CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK: Because of the economic mess the past four years, there are many more families that are on the edge collapse.  The Food Bank has good from serving 70,000 meals a month to 120,000 a month!  Their resources are stretched to the maximum, sometimes going day to day.  Amazingly, the most important food they distribute to families is Peanut Butter – the #1 source of protein for many families!  What they most need are checks.  Because of their relationship with the grocery store industry, they are able to purchase $6.00 of food for every $1.00 that is donated.  WOW!  What an impact a $50 donation can make in the lives of those who need food.

We have food collection barrels in the lobby of our Danville office just waiting for you to stop by and drop off your donations.  I will even send you a letter that we staple to a Trader Joe’s grocery bag and drop off on the front porches of our neighborhood.  ( Trader Joe’s donates as many grocery bags as you will need as part of their support of the local Food Banks in the Bay Area.)  And, the need for meals doesn’t take a vacation in the Summer time, either.  It is when kids are out of school and the only meals some of the get are from the Food Bank.  Contact me if you want to participate in this important community project.

ONE WARM COAT PROJECT: This project supports the Family Services organizations in our local communities.  There are so many families at risk that need the vary basics of warm clothing this Winter.  And, it is not just coats that are needed.  Any warm clothing is what is needed:  coats; sweaters; socks; gloves, and more.  The group that we support with this project is Shelter, Inc. based in the Tri-Valley.  This group is the safe house for women and children who are escaping from abusive relationships.

The benefit of this project is that all it takes is cleaning out our closets and dresser drawers.  All of us have slightly used warm clothing that we haven’t worn in the past year.  In fact, my rule is that if I have not worn specific clothing in the past 12 months, it needs to be donated to someone who can use it.  So, check out your closet and look at all of your clothing with this rule in mind.  Again, contact me if you want a copy of the letter we attach to garbage bags that are dropped off to the front porch of our neighborhood.

So, it is that easy.  It does take a bit of effort, but not much.  And, the effort  that you invest on one or both of these ‘giving back’ projects makes a world of difference in the lives of the families who are in need.  CONTACT me today to see how you can get involved.  Enjoy every moment of your Holiday Season.  Until next time…Jim Walberg

Related posts:

1. East Bay Food Bank Is A Critical Project For The Holidays
2. East Bay’s “One Warm Coat” Project A Huge Success!
3. Contra Costa Food Bank – East Bay Real Estate Community To Refill Their Pantry!

The “Wine & Equine Event” is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Sonrise Equestrian Foundation, a non-profit 501(C)(3) community program. They need your help to make this event a success and to continue to provide these children with help and hope through the Sonrise community. Click on this link for ticket information. This important annual event provides about half of their yearly operating budget and enables SonRise Equestrian to put children with social, emotional and physical handicaps together with gentle therapy horses at no cost to the families. Their participants learn that they can overcome fears, build relationships, and ultimately discover their full potential. At SonRise they believe that strong, loving relationships are a necessary ingredient of a contented heart. They see time and time again, children thrive simply by receiving the unconditional love of a concerned mentor and a special horse. They believe in the necessity of belonging to a nurturing community.

Here are some of the programs that SonRise Equestrian provides kids between the ages of 8 and 18.

• In the Saddle—a one-on-one horseback riding program that teams up one child, one mentor, and one horse 100% of the time. This ensures no hurting child gets lost in a crowd, and keeps our program extremely safe.
• Team Rehab—a working ranch program where children work in teams doing ranch chores and caring for horses in need of rehabilitation.
• Traveling Tails—a miniature horse hospice program which brings minis to children’s hospice care homes to visit children who are near the end of life.
• HorsePlay Day— In addition to our three main programs, we also offer HorsePlay Days quarterly, where children from our program and waiting list are invited to the ranch for a day of group fun. In these four hours children participate in horse related games, crafts and activities ranging from roping to bareback riding to red/light green/light on horseback.

SonRise Equestrian also is a safe harbor of unwanted horses.  When these special horses in need arrive the SonRise staff immediately begins a careful rehabilitation process, which addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of these equine companions, with the intent of having each horse become an “equine angel” that joins the SonRise Equestrian team as a partner for the in-need and at-risk children enrolled in the horsemanship program.  They are also looking for volunteers to work with the kids and the horses.  Please consider adding this amazing organization to your community service list.  Until next time…Jim Walberg

Related posts:

1. East Bay Equestrian Update: SonRise Equestrian Foundation Changing Kids Lives!
2. Horses Were THE Real Deal For East Bay Real Estate In The 70’s
3. East Bay Real Estate: Danville Is Still Horse Country!

How Hot Summer Nights got started was in 1993 when a few friends were sitting at Elliott’s Bar on Hartz Avenue and thought that Danville would the perfect spot to have a hot rod and classic car show and a great way to stimulate business for the downtown merchants.  They went to the Town with the suggestion never imagining that it would become a Summer tradition that has now gone on for 17 years!  People from all over the country call to find out the dates and plan their vacations so they can attend.  Over the two shows this Summer there will be more than 30,000 visitors that come to the show!  In addition to the classic cars there are bands to listen to and dancing in the streets.  There are food vendors offering tasty treats as well as wonderful restaurants that provide outside cafe dining with an enormous selection of fine cuisines.

Not only is it one of the best car shows in California, it is also a time for Danville’s downtown businesses to be showcased.  Hartz Avenue is a walking friendly downtown with all of its beautiful historical buildings on display.  The weather was perfect for the first of the two car shows this Summer, and it seemed the entire town was out walking the cars.  I could not believe how many people I ran into during just a couple of hours of admiring the cars.  I even ran into to Jeff King, my longtime friend who was the man who introduced me to my first camping trip on the Walker River in the Sierra’s.  That annual Summer trip is now in its 37^th year! ( There will be 50 to 60 men and boys camping at the Walker River next week from all over the country, because of keeping this tradition alive.  Thank you, Jeff, for sharing this magical spot with so many years ago! )

One of the businesses that I stopped by during last Thursday’s event was Land Home Financial Services. They had invited some of their friends to a wine tasting hosted by Scott Bigelow from the Wine Shop @ Home. WOW!  Scott brought out the “big guns” of reds all the way from Monterey to Mendocino.  And, he even had some cases to purchase at some steep discounts for the friends who stopped by.  My favorite of the evening was a Petite Syrah.  So, a great time was had by all at this Summer’s first Hot Summer Nights.  Join us on August 18^th for the next one in beautiful downtown Danville.

And, CONTACT ME today for more information about the San Ramon Valley and the quality of life it’s residents enjoy each day.  Until next time…Jim Walberg

Related posts:

1. East Bay Real Estate: Danville Fine Arts Faire – June 18 & 19!
2. The East Bay’s Old Oak Tree Lighting Celebration In Danville!
3. Dark Horse Enters The Race For The Danville Town Council Seat!

Did you know that in the early 1960s, Livermore had as much land under grape vine as Napa Valley did at that time.  However, it has never had the status of Napa and Sonoma.  Wente Vineyards has long been the largest producer in the Livermore Valley,  making around 300,000 cases of wine annually, much of it for export.  It was first established in the valley in 1883. The next largest producer, Concannon Vineyard, makes around 30,000 cases per year. The remainder of today’s wineries are all small family owned boutique style producers. In 1996 I became personally involved in the Livermore wine scene by representing my friend and long-time client, Ricardo Aguirre, in the purchase of 20 acres on Tesla Road. Even though Aguirre is a world class pulmonary surgeon he always dreamt about being a world class winemaker.  Well, his dream has now come true.  Bodegas Aguirre is considered one of the top boutique wineries in the Valley, and he is the winemaker for each of the 11 varietals that he produces.  Stop in any weekend at his tasting room and let him know that Jim Walberg sent you.  Ask him for a tasting of his latest Petite Syrah and his very limited production Malbec.

Another sentimental favorite of mine is Crooked Vine Winery. The original winery on the site was Stony Ridge – established in 1887 at the historic Ruby Hills site in Pleasanton, California.  In 1975, a group of young enthusiastic winemakers leased the property and continued Stony Ridge Winery production.  In 2007, the Corbett Family purchased both Crooked Vine Winery and Stony Ridge Winery.  A grape growing family for over twelve years, The Corbett’s wanted to create complete Estate grown wines, controlling the wine making process from fruit to bottle.  Their dream has also come true by creating world class estate wines that have won many international and local wine competition awards.

It is impossible to leave out the Wente Vineyards from your tour of the Livermore Valley wineries.  Founded more than 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, with the fourth and fifth generations running their entire operation.  They are BIG in the wine world with 300,000+ cases sold a year, much it exported throughout the world.  It also has the largest number of acres under production in the Valley – 3,000 acres!  As I mentioned above, Wente Vineyards is actually a destination spot in the East Bay.  Not only does it have great wines to taste and buy you will discover world class dining at their restaurant, world class Summer Concert series, and even championship golf at The Course that winds through the vineyards.

So, if you want a fund day or weekend in the Wine Country, head to the Livermore Valley.  CONTACT ME anytime for my personal favorites for a day of tasting.  And, if I am available, I would be glad to be your personal guide.  Until next time…Jim Walberg

Related posts:

1. East Bay Real Estate: 21st Annual Blackhawk Food, Wine & Film Festival!
2. Top East Bay Winery Hits A Home Run With Their Zinfandel!
3. Sully Sullenberger Honored At The Wine For Wheelchairs Ball!

This year’s Italian Street Painters: Alice Crittenden,  Cheryl and Wayne Renshaw,  Hien Nguyen,  Shirley Rhoades and Cece Linayao will create their 12 x 12 ft. masterpieces on Prospect Street’s asphalt canvas while only using chalk as their medium. Watch this year’s artists-in-action beginning early Saturday morning, then come back to see the end result late Sunday afternoon. See festival map for locations & be sure to bring a camera.

While you are in town you will discover one of the finest locations for shopping, fine dining and wine tasting in the Bay Area.  You may want to have lunch or dinner at Piatti’s Restorante, or Esin, to just name two of the world class Danville restaurants.  The Downtown Merchants Association members list is the businesses that line Hartz Avenue and Prospect that will be open during the Town of Danville Art Faire.  Enjoy every moment of your weekend in the town that I have loved and served for the past 40 years.  And, if you want to preview some homes when you are in town CONTACT ME to arrange a convenient appointment.

Related posts:

1. East Bay Real Estate: Danville Is Still Horse Country!
2. East Bay Real Estate: Danville’s “Hot Summer Nights”!
3. East Bay Real Estate – Rumor…Keller Williams-Danville Is Moving!

Related posts:

1. East Bay Annual Event – San Ramon Wind Festival!
2. East Bay Real Estate Agents Support Community Service – All The Time!
3. East Bay Real Estate: Livermore Valley – The Other Wine Country!

The Bay Area has many celebrations scheduled for the next seven days.  Bay Area Discovery Museum hosts its Annual Kwanzaa Celebration today from 10AM to 5PM.  The admission is free.  There are various art projects inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the Museum’s Entry Pavilion.  The African Roots of Jazz will trace African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings in African cultures to today.

There are seven days of celebrations with each day focused on a specific life principle. The seven principles are collectively referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanza is Habari Gani, and the reply is Habari Gani followed by the principle of the day.

• December 26^th – Umoja – Unity
• December 27^th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• December 28^th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
• December 29^th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• December 30^th – Nia – Purpose
• December 31 – Kuumba – Creativity
• January 1^st – Imani – Faith

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa will be hosted at many venues throughout the Bay Area.  Check out the Bay Kwanzaa Blog for updates on the venues. No matter where you are in the Bay Area there will be celebrations all week.  Make sure you find a community of people with whom to celebrate this important traditional experience.  The Kwanzaa principles are ones to integrate into all of our lives each day, not just the last week of December.   Habari Gani!

Related posts:

1. East Bay Kwanzaa Celebrations Begin Today & Ends January 1st!
2. East Bay Kwanzaa Celebrations – December 26th to January 1st!
3. East Bay Kwanzaa Celebrations – The Seventh And Last Day – Imani/ Faith!

So, today I received an email from Lorrie asking if I would help spread the word about a hike they are hosting on July 24^th at Oak Hill Park, in Danville which starts at 9AM and ends at noon.  It is a fund raiser for the Best Buddies – Team Maria event. The hike’s donation is $45 a person or $150 for a family of five. To RSVP send an email to bjibby@deweysquare.com. It will a fun morning of hiking with friends and neighbors as you get the latest updates of what Sully and Lorrie have been doing since he became the “Hero Of The Hudson”. Until next time…I remain on duty as your lifestyle detective in the Bay Area.

Related posts:

1. Sully Sullenberger Honored At The Wine For Wheelchairs Ball!
2. Sully Sullenberger – The World Is Embracing Him As Their Hero!
3. 60 Minutes – In Sully Sullenberger’s Own Words!

“SonRise Equestrian Foundation is a non-profit organization making a positive difference for children and youth living with social, emotional, or physical challenges including terminal illness. Participating children develop confidence, integrity and responsibility through mentoring and peer relationships centered around the care and enjoyment of horses.”I first met Melanie at our Rotary Club’s Tuesday morning weekly breakfast meeting.  She was our presenter that morning and all of us were moved by her story and what the results her program is getting.  That morning we learned that causes of the struggles in some cases of these kids are organic and in others environmental. Regardless of the cause they are helping these kids to transform their lives and to become productive citizens within our community. All of their services to kids is free and funded by donations from people who share their commitment to address the needs of these special kids. Our Rotary Club is now part of their funding team.

At SonRise we believe that strong, loving relationships are a necessary ingredient of a contented heart. We see time and time again, children thrive simply by receiving the unconditional love of a concerned mentor and a special horse. We believe in the necessity of belonging to a nurturing community.

SonRise Equestrian Foundation offers four distinct programs:

• In the Saddle—a one-on-one horseback riding program that teams up one child, one mentor, and one horse 100% of the time. This ensures no hurting child gets lost in a crowd, and keeps our program extremely safe.
• Team Rehab—a working ranch program where children work in teams doing ranch chores and caring for horses in need of rehabilitation.
• Traveling Tails—a miniature horse hospice program which brings minis to children’s hospice care homes to visit children who are near the end of life.
• HorsePlay Day— they offer HorsePlay Days quarterly, where children from their program and those on the waiting list are invited to the ranch for a day of group fun. In these four hours children participate in horse related games, crafts and activities ranging from roping to bareback riding to red/light green/light on horseback.

SonRise also has a program for unwanted or abused horse. When one of these horses is taken in the SonRise staff immediately begins a careful rehabilitation process, which addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of their equine companions. During the rehabilitation period which can last from as little as one month to as long as a year or more, each horse is tested to see if their temperament will allow them to become an “equine angel” that joins the SonRise team as a partner for the in-need and at-risk children enrolled in the horsemanship program.

Finally, SonRise Equestrian Foundation believes that the joy and the love of horses shouldn’t just be for children who can afford them. All children should have the privilege of the healing love that comes from horses.  CONTACT ME for more information on this important project in our East Bay Community.

Related posts:

1. East Bay Real Estate: Wine & Equine Event – Wente Winery Supports SonRise Equestrian!
2. What Does Kenny Loggins, Berkeley Honda, And The Wheelchair Foundation Have In Common?
3. East Bay Equestrian Properties Are Still Thriving! WHY?

An example of how the Bay Area has lead the way from the very beginning of this movement is Save The Bay. Save The Bay was founded in 1961, as “Save San Francisco Bay Association” by three East Bay women who were watching the Bay disappear before their eyes.  Kay Kerr, Sylvia McLaughlin and Esther Gulick set out to stop the City of Berkeley’s plan to double in size by filling in the shallow Bay off-shore. They mobilized thousands of members to stop the project, and their resounding victory was repeated on Bay fill projects around the region.

This first modern grassroots environmental movement in the Bay Area won a revolutionary change – tens of thousands of Save The Bay members forced the State of California to acknowledge that the Bay belonged to the public. Save The Bay won a legislative moratorium against placing fill in the Bay in 1965, the McAteer-Petris Act. The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) was established by the State to plan protection of the Bay, regulate shoreline development, and ensure public access, which at the time was almost non-existent.  (Check out the State Of The Planet report from the United Nations to get an even better awareness of the importance of Earth Day.)

In the East Bay there are two groups that walk the talk of the principles of Earth Day.  Sustainable Lafayette is a network of residents and organizations located in Lafayette, California, about 20 miles east of San Francisco, who are actively sharing ideas and solutions for how to make their homes, businesses, and community more sustainable. Many cities, towns, and counties across the country have created citizen groups to pursue sustainability.  Lafayette’s approach is unique–to grow a “network” of residents who are focused on sharing real world success stories and best practices that will contribute to our community’s sustainability.

“Sustainable” means to live in a way that can be continued indefinitely without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The essence of this is a stable relationship between human activities and the natural world, which does not diminish the prospects for our children and their children to enjoy a quality of life at least as good as our own. This requires that we take no more from the environment then it can replenish, and give no more then it can absorb. In other words, adopting lifestyles that respect and work within the earth’s natural limits and maintain the health of the eco-system that we all depend on.

In Danville two sisters with successful first careers decided to get into the environmental space of fashion – A Lot To Say! PLEASE check out what they have created! Their thought was that for people to spread the eco word with apparel, there had to be something that was hip, interesting, fashionable and wearable.

They came up with a concept for a green t-shirt line that utilized the power of the written word. The message on the apparel was informative and empowered people to do more, even if it were only one small thing a day. They believed this kind of “in me, on me , around me” approach would be successful in educating people on the green space to embrace a new awareness about sustainability and responsibility to the planet.  It was an immediate hit and snagged placement in the gift bags at the Grammys, Sundance and The Image Awards.

They have evolved into the pioneers of the ultimate sustainable, environmental shirt that is an amazingly comfortable fabric made entirely of RECYCLED BOTTLES.  They next discovered a sustainable alternative method of dying other than using water based dyes – these methods is AirDye® technology from Colorep®, a forward thinking company that pioneered this technology that uses NO WATER in the application of color to fabric. That meant almost no water would need to be destroyed in coloring our shirts, thus helping to preserve precious water supplies. ALL of their shirts are made in the USA as part of their mission to keep people in our country working.  All of us can make a difference in our homes, communities and the world.  It just takes a commitment to DO IT!  Let me know the actions you are taking each day to create a sustainable world.

Related posts:

1. Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate Conference Focused On Global Expansion!
2. East Bay Real Estate Community Food Drive!
3. Contra Costa Food Bank – East Bay Real Estate Community To Refill Their Pantry!