2024 FEBRUARY ~ Alamo Today & Danville Today News

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1

& FEBRUARY 2024

TEEN ESTEEM+: SUPPORTING WHAT MATTERS TALKING TRASH MOST -- OUR CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE Tired of having nothing to do on Saturday mornings? Yeah right. Wanna

By Jody Morgan

Celebrating 30 years of service this year, Teen Esteem now includes a “plus” in its logo signaling the nonprofit’s commitment to reaching every member of the community concerned about the wellbeing of our youth. Teen Esteem+ (TE+) brings lively interactive presentations to students K-12 and offers workshops to parents and community groups to provide resources they can use to help young people overcome anxiety and depression, reject risky coping mechanisms, and make positive choices leading to personal success.

pick up someone else’s trash? Huh? Care to make our world a cleaner place? Sure, maybe. Then, please join in once-a-month to pick up litter in Danville. Small actions like picking up a piece of trash can greatly impact our community and environment.

Last year, inspired by the Walnut Creek Cleanup Crew, a group from Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, approached Cal-Trans to see if they could adopt the three freeway on/off ramps to keep them litter-free. In March, they got the approval to move forward. Monthly teams are now organized to tackle the El Cerro, Diablo, and Sycamore ramps in rotation.

By helping at these cleanup events, not only is litter removed from our streets and public spaces, but it also prevents it from entering our waterways and harming wildlife.

TE+ speakers gather before doing classroom presentations. L to R Trevor, Wendy, Erica, Kyndra, and Chelsea. Photo courtesy of TE+.

“The impossible just takes a little longer,” Kellie Elliott replies when asked for a phrase that characterizes her approach to new endeavors. In May 2022, Elliott joined Teen Esteem+ as CEO prepared to build on the firm foundation established by Linda Turnbull who launched the organization in 1994. Recipient of Diablo Magazine’s 2019 Threads of Hope Award, Turnbull continuously updated programs to address each trending temptation for children to engage in harmful activities leading to heartache.

She remains actively involved as a member of the Board.

“I am humbled to be part of this amazing organization -- such a chance to serve what really matters -- our children, our future, the people of this community,” Elliott says. “I want to get better each day and I am instilling that same desire within the organization.” With an enthusiastic and talented team addressing each of Kellie’s three major goals, phenomenal results are being achieved.

First, to enhance communication through the non-profit’s digital footprint, a new website was launched providing additional digital resources. Rebranding as Teen Esteem+ signifies emphasis on reaching students K-12 and parents -- not just teens.

Second, reaching more schools and students is a central goal. In 2021-2022, TE+ reached 10,635 students. In 2022-2023, TE+ reached 18,116, a 70% increase. Elliott

See Teen continued on page 8

See Trash continued on page 4

SRV GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society (SRVGS) was organized in 1985 to provide its members with resources, assistance, and educational opportunities that help them successfully research their ancestry. The group publishes a monthly newsletter and offers monthly meetings of small groups with common interests to discuss their specific areas of research. SRVGS also provides resources ranging from a large selection of reference books to information on local genealogical libraries.

You are invited to join the next meeting on Tuesday, February 20th, AM 10 - noon via ZOOM, with a presentation by Margaret “Peg” Kapustiak titled How Can “Historical Context Genealogy” Help My Family History?

Your family’s genealogy often meshes with the local history of various towns, cities, and countries. We will provide you with websites and other sources to help seek local history and uncover details about your family.

To join in the Zoom talk, learn more, or become a member of SRVGS, visit srvgensoc.org. For questions, email president@srvgensoc.org.

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

Volume XXIV Number 2

Volume XV Number 2

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

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PAGE 2 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

BOULEVARD VIEW

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher

I get it, our plates are all full. Many of us are up to our eyeballs trying to get everything done. Besides our personal needs, and those of our families, there are also needs of our communities.

Like family, communities are important. They provide a sense of belonging, support, and identity. Communities foster goals that can help us feel that we have a place in the world, and we are part of something important. They can also help reduce stress and isolation.

With community participation comes empowerment. When people feel empowered, they feel a sense of control enabling them to influence positive change and solve bigger problems. Sharing our knowledge, backgrounds and past experiences can lead to additional resources, innovation, new ideas, growth, and opens more doors. Participating and volunteering in a community can feel daunting at first, but it’s well worth the effort.

In an article by entrepreneur Stefan Beiten, he notes, “Although there are exceptional individuals in the world, most challenges can’t be solved by one person. Communities allow for problem-solving on a mass scale that dwarfs the impact of a lone genius.”

While our communities are some of the safest places to be in the country, it doesn’t mean they aren’t without challenges or nothing going on. There are multiple opportunities to increase awareness, learn more, get involved, be the eyes and ears of what’s going on, and make an impact.

Local social media platforms can alert us and open our eyes, but they can also harm with quick accusations and “keyboard warrioring.” What social media doesn’t offer is face-to-face communication which is quite different.

Banding together is one way to keep our communities safer. There are multiple ways we can participate. Please check these out!

Alamo’s Police Services Advisory Committee (APSAC), also know as P2B, is advisory to the County Sheriff and Supervisor Candace Andersen. The group meets at 5:30PM the first Monday of each month, at Alamo Plaza, space 170-A. Their meetings create awareness of local happenings, discuss strategies for change, and influence the police services budget for Alamo. All Alamo residents are encouraged to attend.

Danville residents interested in the inner workings of law enforcement are invited to apply for the Citizens’ Police Academy, which begins a new session on March 27, 2024. Danville police officer instructors will cover a number of topics, including Patrol Procedures, Traffic Enforcement, Investigations, Crime Scene Processing, Crime Prevention, Criminal Prosecution, and Driving Instruction.

Classes are held in-person on Wednesday evenings from 6PM to 9PM for seven consecutive weeks, with two Saturday sessions. If you’re interested in participating, complete an application found at danville.ca.gov. For more information, contact Lindsay Ortiz at 925-314-3717 or lortiz@danville.ca.gov.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is now accepting Spring 2024 applications for their Citizens Academy. The Citizens Academy provides community members with an inside look at the Office of the Sheriff and its mission, duties, responsibilities, and services.

The Citizens Academy will take place in Martinez with one special day dedicated to Clayton at the range. It begins on February 21st and runs for six consecutive weeks. Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6PM - 9PM with one Saturday session scheduled for March 9th from 9AM - 3PM. To apply, visit www. cocosheriff.org. Completed applications should be submitted via e-mail to csu@so.cccounty.us. Applications are due by February 9, 2024.

Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving program, and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within the community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address community issues of concern.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting Neighborhood Watch 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.

There is strength in numbers and strength in community. Please consider ways you can carve out a little time to make our communities a better place for all.

Kitten and Cat Adoptions Saturdays 11AM-3PM | Sundays 1-4PM

Petco 2005 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon All cats are indoor, fixed, tested, vaccinated, & microchipped.

Learn more at feralcatfoundation.org

925-829-9098

DANVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB AUTHOR EVENT

Please join the members of the GFWC Danville Women’s Club at their upcoming Author Event on February 8th at 7pm. The event will be held at the Danville Women’s Club, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave. in Danville.

Authors include Dave Iverson and Andriana Mendez.

Dave is a former KQED broadcaster and author of Winter Stars. He will discuss the growing eldercare crisis, what to do when it affects you, and how to manage emotions and reactions. He will also discuss where to lean in for help and sanity while care-giving. His book can be purchased on Amazon or at the event.

Andriana is founder of Sensational SeniorsTM Workshops by Custom Moving and Hauling. She will discuss how to create a happy and healthy living environment for your loved one, how to initiate dispersal of excessive belongings, and options for care-giving assistance.

The event cost is $10. To learn more or register, visit www.danvillewomensclub.org/just-one. All proceeds go to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and eldercare organizations.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 3

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WRITING DIVERSE STORIES

HOSTED BY THE DANVILLE-ALAMO-WALNUT CREEK BRANCH OF AAUW

Join the American Association of University Women (AAUW) on Thursday, February 15th at 6PM for the Third Thursday Member Meeting (open to all)! The meeting will be held at the Danville Congregational Church, located at 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville.

In addition to the usual social time, guest speaker, and one of the AAUW Fellowship recipients, K. X. Song will be speaking. An accomplished author, K.X. will touch on the creative process behind her stories, the nonlinear trajectory of her publishing journey in the US, and the importance of diversity and representation in storytelling and media at large. She will also discuss the state of the US publishing industry today, and some of the challenges particular to women of color in the industry.

To RSVP visit daw-ca.aauw.net.

The event is free for AAUW members, and $10 for non-members.

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region has many volunteer opportunities to aid seniors in our communities.

Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a home meal delivery driver and assist in getting prepared meals to those in need.

The Friendly Visitors, Friendly Callers, and Friendly Helpers programs check in on seniors and also can assist them with everyday errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up medications at a local pharmacy.

For more information, visit www.mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, or contact Eileen Stephens at estephens@mowdr.org, or 925-482-2622, or Tuyet Iaconis at tiaco-nis@mowdr.org or 925-891-4872.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY IN FEBRUARY

On February 4th, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will unveil its captivating exhibit, “Gadgets Galore! Transforming the American Household.” From light bulbs to coffee makers, this showcase bridges the past and present, inviting visitors to engage with history through a scavenger hunt-style experience. Delve into the evolution of historic household gadgets, reflecting on their profound impact on modern technology.

On February 15th at 11:30AM our free virtual program will feature the Friends of the San Ramon Creek. This group was founded in 2012 with the mission to foster knowledge and good stewardship of our local creeks.

Today they are focused on the removal of the invasive and damaging Arundo giant reed. Learn about this work and the health of our local creeks. The program is free, but registration is required. To attend, visit museumsrv. org, and go to the “Events” section.

Visit the Museum of the San Ramon Valley at 205 Railroad Ave, Danville, open Tuesday-Friday 1PM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-1PM, and Sunday noon-3PM. For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

UPCOMING BOOK SALE

The Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) will host a pop-up used book sale to raise money for our local library on Saturday, February 24th from 10am to 2pm. The sale will be held in the Mt. Diablo Room of the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street, Danville • Book prices start at $2; less for children’s chapter books • Cash, local checks, and credit cards accepted • Book donations will be accepted during the sale. Limit of four bags For more information, visit the bookstore Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm to speak with a volunteer.

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PAGE 4 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

EARLY ALERT CANINES

Concord-based Early Alert Canines (EAC) is currently accepting applications from all across the United States. In response to numerous requests from clients and partners outside the non-profit’s current west coast placement area, EAC is broadening its reach to individuals nationwide who might otherwise lack access to a specially trained service dog. EAC’s mission is to improve the health, safety, and well-being of insulin-dependent diabetics through partnership with certified low blood sugar alert dogs.

In mid-2023, EAC launched its own puppy-raising program, welcoming a sixth puppy in December. Young dogs in training live with their foster caregivers. This year’s annual Graduation Day is scheduled for April 13, 2024, with a festive evening Graduation Banquet and Benefit Concert.

Visit earlyalertcanines.org to learn more, support a puppy, foster, volunteer, buy banquet tickets, or offer a silent auction donation.

BEAUTIFUL CHURCH VENUE FOR WEDDINGS, MEMORIALS, PARTIES, & MEETINGS

Experience the perfect blend of serenity and celebration at Danville Congregational Church (www.danvillechurch.org). Our welcoming facility is more than just a space; it’s a warm embrace for your special moments. The lovely sanctuary, versatile reception halls, and fully equipped kitchens set the stage for unforgettable events. Conveniently located near the 680 freeway, our facility offers flexible rental options for up to 300 participants. For availability and pricing, please contact our office at 925-837-6944 or dcc.events@danvillechurch.org.

Wherever you are on life’s journey, we offer you a place of peace and hope. At Danville Congregational Church, we welcome you to a progressive spiritual community that is open and affirming.

Trash continued from front page

Participating in a cleanup event is easy and rewarding. All you need to do is show up wearing sturdy shoes and jeans. You’ll be given instructions on where to start and what to look for. You’ll be surprised at how much litter you can collect in just a short amount of time. You’ll work alongside others with the added benefit of meeting new people and making new friends.

Adults, teenagers, or those looking to fulfill community service hours are welcome. To sign up for the monthly clean-up, visit rampcleanup.weebly. com and fill out the “Join the Community” form. The next pick-up will be held Saturday, February 10th from 8:30AM to 10AM.

To place an ad, share a story, or find more information about our paper, contact us at 925.405.6397 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com editor@yourmonthlypaper.com..

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ROLLING HILLS CHAPTER OF NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE:

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Rolling Hills Chapter (RHC) of National Charity League (NCL)is accepting applications for the classes of 2027 through 2030.

NCL’s mission is to foster community service while supporting mother-daughter bonds and developing leadership skills and an appreciation for cultural traditions. The RHC is a group of mothers and daughters, in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) area, who are interested in strengthening their bonds through leadership, philanthropy, and cultural experiences.

Mothers meetings feature speakers from all backgrounds. Recent speakers include Connie Iglesias (SRVHS Counselor), Kate Schatz (best-selling author), Jason McConnell (College Advisor), and Elizabeth Husserl (Financial Advisor/Teens).

The RHC is recruiting mothers and daughters for their 2024-2025 membership drive. The group currently has 207 members spanning from 7th grade through 12th grade.

Applications are being accepted through March 1st at 5PM. For more information on the RHC, visit www.nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/rollinghills.

To access the membership inquiry form, visit http://tinyurl.com/2p8wj94r.

For general membership questions, email rhnclmembership@gmail.com.

DANVILLE COMMUNITY BAND

The Danville Community Band presents its first concert of 2024 featuring Tributes and Celebrations – recognizing the music of Henry Mancini and celebrating the Irish for St. Patrick’s Day. The ON SALE | CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATE p erforf f O mance 15% will be held at the Del Valle Theater in Walnut Creek, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd. (next to Rossmoor) at 3PM on Sunday, March 10th.

The concert is free, and donations are SALE ON CARPET accepted. There will be general audience seating.

For more information about the Danville Community Band and future performances, please visit www.danvilleband.org, or “Like” the Danville Community Band group on Facebook at www. facebook.com/groups/danvilleband.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 5

THE GATTI REPORT: YOUR GREATER DANVILLE AREA REAL ESTATE UPDATE

By Joe Gatti

January has come and gone and we are at the cusp of our local spring real estate market, which kicks off in mid-February. If you’re considering selling or buying in 2024, please reach out. The Gatti Team with Compass combines our full time 60+ years of Greater Danville Area experience with the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in the United States. We strive for personalized, local, and proven real estate expertise tailored just for you.

What have we learned in the first month of the new year? We learned that mortgage interest rates have proceeded considerably lower since October, which is a great sign for future real estate activity. In economic news, we did see a slight hiccup with inflation going up. The latest US inflation reading th on January 11 came in at 3.4%, an unexpected tick up from 3.1% the prior month. At the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, they forecast three separate base interest rate cuts in 2024. Even with the unexpected inflation increase, look for the Fed to pause at their January 30th-31st meeting and continue to pause until inflation resumes going downwards. Once it does, it then becomes a question of whether the Fed begins cutting their base rate in late spring, summer, or the beginning of fall.

If we look at the graph (at right) of “Mortgage Interest Rates in 2023” we can see the peak was in October. Rates hit 7.79% at its height. They began decreasing once it became evident to markets that the Federal Reserve’s policy had shifted to no longer raising their base rate but pausing after their November 1st meeting. Rates then went down to the mid-7% range through November and after another pause at the Fed’s December 13th meeting, rates fell further; ending 2023 at 6.61%. As of this writing, interest rates are at 6.60%, the lowest since May 2023.* When compared to last year, the start of 2024 looks more promising for real estate. We are at the beginning of a presidential campaign year so expect predictable economic decisions leading up to the election in November. As interest rates fall, look for activity to increase as both sellers and buyers become more financially comfortable with larger economic decisions. If you’re considering selling and would like a proactive price valuation for your home during this period of declining interest rates, please reach out for a private consultation. The Gatti Team strives to provide extensive local real estate services with the best brokerage practices for our clients.

I hope you found this article helpful. I’ve been serving our real estate community for 11 years. Ron Gatti, my business partner and father, has been a full-time real estate professional for over 40 years, all in the greater Danville area. We both are Associate Brokers with Compass out of the 760 Camino Ramon, Suite 200 office in Danville. If you have any real estate questions during this extraordinary time or have questions about this article, please email GattiRealEstate@gmail.com or call Joe Gatti at 925-5883590. Our services are here for you! *Yahoo!Finance, Rebecca Chen, “Mortgage rates drop to 7 Month Low” https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mortgage-rates-drop-to-7-month-low-170505542.html

JOE & & RON RON GAT GAT TI TI JOE AS DANVILLE NATIVES, WE KNOW AS DANVILLE NATIVES, WE KNOW DANVILLE AND THE SAN RAMON VALLEY DANVILLE AND THE SAN RAMON VALLEY O MO A ALLAM A

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JOE GATTI RON GATTI JULIE CYGAN JOE GATTI JULIE CYGAN RON GATTI Associate Broker Associate Broker REALTOR® Associate Broker 925.588.3590 925.588.3590 DRE 01914487 DRE 01914487

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g a t t i r e a l e s t a t e @ g m a i l .co m gCompass a t tisiarrealeestate a l ebroker s tlicensed a t eby@ g m a i l .co m 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 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 are approximate. 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 2024

DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR

2023 PRESIDENTS CLUB HONOREES

MARISA COX

DENISEN HARTLOVE

HURLBUT TEAM

CONNORS TEAM

TOP PRODUCER VOLUME

TOP PRODUCER UNITS

TOP PRODUCING TEAM - VOLUME

TOP PRODUCING TEAM - UNITS

LAUREN DEAL, BRYAN HURLBUT, DREW SHILLER, ERICA MISASI

BELINDA DELGADO, KIM CERDA, JAMIE CONNORS, KERRI MCATEE

P R E S I D E N T S

C L U B

E L I T E

PRESIDENTS CLUB ELITE

P R E S I D E N T S

C L U B

E L I T E

ADAM HAMALIAN

JULIE DEL SANTO

MARISA COX

ANGIE CLAY

KAAREN BRICKMAN

OLIVER BROWN

CHERYL HATA

LORI LEGLER

SHERRY HUTCHENS

PRESIDENTS CLUB ANGELA LOTMAN

JOHN & CANDI HOYLE

FONIA HUMPHRIES

LAUREN DEAL

SABRENA LAWTON

BELINDA DELGADO

CAROL NASSAR

JAMIE CONNORS

LESLIE SHAFTON

SCOTT HUMPHRIES

BEV TRIBUIANI

CATHY BAIGENT

JIM COLHOUN

LISA TICHENOR

SHEILA CHRISTIE

BONNE WERSEL

DAVE CHRISTIE

KAREN GUARISCO

MATT MCLEOD

SOOSH NASSAR

BRANDON KERSIS

JANE & DAVE SMITH

KAREN IVANKOVICH

MEREDITH KUMMELL

TERRYLYNN FISHER

BRETT BARNES

DENISEN HARTLOVE

KIM CERDA

RACHEL DREYER

TINA FRECHMAN

BRYAN HURLBUT

EMANUEL SAKKIS

KIM & JOHN SEFTON

RUTH EDDY

VERONICA HIDALGO

KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville.

New and prospective members are welcome!

The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and participates in many community service projects. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker and specializes in fun and entertaining camaraderie. There is no charge for a guest lunch.

For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org.

LIONS CLUB OF DANVILLE

The Danville Lions Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM at Mangia Mi located at 406 Hartz Ave, Danville. The group is looking for like-minded people who wish to volunteer their time to raise funds and provide services to those in need, both locally and worldwide, through fun and gratifying projects.

To learn more, visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/danvilleca or call 925-719-1553.

EXCHANGE CLUB

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at The Grille at Blackhawk, located at 3540 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville.

Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $30. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com.

Keep local news alive! Advertise in your hometown paper.

Contact us at 925.405.6397 | Editor@YourMonthlyPaper.com

SONS IN RETIREMENT

SAN RAMON VALLEY BRANCH #128

Are you looking for ways to stay active, make new friends, and have more fun in retirement? Look no further than Sons in Retirement (SIR) #128, a social organization for men over 50 who are retired or are nearing retirement.

At SIR 128 San Ramon Valley, we believe that retirement is an opportunity to pursue new interests, travel, and spend time with friends. That’s why we offer a wide range of activities that cater to every taste from cooking, cycling, bowling, bocce ball, book clubs, fishing, pickleball, and golf - both 9 and 18 holes, to name just a few.

Each month SIR128 also has a variety of events at various locations. These outings are a great way to have some fun and make some new friends.

Membership includes a monthly luncheon with an interesting guest speaker.

Luncheons are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 11:30AM at the Bridges, 9000 S. Gale Ridge, San Ramon.

If you’re interested in attending a luncheon/meeting as a guest, please email membership@sir128.com. To learn more about SIR #128 branch, visit www.SIR128.com.

LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS

The Rotary Club of Alamo meets the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club, visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@ hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets at the San Ramon Community Center on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/ San Ramon meets Wednesdays from 5:15PM-6:40PM at Amador Rancho Community Center. For more information, call 925-998-2924. The Danville San Ramon Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at the LAB meeting room at Roundhouse located 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Meetings are held at 7AM on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, noon on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, and no meetings in months with a 5th Tuesday. For more information call 925-997-6664.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 7

DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP FIND A NEW HOME WITH US. ALAMO & DANVILLE SALES 2023

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F E AT U R E D P R O P E R T I E S 00 SARANAP

SOLD

0 SARANAP

COMING SOON

ACTIVE

PENDING

PENDING

277 LARK LANE, ALAMO 5 BEDS, 5.5 BATHS, ±5,300 SF, ±.65 ACRE LOT

3212 LOS PALOS CIRCLE, LAFAYETTE 4 BEDS, 4 BATHS, ±3,757 SF, ±.37 ACRE LOT

0 HOMESTEAD AVENUE, WALNUT CREEK ±7,405 SF LOT

0 SARANAP, LAFAYETTE ±16,196 SF LOT

OFFERED FOR $4,200,000

OFFERED FOR $3,495,000

CALL AGENT FOR DETAILS

CALL AGENT FOR DETAILS

MARGY LYMAN | 925.963.6380

LORI LEGLER & CHERYL HATA | 925.286.1244

EVA ELDERTS | 925.726.9409

EVA ELDERTS | 925.726.9409

OFF MARKET SOLD

SOLD

SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER

SOLD - REPRESENTED BUYER

61 MOORE COURT, SAN RAMON 4 BEDS, 3 BATHS, ±2,727 SF, ±.23 ACRE LOT

190 ALAMO SQUARE, ALAMO 3 BEDS, 2.5 BATHS, ±1,889 SF, ±1,500 SF LOT

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PAGE 8 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

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MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL By Elsa Hartley, San Ramon

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

After a restful winter break, Monte Vista’s (MV) students and faculty are enjoying a nice start to spring semester. The first few days of school are always somewhat of a transition from vacation mode back to school mode, but now we are several weeks in, and things are off and running.

Late January and early February are always busy times of the school year. MV winter sports are closing out their seasons and spring sports are beginning. Our Visual Arts and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs are performing locally and across the state.

And, our seniors are beginning to receive their first college acceptance letters. We are also preparing to welcome our incoming freshman, the Class of 2028, at our annual Freshman Parent Night which will be held on March 4th.

MV’s winter athletic teams are making strong bids for league championships and playoff spots. MV Women’s Soccer is once again playing at a high level this season. The team is aiming for another EBAL crown and making a strong push for another NCS Championship. MV Men’s Soccer is also off to a strong start as the team vies to defend last year’s NCS title. The Men’s Basketball Team might be a little undersized, but they are competing at a championship level and will undoubtedly be a factor in the EBAL Season and NCS playoffs. MV Women’s Basketball is playing well in their return to EBAL action. And, MV Wrestling is continuing to get stronger as the team finishes up their final dual meets and gears up for the league and section tournaments. It has been a great winter season and we are looking forward to strong finishes for all teams. Spring sports kick off February 5th, so our campus will be very busy in the coming weeks.

The VAPA programs are also busy. MV’s Choir began their spring season with the Area Choral Festival and MV Chamber Singers will perform their Cabaret Show at the Danville Theater on February 9th. Finally, MV’s Treblaires will be on tour in Nashville in late February. Beginning February 28th and running through March 2nd, MV’s entire VAPA department will be performing our winter musical Footloose. MV’s Instrumental Music will be performing at a variety of competitions which began with the Folsom Jazz Festival and will be followed by the Woodcreek Jazz Festival on February 10th. MV’s Speech and Debate program competed at Lowell High School in San Francisco, will make a showing the Cal Invitational in Berkeley mid-February, and the State Qualifier Tournament at James Logan High March 2nd and 3rd. Finally, MV Robotics is hard at work preparing for their first competition of the spring season March 7th - 10th in San Francisco.

Things are really moving at MV. I encourage you to come out to these events and support our students as they continue to do amazing things in and around our community.

Teen continued from front page

Valley High School, senior

The first few weeks of February are coming up quickly… and boy, will we be busy!

To recap, San Ramon Valley High (SRV) Leadership hosted the 25th annual Tri-Valley Leadership Conference on January 29th. Fourteen other schools’ leadership programs attended for a fun day of getting to know one another, sharing ideas, and working with the Crayon Initiative and Pledge to Humanity to serve the community. A special thank you to everyone who made this event happen! We are grateful for our amazing local non-profit panelists, Gaby Ghorbani, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Paige Nues, who were gracious enough to speak to us about their impactful work.

Our ‘Rally of Champions’ will be held on February 9th. We will be highlighting a variety of champion sports. We will then move into the week of February 12th, which is Love Week! The spirit week will center around loving each other, loving your community, loving your future, loving yourself, and loving your school. We will have corresponding lunchtime activities like candy grams and aromatherapy.

Seniors are also getting ready to start counting down the days until graduation… in fact, February 7th marks 100 days until graduation. Per SRV tradition, seniors will receive a 100 Grand candy bar to mark the day. Time flies!

We are super excited to put on another year of SRVogue! SRVogue is an all-inclusive fundraising pageant put on by students at SRV. The students participate in four sections including formal wear, casual wear, spirit wear, and a talent section that are all judged by SRV teachers! The pageant will take place on the evening of February 29th, and any profit from the event will be donated to the Katie Nues Foundation for Rhett Syndrome. To further reach out to our community, we will be hosting our yearly blood drive with the Red Cross at the end of February.

This year, SRV Theatre will be performing Mean Girls for the spring musical. After months of hard work, the show will take place on February 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 7pm each night. Come support our amazing cast! Break a leg, SRV Theatre!

Lastly, SRV spring sports have been doing super well so far! Women’s basketball has been killing it and, at the time of writing this, has only lost one game! Men’s basketball will take on cross-town rivals, Monte Vista, on February 2nd. SRV also hosted a big wrestling tournament in mid-January and we are excited to continue to watch our teams excel!

reports the organization is on track to achieve a similar increase this year. The number of classroom presentations increased 75.5%.

Natalie Brown, Director of Development, reports: “97% of students state that after our presentation they feel empowered to make a positive choice or change for their future. It can be as simple as a student incorporating the right words to say ‘No’ to a dangerous or adverse opportunity into their vocabulary, or as critical as connecting a child with suicidal thoughts to a counselor -- those connections increased by almost 150% last year.”

Brown adds: “Students repeatedly state that they want Teen Esteem+ to come back again. They love that we present with respect, that we acknowledge the challenges they face are real, and that we provide solutions that they understand and can use. They appreciate the support we bring for themselves and for their friends who are struggling. We don’t take it for granted that we have their ear, and our challenge is to maximize every opportunity.”

Jennifer Mattinson, Monte Vista High School Teacher, writes: “Teen Esteem is by far the most popular of our guest speakers at Monte Vista. The students love the relevance of the topics and the dynamic energy of the speakers. Our longstanding relationship with Teen Esteem will continue for years to come.”

Shanin McKavish, Cal High Teacher, writes: “Teen Esteem is always my students’ favorite speakers. The subject matter is relevant to the students and the material is presented in an engaging and educational way. The speakers talk with the students in a kind, respectful manner which allows for a more open and meaningful dialogue during presentations. Students are encouraged to participate and their contributions are always valued. The speakers are able to read the room and tailor the presentation material to meet students’ needs. It is a highlight of my year when Teen Esteem is in my classroom engaging with my students about subjects important to their lives.”

Apollo uses the teacup analogy to help Describing the impact of growing at such a rapid pace, Julie Pamer, Director of Programs, remarks, “Requests for TE+ students see how valuable they are. Photo presentations have been pouring through the door. It’s been rough, but amazing. We hired a Director of Speakers in 2022 courtesy of TE+. and went from 11 to 30 speakers.”

Kyndra Belden joined TE+ as a speaker in 2021 and moved into the new position of Director of Speakers in 2022. Her responsibilities include finding and training speakers as independent contractors. She relates: “I heard about Teen Esteem from a speaker friend and observed a presentation. When I saw this presentation, my heart

See Teen continued on page 10

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February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 9

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Teen continued from page 8

leapt out. It was so much of what I had personally experienced in my own life and wanted to talk to young people about for quite some time. I wanted to help kids know they are not alone in their struggles and share ways I’ve been mindful in my own life to navigate through those times. I experienced anxiety, depression, and feeling hopeless about my future as a teen and turned to high-risk activities which ended up derailing me in life. I was able to get back on track and live an awesome life now, but I want to help prevent these students from having to go through what I went through. I want them to know how valuable their life is. There is so much more ahead! More joy and purpose and fulfillment to come.”

Speakers use the teacup analogy to help students understand how precious they are. A high school student recalls: “I cried during the part with the teacup. Now I know I am irreplaceable.” A middle school student writes: “The teacup analogy left an impression on me because when I was bullied, I was called ‘a waste of space.’

Now I know I am special.”

By sharing their own experiences, speakers capture the attention of students, who see them as real people rather than someone telling them what to do. Belden explains: “In fact, speakers are clear that we are not here to tell them what to do or what to think but to help them TO THINK. We empower them to take ownership over their life by helping them know that their life matters and they are valuable. When they know that about themselves, they’re more likely to treat their life thoughtfully and with care. Even if they did make a high-risk choice their value will NEVER change because their value is not based on what they do or don’t do; it’s who they are. When they go through struggles, it’s important to talk to trusted adults in their life and not go through it alone. Asking for help isn’t always easy but it is crucial.

Asking for help doesn’t make us weird or weak. It makes us human. We ALL need help at points in our life.”

As a speaker, Kyndra says, “I enjoy Ryan shares a high five with a student. seeing the ‘lightbulb moments’ when Photo courtesy of TE+. students hear something for the first time.

One example is when we share how ‘irreplaceable and invaluable’ they are and ‘it’s okay to not be okay.’ Some students have even been on the brink of tears because they haven’t heard that before. I also like talking with students one-on-one after the classroom presentations. I used to think I could tell what students were going through by how they act, but I can’t always. I’ve been quickly reminded that when I’ve been at my most anxious and depressed, I could be the most upbeat and outgoing in a room with others. We can’t always see what a student is going through and a lot of them need this message of hope.”

The third goal is expanding outreach to parents and other adults to provide tools they can use to give or get help for a struggling child. Passionate about that initiative, Danville Marriage and Family Therapist Correna Kelley is presenting a new program: “Communicating and Connecting with Our Children When They

See Teen continued on page 13

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TECH IN THE CLASSROOM: GOOD OR BAD?

By John Black, The Dorris-Eaton School

The other day, my wife and I were enjoying dinner out. She savored her favorite dish, shrimp scampi, while I dug into my steak. While eating, we enjoyed each other’s company with some light, but meaningful, conversation. This seemed to be in stark contrast to the couple who were seated beside us. From the moment they arrived, to the moment they finished their meal, each was more focused on their smartphone than each other.

Maybe I’ve become an old fogey, but when our kids were growing up, we always made a point of eating dinner together. And, phones were never allowed at the table, regardless of whether we were eating at home or at a restaurant. Nowadays, people can’t seem to survive without their smartphones, whether it’s for business or pleasure. But what about in our schools? Do smartphones belong there? What kind of technology does belong in a classroom? And, does it help or hurt our children?

I recently visited a literature classroom at Dorris-Eaton School, a private school in San Ramon serving approximately 300 students in K-8. There, students are not allowed to have smartphones inside the school. The students in the class I visited were using school-provided laptops to complete research and then write their persuasive essays. The teacher continually moved around the classroom, helping the students, while ensuring they remained on-task. When one student ventured to a website that was unrelated to his essay, the teacher quickly redirected him. This use of technology was effective, perhaps because it wasn’t the focus of the lesson. It was a tool for the students to complete their assignment.

The focus of the lesson was the development of the students’ writing skills.

There are undeniably good arguments to be made in favor of technology in the classroom. Technology has the potential of making learning more interactive and engaging for students, particularly those who are visual learners. With the internet a mere swipe of the finger away, students can access limitless amounts of information in a matter of seconds, allowing them to explore topics beyond what is covered in traditional textbooks. Perhaps most importantly, technology can provide personalized learning experiences, adapting to each student’s particular needs.

But there’s certainly a downside.

When allowed in the classroom, smartphones and other devices can be a distraction, tempting students to engage in non-educational activities, such as social media or games, that pull their attention away from the lesson. Overreliance on technology can make students too dependent on digital tools, diminishing their ability to think critically and problem-solve without the aid of technology. And then there’s the question of inequality. While technology has the potential to bridge the education gap, not all students have equal access to devices and the internet at home. While that might not be much of an issue in the Tri-Valley, it is most certainly an issue in many other places. This became apparent during the pandemic when schools transitioned to online learning, but many students were unable to engage.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of technology is that it limits human interaction. Yes, we can use it to easily communicate with family and friends who may be far away, but what if that family member is sitting across from you at the same table, and they’re STILL using their phone? Building strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential elements of a well-rounded education. Schools have the responsibility to give students the necessary opportunities to develop those skills, just like the teacher at Dorris-Eaton School was working to improve the students’ research and writing skills. But, an over-reliance on technology in the classroom (or unmonitored use of that technology) can interfere with this responsibility.

Without question, technology in the classroom has its advantages and disadvantages. While it can enhance a student’s learning experience, it can also disrupt that same experience. So, what is the answer?

Well, it’s really pretty simple; schools need to provide a balance. Some lessons demand the use of technology, but not all lessons. At the end of the day, the best classroom is one in which the students are engaged with the lesson’s content. The teacher is providing direction, but the students are collaborating, they’re discussing, they’re debating, and they’re challenging each other to reach a higher level of understanding. All of this demands strong interpersonal skills. Technology can be used to strengthen such skills, but it cannot be a substitute for developing those skills.

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February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 11

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Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.

VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane WHEN ‘DRY’ DIDN’T MEAN LACK OF RAIN

The sign found on Danville’s Hartz Avenue reads “Elliott’s Bar Since 1907.” A bar on a main street of town doesn’t seem unusual to us today, but setting up a saloon in the early 20th century was no easy matter. Like much of rural California, Danville had a group of strong temperance supporters. What we might call substance abuse today, was called “demon rum” then.

In the late 1840s, the first Americans came to California in large numbers. It was an era of national prohibition sentiment. Some of the gold miners in the 1850s, and the rare early ministers, were temperance believers. Accounts of those years show that in San Francisco and in the Gold Country, temperance principles made nary a dent. Tolerance prevailed and there was a lot of drinking.

Many organizations opposed liquor consumption, including the Sons of Temperance and the Dashaway Association of San Francisco (members were to “dash away” any alcoholic drink offered to them). Later the Good Templars and the Women’s Temperance Alliances began. Beginning in the nineteenth century, columns in the Contra Costa Gazette tell about the efforts of the “drys” to convert the “wets.” In the 1870s, communities could vote on a local liquor option Elliott’s Bar, originally the Lawless Bar on Front Street in Danville. sale and, even though they could not vote, women took an important part in these campaigns.

In 1872 the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded and eventually became the largest lobbying group in the country. Because many of the women advocating for equal rights for women were also active in the WCTU, woman suffrage supporters often found the “hospitality interests” to be their strongest foes. This was certainly true when the first effort to enfranchise women in California went down to defeat in 1896. Twenty-five percent of the state’s population lived in San Francisco (where liquor famously flowed) at that point, and the “anti-women suffrage” vote there was overwhelming.

In 1891, The Contra Costa Gazette had an article headed: “The Question of a License.” The article told about a demonstration at the county seat of Martinez in opposition to a renewal of a Danville liquor license. It read, “When the San Ramon train arrived Monday morning it brought a delegation of 70 strong from Danville, many of the ladies, and all of them among the best class of people of that neighborhood. Each wore a bit of blue ribbon conspicuously displayed, and on landing marched up the street in couples. It was soon ascertained that they had an object in view, and that was to appear before the Board of Supervisors and protest against the issuance of a license to sell liquor to one Flagel, who is now the only person engaged in that business in Danville, and whose present license expires today, Nov. 4.”

The group presented a 157-signature petition and pointed out that, while most of them were not strictly temperance people, they regarded “a saloon… as a menace to the well-being of the community.” The reporter wrote, “Danville is noted as the center of a prosperous, highly cultivated, and progressive neighborhood, and the moral tone is exceptionally high.”

Mrs. Albert J. Young, wife of a highly respected teacher and church leader in the valley, addressed the board: “In the name of the wives and mothers there (and) fervently pleaded that the temptation should not be placed before husbands and sons to lure them to ruin.”

The Gazette covered Andrew Flagel’s license hearing which went on for hours. Witnesses said he had “sold liquor to minors and that gambling had been practiced in the saloon.” Each charge was answered and refuted. Finally, the board made a unanimous decision “to revoke the license for violations of the conditions under which it was obtained.”

See Vignette continued on page 15

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THE COUNTY WELCOMES NEW TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR DAN MIERZWA

By County Supervisor Candace Andersen

If you own property in Contra Costa County, you likely have received a property tax bill from Russell V. Watts, Contra Costa Treasurer-Tax Collector. That will no longer be the case. On January 4th, 2024, Dan Mierzwa was sworn in as the new Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector. His name will appear on your next Property Tax bill.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appointed Dan Mierzwa as the new Treasurer-Tax Collector following the announcement of Russell Watts’ retirement in December. Watts served as the elected treasurer-tax collector for 13 years and retired in December 2023. He was first elected Contra Costa Treasurer-Tax Collector in 2010 and had also worked as a long-time employee of the Treasurer Tax Collector Department.

The County’s new Tax Collector previously served as Yuba County’s Treasurer and Tax Collector. Mierzwa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Finance and Business Administration minor from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He also holds a Certified California Municipal Treasurer certification.

What does the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office do? It acts as the bank for the County, providing financial services to County departments, schools, and special districts, and manages more than $4.9 billion in the County’s investment pool.

The Tax Collector collects property taxes from homeowners and property owners in the county. Property taxes are a major source of revenue for local government entities, including school districts, cities, and the county itself. The Tax Collector has a number of responsibilities including billing and assessment, tax payment processing, delinquent tax collection, fund distribution, and holding tax defaulted property auctions.

The tax collector sends out property tax bills to property owners, which includes information about the assessed value of the property and the amount of taxes owed. The assessed value is based on the value of the property as determined by the elected County Assessor.

The Tax Collector receives and processes payments for property taxes. They ensure that payments are accurately recorded and deposited into the appropriate funds to support local government services. In cases where property owners fail to pay their property taxes on time, the Tax Collector may initiate collection actions, which can include penalties, interest, and, in extreme cases, the sale of tax-defaulted properties through tax auctions. Once property taxes are collected, the Tax Collector distributes the funds to various local government agencies, such as schools, cities, and special districts, according to the established tax allocation formula.

Contra Costa County participates in something called the “Teeter Plan.” Back in 1949, this alternative method for distributing property taxes was enacted in California, and counties could choose to opt in. Under this plan all public agencies in the county receive the full amount of their share of property taxes regardless of the amount actually collected or the number of delinquencies experienced by the county in collecting their taxes. The county bears the risk of loss of collection, but in return receives interest and the delinquent penalties. The Teeter Plan ensures that local cities and districts can count on receiving their full property tax revenue, but at the same time provides the county with potentially increased revenues from the delinquent penalties and interest collected.

Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of un-incorporated Walnut Creek. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-655-2300.

QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle

OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!” I can only imagine Olga Kolbek (1914-2008), proprietor of Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga exclaiming in elation when her ideas were proved correct. For years she had been recording the eruption times of the geyser. She knew there was a correlation between the eruption times and earthquakes, although it would be 20 years before scientists agreed with her.

In the 1970s Olga and her husband purchased a 22-acre site in Calistoga with beautiful views of the Palisades and a geyser that faithfully erupts every 45-55 minutes, spouting water between 106 to more than 180 feet high. As a retired teacher and lifelong educator, Kolbek opened the property to the public to share “nature’s spectacular performance.”

Kolbek noticed changing intervals to the geyser’s eruptions and she became convinced the geyser’s timing was a predictor of earthquakes. She is quoted as saying, “I knew it all along. In fact, I first figured the quakes were causing the geyser to behave strangely back on August 1,1975, when it stopped erupting every 50 minutes and didn’t erupt at all for nearly 2 ½ hours.” That was the day of the Oroville quake which hit at 8AM. Kolbek began keeping records of the times of the geyser. By the late 1980s she had amassed almost 20 years of data.

In 1990, the story goes, two geologists, Paul G. Silver and Nathalie J.Valette-Silver were on a tour of Old Faithful Geyser led by Kolbek, when she shared her theory about quakes and the geyser as well as her record keeping. The Silvers were intrigued.

Back in their offices at Carnegie Institution, the Silvers asked Kolbek for her logs. Kolbek sent them to Washington so the scientists could match them against

Old Faithful Geyser erupting.

thousands of California earthquake records from the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1992, Kolbek’s assessment was proven correct. Media coverage was nationwide, including mentions on several network channels including ABC, NBC, and CNN, local and national publications including Time magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle.

San Francisco Chronicle Science Editor, David Portman wrote in September,1992, “Two scientists at the Carnegie Institution in Washington say she (Kolbek) might just be right…findings concluded that the geyser predicted at least three major earthquakes in California, including the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989. The Silvers found that major changes in the geyser’s activity lasting for several weeks coincided with the three largest quakes located within 155 miles of Calistoga. In all three cases, large variations occurred between one and three days before the quakes.”

My daughter, granddaughters, and I recently visited Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser and even though it was a cloudy and cool day, we were not alone. At Granddaughter Ev (Goldie) feeding the least 50 other people eagerly awaited the sweet goats. Photo by Linda Summers Pirkle) eruption. It was a “no earthquake” day, so we only waited 40 minutes to see the water shoot up into the sky.

Besides the geyser, Old Faithful Farm delights all ages with the famous Tennessee Fainting goats, Cameroon Pygmy goats, Jacob’s Four-Horn sheep, and Guard Llamas. Bring your own wine and goodies during the warmer months–it’s a lovely picnic venue for family and friends with cabanas and picnic tables. There is also a Geology Museum, Old Faithful Garden featuring mostly California native plants, and bocce courts on site.

Old Faithful Geyser is located at 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga and open seven days a week. Contact them at 707-942-6463, or visit OldFaithfulGeyser.com.

Linda Summers Pirkle is a travel writer and long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.

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PAGE 14 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

LIVING TRUSTS – CAN YOUR CHILDREN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO?

PART II By Robert J. Silverman, Esq., Silverman & Jaffe

Last month, Part I of this article questioned the conventional way people provide for their children in their Living Trusts. The Trusts of a large majority state that, upon their death, their mature adult children and/or other loved ones receive distributions of their share of the assets, outright, with no strings attached. Understandably, these parents want their children to be free to manage their inheritance in any way they wish.

It’s nevertheless helpful to look at things from other vantage points. One newer and growing estate planning trend is to NOT mandate outright distribution to children at any particular age. The two primary reasons are: 1) creditor protection and 2) marital protection.

Last month’s article explored creditor protection. This month’s article will explore marital protection. What I mean by “marital protection” is protection for the inheriting child against possible claims or interference by the child’s spouse.

Parents frequently feel confident that the marriages of their children are, or will be, rock-solid and that, therefore, “marital protection” is not necessary. While any particular client may turn out to be right, it’s common knowledge that there is a high rate of divorce. Moreover, divorces are difficult to predict and end up surprising to many, including one or both spouses, family members, and friends.

Another reason marital protection may, on the surface, be seen as unnecessary is that, in California, inheritance is the “separate property” of the inheriting spouse, NOT “community property.” Accordingly, a non-inheriting spouse cannot make a claim against those inherited assets. Despite this legal doctrine, many inheriting spouses intentionally (potentially, as a result of pressure from the non-inheriting spouse) or unintentionally co-mingle inherited assets. For example, these assets get titled in the name of both spouses or assets are acquired jointly, using inherited assets. These and other actions can leave the inheriting spouse vulnerable to a marital claim affecting the inherited assets.

As a parent, how accurately can you predict whether or not your children will ever be subject to such influence, or casually or unintentionally co-mingle their inherited assets, and subsequently get divorced?

The fundamental marital protection approach is one I outlined last month – providing that children receive access to, but not mandatory distribution of, inherited Trust funds throughout their lives. If an inheriting child only takes distributions of amounts he or she needs and leaves most assets in the Trust, and that child later divorces, all remaining Trust assets are undisputedly that child’s separate property. The non-inheriting spouse will not be able to successfully assert a claim to any portion of these inherited Trust funds.

Drafting these ongoing Trusts for children fully satisfies the marital protection concerns of many parents. But, drilling down further, any child could easily destroy the designed protection by choosing to withdraw all Trust assets or a lot more than he or she needs.

So, for clients who want to build in additional protection, we include a comprehensive provision that a married beneficiary, or one who later gets married, must enter into a qualifying “marital agreement” – a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement – with his or her spouse before receiving any Trust distributions. This can be very helpful in protecting even those assets that have already been distributed (i.e. that are no longer protected in the Trust itself).

Some people are uncomfortable with Trust provisions requiring a marital agreement, feeling that they go too far in “controlling from the grave.” Others enthusiastically embrace it, viewing it simply as a means of protecting their children any way they are reasonably able to do so. |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 Silverman & Jaffe, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@silvermanjaffe.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.

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CLIP NOTES By Jody Morgan

Thanks to the myth that first appeared in print in the 5th edition of The Life of Washington penned

by Mason Locke Weems and subsequently adopted

by William Holmes McGuffey for inclusion in the McGuffey Readers used in classrooms throughout the United States, many generations of Americans celebrated our first president’s birthday by serving cherry pie. Although bravely owning up to taking a hatchet to his father’s cherry tree as a young boy never figured in George’s actual life story, Washington did grow cherry trees and much enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

The gardens at Washington’s Mount Vernon home are featured in several articles on mountvernon.org, the historic property’s official website. “Ten Facts About the Gardens at Mount Vernon” relates: “One of the earliest horticultural entries in Washington’s diary is dated March 24, 1762, when he recorded the receipt of cherry trees from his neighbor Colonel George Mason of Gunston Hall. Fruit trees were frequently mentioned in his diaries as a large quantity of fruit was desired for meals, preserves, and for making cider.” Washington directed his gardeners in the art of grafting fruit trees and espaliering them to grow on trellises or against brick walls. “Apple and pear espaliers were planted on the interior of the garden around garden beds and the stone fruits such as peaches, cherries, and apricots were ‘nailed to the wall’ by his gardeners.”

Washington’s diary entry for January 6, 1798 includes: “Pruning & Fastening cherry trees on the wall.”

Asked to describe how gardeners today know what Washington planted, Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture at Mount Vernon explains: “Mount Vernon is rich with letters, diaries, accounts, and ledgers.” Researchers study the books Washington and his neighbors read. “And not just that, what were his neighbors doing? ... Because it just wasn’t encapsulated here at this little property. It was the entire east coast.”

One of George’s best-loved cherry preparations was Cherry Bounce.

Mountvernon.org notes: “Among the few recipes known to have been used by the Washington family is this one for Cherry Bounce, a brandy-based drink

popular in the eighteenth century. It seems to have been such a favorite of General Washington’s that he packed a ‘Canteen’ of it, along with Madeira and port, for a trip west across the Alleghany Mountains in September 1784.” The original undated recipe “To Make an Excellent Cherry Bounce” is written on George Washington’s watermark paper. It begins with extracting the juice of 20 pounds of well ripened morello cherries and 10 quarts of old French brandy.

Instructions for keeping cherries for tarts without preserving them appear in the culinary manuscript given to Martha Dandridge as a family heirloom in 1749 just before she married her first husband Daniel Parke Custis. Widowed in 1757, Martha wed George Washington in 1759. She kept the recipes (edited

by Karen Hess and published as Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery and Booke of Sweetmeats) until 1799 when she passed the collection to her granddaughter Eleanor Parke Custis.

Language, already antiquated when Martha received the recipe, reads: “Take ye fayrest cherries you can get, fresh from ye trees; wth out bruising, wipe thm one by one with a linnen cloth, yn put ym into a barrell of hay & lay them in ranks, first laying hay on the bottom, & then cherries, & yn hay & then cherries, & thn hay agayne. stop them close up yt no Ayre get to ym. then set them under a fether bead where one lyeth continually, for ye warmer they are kept, ye better it is.”

Traveling minister and bookseller Mason Weems, wrote to his publisher in January 1800, six months after Washington died, proposing to give the millions anxious to read about the General’s life a biography of our first president that would indicate his success was entirely due to his great virtues. The first edition of The Life of Washington was released in 1800. Intent on inspiring his “young countrymen” to replicate Washington’s exemplary, if fictionalized, conduct, Weems added the cherry tree anecdote to the 1806 edition of his book. No primary source material concerning Washington’s relationship with his father, who died when George was only 11, exists.

Tales based on moral values rather than historic content were the substance of the books McGuffey, a Presbyterian minister and college professor, published to teach America’s youth to read. Generations remember young George’s confession: “Father, I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree with my little axe.”

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

CASE STUDY:

WALDRON PARTNERS HELPED TRANSFORM THE FINANCIAL FUTURE OF A TECH ENTREPRENEUR

By Peter T. Waldron, Managing Partner of Waldron Partners

As a trusted partner in financial planning, Waldron Partners has been instrumental in turning financial chaos into financial clarity for countless clients. This case study outlines how we helped a tech entrepreneur redefine his financial strategy, simplify his wealth, and secure a better tomorrow.

THE CLIENT’S CHALLENGE

Our client, a successful tech entrepreneur, had amassed a considerable amount of wealth. However, he was struggling with how to manage, grow, and protect his assets. He had little time to dedicate to his finances, given the demands of his rapidly growing business. His financial planning was haphazard at best, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety. He was looking for a partner who could understand his goals, simplify his wealth, and help secure his financial future.

WALDRON PARTNERS’ SOLUTION

Waldron Partners stepped in with a four-step process: Understand your goals, Define a strategy, Implement a plan, and Monitor its performance and adjust organically and accordingly.

UNDERSTANDING THE GOALS

We began by spending quality time with our client to understand his financial goals and aspirations. We learned about his business, his personal life, his risk tolerance, and his long-term vision.

DEFINING A STRATEGY

Next, we crafted a bespoke financial strategy. This strategy included diversifying his investments, optimizing his tax situation, planning for his estate, and securing his legacy.

IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 15

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Vignette continued from page 11

In 1891, the temperance side was successful, but nine years later the Gazette headline read “Will Run Wide Open – Three Petitions for Liquor Licenses in Danville.” Flagel was back; now he had a wholesale license, but by law was restricted to selling liquor in quantities less than one quart. However, when Flagel and T. McCauley sold some strangers a pint flask of whiskey, a complaint was sworn out against them and they were arrested.

Since the matter had been long fought, it was agreed to let the Board of Supervisors decide whether or not liquor could be sold. The Gazette dated January 6, 1900 published the names on petitions, pro and con, which included R. O. Baldwin, James Root, and R. S. Symington against the licensing and Fred L. Humburg, J. Hartz, and W. C. Andreason in favor.

The supervisors granted retail saloon licenses to Flagel, McCauley, and M. Lawless with Supervisor Hemme agreeing on the first two and opposing the Lawless license. According to the article, “The result is that Danville will become a wide-open town.” It seems the supervisors felt that, since liquor had been sold there for many years, it was better that “the men have retail licenses when they are under bond to keep the law.”

We then put the plan into action. We introduced him to a diverse range of investment opportunities, structured his finances in a tax-efficient manner, and ensured this was done in conjunction with his estate plan strategy.

MONITORING AND ADJUSTING

Our relationship with our client didn’t stop at plan implementation. We continue to monitor the performance of his investments, adjusting the strategy as market conditions change and his personal and business circumstances evolve.

THE RESULTS

After teaming up with Waldron Partners, he quickly gained a clear financial roadmap for the future. This allowed him to devote more time and energy to his business with confidence.

CONCLUSION AND CALL TO ACTION

Waldron Partners is committed to securing tomorrow for a better today.

If you’re a workaholic, a tech professional, a C-suite executive, a business owner, an entrepreneur, or someone with inherited wealth, let us help you simplify your wealth and help secure your financial future.

Don’t wait for financial chaos to disrupt your life. Reach out to Waldron Partners today, and let us turn your financial uncertainty into financial clarity.

Together, we can define a strategy, implement a plan, and continuously monitor its performance so that it is designed to address your financial goals.

Are you ready to take the first step towards securing your financial future?

Contact Waldron Partners today.

We can help you with your financial situation. You do not want to go through life wondering what could have been - contact Peter today at 925708-7397 or peter.waldron@lfg.com.

Disclosure: Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding any tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

Peter T. Waldron, California Insurance License #0E47827, is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory services through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Waldron Partners, 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 190 PO Box 528, Alamo, CA 94507. Waldron Partners is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. Insurance is offered through Lincoln Marketing and Insurance Agency, LLC and Lincoln Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., and other fine companies. This material is for use with the general public and is designed for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or direct investment advice. Lincoln Financial Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice. CRN-6212886-011024 Advertorial

Women campaining against alcohol consumption. Produced in Thomas Edison’s studio, c. 1895. ©The Art Archive at Art Resource, NY.

The battle didn’t end there. On February 10, the Gazette reported “The Saloon Fight – Two of Danville Cases Heard Last Tuesday.” A “spy of the anti-saloon league” brought charges against the bartender of A. Flagel. Justice W. C. Lewis heard the case in Danville, 40 witnesses were summoned, and “the town was livelier than it had been for many a day.”

The Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League carried the temperance fight banner in California and the nation, with the 18th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution as the result. When Prohibition went into effect in 1920, closing down the valley’s legal saloons, Danville’s temperance advocates were finally victorious.

PAGE 16 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

V-CARD FOLLOWUP

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.

ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)

By Roger Smith, President DETECT. DECODE. DELIVER.

Alamo’s Police Services Advisory Committee (APSAC) meets at 5:30PM, the first Monday of each month, at Alamo Plaza, space 170-A. More than a year ago APSAC began its review of Flock Safety, a public safety operating system that helps cities, businesses, schools, and law enforcement in thousands of communities work together to stop crime, protect privacy, and mitigate bias.

At that time, Supervisor Andersen’s office also conducted a Public Safety Town Hall meeting for Alamo residents to increase awareness for this project.

Today, Alamo has 12 strategically placed cameras in the public right of ways as a deterrent to crime. In addition, several Alamo HOA’s and neighborhoods have stepped up to install these cameras as well, bringing the total number of cameras close to 20 in and throughout Alamo.

HOW DOES Flock OS WORK? FlockOS is the first public safety operating system that powers 1,400 cities to capture objective evidence, make it actionable with machine learning, and deliver it directly into the hands that stop crime.

FlockOS license plate reading cameras provide 24/7 monitoring for every home, business, and neighborhood. The cameras protect against property crime, violent crime, stolen vehicles, and more.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DOORBELL CAMERA AND A FLOCK CAMERA? Flock cameras have an intentionally narrow field of view capable of capturing about one and a half lanes of traffic. Flock cameras can wake up and start taking pictures in less than a tenth of a second. A doorbell camera is optimized for surveillance. Its settings are optimized for low light, and the shutter speed is slower.

Learn more at www.flocksafety.com solutions/neighborhood-security and www.securityinformed.com.

ALAMO FARMER’S MARKET

Please join us and your neighbors in experiencing live music at the Alamo Farmers Market, pick up some beautiful produce including citrus, grapes, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates, ready-made food, and other goods. Our vendors welcome the opportunity to discuss their work and produce with you. Stop by and grab a fresh pastry from Dore French Bakery from Brentwood.

The Market is sponsored by AIA and is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 2PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America.

Please look for updated information about the Market on NextDoor.

HAPPY 69TH BIRTHDAY

AIA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has 69 years of serving our community and helping shape it into “the place where we love to live!”

Visit www.AlamoCA.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to local residents, membership forms, and more.

As Board President, I want to thank all of our many volunteers, both past and present for their efforts over the years in making Alamo into the wonderful community that it is today.

AIA is an all-volunteer organization, 100% of membership dues go to support our Alamo Community!

Have I mentioned how much I love hearing from you readers? Last month I wrote about the new virtual credit card services, and I received lovely feedback from a reader in Danville. She works for the largest payment card services companies in the world (Visa) right here in our backyard, and offered some great comments.

The first point she offered is that when your credit card is compromised, you don’t necessarily have to go through your entire vendor list and manually switch everyone to the new cards. Issuers have a service built into their systems to assist us with this task. In her words, “This is technically correct but wanted to share that you may not have to ‘switch them all over’ and can be done automatically by the card that your issuer provides. They need to participate in a service called ‘Account Updater’ -- and is mandated for the issuers in US, CA, EU regions. This means that whenever an issuer ‘reissues’ a card due to lost/stolen/fraud/portfolio upgrades to a card holder, their new card details are automatically updated on the seller’s portal as long as they participate in the updater service. This works for only CARD on FILE or recurring service merchants (Netflix, Amazon, utilities, Apple, Google other streaming services, retailers etc. where the 16 digit PANs are still stored in addition to tokens).”

Another useful suggestion she made is that we always have the opportunity to use the “stop payment” request with our credit card company to terminate contested charges. There is also the “stop advice” request, which ensures our issuer will not share any updated credit card information with whomever it is you’re in conflict with.

Then, she noted something I didn’t cover in my article, which was the potential downsides of the virtual credit cards. First, not all vendors accept the cards. I haven’t run into this, and I don’t know what criteria a vendor might use to make that decision, however, it’s apparently something that happens. The second is that when you use a virtual card, it is debiting directly from your bank account.

Unlike a credit card where you may have a couple of weeks before the monthly bill arrives, there is no “float” with a virtual card because the charge is immediate.

And finally, when you use a virtual credit card you’re not participating in any mileage, rewards, points, or any other type of remuneration for having used that issuer’s card. I love my Amazon Rewards, however I also love the peace of mind I get when I know I’m not exposed to all sorts of financial shenanigans.

Those are the comments she offered, and I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to Krishna of Danville on behalf of PCIO and every reader who may benefit from her insights.

I’ll end this article with a quick trip through yet another virtual card success story. I recently had a reason to use the v-card for a transaction associated with a Microsoft Teams add-on product. The product website stated only that if committing to a year term it would cost $120/year or $10/month. Great!

I chose that option, created my v-card with the limit, checked out, and the purchase failed. I immediately received an email from the v-card company notifying me that they had just refused a charge of $480! I reset the card to $15, while choosing the month-to-month option to keep things simple without a big commitment. This also failed, this time with an email notification that they had attempted to charge $30, not $15. In subsequent conversations with their technical support, I learned that they bill for the entire team registered in Teams, whether everyone wants their product or not, which explains why they felt the $480 charge was appropriate. I never received an answer as to why they decided to charge the $30 instead of the monthly charge of $15. Whether it was by omission or commission, the whole thing was shoddy. There was zero information on their website about their policies, and there was nothing in my checkout experience that alerted me I was about to be zapped with this huge charge. Had I not had the presence of mind to conduct this transaction through my v-card, I would have had a major headache trying to pry my $320 back from this vendor. This was another giant validation of my belief that services like this fill a vital role in today’s commerce.

Does your company need supplemental IT support, help with security and a professional Helpdesk? If so, we should talk. PCIO offers a compelling ROI. Email info@pcioit.com, or for support email support@pcioit.com or telephone 925-552-7953.

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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS IS INTERMITTENT FASTING A GOOD WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 17

LOVE YOURSELF, SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT EYE APPOINTMENT TODAY!

I am often asked, what are my thoughts about intermittent fasting (IF) and if it is a good plan to follow.

Many diets focus on what to eat, but IF is all about when you eat. It is based on choosing regular time periods to eat and to fast. Typically you will eat during an eight hour period each day, and fast for the remainder of the day.

IF can help reduce insulin levels, increase growth hormone, as well as increase the release of the fat burning hormone norepinephrine. These all can contribute to helping lose weight. When we extend our natural fast over the night into the day, this will use up our glycogen stores that will cause an increase in fat oxidation.

The truth is, without a total calorie deficit, we will not have a significant impact on weight loss. The reason people lose weight is not because of magical metabolic changes, it is because eating in a small window typically reduces how much food you eat in the entire day. If you are the type of person who gets extremely hungry if you go without eating for a long period of time, such as starting to eat at noon after missing morning breakfast and snacks, and then overeating during your eating window, IF is not for you.

Many people can skip breakfast, especially with their often hectic mornings where they can’t take the time to have a balanced meal, and they like their eating window to be 11AM-7 PM or 12-8 PM. If these are your windows, I suggest treating the first meal of the day as your dinner and have the meal be the largest of the day. Balance your plate Poplar Spectacles Optometry with at least 6 oz. protein, two bread servings -- such as two slices of bread 215 Alamo Plaza, Suite D, Alamo or a cup of whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, lentils, or kidney beans PM and 1 cup of cooked veggies or a salad. You will probably find, youtired areofnot 9AM 925-202-2846 Are you eye as strain andMonday-Friday disrupted sleep caused by-6 long hours in front of your AM PM hungry in the evening and can have a lighter meal such ascomputer an omelet, soup Saturday 9 -4 screen?

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By Shalini Mongia, M.S., LMFT, Alamo Counseling Let me share with you a story about my client, “Dr. Lee,” an internist at a Anxiety can feel like that flutter in your stomach before local hospital. Dr. Lee is a mom of two teenage girls, a wife, andTime has Offer a very Limited during the month of October: 30% off on complete pair of computer a big deadline, or the racing heartbeat when faced with glasses (Can not combine with insurance). demanding job as a physician. a threatening situation. It’s like a built-in alarm system, Dr. Lee rarely had time for breakfast and would get through the day eating ushealth to potential or evident problems. In our daily Don't let digital eye strain hold you back any longer. Invest alerting in your eye and unlock granola bars, chips, nuts, and dried fruits which were all sponsored by the the full potential of your screen time with Shamir Computer Glasses! lives, moments of concern occur at work, school, in relahospital and available in the doctors lounge. These snacks were not filling tionships and social or family pressures, about finances, her up and accounted for hundreds of concentrated calories she was Poplarthat Spectacles Optometry health, or from just about any stressful situation. For many, not aware of. She tried to adhere to the eight hour fasting window, but felt these worries are fairly manageable and at times even ben215 Alamo Plaza, Suite D. Alamo defeated and ravenous by 9PM. eficial, providing a boost of energy or sharpening focus.

She consulted me about her diet. I was emphatic, and recommended that 925-202-2846 For others, everyday concerns can feel overwhelming, surpassing the ordinary she have a lunch equivalent to a dinner, as her days were so long. I suggested bounds of manageable stress. Distinguishing between typical worry and intense or she take her lunch and spread it across the day and made sure she consumed www.poplarspecs.com frequent anxiety is essential to our health and wellness. Spotting the often subtle it all before she left work. I gave her ideas about what an adequate lunch meal signals of anxiety involves recognizing a range of both emotional and physical would look like. It would contain at least 6 oz. of protein, 1 cup of brown cues. Here are some common indicators to keep an eye out for: rice, and 1 cup of veggies. In the doctors lounge there were often homemade • Restlessness: A perpetual feeling of being on edge or an inability to relax, desserts. I told to her to take a very small portion of them if she would enjoy characterized by an internal sense of unease them, but then also reduce her rice for the day.

• Fatigue: Frequent feelings of tiredness or fatigue, unrelated to physical exertion After much persuasion, Dr. Lee is not only losing weight, but feels much • Excessive Worry: Persistent and overwhelming concern about everyday better with increased energy. She has lost 20 pounds over the course of four events that are challenging to control or work through months, which is a very healthy weight loss at an average of five pounds a • Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus on tasks due to a racing mind month. We are continuing to work together to lose the next 20 pounds which preoccupied with worry well might take a longer time as the first pounds always come off faster.

• Irritability: Rapid agitation, irritability, or a reduced tolerance for frustration Dr. Lee is very motivated and is hoping by summer she will feel better in • Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, struggling with an her shorts and bathing suit. overactive mind during times of rest • Gastrointestinal Issues: Frequent, inexplicable indigestion or stomach discomfort If you are struggling with weight loss let me take you by the hand and set • Rapid Heart Rate: Experiencing a fast or pounding heartbeat in the absence up a meal plan for you based on your favorite foods and daily schedule. of physical exertion Nutritional counseling is usually covered by health insurance including • Muscle Tension: Physical manifestations like tight muscles, jaw clenching, ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Cigna, Hill, Sutter, UHC or muscle aches and others. I am happy to call on your behalf and see what your plan offers.

• Panic Attacks: Intense and sudden episodes of fear or overwhelm, with physical Please visit www.LindaRD.com to learn more about my services. Email me responses like trembling, sweating, difficulty breathing, and a sense of impending doom at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or call me at 925-855-0150 to tell me about your • Avoidance Behavior: Distancing from situations or places that might trigger Advertorial nutritional concerns and see how I may help you.

See Anxiety continued on page 19

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PAGE 18 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

LIPS READY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? By Jerome Potozkin, MD

As February ushers in the season of love, many individuals seek ways to enhance their beauty for the most romantic day of the year—Valentine’s Day. Lip fillers have become a popular choice for those looking to achieve a plump, natural pout. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of lip fillers, focusing on two prominent players: Restylane Kysse and Juvederm Vollure.

In the realm of lip enhancement, most of today’s fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body.

This choice ensures a safe and reversible process, allowing individuals to enjoy temporary enhancements without the commitment.

Restylane Kysse, a standout in the Restylane family, is specifically formulated for lip enhancement. It promises to deliver not only volume but also a soft, natural feel. Kysse is designed to contour lips and smooth fine lines, offering a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing result. It is one of the most popular fillers. Juvederm Vollure, part of the Juvederm family, is renowned for its ability to provide subtle yet impactful results. This filler is ideal for individuals seeking a balance between volume and a natural look. Vollure is crafted with Vycross technology, ensuring a smooth and natural integration into the lips. Does it hurt? We like to apply a topical numbing cream to minimize any discomfort.

One of the significant advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers is their reversibility. Unlike permanent options, hyaluronic acid-based fillers allow for adjustments or complete removal if the results are not as expected. This feature provides individuals with flexibility and peace of mind as they prepare for the season of love. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can be injected and melts the filler. Typically, it takes a few days for the filler to disappear.

While lip fillers offer remarkable results, it’s essential to be aware of common side effects such as bruising and swelling. These reactions are typically temporary and can be managed with proper care and post-treatment instructions. Understanding and accepting these effects as part of the process contribute to a smoother recovery. One way to prevent bruising is to avoid supplements that might thin your blood. We don’t recommend stopping prescribed blood thinning medication. In the event of bruising, the VBeam Perfecta Laser is a treatment we offer to make bruises fade faster.

To ensure maximum safety and achieve a stellar, natural look, selecting an experienced injector is paramount. A skilled practitioner possesses the expertise to tailor the treatment to individual features, minimizing the risk of complications and optimizing the aesthetic outcome. Trusting your enhancement journey to a qualified professional is key to celebrating Valentine’s Day with confidence and radiance.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the allure of lip fillers becomes a tempting option for those aiming to enhance their beauty. With options like Restylane Kysse and Juvederm Vollure, individuals can achieve the perfect balance between volume and a natural, elegant look. Embrace the season of love with confidence, knowing that hyaluronic acid fillers offer reversible beauty, and that the expertise of an experienced injector ensures a safe and stunning transformation.

Dr. Jerome Potozkin is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon specializing in minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. He is the author of “Botox and Beyond: Your Guide to Safe Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures.” The practice is accepting new patients and can be reached at (925) 838-4900 and www.MyBeautyMd.com.

Advertorial

THE MOST POWERFUL WEIGHT LOSS DUO: PEPTIDES AND FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, achieving sustainable weight loss while improving overall health is a common goal. This endeavor often requires a multifaceted approach that combines cutting-edge therapies with personalized assessments. One promising strategy involves the synergistic use of weight loss peptides Mounjaro and Wygovy alongside functional medical testing for nutrients and blood sugar dysfunction. This article explores the benefits of this combined approach, shedding light on how it can lead to successful and holistic weight management.

UNDERSTANDING COMMON WEIGHT LOSS PEPTIDES (GLP-1 PEPTIDES):

Weight loss peptides (GLP-1s) are emerging as revolutionary tools that help regulate appetite, metabolism, and fat metabolism. When you take these peptides, they do a few beneficial things: • Optimize Blood Sugar: These peptides are helpful traffic controllers for your blood sugar. They help more sugar get into your cells and tell your liver to make less sugar, which helps keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

• Appetite Control: These peptides tell your brain that you’re full and satisfied after eating. Do you know that feeling when you’ve had a good meal and are not hungry anymore? These peptides help create that feeling, which can help you eat less and lose weight.

• Slows Digestion: These peptides also slow down how fast your stomach empties after eating. This means food stays in your stomach longer, and you feel full for a longer time. It’s like putting the brakes on your hunger.

• Holistic Health Improvement: Beyond weight loss, this approach improves overall health by addressing nutrient deficiencies and blood sugar dysregulation, contributing to increased energy, better mood, and enhanced vitality.

SYNERGY WITH FUNCTIONAL MEDICAL TESTING

The marriage of weight loss peptides and functional testing amplifies the weight loss journey’s success. Functional medical testing involves a comprehensive assessment of various biomarkers, including hormones, nutrient levels, genetic factors, and gut health. This personalized approach goes beyond standard diagnostics, shedding light on individualized factors that impact weight management.

• Hormone Balance: Functional testing delves into hormonal imbalanc-

es that can contribute to weight gain. Hormones such as cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones play pivotal roles in metabolism and energy regulation. Identifying and correcting these imbalances can significantly enhance the efficacy of peptide therapy.

• Nutrient Deficiencies: Nutrient deficiencies can hinder weight loss progress.

Functional testing identifies deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients that impact metabolism and energy production. Addressing these deficiencies through targeted supplementation complements the effects of weight loss peptides.

• Genetic Insights: Genetic factors can influence an individual’s response to dietary interventions and medications. Functional medical testing provides genetic insights that help tailor treatment plans for optimal results. Genetic markers related to metabolism, appetite regulation, and insulin sensitivity can guide a personalized approach to weight loss.

• Gut Health Optimization: The gut microbiome has emerged as a key player in weight management. Functional medical testing assesses the gut microbiota’s composition and diversity, uncovering any imbalances that may hinder weight loss efforts. Probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary adjustments can optimize gut health and support weight loss benefits.

In the journey towards sustainable long-term weight loss, integrating peptide therapy and functional testing offers a comprehensive and personalized approach.

GLP-1 peptides leverage the body’s natural regulatory mechanisms to promote weight loss and metabolic health, while functional testing addresses individualized factors that impact weight management success. By synergizing these approaches, individuals can embark on a transformative journey that sheds pounds and enhances overall well-being. At Align, we embrace this integrative approach that can empower people to achieve their weight loss goals and live their best lives.

Dr. Niele Maimone founded Align Healing Center in Danville and has been practicing functional medicine in the community since 2000. To set up a complimentary consult, call 925-362-8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com for online booking.

Advertorial

HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE RIDES TO SENIORS AND VETERANS

Mobility Matters is a nonprofit agency that gives rides to seniors and veterans in Contra Costa County. Volunteer drivers are needed to escort seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping.

Volunteers must be 25 to 75 years old.

Call Mobility Matters at 925-284-2215 or visit www. mobilitymatterscc.com for more details.

editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com

THE EYE OPENER

RETINAL HOLES, TEARS, AND DETACHMENTS

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

In the past few weeks, we have had an increase in patients calling the office with symptoms of flashes and floaters, and a subsequent increase in retinal tears and breaks. Since this is a serious eye condition that requires immediate attention, I wanted to address it here, so everyone is aware of this issue and what to do if it happens to you. Thankfully, there are very few ocular emergencies that we deal with at the office. However, a retinal detachment along with symptomatic holes and tears are examples of a time when an immediate referral is needed.

There are several signs and symptoms that a patient needs to know to be able to correctly assess the situation of a possible retinal issue. Most patients will experience an increase in the size and/or number of floaters, flashes of light, loss of vision, and areas of gray or black in their visual field. Even though a patient can have an increase in their floaters with flashes and not have a detachment, it is extremely important to have this evaluated as soon as it happens. In addition, with a detachment, there will be loss of vision or peripheral vision in the affected eye. This can vary from a very little change to severe vision loss. Central vision loss in a detachment is determined by whether the macula is still attached. Since the macula is the only area of the retina where sharp 20/20 vision is achieved, if the detachment does not include the macula, the vision loss will be minimal. However, if the detachment is near or includes the macula, vision will be less than 20/400, or the equivalent of the big “E” on the eye chart. Even if the retina is not detached, there can be symptomatic tears and breaks that also require immediate attention as these can lead to detachments.

After a dilated evaluation reveals a detachment, a symptomatic hole, or tear, the patient is then immediately referred to a retinal specialist. It is advisable for the patient to go straight to the specialist because they are already dilated and the sooner treatment is initiated, the better the prognosis. Surgical repair can either be done in the office or will require a surgical outpatient procedure. Treatment can include in-office laser or cryotherapy, or for more severe cases an outpatient procedure is required.

The exact treatment is determined by the surgeon and the evaluation is based on the location, vision loss, size, and duration of the retinal tear or detachment. In addition,

February 2024 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 19

other factors that determine treatment options include age, other associated medical conditions such as diabetes, and if there has been a hole or detachment in the other eye.

Most of the time, the signs and symptoms of a retinal complication are obvious to the patient. However, a long-standing tear and detachment can go undetected for some time. If the retinal problem is not in the main area of vision and does not cause the above-mentioned visual symptoms, the patient can be completely unaware that anything is wrong. Granted this does not happen often, however, it does underscore the need for routine dilations to monitor the health of the retina.

Some detachments and breaks just “happen,” and there is not necessarily a cause.

However, conditions such as trauma, high myopia (near-sightedness), diabetes, and other systemic conditions can increase your likelihood. It is important that if you experience flashes of light, floaters, loss of vision, or an area of black or gray in your vision that you are checked right away. I would much rather see a patient with these symptoms and not have a detachment, than have a patient wait for the symptoms to “go away” and then possibly have permanent decreased vision because they waited too long.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry.com, or follow on Facebook Advertorial and Instagram @Alamo Optometry.

Anxiety continued from page 17

any anxiety to the point of withdrawal There are options that can help relieve distressing anxiety symptoms that you or a loved one may be experiencing. Lifestyle changes in physical activity and nutrition with the help of a physician; mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi that can promote relaxation; diaphragmatic breathing to help regulate the nervous system; forming a healthy support network for positive social experiences; expressive writing as an outlet for gaining clarity and processing emotions; therapies such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, and EMDR. Managing or working through anxiety means prioritizing wellness and opportunities for growth and healing with a solid and consistent plan that fosters progress, resilience, and newfound strengths. We are here to help you work through anxiety. Contact Alamo Counseling at 925-830-7900. The office is located at 3189 Danville Blvd., Alamo. Learn more at www.AlamoCounseling.com. Advertorial

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PAGE 20 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • February 2024

SMALL DETAILS, BIG RESULTS.

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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted, and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker.

Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2022 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker ® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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