Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon
VALLEY
Inside this month...
THE
SENTINEL always for the community VOl 20, nO 8
Look inside
for this Activity Guide
East Bay Regional Park District Regional in Nature Activity Guide
Protecting Wildcat Creek Return of the Monarch Butterflies Winter Wonderland at the Tilden Carousel
October 2015
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Free Outdoor Movie Plus:
SPOTLIGHT
Kayaking, Pole Walking, Bird Watching, Veterans Day Open House at Crab Cove Visitor Center
Moving presentation at 2015 9-11 remembrance
... and many more activities in Your Regional Parks!
By Denise Rousset In soaring heat on the evening of September 11, The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ organizations hosted their annual 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at the site of the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park on Stone Valley Road in Danville. Hundreds of residents, Veterans, Police, Firefighters, and representatives from patriotic groups came to participate in this important remembrance event. Present among others were Mayors Mike Doyle, Danville, and Bill Clarkson of San Ramon. Danville Town Councilmembers present included
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The Danville Fall Crafts Festival on October 24 and 25 is an opportunity to celebrate the changing seasons with live music, the Toddler Costume Parade and free trick or treating with Hartz Avenue merchants. Hundreds of artists, the fabulous Glass Pumpkin Patch, great food and craft brew are some of the fun features. Presented by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, you can get a complete list of activities at www. danvillefallcraftsfestival.com.
Meet The Gray Fox–Tree Climber, Rodent Catcher By James Hale
The Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is an important wildlife species throughout the United States, and beneficial due to the number of harmful rodents they destroy each year, particularly in agricultural regions. Habitat destruction and human activities have allowed the Red Fox to displace the Gray Fox and become more dominant in some areas. The Gray Fox is an old lineage that first appeared during the mid Pliocene epoch 3.6 million years ago. Two other ancient lineages cluster genetically with the Gray Fox, the east Asian Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and the African Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis). The grizzled, silvery pelage, accented with red, white and black, distinguish this canid from
others. Its specific epithet cinereoargenteus means ”ashen silver”. The crest of the tail is lined with black and the tip is black. A distinct black spot is on either side of the muzzle. Gray Foxes typically weigh 7 to 16 pounds with the slightly larger male occasionally reaching 20 pounds. Their distinctive ascending cough-like bark is diagnostic. The monogamous Gray Fox mates in late winter or early spring and dens in a variety of places. The den is most commonly in a hollow log or crevice, on a ridge, cliff, or rocky slope, or under cover of brush in woodland. It may be underground in an abandoned burrow of another animal or one that they have excavated. There
are records of Gray Foxes denning in natural tree cavities more than 20 feet high. Three to five young are born usually in April or May, following a gestation period that lasts approximately 53 days. By three months of age the kits begin to hunt with their parents. At four months of age, with permanent dentition, the kits are able to forage on their own. By autumn, after learning from their parents, the kits which have become sexually mature, begin to disperse. The Gray Fox has an acute sense of hearing and keen sense of smell that help them to locate the small rodents that make up much of their diet. They are more omnivorous than other foxes and consume a variety of small animals
including rabbits, birds, lizards, snakes, insects and other invertebrates. In summer, grasshoppers, crickets, and agricultural pests make up much of their diet. Locally, the Darkling Beetle (Eleodes armata) and the Jerusalem Cricket or Potato
This month’s Special Sections:
See FOX page 5
Mind & Body Awareness page 7 Fall Home and Garden pages 8-9
Do you have a doxie that is ready to race? Visit srhf.org for details on how to enter your doxie in the competition.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tickets to the event are available for purchase through PayPal online at srhf.org.
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The Valley SenTinel
Float, Flutter, Fly Now - October 24 5-7pm. Be prepared to take to the sky with amazing flights of fancy as the Town
Prices: $20/adult Includes Beer Stein, One Beer & Lunch dining out • music • art$15/ages • theater fun eventsStein w/Root Beer & Lunch 13•-20 Includes $10/ages 6 - 12 Includes Root Beer & Lunch Under October 20156 years of age FREE
of Danville presents Float, Flutter, Fly, an art exhibition at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery. Original artwork in a variety of mediums is
Alamo Community Walk-About
on view, showcasing the talent of established Bay Area artists whose work all has a common element of feathered and winged creatures. Village Theater, 233 Front St, Danville. (925) 314-3400 or www.facebook. com/Danvillevillagetheatre.
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Wine, beer, food, music and more...
Thursday, October 22 from 5-8pm $20 online pre-sale, $25 night of the event
$10 (at the event) for children and designated drivers
proceeds benefit the Community Foundation of Alamo, host sponsor of the annual Alamo Tree Lighting For information and tickets, visit
www.Community Foundation of Alamo.com The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Presents
15 0 A r ti sans Cos tu me Parad e (Saturday 10am)
Live Mu si c by Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums Tinman
Car Show (Sunday only)
Saturday & Sunday
October 24 & 25
R & B Cellar s S c h ub ro s Br ewer y
10am - 5pm
Along historic Hartz Avenue
Gre a t Glass Pu mpk i n Pa tch www.danvillefallcraftsfestival.com
Walnut Creek First Wednesdays October 7 and every first Wednesday through June 2016 5-8pm. Walnut Creek First Wednesdays event for all ages includes live entertainment, arts & crafts, treats & more! Bike Walnut Creek is sponsoring a free ‘bike valet’ so you can bike to the event and relax with your bike secured by a valet attendant. Event is free, but bring some money for dinner because the Food Truck Mafia food trucks will be there for your dining pleasure. Cypress Street in Downtown Walnut Creek. Ruth Reichl comes to Rakestraw Books October 9 12pm. Join Rakestraw books to welcome acclaimed food writer and memoirist Ruth Reichl to a special lunchtime event. During her visit she will be discussing her brilliant new cookbook, My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life. Admission is $65/person. Tickets include a special lunch party and a donation to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Rakestraw Books, 3 Railroad Avenue, Danville. www. rakestrawbooks.com A Harpist’s Legacy October 11 3- 6pm. Meet the legendary harpist Ann Hobson Pilot and view the PBS documentary which profiles her inspirational life and distinguished career. This compelling documentary follows Ann Hobson Pilot’s trailblaz-
ing journey as the first black female principal player in a major symphony orchestra and also as an international soloist, teacher, mentor and driving force behind musiceducation programs for underserved minorities. Tickets start at $20. 1601 N. Main Street, Suite 106, Walnut Creek. www.HarpsEtc.com Caribbean Night at Draeger’s Cooking School October 15 6:30pm-9:30pm. Come to Draeger’s Kitchen on Caribbean Night: A Taste of Cuba to learn how to make a fresh mojito (Hemmingway’s recipe), Avocado Salad Duel: Sweet & Sour and Savory Version, Caribbean - spiced chicken with Cuban rice, Ropa Vieja “a favorite beef stew,” and Bananas Flambe “al Rum Bacardi.” Admission is $55 per person. Draeger’s Kitchen in Blackhawk Plaza, Danville. Visit www. draegerscookingschool.com to register.
Music and Laughter Benefit Show October 15 6:30 complimentary wine and dessert reception. 7:30 pm, Discovery Counseling Center presents an evening of music and laughter featuring the amazing vocalists, the Melodores and the talented comedian, Tony Camin. Funds from this event will help Discovery Counseling Center to expand their highly- regarded antibullying program to more schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. VIP tickets are $75 and General Admission, $40. www.discoveryctr. net/eventsandnews/ fallfundraiser.html Oktoberfest at Forest Home Farms October 17 11am– 5pm. Bring the whole family to Oktoberfest presented by the San Ramon Valley Historical Foundation. Enjoy polka music from live bands and watch dachshund races. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and are available at wwww.srvhf.org. Forest
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Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. www.srvhf.org Dixieland Jazz October 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. About Face October 20 and 22, October 27 and 29 AC5 is offering portrait painting workshops at no cost to all Contra Costa County Veterans. Workshops will take place in Martinez at ARTU4iA, a working art studio led by noted artist John Kleber. No experience required. All painting material will be provided. Free. Artu4ia, 651 Pine St., Martinez. www.ac5.org Barktober Fest October 24 6:30-10:30pm. The White Kitty Foundation is hosting its Second Annual Barktoberfest. Come for an evening of appetizers, wine tasting, desserts and a silent auction. Food is provided by local restaurants and there will be wine from Boisett Wine, Living Wines, Flora Springs, Crooked Vine and more! Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Call 925-837-2411 or visit www. whitekittyfoundation.org Danville Fall Crafts Festival October 24-25 10am-5pm. Get set for the season at the Danville Fall Crafts Festival which
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
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features arts and crafts from more than 200 artisans, along with food, music, and entertainment for the whole family. Children can also participate in the Halloween parade on Saturday at 10am, and enjoy safe trick-or-treating throughout the day. Free. Hartz Avenue, Danville. danvilleareachamber.com
Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums October 29 7:30pm. Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums were among the first neo-swing bands to modernize and reinvent the jump swing genre while staying true to their musical roots. Come watch
October 2015 a fantastic performace with Steve Lucky leading on piano and vocals and the vivacious Miss Carmen Getit on lead guitar and vocals. The band’s chemistry is hot enough to melt metal! Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. www.villagetheatershows. com Leading Ladies October 30-November 15 When Jack and Leo, two struggling actors, read a news story about an unclaimed inheritance, they decide to put their acting talents to the ultimate test. One part Shakespeare, two parts Some Like It Hot, Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig, author of Lend Me a Tenor, will have you laughing from the start. $20 - $28. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. www.villagetheatershows. com One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest November 5 7:30pm. Visit the Village Theater for an evening of film at a great price. Raffle ticket issued with each paid admission. $5. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville.
Open to the Public
October 7, 23 and November 4 at 6pm sharp
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The Music of Octopretzel November 6 10am. For six years now, Octopretzel has been delighting young Bay Area audiences with their colorful and inspired performances. Their shows feature handmade puppets, bubbles of all sizes, and at times, hulahooping Kindergarteners. They have been known to inspire spontaneous kiddie mosh-pits, while still maintaining focus and interactive participation. $5. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. www. villagetheatershows.com
San Ramon Chamber of Commerce presents:
27th Annual
Wine and Dine Thursday, October15
Crow Canyon Country Club 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville Food, Wine, & Brewery samples from over 45 local vendors. Silent auction & Networking
Advance tickets $40 at www.SanRamon.org $50 at the door For more information call the Chamber at (925) 242-0600
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The Valley Sentinel
October 2015
Life after breast cancer Dr. Shoba Kankipati
Many women look forward to the completion of their breast cancer treatment and getting on with their lives. However for some the end of treatment can be a confusing or stressful time. They may feel nervous or upset at the thought of no longer regularly seeing members of their health care team and worry about what the future holds for them. A common complaint of survivors is the apparent
belief of those around them that, once the last treatment is over, the cancer is over. For example family and friends may expect a return to full family and work responsibilities and not appreciate the lingering effects of fatigue. This is why it is important that family and friends be educated about the realities of breast cancer survivorship. As more women are surviving breast cancer, common complaints include fatigue and low energy past their chemotherapy and
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radiation. Muscle aches, stiffness, joint pain are sometimes delayed side effects of chemotherapy or ongoing side effects of hormonal treatment can be interpreted as a fear of cancer recurrence. The term Chemo Brain is one I hear often. Many women experience a general blunting of mental acuity, certain fuzziness with quantitative thinking, and trouble with memory. These changes usually improve over time, and reassuring woman of this is important. Women may also be unhappy with their changed bodies and feel aged after treatment. Hair changes, weight gain, skin changes and scars
valleysentinel.com from surgery can all be emotionally overwhelming. Early menopause and sexual changes are equally distressing. Hot flashes, mood swings, and decreased libido are important issues to address with your physician. Between 5% to 33% of women who have had breast surgery may develop lymphedema months or years later. Physicians need to educate their patients the ways to minimize complications of lymphedema, and encourage them to visit lymphedema clinics. The key to ease the above issues of breast cancer survivorship is support and time. Survivors can also find comfort in speaking to their doctors. A consult with a psychologist is another option. I also deeply believe
and encourage women to join a support group. The challenge of survivorship is the searing recognition of mortality that changes everything, but time does heal and knowing you are not alone makes it a little easier. Dr. Kankipati is a board certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Epic Care, www.epic-care.com. HELPFUL RESOURCES The Association of Oncology Social Work can make referrals to an experienced oncology social worker for psychological support services. 1-215-5996093 www.aosw.org The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 1-877-465-6636 www.komen.org The American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 www.cancer.org
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Let’s Change the Name of Flu Season to the Season of Dietary Self-Destruction By Dr. Robert Brown
In my September article I quoted Hippocrates who said, “Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Why is it our tradition to start the season, which begins with Thanksgiving and ends with Valentine’s Day, by having a commitment to poison our bodies with excessive sugars, processed foods and excitotoxins? To some, the last word in my question, excitotoxins, is a new word. You had better learn all about it if dementia and Alzheimer’s are problems that you don’t want in your future. Most of us are aware that short carbohydrates such as sugar, corn syrup, rice and cereals are very inflammatory and can destroy our immune system, creating many common diseases. Crippling our immune system literally begs viruses to enjoy their stay inside our body, which in turn, has a crippling effect on the holiday season. Now let me introduce another very cruel enemy; EXCITOTOXINS. These nasty little chemicals abound in processed foods such as potato chips; flavored crackers; canned soups, especially some dry soup mixes; canned meats; diet foods and drinks; soy sauce; salad dressings; cured
meats and commercially injected meats. To make it even worse, thanks to our wonderful FDA, reading the label won’t help. One of the most dangerous spices, MSG, is only required to be listed as MSG if the ingredient is 99% pure MSG. If less than 99% it can be called “hydrolyzed vegetable protein, “spices” or “natural flavorings” (MSG is found in nature). Another very common excitotoxin is Aspartame (ie. NutraSweet and Equal). The FDA admits there are over 90 documented symptoms of aspartame toxicity ranging from mild headaches, to comas and even death. Once this lovely sweetie is consumed it changes into formaldehyde, officially a poison. When heated to over 86 degrees C, as would be in diet hot chocolate, a byproduct, diketopiperazine–a cause of brain cancer, is created. One researcher states that excitotoxins are associated with migraines, seizures, neurological disorders, impaired brain function, cancer, blurred vision, increased appetite, infertility and reproductive disorders and cardiovascular damage. This is quite a big bundle of gifts the food industry brings to our holiday season, and to many
throughout the year for those of you who are addicted to processed foods. The process by which this damage is done is quite complex having to do with overexciting the brain, causing the overproduction of glutamate, thus having a profound effect on the communication between neurons. What can you do about this problem? It’s tough. Even restaurants that say they are MSG free are not necessarily taking into account the products they purchase. The ultimate method is to buy organic and natural (ie. Grass fed, free range, non GMO, uncured ….) Know your restaurant and cook as much yourself as possible. Never snack on junk. Once you break away from the dirty and dangerous tricks shoved down your throat attempting to make you want more, you will find that fresh and homemade is much better and you will be loving life long after the junk food junkies have entered institutions. At Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Center, we emphasize the Diagnosis before treatment. Please contact us today for a free consultation. Dr. Robert J. Brown can be reached at (925) 837-8048. You can also visit his website at www. aodtc.com
valleysentinel.com
October 2015
The Valley Sentinel
Advertorial
Relieving chronic pain and RSD/CRPS naturally By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
Since Align Healing Center first opened our doors in 1999 we have seen a progressive increase in chronic pain and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), now called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in our community. RSD/CRPS is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor
injury, such as a sprain. And in rare cases, no precipitating event can be identified. RSD/CRPS is characterized by various degrees of burning pain, swelling, and sensitivity to heat, cold or touch. Pain may begin in one area or limb and then spread to other limbs. In some cases, symptoms of RSD/CRPS diminish for a period of time and then reappear with a new injury. Causes and Risk Factors for RSD/CRPS An exact understanding of RSD/CRPS is not complete. It appears to involve a complex interaction among the sensory, motor and sympathetic nervous system as well as involvement of the immune system. Currently
Western Medicine is not sure what causes RSD/CRPS. It is believed that in most cases the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in sustaining the pain. Another theory is that CRPS is caused by a triggering of the immune response, which leads to the characteristic inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area. Treatment Options for RSD Patients Medical treatments for the management of RSD/ CRPS include analgesics, antidepressants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nerve blocks, and multiple other drug therapies. The Natural Approach for Chronic Pain and RSD/ CRPS
East Bay Park Fire Officials Urge Extreme “We have a responsibility staffing in the East Bay while Caution to keep the East Bay Hills safe Cal Fire crews are assigned In light of the recordsetting drought and ongoing wildfires ravaging parts of California, East Bay Regional Park District fire officials are urging the public to practice extra caution during this hot, dry season. “Because everything is so dry, any small fire has the potential to become a catastrophe,” said East Bay Regional Park District Fire Chief Dan McCormick. “All fire departments are on high alert right now and are assisting with fires throughout the state. We all appreciate the public’s cooperation and support as we try to keep our state safe.” Park District fire crews are assisting with the Butte Fire in the Sierra foothills and Cal Fire
FOX from page 1 Bug (Stenopelmatus sp.) are common summer or fall prey species. A significant part of their diet is vegetable matter including fruits, nuts, and grasses. Apples, grapes, and other cultivated fruit are favorites. Manzanita berries (Arctostaphylos sp) and Toyon Berries (Heteromeles sp.) are desired fall native species that are consumed in considerable quantities. Gray Foxes prefer woodlands, chaparral, and forested regions for foraging. Densities of as many as four per square mile have been
elsewhere. Throughout the Park District’s 120,000 acres, smoking is prohibited in wildland areas, and campfires and barbecues are restricted to designated areas. When fire danger is extreme, campfires and barbecues are prohibited. In addition, work crews are clearing out dead brush and other fire hazards throughout the parklands. The East Bay Hills have a long history of devastating wildfires, most occurring in the dry autumn months. A fire in September, 1923 in Berkeley destroyed 640 homes and other structures, and in October, 1991 a fast-moving wildfire killed 25 people, injured 150, and consumed more than 3,000 homes in Oakland and Berkeley.
for the public, our employees, and wildlife. We take this very seriously,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “Given the very serious drought conditions, all fire prevention efforts are urgent.” Here are some reminders on how the public can help minimize fire risks: • Homes adjacent to parks should have at least 100 feet of defensible space. • Don’t drive over or park on dry grass. • If you see smoke, call 911. • Extinguish all campfires and barbecues. For more information about fire safety and updated advisories, go to www.ebparks. org/fire-warning.
estimated in some chaparral communities. Their short legs are an adaption for tree climbing and running through chaparral or dense, low brush. In one instance they were recorded topping 28 miles per hour. They are excellent climbers and often seek refuge in trees to rest or sleep. I have seen them more than 40 feet up oak trees. Along the urban fringe I have seen Gray Foxes climbing arbors, fences, and rooftops as they hunt for food. Humans, dogs, and eagles are their chief enemies. The introduced, non-native Red Fox which has escaped from Central Valley fur farms and
invaded the San Francisco Bay Region, has displaced the Gray Fox in many areas and seriously threatens other native wildlife. Gray Foxes are afflicted with many diseases and parasites which also affect domestic dogs. Mange and canine distemper kill many of these handsome foxes. Poison bait placed for coyotes or rodents also kills this nontarget species. We should do all that we can to protect this handsome fox. James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant based in Contra Costa County
Holistic, non-invasive treatments for RSD/CRPS offer new possibilities patients may consider for pain and symptom management. As with traditional treatments, holistic treatments may need to be combined for optimal results. Natural Medicine (vitamins, herbs, natural compounds, etc.) has proven to be effective and long-term in helping calm the sympathetic nervous system and reduce systemic inflammation. At Align Healing Center we are currently seeing beneficial results in the treatment of chronic pain and RSD/CRPS. The combination of Laser Therapy combined with Natural Medicine is yielding hopeful results. Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged. Contrasted with high-powered lasers used in health care that cut tissue, such as surgical or hair-removal lasers, therapy lasers produce beneficial chemical and biological interactions that can help relieve pain and repair injured/damaged tissue. Just as photosynthesis creates energy for plants, the absorption of the laser light by your cells causes
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increased production of cellular energy. In areas of injury or damage, this means there is more energy available to improve the rate and quality of healing. Studies on tissue cultures have revealed a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, including increased levels of endorphins, reduced levels of inflammatory compounds and an increased rate and quality of tissue healing. We often have patients notice improvement after the very first treatment session; whereas with chronic pain or RSD/CRPS it is realistic that it may take a few treatments. The effect of laser therapy is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on previous ones. The results that we are experiencing with our patients are nothing short of remarkable. Class IV Laser Therapy has exceeded our expectations of the healing potential that it ignites in the body and it is our mission to share it with anyone who is seeking freedom from their pain. Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www. alignhealingcenter.com.
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The Valley SenTinel
October 2015
valleysentinel.com
Advertorial
A simple way to understand diversification By Robert Cucchiaro
Imagine that a town has four shoe stores, all catering to women. Shoe store #1 only sells casual shoes like flip flops, slipons and sandals, etc. Shoe
store #2 only sells boots. Shoe store #3 only sells high heels. In the summer and when the weather is nice, shoe store #1 does really well. But in the winter shoe store #1 can barely keep the lights on as the owner struggles to pay the bills. Shoe store #2 does really well when the weather is cold but struggles when the weather is nice, and has to borrow money just to pay the rent during this time. Shoe store #3 does really well when
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the economy is good and there are lots of jobs, as their customers are either buying shoes for work or because they have the extra cash needed to splurge on some nice shoes. However when the economy is in a recession shoe store #3 struggles and has to dip into savings just to keep the doors open. Shoe store #4 sells last year’s fashions at a deep discount and does really well when the economy is lousy and shoppers are looking for bargains. But as soon as the economy picks up her store is empty and she has to lay workers off. Now imagine that a 5th shoe store opens in town, which we’ll call store #5. Store #5 is run by a very smart and busy savvy women and she decides to stock casual shoes like flip flops, slip-ons and sandals, boots, and high heels. She also sells last year’s fashionable shoes at a deep discount. In the summer, store #1 does the best, followed by store #5. In the winter, store #2 does best, followed by store #5. When the economy is booming, store #3 does best, followed by store #5. And when the economy is in recession, store #4 does best, followed
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Sentinels of Freedom provides the resources and support needed for severely wounded veterans to live active, engaged, and successful lives as they recover from the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of their injuries, learn to live with their disabilities, and work their way back to a life of complete self-sufficiency. To learn more about our organization please visit us at: www.sentinelsoffreedom.org www.facebook.com/sentinelsoffreedom (925) 380-6342 info@sentinelsoffreedom.org
by store #5. In any given season, store #5 will never be at the top when it comes to sales. But store #5 will also never be at the bottom, and faces much less risk of going out of business simply because of their diversified approach. When presented in this manner everyone can understand why diversification makes sense. Yet when it comes to the stock market, people seem to forget why we don’t put all of our eggs in one basket. Most people think diversification simply means owning multiple stocks or mutual funds. In reality, a truly diversified portfolio will hold different investments and will potentially do well in different times. Some may be expected to excel when interest rates are low; others when they are high. Some may be expected to excel when inflation is low; others when inflation is high. Some may be
expected to excel when the economy is booming; others when the economy is in a recession. A diversified portfolio will never be the best performer in any given year, but it won’t be the worst either, and over time it should beat inflation and help grow and protect your wealth. If you are unsure whether or not your portfolio is diversified, give us a call or send us an email and we will analyze it for you. 925-927-1900 or rob@swrpteam.com Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and a registered tax preparer. He is a Partner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for almost 30 years. Rob specializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. www. summitwealthandretirement. com
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Recipient to Receive Heroes of Military Medicine Award Ferris Butler deployed as Captain in the United States Army to Iraq in 2006; his life would never be the same. On December 21st, 2006, Butler was on combat patrol when his vehicle activated the pressure plate of an improvised explosive device (IED). The resulting blast left him with serious injuries including lower leg and foot fractures, eventually leading to two below knee amputations. Despite the hurdles before him, Butler vowed to do more on two prosthetics than he had ever done before his injury. Today, he enjoys snowboarding, fly fishing, bike riding, swimming and woodworking. Both Butler and his wife are certified by the Amputee Coalition of America, working with both military and civilian amputees who are adjusting to their new lives. A graduate of Syracuse University’s iMBA program, Butler is being honored by The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military
Medicine, Inc, for his work in advancing medicine for America’s wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and civilians. The Hero of Military Medicine Ambassador Award is given to those who have been beneficiaries of military medicine. Butler will be honored for his distinguished excellence and selfless dedication to advancing military medicine. Butler received a scholarship from a local non-profit, Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, receiving support while he went back to school. The organization provides housing subsidies, business networking, mentoring, and financial counseling to wounded and injured members of the armed forces pursuing higher education. Since its inception in 2007, the organization has helped more than 200 wounded and injured veterans as they return to civilian life through post-secondary education.
Mind & Body Awareness valleysentinel.com
October 2015
The Valley SenTinel
page 7
Helping kids stay safe on the Internet Maintaining Responsible Digital Citizenship and Safe Technology Use for Your Youth By Lauren Brown, Danville Police Dept. Adults are considered digital pioneers. Most can think back to a time before smart phones and even before the internet was around. Youth are considered digital natives. They were born into a world where technology is an integrated part to how they connect, research, learn, play and socialize. This creates a “Digital Divide” which can cause stress, anxiety and contention between kids and parents. While youth are likely always going to be a few steps ahead of adults when it comes to technology, there are still plenty of ways that adults can set boundaries and guidelines to help youth maintain safe digital citizenship. Socialization and communication is a big part of online use but comes with some serious potential risks.
How can we protect our children from online predators or from becoming the target of cyber bullying? Here are some important facts to remember about online predators. In 82% of online predator crimes against minors, the offender used the victim’s social networking site to gain information about the victim’s likes and dislikes (Journal of Adolescent Health 47, 2010). 65% of online predators used the victim’s social networking site to gain home and school information about the victim (Journal of Adolescent Health 47, 2010). Four percent of all youth Internet users received aggressive solicitations, which threatened to spill over into “real life.” These solicitors asked to meet the youth in person, called them on the telephone or sent offline mail, money or gifts (Wolak,
Mitchell and Finkelhor. Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later. Alexandria, VA. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 2006). As these alarming facts indicate, the more personal information available on a youth’s social media account, the more vulnerable they become. These days, 91% of youth between 11 and 17 years old post a photo of themselves to a social media account. 71% post their school name, 71% post the city or town where they live, 53% post their email address, 20% post their cell phone number, 92% post their real name to the profile they use most often, 84% post their interests, such as movies, music, or books they like, 82% post their birth date, 62% post their relationship status, 24%
Dealing with body changes after giving birth By Giorgia Hoyer-Fisher Dear Mothers - Are you ready to deal with surprising changes that can happen to you after having a baby? We all know that having a baby causes our bodies to perform huge adjustments; skin, muscles, connective tissues and the ligaments of the joints all stretch. We all know about stretch marks, or belly and pelvic floor muscles feeling weak and floppy. And perhaps we think, “no problem—as soon as we return to exercising all of this will go away”. But then you might notice other things: Maybe your bladder control is not as reliable as it used to be, or being intimate feels problematic or even painful, or your pelvic floor feels heavy after being on your feet a long time and your body feels completely overwhelmed with any rebounding or jumping activity. Your belly may feel frequently bloated and the exercising may not be bringing the strength and shape back. Now you may be starting to think that you have never heard anybody talk about this and so you feel safer not to talk about it. Instead you to try to exercise harder, thinking it will work itself out.
If you eventually take an honest look at yourself, you might realize that you are just getting used to managing the problems and are procrastinating finding the facts that can help. Here are some new insights that can broaden your understanding of your body and empower you to take more powerful action. Our body works with it’s multiple systems: • venous and lymph system • arterial system, • nervous system, • muscle system, • ligament system • inner organs/visceral system, • cranio sacral system All of these systems are coordinated in hierarchies that make an intelligent structure, which can respond to all the demands that come to us. Pregnancy and birthing cause the body to give the developing baby priority. Vessels, nerves, inner organs—all systems are shifted to the brink of their resources as weight is added. All of the systems are suspended not only by bones and joints but also by deep tissues. Just the nature of going to a new limit of what our body can do can cause
most women to have some difficulty recovering all the body’s multiple systems to their previous balance. A key issue with one or more of our body systems being in a state of tension is that the ability to adjust dynamically to changing tasks does not work because the tension creates disbalance in the whole interconnected system. One example (and there are so many more), a tight pelvic fascia can cause the pelvic floor muscles to be tight and weak so that bladder control is not adequate. No amount of Kegel exercise, done however religiously, will ever improve the performance of bladder control with lasting effect if other tissues are keeping the pelvic floor from working. Manual Therapy, a part of Physical Therapy can reveal tissue problems like this that are so frequent after pregnancy and correct them. This can then enable exercise to be successful and the problems of disbalance such as weakness or pain can be resolved. If you have questions or would like to know more about Women’s Health Physical Therapy, you can call Giorgia Hoyer-Fisher at Dynamic Changes Physical Therapy in Danville at (925) 899-2121.
Teach children to think before they post. Remind them that everything can be seen by a vast, invisible audience (otherwise known as friends-of-friends-of-friends), and once something is online, it’s hard to take back. Many people get reported for inappropriate content by a friend of a friend who saw the post. Be a friend and follower. Each family will have different rules, but, especially for younger children, it is a good idea for parents to have access to their child’s social networking pages, at least at first, to be sure that what is being posted is appropriate. Parents can help keep their children from doing something they’ll regret later.
post videos of themselves. (Ybarra, 2012 Michele et. Al. “Internet Prevention Messages: Targeting the Right Online Behaviors.” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.) These statistics remind us that we need to be careful about what information we post and how public that information is. Using privacy settings is one way to minimize that risk. While privacy settings aren’t foolproof, they can be helpful. Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s favorite sites and apps, and teach your kids how to control the information they make public or private. Encourage them to check privacy settings regularly, since sites’ policies often change.
See SAFETY page 15
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Fall Home and Garden page 8
The valley Sentinel
October 2015
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Curb Appeal on a Budget By Steven Wynn, Barry & Wynn Architects Fall is here, and with it the wonderful walking weather of Northern California. Take in your neighborhood with an afternoon stroll, and you’ll appreciate your neighbors’ homes – and your own – from a more intimate scale than the summer blur of an air conditioned car. How does your home greet family, friends and neighbors? Does it project a character that’s warm and welcoming? First impressions are made from the street, and a
strong impression can be made without breaking the bank. Here are a few design concepts to improve curb appeal on a modest budget. Dormers Make a Roof Pop The Ranch home defines the scale and character of many of our neighborhoods. Yours likely features a roof built for economy – simple, practical, and unpretentious. See APPEAL page 9
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Fall Home and Garden valleysentinel.com APPEAL from page 8 And probably forgettable, a missed opportunity to show
Before some life above the eave. By adding two or three dormer windows you can completely redefine the profile, light and life of your home as seen from the street. If it’s time to re-roof, it’s time to rethink the roof. “Enter Here!” Many of our homes offer a few feet of cover at the front the door to protect from the rain. Maybe even enough to call a “porch.” But does your entry suffer from a lack of confidence? Hiding beneath a low-slung eave, or timidly blending into the background? Your entry shouldn’t be obnoxious, but it shouldn’t be a wallflower, either. An entry with character should step forward and announce “Enter
October 2015 Here!” and invite guests into your home with open arms. If yours needs a little boost, add a covered entry porch. You will gain a “room” and immediate curb appeal. Furnish the Front Yard If you only know your front yard on the run between house and car, you’re missing out. Don’t hide all the life of your home behind walls and fences. Consider replacing
After front living room windows with a pair of French doors that step out into a furnished outdoor room. You don’t even need a patio – a square of pea gravel will do just fine. Furnish with a bistro table, wood benches, or iron patio furniture. A border of waisthigh planters and landscaping will provide privacy without blocking views of the home. The layering effect that this has from the street is fantastic.
The Valley SenTinel
Best of all the interior of your home gains a focal point for new views and makes the living room feel larger. Invite the neighbors over with a wave and glass of wine – you’ll love discovering this under-used space. Rock the Yard We all love the way a rock outcrop reaches from the earth, lichen and moss painting its surface, shadows tumbling in the late afternoon sun. Earth, rock, water and sky meet in sensuous, overlapping contours. So why is our landscaping so often rigidly divided and detached? Try introducing moss rocks into your front yard – and not just off in a planter but right into your patios and walkways. Moss rocks are plentiful and inexpensive. A skilled Contractor will know how to prepare deep gravel and sand base, so that the rocks don’t settle over time. That way you can pour concrete or lay pavers right up to and around the rocks, uniting the built world with the nature we inhabit. An Interesting Path It’s true that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It’s also true that the shortest distance is not the most inviting, especially if it’s the path from front door to sidewalk. What does your entry path say to visitors? That you care enough to make their arrival interesting, or that you want them in and out as fast as possible? Break up that straight line with terraces, turns and overlapping textures. Modest improvements can make dramatic change, even on a budget.
page 9
What to do with your CFLs and LEDs
By Lois Courchaine, Recycle Smart From time-to-time we’re all toxic materials. That means faced with recycling dilemmas that they are OK to put in that leave us scratching our the trash. Not so with CFLs. heads and wondering if we’re According to experts, mercury doing it right. Most of us is essential to a fluorescent want to do the right thing and bulb’s ability to emit light; no recycle what we can, but what other element has proved as if you just don’t know what efficient. But mercury, even in to do? The recycling terrain small amounts, can be toxic; can be a bit tricky to navigate, so CFL’s need to be properly especially with changing disposed of (e.g. not in the technologies and new products trash). being introduced every day. Thankfully, there is Lightbulbs are one of those now a convenient solution products that seem to change for Danville residents to do rapidly. It seems like only the right thing. If you live yesterday we were still using in a single-family home or a common incandescent light townhouse with your own bulbs. These old-school lights garbage service, Republic use more power and burn Services will collect your CFLs. out much quicker than their Just put your bulbs into a newer counterparts; compact plastic zip-lock bag and put fluorescent lights (CFLs) and them on top of your recycling light emitting diodes (LEDs). cart on your collection day. That being said, the For more information visit: older lights contain much less www.recyclesmart.org/features.
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Look Who’s Moved! On Thursday September 24, a wonderful celebration took place at 117 Town & Country Drive in Danville with fabulous food and fun. The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, family, friends and clients gathered to cut the ribbon on the new offices of Barry & Wynn, Architects. Having just moved from their downtown Danville location on Hartz Avenue, they now have much needed space and light upstairs in the Town & Country Center. Blair Barry, Steven Wynn and their friendly staff are available to show you around. To contact them, call (925) 837-1422, or visit their website at www.barryandwynn.com.
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valleysentinel.com
October 2015
REMEMBRANCE from page 1 Vice Mayor Karen Stepper, Newell Arnerich and Robert Storer. The Keynote Speaker was Bert Upson, a survivor of the World Trade Center attack who was located on the 78th floor of the South Tower at the moment the first plane hit the North Tower. The crowd was rapt as Upson described his first hand experience of immediate action and the ensuing mayhem. It was a moving presentation that seemed to affect everyone present. Following his presentation, Upson also signed copies of his book, “On a Clear Day—An Eyewitness Account” about the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Guest speakers included Mayors Mike Doyle, and Bill Clarkson, Past President of the Exchange Club of the San
Ramon Valley Karen Stepper, Exchange Club President Richard Price, and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Anderson, and Paige Meyer, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s fire Chief. Music was provided by the Police and Fire Dept. Honor Guard Pipes and Drums, and the San Ramon Valley High School Chamber Singers. Numerous Scouting troops were present with their Array of American Flags. A wreath was placed at the All Wars Memorial. Following the event a picnic was provided for attendees. This event is well worth coming out for, even on a day as hot as this year’s ceremony. It serves to remind everyone that the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center only brought Americans together stronger as a nation and that those who lost their lives will never be forgotten.
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Medicare can help you stay healthy By David Sayen
The best way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. You can live a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease by exercising, eating well, keeping a healthy weight, and not smoking. Medicare can help. Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy. Preventive services can find health problems early, when treatment works best, and can keep you from getting certain diseases. Preventive services include exams, shots, lab tests, and screenings. They also include programs for health monitoring, and counseling and education to help you take care of your own health. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, copays for many of Medicare’s preventive health benefits have been eliminated. The idea was to encourage people with Medicare to get more preventive screenings and counseling to help them lead healthier, longer lives. For example, you no longer face any out-ofpocket expenses when you get a “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. This one-time exam is offered during the first 12 months after you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part B. During the exam, your doctor will record your medical history and check your height, weight, and blood pressure. He or she will also calculate your body mass index, give you a simple vision test, and
advise you on preventing disease and staying healthy. In addition, the Affordable Care Act provides a free annual wellness exam to people with Medicare. When you get this exam, your doctor will go over your medical and family history and develop or update a personalized prevention plan for you. Your doctor also will check for any cognitive impairment and risk factors for depression, and review your functional ability and level of safety. Medicare also covers shots for flu, pneumococcal disease (which can cause pneumonia and meningitis), and Hepatitis B. Flu, pneumococcal infections, and Hepatitis B can be life-threatening for older people, and we recommend that all people over age 65 get flu and pneumococcal shots. Most people only need the pneumococcal vaccine once in their lifetime. And remember: Medicare beneficiaries can get these shots with no copays. Beneficiaries also can get screened for cardiovascular disease and different kinds of cancer, including breast, prostate, cervical/vaginal, and colorectal cancer. Take colorectal cancer, for example. This type of cancer is usually found in people age 50 and older and the risk of getting it increases with age. Medicare covers screening tests to help find pre-cancerous polyps, which are growths in the colon, so they can be removed before they turn cancerous. Medicare
will pay for a fecal occult blood test, a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a screening colonoscopy, or a barium enema. Medicare beneficiaries pay nothing for fecal occult blood tests. And they pay nothing for the flexible sigmoidoscopy and the screening colonoscopy, if their doctor accepts the Medicare-approved payment amount. (Note: If a polyp or other tissue is removed during a colonoscopy, you may have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s services and a co-payment in a hospital outpatient setting.) For people who have or are at risk for diabetes, Medicare covers screenings, certain supplies, and selfmanagement training. If you need help to stop smoking, Medicare pays for up to eight faceto-face counseling sessions per year with a doctor or other Medicare-recognized practitioner. Medicare also help pay for tests for glaucoma, HIV, and osteoporosis (brittleness that places people at risk for broken bones). People with Medicare don’t use these preventive health services as much as they should. But getting screened can help you stay healthy and live longer – and save the government billions in healthcare costs. It’s a classic win-win. David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can get answers to your Medicare questions by visiting www.Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Town Committee Seeks Recruits Deadline to apply is November 12 The Town of Danville is looking for communityminded residents to fill vacancies on a Town Commission. The following advisory body is looking for new members: Heritage Resource Commission (2 positions):
Terms are 4 years, beginning January 1, 2016. Applications are available on the Town of Danville website, www.danville.ca.gov. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s office no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 12, 2015.
Interviews will take place either on December 8 or 15, 2015. Commissioners will be appointed at the December 15, 2015 Town Council meeting. For more information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.
valleysentinel.com
October 2015
The valley Sentinel
Park District to buy historic property By Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Parks District
The purchase of the 362-acre Wiedemann property, which was approved unanimously on Sept. 1 by East Bay Regional Park District Directors, places in public ownership a crucial link in the chain of regional parks along the ridges just west of San Ramon. The property links Bishop Ranch and Dublin Hills Regional Parks, doubling the size of Bishop Ranch to 800 acres. And it’s a beautiful parcel. There are grassy hills, old ranch roads, seasonal creeks, and buckeye groves. There’s habitat for several rare and endangered animal species. The highest point is 1,719foot Harlan Hill, which offers sweeping views of the San Ramon and Livermore Valleys, Mt. Diablo and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. At the west side of this property there are also views of the Bay. The property is especially pretty in springtime.
There’s historic significance, too. Five generations of Wiedemanns have been prominent in the San Ramon Valley for 150 years. The first was Christian Wiedemann, a carpenter who immigrated to the Bay Area from Germany in 1855. He bought his first 160 acres in 1867 and married in 1869. He and his wife, Catherine, built a Gothic Revival house, which is still occupied by one of their descendants. The Wiedemann children and grandchildren expanded the family holdings to several thousand acres. Over the years Wiedemanns contributed to the community and were active in the Cattlemen’s Association, the Grange, Rowell Rodeo, the Soils Conservation District, the Farm Bureau, and other organizations. Howard Wiedemann helped found the San Ramon Fire Protection District in 1963 and served on the Board for years. His daughter, Roxanne W. Lindsay, has also served on the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection Board.
This gasoline-powered, horse-pulled combined harvester belonged to Fred Wiedemann and was used in fields all over the San Ramon Valley to reap grain in the 1920s and 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Wiederman family collection.
Suburban development after World War II was devastating to the ranching community in the San Ramon and surrounding valleys, as were increasing taxes and incursions by new residents onto private property. Tax assessment districts to build roads and utility infrastructure folded into ranch lands and forced owners to sell their lands. In the 1980s the Wiedemann grazing lands east of the valley were sold to Blackhawk Corporation and became the Canyon Lakes development. Another former Wiedemann property is now Norris Canyon Estates. The Park District will pay $2,048,000 for the new property, which is its appraised fair market value. Funds will come from Measure WW, a $500 million bond issue approved by Alameda and Contra Costa County voters in 2008 to preserve open space and wildlife habitat in the East Bay. The inter-park Calaveras Ridge Trail will traverse the property. Extending from Briones to Pleasanton Ridge, it’s the inner valley’s major ridgeline trail. Until a land use plan is completed and approved, the new public lands will be placed in land bank. Meanwhile, to experience a similar ambience, take a walk at Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space Preserve. Its entrance is on Morgan Drive just west of San Ramon Valley Boulevard. A steep climb up Bishop Ranch’s Grey Fox and Redtail Hawk Trails will lead to panoramic
Stories of Bygone Days
Mount Diablo, San Ramon is a growing city recognized for its extraordinary parks, schools and active citizenry. Local author Beverly Lane brings to life San Ramon’s vibrant past in her new book San Ramon Chronicles, Stories of Bygone Days. Among other things, Beverly Lane is a local historian, published author and curator of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. She was the founding president of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley and
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Bollinger Creek Loop Trail to the Calaveras Ridge Trail and Las Trampas Peak at 1,827 feet. From the top you can see the whole San Ramon Valley, Mt. Diablo, and San Francisco Bay. You can learn more about the parks at www. ebparks.org.
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San Ramon Chronicles Though a relatively young city, San Ramon has history stretching back to California’s founding. Ohlone Indians first inhabited the area before rancheros grazed the land more than a century ago. Drawn by the Gold Rush, pioneers and prospectors settled the place promoters labeled a “Garden of Eden.” Diversified farming of the valley, full of orchards and plentiful fields, sustained the rural population. Sitting in the shadow of historic
views of the San Ramon Valley. Return to the start on the Stream View Trail, which follows a shady watercourse that can be a bit muddy during the rainy season. For even more exercise, visit Las Trampas Regional Wilderness at the north end of Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. From the Las Trampas parking lot, climb the
page 11
Transportation and Financial Aid Available
www.athenian.org Danville
ADMISSION OPEN HOUSES FOR ENROLLMENT 2016 at the Kate & Dyke Brown Hall
Grades 6-8 November 7 1:00 pm
Grades 9-12 November 8 1:00 pm
To register for Open House, please visit the Admission page on our website. Click on the “Request Info & RSVP for Events” ribbon and complete the “Inquiry for The Athenian School.”
Celebrating 50 Years
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October
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 Farmers Market Every Saturday & Thursday-Year-round, Bishop Ranch Wednesday, April-Sept, Windermere Buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers at San Ramon Farmers Market. Connect with your community while shopping at a festive gathering place with live music! www.SanRamonFarmersMarket.org Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Class Each Saturday 11am-12pm. Become a puppy raiser! The East Bay Miracles Chapter invites you to help train puppies to become assistant dogs for children and adults with disabilities. Make sure to check out their online calendar before heading off to volunteer. Athenian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. ccieastbay.org. FREE E-Waste Recycling Event First Saturday of every month 9am-1pm. Bring your old, unwanted electronic equipment. Drop off is FREE and all e-waste will be recycled right here in the good old USA. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road in the Overflow Parking Lot #7, Pleasant Hill. Visit www.NoEwaste.com for accepted and non-accepted electronic items. Information: 866-335-3373 or info@NoEwaste.com. Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum– open for Fun on the Farm 2nd Saturday of each month. 10am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the farm and its history, interactive exhibits including the tractor museum, the beautiful grounds and free activities. Visit the Welcome Center and purchase oldfashioned toys and gifts at the Gift Shoppe. Tours are $5 per person, or $8 for both tours on the same day. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3284 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov. First Thursday Shop Local Day and Night 10am-7pm. Join in the fun in downtown Danville at the First Thursday Shopping and Dining Event. Downtown Hartz Avenue, Danville. www. danville.ca.gov. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Meeting Every Tuesday 8-10am. This Weight Loss Support Group provides a space for those who wish to lose weight. St. Timothy’s, 1550 Diablo Rd. 925-838-7870. Nayeli Faith Foundation Bingo Fundraiser October 4 3pm-6pm. The Nayeli Faith Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to helping families who have been affected by the birth defect known as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Bring your family for a fun afternoon of bingo, food and prizes! Tickets are $20 dollars for seven games including lunch, water/soda and dessert. Children are FREE! Call (925) 560-2441 to purchase your tickets. This event takes place at the Danville Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road, Danville. Chelsea Clinton comes to Rakestraw Books! October 6 7pm. Join Rakestraw Books in celebration of the publication of Chelsea Clinton’s new book, It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! In a book that tackles the biggest challenges facing us today, Chelsea Clinton combines facts, charts, photographs and stories to give readers a deep understanding of the world around them and how anyone can make a difference. Tickets are $23 which includes a copy of It’s Your World and admits a family of four. To get tickets call 925-837-7337 or buy them at the store. Rakestraw Books, 3 Railroad Avenue, Danville. www. rakestrawbooks.com Danville-Alamo Garden Club October 8 9:15 am. Bill Welch will join us. “Bill the Bulb Baron” is the world’s leading authority on Narcissus, specifically Tazetta Narcissus. He spends most of his time growing, picking and hybridizing Narcissus, of which he has the largest collection of in the world. Alamo Women’s Club, 401 Danville Blvd., Alamo.
Women Unleashed October 8 5-8pm. Join ARF for Women Unleashed, a one-of-a-kind “Girls Night In” at ARF, surrounded by precious pups and cute cats. Enjoy complimentary wine, martinis, soda, and appetizers while you browse and shop for bling, purses, scarves, clothing, beauty products, and other items especially for women. Relax with a mini massage, get an intuitive reading, get up close and personal with Pet Hug Pack® therapy pets and adorable shelter animals, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of ARF. $25. 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. www.arflife.org Run For Education October 11 7:30-9:30am. Dust off your athletic shoes and join us for Run for Education. Choose from a 5K Run/Family Fun Walk in San Ramon or a halfmarathon that stretches from Downtown Danville to Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon. The run benefits the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation. Registration begins at $29. Diablo Road at Hartz Avenue. / www.srvef.org/the-run Friends of the Danville Library Book Sale October 16-18 Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 12:05-3:45pm. All hardbacks, Books on Tape, & DVD’s $2. All paperbacks & CD’s $1. Members get a preview from 9 to 10 am on Friday. Danville Library, 400 Front St, Mt Diablo Room. ccclib.org/friends/dan.html Fall Fling October 17 8:30am-4pm. The Contra Costa County Genealogical Society is hosting its first annual Fall Fling, an all day seminar of genealogy and fun. The day’s theme is “Bringing your Ancestors Back to the Future Using 21st Century Tools” and is for genealogists at all levels of experience-beginning, intermediate, or advanced. Admission is $30 before October 1 and $35 after. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1601 Mary Drive, Pleasant Hill. For more information or to register visit www.rootsweb. ancestry.com/~cacccgs Yours Humanely 5k Run/ Walk October 18 8-11:45am. Join Yours Humanly for a morning of fun, exercise, and fresh autumn air at the nonprofit’s first annual 5K Run/Walk, a timed and fun run/walk designed for seasoned athletes and casual walkers—all ages and skill levels alike. The event includes a 1K Fun Run for kids, bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, music, and other entertainment. Yours Humanly works to end global child illiteracy, and proceeds from this event will provide educational support for a minimum of 50 girls, nationally and around the world. Admission ranges from $15 - $35 depending on which race you choose. Children 6 and under are free. Heather Farm Park, 301 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. yourshumanelyrun.org 2015 Tri-Valley Mayors’ Summit October 21 11:30am-1:30pm. The annual Tri-Valley Mayors’ Summit, hosted by the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce will feature panelists including the mayors of Danville, San Ramon and Pleasanton. This is a one-of-a-kind event where business leaders, city staff and policy makers from all five cities come together. Lunch is $35 per person or $500 for a reserved table of 8. Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery, 410 Vineyard Avenue, Pleasanton. business.pleasanton.org/events “Tech and the Brain – a Double-Edged Sword” October 22 7pm. The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of AAUW presents a lecture and discussion lead by Dr. Jyoti Mishra, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCSF. Learn the answer to the question “What is the impact of tech on the brain, young or old, and how can technology be harnessed to improve brains?” Admission is $5, payable online via Paypal or by check. Send check by October 17th to: DAWC AAUW, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. Event is at the Danville Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front St, Danville. ABHOW Foundation 19th Annual Golf Tournament October 26 10am-7pm. The ABHOW Foundation enhances the independence & well being of older people through housing, healthcare & support services. This golf event raises funds to support ABHOW’s 50 communities. $375 per golfer or $1,500 per foursome. Blackhawk Country Club, Lakeside Course. www.abhow.com/golf
SENIORS Live Well Age Smart Health and Resource Fair October 9 9am-12pm. The Danville Senior Center will be hosting a health and resource day called Live Well, Age Smart. The event will provide information for mature adults and their families including an exhibitor hall, refresh-
ments, lectures on health and wellness, free health screenings, and raffle prizes. Free, pre-register recommended. Danville Senior Center, 115 E Prospect Ave, Danville. www.danville.ca.gov Brain Remodeling: You Can Change Your Brain and Your Health! October 14 5:30 pm. A workshop for family caregivers or those dealing with the challenges of aging with Linda Fodrini-Johnson of Eldercare Services. You will learn how to repair damage done by stress to your brain, simple ways to change your chromosomes, the power of “mindfulness” and more. Eldercare Services, 1808 Tice Valley Blvd. No fee and limited seating. To register for an event call 866.760.1808 or email atinfo@ eldercareanswers.com. 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. 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. 925-973-285 BUSINESS Danville Chamber of Commerce – After Hours Business Mixer October 8 5:30-7pm. Come meet like minded professionals, making connections and having fun! Bring lots of business cards! Members are $5 and prospective/ guests are $20. RPM Mortgage, Alamo danvilleareachamber. com Social Media Timesavers Workshop October 14 12pm-1:30pm. Do you know that 43% of small businesses dedicate six or more hours per week to social media? While it’s important to engage for social visibility and key connections online, we all want to do more in less time. This session will help you save time and get back to what you love to do – running your business or organization. This workshop is $45 for non-members, and free for members of the Walnut Creek Chamber
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.
valleysentinel.com of Commerce. Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 1280 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. Visit walnut-creek.com to register. Dental Benefits for You and Your Staff Seminar October 15 8-9am. This educational seminar will have two parts: How to avoid premature loss of teeth. We live longer and we want our teeth to last longer as well. How to choose an insurance plan for you and your staff. There are many types of dental plans. This seminar will explain how to understand the types of plans and benefits they offer. Please R.S.V.P. by Monday October 10th by calling 925-837-6052. Free. Danville Area Chamber: 117 Town and Country Dr, Danville. www.amindamodrelldds.com. Survey your Kitchen for Cost Savings October 20 9am-12pm. Restaurants are 5 times more energy intensive than other commercial buildings. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage these costs. Learn about how to make your restaurant more energy efficient and cheaper to run. Free. PG&E Food Service Technology Center, 12949 Alcosta Blvd. San Ramon. www.fishnick. com/seminars Beyond the Sticker Price: Calculating Lifecycle Costs October 20 1pm-3pm. Understanding the lifecycle cost of a piece of equipment is the only way to make a truly informed and financially wise purchasing decision. This event will introduce you to some very powerful, free, online tools that can be used to estimate the real cost of ownership for foodservice equipment. Free. PG&E Food Service Technology Center 12949 Alcosta Blvdd. San Ramon. www.fishnick. com/seminars Dirty Facts From The Dishroom: What You Should Know November 5 9am-12pm. Learn about the FSTC findings measuring real world energy and water use of existing standard efficiency dishwashers and replacement high efficiency machines. Free. PG&E Food Service Technology Center, 12949 Alcosta Blvd. San Ramon. www.fishnick. com/seminars Danville Chamber of Commerce New, Prospective and Existing Member Orientation 3:45 pm-5pm. You are invited to attend the New & Prospective member orientation to find out why you want to be a member of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, how to get involved as a member and to learn what the Chamber can do for you. Free, attend to get into the Mixer for free as well. Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room,117 E Town and Country Drive, Danville. danvilleareachamber.com San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Third Thursday Mixer 5:30-7pm. Meet other business owners for an opportunity to network and make your business more visible. $5 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. No RSVP Required. Checks and Cash only please. San Ramon Chamber of Commerce New and Future Member Orientation 4-5pm. Learn about the various Chamber services that can benefit your business. Free. RSVP 925-242-0600. San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Ranch 6, 2400 Camino Ramon Conference Room 158/K, San Ramon CLUBS & 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
October 2015 welcome and may contact Liz at 3890152 for details. Visit daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates.
Room, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Information: 4160. toastmastersclubs.org.
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.
Walnut Creek Kiwanis Club 12:10-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. Information: kiwanisofwalnutcreek.org.
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 GroupsOngoing 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 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 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. 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. Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon 11am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends, participate in fun activities. Make $15 luncheon reservations by calling 925-322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.Branch116.org.
Tuesdays:
Danville am Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Meets every Tuesday. New members welcome. Danville Women’s Club, 242 W. Linda Mesa 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
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 925887-5681 or vickis@hospiceeastbay.org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net. Divorced and Separated Workshop. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30PM 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:
The Valley SenTinel opportunity to socialize. To reserve a space, please email us by Friday prior to luncheon at www.info@SIR128.com. Location: San Ramon Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane, San Ramon. Information: www.SIR128.com. 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 925-3629806 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.
Thursdays:
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. $12. New and long-time adult residents are welcome. Reservations/information: 925-837-9600 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.
Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost. net
San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club 1st, 2nd and 4th Thursdays at Noon, and the 3rd Wednesdays at 6pm—all at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Rd., Alamo. www.kiwanis-srv.org.
Hospice of the East Bay Drop-in Bereavement Support 4:30-6pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill. Information: 925-887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.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: 925-736-8627.
Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Information: alamorotary. 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. San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Danville Lions Club 7pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday each month at The Brass Door at 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. Information: Pat.Porter@hannaglobal. com 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: visit www.srvexchangeclub.org 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. 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. 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. $23 includes luncheon. A great
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:
Transitions - “Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am. Our group now has a new name, which has been changed from TENS to Transitions. 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
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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. Meeting location is the Fireside Room at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Contact Gregg Riehl at (925) 2548349 or jgriehl@gmail.com. Caregivers meet at same time in Oak Room of Grace Church. Information: Howard Zalkin at 925 939 4210 or Ronnie Wanetick at 925 933 6357 Free. All are welcome.
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 Plaza. Our partner, Scott’s Catering, will provide coffee and other refreshments. Blackhawk Museum; 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle; Danville. Information: www.blackhawkmuseum. org.
Classifieds HELP WANTED QA Analyst II: Bach in Electronic Eng., C. E. or rltd. & 5 yr. rltd. exp. Bank of the West. Job in San Ramon, CA 94583. CV to careers@ bankofthewest.com. Sr. Oracle Database Administrator: M.S. in Eng., C.S. or rltd. & 5 yrs. exp. in job offered or rltd. CV to: Bank of the West, 2527 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583. ATTN: HR or email careers@ bankofthewest.com. EEO. Position in San Ramon, CA.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED Hair Care Professionals and Massage Therapists Needed! Hospice of the East Bay provides care to terminally ill patients and their families in their homes or facilities throughout Contra Costa County. Many of our patients benefit greatly from a haircut or hair set or from the gentle and compassionate touch of a massage therapist. Would you be interested in volunteering a few hours a month to provide comfort to our patients? If so, please call the Volunteer Department at Hospice of the East Bay, (925) 887-5678. (License/Massage Certification Required).
Community News & Information Danville • Blackhawk Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon Publisher/Editor - Denise Rousset Chief Financial Officer - Jeff Gummere Graphic Designer - Laurie Prindle Auto - David & Judy Colman Contributing Writer - Alison Clary Web Support - ewebsiteservices.com Intern - Paulina Fischer, MVHS Photography Intern - Imran Ali, MVHS
925-820-6047
390 Diablo Road, Suite 145 Danville, CA 94526
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The Valley SenTinel
AUTO March October2009 2015
2015 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab By Judy and David Colman Although Ford’s latest F-150 may look familiar, its what you can’t see that distinguishes it from its predecessors. At just 5,000 lb, it’s remarkably light for such a large truck. The substitution of aluminum for steel in the cab and body structure has pared curb weight by 700 pounds. As a result, you no longer need a gas swigging V8 under the hood to provide enough punch for acceptable performance. Our test F-150 utilized a V-6 engine displacing just 2.7 liters. Using such a small engine would have been unthinkable in previous three ton versions of the F-150, but thanks to the use of aluminum, the small displacement engine is perfectly adequate to all needs, including towing up to 11,000 pounds. The secret to the success of the 2.7 liter V6 is the fact that it’s equipped with twin turbochargers (“EcoBoost” in Ford parlance) which allow the diminutive mill to make 325hp and 375lb-ft. of torque. When you stomp the loud pedal in this rig, you’ll have no performance complaints about its V6 replacing a V8. The only irksome note is struck by Ford’s
Auto-Start-Stop regimen, which automatically kills the engine at stoplights, then re-fires it when you touch the gas pedal. It does save fuel. You can, however, manually override Auto-StartStop with a button on the dash console. You have to reactivate your deletion choice each time you re-start the truck. In any event, at refueling time, you’ll be pleased to learn that the EcoBoost motor averages 20MPG in overall driving. The 5.0 liter V8, which is still available in the F-150, will return just 17MPG in overall driving, while making 360hp and 380lb.-ft. of torque. Since our test F-150 arrived during a week when we were building and furnishing a small utility shed, we put the behemoth Ford to good use all week long. After visiting a builder’s emporium in Petaluma, we loaded the Ford’s 6 foot long bed with multiple 4’x8’ sheets of Thermoply wallboard and Insulfoam rigid insulation. At first, the Ford’s 6’ short bed seemed problematic, but leaning the load against the closed tailgate forced the extra 2’ lengths to curl upwards while remaining inside the gate. Had we transported plywood,
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however, the 6’ bed would have prevented us from using this trick. The moral is that if you truly need a work truck, you may not want to opt for the Supercab configuration which limits bed size to 6’ in length. The bed of our test truck featured 8 different tie-down hooks, which we utilized to attach bungee cords to stabilize the load. Our test truck featured a couple of options that vastly improved its load carrying ability. The first was a $475 Spray-In Bed Liner, which provides you with a non-slip surface for your load. It also protects the bed from scratches, so we were able to transport a trio of 20”x20” very heavy paving stones without leaving a mark on the bed floor. The other brilliant innovation is the $375 Tailgate Step, which proved invaluable when climbing into the bed to arrange loads. This device features a single step ladder which deploys from the dropped tailgate. It also features a handrail which extends to let you get a grip while climbing aboard. Since my wife and I drive close to 50 different new vehicles each year, it would be easy for us to become a bit blasé about their various
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virtues. But when my wife returned home after yet another transport mission, she exclaimed as she walked in the door, “I just love driving this truck!” Without question, there’s a certain exhilaration every time you climb onto the running board, hoist yourself into the luxurious cab, and survey the highway world from a perspective superior to that available in any car. The F-150 provides a sense of mastery before you ever flick the key to start. Its sheer size (232” length, 77” height) makes it tower over traffic, affording a stellar view of your surroundings. And its bulk is undeniably intimidating to other drivers, especially the boors normally predisposed to usurp your right of way. Given the go-anywhere capacity of the all-wheel-drive system, the epoxy-like traction generated by Goodyear’s best Wranglers (275/65R18), the decisive
DIABLO MOTORS
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valleysentinel.com
October 2015
Alamo News Updates By Steve Mick The Alamo Farmer’s Market The fresh news in Alamo is the locally grown fresh fruits and fresh vegetables that are available at the Alamo Farmer’s Market. The market is open every Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. It is located in the north end of the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center just off Danville Blvd. There is plenty of free parking and access is easy. Each Sunday 20 to 25 vendors offer their products and provide a wonderful selection of produce direct from the farm. In addition to all the veggies and fruit, a variety of vendors offer treats such as pastry, kettle corn, local honey, farm-fresh eggs, olive oil, unusual and hearty cheeses and a variety of smoked fish. There are barbecued chickens that would be great for Sunday lunch or dinner.
As the seasons change throughout the year, the fruit and vegetable selections also change to ensure that the freshest and most popular items are available. To add to the ambiance, a variety of musicians attend on a rotating basis and offer background music for the enjoyment of shoppers and vendors. The market’s grand opening was in July of last year and has steadily grown in interest and participation by the local community. The market is managed by Bill Harlow of All Bay Farmers’ Market and is sponsored by the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA) and the Alamo Plaza. AIA board members staff a booth at the market and are available to answer questions on issues important to Alamo residents.
The Alamo Walk-About The First Annual Alamo Walk-About is in the final planning stages and will be on Thursday, October 22nd from 5 PM to 8 PM. A number of local businesses and community organizations are going to take part in this event that is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Alamo. Proceeds are to benefit the annual Alamo Tree Lighting Festival to be held November 22, 2015. Merchants up and down Danville Blvd. in Alamo will be offering wine, beer, coffee and tasty food items. Trolleys will shuttle people back and forth between various venues. Live music will also be provided at several locations. The price is $20 pre-sale and $25 the night of the Walkabout. Designated drivers and children are $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the foundation website at CommunityFoundationofAlamo. com.
What to do about the parking lot also known as I-680
The Valley SenTinel SAFETY from page 7 Keep private information private. Teach children never to share your home address or other sensitive information online. Teach respect and responsibility. Children may use social media to act out because they feel anonymous and they falsely believe that their actions are consequence-free. Make sure they understand that the Internet is a giant community that works best when everyone respects each other and that every action online leaves a trace that can be recreated. Get educated about apps. Find out what Apps your children are using and if those Apps are safe and ageappropriate. You can find out information about them on Commonsensemedia.org or by just googling information about apps. Make sure your children’s accounts are connected to yours so you can monitor what is being purchased and downloaded. If you are considering getting your child their own phone or tablet, consider
It comes as no surprise that with the recovery of the economy and more jobs being created in our region, there has been a significant increase in traffic on I-680. The southbound commute in the morning and northbound commute in the evening has created a virtual parking lot. Those of us who have worked on transportation issues for many years saw this day coming, and plans are already being implemented to reduce congestion. We’re also looking for new solutions. The opening of the Auxiliary Lanes through Danville and San Ramon two years ago have provided significant relief but once they end, the traffic backs up. Many have seen the orange fences installed by Caltrans pop-up along the I-680 corridor between Walnut Creek and Dublin. These were installed in preparation for the conversion of the carpool lanes into toll express lanes. Conduit and fiber-optic communications cables are being installed along
for future investments – the Transportation Expenditure Plan. CCTA wants to hear from Contra Costa County residents via their interactive web tool. Visit www. keepcontracostamoving. net to offer your thoughts and suggestions on those transportation projects most meaningful to you. Register to access your personal piggybank, holding 10 virtual coins you can invest amongst the projects as you see fit. Your input is important to the development of transportation in Contra Costa County. 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.
enforcing the following rules. -This phone is a privilege and not a right. -This phone belongs to me (the parent) and you have the privilege of using it -Because this phone belongs to me, I have the right to take it at any time -Here are the expectations I have around your use of this device and here are the consequences of not following those expectations: It is also a good idea to have a rule that phones or devices are stored away in another room at night so that children aren’t tempted to play with them if they are having trouble sleeping. While it may seem daunting to keep up with all of the ever-changing technology, social networking, and games, it is important to remember that youth need limits and boundaries. These devices are extremely powerful and can be extremely dangerous. Kids are notorious for not thinking through the consequences of their actions and therefore it is important for parents to monitor and guide youth to become good digital citizens.
Fall Colors and Gifts for the Holidays
By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors the outside shoulders, and the preventative fencing will keep workers out of environmentally sensitive wildlife areas. The project converts existing HOV lanes to express lanes on I-680 from Rudgear Road to Alcosta Boulevard in the southbound direction and from Alcosta Boulevard to Livorna Road in the northbound direction. It will result in 23 express lane miles throughout San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and southern Walnut Creek. With more people in the express lane, there will be fewer cars in the other travel lanes. I am currently sitting on an ad hoc committee looking at transit-related options for the I-680 corridor. We’re looking for a quicker, more efficient system that will motivate people to get out of their cars and rely on transit to get to BART or their employment. This has the potential for providing significant congestion relief. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is responsible for maintaining and improving the County’s transportation systems. CCTA is currently gathering public input to help prioritize what projects and programs should be included in the long-term roadmap
page 15
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The Valley SenTinel
October 2015
valleysentinel.com
See Our Progress “PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2015 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. Paid for by PG&E shareholders. All facts 2013/2014 unless otherwise noted.
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