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May 2014
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SPOTLIGHT
Left to right: Christina Liu (Gr. 10, age 16, Secretary), Meera Menon (Gr. 10,age 15, President), Ayushi Gupta (Gr. 11, age 17, Vice President), and Jasmine Daragahi ( Gr. 10, age 16, Treasurer)
Student founders of Project SmARTS make a difference By Jared Wong, Valley Sentinel intern
Teenagers have notoriously busy lives. But, the leaders of Project SmARTS have
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PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
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Diablo Vista Middle School state champions will advance to Destination Imagination’s Global Finals. Left to right the students are: Shania Sandher, Ethan Peng, Jack Stallard, Ian Walsh, Kyle Wooten, and Michael Rhee. See story on page 10.
Gone for 100 years, Red Shouldered Hawk on rebound First Contra Costa sighting in 1979
Postmaster: Dated Material
by James Hale
Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. 390 Diablo Road, Ste. 145 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047
One of our most beautiful resident birds of prey is the RedShouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). In the past three decades, their population in Contra Costa County and other, mostly coastal, regions of California have recovered dramatically. The first known nesting in the county since 1915 wasn’t until 1979, when a pair with a fledgling was noted near Clayton along Morgan Territory Road. Red-Shouldered Hawks have become a common roadside sight, rebounding from extreme rarity. The clearing of mature forests, principally the wet hardwood f o re s t s t h ey p re f e r, c a u s e d population densities to decrease drastically. The change in habitat favored their cousin, the Red-Tailed
Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), which experienced a general population increase. Unchecked hunting of raptors, with the greater availability of firearms in the early 1900’s, further contributed to their demise. The pesticide DDT caused egg shell thinning in many birds, including Red-Shouldered Hawks, and the breakable shells reduced their ability to reproduce. Local forest regrowth and the ban of hunting and DDT allowed Red-Shouldered Hawk populations to become more stable. However, human activity, including logging, habitat loss, poisoning from other pesticides and industrial pollutants, continue to threaten t h i s s p e c i e s . Ac c i d e n t a l
collisions with power lines, automobiles, and at wind farms kills many birds annually. The coloration of RedShouldered Hawk plumage is quite striking. Adults have finely barred, intensely reddish heads and underparts. The back and wings are boldly dark and
light checkered. The multibanded tail is distinguishable. The red “shoulders” are visible in perching birds. Smaller than Red-tailed Hawks, the RedShouldered Hawk, may weigh 1.5 pounds, with a length of two See HAWKS page 5
This month’s Special Sections:
Home & Garden pages 8-9
Kids Camps pages 10-11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
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The Valley SenTinel
Monkey See Monkey Do! Family Friendly Improv May 4 2pm. This one hour short form improv show is designed especially for kids! Our family
friendly show is completely made up on the spot based on audience suggestions. Best of all, kids will have opportunities to participate and a chance to be on stage and
Saturdays, 9AM - 1PM Railroad Ave. & Prospect Ave. What’s at the market:
• Brentwood Asparagus from Cecchini & Cecchini • Bluberries from Borba Family Farm • Native Grains brings chia, quinoa, and flax • Organic veggies from Tomatero Farm pcfma.com/danville
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May 2014
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take part in the fun. $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. sanramonperformingarts.com
S a n Ra m o n S y m p h o n i c Band: The Magical Music of Disney May 4 2pm. The Symphonic Band Concerts is comprised of 55 talented musicians led by conductor Larry Colon. Bring the family for a fun filled evening of music. $6 adults, free for kids under 12. DV Performing Arts Ctr, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon. sanramonperformingarts.com. Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge May 4 2:30pm. This play is part of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Ta o H o u s e P l ay w r i g h t s ’ Theater series performed at the Old Barn at Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in Danville. Miller’s Tony Award-winning play portrays a man’s tragic struggle between his personal passions and his obligations to his community. Information and $25 Tickets: www.eugeneoneill.org or (925)
820-1818. Transportation to site by National Park Service shuttle from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. Tassajara 1964 An original play about Pacific Airlines Flight 773 May 7 7pm. Tassajara 1964, written and directed by Role Players Ensemble Artistic Director Eric Fraisher Hayes, illuminates a dark and dramatic chapter in our local history. On May 7th, 1964 the quiet of Danville’s serene slopes was shattered by the violent crash of Pacific Airlines Flight 773, killing 44. Using news reports and testimonials, the play constructs a mosaic of the many individuals and communities forever linked by this event. On the 50th anniversary of the crash, Role Players Ensemble and the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will present an original play exploring this tragedy and the people touched by it. The public is invited to attend a staged reading of this new play at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave., Danville 94526. Tickets are $20 at the door or online at www.museumsrv.org. For more information: www. RolePlayersEnsemble.com.
May 9 & 10 Artist Days at Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site 9am - 3pm. The Eugene O’Neill Foundation and the National Park Service invite visual artists looking for a plein-air site for painting, sculpture or photography to the Tao House in Danville’s Las Trampas hills. $5 per day. Bring your art supplies and a bag lunch in addition to whatever else you may need for the day. To reserve a space and get more information on Artist Days’ shuttle transportation, contact the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House at (925) 820-1818, or www.eugeneoneill.org. Art Exhibit- Gala Reception May 10 5-7pm. Please join us for the Gala Reception on Saturday, May 10, 5-7pm, for Blackhawk Gallery’s Glorious Expressions Exhibit that runs from May 9 thru July 13, 2014. Free to Public. The exhibit features 2 guest artists and 41 member artists. Artwork by g u e s t a r t i s t s i n c l u d e lacquerwares by Jesse Nguyen and ceramic figures by Virginia Rigney. Blackhawk Gallery, 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. blackhawkgallery.org
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May 16 at 7pm. and May 17 at 11am., 2 and 7pm The Wizard of Oz An enthusiastic group of 5 to 18-year olds from CAE’s Youth Theatre Company (YTC) will guide you down that famous yellow brick road. $1216.75. Del Valle Theatre, 1963
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Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical May 10-18 T h i s wo r l d p re m i e re musical will buzz into your heart as Lulu, Sam, and their playground friends explore the power of imagination. It’s hard to navigate the perils of the playground, but the Bug Squad is up to the challenge! $16 kids, $20 adults, $18 seniors. Front Row Theatre, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. bactheatre.org
*Titles for identification purposes only. Paid for by Arnerich for Assembly 2014 • 33 Cavalry Court Danville, CA 94526 • ID No. 1356874 • www.ArnerichforAssembly.org
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
valleysentinel.com
May 2014
A&E from page 2
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culminating in a one-weekend run on stage. Village Theatre, 233 Front St., Danville. 925820-1278.
Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925-943-SHOW or www.lesherartscenter.org. Dixieland Jazz May 17 2-5pm. 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 510-655-6728. The Next Step Dance Studio’s Spring Recital May 18 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm. At this recital, you will
experience a little of each style of dance with performances by Next Step Dance Studios’s award-winning dance team. Please join for an enjoyable d ay i n s u p p o r t o f l o c a l arts. $25 adults, $17 kids. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon. sanramon. ca.gov. Warped III: Really, Really Warped! May 29-31 The students of the Theatre Performance Workshop are putting on “Warped III: Really, Really Warped!” Theatre Performance Workshop’s creator, script writer, and i n s t r u c t o r, J e f f S e a b e rg , creates a program based on the idea that children ought to be introduced to the entire process of play production. Working from original scripts, the young participants in the program enjoy the complete t h e a t re ex p e r i e n c e f ro m auditions through rehearsals and technical rehearsals,
The Danville Girls Chorus presents: Heroes and Villains May 31 11am. Join the DGC for its annual POPs Concert. The members of DGC are girls in 3rd to 8th grade from schools around the Tri-Valley area. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5.00 for children. East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara Road, Danville. www.danvillegirlschorus. org. Broadway & Beyond June 6 7 p m . T h e Fro n t Row Theatre will be hosting the San Ramon Community Chorus and Dancers as they perform “Broadway & Beyond”, a show that will be filled with catchy tunes and great for the whole family. Free. 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. sanramon. ca.gov.
For more Arts & Entertainment See our website at www.valleysentinel.com.
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The Valley Sentinel April 2014
Leadership San Ramon Valley classes begin soon Leadership San Ramon Valley is designed to provide current and emerging community leaders with the information and skills necessary to appreciate the resources, understand the issues, manage the challenges a n d l e a d i n t h e ra p i d l y evolving business, political, educational, cultural and social environment of the San Ramon Valley. Since 1992, over five hundred leaders have graduated from this program. At each class, engaging speakers, panelists, and involved community members or officials, share their unique experiences and expertise. C l a s s m e m b e rs i n t e ra c t with the facilitators through fieldwork assignments and projects. In the past several years, a number of community leaders have been among the speakers and presenters at LSRV class sessions. Students spend a day on each of the following topics: • Foundations of Leadership • Leadership Retreat • Government • Healthy Community • Communications & Media • Education • Community Economics • Regional Planning • Cultural Arts • Graduation
Candidacy is open to all who have an interest in the dynamics of the San Ramon Valley. Criteria for participation include: • Interest in and commitment to the San Ramon Valley community • Desire for personal and professional growth • Commitment to quality leadership • Desire for personal and professional networking opportunities • Pa r t i c i p a n t s m u s t be prepared to attend all seminars and must have the full support of their employers or organizations. Tu i t i o n f o r t h i s 10-month program is $995. Some financial assistance i s ava i l a b l e b a s e d u p o n demonstrated need. Tuition may be paid by the participant or by an employer, business, professional firm, club or organization. Applications are being accepted now for the upcoming 2014-15 class. To learn more about this dynamic program, please visit the website at www. leadershipsrv.org or email Elaine Cortez Schroth at leadershipsrv@att. net. Please complete the application and return no later than July 1, 2014. For more information please call 510-604-0621.
Do you know what to do about back pain?
valleysentinel.com Advertorial
New screening tool available for early detection of Lung Cancer By Gautam Prasad, MD, PhD, Radiation Oncologist
Every year approximately 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer are often subtle and can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, unexpected weight loss, or general fatigue. For this reason, the significant majority of patients are diagnosed when their disease has already spread throughout the body (sometimes call ‘metastatic’ or Stage IV). Unfortunately, these types of situations are not curable. Therefore, significant efforts have been made to try to identify patients with early stage therapy who may be cured. Until recently, there has been no reliable way to screen for lung cancer in its earliest stages (before symptoms start to occur). However, recent research has identified a low dose CT scan of the lungs as an effective way to screen for lung cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that smokers and
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scary. There are many groups and resources that can help support patients and families through this time. If you are a smoker or former smoker, talk with your doctor about this low dose scan, even if you have no family history of lung cancer. Research from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) showed that CT screening reduced lung cancer deaths by 20%. We are fortunate that more and more tools are becoming available to diagnose cancer at earlier stages. Having a trusted partnership with your doctor and taking advantage of these new tools can help you to meet - and overcome many types of cancer, should you be presented with that challenge. Gautam Prasad, MD, PhD is a board certified radiation oncologist with Epic Care and practices in Dublin, Pleasant Hill and Antioch. For more information about Epic Care Partners in Cancer Care, visit www.epic-care.com.
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Emotional Abuse, The Hidden Problem By Lynn Chazin, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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former smokers should receive a low dose CT scan of the lungs every year. This scan takes about 5 minutes and can detect tumors and lung nodules in their earliest stages, which provides patients with the best chance to treat and cure the cancer. The two most common treatment options for early stage lung cancer include s u rg e r y ( a l s o k n ow n a s lobectomy) and radiation (stereotactic ablative radiation therapy, or SABR). Both are effective treatment options for early stage lung cancer (Stage I). The best course of treatment for anyone is greatly dependent upon the individual situation. Ask your doctor to explain the benefits and risks of all possible treatments. Once you are comfortable knowing what is involved and the pros and cons of each path, together with your doctor, you can decide on the best way to proceed. Keep in mind that looking at cancer treatment, even in the early stages of disease development, when the prognosis is much more positive, can still be very
Emotional abuse may go unnoticed. Its victims may not have physical wounds or scars. It is, however, very painful and devastating, robbing victims of confidence, emotional stability, and feelings of worthiness. Emotional abuse often intensifies and may escalate into physical abuse. Over time, victims can adapt to the abuse and become conditioned to accept this. Emotional abuse is when an abuser controls a victim through power, fear, and humiliation. The underlying impact to the victim can be selfdoubt, loss of trust, isolation, depression, and anxiety. Many victims feel a pervasive sense of shame. Often, victims become cautious, watching and waiting for the next time the abuser will strike. The abuse can create hopelessness and a sense of being stuck. Emotional abuse takes many forms.
The more obvious forms are yelling, and name calling. Violence towards property, including slamming things and smashing household objects, can intimidate victims into submission. Abusers may threaten their victims. An example of this is when an abuser says “I will hurt you if you leave me”. Abusers may blame their victims, saying, “this is all your fault.” Humiliation can make victims feel defective or worthless. Sometimes this comes in the form of teasing or sarcasm. There are many hidden forms of emotional abuse. Abusers may withdraw and use the silent treatment as a means to control their victims. They may also isolate their victims, controlling where the victim can go and who the victim can see. The abuse can be non-verbal, taking the form of disapproving or condescending looks. Abusers control victims by making decisions and expecting complete adherence, or by limiting the victim’s access to
money and spending. Abusers may deny that the abuse is taking place, telling the victim “I never did or said that”. This causes an erosion of trust in the victim’s own experiences and perceptions. We all deserve to be respected, feel worthy, and live without fear. If you or a loved one is suffering from emotional abuse, there is hope and help. Professional counseling can help people learn to better assert their needs and set appropriate boundaries while remaining safe. Counseling can help people participate in healthy relationships and improve self-confidence. For more information, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline toll-free at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233), or see the website at www.ndvh.org. This article was contributed by Lynn Chazin, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Lynn has a private practice in Danville, CA, 925-217-0020, www.lynnchazin.com.
valleysentinel.com April 2014
The Valley Sentinel
We have great success helping people solve the causes of their joint pain. If you suffer from arthritis it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — and which combination of therapies will help heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you don’t have to give up any of the activities you love! For more information or to set up a consult with Dr. Niele Maimone call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter. com.
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Healing Joint Pain – From the Inside Out By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
Joint pain, known as arthritis, comes in many forms. The most common type is osteoarthritis, known as “wear and tear arthritis”. Joint pain can flare up for a number of reasons — some of which may be overlooked by conventional practitioners. Many of my patients ask me if their pain is caused by arthritis. Sadly, it is estimated that one in five Americans has been diagnosed with some form or arthritis. There are over a hundred different arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis being the most well known. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the synovial fluid of the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in the hands and feet and is frequently accompanied by a hot or warm feeling in the joint, stiffness for over 30 minutes in the morning, the same joint affected on both sides of the body, polyarthritis (more than one joint affected at a time), and pain that can last through the night. With this form of arthritis, most of my patients notice the pain eases the more they use the joint. HAWKS from page 1
feet and a wingspan of just over four feet. Like most raptors, females are slightly larger than males. In Contra Costa County, Red-Shouldered Hawks live in riparian and oak woodlands, and also in Eucalyptus groves and residential areas. They prefer to nest in Sycamore trees (Platanus racemosa) along creeks and rivers when available. The majority of nests in the county, perhaps as many as 80%, are in Eucalyptus trees. The Red-Shouldered Hawk is perhaps the most vocal of all our raptors. While courting or defending territories, the distinctive, screaming “‘keeaah” call is repeated several times. Courtship displays consist of the pair soaring together in wide circles while calling and diving at one another. Usually occurring in late morning or early afternoon, the males’ “sky dance” is performed by soaring high in the air, and then making a series of steep dives, each followed by a wide spiral and rapid
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, feels worse the more we exercise and as the day wears on. Also linked to inflammation, this type of arthritis can be traced back to a breakdown in the joint cartilage. It generally affects the hips, knees, spine, hands and feet and develops as more of a wear-and-tear situation, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is closely tied with genetic factors that lead to an autoimmunity problem. What you need to know if you suffer from arthritis. All forms of arthritis involve some kind of inflammation — either local or systemic. When injured, a chain of events in your immune system known as the inflammatory cascade is triggered. This is what causes the redness, swelling and pain we often see with an acute injury. When this process, known as local or acute inflammation, turns on and then off in response to injury it’s a sign of a healthy immune system. Yet when the symptoms of inflammation don’t disappear, it tells us that your immune system is unable to turn itself off when it should and therefore leads to a state of chronic inflammation. How do I begin to h e a l my a r t h r i t i s p a i n naturally?
1. Adopt a healthy diet rich in natural antiinflammatories. Eat small meals often and choose a diet of richly colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and pure omega-3 fatty acids. Reduce foods that contribute to inflammation such as refined sugar, white flour/ b a ke d g o o d s, c a n n e d o r packaged foods. 2. Correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress immune function and contribute to chronic degenerative processes such as chronic inflammation, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and d i a b e t e s. S p e c i a l b l o o d testing can reveal what your body has absorbed from your food and/or supplements over the past 6 months and zero in on what is deficient. M i c r o - N u t r i e n t Te s t i n g allows a person to know exactly what to eat and/ or supplement in order to support their healing process. By correcting nutritional imbalances the body is given the building blocks it needs to naturally create its own anti-inflammatories and heal from the inside out. 3. C l a s s I V L a s e r Therapy. Ending the pain caused by arthritis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV
ascent. The mating season is between April and July with the breeding pair building a stick, platform nest usually in the fork of a tree. Brown to lavender blotched eggs are laid in a clutch of three to four. Incubation is from 28 to 33 days. After hatching, the female broods the nestlings for up to forty days. The male does most of the hunting, but will also incubate and brood occasionally. The young will fledge and leave the nest at about 6 weeks of age, however are dependent upon the adults until they are 17 to 19 weeks old. Sexual maturity is reached between one and two years of age. Some adults may reach 20 years of age, although most live only half that long. Nesting success can be as little as 30 % with 50% mortality within the first year. Red-Shouldered Hawks hunt while soaring or from a perch. They sometimes try to flush prey by flying low in surprise attacks. Small mammals, especially rodents, are the most important prey. Locally, voles, gophers, and
moles are favorite prey. Occasionally tree squirrels and rabbits are hunted. Red-Shouldered Hawks will attack birds as large as a pigeon. Sometimes they prey on birds drawn to backyard feeders. Other prey may include amphibians, reptiles (especially small snakes), and large insects. They may cache food near their nest for later consumption. Raccoons, Great Horned Owls and other larger raptors prey upon the eggs, nestlings, fledglings and occasionally adult Red-Shouldered Hawks. Human activity, particularly habitat loss, continues to be the biggest threat to the RedShouldered Hawks’ survival. The lure of the abundant Eucalyptus for nesting RedShouldered Hawks likely bodes well for this species’ continued success in Contra Costa County, even with further degradation of the county’s riparian corridors. James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist and Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Fish And Wildlife Committee
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laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces i n f l a m m a t i o n , s we l l i n g , muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is quickly relieved.
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Danville resident Craig Walker honored with Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
On April 26, UberConference announced that its CEO and co-founder, C ra i g Wa l ke r, h a s b e e n selected to receive the 2014 Georgetown University Entrepreneurial Excellence Aw a r d f o r O u t s t a n d i n g Alumni Entrepreneur. Nominated by the Georgetown alumni c o m m u n i t y, Wa l ke r wa s chosen by the board of the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Alliance for exhibiting a high level of innovation and service to the entrepreneurial community, demonstration of a positive impact of business, and other exemplary qualities of an entrepreneur and Georgetown graduate. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by my alma mater as an outstanding alumni entrepreneur. I attribute much of my success as a business person to the education
I received while earning my MBA at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and continue to support the school as a proud alumni,” says Walker. Craig Walker brings a broad background as an experienced entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive and corporate attorney to UberConference, launched in 2012 and funded by Google Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. Prior to UberConference, Craig was CEO of Dialpad C o m m u n i c a t i o n s, w h i c h was acquired by Yahoo! i n 2 0 0 5 ( n o w Ya h o o ! Vo i c e ) , c o - f o u n d e r a n d CEO of GrandCentral Communications, acquired by Google in July 2007 (now G o o g l e Vo i c e ) , a n d wa s the first Entrepreneur in Residence at Google Ventures. Craig is a graduate of UC Berkeley (BA), Georgetown University (MBA) and Boalt Hall School of Law. This award is the h i g h e s t h o n o r b e s t owe d by Georgetown to alumni entrepreneurs. The award was given as part of Entreprelooza on April 26, 2014 on Georgetown’s campus. For more information about Uberconference, visit www.uberconference.com
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Park District to be featured at the Museum the of San Ramon Valley By Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Parks District
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District with a month-long exhibit and a speakers program. Entitled “Connecting Parks to People,” the exhibit will last from May 10 through June 8. It will trace the history of the park district since its foundation in 1934, with special emphasis on the Iron Horse Regional Trail and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. A video, displays, maps and brochures will help to tell the story. In 1934, during the depths of the Great Depression, voters in Alameda County created a special district to acquire and manage parks for the public. It was an extraordinary decision, supported by cities, the University of California at Berkeley, legislative leaders, the Contra Costa Hills Club, the Sierra Club, and many other concerned citizens. The first regional parks were Tilden, Sibley, Temescal and Redwood. During the 1930s the parks were developed u s i n g wo r ke rs f ro m t h e Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Work Projects Administration (WPA). Contra Costa County voters joined the park district in 1964. Today the district
operates 65 parks covering 115,000 acres in the East Bay. Speakers will recount the district history in programs from 11 a.m. to noon on successive Saturdays, May 17, 24 and 31. The speaker on May 17 will be Jerry Kent, the district’s retired assistant general manager of operations, who will recount the district’s history from the 1930s to the present. Jerry himself played a major role in the District’s development. Speakers on May 24 will be Bickford Hooper, first president of the Right-ofWay Trail Advocates; Mary L o u O l i v e r, f o r m e r S a n Ramon mayor; and myself as a member of the Park District Board of Directors. Our topic will be the Iron Horse Regional Trail, now 30 years old and extending 35 miles, with more mileage to come. On May 31 two speakers will describe the efforts that led to establishment of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. They are Manfred Lindner, chair of the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Committee; and Sally Germain Goldner, Danville chair for the successful annexation of Contra Costa County to the Park District in 1964. The museum is located at 205 Railroad Ave. It’s open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays. For
information, call 925-8373750 or visit its website, museumsrv.org. The Park District’s website is www. ebparks.org. *** A shuttle service that was inaugurated last year is available again this year down the road at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. The park is mostly atop the long green ridge just west of I-680 in Pleasanton. Normally it’s a bit of an uphill trudge to reach the park’s ridge tops from the staging area. However the park district is offering oneway shuttle trips into the park for people who have the desire but not necessarily the energy for really long hikes. The shuttle will take visitors from the Foothill Road staging area to one of two locations in the park, enabling a return hike of either 4 ¾ or 9 ¼ miles. Most of each hike is along a ridgetop trail with spectacular views of the tri-valley area. Remember: it’s one-way. No return shuttle is provided. T h e re a re t wo d a i l y shuttles from which to choose: 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. May shuttles will operate on the 14th and 24th. Shuttles also will operate on June 7, 11, and 21. There’s a fee of $10 per person ($12 for non-District residents), and reservations are required. For reservations and more information, call 888-327-2757 and select option 2.
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Developed incrementally since 1987, the Iron Horse Regional Trail now extends along the former railbed for 30 miles between Concord and Pleasanton.
Seniors valleysentinel.com
May 2014
The Valley SenTinel
Choosing a Hospital That’s Best for You By David Sayen
Have you ever read a restaurant guide before picking a place for a special dinner? Or a consumer-advice magazine before buying a new car? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a similar guide for looking up the quality of care at hospitals in your area? Well, there is. It’s called Hospital Compare and you can find it on the Medicare website, at www.medicare. gov. Hospital Compare contains a wealth of information on how well hospitals perform certain surgeries and treat certain medical conditions. The data varies from hospital to hospital since some hospitals do a better job of caring for patients than others. The idea behind Hospital Compare is that making quality-of-care information easily available to the public will motivate hospitals to improve their care. Medicare has similar “compare” websites for nursing homes, home health agencies, and dialysis facilities. You can search Hospital Compare by zip code, city,
or state. The data you’ll find are intended to provide a “snapshot” of the quality of care at more than 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals throughout the United States. Yo u d o n ’ t h ave t o b e a Medicare beneficiary to use Hospital Compare – it’s open to everyone and it’s free of charge. If you’re having a medical emergency, go to the nearest hospital. But if you have time to plan a surgery, or if you have a condition like heart disease and you know you’ll need hospital care in the future, talk to your doctor about the local hospital that best meets your needs. Find out which hospitals your doctor works with, and which hospitals he or she thinks give the best care for your condition. If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, ask if the hospitals participate in Medicare. At that point, you may want to spend some time on Hospital Compare. Hospital Compare shows the rates at which hospitals provide recommended care for patients being treated for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia, and for patients having surgery. It also displays information on hospital outcome measures. These include the rate at which
Medicare patients treated for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia had to be readmitted to the hospital with complications, and 30-day risk-adjusted death rates. (The 30-day period is used because this is the time period when deaths are most likely to be related to the care patients received in the hospital.) With Hospital Compare you can see how often a hospital’s patients get certain serious conditions that could have been prevented if the hospital followed procedures based on best practices and s c i e n t i f i c ev i d e n c e. T h e conditions include pressure sores, post-operative blood clots, post-surgical falls, accidental cuts and tears, and post-surgical blood infections. Such problems kill and injure thousands of people every year. In addition, you’ll find results from patient satisfaction surveys, such as how well patients thought the hospital controlled their pain and how well doctors and nurses communicated with them. Hospital Compare is no substitute for talking with your doctor and family members and friends who’ve been treated at a hospital you’re considering. But the website can give you a general idea of how well various hospitals handle certain kinds of patients.
Interviews will take place on June 4, June 10 or June 17, 2014. The Town Council will appoint commissioners at their June 17, 2014 meeting.
Make yourself comfortable!
Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the
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page 7
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Home & Garden page 8
The Valley SenTinel
May 2014
Elegant gardens on display The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of AAUW is hosting its 14th annual Garden Tour on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 from 10am-4pm. Begin Mother’s Day weekend by treating your mothers and daughters to this self-guided tour of five of the loveliest gardens in the area. Tickets can
be purchased at East Bay Flower Company, 206 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in the Danville Livery, or online at daw-ca.aauw.net/ garden. Light refreshments will be provided. All proceeds benefit scholarships, research and grants for aspiring women scholars. For more information contact mary@gsacorp.com.
Are you composting yet? • Reduced Cost Compost Bins • Free Monthly Workshops • Instructional Brochures and DVD Video • www.facebook.com/CCCSWA • Allied Waste Bill Reduction For more information, visit www.wastediversion.org Home Composting Hotline (925) 906-1801, ext. 306
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May Garden To Dos General Garden Care Check irrigation: unclog heads, make sure coverage hasn’t changed - repair as required. Change the time on irrigation clocks to water in the early morning. Deep soak trees. Control emerging weeds: hand pick, hoe, pour boiling water over them (carefully) or spray with a fatty acidderived herbicide such as Safer weed and grass killer. Renew mulch. To stop weeds and keep moisture levels consistent, mulches need to be 3” thick. Keep mulch pulled away from the trunks & root crowns of woody plants. Solarize soil in full sun areas where weeds went to seed last year. Aerate lawns, fertilize wa r m s e a s o n g ra s s e s i f not growing rapidly. Mow frequently, leaving grass as tall as you and your mower can stand. Remove lawns to save water and resources. Fruits & Vegetables Thin fruit. Stake or cage tomatoes that were planted last month. Check soil temperature b e f o re p l a n t i n g va r i o u s summer crops. Soil thermometers are available from various suppliers. Plant seeds of beans, corn, melons and okra once soil temperatures are at least 65°F (18.3°C). Successive planting of beans and corn will extend your harvest.
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Plant seedlings of tomato, eggplant, peppers, squash when soil is warm enough. Plant herbs in full sun with good drainage: basil, chives, oregano, parsley, r o s e m a r y, s a g e, t h y m e, cilantro, marjoram, borage. These do well in containers. Flowers & Landscaping Cut back the foliage of ornamental grasses before new growth emerges. Remove foliage of spring blooming bulbs only after it has turned brown. Apply iron chelate to acidloving plants if chlorotic: citrus, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, Pieris. Acidic soil amendments will help lower soil pH. Purchase perennials and interesting annuals if you have enough water to keep them going. Great local sources abound! Garden Pests & Diseases Earwigs: Trap by placing moistened, tightly rolled newspaper or corrugated cardboard in the garden in the evening. In the morning, dispose of the paper and trapped insects. Another method of control is a covered container such as a small margarine tub with holes cut halfway up the sides. Pour in about an inch of soy sauce and a thin layer of vegetable oil in the container. Empty as needed. Remember, they eat aphids and other pests. Fireblight: This bacterial pest affects ornamentals in the rose family: Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, flowering pear, crabapple, mountain ash,
Sentinel
hawthorne and fruit trees (apple, pear and quince). Prune to remove affected branches. Fruit tree borers: Paint trunks of fruit trees with 50/50 mix of white latex paint and water. The paint can often be picked up for free at the hazardous waste recycling center at Central Sanitary. Gophers: Ultrasonic devices, chewing gum, hair, urine, kitty litter and all the other “great” home remedies are ineffective. Snails & Slugs: Control with hand-picking, yeast traps or iron phosphate baits. Snapdragon rust: Forms unsightly dark brown or rust colored pustules or blisters on the leaves and stems. Keep your plants growing vigorously by watering and feeding properly. Other pests common in May include aphids, scale, powdery mildew, and coyotes. Master Gardeners are trained volunteers for the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). They are residents of local communities who have an active interest in horticulture, have taken the Master Gardener training offered by the UCCE, and now share their knowledge with other members of that community. They provide University of California researchbased horticultural information to the citizens of California through their volunteer efforts as Master Gardeners. It is the acquisition of knowledge, the skill in gardening, and giving back to the community that distinguishes a Master Gardener from other gardeners. For more information visit ccmg.ucdavis. edu.
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Home & Garden valleysentinel.com
May 2014
The valley Sentinel
Natural garden care can help protect pollinators and humans alike By Denise Rousset
We have all heard about the collapse of beehives around the world and the ongoing efforts to understand why this is happening. California’s agriculture depends on honeybees and other pollinators to produce food and fresh ingredients for more than one in three bites of the food we consume. During the almond bloom in the Central Valley alone, more than 1.5 million bee colonies are needed for pollination, or half of all commercial colonies in the United States. While no one reason for “colony collapse disorder” has been blamed entirely, some growers use pesticides that experts have implicated in the bee plague. Honeybees are one of many pollinators, which also include native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other animals that feed from flowers, transferring pollen in the process. According to the Pesticide Task Force of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), nearly 80% of all flowering plants
need pollinators to transfer pollen in order to produce seeds, fruits and vegetables. Pesticides are substances that are used to control unwanted plants, insects, rodents or plant diseases and include chemical insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Using pollinator-friendly pest control strategies in the garden can help keep people and pollinators safe from improper use of these chemicals.
Carefully diagnosing your pest problem to determine whether a pesticide is necessary for control and evaluating your options can help determine what to do. When you need help in identifying a problem visit your local nursery and speak with
an expert there. You can also contact the Contra Costa Master Gardeners at ccmg@ucanr.edu or call them at (925) 646-6586. Using a combination of pest control techniques may include beneficial insects, manual removal, traps etc. Snails and slugs for example love beer, and a dish of beer at soil level will drown them when they dive in. Using a shallow can with cheap beer is effective and also attracts sow bugs or pill bugs. Copper mesh and stripping can also protect plants from snails and slugs. If you choose to use a pesticide, follow the directions carefully, and avoid drift and runoff. Don’t spray on breezy days or when rain is forecast so that chemicals won’t drift into unintended areas or get washed into the garden soil. Avoid applying pesticides to blooming flowers that are attractive to pollinators. Also planting native species of flowering plants that are resistant to disease and pests is helpful. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) around the home is about more than organic
gardening of fruits and vegetables. It is also about improving the health of the soil and using sustainable methods that enrich the garden environment. Composting, mulching, pulling weeds, using organic fertilizers all improve the garden environment and encourage the “good bugs”, birds, and beneficial insects in the garden to thrive.
page 9
By caring for the garden and respecting all of its inhabitants we can individually avoid the calamity that has befallen many honeybee populations. Every home garden can help attract native pollinators and be a healthy forum for children to learn about nature. For more information visit www.pollinator.org
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Kids Camps page 10
The Valley SenTinel
May 2014
valleysentinel.com
Choosing the right summer camp for your child
By Laurel Silver
The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter, and the sweet scent of summer is easing its way into the air. As this much anticipated season quickly approaches, parents are faced with many questions: should we take a vacation? What about a 4th of July party? And the ever pressing dilemma, what do we do with the kids all summer? The good news for parents is that the Bay Area offers a wide variety of summer programs for youth of all ages. The
array of options is designed to accommodate children with all interests, skill levels, and social skills. In addition, many summer programs are structured to fit the needs of working parents. With so many options available however, it is important for parents to take the time to find camps and programs that fit not only their schedule, but also the individual needs of their children. Appropriate planning strategies can make for a more enjoyable summer camp experience for both parents and children.
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Larger, city-sponsored programs tend to be inexpensive, and often offer extended care in the mornings and evenings. While these features are attractive to many working parents, they also tend to make for a much higher child to counselor ratio. While this does not necessarily speak to the quality of the program, it can raise the risk of a child’s experience being impersonal and chaotic. “I’ve spent a lot of time working at larger summer camps,” said Megan Tomakin, a Berkeley native and five-year camp counselor. “Something I’ve noticed is that the quieter, soft-spoken kids tend to get a little lost in all of the craziness. I think some kids are really better off in smaller, more structured programs.” Another factor to consider is the overall energy level of your child. Some children do well in more laid back camp environments, where they are given more freedom to choose their own activities. Contrastingly, however, some need structured schedules and constant stimulation. If your child tends to have difficulty entertaining him or herself, you may want to consider a summer program that offers a variety of pre-set activities each
Diablo Vista Middle School advances to Destination Imagination’s Global Finals After placing first and winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in both the regional and state tournaments, Diablo Vista Middle School has earned the right to travel to Destination
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day. Lower energy children who prefer calmer environments may be better off in camps that are geared towards their individual interests. Once you’ve found a summer program that accommodates your schedule and your child’s needs, you may want to give some thought to helping them adjust. The transition into an unfamiliar environment can be difficult for many children, especially younger ones. To help your child adjust to a new camp or program, it can be beneficial to clear your morning on their first day. Take some time to walk your child in, show them around, and point out important places such as bathrooms and lunch tables. If your child is particularly nervous, consider identifying a staff member who will be working with his or her group during the day. According to an article published by the American Camp Association (ACA), one of the leading causes of homesickness in children is uncertainty about whether or not adults will help them if they need it. Introducing your child to a counselor or supervisor will help eliminate some of this uncertainty. It also gives them a familiar face to look for throughout the day.
As with any new activity, it is important to communicate effectively with your child about their camp experience. Whenever possible, discuss in the morning who will be picking them up from camp and at what time. An article published by the ACA on preventing homesickness in children states that, “Predictability and perspective on the length of separation is important whenever possible.” Giving your child this information also helps make them feel more in control of the situation, and reminds them that the separation is only temporary. While it is important to address potential issues, try not to worry too much about sending your child to camp. Most summer camps are built to give children an enjoyable experience, and chances are that your child will end the season with fond memories and new friends. “The best part of a summer camp is it’s feeling of community and play,” said Jackson Stearns, the director of the summer camp program at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA. “All camps share a sense of hope and fun, that summer should leave lasting memories and happy feelings for their campers.” *For more information on adjustment and homesickness, visit the American Camp Association website at www. campparents.org.
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Imagination’s Global Finals, a creative thinking and problem solving competition to be held May 21-24 in Knoxville, TN. Team members include Diablo Vista Middle School 7th graders Jack Stallard, Ian Walsh, Michael Rhee, and Shania Sandher and 8th graders Ethan Peng and Kyle Wooten. They will compete with other teams in the Scientific Challenge: Going to Extremes, one of seven, open-ended challenges that require young people to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service. Rebecca Ingram, Principal of Diablo Vista Middle School, said, “I am so impressed by the incredible work effort and persistence shown by the students on our Destination Imagination team. They truly
exemplify the love of learning and value of teamwork to reach a goal. We are proud of their accomplishments and wish them well as they continue on this exciting journey.” “These kids are more self-assured, confident, and poised because of their work in Destination Imagination,” said Team Manager Nicky Fildes. Team Manager Jennifer McCay added, “This team has been thinking divergently for the four years we have been together. D-I has helped them succeed in the classroom and will equip them to succeed throughout their lives.” Team member Kyle Wooten said, “Destination Imagination has taught me to do everything to my best potential. You have to put in the time and the effort to get the results.” Team member Shania Sandher emphasized, “We’ve learned how to keep working toward our goal and not give up.” See WINNERS page 10
Kids Camps valleysentinel.com
May 2014
School District proposes boundaries for new elementary school – seeks input from local community By Terry Koehne
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is hosting two meetings to collect input from the local community regarding attendance boundaries for its newest school. The new school in the Dougherty Valley area of east San Ramon will begin construction in June and is scheduled for completion in Spring, 2016. The new school will accommodate one of the last pockets of new housing built in the area and will help relieve and equalize enrollment at the other four elementary schools in the Dougherty Valley. District staff recently presented a proposal to the Board of Education with suggested neighborhoods that would attend the new school. District staff will present similar information and collect input from the local community at two community meetings: •Tuesday, May 13, 7-8:30 PM at Live Oak Elementary School, 5151 Sherwood Way, San Ramon SMARTS from page 1
found a way to reach out into the community and truly make a difference. In April 2013, Dougherty Valley High School students Meera Menon (Sophomore,), Ayushi Gupta (Junior), and Christina Liu (Sophomore,) came together when they saw the recent budget cuts as something no less than scary, they said Meera Menon, President of Project SmARTS, had always wanted to commit a part of her life to helping others, but it was not until her dad’s eye-opening maxim about unrealized dreams that she knew exactly how to help the community. In her words, Project SmARTS was “the best decision of my life.” Ay u s h i G u p t i , V i c e President, is an avid dancer with a passion in sharing her talents with the underprivileged. She says she is astonished by the huge impact that high school students can make on a community. Christina Liu, Secretary, was exposed to art and music at a very young age. However,
•Thursday, May 15, 7-8:30 PM at Quail Run Elementary School, 4000 Goldenbay Ave., San Ramon While much of the s t u d e n t e n ro l l m e n t w i l l come from the yet-to-be developed neighborhoods in the community, District staff is proposing moving a few neighborhoods within t h e L i ve O a k a n d Q u a i l Ru n E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l attendance areas into the attendance boundary for the new school. For a list of streets under consideration please visit www.srvusd.net to view the April 22nd staff presentation to the Board of Education. Following the two community meetings, staff will collect the input and bring it to the Board of Education for further discussion. The District will hold the Board of Education discussion meetings at a school in the Dougherty Valley (dates/locations to be determined) as a convenience to parents.
she says she was saddened to hear that not all children have the opportunity to be introduced to them. This galvanized her, she said, to co-found Project SmARTS. She expresses, “I hope to impact as many lives as possible.” That summer, the founders recruited ten volunteers and thus began summer workshops. These workshops had instant success, with over sixty students signing up. As a finale to the summer’s work, Project SmARTS held a talent show at the San Ramon Community Center. The girls then decided to start a club at Dougherty Valley High School the following academic year. This was when Jasmine Daragahi (Sophomore) became Treasurer and says she felt compelled to help in this effort. Jasmine said that she simply wanted to enrich the lives of the children but now in addition, wants to create lasting friendships with the kids. During the school year, they took the initiative to p a r t n e r w i t h L o c k wo o d Elementary School in
The Valley SenTinel
Earth Day art contest In celebration of Earth D ay 201 4 , D a n v i l l e a n d Alamo K-12 students were invited to participate in a student art contest with the environmental theme One World, One Community. On Friday April 12, at the Danville Community Center on Front Street 5:50pm, Danville Mayor Robert Storer and Sustainable Danville Area’s Cynthia Ruzzi announced the finalists and recognized all of them in the 2014 Earth Day Student art Contest. The 2014 Finalists: THE MAYOR’S AWARD: C h a s e Va s h e l - J o h n Baldwin Elementary School KINDERGARTEN: Blake Jarvis - John Baldwin Elementary School Ky r a H a n s e n - J o h n Baldwin Elementary School Shay Zuehlsdorf - John Baldwin Elementary School GRADES 1-3: Taylor Ford - John Baldwin Elementary School A l ex C a b r i t a , S k y l a r Hansen - John Baldwin Elementary School Annabelle Hentz - John Baldwin Elementary School GRADES 4-5: D evo n To o l e r - J o h n Baldwin
Oakland to hold after-school enrichment workshops. The teens teach kids anything from sketching to dance and even creative writing. In addition to the workshops, Project SmARTS holds fundraisers that help offset the supply expenses. The members have gone door-to-door to collect funds. Meera, the president of Project SmARTS, has seen the members build meaningful relationships with the children and act as inspirational role models, she said. Next year, the organization aspires to reach out to more underprivileged schools and get more high schools involved. Expanding the club is a priority as it helps achieve their goal of helping the largest number of children. Project SmARTS is a rare example of altruism in the purest sense; the founders say they truly hope that their efforts will help underprivileged children to realize their goals in ways that they would not have been able to. For more information, visit www.projectsmarts.org.
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WINNERS from page 10
The Diablo Vista Middle School team members are a m o n g m o re t h a n 8 , 0 0 0 students representing more than 1,250 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 21-24. In order to reach the Global Finals, The Diablo Vista Middle School team will be raising funds to cover the approximately $20,000 of expected expenses. The money raised would cover registration fees, airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and food for the team manager, team members, and chaperones traveling with the team. They plan to reach out to organizations and individuals who want to contribute to the development and success of youth in their community.
Cynthia Ruzzi and Robert Storer
Keya Gupta - Tassajara Hills GRADES 6-8: Morgan Crawley - Pine Valley Nicolette Culver - Pine Valley Neha Simha - Gale Ranch GRADES 9-12: Katiebelle Sharkey - San Ramon Valley High School Sarah Liao - Monte Vista Carrie Ng - Monte Vista Special Thanks to: The Town of Danville Arts Commission, Mayor Robert Storer and our sponsor, Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority.
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Debating how to enrich your child’s summer? Numerous options between June 23 and July 25 for children entering Kindergarten-8th. Academic Enrichment Camp & Debate Camp dorriseaton.org or 925.933.5225 1847 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to info@valleysentinel.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS 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. 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 Library: Something is Happening Upstairs Now-May 14 3-4:45pm. Middle Schoolers are invited upstairs on Wednesdays for movies, games and other activities. There will also be space for you to do your homework or just hang out. San Ramon Library; 100 Montgomery Street; San Ramon. Information: ccclib.org Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Workshop Tuesdays, Now - July 22 11am-1pm. This 12-week workshop is for women who have just been diagnosed and are either in treatment or starting treatment. This series will help them address the emotional and physical issues that surface after diagnosis. Guest medical experts will present information to the group. Free. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Ave, Walnut Creek. Register at 925-933-0107. Chocolat May 8 8:00 p.m. To accompany the Danville Spring Wine and Chocolate Stroll The Village Theatre, located at 233 Front Street, will be screening the film Chocolat. This film may have some mature themes and language; parental guidance is recommended. Tickets are on sale for $5. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.villagetheatreshows.com or call (925) 314-3400. The Hike For Hope May 10 8:30am-12:30pm. The Hike For Hope is a memorial hike and fundraiser held at beautiful Del Valle Region Park in Livermore. It’s a great outdoor event for all ages. When you register, you are supporting Hope Hospice. Two trail options: easy 2.6 miles, or 4.4 miles with a moderate incline. 700 Del Valle Road, Livermore. $40. thehikeforhope.com Plant Propagation May 10 Two Classes: 10:30am – 12:00pm or 2:00pm – 3:30pm. Propagation is one of the first techniques to learn as you explore your love for succulent plants. Whether you want to use your plants in crafts and décor or just have an abundance for your garden, we will teach you the most successful and easiest methods of increasing your collection. $20 General Admission, $12 for Ruth Bancroft Garden Members. The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. ruthbancroftgarden.org Third annual charity poker tournament May 10 7pm-11pm The White Kitty Foundation is hosting its annual charity poker tournament with Blue Dog Events. Appetizers will be served and there is money to be won! The tournament will benefit the White Kitty Foundation to help needy cats and dogs. The poker tournament will be held at the Danville Station Clubhouse, 1320 Van Patten Drive Limited space available. Reserve your seat now! Buyins $60, Re-buys $20, Add ons $25. Please contact Cris at (925) 837-2411 for more information. Estate Planning Basics May 13th 6 pm – 8 pm. Learn the components of a good estate plan, what should be updated, things to look for, beneficiary reviews and more. Understand gifting and estate planning strategies and how you can leave a legacy that can make a difference. With Tandall Thompson, JD, an attorney with Thompson Law offices and Julia Gordon, Relationship Manager at Schwab Charitable. At Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. FREE. For people with cancer and their caregivers. Reservations are required. For information call (925) 933-0107. The Parkinson Network of Mt. Diablo Support Group May 17 9:00 to noon. From 9:00 to 10:00 am there will be two separate meetings: Extended Parkinsonians Only Discussion Group: For those newly diagnosed or who’ve had PD for years. Extra time
to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Meeting location is the Fireside Room at Grace Church. Contact person is Gregg Riehl at (925) 254-8349 (jgriehl@gmail.com). Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Caregivers meet at same time in Oak Room of Grace Church. All are welcome, and there is no charge. Questions may be directed to Howard Zalkin at 925 939 4210 or Ronnie Wanetick at 925 933 6357.
may include planting, pruning, applying mulch, replacing sand box materials, painting and general clean up. Refreshments will be provided. Open to all ages however children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Crow Canyon Gardens, 105 Park Place, San Ramon. www.citylights.volunteerhub.com
Animals on Broadway and Pet Wellness Fair May 18th 8:30am-10am, registration, 10:30am Pet walk. 11am-4pm Pet Wellness Fair. Put your paws to the pavement and walk to raise money for animals in need! The Animals on Broadway Pet Walk, is a one-mile walk at Heather Farm Park. Walk as an individual or form a Pack of 3 or more walkers. This year’s goal is to raise $75,000. All are welcome to join the fun—with or without your furry pals. Together we can make a difference! For information contact (925) 296-3156 or email petwalk@arf.net
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.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society May 20 10am-noon. The program will feature the subject of Passenger lists. Speaker: Kay Speaks. This program will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. Library of the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road Alamo. For information call Ed O’Donnell (925) 310-4691, or visit our web site http://srvgensoc. org/, or e-mail us at SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org New Diagnosis? The Holistic Approach to Managing a Progressive Illness May 21 5:30-7:30pm. Do you or someone you love have Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease? Attend our workshop to help you manage a progressive illness, and learn the answers to your questions. Work with the experts to understand your life transitions and secure the future you desire. $10 individual, $15 pair. Advanced registration required. Register by the Monday prior to class. Eldercare Services, 1808 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. 866-760-1808. Doggy Night May 22 5:30-8pm. Calling all dog owners and lovers alike. Danville’s Doggie Night offers fun for you and your four-legged friend. Follow the map to Doggie Night businesses for free dog treats and canine couture. Check out the variety of vendors through the pet fair where you’ll meet pet sitters, photographers, trainers, and more. 425 Hartz Avenue. discoverdanvilleca.com Memorial Day at Oak Hill Park May 26 10:30AM. Memorial day will be celebrated in Danville at the site of the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park. The park is located on Stone Valley Road. This is the largest event in the East Bay, and begins with music by the Danville Community Band. The presentation of colors will be by the USMC, with military service colors presented by the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV). This event remembers all those who have posted and served our nation. Featured speakers include GWOT/Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. Gold Star Families will be recognized & all fallen since 9/11 in our Tri Valley will be remembered. Visit their All Wars Memorial Pavers after the program. Career Workshops at the San Ramon Library May 28 Debbie Choy, Career Coach and Leadership Development Coach with Menmuu Leadership Institute in San Ramon will present “Making Yourself Marketable to Re-Enter the Workplace.” The career program is free and open to the public. For more information please call the Library at (925) 973-2850 or visit the Library online at ccclib.org. Art & Wine Festival 2014 May 31-June 1 11am-7pm. Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday. The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau brings you its 33rd Annual Art & Wine Festival featuring music, food and entertainment for the whole family. One of the best art and wine events of the year. Come early, stay late. Heather Farm Park, 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek. For more information, call (925) 934-2007 or visit www.walnut-creek.com Parks Make Life Better Clean-up day May 31 9am-Noon. Join our professional park maintenance staff and your neighbors to help maintain and beautify our parks. Tasks
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. All trips meet at the Danville Park & Ride lot unless otherwise noted in the trip details. Reserve your spot at the Danville Senior Center, 115 E. Prospect, Danville, CA 94526, on or before the registration date beginning at 8:30am. Information: 925-314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors/ Senior_Sneaker_Trips. The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) are open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at the Danville Park-n-Ride (next to the Sycamore Valley 680 North exit) at 9AM and returns about 1Pm. Most hikes are not strenuous, but gradients are involved due to the local terrain. Distances are usually in the 4-5 mile range, and the pace is moderate, with stops to view scenery, wildlife and to talk about location history when appropriate. Information: 925-314-3400 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: 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 Tuesday 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: 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. The group meets once a week at various locations, This is an adults only group; pets are not permitted on hikes. To find out the exact meeting location and to get on the email list, please call the Senior Center 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 San Ramon 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 AcSELLerate your Sales! May 13 8:30-11:30am. Improve your financial performance by increasing your top line revenues. Learn the strategies and best practices to develop strong sales and marketing systems to accelerate revenue growth. San Ramon Chamber Conference Room, Bishop Ranch 6, 2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 158/K, San Ramon. $50. sanramon.org Business Outreach Walk May 14 11am-5pm. A “Boots on the Street” survey of our area businesses. Volunteers are asked to survey 3 businesses and ask each business owner/manager 4 questions. The results will be compiled and communicated with our members and local officials. It only takes about an hour to participate in this great event. Located throughout businesses in Blackhawk, Alamo, and Danville. danvilleareachamber.com.
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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Day of the Town of Danville Business After Hours Mixer May 14 5-7pm. Join us for this event hosted by Kids Country at the Future site of Kids Country Art and Sciences! Come celebrate the future location and meet Town Staff after a day of reaching out to the community with the Business Outreach Walk. 500 La Gonda Way, Danville. danvilleareachamber.com Third Thursday Mixer 5:30-7pm. Partake in this opportunity to network with San Ramon Chamber members, Government Officials, Educators and Local Businesses. Free to members and guests of members. New and Future Member Orientation May 27 4-5pm. Please come and learn about the various Chamber services that can benefit your business. We will have some of our Ambassadors and the Chamber’s President/CEO, Stewart Bambino, here to greet you. You will need to RSVP and it’s free for anyone interested in attending. San Ramon Chamber Conference Room, Bishop Ranch 6, 2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 158/K, San Ramon. sanramon.org
CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONS Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree or equivalent. Prospective members are welcome and may contact Liz at 389-0152 for details. Visit http://daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates. 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.
april 2014
COMMUNITY CALENDAR (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12) Information: visit www.HopeHospice. com or call 925-829-8770. Wind ‘n Sea Sailing Club Sailing training classes take place at members’ homes. Information: Call Jan at 925-837-3381. Recurring:
Mondays: The Walnut Creek Garden Club Meets the second Monday of each month. The general meeting begins at 9:30 with community and socializing from 10:30 to 11:00. You do not need to be a gardener to join the club. The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. Information: californiagardenclubs.com/content/ walnut-creek-garden-club or mslittle44@gmail.com Danville Rotary 12pm. Meets every Monday. Faz Restaurant, 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. People who know or are 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: 925-973-3250. Tuesdays: Danville am Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Meets every Tuesday. New members welcome. Father Nature’s Restaurant, 170 Prospect Ave., Danville. Information: danvilleam.freetoasthost.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. ARF Pet Loss Support Group 12-1:30pm. Meets first Tuesday of every month. In a nurturing small group, you are encouraged to process feelings of grief resulting from the loss of pet. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5678 or vickis@hospiceeastbay.org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net.
Walnut Creek Kiwanis Club 12:10-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. Information: kiwanisofwalnutcreek.org.
Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org.
Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.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.
Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Workshop Tuesdays, April 16 through July 3 0 11 a m - 1 p m . T h i s 1 2 - w e e k workshop is for women who have just been diagnosed and are either in treatment or starting treatment. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Free. Please call to register 925933-0107. Prostate Cancer Group 7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. Sa n R a m o n R e g i o n a l M e d i c a l C e n t e r, S o u t h B u i l d i n g , We s t Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107 or www.twc-bayarea. org/community-programs.html. Wednesdays: 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. Information: coachstepper@yahoo. com. 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. Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Information: alamorotary.org. San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonvalleyrotary.com.
Classifieds SERVICES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE AVOID FORECLOSURE Do you owe more on your home than it’s worth? Are you behind on your payments? Do you need to relocate soon? Do you need money to make the move? Do you want to AVOID deficiency judgments? Want a confidential FREE consultation? We Specialize in Short Sales. Before it’s too late, CALL NOW. TASSAJARA VALLEY REALTY 925 552-LIST or 925 552-5478.
Community News & Information
Danville • Blackhawk • Alamo Diablo • San Ramon
The Valley SenTinel
Veterans of Foreign Wars 7:00pm. 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. 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: Koko Fitbit Walk 9:30-11 am. Meets on the last Thursday of each month. Meet at Koko FitClub and walk the Iron Horse Trail. 499-B San Ramon Valley Blvd. Danville. Information: 925-743-0802 San Ramon Valley Newcomers 11:30am-2pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. New and longtime adult residents are welcome. Reservations/information: 925-8379600 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.
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of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church room 7, 2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-736-8627. 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. TENS - Thriving Empty Nesters 9-11:30am, Every Friday, Room 11 6 ; C o m m u n i t y P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h ; 2 2 2 W. E l P i n t a d o Road; Danville. We are a Peer Community - Encouraging Women to Rediscover, Reconnect & Rejoice in the Empty Nest Stage of Life ! Information: Contact Barb Miller baiumil@yahoo.com or Donna Hill at hillmom3@comcast.net 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. Sundays: Cars n Coffee: First Sunday of Every Month 8-10am. Blackhawk Automotive Museum is hosting Cars and Coffee for automotive enthusiasts in the parking lots of Blackhawk P l a z a . O u r p a r t n e r, S c o t t ’ s Catering, will provide coffee and other refreshments. Afterwards, visit shops and restaurants in Blackhawk Plaza. Blackhawk Museum; 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle; Danville. Information: www. blackhawkmuseum.org.
Diablo Numismatic Society 7-9pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month. Concord Police Community Meeting Room, 1350 Galindo Street, Concord. Information: diablocoinclub.org. Clutterers Anonymous 7-8pm. Meets the second Thursday
JRW CONSTRUCTION, INC. 381 Hartz Ave., Danville, Suite B phone 925.831.1615 fax 925.831.1643 lic. 694292
CUSTOM HOMES ADDITIONS REMODELS BATHROOM AND KITCHEN REMODELS TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
Pool Service-If your pool looks like a pond, call John at 925-584-6333. It’s the last pool maintenance call you will have to make.
and confidential telephone number at 925- 855-1367, extension 558.
Emotional / Spiritual Help We all experience challenges in life, times when we could benefit from the support of a caring person. Stephen Ministers at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, are trained to provide confidential, emotional and spiritual care to these individuals in our community. This is a FREE service open to all individuals. For more information, please call this private
Part time Office Administrator for engineering company in downtown Danville – Invoice, Payroll, HR, Incoming Correspondence, Please submit Resume to HR@naderiusa. com.
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AUTO March 2009 May 2014
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2014 Ford Focus 4-Door Titanium By David and Judy Colman
Ford has mastered the art of building a cheap car that doesn’t feel cheap. You won’t find any telltale signs of penny pinching when you drive a Focus. The charcoal leather trimmed front seats envelop you so hospitably that three hour sittings pass without complaint. Standard five stage seat heaters ease the journey at no extra expense. Ford has crammed the standard issue Focus with such thoughtful addenda as a tilt/telescope steering wheel, one touch drop of the driver’s window, remote fob lock and unlock, and push button start. Sony provides the excellent audio components, while Ford adds its own navigation unit for $795 extra. A rear view camera which displays its image on the large navigation screen is standard equipment. You’ll be pleased to discover that Ford provides easily modulated dual zone climate control at no extra charge, as well as power operated and heated exterior rear view mirrors complete
with wide angle inserts and built-in puddle lamps. Yet this extensive portfolio of goodies costs just $25,500, navigation upgrade included. The cabin of the Focus Titanium is so competently organized that you could easily drive this 2,995 lb. compact hatchback across the USA without hesitation or discomfort. Especially compelling are the 17 inch Cooper Zeon RS3-A mud and snow rated tires (215/50R17) w h i c h o f f e r a p re m i u m combination of ride comfort and responsive handling. They especially earned their stripes during a scary torrential downpour on US 101 near Gilroy where they never lost their grip on the flooded pavement. While the 160hp output of the Focus’ inline four cylinder motor may seem paltry on paper, in practice it’s more than adequate for zippy but economical forays. We were able to complete a week of Bay Area commutes plus a 120 mile jaunt from San Rafael to Monterey before refilling with a paltry 9 gallons of standard grade gas.
2014 Ford Fiesta SE
Despite this remarkable fuel efficiency (overall EPA rating of 31 MPG), the Focus never felt underpowered. Ford has achieved a rewarding balance between economic operation and responsive engine performance. If 160hp is not enough to light your wick, consider the Focus ST, which Ford turbocharges to produce 252hp - more than enough to spin the front tires off the rims. The ST Focus is available only with a 6-speed manual transmission. Our Titanium test car eased city driving with its 6-speed automatic gearbox which includes a “Sport” mode gate. When you slot the lever into “S,” you’re able to control up shifts and down shifts via a rocker switch inconveniently located on the shift knob. Although this method of gear override is fairly compliant with your wishes, it occasionally decides to up shift on its own with no provocation from you. This idiosyncrasy can prove inconvenient during passing maneuvers.
While Ford offers a 5-door hatchback Focus, we spent the week driving the conventional 4-door sedan version that combines a huge trunk with a 60/40 split-fold down rear seat that gives you almost as much storage space as the hatchback but with the added benefit of more privacy for your valuables. The amount of luggage the Focus trunk swallowed without protest was a real eye opener: 2 hard shell cabin trolleys, two large soft sided duffel bags, a hard shell large plastic storage bin, and numerous paper sacks stuffed here and there. No matter what we threw at the Focus, it obligingly accepted. All this despite the fact the Ford has positioned a large, space grabbing Sony sub-woofer along the right side flank of the trunk.
2014 Ford Focus SE
Although the rear seats are tight for adults, the Focus sedan would make an ideal companion for families with two sub teen children. For that quintessential foursome, the Focus offers just the right combination of interior space, ample hidden trunk storage, and economic propulsion to make it a prime candidate for the prime American garage. 2014 FORD FOCUS 4-DOOR TITANIUM ENGINE: 2.0 Liter Inline 4 with Direct Injection HORSEPOWER: 160hp TORQUE: 146 lb.-ft. FUEL CONSUMPTION: 27 MPG City/37 MPG Highway PRICE AS TESTED: $25,500 HYPES: Great Directional Stability in Rain GRIPES: Tight Rear Seat STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10
2014 Ford Fusion SE
Stock #100388
Stock #100398
Stock #100666
$169/Month Plus Tax 36 Month Lease
$199/Month Plus Tax 36 Month Lease
$209/Month Plus Tax 36 Month Lease
10,500 Miles Per year
10,500 Miles Per year
10,500 Miles Per year
$3,250 Customer Cash Due at Lease Signing Upon approval of Credit
$3,750 Customer Cash Due at Lease Signing Upon approval of Credit
$3,250 Customer Cash Due at Lease Signing Upon approval of Credit
Vin Ending in: EM174627 (One at this price)
1800 N Main St. Walnut Creek, CA 94596
www.walnutcreekford.com
Vin Ending in: EL210896 (One at this price)
Vin Ending in: ER306891 (One at this price)
Call one of our Sales Managers, Cary Watson or Daniel Kossut for details!
(925) 934-2900
valleysentinel.com
May 2014
The Valley SenTinel
page 15
DIABLO MOTORS
AUTO SALES, BROKERAGE, CONSIGNMENT & SERVICE
May is Dom For Mom Month! 2013 Jaguar XK Convertible
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Shu-Ling Chou R.N. Intensive Care Unit Hero of the Year
Vicki Wynn R.N. Coordinator, Stroke Program
Agustin Moreno Food Services
Barbara Banks-Norton RRT Respiratory Therapy
Bethanne Flannery MPT Physical Therapy
Arlene Stavropoulous R.N. Family Birthing Center
Chelsey Yost R.N. Definitive Observation Unit
celebrating E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
Danielle Paradiso R.N. Medical/Surgical Unit
Catrina Bechtold R.N. Emergency Department Employee of the Year
Chris Camacho Sports Performance Institute
Vilma Padojino Definitive Observation Unit
Nola Pollard Accounting
C A R E
Jennifer Ainsworth R.N. Intensive Care Unit Florence Nightingale Award Winner
Torill Hemenway ARRT Radiology
Everyone knows that it’s not bricks and mortar, but great people who make you feel better. It’s why we pause each year to celebrate the extraordinary people that make our hospital a remarkable place. They exemplify the commitment, skill and compassionate care we offer. This recognition begins with our special employees honored this year: Catrina Bechtold, R.N., Emergency Department, Employee of the Year; Shu-Ling Chou, R.N., Intensive Care Unit, Hero of the Year; Jennifer Ainsworth, R.N., Intensive Care Unit, Florence Nightingale Award Winner, and all our 2013 Employees of the Month. From the emergency room, to the operating room, to your room, we’re here for you. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon | 925.275.9200 | Facebook
www.OurSanRamonHospital.com