alamo today, march 2013

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Save Mount Diablo: Focus on the FutureBy Jody Morgan

Viewing Mount Diablo from the surrounding valleys generates a false sense that everything in sight has been preserved. When Save Mount Diablo (SMD) was founded in 1971, the State Park contained 6,788 acres. Today, thanks to the efforts of SMD and partner agen-cies such as East Bay Regional Park District, 110,000 acres in more than forty parks comprise a network of public open space including the now 20,000-acre State Park. Yet huge tracts of land in the midst of the Diablo Wilderness remain at risk of being utilized in ways detrimental to the quality of life of area residents.

You don’t have to be enthused by environmental issues to recognize the value added to valley real estate by the Mount Diablo vista and the remarkable recreational possibilities the Diablo Wilderness offers. “The mountain forms a visual framework for the entire Bay Area,” remarks Malcolm Sproul, SMD Board President for fourteen years. If enjoying more than the visual impact of a pristine peak is on your agenda, take a hike. “In the midst of a very developed area there is a large area of public open space – so large you can walk for four days crossing only two little-traveled roads,” notes Scott Hein, current SMD Board President.

Hein’s serious involvement with SMD began when his mother died. He and his sister wanted to honor her memory by donating a Heritage Tree. “Staff member, Seth Adams, joined us for a hike on the property, and by the time we were done, we hadn’t chosen a tree – he had convinced each of us to adopt an entire grove.” Always interested in photography, Scott welcomed Seth’s encouragement. Hein’s photographs bring the mountain to everyone.

If you are free April 24th-27th for an exceptional experience of pampered camping, Four Days Diablo (FDD) will take you on a 30-mile adventure from Wal-nut Creek to Brentwood. Local restaurants provide gourmet meals. Because wine and beer are offered at the close of the day, participants must be at least 21 years old. SMD volunteers transport and set up all gear, even infl ating luxury-size air mattresses. Experts on hand each day guide hikers. You may see peregrine falcons, tadpoles of the endangered red-legged frog, or even a golden eagle. What about wildfl owers?

“Mount Diablo has 10% of California’s fl ora both native and non-native. That includes seven mountain-specifi c or regional endemic species,” notes Heath Bartosh, SMD Board member and Rare Plant Program Chair for the California Native Plant Society. Bartosh

March 2013 Serving Alamo and Diablo

Volume XIII - Number 33000F 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 refl ect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 263Alamo CA

ECRWSS

LocalPostal Customer

See SMD continued on page 23

Four Days Diablo showcases the SMD mission. Photo by Scott Hein.

Contra Costa Public Works Department staff held a meeting to update the community on the Alamo Area of Benefi t (AOB) Program. The review of the Alamo AOB is slated to take 6-7 months and include a series of four community meetings. The fi rst meeting was held Tuesday, February 26th at the Swain House at Hap Magee Park. An overfl ow crowd of approximately 135 attendees came to hear about the Alamo AOB update process and what the community can expect. Six tasks were outlined including community involvement, evaluation of current AOB program, AOB development potential, AOB needs analysis, project cost estimates, and the Nexus study. After this initial meeting, Public Works will assemble baseline data on existing travel patterns and system performances, prepare forecasts of future conditions, and identify existing and future defi ciencies. The second meeting to be held Tuesday, April 23rd from 6-8pm at Alamo Elementary School located at 100 Wilson Rd in Alamo will cover communication of the results of the baseline data on existing travel patterns and system performances, forecasts of future conditions, and identifi cation of defi ciencies followed by a discussion of what these results mean to the Alamo community. Staff members from Supervisor Candace Anderson’s offi ce in attendance stated Supervisor Anderson has no intention of approving any plans to widen Danville Blvd. through Alamo. See page 22 for information about the AOB provided by the Alamo Improvement Association. For more information, visit www.cccpublicworks.org or contact Supervisor Anderson’s offi ce at 925-957-8860 or email [email protected].

www.yourmonthlypaper.com

properly carve the turkey. I got to sit back and enjoy the event!My mother-in-law’s vintage crock pot sat on our shelf unused for a number

of years. It was pulled out of the cupboard after having a delicious crockpot ham at a friend’s house and has since become a staple in our kitchen. We now cook big batches of stews and other meat dishes and freeze them. The frozen meals, which also include dozens of homemade breakfast and dinner burritos, are shipped with friends who travel from our area to my two children who are still in college. The meals get them through times when they need something quick and easy, and they don’t have extra money to spend.

I have probably single-handedly caused multiple shelf restockings at the store as I have switched from most of my plastic storage containers to glass ones. Mason jars aren’t just for canning fruits, veggies, and preserves. They are the perfect vessel for soups, sauces, salads, and quick oatmeal breakfasts. Do a websearch on “mason jar meals”

and you’ll fi nd a plethora of meals that you can freeze, microwave, bake, and pack in a lunchbag. My current favorite (pic-tured above) is differ-ently flavored oatmeal with fruits and seeds that

are perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts.Our middle child called me after an outing spearfi shing in Santa Barbara,

and he wanted to know how to cook the fi sh he had just caught. His fi rst thought and question was, “Can I just fry it and put cream of mushroom soup on top?” Yes, that was one way to do it, I noted, but I further shared that he should “respect the fi sh” and simply savor it as the special food it was and not try to hide it under some “gluppy” sauce. There is still more for my children to learn about cooking, but we are enjoying our new food journeys.

- March 2013 ~ Alamo Today

Boulevard ViewBy Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

In this age of heightened food awareness, I refl ect on what our family eats now and what we ate a few short years ago. Due to newly discovered allergies, new exercise regimes, and concerns about the com-mon food supply, our diet has opened up to many different new foods and preparation techniques.

I consider cooking to be an essential life skill that I made sure our children had under their belt before

leaving the nest. While they weren’t initially eager chefs, they all enjoy home cooked meals and have embraced, and jumped into, the fun and art of cooking. They have even started requesting cooking gadgets for birthday and holiday gifts.

Over Christmas I purchased two smaller turkeys rather than one large one to feed the crowd. However, when the time came to start marinating and prepping the turkeys, I lost my motivation to prepare them. I came up with a brilliant (in my-mind and albeit self-serving) idea and convinced my two sons that everyone needs to know how to cook a turkey. I created a challenge and gave them free rein to each cook a turkey however they wished. They immedi-ately embraced the challenge and began internet searches to fi nd the perfect recipe. Of course they found we needed to add a new device to our gad-get collection, so we were off to the store for an infuser to shoot in the concoctions of spices they came up with. One of my sons prepared a more traditional recipe while the other chose a “General Tso’s” variation. While one turkey was the victim of an out-of-whack oven temperature, and a pan that wasn’t as effective, both were delicious, and great learning occurred (especially when it came to delving into the bag of spare parts in the turkey cavity).I further reinforced the experience by having one of my younger nephews learn how to

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www.yourmonthlypaper.com - March 2013 ~ Alamo Today

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.

A Night on BroadwayCome join the Xenophon team of supporters for A Night on Broadway gala

dinner, auction, wine toss, dance, and more to support Xenophon Theraputic Riding Center. The annual gala is the biggest fundraising event of the year. The event takes place on March 9th from 6-10pm at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. The cost is $100/person, and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.xenophontrc.org, email [email protected], or call Mari Parino at (925)212-8788.

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center is located in a beautiful rural set-ting in Orinda. They offer life-changing experiences for children with a wide range of disabilities. They provide therapeutic horseback riding in a safe and secure environment. The children achieve goals that they never before dreamed possible, and focus is put on enhancing their unique abilities. With a horse as their guide, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Antique and Collectible Appraisal Event How Much Are Your Treasures Worth?

The annual Antique and Collectibles Appraisal Event is open to everyone from amateurs to serious collectors and even those wishing just to observe and learn more about the value of antiques and collectibles. The event will be held Sunday, March 10th from noon to 4:30PM at The Gardens at Heather Farm, located at 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek. The cost for entry and appraisal of the fi rst three items is $15, and there’s a $5 charge for each additional item.

Professional appraisers donate their time at the event, evaluating objects in such categories as Oriental Art and Objects, Toys and Trains, Jewelry, Clocks and Watches, Stamps and Coins, and Household Contents. All proceeds benefi t The Gardens at Heather Farm, a non-profi t organization that promotes an appreciation and understanding of ecology and horticulture through its educational programs and demonstration gardens.

For more information, call The Gardens at Heather Farm at (925) 947-1678 or visit www.gardenshf.org.

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Free Tax Preparation Free tax preparation for the 2013 tax season is available starting in February

from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) pro-grams. All tax preparers are trained and certifi ed by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit for whom they can serve. EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000.

For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites, please call (925) 973-3250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site, or (925) 480-7202 for the St. Isidore Ministry Center site. For information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appoint-ment your: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo ID for yourself and spouse • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2011 Tax Return.San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10AM the third Tuesday of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. There will be a speaker at every meeting. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, visit www.srvgensoc.org, or email [email protected].

Alamo-Danville Newcomers ClubPlease join us for a free Welcome Coffee on Thursday, March 28, 10:00AM

to noon to meet members and learn about the Club. For further details, call us at (925) 281-1307.

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

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 offi ce at 150 Alamo Plaza #C, Alamo.


Host Families Sought for Visiting French Students

For the eighth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming to Danville. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April 20th and depart May 2nd (after our local Spring Break).

The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and one weekend.

The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate.

For more information or to fi nd out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at caussefl [email protected] or [email protected].

There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you (in-cluding the editor of this paper!). The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at [email protected] or 925-718-5052.

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Alamo Home Sales – February 2013 Bed/Bath List Price Sale Price612 Banister Lane 5/4 $1,389,950 $1,360,000270 Bolla Avenue 5/3½ $1,519,000 $1,512,000400 Bolla Place 4/2½ $1,099,000 $1,084,000927 Forest Lane 4/2½ $950,000 $950,000409 Inspiration Court 5/4½ $1,750,000 $1,640,6251620 Litina Drive 6/3 $949,900 $910,0001440 Livorna Road 5/4 $1,599,000 $1,599,000190 Mountain Canyon 5/3 $1,100,000 $1,100,0002501 Roundhill Drive 5/4 $1,775,000 $1,721,0001428 Sunnybrook Road 4/3 $750,000 $739,000144 Woodlyn Road 5/3½ $1,625,000 $1,600,000All single family homes sold in Alamo 01/21/13 thru 02/21/13

Delta Nu Psi Collection for the Troops

Delta Nu Psi will be again collecting “gour-met junk food” for the Troops at CVS in Alamo and Lunardi’s in Danville.

The CVS Alamo collection will be held March 8th, and the collection at Lunardi’s in Danville will be held on March 15th. The hours at both stores will be 11am to 2pm.

On February 21st ten boxes were shipped to the Troops. The group has now mailed 1053 box-es weighing 26,026 pounds. All of this wouldn’t be possible without our excellent shoppers. Cash donations for postage are also welcome.

For more information, visit deltanupsi.org.

History Comes to Life with Speakers at the Museum of the SRVIn conjunction with the current exhibit “What’s In a Name, Tracing Our Valley’s Early Families,” the Museum of

the San Ramon Valley will host special presentations every Saturday morning in March at 10:30AM. Featured guests will talk with visitors about the Valley’s colorful history, discussing the portraits and items on display in the Museum.

• March 9: Roxie Wiedemann Lindsay, as Mary Wiedemann, will talk about her family and Wiedemann Ranch.• March 16: Betty Humburg Dunlap will discuss her family – the Stones and the Humburgs.• March 23: Betty Casey will represent Rose Peters and the Portuguese Americans who settled in the Valley.• March 30: Sonya Borlandelli will speak as Mary Cox Baldwin, grandmother of Congressman John F. Baldwin, Jr.The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is locate at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. To fi nd out more, call

(925) 837-3750, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.museumsrv.org.

Betty Casey re-enacting Rose Peters at the Danville Cemetery Tour.

Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum Come to Forest Home Farms Historic Park and the Glass House Museum for Fun on the Farm from 10am to 2pm the

second Saturday of each month. On these days you can step back in time to explore the site, enjoy tours, and partici-pate in a free activity from days gone by. On March 9th the theme for the day will be “Mystery Gadgets and Tools.” Over the years the patent offi ce has been busy recording the latest ideas to make work in the kitchen and around the farm easier. Many of these time-saving contraptions have been replaced by newer technology. See if you can guess what some of the objects in our collection were used for, and then try using a few of these hand-powered devices.

Tours of the restored Victorian Glass House Museum will be held at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm, and tours of For-est Home Farms Historic Park, including the tractor museum, will be held at 11am and 1pm. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes, and the fee is $5 per person or $8 for both tours taken on the same day. Tour tickets can be purchased in the Gift Shoppe. Children ages two and under are free.

For more information about Forest Home Farms Historic Park, call (925) 973-3284 or visit www.SanRamon.ca.gov. The Park is lo-cated at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., just south of Pine Valley Road in San Ramon.


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Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley Calls for 2013 Grant ApplicationsOffering More than $35,000 to Community Non-Profi t Organizations

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley, through its affi liation with the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foun-dation, has issued a call for community non-profi t organizations throughout the area to apply for more than $35,000 in grants to be awarded during 2013. Ranging from $500 to $3,000, the Kiwanis grants are designed to support programs and projects that help both specifi c organizations and the broader community.

According to the grants chairman, John Lineweaver, the bulk of the grants will be awarded in May. Additional monies will be held in reserve to provide emergency grants, fund Kiwanis community service projects, support four local Kiwanis High School Key Clubs, and support Grad Nights of local Public High Schools. The total of this direct youth support will exceed $15,000, making the total dollar amount of community service grants and funding by Kiwanis $50,000 for 2013.

Lineweaver noted that Kiwanis generally recognizes grant applications from projects that serve residents of the San Ramon Valley, although non-profi t organizations need not be located in the Valley itself. Specifi c eligibility criteria are listed on the Kiwanis website at www.kiwanis-srv.org. Because Kiwanis makes a single grant to the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation for distribution to district schools, grants are NOT available for individual schools.

Grant consideration is given to programs that focus on children, the infi rm or the elderly, and those in need of solace, comfort or consolation. Last year, 40 separate non-profi t organizations received grants.

Applications and further information, including eligibility criteria, can be obtained from the Kiwanis website at www.kiwanis-srv.org or by contacting John Lineweaver at 925-837-3665. The deadline for grant applications is Monday, March 11, 2013, and winners will be announced at a Grants Award Presentation on Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. More than 600,000 Kiwanis family members in 96 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is “Serving the Children of the World.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley is invited to visit www.kiwanis-srv.org. The club holds weekly luncheon meetings at noon on Thursdays at Round Hill Country Club

San Ramon Valley Republican Women FederatedPresent Businessman, Tom Vaillancourt, “Obama Doesn’t Care!”

How much do you know about Obamacare? Our March speaker has been studying this Plan for a long time and has become an expert on the issue. Mr. Vaillancourt has developed a presentation that breaks down Obamacare into understandable segments. He concentrates on the big picture and shows how this horrifi c law affects every American. He has met with doctors, people in the insurance industry, and other professionals to understand this Plan. If you are as confused about what is in Obamacare as many are (remember they voted on it before they read it!), then plan to attend the March meeting. We need to prepare ourselves with what is “kicking in” on January 1, 2014!

The talk takes place Tuesday, March 26th. Social hour begins at 11:30am, and the luncheon and speaker start at noon. The cost is $25.

For reservations, call Mary at 925-837-5465 or email [email protected]. Reservations are due by Thursday, March 21st. To assure yourself a place at the table, make your reservation early!

For more information about San Ramon Valley Republican Women Feder-ated, visit www.srvrwf.org.

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College is Real Fundraiser & Dinner DanceHelp Richmond High School students “Beat the Odds” on April 27th at the 2nd annual College is Real Fundraiser and Dinner Dance at Round Hill Country Club.The community event will start at 6PM, and participants are encouraged to dress in Kentucky Derby Style. That means wearing big, fun hats and spring sun dresses

for the women and brightly colored shirts/suits for the guys. Of course, all Derby attire is completely optional, but, we will have a judge for some of the best costumes!Last year we were able to raise over $60,000 for the College is Real Program and have over 20 new mentors working with Richmond students. We are also seeking event sponsors that will be recognized at the event, in the program, in the media, and on the CIR Website, and we are also looking for new and

exciting items and trips for our Live Auction. Please contact Lisa Blackwell at [email protected] if you or your company can help or for tickets and event information.Read more about the College is Real Program at collegeisreal.org. This program, that helps students apply and get into college, has grown from 16 students in

2005 to over 100 students in 2012-13. In addition to the 100 students on-campus that CIR serves, 77 students have graduated from the program, and 70 have attended college. CIR also had its fi rst alums graduate from college in 2012. Please help these deserving students beat the odds, and make their dreams of college come true!

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

the United States (VFW) will be held on Wednesday, March 20th. 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.


Monique MartinMonique MartinBetter Homes Realty proudly presentsproudly presents

1851 Piedras Circle, AlamoFabulous Whitegate remodel with separate guest

house. Includes granite kitchen with stainless appliances. Wood fl oors through most of the home. Plantation shutters, dual pane windows, and custom

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149 Emmons Canyon Lane, AlamoBeautifully remodeled in Bryan Ranch. Backs to open space. This gracious home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 full

baths, and is over 3,200sq.ft. Upgrades include plantation shutters, molding accents, extensive built-

ins, fabulous granite kitchen with cherrywood cabinetry, family room, and bonus room. The master bath is also fi nely enhanced with granite and cherry-

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1672 Via Romero, AlamoPrestigious Jones Ranch situated on four wooded

acres with views. This stately remodeled home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a grand chef granite kitchen open to the family room and also boasts three custom fi replaces, skylights, molding accents, volume ceilings

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Would You Like to Serve on Contra Costa’s Retirement Board?

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals with a sound business back-ground, experience in pension fund investment or administration, or in equity investments or banking, to serve on the Contra Costa County Employees’ Re-tirement Association (CCCERA) Board of Trustees.

The Retirement Board is responsible for the admin-istration, management, and guidance of the County’s

defi ned benefi t pension system with assets over $5.5 billion and an unfunded liability of close to $1.2 billion. Board trustees are fi duciaries who analyze the merits of investment products and work with the staff (internal Chief In-vestment Offi cer and outside investment consultants) to determine successful diversifi cation for the pension fund. Part of the investment duties of the Board trustees may include onsite visits to existing or proposed investment managers and attendance at investment educational seminars throughout the year.

The Board reviews actuarial valuations, studies, and economic assump-tions to protect and maintain CCCERA’s fi nancial viability for current and future members. Board trustees make policy decisions that shape how this complex system functions, including implementing benefi t structures and contribution rates for employee and employer members.

Board trustees approve service retirements, disability applications, and retiree cost-of-living adjustments. With legal guidance, the Board makes decisions on a variety of issues, from listening to members with specifi c concerns to IRS regulation compliance.

The Retirement Board is made up of 12 trustees. Four trustees (including an alternate) are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, four trustees (including a police/fi re “Safety” alternate) are elected by CCCERA’s active plan participants, and two trustees, including one alternate, are elected by the retired membership. Alternates vote in the absence of specifi c trustees. The County Treasurer serves as an ex-offi cio member. Board members serve three year terms, with the exception of the County Treasurer, who serves

during his tenure in offi ce. Regular meetings of the Retirement Board are held the second and fourth

Wednesdays of each month beginning at 9AM and sometimes extending into the afternoon. There may also be additional meetings on special topics that arise from time to time. Members of the Retirement Board receive $100 per meeting, up to a monthly maximum of $500, plus reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.

This recruitment seeks to fi ll one permanent seat that will become vacant on June 30, 2013. The appointment will be made for a new three-year term beginning July 1, 2013 and concluding on June 30, 2016. Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 335-1900 or by visiting the County website at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553, no later than 5PM on Friday, April 12, 2013. Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews on Monday, May 13, 2013 and Mon-day, June 10, 2013. Further information about the Retirement Board can be obtained by calling Retirement CEO Marilyn Leedom at (925) 521-3960 or by visiting the website at www.cccera.org.

To be considered, candidates must be County residents, must not be CCCERA members or retirees, and may not market any investment, con-sulting, or related service to the CCCERA Board or any other 1937 Act Retirement Board.

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 Offi ce 120-B, Alamo PlazaP2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - First Monday of each month, 5pm

- Meets at Alamo Chamber of Commerce Offi ce 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.fi redepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp


Alamo Women’s ClubThe Alamo Women’s Club was established in 1916 and is the longest standing service organization in the valley. The or-

ganization welcomes members from the Alamo, Danville, and Walnut Creek areas. Get to know us by joining us at one of our upcoming programs. For more information contact Jeri Strong, [email protected]’s Coming UP - March 27th, 11:30AM luncheon

Mary Jo Ignoffo is a historian who has spent twenty years researching and writing about California and community history. She is the author of Captive of the Labyrinth: Sarah L. Winchester, Heiress to the Rifl e Fortune.

After inheriting a vast fortune upon the death of her husband in 1881, Sarah Winchester purchased a simple farmhouse in San Jose. She began building additions to the house and continued construction on it for the next twenty years. A hostile press cast Sarah as the conscience of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and she was accused of being a ghost-obsessed spiritualist. To this day,

it is largely believed that the extensive construction she did on the farmhouse was done to appease the ghouls around her. In her book, Ignoffo demystifi es the life of this unusual woman, revealing that she was not a maddened spiritualist driven by remorse but an intelligent articulate woman. The cost for non-members is $25.

What We’ve Been UP toValentine’s Day 2013 marked a day of planting 100 beautiful fruit

trees at one of the four Youth Homes residential facilities for abused and traumatized foster children. The trees were donated by the Episcopal Charities. The purpose of planting the trees was to expand the onsite organic gardens, to provide job training and employment opportunities to youth who are transitioning from group homes to independent living, to provide food for the homes, and to sell remaining produce and/or to donate food to the needy. Pictured at left are Stuart McCullough, Youth Homes Executive Director; Kim Chilvers, Program Director; Pamela Singh, Alamo Women’s Club Philanthropy Chair; and Barbara Ingraham, Alamo Women’s Club member.

Everyone loves a party. The Alamo Women’s Club hosted it’s 3rd

annual Crab Feed in January to a “popping” success! Our doors opened to welcome guests from the community and our members to this year’s “Chinese New Year” themed party. The funds raised at the Feed benefi t the

Charities and Scholarships AWC supports. Pictured at right are Bill Ingraham, Noelle Koc, Claudia Waldron and Sally Cohen.Do You Have a Party or Meeting that is Coming UP?

We have a wonderful venue with a kitchen that you can rent. Interested? Visit our website Alamowomensclub.org for details. For rentals, please call 925-820-1943 or email [email protected].


Rancho Romero Elementary School By Skye Larsh-Faraghan, Principal

Common Core Standards shift teaching and learning from minimum expectations on skills and knowledge to core conceptual understandings and procedures. The new Common Core Standards require educators to focus on questions that get to the heart of thinking: What are students being asked to do? How complex is the student thinking? In other words, we are charged with ensuring that all of our students are engaged in

tasks and processes that foster cognitive complexity and deeper understanding. One such cognitively demanding mathematical task being tackled by elementary

students across the district is called Problem of the Month. Problem of the Month is intended to be used school-wide to promote a problem-solving theme at the school. The problem is divided into fi ve levels and structured to provide reasonable tasks for all students in the school. Levels graduate from simple to complex. The goal is for all students to have the experience of attacking and solving non-routine problems and developing their mathematical reasoning skills. Once students suc-cessfully solve the problem at their highest level, they complete a Problem of the Month Write-up, describing strategies used to solve the problem, solutions, and refl ections. Students in grades K-5 at Rancho Romero have enthusiastically been working on a Problem of the Month for the last fi ve weeks. Students are highly motivated to problem solve, and their perseverance to do so is rewarding.

Another type of problem-solving many students are enjoying this year is Chal-lenge Based Learning or CBL. CBL is an engaging multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that encourages learners to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems.

One example of CBL at Rancho is in Mrs. Holcomb’s 3rd grade class. Students have been working on a project to develop and create a garden outside of the classroom. The children have designed the garden, developed a budget, chosen items to purchase, and written formal proposals for the garden. Two boys from Mrs. Holcomb’s class approached Ace Hardware to see if they would like to help. On the strength of their proposals, each boy was given a $75 voucher from Ace to spend towards the garden. They are currently in the process of requesting a planter

Valley Teen IdolThe San Ramon Valley Rotary Club is hosting auditions for Valley Teen Idol

on March 9 and 10. Middle and high school students with a talent for singing or playing a musical instrument are encouraged to audition. Semi-fi nals will be conducted on April 9 for instrumentals and April 10 for singers. The Final Competition will be held on April 30 for instrumentals and May 1 for singers at the Village Theater located at 233 Front Street in Danville. Grand prize is $1,000 and a recording session, 2nd prize-$500, 3rd prize-$250, and 4th to 10th-$50.

For more info, contact Sharon Mace at 510-909-8791.

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box through Donors Choose. Engagement is never as high as when students are placed in charge of their learning and able to contribute by way of a local solution.

A fi nal example of a complex learning opportunity for students at Rancho Romero is that of a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) project cur-rently under development. Our science teacher, Linda Post, and Technology Teacher, Matt Graham, are collaborating with parent Dr. Rubsamen and his daughter, a student at SRVHS, in a cooperative venture with international space agencies to organize a scheduled contact via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station in the fall. Fifth grade students will integrate ques-tions and ideas related to the radio contact into the curriculum, learning about radio waves, latitude and longitude, and orbital decay in preparation for the actual radio contact. During the next several months, an antenna will be installed and short wave radio station placed in the science lab for students to trace the space station’s loca-tion. Information, along with an invitation, will be sent out to students and families across the district to join us on the actual date and time of contact.

Thank you teachers, parents, and community partners for all you are doing for kids.

Exchange Club of San Ramon ValleyThe Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every

month at Faz Restaurant in downtown Danville. The Club’s sign-in and social time begins at 11:30AM. The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and a business networking speaker. Guests are welcome. Price is $16 for members and first time guests and $20 for returning guests.

For more information, call Karen Stepper, President, at (925) 275-2312, email [email protected], or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.


Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun K. McElroy, PrincipalChildhood Obesity Solutions

According to the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm), childhood obesity has more than doubled in children, and tripled in adolescents, in the past 30 years. In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Childhood obesity can be the result of any of the following: poor eating habits, overeating or binging,

lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids), family history of obesity, medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems), medications (steroids, some psychiatric medica-tions), stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse), family and peer problems, low self-esteem depression, or other emotional problems.

Addressing the obesity issue in school, and at home, can be challenging. For the past three years we have made a concerted effort to have more active classrooms and to create high activity classes by implementing:

SPARK PE - This is a physical education class that focuses on individual fi tness versus competitive games. It was created by teacher Ron Hirschman. The class meets before school every day at 7:15am. The impetus for the class was the bestselling book Spark-The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain by John Ratey M.D. Please visit http://youtu.be/A5-kbfnCq6M to see a short video with Dr. John Ratey.

Mr. Hirschman spent a summer developing the curriculum for the class. One of the primary resources for content came from the P90X fi tness program (www.beachbody.com). The class was originally structured for 36 students and each year we have over-fi lled the class to number in the mid 40’s assum-ing several students would drop out because of the early wake up time or the intense physical demands. To date not a single student has dropped the class. SPARK PE provides students the opportunity to learn lifetime fi tness activities in a non-competitive and supportive atmosphere.

Environmental Marine Science (EMS) - This class is also in its third year. EMS is a semester class where students spend most of their time outdoors physically maintaining our community garden. Students learn the value of “doing the work yourself” by digging, planting, carrying loads of recycling, composting, building, and harvesting crops. Students literally enjoy the fruits of their labor. At harvest time students pick and eat the crops from the garden. Teacher Jeff Hager is charged with keeping 30+ middle school boys and girls engaged in the outdoor classroom every day. The community garden is a one acre plot at the north end of the campus.

Home Economics - The most popular class at Stone Valley is Home Economics. The roster is dominated by 7th and 8th grade boys who refer to the class as “Foods.” Teacher Wendy Paulson teaches students valuable life lessons including nutritional value of food, proper food preparation/storage, and the reading of food labels. Students also learn how to clean and do laun-dry. Knowledge about how the food you eat affects your health is an essential element in maintaining a healthy weight.

After School Sports - Our after school sports program is like an intramural sports event; everyone plays and no one is cut from a team (except golf). Stu-dents participate in a wide variety of recreational sports, including track and fi eld, dodgeball, ultimate Frisbee, golf, cross country, volleyball, and basketball. Our after school sports program may be the last opportunity that some students have to participate in a recreational setting. Coaches in our after school sports programs also schedule friendly games where parents and staff get to play against students in volleyball, basketball, and dodgeball. This is an excellent opportunity for team building, and it creates another opportunity for exercise.

Physical Education Classes – All students have a daily 45 minute physical education class where they participate in lifetime activities: bowling, dance, run-ning, badminton, and soccer. Additionally, students engage in competitive sports such as fl ag football, trashcan ball, track and fi eld, street hockey, and team handball. What can parents do to encourage a healthy lifestyle for their children?

In 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let’s Move! a campaign to bring together community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide effort to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. The Let’s Move! campaign recommends planning healthy meals and eating healthy snacks, mak-ing physical activity a part of your family’s routine, reducing time in front of electronic screens and devices, organizing a school health team, and planting a kitchen garden. For more information and ideas, visit www.letsmove.gov/parents.

Alamo Elementary School By Stan Hitomi, PrincipalKeys to a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference

The 100th day of school has come and gone, and therefore we are offi cially past the halfway point of the year. It also means that we are heading into our spring parent/teacher conferences.

Parent-teacher conferences are an important time for parents and teachers to share information and concerns. It’s a chance for you to ask questions about the class or

your child’s progress. It is also a time for you and the teacher to work together as a team to discuss ways you both can help your son or daughter.

Below are guidelines provided by the PTA to help parents prepare for a parent-teacher conference. See the full article at http://pta.org/programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1710.Before the Conference

• Talk to your child - Find out which subjects your child likes the best and the least. Ask why. Also, ask if there is anything your child would like you to talk about with the teacher. Help the child understand that you and the teacher are meeting to help him or her.

• Gather input from others - If your spouse, another care-giving adult, or someone with pertinent information or insight (doctor, counselor, other guardian) can’t attend the conference, ask for that person’s concerns and questions before the conference.

• Make a list - Before you go to the meeting, make a list of topics to discuss with the teacher. Along with questions about academics and behavior, you may want to talk to the teacher about the child’s home life, personality, concerns, habits and hobbies, and other topics that may help the teacher in working with the child (e.g., religious holidays, music lessons, part-time jobs, a sick relative). During the Conference

Establish rapport - As an icebreaker, take notice of something that refl ects well upon the teacher. For example, thank the teacher for having made thoughtful notes on your child’s homework or for the special attention in helping your child learn to multiply.

Ask questions - Questions you ask during the conference can help you express your hopes for the student’s success in class and for the teacher. It’s a good idea to ask the important questions fi rst, in case time runs out. The teacher’s answers should help you both work together to help your child.

Addressing problems - Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to discuss any diffi culties (either academic or behavioral) a child might be having at school.

When problems arise, parents will want to:• Avoid angry or apologetic reactions. Instead, ask for examples. • Ask what is being done about the problem and what strategies seem to help at school. • Develop an action plan that may include steps that parents can take at home

and steps the teacher will take when the problem comes up at school. • Schedule a follow-up conference and decide on the best way to stay in touch

(phone, e-mail, or letters sent to the home).Ending the conference - End the conference by reviewing what you discussed

and restating your action plan. What’s up at Alamo?

The 5th graders recently competed in the Alamo School Spelling Bee. The six finalists included Lindsay Baptiste, Alekos Dermetzis, Emily Hora, Paris Martinovich, Maddie Mo-ran, and Justin Wu. Maddie Moran won the Spelling Bee and will represent Alamo School at the 37th Annual Contra Costa County Spelling Bee. The champion of the Contra Costa County Spelling Bee will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., courtesy of the California Lottery, to compete in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.8

Alamo Zoe is Missing

Alex Cordoba is our winner

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She is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to fi nd 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

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Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, PrincipalThe second semester at any high school is fi lled with excitement and a little

nostalgia as school academic and extra-curricular activities increase, and seniors begin thinking about their last semester in high school. Third quarter progress grades are due soon, and students and parents are beginning to learn about several standardized assessments being given this spring. The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) will be administered to all 10th graders on March 12th and 13th. While 10th graders are taking the “real” test, our 9th graders will be taking a “Mock CAHSEE.” The results of this “mock” test will help guide instruction for our 9th graders next year.

One topic I would like to address this month is social media. Our students are bombarded with all forms of social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and other sites that pop-up quickly. All of these may have a place in our ever increasing technological world. However, as our students become more entrenched in this technology, they do not always make wise choices. They often forget that once something is posted on the Internet, it is there forever. Deleting a post or picture from their account does not mean that post or picture is really deleted. Messages get copied and forwarded. Once something is posted, it takes on a life of its own that is really not under the control of the student.

High schools and even middle and elementary schools deal regularly with students who have posted inappropriate messages and pictures. Posting in the privacy of your own room, with no one around, often empowers students to say things that they would never consider saying to someone directly. While the destructive message may start off campus, it frequently fi nds its way onto campus as students confront each other at school. What may start as an innocent comment to a friend can often boomerang back as students begin to comment to each other with each comment becoming more hurtful or exaggerated.

What can we you do? First, regularly discuss with your student the importance of cyber safety and security. Help them understand the perils of posting before thinking. Remind them that once something is posted, that post stays in cyberspace forever. A good rule for all of us to follow: Would you say this in front of a large group of people whom you may or may not know? Would you show this picture to anyone? If the answer is not yes, it shouldn’t be posted. Finally, access your student’s social media. Check their Facebook page, their Twitter account, etc. You are not being intrusive, you are helping to keep your student safe.

If you want to know more about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at www.mvhs.schoolloop.com.

Secrets for Being Prepared for the SAT ExamBy Susan Sokat, Club Z! In-Home Tutoring

Many high school juniors are beginning to prepare for the spring SAT exam. Test dates are March 9th, May 4th, and June 1st. It’s important to be fully prepared for this exam since the SAT predicts how well students will perform academically as college freshmen. College admissions personnel use the SAT or ACT as a single, standardized means of comparison in their acceptance decisions. What’s Important to Know?

What is on the test? Math, Critical Reading, and Writing are the subsections of the SAT. Each has a possible score of 800, or 2,400 total. The math section contains arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and a miscellaneous section including probabilities, data interpretation, and logical analysis. Calculators may be used. The reading section contains sentence completion and passage based reading. The writing sec-tion contains a multiple-choice portion and an essay.

How is the test scored? On the SAT, incorrect answers are scored against you. It is important to know when to guess and when to skip. Questions are rated as easy, medium, and diffi cult.

Submitting scores. Study the College Board website www.collegeboard.org to learn about sub-mitting scores. Retesting is common. Colleges typically use your highest score from each subsection from multiple test dates. This is called superscoring. So, if one time you score better on reading, and another time you score better on math, that’s okay, they will use your best.

What score should you try to obtain? Study www.collegeapps.about.com, click on “Top Uni-versities” at the bottom, and learn what the average SAT score is for each college. This is the best way to see if your score is competitive for the college of your choice. How to Study

The College Board Blue Book is standard study material for the SAT. Take a practice test and determine your study plan accordingly. Allocate your time and prepare a study calendar. You may focus the majority of your study time on the areas you are weakest in, but make sure to study for all sections of the exam.

Time yourself when doing practice tests. Consider using a tutor or a proven company for SAT Test Preparation. Start now for a May test date; don’t wait until the last minute. Plan to fi nish your sessions right before the test.

Think of the SAT as your “letter of introduction” to a college, so do all you can to be prepared for the exam. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring offers a proven SAT Test Preparation program. The in-home tutoring approach

allows the study time to be focused on your individual needs. Practice tests will determine prescriptions for study, and tutors will guide you through all of the questions, the correct answers, and why. With the proven plan of study the average increase may be 200 points.

Please visit www.clubztutoring.com/danville or call 925-786-7149 for SAT Test Preparation information. PSAT, and ACT programs are also available. Advertorial

Parent Ed EventAdolescent Subcultures & Current Drug Trends Tuesday, March 19th

It’s not easy for parents to stay on top of all the new trends in their child's world that could lead to risky behavior. This multi-media presentation will help close that information gap and provide parents with important knowledge and tools they need to navigate through those challenging adolescent years.

A Parent Ed event will be held at Monte Vista High School located at 3131 Stone Valley Rd, in Danville. Information tables will be set up from 6- 6:30PM, and panel presentations will be held 6:30 - 8:30PM.Presentation Topics

Presentation topics include Media Infl uences, Image Dis-orders, At Risk Social Groups, Most Abused Illegal Drugs, Technology Dangers, Prescription Drug Abuse, Adolescent Party Scene, and Parenting Tips - What Can YOU Do?Presentation Panel

The panel will be led by Tim Barley, Teen Esteem, Anna Duffy, Contra Costa County District Attorney's Offi ce, Of-fi cers Matt Roderick and Vince Richards, Danville Police Department, April Rovero, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, and Linda Turnbull, Teen Esteem

The presentation is suitable for parents with chil-dren in 4th grade through college. Adults only please.

Register to attend this FREE event at www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A8A928A02-adolescent.

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

High School Writers ContestThe California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch

will be sponsoring their Second Annual High School Writers Contest. The theme is “My Story, My Vision” and is open to all students attending high schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon in grades 9, 10, and 11.

Deadline for submission is March 22, 2013. Entry categories include poetry, personal essay, and short story. Cash prizes will be awarded to nine students. For more de-tails, visit http://trivalleywriters.org/high-school-contest/.

The CWC Tri-Valley Branch invites writers of all genres and experience levels to learn about their craft at its monthly meetings, workshops, and special events. For more information about California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch, contact Paula Chinick at [email protected], or visit www.trivalleywriters.org.


Tax Talk with BobTax Anxiety’s...No Need For ThemBy Bob Shalon, IRS Enrolled Agent

Fear takes many forms in our minds and can be a powerful and paralyzing aspect to our character and behaviors. Fear of the unknown is right up at the top of the list of worries and is shared by everyone. What shapes us is what we do about it.

As an income tax professional, I encounter many unknowns which can be particularly traumatic for

my clients, especially when the IRS involved...IF AND ONLY IF YOU DO NOT FACE THE ISSUES HEAD ON!

My reason for writing on this topic was inspired by a few situations that have occurred in my offi ce this tax season. One was the case of a very success-ful, but fearful, young lady who had not fi led a tax return in fi ve years until receiving an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) letter with a large tax bill. After obtaining account transcripts from the IRS and Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and discussing her professional situation with respect to the tax code, she actually had refunds due for all fi ve years. The shame is that she will only receive her money for three of those years as it is too late to amend the fi rst two years.

In other situations, threats of leans and garnishments have been voided simply by contacting the IRS and FTB and fi ling returns or meeting with them. In each case the clients feared the worst and couldn’t deal with it.

To close this article on a positive note, know that eliminating the unknown eliminates the anxieties. Covering the reasons for your current year refund or balance due, looking at different scenarios that could happen in the future, and seeing, not fearing, the tax affect, should be part of your tax planning with your preparer. If done properly, you should already know your tax return situation each year to within a very small margin well before you receive your fi rst tax document in the mail.

That will leave you free to worry about really important things, like will the Giants repeat as World Series Champions?!

Please call me at any time at 925-820-9570 or email [email protected] with questions. Advertorial

Alamo Business Person of the Year

The Alamo Chamber of Commerce named Russ Belleci of the New Forli Ristorante as the 2012 Alamo Business Person of the Year.

Words used to describe Russ when pre-sented with this honor included: personable, intelligent, meticulous, mentorer, unique, generous, focused, willing to help others, respected by the community, gives back to the community in time and effort, excellent business ethics, one who leads by example, and who others look up to.

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San Ramon Valley High School By Ruth Steele, PrincipalHelping Teenagers to Make Smart Choices

Spring is coming and for some reason, this time of year tends to see an escalation in teenagers making problematic choices. One of the biggest questions for me as principal, is whether we present information in a manner that teenagers can acquire and use. Teenag-ers do not think the same way that adults do. They do not process information or make choices in the same

way either.As school staff, we deal with many different challenges including Cyber

safety, appropriate technology use, bullying, drug and alcohol use, safe driving, emotional wellbeing, and making safe personal behavioral choices - to list but a few. The debate, of course, is whether schools provide enough information, the right information, and the correct information presented often enough. We spend a lot of time and resources trying to educate students about how to make the right choices and how they should apply this knowledge in different circumstances. While education certainly helps many of our students, we will always continue to have teenagers making problematic choices.

There is evidence to show that the brain isn’t fully developed until around age 25, which makes it easier to understand why 14-15 year olds make the most “mistakes.” They have 10 years of cerebral development to go until we can expect them to fully consider their options before making good choices.

An article in Time magazine titled “Why the teenage brain is drawn to risk” discusses why teenagers are not always dissuaded from making problematic choices even when “they should know better.” The article states, “Teens have a different style of information processing. They may get lost in the details about specifi c risks and overly focused on possible rewards, while ignoring the overall “gist” of the problem i.e., the ultimate consequences.”

They also perceive risk differently than adults, exhibiting more tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity than adults do. This means that while a grown up may immediately know that a situation is dangerous and will say, “No,” a teenager might not see it in such concrete terms.

As educators wrangle with the different issues that teenagers face, it is critical that we provide students with appropriate ways to receive the information and digest it. To do that we need a better understanding of exactly how teenagers process information and make decisions. This is sometimes diffi cult for adults. Providing them with honest, unbiased information and focusing on helping them perceive the ultimate consequences and potential outcomes is very important. Teenagers need to be walked through the steps that might get them from point A to a conclusion. They can’t always fi ll in those gaps themselves.

But the other challenge is recognizing that teenagers make mistakes, and that learning from these mistakes is a crucial part of their development. Mis-takes don’t make them bad kids, they are merely exploring their world and discovering what works and what does not. Development cannot happen in the absence of learning.

So, where does that leave us? We need to do our best to make sure that those mistakes are smaller - not catastrophic - the kind that teenagers can learn from. That is the best outcome of the education we provide.

Rotary Supports Music ProgramsA sizable portion of the proceeds from Rotary’s annual Alamo Music Festival helps support the music programs at six local schools. Nine thousand dollars was presented to the music teachers from Alamo schools including Lucille Mauzy, Alamo Elementary, Rancho Romero Elementary, Stone Valley Middle, Monte Vista High, and San Ramon Valley High Schools who each received $1,500. Pictured left to right are Janet Terranova, Ed Cloyd,and Bruce Koliha from Monte Vista High, Rotarian Carolyn Thiessen, and John Jones, Rotary President.


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Invest in CuriosityBy Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

I’m often asked how I got my start in computers and electronics. People ask me what classes I’ve taken or where they can learn how to do what my staff and I do on a daily basis. The truth is, it’s a combination of nature and nurture, and it goes way back. I was always the curious kid who liked to tear into and fi x discarded equipment. Whether it was a stereo, a CB radio, a light, or a broken appliance, I was interested in either fi xing

it, or dismantling it for its components. I wasn’t always successful mending the broken piece, but I was always shocked at how much “good stuff” people discarded with simple fl aws. I still feel that way. It’s always been easy for me to diagnose and fi x things.

I’m the youngest of seven children. My dad worked three jobs to make ends meet. He wasn’t around a lot, but he saw something in me, and he tried to feed my aptitude by buying me electronic kits to assemble. I remember creating my fi rst crystal radio at our kitchen table and winding fi ne copper wires around iron cores to make my fi rst motor. I began to learn electronic theory there, and I learned even more in John McCollum’s electronics class at Homestead High in Cupertino, CA. McCollum was a great teacher and was responsible for teaching and facilitating a generation of engineers, including Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs of Apple. I wish I had been a better student, but I still learned so much.

In those nascent days of electronics, everyone was getting on the bandwagon. Everything was fresh and new, and there were scores of companies founded to bring electronics to the masses. One of those companies, Heathkit, had been around for decades, and it was a major supplier of do-it-yourself electronics kits for the amateur radio hobbyists. They had a great reputation, but as digital electronics came to the fore they lost focus and market share. They went through bankruptcy and as recently as 2012 tried to re-kindle the fi re, but now they’re gone for good.

I think Heathkit failed because they were too focused on the large scale end-product and not focused enough on the smaller “teaching” circuits. They wanted to sell a $2,495 computer kit, not a fundamental $39.95 circuit that taught theory. The niche that needed fi lling was for small functional kits, like the ones that I built as a child, to teach a new generation of kids about electricity and electron-ics. They could have sold millions. But Heathkit was more concerned with re-ally large kits, and they were unable to keep up with the speed of Moore’s Law while building computer kits for the masses. They couldn’t sell their inventory, because why would someone want to buy a kit of last year’s computer parts, when they could buy a brand new one, fully assembled and functional for less? They became dated and irrelevant because they couldn’t keep up with the pace of digital innovation.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s, while the actual computer industry went berserk, we went through a sort of “dark ages” as far as teaching aids and electronic kits are concerned. In fact, here in California, all of the trades took a hit in our public schools. We used to have metal shop, wood shop, drafting, electronics, and even our own TV studio at my high school. During this time it was dismaying to go to electronics stores and not be able to fi nd the types of products that I enjoyed as a child. There was a whole generation of kids who grew up with nothing but academics and no clue about how things work. As a result, they’re just consumers, not builders. But in the last decade there has been a renaissance, and there is now a wonderful selection of kits, components, and circuits that the hobbyist can buy and assemble inexpensively. My own son is using off-the-shelf kit components to design two separate circuits he hopes to mass produce for the motorcycle industry. I’ve had a lot of fun helping him fi gure out how to make things work, and it’s brought us together doing something we both love.

Do you know any youngsters that seem to have ‘the knack’ for gadgets? If you do, buy them a kit and feed their imagination! You can go online to places like Amazon.com, and search for electronics kits. The have a great selection. Even better, go down to your local Radio Shack, and choose from what they have on the shelf. I’m completely impressed by the broad selection of novice to advanced build-it-yourself kits. If it weren’t for these kits and my father being wise enough to feed my interest, I may never have gotten into this fi eld. The knowledge I’ve gained over a lifetime of tinkering has given me a career, friends, and a lot of fun.

If you’re looking for ideas, give the friendly staff at Portable CIO a call at 925-552-7953, or email [email protected]. We’re always here to help. Advertorial


Quick Trips By Linda Summers PirkleSan Francisco Performing Arts Center Tour

I have been to the ballet and opera in the War Memorial Building and to the symphony at the Davies Hall and various concerts at the Herbst Theater, but I did not know much about the history of these diverse and beautiful buildings. Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, and Herbst Theater are part of the San Francisco Performing Arts Center, and “behind the scenes” tours are offered every Monday.

My friend Kathy and I rode BART to the Civic Center Station, walked one block to the Louise M. Davies Hall, and were greeted by a team of professional, dedicated, and knowledgeable volunteers. Mr. George Lucas, one of the original founders of the tour program and retired ballet dancer who performed in London, Italy, and South Africa, oversees the very effi cient tours for the Performing Arts. According to Mr. Lucas, the tours started when Davies Hall opened in 1981, and each building had their own tour. Now, you can visit all three theaters with one guide.The tours, which last approximately one hour, focus on the historical, architectural, and acoustical features of the buildings.

We started in the Davies Hall. Melissa Aurand, our guide, led us to the area above the orchestra section where we sat in the seats behind the front stage. We then moved to the Second Tier where we could view the entire 2,743 seat theater. What a unique experience for us! Except for the “ghost lamp” on stage, the lights were dimmed, and we were able to experience the quiet of this gorgeous theater.

Our next stop was the War Memorial Opera Building. Our guide gave us the history of this beautiful Beaux Art building and its twin, the Veterans building next door. Soil from WWI battle fi elds were sprinkled in the “Court of Memory,” the park section between these two buildings. Our guide explained that many people assume that the Opera House/Veterans buildings were WPA projects because they were built during the Depression. However, they were built with pri-vate funds. It was the collaboration between opera lovers and war veterans that made the buildings a reality, opening in October 1932 with the opera “Tosca.”

Our last stop was the Herbst Theater, originally called the Veteran’s Auditorium. When it was built, it had a fl at fl oor and no permanent seating. It was con-verted to a theater with a donation of $750,000 from the Herbst brothers. Our guide referred to the theater as “a little jewel,” and we were in total agreement.

You may want to take this delightful tour be-fore June. Our guide mentioned that the Veterans Building is going to go through a seismic retro-fi t, similar to the retrofi t of the Opera House a few years ago. This retro-fi t is scheduled to start in June, during which time the building will be closed. The retro-fi t process may take up to a year.

Our tour lasted almost two hours since we had lots of questions, and our guide was very generous with her time.

• For a quick tour of the Opera House, drop-in “Glimpse tours” are offered. This option is less of a tour, more informal, and an opportunity to have a brief “look-see.” The schedule for the “Glimpse tours” are Tuesday thru Thursday, from 11AM to 2PM. The cost is $1. Guides meet you at the entrance of the War Memorial House, 301 Van Ness Ave at Grove St., across from City Hall. These short tours are only available during the summer, starting in June.

• Performing Arts Tours (War Memorial Opera House, Davies Hall, and Herbst Theater) are held every Monday on the hour (except for holidays) between 10AM and 2PM. The tour starts at the Davies Symphony Hall, Grove Street entrance. To reach their offi ce for additional information, call (415) 552-8338. Cost is $7, Seniors and Students $5.

• Arlequin Café (www.arlequincafe.com) is a short walk from the Davies Hall. Their Arle-quin baked mac n’ cheese, macaroni pasta with gruyere, grana padano, and grafton Vermont white cheese is delicious. Their address is 384B Hayes Street, and their phone number is (415) 430-6540.

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


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Alamo Police Services District P-2, Zone B

Deputy Michael Carson, Alamo Resident Deputy, activities for January 2013Deputy Carson Completed:

228 Calls for service • 4 Moving citations • 2 Field inter-view cards • 4 Reports • 29 School security checksDeputy Carson Responded to or Conducted

11 Alarm calls • 1 Disturbance of the Peace • 1 Found property• 1 Lost property • 1 Counterfeit • 10 Suspicious cir-cumstances • 12 Service to citizens • 2 Vandalism • 5 Outside assists • 2 Identity thefts • 7 Petty thefts • 2 Auto Burglaries • 1 Residential burglary • 1 Battery • 1 Drunk in publicIf I Were a Thief Program (Crime awareness and prevention)

122 Streets covered • 45 Flyers distributed Reported Incident

• Finley Ln. - Burglary/ Residential - Valley Station Deputies responded to a reported Residential Burglary on Finley Lane. Unknown suspect(s) entered the residence through an unlocked side door. A large amount of assorted property was stolen from the residence. There are no known suspects or independent witnesses, and this is an ongoing investigation.

• Romley Ln. - Petty Theft - Valley Station Deputies responded to a Petty Theft of landscape lights. The victim said other items in her yard had also been moved around. There are no known suspects or independent witnesses, and this is an ongoing investigation.

• Danville Blvd. - Auto Burglary - Valley Station Depu-ties responded to a reported Auto Burglary on Danville Blvd. The suspect smashed a window of the vehicle and stole items. Evidence was collected. There are no known suspects or independent witnesses, and this is an ongoing investigation.

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 fi rst Monday of each month at 5pm in the offi ces of the Alamo Chamber of Commerce, located at 120B Alamo Plaza. Alamo citizens are welcome to attend the meetings.

Discover a Sense of Place A series of three free workshops at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut

Creek will be held Saturday, March 9, 23 and May 11 from 9AM – noon.Discover what it is that makes Diablo Valley, this place we call home,

such a unique and fascinating bioregion. Learn why and how to become an eco-steward of the nature found in your community.

Each of the three workshops will focus on a different aspect of our habitat: the importance of our local watershed, how nature can be harnessed to prevent and fi ght disease in your garden, and the natural history of our region – how plant and animal species native to Diablo Valley have changed over time and why. Instructors are widely recognized authorities in their fi eld and live and work locally. All programs include hands-on activities outdoors.

Workshops can be taken individually or as a series. Pre-registration is re-quired. To register, call 947-1678 or go to www.gardenshf.org.

The six acres of organic gardens at The Gardens at Heather Farm inspire and educate the community about sustainable gardening and stewardship practices that contribute to the preservation of our environment. The Gardens just celebrated its 40 year anniversary as a nonprofi t. It is open to the public daily, free of charge.

Walnut Creek Garden ClubThe Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its general meeting on

Monday, March 11th at 9:30AM at The Gardens at Heather Farm which is located at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek.

The topic of the program will be about foraging for edible plants, and it features Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast. Mr. Hunt was the 2009, 2010 James Beard Award Nomi-nee and winner of Best Food Blog 2010 and 2011 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Members will be contributing floral design in the theme of “Bouquets to Art, Walnut Creek Style.”

The meeting is open to the public. Guests and those interested in membership are welcome.

[email protected] in the Alamo Garden By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape ArchitectSurface Trends

One of many important decisions you will make while designing your Alamo garden will be regarding what kind of surface materials you will be using for your patios, walkways, decks, and hardscape. Today, the choices in materials are numerous. Sometimes they’re overwhelming! When you think of what has been available in the past, you think of dull gray broom-fi nished concrete, tan Arizona fl agstone, and red brick. When you think of decking materials, redwood has dominated the industry for the past fi fty years. Today, a myriad of hardscape materials are now available.

Natural stone products such as fl agstone, slate, wall ledger, and rock have dominated current trends in hardscape materials. In the past ten years the natural stone industry has grown by leaps and bounds. When considering natural stone as your primary surfacing material, you must understand this is the most expensive approach. Generally, natural stone surfacing runs $15 to $35 a square foot* when mortared over a concrete base.

*Prices indicate current market aver-ages including material, labor, and profi t by licensed contractors.

With the awareness of “Green” building methods, manufactured surfac-ing material choices have also gone off the chart. There is an abundant choice of manufactured stone and pre-cast concrete products in a multitude of col-ors. These products make long-lasting affordable surfaces for patios, walls, and veneers. They are less expensive and less labor-intensive to install, and prices range from $12 to $25 a square foot, depending on your surface and product.

A very popular trend that came into the industry about 15 years ago is interlocking concrete pavers. When fi rst introduced, the shapes, colors, and surface choices were limited. Today, interlocking pavers span a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes. Pavers have become the new “cheaper” solution to large expanses of surfacing, such as driveways, patio, plazas, and streetscapes. Concrete once dominated the industry as the number one choice of surface materials. Recently, pavers have taken over because of effective cost, ease of installation, sustainability, and a more creative design detail. Interlocking paving generally ranges from $9.50 to $15 a square foot, although large, expansive streetscapes can be installed for as low as $3.50 a square foot.

Concrete is still one of the most popular choices for hardscape. It is cost effective, although concrete prices have sky-rocketed over the past fi ve years as petroleum prices increased shipping costs. Concrete’s versatility is its strong point. Innovations in concrete treatments have soared in efforts to keep up with the natural stone industry growth. New treatments such as dust-on color hardeners, pigmented acid stains, multi-colored stamped concrete, and creative designs have given concrete a new lease on life. These new treatments have replaced exposed aggregate, salt fi nish, and broom fi nished concrete. Concrete prices range from $9 to $25 a square foot. Other uses include lightweight concrete counter tops for outdoor kitchens.

A specialized product that I have been enjoying lately is a product called “Ar-cusStone™.” This product is very attractive and durable. It adds an element of elegance and uniqueness that other hardscape materials don’t have. Basically the material is an overlay of a cementitious limestone with natural mineral pigments that can be customized into any design and color range thinkable. When you think of “Old World” techniques, this is exactly that. It takes a trained craftsman to apply it because it is totally shaped, colored, and created at your project site. It runs $12 to $25 a square foot when overlaying concrete or a wall, and it can be used as a patio, walkway, wall face, cook center countertops, fi replace, or bar top.

Wood surfaces have fallen in popularity because of rising costs, maintenance concerns, and environmental issues. Redwood was once abundant locally but has now become expensive and marginal in quality because of the halt in foresting and environmental concerns. If a natural wood product is what you’re looking for, redwood has been replaced with Ipe (e-pay), or ironwood, and other sustainable woods. Manufactured wood products such as “Trex” and “TimberTech” have also become extremely popular because of their environmental approach and low maintenance. If you are looking for a wood-look as a choice in hardscape, there are many choices ranging from $25 to $35 a square foot.

One of my favorites is the use of gravel or decomposed granite for informal patios and paths. This is the lowest cost solution, ranging from $3-$5 a sq ft.

When I work with my clients in the creation of their garden environment, choosing the hardscape material can sometimes be one of the highest hurdles to get over. With adherence to the design process, the choices are narrowed by the design goals and budget decisions to an appropriate choice that you will be happy with for many years to come.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Don’t order catalogs; the in-ternet is a great place to start your search for hardscape materials. A lot of suppliers and manufacturers have good pictures of ideas on their websites. Check our new HOUZZ profi le. www.houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects

Gardening Quote of the month: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” ~Thoreau

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 ~ March 2013 -

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Clip Notes By Jody MorganAlthough their ancestors hail from the same Euro-

pean continent as mine, I view the golden-helmeted hordes of mustard marching across California mead-ows as an insidious invasion force. Characterizing wild mustard in her 1884 novel Ramona, Helen Jack-son complains: “The plant is a tyrant and a nuisance, the terror of the farmer: it takes riotous possession of a whole fi eld in a season …”

The above quote is one of many Judith Lowery incorporates in Gardening with a Wild Heart. Having

established a native plant garden in her yard that blends with the “greater garden beyond the fence,” Lowery underscores her frustration at seeing plants valued by English gardeners since the nineteenth century largely ignored in their homeland.

Fortunately, native plants have not been totally dispossessed by exotic in-truders. From January-April one of mustard’s more modest American cousins decorates Northern California’s wooded hillsides and canyons. Garbed in white petals, the clustered blossoms are known colloquially as Milkmaids. The peppery fl avored tuber from which they sprout is tooth-shaped. Practitioners of the Doctrine of Signatures believing that the form of a plant indicated how man might employ it called these perennials Toothwort and used the tubers to treat toothache. Botanists originally labeled the genus Dentaria accordingly. Currently our local native’s proper appellation is Cardamine californica.

Colorful California annuals blanket grassy slopes in protected areas throughout spring months. Mary Bowerman, who began recording data on Mount Diablo in 1930, writes in The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mount Diablo California: “In years of good rainfall, whole hillsides are colored blue by Gilia tricolor, or yellow by Lasthenia californica. These two species in addition to being characteristic of the grasslands are limited to them.”

Annie’s Annuals touts the fi rst species, commonly known as Bird’s Eyes or Bird’s-eye Gilia, as a “heart stealer” that’s easy to grow and delightfully chocolate-scented. Welcome this lovely native to your yard so you can tuck the dainty blue blossoms into a free-spirited arrangement of spring fl owers. Lowery notes: “Birds-eye gilia benefi ts from the close inspection a bouquet

provides and makes a great unifi er for an otherwise diverse bouquet.”Goldfi leds is the moniker of the second species referenced in the Bower-

man quotation. The yellow daisy-like fl owers carpet ridge tops, re-seeding year after year. Lowery refl ects: “Wildfl owers such as goldfi elds that in small groups do not seem fragrant will sometimes reveal delicious aromas in large masses.” Goldfi elds can be tamed for garden plots and adapted to containers. Low growing, it makes an exquisite edging for a spring path.

A third native annual popping up on moist grassy slopes is Purple Owl’s Clover (Castilleja exserta), also known as Purple Indian Paintbrush. The bo-tanical name honors Domingo Castilleja (1744-1793), Professor of Botany in Cadiz, Spain. Purple Owl’s Clover, along with another species of Owl’s Clover and a native plantain (all present on Mount Diablo) are critical larval food for the endangered Bay Checkerspot Butterfl y. Adult butterfl ies emerge in April at the end of the rainy season. With distinctive black banding framing panes of orange-red and creamy yellow their wings are reminiscent of miniature Tiffany shades. The amount of rainfall regulates the display of annual wildfl owers in a given season. Consequently, any lack of precipitation limiting the supply of native host plants stresses the population of butterfl ies they support.

Although Bay Checkerspots may not yet have returned to the Diablo wil-derness, there are many rarities thriving or surviving in the area. Endemic to the mountain, the Mount Diablo Sunfl ower (Helianthella castanea) is not shy about showing off its sunshine yellow petals. But don’t look for it elsewhere in California. Botanists have yet to determine why similar sunfl owers grow-ing in nearby spaces have evolved as distinct species. Bowerman records the occurrence of blossoms from April to June. As a general rule she comments: “Altitude infl uences the blooming period. A given species may begin to fl ower four weeks later on the upper slopes than on the lower.”

Another specimen found fl owering on Mount Diablo from March to May is the Oakland Star Tulip (Calochortus umbellatus). Telos Rare Bulbs, pur-veyors of this and other interesting indigenous species, suggests this plant was “probably once abundant, but now rare due to development.” The deli-cate lavender blossoms delight those dedicated to tracking them down in the wilderness as well as those interested in adding them to a native plant garden.

To appreciate natives in their own habitat, check the calendar of guided hikes of-fered by the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society: www.ebcnps.org.

Spring PruningBy Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

Once again, it’s that time of year when the landscape grows lush, beautiful – and out of control. At Brende & Lamb, we prune to balance the practical with the aesthetic. When our clients ask us to re-

store their views, bring more light into their gardens, and reduce fi re hazards, we do our best to keep their screening intact and to protect their privacy. At the same time, we work hard to enhance the natural beauty of their trees. Balancing your tree care needs are skills we’ve developed over decades of caring for trees.Aesthetic Pruning

Each plant has a natural growth pattern. Aesthetic pruning accentuates the shape given the plant by nature, and good pruning creates a light and open feeling. A well pruned plant enhances the observer’s experience by accentu-ating the interplay of light and shadow, open spaces and denser spaces, and the sculptural elements revealed in a tree’s trunk and branch.

The fi rst step in aesthetic pruning is to see the fl ow of the tree. We begin by looking at the base of the trunk, and then let our eyes follow the trunk upward into the branches and out to the branch tips. We notice how the fl ow of the branches determines the tree’s form. The form may be weeping, as with Willows and Chinese Elms. Perhaps, as with Monterey Cypress, the branches form at acute angles to the trunk, giving the tree an upswept look. Or the branches may bend and twist, forming complex arcs, as does the Coast Live Oak. Within these patterns, each tree has its own unique form and fl ow.Pruning and Size Reduction

It is important to prune in a manner that does not harm the health of the tree. When thinning a pine, for example, it is important not to strip the major branches of their smaller branches, a practice called “lion-tailing” which leaves a branch denuded except for foliage at the end. Lion-tailing increases the chance of branch failure by concentrating the weight at the branch tips.

A healthier tree, and more subtly beautiful look, is achieved by thinning to highlight the spaces or “layers” in a trees natural patterns. Removing diseased wood, and removing or reducing crossing branches that interrupt the natural fl ow, lets in more light and air, encouraging interior growth and overall health. Careful pruning can increase desired screening over time by encouraging interior growth. Aesthetic View Work

In view work, the beauty of the view and the beauty of the tree often seem to be in confl ict. Some tree-workers will sacrifi ce the tree for the view by “topping” the tree. Topping is almost always a bad idea. “Topping” creates a dense re-growth in “water-sprouts” that is unsightly. But more than the tree’s beauty is at stake here. Topping wounds the tree and promotes disease, including heart rot, and can make the tree dangerous. The water-sprouts on a topped tree are not deeply anchored in the trunk and are subject to failure in high winds. Add in the fact that these sprouts may be anchored onto a rotting trunk, and you have a safety problem that gets worse over time. Responsible arborists do not top trees. Removing a tree, perhaps replacing it with a smaller variety that can be kept out of the view, is usually preferable to beheading it.

Looking at tree and view as two elements that complement each other can often solve view problems. Sometimes, lightly bringing the tree back without cutting into major branches can prevent further encroachment on the view.

To open even more of the view, we create windows by selectively remov-ing branches not essential for the tree’s natural form. We can enlarge these windows by removing branchlets that rise or drop into the view. Thinning above and below the window creates a feeling of openness, rather than gap-ing hole. The image formed by Mt. Diablo framed by the trembling leafs of a well-windowed tree proves that nature and civilization can complement each other.

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


Solar Currents By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolarBring Me Data

Bring me data, and bring me documentation of that data - solar customers should take this approach with solar contractors who provide them with proposals. A solar photovoltaic (PV) system proposal is a detailed fi nancial transac-tion that utilizes many criteria to arrive at the es-timated savings gained through the use of a solar

system. Guaranteed kilowatt production numbers, warranty information, annual kilowatt production information, and shading information are just a few bits of data provided to a consumer in a comprehensive solar PV proposal. However, most consumers don’t ask for the documentation as to how the contractor arrived at their data.

Every bit of data needs to be backed up by solid documentation. If your solar contractor balks, or is unable to provide the requested documentation to you in writing, then you’re not getting the customer service you deserve. If you cannot get the documentation you deserve, it’s logical to suggest that the proposal provided should not be consid-ered an accurate proposal or an accurate summary of fi nancial savings and product quality. Financial savings generated by a solar PV system are predicated on many criteria, none of which can be shortcut. Virtual proposals (online, no site visit before contract signing) can be convenient for the contractor, but they can prove to be inaccurate.

The average consumer needs to perform a signifi cant amount of research to determine the validity of a contractor’s solar PV proposal. I believe there needs to be more oversight in the process in order to protect the consumer. Considering the behind-the-scenes complexity of a solar PV transaction, why is it that this portion of the solar indus-try is unregulated, and that the onus is “buyer beware,” especially in leased solar program contracts? Simply put, it’s in the contractor’s and fi nancier’s interest to make their proposal look the most appealing to the consumer in order to make the sale. Solar PV energy systems can, and do, save homeowners and business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars. When I take out a car loan or buy a CD at a bank, regulators oversee the process. Why is it any different when a contractor generates solar fi nancials and models fi nancial savings for a consumer?

Finally, a third-party fi nanced program I can believe in - Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) are nothing new, and in my opinion, they exceed the benefi ts of a solar lease program. In both cases, the solar system is owned by a fi nance company, is hosted by the home or busi-ness owner, and saves the home or business owner money on electric bills. In both programs, the fi nancing company banks the majority of the savings. I believe a PPA is a superior product to a lease program because the home or business owner only pays for power that the solar system generates. Theoretically, a properly modeled and contracted PPA will never put a homeowner in an “upside down” cash fl ow situation because of low output of the solar system. In a PPA, the bank has a vested interest in ensuring the PPA system produces the most power it can; they make money on each kilowatt generated, and the customer saves money on each kilowatt consumed. In comparison, the bank owners of a leased solar system make money on the monthly equipment lease; should kilowatt production fall, the lease payment remains the same.

Be choosy - A home or business owner is not the owner of the solar sys-tem in a PPA or lease, but choosing a trusted installer will determine product quality, appropriate tradesman certifi cation, and accuracy of the contract. After all, it’s your home.

Consumer Alert - Since the fi nanciers make their money on each kilowatt produced in a PPA contract, it’s important that the PPA solar array is not oversized. Oversized systems can result in the consumer paying for kilowatts that are unused. Choose your contractor well. In all solar contracts, insist on documentation for all the data.

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

Grief Support Group Helps People Cope with the Death of a Pet

When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most diffi cult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief.

Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Founda-tion is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the fi rst Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.

For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Ser-vices at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required.

Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.


The Alamo Chamber of Commerce includes over 145 members who desire to support and contribute to our community in many ways. We provide scholarships to deserving high school students, actively support the Music & Wine Festival, and we work with our local schools in presenting Alamo’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival. Join us at our March 27th Mixer at Alamo Chiropractic, 3189 Danville Blvd. Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

ALAMOCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE.COM

www.shopalamo94507.com

An Optimal Approach for Selling Your Business Brought to you by Peter, Jim, Bob, & Paul

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

Having a sound business strategy includes having an exit plan in place that prepares you for

the sale of your company long before you have to make the transition. Early exit planning gives you the confi dence to look for a buyer when the time is right, or to weigh buyout offers in relation to your goals. Exit planning early is crucial because it may take one to fi ve years to obtain the best price and close on a sale. You may be motivated to sell your business at different times for a variety of reasons, including:

• Market upturns or downturns • Increased competition • Burnout • Changing family needs • A desire to retire

Having an exit plan that effectively coordinates with your fi nancial plan enables you to determine if what you can get for your business today will help you meet your long-term fi nancial goals. If you need or want more for your business, you should consider what steps you should take to obtain a favorable selling price. Having access to a qualifi ed team of advisors will help you objectively value your business, outline your goals for the sale, and keep you on track fi nancially.Develop a Viable Sales Plan

By identifying your goals, you can explore the feasibility, timing, and value of several sales strategies, such as:

• Selling everything for one price• Offering to work through several months of transition• Accepting a portion of the sale as a buyout with scheduled payments that

provides you with an income over time• Selling part of the business now and keeping the remaining part for a future

sale in order to defer taxes• Transferring or gifting part of the business to family members in order to

remove it from your taxable estateOnce you have a succession plan in place, be sure to re-evaluate it periodi-

cally. A succession plan is not something you can prepare and then forget. It’s important to stay in touch with market infl uences and current tax laws, in addition

to reviewing your changing income and cash-fl ow needs. Reviewing your plan helps clarify whether or not you need to expand the business before selling it in order to get what you want from the deal.Getting the Best Price Available

Long-term strategic exit planning with specialists can help you objectively de-termine an appropriate value for your business and can determine ways to enhance value over time. You should choose an industry professional with sales and negotia-tion experience as your liaison. This person can then manage the advertising, bidding process, and negotiations involved in a sale while keeping this process private.

Ideally, you want to be able to take advantage of favorable market conditions. For example, if you own a chain of sandwich shops, and they turn out to be the hot business trend this year, you want to be confi dent that your sale price takes advantage of bullish market demand.

You will also want to ensure that the timing of the sale complements your long-term goals. While your exit planning specialist may not be able to tell you whether $2 million or $10 million is a good price to fetch for your business, your fi nancial planner can tell you how much money you need to help meet your fi nancial goals.Succession

Succession planning is important to maintaining the success and productivity of a business, especially if you’re relying on the business to provide you with an income or ongoing return on your investment. Accordingly, your exit plan should include strategies for transitioning authority, retaining valued employees and key clients, and maintaining day-to-day operations.

If your business involves client services, it may be vulnerable if revenues are sustained by maintaining relationships. In this case, it may be wise to sell your business to a known competitor that has a good track record in your industry.

Work with your exit planning specialist, fi nancial planner, attorney, and tax advisor to select the appropriate strategies for distributing and reinvesting the proceeds of a business sale. Your immediate goals may include reducing your tax liabilities and providing an income to support your changing lifestyle.

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

Peter T. Waldron, James R. Westermeyer, Paul Solorzano & Robert J. Waldron Jr. are registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Spectrum Wealth Partners, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln affi liates and other fi ne 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. CRN201009-2046472 Advertorial

Chris Suter Named Alamo Rotarian of the YearChris Suter was named Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Alamo. “With

this high award, Alamo Rotary is recognizing someone who best exemplifi es the goals of Rotary through his consistent contributions, and in doing so, he has brought honor and respect to the Club,” said John Jones, 2012-2013 Club president.

“Chris Suter exemplifies those goals,” Jones said. Suter joined the Rotary Club of Alamo in 1992 and currently serves on its board of direc-tors and is the chairman of the 2013 Alamo Music Festival. Chris has served as president of our Club for two terms, the fi rst in 1997-1998 and more recently in 2011-2012. Chris has been the heart and soul of the Alamo Music Festival for a number of years. He has been a contributor to our Pittsburgh RotaCare project which provides medical care to the less fortunate and has been active in our Project to beautify the Stone Valley - I680 Interchange.

“Chris is truly a Rotarian who lives the principles of Rotary’s Four Way Test which is...First: Is it the truth? Second: Is it fair to all concerned? Third: Will it build good will and better friendships? And, Fourth: Will it be benefi cial to all concerned? Above all, he places ‘Service above self,’ which is Rotary’s motto.”

The Rotary Club of Alamo was founded on May 7, 1971 and has 50 members. The Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club, located at 3169 Roundhill Road in Alamo.

Since retiring as Deputy Chief from the San Ramon Valley Fire Department, Chris, who is a recognized expert in public safety communications, has travelled nationwide as a consultant for the US Department of Homeland Security. Chris and his wife Ann have been residents of Alamo for 29 years.

John Jones and Chris Suter

[email protected] Alamo Today ~ March 2013 - The Often Neglected Piece of Estate PlanningBy Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

Estate Planning is largely about providing for the smooth succession of management of your personal and fi nancial affairs to those you trust. The bulk of discussion about estate planning focuses on Wills and Living Trusts.

Wills and Trusts are extremely important. However, in many ways, two other documents are more fundamental. They govern who will handle your affairs during your life

if you become unable. These two documents are a Durable Power of Attorney, sometimes called a “General Power of Attorney” or Durable Power of Attorney for Property Management (“DPA”), and an Advance Health Care Directive (“AHD”).

Every adult - irrespective of one’s circumstances - should have a DPA and AHD. In short, a DPA and AHD enable you to appoint someone you trust who will have legal authority to make fi nancial and health care decisions for you if you are ever temporarily or permanently unable to do so. The potential consequences of not establishing both of these documents can be harsh.

These consequences may include incurring substantial, ongoing legal fees, costs, delay, and inconvenience in connection with a court conservatorship proceeding – in which a court appoints a conservator to act on your behalf. Tragically, the judge could appoint someone as conservator whom you would never choose nor want to make these critical personal and fi nancial decisions for you.

When I review an existing estate plan for new clients, in many instances I fi nd a Will and Living Trust in place, but there is either a missing or outdated DPAs and/or AHDs.

If you do not have appropriate, up-to-date DPAs and AHDs, you should take action to establish them. It’s not overly cumbersome or expensive to hire an at-torney to help you.

Hiring an experienced estate planning attorney to assist you is worthwhile if: a) you are unsure about whether or not your DPA and/or AHD are currently compliant with the law and appropriate for your situation; or b) if your wishes have changed since your documents were executed; or c) if you answer “no” to any of the following questions:Durable Power of Attorney

1) Do the express terms render it “durable,” meaning that the agent’s authority

extends beyond the date you become incapacitated? Although instinct would dictate that all forms include language making the powers “durable,” many forms do not.

2) Is the primary agent (legal term: “attorney-in-fact”) you named still the trustworthy and responsible person you’d prefer to transact fi nancial business for you in your stead?

3) Have you appointed at least one suitable alternate agent in case your primary agent is unwilling or unable to serve when needed?

4) Are the powers broad and appropriate? It’s important that the powers do not unnecessarily impede your agent’s ability to manage all of your fi nancial affairs?

5) If your DPA is “springing” – meaning that your agent’s powers are triggered by your incapacity - is the defi nition of “incapacity” reasonable and practical? The method by which your agent is required to prove your incapacity may be looser or stricter than you may want or need.Advanced Healthcare Directive

1) Is the primary agent you appointed still the person you’d prefer (trustworthy and responsible) to make health care decisions for you in your stead?

2) Have you appointed at least one appropriate candidate to serve as alternate agent in case your primary agent is unwilling or unable to serve?

3) Did you appoint only one primary agent (and only one alternate at a time)? Note that if you name co-agents, and they disagree or reach an impasse, it could cause fam-ily heartache, compromise your health care decisions, and possibly result in litigation.

4) Is the AHD still valid? In or before the early 90’s, AHDs (then called “Health Care Powers of Attorney”) automatically expired after seven years, so some people have older documents they don’t realize have expired.

5) Is a HIPAA release included in the body of the document or attached? Current HIPAA (federal privacy law) render this specifi c release necessary to ensure that a copy of your medical records will be given to your agent when he or she needs them.

6) Does your AHD have provisions directing your agent to carry out your particular wishes, such as those governing “heroic measures,” organ/tissue dona-tions, and disposition of remains?

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


Traffi c in AlamoBy Roger Smith, President Alamo Improvement Association

The topic for this article has become known locally in Alamo as the “Ultimate Confi guration,” a project that impacts the Stone Valley Road/Danville Blvd intersec-tion and also includes a companion project for expansion of the I-680/Stone Valley interchange. Although the

interchange and intersection projects are referenced under different names, County staff has indicated that they consider them to be all the same project.

These projects would be funded in large part by the Southern Contra Costa (SCC) Regional Fee Fund (which the County established in 1996 with Dan-ville and San Ramon) and County’s Alamo Area of Benefi t (AOB) fee fund.

The changes to both Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd. include:1) Add lanes and signals on the Stone Valley Road freeway ramps2) Widen the bridge over San Ramon Creek3) Widen the Danville Blvd./Stone Valley Rd. intersection by adding new turn lanes4) Add one new lane on Stone Valley Road (north side) and one new lane

on Danville Blvd. (west side), both for indeterminate distancesHowever, the I-680 interchange is already working well and has few con-

fl icting movements because currently all exits onto Stone Valley Road are right turns, which avoids the need for cars to cross lanes when joining traffi c on Stone Valley Road. This would change if these projects are approved.

The AIA has been opposed to the “Ultimate Confi guration” project for a number of years because its primary effect would be to increase non-local, pass-through traffi c in our downtown area.

Virtually all of the increased traffi c accommodated by expanding the inter-change or Alamo’s downtown intersection would be from drivers choosing to divert onto Alamo’s surface streets because of traffi c delays encountered on I-680.

Alamo already has a great deal of non-Alamo regional traffi c, as witnessed by anyone driving on our surface streets during rush hours. These drivers are not shoppers or residents; they use our surface streets as a “short cut” to avoid traffi c on I-680. While there may be no calls presently to widen Dan-ville Boulevard, any pressure to widen Danville Boulevard in the future will almost certainly be to accommodate exactly the kind of increased regional bypass traffi c that would result from this project.

Alamo residents have expressed on many occasions, and sometimes in large numbers, their opposition to this project. In the last few years, when-ever anyone in Alamo has expressed concern about the project, the County, our Supervisor’s offi ce, and even a Danville transportation offi cial have said there was no longer a live project and no funding for a project.

However, this characterization has now changed.Apparently, because there are still funds available, this project has resur-

faced. AIA has been told directly by the County’s transportation planners that there is indeed a substantial amount of project funding available in the AOB and SCC fund accounts.

Supervisor Candace Anderson has directed that, “Before the I-680/Stone Valley Road Interchange project is taken off the list and the funds reallocated to a different regional project, we should fi rst evaluate whether there is a need for the project from a purely traffi c demand/safety perspective. The possibility of the project remaining on any program will be determined after an evaluation of the project need and community input.”

And she has recently stated,“Through this AOB update process, I am hopeful that we can identify other projects for Alamo so that the estimated $2 million in funds already collected through the AOB do not have to be returned to the developers who paid those fees. Instead, I would prefer to see them used for the benefi t of Alamo.”

The AOB update could take at least six months to a year, assuming the pro-cess goes smoothly. DKS Associates will be assisting the Public Works Depart-ment through the update. Below are the tasks that need to be accomplished to complete the AOB update and the projected meeting goals to accomplish this.

Task 1: Evaluate Current Area of Benefi t Program – Review the current AOB program to gain an understanding of its status and remaining issues including the status of projects in the program and the fund balance

Task 2: AOB Development Potential – Estimate the development po-tential for the horizon year (2035) with which the project team will project transportation needs and determine new development’s share of the cost of transportation projects in the updated program

Task 3: AOB Needs Analysis – Conduct transportation analysis to identify the existing and future multimodal needs and to draft the project list that will help address those needs

Task 4: Project Cost Estimates – Prepare construction cost estimates for the transportation improvements in the AOB project list

Task 5: Nexus Study – Determine the basis for allocating improvement costs to new development in the AOB and the methodology for calculating fee by development type

Task 6: Community Involvement (Ongoing) – Provide outreach oppor-tunities to inform the community and stakeholders about the AOB update and to gather input about community desires for the projects to be included in the program and how the development fees to support the projects are structured”

In the coming weeks and months, the County will be updating the list of projects to which AOB funds can be used. Despite many requests to remove the project entitled “Stone Valley Road/ Danville Boulevard Intersection Im-provements”) from the AOB project list, the list has remained unchanged for over a decade, ostensibly because of the lengthy process required to change it.

This will be Alamo’s only chance for a long time, possibly ever, to com-ment on these projects and remove them from our future.

Please make your voices heard. Please attend the public meetings regarding updates to the Alamo AOB project list, and share your concerns.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.

The Great Tear DebateBy Monica Chappell

A common question from my wine students is related to wine “tears,” a mythical indicator of wine quality. In wine speak, “tears” refer to the way that wine swirled in a glass runs down the inside surface. There you go; that’s it. But is it?

If you look wine “tears” up in Wikipedia, you will fi nd, “The phenomenon called tears of wine is mani-fested as a ring of clear liquid, near the top of a glass

of wine, from which droplets continuously form and drop back into the wine.”How It Works

Fill a wine glass one quarter full, and gently move the glass in a circular motion so that the wine swirls up the sides. Hold the glass still and look at the wine as it runs down. It may fl ow down in a fairly even sheet, or it may pull into more concentrated streaks. These tears, or “legs” as the French refer to them, are the streaks of wine.What It Means

Once upon a time, these tears were interpreted as the sure sign of a rich, high-quality wine. While some people believe that the presence and thickness

of tears relates to the sweetness, viscosity or quality of wine, none of these is correct. Today, we know that a wine’s tears are a complicated phenomenon having to do with the surface tension of the wine and the evaporation rate of the wine's alcohol. Because a wine’s “body” is affected by the alcohol content, there is some relationship between tears and body, but there are so many other factors involved that tears are a poor indicator of quality. Give It A Try

Still not convinced that it's physics and not quality that drives this phe-nomenon? Try covering your next glass of wine, and see if the tears pres-ent decrease when covered compared to when open. What you'll fi nd is no evaporation, no tears. This is because the air inside the glass contains enough alcohol vapor to prevent more from evaporating and the formation of tears stops. Uncover the glass and tears will start to form again.Swirl Away

If this is true, then why do wine lovers still swirl their wine? They do it because it helps to release aromas which in turn makes tasting and smelling the wine easier. Swirling also increases oxygenation of the wine, which in turn affects the fl avor, so swirl away!

Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Danville. Visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com for a list of classes.


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Sustainable Danville Area Tip of the MonthThe Essence of HerbsBy Joey Mazzera, Danville Area Sustainable Business Owner, Green Apple Acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal medicine is at the root, so to speak, of achieving balance in the body. For thousands of years Chinese doctors have used nature, more specifi cally food, as not only preventative but also active medicine. When we think of herbal medicine, we tend to think of sticks, roots, fl owers, and maybe even some obscure animal parts. All of those do in fact make up the Chinese Pharmacopeia. However everyday foods are also considered medicine. In TCM, dietary choices are the anchor of health and healing. As an acupuncturist, people are always asking me about weight loss, a faster metabolism, and what specifi c foods they should be eating. The fact of the matter is that how you eat is just as important as what you eat. Keep it simple and listen to your body.

Every body is a different machine that requires an individual and specifi c dietary plan. The TCM diet is very much a personalized approach to food and nutritional

health. The foundation begins with eating fresh foods, eating as seasonally as pos-sible, and acknowledging how your body reacts to certain foods. Eating mindfully with intention can teach us how we are assimilating our foods and how we may need to change our dietary ways. The preparation of foods changes the energetic properties. For instance, a raw carrot may cause a different metabolic reaction than a baked carrot. Understanding what you need from an individual food will change the way you prepare it. For someone who can’t digest raw vegetables, a light sauté may be the way to incorporate those important veggies. If someone runs too hot but still wants spicy food, pairing that dish with something cooling in nature is a way to eat those spicy treats. When you start to look at foods as a balancing act, you begin to understand how to create the perfect harmonious plate.

When we use food as medicine, it is important to think of food in terms of energetics. All foods and herbs are composed of three elements - energy, movement, and fl avor.

The energy of foods relates to a food’s ability to either create heat or act as a coolant. When a person generates too much heat in their body, we can see things like hot, itchy skin issues or a hot red face. In these cases it’s benefi cial for that person to eat foods cool in nature. Bamboo shoot, chrysanthemum (a staple Chinese herbs), and bananas all have a cooling effect on the body. Contrarily, a person with arthritis that is exacerbated by a cold and damp day would do better with warm foods such as pumpkin, onions, peppercorns, etc.

When we think of movement of foods, we think in terms of guiding the “Qi” of certain foods. Food and herbs have the ability to move inward, outward, up and down. For example, at the fi rst sign of a cold you can make a strong cup of ginger and garlic tea in efforts to induce a sweat (an outward motion) to expel pathogens and help body recover from the cold more quickly.

Finally, there are fi ve fl avor categories that food falls into - salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and pungent. Each of these fl avors has a specifi c action in your body and are often used in conjunction with each other to create a balanced meal. Understand-ing the fl avor relationship can enhance your digestive assimilation of nutrients as well as help guide you to the food your body needs. The fl avors of foods are often associated with specifi c organs and related processes.

Using food as medicine is a primal and instinctive way to get in touch with our bodies and reconnect with our health. Food should be fun and interesting and used a way to nourish not only our bodies but also our heart and souls. Bon appetite!

Sustainable Danville Area and the Danville Library present The Essence of Herbs on Thursday, March 21st at 6:30pm at the Danville Library, Mt. Diablo Room, 400 Front Street. Joey Erwin Mazzera of Green Apple Acupuncture, a Diplomat of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine with the NCCAOM, and a licensed Acupuncturist with the state of California will guide an exploration of the fi ve food categories and dozens of herbs that delight the senses, enhance food and your health. For more information, visit www.sustainabledanville.

helps hikers spot the exquisite botanical treasures found along the trailside. Rare, endangered, newly discovered, and recently rediscovered plants populate the Diablo Wilderness.

In 2005, Michael Park took a different route back to his car while doing graduate study work on Mount Diablo and spied a dainty annual thought for 69 years to be extinct: Mount Diablo Buckwheat. Attempts to establish ad-

ditional colonies with seedlings grown at UC Berkeley have not succeeded. Camera traps triggered by motion have been set beside the single known population to determine what fauna co-exist with this species. On Lime Ridge in 2008, amateur botanist David Gowan discovered two previously unknown plant species: the Lime Ridge navarettia and the Lime Ridge wooly star.

Warning: the magic of the mountain indigenous Miwok people considered the seat of creation is hard to resist. Many of the participants in Four Days Dia-blo become avid volunteers and/or signifi cant donors. Hannah Alger had never heard of SMD before her sister-in-law gave her information about FDD last spring. At 77 Alger found the invitation to hike once again a welcome challenge. “I never before met such a dedicated, enthusiastic, and happy group of volunteers. I want my grandchildren and yours to have and share this beautiful landscape.”

John and Tena Gallagher became dedicated volun-teers after experiencing FDD in 2005. John, now a Board member, trucks the “kitchen” and other equip-ment from site to site during the April event. Tena takes home tableware to sanitize in the dishwasher and return

Seth Adams and Ronald Brown review the map of the Diablo Wilderness.

SMD continued from front page

SMD continued on page 24


to the mountain. Hikers attend a preparation meeting a month before the trek and rejoin one another for a reunion months later highlighted by Scott Hein’s exceptional photographs.

Sue Ohanian became involved with SMD when she retired. “Four Days Diablo synthesized my prior experience with Save Mount Diablo as a donor and volunteer, and it strengthened my belief in the cohesion of the organiza-tion. Core cohesion is so critical.”

Nancy Woltering read about FDD in the Clayton Pioneer and signed up for the 2011 excursion. Now a part-time staff member, she describes the

way the organi-zation negotiates to get groups with totally dis-parate priorities to agree on com-mon goals. “Save Mount Diablo overcomes polar-ity by extending a welcoming hand to many different individuals and

groups; it brings people together to enjoy, appreciate, and ultimately preserve the mountain and its surroundings.”

Executive Director Ron Brown and the SMD staff monitor more than 40 planning agendas a week to evaluate their potential impact on the mountain. The more the population in communities surrounding the mountain grows, the more important the mission of making the Diablo Wilderness appropriately available for recreation becomes. Ron explains that the approach required to preserve this large, diverse ecosystem for future generations needs to satisfy everyone’s interests whether economically, politically, environmentally or aesthetically based.

Communications Coordinator Beryl Anderson addresses the misconception that SMD is anti-development. By advocating intelligent planning for develop-ment that preserves the watershed, wildlife corridors and breathtaking vistas, SMD ensures that development enhances real estate values and provides future generations with access to an incomparable wilderness in their own backyards.

In 2012, 1,450 volunteers gave 15,000 hours of service to Save Mount Dia-blo. Stewards walk properties under SMD management to inspect the condition of trails, fences, and buildings. Others offer services that don’t include outdoor expertise. Whatever time or talent you want to donate to the mission is valued.

Mount Diablo State Park was fi rst dedicated in 1921, with no funding allocated to purchase land. In 1930 the park still contained zero acres when Mary Bowerman began cataloguing the plants of Mount Diablo for her UC Berkeley senior undergraduate project. Walter Frick, owner of much of the

mountain, granted Mary permission to wander throughout his property. In 1931, California bought 348 acres from Frick, and the park was dedicated once again.

The opening of I-680 in the 1960s cre-ated a population explosion that brought conservation advocates together. On December 7, 1971, Mary Bowerman and Arthur Bonwell held the fi rst meeting of Save Mount Diablo. Their original goal of protecting the mountain by advocat-ing conservation-based legislation soon evolved as they realized that raising funds for land acquisition was a critical component of preservation.

“Mary Bowerman was one of the people going back to the time of John Muir carrying on the conservation tradi-tion of the Bay Area to protect places they felt were special,” Sproul explains. Art Bonwell had the practical skills to make Bowerman’s visions viable. Today SMD carries on their work by matching complimentary skill sets such as Land Programs Director Seth Adams’s abil-ity to visualize how properties fi t into the preservation puzzle and Executive Director Ron Brown’s capacity to rally community support.

For information on Four Days Diablo, day hikes, family events, volunteer opportunities and much more, visit www.savemountdiablo.org or call the of-fi ce at 925-947-3535.


New Drugs Give Hope for Colon Cancer By Jewel Johl, MD

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and a reminder to patients aged 50 and older to be screened either through occult blood test or colonoscopy. Screening for colorectal cancer can identify premalignant lesions and detect early stage cancer.

Approximately 150,000 new cases of large bowel cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, of which 108,000 are colon cancers and the remainder rectal cancers. Annually, approximately 50,000 Americans die of colorectal cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death, and it accounts for approximately nine percent of cancer deaths overall.

Several new drugs have been approved for metastatic colorectal cancer and have the potential to extend survival and improve patient quality of life. Some of these drugs work in a unique, biological way. While some are approved to be given in combina-tion with chemotherapy, one is approved to be given by itself to patients who have advanced metastatic colorectal cancer and

have run out of standard chemotherapy options. While new drugs continue to give hope to colorectal cancer patients, early detection is still critically important to patient’s survival. Screening for

colorectal cancer can identify premalignant lesions and detect early stage cancer. There are several tests that are available for colorectal cancer screening. While stool occult blood test can detect cancer at an early stage, colonoscopy has the potential to prevent cancer by detecting polyps that can be removed prior to malignant transformation. Screening needs to start even earlier for patients with hereditary forms of colon cancer (HNPCC) or when a strong ge-netic predisposition is suspected.

Jewel Johl, M.D. is a Medical Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. One of his specialties is treating colorectal cancer. He practices at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill and at a satellite offi ce in Brentwood. For more information, call (925) 677-5041. Advertorial

SMD continued from page 23

Mount Diablo Buckwheat presumed extinct for 69 years was rediscovered in 2005. Photo by Scott Hein.

SMD founders Mary Bowerman and Art Bonwell on the mountain in 1993. Photo by Stephen Joseph.

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• Certifi ed 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-profi t 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.


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The Eye Opener By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo OptometryBroken Blood Vessel in the Eye

When patients call into the offi ce with a concern of a broken blood vessel (subconjunctival hemorrhage) in the eye, they are usually pretty scared about what is happening to their eye. In a very high percentage of cases, this is a completely benign condition; it just looks a lot worse than it actually is.

For patients who have never had this happen to them before, it can be a scary situation to see your eye extremely red. We have found that patients generally think the worst when something goes wrong with their eyes and/or vision. As I tell everyone, thankfully most of the time the condition is treatable and will not lead to permanent vision loss. However, that is not the case all the time; therefore a visit to the eye doctor is prudent to come up with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a very small blood vessel (cap-illary) bursts within the layers of the front part of the eye. This bleeding will usually obscure the eye so you can’t see through to the white part of the eye, and it can happen anywhere on the surface of the eye. These small bleeds generally get larger after the initial incident because the outside layer of the eye has a cel-lophane look and feel to it; this tends to push down and spread out the blood. I will tell patients that the eye will look a little worse in the initial 24-48 hours before the blood starts to get reabsorbed. With a hemorrhage of this kind, the patient should have no other symptoms besides the red eye. There should be no pain, discomfort, vision loss, or discharge. Patients often do not even notice it until they look in the mirror or are asked by someone else, “What is wrong with your eye?” It is at this point that a call is made for an offi ce visit.

The most common cause of this condition is “It just happens.” Most of the time, a patient will go to bed fi ne and wake up with the hemorrhage. Other typi-cal causes are trauma to the eye, heavy lifting, coughing, high blood pressure, and secondary to some medications. I have found that blood pressure is usually not the cause as it would require extremely high blood pressure to have an ef-fect. Some medications including aspirin, prescription blood thinners, and some OTC medications such as ginkgo biloba in some people can cause the blood to thin too much and be a reason for the hemorrhage. However, these medications are usually prescribed for a heart condition and some blood disorders, and they are therefore necessary for the health of the patient. I will always instruct the patient to not change their current medications, but know that it might lengthen the time for full recovery.

Once the diagnosis is made, there is no treatment necessary. The blood will reabsorb within 1-2 weeks depending on the size of the initial hemorrhage. As the blood breaks down on the surface of the eye, it might start to change colors, similar to a “black and blue bruise.” If the cause of the hemorrhage was a for-eign body to the eye, then I will prescribe a mild antibiotic to cover against an infection. Cool compresses will not hasten recovery, but I would avoid warm compresses as heat dilates your blood vessels, thus bringing more blood to the area. I fi nd most patients just need to understand what happened, to have reas-surance that it is nothing to worry about, and to know that it is not contagious. Even though this condition is completely benign, it can be confused with other issues that require treatment. You should have your eyes checked at the offi ce to ensure that the eyes are healthy and that there is no need for treatment or referral.

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 offi ce 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

Tattoo RemovalBy Dr. Jerome Potozkin

Some things in life simply aren’t made to last. At least that’s what Rachel M. learned several years ago when she was in her twenties dating someone named William. She and William were in love, and one summer evening Rachel decided to have “William” tattooed onto her lower back. The summer ended and so did Rachel’s relationship with William. Rachel was depressed because she now had her ex-boyfriend’s name on her back as a permanent

reminder of her failed relationship. She was also very concerned about how this would impact her future relationships and if she would have to limit her dating pool to guys named William. Rachel consulted with me as to what her options were. Thankfully for Rachel, her story had a happy ending.

Tattoos and body art are very popular in the United States and through-out the world. An estimated 20 million Americans have a tattoo. About half of those report wishing they could remove their tattoo. My only advice for people choosing to have someone’s name tattooed is to only tattoo the name of your child or parent as those relationships are forever. If you are thinking about permanently placing the name of a boyfriend or girlfriend, don’t do it. It is always easier to not place the tattoo in the fi rst place than to have it removed later on.

In my practice we have treated many tattoos. Laser tattoo removal has become the gold standard. Laser technology has made great strides in removing tattoos. A tattoo simply represents ink particles embedded in the dermis of the skin. The laser emits an intense beam of light that passes through the outer layer of skin. The light energy is converted into heat energy when it is absorbed by the ink particles. The particles are shattered into tiny pieces which are then removed by the cells of the body’s immune system. We numb our patients so that they do not feel anything during the procedure. If you were to have this done without numbing it would feel like bacon grease spattering on the skin. Ouch! Most professional tattoos require multiple treatments spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. After the treatment, the tattoo will gradually fade over time. Risks of treatment include crusting, loss of pigmentation, scarring, and partial fading. Most people do very well with laser tattoo removal. Laser

treatments have much lower risk of scarring than the older methods of tattoo removal such as dermabrasion or surgical excision. I have seen some patients who tried a commercially available over the counter solution for treating tattoos. Unfortunately, these remedies do not work and can burn the skin.

Fortunately for Rachel, we were able to remove her tattoo. She is now happily married to someone not named William. If you have a tattoo that you would like to have removed, there is hope. We can help you just as we have many other people. We are accepting new patients at our fully accredited laser facility in downtown Danville. Please call us today at 925-838-4900 to schedule a consultation.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certifi ed dermatologist who has been serving the lo-cal community since 1993. His offi ce 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


• Sunday, March 17th, 11am-4pm - Happily Ever After Starts Here Bridal Faire, El Cerrito

• Sunday, April 7th, 11am-4pm - The Bay Area Wedding Fair, San Ramon • Sunday, April 21st, 11am-4pm - San Francisco’s Bay Area Wedding Fair &

Gown Sale, San Francisco• Saturday, April 27th, 1pm-4pm - Bridal Faire, San RamonDr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon

and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or [email protected]. Advertorial

Craniosacral Therapy 101By Marchelle Milligan

Do you suffer with back pain, headaches, or TMJ, or do you just feel stressed all the time? Have you been in an accident, had an illness or experienced another trauma that is recent or from long ago which is still unresolved? What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and how can it benefi t you?

CST is a gentle, hands-on approach to care that releases tension deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health. If one part of the body is restricted, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to infl ammation, pain, stiffness, and other health conditions.

The central nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal cord, in our body is like command central. Few structures have as much infl uence over the body’s ability to function properly as the CNS. And the CNS is heavily infl uenced by the craniosacral system, the membranes and fl uid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Western medicine often fragments the human being into separate body parts. Different parts of the body require a different expert in the particular organ or system. Patients can end up seeing three or four specialists, each one treating something different. CST does not just chase individual symptoms but looks to fi nd the underlying cause of the condition so the whole body can function in harmony and balance.

Of course an accident, illness, or emotional trauma may cause imbalance in the body, but it can also happen every day your body endures stresses and

- March 2013 ~ Alamo Todaystrains that it must work to compensate for. The body is always striving to be in balance and will make changes as best it can given the circumstances. However, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. Over time, stored stresses, tension, and trauma may give rise to restricted body functioning as the experiences pile up. For example, if faced with a stress or trauma, tissues contract as a natural protective response. If the tissue remains contracted, the inertia starts to restrict normal functioning. So, if a muscle goes into a contraction and remains in tension, this can cause joint stiffness and create tension in the surrounding connective tissue. This restriction may then start to impinge on blood vessels which reduces circulation of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the region. It may also interfere with the removal of toxins and cause a disturbance with nerve impulses.

Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple meth-ods of touch. CST evaluates the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebro-spinal fl uid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in these tissues and help the body self correct.

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord, and en-hancing the body’s ability to self-correct, everyone can potentially benefi t from CST. It can be effective in stress management, and treating headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ dysfunctions, depression, post traumatic stress disorders, chronic pain, sleep disorders, vertigo, and more. CST can also support minor surgeries, including dental work, which can create strains in your system.

For more information, log onto www.therhythmwithin.org. To schedule an appointment, please contact Marchelle Milligan at (925) 286-6237. Located in the Alamo Commons. New clients receive $15 off a one hour session. Advertorial

Join Me at a Bridal FairBy Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

First, a warm congratulations to the two fabulous women on my all-women staff who just got engaged. As I watch these young brides plan their weddings, I fi nd myself refl ecting on what we all do to prepare for weddings, and how much has changed.

In 1946 my father, a fi ghter pilot just back from World War II, saw my mother walking across the quad

at Auburn University. “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen,” he said to me, even now smiling at the memory, “and I knew right then I would marry her.” Less than a year later, in a simple ceremony, my father in his a light tan suit and my mother in a modest Sunday dress, they were married. On Valentine’s Day this year, I brought my father home from the hospital to celebrate with my mother; they enjoyed dinner at my new home along with the rest of the family. Romance, I thought, has so many different faces.

It is thus that I think of weddings as more than a day to look beautiful, for over the years the wedding has become an event, even an entire weekend, unto its own. Vows taken are shared by families and loved ones, and promises are made not only between the betrothed but between friends and relatives. They wish to see each other more, to stay in touch, to remain inspired and hopeful. And, no matter what the age of the couple, there is a particular youthfulness about a husband and wife to-be that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The actual day is one of spontaneity (from spur-of-the-moment toasts to unconstrained laughter), happiness (the joy of the present to the promise of forever), and celebration (Music! Dancing! Love!). Whether we are the mother of the bride, the maid of honor, or the fl ower girl, this is a day we all cherish—not just because of the way we looked, but because the way we felt-- just joyous!

My mother, I am sure, prepared far less for her entire wedding than my two nurses have done in the past week, but her marriage was no less inspired for it. Still, all that we do as we look towards the weddings to come this season is nothing short of fun. From tanning beds to fl ower arrangements, from public gift registries to hush-hush beauty tweaks, there is much to plan. One place to begin the merriment is a bridal fair. There are some upcoming events in our area. I will be at a few of them, and I hope you will be there too!

• Saturday, March 9th, 11am-3pm - Bridal Open House, Tiburon• Sunday, March 10th, 11am-4pm - The Romancer Wedding Show, Alameda

Cancer Support CommunityThe following classes are held at Cancer Support Community, located

at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. These free classes are for cancer patients, their families, and friends. Reservations are required. For informa-tion, call (925) 933-0107.

Into The Heart Of Grieving - Screen the documentary, The Heart of Grieving, then explore the many facets of grief: fi nal moments, last wishes, honoring the dead and living with loss. By listening to each other’s stories, patients and families may gain insights about what is next and what is needed. Facilitated by Michelle Peticolas, PhD, a grief transformation specialist and fi lmmaker. Tuesday, March 12th from 6PM – 8PM.

Making Informed Choices About Standard Care And Clinical Trials - Learn about benefi ts and risks of standard treatments and clinical trials. Find out how new cancer treatments are developed and approved, how to sort out myths from facts about clinical trials, and how to locate those in your area that may be right for you. Facilitated by Robert Robles, MD, a medical oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology Hematology. Tuesday, April 16th from 6PM – 8PM.

Spot it Early FREE Skin Cancer Screening

Spot it Early is a new program being offered at the California Skin and Melanoma Center in Pleasant Hill.

Rachel Ghiorsi, a Physician Assistant and Christine Lee, MD from The East Bay Laser and Skin Care Center will be performing complimentary full body skin cancer screenings on March 28th from 9-11am at 400 Taylor Blvd. #305 in Pleas-ant Hill. Limited appointments available; please call 925-677-7287 to schedule.


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Our mission is to provide personalized care, help maintain independence and enhance our client’s quality of life on a daily basis.

• Free in-home assessments ensure the right care plan for you• Fully bonded and insured• Elder referral and placement

3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite DLafayette, CA 94549(beside Trader Joe’s) 925-284-1213

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The Many Faces of Colon CancerCome and experience “The Many Faces of Colon Cancer,” an event

focusing on the unique issues of colorectal cancer patients. Join an engag-ing panel of medical experts as they cover the most current information regarding preven-tion, screening, treatment options, surgical techniques, nutrition, and survivorship.

The event, hosted by Diablo Valley Oncol-ogy, will be held March 28th from 6-8PM in the Community Room of the Lafayette Library and Learning center, located at 3491 Mt. Dia-blo Blvd in Lafayette.

Register for the event by calling (925) 677-5041 x272.

Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS.Good Nutrition Means Avoiding Constant Hunger and Cravings for Sweets

Dr. Jeff, a local physician, decided to take advan-tage of my Eight Week Royal Treatment weight loss program. This special program is based upon several studies that confi rm if a person changes their eating habits over a two month period, they have the optimal

chance of reducing weight and keeping it off – less time is not as effective, and more time has diminishing returns. My eight week program includes visiting the client’s home, making an assessment of their refrigerator and pantry, taking them on a supermarket tour, planning detailed menus, and following up frequently through phone, email and face-to-face sessions.

When Jeff called me he was complaining that in his quest to lose weight he felt he was always hungry and craved sweets, and as a result he could not drop the weight he wanted. He came to my offi ce for an initial session with his wife Ellyn and brought a food diary covering a few days. I could immediately see why he is always hungry - his diet was very low in protein and fi ber, especially during his busy day. For the second session I went to his home and made an inventory of their refrigerator and pantry where my low protein and low fi ber diagnosis was confi rmed. There were several types of cheese, leftover spaghetti with marinara sauce, fresh eggs, veggies, and a fruit bowl on the counter. Jeff is a “cracker boy,” as he noted and explained the many boxes of unhealthy crackers in the pantry. There were no ready to take meals or snacks for the offi ce, such as hard boiled eggs.

Jeff and his wife agreed to go with me to Trader Joe’s to set them up with fresh, tasty meals that would be available for their high paced lifestyle. Jeff loves Trader Joe’s but was shocked to see all the great food items that he simply overlooked or was unaware of how to prepare. We went aisle by aisle and through each item where we discussed meal and snack ideas based on what we saw.

In the lettuce section I introduced them to the organic bags of arugula that

is delicious with diced fennel, fresh beets, and fresh quartered artichokes to be thrown in salads. We bought shredded cabbage and shoestring carrots that would make delicious Asian coleslaw, along with Persian cucumbers, cilantro, sundried tomatoes, and sesame oil to be used to make low-fat hummus. I introduced them to Just Chicken, Fresh Grilled Chicken Strips, and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breasts which are all better than greasy rotisserie chickens. We bought the 97% fat free Hebrew National hot dogs that will be enjoyed with fat free baked beans, and pickles. We also purchased individual serving packages of almonds that Jeff liked for taking to the offi ce, and I suggested he create a trail mix with dried cranberries and Kashi Go Lean cereal which would help slow down his consumption of too many nuts. In addition, I showed Jeff the best cracker on the market called Akmak, which has lots of protein and fi ber. He found he liked the nutty, grainy taste.

We went to the grains section where they found foods they never heard of such as quinoa, whole wheat couscous, faro, barley, and bulgur. We scheduled a cooking lesson the next day where I would show them how to simply prepare these grains. I pointed out the popular Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soups which I recommend as a side to lunch. They learned that the lentil veg-etable, black bean, and minestrone soups are heartier and provide protein and fi ber and they are a great complement to a sandwich or a chicken caesar salad.

The couple was excited to see how I put meals together for them while shop-ping. At their home, I helped them prepare the hot dogs with fat free baked beans, which were served alongside pickles and sauerkraut that they had in the pantry. Jeff was so full after this meal that he said he felt like he would never be hungry again. We then made tabouli with whole wheat couscous and veggies, coleslaw, and low fat hummus to be kept in the refrigerator for quick snacks.

I set up a meal plan for them and then followed this up with evening phone calls to see how they liked the menu I planned. I was thrilled to hear that Jeff was experiencing a happy fullness after each meal without wanting to snack. He felt that his energy level during the day was high and remained constant while seeing patients. I am also glad to inform you that Jeff has lost 10 pounds, which he said was painless. Now Jeff shops weekly and makes sure that at home there are many choices for meals that are properly balanced with protein and fi ber.

I am glad to inform you that your health insurance may pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at [email protected] and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles, recipes, and tips in my blog section. Advertorial

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als, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Run the same classifi ed 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-

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priced home from the low-e s t p r i c e d h o m e s o l d within each of the three sepa-rate groups on the bell curve.

So how do you determine the right price to sell your Alamo home, and how does a buyer determine what price to offer? If the seller uses average price and the buyer uses median price, it seems likely that there is a better chance of making a deal on those properties sitting in the middle 50% than at the margins. However, because of the manyfold differences among individual properties, neither measure is necessarily useful.

Correctly pricing Alamo Real Estate for sale today involves both an element of science (the numbers) and art which comes from experience with all types of properties selling within the Alamo market. Only solid judgment based upon extensive local market experi-ence and correctly choosing the right comparative homes recently sold can help with this.

If you have been thinking about selling your home, Nancy and I would be glad to prepare a free market analysis specifi c to your home. We would welcome the opportunity to help you develop ideas on how to best prepare your home to optimize its market value. Please feel free to give us a call or send and email to [email protected]. Nancy and I routinely publish articles about our local market that never make it to the newspaper. These articles can be viewed on our website www.thecombsteam.com.


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 Real Estate Sales: Pricing Tricky in a Changing MarketOne of the greatest challenges facing a buyer and seller, in a rapidly changing real estate

market, that we currently fi nd in Alamo is pricing to market value. Market value is defi ned as “the price a willing buyer and willing seller agree in the absence of duress.” What this means is simply that the seller is not forced to sell, and the buyer is not forced to buy, due to abnormal pressure. In our market, a short sale creates duress for the seller. Lack of alternative properties (low inventory) creates duress for the buyer. Our current Alamo market has elements of both. We have limited quantity of quality inventory and about 1/3 of properties sold are distressed.

The fact that Alamo properties are selling in a range that includes sales below $300 per square foot and more than $500 per square foot clearly illustrates that both buyer and seller duress is present in Alamo Real Estate Market. Otherwise, Alamo Real Estate would be selling in a tighter range. In nearly every article I write, I discuss average price as it is a great measure to show overall price movements between time periods. Think overall price trends. Median price is a good measure for showing the mix of properties being sold. During the down turn large expensive properties were not selling well. Smaller less expensive homes were. Hence there was a much lower median price than prior to the downturn, and there is a higher and improving median price today as lenders are once again making super jumbo loans. While both measures are useful, neither measure is in itself perfect for every property at any given point in time.

The attached graphic, a simple bell curve, illustrates this point perfectly. From February 19, 2012 to February 19, 2013 a total of 253 Alamo homes sold. The average price was $1,214,144 dollars, while the median price was $1,177,500.

Moving from left to right on the chart we can see that the bottom 25% of homes sold at an average price of $691,791 and a median price of $807,500. In the center the middle 50% of properties sold at an average price of $1,195,492 and a median price of $1,187,500. To the far right you can see that the top 25% of Alamo home sales begin at $1,409,000. The median price is $1,695,000 and the average price is $1,834,081.

At fi rst glance it seems clear that pricing a home sitting in the middle 50% is far less of a challenge than pricing at the margins. In the middle, average and median price are separated by a mere $8,000, while at the margins the spreads are more than $100,000. If only it were that simple. When we dig into the detail of the numbers, we discover that nearly $500,000 separates the highest

alamo today, march 2013

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