Alamo Today, September 2011

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Taking Time to Talk with TreesBy Jody Morgan

The art of bon-sai culture seeks to distill the es-sence of a tree’s encounter with the forces of nature over the course of a lifetime by pre-

senting in a container a miniature specimen carefully trained to express the struggles the tree might have undergone and overcome in the land-scape. Developed in Japan from an even more ancient Chinese practice of growing trees in pots, the centuries old art made its first major debut in Europe at the Paris World Fair Exposition of 1889. Initially unable to make their own bonsai survive, Europeans began gossiping about “Oriental secrets” and “Japanese magic.” Today bonsai clubs across the

29th Annual Music and Wine Festival The Alamo Music and Wine Festival is an annual community celebration benefit-

ing, in part, our schools’ music programs while providing a variety of activities for the entire family. This 29th annual Rotary event will be held Saturday, September 10th from noon to 11P.M at the Alamo Plaza in Alamo.

Headlining this event will be the annual favorite, the fabulous “Cruise Tones” starting at about 8pm. This talented group will play a wide variety of songs from the late 50’s to the hits of today – perfect for dancing under the stars. Also playing this year for the first time will be another popular Bay Area band – “Detroit Disciples” starting at 4pm. Local school

music groups will perform starting at Noon. Come listen to the many talents from the San Ramon High School Bands, the Monte Vista High School bands, and the Stone Valley Middle School’s Jazz Band. It is always surprising every year to see the talents of our local youth.

The day will be filled with many activities for the entire family. Food, games, and local business booths will be set up throughout the festival area. Kids will enjoy the play zone set up by the Mt. Diablo Regional YMCA and the Alamo Improvement Association. Our most popular feature for the youth – the Rock Climbing Wall – will again be there! We also have added the very fun and exciting kids train from the Museum of San Ramon Valley.

Animals brought from ARF, the Animal Rescue Foundation, started by our own Alamo resident, Tony La Russa will be in attendance including rescue dogs that now provide therapy to those in need. The special animals and their trainers can tell about their particular pet and the therapy they provide. ARF will also have information for their organization and details on adoptable pets available from their Walnut Creek location.

This year, dinner tickets will be only $15 each. These tickets will be good for a dinner from one of several excellent area restaurants: Forli’s, Faz, Maggie Rays, and Don Jose’s. The Alamo Rotary will also have a booth offering gourmet hot dogs, burgers, and chips at affordable prices.

In addition, the Festival will feature wines from two outstanding California wineries: Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Winery. Visitors may purchase commemorative wine glasses at the event. Soft drinks, beer, and water will also be available.

Raffle Prizes: Raffle prizes will include an Apple iPad, an Amazon Kindle, a Fine Art Print from photographer Marnie Goodfriend, a Diamondback Outlook Mountain Bike from Alamo Bikes, $250 Maria Maria Gift Certificate from Bob Myhre, a 3 liter bottle of 2010 Cline Cellars Cashmere from Cline Cellars, a 3 liter bottle 2007 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Pinot Noir from the Jacuzzi Family, a Bay Cruise for four from Celebrations on the Bay, and two nights at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino, from A. D. Seeno Con-struction. You will definitely want to take your chance at winning one of these excellent prizes! Raffle tickets will be available at the Festival for $5 each or six tickets for $20.

September 2011 Serving Alamo and Diablo

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 263Alamo CA

Volume XI - Number 9 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507

Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397Fax (925) 406-0547

Alisa Corstorphine ~ [email protected]

Sharon Burke ~ [email protected]

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

See Music and Wine continued on page 31

Project Second ChanceBy Fran Miller

With nearly 20% of the United States population estimated to be dyslexic, it is al-most certain someone you know struggles with reading. Many hide their illiteracy be-hind excellent coping strategies, and many have managed to get through school and even graduate with high school diplomas.

Challenged readers are everywhere, and, according to Laura Seaholm, program manager at Project Second Chance lit-eracy program, it is not due to lack of intelligence. “Many people, particularly those with dyslexia, simply needed to learn to read differently,” says Seaholm, who states that about half of Project Second Chance’s students were born and educated in the United States, but never learned to read and write at the level they wish – probably due to some type of learning disability.

Project Second Chance (PSC), the Contra Costa County Library Adult Literacy Program, offers free, confidential one-on-

one basic literacy instruction to people who are over 16 years of age, out of school, and conversant in English. Most students are between 35 and 55 years of age, and

Project Second Chance volunteer tutor Helen Byer with her student, Ike.

See Chance cont. on pg. 30

See Bonsai continued on page 22

Byron Nobriga gets advice from K Akabane

www.yourmonthlypaper.comBoulevard ViewBy Alisa Corstorphine, EditorA Blast From the Past

Last month my husband and I attended our 30th high school class reunion We graduated from Homestead High School down in Cupertino, CA, in the same year, and we’re one of about three couples who still remain from our high school days.

Some people have said that with the advent of the internet and social media such as Facebook that reunions

are passé. I have to disagree. While we do know more about each other by seeing the little tidbits they post, there’s no substitute for seeing someone in person and reconnecting with them face to face.

One such connection was with a very special history teacher, Mary Lou Lyon. She has attended most, if not all, of our reunions. She’s now 85, and although she’s a little creaky, she’s as sharp and witty and enjoyable as she’s ever been.

She was the teacher who brought American History to life for us. She went out of her way to find ways to bring energy and vigor to a subject that many find boring – at least the way it’s usually presented. But Ms. Lyon was different, and she would often dress in the costume or uniform of the time or bring in props and period pieces that brought a certain realism and specificity to our lecture. She’s one of those teachers that made a difference, and if we hadn’t gone to our reunion, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see her again, share stories, and enjoy her wry wit!

My husband commented that walking into the room of old school chums, some he had known since Kindergarten, he felt an instant sense of comfort and familiarity unlike that with any other room of ‘strangers.’ It makes sense when you think about it, because we spent hours/days/months/years with these kids who are now adults. Although we haven’t seen many of them for over 30 years, we still instantly picked up where we left off. It’s a bit like coming home, and if you’ve put off going to your own reunion, I urge you to reconsider. We only get one trip around this planet, and whatever you’re hesitant about confronting at your reunion is very small compared to the friendships you can rekindle, the smiles you’ll share with old friends, and the feeling of continuity you’ll enjoy.

I was amazed at the broad variety of professions and skills our old friends had developed. One of them got into the film industry and develops all of the content you see on the screens on a show like NCIS or 24. All those little TV and computer screens in the show need to have content developed, all the electronics have to work, and everthing has to look real, and our friend has a company that does this for the film industry. It was so interesting!

Another friend made a comment that made my husband cringe when he said (on Facebook, no less!) that now as an adult he could finally hug all the “girls that used to be cheerleaders!” Maybe that’s too much information, but its true because all those barriers are removed as adults, and everyone is just happy to be alive, to see each other, to be able to share old stories, (crushes!) and to compare histories and perceptions.

The night went way too fast, and we could have spent several more hours talking and laughing. I guess it’s good to leave it like that, wanting more. The best advice I can give you is to get back in touch with your peers via Classmates.com, or Facebook, and make it to your next reunion to see for yourself. People both change and stay the same, and you’ll find out for yourself how it feels to “come home” after all these years.

- September 2011 ~ Alamo Today

Sunday, Oct 9, 2011

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011

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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)VFW Post 75, San Ramon Valley, meets every second Thursday of the month at the

Swain House at Hap Magee Ranch Park, located at 1025 La Gonda Way in Danville. The next meeting will be held Thursday, September 8th. Doors open at 7PM, and the meeting begins at 7:30PM. For more information, contact Post Commander Nathan Greene at (925) 875-1747. Find out more about the VFW at www.vfw.org.

San Ramon Valley NewcomersThe San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club invites new and long-time residents

to its monthly luncheon on September 15th at Crow Canyon Country Club locate at 711 Silver Lake Dr. in Danville. We meet from ll:30 - 2PM, and the cost is $21. Our program will be a fashion show presented by Draper’s & Damon’s Ladies Fashion Store. Call Myrna at (925) 560-0656 for information and reservations.

10th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremony, “Our Community Remembers”

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ or-ganizations is hosting the Tenth Anniversary 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony for the residents of the San Ramon Valley.

The event will be held at All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park, which is lo-cated at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville, on September 11 and will begin at 5:50PM and conclude at 6:40PM. Immediately following the ceremony there will be a free community “American picnic” featuring hot dogs and ice cream.

This event will feature prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Department honor Guard and Fife & Drum Corps., a bagpiper, a flight of doves, renowned tenor George Komsky and many other patriotic contributions.

Guest speakers include Winston Copeland, Rear Adm. Ret., decorated Navy Squadron Commander and Joe Viscuglia, 9-11 Survivor.

There will be an essay contest based on the event with cash prizes for high, middle, and grade school student residents of the five San Ramon Valley communities. The essay title and prizes will be announced in a subsequent press release. The essay forms and instructions will be distributed at the event and will be available online at srvexchangeclub.org.

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Tunneling Through Time: The Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore

As work progresses on the fourth bore of the Calde-cott Tunnel, fascinating discoveries are being made. A presentation of these finds is being held on Wednesday, October 12 at 2PM in the Village Theatre located at 233 Front Street in Danville.

Watch a DVD of a tunneling machine in action. Learn about the history of the tunnel. See the paleontological ar-tifacts uncovered during the current dig, as fossil remains of pre-history animals and plants have come tumbling out of the excavated rock layers. Discover how construction really works. Ivy Morrison, the Caldecott Tunnel Informa-tion Officer and CalTrans expert, Construction Manager Bill Bornman, and a local geologist will be making the presentation.

Sponsors of this event include The Museum of the San Ramon Valley, San Ramon Valley Historic Society, and the San Ramon Historic Foundation. Tickets for members of the sponsoring groups are $10, and guests will be charged $15. Tickets will be sold at the door with registration beginning at 1:30PM.

For additional information, please go to www.muse-umsrv.org, www.SRHF.org, or call 925-837-3750 .

Blue Star Moms Drop ZoneSaturday, September 24th, 10am to 3pm

The East Bay Chapter 101 Blue Star Moms is having a Drop Zone to collect donations for their upcoming “Holiday Hugs” care package

mailing to our Troops. All donations will be mailed to our brave men and women serving our country overseas. Come say hello, sponsor a care package mailing ($12.50), make a postcard or two, or drop off a donation to show your gratitude for what our brave troops do for all Americans each and every day! Our goal is to send out 2,000 care packages, and we cannot do it without the generous support of our community.

Go to www.bluestarmoms.org and click on care packages for more information, includ-ing a list of our donation items.

Thank you for supporting our Troops!

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Contra Costa Coin ShowThe 15th annual Contra Costa Coin Show, Saturday

and Sunday, October 8th and 9th, has a new home at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, located at 45 John Glenn Drive in Concord. While the location has changed, the event will continue its four year tradition of financial support to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

The doors open to the general public at 10AM each day. Over 30 west coast coin dealers will be on hand to buy, sell, trade, and offer free appraisals to the public. Other items will be available at the show including paper money, tokens, medals, supplies, estate jewelry, and watches as well as coin photography.

“This is a great event for both the collector as well as the general public,” said Bill Green, treasurer for the Diablo Numismatic Society, the non-profit coin club hosting the annual show. “There are so many fascinating items at the Contra Costa Coin Show, and anyone wanting to know the value of their coins and collectables can get multiple, free, informal appraisals. It’s convenient, safe and the $3 admission is good for both days.”

There will be drawings for valuable coins and other prizes. Also, Boy Scout Troop #65 will host a youth exhibit that includes free coins for children.

The Diablo Coin Club donates a portion of the admission fees to the Food Bank as well as any donations provided from club members, coin dealers, and the general public.

Contact Bill Green of the Diablo Numismatic Society for more information at (925) 351 – 7605, or visit the club’s website at diablocoinclub.org.


Guild members pose with some of the treasures people will be able to purchase at the 2nd Annual Blackhawk Bargain Basement Sale Committee members shown above from left to right front row are: Joyce Farrell, Barbara Fromm and Carol Ching. Second row: Mary Lou Paschal, Chairman Joyce Tucker, Dee Thompson, Honey Pettigrew, Pat Behring, Danielle Smith, Linda Swofford and Wynne Dalley.You will not want to miss this sale!

Bargains for Charity!The Blackhawk Museum Guild was organized in 1991 by co-founder Pat

Behring as the volunteer entity of the world-class Blackhawk Museum, a non-profit corporation dedicated to “ensuring significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture, and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.”

The almost 200 Guild members serve as docents and help with fundrais-ing and operational activities.

In the spring of 2009, Blackhawk Museum guild member Joyce Tucker flew to Berlin, Germany to see her newest grandchild. Due to unforeseen

circumstances, she spent three days in the hospital. Unable to speak German, she spent her time developing a new idea to raise money for the Blackhawk Museum. After spending many hours making lists of jobs and plans, she settled on the idea of holding a rummage sale.

When Joyce returned home, she presented the idea to the Guild Steering Committee, and they agreed that it would be a great Fundraiser, thus, the Blackhawk Bargain Basement Sale was born. In September of 2010 the first sale was held in the “basement” of the Blackhawk Museum.

The Blackhawk Guild has spent this spring and summer working on their second annual “Blackhawk Bargain Basement Sale” also known as the BBB-Sale which is patterned after the highly successful “White Elephant Sale” that the Oakland Museum has been holding for 53 years.

Under Joyce's direction members have been collecting, sorting, and pricing donations including clothes, toys, books, jewelry, sporting goods, housewares, china, crystal, Christmas items, art objects, and linens. The sale will be held September 9th, 10th, and 11th at the Museum. For $20 a special Friday evening (September 9th) event will be held from 5pm-8pm. The doors will be open to guests who will have the privilege of early shopping accompanied by wine and light hors d'oeuvres. On Saturday and Sunday the sale will be open to the public (no entrance fee) from 10am to 4pm.

Proceeds from the BBBSale will support the “Children’s Education and Transportation Fund” which provides school children from all over the Bay Area with bus transportation to have a museum experience. The funds also support exhibitions that are educational for both children and adults.

The museum offers some of the most unique and classic automobiles in the world! They are truly “rolling sculptures.” A docent lead tour is held every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Group tours can be scheduled by calling (925) 736-2277x239. For more information on the museum, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

The Blackhawk Museum Guild meets at the Museum at 10am the second Wednesday of each month except August and December, and welcomes guests to these meetings to get acquainted. Meetings feature interesting speakers and presentations. For information about the Guild, please call 925.736.2277 and leave a message at extension 651.

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Lawrence’s Walnut Creek Meat Company has been family owned and operated since its opening in 1887. This is Joe Lawrence in

front of the Henry Hotel which was at the corner of Danville Boulevard and Stone Valley Road. Today it is Alamo Square.

Alamo Home Sales – August 2011 Bed/Bath List Price Sale Price

2598 Alamo Country Circle 5/5 $1,599,000 $1,585,000111 Alamo Hills Court 4/3 $1,275,000 $1,200,0002457 Amy Way 4/3 $1,224,000 $1,140,000120 Bando Court 4/2½ $899,000 $885,00020 Crest Court 3/1½ $700,000 $685,00021 Francesca Way 4/3½ $995,000 $937,5002386 Heritage Oaks Drive 4/2½ $1,129,000 $1,089,600526 Justin Morgan Drive 4/3½ $1,529,000 $1,480,000310 Kimberwicke Court 5/4½ $2,495,000 $2,150,00031 Lancaster Court 4/3 $995,000 $945,2502219 Las Trampas Road 5/4½ $3,995,000 $3,350,000336 Likely Court 5/5½ $2,495,000 $2,400,000300 Livorna Heights Road 6/4½ $1,292,000 $1,200,0003039 Lunada Lane 4/4 $919,000 $845,0003057 Lunada Lane 3/2½ $659,000 $659,0002430 Lunada Lane 4/3 $1,395,800 $950,0002 Lyman Lane 3/2 $750,000 $690,000301 Miranda Lane 6/5½ $1,369,000 $1,285,000365 Miranda Lane 4/3 $1,795,000 $1,425,0001397 Pine Tree Drive 4/2 $1,350,000 $1,240,00099 Post Road 3/3 $1,099,000 $1,200,0002372 Roundhill Drive 4/2½ $995,000 $925,000141 South Avenue 5/3½ $1,799,000 $1,700,00044 Stone Creek Place 5/4½, $1,700,000 $1,320,0002342 Stone Valley Road 3/2 $1,000,000 $800,0001671 Via Romero 6/5½ $1,975,000 $1,905,000

* All single family homes sold in Alamo 7/23/11 thru 8/26/11

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STILL LOST! HELP FIND COBY!One year old black/tan

Cattle Dog/Shepherd mix still at large. Attempts from strangers to capture have failed.

Last seen at Alamo Plaza and in Downtown Danville.Spotted over 10 times on Iron Horse Trail.

May be wearing red, canvas “pirate dog” collar and blue bone tag.

Shy, skittish, and fast. Difficult to catch. Very Important: If you see him, please be submissive

and do not chase. Keep Coby in your sights, take a cell photo if possible, and call Julie (ANYTIME) at 415-806-0658.

Thank you for any information you may have on his whereabouts.

GENEROUS REWARDWe Are Back and with Flair! Where Women Come Together to Work Toward a Better Community for All

Members of the Alamo Women’s Club have been serving the community for nearly 100 years, since 1916. We are the longest running service organiza-tion in the Tri-Valley Area. We are 64 members strong and growing because of the quality of programs, the service we give to the community, and last but not

least, the friendships shared.The Alamo Women’s Club’s vision is:

We serve multiple communities. Our first and foremost community includes OUR MEMBERS. We serve with great programs, fun excursions, and small groups like Mah-jong, book groups, foodie groups, etc. The next community we serve and of equal im-portance are OUR PHILANTHROPIES. These include Hospice of the East Bay, George Marks House, STAND, Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, Youth Homes, Canine Companions, and Knit for Kids. Additionally we distribute about $7,000 annually in scholarships to students from Monte Vista, San Ramon, and Diablo Valley College. Fall Kick-off meeting

Our Kick-off meeting is September 28th at 11:30AM, and the program begins at noon. Our featured guest and fabulous speaker will be local sculptor, Mario Chiodo. Mario’s inspired bronze statue called Remember Them: Champions for Humanity which is a tribute to 9/11. It was unveiled in Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park in Oakland’s uptown district on September 6th. Mario lives in Danville and was born in Oakland, his website is www.chiodoart.com/chiodoart_about.html. Come to our meetings to see who we are and what we do! September:

21st: 10:30AM Mahjong, 1PM Book Club l, 2PM Book Club II20th & 27th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk28th: 11:30AM - Artist Mario Chiodo, 9/11 “Remember Them”29th: Excursion – Wine Tasting & Picnic, Jack London Museum tour, Sonoma

October:4th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk5th: 10:30AM Mahjong 11th: 10AM to Noon Cards Club, 4-5PM Let’s Walk13th: STAND, Charity Fundraiser18th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk19th: 10:30AM Mahjong, 1PM Book Club l, 2PMBook Club II20th: Excursion – Walking, Tour of SF Mission District & Mission Dolores25th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk26th: 11:45AM Sloats Nursery: “Seasonal Decorating”28th & 29th: Annual Garage Sale and Craft Faire, contact: Anita 837.1242,

[email protected].

November:1st: 4-5PM Let’s Walk2nd: 10:30AM Mahjong8th: 10AM Cards Club, 4-5PM Let’s Walk15th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk16th: 10:30AM Mahjong, 1PM Book Club l, 2PMBook Club II29th: 4-5PM Let’s Walk30th: Excursion – Filoli Gardens Holiday Tour & LunchWant to become a member? Come to the Kick-Off Luncheon! Be our

guest at the September 28th luncheon to learn about our Club’s philan-thropies, and mingle with the members. If you’ve been thinking about joining, the Kick-Off luncheon is the perfect occasion to join us. Come to the Clubhouse located at 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo at 11:30AM. Please respond to Nancy Dommes, Membership Chair, 831-0111 or [email protected] by Thursday, September 22nd, and bring a friend, too!

If you have any questions, please contact our President, Nancy Combs at [email protected].

Your Community OpportunityBy Nathan Greene (USAF), Commander, VFW Post 75

YOU have the opportunity to make a difference by naming a portion of the Veterans Memorial building or donating towards a permanent plaque honoring your family or a Veteran. The 85-year-old building is being renovated and expanded for Veterans and community activities.

The last surviving WWI Veteran, Frank Buckles, recently died at age 110. About 1,000 WWII Veterans pass away every day. Those from the Korean conflict and all conflicts since are also leaving us, many without the help available through Veterans’ services and the Veterans Administra-tion. These services will now be available in the finished building.

Veterans’ buildings throughout the United States were built with the commitment to serve Veterans in perpetuity. Most Veterans are either retired or on disability with limited incomes. Funding the Veterans portion of this over eight million dollar construction finds us presently short of our goal by about two million dollars.

Please consider a sizable tax deductible donation towards this project. You can learn more and make a donation by visiting www.srvVeteransHall.org or by calling our Veterans office at 925.362.9806. Thank you.

The Danville Library Presents...Art and History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Discover the history, culture, and elegant art form of the Japanese tea ceremony on Tuesday, September 27th at 7PM at the Danville Library, Mt. Diablo Room located on Front Street in downtown Danville. Join us for this unique presentat ion by tea instructors Larry Tiscornia and Kimika Takechi with a spe-cial hands-on demonstration and glimpse into a beautiful Japanese tradition.

The presentation is free, and no registration required, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

[email protected]

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Quirkology of Quilts: Warmth to WhimsyNow through September 25th the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is show-

ing some unique and fabulous quilts in their newest exhibit Quirkology of Quilts: Warmth to Whimsy. The exhibit includes masterful works of art created by local quilters. Although there are traditional quilts on display, many use new and creative techniques which capture one’s attention with their artistic flare and diversity.

On Saturday, September 17th volunteers from the Diablo Valley Quilters’ Guild will be on hand to demonstrate a variety of skills. On September 24th Margaret Linderman will talk about Wearable Art from 10:30-11:30am.

Museum visitors are also invited to join a Quilt Treasure Hunt where they are given the opportunity to identify the locations of a variety of quilts which have been placed in businesses around town. Those who successfully complete the hunt will be placed in a drawing to win a unique quilt.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (in the Danville Depot) is located at 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville. Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Friday 1pm-4pm. Saturdays the Museum is open 10am-1pm. There will also be special hours on Sunday, September 25th, when the Museum will be open from 1pm-5pm. Admission is only $3 for guests and free for Museum members. Please call 925-837-3750 or go to www.museumsrv.org for additional information.SonRise Equestrian Foundation Celebration!

SonRise Equestrian Foundation is celebrating its 5th anniversary of offering free-of-charge a variety of programs for children socially, emotionally, or physically challenged. The warmth of wise and patient horses schooled by caring professionals enables participants in the programs to gain self-confidence, build relationships, and discover the means to achieve their full potential. Unique to SonRise, Traveling Tails takes miniature horses to children in hospice and terminal care facilities. Imagine the delightful surprise of waking to find a friendly horse in your hospital room!

“Wente, Wine & Equine” promises to be a gala evening. The event will begin at 6PM on Friday, September 16th at Wente Vineyards, 5500 Arroyo Road, Livermore, with two of the Traveling Tails minis greeting guests as the two-footed attendees tuck into appetizers and continuing with silent and live auctions and a wine cellar raffle. Music by the Jack Pollard Jazz Group will accompany dinner and later dancing. Although Black Tie is optional, black jeans and boots won’t be out of place.

Tickets are available on the SonRise website www.sonriseequestrianfounda-tion.com. SonRise is a 501(C)(3) non-profit foundation.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com - September 2011 ~ Alamo Today

8

Alamo Zoe is Missing

September’s Winner Is Nela Cunningham

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

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

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

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

Lost Dog!

We have a new dog, but now she has become lost in this paper...Keep your eyes out for Alamo Zoe!

Upcoming Meetings and EventsAlamo Music Festival - Saturday, September 10th - noon-11pm at Alamo Plaza. See www.alamore.org for more information.AIA - Alamo Improvement Association - September 14th , 7pm - Creekside Community Church -1350 Danville Blvd.Alamo MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) - First and third Tuesdays 6pm - The Cottage at Hap Magee Park Hap Magee Ranch Joint Planning and Operations Committee - September 22nd - 5pm - The Cottage at Hap Magee ParkP2B - Police Services Advisory Committee - October 3rd , 4:30pm - Meets at Valley Station located at 150 Alamo PlazaP5 - Round Hill Police Services Advisory Committee - September 14th, 7pm - Meets at Round Hill Country Club - Lower Level Meeting Room CERT classes - Community Emergency Response Team - Visit www.firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/upcoming_classes.asp

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Rancho Romero Elementary SchoolBy Skye Larsh, Principal

It is hard to believe that we entered the 2011-2012 school year. A new school year is always full of an-ticipation, conjuring feelings of excitement, renewal, and change. A few questions twirling around young inquisitive minds might include, “Who will be in my class? Will I have a nice teacher? How much homework will be assigned? If I don’t know the answer, will I get help? What will I learn?” When adults think back on

their elementary years many of those same questions probably came to mind, the results of which leave lasting impressions.

The elementary years are critically important in laying the foundation in literacy and numeracy, as well as developing effective skills in critical thinking, collabora-tion, creativity, and imagination. In the end the result desired is a love of learning. Celebrating what is right at Rancho Romero, believing in what is possible, and being the best we can be are themes that launch us into the new year. We are committed to continuous growth that builds on successes and provides a positive, challenging, and rewarding academic and social experience for all of our children.

Thank you Rancho Romero staff, parents, families, students, and community partners for a wonderful kick-off this year. Visitors to the campus would hardly have recognized that we were in the first few days of school. Students happily found their classes and friends, teachers greeted students by name and welcomed each to their new classroom, and PTA and other adults offered warm support to the new and returning families, creating a truly energized, harmonious, and seamless opening.

Enrollment over the summer has the school at almost full capacity with several grades at their maximum. Five hundred and thirty-seven students attended the first day of school. This year we have four kindergarten classrooms, including two staggered reading classes, in addition to our one morning and one afternoon class. The remaining grade levels each have three classes with one combination classroom in second and third.

A warm welcome goes to those who are joining or taking on a new assignment this year: Lindsay Coffin, Kindergarten teacher - opens our fourth kindergarten, Allison Raney, second grade teacher – returns to Rancho, Michelle Cabrita, new PE Specialist, Jamie Edwards, new Psychologist, and Halona Sudduth, new Paraeducator.

Long-time Rancho employee Shirley Davis accepted a position in Santa Barbara County. We thank Ms. Davis for her wonderful contributions to the children and families over the past fourteen years and wish her all the best.

I am honored to be starting my second year at Rancho with such dedicated stu-dents, staff, and community. I know this year will be a great success for everyone.

Alamo Elementary School By Stan Hitomi, Principal

There is a lot to talk about at Alamo School as the new school year begins. There many new faces, including new families and new staff. Joining the Alamo School staff this year are: Clarissa Scott – 1st grade teacher, Laura Hennon – 2nd/3rd grade teacher, Ashley Rudd – Speech & Language Therapist, Chaya Frash – Science Lab Teacher, and Andree Sehrt – Occupational Therapist. We welcome our new staff members and new families to the Alamo School family!

As usual, a major source of support for both students and staff this year will come from parent volunteers. This year the PTA will be led by Raylinn Bianchi (President) and Felicia Martin (Executive Vice President). Margie Hart will continue as President of the Alamo School Education Fund for a second year, with Al Blake serving as Vice President. Both organizations have been working through the summer in preparation for the school year, including organizing registration (coordinated by Lisa Miller – PTA ).

As the year gets under way, Alamo School will continue to build upon work that started last year, including health and wellness (for both students and staff), intervention (reading, math, and behavior), STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and technology. I will be reporting on each of these initiatives as we move through the year.

One of the most exciting new projects for 2011-2012 will be spending a $5,000 grant that Alamo School received from the County Office of Education to support work in three areas: nutrition, exercise, and the environment. Sharon Dodson (school nurse) and Melanie Volk (PTA) are heading the effort that will include projects that will involve students, parents, and staff. The goal is to use the grant to establish ongoing and sustainable new programs at Alamo.

Looking forward, there is a lot to do in 2011-2012! But most all, we intend to have fun in all that we do. It promises to be another magical year at Alamo School.

[email protected]


Stone Valley Middle School By Shaun McElroy, Principal

Happy New (School) YearOur new school year has really taken off quickly. Ed Fund

President, Yvonne Poon and PTA President Pam Absher both held retreats in mid-July for their respective executive boards in preparation for the school year. The Class Size Reduction (CSR) Campaign chair Joan Remmert has been working on fundraising since last April. To date we are at 90% of our CSR goal. Our annual PTA Get Acquainted Pizza Night “fun raiser” was attended by over

300 people. Huge thanks to parent volunteer Lynette Breyton for taking on this job for the 7th consecutive year. Our new student orientation organizations WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) had a 98% participation rate on Web Day in late August. The WEB program is under the direction of teachers Wendy Nacamu and Eric Rasch.Digital Divide Narrows at Stone Valley

New Assistant Principal Elizabeth Calhoon joined our staff in July. Ms. Calhoon is a Google Certified educator, and she brings with her a wealth of knowledge of 21st Century Education. To better serve our digital natives clientele, Ms. Calhoon has created several digital interfaces to provide our community with up to date information and a platform for feedback.

Texting Service - complete this link to sign up for our texting service: http://bit.ly/liontexting. The Unsubscribe link is: http://bit.ly/svmsunsubscribe. Social Networking Links (all posts will go to all networks) On Google+ : http://goo.gl/h8WiS. On Facebook: http://goo.gl/sgizW. On Twitter: http://goo.gl/PWMXh.

Assistant Principal Calhoon is the sole proprietor of these sites and she will monitor the incoming and outgoing content. We encourage everyone to join the Stone Valley information networks.

New instructional technology can also be found in our math lab and Algebra I class-rooms. Teachers Joanna Book and Mike Dougherty are using the Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) instructional videos to enhance classroom instruction. To gain some insight to this new technology I highly recommend seeing the TED Talk (www.ted.com) performed by Salman Kahn and featuring Bill Gates (www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/sal-man_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html).

For the second consecutive year we have created a new elective class that provides students an opportunity to exercise their creativity and intellect. The new Video Production class led by teacher Jeff Hager will create our weekly television broadcast - SVTV.

In order to insure that technology will be use appropriately we have created the SV Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy - PED’s may be used for legitimate instructional purposes, as determined and posted by individual teachers. The use of PED’s is on a trial basis. Students will be allowed to use their PED’s at lunch for educational purposes. This policy will be revisited regularly to determine students’ responsible use.

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

Wednesday of every month at Faz Restaurant in downtown Danville. For more information, call Karen Stepper, President, at (925) 275-2312,

email [email protected], or visit www.srvexchangeclub.org.

AAUW Membership BrunchThe Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek group of the American As-

sociation of University Women (AAUW) will hold its Membership Brunch on Saturday, September 10th from 9:30AM-12:30PM at the Crow Canyon Country Club located at 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville.

The guest speakers are Nadia Costa and Marisa Gonzalez. Nadia Costa is Senior Counsel in Miller Starr Regalia's Walnut Creek office. She and a male attorney in the same practice, volunteered through the Habeas Project to get Debbie Peagler out of prison after being there for more than twenty years. They uncovered a trail of prosecutorial misconduct that began with Debbie’s arrest and continues to the present day. Their discoveries launched a movement that not only advocated for Debbie’s own freedom, but it also raised a banner for battered women and the wrongfully imprisoned around the globe. Debbie's story and the battle to secure her freedom has been made into a documentary movie titled Crime After Crime. Learn more at http://crimeaftercrime.com/.

Marisa González, Staff Attorney at Legal Services for Prisoners with Chil-dren (LSPC) also directs the California Habeas Project. LSPC is a non-profit organization with a history of over 30 years of working to restore rights of incarcerated and formerly-incarcerated people, release people from prison and reunify people, families, and communities during and after incarceration. Learn more at www.prisonerswithchildren.org.

AAUW is a national organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four-year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree or equivalent. Prospective members are welcome. Contact Tena at (925) 837-0826 or [email protected] for questions. The cost for the brunch is $30. Mail the reservation form found at www.aauw-da.org/brunch2.html and check payable to Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW, P.O Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. For more information about AAUW visit www.aauw-da.org.

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Supervisor Seeks Community Liaison ApplicantsContra Costa County Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema is seeking applicants

for a San Ramon Valley Community Liaison position. This position is critical in providing a direct link between the people of the San Ramon Valley, which includes Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon, and their county government. The many responsibilities of the position include maintaining contacts with govern-ment entities and community groups throughout the District 2 portion of the San Ramon Valley, communicating constituent issues and concerns, as well as serving as a resource by briefing the Supervisor and other staff members on community issues, effectively communicating to the constituents the established county pro-grams and goals and reporting to them the county actions and positions that affect them, interfacing with county departments and managing projects that emanate from and/or affect the San Ramon Valley residents, managing community rela-tions activities, staffing the liaison business office, attending meetings, events and functions, and preparing press releases. The position is 19 hours per week and, in addition to the community responsibilities, requires at least one half day, per week, be spent in the Martinez office handling regional as well as more global issues, and conferring with Chief of Staff to determine work schedule and work load. District 2 San Ramon Valley residents are preferred.

A special application form is required and available at www.cccounty.us/hr. The deadline for application is September 9, 2011.


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Monte Vista High School By Janet Terranova, Principal

It is hard to believe that while summer is not of-ficially over, school has started. Students are getting back into “school mode” with a full load of classes, homework, and school activities. The excitement generated by the return of our students is palpable. Two of our student groups, Peer Link and ASB Leadership, welcomed the Class of 2015 with a new student orientation. Students had the opportunity to participate in team building activities, get a tour of

their new school, and begin to feel part of our Monte Vista Community. Many of us in the world of education function under the delusion that the

new year really begins in August when school starts and ends in June when school is out for summer vacation. For many students and educators August is the beginning of a new year, a chance for a fresh start. August is an excellent time for students to reflect on the previous year and make positive changes in their approach to learning and school. This notion can set a positive tone for the school year. It allows students to reflect on the previous year, both the successes and challenges, and encourages students to set new goals for the coming year. If you have a student at home, encourage this idea. Ask them to list the positive school behaviors they developed last year and what new goals they would like to achieve this school year.

As a reminder to all parents with students in grades 7 through 12, please remember that all students entering these grades must have proof of an adoles-cent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) within 30 days of starting school. To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law (AB 354) now requires students to be vaccinated against whooping cough. By law, students who do not have proof of receiving a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided to the school.

With the beginning of the school year underway, we have many activities and opportunities for community involvement. For more information about Monte Vista and our activities, please visit our website at mvhigh.org.

San Ramon Valley High School By Joseph A. Ianora, Principal

We have made it through the first couple weeks of school! Students and teachers have shaken the dust off and have thrown themselves into the business of learn-ing. It is wonderful to see the school come alive with the energy and passion that our students bring to make SRVHS such a special place.

Our mission statement “The San Ramon Valley High School community empowers students to achieve their educational potential” continues to be the focus this year.

We continue to improve our educational process by focusing on the 3 R’s - Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships (changed from the original ‘Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic – did anyone check the grammar?).

Rigor – Foster learning through challenging, standards-based curricula. Relevance – Utilize strategies that establish rich connections between the cur-

riculum and the world outside of school. 21st Century Practice: Infuse project-based lessons, performance-based assessments, and technology into all classes.

Relationships – Establishing a safe and welcoming environment is para-mount to our mission! This means we support students and their learning, and we support staff and their work.

We continue to partner with the District to improve on these 3 R’s; this year we have made three big leaps –

Common assessments in nine areas (English 9, 10; Algebra I, II, and Geometry; World History and US History; Biology and Chemistry).

Technology – We have a full time tech coordinator, and our campus is wireless.Vertical Teaming – We will be meeting as a “vertical” team – elementary

and middle schools that feed into SRVHS. This vertical teaming will help us strengthen the educational process.

I know this is a lot to absorb, but the bottom line is that we care about your student and want two things: a partnership with you and to educate your son/daughter to the best of their ability.

Welcome Back to SRVHS! Let’s make this a great year together.


Scottish Country DancingNew beginner Scottish Country Dancing classes will start on September

15th at St. Stephen Catholic Church located at 1101 Keaveny Ct. in Walnut Creek. No partners are necessary, and the classes provide great exercise, wonderful music, and lots of fun!

Classes for children and teens (ages 7-18) will be held Thursday evenings at 5PM. Adult beginner classes will be held Thursdays at 8PM.

A free “Chance to Dance Night” for adults will be held September 8th, at 8PM.For information, contact Kathleen McAdam (925) 934-6148, Eugene

Bissell (925) 837-9483, or Witsie McKelvy [email protected].

Contra Costa Chamber OrchestraThe Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra is “Making Overtures” to a brand

new audience with six captivating overtures, including Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro and An Outdoor Overture by Aaron Copland. These pieces are musical preludes to tragic, comic, and otherworldly opera plots that speak of flying elves, storytelling cats, and muttering Greek gods. If you’ve never experienced classical music for yourself, this concert is just for you. For information, call 925-943-SHOW, or visit www.LesherArtsCenter.org.

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Ed Ramos, a Broker with J.Rockcliff Realtors and a Certified Distressed Property Expert (COPE), as well as a Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Realtor (SFR), has developed a marketing strategy and website that is focused on assisting distressed homeowners find information and investi-gate options to avoid the foreclosure process. As an expert in short sales, a real estate transaction option that banks will consider instead of foreclosure with specific guidelines, Ed is determined to provide essential knowledge to homeowners in the East Bay facing this unfortunate circumstance.

Visitors to www.ForeclosureHelpinEastBay.com. will find information regarding the process of foreclosure, what effects foreclosure has on a homeowner, and ways to prevent the foreclosure process from continu-ing. The website features easy to understand informational tools such as a list of frequently asked questions, as glossary of terms and free reports as well as resources that allow the homeowner to get their questions ad-dressed in a confidential manner.

For more information about foreclosures and short sales please visit www.ForeclosureHelpinEastBay.com, or contact Ed Ramos directly at (925) 765-3179 or email [email protected].

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Alamo Danville Newcomers ClubPlease join us for our Annual September Kick-Off Luncheon. This is a

perfect opportunity to learn about the many activities we offer such as golf, book group, wine tasting, art group, philanthropy, and many other special get togethers like our Cruise on the Bay for Fleet Week, day excursions ‘antiquing’ in San Anselmo, or hiking at Land’s End at Ocean Beach. Our group is a non-profit women's organization welcoming new residents or long time residents in the Alamo Danville area. To learn more, visit www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com, email [email protected], or call 925-775-3233.

The Mustang Blaze U-12 Girls won the Mustang Stampede Gold Division Championship with a come from behind 2-1 win over the U12 Palo Alto Blue Thunder. Pictured are: (Front row, L-R) Sacha Berestka, Isabella McHugh, Olivia Ringgenberg, McKenna Erickson, Samantha Ross, Emily-Kate Gandsey, Rebecca Outcalt, (Back Row L-R) Coach Manny Medina, Hallie Dawson, Tessa Wolfgram, Alex Wilson, Christina Buselli, Blaire Southmayd, Julia Luzzi, Nicole Crenshaw, Samantha Mescall, and Mia Hibberd.

The Mustang Impact U-10 Girls won the Mustang Stampede Gold Division Championship with a hard fought 1-0 win over the Gryphons U-10 Girls. Pictured are: (Standing L-R) Head Coach Gina Medina, Julia Patterson, Lindsay Mescall, Kaleigh Olla, Kendall Madsen, Callie Stone, Kylie Yarwood, Monique Zarling, Asst. Coach Manny Medina (Sitting L-R) Kinsey Brillheart, Shelby Bowen, Kelli Hourihan, Tatiana Berestka, Bailey Smith, and Sierra Ransweiler.

Art in the Park benefiting Art in the Schools in the SRVUSD will be held October 1st and 2nd from 10-5 at the Danville Town Green located on Front Street in downtown Danville. Ten percent of art sales will go to “Art in the Schools.” The event showcases the art of over 60 professional artists who work in painting, sculpting, jewelry, ceramics, photography, and other media. There will also be art demonstrations, live music, food and wine, a juried art exhibit, children’s hands-on art activities, and train rides for kids. For more information visit, www.adas4art.org.


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[email protected] Takes Planning By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

Computers are important and often critical tools for work and entertainment…when they work. The problem is, they fail. How it turns out depends on how well you have prepared. It’s like being ready for an earthquake. We never know when one will hit, but those who have a plan in place will be the ones to most likely have a better outcome.

Backups and disaster planning should be multi-layered, depending on your level of risk. We have many residential cus-tomers who describe their computer to us and say, "I don't use my computer for business, there isn't anything important on there." But when we ask if they have photos, iTunes, contacts, documents, music libraries, Quicken files or family tree files, they realize their computers have become just as important as a business computer. Years of work or even an entire business can be wiped out overnight

by lack of planning for the inevitable computer failure. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a hardware failure, a software glitch, fire, theft, flood, or a power surge on; they all equally destroy your data.

We’ve had several calls from businesses who want to move their com-puting entirely “to the cloud.” The term “cloud computing” is an over-used buzzword for running your programs and saving your data through your web browser instead of saving it to your local computer. Instead of files residing on your computer, they are all hosted in other places on the internet. However, even the cloud fails, as we recently experienced.

Many email services are internet-based. Last month the email service we use had a dramatic failure, and email service was severely disrupted. While the provider was able to restore current incoming mail service within a day, access to past emails took up to 10 days. Unfortunately the email provider was hammered by circumstances not of their making. Even though they provide the email service, they were using a common Microsoft product called Exchange, that suffered a corrupt email database. What occurred was a software problem that unfortunately can happen to any email provider at any time; it was simply their turn. How they dealt with it and how they communicated what was going on is why we remain with the company. But the lesson here is that it can happen to anyone, anywhere.

One item that impacted the ability of our email provider to restore cli-ent email involved the issue of the size of some users’ Outlook files. They found a number of users had very large mailboxes. Some had over 100,000 messages in a single folder which took up to 24 hours to recover. Outlook performance dramatically suffers when your email database gets larger than 2GB. The rule of thumb is “smaller is better.” Keep email files small enough to be managed and backed up. The best way to handle this is to create ar-chives of older email and to regularly clean out your Sent Items and Deleted Items folders. We have seen people use “Deleted Items” as another storage folder, so nothing ever gets deleted or “thrown away.” If you think you may need an email again, create a new folder and file it away, but keep the trash can empty.

I’ve written many articles on the need for backups. Why? Because it is “when” and not “if” you are going to need your data from a backup. For my first level of defense I use an offsite backup service that continuously backs up my files. For my extremely critical data I use a multi-prong approach which consists of daily internet backups, a weekly image backup to a local external drive, burning multiple DVDs of my most critical data files, and I have family members in other cities store duplicate copies. For some files like my address book, I periodically print out a hardcopy. And occasionally, I copy my entire hardisk drive to a new drive so if the first drive fails I can install the copied drive, update the changed files, and be back on my feet. If all of this seems like a lot of trouble, think about how much trouble it is to put everything back together after a failure or disaster wipes out all of your data...

What is your level of risk? If you need help analyz-ing your situation or improving your ability to recover from a failure event, call the friendly staff of Portable CIO for a consultation (925-552-7953), or email us at [email protected]. Advertorial


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New Veterinary Hospital in Alamo By Deborah Knibb, DVM

Come and visit Alamo Plaza Pet Care Clinic lo-cated at 230-A Alamo Plaza in Alamo near Wolfe Camera and the Iron Horse Trail. The veterinary clinic features traditional medicine and surgery with adjunctive holistic care. The Clinic has new pain pre-vention modalities, and Chiropractic treatments are available for pets who suffer from chronic arthritis

pain or bad backs. Cats as well as dogs who suddenly become cranky, bite, or vo-cal may suffer from back, hip, or leg pain. We use infrared light therapy in many of these instances, and the cost is $30 per treatment.

Walk in’s to the Clinic are welcomed, although appointments are preferred. A trainer and groomer are on staff six days a week. Do you have a dog who pulls on the leash, barks too much, or is just out of control? We care and train dogs who have failed elsewhere, have needed to be medicated prior to vet or grooming visits, or who have been deemed too aggressive. Long and short term feline, canine, and exotic pet boarding is available and dogs can be trained during their stay.

Our special interest is allergy work and relieving pets from painful itching and scratching. We have new alternatives to your pet’s allergies. New flea control products are available for those households which have developed a resistance to fleas. As every pet is different, we customize flea control to your needs.

After-hour emergency services are available, and we can take care of stomach bloating, rattlesnake bites, bee stings, trauma cases, and overnight hospitalization for renal patients and toxicity cases. For after-hour emergencies, call 925-998-8368.

We presently have kittens and puppies for adoption. The kittens are free to loving homes.

For your all of your vet care needs, please contact Alamo Plaza Pet Care Clinic at 925-322-4360. We look forward to meeting you! Advertorial


Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment

California Wine MonthBy Monica Chappell

Break out the Pinot - September is California Wine Month, and that makes it a perfect time to enjoy a glass of California wine. California Wine Month celebrates the state’s ideal climate for wine and its importance to the California economy. Did you know that California is the fourth larg-est wine producer in the world and makes 90 percent of American wine? In celebration, learning about wine can be one of the easiest and most fun things you do all month.

Here’s my Top Ten list of ways to make wine more accessible all month long: 1. Open a California Sparkler for No Reason - There are so many reasonably priced bubblies that

they can be a better bargain than many still wines. Put a bottle in the fridge, and open it for dinner. 2. Drink More White Wine With Cheese - I've discovered that white wine generally tastes better

with most cheeses than red. The acidity in white wines is what does the trick. 3. Take a Flight - Try a wine bar you have never visited, and order a flight of wine. 4. Take Notes - You'll find that the wine will change with time, air, and warmth. When you go

back over your notes, you might be amazed at the changes. 5. Stop Holding Back Bottles - I'm as guilty as anyone of saving wines instead of enjoying

them. Without waiting for a special occasion, invite friends over and open some of those gems you've got stashed away.

6. Visit A Local Winery - You’ll be amazed at the diversity of wines and styles in your own neck of the woods.

7. Try Different Wines - There are more than 5,000 grape varieties in the world, but many of us drink the same one, or ones, week after week (the equivalent of eating chicken every night).

8. Try A Wine You Think You Don’t Like - Are you sure you don’t like Riesling? Things change, including your taste.

9. Order the Least Expensive Wine On The List - This takes courage, but I've found that many restaurant wine buyers work hard at finding great deals. Why not take advantage?

10. Enroll In A Wine Appreciation Class - Taking a wine class can be a fun and un-intimidating way to learn more about wine. Whether you take a class on the basics or one with a narrower focus, you'll learn something new and have fun in the process. Hope to see you soon.

Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Danville. For upcoming classes, go to www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.

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Art in Everyday LifeBy Tony Michael Vecchio

What artistic element could be the most prominent aspect of your everyday life? Your clothes! The art of ex-pressing your personal creativity in your wardrobe can be at once unique, wacky, and ultimately stylish. When you find handmade items in interesting places - or make them yourself - those pieces come with rich “back stories.” So, while you can buy a closet full of trendy clothing that fits your budget (and your body), you still need some deep-

tissue style sense, lest you find that everyone is wearing the same thing or your garment doesn’t look quite as hot on you as it did in the magazine ads.

“Fashion can be bought,” said Edna Woolman Chase, vaunted editor of Vogue Magazine back in its heyday. “Style one must possess.” This is devastatingly true. The point is that you need to know what looks good on you and what fabrics you like, and then you can work on building a wardrobe that makes you look like who you are inside and out. It’s all about simplicity.

Here’s an example for guys. You could drop $150 to $200 at Tommy Bahama on a faux Hawaiian shirt that’s just one notch above a trendy napkin design at Crate and Barrel. At that price tag, it should have range-free bamboo buttons and a recycled hang tag printed in biodegradable ink—for which you’ll pay for dearly. That’s okay, but then you’ll see it on about twelve other guys downtown over the weekend. An easy alternative is to browse eBay and pick up a vintage 1950’s Hawaiian shirt, the real deal, with palm trees, hula girls, or parrots. It’s not just designed in Hawaii but sewn there, too. When you score a shirt like that, you proudly own a piece of Americana that channels real island charm across the decades.

Once you start thinking about the many directions you can go in, you’ll enjoy individualizing some of your clothes. For one thing, I try to avoid wearing logos on my clothing. Cutting labels off of my new garments is a familiar ritual when I buy new clothes, whether a t-shirt, jeans, sweatshirt, shoes, whatever. Removing a brand label makes it mine. Then I’m free to add some color or otherwise modify my purchase. I might sew on a small piece or patch of fabric, paint designs on canvas sneakers, embroider on a t-shirt, sew something interesting on a hat.

So, here’s to finding and expressing your artistic sense in everything you wear. You can do this. When you open your mind to your own look—and feed it with clothing that expresses your style sense–you can express your personality just by getting dressed in the morning. When you alter a piece of clothing, you instinctively make that piece of clothing yours. It ceases to be a mass-market item, and that is an art form unto itself as you infuse your clothing with energy, with purpose, and with soul. Remember that word? We used to have soul—as a society, as a generation, as a way of life—and, in my opinion, it’s time to bring “soul” back. One way we can do that is via personal art.

As we anticipate Christmas and gift-giving under yet another cloud of eco-nomic woe and worry, maybe we can take the opportunity to veer away from our customary worshipping at the altar of the massive retail fashion giants. Rather than buying clothing to make more billions of dollars for some billionaire rap star whose name adorns a clothing line, consider, and embrace, your own creativity instead. Consider dressing in a way that expresses your soul. In the process, you might support a garage-fashion artist or a basement tailor-entrepreneur. Online, you can find crafters who major in the handmade, the one-of-a-kind, the daring. I suggest you look at esty.com, where many citizens of the creative under-and over-ground love making unique, logical, and wonderful clothes. You’ll be amazed, you’ll be inspired, and you’ll find clothing that’s perfect for you—and perfect as gifts for people you know.Local Art Events

The Village Theatre Art Gallery's next juried exhibition, Offerings; Works of Text and Image, curated by Cindy Shearer runs September 10 – October 29, with a reception on Saturday, September 10. The Eugene O’Neill Society is host-ing an art show featuring a variety of local artists’ work that includes depictions of subject matter related to the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. The exhibition can be viewed September 23 and 24 from 5-8pm, and September 25 noon to 2pm. The Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society exhibition, Artistic Reflections, continues through October 23 at the Blackhawk Art Gallery in Blackhawk Plaza.

Tony Michael Vecchio writes about visual art and style. If you have any com-ments, contact him at [email protected]. View his collage and assemblage work at etsy.com/shop/WabiSabiDaddi.

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ADAS Presents Guest Artist Alfredo TofanelliAlfredo Tofanelli is the guest artist for the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society

(ADAS) meeting on Tuesday September 13th at 7:30PM. The meeting will be held at the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. The public is invited to attend at no charge.

Alfredo is a native of northern California and received his Fine Arts degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Alfredo established himself as an illustrator and graphic designer in the Los Angeles area before returning north to San Francisco. For ten years Alfredo was on the faculty of Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles, teaching courses in life drawing, painting, and computer graphics. In the Bay Area he worked as an Art Director at The 3DO Company and Electronic Arts and also as a web developer. He currently teaches head & figure painting at the Atelier aux Couleurs: the Art Academy in Petaluma, CA. He also teaches workshops in Petaluma, CA and Cheyenne, WY.

The Alamo Danville Artists’ Society, founded in 1977, is a non-profit organization providing monetary contribution in support of art programs in the San Ramon Valley School District. Membership includes artists and patrons who appreciate the visual arts.


Enjoy Your Yard With Help From The Patio & Fire PlaceThe calendar may say September, but since the warm weather was a bit late in arriving,

you may have just noticed that your patio furniture isn’t as inviting as it was when you stored it last winter. If sprucing up your outdoor living space is on your “to-do” list, head to The Patio & Fire Place and spend the rest of summer and early fall cushioned in luxury.

With two stores conveniently located in Danville and Alamo, The Patio & Fire Place has offered customers the highest quality furniture at the best price since 1975. They carry everything you need to complete your outdoor living space, including chairs, coffee tables, ottomans, recliners, loveseats, sectionals, wedge units, rockers, canopies, umbrellas, and more.

Owners Roger and Beth Hill sell brands made in the United States and beyond that are designed to provide long-lasting enjoyment, such as Lane Venture, Patio Renaissance, Gold Crest, Gloster, Windham, Tropitone, AluMont, Hanamint, and OW Lee. Most furniture can be custom ordered with the color and fabric grade of your choice. All will provide years of luxurious comfort.

Roger says, “If you have a large family, you’ll love our hard-to-find dining sets that seat eight to twelve.” Although the Hills price everything at 30 to 50% off retail, Roger will tell you that the most important thing they do is provide exceptional customer service. They welcome custom orders, don’t charge extra for them, and will assist with any needs

long after the order has been delivered.Cooler nights are perfect for

gathering around a fire pit, and The Patio & Fire Place carries a selection with hearth tops designed to blend in with any outdoor living space.

If you must head indoors, you can still enjoy a fire with a Rasmussen gas log set. The Patio & Fire Place sells sets in different shapes and sizes as well as fireplace glass doors.

Find everything you need to furnish your outdoor living space at The Patio & Fire Place, located at 3426 Camino Tassajara in Danville (925.648.0293) and at 3189 Danville Blvd. in Alamo (925.820.8492), open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Advertorial

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Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

The Contra Costa Taxpayers Asso-ciation will hold a luncheon meeting on Friday, September 30th at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant located at 611 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. A social time will be-gin at 11:30AM, and the luncheon and program will begin at noon.

Special guest speaker for the meeting will be Lance Izumi, author and Senior Director for Education at Pacific Re-search Institute. His topic will be Saving Our Schools.

Tickets for the event will be $35 for cur-rent members and $45 for non-members. (Membership package is also available for $100, which includes one luncheon ticket and one new individual resident member-ship through December 31, 2012.)

The meeting is open to the public. Make reservations and remit prepayment via the website PayPal by Thursday, September 22nd, or send a check, payable to Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, via USPS to CoCoTAX, P.O. Box 27, Martinez, CA 94553-0114. Additional details are available at the club’s website at www.cocotax.org.


Alamo Store 820-4731 Alamo Plaza Shopping Center Stone Valley Rd. Exit West off Hwy 680 to Danville Blvd., Right 1 Block. Mon. - Fri. 9:30-8:00, Sat 9:30-6:00, Sun 11:00-5:30

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3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 150 • Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 314-1891 • Fax (925) 314-3097

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BonnFeeney, LLPCertified Public Accountants

Casualties, Disasters, Thefts... and TaxesTax relief for casualty losses has been part of the Internal Revenue Code since

the beginning. Though updated and revised over the years, the general rule endures: When you suffer a sudden, unexpected loss, you may be eligible for a deduction that can reduce your current tax, or in some instances, your prior-year liability.Here are three categories of losses.

Business. Casualties affecting the value of property, equipment, or other assets in your for-profit trade or business are deductible. Generally, the amount of your loss depends on the decrease in fair market value or the adjusted tax basis of the asset.

Investment. Losses you incur when seeking a profit that's not connected with your trade or business may be deductible. While this does not include declines in the value of stock you own due to normal market fluctuations, Ponzi schemes can fit into this category. Under a special ruling, you can deduct investment losses from Ponzi schemes as a theft of income-producing property.

Personal. When your personal property is damaged or destroyed as the result of a fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, you might be eligible for an item-ized deduction. Remember that to qualify as a casualty loss, the event has to be sudden and unexpected, such as a tornado or other natural disaster. Damage from corrosive drywall also qualifies.

Give us a call if you think you can claim a casualty, disaster, or theft loss. In some cases, we can amend prior year returns for a quick refund.

Top Ten Estate Planning Mistakes, Part 2By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

In August, my article featured five of the top ten mistakes commonly made in the estate planning arena: 1) Not having a valid Will, 2) Not having a valid Power of Attorney, 3) Not having a valid Advance Health Care Directive, 4) Not having a valid Revocable Living Trust, and 5) Not titling your assets properly. Below, I’ll cover the next five, which are no less important. The stakes are

high, and thus the consequences of these mistakes can be extremely detrimental. 6) Making gifts imprudently. Despite good intentions, some donors lose

sight of the most basic consideration. Is making the gift prudent? Might the donor need the asset in the future? Will the donee handle the gift responsibly? If the donee may not handle it responsibly, establishing an irrevocable trust to control the gift can be very helpful.

For “convenience” purposes or to short-cut estate planning, many people add chil-dren to their bank accounts, or worse, to the title of their home (e.g. as “joint tenants”). On the surface, it seems like an attractive option. Usually, it’s a bad idea. In addition to potentially triggering detrimental tax consequences (see # 8 below), extraordinary care should be exercised when gifting a fractional interest (and retaining a fractional interest). A dangerous factor that is constantly overlooked is that, if not structured properly, the donor’s retained interest can be exposed to the donee’s creditors!

7) Failing to have optimal (or any) beneficiary designations. Upon the death of the owner, a “contract-based” asset, like a retirement account (IRAs, 401Ks, etc.) and life insurance policy are distributed to the designated beneficiary(ies); NOT to those entitled to your assets under your Will or Living Trust. Doing any of the following will subject the account/policy to probate unnecessarily: a) fail-ing to designate a beneficiary(ies), b) failing to ensure that the proper beneficiary designation form is on file with the retirement account custodian or life insurance company, or c) designating your “estate” as beneficiary. Also, be sure every ben-eficiary on file reflects your current wishes. Upon my recommendation, a recent new client checked his large IRA, and his ex-wife was designated – and this was certainly not the first time this ever happened! Finally, the type of designated beneficiary (e.g. individual, charity and/or a living trust) determines the critical question of whether and for how many years your beneficiary can “stretch” the inherited retirement account (e.g. an IRA) on a tax deferred basis.

8) Selling or gifting assets without first understanding the tax implications. Many donors don’t consider the sometimes serious tax ramifications of selling or gifting an asset – at least not until it’s too late. Potential income tax, property tax, gift tax and estate tax consequences should always be explored before a gift or sale transaction. The timing of a gift or sale (e.g. whether it occurs before or after the owner’s death) and the manner in which it occurs (e.g. whether it is an installment sale; gift in increments over a number of years; a 1031 tax deferred exchange; etc.) can have a dramatic impact on the resulting tax liability, and thus substantially affect the net financial benefit.

9) Not keeping your estate planning documents up-to-date. People, tax laws, families and personal finances all change. So, estate planning is not a one-time event or a static endeavor. Wise people visit their estate planning attorney periodically, as needed – perhaps every 3-5 years, or sooner upon the occurrence of any significant change in their personal, financial or family situation.

10) Not seeking advice from experienced professionals. “Estate Planning” can be a misnomer. When I talk to individuals and groups about estate planning, a common, sometimes half-joking, response is, “I don’t have much of an estate to plan.” While the economy has wreaked havoc on asset values, and many are financially constrained, everyone has an estate to plan. That’s because an estate is, most importantly, about your loved ones, not just your financial assets. Most successful people consult with trusted advisors - experienced legal, financial, insurance, and tax professionals - who play a meaningful role in protecting and enhancing their lives and that of their loved ones. Why? Because these matters have complexity, and the problem with trying to do it all on your own is that you don’t know what you don’t know…

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Shapiro 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. Please call for a free introductory consultation.

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

Paws to Celebrate From wine to canines, there’s something for everyone at the Livermore

Valley’s Paws to Celebrate fundraiser which will be held on October 1 from 1-4PM at Retzlaff Winery, located at 1356 S. Livermore Avenue in Livermore. The East Bay Miracles local chapter for Canine Companions for Indepen-dence® (CCI) is hosting the second annual event which will be a fun celebra-tion and a casual affair with something for both adults and children.

The guest emcee for the day will be Faith Alpher, comedienne and DJ from KKIQ. There will be a BBQ lunch and wonderful organic wines from our hosting sponsor, Retzlaff Vineyard. In addition to the silent auction, carnival games and raffle, the event will have demonstrations from service dogs teams and trainers, and a special “Ask the Vet” booth with Dr. Block. Live music, will be playing throughout the afternoon. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children under 18. They can be purchased at www.ccieastbay.org.

The goal of the afternoon is to raise $20,000, the cost to sponsor the train-ing of two assistance dog teams. Every service dog raised and trained by CCI is given absolutely free to the applicant. Whether it’s turning on a light switch for a wheelchair user or alerting a person who is hearing impaired to the sound of a fire alarm, a Canine Companion helps make independent living a reality for a person with a disability.

Canine Companions for Independence is the largest assistance organiza-tion in the world. The East Bay Miracles is the regional chapter serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our members include puppy raisers, breeder caretakers, graduate teams, and volunteers. For more information about CCI, visit the National Web Site at www.cci.org.

[email protected]

Demystifying IRA and 401(k) Distributions

By Peter T. Waldron & Robert J. WaldronIn conjunction with Waldron Wealth Advisors, a division of

Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.For most of us, the big worry about retire-

ment planning is building a sufficient nest egg. With the proper planning and the benefit of 401(k) match, many employees are able to build up sizable assets over their careers. It may be that the trickier part of IRA’s and 401(k)’s isn’t putting money into it—but taking money out.

Most employees probably know the basic rules of withdrawing from a traditional IRA or 401(k). They know they can begin taking distributions after age 59½ without any penalty. They know IRA’s are taxed as ordinary income at the state and federal level. A lot can go right when a distribution is handled properly. But plenty can also go wrong when it’s not.

There are a number of moving parts that can create not only confusion but op-portunities for mistakes. Case in point: While you can withdraw as much as you like after age 59½, failure to take the required minimum distribution (RMD) after the year you turn 70½ has huge consequences—a 50% tax penalty on the amount that should have been withdrawn. (The RMD is calculated by dividing the adjusted account balance as of December 31 of the previous year by the appropriate life expectancy factor based on the IRS’ Uniform Lifetime Expectancy Table.)

Let’s look at a retiree who turned 70 in 2009 and 70½ in 2010. They would be required to take a distribution no later than April 1, 2011 based on the account’s value ending December 31, 2009. But this year they also must take a second distribution for the amount as of December 31, 2010. So if you wait until April 1, typically you are required to take two distributions, which could push you into a higher tax bracket, especially if you’re also exercising stock options.

Three common pitfalls that you should avoid through sound distribution planning include the following:

• Get the beneficiary right. Without a designated beneficiary, such as your spouse, kids, other people in your life, a trust or a charity, all money in an IRA or 401(k) must be distributed to the estate. If you haven’t checked your benefi-ciary designations lately, you should check with Human Resources to ensure


they’re in place. In addition, you may wish to discuss the various distribution options available with your intended beneficiaries.

If your beneficiary is a trust, be sure it qualifies under IRS regulations, such as the following: the trust must be valid in the state in which you reside, the beneficiary must be “identifiable” in the language of the trust, and the trust must be irrevocable no later than your death.

• Avoid the penalty for early distributions. Withdrawals taken before age 59½ typically come with a 10% IRS penalty. But there are some noteworthy penalty-free exceptions with only income taxes due, including distributions for higher education expenses (tuition, books, supplies, special needs services) for you, your spouse, child or grandchild, qualified medical expenses, $10,000 toward your first-time home purchase, “Substantially Equal Periodic Payments,” (72t) in which payments based on your life expectancy are spread over 5 years or to age 59½, whichever is longer, and health insurance premiums in the event of you leaving your employer.

• Anticipate tax consequences. Generally, there’s no estate tax due when the death of the first spouse occurs, as long as the other spouse is noted as the benefi-ciary. A younger spouse will often be able to defer taking a distribution, and its resulting income taxes, by rolling over the plan to their own IRA. Additionally, non-spouse beneficiaries, including unmarried domestic partners, can now take RMD’s based on their life expectancy, rather than having to take distributions within five years or as a lump-sum payout. This saves tremendously on tax con-sequences, and it allows the assets the potential to continue to grow.

• Remember NUA. Because employee’s match sometimes is in the form of company stock, employees are able to take advantage of a strategy that allows you to drastically reduce your taxes on this portion of your 401(k). There are a series of steps involved and you only get one shot to accurately complete them, so you should definitely speak with someone who is experienced in these matters.

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

Peter T. Waldron & Robert J. Waldron Jr. are registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer, member SIPC, and offers investment advisory service through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor, Waldron Wealth Advisors, 3000 Executive Parkway, Ste 400, San Ramon, CA 94583. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. . This information should not be construed as legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a tax advisor regarding this information as it relates to your personal circumstance. The content of this material was provided to you by Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for its representatives and their clients. CRN201105-2054273 Advertorial


Sustainable Danville Area – Tip of the Month By Cynthia Ruzzi, President, Sustainable Danville Area

It’s been a ‘cool’ summer. Sounds like the start of a conversation returning school kids might have with their friends, but I’m actually referring to our weather. In a summer when our community has rarely reached the average temperatures of the blistering high 80’s, my one complaint is minimized by the many benefits our weather has offered us these past three months. My impatience with the Italian heirloom tomatoes still green in my garden is offset by lovely weather that welcomes cool morning runs, afternoon hikes, daytime alfresco dining, ball play filling our parks, comfortable evenings for park concerts, and of course, lots of bicycle riding. Yes, it’s been a ‘cool’ summer and best of all – mine was air conditioning free!

Our few occasional hot spells lasted only a few days, and the natural air-conditioning of the Bay Area, better known as fog, enabled us to go the whole summer without turning on the air conditioning in our home. Before you imagine my family sweltering, huddled around a noisy fan, you should know our home is a comfortable 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit both day and night.

Our single story home on the Southeast side of Danville is partially blan-keted on the west by two redwood trees, which we have lovingly named ‘Mark & Julie’ after the neighbors whose property they occupy. Our modest home faces south with sleeping quarters situated on the cooler north side of the property. Open the windows after sunset, and the house captures the foggy breezes coming over the western hills across Cow Creek ensuring cool indoor temperatures for the following day.

I doubt the architect/builders were considering energy conservation when our home was built in 1978, but they certainly got a lot right. And through-out the years, our green remodeling has improved on the original footprint. Besides replacing older windows with vinyl double paned retrofits years

ago, we have installed Low-E glass windows on the west side – which makes it comfortable to cook dinner even on 90 degree days. Northern and eastern exposures offer us natural light and drapery drawn closed across the remaining windows on hot sum-mer days keeps out the sun’s heat and

prevent fading of furniture and carpets. The open plan is tiled throughout most of our home

which is a welcome feature for temperature control and improved air quality. We quickly clean the floors using a steam cleaner (sanitizing with hot water without using chemical cleaners) verses accumulating allergens in between periodic carpet cleanings.

Want to know what change has made the biggest impact to temperature control in our home? A few years ago, we upgraded our attic installation and added an energy efficient roof fan! Besides installation settling since original construction – the materials and recommendations have changed in the last 30 years. We believe this low cost improvement is why our home is cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.

• Are your energy bills high? • Does your house get hotter or chillier than you'd like? • Are you concerned about wasting energy? • Are you interested in learning how to LOWER YOUR ENERGY

USE AND SAVE DOLLARS FOR YOUR HOME? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then we invite you to join us

on Monday, September 19th from 6:30-8pm at the Danville Town Hall, located at 400 Front Street in Danville. Sustainable Danville Area and the Town of Danville are co-hosting an energy-savings forum in conjunction with a new state program called Energy Upgrade California (https://energyupgradeca.org/overview).

The evening’s topics will include tips on making your home more energy efficient and information on how to reduce your bills with rebates and cost savings. A local homeowner who has upgraded their home using the Energy Upgrade California program will describe their experience. To qualify for the program, homeowners must first provide a professional energy upgrade per-formance assessment that details the conditions of their house. If the results of the assessment show that an upgrade will make a home 15 to 40 percent more energy efficient, homeowners can qualify for rebates ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 to have a contractor do the retrofit. Participants attending the forum will receive a breakdown of the rebate options available and how to apply. After the presentation, contractors will be on hand to answer specific questions residents may have about improving energy efficiency in their homes.

For more information, please visit www.sustainabledanville.com or tele-phone Anne Cavazos at 925-830-9262.


Topping Trees?By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

At Brende & Lamb we get the occasional request to remove some or all of a tree’s crown, a process called topping. There are many reasons why people ask to have a tree topped: increased light, better view, safer tree, reduced leaf litter. Though it seems

counter-intuitive, topping almost always produces the opposite of the desired effect. Topping can decrease available light, mar the view, make a safe tree unsafe, and even increase leaf litter. Take, for example, topping to decrease the shadow cast by a tree. This may work in the very short term, but topping stimulates rapid growth, causing the tree’s crown to thicken, thereby cutting out light after just a few growing seasons. Over time, you get more light for your pruning dollar if instead of topping you give the crown a judicious thinning. When done correctly, thinning doesn’t over stimulate the tree, and it enhances the tree’s aesthetics instead of seriously, sometimes irredeem-ably, damaging it.

Another common misperception is that topping will make the tree safer; it almost always does just the opposite. Most topped trees decay at the point at which they were topped. Topping also stimulates production of long lanky shoots. Given that these shoots grow out of decaying wood, topping often turns a safe tree into a hazard that increases over time. Some of the more dangerous trees we’ve seen were topped years ago with no follow-up prun-ing. If you have a previously topped tree growing close to your home, it is a good idea to have a competent arborist give it a safety evaluation. Previ-ously topped trees can be made safer by pruning to reduce wind-sail and by reducing weight on leggy branches.

People sometimes top trees to reduce leaf litter, but most trees respond to topping by putting out a profusion of leaves to help repair the damage. In short order, the owner of a topped maple will spend more time with rake in hand than before the topping.

Topping to increase view is often done without realizing that the new view will include an ugly tree. If the tree in the view is a Bay, or a Eucalyptus, or any number of other fast-growing species, the topping will fail to provide view for long because the topped tree will soon produce sprouts that shoot up into the view. Well-planned pruning can often capture view, and it is often possible to enhance the beauty of the tree in the process. A beautiful view framed by a beautiful tree is far lovelier than a view over the top of an ugly and scarred tree.

Another frequent request for topping comes from people about to sell their homes who think that topping their trees will increase the sale price. Real estate professionals know that beautiful trees can raise property values by as much as 20%, whereas a topped tree can be a liability . . . something the bidder on your house might ask you to deduct from the sales price so that they can have the tree removed.

For further information about the perils of tree topping, go to the website of the International Society of Arboriculture and read the article at www.treesaregood.org/treecare/topping.aspx. If you are thinking about topping, please reconsider. It is possible to enhance view, increase light, and make trees safer without topping. Doing so does, however, require competent pruning by tree professionals.

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

[email protected]

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: When it comes to planning an outdoor environment, my motto is: “every square inch has a purpose.”

Gardening Quote of the Month: “I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.” - Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

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

Life in the Alamo GardenGarden RoomsBy John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

Imagine your garden to be like your home; having different functions and places for varied activities, per-haps laid out in a similar fashion as the floor plan of your home. Rooms for activities, food preparation and dining, relaxation and contemplation, and work spaces can all be part of the intended vision of a garden design.

Particularly in Alamo, we are very blessed to live in such a favorable environ-ment which supports the idea of living inside/out. Current trends over the last decade have been moving towards using the outdoor environment as an exten-sion of the indoor living space. It is very interesting to see some of my renovation projects with homes built in the1940 – 1950’s the way the land was used. For instance, take my home, built in 1948 on half an acre. The landscape entailed a small concrete patio (square), a small patch of turf, a few fruit trees, and the rest was left to go to seed. I find a lot of homes of this era like that. Today, I develop those unused areas into usable outdoor space, or garden rooms.

A home has a heart; so does a garden. Generally the kitchen and family room are the center of activity in a home. Well it is the same for a garden. Most folks in Alamo enjoy the outdoors all-year-round making food preparation and dining outdoors desirable. I design a wide range of outdoor kitchens equipped with ev-erything from 48” stainless steel grills, refrigerators, sinks, dish washers, lobster pots, woks, pizza ovens, keg-a-rators, and wine closets. Pretty much anything in the indoor kitchen can be recreated outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are great for either large parties or dinners for two. The patio space shaded by a pergola or arbor becomes the central room of the garden supporting activities such as eating and dining, conversations with friends and family, entertaining, playing games, or simply sitting quietly reading a book. At night, the fireplace, firepit, or heating umbrellas can take away the night chill for late-night entertaining.

For more rambunctious activities like swimming, soccer, croquet, hide-n-seek and tag, swimming pools and spas, large turf areas, and sport courts become the activity room or even the sports arena. For the avid golfer imagine your own putting green! On the other hand, if the bedroom and sleep is your thing for a nice relaxing Saturday afternoon, carve out a nice quiet corner of the garden for a hammock, chaise lounge, or an outright bed in a small garden cottage. I have designed several versions of an outdoor bedroom for clients; one was a “Sky-Bed” which was a platform you could pull yourself up into the tree canopy with using a pulley system, and then tie it off and take a nap in the tree tops. Another was a small garden cottage (10’ X 12’) that was for Mom and her two young daughters to have sleepovers in. I designed a fold-away Murphy/bunk bed so the cottage could double as play space for the girls during the day.

Lately, I find a fair amount of my clients working from home which gives the garden a completely different potential for use. With wireless capabilities for almost everything, imagine taking care of business poolside in your swim trunks while on a conference call with associates scattered halfway around the globe or sitting with your laptop hammering out the year-end financials while sitting next to a koi pond under the shade of a tree.

There are no limits to the ways you can use your garden. Garden rooms need not be overdone or complicated. Creating “garden rooms” is one approach to ef-fectively design the “floor-plan” of your outdoor environment.


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K Akabane holds a camelia in training

Bonsai continued from front pageUnited States, including our local Diablo Bonsai Club, eagerly share information about creating, caring for and exhibiting bonsai.

Patience is the essential virtue practitioners of the art of bonsai require. Although the Japanese term bonsai loosely translates as “to plant in a basin,” putting a tree in a pot is just the beginning. Kunitoshi Akabane founded the Diablo Bonsai Club in 1981 to teach others the art that he first observed as a boy helping his grandfather tend trees in Japan. Known to his friends as K, Akabane insists that anyone willing to take the time to properly follow the basic steps he teaches can successfully grow bonsai. For some, he admits, expressing the essence of a tree comes easily, for others it is a difficult process. But he believes any novice enthusiast willing to take the necessary time to move sequentially through the process of nurturing and training can produce a pleasing specimen.

The first step, K explains, is to keep your tree alive. Sustaining a life is a responsibility. Pruning and shaping the tree come after you have lived with a tree for the first year. Once you have watered daily, fed, repotted and studied the nature of your tree, you are ready to envision how the tree would age in the landscape. Observing the way full-size trees develop in a natural setting enhances your ability to plan for the style that will best suit the tree you have chosen. Making the first cut is a terrifying experience for

many beginners. “It’s ok. Why don’t you make a mistake,” K urges. Making a mistake is the best way to learn a lesson you will never forget.

Club Secretary Steve Huskins refers to the daily care de-manded by his bonsai as “limitless entertainment.” His favorite aspect is watching a tree develop and “seeing it grow into the tree you’ve planned for should that ever happen.” Lois Naye agrees. “Bonsai is a continuing art. Nothing is ever finished.” Although she has enjoyed many other hobbies including refin-ishing furniture and restoring antique clocks, Lois says, “Bonsai is the most interesting of the things I’ve done.”

Byron Nobriga, Club President, explains, “You have to keep at trees. They don’t grow the way you want them to.” At a recent Diablo Bonsai Club workshop at Tassajara Nursery, Nobriga sought K’s advice on a pine he has been working with for 10 years. He’s wired it and supported it with a stainless steel stake and is ready to take the next step in shaping the tree. “I think I’ve been patient long enough, but K will probably just tell me to let it grow.” Stressing trees to get them to contort or even straighten as they may have in response to wind, drought or abundant sunshine may involve the use of clamps, supports, tie-downs, or fishing weights in addition to wiring.

Sensei Akabane prefers to use trees he has grown from seed because they grow quickly, and he can control all the important elements of the trees development: roots, base, branches, and apex. He is also expert at taking a tree in a nursery pot and pruning it down so it can be trained into a bonsai. A specimen ready for exhibition will have the proper spatial relationship between trunk and overall size and will have the shape of a scalene triangle sketched by the first two branches and the apex. But in order to get the trunk to grow to sufficient size, branches extraneous to the ideal may be kept temporarily. Byron explains that it takes about 6 months to prepare a mature bonsai for exhibition. The size, shape, and condition of the pot are also important.

Bonsai nurseries grow trees in ground and dig them for the buyer. They will ask if you want to trim or “hack” the tree yourself or have them cut it. Taking 3 feet off the top of the tree provides a specimen with a full trunk. A lower branch can be pulled up and wired in place to form a new apex. Cut paste seals the wound and permits the “hack” to heal. Over time it will disappear.

K listens carefully as students explain their problems with each tree they have brought for his advice. Marcia Cozens learns that her maple needs more water, her ivy needs branches removed, and her willow is ready to be tied down to grow into a weeping style. Byron has been caring for an ancient Utah juniper a fellow club member asked him to save after it was left soaking too long while she was on vacation. K suggests applying a solution of root hormone and waiting to see whether the most stressed branches push new growth.

See Bonsai continued on page 23


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Alamo Improvement Association NewsBy Bill Nelson, Chair, AIA Public Safety Committee

Alamo has become belatedly connected to ongoing Emergency Preparedness activities in the San Ramon Valley. The Town of Danville, City of San Ramon, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, and the San Ramon Valley Fire

Protection District have been working together for several years in a joint effort to promote Emergency Preparedness, but they had no organization representing the Alamo area to include in their planning activities. Their representatives have welcomed AIA’s expression of interest in the subject of Public Safety and have promised to include us in future activities. Ad-ditionally, the Sheriff’s Office, through Valley Station Commander, Lt. Jim Grottkau, has agreed to work with us in promoting local security enhance-ment on a personal, local, and neighborhood basis.

September will be a banner month for local Emergency Preparedness. Saturday, September 10th is the date of the annual Alamo Music Festival, and it is also the date of the San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair. The SRV Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held from 9am to 2pm at the LDS church parking lot located at 655 Old Orchard Road in Danville. Bring the whole family and enjoy a free barbeque lunch while taking advantage of child fingerprinting, CPR & AED instruction, child car seat inspections, pet microchipping, interactive booths and demos, military, fire and police vehicle tours, and much more. This will be a great way to start the day before returning to the “community party” at the Alamo Music Festival.

One of the Emergency Preparedness areas that AIA strongly supports is that of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. During an incident, emergency service personnel may

not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.

CERT training is provided at no cost by the SRV Fire Protection District. The next training class begins September 8th and will include six sessions totaling about 20 hours of instruction. If you are interested, details and an enrollment form can be found at www.firedepartment.org/community_outreach/cert/.

Over 100 Alamo residents have received CERT training, and it would be highly desirable to increase that number substantially, considering our large geographic area and a population over 14,000. In an actual emergency, un-der the direction of local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information, and organizing other volunteers at a disaster site. The limited number of law enforcement and fire first responders in our area at any given time makes it especially important that CERT team members be available to help out in the event of a major disaster. If you can find the time, by all means take this training. If you can’t make the September 8th date, check the SRV Fire Protection District calendar for other upcoming classes.

We are interested in attracting Alamo residents with experience in law enforcement, emergency preparedness, emergency management, or other allied “First Responder” categories to serve on the AIA Public Safety Com-mittee. If you have appropriate experience and are interested, please contact Bill Nelson at [email protected].

We are also interested in enhancing our communication with existing neighborhood groups—both for routine information sharing and, ultimately, for emergency situations. Representatives from all local neighborhood groups are encouraged to forward an email address to Bill Nelson at the above list-ing. These addresses will be treated as confidential.

The AIA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Ed Moran has been elected to the position of Vice President for the coming year. Ed has been an Alamo resident and AIA member for more than 20 years, and he continues to serve as an active member of AIA’s Planning Committee.

For more information about the AIA, visit www.alamoca.org.

New members are welcome. No experience is necessary. Steve Davis joined Diablo Bonsai Club last year after win-ning a tree during a demonstration at Golden Gate Park. He’d first seen bonsai many years before when he’d stumbled into the enormous exhibition at San Francisco’s annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, an event Akabane chaired for many years. When he won his first tree, Davis joined the club to learn how to keep it alive. His juniper was wired for the demonstration. After eight months he removed the wire, and he has repotted the tree once.

Monthly meetings of Diablo Bonsai Club are held the second Tuesday of each month in the upper level Rotary Room at the Garden Center at Heather Farm. At 7:30pm the meetings begin with a half hour talk by Sensei Akabane on a topic of interest. Workshop time finds members cri-tiquing one another’s trees. Jim Stalker, Treasurer, hopes that the club will find an affordable venue with lots of foot traffic to mount a show again this year with demonstra-tions to acquaint non-members with the art.

K came to the US in 1959 to work in the import/export trade. He realized as he worked temporarily for a land-scaper that “plants respond.” Studying with a Japanese bonsai master in Oakland, K was amazed by how much knowledge he had absorbed helping his grandfather. Now he is happy to share his expertise with anyone patient enough to take time to talk with trees. Between meetings you can find him at Tassajara Nursery, which he and his wife founded in 1979. K does prune and repot large bonsai for customers lacking the time or skill to tackle a job that may take an entire day.

For more information about Diablo Bonsai Club, con-tact Byron Nobriga: [email protected].

Bonsai continued from page 22 Backyard BountyIs your garden producing more than you can eat? Alamo Today invites you to participate in our Back-

yard Bounty program which picks, collects, and donates excess produce to those in need. We wish to provide produce at its’ optimum ripeness so nothing goes to waste. A call a week before your produce will be ripe will help us provide the fruits and vegetables at their prime. To coordinate picking or pick-up of food for donation to local food banks, contact Greg or Lise Danner at 925-552-7103 or email [email protected].

[email protected]

I Wanna Soak Up the Sun... By Brandi Geiger MS, CMTWell, now I can soak up the sun all year round with our new Sunlighten Infrared Sauna (as seen on Dr. Oz). It has been such a cool

summer, I can't wait to stay warm and rejuvenated all year round with beneficial radiant heat like the sun but with out the harmful sunburn and skin cancer causing UV rays. The famous Danish writer Isak Dinesen might have been onto something when she said, “The cure for anything is saltwater, sweat, tears, or the sea.” Sweating is the body's safe and natural way to regulate temperature and provides an impor-tant pathway for detoxification. With the average person having 2.6 million sweat glands distributed over the majority of the body, the skin is the largest organ for elimination. With ever increasing exposure to chemicals in our food, water, air, and indoor environment, breaking a regular sweat is more important than ever. Infrared sauna therapy offers another way to sweat - a deep, healing, and detoxifying sweat - deeper and more thorough than the sweat of a traditional steam or heat sauna.

In a Sunlighten sauna, the average person sweats out 20% toxins and 80% water, whereas in a conventional sauna, the average person only sweats out 3% toxins and 97% water. Sunlighten has the latest technology in near, mid, and far infrared which extends the health benefits be-

yond detoxification. Infrared sauna therapy promotes relaxation, weight loss, wound healing and cellular health, reduces blood pressure, improves circulation, purifies the skin, and helps relieve discomfort from fibromyalgia, muscle, and joint pain.

What more could you ask for? Did you know you can burn 300-600 calories in a 20-30 minute session? Should I run for 20 minutes or relax in an infrared sauna for 20 minutes? I know what I'm going to pick! OK, I will have to do both so that I keep my heart and lungs healthy as well. However, the infrared sauna raises your core temperature three degrees which increases your metabolism and helps you burn more calories. If you are doing one of the many detox or weight loss programs in the area, this would be a great compliment to that.

We also added the “So Sound and Light Therapy” for your relaxation. Could you ask for anything better? Maybe one for your own house? I could hook you up with that as well! However, that would take a lot of money and space plus, you can’t get away from the noise (ie; phones, kids, animals, spouses etc.) and lose yourself in a relaxed environment without any inter-ruptions. The “So Sound and Light Therapy” will take you to a deeper level of relaxation for a more fit mind and body. You can also grab three of your closest friends and have an infrared party. It fits four close friends...friends that sweat together, stay together!

We are so excited to have our sauna delivered on Wednesday, September 7th that we are offering a special of 10 sessions for $250 to the first 25 people. That’s a saving of $100. Now you can afford to get a massage or a facial with your savings! Stick with me, I will take good care of you! For more information about our services, visit www.fitmindnbody.com or my busi-ness partner Jennifer Cross who does skin care at www.skinsavvydanville.com. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter at Fit Mind n Body. I'm excited to bring you an abundance of health and wellness solutions including massage, personal training (Fit Mind n Body Personal Training Studio is coming soon), nutrition services, and Trigger Point Performance education. My business partner provides skin care services including facials, DermaSweep, chemical peels, and waxing. My office is located at 55 Oak Ct. #130 in Danville. You can email me at [email protected] or contact me at (925)984-9259 for appointments or more information.

Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well Advertorial


SRV Emergency Preparedness FairCome to the 6th annual San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair

and see agencies showcasing their response resources and programs for preparedness on Saturday, September 10th from 9am to 2pm at the LDS Church located at 655 Old Orchard Road in Danville. Attendees will enjoy viewing a Jaws of Life demonstration, a tour of a Red Cross Shelter, the Second Military Medical Brigade from Camp Parks, a pre-sentation by the San Ramon Police canine team, and a display from the United States Army’s critical response unit.

Come enjoy a free BBQ lunch, learn about CPR and AEDs, interact with vendors and agencies specializing in preparedness, tour a fire truck and police car, and even learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

The first 500 families who complete our preparedness bingo game will receive a FREE emergency supply gift, so gather up the whole family and head down to the San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair.

For more information, call (925) 838-6626 or visit www.firedepartment.org.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com This type of fat transfer can effectively be used to fill the lines and depres-

sions in the face and add fullness. More youthful lips and brows, stronger cheeks, natural eyelids, improved jaw lines, and facial contours can all be attained with fat transfer. With respect to breast procedures, fat transfer can be an effective technique for breast augmentation, breast contouring and even breast reconstruction.

In my practice, fat transfer is often incorporated with procedures such as facelift (rhytidectomy), breast lift (mastopexy) or reconstruction, and liposuc-tion. In most cases, these procedures are done under a light sleep anesthetic combined with local anesthetic injected at the donor site. Mild liposuction is used to remove the fat which is then processed to obtain the highest quality and number of fat cells and adipose derived stem cells. It is then injected into the desired areas in tiny droplets using a syringe.

The final result of fat transfer becomes visible by the end of the first month and improves over the first twelve months.

Plastic Surgeons spend years in training and continuing education learn-ing the most effective techniques to ensure a smooth, natural, and lasting effect. The use of advanced techniques increases the survival rate of the fat transferred. The fat that survives the transfer can last a lifetime, compared to manufactured fillers lasting four to twelve months. It is an investment worth considering… just like gold.

The risks of complications with fat transfer are not high, but, as with any proce-dure , I will review the associated risks with it prior to your fat grafting. It would be my pleasure to discuss how fat transfer may help you meet your goals as well as any other questions you have regarding plastic and reconstructive surgery.

OPEN HOUSE! Please come and meet me and my staff at our Thursday, September 22, 2011 Open House from 5-8 pm! We will have lots of door prizes, light appetizers and beverages. Our product specialists will be on hand to answer questions as well. Please call to let us know you are coming. I look forward to meeting you!

Barbara Persons MD owns Persons Plastic Sur-gery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd. in Lafayette. Please call 925-283-8811 or email [email protected]. Advertorial


September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness MonthBy Gigi Chen, MD

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the United States. About 21,000 women are diagnosed each year of ovarian cancer in the US. About one in 70 women develop ovar-ian cancer, and the mean age of diagnosis is 59. Increasing age is one of the strongest risk factor in ovarian cancer. Risk increases from age 20 to 80

then declines. Family history is the next strongest risk factor. Woman who have first degree relative as well as those who carry BRCA mutation are at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. Other risk factors include diet high in animal fat, early menarch, and late menopause. Oral contraception is associated with decreased risk for ovarian cancer.

The screening of ovarian cancer is only recommended for high risk women such as those with strong family history of ovarian cancer and for women with BRCA mutation or HNPCC genetic mutation. Women do need to real-ize that false positive results in screening may lead to significant emotional distress and more invasive procedures.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal discomfort, bloating, and abdominal distension. Treatment strategy includes surgery to remove as much tumor as possible, followed by chemotherapy according to the surgical stage and amount of residual disease. For some patients, it may be feasible to receive chemotherapy first before surgery depending on the clinical presentation.

A number of new drugs are being studied for treatment of ovarian cancer. One that has received most attention is Avastin which inhibits new blood ves-sel formation in tumors. A large trial conducted by gynecological oncology society compared chemotherapy alone to chemotherapy in combination with avastin and found that combination therapy followed by avastin maintenance

slowed tumor growth significantly. More studies are underway to confirm the benefit of avastin in upfront ovarian cancer treatment after surgery.

A number of studies are looking at YOGA and exercise in reducing fa-tigue, sleep disturbance from cancer treatments. Studies show that YOGA can favorably alter circadian rhythm and improves anxiety and mood. Ex-ercise also improves concentration, nausea, sleep, and memory in patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Gigi Chen, MD is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. She sees patients in Pleasant Hill and in Walnut Creek. For more information call 925-677-5041 or go to www.DiabloValleyOn-cology.md where you will find Northern California’s most comprehensive online cancer library. Advertorial

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Your Precious, Natural Resource: FatBy Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Gold is a precious metal extracted from the earth… a natural resource. Pure.

In recent months, volatility in the world’s financial markets has led people to return to the quality and stability of natural resources like gold. Gold provides investors with a feeling of safety and security.

A strong parallel to the above can be drawn with the insecurity that many of us feel about our bodies when we age, go through the process of child birth, or suffer a physical trauma or injury. We feel a need to be confident again about our appearance, to return our bodies to our own gold standard.

Most patients with whom I consult have heard about engineered solutions such as Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, and Radiesse to reduce facial lines and wrinkles. What most people do not realize is that each of us already possess our own safe solution to the problem…fat.

A National Geographic News Online Edition article dated September 8, 2009 by John Roach provides poignant insight into how human fat is now being used in many new medical applications. The article mentions, unlike gold, “human fat is an abundant natural resource and a renewable one. The opportunity wouldn't be limited to the obese. Even if you're in great shape, there is still enough fat to be harvested from the vast majority of patients.”

Plastic surgeons are increasingly recognizing that the aging process is not only a result of sag and loss of elasticity but also a result of loss of youthful fullness due to fat loss under the skin. A relatively new technique of transplanting one’s own fat cells from one area of the body to another is now available. This procedure is extremely safe, as only the patient's own fat cells are used. There is no chance of rejection or allergic reaction. The process brings fat stem cells as well as mature fat cells to the area causing regeneration to occur. Glabellar creases, cheek folds, creases under the eyes, facial depressions, and hollow facial features can all be improved and, at times, eliminated.



Removal of Skin Tags and Seborrheic KeratosesTime to clean things up! By Dr. Kelly Hood

Many different growths occur normally on the skin. Most are simply benign. Some are annoying. Some are dangerous. Skin growths should be exam-ined and treated by a Board Certified Dermatolo-gist, a skin care specialist and expert. To ensure the correct diagnosis, an examination is necessary. A

dermatologist is a medical doctor who has undergone extensive additional training in the study of skin, hair, and nails.

This month we are featuring skin tags, or fibromas and sebor-rheic keratoses, in our article. Typically these lesions are fleshy skin growths that are tan or brown. They tend to occur in warm, moist areas where clothing usually rubs such as around the neck, under-arms, breasts and groin areas. Occasionally they are found around the eyes. They are often numerous and catch on clothing or jewelry. These can be

successfully removed easily and safely using a variety of techniques in our office.

Seborrheic keratoses occur with age. They are benign and waxy or warty looking. They can be brown, yellow, or black. They occur on the face, scalp, trunk, and extremities. They are

Dr. Kelly Hood, Lafayette Dr. Shanny Baughman, Alamo

easily, and safely, removed in our clinics. A number of techniques are employed depending on the size, location, and thickness.

The entire month of September we will of-fer a 25% discount for removal of skin tags and seborrheic keratoses. Treatment can accompany an examination of growths on the skin. For as-sessment and removal of any skin lesions, trust the skin specialists-dermatologists. Dr. Hood and

Dr. Baughman are happy to assess any skin lesion and provide education and treatment options. We can provide a variety of treatment options that will work within a budget.

To schedule a consultation with one of us, contact Dr. Kelly Hood, 970 Dewing, Suite 301, Lafayette, 925-283-5500, [email protected] or Dr. Shanny Baughman at Alamo Oaks Derma-tology, 3189 Danville Blvd, suite 130, Alamo, 925-362-0992, [email protected] Advertorial

An American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey reveals that 92% of adult respondents say an attractive

smile is an important social asset.

74% believe an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for a successful career.

More than any other facial feature, a smile can reflect trust, comfort, confidence and the shortest path to

reflecting your personality.

Dr Rader is a graduate of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI), a renowned center for cosmetic,TMJ, and Neuromuscular

dentistry. He is one of a few dentists nationwide to complete Full Mouth Reconstruction curriculum at LVI.

Actual patient, smile design by Alex Rader, DDS

925.932.1855Alex Rader DDS General, Cosmetic, and Neuromuscular Dentistry 1855 San Miguel Dr, Suite 12 • Walnut Creek, CAwww.alexraderdds.com

Stroke Support GroupThe Stroke Support Group Of Contra Costa County will hold its

monthly meeting in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center- Walnut Creek Campus, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek on Monday, September 12th from 7-9pm. The speaker will be Harvey Brosler, a member and caregiver, on a topic entitled “Being Partially Paralyzed- An Analogy For Stroke Survivors.” After his talk, attendees will break up into three coping groups: stroke survivors without aphasia, stroke survivors with aphasia, and caregivers and families of stroke survivors, each group led by a trained professional. For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.


WALNUT CREEKSAN RAMONCONCORDROSSMOOR DANVILLE [ Opening this Fall ]

contracostaoncology.com 925.939.9610

With Themmy story

Continues.

CONTRA COSTA ONCOLOGY

AT CONTRA COSTA ONCOLOGY, we are committed to providing the highest quality care. Specializing in comprehensive cutting-edge treatment programs for all forms of cancer and blood disorders, our nationally recognized oncology experts and specialized oncology nurses are dedicated to providing the best possible care experience. We understand the wide array of concerns and challenges faced by you and your family, so we ensure the most sophisticated levels of medical oncology and hematology care, while providing you with the utmost support, compassion, and respect.

Is Food a Problem for You? Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and

mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. Meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The fellowship is free. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette. See the website for additional meetings and more information at www.how-oa.org.

Moms In TouchMoms In Touch is an interdenominational, nonprofit organization where two or more moms

gather together to pray for children and schools. Moms will experience how to replace anxiety and fear with peace and joy by praying specifically and scripturally for children and schools.

For more information, contact Karen Pearce at [email protected] or 949-350-2360, or visit the MITI website at www.MomsInTouch.org.

Cancer Support CommunityThe following events are held at the Cancer Support

Community located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Workshops are free of charge, but reservations are required. For information, call (925) 933-0107.

Kids Circle & Teen Talk -- When Mom or Dad has Cancer - This is a program for families with school-age children when a parent has cancer. Each work-shop has an activity-based group for children where they identify feelings and learn coping skills; there is a support group for teens and a group for parents. The workshop ends with lunch and a family activity to enhance communication. Saturday, September 10th from 10AM – 1PM.

Cancer Transitions - This six week series focuses on many of the psychosocial and prac-tical issues faced once cancer treatment is over. Learn how to enhance your lifestyle habits to assist in preventing recurrence. Enjoy a light dinner, customized exercise, group support, and presentations on survivorship issues. For those two weeks to two years out of treatment. Meets Mondays, September 12th through Oc-tober 17th from 6PM – 8:30PM.

Herbs and Cancer Support – Many peo-ple face the challenge of receiving aggressive treatments for cancer which can often severely compromise the immune system. This work-shop will focus on herbs, foods, and supple-ments that can be used by cancer patients with excellent results to safely build and support the immune system during and after cancer treat-ment. Facilitated by J Blythe Adam, a Western Clinical Herbalist in private practice. Tuesday, September 20th from 6PM – 8PM.

Update on Ovarian Cancer Treatment – Learn about the latest treatment options for wom-en dealing with ovarian cancer. Novel therapies and promising clinical trials will be discussed. With Dimitry Lerner, MD, a gynecologic oncolo-gist with John Muir Health. Tuesday, September 27th from 6PM – 8PM. For ovarian cancer patients, their families, and friends.

Hearing Loss Association Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley

Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations accepted. Assistive listening system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact: [email protected] or 925.264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.

Alamo Holistic Healing CenterHealthcare You Deserve

3200-A Danville Blvd, Suite 100Alamo, CA 94507

Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Massage, Craniosacral Therapy

www.AlamoHeal ing .com

San Ramon Valley Genealogical SocietyThe San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10AM the third Tuesday of every month, ex-

cept 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.


Free Baseball Symposium San Ramon Regional Medical Center’s Sports Performance Institute (SPI) offers a free Baseball Symposium, Strategies for Healthy Performance, de-

signed for student athletes, parents, coaches, and trainers on Saturday, September 17th from 8:30AM to noon. There will be no charge. Sports medicine physicians will speak on exercises designed to reduce injuries and development performance, updates on throwing and pitching mechan-

ics, and risk factors for injuries in young baseball players. Trainers from the Sports Performance Institute will demonstrate conditioning techniques.Space is limited and advance registration is requested. To register, call (800) 284.2878 or register online at “Find an Event” at www.OurSanRamonHospital.com.

The 21st Century Woman – Part IIHerbal Medicines for PMS and Menopause By Dr. Michael Ruscio

Many women have heard about anti-depressants or birth control for their PMS and menopausal symptoms, but what about natural herbal alternatives? Let’s take a moment to discuss what herbal medicines have to offer the 21st century woman so that you are aware of all your options.

In my last article we laid a good foundation, dis-cussing the most common causes of female hormone imbalances. If you didn’t read the article, the main premise was PMS and menopausal symptoms are usually caused by hormonal imbalances. Building on this foundation, let’s continue with natural treatments.

We first need to break down female hormone imbalances as causing two dif-ferent categories of symptoms; neurological and physical. Of course the mental and physical symptoms are linked and do influence one another, but to help understand natural treatments, it helps to discuss them separately.

Neurological symptoms typically result from an imbalance in brain hormones, technically known as neurotransmitters. There are three hormones that are of importance. They are serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Serotonin makes you feel happy and helps you sleep. Dopamine helps you focus, be energized/motivated, learn, and not feel overwhelmed. GABA helps you relax. Most anti-depressant

and anti-anxiety medications work to increase sero-tonin, dopamine, and GABA.

Natural medicines and conventional pharmaceu-tical drugs can both increase serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. However, natural medicines may provide a safer alternative as the side effects are usually mild to none. Please don’t take my word for

it though; we will discuss what current science is showing in a moment. Before we do, let’s address the physical symptoms associated with PMS and

menopause. Most physical symptoms are caused by fluctuations or imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone share a yin-yang relationship, meaning they have to be in the proper balance relative to one another for a woman to feel well. The beauty of herbal medicines is that they can restore your hormones to the appropriate level whether they are high or low. This is referred to as a process called adaptogenicity. Let’s take a brief look at what modern science is showing.

For all of the following scientific research studies I will provide an ID number. If you would like to see this study yourself, simply go to www.pubmed.com and type the ID number in the search box.

A very well performed study (17461529) found that combining the herbs Black Cohosh and St. John’s Wort provided signifi-cant relief for menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes. Shortly after this study, another study was published (15863547) showing that in the 304 women studied, Black Cohosh was again an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Another very effective herb is Chaste Tree (aka VitexAgnus). A study published in 2010 (20334585) showed that Chaste Tree was effective for treating PMS symptoms. In fact, all measured PMS symptoms (mood, water retention, food cravings, and pain) were significantly reduced within three months of treatment. Another study of 170 women (11159568) showed a similar positive effect on PMS with Chaste Tree.

If you’re asking yourself, “Aren’t drugs more powerful?”, you might find this interesting. A study comparing an anti-depressant medication to Chaste Tree showed nearly identical improvements in PMS symptoms (12672170). Let’s not forget about intimacy. A review of 26 published studies showed DHEA provided mood and libido improvements for women with adrenal fatigue (17208951).

Herbal medicines have much to offer the 21st century woman. One word of caution though, please be careful not to self-diagnose and treat. A skilled clinician can ensure proper use of herbal medicines, especially when it comes to navigating issues of quality control and dose.

If PMS or menopausal symptoms are bothering you, there is help. Invest the time and energy to feel better. Your family, friends, loved ones, and especially You deserve to have the healthiest, happiest version of you.

For more information, visit my YouTube page, www.youtube.com/michaelruscio, view my recent newsletter, http://conta.cc/oxAiNR, or email [email protected].

Dr. Michael Ruscio is the director of Functional Medicine at Johnson Chiropractic Group, 115 Town & Country Dr., Suite E in Danville, 925.743.8210. Advertorial

PREVENTION OF FALLSIS VITAL TO A SENIOR’S WELL BEING

1545 Pleasant Hill Road • Lafayette, CA 94549

(925) 932-9910www.stratfordseniorliving.com

Lic.# 075601323

At the Stratford at Countrywood we have

a comprehensive Fall Prevention Program

including balance and exercise classes,

fall prevention education classes, and fall

risk assessments for all our residents.

As a valued new resident you will receive a

complimentary home evaluation by to

help determine your needs, including free installation

of safety devises and retrofitting to make your new

living environment comfortable and optimized to

minimize your risk for falls*

The Stratford at Countrywood is a proud supporter of The Fall Prevention Program of Contra Costa County, a partnership with Contra Costa County area

Agency on Aging, helping to reduce preventable falls.

Join us for the Second Annual Walk for Fall Prevention500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill

September 24, 2011 – [email protected]

JOIN THE STRATFORD TEAM BY CALLING (925) 932-9910

*Offer good though Oct. 31st, limited & subject to change.

Calling all Instructors!The Town of Danville Seniors Services division is looking for qualified instructors to offer classes for adults 55 years and over at the newly renovated Veter-

ans Memorial Building which is set to open early 2012. If you have the knowledge and skills to teach nutrition, health and fitness, language, craft, and/or hobby classes to adults over 55, you are encouraged to submit a proposal. Classes will be offered at various times including early evenings and weekends.

For more information on how to become a Town of Danville instructor, please contact Jenn Overmoe, Program Coordinator for Senior Services by email at [email protected] or by phone at (925) 314-3491.



Stephanie Ross - Certified Pet Dog Trainerwww.pawsitive-reinforcement.com

925.383.9292

The Eye OpenerBy Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo OptometryHow Do I Take Care of My Glasses?

This question is one I get all of the time. Since a nice pair of glasses is an investment, it is prudent to know and understand how to best take care of your new purchase. Most of what is to follow is common sense, but some of these simple things can make a difference in the life and condition of your glasses.

The first thing to extend your frame life is to ei-ther have your glasses on your face or in your case.

Most breakage and frame misalignment comes from glasses that are in bags without their case, left on the couch and sat on, etc. For the most part they are protected well when they are being worn and/or in your case. The other thing that most people do is stretch their glasses and/or sunglasses by putting them on top of their head. Since the upper part of your head is wider than the front, that stretching of the frames will eventually lead to a widening of the temples, stress on the hinges, and a loose fit on the face. This can obviously be fixed at our office, but if possible, it is best to put your glasses in your case when they are not in use. Lastly, it is highly recommended that you do not leave your glasses in the car for long periods of time. It is common for people to leave their sunglasses in their car when they go to work. The intense heat that can build up in the car over several hours can warp the frames (especially plastic), cause damage to the lenses, and cause the lenses to pop out because they no longer fit into the frame. If you are going to leave your car in the sun for a long time, take your glasses in with you to your office or home.

Now that you have taken care of the frame, it is time for the lenses. The first thing is to not clean the lenses dry. There are always small particles of dust or

dirt that are on the lenses, and when these are not rinsed off, they are rubbed into the lenses and will eventually scratch them. It is common for people to use their shirt to clean their lenses; this is one of the worst things you can do. Always clean the lenses with soapy water or the lens spray we hand out at the office. To dry, do not use wood products such as tissues or paper towels. We always use cotton towels or microfiber cloths in the office and have found that they tend to work best because they are soft and do not leave lint on the lenses. To wet the lenses, we advise not to use the three A’s: alcohol, acetone, and ammonia. Any preparations with these ingredients will degrade the lenses quickly, especially those with an anti-glare coating. Even though the coatings we use at the office are excellent, they can still be scratched. We will redo the lenses for you unconditionally (except for loss) for a two year period if they are scratched regardless of reason. I tell my patients that using these ingredients (especially Windex which contains ammonia) is a good way of getting your lenses redone. Also, keep in mind that a majority of commercially prepared cleaning cloths contain alcohol. On occasion, this is fine. However, consis-tently using this type of product can degrade the lenses.

The cleaning cloths and cleaning solution that we give out with your glasses are the best ones for your eyewear. If you run out of solution, please bring back the bottle, and we will refill it for you. We also recommend bringing your frames in from time to time for adjustment, alignment, and tightening. As with most things, if you take good care of your glasses, they will give you a long time of comfortable, and clear, vision.

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 office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165 in Alamo. Visit our newly updated website at: www.alamooptometry.com and become a fan on our Alamo Optometry Facebook page. Advertorial

they come from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Since it began in 1984, the program has helped more than 4,000 adults improve their reading, writing, and spelling skills. It has even brought out the poet in Ike, a PSC student for the past 18 years.

“Ike started at PSC when he was 54,” says his tutor for the past four years, Helen Byer of Alamo. “He is now 72, and he has discovered through our working together that he has a passion for poetry. He even did a public reading recently – something he could not have ever imagined doing.”

Like many PSC students, Ike passed through school, earning a high school diploma despite the fact that he never learned to read. While moving from grade to grade, his learning disabilities were overlooked, and he fell farther and farther behind. Regardless, he managed to hide his disability, and he went on to successfully support and raise four children. But he could not completely overcome the difficulties of not knowing how to read.

“He is a very upbeat, generous, and determined person,” says Byer, who, through her 25 years as a PSC tutor has worked with four students. “Where he used to struggle with photo captions, he now is able to read entire magazine articles and book passages. We continue to work together, mostly on his poetry.”

Byer was initially drawn to PSC through a radio ad seeking tutors. “I could do that,” she thought to herself. She was immediately taken with the feeling of help-ing others to achieve their dreams. “It has been so rewarding to see my students blossom and to witness the epiphany of their worlds opening up to possibility.”

Danville resident Susan Klingman has been tutoring for just two years and is now working with her second student. “Tutoring at PSC is truly the highlight of my week,” says Klingman. “The changes in the lives of our students can be profound. They can sail over hurdles that have stopped them throughout their lives through the ability to read. My current adult learner was initially shy to read to her small son. Now she not only reads to him, but she is instilling in him a love of literacy! There are so many small joys - when a student arrives for a session smiling and saying they were able to read the words on the side of a truck or the ad on a store window! The gains they make each week are theirs forever - it’s just a privilege to be a part of their success.”

PSC tutors must be 21 years of age or older and comfortable with their reading, writing and spelling skills. They tend to be empathetic, patient, able to give clear direc-tions, and are willing to learn new skills themselves. PSC tutors work with students in communities served by the Contra Costa County Library, and in addition to working one-on-one, both tutors and students can participate in small group classes, practice their skills in the Computer Learning Center, and attend Families for Literacy events with any pre-school children. Tutors are always needed, and currently, PSC is seek-

Chance continued from front page ing tutors willing to work with students in Central or West County. Fourteen hours of training are required; each training series consists of one Wednesday evening and the following two Saturdays. The next training class is in September.

Laura Seaholm started at PSC as a volunteer seven years ago. She loved it so much that she jumped at the chance to be involved in the program full-time as a staff member. “I have been on staff now for about 5 1/2 years and have never for one moment regretted leaving corporate America,” says Seaholm. “I love seeing the confidence level of our students increase by leaps and bounds. Once they real-ize that they can learn to read, they blossom in every aspect of their lives. They start making better decisions for themselves, their family, and our community.”

PSC tutoring services are free, confidential, and one-on-one. And students don’t have to go back into a classroom setting where they may have previously failed. “Our methods and materials work!” says Seaholm. “We are here for you, and you will be treated with the dignity and respect you deserve. I always say that this is the only job I’ve ever had where I cry for good reasons!” she adds. “It’s so encourag-ing when our students realize they are now able to do things many of us take for granted, such as reading to their child, voting, reading their medication, filling out a job application, etc.” One PSC student, Martha, said of her experience, “Learning is a joy now, and I am relaxed, comfortable, and pleased with where I am in my life. I regret the ignorance of people in my life, but I have left their insults behind. Everything I am learning from my tutor is taking root in my heart. Every new word I learn increases my confidence and self-esteem. I am very proud of myself.”

If you know adults who need help with reading, writing or spelling, please call PSC’s Pleasant Hill office at (925) 927-325 or visit www.ccclib.org/psc.

[email protected]

Alamo Citizen of the Year: Around 7:15P.M, the Alamo Rotary will present its annual Citizen of the Year award. This indi-vidual is selected among many local nominees who epitomize active involvement in commu-nity affairs and projects. Last year’s winner was Vicki Koc. Other past award winners include Alisa Corstorphine, Greg Schuyler, Deputy Rick James, Claudia Waldron, and Bruce Marhenke, to name a few.

The Alamo Music Festival is first and fore-

most a fund raising event with the proceeds donated to assist music education at the following schools: Alamo Elementary, Rancho Romero Elementary, Stone Valley Middle School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School, and Lu-cille Mauzy School. According to Don Morton, Festival Sponsor Chairman, “Over $40,000 was raised at last year’s Festival.”

Mark your calendar now to join us for a great day of fun, games, good food, and excellent mu-sic the whole family will enjoy. For more information, visit www.alamorotary.org or email [email protected].


Alamo Today ClassifiedsReach over 6,300 homes and businesses in Alamo - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rent-

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

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name_________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ # of Words_______________

Phone________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________

C L A S S I F I E DCONDO VACATION RENTAL Mauna Lani Resort, Big Island. New luxury 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo on 4th fairway. Minimum 3 night stay. Contact Alamo owners for discounted rate. 925.381.7042 [email protected]

FOR RENT

P L A C E Y O U R C L A S S I F I E D H E R E !

925-831-8310

Because your smile means so much, we are proud to offer

FREE WHITENING

Get a FREE ZOOM! In-Offi ce Whitening treatment after a com-pleted new patient check-up including cleaning and x-rays! Some restrictions may apply. Offer is valid upon completion

of treatment plan recommended by doctor.Ask for details. A $600 Value!

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$500OFF

$89Exam,

Cleaning& X-Ray

Treating our patients like family...Enjoy watching a movie during your visit!Experience the future of dentistry with our digital technologyComprehensive Family and Cosmetic DentistrySpecializes in Implant Dentistry to help restore your beautiful smileAppreciate the dazzling results of your smile makeoversTMJ Appliances for ultimate headache prevention

anquil spa atmosphere

925-831-8310

Because your smile means so much, we are proud to offer

FREE WHITENING

Get a FREE ZOOM! In-Offi ce Whitening treatment after a com-pleted new patient check-up including cleaning and x-rays! Some restrictions may apply. Offer is valid upon completion

of treatment plan recommended by doctor.Ask for details. A $600 Value!

$500OFF

(Invisible braces)

$500OFF

$89Exam,

Cleaning& X-Ray

Treating our patients like family...Enjoy watching a movie during your visit!Experience the future of dentistry with our digital technologyComprehensive Family and Cosmetic DentistrySpecializes in Implant Dentistry to help restore your beautiful smileAppreciate the dazzling results of your smile makeoversTMJ Appliances for ultimate headache prevention

anquil spa atmosphere

A L A M O P L A Z A D E N TA L G R O U P

• Relaxing massage chairs• Enjoy Noise Cancelling headphones while watching a movie• Evenings and Saturday schedule• Experience the future of Dentistry with our Digital Technology• Comprehensive family and cosmetic Dentistry• Specializing in Implant Dentistry to help restore your beautiful smile• Appreciate the dazzling results of your smile makeovers• TMJ Appliances for ultimate headache prevention

Dr. Sangalang • Dr. Evangelista925-831-8310

220 Alamo Plaza, Suite E, Alamowww.alamoplazadentalgroup.com

Music and Wine continued from front page


43% of Alamo Homes Sell for Less than $1,000,000I last looked at sales by price band for Alamo in March of last year and wanted

to see what changes have occurred relative to the data I used in my last article. Most notably, only 30% of total sales in Alamo were below one million dollars the last time I looked. A year later, in 2011 that percentage has increased 13%.

The imbedded chart provides some insight into the market dynamics for the year to date through August 29th. Forty-nine of the 113 homes sold, or 43%, sold for less than a million dollars. The imputed average size for these homes was 2,248 square feet and the average per square foot price was $336, which is about 10% lower than the number reported last time. The average price paid for homes in this tier is $775,370 which is well above the middle of the tier.

Thirty-four percent of the sales fell in the range between one million dollars and $1.499 million. This price range is down in unit sales by 9%. On average these homes were 3,278 square feet in size. The average price paid was pretty close to the middle of the price range at $1,213,000. This year’s home is approximately 200 square feet larger than I last reported which means buyers are getting more house for roughly the same money.

Above the $1.5 million mark, sales were a much smaller fraction of overall sales and accounted for only 16 % of total sales compared to 18% in my last re-port. These 18 homes carried an average sales price of $1,735,966 again pretty close to the midpoint of the range. The average size of these homes was 24%


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 in every detail inside and out. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath. Huge outdoor entertainment area and

pool. $1,550,000

6 bedroom, 4.5 bath, on .6 acre. Two master bedrooms and apartment. Serene wooded

setting. Lease available. $1,299,000

Perfect “10” 5 beds, office, huge bonus room, kitchen family room flow,

exquisite mill work, views $2,095,000

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Alamo Home Sales 2011Price Range Units Sold Days on Mkt. Avg. Sold Price Avg. Size* $ Per Sq. Ft.$0-$999,999 49 70 755,370$ 2,248 336$ $1mm- $1.499mm 39 86 1,213,080$ 3,278 370$ $1.5mm-$1.999mm 18 33 1,735,966$ 4,094 424$ $2mm plus 7 72 2,397,285$ 5,511 435$ *Imputed Size in Square Feet

larger than the last band at 4,094 square feet. Square foot price was signifi-cantly different from the last band at $424 per square foot. At the end of the day, to purchase a home in this price range, a buyer must be golden. To keep his mortgage within the one million tax deductible mortgage interest range he would need to bring $735,000 in down payment and qualify for a million dollar mortgage. That 18 buyers in Alamo presumably met these criteria so far this year is pretty impressive.

The seven homes that sold for more than two million dollars in 2011 accounted for roughly 6% of Alamo sales, down from 9% last year. (If I remember correctly, approximately 40 homes sold for more than two million dollars during the hous-ing market peak.) The average sales price for this group when I reported last was $2,702,483. In 2011 it has slipped to $2,397,285. Homes closed in this price range tended to be large and averaged 5,511 square feet in size. These homes, newer ultra-luxury homes, carried a per square foot price of $436 dollars or about a 28% premium over the bottom tiered properties. At the peak these homes would have commanded a price per square foot of more than $600. That would have placed their average value at market peak at somewhere around $3.3 million.

Puzzling to me in making these data comparisons is that unit sales of the high end homes, the top two tiers, continue to fall in the face of steeply declining prices. Last year, I was convinced that sales pace for these homes would increase as bor-rowing became easier and buyer confidence gradually returned. That total sales across all price bands in Alamo have not really improved is even more disturbing. That said, 2011 still has a few months to go and perhaps the market will spring upward and confirm my earlier optimistic predictions. Let’s hope so.

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

Alamo Today, September 2011

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Transcript of Alamo Today, September 2011