Lamorinda Weekly Issue 14 Volume 3
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Independent, locally owned and operated! Delivered bi-weekly to all Lamorinda homes & businesses Visit our Booth at the La fayette FREE Art & W Sep ine t. 19 th Festi -20 th val ™ (510) 293 - 0366 solar Need to contact us? 925.377.0977 Serving solutions the entire the power of independence Bay Area ™ www.yessolarsolutions.com Reduce or Eliminate your electric bill Forever! Lafayette Mayor Don Tatzin is pleased to introduce the (not yet dressed for its debut) Lafayette Library and Learning Center Photo Doug Kohen By Cathy Tyson at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Sneak a Peekoungsters, oldsters and everyone in between sleeker, more contemporary version of the Ahwah- encourage them to loiter and possibly even get their Ywill have something to enjoy at the brand new nee Lodge in Yosemite. Maybe it’s the voluminous homework done. The outdoor plaza and amphithe- Lafayette Library and Learning Center (LLLC). airy space of the main library area or the rough hewn ater on the corner of Golden Gate Way and First Although still under construction, it’s getting columns and beams of the exposed truss system, Street are not only inviting places to hang out and Town News 2, 3, 4 nearer to completion every day and will be finished hard to nail down the exact reason, but the LLLC wait for car-pool pick up, but a welcoming entrance Life in Lamorinda 5, 9, 10 in time for the scheduled November 14 grand will be a terrific asset for residents to enjoy long into to the building with lots of greenery and spectacular Letters to the Editor 6 opening to the public. the future. artwork. Community Service 11 From the smart book check-in system that au- The attention to detail throughout the building The Historical Society will have a permanent Real Estate 12 tomatically sorts and checks-in books to teen home- is astounding – especially given the three story slop- home for the first time. Visitors can take a look at Peter Business 13 work rooms, spacious children’s area, dedicated ing site here in earthquake country and the need to Thompson’s anvil from the first blacksmith shop in Schools 14, 15, 16 historical society room, and technology lab, form and accommodate so many different user groups. town, along with photos and organized archives. Also function come together brilliantly. Even without Mayor Don Tatzin said they wanted to make on the lower level will be the Friends of the Library Living Longer & Loving it 16, 17 books on the shelves and with plastic covering the the building inviting for kids coming from nearby Used Book Room – a clean, well lit place to get best Not to be Missed , Seniors 16 massive light fixtures, the interior looks like a Stanley Middle School and Lafayette Elementary and sellers for a pittance. ... continued on page 8 Not to be Missed 18, 19 Service Directory 18 Advertising HOW TO CONTACT US 18 39 Camino Encinas, Orinda 11 Lynwood Place, Moraga Dining 20 ASSOCIATES Sports 21, 22, 23 REAL ESTATE Classified 22 www.joanevans.com Shop Orinda 24 This Week Read About: A Day at the Market 2 Joan Evans Angie When Kids Play with Fire 3 Realtor Evans Traxinger Strategic Funding Subcommittee 4 925-260-7555 Creekside Charmer, Walk to BART $829,000 Ideal Location, Park-like Yard $935,000 Realtor Assistant Urban Farmers 5 Orinda Restaurant Tour 8 Fire Prevention 10 Orinda Community Fund Takes Shape Town/College Art at Town Hall 11 By Andrea A. Firth Economic Partnership Growing ’m working very hard to raise private dollars to supplant the commu- A Little Art with your Shopping? 13 By Sophie Braccini Street Dawg 16 “Inity funding that has been cut,” states Orinda’s Mayor Sue Severson as Lafayette Senior Transportation 17 she describes the genesis of the Orinda Community Fund—a voluntary do- nation fund that enables residents to give tax-deductible contributions to the Gaels Volleyball 22 City to support community events and programs. Campolindo QBs 23 During the annual budgeting process this past spring, Orinda’s City Council, like municipalities across California, had to balance the city’s budget in the face of reduced revenues and contributions from the state. Ultimately funding was cut to a number of community programs, which represented about $20,000 of general fund expenditures annually. The Council remained committed to supporting events like Orinda Idol and the July 4th celebration PRSRT STD PRSRT PAID U.S.POSTAGE AD-VANTAGE and programs such as Art in Public Places, but they needed new financial re- sources and felt that the community would be willing to help. Severson stepped up to take on the Council’s charge to create a plan to find private monies to fill the void. SMC students wearing the new t-shirts at a Women’s Soccer game last Sunday. “Residents have always been able to make donations to the city,” says Left to right: Lacey Olson, Sarah Randall, Christina Katsaris, Aaron Jones Photo Andy Scheck Severson, noting that land and financial contributions have been given to the eal McSherry is very passionate about what he does. As the Director of Ticket city in the past. The idea for a specific fund with a formal focus on support- NOperations for Saint Mary’s College (SMC), he is charged with getting students ing community programs was one of the recommendations of the Revenue and the surrounding community out to the school’s various games and athletic events. Enhancement Task Force, she explains. ... continued on page 4 ... continued on page 3 Local Singers Vie for Winner’s Circle at Orinda Idol 2009 Lafayette Gallery Celebrates Ten Years Together By Jennifer Wake By Andrea A. Firth Sequins, taffeta and even feathered The Lafayette Gallery is celebrating ten years boas adorned many of the more than in the making with a special joint exhibition of 60 finalists and runners up who took work by past and present members at the the stage at the Orinda Theatre last Orinda Library through the end of the month Sunday to compete in the final com- and a unique anniversary exhibit on display at petition of Orinda Idol 2009. But the Gallery through October 10th. the true sparkle came from within The Lafayette Gallery, a co-op of artists, was when these kids (who ranged in age the brainchild of Kathy DeForest and Judy return to: Lamorinda Weekly • P.O. Box 6133 • Moraga, CA 94570 Box 6133 • Moraga, CA • P.O. Weekly return to: Lamorinda from 5 to 18... read on page 16 Miller. ... Read on page 9 Mailed and delivered to 24,200 homes and businesses in Lamorinda. Mailed and delivered Photo Ohlen Alexander Page: 2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Calendar City Council 7pm Lafayette Lamorinda Community Lafayette Community Center, Manzanita Room 500 St Mary’s Road Monday, September 28 New Lafayette Listing Planning Comm. 7pm 33 Los Arabis Circle Community Center, Manzanita Room Gracious Upper Happy Valley Traditional 500 St Mary’s Road Thursday, September 17 Wonderful 1.48 acre estate property w/ pool, spa, Thursday, October 1 enormous level lawn (perfect for soccer games), gazebo set amongst oaks, fruit trees, mature landscape & more. Design Review 7pm Beautifully-updated 3800 +/- sf, 5+BD/3BA w/ renovated Community Center, Manzanita Room (925) 339-1918 kitchen, flexible floor plan & high-end finishes. 500 St Mary’s Road [email protected] Tuesday, September 22 DanaGreenTeam.com $2,295,000 Senior Services 3:00pm Lic. 01482454 Community Center, Alder Room 500 St Mary’s Road Farmers de Lafayette Thursday, September 24 By Glenn Nosse City of Lafayette: http://www.ci.lafayette.ca.us Chamber of Commerce: http://www.lafayettechamber.org You’re a Winner! Not. 8/19/09 An unknown suspect mailed out fake sweepstakes letters and forged checks from Diamond K Supply to Shoppers enjoying a taste Photo Andy Scheck various subjects in Lafayette. If you pains," said Lifson. "We are a sound-a-like BB King and a big are the recipient of such a letter, sounding board for any Market moon rising behind the Marquis, pleased be advised that your golden issue, positive or negative." the last Farmers’ Market for this ticket to the chocolate factory is fake With children and dogs play- year is on September 17th. and you need to contact the ing in Plaza Square to the tunes of a Lafayette Police. To date, no checks have been cashed and the motive is Lafayette Farmer’s Market last Thursday Photo Andy Scheck unknown. f the statue could speak, the retailer Safeway welcomed the Art and Wine Festival This Weekend Marquis de Lafayette would Market, but company confirmation Too Many Margaritas? 8/22/09 An I have questions. Like, why did it on this issue remains on the shelves. unknown and appetite-free suspect take so long for the city to correctly "We all have differing opinions," burglarized El Charro, ransacked an spell his name, evolving from said a ranked Safeway employee. office and damaged several items in the restaurant. It is possible that the LaFayette, to La Fayette, to finally Surrounding businesses also suspect is not playing with a full Lafayette in 1932, twenty-five resisted, in fear of losing parking deck because everyone knows that years later? The first Farmers’ Mar- stalls to the peas and carrots. the good stuff at El Charro is found ket in Lafayette finally made the cut Chamber of Commerce CEO Jay in the kitchen or behind the bar. on Thursday, September 4, in Plaza Lifson says, "The Market is doing Park, fifteen years after it was first everything asked of them regarding who grew it is selling it.