Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa
and Danville 3000F
Laying of wreath by Mickey Ganitch.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com ECRWSS PostalLocal Customer PRSRT STD U.S.PermitPAIDPostage263AlamoCA See Zenerosity continued on page 18 9-11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleTodayFacebook:Editor@yourmonthlypaper.comPublisherAlamoToday&DanvilleTodayNewsTheopinionsexpressedhereinbelongtothewriters,anddonotnecessarilyreflectthatofTheEditors.TheEditorsisnotresponsibleforthecontentofanyoftheadvertisingherein,nordoespublicationimplyendorsement.
& SEPTEMBER 2022 The Editors Volume XXII Number 9 Volume XIII Number 9 Serving the communities of Alamo,
SENIOR VARIETY SHOW: 2022 Danville seniors are full of a variety of talents. Come join in the fun at the 4th annual Senior Variety Show. This showcase of local senior (50+) talent will take the stage at the Village Theatre located at 233 Front St., Danville, on Saturday, September 17th from 1:30-3PM Prepare to be amazed! Light refreshments will be provided after the show.Tickets are $7-10. To purchase, call 925-314-3400, or visit https:// tinyurl.com/3ekycf7k.
TOGETHER FOR HEALING By Jody Morgan
Horses are at the heart of Zenerosity’s mission to provide innovative, af fordable therapy. Bonded by a shared understanding of their equine partners’ amazing ability to help humans access and cope with their deepest emotional and psychological problems, the non-profit’s licensed therapists, skilled equine specialists, and invaluable volunteers bring horses and humans together for healing. Many of the horses in the herd have been rescued by Zenerosity from their own traumat ic situations. Zen erosity offers indi vidual and group equine therapy along with in-of fice therapy, work shops, and horse manship for adults and children. Why horses? As social herd animals con stantly threat ened by preda tors, horses have evolved acute sensitivity to subtle cues to impending danger that include awareness of anxiety or insecurity. Words and phrases participants in Zenerosity’s equine therapy and workshop sessions use to express their experience include mind-opening, heart-opening, awareness, productive, beneficial, enlightening, profound, grounding, and connection. Clients, staff, and volunteers describe the way horses help humans get in touch with the depths of their being as magical.
ZENEROSITY BRINGS HORSES AND HUMANS
Five of Zenerosity's Board Members (L to R) Monica Falcon, Jennifer Lenches, Jessica Cleese, Cyndi Lukk, and Ashley Myers. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity. Aided by Blue’s steadfast encouragement, Sophie is now walking and talking and owns her own horse. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity.
Blvd. #117 Alamo,
The ceremony will include a presentation of colors, a performance by Monte Vista Chamber Singers, special remarks by our police and fire chiefs, and a keynote address titled, “9-11: A Pilots Perspective” presented by Captain Roy Smith, an eight-year Air Force veteran and 28 year pilot for United Airlines. Captain Smith entered the Air Force, becoming a KC-135 pilot, and aircraft commander and instructor, leaving when he reached his rank as Captain Smith. He entered commercial airline services with United Airlines, which included four years as an emergency procedure instructor. He completed his career as a captain who flew the B-727, B-757, B-767, and B-777. When he retired, he had flown over 18,000 flight hours. Captain Smith currently serves as Jr. Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6298 in Pleasanton. Come hear his experiences of the trauma and re-training that ensued after the tragic loss of lives during the attack on American soil at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Stoney Field. The ceremony will be followed by free ice cream provided by Engeo and a take away essay contest sponsored by PG&E. A live broadcast will also be live streamed and available on the Exchange Club’s Facebook page (@srvexchangeclub) and YouTube channel (Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley).
The Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley will host a Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, September 11th from 5:30PM to 6:35PM at the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park. The park is located at 3005 Stone Valley Rd. in Danville.
What happens when individuals coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other personal issues work with horses in the presence of trained therapists and equine specialists? Diablo, Danville CA 94507 Corstorphine ~
PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
So, hopefully awareness of what is going on will help us together take charge to keep our communities safer, and discourage scams like this from con tinuing. Knowledge is power.
Online I found a reddit blog from three years ago describing the same scam, the Mercury News just ran a piece on it, and an April 2022 KTVU report covered this scam also. You can view their report at www.ktvu.com/news/video-shows-roadside-jewelry-scam-attempt-in-oakland-hills.
For the past 18 years I have pub lished the Alamo Today paper and the last 13 years I have published Danville Today, combining them together five years ago. With a fire-hose of online media, I have always tried to focus on hyperlocal, positive news...stories about people doing good, local kids and adults, your neighbors, local sports teams, non-profits, charity organizations, and more. I have tried to use this platform to bring awareness and exposure to stories you may not see anywhere else, and help spread the word about upcoming events in our neighborhoods.
Sadly, like many fake online, text, and phone call scams, the bottom line usually is trying to get you to do something (especially with urgency). The goal is often to separate you from your money, although sometimes worse things occur. These scams prevail as the folks are successful. Just from the respondents on my NextDoor thread I can see a good sum of money has been recently handed over.
While reports to local police non-emergency lines are helpful, actual jurisdiction of the freeway onramps, where this seems to be the most prevalent, is the Highway Patrol. The California Highway Patrol non-emergency number is 800-835-5247. It is a good number to pre-program into your phone.
I feel an informed community is an em powered community, and for this article I am going to veer and write about a scam I have read about and recently witnessed. This piece is written to bring awareness, as it was through someone else’s similar story a couple years ago that caused me to react differently than I may have otherwise. A couple weeks ago I was heading north bound on Highway 680. Upon getting on the onramp, there was a car pulled to the side and an individual trying to flag me down. While my general nature is to be a “helper,” my “Spidey senses” were on alert. I mentioned to my son who was riding with me that there was something fishy going on. The person’s actions seemed exaggerated, almost calculated, and the scene seemed staged -- even if it was only a brief glance I got of them as I accelerated to 65mph. Knowing that most everyone has a cellphone, and that help in town was a block away, it seemed best not to stop. I mentioned the incident in a NextDoor post and was shocked and surprised to read the responses.
Many folks responded with similar stories (happening both locally and across the country), quite a few people had stopped to help. The scenario played out on many freeway onramps. The general story (and it seems there are many people, driving many different vehicles, doing this scam so descriptions can vary) consisted of a well-dressed individual standing by a nice SUV or van, flagging down cars, needing help for potential car trouble. Sometimes there was a “family” in the car. When a helper stops, the person “in need” often noted they were out of gas, or mentioned they had lost all of their money and credit cards, or said they needed to get back to another country for a family emergency, and then asked if the helper could give them some cash. They almost always offered (or insisted upon giving) some fake or antique jewelry in return. The jewelry seems to be a diversion. Some reports say the motorist tries to do a “quick slight-of-hand” exchange of your jewelry for their baubles. Perhaps it can be an excuse to say the helper wasn’t robbed, they were given something in exchange for the money. Some insist it’s collateral until they can pay you back.
VIEWBOULEVARD
To me, a community is taking care of, not taking advantage of, others. As noted by author, activist, and educator Helen Keller, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
By Alisa EditorCorstorphine,and Publisher
To learn more about these events. visit eugeneoneill.org
Live Music
Wednesday, September 7th Moon Run starting at 6:30PM in front of Forward Motion Sports (432 Hartz Ave., Danville). The free Open Door Poetry Night will be held at Cottage Jewel located at 391 Hartz Ave., in Danville on Thursday, Sep tember 15th from 5-7PM . Jazz for O’Neill will be held Friday, September 9th from 6:30PM to 9PM and Whiskey & Words Limerick & Tasting will be held Thursday, September 22nd beginning at 6:30 Lounge located at 321 Hartz Ave., in Danville. The cost for each is $20 at the door. Enjoy the Friendship City Irish Music Concert at the Danville Veterans Hall (400 Hartz Ave., Danville) on Friday, September 16th at 7PM. The cost is $20.Wrap up the festival with a free historic downtown walk of O’Neill’s Danville on September 24th at 10AM
The Wolves of San Ramon Valley High School are gathering for a reunion and the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is mounting an exhibit to remember one pack from the early sixties. “A High School Reunion: 1961, 1962, 1963” will be featured in a small Museum exhibit from August 27 to November 13. There will be photographs and memorabilia from school alums, including letter jackets and a majorette’s baton. Wolf Print newspapers will remind visitors about school activities in those years. The school annuals, called El Lobo, will be featured. And, an original Woodstock poster and other sixties posters will be displayed. Step back 60 years to review life at the valley’s first (and, at this time, only) high school. A memory book will be in place for visitors to share reminiscences. If you have any interesting items from these years, please contact the Museum. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH CLASSES OF 1961, 1962, AND 1963 REUNION AND EXHIBIT
Alamo Plaza Shopping Center 9th Annual Autos of Alamo Festival Classics, Custom, Vintage, Hot Rods, 1980 & Older Plus Exotics Food & beverage For Kids of All Ages
Presented by Alamo Improvement Association with: Exhibitor registration ($25) at gate or call AIA 925/247 8081 (subject to space availability) Eugene O’Neill Foundation Board members Kathy Moore and Marcia Harmon with poetry pencils in hand, invite you to join the Festival activities in downtown Danville!
The champion team players are: Dario Boban, Caden Boscia, Andrew Chang, Brent Del Barrio, Anthony DeVito, Jack Hill, Davis Lynch, Gavin McMillan, Jacob Quinto, Preston Pera, Jack Roberts, Brett Sadur, Mathew Sardelich, and Carter Tong. The team coaches are Matt Hill, Dan Lynch, and Brian Sardelich.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com Sunday, September 18, 2022 3 pm–6 pm Featuring Musician and Songwriter Meredith McHenry Donate and as our thanks, enjoy a leisurely afternoon of wine, appetizers and musical entertainment. Dress is casual. There will be no auction. Please donate and RSVP online today or contact Kateri at 925-837-9141 x315. Unable to donate at this time? No worries, we still want to see you! Register for one of the complementary open slots. 710 Highland Drive | Danville, CA www.sandamiano.org O’NEILL FESTIVAL When the full harvest moon rises high above the Danville hills on September 10th, take it as a sign. It heralds the opening night for Eugene O’Neill’s magical for the Misbegotten, presented at Tao House, in the very spot where the Nobel Prize winning playwright dreamed up his most famous plays. This play is the centerpiece of the annual O’Neill Festival which runs through September 25 available at cheer.featuringtionthroughoutO’Neill’sthroughoneill-2022-09-10https://eugeneoneill.org/event/moon-for-the-misbegotten-by-eugene-Then,catchtheIrishspiritasyoustrolldowntownDanville,followingghosttrailtootherlocalhostsitestheFestivalweeks.PleasejointheEugeneO’NeillFoundaatoneofthecommunitygatheringspoetry,music,laughter,andgoodJointhefree
The Danville Town Council will hold a formal ceremony to recog nize our local Little League’s Intermediate World Series championship win at the beginning of their September 6 th Town Council Meeting, to take place at 5 PM at the Town Meeting Hall located at 201 Front Street, Danville. The players and coaches will be presented with proclamations and other community recognition.
CELEBRATE DANVILLE’S LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Thurs Sept 15, 4 8 PM
The 7 th annual Alamo Women’s Club Authors’ Faire will be held on Thursday, October 27th at 11AM at Blackhawk Country Club in Danville.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
For more information, or to join, contact Claudia Schwarz at claudiaschwarz@ comcast.net or visit daw-ca.aauw.net. Membership dues are only $108 annually.
Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping.
Tickets are $75 per person, and advanced reservations are required.
Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old. Please call Mobility Matters at (925) 284-2215 for more details. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www.mobilitymatterscc.com.
BARK IN THE PARK DOG SHOW
The Danville Senior Center has resumed its in-person Monday Senior Lunch program. Lunches are provided in partnership with the newly re branded Café Costa and will be served at noon each Monday. Participants can enjoy puzzles and board games in the Community Hall at the Danville Senior Center (located at 115 E Prospect Ave, Danville) before lunch and stay for a free weekly movie following lunch.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is excited to offer a unique and interesting program to be held on September 15th at 11:30AM. The free, virtual program will cover new views and insights into Eugene O’Neill.
To attend this online presentation, visit www.museumsrv.org and go to the “Events” section or call 925-837-3750.
CPC SENIORS
PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
HELP!
Participants are encouraged to take a family photo or selfie with a frame and tag @danville.artgallery and @danvil leparksca using the hashtags #PictureThisTriValley #PictureThisDanville. The unique frames are a part of a partnership between the Town of Danville and the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Visit Tri-Valley. To view all the frames, visit https://visittrivalley.com/picture-this
Join in and make a difference in women’s lives.
If you would like to sit together with a group, please mail your checks in one envelope along with a list of the people for your table. You may also purchase tickets on Eventbrite at https://AWC-AF-2022. eventbrite.com.
Residents wishing to participate will need to complete a County NAPIS form and call in their reservation by noon the Friday before. Forms are available at the Danville Senior Center. The lunch program is provided in partnership with Contra Costa County and has a suggested donation of $3 for those 60 and up. Those under 60 can still enjoy lunch for a $6 fee. Menus are available at www. danville.ca.gov/seniors, and vegetarian options are available by request. For more information or to call in a reservation, please contact the Danville Senior Center at (925) 314-3430. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS
CPC Seniors is a gathering of senior adults who like to fellowship, have fun, and make new friends! The group meets in the multi-purpose room of Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) located at 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on the first and third Tuesdays, September to May. Please join in starting September 6th. The first Tuesday of the month offers BINGO and prizes, while the third Tuesday of the month generally has a variety of presentations or entertainment. A delicious home-made lunch is provided for $4. Get pampered, get fed, get loved! For more information, visit www.cpcdanville.org/seniors or call Cyndi Davi at 925-827-5525 x 418.
JOIN AAUW
Please join the Museum of the San Ramon Valley for a unique look into America’s Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning author.
Since 1881, the America Association of Uni versity Women (AAUW) has advanced gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
The places Eugene O’Neill lived and experienced during his lifetime greatly influenced his plays. In this presentation, the many intersections between the playwright’s biography and his fiction will be explored. Danville, New London, New York, Ireland, and the open sea all shaped the man and the plays that changed the American theater.
Send payment to Alamo Women’s Club, P.O. Box 151 Alamo, CA 94507 and note, “Attn: Authors’ Faire.”
“PICTURE THIS!” NOW ON DISPLAY Picture This! is a temporary art exhibit currently on display throughout the entire Tri-Valley. The Town of Danville has 10 of the 31 frames placed around the downtown area and at select parks. The outdoor exhibition will be displayed through September 30th. A downloadable map with all frame locations is available at www.danville.ca.gov/picturethis
The Bark in the Park dog show, sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Mt. Diablo District, will take place at Oak Hill Park, located at 3005 Stone Valley Rd., Danville on Saturday, September 24th at 10AM (9:30AM sign-in). Register for different categories and events including costume, funniest, tricks, ears, size, and more. The cost is $7.50 the first three categories and, $25 for four or more categories. There will be ribbons, prizes, drawings, and fun! To enter visit www.gfwcmountdiablodistrict.org . The registration form is at the bottom of the page. For questions contact Barbara Ingraham, bingraham22@gmail.com or 925-915-9911.
ALAMO WOMEN’S CLUB AUTHORS’ FAIRE
MONDAY FUN AT THE DANVILLE SENIOR CENTER
THE GEOGRAPHY OF EUGENE O’NEILL
Ticket price includes a served lunch and an interesting program with six best-selling authors including Robert Dugoni - Mod erator, Cara Black, Michael C. Grumley, Jesse Keller man, Gregory C. Randall, and Michelle Richmond.
The branch supports scholarships for college women, STEM summer camps for girls, and public policy legislation at local, state, and national levels.
Join up to participate in monthly educational and social meetings, advocacy activities, fundraising events, networking and leadership oppor tunities, and interest groups of all types.
The presenter will be Eric Fraisher Hayes, artistic director of Eugene O’Neill Foundation (EONF), Tao House. Under his leadership, EONF has become the leading producer of the plays of Eugene O’Neill in the country. Eric has directed 29 of O’Neill’s 51 plays including this September’s O’Neill festival production of A Moon for the Misbegotten at Tao House. This past July, he presented his theatrical lecture “Eugene O’Neill: 51 Plays in 51 Minutes” at the Eugene O’Neill International Conference in Boston. In October, his production of O’Neill’s Welded will be featured at the third Eugene O’Neill Interna tional Festival of Theatre in New Ross, Ireland. At the same festival, he will be directing a production of O’Neill’s Shell Shock with an international cast.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
The Museum’s exceptional First Peoples Program introduces 4th grade students to the earliest people to set foot in California. Through its unique resource of antiques, models, and teaching tools, young students can become immersed in a different world from long ago. You can feel the students wonder as they enter the Museum. They are quiet, and a little awed by what they see around the room. Their eyes dart from mountain lion to a large tule house. Expectation is in their faces. Holding onto a timeline, they are transported back to the Ice Age to learn about how prehistoric hunters and their families followed mammoths into what is today Alaska.
To sign up, contact the Museum of the San Ramon Valley at 925-837-3750.
• Blue Star Moms Detachment 101 meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. For information, visit www.bluestarmoms.org or call 925-587-4037.
ADAS MEETING Join the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) for their September meeting with oil painter Steven McDonald on Tuesday, September 13th at 7:30pm The meeting will be held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd. Steven has had a passion for art for as long as he can remember. He took his first drawing class when he was only nine years old, and his first plein air painting class when he was 14. Now 24, he is recognized as one of the leading young plein air artists in California, having been named one of Southwest Art magazine’s 21 under 31 artists to watch, and also recognized by the American Impressionist Society, Plein Air magazine, and the Triton Museum of Art. Steven takes the inspiration for his work from the sublime beauty of nature, which is reflected in the vibrant colors and strong brushwork that distinguish his paintings.
Steven is planning to demonstrate taking a plein air landscape painting and enlarging it in the studio. His favorite quote is by Robert Henri, “The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” Learn more at https://adas4art.org.
• Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley holds coffees on Saturdays from 9AM to noon.
• Heritage Resource Commission – four members (4-year terms)
COMMISSION VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
• Design Review Board – three members (4-year terms) Applications are available on the Town website at www.danville.ca.gov/ Commission-Recruitment. The deadline to file an application is 4PM Monday, October 24, 2022. Applicants have the options to interview with the Town Council on November 9 or 15, 2022. For additional information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.
PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
FRIENDS OF THE DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
QUILT SHOW
VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS
Looking at reproduction pictographs and petroglyphs they examine rock art in sites all over California. Because the best learning is interactive, students are chal lenged to guess what these figures and designs mean and what was their purpose. In the end the docent reveals that these are mysteries no one has yet solved. She adds, “Maybe someday you, as our future scientists, will find the answers.”
The Gardens of Heather Farms and members of the Diablo Valley Quilt Guild will host the first ever outdoor quilt show in Walnut Creek. Over 120 quilts will be on exhibit. The quilts are made by members of Diablo Valley Quilt Guild including many quilters from Alamo and Danville. Six acres of Gardens will be blooming with flowers, and with quilts representing all variations of today's quilting world: traditional and contemporary, plus innovative art quilts and modern quilts with bold colors and graphic designs. Today’s quilts are as likely to be appreciated as art for our walls as they are for covers of our beds. Admission is $10 and good for both days. Children under six are free. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th from 10am-4 pm at the Gardens located at 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit Quiltsandblooms.org
Examining models of bark and tule houses, the docent talks about villages, hunting and food, children's training, and inter-tribal trading. When the children pound acorns into flour, the docent points out that they are using antique mortars and pestles formerly belonging to Tatcan women who resided in Danville. Children gain a tactile connection with the First Peoples. It is magical to recreate cultures that have disappeared into history. You can be part of this wonderful experience. Training is easy and at your own pace. You will work alongside other volunteers who all enjoy this program.
The 25th Lafayette Art and Wine Festival will take place Saturday, Sep tember 17th, from 10AM-7PM and Sunday, September 18th, 10AM-6PM, in downtown Lafayette. Over 20 bands will perform on four stages. There will be 300 arts/craft booths, including a local artists alley, and four kid zones. Admission is free and dogs are welcome. For a visitor’s guide, music schedule, and more visit lafayettefestival.com
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Join in an adult beginners class of Scottish country dancing. It’s great exercise, and lots of fun. Come enjoy the music and friendly people. Wear comfortable clothes and soft shoes. No partner is required and you don’t have to be Scottish or have a kilt! Lessons are held at the Danville Grange located at 743 Diablo Road, Danville. The next class starts September 8th. Lessons are held on Thursday nights from 7-8:30pm and are $8 each. Proof of Covid vaccination is required. For more information, call Kathleen at 925-934-6148 or Monica at 925-575-7637.
The Town of Danville is looking for residents interested in serving on one of several commissions seeking new volunteers. The following openings are available to Danville residents for terms beginning January 1, 2023.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE FIRST PEOPLES PROGRAM AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Friends of the Danville Library will be hosting several pop-up used book sales to raise money for our local library. There will be books of all genres and for all ages. Most hardbacks will be priced at $2 and most paperbacks at $1. Recent publications will be slightly higher. Cash and local checks only. The sale will be held indoors in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street,TheDanville.nextbook sales will be held Saturday, September 24th and Saturday, October 15th from 10am to 2pm. Proceeds from the sale go towards funding library programs and purchasing library materials. Come in, browse, and add to your personal library and reading pleasure.
Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) meet at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, except as otherwise noted.
• Marine Corps League Detachment 942 meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30AM. For information, visit www.mcldet942.org
• Bay Area Navy Nurse Corps Association holds two general meetings in June and December. For information, visit https://nnca.org, or email bannca@nnca.org.
LAFAYETTE ART & WINE FESTIVAL
• Viet Nam Veterans of the Diablo Valley meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. For information, visit http://vnvdv.org/index.html or call 925-838-6445.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM. For information, visit vmbsrv. org or email info@vfwpost75.org
• American Legion Post 246 meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) at noon. For information, visit www.americanlegion post246.org, email commanderpost246@gmail.com, or call 925-272-8480.
• Poet Laureate – one youth position (2-year term)
• Planning Commission – four members (2 and 4-year terms)
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com 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. Top 1% of Agents in Contra Costa & Alameda Counties! Top 1.5% of All Agents Nationwide - WSJ Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals List See my 72 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ reviews on Zillow! Celeste Pacelli Broker Associate | DRE 01862387 celestepacelli.comceleste@celestepacelli.com925.395.1511 Achieving Your Dreams With PerseveranceProfessionalism&Passion JUST LISTED | 91 Amberfield Lane, Danville 3 Bed + Loft | 2.5 Bath | 2,200± Sq Ft | $1,349,900 | 91Amberfield.com JUST SOLD - MULTIPLE OFFERS | 3691 Branding Iron, Dublin 3 Bed + Loft | 2.5 Bath | 1,764± Sq Ft | $1,160,000 JUST SOLD OVER ASKING | 2933 Rodeo Lane, Livermore 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,311± Sq Ft | $1,520,000 | 2933RodeoLn.com JUST SOLD | 1 Wing Set Place, Alamo 5 Bed | 3 Bath | 4,564± Sq Ft | $3,700,000 | Represented Buyer
CATCH UP ON SOME “Z s ”
MV Athletics is already off to a fast start and we are happy to introduce our new head coaches joining us for the fall campaign. We would like to welcome Colleen Mayes, our new Women’s Water Polo Head Coach, and John Millard, our new Head Football Coach, to the MV community. We are very excited to see our athletes in action in the pool, on the court, on the course, or on the field this fall. MV is off to a great start to the 2022-23 school year. Please check our website (mvhs.srvusd.net) or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the upto-date information about our programs. We are looking forward to an amazing year.
MONTE VISTA HIGH By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal It was quite a celebration on Wednesday, August 10th at Monte Vista (MV) High School when we welcomed our entire student body back for the first day of school. Since then, the positive momentum has continued to resonate throughout our school community and MV students, staff, and families are eager to keep these good vibes going. Our district-wide focus continues to center on equity and social-emotional learning and how those elements provide the conditions for deep learning, innovation, and student success. At MV, this means that we seek to celebrate every person on our campus as an individual and as a member of our community - aka “The Stampede.” We want our students and staff to feel a connection to our school that has them excited to come to school every day, to do meaningful work in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment, and to go home at the end of the day feeling a sense of accomplishment. MV is a great place because of the people in our school community and the excellence they bring every day.
I am pleased to be able to accept new students in my Danville flute studio this fall in both in-person and online formats. Lessons cover tonal work, technique, musicianship, interpretation, performance skills, and sight reading through ex amination of the classical solo repertoire. Lesson curricula are custom-planned depending on the age and goals of the student. All ages and levels are welcome. All-state band, college music major/minor hopefuls, school band students in need of formal instruction, and total beginners thrive in my studio. Recently relocated to Danville from San Jose, I am a lecturer in the Music Department at Stanford University, where I founded the highly acclaimed Stanford Flute Ensemble over two decades ago. In addition to my work at Stanford, I maintain an active and versatile career as a private flute teacher, freelance or chestral and chamber musician, and for the last 28 years as Director of Northern California Flute Camp, an international summer program for students ages 12-18 held in Carmel Valley (www.flutecamp.com). In my 35+ years of private teaching, my students have occupied the flute sections of all-state, county, and area youth ensembles, have won competitions, and numerous graduates of my private studio have gone on to major in music at top music schools.
GETTING BACK TO THE SWING OF THINGS
Advertorial
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
The start of the school year at MV would not be complete without our annual Back to School Dance, which was held August 19th. The event is always well attended, and our students always have a blast. The following week included our first Spirit Week, our Back-to-School rally, and our opening football game against Antioch. These events made the start of school even more enjoyable.
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY By Jamie Westgate, Principal Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a big adventure ahead! Our theme for the year is Flight Academy; Eagles taking off! After living through a pandemic, we know God uses even life’s greatest challenges to prepare us for His purposes ahead. Our desire is to further this truth by reminding all students that every experience is an opportunity to prepare them for big plans in the future. We will be soaring to new heights using Isaiah 40:31 as our guide, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” This year, we welcome 11 new “flight crew” teachers and staff members and over 80 “passenger” students to our elementary and middle school programs. God has been faithful to grow our school over the past few years, and we look forward to caring for our newest members on board. We’re especially excited about our upcoming middle school retreat to Hume Lake Christian Camp in September. This is a special time for teachers and students to make connections as well as for students to grow their relationships with peers. We expect this special time off campus will provide some of the most meaningful memories and life experiences our students will have at SRVCA. It is a joy to bring back this great event after the pandemic. Finally, we are grateful for the efforts of our PTF (Parent Teacher Fellowship) and the generosity of our community who, for years, raised money to help us upgrade our playground facilities. The most notable changes will be seen on the east-side playground. Formerly, this playground was reserved for preschool students but has now been redesigned in a natural landscape to meet the needs of all students, ages preschool-8th grade. We know recess and play times are an essential part of a child’s learning experience in school, and we are thrilled to see the outcome. Thank you again for your generosity and patience in upgrading our play spaces! As we taxi to the runway, we are excited about the journey ahead. Welcome back Eagles, to the 2022-2023 school year!
The first weeks of school at MV always begin with relationship building and it has been great visiting classrooms and experiencing all the wonderful discussions and learning going on. To add to our learning curve, our new attendance program has students scanning into their classes, which allows for more accuracy for our teachers and front office. MV’s students and staff have caught onto the new system very quickly and we look forward to the additional features this new program provides.
The day before school started, she was nervous about finding all of her classes and even where she would sit for lunch. It took me back to my freshman year when I had those same feelings. I remember eating in the worst spot imaginable on campus, and not having anywhere to set my lunch because the space we chose to eat was so small.
PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH PRIVATE FLUTE LESSONS By Karen Van Dyke And we’re off! It’s the start of another academic year, and many students are chomping at the bit to take on in-person activities that were limited to us during the pandemic, such as sports, academic teams, and the per forming arts. As we learn how to live with Covid, one of the greatest joys of the “renaissance” we are experiencing has been the re-emergence of studying and performing music. Musicians have now adapted to new and necessary protocol, including learning how to rehearse, teach, and perform safely, and how to teach and study music via plat forms like Zoom. The opportunities for personal growth are many, and very exciting!
For further information on lessons, or to schedule an introductory Zoom lesson, please email kvandyke@stanford.edu , or visit www. karenvandykeflute.com .
By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, Senior School is officially back in session! For me, it signifies a bitter-sweet time for us high school seniors. Going back to school is definitely not one of the easiest things in the world, but we manage to return every year and adjust like we didn’t just go on break for close to two months. Getting back into the swing of things is always a daunting task for many different reasons. From freshmen to seniors, the feeling of adjustment is universal, but we persevere and end up coming back better than before. My sister is a freshman, and not only was she going “back to school,” but she was entering the dark and terrifying depths of the age-old legend known as “high school.”
I also recall roaming around the campus looking for the 200 building to find that it was in front of me from the start. I knew my sister would be fine with adjusting to the new campus and environment because everyone at that school has done it just fine, too. I now have a comfortable area to eat lunch with my friends, and I could walk the campus with my eyes closed and still make it to class. Now, just a month into school, my sister knows the place like the back of her hand. Although it’s nice to know where everything is, it feels like I just started to get comfortable. I blinked once freshman year, and when I opened my eyes, I realized that in that split second I became a senior. Senior sunrise came and went, and now I won’t have another month of August at Monte Vista. That was it. Being a senior going back to school means saying goodbye to a lot of things, and it can get pretty emotional. I’m enjoying it, though, but I’m also taking it day-by-day, making sure I’m not taking anything I have now for granted. It’s important to remember that adjustment takes time. Once you’ve adjusted, it’s important to maximize on it. Specifically for school, adjustment can mean many different things in different grades, but for everyone, the more you adjust, the more comfortable I hope you will feel!
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com DANVILLE WALNUT CREEK LAMORINDA BRENTWOOD SIERRA TAHOE WWW.DUDUM.COM ©2022 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902 DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP WHERE REAL ESTATE IS STILL PERSONAL DRE# 01882902 KORY MADGE 925.366.9899REALTOR®DRE#01345227 ALISON J. PETERSEN 925.984.7214REALTOR®DRE#01177737 MEREDITH & KUMMELLBONNIE DRE#925.984.134400905114/01364056 BRYAN HURLBUT 925.383.5500REALTOR®DRE#01347508 EVA ELDERTS 925.726.9409REALTOR®DRE#02039328 MARGY LYMAN 925.963.6380REALTOR®DRE#02067680 SUZY PECK 925.200.2988REALTOR®DRE#01224695 DON & COLOMBANAPAMELA DRE#925.878.804701979180/01979181 SCOTT & HUMPHRIESFONIA DRE#925.298.224902078065/01019063 WENDY RAMER 925.899.1989REALTOR®DRE#02013702 DANI O’CONNELL BROKER925.786.2176ASSOCIATEDRE#01892167 BONNE WERSEL 510.304.3303REALTOR®DRE#01173288 535 GABRIEL COURT, WALNUT CREEK 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, ±2,198 SF, ±0.10 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,698,000 DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047 157 MONTAIR DRIVE, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, ±3,560 SF, ±1.5 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $2,800,000 BONNE WERSEL | 510.304.3303 COMING SOON 388 BELLFLOWER COURT, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, ±2,011 SF, ±2,260 SF LOT OFFERED AT $1,315,000 SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988 ACTIVE PENDING 720 ARBOLES PLACE, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, ±1,883 SF, ±0.17 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,555,000 DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047 PENDING 1860 LUCILLE LANE, PLEASANT HILL 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, ±1,594 SF, ±0.18 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,150,000 DON & PAMELA COLOMBANA | 925.878.8047 ACTIVE 133 SUNDANCE PLACE, MARTINEZ 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, ±1,667 SF, ±0.26 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $939,000 SUZY PECK | 925.200.2988 COMING SOON 6008 ASHLEY COURT, PLEASANTON 4 BEDS, 2 BATHS, ±1,391 SF, ±0.20 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,449,000 KORY MADGE | 925.366.9899 ACTIVE 523 OLD ORCHARD DRIVE, DANVILLE 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, ±2,350 SF, ±0.23 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $1,899,000 KORY MADGE | 925.366.9899 JUST LISTED 8188 ARROYO DRIVE#4, PLEASANTON 2 BEDS, 1 BATH, ±810 SF OFFERED AT $560,000 MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL | 925.984.1344 JUST LISTED 1020 SANTA MONICA COURT, PLEASANT HILL 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, ±1,135 SF, ±0.14 ACRE LOT OFFERED AT $888,000 MEREDITH & BONNIE KUMMELL | 925.984.1344 JUST LISTED 955 WOODSONG LANE, BRENTWOOD 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, ±2,305 SF, ±6,300 SF LOT SOLD FOR $710,000 EVA ELDERTS | 925.726.9409 PENDING - REPRESENTED BUYER 1911 MANTOVA STREET, DANVILLE 5 BEDS, 5.5 BATHS, ±3,611 SF, ±6,400 SF LOT OFFERED AT $2,399,881 MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380 PENDING
DANVILLE LIONS CLUB
Open Cockpit Days at the Oakland Aviation Museum is a three times yearly event when certain aircraft are open to the public to view. The next Open Cockpit day is scheduled for September 11th. Live music, food, a European train exhibit, Color Guard and, of course, aircraft -- some only at the exhibit for the special day -- will be on view. A Grumman F-14 Tomcat, the type of aircraft featured in both the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun and briefly in the 2022 Top Gun: Maverick will be on display. The Short Solent Flying Boat tour is available for an additional fee. Hours on September 11th are 11AM – 4PM Oakland Aviation Museum is located at 8252 Earhart Road, Oakland. Their website is OaklandAviationMuseum.org. Their regular hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10AM-4PM. For more information, call 510-638-7100. Linda Summers Pirkle is a long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128
The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and many other exciting events. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and spe cializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.
EXCHANGE CLUB
The Danville Lions Club meets at 5PM on the first Tuesday of the month and also at 6:30PM on the third Wednesday of the month. The group is looking for people who wish to volunteer their time for good causes to join the club. The dinner-time club meets at restaurants for dinner and business meetings in Danville. Danville Lions raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects. Lions are well known for successful initiatives in vision health. Visit www.e-clubhouse. org/sites/danvilleca to learn more or contact Diana Gaines at 925-719-1553.
Closer to home, at the Oakland Aviation Museum we have our own flying boat story with the Short Solent Mark III Flying Boat built by the Short Brothers Man ufacturing Company in England. In the late 1940’s, she carried well-healed passengers to exotic ports and even had a role in the 1981 Hollywood blockbuster film, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Initially named the City of Cardiff, the Mark III Flying Boat was initiated into service on a 4 ½ day flight between Southampton, England and Johannesburg, South Africa. The route was flown only during daylight with overnight stops at Augusta, Sicily, Luxor, Egypt (anchoring at the Nile River), Lake Victoria, the Congo and Victoria Falls, and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The final stop for the Solent was the Vaal River near Johannesburg. The aircraft made her debut in film when the production crew of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark needed a flying boat to depict a China Clipper and discovered the retired Short Solent was undergoing restoration in Oakland and was called into service again. The flying boat scene is when Indiana boards the “Clipper.” As he settles into his seat a steward offers him a drink and a Nazi spy who is seated two rows away keeps his eyes on the unsuspecting Indiana Jones. The Indiana Jones aircraft, renamed the Halcyon, has been restored and is onsite for visitors to view at the Oakland Aviation Museum.
SIR Las Trampas Branch 116 helps semi-retired and retired men lead active lives. All ages are invited to partake in enriching social activities. There are minimal dues and no major commitments. Come join the group to make new friends and social connections and stay active. Monthly meetings are held at Boundary Oak Golf Course. The robust and well organized nine-hole and 18-hole golf programs are in full swing. Play is at Boundary Oak and other courses in the area. A special 18-hole golf retreat will take place in Reno in early September. There are two different book groups that meet monthly. A very active fishing group takes place with participation from SIR members in the area. Join our pickleball group for a fun way to get some exercise. The bridge group meets for lunch twice a month. Put on your shoes and take an easy hour-long walk every Friday morning with the Amiable Amblers walking group and also join in the monthly sponsored walking tours to explore local areas. Spouses and friends join in on wine tastings which take place at members houses and group dinners which are held at local restaurants.
KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle OAKLAND AIR MUSEUM
Ms. Bell is presently with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District as an Emergency Coordinator. She has been with the District 20 years in various positions. Currently she works on training, emergency preparedness and planning, access and functional needs, and manages the HeartSafe program and Community Emergency Response Team program (CERT). SIR 128 offers its members many fun activities including investing, book groups, fantasy football, technology, wine tastings, golf, bocce ball, bicycling, hiking, and more. If you’re interested in attending the luncheon/meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about the group, visit www.SIR128.com.
The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant, located at 600 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $25.. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com
SONS IN RETIREMENT LAS TRAMPAS BRANCH #116
On a northwest trip with my son a few years back, we decided to take a detour to see the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. I was astounded when I saw the huge aircraft. Dimensions on paper do not do it justice. Stepping on board the massive Spruce Goose was another surprising experience. I felt like I was in a huge cavernous stadium. Until 2019, the Spruce Goose held the title as the largest plane ever built when the Stratolaunch jet with a wingspan of 385 feet overtook the record. According to the Spruce Goose website, the engineering team that constructed the jet used technology innovations first used when building the Spruce Goose 75 years ago. The goal of the Stratolaunch jet is to eventually carry cargo or people into orbit. The Spruce Goose still holds the record for the largest seaplane, the largest wooden aircraft, and the largest propeller plane ever built.
PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement (SIR) San Ramon Valley Branch #128. There are monthly lun cheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. In-person luncheons occur on the third Wednesday of each month at 11AM at The Bridges located at 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. The next luncheon will take place on Wednesday, September 21st. The speaker will be Danielle Bell from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Given California wildfires this is an important subject for all.
In 1942, as troops and materials crossed the Atlantic Ocean, German sub marines were sinking hundreds of Allied ships. As a possible solution, Henry Kaiser suggested building a massive flying transport and Howard Hughes Aircraft Company took on the challenge designing and building the Spruce Goose, the largest wooden aircraft ever constructed. Also known as the Hughes Flying Boat, the aircraft was made from birch despite its name, the Spruce Goose. Completed after the war, the Spruce Goose was six times larger than any aircraft of its time and flew only once, in 1947, in Long Beach, California.
To learn more or become a member, visit https://sirinc2.org/branch116, or call 925-322-1160. Come join the group and have some fun!
THE SUMMER REAL ESTATE MARKET AND PREPARING FOR THE AUTUMN By Joe Gatti
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
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How long will this continue?
the article 3201 STONE VALLEY ROAD | ALAMO | $2,335,000 5 BED | 3 BATH | 2,906 SF | 0.48 AC 10 DANVILLE OAK PLACE | WESTSIDE DANVILLE | $1,499,000 3 BED | 2.5 BATH | 1,678 SF 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. GattiRealEstate.com JOE & RON GATTI AS DANVILLE NATIVES, WE KNOW DANVILLE AND THE SAN RAMON VALLEY gattirealestate@gmail.com RON GATTI Broker DRE925.596.1972Associate00623995 JULIE CYGAN DRE510.501.5160REALTOR®02059093 CHELSY RUIZ DRE925.575.1358REALTOR®02157574 JOE GATTI Broker DRE925.588.3590Associate01914487 ACTIVE SOLD
On August 10th, the consumer price index was released with news many had been hoping for. The inflation number for June-July had decreased from 9.1% to 8.5% for July-August. The next inflation reading will be September 13th and if that number is below the latest inflation reading, then markets will be able to say inflation has peaked and all eyes will be on what the Federal Reserve will do at their next meeting on September 20th. As a result, our local real estate market is currently in a cautious pattern where homes are going pending only if they’re priced correctly. As of this writing, 241 detached properties were for sale in the greater Danville area, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon. The difference in pricing from properties that are active from those that are pending will provide us evidence with how conservative buyers have been in the last couple months due to inflation news and the fluctuation in interest rates from May to late July. In the two largest areas of our community (Danville and San Ramon), there are 90 active detached properties in Danville and 91 in San Ramon. The median price for active properties in Danville is $2,195,000 and $1,925,000 for San Ramon (see chart for Alamo, Blackhawk, and Diablo)*. Active prices represent the initial price setting feature of our market, where sellers are looking at comparable sales and testing the current buyers’ appetite for price levels. When we look at the pending properties on our chart, the story of buyers becoming more patient and cautious with their decisions becomes obvious. There are a total of 122 pending properties in our area, a 49% difference from what is currently active and on the market. A neutral market is when active and pending properties are close to equal levels, where active properties entering the market replace properties that go pending at a roughly equal percentage. Thirty-one properties are currently pending in Danville, with a median price of $1,998,900. In San Ramon, 68 properties are pending with a median price of $1,799,500*. A $200,000 price difference from current active properties to pendings shows buyers as a whole are placing offers at lower price levels to account for larger mortgage payments and current uncertainty regarding the stock market, inflation data, and how these might affect their potential job stability and future outlook.
First, this summer is reminiscent of our customary real estate cycle. Buyers went on vacation and prepared for the new school year, which began August 10th. Add to that economic concerns of inflation, and interest rates quickly going up to 6% mid-summer. Interest rates are now back down to 5%, with jumbo-loan rates down lower to the mid 4% range. The fall market, starting in September, has always brought more buyer activity. If inflation recedes further on September 13th, look for an uptick of buyers placing offers. The amount of equity accumulated over the past two years in the homes we live in shows it is still a great time to sell. The market characteristics are different, but if you have questions on how much equity is in your home, please reach out for a private consultation. Our services and daily firsthand experience in our local real estate market will help price your home correctly, so you can make the best decision regarding the value of your home! I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 10 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 15 Railroad office in downtown Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-588-3590. Our services are here for you! taken from the during specific dates and under the criteria mentioned within
Since 1974, Café Costa has been serving meals to those 60 years old and over in the welcoming company of others. Café Costa is a collaboration with Contra Costa County Senior Nutrition Program and offers well-bal anced, nutritional meals to seniors. Café Costa provides a way for seniors to have a convenient, engaging, and healthy lunch with old and/or new friends. There are Café Costa locations available throughout District II including Danville, Rossmoor, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Lunches are free, but there is a suggested contribution of $3 per attendee.
Danville’s Senior Center resumed their in-person lunch program, in collabora tion with Café Costa on June 13th. The Senior Center is located at 115 E. Prospect Avenue. Attendees can enjoy puzzles and board games and stay for a free weekly movie following lunch. The program is only available on Mondays. In Rossmoor, you can enjoy Café Costa on Fridays from 11AM to 1PM at 3400 Golden Rain Road. In San Ramon, the program is available every day at the Senior Center located at 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Lunch is served at noon. Please call 925-973-3250 to sign up. Walnut Creek provides meals Tuesdays through Thursdays at the Senior Center located at 1375 Civic Drive. Every other Wednesday, the city offers free Creative Water Coloring and Expression before lunch. Call 925-280-7310 one day in advance for reservations. Any changes or cancellations to reservations are required by 11AM the prior business day. You can find a list of locations at https://cchealth.org/senior-nutrition/cafe.php.InContraCostaCounty,approximatelyone in six people are food insecure. More than 50% of adults living in low-income households in the County do not have enough food. The County has several options that can assist those that are hungry. One option is the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano which has a Senior Food Program. Eligible seniors receive free groceries twice per month. To learn more, visit www.foodbankccs.org
Another great option for fresh, affordable food is Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa. Meals on Wheels is a charitable nonprofit coalition of the public agencies, non-profit organizations, and senior citizen advisory groups. Together, they provide healthy meals to frail, homebound elders in the County who have challenges that prevent them from preparing nutritious daily meals for themselves. Meals on Wheels was founded in 1990. The County’s Public Health Department administers the Meals on Wheels program and contracts with three private non-profit organizations regionally who coordinate day-to-day service delivery. To learn more about Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa, visit mealsonwheelsofcontracosta.org.
SENIOR FOOD PROGRAMS IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of un-incorporated Walnut Creek. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional infor mation on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at Supervi sorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860. quality when it matters most. (925) 829-8770 or HopeHospice.com
Hospice Dementia Education Senior-Care Classes Grief Support Volunteering Opportunities | | Connect with us at
LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS
HOPE HOSPICE AND HEALTH SERVICES Compassion and
][
If you are hungry and need food now, please call 211. County employees can help you learn how to apply for CalFresh, California’s food program.
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
To learn more about The Rotary Club of Alamo and see current meeting dates and times, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Danville Rotary Club meets virtually every Monday at noon. Learn more at danvillerotary.org. If you are interested in the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Daniel Kodam at daniel@dsvrotary.com, call 925-336-0000, or visit dsvro tary.com. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets via Zoom every Wednesday night from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:30PM-6:40PM. For more information, call 925-998-2924. Rotary Club of San Ramon meets via Zoom every Thursday between noon and 1:15pm. For more information, visit sanramonrotary.org, or email chris@gallagherwealth. com, or call 925-831-3043.
3. Stiffened penalties and stepped-up enforcement of anti-spam and anti-virus laws. These people are hijacking a worldwide resource.
7. Manufacturers who won’t sell computers that have inadequate resources to function properly.
I believe items 1, 8, and 11 have been created. However, computers are still wasteful in their manufacture, SPAM is still out of control, plastic packaging is even more pervasive, and computer programs have never grown smaller. Manufacturers still sell inadequately provisioned computers (so that they’re practically obsolete the day you buy them), hardisks still prematurely fail, and email is still out of control. But, what about that item number six? Have computers become user-friendly to reset? Can they fix themselves? I’d have to give that one a very conditional “uh,maybe.” In general, computers aren’t user-friendly enough to clean themselves up or self-heal. People lose data all the time because reset procedures are fraught with problems. My prediction is that until problems like these are solved, the cadre of technology professionals that we call “IT” will continue to be highly employable.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com TIME-SHAREMATTERSTECHNOLOGYIT
6. A user-friendly way to reset your system. Why can’t a computer fix itself?
5. A software manufacturer who delivers more function ality with <less> code in a new version, resulting in more functionality with better performance.
11. An affordable and comfortable e-chair, with keyboard and mouse integrated into the armrests, sound in the seat, and fold-out displays.
When I wrote that list 17 years ago, most companies kept an in-house IT staff to monitor and maintain their computers and network systems. The internet wasn’t yet huge, and most companies kept a “server” of some sort for storing data and running their office programs. Networking was just taking off. There was a lot of company infrastructure to build, and that needed a lot of IT staff. It was very expensive. We built the local infrastructure, then watched as internet computing began to explode. With so much online capacity that is more-or-less secure, many companies have found it easier to entirely eschew the use of local servers. In fact, the majority of companies we service today have no local servers at all. Instead, they have very big, redundant network connections, they use quality network equipment, and they only buy laptops for their staff. Everything they need is on the internet, and their operating concept is to be able to get to their data and web applications from anywhere. And, it works quite well. Today, our business at PCIO is supporting these companies in what I loosely call a “fractional-share IT” model. Instead of your company hiring a full-time IT staff, which includes all the burdens of benefits, taxes, care and feeding, and housing, we provide that service on a per-seat basis. Our staff supports companies and their staff more securely and more proactively than I ever experienced when working in corporate IT. Our tools allow us to see when things begin to go wrong, and they allow us to quickly diagnose the root causes.
8. Integrated satellite uplink built into laptops for complete worldwide coverage. 9. Reliable hardisks. (Ha!)
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc. Today I reviewed notes I wrote in January 2005 in preparation for an article I was planning to write. The title of the note was “Things I’d like to see.” Although those notes never coalesced into an article, it’s fun to see that some of my wish-list items became a reality. Here’s the list:
1. A screen that’s completely visible and usable in the sunlight.2.Computers built for planned recycling.
For a company to replicate our services internally, including the toolsets we provide, and the experience we bring to the table, they would spend a tremen dous amount of money each year. When they work with us, they’re able to take advantage of a model that scales with their company through thick and thin. All the while, they benefit from cutting edge tools and staff that are immersed all day in problems similar, if not identical, to theirs. We’re always there at the end of the telephone, or with a quick email reply. I think a lot of the items on my wish list are still valid, and our industry is obligated to address these issues head-on. However, until computers and networks can self-diagnose and self-heal, I think there is going to be a place for IT firms like Portable CIO to figure things out. If you or your firm find yourself in a technical pickle, give us a call at 925552-7953, or email info@pcioit.com, and our friendly staff will point you in the right direction.
10. Email toll-roads. If you don’t want spam, don’t drive on the free road.
Advertorial 925.820.3640 yourpoolman@hotmail.comwww.actionpoolrepair.com Contractor Lic# 978033-C53 Serving Alamo & Danville Since 1979! ACTION POOL REPAIR
4. The end of plastic peanuts and stiff plastic packaging used for software.
Lowry describes Native American management of grasslands by burning and harvesting as akin to what is now called “permaculture.” Burning stimu lated seed production and returned nutrients stored in dead stems to the soil.
California’s native bunchgrasses are not extinct despite the loss of most of their original habit. Thanks to the dedication of generations of seed savers, bunchgrasses are available for ecosystem restoration as well as inclusion in commercial and residential landscape designs. The deep roots of these perennial grasses control erosion. The foliage offers cover and nesting material for wildlife and food for both wild and domestic animals. The seeds once provided an important source of nutrition for California’s native people.
Edith Van Allen Murphey (1879-1968) worked for the Indian Service for ten years on eleven different reservations. “She worked with a dizzying number of organizations on a stunning number of projects, meeting the perceived needs of indigenous peoples and enhancing their pride in their knowledge of native plants, while recording all she could.” (The Landscaping Ideas of Jays)
Lowry gives a fascinating summary of Murphey’s life in The Landscaping Ideas of Jays , quoting from Skee Hamann’s original manuscript rewritten for publication as Bahai Wakidu: the Seed Seeker: A Biography of Edith Van Allen Murphey .
“Experts conclude that native grasslands in California are among the most endangered ecosystems in the United States. Due in most part to historical land use and introduced disease, it is estimated that less than 1% of our state’s original grasslands remain,” writes Rob Moore, “California Native Bunch grasses” posted March 13, 2017, by California Native Plant Society. Judith Larner Lowry presents the issue from a variety of perspectives. In Gardening with a Wild Heart, she notes that “there have probably been many subtle and undetected long-term consequences to the demise of bunchgrass communities. Most of the devastation occurred so rapidly that some suc ceeding generations of native Californians lost knowledge of the existence of native bunchgrasses.” In The Landscaping Ideas of Jays, she adds that Lucy Young, a Trinity Wintu Indian born about 1843, felt the impact “in her own hungry belly” of “the biological turnover from bunchgrasses to weedy alien grass and weed species considered by many to be one of the quickest, most devastating in history.” Lucy insisted the seed of native bunchgrasses was much more nutritious than that of the exotic species that replaced them.
Educated as a librarian because her old Dutch New York family felt studying medicine was not a proper career path for a genteel young lady, Edith accepted a position at the UC Berkeley Library. She might have become a flower child in a later era. Instead, she moved to Mendocino County along with friends she met in Berkeley to take up homesteading.
PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan
Early explorers were frequently treated to parched and ground grass seed by their native hosts. Lowery experimented with the concept by creating an appetizer she calls California prairie pinole from a variety of native seeds roasted and ground and served with a dash of salt. The Aztec “super food” called pinole includes maize as a major ingredient. Not true for pinole produced in Northern California, according to Edith Van Allen Murphey’s Indian Uses of Native Plants:
“PINOLE: This is the name given to meal made from small grass seeds or weed seeds. Buttercup seeds, lamb’s quarter or goosefoot seeds were also used. These were first put through a basket sieve, and later cleaned with a winnower by standing at the house corner, or any windy point, and pouring into another basket. The clean seeds were then placed in an old stout closely woven basket with slow coals and tossed. Heat caused the seed husks to fly off, and the semi-roasting gave the seeds a popcorn flavor.
“Seeds were then ground in a stone mortar, and sifted. A small cup sized closely woven basket held the meal now called pinole. This was passed around to guests, and pinches were taken with the fingers. This was regarded as a delicacy, and was never cooked, nor eaten with salt.
“Not far north of Ukiah is a small Indian village called Pinoleville, in rec ognition of this favorite food of the Pomo Indians.”
Practicing the sustainable methods of gathering she learned from her Native American friends, Edith refrained from collecting bulbs and seeds in the same location and always left behind enough for anyone who might follow to gather and also enough to ensure future harvests. Part of her mission included scattering seeds in new locations.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
These improvements included a new fence and stile on the south side, rustic seats throughout the grounds, an awning for the girls’ yard, and a ring and bars for the boys.
The Lafayette Garden Club will hold its monthly program beginning at 10AM on September 8th. The program will be held at the Veterans Hall, located at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Randall Barnes, horticulturist from Orchard Nursery in Lafayette, will focus on how to grow cool season vegetables. His education in horticulture and landscaping covers all aspects of growing all varieties of plants. Growing vegetables is a special interest he shared with his father. Randall also has enthusiasm for fine dining, cooking, and eating healthy -- which adds to the enjoyment of growing your own. The presentation is free to attend. Please contact membership@famsf. org for more information. *If fully vaccinated, masks are optional. If not fully vaccinated, masks are required, or please bring proof of a recent negative test the day of the LGC meeting. San Ramon School’s track team in the 1930s.
James Smith recalled one San Ramon teacher, Miss Everett from Stockton in the 1850s, who used to read a chapter from the Bible and pray; she had some problems with the older boys and “would shed tears because of their conduct.” Albert J. Young was the first to preside over the new school, teaching there from 1867-1869 and 1873-1877. In 1868 there were 49 students. In 1874, the trustees were W.W. Cox, George McCamley, and Mrs. J. O. Boone. The boundary between the Danville and San Ramon grammar school districts was established between the Meese and Baldwin properties in 1880. Meese’s property is today’s Greenbrook Homes and the line was about where Greenbrook Road is today.
2540
The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets the second Monday of the month at 9:30AM at The Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek. The September 12th program is “Olive Trees, Olives, and Olive Oil,” led by guest speaker Nate Bradley, owner of Amphora Nueva, a family-owned olive oil and balsamic company. Their store is located in Lafayette. Learn more about them at www.amphoranueva.comYouareinvitedtoattendthe program and consider becoming a member of the Club. For more information, visit www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org
To advertise 925.405.6397call
The San Ramon School provided schooling and a social center for the community for 83 years. It was the only large space available until the San Ramon Hall was completed in 1911. Howard Wiedemann and Leo Lynch remembered removing the school’s central partition for events and parties. The building was used to celebrate May Day, have flag ceremonies, hold spelling bees, and host meetings, graduations, and parties. The school was enlarged in 1876. During the 1890s, enrollment hovered around 110 students with 138 attending in 1904. In 1896, the school grounds were beautified by the San Ramon Public Hall Association.
“The building is one among the neatest and best arranged school houses in the county,” according to a writer for the Contra Costa Gazette (4/11/1874).
Sources: Contra Costa Gazette, Rose Peters Emery, Footprints in the Soil; Munro-Fraser, J. P., History of Contra Costa County, 1882 (p. 430); Museum of San Ramon Valley archives; Robert Tatum, Old Times in Contra Costa County
After the Danville Union School District was created and a modern four-room school was built in 1922, the San Ramon trustees discussed joining that district. In 1945 farmer Roger Schulte, an educator, and rancher Fred Wiedemann debated the issue again. But, San Ramon stayed with its own district until 1965 when all valley grammar and high school districts unified. A new school, the second, was built in 1949 and opened in 1950 with an elementary school moniker, led by teacher/principal Isabel Gans. There were three rooms at the start. The original 1867 school building was razed in 1960. Today, a plaque from the San Ramon Valley Historical Society on San Ramon Valley Blvd. north of Fostoria marks the location of the long-lasting and well-loved San Ramon Grammar School.
LAFAYETTE GARDEN CLUB
“Making the world a safer place, one case at a time.” Camino Diablo, Suite 201, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
AGGRESSIVE & SKILLED LEGAL ADVOCACY www.gattopc.comAlamo resident since 2002 Protect your rights after serious injury or wrongful death. Call us today to schedule a consultation. 925-587-9949
VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane SAN RAMON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
San Ramon pioneers started schools for their children in the 1850s, as soon as they moved to the area. In the History of Contra Costa (1882), it states that an early San Ramon school was built in 1852 at the “foot of the eminence which is known as Cox’s hill, near the village of Limerick (San Ramon).” Other early San Ramon schools are mentioned: one near a clump of oaks on Leo Norris’ land taught by Sylvester Degan and, in 1856 or 1857, “a school near the Glass store,” in San Ramon. There were also home tutors at the Norris and Harlan ranches. One election for $1,000 failed to fund a new school in September of 1864. Then, on October 27, 1866, voters supported a tax of $2,000 to purchase land and erect a new school house. This classic and well-remembered San Ramon Grammar School was built in 1867, serving the community until 1950. Ebenizer Dole, a carpenter, built the all-wood San Ramon School. The school measured 46 X 26 feet in dimensions, had a 13-foot high ceiling and an impressive bell tower. There were two rooms with grades 1-4 in the smaller room and 5-8 in the larger.
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
Teachers and students in front of the San Ramon School with the Methodist Church behind.
To schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, please contact me at 925-708-7397 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com.
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)
ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET
AIA SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
#1 – Make sure you are set to max out your 401(k). So many people tell me that they are maxing out their 401(k), then we get down to the numbers and they are leaving crucial pre-tax contribution dollars on the table. In 2022, you can contribute $20,500 if you are under age 50, and if you are 50 or older you can contribute $27,000. This doesn’t include your company match; that is up and above this amount. This will take you about five to ten minutes to check and could save you thousands of dollars by lowering your taxable income by every additional dollar that you contribute to the 401(k).
Stop by the Alamo Farmer’s Market for fresh fish, eggs, dairy, fruit, and vegetables, as well as French pastries, made-to-order Filipino food, Peruvian appetizers, and snow cones. There is something for everyone! If you have any questions or would like to make some vendor/market suggestions, contact Heather at 669-237-5564. The Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.
TAXES, DO WHAT YOU CAN BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
Sign up for Contra Costa County’s Community Warning System at https:// cwsalerts.com. For emergency alerts, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/2269/ Emergency-Alerts-Resources. For more information, visit www.Ready.gov, www.CalOES.ca.gov, www.CChealth.org, www.cococaer.org, and www. firedepartment.org/our-district/fire-and-life-safety/fire-evacuation-plansForadigitalversionof“ResidentsGuidetoWildfirePreparednessandEvacu ation,” please visit www.cccfpd.org, www.cococws.org, or www.cocosheriff.org 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, originally presented on July 27th, is now available for anyone interested in gaining this knowledge.
9TH ANNUAL AUTOS OF ALAMO FESTIVAL
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
#3 – Tax loss harvesting is another great tool to capture losses for this year or to take forward into years. Tax loss harvesting is when you sell a position in your non-qualified account (or company stock) that is currently trading below its purchase price. You can book the loss in the current tax year. If you are practicing proper asset allocation, you should find a suitable replacement for the sold position. Furthermore, you can repurchase the position after 30 days to avoid the wash sale rules. You can take up to $3,000 of loss off your income tax return each year or you can wash out unlimited gains. You can also carry forward unlimited amounts of losses each year to wash out future gains. This should take you twenty to thirty minutes and can result in unlimited current year and future years benefits as long as you have gains to counter the loss with.
In the event of a major disaster, Contra Costa Health Services will issue regular updates to the public at 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
In this article I have covered three valuable tax ideas for reducing your taxes. While what I have outlined will only take you an hour and could po tentially save you thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars, it would be my recommendation that you sit down with a professional to understand how these ideas fit into your situation. Each person is different and the impact of these ideas could be irrevocable and it is important to engineer first then execute when you know it works for you.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY’S ENVISION 2040 PROJECT AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ALAMO Contra Costa County has released its draft Housing Element Sites Inventory which identifies county-wide properties that will be zoned to meet the County’s state-mandated housing allocation of 7,610 new units over the coming eight-year planning cycle. Alamo properties are identified on this list for rezoning of up to 360 to 485 units. The rezoning of these initial 11 properties is but a small subset of the rezoning of Alamo currently proposed in the update of the County’s General Plan. Visit www.AlamoCA.org and www.AlamoVision2040.org for more in formation on the County’s housing element sites inventory and the County’s larger general plan update. Watch for our upcoming mailing, a community poll, and petition for controlled and sustainable housing and development. Look for more information on Supervisor Andersen’s Town Hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 8th at 6PM, and please attend!
Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Waldron Partners, 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 190 PO Box 528, Alamo, CA 94507. Waldron Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. Insurance is offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., and other fine companies. This material is for use with the general public and is designed for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or direct investment advice. Lincoln Financial Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice. CRN-2739570092019. Advertorial
Upcoming Presentation: EBMUD will present on water, water savings, and meter usage on Wednesday, September 28 th at 6PM. Please visit www. AlamoCA.org for Zoom meeting details.
What are Contra Costa County’s Emergency Response Resources?
“Dear IRS, I am writing to you to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list.” ~ Snoopy You might be like most Americans; tax planning begins in February or March the year after you’ve earned your income. However, it might be worth taking a few minutes before the year is over to make sure that you have prepared for your tax year before it is over (and you can never get back what is lost). In this month’s article, I will give you my top personal tax savings items to help you minimize the impact of taxes on your financial balance sheet. Before I dig into my top tax savings ideas, you should always consult a professional regarding your situation as these ideas might not be applicable to your long term financial planning or your tax planning strategy. Here is my list:
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Waldron Partners
Alamo’s 9th annual Autos of Alamo car show will be held on Thursday, September 15th from 4PM to 8PM in Alamo Plaza. Admission is free. Please join us for live music and enjoy locally owned vintage, classic, custom, hot rods, muscle cars and more from the year 1980 and earlier. Exotics are also welcome. Show off your car! Auto registration is only $25 and you receive a gift bag of special items. Please pre-register at 925-247-8081.
#2 – Donate to a 501(3)c or a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). While you are ostensibly giving away a portion of your tax while still paying tax, this will make you feel good and take money away from the government and give it to charity. When you give away money, you get a deduction on your schedule A (this may not make sense if you don’t itemize and use the standard deduction), which means that if you give $100 to charity, the estimated cost of the donation is $63, and the tax savings is $37 (assuming a 37% tax bracket). This can be super charged if you donate highly appreciated stock. Assuming you have $100 worth of stock that you bought for $1, if you give that stock you avoid the $99 gain (and $25 tax) and would receive the same $37 tax benefit. You can also make a qualified donation of your required minimum distribution which could eliminate the taxes due for that income. It is important to note that cash is limited to 60% of your adjusted gross income where stock has a lower limit of 30% of your adjusted gross income. This might take a bit longer but could not only reduce your tax bill, but you would reposition tax dollars to local and international causes.
By Roger Smith, President DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Now in its 67th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has the longest history of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!” Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local res idents, membership forms, and more. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Join our petition for sustainable and controlled housing at https://chng.it/MyTpTCLjY.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
Periodically, I hear from clients, prospective clients, and professional advisors about beneficiaries who are being kept in the dark about their inheritance. Some beneficiaries mistakenly believe that they have no choice but to wait and hope that the trustee eventually provides them with material information and distributions.
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
It is often wise for a Trust beneficiary to hire an attorney to help ensure that the trustee fulfills his obligations and the beneficiary’s rights are protected.
Workshop Are you considering a divorce, or in the
I have been hired to advocate for many Trust beneficiaries. In most cases, after an experienced attorney makes reasonable requests of a trustee or his attorney, the trust administration proceeds smoothly. If not, and litigation must be initiated, Judges tend to be sympathetic to beneficiaries who have been ignored or mistreated, and they are typically harsh on trustees who have been recalcitrant.
a Family
A Probate proceeding is generally initiated by a Trusts/Estates attorney like myself, who is hired by the prospective “Personal Representative” of the estate - the Executor nominated in the decedent’s Will (or, if no valid Will exists, then usually a close relative who seeks to be appointed as “Administrator”).
tax/legal
The trustee is bound by a fiduciary duty – to act strictly in the collective best interest of all of the Trust beneficiaries. A trustee also has many specific duties prescribed by law and set forth in the Trust document. These typically include: keeping the beneficiaries reasonably informed, faithfully following the Trust terms and conditions, gathering and preserving Trust assets, paying Trust expenses and depositing Trust income, preparing and giving beneficiaries an accounting, and distributing to the beneficiaries their rightful shares of the Trust assets.
a divorce? Attend our live workshop and get insights
www.secondsa
Starting very generally - first, within 60 days of a Trust becoming partly or fully irrevocable (e.g. upon the death of the person who established the Trust), the trustee must send a “Trustee Notification,” containing certain prescribed information about the trust administration, to all beneficiaries and heirs. This mandatory notification also informs the recipients that they may request a complete copy of the Trust (if it’s not provided with the notice). Of course, every notice recipient should request a copy and read the Trust carefully.
|Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business| Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.
Advisor. Join us on the second Sa turday of e ver y month, from the comfor t of your own home, in a safe and no obliga tion online wor kshop. There is no better way to educa te your self on the various options availa ble to you as you wor k toward building a stra te gy for your future emotional and financial success. Re gistra tion is required. To reser ve your sea t, and for more infor ma tion, please
Hosted by Jeneen Slack, Financial Advisor, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ and Certified Financial Planner™ Financial Advisors do not provide specific advice and this information should not be considered as such. Please consult your tax/legal advisor regarding your own specific situation. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc. (“SFS, Inc”) Member FINRA/SIPC. Summit Financial Group (“SFG”) is independently owned and operated. 2000 Crow Canyon Place, Ste 450, San Ramon, CA 94583. Jeneen is a registered rep and investment advisor rep of SFS, Inc. Jeneen has purchased a license and been selected by Second Saturday (“SS”) to run the SS East Bay Workshops. Neither SFG nor SFS, Inc are affiliated with creator of SS workshops, WIFE.org. SFG and SFS, Inc are not affiliated with nor endorse any tax/legal or family therapy professional guest speakers. TR# 4423652 DOFU 3/2022
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq. What if a deceased loved one made provisions for you to inherit property, and yet, after a reasonable period of time, you have received no significant correspondence, documents, information, or distributions? Unfortunately, this is more common than it should be. The rights of the inheritor (beneficiary) and the obligations of the trust/estate representative depend upon whether the decedent had a Living Trust or just a Will (or neither). But all such representatives are legally required to provide meaningful, timely information to a decedent’s beneficiaries and heirs. If a decedent had no Living Trust and owned more than $184,500 of assets (except joint accounts or those governed by “payable on death” or beneficiary designation), these assets will be subject to Probate – a courtsupervised estate administration proceeding.
HOW ARE RIGHTS OF TRUST/ ESTATE PROTECTED?BENEFICIARIES
The attorney prepares and files paperwork with the Probate Court to initiate the Probate and advises and assists the Personal Representative during the many months in which Probate is pending. A Judge, whose primary purpose is to protect the estate’s beneficiaries, oversees the proceedings. Given the Judge’s oversight, estate beneficiaries are generally well protected in Probate. Accordingly, this article focuses more on situations in which the decedent planned well by establishing and fully funding (transferring title of assets to) a Revocable Living Trust to avoid Probate. In such instances, Trust administration is handled privately, without court oversight. The successor trustee nominated in the Trust document handles the administration. So, what obligations do trustees have and what rights do Trust beneficiaries have?
Divorce midst of from Law Attorney, Marriage & Family Therapist, and a Financial visit turdayeastbay.org or email divorceteam@summitadvisor s.com.
PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com See Zenerosity continued on page 20 Technology Solutions for Today. Hometownhelpfromyourlocalandpersonaltechnologyexperts,since2001. Portable CIO PCs | Macs | Servers | Work From Home | Cloud Solutions SUPPORTREMOTE925-552-7953support@pcioit.comwww.pcioit.comHELPDESKAVAILABLE
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For Lukk, horses have been a dependable source of stability since early childhood. An assignment for her master’s program in psychology that required producing a case study based on a subject she loved naturally led her to researching equine therapy and becoming an Eagala Certified Mental Health Professional. Founded in 1999, Eagala was one of the first organizations to develop professional standards for utilizing horses in mental health treat ment. Although Zenerosity is not one of the global nonprofit’s facilities, understanding Eagala principles helps the Zenerosity team design effective, innovative responses to clients’ needs. Co-Founder Kestrel (aka Rachel) Rezos recalls: “I met Cyndi through my work. I’m a hoof trimmer. She called me to help with her daughter’s mare who had laminitis [an equine foot disease].” Kestrel and Cyndi enjoyed many conversations about equine therapy as their friend ship developed over the years. Kestrel recalls, “The decision to actually create a nonprofit came out of a desire to offer something positive to the community.”
Shocked by the hardships and trauma many people endure, Kestrel remarks, “I’ve been incredibly lucky, but even so, horses have taught me so much about myself, about being human and about life. It makes me realize that everyone has room to be better, to live a fuller more authentic life and to be a better support to others.” She particularly enjoys keeping the therapy horses fit and teaching horsemanship. Zenerosity focuses on “natural horsemanship” that builds a bond of understanding between rider and horse.
Cyndi finds and evaluates the horses. She notes, “Many of our horses have been abandoned or have special needs of their own. Each one has a super power, but not every horse can be a therapy animal. One horse may be adept at connecting with a person coping with anxiety. Another may be sensitive to humans battling depression.” A horse not suited for therapy may be excellent for teaching horsemanship. So that clients are not influenced by a horse’s particular name, each horse is identified to them by the color of its halter.
Zenerosity
Zenerosity Founder Cyndi Lukk, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), explains, “Equine Assisted Therapy often produces results much faster than conventional therapy. Clients immediately feel a deep connection with the horses. Some clients burst into tears when they walk in the arena. Others relate that the sense of calm they feel in the presence of the horses is something they haven’t experienced in a long time.”
Zenerosity Board Member Jennifer Lenches, (LMFT, Eagala Certified Mental Health Professional) reports, “Each horse is unique, and we like to say they have their own ‘super power.’ They know when they are working, and they know when someone needs them in a special way. I have witnessed both a human pick a horse to work with (by walking up and finding the horse they feel most comfortable with) and the horse pick the human they want to work with (by the horse walking up to the human and standing near them).”
“Purple was our ‘Zen’ horse,” Lenches recalls. “He was a leader among the therapy herd as well as the other horses in the pasture. He loved his job and always showed up for people when he was working. I had the pleasure of working with Purple during a Love Workshop. I witnessed him help three different individuals get in touch with their deepest feelings and process experiences, past traumas, and buried emotions. Not only did the individuals Emily enjoys a calm and peaceful time with Teal after a session. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity.
Call our office today to schedule a tattoo removal consultation. At the time of your consultation, we will evaluate your tattoo, review anything in your medical history that could impact your treatment, and educate you about the process. We look forward to making your tattoo regret a thing of the past.
IS THERE ANY AFTER CARE?
I recommend having your child’s vision checked by an eye care pro fessional instead of just relying on a school or pediatrician screening. The comprehensive evaluation I give at the office not only encompasses vision and binocular vision, but also includes neurological testing, color vision, peripheral vision, and an ocular health examination of both the front and back portions of the eye. We look forward to seeing your students in the office soon.
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Being a big chicken myself, that is the question I always ask. We usually apply a topical numbing cream or even inject local anesthesia so that the actual treatment is painless. If you are not numbed each time the laser fires it feels like hot bacon grease hitting the skin. In my opinion, performing laser tattoo removal without any numbing falls into the category of cruel and unusual punishment.
Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
THE EYE
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
A tattoo represents small ink droplets deposited with a needle in the dermal layer of the skin. Lasers work by emitting a high energy pulse of light that is absorbed by the ink droplet and shatters it into smaller dust-like particles that scavengers of the immune system then carry away. Many wonder if one treatment is all it takes to erase a tattoo. Most tattoos have layers of ink. Lasers cannot break down all the ink layers in one treatment; usually multiple sessions are required. Treatment sessions are usually spaced four to eight weeks apart. After the treatment, the tattoo typically fades over several weeks. DOES IT HURT?
The most common diagnosis I find at the office is myopia, or near-sight edness. For students that sit far away from the board, or in the back of a large lecture hall, having uncorrected or under-corrected myopia will lead to blurry vision and an inability to see the material on the board or screen. These students are unable to take notes off the board and therefore often fall behind in class and miss assignments. For those students that experience a rapid change in their vision, we now have tools to help slow down the progression of myopia. Contact lenses, such as CRT (corneal refractive therapy), along with some other options are available to combat this issue. These options will be discussed as treatment options at the exam, if warranted.
Since summer vacation for most students is either over or winding down, it is time to focus on eye health and vision for all students from el ementary school to college. Regardless of grade, all students require good vision to succeed and do well. For younger students, being able to see the board is necessary as there is less of a near demand compared to later grades. Now that both of my kids are in college (gulp), being able to both see distance and near, and being able to transition well between them in lectures, is vitally im portant. I will cover some of the main eye issues related to difficulty at school including refractive error such as myopia and hyperopia, as well as binocular vision disorders.
Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE AN UNWANTED TATTOO?
RETURNINGOPENERTOSCHOOL
Some people will have some crusting or scabbing after treatment. We recommend washing the area twice daily with a gentle cleanser and then applying an antibacterial ointment or Vaseline. Protect the treated area from the sun and apply sunscreen.
By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
HOW DOES LASER TATTOO REMOVAL WORK?
At the opposite end of myopia is hyperopia, or far-sightedness. These students are in a constant state of focusing to allow clear vision. The closer the point of focus, the more work that is necessary to clear the image; that is why distance objects are easier than near ones. A low amount of hyperopia is desirable, since near-sightedness tends to evolve as the child enters adolescence, it gives them a little head start. However, in larger prescriptions, hyperopia can cause near avoidance, headaches, fatigue, eye turns, and an overall indifference to sustained up-close tasks. This can easily be diagnosed in the office as part of a comprehensive examination. The last prescription issue that can be a hindrance to vision is astigma tism. This is caused by the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, not being completely round. An easy analogy is that it is shaped more like an egg than a ball. Astigmatism will degrade both distance and near vision; however, distance is usually a little more affected. It is important to note that this is not a disease; it is just the way the eye is shaped and can be treated with glasses or contact lenses just like myopia and hyperopia.
TATTOO REGRET? WE CAN HELP. By Jerome Potozkin, MD Tattoo regret is very common. The tattoo that I have seen cause the most regret is when someone tattoos the name of their significant other and things lead to a break-up. This regret is often compounded when a new significant other comes into the picture. The second most common type of tattoo regret is when a tattoo design is no longer in fashion. Fortunately, we can help. We have been offering tattoo removal for over two decades. As technology has evolved, we have upgraded our technology to offer what we consider to be the best treatment available. Lasers are the treatment of choice for removing unwanted tattoos. Over the years the technology has advanced with the most recent improvement being the introduction of picosecond lasers that can remove tattoos in fewer treatments and with fewer risks. We have found our PicoWay Laser to be superior to previous nanosecond devices. The newer devices have proven superior to the older technology.
In addition to refractive error, all patients including children should have their binocular vision status evaluated. It is quite possible to not have any of the above-mentioned prescription issues but have poor eye teaming skills. If the eyes are not aligned properly and do not work well as a team, there will be learning and reading issues. These tend to present themselves more for reading than distance, but can affect both. When the eyes do not work as a unit, a child might experience double vision, “stretching” or “ghost images” of letters, skipping of letters or lines of text, eyestrain, headaches, near avoidance, or any combination of these.
Any macronutrient -- carbs, protein, or fat -- can be converted by our bodies into fat tissue when we eat too much overall.
Advertorial Zenerosity continued from page 18 share their process with me, but I witnessed it through their tears, body posturing, and words. As a therapist, witnessing the progress happening was amazing.” Sadly Purple, given name Quincy, passed away shortly after the workshop at the age of 28.
Low carb diets often result in initial rapid weight loss where we lose body weight from water or lean muscle, not desired body fat tissue. Low carb diets deplete the body’s glycogen stores and release water.
See Zenerosity continued on page 22
WORKING WITH LINDA RD When I work with a client I make sure they eat their favorite foods so they feel full and satisfied. I want to teach them an eating pattern that they can follow for the rest of their life. This will include carbs. When I start with a new client we come up with exactly how many carbs they should have each day and I show them how to spread them out over their daily meals.
Nutritional counseling is usually covered by health insurance companies including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Sutter, UHC, and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website www.LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Feel free to email me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional concerns and see how I may help you.
“I really like the fact that many of the Zenerosity horses are rescued horses with amazing histories. I’ve helped with the horses during many group sessions with at-risk youth, and its very moving to see how the young people connect with the horses, and especially relate to the horse’s back story. The therapists are very careful to keep the horses’ stories and even their names a secret until after the sessions are over.” Meet Orange as profiled on Zenerosity’s website. “I was a race horse ... but not a very good one. It makes no sense to just run in circles chasing other horses. Would you want to do that? Probably not. So, I came in last to protest some of the things I disagreed with about the racing world. Unfortunately, my protesting ended with me being locked up in a stall with only food water, and minimal human contact.”
Jessica Cleese, Cyndi Lukk’s daughter, leads a workshop. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity.
The big discussion is always about what to do when we are socializing and going out to restaurants. Of course, we want to enjoy this time so planning beforehand for having carbs at an event and not consuming carbs prior is a goodLetstrategy.megive you an example: if you are going to a family dinner pizza party and you want to have a couple slices of pizza, have an egg white omelet for breakfast, and for lunch have chicken lettuce wraps or tuna stuffed in a tomato. Before you go to the party have some cottage cheese and veggies so you won’t be too hungry.
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST DO I HAVE TO CUT CARBS TO LOSE WEIGHT?
LOW CARB DIETS AND WEIGHT LOSS
FIBER AND WEIGHT LOSS Satiety, the feeling of fullness, plays a major role in our ability to manage weight. If you feel full and satisfied after a meal you are less likely to overeat. Eating foods rich in fiber maximizes satiety. We can maximize satiety at every meal by including a good source of protein, healthy fat, and the right kind of carbs that are rich in fiber. These include whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and veggies.
If you feel that you are struggling with your nutrition let me take you by the hand and set up an individualized meal plan for you.
PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
Carbs are life sustaining molecules that provide immediate energy for our bodies and, most importantly, our brain. Our brain runs primarily on carbohydrate or sugar molecules, glucose, and, when there is not enough carbohydrates in the diet, our body coverts other molecules like protein and fats into glucose.
CARBOHYDRATES AND WEIGHT LOSS
Here's Pink. “When I came to Zenerosity, I was afraid of a lot of things ... sticks on the ground, bags blowing in the wind. I thought they were velociraptors coming to get me! The people at Zenerosity helped me get over my fear of things, and I love them for that. I love doing therapy because I like making people feel safe, just like they made me feelNickisafe.”Impastato medically retired in 2019 with PSTD after serving for 17 years as a police/fire dispatcher. Following up on her therapist’s suggestion that she explore equine assisted therapy, Nicki eventually discovered Zenerosity and began volunteering at the ranch in January this year. She writes: “I wanted to experience groundwork therapy with the horses. Cyndi interviewed me by doing a one-on-one session with me and I was instantly in tears. It is introspective work, and the horses bring that out in us.” Drawn to two horses standing together, yet intrigued by a third standing off alone, Nicki was ready to choose one of the friendly horses, “but when Cyndi asked me what was intriguing about the other horse, almost immediately, I got emotional, and said, ‘he reminds me of my husband, standing off in the distance, alone, in charge and not needing me.’ Well, I worked with that horse that day. And I learned a lot about
Red tries to imitate Shiva Hess’s yoga maneuvers. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity.
Research does not support the idea that you need to cut carbs to lose weight. Studies show that any diet will help you initially lose weight.
By Linda Michaelis RD, MS Is it necessary to cut carbs to lose weight? Let’s look at the evidence behind low carb diets and weight loss. I often see people are afraid of the “big bad carb,” but if you ask them they could not even tell you which foods have carbs. They definitely mention breads have carbs. As for legumes, such as lentils, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, or peas, they will say, “maybe.” If you ask them about veggies they are not sure.
Karen Smith, a Special Education Paraeducator, “grew up a horse-crazy suburban girl who never really had a chance to actually be around horses.” Her chance to be with horses came when Cyndi, one of the psychologists working with Karen’s students, invited the entire class to the ranch for a group therapy session. Since the spring of 2020, Karen has spent Sunday afternoons volunteering at Zenerosity grooming the horses and cleaning the stalls. “At first I thought I might not LIKE doing this job ... but the stalls quickly became my ‘Zen KarenGardens.’”continues:
In my experience with clients that have been on a prolonged low carb diet, they tend to be tired and cannot consistently exercise because they are low on glucose. They eat high amounts of red and processed meats, and saturated fat, with a low intake of healthy promoting nutrients like fiber.
People who eat high carb, plant-based meals tend to be lower in weight compared to people eating lower carb diets. Plant-based diets tend to be lower in overall calories and higher in satiety because of a high fiber content.
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com 925-831-8310 Open Monday - Thursday and the first two Saturday’s of each month.
Meet Dr. Kiranjot Dyal
Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Vet eran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction. Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.
Dr. Kiranjot Dyal graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Thereafter, she attended Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine to earn her degree in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) and further extended her studies by completing a general practice residency at UCLA- Harbor Medical Center, where she earned the “Resident of the Year” accolade. Dr. Dyal’s passion for growth in her dental skills shows as she continues educating herself through various classes and up to date courses.
Dr. Dyal’s goal as a dental provider is to provide compassionate care for her patients and make them feel as stress-free as possible in the dental chair. She believes that knowledge is power and understanding what treatment is needed, why it's necessary, and how it can be prevented in the future is extremely important in bettering the overall oral health of her patients and the general public. Dr. Dyal strives to build a trusting and genuine relationship with her patients and their family and friends to create a comfortable dental home for the community she treats.
Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family
For those seeking full periocular rejuvenation to combat horizontal forehead lines, sagging, or heavy brows and wrinkles between the eyebrows frequently referred to as “elevens,” I recommend also considering a brow lift. I most commonly use the endoscopic approach which involves a few small incisions hidden in the hairline through which the brow is lifted. Like blepharoplasty, this procedure may be performed under local anesthesia. Further facial rejuvenation can be achieved through the use of CO2 laser skin resurfacing of the eyes, face, neck, and chest to tighten the skin and remove fine lines. Skin resurfacing takes one hour, and downtime averages ten days. However, at Persons Plastic Surgery, we have developed RecoverX to accelerate post-procedure skin repair. Patients have even cut recovery time in half! The non-irritant, fragrance-free, paraben-free product reduces redness and swelling and promotes faster skin healing. The proprietary formulation draws moisture from the air into the skin without clogging pores and con tinues to enhance skin tone, texture, and appearance hours after application. To achieve full facial rejuvenation, the combination of blepharoplasty surgery and a CO2 Laser maximizes benefits while decreasing recovery to a single period. I look forward to meeting with you at my practice in Lafayette to discuss what may be best for you.
Located at 1507 Finley Road, Danville, with a 20-acre pasture for the horses, Zenerosity offers horseback riding free to volunteers. Individuals with fundraising talents and computer skills are more than welcome. No experience is necessary to volunteer with the horses. Training is done onsite. To schedule a visit email zenerosity.equine@gmail.com
myself. Not necessarily about my husband, but about my control issues and when I loosen controls and focus on goals of my own, how things shift in relationships.”Nicki’shusband subsequently participated in a group session and loved it. They are working on putting together a group session for First Responders.
As the saying goes, “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” In this way, the eyes’ clarity and youthful appearance can provide indication of both health and vitality. As we age, our eyes can be dimin ished due to excess skin and bags around them. A furrowed, drooping brow further alters the alert and engaging appearance of our eyes. Beauty rest and good health go a long way, but sometimes it isn’t enough to counteract the hooding and tired appearance that many people experience by age 40.
Family EducationCaregiverSeries
Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Cer tified 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
MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Zenerosity continued from page 20THE EYES ARE THE MIRROR
FACIAL REJUVINATION
Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region has many volunteer opportunities to aid seniors in our communities. Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a home meal delivery driver and assist in getting prepared meals to those in need. The Friendly Visitors, Friendly Callers, and Friendly Helpers programs check in on seniors and also can assist them with everyday errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up medications at a local pharmacy. For more information, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved , or contact Eileen Stephens at estephens@mowdr.org, or 925-482-2622, or Tuyet Iaconis at tiaco-nis@mowdr.org or 925-891-4872.
TRADITIONAL EYELID SURGERY
Since dementia dramatically changes the ways that individuals think, perceive, communicate, and behave, caring for a loved one with dementia presents a unique set of challenges. Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss the nature and progression of dementia and the various diseases and conditions that can produce its symptoms. Participants will gain a basic un derstanding of the ways in which dementia can impact the brain and behavior.
Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, con sistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified. This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-9340901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • September 2022 www.yourmonthlypaper.com
SOUL
Blepharoplasty surgery, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is the best way to correct droopy, hooded eyelids and sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid and can sometimes even impair vision. The procedure takes one hour and does not require general anesthetic. Recovery takes about one week. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. The procedure restores the youthful appearance of the eyes by removing fatty tissue and excess skin while tightening the lax muscles that develop around the eyes. An upper blepharoplasty procedure involves making a small incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Excess skin is removed, lax muscles are tight ened, and small amounts of fat are removed. Sometimes, grafting may be used to fill areas which have hollowed, such as the tear troughs. For lower eyelid tight ening, a small incision is made just below the lower eyelash or inside the lower eyelid. The upper and lower eyelid lift may be done separately or at the same time.
. Advertorial Nicki Impastato and Orange. Photo courtesy of Zenerosity.
October 13, 10–11:30AM | “End-of-Life Legal and Financial Issues” When facing the incapacity of a loved one, reliance on professionals will ensure that families receive the most accurate information about options and protection. An elder law attorney will share information about estab lishing powers of attorney, trusts and wills, paying for long-term care, and accessing government assistance programs.
Nicki has joined the Zenerosity staff, working with all the horses. Orange is special to her. He picked her to work with at the February Love Workshop. Workshops give individuals interested in learning about equine therapy the opportunity to experience a group session. A participant in the Caregiver Workshop writes: “I want to thank Zenerosity and especial ly Cyndi for all the time and effort put into providing such a beautiful and healing workshop. Working with the horses was absolutely amazing and with the therapist as well. It was not only eye opening, but heart opening. I learned so much about hidden, in my case, insecurities that were limiting me in the relationship not only to the horse but in life.” The next workshop will occur in October. Space is limited. Details will be posted at www.zenerosity.org
July 14, 10–11:30 a.m. “Handling Grief and Loss” No matter how thoroughly one has prepared for the inevitability of death of a loved one, when the time comes it still can be shock to the system. In this webinar, marriage and family therapist will discuss the complexities of grief and loss, including anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. Participants will be provided with coping strategies to help them both during the final stages of life and after their loved one has passed.
TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND
If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is available to help with a free ed ucation series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on their website, too. Register at Hope Hospice.com/family. For questions, call 925-829-8770.
September 8, 10–11:30AM | “Dementia Basics”
August 11, 10–11:30 a.m. “Signs of Dementia Versus Normal Aging” Have you ever worried whether some of the memory challenges you or loved one are experiencing are “normal?”Could they be a sign of something else? As we age, our brains and our bodies undergo changes. We may experience instances where we process information more slowly, or we may have trouble recalling names or dates; these can be examples of typical age-related changes. But what are the indicators that these changes may be due to something more serious such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia? When might it be time to visit the doctor for an evaluation? Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss these questions and other food for thought. September 8, 10–11:30 a.m. “Dementia Basics” Since dementia dramatically changes the ways that individuals think, perceive, communicate and behave, caring for loved one with dementia presents a unique set of challenges. Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss the nature and progression of dementia and the various diseases and conditions that can produce its symptoms. Participants will gain basic understanding of the ways in which dementia can impact the brain and behavior. October 13, 10–11:30 a.m. “End-of-Life Legal and Financial Issues” When facing the incapacity of a loved one, reliance on professionals will ensure that families receive the most accurate information about options and protection. An elder law attorney will share information about establishing powers of attorney, trusts and wills, paying for long-term care and accessing government assistance programs. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family Questions? Call (925) 829-8770. OF THE
By Dr. Barbara Persons
FAMILY CAREGIVER EDUCATION SERIES
disc disease • Rheumatoid arthritis • Auto-Immune disorders • Injuries
YES,
September 2022 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
Stem cells are the body’s raw materials - they are cells from which all other cells are created. Stem cells are cells within the body without a predetermined function. The human body produces billions of stem cells. Medical studies show that using them therapeutically can help to heal damaged cells by replacing them with new, healthy cells. A stem cell can become many different cell types in the human body. The process of stem cells maturing into new types of cells is called differentiation. This process is the most critical aspect of stem cell therapies, as the cells become the type of cells required for one’s body to heal.
• Arthritis • Inflammatory conditions • Bulging
Only a few things could prevent you from being suitable for this therapy. It’s essential to set up a consultation so we can consider your medical history, go over the cost, and help you learn more about the best interventions for the fastest and most effective relief of your condition.
HOW DOES STEM CELL THERAPY WORK?
MSCs, once injected, start releasing proteins and growth factors. They send two signals to the rest of your cells. First, they signal the cells to reduce in flammation, which quickly reduces pain. Next, they signal to the cells to remove injured tissue and rebuild fresh, healthy tissues at the site. CAN BE TREATED WITH STEM CELL THERAPY? discs in Lumbar degenerative and tears to ligaments The body needs time to rebuild tissues, and that happens at a different rate for every person. Clinical studies have shown significant improvements as early as three months or as long as two years after treatment. Your results will depend on a few critical factors: age, existing health issues, the severity of the condition, medications, activity and any other complicating factor. As might be expected, the more severe the condition and the longer it has been an issue, the longer it typically takes to heal.
• Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams • Contact Lens Exams • Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are
to make your glasses in our office with our On Site Lab OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY MONDAY FRIDAY: 9 6 SATURDAY: 9 4 215 ALAMO PLAZA SUITE D ALAMO, CA www.poplarspecs.com94507 925.202.2846 CLASSIFIED Place Your Classified Reach over 28,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo.$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words. Email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com or call 925-405-6397 to place your ad. We reserve the right to reject any ad. Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring NO JOB TOO SMALL! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877 Handyman Services Back to music specials for new and returning students! Music in Motion School, 433 Front St., Danville. Free workshops available! MTAC Certificate of Merit program included. 925-326-6467 , musicinmotionschool.com Piano, Voice, and Music Lessons
An injection of mesenchymal stem cells activates self-renewal, immuno modulatory, anti-inflammatory, signaling, and differentiation properties to influence positive change within the body. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also can self-renew by dividing and developing into multiple specialized cell types present in a specific tissue or organ.
WHERE DO THE STEM CELLS COME FROM?
The type of stem cells that have the highest therapeutic benefit are called mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs. Mesenchymal stem cells are specific stem cells that have self-renewal, immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory, signaling, and differentiation properties. MSCs’ self-renewal capacity is characterized by their ability to divide and develop into multiple specialized cell types throughout the body. For example, if stem cells were used to treat a joint injury, cells administered during treatment could become bone, cartilage, and soft tissue cells and then replicate to create exponentially more cells on their own.
WHY UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS? Our stem cells age as we do, stem cell numbers and effectiveness begin to decrease as we age. Utilizing new, vibrant, robust cells rather than scant, older, weaker cells makes the most therapeutic sense. For example, stem cells from a person in their fifties are not nearly as high quality as the brand new cells sourced from umbilical cord tissue. They are youthful, immune-privileged, undifferen tiated cells with no rejection potential allowing the cells to be transplanted in a wide range of people without fear of rejection. Cord-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells do not risk rejection within the body. No blood products are associated with them, removing the need for a donor match; they are universally accepted. Mesenchymal cord tissue-derived stem cells have been administered thousands of times at clinics worldwide without instances of rejection. In addition, our MSCs are not sourced from embryonic material and pose no ethical or cancer risk.
Umbilical cord tissue is rich in mesenchymal stem cells, potentially used to help heal, regenerate and treat a variety of conditions. The stem cells are taken directly from an area of an ethically donated human umbilical cord. As a commonly discarded tissue, the umbilical cord contains a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells, which are obtained non-invasively.
HOW DO STEM CELLS WORK?
WHAT
the spine •
Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville. She has been active in our natural health and wellness community since 1999. For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC, or to set up a compli mentary consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. able
STEM CELLS? PLEASE!
By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?
and muscles • Chronic lung disease • Nerve injuries • Degenerative neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WORK? It’s important to remember that the results of this therapy aren’t instant.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR STEM CELL THERAPY?
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