Issuu

Photo by Kim Lind Photography

June

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tues., June 2

A Taste of Danville

@ Prospect Park Plaza and Historic Downton Danville

Get ready to dive into all the best flavors Danville has to offer at this fun local food festival and support the Danville Lions Club.

Event Registration - Will Call and Sales Opens @ 5pm.. Beer and Wine Pavilion with music and dancing open from 6:00 to 8:30PM.

Located behind Incontro Ristoranti @ Albi’s Mediterranean Beer Garden & Cafe 455 Hartz Ave. Proceeds Benefit Kinds Against Unger, Lions Club Charities, Lian Blind Center and Educational Scholarships. Questions? - Call Leslie Masler 510-213-2530

Time: 6-8:30PM

Cost: $45 Passport Card, $25 Beer and Wine Tasting

Sun., June 14

A Brighter Day Car Show

@Historic Downtown Danville

Whether you’re bringing your pride and joy to the show or just rolling through to see the Bay Area’s best rides — this event brings the heat with classics, exotics, customs, and cruisers. All proceeds benefit A Brighter Day, supporting teen mental health and suicide prevention.

Time: 10am-3PM

Cost: $45 to display your vehicle, Free for spectators

Wed., June 17

Kidchella

@Town Green

Kidchella, Danville’s summer performance series for kids, will return to the Town Green this summer with two free familyfriendly events. The first event takes place Wednesday, June 17, featuring a live performance by Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies. Families are invited to bring lunch, a blanket, and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Kidchella includes interactive storytime at 11:15 a.m., live music at noon, and arts and crafts from 1 to 2 p.m.

Time: 11:15am-2PM

Cost Free

Fri., June 19

Moonlight Movies

@Town Green

Moonlight Movies is back on the Town Green! Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and movie snacks and join us for a movie under the stars! Arrive at 6:30 to enjoy crafts, lawn games, and pre-movie trivia! Cool Runnings (1993, PG) will begin at 8:00 pm or when lighting permits.

Time: 6:30PM-10PM

Cost: Free

Every Saturday

Farmers’ Market

@ Railroad Ave. Municipal Parking Lot Downtown

Get the freshest seasonal fare at Danville Certified Farmers Market. You’ll find fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, along with fresh cut flowers, seafood, meats, local honey, and baked goods. More information at www.pcfma.com.

Time: 9am-1pm

Cost: Free

Publication Team

Publisher: Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014

Content Coordinator: Anne Angstenberger, Resident since 2006

Designer: Meagan Cowle

Contributing Photographer: Kim Lind Photography

Advertising

Contact: Jo Peek

Email: JPeek@bestversionmedia.com

Feedback/Ideas/Submissions:

Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia. com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas, and photos to: aangstenberger@bestversionmedia.com.

Hello Neighbors!

Summer is in full swing and for many of us here in Danville it means our evenings are filled with enjoying backyard dinners with friends and family, watching a baseball game (or two), and hopefully an opportunity to sneak away on a summer vacation. Even when we get the chance to explore what this beautiful world has to offer, it’s always nice coming home to the “Safest City in California.” We are so lucky to call Danville “Home!”

During the month of June we also pay tribute to all the Dads in Danville and wish them all a wonderful Father’s Day! One very special father is our very own Danville Living Expert Contributor, Matt Forrey. The Forrey Family is our feature family this month and they have such a fun story to share with their neighbors about finding love, helping their community and living life to the fullest. We also have several expert articles and community stories for all our Danville Living residents to enjoy.

Jo Peek

Expert Contributors

Advertising - Website, SEO & Digital Marketing

Danville Living CA

Jo Peek

925-272-8246

DanvilleLivingCA@gmail.com www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

Dermatology

Wallach Derma Center

Adam Wallach, M.D. 925-837-8848 www.WallachDermaCenter.com

Doulas

DOULAS by the BAY

Shakila Marando 415-650-1616 (Text)

Fitness

The Exercise Coach San Ramon

Jennifer Ringenberg 925-378-5941

jennifer.ringenberg@exercisecoach-usa.com www.exercisecoach.com/san-ramon

Jewelry

Highline Custom Jewelry

Hasan Kader 510-786-4505 www.highlinecustomjewelry.com

Life Coach

EYH College/Life Coach

Christina Dalton, MS, MCC, Master Certified Coach 925-872-4726

Christina@EYHLifeCoach.com www.eyhcollegecoach.com/

Mortgage RateSecure

Gurp Bhandal 925 786 8915

gurp@ratesecure.com www.ratesecure.com

Pilates

Mighty Pilates Danville 925-486-1140

danvilleinstructormanager@mightypilates.com www.mightypilates.com/danville

Real Estate

Lisa Hopkins-Cochran Compass

DRE#01111126

Seniors Real Estate Specialist®, SRES® 925-964-5010

Lisa.Hopkins@Compass.com www.LoveHomes.pro

Remodeling

America’s Dream Homeworks

Vlad Chernioglo (916) 739-0996 vladc@dreamhomeworks.com

Tree Service

Terry Powell

Terry’s Tree Service (925) 449-2087 https://terrystreeservice.com/

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com.

Over the last 10 years, Jo Peek has been helping local businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools connect with our community on a deeper level. She works with each client individually to customize a marketing campaign to suit their needs, timeline and budget.

At Wallach Derma Center, our top priority is providing first-rate dermatologic health care. We have built a stellar reputation by developing relationships with our patients. We strive to understand your concerns, to answer the questions you have, and to develop an optimal, personalized treatment plan for you. Because of our strong emphasis on continuing education, we are able to offer you the latest, most advanced dermatologic treatments, with meticulous attention to both your good health and appearance. We have extensive experience in the treatment of a wide array of skin conditions in patients of all ages.

At DOULAS by the BAY, our mission is to provide peace of mind while expanding access to thoughtful, evidence-based doula care. Through our experience, attention to detail, and deep commitment to families, we support parents, strengthen communities, and create meaningful pathways for doulas to grow. We specialize in education and support for families preparing for birth, adjusting to new parenthood, and caring for their newborns during the early weeks.

Are you someone that values your time and doesn’t want to spend 2 hours on a gym routine? We offer high-efficiency strength training in our private studio with results that can be achieved with no more than two 20-minute sessions per week. Our program focuses on total body fitness through customized muscular conditioning using cutting-edge realtime digital feedback with our proprietary personalized strength technology, Exerbotics ®. Within weeks, you’ll start restoring strength and muscle mass, leading to increased energy, improved cardiovascular health, and more.

We started with an aim to make sure we will shine in the Bay Area and beat the prices from any jeweler. With over ten years in business, our expert staff and superior products will make you a lifetime customer. Serving all of your needs from our wide variety stock to our unparalleled custom work you will find a home with Highline Custom Jewelry.

Christina has serviced the high school community for 39 years as: Lead Counselor, Math Dept. Chair, Academy Coordinator and Educational Trainer. As a certified executive Life Coach credentialed from UC Davis, Christina gives her clients a powerful edge. From developing a diverse college list, to creating a competitive profile with dynamic essays and interviewing strategy, Christina has guided hundreds of students into top universities throughout the United States.

Gurp Bhandal is the Founder and CEO of RateSecure, a mortgage company on a mission to make the home financing process easier and more cost-effective for homebuyers and owners. Gurp has an extensive background in the finance and mortgage industry, having previously held seniorleadership positions at major financial institutions. Gurp’s passion for finance and technology, combined with his vision of making mortgages more accessible and affordable, led him to create RateSecure. Gurp’s vision is to make the mortgage process simpler and more accessible for everyone. He is committed to providing best-in-class services and helping customers achieve the dream of homeownership.

Mighty Pilates brings a fresh, energetic approach to classical Pilates, combining traditional technique with a modern intensity that challenges both body and mind. Led by a team of dynamic, highly rated certified instructors, our classes range from beginner-friendly Foundations sessions to advanced Power Pilates workouts for seasoned enthusiasts. We also offer unique experiences like Mighty Moonlight (a candlelit stretch class) and Happy Hour Pilates (complete with a postclass toast!). At Mighty Pilates, every class is designed to elevate your energy, strengthen your body, and leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

Lisa’s consultative and solutions based approach to real estate sales has been impressing her clients for 35 years. Lisa is an East Bay native & longtime Danville resident, where she’s been involved in the community. Lisa has earned the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® designation and is also a Certified Trust & Probate Specialist. Lisa takes pride in excellent communication skills, creativity, attention to details, and empathy, to provide the ultimate customer experience and successful transactions. Contact Lisa for “Service from the Heart.”

Our company offers one-stop shopping for your complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. We handle the design, materials and installation in house, so you only deal with one, full-service company. Find all the styles, fixtures and products for your renovation project in our 20,000 sq. ft. kitchen and bathroom showroom.

Terry’s Tree Service, Inc. provides a complete range of tree services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. In addition to planting, trimming, shaping and removing all types of trees, the company offers specialized services, including yard clean-up, pet rescue, fire prevention, brush chipping, stump grinding, and more.

Wealth Management

Matt Forrey

The Forrey Wealth Management Group 925-279-1701 www.mattforrey.com

The Forrey team offers customized investment planning and management services based on each individual’s unique set of needs and objectives. With a family-first approach, the team prides itself on delivering an exceptional experience so that clients are able to focus on the other important aspects of their lives.

the Forreys

Journey of Joy: Celebrating Family, Community, and the World

By Anne Angstenberger, Resident since 2006

Photos provided by the

Forrey family

Matt and Regina fell in love in San Francisco then fell in love with Danville. While living in Pasadena, CA Regina had been spending her weekends commuting up to San Francisco looking for an apartment for her upcoming move. A friend had been helping her in her search and knew of another friend, Matt, who had a spare bedroom he would be willing to rent out. Given Regina only had two days left, she quickly arranged to meet Matt at a restaurant (Solstice in San Francisco) to see if they may be a good fit to be roommates. While it was clear that Matt had an instant connection with Regina, (he says “I knew I was going to marry her that first night we were introduced,”) fate did not bring them to become roommates as the next morning Regina found her perfect apartment in Cow Hollow. “Matt and I laugh thinking about what would have happened if we had become roommates knowing we were interested in each other.”

After her move into her new apartment, Regina and Matt spent about a month getting to know each other and had their first kiss on Union Street. Regina remembers “it was a romantic night. There was thunder, and it hailed so hard in San Francisco that it looked like snow had covered the streets. While Matt was walking me back to my apartment, we had to hold onto each other and the parking meters so we didn’t slide down the sidewalk…that memory still makes us laugh.” Eventually Regina moved into Matt’s condo on California Street, where they lived for 2 years before buying a home in Danville. Just before heading out on a vacation to Mexico, Regina

and Matt were having dinner in their new home. Regina remembers the night well as Matt told her, “home with me is his favorite place to be and he couldn’t think of a better place to ask me to marry him.” The pair were married at Diablo Country Club on 11/11/2011.

Prior to starting their lives together, Matt grew up with the “grit and simplicity of the Pacific Northwest.” He was an only child and spent his childhood delivering newspapers and exploring his neighborhood, all of which instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for independence and a strong work ethic. Matt put himself through the Abbers School of Business at Seattle University, earning his degree in Finance and quickly began his career in financial advisory that has now spanned over a quarter century. His career has spanned from the dot-com era, to the financial crisis, through the present day AI revolution, bringing a breath of seasoned financial experience. He has a passion for working with families to build, plan and manage their investments for retirement and beyond. Matt’s “true reward isn’t just managing numbers, it’s building the trust and relationships necessary to help people turn their aspirations into reality.” He currently works at RBC as a Financial Advisor, putting his passion into practice for his clients.

Regina grew up in southern California and even though she too was an only child, she was raised in a large and culturally diverse family with many cousins, “so in a lot of ways it was like having siblings. Large family dinners on Sundays were a regular event.” Regina also learned the value of hard work, putting herself through college, sometimes working two jobs while attending classes and eventually earning her BS in Human Services and a MA in Psychology at Phillips Graduate Institute of Psychology. Regina explains, “although I loved being near my family, I knew one day I wanted to venture out and explore living somewhere new. Just before I finished graduate school, I visited San Francisco and it felt like home and where I belonged.” Her professional career began in residential treatment centers, serving as a school educator, a staff trainer and therapist. She also led workshops on child and adolescent mental health and behavioral disorders. This experience provided essential clinical tools that led her to help launch a new clinical program that partnered with Child and Family Services in Daly City. In 2011 Regina began working for Kaiser as a general therapist in the Mental Health Triage Department. What I enjoy about being a therapist is empowering my clients to discover their

own inner strength, helping them work toward becoming the best version of themselves.” Over the years she has developed an interest in working with individuals and couples experiencing infertility and is exploring the idea of opening up a private practice to address the needs of this community.

While both Matt and Regina have had quite successful and dynamic careers, trying to start a family “took a little longer than expected” but they never lost hope. A few years after getting married, the couple planned to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii, and just two weeks prior had found out they were expecting their son, Quin. We remember hearing his heartbeat for the first time and our doctor saying “Wow, that’s a strong heartbeat.” He started strong and continues to amaze us.

Quin is a 4th grader at Montair Elementary School and loves playing soccer, flag football and being active in Cub Scouts. Quin has a great ear for music and has been playing the electric guitar for about two years. He also has a creative mind around building eco-friendly structures and computer science “playing and creating video game worlds.”

Quin can also be found cuddling with Watson (a gray tabby cat with 6 toes who enjoys eating and watching birds) and Willow (the family’s Australian Labradoodle who loves walks on the Iron Horse Trail and playing with furry friends at Osage).

The Forrey family has found a love of gardening at home and sharing what they grow with their neighbors. They also love spending their free time hiking on local trails, dining at our favorite Danville restaurants and cheering on the SRV and Seattle Seahawk football teams. A highlight this year was when Matt and Quin attended the 2026 Super Bowl and witnessed the Seahawks defeat the Patriots. Matt can also be found doing early morning workouts at Spenga or golfing at Diablo Country Club. Regina enjoys hiking and being outdoors.

Eating dinner together as a family is an important part of the Forreys’ day. “We unplug from our devices and take turns talking about the highs and lows of our day.” Regina loves cooking for her family and sharing family traditions. She has even started teaching Quin some family recipes, such as the traditional Christmas morning tamales.

Regina and Matt are looking forward to traveling more as a family. “Last summer we visited parts of Mexico, Honduras and the Bahamas.

We want to continue learning about other cultures and how they live, find peace and happiness, and continue to teach Quin how to appreciate all that we have.” Another family favorite is the Big Island, Hawaii. Matt and Regina fell in love with Kona while they were dating and have made a point to bring Quin to the Big Island since he was a baby. We have enjoyed snorkeling as a family and appreciate the ocean and island culture. They also enjoy visiting Matt’s family in Seattle where they “go out on the boat and fish, or release Salmon into the ladder to help restore the Salmon population.”

But ultimately coming back home to Danville brings them the most joy. They knew they wanted a safe place to raise a family and Westside Danville “with its small town feel, friendly neighbors and good schools” certainly fits the bill. Their home is on a cul de sac and the Forreys enjoy the potluck parties on Halloween, a neighborhood where all our children can play together, and “cherish the value of knowing our neighbors.” Both Matt and Regina are active in the Montair school community. Matt participates in the Montiar’s Dad’s Club helping with outdoor projects, pancakes breakfasts and donuts for the kids. Regina can be found volunteering in the classroom, helping with art projects and also playing an active role in planning Montair’s Annual Auction. At the end of the day, the Forrey family motto is an important reminder for the whole community: Self Acceptance. “Be Thankful for who we are and all that we have. Live life with an open heart and open mind. We try our best…mistakes happen, but it’s what we learn from the mistakes that matters.”

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at aangstenberger@bestversionmedia.com.

CINDY ALAIMO

How Do I Know it’s Time To Quit: Redefining Me

By Christina Dalton MS, PPS, MCC, EYH Life/College Coach

What if quitting isn’t a sign of weakness—but a sign of leadership?

We’re taught to stay. To push through. To be resilient no matter the cost. In boardrooms, relationships, and even friendships, endurance is often worn like a badge of honor. But here’s the truth most high performers eventually face: not everything you’re committed to is meant to be carried forward.

Sometimes, the most powerful move you can make is to let go. As a transitional executive coach, I often work with individuals standing at the edge of this exact question: Do I stay, or do I go? And the answer is rarely about failure. It’s about alignment.

The first signal? Energy.

Where is your energy going—and what is it giving back to you? When something that once fueled you now consistently depletes you, that’s not just burnout. That’s data. Leaders who ignore this often find themselves operating from obligation instead of intention. And over time, that erodes both performance and well-being. Next, examine alignment.

Are you still living and working in alignment with your values, or are you negotiating them away to maintain comfort or approval? Misalignment doesn’t always show up loudly. Sometimes it’s subtle—a hesitation before speaking, a reluctance to engage, a quiet sense that you’re no longer fully yourself in the room. That’s not something to overlook. That’s something to explore.

Growth is another critical lens.

If you’ve stopped being challenged in a meaningful way, you may not be “stable”—you may be stagnant. Growth doesn’t always mean upward movement; sometimes it means outward, inward, or even away. The question is: are you evolving, or are you maintaining something you’ve already outgrown?

Then there’s the question of respect.

Not just how others treat you—but how you are allowing yourself

to be treated. High-functioning individuals often tolerate more than they should because they know they can handle it. But capability is not a reason to stay in environments where you are undervalued or diminished.

And finally, ownership.

Before making any decision to quit, ask yourself: Have I shown up fully? Have I communicated clearly? Have I done what’s within my control to shift this dynamic? Quitting from avoidance is very different from quitting with clarity. One keeps you stuck in patterns. The other moves you forward with purpose.

The hardest truth? Fear will always be part of the equation.

Fear of the unknown. Fear of loss. Fear of being wrong.

But staying in something that no longer fits doesn’t eliminate fear—it just disguises it as stability.

So instead of asking, “What if I quit and regret it?”

Try asking, “What is it costing me to stay?”

Quitting, when done intentionally, is not an ending. It’s a transition. A recalibration. A decision to move toward something more aligned with who you are now—not who you used to be.

And that’s not weakness.

That’s leadership.

If any of this is familiar, EYHLifeCoach can partner with you. Let’s work together.

Christina Dalton is the Principal of EYH Life Coach. She applies her own personal and career transitions along with several degrees and credentials to provide insight and knowledge into the coaching experience. Christina handpicks her staff, all of whom are ICF credentialed and have unique experiences to create invaluable coaching sessions.

Are Online Home Valuations Accurate?

By Lisa Hopkins-Cochran, REALTOR® at Compass

Afternoticing a for sale sign in front of your neighbor’s house, or receiving a real estate postcard with details about local listings, you might be left curious about your own home’s value. Rationalizing that you’re just curious, you decide to go online to one of the many real estate apps that offer home value estimates. In most cases, the estimate that you receive will be far from accurate. If you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. A computer algorithm will look at things such as room counts and square footage, and then apply the average figures for the city your home is in, to come up with results. This might result in an accurate figure if you live in a newer tract home, in an area without much variation. If you have a custom home, or a customized home in a community with a lot of variables (like most of the Bay Area), the accuracy quickly drops. It’s all about the human factor.

A computer algorithm doesn’t know that you live on the “view” side of the street, or that you have gorgeous landscape…well beyond the average in your neighborhood. It doesn’t know that you invested over $500k in recent remodeling. It also doesn’t know if the end result of that remodel was fantastic, or fatally unappealing. The algorithm doesn’t know that your neighbor’s house that recently sold had foundation issues, water damage or a severe odor problem. It doesn’t factor in a dreamy setting and location, versus backing up to a major thoroughfare. The algorithm doesn’t understand that some neighborhoods as a whole, always command a premium price, while some other neighborhoods are far less appealing and sell for less.

You’re thinking yes, but why does it matter? I’m just curious and the online estimate should give a value that’s somewhere in the ballpark - right? I recently completed a home valuation for a Danville homeowner who was curious. My evaluation showed a home value of approximately $3,350,000. The homeowner told me that the online estimate she’d recently pulled up showed a value around $2,300,000 - approximately 34% lower and a difference of over $1,000,000. This matters in many different situations. Estate planning, investment and insurance decisions are just a few.

When is a bad online estimate the most concerning? I’ve mentioned it before. Beware of unsolicited offers to purchase your property, especially if you’ve owned it for a very long time. As homeowners, we receive those letters in the mail and unwanted phone calls, all the time. An offer to buy your house with no hassles and no fees. Imagine an elderly homeowner who bought their home in the 1970’s, for $40k, receives an offer of $2,000,000, and they’re excited. Their daughter who lives out of the area hears about this and rightfully being cautious, goes online for an estimate. The estimate comes in pretty close to the offer and the homeowner decides to accept it. If we look back at the prior example with an expert, in person evaluation, this home seller may have just left $1,000,000 on the table. There is a reason that the unsolicited offers come to you. It’s a numbers

game and the buyer only needs to find one unsuspecting home owner, where they can make a huge profit.

If you are curious about the value of your home, please reach out to your trusted REALTOR®. We are always happy to help! Ideally, make sure that you’re speaking with an experienced, local expert. Getting an estimate from someone who understands the nuances of your neighborhood and who has actually visited the homes that have sold is critical. Every home is unique. Please feel free to reach out to me at 925-964-5010 or via email at Lisa.Hopkins@Compass. com. Even if you’re not planning a move, I’m happy to help by providing you with relevant data, enabling you to make a well informed decision. It’s never too early to start planning for success.

Lisa’s consultative and solutions based approach to real estate has been impressing her clients for 35 years. Lisa is an East Bay native and longtime Danville resident, where she’s been actively involved in the community while raising her two children. DRE#01111126

Showcase homes open for

Crafted by Diamond, The Nova is a luxury 55+ community offering modern design and resort style living just steps from downtown Danville. Enjoy an elegant lounge and bar, a serene library, and private spaces for relaxation. Stay active in the state of the art fitness center, then gather outdoors at bocce courts, fire pits, and BBQ areas. Ideally located, The Nova is less than a 10-minute walk to Danville’s charming shops, award-winning restaurants, scenic parks, and local trails.

DEL AMIGO SWIM TEAM

2026 MEET SCHEDULE

Provided by Del Amigo Pool Association Board of Directors

Come cheer on your Del Amigo Dolphins this Summer!

2026 MEET SCHEDULE

May 16 - DEL @ Woodlands Cabana Club

May 30 - DEL @ Livorna

June 6 - Gehringer Park @ DEL

June 10 - HOGS @ DEL

June 13 - Danville @ DEL

June 17 - DEL @ HOX

June 20 - SRAC @ DEL

June 24 - DEL @ RHCC

June 27 & 28 - Battle of the Ages OR Springbrook Pentathlon (TBD)

July 8 - Ygnacio Woods @ DEL

July 11 & 12 - Woodlands Invitational*

July 11 - DEL @ Rancho San Miguel [opportunity to race for non-Woodlands/non-Woodlands Saturday (free and breast) swimmers]

July 15 - SSST @ DEL

July 18 - DEL @ Diablo Country Club

July 19 - HOX Last Chance

July 24, 25, 26 - VSA Championships

August 1 & 2 - Contra Costa County Championships**

* Invitation Only

**Must Meet Qualifying Time Standard

Quartz Thickness: The Difference and How to Make the Right Decision

By Vlad Chernioglo, America’s Dream HomeWorks

Whenchoosing quartz for a home renovation, one important decision to make is the thickness. The difference between 2cm and 3cm quartz may seem minor at first, but it can affect durability, appearance, installation requirements, and overall cost. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right countertop option for your space.

Quartz is known for its strength, modern appearance, and low maintenance. However, selecting the right thickness ensures the surface performs well and complements your design. One of the most noticeable aspects of the difference between 2cm and 3cm quartz is durability. A 3cm quartz slab is naturally stronger and can support more weight without needing additional reinforcement. Because of this, it is often preferred for kitchen islands or large countertop spans. While 2cm quartz is still durable, it may require extra support underneath, especially for overhangs or unsupported areas. And although

3cm quartz is often preferred for kitchens, 2cm slabs still have many practical applications like bathroom vanities and vertical surfaces such as backsplashes, and wall panels.

When looking at material only, 2cm quartz often costs less than 3cm. However, the additional support materials and fabrication may reduce or eliminate the price difference. Because installation is often simpler, many homeowners find that the total project cost between the two options can be fairly similar.

Selecting the right quartz thickness is an important part of designing a beautiful and functional home. Our professional countertop specialists can help determine which slab thickness works best for your layout and lifestyle.

At America’s Dream HomeWorks we Build Dreams, One Home at a Time!

The best returns are more than financial

Your financial goals are as unique as you are. I work to understand what’s most important to you and your vision for the future. Together, we’ll develop customized strategies, and I’ll provide the attentive service that helps you build the future you’re working toward.

Matthew Forrey Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor Portfolio Manager

(925) 279-1710 | matthew.forrey@rbc.com www.mattforrey.com

Joybound Looking for Love

By Chelsea Blackburn, Joybound Public Relations Manager

Adoption

Mon-Fri: 12 – 7 PM

Sat-Sun: 11 AM-6 PM

(Early sign-in begins at 9 AM)

Business Hours

Mon-Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM

Visit https://joybound.org/ for more information.

•

• $75 for a

•

• $75 for a

•

(7+ years)

• $100 for an adult cat

• $175 for a kitten (<6 months)

• $50 for a special-needs cat

• $100 for a special-needs kitten (<6 months)

• $50 for a senior cat (7+ years)

• Adoption fees waived for US military Veteran

394 Ilo Ln

90 Laurel Dr

517 Garden Creek Pl

266 Ashley Cir

315 Garden Creek Pl

113 Westfield Circle

375 W El Pintado Rd

139 Elworthy Ranch Dr

375 W El Pintado

305 Windstream Place

600 Hartz Ave

375 W El Pintado Rd

$598,000

$1,045,000 $1,216,350

$1,249,000 $1,337,000

$1,390,500

$1,449,000

$1,565,000 $1,591,650 $1,761,300

375 W El Pintado

162 Briar Pl

375 W El Pintado

26 Rio Del Ct

107 Sonora Ave

130

Sold Listings

394 Ilo Ln

600 Hartz Ave 1142 River Rock Ln

380 Elworthy Ranch Cir

La Tierra Buena

Verona Ave

Mighty Pilates in the Community

By Olivia Curley, Photos provided by Brooke Bashaw, Studio Manager, Mighty Pilates Danville

Over the past year, Mighty Pilates Danville has grown into far more than a Pilates studio — it has become a welcoming wellness hub rooted in community, connection, and female-led entrepreneurship in the East Bay.

What began as a new studio in Danville has quickly evolved into a space where clients of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels feel supported. From first-time Pilates clients to experienced practitioners, Mighty Pilates has created an environment centered on encouragement, education, and sustainable movement. The studio proudly welcomes both men and women and has seen clients ranging from young adults to active older generations looking to improve strength, mobility, and overall wellness.

A major part of the studio’s growth has been the relationships formed within its walls. Couples have discovered Pilates together through duet private sessions, using movement as a way to prioritize health and quality time. Clients recovering post-physical therapy have continued rebuilding strength and confidence through personalized instruction, while preand post-natal private sessions have supported mothers through every stage of their wellness journey.

The studio’s instructors and members have helped shape the culture that defines Mighty Pilates Danville today — one focused on inclusivity, consistency, and community care. Beyond the studio, Mighty Pilates has strengthened its connection to Danville through local partnerships and charitable events. Collaborations with Crush’d Wine Bar and Toastique have brought members together through community wellness events, while initiatives such as the SRVEF sponsored run and Vista Grande parent donation class have allowed the studio to give back locally.

As Mighty Pilates continues expanding throughout the East Bay, its mission remains rooted in empowering women through leadership opportunities, local hiring, and entrepreneurship. One year in, Mighty Pilates Danville stands as an example of how movement can bring people together — creating not only stronger bodies, but a stronger community.

Reformer Pilates in personalized private sessions & energizing group classes

Mighty Pilates blends classical Pilates with modern intensity

Hawaiian Shrimp Salad

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010

I can’t explain why, but shrimp and summertime just go together so well. Don’t they? They just seem to taste better when it’s 75° out and there’s a glass of white wine in your hand. I’m also a Hawaiian Mac salad snob in the summer time. And when you put the two together, it becomes this great big bowl of summer magic. I’ve served this both as a side and a main entrée, and they’re both fantastic. So, if you’re headed to a pool party this week, bring this dish along and wait for the compliments to come your way.

Serves 8-10 people

YOU

WILL NEED;

• 1 pound of shrimp- medium, large or colossal. Peeled and deveined (avoid tiny cocktail shrimp)

• 8 ounces -Dry elbow macaroni pasta or ditalini

• 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated

• 1 large celery rib, finely diced

• 1 1/2 C. of real mayonnaise

• 1/3 C. apple cider vinegar

• 2 TBS granulated sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 TBS onion powder

• 1/2 TBS of paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste, divided

• 1/2 C. green onion, sliced

• 1 tsp. Sesame seeds or furikake for garnish

PUTTING IT TOGETHER;

Start by cooking the pasta as you would normally in salted water. Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water, then set aside. In a medium size bowl, mix the mayonnaise, carrots, celery, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Combined with the cooled pasta and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When you’re ready to serve, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the peeled shrimp and cook until they turn pink, flipping them halfway. It should take one to two minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the shrimp to a plate to cool. Once they are cool, chop half of the shrimp into small pieces and mix into the

pasta salad. Lay the remaining whole shrimp over the top (So it looks nice for the pictures) Top with green onion, and a generous dusting of sesame seeds. If you’re serving this in a hot backyard, remember that it has to be thrown out after two hours.

Stephanie Seaberg has lived in the East Bay for the last 30 years, and is a SRVHS Alumni. Steph is a play-writer and director for Theater Performance Workshop, KAOS Camp, and Golden Oak Montessori. Steph lives for cooking, theater, photography, travel, and singing.

The Blackhawk Scholarship Fund

Provided by Claudine Young, Scholarship Application Director

The Blackhawk Scholarship Fund (BSF) honored eight exceptional young women at its 21st annual Scholarship Award and Donor Recognition Luncheon held May 9 at Blackhawk Country Club. Founded in 2003 by a group of Blackhawk women, BSF was created to provide higher education opportunities for highly accomplished college-bound women with financial need in Contra Costa County.

Many of this year’s BSF recipients are first-generation college students balancing extraordinary responsibilities beyond rigorous academic schedules — contributing financially to their households, caring for younger siblings, serving as translators for family members, and dedicating hundreds of hours to community service while excelling in leadership roles, athletics, music, and academics. This year, BSF awarded eight $4,000 scholarships to:

• Lola Abdugapparov, Middle College High School Dual Enrollment Program with Contra Costa College- attending UC Berkeley-Sciences Po dual degree program studying Environmental Economics and Public Policy.

• Thania Duran Murillo, Pittsburg High School — attending California State University, East Bay to pursue a career in nursing.

• Isabela Flores Saldana, Pittsburg High School — attending University of California, Davis to study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

• Yamileth Heraldez, Pittsburg High School — attending San Jose State University to pursue a career in Music Education.

• Lilli John-MonDragon, College Park High School College Now Dual Enrollment Program with Diablo Valley College — attending St. Mary’s College to study Communication and Media Production.

• Joanna Le, De Anza High School — attending University of California, Berkeley to study Early Childhood Education.

• Joyce Miao, California High School — attending University of California, Berkeley to study Engineering.

• Saira Trehan, Monte Vista High School — attending University of California, Santa Barbara to study Physics.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, BSF celebrated a major milestone this year, surpassing the half-million-dollar mark in scholarships awarded — investing more than $523,000 in the education of 127 young women since its founding.

The BSF Board also introduced the newly established Judy Slinger Memorial Scholarship, created in honor of former BSF President Judy Slinger, whose lifelong commitment to education and literacy impacted countless students and families. More than $43,000 was donated in Judy’s memory following her passing in 2025, helping to establish a lasting legacy through this annual scholarship. The inaugural Judy Slinger Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 was presented to Lilli John-MonDragon for her focus on literacy and education.

As the luncheon concluded, current BSF President Klara Bleier thanked the donors, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity continues to transform lives. “Behind every scholar is a community

that believes in them,” she said. “Let’s continue to be the reason someone says, ‘Because of YOU, I made it.’”

BSF welcomes volunteers, donors, and community members interested in supporting higher education opportunities for deserving young women throughout Contra Costa County. For more information, contact BlackhawkScholarshipFund@gmail.com. To learn more about BSF go to BlackhawkScholarshipFund.org

left to right: Lilli John-MonDragon, Lola Abdugapparov, Isabela Flores Saldana, Joyce Miao, Yamileth Heraldez, Thania Duran Murillo and Saira Trehan (Joanna Le not pictured)

Day Trips and Getaways

Stanly Ranch – Napa’s 5-Star Residential Getaway

By Ted Johnson, Resident since 1991; Photos provided by Auberge Resorts

The question of what makes the best second home or “getaway residence” often comes down to this: Where is the location of that property? Too far and the time and expense needed to get there often drains the enjoyment. Too close and it’s not really a place to escape everyday concerns but is more like visiting a neighbor – same type of shopping, eating and recreation options.

One ideal is the second home that can be reached rather easily on a Friday night drive and then offers an early Monday morning return in time for the start of work. Alas, that limits the options, but a highend resort and residential development in Napa increases the choices.

Stanly Ranch is the only 5-star resort and accompanying residential development in the Napa city limits. Just 45 miles away from central Danville, this development near the Carneros region on 712 acres features newly planted vineyards (pinot noir), trees and biking trails that coalesce into a very personal wine lifestyle experience that includes an Auberge resort (rooms starting at about $1,000 a night).

As part of the 21-property Auberge Resorts Collection, Stanly Ranch features amenities like the Halehouse, which is not a spa but a “healing destination” laden with private treatment rooms. Fieldhouse

is the “movement center.” Add in the Spa Pool, Lavender Pool and access to the Bay Trail; the resort’s amenities rank very high, to say the least. Finally, the best restaurant in the entire Napa Valley, Bear, is the resort’s main culinary option. It more than exceeds Auberge’s world class standard.

What makes Stanly Ranch and its resorts amenities different is it can become a more permanent part of your lifestyle. While the resort has been open for five years, additionally total of 110 residences are planned – 70 vineyard homes and 40 villas. Sales have been positive with the starting prices ranging from about $3 million to $6 million.

At these prices, there’s no false intent: Stanly Ranch is built and marketed for a certain segment of Northern California’s populace. The design of the villas and vineyard homes reflect that.

Featuring expansive indoor/outdoor living spaces, there are separate structures so that an entry way and small living room leads to an outdoor area and then into a large, covered family room, kitchen and media center. There’s a large side yard resplendent in native fauna and perhaps a small pool. A large master and bath are on the first floor, more bedrooms and bath on the second.

What immediately becomes apparent is the roominess, an airy-ness. Rooms are not outlandishly large. Elevated ceilings coupled with windows that rise just as high create a sense of added space. In the temperate climate this means on many days all doors and windows can be open . The home lets the outdoors in.

“Yea, that’s what we had in mind,” said Chris Crosby, president of the Nichols Partnership out of Denver that shepherded the residential development of Stanly Ranch. “We wanted to take advantage of what Napa and the wine country has to offer – easy access to outdoor and wellness activities.”

Originally from Ohio with an MBA from Georgia and a Napa transplant during construction, Chris had to endure the rigors of California’s approval process (“three agencies have to approve just to get water to the site,” he said) and more recently a lawsuit from a financial partner.

Outdoor living at Stanly Ranch - Auberge resorts

Stanly Ranch interior of Villa

Living room courtesy of Auberge

All was settled this past March when Blackstone, the world’s largest asset manager out of New York, bought the project. Thus, the last two years has forced Chris to juggle a lot, but now the path forward seems clear and stable.

“A lot of balls in the air, yes,” he sighed. And yet his point is the main appealing marketing angle since the first backhoe hit the property remains simple: Napa Valley offers the ideal backdrop for immersive, resort-style living with enduring global cachet.

One example was the weekday I visited; the resort was preparing a large gathering structure – sort of a glassed-in tent – that would serve more than 100 Fortune 100 CEOS and guests. “The resort was bought out for the weekend,” Chris said.

The same day, Tracy Tutor, a prominent cast member on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles (MDLLA) and is known for handling high-end, luxury listings across Southern California, visited as well.

The high prices do stand out, but note that the homes and villas can be rented when the owners are not on property. Prices can vary but $3,000 a night for an upstairs villa is a common rental fee.

Stepping back, Stanly Ranch is designed to strike those who spend more than a few days as a place much more than a “stop-and-taste” location. Once on site, with the Napa Valley’s wineries beckoning, Stanly Ranch weekend activities include feeding chickens, some falconry (“the owls are the most cool,” according to Chris) and of course spa treatments, exercise, hiking and other wellness activities, all capped off with high-end cuisine.

Stanly Ranch offers more than just a “getaway.” It can be that place reached within an hour and once there the familiar can fade away among the vineyards, and therein the “global cachet” can be a big part of your life.

Danville resident Ted Johnson has been a journalist for more than 40 years.

Vineyard home backyard

Interior of vineyard home Stanly Ranch

2026 Shining Stars

By Alicia Gee, Photos by Craig Isaacs from BlueGoo photography

SRVEF was pleased to celebrate our 2026 Shining Stars at Blackhawk Country Club on April 29. We thank them for the positive impact they have had on their school community and all of SRVUSD.

Night with the Stars is a dinner celebration of our community and the partnership we share with our schools. Each of the 35 schools in the district selects one person to be their Shining Star. This individual can be a staff member, parent, or community member who has made an outstanding contribution to their school community.

We gather with the school superintendent, trustees, district staff, principals, education fund and academic booster officers from all 35 schools, as well as parents, sponsors, and organizations that support public education in our valley.