2022 MAY ~ Alamo Today & Danville Today News by The Editors, Inc

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1

& M AY 2022

EARLY ALERT CANINES TRAINS DOGS FOR LEADING ROLES IN REAL LIFE DRAMAS

By Jody Morgan

Early Alert Canines (EAC) improves the health, safety, and wellbeing of insulin-dependent children and adults with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) by providing them with canine partners trained to detect trending changes in blood-sugar levels long before an episode becomes life-threatening. The Concord-based non-profit teams about half their canine trainees with diabetic children and their families as Skilled Companion Dogs and the others with adults as Full-Access Service Dogs. Asked by the California Department of Public Health to serve as training partner in a pilot program, EAC currently has two dogs successfully proving their ability to swiftly and accurately identify students infected with COVID-19 in trials at local schools. Carol Edwards founded EAC in 2010 in response to a growing demand for Diabetic Alert Dogs and the unmet need of families w it h you ng d i ab e t i c children. “As a parent,” Carol says, “I knew how hard it was to get up with an infant every night for a few months. I couldn’t imagine how difficult Liz Johnston loves working with the exceptionally trainable it was for parents with EAC dogs. Photo by Zella Urmson Photography. children coping with Type 1 Diabetes to have to wake up every night every two hours for a decade or more to monitor unexpected blood sugar changes that might result in the dreaded ‘dead in bed syndrome.’” JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) explains: “For children and their families, a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes can be devastating. Without warning, a healthy child can develop this life-threatening disease that will need to be managed every minute of every hour of every day -- for the rest of their life.” The organ-specific autoimmune disease destroys the body’s insulin-producing cells. T1D is neither preventable nor curable. One heart-warming account on EAC’s website describes EAC Blue’s positive impact on the lives of Eva, diagnosed with T1D at age two, and her family. Eva’s mother recalls how isolating even a trip to the store could be before Blue. “The

See Canines continued on page 15

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

ECRWSS

Coraline and Gingerbread

COME TO THE COUNTY FAIR!

MAY 12TH-15TH

Twelve youth from the local Contra Costa 4H program will be showcasing and selling livestock at the upcoming Contra Costa County Fair. The kids have spent countless hours learning about and raising their animals. Their projects include two hogs, five sheep, seven goats, several rabbits and a number of chickens. Anyone interested in learning more about

See Fair continued on page 12

A PRECIOUS GEM IN OUR VALLEY

By Lyn Arscott

San Ramon Creek is one of the precious gems of our valley. It provided essential water for survival for the indigenous people and early immigrants. In 1772, Captain Pedro Fages and Franciscan Padre Juan Crespi trekked from Walnut Creek through the San Ramon Valley and noted that the valley was home to numerous gentle and peaceful indigenous people and seemed to be “a charming site for settlement with much water.” Since the early nineLyn Arscott and Tod Rubin (two members teenth century, ranchers raised cattle of the Friends of San Ramon Creek) in the field with measuring equipment.

The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville

Volume XXII Number 5

See Gem cont. on page 18 3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

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Volume XIII 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.

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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

BOULEVARD VIEW

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher

Another trip around the sun had me reflecting on various well-wishes I received on my birthday. Treasuring and reading each one was a mini time-capsule of my decades on earth, and a quarter of a century living in Alamo. It was amazing to think about how many connections I have made with people, especially for someone who used to consider themselves as more of an introverted “wallflower.” As I got older, I found I like the extrovert version of myself a little more. There were greetings from siblings and other relatives, my son’s old guitar teacher, neighbors, people I’ve worked on projects with, elementary school and high school friends, people I’ve reached during our kitten fostering project, parents of our children’s friends whom we interacted with at various youth sporting events, readers and advertisers, the coordinator of the French exchange student program we used to host for, coworkers, a college roommate, and someone local I shared figs from my fig tree with via the NextDoor platform. While reading the “Quick Trips, Muppet” article on page 12, legendary actor, animator, cartoonist, inventor, puppeteer, and screenwriter Jim Henson stated, “I wanted our audience to know that despite all the chaos, and despite our differences, there is nothing more fun than being together. From there, I never stopped creating and dreaming. In fact, the more we performed, the more fun we had, and the more my dreams grew bringing millions of people together. What can possibly be more magical than that?” While I don’t think my reach of personal connections will ever be on such a grand scale as all of the lives Jim Henson touched, it was heartwarming to hear from those I’ve connected with. As venues and events are coming back to life I hope you have time to get together and attend one of a plethora of local concerts in our town and nearby towns. See County Supervisor Candace Andersen’s article on page 10 for a full listing of them. Grab your family, your neighbors, your friends, and a picnic dinner, lawn chairs, and a blanket, to dance and sing the night away. The Town of Danville’s 4th of July is on the calendar this year and excitement is already in the air. There are opportunities to participate in the parade or watch it march by. We are fortunate that the local Kiwanis Club goes to the extraordinary effort to make such a long-standing event happen. Learn more on page 3. Neighborhood 4-H kids have worked hard to raise livestock and prepare them for show at the upcoming County Fair to be held May 12th-15th. This is the first full County Fair in a couple years and the youth are excited to get the county fair experience. See the front page for details. Please plan on participating and supporting their efforts. On May 15th, the Alamo Farmer’s Market will host a Spring Celebration (learn more on page 22). There will be a Kid’s Zone with games and prizes and balloon artists. Diablo Pacific Short Line Railroad will hold demonstrations, and there will be a drawing for a basket of goodies from the Market! There are so many opportunities throughout these pages to attend an art or concert presentation or charity event. There are also many chances to volunteer, donate, and make a difference. Our family continues to foster kittens (email me if you are looking for a new buddy) as they wait to get big enough to get spayed or neutered then placed in their forever homes. As I looked down from my desk to see the sight pictured at right, it just reinforced that we all need friends...whether they be two legged or four legged.

PICNIC IN THE PARK AND PARTY FOR A CAUSE ON JUNE 18TH

By Jody Morgan

Youth Homes, Inc, serving 250 local youth and families each year, invites the community to gather at Shadelands Ranch Museum (2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek) gazebo at 5pm on Saturday, June 18th for a festive “Picnic in the Park” fundraiser. Music by Moving Parts, food catered by Sunrise Bistro, tastings of local craft beers and wines, along with amazing raffle prizes are all featured in “Picnic in the Park.” Founded in 1965, Youth Homes, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to empowering current and former foster youth, young adults with complex behavioral health challenges, and under-resourced children at risk of entering the foster care system to become self-sufficient, productive adults. Youth Homes creates opportunities for youth to process and heal from trauma, build supportive networks, and develop the skills needed to achieve their personal goals. Headquartered in Concord, Youth Homes is Contra Costa County’s leading provider of trauma-informed programs for foster youth. It’s not too late to add your donation to the array of fabulous raffle prizes such as gift certificates, weekend getaways to vacation homes, spa visits, sports memorabilia, and event tickets. Recognition for Sponsorships at many levels from $1,000-$20,000+ is also available. For information on purchasing tickets at $150/per person and ways to donate, visit www.youthhomes.org. Enter the special code “Alamotoday” into the Eventbrite purchasing platform to receive a 10% discount on tickets. For details on Sponsorships, contact Liberty Franks at 925-391-5697 or libertyf@ youthhomes.org.

DANVILLE COMMUNITY BAND PERFORMANCE

The Danville Community Band concludes its 20th Anniversary season with a show titled “Remembrances,” premiering an original work For Keith by composer Randy Biagi, as well as a tribute performance of Ashokan Farewell honoring band and board members who have passed during the past 20 years. The program also features selections from theater and film including Man of La Mancha, Les Miserables, The Music Man, and Jurassic Park. Also included is The Seventh Night of July, Itaru Sakai’s musical interpretation of the romantic legend that is celebrated with the Japanese holiday known as Tanabata, and much more. The performance will be held Saturday, June 11th at the Community Presbyterian Church located at 222 W El Pintado Road in Danville. The concert begins at 3PM. There will be general audience seating and admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted. Face coverings may be required to be worn by all guests (venue rules will apply). For more about the band and future performances, visit www.danvilleband.org, or “Like” the Danville Community Band group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/danvilleband.

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region has many volunteer opportunities to aid seniors in our communities. Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a home meal delivery driver and assist in getting prepared meals to those in need. The Friendly Visitors, Friendly Callers, and Friendly Helpers programs check in on seniors and also can assist them with everyday errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up medications at a local pharmacy. For more information, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, or contact Eileen Stephens at estephens@mowdr.org, or 925-482-2622, or Tuyet Iaconis at tiaco-nis@mowdr.org or 925-891-4872.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3

128 Castle Stunning Crest Rd,Panoramic Alamo Views Absolutely

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4TH OF JULY PARADE TO RETURN TO DANVILLE

Mark your calendars! The Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley, in partnership with the Town of Danville, is organizing the Kiwanis - Danville 4th of July Parade for the community to enjoy. The theme this year is “Celebrating Danville’s Local Olympians.” The Parade will take place along Hartz Avenue and San Ramon Valley Boulevard from approximately 9am to noon, July 4th. To improve logistic management, the parade route will be modified to end at Town and Country Drive. In partnership with the Town of Danville, Parade Chairman Kent Screechfield and his team will assemble over 100 entrants, including local politicians, law enforcement agencies, non-profits, community groups, and military and veterans organizations. Girl Scouts of Northern California, Boy Scouts of America, National Charity League and Boys Team Charities members, and many other youth organizations will either be marching or assisting with the floats, banners, and flags. Entertainment will be provided by more than a dozen bands. Not to be forgotten are the generous sponsors who help fund the occasion, including presenting sponsor Alamo ACE Hardware. Full information on the Parade regarding entries and sponsorships can be found at www.srvkiwanis.org/parade. The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets on Thursdays from noon to 1:30pm at the Black Bear Diner in Danville. Meetings include networking, lunch, and a guest speaker. The Parade is the primary fundraiser of the Club. For more information, visit srvkiwanis.org. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children 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 550,000 Kiwanis members across 80+ countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their local communities and pooling resources to address worldwide issues.

MODEL RAILROAD DISPLAY

The Diablo Pacific Short Line model railway group will take part in the Alamo Farmers Market Spring Celebration to be held on May 15th. The group will have their kid’s interactive train layout set up in front of their workshop located behind Bank of America in Alamo Plaza (200 Alamo Plaza, Alamo). The set-up encourages kids to run the trains themselves. Trains run through various scenes including urban, farm, and dinosaurs. The group will also have their workshop space open for visitors to drop in and see what they are working on and address future plans. Everyone is welcome to look around and ask questions! Learn more at shortline.org.

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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

FOOD DRIVE & JEWELRY FUNDRAISER FAIRE

The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC) will be hosting a curbside drop-off food drive on Thursday, May 5th from 1-4PM. Please bring non-perishable food items (no glass containers please) to the event hosted at the Club. While at the Club, find a special Mother’s Day gift! The AWC will be hosting a Jewelry Fundraiser Faire to benefit Club scholarships as well as projects to support the community. The Jewelry Faire will be held on Thursday, May 5th from 10-5pm and Friday, May 6th from 10-4pm. A huge inventory of designer jewelry will be 50% off and beautiful costume jewelry can be had for only $5. The Club is located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo. If you can’t make it to the food drive, please consider donating on-line at https://give.foodbankccs.org/team/310115. Each $1 donation provides for two meals! Covid safe protocols will be in place. All shoppers and staff are required to wear masks and distance while shopping.

ROTARY CLUB OF ALAMO TO SPONSOR PAPER SHREDDING AND E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

The Rotary Club of Alamo will sponsor a paper shredding and E-Waste recycling collection event on Saturday, May 14th. The event will take place from 9AM to noon in the parking lot of New Life Church, located at 2501 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. The cost of paper shredding is $10 per box, no limit. The cost for E-Waste will be $10 per item. Items accepted include televisions and electronics (except plasma and projection TVs), computers, and components. No appliances, mattresses, tires, batteries, household waste, or paint can be taken. For questions, contact Jack Thompson at 925-765-3749. Since its founding 50-years ago, the Rotary Club of Alamo has been supporting numerous local and international projects. The Club currently has 42 members. The Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Forli’s Restaurant in Alamo, and on the first and third Wednesdays the Club meets from 5:30-6:30PM at the Peasant’s Courtyard restaurant in Alamo. Bring a friend and stop by for Alamo Rotary mid-day, or at night!

HER SIDE OF THE STORY

TALES OF CALIFORNIA PIONEER WOMEN

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is presenting an exhibit that illuminates the hardships, joys, and life of pioneer women in California. These women will tell, in their own words the story of traveling by land and sea to settle in California prior to statehood. The exhibit will close on May 22nd. In 1900, The Association of Pioneer Women of California formed and collected the reminiscences of women who arrived in California before 1854 in a single ledger. This incredible document, filled with over 800 handwritten stories of California pioneer women, and in the collection of The Society of California Pioneers, is the basis for this exhibition. Together, the ledger and exhibition create a more complete and balanced understanding of our shared history, by highlighting the voices of women who traveled to California. The ledger, however, does not represent all women. As such, an important section of the exhibition is comprised of diverse portraits of unidentified women. These women represent the thousands of pioneers whose stories were never recorded; each one had a story to tell which is lost to time. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

IMAGINING HISTORY’S LOST VOICES: WOMEN OF THE GOLD RUSH

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is presenting a free online program on May 19th at 11:30AM titled “Imagining History’s Lost Voices: Women of the Gold Rush.” When gold was discovered in California, dreams of adventure and instant wealth made westward movement the all-consuming passion of the nation. “Go West Young Man” became the catch phrase of the era, but joining these young men were a hardy collection of women. Prostitutes and preacher’s wives, escaped slaves and society women, reformers, teachers, saloon keepers, cross dressers, criminals…the women of the Gold Rush helped shape the region and the nation, yet their stories have been largely forgotten. Who were Mary Ellen Pleasant, Georgiana Kirby, Mary Hallock Foote, and Madam Mustache? During this engaging one-hour lecture, Mary Volmer explores how the interplay of fiction and history allows for the compassionate reimagining of history’s lost voices. Ms. Volmer is a published author, college professor, and the Director of the Alta Mesa Center for the Arts. Her most recent books are Crown of Dust and Reliance, Illinois. To register for the free, online presentation, or for more information visit museumsrv.org (click on the ‘Events’ section), or call 925-837-3750. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM.

AAUW PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH LUCINDA JACKSON

LEADING AND FINDING SOLUTIONS: WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN OUR NEXT ACTS

Hosted by Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Lucinda Jackson will speak about empowering women in the workplace and in their “next acts.” She’ll give ideas for leading and overcoming gender barriers in careers and in post-careers. Learn how to take the strengths used in your career into planning and actualizing your next act! Lucinda is a scientist and business executive. She spent almost 50 years at three universities and four Fortune 500 companies before moving on to her next act. She experienced the unequal treatment of women in the working world that spurred her to write Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious. She has continued her story in Project Escape: Lessons for an Unscripted Life. Join in for a fabulous online Zoom meeting on Tuesday, May 10th at 7pm. Learn more and RSVP at https://daw-ca.aauw.net/2022may.

FRIENDS OF THE DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The Friends of the Danville Library will be hosting several pop-up used book sales to raise money for our local library! There will be books of all genres and for all ages. Most hardbacks will be priced at $2 and most paperbacks at $1. Recent publications will sell for $2-5. Cash and local checks only. The sale will be held indoors in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street, Danville. The room will provide greater spacing than large books sales allowed in the past. Upcoming book sale dates are May 21st and June 25th from 10am to 2pm each day. Come stock your shelves for spring-time reading!

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5

5% INTEREST RATES AND OUR LOCAL MARKET By Joe Gatti

On April 6th, the average national interest rate for a 30-year fixed-mortgage reached above 5% for the first time in over a decade (2011). What does this mean in hard numbers for buyers looking to purchase a house in our area? We will break down the purchasing power difference for a buyer to qualify for a home loan from a mid-January interest rate of 3.5% to a current interest rate above 5% and what seller’s can expect as we move forward in this new interest rate environment. On April 20th, 154 properties were available as active or coming soon on the multiple listing service for the greater Danville area which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon. Of those available, only 17 were priced at or below $1,200,000, with one property being a single family home and the rest being either duets, townhomes, or condos. For a pre-pandemic comparison, between April 1st and April 20th of 2019, 159 properties entered the market and 87 of those properties listed at or below $1,200,000, with 51 properties being single family and 31 being duets, condos, or townhomes. The median list price in April 2019 was $1,175,000, while now our local list price reached a median of $2,249,500,* showing the incredible amount of home equity that has built up in just the last three years! As for interest rates, in January buyers dependent on loan financing who were looking to purchase at $2,500,000 would have to be earning $28,350 a month in order to qualify for a 3.5% 30-year fixed-jumbo mortgage and have available funds for a 20% down payment of $500,000. A buyer who waited and is now calculating a 5.125% interest rate for this same loan type and income level would now be limited to considering properties at a new price ceiling of $2,065,000.** The caveat I would like to express is that buyers will have other options to pursue. It will require them to sit down with their lenders and re-evaluate down payment amounts and other avenues within loan structures and loan programs to find the most advantageous loan type and interest rate for them moving forward. With interest rates higher, what is the spring season outlook in our local real estate market? A potential seller who acquired their home prior to the pandemic has an incredible amount of equity built up if they’re considering selling in the following months of 2022. Housing inventory is still not matching the current buyer demand. The interest rate change upwards will force buyers to alter their loan criteria, which will take time for adjusting and reestablishing comfortable price ranges, along with what locations, neighborhoods, and home sizes will satisfy these changes. It is reasonable to expect with higher rates that the overall average time properties are active will increase compared to this time last year and multiple offer situations will occur, although not at the same competitive frequency as in 2021. Properties that are priced correctly when compared to current competition, and are prepared prior to entering the market with inspections, property disclosures, and interior/exterior enhancements for maximizing photography and showing appeal, will fare better. With that in mind, the price levels for sellers are as lucrative as they have ever been and it will remain a good time to sell in the greater Danville area. If you are considering moving in the near future, please reach out for a confidential consultation. Our services will provide a customized listing program and strategy that maximizes the value of your home in this market. I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 10 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 15 Railroad office in downtown Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you!

*Data taken from the MLS during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within the article. ** Loan calculations were provided by Richard Ma of Evolve Bank & Trust in San Ramon CA.

As Danville Natives, We Know Danville and the San Ramon Valley.

480 Veda Dr, Westside Danville M Ś à sV Ś Û /n s Ś à KoOp Ś ĝ Û Û Sold

Represented both seller and buyer. Dream Westside Danville Location! This home combines single-story Danville Rancher charm and pOoObO JBK^|BoM loWyBK| bOBo oOpsBtoBbspÛ pVdlpÛ ObsOosBWbaObsÛ pKVdd_pÛ BbM sVO odb dopO 2oBW_à

Joe Gatti Broker Associate 925.588.3590 DRE 01914487

Ron Gatti Broker Associate 925.596.1972 DRE 00623995

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137 Gaywood Rd, Westside Alamo

45 Corte Nogal, Westside Danville

M Ś sV Ś Û /n s Ś à Ś ĝ Û Û

Sold

Represented both seller and buyer. Truly one of a kind Westside Alamo home on .64 dT Bb BKoO _dsÝ 2VO aBWb VdaOĆp O{lBbpWyOÛ Bs JBK^|BoMÛ TOBstoOp pOlBoBsO KdssBUOpÚ Bb 3 îBllod{à /n sï BbM B +dd_ dtpOæ/stMWd îBllod{à /n sïà

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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 db_| BbM Wp KdalW_OM Toda pdtoKOp MOOaOM oO_WBJ_O Jts VBp bds JOOb yOoW OMà VBbUOp Wb loWKOÛ KdbMWsWdbÛ pB_O do zWsVMoBzB_ aB| JO aBMO zWsVdts bdsWKOà !d psBsOaObs Wp aBMO Bp sd BKKtoBK| dT Bb| MOpKoWlsWdbà All measurements and square footage are approximate.

PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

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ADAS PRESENTS OIL PAINTER KAREN LEONI

Kitten and Cat Adoptions Saturdays 11AM-3PM Petco 2005 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon All cats are indoor cats and will be spayed or neutered, receive FVRCP shots, feline testing, microchip

Learn more at feralcatfoundation.org

925-829-9098

“TOWN TALKS” WITH DANVILLE MAYOR ARNERICH

Danville’s Mayor, Newell Arnerich, continues the monthly “Town Talks with the Mayor” series on the first Friday of each month via Zoom. Community members are encouraged to join the discussions. Participants can ask questions using the chat feature or email questions ahead of time to towntalks@danville. ca.gov. Mayor Arnerich invites guests to discuss various topics of interest to Danville residents. Recordings will be available at www.DanvilleTownTalks.org/town-talks-with-the-mayor where you can find all the information for this program, including previous recordings. For more information, contact Diane Friedmann at 925-314-3378 or dfriedmann@danville.ca.gov.

DANVILLE COMMISSION VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT

The Town of Danville is looking for residents interested in serving on one of several commissions seeking new volunteers. The following commissions are in the process of accepting applications for two and four-year terms beginning July 1, 2022. • Bicycle Advisory Commission - Youth Commissioner (2 year term) • Bicycle Advisory Commission – 5 regular members (2 and 4 year terms) • Contra Costa County Library Commission – 1 regular and one alternate member (4 year terms) Applications are available on the Town website at www.danville.ca.gov/ Commission-Recruitment. The deadline to file an application is 4PM on Monday, May 16th. Applicants have the options to interview with the Town Council on May 31st and June 21st. For additional information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.

Join the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) for their May meeting with oil painter Karen Leoni on Tuesday, May 10th at 7:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. When Karen moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Atlanta, Georgia in 1989, she was immediately struck by the natural beauty that enveloped her and was inspired to return to drawing and painting from the world of photography. Karen noted, “I feel very fortunate to live in California surrounded by the magnificent landscape with its endless variety. Painting allows me to closely examine nature and I now notice everyday things that otherwise would have passed me by. Time slows down when you paint or sketch. It’s magical.” Karen works in both the oil and pastel mediums and believes that one enhances the other. Currently, she is primarily focusing on the figure and animals in the landscape and prepares by painting small studies outdoors in the plein air style. She believes that these studies improve the larger, finished pieces by enabling her to capture and recreate more accurate color and atmosphere. It also develops her “artist memory” when racing the clock and observing the rapid changes in light that only occur when painting plein air. Learn more about ADAS at https://adas4art.org.

DIABLO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT, WITH FLORENCE PRICE

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Diablo Symphony and a beautiful program that celebrates all mothers. The May 8th, 2PM show at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek features the pioneering work of African American composer Florence Price. The program opens with Price’s joyous “Symphony No. 3,” highlighted by beautiful melodies and sonorities in movements that combine musical idioms found in African, Romantic, and Modernist traditions. The third movement evokes a plantation Juba, a fast-paced dance involving “body percussion,” performed when slaves weren’t allowed to have instruments that might enable them to transmit secret codes. Fast, swirling triple-time themes in the fourth movement, titled “Scherzo: Finale,” portray ceaseless jubilance and demonstrate virtuosity in all orchestral sections. The program continues with two works featuring area soprano Heidi Moss Erickson. Antonín Dvořák’s “Songs My Mother Taught Me” is a lilting and wistful song speaking of a mother’s tears, memories, and influence. Samuel Barber’s masterpiece “Knoxville Summer of 1915” dreamily illustrates James Agee’s prose poem that remembers the comfort and security felt by a child surrounded by a loving family. The program concludes with a medley of numbers by legendary jazz musician, composer, and conductor Duke Ellington, including his famous “Sophisticated Lady,” written originally as an instrumental sketch of three grade-school teachers who, in Ellington’s words, “taught all winter and toured Europe in the summer. To me that spelled sophistication.” Words later added by Tin Pan Alley lyricist Mitchell Parish were approved by Ellington, even though they were “not entirely fitted to my original conception.” Ellington’s last words were said to be, "Music is how I live, why I live, and how I will be remembered," fitting words as we celebrate and remember through music the mothers in our own lives. Advance tickets are available at the Lesher Center Box Office (1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 925-943-7469) and at www.diablosymphony.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. Please call the Lesher Center or visit www.lesherartscenter.org for COVID-19-related requirements in place for event attendance on the date of the concert.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7

Join Us! Come say hello. A Locally Sourced Wine Tasting Series

1st Annual Red Blends of Napa

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Buying, Selling & Building the Best of the Bay.

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Q1 2022 Market Report ALAMO

DANVILLE

Median List Price

$3,024,400 Median List Price

Median Price of New Listings

$2,797,499

Median Price of New Listings

$2,895,000 $2,472,500

Price per Square Foot

$858

Price per Square Foot

$897

Average Days on Market

Median Days on Market

Price Decreased

Price Increased

Relisted

Inventory

Median Rent

$6,300

Median Rent

$3,600

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FLAG HEADING HOME

Members of the Library and Historical Collections Committee at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley are pictured holding a Yosegaki Hinomaru, a Japanese soldier's flag. During World War II, Japanese soldiers would return to their village with the flag before being deployed. Family and friends would write their names with messages of friendship, love, and hope. Typically, the flag would be worn around the soldier's head or waist. Understandably, it embodied emotional and spiritual significance. The flag pictured was likely obtained as a “souvenir” after the war by a U. S. soldier. Several years ago it was donated to the Veterans Memorial Building memorabilia collection by an unknown party. It is being turned over to the Obon Society of Astoria, Oregon to be returned to Japan as an act of reconciliation in hopes that it might be reunited with the surviving family. The Obon Society has scholars and researchers dedicated to the effort. The name of the individual has been identified with the date of December 1, 1943. The government of Japan lists 1,120,000 missing in action from WWII. If the flag can be reunited with the family, it is likely to be the first and only tangible connection to their loved one. Hopefully, it can provide some degree of closure. The library and military memorabilia collection are housed at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. It is open to visitors Monday-Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Docent-led tours are available. Learn more at vmbsrv.org.

DanvilleAlamo.com

VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) meet at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville except as otherwise noted. • American Legion Post 246 meets on the first Wednesday of each month at noon. For information, visit www.americanlegionpost246.org, email commanderpost246@gmail.com, or call 925-272-8480. • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM. For information, visit vmbsrv. org or email info@vfwpost75.org. • Viet Nam Veterans of the Diablo Valley meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. For information, visit http://vnvdv.org/index.html or call 925-838-6445. • Marine Corps League Detachment 942 meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30AM. For information, visit www.mcldet942.org. • Blue Star Moms Detachment 101 meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. For information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org or call 925-587-4037. • Bay Area Navy Nurse Corps Association holds two general meetings in June and December. For information, visit https://nnca.org, or email bannca@nnca.org.

VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU

The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience. Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets during open office hours for oneon-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon. Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have long-time experience connecting vets to critical services. For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.

PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

WOMEN WHO DARE!

ART BY WOMEN INSPIRED BY WOMEN FROM HISTORY AND TODAY

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Village Theatre Art Gallery has partnered with the Bay Area Studio Artists painting group (BASA) to show art by women, inspired by women, in an exhibition titled “Women Who Dare.” The exhibition will be on view at The Village Theatre Art Gallery located at 233 Front St. in Danville, from now until May 20th. “Women Who Dare” fittingly includes imagery portraying women who are recognized as trailblazers, leaders, and innovators of their time. Visitors to the gallery might recognize contemporary women and girls who dare to challenge societal norms to achieve their dreams in present times, as well as the familiar faces of influential women from history. The paintings range from colorful and lively portrayals to quiet and reflective renderings of women who cared deeply and lived boldly and bravely. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5PM, Saturday from 11AM to PM 3 , and Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The Art Gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Please visit www. danville.ca.gov/vtart to confirm hours and health guidelines, as these may change. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at 925-314-3467 or mnelsonbleier@danville.ca.gov.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

CATCH UP ON SOME “Zs”

SUMMER! By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, Junior

Summertime is finally on the horizon! It’s a carefree time where we can dip our toes in cold pool water on a steaming hot day. It’s also an exciting time where we can make plans to go on a road-trip with friends, or see a matinee showing of a movie we’ve been dying to watch. It can be a relaxing time where we can sleep in as late as we want without worrying about missing an alarm that we’re going to be late for school. Whatever it is, summer is such a great time to reset and rejuvenate. For me, May is both an exciting month and an extremely stressful one. On one hand, summer is almost here, but on the other, school is getting super intense. You might be thinking that the end of the school year should mean less work and worries, but alas, this is not true. May brings the dreaded finals, end– of-year projects, and AP testing. During this time, teachers begin to increase the homework amount with loads of review assignments so we can remember everything for testing. Once all of the finals and AP tests are complete, however, it’s smooth sailing from there, which is something to look forward to. Although I am very excited for summer, it has a bit of a sweet and sour tone to it this year. This is the summer before my senior year. That means I won’t get another summer in which I can look forward to reuniting with all of my friends, or comparing class schedules with them to see if we have any classes in common. I am looking forward to being a “top dog” at school though. It may sound cheesy, but it truly does feel like it was just yesterday that I was a scared little freshman just hoping to get to the correct classroom on time. Now it’s my last year. I remember going into high school and being told that the next four years would pass by in the blink of an eye. I thought everyone was exaggerating, but they most definitely were not. All in all, time really does fly by quickly. I’m thrilled that summer is so close, and I want to make it a summer to remember! I still get to see my school friends at the end of this summer, but at the end of next summer, we’ll all be off doing our own things; that’s why we have to cherish and enjoy this time to its fullest potential!

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9

MONTE VISTA HIGH

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

As Monte Vista (MV) enters the final few weeks of the school year, and with graduation looming, each day brings on another important milestone. Our return from Spring Break began on a sad note with the news that Bryan Jensen, beloved MV Biology teacher, had passed away from an aggressive form of cancer. Bryan’s love of his school community and his passion for science were huge inspirations to everyone he came in contact with. We will all miss him dearly. The entire MV community has been keeping Bryan’s family in their thoughts and prayers over the past months and we will continue to support them in any way we can. On May 2nd, MV students began two weeks of Advanced Placement exams which cover a variety of subject areas and disciplines. Students scoring well on these exams can enter participating colleges and universities with transferable college units that allow them to move past entry level college courses and directly into higher level classes. May 23rd through May 27th is Senior Week which will be followed by Finals Week May 31st through June 2nd. MV’s Commencement ceremony is set for Friday, June 3rd. On April 22nd, MV students participated in the Day of Silence which spreads awareness about the effects of bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students. The day culminated at the annual Gayla Prom which includes students from all across our district. The month culminated on April 30th with MV’s Senior Ball held at San Francisco City Hall. This is always an amazing event for our students, staff, and parents and we enjoy every minute. MV’s Visual Arts and Performing Arts programs aim to finish strong as they close out their 2021-22 seasons. MV’s Drama department was excited to perform the comedy The Whole Darn Shooting Match. MV’s Dance program will be held with their spring performances running May 11th through May 13th. MV’s Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Bands will perform their annual Spring Concert on May 24th and 25th and the Jazz bands will perform their Spring Concert on May 26th. Finally, MV’s Choir will be very busy in the closing weeks of the year. They sang the National Anthem at a recent Oakland A’s game and also hosted the Area Choral Festival. MV Choir will close out their year with their annual Pops Concert on May 20th and 21st. MV’s athletic teams are also enjoying excellent spring campaigns headlined by the Track and Field team which features record breaking performances from 400-meter runner Kate Peters, 110-meter runner Adam Wright, and Men’s and Women’s 1,600-meter relay teams. MV Stunt is also off to a strong start and is currently on top of the EBAL standings. MV Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Volleyball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Swimming, Men’s Tennis, and Men’s Golf are all currently in the hunt for EBAL and playoff spots with rivalry games just ahead. There should be a great deal of action for the Mustangs as they enter the NCS playoffs and beyond. MV’s students and faculty would like to thank our community for their support throughout the 2021-22 school year. I invite everyone from our community to come out and support MV’s students one more time as they complete another amazing year.

GO '10-8' WITH CHIEF SHIELDS

10-8

The Shelter in Place order prevented the Danville Police Department from continuing programs like Coffee with the Cops, which allowed police a chance to directly interact with the community in a non-threatening environment. Not to be deterred, Danville Police Chief Allan Shields comes to you via Facebook Live in a community program called “10-8.” “10-8” is the radio code every officer says at the start of their shift and every time they finish helping someone and are ready to help someone else. “10-8” seemed to be a great title for the weekly program to reinforce to residents and businesses that the officers in Danville are here in service to the community. Come join the “10-8” meeting every Wednesday at 5PM on Facebook Live. Each program will have updates on what is happening in the Town of Danville, crime prevention tips, and answers to viewer questions. Community members can email questions to mailbag@danville.ca.gov. Questions can also be asked in the comment section on Facebook Live. The Facebook page is “Danville Police Department.”

2022 HIKE FOR HOPE

The 2022 Hike for Hope fundraiser hike for Hope Hospice will take place on Saturday, May 14th at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Registration remains open through the event day, but interested parties are encouraged to sign up by April 15 for a T-shirt guarantee. Register at TheHikeForHope.com, or call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays from 9AM to 4PM. Money raised through registration and peer-to-peer supporting donations benefits patient care and helps keep grief support, dementia education, and family caregiver resources available to the public at no charge. The community’s participation helps Hope Hospice care for more than 2,000 East Bay neighbors each year. Route options (volunteer trail guides are stationed along the routes for safety) include a 2.6 mile easy out-and-back lakefront route that can be shortened to your comfort level, and 4.4 miles which adds a moderate incline loop. Start anytime between 8:30 and 9:30AM. When you finish, enjoy a free barbecue lunch sponsored by MCE Corp. A tax-deductible registration donation requested is $35 adult, for participants age 18 and up, $15 youth, for participants ages 13–17, and free for kids 12 and under (registration still required to get a shirt). A new $80 family package includes registration for two adults and two youth Hope Hospice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served the Tri-Valley and neighboring East Bay cities since 1980. HopeHospice.com. Tax ID 94-2576059.

DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE

Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage is installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.

PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

DISTRICT II CONCERTS IN THE PARK

By County Supervisor Candace Andersen

With events returning and summer approaching, concerts in the park are coming back. Several communities throughout District Two have put together a wide range of musical talents for everyone to enjoy. The concerts are held on different nights of the week, and the music reflects many different genres. The park settings and a picnic dinner are perfect compliments to an evening of music outdoors. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your own community or visit a new one! It’s also a nice way to support local businesses by purchasing your meal “to go” from one of our exceptional restaurants. ~ Alamo – Concerts are held at Livorna Park on Friday evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Call 925-313-2272 for information. • Friday, July 1 – Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys • Friday, July 15 – The Sun Kings (Beatles cover band) • Friday, July 9 – Fog City Swampers (Rock) ~ Danville – Concerts are held at Oak Hill Park (or on Town Green as noted), Saturday nights, 6PM – 8PM. Call 925-314-3400 for information. • Saturday, June 25 – Mad About You (Tribute to the ‘90s) • Saturday, July 9 – Flo (Latin rock) • Saturday, July 23 – CCSEGAR (Creedence Clearwater tribute) • Saturday, August 6 – Beat Frequency (Contemporary hits)* *Held at Town Green – 420 Front Street ~ Lafayette – Rock the Plaza (at intersection of Moraga Road and Mt. Diablo Blvd.) Friday nights, 6PM- 8:30PM. For information, visit lafayettechamber.org/rock-the-plaza. • Friday, June 3 – 925 Band (Dance and Party) • Friday, June 10 – Sona (Rock) • Friday, June 17 – Keep on Truckin’ (Grateful Dead cover band) • Friday, June 24 – Lamorinda Idol ~ Moraga – Concerts are held at Moraga Commons Park, Thursday nights, 6:30PM – 8:30PM. For more information visit moragaparks.org. • Thursday, June 9 – Midnight Flyer (Eagles tribute) • Thursday, June 16 – Juke Joint (Classic soul and R&B) • Thursday, June 23 – Beatles Flashback (Beatles tribute) • Thursday, June 30 – 3 Day Weekend (Classic rock and MoTown)

www.yourmonthlypaper.com • Monday, July 4 – House Rockers (Rock and soul)**7PM concert • Thursday, July 14 – Mixed Nuts (Hits from the 40’s to present) • Thursday, July 21 – Moonalice (Bay Area 60’s psychedelic rock) • Thursday, July 28 – Retroactive (Dance party) • Thursday, August 4 – Aja Vu (Steely Dan and Chicago tribute) ~ Orinda – Concerts are held at the Orinda Community Park on Thursday night from 6PM to 8PM. Call 925-254-2445 for information. • Thursday, June 2 – The Real Thing • Thursday, June 16 – Opera in the Park • Thursday, June 23 – EP Sax • Thursday, July 14 – Lamorinda Idol • Thursday, July 28 – Juke Joint (60’s and 70’s Classics) • Thursday, August 4 – West Grand Blvd. (Classic Motown, R&B, and Soul) • Thursday, August 25 – Grateful Bluegrass Band • Thursday, September 8 – 925 Band (Dance and party) ~ San Ramon – Concerts are held in Central Park on Sunday nights at 5:30PM. Call 925-973-3200 for information. • Sunday, July 10 –(Pop favorite’s 70’s – today) • Sunday, July 17 – Carnaval (Carlos Santana tribute band) • Sunday, July 24 – David Martin’s House Party (Ultimate party band) • Sunday July 31 – The Incident! (Bollywood music) • Sunday, August 7 – Maroon Vibes (Maroon 5 tribute band) ~ Walnut Creek – Concerts are held on the Rudney Plaza at Lesher Center on Thursday nights from 5:30PM to 7PM. Visit lesherartscenter.org for the most up to date information. • Thursday, June 30 – Cabanijazz Project (Latin) • Thursday, July 7 – Tom Rigney and Flambeau (Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, and New Orleans music) • Thursday, July 14 – T Sisters (Americana/Folk trio) • Thursday, July 21 – Sons of the Soul Revivers (Soul and Blues) • Thursday, July 28 – Meaghan Maples Have a great, safe summer. I hope you have a chance to take advantage of the free concerts with your family and friends in our wonderful communities. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of un-incorporated Walnut Creek. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.

SONS IN RETIREMENT

LAS TRAMPAS BRANCH #116

SIR Las Trampas Branch 116 continues to expand its social activities for semi-retired and retired men. Members live in Alamo, Danville, Concord, Lafayette, Moraga, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek. Come join the group to make new friends and social connections that are so important to have during retirement years. There are minimal dues and no major commitments; just a chance to forge new friendships and social connections and stay active. New members are welcome. Monthly meetings are held at Boundary Oak Golf Course. Save the date for the May 24th, Spring Fling! Crow Canyon Country Club will serve as the venue for this popular event that includes spouses and partners. Learn more at https://sirinc2.org/branch116. The robust and well organized nine-hole and 18-hole golf programs are in full swing. Play is at Boundary Oak and other courses in the area. Many members also hone their skills in golf clinics with individual attention from golf pro Pete Asselin at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. Why pay exorbitant country club dues when you can play with a great group of fellows for a lot less? There are two different book groups that meet monthly and enjoy a great time sharing ideas. A very active fishing group takes place with participation from SIR members in the area. The pickleball group meets at 9:30AM every Friday at Heather Farms Tennis Courts in Walnut Creek, and the third year of bocce ball starts in April. The bridge group currently meets every other Tuesday at 10AM at Diablo Country Club. Put on your shoes and take an easy hour-long walk every Friday at 9AM with the Amiable Amblers walking group. If you wish to learn more or become a member of SIR Las Trampas Branch 116, please visit https://sirinc2.org/branch116, or call 925-322-1160. Come join the group and have some fun!

SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128

Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement (SIR) San Ramon Valley Branch #128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. In-person luncheons occur on the third Wednesday of each month at 11AM at The Bridges located at 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. The next luncheon will occur on Wednesday, May 18th. The speaker this month will be Dr John Malloy, Superintendent of the San Ramon Unified School District. Dr. Malloy has an extensive background in education at all levels and is a fierce advocate for an equitable, accessible, quality public education. Dr. Malloy has a vision for learning that every student deserves a great education and that we have a responsibility to ensure that students feel connected and engaged. We must have high expectations and create spaces for teaching and learning that support students and staff in meeting those expectations. Join to learn about his plans for the future for this critical part of our community. SIR 128 offers its members many fun activities to participate in, including investing, book groups, fantasy football, technology, wine tastings, golf, bocce ball, bicycling, hiking, and more. If you’re interested in attending the luncheon/meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the group, visit www.SIR128.com.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

Fair continued from front page bidding on these animals and supporting or joining 4-H can email tassajara@ contracosta4h.org. The Fair will be held at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds located at 1201 West 10 t h St re et in Antioch. The Fair runs from Thursday, May 12th through Su n d ay, May 1 5 t h . C om e have a day of fun supporting our local youth and join in on the activities, events, and shows. For a Fair schedule and ot h e r i n for m at i on , v i s it Maya and her goat are ready for Fair! contracostafair.com.

CHROMATICA IS BACK. COME TO THE SHOW!

After a gap of more than two years, Chromatica, the popular Danville chorus, will showcase hits across the centuries at their May 7th concert. The concert will be at 7pm at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, located at 433 Moraga Rd in Orinda. Vaccination certificates and masks will be required. What do Mozart, Brahms, Bernstein, Paul Simon, Harold Arlen, Victor Young, and Lili Boulanger all have in common? They all wrote pieces that were huge hits in their time. From Brahm’s German Requiem with its lovely “Wie Lieblich…” to Paul Simon’s “Bridge over Troubled Water,” their music attracted large audiences and created special memories. Chromatica’s May 7 concert remembers these and a number of other pieces in unusual and expressive arrangements. Lili Boulanger, the younger sister of famed pianist and teacher Nadia Boulanger who died tragically young at 25 and won the prestigious Prix de Rome at 18, produced some extraordinary music. These concerts will feature her “Hymne au Soleil” (Hymn to the Sun) and “Renouveau” (Spring) that also include spectacular piano accompaniment featuring Julie Rieth, Chromatica’s outstanding accompanist. Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” sung in Hebrew, remain among his best choral works. “In Flander’s Fields” is a poignant ode to those who perished in the Great War. Add to these pieces popular toe tappers like “Ciao Bella Ciao,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “Twist and Shout” and Chromatica will again offer a unique program characteristic of its now 10-year history. Chromatica was founded in 2011 and now includes 20 men and women singers. Led by David P. Huff, an outstanding director and operatic tenor who has sung both in New York and San Francisco and accompanied by the exceptional pianist, Julie Rieth, it seeks to perform challenging pieces at a high level of professionalism. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children 10 and under are admitted free. For concert tickets and to find out more about Chromatica, visit www.chromaticachorale.org. Tickets for all concerts are also available at the door. For a more personal look, you can find Chromatica on Facebook.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Many of our neighbors cannot afford to feed and clothe themselves or their families. Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to serve the community are available at White Pony Express (WPE). WPE, founded by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner in 2013 and headquartered in Pleasant Hill, is a nonprofit that rescues fresh surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets. This nutritious food is then delivered free to organizations that feed the hungry. In addition, high-quality clothing, children’s toys, and books are distributed free of charge. Hundreds of volunteers make WPE possible. They volunteer because they believe in the mission and know they are helping others who have urgent needs at this critical time in their lives. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer or call Mandy Nakaya, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 925-818-6361 or email Mandy@ whiteponyexpress.org.

QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle

MUPPETS

Dreams really did come true for Jim Henson (19371991), creator of the famed Muppets. When discussing his motivation behind Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, Henson stated, “I wanted our audience to know that despite all the chaos, and despite our differences, there is nothing more fun than being together. From there, I never stopped creating and dreaming. In fact, the more we performed, the more fun we had, and the more my dreams grew bringing millions of people together. What can possibly be more magical than that?” Today, Sesame Street is watched by millions of people in over 150 countries and, at its peak, The Muppet Show was watched by over 235 million people per week. Who is your favorite Muppet? The question was asked recently on NPR’s Forum radio show and people responded with: Miss Piggy, Rowlff the Dog, Bert and Ernie, and, of course, Kermit the Frog. What I found interesting was why they loved their favorite Muppet. Invariably it revolved around how their chosen character taught them to be a better person or get through tough times or even how their moral compass was created by watching the often-hilarious antics of the lively ensemble. I discovered many details about Jim Henson in the bestseller Jim Henson by Brian Jay Jones, none so endearing as his relationship with his grandmother. Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, Jim was particularly close to his grandmother, affectionately called “Dear.” Dear could draw, paint, and was great with crafts and sculpting. She was also a seamstress whose skill “was the stuff of family legend.” Jim’s learned skills from Dear and his own innate talents were used when he later built, sculpted, and sewed his own puppets out of any material he could find. She instilled in him a “sense of genteel self-importance.” Author Jones writes, “It wasn’t arrogance, but simply a conviction that he (Jim) could do and be anything he wanted, a confidence and self-awareness that, for the rest of his life, family and colleagues admired and found reassuring.” What touched my heart was that Henson contributed his success to his beloved grandmother. A Henson documentary directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard in cooperation with the Henson family (he and his wife co-creator JaneAnn Nebel Henson had five children) is due out in 2022.According to a press release, the film will give audiences a first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches, and Henson personal diaries. I recently visited the Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited at The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) in San Francisco which features over 150 artifacts, including actual puppets, sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, costumes, and behind the scenes footage. Like anything featured at The CJM, the Jim Henson Exhibition is insightful and informative. Senior Curator, Heidi Rabben, noted, “While Henson himself was not Jewish, his life’s work and legacy beautifully reflect the core values of The CJM. Henson sought to create a better world on-screen, which allowed people from all walks of life to see parts of themselves reflected through these beloved characters. Henson’s enduring lessons around diversity, inclusion, representation, and coexistence continue to have a tremendously formative impact for children and families today.” The traveling exhibit Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is on view at The CJM through August 14th. The address is 736 Mission St., San Francisco. Their website is www.thecjm.org. Hours are Thursday-Sunday, 11AM-5PM. Linda Summers Pirkle is a long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13

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

ARTIST’S RENDERING

ACTIVE

PENDING

241 VILLAGE GATE ROAD, ORINDA 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,075 SF, 2,450 SF LOT

1338 HOMESTEAD AVENUE, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 1 BATH, 1,366 SF, 42,688 SF LOT

2173 PTARMIGAN DRIVE #1, WALNUT CREEK 2 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,212 SF, 0.03 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $689,000

1703 SAINT CHARLES STREET, ALAMEDA 2 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,103 SF, 0.05 ACRE LOT

MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380

OFFERED AT $1.465,000 MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL | 925.984.1344

OFFERED AT $1,499,000 EVA ELDERTS | 925.726.9409

OFFERED AT $959,000

PENDING

PENDING - REPRESENTED BUYER

SOLD

9695 ASHBY WAY, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,472 SF, 0.17 ACRE LOT

1470 DANVILLE BOULEVARD #6, ALAMO 2 BEDS, 1.5 BATHS, 1,072 SF, 0.013 ACRE LOT

158 GOLDEN RIDGE ROAD, ALAMO 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,553 SF, 0.19 ACRE LOT

817 ASHLEY LANE, WALNUT CREEK 6 BEDS, 4.5 BATHS, 5,200 SF, 0.47 ACRE LOT

OFFERED AT $1,449,000

OFFERED AT $689,000

SOLD FOR $2,080,000

SOLD FOR $4,120,500

BRYAN HURLBUT | 925.383.5500

MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380

SCOTT AND FONIA HUMPHRIES | 925.298.2249

DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047

SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER

2562 WALNUT BOULEVARD #54, WALNUT CREEK 1 BEDS, 1 BATH, 658 SF

5 HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD, LAFAYETTE 5 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,724 SF, 0.24 ACRE LOT

400 VERNAL DRIVE, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 3,698 SF, 0.22 ACRE LOT

2837 MIRANDA AVENUE, ALAMO 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 4,408 SF, 0.52 ACRE LOT

SOLD FOR $410,000

OFFERED AT $1,925,000

SOLD FOR $2,599,000

SOLD FOR $3,300,000

DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047

KORY MADGE | 925.366.9899

DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047

ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214

BONNE WERSEL 510.304.3303

BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500

DANI O’CONNELL 925.786.2176

REALTOR® | DRE#01177737

REALTOR® | DRE# 01173288

REALTOR® | DRE# 01347508

BROKER ASSOCIATE DRE# 01892167

KORY MADGE 925.366.9899

MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380

REALTOR® | DRE# 01345227

REALTOR® | DRE# 02067680

DRE# 01882902

WWW.DUDUM.COM

DANVILLE

MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL 925.984.1344 925.980.9952

SCOTT & FONIA HUMPHRIES 925.298.2249 925.998.4444

REALTORS® DRE# 00905114 / 01364056

REALTOR® / BROKER DRE# 02078065 / 01019063

WALNUT CREEK

LAMORINDA

BRENTWOOD

DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA 925.878.8047

EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409 REALTOR® | DRE# 02039328

REALTORS® DRE# 01979180 / 01979181

SUZY PECK 925.200.2988

WENDY RAMER 925.899.1989

REALTOR® | DRE# 01224695

REALTOR® | DRE#02013702

SIERRA TAHOE

©2022 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 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

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VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane SAN RAMON’S “HEY DAY” 1850-1915

San Ramon was an important little village in the 19th century. The community was located at the intersection of the county road and the “road down Crow Canyon” which went west to “Haywards.” In the 1980s, Sandee Wiedemann was the Landmark Chairperson for the San Ramon Valley Historical Society. Her family had ranched in San Ramon since the 1860s and appreciated the area’s history. She gathered information from an older pioneer daughter, Viola Lynch, and saw to it that an unusual Historical Society plaque about San Ramon was produced. At one point in the 1870s the village was dubbed Lynchville for pioneer William Lynch who had married Mary Norris. Their son Leo Lynch married the talented Minnie Coxhead and brought her to San Ramon where she learned to live in a rural setting. They raised nine children in an impressive and well-remembered house. Viola Lynch was one of their children, a “bright button” who loved living in San Ramon. In her later years after retiring as a teacher, Viola frequently wrote about the area. Many of her memories of the village are reflected in the “Hey Days” art piece. The incised steel art graphic was produced in 1989. It provides a line drawing of the San Ramon area from 1850 to 1915. Residences and orchards surrounded the classic San Ramon Grammar School, the San Ramon Hall (after 1911), the San Ramon General Store, the Chinese laundry, Thorup Shoe and Boot Store, a blacksmith, boarding houses, Methodist Church, the San Ramon Hotel, shelter for horses, saloons, picnic grounds, and train depot are included. The San Ramon Branch Line railroad track ended east of San Ramon. The tree-lined San Ramon Creek, which today flows under San Ramon Valley Blvd. and I-680 and turns north by a hay field, was once the Borel Ranch. A bridge on San Ramon Valley Road allowed travelers to get over the large San Ramon Creek. The Southern Pacific San Ramon Branch Line station is on the far right of the picture. Entitled San Ramon “Hey Day 1850-1915”, it was presented to the San Ramon Library Foundation by the San Ramon View of many San Ramon village buildings and people, Valley Historical Society at a meeting in the newly dedicated San Ramon Library on May 11, 1989. It is now located put together by Bill Fereira. C. 1990s at the Welcome Center at Forest Home Farms Historic Park located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

Have you done some recent home cleaning? Do you find yourself with paints and paint thinners, cleaning supplies, pesticides and garden-care items, batteries, motor oil and other automotive products, solvents, fluorescent tubes, personal care products, or unknown rusty containers that need safe disposal? The local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facility operated by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District is open with modified operations and offers this free service to residents. HHW drop-off is available at 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez from Monday-Saturday from 7AM until 2PM with no appointment needed. Drop-off appointments for small businesses can be scheduled. Learn about how to transport your items, as well as other instructions for bringing your items to be safely disposed of at www.centralsan.org/household-hazardous-waste-collection-facility.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within the community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address community issues of concern. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting meetings via Zoom. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more information, please email the Community Services Unit at csu@ so.cccounty.us.

SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 to provide its members with resources, assistance, and educational opportunities that help them successfully research their ancestry. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers monthly meetings of small groups with common interests to discuss their specific areas of research. Classes are offered for the beginning researcher and those interested in genetic DNA. You are invited to join the Tuesday, May 17th, 10am ZOOM meeting with a presentation by Dvorah Lewis entitled “Journey to the West: Genealogical Treasures at the Sutro Library.” Sutro Library, the California State Library branch located in San Francisco, has one of the largest genealogy collections west of the west (i.e. Salt Lake City). Sutro Library is not just the physical hub for the genealogy community, it is also a virtual hub. Come learn about the highlights of the genealogy collection, how to search online, and how to access the collections once on-site. Dvorah Lewis joined the California State Library in June 2017 as the Genealogical & Local History Librarian at the Sutro Library. She earned her Master’s in Library & Information Science at UCLA. Her passion for archives and genealogy was inspired by an interview with her Great Aunt Essie, the then eldest member of her family. She is excited to help researchers learn how to navigate the State Library’s extraordinary collections and resources. Dvorah feels that by preserving the past we can understand the present and bring positive change to the future. To become a member of SRVGS, visit srvgensoc.org and click on the “Join SRVGS” tab on the left side of the home page. To attend this meeting as a guest, please email your request to Steve Watty at president@srvgensoc.org.

To advertise call 925.405.6397

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15

Divorce Workshop

Are you considering a divorce, or in the midst of a divorce? Attend our live workshop and get insights from a Family Law Attorney, Marriage & Family Therapist, and a Financial Advisor.

Join us on the second Saturday of ever y month, from the comfor t of your own home, in a safe and no obligation online workshop. There is no better way to educate your self on the various options available to you as you work toward building a strategy for your future emotional and financial success.

Registration is required. To reserve your seat, and for more information, please visit www.secondsaturdayeastbay.org or email divorceteam@summitadvisor s.com. Hosted by Jeneen Slack, Financial Advisor, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ and Certified Financial Planner™.

Financial Advisors do not provide specific tax/legal advice and this information should not be considered as such. Please consult your tax/legal advisor regarding your own specific situation. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc. (“SFS, Inc”) Member FINRA/SIPC. Summit Financial Group (“SFG”) is independently owned and operated. 2000 Crow Canyon Place, Ste 450, San Ramon, CA 94583. Jeneen is a registered rep and investment advisor rep of SFS, Inc. Jeneen has purchased a license and been selected by Second Saturday (“SS”) to run the SS East Bay Workshops. Neither SFG nor SFS, Inc are affiliated with creator of SS workshops, WIFE.org. SFG and SFS, Inc are not affiliated with nor endorse any tax/legal or family therapy professional guest speakers. TR# 4423652 DOFU 3/2022

Canines continued from front page

presence of the dog helps people understand this is a medical situation. They’re a lot more inclined to be sympathetic or empathetic when they recognize that if there’s a child crying or sitting on the floor in the grocery store, it’s not necessarily because of misbehavior.” One evening when Eva’s parents had company for dinner, they failed to pay close enough attention to her continuous glucose monitor (CGM). But, Blue was on the job. The normally docile dog became intrusive, uncharacteristically barking for attention. A check showed Eva’s blood sugar level was very low. Teamed with EAC Fleur while in college, Emma earned her Master of Science in Nursing at Yale University, works as a Nurse Practitioner, and is completing board certification in Advanced Diabetes Management. Fleur first employed the innovative alerting maneuver now recognized by all of Emma’s colleagues one day when Emma had been in the examining room with a patient for 10 to 15 minutes. Excluded from Emma’s side, Fleur announced Emma’s low-trending glucose by nudging and staring at Emma’s medical assistant until she knocked on the examination room door and brought Emma to Fleur. Now everyone working with Emma knows how to respond when Fleur signals. “Without Fleur’s persistence in making my co-workers understand when I need an alert,” Emma notes, “I might miss seeing 2 or 3 patients while I recover. With Fleur’s timely intervention, I am able to grab a juice box or a snack and go right back to work.” Asked about her goal as a new member of the EAC Board, Emma responds, “I am still trying to define my role. As a medical professional, I Emma celebrates her graduation with EAC Fleur. Photo hope to expand the community of people invested in our cause.” courtesy of EAC. Award-winning author Devin was diagnosed with T1D at age 14. Living alone before she had a CGM or insulin pump was nerve-racking. “When my blood sugar level drops very quickly or below a certain threshold, it becomes difficult to walk, see, or think clearly. My family was terrified that I would have low blood sugar in the middle of the night and never wake up from it.” Carol Edwards partnered Devin with her first Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD). Describing how a DAD improves life, Devin writes: “It means you can treat hypoglycemia before it becomes painful, debilitating, and dangerous. It means you can go to sleep without fear.” Dogs don’t live forever. Devin felt her first DAD was irreplaceable. Then, while helping with transitional fostering, which places EAC canine trainees in homes with a Type 1 Diabetic, Devin discovered EAC Jada. Dogs use samples at the training facility. “Think of it like looking for a flashlight beam in a dark room,” Devin explains. “When they’re in our homes, the scent is so much stronger -- now it’s a halogen bulb right in front of them.” “Good Dog!” EAC Krissy alerts correctly on a Jada convinced Devin that all EAC-trained dogs engender the same feelings “of being cared for and watched scent sample in training. Photo by Zella Urmson Photography.

See Canines continued on page 16

PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

LIVING TRUST – CONTINGENCY PLANNING

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

When establishing or reviewing a Revocable Living Trust, some difficult decisions must be made. The difficulty can be magnified if you have children. Of course, these decisions should be made only after ample consideration and discussion with your estate planning attorney. Many challenging Trust issues involve contingencies. Fortunately, lawyers receive extensive training in identifying and addressing contingencies – asking clients “what if…?” questions. Life doesn’t always go as planned, so it’s myopic and irresponsible to forego meaningful contingency planning. This article cannot begin to outline all of the various contingencies that should reasonably be covered in a Trust; rather, I’ll present just a few that are typically important. If you have children, a high-profile contingency involves what would happen if, tragically, you die when one or more of your children (and/or grandchildren or other loved ones who are your Trust beneficiaries) are minors or young adults? Conventionally, a Trust provides that, regardless of a beneficiary’s age, the trustee shall distribute to the child funds for the child’s basic needs. But, most people want remaining assets to be distributed outright, no strings attached, at some point - e.g. 50% when the child reaches age 25 and the balance at age 30. In some situations, particularly when robust creditor and/or spousal protection is necessary or desirable, a Trust is structured to continue throughout a child’s lifetime, with no mandatory age for distribution of principal. Everyone has different life experiences, assets, philosophies, perspectives, and wishes. The best answer is simply the one that feels right to you as a parent. Another contingency that can be worrisome is who shall receive the share of your Trust that was to go to your child if, god forbid, that child dies before you do? If you are like most people, you want a predeceased child’s share to

www.yourmonthlypaper.com be divided equally among his/her children (i.e. your grandchildren), if any. But, that convention should not be followed blindly. A related question is how, if at all, do you want to provide for your current and/or future daughters-in-law and/or sons-in-law (or possibly, domestic partners) in the event a child predeceases you? Your answer may depend on your situation. For example, it might be very different in each of these two scenarios: a) you have minor or young adult children, none of whom are currently married; or b) you have one or more children who are in longterm marriages - in which case, your decision may further depend, at least in part, upon how you feel about their spouse(s). Given the high divorce rate and/or other factors, you may decide that it’s safer or more conservative to “keep it all in the bloodline” (i.e. not give any contingent share to sons-in-law or daughters-in-law). You might reason that having your grandchildren inherit from you would indirectly benefit your predeceased child’s spouse anyway because his/her own assets could then be deployed exclusively or primarily for himself/herself instead of being needed by his/her children. On the other hand, some clients provide, occasionally without hesitation, that some or all of a predeceased child’s share would go to that predeceased child’s spouse. In those cases, I suggest adding the condition that, at the time of the child’s death, the child and his/her spouse were “living together as a married couple.” If you are inclined to proceed as such, your comfort level may be higher because you believe that your grandchildren will ultimately receive a satisfactory share of your assets – by inheriting whatever remains upon the subsequent death of your son-in-law or daughter-in-law. In any event, careful contingency planning should be an important component of all Trusts. |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, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, 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

Canines continued from page 15

over and not in this alone.” She writes: “There’s a world of difference between suddenly realizing you feel so bad you must be having a horrible hypoglycemic event and feeling fine but having a sweet dog you love suddenly put a paw in your lap and look up at you with urgency and devotion. The former feels awful and unsustainable. But the latter is charming. You get a juice box and go back to work and the dog gets a Cheerio, and everyone is happy.” Kathleen concurs. “Dogs are not judgmental. They don’t use negative words. When a person says ‘test’ the implication is there’s something that can be failed or passed. When Ransom alerts me that my blood sugar level is trending out of range, it’s a positive reinforcement to manage the situation.” Kathleen praises the entire EAC experience. “The organization’s attention to detail is remarkable. EAC supports you every step of the way from the lengthy application that helps match you with the right dog to the two weeks of intensive training before you graduate with your new canine partner. Thereafter EAC is always available to answer questions and help with concerns. I can pick up the phone anytime and get an immediate response from Carol Edwards or Beth Snow. Their advice before traveling, including studying the airport’s map to find the pet relief area and taking time to adjust your dog’s meal schedule, is invaluable.” Whenever Kathleen needs time away without EAC Ransom, care from fostering folks who love him is provided. Fostering is a key part of EAC’s success. While in training, EAC Jada puts a paw on Devin's lap and gives her every dog goes home to a loving environment every night. Long loving look to warn of a trending change in her blood term fosters run from a week or two to a few months. Short term sugar level. Photo courtesy of EAC. fosters provide homes for a weekend or weekday. EAC supplies everything needed for feeding and care. Raised by Canine Companions and Guide Dogs for the Blind, pups come to EAC around age two as trained service dogs deemed to be better suited to EAC’s mission. For example, a dog intrigued by every scent encountered may be a poor Guide Dog, but an excellent DAD. Danville resident Nancy Crawford loves fitting fostering for EAC into her busy career as a realtor. “Each dog has his/her unique personality, but all are well-trained when they come into our homes. They fit seamlessly into my working life and off work activities. These dogs come everywhere with us. Whether that is hiking, going to Kathleen praises the ongoing support she and a restaurant, traveling, or just hanging out. They are easy to live with.” Ransom receive from EAC. Photo by Zella Urmson Photography.

See Canines continued on page 26

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BUSINESS OWNER EXIT

BUILDING SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL WEALTH AND EXITING AS AN ABSENTEE OWNER By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Waldron Partners

“Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time.” ~ Margaret Bonnano Last month we continued our three-part series on the topic of how to successfully exit your business. There are three ways to do this: establish a succession plan, create a market to sell your business, or build substantial personal wealth. Each of these options has various ramifications. In part one of the series, we discussed succession planning, and in part two we talked about selling your business on the open market; however, sometimes getting out these two ways isn’t possible, so what then? The answer is to build substantial wealth and exit as an absentee owner. This month we will lay out one possible way to pursue personal wealth freedom and an infrastructure that lets you separate yourself from the business. First, it is important to recognize that many business owners struggle to remove themselves from the daily activities of the business. They are frequently stuck in a rut of being the only person that others count on to answer questions and solve problems. This generally accompanies the mentality that no one else can do the job as good as they can, which can be the result of not training employees properly or hiring ones that are not capable of the complexities of their role. Either way, this type of mentality limits the owner, making it harder to step away. The idea should instead be that you must work on your business, not in your business. Once that mentality has changed, the first thing to consider is how you are looking at the financials of the business. For example, are you adding assets/liabilities to the balance sheet or are you focusing on generating net income? As a business owner, building your balance sheet inside the business can help weather storms (cash/line of credit), grow top-line revenue (business acquisitions/equipment purchases), and reduce taxes (depreciation/amortization), with the main result being that your business holds your wealth. This isn’t a bad thing, but in the context of this article, if you want to build substantial personal net worth, you need to increase your net income and draw dollars out of the business (retained earnings can be a great way to take out tax-free dollars). The money that is taken out of the business will ensure that you no longer need to financially rely on the business and will potentially reduce the risk in your overall wealth allocation. These extra dollars should be used for buying real estate (that can be leased back to your business or other), investing in the stock market, or any other activity designed to increase your personal net worth in a way that can replace your income in the future as you step away from the business. Stepping away from your business is not as easy as just building your personal net worth. You will also need to build a team of competent people (or a person, depending on your company) to run the business while you are off enjoying your time. This team can be built from within, but it is often necessary to bring in outside folks for unique talents that might not already be found within your current employee base. The transition from you to the team will require time as you facilitate training and the creation of new processes. Additionally, it is important to consider adding long-term incentive programs for some or all your employees (depending on your company). The benefit of adding long-term incentives to your compensation is that it will provide employees with a sense of ownership in company outcomes. The mental migration from essential, active business owner to absentee business owner with a competent team can be difficult. As we mentioned, it takes a mindset switch from working in your business to working on your business. You will also need to drive dollars from your business to your personal balance sheet to diversify your risk and income production. The addition of a competent team that is trained and incentivized will be the final step in your structured exit from the business. The time you will have as a passive absentee owner will help you fulfill your personal life goals without the burden of being the only person to solve all the business problems. I hope that this three-part series was helpful to the business owners out there who want to leave their business with time left to enjoy the fruits of their labor. “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” ~ J. Paul Getty To schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, please contact me at 925-708-7397 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Waldron Partners, 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 190 PO Box 528, Alamo, CA 94507. Waldron Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. Insurance is offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., and other fine companies. This material is for use with the general public and is designed for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or direct investment advice. Lincoln Financial Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice. CRN-4576552-031922 Advertorial

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17

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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

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Gem continued from front page

and sheep and produced bounteous crops from the fertile soil. As the urban population of the valley grew, the creek changed from a meandering stream with large pools to the channelized and flood-controlled creek we know today. The stream banks were generally more gradual with wetlands in many areas. The changes in the creek and much added impermeable surfaces (roads, roofs, parking lots) have caused irreparable damage to viable trout and salmon habitat. Despite intense urbanization, the creek still supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem including the familiar larger animals such as coyotes, deer, and otters, and also fish, insects, and myriad microscopic species living in the mud under the creek. The wet sediment under the creek is called the hyporheic zone and is sometimes referred to as the “liver of the river,” meaning it can cleanse pollutants and supply nutrients to the Otters enjoying the creek near Hap Magee park. stream. Ecosystems that occur alongside water ways (streams, rivers) are called riparian areas and they play a vital role in our environment. Riparian vegetation can remove excess nutrients and sediment from surface runoff and shallow ground water, shade streams to optimize light and temperature conditions for aquatic plants, fish, and other animals, and also help stabilize stream banks and reduce floodwater velocity. In urban areas, creek ecosystems are threatened because the creeks are conduits for products such as fertilizers, pesticides, soaps, and oils that get carried into the creek from road, driveway, and garden runoff. Thankfully, our efficient town and county waste disposal system, and conscientious citizens, protect the creek from much of the obvious visible pollution such as plastic bottles and paper products, but common household chemicals do cause pollution in the creeks, often unknown and unintended by those who use them. “Friends of San Ramon Creek,” a local group of volunteers, have commenced monthly measurements of the creek water to monitor its health. The data from this project is fed to a nonprofit Bay Area water quality monitoring program called, “The Watershed Project.” Visit https://app.thewatershedproject. org to learn more. The group’s measurement sites stretch from Crow Canyon in San Ramon to Livorna Road in Alamo. Measurements are taken of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, nitrate concentration, turbidity, and specific conductivity (an indicator of dissolved material). The quality of the water in the creek is surprisingly good considering the density of the suburban population. The dissolved oxygen concentrations range from 4 to 12 mg/l which is acceptable for most species to survive. To put this in perspective, fresh water at sea level and a temperature of 77F has a saturation dissolved oxygen content of 8.2 mg/l. Oxygen levels vary with temperature, altitude, salinity, and the presence of decaying organic matter. Nitrate concentrations are in the general range of 0.5 to 4.0 mg/l which is below the drinking water standard of a maximum of 10 mg/l. A significant source of nitrates in the creek is garden fertilizer. As any camper knows, even in the high Sierras, humans should not drink any stream water unless it has been treated. The town of Danville and other County governments are required to report each year on their projects to reduce runoff to the creek as part of the

See Gem continued on page 22

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19

TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

HOME AUTOMATION REVIEW By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

I am a tinkerer at heart, and I’ve not been able to resist adding several network-connected conveniences to my home. I added up the gizmos in operation here, and the count is now in excess of 30. Sometimes they work out well, while others have been a waste of money. I don’t suffer products that either don’t deliver or that demand to be constantly fiddled with. I can’t stand unreliability. As such, below you’ll find a curated list of products that have found their way into our home. Wemo smart outlets and wall switch. Wemo is made by Belkin, an experienced manufacturer in the networking and cable markets. These products started out rough, but through a lot of updates Belkin has managed to work out the bugs so that they’re reliable. I have 18 all over the house, mainly controlling lights throughout the day, including some of my outdoor house lights. I use one to turn on my 3D printer equipment and another to turn on (off) all the lights in my office. A few of them are offline because they control my indoor and outdoor Christmas lights, as well as the Christmas tree. I have found the Wemo and it’s iPhone app to be reliable and worth the money. MySpool Mailbox Alert. This is one of my favorites and an extremely useful tool. I’ve written about it here before. This tells us when our mailbox is opened, so that our mail never sits unattended for long. We’ve received alerts in the middle of the night, when I’m certain no mail carriers are delivering… Nest (Google Nest). We have two Nest thermostats and several Nest cameras I mainly use for monitoring our brood of foster kittens. I have been a big fan of Nest thermostats for years, long before Google bought them. I still love Nest, but I’m not happy about Google limiting the choices available for adding cameras to the Nest app. Basically, they’ve dumbed down

the cameras they sell, and you can no longer add any camera you buy from Google into the Nest app. Of course, they don’t tell you this anywhere in the documentation or on the box. Instead, Google wants you to use their “Google Home” app for viewing your cameras. In my opinion, while the Google Home app has all of the camera controls you’d want or need, the app is inconvenient to use and a poor substitute for the way the Nest app presented previews of the cameras in your account. Anyway, I still love Nest, but the jury is out on what we’ll be doing with cameras in the future. Dang it, Google, you screwed it up! Amazon Alexa Dot, Home, Show, and Google Home. So much has been written about the Alexa Dot and Google Home units. I’ll just say the primary uses for our Alexa are to set a verbal timer in the kitchen, to alert us when someone comes to the two Ring doorbells, and to give commands turning on or off lights. (E.g., Alexa, turn on “office.”) Questions and opinions concerning privacy, snooping, etc. are for another article, another time. Rain Machine (sprinkler controller). This device has been invaluable! We have a big yard. There are 12 sprinkler circuits and hundreds of little low-flow water outlets for our plants. They require repair every year. Testing these requires patching a hole or replacing a tip, then briefly turning on the water to see if it works. I would walk 10 miles if I had to walk to the garage every time I needed to test a sprinkler! Instead, I open the app on my iPhone and can turn on any of the circuits for however long I choose. Of course, all of the circuit watering schedules are easily programmable. It has connections to NOAA or other local weather providers so it doesn’t water when it is raining or run the sprinklers when there is a freeze. Roomba vacuum and Eufy Home vacuum robot. It’s important to keep our busy home free of fur and detritus from having kittens, cats, and a dog wandering around. Both of these units have been great. I only use the iPhone app to setup the vacuum schedule or when it sends me an alert to say it’s stuck or to empty the dust bin. Otherwise, I ignore them and they work great. The Eufy is a lot quieter than the Roomba, so that is the one I’d recommend. If you use any of these or have questions about other products not listed, feel free to email me at info@pcioit.com or call 925-552-7953. Advertorial

LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Alamo and see current meeting dates and times, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvrotary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-6836310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:30PM-6:40PM. For more information, call 925-998-2924. Rotary Club of San Ramon meets via Zoom every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm. For more information, visit sanramonrotary.org, or email chris@gallagherwealth.com, or call 925-831-3043.

DANVILLE LIONS CLUB

The Danville Lions Club meets at 5PM on the first Tuesday of the month and also at 6:30PM on the third Wednesday of the month. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The group is a dinner-time club and meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings in Danville. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ danvilleca to learn more or contact Club president Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.

EXCHANGE CLUB

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant, located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $20 for members and first time guests and $23 for returning guests. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.

KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.

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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

CLIP NOTES

By Jody Morgan

Long before humans understood the role trees play in sequestering carbon, purifying water and hosting many of the organisms essential to earth’s food webs, people accorded magical powers to several types of trees. Known colloquially as the May (also whitethorn, quick thorn, and simply thorn), hawthorn trees figure prominently in folklore. They are associated with death as well as life, ill-fortune in one circumstance but good luck in another. By the time the ancient practice of dancing around a hawthorn tree was superseded by an elaborately choreographed performance around a beribboned maypole, ancient pagan beliefs were so intertwined with Roman celebrations of spring and popular village traditions that bringing in the May meant much more than simply harvesting flowering branches on May Day Eve. Although superstitions extend far beyond scientific explanations, the association of hawthorn with death actually makes sense. “The blossoms are glorious to the eye, but an offence to the nose, smelling as they do of fish, and not fish in prime condition,” John Wright notes in A Natural History of Hedgerows. “The culprit here is trimethylamine, a chemical product of animal decomposition.” Often compared to the putrid odor of plague victims, hawthorn blossoms were never to be brought into the home except on May Day on pain of inducing disaster. Still the major component of hedgerows in the British Isles, hawthorns grow quickly, sucker freely to fill in gaps and arm themselves with thorns that keep livestock on their own side of the barriers. “The blossoms light the hedgerow in spring and the berries glow in the sunrises and sunsets of autumn.” Solitary trees serendipitously seeded by wildlife are considered fairy trees, guarded by supernatural beings as gateways between this world and the “other world.” Woe unto anyone who interferes with their well-being. In Discovering the Folklore of Plants, Margaret Baker offers several examples of the unfortunate consequences of cutting short a fairy tree’s life. “At Redmarley Farm, Acton Beauchamp, Worcestershire, the farmer, annoyed by sightseers,

RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN & NURSERY GALA

This year marks 50 years since Ruth Bancroft began planting her world-renowned garden located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek. Join in for the 50 year, Golden Jubilee Gala! The Gala will include a silent auction, Fund-aNeed live auction and the presentation of the Gardeneer award which recognizes an individual’s outstanding support of the Garden. The Gala takes place Friday, May 13th beginning at 5:30pm. The event will be held outside in the Garden and will consist of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts by Classic Catering, live music with Four and More, and dancing. If you can’t make it in person, attend virtually! You can watch the festivities unfold while helping support the Garden from the comfort of your own home. Get tickets for in-person or virtual attendance at www.ruthbancroftgarden. org/garden-gala-2022.

chopped his tree down. Retribution came swiftly. He broke first his leg, then his arm, and finally his farm burned to the ground.” “When firewood ran short one winter at Berwick St. John, Dorset, Walter Grove, son of the manor house, is said to have cut down an old thorn standing on an earthwork. The horrified village soon found no chickens would lay, no cow calved, and no babies were conceived. When the tree was replaced everything quickly returned to normal.” Baker also cites examples of hawthorns used as lucky charms. A hawthorn sprig tucked into a hatband protected the wearer from lightning strikes. A blossom plucked on May morning and placed on the cowshed door safeguarded the milk supply. Hawthorns in the hedgerow kept the bad fairies away and hence farmstock flourished in any field with a hawthorn bush. Taking a step back in history, Ruth Binney notes in Plant Lore and Legend that to ancient Greeks, May blossoms were a symbol of luck for newlyweds. Romans brought their reverence for Flora, goddess of flowering plants and Queen of Spring, to blend with Celtic May Day traditions. Binney asserts Robin Hood and Maid Marion feature in legend as the first King and Queen of the May. She writes: “On May 1 the prettiest girl in the village is chosen as the May Queen or Bride and sits near the maypole swathed in flowers, especially May blossom. Wreathed in greenery (usually oak and hawthorn boughs) with only his face visible, the May King, also known as Jack-in-the-Green, first feigns death then jumps up to dance with her, mimicking nature’s renaissance.” Although practices varied from region to region, May Day everywhere marked the mid-point between the Vernal Equinox and the Summer Solstice until the old-style Julian calendar was replaced by the new-style Gregorian calendar. Much of Europe embraced the change in 1582, but England and her colonies didn’t do so until 1752. The shift corrected a major error in solar reckoning, but also meant that the May tree tended to bloom much later than May 1st. Baker relates that any Suffolk servant able to bring in a flowering hawthorn branch on May Day morning thereafter won a dish of cream for breakfast. Originally a living tree, the maypole evolved over the centuries into a symbolically painted post and eventually sometime in the late 17th or 18th century into a pole topped with colorful ribbons. The earliest known painting of dancers weaving the strands together dates from 1759.

EBRPD TRAILS CHALLENGE

Every year over 10,000 people participate in the free, selfguided hiking and bicycling programs to explore the East Bay regional parks and to keep fit outdoors. The 29th annual Trails Challenge is sponsored by the Regional Parks Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). The 2022 Guidebook includes 20 detailed trail descriptions available for all levels of fitness. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and some trails are wheelchair accessible. To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles of trails within the EBRPD. You can submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2022 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. All 20 featured trails are available on the AllTrails app. Download the free app, sign up, and log in. Then go to www.alltrails.com/lists/ebrpd-trails-challenge-2022 and click on “Copy to my lists,” followed by “Continue in App.”The featured trails will show under ‘Lists’ in ‘Plan.’ The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos and comments with other park users. Visit www.ebparks.org/trails-challenge to download the Trails Challenge Guidebook, trail maps, Log Form, or to submit your Log Form.

MT. DIABLO BRANCH CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB

Grant Faulkner, joining the meeting on Zoom, will present “The Power of Writing with Abandon” at the in-person and Zoom meeting of the Diablo branch of the California Writers Club to be held on Saturday, May 14th, at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, located at 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Check-in begins at11AM, followed by Writers Table at 11:15AM, lunch at noon, a short business meeting at 12:45PM, followed by the speaker from 1PM-2PM. Faulkner will address one of the biggest obstacles any writer faces: finishing a first draft. National Novel Writing Month has generated one of the most effective approaches to writing a first draft, and reaching new creative heights. This session will cover the power of diving in and connecting with others in a creative community. Faulkner will discuss how to banish our inner editor, take creative risks, set an audacious goal and a deadline, track daily progress, and connect with others. Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of “100 Word Story.” He’s published several collections of 100-word stories, and two books on writing Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo, and Brave the Page, a teenage writing guide. He co-hosts a podcast, “Write-minded.” Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @grantfaulkner. To register for in-person or Zoom attendance visit cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting.

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THE EYE OPENER

MAY IS HEALTHY VISION MONTH By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

Since May is national healthy vision month, I thought it was a good time to write about actions that our patients can take to ensure their eyes are as healthy as they can be. Even though this list is not all inclusive, the more important topics will be addressed. The most important thing to do for your eyes is to have an annual comprehensive eye examination. In addition to assessing vision to determine any needed eyewear or contact lenses, the health of the eyes is evaluated. Tests such as visual fields, pupil function, and ocular motilities are used to determine any optic nerve or neurological deficits. Tonometry is conducted to measure the pressure in the eye which is a factor in diagnosing glaucoma. Examining the front portion of the eye with the microscope allows detailed viewing of the cornea and conjunctiva to ensure healthy tissue. One of the most important tests that needs to be conducted is dilation (as required) or retinal screening tests. These include Optomap, which takes a wide-field digital image of the retina, and OCT which takes an in-depth look at the specific layers of the retina and optic nerve to look for any irregularities or pathology. Most people do not like dilation because of the light sensitivity and decreased reading ability that occurs for a short-time after the procedure. However, it can give invaluable information about eye and overall health. By being able to see the entire retina through a dilated pupil, all the structures of the retina including the optic nerve, macula, and the blood vessels can be evaluated. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cataracts, retinal holes and tears, and macular degeneration can either be diagnosed and/ or monitored through dilation and OCT. In addition to your overall medical care, for most patients, including children, we recommend dilation and the retinal screening tests to be part of your yearly examination. It is important to maintain good eye health. It is also equally (if not more) important to maintain your overall health. It has been shown that people with vision impairment are also more likely to suffer from diabetes, heart problems, strokes, and depression. Even though some conditions are genetic and are not

May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21

brought about by any personal direct action, it is nonetheless extremely important to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Eating foods rich in antioxidants (i.e., green leafy vegetables) and omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., fish), maintaining a healthy weight, and stopping or not starting smoking, will go a long way in maintaining overall health. Since the retina requires a large blood supply, many issues that can affect blood and blood flow will manifest themselves in the back part of the eye. The need to protect the eyes during sports activities and during home activities such as yard or garage work, or any potentially harmful work-related activities is another way for the eyes to remain healthy. Any blunt trauma, foreign body, or chemicals in the eye can cause permanent vision loss. In addition, UV exposure can lead to early cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium growth (yellowish raised lesions on the eye which tend to get red and dry). Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, especially for children, can help mitigate the harmful rays from the sun. Most types of vision loss can be prevented or reduced by doing the things mentioned above. Knowing your family’s medical and ocular history is also a tool that you can use to help combat these conditions. If you are aware of hereditary eye issues, being educated regarding the signs and symptoms of the condition can help with early care and treatment. Generally speaking, the more you take care of your body, the more your body will take care of you. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Advertorial Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.

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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

Gem continued from page 18

ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)

By Roger Smith, President

SPRING CELEBRATION AT YOUR ALAMO FARMERS’ MARKET!

The Alamo Certified Farmers’ Market and AIA will be sponsoring a Spring Celebration on Sunday, May 15th from 9am to 2pm. There will be a Kid’s Zone with games and prizes, balloon artists, and Diablo Pacific Short Line Railroad demonstrations as well as a drawing for a basket of goodies from the Market! Taste of Texas BBQ and Old Fashioned Kettlecorn will be joining the event in addition to the regular season return of Resendiz Family Farms, Alpine Blue Blueberries, fresh cherries and stone fruit, and all of the other vendors you have come to know and love! Mark your calendars, join in the festivities! Please check out the Market’s Facebook (alamocfm) and Instagram pages (@alamocfm) for continued updates and information. There will be plenty of free parking, music, and good times! The Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.

ENVISION CONTRA COSTA 2040

Envision Contra Costa 2040 is a comprehensive review and update of the County’s General Plan. The process began in late-2018 and the final document will be adopted in late-2022. What is a General Plan? State law requires each city and county in California to prepare and maintain a general plan. A jurisdiction’s general plan serves as its “constitution” for decisions concerning land use planning and expresses a community’s long-term vision for its future development. All decisions on planning matters (re-zonings, subdivisions, use permits, etc.) must be consistent with the adopted general plan. To provide input and learn about the process visit envisioncontracosta2040.org.

811 – “CALL BEFORE YOU DIG”

Do you want to avoid spending a day in the dark? It’s as simple as dialing 8-1-1. Call 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing. Your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig and, in a few days, they’ll send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes, and cables, so you’ll know what’s below and be able to dig safely. Always call 811 before you start any digging project to avoid injury, expense, embarrassment - and a very inconvenient day in the dark. For more information on your local One Call Center, or to make an online request for utilities to be marked (where available), visit www.call811.com or call 811 or 800-642-2444.

AIA SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

Watch for your upcoming AIA 2022 Annual Report, ballot, and membership form in the mail, then complete and return it to AIA, P.O.Box 156, Alamo, CA. 94507. Now in its 67th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!” Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local residents, membership forms, and more. Don’t be left out, now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA!

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Street sweeping is an important activity that reduces the potential for toxic particulates to be carried to the creek by water run-off. Trash collection by local volunteers also helps prevent that waste from entering the streams. Irrigation of the town’s parks is carefully monitored. Most new construction must comply with the most recent storm water treatment regulations which often requires inclusion of vegetated areas or subsurface filtration systems to filter water run-off from roads, parking lots, and roofs before the water enters the creek. What can residents do to be good stewards of the creek? Understand the sources and fate of home generated pollutants, particularly what goes into the drains from gardens and driveways. Minimize the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and outdoor use of soaps and other home chemicals. Homeowners whose property borders the creek can maintain their section of the creek’s ecosystem by preventing erosion, controlling invasive species such as the bamboo look alike Arundo, and removing trash from the creek. For more information on the creek and what you can do to help, visit www.wcwatershed.org/friends-of-san-ramon-creek.html.

DISCOVER DIABLO

Save Mount Diablo’s (SMD) Discover Diablo program offers an annual series of free activities that include hikes, family walks, rock climbing events, trail runs, mountain biking events, property tours, and more. Join SMD in exploring the Bay Area’s beautiful wild lands and open spaces! Discover Diablo is a public outings program led by staff and volunteer naturalists that offers various outdoor activities including guided interpretive family walks, hikes, and property tours. These events are open to any and all trailblazers looking to get out in nature. All hikes are free but in order to create the best experience and least impact on the environment, capacity is limited and advanced registration is required. Property tours are led on SMD conserved sites. These are unique opportunities to explore privately-held lands that are otherwise closed to the public. Join these tours to learn more about the special ecological and cultural features of each conserved site. The goal of Discover Diablo is to connect people to nature through outdoor recreation and to build awareness of both the land conservation movement and the importance of permanently protecting open spaces. Through this program, the aim is to reach new audiences, grow the membership base, and spark a passion for Diablo’s wild, natural lands in the youngest of trailblazers. To learn more visit savemountdiablo.org/activities.

HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS

Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old. Please call Mob ility M atter s at ( 9 2 5 ) 2 8 4 - 2 2 1 5 f o r mo r e details. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www. mobilitymatterscc.com.

TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND

Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-9340901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.

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May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23

HOPE FOR HEALING DISCS AND PINCHED NERVES

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

If you suffer from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. Since Align Healing Center opened its doors in 1999, we have been specialists in treating pain naturally; whether it’s back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or any other pain, we have been there to awaken the healing potential in the body and relieve the pain. At Align, we are always searching for new ways to alleviate pain without drugs, invasive procedures, and certainly without inducing more pain! If you or someone you care about suffers from a pinched nerve or disc-related pain it is worthwhile to explore the exceptional, non-invasive therapies available today. People ask, “Can I heal my pain without drugs or surgery?” The answer is, “Yes,” here’s how!

1. NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a stateof-the-art treatment helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or low back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging, or degenerated discs. This therapy is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, and injections, or were told they would need surgery. This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra, which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. It reverses the internal disc pressure, thus creating a vacuum effect. According to the Journal of Neurosurgery (vol. 81, 1994), decompression reduces the pressure inside the disc substantially, allowing water and nutrients to be absorbed and initiating the healing process within the disc itself. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be used for neck and low-back disc injuries.

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2. CLASS IV LASER THERAPY

Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are implemented with the Summus Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, the function is restored, and pain is relieved.

3. OZONE THERAPY

Ozone IV Therapy is a procedure of administering ozone gas into the bloodstream to trigger the immune system, which assists in the treatment of diseases or wounds. Ozone therapy utilizes a combination of pure, medical-grade ozone (O3) mixed with the patient’s blood to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat various health issues. Treatments are administered into the bloodstream and go to work immediately.

THERE IS HOPE!

At Align, we have found that Class IV laser therapy, spinal decompression, and ozone therapy offer outstanding results in healing stubborn pain due to pinched nerves, bulging discs, or spinal degeneration. In our years of experience, most patients receive significant changes in symptoms within three sessions. Occasionally, in more advanced degenerative conditions or with multiple level herniated discs, it may take 8-10 sessions before realizing a major decline in symptoms. Relief response varies according to age, body morphology, and degree of severity. This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance to realize a cure for back or neck pain. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic back pain treatments, such as drugs, injections, or surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine, you can quickly be back to your healthy self! For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, or to set up a complimentary consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial

PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST

WHY AM I NOT LOSING WEIGHT WITH ALL OF THIS EXERCISE? By Linda Michaelis RD, MS

Springtime is the best time of the year to embark on a weight loss regimen. With the warmer weather, we require less food as opposed to during the winter when we need food for fuel to keep us warm. I find many clients confuse hunger with feeling cold during the colder months. My favorite challenge is a client that is tracking calories, exercising and eating better, and still not losing weight. When a new client calls me and says they are doing all the right things to lose weight and not making progress, a list of possible scenarios runs through my mind. They are eating back all the calories they burn. When you work out, you burn extra calories. Exercise is important in the weight-loss equation, but a lot of people overestimate how much they burn and even use the “I exercised today” excuse to over-eat and over-drink. How many times have you faced a food temptation and thought, “Well, I worked out today, so it’s OK this time,” or, “I’ll have this now, but work out extra hard tomorrow.” If that sounds all-too-familiar, this is a major reason why you’re not losing weight. We overestimate how many calories we burn and underestimate how many calories we consume. Personal trainers tell me that they think weight loss is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise. They’re relying on exercise alone to do the trick. Yes, exercising can help you lose weight because it helps you create that calorie deficit to lose weight. The real truth is exercise alone will not help you lose weight. It takes a lot of time and effort to burn even a few calories. For many people, a full hour of intense exercise may only burn 400-500 calories. On the flipside, it’s easy to eat hundreds or thousands of calories in just a few minutes. But it would take hours of exercise to offset those calories. If you are not changing your diet and reducing your calorie intake, exercise alone probably won’t help your weight-loss results. They are not eating as healthy as they think. We all think we eat pretty well. Even people who eat a pretty bad diet don’t think it’s that bad. I often see folks that exercise skimp on eating during the day after exercise and eat heavier at

FACELIFTS

By Dr. Barbara Persons

Let’s talk about facelifts. As we age, skin begins to lose elasticity and our face loses volume. The lower face sags, forming deep wrinkles, and we start to notice loose skin on the neck. The loss of youthful contours in the face are the result of thinning skin, loss of facial fat, gravity, sun damage, smoking, in addition to heredity and stress. While these changes are a natural part of growing older, we don’t have to leave our youthful looks behind as the years pass. With the help of a skilled plastic surgeon, you can take steps to counteract the effects of time and gravity, and restore the naturally vibrant appearance you remember from years ago or even address the early signs of aging before they take hold. Facelifts produce results that patients consistently find satisfying. The operation, when performed with skill and care, is very safe. Rhytidectomy, which literally means wrinkle (rhytid) removal (-ectomy), is the medical term for the facelift operation designed to remove wrinkles and decrease the sagging that occurs on the face and neck with aging. The key to a facelift is lifting up tissues while restoring lost volume without pulling the face back. It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock,” helping a patient look like a younger version of him or herself by removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues and muscles. Facelifts are frequently combined with eyelid surgery, brow lifting, laser resurfacing, and fat transfer to achieve facial rejuvenation. With more meetings held via Zoom, facial rejuvenation is more popular than ever. On camera, skin above and below the eyes tends to droop, making your eyes look small and puffy. Squinting at a screen also causes your forehead to wrinkle, trying to support your eyelids when opening the eyes. Eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and fat and tightens

www.yourmonthlypaper.com night. It should be the other way around. After you exercise your metabolism is sped up and calories are burned off at three times the rate compared to many hours later. We also tend to eat late night meals because of schedules which also can prevent weight loss. We enjoy alcohol, but having a large glass of wine can easily add 200 calories. I suggest drinking vodka and gin martinis. One drink can provide the buzz that would come from several glasses of wine. I also see clients eat too much cheese, nuts, olives, and avocados. These can be considered healthy fats, but many people eat too much of them. They are doing the wrong kinds of exercise. When it comes to exercising there is confusion out there. One day you hear that strength training is the best way to lose weight. The next day you’re told to focus on cardio. To my clients that walk for exercise, I tell them they must step it up and do interval training to shock the metabolism. The best mix is cardio for weight loss and strength training to keep your muscles looking toned and feeling strong. They are not being consistent enough. When struggling to lose those final 5-10 pounds consistent efforts are important. Do you try to eat “perfectly” and exercise for a whole week, only to step on the scale to see that you haven’t lost an ounce? Do you think, “What is the point?” and go on an all-out eating feast and skip the gym for a couple days? Often, this is when a client calls me and says it’s an emergency. It is my job to teach you how to enjoy birthday cake, drinks, and socializing with friends. You need a plan that includes your favorite foods and enjoyable meals with no deprivation. My eight-week Royal Treatment Program is my most popular for successful weight loss. It includes a weekly visit, and coaching by text, phone, or email. Call me and I will tell you about the program and how it can work for you. Please contact me if you feel that you need an objective nutritionist to create a successful plan. Nutritional counseling can be covered by health insurance companies including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Sutter, UHC, and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website www.LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Feel free to email me at lifeweight1@ yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional Advertorial concerns and see how I may help you. sagging muscle, giving you a younger, sharper look. Laser resurfacing is also an effective tool in the rejuvenation of aging skin. Resurfacing removes or reduces fine lines, skin discoloration, acne and other scars, and at the same time tightens the skin. The action of the laser encourages collagen production, causing elastic fibers in the skin to increase in number. This means that the skin will have properties more similar to an earlier time in your life. Sun damaged, cigarette damaged, and aged skin is rejuvenated in a fashion, and to an extent, never before attainable with chemical peels and dermabrasion. Fat transfer to the face revitalizes and corrects volume loss. When combined with a facelift, fat transfer to the face can offer more youthful lips, brows, and eyelids, in addition to stronger cheeks, improved jaw lines, and facial contours that are both natural and youthful. Once the facelift is complete, excess sagging tissue is repositioned, volume is restored, and the skin is resurfaced. The clock is turned back. Aging will continue from there, of course, but you will look much better at any given age than you would have without the operation. Seeing our own patients around town up to 15 years after surgery demonstrates long-term results. To continue the conversation about facelifts and other ways to look your best, please give us a call to schedule your consultation today! 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 Advertorial or info@personsplasticsurgery.com.

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May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25

925-831-8310 Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction. Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.

Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturday’s of each month. Meet Dr. Kiranjot Dyal Dr. Kiranjot Dyal graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Thereafter, she attended Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine to earn her degree in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) and further extended her studies by completing a general practice residency at UCLA- Harbor Medical Center, where she earned the “Resident of the Year” accolade. Dr. Dyal’s passion for growth in her dental skills shows as she continues educating herself through various classes and up to date courses. Dr. Dyal’s goal as a dental provider is to provide compassionate care for her patients and make them feel as stress-free as possible in the dental chair. She believes that knowledge is power and understanding what treatment is needed, why it's necessary, and how it can be prevented in the future is extremely important in bettering the overall oral health of her patients and the general public. Dr. Dyal strives to build a trusting and genuine relationship with her patients and their family and friends to create a comfortable dental home for the community she treats.

PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

CAN A RASH BE CANCEROUS?

By Jerome Potozkin, MD

Recently, I saw a lovely woman, who we will refer to as Stephanie. Stephanie is in her late forties and complained of a rash on her back. She told me that she had the rash for about 8-12 months. It wasn’t very itchy, but was always red and never really went away despite using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. The funny thing to her was that it was only in one spot, didn’t spread to other areas, but ever so gradually increased in size. I examined her with a special magnifying instrument known as a dermatoscope that allows a much more detailed view than the naked eye. Based upon her history and my examination I was suspicious that this was no rash at all but rather a Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma. We performed a small biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis. When Stephanie returned to the office we discussed her diagnosis, educated her about treatment options, and decided to treat the skin cancer with a minor in office procedure where we scrape out the remaining skin cancer. Stephanie was cured! May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. In the United States there are more cases of skin cancer than cancers of the breast, colon, lung, and prostate combined. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to complete cures. Surprisingly, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults aged 25-29. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. More than two people die every hour from melanoma in the United States. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancers. These can appear as non-healing sores or crusted bumps. Some simply appear as a red patch that can be

www.yourmonthlypaper.com misdiagnosed as dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these skin cancers are much less likely to spread. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a sample known as a skin biopsy. Most patients with basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma have their skin cancers treated with minor in office surgical procedures. Melanoma is the skin cancer that most people fear and with good reason. It is estimated that there will be close to 200,000 new cases of Melanoma diagnosed in 2022 with an estimate of 7,650 related deaths. That’s the bad news. The good news is that early detection leads to cure with the overall five-year survival for early-stage melanoma estimated at 99%. The key with melanoma is early detection. We recommend an annual full body skin exam by or under the supervision of a boardcertified dermatologist. If you have a new dark or pink spot or an area that simply doesn’t heal, don’t wait to get it checked. Most skin cancers have a genetic component. The other key ingredient is sun and ultraviolet exposure such as that from tanning beds. In order to prevent skin cancer I recommend an ounce of prevention. Do what you love, but avoid the peak sun hours between 10AM and 2PM. Apply, and reapply, a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Forget about going to tanning beds (spray on tans are fine). Lastly, see a board certified dermatologist once a year for a full body skin check. A skin check is a snap to go through and much easier than a colonoscopy. It is also a good idea for you to check yourself once a month so that you will be able to notice if a mole or a spot is changing. Luckily for Stephanie her story had a happy ending. If you have any spots that you are concerned about or if you can’t remember the last time you were checked from head to toe by a board certified dermatologist please call our office now at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial

Canines continued from page 16

With years of experience working with dogs, Trainer Liz Johnston joined the EAC staff in 2021. She enthuses, “These dogs are so trainable, so willing to do anything you ask. I see how they change lives, and I couldn’t be happier than I am working with them.” EAC Scarlett and EAC Rizzo mastered the scent given off by individuals battling COVID-19 using socks from people testing positive for the virus. The human body’s chemical response to fighting the virus rather than the virus itself is what they detect. Parental consent is required for children to participate in the optional “Doggy Detective” program now in the clinical trial phase in East Bay schools. Both fast and accurate, dogs can test 300 people in 30 minutes. Sniffing for COVID doesn’t require contact, but most students are eager to pet the dogs after testing. Raising each DAD that EAC gifts to an insulin-dependent client costs $40,000. Support for the mission comes in many ways. Ashlee Urmson says, “I want to use my photography to visually tell the stories of members of the community who are underserved and misunderstood. Volunteering with EAC gives me a chance to do that.” Participate in EAC’s Virtual Walk Fundraiser by walking at your leisure on June 3rd or 4th supported by pledges from friends. On June 5th, enjoy a dine and donate event at Panera EAC Scarlett and EAC Rizzo are proving their ability to swiftly and located at 1975 Diamond Blvd. in Concord from 4-8PM with EAC staff and dogs on hand accurately detect COVID positive students in a trial program at local from 4-6PM. For details and much more information on EAC, visit www.earlyalertcanines.org. schools. Photo courtesy of EAC. Special thanks to EAC Development Director Victoria Briskin for coordinating contacts and information.

FAMILY CAREGIVER EDUCATION SERIES

If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is available to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on their website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. For questions, call 925-829-8770. May 12, 10–11:30AM | “End-of-Life Issues: Hospice and Palliative Care” End-of-life care refers to both the medical care and the emotional support that patients and families receive when death is imminent. Hope Hospice clinical staff will share general information about what to expect in the final days of life, transitioning to comfort care, selecting hospice services, and making funeral arrangements. June 9, 10–11:30AM | “Self-Care for the Caregiver” The stress that family caregivers experience as their loved one declines can be staggering. The constant fluctuation of changing roles, uncertainty about the future, and fatigue may ultimately result in compromised health and family dysfunction. This webinar will focus on understanding the causes of stress, strategies for coping, and the importance of seeking support and utilizing resources. July 14, 10–11:30AM | “Handling Grief and Loss” No matter how thoroughly one has prepared for the inevitability of death of a loved one, when the time comes it still can be a shock to the system. In this webinar, a local marriage and family therapist will discuss the complexities of grief and loss, including anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. Participants will be provided with coping strategies to help them both during the final stages of life and after their loved one has passed.

HOPE

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May 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27

HOSPICE AND HEALTH SERVICES

Compassion and quality when it matters most.

Hospice | Dementia Education Senior-Care Classes | Grief Support Volunteering Opportunities [ Connect with us at (925) 829-8770 or HopeHospice.com ] MAY IS OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS MONTH

By Roger Pelphrey, OsteoStrong Danville

What is osteoporosis or osteopenia? Who does it effect? Isn’t it a woman’s disease? If I work out, do I need to be worried about osteoporosis? I am skinny, or I have a few extra pounds, so I do not need to worry about osteoporosis, do I? These are all common questions along with some myths regularly asked regarding osteoporosis. Osteoporosis literally translates to “porous bones.” Most people will grow bone density until around the age of 30. After 30, we begin losing bone density. At the age of 65, one in two women and one in three men has full blown osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects individuals differently. You do not feel or see bone loss. Bone loss, like aging, happens gradually over time.

FACTS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS

• One in two woman 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis • Men over 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer • 50% of men and women who have an osteoporotic fracture will have another one. • Hip fractures is one of the most devastating fractures that can occur. By 2030, the number of hip fractures is expected to more than triple.

FACTS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS OVER 65 WITH A HIP FRACTURE

• 40% will never be able to walk independently again • 33% will be dependent and/or in a nursing home within a year of the fracture • 24% will die within 12 months of the fracture The combined lifetime risk for hip and vertebral fractures is equal to the risk of cardiovascular disease, but it does not have to be that way.

between. We have professional athletes that are looking to get the edge, and more seasoned individuals who want to improve in certain aspects of their life. Sessions are quick, painless, and results are measurable and happen quickly. Do you want to see if OsteoStrong is right for you? For the first time in over two years, during the month of May in recognition of osteoporosis awareness month, we are offering a complimentary in-person session. Space is limited. Book now at OsteostrongDanvilleBlackhawk.as.me/book to take advantage of this special offer. OsteoStrong is conveniently located at 3442 Camino Tassajara in Danville. For more information call 925-967-2809 or visit www.osteostrong.me. Advertorial

$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or call 925-405-6397 to place ad.

Diablo Short Term Rental Fully furnished and accessorized, detached one bedroom apartment with full kitchen. Gated property with access to courtyard. Cal King bed with soft “Comphy” resort grade sheets. Steam shower, A/C, television, internet. Enjoy walking the enchanting community of Diablo and accessing Mt. Diablo trails. Ideal for local resident’s overflow needs, and business travelers. Call for photos. Seasonal rates, discounted weekly rate. 707-695-1917.

Handyman Services Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring NO JOB TOO SMALL! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877

Painting Services

OsteoStrong is proud to have helped change the lives of over 35,000 people in the US.

Interior, exterior, and commercial painting. 40 years of service in Alamo and Danville areas. Excellent references. Free estimates and color consultations. Call Richard Dean Painting 925-837-6291. License #540063

OsteoStrong works for people of all ages and activity levels to promote skeletal strength which impacts the entire body in many ways. The process is known as Osteogenic loading. Osteogenic loading is supported and recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the World Health Organization, and American Bone Health, just to name a few. We have members from 11 years old to 97 years young, and everything in

Help with writing books and script, and getting published and produced. Specialties include self-help and business books, memoirs, children’s picture books, and all kinds of screenplays. Book and script writer in Danville can help you write, publish, and find publishers, agents, and producers. I’ve published 200+ books, produced 18 films, and helped dozens of clients as a ghostwriter. Phone: 925-804-6333; Email: changemakers@pacbell.net; More information: ChangemakersPublishingandWriting.com.

***OSTEOPOROSIS CAN BE REVERSED AND ELIMINATED!*** WHAT IS OSTEOSTRONG?

Writing & Publishing Help

PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • May 2022

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Coldwell Banker is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

2022 MAY ~ Alamo Today & Danville Today News

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