Danville Today News, June 2013

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June 2013 Serving Danville

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Volume IV - Number 83000F Danville Blvd. #117,

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The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News.

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See Beacon continued on page 22

See Plays continued on page 8

Perils and Passions on the Farm Offers Family Fun at Forest Home FarmsBy Jody Morgan

Teaming up for their second annual joint theatrical fun-filled fund-raiser, Role Play-ers Ensemble (RPE) and the San Ramon His-toric Foundation (SRHF) present three short plays in different ven-ues around the 16-acre Forest H o m e F a r m s property at 19953 San Ramon Val-ley Boulevard, S a n R a m o n . Showcasing the various types of melodrama that would have been enjoyed by San Ramon Valley residents during the 19th and early 20th centuries, performances on June 22nd and 23rd are geared to entertain the whole family.

Building on last year’s successful Tennessee on the Farm production, RPE and SRHF have broadened the appeal for this year’s event. The classic good triumphing over evil melodra-matic material chosen has been popular with generations of summer audiences all across the country since the time the original circa 1850 barn was first raised at Forest Home Farms. Children especially appreciate the invitation to boo and hiss

at the villain and shout encourage-ment to the hero during the action.

The three pieces selected by RPE Artistic Director Eric Fraisher Hayes represent the vast variety of the genre: one from Victorian Eng-land, one from the Wild West, and one from 1930’s Crime Fiction.

Rehearsing a melodramatic moment for Perils and Passions on the Farm (L to R) Charles Woodson Parker, Eden Neuendorf, Craig Eychner. Photo courtesy of Role Players Ensemble

Restoring the Eye of Diablo: Save Mount Diablo Lights the Way By Jody Morgan

The Beacon atop Mount Diablo first lit up the night sky in 1928 as part of a string of transcontinental aviation guides. Doused in December 1941 in compliance with the World War II blackout, the Beacon has been switched on once a year since 1964 at sunset on De-cember 7th to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor. Over time, the Beacon, also known as the Eye of Diablo, has suffered the ravages of the elements and become almost inoperable.

Recognizing its historical significance and the need for intervention before irreparable dam-age extinguishes its light forever, Save Mount Diablo (SMD) has taken on the task of preserv-ing the Eye of Diablo, the sole known working survivor of its line.

In 1928, Standard Oil of California, now Chevron, provided five 36” Sperry Gyroscope Beacons along the West Coast. Charles Lind-bergh pressed the Eye of Diablo into action by remote control. Mounted on a 75-foot tower, the Beacon boasted the latest technology including a timer that automatically adjusted start and stop sequences seasonally. Walter Frick, who owned the land at Mount Diablo’s summit, gave his consent for the installation.

By 1939 when work commenced on the summit building, the Eye of Diablo surveyed surrounding valleys from within State Park territory. Standard Oil financed the cost of steel and concrete needed to support the new tower constructed of locally quarried sandstone, while the Diablo Civilian Conservation Corps

provided labor. The Beacon was moved to its present location before the order came to turn it

off. A note in the ranger’s logbook dated December 8, 1941 reads: “trip to shut off Beacon

The 1928 Standard Oil tower had neon letters flashing S for Standard and D for Diablo in Morse Code. Photo courtesy of Save Mount Diablo.

Monte Vista Men’s Lacrosse Donates Bears to Children’s Hospital The Monte Vista High School Men’s Lacrosse Varsity and JV teams recently visited Children’s Hospital in Oakland to meet with Ms. Shelley Hamilton,

Manager of the Center for Child Protection, and Dr. James Crawford, MD. The Center for Child Protection handles all types of child abuse cases and provides therapy for children and their families. Dr. Crawford was able to give a tour of their department building, provide an overview of the program, show the therapy garden, and discuss the security in place to protect the young victims.

The players presented Ms. Hamilton and Dr. Crawford with 100 teddy bears wearing a replica of the MVHS lacrosse shooting shirts worn by the players. These bears will be given out at Camp CCP - “a unique and innovative program that combines the rite-of-passage experience of summer day camp with group psychotherapy support for children and teens impacted by abuse and/or exposure to violence” - a camp of fun games, silly songs, and now a bear to take home to cuddle. The MVHS lacrosse family hopes the bears will bring the children comfort and a feeling of safety.

www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 2 - June 2013 ~ Danville Today News

San Ramon Valley Genealogical SocietyThe San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10AM the third Tuesday

of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. There will be a speaker at every meet-ing. Everyone is welcome.

For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, visit www.srvgensoc.org, or email [email protected].

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

nior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood 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.

Hartz & Prospect Avenues - Downtown Danville

Thursday, July 11 & August 8, 20136pm-9pm

street festivalt h u r s d a y n i g h t

Hosted by Discover Danville Association & the Town of Danville

Family fun for everyone!

Bistro dining Entertainment

Balloon artistry Kids activities

Bounce house SRV Museum train

Local business & community groups

www.DiscoverDanvilleCA.com

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club June CoffeeWednesday, June 26th, 10am-noon

Open to all who are thinking of joining the club, this free, casual get to-gether is the perfect opportunity to learn about the many facets of Newcomers while enjoying coffee and chatting with Club Members.

For more information call (925) 281-1307, visit our website at www.al-amodanvillenewcomers.com or email [email protected].

2013 Get to Know ContestBay Area agencies and the international Get to Know Program are working

together to encourage youth to connect with nature through the 2013 Get to Know Contest. The contest invites youth (19 years and under) to get outdoors and submit works of art, writing, photography, video or music inspired by their natural world.

Entries may be submitted online at GetToKnow.ca until November 1, 2013. View entries online in the Get to Know Gallery during the entire contest run. Contest winners will receive prizes, including art supplies, books, outdoor gear, and cameras.

For more information, visit GetToKnow.ca.

Veterans of Foreign WarsThe next regularly scheduled meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of

the United States (VFW) will be held on Wednesday, June 19th. The VFW Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. The building is located on the corner of East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue.

Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more informa-tion, contact Post Commander Ernie Petagara at (925) 362-9806. Find out more about the VFW and our Post on the internet at www.vfwpost75.org.

Delta Nu PsiDelta Nu Psi has sent 1,082 boxes and 26,576 pounds of “gourmet junk

food” to our Troops! Thanks to all of our shoppers. We will be collecting donations at CVS in Alamo on June 7th and at Lu-

nardi’s in Danville on June 14th. We will be at both sites from 11am to 2pm. All of the help that is given to our group and our servicemen is greatly appreciated.

For information, email [email protected] or visit www.deltanupsi.org.

Summer Evening EntertainmentThe Town of Danville welcomes back the Moonlight Movie series this sum-

mer as a way to show appreciation to the residents. Offering a mix of animated, live action, new run, as well as classic movies, there is always something for every member of the family.

The five movie series, which will be shown on the Town Green located at 400 Front Street, will kick off with Puss in Boots on Friday, June 14 and will include the following four movies throughout the summer:

June 28: Harry and the Hendersons (1987)July 12: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone July 26: UpAugust 9: The Avengers (2012)Crafts and activities for children will start at 6:30PM with the movie following

at sunset. Families are asked to bring a blanket and lawn chairs. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call (925) 314-3400 or visit www.danville.ca.gov.

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ June 2013 - Page 3

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Boulevard ViewBy Alisa Corstor-phine, Editor

This is a wonderful time of year. There are many things happen-ing that celebrate the human spirit, and it’s exciting. All across the

country hard-working graduates are beginning to make choices about what’s next in their lives. All of their accomplishments began with a single step. For some this step was programmed and mandatory. For others, it was a choice such as attending college, a trade school, or the military. In all cases, graduates share the experience of striving for, enduring, and eventually accom-plishing something that initially looked perhaps daunting or intimidating. They persisted. They stuck with it all the way to its conclusion. Such discipline and persistence should be applauded, supported, and nurtured. At the end, what do they have? A piece of paper? That’s not impor-tant. The journey is the destination. The process of pushing one’s boundaries, of purposely making oneself uncomfortable while being ex-posed to new thoughts and skills is what we’re applauding. I’m grateful to see a resurgence of trade schools. Combined with education online such as Khan Academy, Udemy, Udacity, 2U and Coursera, and our traditional junior colleges and universities, there have never been more educational choices for the ambitious to choose from. Knowledge is power, and knowledge has never been more accessible than it is today.

Maybe, for some young people, the courage to say no to college is just as important as the courage to stick with it. We’re so conditioned to believe that the only path our kids should travel includes a four year school and a corporate job. We don’t always stop to consider how many roads there are to adulthood.

What will make these graduates successful in the job market? Should they simply follow their heart and ignore financial concerns? Maybe a balanced approach is what should be recommended, and all those commencement speakers compelling youngsters to follow their hearts might be better ad-vised, as Carl McCoy wrote recently, to worry less about following what they love. Maybe they should worry more about love as a consequence of investing themselves in meaningful work instead of being the motivation for it. I don’t know. That seems so bereft of passion, so dry.

You can’t accomplish anything unless you’re willing to act, take a risk, and seize the moment. That’s how you get what you want in life, because nobody is going to hand you a wonderful life on a silver platter. It can only be created and grown by its owner. Reward requires risk of some sort. Recently my son, Kevin, who just finished his college journey at UCSB, was taking a trip abroad. En route, plane troubles dictated an unanticipated missed connection in Beijing with an overnight stay. Seizing the moment, he found a kindred soul and caught a cab to Tiananmen Square at five in the morning to visit and take pictures. Empty but for a few souls, he knocked an item off his bucket list and snapped some pictures. It wasn’t particularly risky, but it took a sense of adventure and gumption that I admire. He seized the moment.

There’s something that transforms in people when they reach their goals. The change is usually proportional to the amount of hardship and obstacles one endures to accomplish the objective. One such example is my sister-in-law who, at sixty years of age, just graduated with her Associates degree in Theatre Arts, with a term left before she is awarded a second degree in Criminal Justice. I think she enjoyed the process, but it was also incredibly hard for her to do it while working, managing a household, and supporting children and grand-babies. The process changed her. She speaks with confidence, seems more self-assured, and at sixty-years-young, is making plans for the future like never before. It reaffirms my belief in the human spirit and what people can do when they really believe in something. I really respect her sacrifice and dedication to reach her goal, and I am so proud of her.

At a recent ceremony I attended, a speaker mentioned the 2005 commencement speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford. I looked up the speech and took two things away from it. The first is that we never know how things today will be related to tomorrow. Steve didn’t know the Calligraphy class he crashed at Reed College was going to be the basis for a revolutionary technology a decade later; he took the class because it drew him in, fascinated him. Secondly, Steve was a huge proponent of doing what you love, because that’s where genius occurs and people can fully express their human potential. It worked out pretty well for Steve, and maybe it will work out well for your graduate, too.

Congratulations to all graduates as you embark on your next journey!


Lost Dog!

Danville Dog is MissingHe has become lost in this paper!

Janet McElley is our winner!

If you find him and your name is drawn!

He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find 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

Danville - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers

away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.

To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved.

To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter 1003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to beAware of Weeks Before Listing Your

Home for Sale

This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013

OAKMONT MEMORIAL PARK Veterans & Spouses Only

Your DD-214 could be worth thousands! With first ever 25% Discount

on pre-need purchases for traditional or cremation placement.

At beautiful Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette. (excludes opening/closing)

Through June 30, 2013 Contact: Thomas Corbett/Veteran Specialist

Marine Officer/Vietnam Veteran (925) 216-4785 or [email protected]

Join the 2013 Trails ChallengeAre you ready to explore your Regional Parks? The award-

winning EBRPD Trails Challenge program provides partici-pants with a free PDF guidebook featuring 20 different trails, including everything you need to know to plan your hike.

Complete the challenge by hiking five of the trails listed or 26.2 miles of trails.

Get a FREE organic cotton T-shirt (while supplies last). A commemorative pin will be sent once you complete the chal-lenge; pins will be mailed in the fall (while supplies last).

Registration is open and free. Get started now by creating your online account. Go to RegionalParksFoundation.org. There is no phone registration for this program.

Get started today!

Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers ClubHistorical novelist Margit Liesche will present “Weaving Stories Around Actual

Events” at the next luncheon meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, June 8th at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.

Liesche will discuss finding inspiration in historical nuggets; using historical events, objects, individuals, and settings to drive the storyline; and drawing character inspiration from historical figures.

Liesche is the author of Lipstick and Lies and Hollywood Buzz, both novels set during World War II. Her new novel, Tryptich, will be released in October.

Check-in for the event is from 11:30AM to noon, a buffet luncheon will be held from noon to 12:45PM, and the program takes place from 12:45 to 1:30PM. The cost is $20 for CWC members and $25 for guests.

Reservations are required. Contact Robin Gigoux at [email protected] or by calling (925) 933-9670. Expect confirmation only if you e-mail your reservation.

The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is http://cwcmtdiablow-riters.wordpress.com/.

Hospice Volunteers Needed Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients

and their caregivers. Opportunities include: • Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling• Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy • Mobile Notaries to witness the signing of important documents• Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members

after their loved one has died • Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and

practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay

at (925) 887-5678, and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email [email protected].

Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that helps people cope with end of life by pro-viding medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay.

To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Danville Lions ClubThe Danville Lions Club invites you to join us for dinner and to learn more

about how our club serves the community. Meetings are held at the Brass Door, 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 7PM. For more information, call Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 275-1990.

Contra Costa County Library’s Summer Reading Festival 2013June 8 - August 17

Savor and sample unlimited combinations and tantalizing selections at your local library with Contra Costa County Library’s Summer Reading Festival, “Reading is So Delicious,” a feast for all ages at your local library. Readers of all ages are invited to feed the imagination, indulge in an irresistible buffet of special events, and devour scrumptious books to earn sweet prizes all summer long!

Kids ages 2 through 5th grade can chomp on exciting books, fun crafts, and entertaining performances for Kids’ Summer Reading. Students in grades 6th - 12th can cook up mouth-watering prizes and activities with Teen Reading. Parents and caregivers of babies from birth to 2 years are also encouraged to participate and earn prizes by nibbling on a menu of early literacy-building activities for Baby Reading. Adult readers ages 18 and up can get their fill of Summer Reading with a chance to win a Booklover’s Bag full of goodies and enticing county-wide prizes by submitting a book review online at ccclib.org or at the your local library!

[email protected]

Danville Fine Arts Faire June 22nd & 23rd Come enjoy the art of 200 talented artisans displaying varying styles and

mediums of work including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics and photography, as well as mixed-media, fiber, metal, leather and wood, along with Italian street painting, Abstract Alley, continuous entertainment, interactive activities, Prospect

Avenue activities, gour-met food, fine wines, and microbrews. The Faire takes place June 22nd and 23rd from 10am to 5pm on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville.

Italian Street Paint-ing brings art to life both days, when 11 Califor-nia chalk artists create temporary masterpiec-es on the pavement of Prospect Avenue. This

popular attraction features a flower-based theme, “Painted Petals on Prospect,” with artists creating 12-by-12-foot chalk paintings.

The art of music is also well represented, as street musicians strum and sing at three locations. New this year, Abstract Alley features whimsical and inspirational sculptures at School and Hartz Avenue. Prospect Avenue Ac-tivities during the weekend include a Classic Car Show and a Vintage BMX bike show on East Prospect (Sunday only).

“Walking through the streets, sampling food, seeing the art and listening to the street musicians – it’s a great way to catch up with old friends and make new ones,” says Shelby McNamara, president of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Admission and parking are free. Free bike parking will be available near Prospect and Hartz Avenue.

For more information, call (925) 837-4400 or visit www.mlaproductions.com.

Danville Today News ~ June 2013 - Page 5

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Call for Entries for Juried Exhibition“All Figured Out,” Juried by Reneé de Cossio

It’s that time of year again! The Town of Danville is hosting the Third Annual Juried Exhibition in the Village Theatre Art Gallery and would like to encourage all accomplished, mid-career, and merging artists in the United States to apply. The theme for the June 28th through August 12th juried exhibi-tion is “All Figured Out.

Artwork, which includes all things figuration, can consist of humans, ani-mals and invented forms. Creative interpretations are encouraged. The juried exhibition is a highlight for local and regional artists and is open to the public. All ages are welcome to apply. A non-refundable entry fee of $30 is required.

Entries must be at the Village Theatre Art Gallery by June 7th on or before 5pm. Any entries received after that date or that are incomplete will not be considered. Entries will not be returned. Artist will be notified of the results by e-mail no later than June 12th at 5pm.

For more information, visit www.villagetheatreartgallery.com or call (925) 314-3460.

Age Well/Drive Smart Wednesday, June 12, 1PM ~ Mt. Diablo Room, Danville Library

The Danville Library and California Highway Patrol present “Age Well/Drive Smart,” a program to help senior drivers and their families continue to drive safer and longer. This free and interactive program offers tips for safer driving, learn and feel car accessories for safer and more comfortable driving, information on DMV requirements when drivers reach the age of 70 years, the opportunity to speak with and ask questions of a CHP Officer, lists of resources to obtain services and goods, and information about when is it time to stop driving.

For more information, call the Danville Library staff at 925-837-4889 or visit http://ccclib.org/locations/danville.html.


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Cinema ClassicsThe Courtship of Eddie’s FatherBy Peggy Horn

To commemorate Father’s Day 2013, Cinema Classics recommends for your viewing pleasure, The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father, (1963) starring Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, and Ronny Howard. It also featured Jerry Van Dyke, Stella Stevens, and Dina Merrill. Directed by Vicente Mannelli, the film was based on a novel written by Mark Toby. The movie generated a popular television series of the same name.

Mr. Ford plays the role of Tom Corbett, an attractive and elegant widower, and Ronny Howard plays his son, Eddie. Eddie tries to arrange dates for his dad with the likes of Dollye (Stella Stevens) and Elizabeth (Shirley Jones), but Mr. Corbett has an attraction for Rita (Dina Merrill), and therein lies a conflict. What makes the movie is the sense of humor, particularly in the scenes with Eddie. Ron Howard, even at such a young age, is a very talented actor and seems so credible and lovable that some of the best scenes are those with him in them. There are cameo appearances by Ron’s brother, Clint Howard, as one of the guests at the birthday party and by Ron’s famous director father, Rance Howard, who appears as a camp counselor. Stella Stevens provides a fabulous and funny drum solo. Also memorable is the swanky sixties style as seen in the clothes that characters wear and the way the apartments are decorated – beautifully.

Movies that deal with issues of fatherhood are not plentiful. This film presents a caring and attentive dad who tries very hard to be a good parent, and although he makes mistakes, he succeeds overall. The image of a fallible parent working through issues with his son is a tribute to fathers everywhere – and moms, too.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father is available for purchase or rental online.Musical Notes – a fantastic download for Father’s Day would be, “Take Five,”

recorded by the Dave Brubeck quartet (Dave Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums) on their 1959 album Time Out. “Take Five,” was recorded in a similar time frame as this month’s movie. This jazz music composed by Paul Desmond in quirky 5/4 time is always appealing and forever cool for any father to enjoy.

SRV Kiwanis Award $35,000 in GrantsThe San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation has awarded over

$35,000 in grants to 41 area non-profit agencies. The grants were pre-sented at the club’s annual grants breakfast ceremony. Representatives of the recipient organizations made brief presentations on the programs the Kiwanis grants support.

Kiwanis of San Ramon Valley has awarded more than $600,000 through their grants program since 1998. This year, grant amounts ranged from $300 to $2,500, including a grant to the San Ramon Valley Educa-tional Foundation of $2,500 for distribution to worthy school projects that the Foundation identifies. Top grants were awarded to Bay Area Crisis Nursery, Cancer Support Community, CASA, Down Syndrome Connec-tion, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Loaves & Fishes, Monument Crisis Center, Senior Helpline Services, Shelter Inc. of CCC, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, and The Taylor Family Foundation.

Other recipients include Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, As-sistance League of Amador Valley, Assistance League of Diablo Valley, Camp Camelot, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Diablo Valley Flag Brigade, Inc., Discovery Counseling Center of SRV, Friends of the Danville Library, Gardens at Heather Farms, Hope Hospice, Inc., Hospice of the East Bay, Moment by Moment, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Nayeli Faith Founda-tion, Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, St. Vincent de Paul of CCC, San Ramon Library Foundation, SonRise Equestrian Foundation, The Lucille Glass Mauzy Foundation, Tri-Valley Haven for Women, We Care Services for Children, and Kiwanis Family House.

Funds for the annual grants program are raised by the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation through several fundraising projects, includ-ing organizing and conducting the annual Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville. Grant applications are solicited in February of each year and awarded in May with an additional several thousand dollars held in reserve to provide emergency grants and fund Kiwanis community projects throughout the year.

Additional information about the Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley may be obtained at www.kiwanis-srv.org. The club holds weekly luncheon meetings at noon on Thursdays at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. Please join the club for lunch, and find out more about the organization.

Exchange Club of San Ramon ValleyThe Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every

month at Faz Restaurant in downtown Danville. The Club’s sign-in and social time begins at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and a business networking speaker. Guests are welcome. Price is $16 for members and first time guests and $20 for returning guests.

For more information, call Karen Stepper, President, at (925) 275-2312, email [email protected], or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.

After-hours at the Danville Library for Tweens Friday, June 7, 7-9PM ~ Tweens, Grades 4-8

The Danville Library is opening its doors after-hours exclusively to Tweens for the second annual After-hours at the Danville Library. Meet other tweens and break into summer fun! Tweens takeover the Danville Library after-hours for an evening filled with live music, an exciting and informative scavenger hunt, interactive gaming on the big screen, delicious treats from Jules Thin Crust Pizza, and fun prizes to engage, empower, and educate tweens for Summer break.

This event will held at the Dan-ville Library in partnership with the Town of Danville.

Advance registration is required and can be made by visiting the Dan-ville Library or calling (925)837-4889.

[email protected]

Tip of the Month By Cynthia RuzziDitch the Car – Ride Instead of Drive

Let’s face it, I’m not qualifying for the Amgen Tour of California anytime soon, but as the elite professional cyclists effortlessly rode past me on their way to Mt. Diablo, I felt proud of striving for my

own bike challenge. I may not be ready for the Mount Diablo Challenge in October (billed as the East Bay’s best uphill bike ride), but I am working on my pledge to ‘Ride instead of Drive’ for trips less than four miles.

According to sponsors of the ‘2 Mile Challenge,’ 40% of all trips within the United States are two miles or less, and 90% of those trips are completed by car. With 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions coming from cars, it behooves us to be mindful when we need to drive and when we can walk or ride our bikes instead. In fact, driving releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution into the air for each gallon of gas we burn. The EPA states the average car in the US gets 22MPG – obviously they don’t realize how many SUVs we’re still driving around here. Even using a conservative estimate of the number of adults in our community of 35,000, ditching the car for just one two mile trip per week would save us 3,309,090 pounds or 1,654 tons of local CO2 pollution per year. Talk about breathing easier.

Did you know that the US has more bicycle owners per capita than other countries, but it ranks near the bottom of the list for using them? In fact, the cost of operating a car per year is over $5,000 – 43% more per than a bike – and it takes the same energy and resources to make 100 bikes as it does one medium car. Even a Toyota Prius, getting 50 mpg, loaded with four adults, consumes six times the energy per person as the bicyclist, for the same trip (comparing calories of energy burned). And if these aren’t enough reasons to consider using your bike when your trip is four miles or less – running an errand in town, meeting a friend for coffee, going to the library, stopping by your kids’ school, etc. – then remember how much fun it was to ride your bike when you were a kid, and think of the health benefits.

Benefits for your health include:• Cycling can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, and just three hours of

bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.• A 140-pound cyclist burns 508 calories in an hour. The average person loses 13

pounds their first year of commuting to work by bike.• In 1964, 50% of kids rode to school, and the obesity rate was 12%. In 2004, 3%

rode to school, and the obesity rate was 45%. And you know which way the statistic has been going since then – right?

Danville Today News ~ June 2013 - Page 7

DT

Traffic and parking may be the two top complaints of people living in the local area. Every time you or your kids bike or walk it takes a car off the road and reduces parking congestion. This year the Town of Danville started adding bicycle parking downtown for the convenience of residents and visitors who are hopping off the Iron Horse Trail and stopping by our restaurants and shops. Visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sustainabledanville) and guess the correct number of bike racks in downtown Danville, and you could win a prize!

To make sure there’s enough parking for downtown summer festivals and fairs, Sustainable Danville Area is partnering with other non-profits to host temporary bicycle parking at these events. Monte Vista High School Mountain Biking Club will host the bicycle parking for the upcoming 2013 Danville Fine Arts Faire on June 22nd and June 23rd from 10am – 5pm. Bike on over to the parking lot shared by Starbucks, Consignit Couture, and Pegasus Bikes on Hartz and Prospect Avenue on Saturday or Sunday for a VIP parking spot to the faire. If your non-profit group would like to host a bike corral for the 2013 Town of Dan-ville July 4th parade, please contact us at [email protected] or visit us at www.sustainable-danville.com.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, two thirds of residents use a bicycle on a daily basis. There is no limit to the level of biking that’s possible in ideal terrain and temper-ate weather of our area. Imagine how much im-pact that would have on our health, the environ-ment, and traffic!


Plays continued from front page

Looking for Answers About County Programs or Services? By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County District 2

Looking for answers about County programs or services? Tap into the “Live Chat” service.

Navigating through the County’s large volume of programs, ser-vices and information can be difficult, but help is just a click of the mouse away. Contra Costa County’s website includes a LiveChat

program, weekdays from 8:30am until 5pm. You can access it right from a button on the County’s homepage at www.contracosta.ca.gov. You will also find the LiveChat button on every page of the County’s website. Thousands of county residents have taken advantage of this service, posing questions ranging from how to access property information, where to pay taxes, or how to license a pet. Tap into the Live Chat team, and you’ll be talking in real time with staff at Contra Costa’s Libraries trained to help answer questions that might be tough to resolve just by searching online.

Response to the service has been overwhelmingly positive, from both citizens who have used it and from staff who have expressed how rewarding it is to be able to help residents navigate the sometimes complicated maze of County government information. Much of the information is actually available on various pages of the County website. Your inquiries through LiveChat, which are tracked and reported to the County’s depart-ments, will help to organize the information so that it will be easier for future visitors to find.

My staff works hard to make my own District 2 website, www.cccounty.us/district2, informative and up-to-date with many useful resources for my constitu-ents. In addition to links to all of the District 2 city websites, you will find links to many local, county, and state organizations such as East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa Water District, local CERT training groups, and the California Secretary of State for voter registration. You will be able to see the advisory boards I make appointments to, where there are vacancies, and how to apply for those openings. You can also quickly access the Board of Supervisors’ agendas for the current and past meetings, view past issues of my eNewsletter, as well as sign up to receive a copy each month via email.

If you’re not already, I encourage you to become one of our many regular eNewsletter subscribers. Each month’s edition showcases local events and includes short, informative articles about what is going on in the County. Along with my Facebook page and Twitter account (@AndersenCandace), my eNewsletter is another way of communicating with you on a regular basis.

Town and Country Center

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Jewelry Dept. Sterling Silver Charms starting at 25.00

Hayes explains: “Normally, in theatre you try to stay ahead of the audience and avoid being predictable, but with melodrama the idea is to invite the audience to feel they know the story from the start and to encourage them to be part of the storytelling. By feeling they know the characters and the plots, we hope the audience will let loose and have as much fun as the actors on stage.”

Stock characters in melodrama are the fearless hero, the virtuous heroine, and the despicable villain. The storyline entails a dramatic rescue by the hero of his beloved heroine from the devious designs of the villain. Hayes notes: “Bad guys like to be bad, good guys know they are the good guy, and audiences cheer and jeer accordingly.” The term “melodrama” alludes to the music often used to underscore the action with “melo” derived from the Greek “melos” for music. Silent films with appropriate melodic accompaniment naturally fit the mode as did radio dramas that drew the entire family together to listen.

Attendees are invited to come at 5PM on Saturday, June 22nd to enjoy a picnic on the farm prior to the 6PM performance. Wine, sodas, and dessert will be available for purchase. On Sunday, June 23rd, pre-performance picnicking begins at 1:00PM with show time at 2PM. Intermission will feature an old-fashioned ice cream so-cial. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Reserve tickets by sending a check to “RPE on the Farm” at PO Box 304, Danville, CA 94526 or online by PayPal at www.srhf.org.

The Bounty Garden at Hap MageeCheck out the new Bounty Garden at Hap Magee Ranch Park, located at 1025 La

Gonda Way, Danville, on the Danville/Alamo border. Join in on one of the educational programs that teach local volunteers how to grow

organic vegetables.Everything that is grown is then donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

For more information, visit www.thebountygarden.com or email [email protected].

Do you have a story idea or sporting news?

Call us at 925.405.6397, or email us at

[email protected].



Charlotte Wood Middle School By Christopher George, Principal

As this is our last article of the 2012- 2013 school year, I definitely want to start with a huge note of thanks for a lot of people. First is you, the community. We are continually thankful for the support we receive from the Charlotte Wood community in all of its forms. We know many of you give of your time, money, and resources

to help us be a better school for your students. We are grateful for all of that support in all of its forms, and we only hope that you see the return in your kids as we do.

I also want to thank a few individuals. First and foremost is Tom Moore, who has been our PTA President for the last two years. Tom has been a tireless advocate for kids and for public schools both for us and throughout the community. His relentless optimism has done wonders for our staff and students, and we are sorry to see him go on from his post. Alongside him, we want to thank Jacqueline Bennett for her help throughout the last few years. She has likewise spent countless hours in support of our school and our activities. Lastly, I want to acknowledge Suzanne Adams, who has quietly helped us at every single event that I can remember in setting up and helping all of our events be more hospi-table to our guests. I know there are many others who deserve individual recognition as well, and we hope you all know how grateful we are.

Additionally, I want to thank those members of our community who helped out with our first ever Charger Field Day on May 17th. This idea has been completely run by students from our leadership class who have done everything for that day, from budgeting to contacting services, to purchasing equipment to scheduling activities. Their initiative has been outstanding, and we hope that due to their efforts, we have begun a long-standing tradition. Those students, Megan O’Grady, Ashley Martinez, Bridget Bauer, Katie Bennett, Melissa Page, Samantha Stone and Sarah Vawter, were instrumental in making this successful.

At Charlotte Wood, we are already looking ahead to a growing population next year. We have some big changes in store, including a Modified Block Schedule, further implementation of Common Core State Standards, and the introduction of Advisory Curriculum. So, while we are always sad to see a promoting class go on, we are also excited about the kids we have coming in. Thanks again for your support and for being a part of this excellent community.

SRV Christian Academy By Jan Brunkal, Principal

Where did this year go? We must have had fun, because it went by so fast! As we look ahead to the summer, it makes me reflect on what an amazing time we have had. So many events make our school an exciting place, especially those put on by our Parent Teacher Fellowship: the Carnival, our successful Auction, family skate night, and cultural assemblies.

Our students have participated in wonderful field trips this year, some new and some that are traditions to SRVCA: the Balclutha, Rock-N-Water, one room school house, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Chabot Space and Science Center, the state capitol in Sacramento, fall retreats for our 7th and 8th grad-ers, and the most memorable of all, our over the top Washington DC trip for our graduating class. These trips are wonderful learning opportunities and memories for all of our students.

One of my favorite traditions at SRVCA is our 8th grade graduation cer-emony. This year, as always, we will celebrate our graduates and recall some of the wonderful experiences they have had here at SRVCA. The celebration is on June 12, at 7pm in the CPC Sanctuary. Through their testimonies, speeches and music, our students have the opportunity to show what accomplished and confident young men and women they are becoming. They will take the time to thank God and their families for their experience, kindergarten through

eighth grade. Prior to graduation, our 8th graders will have a very busy end of the year week. Field Day is a highlight, heading to the beach one last time as a class, and then on Friday, June 7th, our students attend a formal dinner/dance at Blackhawk Country Club. Parents will join their children at the end of the evening for a memorable time of father/daughter, mother/son dancing. These events always prove to be a culmination of their extraordinary experiences here at SRVCA. I am so proud of our graduates; I will miss them, but know they will become great leaders on their high school campuses and beyond. I pray that they will become men and women of character, strength, and cour-age, and that they will stand for their beliefs God Bless you class of 2013!

Have a wonderful summer!


Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, Principal

Monte Vista has had a whirlwind few weeks as we wind down toward summer vacation. We finished up both STAR and AP testing and had several assemblies. Mike DeCesare, president of McAfee, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom spoke with students about the importance of technology in our lives as well as the need to be secure and safe when using social media. Our social studies students had the opportunity to listen to and ask

questions of veterans ranging from World War II to our current vets. It was an inspiring morning for our students as they honored our veterans.

One of the most impactful assemblies for our students was It’s Up 2 U. The program is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the negative impact of drugs and alcohol and encouraging students to make safe and responsible decisions. Up 2 U is produced by Monte Vista and 20/20 Productions. This presentation included video footage and guest speakers from our local police and fire depart-ments; a counselor from the community, a recovering addict, and the parents of a Monte Vista student who experienced the tragedy of having their son die shortly after graduation from the use of inhalants. Our goal was to remind all students that their choices affect their family, friends, and community.

To wrap up the Up 2 U week, the Leadership class hosted a Healthy Alterna-tives Fair at lunch where local businesses and the City of San Ramon promoted healthy options for the summer. We so often hear from our students, “There is nothing to do around here,” so we decided, “Why not bring the community here and help get our students involved!”

Thank you to the local businesses, our Leadership class, and our Monte Vista staff that helped make this an impactful week for our students.

As you make your summer plans, the following dates may be helpful:Senior Inspirational Ceremony: Sunday, June 5 at 5pm at the Al Gentile TheaterGraduation June 10th at 6pm Registration Packet Pick-up August 14 3pm– 7pm, August 15 Noon – 2pm

Registration: August 19 and 20 1pm – 7pm Freshmen Orientation: August 21 Freshmen Dance: August 21First Day of School: August 27 (minimum day)If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit

our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal

“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” Theodor Roosevelt.

This has never been more true than in our classrooms. A teacher can design the most scintillating lessons and incorporate the most up-to-date technology and re-sources, but if the students don’t have a connection with that individual, then it is not going to work.

Our students need to know that they matter to us as human beings, that they are important and special. If

they don’t then why would they want to work in our classrooms? After all, students do not have a choice - they have to attend school every day,

and they have to take many classes that they may have no interest in. We demand that they sit in uncomfortable desks for hours at a time, listen to us, show us re-spect, and follow our rules. Is it not reasonable to expect that we make students feel comfortable, respected, and safe in return for everything we ask of them?

Teaching is a busy, demanding, under-paid and over-stretched profession, and often educators will state that they are too busy to be able to take the time to check-in with students, and that there is too much curriculum to work through. However, the most ef-fective teachers will find ways to weave those personal opportunities into their teaching.

Rita Pierson (an educator of 40 years) proclaims that what students need most are teachers who are willing to be champions for them, love them, and insist that they be the best that they can be. However, this does not mean that we should be friends with our students or blur the boundaries between educator and student, far from it. In fact the very creation and maintenance of those boundaries, those structures and those rigorous expectations is the foundation of showing students that they are cared for.

Kids need adults who can guide, nurture, and challenge them to become suc-cessful, confident, life-long learners. These adults come in many forms: parents, coaches, teachers, family members, and other mentors. We give children the most opportunities for success when they have multiple people in this role.

The most important thing to remember is that this is a shared responsibility, and it must begin in our own homes. If our children are raised in homes and learn in class-rooms where they are provided with love, structure, respect, and accountability, then they will have all of the tools that they need to be successful in life. It’s hard work and it requires a genuine commitment, but it is nothing less than every child deserves.

Learn more in the seven minute YouTube, TEDTalks video with Rita Pierson titled “Every Kid Needs a Champion.”

Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun K. McElroy, PrincipalThanks to our Major Supporters

The end of the school year is filled with award cer-emonies to acknowledge student achievement and to recognize those adults who make a significant impact on the lives of our children. Here are some highlights.

Stone Valley PTA Honorary Service Award win-ners are parents - Lynnette Breyton, Yvonne Poon, Joan Remmert, and Mary Stark, and teachers - Shirley Dawkins, Jean Egan, and Nancy Olson.

The PTA High School Alumni Student Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Herman. Josh will be attending Brown University in the fall.

Thanks to Caryl Peterson and Kim Keane for setting up the Honorary Service Awards, organizing the presentation to the parents, and honoring the nominees with certificates and flowers. Thank you to Linda Kwong for skillfully handling the Alumni Scholarship.

Congratulations to teacher Teresa Butler Doran and student Evan Segimoto, Alamo Rotary Teacher and Student of the Year. Mrs. Butler Doran has been teaching 6th and 7th grade science at Stone Valley for 15 years. Mrs. Butler Doran serves on several school committees, and directs the National Geographic Geo-Bee and the 1:1 tech-nology initiative. Teresa’s quote about teaching: “It’s not a job, it’s part of who I am.”

Evan Segimoto has taken two music classes every year for three years and auditioned into the concert and jazz bands. Evan has also dedicated himself to several philanthropic causes inside and outside of school. Evan is the son of Arnold and Mari Segimoto.

Congratulations to both on earning Stone Valley’s highest award.Philanthropic Opportunity for Class of 2013 - Backpack Brigade

On June 13th, 8th grade students will be collecting new or gently used school supplies for our sister school, Coronado Elementary, in Richmond. Our collection will include: notebook paper, pens/pencils, felt tip markers, binders, composition books, folders, backpacks, and compasses.

Donations can be dropped at the school office anytime between now and June 13th.

Email any questions to me at [email protected] Annual Field Day a Huge Success

Topping a classic event is a difficult task. However, this year’s organizers of Field Day a.k.a. the “FC” or Fun Committee, outdid themselves by recruiting new members and dozens of parent volunteers, and adding a few new field games.

SV students were treated to two spirit rallies, an art and science activity, a tal-ent show, Subway lunch, carnival games, face painting, a craft activity, bowling, a movie, large inflatable activities, cotton candy, rootbeer floats and popcorn.

The Class of 2015 - “Yellow, not Mellow,” won the class competition. This is the first time a 6th grade class has won. Congratulations “Yellow Fellows.”

The 2013 “FC” members are: Kathleen Arbulu, Monique Metzcus, Teresa Butler Doran, Courtney Konopacky, Ben Loomer, Eric Rasch, Spencer Erickson, Devrah Lawver, Wendy Nacamu, Jenna Ray, and Irma Volenec.

Special Thanks to Greg Phillips for capturing the day on film.Campaign Offers new Corporate Sponsor Recognition

The Stone Valley Ed Fund Class Size Reduction Campaign is at 25% of the annual goal of $186,000. Middle schools are the only level in education that does not receive federal or state dollars for reducing class size. For the past two years our campaigns have fallen short and we have dipped into our reserves to offset the deficit. Our reserves are now exhausted and we must now look outside the school community for support. If you are a business owner or work for a corporation that would like to participate, a $15,000 donation will cover one class or section.

King of the Pride –Corporate Donation Level includes:• Personalized parking space• Company name will appear in every notice, and the marquis on the gym, the weekly

Roar newsletter, the monthly Alamo Today, the Donor Plaque in the school office, on independent signage in the school parking lot, and in Ed Fund letters to parents.

If you are considering this level of donation, please contact our Ed Fund President Gary Zilk at [email protected] or Elisa Tinker [email protected], or visit http://stonevalleyms.revtrak.net/tek9.asp and click on the “easy button” for donations online.


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Summer’s HereTime to hit the beach . . .and the books!By Susan Sokat, Director Club Z! In-Home Tutoring

Right now, most students can’t wait for summer to start. However, come early July, many will find themselves with long hours of unimaginative video game playing and television watching.

This lapse in learning can have a negative impact on students’ mental capacity. One research study collected by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Summer Learning shows that children typically score lower on standard-ized tests at the end of summer vacation than they did on the same tests taken at the beginning of summer vacation. A different study claims that, on average, students lose 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in mathemati-cal computation skills before going back to school in August or September.

If a student does not require summer school, that’s great, but that does not mean that every student will be ready and equipped to begin the next level of curriculum once September rolls around. Parents are smart to consider alter-native ways of keeping their kids above the curve and ready for fall to begin.

During the summer, there’s nothing like the convenience of In-Home Tutoring that provides one-on-one tutoring in the home, just steps from your backyard or pool. Make it convenient for your schedule, whether its morning or evening. Popular sellers for this summer are:

Algebra and Geometry – Get a kick-start for next year. If students go into the year already mastering the first few chapters, grades will start off with a big boost, and the students start off with confidence, ready to master the more difficult concepts.

The Power of Words – A proprietary writing curriculum addressing all areas of essay writing. This curriculum is also very popular for SAT essay writing and college essays.

And of course, seniors taking SAT/ACT in early fall, definitely don’t want to slack off this summer. Use this time for SAT/ACT tutoring geared to your individual needs, and watch your scores increase an average of 100-200 points.

Younger students can bridge the gap by catching up and being ready for next year. “Use your time wisely” is never more appropriate than now! Have a great summer!To reach us please call us at 925-786-7149.

For more information, visit our website at www.clubztutoring.com/danville. Advertorial

The End of an EraBy Kelsey Nyland, San Ramon Valley High, senior

High school graduation – it’s so permanent. More than anything, more than when you turn eighteen, or get your first job, graduation represents the end of childhood. The era of packed lunch is over, as is the era of the eight o’clock to three o’clock schedule, and the era of homecoming, prom, and ball. No longer will I attend rallies every few months, and no longer will I

begrudge the fact that I have to attend said rallies. The era of Friday night football games is also over, but that is not a universal fact. Unfortunately, the only place in New York City that can fit an entire football field is underground, and that has obvious disadvantages. Anyway, most things that I know and am familiar with are about to end, but even though the past seventeen years in Danville have had innumerable ups and downs, there are a few things I will miss more than the rest.

The backstreets behind Burger King that take you to Sycamore Valley Road: Every day after work or school I take these backstreets home. They are inconvenient in almost every way; it takes longer to get home, there are a million-and-one stop signs, and bikers always peruse the roads. However, as soon as I turn onto those backstreets, I am enveloped by a canopy of trees and quaint houses with gorgeous gardens fill my periphery. I turn up my music, usually Bruce Springsteen, and enjoy the drive, without the slightest concern regarding time or destination.

The beautiful view above Shadow Hills pool: I live near a much-neglected, frequently ignored community pool. There is no lifeguard and pretty much no at-tractions other than a large rectangle filled with chlorine. Next to the pool, however, is a staircase. This staircase is infuriating, mainly because each step rises roughly two inches above the previous step, making the climb awkward and confusing. Once I climb up those stairs, I get to a fork in the road, and every time I recite

those famous Robert Frost lines in my head, so I can feel cultured and intelligent. After I choose the road less traveled by (which is incidentally the more common road), I come across a bench. At this bench, one can find the most beautiful view of the San Ramon Valley. At night, the lights of thousands of houses flicker on and off, and they shine bright against our rolling hills. My friends and I frequently find ourselves on the top of this hill, pondering life (once again, because I like to feel cultured and intelligent).

My house: I feel like this one is cheap, because the other two were extremely obscure locations that highlight the beauty of nature. Nonetheless, I will miss my house. I have never moved; this place has been my home for seventeen years. I’ve seen multiple remodels, a playground, a pool, a moldy old basketball hoop, and a swarm of raccoons enter and leave my backyard. I have watched my brother go from adorable baby to gangly teenager. This place is my home, and it is so strange to think that I will never call the house across from the commu-nity pool my permanent residence again.

Danville Rotary ClubThe Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at Faz restaurant

in Danville. For information, contact Jim Crocker at [email protected] or by phone at 925-577-6159. If you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, contact Jim Coleman at [email protected]. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club.

Danville/Sycamore RotaryIf you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary

Club, contact club president Jim Coleman at [email protected]. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club.


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Del Amigo High School By Joseph A. Ianora, Principal

It is hard to believe, but it is true - the school year is almost over. We are entering into our final two weeks and graduation, and then we are out for the summer! I would like to share a few thoughts and reflections as we near the end of the school year:Graduation

On June 5th we will be celebrating with 47 Seniors as we graduate them from Del Amigo. The ceremony,

which takes place at the Performing Arts Center on the SRV campus, will highlight student speakers and song. Mr. Tom Connolly and Mr. Kevin Jones will be addressing the Class of 2013. We are excited to have our new super-intendent of schools, Mary Shelton handing out our diplomas.Awards

Del Amigo Students were the recipients of several scholarships:• D.A.R. Citizenship Award – Sasha Malowitz• San Ramon Valley Council of PTA’s Scholarship – Cole Standley• Danville-Sycamore Rotary Scholarship – Hayley Cole• EPIC Scholarship – Jordan Hood

ConstructionDel Amigo will be receiving a “face lift” in three areas – the Library, the

Foods room, and the old Auto Shop. We have been lucky enough to partner with six Rotary clubs, and the district to redo the Library – making it a 21st Century Learning Center, updating our Foods room, and re-opening the Auto Shop.

I want to give the community, parents, and students of Del Amigo a big THANK YOU! This was a year of change for us, and you were all very supportive.

As the year ends, we have a staff member who is concluding his career at Del Amigo and going on to enjoy the benefits of retirement and new adventures. It is Mark Kauzer – Mark has been with the district since 1982 as a teacher and counselor. He has been the face of Del Amigo for the past 12 years, and we will miss him very much. We wish him well!

Car Wash Fundraiser Helps St. Isidore FamilyThe 3rd Annual St. Isidore School 8th Grade Car Wash was a tremendous suc-

cess this year raising over $4,600. This is an annual project the 8th grade class does collectively, and they unanimously chose to raise money for the McSwee-ney Family. Joe McSweeney was a St. Isidore parent, parishioner, and Danville resident who was loved by the community and passed away on St. Patricks Day of this year. He had four children that graduated from St. Isidore School. If you are interested in making a donation, mail a check directly to Provident FCU, Provident Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, PO Box 8007, Redwood City, CA 94063-0903 made out to the McSweeney Family Education Fund.

Happy Summer! By Maria Ward, Principal St. Isidore SchoolTime is passing so quickly, and we still can’t believe summer is here. Our year has gone by so fast. My first year as principal

at St. Isidore has surpassed all of my expectations. To be a part of this Catholic community is truly a gift, and I am humbled and excited to grow in this role. In May we said goodbye to 72 graduates. Many have been with us for nine years. There were many tears during the graduation ceremony from our students, parents, and teachers. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and look forward to the days when they return to campus and visit with us, as most do.

Our parish summer faith camp will be held June 17th through the 21st. This year the theme is “Kingdom Rock, Where Kids Stand Strong for God.” We enjoy seeing so many different students from our school and parish community come together and

share in their Catholic faith. Many of our middle school students volunteer to assist the adult staff and earn service hours towards their annual service hour goal. Our Pastor, Fr. Moran, also participates with daily visits in supporting our summer faith camp.

Our students are continuing to read, read, read over the summer months. This year we are starting a new summer reading program called, “St. Isidore Reading Record.” Our students will be logging their summer reading minutes, and we will reward our top school readers. Our librarian has posted some age appropri-ate books that she recommends for our students on our website. Just go to www.Stisidore.org and click on the “Library” link.

When our students depart, our teachers are still here working with our learn-ing coach on Common Core Standards, differentiating instruction, mapping curriculum, and integrating best practices in their curriculum for next year. This summer our teachers will continue to grow professionally through workshops, classes and seminars in their subject area. We find summer is also the perfect time to recharge, reflect and revisit why we as Catholic school educators devote ourselves to this ministry and make room for improvements in our own personal teaching standards. Education is fluid, always moving and changing. We want to make sure we are moving right along with it.

In closing, I thank our St. Isidore community for their support. We will always do what is best for our students. Being at a Catholic school, we continually strive to model the message from the posters that hang in all of our classrooms: “Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.”(Author Unknown) We are blessed to be a part of something so wonderful. Have a great summer!



Quick Trips By Linda Summers PirkleElkhorn Slough

Moss Land-ing, which is an

hour and three-quarters drive from the Bay Area, is on my favorites list for the people, the food, and the activities in a tiny town by the sea.

A few months ago I did some research on whale watching in Moss Landing (Blue-oceanwhalewatch.com). All those I met in the town, from the antique store proprietor, to café and restaurant owners, were so very kind and interested in telling me about other great shopkeepers and businesses in town. I felt like I was in “Mayberry” by the sea. I was given a tour of the town, and while doing so I met the Gideons, owners of Captain’s Inn and Elkhorn Slough Safari, the subject of this article.

Captain Yohn Gideon and our naturalist guide, along with and our group of 22 pas-sengers, set out at 11AM on a Wednesday on the Elkhorn Slough Safari. The informa-tion on the website (www.elkhornslough.com) describes the boat trip as a “way to visit this natural habitat, providing excel-lent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife close at hand.” Our trip exploring one of California’s largest wetlands ex-ceeded our expectations.

The Safari is a 27 foot pontoon boat, and Captain Gideon has been guiding tours onboard this vessel since 1991. “I was an officer in the Navy, stationed in California, and fell in love with the place. There wasn’t a way for people to be able to see all the sea otters and birds, so I created the Elkhorn Slough Safari and designed the pontoon boat that I use for people to have a relaxing trip,” he said. We ventured out about four miles and saw all kinds of wildlife. “Everyone seems to love the stable platform, and I made it up high so you can really see all the playful animals,” Captain Gideon explained. We were able to see all kinds of birds, sea otters, harbor seals, and sea lions while our naturalist and the Captain offered Elkhorn Slough history and information about all aspects of slough ecology.

Our naturalist guide, zoology major, Danielle, started our tour with some facts about Elkhorn Slough. She explained, “The Elkhorn Slough is one of the few relatively undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California. The main channel of the slough winds inland nearly seven miles and encompasses over 3,000 acres of marsh and tidal flats. The channels and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish, some of which are important commercially. The slough is on the Pacific flyway, providing an important feeding and resting ground for many kinds of migrating water foul and shorebirds.”

The slough is home to more than 400 different species of invertebrates, 100 different species of fish, and 300 different species of birds. According to Captain Gideon there are at least six rare, threatened, or endangered species utilizing the slough and environs, including peregrine falcons, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, clapper rails, brown pelicans, least terns, and sea otters.

We had a memorable day on the slough, and we took lots of photos. One of my favorite sights was a sea otter floating on her back in the water. Captain Gideon pulled our boat around a bit closer and asked us to look closely. Using binoculars, we were delighted to see a tiny otter cub cuddled up on the mama sea otter’s belly.

*The Elkhorn Slough Safari operates year round. June, July and August are good times to go when you need a reprieve from the Bay Area heat. The climate can be a lot cooler out on the slough. The phone number for Elkhorn Slough Safari is 831-633-5555.

Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading 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. “If it’s a trip for my husband and me, my husband drives and I talk (he’s a captive audience) – the perfect combination! What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email [email protected].


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www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 16 - June 2013 ~ Danville Today NewsLife in the Danville Garden By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape ArchitectWater-Wise Design

Over the years I have implemented into my practice water-wise landscape design. I am a 5th generation native Californian and have been designing landscapes for over 35 years here. Over the years, living in and out of drought conditions, I have learned to stay the course of good water-wise landscape design. As residents of Danville, it is vital to conserve water as a habit. It seems we should know better by now, but we get fooled from season to season when we experience many years of El Niño. With global warming concerns, it is time to get smart and stay smart.

Here are seven practices I always implement into my designs, and these are some of the same practices you can take to implement into your new or existing landscape no matter what the forecast might be.

One: Start with your soil; thriving soil with good organics is the foundation of a water conserving landscape. How much water you need to keep your landscape alive is directly equivalent to the amount of compost in your soil. Compost increases permeability and capacity to hold water, thus reducing the amount needed for irrigation and thus lowering your watering bills.

Two: Use Plants and Landscapes for Summer-dry Climates of the SF Bay Region, an EBMUD book. The types of plants described in the book have adapted to summer dry conditions and once established can survive dry summers with little or no water. There is an old gardener’s adage: “right plant – right place.” Appropriately designed planting requires less watering, pruning, fertilizing and spraying, thus lowering operating costs and use of resources. Minimize your lawn area. 1,000 sq. ft. of turf can save about 10,000 gallons of water per dry season. If you absolutely need a lawn, minimize the size and place grass where it will be used for relaxation and play.

Three: Cluster your plantings by water needs. This method is known as hydro-zoning. In a hot sunny location, group sun-loving, low water-use plants and then design the irrigation system to water that cluster of plants. Same goes for shade areas. Hydro-zoning can more easily match plant requirements, thus saving water. Hydro-zoning allows you to separate your irrigation valves so each zone can be managed more accurately. This method can save you an unbelievable amount of water!

Four: Design and install high efficiency irrigation systems. Use bubbler and drip irrigation where possible so that water can be applied directly to the root zone. Minimize spray irrigation where possible. Use the newest irrigation technology; MPR (matched precipitation rates) sprinkler heads, bubbler, drip, micro-sprays, soaker lines

and an upgraded new controller. There are many choices that offer high technology that uses historical weather data and solar, moisture, and rain sensors. Some systems can detect problems like a broken sprinkler head. I was able to adjust my controller last summer to save 15% on my water bill. With new technology I believe you could easily save 25-50% of the water you use for your landscape now!

Five: Manage your landscape water use. Know your landscape watering needs and how much water is being applied. Adjust your controller often as weather conditions change. Install a new “Water Smart” controller. Set your controller to water early in the morning when evaporation rates are low and wind is calm. Water deep and less often. This will allow water to get into the root zones. Avoid overwatering and run-off. Good water management saves thousands of gallons!

Six: Mulch! Mulch reduces water loss and prevents weed growth. Mulch often! Regularly mulch around your trees, shrubs, and ground covers and cultivate your soil regularly to allow water to penetrate more easily.

Seven: Make saving water important to you! Every drip counts! Get involved in your garden. Use licensed landscape professionals to assist you in water-wise design and implementation of your garden.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Investing in a water-wise planting and irrigation design for your new or existing garden can save you thousands of $$ over time! The savings can well exceed the cost of the design itself!

Gardening Quote of the Month: “The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives.” ~ Native American Saying

If 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. Advertorial

19th Annual Sculpture in the Garden ExhibitFor one month every year, The Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG) transforms

into an outdoor art gallery. The Garden’s world-class collection of succulent and drought-tolerant plants provides a spectacular backdrop for artists to display their works. Follow the meandering pathways to discover art that ranges from classical to irreverent, spiritual to functional. All works are for sale. This is the perfect place to find art for the home garden.

• Preview Party: Friday, June 14, 5:30 - 8PM Celebrate the unveiling of the exhibition, and mingle with the artists while sipping champagne in the Garden at sunset. Advance ticket purchase is required - $65/person; $60/RBG Members.

• Opening Weekend: Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, 10AM - 3PM Bring a picnic, take a tour, and meet the artists. Docent tours throughout the day. Live music on Father’s Day. Free admission for dads on Father’s Day.

• The Sculptures will be in the Garden through July 13.General admission: Adults/$10; seniors and students/$7; children and

RBG members free during regular hours. Free parking!The RBG is located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek. For a list of

featured artists, please visit www.ruthbancroftgarden.org. For more information, contact Phoebe Berke at (925) 944-9352 or [email protected].


Bathroom Remodeling Basics A quick look at today’s bathroom remodeling projectBy The Bath Studio Staff

Many homeowners begin the bathroom remodeling process by looking at home design magazines and visiting home improvement stores to get ideas and formu-late an overall vision. As you begin to explore the multitude of options available today, the first step is to identify all of your requirements for the space, including:

• Do you have enough space for all of the components you want in your new bathroom? • How much storage do you need and where? • What size and type of shower do you want? • Do you want a soaker, whirlpool, or air tub? • What type of overall style and feel are you looking to achieve? • Do you want to add heated floors, towel warmers, or a steam shower? After defining your requirements, detailed attention should be given to space

planning. If more space is desired for, say, a larger shower, additional storage, or a separate room for the toilet, there may be opportunities to expand the bath-room by annexing a closet or other adjacent space; sometimes, just redesigning the existing space may meet your requirements without taking space from other areas. Location and size of windows should be considered so that you can bring in as much natural light as possible while maintaining privacy.

Product selection is the next step and will require a review of many items, including: • Tub: When selecting a tub, consider size, shape, hydrotherapy options, style, warranty, and cost. • Shower: Today’s shower systems can contain multiple shower outlets, including rain heads, hand showers, and body sprays. • Cabinetry: Cabinetry in today’s bathroom can be anything from built-in “stock” cabinets to elegant furniture-style. Storage requirements and style preferences should dictate your choice. • Tile / Surfacing materials: The walls, floors, and countertops of the bathroom have a significant impact on the overall look of the space. These choices

should be made with aesthetic and maintenance aspects in mind. If you would like assistance with a bathroom remodeling project, visit our design showroom in San Ramon to see how we can help define and

create your vision for a new space. We are located at 2410 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, 925-735-1400. For a preview, visit us on the web at www.thebathstudio.com. Advertorial

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www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 18 - June 2013 ~ Danville Today NewsThe Art Of Screening By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

Trees and shrubs provide many valuable services in the urban ecosystem. One of the most important, from the perspective of homeowners, is screening for privacy and to hide undesired objects. Well-placed foliage

can keep out prying eyes and enhance personal safety, and a view of beautiful leaves and branches gives more pleasure than the view of a neighbor’s garage. Over the long run, preserving a living screen requires planning and judicious pruning.

Plants grow toward the sun; they maximize foliage where there is most light. As trees mature, the density of the canopy can act as an umbrella and shade out the interior lower branches, which causes them to die. To see a clear example of this, look at a mature oak in the forest. The majority of foliage is in the outer shell; the interior is bare. This natural phenomenon works well for plants in the wild, but it may not succeed well for your screening needs. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this loss of valuable screening.

All strategies for maintaining screen involve keeping sunlight flowing to interior branches. Sufficient light on the leaves reduces dieback. It is best to act before the screen is compromised (an ounce of pruning is better than a ton of replanting). In plants with latent buds, English laurels for example, trunks can re-sprout even after interior branches have withered. However, many species lack latent buds and are incapable of re-sprouting, and for those species preventative medicine is the only medicine. Even for species with latent buds, keeping branches healthy is much easier, and more effective, than reinvigorating them.

• Eliminate light competition from surrounding plants. Evaluate the plants growing near your screen plants to see if they are casting a shadow on branches critical to screening. Plants shading out important screen plants can be removed,

or they can be thinned and shaped to increase illumination of screening branches.• Thin the screen plants themselves. This may seem counterintuitive, but the

exterior of the screen plant may be shading its interior. It is not uncommon to see 40-foot pittosporums that look like balloons, with the only green occurring in the canopy. To revitalize, it is generally best to remove all dead wood, thin the top heavily, and even thin the screen area. The goal is to maintain layers of green from the edge of the canopy through the interior. A thick, multi-layered screen is less prone to failure. If it is not acceptable to lose any bottom screen, even temporarily, a good compromise is to thin those portions above the screen area. Thinning only one portion of the tree is an aesthetic challenge, but it can be done.

• Shape the tops of screen plants. It is sometimes possible to shape back the tops of screen plants to allow more light to reach the lower branches. Our philosophy of pruning requires that the overall beauty of the plants be considered in all prun-ing cuts. Because health and beauty are often synonymous, we have found that bringing light into the interior usually enhances tree aesthetics.

What do you do if you have already lost the screen? It is difficult to get branches to grow back once they have died, but radically thinning or lowering the plant may induce growth in lower foliage. Unfortunately, this is hard to achieve without sacrificing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs. Sometimes it is possible to fill the gap with shade-loving plants. Other times the only solution might be to remove the plant and start over. Each case is different.

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

Clip Notes By Jody MorganLocation, location, location! Selling an ill-situated

house is difficult, but getting an improperly sited plant to thrive is nearly impossible. Reading all the refer-ences on a particular species is often insufficient for identifying the proper place to plant it in your own garden. When I first moved to Danville, I ordered several specimens of bearded iris. The spot I chose for them seemed ideal. Supposedly re-bloomers, they offered a few dispirited blossoms once a year.

Gardens never cease to yield unexpected results. Fortunately, at least in my experience, every unwelcome discovery that thwarts my intentions is balanced by a serendipitous surprise that rewards my diligence.

Divided and moved to another area, the iris continued to sulk. Then sud-denly last summer I needed just the sort of elongated spikes of foliage these iris produce to fill a bare spot where nothing seemed to grow. Shaded by a cherry tree all summer, missed entirely by the drip line, but offering good drainage, the site suited the iris so well that despite the tendency of their kind to take a year off after division, they put on an overwhelming show this spring. Even if they never bloom again, they have more than repaid my efforts on their behalf.

The color and definition of the flowers was much improved by their new location. Huge peach blossoms etched with chocolate kept opening. Even though each flower only lasted a few days, the performance ran more than a month. Dangling before the iris, like an opening chorus, bells of flowering maple (Abutilon) in rich melon tones accompanied the ballet. As a counterpart, several varieties of bugleweed (Ajuga) played the blues.

How did I orchestrate this delightful display? I did so with one part expertise combined with nine parts gardener’s luck. One of the most difficult horticultural events to control is bloom time. In another year, the bugleweed might well have finished its set before the iris took center stage. The flowering maple does bloom sporadically throughout the year, but the sudden prolific production of flowers just as the iris buds burst into blossom was an unexpected crescendo. Weather certainly played the leading role, but my introduction of MaxSea (an organic seaweed fertilizer available at Sloat’s) undoubtedly encouraged the performers.

Developed by centuries of breeding, bearded iris (Iris germanica) is a European hybrid rather than a true species. The iris family includes some 260-300 species. Some, like Japanese iris and flag iris, are water-lovers. Others, like bearded (aka German) iris, are drought tolerant and adaptable to many soils. One source claims that in 1479 BC King Thutmose III was so smitten

by plants he saw in Syria that he had the first domesticated iris installed in his Egyptian palace plot.

The name “iris” from the Greek for “rainbow” refers to the many colors and combinations that iris flowers exhibit. In German iris, the fuzzy yellow “beard” leads pollinators to nectar the way runway lights guide incoming air-craft. Iris plants were used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome for fragrance and flavoring.

Many conflicting tales explain the origin of the Fleur-de-lis emblem, long associated with French royalty. Some credit Louis VII with choosing the iris as his symbol during the Crusades. Hence, as in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, the term is “Fleur-de-luce” or Flower of Louis. Others note usage of the device that predates the Crusades and suggest because the Franks first lived in the Netherlands near a river called “Luts” and also “Lits” before settling in Gaul (now France) that the golden flag iris, which still lines the river’s banks, gave rise to the symbol. A third theory suggests the flower intended is not an iris at all, but rather it is the baptismal lily presented to Clovis I in 496 AD.

The flowering maple in question has a much shorter and more local his-tory. Abutilon ‘Bartley Schwartz’ is named for a nurseryman from Concord, California. Orchids were among his specialties. In the June 2001 issue of the Diablo Orchid Society’s newsletter, Kathy Barrett writes: “I am also hoping Bartley Schwartz will have his business open. Bartley is known for his many hybrids and his mandevillas. And his birds! He has a couple of parrots that perch on his shoulders as he works.”

The common name of flowering maple refers to the leaf shape in several species. Native to Brazil, tropical Asia and India, the genus Abutilon includes many shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant species. Other non-botanical monikers for these butterfly hosts are: parlor maple, Chinese bellflower, Chinese lantern and Chinese hemp.

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What Does Dow 15,000 Mean to You? By Sima Alefi

This month, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a milestone, when, for the first time, it closed above 15,000. Of course, 15,000 is a nice, round number, and it sounds pretty big, but what does it mean to you, as an individual investor? Is it cause for celebration, or is it more of a “caution” flag?

There’s no one simple answer to these questions. Since March 2009, the low point of the market follow-ing the 2008 financial crisis, the “Dow” has risen about

130 percent. And while the Dow is just one index, it’s nonetheless an important measure of the market’s performance which means that you were likely glad to see the 15,000 mark eclipsed and you’d be happy if the numbers just kept rising.

However, as you’re no doubt aware, the market does not move in just one direction. Typically, declines of 10% or more, or “corrections,” occur about once a year. Unfortunately, they’re not predictable. Sooner or later, the markets will indeed change course, at least for the short term. When this happens, don’t panic - corrections are a normal part of the market cycle. Still, you might feel like you should do something to cope with the downturn. But what?

Here are a few suggestions:• Keep investing - Too many people, when faced with a market drop, decide to “cut

their losses” and take a “time out” from investing. But that can be a costly mistake - had these investors bailed out of the market in 2009, and only recently returned, they would have missed a substantial part of that 130 percent run-up in the Dow. And when you invest in a down market, your dollars may actually go farther if the market rebounds, because you would have bought more shares at the lower prices.

• Review your portfolio - It’s usually a good idea to review your portfolio at least once a year, and it may be especially important during those times when the market changes directions. Over time, a portfolio can become unbalanced — for example, following a long period of rising prices, some of your growth-oriented investments may have gained so much value that they now take up a larger percentage of your holdings than you had intended, possibly subjecting you to a greater level of risk than you desire. If this happens, you may need to scale back on these investments and reallocate the money elsewhere.

• Diversify - Always look for ways to spread your dollars among a range of vehicles - stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other investments. Even within these classes, look for ways to diversify further, such as owning different types of stocks, bonds of varying maturities, and so on. Diversification can’t guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, but it can help reduce the impact of volatility that can occur in a downturn.

The Dow at 15,000 is certainly no minor event. And since stocks don’t appear too expensive compared to their earnings, don’t be surprised if higher milestones follow. But record highs can be quickly forgotten when the market falls. By being prepared for that day, too, you can help yourself continue to work toward your goals — even when the major market indices have, for the moment, taken a wrong turn.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your qualified professional regarding your situation.

To contact Sima at Edward Jones call (925) 648-2590. Her office is lo-cated at 3472 Camino Tassajara, Danville in the Blackhawk Safeway Shop-ping Center. For more information, visit www.edwardjones.com. Advertorial

Danville A.M. Toastmasters ClubThe Danville A.M. Toastmasters Club meets on Tuesdays from 7AM to 8:30AM

at Father Nature’s Restaurant on East Prospect in Danville. The first breakfast is on us. Come by to check out the club - you’ll enjoy yourself while learning to be the speaker you want to be. For more information, call Roxie at (925) 837-6253 or visit www.danvilleamtoastmasters.org.

Diablo View Toastmasters ClubThe Diablo View Toastmasters Club meets on Tuesdays 7:55 to 9AM at

Center Plaza Building on 2333 San Ramon Valley Boulevard in San Ramon in the conference room (First Floor). For more information, see diabloview.freetoasthost.ws or call Ernie DeCoit at 925-699-7103.

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Danville Toastmasters Club The Danville Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday from 7:30 to

9PM at Diablo Valley College, Room W204. The college is located at 1690 Watermill Road in San Ramon. For more information, visit www.danvillet-oastmasters1785.com/ or call Chandra Mundra at 925-389-1468.


When Family and Business Don’t MixBy Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

Family members often become “involuntary” co-own-ers of real estate and/or a business by inheriting a fractional interest in an asset co-owned by other family members.

Proper planning and related documentation should be completed by the first generation of (voluntary) co-owners, ideally at the time an asset is purchased. Oth-erwise, this co-ownership can become very problematic

- even if such problems don’t arise until the death of a first generation co-owner.This article features an interesting case on point that I’m handling now. I’ll

summarize the background, illustrate the core legal issues, and outline a lesser known legal remedy.

Basic facts (names changed): My clients are siblings, John, Jane, and Judy, whose mother, Carol, died 17 years ago. For decades, Carol owned 50% of a commercial building with her brother, Sam. The family operated a retail business at the property, of which Sam long ago became 90% owner and Carol 10% owner.

It’s unknown what amounts Carol received from Sam for her 10% of the business and for rent that should have been paid by the business to Carol and Sam, as equal owners of the property.

When Carol died, my clients inherited her 50% of the property and her 10% of the business. My clients’ uncle, Sam, continued to run the business, and it seemed to be pretty successful. But Sam never provided any significant information to his nephew and nieces. He simply sent them each a small monthly check, without identifying whether these distributions were for rent and/or for business profits.

My clients are of modest means and could certainly have used more funds from their inheritance. But they loved their uncle Sam and trusted that he was being fair. As the years went by, the value of the property increased substantially and presum-ably so did the business profits. Yet, while purchasing a large home for himself and buying a nice home for his daughter, Sam did not increase distributions to my clients. My clients began to suspect they were not being treated equitably.

In recent years, my clients made numerous requests for a business accounting and

other relevant information, but Sam gave excuses and failed to honor these requests. My clients became frustrated and finally asked Sam if he would buy their 50% of the property. Sam said he was unwilling to do so, and my clients felt as though they had no options.

John was referred to me, and after doing some due diligence for John and his sisters, I informed them that: a) they were not at the mercy of Sam to con-tinue to be co-owners of the property; b) Sam could be compelled to produce an accounting for the business and the property; and c) Sam had breached the fiduciary duty he owed to my clients as co-owners of both the property and the business, unjustly enriching himself as to his 90% interest in the business at the expense of my clients who were receiving far less than market value rent for their 50% interest in the property.

I informed my clients that they could file a lawsuit, in which they could seek a Partition of the property. In a Partition action, if one (or more) co-owner of a property is not getting along with another co-owner or one wants to sell and the other does not, the judge will, except in rare circumstances, order the sale of the property. In addition, my clients had a right to demand an accounting and had various claims for damages.

I wrote a demand letter to Sam, giving him an opportunity to buy out my clients and settle as to damages sustained by my clients. Sam’s lawyer re-sponded, acknowledging that my client would ultimately be able to force the sale of the property in the Partition action, but rejected my clients’ valuation of the property and denied liability for damages. So, I filed suit for my clients.

The parties have engaged in early settlement discussions, and reaching a pre-trial settlement is likely. Unfortunately, however, the lack of any written agreements between the parties – either between Sam and Carol of the first gen-eration or between Sam and my clients of the second generation – helped enable a conflict to spin out of control and ruin a previously close family relationship.

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 944-9700; [email protected]. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Mr. Silverman offers a free introductory consultation.

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial 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

Traveling ConnectedBy Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

Recently I was fortunate enough to travel abroad. My destinations included Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. I could write several articles about these interesting and vi-brant destinations, but today I’m going to give you some advice on how to stay connected while away from home.

Staying connected means different things to dif-ferent people. Since I was in a very unfamiliar en-vironment, I erred on the side of wanting a working

telephone and internet connectivity. I’m a lousy navigator, and I like to rely on Google Maps! I have found it is definitely not a winning strategy to simply hope you’ll find good Wi-Fi along the way. Free Wi-Fi is very hard to find, even at coffee shops. When you find it, it’s usually pretty wimpy or over-subscribed. Even paid-Wi-Fi can be hard to find, so do your homework. We in the US are very spoiled with fast internet access.

Important note: If you are going to use free or paid public Wi-Fi, make sure to have your laptop’s firewall turned on, and do not conduct any financial transactions where your credit card or banking information would be transmitted through that connection. Public networks are often targeted by hackers ‘listening’ for unsuspecting travellers trying to perform a last-minute transaction.

When we landed in Bangkok, I tried to access the “Free” Wi-Fi network at the airport so we could find our people. No go. I could connect to it, but I couldn’t get any access. The same thing happened in San Francisco and also Narita airport in Japan. If you do find one that works, congratulations! If I relied on it, I would have been sunk.

Since the free Wi-Fi didn’t work, I tried the “Boingo Wi-Fi HotSpot” I had signed up for before leaving. This is a paid service that has hot-spots all over the world’s airports and other public places. They boast over 600,000 hotspots, so chances are there will be one near where you’re going. Check their website (www.boingohotspot.net) to see if the airports or locations you’re visiting have their service. This service does work, although it’s not strong enough to do much more than get a message out, which in my case was enough for that moment. A month of service only costs $11.95, so it’s a decent fall-back.

You need to plan ahead. As I mentioned above, I’d already signed up for Boingo before my trip, but when you’re out on some country road and need a

map, that’s not much help. When you’re out in country you need 3G data for your smart-phone. But your cell phone is not going to be compatible with the network in the country you’re visiting without some preparation. I use an iPhone, but the process is basically the same for all phones. You may have heard about the practice of “unlocking” your cell phone. Unlocking is the process of removing artificial barriers your carrier has put on your phone that prevent you from connecting to other carriers, here at home or abroad. I use AT&T, who will unlock your phone if you own your phone and can provide specific documentation.

I own my iPhone outright, which means it’s past the original contract date. You’re not supposed to unlock your phone unless you own the phone. As I ‘own’ my phone but don’t have every scrap of documentation AT&T wanted, I unlocked it through a 3rd party website that charges $35. When I arrived in Thailand, I was able to take my unlocked iPhone to one of the several local telephone company booths in the Bangkok airport and purchase a local SIM-card. I purchased a plan which gave me 1GB of internet and unlimited calling for six weeks, which for me was perfect. The package for the SIM-card had the website info, and later on I was able to visit the website and recharge the card when I got low. Once I had the local SIM-card, my phone worked just like at home, with a local Thai telephone number. I could send text messages, make calls, and, most important of all, use the apps and local internet which were totally functional.

It’s important to note that you can also purchase a simple “throw-away” cell phone at those same airport booths, which would allow T9 texting and phone calls without the 3G internet. They run about $40 and come with prepaid service plans. These are another great alternative when you want to have local access.

We were very fortunate that I had planned ahead to have a working smartphone. As it turns out, our ride never got the message we were arriving. Eventually we took a cab for the hour and a half ride to the city of our destination and navigated close enough to our destination that we were in the neighborhood. We didn’t have an accurate address for our final destination, but we made ourselves at home in a local bar until daylight, when I used my phone to call our friend and navigate in the rest of the way. If I hadn’t had my phone, it would have been extremely sketchy to get to the right area and get in touch with our friend.

Are you traveling soon? If you have questions about international access, email [email protected], or call 925-552-7953 to check with the connectiv-ity experts at Portable CIO. Advertorial

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ June 2013 - Page 21 Solar Currents By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolarMaximize Your Returns

In a recent article in Solar Today, the CEO of a large box solar installation company provided advice to solar installers on how to “move into the mainstream.” How-ever, the assumption that all installers want to be in the mainstream is a false premise on which to base advice. In my opinion, an entirely different business model should be pursued to achieve the highest customer

satisfaction and greatest long-term financial return from a solar energy system. That being said, this following bit of advice was excellent: installers

should “emphasize the economic advantages of solar electric installations.” “Quality of life improvements” can also be achieved by the installation of solar photovoltaic systems.

From personal experience, both talking points ring true and essentially work in unison. I’ve had solar panels installed on my home for some years now and recently added more panels as the result of purchasing an electric car. I’m now able to even better leverage the excellent credits available to me because of the PGE Electric Car Charge Utility Rate. I’m being credited upwards of $.55 per kilowatt-hour in the summer afternoons for my excess solar production, and recharging my car in the evenings starts at less than $.04 per kilowatt-hour. With solar photovoltaic, one can live in increased comfort while saving money. This is because in PGE territory all kilowatts are not charged or credited at equal value.

Customer service: The CEO made a case for how a larger company’s call centers can “better connect” with customers. From my experience, a client would prefer to speak to a business owner, followed by a salesperson, and lastly, a call center. By their nature, I don’t believe adequate customer service can be provided by call centers.

Concerning products: The big box advice is to “put the product compo-nents and specifications on the back of the brochure” because consumers have “shown little preference” towards brands. Conversely, my belief is that when it comes to a 25+ year investment and warranty, consumers need to be educated about brands! Final product choice has an effect on long term financial return. Warranties are only as good as the paper they are printed on. The world’s former largest manufacturer of solar panels, China’s Suntech, is in bankruptcy and on the verge of liquidation. Choosing a product from a manufacturer that has a long performance history and no product recalls is the best warranty one can buy.

“Quite simply, it’s not about the panels anymore.” From a consumer’s stand-point, it’s all about the panels and the individuals installing them. Finding excellent and reliable products takes research and effort. Downplaying product and technical details is doing the consumer a disservice. It allows for the least expensive installation, but at what long-term cost?

Achieving lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the goal. Lowest TCO is achieved by choosing quality proven products and qualified installation teams. This combination will generate maximum financial return over the 25+ year life of the system. Products and people do matter.

Customer experience: “The drive for a better customer experience will be aided by ongoing consolidation among installation providers.” I highly doubt that “bigger is better” when it comes to individual customer experience. Consolidation typically means less competition, less creativity amongst the remaining players, and fewer choices of product, installer, or service.

Innovation: It is indeed critical to focus on innovation, manufacturing ef-ficiencies, and installation cost reductions. There are many new and innovative products becoming available. However, for individual customers, innovative products don’t necessarily translate into best value products. What is most im-portant for a customer is selection of compatible and reliable products; innova-tion comes second to reliability and performance in the field. Wide adoption of new technology products should only occur after proven reliability is achieved.

Differing business models exist because differing customer bases exist. As for any construction project, do your research to find the best fit for you.

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Con-struction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715). Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or email [email protected]. Advertorial

Tax Talk with BobTax Planning Now for 2013By Bob Shalon, IRS Enrolled Agent

We all got through the tax season for 2012 and lived to talk about it. Now it’s onto 2013 while there is time to do something about your next tax return.

Here are a few areas that may apply to you, and affected many returns this past year.

• Refinanced mortgages are great. With to-day’s low rates hovering around 4%, many tax-

payers will refinance. Remember your lower payment means less of a deduction. If your payment goes down considerably you may need to adjust your withholdings.

• If you can, utilizing an equity line or line of credit against your home or property is preferred to early withdrawals from your IRA or pension.

• If you have savings in both an IRA and a pension, you may be eligible for an exception to the early withdrawal fees on an IRA. A pension has virtu-ally no exceptions to the rule.

• If you are an employee, make sure your payroll department is withhold-ing the proper amounts on your California withholdings as well as Federal. I saw many cases of under withholding on California tax forms even when Federal withholding was done correctly.

• If you are selling stocks that you held for very long periods of time, there may be large capital gains to account for. The market has recovered nicely, which is great, but it will affect your gross income. The IRS requires backup documentation to establish the original cost of all stock transactions this year, so there is no wiggle room.

• Exercising stock options this year can affect or throw you into the ugly Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). This occurs whether you sell the stock or not! It is important to know that if this did happen to you in previous years, you are entitled to an AMT credit when you do sell those stocks.

I hope this helps, although this is only a random sample of ideas.I want to take this opportunity to thank all of my clients and all the clients

of the Danville office of H&R Block for your loyalty and support. As a result of our continued growth, we will probably be moving next door to larger of-fices. I will be working the rest of the year in San Ramon beginning in July as the new Danville office gets furnished.

Thanks everyone and have a wonder-ful summer.

Please call me at anytime at 925-820-9570 or email [email protected] with questions. Advertorial

925.820.9570 714 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite B, Danville

Sycamore Square (next to Lucky’s) [email protected]

Bob Shalon, EAMaster Tax Advisor • Enrolled Agent

Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment


as to Black Out.” Radar developed during the war rendered the string of transcontinental lights obsolete as navigational aids.

Wanting to honor their fallen comrades, the Oakland chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors asked retired Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to arrange a re-lighting of the Beacon on December 7, 1964. Following the success of that original ceremony, the Beacon has shone through the night on De-cember 7th each year. Whether bulb replacement was required for that first commemoration is unknown. However, ironically, Japanese manufacturer Ushio produces the bulb now used in the Beacon.

Retired Ranger Burt Bogardus has been keeping the Beacon working since he transferred to Mount Diablo State Park in 1975. He often accepted the task assigned to the “closing” ranger on December 7th: greeting the Pearl Harbor Survivors and turning on the light. “Several times,” he writes, “the light did not work. The wiring was very unreliable, the sockets were corroded, the drive belts and pulleys slipped, and even though I had it checked out beforehand, several times it didn’t turn on (either light up or revolve) at the appropriate time.”

In keeping with Lindbergh’s initial lighting of the Beacon by remote con-trol, Bogardus created a device to permit Pearl Harbor Survivors to switch on the historic symbol themselves rather than shout up to the ranger on duty to perform the task. “In the early 1980’s, I happened to be at a garage sale and saw a large electric relay. I immediately thought, ‘That would make a good remote control for the beacon’ and bought it for, I think, a dollar.” Although his fellow Beacon Restoration volunteers are concerned that Burt’s homemade product is not a licensed electrician’s handy work, his invention has functioned reliably for over thirty years, firmly establishing its place in Beacon folklore.

Save Mount Diablo stepped in to co-sponsor the annual lighting of the Beacon in 2006 when the issue of liability insurance threatened to cancel the

Page 22 - June 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Beacon continued from front page

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Sports Medicine By Dr. Jeffrey G. Riopelle, MD

We are introducing a new column on Sports Medi-cine. My wife and I practice in San Ramon on the campus of the San Ramon Regional Medical Center. Future topics will include discussion on knee pain in the over-40 athlete, shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, experimental use of one’s own stem cells in treatment of joints and other areas, and the use of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber in athletes.

We have a long standing interest in sports and sports medicine both per-sonally and professionally. We both participated in high school and college sports and have remained physically active ever since.

At age 57, I still play basketball and volleyball as well as uses the treadmill, weight, bicycle, and pilates machines. My wife, Donna Riopelle, APRN, NP, jogs, lifts weights, and use the treadmill. I have personal experience with several sports injuries, having herniated a cervical disc playing basketball, herniated a lumbar disc playing golf, and fractured my sacrum (back) falling off a horse. I have made a complete recovery from each injury.

I have coached CYO basketball and was the head coach of a Little League team. Our four children have all excelled in sports and have also had their share of injuries to come back from. Our son David was MVP of the freshman football team at De La Salle, playing running back and line backer. He had almost 800 yards as a varsity running back before his season was shortened by a torn thumb ligament in 2011. He suffered a torn ACL in rugby in 2012, but he returned just six months later to play and contribute to De La Salle’s National Championship football team. Our daughter Lexi was an elite gymnast, just one level below Olympic level, at age 11, when she suffered a back fracture that ended her gym-nastics career. Both Lexi and her younger sister Natalie competed at the highest level cheer competition in high school going to the World Championships in Or-lando, Florida on two separate occasions. All three daughters - Brittany, Lexi, and Natalie have cheered for Monte Vista with Lexi and Natalie serving as captains. Natalie, currently a junior at Monte Vista also coaches lower level cheer squads.

I authored a health and fitness book titled My Personal Trainer which is a comprehensive guide to health and fitness. I received my medical school training at UC Irvine, was freshman class co-president and finished medical school in the top 15% of my class. My residency training was done in Ventura at UCLA’s residency program. I stay on the cutting edge of medicine through training with The Ageless Regenerative Institute in Florida and with the Mastermind group, a group of doctors in the US and Canada whose purpose is advancement of high-quality, cutting-edge, ethical medicine. I have preformed free treatments for residents of Shepherd’s Gate and the Shelter for Battered Women, and also started an annual Halloween candy buyback program to promote health in chil-dren, sponsored an annual Good Deed contest for children, as well as helped the Blue Star Moms send care packages for the holidays to overseas military personnel. I have been featured on CBS and NBC news multiple times reporting

on medical advancements, have been featured on the CBS TV show Fabulous U Magazine, and have been interviewed on the radio by the famous DJ, Don Blue.

Donna received her nursing degree from Cal State Long Beach and her Nurse Practitioner degree from UCLA in 1988. Her primary interest is anti-aging. She has completed and received her board certification from the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She is also completing the final stages of the master’s program in Anti-Aging.

Together we have practiced in San Ramon on the campus of San Ramon Regional Medical Center for almost 25 years. We share the passion of bring-ing the latest scientific advances to our patients, including those less known advances not sponsored by major pharmaceutical companies. Our goal is to create a better quality of life for our patients as each decade arrives. I am 57 years old, but I feel I’ve worked preventively over the years to keep myself in shape so that I feel 37 years old. I want the same for my patients. We can help you especially when it comes to your joints, muscles, tendons, back, and neck.

Our next column will shed light on the field of sports medicine and on cutting edge of medical procedures available to benefit those searching for relief from pain and injury.

For information on any of our programs please call our office San Ra-mon Valley Medical Group, Inc., at 925-275-9333. We are located at 5401 Norris Canyon Road Ste., 312, in San Ramon. Advertorial

The Beacon settles atop the new summit building c. 1939. Photo courtesy of Save Mount Diablo.


Lifestyle MedicineBy Kelly Hall, DC, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

A therapeutic lifestyle is all about liv-ing your life in a way that improves your health. We are experiencing an epidemic

of lifestyle-related health problems like obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. These do not have to be outcomes of the aging process. The recommended first line of treatment for many chronic health problems such as these listed should be lifestyle changes.

A recent buzz word that you may have heard is “Lifestyle Medicine.” This concept is specifically the use of lifestyle interventions in the treatment and management of disease. Such interventions, or changes, include but are not limited to diet (nutrition), exercise, stress management, smoking cessation, and a variety of other non-drug modalities.

Why are therapeutic lifestyle change programs needed? They are needed because 70% of all doctor visits are thought to have a predominantly lifestyle-based cause, notes Gary Egger in his book Lifestyle Medicine.

Many of us chalk up symptoms like low energy, poor memory, weight gain, and chronic pain as signs of aging when in fact, they are signs of illness. By beginning to make some changes in what we decide to put into our mouth for nourishment and hydration, as well as getting our bodies moving, we can begin to see some shifts in the way we feel and the way our bodies respond.

One of the most powerful lifestyle changes you can make is in your body composition. The body can be divided into two parts; body fat (fat) and lean body mass (everything in your body except fat). Having excess fat in relation to lean body mass is called altered body composition and can greatly increase your health risks. Whereas a certain amount of fat is necessary, excess fat will store toxins which leads to increased inflammation, pain, and obviously weight gain. A proper muscle to fat ratio has been associated with longevity and decreased risk of chronic disease.

You cannot measure body composition by stepping on a scale. In my of-

fice I use a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis machine or BIA. It is a quick, accurate way of assessing body composition. It uses electrical signals at different frequencies which measure body fat in relation to lean body mass. The BIA detects an improper balance in body composition which allows for earlier intervention and prevention. The BIA is performed in our office with a sophisticated, computerized analysis. It calculates and estimates your tis-sue and fluid compartments through pads placed on your hand and foot as you lie comfortably clothed on the exam table.

BIA measures your progress as you improve or maintain your health. Improving that measurement can keep your body functioning properly for healthy aging. Your BIA results can guide us in providing a personalized di-etary plan, including nutritional supplements when appropriate, and exercise to help you maintain optimal health and well-being.

How would you like to wake up in the morning feeling great? How would you like to see improvement in your energy levels, those chronic aches and pains start to disappear, less body fat and more strength, performing at your best potential, and aging gracefully and healthfully? This is FirstLine Therapy, living life to it’s fullest.

My goal is to help patients adopt a therapeutic lifestyle with good health, full function, and absence of disease, well into old age. Lets get started! Re-ceive a complimentary Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis with the purchase of a 10-day or 28-day Metabolic Detox or FirstLine Therapy Program.

Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit their website at www.sycamorevalleychiro-practic.com or call 925-837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial

Doctors of Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

Hearing Loss Association Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association

of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Assistive listening system is available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact [email protected] or 925-264-1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.


Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS.Meal Planning Made Simple for Families

In my practice I frequently educate families on good meal planning. Let me tell you about my recent work with a local family of four that was referred by their physician.

Both kids are involved in sports, and since no one is consistently home, everyone helps themselves to con-venient frozen items. Only when mom is not traveling

for business are veggies made. As a result, everyone is overweight, and mom and dad have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

I asked dad if the kids were eating things like artichokes and asparagus, and he said, “no” because the kids did not like them. The kids said they would be willing to try them since they forgot how they tasted. I frequently see parents never buy healthy items because their kids rejected them years earlier, not taking into account how everything changes in our kids’ lives.

I immediately saw that no one had any idea how to read a food label for proper nutrition. I explained to them that the food label shows measurements in grams, and to this day I do not understand why we have to constantly translate grams into more easily recognized quantities. For example, we have to learn that one ounce of protein is equal to seven grams where we take the grams of protein and divide by seven to find the ounces. I also showed them that four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon of sugar. They were shocked to learn that even healthy Greek yogurt can have 30 grams of sugar or almost eight teaspoons of sugar. We also discussed the need to eat 25 grams of fiber per day and the fact that we should keep our intake of fat down to 20%.

After our meeting we all jumped in the car and went to Trader Joe’s where I showed them a new way of planning and shopping for fresh, healthy foods. Here are some decisions we came up with.Breakfast

For breakfast they were eating Honey Nut Cheerios or bagels with cream cheese. I explained to them that this was like eating “paste and glue” that goes right to the hips. There is absolutely no protein and fiber in these choices. We talked about buying oatmeal packets, Kashi Go Lean Cereal, 100% whole wheat bread with peanut butter or with a few tablespoons of cottage cheese with sliced strawberries,

or even a low sugar Greek yogurt. Mid AM/PM Snacks

I explained the importance of having a source of protein during the day to keep blood sugar stable and in the afternoon to prevent excess hunger resulting in evening overeating. We all agreed to snacks of hard-boiled eggs, beef jerky, an ounce of nuts with a sprinkle of raisins, a stick of string cheese, peanut butter on celery or apple, or a piece of fruit. When returning from school they agreed to substitute their former choices of chips and crackers for bean soups, cottage cheese and veggies, hummus with veggies, beans with salsa and a sprinkle of cheese, or even oatmeal.Lunch and Dinner

I told the family that their major problem was that their refrigerator contained no foods that provide protein and fiber. I was thrilled to show the family fresh Just Chicken, Seasoned Chicken Strips, Teriyaki Chicken, as well as 97% Hebrew National Hot Dogs that are only 45 calories each.

I went on to show examples of precooked items such as brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat couscous, a variety of beans that would be great with salsa, and shred-ded lite cheese on a whole wheat tortilla. In addition we focused on the veggies they were doing without, and I showed them fresh broccoli florettes and string beans that kids like which can be steamed in the bag and available in minutes. All you need is a great sauce such as curry, satay sauce, or even a fresh salsa.

I always tell my clients that if you are out of staples, there is always a tasty omelet option that can be made with an egg yolk and multiple egg whites which is best with mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes with a sprinkle of lite cheese on top for taste. This can be enjoyed with 100% whole wheat English muffins. There is always baked potato night where everyone can add a topping of their choice of chili and cheese, sour cream and chives, or even broccoli and cheese along with an interesting arugula salad.Desserts

Interestingly, mom was strict with not allowing the family to purchase desserts because everyone is overweight. I explained to her that if they cut down on the starch at night and eat more veggies they could easily enjoy a dessert such as fudgicles, creamsicles, two Oreo cookies, or a cup of non-fat frozen yogurt.

I am glad to inform you that nutritional counseling was covered by the fam-ily’s Aetna PPO insurance for two months. Please feel free to call me at (925) 855-0150 and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles, recipes and nutrition tips. Advertorial

Restoration will keep the Beacon watching over the Diablo foothills and valleys for years to come. Photo by Cris Benton.

Beacon continued from page 22ceremony. Neither the State Park nor the Pearl Harbor Survivors were able to provide the necessary coverage, but SMD had an event policy in place that solved the problem.

As a new volunteer at the time, Dick Heron was asked to help some of the veterans up the steps. His role soon expanded to running shuttle service by van to the summit from

the lower parking lot. A re-tired project engineer for Del Monte Foods, Herron readily accepted Bogardus’s invita-tion to join him in keeping the Beacon functional. For the past six years he has helped replace parts. He comments in the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Diablo Watch: “One year I had to push the Beacon manually for 45 minutes to get it loosened so the drive could keep it going.”

As Beacon Restoration Project Leader, Herron is proud of the group of 16 volunteers currently com-mitted to the task. “Talents include: safety coordination, historical preservation, con-tracting, electrical engineer-ing, mechanical engineering, machining, sheet metal work, welding, optics, HazMat work.” For example, Scott Miner, Los Positas College

Welding Instructor, has his students constructing a special frame to safely transport the Beacon to Concord for repair.

John Gallagher volunteered to help coordinate the effort as soon as SMD Executive Director Ron Brown began talking about tackling the Beacon’s long overdue rehabilitation. Asked how an organization dedicated to environmental conservation was prepared to push for a solu-tion to keeping the Beacon alive, Gallagher responded: “Part of SMD’s mission refers to preservation of our agricultural and historic heritage.”

A major step forward was taken when Assemblymember Joan Buchanan sponsored AB 1916, a bill authorizing the state Depart-ment of Parks and Recreation to enter into an operating agreement with Save Mount Diablo, permitting the engagement of volunteers as well as licensed professionals in the effort to preserve the Eye of Diablo. Gallagher, Herron and Brown all worked with Buchanan on fine-tuning the bill. Signed into law by Governor Brown on July 17, 2012, the legislation makes possible for the first time the involvement of a private non-profit organization in a significant capital project under the auspices of the public Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Once we got past the legislation,” Gallagher says, “the state histori-ans have been quite cooperative and supportive of the project.” Herron adds, “We also understand that the DPR Historians are the preservation experts, so we look to them for guidance as well as our hired Conservator. We do not want to lose any feature of historical significance.”

A complete record of every step of the process is being added to a tome already running to 144 pages that details all documentable aspects of the Beacon’s original configuration, maintenance, and 85-year history. Herron explains the importance of SMD’s role pio-neering position: “If we perform well on the Beacon Rehabilitation project, then it will be easier for other organizations to step forward with assistance for the Department of Parks and Recreation, and to be approved for such work; it will be easier for these organizations

See Beacon continued on page 26

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ June 2013 - Page 25The Eye Opener By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo OptometryPolarized Lenses

I think by now most people that wear sunglasses are familiar with polarized lenses. However, I find it odd that there are many people who are not aware of the benefits of polarized lenses and the availability of these specialized lenses in all types of prescriptions

and lens styles including single vision, bifocals, and progressives.First, we should discuss the definition of a polarized lens. When

light bounces off a surface (water, road, dashboard, etc.), it is mostly reflected horizontally. That means that reflected sunlight does not bounce off a surface equally in all directions; it comes at the eyes in a hori-zontal plane causing glare and distortion. Since reflected sunlight comes at the eyes in this predictable manner, we can combat this annoying glare with a polarized lens. This lens contains a properly oriented filter that specifically eliminates this harmful glare. This filter does not impact the appearance of the lenses, but it selectively eliminates glare. People with polarized lenses now see the world more clearly and with more vibrant colors because glare is not present to compromise your vision.

Polarized lenses have many everyday applications that make them the lens of choice for your next pair of prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. While driving, those annoying reflections from your hood and dashboard would be eliminated. While walking or biking, the glare off the road on a sunny day is removed. For those who enjoy being on the water fishing or boating, like to go to the beach or like to ski, the glare off of the water or slopes can be debilitating. Assuming the water is clear, you will be able to see through the water to the life beneath the surface. While skiing, the vision will be a lot easier with the glare from the snow removed.

Polarized lenses come in gray and brown and are available in several materials including plastic, polycarbonate, and high-index and in single vision, bifocal, and progressives. However, there are now multiple color options in single vision lenses. These include colors in the yellow, green, and orange ranges. These are mainly used for specialized activities such as fishing, boating, and golfing. As an additional benefit, all polarized lenses come with a UV coating, so all harmful ultraviolet radiation is blocked from getting to the eyes.

Keep in mind that the most important thing about sunglasses is the ul-traviolet protection. A pair of sunglasses without a UV block is relatively useless. If you choose to not have the lenses polarized, please ensure that ultraviolet protection is added to your lenses. However, all polarized lenses come with a UV filter, so all of your sun wear needs are addressed with one lens. All items in our sunglass collection, including Maui Jim with their new collection of Maui Jim Readers, come with clear optical quality polarized lenses. We look forward to seeing you in the office this summer.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 925-820-6622 or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our newly updated website at www.alamooptometry.com, and become a fan on our Alamo Optometry Facebook page. Advertorial

Tinea VersicolorBy Dr. Jerome Potozkin

This time of year we see many patients complaining of whitish spots on the skin. The areas usually affected are the neck, chest, and back. Sometimes these whitish patches have some fine scale. If you have anything that sounds like this you most likely have a skin condition known as tinea versicolor.

Tinea versicolor is an extremely common skin condition. We all have yeast growing on our skin.

When the weather gets hot or moist the yeast will grow more quickly. An overgrowth of yeast leads to tinea versicolor. The first sign usually is small whitish spots on the skin although sometimes the spots can be darker or tan to pink in color. Oftentimes the patches are scaly and might itch. The yeast that causes tinea versicolor prevents the skin from tanning so most people notice this in the summertime when they go out in the sun and they have patches on their skin that do not tan.

The yeast that causes tinea versicolor lives on everyone’s skin. We don’t know why it overgrows in some people to cause a noticeable skin condition. It is most commonly seen in young adults and is rare in children or older adults. It can usually be diagnosed by a dermatologist simply looking at the skin. Sometimes a biopsy or scraping is required.

Tinea versicolor can be treated effectively with medicated soaps, creams, shampoos, and lotions. The most commonly prescribed medicines include ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and pyrithione zinc. These ingredients are found in some over the counter products but in concentrations too low to be effective. In order to effectively treat tinea versicolor, prescription strength formulations are typically required. Some patients elect to be treated with an oral antifungal medication. The yeast is easy to treat, but it takes weeks to months for the pigment to normalize.

If you think you have tinea versicolor, feel free to call our office at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment. Of course, there are other things that can cause whitish scaly patches. A form of eczema common in children will form whitish patches on the face and body. This typically will not respond to treatment for tinea versicolor. If you have any skin concerns, we are happy to help you.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certified dermatologist who has been serving the local community since 1993. His office is located at 600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 in Danville. He is accepting new patients. Please call 925-838-4900 or visit Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial

Pints for Prostates at Pyramid AlehouseThe “Pints for Prostates” event will be held at Pyramid Alehouse, located

at 1410 Locust Street in Walnut Creek, on June 13, from 6-8PM. “Pints for Prostates” is a grassroots campaign that uses the universal

language of beer to reach men with an important health message about their prostate health. Founded by a prostate cancer survivor who was diagnosed at the age of 48, this non-profit campaign raises awareness among men about the need for regular health screenings and PSA testing.

With a $25 donation, you will receive the “Pints Package” which includes a custom beer glass, beer, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and raffle tickets.

Space is limited. Please RSVP at (925) 677-5041 or www.DiabloVal-leyOncology.md/contact.

925.934.3743 • 925.934.1515www.dumploadsonus.com • www.erecycleonus.com

1271 Boulevard Way, Walnut CreekMonday-Friday, 8-5 • Saturday 9-1, Sunday, closed


to begin their work if there is a structure in place.”During the month of June, following a 35-day environmental impact com-

ment period, the 1,500-pound Beacon will be hoisted from its post by crane to undergo resto-ration at a state-approved facil-ity. Existing lead paint and asbestos require remedia-tion, the cracked lens replacement. Electrical connec-tions and wiring need attention as do the bearings at the Beacon’s base. When the final rust has been removed

and a coat of fresh weather resistant paint applied, the Eye of Diablo will once again be hoisted in place to keep watch over communities in the foot-hills and valleys below.

Even with many businesses and individuals donating time and materials, the additional cost of the project is estimated at $100,000. The Pearl Harbor Survivors and their families have made major contributions. Thanks to the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, a matching grant of up to $50,000 will double the impact of every dollar donated to the cause. Donations to the Beacon Restoration Fund can be mailed to Save Mount Diablo, 1901 Olympic Boulevard Suite 320, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or made online at www.savemountdiablo.org.

Page 26 - June 2013 ~ Danville Today News

with a consultation that allowed me to improve her situation and offer her a more aesthetically pleasing result in my office … away from the long lines and crowds of the typical ER.

As a mother I know first hand that the emotions involved when your child is injured are amplified on an exponential scale. The injury (especially facial laceration) itself is traumatic enough, but add to that a lengthy wait time in an unfamiliar environment and what is already a scary experience can become almost unbearable. I treasure my involvement in this community, and I want to be used as a primary resource for these types of injuries. Please call me and I will ensure that it will be a calm and comfortable experience for your child. Most importantly, the injury will be optimally repaired the first time, avoiding the need for future scar revision.

An additional note - It is a common misconception that lacerations must be repaired immediately. In some cases, if the laceration is cleaned well and kept moist, excellent results can be achieved days after the initial injury.

Common sense must prevail with all bites, cuts, scrapes, or burns. Elevate and apply pressure for bleeding, ensure safety of the environment, and call 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency. The paramedics in our area are fantastic!

Keep in mind that our office accepts most insurance plans and even on a cash payment basis treatment at our office is likely to be a less expensive op-tion. As always, it is my pleasure to offer my expertise and I look forward to consulting with you soon. Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer season.

Barbara L. Persons, MD is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Sur-gery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or [email protected]. Advertorial

Healing with Minimal ScarringBy Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

As summer approaches, I find that my practice is busier than ever. Most people would think that plastic surgeons become busy in the summer because that’s the time of year when people want to look better in a bathing suit. While it’s true that summer does bring people into my office looking to enhance their ap-pearance through cosmetic surgery, summer is also

the time of year when I see more patients after being involved in an accident. Local emergency rooms are packed in the summertime with people who have been involved in accidents while participating in warm weather activities such as swimming, hiking, and biking. I have spent years during my training in trauma centers and emergency rooms, working in high-pressure situations and focusing my attention on saving lives, and ensuring that patients are not at risk of serious illness or infection.

My advanced training in aesthetics is an added benefit my patients receive. For example, repairs to facial lacerations from a biking accident can be done in a way that leaves minimal scarring. Please use me as a resource and give me a call, especially when kids are involved. I would be happy to help.

This past week, my patient’s sister was involved in a car accident. She was taken by ambulance to the emergency room where they made sure she had no major injuries and evaluated for a number of horrible lacerations on her forearm. My staff and I told our patient to call us if there was anything we could do for her sister. Two days later we were asked to take a look at her sister’s arm because it was painful and oozing. The woman had baseball type stitches in the largest laceration and 17 centimeters of cuts in a star-like pattern on her forearm. During my fellowship in hand and microsurgery, and other advanced training in cosmetic and maxillofacial surgery, I repaired countless traumatic injuries very similar to this woman’s. I consulted with her, and we agreed on a course of treatment that involved replacing the baseball stitches with 100 finer carefully placed sutures that will result in a more aesthetically pleasing and less painful repair. The result for this began

Ron Brown, SMD Executive Director, accepts a Beacon Restoration Fund donation from Henry Fries, Pearl Harbor Survivor. Photo by Robert Vucic.

Beacon continued from page 24

Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment

Grief Support Group Helps People Cope with the Death of a Pet

When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief.

Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Founda-tion is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.

For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Ser-vices at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required.

Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.


Danville Today News ClassifiedsReach over 15,200 homes and businesses in Danville 94526 - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Les-

sons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Run the same classified ad in our sisters paper “Lafayette Today” and/or “Alamo Today” and pay half off for your second and/or third ads!Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo 94507 or editor@yourmonthly-

paper.com. Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

Name_________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ # of Words_______________

Phone________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________

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Get Five “Second Opinions” at One TimeBy Judson Brandeis, MD

Do you know anyone whose life was touched by prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer? Have you ever wished you could get all of your doctors together in one room with you at the same time? Now you can!

HIPAA laws, incompatible electronic medical records, and busy schedules sometimes make it difficult for physicians to work as a team on patient care. Despite cell phones, text paging, e-mail, and other modes of modern communication, collaboration in health care seems to be getting more and more challenging. However, I believe coordinated medical communication is precisely what is required to successfully manage patients with a cancer diagnosis.

Caring for cancer patients requires treatment and diagnostics from doctors of different specialties. Surgeons perform biopsies and surgical removal of cancer. Pathologists look at tissue samples to determine if there is cancer, what type of cancer there is, and how aggressive the cancer is. Radiologist read imaging studies like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans to look for abnormalities that might be cancerous. Medical oncologists determine the type of cancer and how far it has spread, create a treatment plan, and if necessary, infuse chemotherapy. Radiation oncologists administer radiation to shrink or kill the cancer cells.

It is challenging for all of these specialists to simultaneously communicate about a patient, and it is next to impossible to have the patient present and participate during this communication. However, this collaborative team approach is essential for proper diagnosis, treatment, and optimal patient care.

I am pleased to announce that Pacific Urology and Diablo Valley Oncology have developed a multispecialty treatment planning approach for urologic cancers, like prostate, bladder, and kidney. We bring cancer specialists from different disciplines (including medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology) together to review and discuss individual patient medical conditions. Our integrated group allows ac-cess to high-level, collaborative cancer care including clinical trials and cutting edge technology. After reviewing the patient’s medical history, we consider all possible treatment options and develop a recommended treatment plan. The patient is then invited to join the conference and ask questions about their treatment options. As a team, we work with the patient to develop the most appropriate treatment plan at no additional cost. This is the only multispecialty Urology Tumor Board in the Bay Area that includes the patient in the conversation.

If you have bladder, prostate, or kidney cancer and are interested in being considered for our monthly Multispecialty Cancer Consultation, please contact the program coordinator, Leslie Wolfe at (925) 771-2622.

Dr. Brandeis is a Board Certified Urologist with Pacific Urology, with offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon Brentwood, Livermore and Antioch. To contact Pacific Urology, call 925-609-7220 or visit www.PacificUrology.com. Advertorial

SERVICES - CNA and HHA available. If you need help for your loved ones assisting them in their daily living - bathing, grooming, feeding, dressing, etc. as well as positioning/transferring, providing in-home personal care services, pet care, housesitting or just companionship. I am just one call away. I am a very reliable and fun person to be with. Ten years experience and good refer-ences. Please call Luisa at 925-968-1773.

ELECTRICAL WORKEVERYTHING ELECTRICAL! Need new light fixtures, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, or track lighting installed? Need a dimmer switch or GFCI installed? Do you want to change the color of your outlets in your kitchen or install 220V power for the new hot tub or stove? I also troubleshoot electrical problems. FREE ESTIMATES. Licensed and bonded. 30 years experience. CALL 925-389-6964.

McCaulou’s Expanding Departments & Hiring! McCaulou’s is currently hiring for new Departments - Pandora Jewelry, McCaulou’s Home Store, McCaulou’s Shoe Boutique, McCaulou’s Cards & Gifts. Part Time and Full Time. Apply in person between 10AM and 5:30PM at 589 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville.

HELP WANTED HELP AVAILABLE

COLLEGE STUDENTS - Available for housecare, pet sitting, errands, and French tutoring (by native French student). Please email [email protected] or call 925-216-1089.

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Books for the HomeboundIf you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit

the library, find out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 837-4889 for more information.

Hospice of the East Bay Estate Sale ServiceAfter the death of a loved one, dealing with the entire contents of a home and a life

time of possessions can be overwhelming. Hospice of the East Bay (HEB) Estate Sales is an estate sale and liquidation service that manages and coordinates your entire estate and provides you with a tax benefit by sharing the profits from the sale with HEB. Funds generated from the sale help benefit the patients and families in the care of HEB. For more information contact Patricia at (925) 887-5678 or [email protected].


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.

Updated 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath. Backs to golf course. Pool. 2 bedrooms downstairs.

Call for details.

Beautiful oak studded lots for sale, one is 7 acres one is 11 acres.

$500k each

This home is perfection in every dimension indoors and out. We represented the buyers.

We have other buyers. Price $2,000,000

Single Story custom 4 bedroom on flat half acre. Please call for details.

Incredible Diablo custom two story home. We represented the buyer. Price

$2,600,000

Luxurious 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath on premium lot backing open space. Highly upgraded.

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PENDINGPENDING

Danville Real Estate Market: Prices Advance Briskly, Reach 2004 Levels

A number of people have asked recently if the market has really turned around, and to that I say a hearty, “Yes it has!” Since the majority of Danville properties are 4 bedroom 2-3 bath homes, it makes sense to take a look at this grouping of Danville homes in isolation as I believe it provides the clearest view of the Danville Real Estate Market, free from the distortion of Luxury Homes and Condos.

If you look at the attached chart, you can readily see that the market bottom for Danville was calendar year 2011 when price paid per square foot dove to $322. Aver-age home prices dipped to a low of $785,000 as late as last year, however, adjusted for size, this number would actually be $854,000, so a stronger argument can be made that the true bottom for the Danville Real Estate Market was reached in 2011.

Between 2011 and 2012 the picture brightened as the decline was halted and average price (adjusted for size) advanced from $800,000 to $854,000 for a 6% increase in price. Doesn’t sound like much but in the face of the 30% decline we experienced from 2006 until 2011, it was highly significant. That number was bested by a square foot price in-crease of nearly 7%. It’s not surprising that with such a small increase in price that many missed that the market had stopped declining and was again advancing.

Looking at 2013 year to date, the rate of improve-ment is definitely acceler-ating. Average price paid for a 4 bedroom home in Danville has moved from an adjusted $854,000 in 2012 to a $950,000 average price in 2013. This represents an 11.2% increase so far this year. A corresponding 3% increase in square foot price is seen as well, moving from $344 per square foot in 2012 to $353 per square foot price in 2013. This is roughly a 19% leap from the bottom in terms of average price and a 10% jump in dollars paid per square foot for a Danville home since the bottom.

I am often asked the question regarding when is the best time to buy or sell a home. My usual answer to both questions is that the best time is when the prices are moving up. If you asked me that question today, my answer would be to buy or sell right now because prices are moving up. Danville prices have crossed over the value line where they were in 2004, and they are trending upward.

In 2004 the average price paid for a Danville home was $897,000 or somewhat less than 2013 prices. The average price paid per square foot in 2004 was $340 or about $13 less than today’s price per square foot. At that time in 2004 most people thought the Danville market was crazy, and it was, but it continued to climb and it probably would have continued its climb had it not been for the financial crisis. Given the cur-rent lower interest rates, an investment in Danville Real Estate today has a stronger value proposition today than it did in 2004.

Even if you are not thinking about putting your home on the market, you should know what your home is worth. It’s probably worth more than you think. Nancy and I will be happy to provide you with a free market analysis. Just call 925-989-6086 or send me an email [email protected]. It will be our pleasure to provide you with the information.

$305 $310 $315 $320 $325 $330 $335 $340 $345 $350 $355 $360

1 2 3 4

Dol

lars

Per

Squ

are

Foot

Years 2010-2013

Danville Family Home

$ sq. foot

4 bed 2-3 bath homes sales DanvilleYear $ sq. foot Avg. Price Size sq. ft

2010 330$ 856,000$ 25932011 322$ 800,000$ 24842012 344$ 785,000$ 23502013 353$ 950,000$ 2691

Documents

Danville Today News, June 2013