Blackhawk Living CA July 2020

Mailed Directly to Blackhawk Residents and Published Online

JULY 2020

Blackhawk

LIVING CA

MEET THE

Ghoshals: Always Authentic COVER PHOTO:

by Indigo Moments Photography

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JULY 2020

Blackhawk

LIVING CA

Publication Team Publisher:

Jo Peek, Blackhawk Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Megan Scott Blackhawk Resident since 2010 Designer: Emily Lund Jo Peek

Contributing Photographer: Indigo Moments Photography

Advertising Contact: Jo Peek Email: JPeek@bestversionmedia.com

Dear Neighbors, When it comes to Fourth of July Celebrations, there is no need to leave the gates to see the best fireworks in town and celebrate America’s independence in style. The Blackhawk Country Club’s annual Fireworks Extravaganza is one of my family’s favorite events in the community.

While it will look a little different this year with COVID-19, we still hope you can watch the spectacular show in the sky after dark. Our community Independence Day Celebration is just one of the many ways to show your patriotism and celebrate America’s independence. Be sure to check out our community calendar for other Fourth of July activities.

We are devoted to sharing stories, events and news among our neighbors in this wonderful community. If you have a story, event or news to share please email me at mscott@ bestversionmedia.com.

Wishing your family a very happy Fourth of July Holiday!

Warmly,

Feedback/Ideas/Submissions: Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.”

You may also email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to: mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Megan Scott Resident since 2010 We are devoted to sharing stories, events and news among our neighbors in this wonderful community. If you have a story, event or news to share please email me at mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 3

Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com.

Auto Sales & Service Kerri Anderson Pleasanton Automall Kerri.Anderson@hendrickauto.com 925- 737-5062

The Pleasanton Automall is a luxury automotive dealership housing the Acura and Lexus dealerships located in Pleasanton, CA. In addition to our flagships, we also carry a wide selection of quality pre-owned vehicles. We pride ourselves in offering a World Class experience to all of our guests. Visit us today or contact us online to experience the Pleasanton difference.

Dentist Dr. Larry Porteous DDS Larry Porteous Family Dentistry 925-736-9000

Porteous Family Dentistry- Larry Porteous DDS and Linda Porteous RDH have been serving the dental needs in the communities of Rodeo,Vallejo and Blackhawk/Danville for over 30 years.They are a full service practice, eliminating, in most cases, the need for referrals. Offering extended hours for your convenience. “Our practices are dedicated to treating and preventing dental diseases in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We strive to give each person the same respect, concern and care we would expect as patients.

Chiropractor Anatomy Power Wellness Dr. Tracey James (925) 457-0210 HelloWellness@ProtonMail.com AnatomyPower.com

Dr. Tracey James joyfully serves as a chiropractor, doula and educator. She provides chiropractic care to individuals of all ages, specializing in pregnancy and pediatrics with over a decade of experience immersed in supporting families during their birth process and fertility journeys. Dr. Tracey graduated with honors from Life Chiropractic College West with further studies through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) where she gained certification in the Webster Technique.

Cosmetic Surgery Stephen J. Ronan MD FACS Blackhawk Plastic Surgery and Migraine Center 925-736-5757 www.blackhawkplasticsurgery.com

Blackhawk Plastic Surgery has been offering their patients the highest quality cosmetic treatments in the Blackhawk area for more than 15 years. Now they are thrilled to introduce the Blackhawk Migraine Clinic led by migraine specialist, Alicia Choquette. Alicia brings over 5 years of migraine expertise to the Blackhawk Migraine Clinic and looks forward to helping patients live a better quality of life migraine free.

Custom Window Treatments Home Living Window Fashions Shem Isaac 925-351-4509 shem.isaac@gmail.com

Shem Isaac has been in the Window Fashions industry for over 16 years and presently serves as President of Home Living Window Fashions, a company he founded with his wife Melody Isaac. With a mission to help people Live Better

By Design, the Isaacs bring passion and enthusiasm to every project and provide solutions to their clients challenges with privacy, light control, and insulation, while providing a beautiful design. Shem is nationally known as an expert on shutter construction and installation, and provides training and mentorship to other pro’s within the industry. He is a CSLB licensed contractor and holds classifications in Window Coverings and Awnings.

Education St. Isidore School (925) 837-2977 www.stisidore.org info@stisidore.org

St. Isidore School is the East Bay’s largest Catholic School serving TK-8th Grade. We believe each student is a unique and beautiful gift. We foster individuality in a familial environment, inspiring students to explore and grow. Our teachers create a love of learning by nurturing an inquisitive spirit, building connections, and developing critical thinking. We understand that today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders.

Financial Advice Best Financial Life Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA 925-389-3889 joe@jwmwealth.com www.jwmwealth.com

Joe Morgan is a fee-only financial advisor who acts as an educator, guide, and protector of wealth to individuals and families. He created his own firm after a successful investment career because he wanted to help people find clarity in their aspirations, resources, and risks. When he’s not showing how financial advice doesn’t have to be dictated by stuffy suited men from Wall Street, he enjoys tennis at Blackhawk Country Club and hiking the Tri-Valley area.

General Contractor Cal York Construction, Inc. Cal York (925) 938-9984 calyorkcon@aol.com

Cal York Construction is a family owned construction and remodeling business operating for over 30 years in Walnut Creek and the East Bay. We have the expertise and talent to create your idea into reality. We’re conscientious and have a desire to serve our clients and make their remodeling dreams come true. We work closely with our clients to ensure that your project runs smoothly, on time and within budget.

Insurance Roger Fernando State Farm Roger Fernando Agency 925-244-1700 roger@rogerfernando.com

Roger Fernando has been a State Farm Agent for 30 years, starting his insurance agency in 1988.

Roger and his team are fully licensed. We take pride in giving personal, exceptional service, in talking and listening to our clients about their insurance needs. Our mission has always been to consult with customers as their insurance needs change, protect their insurance for the risks of everyday life and help recover from the unexpected loss.

Find us online BlackhawkLivingCA www.BlackhawkLivingCA.com

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Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com.

Interior Design & Decorating Raashi Design Sheeja Nair 925-236-0402 enquiries@RaashiDesign.com www.RaashiDesign.com

Sheeja Nair is the founder/principal designer of award-winning Raashi Design. She specializes in creating interiors and custom homes that are thoughtfully conceived with an emphasis on elegance, comfort, functionality, and the homeowner’s personal style. Her international design work influences her approach to using color, texture and lighting in exciting, yet tasteful ways. An out-of-the-box thinker, Sheeja’s background in engineering and physics uniquely qualify her to solve challenging design issues.

Jewelry, Diamonds & Timepieces Steve Padis Steve Padis Jewelry info@padisjewelry.com www.padisjewelry.com

Steve and Judy Padis own and operate Padis Jewelry, which has four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. They founded the company in 1974 and are proud to have earned a reputation as one of the finest jewelers in San Francisco, serving generations of clients for their most precious moments in life, from engagement to anniversary to milestone gifts. Padis Jewelry maintains top-tier relationships with the most sought-after designers including Tacori, Forevermark, Verragio, Breitling, Tag Heuer, and Roberto Coin. As members of the American Gem Society, Padis is among the top 5% of jewelers across the country.

Music: Soloist & Private Voice Lessons Elizabeth Hunter Ashley The Performance Studio 925-548-2694 Elizabeth@elizabethhunterashley.com www.elizabethhunterashley.com

Professional lyric coloratura soprano, Elizabeth has extensive experience as a soloist in oratorio, concert, musical theatre, sacred music, and new music. She performs nationally and internationally with renown conductors, orchestras, composers, international communities, and holds a myriad of national credits including MM degree. As the proprietor of her vocal music studio, she has taught 300+ private students from youth to mature adults offering them a sustainable vocal technique, bi- annual voice recitals which include philanthropic fund raisers, music connections in the community, performance preparation for high school top choirs, vocal competitions, college prep. recordings, pageant training. Elizabeth is a member of NATS, CCMTAC, an adjudicator for CMEA, and NATS.

Orthodontics Dr. Richard Anthony Blackhawk Orthodontics 925-736-3311 richard.anthony@blackhawkortho.com www.blackhawkortho.com

Richard Anthony, DDS MS Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Dr. Anthony moved to Danville in 1970 with his family and attended the old Charlotte Wood Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School. Dr. Anthony attended the University of California at Berkeley and subsequently completed his dental education at the University of Southern California in 1990. Later that same year, he opened the current office location at the Blackhawk Medical Center where he practiced for over 27 years. Dr. Anthony, his wife Michele, and son Ryan live in Danville. The family can always be found up at Lake Tahoe either hiking, biking, skiing, boating, or relaxing at the beach.

Pool Service Jon Lubrano Atlantis Pools 925-736-0447 info@atlantispoolsdanville.com atlantispoolsdanville.com

Atlantis Pools Inc. is a family owned business that has been serving Contra Costa County for over 25 years. From pool repair, maintenance needs, remodels and updates, no job is too big or small for us. We take pride in the high quality service we give to each customer.

Solar Energy Kyle Lowy Kota Energy Group 925-272-8013 Klowy@kotaenergygroup.com

Meet your neighbor: Blackhawk’s Solar Energy Expert, Kyle Lowy at the Kota Energy Group.

Set up a time that’s most convenient for you, meet with Kyle and take a look at the incredible Federal Tax incentives that are still available but going away soon! With industry leading (no worry) warranty coverage and award winning service, find out why Kyle+Kota is the solar choice of Blackhawk residents.

Be sure to ask about our family and friend referral program!

Tree Service Trex Donovan Buena Vista Tree Service 415-531-1247 ntdonovan@yahoo.com www.buenavistatree.com Unique ​& Custom Travel Experiences Lori McDonald Cruise Planners 925-380-6208 lmcdonald@cruiseplanners.com www.McDonaldTravel.com

Buena Vista Tree Service is committed to preserving our urban forests and environment. They recycle 100% of our green waste into a reusable landscaping product. Trex safely and efficiently handles all types of tree emergencies 24 hours a day to eliminate tree risks to people and property and significantly reduce your liability exposure.

Lori McDonald, Travel Advisor, with Cruise Planners, wows her clients while considerately guiding their travel plans. Being passionate about helping her clients design the ultimate vacation, corporate travel, or assisting with a dream destination wedding, Lori’s expertise knows no bounds. Lori is professional, creative and detail-oriented. Each aspect of her clients’ land, sea, or river travel blueprint must be perfect.

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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 5

Resident Feature

Meet the

Ghoshals: Always Authentic

By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010 Photographer: Indigo Moments Photography

C

ollege sweethearts, Subha and Shree Ghoshal met at UC Berkeley. Shree was a freshman and Subha was a sophomore.

Shree says she was drawn to what they had in common and what they didn’t. “I knew he was the one when I learned how our similarities made us very compatible and our differences made us more complete. Subha loves animals and nature just like me. He also loves to try different kinds of international foods. He is a fearless adventurer who loves to explore and try new things. He is also extremely calm and a deep thinker. These are attributes that I was very drawn to.”

The couple were married in 1999, shortly after they graduated from college. Before having children, they loved taking risks and finding adventure, but one of their excursions led to a scary situation. “We used to love taking off for the weekends with no plans of specific destinations,” says Subha. “We’d take our dogs and wander off to wherever we felt we wanted to go at the moment. One weekend, we ended up getting lost in the heart of the Mendocino Forest with our dogs. We had to pitch a tent somewhere in the forest for the night in the dark.

When we awoke the next morning, we found a sign that said ‘No Camping’. We were lost for a full day and ended up navigating out of it. It was very scary, but somehow we were able to find our way out by sunset the next day.”

Subha was born in Calcultta, India and raised right here in Blackhawk on Cottonwood Court.

He graduated from Monte Vista High School and hoped that his children would one day attend the same high school. Subha says from a young age, he was drawn to tech. “I have been intrigued by the

tech industry since high school. I am an avid gamer and began developing games at a young age. I have enjoyed taking part in several Silicon Valley startups and now enjoy leading engineering teams for Workday, which allows me to work close to home.”

Shree was born in Oakland and earned two degrees from UC Berkeley in Engineering and Environmental Sciences. After graduating from college, she joined the tech industry and worked in Silicon Valley for more than 20 years. She recently joined the team at SAP where she leads strategic programs in customer experience. “Working at SAP, so close to home, allows me to have a much better work life balance and take part in more family activities,” says Shree.

The Ghoshals have called the Tri-Valley home since 1999 and moved to Blackhawk seven years ago, after finding their dream home on Deer Trail Court. “We moved here because we love our home, backyard, and our neighbors. Our neighborhood is diverse and fun. We always enjoy running into our neighbors and catching up on life,” says Shree.

Three daughters complete the Ghoshal family: 17-year-old Amaya, 15-year-old Ariya and 12-year-old Diya. Amaya spends much of her free time working for Learning Outreach, a non-profit the family started to provide educational aid to economically disadvantaged children both globally and locally. She also loves dance, which she has been doing since she was two. Ariya runs cross country and track and is also an amazing artist. She uses different kinds of media including oils, water colors, and acrylics. Diya plays the viola. She practices everyday and loves it.

Charity work is extremely important to the Ghoshal family. Their non-profit organization, Learning Outreach, provides tutoring, mentoring, and fundraising to purchase necessary educational supplies. “The goal is to help close the learning gap for economically disadvantaged and minority students, so they can further their education and accomplish their educational goals. We set up the charity for our girls to get involved in philanthropic projects around enabling better quality of education. Amaya focuses on academics, actively fundraising and bringing supplies into impoverished communities around Africa, South America, as well as locally in homeless shelters.

Ariya focuses on art education and has brought in art supplies and taught basic art classes to economically disadvantaged students,” shares Shree. Learning Outreach has enhanced the education of disadvantaged students in the most poverty stricken areas of Nairobi, Kenya, Guatemala and South Africa. “Altruism is an integral part of the way

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we raise our children. Subha and I believe it is very important for our girls to see and experience different walks of life and understand challenges from other perspectives.

For this reason our family vacations have transformed to always include visiting communities that have great need for educational supplies,” adds Shree.

Two energetic dogs round out the Ghoshal family. A Weimaraner named Pascal Von Platinum who is known to climb on the kitchen counter, pull a banana off a banana bunch, peel the banana, eat the banana, and leave peels around the house. Pippy is a mixed Jack Russel who was rescued from the local shelter. She loves big dogs and insists on going to the big dog section of dog parks with her baby brother Pascal.

Adventure is always a top priority for the Ghoshals. Shree shares one of their recent thrills, “Recently we went to Costa Rica and drove ATVs. We rode through rivers, down steep hills, uphill trenches and crossed narrow valleys. We became advanced riders after that. There are no zoos in Costa Rica, but there are several wildlife rescue centers, and we were fortunate enough to volunteer for a day. We saw so many different animals, and together with our kids, we made lunch meals for the animals. It was an amazing experience that we highly recommend.”

Subha and Shree say they raise their children with a core foundational belief: “Each of our three girls are so different and unique and we want them to always love themselves first and foremost, and to always be authentic. We tell them, ‘Your only purpose is to be yourself’ and to ‘cherish and enjoy each moment’. We often forget how beautiful and interesting life can be with the many people, animals and natural phenomena that are here around us, unless we really tune in and lean in.”

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at mscott@bestversionmedia.com.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 7

Expert Contributor

Preventing and Removing Scale from your Pool Plaster

By Jon Lubrano, President, Atlantis Pools Inc.

O

ne question we hear frequently from our customers is ‘Why is my plaster discoloring?’ There are many factors that can cause discoloration. Plaster is a cement product, and when you put cement under water, strange things can happen. First and most notable, is that plaster takes about one year to fully cure in your pool, and almost always during that first year, you are fighting the Ph rising.

Knowing your local water source and what kind of water you are putting into your pool can put you at a huge advantage when it comes to your plaster. It will help you fight all kinds of problems from algae to scale and stains. In Danville, our EBMUD water is also known as soft water. It does not contain a lot of minerals or TDS (total dissolved solids). This means as soon as you add our water to your pool, you are creating an imbalance where the water will try to pull minerals from your plaster. If you add salt too early, you are making calcium in the water, which will increase the chances of scale build up.

Many times, you will get a scale formation that actually encapsulates debris in it and looks like permanent dirt on your plaster, when it’s actually scale holding on to debris. I could write a book on all the different causes of plaster discoloration, which is why if you want the best results, trust an expert who has spent decades researching and perfecting crystal-clear water and stain-free plaster.

At Atlantis pools we offer a free estimate and diagnosis on all your pool needs. Please visit www.atlantispoolsdanville.com or email info@atlantispoolsdanville.com to schedule an inspection.

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Real Estate

Active Real Estate Listings in Blackhawk

Street

List Price

Oakridge Dr Quail Run Dr Redwood Dr Sugar Maple Dr Blackhawk Dr Sugar Pine Ln Silver Maple Dr Canyon Oak Ln Blackhawk Meadow Dr Kingswood Pl Liquid Amber Pl Wild Oak Ct Whispering Oaks Ln Blackhawk Club Dr Deer Ridge Dr Wild Oak Ct Blackhawk Dr

$1,368,000 $1,399,000 $1,425,000 $1,439,000 $1,499,000 $1,519,000 $1,599,000 $1,675,000 $1,698,000 $1,750,000 $1,850,000 $1,949,000 $1,998,000 $2,098,000 $2,199,000 $2,199,900 $2,200,000

Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 2800 2273 2856 3006 2250 3271 3525 2533 3840 3581 3478 4417 3236 4013 4644 4687 3963

4 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 4 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 4

2 2 2 2 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 3 3

1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Street

List Price

Red Fir Ct Blackhawk Club Dr Blackhawk Dr Blackhawk Meadow Dr Chestnut Pl Kingswood Dr Red Birch Ct Saddleback Ct Red Cedar Ct Blackhawk Club Ct Quail Run Ln Chestnut Pl South Ridge Ct Oakridge Dr Eagle Ridge Dr East Ridge Ct Blackhawk Meadow Ln

$2,295,000 $2,299,000 $2,398,800 $2,450,000 $2,488,800 $2,498,000 $2,499,000 $2,725,000 $2,850,000 $2,988,800 $3,175,000 $3,398,800 $3,499,000 $3,998,800 $4,398,800 $4,888,888 $6,499,800

Sq.Ft. BR FBA PBA 4920 5262 4334 5032 4975 5624 4745 4940 5620 5584 4890 5565 6281 6910 9580 7172 8826

5 4 5 5 5 6 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 5 7 5 7

4 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 7 5 8

2 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 2

Source: BridgeMLS 6/10/2020 Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

THE NAGLE TEAM IS PROUDLY REPRESENTING YOUR COMMUNITY! 50+ Years of Real Estate Experience If you are thinking about buying or selling a home call The Nagle Team today to put our experience to work for you!

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Integrity - Service - Results!

The Nagle Team provides Excellence, Service and Results We live, work, and volunteer as friends among friends in your community!

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Michelle Barbara

925.872.1478 925.872.1500

mnagle@rockcliff.com

REAL ESTATE IS OUR PASSION! www.NagleNagle.com

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

Experienced Negotiation Skills to serve our client’s best interests Extensive use of Technology based resources and Marketing Your Real Estate Transaction will be handled with the utmost diligent and personal care

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 9

Sat., July 4

July 4th VIRTUAL Parade

@your virtual spot The annual Kiwanis 4th of July Parade will take place on Saturday, July 4th, 2020 from approximately 10:00am-11:30am. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the parade has gone virtual this year as a livestream event.The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley has organized and conducted the annual Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in partnership with the Town of Danville, California since 1975 and this year will be no different. All net parade sponsorship proceeds are redistributed to local nonprofits through grants issued by the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation (see our Grants page). The parade typically attracts 30,000-40,000 spectators each year and is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate America’s birth. We hope that this year’s live virtual event will allow even more people in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the country to join us.

Time: 10-11:30am

Every Thursday in July

July 2020

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Farmers Market at Bishop Ranch

@Bishop Ranch, San Ramon Get the first peaches of the season from KJ Orchards plus an abundance of local and organic produce.

Local bakeries include Tal’s Patisserie, gluten-free goods from Pure Fresh Daily, pies from Crumble & Whisk, and 100% whole grain, organic stonemilled flour from Village Atta. Get fresh local oysters from Cali Crab Feeds; organic milk, eggs, yogurt and cultured dairy products from Alexandre Family Farm; Golnazar Ice cream, Gio Gelati, El Porteño Empanadas, Street Steam Bunz food truck, Donna’s Tamales, Bolani Flatbreads, Mediterranean appetizers from Greek Table and more! Social distancing and face covering required to enter market.

Time: 10am-2pm https://www.sanramonfarmersmarket.org/

Every Day

Danville Library Online Kids Resources https://ccclib.org/kids-subject/ all-online-resources-for-kids/ The Danville Library has dozens of great kid’s activities all in one place on their website.

Month of July

Oakland Zoo Online Events

Zoo@Home allows you to experience all the educational opportunities from the comfort of your home!

Visit https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-andevents/zoo-at-home for more information.

Starts September 12th

San Ramon Valley Run For Education Goes Virtual

@Anywhere you want to run!

A virtual run is a race where you can run, jog, walk or roll for the distance of your choosing. Whether on the road, trail, treadmill or track, you pick the finish line. Complete a virtual 1K (Friendship or Mini Run), 5K, 10K, or create one of your own. Should you choose to time yourself, you can upload the results and even print a certificate of completion!

Simply register for the event and you are in! https://www.srvef.org/The-Run-For-Education/ Race-Information. Once you register, you can expect to receive a few emails from us explaining all the details on how to participate in a Virtual Run. 10

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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 11

Pet Corner Pet corner is proudly sponsored by Best Financial Life

Cool Your Pets When the Temperatures Soar

By Cole Kuiper, Animal Rescue Foundation

C

ars aren’t the only dangerous place for pets during the summer months. Any climate that is not temperature-controlled (including backyards and homes without air-conditioning) can turn deadly. Be aware of your surroundings and how they will affect your pet.

When going for a walk or letting kitty enjoy some supervised outdoor time, a good rule of thumb is to test the ground your pet will be walking or lying on with the back of your hand.

If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet.

If you like to exercise with your pet, dawn and dusk are generally the coolest parts of the day, and the least likely times for your pet to become overheated.

Always carry a bowl and fresh, clean water with you so you and your pet can stay hydrated on-the-go.

If you need to leave your pet outdoors, they

must have access to plenty of drinking water and be sure there’s a shady area or children’s wading pool with a few inches of water for them to retreat to.

If your dog has a heavy coat, get them a closecropped summer haircut, leaving about an inch of hair to protect from sunburn. If you have a cat, brushing them frequently will thin out their coat and help regulate their temperature.

Never leave your pet unattended near swimming pools or other bodies of water. Not only might they be a weak swimmer, but you also want to be vigilant they don’t drink chlorinated or unsafe water. And after swimming, remember to rinse them off to remove salt or chlorine from their coats.

For more pet care tips and resources, visit Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s website at www.arflife.org.

●FREE 30-minute conversation on any financial challenges you are facing. ●I am offering to be your “thinking partner.” ●This is NOT a sales call - I truly want to be helpful to those in my community.

Schedule your call today!

Contact: joe@bestfinlife.com Schedule a Zoom Call: Calendly.com/bestfinlife/30min-conversation 12

JULY 2020

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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 13

Expert Contributor

Liposuction for Improved Shape and Contour

By Stephen J Ronan, MD, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, Resident Since 2007

D

o you have certain areas of fat that just don’t go away, even with extensive exercise? Liposuction may be the answer.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to improve body contour and proportion by removing lumps, bumps and pockets of fatty tissue using narrow suction tubes through small incisions.

Fat pockets are often resistant to exercise and diet. Resistant pockets may be something that is genetically determined, so you shouldn’t blame yourself for them. I know that these pockets can be resistant to extreme exercise because I have done this procedure on aerobics instructors and fitness trainers. Liposuction is not intended as a weight loss technique, but rather a procedure used to change the shape and contour of the body.

At some point during the early developmental years, the number of fat cells in your body becomes constant. After this point, when you get heavier, the fat cells get bigger. When you get lighter, the fat cells shrink. But, they do not divide or increase in numbers. So when fat cells are removed during liposuction, they are removed permanently. This means that if you maintain a stable weight, your result should be stable as well. If you were to gain weight, it will be distributed more evenly on the body rather than go to your trouble zones.

In women, typical areas for liposuction include the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, knees, back, arms and neck. Trouble zones for men commonly include the abdomen, love handles, chest and neck.

A few hours after surgery, patients go home wearing a compression garment that helps limit swelling and improve contour.

Liposuction is an artistic expression as it involves sculpting the body into a more desired shape. Often times, liposuction is combined with other procedures such as breast augmentation or abdominoplasty.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction is to schedule a consultation, either in person or virtually from the comfort of your home or office. During this consultation, the liposuction procedure is explained in detail and all of your questions are answered. To schedule an in person or virtual consultation, please contact my office at 925.736.5757.

I look forward to hearing from you… and exploring the possibility of sculpting a new you!

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In our Backyard

A Little Dirt, A Little Sunshine, A Whole Lot of Fun!

By Shane Sullivan, Danville Resident

I

nitially, I thought I would be an avid road cyclist, but living at the base of Las Trampas quickly got me thinking of my old childhood passion, mountain biking. So this Spring, while working from home, I was able to dip my toes in (my wife would say I jumped in without a care) and start exploring the terrain beyond the paved roads. Lucky for me, my seven year old son also became super confident on his bike and loves nothing more than finding every jump to hit on our family rides.

Our favorite ride to take as a whole family, is of course up and down the Iron Horse Trail. Some days we head north, knowing that when we get past Safeway in Alamo, we’ll find some decent hills and man-made jumps to get the adrenaline pumping - for my son it’s a great chance to practice adjusting quickly without losing speed, and for me it’s an opportunity to impress my kiddos. Other times we take the longer route south, and ride parallel to the trail through the dirt and grass all the way past El Capitan, where there is a section of small, but excellent jumps. They’re big enough to really ride through and the perfect height for my son to feel like Evel Knievel.

Recently we were directed to check out Memorial Park in San Ramon. If a dirt jump track is more your speed, or you want to test your kids’ skills and resolve when wiping out, head here. What an awesome spot to spend a few hours!

And of course, the west side of Danville and Alamo is littered with trailheads heading up to the hills and trails of Las Trampas. For solo rides, this is where I head. I did take my son with me up Las Trampas road, it was a great chance to teach him about shifting gears and braving a long downhill. So far, it’s one of my favorite 2020 memories.

We’re looking forward to exploring more of Las Trampas, finding hidden gems throughout Danville, and maybe even tackling the great Mt. Diablo soon.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 15

Gardening with California Native Plants.

Save water, add beauty and help nature

By Stefanie Pruegel, Team Member at Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

T

he San Francisco Bay Area has a Mediterranean climate— generally hot and dry in the summer, mild and wet in the winter.

In Blackhawk, rainfall is 19” per year on average. That’s not much even in a normal year, and dry winters like the last quickly raise drought concerns. Many communities are increasingly embracing “climate appropriate landscaping” with low water plants from regions around the world with similar climate to ours, and of course our own California plants. But there’s a big difference: In addition to being drought tolerant and disease resistant, native plants also provide habitat for California’s pollinators, birds and other wildlife in a way that non-native ornamentals can’t.

Why does wildlife need native plants?

Renowned ecologist Douglas Tallamy has done extensive research on the relationships between native plants and wildlife, particularly birds. His findings illustrate the importance of native plants to birds. He says: “When birds raise their young, they can’t feed them seeds, berries or sugar water. Instead they need insects, especially

caterpillars, and lots of them!” Tallamy found that it takes 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to raise a clutch of young chickadees, one of our smallest birds. Yet those caterpillars—hatched from the eggs of butterflies and moths—depend for food on specific, native host plants that they have co-evolved with over millennia. Non-native plants simply can’t sustain those bird-critical insects. Tallamy concludes: “If we have no native plants, we have no caterpillars and that means no birds.”

Consider for example the crepe myrtle, a popular yet non-native tree from Asia. In California it supports not a single type of caterpillar. In contrast, California’s native plum trees are hosts to the caterpillars of over 200 moth and butterfly species. The native plum, Prunus ilicifolia, is among Tallamy’s so-called keystone species—California native plants that support especially high numbers of moth and butterfly species as caterpillar hosts. Other keystone plants include oak, California lilac, flowering currant, manzanita, buckwheat, lupine, California sage and many more.

Our gardens play an important role

One might assume our parks and open spaces offer plenty space for native plants, but with natural habitat lost to development at an alarming rate, there simply aren’t enough wildlands left to sustain nature. Bird populations, for example, have plummeted over the last five decades, with a decline of nearly three billion birds across North America in that time period.

“We are paving over 2 million acres of open space each year,” says Tallamy. “That’s an area the size of Yellowstone.” Lawns, too, cover a huge area of land. Tallamy calculates that in the US, a total of 40 million acres—about the size of Florida—is suburban lawn, which provides no value to wildlife. Traditional, non-native ornamentals like agapanthus, camellia, lantana, oleander and many others don’t support biodiversity either.

But there’s good news: If we bring native plants into our gardens, we can make up for the lost habitat. We can have beautiful landscapes that are not only decorative but also alive, attracting birds and butterflies for us to enjoy. There are even more rewards: Because so many of California’s native plants are drought tolerant once they’re established, they need far less water than lawns and traditional ornamentals. The chore of mowing disappears, as does the need to haul away grass clippings. Natives also tend to be less prone to disease and pests and don’t require the use of garden chemicals, making them safe for children and pets.

Native plant gardens in the East Bay

It’s not a surprise that gardening with California native plants is 16

JULY 2020

growing more popular in the Bay Area and beyond. One of the best ways to see first-hand what native plant gardens look like, get ideas, and learn how to begin transforming your own garden is the “Bringing Back the Natives” Garden Tour. Held annually in May, the tour features dozens of native plant gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. This year, the tour was conducted virtually over the course of three Sundays and was attended by over 2,300 people.

Among the garden hosts was Maria Sargeant in Danville, who converted her 1,300 square foot front yard from lawn to mostly native plants five years ago. She received $800 in rebates from EBMUD for removing her lawn and has been able to cut water use in half. But the biggest reward for her is watching the wildlife her garden attracts. “I grew up in this house, but it wasn’t until I started to plant natives that I’ve seen so many birds, bees and butterflies, including monarchs,” she says. Maria’s garden is now home to several different species of manzanita and California lilac whose blue blossoms compete for attention with the cheerful orange of her monkeyflowers in spring. Native bees, bumblebees and butterflies are drawn to different types of buckwheat and sages. Between the trees, shrubs and the bird bath that Maria keeps filled with fresh water, birds have all they need to thrive.

In nearby San Ramon, Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour host Lorraine Kalich proves that gardening with native plants doesn’t require special skills and can be very low maintenance. Her beautiful open yard feels lush although it was intentionally designed to survive largely on winter rains and minimal need to prune. “I am not a gardener by nature, so I wanted something natural and inviting for wildlife that didn’t require much upkeep,” she says. Tired of dealing with broken sprinkler heads and using a lot of water, she said good-bye to the lawn and opted instead for the beauty of bunchgrasses, redbuds, hummingbird sage and other hardy natives. California quail are frequent visitors finding shelter and nesting spaces among the bunch grasses, hedges and between boulders that Lorraine interspersed with the plants.

Evelyn Dalton, who has been gardening with native plants for some years, watched the online tour from her home in Blackhawk. She used to have a yard with mostly lawn and few shrubs, maintained by a landscaping service, but Evelyn was frustrated. “With California’s hot and dry summers, the lawn needed an incredible amount of water, and it didn’t even look good,” she recalls. Starting with the edges where the grass was dying, Evelyn took out the lawn little by little, replacing it with drought tolerant California fuchsias, sages, manzanitas, flowering currant and bunch grasses. She’s happy with her choice: “These native plants have made maintenance so much easier, and they bring the garden to life with the wildlife they attract. I now enjoy stepping outside to see what birds, bees and butterflies are visiting.”

Photo credit: Kathy Kramer Cheerful California monkeyflowers frame a birdbath in Maria Sargeant’s garden in Danville.

Photo credit: Kathy Kramer California native blue penstemon, Sulphur buckwheat and golden yarrow in front of a toyon in Lorraine Kalich’s garden in San Ramon.

Photo credit: Mary Cooper Who says native plant gardens can’t be colorful?

In this yard pink flowering currant and California lilac complement a sunflower.

Getting started with native plants

If a complete make-over of your garden feels daunting, you can start integrating California native plants in small steps. For most traditional garden ornamentals there are California natives of similar size that are just as beautiful but offer so much more value to wildlife and tend to be a lot less thirsty. For example, instead of an acacia or Chinese pistache, consider a tall California lilac. Groundcovers like cotoneaster, dymondia and myoporum can be replaced with low growing varieties of manzanita, coyote bush or buckwheats.

For flowering perennials, forego non-native roses, lantana, agapanthus and euryops in favor of the California native rose, lupines, currants, fuchsias or countless varieties of California sages.

The best time to plant any of these is in the fall to take advantage of winter rains to get the new additions established. The coming summer months can be a great time to plan and learn more about gardening with natives. To get started, consider viewing the video recordings of this year’s Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. Find the YouTube link, along with guidance on native plant choices for the Bay Area, information on Doug Tallamy’s research, lists of landscape designers specializing in California native plant gardens, and more at www.BringingBackTheNatives.net.

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

Photo credit: Maria Sargeant A hummingbird drinks nectar from a California manzanita in early spring when few other plants are in flower.

Photo credit: Pam Young Birds like this orange-crowned warbler need caterpillars to raise their young, and only native plants can provide them.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 17

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 19

Expert Contributor

When to Sell Company Stock

By Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA, Principal: Best Financial Life, Resident since 2004

W

e never want to let taxes drive our decisions, however they can be an influence, especially if you receive company stock.

Various types of stock awards are taxed differently and it is important to understand how they are taxed in order to make the best decisions on when to sell.

First, I encourage you NOT to think too much about what price your company’s stock is at when developing your plan to sell.

Assuming this stock is a significant portion of your overall investments – say, greater than 10% - you are taking inordinate risk by continuing to hold it.

For more details, check out a deeper analysis at www.BestFinLife. com/blog, but in this space I want to simply make the point that this can be very important.

For a limited time, I am offering a completely FREE financial conversation on the topic of your choice. FREE, that is, from cost and also FREE from any sales pitch. Simply schedule your call here: www.calendly.com/bestfinlife/free-financial-conversation.

Best Financial Life is a Registered Investment Advisor with the State of California and Joe Morgan is a fiduciary to his clients at all times. If you’d like to ensure your finances are on the right track, schedule a call with Joe at www.calendly.com/bestfinlife.

Not only could the stock go down if the company gets into trouble, but you could lose your job as well. That is a concentration of risk we really need to think about!

Second, be sure to approach this issue from the following perspective: a desire to sell as much stock as possible while minimizing the tax cost.

We want to reduce our exposure as much as possible in order to get more diversified in our long-term investments. The cost to doing this is primarily the taxes we will pay to get there.

So, we need to see how much stock we have currently and how much tax we will owe as we sell.

Once we see the total cost we will have to pay, we can determine the time period over which we feel comfortable paying it.

Remember, this tax cost is actually being paid by the proceeds of the stock sale – which will always be enough to pay it!

If, for example, you have a total tax cost of $100,000 and you want to pay it over four years, then you know you will be paying $25,000 this year.

The next step is to figure out which stock to sell that will make the biggest reduction in your exposure in exchange for paying the $25,000 cost this year.

This can be done and will really help you minimize your cost and maximize your diversification over a reasonable period of time.

20

JULY 2020

Book Review

Book Boot Camp

By Flola Tam, Resident since 2004

Invisible Romans by Robert Knapp This month I tried out a few books from the historical non-fiction genre. Although not my usual go-to genre, I found one of them to be surprisingly interesting! The book that made the cut is called Invisible Romans by Robert Knapp. This book opens a whole new perspective on Roman history; instead of focusing on classical figures such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, this book details the lives of the ones that textbooks omit, the ordinary men. From the ordinary men and women, to slaves and prostitutes, even bandits and pirates are included! Knapp draws theories on their lifestyles and mind-sets based off historical texts and prose. He provides short excerpts that are both intriguing and complex to read.

I thought this book was such a great read, because it fills in all the blanks on the history of Roman civilization. I like to compareand-contrast between Roman civilization and modern American society. I found a shocking number of similarities, such as the existence of the top one-percent elites, and differences, such as the normalcy of prostitution. This book is a great choice for

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all readers. It’s informative, without being overly drawn out.

The book is written in a story-telling format that makes it both fascinating and easy to follow along. I highly recommend this one to all of my readers!

My interest in reading sparked sometime in Elementary school. Teachers at the time assigned books as projects or were read as a class time activity. I got addicted right away, and began reading ahead of the assigned pages.

Each month I will be making a book recommendation and a brief summary and review of its contents, in hopes of reintroducing a passion for reading to the community.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 21

Golf Destinations

Bear Mountain Golf Resort – Victoria Island, Vancouver, Canada

By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012

Victoria and Snow-Capped Mountains The Westin Hotel

T

he Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort sits in the temperate climate of Victoria Island in British Columbia, Canada, where golf is playable year-round. It is the only location in Canada with two Nicklaus courses, the challenging Bear Mountain golf course and the friendly Valley golf course. Jack teamed up with his son Steve for each design. Both are open to the public, yet multiple real estate communities surround the golf courses with optional memberships. Only 30 minutes from the scenic city of Victoria, hiking, biking and exploring Victoria Island attractions lure golfers to this part of Canada.

Bear Mountain Golf Course is the most scenic track of the two Nicklaus courses and also be the most challenging. Opening in 2003, it ranks #43 on Canadian Golf Magazines “Top 50 – Best You Can Play.” It ranks #41 on “Top 59 Canadian Courses You Can Play” published by Score Golf.

Most tee shots require forced carry but are modest if played from the correct teeing grounds. True to its name, the Bear Mountain Golf Course is hilly with uphill and downhill lies commonplace.

Some cart paths are so steep they have warning signs. Four tee shots and four approach shots are blind.

Nicklaus puts greens in bowls but also creates plateaus with false fronts. The Bear Mountain Golf course back nine begins with a marvelous island green Par3. As the course rises on the back nine, the views are dramatic. The view from the thirteenth teeing ground back over the tenth island green is a signature. Tall pine trees provide picturesque backdrops to many holes.

Downtown Victoria and the sea beyond provide a striking backdrop on the Bear Mountain golf course fourteenth teeing ground. If you only have time for one round, play the Mountain Course at Bear

Island Green

Mountain Golf Resort. It’s dramatic and challenging.

High resolution photos at: www.quintessentialgolf.com/destinations/bear-mountain-golf/

If You Go: Course Info – Bear Mountain Golf includes two eighteen hole golf courses – Mountain and Valley.

Location – Thirty minutes west of the City of Victoria on Victoria Island in British Columbia.

Lodging – The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa on-site.

Quintessential Golf (https://www.quintessentialgolf.com) A source of golf travel inspiration, Quintessential Golf online magazine spotlights the most spectacular, enduring and scenic courses, resorts and golf adventures. Written from a player’s point-of-view, articles include magnificent high-resolution course images. Brought to you by Chuck Fox, single-digit golfer, writer and photographer based in Danville, California, he is fulfilling his passion and dream to play, photograph and share the romance and beauty of golf throughout North America.

22

JULY 2020

PetCulture Corner Art and

Small Town, Big Hearts

By Marija Nelson Bleier, Visual Arts Coordinator, Town of Danville

T

his summer, take a stroll down the streets in downtown Danville and you will see seventeen, larger than life Heart sculptures off and on Hartz Avenue. Last year the Town of Danville launched its first temporary public art program: The Dogs of Danville, Unleashed. With the success of the auction, in which all 15 dog sculptures found new “forever homes” the monies raised went back into an arts fund which enabled the Town to put on another public art project: Hearts Around Hartz.

These hearts could not have come at a better time. The weather is nice and it’s a perfect time to take a walk downtown to admire the seventeen uniquely designed hearts that are gracing the streets. These hearts are an absolute delight to see and the joy they bring to people makes them healing hearts indeed.

Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street. Made by Danville resident, Kappy Venezia

The heart sculptures are all one of a kind, original designs and artwork created by different Bay Area artists. No two look alike and this is a good thing, as there is something for everyone.

From modern to traditional, abstract to landscape, there is imagery that is sure to delight art lovers of all kinds.

The hearts will be on view downtown all summer through mid-October to give art lovers ample time to see them. For more information on the specific heart locations, individual artists and this year’s auction, set to take place in mid-October, please check the Town’s public art page at www.danville.ca.gov/HeartsAroundHartz or contact Visual Arts Coordinator for the Town, Marija Nelson Bleier at mnelsonbleier@danville.ca.gov (925)314-3460.

Town Green, 420 Front Street. Made by San Francisco Artist, Entropy

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 23

Now Open

Beginning June 13th

Weekends only by appointment Facemasks and social distancing will be required. Call for details.

• Style, Sophistication & Speed Reign Supreme • An Imperial Past – Lives & Breathes • Destinies Collide & New Nations are Born • Culture & Folklore are Carved into History • Rivals Battle & Triumph – Only the

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Experience World of Nature Coming Soon in 2020

3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville, CA www.blackhawkmuseum.org • 925-736-2277 24

JULY 2020

Expert Contributor

Ladies Golf

Check out the 9ers

By Linda Marver, Resident since 2007

Happy July 4th Have a red, white and blue day celebrating!

Welcome back to all our Niners! Since the club reopened for golf in May, we Niners have been golfing a lot. May 28th was our first Charm Day since February. Wow have we missed our golf days and seeing all our golf buddies. On June 11th we began our shot gun format for our Niners play days. We are maintaining our social distancing by allowing only one person per golf cart at this time.

The Niners Play Days will be sent via email to each member until our calendar is reinstated.

If you are new to golf, or getting back into golf and would like to find a group to play with, please contact our Membership Chair, Barbara Walsh at (925)699-1259 or rb232walsh@ comcast.net.

May Charm Day Results: Charm Day Winner: Janine Lappin Ace of Aces, Low Gross: Denise Mallozzi.

Ace of Aces, Low Net: Terri Waterman Most Improved: Janine Lappin

FLIGHT A 1st Place Low Gross: Linnell McRee 2nd Place Low Gross: Vicki Robinson 1st Place Low Net: Rita Renner 2nd Place Low Net: Kendel Goldthwaite Low Putts: Barbara Walsh

FLIGHT B 1st Place Low Gross: Joanne Knapp 2nd Place Low Gross: Terri Waterman 1st Place Low Net: Denise Kettunen 2nd Place Low Net: Diane Paulik Low Putts: Joanne Knapp Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 25

Recipe

Lahvash Spinach Rolls

By Parisa Z. Ambwani, Resident since 1983

Serves 4 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. • 1 large sheet lahvash bread • ¼ cup green onion, finely chopped • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • ¼ cup fresh tomatoes, finely chopped • ¼ cup dry mung beans, soak overnight, cook and mash • ½ teaspoon sea salt OR to taste • 1 dash black pepper, freshly ground • 1½ cups baby spinach, washed, pat-dried, stemmed, chopped • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded Garnish: 1 tablespoon paprika, 12 green onions (scallions) and radish for decoration Cut a large sheet of lahvash bread to 12 equal portions (5 x 5-inch square) and set aside.

In a sauté pan, sauté onion and garlic in heated olive oil for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, mung beans, salt, and pepper. Stir twice, cover the pan. Bring to simmer and simmer for 4 minutes. Add spinach and simmer for 2 minutes while stirring.

Remove mixture from heat. Make straight line with 2 teaspoons mozzarella cheese on the end of each lahvash and cover cheese with 1 tablespoon mixture of onion-spinach. Roll up gently each piece and sprinkle the top with paprika.

On a cookie sheet, place rolled lahvash, and transfer into the oven.

Bake for 4-6 minutes until rolls turn slightly golden brown. Serve warm for appetizer or lunch Holistic Journey: To experience God’s illumination, we must turn away from our own path and follow his path.

About Parisa Z. Ambwani: Parisa, a native of Persia who moved to Blackhawk in 1983, has a BA in Fine Arts.

Deeply influenced by her mother’s cooking, she has spent three decades writing cookbooks and pairing food with her poetry, philosophy, herbs and spices, and herbal teas. Parisa’s unique cookbooks are known for their merging of useful culinary information with a clear understanding of the relationship with other human beings and with the universe. She has followed this recipe to write and photograph six books that weave her beliefs into caring words on how to live life to the fullest. Learn more by visiting her website, enlightenedrecipes.com 26

JULY 2020

Message from Blackhawk Police

Traffic Questions Answered

By Tricia England, Blackhawk Police Chief

I

am continually asked to address questions regarding traffic within the Blackhawk community. I want to answer some of the more common questions raised by homeowners and put to rest some of the inaccuracies in the information out there.

Speed Limits The speed limit on the majority of roadways within the Blackhawk community is 25 MPH. I think the confusion came when we were required to survey several roadways in the various communities and as a result of the surveys, we had to raise the speed limit to 30 MPH on 8 of the roadways.

The 30 MPH roads in Blackhawk are: Deer Meadow Dr., Blackhawk Club Dr., Deer Hollow Dr., Saddleback Dr., Blackhawk Meadow Dr., Live Oak Dr., Deer Trail Dr., and Blackhawk Dr. These 8 roadways are all posted 30 MPH with black and white regulatory signs. Please adhere to the 25 MPH residential speed limit, unless otherwise posted.

Pedestrians California Vehicle Code 21956 requires pedestrians to walk AGAINST oncoming traffic when there are no sidewalks.

Blackhawk roadways do not have sidewalks. For this reason, pedestrians, bicyclists, golf carts, and vehicles all must share the roadway. This requires that all persons be courteous, respectful, and cautious when traveling through the community. Pedestrians walking in the roadway should be mindful of traffic and when walking at night, please remember that Blackhawk is very dark and that you may not be seen without reflective clothing on. Walking and texting can be as dangerous as driving and texting. Please stay as close to the curb as possible and be mindful of blind curves.

Golf Carts I have addressed golf carts in previous issues, so I will limit my comments. 15 MPH golf cart speed limit signs were placed in the main Country Club community. This was done to remind golf cart owners that the speed limit for a golf cart is 15 MPH and that any alteration to your golf cart to allow it to travel over this speed will make it a low speed vehicle. Low speed vehicles are required to be registered with the D.M.V. and there are specific safety requirements that must be met in order to be registered. Blackhawk allows for golf cart travel in the roadway, as it is designated as a combined usage roadway. Golf carts are subject to the same vehicle code requirements as any other vehicle on the roadway and can only be operated by a licensed driver while on the roadway. I ask that we do our best to keep this community safe by obeying traffic laws and using good judgment while driving, walking or biking.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 27

Expert Contributor

No Regrets...

A 5-Part series on Selecting the Best Shutter (Part 1)

By Shem Isaac, Home Living Windows

O

ver the past 16 years I’ve been able to meet shutter suppliers from all over the world, and have talked with their design engineers at length so I can truly understand how their shutter is built. While there are many methods and materials used there are only a few which create a breathtakingly stunning product that can last a lifetime. There are only a few which are heirloom quality, or we like to say, functional art.

I’ve also met dozens of other shutter professionals and asked them about their journey and what they’ve learned. One thing that keeps coming up over and over with the dealers I meet is that they regret not taking the time to learn the differences between the various materials, construction methods, paint finishes, and installation processes. This article is a condensed version of a training I provide to shutter professionals so they can discern the differences and serve their clients better. This material has never been published for the general public before, so I hope you enjoy it. My goal is that by the end of this article you’ll know enough about shutter construction to be able to discern the good from the bad.

Everyone will tell you they sell the “best” shutters. Ask them to quantify this though and you’ll get some interesting responses and some circular reasoning. “Best” because it’s the quickest, the cheapest, the greenest, the best insulating, or my favorite: the best because it’s made by (insert brand name here). There is a legal term called ‘puffery’, which means advertisers and salespeople can all say their product is the best. By definition puffery is a promotional statement or claim that expresses subjective rather than objective views, which no “reasonable person” would take literally. I prefer to cut through the puffery and deal in demonstrable facts.

Let’s start with 7 questions to ask when selecting a shutter for your home. There are other questions regarding customer service and the integrity of the company you’re working with, and those are at least as important as these 7. But this article is designed to be educational about the product itself. The 7 questions are: 1. From what material are the shutters made?

2. How are the panels constructed?

3. How is the shutter finished? (painted or stained) 4. Who will be installing my shutters?

5. How does the warranty work?

6. How much will this cost?

7. How long will this take?

In my next article I will discuss the best answers for these questions.

28

JULY 2020

Fun in the community

Live! From the Library-

Summer Fun with Historical Fiction

By Sherlin Kelley, Program Manager, Walnut Creek Library Foundation

A

uthor Elise Hooper will moderate a special panel with bestselling authors Sara Ackerman, Yangsze Choo, Kate Quinn, and Noelle Salazar at Live! From the Library on Monday, July 20, 2020, from 3-4pm. The esteemed authors, who hail from different parts of the country, will discuss historical fiction, the writing process, their favorite summer reads, and what it’s like to be an author. This is a free virtual program open to the public. Reservations can be made online at www.wclibrary.org/live or by phone at 925-935-5395.

journalism and earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She currently lives on the Big Island with her boyfriend and a houseful of animals.

Through a special partnership with Orinda Books, a book purchase will include a signed bookplate and an opportunity for a virtual chat with the authors immediately following the program. Please mention “WCLF Program” when making a purchase online, orindabooks.com, or by phone, 925-254-7606.

Quinn is the bestselling author of several works of historical fiction, including The Huntress. She lives in San Diego with her two rescue dogs.

Hooper, the author of Fast Girls, is a native New Englander. She spent several years writing for television and online news outlets before earning an MA and teaching high school history and literature.

Hooper now lives in Seattle with her husband and two daughters.

Ackerman is the bestselling author of Red Sky Over Hawaii, among other published books. Born and raised in Hawaii, she studied

Seek to keep your goals in mind and your portfolio one step ahead

Choo is the bestselling author of The Night Tiger. She loves to eat and read, and often does both at the same time. Neither of her two published books would have been possible without large quantities of dark chocolate.

Salazar is the bestselling author of The Flight Girls, her debut novel.

She is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest and lives with her husband, two children, and old man cat in Washington State.

Live! From the Library, produced by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, features free public lectures, literary events, and cultural programs for the Walnut Creek and Ygnacio Valley libraries. Live!

Programs are currently online as we follow public health guidelines.

Program sponsors are Friends of the Walnut Creek Library, East Bay Times, and Minuteman Press Lafayette.

Morasky Clay Wealth Management Mark Morasky, CPWA®, AAMS®, CRPC® Senior Vice President Senior Financial Advisor 925.945.4879 mark_morasky@ml.com

Together, we’ll take a fresh look at the opportunities that a changing world can provide. Call to learn more today.

Merrill Lynch 1331 N. California Boulevard Suite 400 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 fa.ml.com/morasky-claywealth-management

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Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol and Merrill Lynch are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

CPWA® is a registered service mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association dba Investments & Wealth Institute. AAMS® and CRPC® are registered service marks of College for Financial Planning. © 2019 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 29

Wine, Food, Golf & Fun

Lake Tahoe Edgewood Country Club

Hosts Super Bowl Of Celebrity Golf

By Mike L. McColgan, Resident since 1990

E

dgewood Country Club hosts the American Century Celebrity Golf tournament and this year is number 31.

The golf course is a slice of heaven located on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. The tournament gets bigger every year with 80 famous sports celebrities and movie stars trying to win the $125,000 first place prize.

This year the tournament will only be viewed on TV. For the past 15 years, I have been playing in the Celebrity Pro Am with many interesting people like Alphonso Riberio ala “Fresh Prince”, Five-time Champion Dan Quinn, Hall of Famer Tim Brown, and Super Bowl MVP Joe Theisman to name a few.

I am given Celebrity names prior to the tournament and our son, MJ, chooses the celebrity and rides with him/her during the tournament. Last year we played with Mark Mulder who was a great pitcher for the Oakland A’s. This is the second year that he won the tournament, and we hope to play with him again in the future.

We enjoy our traditional lunch on the

patio of Brooks Bar at Edgewood that is fueled by their famous mojitos. Brooks Bar overlooks the lake and the famous 18th hole pond ala “Lake Lambier” named after Detroit Pistons Basketball player Bill Lambier when he deposited a lot of balls a few years ago. Brooks Bar has also been named as one of the best 19th hole bars in America.

We enjoy staying at Edgewood Lodge, a magnificent 151 room 100 million-dollar development right on Lake Tahoe and next to the golf course. We will also have a dinner there the night before the pro-am.

Another tradition is dinner at Friday Station on the top of Harrah’s Hotel. It has spectacular sunsets and full of celebrities enjoying the great service and fantastic food.

Many of the waiters have worked there over 25 years. They are professionally dressed in black tuxedos and intent on making your eating experience a memorable one. It is no wonder many of them have worked there such a long time as the spectacular sunsets over Lake Tahoe each evening provides for a soothing working environment and “I love my job” attitude.

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The event is televised on NBC. NBC has just renewed their contract through 2022.

Watching it on TV is great, but attending the tournament is much more fun.

It is also fun to watch your favorite sports and movie stars try to master the difficult game of golf. In addition, the deep blue lake guarded by towering pines and snow-capped mountains feels like being in heaven. It is no wonder the nearby ski slopes are named Heavenly Valley.

In conclusion, mark your calendar for July 6-11 in 2021. For more information, go to: http://tahoesouth.com/events/americancentury-celebrity-golf-championship/

JULY 2020

Charity Spotlight

Invest in Hope Golf Tournament

Save the Date Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Blackhawk Country Club

Benefitting PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a Northern California PGA program that provides free therapeutic golf lessons to military veterans.

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 31

People, Places and Pets

Meet Rosie and Tessie

By Megan Scott, Resident Since 2010

Owner - Nancy Tessie, 2 years old, 38 lbs, Whippet Rosie, 18 months, 28 lbs, Whippet Nancy, owner of Tessie and Rosie, says “My girls have converted my backyard to a race track. They love to play tug of war, bitey face, and running laps around the course they have created. After Tessie is done, Rosie will race around for 10-15 more laps. She is like the energizer bunny.”

Nancy with Rosie (left) and Tessie (right)

BLACKHAWK PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA

• Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures • Accredited Private Surgery Center • Call for your Free Consultation

925.736.5757 3600 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Danville, California 94506 BlackhawkPlasticSurgery.com

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JULY 2020

In Our Backyard

“Parks to People” Brings the Natural World to Online Audiences

By Jen Vanya, East Bay Regional Park District Digital Learning with Naturalist Morgan Guenther

J

oin the Parks District for a familyfriendly Virtual Campfire Program as we bring the outdoors to you!

The Park District’s interpretive and recreation programs and activities have traditionally been taught live at our visitor centers or out in the parks. The Shelter-inPlace order changed everything for Park District staff, with the sudden closure of all visitor centers and being restricted to working from home. Fortunately, there were projects in the works that would enable them to bring their live classes and activities to a larger audience through a digital platform.

Naturalists and outdoor recreation staff were already developing content for short educational videos to cover some

of their interpretive topics. A collection of new videos called Creature Features, published daily on Facebook since the end of March, spotlights natural wonders found throughout the parks and was shot entirely

by Park District staff working from home to replace their regular live programs. A new Park District web page, Parks to People, was launched soon thereafter and is now home to the Digital Learning program, offering virtual reality park tours, nature and field study videos and downloadable activities and games.

“The digital offerings at the Park District expanded greatly during the crisis,” said Anne Kassebaum, Chief of Interpretive and Recreation Services. “The stay-at-home

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

order elevated the importance of virtual learning and our naturalists and outdoor recreation staff have risen to the challenge.

“The Park District’s online interface may be some youths’ first introduction to nature, but we really hope these initial online experiences encourage people to go out and experience nature in person,” she added.

Watch the virtual campfire here: https:// youtu.be/ByN0bUuDLTk

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 33

Expert Contributor

WE. HAVE. MISSED. YOU.

By Steve Padis, Padis Jewelry and The Broadway Plaza Forevermark Boutique

A

nd even that is an understatement.

Not being able to hear about your celebrations, your loved ones, your triumphs and trials… it’s been heartbreaking.

BUT WE ARE BACK! And we sure have missed you!

BIG NEWS #1: OPEN FOR BUSINESS STARTING JUNE 15TH What will stay the same?

1. Our unmatched selection: We will be offering all of our wonderful brands such as Forevermark, Tacori and Breitling as well as our Padis collections.

2. Our repair services: All of our jewelers will be back to work full-time to serve you as needed.

bring your photo ID for security desk check in at our San Francisco stores.

2. Our store cleanliness: With our stores being mainly glass, we are VERY used to cleaning. The stores will be continuously disinfected throughout the day.

What will be different?

What will be different?

1. Our hours may be changing: Be sure to check our website for details at padisjewelry.com 2. Our appraisal services are limited: Our graduate gemologists will be taking in appraisals by appointment with a 2-week completion time until further notice.

1. Our associate’s health: Every associate is required to have their temperature taken before starting their shift to ensure that they do not have a fever.

2. Our associates’ PPE: Each associate will be wearing a mask while serving guests in the store.

3. Our jewelry sanitation: We will be taking extra precautions to sanitize all jewelry and surfaces before and after every customer interaction.

4. Our store’s capacity: We will monitor guest count / store traffic to ensure we are below the store capacity recommended.

BIG NEWS #2: PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS

BIG NEWS #3: SHOPPING OPTIONS… We will meet you where you want!

What will stay the same?

1. Things to Bring: We encourage our guests to wear a mask upon entry for their safety and the safety of other guests. Please also

1. In-store shopping: You are more than welcome to visit our stores during regular hours. Your shopping experience will remain as fantastic as ever – just call us in advance to ensure we have plenty of space to ensure social distancing.

2. Scheduled appointments: If you would prefer to schedule a private, specific time to shop, please give us a ring, or send us a message on our website or Facebook pages to schedule a time that works best for you!

3. Online purchases: We are posting new items every single day on our website.

4. Personalized shopping via text: If you prefer to have our team hand select something for you, send us a text by clicking on the icon in the lower left part of your screen.

We will send you pictures and videos to find that perfect piece!

5. Phone orders: Just give us a jingle and we will take care of anything you need.

415-861-5388 6. Curbside pickup: We will continue to offer this service for the foreseeable future.

Give us a call to schedule your pickup time.

7. Shipping: If you prefer not to come to the store, we can always ship new purchases to your home!

All of this to say… we are ready to meet you where you need to be met. We understand that everyone has their own preferences on handling this phase. The Padis family will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable. Know that the family at Padis Jewelry is going to do absolutely everything we can to exceed your expectations.

Now it’s time to celebrate all those “I Do’s”, “I Love You’s”, and “Will You Marry Me’s.” We are grateful for our community’s commitment to safety and health and we look forward to welcoming you back to Padis Jewelry – either at our Broadway Plaza Forevermark store or at our locations in San Francisco and Napa Valley.

Check in soon! Much love and many blessings, The Padis Jewelry Family

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JULY 2020

BLACKHAWK LIVING CA 35

Blackhawk

0482

LIVING CA