danville today news, july 2012

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July 2012 Serving Danville

See TBG continued on page 23

See Roses continued on page 17PRSRT STD

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Rove Among the Roses at Osage ParkBy Jody Morgan

The breathtaking display of roses accessible free of charge at Danville’s Osage Station Park beckons visitors of all ages. Memorial beds along the jogging path display 1417 rose bushes, and 104 climbers adorn fences and arbors. The Veterans Memorial Circle at the north parking area honors all who have served, are serving, or will serve in our armed forces with another 91 roses. Roses near the tennis courts off Orange Blossom Way also cause passersby to pause.

Thanks to the symbiotic relationship between Danville’s park superintendent John Teix-eira and three volunteer groups (Diablo Women’s Garden Club, Alamo-Danville Newcom-ers Club and Danville Garden Club), the roses are pruned, fed, weeded, and deadheaded so that the public can enjoy their heady fragrance and wealth of blossoms without lifting a fi nger. In January the town does the hard pruning. “Some people wait until we prune to do their own roses,” John notes. A handful of gardeners also stop by to collect cuttings of their favorite roses to root. The next step is applying a systemic insecticide to prevent aphid damage on new growth, followed two weeks later by the application of a triple 20 fertilizer. A second application of fertilizer is done later in the year.

The newest planting, designed and built in 2004, forms a triangle behind Charlotte Wood Middle School. Vicki Brown, who be-gan volunteer-ing at Osage with the Alamo-Danville New-comers group in 1997, took charge of the space when it was installed and now has more than 60 eager volunteers on the roster of her Danville Garden Club aka Petal Pushers. The enthusiastic response of visitors to their

Danville Garden Club

Nancy Goreth trims Osage Park Roses

Rich Richmond Honored for a Lifetime of Service to the Boy ScoutsAt the June 3rd meeting of Boy Scout Troop 36 based in Danville, Rich Richmond was honored for the many roles he has played volunteering for Boy Scouts of America. Rich became a Boy Scout in the 1930’s, and for over 50 years he has held key leadership positions within the Boy Scout organization, including serving for 38 years as Troop 36 Unit Commissioner, presiding over more than 100 Courts of Honor ceremonies, attending monthly District Roundtable meetings, and guiding and mentoring adult Scouters in a number of different courses and activities. He and his wife Jean raised three sons, all of whom have become Eagle Scouts. Troop 36 was founded in 1969 and is sponsored by St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, located at 1550 Diablo Road in Danville, which welcomes boys of all denominations.

From left to right: Troop 36 Committee Chair David Dotzler, Unit Commissioner Rich Richmond, Assistant Scoutmaster JP Salgado, and Scoutmaster Thomas Dittrich

Scouts Set Bounty Garden Boxes on Site By Jody Morgan

Under the direc-tion of Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Bertha, scouts from BSA Troop 228 moved 24 boxes into place on June 9th to set The Bounty Garden (TBG) on track to begin plant-ing in early July. Irriga-tion is in place. The smaller barn at the site has been renovated and now lets fl oods of light into the storage and gathering area for TBG volunteers. Over the course of the summer, visitors to Hap Magee Ranch Park can watch the fi rst crop grow in its certifi ed organic soil mix. Once the initial harvest time is apparent, a date for the Grand Opening ceremony will be announced. All of the food produced will be donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County.

Eagle candidates are required to demonstrate their leadership and or-ganizational skills in the course of completing their Eagle Projects. Heidi Abramson, co-founder of TBG, expressed her appreciation of Bertha’s abil-ity to rally his workers when a major issue halted progress. The ground was so hard the scouts couldn’t dig holes deep enough for the legs of the boxes.

Scouting brings Brian, Matthew, and Rachel Bertha together to install TBG boxes.

Volume III - Number 93000F Danville Blvd. #117,

Alamo, CA 94507(925) 405-6397

Fax (925) 406-0547

Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publishereditor@

yourmonthlypaper.com

The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily refl ect that of Danville Today News.

Danville Today News is not responsible for the content of any of

the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com - July 2012 ~ Danville Today News

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Boulevard ViewBy Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

I had this month’s article written in my head and on scraps of paper, and I think someone spied on me! The Sustainable Danville organization took the words right out of my mouth. Here is my story.

Our home is located about a block off of the Iron Horse Trail. In the front yard there are wonderful orange and plum trees. Several weeks ago my husband went outside and noted a man taking oranges off the tree. My husband was about to admonish the man for taking

without asking, but realized by the man’s appearance that he probably needed the oranges more than we did.

Our yards have the potential to provide more than a pretty lawn or space-fi lling shrubs. Many of us have ample space to plant a fruit tree or grow vegetables. Poverty and food insecurity is rising, even in our comfortable and affl uent region. This is not just a problem “somewhere else.” There are people in our own communities who fi nd it diffi cult to purchase healthy food. Healthy food is more expensive than the highly processed foodstuffs we fi nd at the local supermarket. Unfortunately, healthy food is often a luxury item for most people, unless they can manage to grow their own.

The upcoming Bounty Garden at Hap Magee Ranch Park (see front page) will pro-vide a garden for us to learn sustainable gardening techniques. This area will also provide healthy food to those in need through the vast network of our local Food Bank.

My side yard has several large redwood trees. The area around their base makes a wonderful composting spot for my grass and leaf clippings, together with my fruit and vegetable compost scraps. They all end up back in my garden as rich, dark, nutrient-rich soil. After reading the Michael Pollan books, In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I have been inspired to plant and grow even more.

Everyone benefi ts when we plant a garden to share. Our families eat better and we can contribute to the community to help others. As I’ve been researching differ-ent crops for our region and our seasons, I’ve been introduced to planting heirloom seeds. If you get the opportunity, check out a couple of my new favorite sites, www.seedsavers.org or www.rareseeds.com. Each seed packet comes with its own story detailing the origin of the seeds and their history. With my last order of seeds, I learned about the upcoming 2nd Annual National Heirloom Exposition to be held

in Santa Rosa in September. The website (www.theheirloomexpo.com) says there will be 3,000 varieties of fruits and vegetables. There are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables I have never seen or heard of before, and it occurs to me that the grocery store barely scratches the surface of what is available to plant, grow, and eat. I thought I was doing a good job with the 30 different fruits and vegetables in my yard, however I am inspired to broaden our variety even further!

I don’t know why no one had ever told me that the greens from broccoli, cauli-fl ower, beets, and horseradish were not only edible, but that they are delicious! All these years, my greens have been limited to things like spinach and maybe some kale. A backyard garden can open a whole new window to tasty, healthy, and hyper-local food. If you fi nd yourself with a new food and don’t know what to do with it, try searching for recipes through www.foodgawker.com or www.foodnetwork.com. The amazing network of internet users has brought together people from all over the world who know what to do with the ingredients we may not have tried before.

A side-benefi t of our garden project has been how much our palate and diets have been enhanced. We never used to eat quinoa, amaranth, gluten free breads, or organic foods. We now understand the reasons behind the organic food move-ment, the different labelings of “organic,” and why it’s a good idea to eat those foods over many common off-the-shelf food products.

Food can be trendy, and terms such as “local” and “sustainable” are buzzwords that are becoming a lot more mainstream. But more than being a fad, these terms defi ne a new food awareness that is seeping into the American diet; we need to eat better and get back to basics. We are fortunate to live in an area surrounded by gifted people who take food seriously.

If you haven’t checked them out yet, I recommend you visit the wonderful year-round Danville Farmer’s Market held Saturdays 9am-1pm at the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenue (http://pcfma.com/danville), and the new Lafay-ette Farmer’s Market (www.sustainablelafayette.org/?page_id=3048) held in a parking lot directly behind the Lafayette BART station which will be open year-round on Sunday’s from 9am-1pm. Both are excellent local resources for healthy and local food for you and your families.

As also noted in the Sustainable Danville article, I recommend you check out the local Urban Farmers Group (www.theurbanfarmers.org). They will help offl oad your excess produce and deliver it to the Food Bank for others. You may also register your tree for picking, or if you see a tree along your daily travels whose fruit is going to waste, let them know and they will try and arrange to get that fruit to those in need.

[email protected]

Summer Round-UpPut on your cowboy boots, and kick-up your heels and head on out to the Dan-

ville Livery at the intersection of Sycamore Valley Rd. and San Ramon Valley Blvd. for some country western family fun! Mosey on down to the Livery on Saturday, July 7th to enjoy some live music, horse and wagon rides, balloon twisting, ajump house, face painting, giveaways and wild, western fun! Kids can pick up a passport at the guest services table in front of Danville Interior Design…get your passport stamped at participat-ing merchants for a chance to mine for gold and gemstones!

For information, visit www.danvilleliv-ery.com, and “like” the Danville Livery on Facebook or call 800-762-1641.

Danville Today News ~ July 2012 -

Huge Library Book SaleFriends of the Danville Library will hold a sale of gently used books, all for 50

cents or $1. Included will be children’s books, CD’s, DVD’s, and videotapes. This event will be held in the Danville Library 400 Front St. in Danville. The sale opens on Friday, July 27 from 9AM -10AM for members only and continue from10AM -5PM

when the public is invited. The public is also invited to shop on Saturday, July 28 from 10AM - 4PM and Sunday, July 29 from 12:05 - 3:45. Sunday is “bag day” when all the books you can carry cost only $5. Admission is free.

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Clarinet Fusion, performing as a Clarinet Choir presents “International Classics & Pops,” Sunday, July 1st at 1PM at the Blackhawk Auto Museum located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville.

Come see and hear a unique ensemble of seven different instruments of the clarinet family. The concert will feature a variety of tunes.

The concert is FREE with paid admission to the Museum - $10 adults; $7 seniors and students; free for children under 6.

The museum is open 10AM to 5PM. For more information about Clarinet Fusion, contact Karyn Weber at (925)372-8847 or [email protected].


Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 75, San Ramon

Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, located on the corner at East Prospect Avenue and Hartz Avenue. The next meeting will be held on July 18th. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more information, con-tact Post Commander Nathan Greene at (925) 875-1747. Mail to: VFW Post 75 San Ramon Valley, P.O. Box 1092, Danville, CA 94526. Find out more about the VFW and our Post on the internet at www.vfwpost75.org.

Delta Nu PsiThanks to our wonderful shoppers, Delta Nu Psi has shipped 931 boxes

of “Gourmet Junk Food” and fresh ground coffee to our service people in Af-ghanistan. While we no longer have squads in Iraq, the total amount sent to both countries is almost 12 tons! The 14 active members of the Delta Nu Psi service sorority appreciate your continued support.

Right now our squads are in need of individual eye drops, lip balm, and more fresh ground coffee. The squads also really enjoy letters. If you have a scout, summer school, or church group who could write letters, they would be greatly appreciated. Please contact us via www.deltanupsi.org, or visit us at one of our do-nations days - July 6th at CVS Alamo, and July 13th at Lunardi’s in Danville.

Cyclists Will Ride for VeteransSerious cyclists and recreational riders are invited to help severely wounded

veterans by joining V3, the fi rst Veterans Victory Velo set for Saturday, September 22 in San Ramon.

Riders can choose routes from 15 to 100 miles to raise funds for the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation which helps wounded veterans regain their self-suffi ciency and independence.

Registration begins at 6AM on ride day in the parking lot of the Foundation, 2678 Bishop Drive in San Ramon. Riders can choose from four routes, from the novice to the experienced: • 100-mile Century Ride begins at 7AM • 60-mile ride begins at 9AM • 30-mile ride begins at 10AM • 15-mile Family Fun Ride begins at 11AM.

The Family Ride will take cyclists up and down San Ramon Valley Blvd., while the 100-mile Century Ride takes riders to the ranger station on Mt. Diablo, around Morgan Territory, into Livermore, and back to the Foundation headquarters.

There will also be live music, a barbecue, and other fun events scheduled be-tween 1 and 3PM on the day of the ride.

In addition, a custom bike jersey is available to commemorate this ride. The Club Cut bike jersey, $65, is a little longer and looser than a Race Cut jersey.

For information on the race, to order a jersey, or to register, go to the race website at www.veteransvictoryvelo.com.

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

Counseling Services at Senior Center Danville-area seniors will have another venue for their health and well-

being, as the Town has begun a partnership with Discovery Counseling Center to provide mental health services at the Danville Senior Center located at 115 E. Prospect Avenue.

Thanks to a generous donation from Chevron, the Town and the Discovery Center will provide Counseling, Intervention, and Support for Seniors (CISS) at the downtown location, where seniors gather on a regular basis.

“The Town of Danville is always looking for ways to enhance programs and services for seniors,” said Assistant Town Manager Greg Gilbert. “This is a good example of how local partnerships are able to meet community needs.”

Discovery Counseling Center therapist, Dr. Fran Rapoport is now available by appointment at the Senior Center. Dr. Rapoport will have offi ce hours at the center, making therapy readily available and non-threatening. Plans are also underway for group counseling sessions on such issues as grief, loss, transi-tions, and maintaining good mental health.

For more information, contact Discovery Counseling Center Executive Director Kathy Chiverton at (925) 837-0505 or visit www.discoveryctr.net. Hospice of the East Bay Estate Sale Service

After the death of a loved one, dealing with the entire contents of a home and a life time of possessions can be overwhelming.

Hospice of the East Bay Estate Sales (HEB Estate Sales), formally known as Diablo Appraisal and Estate Sales, is an estate sale and liquidation service that manages and coordinates your entire estate and provides you with a tax benefi t by sharing the profi ts from the sale with Hospice of the East Bay. We provide caring and trained professionals that can help you handle the entire process making the seemingly impossible, attainable.

We will assess each item’s value, advertise the sale through multiple chan-nels, organize and display your estate items, provide security before, during, and after the sale, run the estate sale smoothly and professionally, take unsold items to Hospice of the East Bay thrift stores, and provide with a tax deduct-ible receipt for those items, clear out the house at the end of the sale, and leave the house empty and ready for cleaning. Everything will be handled for you, and best of all you won’t even need to be present! Families are provided with a guaranteed honest, effi cient, and reliable service.

HEB Estate Sales was established in 2001 for families requesting help selling the contents of their homes. Funds generated from the sale help benefi t the patients and families in the care of Hospice of the East Bay. Please call Patricia Wright at (925) 887-5678 or email [email protected] for more information.

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.

Music in the ParkThe Town of Danville is proud to announce the 27th annual Music in the Park concert series. Four easy listening, fi st

bumping, happy dancing feet concerts will be held at Oak Hill Park from 6pm to 8pm. Don’t forget to bring a blanket and lawn chairs to this family friendly entertainment. For more information, call (925) 314- 3400 or visit www.danville.ca.gov. The Department of Rock • Saturday, July 14th

This classic rock band’s witty and somewhat eccentric mission is to protect and defend the nation from sub-standard rock!Stompy Jones • Saturday, July 28th

This swing group has a rich retro sound combined with contemporary lyrical themes for a wonderful blend of songs. The Rave-Ups • Saturday, August 11th

The Rave-Ups, a Yardbirds tribute band, re-creates the sound and feel of The Yardbirds in the most detail they can. Playing accurate renditions of the recorded songs is how this tribute performs. Sista Monica • Saturday, August 25th

Nominated for “Best Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year” in 2012 by the National Blues Foundation,

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2012 - Before BART: Electric Railroads Link Contra Costa County

Train bells ring and whistles blow at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville each summer when it celebrates those wonderful old railroads that crisscrossed the county. The Museum's newest exhibit Before BART showcases the electric railroad versions that linked cities and farms around here until 1957. The exhibit moves to Danville July

19 through August 18 from the Contra Costa County History Cen-ter in Martinez. Seldom seen artifacts will be on display. Along with the electric railroad exhibit various model train lay-outs will transfi x kids of all ages.

Modern BART trains roll along the same track way that earlier Sacra-

mento Northern trains followed. Those early trains simply lost out to auto-mobiles and trucks that were more versatile. Some of those electric trains moved parts to shipyards in Richmond during WWII while the “Produce Cannonballs” delivered huge quantities of fruit and vegetables from Contra Costa County ranches to Oakland.

The model railroads include the large Garden trains of the Diablo Pacifi c Short Line club, Bob Burke’s ever popular large “O” scale (remember Lionel trains), and fi nally Danville resident Jim Wolton’s little “N” scale layout secured to the back of a door. A scale model of the Sacramento Northern electric railroad will accompany the “N” scale exhibit.

The Museum is located in the former Southern Pacifi c depot at 205 Railroad Avenue in downtown Danville observes summer hours from 10AM to 1PM Tuesday – Saturday and on Sunday from noon to 3PM. A modest admission fee of $3 per person is charged. Please call (925) 837-3750 or go to www.museumsrv.org for additional information.

95th Birthday and 35th Anniversary CelebrationThe Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) is celebrating the 95th birthday

of its co-founder Beth Batchelor. It also coincides with the 35th Anniversary of the founding of ADAS by Beth and Ida Farese.

Beth remains very busy working on art commissions, teaching painting, and exhibiting her art. She will be very happy to see her friends and ADAS members at her birthday celebration and reception. Those who don’t know Beth will have a chance to meet in-person one of the most extraordinary local citizens.

A reception will be held at the Blackhawk Gallery, 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville on Sunday, July 29th from 3 to 5pm.

The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society, founded in 1977, is a non-profi t organization providing monetary contribution in support of art programs in the San Ramon Valley Schools. Membership includes artists and patrons who appreciate the visual arts. ADAS hosts distinguished and nationally known guest artists at the monthly meetings.

For more information, visit www.adas4art.org.

Art & Jazz Sunset SocialRuth Bancroft Garden, Friday, June 29th

The second Sunset Social takes place at The Ruth Bancroft Garden located at 1552 Bancroft Rd in Walnut Creek (North entrance) from 5:30-8pm (doors open at 5pm) during the Sculpture in the Garden exhibit. Stroll the sculpture-lined pathways while enjoying smooth jazz by the Cedricke Dennis Trio, and view artists at their easels as they interpret and celebrate the beauty of the scenery in the evening light. This evening also features a special exhibition of nature paintings.

Tickets are $15 (food and drinks sold separately). Register by calling the Garden Offi ce at (925) 944-9352 or fi nd more information and purchase online tickets at www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve this exceptional example of garden design and to continue to develop its collection of water-conserving plants for the edu-cation and enjoyment of the public. All events are fundraisers, and 100% of the proceeds are used to maintain and operate the Garden.Art in the Park, Call for Artists

Applications are now being accepted for outdoor booth spaces in the 14th annual Art in the Park Fine Arts Festival in San Ramon which will be held October 6 and 7, 2012, from 10AM to 5PM each day. The show will be held at its new larger location at Central Park in San Ramon.

Art in the Park is presented by the Alamo Danville Artist’s Society and the San Ramon Arts Foundation as a fund raiser for Art in the Schools of the San Ramon Valley Union School District and other community activities. For more information visit www.adas4art.org and www.sanramonarts.org.

A new feature this year will be a Sidewalk Chalk Art Event. Con-tact Mark Ballock at (925) 998-2924 or [email protected] for chalk information. Inquiries for artists’ applications can be addressed to Norma Webb at [email protected] or 925 828-9170.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com - July 2012 ~ Danville Today NewsThe Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley

The 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 speak-ers and a business networking speaker. Guests are welcome. Price is $16 for members and fi rst 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.

Danville Lions ClubThe Danville Lions Club invites you to join us for dinner and to learn more about

how our club serves the community. Meetings are held at the Brass Door, 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 7PM. For more information, please call Dr. Brent Waterman at (925) 275-1990.

Danville RotaryThe Danville Rotary Club meets every Monday at noon at Faz restaurant

in Danville. For more information, contact membership chairperson Jim Crocker at [email protected] or by phone at 925-577-6159.

Danville/Sycamore RotaryIf you are interested in visiting the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club,

contact club president Jim Coleman at [email protected]. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7AM at Crow Canyon Country Club.

Danville Toastmasters Club The Danville Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday from 7:30 to

9PM at Diablo Valley College, Room W204. The college is located at 1690 Watermill Road in San Ramon. For more information, visit www.danvil-letoastmasters1785.com/ or call Chandra Mundra at 925-389-1468.

Danville A.M. Toastmasters ClubThe Danville A.M. Toastmasters Club meets on Tuesdays from 7AM to 8:30AM

at Father Nature’s Restaurant on East Prospect in Danville. The fi rst breakfast is on us. Come by to check out the club - you’ll enjoy yourself while learning to be the speaker you want to be. For more information, call Roxie at (925) 837-6253 or visit www.danvilleamtoastmasters.org.

Diablo View Toastmasters ClubThe Diablo View Toastmasters Club meets on Tuesdays 7:55 to 9AM at

Center Plaza Building on 2333 San Ramon Valley Boulevard in San Ramon in the conference room (First Floor). For more information, see diabloview.freetoasthost.ws or call Ernie DeCoit at 925-699-7103.

Quick Trips By Linda Summers Pirkle

California Auto Museum in Sacramento is a perfect getaway for an afternoon. Only an hour and a half from Danville, the 72,000 square foot show-place attracts gear-heads, historians, and people who just want to see rows and rows of cars, from Lam-borghini’s to Lincoln’s, exotics to muscle cars.

The California Auto Museum is a spot “for the common folk,” says docent Ed Anton. Anton, one of

the 150 active guides at the museum, and a retired civil engineer, explains how he came to work at the hugely popular car lover’s dream space. “I was always interested in cars, grew up on a farm, and was comfortable with all kinds of mechanical stuff.”

The docents complete an exhaustive six month program, meeting weekly for three hours - going over a huge binder of automobile details including mechanical information and history. Additionally, guest speakers, each with a different specialty, meet with the prospective docents.

Recently, I traveled to the museum with a group of 44 people, and we were divided into smaller groups of ten - each group had a docent. All the participants, gear-heads and spouses alike, raved about the exhibit and the docents.

A special exhibit, “Citroen: L'icone Francaise,” is a combination of car history and art. Natalie Mina, marketing specialist at the museum says, “These iconic cars of France are examples of innovative engineering and ingenious marketing initiated by company founder Andre-Gustave Citroen. You won’t see the display anywhere else - it was built in-house and will not be traveling to any other museum. The poster chosen for the exhibit is an example of how Andre Citroen (known for his creative marketing) advertised - he literally ran the name Citroen down the Eiffel Tower. It’s a remarkable and interesting history.” Citroen: L’icone Francaise show runs through July 29th. Museum is open daily 10 – 6pm, and every third Thursday until 9pm. Prices: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 students.

*Best times to visit the museum are weekdays. You may want to go on a day other than Monday or Friday when school groups dominate until 2pm.

*It is hot in the summer and cold in the winter inside the huge ware-house; plan to spend at least two hours, really! Wear your most comfort-able shoes.

*Not too far from Old Town Sacramento - stop at one of the many res-taurants before heading back home.

The California Auto Museum is located at 2200 Front Street, Sacra-mento. Their phone number is 916.442.6802. Visit their website at www.calautomuseum.org.

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

Lost Dog!

Danville Dog is MissingHe has become lost in this paper!

Leanna Freel is our winner!

If you fi nd him and your name is drawn!

He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to fi nd him.

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

Lost Dog! ~ Danville Today News3000F Danville Blvd #117 • Alamo, CA 94507

$50 REWARD

San Ramon Valley Genealogical SocietyThe 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].

Free Medical Clinic Receives $31,400 in GrantsThrough the leadership of the Rotary Club of Alamo, and 10 other local Rotary

Clubs a donation of $15,700 to the RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic was made. Rotary District 5160 awarded a matching grant of $15,700. Thanks to the donations the Clinic will have funds for much needed medications, laboratory/diagnostic testing services, and medical supplies.

Pharmaceuticals that are being provided to uninsured patients include antibi-otics, asthma medication and inhalers, diabetes medication, hypertension, high cholesterol, and thyroid medications. Some of the medical supplies needed for the clinic include a nebulizer for asthma medications, an electronic temperature probe, a blood pressure monitor, glucose meter strips, and sanitizing equipment.

RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul, its 11 sponsoring Rotary Clubs, Rotary District 5160, and St. Vincent de Paul have all partnered to help resolve the issue of health access and health disparities in East Contra Costa County. Since opening on February 9, 2011, the Clinic has served over 1,000 uninsured patients with acute and chronic conditions.

All volunteer team doctors, nurses, pharmacists, bi-lingual translators, social workers, etc. operate the RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic that is open Wednesdays from 4 to 7PM. Appointments can be made from 1 to 3PM by calling (925) 439-2009.

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A Taste for Wine Country By Monica Chappell

Summertime is a perfect time to visit a wine country. I can think of at least three compelling reasons to spend time in a wine region. First, if you’re already a fan of a particular region’s wines, it can be an exciting experience to meet its winemakers who are passionate and eager to talk about their art. Second, there is no better way to explore the world then by visiting great wine properties; many older wine estates are built on the most spectacular

sites. Third, where there is a fi rst-rate wine, delicious food is rarely far behind. Living in Northern California affords us the opportunity to visit wine country

as often as we care to. Here are a few tips to make your visit a success:• Book the wineries in advance. You can try simply showing up at the winery,

but keep in mind that the fi nest places are often the least accessible. • Observe the basic rules of etiquette. If you have an appointment, call if you’re

running more than 15 minutes late, and don’t be a no show. Word gets around.• Dress comfortably. Wine touring requires a lot of footwork. If you’re sampling

in a wine cellar, the fl oor will probably be cold and damp, so come prepared. • Show interest. Listen to what the pourer is saying and ask questions, but

don’t pretend you are an expert. You’re there to learn and have fun. • Offer a few words of praise. Start slowly; odds are your host will begin

with the lesser wines and work up to the more serious in the portfolio. Offering too much of a fuss too early on will seem insincere.

• Remember to spit. You won’t be expected to drink everything you are given to taste, but if you drain each glass, your day will be over before lunch.

• Do comparative tastings. Tasting rooms offer a terrifi c opportunity to taste wines against each other. If there are two chardonnays being offered for tasting, taste them side-by-side. You’ll enjoy tasting the differences.

• Buy a bottle. You don’t have to but it’s a polite gesture, and if you’ve had a nice chat with the winemaker, ask him to sign the bottle. Some wineries charge to taste and often deduct that fee from the cost of a bottle.

A visit to wine country can often be as entertaining as it is educational, so get out there and enjoy!

Monica Chappell, Wine Writer and Educator, offers wine appreciation classes. For a list visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.

Come Pick My Fruit – Please By Cynthia Ruzzi, President Sustainable Danville Area

When I was young I walked to school. Every day seemed like an exploration, espe-

cially when passing the front yards of two special neighbors. They welcomed school kids, encouraging us to pick apples in the fall, strawberries in spring, and carrots almost year round. The amazing thing is I didn’t grow up in a rural com-munity in California where the sun is plentiful and the earth easily bears sweet bounty – I grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

Wanting to ‘pay forward’ these wonderful memories, I have planted three heirloom apple trees in my front yard. While experts advised me that the trees would not bear fruit for passing school kids for at least three years, I was delighted recently to fi nd three golf ball sized apples growing on one of those baby trees. I can’t wait for apples grown for taste and not commercial criteria such as ease of shipping, uniform harvest times, and long shelf-life.

Did you know one mature fruit tree can produce 100-500 pounds of fruit annually? With only a handful of apples this year, the neighborhood kids may have to plan other snacks for fall. I plan to keep the trees trimmed between 6-8 feet which will reduce fruit production, but it will make it easier to pick the fruit. Even at this size, I’m sure to have plenty of organically tended, nourishing fruit that is chemical-free, safe to eat, and family healthy, and I’ll avoid the high premium of store-bought organic fruit.

Planting a tree is also one of the best ways to help the environment because trees sequester carbon from the air and into the soil. One tree can process up to a ton of carbon in its lifetime! Fruit trees condition the soil, provide shade, attract pollinators to your garden, provide wonderful compost material when their leaves drop in the fall, and are a fun and rewarding way to cut your carbon footprint by eating local. And did I mention that even with the trees limited to six feet, I expect to have more than enough apples for my family, neighbors, and passing school kids?

Growing your own fruit trees is a great way to help the less fortunate provid-ing a fl avorful, healthy alternative to usual processed, canned foods available at a shelter or food bank. Sustainable Danville Area, in collaboration with The Urban Farmers (http://theurbanfarmers.org), are kicking off a community based effort to glean (pick) unwanted fruit from local home gardens and backyards. The

fruit is then delivered to the local food pantries so it can be distributed to needy people in the community. In the summer of 2010, thanks to Eagle Scout Drew Holland with the help of friends and family, Lafayette donated over 1,400 pounds of fruit to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. What can we achieve if we connect in our community to stem local hunger?

Whether or not you have fruit trees, we invite you to learn more about our com-munity fruit gleaning project. There are many ways you can help and have fun with friends and family doing it– picking fruit is just one of them. Spend the evening with us at Sustainable Danville Area’s July forum when we launch our Alamo / Danville community fruit gleaning project. Our guest speaker, Siamack Sioshansi, founder of The Urban Farmers, is a true urban farmer that will help us understand why we need to change our food system and how together we can help others enjoy healthy, whole food. Peace Lutheran Church located at 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville has graciously lent us space for this month’s forum on Wednesday, July 11th 6:45pm. More details for this event can be found online at either www.sustainabledanville.com or https://www.facebook.com/SustainableDanvilleArea. Want to register your fruit trees for pick-up or volunteer in another way? Then don’t wait until the forum--visit The Urban Farmers at http://theurbanfarmers.org/The_Urban_Farmers/Glean_Fruit.html.


Siamack Sioshansi (with arm extended) and The Urban Farmers volunteers.

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SRV Christian AcademyBy Jan Brunkal, Principal

Another school year is behind us. Where does time go? I guess if the saying is true, “Time fl ies when you’re having fun,” then we are having a blast! The end of the school year was highlighted by a fun fi eld day sponsored by our Student Council. Students hung out with their lower grade buddies and enjoyed jumping houses, face painting, relays, a cake walk, a fabulous slip-’n-slide as well as a great snack shack. A fun time was had by all.

Graduation is always a highlight at the Academy, and this year was no exception. Our little kindergartners couldn’t have been cuter! They were all dressed up wearing their little white mortar boards and singing their little hearts out to songs like “We’re Heading to First Grade” (to the tune of “New York, New York”). This is such a big passage for these little ones. Parents also enjoyed a wonderful slide show that documented their year.

Speaking of passages, our 8th graders, in their tuxes and formal gowns, outdid themselves at our annual celebration to honor our graduates as they head off to high school. They prepared speeches, memories, and music, including solos, duets, and a band. Teachers spoke about each child and celebrated who they are. Awards were given as well. The Michael Dowl-ing award is given to the student who has participated in sports while at SRVCA and has shown leadership on the athletic fi eld as well as outstanding sportsmanship. This year’s winner was Makenna Smith. The Bob Shaffer award, named after our long time coach and teacher, was presented to the student who has shown exceptional spiritual growth and sensitivity while at the Academy. Carina Romanov was this year’s recipient. Courtney Clark received the Chris Johnson award, named after a former principal at SRVCA. This award is annually given to the student who shows servanthood, rever-ence, diligence, reliability, integrity, and respect for others. Courtney is an outstanding example of what this award represents. Our 8th grade graduation is defi nitely a culmination of the years students spend here and proves to be a wonderful sendoff as they prepare to make their mark on their various high schools. I’m so proud of all of our students, they are prepared academically, physically, and spiritually, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for them. Have a wonderful summer.

- July 2012 ~ Danville Today News

St. Isidore Catholic School Welcome Maria Ward!By Sharon Leone

St. Isidore School has announced the new principal to replace retir-ing principal, Jean Schroeder. After weeks of meetings and interviews, the Search Committee, made up of teachers, parishioners, school board members and parish priest-Father Moran, made a unanimous decision to select Mrs. Maria Ward as principal starting July 1st.

Ward graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and continued her education at Dominican University where she received her Master of Science in Education and her Administrative Service Credential. Post college she entered the business world and gained experience in fi nance and management.

Mrs. Ward joined the staff at St. Isidore School ten years ago as a fourth grade teacher. After four years she stepped into eighth grade, and in 2010 she became the school’s Vice Principal.

St. Isidore School is a K-8 school with 648 kids and is twice the size of most Catholic elementary schools in the area. Mrs. Ward’s understand-ing of the school demographics are a clear asset to the community as it will make for a smooth transition. She is quick to share her plan for the coming year and is well prepared for the job. Attention will be focused on continuing the path and initiatives that she has been involved in for the past few years. Ward says she is eager to increase small group instruction time across grades and subjects while ensuring all teachers incorporate the skills necessary for 21st Century Learning.

Jeffrey Johnson and Ryan MichkaScouts Receive Eagle Award

Congratulations to local Scouts Jeffrey C. Johnson and Ryan A. Michka who recently were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

Jeffrey C. Johnson earned his Eagle Scout award by planning and leading a goods collection for the troops overseas, in conjunction with the Blue Star Moms. His efforts resulted in the collection of over 4,000 items including instant coffee, powdered drink mixes, trail mix, protein bars, batteries, and other single serving high protein snacks.

Ryan A. Michka earned his Eagle Scout award upon completion of a project to plan and lead a team of volunteers in the repair of erosion damage on Mt. Diablo that was caused by concentrated runoff at the south end of the Lower Summit Parking Lot. This project included terracing the hillside, redirecting drainage into an existing culvert pipe, and renovating a ½ mile section of adjacent hiking trail.

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Books for the HomeboundIf you or someone you know has a passion for reading and can no longer visit

the library, fi nd out more about the Danville Library’s Books for the Homebound program, a free and unique library service. Trained library volunteers check out and deliver books to homebound individuals residing in their own homes or residential care facilities. Contact Sandra Paiva, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Danville Library at (925) 837-4889 for more information.

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Class of 1967 San Ramon Valley High School Reunion

Save the date for the San Ramon Valley High School class of 1967’s 45th reunion during Homecoming Week-end, October 12-14, 2012. For information, contact Carol Stewart Pierovich at (925) 820-4628 or sweetcarolann@

Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun K. McElroy, PrincipalWelcome New Presidents

Janet Nunan will take the helm as Stone Valley’s new PTA President and Gary Zilk will be our Ed Fund President. Both presidents begin their terms on July 1st. If you are looking for a way to be more involved on the middle school campus, I recommend contacting Janet, [email protected], or Gary, [email protected], about the open positions on their boards.74 Days of Summer...What to Do?

Even after a few days of vacation, children start to become bored. It’s important to have a plan, or at least the idea of a plan, to keep your children academically engaged over the next two months.

I recommend “shopping” the Stone Valley website for great summer ideas to maintain and build academic skills during the long break. We have ideas for math, reading, writing, and summer classes. Check out our resources on the Stone Valley home page www.stonevalley.schoolloop.com.How’s Your “Noggin”?

Mental health care is one the most neglected aspects of in the health care family. Typically school age children see their health care provider for annual physicals, immunizations, and the usual fl u, allergy, injury visits.

Parents of teens will readily admit that their children are anything but routine in displaying their emotions. Hu-mans are extremely complex individuals. Layer that innate complexity on top of the fl ood of hormones that brings unfamiliar physical and emotional changes, the demands of schooling and budding romantic relationships, and it’s not unusual to need some professional guidance. Parents and children can benefi t from the guidance of mental health professionals. Most people seek psychotherapy when they are in distress about a life situation (i.e. death, divorce) or internal hardship becomes quite unbearable. Finding a good therapist should be a fi rst move when these events transpire. Working with a therapist requires a level of trust in order for true progress to be made. I recommend that families try the three visit rule. “Test drive” the therapist for three sessions. If after the third session you or your child

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don’t feel comfortable, then move on and try another therapist.A picture of good mental health looks like this: ▪ A sense of contentment ▪ A

zest for living and the ability to laugh and have fun ▪ The ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity ▪ A sense of meaning and purpose, in both activi-ties and relationships ▪ The fl exibility to learn new things and adapt to change ▪ A balance between school and play, rest, and activity, etc. ▪ The ability to build and maintain fulfi lling relationships ▪ Self-confi dence and high self-esteem.

Mental health providers fall under several titles: LCSW – Licensed Clini-cal Social Worker, MRT – Marriage and Family Therapist, DPsy – Doctor of Psychology, PsyD. – Psychologist, PDOC– Psychiatrist

Looking for more information? Visit the National Mental Health Association’s website at www.nmha.org.

At Stone Valley we have a mental health team composed of our school psychologist, guidance counselor, and a psychology and psychotherapy intern. Each of these providers carries a case load of students that they see regularly at school.2012 Registration and Important Dates

Here are important registration dates to remember:August 13 – Pre-Registration Material Pick-up -

(8am – 4pm)August 20 (3pm-6pm) & August 21 (10am-1pm) –

RegistrationIf you have questions about registration, please

contact Nina Fishman at fourfi [email protected] or Shelby Fautt at [email protected].

If you have questions about volunteering during reg-istration, please contact Nicole Shay at [email protected] Important Dates to Remember:

Friday, August 24 – WEB Day (Where Everybody Belongs)

Tuesday, August 28 – School Begins – 12:10pm dismissal

Thursday, September 6 – Back to School Night

Gardens Sought for 2013 TourGardens are being sought to participate in the spring 2013 “Bringing Back the

Natives Garden Tour,” which showcases pesticide-free, drought-tolerant gardens that provide habitat for wildlife and contain 60% or more native plants. The gar-dens featured in this tour will demonstrate that, from postage stamp-sized yards to large lots, beautiful California native plant gardens are possible for anyone. Garden visits will begin in May 2013 and continue through July.

The goals of this free tour are to:• Provide Alameda and Contra Costa County residents with the opportunity to

see fi rst-hand a garden containing 60% or more native plants.• Illustrate that healthy, attractive gardens can fl ourish without the use of syn-

thetic chemicals and with little water.• Motivate residents to try gardening with native plants and using natural gar-

dening techniques in their own gardens.Visit www.bringingbackthenatives.net/garden-host-application for host applications. For

more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (510) 236-9558.


- July 2012 ~ Danville Today News

Monte Vista High SchoolBy Janet Terranova, Principal

Summer has fi nally arrived, and students and fami-lies are looking forward to some “down time” to relax, play, and rejuvenate. Many of our students will be in-volved in internships, community service, and working as well as participating in traditional summer activities and vacations.

As the year ends, it is always helpful to look back on the year’s accomplishments and challenges. Our

students continued to excel academically, and we know this senior class is pre-pared. They have learned how to think critically, problem solve, build positive relationships with adults and peers, and communicate well. Our seniors will be moving on to new adventures in college, the world of work, and the military. We wish them much success.

Challenges continue to face education at a national, state, and local level. Monte Vista’s challenge is to continue to provide our students with the skills necessary to be competent citizens in the 21st century. For Monte Vista it means ensuring that the educational program we offer our students is both relevant and rigorous with coursework that sparks their interest and prepares them for the future.

As you make your summer plans, the following dates may be helpful:Registration Packet Pick-up: August 15 • 3 – 7PM ~ Drama Room August 16 • 12 – 2PM ~ Drama RoomRegistration: August 21 • 12 – 6PM ~ Gym August 22 • 12 – 6PM ~ GymFreshmen Orientation: August 23 • 10 – 1PM ~ GymFreshmen Dance: August 23 • 7:30 – 9:30PM ~ GymFirst Day of School: August 28 • Minimum DayEnjoy your summer.

San Ramon Valley High SchoolDates to Remember

Monday, 8/13 - Packet Pick up - 9-3PM Tuesday, 8/14 - Packet Pick up 1-7PM

Wednesday, 8/15 - Wolf Pack Day 1PM-7PM Commons Tuesday, 8/21 - Link Crew Training 9-2PM, Wolf Pack Day 1PM-7PM Wednesday, 8/22 - Link Crew Training 9-2PM

Friday, 8/24 - Freshmen Orientation 9:30 - 2:10PM Main GYMTuesday, 8/28 - First Day of School (Minimum Day)

Women Golfers Wanted The San Ramon Valley High School Women’s Golf team is inviting all female

golfers to golf tryouts to be held at 3PM on Tuesday, August 14, Wednesday, August 15, and Thursday, August 16 at the Crow Canyon County Club.

For more information, contact Head Coach Rebecka Heinmert [email protected] or Assistant Coach Debra Gliozzi at [email protected]!

The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) has awarded the SRVHS Women’s Varsity Swim Team the 2012 California State Championship for its performance at NCS. Congratulations!Primo’s

Mark your calendars and start your training for the 29th annual Primo’s Run for Education on October 14th. The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation’s fund-raiser is an opportu-nity to support your school by running or walking a 5K or ½ marathon course. All Primo’s Run funds are donated back to our schools in the form of teach-er grants. Find out more at www.pri-mosrun.com.

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The Baldwin Brothers and the Gold Rush Trip in 1850 By Beverly Lane

Brothers Robert O. and John F. Baldwin and six friends formed a company in Ohio which came to California for the Gold Rush. Their goal? “To better their situations.”

John kept a diary from March 18 to July 15, 1850, writing brief entries which included miles covered, water available and goods purchased. In 1887 Robert fi nished his brother’s diary to refl ect the fi nal weeks of their journey which ended on July 28; he also edited the entry for June 25. He then printed the amended diary as a small booklet titled Diary kept by J. F. Baldwin While Crossing the Plains in 1850.

This company of eight young men left their Ohio home in 1850, planning to go west and work in the mines. They started with wagons and horses and, over the months, joined larger groups heading west.

Baldwin’s diary lists supply costs: corn and oats for mules -- 84 cents, crack-ers --15 cents, iron and boxes for wagon -- $18.13, ½ gallon of oil -- 63 cents, one coffee mill -- 75 cents, one chain -- 65 cents, rope -- $5.31, sugar -- $1, and two blankets -- $7. Flour was an essential commodity which became more expensive as they moved west. At the start they purchased 18 pounds for 45 cents, and later they paid $2 a pound.

Imagine what these farm boys ex-perienced as they traveled west! The diary notes the weather reports and grass, wood, and water supplies each day. Then it cites seeing Indians (friendly to the emigrants), eating buffalo, struggling over rivers, seeing French traders, and meeting Mormons at Salt Lake City. On June 9 they sold their wagons and made sturdy pack saddles for the mules, determined to move faster. Sometimes they made 25 or 30 miles a day. To get over creeks, people and packs were often rafted across while the mules swam.

On June 25, R. O. re-wrote the original entry written by his brother. That day, at Salt Lake City (the “Celestial City”), they had hoped to purchase supplies. But the Mormons were short themselves, living only on meat and waiting for the harvest which was three weeks away. Brigham Young directed his people “not to supply the Gentiles.” The company did manage to trade some tea, coffee, and sugar for 75 pounds of fl our and moved west. R. O. Baldwin wrote, “We took the precaution to limit each man (to) so much food per day.”

R. O. wrote about the Humboldt Sink, a desert forty miles across which required a night crossing. They began at 4PM on July 18 and traveled past dead animals and broken wagons, dividing their water with several people along the way. After a short rest at Carson River, they reached the Sierras where they met a team from California loaded with fresh provisions.

Their July 28 arrival in Hangtown (today’s Placerville) was the end of their journey -- a rapid and memorable trip. R. O. wrote, “We camped together that night, as a company, after traveling seventy-fi ve days from the Missouri River, and then parted all good friends.”

The brothers and friend William Meese mined successfully in Placerville and the Feather River Rich Bar. In October of 1852 they left the mines and came to the San Ramon Valley. John Baldwin returned to Ohio. But Meese and R. O. bought 320 acres and began a new life as farmers and stock rangers. The fi rst year they planted wheat, barley, and onions which produced very well.

R. O. prospered, eventually having a spread of 1,700 acres south of Danville. He married Mary Cox in 1858, and together they raised six children. The rich land produced every variety of produce including pears, sugar beets, and walnuts. He ran stock, raised hogs, and was admired as a “scientifi c” farmer. Baldwin was a leader in the Danville Grange, grammar school and Presbyterian church, and he wrote papers on modern farming and was a columnist for the local newspapers.

In the September 17, 1887 Contra Costa Gazette he wrote, “I came to this valley thirty-fi ve years ago. I thought it then was the Eden of the State, and I have had no reason to change my mind since. So you can count on me one that will stand by the country.”

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s current exhibit, Gold Fever!, dis-plays both the original 1850 diary and R. O. Baldwin’s 1887 version of the Diary which is available for sale.

Visit and learn more about local forty-niners and the Gold Rush which drew them to California and the Valley. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville, and it is open Tuesday through Friday from 1-4 and Saturday from 10-1. Find out more about the museum by calling 837-3750 or visiting museumsrv.org.

Sources: CC Gazette March 18, 1908, Sept. 17, 1887, both Baldwin Diaries, Danville Sentinel Feb. 11, 1899

R O and Mary Cox Baldwin


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Repair or Replace By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

Last month my wife and I decided we needed to do something about our car situation. We thought we needed to buy a new car and trade in a couple of old ones to simplify our situation. We had to decide between making an investment in what we already owned or forgoing the investment and buying a new car.

We immediately recognized the similarity between what we were experiencing with our cars and what we

advise our customers to do with their computers. In our case, we had three cars that needed tires, shocks, engine maintenance, and full detailing to be back to “normal” and baseline. To be honest, if we had been better about mainte-nance, we wouldn’t have been looking at so much accumulated expense all at once. But there we were. If we were to buy a new car, we would be looking at the expensive up-front cost, the taxes, higher insurance, and higher annual registration. When we added it up, it began to make hanging on to our older automobiles more attractive.

Like someone upgrading a computer, we could spend thousands of dollars in upgrades and enhancements, but at the end of the day we’d still have an old car with bolt-on parts. It wouldn’t be a new car, any more than a computer is new after it gets a tune-up. Sometimes that’s all it needs, and it’s OK. Other times, you really need that new system, and the extra expense is warranted.

If it had been a computer, we would have discussed the average lifespan (whether you have a Mac or PC, a laptop or a desktop computer, the average lifespan is 3-4 years) and advised whether it would be better to repair or replace. Many times we can improve someone’s situation by adding more memory to the system, or swapping out an old, slow, low-capacity hardisk with a new and larger, faster hardisk. We’re big fans of extending the use of existing equipment, rather than junking it and buying new just to have the latest gadgets. Buying a new computer is expensive because it involves not only the hardware cost, but it also requires the soft costs of migrating data, applications, and peripherals. There are a lot of factors to consider.

Sometimes a new machine is the right choice. As computers get older they have a harder time performing tasks that a more modern machine would fi nd routine. Just as a Model T will still get you from point A to point B, it would have a tough time keeping up with the 65mph speed limit, the ride would be more bumpy, and in a crash there would be no seatbelts and airbags to protect you. The Model T will still function as a car, but it can’t do the same job as a modern car.

A lot of our clients have been getting new systems through Costco online (see www.Costco.com). I’m a big fan of purchasing a system through them because they double the factory hardware warranty. If you’ve ever purchased something and then had to service or return it through Costco, you know what I mean when I say they’re easy to do business with.

The other thing about buying through Costco online is that they have ar-ranged to carry extremely well-confi gured machines. Because of their volume purchasing agreement, we cannot match their pricing with our Dell Partner status. The result is that instead of buying a computer with the minimum stan-dards, you can get 16gb of RAM, a 2 TB hardisk, and an i7 processor with a 1gb video card, all for less than $1,000 with a doubled warranty. It’s such a good deal I’ll probably end up buying one for myself.

Keep in mind that when you buy a new system, the computer is just part of the cost. After the hardware is purchased there is software to purchase or upgrade, you’ll need Antivirus/Anti-Malware software, you must evaluate the new system’s compatibility with your existing printers, and of course all of your data must be moved to the new system. The soft costs are often just as much as the hard costs. The new $1,000 computer may end up costing $1,600 or more, because there is so much more than the actual computer that is involved.

If you have an older PC, be assured we’re going to do everything we reason-ably can do to make it work well for you. But, we’re not going throw your money at it, either. The best analogy is to assure you we will treat your systems like our own. We’ll be good stewards of your time and resources.

If your home or business is considering these decisions, a call to the experts at Portable CIO can help add the clarity you need to fi nalize your choice. We’re here to help you. We can be reached at [email protected] or 925-552-7953. Advertorial


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Independence DayBy Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar

July 4th is a proud and very celebrated day in our na-tion’s history. In Connecticut, down the street on which I grew up, marches the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps. One of the songs they play, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” was written by the British before the Revolutionary War. The lyrics mock the American soldier as unsophisticated simpletons. It also essentially summarizes their disdain of “their” American colony. A collection of signatures

on the Declaration of Independence precipitated our successful War of Indepen-dence. It’s a bit ironic that years after our liberation, a Brit, Winston Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” Happy 236th Birthday USA!

After college I left Connecticut and went on an “all expenses paid world tour” courtesy of the US Marine Corps, most of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Middle East, the Far East, various ships, and Europe were “internship locations” for “foreign policy training.” During my Mid-East tour, I concluded that our foreign policy is tied to our energy policy. Those of you who differ in opinion, please contemplate the relationship you think we would have with these nations if it weren’t for the oil we are purchasing from them.

Energy independence is a worthy goal. The toll of energy dependence, and our resulting foreign policy, is costing America a lot of strife and money. It would be ideal to achieve energy independence solely via alternative energy. Realistically, we must strive to become independent via domestic natural gas and oil produc-tion combined with renewable energy sources. Homeowners and business owners can achieve energy independence via solar power. However, it will take many years before the American economy can rely solely on renewable energy. There is good news concerning energy policy - domestic natural gas and oil production is increasing, and there is greater solar and wind penetration into our grid.Solar: Lease or Buy?

One of the most common and understandable questions we’re asked at our showroom is whether a customer should lease or purchase solar panels. After I describe each program, you’ll be able to answer that question based on how each program may fi t into your budget or goals.

Solar leasing has become very popular for numerous reasons. A zero-cost solar electric system can be installed at no cost to the homeowner. The big bank investor who owns the system makes a good return on the purchase of the solar electric system by the savings the system generates. Some of those savings are passed to the homeowner/host of the system. The homeowner saves money without putting any money down; the investor makes money on their investment.

A solar electric system purchased by a home or business owner has an initial cost, a better term is “initial investment.” The home or business owner redirects the monies that would have been paid to PGE to pay off the solar system. This is commonly known as “payback time.” Once the system is “paid back,” the home or business owner has free power and is not subject to ever increasing utility rates (historically 6.7% year). Had you bought a lifetime supply of fuel for your car 10 years ago, you would have paid $1.35/gallon for the gas you are using today

Kuwaiti Oil Well Fires, Gulf War I. The day I realized there has to be a better way.

vs. today’s price. Ten years from now, your electric bill will be more than double what it is now. With a solar system, you’ll pay a levelized kilowatt cost much less than today’s rates for the 25+ year life of the solar system.

I purchased solar for my home and now my average kilowatt-hour (kWh) cost is $.05. The lowest PGE cost for non-solar customers is $.12/kWh, and the cost can reach $.33/kWh. When you buy solar, you buy 25+ years of electricity in advance, at today’s prices or less.

In summary, a leased system saves the homeowner some cash every month, and an owned system will generate much greater savings for the home or busi-ness owner (typically in the 11-13% range). The biggest reason leased systems are popular is the big bank owners/investors of the solar systems realize that solar is a safe and strong investment. Homeowners can “go solar” via a lease or “go solar” via a system purchase. A solar system requires virtually no maintenance, will have a 25 year warranty, and will pay for itself up to 10 times over. Doing nothing is the most costly alternative.

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Con-struction, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm. Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Come visit GoSimpleSolar’s new showroom at 114 West Prospect Ave. in Danville to see, touch, and discuss solar and energy effi ciency products. For more details, see www.GoSimpleSolar.com or email [email protected]. Advertorial

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Life in the Danville GardenOutdoor KitchensBy John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect

We are gearing up for what is looking to be a wonder-ful Danville summer. July 4th is the pinnacle of outdoor entertaining and family BBQ’s. So much of outdoor entertaining is built around cooking and eating that it has become a regular request by my clients to design outdoor kitchens into the hardscape. Our magnifi cent Danville weather allows us to use the outdoors as an addition to

our home. So, why not have an outdoor kitchen?An outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, or it can be!

Outdoor kitchens range from the simple BBQ grill to a fully equipped kitchen. The area is designed based on the way you entertain and cook. Starting with a simple approach there is a huge market choice of portable or prefabricated BBQ equipment. Many portables are high-quality stainless steel products made by top brand names like Weber, Viking, DCS, and Wolf. Of course, there is still room for you die-hard Weber kettle fans!

I have designed many outdoor kitchens for clients ranging from professional chefs to the guy who grills hamburgers and hot dogs. Like most kitchens in your home, the outdoor kitchen is the heart of your outdoor environment. So, as you think about what you want in an outdoor kitchen, many key elements must be considered - location, frequency of use, equipment, size and space, and integra-tion into the hardscape and landscape. Location is instrumental to how much you use your outdoor kitchen. For instance, many clients like to grill year round, so the kitchen must be conveniently located and accessible to your indoor kitchen keeping in mind food prep, storage, and dining.

Choosing equipment is very important. Depending on your desired level of

expertise, the market offers numerous choices and price points. First, consider the grill, the center piece to your outdoor kitchen. There are too many choices to men-tion in this article. Briefl y, grills range from 18” to 60”, using charcoal, natural gas or propane, ranging from $1,000 to $13,000. The low-end uses charcoal and the high-end grill, made by Kalamazoo, is a hybrid that uses gas, charcoal, or wood depending on your grilling needs. Next, a side burner for boiling water, sautéing, and steaming is a good choice so you can cook your entire meal outdoors. Other cooking equipment includes lobster pots, wok burners, and countertop pizza ovens. Full-size pizza ovens are also a great addition. To keep things on the cool side, outdoor refrigerators of various confi gurations are available; wine fridges, keg-a-rators, ice makers, and now freezers. Storage is also an important aspect to the design of your outdoor kitchen. Again, all sorts of storage is available - stainless cupboards, drawer units, warming drawers, and complete cabinet units. Countertop space and materials are also an important consideration. A raised bar with stools, sink with hot and cold running water, and electrical are considerations.

The size and space of your outdoor kitchen depends on frequency and level of entertaining. Your love of cooking and entertaining will determine the size and space you need. One of my clients, a professional chef, prefers to use his outdoor kitchen over his indoor one. Designing the location so that the kitchen is located in the heart of the hardscape is most important. It is a social place connected to the dinning area, patio, pool, and garden. They can be enclosed in a cabana or under an open trellis. Other essentials to consider are wood burning pizza ovens, fi replaces, fi re pits, and living room. What you can imagine can be designed and built!

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Adding an outdoor kitchen to your new or existing hardscape requires creativity, design, planning, and budget experience.

Gardening Quote of the Month: Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

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

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www.yourmonthlypaper.com - July 2012 ~ Danville Today NewsHow Much are your Trees Really Worth?By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

With the world in economic and ecologi-cal turmoil, it pays to take a deep breath and consider the real value of your assets. It’s best to start this exercise close to home because

for most Americans their largest asset is their home. A surprisingly large contribu-tion— between 8 and 19%1 — to the value of your home comes from your trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants. If your house is worth $500,000, that places the value of your plants at between $40,000 and $90,0000. Your trees deserve care commensurate with the value they add to your home’s portfolio.

Trees, of course, have value far beyond real estate. Here’s a quick tour of values economists give for urban trees:

Trees add to home values and thereby form part of the tax base. In so doing trees help fund schools, fi re protection services, and police.

Trees work to clean the air. In the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb pol-lutants and even convert harmful chemicals, like nitrogen oxides and airborne ammonia, into benign forms.

Trees act to reduce local tax rates by reducing infrastructure costs. Trees absorb rain and slow the speed at which storm water accumulates, thereby helping to prevent fl ooding and the need to install larger storm drains.

Trees not only fi lter pollution, they help prevent it. Shade from trees can reduce air conditioning needs by as much as 30%, and trees planted to intercept prevailing winds can reduce heating needs signifi cantly. “Projections suggest that 100 million additional mature trees in US cities (three trees for every unshaded single family home) could save over $2 billion in energy costs per year.” 2

Trees also help prevent car pollution. In the Sacramento area, an astounding 16% of air pollution comes from cars parked in the sun. Shade from trees greatly reduces the loss of gas, thereby reducing air pollution.

Trees aid healing. When hospital rooms have views of trees, patients heal at a measurably faster rate. Trees help us fulfi ll Dorothy Day’s maxim: create a world in which it is easier to be nice to each other. Studies fi nd that trees in public housing neighborhoods reduce levels of fear and decrease aggressive behavior; and students with ADHD develop more self-discipline when they play in natural settings.

Clip Notes By Jody Morgan Garden art is a form of expression so totally dependent

on personal taste that many communities legislate precise defi nitions of the dimensions, materials, and general aesthetics of acceptable installations. During a tour of private gardens in Swarthmore, PA, I encountered one property festooned with ancient, once useful implements in various stages of decay. Gnomes were created from trowels, buckets and pitchforks peered from the shadows. Discarded boots sprouted greenery. Birds fed at stations made from every sort of recycled detritus. Individually

each piece was enchanting. The experience of encountering the entire collection in a small space was closer to entering a salvage yard than exploring a secret garden.

Although Ruth Bancroft thought any sculpture permanently placed in her drought tolerant garden would detract from the visual impact of her living works of art, she did fi nally accept a gift, which remains hidden in plain sight. Whimsically echoing the form of innumerable species of succulents, Joe Bologna’s metal masterpiece visited many areas of the three-acre property before settling where it sits today.

The Sculpture in the Garden Show, one of the earliest fundraisers supporting the Ruth Bancroft Garden when it opened to the public as the fi rst garden in the Garden Conservancy, is now in its 18th iteration. At the close of one show, many years ago, Bologna decided when he packed up his pieces to leave one behind as a present for Ruth. Appreciating Joe’s craft as well as his wry sense of humor, Bancroft made an exception to her “no non-living sculpture” rule.

The antique bronze foliage of the South American terrestrial bromeliads sur-rounding Bologna’s gift is so complimented by the cast of their inorganic bedfel-low that many visitors stop to ask to what ails the desiccated specimen. Apart from horticulturalists dedicated to the fi eld, few folks touring the garden can name the pineapple family members that live so companionably in the presence of their manmade mate. Have you ever met a Dyckia?

Dyckias wave graceful wands of bell-shaped fl orets in cheerful shades of orange

and yellow above rosettes of linear leaves. Some collectors covet varieties with silver foliage that shimmers in moonlight. Others prefer greener forms. I favor the ones with mahogany tones. A particularly colorful hybrid is aptly named ‘Red Devil.’ Burnt orange petals set off the rich red foliage that colors up exquisitely in bright sunlight. The catch is that teeth line the leaf margins of every one of the some 120 species. Depending on the variety, an accidental encounter with their dentate edges may be as mildly annoying as a kitten’s playful nip or as excruciatingly painful as the barbed bite of a barracuda.

My fi rst task as a new volunteer at the Ruth Bancroft Garden several years ago was to repot some fi fty Dyckia hybrids presented to the garden by a generous donor. No space was available on the nursery benches when they arrived, so they were left under a venerable Valley Oak where they adorned themselves with garlands of acorns, dried leaves and twigs. Repotting required removing the dusty oaken fi nery without getting raked by the Dykias’ jaws. No matter how adept I became at the task, there always seemed to be more Dyckias awaiting my care. Offsets form clumps in the landscape and lots of propagation material in a container.

Many botanical designations are Latinized versions of the names of an individual chosen to be honored because of a connection to the species or genus or simply to the scientist tasked with naming a newly discovered variety. Fortunately, the honoree’s surname is sometimes shortened. The full title of the Prussian prince memorialized by the genus Dyckia was Joseph von Salm-Reifferschedl-Dyck. He was a nineteenth century botanist and artist noted as an authority on succulents. Assuming that the name was pronounced “Dike,” like that of the Flemish painter Van Dyck, Brian Kemble, Curator of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, taught docents to say it that way until he discovered that the prince actually pronounced the fi nal syllable of his title “Dick.” Dyckias are not succulents, having no means of storing water. They survive drought by curling up like hedgehogs and can tolerate frost.

Sculpture in the Garden is open through July 14th with work by 38 artists exhibited throughout the garden. Glass, stone, wood, metal, and ceramic pieces all look at home against the backdrop of statuesque plants. Some sculptures move with the wind. Others invite human interaction. For more information about the garden, tours and the show, visit www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.

Berkeley calculates that for every $1.00 the city spends on planting and pruning city trees, its citizens reap $1.40 in measurable benefi ts; for Sacramento the return is $1.80, and for New York City an astounding $5.00 is the return for every dollar spent. The value added to pruning and planting trees on your own property is higher than that for street trees because trees have a real effect on real estate prices.

Overestimating the value of trees to the entire planet is impossible: how can you put a price on the continuation of human life? If too many trees are stripped from the planet, then tipping points in the carbon cycle are crossed making global warming spin out of control… and making the world too hot for human life. Our Earth is small, and global warming makes it ever smaller. The easy division be-tween what is global and what is local no longer holds: a ton of carbon dioxide from burning rainforests in Borneo heats the air as much as a ton of carbon dioxide from the tail pipes of commuter traffi c on I580. We are all part of the problem. We are all part of the solution.

Trees play a role in all three strategies to fi ght global warming. Trees help reduce energy use, and they may someday become a source of renewable biofuels. We can protect and restore rainforests and other carbon sinks. Through its work in the Borneo Project, Brende and Lamb works hard to leverage local support for the protection of rainforests. Closer to home we can all help with strategic planting of urban trees to sequester carbon, to reduce heat island effects, and to lower energy consumption. The dividends far outstrip the costs of caring for trees as a necessary part of the ‘green economy.’

Like other living beings, trees do require care. With people it costs less to avoid getting sick than to pay for a cure. The same is true with trees. Quality care improves the health of your trees, extends their lifespan, and increases their beauty. Quality tree work pays dividends to you and to the planet.

If you need help, do not hesitate to give us a call for advice or to do the work. At Brende and Lamb, we have 20 years of experience balancing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs and maintaining your screening needs. 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

1. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119210532.htm2. http://www.treefolks.org/store_biglist.asp

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2012 - The Car GuyBy Paul Matthew Peterson, Specialty Sales ClassicsCollector Car Observations

Business is booming! The collector car market and prices are rebounding this spring, both at the classic car auctions and

in our retail world here in California. Lots of overseas buyers are seeking specifi c vehicles for their clients, and we are seeing many more ‘fi rst time’ collector car buyers. This is the BEST time of the year to sell a classic car since it’s the season for collector automobile events, shows, and cruising.

Usually when a person owns a classic car, that car came into their life with a lot of planning, searching, and emotional drive of some kind to own it. Sometimes one is so emotionally attached or connected to a collector car that it stays with them for a lifetime.

Another way a person fi nds themselves owning a classic car is when the person in the paragraph above leaves that classic car behind. As a son or daughter, niece or nephew, brother or sister, having such a tangible piece of someone’s memory can be a blessing and a way to stay ‘connected.’

Soon however, the reality of a family heirloom that’s ‘bigger than a bread box,’ (well, it may seem bigger than a bread TRUCK sometimes) that requires main-tenance and proper storage to preserve its condition, can get quite overwhelming and expensive.

Deciding to part with Mom’s Studebaker Golden Hawk or Dad’s Jaguar can be a tough decision that usually gets the whole family involved. Deciding how to sell the car and which family member gets the task of talking to prospective buyers can be daunting.

The actual selling process itself can be challenging at best when you navigate newspaper classifi eds, eBay for the fi rst time, or Craigslist and the barrage of spam emails and phony ‘buyers’ who contact you about the vehicle.

The cost of each shot-in-the-dark attempt at selling the classic vehicle adds up each time one’s lack of knowledge about Dad’s old car keeps it from selling. Add in costs for storage, upkeep, and the time invested in placing and answering ads, and the blessing can begin to seem like a problem instead.

Specialty Sales Classics (SSC) is a business designed to directly address this situation. We provide an almost supermarket-like atmosphere and selection for the buyers of classic, exotic, and collectible automobiles. The majority of cars we offer for sale are consigned to us from the very folks I’ve been discussing this month.

For a nominal fee, we provide a service that makes liquidating that heirloom, or any other classic car, a breeze. We do all of the hard work and meanwhile the car is kept in an insured, indoor showroom.

We employ a large staff of collector car experts in four locations that handle everything from cleaning and servicing the car, readying it for sale, advertising - with professional photography, and answering all inquiries… from the ‘tire kickers’ to the ultimate purchaser. Our state-of-the-art website will feature the vehicle in its best light, and your car will also be listed on numerous other old car websites as well.

The fi nancing, shipping, trading, and other questions that a private party is going to encounter and may have no answers for, are standard daily operating procedure at SSC. We take care of everything from backing the car out of your garage to watching it load on a transporter for New York, Sweden, or some other place where mom’s old car can have a whole new life and create more memories for another family.

If there’s a large metal object of affection that we can help you part with, feel free to contact one of our showrooms in Fairfi eld, Benicia, Pleasanton, or our soon to be open new Redwood City location. The classic car professionals here will explain the whole process, and the entire company will be trying to make someone else’s classic car dreams come true...and help you open up a “bread truck worth” of room in storage.

Riddle: What’s bigger than a bread box and just paid for your son’s college tuition and a family trip to London?

Answer: Uncle Bob’s ’53 Cadillac convertible that never left the neighborhood until we sent it to a museum in the Netherlands.

Come in and see us, browse our website, give a call, or shoot us an email. We are always in the mood to talk old cars, and on a good day we can do some ‘bench racing’...(You old guys know what I mean). Maybe we’ll even sell you that dream car....they fi nance ’69 Firebirds these days you know.

Check out our inventory at www.SpecialtySales.com. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments, or call 800-600-2262. Advertorial

work is one reason why volunteers keep coming weekly to care for the beds.Vicki Brown relates an experience she had while trimming with the New-

comers. “A gentleman stopped by to thank the Newcomers. He had brought his mother to the park on Sunday. She had a wonderful day savoring the scent of the roses and admiring their fl owers. That night she passed peacefully in her sleep. He wanted to thank the ladies who cared for the roses for making such a differ-ence in his mother’s last day on Earth.” The Danville Garden Club works from 8:30-9:30 on Thursday mornings.

The path tracing the eastern edge of the park leads to the oldest memorial boxes dedicated by the Diablo Women’s Garden Club in November 1984 and continuously maintained by them. Taking a mo-ment to look up from trimming, Rebecca Byrom remarks on what a joyous experience it is to tend the fl owers. “Even the kids stop to say, ‘Thank you, we love the roses.’”

Diablo’s regular pruning day is Tuesday, but Barbara Norkus, like many other Diablo volunteers, tends the roses whenever time permits. As a Consulting Rosarian of the American Rose Society, Norkus takes the responsibility of sharing her knowledge seriously. Realizing that the species clambering over the arbors in the new tri-angle was a creamy yellow Banksia that blooms only once a year, she suggested the addition of a pink Eden repeat bloomer. John Teixeira approved the plan. Next she noted that adding rose standards to the center of alternating beds would enhance their charm by raising the sightline. Again John agreed. In honor of Diablo Women’s Garden Club, Barbara began donating roses to give substance to her visions. She welcomes the chance to give plants to the park because the Osage Memorial Rose Gardens provide enjoyment for multigenerational visitors. “They calm everyone. They stop everyone.” Her advice about pruning is not to worry. “The girls are so forgiving. So you make an error. They’ll come back.”

Straying from the path as it continues past the Little League shack into the parking lot accessed from Brookside Drive, you encounter

Roses continued from front page the brilliant mass of red roses dedicated in “Veterans Honor” by VFW Post 75 in November 2000. Lacking dedicated caregivers of its own, the Veteran’s Circle is maintained as time permits by volunteers from the organizations responsible for other areas.

Continuing around the park, past the children’s playground, you’ll discover the Alamo-Danville Newcomers area. Tuesday mornings from 9-10am, Dianne Folsom and her crew are busy keeping the beds in shape. Dianne refers to being among the roses early in the morning as a Zen experience. “You feel you are helping to

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See Roses continued on page 18


An Ounce of Prevention… By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law

A few months ago, I wrote an article about a blended family trust/estate dispute I had handled. The response I received suggested that the compelling story resonated strongly with many readers.

The new media story about the $50 Million+ estate of the recently deceased artist, Robert Kinkade (dispute over a handwritten document claimed by Mr. Kinkade’s girlfriend to represent key testamentary wishes of his) reminded me of a case I had a few years ago that has broad implications.

I will use fi ctional names, as always. My client was 80 year old Trudy. Trudy hired me to administer the estate of her recently deceased 85 year old brother, Travis. I agreed, and in the coming weeks I learned the following facts.

Trudy and Travis had a close relationship throughout their lives. When middle-aged, Travis even resided with Trudy and her children for a few years. Trudy was particularly special to Travis because the two had no other siblings, and Travis had never married nor had children.

During his seventies, Travis told Trudy several times that he would be leav-ing his whole estate to her. Trudy had no reason to question this and didn’t think about asking him if he had a current Will or Living Trust.

A few years before Travis died, Trudy sustained serious injuries from a car accident. Since Travis didn’t then drive, he and his sister did not see each other again before he died.

Following Travis’s death, no Will, Trust or related correspondence was found in his apartment. I informed Trudy that under the California intestacy statute (govern-ing who is entitled to inherit assets of someone dying without a Will), Trudy was the closest to Travis in kinship, and she was thus legally entitled to all of his assets.

Although Travis had a fairly modest estate ($200,000 - $250,000), this was a major blessing to Trudy, who was living on a fi xed income and had almost no assets. Inheriting from her dear brother would make her remaining years dramati-cally more comfortable and fi nancially stress-free.

A few weeks after I was hired, Viola, who had lived in the same apartment building as Travis since a few years before his death, hired an attorney who fi led a probate petition on Viola’s behalf. The petition included a document purport-ing to be a handwritten Will signed by Travis less than a year before his death,

stating that Travis was leaving his entire estate to Viola.Trudy was devastated. She recalled that Travis had mentioned Viola several

times in passing. Travis told Trudy that Viola occasionally picked up groceries and did a few errands for him, but that she was frequently annoying. Trudy was sure that Travis would never have voluntarily written a Will leaving everything (let alone anything) to this casual, short-term acquaintance, Viola.

During litigation of Viola’s claim, each side hired expensive handwriting ana-lysts. Based on substantial, complex forensic analysis, Trudy’s expert concluded with a high degree of certainty that Travis’s signature had been forged by Viola. It’s no surprise that the “hired gun” analyst of Viola was prepared to testify that his analysis showed that Travis’s signature was bona fi de.

It soon became clear that even if Trudy succeeded at trial, she would “win the battle, but lose the war.” So, net of attorneys’ fees, Trudy settled for a small fraction of her brother’s estate.

Some might conclude that this case illustrates how fl awed our justice system is. I would argue this conclusion is wrong. We have one of the best legal systems in the world; however, people can be deceitful, instituting litigation is sometimes necessary, litigation is expensive and stressful, and the end result is typically far from ideal.

Incidentally, handwritten (“holographic”) Wills are valid in California if they meet a few basic statutory legal requirements. But it is a precarious tool that should only be used in certain very limited circumstances.

So, what would have likely happened if Travis had gone to an estate planning attorney and made an extremely modest investment in a simple, attorney-drafted Will? Viola would not have been able to leverage any signifi cant settlement by claiming under the bogus holographic Will, and Trudy would have rightfully inherited Travis’s assets.

The moral of this story reveals a silver lining. Our system usually rewards those who plan - or in the case of trust/estate matters, it rewards the loved ones of those who plan. Conversely, it often punishes the loved ones of those who don’t plan.

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, fi nancial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specifi c advice only from their own qualifi ed professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial

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create something beautiful.” That feeling has kept her returning for seven years. New to Danville, Melinda Hoertz-Serpan appreciates the social aspects of the job that allows her to meet and chat with fellow gardeners. Jackie LeJeune, a regular volunteer for Newcomers, has always loved roses and is grateful that the town does all the heavy work. She values her mornings at Osage. “It’s a great time to be here, and the company’s great.”

The land now enjoyed by the public as Osage Station Park belonged to Danville pioneer, Robert O. Baldwin. The Gold Rush brought Baldwin to California from his native Ohio. By 1852 he was happy to exchange his mining profi ts for Dan-ville land. Instrumental in getting neighbors to grant right of way through their ranches to the Southern Pacifi c Railroad, Baldwin set up a fl ag stop on his own property. Trains only stopped at his Osage Station when the fl ag was raised.

Wanting a remembrance of his home, Baldwin brought seeds for Osage trees from Ohio. Although they bear fruit resembling oranges, Osage trees belong to the Mulberry family. Their fruits are not fi t for human consump-tion, but they have long been used as an insect repellent. Hedgerows of the thorny trees provided natural fencing before the advent of barbed wire.

The 35-acre park was designed in1980 and established in 1982 when the Town of Danville was incorporated. The original plan included four baseball fi elds, fi ve soccer fi elds, a children’s play area, four tennis courts and a jogging path.

If you are interested in honoring a loved one, there are still 12 memorial boxes available. The cost of $800 includes the plaque with wording of your choice and perpetual maintenance. Periodically the town removes the old frame from around each bed and installs new wood without disturbing the roses. Individual rose bushes don’t live forever. Bare root replacements are ordered in the spring for planting the following year. If the original species is no longer available in the trade, Teixeira selects the rose that most closely resembles it in color, fragrance, and fl oral form.

Replacement of plaques and restoration of beds damaged by a thief two years ago cost the town about $4,000 but netted the vandal very little. A

Roses continued from page 17 salvage company where he was attempting to sell the plaques contacted the town. Only a few of the plaques were recovered. Unfortunately the tags identifying the rose variety in each box are no longer made, so until a similar product emerges, visitors need to contact John Teixeira to fi nd the name for a favorite fl ower.

Teixeira offers clinics on rose care for park volunteers upon request. In addi-tion to proper pruning techniques, he discusses best practices for feeding as well as pest and disease control. Because so many people come in contact with the park plants, Teixeira avoids spraying. If you are interested in volunteering or want information about the roses, contact John at [email protected].

[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2012 - term capital gains will generally increase to 20%, with a 10% rate applying to those in the lowest (15%) tax bracket (though slightly lower rates might apply to qualifying property held for fi ve or more years). And while the current lower long-term capital gain rates now apply to qualifying dividends, starting in 2013 dividends will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates.Other provisions expiring at the end of the year:

• 2% payroll tax reduction - The recently extended 2% reduction in the Social Security portion of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll tax expires at the end of 2012.

• Itemized deductions and personal exemptions - Beginning in 2013, itemized deductions and personal and dependency exemptions will once again be phased out for individuals with high adjusted gross incomes (AGIs).

• Tax credits and deductions - The earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and the American Opportunity (Hope) tax credit revert to old, lower limits and (less generous) rules of application. Also gone in 2013 is the ability to deduct interest on student loans after the fi rst 60 months of repayment.New Medicare taxes in 2013

New Medicare taxes created by the health-care reform legislation passed in 2010 take effect in just a few short months. Beginning in 2013, the hospital insurance (HI) portion of the payroll tax, commonly referred to as the Medicare portion, increases by 0.9% for high-wage individuals. Also beginning in 2013, a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the unearned income of high-income individuals.

Who is affected? The 0.9% payroll tax increase affects those with wages exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples fi ling a joint federal income tax return, and $125,000 for married individuals fi ling separately). The 3.8% contribution tax on unearned income generally applies to the net investment in-come of individuals with modifi ed adjusted gross income that exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples fi ling a joint federal income tax return and $125,000 for married individuals fi ling separately).

Gebhardt Group, Inc. is an independent wealth manage-ment fi rm located in Lafayette, California, that holds integ-rity, honesty, and transparency as primary values. Gebhardt Group serves clients nationwide and wealth management services include fi nancial planning, portfolio management, and insurance services. For information, visit www.gebhardtgroupinc.com or call 925-283-9150.

Jim Gebhardt is a Registered Representative of and Securities are offered through Brokers International Financial Services, LLC. Panora, IA, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Gebhardt Group, Inc., A Registered Investment Advisor. Brokers International Financial Services, LLC and Gebhardt Group Inc. are not affiliated. The majority of information in this article has been prepared by Forefield, Inc. These are the views of Forefield, Inc. and not necessarily those of James Gebhardt or Brokers International Financial Services, LLC., and should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, Forefield, Inc. makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Advertorial

Of Taxes Past, Present, and FutureBy Jim Gebhardt

With the 2011 tax fi ling season behind us, much at-tention is being paid to the expiring “Bush tax cuts” - the reduced federal income tax rates and benefi ts that will expire at the end of 2012 unless additional legislation is passed. In fact, though, several important federal income tax provisions already expired at the end of 2011. Here’s a quick rundown of where things stand today.What’s already expired?

A series of temporary legislative “patches” over the last several years has pre-vented a dramatic increase in the number of individuals subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) - essentially a parallel federal income tax system with its own rates and rules. The last such patch expired at the end of 2011. Unless new legislation is passed, your odds of being caught in the AMT net greatly increase in 2012, because AMT exemption amounts will be signifi cantly lower, and you won’t be able to offset the AMT with most nonrefundable personal tax credits.

Other provisions that have already expired:• Bonus depreciation and IRC Section 179 expense limits - If you’re a small

business owner or self-employed individual, you were allowed a fi rst-year deprecia-tion deduction of 100% of the cost of qualifying property acquired and placed in service during 2011, this “bonus” depreciation drops to 50% for property acquired and placed in service during 2012 and disappears altogether in 2013. For 2011, the maximum amount that you could expense under IRC Section 179 was $500,000, in 2012 the maximum is $139,000, and in 2013, the maximum will be $25,000.

• State and local sales tax - If you itemize your deductions, 2011 was the last tax year for which you could elect to deduct state and local general sales tax in lieu of state and local income tax.

• Education deductions - The above-the-line deduction (maximum $4,000 deduction) for qualifi ed higher education expenses, and the above-the-line de-duction for up to $250 of out-of-pocket classroom expenses paid by education professionals both expired at the end of 2011.What’s expiring at the end of 2012?

After December 31, 2012, we’re scheduled to go from six federal tax brack-ets (10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35%) to fi ve (15%, 28%, 31%, 36%, and 39.6%). The rates that apply to long-term capital gains and dividends will change as well. Currently, long-term capital gains are generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. And, if you’re in the 10% or 15% marginal income tax bracket, a special 0% rate generally applies. Starting in 2013, however, the maximum rate on long-

The Eye OpenerBy Gregory and Laura Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo OptometrySelf-Medicating

I consistently fi nd patients who treat their eye condi-tions, whether it is a red eye or allergies, with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medications that were originally given to a friend or other family mem-ber. While this is the easiest route to go for treatment, it can also be a poor decision in the long-run. Regardless

of the situation, it is always best to have an eye care professional diagnose and treat the eye condition.

To begin with, I would highly recommend that an eye care professional make the correct diagnosis and treatment plan versus a pediatrician, general practitioner, or yourself. These medical professionals have their expertise and knowledge base, but it is not in eye care. Just as I am not the person to see regarding a sinus infection or bronchitis, your primary care physician does not have the necessary equipment and knowledge base to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, I never make a diagnosis over the phone and call in a prescription to the local pharmacy. I fi rmly believe in taking a thorough history and using my equipment and ancillary tests to come up with the correct solution to your problem. Treating over the phone, self-diagnosing, or being diagnosed by a family member or friend is not conducive to alleviating the problem in a timely manner.

Using OTC drugs without professional guidance is not necessarily wrong, and often I tell my patients that if it is warranted, to use a particular drop at their local pharmacy. However, I do this after seeing and talking to the patient and fi guring out exactly what the problem is. For instance, there are several good antihistamines

and lubricating drops that have come on the market recently that are actually very good drops. Conversely, using Visine as an all-purpose drop several times a day without the recommendation of a professional is not necessarily a good idea. First of all, Visine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it makes the blood vessels in the eye smaller so that the eye does not look as red. However, it does not solve the problem of why the eye is red in the fi rst place. In addition, Visine has a high rate of dependency and rebound effect, meaning that over time more and more drops are needed to achieve the same goal, and when the drops are stopped, the redness returns worse than before treatment. It is important to address why the eyes are red and irritated in the fi rst place, i.e. allergies, dryness, infection, lid disease, etc., and treat that condition so that the eye can get better.

Finally, using drops from a prior eye condition or using a prescribed drop from another family member because “your eye looks just like mine did, and this drop worked for me” is not smart and could be potentially dangerous. For certain infec-tions, proper and speedy treatment is necessary, and using Visine or another drop could make the situation worse. Just because a prescription drop helped once, it might be the exact wrong treatment for the current situation. I stress to patients to use the drops as prescribed, and then keep the drop in your medicine cabinet because you might need it later; however, don’t use it unless it is prescribed again.

Our offi ce treats most red eyes, infections, and allergies. We are on most PPO medical plans including Anthem, Aetna, United, and Cigna, and we attempt to get patients experiencing red eye into the offi ce on the same day. Regardless of if you think your eye status is simple or complex, give our offi ce a call so we can help you.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at 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


Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS.Weight Loss for Kids - Family Plan

Summer is here! It is a great time to get your child in shape and help them achieve an ideal weight. The objective is to provide the right foods that your child will enjoy. Let me tell you about my recent work with a local Alamo family.

My initial meeting was at the family’s home where I went through their refrigerator and cupboards to show them healthy and unhealthy items they contained. I interviewed all of the family members to fi nd out what their favorite meal and snack foods were. I instantly saw why all of the family members had weight problems. Most of the foods they ate were highly processed foods such as Eggo frozen waffl es and pancakes, boxes of mac and cheese, Lean Pockets, frozen pizzas, bagels, french bread, high sugar cereals like Honey Bunches of Oats, and tubs of rich ice cream.

I fi rst taught all of the family members how to read a food label and to look for important facts such as protein, fi ber, fat, sugar, and calories per serving. I realized that it was my job to teach the family that healthy food can be delicious. I began by suggesting some modifi cations to their favorites such as Van’s whole wheat waffl es and Krusteaz Oatbran Pancake Mix. I suggested they serve their macaroni and cheese with equal amounts of broccoli which they loved. I taught the family how to make their own pizzas from whole wheat pizza dough that is available along with low fat cheese, lighter pizza sauce, and veggies. I introduced them to many 100% whole wheat items like Orowheat Sandwich Thins, english muffi ns, La Tortilla Factory tortillas, couscous, and pasta. They now enjoy having one cup of cooked pasta, rice, or starch along with two cups of tasty veggies sautéed in garlic and olive oil along with a sprinkle of parmesan. We also discussed buying portion sized Fudgeicles, Creamsicles, and fruit juice bars rather than tubs of ice cream.

Mom, dad, and I went to Trader’s Joes where I was thrilled to show them new items that they can add to the family menu such as healthy potstickers, soups,

frozen wild fi sh, fresh arugula, spinach, and veggies in bags that are cleaned, cut, and ready to be cooked. We also discovered brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat couscous, along with cottage cheese, Greek yogurts, and salads. I made a point to go over the food labels for each new item they bought so they could understand how nutritious they are. The family was amazed by the many great convenient items available to them.

I returned to their home a week later where I reviewed everyone’s food diary. We discussed the best snacks to keep on hand that the kids would like. “Ants on a log” made of peanut butter stuffed in celery sprinkled with raisins was a favorite. The kids were happy to hear that they can have a dessert each day as long as they had veggies at lunch and at dinner.

The parents discussed what restaurants they frequent, and I helped them learn what the best choices were from the menus. For example, once a week they order Chinese food. I helped them tweak their typical choices by adding more veggies and fewer noodle and rice dishes. Last week they enjoyed lettuce wraps, Mongolian chicken, and sweet snowpeas for dinner.

Mom explained how diffi cult it is to get the kids to become more active. I told her goals needed to be set. I suggested a family bike ride a couple times a week, swimming a set number of laps each day, and having mom and dad switch off taking the kids for a walk. The kids are involved with summer softball, although it is not consistent exercise. Make exercise fun for kids by setting up incentives. If they exercise fi ve days a week, let them go see a movie of their choice.

This summer there will be slip-ups at backyard parties and sleepovers. When this happens talk with your child about how to make the next meal a better choice to balance out any overeating.

I am meeting with this family each week, checking on their progress, and continuing to educate and support them in their desire to create a healthy family plan for the summer.

Linda is located at her offi ce in Alamo. She is glad to inform you that now most health insurances pay for nutritional counseling. Please visit www.LindaRD.com for more information, helpful tips, recipes and Linda’s blog, or call at (925) 855-0150. Advertorial

Fighting Cancer and Fatigue By Esther Catalya, MD

Cancer Related Fatigue can be a symptom of your cancer or a side effect from cancer treatment. Normal day-to-day activities can be draining, and sleep may only provide a short reserve of energy. Fatigue resonates to every part of us, our physical, mental and emotional being. Sev-enty -100% of cancer patients experience fatigue during, or post treatment. This lack of energy causes a change in our daily activities, hobbies, work,

and our relationships. There are other things that you can do to help manage

your symptoms.● Talk to your health care provider about managing

symptoms. ● Plan rest breaks in your day, but avoid long naps in

the late day so that you are able to sleep well at night. ● Even when you are tired, allow friends to visit. Hu-

man connection is very important in battling depression, which is closely linked to fatigue. Enjoying the uplifted spirit of a friend also gives you more energy.

● Meet with a dietitian to help establish your nutritional needs to help fi ght fatigue. Eating the right foods and getting plenty of fl uids can give added energy.

● Delegate your needs by asking friends and family members for help with daily chores.

● Everyone has their own way of relaxing. Reading, needlework, listening to music, or creating small art proj-ects tend to be relaxing activities.

● Consult your physician on what kind of exercise you are able to do like walking, yoga, swimming, or other activities. Exercising daily not only helps to lower blood

pressure but also helps to improve appetite, sleep, and mood. Each person’s fatigue is unique and it is important to talk to your doctor about

what treatment may work best for you. Keep a ‘Fatigue Diary’ recording your daily routine and your fatigue level on a scale of 0-10. By keeping track of your diet, exercise, and daily activities, you may be able to learn what works best for you in improving your energy level.

Dr. Esther Catalya is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology, located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill. 925-677-5041 or www.DiabloValleyOncology.md. Advertorial

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[email protected] Danville Today News ~ July 2012 - Exercise Therapy: From Pain to PerformanceBy Jeffrey Johnson, D.C.

At Johnson Chiropractic Group our therapeutic ap-proach is not simply about pain relief and adjusting spinal fi xations to restore spinal health. Our mission is to educate and transition our patients into an active, healthy lifestyle. We look to optimize our patients health by including them in our systematic program of care ranging from pain relief and rehabilitation to corrective exercise therapy.

The transition from rehabilitation to physical fi tness can be diffi cult when you are not familiar with the underlying principles of corrective exercise therapy. Ultimately our goal is to ensure that our patients can move correctly without pain, while main-taining proper mobility and stability before they take on more rigorous activity.

Without optimal muscle balance and symmetry, patients suffer from a degree of compensation in their movements which only leads to further injury over time. I am often surprised by how few health care professionals actually use corrective exercise therapy in their practices. Many structural conditions currently treated with singular approaches by doctors would greatly benefi t from the inclusion of exercise therapy, as thousands of traumatic low back pain cases are successfully treated annually by exercises alone.What Is Exercise Therapy?

Exercise Therapy is a form of exercise that strives to bring the body back into perfect postural position. As you know, the body is designed to perform at its most effi cient level when it is in a position of ideal posture and bilateral sym-metry. Exercise Therapy is designed to restore muscle balance and symmetry, thus guiding the body to work effi ciently without pain. Through exercise therapy, you will be working toward re-educating the body to move as it was designed so it can function at its best, pain free.

Specifi c movements are used to improve body mechanics and remove negative movement patterns which have led to dysfunction. Exercise Therapy reintroduces

proper function, which restores correct posture. When the body stops compensating for imbalances, patients are able to move freely without restrictions, and the pain eventually disappears. It all comes down to moving correctly!

All muscle function is interconnected. One area of dysfunction will cause com-pensation and a myriad of symptoms somewhere else. Exercise Therapy effectively corrects the cumulative stress of life. Even small structural changes (i.e. long hours at your desk, commuting or exercising through pain) will alter the muscles’ and joints’ ability to perform properly. This is because no muscle works alone; each is connected to another part of the body. Because exercise therapy focuses on fi xing the cause of pain, instead of just addressing the symptoms, it works where many other approaches fall short. So, even if you’ve tried everything else to feel better, now is the time to try our effective exercise therapy strategies for relief.Have You Tried Other Therapies?

You may have already tried to stretch and strengthen some weak, injured areas of your body with little to no success. The majority of muscle and joint pain syn-dromes are the result of repeated faulty movement patterns which lead to cumulative stress and pain. Over time, the body develops incorrect movement patterns as a way to compensate for tight, weak muscles and also as a way to avoid pain. Without exercise therapy protocols designed to teach the correct way of moving, patients continue from one approach to another, never improving, because they continue to move incorrectly. An example of this would be when a patient complains of chronic knee pain, most professionals are quick to incorporate a therapeutic approach which focuses on stretching and strengthening the knee. However, our approach utilizing exercise therapy would be to address movement in the entire kinetic chain from the ankle to the knee, hip and spine. This more inclusive approach is what is required to effectively restore function and prevent future re-injury.

Many of you reading this article are currently suffering from an injury which is preventing you from fully enjoying summer. Too often I hear people say they’d love to run, swim, lift weights, or play their favorite sport again, but they can’t because they’ve got a chronic injury that is preventing them from enjoying one of their favorite activities. Don’t settle for mediocrity and the lackluster results that come from antiquated, singular approaches. Challenge yourself and the staff at Johnson Chiropractic Group to fi nd a way to get you back participating in the activities you love this summer! We are ready to help you Move Past Your Pain and return to performing at your peak potential.

For more info, go to www.movepastyourpain.com, visit us on Facebook, or contact Dr. Johnson at Johnson Chiropractic Group, 115 Town & Coun-try Dr., Suite E in Danville. 925.743.8210. Advertorial

Red NoseBy Dr. Jerome Potozkin

“Why do I have such a red nose if I don’t even drink alcohol?” That was a great question presented to me a few months ago by a 50-something-year-old named Steve who was seeking employment in a com-petitive industry. He had become very self-conscious because his nose started to look like a road map of red lines. His friends started to tease him about it. He was not amused and decided to come see me for help.

The fi rst thing I did was reassure Steve that his problem was very common and was not related to alcohol. He was getting fi ne superfi cial blood vessels on his nose as a result of chronic sun damaged skin caused by growing up in a sunny climate. As a teenager he was a lifeguard and never used sunscreen.

The other entity that could cause this is an infl ammatory skin disease known as Rosacea. Although the condition was not the result of alcohol abuse, having a glass of wine or alcohol will increase the blood fl ow to the skin and result in increased redness.

Steve was relieved to hear what I had to say but still wanted a solution, not an explanation for what he had. I explained to him that the only way to solve his problem would be to treat him with a vascular laser. We used the VBeam Perfecta Pulsed Dye Laser to treat his vessels. This type of laser was initially invented to treat kids and newborns with large vascular birthmarks known as Port Wine Stains because of their resemblance to port wine. He received three treatments over three months. The treatments only took a few minutes and did not require any anesthesia. Steve is thrilled as the vessels are gone. He noted an increase in confi dence as now he didn’t feel people would assume he was an alcoholic because of his red nose. He even landed his dream job in the tech industry.

If you have any blood vessels or other skin issues that bother you, please contact our offi ce as chances are we have a solution to your problem.

Dr. Potozkin is a board certifi ed dermatologist who has been serving the Dan-ville community since 1993. He is accepting new patients at 925-838-4900. You may also visit his website at Potozkin.com for more information. Advertorial

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Sun Safety for LifeBy Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

I’m often asked about the most common factors contributing to the aging process. Everyday exposure to the sun, pollution, and other factors in our environment contribute to the natural aging process. As residents of the Bay Area, we are fortunate to live in a very mild climate with lots of sunny days. However, this fortune comes at a price, as the sun is the number one enemy

we battle in our quest to retain our youthful appearance.Frequency and intensity of sun exposure accelerates the aging process, dam-

ages skin, and increases the incidence of skin cancer. As such, part of any healthy lifestyle includes practicing sun safety. We start our lives with thin delicate baby skin and end up with thin delicate elder skin. The care we take to protect our skin really does make a difference. Wearing hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, and liberal use of sunscreen are necessary precautions to protect us from our infancy to our golden years.

This summer, I have noticed children at the pool and playground becoming red and sunburned. Just one bad sunburn in childhood increases our lifetime risk of melanoma (the most fatal form of skin cancer). We need to take effective precautions to reduce these risks. While it is true that over-exposure to the sun may result in more sunspots and premature or excessive wrinkles, melanoma is a very serious consequence of enjoying too much sun throughout our lifespan. Recently, I removed over 50 skin lesions from a 70 year-old patient. Sadly, most of these lesions could have been avoided with a better understanding of how the sun damages the skin and knowledge of the best practices to protect it.

The sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays - UVA and UVB. Either can cause sunburn and damage skin. It is a common misconception that cloudy days offer protection from sunburn. UVA and UVB rays penetrate clouds and still result in sunburn and damaged skin. Medications can also increase the risk of sunburn. These medications include many antibiotics, most acne medications, and some antidepressants. It is always wise to review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist regarding sun sensitivity.

The best way to enjoy the sunshine is to limit exposure when the sun rays are most intense (between 10am and 4pm) and to use adequate sunscreen protection at all times. While the use of sunscreen is critical, it must be used properly in order to be effective. Follow these simple and effective guidelines for sunscreen use

• Sunscreens with a zinc base and broad spec-trum coverage are optimal, and zinc is found in higher end brands (we offer Skinmedica, Skinceu-ticals, Obagi, and Image in our offi ce).

• While these brands are some of the most effective available, even the cheapest generic sunscreen is better than wearing nothing at all.

• Do not wait until you are in the sun to apply. Sunscreens are designed to be absorbed into the skin. Apply liberally (two ounces, equivalent to a full shot glass, for arms and legs) 30 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen should be reap-plied after swimming or excessive sweating.

• Regular use of sunscreen can begin at six months of age and used indefi nitely.

• SPF means “sun protection factor.” SPF of

four provides protection allowing four times the sun exposure before burning. SPF eight equals eight times and so on. SPF 15 blocks 93% of incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays.

• One year of sun protection yields noticeably improved skin and reduced risk. It is never too early, or too late, to start using sunscreen so start applying it now.

• Yearly skin checks with your GP, dermatologist or plastic surgeon will help detect skin cancer early.

These recommendations are meant to be guidelines and need to be tailored to individual skin types. If sunburn does occur, use of cold compresses, over the coun-ter Benadryl, and pain medication may help with the sting. In cases of longer-term sun damage or skin cancer, your dermatologist and your plastic surgeon can help. As always, I welcome the opportunity to help you explore the options available. I wish you a sun safe and happy summer season!

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


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TBG continued from front page

Danville Today News Classifi edsR e a c h o v e r 1 4 , 5 0 0 h o m e s a n d b u s i n e s s e s i n D a n v i l l e 9 4 5 2 6 - H e l p W a n t e d , F o r S a l e , S e r v i c e s , L e s -

s o n s , P e t s , R e n t a l s , Wa n t e d , F r e e b i e s . . . $ 3 5 f o r u p t o 4 5 w o r d s . $ 5 f o r e a c h a d d i t i o n a l 1 5 w o r d s . R u n t h e s a m e c l a s s i f i e d a d i n o u r s i s t e r s p a p e r “ L a f a y e t t e To d a y ” a n d / o r “A l a m o To d a y ” a n d p a y h a l f o f f for your second and/or third ads!

S e n d o r e m a i l s u b m i s s i o n s t o : 3 0 0 0 F D a n v i l l e B l v d # 1 1 7 , A l a m o 9 4 5 0 7 o r e d i t o r @ y o u r m o n t h l y -p a p e r . c o m . P a y m e n t b y c h e c k m a d e o u t t o “ T h e E d i t o r s ” m u s t b e r e c e i v e d b e f o r e a d w i l l p r i n t . Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

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C L A S S I F I E D ELECTRICAL WORK

EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL! Need new light fi xtures, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, or track lighting installed? Need a dimmer switch or GFCI installed? Do you want to change the color of your outlets in your kitchen or install 220V power for the new hot tub or stove? I also troubleshoot electrical problems. FREE ESTI-MATES. Licensed and bonded. 30 years experience. CALL 925-389-6964.

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“Matthew kept them inspired showing, leadership under changing conditions.” As soon as the solution of shortening the legs was accomplished, Bertha got his team back to work to fi nish the job.

Scouting involves the kind of multi-generational taskforce TBG seeks to enlist. Matthew Bertha’s parents were on hand to help. His mother Rachel commented: “Scouting strengthens the family.” She expressed amazement at the variety of skills scouts need to acquire in the course of earning the 21 merit badges needed to achieve the Eagle rank. “It’s amazing to see them doing things they wouldn’t ordinarily do.” Her favorite example is Matthew’s involvement for Personal Management in getting a new family kitchen table built. He analyzed and approved all aspects of the effort from cost comparison to design and selection of wood.

Two previous Eagle Projects got the planting boxes built. Josh Miner, who helped design the boxes and arrange a signifi cant discount on the materials, orchestrated the building of the fi rst 16. Dallin Robins directed the construction of the fi nal eight. Both boys were on hand to support Matthew and see the results of their own projects fi nally prepared to serve the community.

If you are interested in volunteering or have serviceable tools or seedlings to donate to the Bounty Garden, contact Heidi Abramson at [email protected].

Eagle candidate Matthew Bertha enlists TBG co-founder Heidi Abramson’s help to demonstrate how to level the boxes.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com- July 2012 ~ Danville Today News

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 and Nancy Combs, J. Rockcliff and the MLS service do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. DRE #0144125.

Perfect throughout. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath. Huge outdoor entertainment area and pool.

$1,450,000.

Two Bed 2 Bath Condo in the Blackhawk Area. $450,000. Multiple Offers. We represented the

buyer. We have more buyers.

Completely renovated single story on Golf Course. $1,399,000

Lovely home in beautiful Danville neighbor-hood $985,000. We represented the buyer.

We have other buyers.

Blackhawk fi ve bedroom 2 story. $1,279,000.We represented the buyer. We have more

buyers.

Dramatic, one-of-a-kind luxury home with amazing views. $1,599,000

The Perfect DownsizeDanville 4 Bedroom

J. Rockcliff Realtors 15 Railroad Ave., Danville CA. 94526

West Side Alamo Single Story Blackhawk 5 Bedroom

Blackhawk Single Story

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Page 24- July 2012 ~ D nthlypypypapapperer.c.comom

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Danville Real Estate Home Prices Up 2.9%This month I wanted to focus on what I consider to be the

average Danville home of 4 bedrooms equipped with 2-3 baths and see if the upward market trend we have been observing throughout 2012 can be seen here as well. Danville has a large condo market and we do have a smattering of super luxury homes, but for the most part our Real Estate Market is comprised of the ubiquitous 4 bedroom family home.

At the peak, the average price paid for one of these 2550 sq. ft. gems was $1,112,000 at a stratospheric price of $436 per square foot. Supply was very low and demand was very high. If you recall, at that time the competition for real estate was so hot that in a typical sale you had to beat out 4-5 other bidders to obtain a Danville home. It was a very unusual time and since then our market has declined, most signifi cantly from 2007-2009. In 2011 the multi-year free-fall was showing signs of slowing and by the end of 2011 it appeared that the market was fi nding a bottom.

Through the fi rst fi ve months of the year and 16 days of June 2012, the price for Danville family homes has increased signifi cantly over last year. Current average sales price stands at $823,000 compared to $800,000 in 2011. This represents a price increase of 2.9% over the previous year. That’s better return than a savings account. Dollars

per square foot slipped a bit from $322 to $318 dollars for a slight 1% decline.

For the year a total of 138 homes with this specifi cation have been sold. Inventory remains very low with only 42 similar properties cur-rently on the market. They

carry an average list price of $1,046,000 and a $372 per square foot price. They have a list price range from $524,000 all the way up to $2,494,000. These homes are selling at a rate of 23 per month. Current inventory sits at 1.8 months supply. This is very, very low for this time of year. A normal market would have six months supply. Seventy-fi ve homes are pending sale. If you add the pending sales to the sold properties, you have a number equal to 213. This takes the market to a 1.2 month inventory supply. Sellers have not had it this good in many years.

While no one can predict the future, Economics 101 says tight supply equals higher prices and if this is true, it’s highly unlikely we will see a reversal of this posi-tive trend any time soon. It’s an election year so the media is determined to give us an incredible number of things to worry about in the headline news…Greece, Spain, Syria, Egypt…to name a few. I suspect this negative press is working to hold back the market to some extent otherwise it would be stronger than it already is.

I both hope and believe that many of these negatives will fade following the elec-tion cycle and job creation and stimulating the economy will be once again the focus. Regardless of the outcome of our November elections, I doubt either party will be reckless enough to upset the real estate apple cart again anytime soon. We are blessed to live in this truly amazing country. Show you love it with me by displaying an American fl ag. Have a very safe and Happy 4th of July.

If you are thinking about selling your home and would like an honest opinion of its market value, and some ideas on how to improve it, please give me a call 925-989-6086, or send me an email [email protected] Nancy and I will be happy to help.

danville today news, july 2012

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