Danville Living CA June 2021

Mailed Directly to West Danville Residents and Published Online

Danville LIVING CA

Meet the Cicciari Family Keep the Light Burning Photo by Kim Lind Photography

JUNE 2021

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JUNE 2021

Table of Contents Letter to Residents

05

Expert Contributors List

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Meet the Cicciari Family: Keep the Light Burning

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ARF Adoption Stars

10

Real Estate Statistics

11

Calendar of Events

12

Party In-Kindness Pays it Forward All Year Long

14

Top 5 Questions About Breast Procedures

15

Troops Direct Golf Challenge

16

A Guarantee You Won’t Find Anywhere Else in the Bay Area

17

To Danville With Love

18

Sonoma Square in the Summertime

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Seasonal Shifts: A Transitional Approach to Lifestyle and Design

20

Tee it up – Aloha Spirit on the Bay Course at Kapalua Bay

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SRVHS Sports

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Why are Dancers So Smart?

24

15 Minute Fiesta Salad

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The Real Estate Market is RED HOT HOT HOT

28

3 Desk Exercises to Save Your Neck

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The Best is Yet to Come for Graduates in 2021

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Resident Feature

Pet Corner

Nonprofit Spotlight

Expert Contributor Charity Spotlight

Expert Contributor Community News

Bay Area Day Trips

Expert Contributor Tee Time

Local Sports

Expert Contributor

Cooking Corner

Expert Contributor Expert Contributor Expert Contributor

DANVILLE LIVING CA 3

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JUNE 2021

Hey Neighbors!

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

It’s summertime! Let the pools open, the waves crash, and all that amazing outdoor living commence. I am so proud to be part of a community that works so hard to band together in the tough times. Check out page 16 to learn about how you can continue to help our small businesses thrive.

This month I am so pleased to introduce Dean and Lorena Cicciari. They are the owners of Fiamma Candles and have lived in Danville for almost 20 years. Their story is fun and beautiful, and I hope you enjoy learning about this hardworking pair.

With school out for the next couple of months, I would love to know what your kids are up to in their downtime! Send photos, artwork, sports info, all of it... to asullivan@ bestversionmedia.com. If there is anything else you’d like to see in our magazine, I am always looking for stories important to our community. Some of my favorite pieces in the last couple of years have come directly from you, our neighbors!

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. © 2021 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Alexandra Sullivan Content Coordinator

We are dedicated to sharing your stories and interests. If there is anything you would like to share with our community, or see in our magazine, please don’t hesitate to email me at asullivan@bestversionmedia.com

Where residents find and recommend the best local, trusted businesses

DANVILLE LIVING CA 5

Expert Contributors

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

Arboriculture Atlas Tree Service Inc. James S. Duncan 925-687-3631 atlastreeservice@atlastreeservice.com www.atlastreeservice.com

James S. Duncan is the manager for Atlas Tree Services and has been working for the company since 1989. He has been a Certified Arborist since 1997, specializing in helping homeowners and developers throughout the Bay Area with understanding the health and impact of the trees on their lands.

Chiropractic Sycamore Valley Chiropractic (925) 837-5595 info@sycamorevalleychiropractic.com www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com

Serving the Danville community since 1984, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is here to provide you with the highest quality in natural health care. In our comfortable, welcoming environment, you’ll feel right at home. Whether you’re looking to restore your body after an injury has left you sidelined, or want to feel as good as possible, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is the perfect place to begin your journey to wellness.

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.

Dance Lessons Tiffany’s Dance Academy and Twinkle Star Dance Paul and Tiffany Henderson (925) 447-5299 paul@tiffanydance.com or tiffany@tiffanydance.com www.tiffanydance.com

Paul and Tiffany Henderson own 6 successful Tiffany’s Dance Academy locations in the Bay Area and there are over 300 subscribers to their Twinkle Star Dance pre-school and middle-school curriculum worldwide. Since 2000, they’ve consulted with dance studio owners all over the world. Students who have attended Tiffany’s Dance Academy are routinely accepted to major dance companies and colleges all over the country and Canada.

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

End of Life Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park Bob Gordon (650) 550-8808 info@cypresslawn.com https://www.cypresslawn.com

Robert Gordon Jr. began his career at his grandfather’s cemetery and funeral home as a teenager — he worked in every position, eventually rising to the level of Vice President. He went on to hold director positions at both the El Camino Group and Service Corporation International. Bob is now the President and CEO of the Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association. He is a licensed funeral director and cemetery broker.

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

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.

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JUNE 2021

Expert Contributors

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

HVAC & IAQ Evergreen IAQ JC Garcia 925-444-5069 jc@evergreenIAQ.com https://evergreeniaq.com

We are a family owned, residential AC and heating company specializing in indoor air quality and high efficiency system maintenance. I truly believe that every household should be able to control their comfort level while keeping their energy costs to a minimum AND ensure clean, fresh air to breathe inside their own homes. It IS your castle after all.I am committed to reinventing the industry and showing the world a new way to do business and get things done... The Evergreen Way.

Insurance William W. White Insurance Agency Bill & Teresa White (925) 820-7500 billwhite@allstate.com www.williamwhiteinsurance.com

With our clients, “it’s personal”. Our 42 years of experience and market based initiatives have resulted in customers who know we take their insurance needs seriously. Our goal is simply “complete customer satisfaction”. At the William W. White Insurance Agency we are here to serve you and your families through all times, especially the trying ones. Give us a call and let us see how we can help you.

Interior Design Casey Howard Interior Design Casey Howard 925-725-4223 info@caseyhowardid.com www.caseyhowardID.com

Casey Howard Interior Design is a full-service boutique interior design studio specializing in residential and hospitality.

Work with us on new construction, large and small scale renovations, and full-scope furnishings projects. CHID’s edgy classic aesthetic is grounded in functionality layered with the unexpected and provocative. Based in the heart of Danville, California, CHID works throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, Marin County, Silicon Valley, and beyond.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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Resident Feature

Meet the Cicciari Family A Downtown Dream

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

in Danville. They were married on September 16, 2007 and their blended family has only grown up and grown stronger.

Their six kids are now grown and off doing amazing things.

Marc and his girlfriend, Jillian, got scuba certified last year, along with Dean and Lorena so that they can all go on new family adventures. Juliana is a SRVHS and University of San Diego alumna. Vanessa works at St. Francis Hospital in New York and is currently pursuing a nursing degree. DJ joined the Navy and served for 5 years; he is now attending San Diego State. Jeffrey is still local and serves as a Deputy Sheriff for Alameda County. Brenna is a recent graduate from LIM. Lorena has worked as an executive assistant for C level execs at several big name employers, and is currently working at Dictionary.com. Dean is an army veteran, at one point stationed in Germany for two years. He is in the Guinness Book of World Records thanks to his former work with Carvel and creating the world’s largest ice cream cake! Now he is semi-retired and helps Lorena run their successful business, Fiamma Candles. Fiamma Candles was born out of a family hobby and a shared entrepreneurial spirit.

I

n early 2002, Lorena took a star-fated trip down to Florida for a company-wide meeting with other employees from around the country.

One of those fellow Nestle Ice Cream Company employees, hailing from New York City, was Dean Cicciari.

They quickly discovered they had more than a work history in common. Both were going through divorces and each had three young children. Lorena reminisces, “Dean emailed me about 6 months later to say hello and see how I was doing. I emailed back and this began a chain of daily emails that after a few months turned into daily phone calls.”

Thus began a love connection for the ages. On New Year’s Eve in 2002, after months of daily emailing, Lorena spontaneously purchased a plane ticket to NYC. Dean picked her up from the airport at 11:15 and whisked her straight down to Times Square, where the annual NYE Ball Drop celebration was quickly approaching. With just minutes to spare, they arrived in time to share their very first kiss. They went into the New Year together and have shared their lives with one another ever since.

After a tough 3 year long-distance relationship, filled with lots of frequent flyer miles, hours on the phone, and shared bi-coastal movie nights, Dean made the journey west to join Lorena here

“We often make family trips to go wine tasting. Our love of wine is what led us to start our candle business.

We started out making candles from repurposed wine bottles. Dean cuts and hand polishes the bottles for our wine candles. Our mission was to reduce the waste of all the empty wine bottles and run an eco-friendly company that uses sustainable products. We have since expanded to order more than just wine candles, but all of our candle containers continue to be reusable. What started out as a hobby quickly became a growing business. We founded Fiamma Candles in Jan 2019 and have many retail accounts throughout the Bay Area, Napa and Livermore Valley. We do not have a storefront location, but our candles can be purchased on our website www.fiammacandle.com or in the East Bay at Ella J Boutique, the Flower Theory and Wish Walnut Creek.”

Although their candle business has blossomed greatly, the last year hasn’t been without its hardships for the Cicciaris.

In January of 2020 Lorena was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Thanks to her treatment and lumpectomy, she is currently in remission. She says, “I am so grateful for my family, friends who supported me during my recovery.” And then last September, their 19-year-old dachshund/chihuahua mix Daphne passed away. They had previously lost their other dachshund, Peanut, in 2019. But, life is made of peaks and valleys, and just before last Christmas, Lorena and Dean were able to adopt a 1-year-old Shepherd/Bull Terrier mix named Sophie. The family says, “she has brought so much

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JUNE 2021

They have lived in their current home in Garden Creek for 18 years. Lorena’s love of small town Danville and the desire for great schools and proximity to family is what made her decision an easy one. They’ve known many of their neighbors for years now and truly enjoy watching parents and children in their neighborhood walk by each year to see the elaborate Christmas decorations that they spend three days putting up!

joy to our home. She quickly bonded with our family and loves to go downtown to stroll and meet other 4-legged friends. Her favorite store to visit is Molly’s Pup-Purr-Ee and she loves playing at Hap Magee dog park.”

Prior to the pandemic, Dean and Lorena were avid hikers, traveling to National Parks around the country. “We used to take an annual road trip to hike as many National Parks as we could in a 10-day span. In 2018 we went on a 3,000-mile road trip and hiked 8 National Parks all along Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.” During the pandemic they enjoyed sitting outside on their deck, enjoying socially distanced meals and birthdays. Hopefully now that things are opening up again, they will be able to enjoy more of their many hobbies together!

The last year allowed Lorena and Dean to feel even more supported when small businesses took a hard hit: “During the pandemic, I really experienced what a truly amazing community we live in. The community really rallied around small businesses and local restaurants to support them.” The Cicciaris would like to thank their neighbors and fellow Danville residents for making our community such a wonderful place to work and live!

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.

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 9

Pet Adoption Corner

Sparkler

ARF Adoption Stars

Oreo

Submitted by ARF Looking for a furry friend during this trying time? Good news — ARF is now offering a no-contact virtual adoption process! If you see an animal you’re interested in on our website, just fill out an online inquiry form. Once your inquiry has been received, you will be added to our virtual adoption queue.

Two-year-old Sparkler is a playful boy ready for adventure! He loves meeting new people and will lean into them for maximum petting.

Sparkler loves to learn new manners and tricks. Give him a little love, some treats, and some exercise, and he’s happy as can be! Who doesn’t want to wake up to his goofy, adorable face smile every day! Sparkler has a positive history with other dogs and currently weighs 55 pounds.

Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday.

Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256-1ARF.

The adoption fee for puppies (<6 months) is $350, for adult dogs is $250, and senior dogs (7+ years) and special needs dogs are 50% off the adoption fee.

Two-year-old Oreo is a handsome boy just waiting to bring more sweetness into your life! This laid-back gentleman prefers a quiet home where he can adjust to his new surroundings at a leisurely pace. He’s looking forward to a home with lots of tasty treats to eat, cat toys to play with and some sunny window sills where he can perch and watch the world outside. Oreo’s adoption fee has been prepaid by a generous donor.

The adoption fee for kittens (<6 months) is $150, for adult cats is $100, $25 off each for multiple cats/kittens, and senior cats (7+ years) and special needs cats are 50% off the adoption fee.

A full-service boutique interior design studio specializing in residential and hospitality. www.caseyhowardid.com

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Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

W Prospect Avenue Rubicon Cir

$549,999 $700,000

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Westfield Cir $900,000 Elworthy Ranch Cir. $1,249,888

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

El Dorado Ave San Ramon Valley Blvd Ashley Cir Garden Creek Pl Elsie Dr River Rock Ln Cedar Hollow Dr William Ct

$499,900 $634,950 $749,900 $848,000 $1,199,900 $1,349,000 $1,479,000 $1,498,000

Meadowside Pl Avon Ct Meadowside Pl Love Ln Remington Loop Las Barrancas Dr La Gonda Ct Morris Ranch Rd

640 1287

871 1114 1292 1495 1197 2052 2093 1758

1 2

2 2 3 3 3 3 4 3

1 2

2 1 2 2 2 3 2 2

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Jewel Terrace San Ramon Valley Blvd

Danville Oak Pl Garden Creek Pl Winfield Ln

$710,000 $649,000 $779,995 $825,000 $1,179,000

$685,000 $685,000 $750,000 $835,000 $1,276,000

1284 1114 992 1357 1932

2 2 2 3 3

2 1 2 2 2

$1,598,000 $1,629,000 $1,650,000 $1,749,000 $1,749,000 $1,795,950 $1,999,900 $2,150,000

1788 1752

3427 2475 2830 2500 2283 3123 2382 2870

3 3

4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4

2 2

2 2 3 3 2 3 4 2

Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths 918 Podva Ln $1,285,000 Briar Pl $1,388,888 Camino Amigo Ct $1,595,000 W Linda Mesa Ave $1,850,000 La Gonda Way $2,299,000

$1,285,000 $1,435,000 $1,804,000 $2,000,000 $2,625,000

2199 2136 1972 2461 3609

4 3 2 3 5

3 2 2 2 5

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.

Recent Activity in Your Community!

As Danville Natives, We Know Danville and the San Ramon Valley Sold

Coming Soon

Sold

201 El Sobrante Drive, Danvillle

101 Via Serena, Alamo

357 Cordell Drive, Danville

3 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 2,846 Sq Ft | $2,050,000 Custom Craftsman luxury home built in 2010 with gourmet chef’s kitchen/great room combo. Flat .33 of an acre lot with RV/boat parking access. 3 car finished garage. Newly landscaped backyard. Near downtown Danville.

4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 3,183 Sq Ft | $2,400,000 Single story home in one of Westside Alamo’s most coveted neighborhoods. The ample backyard features a pool, art studio, an extra office studio, and built-in barbeque area.

Moments from the Iron Horse Trail.

4 Beds | 3 Baths | $2,495,000 Westside Danville location on one of the most soughtafter streets. Located on a flat 1/2 acre, the future home possibilities are endless. A short distance from the Iron Horse Trail, and award-winning schools.

Call us regarding how our Compass Concierge and Bridge Loan programs can help you!

Ron Gatti Broker Associate 925.596.1972 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 00623995

Joe Gatti Broker Associate 925.588.3590 gattirealestate@gmail.com DRE 01914487

gattirealestate.com 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.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 11

June

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sat., Apr. 24 - Sun., Jun. 6

Big Cool Stuff Exhibit @Museum of the San Ramon Valley The museum will be displaying BIG COOL STUFF for six weeks.

Some of the items are big and cool like a poultry incubator, cream separator, and Union Academy (1st CCC high school) sign. Other items are just cool like 2 working Victrolas, a vintage buggy, a brass kerosene fan, a child’s dental chair and historic dental equipment, dresses from the 19th century, Valley Pioneer bound books from the 1960s and earlier, tools and much more. All items displayed are from local families. Come and learn what life was like for descendants of the area. Check online for opening hours and cost of admission: https://museumsrv.org for more information

Wed., Jun. 16

Kidchella 2021: Children’s Reading and Music Festival Series @Danville Library and Danville Town Green The Town of Danville and Danville Library present Kidchella: Children’s Reading and Music Festival Series.

Online Musical Storytime, Musical Craft Kits at the Danville Library (up to 2 per family, available first come first served until the 100 kits are gone), Music performer The Raytones.

Register online for a socially-distanced spot on the Town Green through the Danville Recreation Guide: Activity Number 29331.

Music-themed StoryWalk: walk around the Town Green and read the laminated pages of a music-themed picture book For all information and full schedule visit https:// ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/ Time: 11am-4pm

Sat., Jun. 19 - Sat., Jul. 31

Totally Trains Running Through the Depot @Museum of the San Ramon Valley Model trains will return for the summer. Whether young or old, you will love spending a summer afternoon watching the trains run around the tracks. Check online for opening hours and cost of admission: https://museumsrv.org for more information.

Dinner prices vary and reservations are expected to sell out, so make yours today!

Reservations are available by calling the restaurant at 925-8206969 or by going Gianni’s page on Yelp. For more info, please contact event coordinator Lisa at 925-2161621 or lisawilliams.ca@gmail.com.

Time: 5-8pm

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 nonprofits 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.

Mon., Jun. 28

Paws In Need is happy to announce TIPS FOR CHANGE @Gianni’s Italian Bistro Welcome Summer by treating your significant other to a tasty Italian dinner and help prevent animal overpopulation by attending the Paws In Need fundraiser. Join us for dinner and raffle baskets 5pm – 8pm at Gianni’s Italian Bistro.

Choose your time to attend, make reservations and dine! You’ll have a special a la carte menu, from appetizers to main courses to dessert. Volunteers from Paws In Need will be serving you with style!

All proceeds will benefit local animals. The Spay/Neuter and Urgent Care programs rely solely on public donations and contributions from the community to provide financial assistance for veterinary medical needs in the Tri-Valley area.

12

JUNE 2021

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 13

Nonprofit Spotlight

Party In-Kindness Pays it Forward All Year Long

By Shani Hall, Resident since 2020 // Photo by Kate Marie Gardner of Blush House Photography

I

t all started because our small, everyday actions of kindness can make the biggest impact on another human being without even knowing it. Melissa Smith, co-founder of Party In-Kindness (PIK), experienced this firsthand when her daughter was undergoing surgery at only six days old. A stranger knit a beautiful lavender hat for her daughter and she wore that little hat throughout her recovery. The warmth of knowing a person could have that kind of selfless generosity touched Melissa’s heart forever and she knew one day she would pay it forward somehow.

That day came when two friends unsuspectingly got together for a play date; and while their children played, a seed was planted. Shani Hall, co-founder of Party In-Kindness, was inspired by Melissa’s passion for charity. She always knew that she wanted to be a part of something that could not only have a large impact on her and her children’s life, but the lives of many in need. Thus began their partnership, and as their ideas blossomed, Party In-Kindness was created in 2014.

Party In-Kindness helps people turn any occasion into a reason to give, making even the smallest act of kindness impactful. They encourage the host to include giving to their party or gathering by asking guests to bring in-kind and/or monetary donations to support local charities in the East Bay area. PIK organizes and facilitates that giving component, as well as picks up and drops off the donations. Thus helping bring the individual, their private gathering and a charitable purpose together.

In addition, Party In-Kindness hosts Family Volunteer Events throughout the year bringing families together of all ages to pack backpacks, put together food baskets and gift bags. Additionally, their Annual Power of Kindness event brings supporters together to fundraise for Party In-Kindness, as well as for a charity that supports children in need, since PIK started with the kindness that was shown towards Melissa’s child.

Recently, PIK is providing opportunities for High School Students to make an impact. The Youth Volunteer Board was introduced in

925-550-8159 SoriaContractor.com

Party In-Kindness co-founders Shani Hall & Melissa Smith

2021 to empower youth to create and execute giving projects, from start to finish, that will serve their community. Melissa and Shani are especially excited to support them in their efforts to become life long givers.

Over the past six years, Party In-Kindness has had the honor of working with various charities in the Bay Area that have served so many. PIK has distributed over 27,000 new items and donated over $130,000 to local nonprofits. Melissa and Shani look forward to continuing their work and message of giving back and spreading kindness in their community.

For more information on Party In-Kindness you can visit their website at www.partyin-kindness.org.

Remodels | Additions | Bathroom Remodels Demolition | New Construction Fabricate and Install Countertops | Kitchen remodels

14

JUNE 2021

Expert Contributor

Top 5 Questions About Breast Procedures

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

W

ith summer just around the corner and many outdoor activities resuming, we’ve been getting lots of questions and consultation requests for various breast procedures, including augmentations, lifts and revisions. This month I decided to share my responses to five frequently asked questions.

Q1: What is the difference between a breast augmentation and a breast lift?

This is an important question, and I think many people, including some surgeons, mix up the two. An implant makes you larger and a lift makes you higher. Oftentimes patients and some surgeons confuse this because they think an implant will provide lift. It will not. An implant makes you larger and restores volume. If your breast is deflated after kids, an implant can restore the volume and fill it back up. But if your breast is droopy, a lift is typically recommended.

Q2: Which implant is better, silicone or saline?

In my opinion, silicone implants are better. Virtually all my patients feel the same way. I think that smooth, round, silicone implants feel and look much more natural. I also strongly believe that breast implants belong under the muscle. When implants are placed under, the muscle acts as a support mechanism for the implant so they are much less likely to droop. When you put the implants on top of the muscle, the only thing holding it up against gravity is the breast. And we all know what gravity does to breasts over time.

recommend an intervention only when a problem arises or a patient wants to make a change in the size or shape.

Have other questions or want to determine if you are a good candidate for a breast augmentation, lift or revision? If so, please call us at 925.736.5757 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Q3: What is the best age for breast augmentation?

There is no “best” age for breast augmentation. Typically the best time to do it is when you want it for a good reason and there are no medical counterindications. I certainly have patients of all ages (18 years and older) getting augmentations. Some women do them after their childbearing years or even after retirement. In younger patients, I spend time discussing why the patient wants an augment to make sure she is doing it for the right reasons, and to make sure it is a mature decision.

Q4: Can I lift my breasts without implants?

Q5: How long does breast augmentation last?

Many breast augmentations last a lifetime. Sometimes, patients have kids, experience life changes or simply decide years later that they want to revise their breasts by going larger, smaller or even higher with a lift. The FDA recommends exchanging implants after 10 years.

Most of us in the profession, don’t think that this needs to be done and

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Yes, of course. This is called a breast lift. A droopy breast has a disproportion between the amount of skin and the amount of volume.

There is too much skin for the given volume therefore it sags and takes a less desirable shape. Breast lift surgery removes excess skin and contours it to the shape of a natural breast. The result is a higher breast with a more pleasing shape.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 15

Charity Spotlight

PREPARE TO REDEPLOY Troops Direct Golf Challenge

By Jo Peek

June 14, 2021 Blackhawk Country Club Danville, CA

GOLF BID DINE VOLUNTEER SPONSOR

Register today at: TroopsDirectGolf.org

No other non-profit organization does what Troops Direct does.

For over a decade, Troops Direct has provided any critically needed items that our service members request to any point on the globe. From publicized deployments to the most covert of ‘ops’, Troops Direct helps our brave Americans accomplish missions and return home safe. All at no cost to them.

How do you support the Troops?

The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 1331 North California Boulevard, Suite 650 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 279-1701 us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/carbonellforreywmg

TroopsDirect is a registered 501c3 not for profit organization. Tax ID #27-3046842

Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value © 2020 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

20-WC-02096 (05/20)

16

JUNE 2021

Expert Contributor

A Guarantee You Won’t Find Anywhere Else in the Bay Area

By Robert A. Gordon Jr., President & CEO of Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Resident since 2017

C

remation is a topic that can sometimes be associated with scandals, as there are bad actors out there who have made headlines across the country, causing some families to distrust cremation practices.

to the highest ethical professional practices using our thorough system of checks and balances. Every cremation is conducted at our state-ofthe-art center in Colma, meaning your loved one never leaves our care.

We understand these concerns, as some of these stories can be particularly worrisome. Because of this, we know how vital transparency is for all families, which is why Cypress Lawn offers a specific program to grant your family the peace of mind you deserve.

Families have trusted Cypress Lawn with handling their loved one’s cremations since 1893 when our first crematory center was established — the first for Northern California.

There are many companies out there that will take your loved one to a different facility, maybe an hour or so away from the funeral home, without your knowledge. Oftentimes, you won’t be able to know who specifically handled your loved one’s cremation. At Cypress Lawn, we use a unique and specific tracking system that logs not only when each part of the process happens but also names every professional involved.

We’ve built upon this legacy of trust by investing our time and resources into becoming the exclusive provider of Cremation with Confidence™ in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our team of caring professionals will also help your family plan a funeral or memorial service either before or after the cremation to celebrate your loved one’s life.

Our Cremation with Confidence™ Guarantee includes a 10-step process that ensures your loved one is treated with dignity and respect every step of the way. Every one of our staff members strictly adheres

At Cypress Lawn, we pledge to be there for your family every step of the way, just as we always have been. When the time comes and you need our services, trust us to meet your needs.

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 17

Community News

To Danville With Love

By Nicola Shihab, Danville Public Information Officer

D

anville joins partnership of Tri-Valley cities to spark local spending with “To Danville With Love” campaign.

Mobile “Promise Pass” incentivizes spending at local businesses.

The pandemic may be waning, but local businesses are still teetering. To address this challenge, the East Bay cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and the Town of Danville, have partnered with Visit Tri-Valley (VTV) to launch an unprecedented regional campaign to drive spending in local businesses.

Danville’s community is strong and has shown a huge amount of love and support for local businesses and a deep appreciation for the role they play in the Town of Danville. Commitment to shop and support local will continue to recover the businesses, jobs and activities within the town.

Danville residents are asked to make or renew a ‘Promise to Shop

Local’ and sign up for a free interactive mobile “Promise Pass” by visiting www.ToDanvilleWithLove.com.

The Promise Pass offers exclusive promotions and discounts, over the next few months, across nearly 100 businesses in the Tri-valley including nearly 40 in Danville. Danville residents and visitors can benefit from spending locally while feeling good about supporting local.

For more information visit www.ToDanvilleWithLove.com or contact Jill Bergman at 925-314-3369 or jbergman@danville. ca.gov.

18

JUNE 2021

Bay Area Day Trips

Sonoma Square in the Summertime

By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

N

o day trip in the Bay Area is more worth it (the possibility for traffic is.... a lot) than a trek to Sonoma Square. We were up there for an afternoon/evening, but as soon as we arrived, I made my husband promise we would come back and spend a whole day.

Our first tasting was at Walt Wines, where we went down the “1,000 miles of Pinot” with the Root 101 tasting. Each Pinot was paired with an amazing amuse-bouche. The pomegranate-poached pears with pickled mustard seeds were by far the table favorite, followed by the delectable z’tar crackers drizzled with local honey. Honestly, each of the wines were fantastic, and it’s always fun to learn more about varietals that you (shamefully) never paid much attention to before!

Next we walked across the square and the picnicking families to Pangloss Cellars - a mammoth of a building with a fantastic outdoor patio. We went with the Optimist tasting: some members of our party opted to do all reds as opposed to the variety that the rest of us stuck to.

What made Pangloss such a memorable experience was our server, a Sonoma native who was filled with passion and excitement and had us laughing along as he recounted how he got started in the wine industry (there may have been some deception in the age department!) It was wonderful to hear from someone who grew up knowing many of the local winemakers personally.

With countless more tasting rooms and restaurants surrounding the Plaza, I’m already marking dates on the calendar for us to drive back up there!

DANVILLE LIVING CA 19

Expert Contributor

Seasonal Shifts:

A Transitional Approach to Lifestyle and Design

By Casey Howard, Casey Howard Interior Design

T

his time of year is full of hope as the seasons transition to Summer with warm days and nights still cool enough to cozy up to an outdoor fireplace. This year brings even more meaning to the idea of the seasonal shift as we step into new tiers of reopening and our collective energy feels that much brighter and more hopeful.

Ever-inspired by nature and our community, this period has brought wonderful moments of reflection on the importance of balance, being present, adding value, and the notion of quality over quantity. As true and timely as these ideas are for our personal lives, they ring equally true in the exploration of thoughtful and intentional design. We find ourselves having slightly different conversations with our clients and opening our studio to explore a new category of services. Throughout the last year, our homes have revealed themselves to be even more important as our safe havens and sanctuaries, and our outdoor spaces have become necessary extensions; and so we expand our design eyes to serve landscape, hardscape, and outdoor spaces as we would interiors.

As it is often encouraged to bring the outdoors in, we also believe in bringing the indoors out, and treating exterior spaces with the same attention and elevated design elements. The tenets of transitional design style are about merging classic with modern, layering texture and color, with an emphasis on understated elegance. At Casey Howard Interior Design, we also add our unique touch of the unexpected to the mix. Whether you’re taking on your own home projects, or consulting a professional to spruce up your landscaping, modify the flow of a courtyard, or furnish a poolside, these guidelines apply and will help prepare your space for a hopeful shift of seasons and beyond.

Give us a call, or stop by our studio in downtown Danville to see if we can help you achieve your design dreams for your interior or exterior spaces, or both!

20

JUNE 2021

Tee Time

Tee it Up Aloha Spirit on the Bay Course at Kapalua Bay

By Lynne Harrosh, Resident since 2008

T

he spirit of Aloha is alive and well on the Bay Course at Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii. This 18-hole Championship Course is one of the most beautiful courses in Maui and one of the top courses I have ever been on. The Bay Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, features lava filled coastlines and palm tree & hibiscus lined fairways. The rolling green hills, ocean views, warm salty air, and first class service is not just a day on the green, but an experience you will not likely forget anytime soon.

The Bay Course, a par 72, 6,600 yard course, opened in 1975. The Golds have a slope rating of 129.

The prestigious Montage Kapalua Bay Hotel sits on a tropical 24 acres along the majestic Namaula Bay. There are 22,000 acres of Hawaii State protected preserve land surrounding The Bay Course and Plantation Course at Kapalua Bay. The jagged lush Pu’u Kuhui mountain range is Hawaii’s largest private preserve, which is home to three native bird species, five rare snails and 18 native plants found nowhere else in the world. Both courses, the Bay Course and the Plantation Course are certified Audubon sanctuaries, which protect 23 species of birds. Kapalua Resort uses sound environmental management practices to preserve and protect all wildlife living in and around the golf courses. The marine life, Hawaii State Marine Life Conservation Districts of Honolua Bay and Mokule’ia Bay, boast coral gardens, abundant marine life, and underwater ancient lava formations.

The sea turtles and marine life thrive in these beautiful state protected bays on the northwest coast of Maui.

At first, playing the Bay Course at Kapalua Bay seemed intimidating with its prestige and exclusivity.

I had never played golf in Maui and certainly not the Bay Course at Kapalua Bay, a course where great PGA and LPGA players had earned titles and made headlines. I have played golf many times on many courses, but I had yet to play as a “single.” I made sure to be prepared by getting to the course early, practicing on the magnificent driving range with its incredible view, and have my water, clubs, glove, and extra golf balls ready. I mentally prepared myself for walking onto the course knowing that the other three players were most-likely going to be men and the expectation that they would expect me to play on the forward tees. After the introductions, I asked which tees they would be playing from, the green, silver, gold or blue. They all said Gold. I said, “Great. I will play from the Golds, too.” They were the “regular” tees just in front of the “Championship” tees. The three men asked me at least 8 times, “Are you sure you don’t want to play from the forward/ladies’ tees?” After I had out-driven them for the 3rd time, they stopped asking me if I wanted to switch to the ladies’ tees. I held my own on one of the most beautiful courses in the world, as a woman, as a “single”, and as a golfer! It was a fabulous day with overwhelming Aloha spirit all around. There were a lot of great shots, but one of my best moments of the day was on hole 17, the only hole on the island of Maui with an over-the-water shot. At hole 17, from the Gold Tee box, the golfer must hit over the water to the green. I was the only golfer in our foursome to land on the green! It was a spectacular moment!

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

Be bold, be brave, believe in yourself and take that Aloha Spirit with you onto the course wherever you decide to play! Aloha!

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 21

Local Sports

SRVHS Sports

By Ricky Helton, Resident since 2004

L

ast month the shortened high school football season wrapped up and it definitely didn’t disappoint with a San Ramon High Wolves win against the Monte Vista Mustangs varsity team 28-21: leaving MV 0-6 for the season. SRVHS ended the season 4-2 what an elevator ride for these young men when initially facing the possibility of no season whatsoever. I recall seeing many of the players still training in parks throughout the fall and winter, preparing for their return to play. Both teams played the season with heart and should be applauded. Regardless of the records, they played with the cards they were dealt: though like a certain arguably hated head coach would say, “We are on to Cincinnati.” Rather in this case, catching some last games of lacrosse or water polo sounds like a good idea!

Next month’s issue we will definitely be diving into more baseball, basketball and of course soccer!

Let’s Goooooooo My wife and I have a daughter at Stone Valley Middle School and a son who is a Senior at Monte Vista. I do sideline photography for Niners Nation, and I love to capture sports and action. Most importantly, I love our community and I like to capture its awesome moments. More photos from other sports in our area can also be seen at my Facebook page @RickyHeltonPhotography.

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22

JUNE 2021

Find Share AND

more local sports articles just like this on BVMSports.com

DANVILLE LIVING CA 23

Expert Contributor

Why are Dancers So Smart?

By Paul and Tiffany Henderson, Owners at Tiffany’s Dance Academy

I

f you have a child that someday wants to go to college, enrolling him or her in dance classes at a young age can make all the difference in the world. Dance develops some of the most interesting, talented, healthy (mentally and physically), and socially aware people on earth.

College admissions folks know this.

Tiffany and I have owned Tiffany’s Dance Academy (TDA) for 21 years. We create well-rounded dancers that perform ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern and even hip-hop. This strategy has resulted in dozens of our students landing positions in dance programs all over the U.S.A. and Canada. Dance is the type of activity that universities love to see on college applications world-wide.

Our high school juniors apply to colleges and get accepted everywhere - like Duke, UNC, UCSB, UC Irvine, Chapman, Cal Poly, USC, Arizona, St. Mary’s, Berkeley, NYU and dozens more. We even have one graduate attending UCSF Medical School right now.

So, what’s going on here? Something magical happens to the brains of dancers who begin learning dance and choreography from a young

age. They have an uncanny ability to learn quickly and to remember what they’ve learned for long periods of time. This makes them better students in all of their studies at school. They’re diagnosing and solving complicated spatial problems in real time...all the time.

This equates to better grades and a higher GPA in AP or IB classes in high school.

When a dancer learns 3 minutes of choreography, they’re learning anywhere from 300-500 “movements” or “counts”. Advanced dancers at TDA perfect at least 10 dances a season, each with about 400 counts.

This means they remember 4,000 counts; under pressure, on stage in front of an audience, squinting into bright-hot lights, and with not much difficulty at all, really.

In fact, they love it!

How is this possible? Memorizing choreography while moving to music and while “thinking” about where other people are in relation to yourself in time and space is exercise for the brain. Skills they pick up are spatial awareness, pattern recognition, musicality, emotional expression, interpretation, listening, visualization, memory, recall,

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24

JUNE 2021

problem-solving, and adaptability. Nothing else requires this type of concentration, entire-body athleticism, flexibility and emotional maturity.

In photographing performances over the years (www.tdapics.com), I’ve observed that the better children become at dance, the better they are at everything life throws at them. During the pandemic, for example, our dancers adapted quickly to online classes and masks. They experienced less anxiety and depression than their non-dancer peers because they have a social group and a purpose.

Their problem solving skills and adaptability are other-worldly. When a dancer can’t attend a performance for one reason or another, everyone in the dance must adjust to a choreography change immediately. If they already knew 4,000 counts, they might have to do something different for counts 3,100 thru counts 3,600. Now they know 4500 counts.

Dancers are able to think on their feet (and in the air) to ensure they’re in the right place at the right time. Like a large school of fish, they’re aware of each other in time and space at all times. They’ve learned how to think, memorize and adapt. They’re part of a group of friends and instructors that fulfills their responsibilities to each other.

So, if you want to raise smart, athletic, emotionally intelligent, problem solving children, consider enrolling them in dance classes. If they love it, you’ll love the predicament of deciding which college to attend.

TOP PRODUCING AGENT

OVER

THe Agency Alamo

$250,000,000

#1 AND MVP IN 2019 | TOP 10 IN 2020

IN RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS

Nearly 100%

25+ Years

OF BUSINESS FROM REFERRALS

EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE

MARY BONHAM

MARY.BONHAM@THEAGENCYRE.COM 925.997.1787 | LIC. #01203856 MARYBONHAM.COM

*Facts found in Harvard Study - “Dancing and the Brain” (https://hms. harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/dancing-brain)

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 25

Cooking Corner

15 Minute Fiesta Salad

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010

I

n a hurry and need a great bold salad....and fast? Then you found the right recipe. This dish is often called Cowboy Caviar and has been around forever, but I’ve created a ‘quick short cut’ version, and it’s truly one of the best side dishes to go with any Mexican fiesta. It’s perfect with tacos, enchiladas, in a burrito, and kids really love it.

Plus it’s perfect if you’re sick of rice and beans and want something cold for the hot days coming up. I served this at the rehearsal dinner before my wedding and it was a huge hit. This salad is good to go in 15 minutes, however, it’s better if you let it sit in the fridge for an hour or so to marinate. You can even make it a day ahead of time, but be sure to hold the avocado until right before serving.

15 Minute Fiesta Salad Serves 4-6 Time: 15 minutes, plus chill time

You will need • • • •

For the salad: 1 Can black beans 1 Can sweet corn 4 Green onions

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• • •

1/2 Medium red onion 2 Ripe Roma tomatoes or 1 C. cherry tomatoes 1 Large ripe avocado

For the dressing: • • • • • • •

Juice of 1 lime 1/2 C. cilantro (optional) 1-2 Cloves garlic, minced 1 TBS. Honey 2 Tsp. white wine vinegar 1/4 C. Olive oil Salt and pepper

Putting it together Pour the black beans and corn into a colander and rinse with cold water, then leave in the sink to drain. Chop the green onions, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado then add to a medium size bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together. (I use my mini blender to save time) Mix the chopped veggies, drained beans, and dressing together until well coated.

Cover and chill for an hour if possible.

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.

DANVILLE LIVING CA 27

Expert Contributor

The Real Estate Market is

RED HOT HOT HOT

By Janice Jordan, Compass, Resident since 1998

The Year of the Pandemic

Contra Costa County Home Sales Volume, Year-over-Year Change 90% 80% 70% 60%

Comparing home sales volumes in the 12 months since the pandemic struck to sales in the previous 12 months, by price segment*

91%

Homes selling for $2 million & above

79% Homes selling for $1.5m - $1,999,999

In the year since the pandemic hit, sales of higher-price homes increased dramatically, while home sales under $1,000,000 dropped slightly. Diablo Valley & Lamorinda utterly dominate higher-price sales within the county.

50% 40%

Y

ou may have thought about selling your home recently.

Your next thought may be “what will my exit strategy be?”

The news about the insanely hot seller’s market is in every newspaper headline and on all of our social media feeds.

Annual appreciation was over 22% on average; the highest jump in 15 years. Zillow’s “zestimate” algorithm can’t even keep up with the ever increasing values.

Year-to-Date, Year-over-Year Changes Comparing Jan.-April 2021 with Jan.-April 2020 Median house sales price: + 22%, $1,580,000 in 2021 YTD Median house $/sq.ft. value: + 22% Total sales volume: + 70% Luxury home sales, $2,000,000+: + 318% Percentage of sales over list price: up to 70% from 45% of sales Activity reported to MLS, per MLS stats program or Infosparks.

Data from sources deemed reliable, but may contain errors and subject to revision.

BubbleTrouble? Many analysts say that our ever decreasing inventory (inventory has decreased over 53% nationwide), buyer fatigue (making multiple offers and never winning a bid), combined with decreasing affordability may cause the market to stall and prices to stabilize and then fall.

For the time being, all indicators show that prices will continue to increase each month and inventory will remain low. Selling now is a great idea if you want to take advantage of prices that may not sustain themselves. Thinking of downsizing? Your money will go further if you consider condo living (condo prices and sales have decreased from 2020 to 2021). And if you think the bubble will burst soon, capitalize on selling now while prices are high and then rent for 1-2 years.

If you are thinking about selling, your first decision should be “what is my exit strategy?” That’s why employing a realtor to help you strategize your next move is your best call. Buying and selling a home is one of our biggest decisions in life. Use a professional to help guide you through these uncharted times.

See you around town.

Janice Jordan

30%

Homes selling for 18% $1m - $1,499,999

20% 10% 0%

Sales volume up ▲ Sales volume down ▼

-4%

-10%

Year-over-Year Change in Sales Volume

Homes selling for under $1,000,000

*Residential – house, condo, townhouse, duet – sales reported to MLS, April 1 to March 31 of 2 successive 12month periods, per Infosparks. Data from sources deemed reliable, but may contain errors and subject to revision. All numbers approximate.

Janice Jordan is a third generation real estate expert. She has lived in Danville for over twenty years. In her spare time Janice loves to hang out with her daughter Jenna and go on outdoor adventures of all kinds.

Family Owned Since 1962 - Expert Diagnosis & Solutions I.S.A Certified Arborists - Licensed - Insured - Bonded

Complete Tree Service - Landscape Maintenance Tree Pruning - Cabling Shaping - Surgery - Tree Removal Stump Grinding - Tree Spraying

Contractor’s Lic. 393973

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License #39316

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JUNE 2021

Expert Contributor

3 Desk Exercises to Save Your Neck

By Dr. Jesse Call, D.C., Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

O

utcomes such as neck pain, headaches, shoulder tightness, restriction of breathing, migraines, and jaw pain are associated with faulty neck posture and prolonged sitting. To save your neck, you need to be proactive throughout the day.

To prevent poor posture you can perform these three 3 simple exercises that will prevent neck pain. For best results, perform each exercise twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Neck Retractions: To perform, retract your neck back pushing the back of your head against the back of your chair. Retract the neck back and hold for 10 seconds, then repeat 5 times. As you retract the neck back think about pushing your chin back and keeping your eyes parallel to the horizon while sitting up straight with good posture. A common mistake is that people look up and back, instead of retracting the head back in a linear fashion. Your chin should stay in the same plane of movement during the movement.

Cervical Lateral Bend: To perform this stretch, sit up straight and flex your neck to one side so that your ear approximates your shoulder. Make sure your shoulders are pulled back and your ear is in alignment over your shoulder. For a more intense stretch you can use your hand to pull your head further toward your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds then repeat on the other side.

Neck Rotations: To perform, keep your eyes parallel with the horizon, rotate your head to the right and hold. Keep your shoulders back and down in a relaxed fashion. Hold for 30 seconds then return back to center and repeat to the other side. Be sure to keep your face and jaw relaxed and not grit your teeth.

These three exercises will help you maintain proper posture while at work, and you didn’t even have to get up from your desk! Plus, they will take you just 3 minutes to perform and will save you from experiencing neck pain. 6 minutes of neck exercises per day to help keep the pain away!

DANVILLE LIVING CA 29

Expert Contributor

The Best is Yet to Come for Graduates in 2021

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

G

raduation is a time of celebrating achievement and new beginnings. For such a significant milestone, in some of the most challenging of times, a gift of fine jewelry will be a lasting reminder of a graduate’s accomplishment. If you have a loved one graduating this year, here are a few graduation jewelry gift ideas for the class of 2021.

Diamond Stud Earrings & Pendants

For a woman, consider a pair of classic diamond stud earrings or diamond pendant. Diamonds symbolize endurance and inspire confidence in all who wear them, making them the perfect understated accessory for upcoming interviews. Even the smallest diamonds will make her feel like she’s wearing a piece of luxury.

We have a large variety of diamond earrings and necklaces in a variety of price ranges; find your perfect gift with one of our diamond experts.

Watches

For men and women who like timepieces, select a gift that is both functional and fashionable. A quality watch is a classic choice for a graduation gift. A fine watch will never go out of style, and it instantly dresses up any outfit. Michelle, Breitling, Tag Heuer and Bulova watches, all available at our stores, are excellent selections that will last your graduate a lifetime. As an added bonus, they’ll have no excuse to be late for their first day on the job!

personalized cuff links or a tie bar will make him look sharp and selected to match his individual style and personality.

Vintage or Heirloom Jewelry

In many families, graduation marks a rite-of-passage and is the perfect opportunity to pass down a piece of heirloom jewelry. From grandmother’s ring to a great-uncle’s watch, heirloom pieces are full of history and memories, and there’s no better time to pass them along than during a family celebration.

Of course, many graduates appreciate cash or gift cards to help with expenses as they start the next phase of their lives. A gift of fine jewelry, however, will be appreciated for years to come and perhaps even become an heirloom itself.

A Complimentary Gift from Padis Jewelry to Graduates

To the class of 2021, hats off to your accomplishment! We are celebrating YOU throughout the month of June at all of our locations including our Forevermark Boutique in Walnut Creek, our downtown Napa location and all three of our San Francisco stores.

Simply visit one of our locations with your school ID and let us know you’re graduating and you can select a “mystery mortarboard gift box” with prizes ranging from Bulova’s new “The Best is Yet to Come” Frank Sinatra Timepiece Collection to fine jewelry and gift cards. Congratulations and best wishes from your Padis Jewelry family! Contact us at concierge@padisjewelry for assistance with selecting the perfect graduation gift.

Cuff Links & Tie Bars

Cuff links are appropriate in many situations. For the graduate about to enter the suit-and-tie world, cuff links and tie bars will be needed for upcoming interviews as well as daily office wear. They can also be purchased in school colors for those who want to show school allegiance even after their days on campus are over. A set of

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DANVILLE LIVING CA 31

1393

Strength in Numbers

Our door is always open to help guide you.

#1 In Closed Sales Volume Out of 8,000+ Local Real Estate Agents (2009-2020 Combined, MLS)

1566 Serafix Road Alamo 5 Bed 4.5 Bath $2,748,000

4,671 Sq Ft

588+

Homes Sold in 2017-2020

20 Diamond Court Danville PENDING

$731M+

5 Bed 3.5 Bath $2,698,000

3,088 Sq Ft

In Closed Sales 2017-2020

Joe Frazzano

$2B+

In Lifetime Home Sales

925.890.0285 DRE 00982431

Alex Tse 925.788.1432 DRE 01386010

FrazzanoTse.com 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.