The Valley Sentinel_November 2015

Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.390 Diablo Road, Ste. 145Danville, CA 94526925-820-6047

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Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon

VOl 20, nO 8 november 2015 www.valleysentinel.comalways for the community SENTINELTHE ALLEYVSPOTLIGHT

Visit us online at www.alacartemagazine.com

your regional restaurant resourceÁ la carte

Inside this month...

See TURKEY page 7

This month’s Special Section:

Senior Services pages 9 - 10

Congratulations to Eagle Scout Kenneth Padden, 18, of Danville’s Boy Scout Troop 1630. He has earned the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouts. As a

Kenneth Padden Earns Eagle Scout Award

See EAGLEpage 4

Although native to North America, the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is one of the most widely introduced wildlife species. It is thought that the turkey most likely got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships from the country Turkey. The absolutely phenomenal rate of Wild Turkey colonization of the woodlands of Contra Costa County has been amazing. Virtually every residence has been visited by Wild Turkeys. The introduction of Wild Turkeys by hunters in California began as early as 1877. I observed a fl ock of over 80 Wild Turkeys crossing Highway 4 at north Concord during the morning commute, and a fl ock of over 110 birds crossing Mines Road at Murietta’s Well suggesting their adaptability to suburban environments.

The Wild Turkey is the largest game bird in North America, with the record-sized adult male, according to the National Wild Turkey Federation, weighing in at more than 37.1 pounds. Individuals weighing more than 30 pounds are not uncommon. The Wild Turkey has the second heaviest maximum weight of any wild North American bird. The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) holds the record at over 38 pounds.

Adult Wild Turkeys have body feathers that are generally dark brown to blackish with a coppery sheen that becomes more complex in adult males. Adult males, known as toms or gobblers, are substantially larger than the females or hens. The feathers of males are highlighted with areas of red, purple,

green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence. Males have a “beard”, a tuft of coarse hair or modifi ed feathers growing from the center of the breast. Some “beards” are more than 12 inches in length. Juvenile males, called jakes, have shorter beards. The dark, fan-shaped tail in adult males is accented with bronze, copper, and chestnut. During the breeding season, males have elaborate displays with their tail feathers spread to the maximum, and some fancy strutting to attract females. Wild Turkeys have 5,000 to 6,000 feathers. The featherless head is reddish, pink, and blue, with red wattles on the throat and neck, and fl eshy growths called caruncles. The long fl eshy growth over the males beak is called a snood, and becomes engorged with

blood as the male gobbles to attract females to his harem. The gobbling may be heard a mile away. Males have a sharp spur behind each of their lower legs for offense and defense.

Wild Turkeys prefer woodland habitats with trees for roosting and open grasslands for foraging and nesting. They seemingly adapt to virtually any dense plant community as long as coverage and openings are widely available. I observed one roost site in an oak woodland that had been used for several months by a fl ock of about 25 birds. The pyramid or volcano-shaped piles of guano (droppings) beneath each individual roost were almost 4 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter.

Wild Turkeys are Here, and Very Comfortable in the ‘Burbs

This beautiful gobbler is a sight to see with his full display of 5,000-6,000 feathers. The Wild Turkey population is strong in Contra Costa County and these large birds have gone from curiosity to nuisance in some neighborhoods. Damage from their foraging through gardens can be infuriating. Shooing them away and not feeding them can help. Photo by James Hale

By James Hale

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTdining out • music • art • theater • fun events

page 2 The Valley SenTinel november 2015 valleysentinel.com

Walnut Creek First Wednesdays

December 2 and every first Wednesday through June 2016

5-8pm. Walnut Creek First Wednesdays event for all ages includes live entertainment, arts & crafts, treats & more! Bike Walnut Creek is sponsoring a free ‘bike valet’ so you can bike to the event and relax with your bike secured by a valet attendant. Event is free, but bring some money for dinner because the Food Truck Mafia food trucks will be there for your dining pleasure. Cypress Street in Downtown Walnut Creek.

Leading LadiesNow-November 15When Jack and Leo,

two struggling actors, read a news story about an unclaimed inheritance, they decide to put their acting talents to the ultimate test. One part Shakespeare, two parts Some Like It Hot, Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig, author of Lend Me a Tenor, will have you laughing from the start. $20 - $28. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. www.villagetheatershows.com

From Expressionism to Abstraction, Discovering Creativity Through Critical Thinking

Now– December 19The artistic endeavors

of students from throughout the San Ramon Valley Unifi ed School District will be on display in November when the Town of Danville presents From Expressionism to Abstraction, Discovering Creativity Through Critical Thinking, an art exhibition at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery, 233 Front Street Danville. villagetheatreshows.com.

Afterschool Movies at the Dougherty Station Library

November 15, 22, 293-4:30pm. Movies are

rated G, PG, or PG-13. Free. 17017 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon 925-973-3380. ccclib.org

Interfaith Movie and Potluck

November 154pm. This Interfaith

Family Month Tri-Valley Cultural Jews will sponsor a movie and potluck highlighting the diversity of Jewish families and interfaith families. Deli Man, a fi lm about the recipes brought to America by Jewish immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, will be followed by an ethnic potluck. Participants are asked to bring a dish from their own ethnic heritage. The Bothwell Center, 2466 8th St. between I and G in Livermore. RSVP to (925) 485-1049 or [email protected].

Christmas MemoriesNovember 17-January 3rdThis exhibit features the

Toy Hall of Fame. Admission is Adults $3, Children $1. Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave, Danville. museumsrv.org, 925-837-3750

Holiday Dance Program Presented by Smuin Ballet

November 20 at 8:00 pmNovember 21 at 2:00 pm

and 8:00 pmBaby, it’s cold outside,

but it’s sizzlin’ hot around the Bay Area when Smuin Ballet kicks off the holidays with The Christmas Ballet. From classical to cool, Smuin offers two acts fi lled with a stunning and original array of ballet, tap and jazz. A joyous celebration of dance and a true holiday classic, this year’s program features Smuin favorites and new pieces. Hofmann Theatre at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. www.lesherartscenter.com

23rd AnnualCandy Cane Boutique!

All proceeds will be donated to The Macedonian Outreach, a non-profit Christian

organization helping the neediest children in the Balkans

www.macedonianoutreach.org

Thanksgiving and Christmas Gift Items, Fine China, Crystal, Collectibles, Jewelry, Linens, Dolls, Toys

& Delicious Homemade Baked Goods & other Greek Food

Creekside Community Church1350 Danville Blvd., Alamo

Great raffle prizes–Vacation getaways, fine jewelry, and more!

Silent Auction

Friday, November 13 from 3 - 7pmSaturday, November 14 from 9am - 3pm

SENTINELS OF FREEDOM Scholarship Foundation

Housing • Education • Employment • Mentoring • Ongoing Support

Sentinels of Freedom provides the resources and support needed for severely wounded veterans to live active, engaged, and successful lives as they recover from the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of their injuries, learn to live with their disabilities, and work their way back to a life of complete self-sufficiency.

To learn more about our organization please visit us at:

www.sentinelsoffreedom.orgwww.facebook.com/sentinelsoffreedom

(925) [email protected]

www.facebook.com/sentinelsoffreedom

S P E C T R U MPOOL AND LANDSCAPE

I N C O R P O R A T E D

www.SpectrumPoolandLandscape.com

We Design and Build:• Pools / Spas• Water Features• Softscape• Hardscape• Structures• Lighting

925-939-2905Alamo, CACA Lic #511872

3840 Blackhawk RoadSuite 110Danville

(Across from Draeger’s Market)

PORTEOUS FAMILY DENTISTRY

Larry Porteous D.D.S. + Linda Porteous R.D.H.

“Let Our Family Be Your Family Dentist”

Providing Full Service Dentistry For The Entire Family

We are celebrating 29 years in practice in the Bay Area. Our practice is dedicated to treating and preventing dental diseases in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It is our philosophy to give each person the same respect, care and concern that we would want to receive as a patient.

If you have an aching tooth, want to maintain your good dental health, are interested in improving your smile or just have questions or concerns, please call our office. We look forward to meeting you.

NINTHCONSECUTIVE YEAR

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Providing Full Service Dentistry for the Entire Family www.PorteousFamilyDentistry.com

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Larry Porteous, D.D.S. + Linda Porteous, R.D.H.

“Let Our Family Be Your Family Dentist”We are celebrating 30 years in practice in the Bay Area. Our practice is dedicated to treating and preventing dental diseases in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It is our philosophy to give each person the same respect, care and concern that we would want to receive as patients.


valleysentinel.com november 2015 The Valley SenTinel page 3

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTdining out • music • art • theater • fun events

125 Railroad Avenue, Suite D, Danville, CA(925) 837-2500 FD2088 www.ghmemorial.com

Offering Cremation and Burial Services

We Invite Price Comparison

Exciting and EngagingCurriculum TeachesAnalytical Thinking

Classes Average15 Students

Diverse InternationalPrograms and

Community

Nearly 100% Admitted to Outstanding 4-Year

Colleges

Extraordinary 75-Acre Campus

Transportation and Financial Aid Available

www.athenian.orgDanville

Educationthat

OpensYour World

ADMISSION OPEN HOUSESFOR ENROLLMENT 2016

at the Kate & Dyke Brown Hall

Grades 6-8 January 9

1pm - 3:30pmGrades 9-12 January 10 1pm - 4pm

To register for Open House, please visit the Admission page

on our website. Click on the “Request Info & Register for Events”

ribbon and complete the “Inquiry for The Athenian School.”

Celebrating 50 Years

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

November 21, 22, 27, 282pm and 7:30pm. Step

into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. Tickets start at $8. Village Theater, 233 Front Street, Danville. www.villagetheatreshows.com

Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas

November 277pm. Follow the story

of a young bird named Max and his family as they begin their journey south for the winter. Dancing toy soldiers, caroling worms and performing poinsettias will light up the stage. $25 - $35. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon. www.sanramon.ca.gov/parks/theater/

Santa’s ArrivalNovember 29th11am - 3pm. Santa and

friends will make their way from the North Pole to the Danville Livery on Sunday,

November 29th. Bring your camera and capture your visit with Santa! The festivities will also include live music, street entertainment, carriage rides and more! Free. Danville Livery, 40 Sycamore Valley Rd. W., Danville. www.danvillelivery.com

Spirit of Danville Holiday Shopping Event

December 311am – 8pm. Kick-start

the season at the Spirit of Danville Holiday Shopping Event. Over 80 merchants and restaurants will be open late offering free wine tastings, hot cider, cookies, and other goodies along with great deals on gifts for everyone on your list. Take the free trolley between downtown and the Livery, and be sure to eat out because participating restaurants will be giving exclusive discounts to ticket-holders. For more information www.discoverdanvilleca.com

A Christmas CarolDecember 4 - 21Join radio station

WSRCT as they present the musical radio show version

of A Christmas Carol. Watch as the cast and crew do their job to bring this wonderful story to life with all the tricks and traps of a real radio station. $12 - $17. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. www.sanramon.ca.gov/parks/theater

Once Upon a Christmas Presented by The Ballet School

December 4 & 5A delightful narrated

holiday ballet, which allows audience members of all ages to pass across the threshold of make-believe into a world where dreams can and do come true by learning to fi rst believe in oneself. Hoffman Theater, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek. Information and tickets call 925-943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org.

The Diablo Women’s Chorale “Christmas Swings”

December 52pm. The DWC

invites you to join them for this entertaining family event.

Advance tickets are $16.00 General Admission, $10.00 Student, $20.00 Premium

Alamo’s Annual Tree Lighting Event presented by the Community Foundation of Alamo

November 224:30-6:30pm. Alamo

Parks & Recreation co-spon-sors the Community Founda-tion of Alamo’s Annual Tree Lighting Event. Treats and Beverages! Music, Santa and photo opportunities. Andrew H. Young Park located at the corner of Danville Blvd. and Jackson Way in Alamo. www.communityfounda-tionofalamo.com

Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Danville present the Annual Lighting of the Old Oak Tree

November 275:15-8:30pm. Make

memories with your loved ones at Danville’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Watch as Father Christmas

Local Tree Lighting Ceremonies

seating. Tickets purchased at the door will be $20.00 Adult and $10.00 Student. Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. www.DiabloWomensChorale.org or call 800-838-3006.

Home for the HolidaysPresented by San

Francisco Gay Men’s ChorusDecember 53pm & 7:30pm. Enjoy

this performance of a work by award-winning composer Laura Karpman set to text written by best-selling author Rebecca Walker honoring the role that mothers play in our lives, and raucous, joyful new takes on classic favorites. $30 - $40. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek. 925-943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org.

and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. The music and merriment will make for a great way to launch your holiday, all the way down to the last bite of a tasty Christmas cookie. San Ramon Valley High School Chorus under the direction of Ken Abrams provides the inspiration and vocals for the musical countdown to the the ceremonial lighting of the tree, offi ciated by Father Christmas and Snow Angel at 6:15 p.m.Follow Father Christmas and the Snow Angel along Prospect and Hartz Avenues in parade toward Downtown Danville’s continuation of the holiday theme. Musical entertainment and refreshments at stores, shops and restaurants that invite the public to wander and check out the values for sale. Down Town

Danville, Diablo Road. To learn more, visit www.danvilleareachamber.com

Annual Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting

CeremonyDecember 45:30 - 7:30pm. Sunset

Development will kick off the holiday season with its annual Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting Ceremony which has grown to over 3,000 attendees from 300 in its inaugural year. The event will feature numerous family activities, including a spectacular lighting of a 70-foot White Fir tree at 6:30 p.m., photo opportunities with Santa Claus, a live reindeer and a petting zoo, a snow play area for kids ages 12 and under and more! Free. Bishop Ranch One, 6111 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. www.bishopranch.com

The Valley SenTinel november 2015 valleysentinel.com

www.blueherongraphics.com

The Back Doctors are a network of CHIROPRACTORS,MEDICAL DOCTORS and other health care professionals all with one common goal, the effective treatment of your pain.

Don’t Ignore These warning signs of spinal misalignment

Do you know what to do about back pain?WE DO.

• Recurring Headaches• Low Back and Leg Pain• Neck, Shoulder and Arm Pain• Pain Between Shoulders

• Muscle Spasms• Difficulty Sleeping• Numbness in Limbs• Dizziness/Ringing in Ears

Phillip Runco, D.C.Call for appointment now! 685-0335

The Back DoctorsA CHIROPRACTIC/MEDICAL NETWORK

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK FOR YOUR CONVENIENCESaturday and evening appointments available • Most insurance accepted • Workers compensation welcome

The Many Causes of TMDBy Dr. Robert Brown

Advertorial

TMD, temporomandibu-lar joint dysfunction, was for years called TMJ. Many years ago a study was done using electrodes on the teeth of patients with TMD compar-ing them to a control group with no symptoms. The TMD group was found to hold their teeth together an average of 16 hours per day while the control group held teeth to-gether for only a few minutes per day.

Further studies revealed that the only time teeth should naturally be together is when swallowing. When chewing, there is something between the teeth, food. In spite of this information, the treatment of TMD in the majority of dental practices and dental schools concentrates on the bite, or how the teeth fit together. It’s kind of like getting a new paint job on a car because the motor needs repair.

The most prominent cause of TMD is clenching and grinding, a.k.a., bruxism. This should be considered a symptom that requires a diagnosis. Many other symptoms arise as a result of this dysfunction, which may include headaches, myofacial pain, trigger point pain, neck pain, toothaches and many more. Occasionally a disease somewhere else in the body will cause pain that imitates TMD related symptoms. In my TMD practice I have had patients referred to me that are on multiple prescription drugs and have had extensive dental work, including root canals, that were likely not necessary. The teeth weren’t the problem.

In one case the symptoms were caused by colitis. Many are due to hormone imbalances. Several cases were caused by over prescription of drugs or abuse of over the counter drugs. Heart disease can cause jaw pain. A spasm in the temporalis muscle can cause a tooth ache. OSA, obstructive sleep apnea, can cause severe TMD, as one of

the symptoms of sleep apnea is bruxism. To sum it up, TMD diagnosis and treatment is best done by a specialist who is trained to understand the multifaceted nature of this dysfunction, diagnose it properly and provide appropriate treatment, or refer to the most qualified specialist for treatment.

At Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Center our specialties are limited to OSA and TMD, only. Because we don’t offer other dental services, you won’t be surprised by bills for additional dental work needed or done in our office. Not being involved in the many other practices of dentistry, I am free to take advanced training in fields other than dentistry such as acupuncture, physiology, sleep medicine, hormone replacement and nutrition. I strongly believe that integrative medicine is the medicine of the future.

For a free consultation or for more information please go to our website www.aodtc.com or contact us at 925-837-8048.

Advertorial

Every year approximately 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer are often subtle and can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, unexpected weight loss, or general fatigue. For this reason, the significant majority of patients are diagnosed when their disease has already spread throughout the body (sometimes called ‘metastatic’

New Screening Tool Available for Early Detection of Lung CancerBy Gautam Prasad, M.D., Ph.D.

or Stage IV). Unfortunately, these types of situations are not curable. Therefore, significant efforts have been made to try to identify patients with early stage therapy who may be cured.

Until recently, there has not been a reliable way to screen for lung cancer in its earliest stages (before symptoms start to occur). However, recent research has identified a low dose CT scan of the lungs as an effective way to screen for lung cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that smokers

and former smokers should receive a low dose CT scan of the lungs every year. This scan takes about 5 minutes and can detect tumors and lung nodules in their earliest stages, which provides patients with the best chance to treat and cure cancer. On February 6th, 2015 the federal government announced that this technology would be covered for all Medicare beneficiaries.

The two most common treatment options for early stage lung cancer include surgery (also known as lobectomy) and radiation (stereotactic ablative radiation therapy, or SABR). Both are effective treatment options for early stage lung cancer (Stage 1). The best course of

treatment for anyone is greatly dependent upon the individual situation. Ask your doctor to explain the benefits and risks of all possible treatments. Once you are comfortable knowing what is involved and the pros and cons of each path, together with your doctor, you can decide on the best way to proceed. Keep in mind that looking at cancer treatment, even in early stages of disease development, when the prognosis is much more positive, can still be very scary. There are many groups and resources that can help support patients and families through this time.

If you are a smoker or former smoker, talk with your doctor about this low dose scan, even if you have

no family history of lung cancer. Research from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) showed that CT screening reduced lung cancer deaths by 20%.

We are fortunate that more and more tools are becoming available to diagnose cancer at earlier stages. Having a trusted partnership with your doctor and taking advantage of these new tools can help you to meet and overcome many types of cancer, should you be presented with that challenge.

Gautam Prasad, MD, PhD is a board certified radiation oncologist with Epic Care. For more information about Epic Care, visit www.epic-care.com

member of Boy Scout Troop 1630, Padden held numerous leadership positions including Senior Patrol Leader and Philmont Crew Chief. He was inducted into the BSA Honor Society, Order of the Arrow, and earned Brotherhood membership in 2012.

In addition to leadership and earning 21 merit badges,

each Eagle Scout must outline, lead, and complete a BSA board approved community or faith based service project. For his project, Padden refurbished four benches at Hap Magee Ranch Park and presented his final project and overview to the Town of Danville’s Parks and Leisure Services Commission.

Padden is a senior at Monte Vista High School and

besides his life as a scout, he rows competitive varsity crew for Oakland Strokes Rowing Club. Kenneth’s Eagle Court of Honor was held on Sunday October 25th at Oak Hill Park Community Center and was attended by Troop 1630 members, family, friends, Councilman Newell Arnerich and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker.

EAGLEfrom page 1

valleysentinel.com november 2015 The Valley SenTinel page 5 Advertorial

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

Pain, Pain Go Away...Exploring Laser Therapy for Pain Relief

JRW CONSTRUCTION, INC.381 Hartz Ave., Danville, Suite B

phone 925.831.1615fax 925.831.1643

lic. 694292

CUSTOM HOMESADDITIONSREMODELS

BATHROOM AND KITCHEN REMODELSTENANT IMPROVEMENTS

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL

Since Align Healing Center opened its doors in 1999 we have been treating arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, well let’s just say all of the “itis’s”. In other words PAIN, whether it’s back pain, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain or any other pain, we have been there to awaken the healing potential in the body and relieve the pain. That being said, I am always in search of miraculous new ways to relieve pain without drugs, without invasive procedures and without more pain. In 2004, Class III Laser therapy was added to my practice and the results have been amazing! Then in October of 2009 I was enlightened to a new treatment modality that is revealing itself to be truly miraculous- Class IV Laser Therapy. I am so passionate and excited about how Laser therapy is helping people heal and reclaim their life that I feel every person whether in pain or not should know about it!

I am here to tell you that you no longer need to “live with pain” from an injury or surgery no matter how long you may

have had it. Pain ruins your quality of life. It can go on for months—even years, while you try to ignore it, take pain medications and try treatments that don’t work. In the mean time, you’re losing sleep and missing out on your favorite activities. There is no longer a reason to settle for a life of pain. But in order to get rid of the pain, you need to resolve the injury itself. I am often asked “why doesn’t my pain resolve on its own?” My answer is “often our cells don’t have enough energy to complete the healing process and they get stuck in an inflammatory cycle creating more pain”. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level providing energy to the cells so they can heal. We all know medications only mask the pain and inflammation and are not a long term solution so, now we have deep tissue Laser therapy as a treatment that stimulates the healing process, relieves inflammation and helps the body resolve the injury.

Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn

but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

We are having great success treating neck and shoulder injuries, sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, migraines, plantar fasciitis, post surgical wounds, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. I have seen patients with 10 years of post surgical pain get their life back in a short period of time. Even ar¬thritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness for 11 years. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Alamo• Roundhill Country Club 3169 Roundhill Road

Danville• Bay Area Team/Keller Williams 760 Camino Ramon, #200• Danville Police Dept. 510 La Gonda Way• Diablo Lodge 950 Diablo Lodge• Heritage Bank 387 Diablo Road• Monte Vista High School 3131 Stone Valley Road• Pascal’s Café 155 Railroad Ave• Gibbs Real Estate/ Rockliff Realtors 15 Railroad Avenue• PEETS Coffee & Tea 435 Railroad Ave• The Studio 730 Camino Ramon, #200• US Bank 720 San Ramon Valley Blvd

San Ramon• AAA Automobile Assn 2435 San Ramon Valley

Blvd• Big Frog Custom T-Shirts 2005 Crow Canyon Place• Bodylines Day Spa 2330 San Ramon Valley

Blvd• Golden View Elementary 5025 Canyon Crest Drive• Club Sport 350 Bollinger Canyon Road• Dougherty Station Library 17017 Bollinger Canyon Rd • Brookdale Senior Living 18888 Bollinger Canyon Rd

• Quail Run Elementary School

4000 Goldenbay Ave• Peets Coffee 166 Sunset Drive• Montevideo Elementary

School 13000 Broadmoor Dr• San Ramon Fire Dept 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road• San Ramon Community

Center 12501 Alcosta Blvd• The Child Day School 18868 Bollinger Canyon Rd• Whole Foods 100 Sunset Drive

Rossmoor• Rossmoor Community

Center 1001 Golden Rain Road

Walnut Creek• Berean Christian School 245 El Divisadero Ave• Palmer School 2740 Jones Road

One Warm Coat drop off locationsOnce again, the San Ramon Rotary Club is sponsoring “One Warm Coat,” which provides

winter outerwear for people in need. Please drop off your warm winter coats at one of the locations listed below:

Several years ago there was discussion in the community about installing a roundabout at Orchard Court in downtown Alamo. For various reasons, the concept was dropped from any further consideration. In the past year, however, the downtown Alamo roundabout has been the subject of renewed discussion and a proposed design has been created. The roundabout would be located on Danville Blvd with an entry at Orchard Court on the east and the entrance to the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center on the west.

It must be noted that Orchard Court / Plaza entries to the roundabout are “offset”

Alamo News UpdateRound and Round We Go – A Traffic Roundabout in Alamo?By Steve Mick from each other. This means

that the roundabout will need to be “skewed” a bit to accommodate this condition. Therefore the Alamo roundabout will be slightly non-standard. This should not present any serious problems for traffic flow, but it must be kept in mind that the Alamo layout is not symmetrical as many roundabouts are.

Roundabouts are common in Europe (France has over 30,000 of them). But they have been slower to be accepted in the United States primarily due to limited driver knowledge. Confusion on entry and exit procedures

See ROUNDABOUTpage 15


Time for Year-End Tax PlanningBy Robert Cucchiaro

Advertorial

According to a study conducted by the General Accounting Offi ce (GAO), many Americans are actually overpaying their taxes due to poor tax planning. This problem tends to occur for one or more of the following reasons:

1 Each year our tax code gets more complicated

2. Most people can’t afford to hire a full-time tax adviser

3. Most tax advisors don’t actually focus on reducing their clients tax bill

Believe it or not, the amount you pay in taxes is not fi xed and it is not the same for everyone who receives the same amount of income. Small business owners and those with signifi cant after-tax investments (brokerage accounts and rentals) tend to be the ones most in need of guidance because they can take advantage of the rules and avoid overpaying their taxes.

With that in mind, here are fi ve actionable strategies that can help you manage your income tax exposure in 2015:

1. Estimate your 2015 tax bill – ask your tax advisor for a 2015 tax projection so you will at least know where you stand. Do this in November so you still have time to plan based on the results.

2. Maximize deductions to 401k’s, FSAs and HSAs – The maximum contribution for an individual into their 401k plan is $18,000 this year, plus those over age 50 can add an additional $6,000 catch-up contribution. Flexible spending accounts and Health savings accounts are additional ways to fund pre-tax savings. The FSA limit is $2,550 and the HSA limit is $6,650 for a family and $3,350 for an individual. All of these accounts are funded pre-tax which means they lower your tax-bill considerably.

3. Harvest capital losses – Take advantage of the recent stock market volatility by selling certain investments at a loss, then repurchasing similar but not identical investments. The losses can be used to offset capital gains or be applied towards ordinary income (up to $3,000 per year). Purchasing a similar but not identical investment will benefi t you when the stock/mutual fund rebounds without triggering what’s called a “wash-sale” penalty.

4. Consider a Roth IRA conversion – If your income was lower in 2015 than it normally is or than what you expect it to be in the future, take advantage by converting some or all of your IRA into a Roth. You will pay taxes on the conversion now but the Roth will grow tax-free forever and produce tax-free income for you in retirement.

5. Make charitable contributions – Charitable deductions are an itemized

deduction which reduce your adjusted gross income and may lower your tax bill. The analysis to determine the exact tax benefi t gets complicated however because of a new provision which phases out itemized deductions as one’s adjusted gross income exceeds a certain level.

More advanced tax planning strategies to consider include shifting income producing assets to family members in lower tax brackets through the use of family limited partnerships (but beware the kiddie tax), using your $14,000 annual exclusion limit to make gifts that will ultimately reduce your exposure to estate taxes, and allocating your after-tax investments to be more tax effi cient by using investments like municipal bonds which produce tax free income or deferred annuities which defer the income tax bill from capital gains, dividends and interest.

If you are unsure whether or not your tax bill can be lowered, give us a call or send us an email and we will analyze your taxes for you. 925-927-1900 or [email protected]

Robert Cucchiaro is a Certifi ed Financial Planner and a registered tax preparer. He is a Partner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a fi nancial planning fi rm that has been serving Danville for almost 30 years. Rob specializes in retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. www.summitwealthandretirement.com

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Wild Turkeys prefer to forage in the early morning or late afternoon, eating acorns, nuts and other hard mast of various trees, including hazel, chestnut, hickory, pines, seeds, grasses, and berries such as juniper and bearberry, as well as roots and insects. Occasionally amphibians, reptiles and small mammals are consumed.

Male Wild Turkeys are polygamous, mating with as many hens as they can. Courtship usually begins during the months of March and April, with the dominant males putting on elaborate displays of gobbling, drumming, booming, and spitting as signs of social dominance, and to attract

females. After mating, females search for nest sites, which are basically shallow dirt depressions lined with woody and softer vegetation. Hens lay a clutch of 10 to 14 eggs, usually one per day. The eggs are incubated for at least 28 days. The poults are precocial, leaving the nest in about 12 to 24 hours. Mortality of the hatchlings is greatest in the fi rst two weeks of life. A wide variety of raptors and predators take the fl edglings as prey. After six months when the young begin to reach adult size, mortality decreases rapidly. Turkeys usually run away from potential predators. They may fl y short distances if pressed. If cornered, adult toms may aggressively use their sharp spurs for defense. Humans are now the leading predator of adult turkeys.

Many residents enjoy seeing these impressive birds, but they have become a nuisance in some suburban areas due to the damage they can cause by foraging in gardens and landscaping, and the droppings they leave behind. In many cases, these problems are caused or exacerbated by residents who feed the turkeys and thereby attract them to developed areas. Feeding Wild Turkeys actually puts them in jeopardy by altering their behavior and encouraging close contact with people. The most important way to help keep populations healthy and wild is to refrain from feeding them.

James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ecological consultant and ethnobiologist based in Contra Costa County.

TURKEYfrom page 1


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As the year comes to a close two groups prepare their organizations for what is to come. Businesses across the nation prepare for Christmas sales as non-profit organizations prepare for what is commonly known as ‘end of the year giving campaigns.’

One local organization in particular, Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, a San Ramon 501c(3) that serves wounded veterans, has much to celebrate as they begin to reach out to donors. The 12 year old organization provides multi-faceted scholarships for wounded and injured post-9/11 veterans which may include housing subsidies, financial counseling, business networking, mentoring, and employment assistance. Sentinels of Freedom has a

San Ramon Non-Profit Prepares for End of the Year Fundraising Push

stellar reputation among local corporations and politicians; its founder and CEO, Mike Conklin, was even recognized as a CNN Hero in 2013.

Sentinels of Freedom recently celebrated its 100th graduate from the program and the 200th Sentinel (between graduated and currently enrolled). Scholarship recipients are called Sentinels in honor of their sacrifice and commitment to guarding America’s freedoms. “Our goal is to have 100 new Sentinels each year; in our pursuit of this goal, we have expanded our program to provide more comprehensive service to our scholarship recipients including a focus on mental health, taking into account everything they’ve gone through before they come to us,” shares Mike Conklin.

Non-profit organizations’ end of the year giving campaigns have been bolstered by philanthropic movements such as #GivingTuesday.

December 1st of each year is a global day of giving that hopes to become a social movement that enacts and enables real change in local communities. If you are interested in supporting Sentinels of Freedom this year or on #GivingTuesday, please visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org/donate.

Sentinel David Crouse

Following a nationwide search, the Save Mount Diablo (SMD) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Ted Clement will succeed Executive Director Ron Brown, who announced his retirement in May of this year. Clement, who has been Executive Director of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and of the Aquidneck Land Trust in Rhode Island, took on his new role on November 2nd.

The transition came during a period of rapidly increasing development threats to the mountain, and in the middle of several huge planning processes in which Ron has served key roles, including the Reuse of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, and development of a $2 billion Countywide Transportation funding measure.

Ron has led Save Mount Diablo for the past fifteen years and is completing a career in non-profit work spanning more than 42 years. His background in organizational leadership

Save Mount Diablo Bids Farewell to Executive Director Ron Brown

was a great fit for expanding Save Mount Diablo’s programs and helping the organization gain recognition, raise funds, and build support for its mission. “I am proud of our accomplishments in expanding the footprint of protected lands and the policies that we have helped to craft that redefine the types of sustainable communities that future generations of Contra Costa residents will live in,” said Brown.

Scott Hein, President, Save Mount Diablo Board of Directors states, “Ted Clement is the right leader at the right time. We couldn’t be more delighted. Ted’s stellar background in organizational leadership, land conservation law, environmental education, and his vision for the role that organizations like Save Mount Diablo can play in building and sustaining healthy communities is exactly what will keep Save Mount Diablo an environmental force in the East Bay”.


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Medicare open enrollment season is hereBy David Sayen

When you shop for a new car, you don’t just buy the fi rst one you see, right?

Of course not. You shop around, looking for the best deal you can get on a vehicle that fi ts your driving needs as well as your pocketbook.

Well, it’s the time of year when you should think about shopping for a Medicare health or drug plan.

Medicare open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2015.

If you have Original Medicare, meaning that you can choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, you don’t need to think about open enrollment.

But if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) health plan, or a Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, you may want to see if there’s a new plan on the market that would be a better match for you, at a lower price.

If you’re enrolled in a plan already and you’re happy with it, you don’t need to do anything. But Medicare health and drug plans – which are run by private insurers under contract to Medicare – can change from year to year. A plan can raise its monthly premium or drop a medicine that you need.

So it makes good sense to review your coverage each year. Make sure your plan still is a good fi t for you in terms of cost, coverage, and quality. If it isn’t, look for another plan.

During open enrollment, you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage health plan or Part D prescription drug plan, or switch from one plan to another. Your new coverage will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.

How do you shop for a new plan? There are several ways to do that.

One is the “Medicare & You” handbook, which is mailed each fall to every Medicare household in the country. This booklet lists all the Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans that

are available where you live, along with basic information such as premiums, deductibles, and contact information.

There’s also the Medicare Plan Finder, at the www.Medicare.gov website.

Look for a green button that says, “Find health & drug plans.” By clicking on that and plugging in your zip code, you’ll be able to see all of the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area. You can compare them based on benefi ts, premiums, co-pays, and estimated out-of-pocket costs. Contact information for the plans is listed.

If you don’t have access to a computer, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Our customer service representatives can help you with questions about Medicare health and drug plans. The call is free.

As we age, it often becomes apparent that there is a signifi cant loss of appetite. Families know that their elderly parents must maintain a nutritious balance of meals but they are often not able to oversee this for their parents. Either the senior cannot fi x their own meals, or tells the family that they are eating regularly and they are not. At times, they may actually forget to eat.

Fortunately in Contra Costa County there is a wonderful organization that can provide daily meals for seniors who are in need. This organization is Meals On Wheels and Senior Outreach Services. This wonderful organization provides a wealth of services and we will highlight a few today.

Some of the services that this organization provides are:

• CC Cafes – Seniors who can transport themselves can go here and receive lunch for the minimal cost of $2.00 per meal. There are six locations,

Meal Assistance for SeniorsBy Judy Horvath

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Bay Point, Concord, Crockett, Pittsburg, Rodeo, and Walnut Creek.

• Care Management- Care Managers are trained, experienced professionals who help older adults locate resources and services that will enhance their lives.

• Fall Prevention provides home safety assessments and home modifi cations to reduce preventable injuries, educate community organizations, and provide exercise and balance programs.

• Friendly Visitors match seniors with volunteers for weekly one-hour companionship.

• Meals on Wheels- Volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals to the seniors’ home. Delivering over 200,000 meals a year, many seniors depend on these for their major meal of the day. Volunteers not only deliver meals but also check on the resident to assure their safety. Meals provided are based on need, not income although a donation is suggested. No one is turned away if they cannot contribute. Meals are

Another very helpful resource is California’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, or HICAP. California HICAP is an independent, nonprofi t organization that provides free, personalized counseling to people with Medicare. You can make an appointment to speak with a HICAP counselor either in-person or over the phone.

HICAP counselors are well-trained volunteers who often are enrolled in Medicare themselves, so they know the issues. They can help you sort through the many health and drug plans on the market and pick one that’s right for you.

To contact HICAP, call 800-434-0222.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of Jan. 1, 2016 but you’re not satisfi ed with it, you have a 45-day window to dis-enroll.

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14, 2016, you can drop your plan and return to Original Medicare. You can also sign up for a Part D drug plan during that time.

Having trouble paying for your Part D plan? You may be eligible for the Extra Help program, which helps cover your premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Medicare benefi ciaries typically save about $4,000 annually with Extra Help.

For more information on Extra Help, go towww.SSA.gov/prescriptionhelp.

David Sayen is Medi-care’s regional administra-tor for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacifi c Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDI-CARE(1-800-633-4227).

delivered to the following cities; Alamo; Antioch; Bay Point; Clayton; Concord; Danville; Lafayette; Martinez; Moraga; Orinda; Pacheco; Pleasant Hill; Pittsburg; San Ramon; Walnut Creek

Meals are delivered to seniors (60 years or older) who are homebound, no longer driving, unable to prepare food themselves, and do not have a caregiver that prepares meals. As you can see this is a great non-profi t organization that depends completely on volunteers to assist in all of their programs and their delivery. If you or a family member or a friend is in need of these services please call their main number 925-937-8311, or if you would like to be that very special volunteer. They also have a highly informational website: www.mowsos.org

Judy Horvath, CSA, Certifi ed Senior Advisor, is the owner operator of Tender Heart Home Care. Tender Heart is headquartered in the Danville, San Ramon area and provides Seniors with in-home care. For further information, please call 925 838 4444 or email thoffi [email protected]

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Other providers are available in our network. Golden State Medicare Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Golden State Medicare Health Plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The formulary and provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at 877-541-4111 (TDD/TTY 877-551-4111), 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and daily during the enrollment/disenrollment periods. Esta información está disponible gratis en otros idiomas. Por favor llame a nuestro número de servicio al cliente al 877-541-4111 (TDD/TTY 877-551-4111) de 8 am a 8 pm de lunes a viernes, y diariamente durante los períodos de inscripción / cancelación de la inscripción. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 877-541-4111 (TDD/TTY 877-551-4111).

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Please email your calendar events to the Sentinel at [email protected] by 5pm on the 20th of the month preceding publication month. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.

For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to [email protected]

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Volunteers Needed: Read to PreschoolersVolunteers are needed at childcare centers in Concord, Pittsburg, and West County. The Contra Costa County Library will supply books and resources. For more information, please contact Maureen Kilmurray at 925-927-3288.

Danville Farmer’s MarketEvery Saturday, Year-round9am-1pm. Get the freshest seasonal fare at the Danville Certifi ed Farmers’ Market. Railroad & Prospect Avenue, Danville. Information: www.ci.danville.ca.us. (You can make donations of fresh vegetables and fruit for our local food pantries at the Loaves & Fishes Booth at the Danville Farmers Market.)

San Ramon Farmers MarketEvery Saturday & Thursday-Year-round, Bishop RanchWednesday, April-Sept, Windermere Buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers at San Ramon Farmers Market. Connect with your community while shopping at a festive gathering place with live music! www.SanRamonFarmersMarket.org

Canine Companions for Independence Puppy ClassEach Saturday11am-12pm. Become a puppy raiser! The East Bay Miracles Chapter invites you to help train puppies to become assistant dogs for children and adults with disabilities. Make sure to check out their online calendar before heading off to volunteer. Athenian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. ccieastbay.org.

FREE E-Waste Recycling Event First Saturday of every month9am-1pm. Bring your old, unwanted electronic equipment. Drop off is FREE and all e-waste will be recycled right here in the good old USA. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road in the Overfl ow Parking Lot #7, Pleasant Hill. Visit www.NoEwaste.com for accepted and non-accepted electronic items. Information: 866-335-3373 or [email protected].

Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum–open for Fun on the Farm2nd Saturday of each month.10am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the farm and its history, interactive exhibits including the tractor museum, the beautiful grounds and free activities. Visit the Welcome Center and purchase old-fashioned toys and gifts at the Gift Shoppe. Tours are $5 per person, or $8 for both tours on the same day. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3284 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov.

First Thursday Shop Local Day and Night10am-7pm. Join in the fun in downtown Danville at the First Thursday Shopping and Dining Event. Downtown Hartz Avenue, Danville. www.danville.ca.gov.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) MeetingEvery Tuesday8-10am. This Weight Loss Support Group provides a space for those who wish to lose weight. St. Timothy’s, 1550 Diablo Rd. 925-838-7870.

Saturday without Reservations at the Tao HouseEvery Saturday 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Come explore the National Historic Site in Danville. Catch the shuttle at the bus stop in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley - 205 Railroad Ave. www.EugeneOneill.org

San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society MeetingNovember 1710am - 12pm. You are invited to join the SRV Genealogical Society at the library of the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road Alamo. The program will be German Research. Free. This program will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. Call 925-310-¬4691 or visit http://srvgensoc.org, or e¬mail [email protected]

Nov 21 & 22Orchard Supply Hardware Grand Opening7am. Orchard Supply Hardware has moved to a new lo-cation. See ad and coupons page 9. 2181 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon. 925-830-8381.

Kiwanis Annual Fall Food and Turkey Drive November 2110am – 4pm. The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley are teaming with NBC Bay Area and Safeway Grocery Stores to collect about 10,000 lbs. of food for those in need in our community. They will be outside Safeway stores in Alamo, Blackhawk, San Ramon and Dougherty Valley collecting $10 for each grocery bag provided by Safeway. These will be delivered to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties. Our goal is to help fill all local food banks so that no child or family will need to go hungry this holiday season.

Weaving and WoolNovember 21 11am - 2pm.What do you wear that is woven? Find out how a loom transforms yarn into fabric and see some wonderful woven creations. You can also take a look at the Farm’s sheep with their thick wooly fleeces, hear some stories about wool and weaving, and make a craft. Free. Forest Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. www.sanramon.ca.gov

Return of the MonarchsNovember 27Come celebrate the return of the Monarch Butterflies at Ardenwood Historic Farm. For years monarchs have gathered at Ardenwood every winter. Come see if they return, learn about their amazing lifecycle and make your own colorful caterpillar to take home. Ardenwood Farms, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont.

Lighting of the Old Oak TreeNovember 27Make memories with your loved ones at Danville’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Warm feelings will quickly quell the cool air as local choral groups provide musical accompaniment and neighborhood businesses pass out hot beverages. Down Town Danville, Diablo Road. To learn more, visit www.danvilleareachamber.com.

Beautiful Kernels of CornNovember 28 11am - 2pm. See the rainbow of colors in our bucket of shelled Indian corn and use some of it to create a colorful corn craft. Free. Forest Home Farms, 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. www.sanramon.ca.gov

After Turkey HikeNovember 299am - 12pm. Burn off the bird on this rugged and hilly 4-5 mile nature hike. We’ll try to avoid mud, but be prepared for it. Heavy rain cancels. Suitable for children 8 years and above. Parking fee: $5. 37.958359N 121.86326W, Black Diamond Mines: Upper Parking Lot. 510-544-2750 or http://www.ebparks.org/activities

Last Day of Weekend Mine Tour and Greathouse Visitor Center SeasonNovember 29The East Bay Regional Park District began acquiring land for Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in the early 1970s. The area is an ideal location for hiking, picnicking and nature study. Naturalists conduct a variety of programs relating the Preserve’s natural and historic resources.

Holiday Gift With PurchaseNovember 29Customers who spend a combined minimum of $75 at any Livery merchant(s) will receive a holiday gift, compliments of the Livery! Danville Livery, 40 Sycamore Valley Rd W, Danville. http://www.danvillelivery.com

Spirit of Danville Holiday Shopping EventDecember 311am – 8pm. Kick-start the season at the Spirit of Danville Holiday Shopping Event. Over 80 merchants and restaurants will be open late offering free wine tastings, hot cider, cookies, and other goodies along with great deals on gifts for everyone on your list. Take the free trolley between downtown and the Livery, and be sure to eat out because participating res-taurants will be giving exclusive discounts to ticket-holders. So make your list, check it twice, and get a jump on holiday shopping at this enjoyable holiday event. More information can be found at www.discoverdanvilleca.com

Paws-In-Need presents Photos with Santa for Pets and their FamiliesDecember 51-4pm. Want a festive photo of your best friend and/or fam-ily member with Santa to send with your holiday greetings this year? We provide the jolly Santa and setting and you provide the family and pet! You may either take a photo with your own camera/phone or we will have a photographer on hand to capture that special moment when everyone says “Paws!” A donation of $10 per sitting is suggested. Proceeds benefi t local animals through PIN’s Spay/Neuter and Just Like New programs which rely solely on public donations. No reservations are needed. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Pet Extreme, 4500 Arroyo Vista in Livermore. Call 925-447-8903 or visit Paws-In-Need.org

SENIORS

Danville SeniorsUnless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more information call 925-314-3490 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors.

Sneaker Trips: The Town of Danville’s Senior Sneakers program is a great way for you to make new friends and get out and around the greater Bay Area. There’s always something new to see and learn.

All trips meet at the Danville Park & Ride lot unless otherwise noted in the trip details. Reserve your spot at the Danville Senior Center, 115 E. Prospect, Danville, CA 94526, on or before the registration date beginning at 8:30am. Informa-tion: 925-314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors/Senior_Sneaker_Trips.

The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) are open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at the Danville Park-n-Ride (next to the Sycamore Valley 680 North exit) at 9AM and returns about 1Pm. Most hikes are not strenuous, but gradients are involved due to the local terrain. Distances are usually in the 4-5 mile range, and the pace is moderate, with stops to view scenery, wildlife and to talk about location history when ap-propriate. Information: 925-314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors/Senior_Hiking.

San Ramon SeniorsThe following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Commu-nity Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. For more information call 925-973-3250 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov/parks/programs/ages55+.htm.

Wisdom Wednesdays: Free workshops and informational sessions that will benefi t you. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 925-973-3250.

Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesday from 10am-1pm. Sign up for trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. Infor-mation: 973-3250.

Wednesday Morning Hikes (time and location varies)Join the San Ramon Trailblazers if you are interested in meet-ing new people, enjoying the outdoors, having fun and getting in shape. The group meets once a week at various locations,

valleysentinel.com november 2015 The Valley SenTinel page 13 This is an adults only group; pets are not permitted on hikes. To fi nd out the exact meeting location and to get on the email list, please call the Senior Center or email [email protected].

Page Turners Senior Book GroupThird Tuesday of the month1:30pm. Drop in–all are welcome! Copies of this month’s book are on reserve for you at the San Ramon Library Front Desk. Book group meets at Alcosta Senior and Com-munity Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Information: Carol Yuke, Adult Ser-vices Librarian. 925-973-285

BUSINESS

Ribbon Cutting and Open House November 165 - 6pm. Bollinger Canyon Dental, San Ramon

San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Third Thursday Mixer November 195:30 - 7:30pm. Meet other business owners for an opportunity to network and make your business more visible. $5 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. No RSVP Required. Checks and Cash only please. Villa San Ramon, 9199 Fircrest Lane, San Ramon.

San Ramon Chamber of Commerce New and Future Member OrientationNovember 244-5pm. Learn about the various Chamber services that can benefi t your business. Free. RSVP 925-242-0600. San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Ranch 6,2400 Camino Ramon Conference Room 158/K, San Ramon

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek B r a n c h o f t h e A m e r i c a n Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, educat ion, phi lanthropy 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 and may contact Liz at 389-0152 for details. Visit daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates.

Cancer workshops and support groups-OngoingMost are free. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Information / reservations call (925) 933-0107 or visit www.cancersupportcommunity.net.

Fibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If these are familiar to you, call about the San Ramon Valley support group for people who need support, information, classes and friendship from people who know what it’s like. We like to laugh while getting well. Call 925-837-0510.

Hope Hospice Grief Support Groups-OngoingHope Hospice provides support to help you understand and manage grief in a way that is healthy and appropriate. Our Grief Support Center is available to all community members at minimal or no cost. Information: visit www.HopeHospice.com or call 925-829-8770.

Hospice of the East Bay Support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes will be offered at Hospice’s Administrative Offices: 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill and the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Pre-registration is required for all groups and classes, except our drop-in group. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Information: www.hospiceeastbay.org

Wind ‘n Sea Sailing Club Sailing training classes take place at members’ homes. Information: Call Jan at 925-837-3381.

RECURRING

Mondays:The Walnut Creek Garden Club Meets the second Monday of each month. Meeting begins at 9:30 with community and socializing from 10:30 to 11:00. You do not need to be a gardener to join the club. The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. Information: californiagardenclubs.com/content/walnut-creek-garden-club or [email protected]

Danville Rotary12pm. Meets every Monday. Faz Restaurant, Danville. Information: danvillerotary.org.

San Ramon Alzheimer Support Group7-9pm. Meets the second Monday of each month, except on holidays. Sponsored by the Alzheimer Association. People who know or are caregivers of Alzheimer victims can get information on how to help them through this diffi cult time in life. San Ramon Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3250.

Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon11am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends, participate in fun activities. Make $15 luncheon reservations by cal l ing 925-322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.Branch116.org.

Tuesdays:Danville am Toastmasters7-8:30am. Meets every Tuesday. New members welcome. Danville Women’s Club, 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave., Danville. Information: danvilleam.freetoasthost.org.

Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Information: dsvrotary.com.

Diablo View Toastmasters8:15-9:15am. Meets every Tuesday. CMG Mortgage, 4th Floor Conference Room, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Information: 4160.toastmastersclubs.org.

Walnut Creek Kiwanis Club12:10-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. Information: kiwanisofwalnutcreek.org.

Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.org.

ARF Pet Loss Support Group5:30-7pm. Meets second Tuesday of every month. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5681 or [email protected]. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net.

Divorced and Separated Work-shop. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30PM at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Contact: Sue at [email protected]. 925 -819-1809.

Prostate Cancer Group7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, South Building, West Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107 or www.twc-bayarea.org/community-programs.html.

Wednesdays:Walnut Creek Toastmasters7 - 8 : 1 5 p m . M e e t s e v e r y Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net

Hospice of the East Bay Drop-in Bereavement Support4 : 3 0 - 6 p m , 1 s t a n d 3 r d Wednesdays of every month. 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill. Information: 925-887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. R o u n d H i l l C o u n t r y C l u b , 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Information: alamorotary.org.

Danville Toastmasters Club #17857 : 3 0 - 9 p m . M e e t s e v e r y Wednesday. Room W204 at Diablo Valley College,1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon. Information: danvilletoastmasters1785.com.

San Ramon Valley Rotary7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Danville Lions Club7pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday each month a t The Brass Door at 2154 San Ramon Val ley B lvd. in San Ramon. Information: [email protected]

Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley1 2 p m . M e e t s t h e s e c o n d Wednesday of every month. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30. Guests are welcome with lunch reservations. Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Ave., Danville. RSVP 925-275-2412. Info: visit www.srvexchangeclub.org

Walnut Creek Host Lion’s Club12:15pm. Meets the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: walnutcreeklions.org.

Blue Star Moms7 - 9 p m . M e e t s t h e s e c o n d Wednesday of every month to participate in service activities supporting sons/daughters serving in the military. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org. www.valleysentinel.com

925-820-6047

Danville • Blackhawk Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon

390 Diablo Road, Suite 145Danville, CA 94526

Community News & Information

Publisher/Editor - Denise Rousset Chief Financial Offi cer - Jeff Gummere

Graphic Designer - Laurie Prindle Auto - David & Judy Colman

Contributing Writer - Alison ClaryWeb Support - ewebsiteservices.com

Intern - Paulina Fischer, MVHSPhotography Intern - Imran Ali, MVHS

Community News & Information

Sons in Ret i rement (San Ramon Valley chapter) Monthly Luncheon10:30am; Social Hour, 11:35am Meeting and lunch. Meets the 3rd Wed. of each month. $23 includes luncheon. A great opportunity to socialize. To reserve a space, please email us by Friday prior to luncheon at [email protected]. Location: San Ramon Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane, San Ramon. Information: www.SIR128.com.

Diablo Valley Quilters7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. No charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danvi l le. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com.

Veterans of Foreign Wars7pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Veterans Memorial Hall, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Information: Post Commander Ernie Petagara at 925-362-9806 or vfwpost75.org.

Diablo Singles Dance Club7-10pm. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $8, Guests $12. All welcome. 111N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek.

Thursdays:San Ramon Valley Newcomers11:30am-2pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. $12. New and long-time adult residents are welcome. Reservat ions/information: 925-837-9600 or www.srvnc.com.

Rotary Club of San Ramon11:45am. Meets every Thursday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonrotary.org.

San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club1st, 2nd and 4th Thursdays at Noon, and the 3rd Wednesdays at 6pm—all at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Rd., Alamo. www.kiwanis-srv.org.

Clutterers Anonymous7-8pm. Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church room 3, 2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-736-8627.

Diablo Valley Lions Club7:30pm. Meets the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month. 1400 Montego Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: diablovalleyca.lionwap.org.

Fridays:Transitions - “Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am. Our group now has a new name, which has been changed from TENS to Transitions. Our mission is to encourage and support women from empty nest, to aging parents and everything in between. Community Presbyterian Church, Room 116, 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville. Information: Contact Donna Hill at [email protected]

Saturdays:Diablo Region of the Porsche Club of America7:30-9am. Meets every Saturday. Buttercup Bar and Gril l, 660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Information: diablo-pca.org.

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group9am-12pm. Meets every 3rd Saturday. Join us to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Meeting location is the Fireside Room at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Contact Gregg Riehl at (925) 254-8349 or [email protected]. Caregivers meet at same time in Oak Room of Grace Church. Information: Howard Zalkin at 925 939 4210 or Ronnie Wanetick at 925 933 6357 Free. All are welcome.

Sundays:Cars n Coffee: First Sunday of Every Month8-10am. Blackhawk Automotive Museum is hosting Cars and Coffee for automotive enthusiasts in the parking lots of Blackhawk Plaza. Our partner, Scott’s Catering, will provide coffee and other refreshments. Blackhawk Museum; 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle; Danville. Information: www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

HELP WANTEDData Architect II: Master’s in C.S., Info. Sys., or rltd. & 5 yr. rltd. exp. CV to: Bank of the West, 2527 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583. ATTN: H.R. or email [email protected]. EEO. Position in San Ramon, CA.

Classifieds

AUTOMarch 2009page 14 The Valley SenTinel november 2015 valleysentinel.com

Some test cars are easy to forget. But this Dodge is not one of them. The Scat Pack Challenger is the most incredible performance bargain on the market today. A genuine four seat muscle car capable of cranking out 12 second quarter miles, yet costing just $41,490. And to top it off, the exterior design is so alluring it could win a modern art competition. Even the basic 6 cylinder Challenger is a stunning automobile. But as you work your way up the food chain at Dodge, the embellishments to the mechanical and visual package make the Scat Pack version irresistible. Under the twin nostril hood you’ll find Chrysler’s king pin power plant, an SRT massaged 6.4 liter HEMI producing 485hp. A pair of vintage looking Super Bee emblems aft of the front fenders remind observers what you already know: this Dodge means business. In fact we were accosted at one of our frequent fill-

2015 Dodge Challenger Scat PackBy David and Judy Colman

ups of this 18MPG ride by an adjacent gas customer, who took one look at our Challenger and launched into a delightful story about his own first car, a 1969 Super Bee Dodge. That original model carried the same logo and bumblebee tail wrap as today’s Challenger. The entire project is a brilliant heritage marketing coup for the Dodge Division.

In order to cope with the ferocious torque output of the HEMI, our Challenger harnessed its output through an optional ($1,400) TorqueFlight 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. The stubby floor shift mounted between the heavily bolstered front seats boasts two separate gates. This “AutoStick” transmission offers fully manual shifting in the left gate, and fully automatic gear changes in the right gate. However, you can always engage a specific gear at any time in either gate by popping the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. This

set up is so foolproof that you’ll enjoy it as much if not more than the 6-speed manual gearbox which is available at no extra cost. The only other option on our test vehicle was the $1,100 “R/T Scat Pack 6.4L HEMI V8” which includes an Appearance Group that adds super bee emblems to the seat headrests, a satin black fuel filler door, very foxy looking high energy discharge headlamps, the afore mentioned bumblebee tail stripe, thick logo floor mats, and a massive performance steering wheel with hefty pistol grips next to the paddle shifts.

Nor does Dodge ignore this hefty coupe’s suspension. Premium Bilstein shock absorbers monitor every corner, reacting with persuasive authority to road and wheel camber changes. Giant Brembo brakes stop the action like an arresting hook on an aircraft carrier. Massive 9 inch wide, 20 inch diameter alloys, with polished spokes and black

pockets, mount Goodyear’s best rubber: 245/45R20 Eagle F1 tires. Although it’s been quite a while since Goodyear’s been involved in Formula 1, they once owned the World Championship, and these tires still reflect that hard earned pedigree. The Challenger corners hard and flat, with no understeer at all thanks to the mid-ship placement of the HEMI. Even the Sport Mode stability and traction control programs are tailored to let you hang the tail out under full acceleration before they intercede. This car offers the best compromise between traction control and enthusiast driving we have experienced. And to top it all off, the firm ride is infallibly comfortable. The Challenger simply never loses its composure, whether you’re blasting off for a quarter-mile run, or tackling some nasty turns.

You can have a lot of fun with the special performance evaluation programs Dodge builds into the instrumentation here. You can manipulate the

Driver Information Display (DID) to exhibit the following performance aspects: 0-60mph, 0-100mph, 1/8 and 1/4 mile times, braking distance, current and peak G-Force, lap time and lap time history, and top speed. All information gleaned will be sent directly to your insurance carrier. Just kidding. For gear heads, this cornucopia of data is cat nip nirvana. Dodge has built an affordable, good looking, stinking fast hot rod that not only pays tribute to a storied past, but betters it with a massive infusion of technology that could only have been dreamt of back in 1969.

2015 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack

Engine: 6.4 Liter srt v8 mds hemi

Horsepower: 485hpTorque: 475lb.-Ft.Fuel consumption:

15mpg city/25mpg highwayPrice as tested: $41,490Hypes: 12 second

quarter mile runsGripes: could use a rear

wiperStar rating: 10+ Stars

out of 10


Ways to give back this holiday seasonBy Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

The stresses and commitments of the holidays are often overwhelming on family life. Volunteer work and holiday giving activities are a great opportunity for you and your children to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season together.

For those who are struggling to make ends meet, however, the holidays can be one of the more difficult times of the year.

The Holiday Season is the perfect time to teach generosity to our children by donating or volunteering together. At the same time, we can make a real difference in our community.

If you would like to assist some families and individuals in need, here are

a few simple ways you can help.

Holiday Helpers Warehouse is a wonderful way to support some of the neediest neighbors in Contra Costa County. The Holiday Helpers Warehouse has been a program of VESTIA (Volunteers and Emergency Services Team in Action) in Contra Costa County for the past 25 years. VESTIA anticipates serving over 450 families again this year through the Holiday Helpers Warehouse program. VESTIA provides gifts of warm clothing, toys, books and food to families in need throughout Contra Costa County, all through referral from county social workers.

The dates for the Holiday Helpers Warehouse 2015 in Central County is to be held in Pleasant Hill on December 14th & 15th from 8am to 3pm. If you, your company or organization would like to donate directly, or volunteer at the warehouse, please

contact Alvaro Florez, Program Manager for HHW at [email protected] with “HHW” in the subject line.

Donations to support the Holiday Helpers Warehouse include new toys, clothing, blankets, footballs, basketballs, books and gift cards. While all donations are gratefully accepted, they especially need gifts for teens including sports equipment and clothing, fashion items (watches, beauty kits, etc.), gift cards, and movie tickets. I will have collection boxes in my Lafayette office (3338 Mt. Diablo Bl.) and Danville office (309 Diablo Road) through December 11th for your convenience.

Another way to help is to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in the 2015 “County Cares Holiday Food Fight.” This is the 12th anniversary of the challenge between Contra Costa and Solano counties.

Although canned goods are appreciated and accepted,

the Food Bank asks folks to donate money in order to assist the Food Bank’s purchase of fresh produce, which now accounts for nearly half of the food distributed. Also, because they buy in bulk, for every $1 donated the food bank is able to provide two meals to an individual.

Please join this Food Fight by mailing or dropping off a check made out to “The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano” at my office or by visiting www.foodbankccs.org and clicking on the link to the Counties Care Holiday Food Fight. The link will be available for donations to the “Food Fight” from November 23 through December 31. Be sure to note where appropriate that you are giving as a “friend of CC County employees” and indicate Board of Supervisors, District 2, Candace Andersen

Thanksgiving hikesBy Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Parks District

Thanksgiving is almost here, bringing family gatherings, televised football, and sometimes- excessive caloric intake.

With that in mind, the East Bay Regional Park District is offering lots of Thanksgiving opportunities, both organized and informal, to get some fresh air and exercise and shed some pounds.

And Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will be the venue for an “after turkey hike” from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 29, guided by naturalist Eddie Willis.

This one is a rugged and hilly four-to-five mile nature hike, starting at the parking lot at the upper end of Somersville Road, 3.5 miles south of Highway 4 in Antioch. It’s designed for age 8 and older. Eddie says he’ll try to avoid mud, but

you should be prepared for it. Heavy rain cancels the hike. Call 510-544-2750 for information.

By the way, the last day for weekend tours of Black Diamond’s Underground Mining Museum is Nov. 29. After that the museum closes until the first weekend in

March.If you would rather

explore the trails on your own and set your own pace, there are lots of regional park possibilities.

For instance, the Ringtail Cat Trail at Las Trampas Regional Preserve in San Ramon often has pretty fall colors, because it follows a streambed through woods of big leaf maple.

It starts at the parking lot at the end of Hemme Avenue off Danville Boulevard. After about a quarter mile it leads steeply uphill to the Madrone Trail, with fine views of the San Ramon Valley and Mt. Diablo.

The Ringtail Trail is closed to bicycles. However,

Hemme Avenue crosses the Iron Horse Regional Trail, which parallels Danville Boulevard and San Ramon Valley Boulevard through the valley.

The Iron Horse Trail is great for family walks and bicycle rides. It’s mostly flat,

extends for about 30 miles from Concord to Dublin, and is easily accessible from many city streets.

Maps and information about all these parks and more are available at the park district web site, www.ebparks.org. But however you spend your time, here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

ConcernsThere’s no question that a

properly designed roundabout can have a beneficial effect on traffic flow. However, pedestrian and bicycle safety are genuine concerns. Depending on the placement of crosswalks, pedestrians walking counterclockwise will need to not only look left and right before crossing, but also way around over their left shoulder. Pedestrians will not be able to walk directly across the intersection but will need to walk around the circle to reach the crosswalk. At this time, it’s not clear whether or not Walk/Don’t Walk signals will be installed.

as the department designee. Lastly, if you are planning on attending the Town of Danville Tree Lighting on Friday, November 27th, please stop by my office for some hot cocoa and a holiday treat. The office, located just west of the tree at 309 Diablo Road, will be open from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at [email protected] or 925-957-8860.

Another concern is that the roundabout will have a “metering” effect depending on traffic volume. The steady drip – drip – drip of vehicles means that there will be fewer traffic gaps for pedestrians both upstream and downstream from the roundabout.

The most important concern is bicycle safety. According to a New Zealand study, the most common accident type is when a vehicle enters the roundabout and collides with a bicyclist already in the roundabout. Another common accident is when a vehicle makes a turn to exit the roundabout and cuts off a bicyclist who is still going around the circle.

Solutions to these conflicts may include designating perimeter lanes for bicyclists, require that bicyclists use pedestrian crossings or require that bicyclists merge with traffic to use a vehicle lane.

An Alamo roundabout is in preliminary planning stages. If you have any comments or questions, please contact County Supervisor Candace Andersen at 925-957-8860.

“Steve Mick is a long-time Alamo resident and is active in a number of local community organizations. Among them are the Community Foundation of Alamo, the Exchange Club and the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council. You can reach Steve at [email protected].”

ROUNDABOUTfrom page 5

is the primary cause for this resistance, although drivers become more accepting of roundabouts as they gain experience.

BenefitsSince a roundabout has

no traffic lights, the chance for a T-bone collision is greatly reduced. Stop and go traffic in a normal roundabout is pretty much a thing of the past. Cars merge in and out of the circle in a constant flow promoting less delay.

Since there are no traffic lights, the cost of initial installation is reduced and the cost of on-going maintenance is greatly reduced.

A major benefit of roundabouts is traffic calming and reduction in speeding. In addition, U-turns can be made safely and easily merely by driving around the circle.


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See Our Progress in the Bay Area

Ben StockingerGas Mapping TechLIVerMore resIdent

I love that my job allows me to contribute to the safety of my community by mapping all the gas transmission work that PG&e is doing to ensure a safe and reliable gas pipeline system.

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At PG&E, our customers are our neighbors. The communities we serve as PG&E employees are where we live and work too.

That’s why we’re investing $5 billion this year to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure across northern and central California. It’s why we’re helping people and businesses gain energy efficiencies to help reduce their bills. It’s why we’re focused on developing the next generation of clean, renewable energy systems.

together, we are working to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure—for your family and ours.

Replaced more than 30 miles of gas transmission pipeline

Invested more than $2.1 billion into electrical improvements

Connected more than 65,000 rooftop solar installations

See the FActS IN the BAy AreA

The Valley Sentinel_November 2015

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Transcript of The Valley Sentinel_November 2015