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valleysentinel.com
January 2012
VOL 17, NO 1
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SPOTLIGHT
“1 Closet” teen charity finds success at SRVHS
Looking forward to a New Year!
By: Susan Beck
A simple dinner conversation about someone adopting a teenager sparked an idea to make a d i f f e r e n c e. L a u r a Graham, Bishop O’Dowd sophomore came up with an idea for a teen charity, 1 Closet, collecting gently used and new clothing for low-income teens. With the support of her mother, Sue Graham, Laura reached out to friends, schools, neighbors and stores for donations. In August she met a parent at Plato’s Closet in Pleasanton, who encouraged her to contact their teen’s school for support. Earlier this month, San Ramon Valley High School Leadership Class embraced the idea, holding a successful clothing drive.
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See CHARITY page
Hiking the trails in the East Bay Regional Parks helps us discover new vistas. The upcoming 2012 Trails Challenge now in its 19th year, is a free, self-guided hiking program that covers 20 selected routes to choose from. Participation in the Trails Challenge will get you out into the parks, in the fresh air and get your heart pumping. Over 10,000 people signed up for the Trails Challenge in 2011! See page 5 for the story.
New law will affect plans in each community By Nora Heston
Originally passed in late June, the law set to eliminate redevelopment agencies across the state was deemed constitutional just weeks ago by the Supreme Court and may result in serious consequences for both the Town of Danville and the City of San Ramon, said officials. Current and future town and city projects including street beautification, affordable housing efforts and general downtown repairs may be cut while elimination of local redevelopment agencies could mean the loss of land and other assets, as well as jobs for some.
The passing of this law will result in the shutting down of redevelopment agencies effective February 1. Danville’s redevelopment agency, was originally formed in 1986, and currently serves a 140-acre area from San Ramon High School South to Boon Court and from Iron Horse trail to Diablo Road. Ac c o r d i n g t o J o s e p h Calabrigo, town manager at the Town of Danville, no job losses are expected as a result of the agency closing and no redevelopment funds currently pay salaries; however future projects including sidewalk beautification, downtown repairs and affordable housing projects will have to be put on hold.
The City of San Ramon, however, is in a different position. Economic Development Director Marc Fontes said the loss of jobs is a distinct possibility for the City and will need to be considered as part of the 2012-2013 budget, scheduled to be reviewed in a few months. Nothing has been decided as yet. “ We ’ r e d i s a p p o i n t e d with the court’s ruling,” said Calabrigo. “There are additional funds that we would have been in a position to be able to collect between now and 2026 that we would have put to work to make additional improvements in our downtown area.” See REDEVELOPMENT page 10
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• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT •
page 2
dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
valleysentinel.com
January 2012
Now-February 17 “A b s t r a c t D i a l o g u e : ” Ceramic Sculpture and Clay Monoprints Exhibit The Town of Danville presents Abstract Dialogue during its upcoming exhibition to bring in the New Year. The two artists featured in this exhibition, John Toki and Pamela Stefl Toki, believe an abstract dialogue encompasses both the artists’ interaction between each other and the potential communication
between the observer and the art. The artwork aims to evoke human emotions and spiritual experiences through dynamic color, expressive lines, visceral textures and dimensional forms. Opening reception Friday, January 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free. Village Theatre Art Gallery 233 Front Street, Danville. Information: 925-314-3400 or www.villagetheatreartgallery. com. Now-March 3 “Heartfelt” Winter Exhibition Gallery is open Tues – Sat, 11am-5pm. Come in and enjoy Lafayette Gallery’s winter show “Heartfelt” and experience the warmth that comes from work
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created from the heart. The exhibition features unique sculpture, ceramics, paintings, prints, glasswork, jewelry and photography, created by local artists who love what they do. Valentines cards, jewelry and more have arrived just in time for you to choose a gift for that special person. Free reception February 3 from 6:30pm–8:30pm. 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. (across from Chow). Information: www. lafayettegallery.net or 925284-2788.
January 14 “Seussical the Musical” 11am and 4pm. Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical ex t rava g a n z a ! S e u s s i c a l lovingly brings to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination. ‘Oh, the Thinks You Can Think’ captures the show’s spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon. Information: 925973-3343.
January 14 33rd Annual Shellie Awards 7:30pm. The Shellie Awards recognize yearly the most outstanding achievements in performing arts in the Contra Costa and Diablo Valley areas. Tickets: $30. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 9 2 5 - 9 4 3 - 7 4 6 9 o r w w w. lesherartscenter.org. January 15 Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival 3pm. Join six of the Bay Area’s Youth Orchestras as they come together for a celebration of music in our vibrant community with a special concert at Davies Symphony Hall. Proceeds from the concert
will benefit six organizations, one within each orchestra’s local community, that provide resources to underserved and homeless youth. Tickets: $2570. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Information: www. sfsymphony.org.
Celebration of Women in Film,’ Temple Grandin exemplifies AAUW’s theme of “breaking through barriers,” and appeals to young people as well as adults. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: 925829-7813 or www.sanramon. ca.gov.
January 15 Screening of “Laura” 4:30pm. A special screening of the film “Laura” is scheduled at the Village Theater under the auspices of the Town of Danville’s Silver Screen series. Free. 233 Front Street, Danville. Information: danvilletheatre.com.
January 20-21 “Aladdin Jr.” 7pm. Performed by the teen students of Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s Youth Education Program, all your favorite characters come to life in this musical filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides. This is the perfect show for the whole family! Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon. Information: 925973-3343. January 20-21 Company C Contemporary Ballet 10th Anniversary Season Winter Program January 20 at 8pm, January 21 at 3 and 8pm. Company C Contemporary Ballet’s Tenth Anniversary Season opening program bursts with versatility, wit and romance. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter.org. January 21 “Temple Grandin” 7pm. Closely based on the life of Dr. Temple Grandin, who turned her differences into a gift and became a world-renowned animal scientist and advocate for people with autism, this remarkable film won 7 Emmys, a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. Presented by the San Ramon branch of the American Association of University Women as part of its series, ‘A
January 21-22 “A Ye a r W i t h Fro g a n d Toad” 1pm and 3pm. Performed by the 5 – 11 year old students of Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s Youth Education Program, Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in this musical which brings Frog and Toad to life. Follow these two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad, through four fun-filled seasons filled with song and dance. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon. Information: 925973-3343. January 22 “The Romance of the Cello” 4 p.m. The beauty of the cello takes center stage as California Symphony’s season continues with a concert helmed by acclaimed conductor Robert Moody. Featuring Joshua Roman. The program will include Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Center Dr., Walnut Creek. $20-$69. Information: 925-943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org. January 27-January 28 Civic Arts Education’s Youth Theatre Company’s “Snoopy” January 27 at 7pm, January 28 at 2 and 7pm. A program of the City of Walnut Creek, the Teen Theatre group of YTC will present “Snoopy” January 27 and 28 at Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek before taking the show to Los Angeles for a competition in mid-February. Tickets: $14$16.50. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Information: 925-943-SHOW or www.lesherartscenter.org.
• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT •
page 3
dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
valleysentinel.com
January 2012 January 27-February 25 “Arms and the Man” George Bernard Shaw’s most popular play is a charming tale of romance going awry with unexpected turns, mistaken identities and the author’s always surprising opinions on war and marriage, and eve r y t h i n g e l s e. L e s h e r Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter. org.
January 28 T h e S a n Ra m o n Va l l ey High School Winter Benefit Concert featuring “Evolution.”
7pm. Community Concerts & San Ramon Valley High School present The San Ramon Valley High School Winter Benefit Concert featuring the ultimate Journey tribute band Evolution, with special appearances by SRVHS Instrumental Music S t u d e n t s . $ 10 - $ 3 0 . S a n Ramon Valley High School Performing Arts Center, 501 D a n v i l l e B l vd , D a n v i l l e. Information: 707-869-9403 or www.communityconcerts. com.
Valley Sentinel introduces new restaurant menu magazine would scramble to open A la Carte Magazine is an easy-to-use guide to what can be found on the menus of local restaurants. Discovering restaurants you have never tried is an enjoyable pastime as our area offers a wide variety of niche and riche places to eat. The Bay Area is abuzz with information on locally grown and seasonal produce and artisanal cheeses, and we’re right in between two of the best wine country areas in the state. It is only natural that the best and the brightest in the business
Auditions for The Odd Couple in San Ramon The San Ramon Community Theater Front Row Theater in San Ramon will be having auditions for The Odd Couple, A Comedy in three acts at the Front Row Theater in San Ramon on February 7, 2012 at 7pm with call-backs on February 9, 2012 at 7pm. This classic Neil Simon comedy has entertained millions of followers over the years. Roles are for six men and two women from ages 20 to 60. Rehearsals begin in February with performances for three weekends beginning April 27, 2012. San Ramon Community Theater is a volunteer theater group and is part of the San Ramon Arts Foundation. The Front Row Theater is located at 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd in San Ramon. (inside the Dougherty Station Community Center.) For information visit www.sanramoncommunitytheater. org or call (925) 389-7529.
Á la c arte
their restaurants here, or come here to open a restaurant after having a l re a d y m a d e t h e i r mark on the culinary map. The magazine is divided into specific Winte r 2011 /2012 sections highlighting Fine Dining, Family Dining, Bar & Grille and Quick & Easy. Catering and dessert sections will also be changing featured in upcoming issues s e a s o n s a n d of A la Carte. We will be the changing menus in our providing this resource for participating restaurants. your pleasure-seeking outings Our next issue will appear in three times a year to honor the March 2012.
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The Valley Sentinel
January 2012
valleysentinel.com
Advertorial
Pain, Numbness and Tingling, OH MY!
Understanding neuropathy and how it can be healed naturally By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
W h a t i s Pe r i p h e r a l Neuropathy? Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition in which there is damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This can result in pain, tingling, loss of feeling, and inability to control muscles. As with any other condition, there is no “one size fits all” remedy for those suffering from this malady and treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity. However, many individuals find relief using natural remedies. Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that affects people in every walk of life. It is estimated that 20
million Americans and 60% of diabetics suffer from this disorder. There are hundreds of different kinds of neuropathy, the symptoms of which include burning, tingling, weakness, numbness, paralysis, and dull to excruciating pain especially in the limbs. Although many neuropathies have no known cause, neuropathy is often associated with other conditions such as: Diabetes, HIV, shingles, toxins, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, and malnutrition. Statin (cholesterol) drugs and chemotherapy can also cause neuropathy. While medications can sometimes help with the symptoms, they cannot be relied upon to restore the health of the nerves. Most often the drugs that treat neuropathy
leave the sufferer feeling intoxicated and hopeless to lead a normal active life. Understanding the Nervous System Nerves carry the electrical signals that allow us to move, feel, breath, digest, detoxify, respond to our environment, and much more. Nerves are the electrical wiring of the human body. Plain and simple, if the nerves do not work the body will not work, in some capacity. It is also important to understand that unlike other tissues, the primary blood supply to nerve tissue is actually located WITHIN the nerve itself. So, if a nerve becomes impinged or compromised, so does the blood supply to the nerve. Without proper blood supply, the nerve does not receive the energy and nutrition that are needed for
the nerve to heal itself. Over time neural impingement leads to a painful chronic condition called Neuropathy. Natural help for Neuropathy sufferers For the past eleven years Align Healing Center has been offering many natural therapies to soothe and heal painful neuropathies. In 2009 we began using Class IV Laser Therapy and the results have been outstanding! Class IV Laser Therapy allows the practitioner to stimulate healing within the nerve tissue by delivering the necessary energy directly to the injured area. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. Laser therapy is a photochemical process that is able to bypass the arterial “highway” that has been compromised. During
Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level and metabolically increases the activity within the cell, improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. In other words, NO MORE Pain, NO MORE Numbness, NO MORE Tingling and NO MORE Burning! Depending on the type and severity of neuropathy we have witnessed patients begin to get relief after the first visit and with continued care receive complete relief long-term. D r. N i e l e M a i m o n e of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www. alignhealingcenter.com.
The Benefits of Green Remodeling By Sundong Kwong, Founder, Green Remodel Forum
People often think that “green” is about recycling and more recently about saving energy. Actually, “green” is now more commonly used as a general term for sustainability. Remodeling an existing home or building or a new home is a perfect opportunity to incorporate the different aspects of sustainability. Besides saving energy, green homes also save water, provide better indoor air quality, better comfort, a healthier living environment and are more durable. Indoor Air Quality – Many homes in California are leaky because of the holes and cracks around the houses. Also ducts can be leaky or broken apart. Stale air from the attics, crawlspaces, and joints can infiltrate the home. At the same time, the indoor heated air in winter or cooled air in summer can leak outside.
As we all know, air coming from attics and crawlspaces is not fresh. The air can be mixed with dust, fiberglass, mildew, mold or the smell of dead rodents. By sealing all the joints, holes, cracks, ducts, and repairing the broken ducts, the stale air cannot infiltrate the house. Use ventilation systems to bring in fresh air, or better yet open some windows. Also add house plants that can help absorb carbon dioxide and some other VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Comfort – After sealing all the holes, cracks and joints, and repairing the ducts, a home needs to be insulated to at least R38 in the attic and R13 in the wall. For more comfort, replace old windows with new double pane lowE windows. Insulating the under floor can even the temperature through out the home. No more complaints about this
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room is too cold or that room is too warm. Better insulation can also reduce the size of the furnace needed to heat the home. You use less energy to make your home more comfortable and in turn save money – a double winner. Health – According to the Environmental Protection Agency, most people spend 90% of their time indoors. Having healthy air inside of our house is important. Conventional home furnishings and other m a t e r i a l s c o n t a i n VO C s. VOCs and other chemicals used in the home can off-gas into the living environment and may affect our health, especially children. Use low VOC paint, stain, varnish, natural carpet, etc. whenever possible. Check your indoor air quality if someone in your home is affected by asthma. Eliminating chemicals in the home is good for the health and the environment. Energy Efficiency – If you have some rooms that are either too cold or too warm, it can indicate leaky or broken ducts. Check the ducts in the attic or crawlspace
to see if there are holes, cracks or breaks. Or hire a Building Performance Institute certified home performance contractor to check it. With the advancements of testing technology, we now can measure and find out precisely where the leaks are. The contractor can do an energy analysis and recommend work required to make the home more energy efficient. Water Conservation – Our federal government has developed the Water Sense label for water conservation fixtures just like Energy Star for energy
efficient appliances to help you save water and money. The Water Sense label can be found on many home products such as bathroom sinks, faucets, and accessories, showerheads, toilets, and weather-based irrigation controllers. Thinking about all these things can be overwhelming. You don’t have to do them all at once. By taking the approach of “a house as a system” and planning carefully, you will save money in a long run. For more information, visit www.GreenRemodelForum.com.
Cell phone numbers go public this month All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls! To prevent this, call the National Do Not Call list at the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx.
valleysentinel.com
January 2012
The Valley Sentinel
Advertorial
Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Cancer Care By Tyler Kang, MD
Our increased understanding of cancer development has improved cancer therapy but has also increased the complexity of cancer care. Whereas in the past, cancer treatments were compartmentalized by specialty, providers in oncology now realize that judicious c o m b i n a t i o n o f va r i o u s types of treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is often the best way to achieve optimal outcome for patients. Thoughtful and coordinated care in various cancers, including breast, head and neck, and colorectal
cancers, is therefore of utmost importance. Tra d i t i o n a l l y, b re a s t cancer management requires initial surgery to remove the primary tumor followed by appropriate chemotherapy, radiation, and potentially hormonal therapy, all done in this sequential fashion. However, clinical studies have now shown that chemotherapy given before surgery (neo-adjuvant) has equivalent outcome when compared to that given after surgery (adjuvant). Therefore, neo-adjuvant treatments have been employed in advanced stage patients to help reduce the size of their tumors, obtain more complete surgical resection, and in some cases, can even help
patients reach the goal of breast conservation. In head and neck cancer, again, traditional treatments involve removing the primary tumor as well as carefully dissecting out lymph nodes in the neck that may harbor m e t a s t a t i c c a n c e r c e l l s. The surgery can be a very disfiguring procedure and in the event of involvement o f v i t a l o rg a n s s u c h a s the tongue or the larynx (vocal cords), can leave one functionally impaired. Extensive clinical studies have shown that the combination of chemotherapy and radiation, when used together rather than sequentially, can in fact attain high levels of response in these cancers such that surgery is reserved only for cases where this combined-
Trails Challenge offers new twists By Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Park District Board Member
This year marks the 19th year of the free East Bay Regional Park District Trails Challenge, and there are some new features I want to tell you about. This popular self-guided hiking program is designed to encourage people to enjoy the East Bay Regional Parks. The program challenges people to explore the parks via any five of 20 selected routes. Hikes are designed for all levels of ability and include wheelchair-accessible excursions. In 2011, nearly 10,000 people signed up. Thanks to a continuing partnership with the Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization,
CHARITY from page 1
Teacher Janet Willford and her students collected over 400 garments. In addition, student Brianna Lane suggested holding a second drive later this school year to benefit Graham’s charity. Graham’s idea of teento-teen giving proved more difficult than anticipated after several churches and schools turned the donation down. Her mother contacted the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland for a back to school delivery
the 2012 Trails Challenge is free for residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Trails Challenge participants receive access to download a hiking guidebook, instructions on how to receive a free T-Shirt, and web links to visualize the routes on Google Maps. A commemorative pin will be sent after a participant completes the Challenge and sends in a trails log. All registration for Trails Challenge must be done online at www.ebparks.org. Look for the Trails Challenge logo on the home page of the website. So what’s new? Each year 20 trails are selected all over the Park District and, this year, the guidebook includes Briones Regional Pa r k , D i a b l o Fo o t h i l l s of over 500 garments, where they welcomed the donation. Graham recruited neighbors to help with 50 loads of laundry that would be sorted and sized prior to delivery while her mother helped with driving. KTVU and The Contra Costa Times were on hand for her first 1 Closet delivery. Graham is in contact with KCBS as they recently aired a profile on Carol Graham (no relation), a Fremont foster parent to teenagers who could benefit from 1 Closet donations. Fo l l o w i n g a w a r m
Regional Park, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. Also new for 2012 is a Trails Challenge limited membership membership o f f e re d by t h e Re g i o n a l Parks Foundation. Although u s i n g t h e t ra i l s i s f re e, there are parking fees at some entrances. With a $20 membership, available to residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, parking is free all year at these seven locations: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch; Briones Regional Park in Lafayette/ Martinez; Garin Regional Park in Hayward; Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante; Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond; Redwood Regional experience with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Graham reached out to Martinez director, Toung Troung, who has several teens who would benefit from donations by 1 Closet; a clothing delivery will be made later this month. Although her first steps are small, Graham remains focused and heartfelt in making a difference. “We are always looking for schools and donations,” she said. To donate contact Laura at laura.1.closet@gmail.com or 1Closet on Facebook.
modality approach fails to achieve a complete response. The treatment of patients with colorectal cancer involves surgical dissection of the involved segments of colon along with their mesenteries where the lymph nodes reside. The problem with cancers that occur in the rectal region is that the a n a t o my p re c l u d e s e a sy dissection of the lymph nodes and allows for early spread of disease; consequently relapse rates are higher than cancer of other parts of the colon. Attempts to improve outcome via more aggressive surgeries usually end up leaving patients with permanent colostomies. Here the combined-modality a p p ro a c h o f c o n c u r re n t radiation and chemotherapy provides rapid tumor Park in Oakland; and Sunol Regional Wilderness in Sunol. It’s a great value! The Trails Challenge is now mobile! After you register for the Trails Challenge, you can download the free Trails Challenge app from the Android Market or iTunes App Store. With the app, you can access the trail maps and guidebook and log your hikes and mileage. Find out more about memberships and the downloadable app at www. RegionalParksFoundation. org, or call 510-544-2220. Whether you try new trails or stick with your old favorites, the Trails Challenge is a great way to enjoy your Regional Parks and find new parks.
shrinkage in many cases that allows for reduction in the extent of resection as well as improvement of patient survival. While surgery remains a backbone of cancer therapy, use of chemotherapy and radiation has increasingly important roles in improving outcome in many cancers. Coordination between and early access to various oncologic specialists is necessary to ensure optimal care. Comprehensive cancer therapy is no longer the purview of large academic centers but is available in community cancer centers as well. D r. Ka n g i s a b o a rd certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Epic Care, a group of experts in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders. www.epic-care. com If you are looking for a challenging hike to start off the year, Naturalist Dave Zuckerman will be leading a group to visit the lagoons at Briones on Tuesday Jan. 31, 10 a.m. at the staging area at the end of Briones Road off Alhambra Valley Road in Martinez. This is a free, dropin group known as Over the Hills Gang, for hikers age 55 and older who take a series of monthly excursions to various parks. Beverly Lane is a member of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. Her ward includes Central Contra Costa County from San Ramon through Concord and Pleasant Hill through Clayton.
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• Education •
page 6
libraries • schools • camps • events
International Language Day presented by Lango Foreign Languages for Kids The San Ramon Library is proud to partner with Lango Foreign Languages for Kids to offer a free International Language Day for families on Saturday, January 14 from 11:30am- 2:30pm. Lango is a language immersion program for kids ages 6 months to 12 years, teaching Spanish, French and Mandarin classes and camps. The active but structured lessons, include games, music, art projects, cultural insights and dramatic play, all in the target language, much like children learn their given language. The classes are taught in the style in which children want to learn, through PLAY! They offer community based classes and partner with schools, preschools and libraries.
Free Event Schedule: Mini-Classes (20 minutes for ages 3-9 years) • Spanish- 12:00pm • Mandarin- 1:00pm • French- 2:00pm Cultural Storytimes will be offered on the half hour and crafts and face painting will be offered all day. T h i s p ro g ra m i s f re e and open to the public, and registration isn’t required, but encouraged at ccclib. org. The program will be held in the second floor community room of the San Ramon Library, located at 100 Montgomery St., San Ramon, at the corner of Bollinger Canyon Road and Market Street. For more information please call the Library at (925) 973-2850.
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SRVUSD announces 2012-2013 enrollment for incoming Kindergarten and Transitional It is required by California Kindergarten (TK) students Kindergarten enrollment for the upcoming 2012-13 school year will be held from January 17 through February 15, 2012 for children residing within San Ramon Valley Unified School District boundaries. Children must be five years of age on or before November 1, 2012 to enroll in kindergarten. Children who turn five years of age from November 2 to December 2, 2012 may enroll in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program only. The timeline and locations for enrollment are: • January 17-February 15, 2012 - Sibling Priority • February 1-15, 2012 - All Others • K i n d e r g a r t e n students will enroll at their resident school • T r a n s i t i o n a l Kindergarten students will enroll at the school district office at 699 Old Orchard Drive, Danville. All required forms and more information can be found on the District website at www.
srvusd.net. Click on “Enroll Your Child” on the left. Please contact the Educational Services Department at 925-552-5071 if you have any questions regarding enrollment. Other important dates: • * T r a n s i t i o n a l Kindergarten Information Night for SRVUSD residents will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 7:00-8:30 at Charlotte Wood Middle School. • K i n d e r g a r t e n Readiness Information Night for Residents of Alamo and Danville will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at John Baldwin Elementary School. • K i n d e r g a r t e n Readiness Information Night for San Ramon Residents will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 7:008:30 p.m. at Hidden Hills Elementary School At the time of enrollment, an original certified copy of the birth certificate, passport, or baptismal record must be used to verify the student’s birth date.
State law that all students have complete records of immunizations prior to entering school. Children will not be admitted to a classroom in the fall unless all the immunizations are up-to-date. Please provide current immunization records at time of enrollment. Any missing immunizations from the record will need to be given and proof provided to the school before the start of school. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District requires a child to have a physical examination prior to entering kindergarten or TK. At the time of enrollment, parents are asked to provide the school with the scheduled appointment date for the physical exam. Children will not be admitted to a classroom in the fall unless the physical exam has been completed. *Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a twoyear kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum which is age and developmentally appropriate.
PAR 4 Kids Sake grants help special careers in the community”, education teachers said Junko Kagawa of Marshall For more local information, visit ValleySentinel.com
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A number of special education teachers throughout the East Bay received grant checks of $200 to $400 in December. PAR 4 Kids’ Sake is a ten year old charity that has raised over $1,000,000 for autism research at the U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento, CA, helping special needs kids attend camp at the Taylor Family Foundation’s Camp Arroyo in Livermore, the School of Imagination in Dublin, and teacher grants. This is the fifth year that PAR has allocated funds for the teacher grants. PAR is a 501c3 foundation that was started by parents of special education kids. PAR’s strength has been to raise and then donate money to groups that focus on finding a cure for autism and helping kids and families with autism. Started by Eric and Cindy Everson, parents of two autistic boys, this charity has flourished with the help of a dedicated executive committee. PAR 4 Kids’ Sake puts on numerous
fundraising events every year. PAR created the teacher grant program to help dedicated special education teachers in the East Bay in their efforts to help their students learn and eventually be productive members of the community. PAR reviewed
the grant applications and decided that 28 applicants were eligible to receive the grants. “Today I received the grant in the mail and it was a wonderful surprise! Thank you very much! I will use this for ‘Early Preparation for Careers’ for my special education children, which provides speakers in various
Elementary, Oakland. Martha Allen from Lyd i k s e n E l e m e n t a r y i n Pleasanton exclaimed, “Thank you so much for supporting the special education program! I just ordered my Ipod!” “PAR For Kids’ Sake is so thrilled to be able to give the wonderful special education teachers in the East Bay these grants once again,” says Cindy Everson, Co-Founder of PAR For Kids’ Sake. “This wouldn’t be possible without the help we receive from so many businesses and individuals who support our cause of finding a cure and the causes of autism. We thank them for making this possible. These special education teachers give so much of their time, energy and money and we want to recognize their dedication to these kids. For more information about PAR 4 Kids Sake, call Eric Everson at (925) 922-1900, or write to PAR 4 Kid’s Sake, 635 Rowell Lane, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
New Year - New You! valleysentinel.com
January 2012
10 Ideas for a New Year’s Resolution Worth Keeping From the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) of the East Bay
New Year’s resolutions, the skeptics say, are made to be broken. How about if you could prove the skeptics wrong by making a resolution you can actually keep, one that if kept, may drastically improve your financial outlook for 2012 and beyond? Instead of a grand gesture, total abstinence from sweets, for example, or quitting a bad habit cold turkey at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1 try making a resolution that’s ambitious yet eminently attainable: a financial resolution. “The important thing with a resolution is how you define it,” said Molly Balunek, CFP®, at Inverness Advisers in Beachwood, Ohio. “That means defining it narrowly enough that it’s achievable. You want to avoid being so ambitious that it’s selfdefeating.” Here are 10 achievable yet impactful financial resolutions worth considering: 1. Track household spending. “This is a real game-changer,” said Balunek, and perhaps the most important step a person can take toward gaining control of their financial situation. Track spending the old-fashioned way, with pencil and paper, or use software systems like Quicken, FinanceWorks or Mint. 2. Save $X per week/ month/pay period. Rather than merely resolving to “save more,” commit to setting aside a specific amount during a specific time period. If you don’t have a savings account, open one that offers a decent interest rate. 3. Develop and follow a spending plan. A resolution to “spend less” is too general, said Balunek. Instead figure out exactly how much you take in and how you need each month to cover expenses. The difference determines how much you can set aside for retirement, education, etc., as well as goodies like vacation. 4. Establish a retirement plan (if you don’t already have one) and commit to funding it. It’s never too early (or too late) to save for retirement. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) or other type of plan, open an IRA yourself. 5. Meet with a financial planner. It pays to have an expert objectively examine your entire financial picture, then provide actionable ideas and advice to help you meet your goals and obligations. Find a financial planner in your area via the
Financial Planning Association’s national database at www. FPAnet.org/PlannerSearch/ PlannerSearch. 6. Save for a child’s education by setting up and contributing regularly to a college savings plan. Research plans online (via a site such as www. savingforcollege.com) and if need be, ask a financial planner for help establishing one. 7. Develop and follow a debt management plan. Assess how much debt you’re carrying (on credit cards, etc.), then commit to paying down that debt by a specific amount each month. 8. Learn more about finances. The Internet, the library and the bookstore are full of insight and ideas you can put to work to improve your financial standing. Where to
find those ideas? Ask financially savvy friends and relatives (or a financial planner) for suggestions. 9. Review your insurance needs. Ask a financial planner for help analyzing what you have and what you need in terms of life, disability, health and other forms of insurance. Also talk with the HR department at work to find out about insurance benefits offered by your employer. 10. Commit to saving just a little more for retirement. Setting aside even 1 or 2 percent more per month now, said Balunek, can add up to a much bigger nest egg later. The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) of the East Bay is the leadership and advocacy organization connecting those who provide, support and benefit from professional financial planning.
The Valley SenTinel
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The valley Sentinel
January 2012
valleysentinel.com
Questions raised about alternative and over-the-counter medicines for sinus problems By Dr. Karen Fong
In an article in the October issue of ENT Today, alternative and homeopathic treatments for sinus conditions were
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In June 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned consumers to stop using and discard three zinccontaining intranasal products as they may cause a loss of sense of smell. The study authors felt that there needed to be increased FDA scrutiny and oversight of homeopathic medicines. I was interviewed in the article and warned that homeopathic therapies don’t need to go through the same rigors and trials other treatments need to go through, and that just because it’s overthe-counter doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any issues or possible safety concerns. When using homeopathic remedies and other over-thecounter medications, there may be unknowns in their effectiveness, side effects, and interactions with current medications. In relation to the common cold, an illness which is selflimiting in nature, it is unknown whether or not there is a measurable impact on recovery from many therapies including echinacea, vitamin C and nasal
irrigations. There is a role for alternative and homeopathic treatments in medicine. As Dr. Michael Stewart from Weill Cornell Medical College, stated “the reality is there’s a lot about what we do that is not ‘scientifically proven’.” H oweve r, i t ’s a l ways important to let your doctors know which over-thecounter medications and/ or homeopathic treatments you are using. Most of these treatments are not designed for ongoing use without the supervision of a doctor, so if you find that chronic use of an over-the-counter medication is necessary to control your nasal or sinus symptoms, you may want to consult an allergist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) for further evaluation to see if you are receiving the most appropriate t re a t m e n t a n d avo i d i n g unwanted side effects. Karen J. Fong, MD is a Physician & Surgeon at California Sinus Centers, Walnut Creek, CA and Atherton, CA. She is also Co-Director, CSC Advanced Sinus Surgery and Rhinology Fellowship.
Effect of untreated OCD on families can be devastating William Shryer, DCSW, LCSW
The effect of untreated or poorly treated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) on families is enormous. While there are wellestablished treatment methods that are available and work, few clinicians are well trained in various treatment approaches, or know the benefit of the combination of correct medication and the use of what is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and ERP, or Exposure and Response Prevention. What is OCD? OCD is a disorder of the brain resulting in behavior that is highly genetic meaning that it runs in families, especially those families with a strong genetic link to anxiety disorders of all kinds. OCD involves both obsessions and compulsions that get in the way of living life and the important activities that the person and family value. Imagine your mind becoming stuck on a
particular thought or idea. Your brain plays this thought ove r a n d ove r, a n d j u s t can’t quit this avalanche of thoughts or images. Your anxiety goes higher and higher and you feel as if you must do something to stop or change this to bring the anxiety down. These rituals can run the gamut, from hand washing to checking to arranging and the list goes on and on. Often the person with OCD starts to involve his or her family members to reassure them they are OK. The more the family does this the more the person needs increasing reassurance to feel OK. The behaviors the person uses to decrease the anxiety are called the compulsions. Some of the most obvious are hand washing or fear of contamination, but others are thoughts that one has offended God or they may blurt out bad words or show See OCD page 13
New Year - New You! valleysentinel.com
January 2012
Gardening With Change and Renewal By Jonathan Espalin, Garden Designer, Calvin Craig Landscaping
New Years in the garden can be a time to celebrate re n ewa l , t o reve l i n t h e change and fluctuation that is inherent in natural processes, to experience the drama of nature at our own home, rather than something ‘out there’ far away. At its best, gardening is an inherently hopeful practice. We perform actions now with the hope of future reward, and much of the gardener’s joy comes from the sweet anticipation of future changes: the emergence of new growth, the display of autumn leaves or spring f l owe rs, o r t h e g a rd e n ’s seasonal animal visitors. The fulfillment of the anticipation for these joys can be like Christmas morning to the gardener. In our climate, more than any other, January really can be a time of renewal. Our seasons here may not
fit the stereotype built into American mass culture by the eastern US or northern Europe, but they have at least as much drama and change. For us, the New Year really can look like a new year. Maybe it’s no coincidence that the Roman calendar, invented in a climate like ours, included the New Year around this time. Our region’s seasons are especially complex. Because of our Mediterranean climate, “winter” here is a time of both death and of rebirth. Plants from our area have such a wide variety of survival strategies to cope with both c o l d a n d d ro u g h t . S o m e sleep the summer away, and emerge in our mild (usually) damp winter, and others follow the more expected pattern of growing through the spring and summer, and going dormant in the winter. For gardeners, this means
that there can be active interest at all times of year, always something different to look forward to. Every season has its own plants and animals in the foreground, and gardeners should do their best to create gardens to allow for this. So, if the appreciation of change and renewal are so essential to the experience of the garden, why do so many gardens fight against these processes? Gardens, particularly in climates with notable seasonal change, are best designed to celebrate the patterns of life and death and regrowth, to celebrate seasonality, highlight the dramas of nature, rather than pretend change doesn’t happen. To o m a n y d e s i g n e d gardens of the past have fought against the garden as a place for life’s complexities to play out. The focus on evergreens and permanently
The Valley SenTinel verdant lawns, can make the garden like a plastic toy, minimizing life and change. There can be a place for these stable points of rest within the garden, but they should compliment those parts of the garden where complex life is allowed to play out. Well-orchestrated use of deciduous plants, or perennials and bulbs, whose form changes throughout the year, or even the use of evergreens with strong seasonal aspects of flowers and fruit, can all enhance the experience of flux, change and renewal, while providing
page 9
a lot of diversity to attract desirable animal life such as hummingbirds, butterflies, a n d s o n g b i rd s. G a rd e n s should embrace and enhance our experience of natural processes. Where better than a garden to experience daily the rhythms of nature: of growth, fluctuation, decay and rebirth. Gardens are a four-dimensional art form, which work not just in space, but in time. We should create gardens that celebrate this, rather than fighting time and change. For the New Year, we should try to make our gardens a place for renewal.
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The Functional Squat By Jeff Beard
It has been stated that “Behind every great bottom is a perfect squat”. Well, that’s great if you’re twentyfive years old. But, what if you are seventy-five and have mobility limitations? Or, maybe you don’t care what your “bottom” looks like anymore. All you care about is being able to go from sit-to-stand whether it is from a reclining chair, bed, the dining room chair or yes, the toilet. This move for a senior citizen (as well as a younger person) can be quite harmful, not to mention painful, if done incorrectly over a prolonged period of time. Unfortunately, what happens to seniors is they become sedentary and thus develop chronic conditions like patellofemoral (knee and lower thigh) problems or patella tendonitis (inflammation of the knee). They can also develop
arthritic flare-ups as a result of not using their quadricep muscles efficiently. They will also substitute or compensate with upper and lower back musculature due largely in part to poor flexibility as well as with poor postural awareness. It has also been highly publicized in the rehab world that we have a tendency to lift with our backs and not with our legs. Again, this is ev i d e n c e t h a t we tend to disregard the importance of having strong leg muscles and just take them for granted because we think we can move from point A to point B without any difficulty. But what about quality of movement? The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) states: “Squats, when performed correctly and with appropriate supervision, are
not only safe, but may be a significant deterrent to knee injuries.” Isn’t it true that if you do something right over and over it becomes habitual? Well, this is what I hope to describe . First of all there are a few basic steps to remember. 1.) As you begin to squat, you must keep your head up. 2.) Maintain a neutral spine (see illustration). 3.) Stick your backside (bottom) out, and 4.) Ke e p y o u r knees behind your toes. I f yo u c a n remember these simple rules you can avoid that nagging knee pain and enjoy a more functional pain-free lifestyle. Jeff Beard is a Certified Personal trainer and Rehab Specialist. He has spent over thirty years in the health care profession. Jeff can be contacted at ptbeard@ comcast.net or at 925-8377135 or 925-519-1184 with any questions you may have.
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The valley Sentinel
January 2012
Ham Radio Grows in Danville Region By Allen Pitts, call sign W1AGP
The first spoken word to be heard over the radio a century ago was “Hello!” As a young boy, Reginald Fessenden heard his uncle describe Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. The 10 yearold asked, “Why do they need wires?” He then spent much of his life trying to figure it out. On December 23, 1900, he was able to pass a voice message by radio to his assistant. His first word was “Hello.” While commercial broadcasting didn’t begin for another 14 years after Fessenden’s historic first broadcast in 1906, thousands of inquisitive amateur hobbyists began to experiment with this new fangled technology. They were, and are still, called “Amateur Radio” operators. They labored in attics, barns, garages and cellars to perfect what we now call radio. In the USA, they formed the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Amateur Radio is a federally licensed radio service and there are over 700,000 FCC licenses in the USA. It is estimated that there are 2.5 million “hams” worldwide–more than ever before. Despite the Internet, perhaps even because of it,
interest in Amateur Radio is growing rapidly. These Amateur Radio operators, also known as “hams”, continue to be at the forefront of developing technologies years in advance of when they are rolled out to the public. FM radio, television, and even our small mobile telephones were all used by Amateur Radio operators many years ahead of the public. Today’s growing Do-ItYourself movement is nothing new to Amateur Radio. The enjoyment of seeing the product of your own creation (even if it fails) always surpasses being a mere user of corporate p ro d u c t s. To d ay ’s h a m s continue to use technologies in new and creative ways that can become the consumer products of tomorrow and, in the meantime, they have FUN doing it! Hams were the original Tinkerers, using new, used a n d s c ave n g e d p a r t s t o make transmitters, receivers, and antennas capable of communicating with other hams anywhere on Earth, and beyond. The early Hams can be considered the “fathers of the digital-age” as early communications were made by Morse code, the original
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digital language. Hams are the only non-government related group of people who can, and regularly do, have direct contact with the International Space Station. In their hobby, communicating is the keyword. And, when computers came along, they fit right in to the ham’s wide world. Using technical skills and imagination, hams put together advanced communication networks connected by radio waves instead of wires. The Amateur Radio operators who volunteer as storm spotters are extremely valuable assets to National Weather Service operations because they are cross-trained in both communications and severe storm recognition. Typical SKYWARN® operations during severe weather provide direct communication between mobile spotters and local NWS offices giving critical “ground truth” information for forecasters. Instant spotter reports of events such as hail size, low-level cloud rotation and wind damage, given in real time, greatly assist the national weather centers. Their reports can then be correlated with Doppler radar displays which often do not see lower level activity in storms. The REDEVELOPMENT from page 1
These funds, over $50 million, will no longer be available for future projects. Previously, the redevelopment agency was required to spend 20 percent of redevelopment funds on affordable housing projects but now the funding and resources used to create complexes, such as the 74-unit Sycamore Place apartments, an ex treme ly suc cess ful complex of affordable housing for seniors, will no longer be available. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of affordable housing. Instead, the town will be at the mercy of the builders and decisions to build affordable housing will be theirs. The town will no longer be able to build any affordable housing units themselves. The City of San Ramon’s current affordable housing projects are on the chopping block, as well. “ T h e Re d eve l o p m e n t Agency owns two affordable housing sites, but now we are very unsure if any project can go ahead at these sites,” Fontes said. Without these housing sites, it will be much more difficult to implement
valleysentinel.com results are more accurately worded statements or issuing life-saving warnings a few precious minutes earlier than would otherwise have been possible. Amateur Radio operators also regularly serve with C E RT t e a m s , p r o v i d i n g the most reliable means of communication in disasters. From earthquakes and tornadoes to hurricanes, hams have been among the first people to get “on the air” and pass initial situation reports and information needed by responding agencies. As witnessed during the Loma Prieta Earthquake and the Ka t r i n a H u r r i c a n e, H a m radio worked “when all else failed.” The Danville area’s Ham Radio Outlet or “HRO” is the world’s largest dealer of “Ham” radio equipment with 12 stores through out the USA (www.hamradio.com). HRO is the primary source that hams turn to in purchasing equipment such as radios or antennas. They also carry books and information on how you can learn, pass the FCC examination and earn your own Amateur Radio license, and that process has been streamlined with the elimination of Morse code as a requirement.
A short list of Ham Radio clubs in the greater East Bay: • Livermore Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) - Club meetings are normally held on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 0930 hours at the Livermore City Council Chambers 3575 Pacific Ave, Livermore, CA. • Martinez Amateur Radio Club (MARC)- Meets the second Saturday of the month, 0900-1100, at 604 Ferry St., Martinez, CA. • Mt Diablo Amateur R a d i o C l u b ( M DA RC ) Meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 1930 hours local at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane Lafayette, CA. VE test sessions are held before each month’s meeting at 1800 hours local. • Orinda Radio Interest Group (ORIG) - Meets on the air every Wednesday at 1945 hours local, on 147.540 FM simplex. You can find additional Amateur Radio groups in your area and more information at www.hello-radio.org. Allen Pitts, W1AGP is Media and Public Relations Manager for the National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL). apitts@arrl. org. (860) 594-0328.
affordable housing projects and programs within San Ramon. Having housing that’s affordable to working families is a constant ongoing challenge, Calabrigo said. The good news? “Our agency has 25 years of work under its belt so a great deal has been accomplished through redevelopment in Danville. We are better off than a town who’s agency had been formed more recently than ours,” Calabrigo said. Another problem Danville faces is regarding the land and other assets owned by the redevelopment agency. So what happens to that land? Oversight committees, not made up of town people, will be formed to look at the assets the agency owns and its finances and determine how those assets should be disposed of, or if they can be kept. Calabrigo said that the Town of Danville could be required to sell that land to the highest bidder and give the profits to the state. Calabrigo also said that because the town of Danville spends money on a “pay as you go” process, they do not currently have any specific projects in the works that
will be cut, rather it is future plans the town had that will no longer be possible to see through. It has been discussed that some of the money taken from redevelopment agencies would be reallocated to education funding. However, Calabrigo says he doesn’t believe schools will actually see any more money than usual. More than 50 percent of the money pulled from redevelopment agencies will flow to education and the balance will flow to the other taxing agencies. The state will then give education less money. Ultimately, the money is going to go to the state and as a result, the state is planning on this creating an extra $1 billon, Calabrigo said. Assistant Superintendent of Business and Facilities, Gary Black, confirms the schools will not see any of that money directly and they do not plan on receiving any additional money as a result. Marc Fontes said he did not believe the law would yield any positive outcomes for the community, as it will eliminate a key source of funding for projects and affordable housing, he said.
valleysentinel.com
January 2012
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com If your event is not listed... Please do so by clicking on CALENDAR and Post an Event
We hope to see you there! ANNOUNCEMENTS Tuesdays in January Open House for Diablo Vista Chorus 7:15pm-10pm. Diablo Vista Chorus will be hosting an Open House throughout the month of January, and women of all ages and singing abilities are warmly invited to attend. Attendees will be introduced to singing a cappella four-part harmony, including voice placement and vocal production sessions. Open Houses will be held every January Tuesday evening at the chorus’s rehearsal site (below). Area women who love to harmonize can check off “Must Sing More with Others” from their new year’s resolution lists. Diablo Vista Chorus is a local chapter of Sweet Adelines International. Free. 60 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: www.diablovistachorus. net. January 14 Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum Hosts a Day of Fun on the Farm 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm; Tours of the restored Victorian Glass House Museum. 11am and 1pm tours of Forest Home Farms Historic Park, including the tractor museum. The theme for the day’s free activity will be “Calling Cards.” Communication was very different in the time before email, texts, and cell phones. During the Victorian area ‘calling on’ someone meant stopping by in person. Visit the Glass House Museum to make your very own Victorian calling card and learn about the history and traditions of this lost art. Day of Fun on the Farm events are from 10am to 2pm the 2nd Saturday of each month. $5 per person or $8 for both tours taken on the same day. Tour tickets can be purchased in the Gift Shoppe. Children ages 2 and under are free. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Information: (925) 973-3284 or www.SanRamon.ca.gov. January 14 Northern California Ataxia Support Group 12:00-2:00 Light lunch and refreshments from 12:0012:30. Introductions, sharing, announcements, news & updates 12:30-1:00. 1:15-2:00 Guest Speaker – Don Gibbons, Senior Science and Education Officer of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state stem cell agency. The Mission of CIRM – ‘Turning Stem Cells into Cures’. CIRM is a leader in CA for funding stem cell research. Come and learn and ask questions. All are welcome. Our Savior Lutheran Church. Meeting is in the Recreation Hall. 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. $7.00 Lunch and Meeting. $4.00 for Meeting only. Questions? Call Joanne Loveland at 925-735-7037 January 14 Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Movie Night 4pm. “The Infidel” is the featured movie for Tri-Valley Cultural Jews’ movie night and Havdalah. A separate movie for kids will also be shown. The movies are followed by a short non-religious ceremony and a potluck dinner. The event is held in a private home in San Ramon. Information: 510-444-1808. January 22 California Writers Club’s “How to Turn Your Expertise into a Successful Book”
2-4pm. California Writers Club (CWC), Mt. Diablo Branch and the Lafayette Library will present three local authors discussing “How to Turn Your Expertise into a Successful Book” at the library. Nannette Rundle Carroll is the author of The Communication Problem Solver, and is a corporate trainer and communications expert. Patricia Evans has authored five books on verbal abuse and interpersonal communication, and Catherine Accardi is the author of three Arcadia Publishing company’s “Images of America” books. Free. 3941 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Information: 925-385-3380. January 24 San Ramon Valley Republican Women 11:30am Social gathering, lunch at Noon. The public is invited to hear Ward Connerly, founder and president of the American Civil Rights Institute and nationally recognized American civil rights advocate. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. $25 (payable at the door). For reservations call Mary at (925) 837.5465 or e-mail srvrwf.lunch@ gmail.com. January 25 Sustainable Danville Area presents a Honey Tasting and Movie Night 6pm. Samples of local honey from beekeeper Steve Gentry of Steve’s Bees. 6:45PM screening the documentary “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?” entering the mysterious world of the beehive and following beekeepers, farmers and scientists struggling to protect our honeybees. Proceeds support Monte Vista High School Students in growing an organic garden on campus. Minimum suggested donation $5. Monte Vista High School Al Gentile Theater, 3131 Stone Valley Road, Danville. Information: www.sustainabledanville.com. January 26 Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club Welcome Coffee The women’s social organization welcomes new or long-time residents interested in making new friends and getting involved in a variety of fun and worthwhile activities. You are invited to the free coffee to learn more about our group, please call for more information: 925-775-3233 or www. alamodanvillenewcomers.com. January 28 Annual Crab Feed for Forest Home Farms Historic Park 6pm. No-Host Social Hour at 6:00 pm with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine/beer for sale onsite. Dinner is served at 7:00 pm with fresh cracked crab, pasta, salad and French bread. Coffee and tea available. A fun cake auction happens just when you are finishing your dinner. All proceeds are used to provide programs, special events on the farm and maintenance for Forest Home Farms Historic Park and the Glass House. Tickets: $42. Dougherty Station Community Center 170011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information/ticket purchase: Carol Lopez at 925-828-0586 or any board member of the San Ramon Historic Foundation.
January 29 Human Trafficking: What Is It? How Can You Make a Difference? 2-4 pm. Sponsored by AAUW Contra Costa County Interbranch Council and Contra Costa County Commission for Women. Come and hear three government and non-profit sector experts from our area: Jennifer Alderete, Cindy Liou, and Ms. Caritas Foster. They will discuss the scope of the problem (nationally and locally), suggest ways to combat human trafficking, and inform attendees of non-profit and government resources. This program advances education and advocates effective action that can be taken on these issues by the local community. Free. Lafayette Library and Learning Center 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Information: tena@aol. com or 925 837-0826. February 4 Creating a Peaceful School Conference 8:30am-3:30pm. The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center in Walnut Creek is sponsoring an innovative and inspiring all-day conference for anyone who works with young people in middle and high school teachers, administrators, classroom aides, school personnel, after-school program providers. Participants will learn to create peace in their world, in the lives of students, in the classroom, the school and the community. Workshops and classes will cover a variety of topics. Registration is $25 by January 15, $35 after January 16. Lunch included. If there is something you’d like to see included, or if you have questions, please contact: intern@mtdpc.org. Register now at www. mtdpc.org. Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette, CA 94549. SENIORS Pleasant Hill Senior Center Trip Meeting February 3 1pm. Seniors who love to travel both locally and abroad meet the first Friday of the month to discuss new destinations and to be first to sign up for trips premiered at the meeting. Many trips sell out that day! Free. Winslow Center, 2590 Pleasant Hill Road, Pleasant Hill. Information: (925) 798-8788 or www. pleasanthillrec.com. Danville Seniors Sneaker Trips: All trips meet at the Danville Park & Ride lot unless otherwise noted in the trip details. Reserve your spot at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street, on or before the registration date beginning at 8:30am. Information: 314-3400. Buzz Sessions: Get the buzz on topics and issues facing today’s older adults and talk with the experts. Buzz Sessions are always free! Information: 314-3400. San Ramon Seniors The following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 973-3250 Monday Lunch Trips - Taste of the Tri-Valley Explore local restaurants with others from the Senior
Please email or fax your Calendar Events to the Sentinel by 5pm on the 15th of the month proceeding publication month. Fax No. 925-820-6048,info@valleysentinel.com or go to valleysentinel.com to enter your event online. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.
valleysentinel.com Center. Larry Rossi will pick up San Ramon Residents from their homes at approximately 11:00am. Non-Residents will have to find their own way to the Senior Center to be picked up there at 10:30am. Each lunch trip will be approximately 2 ½ hours. The fee pays for the transportation, all participants will be required to pay for their own meal. $5 (R)/$6 (N). Wisdom Wednesdays: Free Workshops geared towards informational sessions that benefit your needs. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 973-3250. Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesday & Thursday, 10am-1pm. Information: 973-3250. Sign up for Casino Trips and Van Trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. BUSINESS January 18: Alamo Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Breakfast 8am meeting, 9:15 breakfast. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Danville Chamber of Commerce January 12: After Hours Business Mixer 5:30-7pm. $5 for members and $20 for non-members. The Studio, 730 Camino Ramon Suite 200, Danville. San Ramon Chamber of Commerce
January 2012 January 18: Ribbon Cutting and 30 Year Celebration 3pm. Interform Commercial Interiors, 3000 Executive Parkway, #175, San Ramon. January 19: Third Thursday Mixer 5:30-7:30pm. San Ramon Insurance Agency. $5 for members and $20 for nonmembers. San Ramon Insurance Agency, 2206 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. January 24: New and Future Member Orientation 4pm. Please come and learn about the various Chamber services that can benefit your business. Bishop Ranch 6, 2400 Camino Ramon Conference Room 158/K, San Ramon. CLUBS Mondays Danville Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Monday. Faz Restaurant, Danville Information: Call Victor at 838-8721. Tuesdays Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary 7am. Join us at the Crow Canyon Country Club every Tuesday morning for a good breakfast and great company. Information: Call Scott Sampson at 743-8449. Wednesdays Alamo Rotary Noon. Meets every Wednesday at Round Hill Country Club, Alamo. Information: Call Mark Kahn at 837-3262. Thursdays Kiwanis of San Ramon Noon. Meets every Thursday
at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Rd., Alamo. Information: 648-4800. Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley 2nd Wednesdays lunch at FAZ. 600 Hartz, Danville. Information: (925) 275-2412 or coachstepper@yahoo.com. Rotary Club of San Ramon 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Thursday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, San Ramon. Information: Call Bill Nethercott at 337-3311. Clutterer’s Anonymous: 7 to 8pm. Too much stuff? Join us every Thursday evening in Room 7 of the Ed Building at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1491 San Miguel Dr., Walnut Creek. Free. For more information contact Sharon at (925) 285-7165.
San Ramon Valley Rotary Club 7pm. Guests welcome. Join us at the Crow Canyon Country Club every Wednesday for dinner. This is a great way to make new friends. Information: 365-1435. Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Chapter 101 meets every second Wednesday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park Swain House at 1025 La Gonda Way, Danville. Saturdays Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild 10am-2pm. Enjoy dimensional stitching and a potluck lunch on the fourth Saturday of each month in Walnut Creek. For more information, call Carolyn at (925) 827-2881.
Classifieds FOR SALE Madame Alexander Doll Collection 31 Madame Alexander dolls (8 inch) in great condition with original boxes Call for list of Dolls. (925) 595-4148 $1200 OBO. Blue Victorian Dollhouse Kit Assembled with Furniture Call for price. (925) 595-4148 Salt and Pepper Shaker Collection 35-40 Various Sets. $125.00. (925) 595-4148 ’94 Electra Glide Custom Black on Black. 21” front wheel. Thunder header, etc. $8500.00.Contact Marc 925-639-4474.
Beautiful Minolta Digital Camera hardly used, in box. Must see, one year old. Paid $550, will sell for $200. Call (925) 735-3895. JVC Movie Camera, digital, almost new. Paid over $600, will sell for $250. Call (925) 735-3895.
SERVICES
(K-12) Tutoring by California State Certificated Teacher Reasonable rates, flexible Pool Service–If your poolto looks like a tutoring schedule meet pond, call John atneeds. 925-584-6333. It’s the student’s Contact the last pool maintenance call you will information: mkelleysanramon@ have to make. or (925) 339-8943. comcast.net
HELP WANTED S a l e s E x e c u t i v e : T h e Va l l e y Sentinel Newspaper has immediate openings for two sales positions. No sales experience necessary, we will train. Must have an outgoing personality and a positive attitude. Compensation based on performance. The Valley Sentinel covers the most desirable areas of the Bay Area–Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo and San Ramon. Please email your resume and r e q u e s t fo r i n te r v i e w to u s a t drousset@valleysentinel.com
The Valley SenTinel OCD from page 8
some behavior that would be embarrassing or make others uncomfortable in their presence. Some sufferers think that if they think a bad thought it will actually happen. Some think they may act on an impulse to hurt themselves, or another. These irrational thoughts and fears can be debilitating and completely modify the family whether it be a parent with the disorder or a child. Currently in the US, the period from when an individual begins to show symptoms to when adequate treatment is initiated is 14-17 years. This is especially harmful for children who have their development interrupted. The vast majority of kids are misdiagnosed because they can’t pay attention so they are placed on stimulant medication, the worst thing for someone with OCD.
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Misdiagnosis of OCD is the rule not the exception. This is especially true for things like Tourette’s Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome a type of high functioning autism. Adequate help is available and the International OCD Foundation is the place to start at www.ocfoundation. org. William Shryer is the Clinical Director at Diablo Behavioral Healthcare in Danville. Contact 925-6484800. www.behaviorqeust. com.
Marc Williams
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Website: www.valleysentinel.com
AUTO
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maintenance • new cars • used cars • after market • safety March 2009 January 2012 The valley Sentinel
valleysentinel.com
2012 Jeep Wrangler Rebicon 4X4 By David and Judy Colman
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After driving a host of increasingly complicated vehicles that are over-burdened with technology, we reveled in the absolute simplicity and honesty of the latest Jeep Wrangler. Blissfully absent from this Jeep are such unnecessary and expensive contrivances as lane departure warning, pedestrian avoidance software, radar cruise control, and automatic braking. Pay attention to your driving and you won’t miss a single one of these aids that distance and distract you from the task of driving. If you enjoy controlling your vehicle, then you’ll enjoy the technologyfree, immediate feedback the Jeep provides. Let’s start with the Wrangler’s handling. Its super-quick steering responds immediately to the most minute input at the new, thick-rimmed steering wheel. At first this trait, magnified by the balloon-sized 255/75 R17 BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires, is disconcerting. You’ll find yourself weaving all over the road. The “Baja Champion” emblazoned front tires seem inclined to follow every rut, causing you to over-correct for this tendency. But once you become used to the sensitivity level required, you relax your death grip on the wheel, and learn to enjoy the level of involvement required. The Jeep Owner’s Manual is quick to remind you that the Wrangler, due to its tall stance and generous ground clearance, does not handle like a sports car, suggesting “If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.” But thanks to its short wheelbase, the Jeep is surprisingly agile on pavement and fun to drive on twisting roads. For off-road travel, the Rubicon features a front sway bar which can be disconnected to provide more traction when trailing in the outback. A dashboard-mounted switch left of the steering column allows you to access this handy feature on the fly. Next to the sway bar switch is an axle lock switch which permits you to lock both rear wheels for maximum grip on uneven surfaces. Because the Rubicon is designed for drivers with serious off-road aspirations, this Jeep boasts a RockTrac transfer case with a 4:1 final drive ratio. Adding spice to the mix is a torquey, 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6 engine, new for 2012, that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. A notchy 6-speed manual gearbox is standard. Replacing the previous model’s 4 speed automatic transmission is a new 5-speed automatic W5A85D gearbox that adds $1,125 to the sticker price. The 24 valve V6, despite being 200cc smaller than last year’s 3.8 liter V6, depends on variable valve timing to improve passing performance and fuel consumption over its predecessor. Whereas last year’s automatic transmission Jeep returned 15 MPG City and 19 MPG Highway, the 2012 model posts figures of 17/21. Jeep has also upgraded the interior fittings. Especially nice touches are the totemic Jeep grill sunshade printed on the windshield between the sun visors, and the discreetly incised “Since 1941” logo on the passenger grab bar. The front seats are nicely upholstered in leather, heated, and plenty supportive, even when bouncing around the outback. Visibility in all directions is refreshingly good, even though the rear seat headrests, back wiper, and full size spare obscure direct rear vision. Friends who hitched rides in the bench-style 60/40 folding rear seat reported no problems beyond those posed by difficult ingress/egress. If you plan to carry 4 regularly, then opt for the 4-door version of the Rubicon. The nifty hardtop removes in 3 separate sections to convert the Wrangler from coupe to convertible. In sum, the Wrangler Rubicon is a marvelously idiosyncratic vehicle that has lost none of its charm since 1941, but rather gained a lot of everyday practicality in the intervening years. 2012 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON 4X4 ENGINE: 3.6 liter, 24 valve, DOHC V-6 with VVT HORSEPOWER: 285hp TORQUE: 260 lb.-ft. FUEL CONSUMPTION: 17 MPG City/21 MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $34,625 FOR: Elemental, Effective, Legendary AGAINST: High Step-In, Poor Rear Seat Access
valleysentinel.com
January 2012
The Valley SenTinel
page 15
Seniors New Stroke System Goes Live January 2 The seven Contra Costa in Contra Costa County hospitals participating in the Contra Costa County officially launched its Stroke System this week, becoming only the 11th jurisdiction in the state to establish a network designed to reduce harm caused by strokes. The new Contra Costa County Stroke System went live January 2 and will provide a coordinated 911 emergency response, linking patients to trained emergency medical providers who identify stroke victims and rapidly transport them to designated primary stroke certified hospitals within a critical four-hour treatment window. This teamwork is known to significantly reduce brain damage and save lives.
There are approximately 1,000 suspected cases of stroke every year in Contra Costa. From 2005-2007, it was the county’s third leading killer at 1,462 deaths, according to Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Joe Barger. When a person develops stroke symptoms, such as sudden weakness on one side, trouble walking, seeing or speaking, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause, it’s important to call 911 and not to wait, said Contra Costa Stroke Program Coordinator Mia Fairbanks. “Those who do wait risk permanent brain damage or death,” she said.
Free Tax Preparation Free Tax Preparation for the 2012 tax season will again be offered by Tax-Aide’s AARP sponsored program. IRS certified tax counselors will be providing tax preparation services starting February 2012. Tax-Aide does not specify an income limit but the service targets low and moderate income taxpayers of any age with special attention given to seniors 60 plus.
To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2010 Tax Return
launch of the new stroke system are John Muir Medical Center’s Walnut Creek and Concord campuses, Kaiser Medical Center’s Walnut Creek, Antioch and Richmond campuses, Doctors Medical Center, San Pablo and San Ramon Regional Medical Center. “Creating systems of care to improve survival works,” Emergency Medical Services Director Patricia Frost said. “With so many participating hospitals, Contra Costa has raised the standard of care for stroke throughout our community.” To find out more about stroke and Emergency Medical Services, visit www.cccems.org.
For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the San Ramon/Danville area, please call: (925) 973-3250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site or (925) 480-7202 for the Danville Community Presbyterian Church site or Danville Town Hall site. For general information and other site locations, call: (925) 726-3199.
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