Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon
VALLEY
Find out what’s new in the Valley at
THE
SENTINEL
www.valleysentinel.com
Arts • Activities • Auto • Business • Gardening • Seniors and more...
always for the community VOL 23, NO 12
December 2018
www.valleysentinel.com
SPOTLIGHT
Memorial Dedication for Marine Lance Cpl Kyle D Crowley, San Ramon By Sandee Wiedeman
At age 15, Kyle Crowley told his Dad Mark that he wanted to be a United States Marine! His dad was concerned about this idea and advised Kyle to give it some deep thought over the next three years until, at age 18, he would be eligible
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See MEMORIAL page 4
On November 23, Danville celebrated its 42nd Tree Lighting to kick off the Holidays. Undaunted by a little rain, folks came out to hear music performed by students, enjoy Father Christmas and the Snow Angel, and stroll downtown to visit businesses that rolled out the red carpet with refreshments.
Meet the California Quail, our State Bird By James M. Hale
The California Quail (Callipepla californica), also known as the Valley Quail, was established as the state bird of California in 1932. It is a small, fairly common to locally abundant, year-round resident in the western Pacific states, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California. The California Quail is found from sea level to 6,000 feet. It prefers habitats ranging from chaparral, brush lands, some foothill coniferous forests, oak woodlands, stream-side woodlands, along the brushy edges of suburban parks, and in gardens, orchards, and agricultural fields. I have seen coveys in downtown Concord at Todos Santos Square, and wondered how they navigated through the concrete and steel “jungle” from more suitable habitat. For most of the year, the ground-dwelling, California Quail
occurs in tight, cohesive coveys, foraging throughout the confines of protective vegetation. Postbreeding coveys, during the fall and winter, may number more than 200 individuals. Seven subspecies are recognized. Their closest relative is Gambel’s Quail, which has a more southerly distribution and, a longer topknot, brighter head, and scalier appearance. The two species separated about one to two million years ago, during the late Pliocene or Early Pleistocene Epoch. The California Quail is a plump, short-legged, shortnecked, game bird with a small head and bill. The wings are short and very broad, an adaptation for flying through dense vegetation. The tail feathers are long with a square tip. They range from 9.5 to 10.5
inches in length, 5 to 8.5 ounces in weight, with a 12.5 to 14.5 inch wingspan. Their flight is explosive, when threatened and flushed, lasting just long enough to reach escape cover. The adult male California Quail is a rich gray and brown, with a black face outlined with bold white stripes. Fine black and white scalloped markings accent the neck. The male has a dark brown cap, gray-blue chest, and chestnut colored belly patch. Females are a plainer brown and lack the facial markings. Both sexes have a pattern of white, creamy, and chestnut scaled feathers on the belly, and brown flanks with white streaks. Juvenile birds look like females, however they have a shorter topknot. Diagnostic to the California Quail is the curving crest or plume, made
This month’s Special Sections: Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047
Happy Holidays pages 7-9 Senior Services page10 - 11
of six feathers, that droops forward. It is longer and black in males, and brown in females. The California Quail is a highly sociable bird that gathers in small flocks or coveys. It gleans items from the ground while foraging, and may scratch at the substrate or leaf litter to reveal potential food. One of it’s daily communal rituals is dust bathing. California Quail prefer fine, soft, deep soil in sunny places where See QUAIL page 5
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
page 2
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Portia Munson: Her World/ Her Room Now – December 16 T h e B e d f o rd G a l l e r y welcomes Portia Munson for her first solo show here in the Bay Area. Portia is a visual artist working in photography, painting, sculpture, and
installation. Her work has been shown internationally in major public and private exhibitions since the early 1990s. General Admission: $5; Youth (13-17) $3; Children 12 and under, free; First Tuesdays are free; Free for BG Members. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.bedfordgallery.org or 925-295-1417. A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens Presented by Center REPertory Now - December 16
Coats Sweaters Blankets (Clean and in good condition)
Men Women Children Infants Donations for those in need to Local East Bay & Outreach charities Now through January 4th
December 2018 Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts, it’s no wonder the critics have called it “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area.” Join the thousands who make this theatrical event a part of their annual holiday traditions. $28 - $42 Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469). Holiday Happenings December 12 - 14 7pm. This event features the Choirs of Concord High School and the El Dorado Singers. $15. Information www.dvc.edu/campus-life/ box.html or 925-969-2358 or 925-969-2105. Fa n t a s y Fo r u m A c t o r s Ensemble Presents: The Biggest Gift December 13 - 16 Acclaimed Local Family Friendly Theatre Company Presents A Holiday Classic! Join the fun and laughter as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas. This is an original family friendly holiday musical that encourages audience participation from all ages. $14. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut
valleysentinel.com Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469).
The Nutty Nutcracker: A Christmas Spectacular December 14 - 16 Enjoy East Bay Dance Company’s classic holiday tale with a modern, magical twist! Follow Clara and the Nutcracker as they journey through the The North Pole and more! The Nutty Nutcracker puts a contemporary spin on 19th Century tale by infusing styles of classic ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and musical theater. $19 $23. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www.villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
Danville. Information visit www.jazznut.com or phone 925-625-2707.). Community Chorus Holiday Concert December 15 2pm. Get in the Holiday spirit with the San Ramon Community Chorus. Listen to all of your favorite tunes and enjoy local dance performances ranging in style from Ballet to Bollywood. You might even get a special visit from Santa Claus! Free. San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-2850. The Snowman presented by the Diablo Symphony Orchestra December 15 - 16 Join us for a special showing of the classic British holiday silent movie The Snowman, famously introduced by David Bowie. The Diablo Symphony provides the beautiful live soundtrack by composer Howard Blake. We will also perform holiday favorites, and there will be an opportunity for a sing-along too! $35. Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill. Information www.dvc.edu/ campus-life/box.html or 925969-2358 or 925-969-2105.
Student Showcase 2018 December 14 - 15 7pm. Presented by E n c o re D a n c e f e a t u r i n g For drop-off locations visit Youth Performers the Student www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com Showcase is an annual Encore tradition! At Encore, we welcome dancers of all ages– from our youngest “tiptoe tots” ● Alamo Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo Commons through adults. All students, at ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● Alamo Improvement Association all levels, have the opportunity ● Alamo •Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo Commons ● Round Hill Country Club ● Morgan Bonanno Paving to perform on stage as each ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● Alamo Improvement Association Alamo Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo Commons ●●Stone Valley Center class group develops a unique ● Round Hill Country Club ● Morgan • Bonanno Paving ● Alamo Commons ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● Alamo Improvement Association dance routine designed to ● Stone Valley Center ● Morgan • Bonanno Paving ● Alamo Improvement Association ● Round Hill Country Club highlight the skills they have ● Stone Valley Center ● Round Hill Country Club been learning in class over Alamo Oak Tree Plaza Alamo Commons ● Alamo●Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo●Commons the past several months. I C a n D o T h a t T h e a t e r • Alamo World Travel • Roberta M. Morris • Steve Mick & Alicia Watson • Summit Ranch Equine Center ● Alamo Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo Commons ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor Alamo Improvement Association ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● Alamo Improvement Association $16. Del ●Valle Theatre, 1963 Company Presents: Holiday • Alamo World Travel • Roberta M. Morris • Steve Mick & Alicia Watson • Summit Ranch Equine Center ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● Alamo Improvement Association ●Hill Round HillWalnut Country Club ● Morgan • Bonanno Tice Valley Blvd., ● Round Country Club Cabaret ● Morgan • Bonanno Paving Paving • Alamo World Travel • Roberta M. Morris • Duane Mick Santa & Alicia Watson •Commons Summit Ranch Equine Center Watson, ● Round Hill●Country ClubCreek. Information: www. December 18 - 21 ● Morgan • Bonanno Kevin Musante, Chairperson ● Alamo Oak Tree Plaza Alamo ● Alamo ●● Alamo Oak Tree Plaza Alamo Commons Ace Hardware Stone Valley Center DuaneSteve ●Paving Stone Valley Center Watson, Santa Kevin Musante, Chairperson Alamo Ace Hardware Boy Scout Troop 216 Andrew Elkin, President, ABCF ● Candace County Supervisor Alamo/Danville Today lesherartscenter.org or 925Come celebrate the ● Alamo Improvement Association ● Candace Andersen, County Supervisor ● StoneAndersen, Valley Center ● Alamo Improvement Association Boy Scout Troop 216 ● AlamoToday Oak Tree Plaza ● Alamo Andrew Elkin, President, ABCF Commons Alamo/Danville California Highway Patrol Rotary Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF ● Round Hill Country Club ● Morgan • Bonanno Paving Alamo 943-SHOW (7469). holidays with our cast of ● Round Hill Country Club ● Morgan • Bonanno Paving California Highway Patrol Alamo Rotary Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF ● Candace Alamo Improvement Association Santa Kevin● Musante, Chairperson CCC Watson, Public Works California PatrolAndersen, County Supervisor Duane John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Alamo Highway Ace Hardware CCC Public Works California Highway Patrol Center John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF talented youth. Showtunes ● Stone Valley Center M.● Stone MorrisValley • Steve Mick &Diablo Alicia Watson • Summit Ranch Equine Center ●Elkin, Round Hill Country Club ●Holdings, Morgan Boy TroopOffice 216 Ltd. • Bonanno Paving Andrew President, ABCF Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising CCCScout Sheriff’s Alamo/Danville Today Diablo Holdings, Ltd. Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising CCC Sheriff’s Office and holiday music for the Kiwanis Club of SRV Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator California Highway Patrol Alamo Rotary Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF ● Stone Valley Center Kiwanis Club of SRV Monte HS Cheer Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Monte VistaVista HS Cheer Squad Squad Round Table Pizza, Ilene Ferguson-Mullery CCC Public Works California Highway Patrol entire family. $20. Village John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Round Table Pizza,Alamo Alamo Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Quallick, Representative Jen Jen Quallick, Field Field Representative The Sentinel Denise & Chris Rousset Diablo Holdings, Supervisor Andersen’s The SentinelLtd. Schuyler, Fundraising DeniseSharon & Chris Rousset Supervisor Candace Andersen’s Office Office CCCCandace Sheriff’s Office • Alamo World • M. Roberta MorrisMick • Steve Mick & Alicia Summit RanchCenter Equine Center T h e a t e r, 2 3 3 F r o n t S t . , Alamo World Travel • Travel Roberta MorrisM. • Steve & Alicia Watson •Watson Summit• Ranch Equine Brent && Terri Tucker Brent Terri Kiwanis Club ofTucker SRV ••Roberta Tucker Brent Tucker Duane Watson, Santa AliciaBrent Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Kevin • Alamo World Travel M. Morris • Steve Mick &Chairperson Alicia Equine Center Monte VistaProtection HS Cheer Squad Watson • Summit Ranch SRV FireMusante, Protection District SRV Fire District Danville. Information: www. ofFerguson-Mullery Ceremonies Round Table•Pizza, Alamo M. Morris • Steve Mick & Alicia Watson • Summit Ranch Equine Center Bill White, Master White, Master of Ceremonies Ilene • Alamo World Travel Roberta Jen•Quallick, FieldM. Representative • Alamo World Travel Roberta Morris • Steve Mick & Alicia WatsonBill • Summit Ranch Equine Center Boy Scout Troop 216 Andrew Elkin, President, ABCF WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and OUROUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and villagetheatreshows.com or The Sentinel Denise & Chris Rousset Supervisor Candace Andersen’s Office THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND•AIDES Alamo World Travel • Roberta M. Morris • Steve Mick & Alicia Watson • Summit Ranch Equine Center Brent & Terri Tucker Brent Tucker California Highway Patrol Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF 925-314-3400. SRV Fire Protection District ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS.
Drop off points in Alamo, Danville, Rossmoor Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and beyond...
ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FORDuane ANY OMISSIONS. Watson, Bill White,Santa Master of Ceremonies Kevin Musante, Chairperson Duane Watson, Santa Kevin Musante, Chairperson Duane Watson, Santa CCC Public Works Kevin Musante, Chairperson Alamo Ace Hardware John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Alamo Ace Hardware Duane Watson, Santa AceOUR Hardware Kevin Musante, Chairperson WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and Duane Watson, Santa Kevin Musante, Chairperson AlamoAlamo Ace Hardware Alamo Ace Hardware Boy Scout Troop 216 Andrew Elkin, President, ABCF THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES Boy Scout 216 ABCF ScoutSchuyler, Troop 216 Alamo/Danville Today Andrew Elkin, President, ABCFPresident, ABCFAndrew Elkin, President, Sharon Fundraising Boy Scout Troop 216 Boy Andrew Elkin, Troop President, ABCF CCC Sheriff’s Alamo/Danville Today Alamo/Danville Today Boy Scout Andrew Elkin, Alamo/Danville Today Office Alamo/Danville Today Duane Watson, Santa Troop 216 Kevin Musante, Chairperson Alamo Ace Hardware ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. California Highway Patrol California Highway Patrol AlamoAlamo Rotary Rotary Rotary Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator California Highway Patrol California Highway Patrol AlamoAlamo Rotary Mick, ABCF Secretary, ABCF Steve Mick, Secretary, California Highway Patrol Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF Alamo Rotary ABCF Boy Scout Troop 216 Andrew Elkin,Steve President, Monte Vista HS Cheer Squad Alamo/Danville Today CCC Public Works California Highway Patrol John Works Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Works CCC Public California Highway Patrol John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF CCC Public California Highway Patrol CCC Public WorksCalifornia Highway California Highway Patrol Ilene Ferguson-Mullery John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF PatrolCCC Public Works John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Alamo Rotary Steve Mick, Secretary, ABCF California Highway Patrol John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Jen Quallick, Field Diablo Holdings, Ltd. Representative Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising Diablo Holdings, Ltd. CCC Sheriff’s Office Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising Sheriff’s Office CCC PublicCCC Works California Highway Patrol Holdings, Ltd. John Lineweaver, Treasurer, ABCF Diablo Holdings, Ltd. Diablo Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising Denise & Chris Rousset Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising Supervisor Candace Andersen’s Office CCC Sheriff’s Office CCC Sheriff’s Office Diablo Holdings, Ltd. Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising CCC Sheriff’s Office Kiwanis Club of SRV Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator KiwanisLtd. Club of SRV Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Monte Vista HS Cheer Squad Diablo Holdings, Monte Vista Sharon Schuyler, Fundraising CCC Sheriff’s OfficeHS Cheer Squad Kiwanis Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Kiwanis Club of SRV Brent Tucker Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Round Table Pizza, Club Alamoof SRV Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Kiwanis Club of SRV Round Table Pizza, Alamo Monte Vista HS Cheer Squad Alicia Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Monte Vista HS CheerAlicia Squad Jen Quallick, Field Representative Kiwanis Club of SRV SRV Fire Protection District Jen Quallick, Field Watson, Entertainment Coordinator Monte Vista HS Cheer Squad Monte Vista HS Cheer SquadRepresentative The Sentinel Round Table Pizza, Alamo Denise & Chris Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Supervisor The Sentinel Denise & Chris Rousset Round TableCandace Pizza,Andersen’s Alamo Supervisor Candace Andersen’s OfficeRousset BillOffice White, of Ceremonies Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Round Pizza, Alamo RoundTable Table Pizza, Alamo Jen Quallick, FieldMaster Representative Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Ilene Ferguson-Mullery Quallick, Field Representative Jen Quallick, Field Jen Representative Quallick,Jen Field Representative Brent & Terri Tucker Brent Tucker Brent & Terri Tucker Brent Tucker The Sentinel DeniseOffice & Chris& Rousset Supervisor The Sentinel SRV Fire Protection District Candace Andersen’s Denise Chris Rousset Supervisor Office Candace Andersen’s Office Sentinel SRV Fire Protection District Andersen’s Denise & Chris Rousset Supervisor Candace Andersen’s The Sentinel The Denise & Chris Rousset Supervisor Candace Bill White, Master of CeremoniesOffice Bill Tucker White, Master of Ceremonies Brent & Terri Tucker Brent Brent & Terri Tucker Brent Tucker SRV Fire Protection District & PERFORMERS Terri TuckerSRV R WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and Brent Tucker Brent & TerriBrent Tucker OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL and Fire Protection District Brent Tucker SRV Fire Protection District Bill White, Master of Ceremonies SRV Fire Protection District THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES
Dixieland Jazz December 15 1:30-4:30pm. On the 3rd Saturday of every month you can enjoy the music of the Devil Mountain Jazz Band. Bring your own beverages, A Very “Follies” Holiday! Bill White, Master of Ceremonies snacks and a friend orMaster two!of Ceremonies December 20 THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES TIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. Bill White, OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and Bill White, Master of Ceremonies OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and DONATIONS ALL MONETARY RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WEDONATIONS APOLOGIZE RECEIVED FOR ANY OMISSIONS. There is a large dance floor 2:30pm. Raise your holiday THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES ALL MONETARY BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL PERFORMERS and THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. and lots of free parking. $15. spirits by joining The Golden THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS THEIR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AIDES AND AIDES ALL MONETARY DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road, Follies as these talented and ALL MONETARYRECEIVED DONATIONS RECEIVED BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS. ALL MONETARY DONATIONS BY 11/26/18 LISTED ABOVE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OMISSIONS.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
valleysentinel.com energetic senior performers, ages 60-88, brighten the holiday season with A Very “Follies” Holiday! Lively choreography, heartwarming music, Reindeer, Snowflakes, Frosty, Christmas Trees, Brightly Colored Packages, and more. $38. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469).
Bay Area Children’s Theatre presents Elf Jr. December 20 - 22 Join us for some ‘sparklejollytwinklejingley’ fun this holiday season! Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s Next Stage Performers bring to life the story of Buddy the Elf in the hit musical Elf Jr. Tickets: $10. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3343. ‘Tis the Symphony presented by California Symphony December 22 4pm & 8pm. Holiday selections featuring the Pacific Boychoir Academy. Featuring an audience sing-along and festive favorites, the holiday concerts are the most popular of the year—perfect for all ages looking to get into the spirit of the season. Come early for mulled wine, cocoa, and free activities in the Hoffmann Lobbies starting one hour before curtain. $52 - $82. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469). Fleetwood Mask: The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac December 22 8pm. Fleetwood Mask is the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band! The band performs the greatest hits of Fleetwood Mac from the 1960’s blue band with Peter Green, through the Bob Welch era, and the most popular lineup featuring Lindsey, Stevie, and
December 2018
Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469). Christine. This is their first holiday show featuring the best of their Fleetwood Mac show combined with holiday music. There will be special guests joining them to fill the stage with holiday cheer! $25 - $30. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
San Ramon Symphonic Band: Winter Holiday Concert December 23 7:30pm. Enjoy an evening of festive Yuletide classics played by the 55 member San Ramon Symphonic Band. Tickets: Adults: $8, Kids under 12 or with a student ID are FREE Enjoy an evening of festive Yuletide classics played by the 55 member San Ramon Symphonic Band under the direction of Larry Colon & Bryan Holbrook. The concert will feature some classical holiday pieces mixed with some modern new arrangements of your favorite Holiday tunes. Bring the family, and your good cheer, for a joyous holiday concert! Buy your tickets now so you’re not left out in the cold for this community favorite. D o u g h e r t y Va l l e y Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3343. Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Comedy Show XXVI presented by Worst of Durst December 29 8pm. A look back at the major news stories of 2018 using stand up comedy, improvisation and loosely written sketches. $33. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut
P re s c h o o l Pe r f o r m a n c e Series: Comedy Magician Brian Scott January 4 10am. Making little ones laugh, dance, and sing along since 2009, the Town of Danville is pleased to continue to present fun and unique toplevel entertainers for preschoolaged children. Presented in 50 minutes with no intermission. Artist may be subject to change. $5. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www.villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400. Comedy with Liz Grant & Friends: A Monthly Stand-Up Series January 4
THE VALLEY SENTINEL 7:30pm. In this monthly stand-up comedy series, Liz Grant brings a host of Bay Area and L.A. comedians to the Village Theatre stage! Join these seasoned performers for this hilarious series. 16+ unless accompanied by an adult. $20. Village Theater, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or 925-314-3400.
Symphony of Color, Abstracts in Review January 10 - March 2 T h i s s h ow w i l l o p e n January 10 at 5:30pm. The Village Theatre Art Gallery will be kicking off the New Year with a burst of color in the abstract art exhibition featuring the works of the
page 3
South Bay painting group abstract7. Village Theater & Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or or 925-314-3400.
40th Annual Shellie Awards January 12 7:30pm. Patterned after Broadway’s Tony awards, the Shellies honor over 120 individuals and their work in musical and non-musical theatrical productions that took place between September 2017 and August 2018. $30. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469).
page 4
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
December 2018
Superheroes, their movies, and why we love them After 80 years, Superheroes are more popular than ever! Their movies continue to break box office records, while comic book and merchandise sales increase year after year. Where did it all start and how did it become so popular? These questions and more are answered in the new book ‘Superheroes, Their Movies, And Why We Love Them’ by Charles Dewandeler. “Writing this book is one of my proudest accomplishments,” says author Charles Dewandeler. “I’m a lifelong Superhero fan, I’ve purchased thousands of comic books and watched almost every superhero movie made.” Researching the history of these characters and their creators was a much bigger undertaking than he originally thought but in the end he feels it was worthwhile. “I believe this is the first book of its kind, chronicling the history of superheroes from 1930’s comic books to the billion dollar blockbuster movies of today.” ‘Superheroes’ chronicles the history of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, the life of Stan Lee and much more! ‘Superheroes’ answers all the age-old questions. Is Superman the first superhero? What would Marvel be without Stan Lee? Why did movie studios reject Batman in the 80’s? What happened to James Cameron’s Spider-Man movie?
Who’s winning the war between DC and Marvel? And who is the most popular superhero? “My favorite discovery while writing ‘Superheroes’ was movie producer Michael E. Uslan’s 10 year endeavor producing Batman (1989),” says Dewandeler. “Studio executives used to think Superheroes were just silly kid stories meant for ‘Sunday Funnies’ pages. Looking back now, it was Batman (1989) that paved the way for all the films we have today. It’s hard to imagine so many 80’s movie executives turned down Uslan because they didn’t think a Batman movie could make money.”
‘Superheroes, Their Movies, And Why We Love Them’ is now available in paperback through Amazon. com and BarnesandNoble. com. It’s also available in book stores and libraries through Ingram Publishing. The eBook is available on Kindle, Apple iBooks, and several other outlets.
Do you know what to do about back pain?
WE DO.
The Back Doctors are a network of CHIROPRACTORS, MEDICAL DOCTORS and other health care professionals all with one common goal, the effective treatment of your pain.
Don’t Ignore These warning signs of spinal misalignment • Recurring Headaches • Low Back and Leg Pain • Neck, Shoulder and Arm Pain • Pain Between Shoulders
• Muscle Spasms • Difficulty Sleeping • Numbness in Limbs • Dizziness/Ringing in Ears
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
Saturday and evening appointments available • Most insurance accepted • Workers compensation welcome
The Back Doctors A CHIROPRACTIC/MEDICAL NETWORK
Phillip Runco, D.C.
Call for appointment now! 685-0335
valleysentinel.com
Alamo News Update
Do I Really Need a Building Permit? By Steve Mick
The quick answer is yes, you probably do. Every so often, the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council is asked to deal with a project that has been built or is in the construction process without the benefit of an approved building permit. These situations can become bureaucratically messy and costly. There are many implications to an unpermitted structure. (See below for an example.) The owner will usually be required to “cure” an unpermitted project. This m e a n s t h a t t h e ex i s t i n g project will be treated as if it were a totally new project. The owner will need to obtain a building permit as if it were a new project. All permit fees and construction costs required to bring a property u p t o c o d e w i l l a p p l y. Unpermitted projects can be liable for a citation, fine or administrative remedies. A further complication may occur when the property
is put on the market. The existence of unpermitted structures or projects may put a cloud on the sale. Unfortunately, this issue tends to pop up when the sale negotiations are deep in the final stages. Things may then grind to an immediate halt. In addition, insurance may not extend to u n p e r m i t t e d p ro j e c t s o r improvements. Check with your insurance agent to be sure of your coverage. When a permit is pulled, it places a project into the approval system. One of the main activities is the inspection of the project. Depending on the complexity of the project several inspections may be necessary as various parts of the project a re c o m p l e t e d . B u i l d i n g codes and inspections are a good thing and will ensure that the project is performed correctly and that the project is safely completed. There are a number of projects that may not require a permit. They include small structures (less than 120 square feet). But note that any electrical, plumbing, and
mechanical work will usually require a permit. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work also will not necessarily require a permit. Check with the county building department for guidance. Contra Costa County has extensive information online of every aspect of the building permit process. Some time ago, the Alamo MAC had occasion to review a structure that was built without a permit. Usually the MAC tries to help the applicant “cure” the project, but in this case and for various reasons, the MAC voted to deny the request. The county then ordered the demolition of the structure. Admittedly, this is an extreme example but why take a chance with your project? Steve Mick is a long-time Alamo resident and is active in a number of community organizations. Among them are the Community Foundation of Alamo, the Exchange Club and the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council. You can reach Steve at steve@ alamore.org.
MEMORIAL from page 1
to sign up. Kyle used the three years to volunteer with the Marine Corps. Kyle joined the Marines when he turned 18. After training, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Div., I Marine Expeditionary Force. Kyle died in a gun battle serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Anbar province on April 6, 2004. On November 28, 2018 East Bay Blue Star Moms 101, California High School, fellow Marines, friends, family, and many members of the community took part in the ceremony to honor Kyle. A permanent memorial to recognize his service to our Country and his sacrifice was unveiled at Kyle’s high school in San Ramon. Speakers at the event, including Mark Corti, then California High’s principal, and Kyle’s Dad Mark Crowley, acknowledged that Kyle was excited about being a Marine
Catherine Baker, left, with Kyle’s parents, Mark and Mary Crowley
and was proud to wear the uniform. They saw a “new young man” in him. Blue Star Mom Peggy Conklin organized the dedication to Kyle and is on staff at the high school. Peggy contributed her thoughts and observations. “I had a student come to see me in the office yesterday. He told me he was keeping an eye on Kyle’s Memorial to make sure no one messed with it. He talked with his classmates about how important it is to show respect for the memorial. I had a staff
member tell me when she walks by the memorial, she says hi to Kyle every time. This is why it’s important to have these high school memorials t o o u r Fa l l e n Wa r r i o rs. Teaching the students about the sacrifices our service men and women make every day and sometimes that means the Ultimate Sacrifice. Always remember, never forget... Freedom is not free!” Kyle is survived by his father Mark, his mother Mary, and sister Nichole.
Happy Holidays from all of us at The Valley Sentinel!
www. blueherongraphics.com
valleysentinel.com
December 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 5
East Bay Regional Park District Urges Full Reinstatement of Historic conservation tragedies of our Giants, Golden State Warriors, Land and Water Conservation Fund lifetime,” said Doyle. “The Land San Francisco 49ers, Oakland
For the past 54 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided funding for the conservation of natural, historical and cultural resources with no dependence on taxpayers. Land and Water C o n s e r va t i o n Fu n d s a re provided through royalty fees paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas offshore of the United States. LWCF expired on September 30, 2018. Since its expiration, $100 million has been collected and diverted from these investments – outdoor recreation and natural resource protection. The East Bay Regional Park District supports full, permanent reinstatement of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. “The Park District has received $16 million since the Land and Water Conservation
Fund was established for numerous park and open space projects in the East Bay,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “We call on the Senate and Congress to act now and reinstate the Land and Water Conservation Fund permanently with full funding. L a n d a n d Wa t e r Conservation Fund projects include increased public access at Bay Point Regional Shoreline, increased public access Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, new park lands at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, trail enhancement at Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, improvement of the Skyline National Recreation Trail at Redwood Regional Park, campground improvements at Anthony Chabot Regional
Park, safe water access for visitors at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, visitor center enhancements at Del Valle Regional Park, picnic, and visitor improvements at Temescal Regional Recreation Area. The Land and Water C o n s e r va t i o n Fu n d wa s established in 1964 through a bi-partisan effort to invest in outdoor recreation and natural resource protection. Since its inception, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided more than $16.7 billion in grant funding to state and local governments. It has provided $900 million annually through its grant program “To lose this great bipartisan conservation effort that requires no taxpayer dollars would be one of the greatest
Danville Mayor Installation and Community Service Awards Held dedication and volunteerism On December 4, Danville residents attended the Community Service award ceremony and the new Mayor installation at the Community Center. It was a packed House! The San Ramon Valley High School Choir entertained during a meet and greet with the Town Council. Citizens were honored for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the Town of Danville. Afterwards, the honorable Wade Rhyne swore in Karen Stepper and Robert Storer for another term on the Town Council and then the Town Council selected the new Mayor (Robert Storer) and Vice Mayor (Karen Stepper) for 2019. The Community service award recipients are as follows:
Danville Award – Beverly Lane for her efforts in promoting and preserving Danville history Michael K Shimansky Award – Hannah Stephenson for her fundraising efforts to support Parkinson’s research Aw a r d o f S p e c i a l Recognition – Dan McGovern for his work on One Festival, Two Countries Parks & Leisure Services Commission Volunteer of the Year – Dan Galvin for volunteering to lead DASH hikes for the last 8 years Arts Commission Volunteer of the Year – Tricia Grame for her work promoting art in Danville Town Volunteer of the Year – Mary Maki for her
with Danville seniors Police Volunteer of the Year – Carol Priete for her continued service to the community as a police volunteer. Award of Merit – Lauren Torchiana, Katherine Gilen, G ra c e M c C l u re & Ke l l y Anderson for their work in creating the ‘Street Pianos’ program Award of Merit – Bill Green for his promoting veterans issues in local middle and high schools Award of Merit – Danville Women’s Club for their extensive community service Award of Merit – Caroline White, Kathryn Benvenuto & Val Lacommare for organizing the successful Ridge Hike for Prevention
QUAIL from page 1
and “flush” in an explosive, short, rapid flight to safety. Normally, the fleet-footed quail will escape on foot. California Quail nest on the ground, usually under a shrub, log pile, debris, or other protective cover. During the spring, a shallow depression, or scrape is lined with grass, leaves, and soft material. The female usually lays ten to sixteen, darkly blotched, pale-buff to dull white-eggs. Incubation is for eighteen to twenty-three days. In favorable years, two broods are raised. California Quail have been known to nest above the ground, often in an abandoned nest of another species. On occasion, two females may lay their legs in the same nest. Upon hatching, the precocial young leave the nest within a day, and associate with both parents. Often families
group together into multifamily communal broods. The oldest known California Quail was six years and eleven months old. As suburbanization increases, some populations of the California Quail are declining due to house cat predation and other hazards. The ornate, comma-shaped, topknots or head plumes were used by California Native Americans to decorate their basketry and ceremonial headdresses. The highly adaptable California Quail has been widely introduced as a game bird including New Zealand, Hawaii, Argentina, South Africa and other countries. James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant based in Contra Costa County. Please visit his website at www. dochale.com.
it can nestle down, flap it’s wings and coat the plumage to condition the feathers, and deter ectoparasites such as the feather louse. One may determine the presence of quail in an area by the circular depressions, usually three to six inches in diameter, left behind after “bathing”. California Quail feed on seeds, leaves, berries, acorns, fresh shoots, bulbs, and some insects. It has a variety of vocalizations, including the loud “chi-ca’-go”, or “where -are’ -you”, which the bird is usually identified with. Lone males give a loud “keeaaw” call. A series of soft, “pips” and “chortles” are used to communicate between members of the covey. When startled, quail will give a series of warning calls or “pips”,
and Water Conservation Fund is an essential funding source for outdoor recreation and natural resources protection, including parks, open space, trails, shorelines.” “National, state, regional and local parks are experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity while at the same time facing aging and deteriorating infrastructure where more funding is needed, not less,” added Doyle. The Park District is the largest park district in the nation with 73 Regional Parks and over 121,000 acres of open space, including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning. The East Bay Regional Park District receives 25 million visits annually – more than the Oakland A’s, San Francisco
Raiders, San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes combined! The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the best examples of national bi-partisanship. Congress needs to act now to ensure this historical landmark deal continues to provide benefits for generations to come. The East Bay Regional Park District urges full reinstatement of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.
JRW CONSTRUCTION, INC. 381 Hartz Ave., Danville, Suite B phone 925.831.1615 fax 925.831.1643 lic. 694292
CUSTOM HOMES ADDITIONS REMODELS BATHROOM AND KITCHEN REMODELS TENANT IMPROVEMENTS COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL
page 6
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
December 2018
valleysentinel.com
George Miller Regional Trail By Beverly Lane, President, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors
and fishing for food. With the arrival of Europeans, the land was used for farming and ranching. A major railroad line was built, which altered the hillside to accommodate the right of way. Several wharves and warehouses served a 19th Century grain-growing economic boom. Carquinez Scenic Loop, a vehicle road constructed by the county in the early 1900s served as a connection between the communities of Crockett, Port Costa and Martinez. Landslides resulted in closure of the road in 1983, although hikers and bicyclists still used the route informally (and dangerously). Miller has long been a supporter of the East Bay Regional Park District and its mission to acquire and preserve open space lands for public enjoyment and wildlife habitat. With Miller’s support, the Park District was able
For an easy nearby stroll with unmatched scenic beauty, it’s hard to beat the George Miller Regional Trail, which overlooks Carquinez Strait in northern Contra Costa County. The trail opened in November of 2014 with a ceremony honoring George Miller, who had just retired after four decades of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. Miller’s support was crucial in obtaining funds for the trail’s construction. There’s a lot of history to the trail and the strait. The straight was originally home to the Carquins–Native Americans who lived along the shore, hunting, gathering
The healing art of Reiki (pronounced “RAY-key”) is a simple, natural, safe method of healing that anyone can use.
Innercompass Reiki Upcoming classes: ART/Master Holy Fire III: January 4, 5, & 6 Children’s Reiki: January 13 Karuna Reiki: February 1, 2 & 3 Gift certificates available (Reiki Sessions are $150)
390 Diablo Rd., Suite 115 Danville, CA Phone: 510.499.4332 www.innercompassreiki.com
PORTEOUS PORTEOUS PORTEOUS PORTEOUS FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY FAMILY DENTISTRY Larry Porteous D.D.S. Larry Porteous D.D.S.++Linda LindaPorteous PorteousR.D.H. R.D.H.
Larry Porteous, Linda R.D.H. Porteous, R.D.H. Larry Porteous D.D.S. +D.D.S. Linda + Porteous
“Let Our Family Be Family Dentist” OurBe Family BeYour Your Family Dentist” Our Family Be Your Family Dentist” “Let“Let Our“Let Family Your Family Dentist” WeWeare arecelebrating celebrating2929years years
50% OFF
We are 29 in years 50% OFF We arecelebrating celebrating 30 yearsArea. in in practice 50% OFF Teeth Whitening practice inthe theBay Bay Area. 50% OFF in practiceininin the Bay Teeth Whitening practice the BayArea. Area. Our Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening Our practice is dedicated for new patients (reg $450) Our practice is dedicated for new patients (reg $450) Our practice is dedicated to treating for new patients for (regnew $450) patients (reg $450) practice istodedicated totreating treatingand andpreventing preventing to treating and preventing and preventing dental indiseases in a (925) 736-9000 dental diseases a friendly, dental (925) 736-9000 dental diseases in a diseases friendly, in a friendly, 925-736-9000 (925) friendly, relaxed atmosphere. is 736-9000 relaxed ItItisisIt our relaxedatmosphere. our relaxed atmosphere. Itatmosphere. is our 3840 Blackhawk Road our philosophy to give each person philosophy totogive person 3840Blackhawk Blackhawk Road 3840 Road 3840 Road giveeach each personBlackhawk philosophy tophilosophy give each person Suite 110 the same respect, care and concern the same respect, care and Suite 110 the same respect, care respect, and the same care and Suite 110 Suite 110 concern thatwant we would wantasto Danville Danville that wethat would want Danville concern we would Danville concern thatto wetoreceive would want to Across(Across Blackhawkfrom Rd. as a patient. patients. Across BlackhawkAcross Rd. Blackhawk receive as areceive patient. Rd. receive as a patient. Independently Rated Highest in Quality
fromDraeger’s Draeger’s Market NINTH from Draeger’s Market Market) from Draeger’s CONSECUTIVEMarket YEAR
Independently Rated Highest in Quality Independently Rated Highest in Quality
IfIf you have an have aching tooth,tooth, want Ifanyou an aching you have tooth, If aching you have an aching tooth, to maintain good dental wantyour toyour maintain your good want to maintain good want to maintain your good health, are interested in interested improving dental are dental health, are health, interested dental health, are interested your smile or just have questions in improving your smile or justor in improving in your smile or just improving your smile or just have or concerns, concerns, please call our office. We have questions orquestions concerns, have questions or concerns, ourlook office. We look pleaseforward call please our office. We look tocall meeting you. please call our office. We look
NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
forward to meeting forward you. to meeting you.
forward to meeting you.
Providing Full Service Dentistry the Entire Providing Full Service Dentistry For The for Entire Family Providing Full Service Dentistry For The EntireFamily Family
Providing Full Service Dentistry For The Entire Family
WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM www.PorteousFamilyDentistry.com WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM
WWW.pOrteOusFAMILYDeNtIstrY.coM
to obtain a federal TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant in 2010 to help fund restoration of 1.7 miles of the old road, including the sections that had been damaged by landslides. The George Miller Trail is one of six projects, which address gaps in the regional trail system and safely connect communities, schools and businesses to transportation hubs. Construction of the trail cost $5.7 million, with $2.9 million provided by the TIGER grant, $1 million from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and the remainder from other federal, state and regional transportationrelated sources. The road was repaired with soldier pile walls, and drainage structures were rebuilt to reduce the impact of future winter rains. Portions of the failed roadway were reconstructed, resulting in a new 10- to 12-foot wide paved segment. The trail is beautiful. It is multi-use and disabled accessible. It is closed to motor vehicle traffic except
for service and emergency use. Members of the public can park at staging areas at the east or west end. Besides again linking t h e C a rq u i n e z s h o re l i n e communities, the new trail becomes part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, which when completed will comprise a 500-mile loop encircling San Francisco and San Pablo Bay shorelines. It’s also a key link in the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail, which crosses two toll bridges and traverses all the shoreline communities of two counties. Walking or bicycling the George Miller Trail provides panoramic views up and
down Carquinez Strait with its maritime traffic, and across to Benicia, with Mt. Diablo looming in the distance to the east. Because it’s paved, the trail is great for easy exercise when winter rains make nonpaved trails less passable. To g e t t h e r e f r o m Martinez, drive west on Carquinez Scenic Drive past Alhambra Cemetery. You can park at Nejedly Staging Area on the left, or continue another mile for roadside parking near the start of the trail. For west side access, take McEuen Road from Highway 4 and turn right on Carquinez Scenic Drive at the bottom of the hill.
A message to supporters and friends of the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation So much More than a “Thank You” By Mike Conklin
D e a r S u p p o r t e rs a n d new friends of the Sentinels o f Fre e d o m S c h o l a rs h i p Foundation, As we approach Christmas Day 2018 and the New Year of 2019, I respectfully ask you to reflect on your personal awareness, relationship and values with respect to the Armed Forces of our Nation. Let me give you an example of just one of my reflections. A few years ago two severely wounded soldiers, myself and one of our Board Members met with the Chairman of a major U.S. corporation for a private lunch in Dallas. Both of these young Soldiers were amputees from the war in Afghanistan and graduates of our program. During the conversation at lunch the Chairman asked one of the soldiers a question. He said “John, when I see a soldier or veteran in public I always walk over and say Thank you for your service. Almost all say thank you back but sometimes I get
a funny look back like I’m invading their space. Am I saying the right thing by saying Thank you for your service?” The soldier was Staff S e r g e a n t J o h n Wa y n e Walding U.S. Army a Silver Star Recipient and Green Beret. His answer was inspiring and something I’d never heard. John said “Sir, I’ve had this experience many times since I came home. It’s not hard to tell I’m a wounded soldier as I often wear shorts and a shirt with my unit’s logo on it. People come up to me in gas stations, stores and on the street and do this all the time. At first I was a little embarrassed. I joined the Army with the dream of becoming a Green Beret and a career of military service to our nation. I fully understood the risks and the rewards of my decision to join. I decided that I needed to say more than thank you back to those who were thanking me. Some really didn’t know what to say so the stock Thank you for your service came out.
Some we’re so emotional they couldn’t say more, some actually broke down and wept. This bothered me. I had to find a better way of responding. So now when someone makes their way over to me and sticks their hand out and says those words, I grab their hand tight and hold it, I place my left hand on their shoulder, and I look them straight in the eyes with a big smile and I say, YOU’RE WORTH IT! In doing this I hope I’ve made them feel comfortable and maybe gained a new friend. I also I hope I’ve done more than that. I hope that I’ve planted a question with that person to reflect on as they walk away. The question I hope they ask themselves is, what have I done in my life to deserve this young man’s sacrifice to uphold my freedoms? My hope is that they go back to their community and this question inspires them to continue doing good things for others”. See SENTINELS page 7
valleysentinel.com
December 2018
Happy Holidays from the Danville Police Department By Allan Shields, Danville Police Chief
The holiday season is upon us, and while we focus on showing appreciation for our loved ones, I would like to provide some safety tips to ensure we all have a safe and happy holiday season. Holidays keep us busy engaging with family and friends and often running t o m o re eve n t s t h a n we have time for. I want to make sure that everyone stays careful, prepared, and aware. Driving during the holidays Oftentimes, traffic can be very challenging as many people take to the roads to visit family or friends. We encourage you to be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination in order to avoid making poor driving choices that can lead to an accident. When shopping, park your car in a well-lit area, make sure to lock all the doors, and set the alarm. Make note of where you parked so you do not end up wandering the lot in search of your car with armfuls of holiday presents. Do not leave packages or valuables in sight within your car. Instead, put them out of sight prior to arriving at your destination. SENTINELS from page 6
You can read more about John at www.army.mil/ article/29353 This young soldier’s story and the stories of the many more wounded veterans we have assisted with our Sentinels of Freedom program continues to give us the motivation to invest in their futures of higher education, career placements leading to selfsufficient productive lives. As you can imagine, the hurdles are much higher for them just to getting through college with their
Tips for the savvy shopper Dress casually and comfortably and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry. Avoid carrying a purse or wallet if you can. Carry your drivers license or identification along with necessary cash and credit cards you expect to use. If you must carry your purse or wallet, be aware that these are prime targets for thieves in crowded shopping centers, transportation terminals and on mass transit. Report lost or stolen credit cards to your credit card company immediately. Ke e p i n g y o u r h o m e secure while away C r i m i n a l s k n ow t h a t the hustle and bustle of the holidays can lead to many distractions and simple mistakes that can leave your home vulnerable. Remember the following important tips: - Lock all windows and doors to your home and vehicles - Consider using timers for indoor and outdoor lighting - Large displays of gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home - Try not to let packages sit unattended on your door step for long and consider signing up for delivery notifications.
disabilities. We have always said, their success is our return and our nations gain. As we look at it, it’s a great investment. As we wind up 2018, we were close to our goal of adding 100 Veterans to our program by adding 75. I hope you’ll all consider helping us reach the goal of 100 new Veterans in 2019. They’re worth the investment. Please take a moment to visit our website at www. sentinelsoffreedom.org to learn more about how you
- Consider using a locking mailbox and check your mailbox frequently. - Be sure to set your alarm when not at home - When leaving home f o r a n ex t e n d e d p e r i o d , consider having a friend or neighbor watch your home and pick up the newspapers and mail. The Town also offers a vacation house check program that can be found on our website. - Consider installing a camera near your front door that will be visible to would-be burglars. The camera should be capable of capturing video or photos with enough image quality to identify the person at your door. If the crook can see your camera, then they know you can see them. Strangers at your door Burglars will often approach the front door first to see if anyone is home. Do not let the knock or ring go unanswered. This does not mean you should open the door, but at least a c k n ow l e d g e t h e p e rs o n in some way. If you see something suspicious, please phone the police. It is not uncommon for solicitors to be out during the holidays. The Town requires that solicitors (other than political and charitable organizations) have a sales license and a peddler’s permit from the county. Ask if the solicitor has credentials and,
can help or call us at 925380-6342 or email us at info@sentinlesoffreedom. All of us at Sentinels of Freedom and those we serve thank you for all your support and extend our best w i s h e s t o yo u a n d yo u r families for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Sincerely, Mike Conklin, Chairman & CEO. The Sentinels of Freedom S c h o l a r s h i p Fo u n d a t i o n is located at 2303 Camino Ramon #270, in San Ramon 94583. For more information on how you can help, call (925) 380-6342.
THE VALLEY SENTINEL if you feel uncomfortable, call the police and we will verify their identification and permits. Hosting a party Please be responsible t h i s h o l i d ay s e a s o n a n d ensure that there are nonalcoholic choices for your party guests. If your adult guests are consuming alcohol that could impair driving, find an alternative form of transportation for them. For those hosting parties for family and friends under 21, remember that it is unlawful to host a gathering where alcohol is provided to anyone under the age of 21. The Town of Danville has a strict enforcement policy on social host violations. Attending a party Please be safe when attending a party. Know where you are going and consider going with at least one other person. Have a plan and a backup plan for how you will get home when it is time to leave.
page 7
A l i t t l e p re p a ra t i o n a n d u n d e rs t a n d i n g w i l l h e l p make your experience fun and enjoyable. Know your safe limit. Never drink or take medication that may i m p a i r yo u r p hys i c a l o r mental ability and then drive. We strongly encourage you to report suspicious activity to the Danville Police Department at (925) 8202144 in a non-emergency s i t u a t i o n a n d 911 i n a n emergency. We would also ask everyone to follow us on Twitter and Facebook as well as to subscribe to emergency alerts via the free service through NIXLE by texting your zip code to 888-777. Our office is located at 510 La Gonda Way in Danville. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (925) 3143700 or at ashields@danville. ca.gov. The Danville Police Department wishes you a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season.
Community Input We at The Valley Sentinel welcome comments and suggestions from the community at large. We love hearing from you! However, consideration is only given to those who provide their name, address and phone number. Two-way communication is essential for growth and understanding. Write us at P.O. Box 1309, Danville, 94526, email to drousset@valleysentinel. com, or call us at 925-820-6047. Thank you! —Denise Rousset, Publisher
For A Life of Intellectual Exploration and Meaningful Contribution Challenging and Experiential Classes Average 15-17 students Students Inspire Each Other to Think Critically, Problem Solve, and Collaborate Unmatched International & Wilderness Programs 100% Admitted to Outstanding 4-Year Colleges Diverse Global Community on an Extraordinary 75-Acre Campus Transportation and Financial Aid Available
www.athenian.org Danville
ADMISSION OPEN HOUSES FOR FALL 2019 ENROLLMENT Grades 6-8 January 12 1:00 pm Grades 9-12 January 13 1:00 pm To register for Open House, please visit the Admission page on our website. Click on the “Info Request & Event Registration” ribbon and complete the “Inquiry for The Athenian School.”
Happy Holidays! page 8
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Vintage Jewelry Holiday Gifts & Wedding Jewelry www.etsy.com/shop/vintagejewelryetal (Local seller)
Enter BHGVS15
for 15% off your purchase
This Holiday Season
Give the Gift of Composting! Compost Bins are Available for $90 Tax & shipping included
Turn yard waste and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost with the easy-to-use Soilsaver Composter.
December 2018
valleysentinel.com
Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley Our Memory Tree will The tradition continues with Christmas Memories now at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. This year the museum will have dollhouses from 100 years ago to recent times. Many of these dollhouses were lovingly handmade by local dads and moms for their children. Seeing this exhibit is a wonderful way to look back at Christmases past and celebrate this joyous season. The museum will have two areas for children of all ages to play. Take a moment and visit Santa’s workshop, which will be open at the museum stocked with lots of toys. Santa’s workshop is a great photo opportunity! In
addition, we have a dollhouse and train set all ready for children and adults to play with as well. These are two
great opportunities to enjoy the fun and the spirit of the holidays. Our flying Santa will be will be returning, a G model Christmas train, as well as a Father Christmas exhibit, with many decorated trees, and lots more.
be available for visitors to share a story of a treasured handmade gift for Christmas, such as a sweater, scarf, toy, or dollhouse you received. Another wonderful thing to share is a story about a special gift you made for someone else. So come, remember and enjoy our annual Christmas Memories Exhibit now through December 31. Happy Holidays from The Museum of the San Ramon Valley. We’re located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville. Exhibit hours are Tuesday-Friday from 1pm to 4pm, Saturday from 10am -1pm, and Sunday from Noon to 3pm. For more information visit www.museumsrv.org, or call 925-837-3750.
Register for a FREE workshop online
The Virtues of Shopping Locally
Order today! www.recyclesmart.org
Holiday Shoppers, go for it! Shopping in your own community can be a very pleasant experience for many reasons. Compare prices, follow-up service, selection and reliability, getting to know the people in your community, and having fun making the right choices. S o m e p e o p l e m ay b e lured to the advertised prices of internet or big box stores, but give it a second thought. No one on the Internet, or in a discount store will listen to you describe what you think you need and then help you find it…or suggest something similar or better—at the same price. There will not be a person you can go back to, if by chance it was not the perfect choice or perfect product. There is no feeling the merchandise, or taking it out of the package before you buy. Most importantly, the bargain price might just be the same as at a shop in your neighborhood or your Town. Ad va n t a g e s o f l o c a l shops “Local businesses are built by the people who buy an ad in a school publication
Compost bins available to residents of Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and unincorporated Central Contra Costa County. Sponsored by RecycleSmart. *As long as supplies last.
and donate to schools”, walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce President Jay Hoyer said. “They donate to the Lions and Jaycee projects because they are part of the community.” As a practical matter, the sales tax generated from local purchases stays in the community to be used for parks and other amenities, making it a better place to live. “Some businesses such as a nursery, would have local plants,” Hoyer points out. “A local owner would also stand behind the quality and help the buyer with extra information to assure the plant would flourish.” Some of Northern California’s most talented artists, sculptors, ceramicists, jewelry designers and glass blowers live and work in the communities of San Ramon, Blackhawk, Danville, Alamo and Walnut Creek. A oneof-a-kind creation from a local artist is bound to be a cherished, memorable gift. Five Good Reasons to Shop Locally Support local arts by purchasing gifts such
a s p a i n t i n g s, s c u l p t u re, ceramics, or jewelry from a hometown artist or gallery. Reduce fossil fuel emissions by not driving out of the area to shop, and by looking for products that are not shipped from afar. Contribute to your community indirectly by patronizing the local businesses that support schools, the arts, and local charities with donations of time, money and trade-offs. Save enough time for fun. Catch a movie, or eat out along the way. Find bargains. All the local shops have holiday specials, and special holiday merchandise. If you really like shopping o n l i n e, c h e c k o u t t h e websites of local boutiques and businesses. Often there is a way to order ahead, or purchase and pick up your purchase at the store, or just check what they have in stock. By shopping in person or at the local merchants’ websites or locations, you are supporting your community, school programs and local nonprofits by supporting a vibrant downtown.
Give the Gift of “Local” this Holiday Season, in Danville.
valleysentinel.com
December 2018
Danville Cigar Fine Wine & Gifts 445 Hartz Ave. 925-831-8899
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 9
Rakestraw Books 3 Railroad Ave. 925-837-7337
California Pedaler 495 Hartz Ave. 925-820-0345
This Holiday Season go offline and have yourself a merry Small Town Christmas! Cooler, fall days signal that unstoppable free fall into the holiday season. If a mild sense of panic is exposed as shopping days slide away from your calendar like autumn leaves, if Amazon and Google have been your nervous twitch response to gift buying recently or your pulse rate is already rising with your instinct to grab car keys and head out to join the jostling swarms at another soulless shopping mall, take a deep breath… Danville has all your gift solutions in a beautiful, small downtown setting,
with shop owners ready to welcome you and assist with everything on your holiday shopping list. If it’s been a while since you took a stroll through Danville’s unique collection of stores and restaurants, start today, enjoy the calm and free parking. With no packages to wait in for, no shipping fees, no mall food courts, just a chance to really find something special and unique and perhaps enjoy a sensational meal, coffee or glass of wine! All while supporting and sustaining
the local businesses that give Danville its essence and distinguish it from so many larger, cookie-cutter, downtown destinations. When we spend our money offline we feed our community, $68 of every $100 spent in a locally, independently owned store stays in our community and is reinvested locally in ways that benefit each of us, many times over, with investment in roads, litter collecting, workforce, business to business, community programming, and more.
Literally every dollar spent in our community versus outside our area or online is an important investment that contributes to why we love where we live. D a n v i l l e ’ s neighborhood business owners are passionate about their products. They will spend time to make expert suggestions for your got-everything grandpa or your fashionconscious niece, with price points for everyone’s budget. Exchange seasonal shopping stress for friendly
and unique, and find your perfect gifts in Danville’s outstandingly tranquil, small town location. This year, maybe leave the Internet to just solving your turkey cookingtime dilemmas! Need More Inspiration? Check out our Instagram page for more inspiration on where to eat, shop, what to see and where to play in Danville. Fo l l o w a n d t a g u s @ L i ve L o c a l ly D a n v i l l e . Download the Holiday G u i d e a t L i v e w w w. LiveLocallyDanville.com
Senior Services page 10
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
December 2018
valleysentinel.com
Your Medicare Costs in 2019 By Greg Dill
As we head into the holiday season, I wanted to let you know how much your Medicare will cost in 2019. Most people with Medicare will pay the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which will be $135.50 next year, an increase of $1.50 over 2018. Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, some home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A.
Your Part B premium is based on your income. People whose tax returns show income equal to or higher than $85,000 pay higher premiums. These income-adjusted premiums apply to about 5 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries. The premiums for higherincome beneficiaries for 2019 can be found here: https:// www.cms.gov/newsroom/ fact-sheets/2019-medicareparts-b-premiums-anddeductibles. The annual deductible for Part B is $185 in 2019, an increase of $2 from 2018. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing, and some home health services. The vast majority of Medicare benefi ciaries don’t have to pay Part A premiums since
The help you need, the respect you deserve. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Owned and operated by experienced nurses Licensed by the State of California Registered and carefully screened caregivers Complimentary health & safety assessment Up to 24 hour care available
they or their spouses paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). T h e Pa r t A i n p a t i e n t hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay when admitted to the hospital will be $1,364 in 2019, a $24 increase over 2018. There are two ways to get your Medicare benefi ts: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. With Original Medicare, you can choose any doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider you want, as long as they accept Medicare. When you receive medical services or goods, Medicare pays the provider directly. About 70 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries have Original Medicare. The other way to get your benefits is Medicare Advantage, which is a form of managed care, like an HMO or PPO. Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurance companies approved
by Medicare. If you’re in Medicare Advantage, you generally must go to doctors and other providers in the company’s network. If you go outside the network, you may have to pay more. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage plans may offer some services – such as dental, hearing, vision, and prescription drug coverage – that Original Medicare doesn’t. Most people with Original Medicare pay a monthly Part B premium. If you’re i n M e d i c a re Ad va n t a g e, you may have to pay an additionalmonthly premium to the private insurer that covers you. With Original Medicare, you or your supplemental insurance must pay deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance. To cover these “gaps” in Medicare, some people buy supplemental insurance called Medigap. If you have a Medigap policy, Medicare pays its share of covered costs, and
Independent Living Short-Term Stays Assisted Living Every day is an opportunity for our residents to engage, enjoy, express, learn and grow.
925-310-4455 * www.abcyourcare.com 185 Front St, Suite 200A, Danville, CA 94526
Mention this ad and receive $1,000 off your move-in fee! (Expires 12/31/18)
Contact Us
925-803-9100 Wishing you a healthy, safe, and happy Holiday Season, from our family to yours! ----Interested in a rewarding career as a caregiver? A Better Choice is hiring! Apply today!
9199 Fircrest Ln San Ramon CA 94583
www.SunriseVillaSanRamon.com
then your Medigap policy pays its share. Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs. If you want drug coverage, you can buy a separate Medicare Part D plan. Such plans are sold through private insurers approved by Medicare. You have to pay an additional monthly premium for Part D. On average, Medicare Advantage premiums in 2019 are projected to decrease by six percent to $28, from an average of $29.81 in 2018. Some plans are providing new types of benefits in 2019, including: • Adult day care services, in-home support services, caregiver support services, home-based palliative care and therapeutic massage; and • Reduced cost sharing and additional benefits for enrollees with certain conditions, such as diabetes and congestive heart failure. The average monthly basic premium for Part D prescription drug plans is expected to fall from $33.59 this year to $32.50 next year. This is the second year in a row that average Part D premiums have declined. And while we’re talking about costs, don’t forget that Medicare Open Enrollment season is here, and lasts until Dec. 7, 2018. This is the time each year when you can shop around for a new Medicare Advantage health plan or Part D drug plan that better meets your health needs and pocketbook. To h e l p yo u , we ’ ve developed an online calculator that can give you an idea of how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket for a Medicare Advantage plan versus Original Medicare plus a Part D plan and a Medigap plan. Yo u c a n a c c e s s t h e calculator at https://www. medicare.gov/oopc/. Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacifi c Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
Advertise in The Valley Sentinel!
For information, please contact Denise Rousset at 925-820-6047 or email info@valleysentinel.com. Visit us at ValleySentinel.com
Senior Services valleysentinel.com
December 2018 Sponsored Content
Happy Retirement By Robert Cucchiaro
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, or dared to peak at your 401K or brokerage account statement, you know that the last two months have not been good for stocks. In this very newspaper back in July I wrote a cautionary tale about the potential impact rising interest rates & tariffs could have on the stock market. Just a few months later that prognostication came to fruition as October was the worst month for stocks since 2008. The thesis behind my July article was that the economy and the corporations that make up the stock market were facing two giant headwinds, neither of
which had been seen in decades, with rising interest rates and tariffs. And that these two factors would depress corporate profits (earnings), bringing down stock prices. During the month of October this is exactly what happened as many companies reported Q3 earnings saying profits were up (about 20% on average) from the previous year, but that expectations for the coming year’s profits weren’t as good. The recurring theme on these earnings calls was that rising rates, a tight labor market (which means higher wages for workers), and tariffs are all conspiring to depress next year’s profits for most major companies. So what can you do about it? Since the goal for most of our clients (and presumably many of my readers) is a happy retirement, I would suggest the following: 1. The past 9 years have been great for large US stocks
and not so great for just about every other type of investment. As a result, globally diversified portfolios have lagged the large US stock market and caused investors to wonder if diversification is really worth it. As the month of October proved, stock prices can fall in a heartbeat, even for the best companies in the world (Amazon was down 20% for the month and Google was down close to 10%). Now is the time to get a globally diversified portfolio if you don’t already have one. 2. Retirement planning has 2 phases, accumulation (saving) and distribution (spending). During the accumulation phase large stock market declines can and should be largely ignored. In fact, as a saver lower stock prices means you can buy on the cheap which is a good thing. Just the opposite is true once you retire and enter the distribution phase. If you have to sell investments to live off of the income, steep
How to Say Thank You to Care Helpers By Paula Spencer Scott
Talk about unsung heroes. Those who help take care of those in need deserve our thanks year-round-- and right now is an especially good time for them to hear it. If you help take care of a family member, I know I’m preaching to the choir–of course you know you deserve a pat on the back! Maybe your friends or relatives will read this with you in mind. Or maybe by showing your appreciation to a fellow caregiver, family or professional, you can model how its done. There’s no downside to giving thanks. Some gratitude ideas: T h a n k i n g A Fa m i l y Member Mention caregivers by name in the Holiday counting of the blessings. Many families, before they feast, take inventory of all they have to be grateful for. Be sure that those who are caregivers aren’t left off the list. Give the gift of a day off. But don’t just offer vaguely and wait for the caregiver to take you up on it. (“If you ever need help with Mom....”) The person may feel uncomfortable reminding you of the offer later. Instead, name a specific day. Pitch a thought-out plan. Be proactive and persistent.
Send a little something. If you live far from the caregiver, send flowers or a holiday card with a few words to let the person know you’re thinking of him or her. Often it’s the aging or sick relative who gets this kind of attention --and that’s appropriate and great -- but the caregiver will appreciate a singled-out nod. Bury the hatchet. Family grievances have a way of sprouting like weeds in the stress of watching a beloved family member decline. If you really want to thank a loved one for all he or she does in caregiving, forgive and forget some sticking point between you -- no matter who was at fault. Go classic. The Holidays are a nice time of year for small tokens like a massage certificate, some specialty tea or coffee, movie coupons, or a restaurant or grocery store gift certificate. These work for hired caregivers as well. Thanking A Paid Caregiver Send really good food to a facility. Bringing treats to a nursing home or hospital is almost always welcomed by staff. But they don’t really want or need more doughnuts, pizza, and cookies. Think seasonal and special (and tilt to the healthy
side): spiced nuts, pumpkin or cranberry muffins, a veggie tray, cheese and crackers, an edible flower-shaped fruit arrangement, sparkling grape juice. Provide the feast. For a special aide, hospice nurse, or other helper who has to work the holiday, consider putting together a basket of holiday fixings. They can take it home to prepare it another day. Or offer to fund (or prepare) a special staff luncheon for a facility. Offer a bonus. ‘Tis the holiday season, and let’s face it, hired caregivers are more valuable in terms of the peace of mind and practical assistance they provide than, say, your manicurist or dog groomer or others who crop up on those annual lists of service people who deserve something extra over the holiday. Note: You may need to check what’s permissible for people hired through agencies; some nurses and aides may accept no cash gifts while others have an amount ceiling. Make a donation in a helpful staffer’s name. A nice alternative where cash is verboten: Give to a pertinent organization (a local hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association, for example). Key: Be sure to let the person’s
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 11
abrupt declines in prices can be your worst enemy and could cause you to outlive your capital, every retiree’s worst nightmare. Make sure your portfolio contains at least one investment that will do the opposite of stocks, so that in every market environment you have something you can sell when you need to raise cash. 3. Consider taking some chips off the table if you are over allocated to US stocks but haven’t been selling because you didn’t want to pay the taxes. We often see prospective clients who should have less in stocks (as a % of their portfolio) based on their age, risk comfort level and a host of other factors. But when asked why they’ve been reluctant to sell some of their stocks and rotate into other assets, the answer is almost always that they don’t want to pay the taxes. Companies like Netflix, Facebook, and Apple have all fallen more than 20% from their 52 week highs in just the past 2 months. Needless to say, a lot of their shareholders wish they had sold and paid the taxes.
If you are looking for a financial partner whose mission is to help you enjoy a happy retirement, come visit Summit Wealth & Retirement in Danville and interview us. We have 3 Certified Financial Planners on staff and over 30 years of experience helping folks enjoy their retirement. Visit our website, give us a call at 925-927-1900 or email me at rob@swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Summit Wealth has 3 Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), an MBA and a Tax Director (EA) all on staff and in Danville. Visit us at www. summitwealthandretirement. com
supervisor know, and write a letter expressing why you’ve chosen to do this. Above all, say it. The bare minimum way to give thanks to a caregiver is actually one that people in the business say they prize more than anything else: Hearing heartfelt “thanks.” Write your gratitude down in a card or letter: “Because it’s Christmas, we’re giving thanks that you have entered our lives to help X. And so we wanted to be sure you hear it directly: Thank You So Much for everything you do.”
And if there are a lot of somebodies on your support team? Write each and every one. Bulk cards are cheap, but the sentiment is priceless. Alzheimer’s and caregiving educator Paula Spencer Scott is the author of Surviving Alzheimer’s: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers and An Oral History: Preserve Your Family’s Story. Five of her close family members had forms of dementia. Learn more at survivingalz. com or paulaspencerscott.com. On Facebook: Facebook.com/ survivingalz.
As mom’s memory loss progressed, caregiving became overwhelming.
Then we found The Reutlinger Community. We often hear stories like this. With a continuum of Memory Care offerings and an array of services and programming, we are designed to provide peace of mind for families. • Personalized support in a secure environment • Programming tailored to individual needs • Therapeutic art classes taught by our resident artist • Daily scheduled transportation Having trouble coping with a loved one’s memory loss? Join us for a support group.
925-272-0117
4000 Camino Tassajara | Danville, CA 94506 | www.rcjl.org Assisted Living | Memory Care | Short-Term Rehabilitation License #075600335
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
December •
December
•
December •
December
•
December
•
December
•
December
For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to info@valleysentinel.com December 8 2018 Winter Boutique 10am-3pm. San Ramon Valley High School presents their 2018 Winter Boutique with over 50 Local Crafters, Artists and Vendors. Come support the local students, teachers and community member’s artwork and crafts at this event. FREE Admission and FREE Parking. This is also a Toys for Tots Drop Off Location, so bring an unwrapped toy!For more information contact: Helga Glasson at 925/212-0986 or srvhswinterboutique@gmail. com. San Ramon Valley High School is located at 501 Danville Blvd., in Danville. December 8 Holiday On The Farm 11am-3pm. Enjoy a FREE old fashioned holiday gathering at Forest Home Farms Historic Park. Have a traditional holiday family experience including visits with our Victorian Santa and his reindeer, old-fashioned ornament making, a puppet show, holiday entertainment and refreshments. Special holiday tours of the Glass House Museum at 1:00pm ($5 fee). Forest Home Farms Historic Park, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. December 9 Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at City Center San Ramon 4-6pm. Chabad of Danville and San Ramon presents Chanukah at City center Bishop Ranch hosted by The Lot on Sunday, December 9 from 4-6pm. Giant Menorah lighting and entertainment, Latkes and donuts, music, arts and crafts. There will be a special Chanukah movie screening for kids and adults. RSVP required for this part of the program. To RSVP or for more information, email info@jewishdanville.com or call (925) 272-9678. December 9-23 Spirit of Christmas at the Livery The Danville Livery is bringing the spirit of Christmas to the shopping center. Be sure to bring your camera to capture your visit with Santa! Danville Livery is proud to host a safe, family fun event for the community. Santa will be back every Saturday and Sunday in December until Christmas. We are partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano during our event. Please bring canned foods for donation to Santa’s House during your visit. Santa Visits: Dec. 9, 15,16,22,and 23 from noon to 3pm. The Danville Livery is located at Sycamore Valley Rd and San Ramon Valley Blvd in Danville, California 94526. For More Information: Visit: www.DanvilleLivery.com December 10 Tips For Change dinner benefitting San Damiano Retreat Get together with friends for the holidays and leave the cooking to Gianni’s Italian Bistro. Tips and a portion of the sales benefit San Damiano Retreat, which has been feeding the spiritually hungry in the Valley for over 50 years. For reservations, call 925-820-6969 or visit https://www.giannissanramon.com. Gianni’s Italian Bistro is located at 2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. December 12 County Supervisor Candace Anderson’s Holiday Open House 4pm-6pm. Please join County Supervisor Candace Anderson and District 2 Staff Gayle Isreal, Laurie Byers, Jen Quallick and Jill Ray for a Holiday Open House from 4pm to 6pm at her office loated at 309 Diablo Rd., Danville. RSVP (925) 957-8860 or Lauri.Byers@bos.cccounty.us. We will also be gladly accepting monetary donations to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Help us make sure no family goes without food at the holidays. We hope you can stop by for some appetizers and hot cocoa. To RSVP call (925) 957-8860 or email lauri. byers@bos.cccounty.us. December 15 Community Chorus Holiday Concert 2-3pm. Join community friends on December 15th at Central Park Community Center in San Ramon for the Community Chorus Holiday Concert. Get in the Holiday spirit, listen to all of your favorite tunes and enjoy local dance performances ranging in style from Ballet to Bollywood. There may even be a special visit from Santa Claus. The San Ramon Community Center is located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon. All ages are free. December 23 The Symphonic Band Concerts: A Wintry Holiday Festival 7-8:30pm. This concert is being held on December 23rd from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. Don’t miss out on this amazing holiday music event for the entire family. Tickets are $8 for adults, kids and students with Student ID are free. Get your tickets early to this communityfavorite event. Visit: www.SanRamonPerformingArts.com or call the box office at 925 973 3343 for more details
ONGOING Hope Hospice – Volunteers Wanted Are you interested in becoming a Hope Hospice volunteer? We are currently looking for volunteers in the Alamo, Danville, Walnut Creek, Rossmoor and Concord areas. If you’d like to learn more about the services our volunteers provide, contact Jill Smith, RN, director of Volunteers at jills@hopehospice.com; or Nikki Tildesley, Volunteer manager at nikkit@hopehospice.com, call (925)829-8770 or visit HopeHospice. com for more information. Special Services for Children with Cancer and Their Families Cancer Support Community offers short-term counseling (12 to 20 sessions) at no cost to children with cancer and their families. Counseling can be for the family, siblings, and/or kids coping with cancer. Counseling is provided by doctoral interns or post doctoral fellows under the supervision of our clinical psychologists. To request this service, please call us at 925-933-0107 and ask to speak with our program director, Margaret Stauffer, LMFT. Volunteers Needed: Read to Preschoolers Volunteers are needed at childcare centers in Concord, Pittsburg, and West County. The Contra Costa County Library will supply books and resources. For more information, please contact Maureen Kilmurray at 925-927-3288. Alamo Farmer’s Market Every Sunday, Year round 9am-2pm, rain or shine. Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, local honey, live music, delicious varieties of hummus with fresh pita and pita chips. Located in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, at Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd., with convenient parking. Danville Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, Year-round 9am-1pm. Get the freshest seasonal fare at the Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. Railroad & Prospect Avenue, Danville. Information: www.ci.danville.ca.us. (You can make donations of fresh vegetables and fruit for our local food pantries at the Loaves & Fishes Booth at the Danville Farmers Market.) San Ramon Farmers Market Every Saturday & Thursday Year-round Buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers at San Ramon Farmers Market. Connect with your community while shopping at a festive gathering place with live music! www.SanRamonFarmersMarket. org. Bishop Ranch 3, 2641 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Class Every Saturday 10-11am. Become a puppy raiser! The East Bay Miracles Chapter invites you to help train puppies to become assistant dogs for children and adults with disabilities. Athenian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. Information: 925-838-3213, cci.org/eastbaychapter Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum– open for Fun on the Farm Every Saturday 11am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the farm, and its history. Tours are $5 per person, or $8 for both tours on the same day. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3284 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov. Saturday without Reservations at the Tao House Every Saturday 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Come explore this National Historic Site in Danville. Catch the shuttle at the bus stop in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave. www.EugeneOneill.org SENIORS Danville Seniors Unless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more information call 925-314-3490 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/ Recreation/Seniors. December 11 Christmas Memories- Vintage Doll House 10am–12:30pm (subject to change) Join us for a docent-led discussion and tour of the current exhibit at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Christmas Memories with Vintage Doll Houses. After the tour, we will walk to the newest coffee house in town, The Coffee Shop! Come in for a warm cup of coffee and a sweet treat on us. Fees: $13 Residents, $15 Non-residents. December 18 Danville Seniors Holiday Luncheon 12pm–1:30pm. It’s almost time to start planning for the holidays! Start the festivities with friends and family at the Danville Senior Center’s Annual Holiday lunch and celebration. Enjoy a traditional holiday lunch of roasted turkey and all the fixings catered by Simple Elegance. Fees: $12 Residents, $14 Non-Resedents
Sneaker Trips: The Town of Danville’s Senior Sneakers program is a great way for you to make new friends and get out and around the greater Bay Area. There’s always something new to see and learn. The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) is open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at 8:45am at Osage Park, 816 Brookside Drive, Danville and returns about 1pm. Information: 925-314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/ Seniors/Senior_Hiking. San Ramon Seniors The following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. For more information call 925-973-3250 or visit www.sanramon. ca.gov/parks/programs/ages55+.htm. Wisdom Wednesdays: 10:30am-12pm. Free workshops and informational sessions that will benefit you. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 925-973-3250. Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesdays from 10am-1pm. Sign up for trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. Information: 925973-3250. Wednesday Morning Hikes (time and location varies) Join the San Ramon Trailblazers if you are interested in meeting new people, enjoying the outdoors, having fun and getting in shape. To find out the exact meeting location, please call the Senior Center at 925-973-3250 or email trailblazer88@comcast.net. Page Turners Senior Book Group Third Tuesday of the month 1:30pm. Drop in–all are welcome! Copies of this month’s book are on reserve for you at the Dougherty Station Library Front Desk. Book group meets at Alcosta Senior and Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Information: Carol Yuke, Adult Services Librarian. 925-973-2850. BUSINESS Notice: The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce helps businesses improve digital footprint In partnership with The Economic Development Committee and the Town of Danville, it is our goal to help every business in the Danville Area to improve their digital footprint and customer outreach. We are doing so by helping businesses get online and improve their online presence. This is a service and resource that we are offering for FREE to both members and non-members, so book your appointment today and bring your neighbor with you! Contact me, Zae Perrin: (925) 837-4400 or email: ceo@danvilleareachamber.com December 13 First Steps To Successful Start-Ups 9:30am-12:30pm. Learn about the attributes of a successful entrepreneur, invaluable sources of information for the nuts and bolts of starting your business including; Licenses and permits, business planning process, key information sources for developing your business plan, how to take advantage of the Small Business Development Center’s free and low cost services for your new business, and more! Join us at Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill to learn about the key success factors every new business owner needs before starting their venture. Call Oscar Dominguez at 925-671-4570 for more information. December 18 Website Building Basics-Building and Publishing Your Very Own Website 9:00am-Noon. This inspiring and interactive 1-day workshop is suitable for any level of experience or ability. It is designed to introduce you to building and publishing your own website. Bring your laptop for an interactive session and learn Wordpress. Introduction, Setting up a Wordpress Website, Themes, Plugins, Menus, How to create or edit pages, How to create or edit articles, Security, Performance and Backup, How to get found on the internet, Wordpress Maintenance, and more. Join us at Contra Costa SBDC, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill to learn about the key success factors every new business owner needs before starting their venture. Call Oscar Dominguez at 925-671-4570 for more information. CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Alamo Danville Newcomers Club The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization, whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all our club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com Check out all our club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com .
Please email your calendar events to the Sentinel at Info@valleysentinel.com by 5pm on the 20th of the month preceding publication month. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.
valleysentinel.com
December 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Community Calendar continued from page 12
California Writers Club: Three of our Own 11am-2pm. December 8: Three of Our Own: Janet Finsilver, Wendy Blakeley Jim Hass; Writing from Reality: Pitfalls and Opportunities. The Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) meets at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Sign-in is from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, luncheon 12:00 pm to 12:45, including a short business meeting, and speaker from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. Reservations at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablomeeting.
at 9:45am, socializing time is at 10am, and the program is at 11am. Contact mslittle44@gmail.com for more information. You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC!
Danville Veteran Service Organizations 8am-11am. Every Saturday at Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley – in Danville – the VSOs jointly host a “Veterans Coffee Social” from 8AM until 11AM… Bring a friend or fellow Veteran and show them the museum - share some social time. Drop In - no reservations – all Veterans welcome… stop for a few minutes - or stay for hours! Please share information about our VMB /SRV Military Museum & Library open daily M-F from 9-3 and it’s free!
Danville Rotary 12pm. Meets every Monday. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. Information: danvillerotary.org.
Tri-Valley Fly Fishers Visitors welcome. Meetings feature speakers who share their knowledge of the sport. Held at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month, September through June at the LivermorePleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, CA 94551. Information: email Roger Perry at President@Tri-valleyflyfishers.org Da n v i l l e - Ala m o - Wa ln u t C r e e k Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Advances equity for women and girls. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree Visit daw-ca.aauw. net for meeting dates. For information contact Marsha at (925) 351-8188 for details. Cancer workshops and support groups-Ongoing Most are free. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Information / reservations call 925-933-0107 or visit www.cancersupportcommunity.net. Fibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If these are familiar to you, call about the San Ramon Valley support group for people who need support, information, classes and friendship from people who know what it’s like. We like to laugh while getting well. Call 925-837-0510. Hope Hospice Grief Support Groups–Ongoing Hope Hospice provides support to help you understand and manage grief in a way that is healthy and appropriate. Our Grief Support Center is available to all community members at minimal or no cost. Information: visit www.HopeHospice.com or call 925-829-8770. Hospice of the East Bay Support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes will be offered at Hospice’s Administrative Offices: 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill and the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Preregistration is required for all groups and classes, except our drop-in group. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Information: www.hospiceeastbay.org RECURRING Mondays: The Walnut Creek Garden Club 9:45am The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month at The Gardens at Heather Farm in the Camellia Room. The center is just off Ygnacio Valley Road at 1540 Marchbanks Drive. Call 925-947-1678 for directions. The business meeting is
Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon 11:15am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends and participate in fun activities. Make $25 luncheon reservations by calling 925322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.branch116.org.
San Ramon Alzheimer Support Group 7-9pm. Meets the second Monday of each month, except on holidays. Sponsored by the Alzheimer Association. Caregivers of Alzheimer victims can get information on how to help them through this difficult time in life. San Ramon Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3250 Tuesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) We meet every Tuesday at St. Timothy’s Office Building, Grace House, Basement 1550 Diablo Rd. Danville CA Our hours: Weigh in 8:15am, meeting is 9:30 - 10:30am. We are a weight loss club. Information, please call Mary Stoneburner, at (925) 837-1882 Danville am Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Want to improve your speaking and presentation skills? Toastmasters can help! Meets every Tuesday in downtown Danville. www.4143.toastmastersclubs.org Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary 7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Information: dsvrotary.com. Diablo View Toastmasters 8:30-9:30am. Meets every Tuesday in the first floor conference room of Realty One, 2355 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. For more information contact Ben Yee at ben8yee@ mail.com. Divorce Angels 5:30 - 7:30pm Going through a divorce is often a life altering experience, one that can make you feel lost. Divorce Angels is a volunteer organization that can help. We are made up of different professionals within the following industries: Legal, Financial, Real Estate, and Psychology. Our goal is to provide you with practical information so you can confidently move forward in your life. Visit www.divorceangel.com. Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Danville Area Chamber (117 Town & Country Drive Suite #E ) for help with the issues you are facing. San Ramon Valley Geneological Society 10am. Meets every third Tuesday at the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. http://srvgensoc.org Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.org. ARF Pet Loss Support Group 5:30-7pm. Meets second Tuesday of every month. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5681 or vickis@hospiceeastbay.org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net. Divorced and Separated Workshop 7- 8:30pm. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Contact: Sue at smc9@ sbcglobal.net. 925 -819-1809.
Prostate Cancer Group 7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, South Building, West Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107 or www.twcbayarea.org/community-programs.html. Wednesdays: Danville Tennis Club (DTC) 6:30-9 PM Wednesday Night DropIn Tennis at San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd., for men and women of 4.0 level or above (and strong 3.5). Also have USTA teams and social events. Join free at https:// groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/danvilletennisclub/info Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 12-1pm The Exchange Club meets every 2nd Wednesday at Noon at Faz Restaurant. Lunch included, $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP coachstepper@yahoo.com, 275-2412. Faz is located at 600 Hartz Avenue, Danville 9526. Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net Sons in Retirement (San Ramon Valley chapter) Monthly Luncheon 10:30am; Social Hour, 11:35am meeting and lunch. Meets the 3rd Wed. of each month. Reservations, please email us at www.info@sir128.com by Friday prior to the luncheon. Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon.
Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m at Round Hill Country Club located at 3169 Roundhill Rd, Alamo. Feel free to drop in any Wednesday, and you will be greeted by a club member! The first lunch is on us. Walnut Creek Host Lion’s Club 12:15pm. Meets the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: walnutcreeklions. org. Danville Lions Club 6:30pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Information: Truman Howard 925-7872565 truman.howard@gmail.com San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month to participate in service activities supporting sons/daughters serving in the military. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org. Diablo Valley Quilters 7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. No charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com. Veterans of Foreign Wars 7pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Veterans Memorial Hall, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Information: Post Commander Ernie Petagara at 925-362-9806 or vfwpost75.org. Diablo Singles Dance Club 7-10pm. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $8, Guests $12. All welcome. 111N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Danville Toastmasters Club #1785 7:30-9pm. Meets every Wednesday. Room W204 at Diablo Valley College,1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon. Information: danvilletoastmasters1785.com.
Thursdays: Danville Women’s Club 11:30AM We meet the third Thursday each month. Meetings are held at our Clubhouse located at: 242 Linda Mesa Avenue, Danville, CA 94526 For more information call us at (925) 837-1165 Danville Alamo Garden Club Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15 am at the Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo.. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@ dagc.us or go to our website: www. dagc.us. San Ramon Valley Newcomers 11 : 3 0 a m - 2 p m . M e e t s t h e t h i r d Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. New and longtime adult residents are welcome. Reservations/information: susansgotbling@sbcglobal.net or www. srvnc.com. Rotary Club of San Ramon 11:45am. Meets every Thursday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonrotary.org. San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club Thursdays at Noon. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. www.kiwanis-srv.org Clutterers Anonymous 7-8pm. Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Room 3, 2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-736-8627. Diablo Valley Lions Club 7:30pm. Meets the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month. 1400 Montego Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: diablovalleyca.lionwap.org. Fridays: Transitions-“Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am. Our mission is to encourage and support women from empty nest, to aging parents and everything in between. Community Presbyterian Church, Room 116, 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville. Information: Contact Donna Hill at hillmom3@ comcast.net Saturdays: Marine Corps League Detachment #942 8:30 am. December Meeting Saturday December 15, 2018. Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville.Information: Commandant Gary Estrella at 925-963-9552 or www.mcldet942.org
page 13
Canine Companions for Independence 10-11am. Come join or watch the weekly class for service dog puppies. We are always looking for new volunteers. Our East Bay miracles chapter is a group of volunteers raising puppies to become service dogs. We give our dogs free to prople with disabalities. Class is 1011am each Saturday, usually at Danville Grange, 743 Diablo Rd. Sometimes there are field trips so check the calendar at www.cci.org/eastbaychapter for updates. For more information call Sharon at (9250 838-3213. Diablo Region of the Porsche Club of America 7:30-9am. Meets every Saturday. Buttercup Bar and Grill, 660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Information: diablo-pca.org. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group 9am-12pm. Meets every 3rd Saturday. Join us to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. General questions may be directed to Co-Chairs Lance Gershen, (925) 932-1028; or Abraham Raja, (925) 3042064.Web site: www.pnmd.net
Classifieds HELP WANTED Platform Systems Analyst – Cash Management: Bachelor’s in C.S., Computer Eng., or rltd. & 5 yrs. rltd. exp. Bank of the West. Job in San Ramon, CA 94583. CV to careers@ bankofthewest.com. Research Analyst: Use statistical methods to analyze large financial data sets, generate insights into the financial markets, develop & implement quantitative models to identify potential trading opportunities that will increase the profitability of the firm. Mail res to Tanius Technology LLC, 1499 Danville Blvd, Suite 210, Alamo, CA 94507. Attn: HR Job#XPP2018. Sales Executive: Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. has an immediate opening for an advertising sales person for the Valley Sentinel. Sales territory includes Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Sales experience helpful. Will train the right person. Must have an outgoing personality and a positive attitude. This is a commission-only position. Local Central Contra Costa residents only need apply. Please email your resume and request for interview to us at drousset@valleysentinel.com.
Community News & Information Danville • Blackhawk Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon Publisher/Editor-Denise Rousset Chief Financial Officer-Jeff Gummere Graphic Designer-Laurie Prindle Auto-David & Judy Colman
925-820-6047
P.O Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 www.valleysentinel.com
page 14
AUTO March 2009 December 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
2018 Ford Mustang Gt Coupe Premium By David and Judy Colman
When Ford introduced the Mustang as a 1964 model, it was known as a “sporty” car for its looks, but never accepted as a true “sports” car until Carroll Shelby reengineered it for 1965. That first generation GT 350 became the progenitor of a long line of high performance Mustangs that culminate in the 2018 Mustang GT. Our test GT carried a bargain base price of $39,995, but a bottom line total of $49,275. The near $10,000 premium over base included $3,995 for the “GT Performance Package,” which consisting of competition suspension, wheel and tire upgrades, plus Brembo brakes and a 3.73:1 locker rear axle ratio. Another $1,695 went for the magnetically controlled self adjusting shock absorbers which Ford dubs “Magne-Ride Damping System.” You’ll definitely want to add $895 for the “Active Valve Performance Exhaust” which imparts a melodic soundtrack to the direct and port injected twin
cam V8. $2,200 brings you “Equipment Group 401A” which provides “Premier Trim with Color Accent Group,” as well as a “Voice-activated color touchscreen with Navigation.” Best option of all is $495 for fabulous looking “Orange Fury” metallic tri-coat paint. After joyfully running this Mustang to its 7000rpm horsepower peak, it’s hard for us to argue that this isn’t the quickest car you can buy for less than $50,000. In fact, instrumented tests performed by Motor Trend established the following knee-buckling acceleration numbers: 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds; standing start quarter mile in 12.6 seconds @ 115mph, top speed of 159mph. If you need more sheer thrust, you’ll pay 5 times as much for a far less practical Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren. A properly kitted Mustang GT is indeed the performance bargain of 2018. Ford rates the GT’s 5.0 liter V8 rather conservatively at 460hp and 420lb.-ft. of torque.
That horsepower endows the GT with a sparkling powerto-weight ratio of 8.39lbs./ hp. Although the GT can be fitted with Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission, our test car processed the V8’s output through a stout 6-speed manual gearbox which has been redesigned and strengthened this year. This meaty stick shift offered precise gear selection which was greatly enhanced by smooth clutch engagement. The torque of the V8 facilitates launches from rest, and the sheer pleasure of running the cue-ball sized gear knob through its gates made driving a constantly pleasurable challenge. Suspension of the GT is independent at all corners. Ford installs competition grade struts and coil springs up front, while a multi-link independent rear suspension also relies on coil springs surrounding adjustable shocks. Stiff antiroll bars are fitted front and rear, as are vented Brembo disc brakes which
valleysentinel.com
measure 15 in. front and 13 in. rear. 19 in. aluminum wheels, finished in ebony black, pack a Michelin wallop at each corner. Up front, 9x19in. rims carry 255/40R19 Pilot Sport 4S rubber, while rear 9.5x19in. rims mount 275/40R19 tires. These sizeable contact patches make it difficult to dislodge the GT from the road, which is a very good thing when you’re dealing with 460hp and 420lb.ft. of torque. Of course, you can thwart the system by utilizing the “line lock” feature to lock the rear brakes and perform long nasty burn outs if you take the GT to the drag strip. Be forewarned, however, that these very pricey Michelins, with their AA traction rating, and soft treadwear rating of TW 300, will disappear into smoke after just one day of running the quarter mile. In photographing the interior of the Mustang, we clambered into the back seat where we were impressed by the unexpected comfort provided by the rear buckets. It’s not a place you’d want to dally for long drives, however,
especially if the driver starts exercising this Mustang with extra enthusiasm. But the GT could easily serve as a family sports car with its decently spacious trunk, and its 2+2 back seat accommodations for children. Simply put, we dare you to have more fun with any other car for this price. Back in 1964, Lee Iacocca brainstormed the first Mustang, and his great original idea has been continuously perfected over 54 years. The latest Mustang GT still shows no sign of aging. 2018 Ford Mustang Gt Coupe Premium Engine: 5.0 liter V8, aluminum block and heads, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder H o r s e p o w e r : 460hp@7000rpm To r q u e : 4 2 0 l b . - f t . @4600rpm Fuel Consumption: 15MPG City/25MPG Highway Price As Tested: $49,275 Hypes: Incredible Performance Value Gripes: Nothing to Report STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10
DIABLO MOTORS
SALES • BROKERAGE • CONSIGNMENT • SERVICE • DETAIL
Is there a car on someone’s holiday wish list? Brake Special Includes:
Free Synthetic Oil Service Value $145
with any complete brake job, front or rear Good through 12-31-18
$99 Synthetic Oil Service
$29,900 2015 BMW 435i
WBA3T3C55FP939882
$26,900 2016 BMW 428i hrdtp cnvrtbl WBA3V7C57G5A27479
$36,900 2018 BMW 430i xDr hrdtp cnvrtbl WBA4Z3C53JEA31795
with FREE Inspection
Up to 5 quarts synthetic oil, and filter. Additional parts are extra. Applies to most vehicles. Good through 12-31-18
$299 Detail Special
Includes: -Interior and exterior cleaning -Clay bar and wax exterior -Detail engine compartment
$29,900 2017 Mercedes C300 4Matic 55SWF4KB3HU230531
$34,900 2015 BMW 740i M-Sport WBAYA6C58FG273288
$29,900 2016 BMW 428i Gran Coupe WBA4C9C50GG139239
Larger/Dirtier vehicles extra Good through 12-31-18
Call (925) 830-8747 for an appointment today!
$29,900 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd 4x4 1C4RJFBG5HC885162
www.diablomotors.com
$29,900 2017 Audi Q5 2.0T Quattro WA1C2AFP5HA088688
(925) 830-8747
2067 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon
$29,900 2017 BMW X3 xDrive 5UXWX9C3XH0T25328
valleysentinel.com
December 2018
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
Economic Development Growth in the East Bay By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
We are fortunate to live in an area where we continue to see significant job growth and businesses prosper. The recent Tri-Valley Rising Report, released in July of this year and available online, calls the TriValley region, which includes Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon, a “Bay Area Economic Juggernaut.” The report, sponsored by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute in partnership with Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group analyzes the Tri-Valley’s role in the growing Bay Area’s megaregion economy. While the report highlights our strengths, it also recognizes the challenges that we face as a region such as the rising costs of housing as demand surges faster than supply, increases in road traffic, and a greater strain on public transit systems. Strong jobs and economic growth of the region are fueled by a multitude of factors. TriValley jobs are growing at 35 percent, which is faster than other regions, the State and the country, with business and science professional sectors leading the growth. The TriValley leads its peers in worker productivity - higher than Austin, Boston, Nashville and Portland. We have a highly educated population with more than 60% having a bachelor’s degree or higher education, making the region significantly more highly educated than California or the Bay Area as a whole. With a regional GDP of $42 billion in 2016, the Tri-Valley’s GDP per worker is about $225,000. This is much higher than California’s $160,000, and the U.S.’s $132,000. Another factor is the connectivity of the Tri-Valley to the Bay Area as a whole. The Tri-Valley’s advantageous position at the juncture of I-580 and I-680 and proximity to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sacramento, and the Central Valley have allowed us to attract new and growing businesses, in addition to a very large pool of workers. Outstanding quality of life is another major factor for business growth here. The region’s natural beauty, abundance of parks, tightk n i t c o m m u n i t i e s, h i g h performing schools, and charming downtowns are
key reasons that businesses choose to locate in the TriValley. Another key reason for growth here is that the TriValley has been an appealing place for companies to locate due to relatively inexpensive c o m m e rc i a l re a l e s t a t e. Commercial real estate prices have grown more slowly over the past few years in the Tri-Valley than in nearby areas, with some businesses paying half of the cost in San Francisco. Although some workers in the region experience long commute times, fifty percent of Tri-Valley residents w h o wo r k o u t s i d e t h e i r homes have a commute of 30 minutes or less. The TriValley also excels at offering opportunities for work-life balance. People who both live and work in the Tri-Valley maximize the time they are able to spend with their families. While both housing and commercial real estate have become increasingly expensive in the Bay Area altogether, the Tri-Valley has remained more affordable, attracting businesses and people to move here. Though Tri-Valley homes are expensive compared to California as a whole, they are relatively inexpensive compared to many other parts of the Bay Area. Two national laboratories, incubators, accelerators, ve n t u re c a p i t a l f u n d i n g entities, the headquarters of more than 450 technology companies and world class business parks such as Bishop Ranch and Hacienda, create an innovation ecosystem that is key to the success of region’s business climate. Right in our backyard is the Bishop Ranch Intelligence I n n o v a t i o n Ac c e l e r a t o r (BRIIA). A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting it. BRIIA guides entrepreneurs in launching their tech start-ups. BRIIA’s 12-week p ro g ra m w i t h i n t e n s e, hands-on mentorship from BRIIA Mentors and industry experts is designed to assist early stage companies and entrepreneurs quickly get from “prototype to fundability.” BRIIA provides working and meeting spaces, kitchenettes, snacks, c o l l a b o ra t i ve a re a s a n d wireless internet, with access to many of the perks of being a tenant at Bishop Ranch. During weekly workshops, participants hear experts speak about a wide range
of topics. Afterwards, the participants work with each other and with these experts to turn concepts into actions. The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is another organization that plays a major role in the success of the Tri-Valley region. I am honored to serve on the Executive Committee o f t h e E a s t B ay E DA . I t is the regional voice and n e t wo r k i n g re s o u rc e f o r strengthening the economy, building the workforce and enhancing the quality of life in the East Bay. East Bay EDA represents a broad network of local business, government and community leaders who promote the resources of our region to facilitate business opportunities and growth. East Bay EDA employs many strategies for stimulating economic development in the region. One of our focuses is to develop and champion the Early Childhood Math c a m p a i g n w i t h re g i o n a l partners and promote STEM skills for local jobs. We regularly sponsor education forums featuring panelists and speakers with diverse perspectives on crucial infrastructure needs such as housing, transportation, water and broadband. We organize business meet-
ups, broker breakfasts and mixers to promote economic development resources and opportunities in the region. We also market the innovation of the region through the popular annual East Bay Innovation Awards. For more information about economic development and our various initiatives, go to eastbayeda.org
page 15
My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, A l a m o , Wa l n u t C r e e k , Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center Board Certified Cosmetic & Medical Dermatology Specializing in:
Micro-Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Smartlipo Liquid Facelift Botox & Dysport Microneedling Fillers Gift Certificates
Providers:
Michael J. Tomcik, M.D. Bettina Uwalaka, R.N.
Available!
Your Beauty is our Inspiration! Schedule Today! 925-743-1488 AdvAnced LAser 101 Park Place, Suite 101 San Ramon, CA 94583 www.SanRamonDerm.com
Michael J. Tomcik, MD
skin cAre center
Medical Group, iNc.
www.SanRamonDerm.com
Board Certified Dermatologist Over 35 years experience
101 Park Place San Ramon
925-743-1488
Introducing Ultherapy • Only FDA approved, non-surgical procedure that focuses ultra sound to stimulate the growth of new collagen • Lifts and tightens
DANVILLE
1901 Camino Ramon 925-866-6164
CAMPBELL 408-871-8890 CORTE MADERA 415-924-6691 SAN CARLOS 650-508-8317
Diamonds • Rings • Necklaces • Pendants • Earrings • Bracelets
TheHomeConsignmentCenter.com Rings ••Necklaces •• Pendants Earrings • Bracelets Diamonds Diamonds •Diamonds Rings • Rings • Necklaces •• Necklaces Pendants • Pendants Earrings • Earrings ••Bracelets • Bracelets CAMPBELL 408.871.8890 MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN VIEW 650.964.7212 CAMPBELL CAMPBELL 408.871.8890 408.871.8890 MOUNTAIN VIEW VIEW 650.964.7212 650.964.7212 CORTE MADERA 415.924.6691 SAN CARLOS 650.508.8317 CORTE CORTE MADERA MADERA 415.924.6691 415.924.6691 SANSAN CARLOS CARLOS 650.508.8317 650.508.8317 DANVILLE 925.866.6164 16 LOCATIONS 16 CALIFORNIA, LOCATIONS INNEVADA CALIFORNIA, NEVADA & TEXAS DANVILLE DANVILLE 925.866.6164 925.866.6164 16 LOCATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, IN NEVADA & TEXAS & TEXAS
www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com
315 Cortsen Road in Pleasant Hill • • • •
Heritage classes for children School field trips Sustainable gardening classes Displays of items from the Pleasant Hill Historical Society • Meetings and events Rodgers Ranch is a Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District property and Pleasant Hill’s only historic site. We are a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501c3 organization
Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center in Pleasant Hill is creating a brick pathway in front of our 150 year old farmhouse. Cement your place in history with an engraved brick to honor or remember family or loved ones, or highlight a business or organization.
Barn Wood for Sale Call Chris at (925) 890-4482
Information and an order form for the brick(s) can be found at
www.RodgersRanch.org
For more information please contact us at 925-937-3677 or visit www.rodgersranch.org