Lamorinda Weekly Issue 18 Volume 10

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Wednesday, November 2, 2016 • Vol. 10 Issue 18 uniquely curated beautifully styled

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Photo Andy Scheck Celebrating 10 Years of the Crosses By Michael Lupacchino t’s become part of the Lamorinda landcape: the collection speeches and poems reflecting on the memorial and its history saw potential in the hillside situated across from the BART of white crosses on a hillside in Lafayette. Known as The in Lafayette. All are welcome to attend. station and Highway 24. ICrosses of Lafayette, the memorial was erected 10 years Although the memorial was created as a peaceful protest “I was frustrated with the war,” he said. “I had been ago to recognize American service members who were killed against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the hillside of crosses protesting in San Francisco with thousands of others, and I in Iraq and Afghanistan. has dealt with its fair share of controversy. wanted to do something. The idea came from the World War In honor of the 10th anniversary of this unique and pow- The plot of land running along Deer Hill Road is owned II movies I watched as a kid which showed fields of crosses, erful landmark, there will be a special event at the crosses by the Clark family. In 2003, Jeff Heaton, a longtime resident as mass graves for fallen soldiers.” The Clark family agreed this Veterans Day, at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. With special of Lafayette and family friend of Louise and Johnson Clark, and in 2003, fifteen crosses were placed on the land, and were guest Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, the event will feature inquired about setting up a memorial on their property. He quickly removed by vandals. ... continued on page A16 Advertising Exquisite Country Club Glorietta Estate Sun Filled Contemporary

Letters to the Editor A13 Community Service B4 Not to be Missed B8-B9 HOW TO CONTACT US B9 Classified C2 Offered at $1,875,000 Offered at $4,250,000 Offered at $880,000 www.16lacintilla.com www.25rusticway.com www.18juniperdrive.com Shop Orinda C4

CalBRE#01272382 Laura Abrams (925) 253-4611 www.lauraabrams.com Lamorinda Seniors Face Disparity in Parcel Taxes By Nick Marnell he four Lamorinda school districts treat residents aged able to all senior homeowners, without any proof of income. original ballot measure, but that the latest parcel tax commit- T65 and over inconsistently when they apply for the senior Because all residents 65 and over are eligible for the par- tee wanted to ensure there was consistency between the taxes parcel tax exemption on their owned and occupied Lamorinda cel tax exemption, AUHSD does not require seniors to proof 2004 and 2014. “It was maintaining a system that was in residence. vide a copy of their federal tax return, and does not require place,” Burns said. The Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda and Acalanes school them to reapply with the district every year. Seniors need pro- From the latest information supplied by each district, districts use revenue from parcel taxes to augment funding vide only once a proof of age and a proof of residence. “We AUHSD recognizes a total of 40,603 taxable parcels of which from the state, parent clubs and education foundations to sup- wanted to make it as simple as we could for our seniors,” said 5,242 qualify for the senior exemption. For LSD, 10,284 par- port district operations. Parcel taxes levied annually by the Julie Bautista, AUHSD chief business official. cels, 1,666 senior exemptions. OUSD, 7,865 and 78; MSD Moraga School District total $517; Lafayette School District, A similar procedure is followed by the LSD, but the dis- 5,935 and 52. $563; Orinda Union School District, $509; and Acalanes trict also requires a copy of a utility bill. “Once your applica- In a typical year, Lamorindans pay more than $21 million Union High School District, $301. tion is accepted you will NOT need to reapply in subsequent in parcel taxes to the four local school districts. Seniors who own and occupy their residence can be ex- years, provided your ownership and residence remains un- empt from paying the parcel taxes, but qualifying for that se- changed” is underlined at the bottom of the exemption form. nior exemption is easier in some districts than in others. Dr. Carolyn Seaton was not around when the parcel tax Election 2016 According to district documents, MSD and OUSD al- language was written, but the new superintendent of OUSD This issue we take a look at three controversial items low the senior exemption only for seniors who are members gave her opinion on the district’s senior exemption restric- on the Nov. 8 ballot: BART, marijuana and Measure C. of a “very low income household,” defined as a household tions. “In my experience, residents, including senior citizens, On page A9, writer Nick Marnell examines Measure that does not exceed 50 percent of the area median income. are often supportive of a local school parcel tax because they RR, the $3.5 billion bond BART is seeking to improve OUSD lists that median figure for a two-person household believe strong local public schools are an investment in their and update its service. as $52,650 on its 2016-17 exemption form, while MSD uses community and help maintain their property values. In the On page A11, Marnell takes a glimpse at how $39,000. short time that I have been in Orinda, I have observed the full everyday Lamorindans view Proposition 64, which would So in order to qualify for the exemption, OUSD and MSD school community, including our businesses, local agencies legalize pot for adults age 21 and over in the state. seniors must fill out the exemption form every year, attach a and our residents, to be extremely supportive of our schools,” And on page A12, we offer up a Pro/Con on portion of their federal tax return and supply a copy of their Seaton said. Lafayette’s volatile sales tax, Measure C. property tax bill and proof of age. The OUSD deadline for The MSD parcel tax language preceded Bruce Burns, Look for a wrap-up of local election results in the Nov. submission is June 15 each year; MSD allows until July 15. district superintendent, who said that he does not know why 16 issue of the Lamorinda Weekly. By contrast, the AUHSD and LSD exemptions are avail- the very low income household qualification was used in the

Civic News A1-A16 Life in Lamorinda B1-B10 Sports C1-C4 Our Homes D1-D12 Lafayette scrambles to find SMC Local football “Founding new city offices – page A2. delivers a teams gear Gardeners” winning up for post- pay a visit to Fire Districts A8 “Twelfth season - page local garden Night” – C3. club – MOFD doesn’t take up tax page B1. page D1. group concerns – page A8. Lafayette Police Blotter

Page: A2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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Public Meetings ¦£¤£¤ျၿၽၺ¤¡®£ထŴ ¦£¤£¤ျၹၻႁၸ¯ထŴ City Council 3UHPLXPSDQFDNHÁDWDFUHORWZLWKSODQVDSSURYHG Beautifully remodeled and expanded 4BR/2.5BA, WKURXJK'HVLJQ5HYLHZWREXLOGDFXVWRP%5%$ 2800± sq. ft. charmer on a fully enclosed .38± acre corner Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. 5354± sq. ft. home in the heart of Burton Valley. lot in the Reliez Valley steps to schools and recreation. Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. KīĞƌĞĚĂƚΨϭ͕ϯϱϬ͕ϬϬϬͻϳϱϮ^ĂŝŶƚDĂƌǇƐZŽĂĚ͘ĐŽŵ KīĞƌĞĚĂƚΨϭ͕ϲϵϬ͕ϬϬϬͻϭϯϵϬZĞůŝĞǌsĂůůĞǇZŽĂĚ͘ĐŽŵ Planning Commission Dana Green Dana Green 925.339.1918 925.339.1918 Monday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. License #: 01482454 License #: 01482454 Lafayette Library & Learning Center, License #: 01866771 DanaGreenTeam.com License #: 01866771 DanaGreenTeam.com Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Design Review Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Loss of Lease Sends Lafayette Scrambling for City Office Space Arts & Science Discovery Center, By Victor Ryerson 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. four parking spaces at the current functions are now inseparable as a School Board Meetings site to electric vehicle charging practical matter, because they share Acalanes Union High School District stations, two for city use and two a technology hardware and soft- Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. to share with the general public. ware platform (“telephones, serv- AUHSD Board Room 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette Blomstrand informed Falk that the ers, integrated copy systems, GIS www.acalanes.k12.ca.us request could not be considered systems, emergency radio systems Lafayette School District because growth of the police de- and antennae, etc.,” according to Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. partment over the years had con- the city’s staff report), that requires Regular Board Meeting tributed to a shortage of available co-location of the two city offices. District Office Board Room parking at Desco Plaza. In fact, he Consequently, the city has deter- 3477 School St., Lafayette pointed out (and Falk agrees), the mined that it must move its entire www.lafsd.k12.ca.us current situation does not comply operation elsewhere, and the land- Check online for agendas, meeting with the requirements of the city’s lord says it will not prepare a lease notes and announcements A Lafayette Police Department cruiser, haphazardly parked, takes up two own per-square foot standard, renewal for the city, but will offer City of Lafayette: spaces. Photo V. Ryerson which would provide 10 spaces for the 9,000 square foot space on the www.ci.lafayette.ca.us n a development that Lafayette one in a city short of appropriate police department use; current us- open office market. Phone: (925) 284-1968 ICity Manager Steve Falk told the space, and the options being consid- age is estimated to be between 20 The city once separated the Chamber of Commerce: city council “was not only predict- ered include placement of portable and 30 spaces more than that, and two activities, but it simply did not www.lafayettechamber.org able, but … was predicted,” the city trailers on one of the few available the department is even parking its work. “Our experience during that and police department must move sites near downtown, and even mov- ATV in a planter area and its mo- time was that coordination between from their current Desco Plaza of- ing the offices outside the city limits. torcycles on walkways. administrative staff and the police fice complex to a new location in a Although the crisis has been The city’s lease will expire on department suffered; there was less mere eight months. brewing for years, it came to a head June 30. The landlord is willing communication between managers; With absolutely no prospect of on Oct. 19, when Falk met with to renew the lease for the city’s there was poorer oversight of the … building its own facility, the city is Curt Blomstrand, managing gen- administrative offices on the site, most important and costly services” scrambling to find at least a short- eral partner of owner Gray Horse but not for the entire police depart- and other problems, the staff report Lafayette Police term home. The task is not an easy Investors, to discuss converting ment. The problem is that the two says. ... continued on page A8 Department Incident Summary Report Lamorinda Limelight Oct. 2 - Oct. 15 Alarms 95 911 Calls (incl hang-ups) 16 Principal Travis Bell Takes the Helm at Acalanes High School Noise complaints 10 By A.K. Carroll Traffic stops 76 or eight years, Travis Bell Dougherty Valley High School, how that would effect the campus Suspicious Circumstances 16 Fspent his summers driving where he taught English and environment. It was much more Suspicious Subjects 20 a houseboat on Lake Shasta and leadership, a class that altered his school-wide focused.” Suspicious Vehicles 26 the Sacramento River Delta. It career. When Bell decided to pursue Abandoned Vehicle provided a laid-back environ- “I had to see a bigger picture a master’s degree in education 3600 Block Walnut St. ment in which to connect with the than just my classroom,” Bell administration and leadership, Sweet Rd./El Curtola Blvd. students of Sonshine Ministries said of overseeing leadership. it was a natural extension of his 800 Block Revere Rd. 3200 Block Ortega Ave. summer camps. In some respects, “To navigate the lens of a school passion for the subject. 3400 Block Moraga Blvd. his role on the houseboat reflect- culture and climate, decide what ... continued on page A8 Ortega Ave./Circle Creek Dr. ed Bell’s role in the classroom at the class would do, and discern Animal Cruelty 3400 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. Travis Bell Lamorinda Weekly archive Mt. Diablo Blvd./Carol Ln. VOTE “NO” ON LAFAYETTE SALES TAX MEASURE C Auto Burglary Lafayette PD 3200 Block Elvia St. 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. East Bay Times Editorial agrees with us, says “No” to Measure C – September 21, 2016 Juvenile Disturbance 1000 Block Carol Ln. “too much for one bite..Worse, the increase would last 29 years, 1000 Block Brown Ave. 900 Block East St. a ridiculously long time for a tax that could be used for any government purpose.” 1000 Block Brown Ave. Silverado Dr./Indian Way 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lost Property The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, which supported the Lafayette School District fa- 200 Block Lafayette Cr. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. cilities bond last June, has expressed concerns about “transparency and accountability” and 3500 Block Brook St. Misc Burglary does not endorse Measure C Happy Valley Rd./Deer Hill Rd. 1200 Block Pleasant Hill Rd. 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3300 Block Springhill Rd. • It’s a $100 Million blank check, because the City is not obligated to spend the money on Battery Missing Adult any of the six items listed in Measure C 1200 Block Pleasant Hill Rd. 900 Block S Thompson Rd. • The City removed the language about its real intentions for the money - a new $26.25 Civil Disturbance Missing Juvenile Million “civic building ...could cause some voters to vote No on the measure” 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3300 Block Mildred Ln. (City memo July 11, 2016) 3600 Block Deerhill Rd. Panhandling • More taxes are not needed to fund any of the six items in Measure C Disturbing The Peace Safeway • All the money raised will not stay in Lafayette – as much as $40M in interest and loan fees 10 Block Topper Ct Petty Theft will go out of Lafayette Drunk In Public 3400 Block Block School St. • Even if Measure C fails, the City has a great deal of cash available, its coffers are growing and we 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. can always pursue a better, transparent sales tax increase of up to 1%, if needed, in the future Golden Gate Way/1st St. 1100 Block Rahara Dr. • This is the same administration that took away our right to vote on a major land project, is Embezzelment 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. being investigated for wrongdoing by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, has 1000 Block Carol Ln. 1000 Block Leland Dr. already had one City Commissioner fined by the State and is not consistently enforcing its Fire/Ems Response Public Nuisance own General Plan and Ordinances. 10 Block Fiesta Ln. 20 Block Lafayette Cr. 1100 Block Glen Rd. 1200 Block El Curtola Blvd. Vote NO on Measure C, the Sales Tax Increase Proposal for Lafayette! 3200 Block Mt. Diablo Ct 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. If passed, the increase in the sales tax would raise about $3 million annually Fireworks 1100 Block Glen Rd. and would be for a 29-year period, or over $100 million in total dollars. Acalanes Rd./Coralee Ln. Moraga Blvd./Carol Ln. In recent years our City administration has repeatedly failed to significantly protect or Found Property Reckless Driving improve most of the six items in Measure C, despite having funds available. Miller Dr./Brown Ave. Mt. Diablo Blvd./Village Center 10 Block Brookwood Ct Mt. Diablo Blvd./Oak Hill Rd. Measure C DOES NOT LEGALLY REQUIRE the City to spend any of the money from Grand Theft Reliez Valley Rd./Withers Ave. Measure C on these six items nor prevent the City from undertaking a major borrow- 3800 Block Happy Valley Rd. Pleasant Hill Rd./Reliez Valley Rd. ing, paying $Millions in interest to out-of-town lenders, or acquiring and building the H&S Violation Castello Rd./Camino Colorados new civic building shown on the City’s July 11 plans and which the city estimates will Golden Gate Way/1st St. Moraga Blvd./4th St. cost $26,250,000 plus interest. On October 20 the city manager announced the intent to Pleasant Hill Cr./Acalanes Ave. Mt. Diablo Blvd./Dolores Dr. relocate the city offices and police to a new unified location. Harassment 3400 Block Hamlin Rd. 500 Block St. Mary’s Rd. Residential Burglary 3300 Block Helen Ln. 1200 Block El Curtola Blvd. GUY ATWOOD PETER K. CLARK Hit And Run Misdemeanor Shoplift FORMER LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE RESIDENT Moraga Rd./School St. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. PLANNING COMMISSIONER AND CITIZEN OF THE YEAR SUSAN CANDELL Mt. Diablo Blvd./Dolores Dr. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. LAFAYETTE RESIDENT 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. SCOTT SOMMER Pleasant Hill Rd./Wb Sr 24 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. FORMER LAFAYETTE CHAD FOLLMER Reliez Station Rd./Glenside Dr. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT LAFAYETTE RESIDENT 3500 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. 3600 Block Mt. Diablo Blvd. Identity Theft Threats Paid for by Save Lafayette # C3814447 www.savelafayette.org 3900 Block Rancho Rd. 3300 Block Mildred Ln. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A3 Student Makes a Splash With Fall Market in Lamorinda! Res Run Tee-shirt Design 24.6 Coming Acres! Soon!

1161 Larch Avenue, Moraga 463 Fernwood Drive, Moraga This year’s Res Run tee-shirt design. Photo Holly Sonne Former MTSC site; 4 lot subdivi- Fantastic updated Rheem Valley sion plans or estate compound Manor home on a great .52 ac. e didn’t even need to run yet Acalanes Instructor Susan Lane possible. Very private! Call for showing. level lot w/ views & pool. 2443 sqft, 4 Br, 2 Ba. to be a winner. At center, and Lafayette Chamber’s Execu- H $2,800,000$2,800,000 www.1161LarchAve.com $1,495,000 www.463FernwoodFernwood DrDr.com.com Acalanes student Nicolas Davidson tive Director Jay Lifson. This is the Sanders is the student digital artist whose fourth year Acalanes students have Timeless! design was chosen to grace the designed the artwork for the run. Ranch! tee-shirts of the 2016 Reservoir — P. Spear Run. He is pictured with, from left, Lafayette BART to get Solar Panels ocal BART director Gail Mur- Although there will be some clo- Lray reported to the council that sures while the work is being per- solar panel arrays will be installed formed, no parking spaces will be over two of the four Lafayette lost as a result of the construction. BART station parking lots, cover- One byproduct of the work is that ing 400 to 500 spaces. The work water that now drains into Happy will be performed by Solar City. Valley Creek will be captured and 15 Merrill Drive, Moraga 3 Crockett Drive, Moraga Installation is expected to begin kept on the BART station property. Beautiful Georgian Colonial home Wonderful updated Sanders in December and be finished by Council Member Don Tatzin with striking curb appeal. 4525 Ranch home with pool and spa. March 2017. Currently, the only suggested that BART consider re- sqft, 5 Br, 4.5 Ba. Gorgeous kitchen. In-law. 3730 sqft, 4 Br, 3 Ba plus nice office. station with a large solar panel in- serving the parking spaces closest to $2,595,000 www.15MerrillDr.com $2,099,000 www.3CrockettDr.com stallation is Warm Springs, which the station for the use of carpoolers. has not yet opened. — V. Ryerson Parklet to be Removed ne of two parklets installed in public safety and aesthetics. The Oa pilot program to test pub- second parklet at the corner of Mt. lic response will be removed after Diablo Boulevard and Mountain the program ends on Nov. 1. The View Avenue was better received, council allocated funds from the and will remain for now with some 925 254-3030 www.Orinda.com city’s budget to remove the par- weatherproofing added for the Lafayette • Moraga • Orinda klet on Mt. Diablo Boulevard in rainy season. Cal BRE 1221247 front of Amarin Thai and El Jarro The council will determine ©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are restaurants because survey results whether to install permanent park- independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304. indicated that there were concerns lets in Lafayette at a later time. about adverse impacts on parking, — V. Ryerson

Our endorsers POSITIVELY support Measure C!

KristinKristin Connelly, Connelly, Lafayette Lafayette Library Library Foundation Foundation CathyCathy and and Fred Fred Abbott Abbott PatPat Falcone Falcone BobBob Mark Mark SteveSteve Cortese, Cortese, 2005 2005 Businessperson Businessperson of theof the Year Year JuliaJulia Ackley Ackley PaulPaul and and Glenda Glenda DickDick and and Kathy Kathy Marshall Marshall MarechalMarechal Duncan, Duncan, 2015 2015 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year BrianBrian Aiello Aiello FillingerFillinger LoriLori and and Dan Dan McAdams McAdams RogerRoger Falcone, Falcone, Frmr Frmr Lafayette Lafayette School School Board Board Member Member Sharon Sharon Anduri Anduri BrianBrian and and Teri Teri Fournier Fournier RobertaRoberta McCoy McCoy LafayetteLafayette Chamber Chamber of Commerceof Commerce NancyNancy Falk, Falk, Past Past President, President, LPIE LPIE / LASF / LASF ForrestForrest Arakawa Arakawa TammyTammy Gaylord Gaylord KathyKathy Merchant Merchant CandaceCandace Anderson, Anderson, Contra Contra Costa Costa County County Supervisor Supervisor DennisDennis Garrison, Garrison, President, President, Chamber Chamber of Commerceof Commerce NicoleNicole Arakawa Arakawa JeffJeff Gilman Gilman CherylCheryl Noll Noll MarkMark Mitchell, Mitchell, Mayor Mayor of Lafayetteof Lafayette TeresaTeresa Gerringer, Gerringer, Member, Member, Lafayette Lafayette School School Board Board RuthRuth Bailey Bailey JuliaJulia Goddard Goddard DanielDaniel Oxenburgh Oxenburgh MikeMike Anderson, Anderson, Vice-Mayor Vice-Mayor of Lafayetteof Lafayette SethSeth Hamalian, Hamalian, Pres., Pres., Lafayette Lafayette Library Library Foundation Foundation DonDon and and Joan Joan Beerline Beerline DanaDana Green Green JessicaJessica Oxenburgh Oxenburgh BrandtBrandt Andersson, Andersson, City Ci Councilty Council Member Member LynnLynn Hiden, Hiden, Circulation Circulation Commissioner Commissioner SallySally Bellenger Bellenger MarshallMarshall Grodin Grodin JamesJames Poole Poole TraciTraci Reilly, Reilly, City City Council Council Member Member AlisonAlison Hill, Hill, Parks, Parks, Trails, Trails, and and Recreation Recreation Commissioner Commissioner KarenKaren Blodgett Blodgett MikeMike Heller Heller CarolCarol Reif Reif DonDon Tatzin, Tatzin, City City Council Council Member Member JulieJulie Hurd, Hurd, 2014 2014 Stanley Stanley PTA PTA President President DanDan Bosshart Bosshart MarkMark and and Lissa Lissa Heptig Heptig EllenEllen Reintjes Reintjes CarlCarl Anduri, Anduri, Past Past Mayor Mayor of Lafayetteof Lafayette MauriceMaurice Levich, Levich, 2007 2007 Businessperson Businessperson of theof the Year Year ArneArne Brock-Utne Brock-Utne DaveDave Hiden Hiden DinoDino Riggio Riggio CarolCarol Federighi, Federighi, Past Past Mayor Mayor of Lafayetteof Lafayette BuddBudd MacKenzie, MacKenzie, 2004 2004 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year CathyCathy Challacombe Challacombe BillBill Hoisington Hoisington VirginiaVirginia Rogers Rogers AnneAnne Grodin, Grodin, Past Past Mayor, Mayor, 1999 1999 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year KarenKaren Maggio, Maggio, Former Former Planning Planning Commissioner Commissioner LarryLarry Challacombe Challacombe MaryMary Ann Ann Hoisington Hoisington RogerRoger and and Jeane Jeane Samuelsen Samuelsen ErlingErling Horn, Horn, Past Past Mayor Mayor of Lafayetteof Lafayette MaryMary McCosker, McCosker, Former Former Laf. Laf. School School Board Board Member Member MattMatt Chaney Chaney RobinRobin and and Dick Dick Holt Holt ToddTodd Skinner Skinner AnnAnn Appert, Appert, Former Former Lafayette Lafayette School School Board Board Member Member ToniToni McShane, McShane, 2014 2014 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year ReneeRenee Chow Chow PatPat Horn Horn GlennGlenn Smith Smith JeanneJeanne Ateljevich, Ateljevich, Planning Planning Commissioner Commissioner MeredithMeredith Meade, Meade, 2015-16 2015-16 LPIE LPIE President President ConnieConnie Collier Collier AnneAnne Jacobberger Jacobberger JimJim and and Amy Amy Smith Smith GeoffGeoff Bellenger, Bellenger, Parks, Parks, Trails, Trails, and and Rec. Rec. Commissioner Commissioner Karen Karen Mulvaney, Mulvaney, 2011 2011 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year ChrisChris and and Dean Dean Coons Coons DonDon and and Linda Linda Jenkins Jenkins VirginiaVirginia Steuber Steuber LarryLarry Blodgett, Blodgett, 2008 2008 Businessperson Businessperson of theof the Year Year TomTom Mulvaney, Mulvaney, Former Former AUHSD AUHSD Board Board Member Member GraceGrace Dixon Dixon JennyJenny Kallio Kallio RobRob Sturm Sturm CameronCameron Burks, Burks, Chair, Chair, Crime Crime Prevention Prevention Commission Commission SuzySuzy Pak, Pak, Member, Member, Lafayette Lafayette School School Board Board BobBob and and Cheryl Cheryl Doud Doud JerryJerry and and Lola Lola Kent Kent JanetJanet Thomas Thomas CaityCaity Meaney Meaney Burrows, Burrows, Lafayette Lafayette Library Library Foundation Foundation Caesar Caesar Perales, Perales, Treasurer, Treasurer, Chamber Chamber of Commerceof Commerce JoeJoe and and Cindy Cindy Dougherty Dougherty JohnJohn Kiefer Kiefer RamsayRamsay Thomas Thomas JudyJudy Carney, Carney, 2009 2009 Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year CarolCarol Singer, Singer, Parks, Parks, Trails, Trails, and and Rec. Rec. Commissioner Commissioner BenBen Douglas Douglas JohnJohn and and Gwenn Gwenn Lennox Lennox Arliss Arliss Ungar Ungar TomTom Chastain, Chastain, Plann Planninging Commissioner Commissioner TomTom Steuber, Steuber, 2016 2016 Lafayette Lafayette Citizen Citizen of theof the Year Year DorisDoris Duncan Duncan JeffJeff and and Lisa Lisa Lindgren Lindgren DougDoug and and Suzanne Suzanne Warrick Warrick SeretaSereta Churchill, Churchill, 2000 2000 Busine Businesspersonssperson of theof the Year Year KristinaKristina Sturm, Sturm, Chair, Chair, Circulation Circulation Commission Commission DennisDennis Erokan Erokan TimTim Lynch Lynch HeidiHeidi Yodowitz Yodowitz JohnJohn Coleman, Coleman, EBMUD EBMUD Director Director RichardRichard Whitmore, Whitmore, President, President, AUHSD AUHSD Board Board NormaNorma Evans Evans DanDan and and Lori Lori McAdams McAdams MikeMike Zampa Zampa Moraga Police Blotter

Page: A4 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Planning Commission Takes First Pass at Hillside Regulations By Sophie Braccini illside and ridgeline protec- Open Space Ordinance, MOSO, ed in the MOSO initiative. The rule development. The committee rec- Htion is the second most impor- that protects some of the undevel- is that in open space areas of high ommended using the General Plan tant public policy topic for Moraga oped areas of Moraga. The open risk (history of soil slippage, slope definition consistently across all Moraga residents, just after rapid response space map was created without grade, accessibility and drainage) regulations. to 911 calls, according to a recent the use of a Geographic Informa- the maximum development density • The fifth issue regards Public Meetings survey. So reviewing the rules that tion System (GIS). Over the years, be one unit per 20 acres. The issue the hillside development permit City Council regulate development on those be- some discrepancies appeared be- is that when applicants have sub- (HDP). This permit is a docu- Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. loved and pristine features is a pro- tween the original map and the mitted a geological study of their ment that predates the adoption of Council Chambers and Community cess taken with the utmost care by town zoning map. The committee’s parcel, the result does not match MOSO and other more detailed Meeting Room, 335 Rheem Blvd. civic leaders and residents alike. recommendation was the adop- the determination made in MOSO. regulation. Does the town still need After two years of work that tion of a single map that would The committee supported the cre- an HDP as a separate document? Planning Commission included several public meetings, align with the boundaries of exist- ation of a new map that was pre- The committee recommended to Monday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. a steering committee drafted pro- ing private properties, which was pared using a GIS and added that maintain but improve the HDP to Council Chambers and Community Meeting Room, 335 Rheem Blvd. posed amendments to standardize not always the case in the original when applicants are requesting a make sure that all projects on hill- and sometimes amend the rules MOSO map. final determination of high risk sta- sides are specifically analyzed. Design Review across the different regulatory doc- • The second issue is the tus they should use as the basis for • The sixth issue addresses the Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. uments that drive the development MOSO ridgeline map that also this request the same methodology. non-MOSO ridgelines definition Council Chambers and Community Meeting Room, 335 Rheem Blvd. process. The next phase is now for presents inconsistencies over dif- • The fourth issue regards the and regulation. MOSO lists and the planning commission to review ferent town’s regulatory docu- definition of the term development. protects a number of ridgelines School Board Meetings the committee’s recommendations ments. In particular, a portion of The General Plan and the MOSO in town, but there is no standard Moraga School District and transmit the document to the Indian Ridge (undeveloped land guidelines (rules developed after rule to define if a piece of land Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. town council with their sugges- above the country club toward the adoption of MOSO to imple- not included in MOSO is a signifi- Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School tions. Canyon) is considered a minor ment it) define development as cant ridgeline requiring protection Auditorium 1010 Camino Pablo, Moraga The steering committee iden- ridge while the rest is designated much more than just the erection of from development: should it be www.moraga.k12.ca.us tified 10 key issues and proposed as major. The committee recom- structures. For example it includes based solely on elevation, or on See also AUHSD meeting page A2 some changes of the rules. mended labeling the entire ridge as the placement, discharge or dis- its visibility from the scenic corri- Check online for agendas, meeting • The first issue is the MOSO a major ridgeline. posal of any material, or grading. dors, or on its visibility from roads notes and announcements open space map. In 1986 Moraga • The third issue pertains to the The MOSO ordinance itself does and trails? Town of Moraga: residents approved the Moraga high risk area map that was includ- not include a definition of the term ... continued on page A11 www.moraga.ca.us Phone: (925) 888-7022 After Sinkhole, Town Looks at Storm Drain Repairs Chamber of Commerce: By Sophie Braccini www.moragachamber.org Moraga Citizens’ Network: es, Moraga public works di- storm drain study during the sum- many different ways to fund the Anderson from Schaaf & Wheel- www.moragacitizensnetwork.org Yrector Edric Kwan was right mer of 2015 the council adopted needed maintenance. Another er, is making sure that culvert when he said that the rainy sea- it, but noted that they did not sales tax, comparable to Measure patching is holding. son starts on Oct. 15. Actually, it have the money to start repairs. K that permitted to repave many No permanent repair will be Moraga started just a day early, on Oct. The report had identified the area neighborhood roads, a parcel tax attempted at the sinkhole until Police 14, but his team had done what that failed in the form of the in- such as the one on the ballot now next year and drier times. Report needed to be done and the Mora- famous sinkhole. Kwan says that for the school district’s delayed ga sinkhole at Rheem Boulevard the cost of repair prior to failure maintenance bill, or the creation Rheem Blvd Closed Sept. 27 - Oct. 4 and Moraga Road was ready to would have been $1.7 million, a of a storm drain utility district are from Nov. 7 to Nov. 10 Sept. 28: Love your neighbor as endure the wrath of Mother Na- cost that more than doubled as a all funding possibilities. To accommodate PG&E’s work yourself? ture. result of the hole. It has been a Kwan adds that whatever the in permanently rerouting a gas Corte Granada neighbor was So far, the preparation work town goal to find a way to fund recommendation will be, they line, the intersection at Rheem unhappy when a neighbor “with has protected the infrastructure the repairs and Kwan is bringing should be required o base it on a Boulevard and Moraga Road issues” walked onto his property from further catastrophe. And to council on Nov. 9 a proposal to defined methodology. will be closed to traffic on a few to peer into his backyard. the director sees past his cur- conduct a drain funding feasibil- In the meantime, the prepara- occasions this week, weather rent sinkhole problem and wants ity study. tion for winter storms planned at Sept. 30: Stolen Vehicle dependent, starting on Nov. 3 for to find ways to address the deep The director explains that a the sinkhole has been effective so Reported on Miramonte Drive. three days. Residents and shop- backlog of storm drain issues, consultant will look at available far. Run-offs are being diverted Car was entered into the Stolen pers will be invited to detour with the crux of the matter find- documents, such as the storm from the hole, and inside the cul- Vehicle System registry. through the shopping centers on ing the $23 million needed to re- drain master plan, the revenue vert the repairs are holding. It is both sides of Rheem Boulevard Sept. 30: What the #@$%?? pair Moraga storm drains before enhancement committee report a big creek that can go down that and along Moraga Road. — S. A Moraga driver was less than the grounds fail under Moragans’ and interview key players, to drain if rains get intense, but it is Bracchini thrilled to find a flyer containing feet. understand the town culture and not an El Niño year and Kwan offensive language on his When Kwan presented a profile. Kwan says that there are says that the town engineer, Glen windshield. Police said similar fliers were discovered at Orinda He thinks it is escalating. and Lafayette BART parking lots. Oct 7: A woman was battered by Sept. 30: Loud and Unruly her date. He was arrested, taken to Local Knowledge... A loud party at an Ascot Drive the police department and released. apartment complex earned the An emergency protective order Extraordinary Results residents a warning and cancelled was issued on behalf of the woman. the party-goers’ fun. Info was forward to the DA’s office. Oct. 1: At the Sound of My Loud Party: Voice… Oct. 9: Police dispersed 20 loud Concierge Real Estate Services Is Karaoke a civil offense? Depends partygoers at a Miramonte Drive upon how loud it is. An anonymous residence. Hosts received a warning call alerted police to a party being notice; no further action. Combined 40+ years of unparalleled service hosted for a 16-year-old. His Media threats Representing buyers & sellers inn LamorLamorinda mother received a warning notice, Oct. 6: Alleged social media and agreed they should lower the threats at Campolindo High School Trend setting marketingg customized for eache home decibel level. At least no one was were unfounded. carted off to Sing-Sing. Public drunkenness Committed to helpingelping you achieve your goalsgoa Oct 2: Not the Safest Way Oct 10: A pugilistic imbiber made A Moraga shopper learned the it easy for police when he raised hard way never to leave her purse fisticuffs near Moraga police unattended in a shopping cart. department. Round one went to While she was comparing apples police, as they transported him to to oranges, someone else checked Martinez Detention Facility. out...her purse. The thief got away BernieBernie & Ryerson TeamTTeam with the whole enchilada – cash, Sexual Assault credit cards and checkbook. Police Oct 10: Police are investigating were notified. Victim was advised a rape report from a mandated to cancel her cards and watch for reporter. ID theft. Traffic collisions: Alarm responses: Oct. 7: St. Mary’s Road/St. Mary’s Sept 29: Greenfield Drive Parkway. No injuries Are you consideringering selling your hohome?me? Oct 5: Claudia Court Oct. 11: St. Mary’s Road/St. Mary’s Oct 6: Rheem Blvd. Parkway. Again, no injuries. Date unlisted: Larch Ave. Oct. 11: Hit & run, Moraga Rd. If so, please give us a calll for assistance. WWee wwould be happy minor damage. Oct 9: Whitethorn Dr. to provide you with a complimentaryplimentary mmarketa analysis of your Oct 10: Moraga Rd. Vandalism home’s value, as well as a comprehensivecomp marketing plan Domestic Oct. 6: Vandals sprayed the walls Sept 27: of Rheem Shopping Center, leaving detailing how to get you the highest sale price in today’s market! An area doctor notified Moraga nothing behind but the spray cans. police of suspected domestic Vehicle Theft

violence. Police advised the victim Sept. 30: Car manual, phone Bernie & Ryerson Team to call if the suspect returned. charger and FasTrak transponder 925.200.2222 or 925.878.9685 Oct 5. A woman called police when taken. [email protected] her husband pushed her during a Oct 4: Ascot Drive: Items valued at [email protected] heated dispute. The husband had $900 stolen. License #: 00686144 | 01418309 left before police arrived; victim Ascot Drive: Registration and declined to file charges, but police insurance info stolen. forwarded the case to the county Oct 7: A thief took an expired credit District Attorney. card and prescription medications Oct 6: A man reported his former from an unlocked car parked along girlfriend after enduring nine Camino Ricardo License # 01866771 months of her cyber harassment. 8>I\Xckp )o,Zfcfi ),0!

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Certified Residential Alex Gailas Lamorinda Specialist 31 Years Orinda Resident Broker/President CalBRE#01305545 925-788-0229 Thinking About Selling? Call me today! Expert advice is more essential than ever before. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A5 [email protected] Visit MLS at www.AlexGailas.com Family & Cosmetic Dentistry officeLamorinda’s # 925-254-7600 Real Estate 43 Moraga WAy,Brokerage Ste 203, Orinda since 2000 43 Moraga Way, Ste 203, Orinda Now 31 Years Orinda Resident accepting Service-Performance-Integrity new 925-254-7600 patients! [email protected] CalBRE#01305545 www.Alexgailas.com Kristi L. Doberenz, D.D.S., Inc. Broker/PresidentFor advertising in the June 2016 Issue of The Orinda News 8 Camino Encinas, STE #110, Orinda Please initial below and fax to 510-758-1437: Approved ____ See changes noted above: ____ CertifiedIf you haveResidential any questions, Specialist please call Jill Gelster at 925-528-9225, or (925) 254-3725 CALL MEemail TODAY [email protected] AND SAVE THOUSANDS * Please note prices above do not include any typesetting charges if they apply. Moraga Rotary Celebrates Start of Playground Fundraising he proposed Lamorinda All-Access project, who indicated that the club hopes TPlayground fundraising effort was to raise over $250,000 over the next 12 announced by Rotary Club of Moraga in months. Reneau said the fundraising plan a low-key party at the project site in the included raising $125,000 from the local Moraga Commons on Oct. 6. This project community and an equal or greater amount has been spearheaded by Moraga Rotary from area foundations and corporations. to commemorate its 50th anniversary in Reneau reported the early fundraising June, according to Kevin Reneau, the club outreach has been very encouraging and president. More than 40 Moragans attend- more than $25,000 was pledged the night ed this kickoff party, including Mayor Mi- of the event. The Town of Moraga has ear- chael Metcalf, Councilman Phil Arth, and marked $45,000 for the project. Donations former Moraga Citizens of the Year Cliff can be sent to the Moraga Rotary Founda- Dochterman, Edy Schwartz, and Graig tion, P.O. Box 122, Moraga, CA 94556. As Crossley. a 501(c) 3 entity, a tax receipt will be sent “This is an ambitious fundraising ef- to all donors, and tax ID will be provided. fort and we want to involve every part of Further information will be provided by our community,” said Reneau, chair of the Reneau at 925-376-8000. — P. Spear A gathering of well-wishers kick off fundraising for the All-access Playground to be installed at Moraga Commons. Saint Mary’s College Will Continue to Light its Intramural Field Veterans Day Ceremony bitter battle raged form 2012 it was authorized by the town to to the meeting and the town report Friday, 11/11 Ato 2015 between Saint Mary’s leave the field opened and illumi- showed that no complaint had been College and some of its neighbors nated for students until 10 p.m. logged since the permit was given. over the noise and glare coming One condition of this approval College security produced a similar 9:00 am – Commons Park from a new intramural field into the was that a review be conducted by empty log. The council commend- Bluffs neighborhood. the council one year after the per- ed the college for its improvements MORAGA After the college agreed to mission was granted. Such hearing and unanimously agreed to confirm PARKS & RECREATION modify the lights and to strict re- was led on Oct. 26. No one other its decision to allow the field to be 925-888-7045 • www.moragarec.com porting of any type of complaints, than college representatives came lit until 10 p.m. — S. Braccini

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MARKET ACTION REPORT September 2016 Lafayette, Orinda Median Sales 3 Mo Avg Median Sales Average Sold Price 3 Mo Avg Sales Price

Orinda Public Meetings Median means Middle (the same # of properties sold above and below Median) (000's) City Council Peter & Darlene Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. Hattersley The Median Sales Price in September was $1,390,000, up 4.9% from $1,325,000 in September of 2015 and down -5.6% from Library Auditorium, Orinda Library $1,473,025 last month. The Average Sales Price in September was $1,517,124, up 0.9% from $1,504,152 in September of 2015 and 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563 down -3.2% from $1,567,287 last month. September 2016 ASP was at highest level compared to September of 2015 and 2014. Planning Commission 925.360.9588 925.708.9515 www.TheHattersleys.com ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. CalBRE# r00445794, CalBRE# 01181995 Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304. Sarge Littlehale Community Room, Orinda Libraray Citizens’ Infrastructure Majority of Orinda City Council Agrees to Oversight Commission Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Move Ahead with Development Consultants Sarge Littlehale Community Room, City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda By Sora O’Doherty School Board Meetings he Orinda City Council con- the staff report and told the coun- Orinda Unified School District Ttinued to move forward to- cil that letters have been sent to Monday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m. wards down town development all downtown property owners Regular Board Meeting at its Oct. 18 meeting, asking seeking their input. 8 Altarinda Rd., Orinda staff to come back with proposals The cost for a technical ad- www.orindaschools.org from both Urban Land Institute visory panel (TAP) by ULI is See also AUHSD meeting page A2 (ULI) and Mainstreet America, $15,000, which some speakers Check online for agendas, meeting although vice mayor Eve Phil- and council members consider notes and announcements lips voted no. Phillips expressed a bargain. Mainstreet Ameri- City of Orinda: concerns that there would be ca would charge $18,000 plus www.cityoforinda.org no “common ground” found in $3,000 for transportation costs. Phone (925) 253-4200 Orinda. Buckley, who has had numerous Chamber of Commerce: Members of ULI were present conversations with the head of www.orindachamber.org and addressed the council about Mainstreet America, thought that The Orinda Association: how they work, and members of their work would be complemen- www.orindaassociation.org the public also contributed to the tary to ULI’s work. Mainstreet discussion. Drummond Buckley, America would provide market director of planning, presented analysis, a transformational strategy development service and an updated retail “leakage” study in Orinda Police Department Incident Summary Report about 90 days. Oct. 9 - Oct. 22 City Manager Janet Keeter said that she thought that both Alarms 45 Hit & Run projects could be funded with Noise complaints 2 Safeway money reserved for the Orinda 911 Calls (includes hang-ups) 3 Illegal Entry General Plan update insofar as it Traffic stops 45 20 block Orinda Way Suspicious Circumstances 12 ID Theft pertains to downtown. A question Suspicious Subjects 11 100 block Claremont Ave. was raised about Mayor Victo- Suspicious Vehicles 14 500 block Tahos Rd. ria Smith’s potential conflict of Barking Dog Reported to police interest as she rents office space 10 block Virginia Dr. Police/Fire/ EMS in downtown, but she said that The entrance to the empty Phair building. Photo Andy Scheck 10 block Tarabrook Dr. Pine Grove Business complex she had consulted the Fair Politi- TAP recommended bringing in In public comments, Dan- Battery 80 block Ironbark Pl. cal Practices Commission, and, more housing downtown to cre- iel De Busschere suggested that Orinda Convalescent 20 block Bryant Way Orinda first address the econom- Burglary, Auto 20 block Irwin Way based on their response, deter- ate clientele for the amenities that Orinda Community Center Casa Orinda Restaurant mined that this would not con- the city wants to attract. ic issues. He wondered why 25 BevMo Public Nuisance stitute a conflict; she declined to Council member Amy Worth Orinda Way cannot get tenants, Theatre Square Orinda Library recuse herself. pointed to the development of and whether the internet is kill- Burglary, Commercial Reckless Driving ULI San Francisco Execu- Todos Santos Plaza in Concord ing brick and mortar stores. Chet 10 block Country Club Plaza Camino Pablo/Hwy. 24 tive Director Dana Van Galder and noted that Hercules has big Martine opined that parking and Burglary, Residential Moraga Via/Glorietta Blvd brought another ULI staff mem- retail developments. She won- traffic are key issues, and blamed 10 block Broadview Terr. Rheem Blvd./Zander Dr. Highway 24 and BART. He also Civil 10 block Rabble Rd. ber and two volunteers to the dered what Orinda can do to at- 10 block Crescent Dr. Ardilla Rd./Camino Pablo meeting to answer questions from tract retailers. Council member brought up the potential earth- Death, non-criminal 10 block Lost Valley Dr. the council. Philips questioned Darlene Gee wondered how the quake danger with three sets of 20 block Irwin Way Camino Pablo/Manzanita each of the four as to whether they city can interact with stakehold- high voltage transmission lines DUI Camino Pablo/El Toyonal represented developers. While ers and was interested in options. over Orinda. Acalanes Rd./Mt. Diablo Blvd. Rheem/Glorietta Blvds. one, volunteer Alan Talansky, is She was in favor of going for- Hillary Murphy of What’s Up Disturbance Moraga Way/Stein Way a developer, he stressed that mul- ward with both ULI and Main- with Downtown Orinda urged the Lavenida Dr./Donna Maria Way (2) 500 block Tahos Rd. council to keep the momentum Lavenida Dr./Estabueno Dr. Theft, Petty tidisciplinary professionals who street America, noting that the 300 block Glorietta Blvd. location n/a volunteer their time to work on city could obtain great advice going, and not to allow fear to Theatre Square Safeway (2) TAPs agree that they will engage with no commitment. Council- keep Orinda from moving for- Dispute 400 block El Toyonal in no business with the communi- member Dean Orr asked if ULI ward. It is clear, she said, that 100 block Crest View Dr. Threats ty, so there is no potential conflict had ever worked with Mainstreet after 30 years Orinda can’t de- Hall Dr/Moraga Way 10 block Woodcrest Dr. of interest. America. ULI responded that the velop downtown on its own, and 10 block Lost Valley Dr. Unauthorized possession The council asked the ULI San Francisco ULI has not, but said that the price of the ULI TAP 20 block El Verano 80 block Camino Encinas was a gift falling into the city’s 10 block Estates Dr. Uncontrollable juvenile representatives if they have she believed that the national ULI Drunk in Public 70 block Muth Dr. worked on cities similar to Orin- has and that there is a lot of com- lap. Jud Hammond agreed that Starbucks Unwanted guest da. They mentioned Hercules, the patibility. he liked the idea of both ULI and 500 block Moraga Way 42 Morello Pl./Wild Plum Point Molate area of Richmond, Orr was wholly in favor of Mainstreet America and that for 10 block Rheem Blvd. Vandalism Concord and Brisbane. Brisbane moving forward, and said that the not much money it would be a Safeway 20 block Bryant Way is quite similar to Orinda in size, ULI TAP would be his first pri- good starting point to use both. Warrant Service/Arrest H&S Violation but not in composition. Bris- ority. Smith was very impressed After receiving directions Donald Dr./Hall Dr. Brookwood Rd./Camino Pablo bane had a large industrial center with the presentation by ULI. She from the council, Buckley said which, since the recession, was found them to be very San Fran- that he believed that staff could almost vacant and the city was cisco-based, which is important quickly return with proposals for almost bankrupt. There was no to her. She was also interested going forward with both ULI and downtown grocery store, no drug in Mainstreet America regarding Mainstreet America, perhaps in Re-Elect store, no gas stations, and only economic development and pres- as little as two weeks. SARAH BUTLER lunch restaurants. The Brisbane ervation of historic buildings. for Orinda School Board The Most Qualified and Experienced Candidate I am proud to have served the past four years on the Orinda School Board. With our new Superintendent in place, it's an exciting time in our district! dŚĞKE>zĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ Priorities: ǁŝƚŚĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůǇ • Providing an exceptional educational environment and a supportive and safe school climate for all ĂƩĞŶĚŝŶŐKh^ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ͘ students, teachers, and staff; • Improving communication, transparency, and collaboration among all stakeholders; parents, students, staff, and our community; dŚĂŶŬǇŽƵƚŽƚŚĞĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐĂŶĚŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĂƟŽŶƐĨŽƌƚŚĞŝƌĞŶĚŽƌƐĞŵĞŶƚƐŽĨŵǇĐĂŶĚŝĚĂĐǇ͘ • Monitoring our budget process, for fiscal stability ½®¥ÊÙÄ®^ãã^ÄãΎ KÙ®Ä®ãùÊçÄ®½ KÙ®Ä^«ÊÊ½ÊÙ and accountability, and to attract and retain quality ^ƚĞǀĞ'ůĂǌĞƌ DÃÙÝΎ DÃÙÝΎ staff, while ensuring long-term financial health. &ŽƌĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů Senator for the 7th sŝĐƚŽƌŝĂZŽďŝŶƐŽŶ^ŵŝƚŚ :ƵůŝĞZŽƐƐŝƚĞƌ Senate District President ĞŶĚŽƌƐĞŵĞŶƚƐ Endorsements, partial list: Mayor ĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ĐĂůĂŶĞƐhŶŝŽŶ ĂƌŽůƌŽǁŶ Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction ǀĞWŚŝůůŝƉƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞǀŝƐŝƚ Joan Buchanan, former CA Assembly Member, District 16, ,ŝŐŚ^ĐŚŽŽůŝƐƚƌŝĐƚΎ Vice Mayor Vice President ^ƵƐŝĞƉƐƚĞŝŶ Orinda Education Association (Orinda Teachers) :ĂƐŽŶ<ĂƵŶĞ ,ŝůůĂƌǇtĞŝŶĞƌ͘ĐŽŵ Board Member ĞĂŶKƌƌ DĂƩDŽƌĂŶ California School Employees Association, Orinda Chapter ƌĂŝŐŚĞƐůŽŐ ŵǇtŽƌƚŚ WĂƚZƵĚĞďƵƐĐŚ (former) 3DLGIRUE\+LOODU\:HLQHUIRU Member Elect ĂƌůĞŶĞ'ĞĞ >ŝŶĚĂ>ĂŶĚĂƵ (former) 2ULQGD6FKRRO%RDUG Experience Matters )33&&RPPLWWHH I respectfully ask for your vote. Sarah Butler KÙ®¦Ä®þã®ÊÄÝ ^ƵĞ^ĞǀĞƌƐŽŶ(former) ZŝŬŝ^ŽƌĞŶƐŽŶ (former) >ĂŵŽƌŝŶĚĂĞŵŽĐƌĂƚŝĐůƵď ŽďďŝĞ>ĂŶĚĞƌƐ(former) [email protected] www.SarahGButler.com ǀŽůǀĞĂůŝĨŽƌŶŝĂ Paid for by Sarah Butler for Orinda School Board 2016, FPPC #1389694 7LWOHVDQGDI¿OLDWLRQVRIHDFKLQGLYLGXDODUHSURYLGHGIRULGHQWL¿FDWLRQRQO\ Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A7

• Trust Agreement • Pour Over Will Poet's Corner Charmer - Pleasant Hill • Guardianship of Minor Children • Power of Attorney for Finance Offered at • CommunityLI VProperty IAgreementN G TRUST • Transfer of Real Property into Trust $749,000 Advanced Medical Directives, Including: Plan Includes: • Trust Agreement • Power of Attorney for Health Care • Pour Over Will 506patterson.com • $Living Will • Guardianship of Minor Children • HIPAA • Power of Attorney for Finance 3 Brm 2 BA, • Community Property Agreement 695 • Transfer of Real Property into Trust Move-in ready! COMPLETE Advanced Medical Directives, Including: Valid until December 31, 2016 • Power of Attorney for Health Care Integrity Knowledge Results • Living Will CalBRE#01335916 INITIAL • HIPAA Frank Woodward FREE CONSULTATION Notary Services Included! Realtor®, Previews Property Specialist (925) 257-4277 Law Offices of www.smykowskilaw.com T. 925.788.4963 Lauren Smykowski [email protected] [email protected] Office Located in Walnut Creek ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304. Orinda Council Briefs your gain is our gain!” The mayor Week but all year long. The Dec 6 city council meet- swore in the new clerk and presenting has been cancelled because ed her with a city of Orinda pin. City Manager Janet Keeter the results of the election will not Spediacci said she is thrilled to be noted that Todd Trimble, who had be certified in time for the -tradi in Orinda, “I adore Orinda; I have been serving as the interim Parks tional reorganization of the council. the bumper sticker and all!” and Recreation Director, has been A special meeting will be held on made permanent. Dec. 13. Kris Jachens of Stand for Families Free of Violence (STAND) accepted a Proclamation declaring October 2016 Domestic www.cara4orinda.com Violence Awareness Month in the www.cara4orinda.comwww.cara4orinda.com city of Orinda. www.cara4orinda.com STAND is Contra Costa County’s only www.cara4orinda.com full service family violence service organization and dedicated domestic violence shelter and will soon be marking its 40th anniversary. www.cara4orinda.com From left: back row: Darlene Gee, Amy Worth, Leslie Ward, Dean Orr; front OUSDOUSD SCHOOLSCHOOL BOARDBOARD row: Eve Phillips, Sal Captain, Victoria Smith. Photo Sora O’Doherty Oct. 18: OUSD SCHOOL BOARDExperienced Oct. 4: the Treasury as the 233rd American Jaime Rich of the Center for OUSD SCHOOLExperienced BOARDExperienced Sal Captain of Captain Vine- Viticultural Area (AVA) in the na- Human Development in Contra www.cara4orinda.comOUSD SCHOOL 9 EFOBOARDEFOExperienced Co-President Co‐President 9 EFOExperienced Co‐President yards, Moraga, and Leslie Ward of tion and the 138th in California. Costa County accepted a Procla- 9 Non-ProfitNonEFO ‐CoProfit‐President CEO CEO Los Arabis Vineyards, Lafayette, The Orinda Planning Department mation declaring Oct 23-31 Red 99MiramonteEFONonExperienced Co‐Profit‐President Grad CEO Ribbon Week in the City of Orinda. 9 NonMiramonte‐Profit CEO Grad accepted a proclamation recogniz- helped by preparing the maps for OUSD SCHOOL 99 EndorsedBOARDNonEFOMiramonte ‐CoProfit‐ Presidentby majorityCEO Grad ing October 2016 as Lamorinda the application. Portions of the proclamation were 9 EndorsedMiramonte by Grad majority 99ofNonEndorsed City‐Profit Council by CEO and majority Wine Growers Association Month read by Mayor Smith, including ac- 9 SchoolEndorsedMiramonteExperienced Board by Grad majority The Orinda City Council ex- knowledging the harmful effects of 9 of City Council and in Orinda. The Lamorinda Wine 9 EndorsedEndorsedMiramonteof City Council by by Grad majority and Lamorinda Weekly tended warm thanks to interim marijuana on the developing teen OUSD SCHOOL BOARDSchoolofEFO City Co Council‐BoardPresident and Growers Association (LWGA) Ad size: half page 9 CatharineEndorsedSchool Board Baker, by majority Ad design approval clerk Sherry Kelly as she moves brain, citing recent statistics that 9 SchoolofNon City‐Profit CouncilBoard CEO and started in 2005, recognizing a num- StateExperienced Assembly Member ber of small vineyards in Lamor- on to her next assignment in Her- 23 percent of local 11th graders ad- Schoolof City CouncilBoard and 9 EndorsedMiramonte by California Grad inda. The area has actually had cules, and welcomed new city clerk mit to using marijuana in the past 9 SchoolEFO Co ‐BoardPresident Sheri Spediacci, who has recently 9 SchoolEndorsed Employees by majority #25, 2-10-vineyards16 for over 100 years. In month. Orinda remains strongly 9 Non‐Profit CEO March 2016 Lamorinda was rec- become engaged to Orinda resident committed to a drug free environ- Associationof City Council and “Fred.” Mayor Smith said, “Fred, 9 Miramonte Grad ognized by the U.S. Department of 5 Owl Hill Ct, Orinda ment, not5 6only Ba duringtes, O rRedind aRibbon Paid3 1For4 ByLa Cara Es Hoxiepiral for, Orinda School BoardSchool 2016 FPPC#1387557Board Orinda 9 Endorsed by majority of City Council and School Board The Lamorinda Real Estate Firm People Trust Coldwell Banker Orinda

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LAFAYETTE $3,695,000 ORINDA $3,195,000 ORINDA $1,389,000 ORINDA $1,350,000 ORINDA $789,999 ORINDA $4,250,000 MORAGAORINDA $2,595,000$2,775,000 LAFAYETTE $2,595,000$2,750,000 MORAGA $2,099,990$2,595,000 MORAGABRIONES -MARTINEZ $1,895,000$2,099,990 6/5.54/3. P 8+rim acrese Ha pw/potentialpy Valley l oforca subdivision.tion! 1 acre 5/4.54/3.55/4.5 ExcitingExquisite. Breath t& a4095sf kprestigiousing M Mediterraneanedite inrr Sandersanean E s tate5/4.54/2. 5CovetedNEW. Co mCONSTRUCTION!in Trailsg Soo neighborhood.n. Enterta Covetediner' s dr eam5/35/4.54 /Lovely3 .Exciting5. 29 373007 &a p prestigioussqft,pro xupdated. squ ainre Sanders kitchenfeet. O &n e o4/2.55/3f 3 Lovely/2 Magnificent. Do 3730wnto wsqft, nCountry l oupdatedcatio Estaten wkitchenit h Builta v &ie w. Recentlyflat, char updatedming sin withgle l vmanyl trad features.itional s tyle Ranch,estatewith gw/750sf l4525oriou sqft,s V1bdie wstunning 1bths, op uguestle kitchen,lovelynt pcottagearadise in BeautifulTrailshom neighborhood.e w openith v ifloorews aOpenplan,nd a pparkflooroo llike. A plan,p psetting.ro xpark. baths,Ranch,a kin private d4525 Co u sqft,master,ntry stunning C l.30ub bacree kitchen,lovelyau tloty ww/poolith ol d 2006,baths,Ap ptheprivatero xperfect. 1 7master,00 mix:squ .30aequestrianre acrefeet . lotC lfacility/w/poolose to Onegate ofd eas kind!!tate. gardenbuiltthe inp r 2008.ew/pool!stigious Glorietta vicinage. Alike 210!1 setting.13 squ aAr e10! feet. &garden spa.worl dw/pool! charm. home/grounds.& spa.shops, dining and more! Laura Abrams CalBRE #01272382 ElenaLynn Molloy Hood CalBRE #01221247#01910108 The Beaubelle Group CalBRE #00678426 Elena Hood CalBRE #01221247 Abrams|GeoffrionElena Hood CalBRECalBRE #01272382|01878803 #01221247 The Beaubelle Group CalBRE#00678426 Vlatka Bathgate CalBRE#01390784 Vlatka Bathgate CalBRE#01390784 Melanie Snow CalBRE#00878893 Vlatka Bathgate CalBRE#01390784

3340 Helen, GOINGEXPERIENCE ABOVE YOU AND CAN BEYOND TRUST 155 Camino Pablo, Lafayette GRAND Meet LanaPeter Fitzpatrick: Liu: Orinda “Peter“My family is just and simply I have awesome. moved several Without times him, over we thewouldn’t years have due tobeen work able OPENING torelated close transfers, the deal. soHe we was are always well informed willing to as go to the what extra makes mile throughouta great the entireIndependent process Sales and weAssociate found his(and responsiveness what doesn’t). and I have connections found Lana in tothe CELEBRATION LAFAYETTE $1,049,000 Lamorindabe by far the area best to REALTORbe very valuable® I have. Peterworked provided with. As us a with tough wonderful minded ORINDA $1,557,000 ORINDABRIONES -MARTINEZ $1,875,000$1,895,000 businessman and New York native, Lana will be the first to tell you I don’t LAFAYETTEORINDA $1,495,000$1,875,000 4/2.53/2. F Magnificentabulous rem oCountrydel w itEstateh gre atBuilt le vel resources for financing, insurance, inspections and even contractors! We 6/64 Exquisite/4.5. Maj eOrindastic se Countrytting in ClubNo. Orinda on 6/6 Exquisite Orinda Country Club hand out compliments and praise loosely.” You’re Invited to Coldwell Banker 4/3 Stately Traditional boasts a FAB retreat2006,yard. C thew/privateon perfectvenie nau-pair/in-law tmix: loc equestrianation. To quarters.p Sfacility/choo ls. are looking forward to working with him in our future purchases/sales and Orinda’sPETER Grand Opening LIU Celebrationremodelretreatmo sw/privatet l&y afl alocationt 0 .au-pair/in-law58 a1c rblocke lot .from O quarters.pe n floo r Spacioushome/grounds. thru-out would–Vince h ighlyCampisi, recommend Danville him Seller to anyone who is looking to move to the LANA FITZPATRICK downtownSpaciousplan. D thru-out oLafayette.n't miss! LauraAbrams|Geoffrion Abrams CalBRE #01272382 PattiLaura Camras Abrams CalBRE #01156248#01272382 Rick & Nancy Booth CalBRE#01388020 Lamorinda area.” Vlatka Bathgate CalBRE#01390784 Meet Soraya Golesorkhi: Thursday, February 18, 2016 –JQJQ, Orinda Buyer “Working with Soraya was a breeze. She clearly knows the East Bay very 5:00 to 7:30 pm PENDING Meetwell and Steve opened Stahle: our eyes to neighborhoods we had previously ruled out PENDING 26 Berkeley, Orinda Coldwell Banker 1907 Newell, Wal- “Myfor no wife reason. and I Thisretained helped Steve us stayto locate in budget a home and in find the theOrinda perfect area place in 2015. to 2 Theatre Square, Suite 117 Withincall home. weeks, Because he located Soraya and is highlysecure regardedd a single with family other residence colleagues, for usshe in nut Creek Orindawoods.was able to use Needless her relationships to say, wewith were other delighted! REALTORS Due® toto help his diligent us win theand Join us for live music and a timelyday. Never work, pushy, we were always able available to close with the informedpurchase answers of the residence and fun to within work catered affair. 30 days. We found Steve to be thorough and timely with great follow up. with make her a great choice for anyone trying to navigate this competitive We have recommended Steve to our friends and business acquaintances Contact Coldwell Banker ORINDA $895,000 housing market.” WALNUT CREEK $795,000 MORAGA $1,550,000 who were in need of a residential REALTOR®.” today to RSVP. ORINDA $1,525,000 ORINDA4/3. Gre at value. 2262 SF on $1,450,000.21 acre –A. Saeedi, Moraga Buyer STEVE STAHLE ORINDA3/2. Po ttery Barn charm is$1,295,000 this adorable 3/24/2.5 Elegantly 1 story Allupdated Updated,Granite & meticulously –David, Orinda Buyer SORAYA GOLESORKHI 6/3.55/3 Beautiful Spacious new contemporary construction homeclose with maintained.Kit,CathCeil,Hwdlot with vie Beautifulws a nFlrs.d myard Carreraatu rw/e opool, Marble,aks. Tponds,on s o f updatesto downtown.1289 throughoutSF h oSpectacularme i n& Pauar pairk mappliances/e unit.ad. C Levellose to patioPool/Waterfall/Lawnpote n&t idecksal! yardfinishesK -area.5 t throughout.op schools. ShellieCookie KirbyJavinsky CalBRE #01251227#00598341 MeredithMcAtee|Wilson Linamen CalBRE #01918299#01349169 Elena Hood CalBRE# 01221247 Elena Hood CalBRE# 01221247 PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

1201 Bollinger 21 Sandy, Orinda Canyon, Moraga

MORAGA $599,000 WALNUT CREEK $1,256,000 MORAGA $1,550,000 MORAGA $1,430,000 ORINDA $1,765,000 ORINDA $1,450,000 ORINDA $1,395,000 ORINDA $1,385,000 ORINDA $1,349,000 MORAGA $749,000 LAFAYETTE1/1. Little co ttage in the Canyon$880,000 on ORINDA4/4.5. Pr ime Rossmoor singl$2,775,000e level nearORINDA3/2.5. B eautiful finishes, 2643 $1,875,000sqft, lovely ORINDA4/2.5. B eautifully Updated! 2$1,525,000484 sqft, MORAGA4/3.5. B ranagh Built 2005! 3$1,195,000311 3/2 BeautifullyElegantly updated designed & Custommeticulously 4/3.56/3.5 ExquisiteSpacious 4095sfcontemporary Mediterranean home on 4/3.53/2.5 FantasticRemodeled remodeled charming ranch wood home. 5/34/3 BeautifulMediterranean new construction style home, closefully 3/22/2 One-storyHighly desirable Campolindo single levelHome end with Contemporarymaintained.approx 2.5 Beautifulac rhomees. Re w/openyardmod ew/le dpool,floor ponds,plan estateprivateclub h w/750sflotou withse. L woodeda1bdrge 1bthlivi nviews gguest are anda scottage, t ofencedns o f Vaultedshingledlandsc aceilings,great traditional!ping, new a Plusp proomlia newlync eopenss, r em tood eled torenovated gdowntown.reat flo interiororp Spectacularlan ,and larg landscapede fam appliances/ily roo m, formalarge,unit.l sq Openf tprivate,bea uflrt i yardfuplan,l d ewith taupdatedili npool.g,spa c3kit,clubi obedroomsus rm s, w ood andpatiokitc hscenic e&n decks/ba thillsideh/And eviews.rson Windows. builtlevelsto rinarea.a g2008.e. patiosconstructedmast e&r level bat 1000h lawn.. SF Great room. finishesgardens.living/ dthroughout.ining, .25 acre flat lot. plushouse,pool,p aoffice.neled o tennisffice,high ceilings, .66 acres LauraShellie Abrams Kirby CalBRE #01272382#01251227 LynnMeredith Molloy Linamen CalBRE #01910108#01918299 RickLaura & Nancy Abrams Booth CalBRECalBRE #01388020|01341390 #01272382 McAtee|WilsonMelanie Snow CalBRE #01349169|01809247CalBRE #00878893 TheElena Holcenberg Hood Team CalBRE #01373412#01221247 Suzanne Geoffrion CalBRE# 01878803 McAtee/Wilson CalBRE#01349169/01809247 Elena Hood CalBRE#01221247 Elena Hood CalBRE#01221247 Elena Hood CalBRE#01221247 5 Moraga Way | Orinda | 925.253.46005 Moraga | Way2 Theatre | Orinda | 925.253.4600 Square, Suite 117 | Orinda | 925.253.6300 2 Theatre Square, Suite 117 | Orinda | 925.253.6300 californiahome.me | /cbcalifornia | /cb_california | /cbcalifornia | /coldwellbanker ColdwellBankerHomes.com | californiahome.me | /cbcalifornia | /cb_california | /cbcalifornia | /coldwellbanker ©2016 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company and Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker has not and will not verify this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Real Estate Licensees affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of NRT LLC., Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. CalBRE License #01908304. ©2016 Coldwell©2016 Banker Coldwell Real Estate Banker LLC. Real All Estate Rights LLC. Reserved. All Rights Coldwell Reserved. Banker® Coldwell is Banker®a registered is a trademarkregistered trademarklicensed to licensed Coldwell to Banker Coldwell Real Banker Estate Real LLC. Estate An EqualLLC. An Opportunity Equal Opportunity Company. Company. Equal Housing Equal Housing Opportunity. Opportunity. Each Coldwell Each Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Residential Brokerage Brokerage Ofﬁce Office is Owned is Owned by a by a Subsidiary Subsidiary of NRTof NRT LLC. LLC. Real Real estate estate agents agents afﬁliated affiliated with with Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Residential Brokerage Brokerage are are independentindependent contractorcontractor sales associates andand areare not not employees employees of of Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real Estate Estate LLC, LLC, Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Residential Brokerage Brokerage or NRT or NRTLLC. LLC.CalBRE CalBRE License License #01908304. #01908304.

1718 Comstock, 13 White Oak, 257 Sandringham, WC - Pending Lafayette Moraga

Please reply to: email: [email protected] Phone: 925 - 377 - 0977 • Fax: 800 - 690 - 8136 date signature Page: A8 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 MOFD Fails to Dampen Frustration of Orinda Citizens’ Group Regarding Tax Differences By Nick Marnell Fire Districts rindans dissatisfied with the vices for what it believes are short- public agencies over the years but Director Fred Weil, whom Oallocation of resources by the changed Orinda residents. “It’s has yet to effect any changes in the Cohn urged to resign in 2015 over Public Meetings Moraga-Orinda Fire District will about carrying through a contract fire district. “It’s the same old argu- Weil’s role in improperly funding have to wait another day for relief between the city of Orinda and the ment, offered again and again, just a retiring fire chief’s pension, has Moraga-Orinda Fire as the district tabled indefinitely residents of Orinda.” Cohn pro- repackaged,” said Moraga resident always relied on the level of service District Board of Directors any discussion of tax inequity and duced no such written contract, and past MOFD director Dick Ol- as the true measure of district per- Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. community service modifications. pointing only to statements printed sen, who presented the analogy of formance and has continually refut- Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. In June, Orindans unhappy with in a voter’s pamphlet for the 1997 the Orinda police patrolling neigh- ed Cohn’s argument, once referring Go to the website for meeting the perceived inequities between election in which citizens voted to borhoods of Orinda only in pro- to it as a flawed polemic. “Stop this location, times and agendas. Visit taxes paid and services received by form the fire district; specifically, portion to the amount of taxes that discussion now,” Weil demanded. www.mofd.org the residents of Orinda and Moraga statements made by the Orinda each neighborhood pays. “This is not going to go away,” presented their case to the MOFD City Council assuring that fire pro- Orinda directors Alex Evans warned Cohn, though despite his ConFire Board of Directors board. The board set aside a por- tection dollars paid by Orindans and Brad Barber did not agree with presentation and a task force peti- Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m. tion of its Oct. 19 meeting to hear will stay in Orinda. “putting a stake in it,” as Barber tion signed by 129 people insisting additional detail of the residents’ Board president Steve Ander- insisted that the board be prepared that MOFD and the city of Orinda Board Chamber room 107, complaints. son of Orinda likened the discus- for the inequity topic to come back deal with the perceived taxation- Administration Building, “It’s not about tax equity or sion to the perpetuity of the undead: again and again. “Equity problems service inequity, the board gave no 651 Pine St., Martinez about fairness,” said Steve Cohn, “It keeps arising and re-rising. We kill partnerships,” Evans explained direction to its staff to further ana- For meeting times and agendas, spokesman for the grassroots need to put a stake in it,” he said. to the two dozen or so in atten- lyze the Orindans’ complaints and visit http://alturl.com/5p9pu. Orinda Citizens Emergency Ser- The Orindans’ demand for ser- dance. “We’re not going to solve set no date for revisiting the discus- vices Task Force, which has long vice equal to taxes paid has been this problem, but we should not ig- sion. demanded additional district ser- outlined numerous times to various nore it.” ConFire Not Rattled by $75 Million Pension Bond Downgrade By Nick Marnell oody’s Investor Services re- tax receipts will mitigate the risk ich, district chief of administrative the rating drop will have no effect have sufficient reserve, more than Mcently downgraded $75 mil- of ConFire’s pension expense, the services, the ConFire pension ob- on district operations. The rebuild is required by the board.” Not only lion in Contra Costa County Fire New York firm removed its -nega ligation bonds cannot be called by of station 16 in Lafayette will not be does ConFire recognize more than Protection District pension obli- tive outlook on the bond rating. the issuer nor can the interest rate impeded and ConFire should have $30 million in available reserves gation bonds but district officials, “Pension related costs are a be increased because of the low- no problem financing additional but in 2016, determined to add a while conceding that pension costs significant portion of ConFire’s ered rating. She emphasized that apparatus. Were the district to try new revenue source, the district as- remain high, said the action poses operating budget and will continue the bonds are secured by a unique to issue a second pension obliga- sumed the bulk of the Contra Costa no immediate threat to district fi- to be through fiscal year 2022-23 tax-intercept feature requiring the tion bond, the lowered rating on the County ambulance transport con- nances or operations. when the district’s pension obliga- county to set aside the first annual current bonds would hypothetically tract, projected to net an additional The credit rating company tion bonds will be paid off,” said apportionment of property taxes impact the interest rates available to $2 million to the district in its first lowered the district bond rating county administrator David Twa, collected in order to cover debt the district, Lorrekovich said, but year. In part because of improved from A1 to A2 based in part be- but he added that even the recently service payments before ConFire ConFire has no plans to issue more district finances, ConFire - an cause of “the long-term challenge confirmed $2 million increase in receives any property tax revenue pension obligation bonds. nounced Oct. 25 that it will reopen the district faces in addressing its the pension payment to the Contra for its operations. “This, in my “I think we are in better finan- fire station 87 in Pittsburg, closed rising pension costs, which are an Costa County Employees’ Retire- opinion, makes the bonds very se- cial shape than we have been in a since the middle of 2013. unusually large portion of the dis- ment Association should have no cure from an investor perspective,” long, long time. That is why the “Barring a catastrophic eco- trict’s operations.” Indicating that negative impact on the district. Lorrekovich said. rating drop is perplexing to me,” nomic collapse I think we are very the growth in short-term property According to Jackie Lorrekov- District officials stressed that Fire Chief Jeff Carman said. “We stable where we are,” Carman said. Lafayette Loss of Lease Sends Lafayette Scrambling for City Office Space ... continued from page A2 Falk insists that until the city builds of appropriate sites for the activity recent developments such as the ing costs are expected to exceed cate a temporary one. Nobody has and owns a purpose-built facility – of civic offices, including a location hiring of female police officers, $100,000, because of the technol- come up with a satisfactory solu- such as a city hall – it must move to that will satisfy critical emergency who need their own locker room. ogy that will have to be relocated. tion and, faced with this situation, find a new home. response time requirements. The The city has been paying about This is a tall order for city staff, the three members of the council This will not be easy in a city current need is for a site of approxi- $280,000 per year for its current who will be working under tight present at the Oct. 24 meeting es- that is experiencing robust growth, mately 10,000 square feet because space, and hopes to pay a compa- time constraints to find a new facil- sentially did nothing more than in- parking problems, and a shortage of new space requirements due to rable price for the new space. Mov- ity, or at least a site on which to lo- struct staff to keep trying. Lafayette Principal Travis Bell Takes the Helm ... continued from page A2 “I felt like the work that I was do- the third generation educator. students that you get to know really or two. ship I created a philosophy of re- ing as the leadership teacher and Bell is who is now settling into well and invest in over the course LW: What is something your lational leadership, which was to the time that I was putting into his first semester as principal, one of the year. As an admin you still students wouldn’t expect about befriend, encourage, model and developing the school culture and that has seen uplifiting school spirit invest in culture and community, you? challenge and ourselves and others the program were substantial,” and the terror of a school lockdown but it’s on a larger level and you TB: I played Shark Boy in a weekly to be leaders on our campus and in said Bell. His goal in going back on Oct. 13. To say it’s been eventful don’t always feel or see the ben- production at a summer houseboat our community. I carry that with to school was to eventually teach is an understatement. efits as directly. You have more of a camp, which is pretty much exactly me. I want to befriend the students, leadership full time. Each month he runs a Q&A say in bigger decisions that impact what it sounds like. staff, and parents of Acalanes, to Though Bell was looking to during First Forum, a monthly students, which is cool, but the re- LW: If you could take one know who they are and learn about make a larger campus-wide invest- event designed to update parents sponsibility is also weightier. class as Acalanes, what would it what they value and what they want ment, he never pictured himself at on the programs, opportunities, and LW: How have you seen the be and why? out of their educational experience. the helm of a school. In 2012, Bell general happenings at Acalanes. field of education change in the TB: There are a lot. Right now I I want to encourage them to jump moved from teaching English and This month we’ve done a little past several years? would take drama. The times that in and invest and be involved and leadership at Dougherty Valley to Q&A of our own with the new cap- TB: There’s been a dramatic in- I walk into that class students are a part of that community. I want to overseeing leadership and serving as tain at Acalanes. crease in the use of technology to always up and moving and interact- model what it looks like to be a part associate principal at Acalanes High Lamorinda Weekly: How did augment and enhance the student ing with each other. I think it’d be of that community and then chal- School. It was a transition that was you decide to go into teaching? experience and provide resourc- really fun. lenge them to go deeper. Acalanes both surprising and inevitable for Travis Bell: With a last name like es for teachers in the classroom. LW: What is your hope is a great school, but let’s not settle Bell you don’t really have a choice. There’s also more and more em- for yourself and your role at for where we’re at. We need to con- My mom was a principal, so I grew phasis on building a school culture Acalanes? stantly be looking at what we’re up always being around schools and community. TB: When I was teaching leader- doing and making it even better. and in classrooms and I knew at LW: If you weren’t a princi- a young age that was something I pal, what else would you do? Lockdown at Acalanes High HARDWOODS was interested in. TB: I have aspirations of doing lots LW: Why take the helm at of things. I really love the service School October 13 CARPETS Acalanes? industry—I’ve always wanted to be TB: I really love the Acalanes com- a waiter—I would also love to man- RUGS munity. I think they’re doing some age a venue and work on events. really cool things to support stu- I love seeing needs and meeting LINOLEUM dents both academically, socially them in a relational setting. and emotionally. There are some LW: What is your stress-re- TILE big changes coming up and a lot ducing activity of choice? on the horizon. I want to be there to TB: Running, swimming, and yoga LAMINATE support that work. are my go-to stress reducers. I love LW: What unique perspec- reading as well. tive do you feel you bring to your LW: What are some of your role? particularities? FAMILY -OWNED TB: Being a communications ma- TB: I’m a coffee snob and a foodie. jor gave me a broader perspective I drink black coffee every day, but 30 YEARS ! on effective communication, and my go-to drink is a dry cappuccino. having taught leadership gives me My all-time favorite restaurant is insight into creating a broader cul- Pizzaiolo in Oakland. The menu ture and perspective for schools. changes daily so you can’t get the Principal Travis Bell and local law enforcement officers responded to I also think that being younger in same thing twice, which is what I the Oct. 13 lockdown. Photo Gint Federas the profession helps me to connect tend to do that at restaurants. a little more with our students (not LW: What is the last thing Police officers flocked to Acalanes High School after the school was that you can’t if you aren’t, but I try you watched on Netflix? put on lockdown Oct. 13. Two auto burglary suspects were arrested to leverage that). TB: I binge on “30 Rock” and I after a chase from Pleasant Hill to Lafayette, and a search of the LW: Is there anything you laugh out loud a lot. My most recent school found one suspect hiding in the boys locker room. The other miss about teaching? new show was “Stranger Things.” suspect was found in a nearby backyard, Lafayette police Chief Eric TB: I miss teaching every day. I re- My wife and I watched it in three or Christensen told local news outlets. — P. Spear ally miss having a smaller group of four days over the course of a week Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A9

"Gee, Miller Clearly Best For Orinda Council." The East Bay Times

the endorsements just keep rolling in for Darlene Gee & Inga Miller for Orinda City Council 2016

Nov. 8 Election Coverage BART Ballot Measure RR Evokes Passion on Many Fronts By Nick Marnell amorinda voters will help deer projects designed to bring the national transportation research itself can be used to back-fill the the BART board moving forward Lcide in November the fate of a 44-year old system up to current group, to cost significantly more very generous labor costs that are will keep their pledge to the vot- bond measure larger than the en- standards. than the cost of Measure RR,” unsustainable,” Baker said. ers to use bond funds for capital tire budget of Contra Costa Coun- “Two-thirds of Lafayette and Butler said. Even more direct in his op- improvements, not labor-related ty and one of the largest monetary Orinda station riders go to the four Supervisor Candace Andersen position was State Senator Steve purposes,” Metcalf said. requests by a local public agency main downtown San Francisco also supports Measure RR because Glazer of Orinda. “Lamorinda Three of the four candidates in the state of California. stations — improvements there it will increase capacity for rider- voters expect more from BART, for the BART board seat in Dis- The Bay Area Rapid Transit and elsewhere in the system ben- ship. “While I continue to have which has had years to prepare for trict 3, which includes most of system, a critical transportation efit Lamorinda riders,” he said. concerns about BART manage- the day they would need system Lamorinda, support Measure RR, link connecting the East Bay with He also noted the planned up- ment and especially the handling upgrades but did nothing. Instead, with former Moraga mayor Ken San Francisco and the northern grade to the Berkeley Hills Tun- of strikes, I am hopeful that we BART gave away big raises to Chew opposed. (See http://bit. Peninsula, seeks authorization nel where, thanks to the Hayward will elect new leadership in No- management and union employ- ly/2ep7716) through Measure RR to issue $3.5 fault, the tracks are misaligned and vember...and they will ensure that ees, showing no signs that they billion in general obligation bonds trains are creeping ever closer to the funds raised by Measure RR can be trusted with our tax dollars. to rebuild much of the system in- the tunnel walls. will be used effectively and as I don’t think we should reward bad frastructure, with the bonds to be The Committee to Keep BART promised to the voters,” she said. behavior and expect anything to repaid through property taxes in Safe and Reliable 2016 lists en- Andersen’s concern is voiced change.” Contra Costa, Alameda and San dorsements from a phalanx of by many, and Huckaby addressed Neither of the three Lamorinda Francisco counties. According to business leaders and public offi- it. “It has been suggested the pas- municipalities took an official po- BART estimates, the maximum cials who urge a yes vote on Mea- sage of Measure RR could result sition on the BART measure, but yearly tax rate would be $17.49 sure RR. Orinda Union School in BART curtailing the transfer Moraga’s mayor Mike Metcalf, per $100,000 of assessed value of District trustee Sarah Butler, with of operating funds to capital proj- speaking as a private citizen, said a parcel. The measure requires a a UC Davis degree in environ- ects for the purpose of inflating he will look past what he termed a two-thirds vote for passage. mental planning, bases her support salaries and benefits — but such flaw in the ballot language which By law, public agencies may on the environmental impacts of speculation is political innuendo. seems to give the board the ability not mount campaigns for their maintaining a good transporta- Unequivocally, Measure RR funds to use some of the bond proceeds own ballot measures, but BART tion infrastructure. She said that could not be ‘backdoored.’ Again, for salaries and benefits. He said spokesman Taylor Huckaby was by getting more cars off the road, per California law, funds can he would rely on the BART board able to outline the benefits of Mea- the measure will reduce traffic only be used for capital projects,” to ensure that the bond measure sure RR to Lamorinda residents. congestion and help relieve the air Huckaby said. does not become a tool for balanc- Huckaby explained that the pollution caused by automobiles. Assemblywoman Catharine ing its budget. bond funds would go toward re- “It actually costs us more to Baker is not convinced, slamming “That will depend in large placing miles of badly deteriorated do nothing since the cost of traf- the measure as an inappropriate part on the quality of BART power transmission infrastruc- fic congestion impacts us all in lost method to fund the system, “in no board members, which indicates ture, replacing 90 miles of eroded time and higher fuel costs per trip small part because the money that that the election for BART board rail, waterproofing the tunnels in which has been estimated by trans- is supposed to be used for capital members in November is critical. downtown San Francisco, and oth- portation experts such as TRIP, a improvements of the train system Lamorinda needs to have faith that

MOFD has complex challenges: I believe MOFD must: • $65 million unfunded • Manage future pension obligations and pension/medical liability improve investment fund performance • Severe fire hazard zone in 50% of • Reduce fire danger using hot spot mapping and North Orinda more proactive prevention • Substandard response times in • Reduce response times by positioning emergency Sleepy Hollow and El Toyonal equipment and responders using predictive data Knowledgeable Experienced • Retired executive in Engineering, Finance • Introduced new repaving method to and Business Orinda, lowering costs 15% while • President – public satellite company increasing road life by 50% • Lead merger, acquisition and business development executive for AirTouch ($60 billion cellular company) • Worked with Governments as regulators, • Strategy Management Consultant partners and investors in emergency • BS in Engineering/Business Economics; MBA communications • HOA president • Endorsed by over 250 Orinda voters

Paid for by Craig Jorgens www.VoteJorgens.com for MOFD Board 2016 Page: A10 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Lynn’s Top Five Give Yourself the Gift of Year-end Charitable Gifting By Lynn Ballou, CFP® n our very generous community, your deduction occurs in the year Don’t forget that the funds must go do say charity begins at home, and duce the reader to a general finan- Iyear-end charitable gifting is a that you donate to the fund. How- directly from your qualified retire- while there’s no likely income tax cial planning topics. This column hot topic. Let’s explore ways you ever, you can have the DAF keep ment account to the charity and not deduction here, there is the joy of should serve as a tool that should can still make a difference before the cash from the sale of the asset paid to you first for transfer. removing the asset from your estate, assist readers in the development the end of the tax year. on hand for multiple years and ad- 4) Charitable Remainder avoiding tax on the appreciation if of subsequent discussions with a 1) Gift Appreciated As- vise them annually how much and Trusts (CRT): I mention this sim- it’s sold for an amount higher than financial planning professional. Al- sets: Tried and true good friend to to whom you’d like to gift. This is ply to pique your interest as set- its basis, and the joy of benefiting a ways consult an accountant and/or all planners, this strategy involves an excellent tool for raising socially ting up a CRT is a sophisticated loved one. Maybe your gift will be attorney to assess your individual gifting an asset that has appreci- aware and financially literate chil- technique that involves advanced outright cash, or maybe you’ll fund situation prior to implementing any ated, thus avoiding selling and dren and an excellent idea for those planning. In its simplest format you their Roth IRA for the year (check financial planning strategy, includ- paying tax on the gain and instead who want to give over time but make an irrevocable gift to a quali- the limitations!). No matter your ing any strategy directly or indi- benefiting from a deduction for the need the deduction this year. fied charity and receive an income approach and motivation that’s a rectly referenced in this column.” fair market value, subject to some 3) Gift up to $100,000 of stream and a present value income powerful combination of benefits limitations. There are many types your annual Required Minimum tax deduction. At your death or the and a wonderful gift. For many of property that you can use for Distribution (RMD): If you have end of the period set up for the in- there’s no greater joy than helping this, from publically traded assets already turned 70-and-a-half you come stream, the asset goes to the those you love while you are alive such as stocks to less liquid assets know the joys of paying taxes on charity. This is an important tool and can see the impact your gift such as real estate holdings. Work required minimum distributions for those with charitable intent and makes in their lives. with your team of advisors to dis- from retirement accounts. The highly appreciated, often highly Hopefully these ideas are help- cuss which asset will work best in good news is that you can satisfy valued assets, who are additionally ful and resonate at this time of year this scenario. your RMD and donate to your fa- interested in reducing their taxable when we reflect on what matters 2) Donor Advised Funds: vorite qualified charity by transfer- estate while still retaining some most and find ways to share our Want to gift but not sure to whom? ring up to $100,000 directly to that benefit from the asset. That said, bounty and improve the lives of Lynn Ballou is a Certified Financial Planner. In- Would you like your children to organization from your retirement there are many nuanced forms of others. Wishing you all a wonder- formation used in the writing of this column is participate in your largess and account in lieu of a required distri- charitable trusts that can be utilized ful holiday season! believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be decision making? These are two bution. You won’t qualify for a fur- to fit your needs. You definitely “The review, assessment, and/ regarded as a complete analysis of the subject(s) reasons that Donor Advised Funds ther tax deduction, but you won’t want a sharp and experienced advi- or opinion expressed in this col- discussed. All information is derived from sources (DAF) are becoming a more popu- need to include the RMD in tax- sory team guiding you during de- umn are limited to and in associa- deemed to be reliable. All expressions of opinion lar planning technique. A DAF is able income, either, thus lowering sign and implementation. tion with general financial planning reflect the judgment of the author as of the date established at a public charity and your AGI (adjusted gross income). 5) Gifting to family: They subjects. They are intended to intro- of publication and are subject to change.

Business Bites Compiled by Victor Ryerson Ready for the Season? As we reported in our last issue, Home into the former Terzetto’s space in the same Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 The folks at Assistance Way Side Thrift Shop Care Assistance will have its ribbon cutting complex. Eager locals who have lost too Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. in Lafayette’s La Fiesta Square always seem Thursday, November 10, from 4 to 6pm at many of their casual dining options recently to have a seasonal event to get you in the 3518 Mt. Diablo Blvd., and the folks there are watching and waiting. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16: Mixer, mood for what is coming next. This time it’s are very excited about it. You are welcome to Then, of course, there is the City of Lafay- Bistro Burger & Grill, 965 Mountain View “Thanksgiving and Skiing in the Sierra,” with drop in for a look. ette’s impending move to new quarters yet to Drive, Lafayette. Bring your business cards! hand-picked merchandise to complement The Moraga UPS Store in the Moraga be found (see story on page A2). If you hap- both. As to the latter, I admire the organiza- Shopping Center has finally made its long- pen to have about 10,000 square feet of office Moraga Chamber of Commerce tion’s optimism. awaited move to larger quarters around the space with 60 parking spaces around it for www.moragachamber.org (925) 323-6524 corner in Suite C, next to the CVS drugstore. lease near downtown, by all means give City Orinda Chamber of Commerce Musical Chairs Hopefully, the move will ease the threat to its Manager Steve Falk a call. He would dearly www.orindachamber.org (925) 254-3909 There seems to be a lot of movement going staff of being buried under a stack of boxes love to hear from you. For announcements of more business relat- on in Lamorinda these days. or a mountain of plastic “peanuts” if the Big ed events and nonprofit fundraisers, be sure Gymboree is moving into new digs at 3450 One were to hit at the end of the work day, al- Chamber Music to check the chamber of commerce websites. Mt. Diablo Blvd., in front of Merrill Gardens, ways a worry at its cramped former location. Lafayette Chamber of Commerce There is a lot going on in Lamorinda, espe- after five years in its current quarters. You Speaking of the Moraga Shopping Cen- www.lafayettechamber.org (925) 284-7404 cially during this busy fall season. can attend the ribbon cutting this Thursday, ter, word is that talks are continuing with two 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9: Social Media If you have a business brief to share, please Nov. 3, at 5pm. restaurateurs who are considering moving Workshop, “Instagram for Business 101.” contact [email protected].

Our Candidates for State Assembly are like Apples and Oranges

Catharine Cheryl BAKER COOK-KALLIO

PARTISAN POLITICS

• Baker is “fixed on results instead of party labels” and is “independent • Cook-Kallio is another party-line vote. and effective.” (Source: San Francisco Chronicle) (Source: Evolve survey)

• Endorsed by the local Democrat, Republican, and Independent leaders • Lacking bipartisan support. we trust. (Source: BakerforAssembly.com) (Source: votecookkallio.com)

TAXES AND SPENDING

• Voted for a bipartisan bill to pay down pension debt. • Left the city she represented with $160 million (Source: Official Assembly Records) in pension debt. (Source: The East Bay Times)

• Opposes new and higher taxes. • Pledged to support over $5 billion in new and higher taxes. (Source: BakerforAssembly.com) (Source: Evolve survey)

• Pledged to eliminate Proposition 13’s taxpayer protections. (Source: Evolve survey)

EDUCATION

• Authored legislation to reform the teacher seniority system so schools • Testified in Sacramento against basic, can consider the needs of children, not just the rigid seniority rules. common-sense tenure reform and against reforming (Source: Official Assembly Records) rigid seniority rules that hurt kids and teachers. (Source: Official Assembly Records) • Co-authored bipartisan legislation to put California students first in University of California admissions. (Source: Official Assembly Records)

BART STRIKES

• Supports ending BART strikes. • Supports BART strikes and her campaign is funded by the BART unions. (Source: BakerforAssembly.com) (Source: votecookkallio.com) TRANSPARENCY

• Refuses to fill out secret “surveys” that make promises to Sacramento • Looking for campaign support, Cook-Kallio made secret, written promises to special interests and lobbyists. (Source: BakerforAssembly.com) Sacramento special interests and lobbyists about how she would vote, but she refuses to show those written promises to voters. • Passed a bill to make Bay Bridge meetings open to the public for more (Source: votecookkallio.com) accountability. (Official Assembly Records)

Paid for by Catharine Baker For Assembly 2016 - FPPC #1373797 • 4101 Dublin Boulevard • Suite F, Box 22 • Dublin, CA 94568 Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A11 FINALLY, THE REBELS HAVE A CAUSE. M240i Available in a coupe and a convertible. Michael Heller, BMW Concord, [email protected] BMW Concord Visit our booth at the Art & Wine

Call Michael Heller 925-998-2150 BMW Concord | 1967 Market ST. | Concord Nov. 8 Election Coverage Lamorindans Speak Out About the Legalization of Pot in California By Nick Marnell ith California claiming it loses hun- pensary in my neighborhood,” she said. Not “Regulating pot is a good thing,” said La- passage will get rid of the mystique and the Wdreds of millions of dollars in revenue all municipalities will permit legal dispen- fayette soccer official John Topping, who ul- stigma that pot makes people lazy and un- each year to the marijuana black market, the saries but as a tradeoff, they will not share timately favors legalization with one caveat. productive. “People think it’s worse than it state placed Proposition 64 on the November in the state revenue. Lafayette, Moraga and “My qualms are the education of the youth, really is,” she said. ballot. The proposition, known as the Adult Orinda all ban marijuana dispensaries. and the impact the drug would have on their Most journalists are not big on anony- Use of Marijuana Act, will legalize the rec- Lafayette’s Alma Heidary and Kim Shaw brains,” he said. Per the statute, revenue from mous sources, but many of those in favor of reational use of the drug for adults 21 and of Orinda are all for the regulation and taxation marijuana sales will provide funding to in- Prop 64 offered solid reasons for not being over and impose a tax on cultivation and re- of the drug. “It will create more jobs, maybe vest in public health programs that educate quoted. A Lafayette man said that his clients tail sales. Though pot would be legal in Cali- lower crime,” Shaw said, seconding the state’s youth in order to prevent and treat serious would not appreciate hearing what he had fornia, the sale or possession of marijuana expectation that if marijuana is decriminal- substance abuse. Also, the law will ban dis- to say about the measure. Similarly, people remains a federal offense. ized, criminals will go out of business. pensaries from within 600 feet of schools. feared backlash from their neighbors if their Two things this article promises: You will “Certainly,” said Joe Viola, a proponent Aneesh Seth, whose wife attends Saint position appeared in print. read no worn-out double entendres about in- from Orinda. “But there should be a limit on Mary’s College, thinks pot is no big deal. One Moraga respondent not in favor of halation, vegetation or elevation; nor will how much you are allowed to have.” Viola “And it’s a waste of our resources to police legalizing the drug understandably wished to you hear pontification from candidates, pub- needn’t worry too much, as the statute will it,” he said. Speaking of the college, a surpris- remain anonymous. “Because I don’t want to lic officials or law enforcement. Presented limit possession to 28.5 grams. ing feature of this survey was that younger pay taxes on it. I have a great deal with my are the opinions of real-life, everyday Lam- Orinda mom Lisa Lyon voiced a strong adults were not gung-ho to pass the measure. dealer!” said the young man. orindans, captured candidly around town in yes. “It’s easier for kids to get grass than it is SMC student Matt Harris had no opinion, as Though you were promised no words September and October, giving their take on liquor. They’ll need an ID, the control will be he does not use the drug. Moraga’s Kelly Ja- from public officials, Lamorinda’s next-door the legalization of marijuana. better and the purity can be regulated,” Lyon cobs, 21, said she hopes the proposition does neighbor contributed an anti-comment that “I’m having long talks with my children said. To that end the Department of Consum- not pass. “It’s too dangerous to drive while was very hard to pass up. “Marijuana plants about this,” said Carol McDonald of Lafay- er Affairs will license and oversee marijuana on pot,” she said. The law will disallow us- are not pretty,” said Loella Haskew, mayor of ette. She wasn’t quite ready to give the bill retailers and distributors, and the Depart- ing marijuana while driving, and the current Walnut Creek, when she urged her city council two thumbs up because she was concerned ment of Food and Agriculture will license laws prohibiting driving under its influence to pass a resolution opposing Prop. 64, which about one particular aspect of the marijuana and oversee marijuana cultivation, ensuring will be enforced. requires a majority vote for passage. You just business. “I’m not sure I want to see a dis- its environmental safety. Lily Shaw, 22, of Orinda argued that never know what can swing the undecideds. Moraga Hillside Regulations ... continued from page A4 The committee decided that the criteria • The eighth issue talks about limiting tion in high risk area, but not the change the mission. would be visibility from any public place, development in MOSO land on steep slopes. development allowed density. Commissioner Kymberleigh Korpus said including existing and future trails, and the The current rule prohibits development on • The 10th issue considers the size of that she was not sure that the committee had scenic corridor. Some of these ridges are site with an average slope greater than 20 buildings on large lots. The current regula- done enough work to reach a conclusion, Sanders Ridge (above Saint Mary’s College), percent, but does not define how to map the tion does not limit the size of homes on lots that she did not have enough information Bollinger Ridge (undeveloped land West of portion of land that will serve to calculate the greater than 20,000 square feet. The commit- to be sure, and therefore could not make an the Bluffs), and part of the “painted rock” average. The committee recommended that tee proposed to limit the size of homes on informed recommendation to the town coun- property off Rheem Blvd. the portion of land, or cell, used to calculate lots up to one acre located on visible hillsides cil. Commissioner Christine Kuckuc said she • The seventh issue addresses protect- the average slope not exceed the site of the to a maximum of 5,500 square feet. It did not would appreciate to hear what went on during ridgelines and view sheds. The General proposed house and disturbed landscape (re- propose to limit home size on lots over one ing the deliberation, to see that everything Plan states that the town has to protect the taining walls, fills, etc.). acre. had been explored. The planning commis- view shed along Moraga’s scenic corridors, • The ninth issue deals with the remedia- At the end of October the planning com- sion work is ongoing and will continue until but it does not explain what “protect” means. tion of high risk areas. The original MOSO mission started a series of meetings to study the commissioners agree to a set of recom- The committee proposed to establish new text does not make any reference to remedia- these recommendations. The commissioners mendations. standards to ensure that an adequate visual tion of high risk areas and how this could af- noted that no current member of the plan- The conclusions of the committee are separation is provided between the highest fect the density of allowed development. The ning commission had been part on the steer- challenged by the Bruzzone family that owns point of new development and the ridgelines, guidelines that were drafted afterwards allow ing committee. The work of the committee a significant portion of remaining undevel- whether these ridges are in MOSO or not. It for such practice and permit to change the spanned over several years and the commis- oped land in Moraga. Joan Bruzzone and her also recommended adding that view analysis housing density from one unit per 20 acres to sioners that were part of it timed out. They son David repeatedly stated that the rules consider all viewpoints along the scenic cor- one per 10 or one per 5 acres. The commit- were not replaced for continuity reasons, but unfairly target their properties and are tanta- ridors, not just one. tee’s recommendation was to allow remedia- they stopped reporting to the planning com- mount to a taking of their land. Page: A12 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 The Heritage Downtown PRO vs CON Measure C A Senior Resort Rental Community public forum The Heritage Pointe has not moved….we just changed our ‘Pointe’ of View! Measure C Supporters Hold a Located walking distance to the best of Walnut Creek! Positive Vision for Lafayette Shopping, Restaurants, the Arts, Cinema and Events By Budd MacKenzie, Teresa Gerringer and Anne Grodin Offering latest in Technology, Fitness and Care Two years ago, with the new Lafayette Library and Learning Cen- All Inclusive Amenities/Social Events/Transportation ter completed and the road repair program funded, the Lafayette City Mouth Watering Dining in Newton’s on-site Restaurant Council conducted a series of community conversations throughout Never toured The Heritage Downtown?? the city to hear from families about their 20-year vision for Lafayette. Come…Tour…Dine..Reserve your new home…We have your keys! More than 700 residents participated, and they said that the city’s Lock your rent in til 2019… top priorities should be to preserve open space, enhance public safety, 1,2 and 3 bdrm Luxury Apartments! improve parking and traffic, and revitalize the Park Theater. And so the council placed Measure C, a one-cent-sales tax increment, on the 925-943-7427 November ballot. 1785 Shuey Avenue • Walnut Creek, CA 94596 www.theheritagedowntown.com Since that time, hundreds of people have come forth to support Find us on the measure and work on the campaign. Measure C’s endorsers are community leaders who hold a positive vision for Lafayette. They’re people who won’t be dissuaded by the critics and their fabricated “facts” and conspiracy theories. They’re residents who know that La- fayette is well managed, recalling that the city: • Has no pensions or pension obligations; • Has a large emergency reserve; ROB STURM – THE RESPONSIBLE CHOICE • Has a AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s The Only Lafayette School Board Candidate Endorsed by Every (the highest possible rating); • Efficiently contracts for most of its services; Current and Incoming Lafayette City Council Member • Was recently ranked by Transparent California as among the top 10 percent of California’s most efficient cities. “I will vote for Rob Sturm and encourage you to do Residents know about the city’s aggressive crime prevention ef- the same.” Don Tatzin, Lafayette City Council forts, and how Police Chief Eric Christensen has used technology and community policing techniques in innovative ways to solve the “I cannot think of a better Lafayette School Board crimes that do occur. Last year, Lafayette’s police solved 60 percent candidate than Rob Sturm.” Jean Follmer, of the residential burglaries – a figure unheard of in other cities. Current Lafayette School Board President And they’ve seen how the city even gets the little things right – like the new reflective street name signs that give paramedics and fire “Our District opens with almost $1 million in fighters clear direction to our homes in the event of a true emergency. deficit spending and forecasts ‘financial insolvency’ This is a city council that has delivered, time and again, on its by 2018 on our current fiscal trajectory. That’s promises. alarming.” Rob Sturm, attorney, teacher and And so residents can take City Council members at their word volunteer on behalf of children when they pledged, unanimously and unambiguously, to use Measure C proceeds for these and only these purposes: • Family: Wife, Kristina; Alden (kindergarten); Grant (age 3); and Hallie (3 months) • Open Space • 25-year accomplished labor/employment attorney & corporate leader • More and better parking • Extensive non-profit volunteer board experience • Improved traffic • Enhanced policing • Nearly a decade of unblemished 8-figure budgetary management – NO DEFICITS, surpluses every year • Downtown parks, and • Longstanding success implementing cost-saving best practices and ridding wasteful spending to • A revitalized Park Theater. productively redeploy millions in saved dollars To quell any remaining doubt, remember, too that Measure C or- • Has identified material opportunities to end wasteful District spending to eliminate deficits, ders that an Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee will monitor enhance academic excellence, further support special education and invest in teacher pay expenditures to ensure that the city is in full compliance with the bal- increases. Additional parcel taxes should be an option lot measure. of last resort Orinda did it, Moraga did it, and now it’s Lafayette’s turn to cap- • Widespread current and former local School Board support, ture the sales tax cap before a regional agency does. If you don’t including non-returning Lafayette School Board Members think BART, MTC, and Contra Costa County aren’t eyeing future tax Jean Follmer and Nancy Wallace; Ann Appert; Craig Cheslog; measures, think again. Roger Falcone; Art Kapoor; Tom Mulvaney; Shayne Silva, Stay positive! Vote YES on Measure C! Scott Sommer; Stephenie Teichman It’s the best way to keep our money local, get the projects we • Endorsed by numerous other civic leaders and engaged want, and make Lafayette the very best it can be. community members Budd MacKenzie is Founder, Trust in Education and 2004 Citizen of the Year; Teresa Gerringer is a member of the Lafayette School For more information please visit www.robsturm.com or contact Rob at Board; Anne Grodin, is a former mayor and council member, 1999 Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rob Sturm [email protected]. 415.913.8995 for Lafayette School Board (2016) Citizen of the Year and Founder of the Lafayette Community Founda- tion. Vote No on C — No Restrictions on Expenditures Mark Kindhouse By Mike Griffiths The Lafayette City Council proposes a 1 percent sales tax to raise $3 million a year for 29 years, at least $87,000,000. As a general tax it Lafayette School Board can be spent on any governmental purpose. The ballot statement promises “priorities” will be open space, reducing congestion, police, parking, parks, the Park Theatre, and that A Candidate You Can Trust all sales tax “will stay in Lafayette.” The city’s ballot statement does not disclose plans to fund a sales tax revenue bond up to $58 million “This district has been built on a strong foundation of pastMark board Kindhouse member experience and build a new civic building. and will be here for years to come. Elect me on November 8th so that I can to use my On Feb. 8 and July 11 the council considered a “Scenario 2 — Lafayette School Board Completely bonded; 30-year bond against 100 percent of the annual engineering and consulting expertise to serve this fine community.” revenue stream” to borrow $58 million in principal, and using “bond A Candidate You Can Trust proceeds from sales tax measure $13 million” to acquire a site for a “Civic Building.” On July 25 the council confirmed a “Sales Tax Mark’s Top Priorities “This district has been built upon a strong foundation of past board member experience Revenue Bond” would be used. Another July 11 memo, citing polling and will be here for years to come. Elect me on November 8th so that I can to use my results, states that although mentioning a civic building “as a means 1. Nurture trust by helping the districtengineering spend and the consulting infrastructure expertise to support bond their legacy money and serve effectively this fine community.” of increasing transparency is understandable…there is a risk that including such language could cause some voters to vote no on the 2. Provide deep experience in cost managementMark’s Top Priorities to quickly true‐up our budget measure.” That same day the words “including a civic building” were 1. Nurture trust by helping the district spend the infrastructure bond money effectively removed from the ballot statement. 3. Recognize teachers and staff and2. continue Provide deep experienceto focus in coston management finding theto quickly best true-up talent our budget in a tight market Emails on July 13-14 between the building site owner and the city 4. Collaborate with parents of children3. Recognize with teachers special and staff needs and continue to foster to focus onthe finding best the bestpossible talent in a relationshiptight market negotiating an agreement end with “better for us to wait to see if the 4. Collaborate with parents of children with special needs to foster the best possible relationship sales tax measure passes on the November 2016 ballot.” Clearly, this 5. Advocate for continued enrichment5. Advocate of STEM for continued curriculum enrichment of STEMwhile curriculum enhancing while enhancing our our art art and and music music programs programscivic building site remains under consideration. That July 11 civic building memo shows $17.25 million for site acquisition and $9 million for construction costs. The memo states the cost of the building Building GreatBuilding Schools Great Schools Together Together itself would not be covered by sales tax proceeds, but this is accomplished by shifting $4.25 million of other city funds to site acquisi- Endorsements: Endorsements: tion, and another $6 million to construction. • Mike Anderson, Lafayette Council Member • Quinlan Tom, Former LPIE Board Member & PTA President Measure C would be used to replenish that $10.25 million — es- • Tom Mulvaney, Former Acalanes School Board Member • Ann Farrell Diemer, sentially a shell game. And the ballot statement promising “all” of the • MIKE ANDERSON, LAFAYETTE COUNCIL MEMBER • QUINLAN TOM, FORMER LPIE BOARD MEMBER & PTA PRESIDENT • Roger Falcone, Former Lafayette board member Capital Projects Assessment Committee Member sales tax will stay in Lafayette will not be true if used to repay a Sales • • TOM MULVANEY, FORMER ACALANES SCHOOL BOARD• MEMBERCraig Cheslog , Incoming Acalanes SchoolANN Board FARRELL Member DIEMER,• Lee Thompson CAPITAL, PROJECTS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEETax RevenueMEMBER Bond up to $58 Million. Tens of millions of dollars in Capital Projects Assessment Committee Member • CRAIG CHESLOG, INCOMING ACALANES SCHOOL BOARD• Kathy MEMBER Merchant , Former Lafayette Library• LEE and THOMPSON, Learning CAPITAL PROJECTS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERinterest and fees will leave the city. The $26.25 million for the civic • JENNIFER RUSSELL, LAFAYETTE PARKS, TRAILS, AND REC CenterDIRECTOR Foundation (RET.) Executive Director • BOB MCCLAIN, •CAPITAL Bob Mcclain PROJECTS, ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERbuilding, with 28 years interest at 3.4 percent, amortizes to close to Capital Projects Assessment Committee Member • Jennifer Russell, Lafayette Parks, Trails, And Rec Director (Ret.) $40 million over 40 percent of the $87million Measure C revenue • MARECHAL DUNCAN, 2015 LAFAYETTE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR • DAN REYNOLDS,• MOUNTDan Reynolds DIABLO, Mount USD Diablo TEACHER USD Teacher OF Of THEThe Year YEAR • Marechal Duncan, 2015 Lafayette Citizen of The Year over 29 years. • KAREN MULVANEY, 2011 LAFAYETTE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR • KATHLEEN CRENSHAW,• Kathleen RET. Crenshaw SAN LORENZO, San Lorenzo USD USD Teacher TEACHER (Ret.) • Karen Mulvaney, 2011 Lafayette Citizen of The year This information should not be withheld from Lafayette voters. • STEVE HIRSCH, FORMER MORAGA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER • SARA SAVACOOL,• Sara CONTRA Savacool COSTA, Contra LABORCosta Labor EDUCATION Education Committee COMMITTEE Chair CHAIR • Steve Hirsch, Former Moraga School Board Member The Editors of the East Bay Times called the 1 percent increase “too • • • Kenny Tuckerman, Parent and Advocate MARK JEWETT, SAN RAMON VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER• Mark Jewett , San Ramon Valley School BoardKENNY Member TUCKERMAN, PARENT AND ADVOCATE much” and the 29 year term “a ridiculously long time for a tax that If you would like to know more about me or if you want to have a chat, could be used for any governmental purpose.” The Contra Costa Tax- payers Association declined to support Measure C. please visit www.markkindhouse.com or email me at Mike Griffiths is President of Save Lafayette, a city government If you would like to know more about me or [email protected]. you want to have a Ichat, would pleaselove to speak visit with www.markkindhouse.com you! watchdog group he founded in 2015, and has been a resident of Lafayette since 1989. or email me at [email protected] FOR BY MARK KINDHOUSE. I FORwould LAFAYETTE SCHOOL love BOARD to 2016 speak| FPPC #1387665 with you!

PAID FOR BY MARK KINDHOUSE FOR LAFAYETTE SCHOOL BOARD 2016 | FPPC #1387665 Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A13 Because of the high amount of election-related letters received this issue, they Letters to the Editor will appear on pages A13, A14 and A15, organized by catagory. Spirit Van Says Thank You flation is under 2 percent. And this Preserve Lafayette’s Hillsides Vote Yes on Measure C – A Vote December, have pledged to make comes at a time where homeowners with C for Increased Public Safety the elements of the Citizens’ Vision Dear Editor, are seeing regular annual increase for Lafayette the priority for all ex- To the members of the Moraga in their property taxes, increases Dear Editor, Dear Editor, penditures of the sales tax revenues. Town Council, Town Manager in other county fees and taxes, and Please vote yes on Measure C. I believe Lamorinda residents They will seek to leverage those Priebe, and the Moraga community, when the city is not only reaping the Measure C will give Lafayette re- and especially Lafayette voters precious revenues to obtain addi- Each year, we ask Lafayette, rewards of these continued increas- sources that will make Lafayette an should vote for Measure C on the tional funding for the Citizens’ Vi- Moraga, and Orinda to financially es but is showing a significant sur- even better place to live, but most Nov. 8 ballot. sion. support the Lamorinda Spirit Van plus each year. Many articles have important in our view, that will help Our residents are increasingly A Citizens Oversight Commit- Program. This has been a very diffi- told the story of how the cost of liv- Lafayette protect and preserve open concerned about public safety. Part tee will report regularly on the rev- cult year for the Town of Moraga to ing in the Bay Area is climbing out space for everyone’s benefit for of the Measure C revenue will be enues of the sales tax increment and consider funding us as it is focused of control. Yet, one of the key areas years to come. used to further assist Lafayette’s the expenditures made from those on financing the repairs to the sink- in cost of living are all these numer- We cannot take for granted that police department in order to ensure revenues. To make that easier, La- hole. ous tax increases and fees that are the undeveloped portions of our we have sufficient personnel and the fayette’s budget will include a sepa- I would like to thank Moraga popping up everywhere, and on top hillsides and ridgelines will remain tools to keep the city safe. rate budget category for the sales Vice Mayor Dave Trotter for writ- of these, there are BART increases, undeveloped. Most of the open The monies Measure C generates tax revenues so that the committee ing a letter of support for the Spirit toll increases, utility increases … hillsides and ridgelines that we see will also help preserve open space can see exactly what is received and Van. Because of Mr. Trotter’s letter, the list is endless. I recently went to are privately owned, and the own- and improve downtown parking. what is spent. a donor who wishes to remain anon- book a small airfare and the tax was ers have the right to build – in ac- Note the money raised by Measure C will Measure C is an example of how ymous is matching donations up to more than 50 percent of the fare. cordance with the city’s ordinances. stay in Lafayette, and expenditures will be over- to make citizen involvement in city $4,500 to help the Town of Moraga Every time a homeowner goes to The pressure to build will continue seen by a Citizens’ Oversight Committee. affairs work. The financial steward- provide $9,000 in funding to the the hardware store, a parent picks to grow, and even with the most ex- Let’s make Lafayette a better ship the city has demonstrated over Lamorinda Spirit Van Program. In up a hot meal on the way home, this acting application of the city’s hill- place and vote Yes on Measure C. the past decades will continue for response to these efforts donations is taking out another bite. side ordinances, we will see build- Erling Horn the coming decades as well. are coming in, and another donor Lafayette should be giving the ings on the hillsides and ridges, the Lafayette Love Lafayette – Vote Yes on who also wishes to remain anony- stretched middle class homeowners open vistas will be lost, and trail Measure C. mous has said s/he will make up a tax break when it has a surplus, corridors will be blocked. Yes on Measure C Mary McCosker any shortage. These efforts ensure not an increase. Lafayette has simply not had the Lafayette that Moraga’s usual contribution of Ty Allison resources necessary to protect and Dear Editor, $9,000 will continue for 2016-2017. Lafayette preserve open space. This is our I understand that within our Why Were Signs Removed? Since the Moraga Town Council has opportunity to significantly improve community there is some concern agreed to revisit the possibility of I Voted Yes on C Lafayette. We cannot let it pass by. over the need for, and transparency Dear Editor, funding the Lamorinda Spirit Van Please vote Yes on Measure C. around, future expenditures that Two “No on C” signs were re- Program in January after more is Dear Editor, Carl and Sharon Anduri would result from passage of Mea- covered Friday, Oct. 21, from the known about funding the sinkhole I voted yes for Measure C be- Lafayette sure C and the significant revenue Lafayette public works yard, one repairs, Moraga’s contribution from cause I trust the judgment of those that would be developed by this homemade by a resident, and the the town and from private dona- supporting it and the members of Disappointed by Measure C increase in sales tax. We should al- other made by Save Lafayette. Both tions may turn out to be more than the city council who unanimously ways demand clarity when taxes are were given to me on Friday after the $9,000. For this financial support, concluded, after extensive hearings, Dear Editor, imposed, but also recognize when recovery. Both of these were put up the City of Lafayette, the passen- adding 1 percent to the sales taxes I now understand why the East they are necessary for the good of at Springhill and Pleasant Hill Road gers, and I are very appreciative. is in our interest. Adding to our tax Bay Times recommended a NO vote the community. on Oct. 19. Both were removed by A big “Thank you,” to vice mayor burden is not something they would on Measure C. The “sales tax in- I believe that many of us agree city staff on Thursday, along with Trotter, the Moraga Town Council, recommend if they didn’t think it crease is too much for one bite” and that there are serious infrastructure possibly other signs at this location and Moraga community donors for was important. The knee-jerk reac- lasts “29 years, a ridiculously long needs that we in Lafayette need to (we don’t know how many others, making this happen! Thank you to tion of most constituents is to op- time for a tax that could be used for address, that these have been well- if any). Four signs remained at this John Warshaw for setting up the Ac- pose all tax increases. In fact 28 any government purpose” (East Bay captured by the wording of Measure location after staff removed these. tive.Netdonations site via facebook. percent of voters vote no on every Times 9/20/16). Surprisingly, it re- C, and that we have reason to expect Neither of these “No on C” signs com/lamorindaspiritvan! Thank you proposal that increases their taxes. quires only a simple majority (50% and trust our government leadership were in violation of any city signage to Jay Ingram and Kimberly Nelson I’m not tied to the priorities listed + 1 vote) to pass. to be responsive to the community rules, as the homemade sign was to for setting up the Electronic Reader by the council. They are today’s pri- Measure C lists spending priori- in the future, based on past perfor- the right of the bulk of the signs, and Board! orities established by a survey taken ties based on survey responses of 4 mance and the commitment of local the official sign to the left, possibly Mary Bruns that most of us, including me, didn’t percent of our residents. There is no folks to pay attention to how our too close to another sign. Both were Lamorinda Spirit Van Program take the time to complete. legal requirement that the money representatives perform. recovered by another citizen from Lafayette I wouldn’t mind if someone will be spent on only these items. Measure C addresses local issues, the public works yard. is able to persuade the council to I am disappointed that what some for example by preserving addition- I know that staff was instructed Lafayette Measure C spend money on something that is are calling a “blank check” for the al open space, addressing parking on Friday to not continue removing not on the list. I trust in local gov- city requires only a simple major- and traffic concerns and enhanc- specifically the “No on C” signs, or Dear Editor, ernment and our ability to influence ity to pass. When you ask citizens ing our police services. A Citizens at least not to specifically target any We strongly urge our fellow La- decisions that are made. If the 1 to vote for a tax of this size ($100 Oversight Committee will monitor one sign over any other. I also know fayette citizens to vote Yes on Mea- percent went to Washington D.C. or million) and duration (29 years), the way Measure C funds are spent, that on Oct. 19, at least one of the sure C. Sacramento I’d be voting no. it should require at least 2/3 of the and this transparent process is very official “No on C” signs was in an All funds raised by the Measure I do believe there is a correlation votes to pass. If it can’t achieve that encouraging. inappropriate location in the median and associated expenditures will be between what we invest in the city threshold, then it is insufficiently I urge my neighbors to vote Yes on Pleasant Hill Road near Acalanes tracked and reviewed by an inde- and schools and the value of our supported by voters and should be on Measure C. High School. It’s clear that this one pendent Citizen Oversight Commit- homes. I can’t possibly justify re- reexamined to identify its shortcom- Roger Falcone should have been removed. tee. This committee will be an ef- fusing to pay an extra 1 percent on ings. Lafayette What troubles me is the removal fective check on how these specific the taxable items I purchase in La- I happily endorsed and voted of the homemade sign. It was not in dollars are spent. fayette given how much my home for the OTHER Measure C — the Measure C is Example of Citizen any clear violation of any “reason- In addition, our city council has has appreciated. I appreciate the school bond we passed in June Involvement able” city signage rules, as it was bi-weekly meetings where all citi- stewardship provided by members with over 73 percent of the vote. It put in a “reasonable” location at zens are encouraged to speak on any of the city council, all of whom vol- required a 2/3 vote and restricted Dear Editor, this site. It is clearly homemade, but and all matters, including thoughts unteer their time. Bottom line, I’m a the use of funds to itemized needs. Measure C proposes a sales tax wasn’t any larger or smaller than the and ideas pertaining to Measure C happy camper. THIS Measure C is starkly different. increment, a general tax. Since gen- other signs. I have been trying hard funds. Finally, I don’t think we should It requires only a simple majority eral taxes cannot be legally restrict- to think of any reason that a staffer Remember all Measure C monies take the risk that other taxing au- and does not legally restrict the use ed to specific purposes, voting for a could have used to justify removal. will be placed in a separate category thorities will make it impossible for of funds. general tax requires a level of trust The resident who made the sign account so that the oversight com- the city to add 1 percent later. The Unlike Orinda, whose voters in those making decisions on how to did reach out to me, and doesn’t feel mittee and all Lafayette residents sales tax in Lafayette is already 8.5 passed by 69 percent a 10-year sales spend those revenues. justified in putting it back up. That can see, report and comment on percent and the maximum allowed tax generating approximately $7 Over the past 20 years, the city is just awful, and should not be how Measure C expenditures. by state law is 10 percent. I think it million, and Moraga, whose vot- of Lafayette has managed to stretch our residents feel about expressing Protecting open space, reducing will reach the maximum even if La- ers passed by 70 percent a 20-year modest city revenues and find addi- their opinions in our city. downtown congestion — including fayette doesn’t add anything to the sales tax generating approximately tional funds to reconstruct all of the Please, some acknowledgement parking — enhancing police protec- sales tax burden. $20 million, Lafayette’s Measure city’s failed roads; develop a suc- by staff for the reasons why this tion and potentially acquiring land If you can’t afford it certainly C would last 29 years and generate cessful and vibrant downtown; and one particular sign was removed for a downtown park are some of vote no on C. But, if you can and approximately $100 million. The build a beautiful Veterans Hall and should be made public. Justifica- the elements Measure C is intended still decide to vote no then at least magnitude of Lafayette’s proposed a library. Through good times and tions should be given, or apologies to address. be civil. It is important that we be tax is out of sync with our neighbor- recessions, Lafayette has balanced expressed. Please join us to make Lafayette, respectful of opposing views. This ing communities’ taxes. its budgets and maintained a healthy Susan Candell the town we all love, a better place much we know from observing the I love Lafayette, but I don’t love emergency fund. Lafayette to live. presidential candidates and their Measure C. I hope that in the future All five members of the city Vote Yes on Measure C. talking heads. our city leaders will follow an ap- council, as well as the new council Karen and Tom Mulvaney Budd MacKenzie proach more similar to those of our member, who will take his seat in Lafayette school board or our neighboring Lafayette Opinions in Letters to the Editor are the express views of the writer and not towns. necessarily those of the Lamorinda Weekly. All published letters will include the Lafayette Doesn’t Need More Taxes YES on Lafayette’s Measure C Linda Murphy writer’s name and city/town of residence -- we will only accept letters from those Lafayette who live in, or own a business in, the communities comprising Lamorinda (please Dear Editor, Dear Editor, give us your phone number for verification purposes only). Letters should be 350 I am writing concerning your For the past two years the city words or less; letters of up to 500 words will be accepted on a space-available Oct. 5 Measure C article. has held community meetings to basis. Visit www.lamorindaweekly.com for submission guidelines. email: While Prop C is billed as a one listen to the thoughts and opinions [email protected] ; Regular mail: Lamorinda Weekly, P.O.Box 6133, Moraga, CA 94570 percent increase in the sales tax, the of residents on a 20-year vision for increase from 8.5 percent to 9.5 per- Lafayette’s future, The Citizens’ Vi- cent is an approximately 12 percent sion. increase. Add to this a potential ½ More than 700 people participat- percent increase from Measure X, ed and said that their priorities were bringing the total to 10 percent, this to preserve open space, improve IT’S APRIL IN LAMORINDA sales tax increase could be nearly 18 traffic flow and parking, enhance percent. And to top it off is a mea- public safety, and add a new down- FOR REAL ESTATE sure to continue the ¼-percent in- town park to enhance the quality of Consistently Representing Buyers and crease that Governor Brown prom- life in Lafayette. ised would expire. Voting YES on Measure C will Sellers in Successful Transactions Were it not for these measures the give Lafayette the funds it needs to Buy • Sell • Live • Lamorinda tax rate should have dropped to 8.25 accomplish those visions of its future. Giving Dreams an Address percent. So this potential rate of 10 Anne Grodin 925-253-2147 93 Moraga Way, #103, Orinda percent we’re looking at is in actual- Lafayette [email protected] CalBRE#01221153 ity a 21 percent increase, when in- April Matthews www.villageassociates.com • www.dreamhomelamorinda.com Page: A14 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Letters to the Editor ... continued Lafayette School Board over. The Lafayette School District positions on both the Parents’ Club These parent members all appre- Immel’s letter dated Oct. 19. is not insolvent, far from it. and EFO boards. Cara’s three-year ciated Jeanette’s impeccable man- Mr. Immel is making his rec- Sturm for Lafayette School Not only is it supported by an leadership as co-president of EFO, ner in documenting, and reporting ommendation based on 30-year- District Board affluent and growing local tax base, her proven ability to work with all with transparency and consistency old information. Who makes but the district owns property all types of groups and stakeholders in a timely manner. When Jeanette decisions for tomorrow and the Dear Editor, over town (e.g. White Pony) and and knowledge of this community suggested needed interventions or future based on 30-year-old infor- As a Lafayette Unified School has millions of dollars of assets where she grew up and raised her changes, the Troop Committee too mation? I hope Moraga does not. Board member, I have worked to with substantial equity value. For children are also invaluable assets. acted by listening to her. This is Let me be clear: I am abso- ensure a world-class education for these reasons, I was discouraged It takes decisiveness, diploma- where the Jeanette’s philosophy for lutely in favor of preserving and all students while maintaining fis- by what Rob Sturm had posted on cy and collaboration to get things her campaign of “LISTEN. REA- maintaining Moraga’s open space cal responsibility. I support Rob “Nextdoor.” I felt sure that going done on the Orinda school board SON. ACT.” stands out to be tried, and ridge lines. Open space was Sturm because he embraces this bankrupt in one year wasn’t fea- and these women have those quali- and true to me. one of the main reasons my wife same ideal. Rob believes, “We sible – and a bit of research proved ties in spades. Jeanette, also dedicated her time and I were drawn to Moraga, as is are fortunate to have a wonderful that feeling to be true. Wendy Bond and talent to our troop even though true for many Moragans. school district and superintendent When Rob claimed district in- Orinda her son had accomplished his Rank In terms of the issue from 30 and fantastic teachers and staff. solvency again during the recent of Eagle Scout. I trusted her credi- years ago, at the time the Town Nevertheless, there are opportuni- PTA debate, the other two candi- Moraga Town Council bility, not only by working with her Council felt that the Moraga ties to regain fiscal stability and im- dates jumped in to correct him. They on a monthly basis for a year. I am Open Space Ordinance (MOSO) prove upon Lafayette’s academic referenced district data and pointed Korpus Has What it Takes also impressed by her educational would actually limit the council’s preeminence.” people to the district website. and professional work history as ability to preserve and protect California’s unstable school I’ve never written a letter to a Dear Editor, well. open space. After the vote to pass funding requires districts be fis- newspaper before, but what the I have served on the Moraga She has also worked on the Sur- MOSO, developers filed suit to cally disciplined. To protect against community is hearing and seeing Planning Commission with Kym- vey For Moraga Residents involv- overturn the vote of the residents. cuts in down economies, our dis- is distressing. No election is worth berleigh Korpus since her appoint- ing our major shopping area in The town council, including my- trict maintains reserves which we causing fear amongst parents, ment several months ago. Since Moraga, as well as having served self, used all of our legal means, have historically avoided spending teachers, and citizens of our dis- joining the commission I have on the Moraga Park’s & Recre- then costing tens of thousands of in up economies. However, we re- trict. For these reasons, I am clear found her to be thoughtful, atten- ational Committee. I believe Jea- dollars, to successfully defend the cently approved a budget with an in who I am voting to be added to tive to detail, and open to the views nette Fritzky is not only capable but MOSO vote in court. $800,000-plus deficit which leaves the Lafayette School Board: Mer- of her fellow commissioners. She also has the ethical professionalism Two items he did not include: us below reserve levels recom- edith Meade and Mark Kindhouse. frequently elevates the quality of to become elected to the Moraga First, when mentioning Mulhol- mended by experts. Projections I urge you to do the same. both the discussions and decisions. Town Council. land Ridge, he missed the briefing show our reserves being exhausted Alec Thompson She is always well prepared. Cheryl Ku I received from the then Planning within the next two years. When Lafayette Conflict is to be expected when Moraga Director where he said I could not asked about this at a candidates’ dealing with some of the complex start from “0 units” when consid- forum, the other candidates gave Sturm for Lafayette Schools and contentious issues before us. Wykle, Korpus for Town Council ering this development. The end flip responses about passing- an Each of us brings our own experi- result was several streets caped other parcel tax. Rob Sturm was Dear Editor, ence and style to the meetings. I Dear Editor, off with a few houses and over the only candidate to answer that a One of the primary reasons my believe some of the conflict that has The Town of Moraga is losing 300 acres of open space from parcel tax should only be used as family moved to Lafayette in 2010 resulted in apparent negative feel- its precious semi-rural character behind Scofield Drive across the a last resort, particularly given that was because of its schools. My ings towards Commissioner Korpus and quality of life. The upcoming Mulholland Ridge to Camino Ri- we recently passed a $70 million family, and the entire Lafayette is a result of style differences. Her Town Council election will deter- cardo. bond and a permanent parcel tax. community, place enormous im- process is lawyerly and methodical. mine the future of Moraga. Second, in 1974, when the town Rob used his professional training portance on the level of education In planning meetings her questions Graig Crossley, commendable incorporated, the county projected to review our budget and identify provided to our children. We have build a structure of facts that moves as his many years of public ser- a population over 50,000 for Mor- areas of inefficiency that could be the best teachers, aides, assistants, toward an informed decision of the vice are, cannot be counted on to aga. The town council, including addressed without affecting the staff, administration and school situation at hand. She often brings protect Moraga’s scenic corridors, myself, worked to eliminate the education students receive. His as- board in the world and, as a family, to light information that would oth- hillsides, ridgelines and vistas freeways through town that would sessment is sophisticated, substan- we are profoundly grateful to them. erwise not be explored without her from over-development. He fought have supported that population. tive and reflects his professional I know that Rob Sturm feels the persistence. against MOSO as a former council Instead, the Moraga Country Club expertise and a respect for the same. It’s imperative that we con- For the time she has been on the member, and he has not changed. has a longterm lease providing burden that parcel taxes place on tinue to enable premier education commission, I have found her to be He is part of Moraga’s old guard, open space and adding nine holes our residents. We need that kind of for our kids and I have complete intelligent and analytical; she does which has given all it could and for their golf course. thinking on our board. trust and confidence in Rob to work thorough research on the topics pre- earned the right to retire. In the past decades, it is clear Rob is also dedicated to ensur- collaboratively with the board to do sented. Her legal training enables Jeanette Fritzky, though appar- MOSO is the cornerstone pro- ing a preeminent education for all so. I’m voting for Rob for Lafay- her ability to thoroughly analyze the ently accomplished in her private tecting Moraga’s open space and our students. We provide an ex- ette School Board and I encourage decisions before us. She is aware of and professional life, has no ex- ridgelines. Mr. Immel and I may ceptional education to most of our you to do the same. the potential loss of our semi-rural perience in Town planning and have disagreed on the method, but students. However, there are valid Rob brings a seasoned back- look, school over-crowding and in- processes. She has yet to develop I did and continue to support pre- concerns that we may not be ad- ground and skills that will aid the creasing traffic congestion due to a voice of her own, and appears to serving Moraga’s open space and equately serving our special needs District in meeting the need to consequence of growth. take guidance and direction from ridgelines. and gifted students. As an attorney maintain and enhance high-quali- I support Kymberleigh Korpus Moraga’s old guard. Graig Crossley with experience providing equal ty academic standards while also in her run for Town Council. As What is needed now is an infu- Moraga opportunity counseling, Rob has ensuring that Lafayette’s School a longtime Moragan she is com- sion of new energy by those who expertise that will benefit our spe- District is operating as cost-effi- mitted to maintaining the quality have shown leadership and dedi- Out Town, Our Future cial needs community and our dis- ciently as possible. His experi- of life and character of our town, cation to Moraga’s core values trict by avoiding unnecessary legal ence as a nearly 25-year attorney which makes Moraga the special and principles. An ideal candidate Dear Editor: expenses. Rob also wants to see our with a proven track record of fiscal place it is. would also demand greater govern- I ask with great urgency that district actively consider accelerat- diligence and problem-solving will I have written the above opinion mental transparency and account- Moragans vote for Roger Wykle. ed academic offerings (an area we help the district save substantially as a private citizen. ability, while encouraging a more I keep hearing so many comments have recently reduced). Rob will be in order to ensure fiscal stabil- Suzanne D’Arcy openly participatory process. about the size and density of proj- an advocate for all our students. ity and redirect non-value-added Moraga Kymberleigh Korpus is such a ects that are being built now -- Please vote Charles (“Robert”) spend to productive purposes such candidate. As my colleague on the e.g., on Moraga Road across from Sturm for Lafayette School Board. as enhanced academic offerings Fritzky for Town Council Moraga Planning Commission, I the Rheem shopping center, and Nancy Wallace and teacher pay and eliminating the have seen her carefully examine on Camino Ricardo (where the Lafayette District’s deficit spending. Dear Editor, facts, listen to and challenge opin- homes are now spilling over on Not only will Rob will provide I am a mom active in a BSA ions, and actively engage the pub- the backside of that hill and can Vote Meade and Kindhouse the board with a proven leader who Troop #234 in Moraga. I have as- lic. She asks tough questions from be seen from the Moraga shop- has a well-established record of sisted serving on the parent com- all sides of the issues, and gives ping center). Don’t know about Dear Editor, success and ability to bring fresh mittee for our troop with town clear reasons for her decisions. you, but the “story poles” that I am writing today to express my perspectives to the table, he is a council candidate Jeanette Fritzky Even though some Planning Com- once were put up relating to these concerns regarding recent posts thoughtful, kind and committed when she was the troop’s Treasurer. missioners have opposed her can- developments NEVER gave on “Nextdoor” and statements at a resident of Lafayette -- and an ex- I would like to share with you why didacy because they object to her me any idea of the true mass of recent debate by one of the candi- emplary father -- who is fully dedi- I feel that this woman is the per- willingness to question the merits these buildings. And that’s only dates running for Lafayette School cated to supporting the future of son for the position on the Moraga of others’ decisions and to take a the visual impact. The traffic and Board. our incredible community. Town Council for this upcoming stand against the approval of the other results of the fine folks who Last week, a candidate posted Please join me in voting for election. City Ventures project, they have move in aren’t things that can be messages stating that the Lafayette Rob Sturm for Lafayette School I was very secure and confident come to grudgingly respect her due reversed. But the MANY future School District was in dire finan- Board. with Jeanette Fritzky when she was diligence and ability to identify proposed developments are still cial condition. Then, during the Cameron Burks our BSA Troop Treasurer. She has important issues. She has demon- in our hands right now with this PTA Candidate Forum on October Lafayette the skilled communication that fa- strated the needed experience and election! 25th, the candidate stated again that cilitates understanding of financial leadership, and needs your support Roger Wykle was one of the the district would be fiscally insol- Orinda School Board details with poise. She demonstrat- to ensure the town adheres to its few town council members who vent by 2018. This type of alarmist ed being able to communicate ef- own policies and procedures, and is voted against these projects, who rhetoric is concerning. Uninformed Weiner, Hoxie for OUSD fectively not only to the parents in held accountable (e.g., Key Perfor- has championed a cautious ap- stakeholders can easily over react the troop/parent committee, but to mance Indicator metrics). proach to development, and who to such language: teachers won- Dear Editor, the Scout Master, other scout lead- Roger Wykle will bring his has stood firm for the protec- der whether they should look for I am writing to recommend both ers and to our local scout district calm, capable, and creative ana- tion of Moraga’s remaining open new jobs; parents worry about los- Hillary Weiner and Cara Hoxie for She accounted for our financial lytical skills to enable the new solid space. Because the town is about ing educational programs; seniors OUSD school board. I know each budget and assisted with planning, majority in the Town Council to en- to adopt new rules governing hill- wonder what a district bankruptcy of them personally and “profes- fundraising and cost-cutting where sure Moraga’s bright future. side and ridgeline development, might mean for housing values. sionally” through serving together needed. Thus, as a private citizen, I urge we absolutely need his voice on I have been in banking and fi- on the EFO Executive Board. Many members in our parent you to vote for Korpus and Wykle the next council to protect what nance my whole career, I have a We’re lucky that these two compe- committee not only are active in for Moraga Town Council. remains of our semi-rural town. pretty solid understanding of what tent women have stepped forward our troop as scout leaders, but have Ferenc Kovac And for those wondering, insolvency means: it means your to offer their skills to help ensure very high level positions of respon- Moraga I believe Korpus and Fritzky long-term liabilities are greater the continued excellence of Orinda sibility during their daily profes- also have histories that display than your assets and that you do not K-8 schools. sional lives as business and gov- Candidate Responds to thoughtful support for our Town have the cash flow to service those Hillary is the only candidate who ernment leaders. They all respected Criticism in this way, and will receive my liabilities. It means you are on a has students in the district and will her integrity, consistency and abil- vote. path to bankruptcy or, in the case lend this perspective along with her ity to help maintain a balanced bud- Dear Editor, Karen Chin of a school district, a potential take- experience holding executive level get of the Troop. This letter is in response to Mr. Moraga Share your thoughts, insights and opinions with your community. Send a letter to the editor: [email protected] Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A15 Letters to the Editor ... continued Orinda City Council Two Clear Candidates for her desire to serve her community. their records of community service, nomic development policy was Orinda Council But aside from her previous un- not lip service. On Nov. 8, vote for neglected. I’ve heard it argued that Can Orinda Preserve its Semi- successful campaigns for various Darlene Gee and Inga Miller. preserving Orinda’s charm was rural Character? Dear Editor, elected offices, I am unaware of Mark Roberts something that had to be worked Owen Murphy (LW, 10/4, Let- her involvement on any local com- Orinda at. But sustained blight is not a Dear Editor, ters) is right. There is indeed a clear mission, committee or board that strategy. Doing nothing is not lead- Be careful what you vote for: choice in the city council election. works to enhance the quality of life Gee and Miller for Council ership. And now we’re left with semi-rural vs. more congestion. This election finally gives Orinda in our community. more maintenance than we afford, In well-established Orinda, known voters the opportunity to send a On the other hand, Inga Miller Dear Editor, a commercial core that hasn’t been for its excellent schools and safe clear mandate to the next city coun- served as a member of the city’s This fall, Orinda can go for- updated in decades, and the accom- environment, a key election battle cil to move forward with a commu- Parks and Recreation Commission ward or we can go back. We can panying drag on our economy and is surfacing between those sup- nity discussion on revitalizing our and is a member of the board of Las choose to improve our amenities, property values. porting local control, semi-rural downtown. Do we stick with the Trampas, Inc., a local non-profit or- restore our crumbling roads and I appreciate that every candi- values, and organic growth versus status quo, which means ineffective ganization that has served adults build a more vibrant community for date says they want to improve the big money pro-real estate de- policies that have let our downtown with developmental disabilities for our kids and families - or we can go downtown, but two of those candi- velopment interests. fall into disrepair and disuse, while nearly 60 years. back. We can continue the same di- dates opposed beginning a serious Some residents are concerned letting other communities leapfrog Darlene Gee served as a member rectionless course that has given us conversation on the subject at the that city council candidates, con- us? Or do we launch an important and chair of Orinda’s Citizens In- vacant lots, declining property val- city council. For me, that disquali- struction executive Darlene Gee, discussion on what it will take to frastructure Oversight Commission ues and unsafe roads. The choice is fies them on this issue. That says and real estate attorney Inga Mill- restore downtown to a place of before she was appointed to the city clear, the candidates’ positions are they’re not serious about progress er, who want to hire the Urban vibrancy, economic activity and council last year to complete the clear, and that’s why I’m support- - they’re committed to the status Land Institute, to lead the process pride? term of now-State Senator Steve ing Inga Miller and Darlene Gee quo. of evaluating Orinda’s downtown, Unfortunately, Mr. Murphy Glazer. for city council. Vote for Gee and Miller for city will invariably lead to new mas- wrongly frames the important Orinda needs and deserves city For decades, Orindans have council. sive multi-story condos, increased choice ahead of us with questions council members who have served been disappointed as our elected Bergen Kenny traffic congestion, and major vio- designed to frighten more than en- their community with their good leaders wrung their hands over the Orinda lations of Orinda’s General Plan. lighten. deeds and hard work, not just their basics of governing. Everything Favoring semi-rural values, ad- He asks which candidates would words. Please join me in support- from routine maintenance of our herence to the general plan, code take a flexible approach to height ing the two candidates who offer city’s infrastructure to simple eco- compliant buildings (to 35 feet), limits and density in crafting an ec- and organic growth, are candidates onomically viable downtown plan Dr. Bruce London, a retired radi- based on community input. Cer- ologist, and educator Linda Dele- tainly not Bruce London or Linda hunt. Delehunt, his preferred candidates, The outcome is significant, and who seem inflexible on current JUST SOLD in might be a role model for neigh- land use restrictions governing our Rossmoor! boring cities, as it represents an downtown. Yet these government understanding that population restrictions have led to crumbling 3340 Ptarmigan Drive, #3-A density, overbuilding, and munici- buildings and vacant lots down- Elegant level-in condo pal code violations become major town. It’s past time for the commu- Villa Valle floor plan impairments to safety and quality nity to revisit the rules. of life issues. He asks, “Who would allow new 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms

Chris Kniel downtown development to provide 1475± square feet with Orinda fewer on-site parking spaces?” The detached 2-car garage answer: no one. His support for Does Gee Represent Bruce London and Linda Delehunt Sold for $785,000 Developers? implies that Darlene Gee and Inga in an off-market Miller would. Wrong. transaction Dear Editor, He asks which candidates “seem Darlene Gee, appointed to the oblivious to the potential impact of Contemplating a move? Orinda City Council in July, 2015, downtown residential development Call us first! states: “None of my campaign on school class size, increased traf- contributions are from develop- fic, public safety, and an exacerbat- MARY BETH MACLENNAN ment interests” (letter to the edi- ed downtown parking squeeze?” 925.324.6246 tor, Lamorinda Weekly, Oct. 19). Again, no one. It is impossible to TONY CONTE Ms. Gee is seeking a full four-year ignore such impacts in any mean- 925.708.1396 ingful dialogue about downtown term on the Orinda City Council. [email protected] A review of Ms. Gee’s cam- development. Why does he assume [email protected] paign contributions from July 11 they would? No facts, just fears. License # 01480008 | 00959101 Pacific Union # 01866771 to Sept. 24 reveals that Ms. Gee Finally, he states that there are has indeed received campaign only two candidates “without con- 9LAMORINDA 9ROSSMOOR 9GREATER EAST BAY contributions from development flict-of-interest ties to the real- es interests. Contribution to Ms. tate and development special inter- Gee’s campaign were reported on ests.” This baseless smear implies Sept. 29, 2016, by the Orinda City that Gee and Miller have such ties. 2016__Ad-LaMorinda_5.875X8.pdf 1 8/29/16 11:48 AM Clerk’s office. Wrong. Ms. Gee is a vice president of Mr. Murphy is correct. There is the HNTB Corporation, a con- indeed a clear choice in this elec- struction and engineering firm. tion. The status quo on downtown According to HNTB’s website, isn’t working. Make the choice that HNTB has done work for BART will improve our quality of life and (Bay Area Rapid Transit). our property values. Vote for Dar- On Sept. 16, Ms. Gee received lene Gee and Inga Miller. $1,000 from the HNTB Holdings Andy and Carole Amstutz PAC (political action committee) Rudy and Laurie Reich located in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob Burt On Sept. 6, Ms. Gee received a Mike and Ginny Ross 2016 BARRON’S $200 contribution from Grace Ethan Elkind TOP 100 INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISORS Crunican, the general manager of Bill Waterman BART and a resident of Alameda. Orinda From her fellow HNTB em- Orinda Needs Community ployees, Ms. Gee received five MICHAEL YOSHIKAMI IS AGAIN contributions. Four of the five Service, Not Lip Service contributions came from HNTB 8 RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF AMERICA’S employees who live outside of Dear Editor, YEARS “TOP 100 INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL Orinda. Here are the names, loca- As I look at the track records of IN A ROW ADVISORS”1 BY BARRON’S tions, and dollar amounts donated the four candidates vying for C the by these five employees: Anthony two seats to be filled on the OrindaM Lee (Cranford, NJ, $99); Dina Pot- City Council on Nov. 8, I noticeY a ter (Piedmont, CA, $500); Joshua startling difference in the recordsCM of Englander (Sherman Oaks, CA actual community service among MY $100); Shannon Gaffney (Mora- the candidates. ga, CA, $100); and Darrell Vice Dr. Bruce London touts CY his READY FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE? (Orinda, CA, $250). regular attendance at Orinda CityCMY If you have investable assets of at least $500,000 and would like

Council, Planning Commission,K According to California Form 497 (dated a complimentary portfolio review ooff your current strategy, call Sept. 21,) HNTB donated $20,000 to support Citizens Infrastructure Oversight Measure X, which, if enacted by Contra Cos- Commission and Finance Advisory 855.396.7526 for moree detailsdetails.. ta County’s voters in November, will increase Committee meetings. That’s com- the county sales tax by one-half percentage mendable in itself, but has he ever MICHAEL YOSHIKAMI,, point. This means that the sales tax in Orinda applied to be appointed to actu- CFP®, PH.D. IS CEO ally serve on any of those bodies? will go from 9.0 percent to 9.5 percent. Some AND FOUNDER OF Measure X money will go to BART. Ms. There’s a huge difference between Gee supports Measure X. going to meetings and express- DESTINATION WEALTHH If Orinda’s voters elect Ms. ing one’s opinion and actually be- MANAGEMENT AND ing a member who has to prepare Gee, they will have to decide if AUTHOR OF “YOUR Ms. Gee will be representing Orin- for those meetings, do his or her da’s residents or the interests of the “homework,” actively participate MONEY, YOUR FUTURE”RE” HNTB Corporation. in all meetings, express opinions Richard S. Colman that may not be popular among dis- WWW.DESTINATIONWM.COM Orinda senting groups, and actually make 1255 Treat Blvd. Suite 900 | Walnut Creek, CA 94597 | PHONE: 855.396.7526

decisions that affect our commu- 1 The ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms and the quality of the nity. advisors’ practices. The scoring system assigns a top score of 100 and rates the rest by comparing them with the winner. TheBarron’s award Linda Delehunt is a fellow mem- is not indicative of Destination Wealth Management’s future performance. ber of a Rotary Club which reflects Page: A16 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 “A little bit of myself goes into every job.” ~ HE’S ALL ABOUT LAMORINDA ~ Michael VerBrugge, President, Moraga Resident 925.631.1055 www.MVCRemodeling.com Specializing in kitchens & bathrooms. Office: 925-254-8585 All forms residential remodel/repair. Cell: 925-998-7898 www.clarkthompson.com Lic# 681593 CalBRE #: 00903367 [email protected] Giving Dreams an Address

General Contractor Clean | Courteous | Conscientious Celebrating 10 Years of the Crosses On-time | Trustworthy | Local References Full design team resources available ... continued from page A1 Initially disheartened by the a lot of attention as they were a easier to do with clearly defined fact that the crosses were de- controversial topic amongst the rows in between. stroyed, Heaton knew he had to Lamorinda community members. Louise and Johnson Clark have continue. “When I started put- The Crosses of Lafayette were since passed, but now their sons ting the crosses up and they got discussed at multiple city council Charles and Steve are trustees of ripped down so quickly, I realized meetings. Many residents were the property. According to Heaton, how powerful a message it was,” upset at the crosses. They felt they “We are currently having work- he said. Heaton enlisted the help were disrespectful to the troops, shops to come up with design ideas of Bob Hanson and they began to that the crosses were not honoring for a permanent memorial. We feel build support among the commu- the fallen but were sending a nega- that we’ve made a lot of progress nity for a memorial. Three years af- tive message of defeatism. on it, but it’s still in the planning ter the initial crosses were erected “Over the years Veterans have stages. We want to solidify our de- and quickly torn down, Heaton and become supportive. They realized sign idea and present it to Charles Call Tom Hanson were joined by the Mount the Crosses are a protest against and Steve.” for a free Since 1993! Diablo Peace and Justice Cen- forgetting our soldiers,” said Hea- Since Veterans Day 2006, there estimate Tom Gieryng, owner and operator ter, Grandparents for Peace, and ton. He added that, “Those who has been a demonstration every the Lamorinda Peace and Justice came to the memorial realized it year at the Crosses of Lafayette. Group. Together, the volunteers put was something for them; to help There are also demonstrations ev- up 300 crosses on Veterans Day in them cope.” ery Memorial Day. In fact, San 2006. Maintaining the hillside is no Francisco based singer-songwriter Only a few months later in easy task. “Every year, we have to Laura Zucker wrote her song “Me- February 2007, the number had ex- weed whack for fire prevention,” morial Day” about the process and panded to more than 2,000 crosses said Hanson. Heaton, Hanson and the hillside that is now the Crosses Building on the hillside. “Our goal was to other volunteers often head up to of Lafayette. Besides attracting na- Foundations have one cross for every American the hillside to touch up paint on the tional media attention, the Crosses killed in Iraq, and we quickly found crosses. At times there would be of Lafayette have also been recog- • Lifting out we couldn’t do it. There wasn’t 50 volunteers out keeping up the nized internationally. Documenta- • Leveling enough space and we didn’t have crosses. Heaton added that they are ries have been made in France and • Stabilizing enough energy or materials to keep in the process of “re-digging all of Japan (as well as here in the U.S.) up with the number,” said Hanson. the crosses and straightening them about the memorial. A German Heaton, who has been tracking out. I’m trying to go through over newspaper even covered the story. the death toll of the war, pointed the next year or two to completely For those interested in making www.bayareaunderpinning.org out that “the most conservative clean it up.” Heaton said that he a contribution to support painting, number I can give is (around) 7,000 aims to put them in straight rows so repairs, and weed abatement, they soldiers have fallen since the war that not only are they better orga- can do so online through the Mount started.” nized on the hillside, but it makes Diablo Peace and Justice Center at Initially the crosses received weeding and maintenance so much www.ourpeacecenter.org.

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WWW.DUDUM.COM LAFAYETTE WALNUT CREEK 999 OAK HILL RD., #100 1910 OLYMPIC BLVD., #100 Distinctive Properties LAFAYETTE, CA 94549 WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596 O: 925.284.1400 F: 925.284.1411 O: 925.937.4000 F: 925.937.4001 CALBRE #01882902 Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B1 Saint Mary’s Students Offer Fresh and Poetic ‘Twelfth Night’ By Sophie Braccini

The cast warms up before the final rehearsal of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Photo Sophie Braccini t is a rarity to be able to see students to set the whole play in their ease with the language and IShakespeare at Saint Mary’s Col- a loosely defined golden period perfect embodiment of their char- lege. According to professor and of Hollywood, taking inspiration acter. There are also some spectacu- director Daniel Larlham, it might from film director Baz Luhrmann lar moments, such as the shipwreck only be the second time ever, the (“Moulin Rouge,” “The Great that actually happens on stage, the reason being that the text requires Gatsby”) and his irreverent anach- fights, the comic moments and the such work that it is hard to put it ronistic take on a period. songs that could surprise some. together within the seven weeks Larlham says that he spent a There is enough there to satisfy any given to an SMC production. lot of “table work” time with the Shakespeare amateur, and entice But leave it to the bold young students so they would define for those who could be intimidated by director and his passionate students themselves what the actual mean- the old language. to take up the challenge. With a lot ings of the lines are, so they could The play will open on Thurs- of hard work, much creativity and make a character choice about it. day, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. at the LeFe- talent, they are offering a modern Most students who decided to vre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, and meaningful “Twelfth Night” take on this challenge had studied Moraga. It will also run at 4 p.m. that will speak to all audiences. the 17th century playwright in high and 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and at Cal Shakes recently showed school, but not necessarily per- 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. Tickets with a masterful modern produc- formed him. Angelo Chukwudebe,, can be purchased online at stmarys- tion of “Othello” that transfigur- who plays Duke Orsino, may be ca.edu/twelfth-night, or at the box 925.878.9964 ing Shakespeare to the modern era one of the most experienced Shake- office, one hour prior to curtain. [email protected] speaks to today’s audience, when spearean actors; he participated in done by inspired director and cast. the English Speaking Union Na- It all started for SMC “Twelfth tional Shakespeare competition Night” with Larlham’s choice of and was one of the finalists. a play that evokes deep emotions. The students say that they have He feels that the central sentiment put a lot of work in developing of the play is a kind of anguished their characters and memorizing Care. Comfort. Compassion. yearning of unrequited love. He the lines, but feel that the work When you need it most. also acknowledges that he was al- is well worth it. Amanda Ramos, Your Lamorinda Senior Checklist … ways moved by the theme of the playing Maria, found so much cur- Find cook for better nutrition separation of the twin brother and rent relevance in the old text, “the Get driver to appointments, groceries sister. themes of gender and sexuality Get help with laundry & changing sheets What helped him creating this are very prevalent in the show and Find somebody for companionship, exercise, puzzles complex play within a very short very relevant to us today,” she says. CALL SENIOR HELPERS period was that in the spring of this Her friend Nakia Gibbs, who plays We can assist with these activities and more. year Larlham conducted an acting Feste, adds that many TV series are Call for a free assessment 925-376-8000 class that was focused on Shake- inspired by Shakespeare’s work Bonded and insured. Senior Helpers locations are independently owned and operated. speare, where students studied a and recalls the 2006 movie “She’s Licensed by CA Social Services HCO #074700005. ©2011 SH Franchising, LLC. scene of “Twelfth Night.” The pro- the Man” that is a very modern take fessor says that at first the students on “Twelfth Night.” She adds that gave a very formal rendering of the the most fun and interesting part for text, but he asked them to imagine her as an actress has been to find a that the characters were in a Hol- way to embody the language with lywood hills mansion in the 1950s, its comical aspects for audiences More mailbox theft in Orinda, Lafayette and and use their own sensibility. that might have difficulty under- “They thought it was funny standing the words. Moraga last weekend. Packages left on the doorstep, tell the at first, but then they were able to The result is convincing and wrong people you are not home! Rent a mailbox from bring such powerful life force to it, very pleasurable. Like in the SMC by thinking of it as closer to them- production of Aristophanes’ “Ly- Lafayette Pack and Ship and have peace of mind that all selves,” the director recalls. sistrata,” some students definitely This inspired Larlham and his dominate the performance with your mail and packages are kept safe and secure until you collect them. Call Ian or Sue today for details. 37TH38TH ANNUALANNUAL 925 LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST 925 284 7444 FRIDAY, NOV 18, 7AM CONVERSATION. CATERED BREAKFAST. KEYNOTE SPEAKER. Dealing with an estate? Just call Ian or Sue, MUSIC. they will pick up, wrap, pack and ship your items safely Lafayette United Methodist Church 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette anywhere in the US or the world. $20 per person

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Photo provided andy Preto was inspired to start 15 sold out even quicker than they cancer. Both discs are a collection Sa Moraga-based charitable or- anticipated; chalk it up to the fan- of unique original songs with a ganization after a joyous surprise tastic headliner and social media message of optimism and inspira- party organized by partner Mark marketing, but unfortunately the tion by a variety of Bay Area artists, Carlton after her tough two-year weather didn’t cooperate, with a re- including Jackson Rohm, Painbirds battle fighting breast cancer. cord amount of rain that hit right at and Rob Hotchkiss. The artists own She was diagnosed in April of showtime. their songs, but they generously al- 2011 with Invasive Lobular Carci- Despite the challenges, the low Notes4Hope to use them, Carl- noma and had multiple surgeries, event was a “smashing success.” ton said. CDs are available for pur- plus chemotherapy and radiation Preto said, due to an army of vol- chase at Allison McCrady Fine Arts along with some nasty complica- unteers, the continuing support of in Orinda Theater square as well as tions. donors and sponsors, and lots of at Farmyard Darlings located in the The evening originally started tents to cover all of the equipment old Hen House building in down- as a dinner to express the couple’s on stage, along with the VIP din- town Lafayette. The CDs are also heartfelt thanks with her medical ner. Most patrons came prepared in available online and for download team. Preto noticed a band setting full rain gear and umbrellas; trash from the website www.notes4hope. up in a corner of the restaurant, but bags and blankets were provided to org. “Each song reminds us to be she had no idea that Mark also ar- those in need. grateful, and aware of the power of ranged an expanded party inviting The highlight came when Carl- our human spirit,” sums up Preto friends, family and the band Luce ton proposed to Preto onstage while and Carlton’s message on the inte- to celebrate completing her treat- being serenaded by Tom Luce, of rior of CD4Hope2016. ment. the band Luce, singing “All I’ve It’s clearly a juggling act that That magical night, life affirm- been Waiting For.” Incidentally, Preto, now cancer-free, and Carl- ing and full of hope, led to their she said “Yes!” ton enjoy. When not planning these founding what is now called Note- In addition to the live shows, full scale concerts, both have day s4Hope, an educational non-profit the couple have also produced jobs, are raising kids and recently to bring people and music together two collections of original music moved. They plan to have two or to raise funds and build awareness called CD4Hope2015 and CD- three shows next year, and presum- for a more integrative approach to 4Hope2016, with all the proceeds ably will have time to organize a treating and preventing breast can- benefitting the fight against breast wedding. Theater View cer. It was a challenging, lengthy process setting up the non-profit to Veterinary Clinic promote and produce live shows where 100 percent of the proceeds Theater View are donated toward breast cancer research and prevention. Neither Veterinary Clinic, Preto nor Carlton had any experi- owned by ence putting on live performances, Dr. Laurie Langfold, but together they figured it out and is excited to started the very first fundraiser con- announce a new cert in February, 201,3 at the Town addition. Hall Theater in Lafayette. Dr. Amelia Ausman Luckily Tom Luce “was a great has joined our team. supporter from the beginning,” explains Preto. That first show -fea Come check us out. tured Luce and Tender Mercies, a band with several members from the Counting Crows. It was a sell- out. Fast forward more than three and a half years, and Notes4Hope has put on a total of 11events, “Dr. Laurie” Langford from the Round Up in Lafayette to Drakes in Oakland to the Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco to Phone: (925) 317-3187 four shows, including their most re- Fax: (925) 334-7017 cent, at the California Shakespeare Email: [email protected] Theater in Orinda just a couple of www.theaterviewvetclinic.com weeks ago with headliner Matt Na- thanson. 1 Bates Blvd., Suite 200, Orinda The most recent concert on Oct. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B3 Vibrant Landscapes of GET AHEAD IN MATH THIS FALLFALL GRADES K-12 ## Contra Costa County is a Feast for the Eyes By Kara Navolio HOMEWORK HELP FOR ALL LEVELS Flat Monthly Fee Drop-in any time, no scheduling needed! WHEN MATH MAKES SENSE, YOU SUCCEED! Must present coupon. New students only.

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“Cattle Under Tree, Mt. Diablo” Photos Kara Navolio $ 99 OFFER EXPIRES: 1/2/17 he vibrantly depicted land- tion of paint with luscious greens 10 Tscapes of the late Lundy Siegri- contrasted with the red-browns of (regular price $18, est (1925-1985) are on display at the cows to stimulate the senses. seniors and kids $16) the Lafayette Library and Learning In an untitled piece depicting five Center through Nov. 20. cows and a calf, he uses a bold Siegriest’s father, Louis Bassi contrast of the thick yellow paint Siegriest, was a member of the strokes over a blue background Orinda Village 1 Camino Sobrante #5, Orinda (Across from Safeway, Next to Starbucks) 925-254-7474 “Society of Six,” a group of Bay indicating a sun-drenched grassy Rheem Valley Plaza 564 Center St., Moraga (Between TJMaxx & CVS, Next to Massage Envy) 925-376-9000 Area based plein air painters who field with the cows shadowed in joined together in 1917 to form an blue. As William H. Clapp (a mem- Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm • Sat 8am-7pm • Sun 8am-7pm association combining influences ber of the original Society of Six) from French Impressionism and said of the style, “We are not trying the American Post-Impressionist to illustrate a thought or write a cat- Movement. The association, which alog, but to produce a joy through Need Home Care? lasted 15 years, was a unique mod- the use of the eyes.” All the paint- ernist style which shocked the es- ings in this exhibit use intense color Safe, reliable and affordable tablishment at the time. to capture the land and the light. Lundy Siegriest, who grew up Siegriest also had a lifelong home care from professionals always surrounded by art and at- love of teaching. He taught art in who truly care! tended California College of Arts Chicago, Milwaukee, San Fran- and Crafts in Oakland, joined with cisco, and through Walnut Creek We’re here to help...whenever colleagues in 1975 to retrace the Civic Arts (1961-1985). and wherever you need us. traditions of the Society of Six, This is a rare opportunity to painting in plein air throughout view these works as most of these Contra Costa County. The 24 oil paintings are from a private collec- paintings in this exhibit are all from tion. The Learning Center is open this era, and many feature land- every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. and scapes around Mt. Diablo. during the many public events in In “Cattle Under Tree, Mt. Dia- the Community Hall. blo” Siegriest uses thick applica- (925) 317-3080• (925) 402-4411 www.careindeed.com HCO#414000723 [email protected] Serving the Greater Bay Area

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“Storm clouds” Lafayette Residents: See BAMPFA for Free On Sunday, Nov. 13, Lafayette residents will have free access to the new UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives. The $112- million, 83,000-square-foot facility is the East Bay’s best new art museum, and conveniently located in downtown Berkeley. The building was designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro – the same team that renovated Lincoln Center and designed the High Line elevat- ed walking park in New York City. Lafayette residents must show driver’s license at the museum entrance desk. Sign up as a BAMPFA member on that day and receive a one-time 10 percent discount. BAMPFA is located at 2155 Center Street in Downtown Berkeley, just one block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station. More info at www.bampfa.org. — P. Spear Page: B4 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Gold Star Families Star at Town Hall Theatre By Pippa Fisher things about the organization. She says they were so supportive, particularly the Danville Chapter 101, including Patty Harris and Mi- chelle Miller. Vega comments, “We (Gold Star Families) are their worst Women’s Keds nightmare.” But, she continues, “I couldn’t have done it without them.” It was a Blue Star Mom, Deb 10.00 OFF Saunders, who recognized the need for support of Gold Star Families and who started an annual event at the Marines Memorial Club in San Francisco, which was featured on “60 Minutes.” Saunders says, “You can express your sympathy but you cannot empathize with some- Sizes 6 to 10 Six Colors! one unless you’re walking in their Core Champion Canvas Styles shoes and that’s what I knew we MSRP ...... 45.00 had to do; (was) somehow gather these folks together, that they were Our Price ...... 39.99 better equipped in their journey to Special Discount ...... - $10.00 help one another.” Gold Star fami- Jolie Vega and Tom Stack Photo Pippa Fisher lies are honored at this event. They own Hall Theater will be holding was struck by an improvised talk about and remember their chil- NOW ...... 29.99 Ting a very special bonus com- explosive device in Afghanistan. dren – their lost ones are always Also avail. in Slip On ponent to the Nov. 5 Midnight Jake, as he was known, was 24 referred to as “children.” As Vega White or Black Flyer concert as it will be holding years old. He grew up in Lafayette says, “We don’t want our children a fundraising event on behalf of with his brother, attending St. Per- to be forgotten.” Gold Star Families — those who petua School and De La Salle High “We are not meant to be alone,” have lost family members in mili- School. reflected Stack, as he described tary conflicts. Vega remembers her son’s se- how he is hoping to bring the com- Lafayette x Moraga x Danville x Montclair x Orinda Orinda real estate agent Tom nior officer telling her that her son, munity together for a short while Countrywood x Clayton Rd. x Sonoma x Auburn Stack has worked as a volunteer on when asked why he never seemed before the Eagles tribute band, Stockton (Now at Lincoln Center) the board of THT for nine years and afraid, replied that his mother is a Midnight Flyer, takes the stage on has brought in more than 30 rock red-haired Puerto Rican and she Saturday, Nov. 5 for education, and roll bands during that time. is the only one he has ever been awareness-building and fundrais- “All the shows are benefits for scared of! She says that Jake loved ing for the Gold Star Families. the theater but in this case,” says being part of the military. “It made Stack, who worked for many Stack, “we are extending a hand to a man out of him.” years with the Grateful Dead, says, a group in need. Years ago, after a Vega, now retired, worked for “There are many direct examples flood shut us down for a while, and many years for BART. There is a in my life, in my experiences, from threatened to shut us permanently, plaque honoring Jake at the Lafay- the likes of Bill Graham, Carlos we have recovered, and feel that ette station, which was placed there Santana, Ken Kesey, the Grateful our current stability allows us to by BART’s Facilities Department Dead. extend a helping hand. We will be and paid for by the workers. ... continued on page B7 fundraising on behalf of the Gold Vega remembers that she felt Star Families.” very isolated in the days and weeks Stack says he first thought after her son’s death. She recalled about giving back to these fami- that people would see her in the lies after he caught sight of his La- grocery store and head off down fayette neighbor, Yolander (Jolie) another aisle rather than have to say Vega, on the show “60 Minutes,” something to her. She said, “People which was running a segment on don’t know how to handle it. Even Gold Star Families. The story made in the military, they don’t know such an impact on him, he decided what to say.” to find a way to give back using the And yet, in the first week after show at THT that falls right around she got the awful news, she re- Veterans’ Day. ceived a visit from a couple of Blue Vega lost her son, Senior Air- Star Moms (mothers of members of man Jonathan (Jake) Vega Yelner in the armed forces serving overseas). 2008 when the vehicle he was driv- Vega cannot say enough positive Jake Vega Yelner Photo provided Swedish Film ‘Ove’ Delights in Orinda By Sophie Braccini the interruptions come from a new family moving across the alley from him, a Swedish/Persian couple with two vivacious little girls and a mother who’s quite the opposite to Ove. But the movie is much more than the tribula- tions of a set of neighbors that live on different planes. Another very important figure of the movie, Ove’s late wife, emerges by small brush strokes as flashbacks take the spectator into Ove’s past life. A beautiful character in many ways, she brings a softness and strength that balances Ove’s negative desperation. American viewers will chuckle at the male rivalry and bickering over cars in a small neighborhood. Can a friendship be irreparably broken over the make of a car? Are some Swedes that chauvin- istic about their automobile industry? The “car- syndrome” makes for a funny thread all along the movie. Some societal and cultural phenomena are also touched upon here, adding an interesting aspect to the movie. Since his early years Ove has been the victim of what he calls “men in white shirts,” the Image provided people who represent the power and the rules that here is a lot to love about this month’s inter- sometimes infringe deeply on individual rights. Tnational film shown at the Orinda Theatre, “A Ove was never a passive victim; he fought hard, Man Called Ove” (En Man Som Etter Ove) from but always alone. And it is when he understands the Sweden, a comedy-drama that tells the story of a power of community and is able to reach out, that grumpy old man. It is a very well-made, feel-good he will get his best victory. movie — with tears and laughter — that paints the Ultimately the powerful stature of Lassgård- subtle portrait of a desperate man finding his - hu Ove dominates the movie. The actor is a stage art- manity again as he learns to see it in others. ist who played Brecht and Shakespeare. His finely As director Hannes Holm puts it, “’A Man nuanced portrayal of Ove makes the movie all the Called Ove’ is a story about life, and it is recogniz- more believable and endearing. able everywhere where life is.” The movie is based on the New-York best sell- Rolf Lassgård, who plays the title role, is so ing book “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backma- grouchy, pernickety and simple insufferable with a nis. It is the Swedish selection for this year’s foreign complete straight face that one could believe at first language Oscar race, and it is one of the best-rated that the movie is just going to be a sad sentimental films on the internet site Rotten Tomatoes. It was tale. But it is in fact a very skillful mix of humor released last year in Sweden where it was a block- with more dramatic turns. Ove is a recent widower buster. The showing at the Orinda Theater for a who loses his job in the first minutes of the mov- week starting Nov. 4 is a Contra Costa premiere. ie. Very quickly, his serial attempts to end his life Go to Lamorindatheatres.com for show time and that constantly get interrupted gets funny. Most of tickets. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B5 ‘Paper Airplane Guy’ Soars Through Judy’s Nail Salon Anniversary14 Years in Business Unique STEAM Demo at LL&LC New Partnership Shellac Gel Nails & Reg. PED $50 THANK YOU By Cathy Dausman Regular Manicure & Pedicure $35 LAMORINDA dynamics into every paper airplane Full Set or Fill-in Gels $30 CUSTOMERS design and presentation. The grace- * FREE Hot Wax or Designs or Buffer Shinny We have Expert ful arc of his gliders contrasted For any combination Nails & Feet service Manicurist. with his rapid-fire delivery on just $5*min. 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Each franchise independently owned and operated. record using his airplane design. Franchise opportunities available. Naturally, the presentation ended in a flurry of paper airplanes —the first volley released by Collins and second by the audience, big and little, who launched their planes in a friendly all-out aeronautical dog- fight. Mary H. Smith D.D.S. • Cecelia Thomas, D.D.S. Aviation fans who missed Col- A Professional Corporation Photo Cathy Dausman lins’ presentation can still learn Family & Cosmetic Dentistry magine sitting in a lecture and ematics (STEAM) presentation at about the magic of paper airplane 96 Davis Road, Suite 5 Orinda, 925.254.0824 Iactually being encouraged to fly Lafayette Library and Learning design by going online to www.the- paper airplanes. Center. When it comes to paper paperairplaneguy.com/. For more That’s what happened during airplanes, Collins, a.k.a. the Paper STEAM events at LLLC, visit John Collins’ recent Science, Tech- Airplane Guy, folds a dose of ori- www.lafayettelib.org/program-cat- nology, Engineering, Art and Math- gami and a healthy swoosh of aero- egory/science-technology/.

Edward Robert Smith Edward Robert “Ted” Smith, formerly of Orinda, interests including travel abroad, California histo- passed away after a long illness on Sept. 25 at his ry and water issues. He volunteered with Friends home in Nevada City. of the San Francisco Estuary for over 25 years, Taking care of all dental needs for you and your family. Emphasizing He was born October 25, 1937, in Oakland, serving for a time as president. He was an avid cosmetic dentistry with implants, and Invisalign. Nitrous oxide is California, the only child of Edward Raymond and reader of several newspapers, his latest book se- available. Consultations are complementary. Audrey Ella Lee Smith, and spent his early years lection, the Economist and the Atlantic Monthly. Dentistry with Excellence. in San Leandro. His family then moved to Santa Ted will be dearly missed and long remem- Rosa where he graduated from high school and bered for his gentle spirit, dry sense of humor, love junior college. In 1960 he received a BS degree of intellectual debate, scientific curiosity, mainte- in Civil Engineering from the University of Colo- nance of statistics, keen interest in economics and rado and started his manufacturing career at Re- non-judgmental attitude. public Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. Wanting to return He is survived by his wife Susan Wiesner, son to California, he took a job with Bethlehem Steel Edward Mark Smith and his wife Anne, daughter at its Pinole plant in 1966. This facility became Kirsten Towne Smith, grandsons Edward Ray- Marwais Pinole Point Steel where Ted retired as mond Smith and Robert Alexander Smith, and general manager in 1987. former wife and mother of his children Winifred As the son of a Brown Shoe sales representa- Clegg Smith. tive, Ted often spent summers with his parents Donations in his memory may be made to the driving through the small towns of Northern Cali- Santa Rosa High School Foundation (P.O. Box Bay Area fornia and Nevada. These car trips fostered his 11006, Santa Rosa, CA 95406), Friends of the San BAD love of traveling on country back roads. Through- Francisco Estuary (P.O. Box 791, Oakland, CA INC. Drainage, Inc. out his life, enjoying the journey was always his 94604) or the East Bay Regional Park Foundation goal rather than arriving at a destination. (P.O. Box 21074, Crestmont Station, Oakland, Ca Following his retirement, Ted pursued diverse 94620). Havere You Checked Ready r Your Crawlspacel i Lately? • French Drains Dwight Thomas Swobe • Underfloor Drains Dwight Thomas Swobe, 73, of Berkeley, passed together for many years. He was a loyal fan of • Downspout Systems away peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 30 after a the Cal Bears. Dwight also loved golf and loved • Subdrain Systems long battle with cancer. to sail. He once sailed down the coast of Cali- • Subdrain Systems Dwight was born in Berkeley on Septem- fornia with his sons. Dwight Swobe was a suc- • Sump Pumps ber 19, 1943, to Thomas Wallace Swobe and cessful, talented, brave, kind, and loving man. • Sump Pumps Ardath Busby Swobe. He graduated from Oak- He is survived by Gloria Gee, his loving • R etaining Walls land Technical High School and earned a Bach- companion of 21 years, and by his four sons •• PavestoneR etaining DrivewayWalls & Walkways elor degree in business administration from UC and five grandchildren: Gordon Swobe; Scott Berkeley. Known for his strong work ethic and Swobe and his wife Keri and their children Ty- • Pavestone Driveway & Walkways gregarious personality, Dwight became a high- ler, Breanna, and Caydon; Jason Swobe and his A General Engineering Contractor ly successful senior representative of Grubb & devoted girlfriend Timie; Mitchell Swobe and A General Engineering Contractor Ellis, commercial real estate division. He spe- his wife Darby and their children Dylan and Locally owned and Operated cialized in industrial real estate and received Colin; by his sister Connie Got and her husband Locally Contractor owned LIC and # 762208Operated many awards for his outstanding performance. Randy and their children; and by the son of his In 1970, he moved his young family to La- late sister Ardie Lynn Swobe. Contractor LIC # 762208 fayette, where he spent much of his adult life A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. at Sunset devoted to providing a good life for his chil- View Cemetery in El Cerrito on Saturday, Nov. 925•377•9209 dren. Dwight loved to sing and play the trum- 26. For more information, please go to www. 925•377•9209 pet. He was quite proud of the jazz band he sunsetviewcemetery.com. visit our website created, the East Bay Bear Cats, which played www.bayareadrainage.com Page: B6 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Help Make Cinch Bags for Lions and Leos Help See the Good Needy Men and Women Submitted by Robert Murtagh Submitted by Maram Bata

From left, Ray Cassabonne, Moraga Lions Club President; Brigitte Marinier, Vice president Campolindo Leo Club; Carl Langhorst, Lions in Sight Coordinator; Morgan Scalan, President, Campolindo Leo Club; Lion Bob Murtagh, Leo Club Advisor. Photo provided n Oct. 16, Moraga Lions and Cam- ready for distribution to the needy in devel- Photo provided Opolindo Leo’s met at the Station 42 fire- oping countries. The Lions Clubs in North- welve women of the Interfaith Women The women will be making the cinch house to sort and clean approximately 2,500 ern California hope to have a shipment of TCircle 2, as part of Neighbor to Neigh- bags from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 at the donated used eyeglasses. This is the 12th 50.000 used eyeglasses ready for shipment bor initiative of the Contra Costa Interfaith Walnut Creek Islamic Center, 2449 Buena year that the two Moraga services clubs have to El Salvador in March. Council, wanted to do a small positive thing Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. The cinch bags undertaken this important mission of Lions Eyeglass collection sites in Moraga to offset some of the negative aspects in the will be distributed to men and women with- International. are located at 5A Storage, Hacienda de las world around them. So they decided to make out homes throughout Contra Costa and Al- Once cleaned and sorted the eyeglasses Flores, and Mechanic’s Bank (Safeway). To purses for women without homes. ameda Counties. will be sent to the next process of deter- learn more about Lions and Leo’s, contact The women brought 12 items and they The Interfaith Women Circle 2 is asking mining the prescription. After that, they are Bob Murtagh, 925 283 1841. assembled them into purses and handed them to spread the word to employers, friends and off to women without homes in the streets to faith communities. Teens Take a Visit to Mad City Money let them know they cared. How to Help: Then some of the women advertised at Bring your donated items (and a friend!) Submitted by Jocelyn Coolbaugh their work and on Nextdoor.com, and they and join the fun in assembling cinch bags. he Acalanes Area and Walnut Creek received generous donations that filled 90 OR drop the items at 1 Kenmore Ct, Tchapters of National Charity League, purses, which they gave to Trinity Center Orinda or at Coldwell Banker, 5 Moraga Inc. recently sponsored an event called Mad and women without homes living in Oak- Way, Orinda. City Money. They partnered with Travis land. Items to Donate: Cinch bags, tooth Credit Union to teach basic skills of personal They were inspired by the overwhelm- brushes and toothpaste, hand/boot warmers, finance to teens in a fun, safe and hands-on ing positive response from the community panchos, deodorant, travel-size lotion, sun- simulation. and the generous donations. From the input screen, disposable razors and shaving cream, Each participant was given a career, from the shelters they found out that there flash lights and batteries, gloves, socks, monthly salary and family situation. They is a need for men bags too and women do warm hats and scarves, tee-shirts, femi- learned about credit scores, how to write not prefer purses so they decided light draw nine sanitary products, wipes/hand sanitizer and balance a checkbook, with the goal of string (cinch) bags will be great for both (travel size), uplifting notes, soap, shampoo being able to balance a monthly budget of this year. The women also learned that the (travel size), nutritional bars, nuts, raisins, life essentials. The “catch” was as they vis- preferred word is not homeless, it is person gum, leftover Halloween candy, Band-aids, ited these life essential booths, such as food, without a home or person in transition, to lipstick/lip balm. clothing, transportation, travel and mall pur- give hope it is just a phase in their life. chases, volunteers were trying to up-sell them things— just like adults have to face every day with ads, salespeople and promotions. Moms go Viral – Sort of — With In the end, when some teens were asked Lamorinda and Walnut Creek Teens learn what they learned, the consensus was “live Karpool Karaoke for Hillary about money the fun way. Photo provided within your means.” We could all learn from Submitted by Mimi Bommarito that! Orinda Veterans Remember Okinawa Submitted by Tom Gardner

The Karpool Karaoke for Hillary gang. Photo provided ne look at this Carpool Karaoke for performed humorous Meadow Moms’ Skit OHillary video tells you two things: 1. Nights for the last eight years, much to their This is not done by professionals, and 2. offspring’s mortification, at Meadow Swim From left, veterans Bill Cooper and Bob Maynard will be raising money for veterans organiza- These women are having fun. and Tennis Club, during OMPA spirit week. tions this year. Photo provided The two versions of the “Karpool Kara- “This is an election where we just can’t keep he imminent release of the film “Hack- Ridge during that battle. For the past seven oke” video were posted on Facebook after quiet and hope everything will work out for Tsaw Ridge” will portray the 1945 Battle years, they have been raising funds for local the second presidential debate on Sunday, the best,” she added. of Okinawa unlike any movie since World veteran’s charities as part of the VFW Buddy Oct. 9, and the positive response has been Other Orindans in for the joy ride are War II. A pair of longtime Orindans remem- Poppy effort. overwhelming. As of today, the two versions (front seat, passenger side) Melissa Mato- ber it very well as they witnessed it as teen- In honor of Veterans Day, they’ll occupy have a combined 25,000 hits, which is not all sian Taylor, (back seat, left to right) Betsy agers. a corner of the Bank of America building in that much by Facebook standards, but still Shandalov, Nicole Radlow (who was also Former Marine Bob Maynard was draft- Orinda Village for an effort benefiting Lam- significant. part of Leslie and Mimi’s infamous “Jiggle ed in 1943 and served as a radio crew chief. orinda VFW Post 8063, from 9 a.m. until “We just couldn’t NOT do this,” said Butt Rock” holiday video on You Tube) and Bill Cooper, a decades-long Scoutmaster of noon, on Thursday Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. writer Mimi Bommarito of Orinda. She and Julia Stenzel. BSA Troop 237, was drafted into the Army 4. Proceeds benefit the Palo Alto Polytrauma fellow collaborator Leslie Darwin O’Brien For more information, contact Mimi in 1943. He served as a Combat Infantryman Clinic, the Concord Vet Center, and many (driver’s seat, next to Mimi) have written and Bommarito at 925-818-7068. in several major Pacific battles, including other veteran’s charities. being on the next ridge over from Hacksaw Lafayette Rotary Club is Giving Back Submitted by Matt Pease he Lafayette Rotary Club celebrated its teer efforts of many of the Lafayette Rotary Tsupport for school music and perform- Club members. ing arts programs in the Lafayette and Oak- “We have been delighted to support these land areas with the proceeds from its 22nd programs for many years and we have seen annual Concert at the Res. how the Concert at the Res program has Participating schools in this year’s con- become such an important event for these cert included Acalanes High School, Stanley programs and an enjoyable experience for Intermediate, Bentley, and Oakland’s West- the Lamorinda communities” said Rotarian lake Middle School. Dick Holt, who conceived of such a concert Also participating were the Rossmoor to be held at the Lafayette Reservoir 23 years Big Band featuring musicians age 14 to 92, ago and has been assisted in this annual pro- the Lamorinda Theatre Academy, Dominant duction by his fellow Rotarians. 7 Jazz ensemble and the Town Hall Troupe. “The goal of Rotary is Service above Self The Lafayette Rotary supports local and the Concert at the Res and the commu- school bands and performing arts organiza- nity stage are great examples of the impact tions and provides a venue for them to per- Rotary can make in the community” said form on the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir Norma Evans, president of the Lafayette Ro- stage. tary Club. The Lafayette Rotary Club meets Proceeds and donations from individuals weekly at Oakwood Athletic Club from and local businesses for the event are used to 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays and first- support these school music and performing time visitors are invited to join for lunch. For arts programs. The concerts are free to the more information contact Lafayette Rotary From left: Bob Athayde, Randy Porter, Ken Berman, Dick Holt, Judy Haxo, Ginny Wehrmeister, community and are produced with the volun- at [email protected]. Rena Wilson, Maurice Levich and Dennis Garrison Photo Andy Scheck Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B7 Award-winning Local Poet, Playwright and Screenwriter to Perform at SMC By A.K. Carroll plied almost all of it,” said Hodge. “Even jewelry making.” Hodge has worked with Youth Speaks/The Living Word Project for over 15 years, and has served as Program Director and Associate Artistic Director, as well as working directly with Youth Speaks’ core population as a teaching artist and poet mentor. “Now I’d say I’m more of a consultant,” said Hodge. “I work with them on a couple of initia- Chinaka Hodge Photo provided tives, always from a loving place. I hen Chinaka Hodge was a ommendation. love to engage with young people, Wfreshman at Berkeley High, “They asked us all to free write it’s my favorite aspect.” it’s unlikely that the young writer and I free wrote something,” said Hodge also writes plays for imagined she would one day be Hodge. “They asked if I wanted to youth that range in subject matter featured as a notable alumnus. Yet share and my hand shot up. I was and genre. today her face is plastered on one of the first person to go to the front of “I write a bunch of children’s the bright blue utility boxes outside the classroom. I shared my poem theater,” said Hodge. “Some of my the school, with a simple tribute and I’ve been hooked ever since.” favorite stories or fairytales have that states: Chinaka Hodge, class of At the time, Youth Speaks was made it into the plays, but I also 2002, started writing and perform- the only place in the country that write what is salient to the moment, ing poems as an awkward, pimply was sponsoring poetry slams for so there’s mentions of Black Lives BHS freshman, and art-making someone of Hodge’s age. “I just Matter and conversations about saved her life. She is a playwright, fell right in with those folks,” said equitable playing fields. I’d like to poet and performer. She shares the Hodge. “Intensive writing work- think that no subject matter is too box with Lonely Island and Joshua shops after school, slams, open far out of my reach. That’s my job Redman, fellow alums and BHS mics, bridging literature and poetry as a writer — to make all subject LeapFrog Plumbing notables. — sort of all that was my jive in matter feel closer to the reader.” It was that box that first drew high school.” Hodge will offer a public per- Holiday the attention of Rosemary Graham, Hodge’s passion for working formance at Saint Mary’s Le Fe- times are professor of English and creative with words and with youth have vre Theatre from 7:30-8:30 pm on a joy... but writing at Saint Mary’s College been constants in her life. After Thursday, Nov.10. The event is of California. When Hodge’s first graduating from Berkeley High, sponsored by the English Depart- they can book, “Dated Emcees,” launched she went on to finish a degree at the ment, the Roy E. and Patricia Dis- overload this past spring, she was a featured Gallatin School of Individualized ney Forum, the Communication your plumbing! guest on KQED. Graham heard the Study in New York with a focus on Department, Catholic Institute for program and from that point on, creative writing, non-profit strategy Lasalian Social Action (CILSA), Head Frog Mo Williams o te time to get she was determined to get Hodge and hip hop, and a goal of gaining Intercultural Center, Theatre Pro- read or te oida gram, World Languages and Cul- as a speaker at Saint Mary’s. tools she could bring back to Youth The one‐call plumber Thursday, Nov. 10, her hope Speaks and other nonprofits in the tures, MFA in Creative Writing, 50 any will be realized as Hodge will come Bay Area. Women’s Resource Center, and Gas, Water & Sewer the Committee on Inclusive Excel- to Saint Mary’s for a special public “I took a full gamut of the of- • Emergency service performance and speaking engage- ferings available to me, but I’ve ap- lence. V up to 450 ane ater eater ment. The event is sponsored by a • Repairs & installation Ahhh...endless broad coalition of programs within • Video sewer inspection hot water school of liberal arts and is open to • Copper re‐piping 15 o to edera ta the public. It will take place in the redit. iment roided and Le Fevre Theater starting at 7:30 • Preventive checkups intaed b earog mbing. pm. Hodge will kick off the eve- • Water heater specialist ning with selections from “Dated: Tank, Tankless, Hybrid 50 Emcees” and will finish with a time rebates on for Q&A. ater aing toiet It isn’t just Hodge’s local roots *1 coupon per job, exp. 12/16/16 and artistic talent that make her such a prime voice to feature at the We Hop To It! college—she received the Phelan amioned and ering Literary Award for emerging Bay amorinda ine 1 Area talent, was a Sundance Fea- ture Film lab Fellow for her script green solutions! “700th&Int’l.,” was Artist in Resi- dence at The Headlands Center 5 for the Arts and has been featured 377-6600 CA Lic twice on HBO’s “Def Poetry” — 929641 .earogmbing.om but also her passion for youth and literary arts education. “Helping young people find their voices is her educational mission,” said Graham. Hodge herself began writing as a very young child. “My father was an educator and had a bunch of rules about what could happen when we got home from school,” said Hodge. One of those rules involved Hodge and her siblings writing alongside their father. “I started with short stories and quickly realized that poems are shorter, so I started writing poems,” said Hodge. That was at age six. By the time Hodge got to high school, writing was second nature. As a freshman at Berkeley High she was an early participant in Youth Speaks/The Living Word Project, a leading literary arts non-profit that STOP CLEANING was only just starting out. Hodge’s participation came at a teacher rec- Photo A.K. Carroll Get Gutter Guards!

Gold Star Families Star at Town Hall Theatre • Fits all sizes of gutters ... continued from page B4 • 10 year No-Clog Warrenty These people taught us by thought, community we feel it is our duty be in attendance and Gold Star • High quality aircraft alloy word and deed how to be one in to acknowledge and honor Jake, Families will be honored in a mov- service to others. They brought the his family, and the other Gold Star ing and heartwarming tribute, he • We will clean and repair your gutters ability to directly affect the cause, Families affected by this loss. We says. Vega will speak and there will before installation of your new guards to jump right in, because the mo- want them to know we care, and we be a short presentation. ment always passes. Were you a want to bring our supportive music “We will create a very special Licensed & Insured #939838 participant in the moment, or sim- fan base in to help us show that.” little community within the walls ply a bystander? Did you elevate Those interested in being part of Town Hall on Nov. 5,” says the cause or did you let it pass? of this special community event can Stack, “with healing energy and the Fall Special - 20% OFF This is your life, it is not a dress get tickets at the Town Hall Theater power of love, coupled with some rehearsal.” website www.townhalltheatre.com. very beautiful music. We will sing The Gutter Guard Company He continues, “We have the Doors will open at 6:30p.m. for the together. I happen to think we need 925-247-7044 platform, we have the know-how, event which begins at 7:30p.m., more of that, everywhere, right and as one of the mainstays of the Sat. Nov. 5. Blue Star Moms will now.” www.bayareagutterguards.com Page: B8 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Not to be missed Not to be missed ART at 4 p.m. on Nov. 20 at St. Perpet- OTHER ua Catholic Church, 3454 Hamlin CARPET CLEANING Valley Art Gallery announces Road, Lafayette. Tickets: $25 sug- Burton Valley Elementary PTA LAMORINDA'S FAVORITE their new show Portfolio 16F. gested donation at the door, $20 is hosting their annual Blood & FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS FOR OVER 36 YEARS Fall means color, and their new advance, $15 students, FREE for Bone Marrow Drive from 8:15 fall collection features 300 new children between 6 and 12. Avail- a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Friday Nov. 4, FALL SPECIAL works of art as colorful as fall in able at the door or online at www. 561 Merriewood Dr, Lafayette. (925) 283-8744 the Diablo Valley. From abstracts vocisings.org To schedule your appointment or www.siggyscarpetcleaning.com % to landscapes to watercolors, the Information: (510) 531-8714. for more information visit red- 3408 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette I5 OFF new collection includes works crossblood.org from the best East Bay artists, for Handel’s Messiah remains the sale or rent. The show will continue most well-known oratorio ever Lafayette Juniors 23rd Annual through Nov. 12. 1661 Botelho Dr written and will be performed at Rummage Sale is from 8 a.m. # 110, Walnut Creek, www.valley- 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Wal- to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. Lamorinda’s artgallry.org. nut Creek Presbyterian Church Special Early Bird Entrance fee and 4 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the First $5 per adult from 7 a.m.–8 a.m. Religious Services The Bedford Gallery brings to- Presbyterian Church of Oakland. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian gether the best of the Bay Area Cantare’s Chorale and Ensemble Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. crafters and artisans for the ninth will join with outstanding soloists Pre-loved designer clothes, baby annual Bg Craft Fest Nov. 5 and 6, and full orchestra to present this and kid clothes, toys, children’s 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. This masterwork. Experience the beauty gear, furniture, household goods curated festival is a celebration of and majesty that has allowed it to and much more. Visit www.lafay- aayee nied ehdi hrh handmade gifts, featuring an array remain as popular today as it was ettejuniors.org. 55 Moraga oad 5.4.465 tem.org of unique items from jewelry to 275 years ago. Tickets: $40 Gen- Snda 1am ori and ait ormation or a age home goods. This year includes a eral and $35 Senior. For groups of The Orinda Association (OA) new feature – hands-on workshops will host a community forum on Oortnitie to oe od, oe Oter, 8 or more, tickets are just $30 per and Sere te ord in block printing on fabric, hand person. Purchase tickets online at Public Safety from 7 to 9 p.m. on lettering, and making seasonal www.cantareconvivo.org or call Wednesday Nov. 9, in the Orinda wreaths and festive felt garlands. (510) 836-0789. Library Auditorium located at 26 www.bedfordgallery.org Orinda Way. Orinda Police Chief St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church THEATER/DANCE Mark Nagel will present an up- A Loving Community Saint Mary’s College Museum date on crime prevention in the of Art presents Social Justice, It City and will speak about ways Sunday Services: 8 and 10 AM DVC Drama opens its 2016-17 Happens to One It Happens To season with the smash musical citizens can increase their per- In-church Youth Zone, 10 AM Nursery Childcare All, showcasing 43 artists on the hit “Hairspray.” The show runs sonal safety. Citizens with related 682 Michael Lane, Lafayette, 284-7420, www.stanselms.ws themes of social justice that exam- through Nov. 6. Shows are at 8 p.m. questions can email them in ad- ines timely subject matter being Friday and Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. vance to the Orinda Association debated during this election year. on Sunday. For tickets, call (925) office (oa@orindaassociation. These artworks can say what words 969-2358 or go to the website at org) and they will be forwarded cannot and are the catalyst to em- www.dvcdrama.net. DVC Drama to the speakers in advance. power social change. Through Dec. is located at 321 Golf Club Rd, 11. www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint- Pleasant Hill, with free parking for Join the Lamorinda Democrat- marys-college-museum-of-art. all performances. ic Club at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Lafayette Library and Learn- The 10th annual Artisan Faire Acalanes High School Drama ing Center to celebrate the hard will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Dons presents D.W. Gregory’s work, victories of candidates and in Orinda on Nov. 3 at the Orinda “Radium Girls.” Filled with radi- issues, and the end of the elec- Country Club. Meet talented local ant paint, corporate intrigue and tion. Post-election analysis will artists, displaying and selling their Madame Curie, it is based on the be provided by Alex Evans and distinctive work in jewelry, ceram- true story of the employees of the Rebecca Barrett. Refreshments ics, painting, glass, fiber art, cloth- U.S. Radium Corporation and the will be served. $5.00 donation re- ing, woodwork and more. Also landmark case that would influence quested for non-members. ORINDA CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH featured will be culinary products, change for workers’ rights. The 24 Orinda Way (next to the Library) - 254-4212 cosmetics, bath and body items as show is at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 through The American Association of well as Orinda’s Sanvitalia Home 5 at Acalanes High School’s Little University Women have Catha- Sunday Service and Sunday School 10 - 11 am and Garden Shop, Orinda Books, Theater, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., rine B. Baker as their keynote Informal Wednesday Meeting 7:30 - 8:30 pm and several local authors. Come Lafayette. Tickets: AHSPerformin- speaker at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 Reading Room/Bookstore M - F 11 - 4; Sat 11 – 2 for a festive evening and enjoy free gArts.org. in the Orinda Community Church www.christianscienceorinda.org wine and tequila tasting. Hall, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. As- Role Players Ensemble pres- semblywoman Baker will discuss Moraga Art Gallery’s new exhib- ents Woody Allen’s cold war era how the AAUW Fund impacts it Beauty Near and Far features oil comedy “Don’t Drink the Water,” the lives of women and girls landscapes by Walnut Creek artist through Nov. 12 at the Village throughout the world through ed- Kerima Swain, whose vibrant col- Theatre, 233 Front St., Danville. ucation, research, advocacy and ors and sun-dappled landscapes Tickets: $20-28, available online at philanthropy. You’ll also be able transport viewers to sites around www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com; to enjoy Marketplace, your once- the world, from Saint Mary’s Col- at Danville Community Center, a-year chance to see handcrafted lege and the Golden Gate to the 420 Front St, Danville; or by call- creations by local members and Greek isle of Hydra and beyond. ing (925) 314-3400. get an early start on holiday shop- Also featured is a boldly-hued ping. oml-ca.aauw.net. THIS IS THE AD WHICHSundays, SHOULD 9 BEGIN & 10:30am RUNNING SEPTEMBER 7 collection of pit and saggar-fired Kaleidoscope, a shared show- ceramics by guest artist Lesley case of dance choreographed, “Many Faces of Lung Cancer” 10 Moraga Valley Lane | www.mvpctoday.org | 925.376.4800 Jensen. The show, which includes performed and produced by the un- is an educational event focus- a wide variety of work by the gal- dergraduate and graduate students ing on the unique issues of lung lery’s 15 member artists and sever- of the Saint Mary’s College dance cancer patients from 6:30 to 8:30 al guest artists, runs through Jan. 7. program. will be presented at 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the Lafayette Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church For more information, visit www. p.m. Thursday Nov. 17 and Friday, Library, Community Room. Join 433 Moraga Way, Orinda, 254-3422 moragaartgallery.com or call (925) Nov. 18 as well as 4 p.m. Saturday, an engaging panel of medical www.holyshepherd.org 376-5407. Nov. 19 at LeFevre Theatre, 1928 experts as they cover the most 8:30 a.m. Traditions Worship Service Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. The current information regarding 9:45 a.m. Education for all ages MUSIC performance features diverse new screening recommendations, ge- 10:45 a.m. Celebrations Worship Service works exploring themes of identity, nomic testing, immunotherapy, Coffee Fellowship at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. The fourth annual Teen Battle of gender expression, morality, social targeted therapy, radiation thera- Childcare available for ages 5 and younger the Bands will take place from 5 constructs and community. Gener- py and surgical techniques. Q & to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the al Admission tickets are $5 –avail- A session to follow presentation. Community Hall of the Lafayette able at box office prior to the show RSVP by calling (925) 677-5041 Library & Learning Center at 3491 or online at www.stmarys-ca.edu/ x272. Mt. Diablo Blvd. The five chosen kaleidoscope-dance-performance. bands will have 10-15 minutes to The 37th Annual Community perform their set. LECTURE & LITERATURE Thanksgiving Breakfast will be 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda held from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Fri- 254-3770. www.ststephensorinda.org Begin your holidays in style as Saint Mary’s College of Cali- day, Nov. 18 at Lafayette United Sunday 8am, 10am Diablo Ballet presents the open- fornia will be hosting an event Methodist Church, 955 Moraga ing program of its 2016-2017 sea- at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 in LeFe- Rd. in Lafayette. Dick Callahan, son with “A Swingin’ Holiday and vre Theatre (on the Saint Mary’s keynote speaker, will present More,” which performs Nov. 11 to Campus). Award winning, poet, “Are You enjoying your Jour- 13 at the Del Valle Theatre, 1963 playwright, screenwriter, and ney?” Catered breakfast provided Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. educator Chinaka Hodge is com- by Lantern Catering. Music pro- Following each performance, tick- ing to Saint Mary’s College for a vided by Harpist Wendy Tamis. et holders are invited to meet and special public performance. (See Reservations can be made by mingle with the costumed dancers story page B7) calling the Lafayette Chamber of at a post-performance reception. Commerce at (925) 284-7404 or Tickets are $27-47. Call (925) 943- KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS by online at www.lafayettecham- SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesher- ber.org. Cost is $20 per person. artscenter.org or www.diabloballet. Lamorinda Moms’ 19th An- ... continued on next page org. nual Preschool Fair is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Oakwood Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, Athletic Club, Lafayette. Gather 10 Irwin Way, Orinda | 925.254.4906 | www.orindachurch.org directed by Dr. Anne K. Hege, preschool information from over Please submit “No matter who you are, wherever you are on life’s celebrates its 25th anniversary by 40 local preschools at one time, in journey, you are welcome here!” presenting “Voci Playlist,” a selec- one place. For more information events to: Join us Sundays at 10 a.m. | Sunday School 10 a.m tion of favorite repertoire chosen go to www.lamorindamoms.org/ calendar@lamorinda by Voci singers, past directors and activities/preschool_fair. weekly.com accompanists. The concert will be Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B9 Film Clips The Holiday Marketplace Stand Up Comedy Comes to Orinda Beautiful handcrafted items, gourmet goodies, and works of art. Friday, Nov. 11 By Derek Zemrak 11 am - 7 pm Saturday, Nov. 12 9 am - 5pm

ELK’S LODGE 1475 Creekside Dr., Walnut Creek

’ A Swingin AND MORE! with the Diablo Ballet Holiday!Swing Orchestra!

Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and Sienna (Felicity Jones) run for their lives through Boboli Gardens in Columbia Pictures’ “Inferno.” © 2016 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. cal Bay Area comic favorites: Suzy Vincent, NOVEMBER 11 - 8:00 PM Ira Summer and Griffin Daley. Tickets are $20 NOVEMBER 12 - 2:00 & 8:00 PM and can be purchased at the Orinda Theatre NOVEMBER 13 - 2:00 PM box office or online at www.lamorindatheatres.com. Purchase tickets: 925.943.SHOW / lesherartscenter.org The next comedy show at Orinda will Information: 925.943.1775 / diabloballet.org be Jan. 19 – Elect to Laugh: 2016 with Will Durst. Yes, the day before the 2017 Inaugura- tion, legendary comedian and political satirist Will Durst will be performing this brand new Service Clubs Announcements hysterical one-man show at the historic Orinda Theatre. ‘Inferno’ Now Burining at the Orinda We meet Friday mornings at 7:00 am Jeff Richards Theatre at The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. amorinda Theatres will be having a live Tom Hanks reprises the role of Robert For more info, please email us at Lstand-up comedy series beginning at 8 Langdon, the world-famous seismologist. In [email protected] p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17. Walnut Creek na- “Inferno” he wakes up in a hospital in Italy, tive and “Saturday Night Live” alumni Jeff with amnesia and teams up with Dr. Sienna November 4 November 11 Richards will headline the first show. Richards Brook (Oscar nominee Felicity Jones from SHARK TANK in Annual 4-Way is best known for being a cast member of both “The Theory of Everything”) to follow a trail Lafayette!? Speech Contest “SNL” and “Mad TV.” He was the first indi- of clues across Europe that are tied to Dante, vidual to be a regular on both comedy shows. the great medieval poet. Along the way they Winning Trailer naming contest at Lafayette Art & Wine... In addition to his famous “Drunk Girl” learn a virus could be released that would wipe ”Teardrop Inn”... . Close seconds were “Roadhouse” and “Sunset character, Richards has a vast repertoire of out half the world’s population. Chaser”. Lottery ticket prizes were dutifully distributed. impressions, including Kevin Spacey, Dustin “Inferno” is the third movie based on the Hoffman and Bill O’Reilly. He has appeared novels by thriller fiction author Dan Brown. on “Late Night with Conan O’Brian” and The first movie was “The Da Vinci Code” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and he recently ap- (2006) followed by “Angels & Demons” Lafayette Rotary Club peared on Netflix’s “Real Rob” with Rob (2009). All three movies have been directed Step in on a Thursday and join us for our lunch meeting. Schneider, VH1’s “Hit The Floor” and “Aqua by two¬-time Oscar recipient Ron Howard Thursday at noon Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Teen Hunger Force.” (“A Beautiful Mind”). Howard takes the au- November 3: November 10: Richards was born in Walnut Creek and at- dience on a stunning adventure throughout Tom Leatherman of the National Dylan Bondy will tended Las Lomas High School where he cre- Europe that results in an entertaining, thrilling Park Service, The National be speaking on Ugly ated and hosted his own public access sketch journey. Inferno is a movie that will make you Parks in CCC, part of the 100 Produce....Why we should comedy show called Hanson Live. Find out think as you struggle to determine the missing anniversary of The National Parks utilize imperfect produce. more about Richards and his amazing career pieces of the puzzle. www.rotarylafayette.org at www.tastyjeff.com The film is rated PG-13 and has a total run- www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Lafayette-Ca-197392963631366 The comedy evening will feature three lo- ning time (TRT) of 2 hours and one minute. Not to be missed Not to be missed Not to be missed

OTHER ... continued and how much does it cost? Cali- GARDEN and 10 a.m. meeting, as well as the sentation: Sunset Western Garden fornia Health Advocates, www. presentation by Holly Forbes fol- Collection. Jazz, Swing, Dance, Sing — the cahealthadvocates.org, will discuss Lafayette Garden Club is ex- lowing the meeting. first gala event for Let the Chil- these topics as well as health-care cited to present “You Can Garden Please submit dren Live! Join us from 7 to 10 p.m. costs in retirement from 6:30 to for Life.” Our presenter is Toni Montelindo Garden Club Meet- on Saturday Nov. 19 at Hacienda 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Garonne, gardener and educator. ing will be at 9 a.m. on Friday events to: de las Flores for delectable wine, Lafayette Library & Learning Cen- Toni educates gardeners on how Nov. 18, St. Stephen’s Episcopal calendar@lamorinda appetizers and desserts. Entertain- ter, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Contra to modify their gardens, adapt Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, weekly.com ment by Bentley High School Jazz Costa HICAP will also be there to their tools, and rethink how and Orinda. Everyone welcome. Pre- Band and Arthur Murray dancers. provide information on their coun- when they garden, enabling them Special presentation by Fr. Peter seling services. to comfortably and safely garden Walters. The proceeds raised from for life, without pain, and with Lamorinda Weekly this event go to serve children who Discovering Opera: Rossini’s joy. The meeting will be held at is an independent publication, produced by and for the residents of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, CA are displaced by the drug trade and “The Barber of Seville.” Lecturer the Lafayette Veteran’s Building 26,600 printed copies; delivered to homes & businesses in Lamorinda. live in fear and poverty in Medilin, Bradford Wade will give a guided from 9:45 a.m. to noon on Nov. Contact us: 10. 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafay- Letters to the editor (max 350 words): [email protected] Colombia. Admission is free but an tour of The Barber of Seville, with Delivery issues: [email protected] RSVP to [email protected] a description of the plot inter- ette. Visitors are welcome! Please Event listings: [email protected] is required. spersed with musical examples at email Carolyn Poetzsch cpoet- Business press releases: [email protected] 3 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the Lafayette [email protected]. General interest stories/Community Service: [email protected] For the 19th year, Bobbie and Library, Homework Center. This School stories/events: [email protected] Sport events/stories/pictures: [email protected] Tom Preston will be holding the lecture is given in conjunction The Walnut Creek Garden Cycle Recycle, collecting repair- with Opera San José’s production Club’s monthly meeting will be at Publishers/Owners: Andy and Wendy Scheck; [email protected], [email protected] able bikes to be refurbished and of The Barber of Seville, Nov. 12- 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 in the given to charitable groups to dis- 27, 2016. Senior Service Members: Camellia Room at Heather Farm Editor: Peggy Spear; [email protected] Copy Editor: Nick Marnell; [email protected] tribute at Christmas. New and/or Free, Non-Members $10. located at 1540 Marchbanks Road, Sports Editor: [email protected] used bikes and trikes — in working Walnut Creek. Hollie Homegrown Advertising: 925-377-0977, Wendy Scheck; [email protected] order or repairable, or useable bike Smart Driver 8-Hour Course is owns a small organic family farm Staff Writers: Sophie Braccini; [email protected] parts, may be delivered to the side offered through AARP. Refine in Moraga where she grows herbs, Cathy Dausman; [email protected] driveway of the Preston’s home your driving skills, develop safe, vegetables and edible flowers. Pippa Fisher; [email protected] at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga defensive techniques, and possi- Business: 10 a.m., Social 10:30-11 Nick Marnell; [email protected] throughout the month of Novem- bly lower your insurance premium. a.m., Program 11 a.m. Sora O’Doherty: [email protected] ber only. No skateboards or plastic Max: 25 paid registrants. First Victor Ryerson; [email protected] Digging Deep: Cynthia Brian; [email protected] bikes please; no need to call become, first served, by date check The Moraga Garden Club Food: Susie Iventosch; [email protected] forehand, but for more information is received. Send check, made pay- monthly meeting will be held Contributing Writers: Conrad Bassett, Moya Stone, Jennifer Wake, contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at able to AARP, to Lafayette Senior at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, Chris Lavin, Amanda Kuehn Carroll, Diane Claytor, Uma Unni, (925) 376-8474. Services, 500 Saint Mary’s Rd., at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 Karl Buscheck, Ryan McKinley, Zoe Portnoff, Clare Varellas, Adam Blake, Lafayette, CA 94549. Important: School Street, Moraga. Guest Daniel Smith, Fran Miller, Jade Shojaee, Barry Hunau (cartoonist), SENIORS Prior to sending check, please call speaker will be Holly Forbes, cu- Derek Zemrak, Kara Navolio Calendar Editor: Jaya Griggs; [email protected] 284-5050 to determine space avail- rator of the UC Berkeley Botanical Photos: Tod Fierner, Gint Federas “Building Your Own Safety Net.” ability. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 Gardens. The topic of her discus- Layout/Graphics: Andy Scheck. Printed in CA. Do you want to “age in place”? and 10 in the Elderberry Room, sion will be “Plant Conservation Mailing address: Lamorinda Weekly, P.O. Box 6133, Moraga, CA 94570-6133 Will you need long term care? Lafayette Community Center. $15 Projects at Botanical Gardens.” Phone: 925-377-0977; Fax: 1-800-690-8136 What is aging in place and what AARP members, $20 non-mem- Interested parties are welcome to email: [email protected] website: www.lamorindaweekly.com is long-term care? Who pays for it bers of AARP attend the 9:30 a.m. social hour Page: B10 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Thoughtful Food

A Rich Spice Cake for a Feisty Election Party By Susie Iventosch

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Election Night Spice Cake. Photo Susie Iventosch his spice cake is just perfect a cornucopia of flavors. a festive cake plate. Tfor crisp autumn days as well If you plan to make it for a Should you decide to make as spicy (and tense) election par- holiday gathering instead of elec- it for the election and you don’t ties! Actually, I’d never made a tion night, and I would not blame have black in your food coloring cake for election night, but some- you; for that and given this year’s repertoire, just mix blue and lots one tipped me off that it might be fascinating election, you might of red and a dash of green, then a fun idea. So, I took an old fam- want to double the recipe and more red, and eventually you will ily recipe that my great aunt Clara make it a two-layer cake. It will come up with the black color for used to make, and added apples, feed twice as many people and the letters. (That’s how I did it!) raisins and lots of extra spice for would be attractive perched upon Susie can be reached at Oatmeal Apple Spice Cake with [email protected]. This recipe can be found Cream Cheese Frosting on our website: www. Cake lamorindaweekly.com. If (Makes one 8-inch round cake. Double recipe for a two-layer cake) you would like to share your INGREDIENTS favorite recipe with Susie ½ cup quick oats please contact her by email or 1 cube butter, softened to room temp call our office at (925) 377- ½ cup raisins "%$#! 0977. ½ cup boiling water 1 medium egg ½ cup granulated sugar " ! ½ cup brown sugar ¼ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. cardamom ½ tsp. pumpkin spice ½ tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder Pinch of salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract ¼ cup milk ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 Fuji or Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray an 8-inch cake pan, and line bottom with parchment paper fit to bottom of pan. In a large mixing bowl combine oatmeal, butter and raisins. Pour boiling water over all and mix well. Cool slightly. Add eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, spices and vanilla. Stir to mix well. Stir in milk and then add flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir to blend. Finally, fold in apples and turn cake batter out into prepared cake pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until center is done. Remove from oven and cool completely. When cooled, turn out onto serving plate and frost with cream cheese frosting. If doubling, be sure to frost in between cake layers. Cream Cheese Frosting INGREDIENTS ½ cube butter, softened to room temperature 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 ½ cups powdered sugar 1-2 tsp. milk (use as needed) 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. Calvados or Pommeau de Normancy (apple brandy) Food Coloring as needed for your occasion. DIRECTIONS In a large bowl beat softened butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer. Slowly add first two cups of powdered sugar and beat until thoroughly mixed. Add milk, vanilla and Calvados and beat well. Add additional powdered sugar and milk alternately until desired frosting consistency.

You can find most of the recipes published in the Lamorinda Weekly on our website. Click Food tab. www.lamorindaweekly.com/html2/food1.html

Thank you for recycling this paper. It is printed on at least 50% recycled material and vegetable based ink and should be recycled again. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: C1

Mother-Daughter Duo Make Tracks at Acalanes High LLaammoorrininddaa L Raucrgobsys Fe oColutbball Club Registration for theOnine Spring eistration2017 season opens will open Oct st on orSept. the 15 ruy season By John Miller to returning players.eason New player runs eceer registration throuh will arch open or Oct. youth 1. an throuh ic. She is active in many pursuits Please go to www.lamorindalacrosse.compri or ih choo. Teas foror irsmore an uys aes . at Acalanes and in the city of La- information and detailso prior regarding ruy eperience spring registration necessary. and ractices fall ball are clinics. ocate at fayette. Like her mother before her, Contact Jin Peavey theat [email protected] Wier Fies in Orina. if you have any questions. she is involved in dance as well, Fin out ore aout our tea an ho to reister onine at .aoruy.co. while also playing principle cello in For uestions contact ou earson at pearsoneeassociates.co. the school’s orchestra. Windy is the head chair of the Lafayette Youth Commission — recently helping to Cal Magic Fall Soccer Skills Clinics run the city’s Halloween program Dec 3-4 & Dec 17-18 — and is the artistic director of the Come to our clinics where we educate and inspire local Shakespeare for Kids pro- young athletes to play the game we love. gram, which Joy’s mother has run Details and register online at for the last 30 years. Both Sunny and Windy assist www.CalMagicSC.com with the Jack Rabbits Track Club, an organization founded by Coach Upshaw to develop young track enthusiasts around the Bay Area. They meet on Mondays in the East Bay. One group gathers at Glorietta Elementary after school, with two other groups meeting at 5 and 6 p.m. at Acalanes. Asked how her daughters got the names Sunny and Windy, their mother just laughed and said, “I suppose it might have had something to do with a couple of songs in MORAGA 361 Rheem Blvd. Windy Margerum Photo Gint Federas the Sixties. I just liked the names!” 925-376-1411 or coach Joy Upshaw and her tionship on the track. In addition to In another nod to the season running in full circles, Upshaw is Under New Ownership Fdaughter, Windy Margerum, Joy’s sister Grace (Acalanes ‘93) the upcoming track season at being a world-class long jumper, pleased to be reunited with long- Newly Remodeled Acalanes High School promises to their father Monte Upshaw broke time Campolindo coach Scott be the fulfillment of a momentous Jesse Owens national high school Brady-Smith. “In the summer of run for the talented pair. long jump record in 1954 (25-feet, 1977, my brother and I went to the LAFAYETTE 3637 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Windy, who enters her senior 4 ¼-inches) and went on to Cal Cal Track Camp and Scott was one season at the Lafayette school, al- where he set a world record in a re- of the terrific coaches there. That 925-283-6666 ready holds the 100-meter hurdle lay race, but an injured knee kept next season, Acalanes was look- We Deliver! Limited delivery area and hours. record and is on the school’s leader him out of the long jump. ing for a track coach and we really board in the long jump (17-feet, Joy’s other siblings include a liked Scott from camp and recom- 5-inches), triple jump (33-feet, 10 brother Chip, who still is on the mended him; before we knew it OFF $ 99 ½-inches) and both hurdle races. leader board at Acalanes (’81), he was our new Acalanes coach!” % plus tax said Upshaw. “I’m excited to coach 15 Your Meal 22 Upshaw, a champion athlete and a sister Merry (Acalanes ’91) Online Code: 515A17 in her own right, set records in the who holds three records at Stanley with Scott at Acalanes again, espe- hurdles and sprints while a student Middle School. Their mother, Car- cially for Windy’s senior year.” Offer excludes alcohol, Manager’s X-Large 2 Topping Pizza & Special, Lunch Combos, Kid’s at Acalanes (’79) and continues ol, was known for being the fastest Coach Upshaw traveled to 2 Liter Soda* Meals, or any promotional items. (*2 soft drinks for dine-in) to excel in the USA Masters track sixth grader in her class in Fresno, Perth, Australia to represent TEAM USA in the World Masters Track & and field events. Her most notable but lack of track and field opportu- Discount applies to regular menu prices only. Limited Limit: 2 per coupon Field Championships through Nov. Delivery area & hours. Additional delivery fee will Limited Delivery area & hours. Additional delivery fee recent achievement is setting the nities during that time steered her apply. Valid at participating locations. One coupon will apply. Valid at participating locations. One coupon per order. Valid through 12/31/16 at listed locations. Women’s 55-59 age group record to swim team and aquacades. 7. She will be racing in the 300m per order. Valid through 12/31/16 at listed locations. DINE-IN, CARRY-OUT OR DELIVERY DINE-IN, CARRY-OUT OR DELIVERY for the 60-meter hurdles this past The athletic pedigree is even hurdles, 80m hurdles, long jump spring during the USA Indoor richer for Upshaw’s two daughters. and relays. Masters National Championship. Their father is Ken Margerum, a Windy, meanwhile, is looking In 2012, she was inducted into the two-time consensus All-Ameri- forward to a successful season after Masters Track Hall of Fame. can receiver and Hall of Famer at doing well in the league last year. Upshaw points out that her Stanford and a former pro football She is now pondering her college youngest daughter has seen and player with Super Bowl Champion choices. “I haven’t decided just yet. All Airports learned from countless sources: Chicago Bears in 1985. There’s big interest in Cal, but I’ve “She’s been to a lot of elite prac- Joy’s oldest daughter, Sunny also looked at Arizona and Davis,” TAXI BLEU Served 24/7 tices as a young girl and watched Margerum, earned a scholarship she said. “I’m keeping it open, so far, Dispatch: many high performance athletes, to Cal after a distinguished track and excited for this track season!” and has traveled to both Helsinki and field career at Gunn High in For those who would like to 925-849-2222 and Beijing to watch her aunt Palo Alto, setting 300m and 100m follow Joy’s accomplishments in Direct: (Grace Upshaw) in the World hurdle records and was a top long Perth, go to www.perth2016.com. 925-286-0064 Championships and Olympics.” jumper in the CCS. For information about the Jack In fact, the story includes much Younger daughter Windy is Rabbits Track Club, contact www. www.mytaxibleu.com more than a mother-daughter rela- much more than just a track fanat- jackrabbitstrack.com. [email protected] Campolindo Girls Volleyball Team Claims Diablo Athletic League Crown By Karl Buscheck quartet of captains. “Those are the core seniors that really lead the team to where we are today.” When I say “good,” Now the postseason and a slate of unfamiliar op- ponents await, as the Cougars will be playing in the you say “neighbor.” NCS Division II bracket for the first time. “It’s win or go home,” Vuong said. “So we have to make sure we are sharp and stay healthy throughout the postseason.” Mike Rosa Now that'sNow that'steamwork. teamwork. Agent CALL FORCALL A QUOTE FOR A 24/7 QUOTE 24/7 Campolindo closed out the league portion of the 925-376-2244 schedule by beating Miramonte, 3-0, in Orinda on Oct. Insurance Lic. #: 0F45583 346 Rheem Blvd., Suite 106 27. The Mats ended DAL action with a 7-3 record after Moraga winning seven of their final nine matches. P097314.1 State Farm Home Oﬃce, Bloomington, IL “Our team has a lot of fight in them,” said head coach Lisa Bachtold, whose team was captained by a trio of seniors in Caroline Schafer, Blake Sharp and Layne Estes. “We have been down a few times in matches and we find a way to win. We do not give up very easily and that has been the difference between a win and a Janelle Gong Photo Gint Federas loss a few times this year.” Miramonte and Acalanes (6-4 in DAL) will both The Tick Tock Store ith an unblemished 10-0 record in league play, We Make The Right Place For The Right Time the Campolindo girls’ volleyball team won the take part in the NCS Division III playoffs. As is the House Calls $1 OFF W case with the Mats, the Dons have leaned on their most On Grandfather Batteries • Bands •Repair Watch Battery inaugural DAL tile. Clocks! With This Coupon. Head coach John Vuong credited the Cougars cast experienced players to set the tone. FREE Estimates of veterans for powering the squad to the top spot in “Seniors Parker Jones, Melissa Elliott, Devin Gro- Rolex-Tag Heuer Repair Center Specialize in grandfather clock and watch repairs the standings. beck and Alex Matson have come to practices and “The seniors have played the leadership role. Sa- games to improve on their individual and team play,” 925-952-4488 www.TheTickTockStore.com brina Smith is one of them. Janelle Gong and then said head coach Ernie Rodriguez. “They have been Jamie Brown and Emily VanKoll,” Vuong said of the great examples to the program in their leadership and 1547-A Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek work ethic.” (In Lunardi's Center, behind UPS Store) Page: C2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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Campo Junior Varsity Girls Win Joaquin Moraga Eighth Grade Three Volleyball Tournaments Volleyball Claims Championship Submitted by May Lo Submitted by Baldwin Lee

Back row, from left, Lily Storrs, Elizabeth Canon, Nina Naffziger, Lauren Kline, Emily Barlow, Madeleine Singh, Kelly Ruane, Sarah Carrasco. Front row, from left, coach Scott Tay, Jillian Yick, Bianca Chao, Cami Ingersoll, Arielle Allen, Dalilah Wiseman, Grace Huber (not in photo) ampolindo’s Junior Varsity volleyball tournaments by defeating Carondelet (25- Cwas crowned tournament champions at 20, 25-18) at Dougherty Valley, Acalanes the Sept. 24 Dougherty Valley JV Tourna- (25-15, 25-16) at Campolindo and San Ra- ment, the Oct. 1 Campolindo JV Invitational mon Valley (25-23, 25-21) at San Ramon and the Oct. 8 San Ramon Valley JV Tour- Valley in final games. Front row, from left, Jacqueline Artiaga, Brianna Lee, Molly Mitchell, Natalie Brouhard. Back nament. To date, Campo JV is undefeated in all row, from left, Kate Deninger, Eric Standring, Nicole Kennedy, Laura Studebaker, Olivia Knut- Campo JV dominated and swept all three league games. son, Julia Ortega, Justine Ellery, Erin Thomas, Debbie Standring, Scott Standring. Photo Baldwin Lee St. Perpetua Girls Finish Third iding the wave of an undefeated league MVP, and joining her on the All-Tournament Rseason, the Joaquin Moraga eighth Team were JM outside hitter Molly Mitchell Submitted by Jon Zuber grade volleyball (8A) team won the week- and JM middle blocker Erin Thomas. The long championship, after a hard-fought final Marauders were led by head coach Scott match with Stanley on Oct. 27. Standring and assistant coaches Debbie and Brianna Lee was named the Tournament Eric Standring. Orindan Wins Mount Diablo Challenge Submitted by Morris Burch

The sixth-grade St. P. third-place winners. Photo provided he sixth-grade girls American St. Per- ing tournament. The girls displayed a tena- Tpetua Basketball Team began the new cious press defense and some good passing season with a third place finish in their open- and shooting on their way to a great finish.

Submit stories to Fraser Burch Photo provided [email protected] yclist Fraser Burch won the Mount Dia- to the summit of Mount Diablo, gives all Cblo Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 25. This proceeds to Save Mount Diablo’s land con- (we prefer to receive your original photo file, minimum size: 200 dpi and 1200 pixels wide) tough family-friendly 11.2-mile timed bike servation efforts to preserve, defend and re- ride, starting at Athenian School in Danville store the natural lands and wildlife. and climbing up Southgate Road 3,249 feet

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Vince Mossotti Photos Gint Federas Robby Rowell ndefeated since the middle and touchdowns, but Westphal has throwing 30 touchdowns in nine Uof September, Campolindo is also relied heavily on junior John games. For Tague, 11 of those playing its best football of the fall Torchio and senior Kannah Cruick- touchdowns have been on con- as the league season reaches its fi- shank. Then there’s senior Matthew nections with senior Nick Foster. nal week. Rinquist. Schram praised his offensive line Head coach Kevin Macy point- “He’s the smallest kid on the for giving the signal-caller the time ed to the team’s fourth-quarter team,” Macy said. “But he just required to find all those open re- comeback against Miramonte on seems to be one of those reliable ceivers. Oct. 14 as the turning point for the kids that’s just going to make the “The line’s done extremely Cougars, who have navigated a play that you need (and) spark the well,” Schram said. “Tim’s scram- flood of injuries. team.” bled a few times, but really as far “We could have just imploded While the Cougars have been as just getting out and not getting right there,” Macy admitted, as he bumped into the NCS Division sacked, our line has done an excep- recalled the 37-25 win. “With the II bracket – a result of the team’s tional job all year to protect Tim.” weight that we’ve been carrying success in recent postseasons – Mi- After edging Concord 42-34 at all year long, that was one of the ramonte will be taking part in Di- home on Oct. 28, the Mats close points in the season where it would vision III playoffs. Both divisions out the league schedule by making just make sense if we finally felt the begin the opening rounds of play a trip to Acalanes on Nov. 4. weight of the year and just sort of on Nov. 11 and 12. “This will be the most fun for crumbled under it.” The Mats began the season 5-0 not only me, but also all the kids,” “So, for us to be able to pull off before dropping the first two games said Acalanes head coach Floyd a victory under those conditions, I of the league season to Clayton Burnsed. think it may have been one of the Valley on back-to-back Fridays in The Dons, who have posted bigger Miramonte victories we’ve the beginning of October. Head an 4-5 record (1-3 in league) dur- had,” Macy added. coach Jack Schram believes the ing Burnsed’s first year in charge, After topping Acalanes 42-7 at early-league turbulence will ulti- lost the first of their back-to-back home on Oct. 28, Campolindo (7-2 mately benefit the Mats. rivalry games against Campolindo overall, 4-0 in league) has won sev- “We see where we made mis- on Oct. 28. en of eight games, as just one DAL takes,” said Schram, whose Mats “I think the kids are doing matchup remains when the team own a 7-2 record (2-2 in DAL). “If well,” Burnsed said. “We put in a Nick Foster visits Clayton Valley on Nov. 4. we can get better, then we’ll have a new program this year and all new ling Butler. set to participate in the NCS Divi- For the Cougars, senior quar- good chance to make a good run in systems. The kids are adapting re- “(Robbie’s) been a steady sion III postseason. They’ll find out terback Jacob Westphal has been the Division III playoffs. And some ally well and I think we’re playing leader all year and on defense Ster- where that journey begins follow- the steadying force, airing out of that is because we play good pretty well.” ling has just been really steady for ing the seeding meeting on Nov. 6. touchdowns to a stable of pass teams like that in league.” No Dons have stood out more us and a very good leader for us,” “I think we will be in postsea- catchers. Senior Vince Mossotti Senior quarterback Tim Tague than junior quarterback Robby Burnsed said. son,” Burnsed said. “It’s just a mat- leads the team in receptions, yards has been the star for the Mats, Rowell and senior linebacker Ster- Like the Mats, the Dons are ter of where our seed would be.” Acalanes and Miramonte Golf Teams Advance to NCS Championship By Karl Buscheck

Photos Gint Federas im Scott – the head coach of “All the girls on our team to- “We were delighted to receive members – seniors Valerie Rock- “One of our seniors this year Tthe Acalanes girls golf team – tally understand how good Emily an at-large berth in the NCS Divi- well and Haleigh Goett – placed that had a real breakthrough in remembers the exact moment when is and they love her dearly,” Scott sion 1 Girls Golf Championship, high enough in the field to advance terms of our scoring – matching her he broke the news to his team that said. “And she’s a great team cap- although we were not surprised to the Division II NCS Champion- athletic ability – was Paris Thom- they were headed to the Division I tain.” by it,” co-coach Bob Riddell ex- ship. as,” O’Neill said. “She did very NCS Championship. Attiyeh was one of two Dons plained after the team went 6-2 in That tournament, which was well in the DAL tournament and “You should have seen the who would have qualified for the the DAL – good for second in the played at Rooster Run Golf Course broke 100, which is not particularly smile and the twinkle in their eye NCS tournament as an individual. standings. in Petaluma on Oct. 24, served as a easy under tournament conditions. when I told them at our practice The other was Avalon Schenone – The senior tandem of James individual qualifier for the Division “She went out on a real high that I had applied for an at-large the team’s future star. and Franny Caronna both earned I tournament the following week. note.” berth and we received one,” Scott “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if first-team all-league honors, while “They’re both seniors and While the seniors are gradu- said, recalling the scene at the she – being a (junior) next year – junior Tiffany Shinn played her they’re both second team DAL ating from the squad, the Cam- team’s practice on the Rossmoor would be the leader of our team,” way onto the second team. Rid- all-league selections based on how polindo team maintains an optimis- Golf Course. Scott said. “We’ve got several good dell also offered praise for the Mats they did over the course of the sea- tic outlook for 2017 and beyond The Dons, who went 3-5 in sophomore players who she’s best group of young rising golfers. son,” head coach Gary O’Neill said thanks to a influx of young talent league play, made it to NCS – friends with and she’s just going to “Guidotti joined the team late of the duo, whose season ended at this fall. hosted at Chardonnay Golf Club in sort of take over Emily’s role.” in the year, due to a volleyball in- Rooster Run. “So, it was a very “More importantly we had five Napa on Oct. 31 – thanks in part to Miramonte also earned an at- jury, but contributed mightily down successful year from their perspec- freshmen who joined our team their third-place finish at the DAL large berth for the NCS postseason the stretch,” Riddell said. “And fi- tive.” this year and they had a signifi- Tournament. after placing second in the DAL nally, our strong freshman class O’Neill also singled out senior cant amount of match experience, Senior Emily Attiyeh won the Tournament. Senior Tori James was lead by Katie Ingrey, Kaydee Paris Thomas as one of the key which will bode well for future league championship at Delta View tied for second place at Delta View, Tu and Kate Nelson.” contributors on a Cougars team years,” O’Neill said. Golf Course in Pittsburg on Oct. while sophomore Gracie Guidotti Campolindo placed fourth at that posted a 2-6 record in league 17, shooting an even-par 72. finished in a tie for ninth. the DAL Tournament and two team action.

Page: C4 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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Lamorinda Weekly Volume 10 Issue 18 Wednesday, November 2, 2016

November Gardening Guide

...read on page D9 Montelindo Garden Club Enjoys the Bounty of our ‘Founding Gardeners’ By Kara Navolio he Montelindo Garden Club hosted five-time author Andrea Wulf on Oct. 21 for a discussion of her 2011 Tbook “Founding Gardeners: The Revolution- ary Generation, Nature and the Shaping of the American Nation.” The book, a winner of the American Horticulture Society Book Award, is a flawlessly researched book about the gardens and farms of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and the interconnection between these men’s love of nature and their political lives. In 2011 it reached 32 on the New York Times Best Seller List for Non-Fiction. As Wulf says, “All four of these men believed that agriculture was the basis of the Amer- ican economy and important for the country’s independence from Europe.” While all four were avid gardeners themselves and combined the useful with the beautiful at their estates, it was James Madison who was America’s first en- vironmentalist. Readers will likely be surprised to learn that American environmentalism has its roots in a speech Madison delivered in 1818 in which he condemns Americans for the de- struction of the environment and deforestation. ... continued on page D4 Author Andrea Wulf signs book for club member Susan Dalcamo Photo Kara Navolio Page: D2 OUR HOMES 925-377-0977 Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 Lamorinda Home Sales recorded City Last reported: LOWEST AMOUNT: HIGHEST AMOUNT: LAFAYETTE 14 $601,000 $3,250,000 MORAGA 7 $410,000 $1,311,500 ORINDA 7 $1,430,000 $2,875,000 Home sales are compiled by Cal REsource, an Oakland real estate information company. Sale prices are computed from the county transfer tax information shown on the deeds that record at close of escrow and are published five to eight weeks after such recording. This information is obtained from public county records and is provided to us by California REsource. Neither Cal REsource nor this publication are liable for errors or omissions. LAFAYETTE 859 Acalanes Road, $1,380,000, 3 Bdrms, 2495 SqFt, 1949 YrBlt, 10-6-16; Previous Sale: $960,000, 12-30-11 17 Almaden Court, $965,000, 3 Bdrms, 1690 SqFt, 1965 YrBlt, 10-7-16; Previous Sale: $48,000, 07-12-72 3075 Camino Diablo #3, $601,000, 2 Bdrms, 1253 SqFt, 1979 YrBlt, 9-27-16; Previous Sale: $329,500, 01-20-10 320 Denise Lane, $1,080,000, 4 Bdrms, 2319 SqFt, 2000 YrBlt, 10-4-16; Previous Sale: $599,500, 06-20-01 1674 Foothill Park Circle, $1,200,000, 4 Bdrms, 2102 SqFt, 1957 YrBlt, 9-29-16; Previous Sale: $540,000, 09-21-00 1661 Glen Oak Court, $859,000, 4 Bdrms, 2000 SqFt, 1973 YrBlt, 9-27-16 3111 Gloria Terrace, $905,000, 4 Bdrms, 2390 SqFt, 1965 YrBlt, 9-27-16 521 Mcbride Drive, $1,325,000, 4 Bdrms, 2017 SqFt, 1962 YrBlt, 10-7-16; Previous Sale: $1,225,000, 08-12-16 1003 Pine Lane, $1,405,000, 4 Bdrms, 2516 SqFt, 1978 YrBlt, 10-4-16; Previous Sale: $897,500, 05-21-03 3148 Sandalwood Court, $1,870,000, 5 Bdrms, 3172 SqFt, 1962 YrBlt, 10-4-16 3369 South Lucille Lane, $1,200,000, 4 Bdrms, 1518 SqFt, 1976 YrBlt, 10-7-16; Previous Sale: $960,000, 09-28-05 3302 Stage Coach Drive, $1,425,000, 3 Bdrms, 2961 SqFt, 1988 YrBlt, 9-29-16; Previous Sale: $1,220,000, 01-05-07 1049 Upper Happy Valley Road #B, $3,250,000, 5 Bdrms, 4278 SqFt, 2015 YrBlt, 10-12-16 507 Winchester Court, $1,700,000, 5 Bdrms, 3489 SqFt, 1989 YrBlt, 10-4-16; Previous Sale: $1,670,000, 08-14-07 MORAGA 111 Ascot Court #A, $410,000, 2 Bdrms, 1106 SqFt, 1973 YrBlt, 9-29-16; Previous Sale: $355,000, 03-14-14 368 Deerfield Drive, $1,125,000, 4 Bdrms, 2201 SqFt, 1965 YrBlt, 10-3-16; Previous Sale: $554,000, 06-15-99 65 Miramonte Drive, $570,000, 2 Bdrms, 1248 SqFt, 1964 YrBlt, 10-12-16 8 Ravenhill Lane, $1,311,500, 5 Bdrms, 2385 SqFt, 1967 YrBlt, 9-29-16; Previous Sale: $1,267,000, 04-25-07 11 Ross Drive, $1,205,000, 3 Bdrms, 1755 SqFt, 1959 YrBlt, 10-7-16; LAFAYETTE - New construction, desirable trails neighbor- Previous Sale: $955,000, 11-01-05 hood, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, large yard, quiet street, gorgeous 349 Tharp Drive, $1,311,000, 4 Bdrms, 2470 SqFt, 1966 YrBlt, 9-28-16; Previous Sale: $1,050,000, 05-30-13 throughout. Great new price ~ reduced to $2,595,000 116 Via Joaquin, $710,000, 3 Bdrms, 2117 SqFt, 1980 YrBlt, 9-29-16; Previous Sale: $620,000, 12-10-14 ORINDA '½ÄÄΙ<½½®ç½½ 407 Camino Sobrante, $2,875,000, 6 Bdrms, 5091 SqFt, 1938 YrBlt, 9-29-16 925.254.1212 128 Diablo View Drive, $1,769,000, 4 Bdrms, 4579 SqFt, 1962 YrBlt, 10-4-16; TheBeaubelleGroup.com Previous Sale: $922,500, 07-19-11 CABRE# 00678426, 01165322 77 Oak Road, $1,430,000, 4 Bdrms, 2480 SqFt, 2003 YrBlt, 10-6-16; Previous Sale: $210,000, 05-04-99 91 Orchard Road, $2,100,000, 3 Bdrms, 3355 SqFt, 1948 YrBlt, 10-4-16; Previous Sale: $825,000, 07-28-00 12 Richard Court, $1,450,000, 4 Bdrms, 2415 SqFt, 1940 YrBlt, 9-29-16 k&ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HDO(VWDWH//&$OO5LJKWV5HVHUYHG&ROGZHOO%DQNHUpLVDUHJLVWHUHGWUDGHPDUN 109 Sleepy Hollow Lane, $1,615,000, 4 Bdrms, 2095 SqFt, 1955 YrBlt, 10-12-16; OLFHQVHGWR&ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HDO(VWDWH//&$Q(TXDO2SSRUWXQLW\&RPSDQ\(TXDO+RXVLQJ2SSRUWXQLW\(DFK &ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HVLGHQWLDO%URNHUDJH2IILFHLV2ZQHGE\D6XEVLGLDU\RI157//&5HDO(VWDWH$JHQWVDIILOLDW Previous Sale: $1,000,000, 08-31-10 HGZLWK&ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HVLGHQWLDO%URNHUDJHDUH,QGHSHQGHQW&RQWUDFWRU6DOHV$VVRFLDWHVDQGDUHQRWHP SOR\HHVRI&ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HDO(VWDWH//&&ROGZHOO%DQNHU5HVLGHQWLDO%URNHUDJHRU157//&&DO%5( 630 Tahos Road, $1,750,000, 4 Bdrms, 3286 SqFt, 1964 YrBlt, 9-28-16; /LFHQVH Previous Sale: $1,500,000, 10-11-13 PENDING! 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Golf Course Views

30 Sea Pines Street, Moraga 4+ Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 3784± sq. ft. Offered at $1,450,000 Kurt Piper, Broker | 925.818.8000 KurtPiperGroup.com Page: D4 OUR HOMES 925-377-0977 Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016

Enjoying the Bounty of our ‘Founding Gardeners’ Knowledgeable - Professional - Reliable - Local ... continued from page D1 Committed to exceeding your expectations! Wulf’s book, as well as her newly published “Inven- Paul & Virginia Ratto tion of Nature,” are available at Orinda Books. 925.998.9501 The Montelindo Garden [email protected] Club, whose mission is to sup- rattoandratto.com port the love of gardening and License #: 00900621 | 01361537 nature by providing practical information about plants and to support civic gardening and conservation programs, meets on the third Friday of the month from September to May at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Orinda. Meetings start at 9 a.m. and are open to visitors. “We are open to new members and welcome all NO ENERGY FOR who are interested,” said club President Joan Reid. The club has 115 members, many from the Lamorinda area, but also from as far as Oakland and A REMODEL? San Ramon. The club often features guest speakers such as Wulf, hosts plant sales, Let me find you a new home! garden tours, and participates in civic beautification. It’s a place to learn more about gardening and nature topics as well as enjoy social activities. Alan Marks For more information, visit their website: www.montelindogarden.com. 925-899-9000 [email protected] License # 01160227 Other Local Garden Clubs: Lafayette Garden Club Meets Second Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Veteran’s Memorial Bldg., Lafayette DAVID PIERCE www.lafayettegardenclub.com Helping Lamorinda Homeowners Since 1987 Moraga Garden Club Direct: 925 254 5984 Meets third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. [email protected] Holy Trinity Cultural Center, Moraga www.moragacitizensnetwork.org www.DavidPierce.net CalBRE #00964185 Orinda Garden Club Meets third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. Orinda Country Club www.orindagc.org Each Oﬃce is Independently Owned & Operated Obtaining a Mortgage is Not Easy These Days!! Let Mark Provide The Service and Expertise You Would Expect When Getting A Loan!!

Mark Zinman Mortgage Broker/Owner MZ Financial Group believe in the art of living well. 415-203-6369 [email protected] 3500 Moraga Blvd., Lafayette 35 Williams Drive, Moraga

MZ FINANCIAL GROUP OPEN Sun. 1-4

Mark has been a Lamorinda Resident and Mortgage Broker for 15 years and would love to put that experience to work in handling your mortgage needs! MZ Financial Group handles financing up to $3,000,000. With Interest Rates at Historic Lows give Mark a call today to talk about your specific situation!

Equal Housing Opportunity. Loan Officer Mark Zinman | [email protected] | CA Bureau of Real Estate License #01335252 | NMLS License #248181 | Pacific Mortgage Consultants Inc. | CA Bureau of Real Estate License #01378482 | NMLS License #2131 An inviting curb appeal, that’s straight out of an old-fashioned fairy tale, helps to define this REBUILT turn-key Traditional home as California Elegance: casual, livable and timeless. This stately home’s high style design and relaxed comfort serve to showcase its 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and approximately 2178 square feet of living space. Located just one block from downtown Lafayette, enjoying a walk score of 89, you will treasure its convenient location near shopping, dining, schools, the Trail, BART and Highway 24. Tried, true and Traditional, this gem pays homage to the past, but brings it right into the present day. You are going to love this home! Offered at $1,495,000 PATTI CAMRAS REALTOR® CalBRE# 01156248 925-899-9282 [email protected] 5 Moraga Way, Orinda www.patticamras.com

55+ Community

©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304. Page: D6 LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Feng Shui Bringing the Elements Inside This Season By Michele Duffy Element, which controls Wood, for a thorough balance. (back middle). If you refer to the Destructive cycle, you The intention was to create an abundantly nourishing, will see that that Water extinguishes Fire and so the restful, calm, cozy and romantic retreat that addressed the placement of a more permanent structure such as a pool, actual function of the room (bedrooms are for sleeping can be balanced out by introducing more fire element, and sensuality) as well as also activating the specific Wealth but also Wood Element which weakens Water and pro- (Wood) area of the Bagua. duces or creates more Fire. The actual application of each elemental “CURE” is Fall is ruled by the Metal elements which is close- very personalized based on each individual, the layout of ly associated with the harvest and when we reap what the home, and the goal is to integrate the Five Elements of we planted in the spring. The colors change brilliant- Feng Shui with the specific goals of each person so the de- ly all around us, and the sky is at its bluest against the sired results are achieved. awesome leaves. The air is cooler and drier; and there The 5 Feng Shui Elements (Chinese Elements) seems to be more clarity of vision, both externally as In Feng Shui we also must have a working knowledge of the the “Controlling” or “Overcoming” cycle of the Five well as spiritually. Autumn reminds us that flexibili- Elements, in the likely event we need to balance, calm and ty and adaptability are crucial for staying healthy and adjust what already exists in your home. Often, when we balanced during the winter months ahead. During this find imbalances we make the appropriate adjustments care- time you will want to prepare for the challenges of win- fully and skillfully apply the Five Elements. ter by completing unfinished projects, clearing away When we analyze an environment, we also apply the “Over- clutter and debris, setting extra food and fuel aside, and coming” or “Destructive” cycle of the Five Elements, since making sure that you are physically and emotionally what we find may be out of balance and the easiest way prepared for the cold, dark months to come. to restore balance is application of the Five Elements. To How do we integrate and activate the Metal Ele- understand the relationship of the controlling cycle, we ment of Fall in our homes? The freshness, clarity and must look more closely at the origin of the Five Element strong cooling energy of the Metal element can be ex- theory in China where the responsibility of disciplining pressed in colors white and gray, a variety of metallic the children rested with the grandparents. The metaphor of finishes, in round shapes, as well as numerous decor the controlling cycle describes the relationship of a grand- items made from metal, of course. mother disciplining a grandchild. ... continued on next page n my last column, I gave an overview of the Five Ele- Destructive Feng Shui Cycles • Wood consumes earth (plants take nutrients) WEALTH & FAME & ments: Wood, Earth, Water, Fire and Metal, and the LOVE & MARRIAGE PROSPERITY REPUTATION "Receptivity" role they play in our lives and homes. Now we look at • Earth dams water (earth stops water from flowing) "Gratitude" • Water extinguishes fire (water will kill fire) "Integrity" Ihow each can balance out the other. REAR RIGHT REAR LEFT • Fire melts metal (metal will melt and change form) REAR MIDDLE When we carefully overlay the Feng Shui Bagua map over Earth Wood Fire • Metal cuts wood (axes, etc.) Reds, pinks, & whites our spaces based on the Front Entrance of the home and Blues, purple & reds Reds look into the home, we can figure out that Wealth/Abun- A Review of The Cycles CREATIVITY & dance area rules far left Bagua area from the front entrance HEALTH & FAMILY CENTER CHILDREN "Strength" and Relationships rule the area to the far right. Promoting Controlling "Joy" "Earth" MIDDLE LEFT So, for example, when a Lafayette client wanted to ac- MIDDLE RIGHT Yellow & tivate the Wealth area we discovered it was her master bed- wood promotes fire wood controls earth Wood earth tones Metal Blues & Greens room. She choose a lovely soft pale lavender for her walls fire promotes earth earth controls water White & Pastels to activate the wood element and to create a very zen feel KNOWLEDGE & HELPFUL PEOPLE earth promotes metal water controls fire CAREER for her bedroom, plus juicy romantic red satin pillows and SELF CULTIVATION & TRAVEL "Depth" a sumptuous gold bedspread. The overall design included metal promotes water fire controls metal "Stillness" "Synchronicity" FRONT MIDDLE a comfy nurturing area rug, a pair of bedside tables and FRONT LEFT FRONT RIGHT 100-watt lamps, and a purple orchid to activate the wood water promotes wood metal controls wood Water Earth Metal Black & dark tones element as well as romance. We can also incorporate the Black, blues & greens White, grey & black For example, an Orinda client had a large swimming Water Element that creates Wood and minimize the Metal “Front Door” pool (water element) in the Fame (Fire) area of the yard The Bagua Map: Front Door Wednesday, November 2, 2016 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com OUR HOMES LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page:D7

First, make sure that your home isn’t already room. Each of the Five Elements should ideally Michele Duffy, BTB M.F.S. is an Orinda resident who, since 1999, too metal and perhaps cold and unwelcoming. be present in all rooms and spaces, otherwise enjoys creating “Space as Medicine” Feng Shui one space at a time, as We can integrate and place symbols of the fall there is an imbalance created. These spaces can well as hiking in nature, cooking, and spending time with her family; harvest, like pumpkins and gourds, at our front feel weak, lethargic, uneasy and draining. In- Canyon Ranch Feng Shui Master, International Feng Shui Guild (IFSG) door or dining rooms. In the middle right area stead of home feeling healthy and calm and sup- Red Ribbon Professional. To schedule a professional 2015 Feng Shui of our home we can also add the freshness of portive, it might be creating a sense of anxiety, Consultation, contact Michele at (520) 647-4887 or send an email to more white and metallic sculpture or decorative stress and unease. Even the colors we choose [email protected]. mirrors. Also, warm up your home with lots of might inadvertently weaken the overall Feng Earth Element (Earth creates Metal) so think Shui of the places that are meant to restore and cozy tangerine, cappuccino or golden throws, nourish us the most. extra blankets ready for the beds, and pillows All of this is easily remedied by easy, inex- and other accessories in seasonal, earthy colors. pensive and accessible Feng Shui Five Elements Again, much of the desired results and bal- “adjustments” and when the elemental balance ance can be adjusted easily and most completely is achieved, we truly can experience “SPACE AS with the Five Elements theory, and we can also MEDICINE."” for spaces that feel as good as apply this for the entire home and also room by they look.

PENDING/Buyer SOLD/Buyer Tom 664 Haddon Rd., Oakland $1,850,000 166 Cypress Point Way, Moraga $775,000 Stack

SOLD/Buyer SOLD/Buyer 1382 Camino Peral, Moraga $702,500 1053 Rachele Rd., Walnut Creek $890,888

Recent Sales Tom Stack / Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Bay Area Top 90 Sales Associate 925.878.9964 | [email protected] | www.TomStack.com CalBRE #01501769

©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRTLLC. CalBRE License #01908304. Page: D8 LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 2, 2016

November Gardening Guide Color Me Happy By Cynthia Brian “I feel like a warm, red autumn!” — Marilyn Monroe nate to live in a climate that harks four seasons. about my experience with Pearl’s Premium. I’m not paid to November of this year brings us an election as well as talk or write about this product. (Although I probably should Thanksgiving. Since politics is not my favorite subject, I prefer be on the payroll because I’m so passionate about this seed.) to focus on what needs to be done in our November garden Being a believer in one’s right to have a lawn for enjoyment, I’ve before Turkey Day. Autumn is the best time to plant because been on a mission to find the grass seed that will remain green the soil is still warm and the rains are imminent. To find trees while using less water. With my first summer of using Pearl’s bursting with colorful leaves, visit your local nursery. Japanese Premium behind me, I offer you my personal experimental re- Maple, pistache, liquid amber, crape myrtle and many fruit sults. trees put on quite a spectacular show this time of year. Buy 1. Grass remained somewhat green with brown and bare them now and plant them where they will grow, thrive and en- spots where the irrigation missed the mark. hance your landscape. 2. Pearl’s Premium definitely choked out the majority of weeds. A wall fountain is festooned with pumpkins and gourds to celebrate the Information on Grass Seed and the Rain 3. I watered twice a week in 12-minute segments per station season. Photos Cynthia Brian When it rained this past week, I ran outside to plant seeds of using 34 percent less water over the previous year. y favorite part of a November autumn is looking out my 100-year-old-plus heirloom hollyhock seeds as well as sun- 4. The lawn was mowed once a week and grass clippings were from my bedroom balcony to the kaleidoscope of flower seeds. The drizzly weather also posed the most auspi- left on the lawn at least twice per month to add nutrients. colors dotting the landscape in the valley. Trees are cious moment to reseed my lawn with Pearl’s Premium lawn Mcloaked in hues of magenta, sienna, umber, gold, russet, umber, 5. Although not a lush green in the summer, the grass did not die. seed and fertilize with an organic cover. My new grass is already purple, red, pumpkin and a variety of greens. Wherever I walk 6. With just two rainy days, the lawn has emerged as emer- sprouting. or drive, the picturesque autumn foliage of northern California ald. I still have a lawn! Several emails have arrived asking for more information rivals the forests of the Eastern seaboard. We are indeed fortu- ... continued on page D11

PENDING – Walnut Creek SOLD – Orinda Country Club SOLD – Sheffield Village

SOLD – Danville SOLD – Walnut Heights SOLD – Rancho Dorado

Dana Reedy Broker Associate, JD Coldwell Banker Top 100 Sales Associate Top Producer 925.253.4621 Direct | [email protected] | www.DanaReedyHomes.com | Cal BRE # 01880723

Glorietta Auction EFO Miramonte HS Children’s Hospital ( St. Lukes) Orinda Baseball Association Lamorinda Idol LaMorinda Arts Council OCC Pink Ribbon Golf Tourney Carol Ann Read Center OMPA

A portion of every home sale gives back to our wonderful community! I’m so thankful to be able to live, work and support Orinda. I love to call this amazing city home! Thank you Orinda!

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Amy Rose Smith Village Associates 93 Moraga Way Suite 103 Orinda, CA 94563 Phone: 925.212.3897 AMYROSESMITH Email: [email protected] Web: www.amyrosesmith.com Web: www.iloveorinda.com CalBRE: #01855959 Page: D10 LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Cynthia Brian’s November Gardening Guide • TIME to fall back! Set your clocks back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 6. • HEAL by looking at nature. For over 32 years since the journal Science published the study by behavioral scientist Roger Ulrich, we know that just viewing trees and the outdoors enhances wellness and speeds healing. • GATHER guavas that have fallen to make a jam or other guava treat. • SOW these vegetable seeds for a bountiful early winter harvest: lettuce, Asian greens spinach, arugula, chard, chicory, kale, radish, cabbage, beets and cress. • FERTILIZE your lawns with an organic mixture and reseed during the rains. Cover the grass with mulch or screens to keep the birds from eating the seeds. • SPREAD seeds of hollyhock along fence lines or at the back of your garden as hollyhock can grow to 12 feet or more. • HELP the birds settle in for the upcoming winter by cleaning nesting boxes and providing plenty of seed to their feeders. • DECORATE your waterfall, fountain, or front door with a variety of odd-shaped pumpkins and gourds. • COLLECT acorns, leaves, and nuts to add to your festive kitchen or dining room table fall tableau of squash, gourds, and pumpkins. • COLOR your world by planting bushes that boast fall and winter berries including cotoneaster, holly, and pyracantha. (Pyracantha plants have sharp thorns. Plant in low traffic areas. Pyracantha don’t have berries, but pomes.) • MULCH by shredding the raked leaves from the deciduous trees adding grass clippings, dried plants stems, and trimmings all which provide water conservation, better drainage, and nutrients to the soil. Remarkable intricacy in a close up look at Liquid Amber leaves. • PLANT your spring blooming bulbs now including daffodils, crocus, freesia, ranunculus, hyacinths, Dutch Iris, tulips, and other favorites. You’ll be able to continue planting bulbs through January. Mark the location with plant tags or wooden paint sticks. • BUY trees with fall color at your local nursery or garden center including Crape Myrtle, Pistache, Liquid Amber and Japanese Maple. • COVER patio furniture and move potted frost tender plants under an overhang or bring indoors. • ENJOY the warmth and the beauty of this annual autumn fashion extravaganza. • CAPTURE the moments with your smartphone to compare your garden to next years show. It’s amazing how much our landscapes change. Lic.: #611120 Family owned in • VOTE on Nov. 8. One person does make a difference. Moraga since 1987 Color me happy! Happy Gardening and Happy Growing! Your friendly neighborhood New Tree Planting arborists Darren and Lew Edwards DONATE to Be the Star You Are!® charity as it ships books to the most devastated Think of the tree you just purchased as a lifetime investment. How well your areas in Hurricane Matthew’s path in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and tree, and investment, grows depends on the type of tree and location you Georgia. Go to www.BetheStarYouAre.org and click on Operation Hurricane Mat- select for planting, the care you provide when the tree is planted, and follow- thew Disaster Relief. up care the tree receives after planting. The ideal time to plant trees and shrubs is during the dormant season-in the fall after their leaves drop or early spring before bud breaks. Weather conditions are cool and allow plants to establish roots in the new location. The proper handling during planting is essential to ensure a healthy future for new trees and shrubs. So don’t wait until it’s too late, call your local Arborist at Advance Tree Service to help you find your perfect tree. Advance Tree Service Your Authority on Trees. 925-376-6528 [email protected] www.advancetree.com Fallen green guavas to be gathered for a jam. Time to scatter the heirloom hollyhock seeds. Wed., Nov. 2, 2016 OUR HOMES Page: D11 Color Me Happy ... continued from page 8 Christmas trees coming Thanksgiving week As noted, I am reseeding my lawns with the expectation that next spring and summer will have even better results as the instructions on the Pearl’s Premium label do indicate that it can take a year for proper establishment. Ac- cording to Jackson Madnick, the founder of the company, Pearl’s Premium is not sold at retail establishments here in our area so you will need to purchase online at www. family owned since 1933 PearlsPremium.com. He is currently installing seven acres of his grass in Palm Desert. The seed is drought tolerant. As promised, for all of you Lamorinda lawn lovers, I will Holiday Open House continue to update you on my experiences. For now, I am Tuesday November 15 from 5:00 -7:30 happy with my green! Refreshments, Door prizes, Special pricing on Holiday Items and Free Gift Wrapping

DESIGN R INSTALLATION ue idg IRRIGATION l e DRAINAGE B STONEWORK CONCRETE WORK DECKS 925-258-9233 FENCES cell: 510-847-6160 PATIOS Landscape Company Inc. View of the colorful autumn landscape from Cynthia’s bedroom balcony LAWNS PONDS Blue Jay Feldman LICENSED CLEANUP & OWNER/OPERATOR INSURED HAULING www.blueridgelc.com Lic# 818633 >\kFlkJkXpFlk @ePfliE\nFlk[ffiIffd C\k>Xi[\eC`^_kjCXe[jZXg\;\m\cfgd\ek^`m\pfl^ff[i\XjfekfÈ>\kFlkXe[JkXpFlkÉk_`jjldd\i%

©2016 Cynthia Brian Cynthia Brian in the fall The Goddess Gardener vineyards post harvest. Starstyle® Productions, llc [email protected] www.GoddessGardener.com Xi[\eC`^_kjCXe[jZXg\;\m\cfgd\ek#@eZ%`jX]lccj\im`Z\cXe[jZXg\gffc[\j`êYl`c[Ôid% N\[\j`êèjkXccn`k_aljkfe\ZXcc0),$),+$+.0.nnn%^Xi[\ec`^_kjcXe[jZXg\%Zfd www.StarStyleRadio.net I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Celebrating over 20 years of service in Lamorinda. Bonded – Licensed & Insured License# 702845 C27 & C53 Lamorinda’s Leading Independent Real Estate Firm

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New Listing Pending New Listing 91 Coral Drive 244 El Toyonal Forever views 31 Parkway Court 139 La Cuesta Road Fabulous THE VILLAGE Sought-after single level home of across Orinda to Mt. Diablo. Incredible Location! This 1797 sq. ft. 5 bed, 3 bath, 2622 sf., custom home ASSOCIATES: apx. 1739 sq. ft. with hardwood Delightful living spaces on 2 levels 4bd/3ba charmer sits at the end of a nestled on prime close-in cul de sac in floors, remodeled baths. Walk to w/modern remodeled kitchen; living cul-de-sac on a large .56 acre lot. prestigious Orinda Country Club Ashley Battersby 12 years of schools! rm & dining rm open to outside Updated throughout, open floor plan, neighborhood. Spacious, beautifully Patricia Battersby w/extensive decking/ views. Bonus walk to Glorietta Elementary! maintained home. Lovely setting with Shannon Conner $1,135,000 offices. $1,299,000 $1,375,000 breathtaking views. $1,389,000 Meara Dunsmore Joan Eggers ORINDA ORINDA ORINDA ORINDA Linda Ehrich Joan Evans Linda S. Friedman Marianne Greene Dexter Honens II Anne Knight Pending Susan Zeh Layng 114 Hillcrest Drive Glorietta 220 Camino Sobrante Special 147 Camino Don Miguel Set 5 Oak Arbor Road Prime Oak Art Lehman neighborhood stylish Craftsman location on the lake. Classic, wood on private, lush .32ac overlooking Arbor living at its best! Traditional Charles Levine 4bd/3ba all rebuilt to perfection in crafted 4bd/4ba home has great use 4th fairway of OCC. 3bd/2.5ba European spectacular home Erin Martin 2008. Beaut. design highest quality, of space on two levels, ideal for w/apx. 3223sf, hdwd flrs, main flr w/quality features in/outside great room w/gourmet kitchen, comfortable living & entertaining. master ste, ofc/den, sun porch. Near w/grand-scale rooms of exceptional April Matthews Anderson doors, views, level lawns. Bonus sports court. Alluring setting top-rated schools, Orinda Village & space, light + access outdoors. Hillary Murphy Great schools. $1,495,000 of beauty & privacy. $1,695,000 commute. Views! $1,850,000 Gorgeous setting! $2,695,000 Karen Murphy Ben Olsen ORINDA ORINDA MORAGA MORAGA Sue Olsen Tara Rochlin Jaime Roder Altie Schmitt Judy Schoenrock Ann Sharf New Price New Listing Amy Rose Smith 105 Crane Terrace Exceptional 160 Camino Don Miguel 820 Country Club Drive 670 Augusta Drive Molly Smith 4.87 acre gated estate traditional of Spectacular Spanish Mediterranean Sought after single level, end unit on Updated & ready to move in! Kitchen Jeff Snell incredible appeal on alluring knoll, 5bd/5.5ba 5851sf home overlooks the cul-de-sac. Nicely updated throughout. w/cherry cabinets, granite & Brazilian Lynda Snell private setting of pano views. 4th hole of OCC. Rebuilt from Walk to town, trails, etc. Enjoy MCC cherry flrs thruout main flr. Gardens, Custom craftsmanship. Lovely ground up in 1996. Resort quality amenities: golf, swim, tennis, club private patio. Rare 3 BR+ bonus rm. Clark Thompson grounds w/lawns, gardens, mature pool & spa, gardens & views. house. Top schools! Close to clubhouse, facilities. Walk to Angie Evans Traxinger trees. $2,950,000 $4,795,000 $725,000 town! $895,000 Ignacio Vega Ann Ward MORAGA MORAGA LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE Dan Weil Jenny Lyons Wilhite Margaret Zucker

Pending 76 Lynwood Place 9 Shannon Court 905 Acalanes Road Located in 3 Dollis Park Road Desirable Corliss neighborhood. 4 Sanders Ranch estate property over Hidden Valley, this 4bd/2.5ba home Large 4bd/3.5ba, 4090 sq. ft. home bedroom, 2.5 bath home with 1.5 acres, 4966 sq. ft., Chef ’s has it all. Close to Hwy 24 & w/ideal functional floor plan. Lovely sparkling pool. Close to schools, kitchen, hardwood, new carpet, downtown Lafayette & Reservoir. kitchen/ family rm + bonus rec. rm. facebook.com/VillageAssociates shopping and trails. fresh paint, pool, ideal indoor/ Updated kitchen, dining rm & high Luxurious master suite. Great guest outdoor living spaces. ceiling family rm. Large master suite, bedroom w/bath is ideal for separation twitter.com/villageassoc $1,695,000 $3,125,000 remodeled baths. $1,249,000 of space. $1,489,000

93 Moraga Way, Suite 103 • Orinda, CA 94563 • Phone: (925) 254-0505 Visit www.villageassociates.com Click on Sunday Open Homes