August 2014

Q. We installed a new sod lawn three years ago and it’s now in terrible shape. There are bare spots and lots of different weeds and grasses. What can we do to salvage the lawn?

A. Right now I wouldn’t worry about the undesirable grassy weeds and instead concentrate on the broadleaf weeds and the bare spots. Here is why. There are no selective herbicides for seasonal grasses in desirable turf except for Crabgrass. Crabgrass is an annual problem that is not present now as it is when to seed in the fall. It will start to germinate in the next month. If you see a network of wiry brown stems, this is probably Bermuda Grass, which is often referred to as crabgrass. Turflon Ester is the recommended control for Bermuda grass in desirable turf, as the crabgrass controls are ineffective. Bermuda Grass is currently ‘greening up’ from its winter dormancy so you should wait until May or June when it’s activity growing to apply Turflon Ester. For all the other seasonal grasses you’ll have to spot treat them with Round Up or a similar product and then reseed the new bare-spots.

It might be better to live with these grasses, as it could be an endless battle in ridding the turf of them permanently. Today, I’d apply a ‘weed and feed’ type fertilizer if the turf hasn’t been fed this year; otherwise, I’d spray the area with a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds like Dandelions. There are several products available such as Weed-B-Gon, but be careful with any product labeled ‘weed and grass killer.’ Many of them are a non-selective type herbicide and will kill the desirable along with the non-desirable grasses. If you’re not sure, ask the nursery professional for a recommendation. In about three weeks this unwanted weeds should be dead.

Next, review the irrigation system to see if that is part of the problem. The sprinklers should overlap each other one hundred percent so each section of the grass gets the same amount of water. Poor sprinkler placement or coverage is a primary cause for sections of the turf to die thus creating bare spots when the weather turns warm and windy. If you have any low spots this would be a good time to fill them in. You should tamp these areas down so the ground is firm. Now you’re ready to reseed the bare spots.

Since you planted sod, the existing grass is more than likely some type of tall fescue. Scott’s Ez Seed or any one of the many grass seed blends available should blend in nicely. You’ll need to scratch the soil first, sow the seed and then cover it with a thin layer of peat moss or soil conditioner. Depending of the temperatures, you should moisten the seed a two to three times a day until it starts to germinate. Your lawn makeover should take about seven weeks.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

One of the primary missions of the Danville Community Band, (DCB) is commitment to the youth of our local schools in surrounding communities. A major impact of participation in school music reveals that students that study music do better in other academic courses than students who do not study music in school.

Musical involvement improves a student’s self-discipline, dexterity, coordination, self-esteem, leadership skills, listening skills, creative abilities and personal expression. The DCB does not want the lack of a quality band instrument to prevent a deserving student from gaining these benefits.

Danville Community Band Pays it Forward

In 2005, Carol O’Keefe, alto clarinet player in the DCB, conceived the program “Making More Than Music,” a scholarship program that provides new band instruments to deserving students in the Tri-Valley area.
Over the past nine years, the Danville Community Band has donated new band instruments to deserving middle and high school music students. This unique program was shaped by two motivations, O’Keefe explains. “First, the band wants to make a direct contribution to our local communities as a ‘thank you’ for their great support of the DCB. And second, the bands goal is to encourage talented young musicians to continue their involvement in school band music programs.”

Local school band directors are encouraged to nominate a student who loves music, shows promise, commitment and dedication and who may be challenged financially to afford a quality instrument of their own. O’Keefe, who serves as program coordinator, says, “Our hope is that by providing a new instrument we will encourage students to continue their musical efforts and enhance their appreciation and commitment to ongoing musical studies and performance.” A DCB selection committee determines the lucky winners. The students are presented with their new instruments at the Band’s Annual Spring Concert held in June.

Two candidates received new instruments this year: A tenor saxophone was awarded to Michael Antoun, age 12, who will be going into the 8th grade at Los Cerros Middle School in the fall and a flute was awarded to Ryan Walsh, age 15, who will be in the 10th grade at San Ramon Valley High School this fall.

Former Award Recipient

“I can say quite honestly that I don’t think I’d be where I am today had the Danville Community Band not given me a trombone nine years ago, said San Ramon Valley graduate, Julia Gettle.” She joined the DCB shortly after receiving the award and continued to play with them throughout high school. When Gettle was applying to colleges, Bob Calonico, who had taken over the DCB director’s baton during her senior year, encouraged her to join the Cal Band, if she chose to go to UC Berkeley. She was accepted at Cal and while playing in the Cal Band met a number of friends who eventually got her involved in university politics. Gettle later worked with UC’s lobby in Sacramento for a summer, served on several faculty committees on educational policy, ran the finances of a student political party, and served on the Cal Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
“Through these activities I also met people who got me interested in Lebanon and its history, and now I’m winding up a gap year in Beirut before starting my PhD at Brown this fall,” Gettle explained. “None of this would have happened had I not joined the Danville Community Band. Not only did it start the chain of introductions that propelled me into university politics, but playing music with people of diverse ages also got me used to engaging with my elders as peers, which definitely came in handy when having to discuss policy with professors and fellow CAA board members.” Gwen Gettle, Julia’s younger sister, now plays trombone in the DCB.

Making it Happen

This program would not be possible without the consistent, generous contributions of Glenn Roberts, president of Best Instrument Music Company. He has been a long-time supporter of local musicians and music activities including music education in the schools and various local community groups. Roberts provides the instruments below cost, allowing the DCB to afford to maintain this program for young musicians in our surrounding communities

The Danville Community Band, with a membership of over 85-volunteer musicians, is the only band in the Bay Area that is providing no charge instruments to local students. Many who received these new band instruments have gone on to excel in high school and college music programs and in several cases, have also become members of the DCB.

The Band often receives communication back from students commenting on how the timely gift of a new instrument provided the confidence and enablement for expanded school and professional development opportunities that would otherwise have not been possible. To that end, the “Pay it Forward” concept of the DCB program is achieving its desired goals. Thanks to everyone in the San Ramon Valley communities for your continued support of the musical and philanthropic goals of the Danville Community Band.

Many thanks to Carol O’Keefe for her significant contributions to this article and her ideas, development and commitment to this program for the youth of the Tri-Valley Area.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville
Community Band.