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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& NOVEMBER 2017
BEYOND KINDNESS TOUR: MILE AFTER MILE A GATHERING PLACE FOR DANVILLE AND OF SMILE AFTER SMILE ALAMO: THEN AND NOW
By Jody Morgan
The Beyond Kindness Tour: Love on Purpose is demonstrating the power of taking time to be intentionally kind on a daily basis throughout the contiguous 48 states. Starting in Oregon on September 15th and finishing in Danville, California on December 2nd, the physical tour is supported by an online presence of individuals focusing on making the performance of small acts of kindness a regular routine. The culmination of the actual road trip, Holiday Respite Day, is dedicated to giving parents of special needs children a day all to themselves. The contagious smiles generated by participants across the nation promise to keep spreading. Emily Nelson, longtime Danville resident, was dismayed by the overt animosity neighbors were expressing to neighbors following the 2016 Presidential Joanne and Jack Molan are ready to travel the 48 contiguous Election. As someone states spreading intentional kindness. who has reached out over the years to others in distress (from staging Concerts with a Cause, aiding individuals out of funding options for essential medical treatment, to serving on the Shepherd’s Gate Board), Nelson longed to find a way to bring Americans back together. She notes, “I realized as I listened to all the bitter talk surrounding the inauguration that our nation would never change if we couldn’t be a voice for peace.” Serendipitously, her cousins Jack and Joanne Molan announced they were going on a book-signing and speaking tour across the country in conjunction with the release of Jack’s book, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up: My Thirty Years as Captain in the Behring Sea. Joanne Molan explains, “Emily’s need
See Kindness continued on page 14
Alamo - Alamo Tree Lighting Festival Sunday, December 3, 4:30pm-6:30pm at Andrew Young Park Danville - Lighting of the Old Oak Tree Friday, November 24 beginning at 5:15pm at the Old Oak tree on Diablo Blvd.
Local Postal Customer
By Beverly Lane
Today the Alamo Cemetery is a quiet wooded spot on the border of Danville and Alamo not far from the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church on Danville Blvd. However, 170 years ago there was plenty going on. Midway between the small downtowns of Alamo and Danville, there were annual religious camp meetings, schools, and a Drawing of the Alamo Cemetery by Paul Dunlap church.
CAMP MEETINGS AND A NEW CHURCH
Several religious camp meetings were organized and managed by Mary Ann Jones and others in the early 1850s. In her biography, Mrs. Jones stated that people decided to host a camp meeting which they hoped would lead to the building of a church. She wrote that the first camp meeting lasted ten days, and “people came from every place in reach.” Writer James Smith recalled people coming from Santa Clara, Napa, and Sonoma counties. He said the meetings were full of religious fervor and included three daily services, four or five preachers (described as “wonderful exhorters”), and baptisms in the
See Gathering continued on page 20
TAKE A PAGE FROM THE BOY SCOUTS: BE PREPARED By Sharon Burke
The recent tragic fires in Northern California have us all thinking about emergency preparedness. Are we as ready as we can be for the kinds of emergencies that occur in our area? About a third of Alamo and Danville residents live adjacent to open space, where wildfires can spread rapidly. Westside Alamo and Danville residents live in close proximity to the high pressure jet fuel pipeline which runs underneath the Iron Horse Trail, which has already exploded once in southern Walnut Creek in 2004. Eastside residents in Alamo live near a PG&E gas pipeline such as the one that exploded in San Bruno in 2010. All of us live in an earthquake zone, probably the most likely emergency we will ever face. I’m as guilty as the next person of not giving much thought to being prepared for these emergency events. But there are a lot of resources available for us procrastinators. Let’s all resolve to get better prepared while recent
See Prepared continued on page 14
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Serving the combined communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville, Since October 2017
Volume XVII Number 9
Volume VIII Number 11
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
My husband and I come from large families. I am the oldest of five children, and he is the youngest of seven. It is an interesting dynamic of oldest and youngest and the extended family members range in age from one week old to 100 years old. On my husband’s side of the family, we knew there was an older half-sister but had very few details about her as she was placed for adoption at birth 70 years ago. During a holiday family gathering 20 years ago, I decided to learn more about my mother-in-law’s life, so I ran to a local Radio Shack store, bought a cheap tape recorder, and proceeded to interview her and had her share her stories. While listening to her stories, she shared the little she remembered of her pregnancy and the subsequent birth and adoption of her baby. The journey to locate the “baby” led to a bunch of dead ends. Fast forward to several weeks ago when my husband’s uncle received a call from a relative of the “baby’s” birth father. The woman, Dara, had started putting pieces of a puzzle together after a partial DNA match popped up with someone she couldn’t place on her family tree. Some sleuthing she did led to the surprise of finding the long lost half-sister, Ali. Ironically, Ali grew up in the South Bay and lives 45 minutes away. I had already planned an extended family get together at our home less than a week after the connection was made and it was the perfect opportunity for many of the half-siblings and other extended family to meet. It is not often in one’s life that you get to be a part of a long lost family member reunion. I have had the honor to be in the presence of two such events. Considering Ali had no idea that a large extended family even existed, it took a lot of courage for her to jump into the family gathering. It was uncanny how much she resembled my mother-in-law -- in words, gestures, and passions. I was able to share with her probably the only picture that exists of her birth parents at their high school graduation as well as the interview audio and transcription. As my mother-in-law has passed away, Ali won’t be able to meet her, but I was able to share the voice of her birthmother sharing the story of her life and of Ali’s birth. It was a special gift I was able to give her.
As the upcoming holidays are a time when people come together, whether they be friends, family, or even strangers, I encourage you to take the time to connect. Inquire with family members, and learn the stories of their lives. Share pictures (and make sure they are labeled!), take videos, and preserve their histories. The Thanksgiving holiday is also a great time to realize the abundance of what we have and to share with others as we are able. As the initial surge of donations to the North Bay fires tapers off, it is a time to remember the staggering number of those who lost their lives, their livelihoods, and their homes. I have started to reach out to people in the crisis area for item-specific donations. I am currently working with a few groups to provide kids sports gear. In the Santa Rosa soccer league alone 160 players had their homes burn down. I have connect with those who need kitchenware, electronics gear, instruments, tools... I recently learned about the non-profit tool lending “library,” Santa Rosa Tool Library, that was founded in 2008. The library is dedicated to helping people who live or work in Sonoma County reduce the cost of maintaining the places in which they live, work, and play. The tool library offers hand and power tools for landscaping, home repair, and automotive work ... free of charge. I can’t think of a better use of some of the spare tools I own, and I know they will be appreciated and well used in the coming days and months. If you are interested in learning about item-specific collections, send me an email and I will add you to an email blast and send out updates to help source and distribute requested items. Communities supporting communities, families supporting families, and people helping people, that is what I am thankful for.
SIXKS E WE LY ON
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Charity group Delta Nu Psi has now sent 37,547 pounds of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones. The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on November 3 and Lunardi’s in Danville on November 10. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 2PM at both locations. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more and see photos of recipients receiving packages, visit www.deltanupsi.org.
BLUE STAR MOMS
The Blue Star Moms, Chapter 101, will be collecting items to send to the troops on Saturday, November 4, from 9AM to 3PM, at Walmart, 4501 Rosewood Dr. in Pleasanton. Items may be dropped off or purchased in the store.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE THRIFT SHOP SOLVES CHRISTMAS DÉCOR PUZZLE
The dedicated member volunteers at Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, the well-known landmark located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette, happily announce that beginning November 14, they will help you solve the annual Christmas puzzle of where to find festive holiday décor at fabulous savings. At 10AM sharp, you will find shelves loaded with wrapping paper, gift bags, stockings, holiday cards, garlands, wreaths, and lights -- both interior and exterior, that will promise to brighten your home with holiday cheer. Also, Santas, elves, reindeer, and angels will make perfect additions to your hearths, stair rails, and table centerpieces. Speaking of your table, imagine how dinnerware, festive platters, votives and napkin rings, all purchased at the thrift shop at Dickens-age prices, will provide lasting memories. This year’s event will offer new pieces to the puzzle: collectibles, all boxed and protected with styrofoam packaging. Specifically, Americana Village Porcelain Collectibles, Dickens Keepsake Porcelain Lighted Houses, and Department 56 Heritage Village Collectibles will promise to enrich your holiday spirit. As for valued time spent with family and friends, collectively piecing together a puzzle will speak for itself. You’ll want to check out the selection. Over the years, your generous donations and purchases have proven that it is, indeed, better to give than to receive. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s philanthropic programs that the thrift shop primarily funds, please visit www. diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
“… the East Bay’s undiscovered jewel” “… the East Bay’s undiscovered jewel” “… the East Bay’s undiscovered jewel”
Fall Fall Concerts Concerts 2017 2017 American Masters: Fall Concerts American Masters:2017 Barber, Lauridsen, Argento
Barber, Lauridsen, Argento Spirituals from Foster, American Masters: SpiritualsHogan from Foster, Burleigh, Barber, Lauridsen, Burleigh, Hogan Argento Spirituals from Foster, Saturday November Burleigh, Hogan11 Saturday November 11
Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton – 7pm Saturday November 11 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton – 7pm Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, Sunday November 12 1578 Kirker Pass Road, – 7pm Sunday 12 Clayton St. Paul’sNovember Lutheran Church, 1658 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Ave., Oakland – 3pm Sunday November 12 – 3pm Excelsior Ave., Oakland St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1658 Saturday November 18 Excelsior Ave., Oakland – 3pm Saturday November 18 3201 Peace Lutheran Church, Camino Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville – 7pm Saturday November 18 Tassajara, Danville – 7pm Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino TicketsTassajara, are available at www.chromaticachorale.org Danville – 7pm Tickets are available at www.chromaticachorale.org or at the door. Ticket prices are $20/ adults, or at the door. Ticket prices areunder $20/ adults, $10/ students, children 10 and are free. Tickets are available at www.chromaticachorale.org $10/ students, children 10 and under are free. or at the door. Ticket prices are $20/ adults, $10/ students, children 10 and under are free.
VOLUNTEER WITH AARP TAX-AIDE FOR 2018 TAX SEASON
Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by the IRS, and Client Facilitators who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is held in November 2017, and classes for tax counselors start in January 2018. Service is provided from February through April 15, 2018. If you are interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer or call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
FUNDRAISING HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
A Holiday Boutique which will benefit A New Day for Children, an organization which empowers girls rescued from human trafficking, will be held on November 18. The Boutique will be held in Dryden Hall at St. Mary’s College, 1828 St. Mary’s Road in Moraga, and run from 10AM – 3PM. Get ready for the holidays! Come shop for unique gifts from one-of-a- kind vendors, and support a great cause at the same time. There will be a gift wrap station and a raffle with prizes including Warriors tickets, Amazon gift cards, gift baskets, and more. For more information, e-mail HolidayBoutiqueforNewDay@gmail.com or visit www.NewDayForChildren.com.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017 5:15pm
6:15pm
6:30pm
The Old Oak Tree, Diablo Road,
Lighting of the Old Oak Tree,
SRVHS Choir, along with MVHS Band,
Holiday family entertainment
Town of Danville Mayor,
and Danville Girls Chorus
at Downtown Danville
Father Christmas & the Snow Angel
merchants
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley happily announces its annual Christmas Memories Exhibit which opens on November 21 and continues until December 31. A special Open House will be held after the Danville Tree Lighting on the evening of November 24. The depot waiting room will be transformed into the Tassajara One Room School classroom of the late 1940’s. One of the highlights of the school year at the Tassajara One Room School was a Christmas program presented by the students to family and friends that included readings, music, and plays. This was an important part of the community’s Christmas celebration. Returning will be the Museum’s popular antique sleigh and Santa (a great place for a family photo), flying Santa, a 1940’s model train, the Polar Train, FatherNEWS Christmas, decorated trees, more. www.yourmonthlypaper.com AY & Express DANVILLE TODAY • NOVEMBER 2017toys, games, Christmas music items, a memory tree, and Please visit the exhibit and share your special school Christmas or holiday memories. Did you make paper chains, cut out snowflakes, decorate ornaments, or make gifts for family and friends? Everyone likes to read the special memories that are hung on the Museum’s memory tree. Bring the whole family! There are several model trains to see, toys all over, unique gifts in the museum store (including local history books), and a display of the original Father Christmas outfit worn by Carmine DeVivi to light the Old Danville Oak Tree. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in downtown Danville and is open 1PM-4PM Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-1 PM Saturday, and 12PM-3PM Sunday. Visit museumsrv.org for more information.
ThisChristmastide Sunday, December 3rd at 4pm
Directed by Bruce Koliha | Accompanied by Nadia Blank-Koliha Dublin High School Performing Arts Center 8151 Village Parkway, Dublin
Visit www.srvchorale.com for more information.
To place an ad in your hometown paper call us at 925.405.6397 or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
HOSPICE EAST BAY'S ANNUAL TREE OF LIGHTS
For thirty one years, Hospice East Bay Tree of Lights ceremonies have offered community members a way to honor the lives of friends and loved ones. This year, there will be eleven Tree Lighting Ceremonies. For further information about these special events, visit https://hospiceeastbay.org/. • Danville Tree ~ Friday, November 17 ~5:30PM Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front Street • Alamo Tree ~Tuesday, November 21 ~ 5:30PM ~ Reception to follow Alamo Women's Club, 1401 Danville Boulevard • Blackhawk Tree ~ Friday, December 1 ~ 5PM Blackhawk Road at Blackhawk Drive • Walnut Creek Tree ~ Wednesday, December 6 ~ 6PM John Muir Medical Center, Main Entrance, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road Hospice East Bay provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, while offering emotional, spiritual, and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, all medically qualified patients are accepted, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Proceeds from their thrift shoppes benefit patients and their families.
CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB
Arlene Miller, the Grammar Diva, will present “Is This the New Normal? Grammar Gone Horribly Bad!” at the next Mt. Diablo, California Writers Club meeting to be held on November 11th at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant located at 611 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. Miller is the author of nine books of grammar, including The Best Little Grammar Book Ever. She will discuss the new normal in grammar, whether the old rules have gone away, are rules different for fiction and non-fiction, and what are the most important rules these days? Sign-in is from 11AM to noon, luncheon from noon to 12:45PM -- including a short business meeting, and speaker from 1PM to 2PM. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. Reservations are required and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, November 8th. To reserve, go to https://cwcmtdiablo.org/ current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting. The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com.
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BRW PRESENT DOUG HAALAND
The Blackhawk Republican Women (BRW) present an evening with Doug Haaland on November 9 at the Blackhawk Country Club’s Grille Room. Haaland is a former Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in California State Legislature and Senior advisor to the Republican Assembly. He will be speaking on California Republicans: The True Endangered Species. The event begins at 5:30PM with check-in, social with hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar, followed at 6PMwith the speaker. The cost is $25. Haaland has written numerous articles and papers involving political and policy issues impacting California. His successes in both the political and policy fields have made him a sought-after motivational speaker and writer across California. Learn more about him at https://facebook.com/doug.haaland.94. Reservations, cancellations, and payment can be made online at www.blackhawkrepublicanwomen.com. To make reservations by mail, e-mail or call Jane Parish at janeparish@sbcglobal.net or (925) 216-6663.
COMMUNITY INVITED TO ‘POP-UP’ MUSEUM
COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOOLITTLE RAID
Veterans in the San Ramon Valley invite everyone to come to the annual Veterans Day Open House, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid as well as WWII in the Philippines and the Bataan March. The military-themed exhibits, gathered from local residents,will be displayed at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. In addition to a display of the Doolittle Raid and a presentation by the USS Hornet, exhibits will include military memorabilia including an extensive exhibit by the Bataan Legacy Historical Society, a full size cockpit of an F-8 Crusader jet from USS Hornet, Bell UH1 “Huey” helicopter, carvings and art work by US Army combat artists, post 9/11-Global War on Terror display, aircraft instruments and communication gear, an author’s table, children’s activities, and Blue Star Moms. Admission is free. The Veterans Memorial Building is located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Event hours are Friday, November 10 from 9AM to 5PM, Saturday, November 11 from 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday, November 12 from 10AM to 3PM. Docents will be available to guide guests around the permanent museum displays. For more information email info@stevenburchik.com.
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
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CLARKSON TO SPEAK AT SRVRWF MEETING
diablofinejewelers.com
The San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated (SRVRWF) group proudly presents San Ramon Mayor, Bill Clarkson at their luncheon meeting. Bill’s talk will be, “The Civil War’s Greatest Unknown Battle.” In addition to being a third term Mayor of San Ramon, Bill is a history buff who specializes in the Civil War. He enjoys talking about one of his favorite battles of the Civil War which took place in Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. We know you will enjoy listening to Oakland born, small business owner, San Ramon Rotarian, and former “Business Person of the Year,” Mayor Clarkson as he makes Civil War history come alive! The luncheon will be held Tuesday, November 28th at the Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville. Social time begins at 11:30AM and the lunch and program start at noon. The cost is $30. Family, friends, and students are cordially invited. Reservations can be made online at www.srvrwf.org or by calling 925-820-1432.
AAUW’S 13TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) 13th Annual Holiday Home Tour will take place on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9 from 10AM - 4PM. Tickets are $35 if purchased by November 30 and $40 thereafter. Five festive Danville and Alamo homes will be featured. Mail your check payable to “Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW.” Include a business size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to AAUW Holiday Home Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Starting on November 6, tickets will be available for purchase at East Bay Flower Company at 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W. in Danville (Livery Shopping Center) with cash or checks only, or you can purchase them online at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/payment. E-mail questions to aauwhht@gmail.com. No children under 12 are permitted on the tour. Profits from the Holiday Home Tour go to Tech Trek, a week long, residential summer camp for middle school girls with interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at Sonoma State University, and to local scholarships for women to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees.
ANNUAL KIWANIS FALL FOOD AND TURKEY DRIVE
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley along with NBC Bay Area and Safeway Grocery Stores will hold the club’s annual Fall Food Drive. Kiwanis members will be outside Safeway stores in Alamo, Blackhawk, Dougherty Valley, and San Ramon from 10AM to 3PM on Saturday, November 18th, reminding shoppers about the food drive and the asking them to purchase a $10 bag of food inside the store. The Club will also be accepting cash donations. The food and funds will be delivered to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties located in Concord.
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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
ALAMO ELEMENTARY
Ro u n d H i l l C o u n t r y C l u b
ALAMO SCHOOL: STAYING CONNECTED By Stan Hitomi, Principal
I can’t remember a month quite like the October we have had this year. The events that we have experienced this month remind us of the power of nature, the unpredictability of disaster, and the depth of the human spirit. October had an ominous start when on the night of October 1st a lone gunman shot and killed 58 people and injured another 546. It was the deadliest shooting committed by an individual in U.S. history. This was followed shortly on October 8th by the ignition of a fire in Northern California that would eventually result in the largest loss of life due to wildfires in the U.S. since 1918. Throughout this time, communities along the Atlantic basin were experiencing the most severe hurricane season (three major category 3 or higher hurricanes) in over a decade. Those of us in elementary education are mindful of how we treat such news, making certain that any discussions are age-appropriate and often leaving the decision for families to make at home. However, at Alamo School we are seizing upon the tragedy of the NorCal fires to change the way we as a community share our concern and support for the victims. There are initial needs for supplies such as water, clothing, blankets, and food. But when the fires are gone, there will still be the aftermath of death and destruction left behind. The news crews will be gone and donations will slow, but putting the community back together will be a long and arduous task. We have been drawn to helping this community rebuild. Our Alamo School PTA has been in contact with one of the schools that was affected by the fire. The school for 400 students (similar in size to Alamo) did not sustain significant fire damage, but two teachers, the principal, and 15 families lost their homes to the fire. We are in contact with their acting principal and will be developing plans to support the school and their community as they assess their needs. Getting back into a routine is one of the most important steps toward recovery for victims of a disaster, and this will be the first stage of our involvement. We are certain that the depth of this experience will exceed the types of fundraising and collections that we have done in the past. I will be updating information on this effort in future columns in Alamo Today & Danville Today News. Hoedown: In response to air quality safety, this year’s Hoedown was postponed in October and re-scheduled to November 9th, 5PM – 9PM.
ALAMO SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Are you a graduate of Alamo Elementary, a former parent, teacher, or support staff? We have recently formed a group of Alamo School Alumni who would like to reconnect and support our goal of continuing to inspire and assist current Alamo school students. The ties created in elementary school are often the strongest bonds to community, and thus we would like ours to not fade away. Let’s keep our Alamo Elementary School network strong! Please join us at our first social on November 8, 7PM, at Peasant’s Courtyard on Danville Blvd. RSVP is not necessary but appreciated so we can plan ahead. If you can’t make it, but would be interested in joining or receiving more information regarding the ASAA, please contact us at alamoschoolalumniassociation@ gmail.com or hitomi@srvusd.net.
LOS CERROS MIDDLE SCHOOL
By Evan Powell, Principal
Los Cerros Middle School had a successful start to the school year. We have been fortunate to have great support from our families in donations, and volunteering in PTA, Booster, and Site Council positions along with supporting the educational process of our students. Students have been engaged with inquiry lessons in the core academics and are being pushed to articulate and think critically in their responses and supporting class work. As students are being challenged academically, teachers have been researching and documenting their lessons to meet the higher levels of thinking plus incorporating strong engagement activities. Between the constant teacher collaboration and emphasis on student learning, we have seen our school’s academic accountability increase over the last three years. Coming up in November, our 23rd Annual Basket Brigade will take place. We hope to meet our goal of collecting for 300 Thanksgiving Baskets for families in the Tri-Valley. We look forward to the continued success at Los Cerros and preparing our students to be model citizens in the community and scholars in school.
Offer Extended Through Dec.1
Renovation Special Renovate your lifestyle As our Clubhouse Renovation progresses, we still have a limited number of Memberships available. • Associate-Swim Membership: Initiation $2,500, receive a credit on the Member account of $1,250. • Social Membership: Initiation $1250 -Back for a very limited offering Available through December 1, 2017. Promotional credits are usable for any charges other than Initiation Fees. Admissions Requirements apply.
Please contact our Membership Office for more details at rhcc@roundhillcc.org or 925.314.2901 Offer subject to change without prior notice.
www.rhcountryclub.com RenoSpecial dec_extended.indd 1
RANCHO ROMERO ELEMENTARY 10/17/17 12:06 PM
By Sandy Kontilis, Principal
October was a tremendously busy and fulfilling month at Rancho Romero Elementary. One of the strongest communication opportunities for parents and teachers are the October Parent Conferences. Unless parents work in the classroom and actually observe the daily learning and progress of their child, the Parent Teacher Conference gives them the chance to be informed. Our highly qualified and dedicated staff has been monitoring student progress since early September. Rancho Romero believes all students learn at high levels. Whether a student is below or exceeding grade level, our weekly teacher collaboration and systematic identification of learners guarantees that student’s needs are met. A cornerstone to our school’s social/emotional support program is Soul Shoppe. In October, we added to the repertoire of resources available through the program. A select team of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Peacemakers were trained to solve problems and provide ally-ship and communication support on the playground and in the classroom. A Peace Path was painted on both playgrounds. Thanks to Marc Trapani, our Physical Education teacher who is also our Peacemaker liaison. His training will guarantee that our Peacemakers roll out a powerfully effective tool on our campus. Millions of people worldwide practiced how to Drop, Cover, and Hold on at 10:19AM on October 19 during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, which began in California in 2008. Rancho Romero students practiced this drill with their class. Our students were instructed to shelter in their classrooms, and then evacuate to the blacktop. The more we practice for the “big one,” the better prepared we will be as a school site. As I write this article, our campus is anxiously awaiting the annual Halloween Parade & Festivities. Our ghosts and goblins will delight in the musical presentation by the SRVHS Band. Thanks to Christine Bertolero, our school’s Music teacher, an early morning performance has been arranged for our students. Additionally, the Rancho Romero band will perform for the student and parent community during our parade. After the parade, students will return to their classrooms for fun and educational games. It’s hard to believe that our first quarter of school is in the books. Our students are thriving and continuing to progress academically and socially. We are looking forward to November and the season of thankfulness.
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
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STONE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
By Jon Campopiano, Principal
I have been greatly saddened by the destruction that our Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa neighbors have suffered over the past weeks. The devastating stories of casualties, homes destroyed, and lives turned upside down has been hard to digest. Everyone I talk to seems to have a friend, a relative, or an acquaintance who has been impacted. The road to recovery will be long. On a positive note, I am inspired by our community members and their efforts to give time, supplies, and financial contributions to those in need. In challenging moments, the collective power of human kindness can do incredible things, and I am reminded of this each and every day at Stone Valley. We were thrilled to have had such an incredible turnout for the annual San Ramon Valley Run for Education event with over 64% of our school community participating. This was the second highest overall participation rate and the highest of all middle and high schools. Thank you for your ongoing support our of school. Proceeds will be used to purchase an additional classroom Chromebook cart. During October, we launched our Kindness team with a No Place for Hate Activity that I shared in last month’s article, and we conducted our first Kindness team meeting. Twelve students, six parents, and three staff joined together for a half day to discuss why and how we should increase kindness, respect, and compassion on campus. Below are a few of the ideas from our students. Why? It is important to promote kindness on campus because if no one did, no one would learn. The sixth graders are learning so much from the eighth graders, and if the eighth graders don’t show kindness and respect, the sixth graders won’t either. Also, I think every school should enforce kindness because it gives the students a welcoming environment which is necessary to thrive in. Why? Promoting kindness in school is essential because it not only helps to reduce bullying, but it also gives you a great feeling when you compliment someone and they also feel great. How? A compliment jar should be placed in each classroom, and students can write compliments about other students in the classroom. Every week the teacher passes them out. I feel like this is a way just to put a smile on somebody’s face, even if they’re having a bad day.
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How? We should do lunchtime activities where students are assigned to a random group to participate in a competition. This will help people cheer on other students that aren’t their friends so teammates can build respect and show kindness to someone they might not have shown kindness to otherwise. We can also give away prizes for acts of kindness. This will help students to get into the habit of treating others nicely. How? We can make a kindness challenge where if you are seen being kind in any way by the kindness team, you will be given an entry in a drawing for a prize. On top of inspiring our students and staff, our leadership and kindness teams coordinate Red Ribbon and Digital Citizenship Week.
CHROMATICA CONCERTS
CELEBRATING AMERICAN CHORAL COMPOSERS
Chromatica, a regional chorus known as the undiscovered musical jewel of the East Bay, will offer its eleventh series of semiannual concerts celebrating the best of American choral composers as recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts. Its three fall concerts will take place at 7PM on November 11 at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton; at 3PM on November 12 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Ave., Oakland; and at 7PM on November 18 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara in Danville. Chromatica is noted for the extraordinary range of its repertoire ranging in time from the 12th to the 21st century and in genre everywhere from classical to contemporary to (occasionally) show tunes. This concert series includes works by well-known American choral composers like Samuel Barber’s Reincarnations, Morton Lauridsen’s Madrigali, and Dominic Argento’s A Nation of Cowslips. Chromatica also takes a deep dive into American spirituals, from Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More” to Burleigh’s “My Lord, What A Mornin’.” Arranger Moses Hogan supplies “Music Down in my Soul,” and “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel.” Chromatica also offers works by the 18th century composer William Billings and the contemporary Jennifer Higdon. Stephen Paulus’“Pilgrims’Hymn” continues the Chromatica tradition of always having at least one opera chorus in its concerts. Chromatica was founded in 2011 and now includes 28 men and women singers. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children 10 and under. For tickets and to find out more about Chromatica, visit www.chromaticachorale.org. For a more personal look, you can find Chromatica on Facebook. Tickets for all concerts are also available at the door.
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
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SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
The last two months have been hard month for our country. I’m sure most every adult has paused to consider the devastating loss that came from multiple hurricanes, destructive earthquakes in neighboring countries, a mass murder in Las Vegas, and horrific fires in our own Bay Area. One can imagine that if adults have difficulty understanding these circumstances, then our kids and youth must feel even more confused. When Jesus walked the earth, He said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) One of the beautiful benefits of Christian education is the ability to provide a framework around life’s difficulties. Jesus didn’t let us think that we might have problems; He told us to expect them. He also reassured us that there is nothing outside of His power that could ever separate us from God’s love or His plan for our eternal future. As we gently respond to students’ questions and process current events in a developmentally appropriate way, we have the opportunity to shape the hearts of our students to be more reliant on God for peace and strength as well as develop compassion and empathy for those who are directly impacted by life’s tragedies. This past month, I was so proud of 50 of our 6th and 7th graders who gathered together on a Saturday to build caregiver kits for those in need. They gathered supplies, separated them into care packages, and included hand-written notes to those who need a word of encouragement. With the time they had leftover, they decided to write additional cards to the senior citizens who gather regularly at Community Presbyterian Church in an effort to remind them that their presence on our campus is welcomed and appreciated. Finally, they covered the doors with posters for our teachers, expressing thanks for their relational connections, even as far back as the years they were in kindergarten. As I personally considered the tragedies around us, I felt grateful that our students are being taught to look past themselves and put eyes on the needs of others. I can’t help but thank those in the San Ramon Valley who care for our community. Thank you to courageous police officers, firefighters, paramedics, city officials, and others serving our government. Thank you also to those who offer medical help, social services, care for the elderly, and care for our pets. Thank you to teachers and pastors; I get to work with the very best ones on the planet, and I am grateful for the unending love and support you offer to our cherished students. You’re making an eternal difference. As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I am choosing to be thankful despite a challenging season for our country, and I anticipate with hope a season of peace and joy ahead.
CHARLOT TE WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
By Christopher George, Principal
We hope you are having a great year so far. We have had a fantastic first quarter and are turning the corner into the second quarter. This year we have decided to simplify in order to focus on two things: School Climate and Curriculum. As always, we are so grateful to have teachers working so hard to continue our mission to ensure success for all students at high levels of learning. Our professional development this year has circulated around better collaboration, better forms of assessment, and more effective ways to intervene with students who are not yet proficient in grade level standards. We will be looking this year at scheduling options in order to ensure that our schedule additionally helps us meet this mission, and we will be asking for community input on that. We have also continued our work in student climate this year, to ensure that no student who ever comes to us to learn is made either physically or emotionally unsafe. We have provided our staff with training around student relationships and continue our work in Culturally Responsive Teaching as a mindset of ensuring that every student gets what they need to have their learning unimpeded. We want to thank everyone who came out for the SRVEF Run for Education this month and especially those members of our Community who signed up for Charlotte Wood. We are continually grateful for your financial support which we work very hard to never take for granted.
DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB
MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Please join the Danville Women’s Club on Thursday, November 16th for their monthly lunch, and enjoy speaker Debbie Wyne from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Debbie plans to discuss the requirements for a dog to become a “seeing eye dog” and what might happen if the dog does not succeed. Socializing at the monthly luncheon begins at 11AM, the speaker will give her talk at 11:30AM, and lunch will be served at noon. Reservations are required. Please contact Lynne at (925) 2858285, or e-mail danvillewc@gmail.com to sign up for this event and obtain more information.
TREE OF LIGHTS
On November 17th, from 5:30PM to about 7PM, Hospice of the East Bay and the Danville Women’s Club will be hosting the Tree of Lights Celebration at the Danville Town Meeting Hall, located at 201 Front Street in Danville. The Tree of Lights ceremony provides a way for families and friends to honor their loved ones and find solace in the symbolism of an illuminated light. You can donate (a minimum of $30 please) for a light. Donations can be made to Hospice through their website (https://hospicee.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2017TreeofLights/tabid/878862/Default.aspx) or by check with the Tree of Lights form available from the Club. You will enjoy poetry readings, music, and delicious food with hot coffee and cider. To ensure that your loved one’s name is read, please donate at least seven days before the event. For more information, please contact Barbara at (925) 683-3729.
LINE DANCING
A new “Ultra Beginning Line Dance Class” started October 2nd at the Danville Women’s Club and is intended to teach the basic steps used in line dancing and to familiarize you with line dancing terminology. This class, like the ongoing classes on Tuesdays, charges a $3 drop-in fee. The beginner class will take place from 1 - 2PM each Monday. If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie at normbraga99@hotmail.com.
FIND US
The Danville Women’s Club is located at 242 West Linda Mesa Avenue in Danville. Members look forward to meeting you and encourage you to also visit their website at www.danvillewomensclub.org. The Danville Women’s Club was organized in 1911 and is a member of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs (CFWC) and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), one of the world’s largest women’s nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organizations of volunteer women.
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
At the time of publication, the semester is nearly three-quarters complete, and Monte Vista’s students and faculty are looking forward to a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break. Over the past few weeks, MV’s seniors have been focused on finalizing and submitting their college applications, making one more attempt at the SAT or ACT, and keeping up on their present courses and activities. The Monte Vista Community is very proud of the accomplishments of its seniors, and we look forward to more news about college admissions as the school year unfolds. During the month of October, we were all shocked and saddened by the devastating fires experienced in Napa and Sonoma Counties. The Monte Vista Community responded with collecting three truckloads of non-perishable food and other items that were delivered to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. A huge thanks goes to MV’s Activity Director Andrea Greco and our Leadership Class for quickly organizing this event, to MV’s Athletic Director, Andy Popper, MV Parent Christina Cribb, and other parent volunteer for driving donations to Santa Rosa, and to all of the people on the Monte Vista Community who so generously donated so much in support of our neighbors to the north. October also deepened our focus on building a great school culture with the annual return of Breaking Down the Walls and the rollout of our 9th grade Fresh Start program. These programs bring our students together to build better connections with each other and with their school. Monte Vista’s Visual and Performing Arts Departments continues to dazzle us with a wide variety of amazing performances while earning high accolades in the process. MV’s Dance program, led by director Annie Connors, performed to three sold-out audiences over the first week of November. The following week, our Drama Department performed The Fall of the House of Usher to three packed houses. Upon returning from Thanksgiving Break, Monte Vista’s Choir will perform three holiday concerts on November 30 and December 1 and 2, all at 6 PM in the MV’s Al Gentile Theater. The following week, MV’s Concert Band will hold their three holiday performances on December 6, 7, and 8, also in the Al Gentile Theater at 6PM. Please check the Monte Vista website for tickets and more information. Monte Vista Athletics have continued to roll through EBAL competition and into the NCS Playoffs. MV’s Women’s Volleyball is currently ranked in the Top ten in the state and are hoping to move past the NorCal Finals this year. Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, and Men’s and Women’s Water Polo are also all planning to extend their seasons deep into November. Football and Women’s Golf also have enjoyed strong seasons, but they will need to string together some victories in late October to push into the playoffs. We invite everyone from the Monte Vista Community to come support the Mustangs as we vie for even higher aspirations. Happy Thanksgiving!
S u n d a y, D e c 3 4 : 30pm - 6 : 3 0pm
SRVHS PLEDGE TO HUMANITY CLUB PROVIDES DIGNITY & COMFORT TO FOSTER TEENS
San Ramon Valley High School’s Pledge To Humanity (PTH) Club Presidents Cole McKnight and Anthony Kwon were moved by a Facebook video that they saw which showed how most foster kids still travel from place to place with their personal belongings in a plastic trash bag. The video they saw showed how former foster child Rob Scheer had devoted his life to helping thousands of foster kids by providing them with a “Comfort Case” filled with essential items in a backpack to help aid in their transition. Of the thousands of children who enter the foster care system each year, most arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. If they are afforded the opportunity to collect any personal belongings, many foster kids are then given a trash bag to carry their personal items. Cole and Anthony agreed that our Pledge To Humanity Club should help by creating “Comfort Cases” to help local foster teens with their transition. The SRVHS Pledge To Humanity Club reached out to the ‘Foster A Dream’ organization in Martinez to see if they could partner by providing Comfort Cases to foster teens in the local area. Presidents Cole and Anthony then created a drive at San Ramon Valley High to collect backpacks and essentials that the club could use to create comfort cases for foster teens in transition in the local community.
See Family continued on page 23
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
ST. ISIDORE IS THANKFUL... By Maria Ward, Principal
November brings us a spirit of gratitude, appreciation, and companionship. This month our Gospel Value is Grace. It is that time of year to reach out to one another and say how truly thankful we are for our families and friends. Lately it feels like people all over the country, from the North Bay to Puerto Rico, are suffering one tragedy after another. As Christians, the natural response to a tragedy is to feel compassion for the victims and their families. That compassion leads us to pray on their behalf. It is an experience of charity, first “charity” as the virtue of love and then “charity” in the form of donations if helpful. We are continuing to support our neighboring fire victims with various fundraising opportunities and donations. To date, our generous community has given over $5,000 in cash and over $1,000 in gift cards. A big thank you to everyone who has given donations. Our prayers continue to be with all those who were affected by the various tragedies. It’s beginning to look a lot like Book Fair! This year our Book Fair theme is “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Come see for yourself and BELIEVE! Our family event, the North Pole Express, will take place on Friday, November 3rd from 3-5pm. The North Pole Express is a great opportunity to purchase books for the classroom libraries – Oh, how merry the teachers get when they receive books! After all, the gift of reading lasts forever…There’s “snowbody” like St. Isidore parents at donating time, talents, and treasures to help out at our school! There will also be an opportunity to purchase books for families and schools affected by the North Bay fires. St. Isidore honors our veterans on Wednesday, November 8th at 10am at our Veterans Day Ceremony. This day is a long-standing tradition here at St. Isidore School, and we spend many hours making sure this day is all about honoring our veterans. We are thrilled that Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, an active duty service member, will be one of our guest speakers. Our students come together for an assembly honoring our own dads, grandfathers, uncles, friends, and parishioners who have served in the armed forces. We love our veterans and feel very honored to share their stories with our students. Please feel free to come join us. Our students will be partnering with Running with Love. This is a non-profit organization that one of our own St. Isidore alumni, Alyse Cronin, founded while she was attending Carondelet High School. Running with Love helps support the migrant farm workers in Gonzales, California. Their vision is to enable the children of these workers to achieve a 100% high school completion rate and be college-ready. They focus on removing the barriers in their environment that inhibit these children from attending college. Our students will be making Thanksgiving baskets for these wonderful people. This is one of the many ways we try to give back. Please visit their website at www.runningwithlove.com for more information. We hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
FACE IT! TEEN ARTIST ART EXHIBITION
Community members are invited to the Village Theatre & Art Gallery as the Town of Danville presents Face It! The new art exhibition, opening Thursday, November 2, showcases the artistic endeavors of several local teens. Face It! is a collaborative showing of juried artworks from Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley, California, Dougherty, and Venture High Schools. The prompt, ‘Face It!’ was left open for student interpretation. Teachers from the district worked individually with artists to find the personal meaning and impact this phrase has on an adolescent. Through sketches, research, brainstorming, trial and error, and finally a finished product, students have created their reply to Face It! The Opening Reception for Face It! is scheduled for Thursday, November 2 from 5PM to 7PM. This is a family friendly event that will enlighten and inspire people of all ages. Complimentary refreshments will be served at the opening reception, and this event is free and open to the public. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is located at 233 Front Street in Danville. The Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday from12PM to 5PM, Saturday from 11AM to 3PM, and Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The Gallery is always open one hour before performances in the Theatre. The Art Gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. The exhibition runs through December 17. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov.
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CO N T R A CO S TA CO U N T Y BUILDS BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
PAT H W AY F O R P E O P L E W I T H DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO COMPETE FOR COUNTY JOBS By Supervisor Candace Andersen
Landing a job in our competitive East Bay employment market is challenging enough. For our friends and family with developmental disabilities, cracking into the working world has its own host of challenges. At the County government level, we’re taking steps to make that easier. Contra Costa County will soon be launching a new competitive integrated employment program which provides a pathway for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities to compete for regular County jobs at regular salaries. In launching the Bridge to Success program, Contra Costa joins counties, cities, and other jurisdictions nationwide with alternative hiring processes for people who may need assistance with the application process but are competitive applicants with the ability to perform the job. Other Bay Area agencies have already had pilot programs which are showing success. Currently, Alameda County, the City and County of San Francisco, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have similar programs. Bridge to Success, which we expect to launch in the coming months, will begin as a small, two-year pilot program, allowing time for the County to evaluate and make adjustments as necessary. For people who have never applied for a local government job, the process can seem intimidating; there are many steps and many formal processes that you don’t often find in private sector jobs. For people with developmental disabilities, the hurdles may seem even higher. There may be many jobs that they can perform successfully, but getting through the maze of our recruitment and hiring process can be difficult. The County Human Resources Department, working with other County departments, has identified certain positions that are a good match for Bridge to Success. The first jobs will be beginning clerical and service aid positions in the County Health and Library departments. How will candidates qualify? To be considered for the Bridge to Success program, a candidate must provide a Certificate of Disability from the State Department of Rehabilitation. The person must also meet the minimum qualifications of the position that is open and available. Employees hired under Bridge to Success are expected to meet the same performance standards as their nondisabled peers. Many will be eligible for job coaching and support through the California State Department of Rehabilitation or local nonprofit service providers, including Contra Costa ARC and Futures Explored. There is no cost to the County for this employment support. The California Legislature in 2013 adopted an “Employment First” policy for people with developmental disabilities, which prioritizes job training and placement for eligible candidates. Under the Bridge to Success program, the training and coaching can begin even before the first interview. Coaches can help applicants in a number of ways. They can provide job interview preparation and practice. They can even sit in on the interview for moral support and help ask for clarification from hiring panel members as needed. Bridge to Success candidates will be provided with the job interview questions in advance and be given time to thoroughly prepare. Coaching and mentoring doesn’t have to end once the candidate becomes a Contra Costa County employee. Coaches can continue to work directly with the worker and supervisors to ensure a smooth transition. Contra Costa County is proud to help launch new career paths for those who have had a difficult time navigating our County employment maze, and we look forward to opening more pathways to the Bridge to Success for our developmentally disabled residents. I will be sharing details online and in my monthly newsletter once the program is up and running, and you’ll find contact information for the program there as well. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty. us or (925) 957-8860.
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QUICK TRIPS
By Linda Summers Pirkle THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB
NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
SALE!
Spode China
Although the wartime drama Casablanca was filmed on sets in Burbank and the Van Nuys airport, many people say the realistic depiction of the North African outpost in Morocco add to the enduring popularity of this beloved iconic film. Just in time for the 75th anniversary of the film Casablanca, the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco is hosting the authors of the book Vignettes and Postcards from Morocco. On December 5th five award winning travel writers promise to “seek the ancient and celebrate the exotic in Morocco.” The description about the program piqued my interest with the lines “Shake off the holiday blues as the chergui (desert wind) whips reality into fantasy, from Casablanca to Tangier, from Marrakesh to the Sahara, from a rose festival in the countryside to a betrothal fair high in the Atlas Mountains, in the alleyways and on the rooftops, in the souks and on the plains scattered with ruins.” For over one hundred years, the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco has been offering a place for discussions about politics, culture, society, and the economy. Through the years the diverse speakers have included Teddy Roosevelt, California Governor Jerry Brown, political commentator David Brooks, environmental advocate Jane Goodall, Martin Luther King Jr., Walter Cronkite, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Bill Gates. Established in 1903, the non-profit nonpartisan organization is the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum. I recently attended a Commonwealth Club lunch time speaker event at the newly opened headquarters at 110 The Embarcadero, a five-minute walk from the Embarcadero BART station. What a gorgeous building. msrp It is hard to miss with its sparkling glass exterior. All Dinnerware and Accessories Architect Leddy Maytum Stacy, winner of the 2017 National Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects, embarked on constructing a mostly new building for the Commonwealth Club. Located on the Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza Danville, The Livery waterfront, the new headquarters has 24,000 square feet of interior space, two auditoriums, a rooftop deck and garden, an art exhibition area, multiple informational video screens, several informal gathering spaces, and a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound audio system and high-tech communications platform. It is LEED Gold, with a specially designed window system for cooling the building with fresh air. Looking out from the second floor of the new Commonwealth Club, feeling the cool breeze from the bay, and enjoying a spectacular view of the Bay Bridge, I felt like I was standing on the bow of a San Francisco Commonwealth Club new headquarters is ship. Beautiful repurposed wood planks from the 1910 building that once stood at this same location located on the waterfront at 110 The Embarcadero. fit like a mosaic onto the walls adding to the feel of a majestic ocean liner. Vignettes and Postcards from Morocco will feature some of the 33 stories and poems from the Foreword Book of the Year finalist on Tuesday, December 5th with a book signing and presentation that starts at 6PM at the new location for the Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero Way, San Francisco. For more information and radio, podcast and video of prior programs, visit Commonwealthclub.org. Their phone number is 415-597-6705. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
“Christmas Tree”
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35TH ANNUAL ALAMO TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
The Community Foundation of Alamo will present the 35th Annual Alamo Tree Lighting on December 3rd from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. This year, Santa will be arriving by sports car, driven by one of his special elves! Following his introduction, he will be ready to hear all of the Christmas dreams and wishes for all children in attendance and parents can take pictures of their kids on Santa’s lap. These photos are a perfect gift idea for grandparents and other relatives. The Tree Lighting is a festive family event which is attended by local groups, businesses, schools, community leaders, clubs, and organizations. Students from local schools will provide terrific music, and everyone is invited to sing along. Local civic leaders will be on hand to welcome everyone and community groups will have light beverGopher/Mole Removal ages and treats to enjoy while listening to the No Poison festive music. The Animal Rescue Tri-Valley Trapper Foundation (ARF), co-founded in 1991 by Alamo’s own Tony
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and Elaine La Russa, will have adoptable pets available. ARF saves dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and brings people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives. ARF has been instrumental in saving thousands of animals, and the foundation has been very busy in these last few months helping with the rescue of pets from the deadly hurricanes and wildfires. Barrels provided by the Contra Costa Food Bank will be on-hand for donation of non-perishable foods. A donation tree for the local chapter of Teen Challenge will also be available. Teen challenge helps young adults who are in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction or have been in abusive environments. Everyone is encouraged to participate in any of the charitable collections but is not necessary to enjoy this beautiful and fun event. The festival is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Alamo with the festival committee including Terri Delfosse, Kevin Musante, Sharon Schuyler, John Lineweaver, Andrew Elkin, Denise and Chris Roussett, Steve Mick, Alicia Watson, Brent Tucker, and Ilene Ferguson. The Community Foundation of Alamo is very thankful for generous donations, sponsorships, and help from Oak Tree Plaza, Stone Valley Center, County Parks and Recreation, World of Sound and Vision, Alamo World Travel, Alamo Ace Hardware, and the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation also gives a BIG THANK YOU to Alamo & Danville Today News and The Valley Sentinel for their continuing help and support for this and all events they promote in the community! If you are interested in helping with monetary donations for the Tree Lighting or for more information, please visit the Community Foundation website, www.CFAlamo.com. Come out to celebrate and make this a fabulous and memorable event!
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
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events are uppermost in our minds. Contra Costa County has an excellent emergency information page on its website. Advice from emergency preparedness experts boil down to four phrases: Make a Kit. Have a Plan. Be Involved. Be Informed. Make a Kit: Your kit should have food and water for three days, a radio, whistle, first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, extra prescription medications (routinely rotated and updated), and blankets. Have a Plan: Discuss escape routes and meeting places with your household, document contact names and phone numbers, and communicate and practice your plan. Add a family member or friend out of town whose phone number will be a clearinghouse for information in case you can’t find all your household members. Be Involved: Volunteer with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team, www.contracostacert.com) or the Red Cross, take a class such as CPR and assist in your neighborhood (know your neighbors, make a neighborhood database with cell phone and emergency numbers, know how many occupants in each home, know neighbors who are elderly or disabled and less able to get out quickly). Be Informed: Register with the Community Warning System. This is something you can do RIGHT NOW while you are reading this article. Contra Costa County participates in a state of the art community warning system to get the news out in case of emergencies. Go to www.cwsalerts.com. There’s a large red button on the right side of the homepage stating, “Register Here for Emergency Alerts.” Register your cell phones and email addresses to be notified by the County in case of emergencies. You do not need to register your landline UNLESS you have a VOIP number, such as Vonage or Ring Central. VOIP numbers must be registered to receive an alert. Alerts are sent for hazardous materials releases, emergencies such as gas and water main breaks, terrorism incidents, major power failures, train derailments, and law enforcement emergencies such as outbreaks of civil unrest or violence, etc. They are not sent for traffic situations or non-life threatening events. This is the major way the County lets the community know of emergencies. The County uses all the following methods to keep its citizens updated: texts, email, landline notification, social media, sirens, radio (the County advises you tune into KCBS-740AM) and TV, NOAA weather radio, and the public website www.cococws.us. Another good site to register with to receive emergency text alerts is Nixle, www.nixle.com. Text a zip code to 888777 to opt-in and get alerts for severe weather and traffic, criminal activities, missing persons, and local events. Currently Danville is served by Nixle, but Alamo and Diablo are not yet subscribed. Nixle has provided lifesaving information during the many recent natural disasters. For earthquake preparedness, visit www.shakeout.org, for great information on how to prepare for an earthquake. Do you still think to survive an earthquake you should stand in a doorway? Well, that’s a myth. In most situations, you will reduce your chance of injury during an earthquake if you DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if it’s nearby. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs. HOLD ON until shaking stops. Under your shelter of table or desk, hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move if your shelter shifts. If you have no shelter, hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands. You don’t know from the first shake if it will be “The Big One” or not. So drop, cover, and hold on from the first sign of a quake. The County will gladly send your group or neighborhood a Community Warning System and preparedness speaker who will give lots of good advice about surviving an emergency. Request a speaker at www.cwsalerts.com.
DIABLO CHORAL ARTISTS CONCERT
Diablo Choral Artists presents Carols and Lullabies, featuring Christmas in the Southwest by Conrad Susa, with harp, guitar, and marimba playing three settings of “Ave Maria” (by Verdi, Victoria, and Biebl), Ola Gjiello’s “A Spotless Rose,” Eric Whitacre’s “Alleluia,” and more. The evening will also include a carol sing-along. Mark Tuning is music director, and John R. Walko is the accompanist. • Friday, Dec. 1 ~ 8PM ~ St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Hill • Sunday, December 3 ~ 4PM ~ Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Walnut Creek. For tickets and more information, visit www.dcachorus.org, call (925) 680-7089, or e-mail info@dcachorus.org.There will be a reception after the Sunday concert and a drawing for a gift basket at each concert.
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Kindness continued from front page
to be a voice for kindness throughout the nation and our opportunity to practice intentional acts of kindness in each of the 48 states brought our hearts together.” In order to set up a website inviting folks around the country to participate in the tour from home and benefit from weekly suggestions about taking time to be kind, Emily reached out to friends in many states. She calls the folks helping to generate the online tour “the Beyonders” and also refers to them as “the Wings Beneath My Wings.” Although each member of her core support team considered herself a kind person prior to taking on the tour, every one of the women has been amazed at the life-changing impact of intentionally stopping to transform a reflexive negative response to a positive interaction. Angela Bouma, designer of the logo and website, writes: “What I think is most remarkable about the tour is that the kindness being shown aren’t these huge, grand, ‘go viral’ gestures you might expect. It’s the small things – noticing your waitress, helping to change a tire, sending an encouraging text – which are the types of kindness that make small differences in the lives of people right now.” Chiming in from Colorado, Becky Butterfield remarks, “Our world is such a mess now. Maybe it’s always been that way, but now we have the media and social media to tell us what’s wrong. We need to focus on what’s good. Joanne Molan takes the opportunity to be kind to the earth by Kindness is somepicking up trash along Idaho's Clearwater River. thing we can all talk about.” She continues, “Working on the tour opens my eyes to being kind. Now I think when I am at an intersection about letting the other driver go first. When someone wants to change lanes, I let them in instead of speeding up to cut them off.” Reporting from Minnesota, Debbie Merritt comments, “I think the most important part of the tour is just the awareness that it brings to being kind.
See Kindness continued on page 16
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HURTS SO...GOOD?
By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Custom Fitness
No pain, no gain. Right? Maybe you’ve heard that line in a movie or from a high school coach, a friend at the gym, or even from a trainer. Real pain is an indicator that something isn’t functioning properly. Your body is talking to you. Are you listening? Let me back up. I’m not referring to the pain of getting out of bed early to workout or that burning sensation your muscles feel when they are taxed. I’m talking about sharp knee pain during a lunge, constant dull hip pain while running, a nagging shoulder pain, or a chronically tight lower back. The “no pain, no gain” model, when dealing with this type of pain, may eventually bring about a serious injury. Pushing through this kind of pain does not make anyone stronger. More than likely, it will promote muscle imbalance, compensation, and weakness. Regardless of the modality with which we choose to train, trainers and clients should have one common goal: to move better in daily life as a result of the training. In comes the fitness buzzword of the moment: Functional training! So, what exactly does that mean? During functional training, the movements performed mimic the activities of daily life. In this model, muscle groups work in concert with each other to balance the load of a given task on the various body systems. If we already have some dysfunction and muscle imbalance, then we are loading dysfunctionally. This is why so many people feel discomfort during functional training. To counter dysfunction, corrective exercise can be incorporated within the warm up, cool down, and even during the workout. Activating muscles with precision movements that exploit mobility and stability, where necessary, produces more effective movement patterns. And yes, you will still break a good sweat, get muscle soreness, and “feel the burn” without loading dysfunction. You only get one body. Listen to it. If something always hurts, the answer isn’t more reps. Maybe it’s time to try something new, to move in a way that encourages healing along with strength. Gumsaba Custom Fitness can help you on your path to moving better. Contact me today for a free consultation, and
NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
take a preventative measure to ensure your body functions at its best...for life! To your health, Coach Michelle Michelle Brown is owner of Gumsaba Custom Fitness Studio in Alamo. She is an ACE Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, ACE Subject Matter Expert, ACE certified Personal Trainer, Martial Arts & Self Defense Expert and Spartan SGX Coach. Michelle has been helping people in our community surpass their goals for 20 years. To learn more about her programs visit gumsaba.com. Advertorial
ADAS ART DEMONSTRATION BY GANDIOL
Join the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) on Saturday, November 5th at 2pm for an afternoon to welcome Philippe Gandiol, an award winning Northern California painter, who was born and raised in France before moving to California in his early 20’s. He has painted with oils for over 25 years. He paints a variety of subjects: landscapes, cityscapes, still life, and figures. He works as much as possible from life, believing that only in life can he find the full range of light and color he wants in his paintings. He will be painting a cityscape while discussing his technique during his demonstration which will be held at the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. To learn more about Philippe visit www.philippegandiol.com. To learn more about ADAS visit www.adas4art.org and www.blackhawkgallery.org.
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHORALE
The San Ramon Valley Chorale is a professional-caliber choral group for adult singers in the San Ramon Valley who work to increase appreciation for music in the community. Directed by Bruce Koliha, former Director of the Monte Vista High School choirs, the San Ramon Valley Chorale has two goals: to make great music and to spread the love of choral music to the community. The group is currently underway with their Fall 2017 session, preparing for several concerts to be held in the month of December. The Chorale’s main concert will be held Sunday, December 3rd at 4PM in the Performing Arts Center at Dublin High School, followed by two performances later in December in collaboration with the Diablo Symphony, Diablo Choral Artists, and Chromatica. For further information, please visit www.srvchorale.com or e-mail srvchorale@ gmail.com.
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan
SALLET HERBS
Beyond wild fowl brought to the feast by Pilgrim marksmen and venison contributed by Native Americans who were welcomed despite being unexpected guests, no primary source documents what was consumed at the First Thanksgiving staged in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. George Willison writes in his extensively researched books The Pilgrim Reader and Saints and Strangers that the settlers served various “sallet herbes.” Although his assertion they enjoyed watercress is puzzling because watercress is not indigenous to North America, many other ingredients of a typical Elizabethan salad were available. Seeds of garden cress might have made the rough 1620 Atlantic crossing. No one would have missed the tomatoes and peppers that definitely weren’t on hand. Contemporary cooks tossed their salads instead with dried and fresh fruits and nuts. Blueberries, cranberries, and beach plums were in season (the Pilgrim celebration occurred sometime in October or early November). Raspberries, strawberries, and huckleberries grew abundantly in the area. A friend whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower gave me a sprig of mint descended from a cutting brought with them. Other culinary and medicinal herbs may also have survived the 66-day journey. Not native to the New World, but a popular part of contemporary Old World salads, purslane has been documented as taking root in parts of North America long before 1620 courtesy of earlier explorers. Most of us think of this low-growing, highly nutritious succulent sprouting from every crack in brick and concrete walks as a weed. The Pilgrims would have recognized it as a welcome taste of home. William Wood reports in New England’s Prospect which was published in London in 1634: “There is likewise growing all manner of herbs for meat or medicine, and that not only planted in gardens but in the woods, without the help of man, as sweet marjoram, purslane, sorrell, penerial, yarrow, myrtle, sarsaparilla, bays, etc.” Although seeds brought for planting wheat and other field crops gave a poor yield, the settlers reaped a respectable harvest from maize, beans, and squash that native people taught them to plant.
Kindness continued from page 14
It challenges others to see people in a different way, giving value to each life touched.” The simplest way to show someone you value his or her existence is to take a second to smile. Smiles tend to be contagious, and they make everyone feel happier. Sharon Hensley lives in California. Emily credits her with being a calming influence able to be direct yet gentle in the group’s planning sessions that produce background information for each of the tour’s 11 weekly themes. Sharon writes, “We all give feedback to Emily as she proposes ideas or talks about things that need to be done as part of the project. It is usually a very Joanne Molan (L) and Emily Nelson (R) share smiles and alively discussion as we hug as the Beyond Kindness Tour begins. all come from different strengths and gifts, but we all give our opinion and then help Emily think through the voice SHE wants to have.” Prepped for the tour, Joanne Molan reports just prior to climbing in the van, “We get going so fast we don’t think about flexing our kindness muscles. Acting on daily opportunities to be kind is a new habit I’ve formed.” On the road, Joanne and Jack are taking every chance they encounter to be kind not only to people they meet (stopping to listen to a lonely elderly lady in
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Wild-leeks, once prolifically productive, are currently considered species of concern in many areas and may soon make the endangered list in several states as well as Canada. With broad leaves and pungent bulbs sized like scallions, Allium tricoccum is known commonly as ramps. An entry in John Josselyn’s New-England’s Rarities Discovered which was released in 1672 reads: “WildLeekes, which the Indians use much to eat with their fish.” In 1605, Samuel de Champlain described the taste of a tuber grown on Cape Cod as tasting like an artichoke. He brought the curiosity back to France from whence it was delivered to England. John Gerard introduced it to his London garden as early as 1617. His contemporary John Parkinson referred to the tubers as “potatoes of Canada.” Now known commonly as Jerusalem artichokes or sun-chokes, the tubers of the sunflower properly labeled Helianthus tuberous were certainly possible ingredients of a 1621 Pilgrim salad. They can be eaten raw or cooked much like potatoes. Speculation on the addition of “Jerusalem” to the somewhat deceptive reference to artichoke (water chestnut-like would be most tasters first thought) continues. Some believe it was dubbed “a new food for the new Jerusalem” – the promised land where religious dissenters could be free from persecution. Others suggest a connection to the Italian moniker “girasole articiocco” translated as “sunflower artichoke.” A third theory suggests Jerusalem is a corruption of Terneuzen, a city in the Netherlands where the tuber was cultivated. Native Americans called the versatile vegetable Sun Roots. Hard-boiled eggs were often included in Elizabethan salads. The English settlers may have gathered eggs from the nests of wild ducks, geese, turkeys, and quail. The only animals documented as Mayflower passengers were dogs – an English mastiff and an English Spaniel. But whether transported on the Mayflower or a later ship, chickens were scratching around the Pilgrims’ dwellings by 1623 when visitor Emmanuel Altham wrote: “Furthermore, there is belonging to the town six goats, about fifty hogs and pigs, also divers hens.” Finally, add some edible flower petals. Now uncommon, New England’s native rose petals would have worked. A recipe from Thomas Dawson’s 1596 The Good Huswifes Jewell recommends: “Take your herbes and picke them very fine into faire water, and picke your flowers by themselves, and wash them all cleane …and put into vinegar and Oyle, and throw the flowers on top of the Sallet … and hard Egges boyled and laid about the dish and upon the Sallet.”
DANVILLE-ALAMO GARDEN CLUB
Danville-Alamo Garden Club (DAGC) meets on the second Thursday of the month between September and June. Meetings begin at 9:15am at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo. The November 9th speaker will be Bill Welch, also known as Bill the Bulb Baron. At his farm outside Santa Cruz, he grows and hybridizes numerous varieties of bulbs, mostly Tazetta Narcissus, what are usually call daffodils. He has the largest collection of these in the world. He will talk to the Club about growing bulbs and bring loads of bulbs for purchase. Visit http://www.billthebulbbaron.com/availability.htm to learn more. For answers to questions, email membershipvp@dagc.us or visit www. dagc.us. Guests are welcome to attend for a $10 fee.
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
The presentation for the November 13 meeting of the Walnut Creek Garden Club will be “Holiday Decorating with Flowers” by Stephen Brown AIFD, Environmental Horticulture and Floral Design, City College of San Francisco. The meeting will take place at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. It will begin at 9:45AM with a business meeting followed at 10:30AM with a social and a 11AM program. All are invited to attend a meeting. E-mail questions you have to mslittle44@gmail.com. South Dakota who joked about being homeless because she moved from one family member’s home to another throughout the year), but also to the earth (gathering trash along Idaho’s Clearwater River). Emily talks about the power of being open to communication and embracing the opportunity to get acquainted with strangers.“Making kindness a way of life is about extending a hand instead of crossing your arms. It’s about inviting someone who is different from you to sit at your table or join you when you spread a picnic blanket.” On the ferry crossing to Vermont,
See Kindness continued on page 24
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QUESTIONS TO A SK YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
By Robert Cucchiaro
Last April, the Department of Labor released a rule requiring that brokers who provide investment advice to retirement plans (401Ks, IRAs) act like fiduciaries. A fiduciary is someone who is legally required to give advice that is in the best interest of the client, as opposed to the firm he/she works for. One of the reasons this type of rule needs to be in existence is because the financial services industry has no regulation around the professional titles individuals can use. For example, there are many folks out there today who call themselves Financial Planners or Private Wealth Advisors, and yet they have not passed the CFP® exam, which is a three year program in which one is actually trained to become a Certified Financial Planner. Why the industry allows this is beyond me, and quite honestly the DOL/Fiduciary rule is a really roundabout way of addressing the problem, which is simply a lack of standards around who can call themselves a Financial Planner versus a Broker. With that in mind, I came up with a list of questions I would suggest asking before hiring a financial advisor (consider using this with your current advisor or any prospective advisor you might interview): 1. Are you a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)? If they try to bluff by saying, “I have a team of CFP®’s who support me,” with very limited exception, take a pass. The person looking you in the eyes and advising you needs to be certified as a financial planner; otherwise, all of the experience that they boast may simply be years of selling product. 2. Do you receive a W2 from a parent company, and if so, is that company a bank or insurance company? While there is nothing wrong with this in and of itself, you should know if your Advisor works for you or for someone else. A W2 is a clear indication of employment and thus a likely predictor that they are incentivized to sell whatever product their employer profits from.
GIVING TO CHILDREN: IS EQUAL FAIR?
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Parents usually try their best to treat their children equally, and children tend to expect that. But is equal always fair? And how does this work in the context of estate planning? While giving to children equally is a common parental goal, ensuring precise equality is impractical, if not impossible. Children have different needs, intellects, hobbies, educational goals, aspirations, etc. If one child plays baseball and another plays lacrosse, and the cost to participate differs, should the parents make an equalizing distribution to the child whose sport costs less? Most parents would answer, “of course not.” Tougher questions might include, for example, whether equalizing should be considered if: a) one child chooses to attend an expensive private college and another chooses to go to a community college?; or b) if one child has extensive medical expenses or disabilities or simply needs more support than other children? These kinds of estate planning questions present a significant challenge because there are no universally right and wrong answers - just better and worse ones in the judgment of any particular parent. Below, I describe a few common situations involving matters of equality and fairness, and I identify some associated estate planning implications. Loans to children: Suppose you make a loan to one, but not all, of your children; or you make loans to more than one child, but in different amounts. How should such loans be treated upon the death of the parent? While there is no set answer, the question should be considered carefully, and the loans should be documented. First, a promissory note should be prepared by an attorney and signed by the child borrower. Second, good records should be kept so that if the parent dies, the parent’s successor Trustee or Executor can easily identify the then-current loan balance. Third, the parent’s Living Trust or Will should
NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
3. How do you manage portfolios, and is there a CFA on your team? A CFA is a Chartered Financial Analyst. This is also a three year program and is the standard designation serious portfolio managers obtain before managing private money. Again, if they say their “back office” has CFAs on the team, don’t fall for it. A few CFAs supporting several thousand financial advisors who in turn are supporting thousands of clients is of little use to you and your hard-earned savings. For the fees you are paying, getting a local CFA and CFP to manage your wealth and plan your financial future is not too much to ask for, and it’s what you deserve. 4. How many clients/households do you serve? While there is no hard and fast rule here, this will give you a sense of how much time the Advisor can really spend assisting with your situation and providing you custom advice. 5. What does your client service model look like, both initially and on an ongoing basis? Any firm that claims to offer wealth management services better have a process for both initially understanding and analyzing your current situation, as well as a process for reviewing and monitoring this work on an annual basis. Financial Planning and Investment Management are fluid and ever-changing, and your plan needs to remain current at all times. 6. What is your client retention rate? If this number is too low, that should give you some indication that the firm over promises and under delivers. Finding an Advisor you can trust is hard. Find one that has an independent custodian (Schwab, TD Ameritrade, etc.), and find one that charges transparent fees for their advice. Get a good understanding of how they manage client money, and compare what they say they will do with what they are actually doing. This is the advice I would give my own wife or kids should they need help, and I am confident this advice will serve your needs as well. Whether you are already retired or 10 years away, the team at Summit Wealth & Retirement is here to help you with investment management, retirement planning, and financial & tax planning. Our team includes two CFPs, a CFA, and an MBA, and we are conveniently located in Danville. Call us to make a complimentary appointment at (925) 927-1900 or visit our website at www. summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial state clearly what shall happen with that loan receivable upon the parent’s death. For example, is the loan to be: paid in full?; partially or fully forgiven?; credited to that child’s share of the trust/estate? Without adequate documentation, a parent’s wishes will likely be thwarted. Furthermore, ambiguities may arise and lead to conflict, if not seriously damaged relationships between the children. A Child Caretaker: It is not uncommon for a child to serve as a part-time or full-time caretaker for an aging parent. In the course of performing these services, the child may make substantial personal and/ or financial sacrifices. An estate planning attorney can help parents evaluate the circumstances and navigate reasonable solutions. Again, documentation is critical. In many instances, it’s appropriate for parents to work with their estate planning attorney and accountant to draft an appropriate contract under which the caretaker child is paid a reasonable wage. Sometimes, a parent has insufficient liquid assets to pay the child or the child refuses to be paid. In that case, the parent may wish to modify her estate plan such that, upon the parent’s death, the caretaker child will receive a specific cash gift or a slightly higher percentage of total assets than the other children. Such parent might also articulate in the applicable estate planning document the reason that the children are being provided for unequally. The children may not all like or agree with the stated reason, but at least they will understand why the parent believed it was appropriate and fair. Attorneys don’t have all the answers, but one of their most valuable functions is to know what questions to ask and how to guide their clients to answers that work best for the clients and their loved ones. Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business * Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
CUSTOMER SUPPORT By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Over the past several years, a shift has occurred in the delivery of customer support, and I’m confident you have noticed. This article is for anyone who has purchased something expensive, had a problem, and has been somewhat underwhelmed by the customer service response they’ve received. I will identify some approaches to reducing your stress and getting
what you need. Once upon a time, a consumer could go to the appliance store to pick out a new gizmo, and then be confident in the warranty that came with the product. If something went wrong, they knew they could call the store or the manufacturer, get prompt service, and have things made right. Of course, service wasn’t always perfect, and personalities always come into play, but for the most part you got what you needed and were generally left satisfied. What we’ve all noticed is that this social contract has been put under enormous stress by globalization over the last 30 years and is now, in my opinion, completely broken. What happened? The central problem is the practice of major corporations aggregating support into enormous, usually off shore call-centers, and the subsequent use of rigid troubleshooting scripts that turn support people into robots. It’s all about minimizing expenses and maximizing profits, sometimes to a fault. Some decisions look good on a spreadsheet but have awful real-world consequences. By tapping into the vast overseas labor force (which costs less than 20% of US labor costs), US companies can “check the box” on saying they provide “24/7 customer support,” which is a must-have for big business. The “spreadsheet decision” comes into play when one measures how many frustrated clients they will lose versus the continuous bottom-line savings of using offshore instead of domestic customer support. After losing the predicted number of frustrated customers, they’re still far ahead and won’t feel the impact. It’s a sad, cynical approach, but if you choose to look at it that way, the numbers support it. I have nothing but compassion for anyone who performs phone support
helping people with technical problems. Phone support is challenging in even the best of circumstances. It is personally my least favorite activity. When you combine complicated technical problems, stressed-out customers who are unfamiliar with technology or who won’t follow instructions, unfamiliarity with American colloquialisms, and rigid customer service “scripts” that the service reps must follow word for word, it is no wonder people aren’t happy about their customer support experience. However, I urge you to put the blame where it belongs: on the company who is designing their support model this way. I use a lot of technology, and I’ve shifted my expectations about receiving support to stay sane. This support trend is unlikely to change. Here is what I recommend. 1. Before you call any major company for support (Microsoft, Comcast, AT&T, Dell, etc.), contact PCIO or another appropriate professional for a quick opinion to see if your problem is appropriate for calling support. We will tell you the truth about whether a call to the manufacturer would be helpful or a waste of your time, or we may help you solve the problem outright. Think of us as a concierge. In our experience, the majority of calls to “support” lines are a waste of time. Also, many large companies don’t actually publish their support telephone numbers. Many numbers you do find on the internet are fake, provided by internet crooks trying to con you. (More on this next month) 2. “Time-box” the amount of time you are willing to spend on the telephone before calling for support. You should not spend more than one hour. If they cannot solve your problem in that time, you are probably wasting your time. If they had a solution, they would have told you in the first 20 minutes. See #1. Get a local pro to help you sort it out or who can act as your advocate on the telephone in your place. 3. What is your time worth? Ask yourself if it would be cheaper to buy another product instead of spending the time slogging through the vendors customer support. I recently had this experience with Apple’s telephone support. I was so disappointed. This is a private economic decision. 4. I know it’s difficult when we get frustrated. Try to remember the tech support representatives are human too, just trying to do their job. If they could wave a magic wand for you, they certainly would. PCIO has been helping clients like you solve problems since 2001. Give us the first call and you can avoid much unnecessary frustration. Reach us at 925-552-7953 or support@pcioit.com. Advertorial
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
Family Meeting Place. Designate a meeting place that your family will immediately go to when disaster strikes. The place you choose should be outside your neighborhood in the event that it is not safe to return to your home or stay in its surrounding areas. Each family member should be capable of reciting the address of the meeting place or locating it on their own if need be.
By Roger Smith, Alamo Improvement Association ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
November means autumn, colorful foliage, and Thanksgiving! Please join the Market and your neighbors in experiencing live music and a delicious selection of fruits, vegetables, and other foods while taking a moment to pause and reflect upon the bountiful relationship agriculture provides for us. The Market is open every Sunday from 9AM-2PM in the parking lot of Alamo Plaza near Bank of America. There is plenty of free and easy parking.
EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
What is Smart911? Smart911 is free and allows you to provide valuable information about yourself and your family to 911 call takers and first responders. If a disaster strikes, first responders can have vital information such as home access areas, utility shut-off and bedroom locations, and pet information. At a time when seconds count, being able to provide 911 with details that could impact response the second an emergency call is placed could be the difference between life and death. Now is the time to create a Safety Profile for your family at www.smart911.com. What is Ready.gov? Ready.gov has made it simple for you to make a family emergency plan. Download the “Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids,” and fill out the sections before printing or emailing it to your family and friends. Who to Call, Where to Meet, What to Pack - This campaign includes ageappropriate tools and resources to start conversations about disaster preparedness with children. A sample of the materials available include Preparedness Social Media Messages, “Ready Kids” emergency preparedness videos, and disaster fact sheets for kids. Access the material at www.ready.gov/kids and www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. Family Communication Plan: Due to disaster damages and heavy phone traffic, it is often easier to communicate with someone that is out-of-state during an emergency. Therefore, ask a long-distance relative or close friend to be the contact person your family will call if separated. Teach your household to use this number as a form of communicating and letting one know that the other is safe.
STEPS TO START YOUR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN
Collect information. Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes phone (work, cell, office), email, social media, medical facilities, doctors, service providers, and school information.
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HOW TO SHARE INFORMATION AND PRACTICE YOUR PLAN
Share information. Make sure everyone carries a copy of the contact information in their backpack, purse, or wallet. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board. Practice your plan. Have regular household meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans, and meeting place after a disaster, and then practice, just like you would a fire drill. Good emergency preparedness materials for families, pets, seniors, disabled, and businesses are available at www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov/media-library/ resources-documents/collections/344.
EMERGENCY ALERTS
Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Make sure all household members are able to get alerts about an emergency from local officials. Check with your local emergency management agency to see what is available in your area, and learn more about alerts by visiting www.ready.gov/alerts. In the event of an immediate threat to your life, health, or safety, the county’s Community Warning System (CWS) will be activated. CWS will alert residents and businesses within Contra Costa County that are impacted by or are in danger of being impacted by an emergency. The CWS message will include basic information about the incident and what specific protective actions (shelter in place, lockdown, evacuate, avoid the area, etc.) are necessary to protect life and health. Learn more at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/2269/Emergency-Information and https://cwsalerts.com. Depending on the urgency, severity, and certainty of the threat, some combination of the following alerting devices may be activated to provide you as much notice as possible: Sirens in special safety zones, Emergency Alert System (EAS) on television and radio (KCBS 740AM), Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS), Cell Phone Alerts, NOAA Weather Radios and Twitter and Facebook at CoCoCWS.
CLOUD STORAGE FOR FAMILY PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS
Learn about cloud storage for your important files. Visit PC Magazine’s rating of these services for 2017 at www.pcmag.com/roundup/306323/the-best-cloudstorage-providers-and-file-syncing-services. Save this article for reference. More information and a reminder to get this done will be presented next month.
valley’s best swimming hole on San Ramon Creek. In 1856, twenty-year old Bret Harte came to the camp meeting when he was a tutor for the Bryant boys in the Tassajara Valley. A devout Christian concerned that his four sons not grow up “like range cattle.” Abner Bryant would have brought them to the meeting, which Harte later described in his story An Apostle of the Tules. Also in 1856 about ten people organized and built the Cumberland Presbyterian Church “on a lot which is now a driveway leading to the cemetery,” according to Mrs. Jones. Other Protestant congregations such as the Methodists shared the church building for Sunday services. Drawing of the Union Academy by Jack Hamel boarded in Oakland and elsewhere for their high school education. SCHOOLS In addition, in 1861 a newspaper, the Pacific Cumberland Presbyter, was One of the first grammar schools in the valley was placed near the cemetery published in Alamo by the Rev. T. M. Johnston. He might have produced it in 1854. Mrs. Jones said Richard Webster was the first teacher. Smith (who out of the Academy or the Church since he evidently owned land next to the was one of the students) said that Webster “was popular with the pupils. He church during the 1860s. had good discipline, but I never knew of his punishing a pupil.” In 1858 a new high school, the Union Academy, was established across from THE CEMETERY the church on the west side of the Martinez Road (today’s Danville Blvd.). It The Alamo Cemetery was placed on a gentle hill east of San Ramon Creek opened for classes in 1859 and burned down in 1868. The first trustees were in the 1850s. There might have been earlier burials, but the first recorded one John M. Jones (Mary Ann’s husband), Silas Stone, and Robert Love. was that of six-year old Callie Chrisman in 1856. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church actively promoted higher education in Precise American ownership of the hill at that time is unknown. John B. the west and set up a committee in 1857 to create a high school in Contra Costa Watson owned property along the Martinez Road in this area and sold a parcel County. After a protracted County-wide debate over the school location, leaders to August Hemme for his first home in 1856. Watson and Hemme were both from Alamo and Danville organized the Contra Costa Education Association community-minded. Watson donated land for the new Cumberland Presbyterian and built the three-story Union Academy for boarding and day students. It was Church in 1856, while Hemme evidently sold the Union Academy parcel at a the largest building in the Valley, and ranchers came regularly to meetings, very reasonable price in 1858. church services, and other events at the Academy. During the 1861-2 floods, By the 1860s, valley residents and visitors frequented the small downtowns residents took refuge in the Academy. After it burned down in 1868, students in Alamo, Danville, and Limerick/San Ramon to use the general stores and
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
Gathering continued from page 20
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin
post offices, blacksmith shops, and one-room grammar schools. Disagreements over the Civil War created tensions during these years. But the existence of the high school, church, and cemetery clustered on the Alamo-Danville border helped gather people together and nurture the new communities.
THE ARC
Fast-forward to today. The newly opened Activity and Recreation Center (the ARC) at the Methodist Church draws people again to this location. There are pick-up activities such as volleyball or pickle ball, organized sports such as soccer or basketball, and scheduled classes such as gentle yoga. To know more, go to www.thearkcenter.com, email info@ theARCcenter, or call (925) 837-2011. Sources are available at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave., Danville.
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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
THE EYE OPENER
PINGUECULAS AND PTERYGIUMS By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
When I describe pingueculas to patients, I usually get a confused look and am asked to either repeat the name or to write it down so it can be Googled later. It is a very common condition, and most patients have seen them on their eyes, but they are not aware of their origin or how to treat them. As I go through the definitions, most people will realize that they have these on their eyes, and at times they can cause a little redness or irritation. A pinguecula (pin-GWEK-yoo-la) is a very common non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the front surface of the eye). It is usually a yellowish round bump more commonly found on the side of the eye closest to the nose, but it also be found on the outer portion of the eye. Many times, it can become inflamed with blood vessels running across the eye. These do not cause any vision loss, but they can cause some irritation and tend to cause patients to have a foreign-body sensation. Symptoms become noticeable to patients during allergy season, windy days, and dry conditions. This is also true of extended contact lens wear because depending on how close the pinguecula is to the cornea, it can cause increased contact lens sensation as the edge of the contact lens will rest on the pinguecula. Regardless of how inflamed or irritated a pinguecula becomes, it will remain on the conjunctiva and not grow onto the cornea. A pinguecula and a pterygium (tur-IJ-ee-um) are similar and are found in the same locations. However, the difference is the tissue of origin and the shape. A pterygium develops in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye underneath the conjunctiva. These also take on a triangular shape with the wider base next to the corner of the eye and the narrower edge pointed towards the center portion of the eye. Both conditions are completely benign and share similar causes. By far the biggest culprit is UV exposure. It is important to realize that it is a cumulative effect of UV radiation, and a very large portion of that was done by the time you turned 18. That is why it is very important for kids to wear sunglasses and hats when they are young. The other contributors are dusty and chemical environments. Farmers are notorious for having very large pingueculas because they have exposure to sun, dust, and fumes from the chemicals that are used on vegetation. Treatment of these conditions is also very similar. Besides the need for UV-blocking sunglasses, lubricating drops help with the foreign body sensation and helps to keep the area moist. If these grow large, they become very dry because as the lids come down over the eye during blinking, it is not able to reach the entire surface, and therefore it becomes dry and inflamed. The redder and more inflamed these become, they quicker they tend to grow. In advanced cases, an anti-inflammatory is needed in conjunction with the lubricating drops to get the redness and irritation under control. These drops will not remove or shrink the area down; it will only reduce the associated swelling and irritation. If a pterygium grows far enough onto the cornea, surgical removal needs to be considered. If it continues to grow in front of the pupil, then vision will be compromised, and when it is removed it will leave a central scar on the cornea that will reduce vision. The need for this does not happen often due to patients taking care of it with sunglasses and artificial tears. As I tell most of my patients, the happier you keep the pterygium, the more likely it is that it will return the favor and not grow as quickly. If you have any questions about which treatment would be best for your situation, we would be happy to see you. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, Advertorial and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.
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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
REASONS WE EAT WHEN WE ARE NOT HUNGRY By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
We all eat when we are not hungry, and we often do not realize when it happens. Maybe you graze when you are bored and pass by the bowl of candy or nuts and mindlessly eat them. You may feel sluggish in the afternoon, and food calls your name. While this is OK from time to time, eating without thinking can derail
your weight loss plan. Here are some typical situations:
EMOTIONAL EATING
You may indulge in a treat to celebrate or eat to soothe yourself because you are upset. Track your emotional triggers that cause an eating rollercoaster that comes out of nowhere. With my clients we work together at understanding why it happens rather than focusing on the overeating.
BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED
I can easily tell when my clients eat improperly when they are tired by looking at their food diary. The diary is often full of sweets to pick them up. As I get to know my client, I stress the importance of getting a good night sleep and taking naps. When you are tired, it is very difficult to know whether you are truly hungry or not. Sleep loss increases impulsivity and stimulates the reward center of your brain, making you prone to eat foods high in calories, sugar, and fat. The body is driven to eat more after a night of poor sleep to compensate for energy expended being awake.
BECAUSE IT’S A SPECIAL OCCASION
If you work in a large office or have a big family it seems like there is always some type of celebration. Remember celebrations are about getting people together, and the food is not always incredibly delicious. I love to help in devising a food plan to navigate these parties one by one as they happen.
BECAUSE THE CLOCK SAYS SO
Do you pull out your lunch or go to lunch when it is your scheduled time? Listen to your body, and don’t eat lunch until you are hungry. Use the time to take a walk, and then wait for the hunger to come. Your food is always more tasty when you feel hungry.
BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE ARE EATING
This can be a difficult time because you want to feel a part of the gang. I encourage people to fill up their plate with some food, move it around on the plate, and throw it away as soon as possible. You always think you are being watched but this is not true. Grab a beverage for security, get through the event, and feel comfortable when you leave.
BECAUSE IT IS FREE OR CHEAP
Everyone, including myself, loves a deal. But please stop eating just because it is free. If you are hungry at the time and it is healthy food, then it makes sense. When I see people at the store buying day old bakery goods, I cringe and want to tell them to take that money and buy something healthy and yummy.
BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SAY NO TO FOOD PUSHERS
If you are a people pleaser at a friend’s home and find it hard to say no you have to really look at this. You must say to them kindly “no thank you”or “I am not hungry.” If you must take the piece of cake that the hostess spent hours making then take a bite and get rid of it gracefully. Also, tell your neighbor when the she comes over with fresh baked cookies that you will enjoy them tonight. Save them for dessert when it fits your food plan.
BECAUSE YOU SUFFER FROM CLEAN PLATE SYNDROME
Most of us grew up with orders to clean our plate because there are starving kids in (you name the country). It is unfortunate that we cannot benefit them, but we have to help ourselves by putting less food on our plate. My job is to teach my clients how little food our body needs when they eat the right combination of foods. I am thrilled to work with clients that do well in the beginning with weight loss but just cannot keep the motivation going and get sidetracked by life. It is my job to keep them on track, show them the areas that are preventing success, and give them the steps to finally achieve their weight loss goals. Give yourself the gift to hire a nutritionist to hold your hand and get you to your weight loss goal. Gift certificates are available. Nutritional counseling is covered by insurance companies such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sutter, Health Net, and other insurances. Please visit LindaRD.com for more information about your nutritional concerns. Call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com. Advertorial
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NATIONAL CAREGIVERS MONTH
By Lori Pyegeorge, RN
In November we recognize family caregivers across the country and honor their dedication and compassion. This includes family caretakers who care for loved ones with a chronic condition, disability, disease, or old age. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP data from 2016, approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child throughout the year. They give their time and energy to food preparation, housekeeping, transportation, and medical care. Many of these caregivers have no medical training and surveys from Gallup-Healthways found that caregivers spend around 13 hours per month researching care services, diseases/conditions, and coordinating medical appointments. As an oncology nurse, I have had the privilege of getting to know many patients and their caregivers. Caring for a person with cancer is an extraordinarily difficult job, as treatments, side effects, and symptoms change over time. In cancer care, there is also an emotional and psychosocial journey that caretakers experience with our patients. One thing I have consistently noticed is that “self-care” is often put on the backburners for caretakers. I encourage individuals who are caregivers to find ways to refill their emotional and physical cup. Here are a few suggestions: • Exercise Regularly - Staying active helps keep your mind and body in top shape and is a huge stress reliever. • Schedule Time Away – Make a date with yourself to do something you enjoy. • Journaling – Take a few minutes every day to write down your thoughts and feelings. • Join a Support Group - Caregiver Action Network is a foundation that has a multitude of resources available. Oncology nurses, many of whom have been working in the field for more than 20 years, often form a special bond with patients and families. Treating the same patient daily, or weekly, for months or even years, nurses and patients build relationships and genuinely care about each other. It is for this reason that our practice will be hosting an event to celebrate the lives of patients who have recently passed away. It will be an opportunity for staff and family members of patients to come together to remember those we love. Our event will be called “An Evening of Memories” where we will share memories in a celebratory and dignified manner. Lori Pyegeorge, RN is the nursing supervisor at Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill. 925-677-5041. She has been an oncology nurse for over 25 years and considers it an honor and Advertorial privilege to care for cancer patients.
PTH continued from page 11
Donations poured in from the school and the surrounding area. Club president Cole McKnight said, “We were overwhelmed by the generosity from the school and the community. One generous donor gave us four garbage bags filled with brand new JanSport backpacks. We quickly had more donations than we needed. It must have been fate when Dia Mundle from the SRVUSD school district saw our post for the Foster Kid collection and reached out to us to mention that they were very short on school supplies and backpacks for local homeless and foster teens in the district.” Co-President Anthony Kwon said, “It was incredible timing because we were able to provide Monte Vista High Ambassadors of Pledge To Humanity supplies for both!” As donations created fleece blankets. Pictured are Caroline Fagg, Ryan poured into the SRVHS school Merrell, Libby Nunan, Justin Geary, and Max Nunan.
NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
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CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
The following classes are held at the Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Ave in Walnut Creek. Classes are free of charge and for cancer patients and caregivers. For more information or to reserve a place in a class, please call (925) 933-0107. Guided Imagery & Stress Reduction: Wednesday, November 15 ~ 6-8PM ~ Julie Kaldveer, MA, CSC Therapist Facilitator. Guided imagery can be used to manage anxiety, boost immune system function, and contribute to a greater sense of well-being.Hear about the science behind the practice, and experience a guided imagery session. From Panic To Powerful: Saturday, December 2 ~ 11AM - 1PM ~ Shariann Tom, cancer coach and five-time cancer survivor. Feeling a sense of control while your world is whirling with chaos might sound impossible. When you’re overwhelmed by anxiety, it’s hard to calm down and carry on. This workshop will show you a way out of panic toward a new sense of empowerment. You will learn ways to release your panic and feel more confident with the Cancer Journey Roadmap as you travel on your own journey. office, outreach coordinators Jordan Atkins and Davis LeCours spent weeks collecting items and delivering them to the central collection location. Supplies quickly filled an entire bedroom in the McKnight household. PTH club volunteers then spent one Saturday sorting donations and then packing them into Comfort Cases for local foster teens. Backpacks were filled with a journal, pens and pencils, fuzzy socks, hair brushes, face wash, and a huge bag filled with every toiletry any teen boy or girl might need. Miranda Ashe of ‘Foster A Dream’ Martinez was thrilled to receive the generous donation. Extra backpacks and school supplies were donated to the SRVUSD school district for local homeless and foster teens. Remaining toiletries and blankets were donated to St Vincent De Paul in West Oakland. Cole said, “It was incredible how we were able to help so many in need with one small collection drive. We are grateful for all the generous donations from the community that helped so many in need!”
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
RELIEF FROM PAIN CAUSED BY HERNIATED DISCS
By Dr. Jesse Call, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic
Many people understandably turn to Chiropractic for relief from neck or back pain. But true understanding of the power of Chiropractic care unlocks limitless potential for better health that extends far beyond neck and back relief. Nervous system care also provides immeasurable benefits for sciatica and other painful conditions that produce shocklike symptoms and physical discomfort throughout the body. Millions of people turn needlessly to dangerous drugs and surgeries to alleviate pain and symptoms because they know of no other options. Few medical doctors research or understand the benefits of Chiropractic when treating disc herniations, sciatica, or radiating arm and leg pain. Research from 2014 focused on a group of adults suffering from back pain, moderate to severe leg pain, and MRI confirmed disc herniation. The patients receiving low back adjustments from a Chiropractor achieved extraordinary results. Nearly 80% of patients reported clinically substantial improvement after one month of care. An overwhelming 90% reported substantial relief from back pain, leg pain, and disc herniation following six months of low back spinal adjustments. Millions of back pain sufferers begin using opioid drugs every week. Chiropractic serves as more than just an alternative remedy for back pain. Chiropractors assess alignment and movement of the spine, looking for problem areas that interfere with the delicate nervous system. Immobile and misalignment areas (subluxations) receive specific and gentle adjustments
to improve biomechanics and communication within the nervous system. Pain relief results as one of many positive side effects of the adjustment. Herniated discs originate from a variety of causes. Unaddressed subluxations contribute to disc herniation. Chiropractic treatment focuses on the proper alignment and mobility of every vertebra. Reduced interference in the nervous system allows the body to better heal itself when combating herniations or pain in the back, legs, arms, or neck. Chiropractic delivers evidentiary results in an age where science and research elevate and substantiate a healthy standard of care. Chiropractic care encompasses the largest drug free healing profession in the world and continues to gain positive acclaim across the globe from millions of satisfied patients who choose to seek optimal healing in place of drugs and invasive surgeries that perpetuate pain and symptoms. Most spinal issues begin with subtle misalignments that generate no immediate feeling of pain. The spine is meant to be flexible and allow for movement of over 20 small bones. Trouble begins when any of those bones move out of alignment for a sustained period of time. The onset of cavity-like symptoms form around subluxations that do not radiate immediate pain but slowly begin to deteriorate and decay the vital pieces of a fluid nervous system. Chiropractors embrace the mission of educating the world about the healing power found in an optimally functioning nervous system. Revolutionary health care exists through the benefits of drug-free health and relief provided by the hands of Sycamore Valley Chiropractic.
Source: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, March-April 2014.“Outcomes of acute and chronic patients with magnetic resonance imaginingconfirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations receiving high-velocity, low-amplitude, spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective observational cohort study with one-year follow-up.” By S. Leemann, CK Peterson, C. Schmid, B. Anklin, BK Humphreys.
Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)8375595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial
Kindness continued from page 16 the Molans had their first encounter with someone who noticed both logos on their van: the book tour and Beyond Kindness. They instantly began chatting like old friends. The stranger hailed from Texas. Joanne writes, “None of this would have happened if Jack and I hadn’t got OUT of our van and opened up our doors. We made ourselves available.” Each week’s theme is supported by a list of 25-30 or more ways to live it. Appropriate quotations add humor along with inspiration. The Will Rogers quote posted with Kindness with Our Words, for example, reads: “So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” Additional themes are Kindness Is Listening, Kindness at Home, Kindness in Our Neighborhood, Kindness to Strangers, Kindness to the Earth, Kindness with Our Dollars, Kindness to the Lonely, Kindness to Those with Special Needs, Kindness Toward Difficult People, and Courageous Kindness. Suggestions range from something as easy to accomplish as “Focus on what you like and appreciate about a person and tell them” to harder tasks like “Buy a meal for a homeless person, and eat it with them. Ask about their life … What was their favorite thing to do when they were growing up? What are they proud of? What makes them smile?” Advice includes “Check your sarcasm at the door. You may think it’s funny, but it’s not always kind.” And “Do a dreaded chore for someone in your family.” You can sign on to the tour at any time, read all the stories from the road, and add your own. You might even win the grand prize of a $500 donation to your favorite charity or one of five $100 donations to your charity of choice. Winners will also receive a copy of Jack Molan’s Alaskan adventure book, now available on Amazon. To join the tour, visit www.beyondkindness.us/. November 13th is Worldwide Kindness Day. Why not plan a party and invite neighbors you barely know or even strangers to celebrate with you? Nelson describes Holiday Respite Day at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 2nd from 11AM - 3PM: “We will be creating a fun experience for Special Needs friends aged 14-30 with games, music, lunch, crafts, and working on a Kindness Project for them to share with others. This will enable the parents to go shopping, enjoy a meal out, or just go home and take a nap!” Volunteers to help with set up, clean up, food, crafts, or being a buddy will be much appreciated. Donations of items or snacks for goodie bags to take home are also needed. Beyond Kindness, Young Life Capernaum, and Joni and Friends are jointly sponsoring the event. To volunteer for Holiday Respite Day or share your stories about spreading kindness, contact Emily at beyondkindness.us@gmail.com.
Holiday Respite Day SO PARENTS CAN HAVE SOME ME TIME!
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 11:00 - 3:00 pm Lafayette-Orinda Pres. Church 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette For our friends with Special Needs ages 14-30
Hosted by:
Enjoy an afternoon of: Lunch! Crafts! Games! Live Music! Photo Booth! Sensory Room! Kindness Project! RSVP by November 18
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
THE NEW FACELIFT
By Dr. Barbara Persons
During the Holiday Season, it’s all about checking off lists (and checking them twice). There is one check list no one wants to have, I know that it’s true for me. Saggy skin? Check. Loose jowls? Check. Turkey waddle? Check. If these are just a few of the problems looking back at you in the mirror, chances are you may want to consider a facelift. It sounds drastic, but times have changed. Twenty years ago, the surgeon who did the tightest facelift was considered the best. In recent years, the facelift has enjoyed a makeover of its own. Significant advances have helped me achieve far more natural-looking results for patients, while minimizing scarring and downtime. I see patients of all ages, even forty-somethings, who’ve experienced the limitations of nonsurgical tools which no longer transform the lower face and neck in a meaningful way. A facelift is performed to reshape the face, remove excess skin, and offer the patient a more youthful appearance. A blepharoplasty surgery, also known as eyelid surgery, can be combined with your facelift procedure to enhance your visual fields as well as create a rested appearance by removing the excess tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids. In addition, a neck lift and chest resurfacing can be performed on their own or in combination with a facelift. The lasting effects varies somewhat from individual to individual. Once the excess skin is removed and the sagging tissue is repositioned, the aging process still continues. But the improvements will last eight to 15 years, depending upon skin tone, general health, previous and continued sun exposure, and smoking, including past and current use. However, you will look much better at any given age than you would have without the operation. Trust me…you simply would not believe how many men and women around you have had facial rejuvenation surgery. When facial rejuvenation is done correctly, no one will ever know you had any “work done.” But based on my personal experience and patient feedback, you may notice a difference in how you are treated after the procedure. In fact, a recent study backs up what I’ve known for decades: more often than not, people who have facial rejuvenation procedures, including face, eyelid and eyebrow lifts, are often perceived as more successful and healthy, not just merely beautiful. The study, published in April in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests cosmetic surgery “conveys an even larger societal benefit than merely restoring a youthful appearance to the face.” I have experienced it firsthand. At 25 years old, I was hit by a semi-truck whose driver had a seizure when drinking behind the wheel. Just days later, I recall going to my doctors’ office with my twin sister. We had always attracted a great deal of attention as a set of bubbly, bright red-haired firecrackers. I had no choice but to acknowledge that my sister looked less like a twin to me, and instead at that time, was more of a reminder of how I used to look. It was tangible proof that my appearance had changed, and that physical beauty mattered greatly to me and the world viewing me. In total, I underwent 18 surgeries, which included bone grafts, implants, titanium plates, and countless screws. The surgeries allowed me to get my face and life back, and put me in the unique position to truly understand how cosmetic surgery can transform one’s life. When I see you in my office, I will be honest about what will make the most significant improvement in your face over time, with the least risk, and within your budget. Using my hands, my heart, and my artistic sense, I operate in our fully accredited operating facility, which is located on the premise of Persons Plastic Surgery in Lafayette. I believe it is among the most perfect places on this earth and one where I can make a real difference in your life. I look forward to connecting with you soon. Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925.283.4012 or drpersons@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com.
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CARING HANDS
REACHING OUT TO SENIORS ONE AT A TIME
Life at any age involves challenges, but these intensify as we age. The first concern may be that it becomes too difficult to drive to the doctor, the grocery, or to just get a haircut. Support systems change, neighbors and friends may not help as expected, and loneliness may put a damper on daily routine. Caring Hands volunteers offer friendship which makes an extraordinary difference in the quality of life for many seniors. Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program, a collaborative community outreach program between John Muir Health, social service agencies, congregations of various faiths and the communityat-large, creates finely-tuned one-on-one matches. The Caring Hands Program is dedicated to helping aging adults in Contra Costa County remain independent as long as safely possible. Isolation and loneliness shorten lives and may make health problems worse. If making time to volunteer is on your to-do list, consider joining Caring Hands as a caregiver or even as an occasional driver. Enriching matches are created; loving friendships and deep relationships are formed. Care receivers treasure a friendly visit, a walk in the park or other social outing. Reading mail, letter writing, or providing respite care to give a break to a family member are thoughtful services which can make a big difference to a frail or isolated senior. Since so many older adults need transportation to doctor’s appointments or stores, the best volunteer for Caring Hands is someone who is available once a week for 1-3 hours on a weekday and who can provide transportation. Volunteers receive ongoing education, support, and recognition of their efforts. Perhaps you can be that friend who gives a waiting senior hope and help. For a volunteer application or for more information about Caring Hands, please contact Stacy Appel, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 952-2999.
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
WANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST WHEN YOU SEE FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
This month brings my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I love it because it is a time where we don’t exchange gifts, and we take time to reflect on everything we can be grateful for. For many of us, it will be the first time we will be seeing friends and family who we haven’t seen in quite some time. This might be an anxiety provoking thought as you want to look your best when you face your relatives. Maybe you weren’t as religious as you should be about sunscreen last summer, and you are starting to see the ravages of time on your skin. Not to worry: we can help in time for the Holidays. This might be the time to think about your daily skin care routine. Medical Grade Skin Care can have significant effects over time. The single thing I
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. We need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients and their caregivers. Opportunities include: Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling, Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy, Administrative Support Volunteers to assist in the Pleasant Hill office, Thrift Shoppe Volunteers to work in one of the organization’s five stores which are located in Alamo, Concord, Martinez, Danville, and Walnut Creek, Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died, and Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice at (925) 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.
To advertise call 925.405.6397
recommend most is a high-quality sunscreen that blocks out both UVB and UVA ultraviolet light. We have great sunscreens that feel good and have a natural tint so that no one will know you have them on. If you are concerned about Vitamin D deficiency, take an oral supplement. Secondly, a topical prescription retinoid can help stimulate collagen production and help reverse some sun damage. The last in the basic ingredients is a topical antioxidant such as Vitamin C or Resveratrol. That is the bare minimum that I recommended routinely customize skincare regimens to fit an individual’s skin type and lifestyle. Maybe you need a bit more help or a quicker fix. Injectable fillers and neuromodulators can offer a significant rapid improvement. We have new and improved fillers that last longer and create a natural look. The biggest fear patients new to fillers have is that they are going to look distorted or abnormal. My goal is always to create the best natural-looking version of you without distortion. This is highly technique dependent. We have many different fillers available today to replace the volume in our face that diminishes with time. Neuromodulators such as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, and Xeomin act by relaxing muscles. With proper use, we can create a natural, relaxed appearance (which is helpful during the stressful holiday season). I have had some people in sales tell me that because they appeared more relaxed, their sales success improved. Lastly, lasers, light based devices, and chemical peels can help with color and surface changes in the skin. These changes that we hate tend to be more related to our “photo-age” due to how much sun exposure we have had rather than our biological age. We have treatments ranging from light chemical peels and Photofacials that require minimal to no down time to more aggressive laser treatments that might require a week of social downtime. For some, the holiday season is the ideal time to take a week off work to get maximum benefits. If you have broken capillaries, brown spots, and textural changes, chance are we can help you get rid of them. Whatever your situation is, we are happy to help. Many of our patients seek our help because what they see in the mirror does not match the active, youthful spirit that they have. If you are motivated to look and feel your best, we are here to help. Wishing you and your family a great Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season. Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 Advertorial or visit www.Potozkin.com for more information.
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NOVEMBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
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PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2017
The Combs Team
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Professionals You Can Count On
Nancy
This is Rockcliff Country
Joe
Call the Combs Team
®
92 5 -9 8 9 -6 0 8 6 www.TheCombsTeam.com
DANVILLE AREA CONDOS INCREASE IN VALUE 30% PER YEAR SINCE 2011
There has been so much exciting news in our real estate market that I have completely overlooked our local condo and townhome market for quite some time. In fact the last time I reviewed this market segment was in 2011, so it is definitely time to take a look. For the purpose of this review we will look at the combined Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo, and Danville condo and townhomes, in what is essentially the Danville area. Our condo market peaked out in 2006 and declined both in price and dollars per square foot until it bottomed in 2011. From that point on the condo market rallied and roared. From the bottom to 2017, the price of an average condo has advanced from $394,580 to a stratospheric $719,269. That is an amazing increase of 182% in the short span of six years. That works out to about 30% per year and is an incredible advance in price. Dollars paid per-square-foot actually advanced a little faster moving from $256 per-square-foot in 2011 to $478 per square foot in 2017 for an increase of 187%. If you are like me, you are wishing you had bought a couple condos or townhomes back then. In the data we see something we haven’t seen before. The price per-square-foot paid for a condo or townhome in our area is now on par with the amount being paid for a single family home. Historically condos ran well behind a single family home in price. Is this because retirees are finding condos a better alternative to moving out of the area or is the demand for our high quality schools pushing up the values because the cost of single family homes is so terribly high? It is a really good question to ponder. Something else comes to mind as well. If you look at the difference between the 2016 sales volume and 2017 sales volume you will see a reduction in the number of sales, but the dayson-market has dropped significantly from 22 to16 meaning that Condos today are selling 28% faster than last year. That indicates that the Condo Market is impacted by low inventory just like the single family market. This is further reinforced by the fact that condos sold today
Alamo 10 Acre Estate
are selling on average for $5,000 more than list price compared to last year, when condos sold for $2,000 less than their list price. That is a significant directional change. Your eye may be drawn to the apparent price decline from 2016 to 2017 displayed on the chart. With a mere 132 condos in the sample, a variation of between 2% and 5% on average prices year-over-year would be nothing to be concerned about considering these yearly average prices are comprised of unit prices ranging from $540,000 to $1,120,000. Median price isn’t terribly helpful with our small sample, as it pretty much mimics the average price. I would be more inclined to view days-on-market as the indicator of market direction for the Danville area condo market rather than year over year sales price change so small. Also, the condo market is averaging 14.6 sales per month. There is only one month of inventory on hand. If there were suddenly six months of inventory on hand, it would be a different story. That said, I think it’s safe to say that 30% per year appreciation is unlikely to persist into the future. Nancy and I have more than 3,000 email subscribers who receive this article in advance of print publication. Sign up on our website or just send me an email and we can add you to the list. I assure you no spam will follow. It’s important to remember that there really is no “average” home and no two homes are exactly alike. If you would like an honest “no strings attached “opinion of your home’s current market value and suggestions for preparing it for market, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com. Please visit our website to discover more information on our local market www.thecombsteam.com.
West Side Alamo Single Story
D PEN
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Alamo Crest Beauty rs f fe O le ltip u M LD O S
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Beautiful custom home with views, gardens, huge master, 3 ensuite bedrooms, bonus room/au pair suite with private entrance. Priced to sell $5,950,000.
Enchanting updated 3 bedroom single story on a Private drive. Private gate to the Iron Horse Trail. Priced to Sell $1,433,000.
Luxury Mediterranean Resort Living in Alamo. We represented the buyer and the seller. We have more buyers. Price $3,195,000.
Alamo Custom Luxury Home
Danville Single Story
Danville Sycamore
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Stonegate 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath with 1 bedroom downstairs. Pool/spa, BBQ, putting green. Priced to sell $2,000,000
SO
LD
Four bedroom single story. Like new with view. Priced to sell $1,299,000
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
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Storybook 4 bedroom in Danville Sycamore. Spacious back yard, pool and barbecue. Sold off market. Nancy and I represented the sellers. Call for details. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526