Danville Today News, May 2013

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May 2013 Garden Tour: Five Fabulous Gardens

Serving Danville

On May 10th and 11th from 10am to 4pm five fabulous gardens clustered in Alamo and Danville will be open for the public to tour during the 13th annual Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW Garden Tour.

Funds raised by the event support the American Association of University Women’s National Educational Opportunities Fund, which offers fellowships and grants to women pursuing post-graduate studies.

Gardens on tour this year run the gamut from formal to free form. “The Bellagio” mixes French and Italian design elements with California style outdoor liv-

See Tour continued on page 19

The Blackhawk Chorus: A Musical Family By Jody Morgan

Kiley Raskin from Montaire Elementary & Scout Troop #31492 helps in the Garden.

The Bounty Garden Grand Opening

The spinach is thriving and the chard and bok choy are growing like crazy. In a few short months, all these greens will be delivered into the hands of the local Food Bank as nutritious gifts to those who might not regularly get them.

It was almost a year and a half ago Heidi and Amelia Abrahmson were honored as Danville’s volunteers of the year. After a long and supportive relationship with the Town of Danville, their conceived plan to grow sustainable, organic vegetables for the needy is now a 501c3 non- profit organization called The Bounty Garden and is in full swing towards fulfilling its mission.

May is a music-sharing month for the Blackhawk Chorus (the Chorus). Weeks of rehearsals and private practice hours culminate in a series of concerts performed by the 140-member volunteer choral group as they bring Broadway Blitz to a variety of local venues. This season’s repertoire includes selections from Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, Beauty and the Beast, and other favorite Broadway productions.

Enthusiastic followers of the Chorus confirm that just when they are certain the group cannot get any better, Director Diane Gilfether raises the bar another level. “I am always striving for more excellence with the Chorus,” Gilfether explains. “That requires more commitment from everyone.

I have never seen a more dedicated group.”

A recent innovation has the entire chorus singing “off book” – no music in hand, both words and notes memorized. With no folios to interfere with the projection of sound or the focus of all eyes See Garden continued on page 18 forward, the Chorus connects completely with their audience. Although the appreciative applause of the house might afford sufficient impetus to keep members actively participating in the Chorus, other motivations are even more compelling.

Ted Boroian, who has sung with the group for 11 years, expresses a sentiment shared by his fellow performers: “Diane has an amazing ability to take people with varied musical backgrounds and make them all blend beautifully together. We sing for our own enjoyment, and of course for the audience, but first and foremost we sing for her.”

The Blackhawk Chorus accompanied by the Golden Gate String Quartet in Oakland at Temple Hill. Photo by Stan Fong.

Selection of music also plays a part in making each performance cycle more memorable than the last. As Ray Riordan, who has been with the chorus since 2001, writes: “As a result of trusting ourselves, the music has become more intricate, intriguing and thrilling. The choices of music each semester have become a wonderful expression of the talents of the group, and provide a challenge for us to continue to improve.”

Each Tuesday evening from September to May, the Chorus spends two hours concentrating on music for either the Holiday Concerts in De- Volume IV - Number 7 cember or the Spring Concerts in May. Even though Diane makes every moment of rehearsal matter in the effort to achieve technical perfection, 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 chorus members count the time as a blessed relief from the exigencies of everyday living. Boroian’s comment is typical: “The Blackhawk Chorus (925) 405-6397 is now one of the most important things in my life. It’s a wonderful and unique musical family.”

Fax (925) 406-0547 With three boys aged 6, 4 and 2, and a husband traveling on business each week and a full-time job, Theresa Madeira decided to take time out to enroll in the Chorus in 2010. “I had forgotten the pure joy and exhilaration that singing together brings,” she declares. “Finally, once a Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher week, I get to escape from my day to day life as mom/wife/employee and do something that completely absorbs and stimulates me creatively. editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com It’s ME time! And having this time recharges and PRSRT STD reinvigorates me for my home and work life.” The opinions expressed herein belong U.S. Postage PAID Cynthia Jones concurs. “Chorus is a wonderful to the writers, and do not necessarily Local that of Danville Today News.

Permit 263 place to be no matter how stressful your life is.” reflectDanville Postal Customer Today News is not Alamo CA Whether congratulations, condolences or car- responsible for the content of any of advertising herein, nor does ing prayers are in order, opening announcements the ECRWSS publication imply endorsement.

See Chorus continued on page 22

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Page 2 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

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3211 Danville Blvd, Alamo 925.837.2420 Monday ~ Friday 6am - 8pm Saturday 7am - 8pm | Sunday 8am - 6pm

Blackhawk First Sundays “Cars & Coffee”

Blackhawk Museum together with Blackhawk Plaza, the East Bay’s premier shopping experience, host a monthly Cars & Coffee event for car enthusiasts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Held on the first Sunday of each month, starting at 8AM, the Plaza and Museum welcome all car owners and enthusiasts.

The next Cars & Coffee events will be held on May 5th and June 2nd.

You bring the cars...and we’ll bring the coffee.

Also, make plans to attend our annual Father’s Day Car Show on June 16th.

The Blackhawk Automotive Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. For more information, call (925) 736-2280.

2013

Give Back to Your Community

Thursday, May 9 Purchase tickets at www.discoverdanvilleca.com Auburn James • Concannon Vineyard • Crooked Vine Winery • Cuda Ridge Wines • Eagle Ridge Vineyard Elliston Vineyards • Fenestra Winery • Glennhawk Vineyards • McGrail Vineyards • Mitchell Katz Winery • Murrieta’s Well Rodrigue Molyneaux • Stony Ridge Winery • Wente Vineyards • White Crane Winery • Wood Family Vineyards

Sponsors:

www.shopdanvillefirst.com

The Town of Danville provides opportunities for residents to contribute to their community by volunteering for various events and programs.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to discover new interests, meet new people, and develop new skills. Different opportunities exist. Listed below are a few projects that will be coming up.

To volunteer, visit www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer_opportunities, create a profile, and then sign up for a project. If you have volunteered with the Town previously, you may have a profile already created. For questions or to sign up by phone, contact Volunteer Program Specialist Julie Mason at (925) 314-3458.

Administrative Help - Ongoing General office assistance for 1-2 hours, once a week; after school is acceptable. Volunteer positions available for ages 16 and up.

Art Gallery Associates - Ongoing Assist with all levels of gallery operations. Volunteer positions available for ages 18 and up.

Kids’ Night Out - Fridays, dates vary ~ 6PM - 9PM Volunteers are needed to help staff prepare snacks and transition between activities. Volunteer positions available for ages 16 and up.

Theatre Ushers - Dates vary, ongoing Volunteers will scan patrons’ tickets and monitor the lobby/gallery during the show. Volunteer positions available for ages 16 and up.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Boulevard View

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 3

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

American StandUp comedian Patton Oswalt wrote right after the Boston Marathon bombing, and before anything was known about the suspects; I remember when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, “Well, I’ve had it with humanity.”

But I was wrong. I don’t know what’s going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths. But here’s what I DO know. If it’s one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos Top 1% of the carnage, and there are people running TOProducers WARDS the destruction to help out. This is a giant planet, and we’re lucky to live on it, but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle Coming Soon Westside Alamo - 4 bedrooms, of existence. One of them is, every once in a while, 1.27 acres, at base of Las the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled, Trampas Ridge. and they’re pointed towards darkness.

Call for Details!

But the vast majority stands against that darkness, and like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inher1142 Greenbrook Drive 3/2 $749,900 $780,000 Home Sales Bed/Bath List Price Sale Price ently evil. We’d have eaten ourselves alive long ago. Danville 1303 Greenbrook Drive 4/2 $869,000 $857,000 623 Alamatos Drive 3/2 $715,000 $720,000 1052 Hill Meadow Place 5/3 $949,900 $942,500 Alice Court

3/2 $828,000 $908,000 So, when you spot violence, or bigotry, or 132 269 Jasmine Way 5/3 $979,000 $980,000 865 Bali Court 3/2 $600,000 $620,000 210 Manchester Street

5/3 $925,000 $935,000 5/4½ $1,299,000 $1,275,000 intolerance, or fear, or just garden-variety mi- 35 Barrons Place 30 Meese Circle 3/2½ $799,000 $850,000 7 Brightwood Circle 4/3½ $2,150,000 $2,035,000 30 Nadine Place 3/2 $849,000 $925,000 sogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the 827 Buckingham Place 4/3 $979,000 $969,000 12 Narcissus Court 4/2½ $799,000 $856,000 Camaritas Court 4/3 $955,000 $955,000 eye and think, “The good outnumber you, and 100 611 Park Hill Road 4/2 $875,000 $955,000 1151 Camino Tassajara 2/1 $559,900 $548,000 1966 Rancho Verde Circle W 4/2½ $709,000 $699,000 1506 Colchester Street 4/3½ $1,149,900 $1,065,000 we always will.”

53 Rosemead Court 4/3 $880,000 $885,000 200 Dolcita Court 4/2½ $769,000 $850,000 566 Saint George Road 4/2½ $650,000 $660,000 Dolcita Court 4/2½ $810,000 $820,000 We all have a choice about how we react to 215 235 Scotts Mill Court 4/2 $815,000 $915,000 650 Dunhill Drive 4/4½ $850,000 $880,000 420 Scout Place 4/2 $675,000 $690,000 situations. Do we get involved or just drive by? I 669 Dunhill Drive 4/3 $899,950 $965,000 15 Sorrento Court 3/2 $949,950 $1,100,000 465 El Capitan Drive 4/2½ $770,000 $810,000 have had several situations in the last month that 1056 El Capitan Drive 155 Sunhaven Road 4/3½ $1,269,000 $1,300,000 4/3 $745,900 $745,500 185 Town & Country Drive 4/2½ $1,287,000 $1,300,000 El Quanito Drive 4/2½ $959,900 $1,015,000 posed that question to me. Sometimes it is easier 810 623 Tunbridge Road 4/2½ $915,000 $910,000 531 Ferncroft Court 3/2 $650,000 $678,000 118 Tuscany Way 4/3½ $1,095,000 $1,115,000 Fountain Springs Circle 4/2½ $749,000 $765,000 to drive by and hurry on our way, but if the shoe 1340 261 Valle Vista Drive 3/1 $645,000 $655,000 1634 Fountain Springs Circle 4/2½ $810,000 $815,000 3/2½ $799,000 $865,000 231 Viewpoint Drive 4/3 $960,000 $986,000 were on the other foot, I often think what kind of 135 Gardner Place All single family homes sold in Danville 03/22/13 thru 04/18/13 response would I like?

Thinking of Selling?

On a recent drive from Petaluma to the coast, Put the power of a top producing real estate team my daughter and I were heading down a busy two and the East Bay’s #1 real estate firm to work for you! lane road. We came to a blind corner and noticed to our right two young cows grazing in the side-strip of the road. We had driven past, but we immediately had a thought that the next guy grateful that we found a homeowner that was a dog lover. We asked the residents if might not be as lucky. The cows could cross in front of a car and cause injury and the dog was theirs or if they knew to whom it belonged. They did not. At that point damage to the driver and their passengers, their vehicle, and the young cows. We I made the comment, “I am glad we arrived at a home of a dog lover.” The residents made a U-turn and tried to assess how we could help. I went to a nearby farm but were confused and said, “We don’t have a dog.” I assured them they did as the sound was unable to find anyone. Another motorist stopped as well, and she helped herd of a barking dog was coming from their home. It was a very strange interaction! As the cows inside the gate of a nearby farm. It appeared the cows had similar ear-tags the bewilderment continued and they insisted they didn’t own a dog, I asked them to to the ones in the local pasture, so we figured it was fairly certain it was the farm check their garage. Sure enough a small, fluffy dog came bounding from the garage they came from. Even if it wasn’t, two live cows at the wrong farm seemed like a when the door was opened! The small dog ran right up to the Labrador we had with better option than a potential accident. We left a note at the farm home regarding us and profusely licked its face. At that point we pieced together that the two dogs had escaped together and one had become trapped. So, we were now in possession the cows, and we were on our way again.

I also recently came upon an accident where a pedestrian was in serious need of help. of two dogs. One had a tag with a phone number but no other identifying informaThe car ahead of me slowed to look but kept going. However, when I slowed and assessed tion or address. We called the number but got an answering machine. After a little the situation, it was not one to ignore. Again, it felt like that 5-10 minutes of my evening more sleuthing, we found the dogs lived nearby, but their owners were on vacation.

Fortunately, a neighbor took in the strays, and we felt we left the dogs in good hands. that I spent were an appreciated and important gift of time. I could make a difference.

Then, last night a huge branch from a neighbors tree fell partially in the street.

Another instance occurred as I was leaving the home of a friend. Driving down Luckily no one got hurt and the only real damage was a crushed fence and garbage the road, I noticed an old black Labrador dog was strolling down the middle of the road. The dog appeared out of place. I slowed, stopped, and pulled out a spare leash can. Several neighbors gathered to assess the situation and offer help moving it I have in my car. At the same time, a high school student was heading in the other from the street. Two French exchange students we had with us noted that in their direction on the road and had the same thought I did. He pulled over as well. We neighborhood, people wouldn’t have stopped and helped. Lucky for us, we live in leashed the dog and then rang the bell at a nearby home that appeared occupied. an area where most people generously and genuinely provide assistance in times of While waiting for the door to be answered, I heard a dog barking from inside and felt need. It’s a nice reminder that by a wide margin, people really are good.

Danville’s

Page 4 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

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Spring Fashion Extravaganza

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A Spring Fashion Extravaganza is coming to Danville on Thursday, May 2nd. The GFWC Danville Women’s Club is holding their 31st annual fashion show and luncheon, the 17th benefitting Hospice of the East Bay, at Crow Canyon Country Club, located at 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville.

This year, four wonderful local merchants will be participating in the show. They are Christina’s Fine Women’s Clothing, Francesca’s Collections, Georgiou, and Honeybee Boutique. Tickets are $40 for the lunch and the show and may be purchased at Christina’s (145 E. Prospect – downtown Danville), at Francesca’s Collections (in Blackhawk Plaza), from Danville Women’s Club women, or by calling Ann at 925-736-9144 or emailing her at asmilan@comcast.net for tickets and information. Seating is assigned based on the receipt of ticket payments. Please note tickets will not be sold at the door.

The event starts at 11:30AM with check-in. There will be many marvelous Opportunity Drawing items available which have been donated by local businesses. Guests may purchase Drawing tickets which are 20 tickets for $5. The proceeds from Drawing tickets go to local charities. Lunch will be served at 12:15PM followed by the fashion show.

Come out, celebrate spring, and participate in this spectacular fundraising event. Bring your mom, sister, daughter, other relative, or friend for an afternoon of fashion and fun!

Residents Sought for Vacancies

The Town of Danville is looking for community-minded residents to fill vacancies on four Town committees/commissions. The following positions are available: The San Ramon Valley Republican Women • Arts Commission: Four Federated members, 4-year term begins July 1st • Parks and Leisure Services Commission: Four regular/One alternate 4-year terms begins July 1st Presents • Parks and Leisure Services Commission: Youth Representative 2-year term begins July 1st • County Connection Citizens Advisory Committee: 2-year term begins immediately • Poet Laureate: 2-year term begins July 1st Applications are available on the Town’s website at www.danville.ca.gov and must be submitted to the City Clerk’s office no later than 4PM on May 22nd.

499B San Ramon Valley Blvd. • Danville, CA 94526 925-743-0802 • danville.kokofitclub.com Interviews will take place on June 4th, June 11th, or June 18th. The Town Council will appoint commissioners at their June 18 meeting.

For more information, contact City Clerk Marie Sunseri at (925) 314-3401 or msunseri@danville.ca.gov.

Hurry! Offer expires 5/31/13.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated

Proudly Present Senator Jim Brulte The Blackhawk Museum Guild Presents “Is the California GOP Dead? (The Suzanne Woods Fisher Future of California’s Republican Party)” “Those Amazing Amish!”, Wednesday, May 8th at 10am On March 3, Heather 2013, JimGass, Brulte Founder was electedof the East Bay Tea Party Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award-winning author of The

Chairman of the California GOP. He brings to Stoney Ridge Seasons series and The Lancaster County Secrets series as well that position almost 24 years of “The full time experiDark Side of Sustainability” as nonfiction books about the Amish. This ence in politics and government. He served in prolific author is also the host of Amish Prior to becoming activist for private property the State Assembly andanState Senate and was the rights and for liberty, Heather was a network engineer Wisdom, a weekly radio program in which for 17 years.

Sheelected is the author of of three only freshman ever leader histechnical party inbooks and dozens of IT training videos. In 2009 she she interviews interesting guests who have Bay Tea Party which has over 3000 members and affiliates nationwide. Her local Tea BOTHfounded housesthe ofEast the legislature.

He was recently connections to the Amish. Living among Party group’s major focus is Agenda 21 and private property rights. Heather has been educating and named one of the 100 most powerful people in the Amish for several years, Suzanne has motivating conservative groups all over the state and has become an expert on One Bay Area, Association Southern California by The Los Angeles Times of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and 9 Bay Area Regional Planning. If you have been following what many wonderful stories to tell! She is also Magazine and one of the topof20 “mostby powerful political players income California” is planned for the Town Danville 2030, you just might want to to our January meeting! a columnist for the Christian Post. Beby Capitol Weekly which wrote, “Over the last 15 years, there has been no sides writing books, local author Suzanne more enduring force in California Republican politics than Jim Brulte.” You Fisher is a wife, mother of four children, won’t want to miss what Senator Jim Brulte has to say about the future of our a grandmother, gardener, cook, and raiser beautiful state! Bring your friends! ~ 11:30am Social of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The talk will take place at Crow Canyon Country Club located at 711 Silver The talk will be held at the Blackhawk Museum Auto/Dining Room located at Lake Drive in Danville Tuesday,Luncheon May 28th. Social timeSpeaker begins at 6pm~ and ~ 12onNoon and $25.00 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. Admission is free and guests are welcome. the dinner and speaker commence at 6:30pm. The cost is $35.

Please join us on May 8th. For more information, call Dee at 925-820-1432 For reservations, call Mary at 925-837-5465 or email srvrwf.

For reservations, call Mary 925.837.5465 or email at dee4life@earthlink.net. lunch@gmail.com. Reservations are due by Friday, May 24th. To or e-mail: srvrwf.lunch@gmail.com assure yourself a place at the table, make your reservation early! Happy One Year Anniversary

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

* Reservations Due by Thursday, January 17, 2013 Celebrate the Anniversary To assure yourself a place at the table, make your reservation early!

Lost Dog!

of the Veterans Memorial Building and Danville Senior Center

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated It has been an exciting first year for the Veterans Memorial Building and

www.srvrwf.org

$50 REWARD

If you find him and your name is drawn!

Danville Dog is Missing He has become lost in this paper!

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

To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address, to: Lost Dog! ~ Danville Today News 3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507

Mimi Valenti is our winner!

Danville Senior Center. As the Danville Senior Services programs continue to grow, the Town of Danville invites the community to an open house to commemorate last year’s grand re-opening of the historic building.

The open house will take place Thursday, May 2nd from 2PM to 4PM in the Community Hall of the Veterans Memorial Building and Danville Senior Center, located at 115 E. Prospect Avenue. The afternoon will include a brief speech from the Town’s Mayor Newell Arnerich, and light refreshments will be served.

This is a free event, and registration is not required. For more information, contact Senior Services Program Coordinator Diana Tucker at (925) 314-3491 or dtucker@danville.ca.gov.

Visit www.danville.ca.gov or call (925) 314-3490 for more information.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 5

Page 6 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Free Restaurant Inspection App for Smartphones

By Supervisor Candace Andersen

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Donate Your Car 800-YES-SVDP (800-937-7837)

Throughout my Supervisorial district (Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, and the San Ramon Valley) we have some of the best places to eat in the Bay Area. Have you ever • FREE same day pickup wanted to know more about your favorite restaurant? Now you can access health in• Maximum Tax Deduction spection results for local restaurants on your iPhone or Android phone using California • We do DMV paperwork Food Inspector, a new app from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS).

• Running or not, no restrictions The County Health Services Department’s Environmental Health Division developed • 100% helps your community this free app. It is the first agency in California to do so. Each year the County’s trained Serving the poor since 1860 food-safety specialists conduct thousands of unannounced restaurant inspections to prevent www.yes-svdp.org ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY foodborne illnesses. They attempt to visit each food establishment at least twice a year.

The app allows users to search inspection results for the past five years for 4,200 food facilities in Contra Costa County. It includes everything from restaurants to coffee shops to ice cream vendors. The inspection histories show what, if any, violations these food facilities have been required to correct. With this new app, routine inspections are being uploaded weekly. Any closure information will be updated each evening.

Using the “Closures” button on the app, you can also see a list of eateries in the County which have been forced to temporarily close their doors to correct serious violations that pose an imminent threat to their customers’ health.

Using your mobile phone’s GPS, you can also scan restaurants near your current location and compare the health-safety records of those venues.

The app’s release is the latest example of the County Health Department’s commitment to making information more readily accessible to the public. Contra Costa County Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood notes that for many years restaurant inspection results have been on the department’s website and now with this new mobile app, this information is available to the public in an even more convenient way.

Underwood said she expects the app will give restaurant owners more incentive to practice good food-safety techniques so that they maintain a clean inspection record.

“Hopefully, eating out in Contra Costa County will be even safer now because of this app,” Dr. Underwood said.

To learn more about California Food Inspector, visit your Apps Store to see a detailed description of the app.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) will be held on Wednesday, May 15th. The VFW Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. The building is located on the corner of East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue.

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

Blue Star Mom Drop Zones

East Bay Chapter 101 Blue Star Moms is having Drop Zone events to collect donations for their upcoming “Star-Spangled Thank You” care package mailing to our Troops in June. So, while you are out shopping, please consider picking up an item or two and dropping it off. Please help us show the Troops that we have not forgotten them and all they are doing to keep our Country safe! Our goal is to send out over 1,000 care packages, and we cannot do it without the generous support of our community.

All donations will be mailed to our brave men and women serving our country overseas. Come say hello, sponsor a care package mailing ($13.30 for postage only), make a postcard or two, or drop off a donation to show your gratitude for what our brave Troops do for all Americans each and every day! Go to www.bluestarmoms.org and click on care packages for more information, including a list of our donation items. The following Drop Zone events are scheduled.

• Saturday, May 18th ~ Safeway, 3496 Camino Tassajara, Danville • Saturday, June 1st ~ Lucky, 21001 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, San Ramon • Saturday, June 8th ~ Safeway, 200 Alamo Plaza, Alamo

Delta Nu Psi

Thanks to the wonderful people who shop for our servicemen. We have once again surpassed our “gourmet junk food” needs. The April collections at CVS in Alamo and Lunardi's in Danville will be enough for two months.

Our next collections will be in June. Delta Nu Psi has now sent 26,419 pounds of items in 1,073 boxes. Money for postage is always welcomed.

For more information, visit deltanupsi.org.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 7

Wind ‘n Sea Sailing Club

The non-profit Wind ‘n Sea Sailing Club is holding a sailing training class at a member’s home in Danville on Wednesday, May 22nd at 7PM. This class will be “Basic Sailing Skills” and will be followed by further sailing classes. Contact Jan at (925) 837-3381 for further information.

Documentary and Discussion of the National Affordable Care Act

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of University Women along with the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley and Health Care of All - Contra Costa County is sponsoring a documentary and discussion of the National Affordable Care Act. The Healthcare Movie narrated by Keifer Sutherland will be shown. This 27-minute documentary tells the real story of how the health care system in Canada turned out to be so completely different from that in the United States, given that at one point they were essentially the same. The movie covers how the Canadian health care system originated, how it works for ordinary Canadians, how it is paid for, and how it compares to its American counterpart.

There will be discussion and exploration of questions this movie raises about healthcare in California such as, What does the national Affordable Care Act (ACA) mean for healthcare reform in California and How can California make health care affordable for everyone?

The speaker will be Pat Snyder, PhD, RN, HCA Contra Costa County. Join in on Thursday, May 16th from 7pm - 9pm at the Ygnacio Valley Library, located at 2661 Oak Grove Rd., Walnut Creek. The event is free. For questions call 925-938-1481.

Chromatica Presents Choral Concerts

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Chromatica, a newly formed East Bay chorus of 20 men and women led by David Huff, a San Francisco opera tenor and choral director, will present a concert of classical and modern vocal music on Saturday, June 1st at 8pm. The concert will be held at Peace Lutheran Church located at 3201 Camino Tassajara in Danville. www.ThePortableCIO.com The program will include songs from Brahms’ Zigeunerlieder sung in German, a riveting choral work by Ralph Vaughan Williams titled “Rest,” a Join Portable CIO, Inc. on Facebook! new piece by local composer Don Benham based on Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “As Kingfishers Catch Fire,” Frank Titcheli’s “There Will Be Rest,” and Verdi’s “Coro di Schiavi Ebrei,” sung in Italian.

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Tickets are $15 per person. For tickets and information visit www.chromaticachorale.org.

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Great People. Great Service.

925.552.7953

Broadway Blitz! with the Blackhawk Chorus

The Blackhawk Chorus announces Broadway Blitz!, a concert of music from the very best of modern Broadway. Shows will be performed at Dublin’s Resurrection Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 11th at 7pm and at Livermore’s Bankhead Theatre on Sunday, May 19th at 3pm.

“Broadway Blitz!,” features the full 140 member Blackhawk Chorus accompanied by its outstanding jazz quintet. The show highlights some extraordinary music and lyrics from recent Broadway hits. The Blackhawk Chorus has included a selection of songs from Les Miserables in this program. Beauty and the Beast is also highlighted with a medley of the key songs in this fabulous production. Then there’s Mamma Mia! from the ABBA musical of the same name, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Spamalot (and originally from the Monty Python movie Life of Brian), “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King and much more. This is yet another in a series of cannot miss Blackhawk Chorus concerts that will attract music lovers of all ages.

Tickets for the Resurrection Lutheran Church concert are available by calling the church office at 925-828-1580, Monday – Friday, 9AM to 1PM. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. The Church is located at 7557 Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin. Tickets for the performance at the Bankhead Theatre are available from their website www. mylvpac.com, or by calling 925-373-6800. Bankhead tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $17 for children 12 and under.

The Theatre is located at 2400 1st St., Livermore.

For more information visit www.blackhawkchorus.com.

Home for Sale

Danville - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale.

A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

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

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

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

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Village Theatre Art Gallery Seeking Committee Members

The Town of Danville is in search of individuals who are interested in serving on the Curatorial Committee for the Village Theatre Art Gallery. Committee members work together to identify, review, and select exhibits for the gallery. The Curatorial Committee will meet quarterly to provide guidance and direction of the gallery. Individuals with a professional background in the visual/cultural art, arts education, municipal cultural arts programs and/or gallery, museum or curatorial experience, are encouraged to apply.

To print an application, visit www.danville.ca.gov. Applications are due by Friday, May 10th at 5PM. Visit www.danville.ca.gov or call (925) 314-3465 for more information.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Page 8 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Charlotte Wood Middle School

By Christopher George, Principal

We’ll start with some great news. On April 11th, our school was informed that we were officially designated a 2013 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education. We are very proud of our teachers’ and students’ hard work in reaching this designation, as it reflects the hard work and dedication that both of those groups put in day in and day out in order to achieve student success.

In order to be recognized, we were asked to write up two ‘signature practices’ which we feel are unique and successful for Charlotte Wood. For our first practice, we wrote up our unique and varied collaboration structure, meaning the different ways in which we collaborate amongst teachers to improve student learning. For our second practice, we wrote up best practices in Science education. This practice was a testament to our Science Department, that works tirelessly in order to provide a high level education for our students, yet supports every student in getting to that high level through hard work and dedication.

We, as a school, would like to thank those parents, teachers, and students who were able to help us throughout this process in obtaining this designation. It is a community effort, and we can all be proud of it.

With that, we have already begun to look forward to an exciting end of the 2012-2013 school year and a great 2013- 2014 school year. We know we have many challenges ahead of us, the greatest of which is the continued implementation of the Common Core State Standards. We continue to urge our community to learn about this curriculum, no matter where your child attends school.

To advertise call 925.405.6397 SRV Christian Academy

By Jan Brunkal, Principal

Six Tiger Cubs from Den 15 of Vista Grande Elementary Pack 805 worked towards their “How I Tell It” communications activity. Pictured above, the scouts searched through Danville Today to find the “Lost Dog.” First class scout JD Schurr from Stone Valley Middle School Troop 216 is the Den Chief for the group.

Spring is in the air! The rhythm of the school year is marked by various events that come around this time and make the end of the school year very exciting. We have just finished our standardized testing and are now racing towards the end of the year.

Our 6th graders had a great time at Alliance Redwood Outdoor Camp. Not only did the students learn about God’s beautiful creation but had great handson science classes in the gorgeous redwoods. This is always a great time for our students to bond as a class away from the craziness of school and other consuming after school activities.

We are always excited to have Teen Esteem on campus in spring to speak to our students and parents. It is a wonderful organization that helps to equip teens and parents to have difficult conversations regarding the pressures of growing up in this day and age. A wonderful team of experts speaks to our parents first, and then has the opportunity to meet our students during their PE classes.

Our spring Open House is May 9th and as always is open to all. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit our classrooms and see student projects as well as meet our wonderful teachers. The evening starts at 7pm; why don’t you stop by?

Our 4th graders will be headed off to Rock-N-Water this month. This is a fun, fast-paced Forty-Niners camp experience that provides real hands on experience and is a great culmination to their California Social Studies unit.

One of our favorite things about the end of the year are our spring musicals.

Kindergarten through 2nd grades will be presenting the adorable play, Happy Day. Nothing is more precious than to see our little ones singing, acting, and praising God. Their performance will be held at our annual Parent Appreciation chapel on May 24th at 9am in the CPC Sanctuary. Our 3-5th graders will share their talents with their presentation of Sermon on the Mound, a wonderful musical with a great message.

The 5th graders always look forward to their Age of Sail overnight field trip. What a great time they always have sleeping out under the stars and manning the 1886 Balclutha, also known as the Star of Alaska, a steel-hulled full-rigged ship that resides in the San Francisco Bay. Students will take over the galley, keep night watch, and handle other duties that really make them feel like they are sailing the high seas.

As you can see, we are moving at full steam ahead. As always, it has been a great year that is quickly coming to a close with many memories still to be made.

Blessings to all.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 9

Stone Valley Middle School

By Shaun K. McElroy, Principal It Takes a Village to Raise a Child – so cliché, so over used, so true!

The African proverb above contains the words nwa ora, or child of the village, meaning that all children are our children. Hilary Clinton popularized this phrase in her bestselling book by the same name, and now “It takes a village” has become part of the popular lexicon.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to work in a school community internalize the meaning behind words and turn them in to action. We believe that parent involvement is crucial to student success. In the book Freakanomics, one of the statistics used to point to student success is that students of parents who joined the PTA did better in school. At Stone Valley, we take it beyond the statistics by averaging over 5,000 parent volunteer hours per year. How do we quantify this relationship? In the annual California Healthy Kids Survey 75% of our 7th graders rated the relationships with adults in our community as high (meaning positive), and 23% rated those relationships as moderate.

Below is a list of parent volunteers who have worked on the Stone Valley campus at our two most recent events.

Fitness Challenge Parent Volunteers Stan Clark, Scott Kiepen, Mark Garcia, Kevin Neach, Wisti Quenneville, Suzy, Rich Libby, Sami Libby, Shannon Neach, Toni Liebowitz, Jen Cole, Chris Chin, Heath Jensen, Caryl Peterson, Christine Clark, Lisa Sims, Audra Ostler, Ann Chambers, Lisa O’Connell, Pat Wolfgram, Jill Wandling, Steph Tennant, Karen Labella, Todd Blevins, Susan Davis, Kim Keane, Yvonne Poon, Joe Quenneville, Alicia Perdue, Karen Madsen, Janet Nunan, Elisa Tinker, Sarah Woerner, Sharon Waal, Brooke Mudd, Beth Kaiser, Shari Bergum-Hayes, Ed O’Toole, Timothy O’Toole, Felicia Martin, Dea Campbell, Tracy Ross PTA Beautification Day Volunteers Libby Nunan, Caroline Fagg, Mrs. Susan Fagg, Mrs. Laurie High, Mrs. Caryl Peterson, Lauren Ridgway, Mrs. Susan Guest, Jeff Mooyman, Nick Bortelone, Jake Mooyman, Ms. Wendy Paulson (Teacher), Sophia Bottaro, Rachel Mondloch, Sarah Mondloch, Cameron Glueck, Avery High, Molly deBoisblanc, Megan Cooke, Caroline Fagg, Mr. Patrick Nunan. Mr. Jim Day, Mrs. Maryann Mooyman, Mr. Jeff Hagar (Teacher), Quinn Day, Emma Defreeuw, Mrs. Janet Nunan, Tate Peterson, Mason Clark, Mr. Mike High, Mrs. Rachel Day, Max Nunan, Caroline Birdsall, Julia White, Grace Berchdorf, Cian Molloy, Mrs. Edwina O’Toole, Ms. Monique Metzcus, Mr. Shaun McElroy - and thanks to Stan Clark for doughnuts!

Business contributions: • Jim Zygutis - Go Green • Mark Rueb - HD Reub Structural Engineer • Jay Dynes - Zoo Crew • Michael Alms - Growing Solutions for donating a Compost Tea System Parents can also participate in volunteering at Stone Valley through lunch-time supervision. Please contact Lisa Knebel at lknebel@srvusd.net if you would like to help out. Our PTA is choosing to recognize volunteers who log at least two hours of time by rewarding them with a SVMS car magnet.

Stone Valley has first ever National Geo Bee State Finalist

Jeffry Hueckel, son of Angela and Lee Hueckel, is the first Stone Valley student ever to make it to the National Geographic “Geo Bee.” Jeff won the local area Geo Bee and then tested into the State Finalist competition in Sacramento. Jeff was accompanied to Sacramento by his parents and teacher Teresa Butler-Doran, where he competed admirably in the state level “Bee.” We are proud of Jeff and his great accomplishment. Go to www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/ for more information.

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Del Amigo High School

By Joseph A. Ianora, Principal

Much has happened in the past month.

Safari West field trip – Forty-five students went to Safari West for an incredible field trip. We took a bus tour and a walking tour of the facilities. Students learned much about the animals, life systems, and eco systems.

Junior Achievement – Twenty of our students participated in the Junior Achievement “Social Innovation” day. We, along with 18 other high schools addressed a social issue and created a solution. Students were put into diverse groups and worked with a mentor from Robert Half International. They made presentations to a panel of judges and were given awards.

Job Tour of AT&T – Last week, 30 of our students did a job shadow with AT&T. We toured the entire facility and then were able to select fields of interest. Students gained a good understanding of the business world.

We are finishing our 5th session and will celebrate with a BBQ. We have graduated five students this session and have had two of those move into their own apartments! Our 6th and final session will begin on the 29th of April.

Graduation, something we are all looking forward to, will be June 5th in the SRV Performing Arts Center.

All of our graduates will be coming back to join us for this special ceremony.

Thank you for your continued support of Del Amigo!

Page 10 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Monte Vista High School

By Janet Terranova, Principal

On May 1st our ninth graders were given hands on experience using Naviance. Naviance: Family Connection is a web-based service designed especially for students and parents to help make decisions about colleges and careers. Our guidance counselors will use it to track and analyze data about college and career plans; it provides up-to-date information that is specific to our school. Family Connection also lets us share information with parents and students about up-coming college visits, summer enrichment, scholarships, meetings, news, and events, as well as other web resources for college and career information.

We use a variety of the features in Family Connection throughout each year of high school.

Our goal is for students to create a four year plan using Naviance. Freshman concentrate on “Who am I” a time for personal discovery. The process includes: • Counselors meet with students in the beginning of the school year.

• Students will be introduced to Family Connection, in the spring, where they will have the opportunity to complete a Myers-Briggs based assessment, “Do What You Are,” a personality profile which offers career suggestions suited to your personality type.

•From there students can explore a variety of careers.

•Students also have the opportunity to begin to build a resume (highlighting their involvement at MV or within the community during their years in high school).

Spring

Spring weather has definitely arrived with temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s. Great weather is one of the reasons we live in California, but good weather and student focus are sometimes at odds with one another. Third quarter has ended and 4th quarter progress reports are due May 3rd. Please work with your student to help them stay focused and on task. Warm weather also brings reminders about dress code. Please help your student to choose appropriate clothes for school.

This is a busy time of year for students. Below are some important dates to remember: AP Testing May 6-17 Senior Ball May 4 Academic Booster Meeting May 14 PTSA Meeting May 28 Senior Week May 28-31 If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

National Charity League Honors Senior Class

The Diablo Valley Chapter of National Charity League (NCL), Inc., one of the nation’s most distinctive mother-daughter service organizations, recently honored the class of 2013 at its Senior Presentation ceremony.

At the event, chapter members, along with friends and family, celebrated the accomplishments of each of the 23 graduating seniors from Carondelet, Monte Vista, and San Ramon Valley high schools. Collectively, these young women and their mothers performed more than 10, 914 philanthropy hours in service during their six years of involvement in NCL with 30 different charitable organizations in Contra Costa County.

The graduating seniors of the Diablo Valley Chapter of NCL, Inc. are Madeline Back, Emma Bovberg, Hannah Clark, Sidney Cooke, Haley Dreyer, Michelle Grier, Elise Harvey, Lynsey Hromatko, McKenna Jannasch, Jane Kennedy, Gretchen Koenen, Jessica Kuelz, Briana Maes, Hailey Mamizuka, Rachel Maneloveg, Samantha Marini, Evan Mehiel, Lindsay Portman, Cassidy Raynolds, Brooke Rosenberg, Kayla Sallander, Hannah Stewardson, and Megan Wastal.

NCL, Inc. was organized in 1925 in Los Angeles, and now it has 179 chapters with more than 50,000 members – women and daughters in grades 7 through 12, in 21 states.

The Diablo Valley Chapter was formed in 1989 and is the oldest chapter in the AlamoDanville area.

Membership in NCL provides mothers and daughters with unique opportunities to strengthen their bond while growing together. It is the only national organization committed to fostering the mother-daughter relationship through philanthropy, leadership, and cultural activities together and in Photograph by Sue & Shiera Photography peer groups.

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San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal

It is May already, and the pace of the school year is intensifying as we approach the last few weeks before June. Over the last month we’ve had AP testing, CAHSEE testing, and STAR testing. The lacrosse, boys tennis, baseball, swimming, and softball seasons are all in full swing. We just completed our musical presentation which involved our music, drama, choir and dance programs. And finally, our students, staff, parents and community came together to coordinate “Every 15 minutes” and did an amazing job balancing the emotional and educational components of the crash reconstruction, the living dead, and the assembly the next day. I am busy trying to plan graduation and build the Master Schedule so that we can get all the students’ class schedules figured out and determine teaching assignments before June.

Spring is a hectic time because students become progressively more distracted as the temperatures rises! My biggest focus is always that our seniors make it academically to the end of the school year and can graduate on time. Senioritis seems to strike during this final quarter each year as our graduating class gets closer and closer to June 14th and some students come perilously close to not walking across the stage. It is a nerve wracking time for parents, teachers, counselors, and administration as we try to help all of our students through the last few weeks of school.

Regardless of all the challenges, this is one of my favorite times of year. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students excited about where they will be going to college and discussing their post-high school plans. It is also wonderful to see them at Senior Ball looking so grown up and ready for the next step of their life journey. The best part of high school is watching our young adults as they leave our care and move onto the next phase of their life - I just hope that we have done enough to prepare them so that they are successful in a rapidly evolving world.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Tip of the Month

By Cindy Egan and Marilyn Lucey, Co-Chairs Green Your School Summits

Spring has finally sprung, the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and it is time to plant our summer gardens. Planting a garden is a wonderful way to teach our children about how vegetables grow and how to be responsible for caring for a garden patch.

Although many of us have room in our yards for a small garden, some of us aren’t able to support a vegetable garden at home. If you have a student attending one of the 35 schools in San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD), it is possible that you and your child can get involved with the garden at their campus.

The benefits of school gardens are many. “Tending to new plants teaches children responsibility and teamwork. It provides an opportunity to bring science, math, social studies, language, and visual arts to life through hands-on learning. Vegetable gardens let children taste the wonders of fresh food. In addition, parents, students, and teachers can all enjoy the growing feeling of community that comes from sharing a new adventure,” says Marika Bergsund of GrowingGreat.org. This organization is a great resource for planning a garden and for standards based curriculum.

Currently, 15 of the schools in our district have, or are starting, a garden on campus.

These gardens vary in size and are used for a variety of purposes including science projects, sources of food for culinary classes, and for donations to the local food bank.

Greenbrook Elementary has a California state award winning organic, and watershed wise, garden that offers lunchtime education activities as well as donations of fruits and vegetables to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Charlotte Wood Middle School has a garden used primarily by Judy Kerns, the culinary arts teacher and graduate of Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard program. These are just a few examples of how our schools are using gardens in the classroom and beyond.

While it is great that there are so many schools with a garden program, there are 20 schools that currently don’t have a garden. If that fact includes the school your children attend, you can get involved by talking to the PTA, teachers, and administrators about starting one. Most of our campuses have room for a small garden, but teachers need assistance with the manpower to build the beds and then plant and maintain the garden. Sustainable Danville Area’s Green Your Schools Summit organizers Cindy Egan and Marilyn Lucey can advise you on how to start and maintain a garden program.

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 11

The Green Your Schools committee of Sustainable Danville Area is working with the Wellness Committee of SRVUSD to coordinate with the schools that have gardens and to encourage more schools to start gardens. In April, we hosted a meeting at a local nursery where teachers and parents learned about suitable organic vegetable choices for the climate in the Danville area. We were inspired with ideas to incorporate native plants and organic fruit and vegetable plants in our garden. Here are some of favorites to try. ● Golden muscat, red flame or table grapes on an arbor or fence - delicious to pick and eat when ripe ● Alpine strawberry - grow in a hanging pot or at the edge of the bed so the berries trail off the side, sweeter than most strawberries ● Microgreens - grow in a two inch deep flat, a great project for kids ● Dwarf citrus - grow these in barrels or as shrubs, yes, as shrubs instead of trees so that kids can pick the fruit easily ● Herbs - variegated mint bush and lime thyme are great for cooking, wonderful sensory smell experience and are natural pest repellents ● Lavender and Salvia - these drought tolerant plants are beautiful and attract our pollinator pals Along with plants and flowers blooming, the pest population that feeds on our bounty can explode as well. Here are some suggestions for integrated pest management: ● Interplant marigolds and alyssum amidst your vegetables ● Amend your soil with bloodmeal and moles, squirrels, and gophers will stay away ● Set your traps for wasps and yellow jackets NOW in hopes of catching the queen early, if you catch the queen, you won’t have a problem with the army later ● Whitefly infestation? Find the main host plant, bag it, and toss it - do not compost it. Then repeatedly treat the other affected plants with sprays of soapy water Local nurseries like Sloat have a Growing Up Green program for teachers and school garden parents. Sign up and receive discounts on plants and an abundance of free, excellent advice.

In May, our meeting we will focus on resources for gardens and developing feeder programs between our schools. Students, teachers, parents from our SRVUSD schools are invited to share their green and garden programs. We strongly encourage interested students to attend - our stewards of the future mean a lot to us, and we want to make their contribution visible. The May meeting will be held on May 15th at Dougherty Valley High School. For more information on location and time, visit http://sustainabledanville.wordpress.com and follow us on Facebook.

Page 12 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Quick Trips

By Linda Summers Pirkle New Clairvaux Vineyard

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Twenty minutes from Chico, on a two lane road lined with walnut and olive orchards, is the tiny town of Vina, home to New Clairvaux Abbey Vineyard (sacredstones@newclairvaux.org). New Clairvaux is the first Cistercina Monastery in the Americas to grow, vinify, and bottle its own wine. We visited the Abbey on a Saturday. It’s a long drive from the Bay Area, two and a half hours, but it’s well worth visiting it. It is also the place where Trappist monks have taken on a project of reconstructing a chapter house from Santa Maria de Ovila, a 12th century Spanish monastery. The endeavor is called the “Sacred Stone Project.”

We arrived at noon, just in time for a tour of the Abbey led by Joe Smith, a knowledgeable volunteer guide. We started out in Leland Stanford’s wine cellar, a thick walled brick building built in 1885. We learned some surprising history; this winery was the largest in the world in the late 1800’s, Stanford’s Great Vina Ranch.

Today, the Abbey is owned and operated by the Cistercian or Trappist Monks. I talked to the very charming and humble Brother Pierre La Pointe, 82, who was one of the original monks to move to the Abbey in 1955. “There are 22 of us at the Abbey, and we each have a job. In the past I have been cook, baker, person in charge of the prune trees, manager of the walnut business, and even the tailor. I did not know how to sew until the old tailor taught me, and then I became the tailor. I can make all the Brothers’ clothes. “Brother Pierre laughed and added,” I do not want to sound like I am bragging.” He and Brother Francis, another friendly monk who also serves in the tasting room, pour and answer questions from the public.

After a short video and some history of the Abbey, our guide led us out to the “Sacred Stone Project.” Back in the 1930’s, looking for objects of art to furnish a summer home to be built in Northern California, Randolph Hearst, the millionaire San Francisco newspaper publisher, toured Europe. Hearst purchased works of art and even a beautiful Spanish 12th century Cistercian Monastery. Stones from this ancient abbey were meticulously packaged and catalogued for reconstruction and then transported from Spain to San Francisco, but the stones were never used for Hearst’s project. A portion of the stones ended up at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. Many years later, in the 1990’s, the Cistercian Abbey stones were given back to the Trappist order, and the “Sacred Stone” project was born.

The Chapter House, or main part of the Monastery which is being reconstructed at the New Clairvaux Abbey, is a work in progress. Our guide pointed out “Mason’s marks” on stone where 12th century laborers carved their accounting inscriptions. According to our guide, this is the oldest free standing building in the America’s. It is beautiful!

The tour takes about 45 minutes, and afterwards you can enjoy a tasting of the award winning wines made at the Abbey. Visitors are invited to attend short prayer services in the chapel. The monks invite everyone to attend, however they request quiet during their prayer services. Their address is 26240 7th Street, Vina CA 96092, the phone number is (530) 839-9936, and the hours are 11AM -5PM everyday except for Holy Days.

• You can spend the night at the Abbey. Eight single and two double rooms are available to the public for lodging. Rooms are clean, simple, and very popular; it is best to reserve 3-6 months ahead of time. Suggested donation is $60 per night including three vegetarian meals.

• In 2010, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company formed a partnership with the Abbey with the making of a Belgian Style Abbey Ale called “Ovila,” named after the town in Spain where the Spanish monastery was built almost 1,000 years ago. Profits from the sale of Ovila beer go to help with the restoration project at New Clairvaux.

Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “If it’s a trip for my husband and me, my husband drives and I talk (he’s a captive audience) – the perfect combination! What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

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Page 14 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Talk to Me!

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

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Ever since seeing the first episodes of Star Trek while growing up, I’ve been fascinated by the possibility of speaking to a computer and having it actually understand what I’m saying. We’ve all seen examples of computer speech recognition in TV shows and movies, and today, life imitates art where computers are actually listening to us and understanding, too.

For quite some time, we’ve seen examples on TV of the FBI using voice-pattern recognition to ascertain different things about the person who is being analyzed. They can determine if the person speaking on a recording matches another individual by examining the voice waveform on a scope, and they can also tell if there is stress present in the individual’s voice when being questioned. This technology is the grandfather of current voice recognition software, which has found its way into mainstream computers available to everyone. It used to take a mainframe computer to analyze speech. Then, it took a mini computer and then a powerful desktop workstation. Now, it’s available for $99 and works on just about any PC you can buy off the shelf, and you can also find the feature on most smartphones and tablets.

As you might imagine, I type a lot. I stay pretty connected whether it’s on my desktop in the office, my laptop in my favorite chair, or my phone or iPad when I’m mobile. But I get tired of typing. Sometimes I’m just tired, and other times it’s hard to type because I worked in the yard, and my hands are sore. Happily, there’s a helpful product which has been out for a number of years.

It’s called Dragon Naturally Speaking, and it’s quite powerful in its current iteration. There are two main ways that Dragon can help you translate spoken words into text on the computer.

The first way is through straight dictation. The program has a powerful command vocabulary which you can use to navigate your computer, and then you can use it to dictate documents and messages. The Dragon package comes with a nifty headset that plugs into your computer, and you wear that headset to issue voice commands and dictation.

The second way it works is through transcription. Let’s say you have recorded your thoughts onto a dictation device, and you want them turned into a document. If you load that transcription onto your computer as a speech file, Dragon can “listen” to the file and build a text document from the words spoken on the recording. The accuracy of the transcription depends on the things you’d expect to matter, such as the quality of the initial recording and how well the program has been “trained” to recognize your voice. But it does work, and the final editing takes a fraction of the time it would have taken you to manually transcribe the document.

Another cool way I’m using voice recognition is with my phone and tablet computer. The first Apple devices to offer voice recognition for dictation are the iPhone 4s and iPad3.

The dictation feature came along around the same time as “Siri,” the application that is supposed to act as a phone-based concierge (but that I feel is a horrendous disappointment). Even though the iPhone’s on-screen keypad interface is pretty well thought out, I’ve found it to be slow at times to get my thoughts translated quickly through my thumbs and into the phone. But by using the dictation feature built into my phone, I can send content-rich text messages and emails directly from my phone, only touching the keyboard to press “send.” I find this to be an amazing time-saver and extremely convenient when I have a lot to say or can’t conveniently use my hands to type. I think my friends and family probably wonder how I can type such long messages so quickly!

Even though I find the Dragon voice recognition technology to be very effective, it’s not as easy to use as I’d like. It’s still pretty technical, and you have to memorize a lot of structured commands to really get the most out of the product on the PC. I predict that as computer power continues to increase, the software will become more and more intelligent, until we can speak in normal language to our computers and they will be able to interpret our wishes. When it gets there, life will have come full-circle to imitate art, because that’s exactly what Captain Kirk was able to do with the computer in Star Trek!

If you do a lot of writing and believe you might be a candidate for speech recognition software, Portable CIO can help get you setup with the right equipment so your whole environment works well. Our friendly staff is ready to help, and reachable via email at helpdesk@theportablecio.com or at (925)552-7953.

Advertorial

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Solar Currents

By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar The Million-Dollar Question

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 15

Sell Your Car, Furniture, or Event Tickets!

M y L i s t Sa l e s

I’m a big fan of the program Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? I think it’s inevitable that sometime soon the million-dollar question will be, “I see you are in PG&E’s service area. Please tell me what you are paying I handle all the aspects of the sale so that you don’t have to. for electricity?”

Hard-working local college student with lots of experience.

For most of you, your answer (for the million bucks) Call today to discuss items you’d like to consign and sell! may be “I’m paying a tiered rate.”As we know, the more Tato Corcoran • 925.858.7282 • tatocorcoran@yahoo.com energy we use, the more we pay per unit (kilowatt) of energy used. It’s called “progressively increasing price points.”

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that. PG&E’s progressively increasing price points change based on which utility rate and territory the customer is in.

The price points also change daily, by time of day, and seasonally. All residential (and soon all business) rates have “tiered and time of use attributes.” Weekdays cost more than weekends, and summer costs more than winter. Daytime costs more than nighttime, but not always, because it depends on one’s usage. Some convenient shuttle service to kilowatts cost as low as 3.8 cents, and some cost more than 55 cents. The difhome, the office, bart and bacK. ference in cost depends on your utility tariff and your “tiered and time of use” habit patterns of electric use. As you can see, all kilowatts are not created equal.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were “frequent flyer miles” when spending more ` for energy? Many of our customers may have never gone solar had such perks FactoRy lubE, oil diaGnoSiS/ SchEdulEd & FiltER chEck EnGinE been forthcoming. In reality, PG&E would rather you use less energy than more.

MaintEnancE liGht inSPEction Multi-Point Performance Energy demands keep rising, and power generation is not rising to meet the deLet our trained experts perform an Improve mileage and extend Inspection initial inspection and diagnosis. We’ll the life of your vehicle - follow mand. Stabilizing and managing the grid and having reliable energy sources to Drain and Replace All Engine Oil also provide you with the exact cost recommended service schedules Install Genuine Factory Oil Filter to perform the repair. No obligation, provide energy to the grid are top priorities for PG&E. nothing to buy. % 95 For this reason, solar and PG&E happen to make excellent yet seem$ off +TaX ingly strange bedfellows. This PG&E/solar partnership is mutually beneficial.

RegulaR PRices Synthetic oil extra.

The grid’s energy demands and customer’s energy costs are highest from May through October. Not so coincidentally, solar power systems have their highest For Acura, Honda, Lexus, and Toyota vehicles only. Valid only at THE SERVICE OUTLET on the day of service. Please present coupon when service order is written. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons, offers or discounts. Synthetic oil extra. output during these months as well. For PG&E, excess energy is expensive to generate, and it’s difficult to transmit and manage, especially during hot days.

Non-solar customers are penalized by a higher cost of electricity during these summer afternoon hours. Solar customers are incentivized by PG&E to generate and export power to the grid during these higher cost summer afternoons. The old moniker “buy low and sell high” is the simplest description as to how solar systems generate excellent financial return for their owners. For nighttime car charging, for each solar kilowatt sent to the grid during the day, I get credited multiple kilowatts back at night. Car charging is essentially free for me because lafayette san ramon Since solar is able to leverage the peak vs. off peak energy costs. PG&E is indeed sell3360 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

2151 San Ramon Valley Blvd.

1993 ing my excess solar generation to my neighbors, and they’re possibly marking 925.283.3133 925.837.3000 it up as well. The “mark-up” of course depends where my neighbors are on the “tiered and time of use” continuum at that moment in time. Solar systems save theserviceoutlet.com PG&E money in energy generation and transmission costs.

Much like the other 147,366 California solar customers, (as of April 18th) I 1211138-TSO-ALToday-5x6.25.indd 1 11/16/12 9:28 AM saw no return on investment with monies paid to PG&E. I’d rather be an energy provider, and I’m happy to know that on most days, I’m providing clean energy to my neighbors while being compensated nicely by PG&E for doing so. It’s a great partnership.

Since businesses haven’t voluntarily reduced energy use during peak hours, they’re being forced to switch to time of use electric rates, which will be fully implemented by November 2013. I have a feeling this transition to time of use rates for business will generate more solar business as the customer tries to escape the ever rising cost of energy. Hedging energy costs by “going solar” is one of the few stable and safe investments with reasonable returns still around. PG&E and solar, strange bedfellows indeed.

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715). Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com. Advertorial Expansion of the State Park and Surrounding Open Space – Save Mount Perspectives On Mount Diablo Diablo displays information on the Mount Diablo State Park and the restoration Mount Diablo is fascinating and complex, and the new exhibit at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley views this iconic landmark from several angles, of the Mount Diablo Beacon. Map lovers will enjoy the maps and graphics exploring its diverse qualities and intriguing history. Underwritten by the Lesher showing the expansion of open space in Central Contra Costa County by CaliFoundation, Perspectives on Mount Diablo is a collaboration with the Mount fornia State Parks, the East Bay Regional Park District, and Contra Costa Water Diablo Surveyors Historical Society, Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, Save District. This perspective explores the growth and history of the State Park and Mount Diablo, and the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Representatives from adjacent open space from 1921 to today. The history and restoration plans for Mount Diablo’s Beacon, known as the Eye of the Mountain, is featured. these groups will talk with visitors each Saturday through June 30th from 10:30AM Images of the Mountain – Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) to noon during the exhibit. The exhibit includes: brings photographs for visitors to view.

Surveys of Mount Diablo – The Mount Geocaching in Parks – MDIA mounts an informational display about geoDiablo Surveyors Historical Society provides th 19 century surveying instruments along with caching, the new adventuring activity in which people search for “treasures” stories, photographs, and history about the (caches) using GPS technology. A film on geocaching is onsite for viewing.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 RailroadAvenue in Danville.

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Page 16 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

The Incense-Cedar

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

The incense-cedar graces many Bay Area gardens with its shade, beauty, and intriguing fragrance. Calocedrus decurrens, its Latin name, means beautiful cedar.

The striking contrast between the vibrant greens of its leaves and the trunk’s rich reds creates a pleasing aesthetic further enhanced by the relaxed elegance of the weeping foliage. The beauty of this tree is not confined to the realm of the visual. The incense-cedar gives off a distinctive fragrance that fills the air with a pungent aroma strongly reminiscent of grade-school classrooms and the unforgettable smell of the pencil sharpener. In my youth, and still largely today, pencils were made from the soft and distinctively fragrant wood of Calocedrus decurrens.

The incense-cedar is not a true cedar (thus the hyphen). The so-called “true cedars” are native to the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, and are members of the genus Cedrus. These include the majestic Deodora and Atlas cedars, as well as the famous Cedar of Lebanon.

The incense-cedar, which may live a thousand years and attain a height of 150 feet, is a true California native. It evolved in North America, and its current range extends from the Cascade Mountains in northern Oregon, through the Sierra Nevadas, and down to the Sierra San Pedro Matir of Baja California.

Throughout its range it has been important in the lives of Native Americans.

The Klamath tribe of Oregon wove its bark into baskets. The California Paiutes made infusions of its leaves for colds. The Round Valley tribe of Mendocino Country used leaflets as flavoring when leaching acorn meal. This species has provided Native Americans with food, shelter, clothing, and music.

The incense-cedar’s natural resistance to rot made it very useful both in antiquity and in modern times. Homebuilders use it for siding, decking, moulding, and interior paneling. Landscapers use its chips and bark for mulch. Its wood is made into furniture, shingles, and railway ties. Sawdust and wood scraps help fuel co-generation of electricity.

The softness of the wood and its resistance to splintering make the incense-

Clip Notes

By Jody Morgan

Lest you think the trend of replacing nutrient-gobbling, water-guzzling lawns with wildflower meadows is a recent innovation, consider the “flowery mead” forming the background of medieval “mille fleurs” tapestries. I had always taken those stylized spaces to be an idealist’s dream - as mythical as the unicorn often depicted within. Although the passage that inspired me to research the topic comes from Philippa Gregory’s fictional creation Earthly Joys, her reference to the carpets of lush turf richly interwoven with flowers popular for pleasure gardens during the Middle Ages is definitely historically accurate.

Whether or not John Tradescant the elder ever attempted to recreate such a garden for Charles I at Oatlands Palace in the second quarter of the 17th century, Gregory’s description of the talented gardener’s struggles to keep the grass from overwhelming the flowers reads as though she might have attempted a similar project herself. Given free hand to embellish the palace grounds with all manner of romantic floral fabrications, Tradescant (according to Gregory’s text) decided to experiment with a design already out of fashion for two or three centuries.

A list of blossoms likely to have bloomed in a traditional flowery mead included in Judith McLeod’s In a Unicorn’s Garden reads: “sweet violets, Heartsease, Lords-and-Ladies, wild strawberries, single-flowered stocks, cornflowers, carnations, white lilies, flag iris, campions, wild ground orchids, sweet rocket, cinquefoil, Lady’s Mantle, pincushion flowers and poppies.” Perhaps in a restricted cloister garden or at a villa tended by countless minions the ideal described by Giovanni Boccaccio in his 1348 Decameron might have been maintainable: “in the midst of the garden a lawn of very fine grass, so green it seemed nearly black, colored with perhaps a thousand kind of flowers…”

The modern version is calculated to be non-labor-intensive. As McLeod explains: ”Where every imperfection in a turf displeases critical eyes, a flowery mead disguises unevenness, and meadow daisies, buttercups and dandelions are no longer outlawed with weedicide, but are welcomed.” (Translate her British “turf” as “lawn” and “weedicide” as “herbicide.”) The newest North

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cedar ideal for encasing pencil lead. However, these qualities also make the wood fragile, brittle, and potentially somewhat problematic as an urban landscape tree. When it grows as one trunk from a thick base to a single pyramidshaped crown, the incense-cedar is relatively stable; it requires little work other than the periodic removal of deadwood. But if the trunk of the tree divides into multiple columns or has large branches which turn up and rise parallel to the trunk, the tree has structural problems that make it vulnerable to column failure. After some recent winter storms, Brende & Lamb looked at many incense-cedars that had shed branches and sometimes entire columns. Most of the failed trees suffered from a malady of tree anatomy called included bark.

This structural defect occurs when the bark at the crotch folds inward, and interrupts the continuity of the fibers supporting the columns.

Good pruning can ameliorate many structural problems. Co-dominant stems (more than one column of roughly the same diameter) are more likely to fail than trees with a single leading column. Sometimes reducing one of the competing leaders can minimize the hazard. If column removal is not advisable for aesthetic or functional reasons, it is often possible to cable the multiple stems together. However, individual trees are so unstable that removal is the safest alternative. Whatever you do, do not top these trees. Topping a cedar will eventually produce many unstable columns multiplying the risk and, ultimately, the expense of keeping the tree. Preventative medicine is almost always less expensive and more effective than later surgery. If you plant an incense-cedar, choose nursery stock with only one trunk and no crotches with included bark.

Remember that a seedling cedar can grow to over a hundred feet, and that tall trees may cause view concerns for yourself and your neighbors.

Calocedrus has graced the California landscape for almost 200 million years.

With a little forethought and good pruning, the incense-cedar can continue to bless Bay Area gardens with the subtle fragrance of childhood. It takes a little effort to live at peace with this large California native, but its bounty of colors, shapes, and scents make that effort worthwhile.

If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood.

Advertorial American concept encourages elimination of not only poisonous weed-killers that run off into the water supply, but also annoying noise pollution that goes along with frequent mowing. A properly tended 21st century meadow needs mowing only once or twice a year. To go totally green, replace your whining lawnmower with a softly swishing scythe.

Establishing a meadow that remains aesthetically pleasing throughout the year is no easy task. Careful planning is essential so the grasses don’t overwhelm the flowers, and the succession of bloom is relatively constant. Otherwise the desirable carefree natural meadow look rapidly deteriorates into the unkempt ugliness of an abandoned lot. Scattering a large packet of native wildflower seeds in an open field seasonally greened by non-native grasses will not work.

For the seeds to flourish, you need to do more than scratch out a few bare patches, as I can confirm by personal failures.

Despite the inclusion of dandelions as one of the nearly 100 plants identified in the flowery mead depicted in the 14th century Unicorn Tapestries exhibited at the Cloisters in New York, aggressive weeds need to be banished from the ground before a wildflower meadow is planted. Preparation of the soil should be as thorough as the preparation done for a formal garden bed. Incorporate only the grasses that are good about refraining from intruding on their flowering neighbors’ personal plant space.

Many bulbs handle alternating damp and dry seasons by putting out blossoms and leaves during rainy months and going dormant during summer drought.

Thoughtfully chosen native or exotic bulbs add interest to any meadow. The species from which tulips were hybridized in Holland originated in the far dryer hills of Turkey. Tulipa bakeri, for example, multiplies every year in the Ruth Bancroft Garden. The custard-colored cups with claret centers appear in early spring.

Determined to recreate the medieval model? Choose a small plot of lawn that can be separated from the area regularly mowed. Take pots of several varieties of flowering plants, and arrange them randomly - not in geometric rows – so the effect looks natural. Dig holes in the turf just adequate for the pot size, and plant with the crown of the flowering plant level with the top of the surrounding turf. This is a high-maintenance project. You may want to replace the flowering specimens seasonally for year-round color. You will also need to hand clip the grass, a task even the fictionalized John Tradescant found tedious.

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Life in the Danville Garden

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect Garden Rooms

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 17

Imagine your garden to be like your home; having different functions and places for varied activities, perhaps laid out in a similar fashion as the floor plan of your home.

Rooms for activities, food preparation and dining, relaxation and contemplation, and work spaces can all be part of the intended vision of a garden design.

Particularly in Danville, we are very blessed to live in such a favorable environment which supports the idea of living inside/out. Current trends over the last decade have been moving towards using the outdoor environment as an extension of the indoor living space. It is very interesting to see with some of my renovation projects with homes built in the 1940 – 1950’s the way in which the land was used. For instance, take my home, built in 1948 on half an acre, where the landscape entailed a small concrete patio (square), a small patch of turf, a few fruit trees, and the rest which was left to go to seed. I find a lot of homes of this era like that. Today, I develop those unused areas into usable outdoor space, or garden rooms.

Bob Shalon, EA A home has a heart; so does a garden. Generally the kitchen and family room are the center Master Tax Advisor • Enrolled Agent of activity in a home, and it is the same for a garden. Most folks in Danville enjoy the outdoors all-year-round, making food preparation and dining outdoors desirable. I design a wide range of 925.820.9570 outdoor kitchens equipped with everything including 48” stainless steel grills, refrigerators, sinks, 714 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite B, Danville Sycamore Square (next to Lucky’s) dish washers, lobster pots, woks, pizza ovens, keg-a-rators, and wine closets. Pretty much anything bob.shalon@tax.hrblock.com in the indoor kitchen can be recreated outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are great for either large parties or dinners for two. The patio space shaded by a pergola or arbor becomes the central room of the garden, supporting activities such as eating and dining, having conversations with friends and family, entertaining, playing games, or simply sitting quietly reading a book. At night, the fireplace, firepit, or heating umbrellas can take away the evening chill for late-night entertaining.

For more rambunctious activities like swimming, soccer, croquet, hiden-seek and tag; swimming pools and spas, large turf areas, and sport courts become the activity room or even the sports arena. For the avid golfer imagine having your own putting green! On the other hand, if the bedroom and sleep is your thing for a nice relaxing Saturday afternoon, carve out a nice quiet corner of the garden for a hammock, chaise lounge, or an outright bed in a small garden cottage. I have designed several versions of an outdoor bedroom for clients. One was a “Sky-Bed” which was a platform that would allow you to pull yourself up into the tree canopy with a pulley system, tie it off, and take a nap in the tree tops. Another was a small garden cottage (10’ X 12’) that was for Mom and her two young daughters to have sleepovers in. I designed a foldaway Murphy/bunk bed so the cottage could double as play space for the girls during the day.

Lately, I find a fair amount of my clients working from home which gives the garden a completely different potential for use. With wireless capabilities for almost everything, imagine taking care of business poolside in your swim suit while on a conference call with associates scattered halfway around the globe or sitting with your laptop hammering out the year-end financials while sitting next to a koi pond under the shade of a tree.

There are no limits to the ways you can use your garden. Garden rooms need not be overdone or complicated. Creating “garden rooms” is one approach to effectively design the “floor-plan” of your outdoor environment.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: When it comes to planning an outdoor environment, my motto is: “Every square inch has a purpose.”

Gardening Quote of the Month: “I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.” - Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings If you would like me to write on any particular subject email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas, visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial

Danville Fine Arts Faire - June 22nd & 23rd

Come enjoy the art of 200 talented artisans, Italian street painting, Abstract Alley, continuous entertainment, Prospect Avenue activities, gourmet food, fine wines, and microbrews on June 22nd and 23rd from 10am to 5pm on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville. The event is hosted by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Danville. Admission and parking are free.

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

Page 18 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

TOD Agreement Can Reduce Hassles for Heirs

By Sima Alefi

Among the reasons you work hard all your life may be so you can leave something to your children, grandchildren, or other family members. So, naturally, you’d like to make it as easy as possible for your heirs to take possession of those assets you want them to have. And that’s why you may want to consider establishing a Transfer on Death (TOD) agreement on certain accounts.

Once you’ve established a TOD agreement for your account, ownership of the assets held in that account pass directly to the designated beneficiaries, bypassing probate. Why is this important? Because probate has three major drawbacks: • It’s time-consuming. If your estate has to go through the probate process, it could easily take a year or more for your assets to be distributed to your heirs.

• It’s expensive. Attorney and court fees could devour up to 5% of your estate’s value — which means fewer assets going to your loved ones.

• It’s public. The probate process is open to everyone. This means anyone can obtain a copy of your will, the names and contact information for your heirs, the inventory of assets, and other documents filed as part of the probate proceeding.

As you can see, you’ve got some good reasons to avoid probate — and a TOD agreement can help. Of course, a TOD agreement can’t meet all your estate-planning needs. While it may be particularly useful in helping you bequeath specific financial assets, such as stocks, bonds and other assets held in your brokerage accounts, it can’t help you deal with estate taxes or address other complex estate-planning issues.

And that’s why you also may want to consider creating other estate-planning tools, such as a revocable living trust. Similar to a TOD agreement, a revocable living trust allows you to leave assets to your heirs without going through probate.

Furthermore, when you set up a revocable living trust, you can control your assets during your lifetime and determine how they will eventually be distributed to your heirs. You could, for example, have money distributed to your children or grandchildren in installments, over a period of years. Many people like having this ability, especially if they are unsure of the money management skills or maturity

Protecting and Enhancing the Lives of Your Children

By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

This article will explore some important ways we can provide security for our children and lay the groundwork for improving their lives.

It should go without saying that health is the most important thing we want for our children. As parents, we should do whatever is necessary to ensure that our children have health care insurance; that they see competent medical, dental, vision and other providers; and that we serve as their health care advocates when necessary or appropriate.

Likewise, it’s incumbent upon parents to provide a safe environment for their children at home and monitor their school and extracurricular activities. There’s no substitute for communicating with your children regularly to make sure they are not being bullied or unduly picked on; and that no peer, teacher, coach or other person with whom they are in contact is taking advantage or attempting to do so in any way.

Sure, the above is mostly common sense. But, if you have any minor children, having an up-to-date Will containing a guardianship provision is also common sense, yet many parents don’t have one.

Often, parents of young children fail to establish a Will because they cannot decide on a guardian. This is ironic because if parents die and have made no guardianship nomination, the court will appoint whomever the judge may deem appropriate, which guardian may be the very last person the deceased parents would ever have chosen or wanted. So, it’s infinitely better to struggle to nominate at least one guardian (if not also one or two alternates) than to leave this critical decision to chance.

Of course, another prudent way to protect your children is by protecting yourself. If you experience a disability that prevents you from working or limits your earning power significantly, do you have an appropriate disability policy to provide income replacement for you and your children? If you died prematurely, would enough assets be available to enable your children to maintain the lifestyle you want for them? If you’re not happy with the answers to these questions, you should obtain advice from an experienced life insurance professional.

Beyond basic protection and safety, a common way to enhance the life of a child is

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level of their heirs. Plus, a properly established revocable living trust will carry out your wishes if you become incapacitated. Be sure to consult with your legal advisor to see if a revocable living trust is appropriate for you.

While a TOD agreement can’t take the place of all estate-planning tools, it can complement them. And a TOD agreement offers another feature that can prove valuable: flexibility. Specifically, you can revoke or modify your TOD agreement at any time in response to changes in your life or family circumstances.

To determine if a TOD agreement is appropriate for your needs, contact your tax advisor or legal professional. It’s taken you many years to accumulate your assets, so take some time to help ensure they end up where you want them to go.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors do not provide tax or legal advice.

Please consult with your qualified professional regarding your situation.

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

Garden continued from front page

The Bounty Garden is an educational program that teaches local volunteers how to grow organic vegetables. The Garden is tucked into a serene location along the creek at Hap Magee Ranch Park located at 1025 La Gonda Way, Danville, on the Danville/Alamo border. Everything that is grown is then donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Volunteers sign up to grow for one of the three growing seasons and are invited to attend various seminars along the way to teach them such things as how to compost, how to sprout seedlings and how to properly harvest. Wonderful volunteer master gardeners and staff from Contra Costa Allied Waste Disposal have offered to be available as contacts and speakers to the group.

Within the learning process, volunteers feel good about both what they are learning and about their contribution to a bigger effort of feeding the hungry. The knowledge and the friends are theirs to keep and the hope is they will continue to grow either at home, or return for another season at The Bounty Garden.

On June 1st, The Bounty Garden will celebrate its formal Grand Opening at 10AM. At the Opening, Danville’s Mayor Newell Arnerich and Larry Sly, the Director of the local Food Bank will speak along with founder Heidi Abrahmson.

There will be a short ribbon cutting ceremony. For more information visit www. thebountygarden.com or email thebountygarden@gmail.com. to save for his or her higher education - whether through traditional savings, permanent life insurance (which cash value can generally be withdrawn tax free), a tax-advantaged 529 plan, or other methods. If grandparents or other relatives are in a position to make gifts to your children for their education, useful Federal Estate/Gift Tax rules may apply.

One such rule is that up to $14,000 per calendar year can be gifted to each of your children without the donor being subject to any Gift Tax and without causing the donor to use up any of his or her Federal Estate Tax exemption (i.e. without reducing the amount that the donor is able to give away Estate Tax free on death). Besides these $14,000 “annual exclusion” gifts, a donor may donate an unlimited amount to your child’s education by paying the tuition bill directly to the educational institution. Specific rules and qualifications apply to the tax aspects of these educational gifts (and to mirror rules for health care-related gifts).

Finally, the manner in which you or others make gifts to your children for educational and/or other purposes, has important implications. The most popular and simplest method is to gift funds into a custodial (UTMA) account. But many donors fear the child may not eventually use the funds for the intended purpose or handle the money responsibly. Upon opening an UTMA account, the minor owns and is automatically entitled to all of the account funds when the child turns 18 (or up to 21 if the custodian so affirmatively designates on the account). Accordingly, people sometimes look for an alternative way to gift with “strings attached.”

Fortunately, a special kind of irrevocable trust known as a “Crummey Trust” can be established and custom-designed in whatever way you wish, enabling your young loved one to receive income and/or principal starting and continuing at certain ages or defined benchmarks, and for certain purposes (e.g. health, education, buying a home, etc.). Crummey Trusts, as with all advanced estate planning strategies and many of the aforementioned planning strategies, should only be considered and implemented with the advice and assistance of an experienced estate planning attorney and possibly other applicable professional advisors.

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

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial

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Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 19

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The Art of Plastic Surgery

By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Many of my cosmetic patients experience real suffering because they are self-conscious about their appearance. Others desire elective aesthetic treatments to feel more youthful, improve body image, or change an attribute that has always bothered them. With all my patients, however, my role is the same: I am a surgeon, and as such I need to be well informed about the latest developments in procedures and products. I am a scientist, and I need to follow the basic tenants of the scientific method to ensure what I am recommending to patients has been proven effective by authenticated and reputable studies. I need to be able to explain the science behind the benefits of alloderm (a regenerative tissue matrix used in post mastectomy breast reconstruction), understand how retinol plays a role in anti-aging creams, and be facile with laser resurfacing.

The concept of beauty is an ever-changing one, and the tools we have to address everything from wrinkles and fat deposits are evolving quickly. So, I am also and artist, and the palette now contains neurotoxin, dermal fillers, fat grafting, ultrasound, and laser. As these treatments receive greater attention from the media, physicians not only have to keep up with the science, but they also need to keep ethical considerations in mind. Patients often ask, “What is best for me?” Though the answer varies for each patient, it is always a professional opinion that addresses their expectations and best interests.

This includes deciding when surgery to improve self-image and esteem is acceptable, when to try newer nonsurgical technology, and when to simply help my patients find a healthier attitude about themselves--without any intervention at all. It’s important to stop and ask questions since just because we can medically intervene, doesn’t mean we should.

As a practitioner who offers aesthetic interventions, it is often difficult to strike a balance between medical treatment and aesthetic therapy, in part because the core of my identity is that of a healer. Although the real value of any person should not be reduced to appearance, I also understand how

2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)

important looks can be. I would be living a completely different life were it not for my own facial reconstruction after a traumatic injury. I firmly believe that appearance is not only a large part of our own esteem, but ultimately it defines how others view us.

I want my patients to look natural and feel good. I want to understand their expectations and meet them. Most of all, I want to be my patients’ best ally--someone who can tell them which new technologies are worth their time and money, when to proceed with something that might involve more risk, and what to expect from both.

Here’s the deal. What I am, the heart of me, is your doctor. After many years, I have learned that medicine is a partnership, that problem solving is fun, and that I am up for the challenge. I have the acumen to understand clinical trials, and I am willing to share my knowledge. I have the confidence to treat you with the newest technology, because I would never try something on a patient I wouldn’t try myself. And most of all, I trust you, the patient. You are the expert of your own body. With that unique expertise, and with my training, we make a wonderful team.

Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ personsplasticsurgery.com.

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Tour continued from front page

ing features. The floral exuberance of 100 roses is balanced by the culinary practicality of vegetables, fruit trees and grapes.

A “Garden of Outdoor Rooms” beckons visitors through a series of inviting spaces where one longs to linger. Look for the hidden koi pond in the “Cottage Charm” garden. Take a “Walk on the Wildside” that progresses up a hillside with formal spaces on the lower level succeeded by ever more relaxed and natural tiers. The fifth garden, the “Vineyard,” includes a hillside planted in Carbernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec grapes.

Tickets are available at The East Bay Flower Company in Danville (206 Sycamore Valley Road in the Danville Livery) or online at http://daw-ca. aauw.net. Adults $35; Seniors 65+ $30. Light refreshments and a drawing included. No children under 12 or pets permitted.

Page 20 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

The Eye Opener

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By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry Iritis

Since I enjoy writing about cases I see at the office, I thought iritis was an interesting topic to cover. The cause of iritis can be one of numerous issues and is usually a consequence of an ocular or systemic condition.

The symptoms the patient experiences are often pretty similar but can vary in severity.

Iritis is a broad term that describes an inflammation in the anterior chamber of the eye (the area between the iris and the cornea). During an episode of iritis, there are a lot of inflammatory cells that leak through the blood vessels in and around the iris. These cells that are floating in the eye cause the eye to become red, painful, and light sensitive. There is usually not major vision loss associated with a particular episode, but the patient’s vision is usually temporarily decreased, however, and recurrent episodes in the same eye can lead to permanent vision loss. The origin of the inflammation can be from the eye itself and is associated with trauma, surgery, or infection. When the eye itself is the likely source, prophylactic treatment is started immediately to prevent the exacerbation of the symptoms.

However, the cause of iritis is usually caused by another systemic cause that at times can be difficult to pinpoint.

Any type of inflammation in the body can manifest itself in the eye and cause an iritis. These can include any surgical procedure, trauma, or systemic disease. The most common systemic causes are auto-immune diseases such as lupus, Chrohn’s disease, and arthritis. This is one of the reasons that it is essential to tell your eye doctor about your entire medical history as something that you might not think has any relevance to the eye might in fact be extremely important. These auto-immune conditions cause inflammation among other symptoms at their site(s) of affliction, and they lead to chemicals being able to then travel in the blood stream and wind up in the eye. There are also a lot of cases where the patient is not feeling any symptoms from the systemic condition, but they will have an effect in the eye. Sometimes a patient will come in to the office stating that they have a specific disease causing the eye flare-up, but often a patient will come in without a prior diagnosis. After the eye has calmed down, these patients should be sent to their primary care doctors for a work-up. There are instances where a cause will not be found, but if there are more episodes, a systemic cause is usually found.

Standard treatment for iritis includes steroids. The frequency and duration of the dosing is dependent on the severity of the condition and how well it responds to treatment. In certain cases, dilation of the eye might be necessary.

Since the blood vessels in and around the iris are the cause for the inflammation, the movement of the iris (which controls the size of the pupil) further aggravates the situation. By dilating the eye, the iris is now fixed and allows the amount of inflammatory chemicals entering the anterior chamber to slow down so that the steroid drops can be more effective. Even though more light will enter the eye, it is much more comfortable for the patient. These patients should be followed every few days (more often in the beginning) to make sure the drops are working and to make sure the pressure in the eye is not elevated. In some cases, either the drops and/or the condition causes the pressure in the eye to become elevated, which would further complicate the treatment plan and possibly require additional drops.

Since the early symptoms of iritis are similar to an infection, it is very important that the correct initial diagnosis is made and that it is made in a timely manner as the treatment is very different. In the case of an infection, an antibiotic would be used, and heavy dosing of a steroid would be the exact wrong thing to do. So, it is very important to know that every red eye is not the same, and that just because a particular drop worked one time does not mean it will be the correct treatment the next time.

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

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Good News for Melanoma Diagnosis

By Dr. Matthew Sirott, MD

Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer and is diagnosed in over 70,000 patients yearly in the US. May is Melanoma Awareness Month. The prognosis for patients with metastatic disease has been dismal.

The only curative treatment, Interleukin 2, is toxic, requires an oncologist comfortable with the treatment, involves multiple intensive care unit admissions, and has cure rates around 5%. Other therapies, including chemotherapy, have some efficacy that is modest at best. However, the times they are a-changin’! Over the last few years, new developments in molecular and immunologic therapy have changed the treatment paradigm, resulting in many more successes.

Ipilimumab (Yervoy) is a genetically engineered antibody which acts as a brake on the immune system, blocking the activity of the T cells and resulting in very significant efficacy, with a near tripling of survival at two years. Ten percent of patients get a complete response (CR), and these patients do not seem to relapse (out to five years). This data is astounding, given the previous record of melanoma therapy. Ipilimumab has a serious toxicity profile and must be administered by physicians familiar with the drug and the potentially serious autoimmune side effects.

Braf is an activating mutation present in 50% of melanomas. Zelboraf (Vemurafenib) is a potent inhibitor of braf and has been shown to be extremely active in braf mutated melanoma, with an improved progression free and overall survival of four months. Note that this is similar to the herceptin benefit in breast cancer and Avastin benefit in colorectal cancer. Toxicity is relatively mild, except for the high rate of cutaneous malignancy, which usually accompanies squamous cell cancer.

Many other new drugs are in development and awaiting approval. Initial results with Anti- PD -1 antibody are very exciting with the response rate in melanoma at 28%, with half of all responses lasting greater than a year in this pre-treated population. Other areas of research include inhibition of the MEK pathway and blocking angiogenesis with drugs like Avastin.

The future looks brighter for melanoma patients. Diablo Valley Oncology has developed the California Skin and Melanoma Center to foster expertise in the treatment of all skin cancers, including squamous cell, basal cell, melanoma and rare tumor types such as Merkle cell and skin lymphoma. We have brought together community physicians interested in the dermatologic, surgical, medical, and radiation therapies of these patients. Our signature event, the Many Faces of Skin Cancer, will be held on May 15th. To learn more, visit www.calskincancer.com or call (925) 677-7287.

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Trapped by Migraines

By Kimberly Liotta, DC and Melissa Ko, DC, Sycamore Valley Chiropractic What is a Migraine?

Migraines are intense headaches that can cause extreme throbbing or pulsing in either localized or general areas of the head. This pain can also be accompanied by fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and high sensitivity to light and sound. The symptoms can come on so suddenly that the migraines are described as “attacks.” Sometimes, migraine sufferers will wear dark sunglasses even when indoors to filter out normal light. These attacks can last from a few hours to several days. Migraines can be so intense that the sufferer can only tolerate resting in dark, quiet environments. In addition to the pain of experiencing severe headaches, many sufferers are unable to enjoy life as they are restricted from physical activities, travel, or special events.

Depression can also result from a lifetime of chronic migraines.

Doctors of Sycamore Valley Chiropractic

Do you have a Common Migraine or a Classic Migraine?

A classic migraine has similar qualities to a common migraine. However, those suffering from classic migraines will complain of having vision changes, usually seeing lights, seeing “trails” behind moving objects, or experiencing shimmering light around the edges of objects (known as aura). This typically happens within an hour before the migraine comes on. Classic migraine sufferers will describe auras or lights in their vision as early warning of an attack. A small number of sufferers will describe hearing changes such as ringing or buzzing in the ears. These sensory changes are only experienced by 20% of the migraine population. Migraines without aura are referred to as common migraines and may be treated differently.

Causes

The root cause of a migraine can be difficult to determine. There are numerous triggers for attacks including poor circulation, high blood pressure, muscle tension, hormonal imbalances, nerve irritation, poor diet, poor sleep, head/neck injuries, dehydration, side effects from medications, allergies, toxins, and stress. Even physical exertion and changes in weather can trigger a migraine. Comprehensive medical histories, a thorough examination, and at times, lab tests, are helpful in determining triggers as they vary from patient to patient.

How can Chiropractic Care Help?

The arteries to your head, along with the spinal cord in your body, go through the neck. Misalignments in that region can cause more pressure and inflammation

Many Older Adults Living with Multiple Health Conditions Present Senior Care Challenges Karen Mudd, Interim HealthCare, Home Care & Medical Staffing Agency

Regardless of the condition, senior care is often a difficult task. Whether it is Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, or anything in between, there are many challenges associated with looking after the well-being of the elderly. Those obstacles are exacerbated when seniors have more than one health issue, and new data from the National Center for Health Statistics found that many residents at assisted living facilities have multiple chronic conditions, according to The New York Times.

The findings are based on an analysis of more than 730,000 people living at care facilities. Researchers found that about 24% of those care facility residents have both dementia and high blood pressure - two of the most common diseases among assisted living residents. Furthermore, the statistics also reveal that 9% of residents have dementia, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The biggest challenge associated with juggling multiple conditions is that some medications may have side effects that could cause issues with the other condition. Experts say it’s important to change the way diseases are viewed within the medical community.

“Much of the way we practice medicine is looking at disease by disease,” Dr. Cynthia Boyd, a professor of geriatric medicine at Johns Hopkins, told the Times. “We aren’t doing enough thinking about how to add them together and really integrate care.”

While these results focused on residents at assisted living facilities, previous research has suggested that managing two or more chronic conditions

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 21 on the surrounding muscles, discs, arteries, and nerves. Relieving the built-up pressure with an adjustment can improve the level of intensity of the migraine.

For patients in the middle of an attack, the duration and severity can be greatly reduced, and with periodic care, future attacks can be lessened or prevented. Other therapies we offer that have been helpful for migraines include cold laser therapy, myofascial (soft tissue) release therapy, and ultrasound.

Case History: Marsha had been experiencing migraines her whole life with no known cause. She would typically suffer from a migraine headache twice a week lasting for two months, a few times a year. One of her main complaints was seeing lights (consistent with classic migraine), and she described the pain as shooting. The only thing that helped relieve some of the pain was 800mg of Excedrin.

Marsha was able to identify that her migraines would worsen after she drank wine, a dietary trigger. She rated her pain at an 8 – 9 out of 10 for severity because they would be so bad she couldn’t get out of bed.

Treatment and Results: Marsha received chiropractic adjustments for misalignments in her neck for 12 visits over 10 weeks along with myofascial release therapy for tense muscles. After her first visit she only had one headache. By her fourth visit, she had only one headache again, and her Excedrin dose was cut in half. On her eighth visit she again had only experienced one headache (compared to the usual two per week) and further cut her Excedrin dose in half again. By the twelfth visit she was able to live migraine-free for the first time in her life and do so without needing any painkillers. She continued to get regular monthly check-ups and experienced only occasional headaches (after drinking red wine) that were much milder than ever before.

Marsha’s story is one of many we have seen in our office, with similar cases each day. Who do you know suffering from migraines? Consider chiropractic care to help free them from the pain of migraines.

Sycamore Valley Chiropractic is located at 565 Sycamore Valley Rd. West in Danville. Please visit their website at www.sycamorevalleychiropractic.com or call 925-837-5595 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Advertorial has become increasingly common among large swaths of the population over the last 10-plus years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people 65 and older who had both high blood pressure and diabetes increased from 9% to 15% between the years 2000 and 2010. Additionally, the number of seniors with high blood pressure and heart disease grew form 18% to 21%.

Seniors with multiple chronic conditions have substantially more physician contacts, use more prescription drugs, and are more likely to be hospitalized each year than those people with only one chronic condition. Often times seniors with chronic disease(s) suffer with loneliness and depression.

Interim HealthCare understands the needs of seniors who live at home with multiple chronic diseases. Home care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and what people prefer. Through trained home care professionals, Interim provides a broad array of in-home care services, from medication reminders and assistance with monitoring signs and symptoms of a worsening condition, to providing transportation, meals, companionship, and much more.

Employing a home care professional is an important decision and one in which most people have little training or practice. Interim HealthCare is a name that is trusted by physicians, patients, clients and their families. As a leading community based provider, we have experience in the home -- where people make their health decisions every day.

Karen Mudd is the Community Development Manager for Interim HealthCare - karenmudd@interimhealthcare.com. As one of America’s most trusted and experienced providers of in-home senior services, Interim HealthCare understands how important it is for people to stay in their homes. Our Care Professionals can provide the extra support needed to live an enriched life in the comfort of home. Call today for a free in-home evaluation 925.944.5779 or visit www.interimhealthcare.com/eastbay. When it matters the most, count on us.

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Page 22 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

Understanding Depression: It’s not as Simple as you Think!

By William Shryer, LCSW, DCSW - Clinical Director, Diablo Behavioral Healthcare

Depression is a term everyone has heard of, and many think they have a basic understanding of what it is like to feel depressed. For years, if not decades, depression was thought to be related to early childhood issues, such as trauma, abandonment, loss, and the like. While these are all significant life issues, not everyone who experiences these very predictable life events becomes clinically depressed. What accounts for the vast difference in response rates? The answer to this question probably hides in your own genetic profile. Depression is not to be taken lightly or dismissed with such advice such as to just, “pull yourself up by your boot straps” and “snap out of it.” Depressed people cannot do that, as they are biochemically changed by their own genetic profile.

Depression is a chronic illness that takes a huge toll on America’s health. It affects more than 21 million children and adults annually and is the leading cause of disability in the US for people aged 15-44. Few are aware that the lost productivity due to depression is estimated to cost the US in excess of 31 billion annually. Depression frequently co-occurs with a variety of medical illnesses such as coronary heart disease, cancer, and chronic pain. Not surprisingly, it is the principal cause of the 30,000 suicides in the US each year.

What are the symptoms of depression? The essential feature of depression is a period of depressed mood with loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities.

The individual may describe their feeling as low, down in the dumps, discouraged, or hopeless. The person may also just complain of feeling “blah,” having no

Skin Cancer

By Dr. Jerome Potozkin

If I have not had the opportunity to wish you a Happy Birthday, please forgive me. Happy Birthday!

In the spirit of May being skin cancer awareness month, I would encourage you to have your Birthday Suit checked on your birthday by a board certified dermatologist. If you have not had your skin checked since your last birthday, do it now. I bet most people reading this can’t even remember the last time they had a complete skin examination by a dermatologist.

May marks skin cancer awareness month. There are about 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated that there will be about 132,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can be lethal. However, the good news is that early diagnosis can lead to complete cures. Surprisingly, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults aged 25-29. Approximately 75% of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. While melanoma can be deadly, most patients that we see are diagnosed at an early and fully curable stage.

Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancers. These can appear as non-healing sores or crusted bumps. Some simply appear as a red patch that can be misdiagnosed as dry skin or eczema. The good news is that these skin cancers are much less likely to spread than melanoma.

Most skin cancers have a genetic component. The other key ingredient is sun and ultraviolet exposure such as that from tanning beds. In order to prevent skin cancer, I recommend an ounce of prevention. Do what you love but avoid the peak sun hours between 10am and 2pm. Apply and reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Forget about going to tanning beds (spray-on tans are fine). Lastly, see a board certified dermatologist once a year for a full body skin check. It is often a good idea for you to check yourself once a month so that you will be able to notice if a mole or a spot is changing. Many people have started to worry about getting enough Vitamin D if they use sunscreen. The simple solution is to take a Vitamin D supplement which is equally as effective to the Vitamin D you get from sun exposure.

If you have any spots that you are concerned about or if you can’t remember the last time you were checked from head to toe by a board certified dermatologist, please call my office now at (925) 838-4900 to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to check you and to wish you a Happy Birthday!

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

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feelings, or feeling anxious. In short, it is just a miserable way to live and to feel.

Here is the good news. There are cutting edge treatments available that are going to change the way we look at a number of disorders. Traditional psychotherapy has a horrible track record with depression and so do the many antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Zoloft, etc. The side effects of medications for so many are intolerable with weight gain, dry mouth, loss of libido, sleepiness, and the list goes on. And it takes from 4-6 weeks of taking a medication to find out if it even works!

The new treatment approach for those with depression, chronic pain, and a host of emerging diagnostic categories is TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

This is not fringe medicine or smoke and mirrors. It is the first real breakthrough in decades. This is an FDA approved procedure that uses an electro-magnet that produces a magnetic pulse that stimulates the neurons to release the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. This is exactly what antidepressant medications attempt to do, without all of the side effects.

It is not ECT or passing electricity through the brain that makes the treatment so cutting edge. This medically supervised procedure is performed in an office with the patient completely awake and alert. It is safe enough to be performed on pregnant women and an excellent treatment for postpartum depression without the danger of traditional medications passing on to the baby via breast milk.

TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is being used in most major university hospital centers in the US. TMS centers are in use currently at Harvard, Stanford, Weill Cornell, Yale, New York University, and University of Michigan, to name but a few.

Why are so many of these major hospitals and universities so interested in TMS? First, the treatment has far fewer side effects. Secondly, studies show that TMS works when drugs fail. TMS is being called the “Gold Standard” for treating severe depression.

Initially insurance companies were reluctant to cover TMS, but lately more and more are, as even insurance companies can see this as a win-win for them and the patients.

Medications over the long run are very expensive and often don’t result in remission.

Remission means cure, or feeling completely well. Most patients taking antidepressants are lucky if their response rate reaches 50%, meaning that with medications one may be able to feel somewhat better but not completely well. TMS is having high response rates with remission, meaning completely well, occurring in upwards of 70% of cases. TMS requires daily treatment for about 37 minutes for 4-6 weeks; about the same time it takes for antidepressants to become effective.

For more information about this cutting edge treatment for depression, call our office to learn more at 925-648-4800. Please also visit our website at www.behaviorquest. com. We are located at 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Suite 210 in Danville. Advertorial

Chorus continued from front page

at rehearsals generate appropriate expressions of support amongst the membership. The combination of choral excellence and congenial company works on many levels. Riordan expresses thoughts echoed by other members of the group: “Participating in practices and performances with so many who are enthusiastic about music is something magical. Much as we sing to lift others’ souls, we lift our own spirits through music and camaraderie.”

Traveling with the Chorus has brought many members closer together. Tour participation is optional, but somehow the 65 or so volunteers who pay their own way for the journey always represent a harmonious blend of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sections. Spouses are encouraged to come. In 2003, the Blackhawk Chorus represented the State of California at the American Music Festival in Austria and the Czech Republic. The universality of their musical message facilitated communication with their audiences. Jones comments on that score. “I used to tell my kids: ‘You know an international language if you know music.’”

A second tour to Italy in 2005 proved the group could pull together in tough moments to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities offered such as singing on the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica. Twelve members of the party had no luggage upon arrival in Rome. Gowns and tuxedos loaned by those whose suitcases had made the flight miraculously managed to fit their less fortunate friends, so the show went on with all adequately garbed. “Performing at the Vatican was emotionally overwhelming,” Nancy Norlund recalls.

Arrival in Assisi accompanied by the return of absent luggage presented a new challenge. Neither of the hotels quite met expectations, but the exasperating accommodations at the Panda Hotel live on in choral legend. The plumbing arrangement, for example, made modern visitors envision ancient Roman baths with envy.

Anyone foolish enough to approach the toilet when the shower was in operation was instantly soaked. No matter. Once again the show went on. Consequently, when faced with a difficult situation, the Chorus proclaims: “You just have to Panda up!”

Trips to England, Scotland and Wales in 2007, NewYork (for a performance at Lincoln Center) in 2010, and a return to the British Islands in 2012 followed. The Chorus sang in London during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, performed in Ireland at Waterford Cathedral and Cork, and received a warm welcome at a community center in Wales.

See Chorus continued on page 23

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Your Personal Nutritionist

By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS. With all this Exercise, why am I not Losing Weight?

I cannot begin to tell you how many clients say they are working out, making healthy food choices, and not losing weight. When a person seems to be doing the right things and not making any progress, they may face the following issues which hinder them from losing weight.

You are eating all the calories that you burn during your workouts

Yes, when you work out you are burning extra calories. But you may be overestimating how much you are burning. Saying, “I exercised today so later I can overeat or over-drink today,” or “I’ll have this now, but I’ll work out extra hard tomorrow and burn it off,” does not work. That three mile walk may burn 300 calories but does not compensate for the 1,000 calorie restaurant meal you have.

You are relying on exercise alone to lose weight

Yes, exercising can help you lose weight, along with providing lots of other health benefits. Exercise helps you create the calorie deficit needed to drop body fat. But here is the truth. Exercise alone will not help you lose weight. Exercise does burn calories but probably not as much as you think. A full hour of intense exercise may only burn 400-500 calories, but hundreds even thousands of calories can be consumed in a few minutes. It could take an hour or more of exercise to offset those calories. If you are not changing your diet and reducing your caloric intake, exercise alone will not help you lose weight. You must have both caloric reduction through diet and intense exercise for optimal weight loss results.

You are not eating as healthy as you think you are

Often new clients come to my office with a food diary they’ve kept for a few days. They think they eat healthy and are shocked to hear they are eating too much sugar and fat and not enough protein and fiber. Recently, I had a pre-diabetic client that was eating a double serving of Raisin Bran (when he measured it) and a glass of orange juice for breakfast. I calculated that he was eating 800 calories which contained 10 teaspoons of sugar for the two servings of cereal, 5 teaspoons of sugar from 1 1/2 cups of milk, and 8 teaspoons of sugar from the orange juice for a grand total of 23 teaspoons of sugar! I see clients that don’t realize how much fat they are consuming with many servings of olives, nuts, avocados, cheese, and beef. Also, I see clients skipping meals and then eating up all their daily calories in the evening when our bodies process calories less efficiently. You might be eating healthy, but perhaps your portions are too large for your age, height, and activity. My clients need nutrition plans that are individualized and based on all of these factors.

You are not being consistent enough

When you are struggling to lose weight, consistency is most important. Clients tell me they are sticking to strict diets and exercise programs for a week but cannot possibly continue this regimen without “cheating.” They try to eat “perfectly” and exercise “religiously” and do not lose weight and then throw up their hands in frustration and never succeed. I also see clients that seem to be on a reasonable

C L A S S I F I E D SPA TRIP

Danville Today News ~ May 2013 - Page 23 nutrition plan and then go totally off course with family celebrations and restaurant meals. Their restaurant dessert is five times the standard portion size, and their alcohol consumption can be 500 calories alone. A significant part of my practice concerns how to manage these events to provide balance while enjoying goodies.

It is easy to lose weight but it is not very easy to keep it off. It takes a reasonable nutrition plan, intense exercise, and consistency (with forgiveness for occasional lapses).

You are not keeping track of mindless eating

A recent Kaiser study tracked 1,685 overweight and obese adults (men and women) whose average weight was 212 pounds. They encouraged participants to adhere to a reduced-calorie, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan and asked them to record their daily food intake and exercise minutes. After 20 weeks, the average weight loss was 13 pounds per person.

But researchers discovered something quite interesting - the more participants recorded what they ate, the more weight they lost in the end. Participants who did not keep a food diary lost about nine pounds over the course of the study, while those who recorded their food intake six or more days per week lost 18 pounds—twice as much as those who didn’t track any food!

I am glad to inform you that nutritional counseling may be covered by your insurance. Please feel free to call me at (925) 855-0150 and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles, recipes and nutrition tips.

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Chorus continued from page 22 The chorus began in 1991 when a dozen women asked Diane Gilfether to work with them. “I thought it was for six weeks,” she laughs, “but now it’s 22 years later.” In 1992, five “brave husbands” joined the group.

Now members come from as far away as El Cerrito and Emeryville to participate in weekly rehearsals. “It all comes back to Diane. She sets the tone that makes the group the wonderful family that it is,” Norlund notes.

Gilfether played piano as a child, but when she and her mother moved to California to live with relatives following her father’s untimely death, the instrument was sold. For a year, she sat silently at her cousin’s Blackhawk Chorus Director Diane weekly voice lesson. One day the teacher asked Diane Gilfether. Photo by ohn Martin. if she would like to sing and immediately recognized a talent waiting to be tutored.

Diane credits her mother’s unfailing support for giving her the opportunity to fulfill her dreams. Diane did chores for her voice teacher to offset part of the lesson expense.

Somehow her mother managed to stretch her modest salary to fund the balance. As a teenager, Diane stunned the nuns at her school by announcing her intention to be a professional opera singer. Scholarships helped Diane finance studies at Holy Names University where she earned both Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees in Music.

By the time Diane retired from the performance circuit to pursue a new career in Real Estate, she had enchanted audiences across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Rehearsals and performances also depend on the skills of Accompanist and Assistant Musical Director Randall Benway. Additional professional musicians are hired to compliment the Chorus during concerts. Biographies for Randy and Diane on the Chorus website detail their many awards.

To learn more about the Blackhawk Chorus, their spring concert schedule and membership requirements, visit the Chorus website at www.blackhawkchorus.com.

Group Rates: RED MOUNTAIN SPA, UTAH Accommodations, meals, fitness classes, hikes, Wi-Fi included, and more each day. Starting at $239 per person/per day based on double occupancy. Pick your dates from September 11-September 25, 2013 (some restrictions apply). For details contact JoAnn Paul, Uniglobe Travel, Danville. 925-208-8029, jpaul94526@yahoo.com.

EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL! Need new light fixtures, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, or track lighting installed? Need a dimmer switch or GFCI installed?

Do you want to change the color of your outlets in your kitchen or install 220V power for the new hot tub or stove? I also troubleshoot electrical problems. FREE ESTIMATES. Licensed and bonded. 30 years experience. CALL 925-389-6964.

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Page 24 - May 2013 ~ Danville Today News

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Professionals You Can Count On

Nancy

Joe

Call the Combs Team

®

9 2 5 -9 8 9 -6 0 86 www.TheCombsTeam.com

Danville Real Estate Market: Better Than Good!

As of this writing there are 55 Danville (94526) single family homes listed as active on MLS. One hundred seventeen properties are listed as pending and during the last three months, a total of 79 properties were sold. The average days on market before a sale is completed stands at 30. This is, by any measure, a great market.

We have created a bell curve and divided the market into 25%, 50%, and 75% percentiles to give you a better sense of how properties fared at different price points. Of note is that the SmartStats Report for Zip Code 94526 - DANVILLE in Prior 3 Months since Apr 19, 2013 lowest price points and the highest price points closed in 34 and days while the middle price point homes remained on the marker for a mere 25 days.

Within each of Single-Family Sold Properties the three groupings Aggregate you will see that avTotal 79 erage and median Average Price $889,304 Median Price $840,000 price are very close Average Days on Market 30 with the greatest Bell Curves of 25%, 50%, and 75% percentiles difference occurring in the grouping of the most 20 39 20 expensive homes. $648,500 $840,000 $1,145,000 The majority of $636,675 $845,615 $1,227,125 34 25 34 homes are selling between $747,750 and $948,000, with the average falling $747,750 $840,000 $948,000 at $840,000. This average is about $60,000 higher than last year’s average price. That’s a very large rise in the price of Danville real estate in a very short space of time. It’s being driven largely by long term pent Townhouse-Condo Sold Properties up demand finally breaking loose and a historically low inventory of Danville homes for sale.

As markets have a tendency Aggregate to balance themselves with regard to supply, demand and price, Total 26 low inventory and high demandAverage have driven prices higher. The question remains, “Will the Price $480,924 supply of Danville homes for sale begin increase in response to rising prices?” The attached Median Price to $517,500 Total

Total

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SmartStats Report for Zip Code 94526 - DANVILLE in Prior 3 Months since Apr 19, 2013

chart titled “New New Properties Properties” sugNew Properties gests that this rebalancing has already begun to occur. From December 2012 inventory has risen markedly.

Part of this rise can be explained by seasonality. We can speculate that the rest is opportunistic selling by sellers who have put their plans to move on hold Pending Properties while prices were depressed.

If the current trend line, which took a slight dip in April, is extended, we can reasonably expect that inventory will steadilyPending to grow over the course of the next several Properties months. It’s anyone’s guess if it will climb above 200 unit mark we enjoyed a few years ago.

Will prices in Danville fall back when inventory approaches normal levels? I wouldn’t bet on it. I think as long as we don’t get a sudden dramatic rise in interest rates, prices will hold and increase at a more moderate pace. If you recall the interest rates during the peak hovered between 5% and 6%. It’s hard to imagine that we are likely to see interest rates return to these levels for a couple of years, if then, unless something really bad happens. If rates do move gradually to these more normal levels as I expect they will, the most probable scenario will be for days-on-market to extend to the normal three to six months time frame. There will be fewer multiple over bids, more negotiation will take place throughout the sales process and it will require more effort to attract a buyer. Until those things happen, the Danville Real Estate market should continue to be better than good.

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

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Wendt Ranch Danville

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Diablo Custom 2 Story

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Median Price $268,000 Average Price $286,714 Average Days On Market 8

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$588,000

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

Call for details.

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

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Incredible Diablo custom two story home.

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West Side Alamo Charmer

Alamo Luxury Home

Build Your Dream Home

G

IN D N E

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

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

We have other buyers.

Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources.

Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

Beautiful oak studded lots for sale, one is 7 acres one is 11 acres. $500k each J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526