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Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon

VOL 16, NO 4 April 2011 SEVENTY-FIVE CENTSalways for the community valleysentinel.com SENTINELTHE ALLEYV

SPOTLIGHT

See CHINApage4

See AFRICApage 4

Special Sections inside...

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Health & Fitness

Athenian student gives the gift of education in Malawi, AfricaBy Lisa T. Wood

Emma Schwartz has big plans, and a big heart. While most teenagers think about homework, friends or what to wear, Emma has another idea on her mind—providing an educational scholarship to a girl her age in Malawi, Africa. Working with Lafayette-based VoiceFlame Writers International, who provides the scholarships, Emma is raising funds for her goal—collecting $1,556 by April 30.

Emma recently helped identify the Malawian girl who will receive her scholarship. Her name is Bettie. At only 15, she is a double orphan taking care of grandparents and siblings. “Here is a girl who wants to go to school,” said Emma. “This is more than just

Diablo Scorpion Stingers U-15 Boys, coached by David Preston, played the San Ramon Valley Raptors, coached by Spencer Giansante, February 27, 2011 at Diablo Vista in Danville. The Diablo Scorpion Stinger players from left to right are Connor Young (#17), Chris Cranston (#28) and Alex Engle, and the Stingers players from left to right, Tristan Ferreyra (#41) and Alonzo Altamirano (#4). The Stingers beat the Raptors 3-2. Photo by Jeffrey Weil

By Dana GuzzettiAlamo’s Marika Geron is

headed for Shaxi, a village in Southern China, to teach English and help repaint the school. Marika also will distribute slightly used digital cameras and school supplies she hopes to collect by June.

“Mr. Wu (head of the school) said the cameras will be used as educational devises to photograph nature and later be used in the classroom to supplement the teachers’ curriculum,” Marika reports.

This will not be the fi rst time Marika has traveled abroad to help others. Last year she went on a Rustic Pathways trip to Beerwah, Australia in the Glasshouse Mountain area to help build a trail network, make

Alamo student volunteer travels to Chinabird nesting boxes for sugar gliders and other animals. “We taught conservation and how to care for the environment to young kids,” Marika explains.

The prior time that she spent volunteering at Saint Martin de Poores in Oakland helped prepare Marika for foreign volunteerism, but she revealed that the trip was also a personal learning experience. “I learned a lot about native plants and it was the fi rst time I saw a sugar glider,” Marika remarks.

“I always wanted to go on a charity trip. Mrs. O’Leary (Carondelet teacher) gave me three different companies, and I picked Pathways because it was well organized and had a clear mission statement,” Marika

reasoned. The Australian experience

motivated Marika to take her volunteerism to the next level by founding a tax deductible entity to gather and distribute resources.

With help from her father, Attorney Tasos Geron, Marika set up Hera’s Helping Hands, a non-profi t for the purpose of gathering and distributing resources to “fulfi ll the fi nancial and physical needs of these children and create a hopeful environment by establishing new education centers and providing fi nancial assistance to existing schools.”

Marika says that her non-profi t is different from most others. “The full amount of any donation will go to the

benefi ciaries. I will not take any money from the corporation or make any profit. I love volunteering,” she declares.

“ I babys i t and I am recruiting friends who will ask that their babysitting payment checks be made out to the charity,” Marika says. The Hera’s Helping Hands website is also set with Paypal to

Check inside for East Bay Regional Park’s “Regional in Nature” guide

page 2 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

Now – April 17Once on This Island A calypso-fl avored musical re-telling of the traditional Little Mermaid tale and focuses on the effects social class divisions have on love. Tickets: $20-$27. Willows Mainstage at the Willows Shopping Center in Concord. For show times and information: 798-1300.

April 9All New Best of Doo Wop

8pm. 1950s and 60s doo wop music. Tickets $12-$62. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Information: 373-6800.

April 13 Haydn's Creation 8pm. A libretto based on passages from Paradise Lost, Genesis and Psalms, the oratorio is among Haydn’s most inspired works. Haydn’s subject is the creation of heaven and earth, expressed through remarkably powerful

music. Tickets: $25-$85. Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: 295-1400.

April 15 Flying Karamazov Brothers 8pm. The Flying Karamazov Brothers mix visual fi reworks, visceral physical i ty and theatrical innovation to create a post-modern sensibility where anything is possible. A unique blend of humor, nouveau cirque, visual music, dance and theatre. Tickets: $12-$51. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Information: 373-6800.

April 15 – May 7 The Foreigner

Best-laid plans farcically go awry when “the foreigner” mingles w i t h a devious menagerie of locals. Tickets: $15-$25. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. Information: 820-1278

April 16 Sotto Voce 8pm. The group challenges preconceived notions about tubas by composing, arranging, and commissioning virtuosic

new work from all eras, from English madrigals to the music of Frank Zappa. Tickets: $21-$33. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Information: 373-6800.

April 16 Alex Ramon Magic 2pm. A fresh approach on magic by a modern showman. Tickets: $45. Hofmann Theater at Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr. ,Walnut Creek. Information: 295-1400.

April 22 & 23, 29 & 30, May 1 & May 6-8 All Shook Up

8pm. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. A loopy tale of mismatched lovers in a 1955 Midwest burg incorporates classics that range from sweet romantic ballads to the rollicking hip-swiveling songs. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Information: 373-6800.

April 28–May 15 The Lady with All the Answers, An Evening with Ann Landers.

It's 1975, and after years of dispensing advice to lovelorn teenagers and confused couples, the lady with all the answers finds herself with a looming deadline to write "the most important column of my career." Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek. For tickets and show times: 295-1400.

April 29 Home Aid: An Evening with Martin Short 7:30pm. A fun-fi lled 2nd

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page 2 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • dining out • music • art • theater • fun eventspage 3 valleysentinel.com

april 2011

San Ramon Valley RotaryAuditions for Valley Teen Idol 2011GIVE US YOUR BEST 60-SECOND PRESENTATION

Semi Final Competition May 11th at the Crow Canyon Country ClubFinal Competition Event June 11th at Cross Winds Church

Awards1st - $1000 & Recording Session – 2nd - $500 – 3rd - $250

Pick up details and an application at your local high schoolor visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com

Sponsorships and/or questions – contact Debora Killeen @ 925-855-5529 or 925-260-4565 or by email at spkilleen@hotmail.com

Proceeds from Valley Teen Idol benefit the local and worldwide charity work of the Diablo-San Ramon Valley Rotary Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization

This program is not sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Approval for flyer distribution does not imply endorsement,

but is a courtesy service to the community.

Cross Winds Church6444 Sierra Court, DublinFriday April 29th5pm – 8pmSaturday April 30th1pm – 5pm

2010 Crow Canyon Place San RamonSaturday April 16th11am – 3pmSunday April 17th1pm – 4pm

Bring your audition application and $25 Auditions will be open to the first 200 teens ages 13 - 19

Auditions will be held at:

the 65-member band. Tickets: Adults $6, children under 12 or with a student ID are free. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. Information: 973-3343.

May 6 – 8 The Crimson Pirate If you can keep a secret, this is the show for you. This treasure of an adventure story is packed with thrills and excitement. Only the brave and romantic landlubber will be permitted to learn the secret of the Crimson Pirate. Average ticket: $13. Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information and show times: 295-1400.

May 7 At the Hop: Remembering the 50's and 60's 8pm. The Blackhawk Chorus will take on the 50's and 60's with hits from the

New Beginnings 4pm. The Symphony will introduce two Bay Area emerging ta lents : Rieko Tsuchida, a sixteen-year-old San Francisco Conservatory of Music piano student and 11-year-old Roberto Granados an accomplished flamenco and classical guitarist who has already attended the New

England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Tickets: $54 - $64. Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: 295-1400.

May 6 7 :30pm. San Ramon

Symphonic Band presents “That’s Italian.” Enjoy an evening of music provided by

• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • dining out • music • art • theater • fun eventsvalleysentinel.com

Annual Benefit with comedian Martin Short lending his humor in support of HomeAid's mission to build and maintain dignif ied housing where temporarily homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Tickets: $125. Hofmann Theater at Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: 295-1400.April 30, May 1, and May 6-8. A Year With Frog and Toad April 30, May 1, 7, 8 at 2pm and 4:30pm. May 6 at 7pm. Follow outgoing Frog and reserved Toad through four seasons as they plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, sing up a storm and learn about the magic of friendship. Tickets: Adults $19, Children $15. Front Row Theater at Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd. Information: 973-2787.May 1 California Symphony,

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Beatles and the Beach Boys, and more. Tickets: $17 - $25. Hofmann Theater at Lesher

Center, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek. Information: 295-1400.

San Ramon Art & Wind Festival Poster ContestMiddle and high school

students from San Ramon were invited to participate in a Poster Art Contest for the 2011 San Ramon Art and Wind Festival. This year’s festival will take place on May 29 and 30.

The City received 30 entries and winners have been selected. First place goes to Emily Hui, a 6th grader from Pine Valley Middle School.

Emily will be awarded a $200 savings bond. Two other 6th graders from Pine Valley Middle School, Karen Samaha and Natlie Lee, tied for 2nd place and each receive a $100 savings bond. Third place went to Frances Sin, a senior at Dougherty Valley High School. She will receive a $50 savings bond.

The winners will receive their awards at a special

presentation during the event. Three of the pieces will be featured on the poster for the festival. This is the first time the festival poster will feature art work created by San Ramon youth.

All 30 of the entries will be exhibited in the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery inside the San Ramon Community Center. All participants will receive a certificate of appreciation.

page 4 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

a school project for me. This is a life changing opportunity for someone else, and I love that feeling.” The $1,556 Emma is raising provides tuition, room, board, school supplies, uniforms and hygiene items for four years.

As an e igh th g rade student at The Athenian School in Danville, Emma knows the value of community service and international and multicultural understanding, which are two of the school’s five founding philosophies. But her decision to focus on educating a young woman is personal to Emma. “To provide education for a girl—to change her life—that is very powerful.”

Emma knows the facts. Malawi does not provide public secondary school education, and only 11 percent of females attend classes beyond elementary school. According to Mary Tuchscherer, Founder of VoiceFlame Writers International, HIV/AIDs and

poverty are a constant threat for Malawians, and when girls drop out of school, they parent orphaned siblings or get married at the tender age of 14.

Emma is determined to give one Malawian girl another option. Studies show that educating girls is one of the most effective ways to fi ght poverty. Connecting with Tuchscherer’s organization, Emma leverages their mission to p rov ide educa t iona l scholarships to women and girls. VoiceFlame Writers International also connects women through story by holding writing workshops nationally and sponsoring international trips where women travel to write and share with women of other cultures.

Tuchschere r re turns to Malawi this May armed with four scholarships, and hopefully a fi fth for Bettie from Emma’s efforts. To donate, contact VoiceFlame Writers International, 510-205-3089 or mary@voicefl amewriters.org.

AFRICAfrom page 1

expedite donations for present and future projects.

“I helped her with the paper work, but the name and the content for Hera’s Helping Hands all comes from Marika,” Tasos Geron proudly remarks.

A high school Junior, Marika’s commitment to charity began with a family cul ture of volunteer ism and volunteering through a Carondelet High School club. “I love volunteering,” Marika declares.

“My friend Anna Roberts and I belong to the Global Outreach Club. We raised $200 money for DHAN Foundation in India, for young girls who have anemia. Now raising awareness to do a good deeds. We want to get everyone to do 25 good deeds, like writing letters to soldiers or helping each other.”

CHINAfrom page 1

New Executive Director at Discovery Counseling Center

C e n t e r D i s c o v e r y Counseling Center’s Board o f Di rec tors i s p leased to announce that Kathy Chiverton has been named the new Executive Director of the Center. Kathy served as Chief of Staff to two Contra

News BitsBy Dana Guzzetti Costa County Supervisors in

District 3 and was Executive Director of the San Ramon Valley YMCA. Her volunteer work in the community includes service on the Boards of Directors of Leadership San Ramon Valley, the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, and Danville Rotary. She has also held numerous

RetractionIn "News Bits" last

month we reported that July 2011 will have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays, which is correct, and that this "reportedly happens once every 823 years". In fact, any 31 day month that begins on Friday has this confi guration. During the 21st Century, this will occur, or has occurred in Julys of 2005, 2016, 2022, 2033, 2039, 2044, 2050, 2061, 2067, 2072, 2078, 2089, and 2095, as well as numerous other times in other months. In fact 2016, 2044, and 2072 will have this occur in both January and July of those years. This is slightly more frequent than once every 823 years. We apoogize for the error and thank Jerold Z. Kaplan, M.D. for bringing it to our attention!

positions within PTA and has worked closely with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in addressing youth development and safety issues. We are pleased Kathy has joined Discovery to lead us into our fifth decade of providing much needed mental health services to the families and children of the San Ramon Valley.

Please join us in welcoming Kathy Chiverton to Discovery Counseling Center. You can reach her at Kathychiverton@discoveryct r.net or ca l l 925.837.0505

New Danville Chamber of Commerce President

Shelby McNamara has been named the new President and CEO of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce effective April 1st. McNamara served in this position from 1999-2002. She resigned in 2002 to assist her husband in opening McNamara’s Steak and Chophouse Restaurant in Dublin. Most recently she was Director of Member Services for Associated Buiulders and Contractors in Livermore.

Random spr ing/ f lower events

Wicked Plants (April 7 to October 30) and Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour (Sunday, May 2) at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. Call 415-831-2090 for information.

San Ramon Farmers Market moves

The San Ramon Farmers Market has moved from the Forest Home Farms Historical Park location to Bishop Ranch of San Ramon. The Forest Home location was a beautiful setting, but market managers say it did not provide the vendors with a sustainable market location. Moving the market has reportedly reenergized the previous vendors and new vendors have signed on, according to Alisha Meloy, market spokesperson.

Danville saves energyThe town of Danville

will install solar panels on city offices in its effort to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by 2020. The panels could also save the town as much as $1,000 per month on power costs. Other Danville energy saving efforts include the replacement of 272 street lights with yellow high pressure sodium lights with the use of $168,000 in stimulus funding. That change reportedly has resulted in a 40 percent reduction of energy usage. Free tax preparation

Households with an income of less than $49,000 in 2010 are eligible for free tax preparation for federal and state taxes at Earn It Keep It Save It sites. (AARP affiliated locations are open to all tax payers, regardless of income, however seniors receive

a priority.) Call 800-358-8832 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org for locations and times of service.

SRVHS 100-Year AnniversaryOn March 18th, San Ramon

Valley High School celebrated the offi cial grand opening of its new main gymnasium. The event kicked off a weekend of events commemorating the school’s 100-year anniversary, including its Gala Dinner at Blackhawk Museum which drew nearly 500 people!

valleysentinel.com april 2011 The valley SenTinel page 5

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By Dana Guzzetti

An email address makes a first impression.

Keeping up with the Joneses used to mean having a better car or house. Today one is judged by one’s electronic equipment and facile use of it. Without a cell phone (with camera), blackberry or other PDA and a computer with Wi-Fi capability, expect to be seen as a pitiable person among business associates and social circles.

Even with an iPad, one’s contemporary status could be in jeopardy with the wrong email address. I recently was told by a caring younger family member that, “No one uses Hotmail anymore.”

My inves t iga t ion o f the matter revealed that in terms of hipness, Hotmail is probably in the back of the pack. I’m not entirely sure of the reason for this. It might be that the “user interface just isn’t that aesthetically appealing,” according to a 30 year-old author and techie friend.“There have been some revamps in recent years, but in comparison to the clean and sleek Gmail, or even the new Yahoo! interface, Hotmail just seems dated,” he said.

“That said, my (his) Hotmail got hacked a few months ago (not only Hotmail gets hacked, all email providers do), but I had them reset my password and I still couldn’t get into my account. My email interaction with the Hotmail team was very stilted and non-human like. I’ve basically given up on my Hotmail account, which is fine because I didn’t use it much anymore anyway.”

What does your email address say about you?

When asked if she made judgments about a person based on their email address, a successful business woman in the same age bracket said, “I’d like to say I never do, but that probably wouldn’t be accurate. I feel like I notice fewer younger people with AOL or Hotmail or even Yahoo! addresses these days.”

Admitting she was not sure if that is true, she said it was clearly her impression. If it is true, there are may be two factors at work. One is the hipness factor; young people care more about being trendy. The other though may be more important; ease and functionality.

Because the issue came up, I opened a Gmail account and it does have good functionality and the features of any email system. I also discovered that Google tries to dominate me and my email habits. It tries to make me select it as a primary email and sign up for all sorts of other Google related services and “benefits.”

“Combined with the sleek interface, it makes the others looks bloated and untrustworthy. And with the internet, it is often the younger users that understand a lot about functionality, given their intuitive sense of contemporary technology,” my techie/author friend remarked. “So it would make sense that they use Gmail, if it is true that Gmail does have better functionality, or it at least appears to.”

Since I had never had a “functionality” conversation before, I probably do not properly appreciate its virtues. I do know that it always takes a while to know where to look

A 29 year-old Stockton man has been arrested in connection with the March 7, 2011 robbery of the Chase Bank branch in Danville. Police Chief Steve Simpkins said that following the robbery, detectives identified Dustin Burt as the suspect in the crime and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On March 17, 2011, Burt was arrested in Arizona on several outstanding warrants. Burt will be extradited to California to face charges in the Danville bank robbery. Simpkins said that in addition to the Danville charges, Burt is a suspect in other bank robberies.

Simpkins said he was very

Danville Bank Robber Arrested in ArizonaBy Staff Writer pleased by the efforts of the

detectives. “They immediately began working with allied agencies, identified a suspect and a warrant was issued,” he said. “Because of that, when he was arrested in Arizona, police there were able to get in touch with us to let us know they had our guy.”

In the March 7, 2011 incident, the Chase branch was robbed by a man wearing a white turban. The suspect then fled on foot. Using footage from the bank’s cameras and intelligence information from the FBI, detectives were able to identify Burt.

For more information, contact Detective Ben Alldritt at 925-314-3710 or balldritt@danville.ca.gov.

for things on an unfamiliar page.

My two techie consultants agreed with another colleague I spoke with, “There’s no way AOL has the functionality of Gmail or even Yahoo!” They theorize that it is not their main email, just the one used for correspondence with me. Ouch.

Then in a kind, but condescending tone I hear, “Many people have multiple email addresses.”

Those who are on the perimeter of today’s tech-dominated society must become accus tomed to condescension.

Actually, I do plan to use the Gmail for business and keep the Hotmail for personal contacts. Any techie guise would be futile with friends and family anyway.

My literary friend says, “Gmail does give a ton of space for each account. For example, I’m using 1,994 megabytes of my allotted 7.5+ gigabytes of space for my Gmail account. I have a lot of stuff in this account, and I’m not even close to filling it up.”

The other providers have been forced to offer more space because Google has set a high standard. Maybe because of Google’s innovations, it is viewed as a leader and people are more impressed with a Gmail address because it means one recognizes smarter technology in email providers.

I do know that even as a person who constantly plays catch-up with technology, a message from a Droid is something of a status symbol. In fact, I have observed that Droid owners value the device so much that they are practically attatched to their Droids. They may not be the best dinner partners, unless you want to find another place to go for dessert.

By Dana GuzzettiIt is good that there

will be more drinking water available because the long anticipated San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Project begins construction this spring. It may be slightly problematic when three miles of new, recycled water pipeline is installed along fairly heavily traveled streets this spring.

The recycled water will be used for landscaping in areas such as Central Park, Iron Horse Middle School and the Canyon Lakes golf course. The cost of recycled water is less and every gallon of recycled water used means there is another gallon of water added to the available supply of drinking water .

The cons t ruc t ion i s authorized by the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Dublin San Ramon Sanitary District and will be done under the supervision of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

While the project is underway, there will be street closures, but at least one lane will be kept open for traffic on

Good news and temporary bad news the following streets: Alcosta

Boulevard, Crow Canyon Road, Dougherty Road, Canyon Lakes Drive, N. Chanterella Drive, S. Chanterella Drive, Red Willow Road (east and west), Ustilago Drive, Sweetgale Drive, Indian Rice Road, Reedland Circle, Goldenrod Lane, Azalea Lane, Clovercrest Lane, Pearl Grass Court and S. Blackbrush Lane.

When the construction and testing are complete, the pavement will be restored. Both agencies are requesting public patience while this project is underway.

Details are available on line at www.ebmud.com www.ebmud.com. Read about our water supply, current projects, San Ramon Valley recycled water program and San Ramon area pipeline.

Please contact Project Manager Major Shaun Martin of the USACE at 925-244-0227 for questions about construction, outreach representative Lori Steere of EBMUD at 510-287-1631 for questions about the recycled water program, and police dispatch at (925) 973-2779 after normal business hours for emergency issues.

page 6 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

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By Dana Guzzetti

March 23, 2011 marked the fi rst anniversary of President Barack Obama’s signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The U.S. governmental agencies embarked on a public information campaign to better explain the value of the complicated law to those who oppose or do not understand it.

Thirty-seven of its 40 provisions required to take effect by 2011 are now in service. Herb K. Schultz, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regional director for California, traveled throughout Western District 9 in March, speaking about health care reform benefi ts.

“This was an historic victory for real people,” Schultz said. “Talking about the affordable care act one year later is to bring education and outreach on an ongoing basis so that people can take advantage of

Health care reform anniversary Benefi ts of health care revisited

the benefi ts.”Schultz declined to discuss

the costs or method of payment for the benefi ts, other than to say that there are cost savings built into the plan, and, projected over a 10 year period, the law is predicted to reduce costs and improve the quality of health care.Overview of health care benefi ts

Federal Health and Human Services must develop and annually update national quality health care improvement strategy, including priorities, de l ivery, outcomes and population health. Young adults can stay on their parents’ health plan until their 26th birthday. Health insurance companies can no longer place a lifetime limit on coverage. They cannot drop coverage simply because of illness. Seniors on Medicare are eligible for a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs if they enter the Medicare Part

D ‘donut hole’ coverage gap – a discount that grows until the hole closes in 2020.

Insurance companies must spend at least 80 percent of premiums on covering medical services rather than administrative expenses, CEO pay and profi ts. A Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been established to test new payment and delivery system models which reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality.

Funding has also been established for scholarships, grants and student loan forgiveness incentives for medical personnel who agree to work in underserved areas. Insurance companies must publish detailed justifi cations for any premium increases greater than 10 percent on the Internet, and some small businesses are eligible for up to 30 percent in tax credits of the cost of providing health care for employees.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report an increase in the number of long-term cancer survivors in the United States. As of 2007, there were more then 11.7 million survivors, compared to the reported 3 million in 1971. A continued upward trend is expected in the coming years. This positive news comes as a result of many key factors:

Early Detection: Advances in cancer screening have played an infl uential role in increasing long-term cancer control. It is well substantiated that the earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of curing the disease. Cancers diagnosed early have less of a chance to spread to other parts of the body. Once cancer has spread, curing the disease becomes more of a challenge. Additionally, better understanding and identifi cation of genetic factors help us spot those who are at a greater risk for developing certain cancers.

The Positive Trend of Surviving CancerDr. K. Kenneth Chao

Advanced Treatment: Cancer therapy has become more targeted, al lowing treatments to be more effective and tolerable. We are not only beating this disease, the trade-offs in morbidity and mortality associated with traditional cancer treatment have diminished greatly. Advances in radiotherapy can now deliver radiation with greater accuracy and precision while sparing more normal t issue from unnecessary exposure. Improvements in surgical procedure and recovery have decreased peri-operative complications. Systemic therapy has also become more targeted and tolerable as traditional chemotherapy is replaced or augmented with more specifi c molecular targeting agents. A better understanding of cancer biology has allowed doctors to select an appropriate “individualized” regimen rather than going at it in an arbitrary manner.

Healthy Lifestyle: It is now clear that having a healthy lifestyle such as incorporating a regular routine of physical activity, healthy eating (such as cutting down on high fat/ high sugar consumption), and

smoking cessation decreases the risk of cancer. With multiple studies substantiating this positive effect, more people are applying this knowledge into their life. Even if a person is diagnosed with cancer, a healthy lifestyle allows for greater tolerance towards treatment and is linked to having a better outcome in beating the cancer. Finally, maintaining a health lifestyle after a cancer treatment has been shown to dramatically decrease one’s risk of having the cancer return.

We are fortunate to live in an era where receiving the frightening news of a cancer diagnosis is now less likely a death sentence and more of a tough challenge that life throws your way. Applying a healthy lifestyle and fi nding a trusted partnership with a doctor who can provide you with the best preventative and individualized treatment ensures you can meet that challenge.

Dr. K. Kenneth Chao is a board certified radiation oncologist with Epic Care, a group of experts in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders. www.epic-care.com

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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve -- the nerve in the wrist that supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers. The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the “thumb side” of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger). The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow, so any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.Causes and risk factors:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Typing on a computer keyboard and using a mouse are the most common causes of carpal tunnel. Other causes include: driving, assembly line work, painting, writing, use of tools

Getting a grip on Carpal Tunnel SyndromeHealing carpal tunnel syndrome with laser therapy

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

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(especially hand tools or tools that vibrate), sports such as racquetball or handball, playing some musical instruments.

A number of medical conditions are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including: chronic inflammatory conditions, bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist, diabetes, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, m e n o p a u s e , P M S a n d pregnancy, infections, and obesity. Symptoms:

S y m p t o m s i n c l u d e numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands, numbness or tingling in the palm of the hand, pain extending from the elbow, pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands, problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands, wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or long-term cases), weak grip or difficulty carrying bags or opening a jar (a common complaint), weakness in one or both hands.Class IV Laser Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Until recently the most common treatment for Carpal Tunnel has been the use of anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, wrist splinting and surgery. These treatments do

not treat the cause but the symptoms only and are not always effective long-term.

Now, however, we have a powerful, effective, non-invasive solution to reverse the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ending the symptoms caused by carpal tunnel syndrome requires stopping the cycle of inflammation at its source. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During laser therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. Therefore, laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation,

swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function and strength are restored and pain is relieved.Relief is Possible!

At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more, even if it’s long-term residual pain. Ar¬thritis and degenerative

disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com

You may have read about new methods available to help remove fat from the body by laser.

What is this fat melting laser all about? There are several technologies available to patients who choose laser treatments to reduce problem fat deposits (usually on the waist, hips and thighs). Zerona® laser is a new FDA approved level 3 non-invasive laser.

How does it work? Through clinical studies it has been demonstrated that the Zerona® low-level laser stimulates the fat cell to emulsify (liquefy) the fat within the cell. Then the liquefied fat moves from inside the cell through a temporary pore formed in the cell membrane to outside the cell where it is in the interstitial space until absorbed by the lymphatic system. This results

How are fat cells affected by laser therapy?By Staff Writer

in millions of fat cells becoming smaller so inches are reduced. The laser is applied topically with no reported discomfort or downtime.

According to a Zerona® website, therapy should be accompanied by diet and exercise, walking for 30 minutes per day. It is also recommended that those under treatment abstain from alcohol and caffeine. Some recommendations include adding fiber to the diet and increasing water intake (8-10 glasses of water per day) leading up to treatments to help results.

The minimum suggested treatment period is two weeks, with three full sessions each week. Anyone considering treatment should consult their physician about the maximum results for their body type, weight, and target loss. For more information visit www.myzerona.com.

page 8 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

Kid ’s Camps

Come ride with us at our Spring and Summer Camps!

www.CastleRockArabians.com

All Year Programs for Juniors and Adults English, Western & Trail

Spring Break Camp: April 25-29 $120 /day – Multi-day discount $100/day

Summer Camps: one-week camps June 13-Aug. 26 $525/week

($100 holds your reservation)

CHA certified lead instructors • Beautiful, gentle horses

Scout Sessions: Rider’s Badge We are approved for the required insurance to conduct Scout sessions. $70 per scout.

Birthday Parties: Call for brochure or see our website.

Established 1971

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We accept Visa, Discover and Master Card

Mount Diablo State Park is pleased to announce that registration is now available for the Spring 2011 Junior Ranger Program. Topics include: prehistoric times, California Indians, wildlife education and geology. Hosted by a park docent, each session will include presentations, hands-on activities and a hike.

Children, ages 7 to 12, plus one accompanying adult are eligible to participate. Sessions will be held at various locations in the Park. The fi ve Saturday sessions begin April 30th and conclude June 4th.

By Dana Guzzetti

Lindsay Wildlife MuseumDifferent, science oriented

camp themes are offered each week with teacher-led age appropriate activities, science experiments, arts and crafts, games, songs and snacks. Camper to counselor ratio is 3:1. Camp shirt, snacks and drinks are included. Camp activities take place in the lower level of the museum

Outdoor Summer Camp Funand the adjacent park. Various camps are for ages, 4-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-16 and 14-18. Visit www.wildlife-museum.org for camp schedules and themes.Camp Gan Israel

Two, three-week sessions avai lable at this Jewish oriented day camp located at the Athenian School. Air-conditioned classrooms, sports fields, swimming pool and sprawling grounds create the

perfect camp atmosphere. Activities include Jewish spirit, swimming, trips, arts and crafts, science and nature hikes, karate, drama, dance, yoga, soccer, basketball and twice weekly fi eld trips to fun Bay Area locations. Call 925-937-4101 or visit www.cgicoco.com for more information.California Adventure Camps

The company offers a wide range of camps, including the Bay Area Explorers program for ages 8-14 and Summer Fun Day Camp for ages 5-12. The Explorers may visit Discovery Kingdom, Waterworld, go windsurfi ng, horseback riding,

State Park Announces Junior Ranger Program By Staff Writer

Each session runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Registration is limited to 15 children, plus one parent per child. While there is no charge for the program, payment of the Park’s entrance fee is required.

For more information or to register, contact Steve Elliott at 925-362-8697 or at SAE612@msn.com. Advance registration is required. This program is

sponsored by Mount Diablo State Park in cooperation with the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association.

California State Parks does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Prior to arrival, participants with disabilities who need assistance should contact

Ranger Dan Stefanisko at 925-855-1730

For two weeks, ages 13-18 immerse in specialized overnight summer programs at iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy and iD Visual Arts Academy. Check iDTeenAcademies.com for specific technology courses and university camp locations. FREE year-round learning with iD 365! Accredited Continuing Education Units are also available to help build a portfolio for college. Save with code CAU26T.1-888-709-TECH (8324). More information – www.iDTeenAcademies.com

Game on! Teens immerse

and more. Summer Fun Day Camp is more traditional with sports, games, arts and crafts, and drama. There are also regular fi eld trips to local parks and a Waterworld trip. Visit www.caladventurecamps.org for more information.Seven Hills Adventure Day Camp

For the 11th year, this school offers a traditional day camp experience with a combination of outdoor activities such as swimming, archery, hiking, sailing sports and games and an overnight camp. Arts, crafts and other activities are included. Visit

www.adventuredaycamp.com for more information.Castle Rock Arabians Horse Camp

Week-long equestrian day camps are offered all summer at this Walnut Creek location near the foot of Mount Diablo. Campers spend the morning on horseback and afternoons on special training and equestrian education topics. All activities are hands-on and horse instructors select games for the last hour of the day. See www.castlerockarabians.com for details.

iD Teen Academies Held at Stanford, MIT, Harvard and others

in video game development – Program for the Xbox, Model 3D with Maya, Level Design with the Unreal Development Kit. 2-week, overnight program at Stanford, Harvard, Villanova, Emory, SMU and Lake Forest College. iD Gaming Academy. More information – www.idgamingacademy.com.

iD Programming Academy. Code for the real world! 2-week program where students engage in development, engineering and programming with intensive courses including iPhone and iPad App Development, Google Android App Development,

C++ and Robotics Engineering and Java Programming for the AP Exam. Locations include Stanford, MIT, American and the University of Washington. More information – www.idprogrammingacademy.com.

iD Visual Arts Academy. Immerse in the world of visual arts! For two weeks, Teens engage in photography and filmmaking using industry-standard products. Students choose from 3 courses: Film Production–Final Cut Studio, Film Production–Extreme Sports or Professional Photography. Locations include Stanford and Vassar College. More info – www.idvisualartsacademy.com.

valleysentinel.com april 2011 The valley SenTinel page 9

On March 24, California’s S t a t e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson released the results of California’s 2010 School Physical Fitness Test (PFT) scores. Less than 39 percent of California’s students passed all six PFT areas and scored within California’s established “Heal thy F i tness Zone” (HFZ) – or, over 61 percent of California’s students could not perform at HFZ levels. The PFT results also reveal that of the state’s youngest students tested – fi fth graders – less than 29 percent could meet HFZ levels of performance. 71 percent of California’s fi fth graders did not achieve HFZ scores in all six testing areas.

“Cal i fornia’s schools have d rama t i c a l l y and disproportionally cut physical educa t i on and ac t i v i t y programs in the last five years, citing severe budget cuts,” states Daniel Latham, President of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD). “At the same time, we are seeing fewer and fewer of our kids able to achieve and maintain healthy levels of fi tness. If children are not given the opportunity to move at school, or the instruction that will help them adopt healthy, active habits, we will continue to see our Healthy Fitness Zone scores drop and a correlating increase in childhood obesity and other health challenges related to inactivity.”

La tham con t inued , “Cali fornia’s elementary schools in particular have implemented the greatest number of cuts to physical educa t i on and ac t i v i t y programs. And now, 71 percent of our fi fth graders are unable to achieve Healthy Fitness Zone levels of performance. That is no coincidence. I think these scores clearly indicate that we are now realizing the negative results of cutting our physical Education programs. We are cutting our programs at the expense of our kids’ health and wellness.”

The goal of California’s Physical Fitness Test, known as the FITNESSGRAM, is to facilitate learning about physical activity and physical fitness concepts, increasing

Kid ’s Camps

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Sports include: • All Sports• Baseball• Basketball • Golf• Lacrosse

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• Soccer

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Summit Seekers • Ages 5-10

Sports Camp • Ages 6-10

Adventure Camp • Ages 10-14

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Private Swim Lessons • Ages 3 & up

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ORINDA ACADEMYPARENTS, STUDENTS & TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER

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Cartooning, Music Lessons, Middle and High School Prep, Math, English, U.S. History, Spanish

California Physical Fitness Test Scores Indicate Less than 39% of Students in “Healthy Fitness Zone”

the likelihood students will adopt lifetime patterns of physical activity. In 1996, the State Board of Education designated FITNESSGRAM as the required physical fi tness test that local educational agencies shall administer to California students in grades five, seven, and nine. The FITNESSGRAM, a health-related fi tness test developed by the Dallas-based Cooper Institute, uses the Healthy Fitness Zone to evaluate fi tness performance.

T h e F I T N E S S G R A M assesses six fi tness areas: aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extensor strength, upper body strength and fl exibility. The FITNESSGRAM tes t is a cri terion-referenced assessment where students receive scores in the “Healthy Fitness Zone” or “Needs Improvement.” A score in the HFZ indicates the student’s level of fi tness is suffi cient for good health.

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), in 2009–2010 the PFT was given to approximately 1 .32 mi l l i on Ca l i fo rn ia students in grades fi ve, seven, and nine. Approximately 91 percent of the students enrolled in those grades were administered at least one of the six FITNESSGRAM tests. Of those, less than 29 percent of the grade fi ve students scored in the HFZ in all six fi tness areas. Almost 35 percent of the students in grade seven

scored in HFZ in all six fi tness areas, and less than 39 percent of grade nine students met the HFZ standards in all six fitness areas. Please check the CDE website for all PFT results, information and tables at www.cde.ca.gov.

“The 2010 FITNESSGRAM data for students in fi fth grade should raise our awareness and concern,” comments Joanie Verderber, President-Elect of CAHPERD and the Project Director of School Health and Physical Education Programs for the Los Angeles County Offi ce of Education. “For fi ve of the six FITNESSGRAM subtests, there was either a decrease or no gain in the percentage of students that attained the HFZ. In the last few years, many districts transferred funding meant for physical education equipment and supplies, professional development, and elementary physical education teachers, to the General Fund to offset budget shortfalls. With less supplies, equipment and fewer teachers, test results indicate that the quality of elementary phys i ca l educa t ion has diminished. Our elementary schools need to fi nd ways to improve the quality of physical education and fi tness levels of our children.”

CAHPERD P re s iden t Latham concluded, “These PFT scores refl ect that we are going backwards, not forward, in our efforts to keep our children healthy. California’s parents should demand that their children receive quality

education that will positively impact the whole child – mind and body. These test scores clearly indicate that more of our educational resources should be dedicated to ensuring 100 percent of our children achieve HFZ levels. Until that happens, we will continue to see these scores drop; and will potentially raise an entire

generation of very unhealthy people.”

For further information regarding California’s PFT scores, or how community members and parents can better support California’s physical and health education programs, please visit the CAHPERD website at www.cahperd.org.

page 10 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

Let’s say you sell real estate – upper end homes. You could not pick a better form of transportation than the new XJ to transport prospective clients. Your choice of car will sell them on you before they even look at that new property.

Jaguar has scored a perfect 10 on the cabin of the XJ. Although rated as a fi ve passenger sedan, this Jaguar is more amenable with just four aboard. The rear seats are as comfortable as the fronts, with plenty of front and rear legroom for those over six feet tall. The tailoring of the interior is an alluring sight to behold when you order the $4,000 optional luxury package. Heated front and rear seat backs and cushions are resplendent in contrasting stitching and piping. The front buckets add a massage and cooling option to the mix. A dramatic sweep of satin finished Elm veneer embellishes the door panels as well as the entire semi-circle beneath the windshield. The

carefully segmented steering wheel is festooned with so many aids and devices that it mimics the helm of a Formula one car. One of the most useful buttons activates the heater for the wheel itself. Another operates the convenient radar-regulated cruise control.

Like many luxury sedans with sporting pretensions, the XJ offers sizeable paddles to operate its 6-speed automatic transmission. But the Jaguar does everyone else one step better thanks to better displayed crucial information. When you engage “manual” shift on the central console gear selector, a large red “S” illuminates on the dash and the left hand instrument face displays an oversize number to inform you which gear you

2011 JAGUAR XJBy David and Judy Colman

Auto • Auto • Auto • Auto • Auto

See JAGUARpage 1

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JAGUARfrom page 10

have chosen. This numeral is further emphasized by its inclusion inside a target circle. Jaguar is able to offer this bit of extremely useful wizardry because the XJ does away with conventional gauges in favor of a virtual instrument cluster using LCD illumination on a thin film display panel. Every time you change gear manually, the numerical meatball instantly morphs its display into the next gear selected. It is a bewitchingly effective device that puts to shame all the so-called sports pretenders who bury this crucial information in 5-point type on some obscure spot of the instrument binnacle.

You’ll be using that slick-shifting 6-speed quite often, because the big Jag loves to run like the XK sportscar from which it was derived. Pulsing beneath the long hood is a 5-liter V8 producing 385 hp and 380 lb. ft. of torque. When you’re cruising along at 65 mph in top gear, the interior of the XJ is as silent as a liturgical service. But if you decide to drop down a gear or two in order to merge or pass, the growl of the potent V8 reminds you that this is a big game cat indeed. Like the refined

drivetrain, the suspension is compliant enough to keep all passengers unflustered, but resilient enough to tackle twisty roads when the need arises. Pirelli P Zero rubber handles cornering duty with aplomb. Nineteen inch diameter wheels carrying 245/45R19 (front) and 275/40R19 (rear) plant lots of sticky rubber on the asphalt.

2011 JAGUAR XJENGINE: 5.0 liter DOHC

32-valve V8HORSEPOWER: 385 hpTORQUE: 380 lb. ft.

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 16 City MPG/23 Highway MPG

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selected displaySilence at cruise speedCONS:Too much chrome on air

vents and central consoleLimited headroom front

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Spring is the season when Mother Nature displays all her finery, and this year should be no exception in the East Bay Regional Parks. Spring’s first flowers are already here: Indian warrior amongst the manzanita, shooting stars in the grasslands, and poppies on the rock outcrops. As the season progresses, more and more flowers will show up for the party.

One of the best regional parks for spring wildflower displays is Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, located on Geary Road off Calaveras Road near the town of Sunol in southern Alameda County. Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness will host its annual Spring Wildflower Festival from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, April 2. The event includes live music, slide shows, nature exhibits, craft making and, of course, hikes of varying length and difficulty to view the wildflowers. So pack a picnic

Nature says it with flowersBy Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Park District Board President

lunch and enjoy nature at its most spectacular. It’s a great event for the entire family. For information, phone 510-544-3249. If you’d like to explore Sunol on your own, walk out the Camp Arroyo Road, and return on the Canyon View Trail to see an amazing variety of wildflowers.

If you’re a gardener, you won’t want to miss the annual native plant sale at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. Located at the intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive, the garden boasts one of the most extensive collections of California native plants anywhere. The sale is from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, April 16. Many of the shrubs, trees and perennials for sale are not available in commercial nurseries. Be sure to come early for the best selection, and bring boxes to carry home your purchases. All proceeds help to fund Botanic Garden programs.

If you can’t make the annual plant sale, volunteers usually sell plants between 9am and 11am every Thursday

at the garden’s potting shed, if it isn’t pouring rain. The garden is fascinating at all times of the year, and docents offer tours at 2pm on Saturdays, 11am and 2pm on Sundays, though there’s no tour on April 16.

Many regional parks have great spring wildflower displays. Poppies often carpet the hillsides along the Old Briones Road Trail at Briones Regional Park near Orinda. At Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, the Chaparral Loop Trail always has Indian paintbrush and other flowers. Another good bet is Morgan Territory Regional Preserve on the east side of Mt. Diablo. Take the Prairie Falcon Trail for lots of wildflowers and beautiful views of the mountain, and continue out to loop around Bob Walker Ridge. You won’t be disappointed.

Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is another good venue. Ascend from the staging area on Foothill Road, then follow the Ridgeline Trail.

In the Berkeley-Oakland hills, the rocky soil of Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve produces lots of wildflowers,

and you’ll see them along Nimitz Way at Tilden Regional Parkas well.

Bes ides s t ag ing the Wildflower Festival, park district naturalists lead lots of spring wildflower walks. For information, pick up a copy of Regional in Nature, the park district’s calendar of events, at

any visitor center. Or visit the park district website, www.ebparks.org.

In the temperate climate we enjoy, there is something blooming almost any time of the year. But however you arrange it, don’t miss visiting the regional parks at their springtime best.

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Please mail check and ad to: The Valley Sentinel, 390 Diablo Rd., Ste. 145, Danville, CA 94526. Or email w/credit card information to info@valleysentinel.com. Write your ad clearly and include your: Name, Address, Daytime Phone, Date, and Category. DEADLINE is the 15th of the month preceeding publication month. For more information call 925-820-6047.

page 12 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

available. Contact 510-665-8300 or www.kateslaw.com

Pool Service -If your pool looks like a pond, Call John at 925-584-6333. It’s the last pool maintenance call you will have to make.

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Bruns House Seeks Volunteers: Volunteering at Hospice of the East Bay’s Bruns House In-Patient Hospice, the only one of its kind in the East Bay, offers opportunities for meaningfu l and interesting work.

Hospice is seeking volunteers to fi ll 2 - 4 hour shifts, weekdays and weekends. Volunteer opportunities include: Work ing a longs ide facility staff to provide comfort and support to patients. Assisting in administrative functions such as answer ing p h o n e s , g r e e t i n g visitors, and helping the facility run smoothly and effi ciently. Call Hospice of the East Bay at -925- 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Vo lun tee r t o b r i ng sunshine to Hospice p a t i e n t s : Yo u c a n bring joy as a Hospice v o l u n t e e r . S o m e opportunities include: Offer a caregiver a few precious hours of

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BE KIND TO THEENVIRONMENT – PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

relief, read to patients, capture patient stories on video, help with grocery shopping, build a wheelchair ramp, help in one Hospice o f the East Bay ’s six Thrift Shoppes.

Contact Hospice of the East Bay at 925-887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org to learn about ways that you can help.

www.valleysentinel.com

A p r i l ✹ A p r i l ✹ A p r i l ✹ A p r i l ✹ A p r i lCOMMUNITY CALENDAR

Please email or fax your Calendar Events to the Sentinel by 5 p.m. Friday, April 15 for the May issue. Fax No. 925-820-6048, info@valleysentinel.com or go to valleysentinel.com to enter your event online. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion

of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.

For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.comIf your event is not listed... Please do so by clicking on CALENDAR and Post an Event

We hope to see you there!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Now - May 7Balance: Glass Art in the Bay AreaLocal and regional glass artists exhibit functional and sculptural objects that span decades of glassmaking in the Bay Area. Monday & Tuesday, by appointment only. Wedsnesday-Friday, 12pm-5pm. Saturday, 11am-3pm. Closed Sunday.

Third Tuesday of every month, except July All Ears Reading at the Ygnacio Valley Library!4pm. Practice reading aloud for 20-30 min. with a dog from All Ears Reading, a program of the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). For students in grades 1-5. Space is limited, registration is recommended. To register, call or visit the library during open hours, Mon.-Thru:10am-8pm & Fri. & Sat: 10am-6pm. Please arrive fi ve minutes before your registration time. No-show spaces will be given to people on the waiting list. Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Information: 938-1481.

April 9Earth Day at Forest Home Harms Historic Park 10am-2pm. Projects in the vegetable garden, the wildlife garden and around the farm. Bring your gloves and garden tools. Refresh-ments will be provided. Free. All ages are welcome, but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Please register for Activity #72195 at www.SanRamonrecguide.com. Forest Home Farms Historic Park, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon.Information: 973-3284.

April 92011 Spring Plant Sale and Opening Day. 11am-3pm. The Garden sells a unique collection of over 250 differ-ent eye-catching and hard-to-fi nd drought-tolerant plants. Expertise available about gardening with drought tolerant plants. Docents stationed all through The Garden. Garden merchandise for sale. Free. The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek – North Entrance. April 12Poetry Live! – Poetry on the Edge7-9pm. Walnut Creek Library’s Oak View Room will transform into a nostalgic coffee house for a poetry reading event featuring award-winning poets Kim Addonizio and Susan Browne. Free. Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. Informa-tion: 935-5395.

April 14Italian Night In Diablo - Fundraiser5:30pm. Fundraiser to benefi t the all police and fi re volunteers and The Fallen Heroes. Featuring George Komsky, live in concert. Tickets: $100, VIP: $200. Diablo Country Club, 1700 Clubhouse Road, Diablo. For tickets and information: 831-2011.

April 16Spring Plant Sale9am-Noon. Featuring water wise plants suited to our area’s climate. To view the list of plants available for sale, visit www.gardenshf.org. The Gardens at Heather Farm, 600 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 947-1678

April 16The Real Dirt on Farmer John6pm. Movie and discussion on family farming and sustainable living in America. The fi lm is a haunting odyssey, capturing what it means to be different in rural America. This is the fi rst movie in the Delicious Revolution series. Free. Registration is recom-mended but not required. Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broad-way, Walnut Creek.

April 16She Is Safe, 6th Annual Indian Dinner5:30-8pm. An evening of special music & fellowship over a delicious dinner and an inspiring report on God’s work res-cuing and restoring women and girls in some of the hardest parts of the world. Tickets: Adults:$15,Children 10 & under:$5. Free childcare (ages 5 and under) with reservations. Valley Christian Center 7500 Inspiration Dr., Dublin. Information: 998-3785.

April 16Stars of Wrestling 6:30 – 11pm. Featuring; The Insane Boys, Jason Styles, Shane Kody, Super Diablo, Danny Garcia and many other stars. Special guest ring announcer movie star Little Person Martin Klebba from Pirates Of The Caribbean. Tickets: $12-$25. Parking $8. The Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleas-anton.

April 16 & 17, 29 & 30Auditions for Teen Idol 2011Give your best 60-second presentation. Auditions will be open to the fi rst 200 teens ages 13-19. Bring your audition application and $25. See ad on page 3 for audition locations, times and details.

April 30Tri-Valley Comic Book & Collectible Show9am-4pm. Tons of comics, plenty of toys and other collectibles. Adults: $5, Children: $2, Parking: $8. Alameda County Fair-grounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton.

April 30Fresh6pm. Movie and discussion on farming and sustainable living in America. Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.Free. Registration is recommended but not required. Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek.

April 30 - May 1Quilted Treasures XIV “Heart & Hearth” Quilt ShowSat, 10am - 5pm: Sun, 10am - 4pm. 400+ quilts, vendors galore, door prizes, vintage quilt bed turning. Adults: $10, children under 12: FREE, Seniors: $8.Parking: $8. Alameda County Fair-grounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton.

May 7King Corn6pm. Movie and discussion on farming and sustainable living in America. In King Corn, recent college graduates Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis leave the East Coast for rural Iowa, where they decide to grow an acre of the nation’s most powerful crop. Free. Registration is recommended but not required. Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek.

BUSINESS

Job Connections Saturdays: Meets 9-11:30 am. A no-fee, volunteer organization supporting people that are unemployed, underemployed, or in a career transition in their search for employment. Community Presbyterian Church, 222 W. El Pintado, Danville. Visit www.JobConnections.org

Alamo Chamber of Commerce Events April 18Kiwanis/Alamo Chamber 45th Annual Golf Tournament. Net pro-ceeds of the Golf Tournament benefi t the charities and programs supported by Kiwanis and the Scholarship Program of the Alamo Chamber. $175 per golfer, or $675 for a oursome. Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. April 27After Hours Mixer: 5:30-7pm. Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant co-sponsored by Alamo World Travel. Don Jose’s, 3168 Danville Boulevard, Alamo.

Danville Chamber of Commerce EventsApril 14After Hours Mixer: 5:30pm. Sima Alefi , Edward Jones, 3472 Camino Tassajara, Danville.

San Ramon Chamber of Commerce EventsApril 14San Ramon Chamber and Oakland A’s -- Meet, Greet & Play Ball! 5:30-10pm. Pregame, networking mixer in the Eastside Club, Appetizers and non alcoholic beverages included. Discounted Field Level game ticket. Field Level Tickets: $21 (Normally $26.) Oakland A’s Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

April 21Third Thursday Mixer: 5:30-7:30pm. Los Panchos Mexican Res-taurant. $5 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant, 480 San Ramon Valley, Boulevard, Danville

CLUBS

April 9The Parkinson Network of Mt. Diablo Support Group 10am-Noon. After refreshments and a time of sharing general in-formation, the group will divide into caregivers and Parkinsonians for more in-depth sharing. All are welcome. Free. Grace Presbyte-rian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Information: 284-2189. A group for Young-Onset Parkinson’s (20’s - 50’s) will meet at 9am at the same location. Information: 336-9554.

April 9 California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch 1pm. My Voice Will Be Heard, Emotions and All: A Female War Veteran with Mary-Ann Rich, a local Bay Area veteran. Mary-Ann will discuss her time spent as a charge nurse in Iraq and her unexpected battle with PTSD upon returning home. Livermore Public Library, Civic Center, 1188 S. Livermore Avenue. Informa-tion: 373-5500.

Mondays Danville Rotary ClubMeets every Monday at noon at Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Ave., Danville.

TuesdaysDanville Sycamore Valley Rotary ClubMeetings held every Tuesday morning at 7am. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. For more information, call Scott Sampson at 743-8449.

Wednesdays San Ramon Valley Rotary Club7:00pm. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Dan-ville. For information call Valerie Munoz at 683-6310 or visit www.crow-canyon.com.

Blue Star Moms Chapter 101 General Meetings7–9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month at Hap Magee Ranch Park Swain House, 1025 La Gonda Way, Danville. For more information, contact Peggy Conklin at 866-7035 or visit www.bluestarmoms.org.

Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley Noon. Meets for lunch at noon second Wednesdays monthly. Features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. Contact: Karen Stepper, president, 925-275-2412, www.srvexchangeclub.org.

Alamo Women’s ClubProgram/Lunch - 4th Wednesday at the clubhouse, 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo. Club Membership is open to women of all ages who reside in the Contra Costa area. Contact Nancy at ndommes@yahoo.com or call 925-831-0111

Diablo Singles Dance Club7:30–10:30pm. Last Wednesday of every month. 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Members $7, guests $9. All are welcome. Call 837-2851 for information.

ThursdaysVeterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 75, San Ramon Valley 7pm. Meets every second Thursday of the month at the Swain House at Hap Magee Ranch Park, located at 1025 La Gonda Way in Danville. Information: 875-1747 or visit www.vfw.org.

Mt. Diablo Business Women5:45-8:30 pm. Meets second Thursdays monthly. Networking and dinner, guest speakers. Lafayette Park Hotel, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. $37 members, $47 guests. Advance reservations required. www.mtdiablobusinesswomen.org.

Alamo-Danville Newcomers ClubMeets the fourth Thursday of the month. Welcoming new or long-time residents interested in making new friends & getting involved in a variety of fun and worthwhile activities. Information: 775-3233 or www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com.

FridaysMontelindo Club 9am. Club meets the third Friday of the month, September through May. The meeting is free and welcomes guests and new members. Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way.

• Education • libraries • schools • camps • events valleysentinel.com page 14

Call year round fora personalized

Admissions Tour510.843.2512

UPPER SCHOOL | 9-12Lafayette Campus

LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOL | K-8 Oakland Campus

A fifth grade teacher at John Baldwin Elementary School will represent San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County competition

Donna Kenyon has been selected as the San Ramon Valley Unifi ed School District’s 2011 Teacher of the Year. Kenyon, who since 2000 has taught fourth and fi fth grade at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danvil le, wil l represent San Ramon Valley in the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Program. She was recognized by the SRVUSD Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, March 22.

Donna Kenyon is district’s “Teacher of the Year”By Staff Writer “Donna will be a great

representative of this school district and this profession,” said Superintendent Steven Enoch. “She clearly represents the best in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship that is often required in the teaching profession.”

“Donna i s a h i gh ly respected individual in this district,” said Darlene Hale, principal of John Baldwin Elementary School. “Each day she displays courage and invention, and she passionately believes that all students can and will achieve.”

Kenyon has been teaching for nearly 30 years, and also trains and mentors other

teachers in the district through the San Ramon Valley Reading and Writing Project. Prior to coming to San Ramon Valley, she taught special education in Calgary, Canada.

“My journey has been both challenging and rewarding,” said Kenyon. “I know my students will have their own challenging paths ahead, and it is my privilege to work with them daily and help them recognize the talents they will pursue to make their own difference in the world.”

Kenyon received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, where she also played volleyball and led the school to a national championship. She obtained a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, East Bay.

Each year all of the public school districts in the county select Teachers of the Year. An expert committee, with representatives from education and the community, then chooses one of these candidates to represent Contra Costa County in the State Teacher of the Year Program. Last year, John Korzick, Engineering and Robotics Teacher at California High School in San Ramon, was one of three fi nalists for Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.

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at 925-820-6047or email

info@valleysentinel.comVisit us at

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valleysentinel.com april 2011 The valley SenTinel page 15

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Forest Home Farms Historic Park

Help spruce up the park for spring! On Saturday, April 9, from 10am to 2pm, there will be projects in the vegetable garden, the wildlife garden and around the farm.

Bring your gloves and garden tools. Refreshments will be provided. FREE, volunteer

Celebrate Earth Day!event perfect for scout groups, and service clubs. All ages are welcome, but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Glass House Museum and “All about the Farm” tours will be available for $5 per person or $8 for both tours taken on the same day. Forest Home Farms Historic Park is located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. For more information call 925-973-3284.

John Muir Historic Site The public is invited to the

free John Muir Earth Day and birthday celebration at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez on Saturday, April 16. John Muir’s infl uence is felt around the world and his views were a guiding force behind the creation of the National Park Service and the Sierra Club.

Enjoy live entertainment of the Spinning Wheel Band and Piedmont Highlands Drums and Pipes Band, self-guided

tours of the 1882 Victorian Muir home and grounds, nature walks, National Park Service Junior Ranger activities, food and beverages (for purchase), and a silent auction benefi tting the park. Keynote speaker will be Zara McDonald, director of Felidae Conservation Fund, which seeks to conserve the world’s 37 feline species and their habitats.

This popular event is a great opportunity to visit the park, which normally charges

an admission fee, and learn more about Muir’s appreciation of the beauty of nature.Free Gardening for Wildlife Workshop

The public is invited to visit the wetlands at Mt. View Sanitary District (next to I-680 approaching the Benicia-Martinez Bridge) for a free workshop on gardening to attract humming birds, bees, butterfl ies and other natural wildlife visitors on April 23 from 10am to 1pm.

Every Day is Earth Day at these Local Antique & Consignment Shops

The Thrift Station

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page 16 The valley SenTinel april 2011 valleysentinel.com

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