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GUITARS ‘N’ KIDS

By Traci Wyss

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them… The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” ~ President Gerald Ford

Well before the research could prove it, our 38th president knew that musical education for children was a supporting pillar of their development. We now have loads of evidence showing that learning a musical instrument creates recordable changes in a child’s brain (proven by MRI). These changes are purported to improve everything from a child’s language and reading comprehension to memory and problem-solving skills to emotional regulation.

Seeing the profoundly positive effects of teaching music to children firsthand, Barbara Gorin, founder of Guitars ’n’ Kids, is asking for urgent help from the community to bring free guitar lessons back to Contra Costa County children in need.

Barbara began volunteering with a national organization called Guitars Not Guns in 2006, eventually becoming the VP of Fundraising and director of the Contra Costa County chapter. Barbara and her fellow volunteers in Contra Costa County taught guitar to kids ages 8 to 18 at no cost to their families. The only requirement for a child to start the program and secure their loaner guitar was to sign an agreement that they would take care of their guitar, attend regular classes, and practice on their own between classes.

Once they pledged to do their part, the program would provide a guitar and everything a child would need to get started. The 8-week program would take the children, most of whom had never held a guitar, from barely strumming out notes to being able to play in a final concert celebration for their families.

The final celebration was a highlight for the kids who were given a gift bag of useful guitar gear like guitar picks and strings. At this graduation from the

See Guitars continued on page 15

FREE PICKLEBALL CLASS FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S AND/OR EARLY DEMENTIA

Come on in and play pickleball, you’re invited to join! Whether new, intermediate, or experienced at playing pickleball, players of all abilities are welcome (including accompanying caregivers).

Classes are held every Thursday at the beautiful and air-conditioned Activity and Recreation Center Gym (ARC) at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church located at 902 Danville Blvd, Alamo from 1PM – 2:30PM

Led by Danville resident and experienced pickleball player Brad Falk, the classes are coached by several dynamic and veteran pickleball players. During the class, you’ll learn skills, stretching, strategy, scoring, how to play safely - all while warming up and playing with fellow picklers. The

See Pickleball continued on page 14

9-11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

SAVE THE DATE

The Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley will mark the 25th annual 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at the All-Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park located at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville. This year’s observance, taking place on Friday, September 11th from 5:15 to 6:30PM, will pay special tribute to fire, police, and military heroes who responded on September 11, 2001, while bringing generations together to remember and reflect. The program will include youth carrying 50 American flags, fire and police representatives from the San Ramon Valley, an Honor Guard, the Monte Vista Choir, bagpiper and bugler, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Pearl Harbor survivor Chuck Kohler, who is one of ten living survivors of Pearl Harbor. Attendees are invited to arrive early to view the new All-Wars Memorial walk featuring descriptive plaques highlighting America’s battles.

The keynote speaker is Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Chris Starling, a 26-year infantry veteran whose service included ten overseas deployments and combat tours during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Starling served as an instructor at West Point on

See Remembrance continued on page 6

Brad Falk (center) and volunteer coaches.

Barbara Gorin has spent nearly two decades teaching guitar to kids for free. Now she is asking the community to support her efforts to restart the program.

BOULEVARD VIEW

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor and Publisher

Over twenty years ago in September of 2004, I took over as the editor and publisher of what was then Alamo Today!.

Many things have changed since then. I briefly published a paper in Lafayette, and a separate Danville publication, before ceasing the Lafayette edition and focusing on Alamo, Danville, and Diablo -- areas closer to my home and community.

The paper has been printed at three separate Bay Area presses, and I am grateful that they have helped keep newsprint publications alive.

The goal of the paper has always been to connect the community, announce upcoming events, support our local non-profits, and spread positive news.

I treasure all of the advertisers and writers who have been on this journey with me and welcome new ones each month. It is the advertisers that ultimately bring this paper to you as they cover the expenses of production, printing, and mailing. I am grateful to all of them.

I never dreamt that my stint as a photo editor for my high school newspaper, along with being the editor of my high school yearbook, would parlay into actually owning a publication. We never know what from our past will carry into our future.

It is exciting to also share this platform with student writers who bring us

RAISE A PUPPY. CHANGE A LIFE.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raising Club brings together volunteers who raise, sit, and socialize future guide dogs. The Club meets at the Danville Women’s Club, located at 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave., on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30–7:30PM. All aspiring puppy raisers and sitters are welcome. Learn more at www.guidedogs.com or contact group leader, Maureen Balogh at mbaylog@comcast.net

VETERAN SERVICES BRING THE ‘OFFICE’ TO YOU

The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office offers a virtual office space. The virtual Veterans Office can give you close to an in-person experience.

Veterans can learn about and apply for benefits, access VA health care, receive referrals for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, and much more. Visit the office website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets during open office hours for one-on-one assistance. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, and on Fridays 9am to noon. For more information, call the Veteran Services Office at 925-313-1481.

FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

Are you looking for your ancestors? Do you want to do a little genealogy research or start your family tree? Could you use some help, direction,or tips for using online genealogy tools?

Bring your questions and any information you have (names, dates, places, documents) to get started to the Danville Library, located at 400 Front St., Danville on Tuesday, August 11th from 10am-1pm. Genealogy docents from the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society will be available to help you take your research further with print resources from the library’s genealogy collection or online material. The free genealogy research assistance is provided by the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society in partnership with the Danville Library. For questions, call 925-314-3750 or visit srvgensoc.org

the news from their schools, activities, and clubs. Perhaps one day their portfolio of writings will lead them to a publication of their own.

At the recent memorial for my husband’s Aunt Judy, many people noted how Judy was the “glue that brought people together.” She created a neighborhood group called Wednesday Walkers that created life-long friendships. We all have ways we can create similar community and it doesn’t have to cost a penny.

In the book Prairie Fire by author Caroline Fraser, one line reads, “ Don’t go looking for a better place, make one,” and that’s exactly what I strive for. I hope this publication enhances the “glue” for all of us and provides links and information to events, groups, and people that can provide opportunities for you to meet your neighbors and community members and make our area the best it can be.

My mother has spent years mentoring high school students, guiding first generation students to continuing education in college, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with her local CASA program. Her words, actions, and mentorships have changed many lives for the better. There are many opportunities within these pages to get involved and help others – starting with giving a boost to the Guitars ‘n’ Kids program mentioned on the front page. Your time, or even a $150 donation, can provide a guitar and get a youth started on a journey that can last a lifetime.

Each of us has something to offer. Mom used to say, “the room isn’t going to clean itself.” You can fill in “room” for any number of things that need to get done in your home, neighborhood, or community.

Get involved, stop overthinking, and start taking action!

The first issue published after taking the reins of the Alamo Today! publication.

My first Boulevard View, which also featured my high school journalism staff.

MORE THAN A LINE

“More Than a Line” invites you to see the familiar in a whole new way. Centered on the simple pencil, the Town’s summer art exhibition explores how a single medium can produce an extraordinary range of styles, textures, and expression. From delicate shading to bold, intricate compositions, each piece reveals the endless creative possibilities that emerge from graphite and colored pencil, turning something ordinary into something truly captivating.

The exhibition at the Village Theatre Art Gallery, located at 233 Front Street in Danville, will remain on view through September 25th. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon until 5PM; Saturday hours are 11AM - 3PM and the Gallery is closed Sunday.

For more information, call 925-314-3467 or email artgallery@danville.ca.gov

LIVE MUSIC AT THE PLAZA SUMMER SERIES

Mark your calenders, live music returns to Prospect Park Plaza located at 396 Hartz Ave! Come enjoy music on select Saturdays this summer, bringing a free and fun way to enjoy downtown Danville.

• August 8, 4–6PM ~ Monica da Silva

• August 22, 4–6PM ~ Jeff Tamelie

• September 5, 4–6PM ~ Rolando Morales

Note: All performances are subject to change at any time.

Jewelry Fundraiser Faire

Thursday, August 20th ~ 10 am to 7 pm

Friday, August 21st ~ 10 am to 4 pm

Beautiful Costume Jewelry starting at Just $5

Designer Jewelry 50% Off or “Priced as Marked” (PAM)

Come shop with us!

Alamo Women’s Club

1401 Danville Blvd. Alamo

Proceeds benefit scholarships, AWC, and our philanthropies, as we continue our efforts to support our community.

Together We Give!

SAVE THE DATE

~ Next Jewelry Sale ~ Nov. 19th and 20th

MEN’S RETIREE SOCIAL GROUP - SIR 146 STAY ACTIVE, HAVE FUN & LIVE LONGER!

SIR Branch 146 is a vibrant social group for retired and semi-retired men in Central Contra Costa County, offering a friendly community to help you make the most of retirement. With over 250 members, SIR146 features more than 25 activity groups, including golf, hiking, travel, dining, cards, photography, and cooking. Most activities are co-ed, welcoming spouses and partners. Members enjoy a monthly luncheon with guest speakers and plenty of camaraderie. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other men who share similar interests and enjoy an active lifestyle. Founded in 1988, SIR146 helps men build friendships, stay mentally and physically active, and even live longer – members average a six year longer lifespan than other men in the county. Guests are always welcome. Learn more at sir146.com or email sir146inquiries@gmail.com.

SONS IN RETIREMENT (SIR) FUN, FRIENDSHIP & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN SIR128 SAN RAMON VALLEY

If you are a man over 50 in the San Ramon Valley looking for connection, activity, and fun, SIR 128 might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

We are a welcoming community where men come together to enjoy life to the fullest. Our members dive into a wide variety of activities including hiking, wine tasting, book clubs, poker, cooking, investing, and golf (both 9 and 18 holes), and that’s just the beginning. We also organize monthly outings for members and their partners, ensuring there is always a fantastic social event on the horizon.

But the absolute best part? The people. Here, you will build genuine friendships with men who are in the same stage of life and are eager to make the most of it.

Our monthly luncheons are always a highlight, featuring great food, interesting guest speakers, and wonderful conversation. If you are coming on your own for the first time, don’t worry! We reserve a special table just for newcomers and solo guests, so you will feel right at home the moment you walk through the door.

We’d love to welcome you at our next gathering. To learn more or reserve your spot at an upcoming luncheon, email membership@sir128.com or visit www.SIR128.com

CLEAR YOUR SHELVES, SUPPORT YOUR LIBRARY

Summer cleaning? As you tidy up your shelves this season, consider setting aside the books you’re ready to part with and donating them to the Friends of the Danville Library Bookstore. Your gently used books help stock our shelves and support library programs for the whole community. Every book you give can help another reader discover a new favorite. It’s a win for your bookshelf, a win for another reader, and a win for the Danville Library! Donations are accepted at the bookstore located inside the Danville Library located at 400 Front Street in Danville, on Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM.

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOW Diablo Region) offers many volunteer opportunities to support seniors in our community. Do you have a few hours a month to spare? Become a volunteer Meal Delivery Driver and help bring ready-to-eat meals to neighbors in need—or sign up to be a Friendly Caller, Helper, or Visitor to provide companionship to seniors experiencing isolation. To get involved or learn more about the supportive services MOW Diablo Region offers, visit mowdiabloregion.org/get-involved, email volunteer@mowdr.org, or call (925) 937-8311.

Are you an ambulatory senior or veteran who needs a ride to medical appointments, the grocery story, or other essential services? Or, are you aged 25-75 and able to volunteer just three hours a month to help provide a ride?

Mobility Matters (MM) is a nonprofit agency that has been serving otherwise homebound residents trying to age in place in Contra Costa County since 2004. MM provides free, door-through-door, one-on-one, escorted rides for seniors and disabled veterans with volunteer driver programs, and they match riders to accessible transportation providers through their Transportation Information and Referrals Helpline.

If you need a ride, call 925-284-6161. For volunteer opportunities, call 925-284-2215. For more details, visit www.mobilitymatterscc.com

A Little Life Update...

YOUR NEIGHBOR IN ALAMO, DANVILLE & DIABLO

A Little Life Update...

Thirteen years ago, my own agent became a friend — we still go to dinner every other month. That's the experience I want to give back.

A Little Life Update...

Thirteen years ago, my own agent became a friend — we still go to dinner every other month. That's the experience I want to give back.

After some time away, I'm back in real estate — right here in the community where I've done school pickups and cheered from the sidelines. I aim not only to close a transaction, but for my clients to be so satisfied with their experience that they send their friends my way, as a favor to them.

IF YOU'RE CURIOUS

I'm happy to put together a free, no-obligation home value report anytime — no strings attached, just something I enjoy doing for neighbors.

Buying, selling, or just want to talk real estate? I'd love to hear from you.

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

Buying, selling, or just want to talk real estate? I'd love to hear from you.

Keller Williams Danville

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

Keller Williams Danville

IF YOU'RE CURIOUS

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

503.784.7202 | cmatei@kw.com | DRE #02445143

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

503.784.7202 | cmatei@kw.com | DRE #02445143

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

A longtime Alamo parent, back to help you buy, sell, or just talk real estate.

A longtime Alamo buy, sell, or cmatei.kw.com YOUR

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

503.784.7202 | cmatei@kw.com | DRE #02445143

A longtime Alamo parent, back to help you buy, sell, or just talk real estate.

A longtime Alamo parent, back buy, sell, or just talk real estate.

I'm happy to put together a free, no-obligation home value report anytime — no strings attached, just something I enjoy doing for neighbors.

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MSRV IN AUGUST

Summer is here, and “Totally Trains” has officially returned to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) for another season of summer fun!

Buying, selling, or just want to talk real estate? I'd love to hear from

Our theme this year is a special celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Step into our captivating village scene and witness the magic firsthand. You can marvel at models featuring the historic buildings of Danville and San Ramon, including the charming Danville Presbyterian Church, and watch trains wind their way over trestles, bridges, and through mountains. To honor our country’s milestone anniversary we will have an amazing fireworks exhibition over our buildings.

Totally Trains closes on August 23rd! You definitely won’t want to miss out on this spectacular summer tradition before it packs up for the season.

When visiting please stop by the waiting room, to see our companion exhibit, “The Danville Depot: Creating Change, Preserving History.”

The Third Thursday free virtual program will be held on August 20th at 11:30AM. Our speaker this month is Linus Eukel from the John Muir Land Trust. The program is free, but registration is required. To attend, visit museumsrv.org, select “What’s On,” and then “Virtual Programs.”

The Museum is located at 205 Railroad Ave in Danville. Summer hours are TuesdaySaturday 10AM-1PM and Sunday noon-3PM

For more information, visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

STUDENTS WANTED FOR MSRV YOUTH ACTION COUNCIL

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MSRV) is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 Youth Action Council (YAC), open to local 14-18 year olds attending school in the Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon region. Through its youth-led projects and community presence, the YAC promotes local volunteerism and historical engagement while amplifying youth perspectives in civics. Members serve throughout the school year by volunteering as museum greeters and docents, offering youth input to museum programming, and leading their own civic initiatives. Scan the QR code or visit the YAC Instagram @srvmuseumyac to complete the digital form application by September 1st. Please email any questions to srvmuseumyac@gmail.com

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

Keller Williams Danville

CRISTINA Keller

Keller Williams Danville

CRISTINA MATEI, REALTOR®

NEW ORDINANCE PROHIBITS RIDING E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS IN DANVILLE PARKS

The Danville Town Council has adopted a new ordinance requiring riders of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and motorized scooters to dismount and walk their devices while in all Town parks beginning August 6, 2026. Riders may continue bringing these e-bikes into parks, but they may not be ridden within park boundaries.

The ordinance is intended to help Danville's parks remain safe, comfortable spaces where people of all ages can walk, play, gather, and enjoy recreation. As e-bikes have become an increasingly popular way to travel throughout the community, the Town is committed to helping riders understand how the new ordinance will affect park use.

Over the coming weeks, the Town will begin a community education campaign that includes signage at Town parks, sharing information through Town communication channels, and working directly with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and local schools to help educate students and families before the new school year begins. The Town's initial focus will be on education, ensuring riders understand the new park requirements before the ordinance takes effect and helping families plan ahead as students return to school.

The Town encourages residents to take time to learn about the ordinance and share the information with family members who ride e-bikes.

Additional information, including frequently asked questions, is available at www.danville.ca.gov/NotMyKid

CAN YOU PURCHASE A MATTRESS?

Contra Costa Interfaith Coalition (CCIC) is a local nonprofit founded in 1992 that provides housing essentials to people transitioning from the shelters and streets to permanent housing. Last year of the 610 people in our county they supported, 303 children were children, and 100 of the deliveries were to single parent households. Clients are referred by case managers from over 20 Contra Costa County agencies, as well as Hope Solutions, Independent Living Resources, Welcome Home Baby, and Trinity Center.

The group is 100% volunteer (over 40 volunteers), and works out of donated storage spaces, picking up donations and delivering to clients in their own vehicles.

The biggest expense needing support is for new beds. Other furniture placed is gently used. Most of the time, until the volunteers arrive, clients are sleeping on the floor.

The group is constantly in need of funding for beds. When funds get low, as they are now, they have to put a stop on ordering beds.

Can you, your company, your church, or your local group sponsor even one mattress? If so, please reach out to Tania at taniahd@comcast.net. Learn more at www.ccichope.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Now more than ever, many of our neighbors cannot afford to feed and clothe themselves or their families. Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to serve the community are available at White Pony Express (WPE).

WPE, now headquartered in Concord, is a nonprofit that rescues fresh surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets. This food is then delivered free to organizations that feed the hungry free of charge. To volunteer, visit whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer or contact Mandy, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 925-818-6361 or email Mandy@whiteponyexpress.org

Remembrance continued from front page

September 11, 2001, and will share his personal perspective on the attacks and their lasting impact. Gold Star speaker Roxanne Langevin will also honor her son and local Gold Star families who lost loved ones in defense of our nation. Following the ceremony, guests can enjoy free ice cream treats and learn more about the student 9-11 Essay Competition and awards.

VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

Veteran Service Organizations meet at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley, 400 Hartz Avenue in Danville, except as otherwise noted.

• American Legion Post 246 meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8PM (except August and October). Visit americanlegionpost246.org, email commanderpost246@gmail.com, or call 925-272-8480.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75 of San Ramon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7PM. Visit vfwpost75.org or email info@vfwpost75.org .

• Viet Nam Veterans of the Diablo Valley meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at The Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon. Visit vnvdv.org/index.html or call 925-838-6445.

• Marine Corps League Detachment 942 meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30AM. Visit www.facebook.com/MCL942

• Military Order of the World Wars/Military Officers Association of America meets on the third Monday of each month at 5PM. Email pattywernet@ hotmail.com or cdtaddeo@yahoo.com.

• Blue Star Moms Detachment 101 meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. Visit www.bluestarmoms.org or call 925-587-4037.

• Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley holds coffees on Saturdays from 9 AM to noon.

THE GATTI REPORT: YOUR GREATER DANVILLE AREA REAL ESTATE UPDATE

By Joseph Gatti

Comparing January 1 through July 15 across two consecutive years tells a more honest story than any single month can. Across detached homes under $2.5 million in Danville, Alamo, Diablo, and San Ramon, 2026 isn’t a downturn — it’s a market that has become more selective, Joseph Gatti and The Gatti Team, powered by Compass, the nation’s #1 brokerage,

For sellers under $2.5M, pricing precision now matters more than it has in years, buyers finally have real alternatives. ALAMO

frequently topped $2.8M, fueled by razor-thin inventory and aggressive competition for estate-style homes. 2026 tells a more nuanced story:

— it’s become more price-sensitive and more willing to wait for the right property.

DIABLO

too low most months for a reliable standalone median — it’s typically folded into Danville’s broader dataset. Directionally, though, it’s tracking with its neighbors:

San Ramon has been the most stable of the four communities. First-half 2025 detached medians clustered in the high $1.8M–$1.9M range, with the broader citywide median, including attached properties (condo, townhouse, duets), closer

San Ramon Valley Unified School District demand continues to give pricing a

Across all four communities, the story of 2026 versus 2025 is consistent: more inventory, longer marketing times, and modest price softening at the top of the sub-$2.5M tier, layered on a market still seller-favored by any historical measure.

whose homes are priced and presented correctly are still moving quickly, often at or above asking, while overpriced listings sit and eventually adjust. With 14 years serving the Greater Danville area, I bring deep market knowledge and a personalized, strategic approach to every client relationship. As an Associate Broker with Compass, I pair national resources with local expertise, building on themunity. My focus is modern strategy, clear communication, and

MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

By Dr. Kevin Ahern, Principal

A morning walk around the Monte Vista (MV) campus gives a great indication that the 2026–27 school year is just around the corner. Upon returning from summer break in early July, I make it a point to take a daily stroll around campus to check the condition of our buildings and grounds, and to see what our students are up to. As always, there is a lot happening!

Just as I returned, MV’s Speech and Debate Institute completed its first session and was welcoming its second group of participants. A visit to the stadium found Women’s Flag Football, JV Football, and Freshman Football all hard at work practicing, while Varsity Football was busy conditioning in the weight room. Meanwhile, the MV pool has been busy with a full slate of swimming programs available to the community through the Town of Danville and supported by many MV students serving as lifeguards and swim instructors.

There is a great energy on campus this time of year and we hope to sustain that positive vibe throughout the coming months.

Our students aren’t the only ones working hard this summer. MV’s dedicated custodial and maintenance teams have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare our buildings and campus. A huge thank you to them for their incredible efforts in making MV look sharp, clean, and ready for day one!

We have some incredible student and staff achievements to celebrate from this summer:

● Sophomore Anadita Upadhyaya won the Individual National Championship in the Congress category at the Speech and Debate National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia! Anadita is the tenth MV student to earn a national title under the guidance of our Speech and Debate Director, Dave Matley, who retired at the conclusion of this season. Mr. Matley led MV’s program since 1989, coaching over 35 California State Champions and earning numerous leadership accolades. He was officially inducted into the National Speech and Debate Association Hall of Fame at the national tournament. Congratulations to both Anadita and Mr. Matley for these legendary recognitions! This fall, long-time MV teacher Heather Giovanola will proudly take the helm of the Speech and Debate program.

● More congratulations are in order for Naina and Neil Rewal, who recently attended the Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C. and were recognized as part of the 2026 Congressional Award Gold Medal Class. This Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress’ highest honor for young Americans, recognizing initiative, service, and achievement. Thank you, Naina and Neil, for representing the MV community so brilliantly on the national stage.

As we slide into August, campus will quickly come back to life with several key events:

● Monday, August 3rd - Main Office Reopens. Our team officially returns to begin final preparations for the school year. Throughout this week, our teaching staff will also return to campus to set up their classrooms.

● Wednesday, August 5th - Mustang Mentor Planning. Our student leaders will meet to plan our annual Freshman and New Student Orientation, discussing exactly what our newest Mustangs need to know to navigate high school successfully.

● Thursday, August 6th - Stampede Day. Join us for our annual Stampede Day! MV families can pick up program information, take ID photos, snag some fresh spirit wear, and learn how to support our incredible booster organizations. A huge shout-out to the students, staff, parents, and community volunteers who make this massive day such a success.

● Friday, August 7th - New Student Orientation. We will officially welcome the Class of 2030 to MV! This orientation is a fantastic, well-organized event that sets our newest Mustangs up for success from the get-go. Special thanks to the MV Leadership Team — Adrianne Bright, Tommy Greenless, and Chris Connor — along with our Mustang Mentors for orchestrating such a warm welcome.

● Early to Mid August - Fall Athletics Kickoff. Fall athletic programs officially begin tryouts and practices. With so many student-athletes putting in countless hours of summer training, they are ready to channel that energy into another great year for MV Athletics.

The school year officially kicks off on Thursday, August 13th. We are looking forward to another incredible and unforgettable year at Monte Vista! For a full list of what’s happening on campus, visit mvhs.srvusd.net.

SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

By Naomi Guss, junior

Hello, and I hope you all had a wonderful, restful summer. My name is Naomi Guss, and I am a junior at San Ramon Valley High School (SRV). I am a new columnist for any and all updates on the bustling student life at SRV and am excited to share with you some upcoming events to welcome the Wolves to a successful year!

After a busy summer, SRV is looking forward to greeting both new and returning students to campus on August 13th. On August 10th, freshmen and new Wolves will be led by Link Crew Leaders (SRV upperclassmen) in a two-hour morning orientation where they will receive a tour around campus, have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, meet other new Wolves, and get excited about the upcoming year. Later that evening, the freshmen are invited back to campus for a Welcome Dance – an event full of friends, music, fun, and more! Back-to-school season features more than just new students, challenging classes, and thought-provoking learning, but also longstanding traditions that make SRV the welcoming and vibrant community that it is.

Beginning with the Welcome Back Rally that takes place the first Friday of the school year on August 14th, students will be entertained by welcome videos, school-wide games, and an afternoon of school spirit that they should be sure to attend!

SRV also hosts two exciting traditions in particular, in regards to our seniors, the class of 2027. The Senior Sunrise invites seniors to congregate on the auxiliary field as they watch the sunrise and embark on their final first day of school together. Seniors will also decorate their car windshields with playful and witty slogans during senior car painting. Both time-honored events are intended to celebrate our seniors and their final year as Wolves at SRV.

It’s also important to recognize our fall sports teams who have been hard at work throughout the entirety of the summer in preparation for a competitive season. Whether that be drills in the pool, miles raced across the Iron Horse Trail, or hours of early morning practices, SRV’s teams continue to make our school proud. We wish the best of luck to the cross country, water polo, cheer, pom, flag football, football, women’s volleyball, women’s tennis, and women’s golf teams in the upcoming fall season.

Speaking of sports, another cherished aspect of SRV are our Friday night football games, attracting the entire town including football enthusiasts, students, parents, and community members alike. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Each game has a theme--from Pink Out, to Green & Gold, to honoring our veterans, but a strong school spirit is a guaranteed recurrence at every home game. Plus, at each game there will be performances from our talented marching band, cheer, and pom teams which are a must-see.

With our students hopefully anticipating a school year filled with spirit, learning, and personal growth, and our seniors ready to embark on their final year in our halls, I wish everyone a successful year of new memories, friendships, and accomplishments. I encourage all students to take advantage of the countless opportunities SRV offers, including our clubs, community events, and activities.

Stay in the loop through the SRV website (srvhs.srvusd.net) or Instagram (@srvhswolfpack and class pages: @srvhsclassof(year)).

Have a great month, and Go Wolves!

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Neighborhood Watch is a community action and problem-solving program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within the community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address community issues of concern.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting meetings via Zoom. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more information, please email the Community Services Unit at csu@so.cccounty.us

HEALTH TIPS FOR TEENS

OVEREXERTION

By Serena Hicks, MVHS junior

Nowadays, being busy has almost become a badge of honor for teenagers, especially when the stressors of college are constantly pressing matters. Between school, sports, clubs, jobs, volunteering, and maintaining a social life, it is easy to have the belief that constantly being on your feet is just part of growing up. However, there is a point where being productive stops being healthy.

Overexertion happens when you push your body or mind beyond what it can reasonably handle without an appropriate amount of time to recover. While many people think of overexertion as something that only happens after an intense workout, it can also be mental and emotional. Pulling multiple all-nighters to study, committing to every extracurricular activity, or feeling like you always have to be achieving something can all contribute to this very sense of exhaustion.

One of the largest challenges is that overexertion doesn’t always happen overnight, but usually builds up gradually. It may be the case that you start feeling tired all the time, even after getting a full night’s sleep. Schoolwork that used to feel manageable suddenly turns overwhelming. Headaches, muscle soreness, trouble concentrating, irritability, or lack of motivation may become more noticeable. Some teens even experience frequent illnesses due to the weakening of the immune system caused by ongoing stress.

So why are teenagers so vulnerable to overexertion? Today’s students face pressures that previous generations didn’t experience to the same extent. Social media constantly showcases everyone’s achievements, making it seem like everyone else is doing more. College admissions have become increasingly competitive, encouraging students to fill every hour of their schedules. Furthermore, many teens place high expectations on themselves, believing that taking a break means falling behind.

The positive news is that overexertion is preventable and recoverable. Resting is not equivalent to laziness. Your brain and body need recovery time to perform at their best. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day and get consistent sleep each night. This means forming a consistent sleep schedule, sectioning out your study time, communicating with your loved ones, etc. It’s also beneficial to set realistic boundaries. Accepting every leadership position or attending every event isn’t always necessary and can easily overwork your body and mind. Before committing to something new, assess whether you have the time and energy to complete the task with your best work. Sometimes deferring one opportunity means protecting your ability to succeed in the commitments you already have.

Taking care of your physical health can also make a huge difference to your overall mood and energy. Eating balanced meals, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and spending some time outdoors can help reduce stress and allow your body to recover. Even simple habits like putting your phone away before bed or taking a 15-minute walk after school can have a significant impact on your mood and focus.

Finally, don’t ignore the warning signs if you are feeling overwhelmed. It’s completely okay to take multiple breaks. Protecting your health instead of constantly pushing it leads to better results in your work. Talking to your friends, a trusted adult, teacher, or school counselor can help you gain perspective and find solutions before simple stress becomes burnout. Everyone needs support sometimes, and asking for help is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness. Life as a teenager is naturally busy, and working hard is something to be proud of! However, success is not measured by how exhausted you are. Taking care of yourself allows you to learn more effectively, enjoy your hobbies, and show up as your best self. Remember that maintaining your health is one of the most important aspects of making all your other goals possible. Protecting yourself is not going to make you fall behind, but rather set you up to continue going further.

Serena Hicks is a rising junior at Monte Vista High School (MVHS) and Teen Health Advocate, hoping to improve the health of her community one column at a time.

SMART SIGNALS COMING TO YOUR COMMUNITY

By County Supervisor Candace Andersen

Have you ever sat at a red light for over a minute and wondered, “Why am I waiting when there aren’t any other cars around?” Or, have you ever heard stories of people losing their loved ones due to traffic-related incidents with bikes, cars, or pedestrians? These issues are prominent in our society, with Contra Costa County alone experiencing around 4,000 traffic related incidents a year. While many of these issues can be fixed with increased driver attentiveness, the truth is that a lot of them can be solved with better intersection technology. We are finding ever increasing ways to make our roads safer and more efficient by using technology.

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is leading a Smart Signals Project to improve the County’s traffic signal system. They are working to upgrade traffic signals at over 365 intersections across Contra Costa County, including cities and unincorporated areas like Alamo. The CCTA aims to modernize traffic signals across Routes of Regional Significance, the major streets and corridors that connect communities to major centers like schools, highways, and jobs. The ultimate goals are to manage traffic, improve productivity, and maximize safety for all.

Many intersections in the County still use outdated traffic signals that cannot collect and respond to traffic conditions in real time. For example, some older signals cannot detect bicycles accurately, which results in longer red lights for some intersections. The upgrades will be able to detect when traffic patterns change so that coordination can match those conditions. Some areas contain higher collision rates than others, so better technology in those areas can help reduce the risk of crashes. All of this will increase the efficiency of traffic and decrease idling for long periods of time. It will also be beneficial for cities and towns so that they can record where problem areas are.

Where are the signals going in? The CCTA project map, found on the transportation authority’s website, informs the public about what upgrades are happening and when. Alamo’s new signals will be installed on Danville Boulevard at Livorna, Stone Valley Road, Hemme, and Camille. Danville will be the first city to start the installation of these smart signals, and they are also being installed along Danville/San Ramon Valley Boulevard, and on Diablo Road and Sycamore Valley Road. The smart signals’ video/radar sensors in front of stop lights will be able to adjust traffic in response to real-time data as well as detect pedestrians for crosswalk timing. Remote view sensors on stop lights will allow engineers to see what is happening at intersections so that they can respond to problems. Doing so will assist Emergency Vehicle Preemption, giving green lights to fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances so that they are able to get to their destination faster and more smoothly in emergency situations.

In addition, Transit Signal Priority will be more robust as buses will be able to run smoothly and stay on schedule, avoiding delay. Battery backup systems for power outages, high speed networks to transmit data, and traffic signal synchronization all work together in the goal of reducing traffic congestion and emissions.

Not only does this system maximize traffic flow and safety, but implementing long term technology will be a useful long-term investment for a smarter transportation network. Also, implementing V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology will link all of the county’s operations and signals, which will make it easier for the county to share information on traffic patterns and safety information.

Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new will be our next step in building a happier, safer community.

A special thanks to our Summer Intern, Amber Liu, a senior at San Ramon Valley High School, for helping write this article.

My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of unincorporated Walnut Creek. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-655-2300.

VALLEY VIGNETTE By Beverly Lane

THE ‘THE THICKET OF THE DEVIL’ BECAME MOUNT DIABLO

A mountain of such prominence had to be named, and the Spanish were never reluctant to do so. In addition to the Indian ones, Mount Diablo had other names before the incident occurred which introduced the name “monte diablo.”

Historian Erwin Gudde, states that the earliest name was “San Juan Bautista,” evidently in honor of Juan Bautista de Anza who led an expedition which skirted the mountain in 1776.

In the 1800s, the name “Sierra de los Bolbones” was cited frequently by colonists and explorers. In October 1811, Father Ramon Abella of Mission Dolores and Father Buenaventura Fortuny of Mission San Jose explored the Delta and wrote down the name “Cerro Alto de Bolbones” for the first time, meaning High Point of the Bolbons. This title acknowledged the Bay Miwok Volvon Indian tribe whose territory was north and east of the mountain. Other Spanish writers spelled the Indian name Golgone or Volvone.

In the summer of 1804, a conflict occurred to which the name “Monte Diablo” can be traced. At first, the name was not attached to the mountain at all but to a thicket or “monte” in old Spanish.

That year a military expedition from the San Francisco presidio, led by Luis Peralta, was sent to retrieve baptized Natives who had left Mission Dolores without permission and try to pacify people in the inland valleys. Indians in these valleys were no longer the peaceful Natives early diarists described.

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Bay Miwok Saclans led this long resistance after having lived at Mission Dolores in 1794 and 1795, and experienced food shortages, pervasive diseases, and severe punishments. Once baptized, the Spanish missionaries expected Natives to stay at the mission, with occasional passes given for temporary visits to their villages. The Saclan and others had fled Dolores and refused to return, aggressively resisting all Spanish efforts to bring them to the missions.

In 1804, during one protracted battle, the Spanish pursued Indians to a thicket of willows, close to a Chupcan village, located in today’s north Concord. The story goes that when darkness set in, Peralta decided not to follow them into the thicket which was familiar territory to the Indians.

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In the night the Spanish reported lights moving and strange noises – and next morning the natives were gone. According to historian F.J. Hulaniski in 1917, “The lights were probably produced by a phosphorescence which the troops did not understand.” Milliken wrote that the Indians almost certainly took tule boats during the night, crossed Suisun Bay, and found refuge with the Suisans with whom they were intermarried. The soldiers dubbed the area Monte Diablo (Thicket of the Devil) because the experience had frightened them.

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The first regular mentions of the name “Diablo” began to appear in the 1820s. In 1824, the name “M. del Diablo” appeared on a map drawn by Father Narciso Duran which referred to a Chupcan Indian village near today’s Highway 4. The map was called “El Plano Topographico de la Mission de San Jose” and outlined the Indian recruitment area of Mission San Jose.

When Salvio Pacheco applied for a rancho grant in 1828, it was named “Monte del Diablo” and later became today’s Concord. Explorer Edward Belcher of the H.M.S. Sulphur in 1837 wrote about the expedition and cited the “high range of the Montes Diavolo” as well as the “range of the Sierra Bolbones…visible equally from the sea.”

By the 1840s, the name occurred regularly in travel literature. The 1841 Charles Wilkes was impressed: “The scenery was very much admired, and Mount Diavolo, near the mouth of the San Joachim, adds to its beauty.”

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A map by John Fremont in 1848 called the mountain Monte Diabolo and, in 1844, Eugene Duflot de Mofras wrote, “Mount Diablo, the highest peak in the California range actual height is 1,149 meters. The end of this chain is designated locally as Sierra de los Bolbones. The location of Mount Diablo is important to navigators; being visible from afar it marks the entrance to San Francisco Harbor.”

Initially the name shifted from a thicket in north Concord to the smaller of the mountain’s two peaks. Old-timers insisted that only the north peak should be labeled Diablo. Nevertheless, American explorers and new settlers, mistaking the name “monte” for “mountain,” began to apply the title to both peaks of the mountain. Resources: Beechey, F. W., Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering’s Strait; Erwin G. Gudde, California Place Names; Heizer, Robert F., in Geologic Guidebook of the San Francisco Bay Counties,1951; Hoover, Mildred et. al., Historic Spots in California; Hulaniski, J.F., History of Contra Costa County, 1917; Lane, Beverly, The Valley Pioneer Aug. 26, 1987; Milliken, Randall, A Time of Little Choice, 1995; Wilkes, Charles, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the years 1838-41. Based on an essay by Beverly Lane in the Valley Pioneer, August 1987.

1824 East Bay Map drawn by Father Narciso Duran, courtesy the Bancroft Library.

LOCAL ROWERS WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH OAKLAND STROKES

Three San Ramon Valley rowers helped Oakland Strokes win the club’s 26th national championship at the 2026 US Rowing Youth National Championships recently held in Sarasota, Florida. The Men’s U17 8+, coached by Sean Gibel, won the grand final. Danville sophomore Dominic Lorente of San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) rowed in the three seat, Ari Bernstein of Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS) rowed in the five seat, and sophomore Oliver Beaver of Monte Vista High School (MVHS) rowed stroke.

What set the result apart was the makeup of the crew. Two-thirds of the boat were first-year rowers who had never raced before this season. The eight sat second at the halfway mark, then put down the fastest second half in the field to win by just over two seconds. Nine local rowers raced for Oakland Strokes at Nationals in all.

MVHS junior Kaloyan Nikolov of Danville rowed in the silver-medal Men’s Youth 4-, coached by Jovan Jovanovic. The crew consisted of one senior and three returning juniors.

Three local rowers were in the top eight (1V), which finished 17th overall after a 0.4-second margin in the time trial sent the boat to the C final, where it won convincingly. The boat was coached by Allison Ray. Senior Ava Wheeler of MVHS rowed in the four seat and is headed to the University of Pennsylvania. Senior Mako Begossi of SRVHS rowed in the seven seat and is headed to the University of California, Berkeley. Senior Samyra Joshi of MVHS coxed the boat and is headed to Duke.

Ritika Deshpande of MVHS rowed in the third-eight crew that finished 11th overall as the fastest third-varsity eight in the country, coached by Emma Bernou. Maria Kozak of DVHS rowed in the club’s second eight, which finished 15th, coached by Isaac Bier.

Oakland Strokes seniors keep rowing long after high school. Fifteen seniors from this year’s class will row in college in the fall, at Boston University, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Hobart, the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue, Tufts, the University of California Berkeley, UC San Diego, the University of San Diego, UNC Chapel Hill, Wesleyan, and Yale.

The 2027 season starts now. Oakland Strokes is opening registration for summer camps and welcoming new athletes to the club. There is no rowing experience required.

Middle school and high school summer camps run in one- and two-week sessions in August. The middle school year-round program is the strongest on-ramp to high school rowing in the East Bay. And the high school team offers a free two-week trial starting August 17 for incoming and returning students considering joining.

Cost should not be a barrier to the sport. Oakland Strokes offers financial aid to support athletes who need it, and the club works to keep rowing open to any young person who wants to row. Families are encouraged to ask.

Information about all programs, registration links, and the free trial is available at oaklandstrokes.org Photos by Joel Flory.

QUICK TRIPS By

Linda Summers Pirkle

THE JOY OF SLOW WATER TRAVEL

If you’re craving a slower, gentler escape from everyday life, canal cruising may be the perfect answer. That was certainly true for us when our son, Reed, invited us aboard a 58-foot narrow-boat for a journey through the winding canals of England and Wales.

After tackling the biggest challenges, locks and aqueducts, we drifted into Wales, a land of storybook landscapes and castle-crowned hills. From my seat at the bow of the Evening Star, it was easy to imagine King Arthur’s world coming to life. Reed expertly navigated the notoriously narrow waterways with his girlfriend Kailey as his first-mate. We glided past sheep-filled pastures, long-horned cows, stone bridges, and towering old trees, moving at little more than a walking pace.

The canals, built in the 18th and early 19th centuries to carry coal, iron, and other goods, now offer travelers a peaceful way to experience the countryside. And our boat, bright red, brand new, and unexpectedly luxurious, made the journey all the more memorable.

Closer to home, Santa Cruz Harbor offers a different but equally peaceful kind of waterside escape. Surrounded by a beautiful shoreline, sweeping views, the Boardwalk, hiking trails, and beaches, the harbor is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon.

The Santa Cruz Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Walton Lighthouse, marks the entrance to the northern end of Monterey Bay and has been sending out its light signal for the past forty years. The picturesque lighthouse makes a wonderful backdrop for photos. It has gone through several iterations since it was first built and is named for a serviceman lost at sea during World War II. It stands 411/2 feet above the level of the west jetty and 591/2 feet above mean low water. Weighing 350,000 pounds, it was built to withstand a quarter of a million pounds of wave energy.

The marina, located on the west jetty of the bay, is always a favorite stop when we’re in Santa Cruz. It’s a wildlife haven and home to marine mammals, seabirds, and diverse plant life. Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to spot harbor seals, dolphins, and even a humpback whale.

The Crow’s Nest, a local institution for the past 50 years, is now my granddaughters’ favorite breakfast spot. “They have the best pancakes ever,” they insist, and the views aren’t bad either.

Just steps from the Crow’s Nest is another one of my favorite stops: Beach Market. I often go in “just to look” and somehow come out with a purchase from its well-curated selection of home goods.

Activities at this little harbor include the Wednesday Night Regatta, kayak lessons, stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours from the SUP Shack, classes, and kids’ camps.

A highlight of Santa Cruz Harbor is the seasonal Water Taxi. This year, the popular boat ride began in early May and is expected to continue through October.

The Water Taxi connects three main stops in the marina: X1 Gate in the Northeast Harbor, AA Dock in the Southwest Harbor, and the Launch Ramp in North Harbor. The 20- to 30-minute loop is an ideal way to cruise the waterway among the slips, often with the added treat of spotting seals basking in the sun. The free hop-on, hop-off Water Taxi also welcomes dogs.

The last time we took the taxi we met a frequent passenger named Andrea, who told us she often rides her bike to the marina, catches the slow-moving water taxi, and spends a couple of hours simply enjoying the views and tranquil ride. Life jackets are provided for children under the age of 13. Check the harbor’s website santacruzharbor.org for current hours and operating dates.

Linda Summers Pirkle is a travel writer and long-term Danville resident. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email coverthemap@gmail.com

Captain Lisa piloting 20- passenger Santa Cruz Harbor Water Taxi.

Evening Star on Welsh canal.

WRITING MATTERS

By Linda Hora

“Charmin knows it’s not polite to talk about going to the bathroom in public,” sings the radio commercial. Every time I hear it, I silently scream, “Ewwww! Please do not relieve yourself in public; find a restroom.” I cannot accept nor unhear the grammatical error. Yet most listeners are not former English teachers, and thus most listeners never question the slogan. In fact, right now, some of you readers may not even spot the grammatical error. Thank your brain for this. Your brain instinctively processes more than just the “code” (the grammar, spelling, meaning) of the words; it also processes the context, intent, and expected message. So when hearing Charmin’s declaration, most people just nod along, thinking, “Got it – when you’re in public, don’t talk about going to the bathroom.” Our brains, those fascinating machines, gloss over the glaring grammatical error to decipher the message behind the communication.

SENIOR VARIETY SHOW

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MISHAPS: AMUSING BUT CONFUSING

☐ Joe saw a giraffe riding his bike to the circus.

☐ Cassie wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large.

☐ Running swiftly along the branches, the lumberjack saw a squirrel near the top of the tree.

A miscommunication can easily be corrected when spoken – not so when printed or published. Because of this, the written word must follow the rules of grammar. A grammar rule we’ve recently covered states that sentences only need a subject and a verb. But we need more: we want the details. The rule to add them requires you to put the detail, or modifier, next to the word it explains or modifies. One of the details in the cute Charmin ad shows up in the wrong place. As sung – and written – “in public” immediately follows the word “bathroom.” So the Charmin ad literally counsels us to avoid discussion about our experiences of going to the bathroom while a crowd watched. While this error confuses, it doesn’t harm; others do. An updated Covid Mandate declared, “You may safely gather with eight others with no issues.” Instead of a sigh of relief, people panicked: the logistics of trying to verify the lack of issues – basically the mental health and stability – for each person hoping to join a group were insurmountable. To eliminate the stress, the mandate should have stated that, “You and eight others may safely gather with no issues.” Beyond confusion or harm, misplaced modifiers may derail society. A student wrote an essay that argued “lies are something children are taught not to tell in grade school.” Concerned about societal decline, I questioned whether one should also avoid lying in middle school, high school, college, graduate school, and perhaps always, Luckily, the writer understood and revised her claim to state that “lies are something that children in grade school are taught not to tell.” Societal crises averted, one misplaced modifier at a time. These misplaced details exist everywhere. To rid our world of them, we must actively seek them out. This, as anything important, takes practice. For fun (and practice), see if you can spot the misplaced modifiers in the sentences below. If you struggle, grab a writing utensil and a piece of paper, then draw the sentence as it is written. The visual you create should help you see the mistake. And to double the fun, send a photo of your drawing to thewritinggoal@gmail.com. I’ll post the winning drawing in next month’s column!

Don’t miss the award-winning Senior Variety Show to be held on Saturday, September 19th, at the Village Theatre located at 233 Front Street in downtown Danville. This cherished annual event showcases the talent and creativity of Danville’s 50 and older community, with performances that may include song, dance, stand up comedy, spoken word, and more.

Whether you are stepping on stage or cheering from the audience, it is a celebration of creativity and community you will not want to miss. Learn more at danville.ca.gov/varietyshow. Tickets for the 2026 Senior Variety Show go on sale August 5 th at danville.ca.gov/theatre

WHY SUMMER IS THE IDEAL TIME FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING

By Waldron Partners

Summer has a way of slowing life down. Calendars become a little lighter, vacations create space to reflect, and many families find themselves spending more time together. While financial planning may not be at the top of everyone’s summer bucket list, it may be one of the most valuable things you do before fall arrives.

For many families in the area, the second half of the year often becomes a whirlwind of school schedules, holiday gatherings, charitable giving, and year-end tax decisions. By taking advantage of the quieter pace of summer, you have the opportunity to make thoughtful financial decisions before deadlines begin to pile up.

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Much can change in six months. Markets fluctuate. Tax laws evolve. Businesses grow. Retirement dates shift. Children graduate. Parents begin needing more support. Summer offers an ideal opportunity to ask a simple question: Is my financial plan still aligned with where my life is today?

Rather than waiting until December, a mid-year review allows time to make meaningful adjustments while there is still plenty of year left to benefit from them. LOOK BEYOND

YOUR INVESTMENTS

Many people assume financial planning begins and ends with investment performance. In reality, your portfolio is only one piece of a much larger picture. Some valuable questions to consider include:

• Has your income changed this year?

• Has your estate plan been reviewed recently?

• Are there tax-saving opportunities before year-end?

• Are your retirement goals still realistic?

• If you’re a business owner, is your company becoming too large a percentage of your overall net worth?

When each area is viewed independently, opportunities are often missed. The greatest financial advantages typically come when investments, taxes, retirement planning, estate planning, and business decisions are working together.

BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

Alamo and Danville are home to many successful entrepreneurs and business owners. Summer can be an excellent time to step back from day-to-day operations and evaluate the bigger picture.

Is your business still your primary retirement plan? If so, now may be the time to begin building wealth outside of your company through diversified investments, tax planning, and long-term retirement strategies. Creating financial independence beyond your business gives you more flexibility when the time eventually comes to sell, transition ownership, or simply choose what’s next.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL YEAR-END FOR TAX PLANNING

One of the biggest misconceptions is that tax planning happens when you file your return. The most valuable tax strategies happen months before December 31st

Whether it’s evaluating Roth conversions, harvesting investment gains or losses, maximizing retirement contributions, charitable giving strategies, or preparing for a liquidity event, summer provides time to implement strategies deliberately instead of rushing to meet year-end deadlines.

USE SUMMER TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

Summer also tends to bring families together. Whether you’re vacationing with adult children or gathering for backyard barbecues, it can be an appropriate time to begin conversations that are often postponed.

Topics like estate planning, healthcare directives, family wealth, charitable intentions, or caring for aging parents become much easier when they’re discussed proactively rather than during a crisis. These conversations aren’t always comfortable, but they’re among the most meaningful parts of a comprehensive financial plan.

A SEASON FOR THOUGHTFUL PLANNING

At Waldron Partners, we often remind clients that financial planning isn’t about reacting to markets…it’s about preparing for life’s next season before it arrives. Summer gives us something that’s increasingly rare: time to think.

Rather than waiting until the end of the year to ask whether you’re on track, consider using this season to evaluate where you are today and whether every part of your financial life is working toward the future you want.

After all, the best financial decisions are rarely made under pressure. They’re made with clarity, intention, and enough time to act.

Financial clarity doesn’t happen by chance…it comes from having the right strategy and the right team beside you. If you’re ready to build a plan for whatever comes next, email us at team@waldronpartners.com. Disclosure: Osaic Wealth, Inc. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

Peter Waldron CA Insurance License #0E47827. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth Advertorial Pickleball continued from front page

BE PREPARED!

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM ALERTS

Emergencies are inevitable; being prepared is paramount and can give you and your family an edge on knowing how to handle a situation.

The Contra Costa Community Warning System (CWS) is one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard community warning systems.

You can receive alerts via phone calls, text messages, and email from the CWS in times of local emergencies such as gas leaks, fires, hazardous material incidents, law enforcement activities, and more that will include basic information about the incident and what specific protective actions (shelter in place, lock-down, evacuate, avoid the area, etc.) that are necessary to protect life and health.

weekly clinics offer a warm, welcoming, and fun way to learn and play the popular game of pickleball. No pre-sign up needed! If interested, please come five minutes early to get signed in and meet the coaches. Loaner paddles are available for your use. A huge thank you to the volunteer coaches and to the United Methodist Church for sponsoring these weekly FREE clinics. Contact Brad Falk for questions or more information. bradrfalk@ gmail.com or 925-963-7713.

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CALIFORNIA ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE CO-AGENCY IS A PROBLEM, NOT A SOLUTION

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq. (left), Silverman & Jaffe

When someone is involved in establishing or reviewing an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) with their estate planning attorney, the client’s focus typically starts with fairness and inclusion. When the person has two (or more) adult children who are deeply involved in their life, they commonly feel that naming both of them as “coagents” is the most equitable way to ensure that each voice is heard.

However understandable and appealing the co-agency theory may be, in reality it is a major potential problem rather than a viable solution. The law does not, and cannot, fully account for the emotional and psychological complexities of human disagreement.

While California law does not explicitly forbid naming multiple agents, neither does it provide a standard “voting” framework for them. This creates serious risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Potential for Deadlock: If you specify a “majority vote,” you risk a scenario where the agents are split or one is unreachable, leading to a stalemate. If you require a “unanimous” vote, a single dissenting or unavailable agent could effectively paralyze the decision-making process during a medical emergency.

• Provider Hesitancy: Hospitals and healthcare providers are accustomed to dealing with a single point of contact. When faced with any conflicting instructions from multiple co-agents, or a requirement for a formal “vote” that isn’t explicitly and clearly defined in the AHCD, they may refuse to act. This can lead to delays in care, disputes, and sometimes even litigation. These problems, among others, are those an AHCD is designed to avoid.

• Joint vs. Successor Authority: I side with the vast majority of estate planning attorneys in California by advising against co-agents. The standard (and best) practice is to name a primary agent and then name successor agents (an order of priority). This ensures that if the first person is unavailable, incapacitated, or unwilling to serve, the next person in line steps in immediately, with full authority.

• “Voting” Provisions are Inherently Risky in this Context: Including a specific requirement for majority or unanimous voting in your AHCD introduces legal complexities:

~ Enforceability: If your document requires a unanimous vote and one agent is incommunicado during a crisis, a physician may be legally hesitant to provide treatment, fearing liability on the grounds that the “unanimous” condition hasn’t been met.

~ Increased Burden on Agents: Requiring agents to “vote” turns a role meant to be one of efficient advocacy and proxy decision-making into a bureaucratic process. During high-stress medical situations, your agents need the agility to make quick, informed decisions based on your previously expressed wishes.

In the high-stakes environment of emergency medical decision-making, what feels like a gesture of fairness often functions as a critical legal and logistical failure. Naming co-agents is not a solution to family harmony—it is a recipe for conflict, resentment and emotional turmoil among loved ones.

If you are worried that naming one child over another might cause hurt feelings, the solution is not to compromise your legal document—it is to have honest conversations with your children. Explain to your loved ones that your choice is based on efficiency and the legal reality of medical emergencies, not a ranking of your love for them. This transparency often helps minimize, if not avoid, resentment. If any children disagree with your choice, hopefully they’ll appreciate that you are sparing them the potential burden and heartache of a forced negotiation in a crisis, under the weight of grief. Choosing agents sequentially should provide a solid path to honoring your wishes and facilitating the important health decisions that may need to be made on your behalf.

Estate Planning | Trust Administration & Probate | Real Estate

Please contact me to request a complimentary: i) Estate Planning Primer, ii) Real Estate titling brochure, and/or iii) an introductory meeting. I am an attorney with Silverman & Jaffe, 1910 Olympic Blvd., Suite 330, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@silvermanjaffe.com .

Guitars continued from front page

program, they were also surprised to find out that their loaner guitar was theirs to keep forever.

Guitars Not Guns has been praised for their outstanding work to bring music to the lives of youth in need, building confidence in children to try to keep them on a positive path in their lives. Barbara and volunteers in the Contra Costa chapter worked hard to fundraise and build partnerships with businesses both locally and in the music industry. They created their own pipeline of donations to ensure each incoming class for the session had guitars ready to go.

Barbara was honored in 2009 when she was given the Threads of Hope award, an annual honor given by Diablo magazine and the East Bay Leadership Council to local volunteers and philanthropists that go above and beyond. In 2012 she was honored with the People’s Choice Award from Digital Literary Arts, Inc. for her outstanding work. In 2025 she was awarded the Bay Area Icon award by CBS Bay Area. Barbara says she has shared all of these honors with the people who worked alongside her because she couldn’t have made such an impact without her fellow volunteers.

Barbara was creating positive change with her love of music and loving every minute of it. As she puts it, “Children and music, you can’t go wrong with that. This program means the world to me.”

Unfortunately, due to changes with the national organization, multiple chapters of Guitars Not Guns were shut down abruptly in 2025, including Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, and Marin. The national organization froze all money that had been raised by the chapters and seized any donations – for Contra Costa that meant 45 guitars they had in storage ready for their next incoming class.

About to wrap up a session with 30 kids and heartbroken, Barbara had to pick up the pieces and figure out what to do next. The first order of business was to graduate the kids who had worked so hard through their session.

They shifted their performance to the band name the Breedloves and Friends (Breedloves is the name of Barbara’s acoustic duo with bandmate, partner and fellow volunteer Jay Kirkland) and were able to let the kids perform. The concert was wonderful for the kids and families, but the road ahead for Barbara and any future classes was uncertain.

Thankfully, she worked with other amazing volunteers with huge hearts who didn’t want to quit. Marty McVeigh jumped in to help file as a nonprofit organization in Contra Costa County under a new name: Guitars ’n’ Kids. Jeffrey Quan volunteered to start up a new social media presence. Another local non-profit volunteer (Lorraine Williams of Peter Pan Foundation featured in our October 2025 issue) offered to assist with writing grants and building a website. Others are poised to go back to work volunteering once Guitars ’n’ Kids is up and running, but they have one big hurdle to overcome—funding.

To restart classroom sessions, Guitars ’n’ Kids will need insurance, equipment, volunteer background checks, and the appropriate training for those

See Guitars continued on page 22

The band Breedloves performs with former guitar students at the Concord Pavilion.

POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE

By Jill Appenzeller

On the day before school started, the teachers were taking a break from setting up their classrooms, and talking about what they had done that summer. Family vacations, road trips, home repairs, camping, and backpacking.

My mom said, “You have to listen very carefully to what I’ve been doing this summer. And I need to enunciate very clearly. I’ve been chicken-sitting.”

Old friends who keep chickens had gone with all of their family to their tiny cabin, and my mom was – yup – chicken-sitting. When they returned and reclaimed their chickens, mom was done. No more chickens.

Mom grew up in the country, as did most of her generation. They had chickens and cows, horses and hard work. Chores before dawn. As much as she wanted us to have all the joys of her rural upbringing, she also wanted us to be able to sleep in. Not to have to be up at dawn and home at five. To have a sleepover at a friend’s house, to ride bikes until it was too dark to see.

There is a rooster up the street who knows dawn is coming half an hour before the sky lightens. Not a problem in winter, but on long summer days I wish he would sleep in. So I could sleep in.

My friend Cody and her family played with their first chickens from when they were just balls of fuzz. They grew into proud strutting adults, and followed them around.

One day she came home to a backyard full of feathers and no chickens. She followed the trail of feathers across the golf course and knocked on her neighbor’s door. “Your dog killed all my chickens!”

“How do you know it was my dog?”

“I followed the trail of feathers, you fool.”

Later that day a chicken who had taken refuge in the trees next door came home. Skittish and flighty, but home.

After that heartbreak Cody didn’t plan to have chickens again, but when

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her daughter moved into a neighborhood where chickens are forbidden by the HOA, she moved her ten chickens into Cody’s backyard, coop and all. While Cody was away for the weekend, of course.

Ten chickens lay too many eggs for two people, so if you’re her neighbor you may find a basket of fresh eggs on your porch. I’m thinking of moving nearby.

Another friend, Elizabeth, had chickens that had the run of her garden. “They eat the bugs and slugs!” Helpfulness offset by the tiny seedlings they pulled up, by the plants they uprooted with their scratching and brooding. One nested in the big Italian citrus pot by the back door, scattering feathers and dirt, sitting proudly on her eggs and scolding all who dared use the door.

Walking around her garden one fall morning after a storm had torn branches off her ancient redwood, I found among the wreckage a little hummingbird’s nest, the tiny cup lined with small soft chicken feathers. Holding it in my hand I could feel the love that went into building it. I know that where ever those baby birds are now, they had a happy childhood.

A third friend who does nothing by halves was planning to get chickens. Exotic chickens. Chickens with crests, chickens with fluffy feathered feet. Speckled chickens, iridescent chickens. Sixty chickens.

“I want to share eggs with my friends! And I have a lot of friends.”

We had an internet search, and a discussion about just how many eggs sixty chickens would lay, and how many friends were nearby, and she pared the number down to ten.

“And I’ll put the coop at the far end of the field.”

I asked why.

“So the rooster doesn’t disturb the neighbors!”

“Why are you getting a rooster?”

“To keep the chickens happy!”

“How did you feel when you put your ex-husband’s suitcases outside? She nodded slowly and smiled a quiet smile. “Right. No rooster.”

Jill Appenzeller has lived and gardened in Danville for longer than she cares to admit.

KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN RAMON VALLEY

The Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley meets every Thursday at noon at Black Bear Diner located at 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. New and prospective members are welcome!

The Club organizes the Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in Danville and participates in many community service projects. The Club has an interesting and informative weekly program speaker. There is no charge for a guest lunch. For more information, email info@srvkiwanis.org, or visit www.srvkiwanis.org

EXCHANGE CLUB

The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley meets for lunch the second Wednesday of every month at Norm’s Place located at 356 Hartz Ave, Danville. Sign-in and social time begin at 11:30 AM . The meeting starts promptly at noon and ends promptly at 1 PM. The one-hour program features guest speakers and business networking. Guests are welcome with luncheon reservations. The cost is $30. For reservations and information, please contact Karen Stepper at 925-998-8865 or coachstepper@yahoo.com .

LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS

The Rotary Club of Alamo meets the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays at 12:15PM at Round Hill Country Club; visit their Facebook page “Rotary Club of Alamo.” More information is also available at alamorotary.org, alamorotary@ hotmail.com, or by calling 925-718-6601. The Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley meets at Fat Maddie’s located at 3483 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays from 7PM-8:30PM. For more information, call Valerie Munoz at 925-683-6310 or visit www.sanramonvalleyrotary.com. The Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon meets Wednesdays from 5:15PM-6:40PM at Amador Rancho Community Center. For more information, call 925-998-2924. The Danville San Ramon Rotary Club meets at the Redwood Room at Roundhouse located 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Meetings are held Tuesdays from noon-1:15PM, and no meetings in months with a 5th Tuesday. For more information call 925-997-9046.

THE CALIFORNIA BAY

By Joe Lamb, Brende & Lamb Tree and Shrub Care

Walking among trees deeply woven into the fabric of the East Bay hills you enter a landscape in which humans aren’t the only characters marking the passage of time. The California bay, Umbellularia californica, is an important character in the ongoing play that is the East Bay woodlands evolving over time.

The bay tree’s natural history begins long before Europeans arrived. For the Ohlone and other California peoples — peoples who are still here, still tending their cultures and their relationships with this land — the bay was indispensable. Bay nuts were roasted and eaten, offering a rich, calorie-dense food source in lean months. Leaves were poultices for headaches and rheumatism. They were placed in dwellings to repel fleas. Bay’s hard and finegrained wood made durable tools. The bay tree was not merely harvested, they were tended, managed, and understood with an intimacy accumulated over thousands of years. This intimacy did not end with colonization. It is alive today.

What we often imagine as pristine California wilderness is a cultural landscape, shaped by centuries of Indigenous burning, harvesting, and stewardship. The Oxford ecologist Yadvinder Malhi has argued that all landscapes on the planet have been modified by humans over deep time. This claim is borne out from scientific studies ranging from the rainforests of Borneo to the oak woodlands of the East Bay hills. The bay trees our ancestors encountered were not wild in any simple sense. They were shaped by human stewards in a relationship best described as reciprocal. For a deeper dive into stewardship as reciprocity, read Braiding Sweetgrass, by indigenous botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer.

The bay’s reciprocal generosity is extraordinary. Their large, oily, and nutritious seeds are a critical food source for acorn woodpeckers, band-tailed pigeons, and Steller’s jays. Black bears and deer browse its foliage. Decomposing bay bark and leaf litter create rich microhabitats for beetles, salamanders, and the fungal networks that underpin forest soil health. Bays support many creatures across many seasons.

Bays know how to survive. A bay toppled by wind or erosion does not surrender. Branches on the fallen trunk grow upward making a new crown. Cut a bay to the ground, or burn it in a fire, and the basal burl, a nutrient rich swelling where roots meet trunk, sends up a cluster of new sprouts from the thousands of dormant buds hidden just under the bark.

But the California bay is not without complexity in the garden. They are a vigorous, sometimes aggressive tree, and young bays planted without imagining their size at maturity can quickly outgrow their space, crowding structures, blocking light, and overwhelming neighboring plants. Thoughtful training while a bay is young, by selective pruning to establish good structure and appropriate scale, is far easier, and cheaper, than managing an overgrown specimen later.

Bays also have an unfortunate relationship with sudden oak death. Phytophthora ramorum, the water mold responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of oaks and tanoaks across California, exists on bay as a hardly noticeable leaf disease. It spreads from its bay host via spores without killing the bay itself, but if they land in sufficient number on their trunk, the spores can kill an oak. SOD is not a reason to remove healthy bays, but it is a reason to maintain good airflow through the canopy, and to prune them away from oaks.

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And then there is fire. The East Bay hills are fire country, and the bay, for all its virtues, can be a significant fire risk when left unmanaged. Dense, multi-trunked bay thickets create continuous ladder fuels that carry ground fire directly into the canopy. The whiplash pattern of wet years producing abundant new growth followed by drought years that cure that growth into fine fuel is as relevant to bays as to willows and grasses. Regular thinning, removal of dead wood, and limbing up to ten or fifteen feet interrupts fire pathways.

A garden is not a fragment of wilderness preserved behind a fence. It is a living landscape that exists at the intersection of human intention and natural process. It requires, as it has always required, active and informed stewardship.

BIKES & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

At Brende & Lamb, our certified arborists evaluate your trees for health, fire safety, and aesthetics, understanding that all three are inseparable. We would welcome the chance to walk your property and offer a free estimate. Call us at 510-486-8733, or visit www.brendelamb.com to see before-and-after photos, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial

Since 2002, Adopt a Family Bikes (AAFB) has refurbished and donated thousands of bikes to adults and youth in need through Bay Area nonprofits. Since August, well over 500 bikes have been gifted and the need for more is ongoing.

Adult and children bike donations are always wanted. AAFB has a drop-off space in the Alamo Plaza shopping center next door to the now-closed Rite Aid. The address is 140 Alamo Plaza, Alamo. Donations of bikes are welcome Sundays and Mondays from 11AM-4PM.

Volunteers make minor repairs and tune-up the bikes throughout the week, and just ask that the donated bikes be free of rust and without bent frames.

Cash and donations are gratefully accepted and can be dropped off at the site. Donations cover bike locks, new helmets, parts, and tires. For updated information visit the “Adopt-A-Family Bikes” Facebook page, or www.adoptafamilybikes.org

THRIFT STATION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers, 18 years and older, are needed at The Thrift Station in Danville. The store celebrates over 50 years of serving the community, selling new and gently used donations. Store proceeds support the exceptional, low-cost, broad-reaching mental health services provided by Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley. Discovery’s mental health services are integrated into all San Ramon Valley public schools.

The Thrift Station is an all-volunteer organization of dedicated, welcoming, and enthusiastic volunteers supported by a large, loyal customer base.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 4PM, and is located at 486 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Danville – next to Los Panchos restaurant. The phone number is 925-820-1988.

If you are interested in joining the warm and welcoming volunteer family, please complete the application form at www.discoveryctr.net/the-thrift-station or email the Membership VP at Thriftvols@gmail.com. You can also stop by the store and apply in person. Volunteers agree to work two 3-hour shifts a month. Come join the family of volunteers!

ALAMO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AIA)

By Roger Smith, President

13TH ANNUAL AUTOS OF ALAMO FESTIVAL

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 4 – 8PM , ALAMO

PLAZA

Free admission! Join us for live music and enjoy locally owned vintage, classic, custom, hot rods, muscle, exotic cars and more from the years of 1980 and before. Show off yours! Registration is still open and only $40. Pre-register online at www.AlamoCA. org or 925-247-8081.

Being one of the few truly local community events, the community looks forward to this annual family festival which includes a fun Kid’s Zone and Short Line Model Railroad exhibit.

Meet your neighbors and join in the fun. This event is made possible by the support many loyal event sponsors. Please patronize their businesses.

PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY

The Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCCHS) has come into possession of the Albert Davies collection of photographic images consisting of some 5,000 slides, negatives, glass plates, and more. Albert Davies was a professional photographer who moved to Alamo in 1933 and spent his time photographing the landscapes of the San Ramon Valley, the people, culture, businesses and agriculture. These photographic images represent a window into the pre-war life of Contra Costa County and were believed by CCCHS to have been forever lost when Mr. Davies left Alamo and moved to the Sierra Nevada.

CCCHS seeks to preserve and protect these historical images by digitizing and scanning them. Once added to the searchable data base maintained by CCCHS, the public will have a chance to see many of these images for the first time.

As a community project, AIA is asking readers to dollar match AIA’s contributions to this project for a total of the $12,000 estimated cost. (We are 50% of the way there!) To be a part of this matching contribution project to preserve our valuable local history, please make a tax-deductible contribution at www.AlamoCA.org.

ALAMO

FARMERS MARKET

TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

GETTING YOUR ARMS AROUND YOUR PASSWORDS

The modern technological age has brought with it many benefits, and some necessary adjustments. For instance, nobody was born knowing how to manage passwords. Yet here we are where our entire life sits behind a wall of usernames and passwords, and losing track of them can cause endless stress and hassle. Their increasing importance requires us to keep them safe, accurate, and available. So, let me offer a few tips for lowering the blood pressure and frustration they can sometimes cause!

A while ago, a close relative who is a loyal AOL user got locked out of their email and could not find or remember the correct password. What made it a genuine problem is that every other account they owned – banking, shopping, PGE, literally everything, was tied to that one AOL address. The minute they needed to change a password on any of those accounts, or run a “password recovery,” the recovery link would land in an inbox that they could no longer open. In my case above, my wife (Keeper of The Lists) sleuthed the right password from a copy of this person’s master password list she’d gathered a few months ago, and before disaster struck. I didn’t know she had it; we dodged a huge bullet.

Writing your passwords down is a great first step. I’d prefer a paper list to simply counting on them always being saved in your browser, which is insecure, not always available, and if your computer crashes, bye-bye password list. Somehow paper has gotten a bad rap and people sheepishly pull out small notebooks with their passwords, as if they’ve done something wrong. No (!!) they’ve done something oh-so-right! If that’s what it takes to have your passwords in one place, please, USE PAPER. However, there are three things I absolutely need you to include on any list you keep, whether paper or electronic.

First, put an “As Of” date at the top of the page of your list, and every single time you update it, write in today’s date. Why? Because when you are trying to solve a password mystery, the dates, and the order in which your passwords changed, are often the exact clues that crack it.

Second, for every website or service, keep the current password along with the date it went into use. And, keep the previous passwords too, with their own dates so you know exactly when you started and stopped using each one. This matters more than you would think. Some companies, like Google and Microsoft, use your password history to decide whether you are really you when you are begging them to regain access to a locked account, and you have to recite the last several passwords to convince them that you are who you say you are. That trail of old passwords is part of how you prove this so they will help you reset. It also keeps you straight about reusing old passwords.

Third, when the list turns into a mess, redo it. It takes a minute and it’s tedious. But, you know what’s even more tedious? Trying to decipher microscopic edits you’ve made to a page that’s been updated 50 times.

The Alamo Farmers Market has organic fruit juices and tonics (Bay Area Harvest), gourmet ready to heat and eat meals (Bocobites Gourmet French Cuisine), pastured eggs, meats, and cheeses (Achadinha), artisan breads (Farmer’s Daughter CB & Squirrel Bakery), authentic Italian pastas and sauces (Pastarey Foods), tantalizing hummus, olives, and spreads (Hummus Heaven), and locally sourced seafood (Santa Rosa Seafood). There are also several artisan vendors (Old World Pottery, Mossy Stick Gardens, Melissa Escobar Art), and a massage therapist (Healing Hands By Vaughn).

The market will also have a bounty of summer fruits and vegetables from sweet and delicious melons and stone fruit (Resendiz Family Farm and J&J Ramos Family Farm) to perfectly ripe tomatoes and peppers (J&M Ibarra and Vasquez Organic Farm).

The Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9AM – 1PM in Alamo Plaza, off of Danville Blvd., near Bank of America. Please look for updated information about the Market on nextdoor.com.

ABOUT AIA

Now celebrating its 71st year, AIA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an outstanding history of serving our community and helping shape it into “Alamo – the place where we love to live”!

Visit www.AlamoCA.org and www.AlamoVision2040.org for information on AIA, articles of interest to residents, membership, and more!

Don’t be left out, now is the time to renew or become a new member of AIA!

Better yet, please, do yourself a favor and switch to a password manager like Keeper (www.keeper.com) or LastPass (www.lastpass.com). If that sounds too daunting, call me and I will help you navigate the process. Hint: it does not all happen in one sitting. Switching is a process, not an event.

Now for the piece almost everyone forgets: the backup email account. You need to have a second email address that you know for certain you can get into, to use as a recovery contact when you forget a password. It can be another account you own, or it could be a relative or a trusted friend’s. My own email address serves as the backup for several people, and it works beautifully. When a service says “we sent a reset link to your recovery email,” that email needs to land somewhere you can actually reach. Key thing: whomever has that email address has to manage it as well as you are trying to manage yours. It wouldn’t do you much good if that person gets locked out of the account you’re counting on as a backup!

While I have your attention: Periodically print out or copy your password list and give it to someone you trust – an adult child, close relative, good friend... The day you are locked out, in the hospital, or simply cannot remember, you will be enormously grateful that someone else has the keys to the kingdom. This is not paranoia. It is the same reason you handed your neighbor a spare house key years ago.

None of this is complicated. It just takes a little discipline to create a system you will actually stick with. Following the above, you will have your arms wrapped firmly around the thing that literally runs your modern life.

As always, if any of this feels overwhelming, that is what I am here for. For password help, or just about anything else you can think of, call 925-552-7953 or email support@pcioit.com to reach me. Advertorial

THE ILLUSION OF SECURITY

By Jeremy Davis, CloudMinders

Most of us have experienced “security theater” without ever realizing it.

Take the TSA.

Now, before anyone gets upset, I’m not saying airport security doesn’t serve an important purpose. It absolutely does. But over the years, many security experts have pointed out that some TSA procedures are designed as much to create the perception of safety as they are to stop every possible threat. The visible checkpoints, the full-body scanners, the uniformed officers, the pat-downs, and even the occasional random bag check all reassure travelers that someone is taking security seriously.

Psychologists call this perceived security, the comforting feeling that we’re protected, whether or not our actual level of protection has changed.

Unfortunately, I see the exact same thing happen every day in the business world.

As the owner of an IT and cybersecurity company, one of the most common things I hear from prospective clients is: “We’re too small for hackers to care about us.” It’s one of the most dangerous assumptions a business owner can make.

Cybercriminals don’t spend their day scrolling through lists of companies looking for the biggest name. Most attacks today are automated. Criminals unleash software that scans the internet around the clock for vulnerable computers, outdated software, weak passwords, exposed remote access, or employees who click on phishing emails. These tools don’t discriminate by company size, revenue, or industry. They simply look for openings.

To the attacker, your company isn’t “Joe’s Plumbing” or “Smith Family Law.” You’re simply another IP address. If the door is unlocked, they’ll walk in.

In fact, Verizon’s annual Data Breach Investigations Report consistently shows that small and mid-sized businesses are heavily targeted because they often have fewer security resources than larger organizations. Their research also found that the human element plays a role in 74% of breaches, meaning a simple mistake by an employee is often all it takes.

Even more concerning, Verizon reports that 59% of small businesses without cybersecurity protections believe they’re simply too small to be targeted. That’s not security. That’s optimism disguised as strategy.

I often compare cybersecurity to locking your front door. Imagine someone tells you they don’t bother locking their house because there are bigger, more expensive homes in the neighborhood. That sounds ridiculous. Burglars don’t skip unlocked doors because a mansion is nearby. They take the easiest opportunity.

Cybercriminals think exactly the same way.

Another misconception I hear often is, “We have antivirus, so we’re covered.” That’s a little like saying your car has airbags, so you don’t need seatbelts, brakes, or insurance. Antivirus is one tool, not a strategy. It catches what it recognizes, but it can’t stop a determined attacker who finds a gap elsewhere in your defenses.

Modern cybersecurity isn’t a single product. It’s layers. Strong passwords. Multi-factor authentication. Regular software updates. Employee training. Secure backups. Email filtering. Continuous monitoring. Incident response planning. Each layer makes you a little harder to attack. The goal isn’t to become impossible to hack. The goal is to become difficult enough that attackers move on to someone else.

The reality is that today’s cybercriminals operate like businesses. They measure return on investment. If compromising your company requires significant effort while another company down the street has exposed systems, guess which one they’ll choose?

There’s also a third misconception worth mentioning: “We haven’t been hacked yet, so we must be doing something right.”

The problem with that logic is that most breaches go undetected for months. According to industry research, the average time to identify a breach is measured in hundreds of days. By the time a company realizes they’ve been compromised, the damage is often already done, data exfiltrated, systems encrypted, customers affected. Not knowing you’ve been hacked is not the same as not being hacked. If you’re wondering whether your business has real security or simply the

perception of security, we’d be happy to help. At CloudMinders, we’ll perform a complimentary cybersecurity assessment to identify potential risks and provide practical recommendations to improve your security posture. There is no obligation and no high-pressure sales pitch. Just an honest evaluation of where you stand. To schedule your free assessment, visit https://www.cloudminders.com/ discoverycall

The first step is simply changing how we think.

Don’t ask, “Have we ever been hacked?” Ask, “Would we know if we had been?” Don’t ask, “Are we too small to be a target?” Ask, “What would happen if we were?” And don’t mistake familiarity for security. Just because your computers have always worked doesn’t mean they’re protected.

Perceived security feels comfortable. Real security requires intentional effort.

As business owners, we spend countless hours protecting our finances, our employees, and our customers. Our technology deserves that same level of attention. Because in cybersecurity, the biggest risk isn’t always the hacker. Sometimes it’s believing the hacker isn’t looking.

Jeremy Davis is a technology strategist who helps businesses use cybersecurity, modern IT, and artificial intelligence as engines of growth. As founder and president of CloudMinders, he advises organizations on turning complex technology challenges into lasting competitive advantages. To learn more, email info@cloudminders.com, visit www.CloudMinders. com, or call 925-269-9966. Advertorial

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

Have you done some home cleaning and find yourself with paints and paint thinners, cleaning supplies, pesticides and garden-care items, batteries, motor oil and other automotive products, solvents, fluorescent tubes, personal care products, or unknown rusty containers that need safe disposal?

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facility operated by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District offers this free service to residents. Drop-off is available at 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez from Monday-Saturday from 7AM until 2PM with no appointment needed.

Learn more at www.centralsan.org/household-hazardous-waste-collection-facility

THE EYE OPENER CATARACTS

By Gregory Kraskowsky, O.D., Alamo Optometry

Cataracts are one of those conditions that everyone has heard of, and has either had them personally, or knows a friend or family member that has had the surgery to remove them. Therefore, we will discuss this normal aging condition and how it is treated. Assuming you live to normal life expectancy, everyone will feel the effects, and most will need to have them removed.

A cataract is the maturing of the lens which is inside of your eye. The lens allows you to change the focus of the eye from distance to near and vice versa and is one of the parts of the human body that continues to grow throughout life. As the lens continues to mature, it becomes thicker and more dense. As this occurs, less light can pass through it and thus your vision decreases. In addition, as the lens becomes more opaque, your vision takes on a dulling, foggy, or yellowing effect, which makes colors more dull. The typical onset for early cataracts is in your sixties and seventies. Everyone develops them at different paces, but long-term UV exposure, diabetes, steroid use, and trauma can cause the process to speed up. In the initial stages, your distance prescription can sometimes shift to become more near-sighted. It is during these times that a simple prescription change in your glasses can help restore or improve your vision. However, there becomes a point as the cataract progresses that changing your glasses makes little or no improvement. It is at this time that the limiting factor in the

THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKE IN MODERN MEDICINE ISN’T CHOOSING THE WRONG TREATMENT IT’S CHOOSING TREATMENT BEFORE UNDERSTANDING THE PATIENT

By Dr. Jeffrey Mark, M.D & Dr. Frances Mark, Pharm.D., The Real Gut Doctor

Every week, I hear the same question. “Doctor, which peptide should I take?” It’s an understandable question. Advanced therapies have captured the public’s attention, promising everything from weight loss and healthy aging to improved energy, recovery, and vitality.

The problem isn’t the therapies. The problem is where the conversation begins. Too often, medicine has become centered on treatments instead of understanding the individual receiving them. After more than three decades in Precision Gastroenterology, Regenerative Medicine, Metabolic Medicine, and Healthy Longevity, one lesson has remained constant.

The most important decision in medicine is rarely which treatment to use. It’s determining whether that treatment belongs in the first place.

Every patient is biologically unique, with different genetics, distinct medical history, unique environmental exposures, varying lifestyle, and personalized goals. That means the same therapy can produce dramatically different results from one person to another.

At The Real Gut Doctor®, we don’t begin by asking, “What treatment do you want?” We begin with a different question.

“What changed in your biology?” Only after understanding that answer do we determine whether an advanced therapy belongs in your care.

Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. Our responsibility is not to recommend the newest treatment. Our responsibility is to recommend the right treatment for the right patient at the right time, and to recognize when another approach is more appropriate. That is where experience matters.

Clinical judgment cannot be replaced by advertising, algorithms, or social media. It comes from decades of caring for complex patients, recognizing patterns that others may overlook, integrating advanced diagnostics with careful listening, and understanding how the body’s systems work together.

Sometimes an advanced therapy is an important part of restoring health. Sometimes lasting improvement begins by addressing chronic inflammation, optimizing metabolic health, correcting nutritional deficiencies, restoring digestive function, improving sleep, medication stewardship, or identifying other biological factors that have quietly been working against the body for years.

There is no single treatment that replaces thoughtful medicine. There never

visual system is the cataract itself, not your glasses or contact lenses. This is the point where I usually introduce the option of cataract surgery.

Even though most people are scared or leery of surgery, cataract surgery is a very safe and quick procedure that restores your lost vision. Cataract surgery is the most widely done procedure in the United States, and the numbers will continue to climb as baby boomers continue to age. Keep in mind that even although the surgery is common place, there are potential side-effects that need to be discussed with your doctor and/or surgeon. The procedure itself takes less than 10 minutes, and you are not under general anesthesia. I tell my patients that it takes longer to prepare you for the surgery than it does to perform it. The incision is tiny and does not require stitches, thus enabling a quicker recovery. The surgeon will go into your eye with a tool that breaks up the cataract into small pieces and then removes these smaller pieces from the eye. The clear implant placed in the eye folds up exceedingly small and can fit through the small incision. If both eyes need surgery, only one will be done at a time. The eye that is more advanced is done first, and after it is healed sufficiently, the other eye is done a few weeks later.

Recently, there have been many new types of implantable lenses to choose from. There is a standard single vision lens which can be used for distance, vision only or monovision which is one eye distance and the other reading. There are now toric implants that help correct for astigmatism, which can also be used for distance only or monovision. If you have monovision in your contact lens wear, then going to this setup after surgery should work well. There are also multi-focal and accommodating lenses that help reduce your need for reading glasses. These lenses work very well and give good vision at all points of focus. However, just like anything else, they do have their pros and cons and absolutely need to be discussed with your optometrist and surgeon. As always, we are here to answer any of your questions regarding surgical and non-surgical options.

Dr. K. at Alamo Optometry is your hometown eye doctor for outstanding service, vision care, and designer eyewear. He can be reached at (925) 8206622, or visit his office at 3201 Danville Blvd., Suite 165, in Alamo. For more information, visit www.alamooptometry. com, or follow on Facebook and Instagram @ Alamo Optometry. Advertorial

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Meet Dr. Yvonne Hyland & Her Family

Dr. Hyland has been in private practice since 2000. She received a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Following dental school, she pursued a hospital-based General Practice Residency at the Veteran’s Medical Center in West Los Angeles for two years. Realizing this was not the end of her formal education, she completed a successful three-year post-graduate surgical residency in periodontics. Dr. Hyland’s experience and professional skills excel in every aspect of dentistry from general cosmetic procedures to complex surgical cases. She has placed thousands of successful dental implants and is highly trained in all phases of gum disease therapy, tissue and bone grafting procedures, and wisdom teeth extraction.

Dr. Hyland understands the desire to provide the very best care for the entire family. As a resident of Alamo, she strives to meet community needs by providing unparalleled services for those seeking the finest complete dental care in one location. In her spare time, Dr. Hyland enjoys spending time with her husband Terry, two sets of twin boys, and their three rescue dogs adopted from ARF.

NOT ALL STEM CELLS ARE CREATED EQUAL HERE’S WHY THAT MATTERS

By Dr. Niele Maimone, DC

Something interesting is happening in the world of healing right now, and most people haven’t heard about it yet. It’s called regenerative medicine, and it’s one of the most promising shifts in healthcare in decades. At its core is a simple but powerful idea: the body has a remarkable capacity to heal itself, and with the right support it can do far more than most of us realize. Stem cells are one of nature’s most remarkable repair tools, and not all are created equal.

There are different types of stem cells, and which one you receive, where it comes from, and how it behaves in your body can make a meaningful difference in your results. At Align Healing Center in Danville, we think that’s worth understanding before you take the next step.

TWO CELL TYPES WORTH KNOWING

ABOUT

Both cell types we’re going to talk about come from the same source: umbilical cord tissue donated after healthy, full-term births. Researchers have discovered that the tissue contains more than one kind of cell, and some of those cells are capable of functions that are only now being fully understood.

UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS: THE FOUNDATION OF REGENERATIVE CARE

Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, have been the backbone of regenerative medicine for decades. Because they come from umbilical cord tissue rather than the patient’s own body, they arrive young and biologically strong, not affected by the wear, inflammation, or aging that our own cells accumulate over time. Think of them as the body’s reset signal. Once introduced, they get to work calming inflammation, prompting surrounding tissue to repair itself, and creating the biological conditions the body needs to heal. For joint pain, tendon injuries, arthritis, and chronic inflammation, MSCs are among the most extensively researched tools in regenerative medicine. The research is deep, the outcomes are real, and they have earned a well-established place in regenerative care.

MUSE CELLS: THE SPECIALISTS WITHIN

Here’s where the science gets genuinely exciting.

Within umbilical cord tissue, researchers in Japan discovered a remarkable subpopulation of cells within the MSC family. These are MUSE cells, and isolating them opened a new chapter in what regenerative medicine may be capable of.

If MSCs are the body’s reset signal, MUSE cells are something more targeted. Rather than working broadly, they appear to seek out damaged tissue specifically, travel to it, settle in, and transform into whatever cell type that area needs to heal. That kind of precision is rare, and the human research is beginning to reflect it.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that stroke patients who received MUSE cell therapy showed meaningful functional improvements over those who received a placebo. (Niizuma et al., J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 2023) A separate trial found significant improvements in motor function, daily activity, and quality of life in patients with cervical spinal cord injury following a single intravenous dose. (Koda et al., Stem Cell Res Ther, 2024) Both studies reported a strong safety profile and remarkable natural compatibility with the body.

WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The answer depends on you specifically: your condition, your history, what you’ve already tried, and where you are in your health journey. There is no universal protocol, and a provider who offers one before understanding your full picture probably isn’t asking the right questions.

At Align Healing Center, we take the time to understand you before we recommend anything. We look at the full picture, talk through your options clearly, and build a plan that reflects your specific situation. Some patients are well suited to umbilical cord MSCs. Others may benefit more from MUSE cells or from a combination of regenerative therapies. That determination comes from a real conversation, not a checklist.

The good news is you don’t have to go far to find care at this level. Right here in Danville, Align Healing Center is bringing the latest in regenerative medicine to the Tri-Valley. Call us at 925-362-8283 or visit AlignHealingCenter.com to schedule your consultation.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Stem cell therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Advertorial

YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONISTS

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION

By Linda Michaelis RD, MS and Jackie Peterson RD CDCES

With school starting and more structured schedules, it is a good time to talk to your children about nutrition. During summer months eating habits tend to not be as optimum with a lot of random eating and snacking. No one instructs parents on how to be effective teachers when it comes to food, nutrition, and body image. I can show parents how they can make meal plans healthy and rewarding at the same time.

I am sure you remember a favorite teacher that transformed the way you thought about a subject. One mistake we make as parents is to try to push our reasons for health and fitness onto our kids instead of giving them room to discover them on their own. We need not lecture, but rather show them how activities they enjoy are affected by nutrition.

Encourage your child to notice how food or combinations of foods gives them energy, as opposed to feeling sleepy when eating too many carbs. Show them how to become the expert on their body and learn what foods give them energetic energy. Children are less concerned with “adult” and long-term worries such as preventing diabetes or other health issues.

Taste and appearance of food is number one for children of all ages and must go hand in hand with good nutrition. Making the plate of food look attractive is very important. The food, and important items like vegetables, must be tasty. Take the time to saute vegetables in garlic, olive oil, and spices they like.

Stock the kitchen with quality food, and allow your child to make certain meals and snacks. When the kids come home from school, lay

Guitars continued from page 15

volunteering with children. Though any returning volunteers already have the knowledge, any certifications and background checks must be completed again under the new organization name.

With Barbara’s philanthropic connections in the music industry, Guitars ’n’ Kids already has companies ready to partner with them, offering steep discounts on the equipment they need, but they need the funds to get going.

Bruce Johnson, CFO of Guitars ’n’ Kids who has been volunteering teaching guitar for as long as Barbara has, started a Go Fund Me (link to it can be found at guitarsnkids.org) to help raise some of the start-up costs. Barbara is generously working to sell some of her personal collection of guitars to go toward the funding.

Guitars ’n’ Kids is asking the community to chip in to donate funds so the youth can get back in the classroom learning music. A conservative estimate for a child to get started with a guitar, gig bag (padded guitar bag), music stand, and straps is about $150, so it doesn’t take much to make a big impact.

out a fresh variety of veggies with ranch dressing or hummus, along with chicken strips and BBQ sauce. If the healthy food is in front of them and they are hungry, and it looks inviting, they will eat it.

Dedicate one night a week to kid-cook night. Let your child pick out a healthy recipe with you. Shop with them and let them prepare the meal. They will definitely eat the meal they make and also proud of themselves. One area that we work on with families is how to understand the food label. As a parent please take the time and teach your child how to read the information. Show them the serving size and what that actually looks like. Often the serving size is very small compared to what we might eat. They may be having three servings of cereal and need to realize that it is three times the amount of calories posted for one serving. Make sure to show them the sugar content, which can also be a big surprise.

Older kids will not be successful if you are not a role model for them. The best way for them to do well is not to single them out. Make sure the family is following a healthy meal plan as well. This may be your chance as a parent to improve your nutrition for the sake of your child.

Another area that a parent can assist a child, is with is helping them understand how media is superficial and how much work goes into making people look perfect on screen with makeup and hair and Photoshop. They need to understand how unrealistic advertising is and not to be taken in by the commercials on TV.

These are typical things we discuss with families in our sessions. If you feel that you need the support and education for the family we are happy to help you.

The good news is that most insurance companies pay for nutritional counseling including ABMG, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CCHP, Cigna, Hill, Sutter, UHC, and others. We are happy to call on your behalf and see what your plan offers. Please visit www.LindaRD.com to learn more about our services. Email us at lifeweight1@yahoo.com, or 925-855-0150 to tell us about your nutritional concerns and see how we can help you. Advertorial

Once they have the financial foundation needed to get started, Guitars ’n’ Kids will return to a very similar model with programs running for eight weeks, one hour per week. They already have access to library conference rooms as classroom space. And they can call back the class that was ready to start before they were shut down—the list of future students will always be full. Barbara shares that her “focus is to get this program back to where it was so we can get back to where we left off. If everybody put a dollar in this could make a huge difference!”

TELECARE CONNECTS WITH THE HOMEBOUND

Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Diablo Valley Giving Partners, have been making weekday reassurance calls to seniors and the homebound in our community. Clients can anticipate a friendly exchange of ideas with trained volunteers who provide high quality, consistent communications. If a client cannot be reached, family members will be notified.

This service is free! Make that call to get you or someone you know connected! For more information, call 925-934-0901. To learn about Diablo Valley Giving Partners’ other philanthropic programs, please visit www.diablovalleygivingpartners.org .

Speaking to Barbara, it is easy to hear how passionate she is about the many ways teaching guitar to kids can shape their lives for the better. To her, the program’s impact is unmistakable. “You go to a class with kids who have never had a guitar in their hands, and at the end of eight weeks they’re playing songs and writing their own music,” she said. “We have everything in place except for the money.” To learn more and donate to Guitars ‘n’ Kids, visit https://guitarsnkids.org

Scan the QR code to access links to find out more about Guitars ’n’ Kids and donate to their cause.