Danville Today News July 2016

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Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center: Where the Past Informs the Future By Jody Morgan

Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center (315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill) is tucked into a residential neighborhood developed on land once farmed by the Rodgers family. The ranch house, Pleasant Hill’s oldest extant structure, is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The sloping ground surrounding the building is a vibrant urban farm where classes in the kind of sustainable practices pioneer families em-ployed are taught from the perspective of what will best sustain future generations. Seasonal festivals bring crowds of all ages to savor the experience, while neighbors gather regularly to enjoy connecting.

In 1987, 120 years after the structure was completed, the Pleasant Hill Histori-cal Society succeeded in saving the ranch house from demolition by facilitating the transfer of ownership of the Rodgers’ home, original wheat barn, and 2+ acres to

the Pleasant Hill Park and Recreation District. Loved by many families over the years, the house was in a sorry state of disrepair and the barn was beyond redemption. A non-profi t formed as the Friends of Rodgers Ranch in 1991, and renamed the Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center (RRHC) in 2014 took on the task of restoration. When fundraising permits, salvaged portions of the dismantled barn, supplemented by 19th century wood from an Alhambra Valley barn of similar vintage, will be incorporated in a structure visu-ally identical from the exterior. Modern interior space will include room for workshops.

Current President of RRHC Denise Koroslev noticed some raised beds on the site dur-ing her daily morning walk in 1996. People working on the beds invited her to a meeting. Soon she was immersed in more than just planting herbs. “Physically helping with the restoration,” she writes, “enabled me to see ‘within the walls’ how the house was built. It helped me get a feel for the evolution of the site and all of its occupants over the years.”

In 2008, the renovated farmhouse was ready to welcome visitors as well as to offer meeting space for local organizations. Currently, the Northern California Unit of the Herb Society of America, the Pleasant Hill Historical Society, and the Contra Costa Succulent Garden Club meet regularly in the Rodgers House. Private tours are tailored for each group. “Sometimes it is just a tour, and sometimes it is several hours of hands-on activities such as doing wash in a washtub, churning butter, and playing old fashion games,” Koroslev explains.

July 2016 Serving Danville

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See Chuck continued on page 10

See Ranch continued on page 7

RRCH President Denise Koroslev welcomes visitors to Rodgers Ranch.

San Damiano By Linda Summmmers Pirkle Long commutes, busy schedules, and everyday stresses can take their

toll. There is a local place of respite tucked away at the end of a winding two lane street in the Las Trampas hills above the town of Danville. The Francis-

can Retreat House San Damiano offers retreats for groups and in-dividuals. Just a ten-minute drive from the freeway, the beautiful and natural oasis seems miles away from the everyday world. Even parking your car in the lot can be a delight; often deer can be seen on the hills wandering among the grasses under huge oak and fragrant bay laurel trees.

Up here the world slows down. San Damiano was built in the 1960’s and is home to a handful of friars. The Spanish architecture building looks its age. It is decid-edly non-high-tech. The large statue of St. Francis (patron of animals and nature and founder

of the Franciscan Order of Friars who run the retreat) beacons visitors to the massive arched door entrance. Once inside, visi-tors usually change their outside voices to a softer almost whisper tone. People come to San Damiano for many different reasons, but most seem to fi nd a bit of themselves with their visits. It is a treasure to the many people who return time and time again.

Eighty rooms can be rented for overnight stays. The simplicity of these rooms is also part of their charm. Spartan but comfortable, each room has a single bed (some have queens), desk, light, and bathroom. There is a chapel, library, small meeting rooms, a large dining room, and a Fireside meeting room with banks of windows overlooking the valley below.

Friars from San Damiano from left to right: Father Charles Talley, Father Evan Howard, Brother Michael Minton. Photo by Kathy Ellis Roncarati.

Volunteer ExtrExtraordinaire – Chuck SchneckBy Fran Miller

It is the rare indi-vidual that can claim nearly four decades of volunteerism with a single organization. For 37 years, Chuck Schneck has served San Ramon Valley Little League in a number of capacities: fi eld direc-tor, uniform director, equipment director, and snack shack director. For his outstanding service, Schneck was recently recognized formally by the League for his exemplary dedication with their creation of the inaugural ‘Chuck Schneck Volunteer of the Year’ award.

“Chuck is a jack-of-all trades for the league,” says Scott Tinetti, president of San Ramon Valley Little League. “He maintains our facili-ties (especially at our main fi eld at Los Cerros Middle School), manages

Chuck Schneck at the ball fi eld.

See San Damiano cont. on page 4

www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 2 - July 2016 ~ Danville Today News

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Major Improvements to Begin on Iron Horse TrailThe East Bay Regional Park District is pleased to announce that it will be

performing pavement maintenance and improvements along a 16-mile reach of the Iron Horse Trail between Alamo and Dublin this summer. These improve-ments will be between the Rudgear Staging Area in Alamo and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station. While the work is underway, segments of the trail will be closed at various times between June and August of 2016. The major-ity of the closures are scheduled to take place between June 20 and July 28.

The improvements include resurfacing, the removal and replacement of damaged asphalt, crack sealing, leveling, micro surfacing, slurry sealing, and seal coating.

The work on Contra Costa portions of the trail will be funded by Mea-sure J, and the Alameda County segments will be fi nanced through the Park District’s general fund. Overall, the project will cost $341,000.

Please watch for closure postings, and plan your use of the trail accordingly.

The Park District appreciates your patience and under-standing while these trail improvements are underway. At the conclusion of this project, the trail will be much smoother and more enjoyable to the thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists who depend on the Iron Horse Trail for recreation and exercise, or as a transportation corridor to get to and from work, school, or other important destinations.

For specifi c information regarding trail closures, please con-tact the Contra Costa Trails Park Supervisor at 510-544-3027.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beau-tiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 120,000 acres in 65 parks including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society

San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society will hold a Mini-Seminar on Tuesday, July 19th at 10am by Gena Philibert-Ortega. Gena will hold two free talks: “Her Name was Not Unknown: Finding Female Ancestors” and “That’s New to Me: Unfamiliar Websites for Your Genealogy.”

The talks will be held at the Danville Family History Center, located at 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. For more information, visit www.srvgensoc.org.

Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley

Are you looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. The group has monthly luncheons with in-teresting speakers and good fellowship. July’s guest, local attorney Martin Silverman, will speak on “the Constitution and how it keeps our democracy working by balancing majority rule and individual rights.”

Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, bocce ball, movies, bridge, reading, computers, and much more. Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excur-sions, baseball games and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests.

The next monthly luncheon will be held on Wednesday, July 20th at 11AM at the San Ramon Golf Club, located at 9430 Fircrest Lane in San Ramon. A fee of $23 includes luncheon, guest speaker, and a great opportunity to social-ize with at least 150 other retirees from the San Ramon Valley. To reserve a space, please email by Thursday, July 14th to [email protected].

For more information about this retirement branch and activities, please visit www.SIR128.com.

Treats for the TroopsThank you to CVS in Alamo and Lunardi’s in Danville and all of the fabulous

customers who make it easier for Delta Nu Psi to collect “gourmet junk food” to send to our servicemen and women in Afghanistan. The cumulative dona-tions which have been sent total 1,408 boxes and 34,604 pounds of treats for the troops. Delta Nu Psi will continue sending packages as long as American military members are in the War Zone. Much of the food sent is not normally available to the troops.

On July 1st Delta Nu Psi members will be at CVS in Alamo and on July 8th

at Lunardi’s in Danville. Collection will be held from 11am to 2pm. Money for postage is also always appreciated. Please help Delta Nu Psi

provide our men and women in the War Zone a touch of home.For more information, visit www.deltanupsi.org.

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2016 - Page 3

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Boulevard View By Alisa Corstorphine, EditorWhen I grew up, we walked or rode bikes to school, and afterwards we played hide-n-go-seek and kick the can in the front yard

together. We invented contraptions, neighborhood boys created jumps for their Sting-Ray bicycles, and we all stayed outside just as long as possible before being called inside for dinner. When we got grimy while playing, it was accepted as the way kids are, and it was normal. That’s what the bath was for!

Our neighbors have amazing kids, and we love to hear them outside playing. Their parents have given them a love of all sports, but they have a special love of basketball. We hear them outside shooting hoops and playing around until the very last rays of light are gone and they can no longer see the basket. It’s especially heartwarming to hear their father playing with them, coaching them, and teaching them tricks, or competing with them and watching his playing superiority fade more every day! I think I love watching them so much because they’re out experiencing life instead of huddling inside looking at a screen.

When we held a recent graduation party for our daughter, we made it a point to have several outside lawn games for people to play including cornhole - a beanbag tossing game, Spikeball which is a modifi ed 2v2 volleyball game, a large-size Kerplunk game, a jumbo set of Jenga blocks made with cut 2x4’s instead of little wooden blocks, and another throwing gamed called Ladderball. All of these games got people of all ages moving and interacting together, and they were having fun all afternoon.

When I was a little girl, I remember riding bikes down to the local creek to wade in the water to look for tadpoles and frogs. Wearing a ratty pair of Keds “tennies” we would splash and explore. We got wet and dirty, and we made messes and didn’t care, and neither did our moms, because that was what playing was supposed to be. Kids are always grimy little beasts, and we were just fulfi lling our roles!

I think being willing to get dirty is related to being willing to get involved in anything, no matter what it is nor how old you are. It’s about being willing to endure that messiness of the situation, look past momentary discomforts, and do whatever it takes to meet an objective. The goal can be about having some fun, or it can be

about fi xing a tire, or mowing the lawn, or painting a room, or digging up the yard to plant a garden. But none of those things can happen without the messiness that comes with engaging in the process.

I have made a few trips with kids to the Adventure Playground in Berkeley (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/adventure-playground). This free 37-year-old park is a great place to build, explore, get dirty, and have fun - if you go, don’t wear good clothes, and perhaps bring a change of clothes and a Hefty bag for dirty ones! The free park offers paints, tools, and nails in exchange for a few minutes of “work” tidying up the park. Not only can you build additions on to the park, but you can paint it as well. The last two groups of kids got carried away and painted each other as much as the playground but made memories that will last a lifetime. The picture at left is on the wall in our home “hall of fame.” The kids were covered head to toe in paint and had a day they still fondly recall.

Help your kids be kids this summer. Switch off their devices and push them outside, and let them get dirty and enjoy it. There is an amazing world of imagination and discovery just waiting, and it can’t be found on a screen.

Some tools, some water, and some dirt made for an afternoon of mud-fun.

Berkeley’s Adventure Playground is a great place to spend the day.


See San Damiano continued on page 19

Lost Dog!

Danville Dog is MissingHe has become lost in this paper!

Donald Reid is our winner!

If you fi nd him and your name is drawn!

He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to fi nd him.

To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address, to:

Lost Dog! ~ Danville Today News3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507

$50 REWARD

Town of Danville Calls for ArtistsThe Town of Danville is putting out the call for artists with an eye toward

the natural world to take part in the 6th Annual Juried Exhibition, August 26 – October 15.

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service, the Village Theatre & Art Gallery is planning an exhibition full of imagery de-picting the great outdoors. Show us parks as you see them from your local park to your state and national parks. Entries will be accepted in the mediums of painting, photography, video, and sculpture. For detailed information on submitting artwork, visit www.villagetheatreartgallery.com.

An Opening Reception for the new exhibition is scheduled for Friday, August 26, 5PM to 7PM.

The Village Theatre Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesday through Friday 12PM to 5PM, Saturday 11AM to 3PM, and Monday and Tuesday by ap-pointment only. The Art Gallery is closed on Sundays.

The fi nal deadline for entries is July 22.For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson

Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or [email protected].

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San Damiano has hosted many groups. Recently the International Harp Festival held its annual meeting for 80 harpists from around the world. Classes were held in the chapel and Fireside room, and at times small groups spilled out into the patio for jazz harp jam sessions. One musician brought her harp out to the open air labyrinth and played her lovely music. Sold out concerts have been held for the public in the evenings.

Head Gardener, Keven Repp is responsible for the landscape of the 55-acre property. He is grateful for the many volunteers who come faithfully to help with planting, weeding, pruning, and general clean up. Six young men from the Church of Latter Day Saints arrive twice a month and spend most of the day assisting Kevin with tasks that would not be done without their help.

About a year ago the friars at San Damiano began a program assisting refugees. Today there are fi ve refugees living at San Damiano. Brother Michael Minton, Director recalls, “We had been discerning for a while who the marginalized in our community were and how we could ‘embrace’ them. We have a wonderful place for people to retreat from the craziness of the world, but Franciscans aren’t quite complete without the poor and marginalized around us. Jewish Community Services had an article in the Contra Costa County Interfaith paper looking for host families, so we called and they were extremely grateful for this new partner-ship housing refugees at San Damiano.”

Brother Michael explains, “Each of the men living with us come with different histories and skills. Challenges seem to revolve around learning English, having transportation, fi nding work, and then fi nding affordable housing. Usually when a refugee comes to this country, the resettlement agency is able to help for 90 days. This can leave many refugees in a precarious situation. Our arrangement (hous-ing and assisting refugees) has helped prepare these men to be independent as they leave. For example, one of the refugees prior to moving here had diffi culties fi nding a place to live. After just six months at San Damiano, he has a car and a decent job, is enrolled in school, and has enough money to be moving out to an apartment. That is a major success story for this young man.”

Asked what he has learned since San Damiano has been hosting refugees, Brother Michael explained, “When the fi rst refugee arrived, I thought we were doing a good deed. There was a story that made me realize what we were doing was bigger. One morning one of the young men was out walking with his laptop,

San Damiano continued from front page


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Jazz, Wine & Song!A WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION

Sunday, July 17, 20163:00-5:30 PM

San Damiano Retreat710 Highland Drive, Danville, CA 94526

Bishop’s Vineyard wines will be available for order in the giftshop, works from local artisans will be on display and available

for purchase, and enjoy a mozzarella making session.Cost is $20/person; $10/non-alcoholic beverages.

RSVP at www.sandamiano.org or by calling 925-837-9141 x 315 and receive a 50% off coupon on the Chardonnay!

DANVILLE CALIFORNIAWWW.BISHOPSVINEYARD.ORG

Monday, July 25th, 2016 Diablo Country Club

$199 Individual Golf Package - Scramble Format 12:00pm Shotgun Start

Includes: Green fees & cart, on-course refreshments, contests, SWAG bag, lunch, dinner and awards

For Golfer and Sponsorship Registration, visit http://danvilleareachamber.com/shop/ Further questions, please email: [email protected] or call 925-837-4400

Aloha Golf Classic

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Danville Library Large Book SaleThe Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) will host a Large Book Sale

at the end of July. The library is located at 400 Front St. in Danville. Sales dates are as follows:

• Friday, July 29 FODL Members Preview: 9AM - 10AM

Public Hours: 10AM - 5PM

• Saturday, July 30Public Hours: 10AM - 4PM

• Sunday, July 31 - $5 Bag SalePublic Hours: 12:05PM - 3:45PM

On Friday and Saturday all hardcover books, books on tape, and DVDs will be $2, and all paperback books and CDs sell for $1.

New Art Exhibit and Opening Reception at Blackhawk Gallery

Alamo Danville Artists’ Society will host the opening of Blackhawk Gallery’s new exhibit, ‘Evolution.’ A Gala Reception will be held on Sat-urday, July 16 from 5 to 7PM, with wine and hors d’oeuvre. The exhibit will be on view seven days a week from July 15 to September 18. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The ‘Evolution’ exhibit features ceramics by guest artist Barbara John-son and works by forty-one member artists. Members’ artworks include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and wearable art.

The exhibit is curated by Pete DeFao, Debby Koonce, and Kerima Swain.Blackhawk Gallery is located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Dan-

ville, in the Blackhawk Plaza.Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 10AM - 8PM and Sunday 11AM - 6PM. For more information, call (925)

648-8023, or visit www.Blackhawk-Gallery.org or https://www.facebook.com/AlamoDanvilleArtistsSociety, or e-mail Blackhawk Gallery Direc-tor Kerima Swain at [email protected].

Join Girl Scouts! Attention: Parents of Girls Entering Kindergarten this Fall

If you and your daughter are interested in joining an organization that builds girls of courage, confi dence, and character; strives to make the world

a better place; and does all this while having fun and making new friends, then Girl Scout staff wants to hear from you!

Please email your local Girl Scout staff at [email protected] or call (800) 447-4475 and say:

• I’m interested in helping to start a troop• I’d just like some information• Please invite us to an informational meeting in the fall

Provide the following information:• Parent/caregiver name, email and phone number• Girl’s name, grade entering this fall, school attending


A Summer of Celebrations Planned at Eugene O’Neill National Historic SiteIt promises to be a busy summer and early fall at the Eugene O’Neill National historic Site in Danville as the Eugene O’Neill Foundation moves forward on

a number of events – including the 17th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service as well as the centen-nial of production of the playwright’s fi rst play.

It was in July 1916 that playwright Eugene O’Neill saw his fi rst play performed. Bound East for Cardiff was presented on Lewis Wharf, in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in what was to become the beginning of a long and notable career for the writer. O’Neill went on to win four Pulitzer Prizes for his works and was honored as the only American dramatist to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this fi rst play, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation will present a staged reading of Bound East for Cardiff on Saturday, July 30 at 8PM and Sunday, July-31 at 2PM in the Old Barn at the O’Neill National Historic Site. On Saturday, July 23, Eric Fraisher Hayes (Director of the Bound East performances) will speak on “Bound East for Cardiff, One Hundred Years at Sea.” This talk is scheduled for 10:30am at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Bound East for Cardiff was the fi rst of several “Sea Plays” by O’Neill refl ecting on his experiences as an able-bodied seaman in trips to South America and Europe. Augmenting the performance of the play will be the band Skip Henderson and the Starboard Watch performing sea chanteys appropri-ate to the play’s time and setting.

Tickets for Bound East for Cardiff are on sale at www.eugeneoneill.org. There is limited seating for the performances at the Old Barn performance space at Tao House. Tickets are $30 per person

The 17th Eugene O’Neill Festival gets underway in early September with two award-winning plays offered on the theme of (R)EVOLUTION.

Edward Albee’s award-winning Seascape is planned for production at the Village Theater in Danville, opening September 2, with nine per-formances through September 18. Seascape is presented by Role Players Ensemble and directed by George Maguire.

Eugene O’Neill’s powerful drama The Emperor Jones opens September 23, with six performances through October 2 at the Old Barn at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. Eric Fraisher Hayes directs.

“These two plays represent both an evolution in American drama as well as a revolution,” says Foundation Artistic Program director Eric Fraisher Hayes. “In both plays the central characters fi nd themselves in unexpected situations that challenge their senses and their view of the world about them.”

“O’Neill moved the American theatre beyond objective reality and into the magical and surreal world of psychological perception in order to explore deeper truths about what it is to be human. What O’Neill started with The Emperor Jones, Edward Albee continues in his Pulitzer-Prize winning play, Seascape,” says Hayes. “This evolution started a theatrical revolution.”

The O’Neill Festival will also premiere a new play by Adrienne Pender. Her play, N, was developed during her residency at Tao House last fall as a Travis Bogard Fellow in the Artist-in-Residence program of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation. N tells the story of O’Neill and actor Charles Gilpin who originated the title role in O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones in 1920. N will receive a public workshop performance on Thursday, September 29 in the Old Barn at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site.

Tickets for the three O’Neill Festival programs will be available after August 1.

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation is the not-for-profi t partner with the National Park Service, responsible for educational and community pro-grams and performances at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. Information on the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, as well as updates on the summer of celebration productions, is available at www.eugeneoneill.org.

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Denise notes that scout contributions are most appreciated. “There have been many Eagle Scout projects at the ranch providing many beautiful additions such as wooden benches, display cases, new rock walls, fences, and a pergola. Girl Scouts have helped develop some of the gardens, created signs, and sewn curtains for the house.”

In 2012, Master Gardener Marian Woodard and her husband John Matthesen successfully petitioned the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District for permission to develop an urban farm on the property. Marian writes: “For two years we scraped, borrowed, recycled, and chiseled ~ 3,000 sq ft of beds out of sloping adobe clay. We built green-houses and a tool shed, herb spirals and a keyhole bed, vermicomposting and composting stations.” The result is a vibrant place where best practices in growing delectable edibles in small spaces are taught in learn-by-doing lessons that can easily be translated to local home gardens. Sustainable stewardship of the land is stressed. The unusual, highly nutritious selections of open-pollinated vegetables grown are as alluring in sight and scent as they are tantalizing in taste. (Open-pollinated plants produce seed that will breed true and can be passed along for generations.)

The Urban Farm Meetup group comes regularly on Saturday mornings. During the week, John, assisted by Marian, teaches a popular DVC farm to table class. Artistic arrangements of produce grown at the farm are equally appealing to the palate. Matthesen explains, “None of the produce goes to waste. Everyone who works here eats here. We are working to increase our restaurant sales. The rest goes to the food bank. Anything that can’t be consumed goes to the compost pile.”

What happens in between classes? John says, “You can’t turn the farm on and off. It’s a seven-day a week job.” Beyond the immediate reward of sharing knowledge with enthusiastic students, the project has yielded unexpected benefi ts. “The farm has become a social gathering place,” John proudly relates. “No matter what day or time I arrive to work, I can guarantee someone will come to visit within 15 minutes.” Marian agrees. “We grow community. The by-product is food.”

Each bed is intensively cultivated. Woodard describes the focus. “Everything we grow has to serve a minimum of two functions. Some crops serve up to fi ve. We are as effi cient as possible with our usage of time and space.” Heirloom squashes include Tromboncino, which can grow up to four feet long. Two of the beautiful lettuces high in anti-oxidants are “Merlot” and “Pinot Noir.” Charantais is a favorite among the fragrant miniature melons.

Partnering with Sustainable Contra Costa, Rodgers Ranch hosts a variety of courses. July 12th’s offering, “Be-yond the Shower Bucket,” provides information on recap-turing water at home, highlighting gray water and rainwater catchment systems. On August 9, Denise Koroslev presents “Kitchen Cosmetics.” After taking a class many years ago, she researched harmful chemicals in commercial products and began making her own alternatives. She will share

recipes for easy to make lotions, lip balms, and facial cleansers.

Herb Day on July 10 from 10AM - 4PM features vendors, speakers, and activities such as making your own herbal blends and wreaths. Hot peppers are the “herb of the year.” The Harvest Festival on October 8th from 10AM -4PM is fi lled with fun for the entire family. The Holiday Boutique on December 3rd and 4th offers unique handcrafted gifts.

The history of Rodgers Ranch follows a familiar theme. The gold rush lured many hopefuls to California. Mining didn’t suit everyone. Born in Ireland in 1830, Patrick Rodgers moved with his family to Philadelphia in 1840. He traveled to California in 1855 and met his wife Mary Ann, also from Philadelphia. With three children in tow, they turned their backs on mining and moved to Contra Costa County in 1868 to try their luck at growing wheat: California’s living crop of gold.

Built by Dr. Hiram Smith in 1867, the house was only a year old when the Rodgers moved in. Following their 4th child’s birth in 1870, they expanded the tiny two-story structure. Eventually a kitchen was added. After Patrick’s death in 1891, the 149-acre property was divided among their four offspring. The house, wheat barn, and 34 acres went to James Rodgers and his wife who were already fi rmly established in Martinez. In 1915, they sold the property to Rollo Hough, a partner in the Luther Burbank

Company. Hough intended to use the site for a demonstration farm, but investors failed to provide fi nancial support.

The next owners, John and Maria Calleri, grew grapes, pears and almonds. In 1937, Alice and Earle Hobart bought the farm. Alice began writing when the couple lived in China. Her novel inspired by their experiences, Oil for the Lamps of China, was made into a movie, as was another she wrote at Rodgers Ranch set in Napa. Originally titled The Cup and the Sword, the fi lm version, This Earth Is Mine, starred Rock Hudson, Jean Simmons, Dorothy McGuire, and Claude Raines. Bought as a summer home by Dr. Kaho Daily and his wife Helen in 1942, the farm continued to produce almonds until 1978.

In preserving the past to inform the future, RRHC demonstrates daily that sustainable practices the Rodgers family employed from necessity not only enrich our contemporary lives, but also ensure the well being of our descendants. To fi nd class schedules, more about festivals and visiting the ranch, and how to get involved, go to www.rodgersranch.org, call (925) 937-3677, or email [email protected].

Danville Today News ~ July 2016 - Page 7

Ranch continued from front page

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7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

Danville - A new report has just been released

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As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7

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The restored interior of the Rodgers house is open Thursdays 9-1 and by appointment for private tours.


Meals on WheelsSeniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and

Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighbor-hood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.

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Stone Valley Middle SchoolBy Jon Campopiano, Principal

Thank you for your ongoing support of Stone Valley during the 2015-2016 school year. It has been an absolute honor to complete my fi rst year as a Principal, and I want to express my gratitude to the staff, students, and parents who have worked together to create a collaborative, creative, empathetic and fun campus culture. Thank you to Monte Vista High School for hosting our 8th grade promotion which

celebrated the amazing accomplishments of our students. Our three student speakers; Holden Neach, Steven Monolakis, and Emma Cochrane; perfectly described the joys and successes of the year, the challenges we overcame, and the excitement that the future holds. San Ramon Valley School Board President Greg Marvel and Assistant Superintendent Scott Anderson joined us on stage to award certifi cates of promotion and were effusive in their praise of how respectful, kind, and engaging our 8th grade class was. In February, we said goodbye to our original buildings, and we say goodbye to three outstand-ing educators; Wendy Paulson, Kathleen Griffi n, and Karen Jacobs; as they enter retirement. We wish them the very best in the next chapter of their lives.

As we look towards the 2016-2017 school year, we are excited to introduce three new elective courses that we know will provide multiple learning op-portunities for our students. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determina-tion) is an elective course that places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization, and reading skills. Additionally, we will be adding a 6th grade Study Skills wheel class that will prepare and equip our students with the tools necessary to be successful at Stone Valley, high school, and college. Finally, we are excited to add a Forensics Sci-ence class which puts an emphasis on understanding scientifi c theory and investigation skills such as hair analysis, DNA fi ngerprinting, and the use of biotechnology equipment.

If you fi nd yourself with some time to ready, I highly recommend the fol-lowing books, which place a special emphasis on building grit and growth

mindsets for our students. I have read each of these and found them very powerful and helpful in raising my three children and guiding our student body and staff.

• Mindset, by Carol Dweck. The power of mindset can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.

• How Children Succeed, by Paul Tough. The book describes how quali-ties that matter most for success have to do with character: perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control.

• Building Resilience in Children and Teens, by Kenneth Ginsburg. The book describes the seven Crucial C’s- competence, confi dence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control- needed to bounce back from challenges and manage stress.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to follow our construction project, please take a look at the building plans and follow the progress at www.buildsrvschools.org. Have a wonderful and restful summer, and we look forward to seeing you next school year!

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Monte Vista High SchoolBy Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

Coming to campus the week after graduation is always an interesting experience. Hallways that were full of students are now empty, and the excitement of upcoming summer vacation is replaced by the many tasks a high school principal needs to accomplish before really closing school down for the summer.

On June 10th, Monte Vista was blessed with a wonderful commencement ceremony. The weather

was sunny, breezy, and a perfect 75 degrees; and our 2016 graduates truly represented everything that is great about Monte Vista one last time. Among the many lanyards and awards that adorned their graduation regalia, Monte Vista’s graduates were also wearing green and gold ribbons in support of SRVHS graduate Jake Javier who was injured in a swimming pool accident the afternoon before graduation. In her speech to the crowd of roughly 5,000 in attendance, Senior Class President Lily Sauer noted that despite our rivalry with San Ramon Valley, Danville is one community and we need to support each other through the best and worst of times. This message was echoed throughout the ceremony with graduation speeches from Ryan Olson and Audrey Butler, who encouraged the members of the Class of 2016 to make the most of every day and to make a positive impact throughout their lives. I cannot say enough about this graduating class and how proud I am of the people they have become. We sent an outstanding group of young adults out into the world this June.

We received more good news this past week about Monte Vista’s Junior Class and their performance on the state CAASPP assessments. To start, our participation rates rose from 55% in 2015 to nearly 99% in 2016. This huge improvement is an essential factor for meeting state and federal accountability requirements. However, the Class of 2017 did far more than just participate. Our performance in English Language Arts improved from 78% college ready to 92%, and our performance in Math improved from 63% college ready to 77%. These are all signifi cant gains in our students’ achievement,

and our student and faculty deserve a ton of affi rmation for their hard work. Despite the empty hallways, there are always things going on at Monte

Vista. Our Speech and Debate team returned from Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah with two new pieces of hardware for the trophy case. Our team earned “School of Excellence” accolades in both Speech AND Debate. Hats off to our advisor Dave Matley and his students for another fantastic year. We also have a seemingly endless schedule of sports and camps going on around campus for the duration of the summer. It is great to see Monte Vista being such a positive place year-round for our students and the community.

Monte Vista’s 2015-16 school year has truly been an amazing year, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. I would like to thank Monte Vista’s students, faculty, parents, and community for making this past school year very special and for setting the stage for another great run next year. It will be nice to step away for a few weeks and clear our heads. I am sure that we will all have even greater focus when we return in August. Make it a safe and enjoyable summer.

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Sustainable Tip of the MonthBy Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable

Danville AreaWhen asked to defi ne sustainability, I often say that

it is acting in a way to protect our natural resources for future generations. As I write this, I’m days away from welcoming the future generation of my fam-ily - my fi rst grandson. This child will be welcomed into the world in a birthing pool by his parents and a doula, hopefully on his due date, Father’s day…what a present for his fi rst time dad!

I thought I could not be more thrilled when my son shared the upcoming baby news on Thanksgiving Day, but then I got the baby shower invitation. Just above the RSVP line it said, “The parents have decided to use cloth diapers.” It was music to my ears.

With the average baby using 6,000 diapers before potty training, choosing cloth diapers helps eliminate some of the 49 million disposable diapers sent to the landfi ll each year. The diapers then sit in the landfi ll for 200-500 years before decomposing.

Cloth diapers have come a long way since those made of white rectangular fabric that required a degree to fold properly and safety pins, which were sure to prick your fi ngers, to hold the diaper in place. Now, there are cloth diaper options that are fl uffy, soft, and as absorbent as disposables and fi tted with snaps or Velcro and elastic legs for extra protection. Some even offer waterproof lining to prevent leaks or pockets that can be stuffed as thick as your baby needs. Because these diapers are easily adjusted, they can be washed and used until the child is potty trained. While using a diaper laundry service saves a percentage of water usage, home-washing is the economical choice. But both options reduce the ecological footprint over disposables by more than fi fty percent.

It only seems logical that if one chooses cloth diapers, then you should consider eliminating baby wipes as well. If the average child goes through 6,000 diapers, then at two wipes per change, I figure at least 12,000 wipes are used. Instead of disposable wipes you can use the following mixture and create your own. Place cloth wipes in a wipes holder or freezer bag. Cloth Wipes “Recipe”

3 cups warm water 2 tablespoons olive oil3 drops of lavender essential oil 2 drops tea tree oil2 tablespoons organic baby washCombine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Soak baby washcloths or other

soft cloth and place in wipes holder. Do not wring out completely. The wipes holder will keep wipes moist until ready for use.

Reviewing my grandson’s (I like saying that) baby gift registry, I see that the green choices don’t stop at diapers and wipes. Here are a few other ways the parents are choosing to raise a healthy, green baby:

1. Pumps and glass bottles – Breast milk is the most ecologically sound food source since it is produced and delivered without using other resources. While artifi cial baby milk is a necessity for some, it uses resources and creates pollution like all other processed foods.

2. Glass containers – Preventing chemical exposure from plastics is a good enough reason to eliminate plastic use. If you can’t eliminate all plastic containers, then avoid warming food in them, and always hand-wash them to minimize heat leaching the chemicals from the container. It’s also important to use less canned food since the resin-based lining of these cans often contains the harmful chemical bisphenol (BPA).

3. Filtered water pitcher – Instead of buying purifi ed bottled water, reduce plastic waste with an in-home water fi ltration system or a simple counter-top unit.

4. Baby food steamer and blender – Make your own baby food from seasonal, organic fruits and veggies ensuring your little one’s food is richer in nutrients and without pesticides. Buying bulk in season lowers costs, and you can use fl ash freezing to save portion-sized for later use. If you can’t buy all organic, check the Environmental Work-ing Groups (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” list to fi nd the safest bets for you and your family.

5. Gently-used clothing and toys – With friends ahead of my son raising green babies, may son and his wife will be the lucky recipients of well-loved items that are locally-made, including organic cotton clothing and wooden toys. We’ve already covered the importance of limiting plastic exposure, but given how quickly babies grow, utilizing used clothing is not only economical— it reduces the carbon load of producing items that are used for only a month or two.

6. Natural bath care products – Good Guide (www.goodguide.com) was started by a dad worried about the ingredients in sunscreen he was using on his young child. Now you can check the ratings for shampoos and body lotion before using it on your baby. Another way to save your baby’s gentle skin and save water is to skip a few of those daily baths and sponge bath just his bottom.

The most touching of all the requested items was for friends and family to con-tribute to the library for the new baby. I loved passing along my son’s copy of The Wild Things, one of his favorite books. The complete set of A.A. Milne’s classic based on the adventures of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh will have to wait until the baby visits Nonna’s house.

uniforms for spring, summer, and fall seasons as well as for All-Stars, and he is also our unoffi cial league historian, having served the league for so long. Chuck helps keep the league running smoothly, undertaking whatever tasks necessary in order to do so.”

Schneck moved from Laguna Beach to Danville in 1979 in order to watch his niece and nephew grow up – and to follow their sporting endeavors. Schneck never missed a match or a game. Carrie Koeper played soccer, and her brother Chris was a baseball player, and while both grew up and moved away (Carrie attended the University of Massachusetts on a soccer scholarship and Chris played baseball at Saint Mary’s College) Schneck decided to stay.

In his years with San Ramon Valley Little League, he’s dragged the fi elds, made Costco runs for more snacks and soda, and distributed new uniforms and caps to eager players – his favorite of all his various Little League jobs. For a few years in the 1980’s, it was a family affair, with Schneck’s sister Frankie also serving on the board, and her husband Ralph coaching.

When not at the Little League fi elds, Schneck serves as a crossing guard for Quail Run Elementary School in San Ramon where he works mornings and afternoons. “I like to keep busy doing things,” says the 69 year-old Schneck, who expects to put in another three or more years with the League. “I love watching the young kids grow up, and to see what paths they take, and then to see them become fathers themselves. It’s been an honor to be part of their lives.”

Schneck has also been inspired by his fellow volunteers. “I’ve received great enjoyment working with some talented men,” says Schneck, who tips his hat in particular to the League presidents – those who must handle dif-fi cult situations with aplomb.

Though he now calls Dublin home, Schneck estimates that he still attends about 98% of the San Ramon Valley Little League games. “I’ve gotten so much out of doing this through the years,” he says. “It’s a lot of work, but when you donate time to something you believe in, it’s not work – it’s fun.”


How Contra Costa County is Working to Eradicate HomelessnessBy Supervisor Candace Andersen,

My offi ce recently received inquiries about a small homeless encampment that had developed in Alamo under a bridge near Stone Valley Road. When we receive such a call, Law Enforcement, the County’s Homeless Program, and our Public Works Department look at the safety of both the community and the homeless individuals.

In this instance, contact was made by one of our Alamo Sheriff Deputies with those who were living there, services were offered, and all but one decided to leave. Ultimately, after helping the remaining individual remove his personal belongings, the Deputy and staff from our Public Works Department cleaned up the area under the bridge. The man who hadn’t wanted to leave was previously associated with the Alamo community, and someone from Alamo came to pick him up.

There are a myriad reasons why a person becomes homeless, including a lack of affordable housing, loss of a job, domestic violence, divorce, sickness, mental illness, and substance abuse. Often times people will return to the community where they were raised, where they still have family and friends, and where they feel safe. Although not always seen, there are generally homeless living in every community in Contra Costa, including Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley cities.

Contra Costa County takes the issue of homelessness very seriously. Our Home-less Program’s mission is to ensure an integrated system of care, from prevention through intervention, for homeless individuals and families within our community. We strive to accomplish this through the development of policies and practices, community involvement, advocacy, and the coordination of services that respect human dignity, strengthen partnerships, and maximize resources. To learn more about the County’s program, go to cchealth.org/homeless/.

Each January, Contra Costa County conducts a comprehensive point-in time count of families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to learn about homeless individuals and households across the country. The results help government and non-profi t agencies better understand needs and allocate resources to serve those affected.

The PIT Count tallies information about people sleeping in emergency shelters and transitional housing as well as people sleeping in cars, in abandoned properties, or in other places not meant for human habitation. It provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness and includes data about families, youth, chronically homeless, and veterans, as well as demographic data about gender, ethnicity, and race.

As of January 27, 2016, there were 3,500 individuals identifi ed as homeless or at risk of homelessness in Contra Costa County through the PIT Count. Slightly less than half (1,730) of these individuals were literally homeless and 1,770 were at risk of homelessness. Among the literally homeless, there were 620 people in shelters and another 1,110 sleeping on the streets. Youth under the age of 18 made up 11% of the homeless population, and two-thirds of those youth were residing in shelters the night of the count. Two-thirds of the population is male.

Of the 3,500 homeless or imminently at-risk individuals, approximately 34% have been identifi ed as having mental health issues, and 27% have substance abuse issues. The County offers a variety of mental health services for those needing assistance.

Overall, there has been a 28% decrease in the number of people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 2011, and a 26% decrease in literally homeless. Additionally, over the past fi ve years there has been a decrease in the number of unsheltered individuals identifi ed through the point-in-time count. Since 2011 there has been a 28% decrease in the number of people sleeping outside across the county. Central County has experienced 70% fewer people sleeping outside, and West County had 60% fewer since 2011. East County, though, has had a 30% increase.

One of the ways the County is bringing the community together to eradicate homelessness is through the Contra Costa Continuum of Care (CoC). It is a local planning body that organizes and delivers housing and support services for home-less individuals across the county. The CoC is comprised of service providers, members of the faith community, businesses, funders, education systems, as well as law enforcement, all working in partnership with consumers to fi nd stable housing.

The CoC is overseen by our Contra Costa Council on Homelessness, which is appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Council meets monthly on the fi rst Thursday of the month from 2-3:30PM. More information about both the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness and the Continuum of Care can be found at cchealth.org/homeless/council.

What can you do to help eradicate homelessness? Volunteer! One Alamo

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neighborhood does something as simple as getting together once a month to pre-pare and serve a meal to those living in the County’s Adult shelter. For volunteer opportunities at our youth shelters, email [email protected]. For volunteer opportunities at our adult shelters, email [email protected], and if you are interested in sitting on the Continuum of Care advisory board, please email [email protected].

There are also many non-profi ts in our community that could use your volunteer efforts and fi nancial support in helping to fi ght homelessness. Some of our County partners include Anka Behavioral Health, GRIP, Contra Costa Interfaith Hous-ing, Rubicon, Shelter, Inc., STAND!, Trinity Center, and Winter Nights Shelter.

Finally, if someone you know is homeless and needs services, please call 211 or Contra Costa County’s 24-hour homeless hotline (800-808-6444) to gain ac-cess to vital services.

My offi ce is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafay-ette, 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 [email protected] or (925) 957-8860.

Scottish Country Dancing Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round. No partner is

required and no Scottish ancestry is needed. This dancing is aerobic and very sociable. Adult beginners are welcome anytime. Classes take place each week at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM in a separate class. All classes are held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Road in Danville. All dance nights are drop-in. The fi rst beginner lesson is free; afterwards the cost is $8/night or $6/night if attending a 10-week session paid in advance.

Call Witsie at (925) 676-3637 or Kathleen at (925) 934-6148 for more information. Classes for youth are also offered at a different location; please call Kathleen for dates and fees.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 12 - July 2016 ~ Danville Today Newsto my darling room in the Stow Lodge Hotel.

Next up was a “Day at the Races.” The Prescott Uphill Speed Climb features a twisting track that snakes up among the hills and trees and meadows of the countryside, testing various classes of racers, from nearly hundred-year-old vintage racing cars to three-wheeled Morgans, from Formula Ones to Bugattis of every era including two Bugatti Veyrons. Hairpin turns, squealing tires, racing goggles and some very rare sunshine made for a glorious afternoon, living the local life.

I ended my visit to the Cotswolds in Bourton-on-the-Water, called the “Little Venice of England” as the River Windrush meanders through town. Rain chased the tourists away, and it was just the ducks and I left to explore this historic village of honey-colored stone cottages and sweet shops draped in wisteria in full bloom.

After fi ve days of wandering through the emerald English countryside blissfully unaware of any news of the world, I fl ew to Paris. I woke up for an early walk by the Seine…which was fl ooded! The barges and houseboats that normally ply the waters were tethered, and the museums along the banks were closed as workers frantically dragged treasures up from the base-ments to safety from the rising waters.

Still, Paris is Paris…Each evening the Eiffel Tower lights up, whether it be a clear night or a cloudy one. And as the bells of the cathedral nearby chime the hour, the Eiffel Tower’s lights jump to life in a sparkling frenzy, drawing oohs and aahs from the world’s visitors. No matter how many times I’ve been to Paris, I never tire of the twinkling Eiffel Tower. And no matter what sorrows befall this city, I will always return. I will return to its lively neighborhoods to explore, the aroma of Nutella crepes wafting around a corner, art along the banks, pyramids of pastel macarons beckoning, and espresso out on the sidewalk for some of the best people watching in the world. Paris holds a mythical place in the hearts of many of the world’s adventurers. Go…keep traveling!

Lisa Kallen is a Travel Consultant with Alamo World Travel, specializing in tours, cruises and customized vacations to Europe, the Americas, South Pacifi c and Asia. Visiting family in La Bella Italia is a favorite vacation along with “soft adventures” just about anywhere in the world. You can reach her at 925-837-8742 ext. 18 or [email protected]. Advertorial

From Emerald Fields to the City of LightsBy Lisa Kallen, Alamo World Travel

Have you ever watched a movie and fallen in love with where it was fi lmed? Suddenly you’ve got one more place to add to your bucket list. If you’ve ever read The

Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, the place you’ll want to visit is New Zealand. For me, thanks to Downton Abbey and Jane Austen’s novels, it’s England’s Cotswolds--a land of rolling green hills parceled off into neat meadows bounded by blossoming hedgerows, fi lled with centuries-old trees, and crowned on each hilltop with a small honey-stone village to explore.

Britain has designated the Cotswolds as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” and maintains walking paths crisscrossing the emerald countryside so that tourists and locals alike can revive themselves among the lush fi elds and farms.

I had printed out a few of the routes along the Northern Cotswolds’ Gloucester Way: “Walk uphill through Nether Swell Manor Farm and cross three fi elds, then follow the hedge to the kissing gate on the edge of a strip of trees. Bear right through these trees to the next gate on the edge of the wood. Leaving the wood, bear slightly left to a meadow towards the left-hand edge of the gap between the trees on the skyline.” Come on! How wildly romantic is that?

After reading the directions, I was giddy to start my adventure. Setting out from my base in Stow-on-the-Wold, I walked along footpaths and bridleways, beside streams and past mills, crossing fi elds of fl owers, passing black-faced sheep in one meadow, and walking among a herd of woolly goats in another. Compared to the sere golden hills of our East Bay, this land had me watching for Mr. Darcy to ride up on horseback around every shady green turn.

Waist-high in Queen Anne’s Lace on a path that cut through a pasture, I came to a kissing gate leading to another open fi eld…and there was a stand of cows block-ing my path to the next gate on the other side of the fi eld. At fi rst they stood their ground and I thought to turn back, but these gentle souls were so curious that they slowly clomped over to investigate me, and then they stepped aside to let me pass.

By the time I had reached Lower Slaughter after about two hours of walking, I was ready for a cold Peroni by the River Windrush to rest up for the hike back

Hidden Art Studios in Alameda By Linda Summers PirkleThere is something special about visiting the studios where artists create their works. Les Col-

letes, located above the town Cagnes-sur Mer in the French Riviera-Cote d’Azur, was the home and studio of impressionist painter Pierre August Renoir. The beautiful home with tile roof and bright rooms is a treasure. My husband and I were fortunate to go in the spring when the weather was a perfect 75 degrees and fl owers were in bloom. It’s a steep trek to Les Colletes but well worth it to see the sunlit room where the artist worked for the last 19 years of his life, the wheelchair he used as he painted his masterpieces, and a collection of his works. We walked among the ancient olive tree grove on the grounds where we enjoyed spectacular views of the sea. One element that makes this place so special is that Renoir’s home and studio are under-the-radar for tourists.

Two under-the-radar studios nearer to home, located in Alameda, are Wanda Fudge Studio (also known as Goose Cottage), the quintessential small home that serves as a meeting place for a group of vibrant and talented artists; and Di Ste-fano Studio, where Joan Di Stefano paints, teaches Sacred Arts workshops, and creates and restores beautiful stained glass windows.

Artist Joan Di Stefano is an expert in the world of stained glass. She has exhibited her work in Venice, Brescia and Bologna, Italy as well as having installations of her glass and mosaics in Paris and Brux, France. On a trip to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (Cistercian Monastery where Thomas Merton lived), she discovered 125-year-old stained glass panels made in Germany that had been taken out of the Abbey chapel. The huge pieces of glass were stored in a barn, untouched and forgotten for years. She ended up repairing some of the works of art by shuttling back and forth from California to Kentucky. In the end, the decision was made to have Joan take the glass. Joan is in the process of restoring the historic and beautiful panels in her workshop in Alameda which is open the public the fi rst Sunday of the month from 1PM-6PM or by appointment.

Another local treasure is Wanda Fudge and Friends, a group of talented artists and friends who meet regularly at Wanda’s studio in Alameda. Before the “small home” phenomenon that is so popular now, Wanda Fudge, artist and costume designer in Hollywood and businesswoman (she has owned 16 retail stores throughout the years), moved into a small cottage that was built in 1880. This adorable, art fi lled home (it’s approximately 600 square feet) is a delight to the senses with its brightly painted walls, unique photos, and little touches such as tiny children’s chairs mounted on the walls. As with many artists, Wanda Fudge knows where to place just the right object at just the right angle. Behind the gorgeous little home, a tiny backyard is also a delight. Lush green succulents hang from brilliant red window boxes, and lace covered windows add to the beauty of this home.

Wanda Fudge studio recently held an open house with her friends: Bonnie Hoover, whimsical art doll artist; Peggy Anstrand, vintage button collector and jewelry maker; Rosie Dennis, art and jewelry maker; Suzanne Duran, mosaic artist; Donna Perry, doll artist as well as jewelry and card maker; Zanaib Nia Green, known for her knitted, crocheted and African art crafts; Kelly Mead, fi gurative artist with scarves made by silk screening or air-brushing; and Vicki Bliss Newcomer, sculptor who makes beautiful wedding cake toppers and garden art.

A list of Wanda Fudge and Friends events are found on their blog which can be reached by going to Google and entering “wanda fudge and friends.” Di Stefano Studio is located at 113 Ballena Blvd. in Alameda. Reach Joan at (510) 465-9031, [email protected], or visit distefanostudio.com. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired

by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email [email protected].

Entry way to “Goose Cottage,” or the Wanda Fudge studio located in Alameda.



Technology MattersBy Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

Since its inception in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web has become synonymous with everyday life for those of us in the technology indus-try. We rely on the web for both work and pleasure, and countless companies and entire industries have been invented based upon its existence. The web has helped shine a bright light into the darkest corners of the world, helped oppressed peoples have a voice,

and indeed, it has helped topple entire governments. The web is powerful, ubiquitous, and here to stay. And, that is just the part you can see.

The internet is similar to an iceberg, and without considerable effort, you can only see the part above the waves, the parts of it that are published for commercial “B to B” or “B to C” use. What you don’t see is the seedy under-belly called the “Dark Web,” where criminals use the web to conceal illicit transactions from authorities and other prying eyes. This is the topic of today’s article, because I just had a brush with the Dark Web I wanted to tell you about.

Passwords are a required part of our computing experience. Until biometric readers become more reliable, we’re going to be typing in long passwords to keep our accounts secure. Let’s say that you’ve been paying close attention to my column and changed each of your passwords to be at least 12 characters long, using characters from each of the four sets (a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and punctuation/special characters.) You’re done and your accounts are safe...right? Unfortu-nately not. Password security is not an event; it’s a process.

If you shop online like me, you probably create an online account to avoid reentering personal information every time you check out. That means you are trusting someone to store that information on their server. But what if they actually aren’t storing it securely enough? What if the client info and account passwords aren’t encrypted? That’s what hackers always hope for, because it makes the server a juicy target. Just like credit card numbers, account passwords are valuable. Why? Because, if someone steals a list of known good passwords, they can be sold on the Dark Web, and the list of passwords becomes a com-

modity that all criminals may now purchase. Next time, instead of trying to guess a password to get into a website, they can turn to that list of known good passwords and run through that fi rst. This almost guarantees they’ll get into the site they’re targeting.

I brushed up against this situation last week, as my Uber account was hacked by someone in the Dominican Republic who accessed my account using my very unusual password, then took $150 of rides around the island nation before my credit card company stopped their shenanigans. Based upon the particulars of this event, I know there is absolutely no way they could have gotten into my account except by using my legitimate password which had been compromised somewhere, and which is now a part of the Global Password Library. As such, that password has been retired, and I am changing it everywhere it was used so I don’t get hacked again.

The Global Password Library is not actually one list, but a series of lists that keeps growing and changing as it is updated and refreshed by recent hacks into new servers. It’s defi nitely the Who’s Who list you don’t want to be on.

How to avoid this problem? You cannot control whether someone’s server is hacked, but you can make it unprofi table for them to have your info. Here’s how.

1) Always use good strong passwords as I have detailed above. 2) Use unique passwords for each and every site you visit. Try using the

Apps “1Password” or “MSecure” to manage your passwords and generate a new one for each new site. Managing a plethora of site passwords quickly becomes unmanageable without an app.

3) Change your passwords more often. I know it’s a pain, but it is important and effective. And, when a website or your IT department asks for a password change, be cooperative, because this is the problem they are trying to combat with your help.

4) If “Two-Factor Password Authentication” is available through any service you use, use it. It helps.

The consequences for mistakes are becoming increasingly more severe and there is more going on in technology than any normal person or business can possibly track without professional help. That’s why it helps to have your own IT department, and why we’re always available at [email protected], or 925-552-7953. Advertorial


Energy MattersBy Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar

Unfortunately, the subject matter of my articles doesn’t appear out of thin air. This month, while con-sidering ideas, I tapped into the most available resources present at the moment: my two teenage children. My daughter’s response was immediate and specifi c: “Talk about the basics; you’re always talking about science stuff.” (She’s a much more creative writer than I by the way). My son’s response was a more typical teenage one: “Tell ‘em about solar” (as he barely looked up

from his iPhone). Kids on summer vacation prefer to avoid topics that remind them too much of school and the bygone days of having eight weeks free from all responsibility! Thanks to their contributions, I’ll discuss two of my favorite topics, business and solar.

Oftentimes I’m solicited for business advice. I may not be the best person to provide this advice, but I’m always happy to share the business principles which have worked for GoSimpleSolar. The most simplistic tenant to follow, which I learned from my time spent as a U.S. Marine Corps Offi cer, is to take “owner-ship” of your responsibilities. Expect “ownership” from those in your charge in return. The Marine Corps serves our nation, but individual Marines serve each other in order to complete the Marine Corps mission. Hence, Marines are each other’s “customers.” My customers on the ground (the infantry) rightfully had a defi ned expectation of quality and accuracy of delivery of ordnance when supported by my AH-1W Cobra gunship squadron. The infantry defi ned a need, and we fulfi lled it. Military metaphors are often overused in business, but they actually can have useful meaning as long as one differentiates between the life and death aspects of the two. “On time, On target” was the gold standard for munitions delivery; loosely interpreted, it’s also a great goal to achieve when delivering goods and services in the world of business. In the military, as in business, a customer should have a high degree of confi dence that the service provider will deliver a product with precision and reliability when the time and place (and details) are well defi ned.

Business 101: Business should never be considered fleeting; a business should be modeled to be able to remain in business in order to serve its customers for the long term. With this in mind, I provide the following advice for consumers and businesspersons alike.

A good “Business Model” identifi es a market need, typically, a problem that needs to be solved. In the solar business, the identifi ed problem is obvious; home-owners and business owners have no choice in their electricity provider. High cost “rental” of their electricity is the only option they previously had before solar PV.

Targeting and marketing to the proper demographic who desire resolution to the identifi ed problem is critical. In the contracting industry, there are con-sumers who rightfully expect (yet unfortunately are oftentimes short-changed) reliability in product and workmanship, excellent communication, strong product and workmanship warranties, and fi rm pricing. If you are buying or selling a service, a savvy consumer will consider a service providers differentiated offer-ings while also considering price. Products matter. The people who interact and perform the work matter. Trying to sell a service as a commodity has historically proven to be a short-term success story, with negative ramifi cations to the consumer. Plan on supporting your customer for the long-tem.

Summary items critical to long-term success: Find like-minded people to help execute your business plan. Technology, for technology sake, is always a bad idea. A simple and precise business plan that couples your unique offerings with your selected customer base will serve your customers and your business best for the long-term. You will make mistakes; it’s how you recover from those mistakes (make them right) that will leave a very positive impression on your customers.

Independence Day in the Bay Area: The Danville 4th of July parade is reportedly the largest Independence Day parade in the Bay Area. If you have yet to see it, this parade is an amazing spectacle. Granted, there is always going to be some commercialization of any holiday, but this parade does a great job of featuring local Veteran’s Groups, charities, community service groups, and businesses who “get with the theme” and create parade entries or “fl oats” that celebrate our nation’s Independence. We’ll be participating with our retired Army combat veteran 5-ton truck, “Bio-Fuel Bertha.” We’re also again sponsoring the “NorCal Beech Boys” fl ying team who will pay respects to our great nation’s Independence and our Veterans with multiple fl y-overs. We hope to see you there!

Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For more information visit www.GoSimpleSolar.com. Advertorial

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Clip Notes By Jody Morgan“Garden as if life depended on it.” The admonition, inscribed by Douglas Tallamy, in my copy of his book of Bringing Nature Home,

is my new mantra. His colorful presentation that day began with a series of slides running through the seasons from the perspective of several appealing species of songbirds. Who knew a professor of entomology could be so entertaining? By choosing popular protagonists to portray the problem, he kept his audience enthralled as he conveyed the message that the plight of monarch butterfl ies is just a tiny aspect of a huge issue threatening the food web of our entire planet.

Adult songbirds forage for different foods during the course of the year. They may consume a variety of seeds and insects depending on availability. Baby songbirds can’t ingest or digest seeds. They need a prodigious number of caterpillars and other soft-bodied life forms to grow. Unfortunately, just like juvenile monarchs, most types of caterpillars are dependent on a tiny selection of plant species to survive. Even as we seed in milkweed for monarchs, we need to consider saving space in our yards for plants that host their cousins.

An estimated 90% of benefi cial insects have evolved to feed on only a small selection of species that cohabit their native range. Plants protect themselves by producing chemicals toxic to all but the few insects impervious to those poisons.

When alien plants are introduced into the landscape, most native insect herbivores can’t dine on the leaves. Birds and insects expecting to prey on those her-bivores are out of luck. I can’t imagine spending months comparing the biomass of insects resident where native plants are abundant to that of insects forced to feed where alien plants are predominant or even to run a similar study of birds. Someday soon, however, we may all be thanking the few folks who have begun compiling compelling statistics. Yes, birds eat the berries and butterfl ies drink the nectar of non-native plants. They may not starve, but they do struggle to survive.

Although I thought I was being reasonably responsible in squelching my instinctive desire to squish any bug threatening my plants, I’ve lately learned how little I know about protecting the insects that keep my garden going. For instance, of the approximately four million species scientists have identifi ed to date, only 1% are thought to have a negative impact on human existence. Tallamy writes: “The other 99% of the insect species pollinate plants, return the nutrients tied up in dead plants and animals to the soil, keep populations of insect herbivores in check, aerate and enrich the soil, and as I keep stressing, provide food either directly or indirectly for most other animals.”

I have yet to discover whether the 1% includes signifi cantly more individuals per species. As anyone who has inadvertently brought a cockroach home in a grocery bag realizes, many undesirables reproduce at an alarmingly rapid rate. What I do know is that many species essential to the intricate interdependence of organisms in the worldwide food web face extinction because the natural process of evolution rarely keeps pace with human intervention.

As a gardener, I fi nd plants impervious to damage by insect pests delightful and foliage fi ligreed by caterpillars disturbing. I love the latest double-fl owered hybrids that have sacrifi ced their pollen and nectar producing parts to providing extra petals. Many are sterile and won’t seed themselves around the garden. Yet those same plants aren’t very useful. As Tallamy emphasizes: “A plant that has fed nothing has not done its job.”

Tallamy is enough of a pragmatist to recognize that few of us are going to immediately rip out every expanse of lawn and replace every exotic plant in our gar-dens. What he hopes is that each of us will make room for some important natives. Host plants range from towering pines and mighty oaks to graceful grasses and shy violets. Even a city dweller with a single container on a balcony can participate in the process of reconnecting habitats.

“What does it do?” gardeners are beginning to inquire. As gardening with a purpose beyond pure aesthetics is gaining ground, nurseries are responding with plant selections serving multiple functions. Garden densely, Tallamy suggests. Layer shrubs to feed and shelter small birds amongst your fl owering annuals and perennials. Add drifts of plants that summon your favorite butterfl ies. Even if you choose to specialize in supporting a single species of bird, bee, or butterfl y, you can make a difference.

How Much are your Trees Really Worth? By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

With the world in economic and ecologi-cal turmoil, it pays to take a deep breath and consider the real value of your assets. It’s best to start this exercise close to home because

for most Americans their largest asset is their home. A surprisingly large contribu-tion— between 8 and 19%1 — to the value of your home comes from your trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants. If your house is worth $500,000, that places the value of your plants at between $40,000 and $90,0000. Your trees deserve care commensurate with the value they add to your home’s portfolio.

Trees, of course, have value far beyond real estate. Here’s a quick tour of values economists give for urban trees:

Trees add to home values and thereby form part of the tax base. In so do-ing trees help fund schools, fi re protection services, and police.

Trees work to clean the air. In the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb pol-lutants and even convert harmful chemicals, like nitrogen oxides and airborne ammonia, into benign forms.

Trees act to reduce local tax rates by reducing infrastructure costs. Trees absorb rain and slow the speed at which storm water accumulates, thereby helping to prevent fl ooding and the need to install larger storm drains.

Trees not only fi lter pollution, they help prevent it. Shade from trees can reduce air conditioning needs by as much as 30%, and trees planted to intercept prevailing winds can reduce heating needs signifi cantly. “Projections suggest that 100 million additional mature trees in US cities (three trees for every unshaded single family home) could save over $2 billion in energy costs per year.” 2

Trees also help prevent car pollution. In the Sacramento area, an astounding 16% of air pollution comes from cars parked in the sun. Shade from trees greatly reduces the loss of gas, thereby reducing air pollution.

Trees aid healing. When hospital rooms have views of trees, patients heal at a measurably faster rate. Trees help us fulfi ll Dorothy Day’s maxim: create a world in which it is easier to be nice to each other. Studies fi nd that trees in public housing neighborhoods reduce levels of fear and decrease aggressive behavior; and students

with ADHD develop more self-discipline when they play in natural settings.Berkeley calculates that for every $1.00 the city spends on planting and pruning

city trees, its citizens reap $1.40 in measurable benefi ts; for Sacramento the return is $1.80, and for New York City an astounding $5.00 is the return for every dol-lar spent. The value added to pruning and planting trees on your own property is higher than that for street trees because trees have a real effect on real estate prices.

Overestimating the value of trees to the entire planet is impossible: how can you put a price on the continuation of human life? If too many trees are stripped from the planet, then tipping points in the carbon cycle are crossed making global warming spin out of control… and making the world too hot for human life. Our Earth is small, and global warming makes it ever smaller. The easy division be-tween what is global and what is local no longer holds: a ton of carbon dioxide from burning rainforests in Borneo heats the air as much as a ton of carbon dioxide from the tail pipes of commuter traffi c on I580. We are all part of the problem. We are all part of the solution.

Trees play a role in all three strategies to fi ght global warming. Trees help reduce energy use, and they may someday become a source of renewable biofuels. We can protect and restore rainforests and other carbon sinks. Through its work in the Borneo Project, Brende and Lamb works hard to leverage local support for the protection of rainforests. Closer to home we can all help with strategic planting of urban trees to sequester carbon, to reduce heat island effects, and to lower energy consumption. The dividends far outstrip the costs of caring for trees as a necessary part of the ‘green economy.’

Like other living beings, trees do require care. With people it costs less to avoid getting sick than to pay for a cure. The same is true with trees. Quality care improves the health of your trees, extends their lifespan, and increases their beauty. Quality tree work pays dividends to you and to the planet.

If you need help, do not hesitate to give us a call for advice or to do the work. At Brende and Lamb, we have 20 years of experience balancing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs and maintaining your screening needs. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at [email protected] for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial

1. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119210532.htm2. http://www.treefolks.org/store_biglist.asp


California State License Board (CSLB). You can check online at www.cslb.ca.gov.Gardening Quote of the month: “I can’t fl y, but swimming is the next best

thing.... The water is my sky.” ~Author UnknownIf you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas

to [email protected] or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com or www.houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects. Advertorial

Life in the Danville Garden Swimming Pools By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

Summer is fi nally offi cially here, although it has been a mild one so far. I assure you that the summer heat is on the way. One way to keep you cool during those blaz-ing hot Danville summers is to have a swimming pool. With the “HOTTER” months yet to come, Danville residents are fi nding creative ways to keep cool in their

backyards. If you don’t already have a swimming pool, you might be knocking on your neighbor’s door offering 25 cents a head to take a dip, or is it more like $5 now? Getting out the “kiddy” pool, slip n’ slide, crazy daisy, or just running through the sprinklers are some other creative ways to stay cool without a pool.

If you are considering adding a swimming pool as major asset to your home environment, here are some things to consider before jumping off the diving board. Pools in today’s terms are a major investment. No longer can you get a simple rectangular pool for fewer than seventy thousand dollars. Most pools today are falling into the range of seventy to one-hundred thousand dollars plus. Why? It’s because of the complexity of the pool designs, accouterments, and locations where they are being constructed.

Some key considerations in designing and constructing a pool are the en-gineering and accouterments that accompany today’s pool. Most fl at lot pools can be constructed with standard engineering. Most of Danville’s soil is either expansive clay-type or sandstone bedrock or both. If your pool is going into the clay-type soil, potential problems such as expansion, settlement, and drainage are major issues to consider. If you are digging into sandstone, that’s a good thing. You may pay more for digging, but most likely your pool will stay put.

Popular additions to the pool design are spas, waterfalls, water slides, au-tomatic covers, solar heating panels, in-fl oor cleaning systems, plas-ters (such as pebble-Tec, Satin Matrix and Pebble Sheen, custom masonry and tile), and of course a computer systems to run the whole thing. Your computer can manage your pool temperature, lights, waterfall, fi ltering system, landscape lights,

cleaning system, solar, and even the ability to turn on your spa to warm it up hours before you even get home for that late night dip.

For those with a view, the ever-growing popularity of the vanishing edge or infi nity edge pool is changing the way pools have been used in the traditional sense. With high-tech engineering, pier-holes drilled thirty feet into the ground can allow you to hang a pool off the edge of almost any hillside lot. Of course, you can only do this if you are willing to spend what the average Danville home cost in the 1990’s. V-edge pools are simply breath-taking. Depending on the degree of diffi culty, you can expect these pools to start at $125K. If you have the opportunity to design one of these babies into your home environment, you will be totally awe-struck by the beauty of your surroundings being refl ected into the mirror glass refl ection of your vanishing edge.

If you are planning on adding a pool as part of your home environment, it is best to integrate the pool design and the landscape design as an integrated master plan design. Pool companies design pools but often end up plunking a pool into your backyard without consideration of your lifestyle and the rest of the project. Start by creating the environment as a whole, integrating a cohesive design of pool, hardscape, and softscape. Do you want a more naturalistic or formal setting? Installing a pool also makes you think about what other elements you want in your backyard. What kind of pool decking? Should you use concrete, fl agstone, slate, etc? What other additions to your pool-side entertaining do you want? What is your budget? As you can see, designing a pool into your yard is a serious commitment and investment with a lot at stake. Swimming pools can certainly be the magnet of joy and good times, but they can also be a liability. If you decide that a pool should be in your backyard, always consider safety fi rst, be vigilant, make sure your children are pool safe, and never, ever leave them unattended, not even for a moment.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Always hire a state licensed con-tractor to build your project. Check their license status and referrals. Make sure they have done projects similar to your own. You can verify the status of a contractor at the


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A Terrifi c Way to Be CharitableBy Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

Charitably-minded people who own highly appreciated real estate investment property, but are fairly illiquid, face a dilemma. Those who own highly appreciated stock can face the same dilemma. Often, these investors don’t want to sell the appreciated assets, pay substantial capital gains tax, and then make a donation from after-tax sale proceeds.

So, how can these folks make meaningful charitable dona-tions while simultaneously achieving significant financial and tax benefits? They do it by donating their appreciated assets to

a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). This strategy, sometimes referred to as a “split inter-est” gift, provides benefits to both the owner (donor) and the donor’s chosen charity(ies).

Benefi ts to the donor include some or all of the following: a) eliminating management headaches; b) increasing cash fl ow; c) avoiding property-related liability; d) diversifying assets; e) sidestepping immediate capital gains tax nor-mally triggered by a sale; f) reducing or eliminating potential estate tax liability; and g) satisfying the desire to donate to a worthy cause.

While the dynamics are a bit diffi cult to understand at fi rst blush, a CRT very generally works as follows:

1) a donor establishes and gifts highly appreciated assets to the CRT (an irrevocable trust); 2) the donor names one or more charitable organization(s) as benefi ciary; 3) the trustee appointed by the donor sells the donated assets without paying any tax; 4) the net sale proceeds are reinvested in income-producing assets; 5) the donor receives an income stream generated by the reinvested assets (subject to a special, tiered tax structure); 6) the donor receives an income tax deduction in the year the property is gifted to the CRT; and 7) when the CRT term ends, the remainder (balance of assets remaining in the CRT) is given outright to the charitable benefi ciary(ies).

So, with a CRT, a property owner can essentially “have his cake and eat it too.” I am currently drafting a CRT for a client who will soon be selling his company. By using a CRT, he is delighted to be able to donate a portion of the (very highly appreciated) stock in his company, while receiving a valuable lifetime income stream and a great, upfront income tax deduction.

Some people are reluctant to establish a CRT because their loved ones will be deprived of the assets that go to the charitable CRT benefi ciary(ies) at the end of the CRT term. I’ll call this the “inheritance defi cit.” However, the potential aggregate, after-tax, fi nancial benefi ts of a CRT during the donor’s lifetime may exceed the amount the loved ones would have inherited had the donor kept the assets rather than donating them to the CRT. Even when this is not the case, cre-ative strategies are available to compensate for this inheritance defi cit.

For example, if the income from the CRT is projected to be greater than that which the donor is currently receiving from the assets being donated, some or all of this excess income can be used to buy a life insurance policy insuring the life of the donor. The policy’s death benefi t can be the equivalent to (or greater than) the projected value, upon the donor’s death, of the assets being donated to the CRT. Thus, the life insurance can effectively eliminate any potential inheritance defi cit.

Certainly, anyone inclined to set up a CRT should obtain specifi c advice from qualifi ed legal, tax, and fi nancial advisors. The pros and cons must be analyzed carefully and well understood by the client. Numbers should be “crunched” to determine whether the fi nancial and tax benefi ts are satisfactory to the owner, and how the CRT will likely impact the client’s entire estate plan. Furthermore, a number of different types of CRT’s are available to suit a property owner’s particular goals or needs, and many technical tax rules and regulations apply.

Some philanthropic people don’t care if their CRT ends up producing a net fi nancial gain. Others are happy to employ various available estate planning strategies, like the life insurance strategy outlined above, to cover any anticipated net fi nancial loss to their loved ones. In any event, by using a CRT and/or other similar advanced estate planning strategies, it is frequently possible for all of the stakeholders – in this case, the property/stock owner, his loved ones, and the charitable organization(s) - to win. Well, the taxing authorities may not win, but most taxpayers won’t shed tears over that!

* Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * BusinessThe author will be happy to provide to you, on a complimentary basis, any or all of

the following: i) an “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) a brochure on alternative methods of holding title to real estate; iii) an introductory meeting. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, quali-fied professional advisors. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; [email protected].

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and is not intended nor should it be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial

3 Steps to Financially Responsible ParentingBy Robert Cucchiaro, Certifi ed Financial Planner

It’s that exciting time of year when parents get to watch their kids celebrate the next milestone in their lives: graduation. Whether that’s high school, college, or even kindergarten, watching your son or daughter graduate makes you sit back and think about how fast time goes by.

As a parent with kids at multiple schools and after-school activities, I can attest to how the time fl ies by. Perhaps this is why many parents intend to act fi nancially responsible, but they fail to get around to certain items on that list.

A recent Wall Street Journal article revealed that 7 in 10 college seniors graduating this spring borrowed for their educations, and they’re carrying an average $37,172 in debt. I suppose this fact is often a direct refl ection of mom and dad’s good intent to save for their kid’s college, but as the years fl ew by the intent was never acted upon.

Summer is here, and now is the time to slow down and ask whether or not you are doing what you can to be a fi nancially responsible parent. To help you get started, here are three quick things I think every parent should be doing to help their kids.

1. Protect your income – Without your ability to earn a living, paying for your kid’s college will be diffi cult if not impossible. You need life insurance in the event of pre-mature death and disability insurance in the event you are physi-cally unable to work. The good news is you can afford to protect your income by purchasing an inexpensive term life insurance policy. In fact, if you have kids, there is really no excuse not be insured and protect your family’s ability to stay in your home should something happen to you. Disability insurance is more expensive because the odds of one becoming disabled are higher than you might think. The good news is that some employers offer coverage as do some profes-sional associations. Start your search there, and if you still need more coverage, contact an independent Financial Planner.

2. Set up a college savings plan, and fund it automatically – Every state offers their own version of what’s called a Section 529 plan, and California’s plan is run by TIAA-CREF. The bottom line is this: you don’t get a tax deduction when you contribute to these plans, but if the money is used for qualifi ed college expenses, your investments inside of these plans can grow tax free. These plans are a great vehicle to receive birthday and Christmas gifts that grandparents and other relatives want to make, and you can set up automatic monthly savings direct from your checking account.

3. Teach fi nancial literacy from a very early age – Last but not least, one of the fi nancial components every incoming college freshman should know about in additional to student loans is credit card debt. I would suggest waiting until your son or daughter is on their way to the dorms to teach them about fi nancial responsibility is a not a good idea. Start with an allowance for your kids at age fi ve, and tie that allowance to daily or weekly chores. As the items they want to purchase increase in value over the years, offer to split the cost with them, and have them use their allowance money to fund their half. This is a great way to teach them the value of a dollar and to be invested in the items they purchase and own. Start these habits now, and when they are in college you won’t need to teach them why credit card debt is bad.

If this is a topic that interests you, there are plenty of resources out there including a great book by Rob Lieber titled The Opposite of Spoiled. At Sum-mit Wealth we offer a free fi nancial literacy program for our clients’ children, regardless of their age. If you are interested in learning more, give us a call or send us an email for your free initial consultation.

Robert Cucchiaro is a Certifi ed Financial Planner and a registered tax preparer. He is a Partner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a fi nancial planning fi rm that has been serving business owners in Danville for almost 30 years. Rob spe-cializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. www.summitwealthandretirement.com. Advertorial


Performance, Speed, Power, PostureBy Jesse Call, DC, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

As summer gets into full swing, we fi nd ourselves being more active. You may have ramped up the training for a half marathon, gotten back into running outside, or planned a hiking trip. Sports for the kids are starting to pick up as well: tournaments, twice-a-day practices, and showcases are dominating the summer schedule. Everyone, no matter what activity they are in, would love to increase their speed, power, and performance.

Simple improvements in our posture can bring about mighty changes in these important athletic categories.

The key to improving speed, power, and performance is in placing our muscles and joints in the best position to perform. Fixing three key areas can bring about phenomenal increase in performance and decrease your risk for injury. Perform these three steps to improve your posture.

1. Engage your glutes: The glutes are the largest muscle in the body, and their job is provide power and speed through the extension of the hip joint and leg. Many times these muscles are essentially turned off because of all the sitting that we do. Engage your glutes simply by squeezing your butt cheeks together.

2. Activate your core: The purpose of the core is to help connect the upper body to the lower body and allow them to derive power from one another, depending on the activity being performed. To activate your core, draw your belly button to your spine.

3. Head and shoulders: No correction of posture would be complete

without properly aligning the head and the shoulders. The purpose is to al-low the spinal column and the semicircular canals in your ears to be properly aligned. When this is the case, they act as a guidance system that will help your legs and torso make small changes in your running gait to help you remain upright and avoid injury. When the head is forward, we off load the joints in our spine and turn off our semicircular canals, rendering them use-less. To align your head and shoulders, simply roll your shoulders back and down while turning your palms towards the front.

Now you should be standing with your glutes engaged, your core activated, and your head and shoulders aligned. Now, dial them back to be fi ring at about 20%; posture shouldn’t lax at all, but you are no longer squeezing these muscles. This is good resting posture. When you go to run, swim, hike, cycle, or do whatever activity it is you are looking to improve, these should be dialed up to approximately 35% to maintain posture and allow them to provide you with the increased benefi t of speed, power, and performance without any risk of fatigue.

To learn more about how you can improve your performance, speed, and power through posture and chiropractic, please contact us. We would love to help.

Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is lo-cated at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit www.sycamoreval-leychiropractic.com or call 925-837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial

5 Ways to Increase Iron IntakeBy Esther Catalya, MD

Iron is one of the main components our body uses to keep active. It’s necessary to produce proper hemo-globin molecules, which deliver oxygen throughout our bodies. When your body is lacking iron, it is easy to become fatigued, even with very little activity.

Iron comes in two dietary forms: heme and non-heme. Heme is primarily absorbed from lean meats and seafood. An individual can absorb up to 30 percent of the iron from food itself, whereas non-heme is ab-

sorbed from plant based foods such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Non-heme foods only allow your body to absorb between two and ten percent of the iron because it is more diffi cult for our body to process compared to heme iron.

When you aren’t getting enough iron, there is a common disease that oc-curs called iron-defi ciency anemia. This disease is more prevalent amongst vegetarians, since they don’t consume the easier to absorb heme from meat and seafood. However, vegetarians are not the only individuals with this disease. There are many simple ways to increase your iron intake, starting with your diet.

As previously mentioned, lean meat and poultry are important foods that help to increase and maintain iron levels. Some examples of foods contain-ing heme iron are turkey, lamb, beef, pork, and liver. Seafood is equivalently benefi cial for your iron intake and likewise contains heme iron. For those who don’t eat meat, there are other options to increase your iron as well. Dark leafy greens such as broccoli, spinach, kale, collards and beet greens, as well as nuts and beans, contain signifi cant amounts of iron. When eating only non-heme iron, it is advised that you eat more of these foods in order to meet the daily needs for your body.

When eating foods that contain non-heme iron, pair them with vitamin C rich foods or drinks (citrus, strawberries, and tomatoes) to enhance the amount of iron you can absorb from the meal. In addition, cooking in a cast-iron skillet increases the amount of iron in your food which can raise your iron levels. When lean meats, poultry, or seafood are paired with nuts or dark leafy greens, iron absorption can be improved up to three times. Furthermore, avoid mixing your iron rich foods with calcium, soy proteins, and fi bers because these nutrients will inhibit the absorption of iron.

When changing your diet doesn’t make a signifi cant difference in maintain-ing your iron levels, it may be time to speak with your doctor about further testing and medication options.

Dr. Catalya is a Medical Oncologist & Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group. She sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Rossmoor. For more information, please call (925) 677-5041. Advertorial

holding it up and down and moving it around. An employee, thinking he was trying to get a wireless signal went out and said, ‘You know, there is wireless in the rooms.’ He said, ‘No, I am Skyping with my mom, and I want her to see how safe I am.’ I will never understand what it means to send a child so far away realizing I will never see him again. But, when I realized that this little thing we are doing is a comfort to the hearts of many mothers and fathers, I knew this was bigger work than just doing a good thing.”

San Damiano is not alone in their work with the refugees. Brother Michael says, “I am humbled by the support, involvement, and encouragement of the other houses of worship and different religious communities who have come to help. My favorite story from last year was when a group of Methodist ministers was here, and one of them met the refugees. She graciously gave us money to help care for them, but more importantly a few Sundays later she sent an email saying that her congregation had prayed for us. Here Protestant Methodists were praying for Roman Catholic Franciscans, in partnerships with Jews, helping Middle Eastern Sufi s, Muslims, and Zoroastrians.”

Brother Michael added, “There is so much I could say about refugees and particularly the men who have lived here. I could talk about their optimism, de-pendability, enthu-siasm, vulnerability, and hard work ethic. However, I’d really rather say that the refugees give us a wonderful opportunity to be the best of humanity that our religions call us to be.”

Balancing the privacy of the friars who call San Damiano their home and welcoming visitors, as their patron St. Francis had done in his lifetime, can at times be challenging. Visitors who want to tour the grounds are asked to call prior to arrival to make sure the center is open for walk-in guests. The interfaith gift-book store is open to the public every day. Jan Alioto-Stegner, manager of the store, says, “San Damiano’s gift shop specializes in religious item and books. We are a Catholic gift shop, yet we have a healthy selection of both inter-faith and multi-cultural items and books. Our inventory is constantly being updated, so every time you visit you will fi nd something new.”

Come visit the retreat on Sunday, July 17 for a tour of the grounds and meet some of the friars. They will be hosting a wine and cheese event with wine from the Bishops Vineyards, a mozzarella making demonstration, jazz piano player Patti Leidecker, singer Tommy O’Dowd, and local artisans including a chocolatier, jewelry maker, and other artists. Check their website at sandamiano.org or call (925) 837-9141. Tickets are $20 for those wine tasting and $10 without wine.

San Damiano Retreat is located at 710 Highland Drive, Danville, California. For room rates and availability, call (925) 837-9141. Silent retreats and spiritual direction are available upon request.

San Damiano continued from page 4

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The Eye OpenerStyesBy Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

There has been a defi nite increase recently of patients with styes. I am not sure if it is related to al-lergy season or if it just a coincidence, but the uptick in eyelid issues has been noticeable. Regardless, styes are very common and happen in both sexes and all age groups. Most of the time no oral drug treatment is needed unless the area affected is large and painful.

The fi rst distinction to be made is to defi ne the differences between a stye and a chalazion. A stye, or hordeolum, is an infection or blocking of the glands that are at the edges of the eyelids. These infections are mostly caused by nor-mal bacteria that live on and around the eyes. Lid hygiene is very important to keep the lids clean. For women it is very important to completely remove all makeup around the eye as that can lead to clogged ducts. A stye usually starts out as a localized area of swelling, irritation, and discomfort that can last for a few weeks and takes on the appearance of a pimple. Styes do not directly cause decreased vision but can cause some tearing and irritation which can blur your vision. I always recommend warm compresses to help the stye express. The more you apply warm moist heat, the better; I recommend at least 15-20 minutes at a time. I have found that boiling an egg or using hot hands and then wrapping it in a moist washcloth works best because these will hold their heat for a long period of time. Simply putting the washcloth in the microwave does not work because the cloth cools off too quickly and is of little use. Depending on the size and how solid the stye is, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to resolve. A majority of the time oral antibiotics are not neces-sary, assuming there is some drainage of the hordeolum and if the patient is not currently ill. It is very important to not attempt to express these on your own. Without correct diagnosis and treatment, styes can cause further issues and bacterial infections of the front part of the eye.

By distinction, a chalazion is best described as a cyst in the deeper portion of the eyelid. It is caused by infl ammation in the glands in the eyelids; cha-lazions are much more common in the upper lids than the lower lids. These nodules, or cysts, generally are painless and don’t cause the tearing and ir-ritation that styes cause. Topical and oral antibiotics are of little use because the root of the problem is not an infection. Chalazions don’t look like a stye because there is not a drainage channel for the contents to escape. Chalazions tend to take longer to resolve: up to a few months for some people. Again, warm compresses are recommended, but if there is no resolution, injection with steroids to help shrink the nodule or surgical excision are options. If excision is needed, it is done in-offi ce by an ophthalmologist with local anesthetic, and the recovery is quick.

As a general rule, most people use the word “stye” as a catch-all for both hordeolums and chalazions. When I see patients in the offi ce, I can assess the situation and try to express the stye in the offi ce. It might cause a little more discomfort initially, but it will ultimately help the process along. Because of the infectious nature of the stye and the bacteria present in the glands, I always pre-scribe an antibiotic drop to be used for a few days just as a prophylaxis against a conjunctivitis or corneal infection. Most of the time styes will heal on their own with persistent use of warm compresses. However, it is very important to not just assume any eyelid bump is a stye or chalazion. More severe eyelid and systemic issues can mimic the initial appearance of a stye but require prompt medical treatment. Anytime you have an eyelid bump of any kind, we can see you in the offi ce and initiate treatment or send you to a specialist if needed.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstand-ing service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 820-6622, or visit his offi ce at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our website at www.alamooptometry.com, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry. Advertorial

The New Breast ImplantsBy Dr. Barbara Persons

As a Board Certifi ed Plastic Surgeon who com-pleted a fellowship in Aesthetic, Breast, & Laser surgery, I have been on the cutting edge of breast augmentation surgery for many years. I have been amazed and delighted at the incredible advances the leading breast implant manufacturers have made in the past 10+ years and wanted to share the history of breast implants with you.

• 1942 - Eugene G. Rochow of Harvard Univer-sity, pioneered the manufacture of commercial silicones

• 1963 - Dow Corning launches the fi rst silicone gel-fi lled breast implant.• 1968 - Saline fi lled implants launched in the US in 1968. [First Generation]• 1970s-80s - Silicone implants widely used in the U.S. [Second Generation]• 1992-2006 silicone implants banned in the U.S. due to concerns about

performance• 2006 Third Generation Silicone implants FDA approvedThe Third Generation implants offer many benefi ts over earlier products:• They feature a multi-layer shell (exterior) with a barrier layer to make

them more durable• They are fi lled with a special gel that is quite cohesive (non-spreading).

You can cut an implant in half, and there is no fl ow of the gel. Despite the advances in these Third Generation implants, every patient has

unique needs and desires. In a typically week, I consult with a dozen or so women seeking breast augmentation. A number of questions and topics are discussed with the most popular being, “saline or silicone”? There are many factors involved in making the proper choice. This makes the need for an in-depth consultation even more critical. In general, most women are choosing the new generation of silicone gel implants versus saline, although an increasing number are also opting for fat grafting as an adjunct to implant augmentation or reconstruction. Recent studies have supported the use of fat grafting to the breast and I often perform liposuction of the bra roll for a “contour” breast augmentation.

Both silicone and saline implants have an outer silicone shell. The silicone implants which come pre-fi lled with a cohesive silicone gel whereas the saline implants are fi lled with sterile saline after being placed. As an aside, the debate sur-rounding the safety of silicone implants has largely been resolved, as there has not been a single substantiated case of silicone fi lled implants causing systemic disease.

Saline implants tend to be chosen by a younger demographic prior to hav-ing children. Because these implants are fi lled after they are placed under the breast tissue, the incision can be more distant (such as the umbilical method of implantation) and will result in almost no visible scarring and has no im-pact on breast feeding. Saline implants have a lifespan of 7-10 years. Saline implants are less optimal for women seeking larger implants such as a D cup.

Silicone implants have once again become the more popular choice among all age groups, even though the implants themselves cost more, as the thicker, gel-like consistency creates a more natural look and feel. These implants can create a natural effect for women desiring small, moderate, or ample breast size. The procedure using this type of implants requires a small incision, often in the crease below the breast, resulting in a very small scar, typically hid-den under the breast. The risks associated with silicone implants are similar to those associated with saline while having a signifi cantly longer lifespan.

Recent advances in fat harvesting and grafting have made fat transfer a growing method of breast augmentation in my practice. It is ideal for women looking to increase their breasts by one half to one cup size, for example from B to a small C. Fat transfer is often incorporated with breast lift (mastopexy), reconstruction and augmentation. Mild liposuction is used to remove the fat from an unwanted area such as the fl anks or abdomen and injected without a need for any additional incisions.

Whether you are considering a breast augmentation for the fi rst time or are a patient with existing implants looking for a change, I look forward to sharing my experience and expertise in determining the most suitable aug-mentation option for you.

Dr. Barbara Persons is a plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon and is Board Certifi ed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is her cosmetic & reconstructive surgery center, conve-niently located at 911 Moraga Road, suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925-283-4012 or [email protected]. Advertorial


Menopause MattersBy Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP

Summer has arrived and it’s the time of the year we spend with family and friends at backyard BBQ’s, pool parties, and the beach. It is a great time to renew friendships and get away, but too much of a good thing may be harm-ful, like sunlight. Your PCP and dermatologist are going to remind you about the importance of using sunscreen to protect you from UV rays which can cause skin cancer. Sunlight is where we get most of our vitamin D, so what

should you do? I will use the next several columns to review bone health, vitamin D and calcium, osteoporosis, and bone scans. Today I’ll start with vitamin D.

The following is from physician database called UpToDate which has a limited amount of basic free information for patients.

Sunlight is essential for synthesis of vitamin D and has benefi cial effects on mood. However, ultraviolet (UV) radiation (290 to 400 nm) is responsible for several acute and chronic detrimental effects on human skin, including sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer.

UVB (290 to 320 nm), which represents only fi ve percent of the UV reaching the earth surface, includes the biologically most active wavelengths. UVB is responsible for sunburn, infl ammation, hyperpigmentation, and photocarcinogenesis.

Approximately 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the earth surface is UVA (320 to 400 nm). UVA has a major role in photoaging and pigment darkening and may be involved in skin carcinogenesis [1-3].

Photoprotection, which includes sun avoidance during peak hours, sun-protective clothing, and sunscreens, is crucial to prevent or reduce the potential harms associ-ated with UV exposure.

The following are excerpts from U.S. Preventative Services Task Force Recom-mendation Statement: Screening for Vitamin D & NIH consensus about Vitamin D and Primary Care Practice 2015.

There is widespread agreement that vitamin D promotes bone health and together with calcium helps protect older adults from bone loss. It is generally felt that most persons get their vitamin D from sun-exposed skin. Also, there appears to be a benefi t from vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in the frail elderly who are at risk for vitamin D defi ciency. Whether vitamin D supplementation offers the same benefi t in healthy, well-nourished older individuals is unclear. Beyond bone health and possible fall prevention, research during the last 15 years has suggested that normal vitamin D levels might provide other benefi ts including reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and infectious respiratory diseases. Most of the research thus far has been in observational trials with fi nal results years away. Some contend that promoting vitamin D even in the absence of data from clinical trials is good for the public health. This logic is fl awed given that prior enthusiasm for high dose nutritional therapies based on observational studies like vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium waned when clinical trials demonstrated not only lack of benefi t, but potential harm. At annual well-woman exams, my patients share their list of OTC vitamins and the recommended amounts by Consumers Reports, Dr. Oz or Good Morning America’s health expert, so it must be safe?

What do Serum measures tell us about Vitamin D status according the IOM and professional societies?

Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-HD) is the best indicator of vitamin D status. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that 20 ng/ml serum 25-HD is the level considered normal in almost all (97%) of the general population. The Endocrine Society agreed with the IOM except in frail elderly adults, pregnant women, and dark skinned individual for whom they recommend 30 ng/ml. If your vitamin D level is around or above 20 ng/ml, you are fi ne and don’t need to take any supplement. Levels below 20 ng/ml can be treated with 600- 800 IU vitamin D daily but don’t require follow-up testing. Taking doses of vitamin D over 800 units/d may prove to be harmful in the future, so be careful.

Next month on July 13 from 6-7PM I will be having informal evening program with light appetizers where my patients will share their experience after MonaLisa Touch (MLT). MonaLisa Touch is an FDA approved laser that restores genitourinary health for pre and postmenopausal women. Tens of thousands of women have been treated worldwide and are turning back the clock. If you are interested in attending, please call the offi ce.

Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Face-book page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My offi ce is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925-935-6952. Advertorial

Your Personal Nutritionist A Nutrition Plan for College Students By Linda Michaelis RD, MS

I have recently been excited to see many college-aged kids (including my second daughter) who want to take responsibility for their nutrition and lose weight in order to start college with a new image. They know mom and dad will not be around to provide meals, and they will now be making their own food choices at the dorm, cafeteria, or other spots on campus.

Many young students I see do not realize what comprises balanced meals and snacks. They often do not know how to read food labels. They don’t understand that there is much more to a food label than just looking at calories -- such as looking at the more important food information like protein, fi ber, and sugar.

When I talk with students before their college orientation, I stress the importance of going to the dining facilities to see what is offered. Often the students will show me the college website where all of the eating facilities and menus are listed. My job is to help them evaluate the available foods and help design meal plans based on their class schedule. I am usually glad to see there is a Trader’s Joe’s or market close to campus. I will often take my clients to a local market to help educate them about what are great meals and snacks for times that dining halls are closed, which happens often on the weekend. On one of these recent tours my client Sam was excited to see that she could buy low fat macaroni and cheese and use it as a topping on broccoli which is also is available in a convenient steam bag option. We also looked at buying baked potatoes or sweet potatoes which can easily be cooked in her microwave in her room. Sam liked the idea of topping the potato with Fage nonfat yogurt which tastes like sour cream and is very tasty with salsa. I also recommended instant low sugar oatmeal packets with a side of yogurt and fruit, all again easily available and very quick for a meal during study times.

During our market tour I showed Sam great soups that are hearty and high in protein and fi ber such as Amy’s Lentil and Veggie Soup, Black Bean Soup and Minestrone Soup. We learned how to look at soups and to be aware of how many servings there are in a can where one needs to multiply the protein and fi ber numbers by how many servings are listed on the food label. Lastly, we looked at buying baby carrots or hearts of celery as well and buying almond butter and using this as a great portable snack. I could see after our store visit Sam was very relieved that she could now manage her nutrition when left to buy her own foods at college. This will be especially helpful after the freshmen year when students typically move outside the dorm to apartments and must purchase all their food for meals.

I like to make myself very available to these students by texting, which is how they like to communicate. I often receive photos of their meals at restaurants or even pictures of the nutrition label of food packages, asking my opinion on whether I recommend it or not.

I see too many kids using protein shakes and bars and thinking that it is a meal after they workout. Yes, it might be good to repair their muscles, but I fi nd they end up being hungry soon after and do not make good choices when they are out and not at home. My suggestion is it is better to eat a high protein and fi ber meal such as a veggie omelet or meat and baked potato topped with chili combinations over a protein shake. If students are in the midst of exams, I stress going for the balanced meal instead of these shakes and bars which will fi ll them up for hours.

The good news is that many of my nutritional counseling sessions with stu-dents is covered by health insurance. If you would like me to help you improve your nutrition knowledge and feel the best you can feel when entering college, please start keeping a food diary before you make an appointment. I promise you that this will be an experience that will change your young life.

Please feel free to call me at (925) 855-0150 or email me at [email protected] about your nutrition concerns. Look at my website LindaRD.com for a listing of insurance companies I am contracted with such as Aetna, Sut-ter, Blue Cross, ABMG, Hill, Health Net and others. Advertorial

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[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2016 - Page 23Gallstones By Dr. Charleen Kim, West Coast Surgical Associates

Have you ever had pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen under your rib cage or pain in the upper abdomen after you eat? If so, you may have had symptoms from gallstones. Gallstones are actual stones that form in the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that rests beneath the right side of the liver. The purpose of the gallbladder is to collect and concentrate a digestive liquid

(bile) produced by the liver. Bile is released from the gallbladder when food is eaten, travels through the bile ducts, and aids in the digestion of food in the intestine. Re-moval of the gallbladder is usually not associated with any impairment of digestion.

Gallbladder problems are usually caused by gallstones which form due to an imbalance of cholesterol and bile salts. Gallstones are more common as you get older, more often occur in certain families and ethnic groups, and are a risk of pregnancy and rapid weight loss. These stones may block the fl ow of bile out of the gallbladder which causes it to swell. This can result in abdominal pain – most

often in the right upper area of the abdomen, usually under the rib cage, but the pain can also radiate to the upper mid abdomen, sometimes in a band-like fashion, or even to the back. Some patients feel pain in the chest and worry that it is a heart attack. Nausea, vomiting, fever, bloating, heartburn, and other symptoms may occur. Sometimes gallbladder symptoms occur without gallstones being obvious, and occasionally other problems can develop such as a stone blocking the bile duct causing jaundice or infl ammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

If the pain persists, a high fever is present, or breathing is diffi cult, you should go to the Emergency Room for immediate evaluation. You may require more urgent surgery to remove your gallbladder. Complications from gallstones can include infl ammation or infection of the gallbladder, bile ducts, or even pancreas.

Gallstones are best detected by ultrasound. Ultrasound is not painful and does not use radiation. It can be used to look at the gallbladder to see if it has stones in it or if the gallbladder itself is infl amed. Sometimes more testing is needed to pin down the diagnosis.

Patients who have gallstones and also have symptoms from them are best treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder. Gallstones cannot be blasted, like kidney stones, nor effectively dissolved. There are home “remedies” you may read about on the internet about how to “fl ush” out your gallstones, but beware of them as they may cause you to have a very bad bout of gallbladder infection, landing you in the hospital, requiring urgent surgery and antibiotics.

Gallbladder surgery is best done before the stones cause blockage and infl amma-tion of the gallbladder. Traditionally, gallbladders were removed with a large incision in the right upper abdomen under the rib cage. Now the standard is to remove the gallbladder with minimally invasive/laparoscopic techniques. This is done with one to three (sometimes four) small incisions in the abdomen or a single larger incision at the umbilicus using a laparoscope. Most elective gallbladder surgeries are done on an outpatient basis where you go home the same day if your surgeon feels you do not need more observation for your safety. Patients can expect tapering abdominal discomfort up to about two weeks with return to regular activity thereafter.

Because the gallbladder is just a sac that holds bile (which is made in the liver) and releases it when eating fatty meals, the gallbladder is not an essential life-sustaining organ and can be removed with little effect on bodily function. When it has stones, the gallbladder does not function properly and the gut im-mediately starts adapting to deal with digestion.

If you have noticed right upper abdominal pain, heartburn, or discomfort after eating, you may indeed have gallstones and should see your physician.

Dr. Charleen Kim is a board certifi ed general surgeon who is a Diplomate of the American College of Surgeons. She practices with West Coast Surgical Associates -- offi ces in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Concord. Call (925) 933-0984 to schedule an appointment. Advertorial

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Leg VeinsBy Dr. Jerome Potozkin

As I write this article, summer is here. For many of us, that means family vacations, summer barbecues and picnics, and simply relaxing from the pressures of our kids’ school year. For others, it means the embar-rassment of wearing a bathing suite and showing un-sightly varicose and spider veins. There is hope as the treatment of varicose and spider veins has undergone great improvements from years past.

In my practice, we are lucky to have Dr. Monica Brar. Her practice is lim-ited to the diagnosis and treatment of leg veins. Many people knew Dr. Brar when she practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology and delivered many of your babies. I am also lucky to be married to her. The reality of family life and incredible demands of being a solo practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist led Dr. Brar to retrain in phlebology (the specialty of treating leg veins). Many of the advancements in the treatment of leg veins stem from the use of the Du-plex Ultrasound Machine to visualize the veins underneath the skin. This was a natural transition for Dr. Brar as using diagnostic ultrasound was part of her daily obstetrics practice. She has studied this art, and because of her expertise has been an invited speaker at national leg vein conferences.

Some people only have small spider veins that we can easily treat with injec-tion sclerotherapy. However, a diagnostic ultrasound is usually performed to make sure that there is not a larger vein under the skin feeding the superfi cial veins. If there is a deeper vein feeding the superfi cial one, and you only inject the superfi cial veins, treatment is unlikely to succeed. A common myth is that injection sclerotherapy hurts and stings. Newer FDA approved solutions do not sting and burn the way hypertonic saline did in the old days. If a larger vein is identifi ed feeding the smaller ones, that vein would be treated fi rst.

Some of the greatest advances have come in the treatment in varicose veins. In the late nineties techniques were pioneered that have all but replaced vein stripping. Vein stripping was often accompanied by a great deal of pain and downtime. The biggest advancement in treating varicose veins came with today’s endovenous techniques where a laser fi ber or radiofrequency catheter is inserted into a vein to destroy it. These techniques have all but replaced stripping. This is a procedure that is routinely performed in our fully accredited operatories with local anesthe-sia. Most people are back to work the next day, and the results can be incredible.

If you have leg veins ranging from large varicose veins that are symptomatic to small spider veins, Dr. Brar is happy to help you. You are welcome to fi nd out more about the current state of the art treatment available by scheduling a complimentary leg vein consultation.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certifi ed dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His fully accredited dermatological and laser facility is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. Dr. Potozkin is a fellow member of the ASDS. He is accepting new patients. Please call (925) 838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial


that gently ris-ing interest rates will have a lim-ited impact on the health of the Dan-ville real estate market.

Are we in a real estate bub-ble? Ten years have passed since the beginning of the big crash which bottomed in late 2011. With the recent run-up in home prices, we are about 10% ahead of those 2006 prices. So, if you bought your home in 2006, on average you’ve gained about 1% per year on the investment. This doesn’t sound like much of run-up or a bubble does it? If you bought your home anytime during the downturn, you’ve done signifi cantly better enjoying robust rebound appreciation.

Today, interest rates are 30% lower than during the last peak and average income in Danville is up by more than $10,000 per household. Add this to population growth, job creation, few new home starts, and onerous lending standards and it’s a stretch to conclude we are in the midst of a real estate bubble. If I were asked to characterize our current market, I believe the word “strong” would capture it.

We are blessed to live in this truly amazing country. Show everyone you love America too by proudly displaying an American fl ag. Have a very safe and happy 4th of July.

Call me at 925-989-6086 if you would like an honest estimate of your home’s value. Email me at [email protected] to receive the electronic version of this monthly article. To fi nd archived articles for Danville and Alamo real estate, please visit our website at www.thecombsteam.com. Visit our Facebook page “Real Estate Services for Danville, Alamo and more.”

Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

Beautiful 4 bedroom overlooking golf course. $1,672,500. We represented the buyer. We

have more buyers.

Build your dream home on a 1.64 acre lot in Diablo. Priced to sell $975,000.

The epitome of 21st century architecture. 4 bed-room and offi ce First fl oor level master & 2 family

rooms. Priced to Sell $2,195,000.

Diablo Building LotAlamo Oaks Custom Home

J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526

Round Hill C.C. Single Story

Page 24 - July 2016 ~ D nthlypaper.com

Professionals YouCan Count On

The Combs Team

Nancy Joe

www.TheCombsTeam.com

®Call the Combs Team

925-989-6086

5 bedroom, single story on nearly 2 gorgeous acres. Two family rooms, exquisite master, large bonus room, walk-in wine cellar. Worth waiting for. Priced to sell $2,499,000.

Danville Single Story

West Side Alamo 4 bedroom spectacular views, great location. Worth waiting for. Priced to sell

$1,279,000.

Views! West Side Alamo

Top 5% in Sales Production

Award Winning Realtors

PENDING

PENDING

4 bed 2-3 Bath Homes Sales DanvilleYear $ Sq. foot Avg. Price Size sq. ft2011 322$ 800,000$ 24842012 344$ 785,000$ 23502013 353$ 950,000$ 26912014 418$ 1,022,000$ 24502015 451$ 1,155,000$ 25892016 474$ 1,226,700$ 2656

Danville Real Estate: Family Home Prices Up 5%This month I wanted to focus on what I consider to be the average Danville fam-

ily home which consists of four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms and I decided to see if the upward market trend we observed throughout 2015 can be seen here at the half way point of 2016 as well.

At the peak, the 2006-2007 time frame, the average price paid for one of these 2,500 sq. ft. gems was $1,112,000, selling at a stratospheric price of $436 per square foot. Supply was very low and demand was very high.

Through the fi rst fi ve months of 2016 and 16 days of June, the price for a Danville family home has increased signifi cantly compared to last year. The current average sales price stands at $1,227,000 compared to $1,155,000 in 2015. This represents a price increase of 6% over the previous year. Dollars-per-square-foot increased in lock step from $451 to $474 for a 5% increase. This number is a bit lower than what I reported for the total market last month and the difference is that larger homes in Danville are selling equally as well as the smaller homes reported here.

For the year a total of 137 Family homes have been sold. Inventory remains low with only 55 similar properties currently on the market. Last year only 34 remained so inventory is up about 62% from last year. Danville family homes are selling at a rate of 22 per month. Current inventory sits at 2.5 month’s supply. As I have been predicting for some time, we are now closing in on time frames of a normal market, which means we probably won’t see off-the-charts price appreciation as we’ve seen for the last few years. The “Fad Strategy” of steeply discounting list prices to attract multiple offers may begin to backfi re as sellers fi nd themselves short of real buyers and leaving big bucks on the table. The bragging rights for selling above list price will be small compensation for selling under true market value.

Although we can’t see that in the data right now, smaller price increases are a rea-sonable assumption for the future. I do believe prices will continue to be positive but not rise as quickly. Current interest rates pose no threat to market growth so, it’s likely

SOLD

Documents

Danville Today News July 2016