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always for the community VOL 23, NO 9
September 2018
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SPOTLIGHT
28th Annual Day in the Park The Taylor Family Foundation raises over 1.2 Million for Critically Ill Children
Special guest performance by The Revolution and legendary band members Wendy, Lisa, Bobby Z, Brownmark and Dr. Fink, at this year’s Day in the Park auction fundraiser wowed guests and helped drive donations over $1.2 million. Noted celebrities including local news personalities ABC7/KGO TV’s Cheryl Jennings and Mike Nicco, OpenRoadTV’s Doug McConnell, radio personalities Jim Hampton from KKIQ/KKDV and Sue Hall
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Save Mount Diablo celebrated its 17th Moonlight on the Mountain on Saturday, September 8, 2018. More than 450 community members and elected officials came together in Mount Diablo State Park to celebrate the successes of the past year and raise their paddles in support of Save Mount Diablo’s important land conservation work to preserve land on and around Mount Diablo. Guests enjoyed gourmet meals prepared and served by Sunrise Bistro and Catering as well as fine wine and beer from our area’s best vineyards and breweries.
The Clever Coyote By James M. Hale
Despite bounties and large-scale efforts to kill coyotes for more than 100 years, coyotes have expanded their range throughout the United States and Canada tremendously. Two centuries ago, the early explorers of this continent made frequent references to wolves and foxes in their journals, however they seldom mentioned coyotes. Extirpation of wolf populations and the expansion of widespread agribusiness and forestry have favored conditions for the adaptive coyote. The larger and more powerful gray wolf is one of the few natural checks on coyote abundance. Today, coyotes thrive in suburban settings and even some urban ones. Researchers estimate there are up to 2,000 coyotes living in the greater Chicago area and this scenario applies to other urban landscapes across North America. Coyotes inhabit Golden Gate Park
after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and dispersal from the peninsula. They are found in Central Park in New York City after crossing bridges and are frequently seen throughout the Los Angeles megapolis. Coyotes are commonly encountered throughout the East Bay Area because of our habitat protection with the East Bay Regional Parks, Mount Diablo State Park, watersheds and open spaces. Evolutionary theory suggests the coyote evolved in North America during the Pleistocene epoch 1.81 million years ago alongside the dire wolf. Coyote is ultimately derived from the Aztec word coyotl, meaning trickster. Its scientific name, Canis latrans means “barking dog” in Latin. Because the coyote is
so prevalent throughout the west, many of our towns, lakes, reservoirs, creeks, parks and other land features have been named after this wild canine. Native American lore about the coyote is rich and plentiful. Much magic has been associated with the coyote, who is the creator, teacher, culture hero, trickster and keeper of magic.
The coyote is a fascinating animal filled with paradox, but at the heart of its energy is the balance of wisdom and folly. Their is always hidden wisdom when the coyote is concerned. Coyotes figured prominently in the creation or etiological myths and narratives of the
This month’s Special Section: Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
The World of Frida Now - September 16 We celebrate the culture, style, and persona of visionary painter Frida Kahlo, an artist who continues to inspire with her story of love, adventure, and pain. Artwork included in this juried invitational exhibitions feature Frida Kahlo as the subject as well as artworks inspired by her life and art, including themes of Frida’s garden, Mexican culture and fashion, vibrant colors, surrealism, and more. $5. Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: www.bedfordgallery.org or 925/295-1417.
All My Sons by Arthur Miller presented by Role Players Ensemble Now - September 16 All My Sons won the Tony for Arthur Miller and also for the director, Elia Kazan. In
this story, two partners have been tried for selling defective aircraft engines, which resulted in a pilots’ death. One partner was exonerated and the other sent to prison. Blame, guilt, and denial torment the exonerated partner’s family. $25-$35. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
Center Rep presents Mamma Mia! Music & Lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, Directed by Marc Jacobs Now - October 7 A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget. $39-$44. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469). Grounds for Change Now – October 20 This year the Village Theatre and Art Gallery will be featuring artwork of Asian American and Asian Artists as part of Asia Week San Francisco Bay Area. Gallery admission is free. The Village Theatre and Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Museum hours and information: www.villagetheatreshows. com or 925-314-3400. More information on Asia Week can be found at /www.asiaweeksf. com/media/press/doc-201806-25-1643.pdf
The 19th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival Becomes One Festival, Two Countries Now – September 30 in Danville, California www.eugeneoneillfestival.com
October 9–15 in New Ross, Ireland www.eugeneoneill.org
September 2018
valleysentinel.com group is a favorite! $15 -$30. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
Dixieland Jazz September 15 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.
Turlough O’Carolan: Ireland’s National Composer in Music and Song featuring David Creevy, classical guitarist/ composer and Melanie O’Reilly, singer/composer September 20 8 pm. Irish music comes to Danville in honor of the inaugural One Festival, Two Countries. A harpist born in the era of J.S. Bach. O’Carolan interwove European structural influences with haunting Irish melodies. $15 - $30. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
The Jazz Room: Roberta Donnay & The Prohibition Mob Band September 21 8pm. The Prohibition Mob Band, led by Roberta Donnay, is a vintage jazz and swing band that plays 1920-30s swing, blues, and roots music in the jazz tradition. The ensemble’s mission is to explore, celebrate, and promote America’s jazz roots by interpreting vintage material as well as contributing original works reminiscent of the Jazz Age. Performing tunes reminiscent o f S a t c h m o , M a Ra i n ey, Bessie Smith and more, this
Smuin Contemporary Ballet - Dance Series 01 September 21-22 Revisit Michael Smuin’s final creation, “Schubert Scherzo,” and his beloved 1 9 6 9 m a s t e r p i e c e, “ T h e Eternal Idol” (A Tribute to Rodin). Get a glimpse of the future of contemporary ballet with three new works from Company dancers Nicole H a s k i n s, B e n N e e d h a m Wood, and Rex Wheeler. End the evening with “Blue Until June,” Trey McIntyre’s sultry tribute to Etta James featuring the classic songs “At Last,” “Fool That I Am,” and more. $58-$75. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469).
Hughie by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes September 21-22, & 27-29 at 8pm, September 23 & 30 at 2pm In the darkest hours of the night, two lonely souls grapple to make sense of their lives, their relationship and their responsibilities to each other. In this radically re-imagined telling of the story, the stage directions come to life and shed new light on the characters and their author. Along with the one-act Hughie, there will be a playful presentation of some of O’Neill greatest stage directions. This production of Hughie will tour Ireland after its Tao House engagement. $40. Tao House, Old Barn, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. Information: www.eugeneoneill.org or 925-820-1818. Tickets: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
Lady K & the Kings of Swing: September 22 8pm. Come dance to the fantastic big band sounds of Lady K and the Kings of Swing! This will be a fun evening of mixed dance styles from Foxtrot to Cha Cha, East Coast to West Coast Swing, a broad variety of dance styles will be in the mix. The venue features plenty of tables and chairs, and a very large dance floor. An optional 30-minute dance lesson will be provided during the event by dance instructor Joallyn Bohn. $20 adults, $12 Youth. Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-2850.
Beethoven & Bernstein September 23 4pm. Piano virtuoso Charlie Albright uncovers the jazzy side of Beethoven, plus California Symphony celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday. Featured will be Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. General admission tickets start at $42, $20 for students 25 and under with a valid Student ID.Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.californiasymphony.org, www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469).
Improv For Good presented by Funny Bone Productions September 28 7:45pm. Join Act II Improv for scene based comedy and drama improvisational theater. $15. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469). Jumpin’ at the Sun Dance Company September 28 & 29 7:30pm. Winner of Diablo magazine’s 2016 Best of the East Bay for Best Dance Troupe, JATS creates an engaging blend
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
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of dance and music styles that is entertaining and fun for the entire audience. $22. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www.sanramon.ca.gov/parks/ theater or 925-973-3343.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee September 28 - October 6 An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soulcrushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! This play may have some mature themes and minor language. $15 - $25. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. Adventures in Jazz - Roger Glenn Latin Ensemble September 29 7:30pm. M u l t i instrumentalist, Roger Glenn leads an outstanding ensemble and has toured internationally with Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Wa s h i n g t o n , C a l T j a d e r, H e r b i e M a n n , Ro s e m a r y Clooney, Mongo Santamaria a n d m a ny o t h e rs. L a t i n jazz at its best! $25 Adults, $20 Students. San Ramon Library, 100 Montgomery Street, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3343 or SanRamonPerformingArts. com.
September 2018
Portia Munson: Her World/ Her Room September 30 – December 16 Meet the Artist at the opening reception featuring complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, Sunday, September 30th, 3-5pm. $5 Admission. T h e B e d f o rd G a l l e r y welcomes Portia Munson for her first solo show here in the Bay Area. Portia is a visual artist working in photography, p a i n t i n g , s c u l p t u re, a n d installation. Her work has been shown internationally in major public and private exhibitions since the early 1990s. General Admission: $5; Youth (13-17) $3; Children 12 and under, free; First Tuesdays are free; Free for Bg Members. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.bedfordgallery.org or 925-295-1417.
as our guide. Little Bo-Peep, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and Jill and a few surprises await the brave as we learn of the Legend Of Banbury Cross. This is an original family friendly musical that encourages audience participation. $14. Please visit www.fantasyforum. org for more information on Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. esher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469).
80’s Night Featuring The Romantics plus Special guest Tommy Tutone October 12 8pm. Celebrate the decade San Ramon became a City with a special 80’s Night! Pre-show photo booth and costume contest will add to this great night of music. $59. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
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on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3343.
Suburban Thunder Night at the Improv October 13 8pm. Join Suburban Thunder Improv Company for spontaneous improvisational theater! Suitable for ages 14+. $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: www. sanramon.ca.gov or 925- 9732787. Other Desert Cities October 19th - November 4th Writer Brooke Wyeth has come home for Christmas and dropped a bomb on her very wealthy and well-connected parents. She has written a memoir about a very painful chapter in the family’s history
and wants to publish it. As they battle over who has the right to tell the family’s story, new revelations emerge. Full of witty and entertaining dialogue as well as intense family drama, Other Desert Cities offers those moments we can all relate to. $25 - $35. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. Le Hot Jazz – Gypsy Jazz October 20 7:30p.m. Members of the Hot Club of San Francisco will feature Gypsy Swing in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Enjoy the Parisian vibe – no passport needed! $25 Adults, $20 Students. San Ramon Library, 100 Montgomery Street, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3343 or SanRamonPerformingArts. com.
P re s c h o o l Pe r f o r m a n c e Series: Comedy Magician Tim James Fri October 5 10 a m . M a k i n g l i t t l e ones laugh, dance, and sing along since 2009, the Town of Danville is pleased to continue to present fun and unique top-level entertainers for preschool-aged children. Presented in 50 minutes with no intermission. Artist may be subject to change. $5. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. Fantasy Forum presents Legend Of Banbury Cross October 11 13 In a land many of us thought was only in make-believe, we meet new friends with Mother Goose
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
COYOTE from page 1
Chocheno, Rumsen, Nisenan and other Native Americans. Coyotes were hunted for their hides, which became quivers, pouches and ceremonial clothing. Coyotes owe their success to their varied diet, early age of maturation and first breeding, high reproductive output and adaptation to flexible living requirements. Coyotes typically prey on small animals. Its preferred prey in California appears to be ground squirrels, rabbits and hares. Their diet includes mice, gophers, voles, birds, eggs, insects, carrion, cactus fruit, melons, fruits and berries. In the east bay during the fall, they sometimes rely heavily on Manzanita berries. They are capable of killing young deer and Bighorn sheep. I watched a pair of coyotes cooperatively steal a wild boar piglet from a sow, with one distracting the sow while the other quickly grabbed the unsuspecting piglet. They both shared in the bounty. It is not uncommon for them to prey on cats and dogs. They are capable of cruising at 30 mile per hour. Most ranchers dislike coyotes because they have been known to take livestock. A 2004 Wildlife Society Bulletin, 32(4):1209-1218, suggests coyotes are responsible for over $40 million in damages to livestock producers every year, with proportionally more damage to sheep and goats than cattle. The United States sheep industry was valued at $638 million in 1999 while the cattle industry was valued at $67 billion in 2000. Breeding or “alpha” coyotes are implicated in the majority of incidents. Livestock producers rely
heavily on non-selective lethal control, which is not always effective and often affects nontarget species. Nearly 84,000 coyotes were killed just in 2011 by the USDA Wildlife Services, at the behest of livestock producers. Research needs to continue and expand along four fronts: studies aimed at developing and improving depredation management techniques; investigations of coyote ecology relative to livestock and natural prey; comparative studies of the efficacy of specific control methods; and examination of the relative costs and benefits of different control strategies in different situations. Coyotes look like gray, b u f f y o r r e d d i s h - g r a y, medium-sized dogs. Usually 30 or 40 pounds in weight, some healthy individuals may reach 60 pounds. They have a pointed nose or rostrum and have a long, bushy tail, usually with a black tip. Their chorus of yaps, whines, barks and howls compliments the darkening skies in wild areas of California. Often initiated by one individual, many family groups or clans soon join in making it obvious these animals relish making noise together. In California, coyotes mate in February. Natural crevices and dens are used for denning. However, the den is usually an enlarged ground squirrel or badger hole in a slope, one foot or more in diameter and ten or more feet deep. Territories can range as much as 20 kilometers in diameter around a den, although this is not typical. Three to ten pups are born some two months later. Their eyes open after about ten days, and at three weeks the
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September 2018 pups leave the den for the first time and begin to establish dominance and social position through mock fighting. Both parents remain with the young until autumn. Family groups tend to disperse in winter as food becomes scarce. Coyotes live up to 10 years in the wild and 18 years in captivity. Versatility and the ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions is the key to the coyote’s success. Every year, hundreds of thousands of our nation’s most majestic animals (coyotes, wolves, grizzly bears, mountain lions and others) are being poisoned, trapped, and gunned down by the government and private sector. Far too often, nontarget species fall victim to these control measures. The wild carnivores and predators are integral components of their ecosystems. They help to control prey populations that we sometimes view as pests, through their interactions in the food chain. Practical nonlethal solutions to management should be explored and i m p l e m e n t e d . E xc l u s i o n techniques, cultural methods, f r i g h t e n i n g d ev i c e s a n d guard animals are promising alternatives. James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist and Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.
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Community Input We at The Valley Sentinel welcome comments and suggestions from the community at large. We love hearing from you! However, consideration is only given to those who provide their name, address and phone number. Two-way communication is essential for growth and understanding. Write us at P.O. Box 1309, Danville, 94526, email to drousset@ valleysentinel.com, or call us at 925-820-6047. Thank you! —Denise Rousset, Publisher
Volunteer with the Diablo Valley Literacy Council T h e D i a b l o Va l l e y Literacy Council is holding a n i n f o r m a t i ve a n d f u n tutor training workshop this fall. Adults interested in helping other ESL (English as a Second Language) adults in the community to learn the English language are encouraged to join us. This is a great opportunity for volunteer tutors to offer 1-2 hours a week for ESL students in their quest for assimilation into our culture. Adult students are waiting for your help! No teaching experience is required and English need not be your first language. Students who seek tutors are also encouraged to contact us -- by phone or through the DVLC website.
If you have a heart for helping others, enjoy meeting people from other countries or would just like to join the literacy movement go to dvlc4esl.org for more information and to register for the fall workshop being held Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m -1 p.m. and Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Concord. You may also leave a message of interest at (925) 685-3881. Come join us! There are many other opportunities within the organization where you are welcome to bring your talent and ideas. 2018 marks DVLC’s celebration of 40 successful years in the community!
Alamo News Update
Autos of Alamo Festival Not to be Missed By Steve Mick
For several years the Alamo Music Festival was the preeminent opportunity for entertainment and refreshment. Regrettably, the AMF was canceled a few years ago. H oweve r, t h e A l a m o Improvement Association wanted to continue the idea of an Alamo community celebration of some sort. Since Alamo has a high number of car guys (and car gals), they decided to organize a car show for Alamo – The Autos of Alamo Festival. Now in its 6th year, this event will take place on Thursday, September 13th from 4 to 8 PM at the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center. Admission is free to the public. The festival has become more popular each year and over 100 vehicles will be on display. There will also be various community organization booths as well as a silent auction. Food and beverages will be available and there will be
live music. Plan to attend and enjoy viewing the cars in a traditional Alamo “block party” atmosphere. The vehicles will run the gamut of modern exotic automobiles to genuine antiques to customs and classics. Cars built in 1980 and older are eligible to participate. Newer special interest vehicles can participate but must clear it with organizing committee first. And there will be a vintage motorcycle or two. For the first time, the opportunity for preregistration will be in place. Call the AIA Office at 925-247-8081 for more information and to pre-register. The Autos of Alamo car show will be presented by the Alamo Improvement Association with the participation of numerous community sponsors including Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, Panera Bread, Blackhawk Automotive Museum and many others. Star Chase Pursuit System And speaking of cars, I recently had the opportunity to
see a demonstration of the Star Chase Pursuit Management system. The demonstration was presented by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department Valley Station in Alamo. It consists of GPS tracking circuitry enclosed in a canister about the size and shape of a can of soda. One end of the canister has a special adhesive and a high strength magnet under the adhesive. The canister is launched with compressed air from a police car and it sticks to the suspect vehicle. O n c e i n p l a c e, G P S technology is used to track or locate the suspect vehicle. The police car can slow down and “back off” a hot pursuit, which removes a hazardous high speed chase event from public streets. Steve Mick is a long-time Alamo resident and is active in a number of community organizations. Among them are the Community Foundation of Alamo, the Exchange Club and the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council. You can reach Steve at steve@alamore.org.
valleysentinel.com
September 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Sponsored Content
Healing Your Shoulder/Rotator Cuff Pain By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC
The Rotator Cuff muscles (four muscles in total) are the primary support structures for the shoulder. Therefore, even minor dysfunction associated with these muscles can create pain and decreased performance of everyday tasks. A Rotator Cuff injury c a n b e c a u s e d by m a ny everyday activities. These activities include traumatic e v e n t s ( e. g . f a l l o n a n outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive m o t i o n ( e. g . t h row i n g a ball, carrying children) and chronic improper posture (e.g. operating a computer, driving). There are three major types of Rotator Cuff injuries that we treat successfully: 1. Rotator Cuff Muscle Tears: This is a partial tear of one or more of the four Rotator Cuff muscles. Rotator Cuff muscle tears are often accompanied by deep achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness. 2. Tendonitis: Tendons are at the ends of each muscle and attach the muscles to the bones they move. When
there is inflammation of these tendons it is called Tendonitis. The symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis are often trigger point pain over the tendon accompanied by deep, achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness. 3. Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: Chronic injury of the Rotator Cuff can lead to a “pinching” of the nerves passing through the shoulder. This is commonly referred to as a Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Impingement. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling or sharp, shooting pain into the arm or hand. How Do I Heal My Shoulder Pain? The most common forms of medical treatment for Rotator Cuff injuries are antiinflammatory medications, cortisone injections and surgery. Although meds and injections may reduce the severity of pain associated with rotator cuff dysfunction, they are not a long-term solution and may do more bodily harm than good in the long run. Surgery is a last resort and should only be used if there is irreparable damage to the shoulder that
cannot be handled with proper rehabilitation. First: Heal the Damaged Tissue Ending the pain caused by a Rotator Cuff injury requires stopping the cycle of inflammation that is creating the pain. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because i t i s p re s e n t l y t h e o n l y modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. During Laser Therapy, the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces i n f l a m m a t i o n , s we l l i n g , muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, pain is relieved and function is restored. S e c o n d : C o r re c t t h e S h o u l d e r a n d Po s t u r a l Mechanics Long-term pain relief of shoulder injuries involves rehabilitation of t h e s h o u l d e r, n e c k , a n d thoracic spine. Shoulder rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific postural
Assemblywoman Baker Announces Staffing Changes Erin Donnette, who recently comes from Assemblyman Assemblywoman C a t h a r i n e B a ke r ( R- S a n Ramon) issued the following announcement today regarding staffing changes in her office over the last several weeks: Cindy Chin was promoted to Chief of Staff earlier this summer. Chin has been with Assemblywoman Baker since December 2014, starting as District Director. Chin has worked many years for the State and Federal Government, and brings extensive knowledge of local issues and legislative issues of importance to Assembly District 16. Chin replaces
retired from the Legislature and accepted a private sector position in Southern California. Chin will be based out of the San Ramon District Office. “I am pleased to announce Cindy Chin as our Chief of Staff. She has worked hard and with excellence for Assembly District 16. She combines her great ethic of teamwork with hard work and service to others, and we are fortunate to have her as our Chief.” B ra n d o n E b e c k h a s joined Assemblywoman Baker’s Capitol Office as C a p i t o l D i r e c t o r. E b e c k
M a rc S t e i n o r t h ’s O f f i c e where he was Capitol Director in Sacramento. He brings extensive experience in the legislative process that will benefit a productive office like Assemblywoman Baker’s. Maureen Rowe has joined as a Field Representative in the District Office in San Ramon. Rowe has lived and worked in the San Ramon Valley for over 20 years, and most recently worked with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. She replaces Lea McSweeney, who retired after 20 years of service to the Legislature.
San Ramon Chamber Accepts Nominations who have made for 2018 Community Awards individuals a significant difference The San Ramon Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2018 Community Awards. Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving people for five awards: Citizen of the Year, Business (or Business
Person) of the Year, Educator of the Year, Employee of the Year and Green Company/ Individual of the Year Award. “The Business and Community Awards event is an opportunity to thank and give appreciation to
and contribution in our community,” said Stewart Bambino, San Ramon Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. “Come and network, enjoy good food See AWARDS page 10
adjustments, exercises and specific posture stabilizing m e t h o d s i n o rd e r t o re establish proper motion and strength of the shoulder joint. Ongoing strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the shoulder to ensure lasting results. If you suffer from chronic pain, it is worth your while to spend some time figuring
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out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — we will help you explore which combination of therapies will help you heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you can get back to the activities you love! Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www. alignhealingcenter.com.
The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at any time. For information about the association and our 97th annual reunion in Jacksonville, Florida from September 19 - 23, 2018, contact Mike Davino at 2IDA.PAO@charter.net, visit www.2ida.org/2018-reunion or call 919-498-1910.
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL September 2018
Fire Season is at its Height
By Beverly Lane, President, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors
This has been a terrible s e a s o n f o r w i l d f i re s i n California, and it is not over yet. September and October a re t h e m o s t d a n g e ro u s months, because vegetation has had all summer to dry out, and the winter rains have not yet arrived. One of the worst urban wildfires in the state’s history started on Oct. 19, 1991 in the Oakland hills. By the time it was over it had burned 2.5 square miles of mostly residential neighborhoods, killing 25 people and destroying 3,469 homes.
As has been the case in this year’s fires, firefighters f ro m m u l t i p l e a g e n c i e s, including the East Bay Regional Park District, responded to fight the blaze. The longterm response to the tragedy has been standardization of equipment and training, and better coordination between fire departments, especially in the areas where open space lands adjoin residential and commercial neighborhoods. Yet fire has its positive side as well. California Indians used annual controlled burning to stimulate growth of plants that they gathered for food and fiber. Some native plants require fire to regenerate their seeds. And agencies including the Park District use a variety of techniques, including what is called prescribed burning, to
eliminate dry, dead underbrush and reduce the wildland fuel load. For example the Park District uses prescribed burns, hand crews, and even goat grazing to maintain a fuel break, an area of thinned vegetation that extends for some 30 miles through the Oakland-Berkeley hills. It is intended to slow the advance of fire in either direction between houses and open space, and provide firefighters with a place to make a stand. Thanks to Measure CC, approved by District voters in 2004, the Park District has been able to thin out more than 500 acres of urban forest and brush along East Bay ridgelines. Each year the District spends more than $1.6 million on fire hazard reduction. With the
Make a Date with the East Bay Regional Parks By Ned MacKay
It’s Coastal Cleanup time! Every year at this time, there’s a call for volunteers to help remove trash and recyclables from shoreline parks, lakes and along creeks throughout California. Coastal Cleanup 2018 is from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 15. East Bay Regional Park District will participate at nine regional parklands. Volunteers should bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, and a bucket for trash. All vo l u n t e e rs s h o u l d we a r close-toed shoes, and layered clothing appropriate for the weather. The park district will provide snacks, water and trash bags. An adult should accompany children under 16 years old.
The nine coastal cleanup locations in the regional parks are the Encinal boat ramp and Crown Beach in Alameda, Big Break in Oakley, Del Valle Regional Park south o f L i v e r m o r e, H a y w a r d Shoreline, Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland, Point Isabel and Point Pinole in Richmond, and Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez. Registration is required. For registration, call 888-3272757. Select option 2 and refer to program 22194 for Encinal, 22197 for Big Break, 22176 for Crown Beach, 22177 for Del Valle, 22182 for Hayward, 22187 for King Shoreline, 22188 for Point Isabel, 22190 for Point Pinole, and 22183 for Martinez. For general information, call 510-5442229.
* * * It may seem early to be announcing the Haunted Railroad program in October at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, but the organizers tell me that tickets are sold in advance beginning Sept. 15, and they get snapped up quickly. The Haunted Railroad is a train ride at Ardenwood geared for families with children under 12, during which live actors play silly characters, and there are Halloweenthemed inflatables along the way. There’s nothing scary about it. All children must be with an adult, and for safety reasons, each child under 3 must be with a separate adult. The train runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 19, 20, 26 and
help of the Civicorps youth job training program, the District recently worked on 30 to 40 targeted sites in Wildcat Canyon, Tilden, Sibley and Claremont Canyon regional parklands. East Bay Regional Park District has its own fulltime fire department of 17 firefighters including the acting chief, Aileen Theile. They are augmented by a corps of 40 other District employees who are fully trained firefighters, although they normally work in other occupations. Besides its own firefighters, the District has mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments and CalFire. The Park District has sent firefighters to assist at several of the large-scale fires now burning elsewhere in the state. District firefighters also have backfilled at other agency stations, including CalFire, when their firefighters have been dispatched. Some recent examples: District firefighters assisted in extinguishing a 30-acre brush fire in Moraga. On July 4, they handled nine medical e m e rg e n c i e s t h ro u g h o u t the district. On July 14 they rescued a man who had become trapped in an illegal treehouse structure in Tilden Regional Park.. And District firefighters fought the fire on Marsh Creek Road in Clayton. District firefighters were dispatched to the Cranston Fire in Riverside County, and then to the Mendocino complex. They responded in the OES engine as part of a strike team that protected houses. The Park District’s two helicopters are equipped with 27. Times are 7 to 9 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 21 and 28. Admission is $10 for ages 3 and older, free for children 2 and under. Parking is free. Tickets are sold in advance beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 on www. eventbrite.com. Search for “Haunted Train.” The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit railroad museum at Ardenwood. For information, visit www.spcrr. org and www.facebook.com/ spcrrmuseum. Ardenwood is at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84 in Fremont. For general information, call 510-544-2797. * * * Wildlife viewing is the objective of a three-mile walk from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, led by naturalist Michael Charnofsky,
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“Bambi buckets,” containers w i t h w h i c h t h e c o p t e rs can scoop up water from reservoirs, then release it from the air onto advancing flames. They have dropped water on fires 25 times in the last few months. Of course, the public can help with fire hazard reduction. If you live near open space, all firefighting agencies advocate creating defensible space around your home. Among other measures, this involves thinning back vegetation, opting for fireproof roofs, and where possible, planting drought and fireresistant landscaping. When you visit the regional parks, please abide by all posted or announced fire safety rules. Smoking is prohibited in the regional parklands. Barbecue fires are permissible in the metal barbecue stands located at picnic areas and campgrounds. At times of extreme fire danger, no open fires of any kind are allowed. And if you see what appears to be a wildfire, call 9-1-1 immediately. For extensive information on the Park District’s fire department and fire prevention programs, visit the website, www.ebparks. org. On the home page, click on the triangular “Fire Warnings” icon. The site also has links to other agencies with information about fire weather, defensible space, etc. East Bay Regional Park District strives to make its parklands as fire-safe as possible. With public support and cooperation, we hope to be able to avoid the kinds of recurring tragedy with which Californians have become all too familiar. starting at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda. The group will view a seal colony, discuss wildlife conservation issues, and learn to look for the unexpected. Binoculars will be available to borrow. And from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day” at Crab Cove. Drop by the visitor center for grog (cider), crafts, buried treasure and over-thetop theatricality. Crab Cove is located at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda’s Central Avenue. For information, call 510-544-3187. * * * There’s a labyrinth at the bottom of an old quarry pit at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland. Naturalist See EBRPD page 7
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September 2018
September in the Contra Costa Garden By the Contra Costa Master Gardeners
General Garden Care Adjust your irrigation. The evapotranspiration (ET) rate has plummeted in spite of hot days. Reduce your watering time by 25% from a month ago. We are headed for fall equinox. Fruits Pick pears, late season apples, late peaches. Irrigate if rains have not started. Pick up all fallen fruit; compost if possible. Fertilize citrus for the last time this year. Vegetables Harvest tomatoes, squash, beans, eggplant, peppers. Start seeds of winter vegetables: bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, C h i n e s e c a b b a g e, k a l e, cauliflower. Direct seed beets, carrots, chard, garlic, leeks, mache, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, sugar, snap peas. If you want to start lettuce seeds, remember that they germinate best in cool soil. Try mixing the seed with moist potting soil, cover and place in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Flowers & Landscaping Fe r t i l i z e c o o l s e a s o n lawns: bent, bluegrass, fescue and rye. Water lawns deeply, at least once week if not raining. Overseed Bermuda grass lawns with perennial rye and topdress with 1” compost to keep lawns green during the winter months. Keep lawn moist until seedlings emerge. This is a good time to shop for Lagerstroemia spp. (crepe myrtles). They are still EBRPD from page 6
Michael Charnofsky and local artist Helena Mazzariello will lead an easy three-mile walk to view it from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23. Helena built the labyrinth. She’ll talk about labyrinth mystiques and myths, and disclose how she secretly created the one at Sibley. The hike is free, designed for ages 10 and older, and registration is required. Call 888-327-2757, select option 2 and refer to program number 22441. * * * Naturalist Jenna Scimeca will wax eloquent about bees during a program from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Little Farm in Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. Beeswax is important to both bees and humans. Visitors
in bloom so you can choose flower color; plant next month for best rooting. Fertilize roses for the last time this year. Use a liquid fertilizer and make sure it is well watered in. Dig up and divide overgrown Agapanthus, daylilies, primulas, Shasta daisies, Penstemon, Iberis sempervirens. Purchase bulbs for fall planting: Allium, Anemone coronaria, Babiana stricta, Crocus, daffodil, Freesia, Homeria, hyacinth, Ixia, Leucojum, Lycoris, Muscari, ornamental Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Sparaxis, Tritonia, tulips, species tulips such as Tulipa clusiana, Tulipa saxatilis, Watsonia. Look for large firm bulbs with unbroken skin. Chill tulip, crocus and hyacinths bulbs in the refrigerator vegetable bin for planting during October or November. Plant annuals for winter color such as Iceland poppies, violas, pansies, and ornamental kale. Direct seed springblooming plants, or plant seedlings for earlier bloom. Tr y C e n t a u r e a c y a n u s , Calendula officinalis ‘Geisha Girl’, Eschscholzia californica, Clarkia amoena, Myosotis sylvatica, Linaria marocanna, Lobelia erinus, Lathyrus odoratus, Nemophila, Schizanthus pinnatus (in warmer areas, especially West county). Plant perennial seedlings of Campanula, candytuft, catmint, Coreopsis,
can make a candle and sample local honey. Then from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Jenna will show off the Little Farm’s resident chickens, help visitors grind some corn, and feed the birds a snack. The Little Farm is at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233. * * * Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will host a mine open house from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16. It’s a chance to take a free, self-guided tour of the former silica sand mine, starting at Hazel-Atlas Portal and ending at Greathouse Portal. Park staff and volunteers will be stationed along the way to point out interesting features. For safety reasons, the mine tour is open only to ages
Delphinium, Dianthus, Diascia, foxglove, Gaillardia, Geum, Helleborus, Japanese anemone, Penstemon, Phlox, pincushion flower, Salvia, Scaevola, and yarrow. Garden Pests If shot hole disease was a problem on apricots during the past season, spray your trees after leaf fall but prior to rain with a Bordeaux or fixed copper fungicide. Don’t use sulfur on apricots. Visit the UC IPM page on shot hole disease for more information. If powdery mildew has been problem on your roses in prior months, spray now with a preventative mix: 2 tsp. baking soda + 2-4 tsp. lightweight summer oil + 1 gallon of water. Spray once a week. Visit the UC Pest Note on powdery mildew for more information. Master Gardeners are trained volunteers for the U n i v e rs i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a Cooperative Extension (UCCE). They are residents of local communities who have an active interest in horticulture, have taken the Master Gardener training offered by the UCCE, and now share their knowledge with other members of that community. They provide University of California research-based horticultural information to the citizens of California through their volunteer efforts as Master Gardeners. It is the acquisition of knowledge, the skill in gardening, and giving back to the community that distinguishes a Master Gardener from other gardeners. For more information visit ccmg.ucdavis.edu.
seven and older. There will be aboveground activities for younger children. Black Diamond Mines is located at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 888-3272757, ext. 2750. * * * The history of Big Break Regional Shoreline from river to wetland to farm to park is the topic of a program from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050. * * * There’s always lots to do in the regional parks. Check out the website, www.ebparks.org for complete listings.
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 7
Fun Facts about Bees and Honey
Celebrate National Honey Month by learning more about bees and honey and the Planet Bee Foundation. By Ayala Fudala, Planet Bee Educator Emeritus
Did you know? September is National Honey Month! To celebrate, we’d like to share some of our favorite facts about honey. • Honey never goes bad! It will crystallize, but all you have to do is heat it up and it will turn back into a liquid. In fact, when archaeologists opened up King Tut’s tomb, they found a 2,000-year-old jar of honey, and it was still edible! • Eating local honey made from native plants can help you if you have allergies • Humans have been using honey and wax for at least 9,000 years • H o n e y h a s antibacterial properties, so the Ancient Egyptians used to rub it on their wounds to prevent infection • In her whole life, a worker bee will only make 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey • B e e s m u s t v i s i t a p p rox i m a t e l y 2 m i l l i o n flowers and fly over 55,000 miles to make 1 pound of honey TTFF from page 1
of 96.5 KOIT and the San Francisco Bonneville Radio Stations were all on hand to encourage fundraising e f f o r t s f o r T h e Ta y l o r Family Foundation’s 28th Anniversary. ABC7 Bay Area News and brothers Dave and Rico Corona of CoronaCast were live streaming as festivities started with an Epicurean Ensemble showcasing more than 60 Bay Area restaurants, b rewe r i e s a n d w i n e r i e s including five new guests. Drakes Brewing Company, HenHouse Brewing Company, Your Taco Guy, Bottle Taps, and Salt Craft made their Day in the Park debut this year and wowed guests. Mobile bidding made it easy to bid via cell phone and guests had fun capturing the fun on the hashtag printer in the Silent Auction area. In keeping with tradition, the Live Auction started off with Send-a-Kid to Camp, during which guests donated over $800,000. Auctioneer DawnMarie Kotsonis jump started the bidding with a cooking school and winemaking experience for eight guests with Chef Victor
• Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water. It’s also the only food that contains pinocembrin, an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning! To r e a d m o r e a b o u t how honey is made, and for more information visit www. planetbee.org.
Scargle of Boisset Collection which rolled into a bidding frenzy for a meet ‘n greet for 10 with The Revolution, each selling for $50,000. Proceeds from Day in the Park go directly towards funding and facilitating The Taylor Family Foundation’s Mission to provide wellness programs for Northern California children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, and developmental disabilities such as asthma, autism, brain tumors, burn survivors, diabetes, heart disease, pediatric cancers, pediatric HIV/AIDS and skin disease. Since its inception in 1990, TTFF has raised close to $40 million to better the lives of 75,000 children and provide their families with a respite from ongoing challenges. In addition to funding camp programs, TTFF provides financial and emotional support for children and families in the community who are in are in critical need. TTFF supports these families in medical crisis through grants that provide children with clothing, pay for funeral expenses, pay for medical devices, and help with dayto-day expenses.
Fall Home and Garden page 8
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Our Kitchen, Open and Light By Steven Wynn
A boxy kitchen is a dated kitchen. It’s also a kitchen that boxes out family and friends. Our kitchens are more than utility – they are gathering places. As Frank L l oyd Wr i g h t o n c e s a i d , “the ensemble of the rooms should then be carefully considered that comfort and utility may go hand in hand with beauty.” The key to comfort is openness and light. And
so a common challenge with mid-century ranchers is tearing out the partition walls that make the house a series of boxes, rather than an open ensemble of gathering spaces. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and deserves an open plan and plenty of light. A successful kitchen makeover should invite family and friends to gather, share, and linger.
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September 2018 T h e k i t c h e n p i c t u re d in the “before” photo here was not short on love or unique character. Knotty pine provided warmth, the brick arch a personal touch. Eclectic, kitsch, unique. But despite the utility it served, this kitchen provided no opportunity to gather. It was a “pass-through” kitchen – one made to grab-and-go, or to labor in alone. Our first step was to tear out the wall between the galley kitchen and adjacent dining room. This provided a more ample space for the kitchen to expand, and opened the whole space up to the light of the exterior window. We placed a farmhouse sink by the window, and added a skylight above the new island. Open and bathed in sunlight, the new kitchen is inviting and renewed. The skylight above the island provides more than just a well of warm sunlight – it offers a sense of volume in an otherwise flat ceiling, from which pendants seamlessly descend. What I love about this as a design solution is how it plays with expectations, and tweaks the prototype of pendant lighting the island stool.
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Many remodeled kitchens overwhelm with cabinetry and casework. I do believe less is more, more often than not. In this example, we simply stopped the upper cabinets about two inches below the soffit above. I find the shadow line this creates to be far cleaner and superior to unnecessary crown molding or a tight fit against the sheet rock. Here, the shadow line is a design element. Several other simple, but important, decisions were made to elevate this kitchen. First, we brought the window right to counter height. Next, we created a simple splash –
elongated subway tile – but only where it is absolutely needed. Full height at the range and adjacent counter, while omitted at the counter to the right of the sink. Our palette of materials is simple – white cabinets, white tile, solid surfaces with square edges. Always remember that the most important design element is the life that inhabits the space – our families, friends, and the moments we share together. What we seek to create as architects is the bright and open canvas upon which our lives are vibrantly painted.
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September 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
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September 2018
At risk for hepatitis? Medicare can help. By Greg Dill
person. People can also get infected by coming in contact with a contaminated object, where the virus can live for up to 7 days. Hepatitis B can range from being a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term illness (chronic) that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. Medicare Part B covers Hepatitis B shots, which usually are given as a series of 3 shots over a 6-month period. You need all 3 shots for complete protection. Medicare covers these shots for people at medium or high risk for Hepatitis B. Risk factors include hemophilia, end-stage renal disease, diabetes, if you live with someone who has Hepatitis B, or if you’re a health care worker and have frequent contact with blood
D i d yo u k n ow v i ra l hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, causes more than 1 million deaths per year worldwide? That’s about the same number of deaths caused by tuberculosis and HIV combined. Fortunately, Medicare can help protect you from Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States. Hepatitis is contagious. The Hepatitis B virus, for example, spreads through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected
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or body fluids. Check with your doctor to see if you’re at medium or high risk for Hepatitis B. You pay nothing for Hepatitis B shots if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicare payment. Medicare also covers a one-time Hepatitis C screening test if your primary care doctor or practitioner orders it and you meet one of these conditions: • You’re at high risk because you have a current or past history of illicit injectiondrug use; • Yo u h a d a b l o o d transfusion before 1992; • You were born between 1945 and 1965. Medicare also covers yearly repeat screenings for certain people at high risk. M e d i c a re w i l l o n l y cover Hepatitis C screening tests if they’re ordered by a primary-care doctor or other primary-care provider. You pay nothing for the screening test if the doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicarepayment.
Hepatitis shots and screening are among the many preventive-health services that Medicare helps pay for. These screenings and tests help detect preventable and chronic diseases early, in their most treatable stages. H e re a re s o m e o t h e r preventive-health measures Medicare covers: • Alcohol misuse screening and counseling; • Bone mass measurement (This test checks whether you’re at risk for broken bones); • Breast cancer screening (mammograms): • Cardiovascular disease screening (This includes blood tests that help detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke); • Cervical and vaginal cancer screening; • C o l o re c t a l c a n c e r screening (This helps find precancerous growths or cancer early, when treatment is most effective); • Diabetes screening and diabetes self-management training;
• Flu and pneumococcal shots; • Glaucoma tests; • HIV screening; • Lung cancer screening; • Obesity screening and counseling; • Prostate cancer screening; • Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling (to help you stop smoking or using tobacco products). You pay nothing for most Medicare-covered preventive services if you get the services from a doctor or other qualified health care provider who accepts Medicare payment. H o w e v e r, f o r s o m e preventive services, you may have to pay a deductible, coinsurance, or both. These costs may also apply if you get a preventive service in the same visit as a non-preventive service. Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
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AWARDS from page 5
and honor those around us who help to make San Ramon an exceptional place to live and work.” Anyone may submit nominations for these awards. The Nomination form and information regarding the c r i t e r i a f o r e a c h awa rd category are posted on the San Ramon Chamber website, www.sanramon.org. Nominations are due October 1, 2018. Forms may be faxed to 925.242.0603; or mailed to the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, 2410 Camino Ramon, Suite 125, Bishop Ranch 6, San Ramon, CA, 94583; or e-mailed to kathy.fanning@sanramon. org.
Contra Costa County. TaxAide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Orientation is in November 2018, classes
January 2019. Service is from February through April 15, 2019. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/ taxvolunteer or call (925) 7 2 6 - 31 9 9 f o r a d d i t i o n a l information.
Awards will be presented at the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Community Awards celebration to be held Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Road in San Ramon. Gala tickets will be sold online through the Chamber of Commerce. The San Ramon Chamber presented five Community Awards in 2017: C i t i z e n s o f t h e Ye a r Award • Gary Alpert & Heidi Kenniston-Lee, Cochairs for the San Ramon 150 Committee and other numerous volunteer positions Business Person of the Year
• Tammy J. Mercado, General Partner at Whipple, Mercado & Associates, LLP Employee of the Year • Denise Pangelinan, Director of Emergency Communications, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Educator of the Year • Shanna Gagnon, Teacher at California High School, San Ramon Valley Unified School District Ambassador of the Year • Ro b e r t C . M o o re, RSVP Bay Area / H&L Magazine S p o n s o r s h i p opportunities are available. Contact the Chamber office f o r m o re i n f o r m a t i o n a t 925.242.0600.
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September 2018 Sponsored Content
A Secure Retirement By Robert Cucchiaro
First and foremost, this month I would like to thank all of the readers of this article that have reached out to me to either ask a question, sign up for the newsletter, or schedule a meeting with me or one of our staff members. The purpose of this article each
month is to provide some “news you can use” to improve your financial & retirement security. And we always welcome any comments, questions or feedback readers may have. Feel free to send me your thoughts at rob@ swrpteam.com Now let’s talk about retirement security. On December 22, 2017 President Trump signed into law a new tax bill, lowering tax rates for many Americans (I say many because if you live in a high tax state like CA your taxes may stay the same or even increase under this new law).
Central San Refinances Existing Debt Providing $8.2 Million in Savings District’s overall rating reaffirmed as “AAA” this include strong operational Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) recently received Standard & Poor’s “AAA” rating for $19.43 million of wastewater revenue refunding bonds. The “AAA” rating is the highest assigned by Standard & Poor and allows Central San to achieve low interest rates. The bonds were priced on August 14th at yields significantly below a benchmark index of municipal bonds (the Thomson Reuters Municipal Market Data (MMD) index), reflecting very strong investor demand for the agency’s debt. The proceeds from the new bonds will be used to refinance bonds issued in 2009, saving customers more than $8.2 million in interest costs over the next 11 years. The savings will be used to fund critical infrastructure improvements identified in a 20-year master plan. Using a combination of pay-as-you-go and debt-financing, Central San continues to fund extensive infrastructure improvements that will upgrade the regional treatment plant, service and repair pumping stations, and replace several miles of sewer pipe each year to provide sewer service reliability for decades to come. Using external consultants to validate the analysis, rates are reviewed annually to ensure that charges accurately reflect the cost of providing service to customers. Standard & Poor ratings opinion is available on Central San’s website, and cited “the combination of an extremely strong enterprise risk profile and an extremely strong financial risk profile”. Factors supporting
management practices and policies and alignment with strategic goals, strong financial management practices and policies, including reserve policies. Strong financial management practices include controlling costs and addressing employment related liabilities. The agency has had essentially a flat O&M budget for about five years. In 2018, The Board of Directors established a trust for funding employee retirement obligations beyond the required annual contributions, adding $5.4 million to the trust. Additionally, the agency has also made contributions to further fund other postemployment benefit (OPEB) commitments. Setting aside funding to address these obligations is an industry best management practice which demonstrates fiscal responsibility and ultimately reduces operating costs for customers. Central San’s mission is to protect public health and the environment through safe and effective wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. It also operates a household hazardous waste collection facility, provides recycled water for landscape irrigation, and promotes pollution prevention through various educational, informational and inspection programs. It serves nearly half a million residents and over 3,000 businesses over 145 square miles in central Contra Costa county. It is operated by 280 employees and a five-member elected Board of Directors.
And while the tax cut has been a boon to the stock market, I do fear that at some point the deficit will become a hot button political issue again and future tax rates will rise to help offset the increase in the deficit the current bill is expected to cause. So what can you do about that? Seriously consider a Roth conversion. I met with a couple recently that had all of the makings of a secure retirement - two Pensions, social security and a significant investment portfolio. There was only one problem, 90% of their investments were in pre-tax accounts (IRAs/401ks). Pretax accounts are great when you are saving money but can be a bit of a nightmare once you are retired. The reason is twofold – 1.) All withdrawals from pre-tax accounts are taxed as ordinary income, thus compounding the taxes due on the pensions & social security; and 2.) Pre-tax accounts are subject to mandatory withdrawals starting at age 70.5. This means you may be forced to pull money out of these accounts and pay tax on those withdrawals even if you don’t need the income. The solution for them was simple. Because they had a year’s worth of expenses in cash, and they are planning to retire at the end of this year, we will defer their pensions and social security until 2020. This means in 2019 they will have
THE VALLEY SENTINEL virtually $0 income. And how will we take advantage of that? By doing a Roth conversion of roughly $100K. That $100K will be taxed now, but at a lower tax bracket than what they may face in the future as both their personal tax rate will increase AND tax rates in general may increase. Once converted to a Roth, the $100K will grow tax free forever and won’t be subject to mandatory withdrawals. At a 7% growth rate this $100K should grow to $386K over the next 20 years (she is 60 so we have to think about retirement security now and 20 years from now). And assuming a 33% tax rate then, vs. a 15% tax rate on the conversion now, you get a tax savings of $112,000.
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If you want a second opinion on your retirement & investment accounts, give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Summit Wealth has 3 Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), an MBA and a Tax Director (EA) all on staff and in Danville. Visit us at www. summitwealthandretirement. com
Danville seeks Commission volunteers Heritage Resource Commission – 2 regular vacancies, 1 alternate (4-year terms begin 1/1/19) Design Review Board – 2 regular vacancies, 1 alternate (4-year terms begin 1/1/19) Planning Commission – 3 regular vacancies (4-year terms beginning 1/1/19) Contra Costa County Library Commission 1 Danville representative (term 12/21/18 - 6/30/22) Information and applications are available on the Town website at www.danville.ca.gov/ commissionrecruitment or by calling Marie Sunseri, City Clerk at (925)314-3401. Deadline is November 15 at 4:00 p.m. Interviews will be conducted by the Town Council on December 11 and 18
RE-ELECT DANVILLE COUNCILMEMBERS
KAREN STEPPER & ROBERT STORER “Leaders you can count on.”
OUR SHARED GOALS: Fiscal Responsibility Preserve our Small Town Atmosphere & Outstanding Quality of Life North end of Hartz Avenue Improvement Veterans & Seniors Partnerships with Schools Open Space Preservation
Paid for by Storer for Council FPPC#1325812 Paid for by Stepper for Council FPPC#1247916
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to info@valleysentinel.com September 15 V3 Hopfest 7am, 8am, 9:30am, 10:30am. Join in the East Bay’s Premier Bike Ride and Craft Beer Festival at the Veteran’s Victory Velo (V3) for 15, 30, 60 or 100 mile rides in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, San Ramon Valley, Livermore Valley with water and snacks along the way, and healthy, hot food at the finish line. V3 is the ride, Hopfest is the party! Get information and register at www. v3hopfest.com today.
fellows under the supervision of our clinical psychologists. To request this service, please call us at 925-933-0107 and ask to speak with our program director, Margaret Stauffer, LMFT.
September 16 Danville’s Concours d’Elegance supporting Parkinson’s disease research 11am-4pm. Join us on Sunday when the streets of historic downtown Danville will overflow with the sights, sounds and smells of classic, sports performance and exotic automobiles, as well as fine wooden yachts and cruisers, motorcycles and vintage trailers, for the annual Danville Concours d‘Elegance. This gathering is designed to raise funds for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Join us to enjoy the day and help us “Stop Parkinson’s in its Tracks”. Admissions is free, however donations are encouraged to help us raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute in support of Parkinson’s research and patient care.
Alamo Farmer’s Market Every Sunday, Year round 9am-2pm, rain or shine. Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, local honey, live music, delicious varieties of hummus with fresh pita and pita chips. Located in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, at Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd., with convenient parking.
September 18 A Humanistic Observance of Yom Kippur 7-8:30pm. Join Tri-Valley Cultural Jews for a secular, humanistic observance of Yom Kippur. We will be holding a Kol Nidre service on Tues Sept 18, 2018 at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th Street, Livermore CA. This will be a program of readings in English, with discussion and music. Suggested donation $10 for non-member adults. For more information: (925) 485-1049. September 20 10th Annual Sustainability Awards Gala 6-9pm. Sustainable Contra Costa presents Leadership in Sustainability and Green Building Awards at the 10th Annual Awards Gala on September 20. This event celebrates local individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions and commitment to a healthy environment, economy, and society. Guests will enjoy food, wine, and beer from local, sustainable partners along with live music and a silent auction. Dessert and awards presentation follow reception.www.sustainablecoco.org. Pleasant Hill Community Center located at 320 Civic Drive in Pleasant Hill 94523. Tickets $60, (or buy 3 get one free) Students $30. Septmber 23 Annual Sukkot Celebration 10:30am-12:30pm. Please join Tri-Valley Cultural Jews for our annual Sukkot celebration and our first day of Jewish Culture School. We will build a sukkah and enjoy a potluck brunch to celebrate our harvest holiday. There will be activities for children and adults. Please bring a dish to share (we have members with allergies, so please label ingredients), a branch for the roof of the sukkah, and a piece of fruit or gourd to hang. This event will take place at the Pepper Home... 6448 Owl Way in Livermore. To RSVP, please call 650-296-5295. October 4th Preschool Night 7-9pm. The Iron Horse Mother’s Club is excited to partner with ClubSport San Ramon and EastBayPreschools.com to present Preschool Night for parents looking for preschools in the Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, Danville and Alamo area. This event showcases approximately 35 preschools in the Tri-Valley area and allows for families to learn about different programs and curriculums offered at the different schools. We hope you can join us for this event! To be held at ClubSport San Ramon, 350 Bollinger Canyon Lane, in San Ramon. FREE
ONGOING Hope Hospice – Volunteers Wanted Are you interested in becoming a Hope Hospice volunteer? We are currently looking for volunteers in the Alamo, Danville, Walnut Creek, Rossmoor and Concord areas. If you’d like to learn more about the services our volunteers provide, contact Jill Smith, RN, director of Volunteers at jills@hopehospice.com; or Nikki Tildesley, Volunteer manager at nikkit@hopehospice.com, call (925)8298770 or visit HopeHospice.com for more information. Special Services for Children with Cancer and Their Families Cancer Support Community offers short-term counseling (12 to 20 sessions) at no cost to children with cancer and their families. Counseling can be for the family, siblings, and/or kids coping with cancer. Counseling is provided by doctoral interns or post doctoral
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 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. Bishop Ranch 3, 2641 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Class each Saturday 10-11am. 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. Athenian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. Information: 925-838-3213, cci.org/eastbaychapter Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum– open for Fun on the Farm Every Saturday 11am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the farm and its history. 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. Saturday without Reservations at the Tao House Every Saturday 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Come explore this National Historic Site in Danville. Catch the shuttle at the bus stop in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave. www. EugeneOneill.org
SENIORS Danville Seniors Unless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more information call 925-314-3490 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors. Sneaker Trips: The Town of Danville’s Senior Sneakers program is a great way for you to make new friends and get out and around the greater Bay Area. There’s always something new to see and learn. The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) is open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at 8:45am at Osage Park, 816 Brookside Drive, Danville and returns about 1pm. Information: 925-314-3400 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: 10:30am-12pm. Free workshops and informational sessions that will benefit you. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 925-973-3250.
Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesdays from 10am-1pm. Sign up for trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. Information: 925-973-3250. Wednesday Morning Hikes (time and location varies) Join the San Ramon Trailblazers if you are interested in meeting new people, enjoying the outdoors, having fun and getting in shape. To find out the exact meeting location, please call the Senior Center at 925-973-3250 or email trailblazer88@ comcast.net. Page Turners Senior Book Group Third Tuesday of the month 1:30pm. Drop in–all are welcome! Copies of this month’s book are on reserve for you at the Dougherty Station Library Front Desk. Book group meets at Alcosta Senior and Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Information: Carol Yuke, Adult Services Librarian. 925-973-2850.
BUSINESS September 14 Small Business Council (SBC) Resource Workshop 7:30am-9am. The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce the Small Business Council. The goal of the Small Business Council is to be a valuable resource for our community by identifying the needs of local business owners and bringing solutions to you. We meet the second Friday of every month from 7:30-9:00am. From 7:30 – 7:55 Refreshments and Networking. The topical presentation begins sharply at 8am and lasts for 1 hour including Q&A September 20 Business Expo and Mixer at the Bridges Golf Club and Pre-expo Workshop 4-5:30pm Workshop and 5-7:30pm. Mixer and Expo. The Networked Professional: Maximizing your Online Connections: Speaker David Mitroff Fee $10 including free entry into following Expo. Discover local businesses and network with up to 300 people at the San Ramon Business Expo and Mixer, presented by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce taking place at the Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S Gale Ridge Rd, San Ramon. Delicious food and drink provided by local restaurants, wineries and breweries. Business Expo Attendee Price: $20 per person (San Ramon Chamber Member early bird price of $10.00 if purchased before September 13, 2018.) For more information call Kathy Fanning, 925-242-0600. September 21 Tri-Valley Power Lunch with Irish Consul General Robert O’Driscoll 12 Noon Join the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and Danville mayor Newell Arnerich, vice Mayor Robert Storer and Danville Council in welcoming a special guest speaker and New Ross Ireland Councilmembers. Faz Restaurant located at 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Cost is $25 and limited to 50 persons. For information contact arnerich@ danville.ca.gov September 24 Business TradeFaire 2018 5-7pm Join the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and its members with the business community at large for the 2018 Business Tradefaire. Happening at Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar located at 1333 N California Blvd, Walnut Creek, booths will feature business services, products and fabulous food along with the opportunity to network. October 11 After Hours Business Mixer 5:30-7pm. Join the Danville area Chamber of Commerce and the local business community at the September After Hours Business Mixer at The Prickly Pear Cantina located at 3421 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. Refreshments, Networking, and New Faces! Members $5, Non-members, $10. For more information call the Chamber at (925) 837-4400.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Alamo Danville Newcomers Club The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization, whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all our club has to offer by visiting www. alamodanvillenewcomers.com . The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on September 25 from 10:00 AM to Noon. RSVP to – alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.
Please email your calendar events to the Sentinel at Info@valleysentinel.com by 5pm on the 20th of the month preceding publication month. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.
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California Writers Club: Book Marketing and Launch Strategies 11am-2pm. Stephanie Chandler will present “Book Marketing and Launch Strategies: Essential Tactics to Grow Your Audience and Increase Book Sales” at the September 8 meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Sign-in is from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, luncheon 12:00 pm to 12:45, including a short business meeting, and speaker from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. Reservations at https:// cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mtdiablo-meeting. Danville Veteran Service Organizations 8am-11am. Every Saturday at Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley – in Danville – the VSOs jointly host a “Veterans Coffee Social” from 8AM until 11AM… Bring a friend or fellow Veteran and show them the museum - share some social time. Drop In - no reservations – all Veterans welcome… stop for a few minutes - or stay for hours! Please share information about our VMB / SRV Military Museum & Library open daily M-F from 9-3 and it’s free! Tri-Valley Fly Fishers Visitors welcome. Meetings feature speakers who share their knowledge of the sport. Held at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month, September through June at the Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, CA 94551. Information: email Roger Perry at President@ Tri-valleyflyfishers.org Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Advances equity for women and girls. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree Visit daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates. For information contact Marsha at (925) 351-8188 for details. Cancer workshops and support groups-Ongoing Most are free. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Information / reservations call 925-933-0107 or visit www.cancersupportcommunity.net. Fibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If these are familiar to you, call about the San Ramon Valley support group for people who need support, information, classes and friendship from people who know what it’s like. We like to laugh while getting well. Call 925-837-0510. Hope Hospice Grief Support Groups–Ongoing Hope Hospice provides support to help you understand and manage grief in a way that is healthy and appropriate. Our Grief Support Center is available to all community members at minimal or no cost. Information: visit www.HopeHospice. com or call 925-829-8770. Hospice of the East Bay Support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the 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
September 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Community Calendar continued from page 12 RECURRING
Mondays: The Walnut Creek Garden Club 9:45am The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month at The Gardens at Heather Farm in the Camellia Room. The center is just off Ygnacio Valley Road at 1540 Marchbanks Drive. Call 925-947-1678 for directions. The business meeting is at 9:45am, socializing time is at 10am, and the program is at 11am. Contact mslittle44@gmail.com for more information. You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC! Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon 11:15am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends and participate in fun activities. Make $25 luncheon reservations by calling 925-322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.branch116.org. Danville Rotary 12pm. Meets every Monday. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. Information: danvillerotary.org. San Ramon Alzheimer Support Group 7-9pm. Meets the second Monday of each month, except on holidays. Sponsored by the Alzheimer Association. Caregivers of Alzheimer victims can get information on how to help them through this difficult time in life. San Ramon Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3250 Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) We meet every Tuesday at St. Timothy’s Office Building, Grace House, Basement 1550 Diablo Rd. Danville CA Our hours: Weigh in 8:15am, meeting is 9:30 - 10:30am. We are a weight loss club. Information, please call Mary Stoneburner, at (925) 837-1882 Danville am Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Want to improve your speaking and presentation skills? Toastmasters can help! Meets every Tuesday in downtown Danville. www.4143.toastmastersclubs.org Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary 7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Information: dsvrotary.com. Diablo View Toastmasters 8:30-9:30am. Meets every Tuesday. CMG Mortgage, 4th Floor Conference Room, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Information: 4160.toastmastersclubs.org. Divorce Angels 5:30 - 7:30pm Going through a divorce is often a life altering experience, one that can make you feel lost. Divorce Angels is a volunteer organization that can help. We are made up of different professionals within the following industries: Legal, Financial, Real Estate, and Psychology. Our goal is to provide you with practical information so you can confidently move forward in your life. Visit www.divorceangel.com. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Danville Area Chamber (117 Town & Country Drive Suite #E ) for help with the issues you are facing. San Ramon Valley Geneological Society 10am. Meets every third Tuesday at the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. http://srvgensoc.org Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540
Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.org.
ARF Pet Loss Support Group 5:30-7pm. Meets second Tuesday of every month. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5681 or vickis@hospiceeastbay.org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net. Divorced and Separated Workshop 7- 8:30pm. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Contact: Sue at smc9@ sbcglobal.net. 925 -819-1809. Prostate Cancer Group 7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, South Building, West Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107 or www.twc-bayarea.org/communityprograms.html. Wednesdays: Danville Tennis Club (DTC) 6:30-9 PM Wednesday Night DropIn Tennis at San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd., for men and women of 4.0 level or above (and strong 3.5). Also have USTA teams and social events. Join free at https:// groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/danvilletennisclub/info Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 12-1pm The Exchange Club meets every 2nd Wednesday at Noon at Faz Restaurant. Lunch included, $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP coachstepper@yahoo.com, 275-2412. Faz is located at 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville 9526. Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net Sons in Retirement (San Ramon Valley chapter) Monthly Luncheon 10:30am; Social Hour, 11:35am meeting and lunch. Meets the 3rd Wed. of each month. Reservations, please email us at www.info@sir128.com by Friday prior to the luncheon. Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon. Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m at Round Hill Country Club located at 3169 Roundhill Rd, Alamo. Feel free to drop in any Wednesday, and you will be greeted by a club member! The first lunch is on us. 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. Danville Lions Club 6:30pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Information: Truman Howard 925-787-2565 truman.howard@ gmail.com San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month to participate in service activities supporting sons/daughters serving in the military. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org.
Diablo Valley Quilters 7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. No charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com. Veterans of Foreign Wars 7pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Veterans Memorial Hall, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Information: Post Commander Ernie Petagara at 925-362-9806 or vfwpost75.org. Diablo Singles Dance Club 7-10pm. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $8, Guests $12. All welcome. 111N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Danville Toastmasters Club #1785 7:30-9pm. Meets every Wednesday. Room W204 at Diablo Valley College,1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon. Information: danvilletoastmasters1785.com. Thursdays: Danville Alamo Garden Club Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15 am at the Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo.. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@dagc.us or go to our website: www.dagc.us. San Ramon Valley Newcomers 11:30am-2pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. New and long-time adult residents are welcome. Reservations/ information: susansgotbling@sbcglobal.net or www.srvnc.com. Rotary Club of San Ramon 11:45am. Meets every Thursday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonrotary.org. San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club Thursdays at Noon. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. www. kiwanis-srv.org Clutterers Anonymous 7-8pm. Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Room 3, 2 491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-736-8627. Diablo Valley Lions Club 7:30pm. Meets the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month. 1400 Montego Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: diablovalleyca.lionwap.org.
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Fridays: Transitions-“Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am. Our mission is to encourage and support women from empty nest, to aging parents and everything in between. Community Presbyterian Church, Room 116, 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville. Information: Contact Donna Hill at hillmom3@comcast.net Saturdays: Canine Companions for Independence 10-11am. Come join or watch the weekly class for service dog puppies. We are always looking for new volunteers. Our East Bay miracles chapter is a group of volunteers raising puppies to become service dogs. We give our dogs free to prople with disabalities. Class is 10-11am each Saturday, usually at Danville Grange, 743 Diablo Rd. Sometimes there are field trips so check the calendar at www.cci.org/ eastbaychapter for updates. For more information call Sharon at (9250 838-3213. Diablo Region of the Porsche Club of America 7:30-9am. Meets every Saturday. Buttercup Bar and Grill, 660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Information: diablo-pca.org. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group 9am-12pm. Meets every 3rd Saturday. Join us to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. General questions may be directed to Co-Chairs Lance Gershen, (925) 932-1028; or Abraham Raja, (925) 304-2064.Web site: www.pnmd.net
Classifieds HELP WANTED Sales Executive: Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. has an immediate opening for an advertising sales person for the Valley Sentinel. Sales territory includes Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Sales experience helpful. Will train the right person. Must have an outgoing personality and a positive attitude. This is a commission-only position. Local Central Contra Costa residents only need apply. Please email your resume and request for interview to us at drousset@valleysentinel.com.
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
925-820-6047
P.O Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 www.valleysentinel.com
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AUTO March 2009 September 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser 4Wd V8 By David and Judy Colman
Toyo t a d o e s n ’ t m e s s around with the specifications of its Land Cruiser. There’s no stripper version available with an overstressed turbo 4 or a middling V6. No, the vaunted Cruiser comes only one way: fully equipped and powered by a honking, stout, normally aspirated V8. In this application the short bore (3.7”), long stroke (4.02”), 5.7-liter 3URFE engine produces 381hp. More importantly, that undersquare cylinder configuration is designed to maximize torque production (401lb.-ft.) at very low rpm. The V8 is technologically sophisticated as well, breathing through double overhead camshafts which actuate variable timing for both intake and exhaust valves. An 8-speed automatic transmission harnesses the V8’s power flow and feeds its output to all four wheels all the time. A standard Torsen limited slip differential disperses output of the 4WD system. The Torsen is designed to lock up when necessary for maximum traction. Final dispersion of power is managed
by a quartet of beefy Dunlop Grandtrek A23 mud and snow tires (285/50R18) mounted on 18”x8”J alloy rims. If you are interested in a vehicle that will provide maximum traction in any weather on any trail, the Land Cruiser is it. But let’s say you’re not an off- road enthusiast, just a family in search of ultra safe transportation, with a special nod to surviving travel in inclement weather. Here too, the Land Cruiser fits your bill exceptionally well. Let’s start with its proportions, which are ideally suited to the transport of large groups. Wheelbase is a generous 112 inches, height encourages ease of entry at 74 inches, and overall length of 195 inches means you can easily carry 7 adults. In addition to the 2 commander chairs up front, the second row accommodates 3 more, while a pair of ingenious fold up rear side mount chairs add a final 2 to the tally. After spending some seat time in the second row, I guarantee that your back-seat passengers will not lack for either comfort or attention. Leg
room is more than ample, and full-size side windows insure a welcome airiness. Best of all, the air conditioning for the second row is so well designed that you will never have to yell to the driver, “Could you crank up the AC please?” Back seat occupants control their own temperature thanks to a thermostat controlling a pair of console mounted outlets as well as another pair of roofline outlets. The only option fitted to our test Cruiser was a $2,200 Rear Seat Entertainment System which adds a pair of sizeable viewing screens to the back of the front seat headrests. In keeping with the elegant furnishings of the interior, the screens live underneath dust jackets inscribed with “Land Cruiser” identification. Up front, you will enjoy some unusual features that embellish life on the road. Between the substantial leather trimmed, perforated front seats lies a deep storage well Toyota calls a “Center Cooler Box.” This console storage unit is fitted with a refrigeration pad and a switch to activate the
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chill locker. On long journeys, this nifty unit is a real bonus, since it will cool a stacked pair of beverage six packs. On food shopping runs, it will keep your quart of ice cream frozen until you get home. Toyota’s Entune audio system is now standard on the Cruiser, operated by a 9-inch high definition touch screen that is easy to program and highly visible even in bright sunshine. Toyota provides a free 3 month trial subscription to SXM “All Access” radio that will allow you to enjoy the full impact of the Cruiser’s standard 14 speaker ensemble. Loading a bike into the Land Cruiser proved to be surprisingly difficult, however. To start, the rear lift-over height at the tailgate necessitates heaving the bike high in the air. The second problem involves trying to collapse the second-row seats to provide a flat loading floor. Toyota affixes a rather confusing pictograph to the inside of the rear passenger door which seems to indicate that you need to position the second row 60/40 split bench seats against the front seat backs and then secure them with strap ties. The headrest mounted entertainment screens further
complicate the procedure. I gave up and maneuvered the bike into the cabin by simply folding the second-row seat backs flat. If you really need a full length flat loading floor, you’ll have to stow and tie those bench seats out of the way. Stow and Tie doesn’t work nearly as well as Chrysler’s Stow and Go. Driving the Land Cruiser in heavy traffic confers a sense of safety and inviolability to its occupants. There’s a lot of high strength steel here to protect you in the event of an accident or a rollover. The fact that this Toyota weighs nearly 6,000 pounds won’t do much for your fuel mileage (15MPG Overall), but it will do wonders for your security in the event of a serious collision. 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser 4Wd V8 Engine: 5.7-liter DOHC V8 with VVT-i Horsepower: 381hp Torque: 401lb.-ft. Fuel Consumption: 13MPG City/18MPG Highway Price As Tested: $87,180 Hypes: Impervious to the Elements and to Traffic Gripes: Spongy Brake Pedal Feel Star Rating: 10 Stars out of 10
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September 2018
Contra Costa Independent Living Skills Program Building the Future of Foster Youth By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
One of the responsibilities of Contra Costa County is t o h e l p c h i l d re n w h o s e p a re n t s c a n n o t c a re f o r them, by administering the Foster Care program. Youth in foster care often do not experience childhood in the way most children who live with their families do. Some have suffered child abuse and neglect, been removed from their families, and many older youth spend the remainder of their childhood moving from home to home. The foster care system is designed to fund board and care and basic needs, but not necessarily extra-curricular activities such as participating in sports, arts, scouting, or other enrichment activities. Instead of developing positive social skills, some foster youth tend to learn only the survival skills needed to cope with placement changes, rejection from resource (foster) parents, and the grief of not being with their families. Youth who emancipate from foster care are expected to be self-sufficient by the age of twenty-one. This expectation includes having the ability to maintain stable housing, employment, and manage one’s physical and mental health. Rates of homelessness for emancipated foster youth have been found to be as high as 42% and housing moves are generally related to poverty and a lack of stable family relationships. Foster youth also have high rates of incarceration, especially when they have experienced multiple placements and time in the foster care system. Contra Costa County’s Children and Family Services works to strengthen foster youth in our community by providing the Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP), which helps youth aged 16 to 21 years old to become self-sufficient through skill b u i l d i n g . I L S P p rov i d e s activities and supportive services to help encourage positive social development and exposure to typical childhood activities. The ILSP staff is trained in an approach called Positive Youth Development. This approach enables them to engage youth and motivate them to strive to improve their lives and grow into happy and healthy adults.
The Contra Costa County ILSP endeavors to provide resources in collaboration with the foster care system. Much of the work of the ILSP Coordinators and staff is spent cultivating collaborative partnerships with communitybased organizations and other youth serving groups. Their expertise in engaging youth and motivating them to stay in school, graduate, and obtain life sustaining employment is critical. Every California County operates an ILSP, but youth participation is voluntary. During the 2017/2018 fiscal year, 640 current and former foster youth were served by ILSP both individually and in group settings, through either workshops or classes. In Contra Costa County, 112 ILSP youth graduated from High School in 2018 and ten graduated from college. As a result of the Children and Family Services Bureau’s successful approach and accomplishments, the Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program has received recognition t h ro u g h o u t t h e S t a t e o f California and nation for its performance and its youth services. The program continues to emphasize and promote positive youth development to support young people in developing a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and empowerment. ILSP is funded by the federal Title IV-E and state dollars. ILSP has established specialized relationships and collaborations with the following agencies to provide a seamless transition upon emancipation from foster care: • East County Faith Based Resources, offers full kitchen kits to youth moving into their own housing. • Interfaith Coalition, provides gently used furniture to young adults with ILSP moving into their own apartment or house. • Safe Time (Host home to non-minor dependents) • Uplift Family Services, scattered site housing program. • First Place for Youth, scattered housing program. • L u t h e r a n S o c i a l Services, single site transitional housing • EA Family Services, for youth to be referred to this program they must have the highest level of independence.
• Pomona Apartments, 24-month transitional living program • A p p i a n H o u s e , transitional living program for foster youth who have emancipated from the foster care system. • VESTIA (Volunteer & Emergency Team in Action), providing $15,000-$20,000 scholarships for Foster Youth planning to go to college. To learn more about the Independent Living Skills Program please visit www. cocoilsp.org/about. 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 or www.cccounty/district2
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 15
September 11 Community Remembrance
New York 9/11/2001 to the Napa Firestorm made disasters, including On Tuesday September 11 the Exchange Club will present the 9/11 Community Rmemberance Ceremony in Oak Hill Park from 5:30 to 6:30pm. This year the topic will be Disaster Medical Assistance Team Recovery. The event’s Keynote Speaker is Andy Swartzell, RN, BSN, CEMSO, Acting Commander CA-6 DMAT In 2001, Andy Swartzell served several weeks at the New York World Trade Center recovery mission. Andy, a 20-year Cal Star Emergency Tra n s p o r t F l i g h t N u rs e, volunteered more than 25 years with the emergency medical response teams at hurricane and fire sites. As Acting Commander of the Bay Area Disaster Medical Assistance Team, he trains response teams for man-
chemical, biological, radiation, and explosions. Don’t miss this annual 9 / 11 R e m e m b r a n c e Ceremony at the All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park. The event begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony includes 100 Scouts, Sheriff’s Honor G u a r d & B a g p i p e r, S a n Ramon Valley Firefighters, Danville and San Ramon Police, Monte Vista Choirs, and Free Ice Cream! This year’s Essay Competition topic is: How has training for first responders changed since 9-11-2001? Sponsors for the event include SRVFPD, Engeo, PG&E, AT&T, Graham Hitch Memorials, Danville Car Team, Alamo Safeway, and the Town of Danville.
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