Danville Living Magazine July 2019

Page 1

Mailed Directly to West Danville Residents and Published Online

Danville

JULY 2 019

LIVING

Meet the

Leftwich-Traikoff family: Sharing passions as a family COVER PHOTO:

by Kim Lind Photography


2

JULY 2019


Danville LIVING

Dear Neighbors!

Publisher:

We are in the heat of summer now! Some of our favorite events are coming up, including the Senior Variety show and the Hot Summer Sunday Car Show. Take a look at the rest of our calendar to see what other fun activities are around for the whole family.

Content Coordinator: Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

In this issue you will meet Mark Traikoff, Laurel Leftwich-Traikoff, and their son Parker. They are a family of passionate go-getters who, thanks to their jobs in the real estate industry, probably know this area as well as anyone could.

Publication Team Jo Peek, Danville Resident since 2014

Designer: Emily Lund Contributing Photographer: Kim Lind Photography

Advertising Contact: Jo Peek Email: JPeek@bestversionmedia.com

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

If you love our magazine, and/or have used any of our fabulous sponsors and advertisers, please leave us a review on Google and Facebook. We work hard to bring you the very best! Check out our Facebook www.facebook.com/danvillelivingca and Instagram @ danvillelivingca. We look forward to connecting with the community and spotlighting our sponsors in new ways! We are always looking for a variety of stories, ideas, and community events to put in our pages. If you have any content that you’d like to see in the magazine, please send your ideas to asullivan@bestversionmedia.com. See you around town!

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2019 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Alexandra Sullivan Content Coordinator

DANVILLE LIVING 3


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

Steven Wynn, AIA is an Architect with over twenty years’ experience designing custom homes, additions and remodels. A Cal Poly grad, Steven is NCARB certified and a LEED accredited professional with expertise in historic preservation and adaptive use. He and Blair Barry, a Danville native, are partners in their award-winning firm, Barry & Wynn Architects. Steven enjoys hiking with his camera and enjoying time with his family, including two young daughters.

Custom Medication

Part of the Tri-Valley Community for more than 20 years, Custom Care Compounding is family-owned and owner operated. These communities are not just where we work, they are where we live. Our customers are not just patrons of our businesses, they are our neighbors. We are very grateful to be part of the Tri-Valley area and are committed to providing the most professional care along with the highest quality service.

Dentistry Paul Cannariato, DDS Danville Dental Care (925) 820-2121 www.paulcannariatodds.com

Dr. Paul Cannariato and his team have been providing friendly and professional care in Danville for over thirty years. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific in 1987, and thereafter studied Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain at the University of California, San Francisco. In addition to his own practice he enjoys mentoring other dentists as a visiting faculty member of the Spear Institute.

Event Coordination and Design

Rayna Hess has over 15 years of experience in corporate and private event planning. She is an expert at bringing your vision to life, creating a spectacular event that friends and co-workers will talk about for years to come. Rayna’s sophisticated designs, and effortless management style, make her a preferred vendor at a number of popular, local venues including Blackhawk Country Club. As co-owner of Chairs for Affairs Party Rentals, she also has high quality event rentals at her fingertips for each of her clients.

Fashion

A Dress Change has been outfitting Danville and the surrounding areas since 2009. We are now the only women’s consignment shop in town and have grown our clientele to over 2500 consignors. Our labels range from high-end couture such as Chanel and St. John to casual clothing such as Chicos and Eileen Fisher as well as purses, shoes and jewelry. A Dress Change prides itself on customer service and are here six days a week to serve your needs.

Jewelry, Diamonds & Timepieces

Steve and Judy Padis own and operate Padis Jewelry, which has four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. They founded the company in 1974 and are proud to have earned a reputation as one of the finest jewelers in San Francisco, serving generations of clients for their most precious moments in life, from engagement to anniversary to milestone gifts. Padis Jewelry maintains top-tier relationships with the most sought-after designers including Tacori, Forevermark, Verragio, Breitling, Tag Heuer, and Roberto Coin. As members of the American Gem Society, Padis is among the top 5% of jewelers across the country.

Home Maintenance

AAA House manager is your partner in home maintenance. Trusted and reliable House Managers tackle your to-do list and help you create a plan to get ahead of future maintenance needs, all to keep you home running smoothly. Whether you have a leaky faucet, smart home tech to install, or need your gutters cleaned, AAA House Manager works for your home so your home can work for you.

Interior Design

Drawing inspiration from her clients, travels, and architecture, designer Casey Howard brings a refined, eclectic eye to each of her projects. At Casey Howard Designs, founded in 2012, the design team specializes in Full-Service Residential Interior Design, including new construction, small and large-scale renovations as well as furnishings and interior styling. With a high level of project management expertise, CHD simplifies the design process to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and effortless.

Steve Wynn Barry & Wynn Architects 925-837-1422 stevew@barryandwynn.com www.barryandwynn.com

John Clauser Custom Care Compounding Pharmacy (925) 830-4631 alcostarx@gmail.com

Eventfully Yours Event Designs Rayna Hess (925) 370-1300 rayna@eventdesignsbyrayna.com www.eventdesignsbyrayna.com

Jonni Smith A Dress Change Consignment (925) 855-5581 www.ADressChangeConsignment.com

Steve Padis Steve Padis Jewelry info@padisjewelry.com www.padisjewelry.com

AAA San Ramon 925-314-2600 www.aaa.com/housemanager

Casey Howard Designs, Inc. Casey Howard (925) 725-4223 Info@caseyhowarddesigns.com caseyhowarddesigns.com

Find us online DanvilleLivingCA www.DanvilleLivingCA.com 4

JULY 2019


Expert Contributors To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jo Peek at jpeek@bestversionmedia.com. Music/ Singing Lessons

Elizabeth works as a Professional Lyric Coloratura Soprano, Private Voice Teacher, Philanthropist. Ms. Hunter Ashley specializes as a Soloist in Oratorio, Opera, Concert, Sacred, Musical, and Cabaret. She performs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, and internationally with renowned conductors. As a Private Voice teacher Elizabeth is the sole proprietor of The Elizabeth Hunter Ashley Performance Studio in Danville, California.

Pool Service

Atlantis Pools Inc is a family owned business that has been serving Contra Costa County for over 25 years. From pool repair, maintenance needs, remodels and updates, no job is too big or small for us. We take pride in the high quality service we give to each customer.

Rodent Proofing

Anthony and Mike are the owners of Honest Rodent Proofing Inc. They have over 25 years of combined experience in business ownership, marketing/sales, and in the pest control industry. Mike lives in the Sacramento area with his wife and three girls. Anthony lives in Walnut Creek with his wife and three kids. In our business there are 3 simple rules we live by. One, treat every home as if it was your own. Two, Honesty and transparency is the only way to conduct business. Three, Family is not an important thing, it’s everything! We are a family here at Honest and our customers are part of that family.

Tree Service

Buena Vista Tree Service is committed to preserving our urban forests and environment. They recycle 100% of our green waste into a reusable landscaping product. Trex safely and efficiently handles all types of tree emergencies 24 hours a day to eliminate tree risks to people and property and significantly reduce your liability exposure.

Wealth Management

Local Danville residents, Jim and Matt have worked with families in the Bay Area for the past two decades. The Carbonell Forrey team offers customized investment planning and management services based on each individual’s unique set of needs and objectives. With a family-first approach, the team prides itself on delivering an exceptional experience so that clients are able to focus on the other important aspects of their lives.

Elizabeth Hunter Ashley The Performance Studio 925-548-2694 Elizabeth@elizabethhunterashley.com www.elizabethhunterashley.com

Jon Lubrano, President Atlantis Pools Inc (925) 736-0447 info@atlantispoolsdanville.com www.atlantispoolsdanville.com

Mike Scott and Anthony Lozano Honest Rodent Proofing 925-433-3988 customercare@honestrodentproofing.com www.honestrodentproofing.com

Trex Donovan Buena Vista Tree Service 925-449-1203 ntdonovan@yahoo.com buenavistatree.com

Jim Carbonell Matt Forrey The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 925-279-1701 carbonellforreywmg@rbc.com www.rbcwmfa.com/carbonellforreywmg/

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry: • Full mouth rehabilitations • All porcelain crowns and bridges

• TMJ • Dentures • Invisilign

Did you know that there are very different kinds of General Dental Practices? Most people don't. Dr. Cannariato takes the time to teach each patient factual, objective information that enables you to co-discover and make informed decisions about your oral health.

Listening, Caring, ExplainingHelping you achieve oral fitness for life

400 El Cerro Blvd., Suite 201, Danville, CA 94526 • (925) 820-2121 • www.paulCannariatoDDS.com

DANVILLE LIVING 5


Resident Feature

Meet the

LeftwichTraikoff family: Sharing passions as a family By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

“There’s no place like home”

T

his undoubtedly famous quote is from a young girl, wanting to return to her family’s farm after a whirlwind adventure. It is also a common catchphrase for those describing how it feels to be back in their own residence, back in the safety and comfort of their own home. For more than a combined 72 years, Mark Traikoff and his wife Laurel Leftwich Traikoff, have helped people across the greater Bay Area, from San Jose to right here in Danville, get the keys to their houses; the same houses that, with love and care, will soon turn into their dream homes. After attending Catholic school in San Jose and college in Saratoga, Mark began building homes in 1974, and five years later he began the start of a successful real estate career in Los Gatos. In 1982, Mark moved to Danville where he started with home development in Blackhawk and Walnut Creek. From there he was one of the owners of Better Homes Realty until 1995. Mark currently works at J. Rockcliff Realtors right in the heart of Danville. Laurel’s family has been in California for five generations. She was raised in Walnut Creek, attending Pleasant Hill and Ygnacio Valley High School. While still in high

school, Laurel began her career in real estate by working a weekend job as a receptionist for Executive Brokers in Walnut Creek. As she grew with her own career, she became the administrative assistant and transaction coordinator for Better Homes Realty in San Ramon. In 1992 Laurel transitioned into the escrow side of real estate, and began working as an escrow assistant. She is now a Senior Escrow Officer for Old Republic Title located in the Livery in lower downtown Danville. Since her employment in 2011 at Old Republic Title, she has qualified each year for their prestigious 5 star award given to the company’s top escrow officers. The Traikoffs have been married for 25 years! They met thanks to their shared passion of real estate and Bay Area sports. A co-ed softball league in 1989 is where that spark was first lit, and they committed to each other forever in 1994. Nine years later they welcomed their son, Parker. When Parker was in the first grade, the family was joined by their sweet little dog, McCovey. “He loves doing whatever the humans are doing!” says Laurel. Parker’s other pets include snakes, reptiles, fish, and mice. Parker is a St. Isidore School graduate and is currently a sophomore in high school. He can be described as a true outdoorsman.

6

Some of his hobbies include cooking, hunting, fishing, and gardening. One of his favorite things to do is help out on the family’s friends’ 80 acre vineyard in Lodi. How many of us can say we spent our teen years learning how to tend Cabernet vines? It’s a good thing Parker’s parents love wine tasting and fine dining. One of the special things about the Traikoffs is the sincere father and son bond shared between Mark and Parker. While in Maui during their annual trip, both Mark and Parker received their scuba certifications. They immediately put those skills to work this June with a trip to Loreto Bay, Mexico for a scuba-centered holiday. Their other outdoor activities include hunting in Colorado, and fishing everywhere they go. A no less exhilarating, but far less risky, shared pastime of the two is coin collecting. Mark says, “Parker loves the Morgan silver dollars and has several rare Hawaiian coins minted in 1883 for the King at the San Francisco mint.” They focus primarily on American coins, dating as far back as 1826. The family’s other passion is giving back. Mark is a fourth degree knight with the Knights of Columbus. Some of their most memorable acts of kindness are, “we do 500 annual Christmas boxes of one week JULY 2019


worth of food, including a turkey. And Christmas presents for needy families, plus a fundraising crab feed every year.” Parker has been active in supporting the charity fundraising since he was in the first grade. “The other knights have gotten to expect good things from Parker,” says Mark. One of the other organizations in our area, Danville’s Discovery Counsel, has been another combined effort from everyone in the family. Mark has been on the board of the Discovery Counsel’s golf tournament every year since it began; 20 years! “Parker goes around to all the Danville businesses asking for raffle prize donations and our town has been very generous.” Some of Laurel’s favorite downtown shops include Christina’s and Flaunt. And of course, living within walking distance of downtown makes getting out there even easier. “We moved to Old Town Lane in Downtown Danville in 2003. Prior to that we lived in a townhouse two streets away... We have an

that knows who he is and isn’t afraid if it’s ‘normal’.” They want him to help Brigette achieve that same confidence and be her spiritual leader.

awesome neighborhood,” says Laurel. In fact, there is no louder action than asking someone to be in your child’s life forever, and that is exactly the relationship that has been formed by the Traikoffs and their neighbors; last May, Parker became Godfather to one of their neighbors, sweet Brigette! Her parents say, “Parker is a very confident person

For Mark, Laurel, and Parker, enjoying their interests together is what life is all about. They’ve worked hard in their careers to assist other people in finding and creating a living space where the family can gather and neighbors can become closer than ever.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.

DANVILLE LIVING 7


Pet Adoption Corner

Perry

Panda

Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday.

Eight-year-old Perry is a quirky, laid-back older dude who loves to explore. He especially enjoys mellow, meandering walks around town, and when he’s at home, he likes to unwind in a comfy spot with a tasty rawhide chew! Perry has a positive history with other dogs

Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www. arflife.org, or call (925) 256-1ARF.

The adoption fee for puppies <6 months is $300, for adult dogs is $250, and includes a discount on the first six-week session of a manners class.

One-and-a-half-year-old Panda is a cute and social kitty who is full of life! She is a chatty girl who loves to tell you all about her day, and also happy to hear about yours. What a sweet and active girl Panda is. She is sure to brighten up your household, and would be best in a home where she has lots to do! She likes laps and attention, and playtime with wand toys. The adoption fee for kittens <6 months $125 ($200 for 2) and for adult cats is $75 ($100 for 2).

Rodents With Our Unique 4-Step Rodent Removal/Clean Up Process!

2977 Ygnacio Valley Blvd.WALNUT CREEK

925.433.3988 www.honestrodentproofing.com

More Than Just A Rodent Company: We Specialize In Crawl Space Cleanup Attic Clean Up Insulation Installation

Vapor Barrier Encapsulation And More!

Call Is To Schedule Your Free Home Inspection Today! WARRANTY:

When the 4 Step Rodent Removal process has been completed, all recommended proofing repairs have been performed by Honest Rodent Proofing, and the structure is on our Rodent Protection Program; Honest Rodent Proofing warrants all of our proofing repairs against the target pest. 8

JULY 2019


Real Estate Listings in West Danville

Coming Soon Listing Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths 55 Danville Oak Place

1302

3

2

1090 1283 1283 1804 1752 1339 2119

2 2 2 3 3 2 4

1 2 2 2 2 2 3

Addresses in Bold are Seller’s/Buyer’s represented by Ron and Joe Gatti | 6/10/19

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Active Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Garden Creek Pl Ashley Cir Ashley Circle Elworthy Ranch Cir Elworthy Ranch Dr Clipper Hill Rd Elworthy Ranch Dr

Hardy Ct La Gonda Way El Portal Briar Pl Ocho Rios Dr Remington Loop W Linda Mesa Ave

$649,000 $730,000 $730,000 $929,995 $949,000 $999,999 $1,099,500

$1,200,000 $1,389,000 $1,395,000 $1,448,000 $1,499,000 $1,570,000 $1,799,000

1877 2203 2690 3158 2282 2385 2840

3 3 4 5 5 4 5

2 2 3 3 2 2 2

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

Pending Listings Street List Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths

193 Love Ln Ilo Ln

Hartley Dr Rubicon Cir

$1,099,000 $510,000

1500 1012

4 2

1 1

$694,900 $719,900

1283 1547

2 3

2 2

Sold Listings Sold Listings Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths Street List Price Sold Price Sq. Ft. Beds Baths San Ramon Valley Blvd. $665,000 Hartley Dr $695,000 Garden Creek Pl $719,900 Loch Lomond Way $1,385,000 Briar Place $1,449,000

$650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $1,330,000 $1,406,500

1301 1283 1357 2292 3158

3 2 3 5 5

2 2 2 2 3

Ramon Ct $1,635,000 Town and Country Dr $1,879,000 Kuss Rd $1,995,000 Sonora Avenue $2,750,000 Macomber Road $3,295,000

$1,550,000 $1,865,000 $1,875,000 $2,920,000 $3,300,000

1875 2308 4050 3722 4527

3 4 5 5 4

Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

DANVILLE LIVING 9

2 2 4 4 3


July

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sat., July 13

Back to School: Under the Stars @Tassajara One Room Schoolhouse Join us for a casual, elegant evening in support of our student programs and the preservation of our collections and archives. Music, silent auction, and great food under the stars. To buy tickets go to www.museumsrv.org Cost: $150 Time: 5pm

Sat., July 13

Family Campout @Oak Hill Park Join us for a suburban camping experience at Oak Hill Park with your family! You will enjoy swimming at Monte Vista Community Pool, youth crafts and family games, and a movie under the stars. Dinner and continental breakfast provided. Check-in Saturday at 10 am; check out Sunday by noon. Must register all family members attending. The last day to register for this event is Tuesday, July 9 at 11:00 pm. Contact Rec department during business hours to register. For more information go to www.danville.ca.gov. Cost: $20 Time: 10am

Sat., July 20

The Moon Landing: Stories From Two People Who Helped Make it Happen @Danville Library Mathematician for the program Carol Reppucci and Engineer Chuck Cunningham, designer of the entry monitor system (EMS) both worked on the Apollo Space Program during the Sixties. Their stories and insights will bring to life the space achievements of that era. July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, a first for mankind. Sponsored by the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in collaboration with the Danville Library. Time: 2pm

Sun., July 21

Senior Variety Show @The Village Theatre and Art Gallery Performers over 55 years showcase their singing, dancing, acting, stand-up comedy

and more! Come support these seasoned performers, it’s sure to be a great time. Cost: $5 Time: 1:30-3pm

Sun., July 21

Hot Summer Sundays Car Show @Downtown Danville Danville’s Hot Summer Sundays Car Show combines classic cars and camaraderie to create an evening of summer celebration. Downtown streets are lined with muscle cars, hot rods, and vintage rides while live bands play ‘50s and ‘60s music to people dancing in the streets. You can also browse the myriad of food, drink, and souvenir booths throughout the venue, or stop off in one of the downtown shops or restaurants. Time: 11-4pm

Fri., July 26 - Sun., July 28

Library Book Sale @Danville Library Town Green Members preview begins at 9am (Friday) and sale opens to the public at 10am. Welcome to one of the best organized and friendliest book sales in the area. Staff members are available to assist you with your selections. Stop by for great titles and some of the best bargains in town! Times change each day. $5 bag sale on Sunday. For more information go to www.ccclib.org Time: 10am-5pm

Wed., July 31

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

@Village Theatre and Art Gallery Join us in celebrating Harry Potter’s Birthday with the movie where the magic began. To buy tickets go to www.villagetheatreshows.com Cost: $5 Time: 4pm

Every Saturday

Farmers’ Market @Railroad Ave. Municipal Parking Lot-Downtown Get the freshest seasonal fare at Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. You’ll find fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, along with fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants and fresh breads. This event is located at Railroad & Prospect Avenues and offers free parking in the adjacent lot.

10

Time: 9am-1pm More information at www.pcfma.com

Every Monday

Tips for Change Community Fundraising Events @Gianni’s Italian Bistro Gianni’s Italian Bistro opens up their restaurant to support our local nonprofit community. Tips for change is a fun and unique way for local local charity organizations to raise much needed funds. Volunteers and supporters of local nonprofits suit up and become your servers for the evening with all tips and 10% of sales going to support their organization. This event occurs most Monday evenings between 5 and 8pm and is open to the public. Reservations required. More information at www. giannissanramon.com

Save the date: Tues., Aug. 6

Storytime and dance party with local author of Everybody Can Dance!

@ Danville Library Local author Kara Navolio will read her debut picture book Everybody Can Dance! followed by a dance party and book signing. The rhyming book, for children ages 3-6, shows children of all cultures experiencing the joy of dance together. Children with disabilities tap a beat alongside others swinging to ballroom or bouncing to Bollywood. Put on your boogie shoes and join the author while she shares her story with the community. Cost: Free Time: 11:15am - 12:00pm

Tues., Sept. 24

Danville Living Magazine Party @ Albatross Restaurant Join us for a Customer Appreciation party! This is an open invitation to all; a chance to meet residents and thank the sponsors, all of whom make our magazine possible. We’ll be enjoying the fantastic food and drinks at Albatross, located at 312 Railroad Avenue. Cost: Free Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm JULY 2019


Expert Contributor

How to Survive Your Home Remodel, Part Two By Ed Yevelev, AAA House Manager

A continuation of the June 2019 issue article of the same name...

Start big When it comes to successful home remodeling projects, size truly matters. Experts say large projects should be done first because subsequent projects are invariably impacted by them. What do we mean by large projects? Roof work, foundation work, heating, cooling, electrical. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we’re pretty sure the foundation was laid before the marble was polished. The Spruce has a great order of operations guide for home remodeling projects. Decide what you can do yourself There are certain jobs you can do yourself even if you aren’t a skilled tradesperson—even if you can barely handle a hammer—painting, wainscoting, patching drywall, etc. These are the “greatest hits” of the DIY world, but you don’t have to be a rock star to play them. Doing at least some of the work yourself won’t make you a tradesman. It won’t make you Robert Matthew Van Winkle either, but it will save you a few bucks and make you feel integral to the process.

AAA House Manager is a Member-based subscription service that provides proactive home maintenance and upkeep strategy planning to homeowners in the East Bay.

Know what you want, but don’t obsess over it Michelangelo was a perfectionist. You don’t need to be. Always insist on what you want, but be open to compromise. Home remodels invariably involve lots of moving parts: style, design, products, materials, finishes, and more. Not every aspect of your project will turn out exactly as you envisioned it. It won’t be exactly as you drew it up, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a success. Be firm, but remain flexible. Be patient! You can’t give your home an overhaul without seriously upending your life. If you find yourself sleeping on a neighbor’s sofa for days on end or eating takeout on a cardboard table in the garage for days on end, our advice is to simply go with it. Surf that wave. Remember: Ice, Ice Baby. The more you can embrace the journey, the better the chances you’ll reach your destination in one piece. Renovating or remodeling can be a fun and fulfilling experience. No, really. Success hinges on a variety of factors, not all of which are under your control. Control what you can and remember: chance favors the prepared home remodeler. The more you put into it in advance, the smoother the process will ultimately go. That’s good news for your project and good news for your peace of mind.

ALBATROSS Re-Think Farm to Table. Quality over quantity, sustainability over mass production and natural ingredients over artificial.

Join us for an eclectic, original, and fun dining experience. albatrossdanville.com 312 Railroad Ave. Danville • 925.718.5445

DANVILLE LIVING 11


Expert Contributor

Summer Jobs: A Great Opportunity to Jumpstart Retirement Savings By Matt Forrey, RBC Wealth, Resident since 2009, and James Carbonell, RBC Wealth, Resident since 2004

A

s the school year ends, many students will go out and find employment for the summer. In addition to the obvious benefit of earning some extra money, these early working experiences also provide a great opportunity for them to learn about saving, investing and retirement planning. Any individual who earns income (up to set maximum limits) qualifies to establish a Roth IRA which allows him or her to contribute up to $6,000 into an account which will then grow tax-deferred and be eligible for tax-free withdrawals after the age of 59 ½. Though the contributions are not tax-deductible, this doesn’t tend to be a major issue for most student workers as their total earnings typically only have them paying minimal to no taxes, so a tax deduction doesn’t provide any meaningful benefit. While these initial, potentially smaller contributions may not seem much at the time, the results can be quite impressive. If a working student were to contribute $2,000 a year to a Roth IRA for four consecutive years, assuming a 7% average annual rate of return, that $8,000 total investment would grow to over $60,000 at the time of her potential retirement. The numbers only look better if that same student continues to make contributions when she enters the “real” workforce after graduation. Of course, many students enjoy spending the money they earn over the summer and at the end of the year don’t have any extra

funds to make Roth contributions. In these instances, parents can help supplement or match their child’s earnings so that they have spending cash but still have funds available with which to make a contribution. No matter what the amount contributed though, the opportunity for a young adults to establish an account, research investment options and learn more about retirement planning can provide

12

incredibly valuable lessons that will benefit them through the rest of their lives. Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value© 2019 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.

JULY 2019


Art and Culture

A Mural in the Making: An Interview with John Osgood By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017

T

his past spring, right before the weather shifted and the sun consistently shone, Montair Elementary was made brighter by the revamping of its front mural. The previous mural, though instantly recognizable as Mt. Diablo was faded and peeling and had lost the joy that it once brought to the incoming students each morning. Enter urban-contemporary artist and west side resident, John Osgood of California Mural Art. In this first (of two) interviews, John opens up his mind and studio to give us a glimpse at his passion and profession.

AS: What is your background as an artist?

JO: I grew up in Edmonds, Washington and as far back as I can remember, I had a pen or pencil in my hand. If I wasn’t drawing, I was thinking about what I would draw. It wasn’t until high school that I realized that this was a direction I wanted to pursue more seriously, which I owe to an art teacher. After high school, I kept creating artwork and attended college at Washington State University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in Fine Arts. Post college I continued honing my craft and exhibiting my work in the Seattle area. I’ve created murals all over the west coast and in the UK and Spain and exhibited in multiple galleries across the US including, 111 Minna Gallery, Art Attack SF, Brian Marki Fine Arts Gallery in Portland and in Palm Springs, Center on Contemporary Art, Washington State University SEB Gallery, Todd Art Gallery at Middle Tennessee State University and more. I’ve also been commissioned by clients including Aegis, Chicago Title, Microsoft, Rhapsody, Seattle DOT, Verity Credit Union and Uber among others.

AS: How did you become a muralist professionally?

JO: Early in my career, I had a goal to create a piece of art so large is required a roller. I had even posted this goal on my art studio wall. After my wife and I started an art gallery in Seattle, I noticed that the apartments next door kept getting tagged. Knowing that murals deter tagging, my wife looked up the owner of the building, and I proposed painting a mural there. They said yes; I created the mural, and the mural is still there until this day, 12 years later. After that mural went up, I started getting requests from local business owners. Shortly after, I met a couple other like-minded artists and we created a mural business called Seattle Mural Art. When my family and I moved down to the bay area, my wife and I started up California Mural Art.

“Heron Habitat”, 2018, 9’ x 30’, Aerosol, I created this piece in Danville last year for a client who I met just walking by my garage.

their vision and what they hope to accomplish by commissioning this piece of art. From there I look to see how the potential mural will accentuate the space. I look for colors in the surrounding area and I look for lines that continue off of the surface and how I can integrate them with the natural lines of the building. In addition, when the mural is public facing, I work hard to incorporate what is important to the surrounding community and key stakeholders. My favorite part is the actual installation of the mural because during this process, I get to talk to people who are in the neighborhood. Most of the time people are really excited about a new piece of artwork. Every once in a while, because I use aerosol, someone thinks I’m tagging the wall and I get to talk to a police officer.

AS: Are you planning any local murals? Where else can we see some of your work?

JO: I am always ready to make murals happen. I have a few projects in the oven, and some that are still in the pitch mode. As of right now most of my mural work is in Northwest where I am originally from. The mural work that I have done in the TriValley area are in residential homes, but you can see another one of my murals at San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore. Stay tuned for next month, when John gives us the inside scoop on the mural he painted for Montair Elementary School.

AS: What is the process like when designing a mural for a client?

JO: Each client is a little different based on their needs and the environment the wall is located in. The key information I gather initially is to find out the size, the location, surrounding environment and surface of the wall. Then I talk to clients about

“Before the Forefront”, 2016, 29’ x 38’, Aerosol, located at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA DANVILLE LIVING 13


Charity Spotlight

O

East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2019 By Deanna Wong, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Marketing Committee Join us for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s— the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel our mission-related initiatives and your actions both through fundraising and participating in the event, help to change the level of awareness in your community. This year’s Walk will take place on

Saturday, October 29, 2019 at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. More than 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. In Contra Costa County alone, there are over 20,000 people living with the disease and and that number is expected to increase by as much as 85% by 2030.

Want to get involved? Register today! Sign up as a Team Captain, join a team or register to walk as an individual at act.alz.org/Eastbay2019

Beautify

your outdoor living space

Driveways, Decks & Patios • Retaining Walls • Outdoor Living Areas • And Much More

$500

3148 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94519

OFF

With project of 800 sq. ft. or more. Call for details. Offers cannot be combined. One offer per client. Expires 10-31-19

Visit our showrooms in San Mateo & Concord

14

Lic: #972318

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

925.399.7151

AtlasPaversCo.com JULY 2019


Art and Culture

All Aboard!

By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident Since 2010

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

C

HOO-CHOO!!!! All aboard the Danville Express!

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is bustling with trains, and this is your one-way ticket to an experience you’ll never forget! The museum is a long standing town fixture with so much to offer families looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon and beat the heat. If you’re not familiar with the museum, chances are you have been to it and didn’t even realize it. It’s at the epicenter of the ever so popular farmer’s market in Danville, which takes place every Saturday morning, near the Lunardi’s parking lot. The summer exhibit, which runs until the third week of August, is a jaw-dropping miniature train display that would make even Walt Disney jealous. This is truly an exhibit that will appeal to the young and the young at heart. Dan Dunn is the Director of the museum and has seen his share of visitors over the years. “It never surprises me how many folks in their 80s come to see us. They’re train collectors themselves or used to work on the railroads. It’s a fun family activity” The model trains have been exhibiting during the summer for many years now, but each year always offers something different. This summer we can look forward to seeing a diorama model of Danville with up to 4 moving trains operating at the same time. Every inch of the diorama, including the houses and buildings, are handmade by volunteers at the museum. It’s impossible to ignore the tiniest detail that went into making all the buildings look as realistic as possible. There is even a diorama of Elliott’s bar on the corner, from when it was fairly new.

marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Pictures from the ‘Golden Spike’ will be on display along with pictures of ‘Women Working on the Railroad’. “Inclusion of historical houses makes it all very personal” says Dunn. Toy train engineers volunteer their time and skills managing the O-gauge models and love to answer any questions that visitors might have. Antique Trains from as far back as the 1950s are on display, along with some of the more modern locomotives with plenty of high tech gadgets to mesmerize any audience. Want more trains? You can also take part in a model train lecture at the Veterans Memorial building just a block away. This is a fun place for rail buffs to meet and mingle. (Date and time to be determined. Call for more details) The museum also offers displays of fascinating Railway photos from the 1890s, where you can learn about how Hartz Avenue got its name and when the Iron Horse Trail became a part of Danville. One of the other big draws of the museum is the price - $15 buys the entire family a summer long pass. The museum has seen families return over and over, often discovering something they didn’t notice before. So, what are you waiting for? Climb aboard! Museum of the San Ramon Valley 205 Railroad Ave. CA, Danville 94526 Family passes $15 - good all summer long Tuesday- Saturday 10 AM to 1PM Sunday- Noon to 3PM

This year is the 150 year anniversary of the ‘Golden Spike’, which

DANVILLE LIVING 15


Expert Contributor

Style Like a Designer By Casey Howard, Principal, Casey Howard Designs, Inc.

W

hether it’s an edgy piece inspired by avant-garde fashion, or a captivating conversation piece, the accessories we bring into our homes say a lot about us! My personal aesthetic stems from my passion for designs that transcend trends and add a distinct point of view to a space. These accessorizing tips are some of the techniques we use when accessorizing a space. LAYER When you are using the layering technique imagine your shelf as a landscape. The goal is to build interest throughout the entire landscape by paying attention to the background as well as what’s in front. You want to begin by placing larger pieces in the back, so the smaller pieces aren’t lost in the layers. In a larger shelf you can even place artwork or a mirror in the back to really give the space some depth. In the middle and foreground focus on the pieces that will be your focal point. PERSONALIZE Accessorizing is the perfect time to incorporate some of the pieces from your personal collection. Pieces acquired while traveling, or special objects that are meaningful give a space a very personalized feel that can’t be replicated, and just because something has a different style, or comes from a different period of time, doesn’t mean it won’t work well with other pieces. I love to blend vintage items with modern pieces and the result is an eclectic look that can’t be placed in one time period. BALANCE When you’re accessorizing a space you often need to step back and take a look at the whole picture which includes the interaction of objects with the other objects around it. Sometimes a shelf can feel heavy, maybe there are too many items in relation to the other shelves. Other times a shelf can feel lifeless, usually this happens because there are too many of the same type of object. Both of these scenarios can easily lead to a boring shelf! It is important to have variety in object type when accessorizing.

Photo by Lauren Edith Anderson

I hope these tips inspire you to clean off those bookshelves and start fresh! Casey Howard Designs offers a chic selection of home accessories that are shoppable through our Fringe Curiosities online boutique.

16

JULY 2019


Time to protect your eyes from UV Rays Special Promotion on all sunglasses! Keeping our eyes Happy and healthy, schedule your appointment today.

925.406.4887 334 HARTZ AVENUE, DANVILLE • EYESONHARTZOPTOMETRY.COM

DANVILLE LIVING 17


Charity Spotlight

Aloha Kiss Arthur Kong

Memorial Foundation Fundraiser By Alice Kong, Founder, Aloha Kiss Arthur Kong Memorial Foundation

O

n Monday, September 16, 2019, Aloha Kiss Arthur Kong Memorial Foundation will be holding the 2nd annual fund raising golf tournament with a dinner reception to follow immediately at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, CA. The goal of the event is to raise funds for the Livermore Homeless Refuge so they can better serve people who find themselves in a homeless situation. Please join us for a day of fun, laughs and great company on

Blackhawk Country Club Lakes Course

September 16, 2019.

A DRESS CHANGE This event is about opening your heart and your generous contribution would empower the LHR to further assist those who are in need during difficult times. Your participation is 100% fully deductible.

A Women's Upscale Cosignment clothier

For more information, please contact Alice Kong at alohakiss8@ gmail.com Please visit our website at alohakiss.co (not com) and our Facebook page Aloha Kiss (community).

125 Railroad Ave. Suite B Danville, CA 94526 www.adresschangecosignment.com

(925) 855-5581

18 18

JULY 2019


Cooking Corner

Simple Tasty Artichokes By Suzanne Jacobus, Resident since 1993

My mother grew up in San Francisco. They had an Italian friend who owned a restaurant in North Beach. This is how they taught my mother to prepare artichokes, so it has always been our family go to method. Ingredients: • 4 Medium Sized Artichokes • 5 cloves Garlic • Olive Oil • Salt and Pepper Directions: Cut bottoms and tough sides from the artichoke stems. Place the artichokes in pot and pour water half way up. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Put two halves of garlic inside leaves of each artichoke. Place extra garlic in the water. Salt and pepper. Bring to boil then turn down to simmer. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes. Artichokes are done when a fork can be inserted easily in bottom center.

The name says it all - simple, tasty artichokes!

Enjoy! Suzanne Jacobus Alain Pinel Real Estate sjacobus@apr.com

Suzanne Jacobus has lived in the TriValley area her whole life, and Danville for the last twenty-six years. She has one daughter, Erica, and a grandson named Wesley. She loves to cook, garden, paint, sing, and travel - a true renaissance woman! Suzanne has worked in real estate since college.

DANVILLE LIVING 19


Where in the World?

China in the Springtime By Bob Gordon, Resident since 2017

T

his spring my wife Patty and I traveled to Hong Kong and Mainland China. In total our trip was fourteen days. We were fortunate enough to travel with two others who were fluent in the many languages of the region. This would end up being a huge plus for some of the cities we visited. While in Hong Kong we stayed at the W Hotel, which is a wonderful hotel. The hotel is connected to one of the nicest shopping malls and also the train station, which has airline check-in counters. When you are ready to depart Hong Kong, you can check in with your airline, leave your luggage, and enjoy the day before even stepping out of the hotel. If you don’t have leisure time, you can hop on the train which takes you right to your terminal in the airport. It was very easy and convenient! We participated in a full day tour of Hong Kong, where we visited Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Village, Repulse Bay and the Stanley Market - a must for shopping is the “Ladies Market”. The Bullet Train

to Quanzhou was amazing. In Quanzhou we visited the Canton Tower, which is the second tallest tower in the world! One day we took the ferry from Hong Kong over to Macau. We took a tour of Macau and visited a couple casinos. Gambling and tourism is Macau’s biggest source of revenue. We were told that the casinos there generate 3 times the revenue of Las Vegas in one year. We also took the train to Shenzhen, which was our favorite for shopping and one of our favorite days. Over the course of the next few days, we flew to Shanghai were we toured casket factories (for my job) and then to Xiamen City where we visited a city called Quanzhou City also known as Stone City. While here we spent the day touring granite and stone factories. Here we really felt like we were in true mainland China.

Bob Gordon is a loving husband and father of five. He is the president and CEO of the Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association where he also gives historical trolley tours of the old campus there. He loves to travel and spend time with his family and their pets.

Throughout the trip we found all the people of China and Hong Kong to be very hospitable and kind. Always wanting to help or please you.

At the Asia Funeral Expo

Delicious food with fantastic friends!

Bob and Patty soak up the city at night. 20

JULY 2019


San Ramon Valley High School

Exciting News at SRVHS! By Shelby Falahat, Junior Reporter, SRVHS

F

or the last three years, San Ramon Valley High School has undergone various changes in order to improve the learning environment for students and teachers alike. Upon entering the campus, an enormous poster is displayed at the front of the school, showing off the new additions.The star of the show, the one that SRVHS has been waiting The frame of B Hall is up, 2016. for, is a unique structure with state-of-the-art Photo by Shelby Falahat classrooms. Each classroom has been designed for a specific use: the professional labs for the B Hall is complete, chemistry classes, and the ceramics room for 2019. Photo by Shelby art students. SRVHS students, teachers, and Falahat environment. The incoming seniors have been parents have been waiting patiently for this anticipating this moment since their freshman moment, and it’s finally here! year and are eager to end their high school career on a strong note in new, modern The new academic building, known as “B Hall,” was finalized and classrooms. Although summer vacation is made accessible for students during the last few weeks of school. always a time for celebration for students, The three story building offers spacious learning environments the new school year brings nothing but with more than fifty classrooms. Although students have become excitement for the San Ramon Valley extremely familiar with “Portable City,” the portables are no Wolves! longer necessary, and were recently removed. Instead, SRVHS’s baseball field will finally be reinstalled and utilized by our athletes in the fall. During the last two weeks of the school year, teachers began moving into B Hall in order to customize their classrooms. The third floor wasn’t fully prepared to be moved into, but teachers with classrooms on the first floor finished out their year in the new building.

Both students and teachers are extremely excited to learn in such an exquisite building, and can’t wait to make memories in a new

Shelby Falahat is an incoming senior at San Ramon Valley High School. She loves writing as a tool to express herself as well as learn about the world around her. She also has a passion for working with children. Recently, Shelby has had the opportunity to work at Kumon, which has allowed her to teach young students math and reading. In addition, she loves to travel with her family across the globe.

DANVILLE LIVING 21


In Our Backyard, Ways to Explore the Great Outdoors

EB Park District Celebrating 85th Anniversary with Free Park Fridays and Special Events By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010

T

o celebrate the East Bay Regional Park District’s 85th Anniversary, the Park District has planned a number of special events and programs, including FREE Park Fridays, FREE Concerts in the Parks, and a FREE multicultural festival. The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest park district in the nation with 25 million visits annually and over 122,000 acres preserved for habitat and outdoor recreation. For 85 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has preserved and protected open space in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and provided public access to regional parks, shorelines, and trails for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery. Today the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest of its kind in the nation with 73 regional parks over 122,000 plus acres, and over 25 million annual visits per year – more than the A’s,

H MESWEET CARE H MES

Giants, Warriors, 49ers, and Raiders combined.

Free Park Fridays: Park entry and other fees will be waived every Friday in 2019 from April to December to celebrate the Park District’s 85th Anniversary. Park entrance and fees for day use parking, swimming, dogs, horse trailers, boat launching, and fishing permits will all be waived. Fee waiver does not apply to special event permits/reservations, camping and associated fees, or state fees such as fishing licenses and watercraft inspections. Fee waiver also does not apply to District concessions. Park entrance is subject to available occupancy.

LIMO BUS SUMMER SPECIAL

CUSTOM CARE SOLUTIONS

We offer a genuinely warm and happy home created by our family for yours.

We are a 6-Bed Community Nested in the Residential Area of Alamo and Concord

(510) 507-2679

$99/ HR

info@HomeSweetCareHomes.com

FOR THE LIMO BUS

3 Navajo Ct., Alamo, Ca 94507 1584 Dianda Dr., Concord, CA 94521

Bus holds up to 14 people Gratuity not included 6 hr minimum

www.HomeSweetCareHomes.com

Please call to schedule a tour.

Testimonial "I found the food to be nourishing and accommodating. They cared about my comfort and well-being....After 2 years I gained enough strength to move out and into my own apartment."

The Party Bus is Perfect for:

Wine Tasting, Concerts, Corporate Events & Prom!

925-513-4175

22

TCP#24869

WWW.ALLINONELIMOS.COM JULY 2019


Iron Horse Trail in Danville-Photo Credit Courtesy of East Bay Regional Park District

• Lake Chabot Concerts in the Park – Saturday, June 22 (Castro Valley) • Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Friday, July 12 (Alameda) • Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Alameda, Friday, August 9 (Alameda) • Contra Loma Concert in the Park – Friday, August 23 (Antioch) • Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Friday, September 13 (Alameda) • John Sutter Gateway Bridgeyard Festival – Saturday, September 28 (Oakland)

Free Events/Concerts in the Parks: Family-friendly music events with food and beverages available for purchase. Bands and performers to be announced later.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

DANVILLE LIVING 23


Health and Wellness

Feeling Stressed this Summer? By Alicia Del Prado, PhD, Resident since 2014

S

tress is like a thumbprint. We all have it, but each person’s response to stress is unique. I have my favorite comfort foods to get me through tough times. My mom, on the other hand, can barely eat a bite when she is very stressed out. We are both stressed, but our bodies react differently. Knowing how you tend to typically respond to stressful situations is a very powerful tool that can help you prevent longer term problems like anxiety, depression, and even burnout! Building this self-awareness will help you learn how to identify your stress before it snowballs even further. When working with clients, I like to offer a quadrant approach for thinking about stress. The 4 sections include: (1) Feelings (such as worried, sad, angry, irritated), (2) Behaviors (for example, overeating, staying up too late, binging on the Internet), (3) Physiological sensations (such as a pit in one’s stomach, sweaty palms, headaches), and (4) Thoughts (self-talk like “This will never get better”, “I can’t handle this”). By breaking down our unique stress patterns in smaller parts, we become more empowered to see the

stress as something we can change. Coping effectively with stress is both challenging and necessary for living a healthy life. Below are some suggestions for trying to build a productive way for preventing and managing your stress level. Quick Tips for Stress: • Write down your own stress thumbprint. How do you know when you’re stressed? What do you feel, think, and do when you are stressed? What happens in your body?

Lyric Coloratura Soprano Private Voice Teacher Adjudicator, Recording Artist

An honor I received “2018 Vocal Instructor” given by the Danville Award Program. National Anthem soloist for “The Sentinels of Freedom” Gala - April 13 2019 at Blackhawk Museum Soloist for Blackhawk Chorus in May 2019 as well as East Coast Tour in June 2019

2018 Best of Danville Vocal Instructor by Danville Award Program

Find or create a safe space that is your designated stress getaway. Could be a coffee shop, a favorite park, a yoga studio, or even the library? This space needs to be easily accessible and does not need to cost money.

Practice taking deep breaths. Visualize inhaling calm, exhale out that unwanted stress.

March 2018 featured soloist with Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra 2017-2018 Pinnacle Prtofessional Member of Continental Who's Who 2016 Professional of the Year in Entertainment/Vocal Education and Performance Stratmore's Who's Who

Alicia and her husband love raising their two children in Danville. Alicia is a counseling psychologist who has a private practice in downtown Danville. She recently co-authored a book, “It’s Time to Talk (And Listen)”

www.elizabethhunterashley.com 24

JULY 2019


Charity Spotlight

Invest in

Hope By Jo Peek, Resident since 2013

A golf tournament benefitting PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)

Monday, September 9, 2019 Blackhawk Country Club Raise the Paddle for HOPE Auction

Presented by Bank of America Merrill Lynch Play golf and Invest in HOPE #RaiseHope4Vets A golf tournament benefitting PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Monday, September 9, 2019 at Blackhawk Country Club

Fees

Event Schedule 9:30am Registration, continental breakfast & exotic car show 11:00am Shotgun Start – 4-Person Scramble & lunch on-course 5:15pm Winemaker’s Dinner, awards &

$350 per person, includes continental breakfast, exotic car show, lunch on-course, Winemaker’s Dinner, player gifts, golf, contests, and awards PGA HOPE introduces golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

Registration: www.investinhope.us | (707) 449-4742

Before adding any animal or pet into your life, be sure to do thorough research and be certain it will blend well with your living situation and lifestyle. Sources consulted: www.animalplanet.com, www.sandiegozoo.org, www.petmd.com.

OUTDOOR LIVING Made Beautiful Outdoor Furniture Umbrellas Sunbrella Cushions

927-837-7787

Best Selection of Outdoor Fire Tables in the East Bay

2095 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon

www.terraoutdoor.com DANVILLE LIVING 25


Tee Time

Coming Soon:

Golf “Hot Spots” in Danville and Beyond By Lynne Harrosh, Resident since 2008

S

ummer is in full swing... that means the greens are groomed and the fairways are packed. Get ready for a new addition to Danville Living: a golf column highlighting some favorite places in the area to play. West side resident Lynne Harrosh, is here to provide some awesome tips for newbies and avid golfers, alike.

Incline Village, Championship Course, 18th Hole. June 8, 2019

Our most important party is Yours! Office - 925-370-1300 Cell - 925-330-2371

rayna@eventdesignsbyrayna.com http://www.eventdesignsbyrayna.com

Decor Installation Full Scale Event Planning Day of Coordination Event Design Event Consultations Event Rentals

Lynne Harrosh, and her mother, Sue Harrosh, all bundled up in Tahoe. June 8. 2019

Eventfully Yours is a full-service event design, coordination and rental company with over 17 years experience. Whether you are planning a small intimate event, large celebration, corporate meeting, retreat, fundraiser or convention, no event is too big or too small. Our professional and passionate staff, pride themselves on making your event vision a reality!

Customer testimonial - “Working with Rayna was outstanding . She is professional and creative; managing every detail of our party from start to finish. Thank you is not enough for a lifelong memory! ” – Julie Low 26

JULY 2019


BAY AREA REMODELING SPECIALISTS!

KITCHENS $2000 OFF Must present ad at time of signing contract.

BATHS $1000 OFF Must present ad at time of signing contract.

CA Lic. #1002689

KITCHEN | BATH | REMODEL | ROOM ADDITIONS | ROOFING PAVERS | FLOORING | PAINTING | OUTDOOR PATIOS

FINANCING AVAILABLE 12 MONTHS NO INTEREST • NO PAYMENT O.A.C.

925.252.5676

Costco Cash Card

500

$

With any signed remodeling contract! Call for details.

|

www.DoneRightHomeRemodelingCa.com DANVILLE LIVING 27


Residents Giving Back

Making a Difference Volunteering, Part Two By Michael Copeland, Discovery Counseling Center

A continuation from our June 2019 issue article of the same name:

M

eals on Wheels provides a network of services that allow seniors to live in their home with dignity and independence and another local volunteer opportunity within the community. Danville resident and Meals on Wheels Volunteer Cathy Tisa says, “I get a sense of real purpose working with seniors who are on a tight budget, have limited mobility and truly appreciate kindness and conversation.” For more information: www.mowsf.org.

rice casserole style meal specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of starving children. Head Coach Sean Gann thought this would be an eye opening teamwork experience for his young team made of primarily 8th grade boys from the greater Danville area. Most walked away with a stronger sense of appreciation after hearing how their two hour shift would benefit so many families with kids their age. For more information contact www.kahbayarea.org.

“The only ones among us who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve”, Albert Schweitzer

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

Last fall, the Danville based San Ramon Valley Thunderbirds varsity football team worked a shift at the Kids Against Hunger facility. Kids Against Hunger is an all-volunteer organization focused on feeding families around the world and around the corner The players and coaches worked filling bags with a fortified soy/

A wonderful outdoor activity can be found with The East Bay Regional Parks District, which runs a volunteer trail maintenance program each year that extends from April through November and includes approximately eight separate projects throughout the East Bay. The volunteers typically work from 8:30 am to

1:00 pm on a scenic East Bay park, such as the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park in Danville, creating new hiking paths, eliminating brush and debris or eliminating an old trail that had become obsolete and troublesome. Danville resident, Justin Grilli says, “It’s a great way to help our environment and set a good example for our kids.” Check out their website at www.ebparks.org. Volunteering in our community is some one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences we can share. You typically meet a variety of people performing the duties at hand for a menagerie of fulfilling reasons. People often walk away with a renewed sense of appreciation, empathy and compassion. I encourage everyone to give some form of volunteering a try because the lives it changes might start with your own.

The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group is proud to congratulate the Lady Wolves. San Ramon Valley High School Women’s Lacrosse 22-0 2019 EBAL and NCS Champions The Carbonell Forrey Wealth Management Group 1331 North California Boulevard, Suite 650 | Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Direct: (925) 279-1701 | us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/carbonellforreywmg Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value © 2019 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. 28 19-WC-183_CarbonellForrey_Lacrosse_7.5x3.25_AD_KC_FINAL.indd 1

2019 6/7/19 JULY 1:25 PM


WE ARE ONLINE! www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

(925) 449-1203

Share our magazine with your friends and family today! www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

CREATING AND TRANSFORMING SPACES GREAT AND SMALL. WE'RE HERE TO HELP WITH YOUR REMODEL, ADDITION, OUTDOOR ROOM, OR NEW HOME.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY.

AFTER

925.837.1422 117 TOWN & COUNTRY DR. SUITE G, DANVILLE, in the Shopping Center behind Walgreens and McCaulou’s

BEFORE

WWW.BARRYANDWYNN.COM DANVILLE LIVING 29


Expert Contributor

Padis Brings the Promise of Forever to Walnut Creek By Steve Padis, Steve Padis Jewelry, Resident since 1989

P

adis Jewelry began 2019 with a number of exciting changes – beginning with relocation from the Jewelry Center at 101 Utah Street to an additional location at the Gift Center at 888 Brannan. Now, at the new locations, clients can experience the Bay Area and Northern California’s largest collection of loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry all under one roof. Padis also celebrates a new location in the Bay Area East Bay – an area most of the Padis team calls home – a beautiful Forevermark store located in Broadway Plaza Shopping Center in Walnut Creek. We look forward to welcoming you there for Summer 2019! This Padis store will be devoted to Forevermark diamonds - a diamond distinctive for many reasons. Perhaps the most unique aspect of a Forevermark diamond is its unalterable inscription, located inside the heart of diamond itself – a true mark of integrity. These diamonds come with a promise: every single diamond is responsibly sourced, as well as beautiful and rare. High Standards for Mining Sources Less than 1% of the world’s diamonds have the qualities to become a Forevermark diamond. Diamonds are a natural product of our planet, and it all starts with the mine of origin. To uncover these precious diamonds, Forevermark, as part of De Beers, carefully selects mines based on strict business, social and environmental standards. While most “conflict-free” diamond sources can cite Kimberley Process membership (an international trade standard to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the market), Forevermark goes beyond the Kimberley Process by supporting the advancement of communities and protecting the natural world, the ultimate source of diamonds. Forevermark demonstrates values that transcend the finished product and its mining, making lasting contributions to mining communities through educational, medical and social initiatives and through actions taken to redress the environmental impact of mining. There are also dedicated programs for career development for women and education of children.

Forevermark’s passion for diamonds is matched by their deep sense of connection to the natural world, which they are dedicated to protecting for future generations. Forevermark is committed to the preservation and protection of habitats, their species, and the wider natural world. In short, a Forevermark by Padis diamond is a diamond you can wear proudly. Our Commitment to You, Our Neighbors and Family Padis Jewelry has an extensive selection of Forevermark fine jewelry for you to experience and try on and we look forward to welcoming you to any of our five locations. We aim to create an experience that allows all who visit our stores to enter as shopping individuals, and to leave as members of the Padis Jewelry family. We are so grateful for your continuing friendship and loyalty and hope to be your family’s jeweler for a lifetime and for generations to come. We sincerely thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life’s most precious moments!

30

JULY 2019


DANVILLE LIVING 31


Danville 1393

LIVING

Let AAA House Manager take care of your home. AAA House Manager is your partner in home maintenance. Trusted and reliable House Managers tackle your to-do list and help you create a plan to get ahead of future maintenance needs, all to keep your home running smoothly. Whether you have a leaky faucet, smart home tech to install, or need your gutters cleaned, AAA House Manager works for your home so your home can work for you.

Get started at aaa.com/housemanager or visit our AAA San Ramon branch

Š 2019 AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. All rights reserved. AAA House Manager is a service provided by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. 32

JULY 2019


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.