Danville Living CA July 2020

Mailed Directly to West Danville Residents and Published Online

Danville LIVING CA

MEET THE

Osgoods: Art and Adventure COVER PHOTO:

by Kim Lind Photography

JULY 2020

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JULY 2020

Danville LIVING CA

Publication Team Publisher:

Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014 Content Coordinator: Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017 Designer: Emily Lund Jo Peek

Contributing Photographer: Kim Lind Photography

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

Hi Neighbors!

Happy Fourth of July! Although we’re all missing our fantastic parade and community gatherings, I couldn’t be more proud of how our town has rallied together to forge tighter connections and meaningful memories.

In this summer issue of Danville Living CA, you will meet the Osgood family. John, Michele, and Lucien are an artistic family who’ve made a lasting mark (literally! - just go look at Montair) on our town. You will also find top notch articles from our leading experts as well as plenty of fun stories from neighbors.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out downtown for the newest public art installation, Hearts on Hartz. We’ve already decided we won’t be able to pick a favorite, they’re all so good!

See you around town!

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: asullivan@ 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.

Alexandra Sullivan

Content Coordinator

DANVILLE LIVING CA 3

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

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.

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.

Home Maintenance

AAA House manager is your partner in home maintenance. Trusted and reliable House Managers tackle your to-do list and help you create a plan to get ahead of future maintenance needs, all to keep you home running smoothly. Whether you have a leaky faucet, smart home tech to install, or need your gutters cleaned, AAA House Manager works for your home so your home can work for you.

Interior Design

Drawing inspiration from her clients, travels, and architecture, designer Casey Howard brings a refined, eclectic eye to each of her projects. At Casey Howard Designs, founded in 2012, the design team specializes in Full-Service Residential Interior Design, including new construction, small and large-scale renovations as well as furnishings and interior styling. With a high level of project management expertise, CHD simplifies the design process to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and effortless.

AAA San Ramon 925-314-2600 www.aaa.com/housemanager

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JULY 2020

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

Jewelry, Diamonds & Timepieces

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.

Real Estate

Janice Jordan comes from three generations of real estate experts. Her passion and perseverance, combined with 30 years of experience and being a Danville resident for over 20 years, is her key to creating an extraordinary client experience, always exceeding expectations, and the reason clients call on her every time they are buying or selling a home. She is an upstanding member of the community and spends her time volunteering and supporting local events. In her spare time, Janice enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and spending time with her daughter Jenna, her horse, Wilder, and Australian Shepherd, Buster.

Remodeling

Our company offers one-stop shopping for your complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. We handle the design, materials and installation in house, so you only deal with one, full-service company. Find all the styles, fixtures and products for your renovation project in our 20,000 sq. ft. kitchen and bathroom showroom.

Wealth Management

Local Danville residents, Jim and Matt have worked with families in the Bay Area for the past two decades. The Carbonell Forrey team offers customized investment planning and management services based on each individual’s unique set of needs and objectives. With a family-first approach, the team prides itself on delivering an exceptional experience so that clients are able to focus on the other important aspects of their lives.

Steve Padis Steve Padis Jewelry info@padisjewelry.com www.padisjewelry.com

Janice Jordan Broker/Associate at Compass janice.jordan@compass.com 925-580-7482

America’s Dream Homeworks Vlad Chernioglo vladc@dreamhomeworks.com (916) 739-0996

Jim Carbonell Matt Forrey The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 925-279-1701 carbonellforreywmg@rbc.com www.rbcwmfa.com/carbonellforreywmg/

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 5

Resident Feature

Meet the

Meet the Osgoods: Art and Adventure

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017 Photo Credit: Kim Lind Photography

E

ver heard of the Apple Cup? It’s a 120 year old rivalry football game between the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars. It would be surprising for two people from these intensely rivaled schools to share friends, meet, fall in love, and stick by each other through all of life’s curveballs… well… say hello to the Osgoods!

John and Michele Osgood both grew up in Seattle. Their respective families have deep roots in the area, and the Osgoods continue to make the trek north each year to visit. It was back in Seattle, at a party in 2006 that John and Michele were officially introduced.

“We were actually surprised we hadn’t met before since we figured out there were other gatherings that we were both at but never crossed paths.” With a little digging, they found group shots from prior parties (yes, plural!) and sure enough, they were both there. “The old cliché “Timing is everything” really applied for us since meeting each other in previous years would not have led to anything as we were both in other relationships at the time.”

The timing was perfect and the connection was immediate. Thanks to a love of art and adventure, their relationship grew and in 2009 they were married. A few years later, Lucien (8) made his grand entrance. Michele is a breast cancer survivor, and was told that because of the chemo and radiation treatments, it would be nearly impossible for her to get pregnant. But with a bit of hope and good humor, the Osgoods never gave up, “As it turns out, we were both Jim Carrey fans and there is a scene in Dumb & Dumber where he turns the response that he has “One in a million” chances with the girl of his dreams, into the belief, “so you are saying there is a chance?” We laugh about it [now], but that was what we believed. We have seen proof in this life that things will happen despite the odds and Lucien is one more testament to this belief.”

Now Lucien is an incoming third grader at Montair Elementary School. He has multiple and varied interests, including LEGOs, making stop motion movies, Minecraft, hip hop dance and baseball. And following in his dad’s footsteps, drawing comic books is another favorite activity.

Both Michele and John are active volunteers at Montair.

Michele serves on the Auction committee and John gets into the classroom to teach the kids about art.

If the name John Osgood sounds familiar, it’s because last year John completely updated the front mural at Montair Elementary School.

His contemporary murals can be seen all across the West Coast: how lucky are we to have one in our very own neighborhood?!

As a professional artist, John has paintings in galleries all across the US. You can find some of his commissioned murals at the Microsoft offices in Redmond, WA, New Amsterdam Vodka and the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and across the Bay Area. Before they relocated from Seattle, John and Michele ran an art gallery where they “exhibited emerging contemporary artists from the Pacific NW.”

As if Mom, volunteer and, as John puts it, “the marketing muscle behind Osgood Art” isn’t enough, Michele has been the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Simon Property Group for 14 years. It was an opportunity with Michele’s job that landed the Osgoods in California four years ago, and the Lucien and his dragon accessibility to San Francisco and Los Angeles sculpture made the East Bay a good pick. Initially they were placed in corporate housing in Livermore, but wanted to find a permanent place to live. Michele’s GM recommended his own

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JULY 2020

hometown of Danville.

“We still remember that first evening we drove into town and had our first dinner at Revel Kitchen where we sat on the patio and watched as families strolled down the street and older kids The Osgoods have been to Barcelona, biked around together.

China, Italy, France, UK and more!

Not to get too gushy, but we couldn’t help feeling like we were on a movie set and we couldn’t stop smiling. This is the perfect town to raise a family.”

short conversation together, we found that we had just run into our new next door neighbors and we have been friends ever since. We are grateful that our neighborhood is one where people know each other and we can look out for each other.”

Sharing their passion for art creates a tight father/ son bond

They picked an excellent spot right across the street from Montair, walkable to downtown and the Iron Horse Trail, where Lucien and Michele love to hike and take bike rides. Being new in town, finding a neighborhood that felt friendly and accepting was important, and they very quickly learned just how welcoming their new neighbors were, “Before we officially moved in, we were walking around town (John was wearing his WSU Cougar Hat) and a man stopped him to comment on his hat, since he was also a Cougar. After a 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 asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 7

Pet Adoption Corner

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.

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Real Estate Listings in West Danville Addresses in Bold are Seller’s/Buyer’s represented by Ron and Joe Gatti | 6/10/20

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Ilo Ln Podva Rd Garden Creek Pl Windfield Ln Westfield Cir River Rock Ln El Portal

$510,000 $595,000 $599,000 $699,000 $769,000 $995,000 $1,149,000

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Winfield Ln $1,175,000 Hardy Ct $1,195,000 Meadowside Pl $1,439,000 Railroad Ave $1,549,000 Camino Amigo Court $1,595,000 Patricks Pl $1,778,500 440 Montcrest Pl $2,099,000

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Ilo Ln Hartley Dr River Rock Ln River Rock Ln

$515,000 $595,000 $950,000 $999,900

El Dorado Ave $1,248,000 1566 3 Westridge Ave $1,448,000 2145 4 Ocho Rios Dr $1,495,000 2282 5 La Gonda Way $1,498,000 3067 4

1012 1094 1090 1080 1408 1375 1480

1012 1207 1375 1492

2 2 2 2 2 3 3

2 2 2 3

1 1 1 2 2 2 2

1 2 2 2

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Rubicon Cir $675,000 Elworthy Ranch Dr $899,000 River Rock Ln $999,950

$670,000 $914,000 $1,000,000

1391 1752 1492

2 3 3

2 2 2

2255 1698 3345 1383 2184 2065 3133

4 3 5 2 4 4 4

3 2 4 2 2 2 2

2 2 2 3

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths River Rock Lane $1,029,000 $1,010,000 Cambra Ct $1,499,000 $1,505,000 Mariposa Ct $1,698,000 $1,685,000

1492 2457 1963

3 3 3

2 2 2

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.

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 9

July CALENDAR OF EVENTS Jun. 6 - Aug. 6

Dive Deep Summer Reading Challenge @Danville Public Library Dive Deep into Summer Reading, beginning June 6, 2020. Sign up to keep track of your reading and learning. The whole family can get swept away with summer fun and entered in to a drawing for a chance to win prizes including an Xbox One X. Come back often to wrap your tentacles around updated information as it bubbles to the surface.

Museum of the San Ramon Valley Looking for something to do outside while still social distancing? Learn more about the history of the San Ramon Valley. https:// museumsrv.org/historical-markers/

Sat., July 4

July 4th VIRTUAL Parade @Anywhere You Have Wifi!

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Kiwanis 4th of July 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).

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 Friday

Follow Up Friday and Future Focus Business Meeting @Online via Zoom With the COVID-19 pandemic creating, almost daily, changes to both our general and

business communities The Town of Danville is partnering with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce to provide a weekly platform to share updates as to what has transpired over the previous week (CARES Act, Shelter In Place, Essential Business Designations, County Health Services Declarations, Economic Development, etc.). Further, to assist with visioning, as we look forward to what resources and actions will need to be taken today, to prepare for our current and future recovery.

Register here: https://us02web. zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_HNCVRq2QQpS6BLgqx9uLwA Time: 10-11am

Every Saturday

Farmers’ Market @Railroad Ave. Municipal Parking Lot-Downtown Get the freshest seasonal fare at Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. You’ll find fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, along with fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants and fresh breads. This event is located at Railroad & Prospect Avenues and offers free parking in the adjacent lot.

Time: 9am-1pm More information at www.pcfma.com

Every Monday

Tips for Change Community Fundraising Events @Gianni’s Italian Bistro Gianni’s Italian Bistro opens up their restaurant to support our local non-profit community. Tips for change is a fun and unique way for local local charity organizations to raise much needed funds. Volunteers and supporters of local non-profits suit up and become your servers for the evening with all tips and 10% of sales going to support their organization. This event occurs most Monday evenings between 5 and 8pm and is open to the public. Reservations required.

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Save the Date…

Sep. 11th - Oct. 11th

San Ramon Valley Run For Education Goes Virtual @Anywhere and Everywhere 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!

Earn money for your school!

Simply register for the event and you are in! https://www.srvef.org/ The-Run-For-Education/ Race-Information

JULY 2020

Expert Contributor

The Slingshot

By Janice Jordan, Broker/Associate Compass, Resident since 1998

I

t’s been a wild ride since the end of March. There was much conjecture as to how the Covid-19 pandemic would affect our Real Estate market. Because this type of crisis had never happened before, opinions seemed to be based on ‘best guess projections.”

Right before the traditional busy season, our market was put on hold.

Listings and buyers were held back. Now it’s like the pressure has been released; the market is quickly picking up and maybe heading up faster than we expected.... Like a slingshot.

Statistics for JUST Westside Danville and Alamo: Last year: March thru June 12 Sold properties $1,719,833 was the average sales price This year: March thru June 15 Sold properties $1,734,733 is the average sales price This is encouraging news for everyone. No one knows what tomorrow or next month or next year will bring, but for now, if we look at our small slice of heaven, here on the Westside, things are looking up. **Featured Home** Westside Danville Estate. This 6 bedroom 51/2 bath home sits amidst giant oaks, green lawns and brick walkways of over 1 acre. It also has a detached in-law unit with level in access. An added bonus is the huge attic space of over 1000 feet that can be built out into more living space. Property is private and gated and even has a separate building for the handyman. Asking price: 3,400,000.

Although we have graphs to depict the sharp declines in Homes for Sale over the past few months, these small ‘snapshots” don’t always show us the entire picture.

Here’s what we know for sure: • • •

Home prices have not gone down since this time last year We are still seeing homes receiving multiple offers and selling for over asking The Westside is still able to experience a hot ‘niche’ market.

Call Janice for more information on this home or our market statistics.

925-580-7482

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 11

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

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.

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JULY 2020

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Expert Contributor

Liposuction for Improved Shape and Contour

By Dr. Stephen Ronan, MD FACS, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

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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JULY 2020

EBRPD

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

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

T

he 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 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.

In addition to the Creature Features videos on Facebook, the Park District’s YouTube channel now hosts the recently-produced Digital Learning videos. The Park District’s first-ever YouTube Premiere event, Virtual Campfire Program: Nature Detectives – The Search for Animal Signs, took place on May 23. This “live” campfire activity featured Naturalist Morgan Guenther, already known for her Sunday morning Songs and Stories Facebook videos, singing songs and showing viewers how to search for animal signs while they “camp” at home.

It remains online to replay.

The Park District is also delving into new, cutting-edge technology. One exciting example is its collaboration with TimeLooper, a company that combines virtual reality with interpretation for an immersive educational experience, to create Virtual and Augmented Reality Park Experiences. By downloading the TimeLooper app to a smart phone or tablet, people can now explore Regional Parks through virtual reality. In addition, the Park District and Timelooper have launched a new East Bay Parks: Virtual Tour app, which allows people to interact with an augmented reality version of the East Bay. “People can hop across a 3-D map appearing right in front of them to virtually visit some of the Regional Parks,” commented Supervising Naturalist Kevin Damstra, who worked closely on the project. “It’s one more way the Park District has used digital media to introduce nature and educate the community during the stay-at-home orders.”

Augmented Reality Park Experience using TimeLooper ap

worked to provide digital interpretive media for schools and families and is now part of a partnership with Alameda County to develop some curriculum-based digital content.

Digital learning and virtual reality technology have brought a new level of interpretive education to visitors on home computers or in classrooms. When the stay-at-home orders are lifted and programs begin again in the parks, the Digital Learning program will continue on as a major component of the Park District’s interpretation and recreation services.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

To further expand its educational programs throughout COVID-19, the Park District has

DANVILLE LIVING CA 15

Danville LIVING CA

Giving Back Our neighborhood magazines support fundraisers, nonprofits and charities.

Do you have a fundraiser, nonprofit or charity that you would like us to sponsor? Email jpeek@bestversionmedia.com with the information.

Aloha Kiss Fundraising Golf Tournament Animal Rescue Foundation Arc of the East Bay Golf Tournament Bay Area Tackles ALS Dinner Concours d’Elegance Danville Hot Summer Sunday Car Show Devil Mountain Run Discovery Counseling Center Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area Fallen Heroes Police and Fire Gianni’s Italian Bistro Tips for Change Fundraisers Harmony & Healing Have a Ball Hope Hospice Hope 100 Golf Marathon Horses Healing Hearts Hot Summer Sundays Car Shows Impact 100 Invest in Hope Golf Fundraiser Loaves and Fishes - Drive out Hunger Loaves and Fishes - Rock out Hunger Moment by Moment Photography Northgate High School Football Golf Fundraiser RISE | Forma Gym – Turkey Trot Ruth Bancroft Ribbon Cutting Shirley Ann Foundation Benefit Concert and Auction The Crayon Initiative Golf Tournament Tri Valley Animal Rescue Walk to end Alzheimer’s

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Community

Now Approaching...

“The New Normal”

By Residents of Danville

I posed this question to past contributors to the magazine; here are their thoughtful responses: What new lifestyle change or attitude that you have learned during the shelter-in place do you hope to take with you into our ‘new normal’ when this is all over?

“Having the faith that things will always work out even if we don’t know why things happen, has been helping us get through this major uncertainty and challenging time. We have become an even stronger family unit. And most of all, we have gained a tolerance of patience always remembering to be grateful for the little things we took for granted such as hugs, high fives, celebrations with friends and neighbors, and traveling freely to visit family around the globe.”

The George Family, Residents since 1997

“The SIP has re-verified what we already knew about our town of Danville. We are resilient and imaginative! Seeing the community come together to support our local business under the unusual guidelines that they have been given as well as the creation of the Sunday pop-up car stroll is what Danville is all about!

Laurel Leftwich-Traikoff, Resident since 1992 “What we’ve learned since the SIP is to never take for granted how important a hug can be, how important it is to check in and stay connected to friends and family, how important it is to say I love you, how important it is to keep things in perspective and to not let the little things ruin a great day, and just how blessed we are to live in such a remarkable community.”

Bob and Debbie Gibbs, Residents since 1993 “We are a family that loves to cook so we used this time to explore new, ‘fancy’ recipes: turning our dining room table into a ‘restaurant’ as we so badly missed going out to dinner. Two highlight meals were a fully hand-made sushi dinner, complete with a variety of rolls, miso soup and sashimi and an amazing Italian Cioppino dinner complimented by homemade crusty, sourdough bread. I could go on and on about our experiences, but we have learned to slow down, enjoy our family time, appreciate the beautiful nature we are so blessed to live near and really get to know each other in new ways.

There have been SO many silver-linings we have discovered along the way...it is hard to sum them up.”

Becky Tavella, Resident since 2003 “For our family, we actually haven’t minded this SIP, it’s really made us appreciate family and dear friends. As a family we sit down and eat three meals together, we study, we do puzzles and artwork together. We cook, we go on bike rides and walks, lots of quality memories are being made. We have become closer with our neighbors as we check in with them daily and on Friday nights we all order take out and sit, socially-distanced, on our lawns and visit while we eat our meals. You know we love to travel, so instead of getting on airplanes this summer we will be hitting the road in our RV trailer! It’s really made us realize life is so much easier when it’s simply lived.

Bob and Patty Gordon, Residents since 2017

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 17

Sports and Activities

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

By Shane Sullivan, Resident since 2017

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.

Riding the ridge line of Las Trampas

Fun jumps in San Ramon at Memorial Park

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.

Sharing the scenic view with a new friend 18

JULY 2020

In Our Own Backyard

Too Much Time to Think

By Sandra Mcmullan, Resident since 1992

My brain isn’t isolated and it won’t stop pondering things such as: • •

Why is Mt. Diablo called Mt. Diablo?

Did the Pony Express really stop here?

Mt. Diablo: Is it really the mountain of the devil?

According to the Concord Historical Society and Save Mount Diablo, in the late 1700’s Spanish Explorers named it “Monte del Diablo” the term “Monte” described the dense thicket of willows at the north end of the valley which soldiers believed was possessed by evil, devilish Indian spirits, hence the name – thicket of the devil. Monte was later misinterpreted by English speakers as “mountain” hence the name Mt. Diablo. I am not a Spanish language expert so I went to Google translate for further explanation. Monte is listed as both bush and mountain.

Anyone out there have another perspective?

Did the Pony Express really stop in Danville?

The Pony Express was a mail service that ran for 18 months from April 1860 to October 1861 from Missouri to Sacramento, a distance of 1,966 miles. A series of riders could cover that in 10 days, or less – faster than ever before! The ad seeking riders is purported to have read “Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” They were paid $100 month, which was a handsome sum for that time. The riders indeed were small, lightweight, generally teenage boys that became seen as heroes of the American West. One famous rider was William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill Cody.

I’ve lived in this valley for over 31 years and have always heard that Danville was a stop for the Pony Express, so is this legend or lore? I was curious to know so I reached out to the National Pony Express Association who referred me to Mr. Tom Crews with the California Pony Express division.

Mr. Crews told me when originally established; the Pony Express was placed on a steamer ship in Sacramento down to San Francisco. Twice in 1860 and 18 or more times in 1861, the Pony was routed overland between Sacramento and Oakland because “they missed the boat”. The overland route between Sacramento and Oakland generally followed I-80 to 680 between Sacramento and Benicia. The route passed through what is now the campus of UC Davis, the site of the abandoned Village of Silvey, through Vacaville, Fairfield, Rockville, Cordellia, and Benicia. After crossing by ferry from Benicia into Martinez, the route followed what is now Pacheco Blvd., Contra Costa Blvd., North Main St. through Walnut Creek, Mount Diablo Boulevard through Lafayette, and over Fish Ranch Road to Oakland down Telegraph Ave ending at Jack London Square.

Sadly, they did not go through Danville.

The Pony Express ended when the telegraph started and was able to provide a quicker, cheaper means of transporting information.

During the 18 months of its existence the Express only realized $90,000 income but cost over $200,000 to operate. Today, the National Pony Express Association operates an annual Re-Ride and you can actually send a letter with them.

I can’t thank Mr. Crews, and the Association, enough for their valuable input. To learn more go to www.nationalponyexpress.org.

Sandra Mcmullan immigrated from Northern Ireland when she was just 3 1/2 years old. She recently retired from a composite career in Workforce and Economic Development designing training programs funded by both the state of California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP) and the Federal Workforce Investment Act. Sandra loves fishing, traveling, and being an adventurous grandmother!

DANVILLE LIVING CA 19

Cooking Corner

Spinach and Artichoke Chicken

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010

It’s Greek! It’s Californian! It’s delicious!

This is guaranteed to awaken your inner goddess. I love this chicken dish for so many reasons. For starters, it’s a huge crowd pleaser and so diverse. I’ve made this for baby showers, holiday dinners, birthday parties and last minute company. It can be a Keto friendly meal, but also pairs wonderfully with roasted oregano potatoes or pasta. I also love that it can be made ahead of time and doesn’t destroy the kitchen and yet it looks so fancy. It has plenty of deep greens in it, so you don’t feel guilty going back for seconds. If you’re a fan of spinach and artichoke dip, then this is the recipe for you.

Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Time: 45 minutes Serves 4-8

You will need: • • • • • • • • • •

4 chicken breasts 1/2 cup cooked fresh spinach, chopped 3/4 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella 6 TBS. plain cream cheese 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flake 2/3 cup feta cheese Extra-virgin olive oil for sautéing

Putting it together:

Press or squeeze the spinach with a paper towel to remove excess water. In a medium-size bowl, mix the spinach, artichokes, mozzarella, cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan and crushed red pepper together until well combined and place it in the refrigerator.

Place your chicken on a cutting board and using your hand, hold it firmly against the cutting board and very carefully cut your chicken in half horizontally with a knife. This should give you two thin chicken breast pieces. Don’t worry if they are not the same size. Repeat this with the rest of the chicken. This will give you a total of 8 thin chicken breasts. (If you want to skip this process altogether, you can buy thinly sliced chicken breast at the store)

Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. In a medium skillet, drizzle enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat the pan and bring the heat to medium.

Sear your chicken for 2-3 minutes on both sides, or until they’re slightly golden brown. Don’t worry if your chicken doesn’t look fully cooked because it will finish cooking in the oven.

Remove the chicken to an oven safe casserole dish and spoon your artichoke mixture generously onto each chicken breast.

Sprinkle feta cheese crumbles on top and place the dish under a preheated broiler for 2-5 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown and bubble, but watch it closely.

Remove the chicken from the oven and cover with a sheet of foil and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Stephanie Seaberg has lived in the East Bay for the last 30 years, and is a SRVHS Alumni.

Steph is a play-writer and director for Theater Performance Workshop, KAOS Camp, and Golden Oak Montessori. Steph lives for cooking, theater, photography, travel, and singing.

20

JULY 2020

Book Nook

Animal Tales ABCs

Introduces Conservation Through Development Learning

By Chris Pancoast, Resident since 1981

A

fter publishing my first book, Why Play? Learning Through Play, which was geared towards parents and teachers and how to help children effectively learn through play, I realized I wanted to write a children’s book for the children.

While visiting the San Francisco Wildlife Conservation Expo last fall, I heard a presentation from Dr. Jane Goodall, and was struck with inspiration about the direction I wanted to take my new book.

Animal Tales ABCs takes readers on an adventure while learning about endangered species and ways we can help save them.

One of the best parts about writing this book was working with two local students who used their artistic talents to bring characters like Charlie and his stuffedalien, Cosmo, to life.

One of these students was Liv Egli. I met Liv during an 8th grade drama/set design class, where I was working with another student. Over the course of the year, I observed how creative she was and started talking to her and her mother about her

artistic talent. Liv, now a student at MVHS, excitedly accepted my proposition to work on my new children’s book. I trusted her creative eye and gave her the freedom to sketch the story how she imagined it. Her hard-work, ability to stay on a deadline, and willingness to work with my feedback gave us amazing works of art to contribute to the book.

My next hurdle was digitizing Liv’s drawings for publication. I knew that I wanted to find another student to do the work, and the search began. This is where I found SRVHS freshman, Vasu Arora.

After talking to his father who told me how talented and artistic he was, I met with him and was amazed at all of the art he’s done.

Vasu took all of Liv’s original sketches and digitized them giving them some more depth and bringing them to life.

It has been a great experience having the opportunity to spotlight local youth who I believe will continue to be successful with their artistic, imaginative and creative talent.

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Chris Pancoast is a local author, born and raised here in the San Ramon Valley. He has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and currently works with students within SRVUSD. To explore the World of Play and find more educational resources, head to his website www.whyplay60.org or reach him at whyplay60@gmail.com

DANVILLE LIVING CA 21

San Ramon Valley High School

Go Wolves! Always and Forever

By Shelby Falahat, Junior Reporter, SRVHS

W

ith a smile on our face and fond memories in our hearts, this year the class of 2020 participated in SRVHS’s most historical graduation ever.

Since 1910, San Ramon Valley High School has implemented a wellstructured graduation as a tradition to properly send off their students.

This year’s enormous curveball forced SRVUSD staff members to brainstorm unique ideas to celebrate the graduating seniors. Janet Willford, SRV’s Speech and Debate/Leadership teacher and Principal Jason Krolikoswki were determined to properly send off the Class of 2020, and after much thought and consideration, they developed a plan. The conclusion was that the SRV seniors would experience a virtual graduation on May 29th and a Memory Drive on June 11th.

On May 29th, the virtual ceremony began at approximately 6 p.m., as SRVHS’s Chamber Singers performed “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Shortly after, Callie Stone, the Senior Class President, led the Class of 2020 in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Class of 2020 and their families received a message from the Superintendent, Rick Schmitt, and Board Member Ken Mintz as well. Principal Krolikoswki addressed everyone watching with a lovely speech regarding the accomplishments of the class and some thoughtful advice for our future.

Similar to a live graduation, SRVHS seniors performed songs, speeches and poems to make the ceremony special. Emily Salisbury and Sarah O’Keeffe performed a duet to the song “A Million Dreams,” officially kicking off the student led portion of the virtual graduation. Jack Estes and Sarah McElroy presented their speech, “From Portables to Buildings.” The two senior Student Speakers addressed the challenges the Class of 2020 faced as SRV’s campus was being remodeled, as well as the lifelong memories made on campus. Sarah McElroy also presented her award winning poem, “Pearly Whites and Open Eyes.”

In the homestretch of the virtual graduation, Emily Doran sang “Somewhere Only We Know,” which of course touched the hearts of everyone at home. To conclude the student portion of the ceremony, Lauren Batza spoke on how she believes that the vision of Seniors is “2020 Clear, and how, as a unified class, we can improve the quality of life for the generations to come.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this class was the first in San Ramon Valley High’s history to not receive a traditional graduation ceremony.

Despite the current chaos the world is facing, Principal Krolikoswki and SRV staff members successfully made the class of 2020 feel

On behalf of the Class of 2020, cheers to new beginnings and a bright future. Go Wolves, always and forever!

Shelby Falahat is a graduating senior at San Ramon Valley High School.

She loves writing as a tool to express herself as well as learn about the world around her. She also has a passion for working with children. Recently, Shelby has had the opportunity to work at Kumon, which has allowed her to teach young students math and reading. In addition, she loves to travel with her family across the globe.

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22

L U X U RY R E A L E STAT E AT T H E AG E N CY R E .C O M

Before announcing the names of the graduating class, SRVHS Chamber Singers sang “Home,” and staff members provided students with encouraging messages. As the virtual graduation was coming to an end, Emma Cochran and Paige Gerhart presented the Announcement of Graduates in tune with the traditional graduation anthem. To officially send off the seniors, Principal Krolikoswki ended the ceremony with the Presentation of the Class of 2020 slideshow.

special, and most importantly, loved. As SRV seniors and parents gathered around their screens to watch the graduation, many emotions were expressed. The thought of an important chapter closing is challenging to process, but I feel that SRVHS provided students with proper closure.

JULY 2020

DANVILLE LIVING CA 23

We Want to Hear From You! We are looking for stories from you, our Danville residents. Some of the columns we’d like to add are: Travel (where have you been to recently? Share your trip with us!)

Kids’ Corner (art, stories, etc. provided by children) Book Reviews Acts of Kindness Show Us Your Best Shot (photography) Gardening Hobbies Local Hikes More ...

If you’d like to submit something, or have any questions, please email asullivan@bestversionmedia.com

24

JULY 2020

Teen Scene

Tie-Dye Past Time Becomes

over 500 orders and counting!

Thriving Business

By Kate, Emma, and Sofia Tavella

A

s three sisters who live across the country from each other, Shelterin-Place has been a great opportunity for us to reconnect and spend quality time together. What better way than to start a business? After creating DIY bleach sweatsets for ourselves in the first week of quarantine, and with a few requests from friends to create similar items for them, we saw an opportunity to create something for others that they would both love, while giving them a little something to look forward to lounging in during quarantine.

Overnight, the LoungexFashion Etsy store was born and open for business, where we sell tie-dye and bleach sweatsets, tank tops, bucket hats, and masks. After 500 sales and a partnership with three female-owned small businesses in LA and Danville, LoungexFashion has been a great source of fun and hard work, all while being a learning experience for all of us.

In all honesty, working with sisters is not always a walk in the park, however we can all say that we have learned how to prioritize, compartmentalize, and communicate as our shop took off quicker than we expected. The learning curve was steep! From sourcing materials, communicating with customers, and quality control, we all have found roles that we excel at and enjoy.... with the occasional argument. We’ve even engaged our parents for support, with our mom helping us with shipping and our dad partnering to build a model for inventory optimization.

SIP has hit our community in unexpected ways, and after volunteering for Monument Crisis Center, we knew that we could do something to help by donating a portion of our proceeds to supply food to neighboring communities.

Whether or not “tie-dye” and “bleach” is here to stay, or it’s more akin to sourdough starters and banana bread baking, SIP has opened our eyes to the joys and difficulties of working with family, learning from each other, and helping bring a smile to others faces through food and comfy clothing.

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Behind the scene shot of our bleach dye process

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 25

Pet Corner

Art and Culture

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 midOctober, 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 26

JULY 2020

EBRPD

Rattlesnake Safety in the Regional Parks

By Jen Vanya, East Bay Regional Park District | Photo credit: Kevin Dixon

W

ith this year’s early spring, Park District staff and visitors have observed the re-emergence of snakes – most notably rattlesnakes – seen periodically along the park’s trails that make up their natural habitat. When the weather gets warm, snakes come out to explore their environment, which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs. The East Bay Regional Park District is advising that the public take snake safety precautions when visiting Regional Parks.

Safety Tips for Visiting Regional Parks 1. Avoid hiking alone so you have help in case of emergency.

(Per local health orders, hike only with members of your immediate household during COVID-19) 2. Scan the ground ahead of you as you walk, jog, or ride. Stay on trails and avoid walking in tall grass.

3. Look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down.

4. Avoid placing your hands or feet where you cannot see clearly.

5. Keep leashed pets on designated trails and away from snakes if they see one. (All dogs should be on-leash at all times, in all parks during COVID-19) 6. Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets as drinking fountains are temporarily closed. Many parks do not have a direct water supply.

What to Do If You See a Rattlesnake Leave it alone - do not try to capture or harm it. All park wildlife is protected by law. If you see a snake on a trail, wait for it to cross and do not approach. Then move carefully and slowly away.

What to Do If Bitten by a Snake 1. If bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm and send someone to call 911. Remain calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Getting medical attention quickly is critical - do not spend time on tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911. Do not run.

2. If bitten by any other kind of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

3. If you are not sure what kind of snake bit you, check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one puncture mark) associated with intense, burning pain. This is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites may leave multiple teeth marks without associated burning pain.

Snakes are an important resource in the natural environment.

They are prime controlling agents of rodents, insects, and other reptile populations. Enjoy them from afar and leave them where they are found. It is illegal to collect, kill, or remove any plants or animals from the East Bay Regional Park District. Please help us to protect wildlife and their environment for present and future generations. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/SnakeSafety or download a PDF version of our Common Snakes brochure.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 27

Tee Time

Tee it Up

the Covid-19 Way

By Lynne Harrosh, Resident since 2008

N

ow that the Bay Area golf courses have reopened, there are changes that you’ll notice right away, and keep seeing all the way to your final stroke on the green of the 18th hole.

Don’t plan on driving up and having anyone help you with your clubs or even dropping them off in the cart zone. Many courses have the keys to the carts inside and there will not be any golf club racks where you can leave your clubs before or after you play.

You will no doubt see the employees with masks on and maybe gloves. Don’t forget to bring your mask and possibly put an extra one in your golf bag because yes, you will be required to wear a mask in all of the common areas. There may be a specific entrance and exit to the Clubhouse/Proshop. They will let you look at the clothes, but “please only touch what you are going to purchase.”

There may also be a limited number of people allowed in the pro shop. After you pay for your tee time and have been questioned

See the new pool noodle addition?

Memorial Day with my Dad! Incline Village Championship Golf Course.

about whether you live with the person you will be playing with, you will be given the key to your cart and your scorecard & pencil.

No matter if you are a foursome that planned to play golf together, or you are a single player, everyone will have their own golf cart unless you live in the same household. The carts should have been sanitized after each use. On the overly cautious side, I brought Clorox wipes with me so I could wipe the GPS screen, steering wheel and side handle bars down again. After looking at the wipes afterwards, I would suggest you do the same.

The bar and restaurant will most likely be open, but for “grab’n go” only. You will take your food and drinks with you right to your cart. They may prefer you pay with a card instead of cash. If the course usually had an ice chest with ice and waters, that will no longer be the case. The staff is still very friendly and happy,

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Visit our San Ramon branch located at 2435 San Ramon Valley Blvd Ste 5, San Ramon © 2020 AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. All rights reserved. AAA House Manager is a service provided by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah.

28

JULY 2020

but you cannot see their smile and they are standing 2-3 times the distance they would have stood from you pre-COVID-19. If you are playing with friends you have not been in SIP with, there is not much conversation going on and it is very fragmented since everyone is going to their own ball and you are not riding together.

We have become accustomed to many of the COVID-19 rules in these last 3 months as they have become the norm. Wearing a mask at the course and not being social like before seems strange.

So far, I have not seen a drink cart on the course, but I am sure that is just because the courses have only been open since Mother’s Day weekend. Do not search high and low for the rake if you happen to land in a bunker. All the rakes have been removed! It seems great until you land in someone else’s footprint. When you get to the green, you will notice that the hole has been modified.

In many courses there is a piece of a pool noodle in the cup so the ball only slightly drops into the cup. In Austin, Texas, one course has a lever on the flagpole. After you putt your ball into the cup, you use your putter to flip the lever on the flagpole and it flips your ball out of the cup, a COVID-19 innovation!

The game of golf is all about etiquette. One of my favorite parts of the 18th hole was the handshake at the end of the game. As the last player putts the ball into the hole, the men (rule does not apply to women) would take off their hats and all four players would shake hands and thank each other for a good game, a game well played. That is no longer the case. There is no handshake and everyone is still at least 6 feet apart. The players then get into their individual carts and drive back into the parking lot to put

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their clubs in their cars. Don’t wait for anyone to wipe off your clubs at the 18th hole either, they won’t be there. None of the courses I have played, thus far, have opened up the restaurant, bar, or sitting areas. There is no place to hang-out after you finish your game.

The game of golf is still great and I am thrilled to be on the 9th hole at Incline Village Champicourse however I can. I am onship Course, par 4. A Drive, a shot looking forward to playing golf with wood, a chip and a putt. At 76, he is still an amazing golfer. with my friends, even if we have to drive our own carts. The fresh air, sunshine, and bits of glimmer of the life we used to know make me smile, even behind my mask!

Lynne Harrosh is an avid golfer and traveler. Follow her on Facebook & Instagram @TeeItUpTravel to get connected to the best places to golf, golf technology, golf equipment, discounts on green fees, stay & plays, and golf travel lynneharrosh@me.com

DANVILLE LIVING CA 29

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.

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.

BIG NEWS #2: PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS 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 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?

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

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

30

JULY 2020

DANVILLE LIVING CA 31

Danville LIVING CA

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.

1393

T I M E S H AV E C H A N G E D , B U T O U R C O M M I T M E N T T O Y O U H A S N O T.

Our door is always open to help guide you.

Strength in Numbers

#1 In Closed Sales Volume Out of 8,000 Local Real Estate Agents (2009-2019 combined, MLS)

201 S Ridge Court, Blackhawk

6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 6,281 Sq Ft | $3,499,000

475+

Homes Sold in 2017-2019

$549M+

In Closed Sales 2017-2019

$1.98B+

5444 Blackhawk Drive, Blackhawk 5 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 5,062 Sq Ft | $2,499,000

In Lifetime Home Sales

Joe Frazzano 925.890.0285 DRE 00982431

Alex Tse frazzanoteam.com

925.788.1432 DRE 01386020