2021 FEBRUARY ~ Alamo Today & Danville Today News

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February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1

& FEBRUARY 2021

SAVING OUR PLANET STARTS AT HOME: FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED Food insecurity for many is becoming more dire as the coronavirus pandemic SUSTAINABLE CONTRA COSTA LEADS THE WAY continues.

Stepping up and helping out are members of St. Timothy’s Church,

By Jody Morgan

In 2018, Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing free educational information promoting actions supporting our planet's future vitality. Despite cancellation of in-person events and hands-on workshops due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, SCOCO continues to extend participation in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge and present annual Sustainability Awards. In 2020, SCOCO launched two new initiatives: Sustainable Leaders in Action (SLA), a youth group, and Sustainability LIVE, a monthly online program.

located at 1550 Diablo Rd., Danville. The members have been holding bi-monthly food drives to support the Monument Crisis Center (MCC).

MCC is a community-based non-profit family resource center which offers food, resources, and referrals to low-income individuals and families in order to help them become stable and secure in our community.

St. Timothy’s Church Food drives will be held the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 2-4pm for the foreseeable future.

See Food continued on page 6

TASSAJARA 4-H FORGES AHEAD VIRTUALLY

By Fran Miller

Marianne Callahan demonstrates line-drying wash, an easy energy-saving action. Photo courtesy of SCOCO.

Tina Neuhausel, President of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder, recalls, “We started Sustainable Contra Costa in 2008 to inspire and empower as many people as possible to incorporate a more sustainable way of living in their daily lives. SCOCO has always been about teaching people how to make their homes and workplaces more efficient ... how to save energy and water, reduce waste, and build healthier, more connected communities -- things that also save money!”

Working in the hotel industry, Tina explains, “I saw so much paper, energy, food (and money) being wasted every day.” After returning to school to complete her Masters, she was ready to help people discover opportunities to save rather than waste resources. “The environmental and socio-economic problems facing us right now can feel overwhelming, but the good news is we have solutions available to each of us right now to make a difference!” She continues: “The foundation of our civilization is a stable climate and a rich diversity of life -- everything is based on this! What happens in the next 10 years will likely determine the state of the planet we hand over to our children.”

See Sustainable continued on page 17

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

ECRWSS

4-H is dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential as competent, confident leaders of character who contribute and are connected to their communities. The organization believes in ensuring equal opportunity to all and providing opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change. So, how are these goals achieved Tassajara 4-H member Maya Kasad with her goat Buddie. during a pandemic?

For Tassajara 4-H and its 100 youth members, ages 5 to 19 and residents

See 4-H continued on page 13

The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville

Volume XXI Number 2

3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News Instagram:@AlamoandDanvilleToday

Volume XII Number 2

The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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BOULEVARD VIEW

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

In junior high school, our French teacher connected each of the students with a penpal in France. I was paired with Michel Ouvard. I was able to practice my beginner 7th grade French using basic sentences, inquiring about his family and where he lived, and he was able to practice his English. I also had a penpal named Eleanor in Rhodesia. It was fun to connect with her as well. We shared our lives and our similar scouting experiences.

While times have changed and penpals aren’t the “thing” that they once were, I think most of us still appreciate a handwritten note and receiving something personal in the mail. This was also the allure of childhood “chain letters.” If you are unfamiliar, back in the day, a chain letter included a note, recipe, or postcard that you sent copies of to multiple people and also asked each recipient to do the same. The circulation of the letters increased as long as the recipients kept copying and sending the note to their group of friends. By adding your address to the list of recipients, you could get a plethora of correspondence. I recently found a stack of postcards I received from all over the country that were sent to me as a kid via the chain letter model.

The other day, I was video chatting with a community member and also messaging with some Butte County fire survivors, who continue to struggle with some form of normalcy in their lives. Both conversations brought up concern for our seniors, veterans, and home-bound individuals.

It is estimated that over 12 million Americans over age 65 live alone. The pandemic has shrunk the world for all of us but even more so for some. For these folks, their contact with others has been severely reduced, and loneliness and isolation have crept in.

A 2019 Scientific American article titled “Loneliness is Harmful to our Nations Health” notes that the health risks of prolonged feelings of “loneliness has been estimated to shorten a person’s life by 15 years, equivalent in impact to being obese or smoking 15 cigarettes per day.”

Each one of us can make an impact to someone, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to reach out through hand-written correspondence. A small connection is a great way to make a difference, give someone a positive lift, and let them know they are not forgotten.

Figuring out what to write can feel daunting at first, especially if your recipient is anonymous.

Suggestions found on the website writeoncampaign.com note “keep your letters light in spirit, letting your words trigger smiles. Tell the recipient your favorite love poem, pun, quote, or song. Your favorite story and where you first heard it. Share what’s important to you - your hobbies and passions, but steer clear of hot button topics like politics or religion. If you hit a writer’s block, draw something!”

Make sure your cards are legible, but don’t be afraid to decorate, draw, and doodle throughout to add some personalization to your notes.

Do you know a senior, veteran, or someone who is homebound who could use a little cheering?

Crab Feed to Go If so, please email me (editor@yourmonthlypaper.com) their contact information, and I will work February 12 to pair them up with someone who can send them a little cheer.

Menu Would you like to help send a Valentine greeting? Handmade cards and drawings are always appreciated. Enlist your kids and pull out the craft box, and make card-sending a family project. •Cracked Crab - 1.5 lb per person Salad Are you looking for a vintage flair? •Green •Pasta Marinara Order by February 8 Partnering with Cottage Jewel, we have •French Bread & Butter •Cocktail Sauce & Lemons made some reproduction Valentine’s Price: $50 per person postcards available at no cost. These are sure to bring a smile to those needing a 710 Highland Drive, Danville 925 837 9141 little lift. Stop by Cottage Jewel, located sandamiano.org and on Facebook at 391 Hartz Ave. in downtown Danville, and let proprietress Marcia know how many you’d like to send.

There are many other ways in articles listed throughout this issue to share a little Valentine’s love. Learn about donating food (see article on page 1). Help out at White Pony Express (page 4).

Donate funds to support Loaves and Fishes (see Celeste Pacelli’s ad on page 5). Participate in a scout troop, and take part of a community service project (see page 8). Volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Friendly Helper Program to assist seniors with their errands (see page 12). Provide rides to seniors and veterans via Mobility Matters (see page 23), or learn more about TeleCare sponsored by the Assistance League of Diablo Valley (see page 23).

A Michael Jackson’ song I enjoy is titled “Man in the Mirror.” The chorus plays: I’m starting with the man in the mirror/ I’m asking him to change his ways/ And no message could’ve been any clearer/ If you want to make the world a better place/ Take a look at yourself and then make that/ Change!

One person at a time, one project at a time, each one of us can make a difference.

SAVE MOUNT DIABLO’S FREE “DISCOVER DIABLO” 2021 HIKES PROGRAM

Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking spots with Save Mount Diablo in 2021, including areas rarely open to the public. The Discover Diablo hike series offers interpretive family walks, guided hikes, and property tours, all free to the public. Trailblazers of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

In response to growing demand, Save Mount Diablo is adding hikes and new activities to the series for a total of 36 excursions in 2021. New offerings will include climbing, mountain biking, and bilingual hikes in Spanish and English. The ever-popular tarantula walk will be offered twice, and a special hike will celebrate the California State Parks centennial. Hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer. Hikes take place on one of Save Mount Diablo’s conserved properties or on a collaborating partner’s land that Save Mount Diablo helped to protect in years past. These include Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation lands.

RSVP is required to participate. To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend, registration for hikes in March onward will open two months prior to each hike’s date. See the full schedule of upcoming hikes and RSVP online at http://bit.ly/Discover-Diablo-Hikes-Calendar.

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February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3

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THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE SUNOL WATER TEMPLE

A FREE VIRTUAL PRESENTATION FROM THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY

On February 18th at 11:30AM, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is excited to host Carla Schultheis, the Watershed and Environmental Improvement Program Manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Carla will be speaking on the history and future of the Sunol Water Temple.

There are only three water temples in the United States. Yes, one of them is located in Sunol: the Sunol Water Temple. The Temple was commissioned by William Bowers Bourn, the fabulously rich owner of the Empire Gold Mine and the Spring Valley Water Co. The Spring Valley Water Co. had a monopoly on supplying water to San Francisco.

The famous architect Willis Polk was hired to design the temple. When it was completed in 1910, the 60 foot high Sunol Water Temple featured 12 Corinthian columns topped by a wood and tile roof. Painted wood panels beneath the tile roof depicted Indian maidens carrying water vessels. It is truly an architectural and artistic masterpiece.

The temple is located at the convergence of the three subterranean water sources. At this location, the water poured down into a tile basin at the temple’s bottom. Prior to the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, half of San Francisco’s water supply (six million gallons a day) passed through the Sunol Temple.

Over time, the Sunol Water Temple would no longer supply water to San Francisco. Sadly, it fell into disrepair. It was severely damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Hear about the critical and interesting role the Water Temple has played in the development of the Bay Area. In addition, learn about the exciting new role it will be playing in the 21st century.

To attend this free online presentation, please visit museumsrv.org, and go to the “Events” section, or call 925-837-3750.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. The Museum is presently closed due to COVID restrictions.

DANVILLE POLICE OFFER ‘EXCHANGE’ ZONE

Residents who purchase items via online services such as Craigslist now have a designated neutral ‘Exchange Zone’ in the upper parking lot of the Danville Town offices to conduct their business. Signage has been installed, and the Danville Police Department has designated parking spaces at the Town of Danville offices, 510 La Gonda Way, for residents to conduct transactions in a constantly video-recorded space. With proximity to police headquarters and video recording, the goal is to have an atmosphere of safety and assurance for would-be buyers while dissuading criminals from using online merchandising for criminal purposes.

To learn more, contact Sargent Ron Hoekwater at (925) 314-3700 or rhoekwater@danville. ca.gov.

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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please join the members of the GFWC Danville Women’s Club at the following upcoming events.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH ~ BINGO!

Play Zoom Bingo in the comfort of your own home! Buy two Bingo cards, registered to you, for $20. Additional cards $10 each.

Cards must be prepaid by check (payable to GFWC Danville Women’s Club, P.O. Box 564, Danville, CA 94526), or by using the “Donate” button at www.danvillewomensclub.org/donate, and then choosing “Bingo. Four games will be held per session. Your cards are used for all games at that session (use your own markers). A $25 gift card prize will be awarded per game. The final game plays to “blackout,” with the winner receiving a $50 gift card.

To join in the fun, RSVP to danvillewc@gmail.com and include the following: • Name of event: VALENTINE’S BINGO • First and last names of player(s) • Email address and phone number • Mailing address (for gift cards to be sent to the winners) • Number of Bingo cards being purchased by card or check Maximum number of zoom connections per game is 30.

Proceeds, less expenses, will benefit the Club’s charities.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24TH~ PAPER AND DISK SHREDDING

For $15/box and/or $10/hard drive, bring your banker’s boxes of old papers and hard drives to the GFWC Danville Women’s Club parking lot, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa in Danville, at 9AM for shredding.

This event is a Patty Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund event, providing scholarships to graduating seniors from Tri-Valley high schools.

MT. DIABLO BRANCH CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB PRESENTS PENNY WARNER

Award-winning local author Penny Warner will present “Talking the Talk: How to Make Your Dialogue Sound Realistic” at the upcoming virtual meeting of the Diablo branch of the California Writers Club on Saturday, February 13th.

The meeting begins with a 9:30AM sign-in, followed at 9:45AM “Breakout Rooms,” a 10AM Writers Table, 11AM Business Meeting, and Penny Warner speaking from 11:15AM - 12:15AM. Penny will discuss the challenge of writing dialogue and the most important skills you’ll need to tell your story. She’ll explain how dialogue moves the story along at a faster pace, reveals character, sets the mood, increases drama, and incorporates the advice of “Show, don’t tell.”

Penny Warner has published over 70 books for both adults and children.

Her middle-grade mystery series, The Code Busters Club, has won three Agatha Awards for Best Children’s Mystery and has over half-a-million books in print world-wide.

She has also written award-nominated The Official Nancy Drew Handbook and is the author of three adult mystery series. She wrote a column for the local newspaper on family life for over 30 years, creates fundraising murder mystery events for libraries across the county, and taught child development at Diablo College for 35 years. She can be reached at www.pennywarner.com or pennywarnerink@yahoo.com.

The cost for the event is $5 for members and $10 for guests. Register online at cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting. Once registered, you will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting.

To learn more about the California Writer’s Club, visit cwcmtdiablowriters.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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ALAMO DANVILLE NEWCOMERS CLUB

Are you a new or long-time resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk, or Diablo? Or are you newly retired or an empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all the club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com.

During this difficult time of COVID, it is even more important to have a way to meet new friends. The group is currently doing all that they can to offer new and different ways to meet new people, socialize, and have fun while staying within the COVID guidelines. We will resume with socially distanced gatherings as we are able. In the meantime, some groups are continuing via Zoom.

An upcoming virtual “Information Coffee” meeting will be held February th 16 , at 10AM, via Zoom. This is a great way to find out more about the club.

To learn more or participate in the Information Coffee, email alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com.

SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) invites you to attend their upcoming Zoom meeting on Tuesday, February 16th at 10am. The speaker, Kathryn Marshall, will talk about “Researching the War of 1812 Records.” Kathryn is an expert genealogist and was the Director of the Lodi Family History Center for 16 years.

The SRVGS provides resources, assistance, and educational opportunities to allow its members to successfully research their ancestry. The group offers monthly meetings with speakers who present topics covering various aspects of genealogical research. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers several groups where members with common interests can meet and discuss their specific areas of research. SRVGS also provides resources ranging from a large selection of reference books to information on local genealogical libraries. Classes are offered for the beginning researcher and those interested in genetic DNA. There are many educational opportunities and Zoom presentations currently available to explore genealogy from the safety of your own home.

To join the Zoom meeting, send an email to president@srvgensoc.org. To learn more about SRVGS, visit srvgensoc.org.

VILLAGE THEATRE ART GALLERY’S 11TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBIT:

INSPIRED BY…. ARTISTS CELEBRATE THEIR FAVORITE ARTISTS

Calling all artists for the Village Theatre Art Gallery’s 11th Annual Juried Exhibition.

For this year’s juried exhibition, applicants are being asked to show which artists’ works they find uplifting and inspiring. The Gallery is seeking artists to paint, draw, sculpt, etc. in the style of any artist, living or from history, who inspires and informs their artwork the most. This exhibition will be a tribute to those creators who, through their work, have inspired others to work in various mediums to bring their individual visions to life.

The Gallery is accepting submissions through the online site www.callforentry.org. The call for art will remain open through February 19th.

Exhibition dates are set for March 25-May 21, 2021. The exhibit will be online only as the Village Theatre Art Gallery remains closed in accordance with Contra Costa County Health Orders. Should the health order change, the Gallery will reopen its doors so the artwork can be seen in person with a limited number of guests at one time in the Gallery for viewing.

For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at (925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@danville.ca.gov.

Many of our neighbors cannot afford to feed and clothe themselves or their families. Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to serve the community are available at White Pony Express.

White Pony Express, founded by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner in 2013 and headquartered in Pleasant Hill, is a nonprofit that rescues fresh surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets. This nutritious food is then delivered free to organizations that feed the hungry. In addition, high-quality clothing, children’s toys, and books are distributed free of charge.

Hundreds of volunteers make White Pony Express possible. They volunteer because they believe in the mission and know they are helping others who have urgent needs at this critical time in their lives. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer or call Mandy Nakaya, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 925-818-6361 or email Mandy@whiteponyexpress.org.

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February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5

Another year—Top 1% of Agents in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties!

Thank you to my wonderful clients who trusted me with their real estate needs. I am truly grateful!

Thank You for Your Generosity!

During this very challenging time with so many people struggling, I chose to sponsor a fundraiser last year for a local food bank, Loaves and Fishes, and I matched 25% of all donations received.

Due to the generosity of so many people, we raised $16,000, which provided weekly meals to over 1,000 people!

Based on the success of this, I have decided to continue this program into 2021. If you’d like to help, please donate to: weblink.donorperfect.com/CelestePacelli Thank you to all who donated to this worthy charity. Your generosity is much appreciated!

Wishing you peace, hope, and a bright 2021. May you and your family stay safe and healthy.

With Gratitude, Celeste Pacelli

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Celeste’s Clients Say: “We have used Celeste 2 times in selling our homes in the Bay area and both times her attention to detail was impeccable. She has a great team that made sure the transactions were seamless. Not only a professional that will get the job done but a friend that cares about you and your family.”

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Broker Associate 925.395.1511 celeste@celestepacelli.com celestepacelli.com DRE 01862387

See my 64 Zillow reviews!

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

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PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

Food continued from front page

Of particular need are tuna, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetable, pasta, canned me ats, r ice, b e ans, oatmeal, soups, ethnic foods, and baby food. In addition, pet food and diapers are appreciated.

Items in glass containers cannot be accepted.

Monetary donations can also be made directly to MCC via www.monumentcrisiscenter.org/donate. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

Learn more about the drives at www.sainttimothysdanville.org.

VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE “OFFICE” TO YOU

With the COVID-19 County Health Order making it more challenging to get services from government offices, the Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office is removing barriers by opening a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience.

Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more.

Visit the office website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets during open office hours for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon.

Staffing the virtual office are Veterans Service Manager Sidney Jones, an Air Force Veteran, and Veteran Services Representative Buck Carmichael, a Marine Corps Veteran. Both have long-time experience connecting vets to critical services.

For more information, please call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.

SONS IN RETIREMENT SAN RAMON VALLEY

Looking for things to do in your retirement? Consider joining Sons in Retirement San Ramon Valley Branch 128. There are monthly luncheons with interesting speakers and good fellowship. Additionally, members have lots of fun participating in a variety of activities including golf, hiking, biking, bocce ball, movies, cooking, finance, reading, computers, and more.

Many other activities such as travel, dine outs, excursions, baseball games, and holiday parties include spouses, friends, and guests.

NOTE: Due to current COVID regulations, the SIR128 February meeting will be a virtual event using Zoom.

The guest speaker will be Mr. Brandon Tachco, Research and Development Coordinator for the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. Mr. Tachco is an expert on maritime history and will lead a discussion of the famous nineteenth century merchant sailing ship, the Balclutha. You won’t want to miss this informative and timely talk.

The presentation will be held Wednesday, February 17th at 11AM. If you’re interested in accessing the virtual meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com.

To learn more about the Retirement branch, please visit www.SIR128.com.

GO '10-8' WITH CHIEF SHIELDS

10-8

The ongoing Shelter in Place order has prevented the Danville Police Department from continuing programs like Coffee with the Cops, which allowed police a chance to directly interact with the community in a non-threatening environment. Not to be deterred, Danville Police Chief Allan Shields is coming to you via Facebook Live in a community program called “10-8.” “10-8” is the radio code every officer says at the start of their shift and every time they finish helping someone and are ready to help someone else.

“10-8” seemed to be a great title for the weekly program to reinforce to residents and businesses that the officers in Danville are here in service to the community.

Come join the “10-8” meeting every Wednesday at 5PM on Facebook Live. Each program will have updates on what is happening in the Town of Danville, crime prevention tips, and answers to viewer questions. Community members can email questions to mailbag@danville.ca.gov. Questions can also be asked in the comment section on Facebook Live. The Facebook page is “Danville Police Department.”

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JOHN FONDNAZIO PETER GILLIS KAREN GUARISCO ADAM HAMALIAN DENISEN HARTLOVE CHERYL HATA MARTY HENDREN FONIA HUMPHRIES SCOTT HUMPHRIES HEIDY HURST

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Dudum Real Estate Group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction.

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February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7

DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L

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ACTIVE - ALAMO LOT

PENDING

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80 LARK PLACE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 5 BATHS, 6,570 SF, 0.80 ACRE LOT

535 BANYAN CIRCLE, WALNUT CREEK 3 BEDS, 3 BATHS, 2,183 SF, 0.26 ACRE LOT

1135 RIVER ROCK LANE, DANVILLE 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 1,492 SF, 2,330 SF LOT

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OFFERED AT $999,900

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PENDING

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SOLD - OVER ASKING

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200 EL DORADO AVENUE, #6, DANVILLE 2 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 891 SF, CONDO

3203 STONE VALLEY ROAD, ALAMO

6686 CABARET STREET, SAN DIEGO 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,306 SF, 6,200 SF, POOL

915 CARNELIAN CIRCLE, CARNELIAN BAY 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, 1,440 SF, 0.31 ACRE LOT

4 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, 2,489 SF, 0.81 ACRE LOT SOLD FOR $2,125,000

OFFERED AT $499,900

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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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HOW THE COURTS IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ARE ADJUSTING TO A COVID-19 WORLD By County Supervisor Candace Andersen

For almost a year now, the Coronavirus has upended nearly every aspect of how Contra Costa County conducts business.

Health Orders have required Board of Supervisors meetings to be held exclusively online. Advisory councils, committees, ceremonies, and other celebrations have also been forced to hold meetings virtually as well.

Accordingly, the courts in Contra Costa, though a branch of the California Superior Court, have changed their procedures as a result of COVID-19.

Our Courts are not exempt from COVID-19-related closures or stay-at-home orders, but they have continued operating throughout the pandemic period. Due to an increased risk of infection and death with the new wave of COVID-19 late last year, the Court suspended jury trials and limited public access through January 29, 2021, at its four courthouses in Martinez, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Walnut Creek.

Every two weeks thereafter, the Court will assess the situation – based on the latest data from the County Health Department, among others – to determine whether the closure should continue for another two-week period. But during this time, the Court remains fully-staffed to process all filed paperwork, address calendar matters, hold remote hearings, and generally continue its duty to administer justice even in the midst of the pandemic.

Jury service has been a particular concern. My office has received several phone calls from individuals who have received a jury duty summons and would like to decline or defer as a result of age and health reasons, or would like to know what precautions the Court is taking to ensure a safe environment for everyone present. Given the toll this pandemic has had on our County and our knowledge of the virus and how easily it spreads, these concerns are well-warranted. The Court has taken several steps to address them.

First, jurors summonsed to report on or before January 29th do not need to call or report for jury duty as their service was completed. Should the Court suspend jury trials beyond this period, it will announce this on its website, www.cc-courts.org, and service will be deemed completed during any further closure period. (The Court or attorneys will notify the parties to a case of any reset hearings.)

Second, once the Court restarts jury trials, protections will still exist for high-risk individuals who receive a summons. Individuals aged 70 or over will be excused from service upon request. Jurors ages 60-69 may be excused upon providing a doctor’s note or copy of their driver’s license.

Additionally, Court staff have gone to great lengths to alleviate many of the concerns apprehensive individuals might have had concerning the facilities themselves. Masks are mandatory. Elevators are limited to two people, and staircases are all one-way. High-traffic areas are marked for social distancing, as is the seating in hallways and courtrooms, which dramatically reduces occupancy limits. Custodians regularly conduct electrostatic cleaning of all Court facilities and wipe-downs of high-touch services such as elevator panels and doors. Court security officers control access to high-use areas by permitting only a certain number of people into the building at a time. The HVAC system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all Court buildings. Plexiglas barriers have been placed on open, public-facing clerk’s offices stations and in the courtrooms around witness stands, jury boxes, and the judge’s seat.

Importantly, the Court regularly consults with the County Health Department as it implements safety protocol. This includes walk-throughs of its courthouses with Health Department staff to specifically review social distancing markers, interior occupancy limitations, and similar COVID-related safety concerns.

Finally, the Court has shifted many of its hearings to remote platforms such as Zoom or CourtCall. Nearly all civil, family, and probate cases are heard remotely. Virtual hearings have also been used in some criminal hearings where the defendant consents.

While there is still uncertainty with the virus and how the Courts will conduct procedures going forward, www.cc-courts.org is a great resource for anyone with questions related to the Contra Costa Superior Court. The website allows you to check your juror group number reporting instructions or request a postponement or excuse from jury service. A new feature of the website allows individuals to receive jury service notifications via text messages.

For more information on remote hearings, zoom access instructions, court calendars, emergency local rules, or other information, visit www.cc-courts.org.

As always, please contact my office at 925-957-8860 if you have any questions related to jury duty summons or any other matter.

PACK 800 THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

With traditional group service projects currently on hold, Cub Scout Pack 800 invited each of their Scout families to clean up the area around them as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Although they did not work together as a large group, they were able to make positive impacts throughout the community.

Learn more about Pack 800 at https://cubscoutspack800alamo.weebly. com. Pack 800 is open to boys and girls in Kindergarten to 5th grade, and meet every third Wednesday of the month. Kids can join at any time! Contact Cubmaster Ana Morimoto at anamorimoto.scouts@gmail.com for more information or to join!

Bear Scout Eduardo Morimoto collects Wolf Scout Cole Martin, with his family and Wolf trash along Stone Valley Rd near Miranda.

Den Leader Ainsley Martin, collected trash off His family found lots of empty drink containers. the beach near Moss Landing.

Bear Scouts Ethan Son, Everett Ott, and Eduardo Morimoto collected trash at Livorna Park. Working with their families, each Scout cleaned up a third of the park, but came together for a physically distant picture at the end.

To advertise,to share pictures, or a story idea, please contact us at 925.405.6397 or Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within your community.

Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any community issues that concern residents.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting meetings via Zoom. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more information, please email the Community Services Unit at csu@so.cccounty.us.

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SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

By Liz Pagano, Interim Principal

February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Danville, Alamo Home for Sale Danville-Alamo - According to industry experts,

altogether. In most cases, you can make a

R e c e n t l y, w e h a d there are over 33 physical problems that will come reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what a weekend of bright under scrutiny during a home inspection when your you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking sunshine and tempera- home is for sale. A new report has been prepared for can help you prevent little problems from growing tures in the 70’s. If we have which identifies the eleven most common of these into costly and unmanageable ones. learned anything in the past year, it’s that life is un- problems, and what you should know about them To help homesellers deal with this issue before predictable. We run outside in the sunshine, even before you list your home for sale. their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 in the middle of winter, and then just as quickly, the Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home wind and the rain force us back indoors. So it is with there are a number of things that can fall short of Inspection" has been compiled which explains the pandemic living. At San Ramon Valley High School requirements during a home inspection. If not issues involved. we prepared for a return to in-person instruction in identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1January. However, the number of COVID-19 cases cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's 844-941-0941 and enter 1003. You can call any time, in California prevented us from returning as soon critical that you read this report before you list your 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. as we had hoped. Our plan is still in place and ready home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly Get your free special report NOW to learn how to to go when it is appropriate. ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale In the meantime, small groups of students have experience costly delays in the close of your home of your home. returned to school. These students participate in sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away school-day intervention, after-school small group This report is courtesy of The Jackson Group-EXP Realty DRE #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © activities, and sports camps. Having even a small 2019 number of students on campus boosts our energy.

We look forward to increasing our capacity as state and local guidelines permit.

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL Meanwhile, online, our teachers and students are working creatively on plays

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal and musical performances. They participate in discussions about our democracy, and they complete equity-focused projects in English. In other words, our Monte Vista’s (MV’s) students and faculty kicked online curriculum is robust, and our students and teachers continue to adapt off the spring semester and 2021 in full remote-learnto our ever-changing world. Adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking are ing mode as we all returned from our Winter Break. skills that our students are learning; these will serve them well in the future.

The difference, however, is that roughly 25% of MV’s Believe it or not, we are already gearing up for the next school year. We are students chose to return to school in the hybrid model looking forward to welcoming our incoming students in early March for our which is designed to move from remote learning to annual Building Bridges presentation. Looking ahead, I am optimistic that in-person, and back to remote, if needed. The other we will manage this winter with grace. Our future looks very bright indeed.

75% of families chose to remain remote for the rePlease reach out if I can be of any assistance. mainder of the school year. For now, students in the hybrid model are in the remote phase of this model, but we are optimistic that this group of students will return to in-person learning in the coming months.

Re-fitting our master schedule to meet the needs of both our remote and hybrid students took a Herculean effort by members of our counseling team who worked through the holiday break to ensure students had their full class schedules. This also required some students to change teachers, but we were able to meet our commitment to keeping our students in their chosen programs. A huge thank you to MV’s David Solomon, Melissa Alcorn, and everyone else from the counseling team who navigated us through this difficult process.

After-school groups returned to campus starting on January 19th, which was a welcome change as they were very popular during the fall semester. MV students will once again have access to a variety of extra-curricular, co-curricular, social-emotional, or academic support programs under the supervision of their teachers and coaches. We are also waiting on a decision from the CIF and NCS about a possible start date for some of our athletics teams.

On January 27th, MV began supporting small groups of students during the school day. The focus will be on students who are struggling with remote learning and need more support academically. We will start slowly with only one group, but we are hoping for additional groups in the coming weeks.

We feel this is a great opportunity for our students to reconnect with their campus and to better access their classes under the supervision of a teacher.

On January 26th, MV joined SRVUSD’s other three high schools in administering the PSAT to all 11th graders who wished to take the assessment.

Under normal circumstances, this exam is administered in October, but due to COVID, we were unable to move forward until now. It was great to see our • CUPID • BEMINE • HIKE • SUSTAINABLE juniors on campus, even though their main focus was on the assessment. Tenth • DONATIONS • BINGO • HUG • TOWN grade students will have an opportunity to take the PSAT later in spring. We • FEBRUARY • CANDY • LOVE • VALENTINE look forward to our students’ continued success on the PSAT. • FOODDRIVE • CARDS • RAIN • VOLUNTEER MV’s students and staff are looking forward to the time we can all meet • CHOCOLATE • GROUNDHOGDAY • ROSES • WINTER together again as a community. Until then, please stay healthy and safe.

• CRABFEED • HEARTS • SMILE See answers on page 21

FEBRUARY WORD SEARCH

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PAGE 10 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane

ALAMO SCHOOL BELL MEMORIALIZES PIONEER SCHOOLS

On March 22, 1974, the San Ramon Valley Historical Society dedicated its second plaque, honoring a historic school bell which called students to school in the village of Alamo from the 1890s to the 1920s. The old bell and new plaque were placed in the new Alamo Elementary School courtyard, located at 100 Wilson Road in Alamo.

Alamo pioneers established the first school in the San Ramon Valley in 1854, led by the indomitable pioneer Mary Ann Jones. Jones wrote about the school in her autobiography: “People began to come in with their families, and we began to think about having a school for our children. So we built a schoolhouse on the Hemme Place (near today’s El Portal and Danville Boulevard) and hired a teacher.”

Jones also boarded the teacher, Richard Webster. One of the students, Jimmy Smith, had compliments for teacher Webster who was popular with the students.

Smith said he had good discipline but never heard of him punishing students.

Later, Alamo grammar schools were built closer to the village center on the west side of the County Road (now Danville Blvd.) on a two and one-half acre lot which was donated by Mary Ann Jones. Three schools built in 1871, about 1895, and 1940 served students on this property. Trustees in those early years included James M. Shuey, Joseph Thirston, Albert W. Stone, and Myron W. Hall. Nineteenth century teachers included Miss Kate Howard and Miss Ida Love.

After the first school on this site was destroyed by fire in 1893, a new, handsome school with a bell and belfry was constructed. Enrollment fluctuated from 61 students in 1904, 68 students in 1908, to 50 students in 1911. Astrid Olsson Humburg taught at Alamo School in 1919 and 1920.

In 1921, the Alamo Community Club raised funds to build an expanded playground with swings, sand box, and basketball and handball courts. They also mapped off a baseball diamond. However, the school was beginning to show its age, and criticisms were leveled at the facility.

In 1922, a new, modern Danville elementary school was built not far south of Alamo, near San Ramon Valley High School. Alamo residents discussed joining the new Danville Union District but ultimately voted against it. Some of the parents decided to send their children to the Danville school.

Alamo’s grammar school was extensively remodeled in 1924. Possibly during this renovation, concerns were expressed about the stability of the bell during a large earthquake. The bell and belfry were removed from the roof, and the bell was placed on a large post elsewhere on the site. Later, the Alamo bell languished in a maintenance yard, and some thought it was lost.

As Alamo’s population grew after the war, other elementary schools were built including Stone Valley (1952) and Rancho Romero (1959). From 1958-1959, the twenty-year old Alamo School had so many students that rooms were rented at the Methodist Church to accommodate the growth.

Today’s Alamo Elementary School on Wilson Road greeted students beginning in 1965. After re-discovering the original Alamo School bell, it was mounted on a concrete base surrounded by plants for the 1974 plaque dedication which was facilitated by Principal John Roberts.

It was quite a community effort with the plaque paid for by the Society, the base designed by Monte Vista student Bob Hetzog, and the housing built by Marshall Tuttle as part of his Boy Scout Eagle project. Others who helped with the memorial were the Alamo School Parents Club, Broker’s Realty of Walnut Creek who paid for the base materials, the Ann Louck Chapter of the DAR which donated plants and flowers, and Cub Scout Pack #53, Den #2 which did the planting.

More than 100 people attended the dedication led by master of ceremonies Al Jones, President of the San Ramon Valley Historical Society. The bell is still a special feature of today’s Alamo School.

Sources: CCC History Center school binders, Vol. II; Contra Costa Gazette articles; interviews with Betty Dunlap; notes from Astrid Humburg; articles by Virgie V. Jones and Irma M. Dotson.

CATCH UP ON SOME “Zs”

LOVE IS THE KEY

By Jaime Kaiman, Monte Vista High, sophomore

song and incorporating it into the card. Other times, I’ve given people Jolly Ranchers candy or even a plastic bag filled with the most delicious mini-chocolates. This year, I’m going to have to put on my creative hat to figure out what I’m going to do to celebrate. I will miss walking into school with a whole separate bag filled with homemade cards for my friends, but I think I’ll be able to come up with something else just as fun, virtually.

Staying on the topic of sharing love, heartfelt, homemade cards are a great way to remind your favorite people of your adoration for them.

All in all, seize this month to tell the people you cherish the most how much you love them! Especially during these times, with things such as the Coronavirus, you never know how much your little reminder of “I love you” or “You’re amazing” could mean to someone.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to “Catch Up on Some Zs.” We are officially two months into 2021. It’s February already, and love is in the air! I adore the month of February because even though it has fewer days than the other months, it’s the month that packs the most love into it! Valentine’s Day is approaching, and I like the day because it’s the perfect time to remind my loved ones of how important they are to me.

Of course, this February looks different than last February, but that doesn’t mean we can’t remind those special people in our lives of the love we have for them.

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It’s important to remind your loved ones of how much they mean to you. I know, it can be super awkward at times because it usually just goes unsaid. Most times, when I give a compliment to one of my friends, they end up chuckling a little bit because they’re not quite sure how to react. That goes for me, too, whenever someone says something nice to me. Although we may laugh a bit when receiving a kind remark, it is meaningful. Reminders of love can lift www.actionpoolrepair.com people’s spirits and fill them with that giddy feeling in their body that puts a smile on their face for the rest of the day. The bottom yourpoolman@hotmail.com line is that reminding your loved ones of just how important they are to you doesn’t only fill your heart with joy, but it also fills their hearts with joy.

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ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL

By Carol Bender, Principal CATHOLIC SCHOOL WEEK

St. Isidore School just finished our annual Catholic Schools Week! This year, many of our traditional events and activities had to be canceled, inspiring us to find new ways to honor our school and community. A new theme, “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service,” was celebrated by Catholic schools across the country.

It encourages students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by the example of faith. Teaching children of all ages to be kind, providing service to others, and encouraging them to make a difference in the world will always be a part of the character development we impart to our students.

“DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE” ~ MOTHER TERESA

Throughout February, we celebrate the gospel value of LOVE. Love, the biggest and greatest of emotions, can be experienced daily through small acts of kindness.

As Mother Teresa stated, even the simplest of gestures has the power to impact someone’s day. Our current situation has left many struggling socially and emotionally, and the need for connection and kindness is greater than ever. Spread joy through the community with simple acts: extend a compliment to a coworker, say hello to someone at the grocery store, or do a favor for a neighbor. The simplicity of a kind gesture can make a person’s day turn around.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION - BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Our teachers aim to build a genuine sense of empathy and compassion within our students. It is important to recognize and honor the struggles and achievements of all who have impacted society. We want our students to see the value in diversity and the benefits of inclusion. Driven by Amanda Gorman’s inspiration at the Inauguration, we have sparked a new sense of hope and promise amongst our youth. It is vital to encourage them to be the light in times of darkness.

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AUCTION 2021

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This year’s Annual Auction will be held virtually on Saturday, March 27, from 6–7:30 pm. This year’s theme, There’s No Place Like Home, is sure to transport us safely over the rainbow. If you would like to support St. Isidore School by attending the event, please contact the school office at (925) 837-2977 for further information. If you are interested in donating an item or a service, our auction serves as a great opportunity to advertise and introduce your business to our community. Any support is greatly appreciated!

APPLY NOW FOR GRADES 1–8

We are now accepting applications for 1st–8th grade for the 2021–2022 school year! Application forms, together with detailed information on curriculum and campus tours, can be found on our website, www.stisidore.org. New Student Testing will take place on Thursday, March 11, at 3:15PM. Please RSVP to (925) 837-2977.

SAN RAMON VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

By Jamie Westgate, Principal

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, February is the month when we tend to offer extra appreciation to our loved ones. Ever since I was a child, a favorite guilty pleasure of mine has been eating a box of conversation candy hearts with sentiments written on top. For the past nine years, I have spent Valentine’s Day with our 8th grade students on their Washington D.C. trip, yet my husband always hid a package of those valentine hearts in my suitcase before I left. It’s funny how even those smallest gestures can speak love to us.

Just this past month, I attended a meaningful virtual conference about the most effective ways to speak love to Generation Z. Gen Z kids are currently the ages of 6-24, which captures SRVCA’s current student body along with a decade of recent graduates. Just as the simplest of sentiments from loved ones can communicate deep love and appreciation, I left the conference with reminders of some tangible actions we could all take that would have big payoffs for our kids: • LISTEN – “Tell me what’s important to you.”

• ENCOURAGE – “You can do it!”

• LOVE – “No matter what, I’m here!”

• WALK ALONGSIDE – “Let’s go together.”

• TEACH – “Can I share advice or scripture that may help?”

Today’s students are feeling significant loss during this pandemic as many of their relational ties have been altered or severed. Even though our students are able to attend school on campus, it is still evident they miss their grandparents, their church communities, and the ability to spend

time with extended family. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our community stepped in to shore up the relational void by making an effort to care for Generation Z? It may be challenging within our virtual season, but what if more adults tried to regularly connect visually via Zoom or Facetime and share stories? “Old-school” letters never go out of style, and some candy hearts or Valentine gummies fit nicely into an oversize envelope along with a word of encouragement. 1 Peter 1:22 reminds us to “Love one another deeply from the heart.” This isn’t a big ask from God’s Word, but it does take some intentionality on our end. This Valentine’s Day, may we all take time to express love to those we cherish and also to our youth who may be needing a little extra dose of relational TLC.

AAUW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DANVILLE, ALAMO, WALNUT CREEK WOMEN

APPLY NOW!

The American Association of University Women - Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch (DAW AAUW) offers scholarships to local women to help them complete their academic degree programs.

To be eligible you must be a female, US citizen. Applicants must be starting their third year at an accredited four-year college or university or have been accepted at an accredited college to pursue an advanced degree (masters, doctorate, or post-doctorate).

The minimum scholarship award that will be granted is $1,500. Awards will be granted June 2021.

For a complete description of requirements, and to apply for a scholarship visit https://daw-ca.aauw.net/local-scholarships. Applications due by March 12, 2021.

PAGE 12 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle

BROOKLYN BASIN

During a typical baseball season, McCovey Cove, the section of the San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of Oracle Park, is where San Francisco Giants fans wait in boats and kayaks, often with fishing nets to recover a home run ball. “Splash hits” are recorded only when Giants players hit home runs that land in McCovey Cove on the fly. These hits are tallied on an electronic counter on the right field wall. According to a website that tracks these home runs, as of September 25, 2020, 83 “splash hits” have been hit into the Bay by Giants players since the park opened.

In the 1930’s, McCovey Cove or China Basin, the official name for this section of water at the mouth of Mission Creek as it meets the Bay, was one of many areas of the City where adventurous kids explored.

My dad, a proud San Franciscan, along with his brother were among those unsupervised boys whose playground was anywhere they could get to on their bikes. Well into their 90’s, the two brothers joked about the day they took their home-made boat into China Basin. Not surprisingly, the boat “sprung a leak” and China Basin, San Francisco circa 1920 began to sink; since my uncle could not swim, my dad jumped overboard and pushed the boat and his little brother (two years his junior) to safety. “I saved your life that day,” my dad jokingly told my uncle, who in mock exasperation threw up his arms saying, “I was talked into getting in that boat by my older brother.”

Fast forward many years, my son’s boat, decidedly more sea-worthy than his grandfather’s first boat, is docked at the Grand Marina in Alameda. My first stop when visiting is the tiny open-air dockside café Mosley’s which is located below the Harbor Master’s office. It’s a perfect place to watch the kayakers, long boarders, and boats of all sizes go by with the Oakland skyline in the background. Owner Scott, his partner Jon, as well as Teri (long time Danville resident) make it a point to learn their customers’ names, and the breakfast and lunch items (especially the house made banana chocolate bread) are delicious.

Across the estuary from Grand Marina is Brooklyn Basin, Oakland’s newest waterfront neighborhood. Once an industrial waterfront that flourished until the mid-1930’s, this new park (it opened in 2020) provides expansive outdoor space with incredible views of the Bay, East Bay hills and San Francisco. “We wanted to transform the eight-acre space into a memorable public space that would be suitable for modern use while keeping elements that told the story and history,” said Sarah Kuehl, co-founder of Einwiller Kuehl Landscape Architecture.

Beautifully restored massive tie-up docks, once used to secure large shipping vessels, and original locomotive cowcatchers from trains that visited the terminal area have been integrated into the park. A giant grassy hill provides picnickers the perfect spot to enjoy expansive views of the water. My favorite part of the new park is a massive “community porch,” designed for outdoor dining including an open-air deck and oversized wood chaise lounge chairs scattered throughout.

Michael Ghielmetti, president and founder of the Oakland-based development company spearheading the Brooklyn Basin master plan, said, “The space is designed to accommodate small gatherings, performances by local musicians and artists, and other community activities, which we plan to offer when it is safe to do so.”

Brooklyn Basin Park, Oakland Mosley’s Café is located at 2099 Grand Street, Alameda. Their website is moselyscafe.com.

Brooklyn Basin is open dawn to dusk and located at the 9th Avenue Terminal, Oakland. Their website is Brooklynbasin.com.

Linda Summers Pirkle, a travel writer, Francophile, consultant, and long-term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT TRAILS CHALLENGE 2021

Every year more than 10,000 people participate in the free self-guided hiking and bicycling program to explore the East Bay regional parks and to keep fit outdoors. The 28th annual Trails Challenge is sponsored by the Regional Parks Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and East Bay Regional Park District.

A Guidebook, available to download at www.ebparks.org/activities/hiking/trails_challenge.htm includes 20 detailed trail descriptions available for all levels of fitness, from easy to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians, and some trails are wheelchair accessible. To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles of trails within East Bay Regional Park District. You can submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2021 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. The pins will not be available until late June.

All 20 featured trails are available on the AllTrails app. First download the free app, sign-up and log in, then go to https://www.alltrails.com/lists/ebrpdtrails-challenge-2021 and click on “Copy to my lists,” followed by “Continue in App.” The featured trails will show under “Lists’ in ‘Plan.’” The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, and share your photos and comments with other park users.

MEALS ON WHEELS FRIENDLY HELPER PROGRAM

Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region launched the “Friendly Helper Program (FHP)” to assist seniors with their everyday errands, such as grocery shopping and picking up medications at a local pharmacy. This pilot program will make it easier for seniors to remain at home, especially during Covid-19. “With most of our seniors sheltering-in-place, MOW Diablo Region can now provide another essential service that our seniors truly need,” said MOW Diablo Region Health and Wellness Division Manager, Cynthia Black.

The guidelines below determine if a senior is eligible for the Friendly Helpers Program: • Seniors must be a participant in the existing Friendly Visitors or Friendly Callers program.

• Seniors must provide at least a four-day notice before the errand is to be completed.

• Weekend errands may be available with a seven-day notice.

• If the volunteer pays for any item on behalf of the senior, the volunteer must be reimbursed at the time the item is delivered (cash or checks only).

• There is a $50 limit on all purchases.

• MOW Diablo Region requires all seniors and volunteers to adhere to the Contra Costa County Department of Health guidelines pertaining to COVID. For more information on the Friendly Helper Program, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, contact Eileen Stephens, estephens@mowdr.org, 925-482-2622; or Tuyet Iaconis, tiaco-nis@mowdr.org, 925-891-4872.

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4-H continued from front page

of Danville, San Ramon, and Alamo, the leadership team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the club continues to offer typical opportunities while remaining safe. “Throughout the past year, we have shifted our entire program online,” said 17-year-old club co-president Nikhita Dhamrait. “We use platforms like Zoom, Google Classroom, and Wix to provide information to members in an easily accessible and interactive format. At our club meetings, we have various presenters and games to ensure they are fun and engaging to all members while still going over important club business. We also have a community service activity every meeting, allowing members to give back to the community during this difficult time.”

Almost all of the group’s project meetings are held virtually via Zoom. Project leaders are Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973 able to conduct presentations as well as lead activities with supplies that are already owned by 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J 3191-J Crow Canyon Pl members or are picked-up at a central location Concord San Ramon Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 680-4433 (925) 866-2200 pre-meeting. Members have access to a wide Since 1973 Carpets, www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House) range of online resources, and project leaders are able to access online videos, interactive sites, and guest speakers from all over the world. Most projects have fewer than 10 participants, allowing members to acquaint themselves and speak in small groups as they explore interests and passions.

Club and county events continue to occur virtually. “Recently, we held a club campfire, movie night, and trivia night, where members could bond with each other and get to know each other,” said Dhamrait. “Our county is currently switching all our annual events to be held virtually; we had our awards night in November, and we are planning about five more events this spring to allow members opportunities to show what they have learned at various competitions and showcase events.”

“Our livestock projects have continued to function,” added 16 year-old co-president Kaylee Chan. “Taking care of animals is an essential service, so members have been able to safely visit and train their animals. Numerous precautions have been enacted for safety at the farm, including but not limited to mask wearing, contact tracing, and restriction of visitors. This past May, our county put on a virtual livestock show and auction, allowing members to still compete with their animals and learn the value of animal husbandry. The county is currently preparing both an online show and an in-person show, and will proceed with the option recommended by county health officials.”

Tassajara 4-H offers more than 30 projects to its members. Each project is similar to a class on a specific topic, taught by experienced adult and teen leaders. Project topics range from computer science and programming, to photography and calligraphy, to animal science. Members can sign-up for as many projects as they wish, and each project group meets monthly. With the photography project, for instance, members might learn at one meeting how to utilize lighting. At the following meeting, photo composition is covered. ‘Learning by doing’ is the model; members receive hands-on opportunity related to the subjects in which they are interested.

“We also have numerous club and county events, which can range from bonding events and competitions, to leadership conferences and showmanship clinics,” said Chan. “In normal times, members can choose to attend area, state, or national events and engage with a wider population of people.”

In addition to projects, 4-H emphasizes leadership development. At the club Tassajara 4-H co-president Nikhita Dhamrait with her lamb Tsunami and her goat Professor Pepto. level, youth officers plan and organize every officer and club meeting as well as events. Members as young as nine can participate in leadership positions. While adults are always available for guidance and support, 4-H is entirely youth run.

“Many of our members have said they have met lifelong friends through 4-H,” said Dhamrait. “And most of our alumni choose to return as adult volunteers and help grow the next generation of leaders.”

In a typical year, club enrollment closes in December, or when club capacity is reached, whichever is earlier. For the 2020-21 program year, enrollment has DANVILLE ALAMO GARDEN CLUB been extended through April. Enrollment information is available at www.

The Danville Alamo Garden Club would like to invite you to their tassajara4H.org. monthly meetings, where they will share their knowledge and love of gardening.

WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB Monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of each You are invited to join in the upcoming Zoom meeting of the Walnut Creek month and are currently presented via Zoom.

Garden Club on Monday, February 8th. The business meeting starts at 10AM, The meetings feature an inspiring and educational and a speaker presentation will begin at approximately 10:30AM. guest speaker and program.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, “A Little Love for the Garden” will be the topic Please visit www.DAGC.us to find detailed information of the meeting. Jolene Adams, past president of the American Rose Society, will about the monthly program, activities, and contact explain how to prepare your garden soil, what to feed your roses, and more. information.

The blooms will be worth the effort!

To contact the Membership VP, click on “About To participate, please contact Walnut Creek Garden Club Co-President, DAGC” then “About Membership.” The group looks Maureen Little at mslittle44@gmail.com for your Zoom invitation. For more forward to meeting you! information about the Club, visit www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org.

PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

CLIP NOTES

By Jody Morgan

Americans have shared their love affair with lawns for at least 150 years. Hard as it is not to conform to neighborhood norm, replacing areas of turfgrass with native plants is an environmentally essential action critical to keeping our planet alive for future generations. So this year, I’ll be giving my lawn an eviction notice instead of a valentine.

Once upon a time, lawns belonged to fairy tale landscapes at castles and palaces. Only wealthy landowners could afford to waste vast expanses of arable land on growing green eye candy. Mowing grass with scythes was labor-intensive. Letting sheep graze the open space was an alternative way to shear the turf. When Edwin Butting patented the first lawnmower in England in 1830, groundskeepers were still tending parks and playing fields with the same time-honored methods.

Pushed from behind, Budding’s wrought iron mower caught clippings in a box at the front that was emptied by hand. Gardening was catching on with the middle class. Budding asserted: “Gentlemen will find using my machine an amusing ... healthful exercise.” On January 28, 1868, Amariah Hills obtained the first US patent for a reel-type lawnmower.

The following year Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed Riverside, Illinois, one of the first planned suburban communities in the US. In order to generate a parklike ambiance, the landscaping design left lawns at the front of adjacent lots connected with two carefully selected trees punctuating the view on each property.

Published in 1870, Frank J. Scott’s The Art of Beautifying Suburban Landscapes emphasizes the desirability of letting one property flow seamlessly into another.

Reviewing Scott’s book, Olmsted notes: “Mr. Scott argues that the practice of planting closely along the boundary is a bad conventionalism, handed down from a period of ‘rude improvements and ruder men,’ that is a peculiarity of English gardening ... and, finally, that not to lay our private grounds open to public gaze is ill-bred, inhospitable, unneighborly, and unchristian.” Scott maintained: “A smooth, closely-shaven surface of grass is by far the most essential element of beauty on the grounds of the suburban house.”

As designer of New York’s Central Park, Olmsted utilized lawns as an option rather than a universal solution. In Landscape Gardening (1877), he describes the judicious application of grass appropriate for setting off a venerable beech tree. A swath of mown turf permits approaching the beech without muddying one’s footwear. “Now, to carry this fine turf right up over the exposed roots of the beech would be the height of landscape gardening indelicacy; to let it come near, but cut a clean circle out about the tree, would be a landscape gardening barbarism. What is required is a very nice management, under which the turf in rising from the lower and presumably more humid ground shall become gradually thinner and looser, and at length darned with moss, and finally patched with plants ... tufts of clover and locks and mats of loosestrife, liverwort, and dog-tooth violets; even plantain and sorrel may timidly appear.”

In Nature’s Best Hope (2019), Doug Tallamy emphasizes the need to replace unbroken lawnscapes with landscapes nurturing birds, bees, butterflies, and all the little things that make our planet habitable. “Turfgrass has replaced diverse native plant communities across the country in more than 40 million acres, an area the size of New England.” He suggests “transitioning from landscapes in which wall-to-wall turfgrass is the default, to landscapes that thoughtfully use lawn as pathways through savannahs of spreading native trees ...” In Planting in a Post-Wild World, Thomas Rainer and Claudia West propose reversing the commonplace focus, so turfgrass frames the central sustainable landscape.

In Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education (1991), Michael Pollan recalls: “I tired of the endless circuit, pushing the howling mower back and forth across the vast page of my yard, recopying the same green sentence over and over: ‘I am a conscientious homeowner. I share your middle-class values.’” Replacing grass with fruit trees and garden beds proved gratifying.

The EPA reports: “As much as 50 percent of the water we use outdoors is lost due to wind, evaporation, and runoff. A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn’t properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually.” Evidence of health hazards posed by lawn chemicals is alarming. The US Fish & Wildlife Service notes: “Homeowners use up to 10 times more chemical pesticides per acre on their lawns than farmers use on crops ...”

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ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs)

By Beth McKnight, Perpetual Homes

In a world where housing prices keep lower-income wage earners from home ownership, Perpetual Homes ADU of Danville offers an exciting new way to help people into their own homes. The solution is Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s). ADU’s are sustainable, turn-key, backyard, energy-efficient homes that are also known as granny flats, in-law units, secondary dwelling units, and tiny houses. ADU’s are custom-designed cottages loaded with fullsize kitchen appliances, shaker cabinets, quartz or granite counter-tops, high vaulted ceilings, and lots of natural light. With all of that included, the “all-in” low price begins at $165,000. While there are many suppliers for ADU’s, you have to be cautious of their starting price which lacks many of the high-end amenities that Perpetual Homes includes in one low price.

Many homeowners add an ADU to bring in extra rental income, and others love having a private retreat where aging parents or loved-ones can live. Renting out your main house and living in an ADU in your backyard is becoming popular as well. In many cases, the main house rent covers both mortgages.

“Thousands of new ADUs are being built in communities across the U.S because they are a manageable and minimally disruptive option for adding desperately needed housing to existing neighborhoods,” says Kathy Anderson, founder and managing partner of Perpetual Homes.

Perpetual Homes ADU’s cost approximately 50% less than on-site “stick built” contractor built units, plus installation leaves a much cleaner job site.

New California laws have made it easier than ever to add an ADU: • No minimum lot size is required • Side yard & rear yard setbacks of only 4 feet are allowed • No owner-occupant condition • No city or municipality impact fees under 750 sq. ft. for an ADU

Perpetual Homes, which started in 2019, offers a wide variety of floor plans ranging from 1-3 bedrooms (430-1,200 sq. ft.) . We have over 35 years of Bay Area home building experience. We manage the entire process from start to finish: including initial site inspection, permitting, site preparation, foundation, utility connections, construction, site clean-up, final inspections, and, if wanted, property management. It’s hassle and worry free! To find out more about adding an ADU, please contact Kathy Anderson (owner DL1557865) at 925-980-2351 or via email at perpetualhomesadu@gmail.com, or visit www.perpetualhomesadu.com. Advertorial

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PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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BUSINESS OWNER, GET OUT PLAN

ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)

By Roger Smith, President ALAMO CERTIFIED FARMER’S MARKET ~ EAT RIGHT AND LIVE LONGER!

Have you been working to fit in your “five a day” servings of fruit and vegetables? New guidelines suggest we forget “five a day,” as more is better!.

The CDC and the Produce for Better Health Foundation have launched a national campaign with the message, “Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters.” Learn more at www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/fruits-veggies-more-matters#1.

An excellent source for fresh fruits and vegetables for your diet and dining pleasure is our Alamo Farmer’s Market! They have the best and freshest fruits and vegetables including oranges, clementines, mandarins, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates!

The Market is open Sundays year-round, from 9AM – 2PM, in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America. There is plenty of free parking.

ALAMO’S BEAUTIFICATION – ZONE 36

In 1991, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors formed Landscape and Lighting District Zone 36. They assessed a parcel tax of $9.36 per single family residence for maintenance of the trees in Alamo.

In the late 1980’s, an Alamo resident volunteer group (to become known as the Alamo Boulevard of Trees Committee), joined forces to plant trees on Danville Boulevard throughout the entire length of Alamo.

Using their initiative to secure grants and funds donated from Alamo homeowners and organizations, nearly 300 trees were planted in 1989. Planting started from Rudgear Road at the north border of Alamo and continued all the way to Wayne Avenue on the south border of Alamo.

Most of the trees were planted on the east side of the Boulevard to avoid conflict with the existing power lines on the west side of Danville Boulevard.

Where utilities are underground in the downtown area, trees were planted on both sides of the Boulevard.

The Zone 36 charter was to care for the Boulevard of Trees on Danville Boulevard and to landscape Alamo’s four main roads: Livorna Road, Danville Boulevard, Stone Valley Road, and Miranda Avenue. In addition to caring for the Boulevard trees that were funded by donations, the Committee used Zone 36 funds to plant trees lining Stone Valley Road, and landscaped the median at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Stone Valley Road.

At the time, Alamo residents were appointed to the Alamo Beautification Committee to spend the $51,000 raised annually from all of Alamo’s 5,449 residences (which continues to today).

The Committee was also active in working with the County to clean up litter and illegal dumping around town.

Anecdotally, Alamo Resident Sharon Burke, who served on Zone 36 in the early 1990’s, remembers additional projects the Committee undertook. She notes, “When I was on the Alamo Beautification Committee, Alamo residents would make reports to us of illegal dumping and junk accumulation. Neighbors complained about the empty lot on the northwest corner of Livorna Road and Livorna Heights Road. People would dump junk there and park cars for sale there.

We investigated and found out that empty lot was owned by the County, which had bought it years ago anticipating widening Livorna Road.

We worked with the County Public Works Department to ascertain if there was any remaining need for the county to own this lot. The County thanked us for bringing it to their attention and put the lot up for sale, and a nice home was built, which of course ended the junk problem.”

(More about Zone 36 next month)

AIA MEMBERSHIP

Since 1955, Alamo residents have been joining the AIA and working in support of AIA’s mission statement, which is to “preserve the semi-rural character of Alamo.” Now celebrating its 66th year, AIA, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of local interest, membership forms, and more.

By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Spectrum Wealth Partners

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” ~ Colin Powell The life of the business owner is not for everyone.

The journey of the business owner usually starts with little capital, a dream, and the drive to meet that dream. Business owners’ days are filled with stress, anxiety, happiness, and many other emotions on their expedition to realize their dream. While “at all costs” seems extreme, it is my experience that many business owners experience divorce, less than stellar relationships with their children, and poor health (both physical and mental). To help reduce the “at all costs” side of the business owner’s story, I believe one of the keys to success is to know when to get out and how. While knowing when to get out is very different for each business owner, today I will run through several of the ways an owner can get their equity out of their business and begin to focus on the next part of their financial life without their business.

Though everyone’s situation is different, below is a list of several ways business owners can unlock the value that they have created.

1. Management Buyout (MBO) – MBO is when you sell your business to the management team that helped you grow the business. While the management team might have the acumen to manage, they may fall short on the side of true ownership, so it is important to ensure that they are ready for the transition from employee to employer. Managers also often struggle to have the capital necessary to purchase the business from the retiring business owner, so most business owners shy away from this option. There are, however, ways to make it a win-win; one of which is seller financing, private equity financing, or traditional financing.

2. Family Succession – Speaking from personal experience, this can be one of the most difficult and tricky options. There is a mix of emotions and money and, not to forget, family! The transference of a family legacy business must be approached with great caution and shouldn’t be rushed. Some important things to consider are gifting, estate equalization (for family members not in the business), seller financing, taxation, and ownership readiness.

3. Private Equity Group (PEG) – Traditionally, PEGs have only focused on the large business market, but they are slowly creeping into the market of smaller and smaller businesses. Private equity groups can provide business owners with access to much needed capital for growth or exit. The engagement can be a partial or complete sale. PEGs will often allow the ex-owner to keep ownership, potentially resulting in another “bite at the apple,” which in my experience can mean getting as much as your original buyout.

4. Synergy Sale – Utilizing a business broker/investment banker can catalyze your exit through a synergistic sale. More specifically, find another company that will derive synergistic value in buying your company. The valuation for this type of transaction can often exceed the expectation of the selling owner and bring a bright future for the dream that you have built.

5. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – Most advisors will tell you that they have rarely seen or been a part of an ESOP because they are cumbersome. There are lots of steps to an ESOP, and they create complexity.

They can also result in the owner exiting with tax beneficial proceeds and the employees having a stake in the company they helped build.

Your business is usually your most prized possession, and it can be challenging to unlock the value so that you can be free from the risks, anxiety, and stress to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Picking the correct liquidity plan requires understanding your current business and personal planning, and then making informed decisions about what path will result in the highest probability of success.

“I’m afraid that if you look at a thing long enough, it loses all of its meaning.” ~ Andy Warhol To schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, please contact me at 925-786-7686 or email peter.waldron@lfg.com.

Peter T. Waldron: California Insurance License #0E47827. Peter T. Waldron is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. 3201 Danville Blvd, Suite 190, Alamo, CA 94507. Insurance offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance.

The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN-3414951-012021.

Advertorial

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ANNOUNCEMENT!

By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

I owe a debt of gratitude to you, the readers of my articles in Alamo Today & Danville Today News (and predecessor publications here and in Lafayette) during the last 15 years or so. I’m extremely thankful for you and all of my clients, colleagues, and associates who have engaged my services and/or otherwise supported my trusts/estates law practice.

It is this wonderful support that has been the foundation of our dramatic growth, and particularly so in recent years. Now, in my 28th year of practice, alongside my terrific staff of three paralegals and an office manager, I need additional resources to service all of our clients and prospective clients.

I am pleased to announce that we have hired another attorney, Jonathan Jaffe, Esq. Jon has a diverse and valuable background. He is a recent member of the California Bar, as well as a former member (retired) of the New York and New Jersey Bars.

Jon graduated from Fordham University Law School in 1992, completing the evening program while working for the Wall Street firm Morgan Stanley in New York. Shortly after graduating from law school, he was asked to relocate to San Francisco to help manage Morgan Stanley’s Private

Client Services Group. Subsequently, he spent 15 years as a licensed financial advisor.

Jon’s 30 years of experience counseling clients on a broad range of financial matters will serve him admirably as a member of our expanded team.

We enthusiastically welcome Jon as our new associate, as he transitions to providing invaluable counsel regarding legal matters.

I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to provide meaningful estate planning and trust/estate administration services in this fantastic community that I have long embraced, and in which I have pridefully and joyfully made my home and raised my children. Thank you again for your ongoing support.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any legal questions or needs with which my staff and I may be able to help.

I wish you and your families good health and wellbeing during these challenging times. |Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate | Business| Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. I am an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors.

Advertorial

Sustainable continued from front page

The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge gives individuals and organizations access to a wide range of actions they can take immediately. Prizes are awarded as additional incentives for earning points as an individual, team or community.

Each point recognizes saving either one pound of carbon dioxide or 10 gallons of water. The Fall/Winter Challenge runs through April 30, 2021. Registration at cleanercontracosta.org is ongoing. A team may have up to 10 members.

Communities have no membership limit.

St. Timothy's, Danville is the community currently holding the Challenge lead.

All are welcome to join the community, whether or not they belong to the church.

Kari Doolittle, organizer for the community, is most enthused about “the education provided and the opportunity the challenge provides to engage individuals, neighborhoods, communities. There's great information encouraging people to get involved with baby step changes to big commitments that make a difference.”

Popular easy actions are switching to energy efficient LED bulbs, adjusting thermostats, improving ducts, and monitoring opening/closing doors.

The Challenge utilizes a platform developed by Community Climate Solutions SCOCO Founders get together: pre-COVID. (L-R) Administrator Tyler SnortumPhelps, Co-Founder Marsha Golangco, Co-Founder & President Tina Neuhausel, employed throughout the US that ranks the difficulty of performing an action Co-Founder Bob Joe, Eric Golangco. (Workshop instructor Denise Koroslev appears according to estimated upfront costs and time required. Once participants register in the background. Photo courtesy of SCOCO. and create their personal Energy Profile, a more accurate range of costs and savings based on local utility rates and available rebates is calculated. Broad categories appear first on the website: The Big Actions, Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Water, Renter Friendly, and Easy.

Click one and you'll find specific suggestions. Line-drying your wash is easy. Performing the action consistently nets 160 points. Buying or leasing an electric car is challenging but might net annual savings worth 13,000 points.

Julie W. writes from Pleasant Hill: “It was a valuable and fun daily challenge that anyone at any level could participate in. When I started seeing how all these little changes could lead to bigger results, it was addicting! I can still hear my parents’ wisdom, ‘Care for the earth, and it will take care of you.’ My children are my motivation.

I want them and future generations to experience a healthy world.”

“Many folks, and especially Contra Costa residents, are concerned about the environment but aren't sure how they can have an impact,” notes Colleen Noland, SCOCO Community Organizer. “The Challenge allows us to measure our household carbon footprints and take actions to reduce our emissions.” She adds: “The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge was launched in April 2019 through a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and a partnership between Sustainable Contra Costa, Contra Costa County, and the cities of Antioch, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek.” The Town of Moraga added support in 2020.

Candace Andersen, District 2 County Supervisor and Past-Mayor of Danville, writes: “Sustainable Contra Costa has been a great partner with our County to help our residents implement changes in their lifestyle or business operations to be just a little bit greener and reduce their carbon footprints,” she says. “Their programs are more practical than political, which helps them be so effective. Regardless of how someone feels about global warming, nearly everyone agrees that we can be better stewards of the environment for our children and grandchildren. I am a big fan of what they accomplish!”

Leaders in Sustainability Awardees are an outstanding group of individuals and enterprises selected by an independent panel from a pool of equally remarkable nominees. Winners in the 12th annual event recognized in a virtual presentation on September 17, 2020, were Soshana Weschler (founding member of Sunflower Alliance and leading player in many additional sustainability advocacy productions), Urban Tilth (Richmond-based Bill Scneidedr charges his electric car, possibly saving 13000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Photo organization hiring and training local residents in low-income “food deserts” to grow healthy produce, Ken courtesy of SCOCO.

See Sustainable continued on page 18

PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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Sustainable continued from page 17

Haworth (producer of refillable amenities for hotels and gyms, and generous donor of his products to shelters serving the homeless), Manuel Alonso (Executive Director of Earth Team), and Rising Star Chloe De Smedt.

Beyond her many projects as a junior at Concord's Carondelet High School, Chloe works with SLA, SCOCO’s new Youth Team, on social media. Composed of high school and college students committed to making a difference, SLA posts well-researched information in monthly newsletters on SCOCO’s website and holds online panel discussions with industry professionals concerning educational pathways and career opportunities in environmental sustainability and conservation. Formed in July 2020, SLA invites like-minded students to join, brainstorm with peers, and form our next generation of leaders dedicated to keeping our planet thriving.

Amazing projects performed by the 2020 Rising Star finalists and winner are showcased in one of the archived Sustainability Live programs: “Meet the Young Activists.” An interview with UC Davis student Noah Zakariah, a founding member of SLA, is included.

Hosted by Mark Westwind, member of SCOCO’s Advisory Board, and coordinated by Tyler Snortum-Phelps, SCOCO Administrator, the informative monthly online broadcasts first offered in April 2020 cover a wide range of topics including Resilience Gardens, Home Greywater Systems,Resilient Local Food Systems, Drought-Proofing Your Home, Hands-on workshops like this greywater installation project will be offered again when the pandemic ends. Photo courtesy of SCOCO. and Enhancing Your Backyard with Natives.

Tyler has a degree in Broadcasting from San Francisco State University and many years of experience teaching natural science at the Gardens at Heather Farms as well as leading hands-on workshops for SCOCO. Asked about the upside and downside of this year’s need to replace in-person events with virtual presentations, Tyler responds: “We certainly appreciate the immediacy and ‘low overhead’ of being able to put together an online program. It allows people who could not otherwise travel to an in-person event to be there, and it allows us to present the materials without having to transport and set up a lot of equipment. Also, the face-to-face format can sometimes create a more intimate feel that is different.”

Ability to reach a wider audience is a major benefit. On the other hand, Tyler notes: “There’s no substitute for hands-on! You can't pass around a container

See Sustainable continued on page 20

TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

NON EST RES TAM PRANDIUM LIBERO

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

Non est res tam prandium libero...“there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Everything has a cost, and when you think you are getting something for free, it would be wise to ask, “Who benefits?” Let’s start with free email accounts. Who uses a free email account or has one they “just use for shopping?” How do companies make money off that account? I’ll broadly generalize by saying it’s one of two ways. The first way is by scanning your email content for keywords and phrases that fit certain algorithms, then selling that data to advertising companies who pay to know specifics about people so they can be targeted with ads.

Although the companies state they do not actually sell our data, the company that starts with G and ends with “oogle” profits in the billions (25 billion in 2020) by “not selling” your data. Again, they state that they do not, however, I think they’re making a semantic argument that will have to be litigated. I am not a data scientist.

However, I understand enough to want a more realistic explanation of how else they end up with billions in ad-revenue and how their customers (advertisers) end up with our behavioral, browsing, shopping, and email data.

Free email providers can also make money by enticing folks to use their on-line web portals to read their email instead of desktop email programs like Outlook.

When you use some of these email portals, you may notice banner, sidebar, and bottom-of-the-screen advertising. The website owner makes money for every ad displayed on that page with your email. Across millions of email accounts and over millions of sessions, a half-penny per impression begins to add up. If you don’t see ads on the page, then there is some other way they are monetizing the site, such as scanning the content. Again, nothing is free, nothing is free, nothing is free. Unless you’re looking for it, nobody notices a website placing tracking cookies (small files) on your system that further aid in their data mining efforts. A simple example: have you ever noticed that right after you look for something like hiking boots, it seems like you keep seeing ads for hiking boots on many different sites you visit, and you get email advertising as well? Or try looking for a car, and brace yourself for the avalanche of car advertising you’ll get. This is not coincidence! It is because of cookies and ad-tracking.

You may have heard about using alternate web browsers and search engines.

For example, PCIO used to use and recommend Google Chrome, and now we recommend Microsoft Edge. The new Edge is built on the same open-sourced “Chromium” engine as Google’s Chrome. Unlike Chrome, Edge gives the user strict new controls to block ad-trackers. Microsoft is not in the business of monetizing their customer’s data. I use the strict blocking function in Edge, and over the last two months, it blocked 58,015 ad-trackers. Here are the top five companies from a list of 505 in my browser that tried to place ad-trackers on my system and the number of times they were blocked: Google - 12,336, Facebook - 3,103, Verizon Media – 3,050, Amazon.com – 2,561, Adobe – 2,485.

Please understand, the email account you use, or the convenient “free” web browser provided by the search company, or that free website application you use that has advertisements on the page is not the product: you and me are the product.

For example, if a company selling baby accessories can target thirty-something year-old women who are expectant mothers, think about the treasure of advertising dollars connected to that individual. Think about every product that a new mother may purchase on behalf of their new child, and you get an idea why companies like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and hundreds of others go to the trouble of building these data collection programs. Everyone fits into a category, and therefore, everyone is a product. The implications are staggering, and so is the amount of data about us being held by these data aggregation companies.

The problem is that these companies are hiding behind the veil of outdated and insufficient regulations, and they have also become ridiculously wealthy and powerful. The California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 that went into effect on January 1st is a good step in the right direction for data privacy. Unfortunately, nothing is likely to change too drastically until someone holds corporate America’s feet to the fire through a class-action lawsuit or these privacy laws grow longer teeth. As we have all witnessed, an entity simply has to say “That’s not applicable to us, we’re different, and we’re compliant.” Then, the onus shifts to government regulators, or more likely it shifts to us to prove that in fact they’re not telling the truth. When going up against multi-billion-dollar companies, it may be assumed that this will be a very difficult and expensive fight because the financial stakes are astronomical. For much more information and in-depth explanations about the selling of your data by Silicon Valley high tech, please check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation (www.eff.org). They’ve done great work.

Did this article bother you? If you would like to learn more specifics about how you can protect your privacy, email info@pcioit.com or call 925-552-7953, and we can start a conversation.

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Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19

YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS EATING TOO MUCH FAT WHILE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT

Lately, I have been seeing many clients that are struggling with weight loss and do not realize the issue is the high percentage of fat they are eating. Below are some common high-fat foods to look out for.

AVOCADOS

Yes, there is the ever popular breakfast of avocado toast which usually has a layer of cream cheese and a half of an avocado. People do not understand that cream cheese is pure fat. Also, they often will use more than the 2 tablespoon portion size. An 1/8 of an avocado is equal to 5 grams of fat, equal to a pat of butter or tablespoon of mayo. So when you eat half an avocado, that is four times that amount or 20 grams of fat. Avocados are plant based and contain mono-unsaturated fat, which unfortunately will still go to your hips.

NUTS

Many people are working out of their home and snacking on nuts all day. If you look at the serving size on all nuts, it is around 200 calories for 1 ounce, which is just a handful. Nuts do not quickly fill you up. It takes many handfuls to feel full, and at that rate you may add 1,000 calories to your daily count.

In addition, nuts are 80% fat. Please do not fool yourself thinking they are high in protein.

HUMMUS

Another common snack is hummus. Hummus is also high in fat and does not have the protein and fiber that you may think it does. It is made from pureed garbanzo beans, tahini (which is ground up sesame seeds), olive oil, and spices. Tahini is pure fat.

OLIVES AND OLIVE OIL

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Many of my house bound clients are also snacking Schedule your free cosmetic consultation appointment today! on olives all day. Think about where olive oil comes William Ting, M.D., from. It comes from pressed olives. Olive oil is 125 Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon calories per tablespoon. Most people don’t realize how 2262 Camino Ramon San Ramon, CA 94583 much oil they use. Often, oil seeps into your food, and Tel: (925) 328-0255 TEXT us at (925) 328-0255 24/7 that can count for many tablespoons. I recommend getting your skillet very hot before adding the oil in Email: staff@caldermcare.com order to make sure your food does not sit in oil. You can drwilliamting.com *Welcoming new Medicare patients buy olive oil spray which can be helpful to control the amount of oil you use. When you order meals from a restaurant, remember to order with light oil. I am finding restaurants are accommodating customers with this request.

CHEESES

Cheese is mostly fat. Unfortunately, many gourmet cheeses do not have food labels for you to see that one ounce of cheese is about 100 calories with 80 calories from fat, or 80% fat. If you look at the more processed cheeses, the package label will tell you this information. Many of my clients at first think that cheese is a good source of protein, but it is not. A slice of cheese can have an ounce of protein, but you would have to eat six slices to get the protein you need for lunch, and that would be too much fat.

BALANCING HIGH FAT ITEMS WITH PROTEIN AND FIBER

We can still enjoy all the high fat foods mentioned above by balancing them out with high sources of protein and fiber. Let me give you some examples.

Enjoy one tablespoon of cream cheese and ¼ of an avocado on one slice of toast. If you are very hungry, you can eat it with an egg white omelet with lots of veggies.

This will give you a balanced meal. The egg whites are the source of protein, and the veggies provide fiber.

Nuts should be limited to a handful and eaten along with a source of protein and fiber such as cottage cheese and salsa, or slices of turkey wrapped around a pickle.

It is good to sprinkle nuts on oatmeal, salads, or main entrees.

Hummus should be enjoyed with veggies and some homemade tuna or chicken salad.

When you eat cheese, please eat a maximum of only two slices. Enjoy them with several slices of turkey for a sandwich, or enjoy turkey wrapped around cheese along with a pickle. Do not snack on cheese because that is all you have.

Olives can be enjoyed on a crudité platter with other veggies and a shrimp cocktail or slices of turkey or other meats.

If you are struggling with your weight, I can educate and support you to reach your goal in a reasonable amount of time.

Nutritional counseling is covered by most health insurance companies including Aetna, ABMG, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Cigna, Hill, Sutter, and UHC. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what coverage your plan offers. Please visit my website, www.LindaRD.com, to learn more about my services. Feel free to Advertorial email me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your nutritional concerns and see how I may help you.

PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

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TIRED OF FEELING TIRED?

STANDARD TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

HEALING CHRONIC FATIGUE

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic illness characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for more than six months. This fatigue cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition. The process for diagnosis usually begins with ruling out possible underlying diseases and chronic conditions … until the only choice left is chronic fatigue syndrome. Currently, over one million Americans suffer from this debilitating condition, and women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with CFS than men.

In addition to the profound fatigue experienced other serious symptoms often accompany CFS, include the following.

• Feeling extremely exhausted for more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise • Not feeling refreshed after sleeping or having trouble sleeping • Feeling like you haven’t completely recovered from an illness • Having a hard time concentrating or problems with attention and memory • Muscle pain or aches • Joint pain without swelling or redness • Headaches of a new type, pattern, or strength • Sore throat that is constant or goes away and comes back often • Joint pain that moves from one spot to another • Digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome • Mood swings, panic attacks, and depression

CAUSES OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Sadly, research has yet to identify a root cause of CFS. Chronic fatigue often starts after a stressful event in life like a divorce, loss of a loved one, or an injury or illness. It is my belief that CFS is a multifactorial syndrome because preliminary research findings show that viral and bacterial infections, toxicity, hormone imbalances, weakened immune system, chronic stress, and nutritional deficiencies are all contributing factors.

Conventional medical treatment addresses the symptoms rather than the underlying causes. Often, individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome are prescribed anti-depressants and sleeping pills. In many cases, the side effects from these drugs are actually worse than the original symptoms, and they do not heal the condition.

STEPS TO HEAL YOUR CHRONIC FATIGUE

1. Eliminate Food Sensitivities and Allergens. Remove any foods or allergens that could be causing you inflammation or reactions related to fatigue.

Eating foods that your body is negatively reacting to makes your food harmful, not healthful. Testing for food intolerances can help you design a diet that truly feeds you and leaves you feeling satisfied and energized.

2. Test for Your Specific Deficiencies. Vitamin, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies have been linked to suppressed immune function and contribute to chronic fatigue, weakened immune function, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and much more. Specialized blood testing can reveal what your body has absorbed from your food and/or supplements over the past four months and zero in on what is deficient. Micro-Nutrient Testing allows a person to know exactly what to eat and/or supplement in order to support their healing process. By correcting nutritional imbalances, the body is given the building blocks it needs to make energy and heal from the inside out.

3. Increase Magnesium and Potassium. Symptoms of magnesium and potassium deficiency include the common CFS symptoms of fatigue, irritability, and muscle cramps. Eating a diet rich in magnesium and potassium can help to relieve these symptoms. Consider adding these magnesium and potassium–rich foods to your diet: spinach, chard, pumpkin seeds, almonds, sweet potatoes, black beans, avocados, figs, bananas, apricots, and coconut water.

4. Take Lemon Balm (also known as Melissa) for its antiviral and immune enhancing properties; 1,000-2,000mg in divided doses may be helpful.

If you or someone you love is suffering from CFS, you know that it is a stubborn, debilitating condition that drains the quality out of your life. Using a combination of science and nature, we are able to determine your unique metabolic profile, and then create a holistic protocol that will ignite the healing process and get your energy back.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner of Align Healing Center in Danville.

For more information or to set up a complimentary consult, call 925-3628283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com. Advertorial

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC) now offers its entire range of support services, educational workshops, and exercise and creative arts classes online, entirely for free. Anyone affected by cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, family members, the bereaved—can now benefit from these programs no matter where they live, without having to travel to the organization’s community center in Walnut Creek.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect us physically,” said Rob Tufel, CSC’s Executive Director. “It affects us psychologically, financially, and socially, increasing stress and feelings of isolation. With the crisis of COVID-19, cancer patients and their families are especially affected. They’re suffering treatment delays, fears about compromised immune systems, uncertainty over their finances. Perhaps worst of all, they’re more isolated than ever—many are unable to get to the hospital, while being physically separated from friends and loved ones. And that’s where Cancer Support Community helps. Now we can help even more people, no matter where they are—in their home, visiting a loved one, or from their hospital bed during treatment.”

CSC doesn’t just provide workshops and counseling; it builds bridges between people and creates a community of help and healing, where people facing cancer can get support, advice, education, and a deep sense of belonging and being understood. Research has shown that cancer patients who use programs like those provided by CSC are better able to manage their stress and anxiety, feel more in control of their treatment, and express a higher quality of life.

As it has been for 30 years, CSC’s programs remain entirely free of charge, funded by charitable donations. The calendar of programs can be found on the organization’s website at www.cancersupport.net. For those new to Cancer Support Community, please contact Margaret Stauffer at mstauffer@cancersupport. net to learn how to access CSC’s free virtual programs.

Celebrating 30 years in the East Bay, Cancer Support Community provides comprehensive, integrative care—including counseling, support groups, nutrition training, exercise classes, and patient education programs—for people with cancer, their caregivers, and their families. Their evidence-based services enable cancer patients to partner with their medical teams to manage their treatment and recovery most effectively, increase their chances for survival, reduce their chances of recurrence, and provide for the highest possible quality of life. No one is ever turned away, and all of their services are always provided free of charge.

Sustainable continued from page 18

of compost worms or let someone try potting up a seedling on a Zoom call. It has limited the types of workshops we can present. We also had some site-specific workshops, like a home greywater installation workshop, that we can’t do at all.” Hopefully, by the end of 2021, SCOCO will be able to offer the best of both online and in-person educational experiences.

In Half Earth (2016). E.O. Wilson cautions: “We should forever bear in mind that the beautiful world our species inherited took the biosphere 3.8 billion years to build ... Like it or not, and prepared or not, we are the mind and stewards of the living world. Our own ultimate future depends upon that understanding.” His moral imperative -- “Do no further harm to the biosphere.”

-- lights the way, embracing actions repairing the damage we’ve already done.

County Supervisors present 2019 Rising Star Award. (L-R) SCOCO is committed to aligning all of its programs with the One Living Planet Principles: Health Diane Burgis, John Gioia, Rising Star Charlie Keohane, Candace and Happiness, Equity and local economy, Culture and community, Land use and wildlife, Sustainable Andersen. Courtesy of SCOCO. water, Local and Sustainable food, Sustainable material, Sustainable transport, Zero waste, and Zero carbon. SCOCO provides extensive information on how to take our first steps toward sustainability and gradually learn to race to the goal. Find your own path to responsible stewardship of our one earth at sustainablecoco.org.

Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 21

THE EYES ARE THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL

By Dr. Barbara Persons

As the saying goes, “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” In this way, the eyes’ clarity and youthful appearance can provide indication of both health and vitality. As we age, our eyes can be diminished due to excess skin and bags around them. A furrowed, drooping brow further alters the alert and engaging appearance of our eyes. Beauty rest and good health go a long way, but sometimes it isn’t enough to counteract the hooding and tired appearance that many people experience by age 40.

TRADITIONAL EYELID SURGERY

Blepharoplasty surgery, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is the best way to correct droopy, hooded eyelids and sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid and can sometimes even impair vision. The procedure takes one hour and does not require general anesthetic. Recovery takes about one week. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. The procedure restores the youthful appearance of the eyes by removing fatty tissue and excess skin while tightening the lax muscles that develop around the eyes.

An upper blepharoplasty procedure involves making a small incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Excess skin is removed, lax muscles are tightened, and small amounts of fat are removed. Sometimes, grafting may be used to fill areas which have hollowed, such as the tear troughs. For lower eyelid tightening, a small incision is made just below the lower eyelash or inside the lower eyelid. The upper and lower eyelid lift may be done separately or at the same time.

FACIAL REJUVINATION

For those seeking full periocular rejuvenation to combat horizontal forehead lines, sagging, or heavy brows and wrinkles between the eyebrows frequently referred to as “elevens,” I recommend also considering a brow lift.

I most commonly use the endoscopic approach which involves a few small incisions hidden in the hairline through which the brow is lifted. Like blepharoplasty, this procedure may be performed under local anesthesia.

Further facial rejuvenation can be achieved through the use of CO2 laser skin resurfacing of the eyes, face, neck, and chest to tighten the skin and remove fine lines. Skin resurfacing takes one hour, and downtime averages ten days. However, at Persons Plastic Surgery, we have developed RecoverX to accelerate post-procedure skin repair. Patients have even cut recovery time in half! The non-irritant fragrance-free, paraben-free product reduces redness and swelling and promotes faster skin healing. The proprietary formulation draws moisture from the air into the skin without clogging pores and continues to enhance skin tone, texture, and appearance hours after application.

To achieve full facial rejuvenation, the combination of blepharoplasty surgery and a CO2 Laser maximizes benefits while decreasing recovery to a single period. I look forward to meeting with you at my practice in Lafayette to discuss what may be best for you.

Side note: I have been volunteering every weekend as part of a COVID vaccination team. Partnering with the Lamorinda Village (lamorindavillage. org) Mobile Vaccine Clinic, we are set up to administer vaccinations at Stanley Middle School. Visit the Lamorinda Village website to be put on an email list so you can be alerted to upcoming vaccination availability and appointments.

Barbara L Persons, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc., located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She can be reached at 925.283.4012 or drpersons@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com.

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PAGE 22 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS •February 2021

THE EYE OPENER

MACULAR DEGENERATION AND VISION

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

Of all the possible eye issues and conditions that affect vision, macular degeneration seems to be the one that generates the most questions and concerns on the part of my patients. As the population ages and people are living longer, this condition will continue to affect a larger percentage of people. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of functional vision loss in Americans over the age of 60. In addition, the likelihood for it happening to you increases as you age to 1 in 5 over age 70 and 1 in 3 over age 85. At this time, the exact cause is not well understood, and therefore there is no cure. However, our detection methods and treatment options are improving to help maintain vision.

To understand macular degeneration, we must first understand the macula.

The macula is the center part of the retina in which light that enters the eye is focused. This area only measures about 5 millimeters in diameter; however, the central macula is only about 1 millimeter in diameter. It is in this tiny central area that contains only cones (no rods) and is therefore the only place on the retina where color vision and your 20/20 vision is processed. Light focused outside of this central area will see a sharp drop-off in acuity, and images will be best viewed in dim light.

First, let’s discuss the positive; you will never go blind from AMD alone: your peripheral vision and some central vision will remain intact. However, your peripheral vision is not good, as visual details and colors are decreased.

There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Depending on the severity and type of the disease, vision loss will vary. Dry macular degeneration causes less vision loss, but there are fewer treatment options. At this stage, vitamin supplements, home monitoring, and regular eye exams are the standard of care. Wet AMD develops when blood vessels around the macula start to leak. This blood and fluid leakage deposits in and around the macular tissue and causes a drop in vision. Most treatment options are aimed at this stage of the disease.

Recent advancements in wet AMD treatment include direct injections into the eye of drugs that attempt to halt the process that leads to leaky blood vessels.

The most common drugs are Avastin, Lucentis, and Eyelea. Thankfully, there is a lot of research into AMD, so there are new drugs that are in FDA studies that will hopefully lead to even better treatments in the future. Depending on the severity of the condition, vision loss can range from mild to severe. These new drugs have shown great results with minor side effects compared to past treatments. Even though a large percentage of patients have regained some lost vision, the goal of treatment remains to keep the status quo and prevent further vision loss.

Since there is no cure for AMD, the question arises as to what can be done to decrease the chances of getting AMD? As of right now, there is a large genetic component to the disease, so there is little we can do in that regard. There is research using stem cells, however, much more research is needed. The number one thing that can be done is to not smoke. There is a four to six-fold increase risk for AMD for smokers compared to non-smokers.

Vitamin supplements (including Preservision, Ocuvite, and omega-3 supplements) specifically for the eyes have been conclusively shown to slow down the process in early stages of this disease. The last thing I would recommend is to maintain your personal health. If you are diabetic or have high blood pressure, it is paramount to keep those diseases under good medical control.

As always, regular eye examinations will help diagnose any early changes, and appropriate treatments and referrals can be made.

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. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, and join in on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @Alamo Optometry.

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EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BOTOX & FILLERS AND THE COVID-19 VACCINE BUT ARE AFRAID TO ASK

By Jerome Potozkin, MD

As I write this, my left arm is a bit sore as I just received my second dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. I am relieved to have been fully vaccinated. The vaccine is becoming more and more available, and as of this writing, it is available to healthcare and essential workers as well as those over the age of 65. I will discuss the common side effects as well as side effects specific to patients who have had Botox and filler treatments.

The two vaccines currently available under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. These vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully we will get our lives and economy back in gear. Barring any significant contra-indication, I would urge you and your loved ones to get vaccinated when the vaccine is available to you. Contrary to some conspiracy theories, we are not being micro-chipped, and Bill Gates and Dr. Fauci are not profiting from this. This is strictly a matter of getting our lives back.

Do the vaccines have any side effects? Like all vaccines and medications, the Covid-19 vaccines do have associated side effects. The common side effects include tenderness or soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, fever, and joint and muscle aches. Fortunately, these side effects are temporary.

There are also rare reports of allergic reactions.

What about reactions in patients who have received Botox and fillers? First, the good news: there have been no reported reactions or side effects associated with Botox injections. On the other hand, there have been rare reports of delayed swelling in patients who have had injectable fillers and are receiving the vaccine. In the Moderna vaccine trials, there were 15,000 people in the study.

Three developed delayed swelling in areas where they had injectable fillers. All resolved and were temporary. In the Pfizer vaccine trials, there were 18,000 people in the study with no reports of delayed swelling with fillers. We don’t know exactly which fillers reacted, but the risk is low and the reactions resolved.

What does this mean for you if you have had or are planning to receive injectable fillers? The most recent recommendations released by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) recommend that patients who have already received dermal fillers should not be discouraged or precluded from receiving vaccines of any kind. Similarly, patients who have had vaccines should not be precluded from receiving dermal fillers in the future. The ASDS recommends that dermal fillers should be administered by board-certified physicians who are experts in both the injection of fillers and management of complications arising from them.

At PotozkinMD SkinCare & Laser Center, we are keeping up to date with the latest recommendations and are here to serve you. Hopefully, we will all be vaccinated sooner rather than later.

Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.

Advertorial MyBeautyMd.com.

COUNTY HEALTH INFORMATION RESOURCES

Below are some resources to get updated shelter-in-place information in Contra Costa County.

• Visit coronavirus.cchealth.org. The site provides the most updated and comprehensive information and answers to the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the County Health Officer’s order to shelter at home.

• There is additional resource information of all kinds on the County website at contracosta.ca.gov.

• Call 1-844-729-8410. It is an information line to answer questions you may have about the order. The line operates 8AM to 5PM each day.

• Email Supervisor Andersen at supervisorandersen@bos.cccounty.us, or call her office at (925) 957-8860. The Supervisor’s office is closed to visitors but is able to respond by phone or email to questions you have that cannot be answered at the County Health website or information line above.

Facebook: Alamo Today & Danville Today News | editor@yourmonthlypaper.com February 2021 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 23

FREE CONSULTATIONS TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED CONCERNS

Hope Hospice has launched video conference service that is, at this time, complimentary to the public in our area.“Many of the family caregivers who attend our classes find themselves in the caregiver role unexpectedly and without resources,” says program manager Jill Smith, RN. “The face-to-face classes have helped these individuals tremendously in learning about the changes to expect in their loved one and how to adjust techniques as the disease progresses.”

Zoom conferencing will be used to conduct private consultations with family members who have questions on specific challenges they are facing in caring for a loved one living with dementia. Submit a meeting request via email to jills@hopehospice.com, or call (925) 829-8770. Email is preferred.

Learn more at www.HopeHospice.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

RIDES NEEDED FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS

Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that provides free rides for ambulatory seniors and veterans who cannot take other forms of transportation. The group is looking for volunteers that are willing to help out the community by driving homebound seniors and veterans to medical appointments. Most volunteers drive once every week or two.

Please contact David Benet at (925)284-2215 or david@mobilitymatterscc. com for more information about volunteer opportunities. You can learn more about Mobility Matters at www.mobilitymatterscc.com.

TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND

Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making weekday reassurance calls, to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified.

This service is free! Additional TeleCare activities include an annual holiday party, and they also receive greeting cards from the Assisteens, an auxiliary where tweens and teens learn to participate in a community service at a young age.

Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.

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