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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& M AY 2020
GARDENING FOR VICTORY THEN AND NOW
By Jody Morgan
Early in 1917, Charles Lathrop Pack began talking about creating “war gardens” in the United States. With European farms ravaged by war, the United States was working already to feed millions of people across the Atlantic. Pack identified idle land in parks, private yards, school grounds, and company properties that could be utilized to grow vegetables and fruit. His movement quickly caught on. Once again, when the US entered World War
SRVHS Choir creates Give Us Hope music video available on YouTube.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART AND SONG ARE
By Linda Summers Pirkle
Early 1940s Alamo World War II Victory Garden replaced the front lawn at the Mauzy home on Ramona Way in Alamo. Left to right, Kay Mauzy Wightman, grandmother Addie Oswill Glass, and Claudia Mauzy Nemir. Photo courtesy of Claudia Mauzy Nemir.
II, the concept of growing and preserving food at homes across the country was successfully implemented as Victory Gardens. Today, many homeowners facing food anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are turning a third time to gardening for victory. Pack, third-generation forestry expert and businessman, established the National War Garden Commission in March 1917, weeks before the US declared war on Germany. Luther Burbank, self-styled plant engineer responsible for creating 800 new plant varieties in his California gardens, was the only commission member from west of the Mississippi. Colorful posters and informative literature on growing and preserving edibles fueled the campaign. The Federal Bureau of Education launched the US School Garden Army, enlisting children as “soldiers of the soil.” In 1918, Jackson's Furniture Company in Oakland, California offered two sterling silver trophies: “One Cup goes to the Grammar School with the best war garden at school. One Cup goes to the Grammar School with the
See Gardening continued on page 17
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
They sang in New York after 9/11, they traveled to New Orleans to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, and they performed in Houston with their “Rebuild and Renew” concert after Hurricane Harvey. The San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) choir is accustomed to bringing their gifts and talents to those in need. The confinement caused by the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders was not something that would stop the SRVHS choir from doing what they have been doing for years under the leadership of Artistic Director Ken Abrams. Give Us Hope, a video featuring the combined SRVHS choir, was released in April 2020. Unable to meet to perform together, each of the 45 choir members filmed themselves singing in their own homes. The keyboard accompaniment, played by Laurie Hugill, was recorded at a spring concert at SRVHS performed in March. Then, with the technical expertise of alumni and video editor, David Flashner, the voices were added back in one by one.
See Hope continued on page 12
STEPPING UP By Linda Summers Pirkle
If you are reading this article in May, you made it through many weeks of shelter-in-place orders. You may have learned more than you ever thought you would know about flattening the curve and physical distancing. We are living in extraordinary times. Another extraordinary time was WWI. If you were able to see the film 1917 before the closure of movie theaters because of the COVOD-19 virus, you know the story is about a soldier who is ordered to deliver a vital message to a commander, and to do so he must travel through enemy territory. There is another WWI story you may not know. It’s a true story about a lowly bird, a pigeon named Cher Ami. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world, without the benefit of social media when people were looking
See Pigeon continued on page 16
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XX Number 5
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
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Volume XI Number 5
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 2020
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BOULEVARD VIEW By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
There are still so many unknowns in our days ahead. Fortunately, the sunny weather helps me feel optimistic. Small shoots peeking up from my garden, leaves budding from the trees, flowers blooming, and baby birds stopping by my bird-feeder all inspire hope. Likewise, I felt hopeful after a morning drive through downtown Danville which put a smile on my face. I saw many creative banners, signs, sandwich boards, and handwritten advertisements announcing businesses who have pivoted to a new model of operating to ride out this storm. Some businesses are offering free delivery, curbside pick-up, and drive-through options. Some have made meal kits, art kits, and cookie decorating kits that share their specialties and provide some fun and family bonding time. Some business owners are making videos and hosting Facebook Live gatherings to show off their wares. Choicelunch (see their ad on the opposite page) has been in our Danville community for years, providing lunches for school children. In an amazingly quick leap, they have pivoted to a business that provides drive-through groceries and supplies (learn more at pantry.choicelunch.com). It has been fascinating to watch their evolution and expansion. They are navigating their way through this storm. Local businesses are what make up the fabric of our communities. Owning a small business with no large corporate backing is HARD, even in good times, and sadly, some businesses won’t be able to come through the pandemic unscathed. These businesses are owned and run by your neighbors, associates, and our advertisers. I encourage you to patronize them, promote them, and give them feedback. My friend’s husband manages Trader Joe’s in Danville. Their family lives in San Ramon, and I knew they wouldn’t see a local NextDoor thread which gave a “shout out” to the staff regarding a positive experience the poster had while shopping. I snapped pictures of the thread and sent them to her. She was grateful for the kind words, especially considering more people prefer to complain about any transgressions they feel than take the time to give uplifting feedback. She noted, “Positivity and appreciation goes a long way!,” and she noted the thread would be posted and shared in the break room for all to see. I encourage patrons of any of our local businesses to share not only with the community but also with the staff when they recognize a job well done. Our family recently completed a 1,000-piece puzzle that we gladly passed on to a new recipient via NextDoor. The recipient picked the puzzle up from where we left it on our front porch. When I went out to see if it had been retrieved, I found a Ziplock bag of all-purpose flour and lemons in its place. It was such a sweet and kind gesture, and both have already been used. Yum! I’ve used some of my shelter-in-place time to create Facebook (Alamo Today & Danville Today News) and Instagram (@AlamoandDanvilleToday) pages for the paper. While the primary focus of Alamo Today & Danville Today News continues to be the monthly print medium, pivoting with new ways to connect the community can continue to draw us together. Please Like, Follow, and Share these pages. This new time has enabled (forced?) many of us to be more hands-on - with repairs, cooking, schooling, cleaning and maintenance, and to perhaps be more frugal...none of those are bad skills for any of us, or our children, to have. I’ve always had a simple garden at home, and at this time, it is one thing I am ramping up for the upcoming growing season, not only for use by my family but to share the bounty with neighbors and those in need. My husband’s grandfather authored a book published in 1943 called War Gardens. The book, “deals exclusively with backyard gardening in California. The beginner can take this manual into the garden and follow, step-by-step, the production of his own fresh food.” The book even became the official “War Garden manual of the Santa Clara County School System,” and it is as relevant today as it was almost 70 years ago. To all of our amazing customers and Our communities need everyone’s support and donors, we miss you so much resilience to keep thriving and moving forward. and hope everyone is staying safe! Please remember the local providers that make up We will gladly accept your donations our towns, not only in the days, but in the weeks, months, and years to come. once we reopen – they are greatly appreciated! CONTRA COSTA COUNTY RESOURCES &
A Message To Our Supporters
INFORMATION
Posted by Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen
Below are some resources to get updated shelter-in-place information in Contra Costa County. • Visit coronavirus.cchealth.org. The site provides the most updated and comprehensive information and answers to the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the County Health Officer’s order to shelter at home. • There is additional resource information of all kinds on the County website at contracosta.ca.gov. • Call 1-844-729-8410. It is an information line to answer questions you may have about the order. The line operates 8AM to 5PM each day. • Email Supervisor Andersen at supervisorandersen@bos.cccounty.us or call her office at (925) 957-8860. The Supervisors office is closed to visitors, but is able to respond by phone or email to questions you have that cannot be answered at the County Health website or information line above.
Clip this ad for 20% off at all six locations when the shelter-in-place order is lifted. Visit our website below for ways to support Hospice East Bay. Thank you for your ongoing support!
HospiceEastBay.org | (925) 887-5678
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ASSISTANCE LEAGUE’S TELECARE REACHES OUT TO THE HOMEBOUND
REASSURANCE IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY.
Who said that talking on the phone has become a lost art? Are you lonely at home? Since 1971, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley’s TeleCare member volunteers have been making reassurance phone calls to the homebound, people of all ages, male and female, Monday through Friday. If the current “Shelter-in-Place” presents isolation issues, or if you feel that you would benefit from a friendly and comforting phone chat, please call 925-934-0901 to request a TeleCare caller. A good conversationalist is a good listener. Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s TeleCare member volunteers have turned this maxim into an art-form. Please spread the word to your friends and family, and encourage them to make the call, as well. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, primarily funded by the Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn in Lafayette, please visit assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES 5/10 FREE LIVE ONLINE TOUR By Jody Morgan
Sunday, May 10th starting at 10am, Bringing Back the Natives (BBN) offers a free online tour of exquisite gardens. Every tour garden contains at least 60% native California plants, is pesticide-free and water-conserving, and provides habitat for wildlife. Homeowners and designers host the 25-minute segments, leading viewers through their gardens, sharing information on their favorite plants, resources they use, and the benefits of watching butterflies, birds, bees, and other creatures thrive in their gardens. Maybe you will spot one of the butterflies feasting in Jennifer Hurley and Dan Gaff ’s garden that Anise swallowtail butterf ly on opens the online tour. Tour organizer Kathy native wooly blue curls is one of Kramer acts as moderator. Visits to gardens many garden visitors. Photo by large and small from Alameda to San Ramon are Jennifer Hurley courtesy of BBN. featured. You may not be able to gather together with family members this Mother’s Day, but you can share an inspiring experience. For the past 15 years, Bringing Back the Natives has welcomed visitors to native plant gardens throughout the Bay Area on the first Sunday in May. Plans for the 2020 tour of 43 gardens, attendant workshops, and native plant sales were well underway when Kramer realized in mid-March just before shelter in place regulations were announced, that she couldn’t risk the safety of homeowners and 2,000 or more attendees. Canceling the tour was a difficult decision. What else could be offered? Ethan Bodnar, a past registrant, emailed Kathy with a solution. He provided the expertise Kramer lacked to organize the live tour hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on YouTube. The final motivation to accept his assistance came when Kramer spent an entire weekend enthralled by the Theodore Payne Foundation’s online event. The Los Angeles-based non-profit that educates the public about the beauty and ecological importance of California native plants responded to a similar dilemma with a virtual tour that provided an essential model for BBN. Even the occasional mishaps inherent in producing the live event with little lead time reassured Kramer that with Bodnar’s patient guidance, the 16th BBN Tour could be a reality. Ordinarily, registrants have to fit all the gardens they want to see into a single day. This year, three live tours have been offered. Although May 10th is the final date, opportunities to view the April 26th and May 3rd programs will be posted on the BBN website as soon as logistics have been addressed. For past participants who have had to choose a small selection of gardens in a manageable area, the 2020 Tour provides the chance to skip all over the counties covered. The live online event also answers the concerns of garden-lovers with mobility issues. Already planned for May 10th
See Natives continued on page 13
May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
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“EYE OF DIABLO” BEACON LIGHTING IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL PANDEMIC From Save Mount Diablo
Mount Diablo State Park’s Beacon will be lit after sunset in response to the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic on Easter Sunday, April 12. Thereafter, until the pandemic crisis is over, the Beacon will be lit every Sunday after sunset and shine brightly until sunrise the next day. Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, stated, “Lighting the Beacon every Sunday is a way to honor our heroes in this global pandemic struggle, to pay our respects to the dead and those suffering, to lift our eyes to higher ground and the light and be reminded of the healing power of nature and our Mount Diablo, and to bring our communities together during this difficult time.” Save Mount Diablo staff and volunteers will be working on lighting the Beacon every Sunday and turning it off every Monday after sunrise, in close coordination with their good partners at California State Parks. Physical distancing will be followed throughout. This effort has also been coordinated with the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 5. Save Mount Diablo; California State Parks; the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 5; California State University – East Bay (Concord); and others organize the annual lighting ceremony of the Beacon every December 7 in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Eduardo Guaracha, Diablo Range Superintendent of California State Parks, said, “As we look up in the sky, let this beacon remind us we are not alone. Our thoughts and support are with the heroes, healthcare and emergency workers, and all those affected by this worldwide Gopher/Mole Removal pandemic. Let the light give us hope for No Poison a better future and remind us to keep our heads and spirits up.” Tri-Valley Trapper The Beacon on Mount Diablo was originally installed and illuminated in 1928 to aid in transcontinental aviation. It is one of the five guiding beacons installed along the West Coast by Standard Oil of California and is the only one known to still be operational. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Beacon’s light was extinguished during the West Coast blackout, for fear it might enable an attack on California. It stayed dark until Pearl Harbor Day, 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, relit the Beacon in a commemorative ceremony and suggested it be illuminated every December 7 to honor those who served and sacrificed. Mount Diablo’s Beacon lights the nighttime sky on December 7. Since that day, Pearl Harbor veterans and their families have gathered every December 7 Copyright Stephen Joseph; used with permission. to see the Beacon light shine once again. The Beacon now shines brighter than ever since it underwent an extensive restoration process in 2013 thanks to a campaign led by Save Mount Diablo to ensure it continues to shine for many more years.
925-765-4209
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DIABLO VALLEY MARCHES ON!
Enjoying a fulfilling history that spans more than five decades, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, comprised of more than 400 member volunteers, continues to connect w it h t he c om mu nit y during Shelter-in-Place. Propelled by a mantra of “Caring and Commitment,” innovative technology and a challenge to embrace “the new normal,” member volunteers, supporters, and appreciative recipients alike continue to move forward. Several examples follow. • The national organization of Assistance League now conducts Zoom town meetings to connect its 120 chapters across the United States. The leadership recently added a provision to the bylaws to enable ballot voting: “Action by Vote by Mail or Electronic Transmission. The Board may determine that membership vote on (an) issue(s) should be conducted by vote by mail or electronic transmission rather than through discussion and vote at a regular or special meeting of the membership.” • Assistance League of Diablo Valley recognized the national health emergency and danger to its members who are over the age of 60 by closing our primary fundraiser, Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn in Lafayette, before the official state mandate. • Likewise, generous thrift shop donors and discerning shoppers have been notified of the famous landmark’s temporary closing and suspension of donation drop-offs.
• Chapter members continue important Board and committee discussions via Zoom meetings, such as end of year fiscal duties, operational decisions needed by shelter-in-place, and additional technology training of members. • While TeleCare continues providing reassurance calls to the homebound, the program has recruited additional volunteers to accommodate those in the community who would welcome a phone call to cope with shelter-in-place. • Scholarships program has extended their application deadline from March 31 to May 1. • As in previous years, Operation School Bell® member volunteers have ordered clothing for identified school children in need in our local community for the 2020-2021 school year. To gain additional insights regarding Assistance League of Diablo Valley member volunteers’ tenacity, please visit assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Come and enjoy the 20th Annual Garden Tour sponsored by the Danville - Alamo - Walnut Creek branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). This year, the Garden Tour is scheduled for Friday, July 17th and Saturday, July 18th from 10am to 4pm. The Garden Tour will feature five outstanding gardens, and this will be a time to celebrate the beauty of nature! To learn more about AAUW, visit https://daw-ca. aauw.net. Garden Tour ticket information is under “Events/Programs.”
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L To our beloved community. We are thinking of you and your families during these trying times. We are honoring the Shelter In Place, and encourage our clients, family, and f riends to do the same. Real Estate is now considered “essential” and therefore, we are still here to support you, albeit primarily virtual. We still have many county and statewide restrictions and regulations to abide by while facilitating our sales transactions. The health, safety and wellness of our agents, our staff, our community and each of you is still our primary concern! Agents and staff are here for you, just in a different manner. Reach out to your local Dudum Real Estate Group agent to learn more on how we are working remotely to best serve our clients. Thank you for your loyalty and support. Dudum Real Estate Group is sending warm thoughts to you and your families, and together, we will get through this! Be cautious out there and please stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
2484 BILTMORE DRIVE, ALAMO 6 BEDS, 5.5 BATHS, 4,487 SF, 0.7 ACRE LOT
SARANAP / WALNUT CREEK TWO LOTS, THREE STRUCTURES, ±1.0 ACRE LOT
2638 ROUNDHILL DRIVE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 3,151 SF, 0.37 ACRE LOT
LAFAYETTE 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,883 SF, 0.26 ACRE LOT
CALL FOR DETAILS
CALL FOR DETAILS
CALL FOR DETAILS
CALL FOR DETAILS
BRYAN HURLBUT, HURLBUT TEAM | 925.383.5500
MARY PISCITELLI & PETER GILLIS | 925.765.9095
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
RENDERING
ACTIVE
SOLD - WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS
SOLD - OFF MARKET
SOLD - OFF MARKET
1131 DOUGLAS COURT, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 2,418 SF, 40,115 SQ FT LOT OFFERED AT $1,890,000
348 SAN PABLO AVENUE, MILLBRAE 3 BEDS, 1.25 BATHS, 1,180 SF, 0.08 ACRE LOT
6267 SAGER WAY, SAN JOSE 5 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,015 SF, 0.15 ACRE LOT
902 HOLIDAY COURT, CONCORD 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,491 SF, 0.19 ACRE LOT
SOLD FOR $1,200,000
SOLD FOR $900,000
SOLD FOR $750,000
MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047
DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047 925.482.4142
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
REALTOR | DRE# 02039328
REALTOR | DRE# 01938194
BROKER/OWNER DRE# 01290985
REALTOR | DRE# 02061210
REALTOR® | DRE# 02068960
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
REALTOR® | DRE# 01821910
REALTOR® | DRE# 01442889
REALTOR® | DRE# 01907345
REALTORS® DRE# 01426129 / 01364038
REALTORS® DRE# 00905114 / 01364056
REALTORS® DRE# 01307893 / 01702866
ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214
BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500
REALTOR | DRE#01177737
REALTOR | DRE# 01347508
®
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REALTORS® DRE# 01979180 / 01979181
LESLIE SHAFTON 925.360.9192
MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380
REALTOR® | DRE#01944775
REALTOR® | DRE# 02067680
DRE# 01882902
WWW.DUDUM.COM
DANVILLE
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Distinctive Properties
©2020 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
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SELF-GUIDED HISTORY WALK IN DANVILLE
LOOKING FOR AN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING? THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY CAN HELP
While we shelter in place, it is still important for us to get out and exercise while keeping at least six feet of separation. You may find yourself getting tired of walks around your neighborhood or on our local trails. How about taking a self-guided history walk in Danville? The Museum of the San Ramon Valley can provide you with a group of easy to find locations that will teach you and your family about the history of Danville. Here are two sites to get you started.
FREE ADMISSION!
June 26th: Mixed Nuts
Enjoy listening and dancing to popular music that spans several decades.
SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH
The San Ramon Valley Union High School District was formed in August of 1910. The initial classes were held in Danville at two different locations. In 1916, ten acres were purchased at the present site, and the school was built and ready for the 1916-17 school year. Additional classrooms and a gym were built in 1936. In the 1950’s, more adjacent land was acquired and allocated for a sports field, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. The original building was taken down in 1950. The school located at 140 Love Lane had a commemorative plaque dedicated August 23, 2003, near the school’s electronic sign.
SMALL PLAQUE IN THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF NORM’S AT 356 HARTZ AVE.
EXPLORE MORE
The plaque near 356 Har t z Ave. mark s t he location of the Danville Fire Protection District’s f irst f ire st at ion. The unusual brick configuration along the sidewalk indicates the driveway for the first truck which was purchased in 1922.
To find more sites around Danville, please visit the Museum's website museumsrv.org, and then click on Explore and then on Historical Markers (or go directly to https://museumsrv.org/historic-plaques-in-the-san-ramonvalley). This page will provide you with a complete list of places with historical markings to visit around Danville. As you enjoy these and other historical sites, please remember to maintain social distancing and be safe.
SAN RAMON VALLEY KIWANIS FOUNDATION AWARDS $35,000 IN GRANTS
The San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation has awarded $35,000 in grants to 30 Bay Area non-profit agencies this year. The grants would have normally been presented at the club’s annual Grants Breakfast ceremony, however, for everyone’s safety, the breakfast was canceled. Consequently, the award checks have been distributed to the recipients. Kiwanis of San Ramon Valley has awarded nearly $1,000,000 through their grants program since 1995. This year, grant amounts ranged from $500 to $3,000. Recipients include Ability Now Bay Area, Bay Area Crisis Nursery, Diablo Quilters, Hearing Loss Association of America-Diablo Valley Chapter, Loaves and Fishes, Putnam Club House, Team Esteem, Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, Cancer Support Community, Down Syndrome Connection, Hope Hospice, Moment by Moment, The Comfort Cub Program Inc., Youth Homes Inc, Assistance League of Amador Valley, Canine Companions for Independence, I Can Do That Performing Arts Center, Monument Crisis Center, San Ramon Historical Society, The Museum of San Ramon Valley, We Care Services for Children, Assistance League of Diablo Valley, Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, Kiwanis Family House, National
July 3rd: The Sun Kings
Performing the music of The Beatles with driving rhythm, spot-on arrangements and vocal harmonies.
July 10th: Mercy and the Heartbeats
Favorite songs from the 70’s and 80's classics, 90's singalongs, and the most current radio hits.
July 24th: Fog City Swampers Tribute band to Creedence Clearwater Revival, inspiring all to sing and dance.
July 31st: 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 par ticipate in this event, please call (925) 313-2272 at least 72 hours prior to the event date.
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Greetings to all retirees! The San Ramon Branch of Sons in Retirement (SIR128) is a social organization for retired men that has over 30 activities, such as golf, hiking, biking, bocce, “friendly” card games, wine tasting, and more. We meet for luncheons on the third Wednesday of every month at the Bridges Golf/ Conference Center in San Ramon. Luncheons include a social hour, buffet lunch, and an interesting speaker. We are not affiliated with any religious, political, or interest groups...just a bunch of retired men who enjoy each other’s company! Because of the current pandemic, we have suspended our meetings and activities, and we will restart as soon as it’s safe and prudent to do so. Meanwhile, please visit our website, www.sir128.com, to learn more. If you are interested in joining or have questions, you can reach us by going to the “Contact Us” link on the bottom right of the Home page. To all residents of the San Ramon Valley, please stay safe and healthy during these challenging times. Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, SonRise Equestrian Foundation, The Taylor Family Foundation, Mobility Matters, and the Nayeli Faith 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. Additional information about the Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley can be found at www.srvkiwanis.org. The club normally holds weekly luncheon meetings. Meetings are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. When lunches are resumed, all are welcome to join the club for a meeting and to find out more about the organization.
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During these challenging times, our First Responders deserve a special thank you for their selfless and tireless work! I would like to honor the Emergency Room staffs at John Muir Health’s Walnut Creek and Concord Medical Center! Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to keep us safe, while risking your own health and safety. I’d also like to thank Peter Cedolini and his staff at Mangia Mi for preparing the wonderful meals as well as the many generous donors who made this possible. My son Daniel and I are honored and appreciate the opportunity to deliver these meals as a small gesture of gratitude. Best wishes to stay safe and healthy in the months to come. Please consider a gift in support of John Muir Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic at givehealthjmh.org.
Celeste Pacelli Broker Associate 925.395.1511 celeste@celestepacelli.com DRE 01862387 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By Jamie Westgate, Principal
At the end of each school year, we take with us a plethora of memories about the fun we had with students. Much of this year’s amusement has circled around virtual activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help you see how we preserved the learning AND had fun, I’ve shared some memorable experiences in various classes, as we’ve been sheltering and “Zooming” to the finish line. Kindergarten: Enjoyed show-and-tell and brought siblings to school during “Zoom-recess.” 1st grade: Students celebrated a classmate’s birthday with a drive-by parade. 2nd grade: Kids and teachers entertained one another with an online class talent show. 3rd grade: Edible cell models were made at home from jello, fruit, and candies. 4th grade: Camera filters brought humor to teachers’ lessons on “Wacky Wednesdays” as students came dressed to class meetings in “wacky wear.” 5th grade: At the end of another week of hard work, teachers rewarded students with an online scavenger hunt; kids were tasked to race to bring to the group screen designated items. 6th grade: In social studies, students Zoomed with Olympic gold medalist, Andre Ward in a study of ancient Greek games, and later they simultaneously “erupted” volcano projects with classmates in science class. 7th grade: Student scientists extracted strawberry DNA as a virtual experiment. 8th grade: In their study of U.S. presidents, students participated in a mock trial on the impeachment of Andrew Johnson… How’s that for learning history while living history! Despite our wishes to be on campus and finish the year in more traditional ways, we made the best of our opportunities to learn from home and stay connected as friends. We wish everyone a safe and hope-filled summer. Congratulations to our 38 eighth graders who will be sent out with much love and gratitude. School ends this year on May 15th. Soar high this summer, Eagles!
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
By Stan Hitomi, Principal THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
Sitting in what has now become my home office, school office, exercise room, and conference room, it is hard to wrap my arms around how we got here. Where do we go? We are in week six of shelter-inplace/home and still adapting to our new normal. No one could have imagined what the end of a school year would look like during a global pandemic. “When can I get all of the stuff that was in my desk?” “How do I get my yearbook?” These are some of the most frequently asked questions. But mostly people have been asking about the many concerts, ceremonies, and awards that have been canceled for this year. Fifth graders stepping-up to middle school, middle school commencement, and the iconic high school graduation are gone. Many are being converted into digital avatar-versions of the originals. I was personally looking forward to a retirement celebration…a capstone to a 40+ year career in education. It’s not the same. Entering the final month as principal of Alamo Elementary, I have been reflecting on the many memorable moments I have had at this storied campus. During these quiet reflective moments, I can almost feel what it was like when we cut the ribbon for our new traffic signal on Livorna Road or stared at the beautiful lights at our first Hoedown at night. I remember how it felt to see those paddles shoot up in the air at our annual auction, and listening to beginning band at the end of the year (How did they get so good?). I reflect on a packed multipurpose room on Grandparent/VIP Day and the times we had guests on campus. There is a lot of pride here! These memories are mine forever. They will never be canceled nor postponed. Thanks for the memories. I could not let this month’s column go by without thanking the entire Alamo Elementary community for helping us through this current crisis. It has been hard for everyone. We are all working outside of our norm, under less than desirable conditions. I commend our teachers for working so hard
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews Alamo Municipal Advisory Council Presents the
2020 Movie Under the Stars Movie starts at 8:15 p.m. Livorna Park in Alamo
(Located at the corner of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue)
Admission is Free
CLASSIC NIGHT Friday, July 17th
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Friday, August 7th
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.
and spending so many more hours than could be expected on remote learning. Included in that effort are our instructional assistants, para-educators, and specialty teachers. Mrs. O’Toole has planned and organized science for the whole school. Mrs. Boomer and Mrs. Moss created small-group online intervention in reading and math. Mrs. Raaum and Mrs. Angle created the sound of music….remotely. Hats off to our PTA and EdFund who continue to meet throughout the sheltering restrictions to close out one year and start planning for the next. Thank You to everyone for stepping-in and stepping-up.
MONTAIR ELEMENTARY
By Ondi Tricaso, Principal
With COVID-19, and the related school closures, this has been a surreal spring on campus to be sure. So much of what makes Montair the amazing community it is are the events which are usually held in the spring. Our 5th grade Shakespeare performances, Field Day, trips to Sacramento, and Outdoor School have all had to be canceled or suspended. While it would be easy to feel sorry for ourselves, I am seeing the opposite. Our community is pulling together and doing the best it can. I see classes meeting online to discuss their books and lessons. I see kids taking “virtual” field trips to Columbia. I see instrumental music students sharing their favorite songs via FlipGrid. Even our parents created videos for the staff to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. The Montair spirit of collaboration and cooperation is ongoing and inspiring. This is a particularly challenging time for me personally, as this year I will be retiring from 38 years as an educator. I taught at a private school for my first eight years and then joined the SRVUSD in 1990. It has been the greatest privilege and joy of my career to serve as the principal for Montair School since 2016. This school embodies the word community and this community, will stay in my heart for years to come. With gratitude for everyone working to serve our kids through this challenging time, Ondi Tricaso.
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VISTA GRANDE ELEMENTARY
By Osi Juergens, Principal
May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Danville, Alamo Home for Sale
It is hard to believe that I am writing this from home Danville-Alamo - According to industry experts, altogether. In most cases, you can make a during these unprecedented reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what times. As my first year as there are over 33 physical problems that will come you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking principal at Vista Grande under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared for can help you prevent little problems from growing Elementary comes to a close, which identifies the eleven most common of these into costly and unmanageable ones. I reflect upon the many wonderful times spent on To help homesellers deal with this issue before campus with students and staff. The Vista Grande problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 parent community is one I am very proud to lead. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Since March 16th, when we began our “learning there are a number of things that can fall short of Inspection" has been compiled which explains the from home” experience due to the current requirements during a home inspection. If not issues involved. COVID-19 global pandemic, I have been even identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could To hear a brief recorded message about how to more in awe of our students, teachers, staff, and cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1parents. This time has certainly not been easy on critical that you read this report before you list your 844-941-0941 and enter 1003. You can call any time, anyone, and it truly makes the statement “It takes home. If you wait until the building inspector flags 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. a village” a reality. Our teachers have worked hard these issues for you, you will almost certainly Get your free special report NOW to learn how to to support students via remote learning plans, and experience costly delays in the close of your home ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale our parents have worked hard as their partners to sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away of your home. execute the plans and support their children. This report is courtesy of The Jackson Group-EXP Realty DRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © I am thankful for the many kind emails and love 2019 that has poured in during this tough time. Teachers were spoiled remotely by their classes during Teacher Appreciation Week and sincerely appreciated the love! We have some fun virtual plans up our sleeve to finish off the school year in the Vista Grande fashion. We even have some special things planned for our 5th graders as they move onto the next level of education. I am honored to be the Vista Grande principal and look forward to leading on campus again, hopefully sooner rather than later. I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe. a different theme to rally around, such as Pet Parade and Pajama Day. Students ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL submitted fun photos to be showcased on our school social media platforms. Our By Maria Ward, Principal First Grade teacher, Mrs. Hutchinson, even did a presentation on building an ant farm from her kitchen. We have also been able to spotlight our students doing some HAPPY MAY! Due to COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place amazing community outreach. (SiP) mandate, we find ourselves in unprec- THE ROAD TO GRADUATION edented times. School closures across the This is an exciting time of year for our 8th grade students and their families. For globe, and an overall shift from our normal routine, have left parents and educators many, their journey at SIS began as energetic little Kindergarteners eager to learn. concerned about the impact on students both academically and socially. To those Watching them grow over the past nine years has been amazing. What beautiful experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety over this sudden change in education, young people they have become! We are saddened that our current situation doesn’t I want to encourage you to remember the big picture. As the Challenge Success allow us to see them take these final steps in person, but the accomplishment and the Program at Stanford University wisely reminds us, “This is a time to focus on, and sentiment remain equally as special. We have worked hard to come up with some be grateful for, your family’s safety, health, and well-being. Make building strong fun, out-of-the-box ideas to celebrate them. Each of the graduates was delivered a family relationships a priority. Reach out to neighbors, friends, and others in your congratulatory yard sign to display with pride. A virtual Gospel Values Ceremony, community to check in, offer support, and connect virtually.” May Crowning, and 8th grade retreat have been planned. The goal remains to still come together at a future date to celebrate the Class of 2020 with a graduation E-LEARNING I am proud to say our quick response to the SiP mandate and the implementation ceremony. Please keep our 8th graders and their families in your thoughts and of our long-distance learning program has been a success. Students are adapting to prayers during this special time. this new way of learning and are making great strides in education. Online platforms COME GROW WITH US such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Google Chat have allowed for face-to-face Please help us spread the word to friends and family in our community that we instruction and the much-missed social connection. Together, we are doing this! are still accepting applications for TK–8th grade for the next school year. In an effort to adjust to the COVID-19 situation, our admissions and student testing process GETTING CREATIVE In an effort to stay connected, St. Isidore School (SIS) faculty and staff have has been made virtual. Applications for the 2020–2021 school year can be found found creative ways to promote school pride and spread positivity throughout the on our website, www.stisidore.org. I wish you a wonderful month of May and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the community. Our Student Leadership team recently held a virtual school spirit week, appropriately named “Sunshine School Spirit Week.” Each day offered students Moms and Grandmothers! forming arts events, as well as our end of the year celebrations. This has been especially MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL hard on our students and their families since these events are more than competitions By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal and performances; they are opportunities for our community to gather and celebrate Things could not be more different as Monte Vista High our students and our school. If there is one thing I have learned since coming to MV, it School (MV) enters the final days of the 2019-20 school is that there is an incredible togetherness that makes our school such an awesome place. year. All schools in the district have been closed through the MV’s Class of 2020 has reached many milestones throughout their high school end of the school year, and our community has remained years. Among the highest honors, the seniors on our Women’s Soccer Team played sheltered-in-place since mid-March. True to form, MV’s huge roles in winning back-to-back CIF-Regional Championships in addition to students and staff have risen to his unprecedented challenge two EBAL and two NCS titles. Other successes include a 2018 State Championship and are finishing the year off strong through our District’s in Women’s Swimming, three NCS championships in Women’s Tennis, and NCS Remote Learning Plan. During the past few weeks, our Championship in Men’s Golf, and EBAL Championships in Men’s Water Polo and staff has been delivering instruction through virtual classrooms, and our students Men’s Volleyball. MV’s student-athletes have represented our community with great continue to focus on learning the essential elements of their courses. pride, and we are all thankful for their accomplishments on and off the field. The closure also resulted in the cancellation of all spring athletic and visual and perSee MVHS continued on page 21
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
JD ACADEMY OF SALON AND SPA
By Amanda O’Brien, JD Academy
Just like many others, last month JD Academy of Salon and Spa experienced the effects of COVID-19 with the state-mandated shelter-inplace order. With the health and safety of our students at the forefront of our concerns, JD Academy officially transitioned and utilized online education as a primary resource for teaching. Although this was a big change for our students and staff, everyone embraced the uncertainty and did an outstanding job navigating the transition.
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Additionally, over the span of two-weeks, many students participated in a social media contest to capture the prize of a mega beauty basket! Congratulations to cosmetology student Kayla Mari for taking 1 st place! JD Academy of Salon and Spa is excited to share that all of our social media platforms received a little “facelift,” and we want to connect with YOU! Be sure to check out and follow our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages @JDAcademyofSalonandSpa for the most up-to-date news and information. We are currently accepting online enrollment applications for both the Cosmetology and Esthetician programs. If you’ve ever envisioned yourself in the beauty industry, you are welcome here! It all starts at JD Academy of Salon and Spa. Please contact the admissions team with any questions you may have. The JD Academy team is excited to reunite with all of our wonderful students and we are looking forward to the day we can open our salon doors! The school is located at 520 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville and can be reached at 9 2 5 - 8 5 5 - 5 5 5 1 . L e ar n mo re at w w w. Advertorial JDAcademy.com.
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY’S 6TH ANNUAL HOPE WALK RESCHEDULED
Students utilizing online education.
Over the last few weeks, our students participated in daily webinars created and taught by our talented educators. Through Marketing 101 and Social Media classes, the students were exposed to foundational businesses skills, the importance of marketing in the beauty industry, and social media etiquette. Cosmetology students virtually focused on hair coloring, hair coloring demos, and cutting-week theory. The esthetician students learned infection control, resume building, and skin care. Lots of fun and lots of learning took place.
Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area(CSC) has rescheduled their major fundraiser, the 6th annual Hope Walk, to October 17th. CSC has been able to continue bringing support, hope, and healing to cancer patients and their caregivers without interruption during shelter-inplace. “It’s one of the most isolating of diseases, creating anxiety and fear. We are proud and profoundly grateful that we can continue to be a source of hope, community, and relief for our members,” the staff notes. People can register for the walk and make donations at www.hopewalkbayarea. net. All registrations for the May date will be transferred to the new date. CSC’s gala, “An Evening of Hope and Healing,” is still scheduled for September 19. For further information, contact Carol Louisell at clouisell@cancersupport.net.
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
COMING SOON
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IT STILL COUNTS: 2020 CENSUS AS IMPORTANT AS EVER By Candace Andersen
For the past few months, COVID-19 has been the top concern for myself and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors. With tremendous support and cooperation by the community, our main goal has been to save lives and stop the spread of Coronavirus. For daily updates regarding this pandemic, visit cchealth.org/coronavirus. As a result of these unprecedented and unexpected events, with the April 1st Census Day coinciding with the stay-in-place order, our efforts for increasing participation in the 2020 Census have been made more difficult. The United States Census Bureau has had to halt all field operations, a vital tool that has Census Bureau employees go door-to-door in under-counted communities to ensure these individuals are counted once and in the right location. All County Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC), which featured computers and resources to help with completing your census form, were closed. As a result of these circumstances, the Census Bureau has extended the self-response and the non-response follow up until the end of October. Though circumstances have provided a great deal of adversity for the 2020 Census, we are still focused on reaching the hard-to-reach populations, which are communities that have been under-counted in previous Census Counts – the result of language barriers, age, socioeconomic status, distrust of government, or transient status and other factors. Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau is still planning to deliver state apportionments to the President by December 31, 2020, as required. Fortunately, it has never been easier for residents to respond to the Census from the comfort and safety of their own homes with response options including online, phone, or mail. Our Contra Costa County Census efforts, which have spanned several months, have paid off. I am pleased to report our County, as of April 21st, was in the top 10 nationwide for reporting. Though this news is encouraging, we are still working to improve our response rate. The importance of the Census cannot be overstated. As detailed in our Constitution, once every 10 years our country conducts a census of our population
with questions such as number of household members, age, race, and sex. This information is used to determine the number of Representative each State gets in the U.S. House of Representatives, the distribution of over one trillion dollars in federal funds for the next decade, and by business groups, policy analysts, and non-profits to help development business plans, service areas, and policy decisions. These funds are spent on projects ranging from infrastructure to other services. By now, you should have received your invitation in the mail to participate in the 2020 Census. All households should have received an initial invite by March 20. Invitations were staggered to ensure the my2020census.gov website was not overburdened. The Census Bureau counts people at their usual residence, which is the place where they live and sleep most of the time, with a few exceptions. People who do not have a usual residence should be counted where they are on Census Day (April 1, 2020) or at the time of completing the questionnaire. The Census Bureau has special procedures to count people who live in more complex situations, including transients, students, correctional facility inmates, active duty service members, and people living in shelters. The Census paper questionnaire is available in English and Spanish. Thirteen languages are available online or by phone. The Census Bureau also provides language guides in 59 non-English languages. This month, the Census Bureau will begin additional follow-up with households which haven’t responded. Above all, the Census Bureau strives to conduct a safe and accurate count. However, there are several risks surrounding the Census, including scams and fraud. To clarify, the Census Bureau will never ask for your social security number, bank account or credit card numbers, or money or donations, including requests for political donations. The 2020 Census will not ask about citizenship status. Your Census information is also confidential. Census Data has some of the strongest protections in law. It is against the law for any Census Bureau employee to disclose or publish census information which identifies an individual. Census Bureau employees take a lifelong pledge of confidentiality to handle data responsibly and keep respondents’ information private. The penalty for wrongful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. No law enforcement agency (not the DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA) can access or use your personal information at any time. Data collected can only be used for
See Census continued on page 21
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
VALLEY VIGNETTE
By Beverly Lane ON OCTOBER 10, 1911, WOMEN WIN THE VOTE IN CALIFORNIA
The twentieth century was greeted by an energized group of women suffragists in California and Contra Costa County. Many more women were graduating from college, organizing school support groups, and running local improvement leagues. After the earthquake in 1906, a large equal suffrage convention convened in San Francisco. The fight was on. The strategy would aim hard at the state’s small towns and Los Angeles. Aided by the automobile and telephone, suffragists throughout California created an impressive campaign machine. The work was energetic and innovative, complete with handbills, posters, buttons, and billboards. Little towns all over the state learned about women’s rights and the right to vote. The College Equal Suffrage League staged unique publicity events, often using their “Blue Liner,” a decorated seven-seat touring car. Men came to see the car and stayed to hear the speech. Bertha Boyle of Oakland drew a compelling image promoting Votes for Women which was plastered all over San Francisco. Newspapers such as the Concord Transcript of July 29, 1911, opined: Intelligent and fair minded men everywhere are rallying to their (women’s) support. They are beginning to think that the onus is resting pretty heavily upon them of having their mothers, wives, and sweethearts rated along with Chinamen, idiots and insane persons when it comes to voting. On August 5, 1911, the Danville Grange #85 minutes stated: “It was planned to have a debate at our next meeting and upon the subject -- Resolved ‘that Women be granted the right of suffrage.’ Affirmative Sister Nina Williams and S. E. Wood -- negative Bro W. E. Stewart and C. E. Woodward. After some little discussion, it was decided the debate should be given in open Grange… letting the decision rest with the audience.” Later that month, the Contra Costa Gazette (8/26/1911) reported on a large meeting on Equal Suffrage at the Danville Grange Hall. Suffrage supporters addressed the meeting, arriving in the famous Blue Liner automobile. After the debate the Gazette wrote: “A rising vote was called for from all people present…and the ladies were given the decision. There was a large crowd present from the surrounding country.”
Hope continued from front page
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews That day, a Danville Equal Suffrage Club was organized to plan more meetings. Officers included Mrs. Lillian Close, Miss Libbie Wood, Mrs. Nina Williams, and Miss Ada Cornwall. It joined four other Suffrage Clubs in the County. Close had been president of the Danville Improvement Club and was a downtown Danville property owner. Wood and Williams were both Grange Worthy Masters, and Cornwall was a teacher at the new San Ramon Valley High School. On October 10, 1911, suffragist precinct workers geared for fraud and mayhem at the Elizabeth (Libbie) Wood ballot boxes in San Francisco and Alameda counties where emotions ran high. The next day, all San Francisco newspapers except the Call declared the California women’s franchise vote dead. San Francisco voted 35,471 no, 21,912 yes. Alameda County voted against by a smaller margin. In Contra Costa County, it won by 21 votes, 15691548. Then, on October 12, the small towns and valleys delivered a victorious vote by a margin of just over 1 % -- 3,587 votes out of 240,000 votes cast. California became the sixth western state to enfranchise women. Six states in which women could vote by 1912. The New York Times headline trumpeted: “California Farmers Give Vote to Women.” Clearly not all farmers supported woman suffrage. Here are the valley results: Yes No Alamo 11 13 Danville 23 48 San Ramon 12 11 Tassajara 5 12 Walnut Creek 44 36 By 1915, nine western states had enfranchised six and one-half million women, translating into 45 electoral votes. The west – and Contra Costa County -- led the way. Sources: Danville Grange #85, Minute Books, 1887, 1896, 1911; Elinson, Elaine and Stan Yogi, Wherever There’s a Fight, How Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties in California, Berkeley, California: Heyday Books, 2009; New York Times, October 13, 1911.
Zach Allen, a senior at SRVHS and choir co-president shared his thoughts on making the timely video. “Throughout school, choir was a chance every day to unite many different students from their different lives to share our common passion for singing. Choir always took us away from the stress of tests and school in general. It was, to many of us, the highlight of our days when we were, and still are, a family. Being able to circulate the power of music with our local community and families was an amazing privilege, and now that our global circumstances have changed for the worse, we hope to extend this power to the world. Our choir, directed by Ken Abrams, has always enforced the ability to give hope and shine positive light through song.” Allen poignantly adds, “This video is proof that even when alone, we are alone together and can still unite in doing what we love. We want to reach the communities, families, workers, and all the people who are experiencing the negative consequences of the unprecedented situation we’ve been placed in, and we hope we’ve been able to brighten peoples days and give them a breath of hope. Our choir hopes that this video proves that just like music, hope is eternal and universal.” After 36 years as Music Director at San Ramon Valley High, Ken Abrams has been the inspiration to hundreds of local teens. One such inspired alum is David Flashner, the technical director on the project and the person who came up with the idea for the Give Us SRVHS Choral Director, Ken Hope video. There were hurdles involved with the project because none of the singers were in the same room. They each performed Abrams. in their own space, and as Abrams pointed out, the singers “had to perform but not with the help of each other singing or with the assistance of a director leading them…everybody’s video was a little different and a little off, so it took a lot of editing to try to get it to synch up.” A recent alumna, Avery Chapman, shared her thoughts about her experiences under Abrams’ leadership: “Mr. Abrams is the best teacher I’ve ever had. He has created a space on the San Ramon campus in which students can feel safe and accepted while learning to make music together. He cares for his students and his job so much. Because of him and accompanist Mrs. Hugill, the SRVHS choir community has really become a home and a family for so many students. My favorite thing about Mr. Abrams is that he teaches his students how to change other people’s lives with music, while slowly changing theirs, making them not just better musicians but better people.” The talent is exceptional, and the lyrics of the song performed in the video are especially moving: “Look in our eyes. We are the future. Give us what we need. Give Us Hope, and we will show you the way.” Director Abrams knows the students are excited to be involved in a project that used their music in a humanitarian way. “In a small way,” Abrams says, “this is our contribution to help with a little healing and a little goodness in a time of crisis and great need.” Abrams added, “It would be great for anybody who sees the video to forward it on to their friends so we can share it with as many people as possible.” The video Give Us Hope is available on SRVHS YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/2Vcut1M.
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
TRANSITIONAL & TIMELESS By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA “The only constant in life is change” ~ Heraclitus (circa 500 BCE) While philosophy isn’t my field, lately these words seem as relevant today as when they were first spoken. Change seems to have occurred in every aspect of life, and we are all learning how to take each day at a time. These past weeks, I’ve found myself spending more and more time in the garden, and I have found it to be calming, energizing, and surprisingly philosophical. The transitional nature of the garden makes me appreciate that beauty is possible and sometimes even more powerful when faced with adversity. I have an appreciation and patience for the transitional after so many years in my garden. Observing plant illnesses, pest infestations, and mistakes made by the gardener (me) requires a change in expectations if the garden is going to be restful and not stressful! If we can see the beauty and inspiration in what we do not control and realize the nature of life is unpredict- A dead shrub, reminder that perfection is futile. able (in the garden as in our day-to-day world), we begin to see that this too can be a source of happiness. If anything, the transitions within the landscape are a reminder that we ourselves are in a constant state of change. They are also a reminder that life is most certainly not perfect. While awareness of the transitional enables us to transform our relationship with the garden and with day-to-day life, it is still possible to make choices that will be lasting. Design is timeless, and the choice of well-crafted construction and lasting materials makes for a space that weathers all of life’s changes. The Spanish Alhambra or the Greek amphitheater, where Heraclitus said his piece, are examples of timeless spaces that continue to inspire us to this day. On a day-to-day life level, creating a timeless moment might involve calling an old friend to check in, creating a piece of art, planting a tree, or learning a new skill that will serve you for a lifetime. Creating something timeless means imagining the future. In Landscape Design, we often plan 5, 10, and 50 years ahead… That does put things in perspective! So for today, I’m keeping my mind on the timeless as well as the transitional, and I’m heading back on out to the garden. J.Montgomery Designs has a long-held philosophy of designing for life’s changes while creating spaces that stand the test of time. Their custom landscapes enhance their clients’ quality of life and enjoyment of their homes. To book a complementary remote consultation or to browse their portfolio, visit jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial A fountain in a timeless style.
Natives continued from page 3
LOCAL WORD SEARCH
are gardens in Alameda, Castro Valley, Berkeley, Richmond, Albany, and San Ramon. Commentary based on questions asked on past tours will address information novice native plant gardeners as well as experts will appreciate. The process of working with gardeners, designers, and owners of native plant nurseries to master the art of doing a live tour on a phone or tablet has been intense. Kathy is also trying to add the live music-in-the garden component popular in recent years. She hopes everyone will understand that the 25 plus participants who have stepped up to produce the three tours are gardeners, not video professionals. Yet, even a small glimpse of the intricate, yet easily maintained landscapes they have created is enough to engender the desire to learn more. Registration is required to access the free online event. Visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net. The site has photos, of gardens past and present, and extensive lists of resources. The tour is free, but as a non-profit, BBN is thankful for all contributions. Visit the website for the complete list of gardens on each tour (currently being updated) and possible future online workshops.
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Properly sanitized pools are essential to the health and safety of those that come in contact with them. If water is not kept in a sanitized condition, mosquitoes could form causing further issues. Please contact us to discuss how we can help your situation.
• SUN • CORN • OPEN • PEAR • RAKE • SOIL • WALK
• FAITH • LOCAL • PARKS • PIVOT • BOUNTY • TRAILS • CARROT
• PEPPERS • BEACON • HISTORY • MUSEUM • SHOVEL • TOMATO • SUPPORT
• POSITIVITY • ARUGULA • RESILIENCE • STRAWBERRIES • NURSERY See answer key • ZUCCHINI on page 22 • LASTRAMPAS • GARDENING
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
Although my personal expertise is limited to culinary applications, I am fascinated by the healing properties of herbs and their legendary uses. No one knows when humans first learned to treat ailments with plants, but the oldest written account discovered to date was inscribed on a Sumerian clay tablet c. 2,200 BC. As Charlemagne (748-814 AD) and asserted: “Herbs are the friend of the physician and the pride of cooks.” Jakob Boehme’s The Signature of All Things, published in 1621, detailed a system of beliefs known as the Doctrine of Signatures. Proponents of the theory maintained every plant species was marked by form, color, or texture to indicate in what manner it would benefit mankind. Thus, a charming spring-blooming perennial with vaguely lung-shaped spotted foliage, possibly resembling diseased lungs, was labeled Lungwort or Pulmonaria. Apart from the subjectivity involved in recognition of each signature, practitioners had to decide what part of the species to use and whether to concoct a potion to be imbibed, prepare a poultice for external application, use the herb as a “simple” by itself, or combine it with other ingredients. The proper dosage might heal. The wrong dosage often proved lethal. The year 1621was when the Oxford Physic Garden was established at England’s Oxford University. Today, the garden contains plants from around the world researched with a more scientific method by contemporary students. The Medicinal Plant Collection at the Oxford Botanic Garden, a pamphlet written by Dr. Alison Foster, gives a brief history of the garden and detailed descriptions of compounds isolated from various plant species that have satisfied the lengthy process of clinical trials and are currently approved as pharmaceuticals. “The World Health Organization reports that up to 80% of the World’s population relies on plants directly for some aspect of primary health care,” Foster writes. “The new medicinal quarter within the Walled Garden brings together a collection of plants that are central to conventional medicine in the 21st century. Plants are nature’s version of a chemical factory. As such, they contain many different natural products, which may have interesting and useful medicinal properties.”
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
500 MILE TRAIL
Ancient church bell-towers, overlooking tiny piazzas with curved metal benches clustered under olive trees, little shops, and a corner set aside for a game of Petanque -- there are so many quaint and picturesque towns and villages in Europe, it’s tough for me to choose a favorite. So, when my kids Face-timed with me and both said, “Mom, you are going to put this town on your Top 10 list,” I was intrigued. Reed and Case, two of my adult children, were in the Basque region of France on their Camino de Santiago trek. They were in St. Jean de Pied Port, the last town in France before entering Spain. St. Jean de Pied Port is listed as “one of the most charming villages in France” with its pink and white citadel, stone bridges, and cobblestone paths. It is on my list of places to go. And it is the starting point for many hikers who walk the Camino de Santiago. For centuries, pilgrims have been making the trek to Santiago de Compostela (Camino Walk) in northwestern Spain where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle St. James are buried. In 2018, over 300,000 people earned their compostela, a certificate of accomplishment given to pilgrims on completing the journey. In order to receive the certificate, a minimum travel of 100km by foot and 200km by bicycle needs to be completed. The entire journey is approximately 800km (500 miles). Local artist and good friend, Mary LaCasse, who earned her compostela a few years ago shared her thoughts: “Ever y Camino is personal. Some of us walk as more traditional pilgrims who carry packs, stay in modest albergues, eat communal meals, etc. Camino Walk, Spain. Photo by Mary LaCasse. Others embark on an
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews Planted in 1645 by original curator, Jacob Bobart, the oldest tree in the Oxford Botanic Garden is an English Yew (Taxus baccata). Bobart placed yews in pairs as structural horticultural features, believing they possessed no medicinal value. At the time, the yew had a sinister association with graveyards and death. The small red fruit is sweet, but the seed inside is toxic. In Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart notes: “In 1240, Bartholomaeus Anglicus described the yew in his encyclopedia, On the Properties of Things, as ‘a tree with venim and poison.’” Nevertheless, in western North America, native tribes found many uses for its equally dangerous relative, the Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia). Beyond employing the wood for bows, harpoons, paddles, and spear handles, they brewed medicinal tonics and utilized the fragrant foliage as a deodorant and cleansing agent. During the mid-20th century, scientists working for the National Cancer Institute in the US analyzed some 35,000 plant species for chemicals capable of combating cancer. Bark extracted from the Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) in 1962 showed promising results. Identifying the active component paclitaxel, conducting the requisite clinical trials, and producing a supply sufficient to market the drug took decades. Harvesting enough bark to treat a single patient killed six mature trees. Eventually, researchers isolated a molecule in needles of the English Yew (Taxus baccata) that can be modified in the laboratory to generate paclitaxel. In 1992, the FDA approved the discovery trade-named Taxol for treatment of ovarian cancer, and in 1994 it was approved for treatment of breast cancer. Paclitaxel producing endophytic fungi growing with the Yews have been discovered in the last five years. Since prehistoric times, humans have employed plant-based medicines. Yet, only 10% of the plants on earth have been scientifically studied for their healing potential. Synthetic substitutes for naturally occurring compounds don’t always act in the same manner. In 1848, Louis Pasteur discovered that molecules containing the same elements may be structurally different, sometimes arranged as mirror images so that they engage with other compounds imperfectly like a left hand being forced into a right-hand glove. Trace substances present in plants may affect the way the human body processes the key chemical. Foster concludes: “Plants and medicines have been intrinsically linked for centuries. Even today, when so much modern research is behind every new pharmaceutical drug, plants play a vital role in drug discovery and thus medicine.” adventure, or for sport, and often find insights on the trail. There are people on vacation staying in nice hotels with guides who carry their gear. Some walk alone, others in groups. There is no judgment. However, the Camino is the teacher and the Guide.” While the San Francisco Bay Trail may not be a religious or spiritual pilgrimage, the regional trail system offers a variety of landscapes and experiences that can only be found in our wonderful Bay Area. In the late 1980’s, visionaries proposed an epic project: a 500-mile trail that would eventually circumnavigate the entire San Francisco Bay. The area includes all nine Bay Area counties, 47 cities, and crosses the region’s seven toll bridges. Forty years later, over 350 miles are in place, connecting communities to parks, open spaces, schools, transit, and each other. The Bay Trail website (BayTrail.org) reads, “Because the trail circumnavigates the entire San Francisco Bay, a wide variety of landscapes and experiences can be found. For a bustling scene, walk or bike the Embarcadero in San Francisco on a sunny (or foggy) afternoon. For peace and solitude, interrupted only by bird song and windswept grasses, make your way to the Tubbs Island Trail on the shores of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County. Nearly 227 miles of the existing Bay Trail are paved, and 127 miles are natural surface trails of varying widths. In some locations, the Bay Trail consists of bike lanes and sidewalks. In addition to walkers and cyclists, the trail is used by joggers, skaters, birdwatchers, photographers, kite-flyers, wheelchair riders, picnickers, and more.” Lee Huo, Bay Trail Planner added, “We don’t have a completion date yet since much of the work in completing the trail occurs as opportunities arise, and the low hanging fruit are all gone. The remaining segments are the most challenging and require the development of broad partnerships and significant societal-will to find the funding and resources to finish them.” Linda Summers Pirkle travel writer, consultant and long-term Danville resident has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
SPRING SALE ON NOW!
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
POWERS OF ATTORNEY & ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES: “CINDERELLA DOCUMENTS”
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
I hope you and your loved ones are well! While being bombarded by pandemic-dominant news, I am cognizant that you don’t need anything else to feel uncertain or vulnerable about. Unfortunately, however, those who don’t have a comprehensive, up-to-date estate plan in place tend to feel a heightened sense of vulnerability (evidenced by a significant influx in people contacting my office). I’ve often written about the documents that should be included in a comprehensive estate plan, rightfully emphasizing the importance of a living trust – typically one’s cornerstone document. But this article focuses on even more basic estate planning documents that, in my opinion, every legal adult should have, regardless of age or wealth. Powers of Attorney for financial matters (POA) and Advance Health Care Directives (AHD) might be characterized as “Cinderella documents” - unjustly neglected! Many people, even some who have valid Trusts and Wills, a) do not have a POA and/or an AHD or haven’t kept them up-to-date; b) established these documents without legal advice or assistance; and/or c) used deficient or inappropriate forms that they may have downloaded on the internet or purchased at a stationery store. Here, I describe why POAs and AHDs are critical and identify a few common misconceptions.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Essentially, a POA enables you to designate an agent who has legal authority to handle a broad variety of financial matters on your behalf. This can be imperative if you ever lack capacity to handle your own financial affairs. Here are some common misconceptions. 1) A spouse or child has automatic legal rights to sign financial documents and transact financial business on your behalf upon your incapacity, and thus, there’s no need for a POA. The law provides no “default” agent. Further, if you
Pigeon continued from front page
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews become incapacitated and have no POA, a long, expensive, and inconvenient court conservatorship proceeding may be the only way to enable someone to legally manage your finances for you. 2) If you have a Revocable Living Trust, you don’t need a POA. A Trust can be a powerful financial management succession tool, but your successor trustee (who manages your Trust if you become unwilling or unable) only has authority to manage Trust assets. If you have any non-Trust assets, such as automobiles, small bank accounts, or retirement plans (e.g. 401Ks or IRAs), upon your incapacity, you need a POA agent who can handle these assets. 3) POAs are generic and “one size fits all.” Based on the circumstances and your particular desires and needs, important provisions should be customized, including those governing a) when your designated agent’s powers become effective; b) what powers are included and excluded; and c) who will serve as alternate agent if the primary designee is unable or unwilling to serve.
ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES
An AHD enables you to designate an agent who has legal authority to make health care decisions for you if you ever lack the ability to make such decisions yourself. In addition to some common misconceptions similar to the ones outlined above for POAs, common problems with AHDs are: 1) The language is “canned” (i.e. not customized to match your wishes). 2) No alternative agent is named. 3) A HIPAA (crucial federal privacy law) Release is not included, which can potentially interfere with your agent’s ability to obtain your medical records and handle your care. In summary, a POA and AHD provide very important functions; they should be carefully discussed with, and drafted by, an experienced attorney; and they should (like any estate planning documents) be reviewed and updated periodically. |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
for stories to help them get through the panic and uncertainty of the time. During WW I and WW II, messenger pigeons were bred for intelligence and stamina. The New York Times bestseller The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman quotes a pigeon handler: “What we want is a bird that will get back, one that won’t get flustered, and one that is intelligent enough to be self-reliant. Now and then we get dumbbells, of course. You can spot them early. They don’t know enough to get back in the loft, or they sit in a corner and sulk. But most pigeons are intelligent, highly intelligent.” One such highly intelligent bird was Cher Ami, a trained messenger pigeon during World War I. During a battle against the Germans, 194 soldiers were hidden in a depression on a hill, still alive after an engagement. Their commanders were unaware of their position, and they were becoming a target from “friendly fire.” Two runners with information on their position had been intercepted, and Cher Ami was the third pigeon to be dispatched. Cher Ami set out on her mission. As she rose out of the brush, she was shot down but incredibly was able to take flight again. Twenty-five minutes later, she arrived with the message written on onion paper in a cannister on her left leg. It read, “We are along the road parallel (sic) to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake stop it.” Shot in her breast, blinded in one eye, and her left leg hanging on by a tendon, her mission was a success. Medics worked to save Cher Ami. She was fitted with a wooden leg and received the Croix de Guerre Medal for her bravery. A few months ago, when large gatherings were the norm, San Damiano Retreat in Danville hosted a program for the Blessing of the Animals. The event brought them into contact with bird advocates at Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek who educated staff at the retreat on the issues surrounding the practice of dove and pigeon release, often used at weddings and funerals. Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s stance against dove release served as a launching point for the repurposing of an old grape arbor at the retreat into a beautiful new pigeon coop where seven “couples” of rescued domestic pigeons now live. Elizabeth Young, Founding Director of Palomacy, adoption agency for domestic (unreleasable) pigeons and doves that would otherwise be killed in SF Bay Area shelters for lack of homes, is quick to point out that although pigeons are smart, the bravery exhibited by Cher Ami and other messenger pigeons is because of their instinct. Call it instinct or human nature or finding our better angels, it’s heartening to know there is so much goodwill in times of crises as well as the regular times, from those whose passion is protecting animals (and even pigeons) to nurses like my dear godmother Betty who tirelessly assisted patients in a hospital under the constant threat of bombs falling during the Blitz of WWII when nightly raids flattened homes, schools, and hospitals indiscriminately. Some local heroes include my friend Alisa who, long after the Camp Fire was out of the spotlight, continued to coordinate the donations and delivery of “wish list” items including crafts, musical instruments, even crock pots to those who lost everything. She is also the friend who calls to let those in her circle know she is going on a Costco run, and she asks what she can pick up. Another is Brother Tandy who works along with docs, social workers, and volunteers at St. Anthony’s in San Francisco helping those who need meals. Heroes are also the parents who teach their children how to be kind. A dad, riding his bike with his four young kids, called out to his posse, “Let’s pull over and have a little chat about how to ride courteously.” Also a hero is our good friend Jeff, Alamo resident and Respiratory Therapist at UCSF who, along with thousands of health workers all over the world, has risen to the occasion to help us in the COVID-19 crisis. As a friend who lives in Rome, Italy recently said, “People are kinder and more thankful in this particular moment, don’t you think?”
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THE STOCK MARKET
By Robert Cucchiaro, Summit Wealth & Retirement
As of the time of this writing, the S&P 500 is down 16% on the year and 20% from its peak mid-February. Conversely, 20 year US government treasuries are up 14% year-to-date as it has once again proven to be the only real safe haven for investors. The primary questions facing investors, especially retirees and near-retirees, are as follows: • Why is this happening? • How much worse will this get? • What should we be doing about this? I will address each of these but will start by saying these types of market swings are the exact reason why Certified Financial Planners like myself have long preached the values of balanced portfolios, broad diversification, and the occasional use of insurance-based products that are not tied to the stock market. Now back to the questions... • Why is this happening? – The coronavirus has been an accelerant to what was already a slowing global economy. The actions individuals are taking to avoid potentially contracting the virus are now being reflected in economic activity, and this slowdown is being priced into the market. • How much worse will this get? The stock market tends to overshoot in both directions. When times are good, investors become euphoric, and
May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
when times are bad, panic takes over. It is our opinion that the market has not bottomed yet as stocks are still not “cheap” by almost any measure. • What should we be doing about this? That depends on your age, assets and liabilities, and what your options are. Most 401K investors are pretty limited in what they can do. Mutual funds and index funds tend to mask an investors’ ability to really understand what they own. If your portfolio is heavily allocated to energy companies or financial services companies, the decline in both oil prices and interest rates have hit your investments harder than others. A rising tide raises all ships, and that’s exactly what we’ve had in the stock market since March of 2009. This bear market that we’ve entered could very well mean that the rising tide has gone out. Now is the time to get a professional review of your portfolio so you can really understand what you own. And don’t forget that certain investments are designed to make money when the stock market is declining and can act as a hedge in your portfolio. This is the type of work real financial planners do for their clients every day. If you would like us to assess your estate plan or your parent’s plan, give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit Advertorial us at www.summitwealthandretirement.com.
Gardening continued from front page
highest percentage of pupils with war gardens at home.” An Oakland Tribune article dated April 18, 1918, begins: “Four small boys came into my office the other day, during the noon hour. One little fellow introduced himself as ‘captain of the war gardeners of his grade’ and added, ‘these three boys are my partners, and we would like to plant a war garden.’” The boys were convinced they had the trophy won as soon as they could plant. “One little fellow suggested to the others that they ‘camp’ near their lot while the vegetables were growing in order that the garden would not be molested.” A May 15, 1918, Oakland Tribune piece describes Luther Burbank's tour of Oakland schools. “One student he showed how to keep down potato bugs, and with another he discussed proper fertilizers. He answered questions of the young gardeners themselves and gave practical demonstrations wherever he found trouble in the gardens could be remedied.” In Footprints in the Soil, Rose Peters Emery, born in 1905, recalls life on her family’s 256-acre San Ramon Valley grain and cattle ranch. “Flour, sugar, coffee, and beans were bought in Danville in large quantities to save trips to town.” VegAlamo resident, Tara Vaishnav hosts a gardening video on YouTube. etables and fruit were grown on the farm. “Summers were the time for canning, and hot work it was. Mama canned tomatoes as well as the peaches, plums, and pears from our own orchard, and she made quince jelly. At first, these fruits were literally canned, for she put them up in old-style tin cans, first filling the can with hot, cooked fruit, then fitting a shallow lid with a projecting rim over a projecting rim on the can, after which heated rosin was poured around the edges to seal the contents. Later, she used mason jars with zinc screw tops and a rubber gasket, a great improvement.” “As World War I approached and finally came in 1917, cream was selling at a high price, so Mama restarted the milking operations,” Rose, then a seventh-grader, remembers. “In the morning before school, I would milk at least one cow and then help Mama turn the crank of the hand-operated separator that she had bought.” She also remarks: “Danville held parades with flag-waving kids piled into trucks, singing “Over There,” and there was a fashion among young women for wearing khaki dresses.” The San Ramon Valley was still a sparsely populated ranching and farming area when the US entered World War II. In the book Vintage Danville, authors Beverly Lane and Laura Grinstead note that the entire San Ramon Valley had only 2,126 residents in 1940 with 1,225 of them in Danville. “Deliveries were unpredictable at Acree’s Market; once they received twelve jars of mayonnaise, and that was it. Everyone was urged to raise rabbits for meat and plant victory vegetable gardens.” Actually, many local families already grew vegetables. Betty Mattos Casey was a student at the Tassajara One-Room Schoolhouse at the time. She says, “We always had kale and fava beans. My dad also planted onions, garlic, and peppers. Our garden grew depending on the water supply. A good year gave us tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash, and my mother's favorite, string beans.” In Alamo, Claudia Mauzy Nemir's grandmother turned the front lawn into a Victory Garden. She planted tomatoes, squash, and zucchini. Gas was rationed, but Lawrence’s Meat Market was within walking distance. Three pounds of high-quality ground beef cost only $1.00! Claudia does not remember anyone in the valley being hungry, but as soon as the Caldecott Tunnel opened in December 1937, cousins began flocking to her grandmother's home for Sunday dinner. She always served fried chicken, red beans, coleslaw, and apple pie. Charles Fakler, chief gatekeeper at Mount Diablo State Park, also had a Victory Garden. An article published in the May 14, 1944, edition of the Oakland Tribune reads: “Fakler said that in spite of the war, there are more visitors this year than last. The 10,000,000-candle flashing beacon will probably be doused for the duration since it shows 100 miles out to sea. The State Park Service keeps three full-time men on Diablo. Mr. and Mrs. Fakler have the only youngsters living there. Allen, who is two and year-old Charles Jr. Fakler revealed his family manages to grow a Victory Garden with less
See Gardening continued on page 23
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
NETFLIX AND GAMES By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President WHAT’S SO FUNNY ABOUT THE PANDEMIC? LAUGHTER MAY NOT BE A VACCINE, BUT IT’S STILL GOOD MEDICINE
In a sense, humor is part of our natural immune response to crises, and indeed laughter has been shown to be good for the immune system, doubles as a stress-reliever and mood enhancer, and helps us take back some of the control we’ve lost to the pandemic. Some research even suggests that the healing effect of humor isn’t necessarily a function of how much you laugh at all the jokes going around, but whether you maintain a generally humorous outlook on life, the downs as well as the ups—an outlook that would surely come in handy these days. “Love is probably the most powerful tool for overcoming negativity,” says Paul McGhee in Health, Healing and the Amuse System. “Humor comes in a close second.” So, in the spirit of amusing and immune-ing ourselves, I thought I’d share a sampling of our attempts at overcoming negativity in the time of coronavirus: * For the first time in history, we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let’s not screw this up. * Definition of irony - When the “Year Of The Rat” starts with a plague. * Oh, nowwwww everyone wants to know what introverts do for fun. * Day 7 at home: The dog is looking at me like “See? This is why I chew the furniture.” * My house got TP’d last night. It’s now appraised at $875,000. * Never in my whole life would I imagine my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth. * I’m so excited it’s time to take the garbage out. I wonder what I should wear? * I just tried to make my own hand sanitizer, and it came out as a rum & coke. * We are about three weeks away from knowing everyone’s true hair color. *Homeschooling, day 9: Today we did math: If you have 3 kids, and they’re awake roughly 13 hours of the day, and you’re trying to work from home, how many times will you hear the word “snack”? * In an unsettling reversal of my teenage years, I’m now yelling at my parents for going out. Author Gregg Levoy, April 18, 2020, Psychology Today. For the full article, visit www. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202004/whats-so-funny-about-the-pandemic.
WATCH FOR FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS AT OUR ALAMO CERTIFIED FARMER’S MARKET
NOTE: The Alamo Certified Farmer’s Market (CFM) and Grocery Stores are categorized as “essential businesses” by the CCCounty Health Department and comply with all CCCounty Health Department requirements. Plan a visit to the Market each Sunday year-round, from 9AM – 2PM, in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Wells Fargo Bank. The goal of the market is to provide quality produce (and several other treats). All produce is picked fresh and is at the local Farmer’s Markets within 24-48 hours of harvest, versus a week or much more for chain grocery stores. Vendors offer organic and conventionally grown produce. Several vendors offer both. Please acquaint yourselves with those that do. Vendors are the best source of information about their own produce.
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Now celebrating its 65th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community and helping shape it into “Alamo - the place where we love to live!” Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, which is to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” As Board President, I want to thank all of our volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Watch (in May) for your upcoming AIA 2018 Annual Report, ballot, and membership form. Then, complete and return it to AIA, P.O.Box 156, Alamo, CA. 94507. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to Alamo (as well as Danville, Diablo, and Walnut Creek) residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out; now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA!
These days, we find ourselves with a bit more spare time. As you may have read, online video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, etc. are seeing an explosion in use. In fact, video streaming has consumed so much bandwidth that there have been concerns of “breaking” the internet. Of course, the internet won’t actually break. However, it may get mighty slow while providers increase the size of their pipes. Of all the video providers, no one can argue with how dominant of a player Netflix has become. We have used the service for years and been pretty content with what we’ve found. However, were you aware Netflix has secret “genre codes?” No? Let me explain. Netflix has thousands of videos for us to watch, and yet, we are only aware of a fraction of them. Why? First, they can only show us so many choices on the screen at one time. Their vast library includes every genre you can imagine. Because there are so many videos available, and in an effort to keep you watching what you like, and to improve your experience, Netflix developed algorithms to show us movies that are similar to the ones you’ve already viewed. The Netflix algorithm is simultaneously helpful and confining. It is helpful because it presents movies that are similar to those we’ve previously enjoyed, and it is somewhat confining in that we are less likely to branch out and try something new. If this intrigues you, and you would like to peer over the edge of your viewing rut, read on! Netflix recommendations work great, yet there is so much more to discover. Here is a way to penetrate into their vast library, spanning over 27,000 primary movie genres. To get the full picture, check out this website, https://tinyurl.com/ PCIONetflixBigList, which contains an “abbreviated” list of 3,700 Netflix viewing genres. If you’d like to see the really big list and search for a genre in particular, visit https://www.finder.com/netflix/genre-list. Using the genre information is easy. When in Netflix and using the magnifier glass to search for a movie is clicked, simply enter in the four or five-digit code representing the genre you’ve chosen. For example, to find “Class Action & Adventure” movies, type “46576” in the search box. The list of movies you receive will represent your chosen genre. It should also be noted that the search will also work via key words. Instead of typing 46576, you may also type “classic,” “classic action,” “classic action & adventure,” “classic adventure,” or add your own specifics, the title, or a piece of a title. Each of these searches will return a different set of movies to choose from. I think the numerical list is a great place to start. However, because I don’t think I would ever imagine some of the categories in which movies have been placed, I probably wouldn’t randomly imagine searching for “Cerebral Foreign Documentaries about Art & Design”! I’ve explored the genre system, and I am impressed by how well it works. I suppose I’ve always subconsciously wondered why I only saw a fraction of the available movies, and now I know! I plan to keep the list handy because there are so many cool movies out there I won’t come across any other way. When you’ve finished watching movies and want to interact with your extended family and friends, here are two fun ideas. Both ideas center around using your favorite meeting tool (I use Zoom). First, hold a trivia night. Our nights include friends and family in Alamo, Dublin, Santa Barbara, and Colorado Springs. Each group creates their own list of ten trivia questions to share. You can do this verbally, or you can pop your questions into a Word document and share it using Zoom’s screen-share function. Some of our groups made a PowerPoint slide show. We play where every question equals a point, and each location adds up their points at the end. Some of the topics we’ve used have been National Parks, Acronyms, Star Wars, Musicians and Bands who’ve lost limbs (!), and my favorite, “Name That Tune.” Another game we play is “You Don’t Know Jack,” which can be found on common game platforms such as the Xbox, or downloaded from www.jackboxgames.com. For those unfamiliar with “You Don’t Know Jack,” it is a slightly snarky online trivia game. Each game lasts about ten minutes, and it is very entertaining. There are multiple games in the bundle, such as “Drawful” which is a lot like Pictionary, “Trivia Murder Party,” and “Fibbage.” If you’re up for something new and would like to be entertained, give it a try; it’s fun. If the length of this lock-down has you re-thinking your remote work strategy, give the experts at PCIO a call. PCIO is dedicated to helping folks like you get back to work. To chat with us, please call 925-552Advertorial 7953 or email info@pcioit.com.
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES
By Dr. Barbara Persons
As the new shelter-in-place restrictions continue to change the shape and pattern of our days, and we each do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, many of us are feeling stressed and anxious about our health, wellness, and wellbeing. We can all agree that 2020 has ushered in trying and uncertain times that have left many of us frowning more often than not as we adjust to the myriad life-changes involving employment, unexpected homeschooling, and the ubiquitous and frequent scarcity of goods and essentials. As the promise of not only the return to normalcy, but the return to good weather, and the opportunity to see and be seen by our loved ones approaches, I find myself contemplating my appearance and the changes we have all undergone as stress levels rise and routine personal maintenance has been out of our reach. After the new challenges of managing my cosmetic surgery and med-spa practice remotely, while maintaining the employment of my staff, treating patients through telemedicine, on top of full-time homeschooling three busy teenagers, unsurprisingly, I have discovered new lines and wrinkles that weren’t there weeks ago. Maintaining our physical and emotional wellbeing at this time is integral. Allowing ourselves to get adequate and restful sleep, as well as eating healthy meals, and partaking in some physical activity, provides some great adaptive coping tools to manage stress and anxiety. These actions can relax us and stave off some of the premature aging that stress etches in fine lines across our brows and around our eyes. However, in times like these, we may need a little more support. Subtle facial rejuvenation through Botox and dermal fillers can help us turn back the clock on stress and aging skin. Botox and fillers are different substances designed for different uses. In this way, they can be combined in one treatment to counteract signs of aging. For instance, someone may use Botox to correct lines between the eyes and a filler to correct smile lines around the mouth, leaving them with an overall more rested and youthful appearance. Botox works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected, temporarily inhibiting movement of selected muscles in the face. After Botox, or a similar product such as Dysport, relaxes an area, certain wrinkles may be
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews softened, reduced, or even removed. Dermal fillers are substances designed to be injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume and fullness. There are many types of fillers, and each one has specific features that make it ideal for treating certain areas of the face. Popular dermal fillers include Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and Belotero®. These fillers are made of a naturally occurring substance called hyaluronic acid which is found in some tissues in the body. They add plumpness to the skin. Fillers such as Radiesse® consist of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a mineral-like compound found in bones. These fillers can enhance cheekbones, define the jawline, or fill in hollow areas on the face. Each filler has specific features that make it ideal for treating certain areas. Some are better for smoothing fine lines on delicate skin, while others work best for treating deep creases in the nasolabial folds. The only way to be sure you’re getting the right filler for you is to talk with a qualified practitioner who can evaluate your skin, review your health history, and select a filler based on your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
FREE CONSULTATIONS TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED CONCERNS
Since Hope Hospice has had to temporarily suspend their Living With Dementia group classes for family caregivers they are launching a new video conference service that is, at this time, complimentary to the public in our area. “Many of the family caregivers who attend our classes find themselves in the caregiver role unexpectedly and without resources,” says program manager Jill Smith, RN. “The face-to-face classes have helped these individuals tremendously in learning about the changes to expect in their loved one and how to adjust techniques as the disease progresses.” Zoom remote-conferencing will be used to conduct private consultations with family members who have questions on specific challenges they are facing in caring for a loved one living with dementia. Submit a meeting request via email to jills@hopehospice.com or via phone at (925) 829-8770. Email is preferred. Learn more at www.HopeHospice.com.
AT HOME FUN! SPOT THE 17 DIFFERENCES (answers on page 22)
1 7 2
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
ENJOY RESTAURANTS WHILE SHELTERING By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Shelter in place has taken a toll on all of us. As we take all of our meals at home, there are some important lessons to be learned. My client list has expanded due to increased concerns over what to eat at this time. While I am still addressing client concerns over weight loss, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and general nutrition improvements, shelter in place has added a new eating scenario to consider. Though face-to-face nutritional counseling sessions have disappeared, Facetime and phone sessions have taken their place. The emphasis of my counseling has become how to enjoy high flavor meals while we have more time on our hands. Let me convey some of the lessons we are all learning. For home cooking, I have been inspiring my clients to use their Instant Pot and crock pots more often. I encourage them to make tried and tested recipes from Skinnytaste.com, Cooking Light.com, and similar sites. Viewing take-out menus of local restaurants with clients has become a favorite pastime as takeout meals have proliferated during shelter-in-place. My clients and I spend time deciding on the best meals to order and how to plan their consumption over a two or three day period. The intention is to order enough meals to minimize your time out and about, and have enough meals to carry you over for several days. My clients are happy to get relief from cooking all of their meals. With pre-planning of what is ordered, my clients get the enjoyment of greatly missed restaurant foods without exceeding reasonable calorie limits. Of particular interest, clients are surprised by the change from ordering an appetizer and entree, which is normally consumed during one meal, to now ordering food which can be enjoyed spread over two or even three meals. This change provides them with delicious alternative meals with smaller portions. My clients are surprised that they are satisfied eating less, which can be due to being less active these days. Below are a couple restaurant scenarios for our local area.
XENIA IN ALAMO
For a local couple I work with, we set up a plan for three days worth of dinners that could provide a welcome change from home cooked meals. The meals would consist of delicious smaller portions during this period of decreased activity. After considering their likes and dislikes, we decided on ordering chipotle shrimp kabobs, butter lettuce salad, and roasted beets for appetizers. For entrees, we selected wood-fired chicken with baked potato and double veggies; potato crusted halibut with creamy lemon piccata sauce on the side, and extra veggies with no rice; and the grilled salmon with cilantro risotto and double veggies as well. Breaking this into the three days of dinners, which I always prefer to be eaten as a late lunch, included sharing the shrimp kabobs and butter lettuce salad for the first meal. The following night, they enjoyed the salmon with risotto and veggies. The next day, they shared the beet salad, which had held up well, and the crusted halibut with sauce on the side (so it didn’t get soggy). That was enjoyed with the double veggies. The third day, they split the generous sized wood-fired chicken along with the baked potato and double veggies. When not sharing meals, some clients order their own entrees and appetizers. In this instance, each appetizer and entrée that used to be eaten during one meal was spread over two days. In the case of pasta and pizza, we spread the one entree over three meals paired along with a salad or soup.
FORLI IN ALAMO
The same strategy of spreading their favorite appetizers and entrees over multiple days was used for ordering out from Forli. For meal sharing, the couple ordered appetizers of caprese, and spinach (or arugula) with beet salad; pasta entrees included bolognese, frutti di mare, and lasagna spread over three meals as an entrée or appetizer; other great options include chicken puttanesca, roasted half chicken, salmon, and rack of lamb. I encourage ordering double veggies to be shared for one meal or spread over two individual meals. I am glad to inform you than most insurance companies will pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 360-7318 or email me at Lifeweight1@yahoo.com, and I will check with your insurance and see what your exact coverage is. Please also refer to my website, www.LindaRD.com, for information about services and all insurances contracted with. Advertorial
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925.202.2846 Census continued from page 11
statistical purposes to inform decisions, including how much federal funding your community receives. The Census Bureau has robust cybersecurity, incorporating industry-best practices and federal security standards for encrypting data. Though the present times are challenging, I am hopeful our community will emerge from this crisis even stronger. By participating in the 2020 Census, we ensure our community will be represented and well-funded for the coming decade, regardless of what is on the horizon. Fill out your Census Form at my2020census.gov. As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding any issue, feel free to contact my office at 925-957-8860, or email me at SupervisorAndersen@ bos.cccounty.us.
MVHS continued from page 9
Over the past four years, our 2020 seniors sang beautifully as MVs Choir earned national accolades as they toured throughout the US. And, through the work of our 2020 seniors, our Speech and Debate Program is currently ranked as one of the top ten programs in the country. Our Marching Band, Jazz Bands, and Drum Lines have all earned incredible recognitions through the work of our seniors; and their many talents have made our Theater Program thrive over their time on campus. In looking at the successes of our seniors, what is more amazing is that all of these things were accomplished under great adversity. This class has faced lock downs, school threats, racism, smoke from massive fires, power outages, and now, COVID-19 (and I am sure I have forgotten something!). Yet, they still roll with the punches and make the most of things. This is an amazing group of people about to enter adulthood, and I am proud to have been their principal. This year, the MV Class of 2020 will have its first-ever virtual graduation where all graduates will be recognized through video. The event, complete with graduation speeches, will be streamed for our community on May 29th. While not optimum, the virtual ceremony will give our seniors the recognition they deserve after 13 years of compulsory schooling, as well as some closure to an unprecedented year. MV’s students and faculty would like to thank our community for all of their support throughout the 2019-20 school year and especially over the past three months. Together, we will get through this, and we will be stronger and better because of it.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING
ARE YOU INTERESTED? By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
On April 16th, we began offering COVID-19 testing for non-symptomatic, low-risk people who are wanting to know if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19. After looking into many different testing options, we have chosen to use a company that offers IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody detection to four different proteins specific to COVID-19. What that means is this test identifies elevated antibodies that your immune system produces when exposed to four different genetic particles specific to COVID-19. The specificity of this test has proven to be 98% accurate. Through a small serum blood test, the antibodies can be detected to determine if a person has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. This test is not currently covered by insurance, costs $249, and takes 48-72 hours for results to report.
WHAT ARE ANTIBODIES AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are protective proteins in the blood which are produced by the immune system in response to a foreign substance, called an antigen. Antibodies recognize and latch onto antigens in order to remove them from the body. A wide range of substances are regarded as antigens by the body, including virus, bacteria, allergens, and toxic substances. There are five classes of antibodies that express themselves in different ways. The COVID-19 test we are using measures three of them: IgM, IgG, and IgA. The IgM antibodies are produced when you first get sick, the IgG antibodies are most abundant and are the ‘memory’ antibodies that will potentially provide long-term immunity, and the IgA antibodies are ones that live in the mucosal membranes of the gut and respiratory tract. An antibody test should (operative word) conclusively tell you if you have or haven’t had COVID-19, based on whether antibodies are present. (You develop them within 5 to 20 days of being infected, so testing too early can result in a false negative.)
WHAT IF MY TEST COMES BACK POSITIVE?
Knowing whether you have antibodies can help identify those who have potentially developed immunity compared to those who don’t have antibodies and might be susceptible to infection. There is also a psychological benefit in getting tested, particularly for those who have recovered well. Knowing you’ve successfully fought the infection can alleviate fear and give you more confidence in your immune system’s ability to function under the circumstances. However, no matter what the results may reveal, it is still important to practice social distancing, wear a mask out in public, and work daily to boost your immunity. At this time, COVID-19 is here, and we must learn to live with it. The goal we are aiming to achieve is to empower people to make informed decisions—for themselves, but also in the best interest of our community. It is our intention at Align to be a fixture of support and education in helping people to take their health to a powerful new level. For information on how to boost your immune system against COVID-19, please check out our BLOG page at AlignHealingCenter.com. Advertorial To book your COVID-19 test, call 925-362-8283.
Word Search answers from page 13
Spot the Difference answers from page 20
1. Added sun 2. Added cloud 3. Removed bird 4. Changed the color of left tree 5. Changed the window the bear is in 6. Swing turned into a tire swing 7. Removed a succulent 8. Red lettuce and green lettuce swapped 9. Changed “&” on sidewalk writing 10. Removed house numbers from mailbox 11. Changed color of house on mailbox 12. Changed color of slug 13. Changed direction of slug 14. Added a bee 15. Changed color of butterfly 16. Removed a beet
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THE EYE OPENER
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry PROUD TO BE A LOCAL BUSINESS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
A few months ago, I wrote an article about the pride one takes in owning a small business, in conjunction with the perseverance it takes to deal with the daily tasks of being an entrepreneur. As anyone who operates a small business will tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. It requires untold hours of work, attention to detail, and persistence. I do not think anyone could have predicted, and therefore prepared for, what we are all currently going through. However, as both citizens and business owners, we must always prepare for downturns and rainy days. Anything can happen, at any time to disrupt our life, and it is our collective responsibilities to deal with these upheavals as they come. What wasn’t foreseen is the magnitude of what we are currently dealing with. We are seeing an initial 30% drop in the stock market, a massive increase in the unemployment rate in a matter of weeks, and a prolonged closure for much of the economy. I am not going to discuss politics here, but I do believe our local, state, and federal governments are doing the best they can, considering the current situation. Sadly, however, very few small business owners have received the government-sponsored assistance to help with keeping our employees paid and to pay our necessary bills such as health insurance, utilities, and rent. Since our office has not been seeing patients for regular exams, we have been using this time to improve our practice to better serve you. We have been working from home doing administrative work to address tasks that we normally don’t have time for. We are taking this time to improve our efficiency so we can implement changes when we return. We have updated our credit card processing, introduced a new office communication system, started working with a new contact lens distributor -- which will help us streamline the ordering process, and enabled online options for our patients. We have also started the process of redesigning our website. Additionally, we are working on sourcing and ordering products such as masks, gloves, and cleaning supplies, and implementing procedures to better ensure the safety of our staff and patients. All of these things have taken a lot of time and effort, but they are needed to ensure a smoother patient experience when the shelter in place is lifted. Regardless if you are a patient at our office or not, I urge everyone to patronize local businesses in Alamo, Danville, and surrounding areas at every available opportunity, both now and in the future. The small offices and shops are vital to our community and don’t have the financial standing and resources that the larger chain stores have to be able to withstand a crisis like the one we’re in. It’s up to our each of us to help them stay afloat. Each of these businesses is what contributes to the character of where we live. Small businesses are also the livelihood of our local economy. The majority of their workforce are community members, and shopping local also keeps tax revenue in our area. Most of these small offices, restaurants, bars, and stores are in a remarkably similar situation as our office. Many of them want to remain viable for themselves and their staff. Every take-out order, gift card, or product purchased (such as for contact lenses or glasses which we offer) will enable these businesses to remain afloat during this time until further assistance becomes available. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, and join in on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
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May 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
THE DERMATOLOGIST WILL SEE YOU…WE’RE (VIRTUALLY) OPEN!
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
The Coronavirus has changed all of our lives. I am hoping that as you are reading this, we are looking forward to businesses opening and our lives returning to a more normal state than the “Shelter in Place (SiP)” that went into effect on March 16, 2020. I am writing this mid-April, when it appears that COVID-19 may be reaching its peak in the San Francisco Bay Area. We can see a glimmer of hope. I believe that our Governor’s quick action to mandate social distancing has had a great impact to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in California. I hope that you and your family remain safe. We have a great team dedicated to our patients, and it is an honor to be able to serve our community. However, I miss going to the office everyday where I have the honor to see and serve others. We are taking the precautions recommended by the CDC, and our practice is currently open to take care of your dermatologic needs. We are seeing patients with urgent matters in the office and postponing more routine visits. Within a few days of the SiP order, our amazing team researched and launched telemedicine. Our telemedicine task force was comprised of our practice manager Courtney Schepp, board-certified dermatologist Samantha Ellis, and our amazing Physician Assistant Heather Nudo. Within a week of the SiP, we officially launched telemedicine visits. We can now see you from the comfort of your home. Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Simply call us at 925-838-4900 to schedule. All you need is a computer or a smart phone. Obviously, we cannot perform skin biopsies or perform procedures via telemedicine, but we can evaluate any concerns, prescribe medicine, and recommend future treatments. In addition to telemedicine, we have an online store. We are a national flagship provider for SkinCeuticals and have their full line of products available. To purchase, simply go to our website, www.MyBeautyMD.com. If you prefer, you can call our office at 925-838-4900, and we can help you with any products you may need. I know we will get through these challenging times. We can’t wait until we can get back to serving the community as we did before the global pandemic. Stay safe, stay healthy, and we hope to see you soon. 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 Advertorial (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com.
Gardening continued from page 17
trouble from frost than gardeners living at lower elevations.” “The community in Diablo lived according to the times, rationing for the war effort. Instead of lights and tinsel on their Christmas trees, the children gathered pinecones on Mount Diablo,” David Mackesey writes in From Country Estate to Country Club: The History of Diablo Country Club. “There was a shortage of hay for cattle and horses, so after a day's work at the Club, Joe Ferreira would take his Fordson tractor, put a scythe on it, and cut hay on the 16th, 17th, and 18th fairways to sell or give to local ranchers.” In 1943, Americans purchased 315,000 pressure cookers for canning. By 1944, the US had an estimated 20 million Victory Gardens that yielded eight to nine million tons of produce. As governors across the country began issuing shelter in place orders, journalists and newscasters touted a 2020 resurgence of the Victory Garden movement. A March 20th headline in the Mercury News suggested: “Plant a Victory Garden to combat coronavirus fears and isolation. In World War II, those on the home front grew Victory Gardens to ease food shortages and boost morale.” On the opposite side of the US, the New York Times proclaimed on March 25th: “Food Supply Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens. Americans were once urged to plant in every patch of soil -- and produced about 40 percent of the nation's fresh vegetables.” CBS ran a clip March 30th titled: “Coronavirus Update: More People Growing ‘Victory Gardens’ For Food and Stress Relief.” Seed and plant suppliers Tomatoes planted now will yield in summer. Photo by Janice Fasciotto. immediately recognized escalating interest. Kitchen Garden Seeds (www.kitchengardenseeds.com) offered four container-appropriate collections on March 30th as “Wellness Gardens for Body & Soul.” The ad reminded: "Victory Gardens were hugely successful and a symbol of our country coming together toward a common goal of keeping ourselves healthy and proactive.” As nurseries close temporarily to reset displays for social distancing, information changes daily. Check online or call for updated status. Ace Hardware in Alamo and Blackhawk have many gardening supplies, and Sloat's Danville Camino Ramon location offers curbside pick-up. Sloat’s Diablo Road location is open. Sloat Garden Center's website (www.sloatgardens. com) has a guide for planting 21st century Victory Gardens. Vegetables like tomatoes and salad greens are easy to grow in containers. Many vegetables make excellent companions for flowers in an existing garden. Online resources like Gardeners Supply (www.gardeners.com) have prefabricated components to create raised beds. Experienced Danville gardeners like Vicki Brown are already harvesting winter vegetables. Janice Fasciotto and her husband, having always grown vegetables at their Danville home, and they plan to plant even more this year. If you are looking for a simple way to get a lot of produce from a small space (even in a container), watch Alamo resident, Tara Vaishnav's, “Succession Planting: The Most Valuable Practice: Top 3 Spring Vegetables to Succession Plant" on YouTube (https://youtu.be/WtzkKiJXhvo).
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2020
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