Alamo Today, August 2013

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Danville Concours d’Elegance: How Can a Fundraiser Be This Much Fun? By Jody Morgan

On Sunday, September 22nd, for the ninth consecutive year, vintage vehicles will vie for attention on the streets of downtown Danville in one of the West Coast’s most prestigious automotive events: the Danville Concours d’Elegance. In lieu of admission, donations are encouraged. Every cent contributed benefits the Parkinson’s Institute (the PI) and the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). To date the Danville d’Elegance Foundation (DDE) has raised $1.5 million toward research to cure and care to aid the one million Americans currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurological disorder affecting movement.

Revving up for the weekend’s fun fundraising action, the third annual Tour and Thrill Ride commences at the Lafayette Park Hotel on Saturday, September 21st, with registration and morning refreshments followed by a cavalcade of current, classic, and cutting-edge cars departing for a rally-style road trip at 8:30am. Joining participants touring in their personal autos, ten Thrill Ride purchasers will be piloting exceptional automobiles made available by local dealerships and partnering manufacturers. All of the cost incurred for the thrill (less than a day’s rental of these mesmerizing models) goes directly to funding the Parkinson’s research and care cause. Participants return home in time to dress for the Dinner d’Elegance at the Blackhawk Museum.

DDE founders Chris and Jim Edlund, proprietors of ChristeJames Jewelry, wit-nessed the degenerative process of Parkinson’s disease in close relatives on both sides of their family. A dozen years ago they decided to take action by contacting the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale, California to offer support. “At first,” Chris laughs, “we thought it was just going to be donating a piece of jewelry to the auction, but we found ourselves heavily engaged in fundraising for three years in San Francisco at the Fairmont.” Wanting to bring their skills to bear on a hometown project, they staged the first Concours d’Elegance on the streets of Danville in 2004.

For Jim Edlund, always a car person and follower of sports car racing, the concept of creating a car show came naturally. With many car-collecting friends and clients lending support, the Edlunds were able to coordinate an automotive ex-hibition that immediately grabbed the attention of the community. Bill Bauerfeind

August 2013 Serving Alamo and Diablo

Volume XIII - Number 83000F Danville Blvd. #117,

Alamo, CA 94507Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397

Fax (925) 406-0547

Alisa Corstorphine ~ [email protected]

Sharon Burke ~ [email protected]

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

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See Concours continued on page 18

See Festival continued on page 26

Help Select Alamo’s Citizen of the YearThe time has come for the Rotary Club of Alamo to select its Citizen of

the Year for 2013. The Citizen of the Year award will be presented at the Alamo Music Festival on September 7th. This year marks the 29th year that this award has been given. The nominee must represent your view of the very best of citizenship, service, and integrity. The nominee must be a person who in 2012-2013 (and probably but not necessarily over many recent years) has demonstrated a unique commitment to the Alamo community (and the community at large) that places him/her in a special place deserving of this singular recognition. Alamo has hundreds of dedicated citizens who give countless hours to our benefit. All members of the Alamo community are encouraged to nominate that person who best meets the criteria.

We hope that you will submit a nomination for this year. Please provide the following information about the nominee: Nominee’s name, address, and telephone number. Please detail the reasons you select the individual for the nomination. In addition, please pro-vide your name/organization name, address, and telephone number.

Please make your submission no later than August 19th to Don Morton, Chairman, Alamo Citizen of the Year Committee, 3124 Via Larga, Alamo, CA 94507. For questions, call Don at (925) 838-1137. To submit by fax, send to (925) 838-9930 or email [email protected].

Thank you for giving serious thought to this most worthwhile rec-ognition in our community.

The Tour and Thrill ride leads current, classic and cutting-edge cars on a rally-style road trip through Napa.

Alamo Rotary Holds 31st Annual Wine and Music Festival on September 7th

The Alamo Wine and Music Festival is an annual community celebra-tion benefitting the Alamo community and schools’ music programs while providing a day full of activities for the entire family.

Headlining the event will be the Groove Doctors. They will begin at

8PM for dancing under the stars. Also performing is Push with Dan Ashley. Alamo/Danville school bands and choirs will also perform during the day.

The day will also be filled with many activities for the entire family. Food, games, and business booths will be set up throughout the festival area. Kids will enjoy the play zone with the popular rock climbing wall and new photo booth. Dinner tickets are $15 and feature selections from Faz, Maggie Ray’s, and the Rotary BBQ. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 8PM.

The Festival will have wine tasting from a number of California vineyards, and people may purchase commemorative wine glasses at the event. Wine may also be bought by the bottle. We respectfully ask that you purchase your beverages from our Rotary booth as it is these funds that go back into the betterment of our community as well as the school music programs.

This year our raffle prizes are better than ever! They include:• Round of Golf for four, courtesy of Round Hill Country Club• Diamondback Outlook Mountain Bike, Alamo Bicycles• Dinner for two with bottle of Faz Cab at Faz, Danville, courtesy of

Faz Poursohi

www.yourmonthlypaper.comAs we crossed prairies and fields, and encountered

more difficult terrain, I kept envisioning what it was like for the early settlers to make their way out to California. I took away a deeper respect for what it took to come settle out west.

The national park system includes 388 national parks in every state except Delaware. In additon there are 6,624 state parks in the United States; California alone has 278. These areas include parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recre-ation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

Many of the parks offer reasonable lodging options. For kids, both the National Park Service and many of the State Park systems offer a Junior Ranger program where kids can complete an activity book applicable to the area and earn a patch, badge, sticker, or stamp. It is a great way to engage younger travelers.

The National Parks Service also has a “passport” program where you can collect stickers and stamp a book of your travels to the many sites.

A spontaneous stop in Whitney, Nebraska (my niece is named Whitney), with a population of 77 people, found us enjoying the $4 Ploughman’s Lunch noted on their handwritten menu - the lunch consisted of sausage, cheese, a pickle, a hardboiled egg, fresh bread with real whipped but-ter and a cut up apple. It was simple but felt authentic. We were surprised when a quarter bought us 2.5 hours of time at a parking meter in Billings, Montana (contrasted with the 7 minutes I got for the same quarter in Palo Alto last week!)

When planning trips we often think of exotic places, but the USA has amazing sites that are waiting to be explored. I can’t wait to see more!

This land is your land This land is my landFrom California to the New York island; From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and Me.As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw above me that endless skyway: I saw below me that golden valley: This land was made for you and me.~ This Land Is Your Land, by Woody Guthrie

Boulevard ViewBy Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,Where the deer and the antelope play,Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,And the skies are not cloudy all day. ~ Home on the RangeLyrics to folk and camp songs rang through my

head as my sister, niece, and I took a six state, 2,332 mile, eight day, road trip through the Mountain and the Midwest regions of our country.

The diverse areas of the region were stunning. No YouTube video, documentary, website, or book could bring to life the sites as they could be experienced in person.

The Grand Tetons were spectacular, the Craters of the Moon were almost eerie with their twisted trees and volcanic rock land-scape, the Badlands reminded me of scenes from Star Wars movies, Mount Rushmore is definitely an engineering feat, and Yellow-stone is so diverse that personally I found Old

Faithful to be a minor attraction to the rainbow colored thermal pools, the mud pots, the hot springs, the fumaroles, and the spectacular waterfall situated in an area that resembled parts of the Grand Canyon.

The first sighting of a buffalo was amazing as the buffalo chose the center divide of the two lane road for his evening stroll. The animal was bigger than our five seat rental car, and when we met eye to eye with the wandering mam-mal we really got a sense of its’ grandeur. On a short hike to see mud pots a buffalo walked right in front of our path! While obviously these animals were accustomed to humans, they are still wild animals, unpredictable, and in need of their space. The scenes of buffalo, moose, pronghorn, and bear were unbelievable.

Page 2 - August 2013 ~ Alamo Today

t h e K I T C H E N at Alamo Hardware and Garden Center

Savor the Last Half of Summer With a Splash of Color From

* Le Creuset * Emile Henry * Evaco Cast * Mauviel * Bodum * Cuisipro * Chantal * Global Amici * la Cafetiere * Lodge *Metrokane * Nespresso * Pillivuyt * Rosle * Shun * Soda Stream * Swiss Diamond * Wusthof * and many more

3211 Danville Blvd, AlamoMonday ~ Friday 6am - 8pm Saturday 7am - 8pm Sunday 8am - 6pm 925.837.2420

Join us at our August 9th Summer Cooking Demo

Small Bites ~ Bold FlavorsClass starts at 11am.

Sign-up at www.alamohardware.com or call today to save a seat!

[email protected] Alamo Today ~ August 2013 - Page 3

Chris CampbellCampbell Higgins Team

(925) [email protected]

www.TeamCH.netDRE# 01354618

Thinking of Selling? Put the power of a top producing real estate team and the East Bay’s #1 real estate firm to work for you!

Nestled at the base of Las Trampas Ridge on 1.27 +/- acres of lush grounds and is adjacent to the Las Trampas hiking trails and within walking distance to the Iron Horse Trail. This home is located at the end of the court in one of Alamo's most desirable locations. It offers 4 large bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,857 +/- sf of living space. Gourmet kitchen with Viking stove and Sub-Zero refrigerator. Elevator leads to private wine cellar. This is where family and friends will want to gather. Offered at $1,625,000Alamo Home Sales – July 2013 Bed/Bath List Price Sale Price105 Alamo Hills Court 5/4½ $1,659,000 $1,659,0001130 Castle Crest Court 5/5 $1,625,000 $1,655,0001591 Cervato Circle 5/3½ $1,299,000 $1,390,00071 Chancellor Court 4/2½ $980,000 $985,00012 Country Oak Lane 5/4½ $4,495,000 N/A465 Crest Avenue 3/2 $992,500 $944,58550 Crest Estate Drive 7/5½ $2,200,000 $2,125,00014 Cypress Point Court 4/4 $1,439,000 $1,359,0001405 Entrada Verde 5/4 $999,500 $1,076,00041 Gran Via 4/3 $1,599,000 $1,595,0001020 Ina Drive 3/3½ $1,375,000 $1,442,750908 Kirkcrest Road 4/3 $1,500,000 $1,550,0001480 Laurenita Way 5/3½ $1,849,000 $1,841,3002465 Lunada Lane 4/2 $1,079,000 $1,050,00063 Mathews Place 4/4 $1,495,000 $1,475,000106 Muir Lane 5/3½ $2,295,000 $2,280,00039 Oak Trail Court 4/3½ $1,450,000 $1,375,0001841 Piedras Circle 4/2 $1,139,000 $1,149,0002495 Royal Oaks Drive 4/3½ $1,479,000 $1,610,000230 Saint Paul Drive 4/3 $1,700,000 $1,600,0002473 Southview Drive 3/2½ $1,399,950 $1,340,000110 Southview Lane 4/3½ $1,887,000 $1,825,0005 Tanglewood Lane 4/3 $1,175,000 $1,125,000131 Wellington Lane 5/4½ $2,349,000 $2,225,000All single family homes sold in Alamo 06/18/13 thru 07/18/13

CHRIS CAMPBELLAlamo’s Real EstateExpertTop 1% Producer

Gated Westside Alamo Estate359 South Avenue

Call for Details!

PENDING - 199 La Colina, Alamo. Listed at $2,500,000. Representing buyer.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

Delta Nu Psi Collection for the TroopsDelta Nu Psi needs help. As many of you know, we didn’t collect food for

the Troops last month and only needed to buy some items to fill the boxes. Well, now the cupboard is bare! Please come to CVS in Alamo on August 2nd and Lunardi’s in Danville on August 9th, and shop for our soldiers. We need everything for them! Thus far we have sent 26,948 pounds of “gourmet junk food” in 1098 boxes. Thank you in advance for your support! For more information on how you can help, visit deltanupsi.org.


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FINAL CLEARANCE SUMMER FASHIONS FOR HER

50% OFF SHOP EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION! SELECTION VARIES BY STORE

UP TO

Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club Welcome CoffeeThe Alamo-Danville Newcomers Club Welcome Coffee is open to ev-

eryone who is thinking of joining the club. This casual get together is the perfect opportunity to learn about the many facets of the Newcomers while enjoying coffee and chatting with Club Members.

The Coffee will be held on Tuesday, August 27th from 10AM-Noon. The event is free.

For more information, visit www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com or call (925) 281-1307.

Autos of AlamoAlamo’s first annual “Autos of Alamo” car show will be held Thursday,

September 5th from 4PM to 8PM in Alamo Plaza. Stop on by to join in the fun!

Veterans of Foreign WarsThe next regularly scheduled meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the

United States (VFW) will be held on Wednesday, August 21st. The VFW Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville. The building is located on the corner of East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue.

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


Alamo ~ Awe-inspiring, this perfectly-placed Alamo 5 bdrm, 4.5 bath French Traditional on premium flat lot exudes

the very finest of California lifestyle. Envi-able privacy, yet easily accessible for com-

mute, and within the coveted Alamo schools area. $1,659,000

Walnut Creek ~ One of a kind magnificent home conveniently located to 24/680 &

dwntwn W/C. 5300+ 5 bdrm 5 bath home, separate office or 6th bedroom.

VIEWS from almost every room. Gourmet kitchen, hardwood flrs, 3 car garage, &

more. Wonderful private deck w/built in spa to enjoy the view. Vineyard A must see Call today for your private showing!

$2,099,000

Alamo ~ Coming soon! Desirable Round Hill Location! 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, over 3000 sqft. Open floor plan with formal living room and dining room, large family room, master suite, and +/- .4 acre lot with pool!

$1,199,999

Tim Palumbo Russ Darby 925.577.0505 925.362.0460

Gretchen Bryce ~ 925.683.2477 [email protected]

Walnut Creek ~ Regent on the Park, downtown Walnut Creek! Ready to give up the yard, pool and BIG Alamo home for a simpler lifestyle? That’s just what

this Alamo Client did! Call me if your are considering a move up, down or just

around!

Michael Hatfield ~ 925.984.1339 [email protected]

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Alamo ~ Estate of Distinction in Alamo Oaks! Blending grand living & entertain-ing, this elegant custom home features 5 bdrms, 5.5 baths, office, teen loft area, sky let terraced deck & approx 3987 sq. ft. of luxury living space, 4 car gar on 1.14 private acres w/view of Mt. Diablo. Walk to award winning Monte Vista High School. $1,688,000

Jennifer Chen 925.216.1772

Diablo ~ Set at the base of Mt. Diablo on 3/4 of an acre of gorgeous landscaping is this 4 bdrm 3 bath single story in Diablo.

Enjoy the light bright feel to the kitchen & separate eating area all open to family

room. Beautiful living room with views to both back & front yard. Master bdrm has vaulted ceilings and cozy retreat or office. 2 car garage plus extra covered carport.

$1,395,000

www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 6 - August 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Upcoming Meetings and EventsAIA - Alamo Improvement Association - Please visit www.alamoca.org for upcoming meetings - Creekside Community Church -1350 Danville Blvd.Alamo MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) - First Tuesday of each month 6pm - Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office 120-B, Alamo PlazaP2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - First Monday of each month, 5pm

- Meets at Alamo Chamber of Commerce Office located at 120 -B, Alamo PlazaP5 - Round Hill Police Services Advisory Committee - Second Wednesday of each month, 7pm - Meets at Round Hill Country Club - Lower Level Meeting Room CERT classes - Community Emergency Response Team - Visit www.firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp

8

Alamo Zoe is Missing

Jack Linchey is our winner

If you find her and your name is drawn!$50 REWARD

She is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find her.

To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found her, along with your name and address, to:

Lost Dog! ~ Alamo Today3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507

Lost Dog!

Alamo Zoe has become lost in this paper...Search through Alamo Today and see if you can find her!

SUMMER’S ABOUT TO END!As the community gets ready for fall, with vacations ending, and with school and college beginning we encourage everyone in Alamo to consider the many products and services offered by our Chamber Members. Their knowledge and concern for residents is outstanding. Their names are listed in the Chamber Directory distributed earlier this year in Alamo Today. We welcome community members to attend our August 28th Mixer at Oak Hill Farm, 313 Cross Road in Alamo. Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

ALAMOCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE.COM

SUMMER’S ABOUT TO END!As the community gets ready for fall, with vacations ending, and with school and college beginning we encourage everyone in Alamo to consider the many products and services offered by our Chamber Members. Their knowledge and concern for residents is outstanding. Their names are listed in the Chamber Directory distributed earlier this year in Alamo Today. We welcome community members to attend our August 28th Mixer at Oak Hill Farm, 313 Cross Road in Alamo. Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

ALAMOCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE.COM

SAVE THE DATE September 7th

Alamo Music Festival!

Museum of the San Ramon ValleyThe Museum of the San Ramon Valley presents Totally Trains – Models

and Memorabilia running through the Freight Room at the Depot through August 18th. The Museum’s Train Club has been reinvented with a new en-thusiasm and dedication toward reviving the Museum’s own train collection. The need to utilize the Museum’s collection in order to save it prompted the formation of the new Train Club. The Club’s members have been meeting for over a year to bring this wonderful exhibit back to the Museum.

The exhibit features the Museum’s O Gauge models that span the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries with freight and passenger trains pulled by both diesel and steam engines. The Museum’s scratch-built models, including a replica of the Museum – the former Danville SP Depot-will be on display along with selected Lionel pieces on loan to the Museum for this exhibit by Bob and Cheryl Miranda and Michael Foley.

Of special interest this year is the Museum’s latest acquisition, the Lady Lionel, or Girls’ Train. In 1957 Lionel introduced a train designed specifi-cally for girls. It was a pastel multicolored train that was pulled by a pink steam engine. Unfortunately for Lionel, girls interested in trains wanted a train like their brother’s, and eventually the unsold sets were returned to Lionel. Because so few were manufactured and sold, one of the Girls’ Trains in excellent condition with the boxes can command over $10,000 today. In the 1990’s Lionel reissued the train, and you can see a reissue of the Girls’ Train running in the center of our Totally Trains exhibit.

Be sure to purchase our Totally Trains Family Ticket! The family ticket is only $10 and allows for a daily visit to the museum during the train exhibit’s run.

The Totally Trains exhibit will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10AM to 1PM and Sundays from noon to 3PM. Please see the Museum website, www.museumsrv.org, for more information.

Learning that MattersBy Stan Hitomi, Principal, Alamo Elementary School

As we move into the 2013-2014 school year, we are preparing to implement the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS). One of the major outcomes of the CCSS will be an increased focus on relevancy of what students learn, “Learning That Matters.” Remember the days when students asked, “Why do I have to learn this?”

Relevancy has always been at the core of good teach-ing at Alamo School. Our 4th grade science program at Alamo School includes a partnership with PEAK, a program from the Energy Coalition. The Energy Coalition’s PEAK program is a comprehensive standards-based educational program designed to empower elementary and middle school students with the knowledge to manage energy use in their homes, schools, and communities. Through hands-on learning, students are inspired to take action to create a more sustainable world and to educate others about how to use energy wisely.

This year, one of our students, Sarah Keilman, extended the PEAK experi-ence beyond the classroom by entering PEAK’s PSA (Public Service Announce-ment) contest. In May, Sarah was named the winner of the Northern California competition, and in June she was named the winner of the State Contest.

Elise Noland, PEAK – Project Coordinator, said “The PEAK team liked Sarah’s humorous approach and enthusiastic call to action to save energy through the use of energy efficient technology and renewable energy. We also appreciated the hard work and creativity evident in her PSA video.” Information about the program can be found at the contest website at www.peakstudents.org/students/guidelines.asp. Sarah’s PSA can be seen at www.peakstudents.org/students/2013winner.asp.

In addition to traditional standards in reading, writing, and math, the CCSS include additional college and career readiness anchor standards for speaking and listening, including:

• Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listen-ers can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

• Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.

Alamo School - Important Dates School Office opens August 12 New Family Orientation August 15, 3:30PM

Annual On-Site Registration August 15, 4 – 7PM , August 19, 9AM – NoonFirst Day of School August 27 (minimum day)


Applicants Sought for Seats on Advisory BoardsDistrict 2 Supervisor, Candace Andersen, is looking for interested, mo-

tivated District 2 residents to serve on a variety of Contra Costa County citizen advisory boards. These voluntary boards usually meet monthly and advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. They provide a key communication link between the community and county government.

Supervisor Andersen is looking for volunteers from her district to fill the following positions:

• Assessment Appeals Board• Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Fire Advisory Commis-

sioners (1 alternate seat)• Economic Opportunity Council• Mental Health Commission (1 consumer seat)• Merit Board• Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (1 regular seat and 1 youth repre-

sentative – Alamo residents)• County Service Area P-2B Citizens Advisory Committee (2 alternate

seats - Alamo residents)• County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee (1 regular, 1

alternate seat - Roundhill resident)District 2 includes Alamo, Canyon, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Park-

mead, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Saranap, and Walnut Creek (west of Main Street).Applications and more information are available on the county’s website,

http://contra.napanet.net/maddybook/.

Prevent Fires: Handle Materials with Care

Summer is often the time of year when we get proj-ects done around our homes – repaint a section of fence, refinish a wood deck, or finally get around to seriously cleaning a stamped concrete patio that got stained over the winter. And when you have completed such a project, it’s a real feeling of accomplishment to see how beautiful it all looks once again. As good as it feels to finish, you don’t want to shortcut the cleanup and disposal of the

various products that you used. Recently, there have been three house fires in San Ramon that were caused by

spontaneous combustion. How could such a thing happen? In each case, oily rags that were used in projects around the house were tossed into a trash can without al-lowing them to dry out first. With the high temperatures we have been experiencing this summer, the volatile rags in the enclosed trash cans reached a temperature which caused them to burst into flame. According to the National Fire Protection Associa-tion (NFPA), over 14,000 fires per year, causing millions of dollars in damage, were caused by spontaneous combustion or chemical reaction. In home structure fires, the garage was the most common area of origin (20% of fires), and oily rags were the most common item first ignited (35%). Abandoned materials were cited as a factor in 34% of home fires, and improper containers or storage was a factor in 33%.

What can you do to prevent such a fire from beginning at your home? Your fire department has these suggestions:

1. Anytime you have an oily rag left over from a project, hang it up to dry out-doors. You can use a clothesline or fence, but be sure to hang each rag individually, and avoid piling them on top of each other.

2. Store any left-over volatile products, like turpentine, in their original containers, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions on proper use, storage, and disposal. It is advisable to store such products in a shed away from the house. If you must store them in the garage, place them as far away as possible from any heat source, such as a water heater or furnace.

3. Take the time to inventory what you currently have stored, and see if you really need to keep it. Oftentimes, cans of old paint, solvents, automotive fluids, etc. get put on a shelf and one left there for years. If you find that you have such material that

you want to dispose of, take advantage of the Contra Costa Household Hazardous Waste facility which is available to you at no charge. Visit their website at www.cccounty.us/depart/cd/recycle/hhw.htm or call (800) 646-1431 for more information.

To recycle other items and materials, visit wastediversion.org, the website for the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority. The homepage has a very helpful “recycling wizard” which allows you to type in the material you wish to dispose of and search results provide you with various recycling locations.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! If you have any questions about County issues, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at [email protected] or (925) 957-8860. We’re here to serve you.


San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, Principal

As we review, organize, and plan for what the next school year may bring, our teachers are doing the same. This fall, some staff will be brand new to teaching, and some will be 35 year veterans. Educa-tion is changing rapidly and becoming increasingly challenging.

I remember studying in high school - I would check out books from the library and read them to

do my research, and then I would write my essays by hand. I did not have access to the internet, I did not have a cell phone with a camera, I did not own a tablet or a laptop, and I couldn’t “Google” anything on my phone before a teacher finished their explanation. I couldn’t multi-task and listen to music while I studied, and I did not have Kahn Academy or YouTube to access videos of lessons that I might have missed!

Until very recently, teacher education programs didn’t focus on any of these emerging issues in the classroom. Most current teachers were born before 1980 and are considered to be a different generation from our tech savvy “generation Y” students.

Our students, however, have all of this access to information, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire for instant results.

Teachers are trying to figure out how to deal with the shifting demands of our students while still delivering curriculum and assessing learning. Administrators are doing the same, and they are trying to provide sufficient learning opportunities for staff. No one can expect teachers to keep up with the current demands of the educational climate if administrators cannot stay ahead of the curve as a community of learners ourselves.

It’s going to be a challenging year - we all have a lot of learning to do. However, the best thing about this new paradigm is that everyone has

to be able to learn, adjust their thinking, and embrace new ideas to keep up - our students included!

High School Community to Honor VeteransMonte Vista Mustang Football hosts the Pittsburg Pirates on Friday, Sep-

tember 13th at Sam Zackheim Stadium. Veterans receive free admission, as well as complimentary hot dogs, beverages, and homemade apple pie. Girl Scout Troop 30623 is coordinating the event, along with MV Athletic Boost-ers and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75. Veterans may contact the Veterans Memorial Building staff at (925) 362-9806 for tickets. Tickets are limited!

Jointhe

Team

Community Emergency Response Team

CERTSan Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

www.firedepartment.org/CERT . 925.838.6600

CERT is made possible through the San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Citizen Corps Council

Enjoy socializing with your friends, have fun painting on pre-sketched canvases. Bring your own food and drinks. Our artists will assist you step by step to make this, simple and fun, even for a beginner who has never painted before. You will finish the event with a piece of artwork that will amaze you!

Choose your own design & have fun painting on pre-sketched canvases. Enjoy socializing with your friends, have fun painting on pre-sketched canvases. Bring your own food and drinks. Our artists will assist you step by step to make this, simple and fun, even for a beginner who has never painted before. You will finish the event with a piece of artwork that will amaze you!





Choose your own design & have fun painting on pre-sketched canvases.

Bocce Ball Coming to Livorna ParkBy David Barclay, Vice Chair, Alamo Municipal Advisory Council

The Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), sitting as the oversight committee for Alamo Parks and Recreation, approved the installation of bocce ball courts at Livorna Park. At the June 4th MAC meeting, members made the recommendation to Supervisor Andersen’s office based upon a preliminary design prepared by the County Public Works Department. The MAC, in conjunction with Public Works, has been working on this project for quite some time. This involved several on-site meetings to review alter-native layouts and the entire scope of the project.

The bocce ball courts will replace the existing sand volleyball court, minimiz-ing the impact on the grassy open area, which defines the park. MAC members David Barclay, Ed Best, and Steve Mick, representing the MAC as the Park and Recreation Subcommittee, took the lead in helping the county formulate the design parameters. “It was important to come up with a design that met the needs of the community without compromising the serene nature and character of Livorna Park,” said Barclay. The project will consist of two courts, 78’ in length by 12’ in width with a synthetic surface, which will reduce annual opera-tion and maintenance costs. The courts will be surrounded by a concrete deck, park benches, a trellis structure, and decorative brick sitting walls.

The project will be funded with Measure WW Funds through the East Bay Regional Park District and should be completed in the summer of 2015. The MAC meets on the first Tuesday of every month, at 6pm, at the Chamber of Commerce of-fice in Alamo Plaza. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings and provide comments and ideas on other projects that will enhance the Alamo Community.


Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun K. McElroy, Principal2013-2014 : A Look Ahead

Our primary focus this coming school year will be on continuing to implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). To support the implementation and transition to CCSS, we will be piloting a modified

block schedule with longer periods two days each week and examining our school culture to better serve all students.Common Core Training

The SRVUSD will fully implement the Common Core State Standards by June 2014. This past year our teachers have been preparing for the change from California State Standards to CCSS by participating in several yearlong trainings and collaborations. In June all school administrators were provided with a four day intensive overview of CCSS that included two days of focusing on math and two days of focusing on language arts. The trainings provided site leaders with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the CCSS in classrooms. The training sessions were conducted by SRVUSD staff developers who are experts in their subject ar-eas and experts in CCSS. This team of staff developers will lead trainings for teachers though the month of August and during the school year and includes Dr. Kathy Moore - language arts, Mona Keeler - math, Renee Doran - language arts, Nicole Padoan - language arts, Ngoc Nguyen - math, Ondi Tricaso - language arts, and Gregory Duran – math. For more background on CCSS, please visit https://sites.google.com/a/srvusd.net/common-core.School Climate

As part of our follow up to the grant we received for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning (CLS), Stone Valley will receive additional training in late August for up to 10 staff members. These 10 staff will in turn train the remainder of the staff on CLS methodologies. During the course of the school year trainers from Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching will visit Stone Valley classrooms and observe our progress towards finding better ways to support our underserved students. To learn more, visit http://culturallyresponsive.org/.

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Alamo - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

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

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

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

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See Stone Valley continued on page 22


Tip of the Month By Cynthia RuzziShow our Local Creeks a Little Love

It’s hard to believe that the lazy days of summer will soon be filled with school activities. While my children and I are past the dreaded back-to-school registration days filled with sign-ups, forms and lines, I still look forward to seeing the kids fill Osage Park for gym class, lunch hour, and after school activities. As I walked the pathway in the park recently, I realized

an eerie quiet without the student body. In fact, it was quiet enough that as I neared the northeast side of the park I heard the water from Cow Creek. The sound made me think about how landlocked we are in our community and the need to show our water sources a ‘little love.’ The condition of our local streams and waterways contributes to the outstanding quality of life enjoyed by our residents. Unfortunately, hazardous waste is reaching our waterways through storm drains located in our streets and in our yards, polluting the local water environment. While conservation in your home, yard, and community is important to spare our liquid gold, we also need to protect our creeks from pollution.

First up – Take your car to the car wash! Commercial car washes use recycled water which help conserve fresh water sources for drinking. Additionally, carwashes are set up to prevent harmful oils and dirt washed off a dirty car from entering our storm drains and making their way to our creeks where they harm marine habitats, birds, and other wildlife that depend on our creek water for survival.

If you’re a group considering holding a car wash to raise money, please contact the Town of Danville Storm Water Coordinator at 314-3342 to bor-row a FREE car wash kit. The kit comes with easy instructions on how to prevent polluting material from entering our storm drains. Secondly, obtain permission from the owner of the event location to ensure that you can lo-cate the car wash near an approved sanitary sewer drain or vegetated area to discharge your wash water.

There are other ways you can be part of the solution to stop pollution in our creeks and waterways. Please do your part to protect the environment by properly disposing of hazardous materials such as batteries, fluorescent tubes, household cleaning items, mercury thermometers, motor oil, automo-tive products, garden products, and paint and paint-related products. All of these items can be brought to the recycling center operated by Contra Costa Central Sanitary District. For a complete list of items that can be brought to the recycling center, visit www.centralsan.org/index.cfm?navId=158 or call 800-646-1431. The facility is located at 4897 Imhoff Place, near the intersection of Highway 4 and Interstate 680 in Martinez. Also, local places like Ace Hardware in Alamo and Home Depot in San Ramon will accept fluorescent lighting, and Whole Foods and CVS are great locations to drop off spent batteries.

Before hazardous materials accumulate in your garage and then are improperly disposed of, I encourage you to purchase products that are less harmful for the environment and your family. The marketplace is filled with products that are as effective as those dependent on harmful chemicals. Painting a room? Consider paints with low or no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to prevent harmful vapors. Applying pesticide around your home? Remember that good bugs are harmed along with those you wish to discourage when you use pesticides. It’s best to identify the pest first using a resource like the University of California’s resource for pest management (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/menu.homegarden.html) or snapping a picture and asking for assistance at a local nursery on the proper treatment. Only purchase what you need, and when mixing liquid pesticides, always read the label and use rubber gloves before you measure. Do not mix on a hard surface such as concrete, or near a storm drain. Apply to the target areas or plants only, and don’t overuse or over-water after application as this is one of the most direct ways pesticides enter our waterways. Alternatively, try a natural remedy made with common household ingredients which are safer and are a low-cost alternative to more toxic pesticides. Here’s my favorite general insect spray: Mix 1/2 cup chopped red chili peppers and several cloves of garlic with 2 cups water in a blender. Process briefly, then strain the plant matter from the liquid. Pour the red pepper liquid into a spray bottle. Add 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap to help the spray adhere to the plants. If you are dust-ing the soil to deter crawling pests, look for red pepper or cayenne pepper in the spice aisle of your grocery store, or purchase food grade diatomaceous earth at a nursery or online.

Want to help protect our creeks? Contact Mary Grim at Friends of San Ramon Creek at [email protected]. Visit sustainabledanville.com or follow us on Facebook for more environmental friendly information.

[email protected] Talk with BobBy Bob Shalon, IRS Enrolled

Agent, Office ManagerDanville Office of H&R Block Expanding - Creating Merger Opportunities with Other Tax Practices

Over the past few years our office in Danville has grown con-siderably in the number of clients we serve and services we provide. I want to thank our client base for your loyalty and the referrals that you send us as being a major factor in our growth.

However, growth starts with the quality and experience of the tax preparers employed in the office. We are all Enrolled Agents with the IRS, averaging double digit years of experience in the Danville office. Just as important is the office atmosphere; we enjoy working with each other and it shows.

In addition, we have added services the past few years which allows us to help the following business entities in addition to individual returns:

• Partnerships • S and C Corporations• Estates and Trusts • Audit supportOur new location is in the same shopping center as always, Sycamore

Square located with Luckys and CVS pharmacy. We will be next door to our old location, gaining almost 400 square feet of space.

I am looking for a tax preparer with their own practice to explore the possibilities of joining us.

I will not get into any details of what can be offered to you as I don’t want to turn this article into a want-ad. However, if you are tired of maintaining the overhead needed to run your practice while keeping your independence and income level, then I would very much like to get together for an informal, confidential discussion. I’ll buy the coffee!

You can email me at [email protected]. I do not need a formal resume.

To all you tax-payers, please continue to have a wonderful and safe summer. Advertorial

Alamo Today ~ August 2013 - Page 11

925.820.9570 714 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite B, Danville

Sycamore Square (next to Lucky’s) [email protected]

Bob Shalon, EAMaster Tax Advisor • Enrolled Agent

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Alamo Women’s ClubThe Alamo Women’s Club was established in 1916

and is the longest standing service organization in the valley. The group welcomes members from the Alamo, Danville, and Walnut Creek areas. We invite you to get to know us by joining us at one of our upcoming programs. For more information, contact Jeri Strong, [email protected] Luncheon

Our luncheon kickoff for the year will be held on September 25, and it will feature local celebrity Sally Socolich, known for her successful series of books including Bargain Hunting in the Bay Area. The cost for members is $20, and non-members cost $25. Lunch check-in starts at 11:30AM, and the speaker begins at noon.

October’s luncheon will feature local mystery writer, Penny Warner, the recent recipient of an Agatha Award for Children’s Mystery Fiction.

All speaker luncheons will take place at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Boulevard in Alamo.Craft Boutique & Garage Sale

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 12th from 9AM – 3PM for our fabu-lous Craft Boutique & Garage Sale. Rental spaces fill up quickly, so if you are interested in selling your items, call or email Anita at (925) 837-1242 or [email protected].

If shopping is what you like, save the date to come and check out the 40+ vendors who will be showcasing their items. It’s a great time to shop for the holidays!

The event will be held at the Alamo Women’s Club, located at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo.Do you Have a Party or Meeting Coming Up?

We have a wonderful venue with a kitchen that you can rent. Interested? Have a look at our website at Alamowomensclub.org for details. Please contact us for rentals at 925-820-1943 or [email protected]. Museum Volunteers Needed

Looking to get involved in your community? The Museum of the San Ramon Valley needs your help. Volunteer positions are available in the following areas:

• Greeters • Docents• Walking Tour Docents • Events Committee• Educational Programs (One Room School/Indian Life) Call Eve or Donna at 552-9693 or email srvmuseum@

sbcglobal.net for additional information.

Exchange Club of SRVThe Exchange Club of San Ramon Val-

ley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month in downtown Danville. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30AM. The meet-ing starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The program features guest speakers and a business networking speaker. For more information, call Karen Stepper at (925) 275-2312, email [email protected], or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.www.yourmonthlypaper.com


Solar Currents By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar

If only we could predict the future. Would it create more happiness?

My initial thought would be yes! In the stock mar-ket, absolutely! Is it going to be a boy or girl? Well…sometimes surprise is nice. On further thought, de-spite its benefits, I think that being able to predict the future would take the excitement out of life.

I would have never predicted that the disappear-ance of the California Solar Initiative rebates for resi-

dential customers (except for new or fully remodeled homes) would have had no negative impact on the solar business. Conversely, business is better than ever. Aside from an improving economy, the continued adoption of solar PV can be attributed to a growing recognition on the consumer’s part that there is essentially very little downside risk for solar as an investment. Unlike the potential of picking a poor stock or being stuck in a declining stock market, energy prices continually rise. A high percentage of our solar PV projects are installed on the homes and businesses of financial professionals; their only concerns are the details of the installation vs. the details of the financials. They know they want solar, and they are simply seeking the right contractor to install it. They understand the advantage of hedging energy costs at prices lower than today’s PGE prices. If you could have bought all the gas for your car ten years ago at $1.50/gallon, think of the money you’d be saving today. It’s the same principle. The financial professionals also understand that pay-ments to PGE will never provide a financial return on investment. “Solar, part of a diversified investment portfolio” is how the purchase of solar PV is viewed by these professionals. They also understand that the lowest long-term cost of ownership of a solar PV system is not achieved by lowest installation cost. It’s achieved by choosing field-proven products and a specialty licensed installation team. It’s your roof and a 25+ year investment.

Electric Cars (EV): I’ve found that my EV has saved me the cost of maintenance and gasoline; it’s a business write-off as well. There’s no doubt that a car fueled with electricity is the car of the future. If you purchase or

lease an EV, check out our website to determine if switching to an electric car charge rate is the correct choice for you. Not all kilowatts are charged equally. In most cases, due to the nature of the “time of use” costs of the PGE car charge rate, there are better rate choices unless you have a solar PV system installed. To reduce the cost of an EV, there are California and Federal rebates available up to $10,000. Many EV’s are inexpensive to lease as well.

Further validation of the financial returns of solar: The United States has just surpassed 10 gigawatts of installed solar PV capacity, the fourth na-tion to do so. We’ve increased our energy sources and reduced the amount of emissions into our environment. It would be logical for one to think that the world’s largest economy, with the world’s largest energy demand, would have the most solar energy capacity. However, that title goes to Germany. To their credit, the world’s worst polluter, China, is trying to clean up its act by tripling their amount of solar PV production. Not all of this program is altruistic. This program has the added benefit of propping up their failing solar panel companies; even more reason to buy American.

Technology: One of the most common questions posed to me is about solar PV technology; whether a customer should wait for something new. Two years ago I had the fortunate experience of visiting the home of the lead solar PV scientist for Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. I posed the same question to him. His response: “There is no new technology that will be within financial reach of the average business or homeowner for the next ten years.” It turns out that there are materials more efficient than silicon, but silicon is currently the most plentiful and inexpensive material to turn sunlight into energy.

Quote of the Month: “I’ll talk to you first, then see if other contractors are bull(****)ing me.” I guess such is the nature of being in a service industry.

“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we cre-ate.” ~ Leonard I. Sweet

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Con-struction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715). Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or email [email protected]. Advertorial

Getting Un-Wired By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIOBack in the 70’s when I grew up, we lived in the golden age of electronics. The transistor radio had been invented and we were in

awe of those and everything else that was being “transistorized.” Radios rapidly became bigger and more complex. I remember how much I pined for one of the huge multi-band radio receivers that would receive broadcasts on fifteen different overseas radio bands. I used to stay up late with one of my friends who had such a radio, tuning in stations from countries all over the world and trying to perfect our antenna to improve reception.

As we grew older, the radios and something new called “stereos” were becoming more sophisticated. The sound quality went from tinny and awful to ridiculously good. This was when the current era of audiophiles was born. I could never tell the subtle differences between the “good” equipment and the “excellent” equipment, but the audiophiles could and that’s what counted.

Soon, home theatres became the rage and in the 1990’s, it seems that everyone was buying a 5.1 channel receiver, a DVD player, a giant subwoofer, and a big-screen TV to create their own home-theatre experience. If you have never put one of these together, you

may not be familiar with how complicated they can be, how to connect it all together, and how many remote controls you had to master to make the whole thing work. Back then it was a serious undertaking!

I confess, I fell into the home-theatre trap. All it took was seeing the “Top Gun” demo at the store and I was hooked. My wife hated it. I mean, she really hated it, because every time she went to watch TV, it became this byzantine process of turning things on in a certain order and finding the right remote controls to turn everything on. It took the enjoyment out of watching TV for her, because just getting to the point where she could sit down and relax took five minutes of utter frustration. I am absolutely certain that many of you guys reading this are nodding your heads and cringing at how you did the same thing to your poor wives! Hey wives: thanks for enduring our learning curve.

And learn we did. As time went on and our tastes changed (ok, really, as we matured - there, I said it!), we found we could watch TV without having to have seventeen speakers turned on. We discovered that watching TV didn’t always have to be a theatre outing, and that the teensy little speakers on the TV actually sounded OK after all. All of our fancy-shmancy audio equipment began to gather dust. The age of personal home theatres had peaked, and lots of guys like me figured out that less is more. All the hassle just wasn’t worth it.

Whereas we used to feel we needed to have a big stereo to run the music or accompany the TV in our homes, devices like the Bose Wave Radio or a simple BlueTooth speaker for our iPhone can completely suffice. The music sounds great, and it is enough. We found we didn’t need to have speakers in every room with their own volume control, or the ability to watch a prerecorded video in every room, or direct three different music channels or TV feeds to separate spots in the house. Is the hassle and complexity of these over-complicated technical monstrosities worth it? In my opinion, they fit firmly in the category of, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.” In fact, I have rarely seen one of the high-end all-inclusive whole-house audio/TV systems being used by the home owner, and I’ve never seen one really used to its full capacity. Instead of the homeowner owning these systems, I think these systems own the homeowners.

I must sound like a Luddite this month. I’m really not. But, I’ve figured out some things that I hope more people will catch onto. That primary lesson is that all of this complexity causes stress, and it doesn’t add that much value. Use technology as a tool to accent your life, as you use salt to season your food. By choosing an appropriate level of technology for your life, you and your family will be a lot happier, you’ll save a ton of money and you won’t have all the soul-draining technical clutter throughout your living spaces.

Do you need assistance in simplifying your systems, finding the right balance of technology? Portable CIO has the staff that can help you figure this out, and we can always be reached at 925-552-7953 or by emailing [email protected]. Advertorial


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Maximum discount $10.00. Discount off regular retail price. May notbe combined with any other offer. Limit 1 coupon per customer.

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Quintessential Quilts: A Floral FantasyThe Museum of the San Ramon Valley is pleased to present an exhibit of

flowers in quilting. The exhibit explores the history of floral fabrics used by quilters, past to present, with beautiful quilts, quilted wearable art, and wall hangings. A special display features quilts sewn by men along with some of the tools men use to create varied handcrafted objects.

The display will run August 27th through September 29th with special guest presentations each Saturday during the exhibit.

• Saturday, August 31 - Kathy Higgins: History of Quilting: Pyramids to Present• Saturday, September 7 - Barb Mahan: Make It and Take It: Ruffle

Button Pin• Saturday, September 14 - Denise Sheehan - Hand Applique Demonstration• Saturday, September 21 - Sandra Newman - Demonstration Hexagons

- teach and take away

• Saturday, September 28 - Margaret Linderman and Alethea Ballard - Raw edge and quilted appliques demonstration

Museum hours are Tuesday – Friday, 1pm – 3pm, Saturday 10am – 1pm, and Sunday noon – 3pm

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at, 205 Railroad Avenue, in Danville. For more information, visit www.museumsrv.org or call (925) 837-3750.

Alamo Sheriff’s Station Staffed and ReadyThe Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Station, located in the Alamo Shop-

ping Center, is now staffed with volunteers to assist you Monday through Saturday from 8am-5pm and Sunday from 8am-12:30pm. When closed, citizens can use the outdoor red phone for all emergency and non-emergency calls.

For help or information, call (925) 646-6180 or visit the office at 150 Alamo Plaza #C.

www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 14 - August 2013 ~ Alamo TodayQuick Trips By Linda Summers PirkleOn a Clear Day

Recently, my youngest daughter, nineteen year old Cassandra, and I visited Rome and Paris. Our room in Rome (a convent converted into a hotel) was immaculate. Our location was great, just two blocks from the Vatican. In Paris, our apartment was located in the 10th arrondissement, four Metro stops from the Louvre. We can recommend our Rome property but

not our Paris apartment. The biggest difference was the view. In Rome our room overlooked a beautiful courtyard. We woke up to birds singing, and at night the lighted cupola of St. Peter’s basilica was magnificent. Our view from our Paris apartment was a dark, interior courtyard. What a difference a view makes!

The variety and abundance of great views are some of the primary reasons we love the Bay Area. One favorite view is from San Damiano Retreat house in Danville. A short drive (one mile) from downtown Danville, up a private road, the retreat house is a beautiful Spanish style complex built in 1961. Home to the Franciscan Friars, whose mission, according to their brochure, is to provide a peaceful environment of natural beauty where spiritual renewal and growth may be sought by people of all faiths and backgrounds. The view of Mt. Diablo and the lovely valley below is extraordinary.

Deer Path and Hillside Trail, two loop trails on the grounds of the retreat, are great ways to see the property and enjoy the serenity of the area. “Many people who live in Danville do not know we are here, even though we are just up the hill from downtown. Everyone is welcome to visit and enjoy our beautiful grounds,” says Estrella Rusk, volunteer at the Retreat House. The two trails around the complex are less than a mile. There are meditation benches for enjoying the views and you will most likely see deer on your walk. For the more adventurous, a hike to the Las Trampas ridge above the retreat house offers incredible views.

The steep road leading up to San Damiano Retreat House is only one mile, but, according to Stacy Watson, hiker and local resident, “It’s the best workout in Danville.”

The Buddhist Gateway in Lafayette is another spot for reflection and great views. Open for visitors from 9am to sunset every day, their brochure says “The monastery sits in the beautiful town of Lafayette. With views that expand the vision and peaceful air that calms the mind, it is the perfect environment for Chan practice.” Ask for a tour, and one of the monks can take you into the temple and up the hill to see the labyrinth, and gorgeous view.

Rumored to have the second greatest view of the Earth’s surface, second only to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. Diablo is possibly our valley’s best spot for great views. According to Beryl Anderson, Communications Manager with Save Mount Diablo, “On a clear day it is possible to see the Farallon Islands, the Sierra, and 40 of California’s counties from the summit of the mountain.”

Save Mount Diablo will host its twelfth annual “Moonlight on the Mountain” on Saturday, September 7th. Anderson states, “Since the mountain usually closes at sundown this event is a rare opportunity to enjoy the sunset and watch the setting sun play colors across the backdrop of the mountain from China Wall in Mt. Diablo State Park.”

*San Damiano is located on 710 Highland Drive. Rooms are available for rent, and the retreat house can be booked for groups. Their phone number is 925.837.9141, and their website is www.sandamiano.org. The gift and book store is open daily; call for hours.

*Buddha Gate Monastery is located at 3254 Gloria Terrace, Lafayette. Their phone number is 925.934.2411.Their website is www.buddhagate.org.

*For ticket information on the Moonlight on the Mountain event, call 925.947.3535.

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

M. E. L A N D O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E

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Shake it up with WineBy Monica Chappell

Who doesn’t look forward to happy hour—that time of day when you can exit the office and head home? Why not mix it up with wine? Unthinkable? There’s actually a long tradition of classic drinks made with wine, and it’s high time we gave wine cocktails their due. There are more varieties and varietals of wine available than ever before, and the number of liquors, liqueurs, and other mixers seems to multiply

daily. Put these two elements together, and the possibilities are nearly endless. Many have probably had a Bellini or Mimosa, but here are a few new

ways to integrate wine into your cocktail repertoire. These stylish sippers show off your reds, whites, and rosés.

White Port and Tonic: Isn’t Port relegated to an after-dinner or dessert-time sipper? Not when it’s white Port. Whether dry or sweet, white Port makes a delightfully drinkable cocktail. Just fill a tall glass with ice, add a shot or two of white Port, top with tonic (or club soda), and garnish with a wedge of lime. You can also experiment with muddling some mint or basil for a distinct fresh herb note.

Sangria: Perhaps you have a bounty of seasonal fruit on hand. Consider mixing up a pitcher of sangria for a group of friends. The nice thing about sangria is that you are only limited by your creativity. Use red, white, or even rosé wine, along with fresh fruit, sugar, and a touch of brandy. Right before serving finish with some sparkling water, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale.

Red Wine and Coke: Popular in Spain, this 50-50 mix of red wine and Coke (called akalimotxo or calimocho) is about as simple as making a cocktail can be. Served over ice, the sweetness of the Coke balances out the tannins in the wine, making for a fine late afternoon sipper.

So mix up a wine cocktail and cheers! What easy wine-based cocktails can you recommend? Please let us know at [email protected].

Monica Chappell teaches Wine Appreciation classes locally. For a cur-rent list of classes, please visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.


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Family owned and operated since 1983 Thank you for supporting your local merchants.

Back to School Savings at RichardsShop Here For School Supply Lists

We carry Crayola, Mr. Sketch, Elmers and more! Ask about our special Teachers Discounts

Students bring in your school supply lists and receive 10% discount (off regular price)

Artist’s Stretched Canvas

Special Purchase

70% off

50% offSize Reg. Sale Price8”x10” $7.99 $2.4011”x14” $11.99 $3.6016”x20” $18.99 $5.7024”x36” $44.99 $13.50All other sizes 50% off

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Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor.

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Windsor Newton, Liquitex,Grumbacher and others

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www.yourmonthlypaper.comPage 16 - August 2013 ~ Alamo TodayPruning for Fire SafetyBy Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

In the spring and early summer, the landscape grows lush, beautiful. Our Mediterranean climate is blessed by suf-ficient winter rains to make plants grow, but our dry summers, and our even drier

autumns, can make that new growth a fire hazard. In the greater Bay Area, we live surrounded by an ecosystem that has been shaped, over the last 10,000 years, by frequent wildfires. Because these woodland fires are inevitable, landscape trees, even healthy ones, require occasional pruning to prevent them from becoming fire ladders––bridges of flammable material that could carry flames from a woodland fire to your home.

The threat posed by fires in the greater Bay Area is real and significant. The Oakland/Berkeley Hills fire of 1991 caused $1.7 billion in property damage, and it was the nation’s worst urban fire since the San Francisco fire of 1906. Failure to properly maintain landscape trees and shrubs played a significant role in allowing that fire to grow, intensify, and move. The Comprehensive Overview of the Berkeley/Oakland Hills Fire recommends that the risk of wildfire can be reduced by proper care of landscape plants:

• Break up fire ladders. • Limb trees back from structures.• Reduce flammable biomass by thinning crowns.• Remove dead trees and shrubs from the landscape.• Remove deadwood from live trees and shrubs.Breaking up fire ladders helps prevent a fire from moving easily from the woods,

or from your neighbor’s property, to your house. To break up fire ladders, increase the space between plants, both vertically and horizontally. In the 1991 fire, blowing brands of flammable material landed on ground plants and, if there was sufficient dry matter, caught the ground cover on fire. The fire burned along the ground plants horizontally for as long as it found material to burn. If it encountered trees with low branches, the fire would move vertically from the ground up into the crown of the tree. If those burning trees were close to a house, they would set the house on fire. If their crowns touched the crowns of other trees, the fire spread from crown to crown.

Landscape plants pose little fire hazard when they are properly maintained, and proper maintenance does not mean sacrificing a natural, woodland aesthetic. If the

limbing up, dead-wooding, and crown thinning are done by a craftsman with a sensitivity to plant aesthetics, then the trees will look natural, even though they may have had 30% of their biomass removed. Knowing how to identify potential hazards is important, but it is also important to know how to reduce those hazards in a man-ner that keeps your property looking natural and which doesn’t sacrifice important screening plants. Brende & Lamb specializes in balancing the conflicting needs for privacy, fire safety, tree health, and landscape aesthetics. It is possible to improve the fire safety of your property while promoting the health and beauty of your plants.

Tree care is a craft requiring study and experience. Our trimmers are master craftsmen who understand that a well-pruned tree should not only be safer and healthier, it should look beautiful as well. At Brende and Lamb we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning.

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

Clip Notes By Jody MorganAs a gardener, I can’t concur with T.S. Eliot’s asser-

tion in the opening lines of “The Waste Land” that April is the cruelest month. Lilacs emerging out of the dead land are harbingers of hope, but weed pollen wafting on every breeze engenders memories of my least favorite gardening tasks. Consequently, for me, August is the crueler month. In August, after the pageant of my favorite perennials passes by, sagging annuals languish on the sidelines while the seedier elements of vascular plant so-ciety emerge in tatty garb to pick prime pockets of space.

Desirous of filling the cyclical void with fresh talent in character with my cast of typical English border performers that bows out in August, I am auditioning candidates billed as profuse bloomers capable of garnering applause from late spring into fall. First to secure a role in Morgan’s August Floral Follies, Coreopsis ‘Jive’ is a dark-eyed beauty. The ray flowers are dressed in antique white with garnet inner garments surrounding a dark central disc flecked with gold Dancing freely on delicate stems fringed by thread-leaf foliage, the one-inch blooms beckon butterflies to enjoy the show.

Debuting in 2009, ‘Jive’ is part of the Coloropsis series of annual coreopsis hybrids developed by Massachusetts breeder Darrell Probst. The result of crossing some eight species over almost a decade, Probst’s introductions in the Coloropsis series join his Big Bang collection of perennial Coreopsis hybrids in turning an old stand-by into a headline attraction. Strictly speaking these are all garden na-tives: hybrids derived from species indigenous to North America.

Many Native American tribes used the flowers of Coreopsis tinctoria for dye. The golden blooms yield yellow unaided, but produce red with the addition of an acid mordant. The Sioux also brewed tea from these denizens of the prairie. Com-monly called Tickseed in its home country, Coreopsis was introduced to Europe as a garden delight by British explorer Thomas Nuthall following his 1819 journey into Arkansas. Describing the landscape in his journal, Nuthall wrote: “These vast plains, beautiful almost as fancied Elysium, were enamelled with innumer-able flowers, among the most splendid of which were the azure Larkspur, gilded

Coreopsides, Rudbeckias, fragrant Phloxes, and the purple Psilotria.” Rudbeckias were one of the first American wildflowers tamed for the English

garden. They appear on John Tradescant the Elder’s 1634 plant list. Linnaeus named the genus for his teacher, Olof Rudbeck, because the tall plants were reminiscent of Rudbeck’s physical stature, and the rays of the flowers reflected Rudbeck’s scholarly brilliance. All of the 25-30 species of Rudbeckias are native to North America and many were used by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments from snakebite and burns to indigestion and earaches.

Immediately embraced by British gardeners, Rudbeckia species, often called Black-Eyed Susans, also include the more colorful Gloriosa Daisies.

The minute I put Rudbeckia ‘Cherry Brandy’ beside Coreopsis ‘Jive’ in my nursery wagon, I knew I had found complimentary leads for my Floral Follies. Costumed as it comes on stage in the same rich burgundy tone as Jive’s central trim, Cherry Brandy is a quick-change artist. As the flowers open, petals add brandy tones then tip themselves with golden edges. This 2009 Thompson and Morgan introduction is a short-lived perennial. Birds love the seeds, so I may find interesting volunteers popping up in my yard.

William Thompson, founder of Thompson and Morgan, received the seeds of Chocolate Cosmos, my third selection for the cast, and passed them along to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1860. Taxonomists, clearly disinterested in the aesthetics of nomenclature, dubbed this exquisite Mexican treasure Cosmos atrosanguineus, suggesting the blossoms are the color of dried blood. Actually, they are dressed in the deepest shade of royal ruby velvet. Never rediscovered in the wild since 1860, the species has survived in cultivation as divisions from the tubers of a 1902 Kew Gardens specimen. Although the species is self-sterile, New Zealand growers have come up with a seed-producing variety called ‘Chocamocha’ released on the American market in 2012. In frost-prone areas, the tubers should be lifted like dahlias for the winter unless you want to gamble on seeing your plants return in spring.

The chocolate scent of the flowers is too subtle to appreciate in a soloist. If fragrance is your goal, you need a chorus of at least half a dozen plants to get the point across. Like the other performers in this trio, Chocolate Cosmos brings in the butterflies without attracting deer.

Friends of San Ramon Creek MeetingDo you enjoy San Ramon Creek? Want to learn more about the creek and

how you can help protect it? The Friends of San Ramon Creek is hosting an informational meeting on

Thursday, August 22nd from 7-9pm. The meeting will be held in the large confer-ence room at the Danville Town Offices, located at 510 La Gonda Ave. in Danville. The meeting will provide information about the creek from local experts and a presentation on the areas Clean Water Program and County Flood Control. You will also learn more about upcoming creek protection and restoration activities where you can get involved. These activities include creek clean-ups, interpretive walks, and educational programs. The meeting is for everyone who has an interest in our local creeks and who wants to get involved in keeping them healthy.

The Friends of San Ramon Creek is a new grassroots organization. Its current mission is to support programs and projects which promote a healthy San Ramon Creek. The San Ramon Creek watershed covers 54 square miles and drains water from Bollinger Canyon, Las Trampas, and Mount Diablo to Walnut Creek. A portion of the communities of San Ramon and Walnut Creek lie within the San Ramon Creek watershed and all of Danville and Alamo.

Contact Jan Liband at [email protected] or Jennifer Stern at [email protected] or (925) 672-6522 x113 for more information.

[email protected] in the Alamo Garden By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059Process for a Successful Design

What does it take to create a successful landscape design? Some might say that success is measured by critics and experts, but I believe it is measured by the end user, you. A successful landscape design has to meet the expectations of the owner. What I love the most is getting a call a few years after my client has been living in their yard, and they say, “John, I’m sitting here in my backyard, and I was thinking of how much I enjoy the peacefulness and beauty, and I wanted to call you to say thank you!” For me, that is my measure of success. Here are the three phases I use in creating a successful landscape design.

The first phase of the design process is a “conceptual” design. Our first task, along with you, the owner, is to develop design goals and a design program to fit your needs. Some of these design goals are practical and functional,

while some are your dreams and desires. After we develop the goals and design program, we will analyze the site and off-site conditions so that we are familiar with the existing conditions and parameters with which we are working. Once we receive the necessary information, we draft a base plan (site plan) from which your conceptual design will be created.

When we complete your conceptual design, you will have an accurately scaled, illustrative, and schematic landscape plan that will represent the design goals, existing conditions, and your dreams and desires. The “conceptual” design is visual communication so you can “visualize” the possibilities. Every idea, even a conceptual one, has an associated cost.

From the concept design we develop a budget, a line-item spreadsheet detailing the cost of the project. At this point the owner has necessary information to make an educated decision based on what they want and how much it costs.

Phase two is the “nuts and bolts” of the design. We will need to communicate to the contractor your design, details, and specifications in order for you to acquire bids, accept a contract, and build your project. During the Construction Documents phase we provide services that will complete the landscape design so that you may enter into the Construction Phase to bring your outdoor environment to reality. The construction documents will be the “building” set of drawings necessary for your contractor to acquire permits and build the project to the design and specifications. Construction documents include a detailed planting plan with planting specifications, botanical and common plant sizes and quantities, a hardscape plan, and plans detailing lighting, grading and drainage, irrigation, material selections, and notes and specifications. Working drawings (how to build) are included for built site elements like arbors, trellises, pergolas, swimming pools, cabanas, retaining walls, etc.

After the completion of the Construction Documents, you are ready to build your project. The Construction Documents are the vehicle to communicating the parameters of your landscape project to the necessary contractors so they may provide you with “apples to apples” bid proposals. This will assist you in selecting your contractor(s) to build your project. You will also need the plans to acquire permits.

Phase three is the Construction Phase. It is very important that the design intent and vision is brought to reality during construction. Construction Phase Services become a very important part of completing the design. The design process actually continues into construction. During construction, design decisions and interpretation are necessary in order to lay the design onto the land and bring the design vision to reality. Typically, this is when the design can be misinterpreted or contractors can make subtle changes to cut corners. This part of the design process ultimately guarantees the success of your design because it puts the control of the outcome in the hands of the owner and landscape architect.

My clients have told me that the design process saved them time and money during construction by not having to make decisions under pressure, pay for changes, and take time off work to manage the contractors.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Built landscape structures must be executed with proper construction techniques which are ensured through proper design, construction details and specifications, and on-site observations during the construction process. Landscape architects are licensed and qualified to draw construction documents.

Gardening Quote of the Month: “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” ~Author Unknown

If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to [email protected] or for design ideas, visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial

Alamo Today ~ August 2013 - Page 17

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See Concours continued on page 24


Concours continued from front page

Considerations on Selling Your BusinessBrought to you By Peter, Jim, Paul, and Bob

In conjunction with Spectrum Wealth Partners, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.

Whatever your motivation for selling your business, you’ll only get one chance to maximize

the return on your years of hard work. Do it the right way, and you could get the price you want and reduce the impact of capital gains and estate taxes. Do it the wrong way, and you might end up with a hefty capital gains tax bill and estate planning headaches.

You can increase your chances of a successful sale if you coordinate your efforts and work closely with a financial professional from the very moment you start thinking about selling your business. A financial professional, with the assistance of a qualified appraiser, can help you place an accurate value on your business interest and provide the critical insight and expertise needed to steer you through a complex and time-consuming process. Potential Buyers

Consider your potential buyers. Are you planning to place your business on the market for anyone who’s interested? Or, do you want your business to stay within your family? If so, do family members have the means to buy it? Might your senior managers or other employees be interested in purchasing your busi-ness interest? Dealing with succession issues early in the sale process is important. Once you have, the next step is to determine the most advantageous way to sell the business. Here’s a brief overview of some of these options.Stock versus Assets

While buyers may prefer to buy assets, if you’re selling an incorporated business, you generally can get a better tax deal by selling stock. In the case of a business asset sale, you may have to pay taxes twice — a corporate capital gains tax on the sale of the assets (at the same rate as for the corporation’s ordinary income) and an individual income tax on any corporate distributions received by the stockholders. Selling stock, instead, allows you, as a shareholder, to pay federal tax only once, at the more favorable 15% capital gains rate. There is no corporate level tax.

Owners of small businesses can get an even better deal. If you sell your busi-ness interest as Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and buy other QSBS, you may be able to roll over your gain tax free. (Additional requirements apply.) Alternatively, you can exclude 50% of the gain from your taxable income if you held the stock for more than five years and meet other tax law requirements. The remaining gain is taxed at a maximum rate of 28%. In general, gain qualifying for the 50% exclusion cannot exceed $10 million or 10 times the QSBS’s base disposed of during the year (whichever is greater).Installment Sales

With an installment sale, you ask the buyer for a downpayment and a note covering the balance of the purchase price. You report taxable gains as you receive payments from the buyer, rather than all at once in the year of sale. You also must report the interest payments you receive on the note as ordinary income. When correctly structured, an installment sale can “freeze” the value of the business at its sale price for tax purposes. So, if the business continues to increase in value, your estate will not owe taxes on any appreciation generated after the date of the sale. Private Annuity Sale

Under this type of arrangement, the buyer of your business agrees to make periodic payments to you for life in exchange for your interest in the business. This approach guarantees you a lifetime income and is taxable to you under special rules. Moreover, the annuity arrangement removes the value of the business from your estate for tax purposes.

To help maximize your financial return on the sale of your business, consult a financial planning professional before you put your business on the market.

Please contact Peter Waldron at 925-659-0383 to schedule a complimentary review of your financial situation, or email [email protected].

Peter T. Waldron, James R. Westermeyer, Paul Solorzano, & Robert J. Waldron Jr. are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. Advertorial

Some of the more than 25 members of the DDE committee/board: L to R, Back: Dave Candwell, Mark Morasky, Jim Edlund, Kerry Green, Brian Stephenson, Peter Stephens; Middle: Karen Basting; Front: Ellen Miller, Chris Edlund, Carol Bickett, Robin Halloran, and Mary Ellen Mancino.

recalls encountering two of the principle committee members and volunteering his services on the spot. “I did not know anyone on the committee when I first joined at the close of the first event, but the group was very welcoming, and I have gained a lot of wonderful friends. Everyone is conscientious of our efforts and gives freely of their service and support.”

Chris Edlund estimates that 85% of committee members have a personal connection to someone with PD. Since 2010, DDE has divided donations between the PI and MJFF, rapidly becoming one of the top two Team Fox fundraisers nationwide. Founded in 1988, the PI provides patient care and clinical trials under one roof, directly connecting treatment with research. Launched by Michael J. Fox in 2000, MJFF is dedi-cated, as its website explains: “to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkin-son’s today.” Fox, winner of many acting awards including three Emmys and a Golden Globe, has been battling PD since 1991.

Some 25 volunteers work year round on planning. An additional 90 in-dividuals donate time during events. Bauerfeind notes: “Every year a new person joins the committee and adds a new dimension and added experience to the group.” During Sunday’s Concours, trained volunteers answer ques-tions about PD and direct those seeking in-depth knowledge to information areas staffed by personnel from the PI and MJFF.

Since its 2004 inception the Concours d’Elegance has evolved into a fabulous family event, nurturing nostalgia for fondly remembered rides and offering close-up inspection of quality classic cars competing in their

respective classes. Side streets may invite a glimpse into old-time mobile homes. A vintage fruit truck or a fully-equipped racecar trailer may be the crowd-pleaser of the year. Food offerings tempt the palate of gourmet visi-tors, while also providing popular family fare. The 21-and-over crowd can taste the wares of a dozen or more vintners. Already on board this year are Wente, Prestige, Jordan, Mitchell Katz, and Courvale. Silent auction items keep family members of all ages checking their bids, but for those who want instant gratification, a table of “Buy It Now” items is being added this year.


Home (Real Estate) Planning Alternatives By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

Home values in this area have rebounded nicely since the downturn about five years ago. So, the fu-ture appears brighter for older property owners whose homes are their largest asset.

Nevertheless, most homeowners do not save or invest as much as they hope before retirement. Social security is rarely enough to sustain their accustomed

manner of living. Consequently, many look to their home equity as their key means of financial support in their later years. But, just how should they use their home as an income or cash source?

Selling the home seems like a logical answer; however, that may or may not be the optimal decision. Tax and non-tax factors should be identified, and all reasonable alternatives should be explored.

First, owners must evaluate their desire to continue to live in their home and their ability to do so safely. Given increasing longevity and skyrocketing health and long term care costs, more uncertainty exists about how long many owners will be able to keep paying property-related expenses and all other costs of living without running out of funds.

One way for an owner to potentially “have his cake and eat it too” is to obtain a reverse mortgage. Qualifying homeowners who are 62 or older with sufficient home equity can, immediately upon obtaining a reverse mortgage, have no mortgage payment (principal or interest) to make as long as they stay in the home - with all accrued principal and interest due only after they move out or die. Eligible homeowners are further able to borrow additional sums from the reverse mortgage lender in the form of a lump sum and/or credit line for home improvements, living expenses, or whatever they wish.

Unfortunately, many good candidates refuse to consider a reverse mortgage because of various misconceptions. They’re not right for everyone, but they are well regulated and beneficial under the right circumstances, providing the means by which an older owner can to tap into home equity, stay in the home, and live later years more comfortably.

Homeowners who are not set on staying in their homes might sell and either buy a more modest residence or rent one. But, a few factors may make that choice less desirable, including potential income tax liability triggered by a sale. Applicable tax laws are way too complex to cover in detail (talk to your accountant!), but eligible homeowners are entitled to exclude a certain amount of capital gain on the home sale (e.g. $500,000 for married couples and $250,000 for an unmarried individual); however, all gain may not be excluded and thus some tax liability may still result.

A related tax matter is that if a homeowner keeps the home for life, the person(s) inheriting (e.g. surviv-ing spouse or children) receive a “step-up” in income tax basis on the homeowner’s death. This allows the inheritor(s) to escape any capital gains tax that would have been due on a sale prior to the homeowner’s death.

Aside from understanding the tax implications, a homeowner should consult with a financial advisor who can run realistic projections about: how much income and growth is realistic to expect from reinvest-ment of the net (after-tax) proceeds from a home sale; whether such returns are likely to accomplish the homeowner’s financial goals; and whether any alternatives to selling make more sense.

Another option may be to refinance. With today’s low rates and a tremendous variety of loan programs available, restructuring property-related debt can sometimes make a big impact. Experienced mortgage brokers can provide valuable advice and assistance.

Rents are currently robust, so leasing one’s home may be the right decision. Doing so may generate more net income, after available tax deductions, than selling it and reinvesting the proceeds. And again, if the home is leased (kept) until the owner dies, the tax basis step-up creates potential future tax savings. Of course, converting a personal residence to a rental requires finding a suitable substitute residence, and there are ongoing risks of owning and managing a rental property to consider (maintenance costs, tenant problems, vacancies, etc.).

Similar scrutiny should be applied to investment real estate; albeit different alternatives are avail-able. Evaluating, structuring, and implementing real estate financing and disposition alternatives can be complicated. Hence, they should only take place after you receive advice from appropriate profes-sional advisors, including your estate planning attorney, who can help ensure proper integration with your estate plan (particularly your revocable living trust).

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

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

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West Nile Activity in AlamoA dead American crow recently found on Danville

Boulevard near Camille Ave. in Alamo tested positive for West Nile Virus.

According to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vec-tor Control District “The hot weather allows immature mosquitoes to develop quicker to become biting adult mosquitoes,” said Deborah Bass, public affairs manager for the District. “It's important to check your yard for any water that allows mosquitoes to thrive, and then simply dump that water out. The task is easy, but getting people to actually do that task can be challenging.”

Birds are the reservoir for West Nile virus. People can become infected when a mosquito bites a bird and then a person. West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form in-clude fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks. West Nile virus of the severe form can be fatal.

Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of con-tracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:

• Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can’t begin their life without water.

• Defend yourself against mosquitoes using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk.

To learn more or to report neglected swimming pools, call 925-771-6195 or visit www.ContraCostaMosquito.com. Anonymous calls are accepted.

Just one neglected pool can produce more than one million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.


Alamo Improvement AssociationBy Roger Smith, President Alamo Improvement Association and David HolmgrenAlamo Area of Benefit – Final Meeting

Please join your neighbors in attending the up-coming final Alamo Area of Benefit (AOB) meeting on August 21st at 6PM at Alamo School. Find out more about the Alamo AOB and ways that it could be used

for Alamo’s benefit without diverting freeway traffic through our community. The audience attending the most recent meeting appeared to favor using

Alamo AOB funds for traffic, and bicycle and pedestrian safety in and around our three public schools – Rancho Romero Elementary, Alamo Elementary School, and Stone Valley Middle School.Why is the Tri-Valley Transportation Council (TVTC) Important to Alamo?

The TVTC is composed of elected representatives of seven jurisdictions: Contra Costa County, Danville, San Ramon, Alameda County, Dublin, Liver-more, and Pleasanton. Currently, the Contra Costa County representative to TVTC is Alamo’s County Supervisor, Candace Andersen.

TVTC accrues fees from developers in the seven member jurisdictions to pay for projects that mitigate traffic caused by their new development. Every five years, TVTC also develops the Tri-Valley Action Plan Update and Update for Routes of Regional Significance, which are incorporated into the Contra Costa Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan of the Contra Costa Transpor-tation Authority. Danville Boulevard has been designated a Route of Regional Significance since 1989. TVTC is now developing its 2014 five-year update.

From its inception in 1998 until April of this year, a TVTC-funded project required a unanimous TVTC vote. The unanimous vote rule protected Alamo from TVTC funding for the County’s unpopular Stone Valley Road/Danville Boulevard intersection widening project in June, 2008, when 150 Alamo residents attended a TVTC meeting to successfully urge Alamo’s County supervisor to take the project off the TVTC funded list.

Unfortunately that protection ended in April, when TVTC representatives of the seven jurisdictions, including Alamo’s County supervisor, voted unanimously to al-

low a 6:1 supermajority vote to fund a project in a jurisdiction, but rejected a TVTC staff recommendation that would have required the representative of a jurisdiction to vote with the 6:1 supermajority. The result is that a jurisdiction’s representative can no longer stop funding for a project that is unwanted by his/her constituency unless at least one of the other six representatives chooses to vote with him/her.Be Careful Before You Dig!

You can damage a basic telephone cable and disrupt service to a home, or you may cut a fiber optic cable carrying millions of calls and expose your-self to costly repairs, if you dig around your home without knowing what is underground. There is also the real possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or an electrocution from an electric line

Here are some of the important highlights of the law.• Delineation of the proposed excavation site is mandatory. Mark the area to

be excavated with water soluble or chalk based white paint on paved surfaces or with other suitable markings such as flags or stakes on unpaved areas.

• Call at least two full working days prior to digging.• Your permit for digging will not be valid without a Dig Alert ticket number.As stated by the DigAlert website, www.DigAlert.org, “Contact your

UnderGround Alert Service by Dialing ‘811’.” California state law says, “You Must Call Before You Dig!”Neighborhood Watch

AIA is interested in helping establish a network of interested representatives from various neighborhoods and neighborhood groups in Alamo to discuss the Neighbor-hood Watch program and its benefits. Please contact AIA at [email protected] and “Thank You” to our new 2013-2014 AIA Board of Directors and Officers!

G. Nate Ball Joe Rubay - TreasurerAron DeFerrari - Transportation Roger Smith - PresidentMike Gibson – Transportation Chair Brad Waite – Exec. Vice PresidentSteve Goodman Alicia Watson - SecretaryDavid Holmgren Dave Chiapponi - PlanningJeff McClung – Planning Smitty SchmidtEd Moran – Planning Chair Jim Wadsworth – Comm. Affairs

Not at member of AIA? Consider joining and “help us, help you” and the rest of our Alamo community. Visit www.AlamoCA.org for more information and a membership form.

Alamo Police Services District P-2, Zone BDeputy Michael Carson, Alamo Resident Deputy, activities for June 2013

Deputy Carson Completed:220 Calls for service • 9 Moving citations • 2 Non-moving citations • 9 Reports

• 8 School security checks • 5 FI cardsDeputy Carson Responded to or Conducted

38 Patrol requests/Vacation house checks • 8 Alarm calls • 7 Found prop-erty • 2 Lost property • 3 Suspicious circumstances • 9 Service to citizens • 3 Vandalism • 2 Identity thefts • 13 Petty thefts • 2 Auto burglary • 2 Commercial burglaries • 3 Battery • 1 Warrant arrest • 3 Outside Assists • 3 Drug PossessionsIf I Were a Thief Program 510 Streets covered • 203 Flyers distributed Reported Incident

• Alamo Square Dr. - Miscellaneous Burglary - Deputy Carson responded to a reported Burglary from a detached garage on Alamo Square Dr. It is un-known if the pedestrian garage door into the detached garage was unlocked or not. There were no signs of forced entry. The detached garage is not in view of any homes. There are no known suspects or independent witnesses.

• Miranda Ave. - Possession of Burglary Tools, False I.D. to a Police Officer, and Outstanding Arrest Warrants - Deputy Carson responded to a reported suspi-cious circumstances on Miranda Ave. The homeowner called to report an unfamiliar subject had approached her home, which is for sale, and asked for a flyer. The subject was wearing a motorcycle helmet and did not remove it while he spoke. Shortly after the subject left the home, the homeowner called to report the incident. She provided a detailed description of the subject and the motorscooter he was riding. Deputy Carson saw the subject on Miranda Ave. and conducted an enforcement stop. While speaking to the subject, Deputy Carson was provided a name, date of birth and was told the subject did not have any identification in his possession. Using a “Mobile Web ID,” which is installed in Deputy Carson’s patrol vehicle, Deputy Carson was able to check the fingerprints in the field. Upon a “positive hit” on the subjects fin-gerprints, Deputy Carson learned the true identity of the subject. Upon checking the suspect in the system, Deputy Carson discovered he had several outstanding arrest warrants for Residential Burglary. Deputy Carson placed the suspect under arrest

for the outstanding warrants and providing false identification to a police officer. During a search of the suspects property, it was discovered he was in possession of “burglary tools.” After being admonished, the suspect admitted he was in the Alamo area looking for homes to break into and steal property. The suspect was transported to the Main Detention Facility, where he was booked on all charges.

Deputy Mike Carson is Alamo’s full time resident deputy. His position is funded by Alamo’s P-2B police services district, which includes approximately 60% of Alamo household. District households pay an $18 annual parcel tax plus a portion of the 1% property tax. The Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee advises Sheriff David Livingston on the resident deputy and his services. The Committee is composed of Alamo residents within the district and it meets on the first Monday of each month at 5pm in the offices of the Alamo Chamber of Commerce, located at 120B Alamo Plaza. Alamo citizens are welcome to attend the meetings.


ANNOUNCING OUR RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

Held Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

GRAND OPENING PARTYSaturday, August 3rd, 2013 at 2:00pm

Please join us to celebrate and welcome our new dental family!

Food and beverages will be provided.


The Eye Opener By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo OptometryPinguecula and Pterygium

Most people who look at those two words prob-ably find that they ring a bell. A patient will remem-ber them being mentioned but can’t necessarily tell what they describes. As I go through the definitions, most people will realize that they have these on their eyes, and at times they can cause a little redness or irritation.

A pinguecula (pin-GWEK-yoo-la) is a very common non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the front surface of the eye). It is usually a yellowish round bump more commonly found on the side of the eye closest to the nose, and many times it can become inflamed with blood vessels running across the eye. These do not cause any vision loss, but they can cause some irritation and tend to cause patients to have a foreign body sensation. Depending on how close it is to the cornea, it can cause increased contact lens sensation as the edge of the contact lens will rest on the pinguecula. Regardless of how inflamed or irritated a pinguecula becomes, it will remain on the conjunctiva and not grow onto the cornea.

A pterygium (tur-IJ-ee-um), however, can and often does extend onto the cornea. These two conditions are very similar, but the difference is the tissue of origin and the shape. A pterygium develops in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye underneath the conjunctiva. Pterygium also take on a triangular shape with the wider base next to the corner of the eye and the narrower edge pointed towards the center portion of the eye.

Both of these conditions are completely benign and share similar causes. By far the biggest culprit is UV exposure. It is important to realize that it is a cumulative effect of UV radiation, and a very large portion of that was done by the time you turned 18. That is why it is very important for kids to wear sunglasses and hats when they are young. The other contributors to having these conditions are dusty and chemical environments. Farmers are notorious for having very large pterygia because they have the sun, the dust, and the fumes from the chemicals that are used on the vegetation.

Treatment of these conditions is also very similar. Besides the need for UV-blocking sunglasses, lubricating drops help with the foreign body sensa-tion and help to keep the area moist. If these grow large, they become very dry because as the lids come down over the eye during blinking, it is not able to reach the entire surface and therefore it becomes dry and inflamed. The more red and inflamed these become, they quicker they tend to grow. In advanced cases, an anti-inflammatory is needed in conjunction with the

lubricating drops to get the redness and irritation under control. These drops will not remove or shrink the area down; it will only reduce the associated swelling and irritation.

If and when a pterygium grows far enough onto the cornea, surgical removal needs to be considered. If it continues to grow in front of your pupil, then vision will be compromised, and when it is removed it will leave a central scar on the cornea that will reduce vision. The need for this does not happen often, due to patients taking care of the problem with sunglasses and artificial tears. As I tell most of my patients, if you keep the pterygium happy, it will return the favor and not grow as quickly.

If you have any questions about which treatment would be best for your situation, we would be happy to see you.

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

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Modified Block ScheduleCCSS requires students to perform more complex tasks while working in groups.

Students will be asked to perform complex tasks while collaborating with classmates and using a variety of information (called text sets) sources for research. This type of work is difficult to perform in a regular 45 minute period. Therefore, we are modifying our schedule to block classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Student will rotate through even numbered classes on Wednesday and odd numbered classes on Thursday. Block classes are 83 minutes in length. On Wednesdays students have a 45 minute intervention period at the end of the day. Students who need extra support in a given class will be able to attend a study session with their teacher. Students may also use the time to complete make-up work for classes they have missed.Welcome New Staff: Allison Sass and David Andrzejewski

We will be sharing two teachers with Monte Vista for the 2013-14 school year. Here’s a little bio on each.

Allison was born and raised in Alamo and attended Stone Valley and Monte Vista. She lives in Walnut Creek with her husband and eight year old daughter. Allison at-tended Cal and earned degrees in French and English. Allison will be teaching French 1A and French 1B at Stone Valley as well as French 1, Honors French 4, and AP French Language and Culture at Monte Vista. This will be Allison’s 15th year of teaching.

David was born and raised in Fredericktown, Ohio. He attended the University of Toledo and earned a bachelor’s of science in Biomechanics. David received his credential in mathematics at CSU-Long Beach. David and his wife Mehgan live in Concord and are expecting their first child due in October. David will

be teaching Advanced Algebra I at Stone Valley as well as Algebra 1, Robotics, and Algebra 2 at Monte Vista. This will be David’s 9th year of teaching in public education.Welcome Back - Caryn Bostrom

Caryn Bostrom will be rejoining the 6th and 7th grade core teams after a six year absence. Caryn completed her student teaching and earned her first teaching assignment at Stone Valley in the 2006-07 school year.Back to School Dates

▪ 8/12 - Office Open 8AM to 4PM

▪ 8/19 - Onsite Registration 3PM to 6PM

▪ 8/20 - Onsite Registration 10AM to 1PM

▪ 8/23 - WEB Day – orientation for all new students▪ 8/27 - First Day of School - 8:15AM to 12:17PM

Stone Valley continued from page 9

To place an ad, share a story, or for more

information about our papers, call 925.405.6397 or

visit our website www.yourmonthlypaper.com

[email protected] Alamo Today ~ August 2013 - Page 23My Aching ShoulderPearls for a full recovery, Part 1By Dr. Jeffrey G. Riopelle, MD

Shoulder pain represents one of the most common easily treatable chronic sports and orthopedic injuries. More than half of people will experience shoulder pain sometime during their lifetime. Often shoulder pain lingers, having difficulty getting completely better due to the fact that we use our shoulder joint constantly throughout the day.

As joints go, the shoulder anatomy is one of the most complex joints in the body. The ball and socket anatomy consists primarily of the top of the humerus (ball) and the outer upper portion of the scapula (socket). There is another small joint as well, the acromioclavicular joint, in which the end of the clavicle articulates with the acromion process, a projection off the scapula. There is also another unique projection off the scapula called the coracoid process. Then, intertwined amongst and around the joint are several other structures; the rotator cuff, the subacromial bursa, and the labrum. The rotator cuff consists of three tendonous structures attached to three muscles; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. The subacromial bursa is a liquid sac that cushions and protects the tendons. The labrum is cuff of cartilage that helps form the socket in this ball and socket joint.

The majority of chronic shoulder problems in the adult can be lumped into three major categories, although less frequent abnormalities also exist. Over the next several issues we will cover these three most common entities; shoulder tendonitis (and torn tendons), frozen shoulder, and shoulder arthritis. Today we will discuss the extremely common rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement.

Shoulder tendonitis occurs due to inflammation of one or more of the rotator cuff tendons. The original injury usually occurs due to overuse of the tendons and muscles from sports or day-to-day activities, although it also occasionally occurs due to acute injury. The original cause can involve repeatedly reaching for items, lifting at arm’s length, moving rapidly (such as serving in tennis or volleyball), being traumatized such as being hit in the arm with arm extended, or having a jolt such as from an auto accident while holding the steering wheel. Once the tendon becomes inflamed, it is difficult to get the injury to heal on its own due to our constant use of the muscles and the shoulder joint. Common symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis include pain with abduction (raising the arm laterally) and pain with forced internal and external rotation. The diagnosis is readily made by the clini-cian as the patient has pain with forced use of any one or all three muscles in the various directions the shoulder moves. Plain x-rays are usually normal although occasionally one sees calcium deposits along involved tendons.

Treatment for the injury starts initially with ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and either home therapy using a theraband or physical therapy. If these are ineffec-tive, a cortisone injection into the subacromial space coats the damaged tendons, often allowing tendonitis to heal. The injection is also diagnostic, since the tendons are also coated with lidocaine, anesthetizing the injury, causing an immediate temporary improvement in signs and symptoms of tendonitis. Without treatment, the tendonitis itself often causes enough inflammation that the subacromial space (the tiny space through which the tendons travel) becomes over-crowded. When the arm is lifted, the acromion presses on the tendons, causing pain, resulting in the so-called “impingement syndrome.” Impingement syndrome usually responds to cortisone, but occasionally it becomes so chronic that shoulder arthroscopy is recommended to clean out the joint. Most shoulder tendonitis is curable with proper treatment, and it should be treated as early as possible to avoid wear and an eventual full thickness tear of the involved tendon.

In subsequent issues we will discuss the frozen shoulder and shoulder arthritis. In our practice, we treat most forms of shoulder injuries, acute and chronic. We do not perform shoulder surgery, but we do have an ongoing patient sponsored study for treatment of the shoulder with autologous stem cells (one’s own stem cells) in conjunction with the Ageless Institute in Boca Raton Florida. We did our original training with Dr. Joseph R. Purita, the physician who performed the stem cell joint procedure on A’s pitcher Bartolo Colon as well as numerous other pro and college athletes. We want to stress that this experimental protocol uses one’s own stem cells removed and purified out and re-placed in the joint the same day, NOT one of the highly controversial fetal stem cell procedures performed in other countries.

For information on any of our programs, please call our office, San Ramon Valley Medical Group, Inc., at (925) 275-9333 or visit our website at www.riopellecosmetic.com. We are located at 5401 Norris Canyon Rd, Ste. 312 in San Ramon. Advertorial

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Hospice Offers SupportHospice of the East Bay has announced a new Spring/Summer schedule for

their support groups and workshops for people experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes will be provided at Hospice’s Administrative Offices lo-cated at 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill. For information call 925-887-5678.Support Groups for Adults

Widow and Widowers' SupportPleasant Hill Afternoons: Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:30PM, August 1 - September 19Pleasant Hill Evenings: Wednesdays, 6- 8PM, July 31 - September 18Drop-In Bereavement Support GroupPleasant Hill: 4:30 - 6PM, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month

Support Group for Children and Teens The Bridge Pleasant Hill: Bi-monthly support program for grieving

children and teens.Support is also available for parents/guardians. New participants can start

at any time! Pre-registration is required.

Hospice Volunteers Needed Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients

and their caregivers. Opportunities include: • Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling• Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy • Mobile Notaries to witness the signing of important documents• Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members

after their loved one has died • Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) 887-5678

and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email [email protected]. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that

helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay.

To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.


Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS.Is Evening Eating Destroying Your Weight Loss Effects?

Do you eat what you think is a balanced breakfast, mid-morning snack, and healthy lunch, and then come home in the evening and go on a feeding frenzy? You feel in control, everything is going fine - until you come home at night, and starving you eat a large dinner, say

yes to dessert (and seconds), and finish off a bag of chips before bed. From a metabolic standpoint, there is really no reason not to eat food in the

evening. A calorie is a calorie regardless of when it is consumed. A morning calorie is metabolized in basically the same way as an evening calorie. How-ever, eating in the evening is a problem for many, not because of the way food is metabolized, but because of the quantity of food that is consumed.

Skipping meals is a major culprit of overeating at night. Recent studies reveal that when people ate three meals a day only 13% binged at night. When people skipped breakfast, 24% binged at night and when people skipped breakfast and lunch, 60% binged at night. In general, people who spread their meals evenly throughout the day seem to be better able to control their eating. These people are less likely to feel hungry and less likely to overeat. So, by eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner and planning snacks in between, you can help yourself lose weight as well as maintain better control of your eating throughout the day and night.

For most people, the evening is “down-time,” used to relax, watch television, and unwind from the stresses of the day. Others view this as a time to multi-task and catch up on household chores, bills, homework, and other responsibilities. Whether you’re winding down or working on your to-do list, unconscious eating can accompany your routine and result in a massive calorie intake. Devouring a bag of chips, a sleeve of cookies, or a pint of ice cream can easily occur when your mind is somewhere else.

Sleep deprivation is also major source of excessive weight. Research strongly suggests a connection between obesity and lack of adequate sleep. Statistics show that overweight individuals sleep about 1.8 hours less a week than people of normal weight. Since the 1960’s sleep duration for American adults has

dropped by as much as two hours a night, while obesity has drastically increased. Late night binging and sleep deprivation feed on each other – late night binging often creates indigestion and lack of sleep which, in turn, leads to overeating in subsequent days.

The chemical link between lack of sleep and obesity lies in the fact that sleep is a regulator of two hormones that effect appetite, leptin and ghrelin. Leptin helps suppress food intake and stimulates energy expenditure, while ghrelin stimulates appetite, fat production, and body growth. When one is sleep deprived, the level of leptin drops and ghrelin increases. The result is a drastic increase in hunger. One study reported a 24% increase in hunger, with cravings for such items as cookies, candy, and cake when there is inadequate sleep time.

I have found in my practice many helpful ways of reducing late night overeating. 1. After examining my clients eating patterns, I compute what percent of their calo-

ries are consumed after 6PM, and if the answer is one third or more there is a problem. 2. We often discuss the need to normalize sleep patterns. For example, if they

are home in the afternoon, I suggest a nap if they are having a craving and know they are not hungry. Taking a nap is “low calorie” and the craving will definitely go away because it usually only last for minutes.

3. I establish a meal plan that includes their favorite foods with meals that are balanced. I show them how their best friend is protein and fiber for every meal which prevents cravings. I teach them how to read food labels for the important nutrition facts. I give them a list of snacks that are portable for the office or in the car when commut-ing. After dinner I allow them 200 calories of snacks that are low in fat and yummy such as a low fat ice cream sandwich, a bowl of cereal, or even a few Oreo cookies.

4. We also explore what activities at night tend to trigger their overeating and develop strategies for changing them. I suggest that my clients micromanage their nighttime with non food related activities such as going on-line, taking a bath, working on a hobby, or even cleaning out the closets. Watching TV all evening sets you up to want to snack, especially with all of the food commercials.

5. I inform clients of the critical importance of exercise where if practiced they are more relaxed at night and do not get caught up in mindless eating.

I am glad to inform you that heath insurance is now paying for nutritional coun-seling. Call me and I will tell you the details. Linda is located at her office in Alamo. Please visit www.LindaRD.com for more information, helpful tips in her blog section, past articles or call her at (925) 855-0150 Advertorial

The Ferrari Club, on board since the first DDE Concours, makes it one of two annual West Coast judging events.

Early risers can watch cars arrive starting at 7:30am on Sunday. Judging begins around 10am. For the Ferrari Club, on board since the first DDE Con-cours, the Danville display is one of two annual West Coast judged events. Lafayette resident Dee LeBlanc, Chief Judge for 2013, is a Blackhawk Mu-seum docent inspired by past DDE events to complete course work for judging certification. With additional car clubs taking advantage of the venue every year, the number of categories judged keeps increasing. The always-popular racecar parade begins about 11:40am. James Bond fans will appreciate the Aston Martin exhibits honoring the manufacture’s 100th anniversary.

Don Williams, President of the Blackhawk Museum, praises the show as an exceptional family outing that doesn’t require a Ferris wheel. “The first time you come,” he insists, “won’t be the last.” Traveling when DDE debuted, Williams decided a few years ago that he had to get involved. “I realized everything I specialized in, they didn’t have.” Heading that list was offering the Blackhawk Museum as a venue for Saturday night’s dinner crowd whose numbers could no longer be accommodated at private residences. Us-ing his contacts to encourage owners of both premiere automobiles and fun, funky vehicles to participate, Williams helped DDE expand and diversify the Concours.

In addition to savoring a lavish meal with accompanying Wente wines, dinner attendees can view the museum collection and enjoy the James Bond theme underscored by appropriate vintage Aston Martins before bidding on silent and live auction items. Roberta Gonzales, four-time Emmy award-winning Weather Anchor for CBS 5, will be MC at this year’s dinner. Typical auction items include an African safari, a private garage tour of car collections not otherwise available to the public, and an all-inclusive barbecue cooked by the Men of d’Elegance. For the 2012 roast, Norm’s Place donated a whole pig and grill master. Mangia Mia contributed the sides. Both restaurants are located in Danville.

Robin Halloran, involved with DDE since the beginning, gratefully ac-knowledges: “We could not do what we do without all of the help and support

Concours continued from page 18 we receive from the community. Our event greatly depends on the generos-ity of many groups, our volunteers, the city, the residents of Danville, and, of course, the businesses in and around Danville. The Danville businesses have contributed in many ways, whether it is through donations to our auc-tions, use of their private parking lots, use of their electricity, or equipment provided for various things.”

Bauerfeind summarizes: “The community has allowed this event to grow into being one of the premiere cause-focused automotive events in the East Bay. The growth from the first year as a Concours in downtown Danville to now a full weekend of events to support our mission in raising funds for Parkinson’s research and patient care has turned this event into one of the largest Parkinson’s events nationally.”

To learn more, register for events and follow links to the PI and MJFF, visit www.danville-delegance.org.


Meals on WheelsSeniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Se-

nior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.

Latisse UpdateBy Dr. Jerome Potozkin

Accidental discoveries happen all the time in modern medicine. Years ago Rogaine (Minoxidil) was discovered when patients taking Minoxidil noticed increased hair growth. This ultimately led to studies in which Minoxidil, when applied to the scalp, was shown to prevent hair loss. Some lucky individuals actually grow new hair with Rogaine. Today Rogaine is widely used to treat male and

female hair loss. It was initially available with a prescription but is now available over the counter.

One of the newer exciting accidental discoveries involves Latisse to treat eyelashes. The active ingredient in Latisse, Bimatoprost, was initially used as an eye drop to treat patients with glaucoma. These patients noticed that their eyelashes became longer and thicker. The exact mechanism of action is not known, but it is thought to increase the active growth phase of the hair follicle. I was amazed at the results of Latisse one night when I was out do dinner with my beautiful wife Monica. As I looked across the table into her eyes, I suddenly noticed how long and full her eyelashes appeared. When I asked her about her lashes, she told me that she had been using Latisse for about eight weeks. We had just started to dispense Latisse in the office, and I did not know she had started to use it. The results were dramatic. I have heard similar stories from many patients. I have also had patients with almost no lash develop full eyelashes.

The marketing of Latisse was initially aimed at younger women desiring fuller lashes. However, we now know that many older women who have noticed thinning of their lashes are interested in using Latisse. As we age our lashes actually get thinner, and we lose some follicles. Latisse can restore a more youthful appearing eye by creating fuller lashes.

Latisse is used by applying a small drop of liquid to a sterile applicator once a day. Many people use it on a daily basis for 2-4 months, and once they reach the desired result they will only use it 3-4 times per week. Side effects are uncommon and include redness and dryness of the eyelid. There is some misinformation about Latisse causing blue eyes to turn brown (as opposed to the Crystal Gale song “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”). When the active ingredient (bimatoprost) is used as an eye drop, it will cause some patients with dark eyes to turn darker. There are no reports of patients using Latisse applied topically to their lids having any change in eye color. It is widely regarded as being very safe. Other uses for Latisse have been discovered. I have found that for some patients with loss of pigmentation, La-tisse can help with re-pigmentation. This is what is considered an “off label” use for the medication where it can be used for things other than what they were originally FDA approved for.

As Latisse is a prescription, it must be pre-scribed by or used under the supervision of a physician. We have been dispensing Latisse in our office since it has been available. If you are interested in having fuller eyelashes, feel free to call our office at (925) 838-4900. The first ten patients to mention this article will receive a complimentary mild facial cleanser with any Latisse purchase. This of-fer expires on August 21, 2013.

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

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Festival continued from front page

mediate initial reconstruction. This first stage reconstruction commonly involves placement of special kind of breast implant, called a tissue expander, that can be expanded over time to create the look of a breast immediately following the breast removal. Unlike the final implant, this must be initially small in volume to protect the breast skin as it heals after the mastectomy. It can be expanded over a few months to the desired volume and changed out for a silicone gel implant in a minor surgery. If the nipple had to be removed, nipple reconstruction is the final stage of reconstruction, and this is performed as an outpatient surgery.

In certain circumstances, the use of an implant is not ideal. In these cases, a flap reconstruction offers an effective and aesthetically acceptable alternative. Flaps utilize extra folds of muscle, muscle and skin, or fat and skin to create breast tissue post-therapeutic surgery. With this technique the breast can be created using a patient’s own tissue and with or without an implant. The lower abdominal wall, the back, the buttocks, and the hips are all viable donor sites for breast reconstruction.

I work with a team of local doctors and surgeons in treating breast cancer. Your general surgeon will remove the involved breast tissue. If they feel that you need a mastectomy or that removal of the breast cancer will leave a defect, they will refer you to a plastic surgeon. This may lead you to see me. I see many breast cancer patients each week and maintain a steadfast commitment to my patients physical and mental wellbeing before, during, and after surgery. My staff and I recognize that finding and picking your team of surgeons is an important step in your recovery process.

As I have mentioned in previous articles, breast cancer patients hold a special place in my heart and in my practice. As part of my commitment to continually improving our breast cancer program, we are going to host a series of educational events. We welcome interested parties to our first Reconstruction Brunch for an informative and candid discussion on the latest treatment options. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other local breast cancer patients and support groups, and to get valuable, personal insight from an experienced Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon. For more information on the time and location of the event, please call 925-283-4012 to reserve your seat. The $25 ticket includes brunch, admission to the talk, and coupons redeemable for skin care and products offered at Persons Plastic Surgery. Please visit us online or call our office for more information or to schedule a consultation!

Barbara L. Persons, MD is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Sur-gery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or [email protected]. Advertorial

Breast Cancer, Reconstructing Female FormBy Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

After the initial shock of diagnosis, a woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer is understandably over-come with disbelief and fear. Suddenly, she is faced with the question of how to preserve the essence of herself as a female and at the same time treat her cancer. Thankfully, advances in breast cancer treatments can often remove

the cancer while preserving her shape. One option is reconstructive breast surgery, which can help maintain both personal and feminine identity,

In many cases, breast reconstruction can be performed in conjunction with a mas-tectomy. Breast reconstruction rather than mastectomy alone can drastically improve a patient’s emotional and mental recovery. Many national studies support immediate reconstruction (done at the same time as the mastectomy) to preserve our sense of our-selves as women. Women who opt for immediate reconstruction can keep their physical form closer to what it was, never wake up without any breast form, and can feel more whole during their recovery. The challenges of possible chemotherapy or radiation are less daunting with breasts more intact. Based on the size and spread of the cancer, and patient’s intended therapy, a patient’s reconstructive surgery options vary widely.

Many women can have a lumpectomy alone or a lumpectomy with radiation and be essentially cured of breast cancer. For others, the best treatment and chance of remission is with bilateral mastectomies, removal of the breasts and reconstruction with implants or with tissue flaps. The breast cancer team can help you decide what is best for you. This usually means seeing a general surgeon, who frequently performs breast surgery. This surgeon will refer you to the other doctors as required to treat your cancer. These include the oncologist, the radiation oncologist, the genetic counsellor, the radiologist, and the plastic surgeon. The entire reconstructive process, if a mas-tectomy is needed, generally takes three to twelve months and three surgeries - one major and two minor procedures for implant placement and nipple reconstruction.

If you do not need removal of the entire breast (mastectomy), lumpectomy, with or without radiation, may be used to treat your breast cancer. For larger lumpectomies, oncoplastic techniques are both therapeutic and breast-preserving. These techniques involve removal of the lump followed by local tissue rearrangement to fill the defect.

For patients requiring mastectomy, it is the current standard of care to offer im-

• Tickets for four to Giants or A’s game, cour-tesy of Bay Area News-East Bay

• Two Nights at Peppermill Resort Casino, Tom and Noreen Seeno

• Jeroboam (3 liters) of Cashmere• And many more wonderful prizes!Raffle and dinner tickets may be purchased

in advance at Mark Kahn Jewelers in Alamo or from any Rotary member. They may also be pur-chased throughout the day at the Rotary Booth.

In the evening, the Alamo Rotary Club will present its annual Citizen of the Year award. The recipient is selected from among many local nominees who epitomize active involvement in community affairs and projects. Past winners have been Nancy Dommes, Roger Smith, Vicki Koc, Elmer Glasser, and Alisa Corstorphine.

The Festival is first and foremost a fund rais-ing event with the proceeds donated to music education at the local schools: Alamo Elemen-tary, Ranch Romero, Stone Valley, Monte Vista, San Ramon, and Mauzy School.

Much of our money comes from very generous sponsors. There is a complete package of sponsor-ship opportunities to people who wish to promote their businesses or contribute to this worthwhile charitable event. For more information on becom-ing a sponsor, please call Don Morton, (925)217-3123 or [email protected].

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Genetic Testing, Cancer Risk, and Angelina Jolie’s ChoiceBy Tiffany Svahn, MD

Actress Angelina Jolie stunned the world

with her decision to have a preventive double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. “I hope that other women can benefit from my experience,” wrote Jolie. “Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness.” But for Jolie, and many others, getting genetic testing and taking action may offer control and comfort.

How do you know if genetic testing is right for you? As a medical on-cologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, I talk about BRCA testing, family history, cancer risk, and preventive options for breast and ovarian cancer with my patients. It’s a simple enough blood test to perform, and I strongly recommend it be done in conjunction with genetic counseling.

We refer our patients to an expert in the field, Margo Thelander, MS, CGC at the Cancer Institute at John Muir Health. She has a masters in ge-netic counseling, is board-certified through the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and is licensed by the state of California. “It is important that patients understand the purpose and goals of genetic counseling. Together we explore the benefits of genetic testing, feelings about positive and negative test results, and the use of information to pro-actively make decisions for themselves and their loved ones,” Margo explains. “Everyone who meets with a genetic counselor ends up with a clearer sense of their risks and things they can do to modify them. After undergoing genetic testing, the results can

Skin Cancer ScreeningsRoad to Healthy Skin Tour

On Wednesday, August 28, from 10am – 4pm at the Rite Aid parking lot at the Palos Verdes Mall in Walnut Creek, stop by for a prescheduled free full-body skin cancer screening by licensed dermatologists. The event is sponsored by Skin Cancer Foundation and California Skin and Melanoma Center.Just the Facts Regarding Skin Cancer

Dermatologist, Dr. Shanny Baughman from Alamo Oaks Dermatology will discuss prevention, early detection, and treatment options. This educational talk will highlight the ABCDEs of skin cancer, basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Refreshments and skin screen are provided! The event will be held Friday, August 30 (please call for time), at 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.

For more information or to register for either event, call 925-677-7287.

Alamo Today ClassifiedsReach over 6,700 homes and businesses in Alamo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rent-

als, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Lafayette Today” or “Danville Today News” at half off!Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo 94507 or editor@yourmonthly-

paper.com. Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

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C L A S S I F I E DCONDO VACATION RENTAL Mauna Lani Resort, Big Island. New luxury 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo on 4th fairway. Minimum 3 night stay. Contact Alamo owners for discounted rate. (925)381-7042 [email protected]

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either alleviate anxiety or provide information that allows the individual to take proactive steps to prevent cancer,” she continues.

First, I recommend assessing where in life you are if you learn you have a genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Next, I suggest having a thorough discussion of all medical options to be considered including:

• A careful and aggressive monitoring program utilizing mammogram and breast MRI and self breast exam on a regular basis

• Breast surgery to reduce risk• Removal of ovaries which can often lower breast cancer risk• Medications that can reduce the risk of breast cancerIf you decide genetic testing is something you want to do, it is best to

contact your primary care provider, gynecologist, or medical oncologist who can make the referral to a genetic counselor.

Tiffany Svahn, MD is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. Dr. Svahn specializes in treating patients with breast cancer. Dr. Svahn sees patients at Diablo Valley Oncology’s com-prehensive cancer center is located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill and at their satellite office in San Ramon. For more information call 925-677-5041. Advertorial

Cancer Support CommunityThe following events are held at the Cancer Support Community, located

at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. The events are free, but reserva-tions are required. For reservations and information, call (925) 933-0107.Frankly Speaking About Cancer Treatment: Take Control of Side Ef-fects with Medicine, Mind, and Body - Saturday, August 3rd ~ 10AM - Noon

Learn strategies to manage treatment side effects such as fatigue, anemia, infection, and pain. Learn how to manage emotional distress and optimize quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Facilitated by Diana Lon-gacre, RN, OCN, a Kaiser Oncology Nurse and cancer survivor. For people with cancer, their families and friends.Update on Head and Neck Cancer - Tuesday, August 27th ~ 6PM – 8PM

Join Dr. Richard Carmel and Gail Santos-Silva, RN, OCN, and learn about advances in the treatment of head and neck cancers along with strategies for managing side effects. Dr. Carmel and Gail Santos-Silva are with John Muir Health. For people with cancer and their caregivers.


Data presented in this column is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Contra Costa and Alameda MLS service and other quoted sources. Joe Combs, Nancy Combs, The Combs Team, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

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Alamo Condos and Land January-JulyCondos Units Sold Days on Mkt List Price Sold Price $ Per Sq. Ft

2010 5 35 494,370$ 478,680$ 306$ 2013 3 13 505,333$ 500,266$ 349$

Change -40% -63% 22% 5% 14%

Land Units Sold Days on Mkt List Price Sold Price $ Per Sq. Ft2010 6 145 487,666$ 453,333$ 20$ 2013 3 129 683,000$ 610,000$ 20.25$

Change -50% -12% 40% 34% 1%

Alamo Real Estate: Land and Condos Year-to-Date ReviewI was reminded last week that it’s been awhile since I last reported on condo and

land sales, so I thought I would use this month’s column to catch everyone up on where these two markets sit. The numbers tend to be small, so rather than doing a historical chart and including every year, I thought I would just contrast the markets from the 2010 trough, and today, using data from the beginning of the year to now (Jan. 1-July 18) and see what we can learn.

In the attached chart you can see that the number of condo/townhomes sold in 2013 has decreased by 40% from 2010, most likely due to low inventory. Days on Market have decreased by 63%, and that is a very positive sign. Prices have jumped by a whopping 22%, and dollars per square foot have increased by 14%. If you have been waiting to pick up a condo at a bargain basement price, it seems that time has passed as the market is raging and condos are in short supply with zero active listings at this time.

Currently there are three condos and townhomes pending sale in Alamo (not shown in chart) with an average square foot price of $350. The pending sales are listed at a price of $505,333 and have been sitting for an average of only 31 days. This is about double the length of time (Days on Market) of those units already sold and suggests that the market or Alamo townhomes and condos may be leveling a bit as we head into the fall. Normal markets follow a seasonal pattern, so this is also a good sign.

Will Rogers famous quote, “Land, they aren’t making any more of it,” implies that land always goes up in value. We know that’s true if we take the long view. Today’s chart agrees completely with Mr. Roger’s famous quote, and the attached chart shows that raw land prices in Alamo have fared far better than multi-unit housing and have climbed liked a mountain goat since the 2010 trough.

To be fair to my readers, I am compelled to point out that suburban land for the

most part is a real estate investment and does not have the same intrinsic value (I can live in it or rent it out) that a home has. With a combination of high taxes, debt service and value loss, raw land was a disastrous investment during the recent down turn. Fortunately for local Alamo real estate land investors, the market is rising up on most dimensions measured here with dollar per square foot price up only slightly by 1%. A positive sign is that days on market have decreased somewhat. However, in

the overall scheme of things, land sales consistently take more time than home sales.Given the positive press we are receiving daily on new home sales and new

home starts in the national news, it is likely the Alamo land market will continue to improve. From a seller’s perspective, today is a good time to list land, and from a buyer’s perspective, it’s a good time to buy as it is unlikely that we will go negative again anytime soon. For more information and articles about the Alamo real estate market, please visit our website at www.thecombsteam.com.

Nancy and I would be delighted to help you list or buy Alamo Real Estate. If you would like an honest opinion of your property’s current market value, please give me a call 925-989-6086 or send me an email [email protected].