales plays guitar from noon-3pm. ADAS monthly program meetings are open free to the public the second Tuesday of the month September-June at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Boulevard, Alamo. On May 14th ADAS resents Mark Eames, painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator. An Associate Professor of California College of the Arts, Eames has exhibited his work nationally and internationally. On his website he writes:
See Primavera continued on page 17
FREE ADMISSION!
June 21st: The Sun Kings
Performing the music of The Beatles with driving rhythm, spot-on arrangements, and vocal harmonies.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 | 10:30 AM
MARK JORDAN “ The Lewis and Clar k Expedition”
SPRING SPEAKER SERIES 2019
SATURDAY,APRIL MAY 18 SATURDAY, 27| |10:30 10:30AM AM
FAN J. JORDAN ZHANG MARK
“ U n e a r t h i n g An c i e nt Ch i n a : “Stor Thei e sLewis and Clar k a bou t Te r ra Cot t a Wa r rExpedition” i or s a n d B e yon d ”
SATURDAY, 10:30 AM AM SATURDAY, MAY JUNE18 1 || 10:30
FAN J. ZHANG GORDON CHANG
“ U n e a r t h i n g An c i e nt Ch i n a : “Stor Thei eTrans continental s a bou t Te r ra Cot t a R ailroad the Wa r r i or s&a n d B eChines yon d ” e” 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville | https://blackhawkmuseum.org
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville CA 94506 | https://blackhawkmuseum.org | info@blackhawkmuseum.org
info@blackhawkmuseum.org | 925-736-2280
SATURDAY, JUNE 1 | 10:30 AM
AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND GIVING FOR THE GORDON CHANG BAY AREA CRISIS NURSERY
“ The Trans continental Calling all music lovers! On the evening of Saturday, May 11th, The Bay Area Crisis Nursery will host aRlively choral competition called “Notes ailroad & the Chines e” of Love” featuring three sensational a cappella groups from Athenian School, Miramonte and High Schools. Whether| info@blackhawkmuseum.org you loved Glee or Pitch 3700 Blackhawk PlazaCampolindo Circle, Danville CA 94506 | https://blackhawkmuseum.org Perfect, enjoyed the harmonies of Pentatonix, or just appreciate talented musicians, you will not want to miss this evening of rousing entertainment in support of the Bay Area's only free residential care facility for children. Providing protection for children during times of personal crisis such as domestic violence, homelessness, or medical emergencies, the Bay Area Saturday, May 11, 2019 Crisis Nursery is the only free shortterm residential care home for babies and small children in the Bay Area. The care and shelter provided by the Nursery allow a parent necessary time to work through their crisis with the relief that their children are safe. The Nursery is funded entirely by private donations. There are hundreds of touching stories highlighting the importance of how the Nursery provides comfort and shelter for our community's youngest in times of crisis. Recently, at the Nursery's annual crab feed fundraiser, a mother spoke about how BACN cared for her two babies following a drive-by shooting that killed her husband. While her babies were cared for with unconditional love and attention by the Nursery's incredible staff and volunteers, this mother was able to grieve and formulate a plan for her family's future knowing that her two babies were in good hands. To continue to provide life-altering services such as these, your help is needed! The Bay Area Crisis Nursery cordially invites you to their “Notes of Love” event, Saturday, May 11th at 5PM at the Garaventa Center at Carondelet High School. Grab a friend or two, and join in on the fun! Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at http://BayAreaCrisisNursery.org. Donations to the organization also are accepted online. All donations made before May 11th will be matched by an anonymous donor! The BACN would sincerely like to thank 1515 Restaurant and Lounge of Walnut Creek for generously providing dinner for the “Notes of Love” event. Benefiting Bay Area Crisis Nursery
June 28th: SONA
Fronted by powerful female vocalist Sona Lofaro, SONA breathes new life into some of the biggest hits of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
July 5th: Mixed Nuts
Enjoy listening and dancing to popular music that spans several decades.
July 12th: Fog City Swampers Tribute band to Creedence Clearwater Revival, inspiring all to sing and dance.
July 26th: Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys
Tribute band to the Beach Boys bringing precise harmonies, dynamics, and excitement. Bring blankets, chairs, family, and friends. If you r equir e an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact recreation staff at (925) 313-2272 at least 72 hour s pr ior to the event date.
To advertise call 925.405.6397
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
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ALAMO WOMEN'S CLUB
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the May 4th “Boots and Bling” fundraiser has been moved to August 17th at the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo from 4:30PM to 9:30PM. Tickets are $75 per person with all proceeds to benefit local philanthropies and scholarships. Tickets are available at Eventbrite -- Boots & Bling or by mailing your check to Alamo Women’s Club, P.O. Box 151 Alamo, CA 94507 by June 12th.
MONTHLY SPEAKER
The May 22nd luncheon speaker will be Caitlin Dunklee who will be covering the topic “Exonerated Nation.” Thirteen-point-six years is the average sentence served by a wrongly imprisoned exoneree. After years of wrongful imprisonment, there is no established California state program to help exonerees transition home. Additionally, they do not have access to the reentry programs available to individuals on parole. Exonerees face barriers to meeting their basic needs, securing safe housing, and finding living-wage employment. Ms. Dunklee will speak to the Club about the key barriers to achieving the types of legal, legislative, and cultural changes necessary to end wrongful imprisonment in California and the United States, and how individuals may be able to help. If you’d like to attend, the guest cost is $30. Checks should be made out to AWC and sent to Nancy Howsmon, 454 Red Wing Dr., Alamo, CA 94507. Payment must be received by May 17th in order to reserve a catered meal.
2019 ALAMO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Contra Costa County Public Works and Alamo Parks & Recreation, with support from the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, present the 2019 “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 music from a variety of genres. Concerts will take place on Friday evenings from 6:30-8:30PM and will feature a schedule full of dynamic bands: June 21 — Sun Kings (Beatles Tribute Band) June 28 — SONA (Classic Rock Standards) July 5 — Mixed Nuts (Rock & Pop Standards) July 12 — Fog City Swampers (Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute) July 26 — Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys (Beach Boys Tribute Band) Bring family, friends, chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner, to enjoy music in the park. Snacks are available for purchase at the event. If special accommodations are needed to participate in this event, please contact Alamo Recreation Staff at least 72 hours prior to the event date. Alamo Recreation Staff can be reached at 925-313-2272, or visit www.cccounty.us/alamoparksandrecreation.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Thanks to all of the generous shoppers who have helped charity group Delta Nu Psi send 40,764 pounds, over 20 TONS of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on the first Friday of each month and at Lunardi’s in Danville on the second Friday of each month. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:45PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Are you 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. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and 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 15th at 11am. The guest speaker will be novelist Gisela Zebroski who will present on Stalin’s 1948 blockade of Western Berlin and the subsequent airlift to save over two million Berliners from starvation. Be ready for a very interesting presentation! The $26 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 for the May luncheon, please send an email by Thursday, May 9th to info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will be held at The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information about the retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.
JOIN WHITE PONY EXPRESS IN MEETING ITS “THREE ANGEL” $300,000 MATCHING FUND CHALLENGE BY JUNE 15!
Every day, 364 days a year, White Pony Express (WPE) trucks deliver 6,000 pounds of surplus food to people in our communities who are hungry. In addition, WPE delivers items of new or like-new clothing, toys, games, and books to families in our neighborhoods. All of this done free of charge. With your support WPE can continue these programs and expand their School Pantry Program, where they deliver food to families who often don’t have enough to eat. Among other programs, WPE continues to make deliveries of food and clothing to the survivors of the Camp Fire in Butte County. And much more! WPE has received an incredible opportunity. Three donors, whom they consider to be “angels,” including Luis Gerardo del Valle Torres, the Heart’s Path Foundation, and the Gemmer Foundation have pledged $300,000 in matching funds for all financial donations, grants, and pledges received between April 15 and June 15, 2019. This means that WPE can raise $600,000 in the next two months, taking a HUGE step toward achieving their annual fundraising goal of $2,000,000. If you are interested in making a contribution to help WPE with this matching opportunity, please send your contribution to White Pony Express at 3380 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, or online at https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/3-angel-match. WPE now has 60 regular food donors, 65+ nonprofit recipient partners, and 400+ volunteers. In 5 ½ years, WPE has delivered almost 8,500,000 pounds (equivalent to 7,080,000 meals) to those in our communities who do not have enough to eat. 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 500,000 items of new or like-new clothing and more than 100,000 children’s books, games, and toys to the underserved in our communities. For more information on WPE, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council present
2019 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
CLASSIC NIGHT
Friday, July 19th
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Friday, August 9th
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Maria Ward, Principal
Bring blankets, chairs,, flashlights, family, and friends. If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact recreation staff at (925) 313-2272, at least 72 hours prior to the event date.
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
SRVUSD’s Speech Contest will be held Saturday, May 11th at Monte Vista High School. The contest provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to think creatively, write a speech, and present in front of peers. Rancho Romero students, John Franco and Claire Washer recently presented their speeches to their peers, teachers, and parents. Their speeches were courageous and well spoken. The fifth grade speech topic is: "Every family has their own traditions, whether they are related to holidays or just activities everyone does together. Share one of your family traditions that is especially meaningful to you." Both speeches were compelling and well rehearsed. In the end, Claire Washer was selected to represent Rancho Romero. Our 2019 CAASPP testing has started for third through fifth grade students. The testing is a multiple measure of student progress, and the results help inform instruction. Assessment results provide data on English Language Arts and Mathematics. We learn which skills and standards students have mastered, and which ones need more practice. Monitoring student progress throughout the year and CAASPP assessment results provides multiple measures of data. To plan for the next year, this information is vital. Parent volunteer, Rachel Day, was selected by the Rancho Romero staff to be this year’s honoree at the San Ramon Valley Education Fund “Night With The Stars” at the Blackhawk Museum. Rachel ideated the Harvest of the Month Program which brings students, parent volunteers, and teachers together each month. Vegetables such as tomatoes, peas, lettuce, and kale are grown in planter boxes throughout our campus. Students learn nutrition and how important growing vegetables and maintaining well mulched garden beds are to harvesting healthy crops. Thank you Rachel for the countless hours you devote to our school. Deservingly, you are a “Shining Star” at Rancho Romero. April was an exciting and busy month. With Courage as our Character of the Month, our student assembly recognizing our Remarkable Roadrunners was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Kathy Kawabata , office assistant, for creating unforgettable recognitions.
“Inside every child is a rainbow waiting to shine.” ~ Unknown With a little over a month left of school, I think we can all agree that the school year has flown by! It is always wonderful to see how much students blossom over the school year. Like spring flowers, they seem to have sprouted overnight, both physically and spiritually. Throughout the year, they work hard learning and grasping new concepts and ideas. I am proud of their efforts thus far and encourage them to stay focused and finish strong. The next month is busy and filled with fun and exciting events including the May Crowning Mass, First Holy Communion, Mother’s Day, The Feast of St. Isidore, the Spring Concert, and Graduation. These events are special and bring us closer as a school community.
WHAT DOES STUDENT SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Today’s fast-paced technical world brings about a new set of challenges for students. Students are held to a higher standard, increased expectations, and very full schedules. This rigorous environment can leave students feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and anxiety ridden. For the past two years, St. Isidore School has partnered with Stanford Challenge Success Program to provide students with coping strategies, communication, and life-balance skills. Challenge Success works closely with schools, families, and communities to embrace a broad definition of success and to implement research-based strategies that promote student well-being and engagement with learning. The Challenge Success website (www.challengesuccess. org) offers useful parent tips, like the one below.
PARENT TIP: EASE PERFORMANCE PRESSURE
For many young people, the questions parents ask most often are: “How did you do on the test?” and “Have you done your homework?” The subtle message to kids is that performance and results matter most. Instead, shift the emphasis to effort, hard work, resilience, and intellectual curiosity by asking open-ended, non-judgmental questions such as, “How did the day go?”
OFF TO GREAT PLACES
I am proud to announce that all of our eighth graders who applied to De La Salle and Carondelet high schools have been accepted. They worked hard to prepare for the exam, and I am confident that an exceptional educational and spiritual journey lies ahead of them. We are blessed to live in an area that offers many wonderful high school options for our children. Wherever they end up, I know that the foundation they received at St. Isidore School will serve them well. They are amazing children, and they will do amazing things! I wish you a wonderful month of May and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and grandmothers!
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ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal
The true measure of a school can be found in the sum of its parts. It starts with strong teachers but finishes with assorted personnel often referred to as “support staff.” At no time in my tenure as principal has the support staff at Alamo School been any stronger than it is now. Science, music, art, PE, computers, library, reading specialist, math intervention, garden educator, and a host of staff around special education are all solid and amplify the work in our classrooms. Our para educators, admin staff, child nutrition, and custodial crew round out the team/village that supports our students in every aspect of their educational experience. It is only fitting that one of those “parts” has been recognized this year for a singular honor. Mrs. Jennifer Border, para educator, has been named District Classified Employee of the Year and subsequently the County Classified Employee of the Year. Next month, she will be a guest of the California Department of Education with the opportunity to be named the California Classified Employee of the Year! I can think of no better way to recognize Mrs. Border for this achievement than to present her nomination letter in its entirety below: “Jen Border has been a classified employee at Alamo Elementary for over 10 years. During that time she has earned the respect of parents, students, and staff. Her nickname, Alamo’s Swiss Army Knife, hardly describes what her presence has meant to our school. Her primary assigned duties include classroom para educator and noon duty supervisor. However, it would take too many hours to describe her “other duties as assigned.” She is a fixture every morning, organizing our arrivals and directing traffic at drop off. Whatever the task assigned, she is a model of consistency in her expectations for student conduct. On a rare morning when she was absent, and the principal forgot to cover for her, the students were found quietly waiting in their grade-level lines well after the bell had rung…
LAFCO MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS
By Candace Andersen
Have you ever wondered what oversight or review there is of cities and other local agencies? One of the commissions I serve on, the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) periodically conducts something called a Municipal Service Review (MSR) In April, we reviewed the Draft MSR for all nineteen Contra Costa cities and four of the six county Community Service Districts (CSD) including Diablo. We received public comment about it and in June will be finalizing the report. For some, an MSR might be “dry” reading material. However, for individuals interested in the inner working of the community they reside in, it might just be fascinating. An MSR is a comprehensive study designed to better inform LAFCO, local agencies, and the community about the provision of municipal services. MSRs provide information about service delivery, evaluate how services are provided, recommend actions to improve the provisions of services, and highlight best practices, risks and challenges facing the agencies. The MSR concludes with an update to the sphere of influence (SOI) for each agency covered in the Review. SOIs are pivotal as they designate an agency’s probable future boundary and service area. Many people have never heard of LAFCO. LAFCO’s are county-wide agencies the California State legislature created to discourage urban sprawl and encourage the orderly formation and development of local government agencies. LAFCO’s strive to create efficient and economical municipal services, sensible development, and the preservation of agricultural and open space lands. Besides preparing MSRs, LAFCO’s are charged with regulating local agency spheres of influence (SOIs) and service boundaries, including annexations and detachments; city incorporations; district formations, consolidations, mergers and dissolutions; and extension of services outside jurisdictional boundaries. For this MSR Update, Contra Costa LAFCO chose to focus on some but not all of the services jurisdictions provide including animal control, broadband, building and planning, law enforcement, libraries, and lighting. It also reported that most jurisdictions in Contra Costa have jobs/employed residents and jobs/housing unit ratios that are lower than many inner-Bay counties, which indicates that Contra Costa serves as a “bedroom area” for those counties that attract most employment. The MSR evaluated the financial conditions among the jurisdictions, analyzing
May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
because that is what Mrs. Border would have expected of them! To say that Mrs. Border is our spiritual compass is not an exaggeration. When we need someone to run the sound for the Talent Show, Mrs. Border is there. When we need a proctor for the middle school Math Placement Exams, Mrs. Border is there. Providing for math intervention, organizing our PBIS program, emergency substitute (even in PE!), Homework Club, you name it and Jen Border will see that it gets done. She has silk screened t-shirts for our staff basketball game and donates her time each year for Teacher Treats where she cooks a Chinese New Year’s meal for six lucky students as a fundraiser for our EdFund. And like everything Jen does, this meal is over the top. She serves wok-fried chicken chow mein, and the students learn to speak Chinese as they ask for their food and drink in Mandarin. Her mother-in-law got into the act this year, so she made it a family affair! Mrs. Border IS Alamo School! There is no member on our staff, classified or certificated, who has contributed more to the culture and success of our school than Jen Border. She may not have worked as many years as other recipients of the District Classified Employee of the Year, but I will wager that she has contributed as much in the 10 years she has been at Alamo. I am proud to nominate Jennifer Border as Alamo’s Classified Employee of the Year.” On May 3rd Mrs. Border will formerly receive her county award in Pleasant Hill at the Contra Costa County Office of Education. When she does, and if she receives the statewide award, she will be doing so representing and “standing on the shoulders” of our amazing support staff team. Go Jen!
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. debt and revenue sources, as well as liabilities such as unfunded pensions. Since LAFCO opposes sprawl, as it can lead to adverse effects such as traffic congestion, it encourages jurisdictions to pursue infill development before adding new land to either the SOI or boundary. In 2018, Contra Costa County’s population was estimated by the California Department of Finance at 1,149,363, placing it as the ninth largest county in California. Population was also studied, as the MSR revealed that the population in the County is expected to increase from an estimated 1,132,140 in 2017 to approximately 1,387,000 by 2040. With Contra Costa County’s rapid population growth comes the concern for housing – a pressing issue for many residents throughout the County, as well as the amount of jobs in the region for comparison. The MSR delved into whether the County is estimated to be capable of meeting housing needs for its residents by using the “jobs/housing” ratio, which measures the number of jobs as a fraction of the number of housing units. The MSR indicated that all nineteen cities and CSD’s believe they can meet their obligations and provide necessary services over the next five years, but that several challenges also lie ahead. Several cities used now defunct redevelopment to fund capital projects deemed necessary to the revitalization of most cities in Contra Costa County. Many activities of jurisdictions involve providing capital infrastructure including roads and signalization, storm-water drains, sidewalks, parks and recreation facilities, other public buildings, and water and sewerage systems. Some jurisdictions seek voter approval for special taxes and fees to cover these costs. Many, but not all, of these initiatives have been successful, but a capitalfunding shortfall remains. Because reinvestment in capital facilities is often less than depreciation, many jurisdictions are recording a decline in net assets. The Final MSR, which will be responsive to the comments received regarding the Draft MSR, is now being updated and the Contra Costa LAFCO will hold a public hearing on June 12, 2019, at 1:30pm in the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. At that time, we will be asked to accept the MSR, make required findings and determinations, and approve any SOI updates. For the full report, visit http://contracostalafco.org/agencies/municipal-service-reviews/. 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.
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane
WHO’S IN CHARGE? INCORPORATION EFFORTS IN THE SIXTIES PART II ~ THE 1967 ELECTION
After a narrow city incorporation loss in 1964, pro-city advocates organized to put another incorporation effort before area voters on December 19, 1967. At this point, there was a major governmental change: the newly established Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) decided all proposed city boundaries. Executive Director Joe Connery asserted that it was the duty of LAFCO “to guide orderly growth.” New state legislation set up a LAFCO in every county. While the impetus to incorporate came from Alamo and Danville, Dick Fahey, President of the San Ramon Homeowners Association, came to meetings and urged LAFCO to add the new Volk/McLain San Ramon Village to the ballot’s boundaries. Better police protection was a goal for all of the activists. LAFCO agreed and created a valley-wide boundary. Well, it was not exactly the whole valley. Because of opposition from Volk-McLain, ranch owners, and business interests in San Ramon, much of San Ramon was eliminated from the boundary. Ranch owners asserted that their agricultural areas “did not foresee imminent suburban development.” A group representing new businesses and ranchers in San Ramon called The Greater San Ramon Improvement Association (GSRIA) actively opposed inclusion. Ken Harris, president of the group, was quoted in the Valley Pioneer on February 15, 1967, saying, “The attorney for Bishop Ranch assured me that they would do everything possible to get excluded. Aerojet wants out, too.” On the north end, some individual properties, Diablo Country Club, and undeveloped Round Hill Country Club were eliminated from the boundary. An odd San Ramon Valley border – called the “cherry stem” or “hourglass” boundary -- linked the two ends of the valley together with a 200-foot swath of land along the new I680 alignment. Alamo and Danville were on the north, and the San Ramon Village was on the south. The San Ramon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Valley Pioneer editor, and homeowners’ groups actively supported this effort, led by the “San Ramon Valley Incorporation Steering Committee” which criticized scant sheriff’s coverage and bemoaned the lack of local control. Valley representative County Supervisor James Moriarity also supported incorporation. At an Alamo Improvement Association meeting, resident Bob Foley asserted, “We’re for incorporation so we can be masters of our own destiny.” San Ramon businessman George Filice led a campaign arm of the GSRIA called “Valley Home Owners Against Incorporation,” and powerful realtor Harlan Geldermann of Round Hill weighed in against. They ridiculed the cherry-stem boundary, predicted increased taxes, attacked the proposed city budget, and poured funds into the “no” campaign. The effort lost by a vote of 2,796 to 1,830. The status quo prevailed with effective opposition by development interests, sustained by the weird LAFCO-approved boundary. Voters chose the name Danville for the prospective city by a two to one margin over the City of San Ramon Valley. Twenty-three candidates competed, and the five-person council would have included Roy Anderson, Byron Athan, Francis Driscoll, George Filice, and John May. Interestingly, Filice and five others ran for the council but opposed incorporation. In 1969, two years after the incorporation election, Bishop Ranch was sold to Western Electric, and a Master Plan for 1,770 acres (homes, retail, and light industry) was approved by the County in 1972. So much for no “imminent suburban development.” In the seventies, two more valley-wide incorporation efforts came to the ballot and were rejected in 1973 and 1976. LAFCO again insisted on the larger boundary. When Danville advocates proposed a Danville-only incorporation in 1980-2, they went directly to the LAFCO Commissioners who approved the boundary over the opposition of LAFCO staff. Danville voters approved the new “town” in June of 1982. San Ramon’s incorporation committee received the same opportunity and won cityhood overwhelmingly in March of 1983. Alamo remains part of the County with the Alamo Improvement Association still active and a Municipal Advisory Council (with Supervisor-appointed members) advising the County Supervisor. Sources: Museum of the San Ramon Valley archives which include numerous Valley Pioneer articles, Roy W. Anderson’s paper “Local Control,” Beverly Lane’s essays “Trying for Home Rule in the San Ramon Valley,” Oakland Tribune.
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
With just days left of school, SRVCA is buzzing with activity! It seems like summer sneaks up on us faster every year, and we’re not ready to say good-bye until we complete these top 10 favorite activities during the month of May: 10. Our sixth grade students enjoy four days and three nights of science and faith-based activities at Alliance Christian Redwood Camp in Occidental, CA. 9. Our second graders host their beloved “Mothers’ Day Tea” with poetry, artwork, and special custom hats made by each child for their cherished guests. 8. Our third, fourth, and fifth graders are excited to showcase their Spring Musical performance on Tuesday, May 14th. Come join us in the sanctuary at 7PM! 7. After our K-2 musical on Friday, May 10th, we will honor parents with a special reception. We are abundantly grateful for all that our parent community does to show love and support to our students and teachers. 6. Our Parents in Prayer group will be hosting a patriotic chapel for the
community on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 2nd at 9AM in the sanctuary. Remember to wear red, white, and blue! 5. Receiving our standardized testing results gives us reason to celebrate our success! SRVCA has been proud to exhibit exceptional results for decades, and we look forward to meeting our goals again this year. 4. Construction begins this month to relocate our school office and refresh our classrooms in grades 3-8. We’re especially excited about our designated STEAM/art room, music room, and updated Jr. High science lab. 3. Every student looks forward to Field Day! Our inflatable obstacle course, waterslides, and carnival-style games are a high for everyone, as we take time to celebrate the hard work that happened this year. 2. Open House on Thursday, May 2nd at 7PM gives us the opportunity to see a sampling of the work completed at each grade level. This “showcase” event is celebratory in nature, and families catch a glimpse of what they can look forward to in the year to come. We invite the public to come learn a bit about who we are! 1. This year, we graduate 44 eighth grade EAGLES from our “nest.” Graduation is such a bittersweet moment for our community. Although it’s hard to say goodbye, we are excited to see how God will fulfill His plan for each of our students as they head on to an exciting chapter ahead. We look forward to finishing strong and packing in a lot of fun along the way! Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019!
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
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QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
SF BOTANICAL GARDEN
Years ago, when I lived in Frankfurt, Germany, a friend surprised me with a weekend away from the cold and the gray for my springtime birthday. We bypassed Amsterdam and headed to the town of Lisse, South Holland, home of the renowned Keukenhof Garden, one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Located on the grounds of a 15th century castle, Keukenhof Garden boasts the ultimate tulip festival. What a place! We meandered for hours on pathways through field after field of tulips of every size and color. A staff of 49 gardeners plant seven million bulbs annually in the 79-acre garden. I recall feeling a bit like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz walking down the yellow brick road. Spring had sprung in Keukenhof! Besides tulips, the garden is full of blooming trees as well as hyacinths, daffodils, and other colorful flowers. A large pavilion holds shows featuring roses, freesias, hydrangea, lilies, anthuriums, orchids, and of course tulips. Keukenhof opened in 1950 and is celebrating its 70th year. Over one million visitors from more than 100 countries visit the garden each year. Keukenhof is open just two months each spring; this year the dates are March 21 to May 19, 2019. A trip to Holland is wonder- Keukenhof Garden ful, but we can enjoy springtime with our local flowers and the many spectacular blossoming fruit trees. My favorite springtime blooms are creamy yellow Lady Banks roses winding their way up ancient oaks and redwood trees along the Iron Horse trail, and perky tulips and yellow daffodils sprouting in parks and neighborhoods. We are so lucky to live in Northern California. My family and I recently visited the San Francisco Botanical Garden, another special place to enjoy springtime flowers. The main entrance of the Garden is particularly beautiful this time of year with a small orchard of cherry trees in full bloom. S.F. Botanical Garden, located inside Golden Gate Park, is visited by thousands yearly (458,900 this past year) and is home to nearly 9,000 different kinds of plants from all over the world. While Keukenhof is known for showcasing tulips, the national flower of the Netherlands, the San Francisco Botanical Garden is known as the premier place to grow cloud forest (montane tropical and subtropical flora) along with mild temperate and Mediterranean plants. Brendan Lange, Director of Visitor Experience and Marketing at S.F. Botanical Garden Society explains, “Our climate is very unique. San Francisco is in a Mediterranean climate zone with strong oceanic influence that creates coastal fog. This additional moisture creates a unique micro-climate that allows the Garden to grow mild-temperate plants and makes us exceptionally qualified to grow montane tropical and sub-tropical flora.” Mr. Lange agreed with us saying, “Spring is a fantastic time to be in the Garden, and as all the plants come alive so does Garden programming. There is something for everyone.” Mark your calendars for the popular Flower Piano Event from July 11-22. In its fifth year, 12 pianos are set out in picturesque settings in the Garden for the public to play from 9AM-6PM daily as well as scheduled performances, primarily during the weekends. San Francisco Botanical Gardens is in Golden Gate Park, 1199 Ninth Ave. at Lincoln Way, San Francisco. Their website is SFBG.org. Check their website for free tours and admission prices. Linda Summers Pirkle travel writer, consultant and long-term Danville resident has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. She is currently working on a guide featuring off-the- beaten path destinations. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas ,email Coverthemap@gmail.com. San Francisco Botanical Garden entrance
SEE ORIGINAL ARTWORK ON THE DANVILLE 'OPEN STUDIOS' TOUR ~ MAY 11 & 12
Spend Mother’s Day 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 11-12th from 11AM – 6PM Saturday and 11AM - 5p.m Sunday the public will be able to visit artists’ studios throughout Danville, view their work, and get a sneak peek into the artists’ creative process. Members of the public will be able to view the artists’ work and obtain maps that will indicate the studios they can visit in Danville. This is a self-guided tour which interested community members can conduct at their own pace. Maps will be available for pick-up at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street. Locations will be clearly indicated on the maps provided as well as by signs prominently displayed outside each location. The Opening Reception for Artists’ Open Studios will be held on May 9th from 5PM - 8PM. Those in attendance will get a sneak peek into the Town of Danville’s first public art project, Dogs of Danville, before the dogs head downtown. The Opening Reception is being held in conjunction with Danville’s Doggie Night, so be sure to bring your pets down and head to Molly’s Pup-Purr-ee, 425 Hartz Avenue for some dog treats. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Program Supervisor, Jessica Wallner at (925) 314-3426 or jwallner@danville.ca.gov.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
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Additional new members
117-E Town & Country Dr. Danville, CA 94525 Phone: (925) 837-4400 Fax: (925) 837-5709 business@danvilleareachamber.com
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
As Monte Vista (MV) enters the final few weeks of the school year and with graduation looming, each day brings on another important milestone. CAASPP assessments have been the focus over the past few weeks as MV’s 11th graders completed their annual English and math assessments. In addition, both our 11th and 12th graders participated in the first official administration of the California Science Test or CAST. On Monday, May 6th, MV students will begin two weeks of Advanced Placement Exams which cover a variety of subject areas and disciplines. 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. May 20ththrough May 24th is Senior Week which is immediately followed by Finals Week, May 28th through May 31st. MV’s Commencement Ceremony is set for May 31st. On April 12th, students on the MV campus 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 which includes students from all across our district. On Friday, April 26th, MV will hold its first Wellness Day which will provide our students with a variety of activities and speakers with a focus on stress reduction, well-being, and life-balance. We hope the event will be a meaningful activity for both our students and our faculty. The next evening, MV will host our annual Senior Ball at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. This is always an amazing event, and our students enjoy every minute. MVs Arts programs aim to finish strong as they close out their 2018-19 seasons. MV’s Drama Department will be presenting Arsenic and Old Lace which will run from April 18th through April 20th. MV’s Dance Program follows with their Spring Performance from May 1st through May 3rd. MV’s Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band will perform their annual Spring Concert on May 7th and our jazz bands will perform their Spring Showcase on May 10th. Lastly, MVs Choir will be very busy in the closing weeks of the year with a concert competition in Seattle,
• SIPgoods • Small Business MD • Mobility Matters • Diablo Design Group • Merrill Lynch • Cielito Cocina Mexicana • The Flower Theory • Farm Fresh To You • The Watermark at San Ramon • East Bay Business Exchange • Heads by Design • Portable CIO • Alain Pinel
the Golden State Concert, and a dual performance with the BYU Choir. They will also be performing their annual Pops / Awards Concerts May 15-17. MV’s athletic teams are also enjoying excellent spring campaigns headlined by our EBAL leading Men’s Volleyball Team which is having an exceptional season. MV Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Track and Field, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Swimming, Men’s Tennis, Stunt, and Men’s Golf are all currently in the hunt for EBAL and playoff spots with rivalry games just ahead. There should be a great deal of action for the Mustangs as they enter the NCS playoffs and beyond. MV’s students and faculty would like to thank our community for all of their support throughout the 2018-19 school year. I invite everyone from our community to come out and support MV students one more time as they complete another amazing year.
SRV KIWANIS FOUNDATION AWARDS $39,700
The San Ramon Valley (SRV) Kiwanis Foundation has awarded over $39,700 in grants to 28 area non-profit agencies this year. The grants will be presented at the club’s annual grants Breakfast ceremony, to be held on May 30th at Round Hill Country Club. Representatives of the recipient organizations will make brief presentations on their programs the Kiwanis grants support. SRV Kiwanis has awarded more than $1,000,000 through their grants program since 1995. This year, grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,500, including a grant to the SRV Educational Foundation for distribution to worthy school projects that the Education Foundation identifies. Recipients include: Agape Villages, Assistance League of Amador Valley, Assistance League of Diablo Valley, Cancer Support Community, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Contra Costa County (CASA), Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging, Diablo Valley Quilters, Discovery Counseling Center of SRV, Down Syndrome Connection, Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, Hearing Loss Association of America, Diablo Valley Chapter, Hope Hospice and Home Health, Mobility Matters, Moment by Moment, Monument Crisis Center, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, Nayeli Faith Foun-
See Grants continued on page 25
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
Exchange cont. from front page
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The State Exchange program allows boys and girls within clubs in these two counties to experience 4-H life in another state and sometimes in another country. Karen Sherman and Marnie Hascall are the co-project adult leaders of the program, traveling with the groups to varied locales and then hosting 4-H members who visit California. In planning the group’s annual trip, Sherman and Hascall attempt to schedule a locale with membership that closely matches their own group of travelers. “We try to get the same number of boys and girls,” says Sherman. “Age doesn’t really matter, but some other parameters do factor are: When does everyone get out of school? When does the exchange location hold its county fair, 4-H camp, Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 and State Leadership Conference? We find a time between these events that works 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl Concord San Ramon for both counties. During my first year as Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 project leader and chaperon, our group Since 1973 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) traveled to Calgary where we learned about Canadian culture and how our 4-H hosts lived. We experienced riding horses LET IT BREATHE in the Rocky Mountains, participating in a First Nations (Native Indians) By Monica Chappell festival, and going to an amazing dinosaur museum. Since that trip, our State Does wine really breathe? The term “breathing” Exchange has traveled to Minnesota, North Dakota, and Massachusetts.” State Exchange is just that – an exchange. Those teens who played host in usually refers to the process of aerating the wine or simply these varied states then visit California where Sherman, Hascall, and their maximizing the wine’s exposure to the surrounding air. twelve 4-H members roll out the red carpet to show the young adventurers Wine needs to come in contact with at least a little air to a good time and educate them about California and all it offers. Sherman release its bouquet. Technically, the air causes the esters has shared with out-of-town guests the magic of the redwoods, the palpable - fragrant liquids - in wine to evaporate or volatilize. In entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley, the rich history of the area’s missions, addition, the wine will typically warm up, causing the wine’s and excursions to Alcatraz, San Francisco’s Chinatown, Santa Cruz Beach/ aromas to open up and the overall flavor characteristics to Boardwalk, the Jelly Belly factory, and In-n-Out Burger. improve. That’s why you swirl a wine in your glass before you smell it. While the main objective of the exchange is cultural education, it is the WINES WHICH NEED TO BREATHE many friendships made that leaves a lasting impression. “Both my son and In general, most red wines, but only a few white wines and dessert wines, can my daughter have made lifelong friendships through State Exchange,” says benefit from aeration. Many young, concentrated red wines, like an expensive Sherman. “They both have friends all across the U.S. as a result.” Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux that can age for several years, undergo a sort The program takes place in the summer, typically includes one week of of micro-aging process by getting lots of air into them. The same goes for a travel and then one week of hosting, and can take place over two summers. The next exchange takes place July 16, when a group leaves for Great young and concentrated or especially astringent white wine, such as a white Falls, Montana. Prior to each exchange, the 4-H members participate in burgundy. The reason is that forced exposure to air begins to oxidize a wine, rigorous fundraising to help offset travel and the entertainment costs of causing subtle chemical changes that affect both the flavors and the texture. HOW TO LET YOUR WINE BREATHE hosting – roughly $1,000-$1,500 per day to host the visiting 4-Hers and Just popping the cork isn’t going to get you there. Pulling the cork out of their chaperons. From mistletoe sales at holiday time, to See’s candy sales, the bottle and letting the bottle sit there has little perceptible effect on aerating to serving as waiters at various events such as a recent Danville Chamber of Commerce crab feed, to an August 31 Cal/UC Davis Aggie football game the wine. Under these circumstances, only a small amount of the wine in the and tailgate party, the 4-H members work hard to raise the necessary funds bottle has contact with air. The little space in the neck of the bottle is way too small to allow your wine to breathe very much. The best and most entertaining that keep the program humming. On the parent side of things, 4-H moms and dads are equally active in way to accomplish real aeration is to pour the wine into another vessel. If you the preparation of meals, driving, and helping with fundraising activities. really want to aerate your wine, do one or both of the following. Decant - A decanter can be defined as any large liquid container with a “4-H and State Exchange is not just for the teen,” says Sherman. “It’s a family wide opening at the top that is able to hold the whole bottle of wine. This can project – meaning it’s not just the teens making friends; the parents make be an orange juice pitcher, glass jar, or clean flower vase you have on hand. The meaningful connections too.” idea is to splash the wine as much as possible while pouring to maximize the 4-H is overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), wine’s contact with air. The increased surface area is the key to allowing more the University of California, and county air to make contact with the wine. governments. The California State 4-H Wine glasses - The wine will do a lot more breathing in your glass than it office is based on the UC Davis campus ever would have while still cooped up in the bottle. Pour your wine into large and provides administrative support to 54 wine glasses, and let it aerate about 10 minutes before you plan to drink it. county offices and coordinates statewide This is certainly the low-maintenance method and typically works quite well. 4-H projects and activities. In general, the “Aeration Rule of Thumb” is that the more tannins a wine For more information about the State has, the more time it will need to aerate. Lighter-bodied red wines like Pinot Exchange program, to ‘hire’ 4-H members Noir, that have lower tannin levels, will need little if any time to breathe. to work your non-profit event as part of Breathe! their fundraising efforts, or to place a spring Monica Chappell is a local wine writer and educator and can be reached at See’s Candy order, contact Karen Sherman wineappreciation101@gmail.com. at kranedude@aol.com.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
SPRING SALE ON NOW!
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
Despite having picked unwanted bits of protein off my home-grown greens innumerable times, I hadn’t encountered a recipe specifically calling for the removal of undesirable insect parts until I decided to see what unusual plants Amy Stewart included in The Drunken Botanist. The premise of the book is that all alcoholic beverages, whether popular or unfamiliar, are plant-based. Entries for hops, juniper, potatoes, and grains bore no surprises, but the reference to a cordial concocted from sundews piqued my curiosity. Sir Hugh Platt’s recipe for the strange liqueur published in Delights for Ladies (London, 1600) begins with gathering a gallon of “the hearbe Rosa-Solis” (aka sundews) and then advises: “pick out all the black moats from the leaves.” Sundews are carnivorous bog-dwellers. The species available to Platt’s readers flattens itself to the ground to capture crawling insects. Leaves reach only a few inches high to reel in food-on-the-wing. Harvesting a bucketful of the 3”-5” rosettes embedded in muck must have been a miserable task. Easier for the cook was adding a half-pound of sliced dates, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, and rose leaves to “a gallon of good Aqua Compositae.” The resultant beverage, known as “rosolio,” was originally intended for medicinal use. Today, recipes for rosolio are handed down by the family matriarch in rural regions of Europe and rarely contain sundews. The round-leafed sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) is native to California, among other places worldwide. It grows along with sphagnum mosses in swampy places where water leaches nitrogen and other nutrients from the soil, but abundant mosquitoes and other insects are easy prey. The upper side of the leaves is covered with reddish hairs bearing a bit of sweet, mucilaginous liquid at their tips that glistens like dew. Lured by scent and sight, unwary insects are trapped by the sticky goo that also contains digestive enzymes. Sundew plants may not perambulate like animals, but they move certain essential parts fast. Within 20 seconds, the insect-snaring hairs close as tentacles, further securing their meal. The botanical name “Drosera” means dew or dewdrop. There are about 200 species of sundews found around the globe on six continents. In The Savage Garden, Peter D’Amato writes: “Sundews are innocent looking and pretty, their delicate leaves sparkling with the promise of sweet nectar, but the foolish insect curious enough to give a sundew the slightest touch will suddenly find itself in a living nightmare.” If his glorious photographs make you yearn to adopt
THE JAZZ ROOM SERIES
The Jazz Room aims to celebrate and reinvigorate neighborhoods by featuring national talent, and providing a platform for young aspiring talent in the jazz scene. On Sunday, May 5th at 8pm the Jazz Room presents The Darryl Rowe quartet performing jazz /pop songs from a variety of artists ranging from Duke Ellington to Sting as well as original music. The quartet has been performing in the Bay Area for the past ten years and is often featured at Yoshi’s and the San Jose Jazz Festival. Joining singer Daryl Rowe is Casey Felsom on piano, Kenny Brown on bass, and Randall Merritt on drums. The event will be held at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery located at 233 Front St. in Danville. Tickets are available at www.villagetheatreshows.com or by calling 925-314-3400.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, offers a Historic Military Museum & Library as well as a Veteran Resource Center. The Museum & Library is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Every Saturday from 8AM to 11AM a Veteran Coffee and Pastry social is held. To access resources for Veterans, you can connect with a County Veteran Service Officer every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM. For an appointment, call 925-313-1481. To learn more about the Veteran’s facility and programs, visit www.vmbsrv. org or email info@vmbsrv.org.
a few meat-eating plants, go to California Carnivores, the nursery D’Amato founded in Sebastopol in 1989. Charles Darwin’s fascination with sundews is legendary. He experimented with them and sketched them obsessively before finally releasing his findings in Insectivorous Plants in 1875, sixteen years after he began studying these carnivorous plants. Darwin continuously doubted the sensitivity of sundews his research revealed. In a letter to Charles Lyell, November 24, 1860, Darwin confessed: “But I will & must finish my Drosera M.S… for at this present moment I care more about Drosera than the origin of all the species in the world. But I will not publish on Drosera till next year, for I am frightened & astounded at my results…Is it not curious that a plant should be far more sensitive to a touch than any nerve in the human body!” Darwin discovered that the legs of a gnat had sufficient weight to trigger the sundew’s tentacles. More surprisingly, he noted that the plants could differentiate between a bit of debris landing on their leaves and a nutritious insect worth ensnaring. They exhibited the capacity to rid themselves of the former while patiently digesting the latter over the course of many days. Sundews do photosynthesize. They flower and set seed. The strange capacity of their tentacles to react to an arriving meal regardless of the direction from which it approaches is called “thigmonasty.” Instead of simply curling up, the leaves actually have cells that grow rapidly along one side. Should the insect land too close to the edge of the leaf, the hairs have the ability to move it to a central location for consumption. Sundews range in size from those as tiny as a penny to others as big as a small shrub. Some are capable of moving 180 degrees within a minute. The miniscule Drosera glanuligera can snap its tentacles around a victim in less than a second. Flowers are predominantly white or pink. Pygmy and tuberous sundews boast blossoms of yellow, orange, red, or violet.
AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Come and enjoy the 19th Annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour on Mother’s Day weekend! The Tour will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 10th and 11th, from 10AM to 4PM. Tickets are $35 if purchased by May 2nd and $40 thereafter. Five outstanding gardens in Alamo and Danville will be featured. Among the many highlights are an English-inspired garden in the mode of Gertrude Jekyll, undulating color and texture utilizing mostly Mediterranean plants, a family entertainer's heaven, an English garden, a Mediterranean riverside spa, and an award winning vineyard with a spectacular view. Please plan on attending and bringing a mom! Mail your $35 ($40 if mailing after May 2) check payable to “AAUW Fund” along with a self-addressed, stamped business sized #10 envelope to: AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Tickets are available at East Bay Flower Company, located at 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W., Danville (Livery Shopping Center) with payment by cash or check only. Tickets are also available online at https://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden/. For questions, email daw.aauw@ gmail.com. The tour will take place rain or shine. Please, no children under 12 are permitted. Profits from the Spring Garden Tour help provide one of the largest sources of funding for graduate women in the world. The AAUW Fund gave more than $3.9 million, enabling more than 250 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations in the 2018–19 academic year. To learn more, visit https:// daw-ca.aauw.net. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
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LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
CALIFORNIA CASUAL By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
Landscape architecture has seen many movements and style trends that influence the look of outdoor space. Northern California has always had its own unique look, and it is one that is constantly evolving. In recent years, we have seen California’s casual, vibrant, and varied aesthetic combine with low-water landscape wisdom to influence design style. We are embracing these trends in our designs as the future of the California Casual landscape.
What is a California Casual landscape? This style is both elegant and welcoming, inviting good times without the pressures of formality. Soft flower borders and gravel paths, sculptural heritage oaks, and flowing grasses often accompany strong architecture and rock work. California has long been influenced by Mediterranean culture, and our Mediterranean climate also influences our gardens. Plants from the Mediterranean climates of the world (including coastal Australia and South Africa) thrive naturally here. Combined with California natives and traditional garden favorites, these plants are coming to define the new California garden style. Native plants can add wonderful color and authenticity to a California garden. If you’re gardening with these hardy new plants, remember to still seek the right plant for the right place, as even a native plant will die in the wrong spot! We love that the new garden trend is relaxed and fun, and that landscapes are reflecting the amazing, varied culture that is Northern California. And yet perhaps the greatest influence on the new California landscape is the desire to inhabit it as much as possible. Outdoor living is changing the way we look at Native plants also have the benefit of attracting our our yards, and it has opened up many native pollinators, like this Swallowtail butterfly. possibilities! From the recent trend in backyard bocce and outdoor entertainment to the time-honored California tradition of homegrown food and wine, landscape is part of our everyday lives. If you spend time in your yard every day, you are already living the California life! Scan a magazine for some new ideas to make the most of your outdoor space, or head over to your local nursery and pick out some fun new Mediterranean plants, and you’ll be living the California Casual life! “Life in California is beautiful.” ~ Oscar Nuñez The team at J. Montgomery Designs creates landscapes at all scales. We can start on a brand new design or spruce up a tired yard with some new ideas and contemporary planting. Contact our studio at 925-820-8884 to schedule a Complimentary Consultation, or visit our online portfolio at jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial
May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
Primavera continued from page 5
“The most important act in the creative process is the act of discovery. Inherent in the act of discovery is the notion of adventure. Traveling into unknown territory. Not knowing every turn of the path. Getting lost. Finding one’s way through the thicket. Taking risks to the point of failure. Exercising patience in order to come back home.” ADAS began awarding cash grants for art programs in SRVUSD schools in 1995. This year students at Cal High School (CHS) and Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS) have been creating Memory Project portraits with support from an ADAS grant. ADAS President Megan Parks-Haller also collects donations of materials from member artists for the students to use. Fifty portraits by CHS and DVHS art students are going to children ages 8-18 in Afghanistan and Pakistan – 25 to each country – the last week in May. Leanne Tangney, at CHS, is coordinating the collaborative project with Kelsey Wengel at DVHS. Wengel writes: “In addition to the portrait, a photograph of our student holding the portrait is sent along with a hand written letter in the child’s native language. (We work to translate the best we can).” She explains, “Not only are our artists working on their technical skill of portraiture, but they are also learning immeasurable skills of empathy and kindness.” Students study the countries where the subjects of their portraits live and the history of the hardships they have faced. Since 2004, the Memory Project has delivered over 130,000 portraits to children facing “substantial challenges such as violence, war, extreme poverty, neglect, and loss of parents” in 47 countries. The portraits, generated in a variety of mediums from a photograph of the child, are an invaluable means of affirming each child’s unique importance and value to others around the world. Videos of their delight in opening their portraits express their immeasurable joy – not an emotion many of them are used to experiencing. Parks-Haller proudly relates: “The Blackhawk Gallery is going strong now for eight years and we continue to attract new artists and guest artists.” Member artists take turns staffing the gallery, which is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Jewelry, fiber art, 2D, and 3D pieces offer a wide choice of original works to gift yourself or a friend. Many of the artists are willing to do commissioned pieces. A juried process determines selections for each of the rotating exhibits. The current show, “Reflections,” runs through June 30th. “Reflections” guest artist Aimee Bosschart describes her art. “The process of
working with clay is an exploration of purpose and fulfillment. I envision a design in an almost dreamlike state of mind – it comes to me in a moment of distilled clarity. I then experiment with various techniques and materials until a piece is as I imagined. Current works include forms that integrate softness and texture – vessels that can hold elements of nature, or simply stand alone.” Primavera and the Blackhawk Gallery are located in Blackhawk Circle Plaza, Danville. For more information about ADAS, Primavera and the Blackhawk Gallery visit www.adas4art.org.
FIESTA CINCO DE MAYO~SUNDAY, MAY 5TH
Get ready for a South-of-the-Border-themed garden party, Sunday, May 5th at 5PM, at The Gardens at Heather Farm, located at 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek. “Fiesta Cinco de Mayo” features live music by “Mariachi Mi Mexico” and an array of tasty Mexican-inspired foods. Visitors will love taking in the fresh evening air among thousands of blooming roses. People may bid on raffle items and test their taste buds on a salsa “heat scale.” Each ticket includes frozen margaritas on demand, beer and agua fresca, tequila tasting and a complimentary souvenir shot glass, and savory appetizers and desserts. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Purchase tickets online at https://gardenshf.org/fiesta. Proceeds support The Gardens at Heather Farms community-based public garden and environmental science programs for local schoolchildren.
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
GUILT FREE SPENDING
By Robert Cucchiaro
One of the most common questions I receive is some version of “are we saving enough” or “are we spending too much.” This is especially true for couples in their 30s, 40s, and 50s that live in our area, make really good money, but aren’t sure what percentage they should be setting aside. While there are rules of thumb one can use to help answer this question, the real answer is “it depends.” A wise man once said the only difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline and accountability. How much one should save, or inversely, how much one can spend, really depends on what your goals are. Whether you do it yourself or hire an expert, a financial plan is simply a date specific, dollar specific game plan that a person or a couple commits to, devotes resources to, and then checks in on periodically to see if they are still on track. In this area, most of the families we talk with have at least two and often three financial goals they are working towards. • Goal #1 is retirement – Even if you love your job, the idea of eventually not taking BART to San Francisco or driving to the Peninsula every day is worth saving for. • Goal #2 is funding college for the kids – Two kids multiplied by $30,000 per year college costs, plus inflation, and best case scenario, an outcome of two bachelor’s degrees, will cost you $250,000-$300,000. And what happens if one of your kids wants to go to private school and the other one wants to pursue a post graduate degree? Now you are in the $500,000+ range. Either start saving early, or set expectations with your children when they are young about how much you plan to allocate to their college education.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com • Goal #3 is often to buy a second home - Second homes are usually in Tahoe or on the beach somewhere, and are often purchased with the idea of renting it part of the year and enjoying it the other part. Between these three goals, plus activities for the kids, plus the general cost of living in this area, it’s no wonder even those with very high incomes feel like they can’t afford to do it all. As a result, there is often guilt associated with spending money on things like family vacations and the like. However, smart families also know that when the kids are young (and still want to hang out with mom and dad) is the time to travel and let them experience the world or at least other parts of the country with you. So how does one accomplish all of this? This can be accomplished with a game plan that prioritizes and establishes “buckets of money” earmarked for specific items. I often see families who can live off of their salaries but then aren’t sure how to handle annual bonuses or income from the sale of company stock each year. Consider allocating those extra sources of income into three buckets: 1) long term savings (retirement, college), 2) short term savings (emergency funds, home repairs, etc.), 3) fun! (think vacations or a large purchase for the kids). The key here is that once you know you are setting aside enough money to fund your financial goals, you can spend money on vacations and other items for the kids (or yourself) guilt-free. If you’ve never experienced this before, why not start now and establish a written financial plan for your family in 2019. If you want help drafting this plan, give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Summit Wealth has three Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), an MBA, and a Tax Director (EA) all on staff and in Danville. Advertorial
Pickelball continued from front page
littered the court with cracked pieces. Someone found the Consom fun ball. Ping-pong paddles were too small and broke quickly. Homemade plywood paddles replaced them. How did the sport get its name? Most original players credit the Pritchard’s dog, Pickles. The cockapoo puppy was so adept at running off with the ball that each sphere became Pickles’ ball. However, in a letter dated 01/19/2006, Joan Pritchard insists the dog was named after the sport. “I actually named the game after the pickle boat in crew, which is made up of rowers not in various races.” In any case, Youngren and Lucore are certain the game’s correct spelling is “pickleball.” Brought home to Seattle and thence by enthusiasts to communities in Florida and Arizona, pickleball evolved from a family fun game played with makeshift equipment at hand to a well-organized sport. In 1968, Barney McCallum convinced friends Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell to invest in Pickle-Ball, Inc. Run from Barney’s envelope business location, the company made and distributed paddles and balls and Eight dedicated pickleball courts make Rudgear the busiest park in Walnut creek (photo courtesy of Kris Hunter) promoted the sport. The United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA), founded in 2005, has Ambassadors helping interested facilities and individuals get into the game by providing demonstrations, clinics, and information. Ambassadors volunteer in a specific region or, if they travel regularly, act as representatives at large. Often getting the game going begins with portable nets, loaner paddles and balls, and permission to temporarily convert a tennis, badminton, or sports court for pickleball. Bill Dougherty got pickleball going in Walnut Creek when he and his wife moved to Rossmoor in 2009. He notes, “Players at all levels mingle on and off the court. I find the social aspects of the game the most rewarding. Pickleball is just a lot of fun.” Bill was determined to introduce the game to his new neighbors. “Getting pickleball started at Rossmoor 10 years ago was slow going. I finally talked the board into letting us use one tennis court starting at 2pm two to three days a week.” To offer the sport to non-residents, Dougherty initiated play at Tice Gym. “Interest grew each year until we finally got so big that we had to split into two clubs,” Dougherty recalls. Today, the Rossmoor Pickle Ball Club and the Walnut Creek Pickleball Club, created by the 2014 split, each have 500+ members. Walnut Creek PB now has eight dedicated courts in Rudgear Park with drop in play from 9am-1pm daily. Loaner paddles and balls are kept on hand. Kris Hunter, President of the Walnut Creek Pickleball Club, explains, “I try, as do other dedicated members of our club, to take turns playing with beginners and making sure no one new is left sitting alone at the picnic tables. We try to help newbies find their own games. You can learn defense from playing with more advanced players, but you get more time to practice your offensive skills when you play at your own level.” Rusty Lent offers “Drills, Thrills, and Skills” clinics and private lessons at the gym at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church (902 Danville Boulevard, Alamo). “I enjoy making up drills that get people laughing while they are learning skills. Newbies start out confused, and by the end of the clinic they are playing games and eager to come back the next week.” Rusty, a Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional, encourages players to take advantage
See Pickelball continued on page 26
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
HOW DO YOU HOLD TITLE TO YOUR REAL ESTATE?
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
I write about this topic regularly because real estate owners are frequently ill-informed or have misconceptions about real estate titling alternatives. Furthermore, one’s titling choice has critical legal and tax consequences. Focusing on the estate planning consequences of various titling methods, let’s explore the essential question: "On an owner’s death, who will own the property and how will that transfer happen?" Limited liability company (LLC) titling has great appeal for business and investment property, but LLC titling features and benefits are beyond the scope of this article.
ACTION POOL REPAIR
Serving Alamo & Danville Since
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COMMON REAL ESTATE TITLING METHODS
Individual. On the death of an individual title holder, the property is subject to probate - whether or not the decedent had a valid Will. Unfortunately, probate is a long, expensive, and inconvenient public court proceeding. Joint Tenancy. Joint tenancy requires two or more co-owners, each of whom owns an equal, fractional share. Many married couples take title in this form because of a feature known as the “right of survivorship” (ROS). Under ROS, when one joint tenant dies, the surviving joint tenant(s) automatically (without probate) becomes the owner of the decedent’s interest. Despite this feature and its popularity, joint tenancy is often unwise and problematic. NOTE: Some people try to avoid estate planning (e.g. they fail to establish a Trust) by adding one or more children or another loved one to the title as joint tenants. This can be extremely detrimental for many tax and non-tax reasons and should never be done without first consulting an attorney. Community Property. Community property titling is available only for married couples who can choose to include the ROS feature - by causing the deed to state: “community property with right of survivorship.” Like joint tenancy, the advantage of community property with ROS is that a probate proceeding is avoided on the death of the first spouse. However, like the other titling forms, this is usually less optimal than titling in a Trust. Tenancy in Common. Tenant in Common (TIC) titling requires two or more co-owners and simply reflects ownership by each tenant-in-common of an undivided, fractional interest in the property. TIC titling is commonly used by friends, relatives, or associates who acquire property as a business venture. TIC contains no ROS feature. Thus, on death of a co-owner, her interest does not automatically go to the remaining tenant(s)-in-common; rather, each TIC (co-owner) can designate in his or her own Will who will inherit the TIC interest. The substantial estate planning problem is that, upon death, the TIC property interest will be subject to probate. To overcome this problem, a co-owner can transfer title to his or her TIC interest into a Revocable Living Trust (hereafter “Trust”). Trust. For probate avoidance and other reasons, individuals and married couples are typically best advised to establish and hold title to their property in a Trust. By statute, titling property in one’s Trust renders it exempt from probate. So, when the owner dies, the property transfers privately, without probate, to the beneficiaries listed in the Trust. Given the high costs and in-
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convenience of probate, this is a valuable exemption. Planning Benefit. When married couples evaluate alternative titling methods, it is critical to understand that the ROS feature that makes titling in “joint tenancy” and “community property with right of survivorship” seem so attractive is largely illusory; probate is avoided only on the death of the first spouse; when the surviving spouse dies, probate will be required! Trusts are such a compelling alternative because, among other advantages, probate is avoided on the death of any and all owners whose interests are titled in a Trust. Estate Planning |Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President SMALL CELLULAR WIRELESS ANTENNAS COMING TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND MAYBE EVEN YOUR FRONT YARD
As many local residents are finding out, the new 5G technology is not just about “faster speed,” “high data capacity,” or “advanced network,” as is being promoted by providers. It is also about choosing the lowest cost of several delivery platforms to provide that service to communities. Remember how the new technologies of AirBnb, Uber, and other new platforms of service delivery disrupted existing models? It took cities and counties time to react to the disruptions and unintended consequences of these new platforms before new regulations were put in place to create order and prevent abuses. Cellular infrastructure is a highly specialized industry with small cellular wireless antenna (cells) promising to add additional layers of complexity to the field. The same learning curve for cities and counties and even for new State Regulations and State Supreme Court Decisions that had to be employed with AirBnb, Uber, and others is now occurring for small wireless cellular antenna installations. The major problem is that the service providers are far ahead with their push to install 5G services and, in many cases, they are using the cheapest and not necessarily the best platform. In the rush to install and ask for forgiveness later, attorneys employed by the industry are being utilized by many municipalities as credible information sources without evaluating objective research. However, there are resources available, even within the industry, willing to speak more objectively noting, “Fiber-optic cable is the gold standard. Companies have demonstrated over 100,000 billion bps throughput over a single strand of fiber.” Fiber-optic cable systems convert packets of data – images, text, video, emails – into a stream of light. The light travels through the cable from sender to the receiver, which converts it back into its original form. Wireless communication converts the data it transmits into electromagnetic waves for broadcasting By comparison, even with an enormous 10 GHz wide radio channel and 10 bps/Hz of ultra-high spectral efficiency, spectrum-based networks could only reach 100 Gbps of theoretical throughput, 1,000 times lower than the fiber value. Plus, fiber cables consist of multiple fiber strands--if you run out of capacity on one strand, another one is right there. “There’s definitely a focus on deploying fiber as much as possible, but fiber can’t be everywhere,”Andre Devillier, Ericsson North America’s director of business development for transport products, explained. “It’s just not cost-effective to deploy in every location. “Microwave is an effective tool to extend an operator’s fiber footprint,” and “Microwave is a complement to fiber and there’s going to be a different mix of 5G transport mechanisms for each and every operator,” Devillier said. Those with strong concerns are saying, “5G cell towers are more dangerous than other cell towers for two main reasons. First, compared to earlier versions, 5G is ultra-high frequency and ultra-high intensity. Second, since the shorter length millimeter waves used in 5G do not travel as far (or through objects), with our current number of cell towers, the cell signal will not be reliable. To compensate, many more mini-cell towers (small cells) must be installed. It is estimated that they will need a mini cell tower every two to eight houses. This will greatly increase our RF Radiation exposure.” What is known at this point is that a small cell is just what it sounds like - a small cellular antenna, typically designed to provide cellular coverage to a smaller geographic area than a cell tower or full rooftop cell site. While many small cells are installed on utility poles or street and traffic lights; small cells can be installed almost anywhere power can be placed. More on this important subject in June...please stay tuned.
ALAMO FARMERS MARKET IS THE BEST VALUE LOCALLY
With lots of easily accessible free parking, music and a low stress atmosphere, you can join your neighbors and friends at the market, open every Sunday 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza (near Wells Fargo Bank) off Danville Blvd. The freshest organic and conventional fruits and vegetables for your health and well-being will be sold. See you at the Market!
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL REPORT
Watch for AIA’s Annual Report in your mail in early May. There will be lots of interesting summaries of the work AIA has been doing for all Alamo residents. Become a member and support our mission to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo” the place we love to live! Membership dues are just $50/year. AIA has no employees; all work is done by volunteers, so 100% of your membership goes toward our community. Please visit www.AlamoCA.org for more information.
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner, located at 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, call John Lineweaver at (925) 272-8207, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 6:30PM at Crow Canyon Country Club on the third Wednesday of every month. Danville Lions Club supports blind charities, Sight First, the curing of pediatric cancer, local sight screening, the fight against diabetes, and many local charities. 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.
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
The Rotary Club of Alamo meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. For information about the group, contact Peter Walron at peter.waldron@ lfg.com. The Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. For information, contact Bob Chace at bchace@pacbell.net or by phone at (925)838-7007. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at coleman_jd@pacbell.net. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets for dinner every Wednesday night at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. Networking and social time starts at 6:30PM with the meeting starting at 7PM. For more information, call Bernie at 925-352-2155. You can also visit www. sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets at Amador Rancho Community Center, 1998 Rancho Park Loop Road, San Ramon, on Wednesdays at 5:10PM for networking and social time with the meeting and guest speakers starting at 5:40PM. For more information contact Joe Tagupa at (510) 599-2351 or mizutag@sbcgobal.net. Lastly, Rotary Club of San Ramon meets every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club. For more information, contact Dennis Harvey at dennis@dharveyrealtor.com or 925-519-4748.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
We’ve seen a huge increase in email fraud, phishing attempts, and telephone scams. Why do we see such an increase? Because it’s lucrative. Here is a case in point: A local caregiver recently made us aware of an enormous “con” inflicted on a 98-year old man she assists. The man, in this case, is very “with it” for 98-years young, and he is from the greatest generation. His age and era make him the perfect gullible candidate for what comes next. He accesses his banking online, trades stocks, buys cryptocurrency, drives a car, and is vehemently independent. When he young you struck your deal with a handshake, and someone’s word was their bond. Times have changed. The last I heard, these particular fraudsters from “Windows” (a boiler-room outfit located overseas) had relieved our friend of $18,000 and had replaced him as the owner of his cryptocurrency account. He initially resisted our help because he couldn’t believe the nice people he’d spoken to were trying to con him out of his money. Now that he understands, it’s been a painful blow to his ego because he feels foolish. I feel terrible for him. When the internet became ubiquitous billions of people began connecting online, and it had an unfortunate side-effect. Until the internet, we lived in blissful, unconnected, anonymity. Our home telephone was our single connection to the rest of the world, and its number and your home address were only available if we published it in the phone book. Nobody except the police and the telephone company otherwise could contact us. When the internet was born, suddenly every database of previously publicly-available but geographically-limited information was published free or offered for sale online. Now, instead of needing to travel to Reno to look up a phone number for a resident, I can go online. Heck, I can buy the telephone numbers for every resident in a given geography, along with a lot of other information gleaned from their online habits. Sadly, whether you buy things online or not, you have no privacy; everything about us is for sale. The problem is that the world can now easily access information that was only previously available with a lot of work. And what about your email? Criminals love to masquerade as something legitimate so you will click their links. The link you click may be disguised to trick you into entering your credit card or password information. Or, it may take you directly to a website that will download ransomware onto your computer in the background without you knowing. Pro tip: always look at the sending email
address, and also run your mouse across the link to see where the clickable link will send you. See the example at right. Of course, the bad guys have all of this figured out. They also figured out that anyone who has a computer is a potential target. You probably used to think that crime was found only in the inner city. Now, your computer is a conduit for criminals that is piped directly into your family room. It’s a big problem and one that affects every industrialized country. Education is critical, and, education is not enough. Microsoft, Apple, Google, Dell, and HP have all been working with law enforcement to help track down the perpetrators of the telephone scam that tricked our elderly friend. And, last November 27 and 28, over 100 local Indian law enforcement officials from Gurgaon and Noida raided 16 call center locations and captured 39 people. That raid followed a raid in Delhi six weeks earlier which captured 24 people. It’s heartening to hear that international law enforcement is taking this seriously. The good guys are fighting back. It’s a game of whack-a-mole (i.e., another call-center is certain to pop up.) Locally, I often hear the suggestion of calling the police or the FBI. Neither has jurisdiction to travel to India to arrest a con man or con-company. And, the FBI cyber-crimes division is inundated with complaints and have many priorities. Finally, other than the FBI, most agencies do not have the specialized staff required to track down and pinpoint the perpetrators of these crimes with international agencies. To paraphrase Nicolas Cage equivocating about his being a con-man in the 2003 movie Matchstick Men, it’s not “stealing” if people give you their money willingly. I suppose this is their thinking. To me, it’s just stealing and is morally and ethically wrong. In the case of our 98-year old friend, it’s also an elder-abuse situation. I’m afraid I don’t have all the answers. I sell excellent prevention software and services, write articles, speak at events, and coach people on how to deal with our new reality. We must educate ourselves about these new problems we face. We also need to protect our elderly and to think of ways to rebuild some of the barriers that kept us anonymous. And, we need to support all international efforts to find and apprehend these criminals. Need help? Make us your first call. Helping folks stay out of hot water is our business. Reach us at info@pcioit.com, or call 925-552-7953, option 1. Advertorial
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
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BREAST CANCER NEWS
By Tiffany Svahn, MD
There have been some interesting new developments in the treatment of breast cancer over the past several months. Although it has been used to treat many other forms of cancer, imunotherapy has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. This is for patients whose breast cancer has spread outside of the breast and lymph nodes to other parts of the body. The specific type of breast cancer that responds well to immunotherapy is triple-negative breast cancer, in which the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and the protein HER2 are not expressed. The drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) has been approved in combination with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane®) for patients whose breast cancer expresses PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1), which is involved in the pathway by which T-cells (part of our immune system) are able to recognize tumor cells as foreign and destroy them. Atezolizumab is a monoclonal antibody against the protein PD-L1. In the IMpassion 130 phase III clinical trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2018, there was a 2.5 month improvement in the time it took for the cancer to progress (progression-free survival) and a 4.5 month improvement in overall survival. The FDA approved atezolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel on March 8, 2019. In patients with early-stage breast cancer that overexpress HER2, the treatment often involves receiving chemotherapy in combination with anti-HER2 antibodies trastuzumab with or without pertuzumab prior to undergoing breast surgery - this is called neoadjuvant therapy. Prior to the results of the KATHERINE study, patients would continue on anti-HER2 antibodies after surgery and chemotherapy. For some patients, after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anti-HER2 antibodies, the cancer will have completely disappeared at the time of surgery - this is known as a complete pathologic response. In the KATHERINE study, patients whose cancer did not completely respond to initial treatment were randomized to T-DM1 after surgery versus remaining on trastuzumab with or without pertuzumab. Patients who received T-DM1 had a 50% reduction in the risk of breast cancer recurrence compared to patients who remained on trastuzumab with or without pertuzumab. T-DM1 has been FDA-approved to treat metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer for several years. It has a unique mechanism of action - the antibody trastuzumab is linked to a a chemotherapy called emtansine. Once T-DM1 binds to the HER2 protein on a cancer cell, it is brought inside the cell, and the chemotherapy is then released from the antibody and is directly toxic to the cancer cell. Because of this unique mechanism, healthy cells in the body that do not express the HER2 protein will not be exposed to the chemotherapy, and thus there are less side effects. In addition to the two new treatments discussed above, there are other new treatments for breast cancer that will soon be FDA-approved. Please join me at the Lafayette Library on Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:30-8:30pm for a Breast Cancer Symposium. I will review the above data in more detail and discuss other new developments in the treatment of breast cancer. Monica Eigelberger, MD, a breast surgeon and Christine Chung, MD, a radiation oncologist will also be reviewing new information about breast cancer in their respective specialties. To register for the event, please email sjung@ dvohmg.com or call 925-677-5041. Dr. Svahn is a Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill. She specializes in treating patients with breast cancer. Dr. Svahn is the Medical Director of the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay where breast cancer patients meet with multiple specialists on the same day. She can be reached at 925-677-5041. Advertorial
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
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 and 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 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
TEEN WEIGHT LOSS THE HEALTHY WAY By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
I have been referred to many local teens that want to lose weight and look their best. I feel qualified to counsel them because of my own weight problem as well as 25 years of teen counseling. Majoring in nutrition was a huge help to my success with weight loss, and I find nutritional education is what a teen needs to lose weight and keep it off. Let me tell you about Diane, a teen that attends high school in Walnut Creek. She plays soccer and works out the opposite days. Diane is certainly active, but because of her busy schedule, she ends up eating most of her food at the end of the day. Breakfast is Honey Nut Cheerios, and the rest of the day she would consume smoothies, Think Thin and Cliff bars, as well as yogurts. Diane was eating a low fiber, low protein, and high sugar diet. At night with her family, she would eat double servings of meat and starches and often skip the veggies. She would snack on bowls of cereal at night, which Diane thought was a healthy choice. I calculated that at night she was consuming at least 1,500 calories. I explained to her that a full hour of intense exercise may only burn 400-500 calories. If you are not changing your diet and reducing caloric intake, exercise alone will not help you lose weight. In my initial session with Diane I evaluated her food diary and showed her where her meals were lacking protein and fiber. I taught her how to read food labels for serving size, calories, fat, protein, fiber, and sugar. I noted to her that the food label is backwards. We do not have the metric system and do not go by grams. I showed her that protein listed as the last item should be first along with dietary fiber. I continued to teach her that an ounce of protein is equal to 7 grams. With this knowledge, she could see that her Honey Nut Cheerios had a skimpy 2 grams of protein compared to Kashi Go Lean cereal that has 13 grams, about 2 ounces of protein. Adding a cup of milk to the cereal provides an additional ounce of protein and a breakfast with 3 ounces of protein. I was adamant that she must consume at least 8 ounces of protein and 15 grams of fiber before dinner time. I asked Diane to bring in a list of favorite foods, and with that list I set up a meal plan for her. For breakfast, Diane agreed to have oatmeal or Kashi Go Lean with some fruit. She liked the idea of having an apple with peanut butter, beef jerky, or a pack of almonds for a mid-morning snack. Diane was open to trying fresh grilled chicken strips from Trader Joe’s and using the second serving in the package for lunch the next day and adding veggies that she likes. When she came home from school before soccer practice, she liked the idea of having a hearty lentil soup or even oatmeal. Diane traded in all her smoothies for fresh fruit and is drinking more water than ever. She has eliminated the Think Thin and Cliff bars and now enjoys low-sugar Greek yogurts. Diane reported after our meeting that she went off to practice at 5PM feeling better than ever with high energy. She no longer came home famished and can control her portions at night. She did not feel the need to snack endlessly at night. She is happy with a fudgesicle or creamsicle after dinner. Diane and I worked together for several sessions and discussed social and restaurant eating with friends and family. I taught Diane to not go to a party hungry and fill up on unhealthy junk food. For a buffet, I taught Diane to first scan the choices, set up a plan of what to eat, and keep to it. Diane makes room for dessert and eats less starches and fat. Diane has lost 10 pounds in one month, and we are still working together via phone and e-mail. Her goal is to lose 10 more pounds before the summer. The good news is that most insurance companies, including ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sutter, and United Healthcare, cover counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@ yahoo.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles and nutrition tips on my blog. Advertorial
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center (GCSC)! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental well-being through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ years old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, Mah-Jong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information, contact Wendy Lee, 925-718-6222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www.goldencrane.org.
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.
CPC PRIME TIME
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) “Prime Time” is a gathering of senior adults who like fellowship, fun, and making new friends! The group meets in the Multi-Purpose Room of Community Presbyterian Church from 9:30AM – 12:30PM on Tuesdays, September to May. Please join in the fun. Activities often include games (cards, dominoes, and mahjong to name a few), blood pressure screening, water painting, devotions, informative presentations, and various forms of entertainment that also take place. A home-made lunch is provided for $4. Get pampered, get fed, and get loved! For more information, visit www. cpcdanville.org/primetime/.
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May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
Grants continued from page 13
dation, New Day for Children, San Ramon Historic Foundation, San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, SonRise Equestrian Foundation, Teen Esteem, The Museum of the San Ramon Valley, We Care Services for Children, White Pony Express, and The Taylor Family Foundation, Funds for the annual grants program are raised by the San Ramon Valley 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. Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service and community minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis improve the world around them by addressing needs in their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is “Serving the Children of the World.” Additional information about the Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley can be found at www.srvkiwanis.org. The club holds weekly luncheon meetings at noon every Thursday at Black Bear Diner in Danville. Everyone is welcome to join the club for a meeting and find out more about the organization.
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
In May of 2018, I saw a patient named William. He reluctantly came to see me as he mentioned his wife had been nagging him to get a new spot on his forehead checked out. I took one look at this spot and was able to tell him it was a completely harmless spot known as a seborrheic keratosis. William was ready to race out the door when I suggested we check all of his skin and not just the one spot. It was lucky for him that he complied because I saw a suspicious looking spot on his back. We did a skin biopsy that revealed melanoma in-situ. This is the earliest stage at which melanoma can be diagnosed. The cure rate tends to be over 99%. Fortunately for William, we were able to excise this skin cancer and cure him. The vast majority of skin cancer deaths are from more invasive melanoma. In fact, on average, an American dies every hour from melanoma. That’s the bad news. The good news is that early detection and treatment can lead to cure, and even for more invasive melanoma, new treatments are available and under development. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The most common types of skin cancers are so called non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma make up the majority of these NMSCs. These typically affect more than three million Americans each year. More than one million Americans are living with melanoma, and the rates have been increasing over the past four decades. Unfortunately, many young adults develop melanoma. Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women age 15-29, so it is not just a disease found in older people. Despite what some may think, skin cancer affects anyone regardless of skin color. There are risk factors that you can control and those that you can’t. You can control how much UV light you are exposed to. Exposure to UV light from the sun and indoor tanning beds are the two most preventable risk factors.
Pickelball continued from page 18
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Other risk factors for melanoma include people with red or blonde hair, light colored eyes, more than 50 moles, atypical moles, a blood relative who has had melanoma, and previous personal history of skin cancer. One of the myths about tanning beds is that they give you a protective tan prior to a vacation. Skip the tanning bed, and pour on the sunscreen. What can you do to protect yourself? Firstly, avoid peak sun hours between am 10 and 2pm. Apply sunscreen every day. Wear protective clothing. I don’t recommend being a hermit and staying indoors, but a little common sense goes a long way. An annual skin check by a board-certified dermatologist can also go a long way towards early detection. Studies have also shown that self-awareness is key. Many skin cancers are brought to the attention of a dermatologist by a patient noticing a new or changing mole, a new spot, or a bleeding non-healing spot. If you have a spot on your skin that you are worrying about, the worst thing that you can do is procrastinate. Early diagnosis leads to treatment and cure. Call us today and stop the worry. 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
COPING WITH DEATH OF PETS
When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay (HoEB) and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at HoEB (925) 887-5681. HoEB Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
of the excellent teaching videos on Jordon Briones’s Prime Time Pickleball website. “I had no idea what pickleball was 15 years ago when a friend put a court in his backyard. I thought it was a silly game with a funny name.” Now, Lent credits pickleball and his ability to get others sharing the fun with giving him a new purpose in life. “People gravitate toward the sport. It sells itself.” At Rudgear, Hunter relates; “People often bring food to share. We have members from 46 different towns including 70-80 from Danville and Alamo.” She continues, “This sport started years ago in recreation centers with older players. Today, it is made up with tournament level players playing pickleball from 18-50! There is play at tournaments for all age groups.” Danville resident Emily Nelson, who’s given up competitive tennis due to injuries, says, “Pickleball is so quick to learn! The learning curve is really fast! Lots of tennis players are playing. It’s easier on the body.” Lent is quick to point out, “Pickleball doesn’t involve a lot of running, but it is very aerobic. After the first hour of a clinic at Oakland Hills, a player with a Fitbit registered burning 450 calories and logged 3,200 steps.” Jim Fulton, who still enjoys playing tennis, takes advantage of the indoor public courts at the Alamo church gym during rainy months. He reports, “Pickleball is very social. Unlike tennis, you don’t have to organize a group and book a court to play. You drop in and play on a rotating basis with whoever shows up.” Players add their names to the board and wait until their turn. Once off the court, they add their names back and may play with a totally different foursome the next time they get court time on the same day. Fulton also plays at Blackhawk.“Four years ago, no one played at Blackhawk,” he recalls. “Now, there are six dedicated courts. People bring food and drinks on drop-in evenings without anyone having to organize it.” Shari and Jesse Gonzales have played high-level USTA tennis for years, but lately they are shifting allegiance to pickleball. Shari explains why. “We love the social aspect and that you can drop in, rotate around, and play a few games – you can play for 20 minutes or three hours Thom MacPherson (L) and Rusty Lent (R) partnered for a pickleball depending on how you feel and how much time you have. With tennis, you have to spend a lot of tournament win. (Photo Courtesy of Kris Hunter) energy setting up an even number of players, finding an available court, and you’re committed to playing the entire time.” Gonzalez remarks that a major advantage for recreation centers with limited real estate is the size of the pickleball court – 20’x44’ compared to the tennis doubles court at 36’x78’. “Two of our local clubs have converted four courts into 16, and another converted two courts into eight.” Cat Bravo, Program Coordinator, Danville Sports and Facilities, reports that Danville’s Arts & Rec on the Go Program is planning to offer a free pop up pickleball event with demonstration and instruction. For date and time, follow Facebook (Town of Danville) or Instagram (@DanvilleparksCA).
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
NATURAL RELIEF FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
THE EYE OPENER
GLAUCOMA By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Since we have recently seen a few cases of glaucoma, I thought it would be a good topic to discuss since there seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding this sight-threatening disease. First, let’s talk about the definition of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that slowly kills your optic nerve and is a leading cause of blindness in the world. The typical age of onset is late 60’s, and the disease affects about 4% of the population. However, the actual percentage of people afflicted is probably higher due to a high number of undiagnosed patients. The exact cause of glaucoma is not known at this time, and the end-stage result of glaucoma is blindness, since the optic nerve is the wiring connection between your retina and brain. Glaucoma usually develops when the pressure in the eye becomes elevated. This can usually happen when too much fluid is produced or the drainage channels in the eye do not drain the fluid properly. However, a patient does not have to have high pressures to have glaucoma. Up until recently, glaucoma used to be a completely pressure-dependent disease, but recent studies have now shown that not to be the case. One of the big problems with glaucoma is that it is a “silent” killer. It does not bring you into the office. It does not give you a headache, blur your vision, or make your eyes red like other conditions that bring you to us for an eye exam. I tell my patients that when you can start to appreciate some peripheral vision loss, you are already about 75% of the way to full progression of the disease. Therefore, annual exams are extremely important for early detection as we can only stretch out the course of the disease, not cure it. Glaucoma is more common as we age and has a strong genetic component. The difficulty with glaucoma is that the diagnosis is usually not definitive. Most patients I see are initially labeled as “glaucoma suspects,” pending further tests. When the diagnosis is not evident, we try to elicit some personal and family history that can help sway the verdict one way or the other. Information such as age, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, personal history of diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease can be instrumental in assessing a patient. African-Americans have a higher incidence of glaucoma; however, the exact reason is unknown. If you are sent to a glaucoma specialist for an evaluation, he or she will run specific tests on your optic nerve, retina, and visual field, and they will also measure the thickness of your cornea, which has been shown to be a contributing factor in glaucoma. If a diagnosis of glaucoma is determined, eye drops to lower and control your pressures are usually prescribed. Frequent visits to help monitor the pressure and progression of the disease will occur several times a year. It is also paramount for patients to continue to take their drops. Since patients initially do not experience any visual symptoms, non-compliance with treatment is high because the patient otherwise feels and sees fine. As described above, glaucoma is a disease that is difficult to diagnose and continue to treat because of the long-term care needed for the patient. At your annual exams, we will measure your pressures and assess eye health including the optic nerves to determine the likelihood of glaucoma. I always recommend to my patients that if some uncertainty exists regarding glaucoma, to get a consult from a specialist. I prefer a conservative approach to have a full evaluation and determine that there is no disease versus waiting several years to have a consult only to find you have progressed in that time frame without any treatment. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
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By, Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, Align Healing Center WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve -- the nerve in the wrist that supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers. The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the "thumb side" of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger). The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow, so any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Typing on a computer keyboard and using a mouse are the most common causes of CTS . Other causes include: • Driving • Assembly line work • Painting • Sports such as racquetball or handball • Writing • Playing some musical instruments • Use of tools (especially hand tools or tools that vibrate) A number of medical conditions are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including: • Chronic inflammatory conditions • Diabetes • Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist • Alcoholism • Menopause, PMS, and Pregnancy • Hypothyroidism • Infections • Obesity
SYMPTOMS
• Numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands • Numbness or tingling in the palm of the hand • Pain extending from the elbow • Pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands • Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands • Wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or longterm cases) • Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags or opening a jar (a common complaint) • Weakness in one or both hands
CLASS IV LASER THERAPY FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Up until recently, the most common treatment for CTS has been the use of anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, wrist splinting, and surgery. These treatments do not treat the cause but the symptoms only, and they are not always effective long-term. Now, however, we have a powerful, effective, non-invasive solution to reverse the cause of CTS. Ending the symptoms caused by CTS requires stopping the cycle of inflammation at its source. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser CUBE a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy, the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. Therefore, laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function and strength are restored and pain is relieved.
RELIEF IS POSSIBLE!
At Align Healing Center, we are having great success treating CTS, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendinitis, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. Arthritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see longterm benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call (925)362-8283 or visit www.AlignHealingCenter.com. Advertorial
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2019
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