Wednesday, November 9, 2011 • Vol. 5 Issue 18 Treat Everyone!

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By Cathy Tyson lthough twinkle lights ber 15, to cover the expected cost may not qualify as an en- of keeping the lights on. Generous Adangered species, the merchants have given a portion of Lafayette Chamber of Commerce that amount already. Lifson said is hoping the season of giving will that all donations, no matter the start early this holiday season and size, are welcome - checks can be is asking for donations to keep the made out to the Chamber of Com- twinkle lights twinkling in down- merce, which also accepts credit town Lafayette. cards. If residents and businesses When the City Council was are exceptionally generous, donat- forced to trim its budget this year, ing more than the anticipated cost, the banner program was saved, but the Chamber will roll over any twinkle lights got the axe. It’s hard extra amount to next year’s twin- to quantify the benefit of festive kle light fund. For more informa- lighting on holiday shopping, but tion, call the Chamber at (925) it goes a long way toward making 284-7404, or drop by the office at spirits bright. 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103, Although the city purchased Lafayette, CA, 94549. new strings of LED lights recently that use a fraction of the electricity that the old ones did, it costs ap- proximately $8,000 per season to maintain and re-string as needed. Jay Lifson, the Executive Director of the Chamber, is in the process of calling around to see if he can get a lower bid for the job. Consider yourself invited by the Chamber of Commerce to be part of the solution. The Chamber Jay Lifson with hat in hand Photo Doug Kohen is asking for donations, by Novem-

Advertising Quote of the Week: BURTON VALLEY, LAFAYETTE! “They said make PENDING WITH 3 OFFERS UPDATED, SPECTACULAR yourself at home, so I REMODEL FLEXIBLE brought my dog.” 4 BR, 3 BA, FLOOR PLAN 2367 sq.ft. 4 BR, 4 BA, Read "Charismatic 3217 Sharon Ct. Author Impresses Joan Evans 3150 sq.ft. $1,199,000 Realtor Audiences," 3286 Sweet Dr. page A8 925-260-7555 www.joanevans.com ASSOCIATES DRE# 01168111 $890,000 REAL ESTATE Grand Plans for Orinda’s Mini Park Town News A2 - A8 By Cathy Dausman MOFD A9 hen 1960’s era eastbound Highway 24 wall/fence as a backdrop to soften the view. Cost located at the northwest corner of Camino Pablo Letters to the Editor A10 Wtraffic exited into Orinda, drivers encoun- estimates are $50,000 to $57,000; each participant and Brookwood Road. Landscape architect and Life in Lamorinda B1 - B12 tered a stark, industrial first impression of the city– will contribute either financially or in-kind. Orinda resident Nora Harlow drew up the park’s Service Directory B4 a “welcome” sign supported by a chain link fence, Orinda’s first park was officially designated a original design as a gift to the city. Community Service B6 - B7 and dwarfed by the signal light, telephone and util- mini park in the mid-1970’s. The triangular area is ... continued on page A6 Not to be Missed B8 ity poles surrounding it. A photo of the area is fea- Food B11 tured in William Bronson’s book, How to Kill a Business B12 Golden State, and is a measure of just how far the Sports C1 - C3 city beautification project has come. HOW TO CONTACT US C2 Today that site, a designated mini-park, fea- Classified C3 tures mature redwoods, park benches, a fountain, Love Lafayette C4 several memorial plaques and drought resistant Our Homes D1 - D8 vegetation—and it is on the verge of an update. This Week Read About: The city is collaborating with PG&E, which owns the property, the Montelindo Garden Club and the New at the Vets Building A2 owners of Theatre Square with plans that include Police Reserves Honored A5 removing some redwoods, which interfere with Financing Eden A6 PG&E transmission lines, and two nearby mag- Wavy Gravy A8 nolia trees, which have outgrown their street TassaTags B1 boxes; replacing the redwoods with strawberry SMC's June in a Box B2 trees and the magnolia trees with crape myrtle, Hams, in Lamorinda? B3 beefing up native plants and grasses, raising the World Premiere B4 landscape rockery, and installing an illuminated, SMC Basketball C3 arched metal sign on the west side of the clock tower. Discussions also include installing an art Photo provided Life in Lamorinda B1-B12 Sports C1-C3 Our Homes D1-D8 Local Libraries in the Digital Lamorinda Prep Basketball What So Proudly We Hail Age—it’s About the Experience Will Fight for DFAL Title By Laurie Snyder By Sophie Braccini By Conrad Bassett Just over the rise of a hill and around the bend of one of A September survey by Harris Inter- High school basketball season Orinda’s many winding roads, active confirmed that digital readers kicked off on Monday, November Old Glory flutters, lifting and re- are a hot commodity, and that they 7 with the first day of practice. For settling with each breeze, drawing get people to read more books. The the first time in several years, the the eyes of passers by up and trend does not surprise or worry defending league champion is not away...... read on page D1 Lamorinda’s...... read on page B5 Acalanes, ...... read on page C1 Page: A2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 COMING SOON TO LAFAYETTE'S TRAIL NEIGHBORHOOD!

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New Book Drop Coming to Library By Cathy Tyson Even when the library is closed, li- brary staff is needed to manually handle the overflow. Civic News “These are our customers” said Public Meetings Kathy Merchant, Executive Direc- tor of LLLC Foundation, “and we City Council want to keep them happy.” The Monday, November 14, 7:00 pm LLLC Foundation funds 53% of the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, building’s expenses, and has cited Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd the need for increased visibility and Planning Commission convenience for library patrons re- turning books. Merchant said the Tuesday, November 21, 7:00 pm Foundation is sensitive to safety Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd concerns—there’s plenty of room for a car door to open without im- Design Review peding the bike lane or vehicles on Monday, November 14, 7:00 pm Mt. Diablo Boulevard. Immediate neighbors aren’t Lafayette Library & Learning Center A new book drop will be conveniently located along Mt. Diablo Blvd. Photo Cathy Tyson in the Arts & Science Discovery pleased; representatives from Center at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. ree books for everyone – a the needs of patrons. “With the new building it’s been Boswells and Caffino believe it will Fgood thing, but Lafayette Li- A new driver-friendly option was a learn-as-you-go process,” said have a negative impact, calling it brary and Learning Center’s recently approved by the City Coun- City Manager Steven Falk, adding “disruptive to our business” and “al- School Board Meetings (LLLC) success in getting books in cil. A drop box will be located along “people aren’t naturally inclined to ready a bad situation.” Acalanes Union High School the hands of readers becomes an Mt. Diablo near the edge of the side- drive around the back of the build- The City Council encouraged District issue when it comes time to return walk, just east of the bus stop. Spe- ing” to drop off books. staff to make signage and curb Wednesday, November 16, 7:30 pm those books – existing book drops cial signs and curb markings will Plans call for a stainless steel painting crystal clear that only park- Board Room AUHSD Office are overflowing with 30,000 returns designate one spot for very limited structure that would be paid for by ing for approximately two to three 1212 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lafayette per month. The odd location of two parking, approximately two or three Friends of the Library. Mike minutes was allowed. For readers www.acalanes.k12.ca.us book drops at the rear of the build- minutes, just enough time to get out Gilson, President of the LLLC dropping off books, they should feel Lafayette School District ing along Golden Gate Way and an of your car and deposit books. Cer- Foundation, said they have been free to briefly stop in the designated automated receptacle in the main tainly not enough time to collect “considering a book drop for quite Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 pm spot, then round the driveway and entrance lobby that’s only available children, grab a latte from the café or some time,” the number of returns LAFSD Office head into the parking lot next door during open hours aren’t meeting pick up books that are on hold. has “put a strain on their system.” 3477 School Street, Lafayette for coffee and party supplies. www.lafsd.k12.ca.us Vet’s Building Re-Branding Itself as Events Center Check online for agendas, meeting By Cathy Tyson notes and announcements City of Lafayette: pened just six years ago, the Veterans Memorial Building is now known as the Lafayette Events www.ci.lafayette.ca.us O Center at the Veterans Memorial Building. New mar- Chamber of Commerce: keting efforts call it simply the Lafayette Events Center. www.lafayettechamber.org Although Contra Costa County owns the building, the Veterans lease it and had been responsible for booking events as well as all the upkeep. The 9,500 square foot building replaced for two now-demolished crumbling Veterans buildings – one in Walnut Creek and one in Lafayette. The name change is meant to reposition the facility as a great location for weddings, bar mitzvahs and cor- Police Report porate events. Ed Stevenson, former Marine and now What Point Friendship? 10/23/2011 Building Manager, said Lafayette War Veterans, Inc., a Someone visiting a friend upset a non-profit organization that manages the Veterans Me- second visitor (the friend’s friend) morial Building determined veterans “grossly underes- who pulled a knife and threatened timated” the costs associated with the sleek the first friend. The friend of a friend award-winning facility. “We needed to learn some les- is apparently not so friendly. The sons,” said Stevenson, who gleaned life skills serving in knife-wielder slipped away before Vietnam, but had no experience as an event planner. police arrived. Veterans Memorial Building Photo courtesy Ed Stevenson ... continued on next page

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58 Merrill Cir N., Moraga -$6"&'(-*(6!-* Open Sunday 1-4 494(, www.58MerrillCir.com 1"!1 :"(-%-($$$ Planning ahead is always important...t t !"# Lafayette resident Tosha Schore and friend Mathiew Planquette %#%&'( from Paris just past the Reservoir Run finish line. Schore was a for- eign exchange student back in 1990 and stayed in touch with her hosts in France – the Planquette family. Mathiew Planquette had isting! existing travel plans to visit the states and participated in the run Open Sunday 1-4 New L because, “I want to be involved in the culture.” Mission accom- plished: lots of kids and dogs, a jogging Gumby, balloons, and pan- cakes. Doesn’t get more American than that. C. Tyson

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Open Sunday 1-4 ELENA HOOD REAL ESTATE GROUP (925)254-3030 Vet’s Building Re-Branding LAFAYETTE 1403 Camino Peral, Moraga Itself as Events Center ... continued from page A2 !"#$%&'()*(+*! $499,000 www.1403CaminoPeral.com About two years ago Lafayette ness Development. “You don’t have War Veterans decided that they to be a veteran to use the veterans Visit www.Orinda.com needed experienced marketing pro- building.” That’s the theme behind for local real estate information and photos of all Lamorinda homes for sale! fessionals and event planners to the re-branding effort. Since they maximize usage and income. They have come on board, “The business went through a selection process, in- has changed drastically,” said terviewing potential candidates and Schoolcraft, “My goal is to help keep eventually found a winner in Fraiche the building solvent and support the Catering – pronounced Fresh. Al- Veterans.” Her husband, Patrick though Fraiche is now permanently David Schoolcraft, is the Executive renting the kitchen at the Veterans Chef; he’s owned and operated a va- Memorial Building, outside vendors riety of restaurants over the past are an option for clients who would thirty years. like to use the facility. “We wanted So far Stevenson says the Fraiche to be flexible and available to the team is doing a terrific job, the quality community,” said Stevenson. of events has greatly improved and Veterans groups like the Ameri- the food is absolutely delicious. can Legion, the VFW and Marine Right now Fraiche is working on Corps League still regularly hold developing a logo for the Events Cen- meetings and dinners there. They all ter; they already have a website, still get first dibs on booking events. lafayetteeventscenter.com. Fraiche Locals may be more familiar with Catering can be reached via their Fraiche’s previous incarnation, website www.fraichecater.com. The Patrick David’s restaurant. The original Veteran’s Memorial Building restaurant is still open in Danville, but still has a website at www.lafayet- not associated with former head chef teveterans.org. For engaged couples Patrick David Schoolcraft. looking to tie the knot, all the high- “There was a big misconcep- lights and services of the Lafayette tion,” said Laura Schoolcraft, Events Center can be found at Fraiche Catering Director of Busi- www.herecomestheguide.com

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Planning Commission BUILDING THE BAY AREA FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS Michael Heller Monday, November 21, 7:30 pm BMW Concord [email protected] Moraga Library, 1500 Saint Marys Rd 925.273.7692 www.peraltaconstruction.com BMW Concord | 1967 Market ST. | Concord Design Review Monday, November 14, 7:00 pm Moraga Library, 1500 Saint Marys Rd Division over Dividing Rancho Laguna Park School Board Meeting By Sophie Braccini Moraga School District record number of residents at- lawn will be included in the dog park Many park users asked for the said Tina Chambers. Tuesday, December 13, 7:30 pm Atended the Moraga Town is still undecided, but it is likely that park to be left alone. “Rancho La- After the public comment, the Joaquin Moraga Intermediate Council meeting on October 26 hop- the dog area will be located on the guna is not a dog park, it is a people Council began its discussion. Some School Auditorium ing to influence what they thought northeast part of the property. On De- park,” said Alex Popov, “just leave it animosity was apparent, particularly 1010 Camino Pablo, Moraga would be a final decision on the off- cember 14, no public comment will alone.” Brad and Suellen Winegar, between Mayor Karen Mendonca and www.moraga.k12.ca.us leash dog policy at Rancho Laguna be allowed because the process will who live across from the park and Council Member Dave Trotter. See also AUHSD meeting page A2 Park. But after the clock struck mid- start exactly where it stopped, at the love it the way it is, proposed to ex- Council Member Chew, supported by night the Council, unable to reach a Council’s final deliberation. periment by tweaking the off-leash Mendonca, wanted to approve In- Check online for agendas, meeting majority vote to approve the plan pro- Moraga resident Bill Carman, hours before spending hundreds of gram’s plan. Trotter wanted to avoid notes and announcements Town of Moraga: posed by the Parks and Recreation representing the organization Lamor- thousands of dollars to fix the park: haste and review the different possi- www.moraga.ca.us Department, decided to continue the inda Dogs, presented a map for the “Maybe longer off-leash hours in the bilities in detail at a later date, to make Chamber of Commerce: discussion at a meeting set for De- park that offered an alternative to the morning, and alternate nights in the sure that dog users who have been en- www.moragachamber.org cember 14. sketch proposed by Parks and Recre- summer evenings,” suggested Suellen joying the grassy area for decades Moraga Citizens’ Network: During 30 months of debate some ation Director Jay Ingram. Where In- Winegar. would not be unfairly deprived of www.moragacitizensnetwork.org progress has been made and several gram proposed a fenced dog area An unusually large number of what many consider to be an impor- common elements have emerged: a under trees and only on dirt, Carman’s people who reported feeling excluded tant part of their lives. dedicated dog area, physically sepa- vision included a large portion of the from the park due to the dogs also A vote to continue the debate on rated from other users, will be created grassy area to the east of the park. His came to the meeting. “Having the December 14 was finally snatched by within the existing park, the dogs will map, with a path in the shape of a park with free dogs is a hazard,” said Trotter with the support of Vice have access to some turf, and the tot Mickey Mouse head, rallied much Virginia Falconer, “I want to use the Mayor Mike Metcalf and Council lot will be located on the south side of support among dog owners, and he park and should have the right to do Member Howard Harpham, despite Police Report the park. was asked by the Council to prepare it safely.” “All dog parks have some- the opposition of Mendonca and Whether some of the existing a more detailed presentation. thing in common, they are fenced,” Chew. Moving phone, 10/25/11 At ap-

proximately 9:00 p.m. a St. Mary’s student was playing indoor soccer at Clean Water the school gymnasium when he placed his phone outside the gym’s By Sophie Braccini back door – apparently to keep it ties, and all that the Town’s staff can found very little waste.” Other from getting injured by an errant do is educate residents to do their towns find loads of plastic bags, ball. When he checked on it a cou- part to keep Moraga waters pristine. tires, even appliances, and when ple of hours later the phone had dis- “When a group of teen volun- they are close to a freeway they col- appeared. Being a smart phone – it teers cleaned up the Town-owned lect wind-born debris. “Our good re- conveyed that at 11:15 p.m. it was banks of the creeks in the Commons sults are an indication of the pride in Oakland, shortly thereafter, the Park all they collected, besides the our residents have in their town,” phone was unable to be located. obvious lost balls and Frisbees, was says Sherbert. The Town has The thief must be smarter than the four Safeway plastic bags,” says nonetheless an obligation to engage phone. Moraga Staff Engineer John Sher- in a trash reduction program per Hit and run, 10/26/11 Cops came to bert, “It’s the same thing when we State mandate. Home Goods on a report of a hit and monitored storm drains for trash; we ... continued on page A8 run collision. While the driver was shopping, an unknown car hit her parked grey Toyota van causing Veterans Day damage to the passenger side. No note was left and no witnesses could Ceremony be found. Damage is estimated at 11/11/11 at 11:00 $2,500 – must have been more than New Zealand Mudsnail Photo provided just a tap. oraga is a one-outlet town water permit from the Regional Moraga Commons Park Mwhen it comes to storm Water Quality Control Board, has Rings vanish, 10/15/11 A Walford water; all of it flows to the San Le- the obligation to keep the creek Drive resident reported that some- andro reservoir – the main source of banks clean and develop a trash re- MORAGA PARKS & RECREATION time between January and mid-Oc- our drinking water. The Town of duction plan. But most of Moraga’s 925-888-7045 • www.moraga.ca.us tober and unknown person removed Moraga, in order to keep its storm creeks are bordering private proper- three gold rings from a jewelry box on top of her dresser in the master bedroom. Estimated value $5,500. RETURN THE FAVOR – DO BUSINESS WITH AN MEF PARTNER!

Missing her appointment, 10/28/11 It takes a village to raise a child, and what a An elderly Warfield Drive woman village we are. The following MEF partners failed to show up at a hairdressing have really stepped up to help our children, appointment in Lafayette. The care- our community and our schools. For that, giver who made the call to alert cops they deserve our patronage, our support, and that she was missing also stated that our thanks. Please, use the services of she had accidentally taken a sleep- these partners and help them continue to ing pill instead of her regular med- support us. Remember to check the ication. The subject was later found MEF Business & Community Partners pages slightly disoriented in Orinda behind of the MEF website on a regular basis, and the post office. shop with our Partners, first!. Mail order drugs, 10/30/11 A con- www.MoragaEducation.org cerned father called police to inform them his juvenile son had received MEF 2010-2011 BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS anti-anxiety medicine in the mail. The dad suspected his son had used PRINCIPAL'S CIRCLE FOUNDATION HERO GOLD PARTNERS his credit card without permission, Kiwanis of Moraga Valley Joan Evans & Angie Evans Traxinger but had no proof. The young man FORE OUR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION —Village Associates Real Estate was counseled about the dangers of Moraga Junior Women's Club THE OLSEN TEAM mail-order drugs and using a credit Hudson & Axelrode Orthodontics Tara Rochlin WELLS FARGO card without permission. No one Lamorinda Weekly —Village Associates Real Estate was arrested and the drugs were dis- Moraga Chamber of Commerce posed of. The Andresen Family The Murin Family & Murrin & Assoc., LLC & West Coast Properties Mountain Camp Stealing booze, 10/31/11 Rather, at- Sports Basement tempting to steal booze from CVS SILVER PARTNERS pharmacy. Store staff said the sub- Twist & Twirl Consulting ject entered the store, took two bot- Diablo Foods, Inc. Moraga Optometry BRONZE PARTNERS tles of alcohol and left without Digital Designs Moraga Rotary Foundation Cookie Javinsky / Coldwell Banker Moraga Veterinary Hospital paying. The underage suspect was Cameron L. Aboudara, DDS, M.S. Scott Lothamer, D.D.S. Elena Hood Real Estate Group Kevin & Pam Reneau - Senior Helpers detained and $27 worth of booze Chef Chao Restaurant Michael’s Ristorante Mark Bellingham Painting William Strauss, M.D. Lamorinda Web Moraga Movers, Inc. was returned to the store. The sus- Moraga Asian American Club Supreme Educational Services Lana Fitzpatrick / Coldwell Banker Professional Eyecare Optometry pect was placed under citizen’s ar- Moraga Lions Club Total Clean Lafayette Car Wash & Detail Center The UPS Store rest, then released to a parent. Not much of a trick or treat for would- be thief. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A5 New Reformer Classes with Lisa AARP Auto Insurance Experience a total body workout on the reformer and bring Program from The Hartford your fitness to a whole new level. NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED! Lisa Perrella has over 20 years experience in the fitness industry. Certifications Now available from your include: N.A.S.M Personal Trainer, Balanced Body Pilates Instructor and TRX Gravity local independent agent! Suspension. Call today to schedule a group or private session with Lisa. 1460 Moraga Road Suite F, Moraga, Lisa Perrella Moraga Shopping Center, behind McCaulous www.starpilates.com 925-376-7500 Police Reserve Officers Honored By Sophie Braccini

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Photo Sophie Braccini he Moraga Town Council re- in Moraga on Halloween night, due in In Moraga, Reserves wear the Tcently paid tribute to four vol- part to the reserve officers who vol- same uniform as the full time paid of- unteers, Greg Haskell, Ben Ho, unteered alongside Moraga’s regular ficers and can perform the same po- “Let Us Light Up Your Life” Darrell Lee, and Jack Lucas for their officers. “Our first goal is to protect lice duties. Level 1 Reserves, such as Residential  Commercial  Industrial combined 100 years of service to the the children,” said Ho, “Early on that Lee, can be out by themselves in a po- Serving Contra Costa since 1991 town. The four men are Police Re- night we kept an eye on the little ones lice car. Level 2 Reserves go out in More than 35 years experience serves who work eight to ten hours who are so exited that they pay no at- tandem with a regular officer. All Work Done by Owner every month for the Moraga Police tention to cars; between 6:30 and 9:00 Greg Haskell is a business man Bonded & Insured Lic.#C10-631523 Department. On October 26, the p.m. we looked out for the kids in who wanted to be a police officer Council signed a proclamation in their dark costume wandering right in the since he was in the 4th grade. Unfor- Professional Installation of:   honor as they received a standing middle of street; and we checked on tunately, less than perfect eye sight Ceiling Fans, Recessed & Track Lighting Kitchen or Bath Remodel  Exterior/Security/Landscape Lighting  Electrical Service Upgrade ovation from the audience. The four the teens and pre-teens. Most of the stopped him from pursuing that ca-  Complete Home Wiring - Old & New  Spa Installation come from very different avenues in time, our presence is enough to keep reer. Serving as a Reserve allows him life, they serve Moraga with a sense everybody safe.” to live his dream, to share with acting of duty and take pride in making the The Reserves’ task does not stop officers and to be trained on an ongo- town a safer place. at supplementing the Police Depart- ing basis. James Burkin There were no incidents reported ment for big events. ... continued on page A8 www.BurkinElectric.net Sole Proprietor

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Square footage, acreage, and other information herein, has been received from one or more of a variety of different sources. Such information has not been verified by Alain Pinel Realtors. If important to buyers, buyers should conduct their own investigation. ORINDA | 2 Theatre Square, Suite 215 925.258.1111 Page: A6 LAMORINDA WEEKLYwww.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 MARKET ACTION REPORT October 2011 City: Orinda Price Range: ALL | Properties: Single Family Home

Trending Versus*: Trending Versus*: Market Profile & Trends Overview Month LM L3M PYM LY YTD PriorYTD PriorYear Median List Price of all Current Listings $995,000 Average List Price of all Current Listings $1,428,803 October Median Sales Price $920,000 $919,000 October Average Sales Price $1,148,889 $1,019,336 Total Properties Currently for Sale (Inventory) 59 Civic News October Number of Properties Sold 9 140 Public Meetings October Average Days on Market (Solds) 41 53 Peter & Darlene Asking Price per Square Foot (based on New Listings) $414 $423 Hattersley October Sold Price per Square Foot $420 $393 City Council Special Meeting October Month's Supply of Inventory 6.6 4.4 Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 pm October Sale Price vs List Price Ratio 99.2% 96.0% Auditorium, Orinda Library, * LM=Last Month / L3M=Last 3 Months / PYM=Same Month Prior Year / LY=Last Year / YTD = Year-to-date 26 Orinda Way Next regular Council Meeting DRE# r00445794, DRE# 01181995 925.360.9588 925.708.9515 WWW.THEHATTERSLEYS.COM Nov. 15 cancelled Planning Commission Tuesday, November 22 no meeting Grand Plans for Orinda’s Eden Senior Housing Project scheduled Mini Park Dominates Council Meeting Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 pm ... continued from page A1 Regular Meeting Library Auditorium By Laurie Snyder Tuesday, December 13, at 6:00 pm Workshop Garden Room, Library, den Housing, the non-profit million payment, and clarified for the 26 Orinda Way Echosen by the City of Orinda to record that the contribution was made develop affordable senior housing for by Wilder’s developers as part of the School Board Meeting the community, was the focus of the development agreement for its Gate- Orinda Union School District Orinda City Council’s most recent way Valley project. The funding can Monday, November 14, 6:00 pm meeting. only be used by the City for the de- OUSD Office Eden’s Senior Project Developer, velopment of affordable senior hous- 8 Altarinda Road, Orinda Woody Karp, briefed Council mem- ing on the library site. www.orindaschools.org bers in advance of their upcoming re- The City Council created a senior See also AUHSD meeting page A2 view of Eden’s request to extend its housing overlay district in December Exclusive Right to Negotiate Agree- 2010, comprised of Orinda Senior Vil- Check online for agendas, meeting ment (ERNA) with the City. Com- lage and the old library site. Land use notes and announcements ments were also presented by two designation and zoning of the library City of Orinda: Orinda residents who spoke against site was changed from Public Semi- www.cityoforinda.org the project and one urging Council Public and Utility to Medium Density Chamber of Commerce: members to proceed. Multi-Family via amendments to the www.orindachamber.org Last summer, Orinda’s Planning General Plan Land Use and Zoning The Orinda Association: Commission approved entitlements maps. Senior housing development www.orindaassociation.org for Eden to use land from Orinda’s standards addressing the unique hous- former library to create a 67-unit af- ing needs of seniors were also defined. fordable housing development. Sixty- In spite of its successes to date, six units in the four-story building however, Karp advised Council would be one-bedroom rentals; one members that Eden will be unable to would be a two-bedroom manager’s fulfill its requirements under the Police Report unit. Rents are projected to be afford- DDLA before expiration of the able for residents earning between 30 ERNA authorized by the City in De- to 50 percent of the area’s median in- cember 2009 for a two-year term. Table for no one 10/20/11 A Photo from How to Kill a Golden State provided by Katie Creighton 22-year old female was arrested come. The project would also include Eden needs more funding; there- Deb Barnell, president of Mon- Friendly demonstration site for the city. by police on an outstanding a garage with 37 parking stalls and a fore, Karp offered two financing options telindo Garden Club in 1975-76, re- Bay Friendly gardening teaches garden- warrant. Her vehicle was surface lot with seven guest spaces. to the Council. Option 1 would combine members planting the redwoods with ers to reduce debris, conserve water and towed, her purse went to Orinda The Orinda Community Church gave Section 8 vouchers with California’s help from her sons. Barnell says the prevent pollution (see P.D. for safekeeping, and she conditional approval to Eden to use nine percent tax credit program. Rental trees were inexpensive and were http://www.bayfriendlycoalition.org). was booked into Martinez De- part of its property for an additional revenues collected via the Section 8 planted to hide the work yard that ex- Mike Stallings, interim Parks and tention Facility. No word on 10-space community parking lot. vouchers, said Karp, would service a isted at the time. Recreation Director, says the city will who was covering her shift at a To date, Eden Housing has ob- second mortgage on the project. The park was restored in 1992 also remove an old driveway on the local restaurant. tained $2.6 million in commitments Eden believes this option can suc- with the installation of a fountain hon- property edge and re-install electrical via federal Community Development ceed, despite frequent oversubscrip- oring Anne Pollaczek, Orinda’s and fountain equipment under the grade. Face the Music 10/20/11 Po- Block Grants (CDBG) and the tions to California’s nine percent tax “Man” of the Year in 1959. The city approved the two-step lice investigating a loud music HOME Investments Partnerships credit program, because Eden is ap- The Montelindo Garden Club plan in September. The target date for complaint found two 18 year Program (HOME). plying for funding next spring when began regular maintenance of the site its implementation is this December, old males in a white Buick The City, according to the staff re- there will likely be less competition in 1998, says past president and park but PG&E also needs approval from cranking up the tunes about port presented to the Council on No- for the credits. co-chair Katie Creighton. Last spring the Public Utilities Commission; that 11pm. The passenger voluntar- vember 1, will fulfill its part of the With Option 2, HUD would fi- the club earned the William Penn process could delay the start until late ily shared the contents of his project’s development, disposition and nance supportive housing develop- Mott, Jr. Environmental Award in part next year. A copy of the staff report backpack with police, who were loan agreement (DDLA) by “making ment for the elderly by combining for their work at the site. Three other can be found online under item I-2 the recipients of two small bag- the project site available to the devel- four percent tax credits with interest- Orinda garden clubs also earned the from the October 4 City Council min- gies of marijuana and a glass oper at no cost and through a grant to free capital advances that would not Mott award for their work in beauti- utes at http://tinyurl.com/44s9t2j. pipe/bong. The passenger was make up the difference between the need to be repaid as long as the pro- fying the city. By Creighton’s esti- Montelindo Garden Club cited and released. value of the site (most recently ap- gram continues to serve very low-in- mate the club has contributed 2000 (http://www.montelindogarden.com/) praised at $2.3 million) and the $2.5 come elderly for 40 years. hours of monthly maintenance (last members volunteer regularly at the You, again? 10/21/11 A 68-year million payment” it received from the Negotiations will continue on fi- 15 years) to the mini park, plus 350 mini park every 4th Thursday of the old male transient encountered developers of the Wilder project. nancing and the DDLA. The Council hours of professional design time (in- month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Camino Pablo had red, Council members discussed with will consider extending Eden’s cludes city meetings) and spent “con- (10:00 a.m. to noon, winter hours). bloodshot eyes, an unsteady staff the circumstances of this $2.5 ERNA at a future meeting. servatively $8000 in plants, mulch, gait, slurred speech and bulbs, occasional outside labor.” smelling of alcohol. Appar- In 1998, there were no native ently, this model citizen was a grasses in the park, the plants needed Red Carpet “frequent flyer” well known to regular watering and some were not police. BAC test results yielded World Premiere properly pruned. Care for the park .22; the gentleman was arrested Hercules Saves consisted largely of planting annuals and transported to Martinez for color around the fountain base. Christmas Creighton says the club decided to Zero MPG 11/02/11 A 60-year November 17th “go beyond color” in 2004 by remov- old male found staggering at a Red Carpet Arrivals ing plants past their prime and intro- Chevron station was obviously start at 6:30 ducing drought tolerant California “gassed.” His BAC was thrice Movie and Q & A and Mediterranean climate natives. the legal limit. Police cleaned Grasses, formiums, ceanothus and at 7PM his windshield, arrested the man lavender were included. Roses sur- and moved him to Martinez. rounded the fountain. Don’t miss this The goal is to make the park a Bay Hollywood event

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Exclusive One Week Engagement at the Rheem Theatre November 18-24 www.lamorindatheatres.com Taking care of all your dental needs for you and your family. Emphasizing cosmetic dentistry with implants, Celebrities scheduled to attend the World Premiere: and Invisalign. Nitrous oxide is available. • Hercules • Richard Van Vleet (All My Children) • Maggie VandenBerghe • Shorty Rossi (Pit Boss) • Kathy Garver (Family Affair) (Aliens in the Attic) Consultations are complementary. • Mackenzie Phillips • Ashley Brooks (Pit Boss) • Anthony Robinson Dentistry with Excellence. (One Day at a Time) • Danny Arroyo (Lethal Weapon) (Hercules Saves Christmas) Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A7 Certified Green Builder 1.2 Acres 1.9 Acres

McCartt Construction Inc. Orinda 4 BR/3 BA $959,000 Lafayette View Lot $495,000 Custom Homes & Renovations For current local Market Trends data, visit: Building in Lamorinda Since 1999 www.LamorindaValues.com (925) 376-5717 For a complimentary market analysis [email protected] of your specific property, contact Frank today! Orinda, CA Lic. # 770687 Frank Woodward “As seen on” Specializing in “AsAs heard on HG Radio”Radio 925.253.4603 [email protected] Build It GREEN Lamorinda Fine Smart Solutions from the Ground Up = = Homes & Property Orinda Lafayette Moraga Orindans Needed to Monitor School Parcel Tax Use Applications are due tomorrow By Laurie Snyder he Orinda Union School District over and above the annual parcel tax Residents wishing to serve on the Trustees and general public recapping to: Superintendent’s Office, Orinda T(OUSD) has issued a call to of $385. Anyone 65 years of age or Oversight Committee must be able to how Measure B funds were spent. Union School District, 8 Altarinda Orinda residents for help in imple- older, who owns and occupies a parcel meet twice annually during standard Anyone interested in performing Road, Orinda, CA 94563. Applicants menting a critically important compo- but whose income does not exceed 50 business hours, and must also each this community service should visit may also submit their materials to nent of Measure B, the $124 per year percent of the area’s median income, commit to completing two-year terms. the OUSD web site Kathy Frenklach, Administrative As- tax per parcel that was passed by vot- may not be required to pay the Meas- In addition to reviewing parcel tax ex- (www.orindaschools.org/) to obtain sistant to the Superintendent, by fax or ers in March 2009. Qualified and in- ure B tax, and should visit the OUSD penditures, the panel will also provide the required application form and sub- e-mail: (925) 254-5261; kfren- terested individuals are being asked to web site for guidance on how to apply an annual report for the Board of mit no later than November 10, 2011 [email protected]. serve on an Oversight Committee to for an exemption. Parcels on which ensure that proceeds from this parcel property taxes will not be levied in a • Comfortable, Convenient tax are being used for their intended specific tax year or that are otherwise “Nothingg Family and purpose, which is described in the fol- not required to pay property taxes may ““NothingN“Nothingothin lowing original ballot wording avail- also be exempt from the special Meas- makes me Cosmetic Dentistry kes me able from the League of Women ure B tax. mmakesmakesa me me happier tthanhan • Certified in Full Mouth Voters California web site According to Pat Rudebusch, happierhahappierppier than than to see Reconstruction (www.smartvoter.org/ca/cc/): Vice-President of OUSD’s Board of tototo ssee eseee “To provide secure local funding Trustees, the district is seeking to build you smile!”ile!” for all Orinda K-8 students, reduce the an Oversight Committee with the youyoyouu smile!”s msmile!” impact of state budget cuts; maintain broadest representation of Orinda pos- small class sizes and neighborhood sible. It will be comprised of five to schools; attract and retain skilled, seven individuals who have children Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Providing Personalized Care through Quality Dentistry qualified teachers with competitive enrolled in the OUSD, as well as FFamilyFamilyamily & & CosmeticC Cosmeticosmetic DentistryD Dentistryentistry PProvidingroProvidingviding PersonalizedPe Personalizedrsonalized CareCa Carere throughth rthroughough QualityQ uQualityality DentistryD eDentistryntistry compensation and training; and pro- Orinda residents who are non-parents. tect classroom programs and strong The ideal candidates, said Rudebusch, $40 off core academics ... with citizen over- are those with an interest in public ed- Scott D. Lothamer, DDS $40 off sight, no funds used for administra- ucation and who can “take informa- Scott D. Lothamer, DDS tors’ salaries, and every dollar staying tion with an open mind and work Moraga mention this ad to in Orinda Union School District.” collaboratively with other committee 925-376-4602Moraga receivemention $40 this off ad any to The $124 tax is an additional levy members.” 925-376-4602 receivedental $40 tretment off any Member: 1030 Country Club Drive dental tretment ADA • CDAMember: • CCDS • AACD 1030 Country Club Drive ADA CDA CCDS AACD

MORAGA $1,158,000 MORAGA $1,559,000 4/3. Custom Home on pvt. cul-de-sac, 4/2.5. Estate setting, completely Chef’s kit., hwd flrs, raised ceilings, built- renovated, expansive yard w/pool, grand ins, patio. views, court location The Beaubelle Group 925-253-4600 Bringing luxury Real Estate to Lamorinda The Beaubelle Group 925-253-4600 Whether it’s Incredible, Beautiful, or Extraordinary, The home you are searching for can MORAGA $789,000 MORAGA $1,375,000 4/2.5. Dramatic MCC Beauty. 4 bedrms 4/4. Elegant Moraga home with 3644 sqft, w/master on main level. Over 2800 sqr.ft. be found at 4 bd, 4 ba, study, large level yard, pool & Hi ceilings. H/W, new carpet & tile. spa. Wendy & Michelle Holcenberg 925-253-4600 Coldwell Banker. Elena Hood 925-253-4600 Our highly trained and seasoned Sales Associates are here to assist you with all your Real Estate needs. ORINDA $959,000 MORAGA $999,000 4/3. Classic Orinda Rancher. Magical 5/3. Updated Campolindo home. setting on private 1.2 acre lot at very end Stop by or call our office today. Large, flat yard, high-end finishes, dual-pane of street. Refinished pool and patio. windows, hardwd. Frank Woodward 925-253-4600 Wendy & Michelle Holcenberg 925-253-4600

ORINDA $845,000 LAFAYETTE $699,000 PLEASANT HILL $729,000 MORAGA $1,595,000 ORINDA $995,000 4/2. Spacious Ivy Drive home 3/2. Original owner. Home sits in a private 4/2. Custom ranch, gorgeous yards 5/4.5. Wonderful Moraga Home! 4/2. Fabulous traditional one lvl home w/upgrades.Conveniently located near cul-de-sac setting w/breathtaking views and featuring sparkling pool in a creekside 5041 sq ft,large kitchen, office, bonus w/well designed floor plan, large lot & 3 lvls of top rated schools. refreshing light. setting.Great street! room, 1.02 acre lot with pool & spa. lovely gardens. Finola Fellner 925-253-4600 Ted Streeter 925-253-4600 Jeannette Bettencourt 925-253-4600 Elena Hood 925-253-4600 Finola Fellner 925-253-4600

ORINDA $5,000,000 LAFAYETTE $3,000,000 ORINDA $1,480,000 ORINDA $850,000 ORINDA $625,000 4/4. Secluded Sleepy Hollow Estate. 5/3.5. California Estate situated on 2.50 4/2.5. Traditional one-level in Downs. 3/2. Bright and airy OCC retreat. 3/2. Fantastic opportunity to ow n this.55 Gracefully remodeled Mediterranean. acre lot. Grand LR w/soaring redwood Flat rear yard abundant w/roses. Contemporary, clean lined, gorgeous acre lot. Privacy and views yet minutes to Pano views. Lap & infinity pools. beamed ceilings.Views,Views! Lrg Fam/Grt room. views and ample gardens. downtown! Laura Abrams 925-253-4600 Kathy McCann & Diana Castello 925-253-4600 Dick Holt 925-253-4600 Alti Schmitt 925-253-4600 Shannon Conner 925-253-4600

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©2011 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 And Operated by NRT LLC. DRE License # 00313415 Page: A8 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 jtÜx Wxá|zÇá Our mission is to provide personalized care, help maintain independence and Y|Çx ]xãxÄÜç á|Çvx DLJJ enhance our client’s quality of life 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., AT HOME on a daily basis. Lafayette • Fully bonded and insured between Trader Joes & the Post Office • Geriatric care management 283-2988 • Hourly care New Location www.waredesigns.com • Live-in care 50% off 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D Lafayette • Transportation to and from Watch Battery (beside Trader Joe’s) medical appointments Now $5, Reg $10 1 watch battery per person. 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Call to schedule a free assessment and plan care review. 925-284-1213 Exclusive Screening of Wavy Gravy Movie at Town Hall Civic News Moraga By Cathy Tyson own Hall Theatre is hosting a emonies at Woodstock, he attended TDVD release party for the film the music and peace extravaganza as The Wavy Gravy Movie: Saint Mis- a member of the entertainment/ac- Clean Water behavin’, followed by questions and tivist commune known as Hog Farm. ... continued from page A4 answers from the humble and hilari- Wikipedia calls it “an organization “It is more restrictive each year, there and it holds the bank.” ous do-gooder star Wavy Gravy with considered to be America’s longest although no base line has been set While the Town encourages all director Michelle Esrick and Jaha- running hippie commune.” Hog for the Town,” says Sherbert, “Our residents to help keep creek banks nara Romney – also known as Mrs. Farm is still around and going strong, trash reduction plan includes more clean, it discourages actual entry Gravy. they have a headquarters in Berkeley frequent street sweeping and the in- into the creek itself. “In addition to “People come out of the wood- and a large farm in Laytonville, Cal- stallation of trash capture devices at the risk of disturbing the natural work for the well-loved and highly ifornia, known as Black Oak Ranch. the side inlets.” Such devices are habitat and potentially protected respected Wavy,” said Tom Stack, The self-described ‘activist controversial— they require a lot of species, there is a risk of spreading Town Hall Theatre Board Vice Pres- clown’ has also been a Vietnam War maintenance, and can cause risks or invasive plants and wildlife from ident and Coldwell Banker Realtor. protestor, B-movie actor and force for overflow when clogged. one creek to the next,” says Sher- “The film brought up a lot of emo- social change; Saint Misbehavin’ The other element that can cre- bert, “In particular, the New tion,” he adds, “I hope that his posi- chronicles his long, strange trip ate clogging, though it may seem Zealand Mudsnail has recently tive energy will ripple through the spreading a message of peace and innocuous, is yard debris. “Some been spreading among creeks in the universe.” charity. The fellow is such an icono- people have been disposing of their East Bay. This snail has no natural The inspiring film is being shown clast that Ben and Jerry, of the Ben & clipping in the creeks for years be- predators, and can overwhelm the as a fundraiser for Town Hall Theatre Jerry’s, named an ice cream flavor cause they believe organic material native species.” Sherbert explains and also supports charities that Gravy after him. No actual gravy in the will decompose,” says Sherbert, that when workers enter creek founded – Camp Winnarainbow for mix, just caramel, cashews and brazil “but this debris can accumulate beds and streams they are required kids and the Seva Foundation which nuts. Alas, the flavor has gone out of Photo courtesy Jay Blakesberg downstream by someone else’s to disinfect their clothing and tools provides sustainable global eye care favor. property, create a dam and pose a to prevent the spread of the mud programs, preventing blindness and Director Michelle Esrick weaves to illustrate Wavy Gravy and his mis- risk of flooding.” snail. providing cataract operations to re- together footage spanning decades sion. The Town recommends that The Town supports several ed- store eyesight. with Jackson Brown, The Grateful “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa property owners make sure nothing ucational efforts to inform the pub- Best known as the Master of Cer- Dead, Bonnie Raitt and many others Claus. A portly, bearded, 74-year-old will fall into the creek, keep the lic of the impacts of littering and hippie clown, born Hugh Nanton banks free of debris and make sure how it affects the creeks, and usu- Romney (no relation to Mitt Rom- that nothing will obstruct the natu- ally has a booth at the Pear and COMPUTER PROBLEMS? ney) but better known as Wavy ral flow of water. Wine Festival, the Community We Come To Your Home Or Business Gravy, he has been sending ripples of “Property owners who have a Fair, and other events to provide t
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XMJ!GBTUUFLTDPN come to the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, November 19. Doors open Police Reserve Officers at 7:00, the show starts at 8:00, tickets are $35 – available via the Town Hall Honored Theatre website www.thtc.org. As ... continued from page A5 usual the bar will be open, and there Blue Ridge Cabinets will be a silent auction of all kinds of Ben Ho was in the Navy for 24 They also all agree that they get a lot memorabilia. Tom Stack, in his years, he is a firearm instructor, a of satisfaction from the time they Kitchens • Baths • Custom Cabinetry younger days, was involved with li- former eye surgeon, a search-dog give to the community. “My fa- censing and merchandising for the handler and has been involved in vorite time is working in support of Steve Gorman (925) 798-9108 Grateful Dead— he’ll be digging numerous rescue missions all over regular officers,” says Lucas, “we deep into his personal archive for the world. He moved to Moraga 31 have a lot of respect for them and [email protected] treasures. The event is family years ago to raise his family and has we feel a part of the Department www.blueridgecabinets.com Lic. 810658 friendly. been a Reserve for 29 years. family.” They also have the satisfac- Also known as Moraga Orinda tion of really making a difference in Fire District Division Chief Darrell Town. Lee, 21 years ago Lee added volun- “I love working the big events WhatWWhhat mmakesakes uuss Special…Special… teering for the Moraga Police to his like the 4th of July or Halloween,” to-do list. He has received extensive says Haskell. He tells the story of Our Residents do! training in law enforcement, as well one 4th of July at the Commons– as paramedic and search and rescue. late in the evening, a young couple Giving back is a way of life for Lee, came up to him in a panic as they who believes it makes him a better had lost their parents who suffered WWE E AARERE human being. from dementia. “That’s where the Jack Lucas, who is a banker in bike patrol I started for the Town Orinda, became a reserve in 1985 was very efficient to quickly search after a tragedy hit his family. He too all the adjacent areas,” he says. The WWEE AARE RE wanted to become a police officer as elderly folks were located. a kid, but went the business route in- Ho thinks that one of the rea- stead. Like his fellow Reserves, he sons residents believe the town is undergoes regular training for certi- safe is because of the Reserves’ fication. presence. “Very dangerous areas

In most police departments, Re- where high levels of criminal activ- serves are young people on their ity occur on a daily basis are just 20 way to the Police Academy, waiting minutes away from here,” says Ho, to get a permanent assignment. It is “having enough police here, visible rare that a municipality can keep on the streets, is a deterrent to the such experienced Reserves for so escalation of violence.” Ho lives in many years. “These four men bring Moraga and is always ready to slip invaluable service to the Depart- in his uniform and report for duty ment,” says Moraga Chief of Police when he hears of an incident on his Bob Priebe, “they are such high cal- police radio, like he did a few CComeome sseeee wwhathat mmakesakes uuss ssoo sspecial!pecial! iber individuals and offer their months ago when an officer was at- StopStop in forffoor a tourtour todaytoddaaayy andandr receivereeceive a freeffrrreee copycoppyy ofof GretchenGrreettcchen Rubin’sRubin’s #1 New NNeewY YorkYoorrkkT Timesime s unique sets of skills, to make our tacked in the hills off Rancho La- BestBest SellerSeller “The“The HHa aHappinessppppiness PProject”*rrooojject”* aandnd sseeee wwhyhy wwee ccelebrateelebrraatteeli lifeffeea att ThThee S tStratford!rraatffoorrdd! community safer.” guna Park. CALLCALL USUS ATAT (925) 235-0113235 The four men all agree that Lee, who also spends a lot of being a reserve officer is not for time in Moraga where his MOFD everybody. “There is risk in- duty calls him, says he enjoys the volved,” says Ho, “we carry a added responsibility; like his fellow firearm and conduct the same police reserves, he is proud to serve the operations as any other officer.” community.

1545 PLEASANT HILL RD • LAFAYETTE CA 94549 Share your thoughts, insights and opinions with your (925) 246-2065 • www.stratfordseniorliving.com • License #075601323 community. Send a letter to the editor: * Offffeer while quantites last. Limited and subbjject to changgee, please see Community Marrkketing Dirreector ffoor morreedetails. Applies to newrreesidents only. [email protected] Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: A9 Q&A With MOFD Fire Chief Randy Bradley By Lucy Amaral sues. What have you found your- creasing fire protection and EMS abilities. We will continue to evaluate self dealing with that wasn't ex- services. operations to improve efficiencies and pected? With that said, the group that was keep an eye on assessed property val- A. After about a month in my new po- proposing an alternative model no ues. We will also continue to meet Moraga Orinda sition, the Orinda City Council was longer supports dissolving the Dis- and confer with our union to ensure Fire District presented with a proposal to detach trict. I have met several times with the we have a stable workforce with sus- Board of Directors Meetings from the Fire District and contract group's members and the meetings tainable service levels. The unfunded Meetings of the MOFD Board of with Contra Costa County Consoli- have been very respectful. They be- liabilities will take some time to com- Directors are open to the public and take dated Fire District and American lieve that their ideas are in the best in- pletely address. The District inherited place on the third Wednesday of each month in the Board Room, Medical Response for fire and emer- terest of the community and we the drivers of many of the unfunded Administration Building, gency medical services. The group respectfully agree to disagree. liabilities prior to the requirement to 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga. predicted that revenues would in- Q. How is the District addressing evaluate retiree medical as an un- Next meeting: crease during the next ten years and its unfunded pension liability? funded liability. We currently pay the excess would be available to ad- A. We are currently evaluating sev- over $3 million annually towards un- Next regular MOFD Board dress road and water issues in Orinda. eral options. One being considered is funded liabilities (pensions) and that meeting is November 16, I spent a lot of time evaluating their to encumber future revenues realized is not enough. 7:00pm, Station 41 proposal, the District’s fire protec- from new development. While this Next: The Chief answers ques- (1280 Moraga Way, Moraga), early two years ago, Moraga tion/EMS Model, meeting with the has merit, we need to be careful due tions regarding perceived funding in- (go to www.mofd.org as the meeting NOrinda Fire District (MOFD) public, LAFCO, City and Town to our continued decrease in property equities, MOFD accomplishments date approaches for more information) hired Randy Bradley as its new Fire Councils, Fire Districts and County values. We may need new develop- and future goals. Chief. He faced pension issues, an Supervisors explaining the value of ment revenues to maintain service economic downturn and a community our model and their proposal’s nega- levels in the future. We are also ne- concerned about the management of tive impact on service levels. gotiating with our labor union to po- MOFD Seeks Public Input the District. Today, some of those My conclusion was that while we tentially change the retiree health challenges remain, some have im- live in a rural-like community we ex- benefit, which would drastically re- proved and some new issues have pect and even demand urban and sub- duce that retiree medical (GASB 45) on Station 43 Replacement surfaced. In this first of two parts, we urban service levels. Having well unfunded liability. The union is eval- Submitted by Mike Mentink recently posed questions regarding trained, well-equipped, experienced uating and proposing other options to he MoragaOrinda Fire District ect,” said Fire Chief Randall these and other topics to the Chief. firefighter paramedics arrive within address unfunded liabilities, which has started a planning process Bradley, “We will be holding several Q. How has the economy affected five minutes of a 911 call is a high pri- will be considered through the collec- T to replace Station 43 which is located public meetings during the course of the District? ority for a vast majority of the citizens tive bargaining process. They under- at 20 Via Las Cruces in Orinda. The the project to provide information A. Unfortunately the District has ex- within the District. Meeting the five- stand the importance of addressing existing fire station, which is over and receive comments about the de- perienced about a $1.5 million de- minute response goal requires five our unfunded liabilities and they have sixty years old, needs to be rebuilt sign of the station.” crease in spending power over the fire stations. Similar-sized communi- worked collaboratively to identify op- because it does not meet seismic The first of these meetings will past two years. This is primarily due ties with higher housing densities and tions. standards, modern fire apparatus be held on November 17, 2011 at to a significant increase in retirement less open space may only require two Q. The long-term forecast from the does not fit in the apparatus bays, 7:00 p.m. at 20 Via Las Cruces (Sta- costs and a reduction in assessed or three fire stations to meet response 9/1 MOFD finance committee and the living area does not ade- tion 43) in Orinda. The purpose of property values, which reduces our times. meeting shows a sharp decrease in quately accommodate mixed gender the open house is to allow the neigh- property tax revenues. We have been The road and water pipe prob- available funds as early as 2013/14, staffing. The old station will be torn borhood and the community to view able to maintain our primary service lems in Orinda exist for similar rea- with a negative total balance show- down and a new station will be built the existing station, discuss the plan- levels through renegotiating service sons and some in the community ing for the first time. How will in its place. ning process, and meet the Fire contracts, leaving a Battalion Chief’s would argue that urban roads and MOFD address this issue, consid- “The District is interested in the Chief, his reconstruction team and position vacant, eliminating several water pipes are now a larger priority ering the increase in pension con- public’s input relating to this proj- the project architects. staff positions, and, firefighters not re- than suburban fire protection. We be- tributions and a still unfunded ceiving raises for the past three years. lieve that the vast majority continue GASB 45? A small increase in ambulance rev- to place a higher priority on fire and A. In the next year, the District will enues, cost recovery for vehicle acci- medical response capabilities. How- be working on a new Strategic Busi- Share your thoughts, insights and opinions with dents and the use of some of our ever, the District has a vested interest ness plan with a strong finance com- your community. reserves has allowed the District to in improving the roads and water sys- ponent. That process will help maintain service levels. tems in both communities and we will identify future finance options to en- Send a letter to the editor: Q. You came into the job knowing work with both communities to iden- sure we maintain our service levels [email protected] there were several hot-button is- tify funding mechanisms without de- and begin to address our unfunded li-

Dad Left his Beret in France Born and raised in Paris, he witnessed WWII through the eyes of his older brothers who fought in the French Resistance. After the war, this youngest son was sent to America by a mother who believed there was only one place left in the world with a future.

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Tom Trowbridge Orinda Join our Public Forum

If you have significant knowledge about an issue facing Lamorinda, or one of its communities, that requires more than the 350 words to which we must limit Letters to the Editor, don’t despair! You can submit your letter to our Public Forum section. Just send your letter “I was looking for a discreet to [email protected] and let us know you’d like to be considered for the Public Forum. We will not accept Public Forum way to sell my gold jewelry submissions regarding a current ballot measure or candidate for public office. Opinions expressed in Public Forum are the express and silver tea set. GoldFellow® views of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lamorinda Weekly. was very professional and paid me more. ”

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For example, in touristy Presented by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce areas, they convince hotels to sign ‘the code’, and not turn a blind eye This Year’s Key Note Speaker to what is going on in their prem- Congressman George Miller ises. They also work in the United Featuring Harpist Wendy Tamis States so minors who are prosti- tuted are considered victims, not Friday, November 18, 2011 criminals. 7:00 – 8:30am She gave ECPAT-USA the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC) trademark on the TassaTags. “I 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette work pro-bono,” she says, “this is a mission for me. They help with Breakfast and Coffee are provided by Spring Loaf Catering. the distribution and I trust their $20.00 per person, $150 Tables of 8 work in the field.” Begin the holiday season in a significant and meaningful way. Hepler continues to spread the Registration Online at www.lafayettechamber.org word about TassaTags using her or call 925-284-7404 knowledge in social media mar- keting. “I believe that anyone Reservations are required and guaranteed. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 16th traveling internationally should have such tags on their luggage,” she says, “they also make great, thoughtful gifts.” Brenda Hepler with a TassaTag on her bag Photo Sophie Braccini For more information, go to www.tassatag.org or renda Hepler is not someone drug trafficking,” says Hepler. www.ecpatusa.org. Bwho gets distressed learning Hepler believes that if tourists about a global issue but then for- were more aware of what is hap- gets about it and continues to live pening it could make a difference. unchanged. When the Lamorinda “I was in an airport seeing all of resident learned about the sexual these black suitcases, and I wanted exploitation of children around the to see flowers representing the world, she was shocked by the children,” she said. “I started to UV^ Thanksgiving Week magnitude of the issue and de- talk about it with all my friends cided she would do something to and anyone I encountered. The Kids & Teens Camps help. idea of a luggage tag came up dur- MHZOPVUZ[\KPV Hepler had no special connec- ing these conversations –a symbol Create your own unique and tions or access to unlimited re- against child slavery, a visible special holiday gifts, make an sources, just her good heart and voice, with the added benefit that heirloom quilt, or learn to sew from the very beginning ingenuity. She created TassaTags you can spot your luggage more – large, handmade luggage identi- easily.” 2-day and 3-day Camps fication labels that people attach to She created the simple draw- - Holiday Gift Making their luggage proclaiming their ing herself, “it represents a flower, - Holiday Quilting Fun opposition to such abuse. for all children, with a fallen petal - Introduction to Sewing 101 So far, she has sold 8,500 of for those who suffer, and the fallen them and all proceeds have gone petal also looks like a tear.” The to the non-profit ECPAT-USA tags come in many colors. The Perfect Holiday Gift: (End Child Prostitution, Child Hepler says she didn’t have a A Winter Break Camp! Pornography and Trafficking of clue how to produce the tags. “I Children for Sexual Purposes). found The Regina Self-Help Cen- We also have Adult Workshops For her, this is just the beginning ter in Nongkhai, Thailand, where of the fight. women do weaving and pottery www.sewnow.com “It all started in Vienna in for a living,” she explains, “all the sewnow! 960 Moraga Rd., Lafayette [1 block S of Mt. Diablo] (925) 283-7396 [email protected] 1993 when a friend invited me to tags are made there and the attend a United Nation’s confer- women are paid a decent wage so ence about human rights and I the tags are part of the fair trade joined the children’s right group,” movement.” remembers Hepler, “it was the She also needed to learn about first time I realized the magnitude accounting, legal issues, importing of the problem.” and distributing. “I found great She learned that an estimated local resources with the Small one to two million children are en- Business Administration,” she slaved in the sex trade around the said, “I went to all the classes I world, thousands of children are could.” trafficked into the United States She then contacted non-profits each year, and 25% of ‘child sex that are working against the ex- tourists’ around the world are from ploitation of children, seeking a the US and Canada. “This ‘busi- group to benefit from sales of the ness’ is growing more rapidly than tags. When she queried ECPAT-

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925-254-3465 433 Moraga Way Orinda www.holyshepherd.org Page: B2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 A Peek at June in a Box By Lou Fancher f cooking up a delicious piece of Itheater is dependent on the inno- vation of the “chefs,” then the Saint Mary’s College production of June in a Box, opening November 10th, is sure to be palate pleasing. With nationally recognized play- wright Octavio Solis pairing up with the college’s Theatre Program Direc- tor, Rebecca Engle, the combined forces of a gifted Latino playwright and a diverse, broad-thinking director will come to the LeFevre stage. The play, originally developed with Campo Santo and Intersection for the Arts in 2008, is based on the real-life kidnapping of June Robles, the daughter of a wealthy immigrant family from Tucson. She was discov- ered, 19 days after the abduction, chained in a metal box and buried in the Arizona desert. No ransom was every paid and no criminals ever ap- prehended. From left: Liam Callister, Haley Leitman and David Silavin Photos courtesy of Michael Cook June in a Box introduces the elder June, reliving the experience years “I cleaned it up,” he explained, in later and grappling with her memories an interview two weeks before open- as she searches for resolution. ing night. “I needed to do some For the SMC production, Solis housekeeping: rewrite a scene, make has created a new version. judicious cuts and add actors.” The cast more than doubled, from four to nine, which relieved Solis of the constraints of having actors with _tÅÉÜ|Çwt ZÄtáá tÇw f{ÉãxÜá multiple roles perform quick changes and allowed for more actors onstage 35 Years Experience at one time. • 3/8 and 1/2 inch Custom Frameless Showers “Octavio’s plays are a canvas for • Standard Tub and Shower Enclosures collaborators,” Engle said, suggesting • New Vinyl Windows • Free in­ home estimates Mention this one of the reasons she approached Solis about remounting the work. We install our own work ad for a 5% discount “Between the drafts, he actually took 925.284.9510 out the stage directions.” www.lafayetteglasscompany.com Engle has conducted movement Haley Leitman and Tatiana Ray Photo by Michael Cook and gesture studies with the student middle of an emergency. The lan- don’t get. actors, exploring the mischievous, guage is loaded, especially that of the “We’re in the cauldron at the mo- scavenger physicality of two coyote main character, who speaks with a ment, so there’s not a lot of space for ZEPHYR JUGGLINg characters in the play. distinct urgency. reflection,” she apologized. “The She has coached 18-year old “With June, the tack I took is that playwright is discovering the play as she’s never really been able to get out we are discovering it!” Always wanted to learn to juggle? sophomore Haley Leitman, who plays the young June Robles, to trust of that box. Her innocence was some- Solis will participate in a pre- Private, semi-private, or group juggling lessons how still locked up in that box. I’m in- show talk on November 11th and a For kids and adults ages 8 and up simplicity and be emotionally honest. “What I have found is that every- terested in her [making] peace with it talk-back following the November One-time classes or ongoing workshops body has, inside of them, the memory as she is confronting her own death, 18th show. But don’t expect a lecture Unique gift for adults, awesome birthday party activity for any age! of how they saw the world when they when she will be going back into a from the visiting playwright, who Taught by founder of Emeryville's Splash Circus youth troupe were six,” she said. box,” Solis explained. thinks the play is meant to serve the A corrido, a poetic or musical students and the community, not the Contact Chelsea at 510-406-0880 or [email protected] Engle praised Solis for the raw, unadorned “poetry” he employs in narrative form of Mexico, alerted the other way around. telling the story of a family in the playwright to the story, and SMC’s “I’d rather have a dialogue with production features live music by the students and audience,” he said. Beth Custer. “With a Q&A, I can be caught more “We are taking a step back with the off the cuff.” Achieve your financial music,” Engle said. “Instead of being June in a Box performs Thurs- performed by the composer, she has goals with our help day, Friday and Saturday Nov. created a score that will allow it to be 10-12 at 8 PM, Friday and Satur- Investment Management available to other people. We started day Nov 18-19 at 8 PM, and Financial Planning with leaf sheets and an audio record- Sunday Nov. 20 at 2 PM. Tickets Celebrating 36 Individual Stocks and Bonds ing. Now, there is an orchestration.” are $15 general; $12 seniors Engle finds the play’s greatest A Relationship of Trust Since 1975 Michael Frazier and non-SMC students; $8 SMC Years in Business! value is the process. She said it’s a Vice-President, Portfolio Manager r students, faculty and staff. Tick- www.bedellinvest.com 800-783-0344 and Moraga Resident boots on the ground view of how a ets available online, by phone play emerges during revision and an (925-631-4670) or at the door. experience most college students

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Local “Hams” Take Their Job Seriously 6]V`1VJHVV%C *Q%J * By Cathy Dausman home, and a unit in his car. He says #: `1H1: : V`G7 “simple, basic amateur radio is time-  RR  tested, and gets tested again and again ]G]: `1H1:G: V`G78HQI every year, in dozens of disasters all 3   over the US, and all over the world.” Although Rigney originally became licensed for emergency communica- tions, he is branching out to the hobby .CV7 : V`G7 side of amateur radio, including dis-  RR  tance communications and contests. :.CV7]: `1H1:G: V`G78HQI “One of these days I hope to catch the 3  International Space Station on a pass,” he says. Moraga resident Cindy Petrini, 1118]: `1H1:G: V`G78HQI KI6OUO, earned her license three years ago. Petrini took Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and was told about an ama- Local amateur radio operators Leasa Raya and Gene Gottfried teur radio license class. “I tried to get Photo Cathy Dausman each of my five boys interested in magine a world without internet residents watching the ridgeline to as- ham radio when they were going Iservice, cell phones or land lines. sist the Tilden Fire Department during through the Boy Scout program,” she OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE It could be a temporary disruption, or the 1991Oakland hills fire. In the says. None was interested, but that Beautiful handcrafted items, one from a wind storm, earthquake or early 1990’s his neighbors used CB didn’t stop Petrini. She took a course, ing 40 at Ye gourmet goodies, and works of art. terrorist act. It could happen in radios to communicate. purchased her first amateur radio and r ar b s Boston, or Seattle, or Miami. It did The turning point for Gottfried “began communicating in a fun and le Friday, Nov. 11 sort of old techie way.” Petrini has e happen in New York, Washington came in 1996 when he attended C 9 am - 7 pm D.C., Louisiana and Oklahoma City. Orinda’s 4th of July parade. The Mor- worked communications for a few Saturday, Nov. 12 It could even happen in Lamorinda. aga Orinda Fire District (MOFD) community service events, and vol- 9 am - 5pm Now imagine communicating through Communications Van was there, and unteered in the MOFD support and technology that’s more than a century Gottfried was hooked. He says it is Rehab vans. ELK’S LODGE old. You are imagining the wireless important for people to have some Jim Boucher, KI6OUM in 1475 Creekside Dr., Walnut Creek communication possible through am- amount of preparation so they don’t Orinda, received his license in early ateur radio. Many local amateur radio feel helpless in emergencies. Got- 2008. He participates in the weekly operators, or “hams,” act as volunteer tfried sees amateur radio as “a backup on-air “nets” (meetings) in Canyon emergency communicators. Here are system for any disaster of any magni- and Orinda and has worked as a com- some of their stories. tude,” whose membership cuts across municator for a local children’s Gene Gottfried is amateur age and gender. These days Gottfried triathlon and the Lafayette Reservoir KQ6OL. KQ6OL is his call sign. The carries a handy talkie or portable run. A reserve police officer, Boucher FCC issues every licensed radio am- radio, keeps a mobile unit in his car views ham radio “as a tool to help cit- ateur a unique call sign that identifies and has a base station at home. izens with special events and for the amateur and his/her location of li- Patrick Rigney, N6UPS, of emergencies.” Lic #855456 cense. Call signs have both a prefix Lafayette took his first license exam Ham radio easily connects across The Haddon Family, Orinda Residents, Owners/Operators (KQ6) and suffix (OL). The call sign at Pacificon (an annual area amateur civic boundaries. Sveinn “Erik” Olaf- Do business number generally refers to an area of radio convention) in 2008. Rigney sson, KI6RSR, lives just outside Mor- with a neighbor. the country. And just as there are van- got involved with emergency com- aga in unincorporated Contra Costa ity license plates for cars, an amateur munications with the K6ORI group, County in Canyon. He and nine other may request a vanity call sign. an MOFD support team. He says he Canyon residents earned their licenses Gottfried has been an Orinda res- is “fairly active” on the radio, “but not as a group in 2008. Later that year ident for 30 years. His neighborhood as much as I’d like to be.” Rigney they installed a 50 watt emergency formed a watch group after a nearby also has multiple communication sta- radio at Canyon School. He is active home burglary in 1987, and Gottfried tions: several handy-talkies, a base in their weekly on-air meetings: “it became a block captain. He recalls station at his home and vacation keeps us all in practice and lets us know the limitations and capabilities of our radios,” he says. Your comfort is our #1 priority ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio, says hams can communicate “when all else fails.” Up to $1800 in incentives available Perhaps Lamorinda resident Patti through Nov 15. – Call now for details. Young says it best: hams are “special people able to communicate over the airways...for fun or in times of an 925-521-1380 emergency.” www.haddonheatingcooling.com Advertising www.HelpfulRealEstateInfo.com

Members of the Canyon group installs its radio antenna on Canyon School for emergency use. Photos Sveinn Erik Olafsson To Learn More about Amateur Radio: Wireless communications also includes Citizen’s Band (CB) radio and the readily available Family Radio Service (FRS) walkie-talkies. Unlike CB and FRS, however, all amateur radio operators must earn one of three license levels or “classes” granted by the Federal Communica- tions Commission (FCC): Technician, General or Extra Class. Knowl- edge of Morse code is no longer required for the entry-level Technician class license. Instructions are given locally in classroom settings, and are also available online. Gordon West’s book Technician Class 2010-2014 offers beginners full instruction in amateur radio communications. The National Association for Amateur Radio: http://www.arrl.org/home Practice exams are available online at http://www.eham.net/ Pacificon, the West Coast Ham Radio Convention, is October 12-14, 2012, Marriott Hotel, Santa Clara. Details: http://www.pacificon.org/ An entry level Technician class is available this month in Orinda on Wednesday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m. Contact [email protected] for details and location, or call (925) 376-3269. Local on-air nets: Canyon Net meets on-air Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. on 146.460 outside Canyon, CA and 446.460 inside Canyon. Moraga Orinda Fire District Net (K6ORI) meets on-air Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. on 146.850 and 147.540 simplex Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club (http://www.mdarc.org/nets.html) meets on-air Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on 147.060/+(100PL) Page: B4 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011

562 Center St. Moraga, Rheem Valley Shopping Ctr. near CVS www.moragajewelers.com Phone: (925) 376-1283 Charismatic Author Hercules Saves Christmas in Orinda Impresses Audience By Cathy Dausman By Cathy Tyson brutally honest trend were four self-described “very bad” novels in a row starting at twenty-three. “I had been mistak- ing clever for ge- nius,” said Gold. Carter Beats the Devil was born at the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) pro- gram at UC Irvine when he was in his early thirties. He got off to an encouraging start sharing the first Mackenzie Phillips, Hercules and Max Photos provided paragraph and dog, a boy, and Christmas— thony Robinson) meets a talking dog Celebrities arrive at 6:30 p.m.; early chapters Awhat’s not to like? The mighty (Hercules) who works for Santa. the movie premiers at 7:00 p.m., with a very sup- combination is working well for pro- Max and Hercules go to San Fran- with a Q&A to follow. Hercules portive Graduate ducers Derek Zemrak and Leonard cisco, where they encounter a pack of then moves to Moraga’s New Writer’s Work- Pirkle as they prepare to unleash the toy-stealing dogs and evil humans. Rheem Theatre, where it will play shop at the MFA red carpet World Premier of Hercules Only Max can see Hercules, and Her- for a week. The movie’s trailer is Author Glen David Gold at Lamorinda Reads event program. It with pooch, Cocoa Photo Cathy Tyson Saves Christmas November 17 at the cules can only speak when wearing available online at wasn’t all smooth Orinda Theatre. his magic collar. Add some elves to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= len David Gold charmed an sailing for the lengthy historical fic- The movie was shot last winter in the magic, stir in comedy and sus- leqdNPmfYdU. Dog, elf and Gaudience of fans of his book, tion novel however, at one point he Lamorinda (http://tinyurl.com/3w6pcju) pense, and you’ve got a movie Ani- Christmas lovers will be delighted Carter Beats the Devil at the finale of took an eighteen month hiatus. He with a local supporting cast and film mal Planet has already snapped up (it to know Zemrak’s already thinking this year’s Lamorinda Reads season followed that with a job as a recep- crew. It features Animal Planet’s Pit airs December 3). ahead to a sequel. at the Lafayette Library and Learning tionist, from which he was fired. Boss dog star Hercules. Human actors Center. The engaging, likeable author Once finally complete, his publication include Mackenzie Phillips, Danny couldn’t have been more down to date was September 11, 2001. Arroyo, Kathy Garver, Maggie Van- earth, illustrating his journey toward The film rights for the story have denBerghe and Richard Van Vleet. completing the book with lots of col- also had a slightly bumpy ride: first Hercules’ film voice belongs to orful, juicy details. optioned by Tom Cruise, then AMC owner Shorty Rossi, who has a “They said make yourself at – The American Movie Channel, then cameo role as a priest in the film. home, so I brought my dog,” said Gold Warner Brothers. Gold reported he Zemrak says the most difficult part as he first reached the podium. The just had a phone call the other day that of production was accommodating well behaved, rather large Cocoa just Warner had renewed their option. Rossi’s schedule. hung out on his leash, napping at Since Carter, Gold has published The story idea came about while times. a novel, Sunnyside, numerous short the two were attending another pre- Right off the bat he confessed to stories, and screenplays. He’ll be mier in Hawaii. The script: orphan plagiarizing a story about a goldfish teaching at the MFA program at UC Max (played by South Bay local An- Dana Michael Woods (background: Anthony Robinson as "Max") when he was three. Continuing the Irvine in the spring.

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Lamorinda’s Senior Community Library Managers: Beth Girshman (left), Caroline Gick, and Susan Weaver Visit Wednesday–Friday noon–5pm and weekends 10am–5pm. Photo Sophie Braccini Go to www.wildlife-museum.org to learn more. September survey by Harris In- Gick, “they anticipate and respond to “We are a part of people’s day,” Ateractive confirmed that digital the demands of our patrons.” concludes Girshman, “the way we do readers are a hot commodity, and that Other unique online services are it will continue to change. We do not they get people to read more books. provided by CCCL, such as the use of know where it will take us, but it is an The trend does not surprise or worry QR codes (the two-dimensional bar exciting time to be a librarian.” Lamorinda’s librarians, who are con- codes that can be read with a mobile 1931 FIRST AVENUE | WALNUT CREEK | 925-935-1978 stantly reinventing the role of local phone) to provide additional informa- public libraries in the digital age. tion about a book or related topics, Contra Costa County Library and the pioneering free museum-pass (CCCL) recently announced that the system. Amazon Kindle will join other digital As the use of mobile technology Join us for the Diamond Terrace reading devices, including the Barnes grows, so does the attendance at pub- & Noble Nook, the Android, iPhone lic libraries. “We are more than and iPad, that can access the library's books,” says Gick, “we offer all kinds free eBook collection. of informational and educational (http://guides.ccclib.org/ebooks) services. We are as much about place Could this mean that people will and community as about content.” stop going to the library? “Our first In Moraga and Orinda, the ‘new Saturday, Nov. 12 mission is to get people to read,” says library effect’ of Lafayette has im- Susan Weaver, of the Lafayette Li- pacted the growth trend, but atten- 10 am – 12 pm brary and Learning Center, “it is im- dance numbers are still up. “We are portant that we offer different media a place for the community to meet,” Enjoy scrumptious harvest so people with different needs have confirms Girshman, “Every time I holiday hors d’oeuvres equal access.” enter in the library I check out the & tour our community. Weaver and her colleagues have people who are there, working with already embraced the new tools for their computers or reading printed themselves. “I’m a librarian and I use material. They want a place out of the Rates as low as my Kindle in bed,” says the Orinda home or the office where they can be Rates$1,787 as low* as Library’s Caroline Gick, “the angle is and feel close to other human beings.” right, and it has a light.” “I use my The diverse activities that are offered These premiere$1,787 residences go fast. Nook while traveling or camping,” in the three Lamorinda libraries also Call today! adds Moraga’s librarian, Beth Girsh- bring people in. Rent andCall amenities for details.all in one low price. man, raising Gick’s bid with a “Futurist Thomas Frey explains friendly smile. that libraries have been reinventing (925)(925) 524-5100524-5100 An affordable, independent retirement lifestyle. “iPads are turning out to be the themselves constantly over the past diamondterrace.net number one gift for seniors because 2000 years,” says Weaver, “we are 6401 Center Street Clayton diamondterrace.net*Limited time offer. Restrictions apply. the screen is bigger,” says Weaver, transitioning from a product- based “but so far, people are using these de- economy to an experience-based vices mostly for purchasing books economy. Libraries will develop rather than renting them.” more experiences for our patrons, Is the library ahead of the technol- such as studios to create music or ogy curve? movies.” “The CCCL has a team of about “We will be places where people four people, led by Cathy Sanford, in will not only find content, but can also charge of the technology-watch,” says create it,” adds Gick. HW Construction and Home Remodeling Inc. Your Home Remodeling Company BAD Bay Area (925)-497-2687 INC. Drainage, Inc. 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We are pleased to make space available whenever possible for some of Lamorinda’s dedicated community service organizations to submit news and information about their activities. Don’t let your kids fall behind Submissions can be sent to [email protected] with the subject header In Service to the Community. in Math! 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts One-on-one Math individualized instruction Homework Submitted by Thama Brentano • Pre-Algebra • Algebra 1 & 2 • Geometry • Pre-Calculus & Calculus Help • SAT/ACT Preparatory For all levels Flat Monthly Fee (Unlimited visits-drop in as needed) Gr 1- 5 $199, Middle School $225, High School $250

3435 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette (Golden Gate Way at Mt. Diablo Blvd) (925) 283-4200 www.mathnasium.com 1 FREE WEEK OF TUTORING & HOMEWORK HELP Must present coupon. New students only. Exp. 12/9/11 Photo Katie Coates n Sunday, October 23rd, under house, learning about Girl Scout tra- ever Green, the Creative Re-Use Oa bright blue sky and gentle ditions, a vintage Girl Scout uniform Depot, REI, and the Marine Mammal breeze at Kennedy Grove, the fashion show, and an old-fashioned Center were also on hand running ac- Orinda Moraga Girl Scouts cele- cake decorating contest and cake tivities. Girl Scouts of Northern Cali- brated the 100th Anniversary of Girl walk. Other popular booths run by fornia also ran a “Girls Go Tech” DISCOUNT RATES Scouts in the USA. Although the real scouts included making s’mores, program. without discount service. date of the 100th anniversary is SWAPS (Special Watchamacallit Af- Two community service activities It’s no accident more people trust State Farm. March 12, 2012, Orinda Moraga de- fectionately Pinned Somewhere), demonstrated that Girl Scouts “Do a Mike Rosa, Agent cided to celebrate early and in honor henna and green “tatoos”, and a very Good Turn Daily” by collecting over Insurance Lic. #: 0F45583 1042 Country Club Drive of founder Juliette Gordon Lowe’s special “Pin the Badge on the Girl 400 books to donate to the Children’s www.mikeisthere.com Bus: 925-376-2244 g October birthday. Scout” game. There was also a booth Literacy Project in Oakland, and by Over 200 scouts ranging in age teaching scouts about the five Girl making cards that will be distributed from Daisy (kindergarten and first Scout World Centers in Savannah, with meals delivered by Meals on grade) through Senior and Ambassa- Georgia (home of Juliette Gordon Wheels. The afternoon ended with the P040036 02/04P040036 State02/04 Farm StateMutual Farm Automobile Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Insurance (Not Company in NJ), (Not Bloomington, in NJ), Bloomington, IL IL dor (high school age) participated in Lowe), Mexico, England, Switzer- singing of songs, and the traditional the celebration. Part carnival, part ed- land, and India. Girl Scout friendship circle. Happy ucational, and totally fun, the scouts In keeping with the Girl Scout’s Birthday Girl Scouts! We wish you a enjoyed face painting, a bounce theme for the 100th Anniversary, For- very happy second 100 years! 5500 Quilts for Babies at Risk Writing College Essays? Submitted by Joyanne Elkinton-Walker Need help? Writing coach Cynthia Brian helps college applicants write compelling essays. "Rachel powered through her essay and application after her session with you. Working with you was the right focus, right person, right time. We can't thank you enough! You are amazing!" Mother Call 925-377-STAR or email [email protected] Hourly fees. Book your writing session today. Cynthia cares.

Peggy Moe, Rudi Thomas and Beverley Finlayson carry the quilts from the sewing room to the sanctuary. Photo provided arly in October, 50 handmade ness. Community Church, and created the Equilts were displayed in the The dedicated women sewers in- large quilt of Mt. Diablo that hangs in sanctuary of Orinda Community clude Melody Ferreira, Beverley Fin- the dining room of the Orinda Senior Church for dedication to at-risk ba- layson, Peggy Moe, and Liz Village. bies in the Bay Area. These are in ad- Thompson under the leadership of Women in the community who dition to 5500 previous quilts that Rudi Thomas, who has been the in- would like to participate in this project have been created by the Sewing Cir- spiration from the beginning. Many and have basic knowledge in the use cle of the church and sent to various other women have been part of the of a sewing machine are invited to groups caring for babies in crisis. group through the years. join this friendly group on Monday The Sewing Circle began in 1989 These ladies have also made ban- mornings. Call the Orinda Commu- and the first recipient of quilts was the ners, stuffed animals, and stoles for all nity Church Office at (925) 254-4906 Children’s Quilt Project for babies of the pastors and associates at Orinda to leave your name and contact. born with crack and Aids symptoms. They went to Children’s Hospital, Highland Hospital and Alta Bates Neo-natal unit. The quilts were placed over incubators so babies could see colors and shapes. Subsequent quilts have been pro- vided to Contra Costa Foster Parents, The Solid Foundation of Oakland, Foster Moms of Alameda County and Project Open Hand. As disasters struck, quilts were sent for Hurricane Relief in Haiti and New Orleans. Recently they have been given to Interfaith Housing in Contra Costa, the Banana Respite Program and to The quilts displayed on the pews show the variety and numbers of quilts the Center for Intervention in Deaf- ready for shipping. Photo provided Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B7 Community Service Need Donations? Lafayette Rotary Hosts Russian Realtors During the holiday season, Lamorinda Weekly will accept and Submitted by Bob Shusta publish opportunities for local giving. Please send 100 words or less describing the cause, type of donation needed, and where to bring/send it. The organization collecting the donations, or receiving the donations, should be within our extended community. Submissions must be sent to [email protected] by Nov. 16 for inclusion in our Nov. 23 issue, by Nov. 30 for inclusion in our Dec 7 issue, and by Dec. 14 for inclusion in our Dec. 21 issue. Brownies Help Food Bank Submitted by S. DeCarlo

Lamorinda Realtor Elena Hood speaks to the Russian delegation Photo provided s part of its international service sians are just getting used to buying citizen, explained home-buying in the Aproject, members of the and selling property over the last 20 USA and how to market a real estate Lafayette Rotary Club recently hosted years. We are happy to be in the business. Russian realtors during their educa- United States to learn how to do real In addition to the business semi- tional visit to the Bay Area. Local estate and how it works, and we are nars the delegation toured the Bay firms Coldwell Banker and J. Rock- very appreciative for being here,” said Area. cliff offered seminars for the visiting Ilya Slotnikov, who managed the trip As a sign of their appreciation, the Russians. for the 11 realtors. visitors donated $700 to the Rotary “The average age of a real estate Elena Hood of Coldwell Banker Club which will be used to support agent in Russian now is 29 and Rus- in Orinda, a Russian-born American local projects.

Members of Troop 32851 Photo provided afayette Elementary 3rd grade work bagging potatoes and prepar- As Seen in Lafayette... LBrownie Troop 32851 col- ing boxes for donated eyewear. lected over 200 pounds of food for They also received a tour of the fa- the Contra Costa Food Bank. They cilities and learned how important it delivered the food on Saturday, Oc- is to care for your neighbors in times tober 23rd and were promptly put to of need. Kiwanis Installs Officers for 2011/12 Submitted by Stan Holcenberg

Well known Lafayette Rotarians dressed up for the Halloween costume contest at their weekly luncheon. Standing, from left: Tom Henry, Jesse Wellen, Bob Shusta, Tom Courtright, Chuck Vogel, Bob Aguilar, Alicia Cragholm, Bill Eames (bear), Anna Stevenson, Jay Lifson, Mike Henn, Tom Sullivan, Don Anderson; sitting: Troy Fedderson, Greg Vaisnor Photo John Sherry

Past Kiwanis Lt. Governor Ray Horton presents gavel to 2011/12 Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley President Karen Reed Photo provided he Kiwanis Club of Moraga library books to the elementary TValley held its annual Installa- schools, and is very involved in the tion Dinner at the Orinda Country Club’s holiday season See’s Candy Club on October 6. The Club was fundraising campaign. In addition, formed in 1974, and the first Presi- Bob has been VP of the Moraga Park dent, Lafayette resident Charlie Toll, Foundation and a Board Member of attended the event. the Contra Costa Food Bank. The Master of Ceremonies for the Mike Metcalf presented outgoing event was early Kiwanis Club of Mor- 2010-11 Kiwanis President John aga Valley member, and 1999 Moraga Haffner with the very prestigious Citizen of the Year, Dan Rego. Past William Dunlap Award, awarded by Kiwanis Lt. Governor, Ray Horton, the Kiwanis California-Nevada- conducted the installation of the offi- Hawaii District Foundation. cers and board members. Members of the Kiwanis Club of Karen Reed, 2011 Moraga Park Moraga Valley recently installed a Foundation Board Member, was in- new irrigation system at Joaquin Mor- stalled as President. Other officers in- aga Intermediate School, restored the clude 1st Vice President Graig U.S.A. mural at Camino Pablo Ele- Crossly, 2nd Vice President Jason mentary School, and cleared the brush Evens, Secretary Mike Metcalf (Mor- on Mulholland Ridge. Many mem- aga’s Vice Mayor), and Treasurer bers are very involved in Town activ- Barbara Van Sickle. ities, and the local Kiwanis Club Bob Reynolds was awarded the contributes a significant amount of 2010-11 Kiwanian of the Year award money each year for scholarships and from 2009-10 winner Dick Ayres. with local agencies that focus on im- The award is presented to an individ- proving the lives of children. ual that is very active in the Club's Kiwanis is a global organization fundraising and service projects, and of volunteers dedicated to changing fosters the efforts of Kiwanis in the the world one child and one commu- community. Bob chairs the contribu- nity at a time. To learn more about Ki- tions committee for the Club, leads wanis, visit the local website - the effort for the Club’s donation of www.moragavalleykiwanis.org. Page: B8 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Not to be missed Not to be missed Not to be missed

ART MUSIC THEATER Cycle Recycle, 'til the end of November. into the latest information on treatment op- Every year, Bobbie and Tom Preston col- tions, family history, early detection, and The Saint Mary's College William SMC Jazz Band: Thursday November Saint Mary’s College Performing Arts lect repairable bikes for refurbishing by explore the unique needs and issues of Keith (1838 -1911) Collection will wel- 17 at 8pm and Friday, November 18 at Department presents June in a Box at Trips for Kids, the Bicycle Hut, and by the ovarian cancer survivors. Cancer specific come visitors into the expanded galleries 5pm. Up-tempo numbers, tender ballads, LeFevre Theatre, Saint Mary's College, inmates at Marsh Canyon Detention Fa- nutrition will be discussed with an empha- of the new Museum of Art thru Decem- blues, swing and salsa - they all create the 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga on Nov. 10, cility. The repaired bikes are given at sis on holiday cooking. November 15, ber 18. Among never before seen recent energy of the jazz band concert experi- 11, 12, & 18 at 8pm. Sunday, Nov 20 at Christmas to under-privileged children. 2011 from 6-8pm. Lafayette Library and acquisitions and newly restored paint- ence. John Maltester, recently inducted 2pm. Meet Octavio Solis at 7pm Friday, Most needed are tricycles and junior bikes; Learning Center - Art and Science Room. ings are magnificent early views of the into the California Alliance for Jazz Hall Nov. 11 before the show. Admission: Gen- please no skateboards. The Prestons have No charge, refreshments and healthy Columbia River Valley, Pacific North- of Fame, directs the ensemble. Where: eral: $15, Seniors and Non-SMC Students: been doing the Cycle Recycle for 14 years, snacks will be served. To register, please west, Mt. Tamalpais and Russian River. Soda Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 $12. Tickets available by phone (925) 631- and over 1500 bikes have been gifted to call (925) 677-5041. Co-sponsored by The Hearst Art Gallery is open from St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Admission: $5 4670) or at the door. See article page B2 kids. New and/or used, repairable bikes Clocks Etc, Oakwood Athletic Club and Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am- SMC Community, $10 General Admis- may be delivered to the side driveway of Diablo Valley Oncology. 4:30pm. Admission is $4 for adults; free sion, $8 Seniors and non-SMC Students. Red Carpet World Premiere of "Her- the Preston’s home, only through the for groups, K-12th graders. For more in- cules Saves Christmas", November 17th month of November, at 1307 Larch Av- Hospice of the East Bay is offering a formation, please call (925) 631-4379. Music in the Life of William Keith: at the Orinda Theatre. Red Carpet arrivals enue, Moraga. workshop for people who have experi- Piano, Organ, Pipes, Japanese Gong, and start at 6:30. Movie and Q & A at 7pm. enced the death of a loved one, and find Join the Hacienda Foundation of Voices song recital performed by faculty, See article page B4 Muir Heritage Land Trust Autumn the holiday season to be a sad and stressful Moraga on Thursday, November 10 students and staff at Saint Mary's Colllege. Celebration 2011-Thursday, November time of the year. It will be offered at Hos- Mills College Repertory Dance Com- from 4-7pm for a Local Wine Tasting Free admission; Wednesday, November 9, 10, 7-9 pm at the Walnut Creek Library, pice's administrative offices: 3470 Buskirk pany presents State of Change on Nov Oak View Room,1666 North Main Street, Avenue, Pleasant Hill on Tuesday, No- and Art Exhibit at the Hacienda de las 1 pm at the Saint Mary's College Chapel. 18, 1pm & 8pm; Nov 19, 8pm, at Mills Walnut Creek. This event is free and open vember 15, 6- 8pm. For further informa- Flores. Parkmon Vineyards and Vin- The public is invited to “A Harvest Fes- College - Lisser Theater, 5000 Mac Arthur to the public. RSVP to Gunther@muirher- tion and/or to register, please call cenza Ranch Vineyard will pour their tival of Music” on a new Rodgers Digital Blvd., Oakland. Mills Repertory Dance itagelandtrust.org or call (925) 228-5460. Bereavement Services at Hospice of the wines, and Moraga artists will exhibit Organ, November 13 at 3:30pm, St. Mon- Company presents State of Change, a For more info visit www.muirheritage- East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration their work. $8 entry buys 2 tickets. Ad- ica Church, Moraga. Organist William night of work by faculty and guest artists landtrust.org. is required. ditional tickets are $3. 1 ticket = half Vaughan will play both religious and sec- is an invitation to examine and celebrate glass of wine; 2 tickets = full glass of ular selections from Handel, Bach and An- change. Cost: $15 General, $12 Students Join us at sewnow! studio on Friday Berkeley Center for New Media/Art wine. Appetizers are provided courtesy drew Lloyd Webber, including Arrival of and Seniors w/ ID, Free for Mills Com- November 11th from 9-11am. We are Technology & Culture Colloquium of Terzetto Cuisine. the Queen of Sheba, Sleepers Awake and munity w/ ID - Tickets Available at the hosting a free morning of sewing to sew [ATC] presents ATC Lecture: Marc Pie Jesu. The organ was a gift to the Door. For more info see and embellish school totes for Japanese Horowitz, Performance and Humor in Moraga Art Gallery will feature the church from the Tom Murray estate. http://www.mills.edu/dance or call (510) kids impacted by last year's earthquake New Media on Monday, Nov 21, 7:30- work of guest artist Susan Heller thru Vaughan is organist at St Paschal Church 430-2175 or email [email protected]. and tsunami. sewnow! will provide all the 9pm, at Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Dai Dec. 24. The public is invited to view in Oakland and assistant organist at Oak- supplies and set-up, a hand embroidery Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley. Marc Heller’s fabric art along with gallery land’s Cathedral of Christ the Light. St. Town Hall Theatre presents “Scrooge!” lesson, as well as refreshments and a take Horowitz will discuss how contemporary members’ work at the show’s opening Monica is located at 1001 Camino Pablo, directed by Jessica Richards, December 1- home gift for all participants. Basic sewing technologies, i.e. youtube, social media, reception, Nov 12, 3-5pm. Heller’s work Moraga, between Larch and Camino 18. Tickets: (925) 283 1557 or www.town- machine skills are required - ages 8 to 100 are changing the way we make and con- falls outside the traditional function of Pablo. The concert is free. halltheatre.com. are welcome. RSVP to: sewnow! on face- sume art and entertainment. Cost: Admis- quilts as each piece is intended to hang book or [email protected]. sion is free and open to the public. For as a work of art. She enjoys using ap- Cellist Eric Sung, heard by millions in KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS more info see http://bcnm.berkeley.edu or plique for its added dimension and em- movie theaters around the world, joins the Fundraiser for New Day for Children. call (510) 495-3505 or email bellishes with hand-embroidery, beading Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in a per- The Moraga-Orinda Fire District is On November 11 at 7pm, Willow Spring [email protected]. or both. Moraga Art Gallery is open formance of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on hosting a FREE Child Safety Seat Inspec- Church of Moraga will present a benefit Tues.-Sun from noon-5pm. MAG is a Rococo Theme. If you’ve seen Pirates of tion event on Thursday, November 10, concert for "New Day For Children", a Moraga Women's Society is sponsoring tucked in a corner north of CVS in the the Caribbean, King Kong, or Inside Man, from 10am-1pm, at Station 41, 1280 Mor- non-profit facility that houses and rehabil- a fundraiser for the Moraga schools on Rheem Center in Moraga (until the end you’ve already heard the sound of his rare aga Way, Moraga. itates young girls escaping the sex slave Wednesday, November 30. Treat yourself of this show). 200-year-old cello. Also on the program: industry in the Bay Area. Please come out to a fun-filled day before the holiday rush. prime selections from Bizet’s voluptuous Get crafty and create a special Thanks- to listen to the music of some wonderful Join us for "Brunch, Bridge and Bunko" The walls of Lafayette's Town Hall Carmen, including the unforgettable clas- giving keepsake for your family. Tree of local musicians, learn more about this real at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 Theater are filled with colorful abstract sic, “Les Toreadors.” Sunday, 11/20, 2pm Thanks Craft, Saturday, Nov. 19 2-3pm in issue of modern-day slave trade from law School Street in Moraga, at 10:30am. canvases painted by internationally ac- Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, the Children's Room, Lafayette Library enforcement and representatives from Tickets are $25. Please call Jean @376- claimed painter and teacher Tesia Black- Tickets: $10 - $30 at the door, by phone and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo New Day, and help support this cause. 7961 for ticket information burn and ten of her students from ((925) 943-SHOW), or online at Blvd., Lafayette. (925) 385-2280. Tickets are $20 if purchased online, $30 at Lafayette Studio and Walnut Creek www.LesherArtsCenter.org. the door. Go to: http://www.brownpa- MEETINGS Civic Arts. Please celebrate with the Nutcracker Storytime with Diablo Bal- pertickets.com/event/203484. Willow artists on Thursday, November 17 from A community sing of Handel's Messiah let, Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-2pm in the Com- Spring Church is located at 1689 School Meeting to Discuss Images of Women 6-8 pm at Town Hall Theater, 3535 will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal munity Hall. Enjoy a sweet holiday treat Street, Moraga; phone (925) 376-3550. Used in Advertising. The public is invited School Street, Lafayette. Church, 66 St Stephens Drive, Orinda, on with this special retelling of the classic to the Tuesday, November 15 meeting of Friday, December 2 at 7:30pm. The Mes- fairytale featuring dancers from the Diablo Celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, Nov the American Association of University “Oh,Wow! Watercolors” by Moraga siah Sing will be directed by Minister of Ballet. Don't forget to wear your favorite 11, 11am-noon at the Moraga Com- Women, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette artist George Ehrenhaft will grace the Music Robert Train Adams, with Festival dancing finery! Lafayette Library and mons Park next to the Veterans Memo- Branch (AAUW, OML). Diane Bell- Moraga Library’s art corner throughout Choir, professional soloists and chamber Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., rial. The ceremony will begin with the Rettger, AAUW member, will present November. Fully half of Ehrenhaft’s orchestra with harpsichord and organ. Lafayette. (925) 385-2280. Advancement of the Color Guard fol- Jean Kilbourne’s 50 minute film, Killing fresh landscapes lovingly portray sites This event is an annual fundraiser for the lowed by speakers and refreshments. Us Softly 4, and lead a timely discussion familiar to Lamorinda residents: the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano HOLIDAY Please come and show your support for about how advertising images affect girls trail to Valle Vista, the Lafayette Reser- Counties. Childcare is available by reser- our local veterans. Hosted by the Town and women today. Meetings start with a Saint Mary's College Guild's Annual of Moraga and Moraga Boy Scout social get-together at 9am, followed by the voir, Briones Regional Park, an vation. A free-will offering will be taken. Harvest Luncheon and Faire will take Troops 212, 234, and 246. film, discussion, and adjournment at EBMUD barn on watershed property. For more information contact Brenda Free, [email protected] or place on Thursday, November 10th, 11:30am. The meeting will be at the Ser- Open during library hours. For details, (925) 254-3770 x10. 10am-3pm in the Soda Center. It's a great The community is invited to celebrate bian Orthodox Cultural Center, 1700 call 376-6852. time to browse and purchase true treasures the 100th birthday of Lafayette’s oldest School Street in Moraga. Email questions at nominal prices. A Traditional Thanks- community service organization, the to [email protected]. The monsters from Dark Dreams Haunted House... giving Menu will be served on Thurs- Lafayette Improvement Association on day at noon. $25 per person. Mail your November 11 at 7pm at the Town Hall, San Ramon Valley Genealogical Soci- ...want to thank all the check to Dolores McConigle, 828 3535 School Street, Lafayette. We'll ety's next meeting will take place on No- ghouls and boys from Crossbrook Cir., Moraga, CA 94556 by have cake and cider, learn a bit about vember 15 from 10am-noon at the library all over. You made our Nov. 7. A preview of the "treasures" on the LIA and the history of Lafayette, of the LOS Church, 2949 Stone Valley fifth year so fun, safe Wed, Nov. 9, 4-7pm. Questions? Call then we’ll all blow out the birthday can- Road, Alamo. The program will be of in- and successful. It was Dolores at (925) 376-4339. dles together. Parking at the Lafayette terest to both beginner and the more ad- spooktacular! Until School playground. vanced genealogist. For information call next year "Nighty Hospice of the East Bay invites the pub- Ed O'Donnell (925) 299-0881, or visit lic to participate in its 25th annual Tree of Grief and the Holidays is a special http://srvgensoc.org. Nighty". Oh yeah, we'll Lights ceremonies to be held in 14 loca- meeting of Widowed Persons Support on be back. Will you??? tions throughout Contra Costa in Novem- Saturday, November 12, from 10am to Lafayette Garden Club meeting, HAHAHAHAHA ber and December. Each light on every noon. We will meet at Saint Stephens Thursday November 10, 9:30am; Our tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in Church at 66 Saint Stephens Drive, Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 honor or memory of a beloved friend or Orinda. This workshop is designed for Carol Lane, Lafayette. Program: “Re- November Special Events at: family member. Please join any of the newly, and not-so-newly bereaved per- use and Recycle in the Garden” with commemorative ceremonies to enjoy sons, although it is open to other interested Matthew Levesque teaching garden music, poetry, remembrances by family adults. Holidays can still have their joy if design with re-cycled materials. Con- members and friends of Hospice, and the we plan for them. We help show you how tact: [email protected]. special moment when the tree lights up: to take charge of your holiday experience. MORAGA, Sunday, November 13, For more information, please call Jan at Moraga Garden Club November Meet- 5:30pm, Moraga Commons. ORINDA, (925) 210-0333. ing: Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet, Saturday, December 3, 4:30pm, Orinda authors of "Garden Up!: vertical garden- Village by Bank of America. Clothes Swap For A Cause: Miramonte ing for small and large spaces," will offer LAFAYETTE, Sunday, December 4, High School Environmental Club will members and guests "how to" information Orinda Theatre 5:30pm, Corner of Mt. Diablo & Lafayette hold a Clothes Swap on Saturday, Nov. 12, for enhancing any outdoor space. Rebecca Circle East. 11am-3pm on the lower field of Glorietta is a designer and owner of Harmony in the Immortals Nov. 13th Q & A with Screenwriters Vlas & Charley Parlapanides 2 PM VIP reception (Free to CAIFF Members) Elementary School in Orinda. Families Garden and a contributor Horticulture 3 PM Movie - Q & A with Screenwriters following the Lafayette Gallery Trunk Show, Decem- are encourage to bring and exchange magazine and Susan is also a landscape movie (Free to CAIFF Members) ber 10 & 11; featuring unique gifts hand gently-used children's clothing. $5 do- designer and garden magazine writer. The Hercules Saves Nov. 17th World Premiere crafted by local artisans. The Gallery is lo- nation fee at the entrance; procees will meeting will be held on November 17 at Christmas 6:30 PM Red Carpet Arrivals cated at 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette go towards a hydration station - a water the Holy Trinity Cultural Center on School 7 PM Movie - Q & A with cast & crew following the movie (across from Chow). Free event. fountain that dispenses chilled, filtered St. in Moraga. The meeting starts at 10am “The Godfather” Nov. 19th, 7 PM CAIFF and Diablo Magazine Classic Film Series www.lafayettegallery.net. (925) 284-2788. water - to reduce the use of bottled proceeded by social hour at 9:30am. Inter- water among students. ested parties are cordially invited to attend. Rheem Theatre OTHER “Best Comedy” Nov. 14th 7 PM Short Films - California Independent Film Festival Arab Spring Teach-in presents Building The Montelindo Garden Club meeting, Members only Free event There are now $11,000 in rebates avail- Solidarity with the Arab Spring on Satur- Friday, November 18; plant sale and re- To Have and Nov. 16th 4 PM Classic Movie Wednesday able for Contra Costa homeowners to day November 12th, 10am-6pm, at UC freshments are at 9am, lecture is at Have Not Sponsored by Morgan Stanley make your home more comfortable and Berkeley - Dwinelle Hall and Multicul- 10:30am. The event is free and the public energy efficient through the Energy Up- tural Center, UC Berkeley campus, Berke- is cordially invited to attend. The event is World of the Wars Nov. 18th 10 PM Friday Night of Fright grade CA (EUC) Program. Find out how ley. Join us for a full-day teach-in on the held at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Starting at Orinda Theatre on November 11th to take advantage of the program, and popular rebellions across the Middle East Irwin Way, Orinda. Ria Sim, who is the • J. Edgar (R ) meet the local contractors who are certi- and North Africa, and discuss how we can founder of Twigs Studio and owner of Ria • Immortals (R) fied to do this work at a free workshop on provide real solidarity! Cost: Free; dona- Sim Designs in Danville will speak on Thursday, November 10, at the Moraga tions requested. For more info see planning events that coordinate floral dec- Starting at Rheem Theatre on November 18th Public Library, Community Room, 1500 http://arabspringteachin.org or call 415- orations which are planned down to the • Happy Feet Two (PG) St. Mary's Road Moraga. Doors open at 320-7476 or email info@arab- last leaf giving focused attention to each • Hercules Saves Christmas (G) 6pm, event at 6:30pm. To register, go to springteachin.org. project from food, table linens and to party http://moraga-euc.eventbrite.com. Also, favors. California Independent Film Festival February 10th - 16th find out about the 3% 15-year loan and ad- Come and experience the Many Faces Please submit: Become a member of CAIFF to receive free & discount ditional $1250 grant available from CHF. of Ovarian Cancer, an event focusing on movie tickets at Lamorinda Theatres! www.caiff.org Sponsored by Ecology Action & Sustain- one of the most commonly misdiagnosed calendar@ able Moraga. cancers in women. Join an engaging panel Check www.lamorindatheatres.com for all movie listings of medical experts, as they offer insight lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B9 The Play’s the Thing Miramonte High School drama de- partment presents two contemporary plays: Rabbit Hole, by David Lind- say-Abaire, and Marvin’s Room, by Scott McPherson. Both plays focus Orinda Teen Advisory on family relationships as they cope with sudden tragedy. Rabbit Hole performances are November 15 and Council WANTS YOU! 17 at 7:30 pm. Marvin’s Room: No- By Natasha Morsey vember 16 and 18 at 7:30 pm. Show id you know there is a Glaser said that many of the venue is the MHS theater, 750 Mor- Dgroup of young student events are created for OIS stu- aga Way, Orinda. Tickets are $7 per leaders in Orinda who meet to dents. OIS students are impor- show, or $10 for both and can be pur- create community events, plan tant on the council because they chased at the door (or online at service projects, and advise the have suggestions and perspec- www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/miramonte) City Council about issues impor- tives that older students may not The Campolindo High School pro- tant to teens? Known as OTAC, consider. For example, kids in duction of Shakespeare’s Much Ado the Orinda Teen Advisory Coun- junior high do not have drivers’ About Nothing runs Dec 2nd and Dec Rehearsal at Miramonte High School Photo Cathy Dausman cil is organized by Orinda youth licenses. Transportation options 3rd at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 in grades six through twelve. must be discussed and they may pm). Tickets can be purchased online Co-Chair of OTAC, Alex have earlier curfews or different at the Campolindo Web Store Glaser, a senior at Miramonte restrictions than older teens. (http://campolindo.revtrak.net/tek9.as High School, commented that OTAC hosted a fun Harry p) starting November 8th or at the the council decides “what teens Potter themed movie night fea- door before each show. Suggested can do for Orinda and what turing a unique dish served by donation is $5 per student and $10 per Orinda can do for teens.” The of- Loard’s Ice Cream. Thinking adult. The play is a comedic tale of ficial youth-written mission ahead to next April, OTAC is sassy characters who fall into love de- statement states: “This city-spon- collaborating with the Lafayette spite their bravest attempts to escape sored teen committee provides and Moraga councils in the hope Cupid’s arrows. Campo’s modern input to the city council about of presenting a “Battle of the adaptation sets the play in LEO’S, a teens and focuses on the involve- Bands” with profits targeted at chic 1960’s-style club. ment of teens in the community supporting local high school The Acalanes Drama Dons’ per- through community service, pro- sports teams. formance of Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice grams, and fundraising.” Volunteering at OTAC has was held November 2nd to 5th. The OTAC wants more input influenced members’ possible C.Dausman Rehearsal at Campolindo High School Photo Cathy Dausman from junior high students and is career choices. Cassriel says she involving Orinda Intermediate is interested in public health ad- Successful Debate for JM Students School. Members of the council ministration because of OTAC. have already visited OIS to make Glaser is also considering a Submitted by Don Read a leadership presentation. The major in which she can use the Principal of OIS, Michael Ran- skills she learned working with dall, advertises the importance of the council. the council on his weekly pod- Orinda Teen Advisory Coun- cast. cil invites students from junior “The OIS students are the fu- high and high school to join ture of OTAC,” says Haley Cass- them. Monthly meetings take riel, a senior at Miramonte and place on the first Monday of each co-chair of OTAC. Council month at 4:00 p.m. at the Orinda member and Treasurer, Devin Community Center. Participation Stein, was drawn to help on the also fulfills community service council while he was in middle requirements. For more informa- school. “I was at OIS in 8th tion, go to grade when I attended a council http://www.ci.orinda.ca.us. Join meeting with a friend,” says the fun and help plan the future Devin, now a high school junior. events of Orinda youth. The opinions expressed in Teen Scene are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lamorinda Weekly.

Students Get an Earful The JMIS Debate Team Photo Fei Lin he Joaquin Moraga Interme- The debate season began in ments, and a national championship Tdiate School (JM) Debate September with a Kick-Off Jam- held at Claremont-McKenna Col- From Celebrated Musician team recently competed in the JM boree. There are five league tourna- lege in April. By Cathy Tyson Fall Invitational Debate Tourna- ment. JM hosted eight teams com- prising more than 150 debaters. Participants included Orinda Inter- NUTCRACKER CARES! mediate, North Creek Academy and Dorris-Eaton from Walnut Creek, CAPA is donating proceeds from 2011 and Piedmont Middle; one school weekday student performances to fight came all the way from Eugene, Ore- child hunger in Contra Costa. Additional gon to compete in the event. donations gratefully accepted: The JM debaters, who spent contact [email protected] about five weeks preparing for the (Please bring a jar of peanut butter to any show. Donation barrels & envelopes available at all shows) tournament, did extremely well. The mostly rookie team took 2nd place in total wins and 3rd place in win Fri Dec 9th 7pm w/Concerto percentage. Earning individual tro- Sat Dec 10th 2 pm phies were Ming E. in 5th place, Sat Dec 10th 7pm w/ Concerto Ivan G.-S. in 7th place, and Patrick H. in 8th place. Sun Dec 11 2pm Photo Cathy Tyson The team has recently tackled Tickets available online at s part of San Francisco Per- provising, “look for what’s close at topics such as school uniforms, a www.ShowTix4u.com Aformances’ outreach program, hand and put it to use.” new national anthem, food trucks, Dr. Vijay Iyer, renowned musician, Although clearly academically and drilling in the Arctic. Campolindo Performing Arts Center (click on California then CAPA Nutcracker) dropped in on two Stanley Band gifted, and one of the top jazz pi- classes last week. The students were anists of a generation, mastering on their best behavior to meet Dr. electronic music and acoustic jazz, Iyer— he’s a famous Jazz Pianist Iyer was very plainspoken with the with undergraduate degrees in Math students, suggesting that improvisa- and Physics from Yale, a Master of tion is all about, “Putting it together Science degree in Physics from UC in small chunks that sound good.” Berkeley and a Doctorate in Tech- He’s released fifteen albums; the nology and the Arts, also from UC latest, in 2011 is “Tirtha,” the debut Berkeley. He started playing the vi- of a trio with guitarist –composer olin at age three. who goes by a single name, All grown up now, he’s currently Prasanna and tabla player Nitin a New York based jazz pianist, com- Mitta. A tabla is an Indian percus- poser and producer and is also a fac- sion instrument used in Hindustani ulty member at the Manhattan classical music. School of Music, New York Univer- The visit was sponsored by San sity and The New School. Francisco Performances Arts Educa- The Stanley students were just tion Program that is supported by Fall 2012: offering new 6th grade class and happy he was in their classroom. Dr. foundations, corporations and indi- Iyer’s advice: “Play rhythmically, vidual donors. They work with reinvigorated middle school program don’t worry about the notes, they’ll artists and schools to bring interna- come.” When asked by teacher Bob tionally acclaimed artists to audi- Athayde about his unique combina- ences of all ages throughout the Bay tion of a background in math and sci- Area. While the kids were packing OPEN HOUSE ence and the messiness of jazz, Iyer up as class ended, they were giddy, FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS & STUDENTS DECEMBER 4 FROM 1 TO 4PM replied, “There’s uncertainty in sci- exclaiming it was “so fun,” “a ‘ten’” ence – there’s always a degree of and “awesome.” It’s fair to say the 19 Altarinda Rd., Orinda • 925.254.7553 • www.OrindaAcademy.org flexibility and noise – so I embrace program’s goal of opening student’s that as part of the musical process.” minds to the beauty and power of Students also got the scoop on im- music was exceeded. College Prep for Gr. 6-12 Page: B10 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Campo ’76 Mini-Reunion Submitted by Kim Fielding

CARPET CLEANING LAMORINDA'S FAVORITE FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS FOR OVER 36 YEARS

(925) 283-8744 FALL SPECIAL Campolindo High School's Class of 1976 held a mini-reunion on October 1st at Kim Hall Fielding's www.siggyscarpetcleaning.com % I5 OFF home. The evening included a Tuscan feast, music from the ‘70s, and lots of laughter. The event was 3408 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette so successful that a follow-up evening will be forthcoming. If you are a member of the Class of ’76 and wish to make sure you are receiving class information via the distribution list, contact Kim at (650) 948-6601. Photo provided Lamorinda’s Value of Diagnostic Tests Religious Services Mona Miller, DVM requently I am asked what pur- dicate. This often correlates with a fi- Sometimes clients wonder “why Fpose is served by performing di- nancial step-wise approach, starting were all those tests run when they did- agnostic tests on a patient with with relatively less expensive blood, n’t show anything?” As I tell my symptoms of illness. It surprises me urine, fecal tests and radiographs. It clients, if I had the crystal ball and because it seems so clear to me that, also pairs with a less invasive physio- knew what their pet’s disease was, I’d like human diseases, some veterinary logical approach to the pet. The ma- know what test to run to diagnose it! diseases can be easy to diagnose and jority of pets can have blood, urine and It is important to go through the some can be difficult. It also surprises radiographs taken without sedation or process of screening for the more me when the comment comes up anesthesia. More specific tests can common, more easily diagnosed dis- “But my dog/cat has never been sick often also be performed while the pet eases so that nothing is missed, before a day in his life” as if that is insurance is awake, such as culture of an abscess jumping into too narrow of a test. Ad- Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 Moraga Way, Orinda that he never will be sick. Similarly, or ultrasound; although occasionally ditionally, information gathered re- Regular Worship Schedule comments about how old a pet is and sedation is recommended for these. garding normal organ function in that 8:15 a.m. Traditions Worship why bother running “all these expen- Tests that require sedation or anesthe- patient will affect an overall treatment 9:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 9:40 a.m. Education for all Ages sive tests since he’ll only live a couple sia are often put higher on the diagnos- plan and prognosis. 10:45 a.m. Celebrations Worship more years” catch me off-guard. tic ladder, such as biopsy procedures, 925-254-3422 Childcare available for ages 5 and younger I encourage my clients to not advanced imaging such as CT or MRI make assumptions, especially when it scans, or exploratory surgery. Our Savior’s Lutheran (ELCA) comes to matters of diagnostic possi- The broad overview approach al- 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette Internat’l bilities, treatment plans and cost, just lows for the veterinarian to uncover 283-3722 www.oslc.net Bazaar as I should not make assumptions abnormalities that might provide a SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Great gifts! about my clients. There is huge vari- quick diagnosis. Just as importantly, 8:30 a.m. Classic Service Sunday am ation among people as to what is af- this allows for normal findings to be 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Service Nov 13 fordable and reasonable. It is the vet’s uncovered. For example, for a cat Come find COMMUNITY here. job to provide information, options who is drinking and urinating in larger and guidance to their clients. It is the volumes, a simple and fairly compre- The Orinda client’s responsibility to inform their hensive blood and urine test can reveal Community Church vet of their limitations. Thus, from whether diabetes mellitus is present the partnership of vet-client, good while eliminating thyroid, liver and 10 Irwin Way, Orinda | 925.254.4906 | www.orindachurch.org health decisions can be made for pets. kidney disease all in one step. “No matter who you are, wherever you are on life’s Dr. Mona Miller lives in Lafayette journey, you are welcome here!” These decisions should fit within a On occasion, just as in human with her young son, two cats and Join us Sundays at 10:00 a.m. framework of the client’s lifestyle, medicine, broad-based diagnostics do Luka a new puppy. She has worked philosophical ideals and morals, and not provide the diagnosis, and the test at Four Seasons Animal Hospital in budget. field narrows. More specific tests Lafayette since moving here in Generally, veterinarians take a might be indicated – for example, 2001. She attended Cal as an under- grad, and received her DVM from fàA Z|Äxá XÑ|ávÉÑtÄ V{âÜv{ step-wise approach to diagnostics, checking for tick-borne disease, or A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHURCH! U.C. Davis. She can be reached at starting with a wide view to gain as bacterial presence with a culture/sen- Four Seasons, 938-7700, or by email Meeting Sundays at 9am much broad information as possible sitivity, or looking into the interior to [email protected]. St. Mary's College Chapel and narrowing the tests as results in- structure of the liver with ultrasound. 925 376-5770 • www.stgiles-moraga.org INCLUSIVE, THOUGHTFUL • TRADITIONAL SERVICE AND MUSIC YET FORWARD LOOKING & OPEN MINDED Step-Parenting Pitfalls By Margie Ryerson, MFT hese days many children have year-old, was adversely affected too Being a patient and non-reactive Ta step-parent, and there are im- since everyone around him at home step-parent can be hard to put into prac- portant considerations in making the was unhappy and frustrated. tice. Sometimes the biological parent 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda new family unit work well. Some par- Our work together included cou- will lean on the step-parent for disci- 254-3770. www.ststephensorinda.org ents expect their children to make an ples and family sessions. May needed pline back-up, thereby placing him in Sunday 8am & 10am. easy adjustment to a new person in to be the one to discipline Dorian. She a precarious position. Or the step-par- Music at both services. Choir at 10am. their household and do not provide could accept and request input from ent will find it impossible to practice re- Sunday School & childcare at 10am. much help for them. Their thinking Howard behind the scenes, very dis- straint in the face of blatant disregard St. Stephen’s Preschool may go somewhat like this: “I’m hap- creetly, and never in front of the chil- or defiance from the children. It is nat- pier in my life now so my children dren. Obviously this couple needed to ural to feel hurt and resentful if your ef- 254-3770 x19 will naturally benefit from my new work together. Dorian naturally was forts and good intentions are being contentment.” Or, “My children are not going to respond to Howard’s at- scorned. But it helps to put your own St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church lucky to have such a wonderful new tempts to discipline her when they feelings aside and to have a specific A Loving Community (step-mom or step-dad). Or, perhaps, hadn’t even established a bond or plan in mind for developing a solid re- “Thank goodness, now I’ll have some much of a relationship. It helps to put lationship with your step-children. You Sunday Services: 8 and 10 AM help getting Ryan to behave better yourself in your child’s shoes and re- may not feel that you have enough con- Active Youth Program, Sunday School, Nursery Childcare, 10 AM and do well in school.” alize that you, too, would resent inter- trol at first, but ultimately you have the 682 Michael Lane, Lafayette, 284-7420, www.stanselms.ws One family I worked with had an ference in your life from someone ability to be a very significant person in exceptionally difficult time managing whom you consider to be an outsider. their lives. the introduction of a stepfather. Howard’s job was to build a good Get connected. Howard married May when her son relationship with both children how- was ten and daughter was fourteen. ever he could, and to realize that this Grow in your faith. The children’s father lived in a differ- would take time. He needed to stifle Serve others. ent state and had only occasional con- his negative reactions as much as pos- Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church tact with them. May had trouble sible and provide only positive, reas- Sunday Worship 9 & 11:00 a.m. controlling her headstrong daughter, suring messages to the children. In Dorian, even before she married other words, he could ignore their Programs for children & youth Howard. Dorian cut class, didn’t misbehavior, let May deal with it, and study, and experimented with drugs. instead catch them in the act of doing 49 Knox Drive l Lafayette l www.LOPC.org l 925-283-8722 When Howard came along, he de- anything positive. He needed to spend cided the problem was that May was time with each child, having fun and too lenient, so he compensated by sharing experiences, before he could Margie Ryerson, MFT, ORINDA CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CENTER being extremely firm. In response, be accepted by them as a full-fledged is a marriage and family therapist in Orinda and Walnut Creek. 24 Orinda Way (next to the Library) - 254-4212 Dorian acted out even more; she was parent. Basically, Howard had to first caught shoplifting twice and began become an adult friend to them. I Contact her at 925-376-9323 or Sunday Service and Sunday School 10 - 11 am sneaking out of the house. Howard have had many people tell me that it [email protected]. Her new Informal Wednesday Meeting 7:30 - 8:30 pm book, Treat Your Partner Like a was constantly angry at Dorian. May took until they were grown, with fam- Reading Room/Bookstore M - F 11 - 4; Sat 10 - 1 Dog: How to Breed a Better resented Howard’s interference, while ilies of their own, to really appreciate Relationship is available on www.christianscienceorinda.org Howard resented not being appreci- their step-parent (and sometimes this www.amazon.com and at Orinda ated and respected. And John, the ten is true for natural parents too!) Books. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: B11 Savory Caramelized Pear Tartlets Perfect Pears with Chèvre By Susie Iventosch Elaine Cable First Place, 2011 Moraga Pear and Wine Festival so upbeat and happy.” Because Elaine loves food, and has been cooking ever since she was a wee child, she really enjoys the bounty the local market affords. Her grandmother, who came from Poland, did a lot of canning, and her own mom taught her how to “punt” in the kitchen. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in the kitchen with my mom,” she said. “Now that I’m out here and she is in Charleston, I really miss cooking with her. My younger brother, Zach, is a phenomenal cook, and come holiday time, we are all in the kitchen together.” Elaine has enjoyed the taste of Elaine Cable cooks with her boys, Will (7) and Alex (3) Photo provided success, and, in fact, she says she al- laine Cable of Moraga won first and her husband relocated to Moraga ready has an idea for her contest Eplace in the recipe contest at the from Virginia in April. She thought recipe for next year’s Pear and Wine 13th annual Moraga Pear and Wine that participating in the recipe contest Festival! Festival in September, and … was she would be a great way to immerse her- ever surprised! self in her new community. As an oc- “I’m not really a cooking contest cupational therapist on leave to raise 2011 Moraga Pear and type,” she said. “But, the contest her two boys, Will, 7, and Alex, 3, Wine Festival Pear piqued my interest and when I saw who also love to cook with her, she Recipe Contest Winners’ that we had two pears left on our welcomed the opportunity to venture Pear caramelized onion tartlet Photo Susie Iventosch Recipes backyard pear tree, I said, why not? out of the family kitchen to participate Other Pear and Wine Festival INGREDIENTS There are only a few things I can do in the contest. recipe contest winners are 1 tablespoon olive oil well, and one of them is cooking!” “Coming from Virginia most re- listed below, and their recipes 1 tablespoon butter Elaine remembered tasting a cently, I am amazed by the amount of can be found on our website. wonderful savory apple tartlet at a fresh ‘anything’ you can get in Mor- 4 Bartlett pears, cored and sliced Sharon Metcalf, 2nd Place, for wedding over the summer, and aga at the local stores, the farmers’ ½ medium sweet onion, thinly sliced her Fresh Pear Upside-down Cake thought that whatever could be done markets, and even our own back Kosher salt and pepper, to taste Robin Valentine, 3rd Place for with an apple, could surely be done yard,” Elaine said. “You can get what- Your favorite pie crust recipe (can use frozen, thawed pie dough also) her Pear Red-White Sorbet with a pear. ever you want! So much of this great 4 ounces chèvre (cheese) … Elaine uses Trader Joe’s goat cheese (using both wine and pears!) with honey, but says you could probably use Brie** And, I discovered that Elaine’s produce would be ‘special-order Brian Pergamit, 4th Place for 1 teaspoon cider vinegar award-winning recipe for Savory only’ where we come from. We lived his Cinnamon Pear Pockets 1 teaspoon minced rosemary (or other herb from your garden, Caramelized Pear Tartlets with in a very transitory area in Virginia Kim Burrows, 5th Place for her i.e. thyme, sage, etc.) Chèvre is delicious! due to all of the government jobs, and Fresh Pear Pie with Dried Cher- Though Elaine is a Bay Area na- there was just not this kind of awe- ries and Brown Sugar Streusel DIRECTIONS tive hailing from the Peninsula, she some environment, where everyone is Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter and olive oil together in sauté pan, over medium heat (careful not to let burn). Add sliced onion and gently “sweat” them out until translucent, about 7 minutes. Then add pear slices. Let the pear/onion mixture become soft, again, the pears will also begin to become translucent. Add salt and pepper to taste. *Meanwhile, roll out pie dough and use round cookie cutter to cut 12 circles for the crust. Then place each one into each of the 12 muffin cups. Crumble the chèvre cheese and put aside. Turn up heat to medium high/high (depending on your stove) and begin to caramelize the mixture, stirring occasionally to prevent Susie Iventosch is the author burning. After approximately 7-10 minutes, may add cider vine- of Tax Bites and Tasty gar, then after the mixture thickens again, add rosemary. Place an Morsels, which can be found even amount of pear mixture (1-2 tablespoon) into each pie at Across the Way in Moraga, www.amazon.com, and dough cup in the muffin tin. Place small amount of crumbled www.taxbites.net. Susie can cheese on each tartlet. Bake in preheated 375 °oven for 12-14 be reached at minutes or until crusts are browned and cheese is softened. Serve [email protected]. warm or room temp. These recipe is available on * Use a muffin tin or round cookie cutter, approximately 4 inches our web site in diameter, to cut the pastry. Elaine uses a wine glass. I used www.lamorindaweekly.com small, fluted tart tins, so I used a smaller diameter biscuit cutter, If you would like to share your which made at least 24 tartlets. favorite recipe with Susie please contact her by email or ** I used a bit of blue cheese on top, too which worked well! call our office at 925-377-0977.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I wanted to share this un- usual and delicious recipe for cranberry sauce that my good friend gave to me. She and her family love spicy food and this sauce is no exception. I've used just a small amount of jalapeno in the recipe, but you can add as much as your taste buds (and dinner guests) will allow. Just be sure to seed the jalapeno before adding to the sauce.

Jalapeno-Lime Cranberry Sauce

Why is Home Care Assistance the leading choice of older adults in the Tri Valley/Lamorinda community? )#76B286#)#!77&#!5#%'9#52$B285!&2'!#$520285#A7#16'9#5267#5 Jalapeno-lime cranberry sauce Photo Susie Iventosch '67&#)#"#5'1&285"B"B@##()'9#'1!5# 3529'"#6&'%&48)'7B 21"#"1"'1685#"!5#%'9#56@&25# INGREDIENTS #A3#5'#1!#"'1!5#$252)"#5"8)76 1 bag or 7-8 cups fresh (or frozen) cranberries &#)36@'7&0#)63#5621)!5#751632577'211"025# 1 cup dried cranberries 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh, seeded jalapeno pepper &6 ##17&#23&2'!#'17&#B$5#$25&20#!5#6'1!#%% 1 cup light brown sugar @527#7&# 22(6      1"   1 cup orange juice (or water) 9') )#21$0C21!20&#B5#5#6285!#$257&#'1"8675B6@#))6$0')'#6 Juice of two limes ##7#66#'67&#!)'#17!5#01%#5$2528519'))#* DIRECTIONS )1875##(2$$'!##&6 ##1@25('1%212)"#5"8)76'668#6$25025# Place all ingredients, except dried cranberries, in a medium-sized 7&17#1B#561"63#!')'C#6'1&20#!5#)#6#!))#66#7216@#5 pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and continue to cook 1B48#67'216B280B&9# 287&20#!5# until sauce begins to thicken, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occa- sionally. Remove from heat. Stir in dried cranberries and cool completely. Store in airtight container until ready to use for Thanksgiving! Page: B12 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 20% OFF LASER TREATMENT verynicepools.com expires 11-30-11 very 925-283-5180 nice Are Your Toe Nails Thickened, Yellow, pools Painful Or Ugly? TIME TO GET LASER TREATMENT!! Have Better Looking Nails by Spring! • Pain Free! No Medication Risks! • FDA approved for treatment of fungal nails. All treatments done personally by DR. BEATRICE SCHMUGLER, DPM Board Certified Podiatrist. New office location We do the work. You get to play. 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CALL TODAY (925) 954-8270 When Buying Your Office Space Makes Sense By Sophie Braccini fice. “I was raised in Moraga and am age the building’s business owner as- now living with my family in sociation. “This is my first commer- Orinda,” says McCormick, “coming cial client,” says McCormick, “we back here was easy for me, and it is will apply the same strategic plan- a lovely building.” ning rules we do with our other She admits that it took some con- clients.” According to McCormick, vincing for some of her employees every homeowner association has who live in the East Bay. “But after different sets of rules that are the a while, they realized that driving up constitution of the organization, but the hill to Moraga was not worse all have to budget and create a long than driving along Mount Diablo term financial plan to sustain the Boulevard,” she said, “as long as property. “Our clients vary greatly they avoid the high school commute in size, but they all have to abide by hours.” the same laws.” When she looked for a larger of- McCormick’s only real worry at fice space, she hoped to purchase the moment is that if her company rather than rent. “I was tired of wast- continues to grow and she has to ing the rent money every month,” make room for new employees, she she said. But business condos are will have to set her own office out on not easy to come by, especially new, the terrace. “As long as it does not custom condos. “I had to put down rain, it will be perfect,” says an opti- 10% of the total amount and got an mistic McCormick, “but I have an- From left, standing: Caroline McCormick, Harvey Tilkin, Maria Aguayo, Licia Hofmann, Kerri Sayles, Stacey Salsedo SBA loan with a 20-year term,” says other strategy: the office next to ours Robyn Hetland; kneeling: Stefanie Nightingale, Besy Bohulano Photo Sophie Braccini McCormick, “if the price of real es- is leased, so I have the option to buy hen Caroline McCormick be there to stay. number of homeowner associations tate had not come down I probably it when it becomes vacant; like that, Wstands on the 600-square- McCormick purchased the 1700- is growing,” says McCormick, “they would not have been able to do it.” ACI can continue to grow.” foot terrace of her new office, she en- square-foot (plus terrace) suite 200 at are a good deal for cities that don’t The deal included the complete The property located at 533 Mor- joys unobstructed views of the hills 533 Moraga Rd. “Every morning, want to have to maintain more roads. customization of the interior space. aga Road was developed by Dan of Moraga and large expanses of sky. it’s like going from home, to my sec- Homeowner associations maintain “Allen Sayles (architect and co-de- Minkoff and Architect J. Allen She has plans to embellish it with ond home,” says a very satisfied Mc- their own infrastructure and cities veloper of the building) designed our Sayles as a business condominium plants, create a vegetable garden for Cormick, “and with the price of real look favorably on developments that layout,” said McCormick, “everyone with eight suites – three suites are her staff to share fresh food at estate going down, it does not cost include this type of organization.” has their own office, almost every still available. lunchtime, and add a compost pile. more to buy a brand new custom McCormick boasts doubling the size one of them with natural light, and Lamorinda Weekly business articles are intended What is nice about this vision is that space than it was to rent.” of her company twice in the last six we have lunch together on the terrace to inform the community about local business she has all the time she wants to Her company, ACI, manages years. This growth explains why she every day.” activities, not to endorse a particular company, product or service. make it happen and she knows it will homeowner associations. “The had to move from her Lafayette of- ACI also got the contract to man-

business briefs

Mathnesium a brand new look. Chef Chao and his son, Henry Chao, con- Innovative Real Estate Agent Posts Videos To ‘Sell’ 3435 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, 283-4200, tinue to prepare and serve the food that has made this restau- Lafayette http://www.mathnasium.com/lafayetteca rant a Moraga staple. Lafayette real estate agent Dana Green conceived of, and had The Mathnesium method is true to the life research of math professionally videotaped, a series of five videos focusing on teacher and writer Larry Martinek who developed, over 20 Smart Cookie Learning why people love to live in Lafayette and presenting different years, a method of teaching math that combines oral, visual, 3182 Old Tunnel Road Lafayette, Phone: 297-5304 neighborhoods. “Each of Lafayette’s many neighborhoods mental and written modalities to help children develop Num- Smart Cookie Learning is a new academic tutoring center in has its own personality,” says Green, “The best way to begin ber Sense, a grasp of mathematical fundamentals. More than Lafayette that offers, according to its owners, a “non cookie to learn Lafayette is to start by dividing the community into 200 Mathnesium centers have flourished in the United States cutter” approach to academics. The center offers one-on-one four quadrants that can be easily identified by our four and Ara Chakrabarti recently opened a center in Lafayette. or semi-private tutoring for subject mastery, or small, inter- Lafayette elementary schools.” The short movies (about 2 Mathnesium claims to teach kids math the way that makes active and collaborative classes. Smart Cookie Learning offers minutes) are very well done, concisely edited and featuring sense to them. In Lafayette, Mathnesium's Power Math personalized programs in Math, Writing, Study Skills, and lively narration by Green. The films are posted on Youtube Workout program is for students in grades 1-12 and is avail- SAT/ACT Test Prep. The team is formed of Maggie Jacob- and can be accessed on Green’s new web site: http://dana- able year round. Students’ time is spent working on founda- berger, Alycia McAlister, and Donovan Messier. Jacobberger greenteam.com/neighborhoods. tional skills as well as one on one tutoring with their school was born and raised in Lafayette. She graduated from Harvard math work. The program is drop in, no appointment required. College after receiving a public school education in Lafayette. News from the Chambers of Commerce Chakrabarti is an Engineering Graduate from the University She has been tutoring and mentoring students in Lamorinda Lafayette of Michigan. His professional career encompasses developing for over 16 years. McAlister holds degrees in Teaching, Psy- Tonight! Monthly Mixer at Mosaic Financial Partners, mathematical and geometric modeling software to managing chology, and Child Development and has taught students and Wednesday, November 9, Mosaic Financial Partners at 3620 Information Technology organization for large global corpo- teachers at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette and Monterra Happy Valley Rd., Suite 100, 5:30pm. rations. Middle School in Oakland. After leaving the classroom proper, she was both a Director of Education and a Center Di- Local Business Marketing & Low Cost Video in a Youtube A Makeover for Chef Chao rector for Sylvan Learning Center in San Ramon and Walnut World Workshop - Wednesday, November 16, 8:00am at the 343 Rheem Boulevard, Moraga, 376-1740 Creek. Donovan Messier began tutoring students as a fresh- Lafayette Library & Learning Center. Free for Lafayette man at Saint Mary’s College and has been teaching math to Chamber members, $15 for non-Lafayette Chamber mem- students for over 12 years. bers. Limited seating, RSVP at workshops@lafayettecham- ber.org. Memory Screening Senior Helpers of Moraga is sponsoring the Alzheimer’s Orinda Foundation of America’s 9th Annual National Memory Chamber ribbon-cutting event at the Christian Science Read- Screening Day on November 15 at Aegis. “We are sponsoring ing Room & Bookstore on Wednesday November 16th, this free, confidential memory screening that afternoon as a 3:00pm at 24 Orinda Way (next to the library). The Christian community service,” says Senior Helpers’ Director Kevin Re- Science Reading Room & Bookstore, recently relocated from neau. The screening will take place at Aegis in Moraga, 950 next to Morrison Jewelers to the Christian Science Church Country Club Drive, on Tuesday November 15, 1:30-4:00 just down from Orinda City Hall offices. p.m. The five to ten minute test will provide seniors or their families some indication of one’s memory and whether one If you have a business brief to share, please contact Chef Chao, the Chinese restaurant next to 24-HourFitness in should have a follow-up evaluation by a family doctor or neu- Sophie Braccini at [email protected] Moraga, celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and just got rologist. Call 376-8000 for more information.

CASH & INCENTIVES UP TO WHEN YOU UPGRADE TO AC OR FURNA CE $2,425 MAINTENANCE *After $50 rebate A NEW HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM BY NOV 15TH, 2011. Call for Details Exp 12/2/11. It’s While enjoying perfect weather and the game, keep in mind, rebates are at their highest. GOOD! ACS Air Conditioning Systems Since 1969 5151-C Port Chicago Hwy., Concord, CA 94520 License# 632329 (925) 676-2103 • www.ACSystemsInc.com Remember…. You’re not winning if your heating and cooling system fails when you need it!! Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: C1 U.S. Baseball AcadAcademyemy TThehe nanatitionn’’s larrggest training progrrogram is makinmaking 150 stops natinationwide,nwide, including one in your area. SeSessions start soon. SSixix weekweeks of hitting, pitching, caattcher, and fielding//baserunning lessons for as little as $99. EarlyEa l RegistrationR iitt tit Discounts Di t Lamorinda Prep Basketball Don’t falll behind the competition! Sessions for Grades 1-12 SpaceSpace is limited.limited. PPhone (866) 622-4487622-4487 or visit Will Fight for DFAL Title www.USBaseballAcademy.comwwwwwwww USU USBasSBaBaassesebbalallAAcAcaadd ememy cocomm By Conrad Bassett

Want to play baseball this Spring? Sign up for Moraga Baseball Association Baseball! • Register on-line from November 1 through November 30, 2011. Please click on the Registration link on our website at http://www.moragabaseball.org. Late fees apply to those who do not register by November 30, 2011. • Join us for an informational meeting at the JM Library on November 14, 2011, at 7:30 PM. New and returning families are encouraged to attend. Board members will be there to answer your questions. • Please see our flyer on the Moraga School District website at http://www.moraga.k12.ca.us. Click on the Community tab and then the Local Student Activities tab. • Questions? Please contact Pam Bishop at (925) 377-5311. MBA Baseball…Serious Baseball, Serious Fun! Are You Cold

Griffin Piatt (3) will return for the Cougars. Photo Doug Kohen Miramonte’s Joey Goodreault (24) dribbles up-court against Jack Evans (21) of Campolindo. Photo Jordan Fong and Calculating? igh school basketball season kicked off on Mon- Hday, November 7 with the first day of practice. For the first time in several years, the defending league champion is not Acalanes, Campolindo or Miramonte. Las Lomas won the Diablo Foothill Athletic League title last season with a 27-6 record and the Lamorinda programs look to take it back this year. Campolindo’s head coach Matt Watson expects the DFAL to be just as competitive as last year. “Dublin is loaded just like Las Lomas and Dougherty Valley. Acalanes and Miramonte are also going to compete for the league title. The DFAL will be an extremely difficult league this year and unfortu- nately we are one of the smaller teams in the league,” George C Tuck, founder of Atlas Heating Co. in 1908. he said. Last year’s DFAL runner-up, Campolindo lost some key players but also will return several players Get warm and add up your savings from a team that went 19-9 overall and 8-4 in DFAL play. on a new furnace before November 15th* This year’s team will lack the height of recent Call us now for a free estimate, days, Cougar teams. Garrett Franklin, 6’8”, and point guard Carl King, another leader, graduated. evenings or weekends. However, Campo does have some strong returners It’s time to get comfortable.TM including Jordan Krumrei, Rob Wirth and Griffin Piatt, who was second team All-DFAL last season. With an undefeated football team, Watson will likely have to go without several players while they fin- Stephen Collins (21) drives to the basket in heavy ish up their playoff run. Piatt and Jack Davis play for
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ʈV°Ê›{n™xä£ 1908 • CA Lic #489501 “There are several football players that play basket- only notching 13 wins overall. ball, most schools must deal with missing football guys He loses starters Brett Renner, Stephen Collins, and x£ä‡n™Î‡£Î{ÎÊ for a month so we just deal with it,” said Watson. Michael Jackson, Jr. but returns several veterans. Sen- *Rebates expire ÜÜÜ°>̏>à i>̈˜}°Vœ“ The Cougars will have a tough preseason schedule ior forwards James Griffin, second team all DFAL, including Castlemont (Oakland), St. Mary’s (Stockton) Trevor Masland, and Jon Coleman are back along with and Christian Brothers (Sacramento). They will also senior guard Kevin Huber and sophomore Noah Orlik. travel to Santa Rosa for a tournament and will be leav- Newcomers include juniors Craig Anderson and Wes- ing the state to play in Las Vegas over the holidays. ley Greason. Kyle Davis Over in Orinda, the Miramonte Matadors will be Hirashima noted that there is a transition time when Mortgage Consultant/Owner/Partner looking to improve on last year’s 12-14 overall record bringing in football players. “Coming into practice a Lamorinda Resident Since 1995 and 5-7 DFAL record. couple of weeks late, the football players also need DRE License #01111347/NMLS #274107 Coach Dave Brown returns for another year at the some time to recover from the battering they take on Direct: 925-314-5299 helm of the Mats and is excited about the upcoming the field, get into basketball shape, learn the system, [email protected] season. Like Campolindo, the Matadors will do with- and dust off their fundamentals.” 319 Diablo Rd., Ste 103 • Danville • CA DRE Lic. # 01327738, NMLS#280803 out some football players during the NCS playoffs. The Dons open their season hosting Berean Chris- Seniors Ross Anderson, second team all-DFAL, and tian on November 22 and will be tested early when they RATES HAVE NEVER BEEN LOWER! Jack Pietrykowski both play football. visit perennial powers El Cerrito and St. Mary’s (Berke- “We have pushed our early season games back as ley) in early December. 30 YEAR FIXED RATE TO far as possible. We only have three games before winter The DFAL season starts right after the first of the break but two four-game tourneys during the vacation. year. All of the coaches agreed that the league should $2,000,000! This is something we've never done before and three be very competitive. Las Lomas has graduated its two 4.375% /4.500% APR non-league games after January 1 while we usually leading scorers and league co-MVPs, Treaven Duffy have two,” said Brown. and Kevin Stafford, but will still remain strong and GREAT CONFORMING RATES! There is a positive to having to go without key play- Dougherty Valley, Dublin, and Alhambra should all be ers for so long, Brown said. It allows younger players improved. Fixed Rates to $417,000 Fixed Rates to $625,500 to get experience early in the season. “Dublin has had their key guys in prominent roles RATE APR RATE APR While Miramonte lost Anthony Piganelli to gradu- for multiple seasons. I would look for them to be play- 30 Year Fixed 3.875% 3.875% 3.875% 3.925% ation, they return juniors Kiran Shastri, Derek Lin, Matt ing with a renewed confidence this year. Las Lomas 15 Year Fixed 3.250% 3.250% 3.375 % 3.375% Lim and sophomore Joey Goodreault. Five-of-the-six has a good talent base despite losing the co-mvp's to returners started at least five games last year. graduation. Dougherty Valley has been steadily im- “PROVIDING PREMIER LOAN PRODUCTS AND SERVICE FROM Miramonte will play a strong pre-DFAL schedule. proving since entering the league and will have very THE MOST EXPERIENCED AND SOLUTION-ORIENTED They open with a Foundation game hosting Alameda solid guard play,” said Hirashima, Jr. PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.” on November 22 before traveling to Hercules on De- Call 925-314-5299 for Today’s Quote! cember 2. The Mats will participate in two tourna- First Home Games of the Season: ments—traveling to San Luis Obispo for the Mission Acalanes versus Berean Christian on Prep Christmas and to Marin County for the Bambauer Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. (foundation game) Dexter Honens II Classic right before New Year’s. Miramonte versus Alameda on REAL ESTATE BROKER Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. (foundation game) In Lafayette, Coach Darrell Hirashima, Jr. is pre- Office: (925) 253-2148 Campolindo versus Hercules (Oakley) on sented with similar challenges. Acalanes finished Cell: (510) 918-8911 Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. (foundation game) ASSOCIATES fourth out of the seven teams in the DFAL last year, Email: [email protected] REAL ESTATE Serving clients, friends and family in your neighborhood since 1989. This is not a loan commitment, nor is it a guarantee of any kind. This comparison is based solely on estimated figures Submit stories to [email protected] and information available at the time of production. Interest rate is subject to borrower and property qualifying. Stonecastle Land and Home Financial, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Page: C2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 SPORTS LAMORINDA’S LOCAL SPORTS Dons Freshman Take First Orinda Aquatics Swimmers Excel Submitted by Lucy Amaral in the Classroom and in the Pool Submitted by Wendy Jacobs

Back row, from left: Coach Bryan Mall, Ying Stroebe, Taylor Odom, Janine Jaber, Holly Fleischmann, Lily Bauer, Alta Paladino, Sarah Moore, Katie McCarty, Dory Grobeck, and assistant coach Jen Lincoln; front row: Holly Gillar, Claire Amaral, Jillian Wickline, and Dana Piercy. Photo provided he Acalanes freshman girls’ volleyball to the All-Tournament team and libero Ying From left: Jenna Haufler, Megan Howard, Megan Liang, Emily Giambastini, and Megan Freeman. Not pictured: Jonathan Ratchford, Chris Leon, Courtney Whyte, and Allison Light Photo provided Tteam took first place at the St. Patrick-St. Stroebe was named the Most Valuable Player Vincent High School volleyball tournament. of the tournament. SA Swimming announced the 2010-11 for a second year. First year members for Dons opposite hitter Taylor Odom was named UScholastic All-American Team and nine Orinda Aquatics include Acalanes High School members of Orinda Aquatics are on the roster. student Emily Giambastini, Campolindo High The team is comprised of high school student School’s Jonathan Ratchford and Megan Liang, Lafayette Aces Win State Tournament athletes who have completed 10th,11th, or 12th and Miramonte High School students Megan Submitted by Mark Vicencio grade and attained a grade point average of 3.5 Freeman, Jenna Haufler, Megan Howard, and or higher and achieved the required time stan- Allison Light. dard in a single event. Orinda Aquatics is a nationally recognized Christopher Leon, a freshman swimming at year-round USA Swimming program. The UC Santa Barbara, and Courtney Whyte, a motto of the team, “Character First” applies not freshman swimming at Notre Dame, were only to swimming, but also all aspects of the members of the Scholastic All-American Team swimmers lives, including academics. Cougars Cheer Achievements Submitted by Sherry Henderson

Front row, from left: Matt Burns, Ty Whelehan, Dexter Varrelmann, John Torchio, Michael Bone, Matty Vicencio. Back row: Coach John Whelehan, Adam Low, Gavin Shipp, Ryan Regan, Ty Ewing, Kyle Mizell, Nicky Henderson, Coach Mark Vicencio. Not pictured: Robby Rowell, Seppi Ortman, Coach Buddy Rowell Photo Shannon Vicencio he Lafayette Aces 12U baseball team making just two errors total in the tournament. Twon the USSSA Fall State Champi- The Championship game against Palo Alto onships in San Jose October 8-9. The Aces was a tight one to start but the hits started falling Campo Cheerleaders, front row: Katie Chickering, Emma Helser, Mariette Ebarle, Maddie Martin, played four solid games to reach the Champi- for the Aces in the 5th inning when they notched Kendall Henderson, Arianna Gledhill.; back row: Kendall Rolfe, Meredith Stone, Cristina Del Valle, onship outscoring their opponents 37-4 in the eight runs and coasted to a 9-1 win. Dexter Var- Ali Snider, Rachel Davis, Haley Fahrner, Sabrina Sergott. Not pictured: Sam Reneau, four wins. The Aces were powered by solid relmann, Ewing and Vicencio had multi-hit Kana Sumiyoshi, Leah Kehoe, Ann Fritsky, Aja Adair Photo by the Oakland Raiders pitching from Matt Burns, Ty Ewing, Matty Vi- games in the final while Kyle Mizell, Adam he Campolindo Cheer Team has been October 2 game as part of High School Explo- cencio and Ty Whelehan over the two day tour- Low, Whelehan and Burns all added big hits. Tbusy cheering on an undefeated football sion; hosting a cheer clinic for local elementary nament combining for just two earned runs The Championship propelled the Aces to team, in addition to the following accomplish- school kids. The team is also proud of their two while allowing just 10 hits and striking out 17 #1 in the state and fifth in the nation for USSSA ments this year: winning a trophy for best home All-American cheerleaders, Madeline Martin batters. The Aces were just as good defensively 12U teams. dance routine at cheer camp this summer; danc- and Emma Helser. ing with other local cheer teams at the Raiders’ LBA Finishes First St. P’s 6th Grade Wins Submitted by Daniel Baldwin Submitted by Monica Chappell he St. Perpetua 6th Tgrade boys’ National basketball team won the Pre-Season MVP Basket- ball Tournament of Cham- pions. Teams from around Contra Costa competed in the tournament held at Tice Valley and DVC from Oc- tober 15-23.

Top row, from left: Brody Cooper, Cole Gallagher, Kevin McConnell, Christopher Schwarcz, Front row, from left: Cameron Coach Wayne Franklin, Jacob Westhphal; bottom row: Alex Baldwin, Adam Low, Sanders, Connor Ogro, Enzo Antonio Triest, Tyler Ewing, Joshua Candau Photo provided Sereno, Evan Bosshart. he Lamorinda Baseball Academy's 13U Bucks won the championship game at the Sep- Back row: Mitchell Smith, Jeff tember 15th Twin Creeks Hardball Challenge in Sunnyvale. The Bucks went 4-0 for the Dible, Coach Mike Sereno, T Michael Williams, Ryan Nall and tournament allowing only 11 runs the entire weekend. Ethan Fox. Photo provided Lamorinda Weekly www.Lamorindaweekly.com is an independent publication, produced by and for the residents of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, CA Most Frequently Viewed Stories From Our Last Issue: Contact us: Staff Writers: Letters to the editor (max 350 words): Sophie Braccini; [email protected] [email protected] Cathy Tyson; [email protected] - Butterflies are Free Sport events/stories/pictures: Laurie Snyder; [email protected] - Dark Dreams: Nightmare at Rheem Theater [email protected] Cathy Dausman, [email protected] - Lamorinda Prep Water Polo Art, theater, community events: Sports Editor: Caitlin Graveson [email protected] [email protected] - Lynns Top Five: What will YOU do if Your Business news or business press releases: Teen Coach: Cynthia Brian; Favorite Tax Benefits Disappear? 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Box 6133, Moraga, CA 94570-6133 - Oktoberfest with the Fabulous Friars Katie Malone; [email protected] Circulation: 26,200 printed copies; delivered to Phone: 925-377-0977; Fax: 1-800-690-8136; If you wish to view any of the stories above go to homes & businesses in Lamorinda. email: [email protected] www.lamorindaweekly.com and click the link below the story. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: C3 SPORTS LAMORINDA’S LOCAL SPORTS Oakland Strokes’ Women Win SMC Men’s Basketball Wants to Major East Coast Regatta “Change the Face of Men’s Health” The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball Submitted by Diane Moe team will start the season with a unique fundraising campaign. Every member of the Gaels organization from head coach Randy Bennett to players, like junior guard Matthew Dellavedova (pictured), shaved their faces clean on October 31 in prepa- ration for the mustaches they will grow in an effort to support the Movember Foundation. The Gaels will keep the mustaches for the month of November to raise aware- ness about prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. For more in- formation about the Movember campaign, visit http://mobro.co/SM- Photo Doug Kohen CGaels. C.Graveson From left: Coach Derek Byrnes, Sara Cratsenburg, Alia Shafi, Alex Ohman, Krissy Lukins, Amanda Rutherford, Corinne Bozzini, Lauren Dahlberg-Seeth, Brittany Presten, Michelle Popelka, Coach Cass Cunningham Photo provided SMC Basketball Season Starts Friday he Oakland Strokes Row- Michelle Popelka (Moreau Gaels Picked to Finish Second in WCC Ting Club women’s varsity Catholic), and coxswain Amanda By Alex Kozela eight took first place out of 75 Rutherford (Piedmont). five [before].” concerning McCoy, the team is con- boats Sunday, October 23 in the Five of the girls have commit- Sophomore guard Jorden Page tent with the players available and has youth eights women high school ted to Division I universities: Pre- and forward Beau Levesque, who begun to adjust to playing as a collec- category at the nation's largest ston (Stanford), Dahlberg-Seeth were both injured for most of last sea- tive unit. rowing race, the Head of the (Dartmouth), Bozzini (Harvard), son, are now practicing regularly. "Coming in we had a lot of guys Charles Regatta on the Charles Lukens (Princeton), Ohman (Uni- “With not having guys healthy that hadn't played last year so it was a River. versity of Michigan). last year, you can't go as hard, you bit up and down early with gelling as The Oakland team powered “We thought we were second can't put your body on the line as a team, but we've made a lot of through the three-mile course in or third,’’ Rutherford said. “We much as you can now,” said junior progress and we're starting to gain an 17 minutes, 12 seconds – nine didn’t know we had won until we forward Mitchell Young. “Now we identity," said Young. seconds ahead of its closest com- got back to our dock and the can go 100 percent with all the plays.” The Gaels are confident that they petitor, the Marin Rowing Club. coach (Derek Byrnes) said, ‘You The team, picked to finish second can win the WCC title and progress In a sport long dominated by East guys know you won, right?’ At in the WCC just after perennial fa- into the NCAA Tournament, which Coast rowing teams, the one-two first we didn’t believe him. Then vorites Gonzaga, will miss Mc- they missed out on last year. Winning finish by Oakland and Marin was we all started screaming and cry- Connell's leadership and organization, the WCC title will be just a little more a major surprise. ing. We got our medals around but can look to returnees Matthew difficult this year, however, due to the In the Strokes' boat were Sara 4:30 p.m. They’re really big and Dellavedova and Rob Jones, who re- addition of BYU, who is ranked third Cratsenburg (Miramonte High gold and round.’’ ceived All-WCC preseason honors. in the WCC preseason poll, as well as School); Alia Shafi, Lafayette The win was the first ever in “It's been a bit different the first the presence of improved Gonzaga (Acalanes); Alexandria Ohman the women’s portion of the regatta couple of weeks not having Mickey and USF teams, ranked first and (Bishop O'Dowd); Kristen Lukins for a West Coast rowing team. around,” said Dellavedova, a junior fourth, respectively. Santa Clara (Campolindo); Corinne Bozzini More recently, the women’s #3 Mitchell Young Photo Tod Fierner guard who can expect to get more rounds out the top five. Last year, (Campolindo); Lauren Dahlberg- eight team placed third at the espite losing reigning WCC playing time at the point guard this USF and Santa Clara both had win- Seeth (Miramonte); Brittany American Regatta on Saturday on DPlayer of the Year, Mickey season. He'll also see an increased ning records for the first time since Presten, Orinda (College Prep); Lake Natoma. McConnell, the Saint Mary's men's leadership role, partly due to the ex- 2004 and are expected to continue to basketball team starts the new season perience he gained playing with the improve over the course of the up- with a healthy team brimming with Australian national team over the coming season. Oakland Strokes Finish confidence. summer. “We have a great conference, one “There's a reason he's Player of “He's been around the block for of the better ones in the west, and I Strong at Lake Natoma the Year. We're going to miss him in a two years and this summer played just think that bringing in BYU just against the pros,” Bennett said of elevated it,” said Bennett. “I think we Submitted by Diane Moe lot of ways,” said Gaels' head coach Randy Bennett of McConnell. Dellavedova. “His confidence level is made a move on some other confer- he Oakland Strokes Row- Wharton (Acalanes); Alec Petty The Gaels tied for the regular sea- very high. He'll be better because the ences as far as we're up there at the Ting Club’s men’s varsity (Piedmont); Cameron Baker (Mi- son WCC title last year despite sus- ball is in his hands more, and he's re- top, along with the Pac-12 and the was fourth in the Head of the ramonte); Felix Tripier (Las taining a number of injuries and ally good in that situation.” Mountain West.” American Regatta on Saturday, Lomas); Ryan Sandy (Mira- playing with only eight healthy bodies Other changes this year for the The team begins non-conference October 29 on Lake Natoma. monte); Sam McDonald (Pied- for the better part of the season, and Gaels include new additions Kyle play Friday at home against Fresno The event, sponsored by the mont); Olven Yu (Bishop will look to use this year’s depth to Rowley, a 7'0" center transfer from Pacific and WCC play December 29 Sacramento State Aquatic Center, O'Dowd); Leslie Earl-Gould help the team build off of last season's Northwestern who sat out last season against BYU. Non-conference high- had nearly 500 entries from 61 (Oakland Tech): and coxswain first round NIT loss. due to NCAA transfer rules, and junior lights include the Las Vegas Classic clubs in five states. The course Mathison Young (Miramonte). “Practices are a lot more compet- transfer Paul McCoy, who also sat out games against Baylor, who defeated was five kilometers; just over The Strokes’ women’s novice itive now, we can go longer, we can last year but will most likely be side- the Gaels 72-49 in the Sweet 16 two three miles. boat finished fifth, and the men’s go harder,” said Bennett. “We didn't lined by a knee injury the entire year. seasons ago and Missouri State on In the men's boat were Bryan novice boat eighth. have enough players to go five-on- Despite the unfortunate news December 22 and 23, respectively.

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Lamorinda Weekly Volume 05 Issue 18 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Rainfall Update ...read on page D3 What So Proudly We Hail By Laurie Snyder "And yet, though silent, it speaks to us – speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it." - President Woodrow Wilson ust over the rise of a hill and around the bend of one of Orinda’s many winding roads, Old Glory flutters, lifting and resettling with Jeach breeze, drawing the eyes of passers by up and away from the neighborhood’s natural brown and green tones. The flag, which flew previously over the U.S. Capitol and now streams from a nautical-style pole, is part of a quiet tribute to America installed by Randy Trudeau and his family more than twenty years ago at the start of Desert Storm. An anchor that previously graced Lafayette’s former Cape Cod Restaurant completes the picture. Why does Trudeau fly the American flag daily? “It’s what I was raised with as a child – and my wife, too. It’s just what we do,” he says. Like many Lamorindans, Trudeau has family in the military. His nephew is stationed aboard a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman. Trudeau has also served the nation himself. A past commodore of his yacht club with 45 years of seamanship under his belt, he was appointed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Northern California Maritime Security Committee. In the aftermath of 9/11, he helped to draft guidelines still used today by recreational boaters as they approach sensitive targets. Trudeau first came to understand theintricacies of flag etiquette via seamanship training as a child. “Flags are big on boats,” he notes. The “boater’s bible,” Chapman’s Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling, devotes an entire chapter to how and when to fly all manner of banners, in- cluding the U.S. Ensign – the sailors’ term Trudeau uses for the flag. American Flag Flying 101 Terry Murphy, liked Trudeau, is a devoted flag flyer. As the com- mander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post for Lamorinda and Walnut Creek, Murphy hopes more area residents will hoist the Stars and Stripes high – “certainly on Flag Day, Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day.” He offers these three tips: • Never let the American flag touch the ground. The flagpole in front of Randy Trudeau’s home sports yardarms in addition to a properly-displayed American flag. Photo Doug Kohen ... continued on page D4 Page: D2 OUR HOMES Wed., November 9, 2011 FinolaTHE BEAUBELLE Fellner GROUP presents... Lamorinda Home Sales recorded City Last reported: LOWEST AMOUNT: HIGHEST AMOUNT: LAFAYETTE 3 $625,000 $2,400,000 TWO FABULOUS ORINDA HOMES!! MORAGA 9 $250,000 $1,540,000 ORINDA 5 $500,000 $1,335,000 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 2745 Oak Canyon Road, $1,625,000, 4 Bdrms, 3749 SqFt, 1990 YrBlt, 10-12-11 720 South Pond Court, $625,000, 4 Bdrms, 2483 SqFt, 1996 YrBlt, 10-12-11; Previous Sale: $1,049,000, 05-11-06 25 Springhill Manor, $2,400,000, 4 Bdrms, 3796 SqFt, 1999 YrBlt, 9-29-11; Previous Sale: $2,800,000, 11-17-05 MORAGA 1986 Ascot Drive #B, $250,000, 3 Bdrms, 1472 SqFt, 1970 YrBlt, 10-7-11; Previous Sale: $515,000, 02-02-06 63 Ashbrook Place, $885,000, 4 Bdrms, 2578 SqFt, 1968 YrBlt, 9-30-11; 4320 El Nido Ranch Road Previous Sale: $240,000, 04-18-86 Don't miss this one level 4 bd/2 ba home on 1.17 acre large lot with 24 Brandt Drive, $1,090,000, 5 Bdrms, 2843 SqFt, 1988 YrBlt, 10-5-11; easy access to town, shopping and BART. With wonderful indoor and Previous Sale: $830,000, 08-12-99 1197 Cedarwood Drive, $752,500, 3 Bdrms, 1924 SqFt, 1967 YrBlt, 9-30-11; outdoor spaces, this home is a perfect ten! Offered at $995,000 Previous Sale: $520,000, 12-17-99 136 Hodges Drive, $816,000, 4 Bdrms, 1893 SqFt, 1963 YrBlt, 9-30-11; Previous Sale: $759,000, 08-14-02 1204 Larch Avenue, $699,000, 4 Bdrms, 2102 SqFt, 1968 YrBlt, 9-30-11; Previous Sale: $1,100,000, 03-24-06 6 Southard Court, $1,540,000, 5 Bdrms, 3741 SqFt, 1998 YrBlt, 9-29-11; Previous Sale: $2,175,000, 05-11-06 3 Via Barcelona, $615,000, 3 Bdrms, 2417 SqFt, 1987 YrBlt, 10-4-11; Previous Sale: $355,000, 06-08-99 68 Warfield Drive, $868,500, 4 Bdrms, 2248 SqFt, 1965 YrBlt, 10-5-11; Previous Sale: $290,000, 09-12-86 ORINDA 146 Canon Drive, $500,000, 2 Bdrms, 1206 SqFt, 1948 YrBlt, 10-12-11 2 Irving Lane, $780,000, 3 Bdrms, 1601 SqFt, 1952 YrBlt, 9-30-11 56 La Cresta Road, $1,335,000, 3 Bdrms, 3326 SqFt, 1949 YrBlt, 10-4-11; 11 Aspinwall Court Previous Sale: $359,000, 12-30-97 This wonderful home is convenient to 3 levels of rop rated schools. 233 Village Gate Road, $745,000, 4 Bdrms, 2313 SqFt, 1979 YrBlt, 10-6-11 Located on a cul de sac, this home boasts 4br/2ba and a great backyard. 32 Zander Drive, $740,000, 6 Bdrms, 2850 SqFt, 1972 YrBlt, 10-10-11; Offered at $845,000 Previous Sale: $950,000, 12-29-04

925.253.6335 Lamorinda Foreclosures recorded [email protected] www.FinolaFellner.com LAFAYETTE Coldwell Banker’s #1 Group in the East Bay Johnson Road, 94549, Wells Fargo Bank, 10-13-11, $1,406,323, 4493 sf, 3 bd Springhill Road, 94549, Summit Bank, 10-14-11, $424,663, 2743 sf, 3 bd ORINDA Tarry Lane, 94563, HSBC Bank, 10-14-11, $1,544,340, 3326 sf, 4 bd Wednesday, November 9, 2011 OUR HOMES Pag e: D3 7KLQNLQJ$ERXW%X\LQJ" 7KHUH¶VDVD\LQJWKDW\RXUELJJHVWJDLQV DUHWREHPDGHZKHQ\RXEX\QRWVHOO 7DNHDGYDQWDJHRIRQFHLQDJHQHUDWLRQ Rainfall UpdateóA KRPHEX\LQJRSSRUWXQLWLHVWKLV\HDU *HWWKHPRVWIRU\RXUPRQH\E\ZRUNLQJ ZLWKDSURIHVVLRQDOEX\HUDJHQW Cloudy Picture $PDUNHWH[SHUWZLWKDSODQIRU\RX ([FHOOHQFH([SHUWLVH By Andrea A. Firth Talk to Troy ! Lamori nd a Weekly 7UR\)HGGHUVHQ  hen the ran a story about three Orinda residents who ]A eÉv~vÄ|yy Whave been meticulously tracking the area rainfall patterns over the past %URNHU$VVRFLDWH  ZZZ7UR\)HGFRP thirty years, we knew there were more local rain trackers out there—and we -5RFNFOLII5HDOWRUV 7UR\#5RFNFOLIIFRP were thrilled to hear from some of you. So we have updated the annual rainfall 7RS2SSRUWXQLWLHVLQ Realtors chart with a few more lines of data and expanded it to reflect locations through- 1) Buy foreclosures in select neighborhoods and cities in Contra Costa out Lamorinda.[see chart] We received rainfall data from two additional loca- County, for strong rental income returns, with future appreciation. tions in Orinda, one in the Orinda Downs neighborhood on Dalewood Drive 2) Buy a home in Lafayette, Moraga, or Orinda, in a rare buyer’s market. and one on Upper Toyonal, plus a location in Lafayette on Amber Drive. And 3) Sell in the under $1,000,000 range in Lamorinda, where sales are now so Moraga was not left unrepresented, we added the data from a gauge that Con- improving, and move up to your dream house in a higher price range where the best negotiating opportunities exist. tra Costa County maintains at Saint Mary’s College. 4) Downsize, and sell in Lamorinda, where the market has not dropped as Looks like a jumble of lines, right? That’s what we thought. The rainfall data much, then buy a great one-story home at a bargain price in a nice from the various sites tend to track similarly, but there is definitely some vari- neighborhood where homes have dropped more. Keep a low property tax by transferring it to the new house within Contra Costa County. ability. One might conclude that these data confirm that rainfall, even over a rel- atively small area, is quite uneven. [see map] But Orinda resident Gene Gottfried, who has been tracking rainfall on DRE# 1835783 upper El Toyonal since 1985, pointed out that it might be the gauge that’s at play. Gottfried, a physician and formerly a clinical laboratory director, used a glass rain gauge until 2007—a gauge, he points out, that was uncalibrated. ... continued on page D6 WWW.HOLCENBERG.COM 7 Client satisfaction: a family tradition

5 4 2 379 Calle La Montana, Moraga

1 First Open Sunday 1-4

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New Listing Gorgeous updated Campolindo home Wendy Holcenberg with private lot, views, and open floor plan perfect for entertaining. This single story 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has [email protected] more than 2500 square feet of living space and an over half 925.253.4630 3 DRE#00637795 Rain Tracker locations: acre lot. The kitchen has views to the level yard and distant hills and opens to the dinette and spacious family room with 1 EBMUD Orinda F ilter plant Michelle Holcenberg 2 Van Tassel , Orinda raised, wood-beamed ceiling, built-in cabinetry and fireplace. 3 Ardor Driv e, Orinda [email protected] 4 Ridge Lane , Orinda There is a large formal dining area and living room with high 5 Dalew ood Drive, Orinda ceiling and fireplace. The master bedroom has 2 closets, 925.253.4663 6 U pper El Toyonal , Orinda DRE#01373412 7 Amber Lane , Lafayette including a roomy walk-in, and a luxurious master bath. The 8 La Cuesta, Orinda 9 home also features hardwood flooring, designer paint colors, 9 Saint M ary’s College and indoor laundry. Close to the Campolindo Cabana Club and top-rated schools, and in an excellent commute location. Google maps www.maps.google.com Offered at $1,039,000 Page: D4 LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What So Proudly We Hail ... continued from page D1 • Always remember, when you’re putting it up, the stars are up and to the observer’s left whether it’s hung vertically or horizontally. • Keep it in good condition; don’t let it get tattered. Other key points are presented in Section 6 of the U.S. Flag Code, which was signed into law by Pres- ident Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942: “It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of dark- ness.” Additionally, “the flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.” Flag Maintenance and Disposal American flags displayed outdoors may be soiled by air pollutants and even damaged by mildew if stored away when wet. They also fade quickly from their constant exposure to the California sun, and fray frequently from being whipped about on windy days. While some may be washed with mild detergent, many must be dry cleaned – a process which also ap- pears to preserve Old Glory’s deep reds and blues longer. Torn flags should be mended promptly by cut- ting off the damaged segment and re-hemming. Those that cannot be cleaned or fixed should be retired and replaced. The correct way to do this, says Murphy, is through a formal ceremony that involves burning. While Lamorinda residents can technically do this on their own because the code stipulates only that worn or soiled flags “should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning,” Murphy suggests that residents instead contact the VFW, which collects and stores flags in partnership with local Boy Scout troop 224 until a proper retirement service can be held.

MOFD firefighters Adam Thornton (left) and Jacob Airola take down the flag at Station 45 before sunset. Photos Ohlen Alexander Wednesday, November 9, 2011 OUR HOMES Pag e: D5 NEW PRICE! 11 EL VERANO, ORINDA

Sophistication and loads of character describe this 3 bed/2bath traditional in Orinda Want to Buy and Fly American? Country Club. Great Residents who shop locally may rest assured they’ll be able to fly Amer- pride of ownership. ican-made flags this Veterans’ Day and beyond. Lafayette Ace Hardware and Level out to a Moraga Hardware and Lumber sell various replacement options that are man- fabulous patio, yard ufactured by the Valley Forge Flag Company and certified as 100 percent and pool. Move in made in the U.S. by the Flag Manufacturers of America (FMAA). before the holidays! Orinda Hardware also stocks FMAA-certified flags. These are manufac- tured by Annin & Co., which began making flags for ships in the 1820s. Annin $875,000 made the flag that draped President Lincoln’s casket.

Margot & Hal THE KAUFMANS M:925.260.4787 H: 925.260.4799 for more photos and a virtual tour visit us at: www.theKAUFMANS.com ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE. REAL PEOPLE. DRE 01224989 / 01224988 REAL ESTATE

Lic.: #611120 Station 45's flag is carefully folded for overnight storage. & Landscaping Family owned in Moraga since 1987 Your friendly neighborhood Winter Pruning arborists Darren and Lew Edwards Resources: Winter is the best time to start pruning deciduous plants and trees, such as maples, shrubs, roses, most fruit trees and most of all your Monterey pines. They go dormant in the winter Flag Maintenance – Orinda Cleaners: 37 Moraga Way and some lose their leaves. Deciduous plants are best pruned in the winter because that’s Flag Requests – Senator Dianne Feinstein: when they’re dormant and less prone to disease. www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/flag-purchase Before you start hacking away at your yard, you may want to call in a professional Arborist from Advance Tree Service to give you their advice on what should be done, the proper Flag Retirement Help: handling during pruning is essential to ensure a healthy future for your trees and shrubs. VFW Post 8063 (Lamorinda): (925) 285-1510 So don’t wait until it’s too late, call your local Arborist at Moraga Hardware and Lumber: (925) 376-3600 Advance Tree Service and Landscaping to help make your yard its very best. Local Retailers of American-made Flags: Advance Tree Service Lafayette Ace Hardware®: 3311 Mt. Diablo Boulevard Your Authority on Trees and Landscape. Moraga Hardware and Lumber: 1409 Moraga Way 925-376-6528 Orinda TrueValue® Hardware: 56 Moraga Way [email protected] www.advancetree.com * U.S. Flag Code: Follow us on Twitter (advancetree) and like us on Face Book www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf (ADVANCETREESERVICEANDLANDSCAPINGINC.) Page: D6 LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Rainfall UpdateóA Cloudy Picture ... continued from page D3 He then bought an electronic rain gauge and found the rainfall readings were about Orinda’s official rainfall reports. 20% lower than those of the glass tube. Like the good scientist that he is, he pur- Gottfried’s Conclusion: If your rainfall measurements are consistently much chased a second electronic weather gauge to confirm his results, and it produced higher (or lower) than the official results, your rain gauge, not your location, may rain numbers almost identical to his first electronic gauge and much closer to be responsible.

Updated Rainfall Tracker Data

Annual Rainfall In Lamorinda (July 1-June 30)

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EBMUD -Orinda Filter Plant Ridge Lane, Orinda Van Tassel Lane, Orinda Ardor Drive, Orinda Dalewood Drive, Orinda Upper El Toyonal, Orinda (Glass) UElTlOid(Elti)Upper El Toyonal, Orinda (Electronic) LCLa Cues ta AbAmber L ane, LfLafaye tte County Records SMC Average Wednesday, November 9, 2011 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com OUR HOMES LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: D7

Recycling in Lamorinda DESIGN e Ri INSTALLATION u dg The numbers below are provided by the Central Costa IRRIGATION l e County Solid Waste Authority (CCCSWA) and will be DRAINAGE B included in the Lamorinda Weekly on an ongoing basis STONEWORK CONCRETE WORK when available. DECKS 925-258-9233 FENCES cell: 510-847-6160 PATIOS Landscape Company Inc. September 2011 LAWNS PONDS Blue Jay Feldman LICENSED CLEANUP & OWNER/OPERATOR INSURED RECYCLE - OMETERS HAULING www.blueridgelc.com Lic# 818633 60% 55% 65%

50% 70%

45% 75% Christmas trees here Thanksgiving week. Lafayette’s Recycling Rate for September

60% 55% 65%

50% 70%

45% 75%

Moraga’s Recycling Rate for September

60% 55% 65%

50% 70%

45% 75%

Orinda’s Recycling Rate for September Lamorinda Weekly

To register with Recycle Bank: Please call for advertising If you’ve lost the letter that contained your PIN number, 925-377-0977 no problem – Go online to recyclebank.com and click on ‘register.’ Enter your information, including your address. Delivered to Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda. Get a new pin by mail or immediately with a message sent to your cell phone; now you can complete your 26,200 printed copies and it’s all online: www.lamorindaweekly.com registration. Lamorinda’s Leading Independent Real Estate Firm.

ORINDA ORINDA ORINDA ORINDA THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATES: Ashley Battersby Patricia Battersby New Listing New Price New Price New Price 106 Scenic Drive 11 El Verano 24 Lavenida 255 La Espiral Joan Cleveland Special rancher w/charming appeal. Hdwd flrs, Sophistication & lots of character in this 1941 blt Reduced!! Impeccably maintained & expanded 2410 Great value in the special OCC neighborhood. Classic beamed LR ceiling, big windows & sliders to 3bd/2ba in OCC area. On cul de sac w/.25 level ac sf custom hm. Gorgeous grounds w/ lvl lawns, gardens, "Old Orinda" hm completely renovated w/style & Joan Eggers outdoors. 3bd/2ba main house w/bonus inlaw w/kit, lot w/remod kitchen & bath, hdwd flrs, great light, deck overlooking creek. Stunning pvt mstr suite charm. 2870 sf, formal liv & din areas, chef's kitchen, Linda Ehrich bath & privacy. Mature landscape, garden cottage. Mt pvt yd w/glorious patio. www.thekaufmans.com w/sitting room. Walk to 12 yrs school. Quiet cul de sac. 4bd/2.5ba. Ideal setting, privacy, views, vineyard. Diablo views. Offered at $859,000 Offered at $875,000 Offered at $899,000 Offered at $975,000 Joan Evans ORINDA MORAGA MORAGA MORAGA Linda S Friedman Marianne Greene Pamela Halloran Dexter Honens II Debbie Johnston 345 Camino Sobrante 675 Carroll Drive 1825 St. Andrews Drive 136 David Drive Hal Kaufman Updated 4bd/3ba, 3301 sf contemp on .55 ac in Walking distance to town/schools/trails/parks. Private Updated Sequoyah in MCC with 4bds/2.5ba. 4bd/3.5ba hm w/3763 sf w/oversized rms, an primo country club loc w/spacious great rm, updated .31 ac lot w/attractive landscaping, grass play area, Spacious kitchen/family room combo. French abundance of windows & qual. craftsmanship evident Margot Kaufman kitchen, hdwd flrs, lower lvl guest apt w/pvt entrance, veggie gardens. 3bd/2ba updated thruout - baths, doors open to courtyard, plenty of storage, striking thruout. The end of a cul de sac loc on a 1.86 ac lot ofc, lg master suite, lawn/play area, close to Bart & kitchen, hdwd flrs, dual panes, crown moldings, views. has trees, lvl lawn, decks in sought-after "Bluffs" Susan Zeh Layng top schools. Offered at $998,000 lighting, more. Offered at $699,000 Offered at $979,000 neighborhood. Offered at $1,295,000 Art Lehman LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE Charles Levine April Matthews Karen Murphy Ben Olsen

New Price New Price New Listing New Price Sue Olsen 945 Mt. View Drive 960 Hawthorne Drive 502 Silverado Drive 3286 Sweet Drive Kurt Piper The cutest home on the block! Charm abounds in Trad 3bd/2ba hm in trail neighborhood. Hdwd flrs, Fr Remod 3bd/2ba Burton Valley rancher with Lovely 3150 sf home, flexible floor plan, updated this exceptionally cozy full of 1940's style bungalow doors, wood windows, lovely deck for entertaining. "Pottery Barn" charm hdwd flrs, new throughout, granite kitchen. Sweeping views, 2 Tara Rochlin w/ambience & style. Enjoy incredible curb appeal. Flat yard w/lawn & views. Nr K-8 schls, trail, bathrooms, new windows, new roof & much master bedrooms plus 2 more bedrooms & 4 baths Lawn & garden all very private and ideal location shopping, restaurants and library. Sgl lvl, 1377 sf, .25 more. 1850 sf on .75 acre lot. in Burton Valley. Guest set-up w/separate entry. Judy Schoenrock near everything! Offered at $480,000 ac lot. Offered at $719,000 Offered at $829,000 Offered at $890,000 Ann Sharf LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE Steve Smith Jeff Snell Lynda Snell Clark Thompson New Price New Listing Ignacio Vega 1730 Toyon Road 3407 Shangri La 1089 Rahara Drive 3829 Happy Valley Road Charming craftsman-styled 2100 sq. ft. hm on Fab Craftsman style blt in 2005. Stunning Built in 1939, filled with character & style. Beautifully Rare oppty to own 2.33 ac lvl estate in Happy Valley! Terri Bates Walker secluded 3/4 ac. Newer roof, skylights, furnace - architecture, beaut craftsmanship, high end features. updated. Hi ceilings, tall Fr doors, Craftsman style Pvt gated property w/tennis ct, pool, lawn, down long Ann Ward gorgeous huge new decks. Maple flrs, Wolfe range, Serene country setting, 1.08 ac in Reliez Valley, lovely windows. Gourmet kitchen w/carrera marble slabs. driveway leading to ssecluded 4bd/4ba 4007 sf home very private, very secluded. yd with lawn, play area. 4 br + ofc & computer area. Lg living areas. Fab location & gorgeous setting. filled w/marvelous detail. Incl Art Deco movie Dan Weil Offered at $925,000 Top Laf schools. Offered at $1,395,000 A must see! Offered at $1,745,000 theater! Offered at $2,950,000 Margaret Zucker Visit www.villageassociates.com to see our weekly online previews updated every Wednesday and Friday by noon. Click on Sunday Open House Friday after 5 PM for Open House listings

93 Moraga Way, Suite 103 Orinda, CA 94563 ASSOCIATES (925) 254-0505 or 1-866-856-VARE REAL ESTATE