Orinda’s #1 News Source! THE ORINDA NEWS Gratis Published by The Orinda Association 12 issues Annually volume 30, number 8 delivered to 9,000 Households and Businesses in orinda August 2015 July 4th instagram Winner Darlene Gee Appointed to City Council By FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER Staff Writer arlene Gee has been selected by the DOrinda City Council to fill the council seat left vacant in May by former Mayor Steve Glazer, who was elected to serve District 7 in the California State Senate. Her term runs through December 2016. Gee, selected from a pool of seven ap- plicants, is a 26-year Orinda resident and is a consulting civil engineer with 23 years of executive level management experience. She is currently chair of the Orinda Citi- contriButed PHoto zens’ Infrastructure Oversight Commission Darlene Gee is orinda's new city councilmember. on which she has served since 2011. Other Orinda civic engagements include partici- maintain fiscal responsibility,” stated Gee pation as co-chair of the Measure L Sales in her council application. “A city the size Tax Campaign and member of the Acalanes of Orinda has limited and fixed sources of Unified High School District Measure E revenue. Maintaining budgets and reserves Oversight Committee. Her stated priorities is critical.” for Orinda include: improvements to roads Gee and the six other candidates attended and drainage infrastructure, balancing com- a July 15, special City Council meeting munity interests in regards to residential at which they had five minutes to make a and community development, maintaining formal presentation and answer Council fiscal responsibility and enhancing public member questions. In attendance was a safety. full capacity crowd, many of whom spoke “I believe the top priority is always to on behalf of and in support of the various rHodA lArner Rhoda Larner took this photo of her husband Adam and their son Noah to win the $100 grand candidates prize. the orinda resident had stiff competition as 276 submissions were made in the orinda As- Two of the seven were former City Coun- sociation's second annual instagram photo contest. Swallows Return cil candidates whose names have appeared on previous ballots: Carlos Baltodano and to Orinda [See GEE page 4] Ongoing Drought Results in Water Rate Hikes, More Surcharges IN THIS ISSUE that went into effect on July 1. By CHARLIE JARRETT News The surcharge will help defray the costs Staff Writer License Plate Readers 5 of purchasing extra water, while the rate Police Blotter 5 alifornia’s prolonged drought and low increases fund ongoing services and invest- Around Town Cwater storage levels, accompanied by ment in the aging infrastructure – including diminishing snowpack, have prompted maintaining and upgrading 4,200 miles of 4th of July 12-13 JoHn eHrenFeld Classic Car Show 2 water officials to sound statewide alarms, existing pipelines in five counties from the Cliff Swallows return to the Bay Area to breed. calling for greater water conservation. Bay Area to the Sierra Crest. Fundraisers 9,21 The East Bay Municipal Water District EBMUD’s proposed budget for 2015 is By ILANA DEBARE Local Organizations 5, 8,14, 18, (EBMUD) declared a Stage 4 drought, $739.5 million: $595.1 million for water Contributing Writer 19, 21 requiring strict conservation measures, rate and $144.4 million for wastewater. The 25 Performing/Visual Arts 10,11, 17 increases for water and wastewater usage, percent surcharge will apply until further f you had just travelled 3,000 miles to Schools/Students 15-16 and a 25 percent surcharge on over-usage notice. Istart a family, you’d be hoping for a Between the Lines 19 EBMUD has set a 2015 goal to reduce secure home and a warm welcome. And Business Buzz 24 water usage by 20 percent as compared to that’s exactly what the Cliff Swallows of Calendar 21 2013 usage. For customers, this generally Wilder Park have received – thanks to new Car Time 7 means using no more than 35 gallons per cooperation between the City of Orinda and Classifi ed 20 person per day indoors. Since conserva- the Golden Gate Audubon Society. Editorial 4 tion alone is not enough, EBMUD is also The two groups teamed up this summer Everyday Changes 22 supplementing normal water supplies with on behalf of about two dozen pairs of Cliff Orinda Association 2 water purchased from additional sources. Swallows that build nests in the eaves of Roving Reporter 6 Currently, all EBMUD’s reservoirs are less the Wilder Park sports field restrooms. Seasoned Shopper 23 than half full. Audubon members Erica Rutherford and Something to Howl About 14 Over the course of the three-year drought, John Colbert have even created educational The Reel Less Traveled 18 Governor Jerry Brown has issued a number flyers and signs to teach Orinda families of water-saving mandates for state and [See SWALLOWS page 20] water agencies. In April of this year, the dAvid dierKs following mandates for individuals were Benny Beutner enthralled youngsters during issued: eBmud’s educational magic show that uses en- tertainment to teach water conservation. [See EBMUD page 6] ecrWss Postal customer customer Postal Permit# 4 Permit# orindA, cA orindA, PAid us PostAGe us non-ProFit 2 n THE ORINDA NEWS n AUGUST 2015 orindA AssociAtion Rotary, CERT and radio club volunteers), The Orinda Association A Message From the OA President all backed by the financial support of gen- the orinda Association is a not-for-profit erous foundations (Orinda Community corporation dedicated to: Enjoy Fourth of July? Become an OA Member! Foundation and Orinda Park & Recreation • maintaining and improving the quality of Foundation) and many business and family life in orinda; sponsors (see the list of all sponsors on page • Promoting awareness and discussion of is- sues that are important to the community; Bill Waterman 12). Our OA members also deserve much of • encouraging and recognizing volunteer ef- the credit here – our membership provides forts to enhance the beauty, character, and he Orinda Association (OA) was proud organized the Haley’s Run for a Reason, additional essential funding needed to security of orinda. Tto organize Orinda’s Fourth of July and Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary served up sustain and improve this wonderful event. parade and celebration for the 32nd year the pancake breakfast. The Community The bottom line is simple: If you love P.o. Box 97 in a row. For the second consecutive year, Center park was the focus of lots of food, this event and want to see the OA con- 26 orinda Way (lower level library) you may have noticed some new things in music and fun: kids’ activities (petting tinue organizing it, please renew your OA orinda, california 94563 the parade: lots of festive decorations on zoo, bounce houses, face painting, balloon membership today. If you aren’t currently Phone: 254-0800 Fax: 254-8312 both sides of Orinda (including six large twisters and crafts booths), food (Orinda a member, please join us – you’ll be glad www.orindaassociation.org balloon arches), amateur and professional Chamber, Baan Thai, Kettle Korn, Loard’s to know your support really makes a differ- musicians and marching bands of all types and Genuine Goodness) and drink (Orinda ence right here in Orinda. Plus, you’ll be oFFicers (Brass Boppers, St. Gabriel’s, Spirit of Rotary and Tabor Sister City). Orinda’s supporting the OA’s other programs – such President Bill Waterman ’29, ALMA Music Studio, East Bay Banjo own band, The Bonafides, provided the as this newspaper (published monthly by vice President: Joe Garvey secretary Alison dew Band, Lamorinda Idol, Peter Pan Founda- entertainment, while local nonprofit groups the OA and mailed to all Orinda residents treasurer cindy Powell tion, Jonas the Bagpiper, Blue Devils C dispensed information and interacted with and businesses), the Seniors Around Town membership Jim luini Corps and Orinda’s Pick Up Marching the public. Even car lovers got in on the ride program for Orinda seniors, and the BoArd memBers Band) and pre-parade music by the Andrew fun via the Classic Car Show. Altogether, OA office and Volunteer Center. Together maura Aars Benzie and EFO bands. it was another really meaningful day for all with you, the OA can continue working to Joe Haughin chris laszcz-davis Before the parade, the local Veterans of us to gather together as a community – improve the quality of life in our lovely tom romaneck of Foreign Wars (VFW) orchestrated something we don’t have the chance to do city. To renew your OA membership or our flag-raising ceremony, Suzanne Tom very often. join the OA is super-easy – just go to www. So how does this all happen? Only orindaassociation.org and, in a few minutes through the teamwork of many dedicated you can become an OA member! On behalf OA volunteers, various community groups of the OA board, office staff and volunteers, (such as the Orinda Chamber and Orinda thanks so much for your support! Cobras Invade Classic Car Show Jill Gelster Drew Serb’s CSX2357 Dragonsnake, one of two original factory cobras made specifically for drag racing, is on display at cobra experience. By DAVID DIERKS Cobra Experience – a non-profit museum Assistant Editor in Martinez dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of the cars he Orinda Classic Car Show on Sept. produced by Shelby American – is spon- T12 marks its 11th anniversary with soring the Cobras’ participation. “For the a wonderful display of original Shelby Car Show at 1 p.m., seven original Shelby Cobras. “The Cobras will be part of a Cobras are going to drive in as a special special display of Cobras, Woodies and rolling exhibit,” said Herman.