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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& APRIL 2018
A SK A MA STER GARDENER WHAT YOUR GARDEN NEEDS TO GROW By Jody Morgan
What differentiates Master Gardeners from individuals with extensive gardening experience? While acquisition of in-depth knowledge about growing all kinds of plants is a goal common to both groups, dedication to sharing that information and inspiring others distinguishes Master Gardeners. Officially named the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County (UCMGCC), UCMGCC furnishes free horticultural information based on the latest University of California research
Team members in photo left to right : Jordan Stein, Lucas Apger, Nolan Collins, Logan O’Connell, Ainsely Jacobsen, and Ella Shaw
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAM HEADS TO WORLD FINALS
Dawn Kooyumjian, County Coordinator, Denece Dodson, Past President and Darlene DeRose Community Garden Co-Coordinator take time out from preparing for the Great Tomato Sale at Our Garden. Photo by Jody Morgan.
through programs throughout the county as well as support for community and school gardens and demonstrations of sustainable practices at Our Garden in Walnut Creek and Mangini Garden in Antioch. The Help Desk addresses concerns
The San Ramon Valley Christian Academy’s (SRVCA) 7th grade Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team advanced and became eligible to compete in the world finals next month at Iowa State University. They placed second in their division at the recent State championship. OM focuses on creative, outside-of-the-box, problem solving. Kids must come up with their own methods to solve the problems, without help from coaches, parents, or teachers. Seventeen Californian teams competed in a technical problem titled “Triathlon Travels.” The SRVCA kids, coached by parent volunteer Kathleen O’Connell, wrote a humorous play, designed their own costumes, and built a vehicle with up-cycled materials to compete in the triathlon. A Mario
See Odyssey continued on page 23
See Garden continued on page 16
MEALS ON WHEELS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH NEW NAME
By Fran Miller
After 50 years of serving seniors throughout the county, Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services is changing its name. Now officially titled Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOWDR), the name change reflects the organization’s expanded model, created to more effectively meet the needs of a changing population. “Though our organization is 50 years old, it’s not the same as it once was,” says Susannah Meyer, MOWDR Community Engagement Director. “Meals on Wheels covers more ground now, both geographically and in terms of services. We chose a name that reflects this new identity and yet retains the powerful recognition that the Meals on Wheels brand provides. The new name allows us to continue close alignment with the national senior advocacy movement. By keeping the Meals on Wheels name and speaking in one, united voice, we amplify the effects.” The geographic descriptor “Diablo Region” reflects a broader focus in the county. To further signal
See Meals continued on page 22
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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
BOULEVARD VIEW
CALMNESS IS A SUPERPOWER By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Our household has expanded after taking in our niece and two great-nieces ages 8 and 10. The three bedrooms which once housed our own children are now back in circulation with new life and energy. I don’t think our home has ever been this bedazzled with dolls, art, pink, and sequins. It’s a whole new experience. The other day the girls were painting outside. It was quiet for awhile and then I heard a lot of rushing around, commotion, and hushed voices. I assumed their mom would handle whatever was going on, so I waited for her interaction. When it wasn’t forthcoming, I went to check for myself. The girls were at the kitchen sink trying to clean up green paint that was EVERYWHERE. The eight year old, wearing an outfit less than 12 hours old, had green paint on her shirt, pants, and shoes. We aren’t just talking drops of green paint; there were GLOBS. Like all things in the realm of Murphy’s Law, this happened when mom was in the shower, so I was adult-in-charge. We stripped off the outfit in the bathtub and started doing damage control. There was a puddle of paint on the table; a soggy, crumpled, green ball of paper; and even paint on the dog. I couldn’t imagine what transpired for this much mess. Upon closer examination, there was a slug-like track of green paint on the ground as well, going from one side of the yard to the other... As I often do in crazy situations like, this I took pictures of the event. The oldest sister was not pleased by that fact as she thought I was making fun of the
DANVILLE AREA CHAMBER & DANVILLE LIVERY PRESENT
www.yourmonthlypaper.com situation. My reasons for photos in times like this are to remember what happened, reflect back on them and the lessons learned, and hopefully have a good laugh. The “event” stor y finally came out. The younger girl was squeezing paint (thank goodness it was “mostly” washable paint!) on to the paper. A big “blurp” came out, and she panicked. She balled up the dripping wet paper and went to throw it in the garbage can. Unfortunately, it was garbage pick-up day, and the can was at the curb instead of at its usual spot. She buzzed around trying to find a way to dispose of the soggy mess (and perhaps hide evidence of the disaster), hence the tracks all over the yard, until the realization came that she’d need to throw it away inside and deal with the mess there. Heck, we all make mistakes. I usually don’t get mad in situations like this but seek to understand and aim for improvement next time. As long as the guilty party takes care of their messes and doesn’t leave me with all of the dirty work, I’m pretty low key. Luckily, my great-niece was a trooper in dealing with the mess. The big lesson learned that day was “Don’t panic; calmness is a superpower!” While some things still have a twinge of green, the mess has largely disappeared...however, a few days after the event I did find one more “panic point,” green paint on the gate where she kept searching for the garbage can. Since the gate is in an out-of-the-way spot, I left the marks there as another reminder (to go along with the photos) of what panic can cause us to do, and a reminder to replace the feelings of panic with things that can be controlled: breathing, focus, calmness, and understanding. I hope you glide through your day with your superpowers.
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Results. Pure and Simple Don Magalhaes 925.786.1855 don@compass.com
April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3
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DRE 00897221 Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
LOOKING FOR HELP TO ‘LEND-A-HAND’
Danville residents looking for a way to give back to their community have a wonderful opportunity to volunteer as the Town of Danville gears up for the 14th annual Lend-A-Hand Day, April 28. Lend-A-Hand Day provides assistance to Danville senior homeowners with basic yardwork and clean-up needs. The Town of Danville, along with an estimated 120 volunteers from the community, join forces to go to a number of residences to perform the needed work. Volunteers begin with a brief orientation at the Danville Community Center before heading out to their assigned tasks. Work generally runs from 8AM – 1PM. Volunteers who bring garden tools such as shovels, rakes, and weed whackers are especially needed. Volunteers, 16 years and older, are encouraged to register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LendaHand2018. If Lend-A-Hand Day doesn’t fit in your schedule, other volunteer opportunities are available including May the Fourth Be with You, the Danville Senior Center, Craft Prep, and Kid’s Night Out. Volunteer shifts are available at the Art Gallery and the Visitor Center at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Volunteering is great for your health, keeps your mind and body active, and allows you to give back to the community. For more information visit www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer, or if you have a group that would like to volunteer, contact Volunteer Program Specialist Julie Mason at (925)314-3478 or jmason@danville.ca.gov.
URGENT HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR TWO WEEK STAY BY FRENCH STUDENTS
For the thirteenth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area. The students will arrive on April 14th and depart April 29th. Families for eight boys are still needed. The teens have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and weekends. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. Please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at dachary.martine@orange.fr. The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925)718-5052.
GOLDEN CRANE SENIOR CENTER
No “digging” is needed to strike “gold” at the Golden Crane Senior Center! The mission of the Center is to promote physical and mental wellbeing through programs and social activities for those aged 50+ year-old. On Mondays and Tuesdays, group learning and enjoyment of physical and mental abilities stimulate personal growth. Activities include Tai Chi, tap dance, line dance, karaoke, hiking, camera club, chorus, yoga stretch, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, soft pastel, Chinese cooking class, MahJong, Yuan-Ji dance, walking, and aerobic exercise. GCSC celebrates members’ bi-monthly birthdays, organizes picnics and day trips, and observes Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Chinese holidays. Members may volunteer and participate in charitable, educational, and community service activities. All activities are open to members for an annual $50 member fee. Classes and activities are held at the Alamo Women’s Club located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo. For more information contact Wendy Lee, 925-718-6222. A complete class and activity schedule is posted at www. goldencrane.org.
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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY
Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, bowling, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, bridge, reading, computers, and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball game,s and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests. We have an upcoming Ladies Day special event scheduled so there won’t be an April meeting. Our next monthly luncheon will be on Wednesday, May 16th at 11am. Our guest speaker will be Dan Ashley, Anchor of ABC 7 News. Be ready for a very interesting presentation. Your $25 luncheon includes a meal, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to socialize with at least 180 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space for the May luncheon, please email us by Thursday, May 10th at www.info@SIR128.com. The luncheon will take place at the The Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon. For more information please visit www.SIR128.com.
CHROMATICA SINGS MASS IMPRESSIONS CONCERTS
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Chromatica, a regional chorus, will offer its twelfth series of semiannual concerts focused on many different interpretations of the Mass from the fourteenth to the twenty-first century. Its three spring concerts will take place at 4pm on April 22 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1658 Excelsior Avenue in Oakland, at 7pm on April 26 at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, and at 7pm on April 28 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara in Danville. The Danville concert includes a wine reception after the performance. Chromatica is noted for the extraordinary range of its repertoire ranging in time from the 12th to the 21st century and in genre everywhere from classical to contemporary. This concert series is based on many different interpretations of the Mass with individual pieces selected from a broad range of classical and contemporary composers. Tomas Luis de Victoria is the earliest composer on the program – his “Agnus Dei” dates to the 16th century. Add a “Gloria” from Haydn, a “Sanctus” from Schubert, Beethoven’s “Credo” and Stravinsky’s “Kyrie,” and the breadth of the concert becomes apparent. Contemporary composers include Karl Jenkins and his “Benedictus,” Ola Gjeilo’s “The Ground,” and both Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leonard Bernstein. Finally, Chromatica will sing Bob Chilcott’s “A Little Jazz Mass.” Says founding music director David Huff: “The Mass has inspired great composers throughout the centuries and has produced some extraordinarily beautiful music. Several concerts back, Chromatica sang Cherubini’s Mass which Beethoven liked so much, he had it sung at his funeral. This time we are performing a wide range of Mass compositions to demonstrate the remarkable breadth the Mass inspires. It will be an unusual and riveting concert.” Chromatica was founded in 2011 and now includes 26 men and women singers. It has performed eleven prior series of ticketed concerts in the East Bay, attracting large and enthusiastic audiences. Led by David P. Huff, an outstanding director and operatic tenor who has sung both in New York and San Francisco and accompanied by the exceptional pianist, Julie Rieth, it seeks to perform challenging pieces at a high level of professionalism. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and children 10 and under are admitted free. For tickets and to find out more about Chromatica, visit our website at www.chromaticachorale.org. For a more personal look you can find Chromatica on Facebook. Tickets for all concerts are also available at the door.
BLUE STAR MOMS
Blue Star Moms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit support and service group for families with sons/daughters in the military. Their mission is to support active military, veterans, families who have lost sons/daughters while serving (Gold Star families), and those who have been wounded. There are two major packing events each year where the group packs boxes with snacks, proteins, toiletries, and other items to send to troops deployed overseas. To gather items for the packages, several drop-off events are held to collect donations of items. The next collection will be held Saturday, April 14 from 9AM to 2PM, at Safeway which is located at 7499 Dublin Blvd, Dublin. For a list of needed items or more information, visit www.bluestarmoms. org, contact Pat Levy at plevybsm@gmail.com, or call 925-775-5084. Monetary donations are always appreciated to cover postage expenses. Checks can be made payable to and mailed to Blue Star Moms, PO Box 2537 San Ramon, CA 94538.
TREATS FOR THE TROOPS
Charity group Delta Nu Psi has now sent over 19 tons of gourmet junk food to American servicemen and women located in the War Zones! This is made possible by contributions from individuals in the Alamo and Danville communities. The group will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on Friday, April th 6 , and at Lunardi’s in Danville on April 13th. Collection hours are 11:30AM until 1:30PM. Please shop for the men and women serving the United States. To learn more and see photos of recipients receiving packages, visit www. deltanupsi.org.
ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMER’S
Are you a new resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk, or Diablo, a longtime resident, newly retired, or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on April 24th from 10AM to noon. Please RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
STATE OF THE TOWN & COMMUNITY AWARDS
The Danville Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the Annual State of the Town and Community Awards Luncheon. Mayor Newell Arnerich presented an update on the latest happenings in Danville, the Community Awards were given, and the worthy recipients were recognized. Here are the well-deserved winners who are making a difference in Danville. Business Person of the Year – Dr. Jerome Potozkin, Potozkin MD Skin Care Center Business of the Year – Color Bundles Art Studio Citizen of the Year – Chris McCrary, Devil Mountain Run Founder Charitable Organization of the Year – Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area Employee of the Year – Shirley Jacks, Discovery Counseling Center “These awards represent the vision and philosophy of not only the Chamber but of the Town of Danville as well with their stewardship of ‘Live Locally’,” says Zae Perrin, President of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have multifaceted recipients this year and each one shares the immeasurable value of giving back to their community.”
CHILD SAFETY PROGRAM
On Saturday, April 21st, the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley will host a program for parents and children at Lunardi’s Market, located at 345 Railroad Ave. in Danville, from 10AM to noon. The morning features safety events and activities for both parents and children including fingerprint kit assembly, tours of a fire engine and talks about fire safety, learning about reptiles with Jungle Jim, information about computer safety, and barnyard animals and pony rides. Participants include Little Reds Barnyard Animals, Jungle Jim and his reptiles, Danville Police Volunteers, San Ramon Valley Fire Department, the National Charity League, and the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5
GAMBLERS AND DREAMERS: THE CHINESE AND THE IRON ROAD
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) announces the second phase of the Gamblers and Dreamers exhibit: The Chinese and the Iron Road. This exhibit first opened at the Chinese Historical Museum in San Francisco and then was on exhibition at Stanford University. It now has moved to MSRV. The Chinese and the Iron Road provides a stunning visual understanding of the incredibly difficult work accomplished by Chinese laborers to build the railroad from California across the Sierras and ending at Promontory Point, Utah. Informational panels will show pictures of the work and life of the Chinese workers. Accompanying these photos is a story-line that provides insights and details, providing a deeper understanding of their lives. A reproduction of a typical railroad camp will be on display showing how the workers actually lived. MEALS ON WHEELS AND SENIOR The second part of the exhibit covers the story of Chinese immigration. It starts at the Gold Rush in 1849, OUTREACH SERVICES IS NOW… th covers the 12,000 men who built the railroad, and continues on through the 19 century. What happened to theses people? Did they return to China? What jobs did they take? Did they settle in California? Did they settle in the San Ramon Valley? These and other questions complete this exhibit and give new insight into the Chinese that connected the west and helped it to prosper. On Saturdays at the Museum, local Chinese Americans will share their insights and stories on the Chinese in California, past and present. The exhibit will run March 25-June 10 at the MSRV located at 205 Railroad Ave, Danville. For more TOGETHER, WE CAN DELIVER ™ information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750. The Museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 1-4PM, 50 years of service in Contra Costa County—Through Saturday from 10AM-1PM, and Sunday from Noon-3PM. evolution and impact, we continue to address seniors’ most pressing issues of hunger and isolation.
ROLE PLAYERS ENSEMBLE PRESENTS THE ROVER
It’s Carnival time in Naples. A band of banished English cavaliers is looking for adventure and love, and so are the women they meet. Who’s chasing whom? Everyone meets their match. Full of seduction, sword fights, and bawdy humor, The Rover is credited with launching the phrase “the battle of the sexes.” The Rover was written by Aphra Behn, a woman decidedly ahead of her time. Born not long after Shakespeare died, Ms. Behn was a poet, novelist and playwright, as well as a spy for the King of England. She was the first English woman to openly consider herself a writer by profession. The Rover was produced in 1677 during the period called The Restoration, when England experienced a reversal of the previous stringent Puritan morality under Oliver Cromwell. Theatres reopened, bawdy "Restoration comedies” became popular, and women were allowed onstage. The Rover is among the most popular and successful of these comedies, both shocking and delighting audiences with abundant sexuality. Role Players Ensemble will present the show Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, April 13-29 at ! The Village Theatre, located at 233 Front Street, Danville. Buy tickets online at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com, at Danville Community Center located at 420 Front St, Danville, or by calling 925-314-3400.
New name, unified voice—By aligning with the national senior advocacy movement and Meals on Wheels of America branding, we amplify our impact.
Expanded role—We are going even further to enable seniors to live independently and with dignity at home through whole person care and collaborative partnerships.
More than a meal—As the county’s provider-of-choice, we connect seniors to critical services and solutions that keep our seniors’ best interests at heart.
Help kick-off the next 50 years—Celebrate our 50th Anniversary on May 12, at Blackhawk Museums. Purchase Gala tickets at mowsos.org/events/gala. GET INVOLVED TODAY!
OR MEALS ON WHEELS DIABLO REGION IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION (IRS #68-0044205)
WWW.MOWDIABLOREGION.ORG / 925.937.8311 !
!
chromatica
BACKPACK AND SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR LOCAL TEENS
Did you know there are many teens-in-need right in our own school district? Last year the San Ramon Valley Unified School District reached out to the Pledge to Humanity organization with an urgent plea noting that they were in desperate need of school supplies for local teens. The San Ramon Valley High Pledge To Humanity club has started a back-to-school drive to collect now for the next school year. Are you ready for a change? The group is collecting NEW donations of school supplies including backpacks, binders, binder paper, (925) 360-7051 calculators, USB flash livingleanprogram.com drives, pens/pencils, and spiral notebooks. Living Lean Personal Training & Nutrition Items can be donated to the San Ramon Valley High School attendance office in the PTH bin or on the front porch of 451 Bolla Place, Alamo. Collection runs through April 30th. Thank you for supporting this important cause!
MASS IMPRESSIONS: from Victoria to Gjeilo Come enjoy a choral collage of memorable movements from notable masses
Tickets available at the door or through www.TicketRiver.com. $20 adults / $10 students / free for children 10 and under For more information about Chromatica please email us at Chromatica4YOU@att.net, find us on Facebook, or visit our website at www.ChromaticaChorale.org.
Sunday, April 22, 2018 St. Paul Lutheran Church 1658 Excelsior Avenue OAKLAND 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 26, 2018 Lafayette Library Community Hall 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard LAFAYETTE 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28, 2018 Peace Lutheran Church 3201 Camino Tassajara DANVILLE 7:00 p.m. / reception following
Chromatica is a California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation registered as a 501(c)(3)
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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB
MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Please join the Danville Women’s Club (DWC) on Thursday, April 19th for our monthly luncheon. We will be having a tea. Space is limited so sign up early. Micah Naler, a renowned violinist, will be playing during the tea and will also be giving a talk afterwards. Socializing begins at 11am, the speaker will give his talk at 11:30am, and lunch will be served at noon. Reservations are required. Please contact Bonnie at (925) 743-9437, or e-mail danvillewc@gmail.com to sign up for this event and obtain more information (lunch is free for first-timers). Monthly luncheons take place at the DWC, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa Avenue in Danville.
SHREDDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
It’s time to protect your identity and declutter your space! Come to the Danville Women’s Club parking lot, on Saturday, April 7th from 9am to 12:30pm and let the services of Diablo Paper Shredding destroy your documents for $10 per banker’s box. When the job is done, you can be provided with a certificate of destruction endorsed by the National Association for Information Destruction. Please use banker’s boxes. Papers stapled or paper clipped are acceptable (no large metal clips or plastic though). Shredding day is a fundraiser for the Patty Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund for high school seniors.
ANNUAL FASHION SHOW!
The Danville Women’s Club’s 22nd annual spring luncheon and fashion show will be held at the Blackhawk Country Club main ballroom on May 3rd from 11am to 2:30pm. Tickets are $55/ person. Net proceeds will benefit Hospice of the East Bay and other charities. Fashions will be presented by The Red Box, in Walnut Creek. Contact Lori at dwcfashionshow@ gmail.com by Monday, April 23rd to reserve your seat. Get a group together---the tables are round, seating 10. Please bring extra cash for opportunity drawings and silent auctions (and for buying your favorite beverage at the bar!).
SRVRWF SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated group proudly presents their 2018 scholarship winners: Amanda Mobley (Monte Vista High), Sarah Bodisco (San Ramon Valley High), and Meghan Burr (Dougherty Valley High). Please join SRVRWF in honoring the scholarship winners at a special event to be held Tuesday, April 24 at Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Social time begins at 5:30pm and dinner at 6pm. The cost is $45. Family, friends, and Amanda Mobley Sarah Bodisco Meghan Burr students are cordially invited. Reservations can be made online at www.srvwf.org or by calling Marianne at 925-447-7023 or Carol at 925-820-0774.
Time to Jump in!
BRW PRESENT MARK MEUSER, J.D.
CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE STATE’S CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER
On Thursday, April 12th, the Blackhawk Republican Women (BRW) present Mark Meuser, J.D. at the Blackhawk Country Club, Grille Room. Everyone is welcome. Check-in and social with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar begins at 5:30PM and the speaker will present at 6PM. Meuser’s priority is to bring the office into the 21st century to turn injustices around through open and accessible government that works for Californians, not against them, protecting the rights of citizens to vote and petition their government, restoring the people’s confidence in open, secure, and fair elections, and utilizing the knowledge and experience of Silicon Valley to modernize the way businesses register in the state. Reservations and payment can be made up until Tuesday, April 10th at noon at www. blackhawkrepublicanwomen.com or by contacting Barbara Wilson at bkwilso@ pacbell.net or 925-736-4064.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7
PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
By Jamie Westgate, Principal
This past month our school was blessed to host Grandparents’ Day. I can’t think of a better way to bring joy to a school campus than to bring kids and grandparents together! We hosted a chapel full of song, poetry, and praise for our grandparents and had classroom visits to show off special projects. Hugs, smiles, and tears of joy permeated our campus, warming the hearts of all who attended. Some of us who are now adults grew up with reminders to “Respect your elders!” We knew the generation before us held keys to a treasure chest of valuable life experiences, and we were encouraged to unlock its wisdom. Unfortunately, today’s society doesn’t always model the importance of being respectful, and our kids may be receiving mixed messages. It is our deep desire at SRVCA that students are taught to respect adults, peers, self, and God. This is not something that is simply absorbed; rather it needs to be taught to children. The Bible reminds us in Titus 3:1-2, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Parents are always going to love their children, but if they want other people to love them as well, then they need to teach them how to be respectful. We are committed to partnering with parents to help shape the hearts of our students to learn what it means to value another above self. This important truth is something we could definitely learn from our “grandparent generation” who grew up respecting others and working hard in order to provide for others above self. Here are some of the exciting things we’re looking forward to this month: th 6 grade overnight science camp, 4th grade field trip to Alcatraz, Ancient Greek Day, and the 3rd grade trip to Danville’s One-Room Schoolhouse. All of these special activities let us practice ways to build great memories and put into practice what it means to model good citizenship to those around us.
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ALAMO ELEMENTARY
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK By Stan Hitomi, Principal
April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Yo e of We Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Alamo or Danville Home for Sale According to industry experts, there Alamo,Danville Alamo,Danville - over 33 physical problems that will come under areer 33 physical pro ysical problems that will come un ysical problems that will come under ver 33 physical pro scrutiny during a home inspection when your home er is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away
altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help homesellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1866-265-1682 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
There is a saying that if you “whistle while you work,” your task will go more quickly and easily. Our version of this at Alamo School is “smile while you learn.” I can think of no better example of this than the many gardening opportunities at Alamo School. Any student who is outdoors with a shovel in his/her hand, and digging dirt can’t help but be happy, smiling, and learning! Thanks to the efforts of Lynn Hoaglin, our garden educator, Alamo School has been transformed into the “Garden Campus” of our district. No school has more gardens-per-square-foot than Alamo, from the many pots, barrels, and planter 00941526 This report is courtesy of McDaniel Callahan CalBRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buy ers or sellers currently under contract. Copy right © 2016 boxes to the 10,000 sq. ft. terraced, teaching garden in the back of the school. Each classroom of students rotates through garden experiences once in the fall and again STONE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL in the spring. Every student gets to plant flowers and perform maintenance or watering. By Jon Campopiano, Principal Recent developments include the planting of over 1,000 bulbs on Recently some of our students participated in peaceful Daffodil Hill! This beautification project has transformed a barren hillside protests on campus in response to the recent tragedy at Marjory into a sight that can’t help but bring a smile to any onlooker. Adjacent to Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Our students left Daffodil Hill is Mrs. Flores’ Monarch Restoration Project. Her 4th grade classrooms and met at the lunch tables for about 17 minutes students take turns maintaining a butterfly garden by using a variety of and then peacefully returned to class, as instructed, to continue environmentally friendly strategies including the use of California natives learning. Administration was present the entire time to ensure and maintaining the area as a pesticide-free zone. student safety. We respect the right of our students to advocate In its’ second year, Harvest of the Month is a program that provides a for causes that are important to them and support their efforts connection between our gardens and the classroom. The program was to do so in an authorized and orderly manner while at school. We thank our students for started by parent Christina Heil and is now being managed by another the way they conducted themselves while allowing their civic voices to be heard. parent, Jennifer Brown. The idea is to be planting what the students are Montair, Rancho Romero, and Alamo Elementary fifth graders and families joined learning to eat as the garden-to-classroom connection. us in March as they prepared and planned for Middle School. They met Larry the In addition to our current students, our gardens have been a place Lion, listened to our fantastic jazz band, and received tours from our WEB (Where where students can “give back” to Alamo School. The most successful Everyone Belongs) leaders. The energy, enthusiasm, and positive spirits lifted the program in creating this cross-generational connection has been the Eagle entire campus. We look forward to them joining the PRIDE family. Scout program. Jesse Wenger installed a garden-wide drip system for the Kudos to Mr. Loomer and our amazing musicians who shined brightly at both teaching garden in 2015, while in 2014 David Henderson created our San Ramon Valley and Monte Vista Band Festivals recently. I am filled with joy and stump bench amphitheater where our music classes often meet. In 2013 pride when I watch our students perform. Additionally, Mr. Wassom and Mr. Loomer Steven Waal built a pair of rock benches that afford a beautiful view of traveled to Disneyland with over 100 students, and our musicians performed and Mt. Diablo, and in that same year Kyle Remmert constructed a “teaching played at the happiest place on earth. fence” to keep our teachers safe from failing off the edge of the garden Thank you to our science department (Ms. Boiter, Ms. Butler Doran, Mr.Hager, as they teach garden classes. Shourya Munjal renovated the 100–200 and Mr. Wassom) for hosting our science night. Over 75 students and parents joined classroom-wing garden which is now a showplace for California Natives us for stargazing, experiments, and interactive activities. Additionally, the entire sixth and a great place to teach about the connections between plants and their grade enjoyed a field trip to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. environment. Vinny Prasad and Colby Milligan are cued up for future What is Stone Valley Access? We are pleased and proud of our SV Access tutorial Eagle Scout projects in 2018. program. This is the first year where students can receive extra study time and support, Finally, our gardens are really a reflection of the people involved in every Wednesday, for 35 minutes. Students can select teachers to work with, or they both their development and upkeep. School nurse Sharon Dodson and are “invited” to receive extra support in a specific class. All students participate in parent volunteers Melanie Volk and Lisa Dempster were early catalysts a range of activities, from re-taking a test, making up a mile run, receiving small spearheading the Teaching Garden. But things really took off when Lynn group re-teaching on essential content standards, attending homework engagement/ Hoaglin joined our staff. ZAP(Zeros Aren’t Permitted), enjoying silent sustained reading, or having a study Lynn was inspired by her father who exposed her to gardening at an hall to complete homework. We firmly believe that our mission is to ensure that each early age. Their 1/2 acre backyard garden was a source of relaxation for her student learns at or above grade level, and SV Access time is an important part of our father. It eventually led Lynn to an interest that now includes memberships learning environment. Based on the success this year, we are excited about offering in both the Alamo/Danville Garden Club and the Diablo Garden Club. SV Access twice a week to our students next year. She credits parent Kathy Finley as a major source of information and Finally, I wanted to express sincere appreciation for the work that our PTA and inspiration in our current garden efforts. Kathy, who has been managing Stone Valley Ed Foundation performs throughout the year. PTA President Leah Moss the landscaping on San Jose’s Santana Row, has been generous with her and Ed Fund Co-Presidents Jenny Beardslee and Ginny Peterson bring a thoughtful, time and expertise in keeping our gardens maintained and helping new kind, and can-do perspective to each and every meeting and activity. Stone Valley projects such as the Eagle Scout gardens. Lynn also cites parent Zack Smith is great place for students because of the ongoing support of our staff and parent as the garden handyman who created the too-cute-to-believe bird houses volunteers. Raising successful children takes a strong community, and we have one. See Alamo continued on page 14 We are excited about what lies ahead and thankful for the work that has taken place.
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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL
By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal
March was quite a month at Monte Vista, and both students and faculty were happy to take a well-deserved week off for spring break. There have been a bunch of happenings at MV over the past few weeks as well as quite a bit to come. Monte Vista kicked off the month with a visit from a WASC accreditation team, which spent three days observing and evaluating our programs and practices. The visit concluded with a positive affirmation of our actions plans and a clear direction for our school. Our students, staff, parents, and community were amazing hosts for the seven-member visiting team, and I would like to thank MV’s PTSA, particularly our president, Janet Nunan, for making the visiting team feel welcome and keeping them well-fed. That same week, MV welcomed the incoming members of the Class of 2022 and their families at our annual Freshman Parent Night. The next evening, Monte Vista’s Faculty hosted AP/CTE Night where our returning students had the opportunity to make decisions about which courses to take next school year. These two events were well-attended by our community, and we really enjoyed seeing everyone on campus. I want to give a huge shout-out to our Counseling Team and to MV teacher Jordan Kither for their work on each respective event. March 12th brought another special event to Monte Vista in our first Up2You program, which provided students and parents real life examples of how poor choices can affect a person’s life. Program presenters included two Monte Vista families whose shared their experiences of how quickly lives can change. The presentations pulled no punches and had a great impact on those who attended. Many thanks to our presenters and to MV’s Andrea Greco for such an impactful program. Monte Vista’s Women’s Soccer made history on March 10th by winning the first ever CIF NorCal Regional Championship against a tough Mitty High team. MV’s Megan Edelman scored a spectacular goal early in the second half, and MV’s defense repeatedly squashed several late game pushes by the Monarchs to secure a 1-0 victory. A few days later, our team was honored with a #1 state and national ranking to complete their dream season. What a great season for this amazing group of young women! On Saturday, March 24th, Monte Vista celebrated its annual Junior Prom at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland. The weather was great, and our students truly made it a memorable event. I would like to thank the many parent and faculty volunteers, our leadership class, and our activities director, Andrea Greco for all of their work for putting together this amazing and classy event. It has been an awesome run for the Mustangs so far this year. We look forward to the home stretch as we plunge into April and onward towards graduation.
FRIENDS OF DANVILLE LIBRARY BOOK SALE
Friends of Danville Library (FODL) will host a book sale April 27-29. The library is located at 400 Front Street in Danville. Friday, April 27: FODL Members preview 9am - 10am, Public hours: 10am - 5pm Saturday, April 28 : Public hours: 10am - 4pm Sunday, April 29 - $5 Bag sale, Public hours:12:05pm - 3:45pm Friday and Saturday all hardcover books, books on tape, and DVD’s are $2, and all paperback books and CD’s are $1.
CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB
Dean Gloster will present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Death Scene: Why and How to Use Humor in Serious Stories at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo branch, California Writers Club on Saturday, April 14th at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Gloster will discuss how getting past myths about using humor (comedy) isn’t difficult and can be learned. He’ll explain the eight reasons why people laugh and ten reasons to use humor in serious stories. Dean is a former stand-up comedian who holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sign-in starts at 11am. The luncheon including a short business meeting, will take place from 12 to 12:45pm, and the speaker will present from 1pm to 2pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members and $30 for guests. Reservations are required and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, April 11th. To reserve a spot visit the CWC Mt. Diablo website at cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting/.
By Maria Ward, Principal CONGRATULATIONS!
We congratulate our eighth-grade students who applied to De La Salle and Carondelet high schools. They were all accepted and they are looking forward to their next educational ventures. Some students chose our incredible public high schools to start their freshman year experiences. It is rewarding to see our graduates leave to attend different schools while staying so connected to St. Isidore. Our students continue building on the strong foundations they were provided here and excelling on their scholastic journeys. We would also love to congratulate Ava Conte. Ava attended the Contra Costa Science and Engineering Fair held in March. What an amazing experience! There were many projects from seventh through twelfth-grade students. Different public and private schools throughout the county were represented. Ava was awarded third place in her middle school division. Way to go Ava!
WE LOVE OUR GREEN TEAM
Did you know St. Isidore School has a GREEN TEAM? What is it, you ask? It is a student-led team consisting of students on our leadership team and students who have shown an interest in keeping our campus green. Mrs. Gilchrist, our science teacher, facilitates this group. The group promotes and collaborates on ways to create a campus that is more energy efficient by coming up with different methods to reduce waste and water, and to recycle. We believe a clean campus is a happy campus.
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN
We are excited to continue our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program for the 2018–2019 school year. Our academic program is a wonderful place for students to begin to love learning. The Department of Catholic Schools guidelines state that students qualify for the TK program if they turn five years old between September 2, 2018, and March 1, 2019 (ie, if they didn’t meet the September 1st deadline for our Kindergarten program). TK will consist of a four-hour program with the option for an enrichment program during the remaining hours of the regular school day. For more information, please call the school office at 925-837-2977 and ask for Mrs. Tripaldi.
ST. ISIDORE IS A WONDERFUL PLACE WITH A FABULOUS COMMUNITY
Each day, we recognize how blessed we are to be a part of this school and parish. There are a few spaces available at St. Isidore, and we are accepting applications. We welcome you to come be a part of St. Isidore School and we are happy to give you a personal tour to see our amazing campus. Come see what a Catholic education is all about.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11
FAQ Contra Costa
Starting this April, residents and businesses in Danville and Alamo, along with Concord, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon, and unincorporated Contra Costa County will have more renewable and locally controlled energy service with MCE at lower rates than PG&E, or they can choose another option.
CHOOSE FROM 33%, 50%, OR 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY
50%
MCE Light Green | 50% RENEWABLE Take no action to start saving automatically in April with Light Green 50% renewable energy. MCE Deep Green | 100% RENEWABLE Eliminate your electricity–related carbon footprint by opting up to 100% California renewable energy at mceCleanEnergy.org/DG–enroll or 1 (888) 632–3674.*
33%
PG&E | 33% RENEWABLE You can choose to opt out and continue purchasing energy from PG&E at mceCleanEnergy.org/opt–out or 1 (888) 632–3674.*
*Please have your PG&E account number on hand.
How does MCE affect electricity services for Danville and Alamo residents and businesses?
Aside from having access to more renewable energy, not much will change. Residents and businesses can choose 50–100% renewable energy from a local public agency. MCE customers continue to enjoy the same reliable electricity service, with PG&E delivering power, maintaining the wires, and providing billing and gas services.
Is MCE’s power supply more renewable than PG&E’s?
HOW MCE WORKS
YOUR SERVICE OPTIONS
SOURCE
DELIVERY
CUSTOMER
Buy and build cleaner energy
Deliver energy, maintain lines, and send bills
Benefit from renewables, choice, and local control
MCE
PG&E
YOU
Yes, considerably! MCE’s power supply contains a higher portion of renewable resources like solar, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal. According to the most recent California Energy Commission Power Content Labels, MCE’s Light Green service is 55% renewable and PG&E’s service is 33% renewable.
Does MCE cost less than PG&E?
Which communities does MCE serve?
Yes. MCE’s 50% renewable electricity costs less than PG&E’s 33% renewable electricity. Part of MCE’s mission is to provide stable and competitive rates. MCE has reduced rates the past two years in a row. Discount programs such as CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline are unaffected by enrollment; these customers receive the same discount with MCE as they would with PG&E. For rates and cost comparisons visit: mceCleanEnergy.org/rates
MCE has been serving Bay Area electric customers since 2010. Today, about 255,000 customers in Marin and Napa Counties, and the cities of Benicia, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Richmond, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek are buying more renewable energy from MCE. Concord, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon, and unincorporated Contra Costa County (including Alamo) will enroll with MCE in April.
Will my billing change?
How is MCE funded?
No. PG&E will continue to send one monthly bill. Instead of one fee that combines charges for the delivery and generation of your electricity, the bill will show separate charges — one for electric delivery (PG&E) and one for electric generation (MCE). MCE’s generation rates simply replace the generation charges you currently pay to PG&E; they are not an additional charge.
WE’RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!
Like PG&E, MCE is funded by electricity ratepayers through their monthly energy purchases. MCE is not funded by taxpayers. A cornerstone to MCE’s mission is to redirect ratepayer dollars back to local economies, and reinvest in its communities by providing low, stable rates, supporting local workforce development, and partnering with community–based organizations.
mceCleanEnergy.org/ContraCosta | 1(888) 632–3674 | info@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL By Jason Krolikowski, Principal
March was a busy month for both staff and students, we are eagerly looking forward to Spring Recess, March 30-April 8. We hope this time will recharge everyone to prepare for a rewarding end of the school year and allow for some PDF - Play, Family time, and Downtime. Our students displayed both pride and resolve this past month as we administered the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests. We challenged our 11th grade students to take the test and give their very best effort. We exceeded our goal of 95% student participation rate and raised it to 98% and above, for both Math and English Language Arts testing. We are anxiously awaiting the preliminary results which should be available in June. These results will help us plan our focus for the 2018-19 school year as well as identify strengths and areas for improvement with our students. We also had many other activities that highlighted our students’ talent including Robotics Team competition in San Diego, Mr. GQ, Girls Varsity Basketball going deep into the Northern California regional playoffs, and Junior Prom. Additionally, our performing arts programs, such as vocal and instrumental music, drama, and other clubs on campus participated in competitions and performed exceptionally well. Student course registration for the 2018-19 school year has concluded, and students have been busy planning their schedules for next year and making important decisions. Meanwhile, our seniors are receiving college admissions notification and getting ready for a memorable and exciting countdown to graduation. I am sure the class of 2018 will be well represented across the nation in college and the workforce as they pursue their post high school dreams. Let me conclude by offering you my appreciation for the support of our community. Our students are a direct representation of our environment, and it may be cliché, but I learn more from them than they learn from myself. I am grateful, daily, to be the Principal at SRVHS. Thank you for your support and belief in San Ramon Valley High School. Go Wolves!
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DIABLO VALLEY’S ASSISTEENS RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS
Assisteens®, an auxiliary of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, is now accepting applications from tweens and teens who will be entering grades 7-12 in the fall of 2018. Assisteens Auxiliary currently represents 17 schools in the local community. Assisteens commit to a minimum of 35 volunteer hours per year. Activities include philanthropic community service programs, fundraising, monthly meetings, and special events. As a result, Assisteens learn the value of volunteerism while developing leadership and organizational skills. One fundraiser involves a fashion show. The Assisteens recently held their eighth annual Fashion Show and Tea. Assisteens gathered items for Opportunity Baskets,
organized a Silent Auction, and prepared a tea. Additionally, they modeled fashions provided by the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, the well-known landmark and primary fundraising arm located in Lafayette. After members of the senior class modeled prom dresses, the event concluded with a parade. Assisteens Auxiliary invites tweens and teens not only to join but to bring a friend. The deadline for applications is September 30. To learn more, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org, and click on “Assisteens.”
PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
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COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISION IMPLEMENTS CHANGES TO MAKE VOTING BETTER THIS YEAR By Supervisor Candace Andersen
When you go to vote in the June primary election, you will see a lot of changes implemented by the County Elections Department. They have a revamped Contra Costa Elections website, new voting machines, and even new “I Voted” stickers! But perhaps the most important thing you’ll notice is the attention to detail by county staff to continue to improve the voting experience for all. Besides voting by mail, which many voters already participate in, Contra Costa County will again have seven Regional Early Voting sites that provide even more flexibility in casting your ballot. Early voting sites are open a week prior to an election. The site information can be found on the County Elections Division website at www.cocovote.us. In addition to all the options Contra Costa residents have for early voting, the County’s Elections Division has improved the experience for those who vote in person on election day. Voters will see an additional language on their voting materials starting this year, as the Contra Costa Elections Division has added Chinese to the current English and Spanish language. The Federal Voting Rights Act requires that a language be included in materials when 10,000 voters, or 5% of a county’s voting age citizens, speak a specific language. The County was informed in 2016 by the Department of Justice that we had reached that threshold. This means that the official ballot and Voter Information Guide will appear in all three languages. Written material will be in traditional Chinese, and the Elections Division will provide audio language assistance in Cantonese and Mandarin. The Elections Division is rolling out a brand-new voting system, though voters and poll workers will not notice any significant change in the voting process. The new Democracy Suite system by Dominion Voting is a paper-based system that utilizes a fill-in-the-bubble style ballot that is tabulated by digital imaging. The new voting system will decrease the time it takes to tabulate final results, which means we’ll have faster results in the days following Election Day. It also eliminates the cost of repairing failing equipment, as the previous voting system which was used since 2005 had exceeded its useful life. It also allows Contra Costa County to meet accessible voting requirements and provide more meaningful language accommodations for all voters. While the Elections staff has always worked to make sure polling places are accessible, this year they’ve taken that commitment to the next level. After reviewing different ways to help poll workers understand the importance of creating an accessible polling place, the elections division created a class for poll workers that highlights every aspect of accessibility in the polling place. They call this class APPLE, which stands for Accessible Polling Place Locations and Equipment. Lessons include looking at how sites are surveyed for compliance with federal accessibility standards, how to use items such as ramps and signs to make polling places accessible, and how to create a welcoming environment for all voters. The APPLE class also gives real examples of inaccessible polling places, and guides poll workers on how to identify accessibility issues and how to use the ballot-marking device. Camille Cain, one of the Elections Division staff members who developed and teaches the course commented, “There are a lot of a-ha moments, where poll workers see that a lot of voters may have common challenges they never thought about. It’s a real eye opener. Accessibility is not just for the people who need it; it’s for everybody.” Poll workers lauded the new class, saying it has opened their eyes to the importance of identifying barriers and mitigating them to create accessibility. “It gave me all of the insight and a different thought process about how we can make voting more accessible for all people,” said Mohsin Ali of San Ramon. Ali, a poll worker who volunteers at the polling location at the San Ramon Senior Center, says the class gave him a different perspective and will make him more cognizant of items such as sign placement, door pressure, and other voter needs. “The class doesn’t just focus on one class of people, but how we can make all voters comfortable,” Ali said. For information about all of these programs and for more information about the many ways to vote, visit the County Elections Division website at www.cocovote.us. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
VALLEY VIGNETTES By Beverly Lane
THE DANVILLE-ALAMO RANCHO SAN RAMON
The Pachecos loved the valleys around Mount Diablo. Beginning in 1828, members of the Pacheco clan petitioned for and received Mexican land grants north, west, and south of the mountain, which was then called El Sierra de los Bolbones after the Volvon (Bay Miwok) Indians of the Clayton area. The land provided excellent forage for cattle and had been part of Mission San Jose’s huge grazing territory. Since the missions had been closed by the Mexican government, the land was available to retired soldiers. The main drawback was hostile Indian activity around Mount Diablo; they were no longer the friendly villagers Father Juan Crespi had described 50 years earlier. Juan Salvio Pacheco; his wife, Maria Carmen del Valle; and their children were first generation Spanish settlers who came to San Francisco in 1776 with the Anza expedition. Their grandson Salvio Pacheco successfully petitioned for the Rancho Monte del Diablo (Concord) in 1828, their daughter-in-law Juana Sanchez de Pacheco received the Rancho Arroyo de las Nueces y Bolbones (Walnut Creek) in 1834, and their son Bartolome Pacheco (with his nephew Mariano Castro) were granted the Rancho San Ramon (Valley) in 1833. Thus, Pachecos became the first non-Indian owners of Concord, Walnut Creek, and the San Ramon Valley. Gov. Jose Figueroa granted Pacheco and Castro two square leagues of land which today would include Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon (to Crow Canyon Road), following the San Ramon Creek watershed. Castro received the northern league and Pacheco the southern, for a total of over 8,000 acres. The sketch-maps or disenos of that day were more conceptual than exact since there were few trained surveyors, and boundaries were mutually agreed upon by neighboring owners. Cattle herds moved over large areas at will, with periodic roundups and
Diseno showing the Castro-Pacheco Rancho San Ramon with the valley shortened; It shows San Ramon Creek flowing out of Bollinger Canyon with the west at the top, north to the right.Most maps have north on the top but this one does not. Also with larger paper, the diseno (sketch-map) would have been probably twice as long, not square as this is since it included north SR and all of Danville and Alamo.
slaughters producing the hides and tallow which were the ranchos’ most important product. Brands were registered with the California Mexican government, and roundups sorted cattle by marking calves with the cow’s brand. In the 1830s, the San Ramon Valley was wild country with abundant game and
See Rancho continued on page 26
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 13
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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
CLIP NOTES
By Jody Morgan
What is a dry farm tomato? My initial exposure to the expression suggested the fruit once commonly grown in Contra Costa County had disappeared from local production decades ago. Actually, a number of farmers in California are currently growing dry farm tomatoes for a specialty market of enlightened consumers and gourmet restaurants. In her 1997 interview narrated by Pat Boom, Ruth Quayle Boone describes the technique. Ruth had recently willed the remaining 16 acres of the once 375-acre property known as Forest Home Farms to the City of San Ramon in memory of her husband Travis. In talking about the farm Travis knew as a boy, she recalls that his father Numa had “a large acreage down at the lower end of the ranch in the dry farm tomatoes.” Trying to save the farm and make ends meet during the Great Depression, the Boones set up a roadside table on what is now San Ramon Valley Boulevard to sell produce to weekend excursionists. Tomatoes were a popular item along with figs, walnuts, and eventually homemade jam. Ruth explains, “Now dry farm tomatoes, we can’t raise today at all, but in those days we were getting around 30 inches of rain every year. So all they had to do was cultivate frequently, and that would bring the moisture up so you didn’t have to irrigate.” Captioned photographs in the Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s 2016 Art of Survival exhibit referred to many dry farm tomato enterprises in the San Ramon and Tassajara Valley. Many of the Japanese-American families living in the area prior to World War II (when their sons enlisted in the US military, and other family members were incarcerated in internment camps) raised dry farm tomatoes. Most locally grown tomatoes went to the cannery in Walnut Creek for processing. The Hirano family farmed off what is now Camino Tassajara. The Handa family grew tomatoes in Alamo. The Hikido family practiced dry land tomato farming in the Tassajara Valley. The Yonemoto family had 17 acres devoted to tomatoes on Deercliff Ranch, current site of Rose Garden
SPRING IN THE VINEYARD
By Monica Chappell
Spring time is the perfect time to visit wine country. I can think of at least three compelling reasons to spend time in a wine region, any wine region. First, if you’re already a fan of a region’s wines, it can be an exciting experience to meet its winemakers who are passionate and eager to talk about their art. Second, there is no better way to explore the world than by visiting great wine properties; many older wine estates are built on the most spectacular sites. Third, where there is a first-rate wine, delicious food is rarely far behind. Living in Northern California affords us the opportunity to visit wine country as often as we care to. Here are a few tips to make your visit a success. • Book the wineries in advance. You can try simply showing up at the winery, but keep in mind that the finest places are often the least accessible. • Observe the basic rules of etiquette. If you have an appointment, call if you’re running more than 15 minutes late, and don’t be a no show. Word gets around. • Dress comfortably. Wine touring requires a lot of footwork. If you’re sampling in a wine cellar, the floor will probably be cold and damp, so come prepared. • Show interest. Listen to what the pourer is saying, and ask questions but don’t pretend you are an expert. You’re there to learn and have fun. • Offer a few words of praise. Start slowly; odds are your host will begin with the lesser wines and work up to the more serious in the portfolio. Offering too much of a fuss too early on will seem insincere. • Remember to spit. You won’t be expected to drink everything you are given to taste, but if you drain each glass, your day will be over before lunch. • Do comparative tastings. Tasting rooms offer a terrific opportunity to taste wines against each other. If there are two chardonnays being offered
Shopping Center and Best Western Inn. They farmed another 100 acres in the Tassajara Valley. In the only photograph of dry land tomato farming acquired to date by the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Koben Yonemoto waters seedlings in starter boxes prior to their transplantation to the fields. Dry farming, as defined by the California Ag Water Stewardship Initiative, utilizes “residual moisture in the soil from the rainy season, usually in a region that receives 20” or more of annual rainfall. Dry farming works to conserve soil moisture during long dry periods primarily through a system of tillage, surface protection, and the use of drought-resistant varieties.” Fertile soil that retains water is essential. A 3-4” blanket of dry soil, thoroughly tilled as soon as winter rains are finished, acts as a sponge to bring moisture from below. The downside is that harvests and produce are usually much smaller than in irrigated fields. But the reduced water content yields much higher concentrations of sugar and flavor. Jim Curry, one of the founders of Molino Creek Farm in Santa Cruz County, has been growing dry farm tomatoes since 1982. The farm’s website declares: “Our fruit is singularly sweet, juicy, and flavorful: a testament both to the rectitude of our biointensive farming methods and insights that arise only from living on the land you farm.” The website of nearby Happy Boy Farm boasts about the Early Girl variety they most frequently grow: “While dry farmed tomatoes might look like ‘normal’ tomatoes, their taste is anything but ordinary. These smaller, round, bright red fruits pack an intense flavor and a rich texture…” David Little started Little Organic Farm over 20 years ago. With 60 acres in plots across Marin and Sonoma Counties, he dry farms several fruits and vegetables besides tomatoes. He relates that timing is critical. If you don’t prepare the soil soon enough or plant too late, there is no way to save a crop. Dryland agriculture is a time-honored tradition for producing high-quality grapes. In Europe, irrigation of wine grapes is prohibited in many regions. Several California vineyards have adopted the technique. While most supermarkets promote bigger as better, a Sebastopol Whole Foods Market touts flavor-packed dry-farm tomatoes as a customer attraction. UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa offer detailed information on how to grow dry farm tomatoes in Contra Costa County. for tasting, taste them side-by-side. You’ll enjoy tasting the differences and learning more. • Buy a bottle. You don’t have to, but it’s a polite gesture. And if you’ve had a nice chat with the winemaker, ask him to sign the bottle. Most wineries charge to taste but often deduct that fee from the cost of a bottle. A visit to wine country can often be as entertaining as it is educational, so get out there and enjoy! Monica Chappell is an East Bay wine writer and educator and can be reached at wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
Alamo continued from page 9 and Christina Heil as the garden’s silent champion – having quietly helped to fix the 5th grade garden irrigation system and secure funding for the retired teachers’ tree and plaque program. If you find you have some time during the month of April, take a trip to Alamo School and visit one of the many garden areas on campus. For those of us who are fortunate enough to work or go to school at Alamo, we won’t have to look very hard for happy kids; just head for one of the gardens!
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15
PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
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Garden continued from front page
and offers advice year round. Washington State University Cooperative Extension piloted the first Master Gardener program in 1972 to train volunteers to respond to the increasing volume of inquiries from home gardeners. That successful model has been adopted in 45 states and four Canadian provinces. UCMGCC was established in 1983. From July1, 2016-June 30 2017, 255 active UCMGCC members spent 21,350 volunteer hours providing insight and inspiration to gardeners of all ages. Katherine Alexander, President of the UCMGCC Executive Leadership Team, writes: ‘I am continuously reminded of how fortunate we are, as an organization, to have so many members who are committed to sharing their knowledge and vast experiences, to help us fulfill our mission – extending UC science-based horticultural education to the public, throughout the county, in hope of changing people’s behavior for the better, making our communities healthier and more sustainable in the future.” Asked how Master Gardeners are reaching local gardeners, PastPresident Denece Dodson replied, “We strive to take our educational knowledge and resources out to the community and make ourselves as public and available as possible. It’s a cool concept to freely share and spread what information we have access to and engage with the community in so many venues.” The annual Great Tomato Sale sustains UCMGCC ‘s ability to provide a vast array of free programs and gives gardeners an amazing, inexpensive selection of tomato and vegetable seedlings. Commenting on how the sale originated, Janet Miller, Demonstration Garden Coordinator, relates, “A couple of years before the first great Tomato Sale, we grew seedlings at DVC. We sold 600 plants and thought we were hot stuff. The next year we sold 1200.” Dodson remarks on the initial official Great Tomato Sale in 2009: “We planned the first spring plant sale for two weekends. We sold out of stock in three hours.” The 2018 sale will be held from 10am – 3pm: April 7, Our Garden (2405 Shadelands Drive), Walnut Creek; April 14, Mangini Garden, Antioch; April 28, Richmond Public Library. Thirty thousand seedlings are being raised. Peppers, eggplants, squash, and herbs as well as tomatoes are in production. Concerning the incredible variety USMGCC offers, Miller explains, “We have an extensive
QUICK TRIPS
By Linda Summers Pirkle
The Great Tomato Sale offers an incredible variety of choices with Master Gardeners on hand to help. (photo courtesy of Janet Miller)
inventory of seeds including some we save. We trial as many as we can in our demonstration garden and in our own gardens and identify good performers. We use input from our customers and learn from local farmers and tomato breeders. Each year we add about 10 new varieties.” Mary Jo Corby, Special Events Coordinator, noted as planting commenced in January and February, “Currently, we have 80 varieties of tomatoes to be propagated for central county, 49 for west county.” East County will have its own region-specific inventory. At all three sale locations, Master Gardeners supply tips on best selections for each customer’s needs. Descriptions are intriguing. For instance, ‘Mortgage Lifter,’ which produces 1-2 pound beefsteak tomatoes, is a prolific heirloom with a 1940s Kentucky history. “… using the proceeds from its sale, ‘Radiator Charlie’ Byles paid off his $6,000 mortgage (those were the days!!) in just six years.” Miller explains that enough additional seedlings are propagated each year to donate to school, community, and church gardens around the county.
See Garden continued on page 24
My sister Susan, a genealogy aficionado, discovered ancestral roots in and around Prague. On a trip to the Czech Republic, we hired a driver and guide to take us off the beaten path to explore the area where our mother’s side of the family originated. Eva, an exceptional guide, tailored the trip around our family roots while sharing her own story living under the Communist totalitarian regime. Eva is approximately Susan’s and my age, but our life experiences could not be more different. The hardships she experienced living under the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) and our carefree California lifestyle were worlds apart. Her father was sent to a Siberian work camp. Years later, he was delivered back to the family a broken man. Eva shared her heartbreaking story and emphasized that her life was not unique; many others experienced the same or worse during the Soviet controlled era. I recently attended an extraordinary exhibit, Darker Shades of Red, a collection of Soviet Propaganda posters from the Cold War Era on display at St. Mary’s College Museum of Art in Moraga. My guide, John Schneider, Museum Administrator, explained how the Soviet government utilized propaganda posters to convey their ideology. The Communist totalitarian regime replaced many elements of ordinary life with state activities. The Orthodox Church was one of the strongest older institutions the Communist regime challenged. Religious icons were confiscated, destroyed, or hidden. The forbidden icons were replaced with government mandated art work that emphasized the theories of revolution, socialism, and social responsibility of the population. Posters shaped and directed mass consciousness in accordance with Communist Party objectives with themes including abundance, progress, responsible citizenship, and strong women. The 55 posters on display at St. Mary’s College Museum of Art are on loan from private collector Gary Hollingsworth, a painting conservator from Orlando, Florida. He specializes in Russian art and began amassing the pieces in this collection in 1991. He traveled through the ex-Soviet Union over ten times in the 1990’s, preserving history by collecting these disregarded art works. The show serves the college’s educational purposes by highlighting “the importance of visual literacy and making people aware of how propaganda images infiltrate every aspect of our lives.” “It really illustrated how these posters shaped and directed consciousness,” says Lauren MacDonald, director of the St. Mary’s College Museum of Art. She continued, “With what’s happening in our social and political arenas right now, it’s absolutely relevant. There are posters about nuclear war, and here we are again.” St. Mary’s College Museum of Art has over 4,000 pieces in its permanent collection. It is home to the largest collection of William Keith paintings and was founded by Brother Cornelius Braeg, Keith’s biographer and good friend of naturalist John Muir. Darker Shades of Red: Official Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War is on display through May 20, 2018.The Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Sunday 10am to 4pm. Their website is www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum, and their phone number is 925-631-4363. St. Mary’s College is located at 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. Tours are available every Thursday morning at 10am. Admission is free. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com. Salute to the First of May, V. Kaidalov, The Hollingsworth Collection.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17
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OASIS, CAPRICA, TRON, MATRIX By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
Do you remember the movie The Matrix with Keanu Reeves? How about the 1980’s movie Tron with Jeff Bridges? In the 2000’s, there was a new pilot show related to Battlestar Galactica, called Caprica, and just recently an excellent new book and movie in this genre were released, called Ready Player One. What do these movies have in common? In each of them, “Virtual Reality” (VR) was the central plot device. And like so many science-fiction shows that have come before this, life is imitating art. VR is defined as “the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or haptic gloves fitted with sensors.” In other words, through electronic input devices such as the visor and gloves,you become the controller of a computer-generated “avatar” residing in a simulation. The visor, gloves, and even the special chair you sit in are designed to trick our minds into believing that what we’re doing is real. If the graphics and storyline are good enough, it’s completely convincing. That simulation may be a simple as a game you play against the computer. Or (and this is what’s around the corner)it could be as large as an entire virtual universe with millions of players like you from across the world. This is not science fiction I’m describing. The concept of VR is rapidly maturing, and our ability to implement it using modern tools and computing power is fast becoming a reality. All the pieces are ready, and very smart people at internet mammoths like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are almost certainly already laying the groundwork for their own versions of virtual reality. One of them is going to get it right, and it’s truly going to change the world. I can picture a time in our future when millions of people across the world choose to park themselves in a comfortable lounge chair with some sort of VR visor on their face, enjoying an alternate, virtual world. And in that unlimited world, your imagination will be the only limit of your experience. In VR, mortal limits such as gravity,lack of magical ability, or not having wings doesn’t matter. Any of them are possible. In a more practical and useful scenario, imagine a deep sea diver who
needs to quickly train for a rescue of 300 sailors from a broken submarine on the ocean floor. How would one train for that? In a VR simulator loaded with images, schematics, and environmental factors to simulate deep-sea operation, you could train and better prepare yourself for the actual rescue by piloting a virtual robot who will perform the rescue. If you consider the advanced “immersion” flight simulators currently in use by all major airlines and the military, it’s clear that virtual reality is already here, only right now it’s disguised as specialized training tools. Is our society ready for immersive VR? I would say no, but we had better figure it out because this is coming whether we’re ready or not. We already don’t deal well with addiction, and this will be highly addictive. We’re already seeing the downstream societal effect of addiction to online products such as Facebook and to smartphones in general. According to a former executive from Facebook, Chamath Palihapitiya, their product was specifically designed to work with and trigger the addiction centers in your brain in order to addict you into reading about other people’s lives. He won’t let his own kids use it. Do you ever wonder why you can’t seem to stop gawking at everyone’s seemingly wonderful life on Facebook or why you crave those “likes” when you post a goofy video or pithy saying? Well, you come by it honestly because they designed the product specifically that way, and it has given birth to a generation of phone-addicted narcissists and cyber-voyeurs. Nobody knows for certain how addictive an immersive VR experience will be. However, we’ve already seen some people literally “game” themselves to death. In these cases they lost all outside perspective, forgot to eat, and strung themselves out on caffeinated products or drugs while gaming, and then died because of their self-neglect. In VR, folks may not want to “come up” for normal interaction with other humans. They may choose instead to live their lives in the “fake” world of VR because it’s more interesting and fun, filled with their unlimited pleasures instead of coping with the sticky, sometimes painful reality of our mortal existence. And since you can design your “avatar” or online persona to be any way you want to represent yourself (ie., pretty, handsome, strong, tall, sexy, macho –whatever floats your boat), the VR will be filled with idealized representations of ourselves. Someone who’s always felt diminutive could now be tall, someone disfigured could be whole, and everyone can be their idealized version of “handsome” and “beautiful.” As such, it is inevitable that some folks will lose themselves. Like all great leaps, VR will be a double-edged sword for society. If being on top of this fundamental shift in computing intrigues you, please contact us and let’s chat. We’re excited about what the future holds and would love to bring you along with us. You can reach us at info@pcioit.com, or 925-552-7953, option 3.Advertorial
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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
ARTS & GARDENS
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR AAUW GARDEN TOUR
Registration for the 14th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which will take place on Sunday, May 6 from 10AM to 5PM, is now open. This award-winning tour features 40 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens that are pesticide-free, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 60% or more native plants. This year the theme is “Art and Music in the Gardens.” Artwork will be available for sale in a number of gardens, and gardens containing sculptures and mosaics will be featured. Bluegrass, Baroque, Renaissance, and other music will be performed at various gardens. Children’s activities will be offered. This self-drive tour showcases a variety of gardens, from large wooded lots in the hills to small parcels in the flats. Native plants will be available for sale, and more than 40 talks will be offered on the weekend of the event. Pre-registration for the Tour is required. The cost is $10 to purchase the garden guide; donations are requested. This tour will fill, so register early to ensure a place. Volunteers are needed. For additional information, visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net.
LAMORINDA GARDEN TOUR
The Lafayette Garden Club will hold a garden tour Saturday, May 12, from am 10 to 3pm at a series of five unique, private gardens in Lamorinda. The tour, Artful Gardens, also will include a pop- up market and a plant sale. The tour can give you good ideas of what you might want to do in your garden, to learn about new plants, and to have a fun day out with friends and family. The gardens were selected for their variety of design, plant material, and garden features. The tour includes a sculpture garden with new discoveries around every corner, a hillside garden with wit and whimsy, a lush paradise with a meandering stream, an expansive family retreat designed for social and intimate gatherings, and an artist’s personal creation filled with extensive plant varieties and rustic antiques. Each garden reflects the unique personality of the owner and displays a range of the artistic and practical as well as the sophisticated and playful. Tickets may be purchased by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope and check to the Lafayette Garden Club, P. O. Box 294, Lafayette, CA 94549. They also may be purchased online at lafayettegardenclub.com. For more information contact Carolyn Poetzsch at 925-285-6651 or cpoetzsch@gmail.com.
KITCHEN TOUR
The Lafayette Juniors 19th Annual Kitchen Tour takes place Saturday, May 19th from 10am – 3pm. Tour six beautiful Lafayette homes with masterfully designed unique, elegant, and awe-inspiring kitchens. The Tour benefits No One Left Behind, Girls Inc., City Slicker Farms, White Pony Express and Contra Costa Crisis Center. Tickets are $50 ($45 tax deductible), a box lunch is available for $15. Purchase tickets at www.lafayettejuniors.org or Premier Kitchens in Lafayette.
THE GARDENS AT HEATHER FARM’S ANNUAL GALA FUNDRAISER
From Cuba to Mexico and Puerto Rico to Peru, savor the flavors of Latin America at The Gardens at Heather Farm’s gala fundraiser, Fiesta Nueva. The afternoon garden party takes place from 2 to 5pm, Sunday, May 6th, on the beautiful, flower-filled grounds at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek. The afternoon will showcase a variety of delectable Latin-themed appetizers, live music by an authentic salsa band, craft beer as well as a selection of wine, a chance to win raffle items and prizes, and more! Tickets may be purchased online at https://gardenshf.org or by calling (925) 947-1678. Please, ages 21 and over only. Proceeds from Fiesta Nueva allow The Gardens to bring natural and environmental science classes to local school children, support the maintenance of its free public garden, and promote the importance of nature to the community.
The 18th Annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour will be held Friday and Saturday, May 11th and 12th from 10AM to 4PM. Tickets are $35 if purchased before May 4th; $40 thereafter. Outstanding gardens in Alamo and Danville will be featured. Among the many highlights are a sculptor’s garden containing fascinating basalt rocks and original artwork, a garden that features rooms with extensive and diverse plantings created by a self-described “hoardaculturalist.” The spectacular views and incredible gardens on an acre-sized hill plot and yet another with a perfect seating area providing a panoramic view of Mount Diablo. Before May 4th mail your $35 check payable for to “AAUW Fund” with a selfaddressed, stamped business sized #10 envelope to AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Starting on April 10, tickets will be available at East Bay Flower Company located at 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W., Danville with payment by cash or check only. Or, purchase tickets online by credit card at https://daw-ca. aauw.net/payment/ and the ticket will be mailed to you. For questions, email daw.aauw@gmail.com. No children under 12 are allowed. Profits from the spring Garden Tour help AAUW provide funding for more than 244 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations.
OPEN STUDIOS SET FOR MAY 5 & 6
TOUR OF LOCAL ARTISTS’ SPACES
The community is invited to spend the weekend touring the creative spaces of several working artists as the Town of Danville sponsors a two-day Artists’ Open Studios event. This free event is set for May 5-6 from 11am-6pm each day. The public will be able to visit artists’ studios throughout Danville, view their work, and purchase pieces. “Danville is a town focused on the arts, and Open Studios will be a great addition,” said Recreation, Arts and Community Services Director Henry Perezalonso. “We appreciate the efforts of the Arts Commission to bring this event back to the community.” Headquarters for the event will be the Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street. Members of the public will be able to view the artists’ work and obtain maps that will indicate the studios they can visit all over Danville. This is a self-guided tour which interested community members can conduct at their own pace. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Program Supervisor Tamara Whitney at (925) 314-3426 or twhitney@danville.ca.gov.
CALL FOR ARTIST SUBMISSIONS FOR “MIX IT UP!” EXHIBIT
The Town of Danville’s Village Theatre & Art Gallery is seeking artists who create art using all types of media to submit their work for the Juried Exhibition, ‘Mix it Up!’, set for June 29 – August 25. The Gallery seeks to promote and celebrate the visual arts in a variety of media. Accepted artwork submissions can be in the form of sculpture, print, photography, original paintings, and all mixed media. For information on submitting artwork, visit www.villagetheatreartgallery.com. The deadline for entries is May 1. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5PM, Saturday from 11AM to 3PM, and Monday and Tuesday by appointment only. The Art Gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov.
NEW EXHIBIT AT BLACKHAWK GALLERY
The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society will host the opening of their new exhibit, ‘Spotlight’. A Gala Reception with wine and hors d’oeuvre’s will be held Saturday, April 28th from 5 to 7pm. The exhibit will be open seven days a week from Friday, April 27 to Sunday, July 8. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Guest artist Jim Scales will show his wood turning bowls and 40 member artists with have paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art. The Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville, in the Blackhawk Plaza. They can be reached at 925-648-8023. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday from 10am-8pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm. For more information, visit www.adas4art.org/spotlight or contact Blackhawk Gallery Director Kerima Swain at swain.kerima@gmail.com.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19
ESTATE PLANNING PERSPECTIVE: INSURING A GIFT TO YOUR LOVED ONES
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
My estate planning clients frequently tell me that they feel guilty about not having done their estate planning work sooner. I understand. Life is very busy for most of my clients who tend to be ambitious, successful people. Furthermore, the prospect of discussing subjects such as their potential disability, mortality, and successors who will someday control their financial and health care matters can be intimidating and easy to put off. Regardless of how daunting estate planning can seem, many people who establish or update their estate plans communicate how relieved and satisfied they feel about having taken care of this business. Many also comment on how the process was much less complicated and difficult than they imagined it would be. Fundamentally, why do people engage in estate planning? My 25 years of practicing law in the trusts/estates arena reveals that people often wisely view it as making a gift to their loved ones. By planning thoughtfully and comprehensively with the help of experienced professional advisors, people can bestow valuable benefits to their loved ones. These include but are not limited to: a) ensuring that financial management is handled by prudent successors upon disability or death, b) enabling a private vs. public estate (Trust) administration, c) avoiding the expense and inconvenience of probate, d) facilitating the smooth distribution (via lifetime gifts and/or inheritance) of assets to the desired individuals and charities, and e) eliminating or limiting otherwise avoidable tax consequences when assets are gifted, sold, or bequeathed. Sadly, I have handled many estate administrations in which the decedent had not planned properly or not planned at all. Unfortunately, the failure to plan well often causes serious harm: sometimes financial, sometimes personal/
TOO MANY ACCOUNTS
familial, and sometimes both. In this context, it’s reasonable to consider estate planning a valuable insurance tool designed to avoid such damage. I’m reluctant to characterize estate planning as a type of insurance because almost everyone hates insurance, at least on a surface level. Nevertheless, every smart person I’ve ever met owns a significant amount of insurance. It simply makes sense to ensure that contingencies are covered in a reasonable manner. Paying insurance premiums is never fun, but it’s a lot less fun to write out much bigger checks (assuming you even have enough funds to do so) to pay for a problem for which you have no insurance coverage. We often buy insurance for potential claims and losses related to events that are very unlikely to occur, like fire insurance on our homes. It’s still wise because regardless of how remote the likelihood that coverage will be needed, it would be financially devastating for most people to come out of their own pocket to rebuild a home damaged or destroyed by fire. Thinking along these lines, what is the likelihood that you will eventually die? Of course it’s100%. So, it’s inevitable that you need “coverage,” an estate plan that enables you to have control during your life and that will save your loved ones a lot of attorneys’ fees, costs, time, inconvenience and loss of privacy on your death. Accordingly, doesn’t it make sense to make a modest investment in estate planning (your “insurance premium”) so that you can know that you and your loved ones are covered? If you don’t have an estate plan or you have a plan that has not been updated in many years, I hope that reading this article gives you the perspective you need to obtain this important “insurance coverage” and, by doing so, make a valuable gift to your loved ones. Estate Planning*Trust Administration & Probate*Real Estate*Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@ rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.
Advertorial
By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners
People have myriad reasons for having multiple accounts and account types, be it psychological or financial. This article will discuss why consolidating or reducing accounts may be beneficial to your financial health. We will explore some of the reasons why people have too many accounts, the problems that can arise in having them, and lastly, the potential benefits of account consolidation. This article will arm you with information to be more successful with your own comprehensive wealth planning. Many people have multiple accounts for different reasons. These reasons include to prevent fraud, to compare advisors, to receive discounts, to hide funds, or just because they have not taken the time to close-out accounts when life changes occur. People assume that by opening accounts at different locations, or even multiple accounts at one location, it can reduce their exposure to fraud; this is not usually the case. People also use multiple accounts to test out how financial advisors perform against each other. Some spend time opening multiple accounts to receive discounts or other offered perks. Finally, some people feel the need to hide money from their spouses, so they open additional accounts. The greatest challenge that comes with having multiple open accounts is when one of the three “D’s” occurs: death, divorce, or disability. With a death or divorce, each account will have to be repapered, administrated, and/or transferred. When a disability occurs, each of the accounts will need to be managed by someone. It is possible that in either of these situations the accounts will be managed by someone who has little experience with multiple accounts and may not even be aware of all the open accounts. With that said, many people rely on professional help to navigate them. However, it is important to recognize that having multiple advisors on multiple accounts can create a disadvantage to your wealth. This can lead to one zigging when the other is zagging. Specifically, if one advisor sells a position and the competing advisor buys the same position; it can leave you, the client, in the same starting place. The decision to consolidate accounts may make it easier to make decisions and plan for your future. It also gives you the opportunity to work as a team with your spouse and ideally your advisor to help you understand your current wealth and what your financial goals are. Reducing the amount of open accounts you have may give you a clearer picture of your finances as you are not trying to check on accounts at various places. Most importantly, tracking the performance of your accounts will be easier. If you have an underperforming account, you and your advisor can make a shift quickly (if your advisor has you invested in 100% liquid vehicles). Lastly, by having fewer accounts, it will be substantially simpler to manage the income from your wealth, the gifting of your wealth, and ultimate transfer of your wealth. Whatever your current situation is, we recommend evaluating how many accounts you have and determining if you have too many. We think that you owe that to yourself, your spouse, your family, and to your financial future. Please contact Peter Waldron to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com. Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN2062796-031918 Advertorial
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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
By Roger Smith, President WATCH FOR FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS AT YOUR ALAMO FARMERS’ MARKET
Bill Harlow of the Bay Area Farmers’ Market Association is leading the effort to make our Alamo Farmer’s Market an important part of your Sunday. Bill’s family has been in our local area since 1977. He has a genuine interest in the sustainability of small family farms, the “heart and soul” of California Agriculture and the “Buy Fresh – Buy Local” movement that Alice Waters has supported and popularized. Quality is what the Farmers’ Market is all about. All produce is picked fresh and is at the Market within 24-48 hours versus a week or more for chain grocery stores. What type of produce are you looking for -- organic or conventionally grown? Several vendors offer both. Acquaint yourselves with those that do. Vendors are the best source of information about their own produce, so step up and ask them.
APRIL IS CALL BEFORE YOU DIG MONTH!
April means spring weather and more outdoor activity, including backyard excavation projects such as landscaping. Now is the time to continue raising awareness about the potential dangers of excavation without first dialing the nationwide “Call Before You Dig” 8-1-1 number. Excavation damage remains the number one threat to pipeline safety and reliability. The 8-1-1 hotline is a free service that allows people to obtain information about what may be buried beneath the excavation surface area, including natural gas pipelines, electric power lines, and other infrastructure. Calling before a digging job, even for small projects such as planting trees and shrubs, can help prevent undesired consequences.
8-1-1 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL
Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means calling 8-1-1 before each job. Want to avoid spending a day in the dark? It’s
HPV VIRUS AND HEAD & NECK CANCER
By Arash Mohebati, MD
The American Cancer Society has designated April to be “Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Month.” The term “head and neck cancer” refers to a variety of tumors that occur in the mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), nose, and sinuses. Historically, oral, head, and neck cancers were caused from excessive use of tobacco and alcohol. However, within the last 10 years, a newer risk factor has emerged for developing head and neck cancer – it is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Head and neck cancers account for 3% of cancers in the United States today. Head and neck cancers are typically squamous cell carcinomas, found in the mouth, nose and throat. The most common types of head and neck cancers are oral cancers and oropharyngeal cancers. Oral cancers are classified as cancers of the oral cavity (tongue, gums, or inside of cheek) and are primarily caused by heavy tobacco and alcohol use. Symptoms of head and neck cancer can include a lump or sore in the mouth that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change in voice. Typical treatment for head and neck cancers includes surgery and radiation treatment. Chemotherapy may be used in the more advanced stages. Heavy alcohol and tobacco use (including smokeless tobacco) is known to cause at least 75% of head and neck cancers. Smoking increases your risk by 15%, and people who use both tobacco and alcohol are at a much greater risk. Head and neck cancers that develop due to alcohol and tobacco use typically occur on or near the areas with the most contact (where a cigarette sits on the lip, or where chewing tobacco is placed in the mouth). The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer continues to rise. Oropharyngeal cancers include cancers of the base of the tongue and tonsils. Some studies indicate that by the time oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed; two thirds of them are already in late stage III and IV.
as simple as 8-1-1. Call 8-1-1 a few days prior to digging, and tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing, and your local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they’ll send a locater to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes, and cables, so you’ll know what’s below - and be able to dig safely. Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call. The depth of utility lines varies, and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 8-1-1 before every digging job gets your underground utility lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences. For more information or to make an online request for utilities to be marked, visit www.call811.com or http://usanorth811.org/homeowners. For your personal safety, as well as the safety of our community, we encourage everyone who is digging, excavating, drilling, trenching, grading, etc. to call 8-1-1 before they dig.
ALAMO PIPELINE SAFETY WORKSHOP
Join your neighbors and attend the May 29th Pipeline Safety Workshop featuring representatives from the California State Fire Marshal’s office, California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E, Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission, and Public Works Department. The Workshop will be held at Creekside Community Church, located at 1350 Danville Blvd. in Alamo from 6;30 -8:30PM. Have your questions ready!
AIA MEMBERSHIP
Now in its 63rd 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”! Since 1955, Alamo (and Danville) residents have been joining the Alamo Improvement Association and working in support of AIA’s mission statement -- to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present, for their efforts over the last 62 years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today. Please visit our website at www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership forms, and more. Currently in the United States, the incidence of head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is increasing, while head and neck cancers caused by alcohol and tobacco are decreasing. The human papillomavirus is a DNA virus from the papilloma virus family that is capable of infecting humans. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection with an estimated 14 million people being newly infected each year. In nine out of ten HPV infections, the virus goes away on its own and doesn’t cause health problems. But in other cases, the infection can linger and lead to health problems, including genital warts and cancer. HPV infections have long been associated with the development of cervical cancer. The incidence of HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer has surpassed that of cervical cancer. Vaccines have been developed to prevent cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. The vaccine might also prevent head and neck cancers since the vaccine helps to prevent initial infection with high risk HPV types. Oral HPV is about two times more common in men than it is in women. HPV associated head and neck cancers are more common in men. Vaccination of boys is essential in preventing the development of infection and possible cancer in men. The HPV vaccines currently on the market are strongly recommended for both young women and young men. In recognition of Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness, we are sponsoring an educational talk on April 11th at the Walnut Creek Library. To register, please call 925-677-5041. Dr. Arash Mohebati is a board certified general surgeon who completed additional fellowship training in head and neck oncologic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He practices with West Coast Surgical Associates in Walnut Creek and can be reached at 925-933-0984. Advertorial
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MENOPAUSE MATTERS
OVERACTIVE BLADDER PART 1 By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
You would think that our large brain is most responsible for our evolutionary superiority, but maybe it is our bladders that are responsible for the survival of the fittest. The evolutionary development of our bladder allowed for the storage of a waste product (urine) at low pressure and then allowed for planned and controlled voiding. It is important to understand how your bladder works so you can fix it when it is not working well. Storage of urine occurs because the bladder accommodates urine storage at a low pressure while the urethra provides increased resistance so that urine does not come out. Emptying the bladder occurs because of coordinated contractions initiated by higher brain centers and is coordinated with relaxation of the urethra, so there is no obstruction to the urine coming out. This storage and emptying function is supported by three reflexes to help us void: amplification is where the bladder smooth muscle continues to contract stronger while the pressure in the bladder is going down, coordination is between the bladder contracting and the urethra relaxing, and timing which allows you to initiate voluntary voiding at different volumes. Your bladder works the same with small amounts just before bed as with large amounts after a four-hour car ride. We cannot forget the bladder’s nerves which are both large and small. Large myelinated nerve endings are responsible for giving you a comfortable sensation about the need to void as your bladder is filling. Small unmyelinated fibers are responsible for pain, irritation, and reflexes to trigger voiding when it is important to empty your bladder fast. There are times when these nerves don’t coordinate their function which results in urgency, frequency, and incontinence during times of normal filling. This happens with a UTI or inflammation such as interstitial cystitis. An inability to store urine can lead to urgency and frequency, with or without incontinence which defines overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is
April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21
either a problem with nerves (both peripheral in the bladder or central in the brain), dysfunctional bladder muscles, or weak pelvic floor on which the bladder rests. When you are a baby up until the age of two, your bladder goes all the time, but eventually your brain learns executive control of bladder reflexes. Injuries to the brain which can include dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, or Multiple Sclerosis can disrupt this inhibition, resulting in an overactive bladder. Any trauma to nerves going from the bladder to the brain can affect this inhibition, which can occur in patients after a spinal cord injury. There can be involuntary muscle spasms of the bladder causing over-activity. Urgency and urge incontinence can be due to combined problems with the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. A woman may not be able to control bladder contractions because of a weak pelvic floor secondary to vaginal deliveries or chronic constipation or cough. This is demonstrated by looking at the prevalence of OAB which increases with age over time with the most rapid rise after women start having babies (8% in ages 25-34, 12% in ages 35-44, 25% in ages 45-54, and 30% in women over age 60). Urge incontinence affects 1/3 of women over age 65, 15% of men, and 50% of nursing home patients. It is responsible for $15 trillion in health care costs annually. Now that you are up-to-date on the evolution, normal activity, and dysfunction of your bladder, you can find out more about improved bladder function by visiting my website. Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at (925)935-6952. Advertorial
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH ADULT LOVED ONES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30PM on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah located at 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the twostory building on the right. This program is open to all faiths. For additional information or to RSVP, contact karen@mmcohen.com.
PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
TREATING WHIPLASH WITH CHIROPRACTIC CARE
By Dr. Melissa Ko, D.C., Sycamore Valley Chiropractic
With the recent series of storms drenching the Bay Area, we have seen a big increase in car accidents due to the rougher traffic conditions. In many cases, drivers and passengers may suffer from whiplash injury in which the neck and head are very suddenly accelerated in one direction and then another, i.e. forward-to-back or sideto-side. This injures the delicate tissues of the head and neck including the muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and nerves. Whiplash can cause symptoms like neck pain, back pain, headache, stiffness, tingling, numbness, dizziness, fatigue, etc. However, many people do not seek medical care after being in a car accident. Here are some reasons why many cases of whiplash go untreated: MYTH: The collision is a “low-speed” impact, and victims assume that they have not been injured. But… FACT: Studies have shown injuries occurring in impacts as low as five miles per hour. MYTH: There is little or no visible damage to the car, so it is assumed that the people inside are also unharmed. FACT: Studies have shown that the extent of vehicular damage does not always predict the amount of injury the driver or passenger suffers. MYTH: Whiplash victims very often do not feel any pain or symptoms right away. FACT: Studies show that symptoms may not always present right away. Sometimes, patients report pain a couple days, weeks, even months after the accident and may not necessarily connect the problems with the original accident. MYTH: Sometimes, whiplash sufferers experience symptoms briefly that go away without treatment and assume that they have recovered
Meals continued from front page
the transformation, the organization has adopted a new look, created a new website, and developed new materials. Coordinated Care and coordinated efforts continue to be the common threads that bind the group locally and nationally. “As you can imagine, this was a big move for us,” says Meyer. “The senior population is growing rapidly, and we need to connect with a new demographic to further our outreach to younger community members (donors, volunteers, corporate partners) and meet the needs of the next 50 years. Budget cuts are everlooming, and we simply have to make stronger connections with those who are not yet aware of what we do in the community.” Started as a meal delivery service in 1968, Meals on Wheels has evolved, adding programs to address the full range of seniors’ most pressing life issues. “We offer much more than nutrition – including fall prevention, companionship, care management, tai chi, and other services – all designed to help keep seniors living independently in their own homes as long as it is safe,” says Meyer. Every day, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region provides the support that allows Contra Costa County’s most vulnerable older adults to remain healthy and independent. Current statistics show that 240,000 seniors (60 or older) comprise 21% of our population: 81,080 are isolated and living alone., 37,211 are threatened by hunger, and 29,037 are living in or near poverty. In addition to serving 58,5512 meals annually, MOWDR provides nutrition, social interaction, fall prevention, and health and wellness activities. MOWDR partners with public and private agencies to provide solutions that keep the best interests of the senior population at heart. The organization enjoys close ties to key community organizations such as John Muir/Mt. Diablo Community Health Fund, the Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation. Working with these organizations, MOWDR leverages funding to serve seniors who have the most need and fewest resources. As the aging population grows, MOWDR will continue to create collaborative partnerships to meet the challenges that seniors face: isolation, loneliness, falling, poor nutrition, and lack of social supports. Expanding services for the thousands of low-income older adults living in Far East Contra Costa County remains a
www.yourmonthlypaper.com on their own. FACT: Studies show that symptoms are likely to become chronic months, years, even decades after a collision if the victim does not receive proper or complete treatment. We see this often as a list of symptoms and problems that arise only after a car accident, over the span of a long period of time, that were not present before. This is why it is important to be checked for injury after any type of vehicular collision by a Doctor of Chiropractic, regardless of whether or not one is experiencing any pain or symptoms. Chiropractors are specially trained in assessing the body structures involved in a whiplash accident and providing drug-free, effective therapies that not only give the whiplash victim relief from pain or discomfort but can also prevent any symptoms from persisting in the future. This is why studies show that 93% of whiplash patients improve with chiropractic care! At our office, we offer a comprehensive approach for whiplash recovery including chiropractic treatment, physiotherapy, kinesiotaping, rehabilitative exercise, and massage therapy. So if you have been in a fender bender, don’t wait to see if symptoms show up, and don’t suffer! Get checked by a chiropractor as soon as possible to get back on the road to recovery! Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www. sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call (925)837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial key focus. “Uncertain government priorities, the aging population, and the changing healthcare landscape require MOWDR to remain strong, innovative, and collaborative,” says Meyer. “We will continue to collaborate and develop new and creative ways to further enable seniors to live independently and with dignity in their homes for as long as possible.” Help Meals on Wheels Diablo Region celebrate its new name and its 50th Anniversary at its May 12th gala event at Danville’s Blackhawk Museum. Enjoy live music, live and silent auctions, and dinner by Scott’s Seafood. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mowsos.org/news-events/gala/.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING OF SAN RAMON VALLEY
The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, offers a Historic Military Museum & Library as well as a Veteran Resource Center. The Museum & Library is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Every Saturday from 8AM to 11AM a Veteran Coffee and Pastry social is held. To access resources for Veterans, you can connect with a County Veteran Service Officer every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM. For an appointment, call 925-313-1481. To learn more about the Veteran’s facility and programs, visit www. vmbsrv.org or email info@vmbsrv.org.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23
WHY DIETS DON’T WORK
Medical & Surgical Dermatology For Healthy Skin Offering treatments for: Acne, Eczema, and Rashes Cysts and Lipoma Hair and Nail Disorder Keloid and Scar Revisions Moles Physician-Strength Skin Care Products Precancerous Lesions Psoriasis and Vitiligo Skin Cancer Underarm Sweating Warts, Molluscum
By Michelle Brown, Gumsaba Custom Fitness
Lose 5 pounds, Revolutionary gain 7. Lose 7 pounds, Nonsurgical gain 10. Lose 10 Eyebag Therapy pounds, gain 15! Yikes! Why won’t that scale available. Cosmetic Dermatology behave? Do you ever wonder why it keeps Call for For Beautiful Skin getting harder and harder to get that extra consultation! Offering treatments for: Body Sculpting weight off? Evolution is outsmarting your Eyebag Reduction dieting habit. Introducing Face, Neck, Body Tightening, Lifting, Thousands of years of natural selection have and Rejuvenation Women’s Wellness Frown Lines and Jawline/Jowl a leg up on that Lean Cuisine. Long before fast Center, featuring Vlase Reduction food, there was feast and there was famine. Hair Removal nonablative laser for feminine New science is starting to reveal why so many Pigmentation and Melasma dryness, atrophy, and stressRosacea, Facial Redness, Veins, and of us are overweight, in spite of all this dieting. induced urinary incontinence, Post-injection Bruising This survival mechanism has come to be Sun Damage and Scars and PRP for hair thinning Tattoo, Moles, Birthmarks, and Scars known as the Set-Point weight theory. and rejuvenation. Thinning Hair and/or Balding This theory concludes that our bodies are Technology & Procedures looking for the most energy efficient way to Offered exist. According to this theory, our Set-Point A place where beauty Cellfina weight is the place where our body expends the Cool Mini for neck and healthy skin meet Coolsculpting least metabolic energy, and it’s different for all Visit us at our Center of Excellence Cryoshape of us. It is controlled by our central nervous Diolite 532 laser with a 10,000 square foot, system and uses genetics, hormones, hunger, Enlighten Pico Genesis Laser state of the art, newly renovated Excel V Laser behavior change, and other physiological suite. We are dedicated to Excimer Laser mechanisms to defend a 10-15 pound range Medical, Cosmetic, and Surgical Fractional CO2 Laser around its current setting. GenesisPlus Laser Dermatology and are a place for Infini Microneedling RF When we deprive ourselves of food, our medical skin consultation, Kybella body responds as it would to a famine. With aesthetic rejuvenation, and Liposonix energy conservation as its top goal, the body face and body contouring. Microneedling MiraDry drops the most energy demanding of our Visit www.DrWilliamTing.com Mohs Micrographic Surgery tissues first: lean muscle mass. Lean muscle is NBUVB Phototherapy for an extensive list of medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, a heavy hitter when it comes to calories. This PicoSure Laser product lines, lasers, and therapies offered. PRP for Hair Loss and Rejuvenation is one of the reasons why exercise that builds Schedule your free consultation appointment today! Vbeam Laser muscle mass is an important part of sustained Spectra Laser Superficial Radiotherapy weight loss. Fat, on the other hand, takes little Dr. William Ting, MD Thermage™ Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon energy to store. The body holds on to it without Ultherapy™ 2262 Camino Ramon 500 Alfred Noble Drive, #185 too much energy expenditure, so it is lost last Vaginal Rejuvenation San Ramon, CA 94583 Hercules, CA 94547 Vaser Shape during times of famine. Tel: (925) 328-0255 Tel: (510) 669-5700 VLase for Feminine Rejuvenation When the famine or “diet” is over and we go *Welcoming new Medicare patients Email: staff@CalDermCare.com back to eating as usual, our body treats this as www.DrWilliamTing.com a feast. We respond with weight gain, and, in order to ensure that we can make it through another famine, our systems adjust to a slightly higher Set-Point weight. Odyssey continued from front page This is the reason is why dieters often regain the weight they lose, plus The 7 th graders used pool noodles to build a lightweight canopy over the a few. This is why diets don’t work, and why rapid weight loss is unsus- vehicle. To solve the problem of slowing down a ball in the curling portion tainable for most of us. Weight loss that lasts happens when the person of the triathlon, they adjusted velcro tabs to reduce the balls’ velocity and understands their body’s needs and makes a shift to healthy habits. score the correct amount of points. The team designed a colorful NBC The road to sustainable weight loss is not built in a rush. It’s paved peacock commentator costume out of individual Duct Tape feathers. Judges with a small shift in daily habits. It’s lined with whole foods, hydration, scoring included high marks for the spontaneous portion of the competition. exercise, recovery, patience, and a willingness to change. Gumsaba Custom Fitness offers programs that can help you refine your daily In Spontaneous, the students were given a surprise problem to solve which habits and create sustainable change in your life. If you are ready to involved moving several different weighted objects into a separate container move in a new direction, we are here to help you get started. Contact using limited tools. “Participating in OM gives kids opportunities to deal with real life situations me today for more information. Michelle Brown is owner of Gumsaba Custom Fitness in Alamo and unforeseen problems that happen in competition. Kids are accountable and Gumsaba Fitness Boot Camp. Michelle is a Functional and learn responsibility. In this instance, when faced with a major penalty Patterns Practitioner, ACE Medical Exercise Specialist and Subject deduction, the kids decided to take a stand and defend their position, learning Matter Expert, Martial Arts & Self Defense Expert and Spartan the importance of remaining calm and respectful during a heated debate,” SGX Coach. Michelle has been helping people in our community explained parent Laila Collins. More than 800 teams will travel from around the world to display and share unleash their potential for 20 years. To learn more visit gumsaba. com. Advertorial their ingenuity in the upcoming four day World Finals Competition. ®
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PAGE 24 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
THE LATEST AND GREATEST FOR YOUR SKIN
By Dr. Barbara Persons
“Home Care Assistance caregivers really do care! They were there for me 24/7 after my open heart surgery.” - Bill S., Alamo, CA
Being open and honest with my patients at Persons Plastic Surgery has always been very important to me. I value truth myself. I, especially, don’t like to invest in anything that doesn’t add dividends to my busy life. I know my patients, many of whom have become friends, feel the same as I do. Therefore, I choose carefully when I bring new cosmetic treatments to my practice in Lafayette. That being said, I am excited to share with you that we are now offering even more of the latest and greatest MedSpa treatments to help you look as good as you feel.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA THERAPY
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is also known as a Vampire Facial. You may have heard of it—Kim Kardashian, who tried it and recommended the procedure, gave it its nickname. It may sound scary, but it really isn’t. In fact, no one is sucking any blood--- it is quite the opposite. The treatment uses plasma taken from the patient’s own blood instead of chemicals injected back into the body. The PRP, injected into specific areas of the skin, acts as a matrix that promotes your own collagen to grow, regenerates tissue, and acts to naturally smooth and tighten the skin. In this way, PRP softens wrinkles, creating smoother skin and texture and tone. What’s also great about PRP is that you get great results with minimal downtime.
PLATELET RICH FIBRIN
We are also very excited to now offer our patients the new generation of the treatment PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). Thought to work like PRP with a few upgrades, it’s said to contain a higher concentration of platelets and fibrin (which may stimulate additional tissue repair and healing) and to offer longer-term stem cell and collagen stimulation. The growth factors in PRF are released slower than in PRP, which provides the added bonus of a longer lasting anti-aging treatment! Pairing microneedling, which is collagen therapy, with PRF can help minimize fine lines, pore size and improve skin texture. (More on microneedling below).
SCULPTRA®
Your body slows the production of collagen throughout your adult life. By the age of 40, most people have lost up to 20% of the collagen in their body. Sculptra® uses poly-L-lactic acid, which works with your body to help rebuild lost collagen for a more youthful-looking appearance. If you want more natural volume and a gain of elasticity in your skin, Sculptra® is for you. Sculptra Aesthetic contains a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible, biodegradable substance that is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body. Over time collagen stimulation is rendered, which in turn helps restore facial volume and the look of fullness to deep wrinkles and folds. Scupltra can be injected in the inner thighs, knees, and arms to help tighten saggy skin. It can also be used to naturally fill dimples and cellulite in the buttocks and thighs. One of our highly trained Persons Plastic Surgery staff injects treatment within the deep dermis, where strands of collagen support your skin’s structure. On average, three injection appointments are needed over a period of a few months. Results can last up to two years or longer.
Home Care Liaison, Francesca Vogel and her client, Bill S.
The Only Home Care Solution Offering an Innovative, Science-Based Approach to Aging Home Care Assistance has elevated the standard of care for older adults through our Balanced Care Method™, a holistic approach to care for older adults that promotes healthy mind, body and spirit and is based on the scientifically studied lifestyles of the longest-living people in the world.
Speak to a Care Advisor to schedule your free in-home consultation today. From our family to yours! 925-820-8390
190-G Alamo Plaza Alamo, CA 94507
HomeCareAssistance.com/Alamo Next to Safeway and Five Guys!
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Garden continued from page 16
Our Garden welcomes visitors Wednesdays from April-October. The Aska-Master Gardener Table is staffed 9am –noon. Free Wednesday morning talks run from 10am-11:30am. n addition to demonstrating sustainable techniques, Our Garden contributed 12,000 pounds of produce to Monument Crisis Center in 2017. The “Grand Opening” of the new demonstration space at Mangini Garden on the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch is scheduled for April 14th. Honored in July 2017 with the People Who Make a Difference Award by
SCULPTRA® AND MICRONEEDLING
For those looking to help damaged skin and increase elasticity, this is perfect for you! This technique works in conjunction with Scupltra which is topically applied to temporarily “injured” skin by microneedling. Microneedling creates micro channels, or tiny openings in the skin. The small particles of Sculptra penetrate into the skin. As a side note, other fillers can’t be applied topically because their particle size is too large. If you have sun damage on the face, neck, or chest, you will benefit greatly from this treatment. Deep fold in the décolleté from side sleepers and folds in the neck will also improve significantly. Results from your microneedling and Sculptra treatment will kick in pretty quickly! You will see improved skin clarity and more of a glow from the new skin turn over from the microneedling. Results from the sculptra will take about 6 weeks to take effect. Remember that Sculptra is a collagen stimulating particle that is working under the skin’s surface. Two months post your treatment you will experience improved skin texture, fewer lines and wrinkles, and a more youthful plumpness. Be patient, it will be worth it. As always, remember to invest in yourself! If you commit to these body treatments now, the results can last years with small yearly touch ups! Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925-283-4012 or drpersons@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Thirty thousand seedlings are in production for the 2018 Great Tomato Sale in 3 Contra Costa locations: Walnut Creek, Antioch, and Richmond. (Photo courtesy of Janet Miller)
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, the Community Garden initiative advises neighborhood, residential, and institutional gardens on best practices for their specific space. Darlene DeRose, Co-Coordinator of Community Gardens, remarks, “One of my greatest joys as a Master Gardener is that I get to help people transform barren land into a productive garden. I am thrilled when I see members
See Garden continued on page 26
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THE EYE OPENER
IRITIS AND INFLAMMATION By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry
Since I enjoy writing about cases I see at the office, I thought this was an interesting topic to cover. The cause of iritis can be numerous and is usually a consequence of an ocular or systemic condition or trauma. The symptoms the patient experiences are often pretty similar but can vary in severity. Iritis is a broad term that describes an inflammation in the anterior chamber of the eye (the area between the iris and the cornea). During an episode of iritis, there are a lot of inflammatory cells that leak through the blood vessels in and around the iris. These cells that are floating in the eye cause the eye to become red, painful, and light sensitive. There is usually not major vision loss associated with a particular episode, but the vision is usually temporarily decreased; however, recurrent episodes in the same eye can lead to permanent vision loss. The origin of the inflammation can be from the eye itself and is associated with trauma, surgery, or infection. When the eye itself is the likely source, prophylactic treatment is started at that time to prevent the exacerbation of the symptoms. However, the cause of iritis is usually caused by another systemic cause that at times can be difficult to pinpoint. Any type of inflammation in the body can manifest itself in the eye and cause an iritis. These can include any surgical procedure, trauma, or systemic disease. The most common systemic causes are auto-immune diseases such as lupus, Chrohn’s disease, and arthritis. This is one of the reasons to tell your eye doctor about your entire medical history as something that you might not think has any relevance to the eye might in fact be extremely important. These conditions cause inflammation among other symptoms at their site(s) of affliction, and these chemicals then travel in the blood stream and wind up in the eye. There are also a lot of cases where the person is not feeling any symptoms from the systemic condition but will have an effect in the eye. Sometimes a patient will come in stating that they have a specific disease causing the eye flare-up, but often a patient will come in without a prior diagnosis. After the eye has calmed down, these patients should be sent to their primary care doctor for a work-up. There are instances where a cause will not be found, but if there are more episodes, a systemic cause is usually found. Standard treatment for iritis is steroids. The frequency and duration of the dosing is dependent on the severity of the condition and how well it responds to treatment. In certain cases, dilation of the eye might also be necessary. Since the blood vessels in and around the iris are the cause for the inflammation, the movement of the iris (which controls the size of the pupil) further aggravates the situation. By dilating the eye, the iris is now fixed and allows the amount of inflammatory chemicals entering the anterior chamber to slow down so that the steroid drops can be more effective. Even though more light will enter the eye, it is much more comfortable for the patient. These patients should be followed every few days (more often in the beginning) to make sure the drops are working and to make sure the pressure in the eye is not elevated. In some cases, either the drops and/or the condition causes the pressure in the eye to become elevated, which would further complicate the treatment plan and possibly require additional drops. Since the early symptoms are similar to an infection, it is very important that the correct initial diagnosis is made and that it is made in a timely manner as the treatment is very different. In the case of an infection, an antibiotic would be used, and heavy dosing of a steroid would be the exact wrong thing to do. So it is very important to know that every red eye is not the same, and that just because a particular drop worked one time does not mean it will be the correct treatment the next time. Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial
To place an ad, share a story, or for more information about our paper, call 925.405.6397 or email editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.
April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 25
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
No one instructs parents on how to be effective teachers when it comes to food, nutrition, and body image. I see a lot of parents give up. My job is to show them how they can be effective and rewarding at the same time. I am sure you remember a favorite teacher that transformed the way you thought about a subject. One mistake parents often make is to try and push our personal reasons for health and fitness onto our kids instead of giving them room to discover on their own. We need not lecture them but rather show them, how activities they enjoy can be affected by nutrition. For example, parents can show how good eating habits will allow them to run the mile faster or get better results in soccer. Kids are more interested in present benefits like looking good, having clear skin, and improving sports performance. Encourage your child to notice how food, or combinations of foods, gives them energy as opposed to feeling sleepy when eating too many carbs. Show them how to become their own expert on their body, and give them the tools to learn what foods give them increased energy. Children are less concerned with adult worries, such as preventing diabetes or other health issues. Taste and appearance of food is number one for children of all ages and must go hand-in-hand with good nutrition. I constantly teach parents how to make the plate look attractive. Veggies must be tasty. Take the time to sauté them in garlic and olive oil and spices your children like. Stock the kitchen with quality food, and allow the child to make certain meals and snacks on their own. When the kids come home from school, put out a fresh variety of veggies with ranch dressing or hummus, along with chicken strips and BBQ sauce. If healthy food is in front of them, and the children are hungry and the food looks inviting, they will eat it. Dedicate one night a week to kid-cook night. Let your child pick out a healthy recipe with you. Shop with and let them prepare the food. They will definitely eat a meal they put together and also be very proud of themselves. One area that I work on with families is how to understand the food label. As a parent, please take the time and teach your child how to read a food label. Show your child the serving size and what that a specific serving actually looks like. Often the listed serving size is very small compared to the amount we might eat. Maybe your child is having three servings of cereal, and they need to realize that it is three times the amount of calories posted for one serving. Also make sure to show them the sugar content of a particular serving, which can often be a big surprise. Older kids will often not be successful if you are not a good role model for them. The best way for them to do well is to not single them out, and make sure everyone in the family is following a healthy meal plan. Maybe this is your chance as a parent to improve your nutrition for the sake of your child. Another area that a parent can aid a child with is helping them understand how media is superficial and how much work goes into making people look perfect on screen with makeup, hair, and photo editing. Children need to understand how unrealistic advertising is and not to be taken in by the altered commercials and ads. These topics are typical things I discuss with families in my sessions. If you feel that you need support and education for your family, I am happy to help you. The good news is that nutritional counseling is covered by many health insurance companies such as Aetna, ABMG, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sutter, and United Healthcare. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutrition concerns, email me at Lifeweight1@gmail.com, and visit my website www.LindaRD.com. Advertorial
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
The Danville Family History Center has been open and serving the community for almost two decades. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in our center. We are located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
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PAGE 26 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
Garden continued from page 24
of a community work together to grow healthy food.” DeRose explains that each site has unique requirements, so support must be tailored to needs of each group. Neighborhood Gardens involve shared use of public or private land, often assessing a fee per plot. Residential Gardens are spaces shared by residents of an apartment complex, assisted living facility, or affordable housing site. Institutional Gardens may be associated with hospitals, churches, or government programs aiding in mental or physical rehabilitation or servicing the needs of low-income families. Community Gardens served in Central County include Adaptive Learning Center, Concord; Belle Terre, Lafayette; Concord Library, Concord; Crestwood Mental Health Facility, Pleasant Hill; Discovery House, Martinez; Gehringer Community Garden, Concord; La Casa Ultima, Martinez; Lafayette Community Garden, Lafayette; Luxi House, Concord; Monteverde, Orinda; and Newell Guest House, Pleasant Hill. Support for school gardens usually begins with contact by an interested teacher or group of teachers. UCMGCC volunteers help school personnel to focus on what space is available, what the goal is for their garden, and how they plan to work with the students. The school community rather than Master Gardeners performs the hands-on work. Goals beyond teaching nutrition and what vegetables and fruit taste like fresh from the garden often involve lessons in math and science. Many of the schools seeking UCMGCC involvement have at least 50% of their student body qualifying for free lunch. Exposure to edibles they grow themselves frequently encourages children to taste nutritious produce they wouldn’t touch at home. “Advice to Grow On” is available at the Help Desk Monday-Thursday, 9amnoon. Phone 925-646-6586 or bring problems to 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2nd Floor, Pleasant Hill. Volunteers consult other Master Gardeners and the UC database when questions extend beyond their personal level of expertise. Help Desk Cocoordinator Julie Lindemann estimates the break-down of inquiries fielded annually in various categories: Landscape Ornamentals 30%; Soil, Compost & Mulch 20%; Animal Pests 10%; Plant Identification 5%; other topics including plant diseases 24%. She writes: “Generally, the types of questions ebb and flow with the growing seasons; questions on edibles are more frequent during the spring and summer growing season than during the fall and winter, for example. However, we receive questions about trees and shrubs year round.” Responses on how each particular inquiry was addressed are written up to be shared with fellow Master Gardeners and reviewed. Ask-a-Master Gardener tables are staffed at Farmer’s Markets regularly with Danville scheduled for April 28th. Free local library talks in April are as follows: April 10, Lafayette, “Edible Flowers;” April 16, Danville, “Demystifying Peppers;” April 25, San Ramon, “Drought Tolerant Landscapes.” Talks begin at 6:30pm. Training to be a Master Gardener is intense and rewarding. Continuing education gives Master Gardeners an additional 12 hours per year of instruction in the latest research. Applicants for the next UCMGCC class will be invited to an orientation session in June. Online application forms are found on the UCMGCC website. Seventeen full-day training sessions run weekly from October-February with a break during the December holidays. Trainees are introduced to volunteer opportunities prior to graduation. Outreach committees include: Ask-a-Master Gardener; Help Desk; Demonstration Gardens; Community Gardens; School Gardens; and Speakers’ Bureau. Volunteers are also needed in strategic planning, communication and membership oriented activities. Whether you are a novice gardener wanting to know how to do it right from the start, an experienced gardener puzzled by what suddenly went wrong with a reliable plant, or a new homeowner wondering what the previous owners left behind in the landscape, UCMGCC is happy to help. Visit them at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu.
Rancho continued from page 12
birds, steelhead in the creeks, large herds of tule elk in the foothills, and grizzly bears everywhere. The Indians living on the Mt. Diablo foothills rustled horses and cattle (having acquired a taste for beef) and burned outlying buildings. Because of this, Pacheco and Castro received permission to live outside of their grant. Ten-year-old Bartolome Pacheco arrived in California with the Anza expedition and joined the military company of the San Francisco Presidio at 15. He was present at the dedication of Mission San Jose in 1797 and retired after 20 years as a soldier.
Drawing by Al Greger of a ranchoscene.
His sister, Barbara Pacheco de Castro, was Mariano’s mother. Mariano Castro and his family lived in the Pueblo de San Jose, building a temporary house in the valley for use by his vaqueros during roundups. One source states that both Castro and Pacheco built houses and corrals on the southern end of their land, far away from the Indians’ bases. Bartolome lived in the San Mateo area, and, when he died in 1839, his son Lorenzo became the grant owner. Also a soldier, Lorenzo had been cited for bravery in a San Joaquin Valley battle during the massive Indian rebellion led by Estanislao in 1828-9. Lorenzo Pacheco and Rafaela Soto were married in 1837 and lived in Pueblo San Jose. When Lorenzo died fighting Indians in 1846, Rafaela Soto de Pacheco and her four small children inherited the Pacheco league of the Rancho San Ramon Valley. Soon, the first American immigrants arrived, admired the open land, and settled with barely a nod to Mexican ownership. The notorious American land attorney Horace Carpentier “helped” Señora Pacheco with her title challenges and ended up owning the entire Pacheco-Castro Rancho land. Topographic maps today designate the land as “Rancho San Ramon (Carpentier).” A second Rancho San Ramon, south of today’s Crow Canyon Road, was granted to Jose Maria Amador in 1835. In 1844, part of the Alamo area and Tice Valley was granted to the Romero brothers and called the Rancho El Sobrante de San Ramon. California’s 20-year Rancho era has often been romanticized and written about, so Mexican rancheros and their families have not been forgotten. Sources: Warren Beck’s Historical Atlas of California; Contra Costa Chronicles articles by Leonora Fink and Dorothy Mutnick; History of Contra Costa County (1882); Mildred Hoover’s Historic Spots in California; Bancroft Library archives.
COPING WITH DEATH OF PETS
The “Good Old Days” are now!
Nationwide Financing on Commercial Property
Douglas Scott DRE#00859191 | Kevin Corstorphine DRE#01944908
805.845.5200
Kevin@alisonmortgage.com | www.alisonmortgage.com
When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay (HoEB) and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at HoEB (925) 887-5681. HoEB Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
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April 2018 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 27
REGRET THAT INK?
POPLAR SPECTACLES OPTOMETRY
By Dr. Jerome Potozkin
Many people have second thoughts about their tattoos. For some it is the memory of an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, whereas others want a clean slate for a new tattoo. People may have thought a design was cool years ago only to find it to be completely out of style or even silly. New moms sometimes feel that they don’t want their children to know they have a tattoo or to see the design they chose. I was surprised to learn that the military excludes people with visible tattoos. If you or someone you know has a tattoo that they wish they didn’t, we can help. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with your decision forever. For many years we used the VersaPulse® laser to successfully lighten or remove tattoos by pulsing light on the ink particles. In 2016 we upgraded our technology to the PicoWay Laser. The PicoWay represents a giant leap forward in treating tattoos. This laser emits a beam of light that shatters the ink into tiny pieces that are absorbed harmlessly by the body. All this can be accomplished without damaging the surrounding tissue. The biggest advantages of the PicoWay laser is that it can remove tattoos in fewer treatments and with less risk of scarring than the older devices. The older devices, called nanosecond lasers, are still widely used because, in general, they are cheaper. The new devices cost much more than the older, but in general the per-treatment cost is similar to older devices so the treatment has become more cost effective. The advantage for the individual seeking tattoo removal is that oftentimes the picosecond lasers can remove tattoos in half the number of treatments compared to the old devices. Other lasers might emit a light beam of only one color. This means that doctors sometimes need as many as four different lasers to treat multicolored tattoos. The PicoWay Laser can be thought of as three lasers in one as it emits light of differing wavelengths targeting different color inks. It recently became available with a wavelength that can treat even the most stubborn green ink. The treatments are done in the office with either a topical anesthetic gel or local anesthesia or a combination of both to make you feel comfortable. We prefer our patients to feel comfortable, so once you are numb you will not feel the actual laser treatment. We have seen people treated elsewhere who describe the sensation as feeling like being spattered with bacon grease each time the laser pulses. Clearly, we prefer our patients to be comfortable during treatment. When you leave the office you will be given instructions on how to take care of the area. The number of treatments depends on the complexity of the individual’s tattoo. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective method of removing tattoos with the minimal amount of risks. If you have a tattoo you wish you didn’t, call us today. We can turn it into a faded memory. Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We are accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and at www.MyBeautyMd.com. Advertorial
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
White Pony Express (WPE) is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping to end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County. The program has been so well received that additional volunteers are urgently needed to help keep up with its rapid growth. The need in our communities remains great. Seven days a week, WPE Food Rescue volunteers take trucks to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets where they pick up thousands of pounds of surplus food—high quality, nourishing food (fresh meats, dairy, eggs, deli, baked goods). Most all of this food is distributed free-of-charge to those in need within two hours of the donation. In its first four years, WPE delivered more than 6,000,000 pounds of food (equivalent to 5,000,000 meals) that the hungry would have gone without. Also, in addition to rescuing food, WPE collects donations of new or like-new clothing, shoes, toys, games, and books. More than 400,000 of these items have been distributed to those in need—all free of charge, through WPE’s unique “Mobile Boutiques” and its Direct Distribution program. Interested volunteers should please contact Mandy Nakaya at 925818-6361 or mandy@whiteponyexpress.org. For more information, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.
LOCATED IN THE SAFEWAY PLAZA
Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams Cataract Evalua�on, Macular Degenera�on, Diabe�c Re�nopathy, Glaucoma Evalua�ons
Contact Lens Exams Daily, bi‐weekly, monthly, colored
Prescrip�on Glasses and Sunglasses In many cases, we are able to make your glasses in our office with our On‐Site Lab Adult & pediatric pa�ents welcomed Most vision insurance plans accepted
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY Monday –Friday: 9am‐6pm Saturday: 9am‐4pm
(925) 202-2846 We invite you into our conveniently located office next to Peet’s Coffee & Katrina Rozelle
To learn more about our office visit www.poplarspecs.com
IS FOOD A PROBLEM FOR YOU?
Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.
C L A S S I F I E D RENTAL
Alamo Bedroom $850/month no lease required - Available mid-April. On bus line to Walnut Creek BART. Minimum laundry/kitchen usage. Swimming pool and tennis court. Foreign student preferred. Send profile/photo to PO Box 4186, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Home Services with 30 years experience •Plumbing •Electrical •Drywall repair •New toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring •Sliding doors and more! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877.
AUTOS WANTED
We Will Buy or Consign Your Car. All cars displayed in our private and secure showroom. We are a locally family owned dealership serving the Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley for over 30 years in a very relaxed atmosphere. Free pick-up and delivery. 925-820-1188.
Place Your Classified
Reach over 21,000 homes and businesses in Alamo, Danville, & Diablo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies...$50 for up to 35 words,$5 for each additional 15 words.Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117,Alamo,CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Payment by check made out to “The Editors”,or credit card placed on file by calling 925-405-6397 must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
PAGE 28 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • April 2018
The Combs Team
Nancy
This is Rockcliff Country
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Professionals You Can Count On
Joe
Call the Combs Team
®
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ALAMO REAL ESTATE SALES: AVERAGE PRICE HITS $1,915,231
It’s a little early in the year to tell much about our current market especially with the wet conditions we are experiencing. That said, I have held open houses nearly every weekend since the beginning of December and I can report that buyers are out in droves. Hopefully, their presence is a reasonable predictor of another bright year in Alamo Real Estate. Our current market is still suffering from a terrible lack of inventory with only 32 homes listed as active. Pending properties are high with a total of 56 properties listed as under contract. From December 1, 2017 to March 19, 2018, a total of 40 properties were sold in Alamo. The average days-on-market listed for active properties is 99. For pending listings the average days-on-market are listed as 29 and for sold properties 38 days. This is a very hot market with average sales price sitting at $1,915,231 and median sold price at $1,699,000. During the peak of Alamo Real Estate, in 2007 prior to the crash, the average price in Alamo hit $1,529,000. The average home in our Alamo market is up about $386,231 from the peak. That’s about a 25% increase in 11 years. This is not a very large average return relatively speaking, only about 2.2% per year. Even though the market is hot today, it really hasn’t kept pace with Real Estate’s historical average of 3% per year. Had the market matched that pace, the Alamo average would stand at more than $2,100,000. Because in its make-up, average price can contain some very high numbers and some very low numbers, it is useful to break the numbers down a bit, so I’ve included a simple bell chart to illustrate how our Alamo market breaks down. Moving from left to right on the chart we can see that the bottom 25% of homes sold at an average price of $1,158,700 and a median price of $1,125,000. In the center the middle 50% of properties sold at an average price of $1,688,113 and a median price of $1,669,000. To the far right we can see that the top 25% of Alamo home sales begin at $2,179,000. The median price is $2,800,000 and the average price is $3,126,000. At first glance it seems clear that determining the price for a home sitting in the middle 50% is far less of a challenge than pricing at the margins. In the middle, average and median price are separated by roughly $20,000 while at the upper-end the difference is about $326,000. If only it were that simple. When we dig into the detail in the numbers we discover that nearly $700,000 separates the highest priced home from the lowest priced home sold within each of the three groups on the bell curve.
Alamo 10 Acre Estate
Moving into 2018, how does a seller determine the right price to sell their Alamo home and how does a buyer determine what price to offer? If the seller uses average price and the buyer uses median price, it seems likely that there is a better chance of making a deal on those properties sitting in the middle 50% than at the upper end. However, because of the manifold differences among individual properties, neither measure is necessarily useful. Correctly pricing Alamo Real Estate for sale today involves both an element of science (the numbers) and art which comes from experience with all types of properties selling within the Alamo market. Only solid judgment based upon extensive local market experience and correctly choosing the right comparative homes recently sold can help with this. We will gladly share our experience with you. Visit www.thecombsteam.com to read the Danville version of this article. Trying to figure out your next move? Need numbers and answers to your fix up questions to make your decision? Nancy and I will be happy to provide you with a personal consultation, including a multi-dimensional analysis of your home’s current value, to help you figure it out. No charge and no pressure just our honest opinions. Please call 925-989-6086 or send me an email joecombs@thecombsteam.com.
Danville Two Story
D SOL
Round Hill
D SOL
Beautiful custom home with views, gardens, huge master, 3 ensuite bedrooms, bonus room/au pair suite with private entrance. Priced to sell $5,650,000.
Lovely five bedroom, 3 bath on an oversize lot. One bedroom downstairs. Priced to sell! $1,399,000.
Sensational Mediterranean backing the golf course. 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2 master suites. Pool/spa outdoor kitchen and living room. Price to sell $2,900,000
Danville Gated Community
Alamo Single Story
Coming Soon - Alamo Springs!
NG I D PEN Five bedroom 3 bath in gated community. One bed downstairs, designer kitchen, spacious master. Priced to sell $1,300,000
Charming light and bright 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Single story home on a large private lot. Call for pricing.
Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.
Five bedroom 4.5 bath, Luxury abounds. Bedroom downstairs, Chef’s kitchen, outdoor kitchen, pool & spa, sports court. Call for details. J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526