Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& SEPTEMBER 2020
A SWEET SPOT FOR ALL TO ENJOY
By Alisa Corstorphine
As a tribute to her mom, who lives in Oregon, Jordan Visola and her family have been putting together a small fairy garden near their home in downtown Danville.
MDAS Gull identification birding class at Goat Rock State Beach, 1/12/2019. Photo courtesy of MDAS.
MOUNT DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH BIRDS By Jody Morgan
Mount Diablo Audubon Society (MDAS) actively engages in science-based bird conservation, the mission upon which the National Audubon Society is founded. The chapter welcomes fledgling birders while offering extensive opportunities for experienced birders to enhance their skills and share their knowledge. Field trips, conservation projects, and program presentations are open to non-members as well as members. Tutored in youth by Lucy Audubon, the artist’s widow, George Bird Grinnell named the organization he established in New York in 1886 for the man who inspired his passion for saving birds from senseless slaughter. Massacre of millions of shorebirds for feathers to decorate fashionable ladies’ hats was the issue of the day. By 1898, California had joined with 14 other states and the District of Columbia in creating Audubon Society outposts. Today, California has 49 chapters. MDAS normally schedules 45 field trips each year. Social Mountain Bluebird photo by Jerry Britten's 9 year Media and Publicity Chair old granddaughter Eleanor. Rosalie Howarth writes: “Our field trips are free for everybody of any level. Hikes range from flat and easy, to adventurous and far flung. We go to area regional parks like Briones, Sunol, and Diablo for the colorful migrating birds and ‘locals,’ and further afield to see sandhill cranes in the Delta, the fantastic
See Bird continued on page 18
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Starting in early April, during shelter in place, Jordan was working from home and like many others she started gardening. Her living space doesn’t have a yard, so she started some container gardening. Near her mailbox and parking lot (close to Oak Tree Animal Hospital and the former Danville Paw Spa - 579 San Ramon Valley Blvd.), Jordan noticed a patch of dirt with an overgrown bush. She started thinking it would be nice to plant some flowers and fix up the spot that many walk by daily. But, as she thought more, she came to the conclusion that the spot was
See Fairy continued on page 22
ALAMO RESIDENT RECOGNIZED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTS
By Fran Miller
Alamo resident Silvia Lin was recently honored by Opera Volunteers International (OVI) with the prestigious Partners in Excellence award. A San Francisco Opera patron and supporter since 1961, Lin joined the East Bay Chapter of the San Francisco Opera Guild in 1990 and was elected president of the chapter in 1992, a position she continues to hold today. OVI is a nonprofit volunteer organization that advo-
See Silvia continued on page 24
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XX Number 9
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleToday
Volume XI Number 9
The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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BOULEVARD VIEW By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Your New Home Office
Many of us are “up to our eyeballs” in being busy. I just returned from a • Private bedroom with desk & WiFi morning Costco run, and people were out and about. Every parking spot and • Peaceful gardens shopping cart was claimed. It was like Christmas in August (speaking of, there • Meals available were already holiday wreaths and snow gear for sale...yikes!). With current re• Visit for the day or overnight strictions, distance learning, work from home, etc., there is more than ever to And Gift Shop now open by appointment do, especially for parents. I read posts and blogs from many parents who are worried about distanced 710 Highland Drive, Danville 925 837 9141 learning for their children and having them “fall behind.” I have always felt a sandamiano.org and on Facebook classroom doesn’t just mean four walls in a building that our children attend for six or seven hours, 180 days of the year. Rather, I believe the whole world is our classroom, and we can all learn at any time, anywhere, and at any age. Schools can give our children a good foundation, and yet, they can only teach a teeny-tiny fraction of all there is to know. One of my son’s first grade teachers had set up a classroom “Invention Center.” There were all sorts of do-dads -- jars, boxes, pipecleaners, corks, small wheels, pieces of wood, marbles, string, tiles, pompoms, glue, tape...for the children to play and build with. It was a magical space of creativity. When we moved from that school, we recreated a similar space in a room of our home. Our children spent many hours taking things apart, rebuilding them, seeing how they worked, and repurposing them into something new. What they learned in that small space has carried over to how they tackle and take on projects today. An Invention Center need not cost any money; it is a perfect spot to recycle anything! In the 1970s, my junior high summer school created another special spot for learning. Summer school hosted a plethora of fun hands-on classes. We could choose from classes such as metal shop, speed reading, typing, jewelry making, guitar playing, First Aid and CPR, cooking, drafting, Chinese, Tri-Valley Trapper sewing, and a five-week program called “The Great American Enterprise” AKA “McBrownsville.” McBrownsville was a multi-classroom “town,” formed by two teachers, Mike Brown and Ray McMahon. Offices and stores were represented by screened off areas, and students’ desks served as their homes. There were 85 students who comprised the mock economy of McBrownsville where we learned some business and real-life basics such as money management, town management, and setting up rules and laws -- with consequences for them not being followed. We had accounting and banking workbooks, and completion of them earned us Monopoly-like money. With the money in hand, we participated in town life. We went to the theater and played mini-golf. We traded in the stock market using daily stock updates from the local newspaper. We learned how to manage a checking account, reconcile it, and write checks. There were bills to pay, insurance, taxes, and investments to be made. Nearly half of the students worked for “the city” that was run by an elected city council and city manager along with directors of finance, courts, public works, and safety. There was only 3% unemployment in town but 14% underemployment, and some students had to look for multiple jobs. My job was to work the old-fashioned switchboard. We had a phone directory, and each business had their own line. Jobs could also be found at one of the banks or a half dozen other small shops including an insurance agency, a newspaper office (ironically I won a contest to name the town newspaper -- From the Streets of McBrownsville), a wholesale store, and several candy stores (the Red Hot Fire Stix were a favorite!). There were laws to be enforced and fines to be paid for those that choose not to follow them. Those five weeks were memorable. They provided skills that may have morphed and changed over the years (who uses rotary phones any more?!), but the basics we learned never go out of style. There are skills that all of our children can learn that will help them at any time in life. There are lists (do an internet search of “basic skills everyone should know”) that you can find. A few of the top ones that were important to pass on to my children were A round of McBrownsville mini-golf. how to cook, how to swim, how to drive using a stick shift, money management, how to do the laundry and take care of clothes, thriftiness when shopping, personal health care, pet care, first aid, small repairs to gadgets and living spaces, and how to ask for help. Our country was founded on a pioneer spirit and resilience. We have sent people to the moon, we live in the birthplace of computing and technology, and there is a foundation of a can-do spirit that built this county. We may have to pivot and shift, but hardships will continue to come and go. How can we make lemonade out of the lemons that have been thrown our way? While there are many businesses that are shutting down and facing new challenges, there are also some who have risen and are thriving at this time. Outdoor activities like camping and bicycling are seeing a resurgence. Veterinary offices are booked solid, and pet-supply companies are booming. Nannies and tutors are in high demand as well. A jeweler mentioned that business was doing quite well as folks are spending travel funds on jewelery instead. Where do we go from Working the McBrownsville switchboard. here? How can your business and family thrive with new parameters in place? Having multiple skills can help with pivoting. If you find yourself with spare time and skills to pass on, there is a critical need for mentors and volunteers in our community. Many tasks can be tackled virtually or with social distancing measures in place. San Ramon Valley High School iQuest teacher, Cindy Sekera, works with students who are exploring potential careers. Each year, she looks for professionals willing to share their knowledge and to spare a few hours a week to partner with her students. Please see page four to find out if you can help give her students a hand-up as they embark on their road to adulthood and a career. Please also visit page 9 to read our new column “Catch Up On Some ‘Zs,’” written by Monte Vista High School sophomore, Jaime Kaiman. I hope you find her viewpoint on distanced learning and being a teen insightful. If you have other ideas on columns or things you’d like to see in future issues, let me know. I always like to hear from readers. You can reach me at editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com.
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THE THRIFT STATION IN DANVILLE SEEKS NEW VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers, 18 years and older, are needed at The Thrift Station in Danville, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:45AM to 2:15PM. The shop is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM – 2PM. The Thrift Station has been a valued member of the local community for more than 46 years, selling new and gently used donations to raise funds in support of theThrift exceptional low-cost, broad-reachThe Station in Danville Seeks New Volunteers ing, mental health services provided by the Discovery Counseling Center, to residents of the San Ramon Valley. The all-volunteer is comprised of Volunteers, 18 years and older, areorganization needed at The Thrift Station in Danville Tuesday – Saturday, 9:45 AM to 2:15 PM. The Shop is open the public Tuesday – Saturday fromThe 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, many of towhom have served for years. large, loyal customer base loves to visit the store and look for new-found treasures. The Thrift Station (the Shop) has been a valued member of the local community more than 46 years selling new The personal safety and wellbeing of volunteers and customers is para-low-cost, broad-reaching mental health and gently used donations to raise funds in support of the exceptional mount. Health and safety devices and procedures have been set up for evservices provided by the Discovery Counseling Center to residents of the San Ramon Valley. We are an allvolunteer organization of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, many of whom have served us for years. We eryone’s protection. have a this large,warm loyal customer base who lovevolunteer to visit the Shop looking for new-found treasures. Are you interested inalso joining and welcoming family? Please complete the application formand at wellbeing www.discoveryctr.net/the-thriftThe personal safety of our volunteers and customers are foremost in our minds. Health and safety station. You can also stop by and during normal business hours and protection. submit an devices procedures have been set up for everyone’s application in person. and welcoming family? Please complete the application form on our The Thrift Station is Interested locatedinatjoining 486 our Sanwarm Ramon Valley volunteer Blvd., Crossroad webpage (https://www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station). You can also stop by the Shop during normal Center, Danville. business hours and submit an application in person.
TOGETHER WE GIVE ~The Thrift Station, 486 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Crossroad Center, Danville Winner of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Business of the Year 2018! information on the 0.28 AC lot, ForAward more COMMUNITY OUTREACH https://www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station please contact the listing agent
The Alamo Women’s Club is sponsoring a series of donation events over the next few months to help those in need. On Wednesday, September 16th, from 2-5pm, please bring non-perishible food items to the Clubhouse, located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo for curbside drop off. Donated items will be given to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano. Please, no items in glass containers. In particular need are low-sodium items, peanut butter, whole-grain cereal, hearty soup, canned or dried beans and lentils, canned tuna and chicken (preferably in water), canned fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole grain pasta, non-perishable/ready-to-eat meals such as chili and ravioli. Financial donations to support the food bank can also be made online. Please visit http://give.foodbankccs.org/team/310115 to donate. Your $25 will provide 50 meals! Your generous donation WILL make a difference! Please help feed the hungry during these difficult times.
Clayton Temple (CA license #02006440)
with TRI Commercial Real Estate (CA license #005320032) 925-296-3311 | Clayton.Temple@tricommercial.com
MOONLIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN
You’re invited to join Save Mount Diablo for a virtual Moonlight on the Mountain fundraising event on Saturday, September 12th at 5:30PM via livestream. This is Save Mount Diablo’s signature annual fundraising gala, a celebration of Diablo’s precious beauty and support for Save Mount Diablo’s essential work. The virtual gala will include everyone’s favorite Moonlight on the Mountain experiences such as entertainment, exciting silent and live auctions, inspirational presentations, a live Fund-a-Need, virtual audience participation, and more! Hopes are that this virtual event will allow even more of the Bay Area’s conservation community to join and participate this year. Registration is complimentary. Visit https://bit. ly/3eXJStf to learn more. Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The organization has been preserving lands on and around Mount Diablo and educating the public about the mountain’s natural values since 1971. The group is comprised of biologists, conservationists, hikers, bikers, equestrians, bird watchers, and people who just love to look at the mountain. Save Mount Diablo is a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Tax ID # 94-2681735966. Learn more about them at www.savemountdiablo.org.
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
SAN RAMON VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 with the idea of providing resources, assistance, and educational opportunities in a social environment that would allow its members to successfully research their ancestry. To fulfill these goals, the society offers monthly meetings with speakers who present topics covering various aspects of genealogical research. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers several special interest groups where members with common interests can meet and discuss their specific areas of research. SRVGS also provides resources ranging from a large selection of reference books, to information on local genealogical libraries. Classes are offered for the beginning researcher and those interested in genetic DNA. There are many educational opportunities and Zoom presentations currently available to explore genealogy from the safety of your own home. To become a member, visit srvgensoc.org, and click on the “Join SRVGS” tab on the left side of the Home page.
VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU With the COVID-19 County Health Order making it more challenging to get services from government offices, the Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience. Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets, during open office hours, for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon. Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have a combined three decades of experience connecting vets to critical services. For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.
THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY AND CALIFORNIA’S FIRST PEOPLE
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) is currently closed for onsite visits due to COVID-19. During the closure, MSRV will be offering free monthly virtual programs about the history of our area and beyond. On September 24th at 11:30AM, there will be a program entitled California First People: Then and Now. Learn about the people who lived in the San Ramon Valley beginning around 5,000 years ago. How did they get there? What was there life like? What did they eat? How were they housed? These interesting topics and much more will be discussed by two museum docents from our California’s First Peoples program. After the discussion on the history of our areas First People, the docents will talk about the modern day descendants of these early settlers. Learn how they are reinterpreting and invigorating their ancient traditions today. A special thanks to California Indian Heritage Center Foundation for the use of their beautiful picture. To attend this free online program, please visit museumsrv.org, and go to the Events section. Click on California’s First People: Then and Now, and register. If you have any questions, please call the Museum at 925-837-3750. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville.
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MENTORS NEEDED; CAN YOU HELP?
LOOKING FOR ENGINEERING, VETERINARY, STUNTMAN!... CONNECTIONS
Do you remember being a high school senior and wondering what you would do after graduation? Did you ever think that it would be nice to have the opportunity to intern in the field that you hoped would become your career? Would you now love to help out a current high school senior looking to do just that? High school seniors in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District are looking to make that a reality. The students have enrolled in a class called iQuest. The goal of iQuest is to create a meaningful educational experience that enables them to explore an interest or passion. Students are empowered to take ownership of their education and develop an experience that connects to their individual needs and interests. With your help, the practical experience gained through this program will enhance their education beyond the traditional classroom curriculum. Students are hoping to work as interns in a career field. These students will get exposure to industry and professional standards in an authentic experience related to their selected area of learning. They get to be a part of a community and workplace culture, spending time at the work site of their mentor (although at this time it may be all virtual!). iQuest honors the desire of seniors to explore areas of learning outside the structure of the courses offered during the traditional high school day. The commitment runs September through April with a minimum of two hours per week in a mentoring role. Students can partner in a socially distanced manner and work online, meet through Zoom, or do research. All ideas are welcome, and we look forward to finding creative ways to make this work! This years’ students are looking for opportunities to partner with lawyers, psychologists, veterinarians, photographers, speech and language pathologists, mechanical engineers, scientists, occupational therapists, individuals in the fashion industry, interior designers, and business owners. One student even is hoping to find a stuntman that might want to mentor them! Please reach out now to help make a teenager’s dreams come true. Contact iQuest teacher Cindi Sekera at csekera@srvusd.net today!
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. NOTE: Due to current Coronavirus challenges, and for the safety and well being of members and guests, the SIR128 September meeting will be a virtual event using Zoom. The guest speaker will be Mr. Paige Meyer, Chief of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. With all the recent Bay Area fires, group members especially look forward to hearing from Paige and thanking him and his team for their heroic efforts at protecting our Tri-Valley communities. The presentation will be held Wednesday, September 16th at 11AM. If you’re interested in accessing the virtual meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the Retirement branch, please visit www.SIR128.com.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Service group Delta Nu Psi has been collecting and sending fun foods and coffee to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones. To date, over 42,000 pounds of goodies have been sent! Unfortunately, with COVID in our midst, collections have been halted. However, a few packages are still being shipped. If you know of a service man or woman in the War Zone who would like a package, please send their contact information through the Delta Nu Psi website www.deltanupsi.org.
To place an ad, share a story,or find more information about our paper, contact us at 925.405.6397 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleToday
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31 HERITAGE COURT, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,304 SF, 0.16 ACRE LOT
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MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL | 925.980.9952
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©2020 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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WPE BEGINS PROGRAM DISTRIBUTING FOOD KITS TO HELP LATINX FAMILIES
White Pony Express (WPE), headquartered in Pleasant Hill, has launched a special new initiative, the Blessings Project, designed to provide “food kits” for recently immigrated families who are particularly vulnerable at this time. The idea is to help those who do not have sufficient resources or an adequate system of support. The first food kits were recently delivered to families living in a housing complex in Central Contra Costa County. The families were identified by WPE’s partner, Monument Impact. Monument Impact has worked to stay connected to and serve their clients even with their physical location temporarily shuttered. If the Blessings Project is successful at this location, the program may expand, providing that WPE can obtain the necessary support from the community. According to Eve Birge, Executive Director of WPE, “The Blessings Project is important to WPE. We consider those we serve as part of our family. The project is called a “Blessing” because it’s a blessing to be a part of it! We will deliver food and spices that are familiar to and loved by the recipients, which will take them through more than just a few days. We want to reach these families and give them food that carries the familiarity of home during a time when many are hungry and feeling isolated.” Pete Olsen, WPE’s School Pantry and Food Sourcing Manager, who is running the food kits project says, “We want to provide a balance of ingredients and food staples that are familiar and nutritious. The food kits include fresh produce, rice, Masa flour, corn husks, beans, tomato sauces, a wide assortment of spices, peppers, and other items.” Continues Birge, “Although WPE picks up surplus food items from supermarkets and food distributors every day, we do not get everything needed for these food kits. For the Blessings Project, we would love – and need – the community’s participation to help the program grow.” WPE is looking for people White Pony Express volunteers and workers assemble food kits who will sponsor the program for the launch of the Blessings Project. or host drives for food items needed to complete the food kits. If this is something you might be interested in, please contact Eve at (202) 251-4174, evebirge@ whiteponyexpress.org for sponsorships, and Pete Olsen, WPE’s at (925) 322-0604 x129, petersolsen@whiteponyexpress.org for food drives. WPE is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) organization that helps people move from the margins of society to the mainstream by delivering free food and clothing in a loving and respectful manner. Today, its mission is carried out by close to 400 volunteers and a small staff. For more information on WPE, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN DANVILLE FOR “HEARTS AROUND HARTZ”
This summer, the Town of Danville’s got heart! Following up on last year’s popular ‘Dogs of Danville’ public art exhibit, the Town is presenting “Hearts Around Hartz,” a fantastic new exhibit featuring 17 uniquely adorned heart sculptures placed all around downtown. The new public art exhibition will run through October 16th. The hearts in the exhibit are all unique, each one created by a different Bay Area artist. Some of the hearts boast a Danville theme with imagery ranging from oak trees, to Mount Diablo, to more playful designs and motifs. To learn more about the hearts and the artists, or to take part in sponsoring one of the pieces, visit www.danville.ca.gov/heartsaroundhartz. When the exhibition closes, an online auction of the pieces will be held. All proceeds from the online auction go toward a public art fund for future public art projects. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE THRIFT SHOP IS OPEN!
The dedicated member volunteers at Assistance League® Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette, are delighted to announce that this well-known shop is now open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from10AM to 2AM. In appreciation of community support, the entire inventory is 50% off. While an appointment is not required, these stipulations must be followed: County approved masks must be worn when arriving, waiting in line, actual shopping, checking-out, and departing. No more than five shoppers will be admitted at any given time to shop for a period of 30 minutes. Donations are welcome on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 to 11AM or until we are full. Due to the size of our shop, we can process a limited number of donations at a time. To learn more, please visit assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB
Author Joan Gelfand will discuss “Getting Published: You Can Be a Winning Writer” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club on Saturday, September 12th, from 9:30AM-noon at a virtual branch meeting. Ms. Gelfand will explain the four C’s of successful authors: craft, commitment, community, and confidence. She will discuss how to build a writer’s resume, give tips for creating a writing community to advance publishing goals, and provide a plan for working with confidence challenges and a toolkit for fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Writers Table will begin at 10AM. “Writing for a Cause: Finding Purpose in Your Writing” will be presented by Lucinda Jackson and Jill Hedgecock, moderated by John Schembra. There is a $10 members and guests fee. Register online at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting. Once registered, you will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting. Learn more at http://cwcmtdiablowriters.org.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
Celeste Pacelli “is the consummate professional.” JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
NEW PRICE
148 Alamo Springs Drive, Alamo
339 Corrie Place, Alamo
3716 Northgate Woods Ct., Walnut Creek
5 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 5,718 Sq Ft +/- 1.14 Acre +/-
5 Bed | 6.5 Bath | 6,000 Sq Ft +/- | 0.58 Acre Lot +/-
4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 5,143 Sq Ft +/- | 1.2 Acre +/-
$3,795,000 | 148AlamoSpringsDrive.com
$3,495,000 | 339CorriePlace.com
$2,999,000 | 3716NorthgateWoodsCourt.com
ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AT TRILOGY
GORGEOUS SINGLE STORY WITH VIEWS
JUST SOLD WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS
1852 Viognier Court, Brentwood
1698 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette
1514 Rancho View Drive, Lafayette
2 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2846 Sq Ft | 0.24 Acre +/-
4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 4,026 Sq Ft +/- | 1.3 Acre +/-
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2.942 Sq Ft +/- | 1+ Acre +/-
$1,249,500 | 1852ViognierCourt.com
$3,198,000 | 1698ReliezValleyRoad.com
$1,740,000 | 1514RanchoViewDrive.com
Celeste’s clients say: “We hired Celeste to list and sell our home… From the start, Celeste was professional and knew her market…. Her strategy for marketing the property helped bring in multiple offers above asking… We were very happy with the entire process and made it stress free.” See my 61 Zillow Reviews
Celeste Pacelli Broker Associate 925.395.1511 celestepacelli.com DRE 01862387
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By Jamie Westgate, Principal
I think most every educator would agree that this has been the strangest way to begin the school year! Most of us long for the days when we can have our students come into their rooms, hang up their backpacks, unpack supplies into their desks, and begin learning. Ironically, before we expected to launch the year in a distance model, we selected our theme for the year: Together. It certainly wasn’t by chance that God allowed us to begin the year apart, for what He truly wants us to recognize is that by His Spirit, we are together as one school community, even when we’re not physically present. For one of our first chapels, our Pastor Overseer, Bill Haslim used Legos to show how we are built together for God’s purposes. Anyone can line up Legos on a table near one another, but it’s when they are built together that the purpose for their design is found. Much is the same for people. When God brings us together in relationship, we benefit from it, and we experience God’s presence. For that reason, our teachers are giving extra attention to each child, making them feel loved, valued, and appreciated. With Zoom as our platform, some teachers are hosting class talent shows, show-and-tell , and even recess games with one another, in addition to our rigorous academics. Nothing is going to stop us from being together. While we have enjoyed a successful start to remote learning so far, we are looking forward to securing a waiver to allow our students back on campus. We’ve made significant changes to our facility to ensure social distancing, increase the availability of hand-washing stations, and offer other extra measures of protection to safeguard our Eagles. Once in-person learning begins, students will stay together as “cohort families” but will experience a full day of academics and fun as we typically do for any other school year. Activities such as P.E., Spanish, art, music, and computers will still be a valuable part of our enrichment program, as will a fun new digital STEAM program. We’re looking forward to that time soon when our Eagles return to our nest!
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Carol Bender, Principal
On Tuesday, August 18th, St. Isidore School (SIS) virtually welcomed back 600 students to school! It was a day full of excitement as we navigated our opening day in remote learning. We closed our first day with a Teacher Sneak-A-Peak. From the safety of their cars, families drove through campus to collect books and supplies while sharing a wave with their new teachers donned in masks. It was wonderful to see the delight on the students’ faces and was a great reminder to all that Back to School is a special and important milestone. I am genuinely impressed by what we are able to accomplish and am inspired by the faculty and staff’s dedication to supporting our students’ learning, regardless of the situation. Our intention to eventually return on-site remains steadfast, and we are preparing to welcome our students back on campus when it is safe to do so.
SHEPHERDS OF FAITH
Each year, the staff Spiritual Life Committee selects a school-wide theme to provide guidance and motivation for our community. The theme for the 2020–21 school year is Shepherds of Faith. Together, we will explore the role of the shepherd and the importance of nourishing, protecting, and supporting the flock while providing much-needed optimism. Our faith provides great comfort, especially during times of uncertainty, like those we are currently facing. Our administration, faculty, staff, and parents, united in mission, serve as shepherds to our students.
CREATING CONNECTIONS
As an educator and an administrator for over 25 years, I know firsthand that teaching is a labor of love, and a teacher’s impact on a student can last forever. The daily face-to-face interaction between a teacher and student is invaluable and builds a lasting relationship with wonderful memories. This year, each teacher across the nation is challenged to create connections with their students, both virtually and in person. Students and teachers were not dealt the best hand this year. Knowing this, our teachers are focused on finding new ways to come together, establish connections, and support social-emotional learning with their students. We remain committed to providing our school families with the community connection and Catholic identity that sets SIS apart. I hope that your families’ return to school continues to get stronger. SIS reaches out in prayer for our wonderful community to remain safe and in good health.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
CATCH UP ON SOME “Zs”
VIEWS FROM QUARANTINE By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, sophomore
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Danville, Alamo Home for Sale Danville-Alamo - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away
altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help homesellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1844-941-0941 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
Everytime old cartoons try to guess the future, their typical predictions include flying cars, talking houses, robots running the world, etc. Who would’ve thought in the year 2020 we’d be going to school over a computer, wearing a mask to buy groceries, and having to stay six feet away from even our closest friends? My name is Jaime Kaiman. I’m a sophomore at Monte Vista High School and part of Generation Z. The goal of my monthly column is to share insights from my generation: How do we feel? What do we have thoughts on? There are many things that have changed because of COVID-19. This report is courtesy of The Jackson Group-EXP Realty DRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © Today, let’s dive into one of those things. 2019 One thing that changed due to COVID-19 is school. I know a lot of people weren’t too keen on the idea of virtual learning. MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL To be honest, I wasn’t too excited for it either, but I believe there are still ways By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal to incorporate aspects of traditional schooling into our virtual schooling The first day of the 2020-21 school year at Monte experience. Even though social interactions aren’t the same anymore, I’ve Vista (MV) High was like no other as we welcomed found that Face-Timing and Zooming with my friends has really helped our students from a virtual campus and virtual classme stay in touch. We still discuss our classes together and sometimes even rooms on Thursday, August 13th. Whether through eat lunch together virtually! Getting help on assignments seems to be easier Google Meet or Zoom, MV’s faculty and staff were virtually because teachers constantly check their emails, and your friends are very happy to see our new and returning Mustangs. just a phone call away. An incredible amount of learning and planning My biggest concern this year was learning. I was mostly nervous about went on in preparation for our first day of school. the unknown factors of virtual schooling. I found myself asking so many questions: How would we be able to discuss topics in class without everyone MV’s teachers spent a great deal of their summer break taking courses on speaking at once? How would we be able to understand a lecture if the teacher remote learning, virtual classrooms, and instructional strategies. To culminate constantly cuts out? What if I have technology problems during school? Honestly, all of this new learning, MV’s staff joined the rest of SRVUSD for three days I think I was making much ado about nothing. I got answers to all of my to solidify our knowledge of Google Classroom, our learning platform, and to questions pretty quickly. On my first day, teachers made it clear that there’d implement the strategies and tools learned over the summer into our lessons. be issues and kinks through the process, but we shouldn’t stress about them. We also refocused ourselves on our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. That definitely made me feel a lot better about all of the glitching scenarios I This training was a huge shot in the arm for our staff, and it definitely gave thought of. Class discussions are less hectic than I envisioned they would be us a great deal of positive momentum as we started school. MVs students were also busy prepping for the new school year. On August because everyone is muted during the entirety of class. If we want to particth ipate in a discussion, we just unmute ourselves or even use the “raise hand” 5 , MV upperclassmen took part in our annual Mustang Mentor training in feature over Zoom. The question I had about my teacher glitching and me not preparation for our Freshman Orientation, and on Friday, August 9th, MV being able to understand what she said was answered, too. We’d simply tell officially welcomed the class of 2024, albeit through a virtual format. The best the teacher by, unmuting ourselves, or privately chatting to her in a chat box! part of our new approach was that each team of Mustang Mentors was able Overall, I knew things would look a lot crazier this year, and they do. to design their own Google Classroom in order to meet with their 9th grade There is no reason I can’t make the virtual schooling experience a positive mentees, which in turn allows for further contact between them throughout one, though! Tune into the next issue where I’ll ask some of my peers their the school year. A huge thanks to our amazing group of MV students and their advisors; Tommy Greenless, Stacy Brix, and Chris Connor; for their thoughts regarding another thing that has changed due to COVID-19. hard work in preparing and executing this amazing event. COUNTY HEALTH INFORMATION RESOURCES Wednesday, August 26th offered yet another unprecedented event – Virtual Posted by Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen Back-to-School Night. As in the past, the event was well attended, and MV’s Below are some resources to get updated shelter-in-place information teachers, counselors, and staff did outstanding work in showing parents what in Contra Costa County. is happening in their students’ virtual classrooms. Even with a new setting and • Visit coronavirus.cchealth.org. The site provides the most updated and new challenges, MV is doing excellent work in supporting all of our students. comprehensive information and answers to the most frequently asked questions MV is off to a very different and still successful start to the 2020-21 school about COVID-19 and the County Health Officer’s order to shelter at home. year. Please visit https://mvhs.schoolloop.com or follow us on Facebook • There is additional resource information of all kinds on the County and Twitter for all the up-to-date information about our programs. We look website at contracosta.ca.gov. forward to a great year. • Call 1-844-729-8410. It is an information line to answer questions you may have about the order. The line operates 8AM to 5PM each day. www.yourmonthlypaper.com • Email Supervisor Andersen at supervisorandersen@bos.cccounty.us or call her office at (925) 957-8860. The Supervisors office is closed to visitors, 925.405.6397 but is able to respond by phone or email to questions you have that cannot be answered at the County Health website or information line above.
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE FROM REAL ESTATE DOCUMENTS By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
Recently, Alamo resident Sharon Burke came to me, inquiring about what Contra Costa County’s process was to remove discriminatory language from covenants contained in real estate deeds. After checking with our County Clerk-Recorder, I was pleased to learn that there is a fairly simple, straightforward process to address and remove these racist or otherwise offensive provisions. In 1948, the United States Supreme Court in Shelley v. Kraemer ruled that racially discriminatory covenants in property deeds were unconstitutional and in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Despite the fact that it has been over seven decades since the Supreme Court struck down all restrictive covenants based on protected classes, residents in Alamo and Danville, whose homes are built upon lots subdivided prior to 1948, are sometimes surprised to find that their deeds contain offensive and racially discriminatory language. The Recorder’s Division in the County Clerk’s Office is responsible for the recording of deeds, deeds of trust, court decrees, and many other documents affecting title to real property in Contra Costa County. The division also maintains Uniform Commercial Code filings, subdivision maps, and vital records including birth, death, and marriages within the county. This division also creates digital images of real property and vital records, and provides and maintains an efficient retrieval system to support the public’s requests for real property and vital records. All functions of the office are conducted under provisions of the State Constitution, State Law, and County Ordinances. The Recorder’s Division has created the following straightforward process for modifying an unenforceable restrictive covenant as follows: 1. The resident obtains a certified copy of the document that includes the restrictive language. This is the only fee the Clerk’s Offices charges during this process. The fee for the photocopies is $1.00 per page, with $2.50 for the certification. Most documents average five pages, which would be $7.50. 2. When residents obtain the certified copy, the Clerk’s Office provides them with a Restrictive Covenant Modification document to be completed and notarized before returning it with the certified copy. The current notary fee in California is $15.00 per signature, which is unfortunately not a fee the County controls. 3. The resident returns the completed Restrictive Covenant Modification document to the Clerk’s office, along with the certified copy with the offensive restrictive language highlighted. 4. Once submitted, the Clerk’s office sends the document over to the County Counsel (Attorney) for review and to make a determination about whether the language contains an unlawful restriction. This is left to the County attorneys to decide since the Recorder’s Division cannot make determinations about the legality of conditions, covenants, and restrictions. This process usually takes two to three business days. 5. Once the document is returned from the attorneys, if it is approved as restrictive language, the Clerk’s Office records the document at no charge. The Clerk’s Office has not had a document returned as “denied” since they first began accepting them in 2017. 6. The document is then indexed as the original document was indexed. Unfortunately, the current process only removes offensive language one deed at a time. Because there is not just one inappropriate and illegal term used in the deeds, doing an electronic search of all deeds would not be effective. Identifying the racially insensitive wording from all property records in our County would be an arduous task, requiring hours of several staff manually sifting through millions of documents. In recent decades, there have been many legislative efforts in our state to rectify the matter of discriminatory property deeds. In 2009, Assemblyman De La Torre carried legislation to remove all restrictive covenants from our official recorded records, which passed with amended language that now requires a restrictive covenant modification form to be provided along with a copy of the deed and a statement that restrictive covenants are illegal if they are based on a protected class (race, color, religion, sex, etc.). The bill also created a process to correct archived documents if restrictive covenants were identified, but it did not require the Recorder to proactively go back and amend them. Last month, four State Assembly Members introduced additional legislation to remove racist covenants and restrictions whenever the property is transferred or sold. The proposal will be based on former legislation also authored by Assembly Member De La Torre which was passed but later vetoed by then Governor Schwarzenegger. Anyone who has discriminatory covenants in their deeds can begin the process of removing them by contacting the Clerk-Recorder’s Office at 925-3357900, by email to Laura Wilson, Clerk-Recorder Manager, Laura.wilson@cr.cccounty.us or by submitting a question on the homepage of their website at www.ccclerkrec.us. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the office is currently closed to the public. 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 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.
DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE
Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes. To learn more about the safe zone, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville.ca.gov.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in our community need your support! Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has been supporting seniors since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers. Your help is needed now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
GO '10-8' WITH CHIEF SHIELDS ON WEDNESDAYS
The ongoing Shelter in Place order has prevented the Danville Police Department from continuing programs like Coffee with the Cops, which allowed police a chance to directly interact with the community in a non-threatening environment. Not to be deterred, Danville Police Chief Allan Shields is coming to you via Facebook Live in a new community program called “10-8.” “10-8” is the radio code every officer says at the start of their shift and every time they finish helping someone and are ready to help someone else. “10-8” seemed to be a great title for the weekly program to reinforce to residents and businesses that the officers in Danville are here in service to the community. Come join the “10-8” meeting every Wednesday at 5PM on Facebook Live. Each program will have updates on what is happening in the Town of Danville, crime prevention tips, and answers to viewer questions. Community members can email questions to mailbag@danville.ca.gov. Questions can also be asked in the comment section on the Facebook Live. The Facebook page is “Danville Police Department.”
10-8
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
JELLY CAN MAKE
A MESS OF
RECYCLING, TOO. >
WIPE OR LIGHTLY RINSE YOUR CONTAINERS AND PLASTICS, AND PREVENT CONTAMINATED RECYCLING. Empty. Clean. Dry. When you follow those three words you’re helping to keep our recycling valuable. Bottles, cans and plastics that are dirty with leftover food or liquids can contaminate valuable recycling. Do your part. Keep it clean and recycle smart!
recyclesmart.org
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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TAKING INITIATIVE!
At the beginning of the pandemic, eleven-year-old Austin Brannan from Alamo participated in his schools’ “21 Days of Kindness” program. The program was kicked off by a guest speaker from KindSpring (kindspring.org) whose beliefs are that “small acts that change the world.” The KindSpring website notes, “Small consistent actions performed over 21 days can create a significant impact in our personal lives. When these actions are done by groups of people the impact ripples out even further.” Austin created an idea to buy groceries for the elderly and for those who were unable to venture out to shop for themselves. Unbeknownst to his family, Austin wrote up a plan and submitted his idea to the KindSpring website. KindSpring loved his idea, and called him for an interview. To help execute his plan they sent him a check for $100! After receiving the generous check Austin looked for ways to make the best use of it. He researched the Monument Crisis Center and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. He decided to get donation barrels and hold a Food Drive, as well as an online drive for donations ($1 = 2 meals). His small idea turned into a large one and helped even more people than he envisioned! Austin met with Sandra Scherer, Executive Director of Monument Crisis Center, delivered flyers throughout his neighborhood, posted requests on the NextDoor forum, and worked with Food Drive Administrator Neil Zarchin at the Food Bank. In total he collected 1,522 pounds of food and $970 from the generosity of his neighbors and residents of Alamo, Danville, and Walnut Creek. While the food collection has ended with Austin going back to school, financial contributions can still be made at https://give.foodbankccs.org/fundraiser/2830902. Fantastic lessons, and the power of working together set the stage for a lifetime of doing good for others. 8/30/2020
Word Search Generator :: Create your own printable word find w
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
ALLIED ARTS GUILD, MENLO PARK
OWN WORKSHEETS ONLINE @ WWW.ATOZTEACHER A book I am enjoying is a recent publication, which was featured in Oprah’s Summer List:MAKE CallYOUR Your Daughter Home, by Deb Spera. Set in a small town in South Carolina during the 1920’s, the main characters include Gertrude, a young mother with four daughters and a bad husband; hardworking Adda, first generation freed slave; and Annie, the town’s wealthy sewing circle owner. Typifying the NAME:_______________________________ DATE:_____ struggles of the times depicted in the book is a passage when Gertrude, hiding in a closet, discovers she is not alone. Coiled around her bare leg is a snake. Using only her hands, she swiftly and silently kills it. You had to have grit in those days, especially in the South. A diphtheria pandemic was in full swing, boll weevils were decimating crops, unemployment was rampant, and many children were left to fend for themselves. In 1928, about the same time the fictional story Call Your Daughter Home takes place, a wealthy art-loving couple from Hillsborough, California purC V O X H O L E A V E S V A A C Z chased 3.5 acres on the edge of Menlo Park. Their vision was to establish an G W I U X T L I X H M U O I L F Q Art Guild. They wanted to create a serene, beautiful workplace for artists, K R V G Y O D B A C W N L X U H H encourage the use of handmade objects for everyday use, and support early E D E X B S H R A R V F U G T T S California folk art.
September SEPTEMBER WORD SEARCH
Picnic dinner on grounds of Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park.
This gorgeous historic site with lovely gardens, graceful weeping willows, small shops full of artisan wares, and a Colonial Spanish style house and restaurant is still in existence and is currently managed by the Allied Arts Auxiliary which assumed its trusteeship in 1951. Along with six other auxiliaries, the Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary mission is to raise funds for special projects which benefit seriously ill and disabled children, and the uncompensated care at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. In a tony neighborhood near Stanford Hospital, Allied Arts Guild is a hidden gem. “Not too many people know we are here,” Tania Wong, owner of on-site café Wisteria, said as she greeted my daughters and me on a recent visit. What a find! A brick-lined walkway lined with tea roses in a profusion of colors led us
See Allied Arts continued on page 24
K D E K W U Q D R D K T L E G E X C H
O J B B I R M E M T H W L N Q O M O E
V Y O J G A B S R G E P A U X Q I U K
• ACORN • APPLE • BLACKHAWK • BOOKS • BREEZY • DIABLO • EATOUT
E O A T U T L D I D P A I H W F X V A
K N S D W Y V L G A R N C V K E F W R
H E B Z R N N D V N O E R H W C E G I
V A M R I O W T N X L L F O E D A Y L
• EQUINOX • FALL • GREENBROOK • HARVEST • LABORDAY • LEARNING • LEAVES
Y T Q D O T B Q D E A T O U T R Q L A
I E R M F O V A I L R L R C W N A K B
I O Z O O M K T L C B O R Q M F E T B
Y D P Z S U R E S A U G U L F S G M R
• MENTOR • MOONLIGHT • MTDIABLO • MUSEUM • RAKE • ROUNDHILL • SEPTEMBER
L O W E R E V C I N L W S Z E P U B E
N T E E R S F D D R E B M E T P E S E
G R I A K U T H X H T X L E R G O G Z
N A R A T M I P Z J N W F W R U Z W Y
• SQUASH • SUNFLOWER • TARANTULA • TEACHER • VOLUNTEER
T T A B A L Q A G X K C Z J A C O R N
A U Q S L S X E G N I N R A E L W Q F
See answers on page 19
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
VALLEY VIGNETTE
By Beverly Lane PARKS, PART 3 ~ OPEN SPACE PROVIDED ROOM TO PLAY
During the years before World War II, people in the San Ramon Valley had visited the open spaces of Mount Diablo State Park, Tassajara Valley, and Las Trampas hills to hike, ride, run, and hunt. And there were the pleasures of horseback riding and hiking outdoor spaces which kids experienced on the widely spread ranches and farms of the San Ramon and Tassajara Valleys, in the canyons of Norris, Crow, and Bollinger, and out Livorna toward what was called “Portugee Gulch.” Pete Camacho, who grew up in Danville as part of a family of 14 children, used to trap in the hills. He earned money by trapping, skinning, and drying ‘coons, foxes, skunks, and possums, which he then shipped off in burlap sacks. He hunted, using a 410 shotgun for birds and 22 rifle for traps. He recalled thousands of quail around the Diablo golf course -- “people stopped cars to let them go by.” There were doves in abundance all over the grain fields. After World War II, as the Bay Area’s population began to rise, people drove down the crowded State Highway 21 through the small towns and Las Trampas Poppy Bloom, 2020, from Sean Mosbey. admired the beauty of the San Ramon Valley. Right of way was acquired, and a new freeway I-680 opened. In 1964, the freeway ran from Walnut Creek to Sycamore Valley Road in Danville. In 1966, it extended to Dublin. The valley population exploded, with 2,000 residents in 1940 and 28,000 by 1970.
EARLY RECREATION FOR YOUTH
An early effort to provide recreation activities for youth began in 1949 by a group which organized the San Ramon Valley Center. Summer activities included dances, swim classes, and other recreation activities. In 1951, the activities were re-organized as the San Ramon Valley Recreation Center, and adult activities were included. In 1952, philanthropist Betty Engelhart purchased the old Presbyterian Church building on Front Street in Danville when the new church was built on El Pintado Road (today’s Town Meeting Hall). A board was set up with representatives from PTAs, Women’s Clubs, the Cameo Acres Improvement Club, and others. Ken Sandy, who was Danville’s first Police Chief thirty years later, was one of the high school students hired to staff the recreation activities. Relying on donations, the Center lasted a couple of years. The San Ramon Valley was part of county government, and the Board of Supervisors didn’t view parks or recreation services as a priority. But as development began to spread and voters opposed several efforts at incorporating new cities in the valley, the Board put several park bond issues on the ballot without promoting them. None passed.
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARKS
In 1964, most of the County annexed to the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) after a vigorous campaign. There was finally a public agency which focused on regional, if not local, parks. A citizen group interested in parks had formed the Contra Costa Parks Council to lobby the Board of Supervisors for parks; the Board would “approve in concept,” without allocating funds. The Council worked hard for the EBRPD annexation, then pressed to have available 1964 State Park Bond funds go to a proposed Las Trampas Regional Park. In addition, Council President Alvin Burton successfully promoted establishment of the Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space in San Ramon. A Lindner-led hike to view Las Trampas, 1970s. Manfred Lindner, an active Danville conservationist, had a passion for Las Trampas hills. He and his family lived close enough to hike them from his house. The vistas, ancient oaks, and quiet of the hills and valleys, drew him and his friends. After joining the Contra Costa Parks Council, Lindner and several others formed the Las Trampas Wilderness Committee as part of the Council. This Committee promoted Las Trampas as a park in a variety of ways. “One penny would buy a square foot of Las Trampas,” they wrote. Lindner and several others led five hikes into Las Trampas in 1970, drawing as many as 100 people per hike and garnering much positive publicity. A group called PLOT (Park Land Ownership Today) collected aluminum cans and blue chip stamps, and raised $1,000 by June of 1971. Concord school children led by teacher Jean Helfrich, collected $2,500 by 1973 and called themselves SANE (Save Our Natural Environment). Finally, the Park District began purchasing land in Las Trampas. The first purchases included Nordstrom in 1966 (480 acres), Richard Mueller (672 acres) and Star View Ranch (313 acres) in 1969, and the Trelut property (33 acres) in 1971. A small National park was developed as well: the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. The Corduroy Hills property (1,018 acres), which included the playwright’s property, was scheduled for development as condominiums by 1965. Local residents Thalia Brewer, Darlene Blair, and Lois Sizoo were determined to save the O’Neill house and property to commemorate the Nobel The “Good Old Days” are now! prize-winning playwright who wrote his last, great plays at Tao House from Rates are better than 50-60 years ago 1937 to 1944. In 1974, they were successful. Today, the site includes 14 acres and is tucked into Las Trampas Wilderness Regional Park. In 2020, Las Trampas includes nearly 6,000 acres, Bishop Ranch Regional Kevin Corstorphine DRE#01944908 Park contains 800 acres, and a Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space has 805.845.5200 700 acres. Sources: Interviews with Manfred Lindner, Pete Camacho, Patrick Whittle and archives of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.
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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
WIFI CONGESTION By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
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Are you using WiFi, and does your internet access seem slow? Do you want to blame Comcast or AT&T? Does your performance vary by the time of day? Are you frustrated because you can’t seem to get straight answers when you call for help? If this is your situation, read on. www.actionpoolrepair.com There are many links in the chain of technology that give you an internet connection and let you do things online. When your response yourpoolman@hotmail.com time is slow, most people think everything is the fault of their internet service provider (ISP), and much of the time, they are wrong. I admit that both of our area main ISPs have their issues. In this region, my Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 experience is that Comcast delivers better service. However, most of the time, the slowness you experience is not your ISP: it’s a local issue with your WiFi delivery, with your computer, or both. Since COVID began in March, the majority of performance issues we’ve seen are related to WiFi hitting its limits and sluggish computers. The situation is unlikely to improve. We’re in the middle of a perfect storm for WiFi usage, and it is not a quick or easy problem to solve. What follows is a shortlist of root causes of internet slowness, followed by steps you can take to help your situation. 1) Just about everyone has WiFi service in their home. And, to cover larger homes, many people use multiple WiFi access points, repeaters, mesh nodes, etc. to deliver strong signals throughout. However, every one of these installed components is part of the congestion issue. 2) Most Internet of Things (IoT) devices rely on WiFi to communicate with you and their service. How many of these products do you own? For instance, do you own a laptop, iPad, Fire Tablet, desktop computer, smart television or refrigerator, Roku, Apple TV, Apple Watch, smartphone, Nest thermostat or Nest camera, a Ring doorbell, or Ring camera? The list goes on. Most technology being sold today is network-enabled. For instance, we just bought a self-cleaning litter box for our cats. Did you know they make a model that’s WiFi-enabled with an iPhone app to inform when the litter tray needs emptying? It’s crazy. Every individual WiFi-enabled device is part of the congestion issue. 3) The services we use over WiFi command much more bandwidth today than yesterday. That 4K movie you’re streaming tonight requires four times the network bandwidth (12-25Mbps) of the HD movie you watched last year (3-6Mbps.) And this cumulative effect of so many hungry network mouths to feed is swamping the designed WiFi capacity, and at times, the neighborhood capacity of whichever ISP you use, as well. It’s just math. 4) COVID-related network congestion is another contributing factor. Although people in offices aren’t feeling these issues as much right now, people at home are having a challenging time. I don’t think any of the ISP’s built their neighborhood network infrastructure with plans for everyone to use home-offices and online schooling, with multiple rooms of Zoom and Netflix running all day long. 5) And finally, the WiFi network hardware vendors themselves; whether Netgear, Linksys, TP-Link, Belkin – all of them; continue to deliver equipment that unnecessarily gobbles up more precious radio space per unit than just a couple years ago. The equipment, as (mis)configured out of the box, is a lousy network citizen and hogs the available WiFi radio space. This affects every router and endpoint device that is in range of that new unit. Our advice hasn’t changed. Only, now we deliver it with a little more urgency. That is, if a device can be cabled, plug it into your network. This advice is especially true for big network consumers such as smart TVs and entertainment devices (Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, etc.). Computers that require consistent network performance, such as for Zoom meetings, should be cabled. We can recommend an excellent cabling vendor in our area if you need some new circuits. Next, although the 5GHz WiFi band is also becoming congested, it is still much clearer than the original 2.4GHz band, which is unusable in some areas. We’ve observed the majority of IoT automated devices such as doorbells and cameras are still using the old 2.4GHz network protocols, perhaps to save a few bucks. Find out before you buy, and make good choices. IoT manufacturers need to get with the times. Don’t patronize vendors using the old technology because you’re only making things worse for yourself. There are plans to more widely introduce an approved swath of radio frequencies for a new type of WiFi equipment. It’s called 802.11ad “WiGig.” It will operate in the 60GHz spectrum, which means it can support super-high speeds (up to 7Gbit/s) only, over super-short distances (1-10 meters.) It will take a long time for this new technology to help with today’s issues. These days, we all rely on networks to do our jobs and to deliver our entertainment. Managing the entire chain of hardware to reliably convey those services is what PCIO has been doing for twenty years. While we are largely servicing business networks at this time, we are happy to discuss your personal network and refer you to partners who can get your job across the finish line. We deliver technology, simplified. Reach out for a free consultation at info@pcioit.com or (925)552-7953. Advertorial
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SONRISE EQUESTRIAN FOUNDATION VIRTUAL WINE & EQUINE EVENT
COVID may have canceled your vacation plans, but one thing it hasn't canceled is the Sonrise Equestrian Foundation’s annual Wine & Equine event! This year, you can enjoy the iconic fundraiser from the comfort of your own home by attending the virtual event to be held on Saturday, October 17th beginning at 5:30PM. Start your day with a 10AM “ranch drive-thru.” Come see where SonRise operates, take your picture with the minis, view the auction items, and pick up your goodie bag with Wente wine. From 4-5PM purchase and pick up an optional dinner with a three-course meal at Gianni’s in San Ramon, then sit back and enjoy the virtual fundraiser beginning at 5:30PM. The SonRise staff is excited to share all about the ways they get to serve children with special needs along with their families. Their stories are worth telling. Join in and learn more! R eady for the best part? This year, registration is complementary! If you're interested in attending, send a quick email to sonrise@sonrisekids.org to get updates on when and where you can register. To learn more about the SonRise Equestrian Foundation visit www.sonrisekids.org. You can keep your children entertained by printing out their free, SonRise coloring pages, at www. sonrisekids.org/sonrise-coloring-book!
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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
Pulitzer Prize winning historian Richard Rhodes explains in his 2004 biography John James Audubon: The Making of an American that Audubon paid careful attention to plants providing the natural habitats of each of the 497 avian species he portrayed. Describing Audubon’s The Birds of America, completed in 1838, Rhodes writes: “Opening the heavy leather-covered boards to the luminous clarity of the boldly colored plates, with their vivacious birds and their ornately decorative, stylized, almost Oriental flora of grasses, vines, flowers, branches, leaves, and fruit, was like opening a window into Eden.” Quotes in the following two paragraphs are documented by Rhodes. A French critic viewing Audubon’s exhibition at Edinburgh’s Royal Institution in December 1826 applauded the artist’s success: “A magic power transported us to the forests which for so many years this man of genius has trod...On twigs, branches, bits of shore, copied by the brush with the strictest fidelity, sport the feathered races of the New World, in the size of life, each in its particular attitude, its individuality and peculiarities.” In answer to critics who wondered why he did not employ the stilted poses favored by academics of the time, Audubon wrote: “The author has not contented himself, as others have done, with single profile views, but in very many instances has grouped his figures so as to represent the originals at their natural avocations, and has placed them on branches of trees, decorated with foliage, blossoms and fruits, or amidst plants of numerous species.” Shortly after publication of his 435plate masterpiece, Audubon wrote to a friend that in their varieties of age and sex, no fewer than 1,065 figures were illustrated. Audubon’s pair of American Goldfinches feasts on thistles. In Ornithological Biography, penned by Audubon to detail the lifestyles of birds depicted in The Birds of America, the author describes their dining technique. “They tear up the down and withered petals of the ripening flowers with ease, leaning downwards upon them, eat off the seed, and allow the down to float in the air.” National Audubon Society ‘s website provides access to both Audubon works. Harvard professor Thomas Nuttall took Audubon birding when the artist
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews visited Boston. Unable to secure sponsorship for a journey to the Pacific Coast, Audubon supplemented his collections with specimens obtained by Nuttall and John Kirk Townsend. Audubon comments about his Band-tailed Pigeon painting: “In my plate are represented two adult birds, placed on the branch of a superb species of dogwood, discovered by my learned friend THOMAS NUTTALL, ESQ., when on his march toward the Pacific Ocean, and which I have graced with his name.” Although renowned plant hunter David Douglas had previously spotted the dogwood Audubon named Cornus nuttalli, Douglas mistook it for its Eastern cousin Cornus florida. Nuttall observed band-tailed pigeons along the Columbia River devouring the crimson berries. Despite being posed on a black walnut tree laden with nutritious nuts, Audubon’s American Crow casts a suspicious eye on a world where danger lurks. Concerning the beleaguered bird, Audubon muses: “The Crow devours myriads of grubs every day of the year, that might lay waste the farmer’s fields; it destroys quadrupeds innumerable, every one of which is an enemy to his poultry and his flocks. Why then should the farmer be so ungrateful, when he sees such services rendered to him by a providential friend, as to persecute that friend even to the death?” Slaughter of crows was legislated in Plymouth Colony long before Audubon was born. In History of the Town of Duxbury, Justin Winsor cites a 1693 ordinance proclaiming: “every householder shall kill one crow and six blackbirds, or twelve blackbirds. Such as kill no crow between May 1 and July 1 must pay 1s. for the Town’s use.” Crows continue to outwit humans, but passenger pigeons, estimated to have numbered about three billion in Audubon’s day, are extinct. In 1816, Will Bakewell, Audubon’s brother-in-law, noted that he and Audubon gathered nine or ten bushels of pigeons killed as the upper branches of trees weighted down by the birds broke and fell on those roosting below. Rhodes quotes Bakewell: “After the passenger pigeons left this neck of the woods the trees were so much broken and stripped of their limbs as to have the appearance produced in western and southern forests by hurricanes they sometimes experience.” Audubon hunted for food but descried senseless plunder. Rhodes summarizes Audubon’s comments on avian intelligence: “the only boobies Audubon had come across were humans.”
RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN VIRTUAL GALA
On Saturday, September 19th at 5PM the Ruth Bancroft Garden staff will host a Virtual Gala and honor their world-renowned curator and succulent specialist, Brian Kemble, for his 40 years of service to Ruth Bancroft and her extraordinary public garden. Brian first met Ruth in 1979 on a visit to her fast-growing, seven-year old garden, when he was a budding horticulturist. She invited him to come work with her in her 3 ½ acre dry garden experiment. They soon bonded over succulents and the spirit of discovery, collaborating in Ruth’s ambitious venture of trying out plants from all over the world, to see how they would fare in this particular place. Soon Brian was raising all sorts of dry-growing plants from seed and adding his own unique hybrids to the mix. Ruth acquired plants from many sources, but more of the garden’s plants came from Brian than from anywhere else. Ruth’s plant collection and unusual bold garden design began to draw international attention by the late 1980s. The nonprofit Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc. has since continued to draw admirers and visitors from near and far, with over 20,000 visitors in the past year. Brian noted, “Little did I know, on my first short visit to the garden in 1979, how large a role it was going to play in my life. It has been a joy to see so many plants progress from tiny seedlings to flowering specimens, appreciated by visitors from all over the world.” The Virtual Gala, which will be broadcast from 5-6PM, will feature live and videotaped presentations by Kemble and many devoted members of the Garden and staff, and live auction bidding to support the Garden’s Children’s Education program and reconstruction of its almost 50-year-old “Ruth’s Folly” complex of gazebo and greenhouses. Members and friends are invited to attend tby registering at www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/gala2020. There is a nominal fee of $10 to register for the Gala, but after the event all attendees will receive a $10 Garden Nursery certificate as a thank you for coming. This is the Garden’s largest fundraiser of the year, helping to preserve Ruth’s collection, and educate the public about the great beauty and environmental benefits of drought tolerant landscapes. From September 11 – 20, the Garden will also be holding an online auction featuring numerous one-of-a-kind items and exclusive Garden experiences. For more information or to register visit ruthbancroftgarden.org/gala2020. For questions email gala@ruthbancroftgarden.org or call the Garden at (925) 944-9352. The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve Ruth Bancroft’s exceptional example of garden design and to continue to develop its collection of water-conserving plants for the education and enjoyment of the public.
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ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs)
WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY ARE THEY BECOMING SO POPULAR? By Cole McKnight, Perpetual Homes
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is simply a second small dwelling located on the same grounds as your regular single-family house. An ADU can come in the form of a small house, backyard retreat, or even a home office. ADUs are oftentimes also called granny flats, in-law units, tiny houses, or secondary dwelling units. In addition, many multi-family attached properties can add two detached ADUs per property! ADUs are appealing because they cost less than other forms of housing and make use of existing land.
LIFE IN THE ALAMO/ DANVILLE GARDEN
PATHS IN THE LANDSCAPE By John Montgomery, Landscape Architect, ASLA
The cost of housing has increased so much that young families and aging parents are finding it difficult to be able to afford to live here. For aging parents, ADUs allow for people to age in place or form multi-generational households to ease care-giving responsibilities and cost. ADUs can be used as an incredible source of rental income. Some people rent out their ADU or even decide to downsize and live in the ADU while renting out their primary dwelling. More companies are allowing their employees to work from home, and that can be extremely difficult with small children or pets present. An air conditioned office shack can provide that perfect quiet retreat for someone that works from home. Prices start at $26,500.
They say the journey is more important than the destination. In a landscape of any scale, this adage rings true. Imagine a backyard retreat: a tranquil spot surrounded by garden some distance from your house. Now, imagine if the path that led there also transformed your mindset as you traveled, so that you reached that spot already in a relaxed frame of mind. With this intention, a pathway through the landscape is more than just a thoroughfare; it is a unique part of the outdoor experience. While paths usually have an intentional beginning and end-point, the line of travel is open for design. It could be direct, taking you quickly to where you want to go, or it could lead you on a short detour before taking you to your destination. Both direct and indirect paths in the landscape have their applications. As every landscape begins as a study in geometry, most garden paths have either geometric curves or architectural angles if they do not make a straight beeline for their destination. Sights and experiences are important parts of a home landscape. On an indirect path, these elements make the experience memorable. As you enter the landscape, you might pass through a gate or a structure, something telling you that you are in a new space. As you continue, you might pass beautiful flowers and grasses that nod towards your path, or you might see in the distance a view of Mt. Diablo. As the path turns, you might feel a sense of mystery as to what lies ahead. A nearby bench might remind you that you’re not in a hurry and could rest here awhile. Finally, you might scale stairs up to your destination point, feeling as though you’ve come miles from where you started (while possibly only having traveled 40 feet from your door!)
• Now, no minimum lot size is required • A setback of 4 feet is the new requirement, opening up a vast number of properties to ADU development in their backyards • Homeowners associations can no longer prohibit ADUs The presence of an ADU can enhance the attractiveness of a house on the market, typically increasing the value of the property. Homeowners can add 1-2 ADU units on their existing property, and they can be fully equipped with a bathroom, kitchen, heating and air conditioning, and a washer/dryer, making it a fully functioning living space. Quite simply, an ADU can be the perfect solution for housing extended family, for gaining monthly rental income, or for allowing people to simplify their lives and still live in a neighborhood setting. The highly regarded ADU builder, Perpetual Homes, specializes in providing affordable, sustainable, turn-key backyard ADU’s in the Bay Area. Perpetual Home ADU’s are placed on a permanent foundation so they are earthquake resistant. Assembled off-site to ensure the highest standards of quality, with minimal disruption to the homeowner, Perpetual Homes offers a huge array of floor plans, exterior design options, and dwelling sizes that can range in size from the 160 sq.ft. office shack all the way up to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,200 sq. ft. dwelling. To find out more about adding an ADU, please contact Kathy Anderson at 925-980-2351 or visit www.perpetualhomesadu.com. Advertorial
Our outdoor experience is affected by all of our senses. The surface we traverse has an impact on us, as anyone who has ever crunched on autumn leaves would agree. Different surfaces on a pathway can slow you down or cause a moment of pause. Uneven flagstones or cobbles, for example, might have the same effect as the boulder path to a traditional Japanese Tea Room – meditative focus is mandatory when walking here. As usual, form and function must match! For an informal garden path, pea gravel might give a relaxed vibe, but for a path traveled by wheelchair or one frequented at night, a smooth surface such as concrete would be the ideal choice. J.Montgomery Designs creates designs landscapes that shape the outdoor experience. Contact the studio for a complimentary virtual design consultation, or visit them at jmontgomerydesigns.com. Advertorial
IN CALIFORNIA ADUs ARE BECOMING EXTREMELY APPEALING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS
People build ADUs for many reasons, but the most common ones are to provide housing for multi-generation family members or for gaining rental income. In fact, Alamo ADUs command approximately $3,600 per month. That is a 15% return on investment!
NEW CALIFORNIA LAWS HAVE MADE ADDING AN ADU MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN EVER
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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Birds continued from front page
migrating waterfowl of Pt. Reyes, and raptors and Sierra birds in Yuba Pass. You always see more birds when an expert guide is right there, showing you where to look and what to listen for!” Hugh Harvey, Field Trip Chair, went on his first MDAS field trip as a non-member in 1986. A few years later, he and his bride Rosita joined the chapter. Hugh has fond memories of many ladies who mentored him including the late Jean Richmond of Alamo, author of Birding Northern California, published in 1985. Jean generously donated proceeds from her book to MDAS, thereby providing an income stream, funding years of local conservation projects. Hugh recalls: “For over 25 years, Elizabeth MDAS-built breeding platform at McNabney Marsh rescues birds from flooded nesting sites. Photo courtesy of Nancy Wenninger. Dickey was the coordinator of our MDAS field trips. I began leading trips for her in 1994. The first time was to Mines Road, south of Livermore. I made certain Jean was in our car and had her sit in the front seat. Her advice was that it was not my job to find the birds, I should let others do that. My biggest job was to take the people to where the birds were, to let them find the birds, and to keep them moving to the next spot.” Fifteen regular field trip leaders share the work. Harvey has a number of favorite birding spots. One that worries him is Del Puerto Canyon because Del Puerto Water District is hoping to build a dam that would flood a significant habitat. He muses: “Santa Fe Grade Road in from Gustine to Los Banos is another wonderful place to visit. The number of winter ducks, geese, and raptors is astounding. Likewise, it is the same at both Colusa and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges -- stunning numbers of Snow Geese and other birds. It makes me wonder what it was like before the first Europeans arrived, and we took away 90% of the wetland areas in the Central Valley.” Howarth notes of the approximately 400 MDAS members: “Their good-natured zeal in protecting these magical creatures inspires me to be a better bird-lover and a better citizen. In the last 10 years, nature lovers of all kinds have had to make the transition from little ‘enthusiasm clubs’ to full on environmental advocates... because virtually all wildlife is on the ropes these days, endangered by habitat loss, climate disruption, pollution, and human greed, carelessness, and apathy.” Nancy Wenninger, Conservation Chair, has recorded more than 90 avian species visiting her Walnut Creek garden. She advises homeowners: “Providing water is the key to supporting birds. They won’t use a birdbath Cedar Waxwing with Toyon berry by Lisa Gurrel won that isn't clean. Flush and scrub birdbaths every day or every other day. Feeders and seed are less important blue ribbon honors in MDAS Photography Contest.
See Birds continued on page 26
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ESTATE PLANNING STRATEGIES FOR BLENDED FAMILIES
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Last month, I outlined some key issues regarding estate planning for blended families. I started to develop a case study involving a hypothetical couple, Jay and Bea. This month, I’m expanding that theme by describing some strategies that may help Jay and Bea balance and reconcile conflicting interests in a manner that best serves their wishes. The central premise is that estate planning for blended families is often a sensitive matter. Below are some strategies that can help manage such sensitivity. Jay, 65 and Bea, 55, are in good health. They marry and move into Jay’s house. The ‘J’ Family: Jay’s children are Jeff and Judy, 40 and 35 years old. Jay has a $1 Million home, with no mortgage, and cash and securities totaling $200K. The ‘B’ Family: Bea has a daughter, Betty, 20 years old. Bea has cash and securities totaling $400K. Often, a married couple, even those with blended families, establish a joint living trust (which can hold community property and separate property assets). Typically, blended family trusts splits into two sub-trusts (“pots”) on the first spouse’s death. One pot holds the surviving spouse’s assets, and the other pot holds the deceased spouse’s assets. The difficulty is figuring out when, and to whom, each pot gets distributed. At the heart of the matter, Jay and Bea each need to decide if he or she dies first, what will happen to his or her assets? This might seem straightforward, but it’s rarely simple. The deceased spouse’s assets could: a) go immediately to his or her children, or b) go immediately to the surviving spouse, or c) remain in trust to be used for the needs of the surviving spouse (then, on the surviving spouse’s death, remaining assets, if any, go to the deceased spouse’s children), or d) some combination of the above. If Jay dies first and he gives all of his assets, including the house, to Jeff and Judy, where will Bea live? Perhaps she could rent a place or use some of
DORMANT ASSETS
By Robert Cucchiaro, Summit Wealth & Retirement
Oftentimes we find that asking a professional for advice is like asking a barber if you need a haircut. An example of this that I see in my profession has to do with life insurance. If you ask someone who sells life insurance for a living (and works at a large national insurance company) if you need life insurance, of course their answer will be an emphatic “yes”! And while this may or may not be the case, an interesting question comes up when a client in their 60s has an old life insurance policy that they bought many years ago. Usually, these are whole life or universal life insurance policies designed to both protect the family in case the breadwinner died prematurely and provide a forced savings vehicle for retirement. Other times, they are old term insurance policies that were purchased while the kids were young and now are about to expire (or lapse). Some of these policies worked out as planned, but many did not, leaving those policy holders to ask, “Now what?” One of the services that my firm provides is a review of old insurance policies along with an analysis of options and recommendations. Often, I find that people are surprised by the range of options they have when considering how to handle an old insurance policy. For example: • You can do a tax-free exchange of cash value from a life insurance policy to an annuity, turning a dormant asset into a personal lifetime pension • You can convert an old term insurance policy into a permanent policy without going through medical underwriting. So a person that may no longer be able to buy insurance for health reasons will now have a life insurance policy that will benefit their family • You can withdraw cash value from an insurance policy in a manner so that its tax-free (be careful with this one) • Finally, you may run a return on investment analysis and decide that
her liquid $400K to buy a small condominium or move out of the Bay Area to somewhere with a lower cost of living. But would Jay want Bea to potentially move or have a lower standard of living and financial risk (Bea could live a long life and/or have substantial long-term care expenses)? Alternatively, Jay could leave only his liquid $200K to Jeff and Judy, and keep the house in trust for Bea for her lifetime. But, if Bea lived to age 100, Jeff and Judy would not inherit the home (the bulk of Jay’s assets) until they are 80 and 85. Jay could mitigate this potential problem by: a) allowing Bea to stay in the home for a fixed number of years, or b) mandating that the house be sold and a portion of the sales proceeds be used to buy her a modest replacement residence, or c) purchasing a life insurance policy with a death benefit of, say $500K - $1 Million, naming Jeff and Judy as beneficiaries, leaving the home either outright to Bea or in trust for her lifetime. If Bea dies first, she might give her $400K immediately to Betty since Jay has substantial assets of his own. But, Jay’s major asset, his home, is illiquid, and Jay could easily use up his own liquid assets and need to sell his house. Another consideration is that even if Jay lived to 90 or 95, Betty would only be 45 or 50, a fairly young age to inherit from her mother. So, Bea may wish to: a) leave her $400K in trust for Jay’s lifetime, during which he may withdraw some portion if he needs it, while preserving the rest for Betty when Jay dies, or b) purchase a life insurance policy with a death benefit of, say $250K or $500K, naming Betty as beneficiary, and leave her $400K outright or in trust for Jay. As with most estate planning matters, there is no right or wrong. There is no “one size fits all” approach. Nevertheless, these strategies are examples that illustrate how careful, practical, planning can help reconcile competing interests of a surviving spouses, children, and stepchildren. |Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business| Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
keeping an old policy and paying more premiums into it is actually what’s best for your family and overall financial plan. The point here is this: asking a Certified Financial Planner what you should do about an old insurance policy is not the same as asking a barber if you need a haircut. The answer may surprise you, and if you have an old policy that needs to be reviewed by an independent professional, please give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit us at www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
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UNIQUE APPROACH TO BREAST CANCER CARE
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
By Roger Smith, President FIRE SEASON AND POWER OUTAGES. WHAT ARE OUR COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESOURCES?
The Office of Emergency Services is responsible for planning, outreach, and training as it relates to Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness. Additionally, Homeland Security maintains partnerships with infrastructure partners, as well as local, state, and federal agencies in order to share critical information to safeguard persons and property. Homeland Security reviews tips and leads to ensure appropriate agencies and resources are notified. Contra Costa County (CCC) Health Services has overall responsibility for protecting the public’s health in an emergency. In order to protect your health, they have developed comprehensive emergency response plans in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private healthcare providers and the Red Cross. People wonder, how do the County’s Emergency Response Services coordinate their efforts in an emergency? There are several answers: 1) The County Emergency Response Services utilize the initial input from the first Field Commander on-site. For Alamo, this would be either the Sheriff ’s Department or the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (for North Alamo, this would be the CCC Fire Protection District). 2) A unified command post is then established within close proximity to the Emergency Site to assist in coordination between First Responders, Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, County Emergency Services, and a County Public Information Officer for media response. 3) There are mobile communication vehicles and trailers available and routed to the emergency site as needed. 4) If the emergency escalates, a County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is brought on-line for coordination of additional services, such as Red Cross and the possible need for assistance from other Bay Area First Responders. CCCC has several radio equipment distribution centers to insure first responders from other counties have equipment matched to Contra Costa’s radio equipment, if needed. 5) Typically, a municipality, such as Danville or San Ramon, may have their own emergency response department or manager responsible for a local emergency response, Level 1. If the emergency escalates, the County would be informed, and a response would be activated, Level 2. 6) However, Alamo, as a non-municipality, has direct access to County Emergency Services, providing our community with a Level 2 response immediately.
NOW AVAILABLE IN SAN RAMON By Aditi Choudhry, MD
What if you could see all of the specialist physicians you need to treat your breast cancer at the same time and in the same place? Well, now you can! I am excited to announce that we have expanded our successful Pleasant Hill - Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay to serve San Ramon. This program focuses on breast cancer patients and brings together physician expertise from Breast Surgery, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology. When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her life is turned upside down. Suddenly, she is consumed with the process of making appointments, getting more testing, making decisions, and consulting with a variety of specialists on different days – all at different locations. She may even seek second and third opinions. This process can be overwhelming and exhausting, and can take weeks to months. For these reasons, our team developed this program to make the process easier for breast cancer patients. Similar to Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards at academic centers, our board certified, highly trained, and experienced physicians offer a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis and treatment planning. The benefit of multidisciplinary care is that patients receive multiple medical opinions from a group of specialists, helping them feel confident they have explored all of their options. Research shows that a multidisciplinary approach leads to better outcomes, with improved quality of life and improved survival rates. This is how our program works: In a single visit at our breast cancer clinic, patients will meet with a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and patient care coordinator. Prior to the patient’s consultations, our team will have reviewed her history, imaging, and pathology. After our multidisciplinary team of specialist physicians have examined the patient, they come together to craft a comprehensive and individualized plan. By the end of the appointment, each patient will leave with a clear plan and next steps for their treatment. Our program minimizes the anxiety and uncertainty patients experience while waiting days and weeks between individual appointments, resulting in quicker treatment and the best possible outcome for each patient. All in one day – all in one place! Dr. Choudhry is a Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. Advertorial She can be reached at 925-215-1149 or at www.wcceastbay.com.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A DISASTER
The primary threats to CCC are earthquakes and aftershocks, hazardous materials releases, transportation accidents, floods caused by levee or dam failure, landslides, national security incidents including bioterrorism, wildfires, and communicable disease outbreaks such as pandemic flu. A catastrophic event will cause: widespread damage and death, with possible disruption to the health care system, including hospitals, clinics, emergency care, primary care, and public health services. Secondary hazards, include fires and hazardous materials releases, that may require the redirection of resources, population evacuation, or shelter-in-place events. There will be an absence of key personnel due to injury or delay in assuming emergency functions (while assuring the safety and welfare of their families and homes), and depletion of essential equipment and supplies. Serious transportation limitations will include impassable roads that further delay emergency workers, and communication disruptions should be expected for over 48 hours after a major event, making accurate information about the nature and extent of damage, including health care and resources, initially unavailable or difficult to obtain.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
In the event of a major disaster, Contra Costa Health Services will issue updates via www.cchealth.org. Public access television and radio stations such as KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM will have ongoing status reports and information. The public may also call 211 or visit cccc.myresourcedirectory.com for health emergency information and also www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/2269/Emergency-Information. Visit the AIA website (www.AlamoCA.org) to review the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s presentation on Evacuation Planning and Fire Safety. This hour-long program was originally presented on July 22, 2020. Additional Emergency Resources: To sign up for CCC Community Warning System, visit https://cwsalerts.com. For emergency alerts, visit www.contracosta. ca.gov/2269/Emergency-Alerts-Resources. For more information, visit www.
Free Online Seminar With Medical Experts September 15, 6:30-8:30pm - Many Faces of Gynecologic Cancers September 29, 6:30-8:30pm - Many Faces of Prostate Cancer To Register, email sgoldberg@dvohmg.com or call 925-677-5041 x260
Ready.gov, www.CalOES.ca.gov, www.CChealth.org, www.cococaer.org, www. contracosta.ca.gov/5435/Public-Safety-Emergency-Info, www.countyoffice.org/ contra-costa-emergency-services-martinez-ca-dac, www.firedepartment.org/ our-district/fire-and-life-safety/fire-evacuation-plans. For a digital version of Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation, visit www.cccfpd.org.
ALAMO CERTIFIED FARMER’S MARKET
The Alamo Certified Farmer’s Market complies with all Health Department requirements. Please wear a mask while shopping. The Market is open Sundays yearround, from 9AM – 2PM, in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America. Look for fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, tamales, BBQ, artisan goods, and more!
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Now celebrating its 65th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of local interest, membership forms, and more.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
THE EYE OPENER
DIGITAL EYE STRAIN 2020 By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin Offering Treatments for: Skin Cancer Moles Precancerous Lesions Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Warts, Molluscum Keloid and Scar Revisions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Underarm Sweating Physician-Strength Skin Care Products
Digital devices are an INTRODUCING integral part of our daily EMSCULPT D lives. These devices include ONLY FDA CLEARE smartphones, smartwatchELECTROMAGNETIC ETING es, laptops, desktop computers, iPads, and eBook TECHNOLOGY TARG devices like Kindles. We all use these items for ABDOMINAL AND FOR BODY business and pleasure, and we all use them for GLUTEUS MUSCLES PAD CONTOURING, FAT several hours per day at the minimum. Considering Offering Cosmetic Treatments for: LIFT! TT REDUCTION AND BU the current COVID-19 situation, screen use for Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars lpt cu MS DrWilliamTing.com/E Face, Neck, Body Tightening, adults and students has increased tremendously. Lifting, More people are working exclusively from home, and Rejuvenation and students are now on their computers for many Frown Lines and Jawline Reduction hours during school hours and then long into the Rosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and evening to get assignments completed. The constant Post-injection Bruising use of digital devices puts an enormous strain on Pigmentation and Melasma Sun Damage and Scars the visual system along with the body as a whole. A place where beauty Body Sculpting Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, eye strain, Thinning Hair and/or Balding and healthy skin meet blurry vision, dry eyes, along with positional issues Hair Removal Visit us at our Center of such as head and neck strain are all common with Technology & Procedures Excellence with a combined Offered prolonged use. These combined issues are referred 12,000 square foot, state Cellfina to as digital eye strain and are causing a major Cool Mini for neck of the art, newly renovated problem in our society. Coolsculpting® Our Women’s suite. We are dedicated Cryoshape There are many things that a person can do to Wellness Center to Medical, Cosmetic, and Diolite 532 laser help alleviate the effects of digital eyestrain. These now offers EMSella, EMSculpt Surgical Dermatology and FDA approved noninvasive include, but are not limited to, reducing overall EMSella are a place for medical electromagnetic technology Excel V Laser use, optimal correction for the computer includtreatment (with clothes on) Excimer Laser skin consultation, aesthetic ing blue light protected lenses, correct distance Fractional CO2 Laser for urinary incontinence rejuvenation, and face and and positioning of the computer, proper lighting, GenesisPlus Laser and feminine intimate body contouring. Infini Microneedling RF staying hydrated, and taking adequate breaks. Even rejuvenation! Models are used. Kybella DrWilliamTing.com/EMSella if there is not an eyeglass prescription needed, Liposonix® computer/digital lenses with blue protect anti-reVisit www.DrWilliamTing.com Microneedling with PRP for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, MiraDry flective coating alleviates the strain brought on Mohs Micrographic Surgery product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. by prolonged digital device use. These specialized NBUVB Phototherapy lenses are for everyone. Pico Genesis Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! PicoSure Laser We normally think that only patients needing William Ting, M.D., PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation reading help can benefit from computer glasses. Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon Vbeam Laser 2262 Camino Ramon However, our kids are using electronic devices Silhouette InstaLift San Ramon, CA 94583 Spectra Laser more than ever. Google classroom, web-based asTel: (925) 328-0255 Superficial Radiotherapy TEXT us at (925) 328-0255 24/7 signments, and online research have now become Thermage™ Email: staff@caldermcare.com the standard for all our children for the foreseeable Ultherapy™ Vaser Shape drwilliamting.com future. Young kids are given iPads to use either as VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation *Welcoming new Medicare patients learning tools or as entertainment. Students are using the computer for remote learning, and their screen time has increased that can be used to help reduce the effects of computer eyestrain. Now that several-fold since the start of the pandemic. The lenses help reduce the kids are back in school through remote learning, computer-based eyestrain eyestrain and fatigue that inevitably comes with many hours in front of a is becoming an issue for them as well. If your child spends several hours in screen. The lenses can be worn full-time if wanted, and distance vision can front of a digital device, it will be to their benefit to acknowledge this issue be corrected along with the necessary near-power required to comfortably and to make some of the above-mentioned modifications. Each modification, work at the computer. as well as reducing your overall screen and phone time, will help alleviate the To help reduce strain while at the computer, one should have the monitor symptoms. about two feet away and below the level of the eyes. This positioning will Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding cause the upper lids to come down slightly, which will help minimize glare service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 820-6622, and dryness, as less of the eye will be exposed. In addition, try to reduce or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. For more inforoverhead lighting as this will keep unwanted glare off the monitor screen. mation, visit www.alamooptometry.com, and join in on Facebook, Instagram, When doing up close work, humans tend to stare, which means less blinking, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial and that leads to tears not being distributed to the surface of the eye. Keeping To place an ad,share a story, the body and eyes properly hydrated will also reduce the dryness, redness, and irritation that occurs while staring at a monitor. or for more information about our paper, Obviously, this is not an exhaustive coverage of this topic. However, some call 925.405.6397 of the take home points should be considered by everyone, regardless of age. or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Everyone uses digital devices, so therefore everyone needs to address this issue. Depending on each situation, we can recommend specific digital lenses
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
KICK YOUR PLANTAR FASCIITIS!
By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis is an irritation and swelling of the thick tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot toward the five toes. The plantar fascia helps hold up the bones on the bottom of the foot, creating the arch. When this fascia becomes inflamed, it makes walking painful and difficult. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis. Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include: • Foot arch problems (both flat foot and high arches) • History of low back pain or sciatica • Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel) • Obesity • Running, extended amounts of driving, or repetitive stress to the foot or leg • Sudden weight gain
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Western medicine typically treats plantar fasciitis with oral and/or injectable anti-inflammatories. These may temporarily reduce the pain associated with plantar fasciitis but they do not treat the cause of the problem and by no means heal it.
Fairy continued from front page
perfect for another purpose. For a long time, Jordan had been wanting to create a small fairy garden. A few years ago, she bought a couple of little houses and fairies. She also had a larger wooden fairy house that she had built with her twin boys and daughter when they were younger. Jordan cleared the weeds and rocks out of the dirt, and it felt like the perfect spot for the fairy garden. As she pruned the branches of the overgrown bush she discovered it was actually a beautiful manzanita which was a great anchor for the garden. She added lights in the tree and a tiny tree house, and then she began adding more and more (and more!). She built small fences from branches she found and added meandering pebble paths. She shopped near-by and online, and pretty soon there was an entire fairy village. One of her favorite pieces is a little working windmill that has a fountain in it. The garden is filled with tiny fairy lights and a couple little campfires. It’s really magical at night. The garden has brought about a wonderful change to the Visola’s lives. After living in the spot for four years, the garden has become a conduit to meeting neighbors, many for the first time. In addition, after learning about
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LONG TERM CORRECTION OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS IS A TWO STEP PROCESS
First: Heal the Damaged Fascia Ending the pain caused by plantar fasciitis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube a Class IV laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During laser therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved. Second: Correct the Foot and Gait Mechanics This involves rehabilitation of spine as well as the arch of the foot. Arch rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific insoles and/or specific taping of the foot in order to re-establish proper motion of the arch while walking, then specific strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the foot and lower leg to ensure lasting results. At Align Healing Center, we are having great success treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even if it’s longterm residual pain. Arthritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers may also see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the founder of Align Healing Center in Danville. To set up a complimentary consultation call 925-362-8283 or visit www. alignhealingcenter.com for more information. Advertorial the garden, people have driven from nearby towns to stop by and see it. It’s been such an unexpected treasure to many, both young and old. Jordan notes, “It fills my heart to see people’s reactions when they see it.” Jordan’s mother wrote and published a series of four books filled with short stories about a fairy named Gingledorf. The books are based on the stories she used to tell Jordan’s children when they were growing up. Jordan made a Gingledorf sign in the garden, there is a Gingledorf figurine, and two of the other book’s characters are in the garden as well - Tiny Wee One (the snail) and Beatrice Bee (the bee that lives on the tiny honey pot). Once shelter in place ends, Jordan can’t wait for a visit from mom to see the garden her family created.
TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND
Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making daily reassurance calls, Monday through Friday, to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Additional TeleCare activities include an annual holiday party, and they also receive greeting cards from the Assisteens, an auxiliary where tweens and teens learn to participate in a community service at a young age. Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
LASER RESURFACING IN THE TIME OF QUARANTINE
By Dr. Samantha Ellis, MD
Given the new reality we find ourselves living in, we’re spending more time on video chats (or in front our bathroom mirrors) evaluating our appearance and recognizing that there may be things that we’d like to improve. One small silver lining some of my patients are finding during quarantine is that they now have the downtime to pursue laser treatments that they could not previously accommodate in their pre-pandemic schedules. Patients are able to recover seamlessly while they work from home, and if they need to be in public, the mandated mask is a convenient disguise. Perhaps most importantly, these impactful cosmetic enhancements and improvements in skin health can offer a much-needed pick-me-up in these challenging times. Practicing dermatology in the sunny East Bay, my patients tend to lead active lifestyles and enjoy spending time outdoors. Over the years, their skin has accumulated high amounts of UV-damage, and what was once a beautiful bronze tan in their teens and 20s is now manifesting on the face as sun spots, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and even pre-cancerous growths. One of the best all-around cosmetic interventions (and is FDA-approved to address these concerns!) is the Fraxel® laser. Fraxel® laser treatments have revolutionized the way we approach aging and sun-damaged skin. The treatment works by delivering thousands of deeply-penetrating, microscopic, columns of heat into the skin’s dermal layer. Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the tissue that has been targeted by the laser, leading to healthier skin that has fewer wrinkles, shows a more even tone and texture, and is more radiant overall. In expert hands, this laser is incredibly safe and delivers consistent results. So, what can you expect from a laser resurfacing procedure in our office? On the day of your treatment, you come into the office ahead of time so that we can apply a topical numbing cream to your face (and to your neck and chest if we’re addressing those areas, too). You then get to relax for an hour while the numbing cream does its magic. Many patients tell us they love this “me time” away from the stresses of the outside world. Especially these days, it’s important to take time to focus on yourself. After an hour, the numbing cream is removed, the skin is cleaned, and the procedure begins. Resurfacing the face only takes about 10-15 minutes, with additional time needed if you’re also having the neck and chest treated. During and after the procedure, the skin will feel quite hot, as though you’ve gotten an intense sunburn. This lasts for about one hour after the procedure, and then the rest of the recovery is completely painless! Depending on the laser settings used, which are specifically tailored to each patient’s cosmetic concerns, downtime from a Fraxel® laser typically lasts 2-6 days, during which time you will experience mild redness, some swelling, and occasionally very superficial flaking of the top layers of skin. While recovering, no activities are off limits. You can still exercise, take your dog on a walk, etc. as long as you’re protecting your skin from the sun. With each treatment, your complexion becomes clearer, the skin becomes firmer, and your face shows fewer fine lines and wrinkles. When patients complete a Fraxel® series, they often say that they wonder why they waited so long to take the plunge. These treatments truly turn back the clock on your skin. As with all cosmetic procedures, your results will only be as good as the provider who you receive them from. If you’d like to schedule a consultation for a Fraxel® pick-me-up, make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists. Dr. Ellis is a board-certified dermatologist and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UC Davis. She practices at PotozkinMD Skincare Center on 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville..You can follow her on Instagram at @drsamanthaellis. Please call (925)838-4900 or visit Advertorial mybeautymd.com for more information.
To advertise call 925.405.6397
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Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams
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Contact Lens Exams
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Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On-Site Lab
215 ALAMO PLAZA SUITE D ALAMO, CA 94507 www.poplarspecs.com
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY MONDAY—FRIDAY: 9 - 6 SATURDAY: 9 - 4
925.202.2846 NO-BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT COMEDY SHOW!
St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) and Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa (LFCC), in association with CoCoComedy, invites all stand-up comedy fans to the 2020 No-Bocce Ball Tournament Comedy Show! The No-Bocce Bocce Ball Tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 16th, at 7PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the interest of peoples’ safety, this clean comedy show is being held instead of LFCC’s and SVdP’s annual Bocce Ball Tournament. The Comedy Show will raise funds to support safety-net programs that improve the quality of life for residents of Contra Costa County (CCC) who are struggling to make ends meet. SVdP and LFCC are committed to serving those most in need in our neighborhoods. In CCC, thousands of residents each day go without basic life necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. With five dining rooms throughout the county, LFCC provides over 800 free hot meals daily, supplemental food supplies, and a culinary training program. SVdP provides help to over 81,000 individuals in CCC annually through programs including 21 food pantries, medical and dental care for the uninsured, rental and housing assistance, thrift stores that provide free clothing and furniture, job training and employment for those with barriers, and much more. Loaves and Fishes 501(c) (3) Tax ID is 68-0018077 and St. Vincent de Paul’s 501 (c) (3) Tax ID is 94-1448577. The No-Bocce Bocce Ball Tournament will be streamed on Zoom. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a clean comedy show featuring three hilarious comedians. The headlining comedian will perform a 30-minute set, with two smaller sets being performed by the opening acts. Attendees can log-on to Zoom and enjoy a socially distant show with neighbors across the County. No mask is required! To register visit https://loavesfishescc.ejoinme.org/Nobocceballcomedyevent.
PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
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I have been virtually working with many clients. They are happy to have a nutritionist coach them and make sure they do not gain any unwanted pounds. Below are some tips I give them to accomplish their goals.
While you need to eat sometime in the morning, the theory that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is not true. There are breakfast people who need to have something first thing in the morning, and then there are those that can wait until mid-morning. Set up your day to eat something every three hours. This means you are eating enough to last those hours and not more. My job with clients is to “hold their hand” and prepare a meal plan based on their hunger, activity level, and age. Include a mid-afternoon snack that is high in protein and fiber such as cottage cheese and tomatoes, tuna stuffed in a tomato, or turkey wrapped around a pickle. If you forgo a mid-afternoon snack, it is highly likely that you will overeat at night.
Look at your schedule, and prepare your meals for the day. If necessary, make your lunch early, and put it in the refrigerator ready to pull out in between meetings. Think about making dinners and then using the leftover meats and extra veggies for lunches. Lunch should be the largest meal of the day. As we become more sedentary, this will prevent too much snacking and eating too much at dinner. Eating at least 4-6oz. of protein for lunch will lessen sugar cravings and enhance your energy and stamina to get through the day. Many of my clients enjoy steam-in-the-bag veggies made by Bird’s Eye, Green Giant, and Cascadian Farms. These veggies are tasty, and if you follow the exact directions, they are perfectly cooked and lightly seasoned.
Shopping haphazardly for staples and foods that grab you at the time is not recommended. You will find yourself mindlessly snacking on these unintended purchases. Buy enough protein for all meals and remember fresh and frozen vegetables. Do not overbuy fruit. Fruit often spoils quickly, and you may end up eating too much at once. On average, a grape is 10 calories, so that could mean 100’s of calories if you eat the entire bag. It is best to buy potatoes, whole wheat tortillas, brown rice, and legumes (kidney, garbanzo, white beans) so you are not tempted with crackers, chips, and other snack items.
While sitting at your desk all day, it is easy to understand that you might like to have some type of diversion. Many folks head to the refrigerator for a change of scenery. I encourage you to grab some water and stay hydrated. Oftentimes, people think they are hungry and have low energy, but in reality they may just be thirsty. If you are not sure if you are hungry, then you are not hungry! There are great drinks with little or no sugar such as Bai, Hint, Propel, and Snapple. Please try them all, and find the one that is perfect for you. In addition, drink at least six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. I always recommend having a glass of water with a meal and one in between meals to space out your consumption. During these unprecedented times, many of us are not exercising as much, we are sleeping erratically, and our body rhythm is often off. Please do not get used to eating your meals by the clock, but rather listen to your hunger signals.
We all need desserts and treats in our life. Buy only portion-sized frozen desserts with 100 calories or less. Enjoy Outshine, Chloe’s, Fudgicles, Creamsicles, Skinny Cows, or Yasso Bars. Eat desserts after a meal, not instead of a meal or a snack. If you are feeling out of sorts and cannot get a handle on your nutrition, I will guide you and get you on track. You will still be able to eat your favorite foods. I am glad to inform you that nutritional counseling is covered by most insurance companies including Aetna, ABMG, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Hill, Sutter, and UHC. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website www.LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Feel free to email me at lifeweight1@yahoo. com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional concerns and see how I may help you. Advertorial
Silvia continued from front page
Allied Arts continued from page 12
PANDEMIC, HEAT AND SMOKE, AND GOOD NUTRITION By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
CREATE A MEAL PLAN FOR EACH DAY
DRINK ENOUGH BEVERAGES
LISTEN TO YOUR HUNGER
cates for and supports volunteerism in opera throughout North America and beyond. OVI works to connect individuals and local opera support organizations so that successful ideas and projects are championed, publicized, and shared among members. “This award is given to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions to an opera company and their community - something for which Silvia is most deserving!” says Susan Malott, executive director of the San Francisco Opera Guild. As president of the San Francisco Opera Guild’s East Bay Chapter, Lin sits on the board of directors of the San Francisco Opera Guild. She also served as the Vice President of Chapters on the executive committee during the 1990s and again from 2016 through 2019. Under her leadership, the East Bay Chapter has grown from 60 members to 400. Lin supports the Guild’s signature education program, Opera à la Carte, by serving as a docent in East Bay schools. She also supports the San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellowship Program and the Merola Opera Program, both personally and as a chapter member. Through her tireless fundraising efforts, her chapter has been able to contribute $10,000 to the Opera Center, and between $3,000 and $5,000 annual to the Merola Opera program. Additionally, since 1995, the chapter has donated nearly $110,000 to San Francisco Opera Guild’s Education Fund Endowment. Learn more about OVI by visiting their website, www.operavolunteers.org, or check out their Facebook page, OperaVolunteers, for updates in the opera world.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
GROCERY SHOPPING FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that provides grocery shopping for ambulatory seniors and veterans who cannot take other forms of transportation. Since the shelter-in-place order went out, our seniors are relying on Mobility Matters to help them get groceries. The group is looking for volunteers willing to help our community by grocery shopping for these folks. Most volunteer drivers grocery shop once every week or two. Please contact David Benet at (925)284-2215 or david@mobilitymatterscc. com if you are interested in more information about volunteer opportunities.
SHOP WITH RECIPES IN MIND
DESSERTS AND TREATS
toward a stately Spanish-style house. We felt like we were in a village somewhere in Spain with its archways, lovely fountains, mosaics, frescoes, flower boxes brimming with bright red geraniums, and tall boxwood and olive trees. Even the names have a Spanish influence: The Court of Abundance; The Garden of Delight, or Blue Garden; and Cervantes Court, the inner courtyard featuring a mural of Cervantes dedicating “Don Quixote” to his patron, Count de Lemos. “In April,” Tania shared, “the Blue Garden is filled with beautiful purple wisteria, and in June the hydrangeas come out and last through the end of fall.” My daughters and I enjoyed a delightful picnic dinner sponsored by Cali Picnics (CaliPicnics.com) at Allied Arts Guild. Dinner, with fine china, crystal, and fresh flowers on a linen covered table, was provided by Wisteria Café and served under a white tasseled umbrella on the lawn with a sea of pillows and cream and white coverlets. Weather, air quality, and COVID SiP permitting, Cali Picnics offers pop-up afternoon teas and dinners at various outdoor local venues through September, 2020. Allied Arts Guild is located at 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Their phone number is 650-322-2405. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM-5PM. Wisteria Café, located on the grounds of Allied Arts Guild, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11AM-2: 30PM.Their phone number is 650-838-9002. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel writer, Francophile, consultant and long-term Danville resident has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. She is currently working on a guide featuring off-the-beaten path destinations. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com September 2020 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
VIRTUAL VIDEO TWEAKS
By Dr. Barbara Persons
If you are like me, you often dislike having photos or videos taken of yourself. When the pandemic hit, everything from my children’s schools to my favorite Bar Method studio shut down and went viral. Suddenly, I find myself constantly seeing my imperfections on Facetime and Zoom. Patients are also coming in and telling me, “I am staring at my face more often than I ever wanted to, and I see the lines and dark circles!” It is hard not to criticize ourselves. And by hard, I mean it’s nearly impossible. One positive of now being “virtual” is that you can slip out, between work video calls or overseeing distance learning, to make tweaks to feel more confident in our new virtual world. In fact, Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic surgeries are on the rise during the pandemic, and more people are considering procedures. According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on attitudes towards plastic surgery in the wake of COVID-19, 49% of respondents who had never before had any plastic surgery say they are open to having cosmetic or reconstructive procedures completed in the future. Here are some of my favorite MedSpa treatments I am loving right now, because patients see beautiful results with little downtime.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA THERAPY
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is also known as a vampire facial. It may sound scary, but it isn’t. No one is sucking any blood --- it is quite the opposite. The treatment uses plasma taken from the patient’s blood instead of chemicals injected back into the body. The PRP injected into specific areas of the skin acts as a matrix that promotes your collagen to grow, regenerates tissue, and acts to naturally smooth and tighten the skin. In this way, PRP softens wrinkles, creating smoother skin, texture, and tone. What’s also great about PRP is that you get great results with minimal downtime.
PLATELET RICH FIBRIN
Thought to work like PRP with a few upgrades, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) contains a higher concentration of platelets and fibrin (which may stimulate additional tissue repair and healing). It offers longer-term stem cell and collagen stimulation. The growth factors in PRF are released more slowly than in PRP,
www.yourmonthlypaper.com | Instagram: @Alamoanddanvilletoday | #atdtnews which provides the bonus of a longer-lasting anti-aging treatment. Pairing micro-needling, which is collagen therapy, with PRF can help minimize fine lines, pore size, and skin texture.
SCULPTRA®
Your body slows the production of collagen throughout your adult life. By the age of 40, most people have lost up to 20% of the collagen in their bodies. Sculptra® uses poly-L-lactic acid, which works with your body to help rebuild lost collagen for a more youthful-looking appearance. If you want more natural volume and gain of elasticity in your skin, Sculptra® is for you. It can also be injected in the inner thighs, knees, and arms to help tighten saggy skin, and it can naturally fill dimples and cellulite in the buttocks and thighs. I recommend patients receive three injection appointments over three months. Results can last up to two years or longer.
SCULPTRA® AND MICRO-NEEDLING
This technique works in conjunction with Sculptra® topically applied to temporarily “injured” skin by micro-needling. Micro-needling creates microchannels, or tiny openings in the skin. The small particles of Sculptra® penetrate the skin. If you have sun damage on the face, neck, or chest, you will benefit greatly from this treatment. You will see improved skin clarity and more of a glow from the new skin turnover from the micro-needling. Results from Sculptra® will take about six weeks to take effect. Remember, Sculptra® is a collagen-stimulating particle that is working under the skin’s surface. Two months post treatment, you will experience improved skin texture, fewer lines and wrinkles, and more youthful plumpness. Be patient; it will be worth it. As always, remember to invest in yourself! If you commit to these body treatments now, the results can last years with small yearly touch-ups. We are closely following local and state government guidelines to implement additional measures of safety for our patients and staff. We are also offering COVID-19 antibody tests with results in as little as 10 minutes. Our current hours of operation at our Lafayette location are Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM, and our Brentwood location is open on Saturdays, 8AM-11AM. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at (925) 238-4012. I look forward to seeing 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@ personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Birds continued from page 18
than providing native plants and sustaining a healthy population of beneficial insects. Keep your cats indoors, and avoid using pesticides and herbicides.” Worldwide, cats have caused the extinction of at least 33 bird species. McNabney Marsh, named for Al McNabney, Wenninger’s predecessor as MDAS Conservation Chair, is an ongoing chapter project. The 138-acre Martinez property is jointly owned by East Bay Regional Park District and Mt. View Sanitary District. EBRPD maintains the upland area. MDAS collaborates with MVSD to combat complex wetland issues from insufficient tidal flushing caused when tidal gates disrupt natural flow to alternate desiccation and flooding caused by unpredictable weather. MDAS builds nesting platforms to safeguard breeding birds and works annually on clearing the marsh of invasive plants and debris. Alan Bade’s responsibilities as Community Science Chair include a variety of bird counts, each with a different focus and protocol. He explains, “One thing I love about birding is how easy it is to turn a very enjoyable hobby into effective citizen science that has real conservation benefits.” He describes a successful local project: “A monthly bird survey along Grayson Creek proves the Pleasant Hill watercourse is not just an urban drainage ditch. Results establishing the dependence of both resident and migratory birds on the riparian habitat will be used in ongoing advocacy work for habitat preservation.” The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) in February gives a crucial snapshot of birds immediately prior to migration. Begun in 1998 in North America and taken global in 2013, the 2019 GBBC documented 6,699 species. Sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Global Big Day in May is a midnight to midnight effort to record as many species and individual birds as possible. Participants from 174 countries observed 6,967 species in 2019. The triennial Tricolored Blackbird count has saved large colonies of as many as 20,000 birds by identifying breeding sites and paying farmers in California’s Central Valley to delay plowing. The free eBird Mobile app makes year-round documentation of sightings simple and quickly quantifies bird count checklists. Volunteer Regional Reviewers assess input data to ensure consistently high quality. Elizabeth Leite coordinates the Christmas Bird Count for MDAS. Frank Chapman, an Ornithologist at the MDAS Education Chair Maren Smith with Snowy American Museum of Natural History in New York, established the event in opposition to the then common Plover chicks during bird banding with San sport of competing on Christmas Day to kill as many birds as possible. The first Christmas Bird Count in 1900 Francisco Bay Bird Observatory in Hayward. involved 27 volunteers in 25 locations across the US and Canada. Juan Pablo Galvan, Save Mount Diablo Senior Land Use Manager, chairs Young Birders Club, providing opportunities to learn about birds and their habitats to young people 9-17. Each Young Birder must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult on the monthly field trips (now on pandemic-related hold). Binoculars are provided. Asked about a favorite experience, Galvan responds, “Our youngest YBCer (just nine years old), who is always excited about each
See Birds continued on page 27
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Birds continued from page 26
trip, went on our January 2019 outing to spot peregrine falcons at the Castle Rock area of Pine Canyon. We had no luck. By the time we returned on the next field trip in May, he had brought his family back five times, attempting to sight falcons. We had great views of the falcons and their nesting in May, and his smile upon seeing them was bigger than his whole face. I think it is awesome that he and other kids have something they enjoy doing in nature that connects them directly with conservation.” Jerry Britten, MDAS President, appreciates the importance of connecting children with the natural world. “I grew up in the rural Midwest and spent a lot of time in the woods after school, connecting with nature. Observing birds has morphed into photographing them, and now my nine-year old granddaughter joins me and is rapidly becoming a skilled bird photographer.” What’s his favorite species? “My favorite bird is always the next new one I see,” he quips. Two of Jerry’s photos are among winners in the MDAS Photography Contest, created this year by Board Member-at-Large Krista Vossekuil, John Muir Land Trust Philanthropy Director. One hundred and twenty-four entries were submitted in six categories: Bird Portrait, Bird Action Shot, Humorous Shots, Groups of Birds, Birds and Native Plants, and Youth. Winning photos are featured in the July issue of the MDAS newsletter, The Quail. Program meetings are held September-June, the first Thursday of the month, from 7-8:30pm in the Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farms. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, upcoming meetings are offered virtually. Virtual programs presented by other local chapters are likewise available. Birding classes are also now online only. In past years, topics included Beginning Birding, Birding by Ear, and Avian Treasure Hunt. Visit www.mtdiabloaudubon.org for additional information such as how to view programs, how to join, and to read The Quail.
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Kestrel Box installation at Cal State East BNay in Concord led by by Brian Richardson with support from MDAS 2018.
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PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2020
2265 Caballo Ranchero, Diablo
Featured Property
1420 Finley Road, Danville
Don represents Seller | | $2,999,999 Absolutely Stunning Custom Gated Estate on Secluded Flat 2.5 Acres! A Short 3.5 Miles to Blackhawk Plaza/Shopping and 6.5 Miles to the 580 Freeway. 5 Bedrooms + Office, 4 Full Bathrooms and 2 Half Bathrooms with 5 Car Garage. Bonus 5,000 Sq Ft Building with Large RollUp Doors. Gorgeous Gourmet Chef’s Kitchen, Magnificent Outdoor Entertaining, Massive Master Retreat Downstairs, Additional Master Suite Upstairs, Over 7,000 Sq Ft of Living Space! Amazing Opportunity with this Featured Property!
Don represented Seller | $1,669,000 Pending Sale in 7 days over asking! 4 Bedrooms + Loft, 3 Full Bathrooms, 3 Car Garage Approximately 3129 Sq Ft Stunning Chef’s Kitchen Extensive Upgrades Throughout
529 St. George, Danville
Don represented Buyer | $1,129,000
Don represented Buyer | Sold 8/31/20 | $3,400,000 My clients are ecstatic to just close on their dream home! 4 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms on Over a Half Acre Resort Style Swimming Pool & Spa Wine Cellar + Luxury Amenities Throughout Newly Constructed Home Completed in 2018
Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com DRE 00897221
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