The Valley Sentinel_Sept 2012

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

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Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon

VOL 17, NO 9 September 2012 SEVENTY-FIVE CENTSalways for the community valleysentinel.com SENTINELTHE ALLEYVSPOTLIGHT

Find out what’s new in the Valley at

Activities • Businesses • Seniors • Education • Sports and more...www.valleysentinel.com

This month’s Special Sections:

page 10Home & Gardenpage 8

Women in Business

The northern river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, which includes the wolverine, fisher, badger, marten, mink and weasels. They are all unique in having anal scent or musk glands. Skunks formerly were members of the weasel family, however their well developed scent glands and other characteristics have placed them in their own family, Mephitidae.

River otters reach their greatest abundance in the Sacramento/San Joaquin delta region where myriad crayfi sh and freshwater or brackish water nongame, rough fi shes provide them with diverse food resources. Turtles, frogs, small mammals, shellfish, birds eggs and even insects or earthworms supplement their diet. Their scat,

Northern River Otter spotted in local creeksBy James M. Hale often deposited near their slides

and haul out areas, can easily be identifi ed by its composition of crayfi sh exoskeletons, fi sh scales and bones.

Their permanent den is often in a riverbank, with both underwater and above water entrances. The female bears a litter of one to six blind, fully furred young in March or April. They fi rst leave their den after three or four months, and after training with their parents for about half a year, they set off on their own. Adults have a sleek body about three feet long, with a thick tapering rudder-like tail, a long, round head with prominent whiskers, small valved ears and nostrils, and short legs with all four feet fully webbed. These features adapt the river otter

to aquatic life better than any other mustelid except the rare sea otter. Otters can hold their breath for over fi ve minutes. Some river otters have taken up a marine existence around the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. Others are occasionally seen along the California coast, particularly near the mouths of rivers and bays, where they feed on mussels and other intertidal prey. The river otter is generally thought of as nocturnal, although it is frequently seen hunting for food or playing on its slides in the daytime. Otters are known to live 14 years.

In the past, the northern river otter’s thick, beautiful and durable fur was sought after by trappers and the fur trade. The otter was one of the great

incentives for the exploration of California prior to the gold rush. Excessive trapping diminished their populations across North America. Although commercial trapping ceased in 1961 in California, twenty percent of

See OTTERS page 4

Maggie (L) and Jessica Stephens (R) were honored at the Town of Danville’s Oak Hill Park event on Saturday August 25th. The girls won gold medals for Team USA in water polo. This was Maggie Steffens’ fi rst time participating in the Olympics, the second for her sister Jessica. In her fi rst try Maggie became one of the “darlings of the pool” in her fi rst Olympic Games, along with her sister during the two week global sporting event. They beat Spain in the fi nal with Steffens scoring the fi nal four goals for the US team.

When Maggie arrived home from London she was honored on August 17 at her hometown

See OLYMPIANSpage 9

Jessica SteffensMaggie Steffens

Swimming for Diablo Country Club, L to R, Kate Christian , Grace Kerr, Aria Capelli,, and Shelby Lew had an impressive run through the Valley Swim Association (VSA) season, winning 15 of 16 races in the 4x25 Medley Relay and 4x25 Freestyle Relay, breaking 3 records. For the story, see page 9. (Photo by Gary Lew.)

Local Olympians bring home the goldBy Dan Eaton

• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • dining out • music • art • theater • fun eventspage 2 valleysentinel.com

page 2 The Valley SenTinel September 2012 valleysentinel.com

breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage. Curran Theatre, 445 Geary Street, San Francisco. Tickets/information: shnsf.com.

“Anticipation” Exhibit at the Lafayette GalleryNow-October 7

Anticipation is one of life’s delights; we anticipate and look forward to things that will give us pleasure and satisfaction. The new exhibition at the Lafayette Galley refl ects this, with works of art ready for your home, clothing or garden that evoke the anticipation of pleasurable

War HorseNow-September 9

Hailed by The New York Times as “theatrical magic,” this play is the powerful story of young Albert’s beloved horse, Joey, who has been enlisted to fi ght for the English in World War I. At the heart of the show are life-sized puppets, which bring

See CALENDARpage 3

things to come. Lafayette Gallery, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Information: lafayettegallery.net or 925-284-2788.

Lucky StiffNow-October 7

Center REP presents “Lucky Stiff,” a romantic murder mystery farce that originated as an Off Broadway hit. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets/information: 925-943-7469 or lesherartscenter.org.

Specimens in Contemporary Art ExhibitSeptember 6-November 18

September 7 - September 29, 2012

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T h e intersection of ar t and nature has i n s p i r e d a r t i s t s f o r c e n t u r i e s . Artists have looked to the natural world as a source book for creative projects and strategies. This exhibition will address the changing nature of our relationship with the natural world. Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: bedfordgallery.org or 925-295-1417.

13th Annual Eugene O’Neill FestivalSeptember 7-30

Honor America’s first great playwright a n d celebrate the 75th

anniversary of Tao House! Presentations, performances and exh ib i t s about the playwright Eugene O’Neill and his works throughout the month. Danville. Information: eugeneoneill.org or 925-820-1818. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets/information: 925-943-7469 or lesherartscenter.org.

My Way – A Musical Tribute to Frank SinatraSeptember 7-29

This must-see musical celebrates the mystique of Ol’ Blue Eyes and the music he made famous. Two dynamic couples take the audience from the 1940’s swing era to the bright lights of Las Vegas with the Rat Pack and beyond. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets/information: 925-943-7469 or diablotheatreorg. (See ad this page.)

Off the Shelf and On StageSeptember 14-October 5

Join the Knight Stage 3 Theatre at the Lesher Center for an evening of one acts. Included are new plays, comedies and dramas. This will be a complete evening of theatre! Some of the plays include Fishing, The Day I Met Elvis and Hot August Nights. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets/information: 925-943-7469 or lesherartscenter.org.

14th Annual Blues FestivalSeptember 15

12-7:30pm. Come join us for this annual community event! Bring lawn chairs, free parking. On the San Joaquin Delta. Antioch’s Rivertown District, off 2nd street between “G” and “I” streets. Information: DeltaBluesFestival.net.

Dixieland JazzSeptember 15

2pm to 5pm. Come to the Grange Hall in Danville, 743 Diablo Road, the 3rd Saturday of every month from 2 to 5 to listen or dance to the music of Devil Mountain Jazz Band. Great Dixieland Jazz music, a large dance fl oor and lots of free parking. Admission is $15. Bring your own beverages,

• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • dining out • music • art • theater • fun events page 3valleysentinel.com

valleysentinel.com September 2012 The Valley SenTinel page 3

For more Arts & Entertainment see our website at www.valleysentinel.com.

CALENDARfrom page2

snacks and a friend or two and enjoy the afternoon! For more information contact Ken at www.jazznut.com or phone (925) 625-2707.

Thursdays @ the VT Music SeriesSeptember 20, October 4

J o i n t h e D a n v i l l e community to experience regional talent at an affordable price. Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at door. Village Theatre, 420 Front Street, Danville. Information: ci.danville.ca.us or 925-314-3400.

“Voices of Jazz” Concerts at the San Ramon LibrarySeptember 21, 28

Featuring both local and nationally-known musicians, these concerts have remained popular with jazz lovers from all around the Bay Area since the concert series began in 1996. Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 students and seniors. San Ramon Library, 100 Montgomery Street, San Ramon. Information: sanramonjazz.org or 925-973-2850.

Eden Aoba Taiko 15th Anniversary ConcertSeptember 22

7pm. A celebration of rhythm, harmony and the power o f d a n c e and music, this concert features Japanese taiko (drum) in collaboration with local dance groups. A portion of the proceeds will benefi t 2011 Japanese tsunami victims of the Sendai area. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 youth and seniors. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon. Tickets/in format ion: sanramon.ca.gov.

James Fortune PhotographySeptember 28-November 9

Enjoy this new exhibit depicting legendary rock and roll icons through a photographers lens. The Town of Danville is very excited to announce the James Fortune Photography: A Rock and Roll Portfolio 1967-1980 exhibition. The exhibit will feature limited ed i t i on pho tog raphs o f famous rock and roll icons during 1967 through 1980. Opening reception September 28 from 5-10pm. Vil lage

Theatre Art Gallery, 420 Front Street, Danville. Information: villagetheatreartgallery.com or 925-314-3400.

14th Annual Art in the Park Fine Arts FestivalOctober 6-7

10am-5pm. Art in the Park is a wonderful annual fami ly event where the Tr i -Val ley community is invited to enjoy the talents of many Bay Area artists. This is a special day of ar t appreciat ion and al l participating artists donate part of their profits to help the art programs of the schools in the San Ramon Valley Uni f ied School Dis t r ic t . Cent ra l Park , corner o f Alcosta Blvd. and Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: ADAS4ART.org and sanramonarts.org.

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The Valley SenTinel September 2012 valleysentinel.com

California’s supply of pelts comes from the river otter and mink. Trapping has since been reduced and otters are recolonizing areas from which they have been absent for decades. Native Americans would make o t ter sk in medicine bags or pouches, and would wrap thick pieces of otter fur around the end of their bows to deaden the twang of the bowstring. The Hoopa and Klamath Indians of northwestern California use the river otter skin in their ceremonial brush dances.

Otters are very playful and commonly construct slides along muddy stream banks. These slides are worn smooth and slippery by constant use. In the mountains during winter, they make similar slides in the snow and on ice. Otter slides are frequently encountered along our creeks throughout Contra Costa County where they use the network of canals, creeks and their tributaries to travel about in search of food.

Recently, otters have been seen in Alamo along San

Ramon Creek, in Civic Park in downtown Walnut Creek and in the ponds at Heather Farms where they forage for fish and crayfish. Virtually every reservoir, pond and lake in the county is visited periodically by river otters. River otters may make extensive journeys across land as they disperse in search of new territories. In the early 1970ʼs, an individual showed up in the Pajaro River near San Juan Batista, where they were formerly unknown. Some fellow biologists and I traced its path from the Central Valley to San Luis Reservoir, along Pacheco Creek over the pass and into the Pajaro watershed, a journey of over 50 miles.

Loss of habitat through reclamation is probably the most serious threat to the river otter. Destruction of their food supply and habitat by pollution, however, could reduce their numbers.

James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, and Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee, as well as Vice President of Friends of the Creeks.

OTTERSfrom page 1

Advertorial

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

E a r l y D e t e c t i o n : Advances in cancer screening have played an influential role in increasing long-term cancer control. It is well substantiated that the earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of curing the disease. Cancers diagnosed early have less of a chance to spread to other parts of the body. Once cancer has spread, curing the disease becomes more of a challenge. Additionally, better understanding and identi f icat ion of genetic factors help us spot those

The Positive Trend of Surviving CancerBy Dr. K. Kenneth Chao

who are at a greater risk for developing certain cancers.

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

Healthy Lifestyle: It is now clear that having a heal thy l i festyle such as incorporating a regular

routine of physical activity, heal thy eat ing (such as cutting down on high fat/ high sugar consumption), and smok ing ces sa t i on decreases the risk for having cancer. With multiple studies substantiating this positive ef fect , more people are applying this knowledge into their life. Even if a person is diagnosed with cancer, a healthy lifestyle allows for greater tolerance towards treatment and is linked to having a better outcome in beating the cancer. Finally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle after a cancer treatment has been shown to dramatically decrease one’s risk of having the cancer return.

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

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

As of the filing deadline in mid-August, seven candidates are registered to run for the Danville Town Council. There are three open seats on the five-person Council: two from the expiring terms of Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle, and the third from a vacant seat previously held by Candace Anderson, who stepped down earlier this year to serve on the county board of supervisors.

The seven candidates for Town Council are (in order of the date they filed their papers, according to the Town of Danville’s official report): Newell Arnerich, Mike Doyle, Bob Nealis, Renee Morgan, Jim Jelincic, Deanna Sullivan, and Lori Hock.

Newell Arnerich, the current Mayor of Danville, has served on the Danville Town Council since 1995. If reelected, Arnerich hopes to “preserve and enhance our small town character”, and protect our open space. He

Candidates vie for three open seats on Danville Town CouncilBy Brian Yu also has plans to clean up

the north end of Danville. “My vision is the same as the vision most people have in Danville- preserving our small town and continuing to make this a safe place to raise our families. I moved here to raise my family,” Arnerich said, “I couldn’t have picked a better place.”

Mike Doyle has been serving on the Danville Town Council since 1991. “The job isn’t done,” Doyle said in an interview in August, “We have a great town, and I want to make sure that it remains that way. This is a job that is ongoing, and we have a lot of things that are going to happen in the future. We have to remain fiscally sound.” Doyle believes that we need to watch what’s happening around the state and be constantly aware, in order to “maintain the uniqueness and the ambiance of Danville.”

B o b N e a l i s i s a retired business executive who worked as Director

of International Sales for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream. He stated that his expertise in management “would be valuable in helping to oversee Danvi l le ’s government”. When asked about his vision for Danville, Nealis replied, “I think it’s very important that we respect and uphold the 2010 Genera l P lan , particularly when it comes to the area of continued housing development. We’ve found ourselves continuing to make compromises.”

Re n e e M o rg a n i s a planning commissioner and architectural designer. She believes that her experience in architecture and community development would help he r make dec i s i ons i n the best interest of the community. “Danville is a family oriented community,” Morgan explained, “We need to devise a more stringent Traffic Safety Program and expand our Street Smarts and Safety Programs. It is very important my son, friends

See CANDIDATESpage 5


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Advertorial

Tennis Elbow Anyone? Healing tennis elbow with class IV laser therapyDr. Niele Maimone, DC

What is Tennis Elbow?Tennis elbow, or lateral

epicondylitis, is similar to its counterpart, Golfer’s elbow. The primary dif ferences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint commonly called tendonitis. Tennis is one common cause of tendonitis, but many other sports and work related activities can cause the same problem.

The cause of tennis elbow can vary from a single violent action (acute injury) to, more commonly, a repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops. In an acute injury of the elbow, inflammation occurs without substantial tissue damage. However, in a repetit ive stress situation a person may experience damage to the tendon and surrounding soft tissue causing tissue degenerat ion over t ime. Inflammation from acute injury often responds quickly to rest and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, if the injury is due to tendon tissue degeneration, treatment will be longer and will be focused on improving the strength of the tendon as well as rebuilding tissues.

T e n n i s E l b o w Symptoms

With tennis elbow the pain is on the outside of

the elbow and may radiate down the forearm into the wrist. It can be common to have pain and/or weakness when turning a door knob, holding a coffee cup or shaking hands.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow does not usual ly cause any long-term disability. However, the condition may become s t u b b o r n a n d p r o p e r rehabi l i ta t ion wi l l he lp alleviate the symptoms and get you back to life again.

R e s t a n d R e d u c e Inflammation: The f irst step a person should take if tendinitis is suspected is to stop the activities that cause the pain and inflammation. Use a topical cream containing Arnica to begin to reduce the inflammatory process quickly.

Laser Therapy to Heal the Damaged Tissue: Ending the pain caused by tennis elbow requires healing the damaged tissue. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only form of therapy that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing

cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inf lammation, swel l ing, muscle spasms, stiffness, scar tissue and pain.

Correct the Mechanics of Motion: Assessing the forearm, elbow, shoulder and spine for proper postural feedback is done to diagnose a n d c o r r e c t i m p r o p e r a l ignment. After proper alignment is restored, specific muscular taping is applied to improve circulation and insure proper motion on a daily basis. Lastly, specific strengthening and stretching exerc ises are g iven. By strengthening the muscles and tendons involved with tennis elbow, you can prevent the problem from returning.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success not only treat ing tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, but also treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even long-term residual pain. Arthritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

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

and I can safely ride bicycles to school and parks.”

J im Je l inc ic owns a distribution business. He anticipates that the State will place more strain on future budgets, so “there is a need for fiscal responsibility.” In addition, Jelincic believes that there seems to be a push on our urban limits. “There are developments that are being proposed that probably should be voted for by the citizens,” Jelincic explained. Jelincic also supports “the retention of our scenic hillsides and ridgelines, and the need to improve north Hartz Avenue.”

CANDIDATESfrom page 4

Deanna Sull ivan is a businesswoman and lifelong resident of the area. “I’ve seen growth and expansion in Danville,” Sullivan said in a recent interview, “Most of it has been for the positive, and I would like to see the integrity of Danville retained so that my children can enjoy the same lifestyle that I enjoy.” Sullivan also feels strongly about teen safety and making sure that youth are “focused and on the right path.”

Lori Hock is an insurance agent who has l ived in Danvi l le for more than twenty years. “I’d like to promote more small business in the communi ty, and

continue to maintain the same achievements that the town council has already accomplished,” Hock said, “They’ve done a great job, but I think I could bring a lot more energy to the town, and at the same time promote small business.”

The election, which will choose the three candidates that will join current Vice Mayor Robert Storer and Counc i l member Karen Stepper on the Danville Town Council, will take place on November 6, 2012.

Brian Yu is an intern at the Valley Sentinel and a sophomore at Monte Vista High School in Danville.


Seniors

Why is Home Care Assistancethe San Ramon Valley’s premier choice for in-home senior care?

● Home Care Assistance lets you select the caregiver of your choice from our extensive roster.

● Home Care Assistance is the leader in contract-free homecare services, ranging from short term to 24/7 live-in care.

● Home Care Assistance provides high quality, bonded and insured caregivers, who are experienced in care for older adults.

● Home Care Assistance helps with meals, personal care, transportation and more.

● Home Care Assistance wrote the books Handbook for Live-In Care and Happy to 102, available on Amazon.com.They serve as a resource for the industry, as well as families.

Meet Jesse Walters. Jesse is the Client CareManager for our Danville/ Walnut Creek office. He has been working with older adults issues for more than ten years and specializes in home care. Please call Jesse to answer any questions you may have about home care.

Call Jesse for a free consultation at: 925-817-0416www.HomeCareAssistance.com480 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville, CA 94526

If you’re having a medical emergency, the best thing you can do is get to the nearest hospital.

But if you need non-emergency treatment, and you have time to plan, how do you fi nd a hospital that best fi ts your needs?

A good place to start is the Medicare website, www.Medicare.gov. There you’ll fi nd an easy-to-use tool that has quality-of-care and patient- satisfaction information on more than 4,000 hospitals around the country that participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

Picking the Right Hospital for YouBy David Sayen

The tool is called Hospital Compare. We have a similar, user-friendly tool – Nursing Home Compare – to fi nd skilled nursing homes. More than 17,000 skilled nursing facilities in the United States are listed. We recently redesigned and added more information to both tools.

Hospital Compare and Nursing Home Compare have two purposes. One is to help people make good decisions about where they get health care. By making quality-of-care information easily accessible to the public, we also hope to encourage hospitals and skilled nursing homes to improve their performance.

You don’t have to be enrolled in Medicare to use Hospital Compare or Nursing

Home Compare – anyone can access them.

Both tools give you a good snapshot of the overall quality of care at various local hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

Hospital Compare shows, for example, how often and how quickly hospitals give recommended treatments for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and children’s asthma.

It also shows the percentage of patients who developed serious conditions such as bloodstream infections and bed sores while in the hospital. Such conditions are often preventable, if the hospital follows best practices.

You can fi nd out how often patients returned to the hospital with the same condition, and how that rate compares with the national average.

We recently began posting information on how often a hospital uses imaging procedures such as CT scans or MRIs on patients with Medicare. That’s important because some imaging tests carry potential health risks, including unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Hospital Compare also lets you read the responses of patients to a detailed questionnaire that

asks about their experiences and level of satisfaction.

The questions include how well doctors and nurses communicated with patients, and whether patients’ pain was well controlled. Patients also are asked if the hospital kept their room clean, and whether they received information in writing about what symptoms or health problems to look out for after they were discharged.

Finally, patients are asked to rate their overall hospital experience on a scale of zero to 10 – and if they’d recommend that hospital to a relative or friend.

Nursing Home Compare shows the results of health inspections and provides information on staffi ng, including the number of nurses, physical therapists, and nursing assistants at each facility.

It also has a variety of measures that describe the quality of care in skilled nursing homes, such as the frequency of pressure sores and urinary incontinence.

And we’re now posting the full text of our inspection reports, so you can read in detail about any problems that were found at a specifi c nursing facility.

To fi nd Hospital Compare and Nursing Home Compare, go to www.Medicare.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page, under

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“Resource Locator.” We also have compare tools for home health agencies and dialysis centers.

If you don’t have a computer, you can call us, toll free, at 1-800-MEDICARE. We’ll help you get the information you need.

David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, a n d N e v a d a . Yo u c a n always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is seeking volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by the IRS and Client Facilitators who schedule appointments and assist clients. For information call LaVerne Gordon, District Coordinator, at (925) 726-3199. Orientation is in November 2012 and classes start in January 2013.

AARP tax-aide call for volunteers for 2013 tax season


The ALS Napa Trek’s annual charity bike ride will benefit medical research taking place at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). A fully supported ride through the scenic Napa Valley, the ALS Napa Trek raises money and awareness to end amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“The ALS Napa Trek is about riding for those who can’t,” says John Bozeman, volunteer organizer of the ALS Napa Trek. “Our goal is to raise awareness of this disease and

raise money for treatments and a cure.”

The ALS Napa Trek will take place September 29, 2012. Riders cycle one of four marked courses at their own pace, with several rest stops on each route. The ALS Napa Trek begins and ends at the Yountville Veterans Home in Yountville, CA and includes breakfast, lunch at the finish line and wine tasting. Additionally, volunteers and crew are needed and encouraged to participate throughout the day.

“We’re excited to have the support of the ALS Napa Trek in our battle to fight against this devastating disease,” says

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“ALS Napa Trek” Teams with ALS Therapy Development Institute to Battle Lou Gehrig’s DiseaseBy Staff Writer

Steve Perrin, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of ALS TDI and a cyclist in the ALS Napa Trek. “We want to thank everyone who participates, volunteers, donates and cheers during this event. Everyone involved with the ALS Napa Trek plays a crucial role in helping advance potential treatments for ALS toward the clinic as quickly as possible for patients today.”

For more information on riding, volunteering, donating or just coming out to cheer, call 617-441-7200 or visit us online at www.ALSNapaTrek.com.

About ALSAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis, due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. There is no known cause,

cure or effective treatment for the disease. About 5,000 people in the US are diagnosed with ALS each year; the incidence is similar to Multiple Sclerosis. However, with no effective treatment and an aggressive and rapid disease progression, the average patient survives only 2-5 years following their diagnosis. There are about 30,000 US citizens diagnosed with the disease at any given time. The worldwide population of ALS patients is estimated at 400,000.

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In 2001 Laurie founded Blue Heron Graphics, a full service graphic design studio specializing in branding and marketing solutions for local businesses and organizations. Her specialties include logo design, brochures and most anything that can be printed. With her background in art, project management and adult literacy, Laurie brings her special blend of creative talents as well as communication and organizational skills to her work as a designer. Along with her other freelance projects Laurie creates the Valley Sentinel layout every month, as well as designing some of the ads. She is also in charge of the design and production graphics for A La Carte magazine.

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Sandy AdamichSandy Adamich has enjoyed a di-verse career with all of the pieces converging to provide the perfect background for starting an up-scale woman’s designer consign-ment boutique, Consignit Cou-ture, with an orientation toward creativity in design. With the Happiest Mannequins in town, Consignit Couture carries the very best ready-to-wear designer Women’s high end fashion; the perfect combination to find your treasure skirt, blouse, dress or de-signer purse & shoes. Beginning Oct. 1, Sandy is also offering the opportunity for women to “edit their man’s closet” and will be-gin to carry high end men’s out-erwear in her “Consignit for Him Corner.” A man’s fine leather Armani Jacket or tailored Versace Blazer will be the perfect couple complement to her female shop-per’s couture wardrobe.

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Jackie has been in the fash-ion eyewear industry over 35 years. During that time she has garnered clients from all over the Bay Area. Her exper-tise in optics, color and facial structure has been an asset to her clients. She believes in tak-ing each client as an individ-ual and works to achieve the proper design specific to that person. She feels that the most important accessory a person wears is that which is worn on the face. After all, when you meaningfully communicate with someone, it’s always with direct eye contact. Over the years she has been involved with helping to empower less fortunate women in seeking new career opportunities. She is a true giver.

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Val Rogers, owner of Koko Fit-Club Danville, says, “Koko is the place where people who hate gyms love to work out.” With its Smartraining technol-ogy and fitness oasis atmo-sphere, Koko offers an entirely new way to get in shape that’s nothing like the typical gym scene. Rogers is a mother of two who left a career in real estate appraisal to raise her children 12 years ago. She has always been passionate about health and fitness, and equally passionate about helping peo-ple improve their lives.

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Gone are the days when stay-at-home moms were the norm. Now, more U.S. women than not are contributing to their household income by being a part of the working world, and many even act as the main breadwinners for their families.

But the positive impacts of working women go beyond their salaries.

According to a 2010 article on collegetimes.us, women comprised 46 percent of the U.S. labor force, with 75 percent of women participating, up from fewer than 20 percent in 1900.

Having so many women working in business these days helps young women imagine themselves in the working world, said Laurie Prindle, owner of Blue Heron Graphics in Walnut Creek.

“Usually when you are young you don’t really know that much about what kind of work is out there and it’s helpful to see someone… doing a particular type of

by Nora Hestonwork, then you can see yourself doing that type of work,” said Prindle, who told a story about her daughter’s friend who decided she wanted to be a graphic designer in the fourth grade after seeing Prindle do it.

Women also have the ability to contribute to the business world in a different way than many men and it’s good to have a woman’s perspective in all aspects of life, including business, she said. “We bring some civility to [the business world]…Women are more collaborative in their style of doing business and I think that’s a good thing.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau’s “Women in the Labor Force in 2010,” of the 123 million women age 16 years and over in the U.S., 72 million, or 58.6 percent, were labor force participants either working or looking for work.

Prindle, a single parent who said she began her own venture into freelancing and starting her own business to

allow for more time with her daughter, said the differences in the number of women in the working world stems from necessity because families can no longer live comfortably on one salary. It’s not a preference like it was thirty years ago.

Now, women are projected to account for 51 percent of the increase in total labor force growth between 2008 and 2018 and the unemployment rate for all women was 8.6 percent, less than the overall men’s unemployment rate of 10.5 percent.

A g lass ce i l ing s t i l l exists for women, Prindle said. However, she sees the situations for women in business improving. “I think things are slowly getting better for women in business. They have a lot more opportunities, which they fought for very hard.”

I t ’s just a matter of time before they have the opportunities to do whatever a man does in the business world, she said. Of course, they already have the ability.

75% of women participate in labor force today

The Valley SenTinel September 2012 valleysentinel.com valleysentinel.com September 2012 The Valley SenTinel page 9

A group of nine and 10 year old boys and girls from Danville, Alamo and Walnut Creek took home the silver medal in the Water Polo Junior Olympics. After three and a half days of undefeated play, our local 680 Drivers faced the number one ranked team in the nation, Kahuna from Irvine, CA in the fi nal game at Stanford University. In a closely matched game, Kahuna came out on top 8-6 giving 680 the number two rank in the U.S. and the silver medal.

In their first game at Stanford, 680 got off to an early start with 14-1 win over Shore Aquatics from Long Beach on Thursday. Later on day one they took down Orange County in a closely matched 4-1 victory.

U10 Polo Take Silver at Jr. Olympics

Pictured, top row left to right:Assistant Coach Joshua Bradley, Annelise Miller, Holden Neach, Blake Webb, Mark Laurland, Skyler Jones, head Coach Skip Mann. Bottom row left to right:Ryan Dicks, Jamie Steingraf, Austin Pendergraft, Ethan Pendergraft, Cade Johnson, Wyatt Mundelius, Giacomo Watson.

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OLYMPIANSfrom page 1

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Friday found 680 besting Pacifi c Polo Club, 12-4. This led them to take on number four seed, International Polo Club from Los Alamitos, Friday afternoon at Menlo College. In the past year, 680 had faced International twice and came up short on both occasions. This time would be different. International started out ahead in the fi rst quarter, but were down by one at the half. The second half of the game was dominated by 680 with a fi nal score of 10-4.

In what most spectators considered the game of the year, 680 faced number one nationally ranked, Kahuna Irvine on Saturday. Both teams came in undefeated and looking to do battle. Kahuna having beat 680 twice this year was looking for an easy win, however this meeting would be different.

680 rose to the occasion and beat the top team in the country with a 10-5 win. This gave our 680 Drivers the afternoon off in preparation for the biggest Sunday of these boys and girls have ever faced.

Sunday morning started at 7 AM at De Anza College against International for the second time. This was a much closer game and in the fourth quarter it could have swung either way. But when the final buzzer rang, 680 was up 6-4. This placed our youth undefeated going into the National Championship game and facing the powerhouse, Kahuna from Irvine again.

The fi nal showdown was held at high noon on Sunday in Stanford University’s Avery Stadium. It was intimidating

The 6 & Under Girls Relay Team from Diablo Country Club (DCC) - Aria Capelli, Kate Christian, Grace Kerr and Shelby Lew – had an impressive run through the Valley Swim Association (VSA) season, winning 15 of 16 races in the 4x25 Medley Relay and 4x25 Freestyle Relay. The girls posted a 1st place Medley Relay time of 1:28.06 and a 1st place Freestyle Relay time of 1:16.87

By Staff Writer

6 & Under Girls Relay Team from Diablo Country Club breaks 3 records

at the VSA Championship Meet held August 11-12, 2012 at Dougherty Valley High School.

A t t h e Wo o d l a n d s Invitational Swim Meet held July 21-22, 2012, the DCC girls won both the Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay preliminary and fi nal events, and topped a 35-year old Woodlands Pool Record for 6 & Under Girls with a Medley Relay time of 1:28.67.

At the Contra Costa County Championship Meet held August 12-13, 2012 at Acalanes High School, the DCC swimmers took 2nd place in the Medley Relay and 3rd place in the Freestyle Relay. In the preliminary heats of both events, the girls broke Diablo Country Club Swim Team Records from 2008 and 2010 with Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay times of 1:24.34 and 1:13.93, respectively.

By Staff Writer

gym STRiiVE Endurance by longtime trainer Dr. Troy Chamberlin. It was quite an occasion with over 100 people from all around who came to rub shoulders with a real gold medal winner. There were friends, family, and strangers alike all coming in to see the young phenom and her new golden prize. Jessica was not back yet and would be honored along with Maggie at the Town of Danville’s event on August 25th.

When asked about her thoughts on the turnout she revealed a little story in which she said that when she was as young as some of the kids in attendance, she got autographs from her heroes at that time which ended up becoming friends and teammates.

She is only 19 years old, barely a year removed from high school, she is a global traveler, international superstar, and has a brand new, shiny gold medal. Did I mention that she’s going to be following Jessica and

attending Stanford in the fall? Yes, this girl can do it all, and her friends say her new found fame has not gone to her head.

When asked if she had bigger and grander plans for her life, she had an easy comeback. “Oh for sure, I’m not stopping. I defi nitely want to continue playing, but at the same time I’m going to Stanford and I’m going to get a great education there. I don’t even know what I want to major in.”

She also made sure to give credit to her trainer Dr. Troy. “Troy is so positive and is always pushing you, and to be able to come to (training sessions) where I knew I was going to get better every day, work hard

every day, it’s awesome because it’s really hard to fi nd someone like that. So I just want to say thank you.”

Her mother told me that she’s been having some emotions ever since the games began saying “I want it to be their moment and as a parent it’s hard to describe what it’s like, actually having two daughters (in the Olympics).” Asked how she felt about having two daughters who are international superstars, she said “Well it’s extremely emotional for me and it’s just so special. We never would have thought that this could happen but when we watch them play together in the pool it hits, and your heart is just exploding.”

See JR. OLYMPICSpage 11


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Bathrooms are the second most heavily used rooms in the house, with the fi rst being the kitchen. The wear and tear in bathrooms necessitate occasional repair or remodel. As the economy recovers, bathrooms are the prime targets as more homeowners think about remodeling their homes.

A green bathroom remodel is not necessarily more expensive. It may in fact cost about the same or only marginally more. However, it brings many long-term health and economic benefi ts.

When planning a green bathroom think in terms of

A “Green” Bathroom Remodel Brings Many Benefi tsBy Sundong Kwong, Founder, Green Remodel Forum

improving health, comfort, water conservation, and energy efficiency. It would be great if you can do all of the green features. If not, do what is most important to you and your family fi rst.

Health. First and foremost, ensure that there is suffi cient ventilation to rid the bathroom of excess moisture. Moisture that stays in a room can cause wood to decay, and mold to develop. The retained moisture can thus pose a health hazard, as it is well known that mold can cause respiratory problems. Opening windows for a long enough time works but it is not very practical

particularly in winter.Installing an exhaust fan is

a simple and effective solution. Bathrooms in newer homes are required by regulation to be equipped with exhaust fans. If an exhaust fan already exists, it is still important to check that; a) the fan and ducting system have enough capacity; b) the fan operates well; and c) there is no blockage in the duct. Install a timer switch to let the fan run for 20 minutes after use. In general, keeping the relative humidity inside the house to below 50% can prevent mold growth.

C o m f o r t . A n e v e n temperature inside the bathroom will greatly increase comfort. Air seal window cracks and gaps to keep cold air out. You don’t want to step out from a hot shower or bath, only to feel air drafting on your back. If you plan to work on the walls and fl oor, take the

opportunity also to air seal all wall, ceiling and fl oor joints. Add insulation to the attic and the exterior wall if possible.

Water Conservation. 26% of household water is literally fl ushed down the toilet. Using water conserving toilets with the WaterSense label can cut water waste down a lot. Dual fl ush toilets can be great but choose carefully because some models do not work very well.

An on-demand recirculation pump is a great water and energy saving device. You turn the pump on, say, before taking a shower. The pump recirculates cold water back to the hot water system instead of letting it go down the drain. It shuts off when a sensor determines that water is hot enough near the showerhead. So when you step into the shower, hot water is ready. The on-demand recirculation pump

is usually installed inside the cabinet under the sink and one pump serves all faucets in one bathroom or sometimes multiple bathrooms.

Energy Efficiency. Many energy effi ciency measures that work for the home apply to the bathroom. Change light fi xtures and lamps to use CFL or LED lights. CFL saves 75% and LED saves 80% of energy compared to incandescent lights. LED’s are still more expensive than CFL’s but prices are dropping. Also LED’s last 2 to 4 times as long as CFL’s. Either choice can be good. It may come down to personal preference or how they fi t with the fi xtures.

For more about healthier and more comfortable homes, visit www.GreenRemodelForum.com, a website providing information about green homes, and a forum for homeowners to raise remodeling questions and share experiences.

On October 7th the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA) will host the Bay Area Step Up for Down Syndrome walk at Little Hills Ranch In San Ramon. Approximately 1500 people from the community will come out to enjoy a mile walk, picnic and all the activities the park provides. This walk is to promote acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome.

October is National DS awareness month. 40 % of the DSCBA”s annual funding comes from fundraising efforts like this

Businesses can Step Up for Down SyndromeBy Staff Writer

walk. DSCBA is not government funded. This event helps keep the doors of the Connection open.

DSCBA is looking for businesses to either be an event sponsor or t-shirt sponsor of this walk. Businesses can have the opportunity to have a booth, speak to the crowd and basically showcase the business. Depending on the level you sign up for your business will also be recognized in public service announcements on local radio stations as well as marketing materials, websites and in a Newsletter and email marketing

campaign that reaches more than 2500 Bay Area families. Signage and t-shirt recognition is also available. If your company would like to sponsor the Step Up For Down Syndrome walk please contact Nancy LaBelle executive director at the DSCBA 925-362-8660, or email her at [email protected].

Your assistance with our local charity makes a difference in the lives of many families who have children born with DS. We remain the only Bay Area nonprofi t providing vital programs and support services unique to Down syndrome.


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Will Tuesday September 11, 2012 seem like an ordinary day—like that early morning began 11 years ago before America was attacked in the heart of New York City, in the center of the island of Manhattan? The Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley invites you to experience the sounds, f l ights, and remembrances of that day.

Danville’s Rear Admiral Mary O’Donnell will tell of the courage of those who brought the US Coast Guard cutters into danger to rescue the citizens and workers trapped in New York. Coastal military enlisted captains on ferries, police ships, and merchant vessels joined t h e G re a t e s t Ma r i t ime Evacuation—ever.

3 years later the US Coast Guard received the Guardian Medal from Congress. Do you know this story?

9/11 Remembrance will recall the greatest maritime evacuation everBy Karen Stepper, Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley

On Tuesday, September 11, you can share an evening of Remembrance with your f r iends and community. Exchange Club President, Richard Price, will bring the power and precision of our first responders to the park. Firefighters will grace the ceremony with the Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums.

“Lest we forget” takes o n n ew m e a n i n g w i t h educating youth who truly cannot “remember” that day of infamy. More than 200 scouts–boys and girls, Eagles, Tiger Cubs, Brownies, Cubs, and Venture Scouts will hoist a backdrop of 50 American flags.

Representatives from the fi re district, police, and military will accompany the placement of large wreaths—fi rst at the All Wars Memorial, and then in honor of a Gold Star family.

Families are encouraged to join the youth who are already making this event special. CCTV hosts viewings of the ceremony—but i f you come, you can feel the grandeur of the flyover, the precision of first responders, and the uplifting flight of doves as they accompany the youth choir. You can stay and talk with aging survivors of WWII or take the opportunity to thank the Sentinels of Freedom veterans who were severely wounded in defending America since 9/11.

The Exchange Club thanks this year’s sponsors: Engeo, Inc., PG&E, White Wings Dove Release, AT&T, Pacific Rim Recycling, Safeway in Alamo, Danville Hot Summer Nights Car Show Team, The Marchi Group of Wells Fargo Adv i s e r s , and V i e tnam Veterans, Inc.

9/11 CEREMONY5:50 p.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2012

All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park 3005 Stone Valley Road,

(Parking at the Monte Vista High Parking Lot)

Ser ious cycl is ts and recreational riders are invited to help severely wounded veterans by joining V3, the fi rst Veterans Victory Velo set for Saturday, Sept. 22, in San Ramon.

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

Registration begins at 6 a.m. on ride day in the parking lot of the Foundation, 2678 Bishop Drive in San Ramon. Riders can choose from four routes, from the novice to the experienced:

• 100-mile Century Ride begins at 7 a.m.

• 60-mile ride begins at 9 a.m.

Cyclists Will Ride for Veterans• 30-mile ride begins at

10 a.m. • 15-mile Family Fun Ride

begins at 11 a.m.The Family Ride will take

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

There will also be live music, a barbecue and other fun events scheduled between 1 and 3 p.m. on the day of the ride.

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

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

Veterans Victory Velo Bike Ride

Fundraiser benefi tsSentinels of Freedom

Scholarship Foundation

in Stanford University’s Avery S tad ium. I t was intimidating enough to be on the larger than life Jumbotron video screen, but add to that TV and a play-by-play announcer it seems all that was missing was Bob Costas for color commentary. Both teams brought their “A” game to Stanford, but in the end, Irvine squeaked out the victory.

The wa t e r po lo J r. Olympics is the largest national tournament for youth water polo in the United States. It is

comprised of nearly 500 teams from 11 zones throughout the United States. There are fi ve age groups for each gender and they spent eight days battling to see who the national champion is. The U10 group is the only mixed gender age group competing.

This accomplishment is so rare that this is only the second time in history that any of the eleven age group teams from the 680 Drivers have received a medal at the Jr. Olympics. Interesting to note that the only other occasion was also a silver medal this year by the U14 boys.

JR. OLYMPICSfrom page 9

September • September • September • September • September • September • September

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.comIf your event is not listed... Please do so by clicking on CALENDAR and Post an Event

We hope to see you there!

COMMUNITY EVENTSBasic Garden Pruning and Aesthetic TechniquesSeptember 810:30am-12:30pm. World renowned lecturer Mr. Dennis Makishima will present. Learn the scientifi c and horticultural basics of how to prune trees and shrubs while also learning the aesthetic techniques that enhance the garden. Admission: $20 general, $12 garden mem-bers. Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: ruthbancroftgarden.org or 925-944-9352.

Walnut Festival EventsSeptember 9-23The Walnut Festival Association presents: Walnut Festival 5k/10k Run on September 9; Walnut Festival Twilight Parade downtown on Sep-tember 15; 75th Annual Walnut Festival, September 20–23. Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek. Information: thewalnutfestival.org.

Diablo Women’s Chorale Rehearsals September 107-9pm. Diablo Women’s Chorale invites interested singers to ar-range an informal audition with Director Mary Sorenson (925-256-8960) and attend rehearsals on the 3rd and 10th. The performance of “Stars” will include holiday and seasonal songs from the classical, pop, spiritual, jazz and Broadway traditions, some accompanied by a jazz ensemble. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Information: diablowomenschorale.org.

Annual 9-11 Remembrance CeremonySeptember 115:50-6:40pm. Hosted by the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ organizations, this annual ceremony features prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Dept. honor Guard, a bagpiper, a fl ight of doves and many other patriotic contributions. All Wars Memorial, Oak Hill Park, 3005 Stone Valley Road, Danville.

Author Talk: Shoshana Kobrin at the Ygnacio Valley LibrarySeptember 126:30pm. Join for an author talk with local author Shoshana Kobrin, a member of Published Writers of Rossmoor. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with publications like poems, short stories and articles on food, weight, relationships and parenting. Free. Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Information: ccclib.org or 925-938-1481.

Friends of the Walnut Creek Library Quarterly Book SaleSeptember 1510am-5pm. Friends of the Walnut Creek Library are holding a sale where gently-used books are available at great prices. All proceeds help fund new books for the library collection and programs. Oak View Room of Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. Information: wclibraryfriends.org.

Friends of the Dublin Library Fall Used Book SaleSeptember 14-16Friends of the Dublin Library invite you to shop for bargain books and audio-visual materials at the semi-annual Used Book Sale. Most prices are $1 or less. Proceeds go towards purchasing the Library’s materials and supporting its programs. Dublin Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin. Information: aclibrary.org, dublinfriends.org, or 925-828-1315.

28th Annual Shoreline CleanupSeptember 159am-12pm. The California Coastal Commission and the City of Berkeley are asking for volunteers to help cleanup trash on our shores. Wear old clothes, bring water, a bucket and gloves. Meet behind the Sea Breeze Market, at University Avenue and West Frontage Road, Berkeley. Information: cityofberkeley.info/marina.

Rosh Hashana CelebrationSeptember 16The event will begin with an optional walk to Anyo Creek for Tash-likh from 4-5pm. A potluck dinner and secular humanistic ceremony will follow with music, readings and poetry. After the ceremony we will have a reception with apples, honey, and honeycake baked by the Jewish Culture School Students. Free to members, $15 nonmembers. Bothwell Center, 2466 8th Street, Livermore. Infor-mation: tri-valleyculturaljews.org or 925-485-1049.

Job Resources FairSeptember 1811am-3:30pm. The Seventh Step Foundation along with other Alameda County non-profi t organizations are hosting a Job Re-sources Fair for single mothers, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, English-language learners, seniors, as well as veteran’s and ex-convicts looking to return to the workforce. Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street, Hayward. Information: Dr. Jennifer Ong at [email protected] or 510-521-0551.

Veterans Victory Velo Bike RideSeptember 22Registration begins at 6am in parking lot. Serious cyclists and rec-reational riders are invited to choose routes from 15 to 100 miles to raise funds for the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation which helps wounded veterans regain their self-suffi ciency and independence. Live music, barbeque, and other events also. The Sentinels of Freedom, 2678 Bishop Drive, San Ramon. Register/information: veteransvictoryvelo.com.

Girls Night Out to benefi t Kristi Yamaguchi FoundationSeptember 206-8pm. Gather your girlfriends and reserve a couple of hours out of your evening to be pampered and catered to, and get the scoop on the latest home, fashion, beauty tips, and secrets while enjoying wine tasting, small bites, music and raffl e prizes. 100% of ticket and 10% of merchant sales benefi t the Always Dream Foundation to help empower children to reach their dreams through educa-tion and inspiration. Tickets: $10. The Livery, Danville. Tickets/information: danvillelivery.com/blog.

4th Annual Walk n’ Roll & Mobility Matters FaireSeptember 2911:30am-3pm. Participate in the Walk n’ Roll, “Olympic” Activities. Learn from Professionals who work with individuals with ‘Move-ment Disorders’. Northern CA Ataxia Support Group invites anyone with Parkinson’s, MS, Ataxia or other CNS disorders to attend. $25, includes lunch. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Register: ataxia.org. Information: [email protected].

SENIORSDanville SeniorsUnless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more infomation call 314-3490.

Buzz Sessions: Get the buzz on topics and issues facing today’s older adults and talk with the experts. Buzz Sessions are always free! Information: 314-3400.

Sneaker Trips: All trips meet at the Danville Park & Ride lot unless otherwise noted in the trip details. Reserve your spot at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front Street, on or before the registration date beginning at 8:30am. Information: 314-3400.

Senior Events and Trips:Please call the Senior Center at 314-3490 for more information on the following events:

San Ramon SeniorsThe following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. For more information call 973-3250.

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

Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesday & Thursday, 10am-1pm. Information: 973-3250. Sign up for Casino Trips and Van Trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway.

BUSINESSAlamo Chamber of CommerceSeptember 26September Mixer5:30-7:30pm. The community is invited to attend the mixer. $10 for members, $20 for soon to be members. Roberta Morris’ Home at Oak Hill Farm, 313 Cross Road, Alamo. Information: alamo-chamberofcommerce.com.

Danville Area Chamber of CommerceSeptember 13Business and Culinary Showcase5-8pm. Sample the best gourmet small bites, premium wines and craft brews that over 20 area restaurants have to offer. Get to know over 80 premium Danville Area Businesses and their key staff. Dia-blo Country Club, 1700 Clubhouse Road, Diablo. Register/informa-tion: danvilleareachamber.com and danvillechambercart.com.September 20After Hours Mixer5:30pm. Blackhawk Grille, 3540 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. Information: danvilleareachamber.com or call 925-837-4400.

San Ramon Chamber of CommerceSeptember 20Third Thursday Mixer5:30-7:30pm. Meet other business owners for an opportunity to network and make your business more visible. $5 members, $20 nonmembers. Blackhawk Plaza, 3499 Blackhawk Circle Plaza, Danville. Tickets/information: sanramon.org.September 25New and Future Member Orientation4-5pm. Please attend and learn about the various Chamber ser-vices that can benefi t your business. No RSVP is needed. Free. Bishop Ranch 6, 2400 Camino Ramon Conference Room 158/K, San Ramon. Information: sanramon.org.

Walnut Creek Chamber of CommerceSeptember 26New Member Orientation4-5pm. For new members, existing members and prospective mem-bers. This meeting, held in the Chamber conference room, offers an overview of the Chamber, programs and events, public policy initia-tives and activities, sponsorship opportunities, networking, and ways to get involved. Chamber Conference Room, 1777 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: walnut-creek.com or 925-934-2007.

CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONSFibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If this is 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 tend toward laughing while getting well. Call 837-0510.

Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers ClubSeptember 812-1:30pm. Publishing Director Byron Parnell will present “How a Book Gets Published—or Not.” He will discuss what publishers look for, the best ways to approach them, why manuscripts are rejected, and what you need to make your book a success. Registration: $20 members, $25 guests. Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Reservations: Barbara at [email protected] or 925-212-4727. Information: cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com.

Walnut Creek Garden ClubSeptember 109:30am. Garth Jacober of Mt. Diablo Nursery will speak on “Fall Gardening”. Guests and prospective members are welcome.The meeting is open to the public. The Gardens at Heather Farm, Camillia Room, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. Informa-tion: californiagardenclubs.com.

Mt. Diablo Business WomenSeptember 13All business women are welcome. This month, Julie Gleeson and Sherry Platt Berman present “Why is Loving Your Work so Damn Im-portant?” Reservations by September 10; $39 members, $47 guests. Lafayette Park Hotel, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Information: mtdiablobusinesswomen.org.


The Valley Sentinel is seeking interns with web experience and interest in journalism, marketing, and community outreach. Please email us at [email protected], with your qualifications and interests. We’re developing various outreach projects in several departments and would love an interested person along who wants to learn and be part of the team.

Classif ieds FOR SALE

Exceptional landscaping plants at great low prices. Local. Call 925 285-0351.

Hand crafted oak cabinet. 30x30x12.Brand New! Paid $300 - asking $200. 925 828-2812.

Lt. Maple Bedroom furnture; nightstand 24x26, dresser 66x32, chest of drawers 63x28. Best Offer. Call 925 858-2186.

SERVICES

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

HELP WANTED

COMPUTERS:IT EIM Qual. Ass. Analyst: B.S. in C.S. or rltd & 5 yrs. exp. & exp. w/ Putty, Bus. Objects XI R3, Teradata 12, & Informatica Power Cent. 8X. CV to: Bank of the West, 2527 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583. ATTN: H.R. or send to [email protected]. EEO. The position is in San Ramon, CA.

Sales Executive: The Valley Sentinel Newspaper has immediate openings for two sales positions. No sales experience necessary, we will train. Must have an outgoing personality and a positive attitude. Compensation based on performance. The Valley Sentinel covers the most desirable areas of the Bay Area–Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo and San Ramon. Please email your resume and request for interview to us at [email protected].

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek branch of AAUW Membership BrunchSeptember 159:30am-12:30pm. Renew acquain-tances, make new friends, sign up for interest groups, donate and purchase used books, meet Tech Trekkers and prospective branch members, and lis-ten to our guest speaker, Alicia Hetman, CA AAUW president. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Registration: $30 before Sep-tember 10. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo. Reserve/information: aauw-daw.org.

San Ramon Valley Genealogical SocietySeptember 1810am-12pm. The program will discuss how to fi nd that distant relative and will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. Library of the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Information: srvgensoc.org, email [email protected], or call Ed at 925-299-0881.

Montelindo Garden ClubSeptember 219:30am. Kathy Courtright of Orchard Nursery will speak on spring blooming bulbs, deer and gopher resistant, tried and true as well as less popular but won-derful varieties of bulbs. Orinda Com-munity Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Information: montelindogarden.com.

Recurring:

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

Tuesdays:Danville AM Toastmasters7-8:30am. Meets every Tuesday. New members welcome. Father Nature’s Restaurant, Danville. Info: danvilleam.freetoasthost.org.Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Info: dsvrotary.com.Diablo View Toastmasters8:15-9:15am. Meets every Tuesday. CMG Mortgage - 4th Floor Conference Room, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon. Info: 4160.toastmastersclubs.org.

ARF Pet Loss Support Group12-1:30pm. Meets every fi rst Tues-day of the month. In a nurturing small group, you are encouraged to process natural feelings of grief resulting from the loss of a beloved animal companion. Register with Vicki at 925-887-5678 or [email protected]. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Info: arf.net.

Walnut Creek Kiwanis Club12:10-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Mass imo ’s R i s to ran te , 1604 Locust Street,Walnut Creek. Info: kiwanisofwalnutcreek.org.

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

Wednesdays:Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley12pm. The second Wednesday of every month. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Ave., Danvil le. RSVP 925-275-2412. Information: [email protected].

Alamo Rotary 12:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Information: alamorotary.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.

San Ramon Valley Rotary7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonvalleyrotary.com.

Walnut Creek Toastmasters7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hi l l . Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net.

Blue Star Moms7-9pm. The second Wednesday of every month. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR (CONTINUED)

Danville • Blackhawk • Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon

www.valleysentinel.com 390 Diablo Road, Suite 145Danville, CA 94526

Community News & Information

Diablo Valley Quilters7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Features guest speakers, no charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com.

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.

Veterans of Foreign Wars7:30pm. 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.

Thursdays:San Ramon Valley Newcomer’s Club11:30am-2pm. Meets every third Thursday. Giuseppe’s, 2540 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. New and long-time residents of the community are welcome. Reservations/information: Grace at 828-8554.

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

Diablo Numismatic Society7-9pm. Meets every third Thursday. Concord Police Community Meeting Room, 1350 Galindo Street, Concord. Information: diablocoinclub.org.

Clutterers Anonymous7:15-8:45pm. Meets every Thursday. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church room 9, 2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: [email protected]

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

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

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Take a walk on the wild side, and share your love of wildlife with school children by helping them learn more about our natural world. As a museum docent you will lead live animal encounters and provide interact ive educational programs, both in the museum and at area schools. Volunteer docents enjoy special guest speakers at our monthly meetings and have the opportunity to attend nature and wildlife-oriented fi eld trips. Experience the fun of working with other life-long learners who care about wildlife and enjoy nature.

Training Fee: $100 (Members $65) Non-member training fee includes individual museum membership.

Training classes are held from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. every Monday morning beginning Monday, September 10 through

Lindsay Wildlife Museum Seeking Docents

Monday, November 26 at Lindsay Wildlife Museum.

For more information, contact the docent manager, Polly Gusa, at (925) 627-2944 or via email at [email protected]

AUTOMarch 2009

page 14 The Valley SenTinel September 2012 valleysentinel.com

The bold new Scion FR-S looks best when painted in Hot Lava, a shocking shade of pearlescent orange that perfectly summarizes the impertinent nature of this sizzling hot hatchback. With the FR-S, Scion engineers have managed to craft the perfect autocross car. Once properly classed by the Competition Board of the SCCA, the FR-S will win many national titles, not only in autocross, but road racing as well. In fact, the FR-S is destined to become the next Mazda Miata/MX-5 in terms of affordability, competitiveness, and cult interest. The FR-S will also launch a cottage industry of

2013 SCION FR-S destined to become a cult classicBy David and Judy Colman

tuners dedicated to making it go faster and handle better.

This is a ground-breaking product, because its design was generated, not by considerations of practicality, comfort, nor gadgetry, but by performance metrics alone. This is not to say that the FR-S is impractical, uncomfortable, or bare bones, because it is not any of those things. But those ancillaries never factored into the basic equation here. Toyota, with input from Subaru (who sell their own version called BRZ), never wavered from their laser-like design vision: “Build a sports car – not by committee, but by passion – that is light, compact,

agile, and intuitive, delivering true sports car performance at an affordable price.”

Just like the original Miata of 1990, the FR-S offers quintessential sports car performance. And it does so at a remarkably affordable base price of $24,200. In fact, the out-the-door bottom line on our test car was $24,997, including $67 for wheel locks, and $730 for delivery processing and handling fee. At the long-lead press presentation of the FR-S, Scion included hot laps on the Spring Mountain motorsports and country club track in Pahrump, NV. Just to prove the car’s bona fides, event planners

also included a testy autocross course on an adjacent skidpad area.

Every parameter of cockpit design is tuned to extract maximum driver performance. From the fat rimmed 14.4 inch steering wheel, to the enduro c a p s u l e r a c i n g bucket seats, the FR-S is a performance l o v e r ’ s delight. Out on Spring Mountain’s deceptively hilly ultra-late apex circuit, the FR-S handled with precision. Thanks to its 53/47 front/rear weight split, and modest curb weight of 2,758 pounds, the FR-S hunted apexes with no drama, exited clipping points without tail wag, and sprinted from corner to corner with enough zing from its 200hp motor to make the whole undertaking a pleasure.

On the autocross circuit, the standard Michelin X Primacy 215/45/17 tires did a fair share of squealing, thanks to their hard compound 240 wear rating. But the FR-S always remained manageable, predictable, and agile. It was relatively easy to run off a series of ever-improving laps. When you can do this in a car that is not familiar to you, it testifies to the inherent soundness of the design. On the autocross course, 7 separate laps looked like this on the time slips: 49.510; 49,199; 48.714; 48.459; 48.023; 47.972; 47.262. As anyone who’s done a modicum of autocrossing knows, it’s not at all easy to post a perfect progression like this, but the FR-S made it possible, thanks to its perfect balance and feedback.

Scion makes it easy to set the FR-S up for your preferred

driving style, offering full Vehicle Stability Control, partial “Sport” VSC, or complete deletion of VSC and TRACTION CONTROL via a 3 second hold of the “TRAC” button mounted on the central tunnel. After 4 runs with VSC Sport engaged, I deleted TRAC

entirely, and felt the move had cost me time, because the rear e n d s t epped

out so vigorously. But the clock showed the FR-S was immediately 3/10s quicker with TRAC delete (48.714 vs. 48.459).

I almost fainted when, during the technical presentation, a Scion engineer mentioned that the inside of the cabin had been designed to carry 4 autocross compound wheels/tires to an event! In more than 25 years of attending such introductions, no one from a major car company had ever referenced such a design concern. More power to Toyota, Scion (and Subaru) for recognizing this hidden and specific market niche. The FR-S is destined to become a cult classic.

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The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is in the process of updating the Park District’s Master Plan. It is important that we have participation from the many diverse people for whom the Park District exists.

The Master Plan defines the vision and mission of the Park District and sets priorities for at least the next decade, serving as a guide for future expansion of parks, trails, and services. We want to maintain a careful balance between the need to protect and conserve natural resources, while offering recreational use of parklands for all to enjoy.

In September and October there will be a series of six Master Plan public meetings at which park staff will engage in a dialogue with the community. I would love to see you at one or more of these meetings. Mark your calendars for September 19, 2012, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. All the meeting dates, times and locations are on the Park District web site, www.ebparks.org/planning/

mp. From there, you can request e-mail notifications and register for the online forum, where you can post your comments on key topics. You can also send us your comments by letter addressed to: Master Plan Policy Update, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605.

Based on the results of the process to date; surveys, focus groups, and other community outreach, the Board of Directors has identified a number of challenges and issues for the District to address in the 2012 Master Plan. Here are some examples:

• A challenge for the District is to continue to take advantage of technological innovation in communicating with park users and delivering services to them.

• For many economically disadvantaged urban residents, especially youth, the elderly, and others who don’t drive, transportation and access to parks can be an important issue.

• In the regional effort to foster sustainable/green communities, the Park District plays the important role of providing nearby open space that separates and buffers developed areas from each other.

• An important part of the District’s success has always been the volunteer help it gets from its constituents and the partnerships it engages in with other organizations. Park users are eager to participate in caring for the places and resources they love; the feeling of ownership they receive from this service benefits both them and the parks.

• Na tu ra l r e s ou rc e protection plays a central and consistent role in all of the District’s management activities. However, part of the District’s mission also is to manage and protect the historic and prehistoric landscapes that are part of the East Bay’s cultural heritage. The Park District desires to create conservation and management standards for cultural and historic resources.

Information sessions and public meetings about the Master Plan are expected to be completed in late 2012. I encourage you to make your voice heard. Beverly Lane is a member of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors. Her ward includes Central Contra Costa County from San Ramon through Concord and Pleasant Hill through Clayton.

With unemployment rates dropping across the region and tech companies promising thousands of new jobs, buyers are taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates and attractive prices to keep July home sales in the Bay Area on track to record their best year since 2005.

Strong regional employment bolsters real estate confidence

The supply of available homes for sa le remains exceptionally tight, but prices are gradually rising, offering an added incentive for sellers to rejoin the housing market. In fact, it’s becoming more common to hear of property owners willing to sell their homes at a loss in order to trade up for more affordable, higher-end homes.

Like other Bay Area communities, Contra Costa

Advertorial

July 2011 July 2012 Median List Price $850,000 $950,000

Median Sold Price $844,000 $868,000

Number of Solds 44 61 Active Listings 202 93

ObservationOwners of more expensive homes have the confidence to put their homes on the market.

Classic example of Supply vs. Demand

Confident buyers

Hungry buyers have small selection, multiple offers are prevalent

With interest rates ticking up over the last four weeks it appears that the treasury market is now oversold. These short term sell-offs are not unusual. Interest rates have increased anywhere from .250% to .375%. The current sell-off was sparked by a number of recent economic reports. The European markets are showing signs of recovery, the home values in the U.S. are improving, and the Dow and

By Jeff and Jan Bruno By Jason Brown

Mortgage rates on the move

Advertorial

S&P500 are on their longest upward streak since January 2011. The short-term forecast is for rates to improve back to or at near record lows for the fourth quarter. Historically today’s rates are still amazing.

Jason Brown is Senior Vice President and Mortgage Consultant at StoneCastle Land and Home Financial in Danville. He can be reached at (925) 785-4200 or at [email protected]. (DRE License #01190676NMLS#270050)

County saw fewer listings and more closings in July. In the Alamo-Blackhawk-Danville area, listings were down 50 percent and closings were up 27 percent.

Jeff and Jan Bruno are Realtors with Pacific Union International in Danville. They may be reached at (925) 789-0987, [email protected] or jan.bruno@pac union.com. Learn more at www.jeffandjanbruno.com. (DRE #00863829 & #01890309)

Current Real Estate Trends

In the regional effort to foster sustainable/green communities, the Park District plays the important role of providing nearby open space that separates and buffers developed areas from each other. EBRPD is updating the Park District’s Master Plan. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (photo by Ned McKay)

East Bay Regional Park District is Updating Master PlanBy Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Park District Board President

Snapshot of Danville activity compiled with MLS data

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“

Rate RateAPR APR

30 Year Fixed

15 Year Fixed

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2.875% 3.000%3.144% 3.388%

3.625%

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5/1 ARM 3.000% 3.101%

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Rate APR

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“

Rate RateAPR APR

30 Year Fixed

15 Year Fixed


3.500% 3.924% 4.012%

2.875% 3.000%3.144% 3.388%

3.625%



5/1 ARM 3.000% 3.101%

7/1 ARM 3.250% 3.376%

Rate APR








CA DRE:#01327738NMLS #280803



“

Rate RateAPR APR

30 Year Fixed

15 Year Fixed


3.500% 3.924% 4.012%

2.875% 3.000%3.144% 3.388%

3.625%



5/1 ARM 3.000% 3.101%

7/1 ARM 3.250% 3.376%

Rate APR








CA DRE:#01327738NMLS #280803


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The Valley Sentinel_Sept 2012

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