The Valley Sentinel_March 2018 by Sentinel Newspapers

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March 2018

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Corporal Kyle Carpenter, Marine Medal of Honor Recipient will be speaking at the Sentinels of Freedom Gala on April 14. (Please see ad on page 2.) Kyle was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 where he was injured by an enemy hand grenade and spent two and a half years in recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He received the Medal of Honor in June of 2014.

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With our recent rains and exceptional sunshine this winter we can expect to see breathtaking displays of Spring wildﬂowers out in our parks and open spaces in the coming weeks. This photo was taken in March 2016 in Skunk Hollow on Mt. Diablo. The photographer might be recognizable by the dramatic cloud displays over the Mountain, as none other than Stephen Joseph. You can visit his gallery Sundays 12-4pm at Summit Ranch, 100 Summit Ranch Rd. in Alamo. Visit www.stephenjosephphoto.gallery for more information.

Bald Eagle by James Hale

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national bird and national animal of the United States of America, is truly one of our major success stories. It is featured on the United States Seal, presidential seal and flag, as well as many logos of federal agencies. Populations have recovered from the brink of extirpation in the continental United States in the late 20th century, and the species was removed from the federal government’s U.S. Endangered Species list on July 12, 1995 and transferred to the threatened species list. On June 28, 2007, the Bald Eagle was removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States. Early estimates suggest the Bald Eagle population in the early 18th century may have reached 500,000 individuals. By the 1950’s only 412 nesting pairs occurred in the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. In 1974

only 20 or 30 pairs nested in California. The Bald Eagle is an apex predator at the top of the food chain. Biomagnification concentrated DDT to cause egg shell thinning and sterility. One Ornithologist wrote in 1930 that over 70,000 Bald Eagles were shot and killed in Alaska in the previous 12 years. Illegal shooting and hunting was one of the major causes of mortality due to the long- held misbelief that eagles predated livestock. Habitat loss, powerline electrocution, collisions in flight, human nest intrusion, and poisoning due to mercury, oil, and lead contributed to their decline. In 1967 the Bald Eagle was declared an endangered species. The banning of DDT and strict regulations has allowed the species to recover. By the early 1980’s the total population was estimated at

100,000 individuals. By 1992 the population increased to about 115,000, with a resident population of 50,000 birds in the state of Alaska and 30,000 in British Columbia. Over 9,789 breeding pairs were reported in 2006 by individual states. Minnesota has an estimated 1,312 pairs with Florida at a close second with 1,166 pairs. Nearly half of the contiguous states have at least 100 breeding pairs of Bald Eagles. The Bald Eagle is not actually bald, but rather “white headed” from an older meaning. It derives it’s name from the Greek, hali=sea, aietos=eagle, leuco=white, cephalos=head, or white-headed sea eagle. They are found near large bodies of water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting. They range from Alaska and Canada, through

all of the contiguous United States, to northern Mexico. The sexes are identical in color, with the female being about 25% larger. Adults have white heads and tails at sexual maturity around 5 years of age. The body plumage is dark brown. The beak is large, hooked and bright yellow. The iris and talons are bright yellow, with the highly developed hind talon used to pierce the vital areas of prey while immobilized by the front See EAGLE page 6

This month’s Special Section:

Spring Home & Garden

pages 8-9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

A Great Frontier Odyssey: Sketching the American West Now - March 18 The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is proud to present a new traveling exhibit documenting the 1873 overland journey of artists Jules Tavernier and Paul Frenzeny. The opening of the West with the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 coupled with the flood of Americans and immigrants to this new frontier created a clamor for images of the American West. This promoted the leading publication of its day Harper Magazine to send two artist west to provide images of the West. Pa u l F r e n z e n y w a s one of the leading “special correspondents” of his time and had become the illustrator of choice for western adventure stories and novels such as the Jungle Book. His cohort Jules Tavernier was a celebrated French painter. Their paintings helped to shape the view of the new emerging West to America.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is open Tuesday to Friday 1-4 Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 12-3. It is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. For Information please visit the website at museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750. Beguiled Again: The Songs of Rodgers & Hart presented by Brentwood Theater Company Now - March 18 The remarkable partnership of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart spanned twentyfour years, resulting in the scores for thirty stage musicals and nine films. While their songs are acknowledged as among the most sophisticated and witty of their time, they could also be stunning in their simplicity and directness. BEGUILED AGAIN illuminates the astonishing breadth of their output with a musical menu offering nearly fifty selections from the incomparable Rodgers and Hart songbook. This cleverly compiled potpourri juxtaposes the urbane and the melancholy, the sardonic and the romantic, p rov i d i n g eve r - c h a n g i n g and contrasting emotional journeys that give this revue real momentum. $30. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.

March 2018 Tickets and information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-7469. Ned Kahn: Seed Vortex Now - March 25 T h e B e d f o rd G a l l e r y presents the work of Bay Area sculptor Ned Kahn in a solo show that studies the artists’ lifelong fascination with the confluence of science and art. At the center of the show is Seed Vortex, Kahn’s enormous metal sculpture weighing thousands of pounds and spanning 20 feet in diameter. S e e d Vo r t ex s h i f t s a transient sea of tiny mustard seeds in a slow, constant and captivating spin. The inspiration for Seed Vortex goes back to the 1980s when Kahn was an artist-in-residence at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. There, he explored the Physics of the Granular State, an emerging field of science that studied the way powders, sand and other dry, granular materials moved. “The action of millions of small particles, influenced by their interactions with their neighbors, can create largescale pattern changes that reorganize an entire system,” Kahn says. “It’s an opportunity to watch systems change before your eyes, and can be a metaphor for political

valleysentinel.com and social change and the processes of human thought and creativity. Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: www. bedfordgallery.org or 925-2951417

Layers Revealed: Beyond the Brush Now- April 21 T h e ex h i b i t f e a t u re s paintings by 12 bay area women. It is a collection of unique abstract pieces by a local painting group who call themselves, ‘Beyond the Brush.’ Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at 925-314-3460 or mbleier@danville.ca.gov. Shahrzad Dance Academy: Persian New Year Celebration March 13 4pm. Welcome spring as we celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz, with an engaging dance program presented by the renowned Shahrzad Dance Academy. This elegant showcase features solo, duet, and trio dances in styles that have been part of the Persian culture for milennia. Danville Library, 400 Front St, Danville. Information: ccclib. org/locations/danville.html or 925-314-3750. Dixieland Jazz March 17 1:30-4:30pm. On the 3rd Saturday of every month you can enjoy the music of the Devil Mountain Jazz Band. Bring your own beverages, snacks and a friend or two! There is a large dance floor and lots of free parking. $15. Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road, Danville. Information visit www.jazznut.com or phone 625-2707.

Mozart Requiem presented by the California Symphony March 17 - 18 Two conductors take the podium at this concert as we welcome to the stage the San Francisco Conservatory

Chorus, led by Ragnar Bohlin. The first half of the program features works selected by Bohlin, and the second half is a Mozart masterpiece, the Requiem for full orchestra and choir. $42 - $72. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-7469. Role Players Ensemble: They’re Playing My Song March 17 6pm. Reception with hors d’oeuvres and silent auction before the show 8pm. A new fundraiser musical with insights into Broadway musicals, their famous composers, and the process that produces great art and great theatre. $110. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.

Fro m t h e O p e ra H o u s e to Broadway - A Carmen Symphony presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band March 20 7:30pm. Opera classics including a newly transcribed symphony from Bizet’s “Carmen” and a wonderful setting of the Sondheim Musical “Into the Woods”. $17.50. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-7469.

Diablo Ballet’s 24th Anniversary Celebration March 22 6:30pm. Diablo Ballet celebrates its anniversary with a one-night only special 24th Anniversary Performance at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The program will feature selections from Swan Lake by Marius Petipa, staged by the Company’s regisseur Joanna Berman. The celebration continues with the dramatic Solas by Salvadore Aiello, with music by Heitor Villa-Lobosa,

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events

valleysentinel.com who is considered “the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.” A World Premiere of a new film, Spiritus, by Walter Yamazaki in collaboration with composer Justin Levitt, is followed by an encore performance of Trait d’union by Sonya Delwaide, The Blue Boy by Trey McIntyre and Sixes and Seven by Robert Dekkers. $59. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925-9437469. Following the performance will be a Gala reception, wine tasting and a delicious dinner with the dancers at Scott’s Garden, walking distance from the Lesher Center. Please visit: www.diabloballet.org for information on the gala. Danville Children’s Musical Theater presents: The Sound of Music March 22 - March 31 Over fifty young people from the area will be performing in the Danville Children’s theater’s production of the Sound of Music. $10 adults, $8 children. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www.villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.

Zep Live! The Led Zeppelin Concert Experience March 23 8pm. Experience the u l t i m a t e ro c k t r i b u t e t o Led Zeppelin in this live musical performance starring ‘Zeppelin Live,’ (Formerly ‘Heartbreaker’) the West Coast’s most spectacular Led Zeppelin Tribute Show. Zep Live! is a national touring act selling out venues across the US - and their high energy show is not to be missed! You will believe Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham are playing right before your eyes! $45. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-7469. Through Feminine Eyes presented by mBody Dance Company March 23 - 24 8:15pm. Using modern dance to express life through

February 2018

an all encompassing feminine view. The silent strength and vulnerability hidden behind society’s perception of being feminine today. $25. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-7469.

Iolanthe Singalong presented by Lamplighters March 24 7 : 30 p m . L a m p l i g h t e r principals will perform the work in its entirety, bringing the orchestra on stage to join the party. Sing along with any and all parts! Gilbert & Sullivan’s subversive political satire on how a government SHOULD be run. Lamplighter principals will perform the work in its entirety, bringing the orchestra on stage to join the party. With everything included but the scenery, audience participation is encouraged as all are invited to become the chorus and to feel free to sing any and all parts! Costumes are also encouraged (particularly half man, half fairy costumes!) and a brief contest with prizes will take place at intermission. $35. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets and information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-7469. The Jazz Room - Eve Marie Sings Eva Cassidy! March 25 7pm. Join Former Tonight Show singer, soloist and Founding Artistic Director of The Jazz Room Eve Marie Shahoian for a night of music. With Eve Marie will be Bay Area keyboardist, band leader, arranger and composer Frank Martin, Mike Williams on guitar, Marc Levine on bass and Bill Belasco on drums. $15 - $25. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www.villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. Also www. evemarieshahoian.com and www.FrankMartinProductions. com

Judy Collins March 25 Inspired by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and more generally the folk resurgence of the early 1960s, Judy Collins hit stardom in 1967 after her cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides, Now’, released on her album ‘Wildflowers’, gained international recognition. During her career, the talented folk singer has released over 25 studio albums, along with numerous live and compilation albums, whilst also utilizing her vocal talents on numerous stages including Sesame Street and the Capitol building in Washington, DC where she performed at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. Information: www.ci.sanramon.ca.us/parks/theater or 925-973-ARTS.

Sunshine Vocal Performance March 27 6pm. With a microphone in hand, young participants between 6 to 12 years of age develop their musical talents in an enjoyable, specialized environment. Inspired by such programs as Star Search and American Idol, the Town’s Sunshine Vocal program is designed to provide months of training and coaching in order to prepare these young participants to perform live on stage. $6 children, $12 adults. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.

THE VALLEY SENTINEL these seasoned comedians for this hilarious series. age limit is 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult. $17 - $20. Village T h e a t e r, 2 3 3 F r o n t S t . , Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.

Preschool Performance Series - Juggler and Comic Fred Anderson April 13 10 a m . M a k i n g l i t t l e ones laugh, dance, and sing along since 2009, the Town of Danville is pleased to continue to present fun and

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unique top-level entertainers for preschool-aged children. Whether you have a teeny one, or you yourself are just a kid at heart, you are sure to enjoy the variety of magicians, jugglers, and musicians. $5. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. The Rover by Aphra Behn April 13-15 8pm. Willmore, Belville, Fredrick, and Ned are sailors on shore who seek adventure and love. Each of them has a different idea of what those things may be. All of them meet their match in one way or another in this exceedingly funny romp. Here Aphra Behn launches the idea of the “battle of sexes”. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.

Danville Children’s Musical Theater presents

The Sound of Music Jr. March 23 - March 31 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Sound of Music is based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world’s best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Maria, the postulant at an Austrian abbey becomes a governess in the home of the widowed Captain Von Trapp. While caring for his seven children, she brings a new love of life and music into their home.

Village Theatre in Danville Comedy with Liz Grant & Friends March 29 7:30pm. In this monthly stand-up comedy series, Liz Grant brings a host of Bay Area and Los Angeles comedians to town. Join

233 Front Street Danville, Ca (925) 314-3463 Tickets $8 children, $10 adults. For tickets and more information visit www.villagetheatreshows.com

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

March 2018

valleysentinel.com

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Town of Danville Calls for Artists

Submissions sought for 8th Annual Juried Exhibit ‘Mix it Up!’ An Opening Reception 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 8th Annual Juried Exhibition, ‘Mix it Up!’, set for June 29 – August 25, 2018. The Village Theatre & Art Gallery seeks to promote and celebrate the visual arts in a variety of media. This is the year to Mix it U p ! Ac c e p t i n g a r t w o r k submissions in the form of sculpture, print, photography, original paintings and all mixed media. For detailed information on submitting a r t w o r k , g o t o : w w w. villagetheatreartgallery.com

The deadline for entries is May 1, 2018. About the Juror: Richard (Ric) Ambrose has extensive experience in art administration and strategic planning, which includes fundraising, donor cultivation, marketing, facility operations and program development. In more than twenty-eight years, Ric has managed or curated more than 200 exhibitions in art, science and history in a variety of multimedia formats. He is a practicing artist and has taught studio art at several colleges. Ric is represented by Hespe Gallery in San Francisco.

for the juried exhibition is scheduled for Friday, June 29, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served. The exhibit runs through August 25, 2018. Artwork in the exhibition will be for sale. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 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.

City of San Ramon Announces Utility Box Public Art Project Arts Advisory Committee The City of San Ramon is pleased to invite qualified artists to participate in the City’s first Utility Box Public Art Program. Utility Box Art programs are popular t h ro u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y as a cost effective way to successfully bring public art to City Streets by using blank traffic signal control boxes as canvases and transforming them to become art. The program will enable artists to create works of art that contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape and community, foster civic pride and community identity,

and bring art to unexpected places in San Ramon. Under the pilot project five boxes will be awarded. The artists will receive a total stipend of $700 to assist with the cost of materials and to compensate the artist for their time and artwork. Artwork should enliven the area and contribute to the attractiveness of the streetscape. When designing artwork, artists are encouraged to consider the context of the local area and the City as a whole. Artwork should relate to the theme of the pilot program determined by the

which is: Celebrating the Arts Qualified artists over the age of eighteen who are interested in learning more about this public art opportunity including requirements and application directions should visit the City of San Ramon’s Public Art Web Site at www.ci.sanramon.ca.us/our_city/ departments_and_divisions/ parks_community_services/ a r t s _ c u l t u re / p u b l i c _ a r t / utility_box_art_project. Application deadline is March 30, 2018. Fo r q u e s t i o n s p l e a s e contact Erika Burg at eburg@ sanramon.ca.gov

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL

March 2018

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Mine Tour Route Extended At Black Diamond Mines By Beverly Lane, President, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors

were able to take the tour a few weeks ago with the park’s hard working staff pointing out the challenges and various mine features. Believe me, you won’t want to miss it.. The park will celebrate with a grand opening from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11. Visitors will be able to take a free, self-guided underground tour starting at the Hazel-Atlas Portal and ending a quarter-mile later at the Greathouse Portal, viewing more of the mining features along the way. For safety reasons, the tour is restricted to ages seven and older. However, all ages are welcome at the underground Greathouse Visitor Center. In addition, there will be lots of aboveground activities, including old-fashioned crafts

March is a big month for Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve visitors as a new underground tour opens in the historic silica sand mines. After the 1989 earthquake, a wo o d e n s t a i r way t h a t linked the two major areas of the mines was closed. Nearly 30 years later, a new stairway is now complete. This improvement includes protective work on the roof of the area as well as the nowsturdy stairs. My fellow board member, Colin Coffey, our general manager, Bob Doyle, and I

Speaking of wildflowers... Black Diamond Mines naturalists Eddie Willis and Kevin Dixon will lead wildflower hikes from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays, March 18, April 22, April 29, and Saturday, April 21. Each hike will explore a different wildflower habitat. All will start at the uppermost parking lot at the end of Somersville Road. And Kevin will lead an evening hike to view the moon over the park’s Star Mine from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. The hike is free, but registration is required. To register, call 888-327-2757. Select option 2 and refer to program number 20395.

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and games, and a self-guided history walk through the Somersville town site. The grand opening days will be very busy days in the park. If you would like to see the new tour route and avoid the crowds, you can reserve space on a guided tour on weekend days from March through November. The area that now includes the preserve was the site of California’s largest coal mining operation from the 1850s to the early 1900s. Five mining towns were established, and some four million tons of coal were extracted, fueling the state’s urban and industrial growth. Some of the miners and their families are buried within the preserve at historic Rose Hill Cemetery. Eventually rising production costs and

discovery of better grades of coal elsewhere resulted in closure of all the mines. Then from the 1920s through the mid 1940s, silica was mined for use in glassmaking and steel manufacture. The underground mining museum is located in the former silica sand mine. After the end of the coal and sand mining eras, the land reverted to ranching use. East Bay Regional Park District began acquiring land for the preserve in the early 1970s. The preserve is notable for its natural history as well. Black Diamond Mines is the northernmost range of Coulter pine, black sage, and several other plants. There are interesting geological features, miles of hiking trails, and beautiful wildflower displays in the spring.

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is located at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.

EAGLE from page 1

One to four eggs are laid in the spring, with two being typical. Both parents incubate the eggs for up to 36 days, however the female does most of the incubation. They actively defend their nest sites, and one pair was observed knocking a Black Bear off their nest tree. After hatching, the young remain in the nest for about 12 weeks. A young eaglet can gain 6 ounces a day, the fastest growth rate of any North American bird. The fledged young learn from their parents for about six weeks before dispersing in late July. The average lifespan for Bald Eagles is around 20 years in the wild. A captive individual in New York lived for nearly 50 years. The Bald Eagle is an opportunistic carnivore with fish comprising the majority of their diet. Almost two pounds of fish are consumed daily in northern climates to reduce potential energy deficiency and thus increasing survival during winter. Large concentrations of Bald Eagles, up to several thousand, gather along rivers and bays during annual salmon spawning runs where they catch live fish or scavenge for carrion. Waterbirds and seabirds are the next most significant prey base. Ducks, geese, gulls, grebes, herons, egrets, murres, petrels, and coots are some preferred avian prey. With large concentrations of waterfowl and shorebirds in the Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during the winter, I have observed Bald Eagles seemingly effortlessly pluck

snow geese, coots, and other waterfowl for food from the waters and fields. Mammalian prey have included rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, raccoons, beavers, muskrats, seal pups and deer fawns. One individual was recorded carrying a 15 pound mule deer fawn, the record for the heaviest load verified for a flying bird. The gripping power of the eagle’s talons are estimated at ten times greater than that of a human. Turtles, snakes, crabs, crayfish, and amphibians supplement their diet. Bald Eagles have on occasion killed other raptors, including Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Osprey, Black Vultures, and Turkey Vultures. These may have been attacks of competition or kleptoparasitism, as is often the case with Osprey, where the more aggressive Eagle harasses the Osprey and steals its prey. The Bald Eagle is a sacred bird in Native American cultures, and its feathers, like those of the Golden Eagle, are central to many religious and spiritual customs. Eagles a re c o n s i d e re d s p i r i t u a l messengers between gods and humans. They are a symbol of peace, fertility, and honor by many cultures. As the national bird of the United States, the Bald Eagle is prominent in seals, logos, coinage, postage stamps, and other items related to the United States federal government, and is truly a symbol of successful recovery. James M. Hale is a Wildlife Biologist and Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee

talons. Alaskan Bald eagles may weigh up to 18 pounds, with a length of more than 40 inches and a wingspan of 8 feet. Florida eagles are smaller. The size varies by location and follows Bergmann’s Rule, since the species increases in size further away from the equator and tropics. The call is a weak staccato and chirping whistles. Bald Eagles prefer mature s t a n d s o f c o n i f e ro u s o r hardwood trees near large bodies of water for nesting, perching, hunting, and roosting. Courtship begins in January or February with elaborate aerial displays. I observed a pair of Bald Eagles over the Trinity River in a courtship embrace as they mated while pinwheeling down 3,000 feet before separating. The nest is the largest of any bird in North America and is used repeatedly over many years with new material added each year. Most nests are found within 660 feet of open water where they forage for fish, their primary prey. The largest recorded nest was found in Florida in 1963, and was 15 feet wide, 20 feet deep, and estimated to weigh 2.7 metric tons. Bald Eagles have been known to nest on cliffs, rock pinnacles, and even the ground when preferred sites are not available. Locally, Bald Eagles have nested at Lake Del Valle, Lake Chabot, San Pablo Reservoir, and Crystal Springs Reservoir in recent years. Individuals have shown interest at Los Va q u e ro s, B r i o n e s, a n d Lafayette Reservoirs as well.

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March 2018 Sponsored Content

Helpful Financial Advisor/ Average Financial Advisor By Robert Cucchiaro

One of the best business books I’ve ever read is The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. In it lies a great essay called “Helpful Product Manager/ Average Product Manager” which goes on to explain the characteristics, habits, and mindset that separate Helpful product managers from Average ones. Inspired by that essay, I decided to write something similar when it comes to Financial Advisors. Having both been an Advisor myself for many years and managed/ coached over 80 Advisors, I feel like I have a good sense for what separates the Helpful from the Average. Helpful advisors understand all areas of financial planning, to include taxes,

estate planning, insurance, personal economics, and investing. More importantly, they use this knowledge to help their clients make better financial & life decisions. Helpful advisors are clear in setting expectations with clients about what they can and cannot do. They are transparent when talking about investment strategies, fees, and performance. Average advisors do just the opposite, which often leads to missed expectations and poor performance. Helpful advisors know a b o u t s m a r t i n ve s t m e n t strategies but also recognize that investing is only one component of real financial planning. A portfolio without a goal is much more likely to react to the latest investment fad, or over-react to the slightest uptick in volatility. Average advisors have no interest in their client’s financial plans,

they simply want to manage the money because all other activities are a waste of time in their opinion (though they never come right out and admit this). Helpful advisors take the time to have a conversation with clients about their recent life events, how their family members are doing, and anything else that’s on the clients mind. Average advisors spend their time telling clients about the performance of their accounts, their firm’s market forecasts, and the latest reading of their crystal ball. Helpful advisors have an external focus. They are constantly looking to add value for their clients in all areas of life and ask questions like “what else can we be doing to help you?” Average advisors are inwardly focused, asking, “What are my priorities? What actions do I want this client to take?”

Contra Costa’s Urban Limit Line Threatened By Richard Fischer

As citizens of our local communities of Danville, Alamo, and San Ramon, we enjoy many benefits that enhance our quality of life. In particular we have access to great outdoor environments such as Mount Diablo State Park, the Las Trampas Range, the Iron Horse Trail, and the beautiful Tassajara Valley among others. Those areas have been protected by zoning and other such laws and agreements that prevent these areas from uncontrolled urban development. Without such protections, our quality of life would be greatly diminished. One such protection has been Contra Costa’s Urban Limit Line (“ULL”) that prohibits urban development in rural areas outside the ULL without a county wide vote. However, the protection afforded by the ULL is not iron-clad. Today developers have purchased land outside the ULL and zoned agricultural with the expectation that they can use an exception in the ULL’s regulations. The exception allows developments of 30 acres or less with a super majority vote (4-1) of the County’s Board of Supervisors who would also have to cite at least one of seven possible “findings”. The first proposed housing development that would break the ULL is “Tassajara Parks”, a 125-home development near Danville’s eastern border in the unincorporated Tassajara Valley. If the Supervisors approve this development it could act as a blueprint for other 30

acre piecemeal developments outside the ULL. The County’s Supervisors have received numerous responses to the Environmental Impact Report prepared by the county’s Department of Conservation and Development. The responses have included the negative impact that an average of 10 daily trips per home will have on traffic congestion on Camino Tassajara Road. Responses have also included the negative environmental impact on native plants, animals

and the watershed that supports agricultural activities in the valley. Respondents have cited the impact to our overcrowded schools or the fear that the Valley will be over developed, “Dublin Style”. However, there is a fundamental concern in that a developer who is proposing a $4 million payment to a yet to be established county fund, can override the expressed will of citizens who on many occasions starting in 1990 and again in 2006 (by overwhelming votes) established and then

strengthened the ULL, effectively demonstrating their desire to control urban sprawl and preserve our limited open space. According to Joel Devalcourt, East Bay Regional Director of the Greenbelt Alliance, “Tassajara Parks is a bad precedent that would put the financial interest of sprawl developers above the will of the voters”. Many organizations are on record opposing Tassajara Parks: The Town of Danville, the Sierra Club, the Greenbelt Alliance, East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Tassajara Valley Preservation Association. Notwithstanding this, these organizations do support legitimate housing needs, but within the ULL. Interestingly enough, the county’s own Department of Conservation and Development in their required December 20, 2016 study of the ULL concluded that “sufficient capacity exists inside the ULL to accommodate housing and job growth through 2036”. A petition to the Supervisors opposing the breaking of the ULL has been developed and is being circulated by the Tassajara Valley Preservation Association (“TVPA”). The petition can be electronically signed at Tassajaravalleypa. org and will be delivered to the Supervisors prior to their hearing of the Tassajara Parks housing development. TVPA is a grass roots local organization dedicated to supporting the County’s ULL.

page 7 go on to design an alternative plan that will work. Average advisors stick their head in the sand because they don’t want to lose “the account”. And often times perhaps they assume they themselves will be retired by the time things don’t work out for the client. I could go on and on but my space here is limited. Let’s just close by saying last but not least, Helpful advisors are true fiduciaries. Our team of Helpful Advisors includes 2 CFPs, a CFA, an MBA and we just brought on board a new Tax Director (Debbie Pham, EA) to help our clients take advantage of the new tax laws. Give us a call or visit our website to see if we can help you plan a better 2018! Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Rob specializes in helping people reduce their tax bills, enjoy a comfortable retirement, and pass along wealth to their loved ones. www. summitwealthandretirement. com

Helpful advisors explain the pros and cons of various tax & estate planning strategies and don’t assume the client will always want the most complex choice. Average advisors complicate things in an attempt to sound smart or to confuse clients in order to make themselves seem more valuable. Helpful advisors look at changes in the industry (product, regulatory, etc.) and ask, “how is this better for my client?” Average advisors look at changes in the industry and ask “how is this better for me?” Helpful advisors work for their clients, and are free to give unbiased advice without conflict. Average advisors work for a big company (bank, insurance co., etc.) and have to toe the line, doing what’s suitable for their client but often best for their employer. They address these conflicts by simply disclosing them in lengthy agreements that clients never have time to read. Helpful advisors sometimes have to be the bad guy and say “no, you cant afford that” or “at this rate your money may not outlive you”. They then

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As winter gives way to spring, I throw open the windows to catch a breeze, and welcome the sunlight that grows with each passing day. I linger outside, watching my girls bounce beneath leafy We care about our community and we believe limbs, while soak up the sun. in giving back. A portion of each project profitIwill be donated, in your honor, to aSoon non-profi t association the glare is too much of your choice. and I retreat to the shade of our porch. No wonder this is the season for phone calls

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from summer-craving clients, inquiring about cabanas, summer rooms, trellises and barbecues. Is it possible, they ask hopefully, if we start now, to complete construction by summer? Building for summer is a timeless pursuit. Imagine generations past that wintered in the dark cold of a masonry house, its walls damp with condensation. Dried fruit and salted meats provided sustenance during winter, but little joy. Yes, fireplaces provided relief, but most of the hot air went up the chimney, while drafting even colder air into the room to replace it (hence the term ‘a drafty house’). The arrival of summer was celebrated with grand PAVILIONS – great tents erected for a party, wedding, or festival. The word ‘pavilion’ derives from the Latin word ‘papilio,’ meaning butterfly, or tent. Next time you pitch a tent, imagine a butterfly

unfurling its wings – that was the spirit with which summer was celebrated. And like a butterfly, pavilions were often elaborately painted and decorated. The natural grace of arching branches in a grove of trees inspired the ARBOR – a shady garden alcove with climbing plants trained to grow over a wooden framework. The Latin word ‘arbor’ literally means tree. Arbors are typically small, light, and freestanding. Their larger cousin is the PERGOLA – often built with heavy columns, beams, and rafters. The Latin ‘pergere’ means to come or go forward; later, ‘pergula’ came to mean a projecting roof. The movement suggested by ‘pergere’ is essential to the experience of walking beneath the pergola and along its colonnade. Closely related is the TRELLIS – also a framework of light wood, providing shade and often supporting a latticed screen for climbing plants.

Spring Home & Garden valleysentinel.com Latin ‘tri-‘, meaning three, and ‘licium,’ a thread, became ‘trilix,’ meaning three-ply. What a beautiful thought – weaving our gardens directly into structures. What better escape is there for a child than camping in the back yard? Only yards away from the house, but a world away from home. And why should that fun fade away after childhood? The CABAÑA is also a world away from the mundane tasks of everyday life. ‘Cabaña’ is the Spanish word for cabin, and is inseparable from summer, typically associated with the beach or beside a swimming pool. What better to enjoy by the pool than a BARBECUE? When Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, he found the Taino Indians smoking meat on a wooden framework, known in Arawak as ‘barbacoa.’ The quiet shelter of a PORCH often defines the entry to a home – the place to watch

March 2018 the comings and goings of life. Appropriate, given its Latin origin in the word ‘porta,’ meaning passage, and ‘portus,’ meaning a haven or harbor. Even more gracious is the VERANDA – a roofed open gallery or portico attached to the exterior of a building. Derived from the Portuguese ‘varanda,’ meaning a railing, and from the Hindi ‘baranda,’ a roofed gallery. Best of all, the word veranda might go all the way back to the Sanskrit ‘varandaka,’ a mound of earth, or rampart, separating two fighting elephants. What could be a better metaphor of life than that? The inexorable charge of the daily grind on one side, and the call to run wild and free on the other. In between, we find a little peace and tranquility to contemplate beasts of both worlds. Every home should have such a welcome, shady retreat.

Sustainable Contra Costa March workshops Get ready for spring with one of Sustainable Contra Costa’s workshops in this month. What’s the Buzz: Backyard Beekeeping Thursday, March 15, 10 am - 12 noon $25. Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortson Road, Pleasant Hill The Egg & I: Backyard Chickens for Everyone Saturday, March 17, 10 am - 12 noon $25 Walnut Creek (location details will be sent upon registration.) Family Friendly Gardens Saturday, March 24, 10 am - 12 noon Pittsburg Library Community Room 80 Power Avenue Pittsburg

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Senior Services page 10

valleysentinel.com

March 2018

Medicare can help protect your eyesight By Greg Dill

Are you at risk for glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of vision—usually side vision— by damaging the optic nerve, which sends information from your eyes to your brain. Some forms of glaucoma don’t have any symptoms, so you may have it even if you don’t have trouble seeing or feel any pain. That’s why glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight.” Fortunately, you can prevent vision loss by finding and treating problems early. Medicare covers a glaucoma test once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma, including people who answer “yes” to one or more of these questions: • Do you have diabetes? • Do you have a family history of glaucoma? • Are you African American and 50 or older?

• A re yo u H i s p a n i c American and 65 or older? Glaucoma tests are covered under Medicare Part B (medical insurance). An eye doctor who’s legally allowed to do this test in your state must do or supervise the screening. How much will the test cost you? You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible ($183 this year) applies. If the test is done in a hospital outpatient setting, you also pay a copayment. To find out how much your specific test will cost, talk to your doctor or other health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, such as: • Other insurance you may have • How much your doctor charges • Whether your doctor accepts Medicare payment as full payment • The type of facility where you’re tested • The location where you’re tested. There is no cure for glaucoma. Vision lost from the disease cannot be restored.

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Without treatment, people with glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision. If glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. They seem to be looking through a tunnel. Over time, straight-ahead (central) vision may decrease until no vision remains. Immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angle glaucoma can delay progression of the disease. That’s why early diagnosis is very important. Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma. Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes the following: Visual acuity test. This eyechart test measures how well you see at various distances. Visual field test. This test measures your peripheral vision. It helps your eye care professional tell if you have lost peripheral vision, a sign of glaucoma. Dilated eye exam. In this exam, drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours. To n o m e t r y m e a s u re s pressure inside the eye by using an instrument called a tonometer. A tonometer can detect glaucoma. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test. Pa c h y m e t r y i s t h e measurement of the thickness of your cornea. Your eye care professional applies a numbing drop to your eye and uses an ultrasonic wave instrument to measure the thickness of your cornea. For more information on glaucoma: https://nei.nih.gov/ health/glaucoma/glaucoma_ facts Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Paciﬁc Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227).

A New Gymnasium in Town For anyone who may wonder what the very large and just completed building is on Danville Blvd. next to the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church (SRVUMC), it is a gymnasium. In fact, it is a state-of-the-art gym designed for community m e m b e r s o f e v e r y a g e. Officially called the ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), this gym adds much needed indoor sport space in the San Ramon Valley. The ARC which opened in the Summer of 2017 is a gift to the Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon communities from Dave and Mary Kat DeWalt through the SRVUMC. The DeWalts recognized the need for more gym space in the area and asked their church if they could partner together to make it a reality. Mary Kat DeWalt explained, “We came to the church with an idea and the funding and the church graciously offered the land and lots of people who were committed to making this happen.” Now that it is finished and fully operational, community members can enjoy a regulation-sized basketball court, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, badminton courts, a 90-person capacity grandstand and more. Joey Fuca, Director of Recreational Ministry, notes that the goal of the ARC is to create a space that will enrich the mind, body, and spirit. He said, “We recognize that play and a healthy lifestyle are important for everyone. The ARC has created a space for that to happen.” Here are some of the sports happening at the ARC: Pickleball As the fastest growing sport in the U.S., Pickleball is very popular at the ARC. A combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton,

Pickleball is played with a whiffl e ball and composite paddles on a court that is smaller than a tennis court. It is popular with all ages because it can be fast paced, b u t l e s s s t re n u o u s t h a n tennis. At the ARC, Pickleball is a drop-in sport so anyone can join. Drop-in hours are offered Monday-Friday. Wolfpack Basketball For youth ages 8-14 years old, Wolfpack Basketball is a non-competitive b a s ke t b a l l p ro g ra m t h a t promotes basketball training and technique as well as good sportsmanship and teamwork. Practices and games are held 3-4 days a week. Contact Matt Clawson at mclawson@rockliff.com for more information. Vibe Volleyball A volleyball club for girls 9-14, Vibe Volleyball is designed to give players a chance to improve their volleyball technique while providing competitive opportunities for playing and on-the-court experiences. Contact Kris Keller at kris@ v b v i b e. c o m for more information. Gentle Yoga Flow Designed for all levels of experience, Gentle Yoga Flow is taught by instructor Annetta McCarty. She focuses on teaching classic yoga postures, building strength, increasing flexibility and body awareness and relieving stress. Each class includes meditation and breath work, sun salutations, standing postures, balancing poses, back bends, forward folds, twists, modifications and deep stretching. Contact Annetta McCarty at info@ annettamccarty.com. If you would like to arrange for a one time or ongoing gym rental, contact Joey Fuca at info@theARCenter. com or call him at 925-4873384.

valleysentinel.com

March 2018

Earn an Accredited High School Diploma Online with the Contra Costa County Library By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

“I want to make something better of myself; for myself and my children.” -Career Online High School applicant I n o u r c o m m u n i t y, most of us take for granted graduation from high school. However, due to a variety of circumstances, not everyone completes their high school education. Do you know an adult who would like to get his or her high school diploma but doesn’t know where to start? The Contra Costa County Library is empowering County residents to transform their lives by offering the opportunity to earn both an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate through Career Online High School (COHS). This lifechanging program is brought to public libraries through a generous grant from the Fremont Bank Foundation, Contra Costa County Library, in partnership with the California State Library, and Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. The Library is offering full scholarships to a limited number of qualified adult learners on a first-come, first-qualified basis. It is the perfect opportunity for adults who want to earn their high school diploma and enhance their career opportunities; but who have scheduling, transportation, or childcare challenges that preclude them from attending an in-

person class. All courses are taught in an online learning environment available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While the program is self-paced, adult learners should plan to devote at least 8 – 10 hours each week to coursework. The program consists of 18 credits total, and each credit is designed to be completed over the course of one month. It may be possible to transfer credits from previously completed accredited high school courses, shortening the completion time to as few as five months. Each learner is assigned an academic coach who is available via phone or email to offer ongoing support and additional instructional help when needed. With the program entering its second year, the Library has awarded a total of 13 scholarships with three graduates so far. One graduate, Jordan Smith, who will be moving on to college studies and hopes to become a social worker, was honored at the January 23rd Board of Supervisors meeting. Jordan said, “I have long been ashamed of myself for dropping out of high school, and wanted to set a better example for my child. I learned a great deal, how better to handle myself, and how the world works from a chemical point of view were two of my favorites.” Career options include: General Career Preparation; Child Care and Education; Retail and Customer Service Skills; Food and Customer Service Skills; Homeland Security; Office Management; Certified Protection Officer;

and Certified Transportation Services. While the coursework does not certify the learner in these modules, it will prepare the learner to take a certification exam. If this sounds like the opportunity you or someone you know has been looking f o r, p l e a s e v i s i t w w w. careeronlinehs.gale.com/ca/ for more program information and www.ccclib.org to get started. Applicants will be asked to complete an online self-assessment, enroll in and complete a prerequisite career course within two weeks, and complete a personal interview with library staff before being awarded a scholarship. Qualified applicants are awarded a scholarship on a first-come, first-qualified basis. Please note that applicants must be 19 years of age or older; live in Contra Costa County; have a Contra Costa County Library card in good standing; be comfortable reading, writing, and speaking English; have basic computer and internet skills; have access to a desktop computer or laptop; have a working email address; have completed at least the eighth grade; and be willing to spend 8 – 10 hours a week on coursework. 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.

James and Austin Root Houses to Receive Commemorative Plaques Presentation and unveiling set for March 16 Members of the community are invited to come out on March 16, 2018 to honor two of the Town of Danville’s historic buildings with new commemorative plaques. Members of both the Heritage Resource Commission and Town Council, as well as Town staff, will be on hand to unveil the plaques, commemorating the history

of the James Root House at 90 Railroad Avenue and the Austin Root House, around the corner at 120 West Linda Mesa Avenue. Town of Danville Principal Planner David Crompton said the plaques on the Root Houses continues a series of dedications designed to honor the Town’s historic sites. “The Town of Danville has a very rich history,”

Crompton said. “The plaques provide a sense of place and the historical context of these sites.” The presentation of the new plaques will occur at 4:00 p.m., March 16, 2018. For more information contact Principal Planner David Crompton at (925) 3143349 or drcompton@danville. ca.gov.

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Contra Costa County is seeking a member for the Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board County residents who have an interest in public policy and complex business agreements and financial transactions are encouraged to apply. The Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board is designated to administer existing enforceable obligations and to wind down the operations of the former Contra Costa County redevelopment agencies, subject to the review and approval of the Oversight Board and certain government entities, including the County Auditor-Controller, the State Controller and the State Department of Finance. The appointee must be eligible to vote in Contra Costa County. The term of office will begin on July 1, 2018.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 335-1900 or by visiting the County webpage at www. co.contra-costa.ca.us. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018. Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews in Martinez on Monday, April 9, 2018. For more information about the Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board, contact Maureen Toms, Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, at (925) 674-7878 or Maureen. Toms@dcd.cccounty.us.

Commission Recruitments Sought

Seats available on Parks, Arts, and Aging commissions The Town of Danville is looking for public-minded individuals interested in serving on one of several commissions seeking new members. City Clerk Marie Sunseri said that the Town is accepting applications for the following volunteer positions: Parks and Leisure Services Commission – 4 vacancies Youth Representatives – Arts Commission – 1 vacancy; Parks and Leisure Services Commission – 1 vacancy (twoyear terms) Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging– 1 position (2-year term)

Applications are available on the Town website at www. danville.ca.gov. The deadline to file an application is 4pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Applicants will be invited to interview with the Town Council on one of the following dates: June 6 – evening; June 12 – morning; June 19 – evening Commissioners will be appointed at the June 19, 2018 Town Council meeting. For more information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.

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For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to info@valleysentinel.com March 12 Lifelong Learning Series: Retraining Your Brain for Success 6:30pm Danville Library welcomes back Steven Campbell, MSIS for his Lifelong Learning Series. Mr. Campbell is an award-winning author, speaker, and faculty member at Sonoma State University. He explores how your mind can rewire itself to create new, positive selfimages of who we want to be. In turn, it can become your greatest adversary, friend, and ally. This session will take place at 6:30pm at the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library (400 Front Street, Danville). For more info, contact (925)-314-3750 March 15 Danville State of the Town & Community Awards Luncheon 11:30am-1pm Hosted by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Newell Arnerich will give Danville’s “State of the Town” Address and present the Community Award Winners of multiple categories. The luncheon will take place from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club (711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville). For more information, contact (25)-837-4400. March 17 Adopt A Highway Monthly Cleanup 9am-12pm Join members of your community in beautifying the path by removing trash. These monthly cleanups create goodwill in the community by allowing motorists to see their caring American-Muslim neighbors maintaining our roadways. Let’s do our duty. The cleanup will take place from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center (2232 Camino Ramon Road, San Ramon). March 18 Pasta Dinner at San Damiano 4:30-6:30pm Come enjoy a great meal and wonderful company at the San Damiano Pasta feed. $15 for adults, and $10 for kids 12 years old and under. Located at San damiano Retreat, 710 Highland drive, Danville. For more information call Janet Gardner at (925) 837-9141 X 306 or email her at janetg@sandamiano.org. Visit their website at www.sandamiano.org.

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Special Services for Children with Cancer and Their Families Cancer Support Community offers short-term counseling (12 to 20 sessions) at no cost to children with cancer and their families. Counseling can be for the family, siblings, and/or kids coping with cancer. Counseling is provided by doctoral interns or post doctoral fellows under the supervision of our clinical psychologists. To request this service, please call us at 925-933-0107 and ask to speak with our program director, Margaret Stauffer, LMFT.

March 13 St. Patrick’s Day Senior Luncheon Come to the St. Patrick’s Day Senior Luncheon at the Veterans Memorial Building (400 Hartz Avenue, Danville) and enjoy a delicious meal at 12:00pm. It’s the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! For more information, please contact the Danville Senior Center at (925)-314-3430.

Hope Hospice seeking volunteers Hope Hospice is currently looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering to assist hospice patients and their families. Volunteer opportunities include; Home Care; Cosmetology; Healing Touch; Reiki; Massage Therapy; Vocalists. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Jill Biggs, RN, at 925-829-8770. Volunteers Needed: Read to Preschoolers Volunteers are needed at childcare centers in Concord, Pittsburg, and West County. The Contra Costa County Library will supply books and resources. For more information, please contact Maureen Kilmurray at 925-927-3288. Alamo Farmer’s Market Every Sunday, Year round 9am-2pm, rain or shine. Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, local honey, live music, delicious varieties of hummus with fresh pita and pita chips. Located in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, at Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd., with convenient parking. Danville Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, Year-round 9am-1pm. Get the freshest seasonal fare at the Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. Railroad & Prospect Avenue, Danville. Information: www.ci.danville.ca.us. (You can make donations of fresh vegetables and fruit for our local food pantries at the Loaves & Fishes Booth at the Danville Farmers Market.)

San Ramon Farmers Market Every Saturday & Thursday Year-round March 31 Buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Passover Seder at San Ramon Farmers Market. Connect with your com5pm TVCJ’s annual community seder will be held at munity while shopping at a festive gathering place with the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th Street in Livermore live music! www.SanRamonFarmersMarket.org. Bishop on Saturday, March 31 at 5 p.m. RSVP required. Ranch 3, 2641 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. To reserve a space and receive a potluck assignment, call (510) 888-1404 or e-mail Reservations@ Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Class EastBayCulturalJews.org by March 26. Requested each Saturday donation of $25/adult non-member of TVCJ. Chil- 10-11am. Become a puppy raiser! The East Bay Miracles dren welcome. Secular seder, replete with songs Chapter invites you to help train puppies to become asof resistance and hope, uses an English-language sistant dogs for children and adults with disabilities. Atheprogressive Secular haggadah highlighting the nian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. power of community and the value of freedom. The Information: 925-838-3213, cci.org/eastbaychapter hour-long ceremony, followed by a potluck dinner, is family-friendly. Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum–open for Fun on the Farm March 31 Every Saturday Eggstravaganza! 11am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the 9am-1:30pm. Hop down to the Danville Community farm and its history. Tours are $5 per person, or $8 for Center at 420 Front St. in Danville for a fun-filled both tours on the same day. 19953 San Ramon Valley morning of egg hunts, arts and crafts, face painting, Blvd, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3284 or visit and more. Hunts are organized by age. The time slot www.sanramon.ca.gov. you register for is for the egg-hunt only; families are encouraged to come experience all of fun activities Saturday without Reservations at the Tao House within the time slot you signed up for. Bring your Every Saturday camera and take your little one’s picture with the 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Come explore this National HisSpring Bunny. Pre-registration is required at www. toric Site in Danville. Catch the shuttle at the bus stop danvillerecguide.com. in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave. www.EugeneOneill.org

Danville Seniors Unless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more information call 925-314-3490 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/ Recreation/Seniors. Sneaker Trips: The Town of Danville’s Senior Sneakers program is a great way for you to make new friends and get out and around the greater Bay Area. There’s always something new to see and learn. The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) is open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at 8:45am at Osage Park, 816 Brookside Drive, Danville and returns about 1pm. Information: 925-3143400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors/ Senior_Hiking. San Ramon Seniors The following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. For more information call 925-973-3250 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov/parks/ programs/ages55+.htm. Wisdom Wednesdays: 10:30am-12pm. Free workshops and informational sessions that will benefit you. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 925-973-3250. Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesdays from 10am-1pm. Sign up for trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. Information: 925-973-3250. Wednesday Morning Hikes (time and location varies) Join the San Ramon Trailblazers if you are interested in meeting new people, enjoying the outdoors, having fun and getting in shape. To find out the exact meeting location, please call the Senior Center at 925-973-3250 or email trailblazer88@comcast.net. Page Turners Senior Book Group Third Tuesday of the month 1:30pm. Drop in–all are welcome! Copies of this month’s book are on reserve for you at the Dougherty Station Library Front Desk. Book group meets at Alcosta Senior and Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Information: Carol Yuke, Adult Services Librarian. 925-973-2850. BUSINESS March 15 San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Business Expo Event 5-7:30pm Discover local businesses and network with over 300 people at the San Ramon Business Expo and Mixer, at The Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd.,

Please email your calendar events to the Sentinel at Info@valleysentinel.com by 5pm on the 20th of the month preceding publication month. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.

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March 2018

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Community Calendar continued from page 12 San Ramon. Business Networking seminar 4:30-6pm, Tickets $20 per person after March 8. For more information call Kathy Fanning at the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce at (925) 242-0600. Comcast Business Presents: Networking 101 4:30 - 6:15pm Mix with Conﬁdence and Ease at Business Networking Events. Overcome mixing resistance and fear; Simple yet powerful techniques, plus tools to remember them. So many people stop themselves from going to a mixer. This workshop is designed to empower you to go to a mixer, and to practice a few simple yet effective techniques to make it a positive and profitable experience. For more information call Kathy Fanning at the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce at (925) 242-0600. Customer Identity Target Marketing Workshop 9:30am -12:30pm Learn the basic fundamentals of target marketing and how to identify your customer. Are you familiar with the terms; demographics, psychographics and do you know what your NAICS code is? If not, you could be missing out on creating customers daily. This workshop is for current and aspiring business owners. FREE. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 602-6806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. Five Key Ways To Grow Your Business 2:00pm to 4:00pm Research shows that better performing companies get that way for a reason, several reasons to be exact. This is true despite the significant differences that exist in so many areas among industries. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership, in their groundbreaking books The Leadership Machine and For Your Improvement, pinpointed the 5 “killer competencies” which put company leadership at the top of their games. This seminar will explore these competencies and how your company can take advantage of them. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 602-6806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. March 16 The Right Start 9am-Noon The Right Start will teach you how to cultivate these qualities that highly successful entrepreneurs have cultivated. It will teach you the deadliest mistakes that many new entrepreneurs make that could literally wipe out their cash reserves, and how to avoid these. You will also learn the difference between a business plan and an action plan. The Right Business Plan for Startup; How to think about costs, pricing, break-even

points, and other business financials. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 6026806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. March 20 Is Business Ownership Via Franchising Right For Me? 12:30pm-2:30pm This free workshop is for you if you find yourself asking: Would I be happy being in business for myself? During this workshop, you’ll learn: What franchise industries and choices are succeeding in the Bay Area? What are the real costs? What are my financing options? Who is and is not a good candidate for franchise ownership? Can I keep my job and open a business? And how to assess the risk involved in business ownership vs. a traditional career path and more. FREE. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 602-6806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. March 21 Business Master Mind Class For Women Entrepreneurs Noon-2:00pm Join us for the first meeting of Women Business Owners getting together to network and support each other in the journey of Entrepreneurship. Whether you are just starting your business or have an existing one, this venue can be a great place to learn how to grow your business in the company of other peers like yourself. We will present a different business topic each month, (marketing, branding, financials, taxes, growth strategies and more), then we will have an opportunity for discussion, problem-solving and support. We are looking forward to seeing you then! FREE. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 6026806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. March 22 First Steps To Successful Start-Ups 9am-Noon Learn about the attributes of a successful entrepreneur, invaluable sources of information for the nuts and bolts of starting your business including licenses and permits, the business planning process and key information sources for developing your business plan, how to take advantage of the Small Business Development Center’s free and low cost services for your new business, and more! FREE. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 602-6806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. March 22 Meet The Lenders Roundtable 2-4pm Representatives from traditional banking, alternative financing and crowdfunding business communities will be on hand to talk about their financing

options: rates, terms, qualifications, and their application processes. What they expect of their business borrowers and what borrowers can expect from them will be thoroughly explored. One-on-one meetings will be available. FREE. For more information, call Oscar Dominguez at (925) 602-6806. Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. BNI Every Thursday Noon-1:30pm. We are actively looking for new members to refer business to in the trades. We need a plumber, electrician, handyman and cleaning service but are also looking for other professions like property manager, event planner and many others. Mo Mo’s Restaurant, 1444 North California Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925-330-8275 or david@staff. webquarry.com BBR-Partners for Success 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 12-1pm. One of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce’s successful Business by Referral groups, Partners for Success meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month to provide concrete business leads to one another. Chamber Conference Room, 117 E Town & Country Drive, Danville. www.danvilleareachamber.com BBR-Sunrise Alliance 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 7:30-8:30am. One of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce’s successful Business by Referral groups, Sunrise Alliance meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to provide concrete business leads to one another. Chamber Conference Room, 117 E Town & Country Drive. Danville. www.danvilleareachamber.com CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS March 10 California Writers Club: Writing Compelling Characters: Beyond the Five Senses 11am-2pm Award-winning novelist and creativity coach Beth Barany will lead a workshop on Writing Compelling Characters: Beyond the Five Senses at the next luncheon meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Sign-in is from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, luncheon 12:00 pm to 12:45, including a short business meeting, and speaker from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. Reservations at https:// cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwcmt-diablo-meeting/. March 13 ADAS (Alamo Danville Artist Society) monthly meeting 7:30pm Live demonstration by Peggi Kroll Roberts, an award winning Gaouche artist. Peggi’s

work encompasses the medium of Gaouche, using a bold palette and loose style. Her demo will be to create a figure in a seascape setting using Gouache. Meeting held At the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo for more information visit www. ADAS4art.org. February 27 Alamo Danville Newcomers Club 10am-Noon Are you a new resident of Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo or Alamo, a longtime resident, newly retired or empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a women’s organization, whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a sociable manner. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on February 27th from 10:00 AM to Noon. RSVP to alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail. com. Visit www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com Danville Veteran Service Organizations 8am-11am Every Saturday at Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley – in Danville – the VSOs jointly host a “Veterans Coffee Social” from 8AM until 11AM… Bring a friend or fellow Veteran and show them the museum - share some social time. Drop In - no reservations – all Veterans welcome… stop for a few minutes - or stay for hours! WW II Vet & Senior Docent Art Gaskns has pastries waiting for you! Please share information about our VMB /SRV Military Museum & Library open daily M-F from 9-3 and it’s free! Tri-Valley Fly Fishers Visitors welcome. Meetings feature speakers who share their knowledge of the sport. Held at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month, September

through June at the LivermorePleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, CA 94551. Information: email Roger Perry at President@Trivalleyﬂyfishers.org Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Advances equity for women and girls. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree. For information contact Soni at 286-1737 for details. Visit daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates. Cancer workshops and support groups-Ongoing Most are free. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Information / reservations call 925-933-0107 or visit www.cancersupportcommunity.net. Fibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If these are familiar to you, call about the San Ramon Valley support group for people who need support, information, classes and friendship from people who know what it’s like. We like to laugh while getting well. Call 925-837-0510. Hope Hospice Grief Support Groups–Ongoing Hope Hospice provides support to help you understand and manage grief in a way that is healthy and appropriate. Our Grief Support Center is available to all community members at minimal or no cost. Information: visit www.HopeHospice.com or call 925-829-8770. Hospice of the East Bay Support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the See CALENDAR page 14

Community News & Information Danville • Blackhawk Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon Publisher/Editor-Denise Rousset Advertising-Betty Overhoff Chief Financial Officer-Jeff Gummere Graphic Designer-Laurie Prindle Auto-David & Judy Colman Intern-Veronica Yoo, SRVHS

925-820-6047

542 San Ramon Valley Blvd., #A Danville, CA 94526 www.valleysentinel.com

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THE VALLEY SENTINEL March 2018

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Community Calendar continued from page 13 death of a loved one. Classes will be offered at Hospice’s Administrative Offices: 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill and the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Pre-registration is required for all groups and classes, except our drop-in group. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Information: www.hospiceeastbay.org RECURRING Mondays: The Walnut Creek Garden Club 9:45am The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month at The Gardens at Heather Farm in the Camellia Room. The Monday, March 12 meeting of the Walnut Creek Garden Club is: “The Importance of Backyard Pollinators”. Steve Gentry, Master Beekeeper, Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association. The center is just off Ygnacio Valley Road at 1540 Marchbanks Drive. Call 925-9471678 for directions. The business meeting is at 9:45am, socializing time is at 10am, and the program is at 11am. Contact mslittle44@ gmail.com for more information. You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC! Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon 11:15am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends and participate in fun activities. The guest speaker will be Steve Moskowitz who will talk about the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and then tell a few stories about sports personalities. Make $25 luncheon reservations by calling 925-322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.branch116.org. Danville Rotary 12pm. Meets every Monday. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. Information: danvillerotary.org. San Ramon Alzheimer Support Group 7-9pm. Meets the second Monday of each month, except on holidays. Sponsored by the Alzheimer Association. Caregivers of Alzheimer victims can get information on how to help them through this difficult time in life. San Ramon Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 925-9733250 Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) We meet every Tuesday at St. Timothy’s Office Building, Grace House, Basement 1550 Diablo Rd. Danville CA Our hours: Weigh in 8:15am, meeting is 9:30 - 10:30am. We are a weight

loss club. Information, please call Mary Stoneburner, at (925) 837-1882 Danville am Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Want to improve your speaking and presentation skills? Toastmasters can help! Meets every Tuesday in downtown Danville. www.4143.toastmastersclubs.org Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary 7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Information: dsvrotary.com. Diablo View Toastmasters 8:15-9:15am. Meets every Tuesday. CMG Mortgage, 4th Floor Conference Room, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Information: 4160.toastmastersclubs. org. Divorce Angels 5:30 - 7:30pm Going through a divorce is often a life altering experience, one that can make you feel lost. Divorce Angels is a volunteer organization that can help. We are made up of different professionals within the following industries: Legal, Financial, Real Estate, and Psychology. Our goal is to provide you with practical information so you can confidently move forward in your life. Visit www. divorceangel.com. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Danville Area Chamber (117 Town & Country Drive Suite #E ) for help with the issues you are facing. San Ramon Valley Geneological Society 10am. Meets every third Tuesday at the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. http:// srvgensoc.org Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.org. ARF Pet Loss Support Group 5:30-7pm. Meets second Tuesday of every month. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5681 or vickis@hospiceeastbay.org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net. Divorced and Separated Workshop 7- 8:30pm. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Contact: Sue at smc9@ sbcglobal.net. 925 -819-1809. Prostate Cancer Group 7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, South Building, West Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107

or www.twc-bayarea.org/community-programs.html. Wednesdays: Danville Tennis Club (DTC) 6:30-9 PM Wednesday Night Drop-In Tennis at San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd., for men and women of 4.0 level or above (and strong 3.5). Also have USTA teams and social events. Join free at https://groups.yahoo. com/neo/groups/danvilletennisclub/info Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 12-1pm The Exchange Club meets every 2nd Wednesday at Noon at Faz restaurant. The February 14 meeting will feature speaker San Ramon Valley Unified School District new Superintendent, Rich Schmitt. He will talk about new programs and new facilities. Lunch included, $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP coachstepper@yahoo. com, 275-2412. Faz is located at 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville 9526. Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek. freetoasthost.net Sons in Retirement (San Ramon Valley chapter) Monthly Luncheon 10:30am; Social Hour, 11:35am meeting and lunch. Meets the 3rd Wed. of each month. Reservations, please email us at www. info@sir128.com by Friday prior to the luncheon. Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon. Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 12pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30. Guests are welcome with lunch reservations. Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Ave., Danville. RSVP 925-275-2412. Info: www. srvexchangeclub.org Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. on a temporary basis, at Forli’s Restaurant, 3160 Danville Blvd, Alamo, at least until mid 2018, while Round Hill Country Club in Alamo undergoes a remodeling project.

Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month to participate in service activities supporting sons/daughters serving in the military. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org. Diablo Valley Quilters 7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. No charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com. Veterans of Foreign Wars 7pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Veterans Memorial Hall, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Information: Post Commander Ernie Petagara at 925-362-9806 or vfwpost75.org. Diablo Singles Dance Club 7-10pm. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $8, Guests $12. All welcome. 111N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Danville Toastmasters Club #1785 7:30-9pm. Meets every Wednesday. Room W204 at Diablo Valley College,1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon. Information: danvilletoastmasters1785.com. Thursdays: Danville Alamo Garden Club Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15 am at the Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo. At the March 8th meeting, landscape contractor and nurseryman, Troy McGregor, of Gondwana Flora will walk us through his favorite plants from Australia and South Africa. Troy was the former Nursery Manager at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek before starting his own landscaping business. He will bring plants to sell. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@dagc.us or go to our website: www.dagc.us.

Danville Lions Club 6:30pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Information: Truman Howard 925-787-2565 truman. howard@gmail.com

The Danville Women’s Club 11:30am March 15 Please join us on Thursday, March 15th for our monthly luncheon. Speaker Jorgen Jensen, will discuss natural ways to care for the body as well as the benefits of acupuncture. Socializing begins at 11 a.m. Speaker at 11:30, lunch served at noon. Reservations required. Please contact Bonnie at (925) 743-9437 or e-mail danvillewc@ gmail.com to sign up for more information (lunch is free for firsttimers). Monthly luncheons take place at the Danville Women’s Club, 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave., Danville.

San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday.

San Ramon Valley Newcomers 11:30am-2pm. Meets the third

Walnut Creek Host Lion’s Club 12:15pm. Meets the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: walnutcreeklions.org.

Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. New and long-time adult residents are welcome. Reservations/information: susansgotbling@sbcglobal. net or www.srvnc.com. Rotary Club of San Ramon 11:45am. Meets every Thursday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonrotary.org. San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club Thursdays at Noon. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. www.kiwanis-srv.org Clutterers Anonymous 7-8pm. Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Room 3, 2   491 San Miguel Drive, W   alnut Creek. Information: 925-7368627. Diablo Valley Lions Club 7:30pm. Meets the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month. 1400 Montego Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: diablovalleyca.lionwap.org. Fridays: Montelindo Garden Club (third Friday of every month, September through May) Friday March 16 at 9 am, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Everyone is welcome. Speaker: Susan Morrison, a nationally-recognized landscape designer and authority on small-space garden design. Her most recent book, Less Is More in the Garden, was released early in February. She will focus on how to create unique small-space gardens that are lovely, family friendly, and low maintenance. Email wconstantine@comcast.net. Or call 925-284-8193. Transitions-“Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am. Our mission is to encourage and support women from empty nest, to aging parents and everything in between. Community Presbyterian Church, Room 116, 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville. Information: Contact Donna Hill at hillmom3@comcast.net Saturdays: Diablo Region of the Porsche Club of America 7:30-9am. Meets every Saturday. Buttercup Bar and Grill, 660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Information: diablo-pca.org. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group 9am-12pm. Meets every 3rd Saturday. Join us to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. General questions may be directed to Co-Chairs Lance Gershen, (925) 932-1028; or Abraham Raja, (925) 304-2064.Web site: www. pnmd.net

AUTO March 2009 March 2018

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2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Limited By David and Judy Colman

Hyundai’s Ioniq debuted in 2017 as a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius. So direct, in fact, that Hyundai was recently offering a $1,000 coupon to current registered Prius owners or lessees who bought a 2017 Ioniq. For 2018, the Ioniq ups the ante of Hyundai’s challenge to Toyota by offering a plug-in version for the first time. In several important respects, the Ioniq plug-in outdoes the Prius. Firstly, it looks much better. Instead of the intergalactic over-styling of the Toyota hybrid, the Ioniq looks positively fetching in its simplicity. But don’t let the Hyundai’s sleek appearance deceive you into thinking it’s lacking aerodynamic efficiency. To the contrary, the Ioniq posts a remarkably wind cheating 0.24 coefficient of drag, which helps it attain its stellar EPA/ DOT rating of 119MPGe. Inside, the interior of the Ioniq is far more restfully detailed than the pin ball latrine look of the Prius. Hyundai has found a way to go green inside the cabin

as well as under the hood, because the Ioniq utilizes sugar cane and volcanic stone to form much of the interior. According to Hyundai, “sugar cane accounts for 25 percent of the raw materials used in the interior’s soft-touch door trim panels.” Additionally, recycled plastic forms the headliner, carpeting and door trim, so this Hyundai represents a science project for reclamation. But how does it drive? To its credit, the Ioniq behaves more like a gasoline powered sedan than a pure electric car. This is good news for those of you who are put off by the idiosyncrasies of cars like the Prius that require you to reconfigure your driving style to accommodate their peculiarities of design. The Ioniq makes no such demands on your attention, nor does it prioritize fuel saving with obnoxious visual displays of its green virtue. In other words, you can drive this Hyundai like a regular car without the need to have your eco-credentials verified every time you climb into the driver’s seat.

Together, the 1.6 liter gas engine and the 44.5kW electric motor produce a rather piddling 139hp. But since Hyundai had the foresight to supply this Hybrid with a real 6-speed dual clutch automatic t ra n s m i s s i o n , t h a t m e re 139hp feels unusually frisky in a car that weighs only 3,070 pounds. To manage the “EcoShift” transmission, you can either leave it in Drive and let it do all the work for you, or you can slot it into manual mode and bump the floor-mounted stick forward or backward for upshifts and downshifts. Better yet, rely on the thoughtfully provided steering wheel mounted paddles to accomplish the same goal. With its power to weight ratio of 22lb/hp bordering on lazy, the Ioniq needs all the help you can give it with manual gear selection. That’s an essential tool that missing from the CVT-transmission Prius. If you opt for electriconly propulsion, the Ioniq will take you about 20 miles before needing a recharge.

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Open the rear hatchback and you will find a 120V charge cable neatly packaged in an Ioniq satchel. You will also discover a surprisingly spacious storage area which amounts to 19.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split folding rear seats and center rear armrest stowed. That large rear hatch also provides excellent aft visibility thanks to upper and lower heated glass panels divided by a stiffening bar placed mid-window. Our test Ioniq included the “Ultimate Package” which Hyundai had not priced at the time of this test. Some of the benefits of this option group include power sliding sunroof, navigation with 8 inch touchscreen, premium audio with 8 speakers, dual wireless device charging, plus three safety features - automatic emergency braking, smart cruise control and lane keep assist. The rubber Hyundai has chosen for this hybrid is compatible with its mission as an ultra high mileage achiever, one which returns 52MPG in gas-only mode. To insure that kind of performance, the

tires need to be quite hard and the 205/55R16 Michelin Energy Saver A/S rubber yo u ’ l l f i n d o n t h e I o n i q comply with that mission statement. Unfortunately, their treadwear rating of TW 480 is incompatible with g e n e ra t i n g m u c h l a t e ra l adhesion on the skid pad. So you’ll want to re-equip your Hyundai with something stickier, or learn to back off the throttle when negotiating tight turns at speed. 2018 HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID LIMITED ENGINE: 1.6 liter inline 4 cylinder, Gasoline Direct Injection+44.5kW Electric Motor HORSEPOWER: 139hp TORQUE: N/A FUEL CONSUMPTION: 119MPGe/52MPG Gas Only PRICE AS TESTED: $23,200-$33,500 HYPES: Best Looking and Driving Plug-In, 560 Mile Cruising Range GRIPES: Non-Linear Throttle Response, Rock Hard Rubber STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10

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2067 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon

FasTrak Toll Tag Needed for I-680 Express Lanes The I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes are now fully operational. Carpools, eligible clean air vehicles and motorcycles must use a Fastrak Flex toll tag set to 2 or 3+ to travel t o l l - f re e i n t h e l a n e s weekdays between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Solo drivers can use either a standard FasTrak toll tag or a FasTrak Flex toll tag set in the “1” position to pay the toll. FasTrak is a way to pay tolls at Bay Area bridges and on express lanes electronically using a toll tag. To get a toll tag, open a FasTrak account online and a re a d y - t o - u s e t o l l t a g will be mailed to you. If you’re already a FasTrak account holder and need additional toll tags, login to your account at bayareafastrak.org. Order additional toll tags from the Manage Tags & Vehicles menu and they will be mailed to you. Or

you can buy the toll tags at some Costco, Walgreens and Safeway stores. Get a a FasTrak Flex toll tag to use the new lanes. Click here for more information about express lanes or to go to bayareafastrak.org to order a toll tag. We ’ v e h a d m a n y inquiries about how the toll lanes are operating. The Metropolitan Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Commission (MTC), which operates these toll lanes, has provided us with the following information as they track usage of the lanes: Accidents The number of traffic a c c i d e n t s f ro m d ay t o day and month to month is highly variable, and typically requires data over a long period of time to draw conclusions. That said, MTC is monitoring accident data. While the number of accidents in October 2017 (when the toll lanes opened) was higher than in the summer

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months, the number of accidents has generally decreased month over month since then. Congestion Performance data for the lanes in November is as follows: • During the morning p e a k c o m m u t e t i m e, 8 – 9:00 a.m., the general purpose lanes averaged 50 miles per hour and the express lane averaged 59 miles per hour in the more congested southbound direction. • During the evening p e a k c o m m u t e t i m e, 5 – 6:00 p.m., the general purpose lanes averaged 38 miles per hour and the express lane averaged 49 miles per hour. • S o m e l o c a t i o n s within the corridor are more congested than others, particularly the northern half of the lane headed northbound during the evening. This congestion is a function of lane configuration and traffic volumes and existed

before the lanes opened as well. • G e n e r a l p u r p o s e lane speeds in the middle of the day, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. have remained the same when comparing November 2016 to November 2017. In both instances, the speeds averaged 61 – 62 miles per hour in the general purpose lanes. • While speeds in the general purpose lanes have not suffered as a result of the express lanes, the data does show an increase in the number of vehicles per hour per lane in the general purpose lanes in the middle of the day. This likely makes

l a n e s f e e l m o re c rowd e d and may lead people to fee congestion has increased. • The average mid-day toll has been about $1 per trip, so we are keeping tolls low to encourage more use of all the lanes in the middle of the day while continuing to give carpools an advantage. Camera Accuracy The toll system knows when to charge a vehicle and when not to charge based o n t h e c a r ’s Fa s Tra k t o l l tag setting; not cameras. If carpoolers are being charged tolls, they need to get a FasTrak Flex toll tag and set it in the 2 or 3+ position.

Starting this April, residents and businesses in Concord, Danville, 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 and starting in April your electric service will be at least 50% renewable and cost less than PG&E — Light Green is currently 55% renewable. 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 Contra Costa 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?

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Does MCE cost less than PG&E?

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

Will my billing change?

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!

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.

Which communities does MCE serve?

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 will enroll with MCE in April.

How is MCE funded?

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