THE ORINDA NEWS Gratis Published by The Orinda Association 12 Issues Annually Volume 28, Number 2 Delivered to 9,000 Households and Businesses in Orinda February 2013 Alcohol Coalition Forum Reveals Consequences of Underage Drinking By DAVID DIERKS Assistant Editor n January 15, Miramonte High School Oheld a community forum on underage drinking at the Miramonte High School theater. The panel included Miramonte Principal Adam Clark, Orinda Intermediate School (OIS) Principal Michael Randall, Orinda Police Chief Jeffery Jennings, Judge Steve Austin, marriage and family therapist Rachel Moran and Miramonte Associate Principal Michael McAlister. Panel mem- bers offered their views on the community issue of underage drinking. Jaime Rich, Environmental Prevention Program Direc- tor of the Center for Human Development, helped to organize the event. Clark and Randall talked about student surveys that asked about alcohol use. Clark introduced the statistics from last year’s Healthy Kids’ survey of Miramonte’s fresh- men and juniors (this year’s sophomores SALLY HOGARTY The “Every 15 Minutes” dramatization at Miramonte High School in 2005 highlighted the effects of drinking and driving. A group of students was chosen to and seniors). One of the questions on the be the “casualties,” complete with blood and, in the case of the students who “died,” a funeral and headstone. The program produced very emotional results. survey was how many times a student had one full drink of alcohol. Clark said, “When how wonderful, bright and smart these kids the community.” the Influence (DUI), the juvenile court we look at 9th grade, 73 percent had zero are, these scholars are still children and In 2012, there were six citations of juve- system gets involved. Austin said, “Any times. That’s great, a wonderful number. their brains are not completely developed. niles in Orinda. “We have a zero tolerance alcohol in your blood is considered a DUI As we go forward, we have some one-time They’re going to make poor choices, and when we get a call to your home, and there for a minor.” Any minor suspected of DUI experimenters, and then we have about 17 we get involved when they make those poor are children drinking. There have been will be pulled out of the vehicle and tested percent that have tried two or more times. choices. Our job in law enforcement is con- certain parties where juveniles have been for alcohol. “The officer is going to get That’s a concern in our 9th grade popula- sequences for what they did.” Austin added, transported to the hospital. We’ve had two you out of the car. By the time you’re back tion. When you look at 11th graders, it “Even good kids do dumb things. We see near deaths. We don’t want your children to in the car, one of your parent’s friends is gets a little bit larger. We definitely want to them in the courts when they start doing the be hurt. I don’t want anyone to get sick or going to have driven by and seen you out celebrate that 47 percent who have not tried dumb things. In 90-95 percent of juvenile die on my watch while I’m Chief of Police.” there, so it’s an embarrassing situation,” alcohol. Then, we have approximately 49 cases, drugs or alcohol are involved. Drugs said Jennings. added Austin. If the test is positive for percent of our juniors last year who have and alcohol are a big deal and pervasive in When a minor is caught Driving Under alcohol, the automobile gets confiscated used alcohol two or more times.” Randall [SEE ALCOHOL page 6] added, “The rate of alcohol use in middle school is extremely low. Of the kids sur- veyed, those who have never tried alcohol Forbes Names Orinda America’s were 90 percent. Maybe one to two percent, IN THIS ISSUE at the far extreme, have tried alcohol four Second Friendliest Town News or more times.” Dick Heggie Symposium 5 Chief Jennings and Judge Austin ex- By ELANA O’LOSKEY staff writer Morgan Brennan, reports that Police Blotter 5 plained the legal ramifications of underage the top five friendliest towns in Amer- Staff Writer Around Town drinking. Jennings said, “I’m the guy you ica are Sammamish, Washington (pop. Eagle Scouts 11 see when things don’t go the way you’d orbes Magazine’s recent article, 46,700); Orinda, California (pop. 17,932); Local Authors 8 like them to go. We know that no matter “America’s Friendliest Towns,” by Fishers, Indiana (pop 79,127); Seal Beach, F Local Clubs/Business 10 California (pop. 24,536); and Westerville, Non-Profit Guide 9 Ohio (pop. 36,665). Obituary 4 Forbes engaged Nextdoor.com, a San Holden High Art Show Speakers/Workshops 7, 17, 18 Francisco social network company, to Visual Arts 2, 12 survey metropolitan areas using data from Between the Lines 8 the census, F.B.I., Chronicle of Philan- Business Buzz 20 thropy and www.City-Data.com. The four Calendar 17 points used to rank data are: 1. Percent of Car Time 7 owner-occupied homes; 2. Crime rate; 3. Classified 16 Charitable giving; and 4. Percent of college Editorial 4 graduates. Surveys were then conducted by Everyday Changes 13 Nextdoor.com among its membership in the Orinda Association 3 towns with the highest ranking to finalize Reel Less Traveled 15 the list of the top 15 towns. Something to Howl About 18 [SEE Orinda page 15] Student and alum art and performances. February 8 from 7 - 9 p.m. See Calendar page 17 for details. ECRWSS Permit No. 4 No. Permit Postal Customer Customer Postal Orinda, CA Orinda, PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 n THE ORINDA NEWS n FEBruarY 2013 LIBRARY GALLERY Tribute to Teacher/Painter Jade Fon Highlights Library Gallery Show By ELANA O’LOSKEY original watercolors, sketch books and Staff Writer memorabilia. The Orinda Library Gallery is honored to present their work beginning ade Fon was the type of art instructor February 2. Jand mentor who put a fire in his students’ Join them for an artist reception on Feb- bellies; so much so that upon his passing ruary 10 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where light in 1983, the plein air painting class he had refreshments will be served. established, which met on Saturdays, has Pam Della and Frank Bird knew Fon continued unabated to date. This is the first well and were instrumental in keeping the time all members of the group are exhibit- classes going. Della says, “I feel honored to ing together, as well as displaying Fon’s be chosen to take care of Jade Fon’s artwork CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Pam Della's Spring Blossoms, a 16" x 20" oil painting, will be displayed at the Orinda Library Gallery during February. and am delighted to have the opportunity annual Jade Fon AWS Asilomar Watercolor to show his paintings: the full-sheet water- Workshops with Harold Gretzner. The first color 22” x 29,” Sunday on the Bay, and of their kind in the West, these workshops two half-sheet 14” x 21” watercolors, Sunny allowed students to study on location with Morning at the Golden Gate and Mission the finest watercolorists in the nation, Trumpet Blossoms. The small glass cabinet including Milford Zornes, Cheng-Khee- is devoted entirely to his work including Chee, and Zoltan Szabo. In the 1970s, he watercolor sketches, bird studies, sketch helped form a group of painters known books, art materials, mementos, small deco- as the “Oakland Group’’ with Maurice rative pieces, and two of his gold medals.” Logan, Harold Gretzner, Horace Smith Born in San Jose, Jade Fon Woo was Page, Henry Doane, and many others. They raised in Winslow, Arizona and New continued the tradition of painting regional- Mexico and attended the Northern Arizona ist watercolors outdoors, on location, and University in Flagstaff and the University of exhibited in many East Bay galleries. Jade New Mexico. He also studied at the Otis Art Fon taught at Diablo Valley College until Institute in Los Angeles and attended the his death in Bakersfield, California on No- Art Students League. From the mid-1940s, vember 14, 1983. He won more than 100 Fon lived in San Francisco and taught at national awards; in 1983 he was proposed Diablo Valley College. His work combined for Associate National Academician; and he Oriental influences and regionalism, called was a member of many art groups including “California Style.” In 1962, he founded the [SEE GALLERY page 12] THE ORINDA NEWS n FEBruarY 2013 n 3 ORINDA Association OA Looking for a Few Good People SALLY HOGARTY A young parade participant decked out in red, white and blue. he Orinda Association is gearing up Tfor this year's 4th of July celebration as well as the Classic Car show in September. Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of fun activities including advance planning and helping with parade management and park activities on July 4th. The Classic Car Show on September 21 benefits the OA’s Seniors Around Town ride program as well as the Orinda Historical Society. Volunteers will be needed to help for that event as well. Plus, the OA is expanding its Board of Directors. If you would like to be involved, call the OA at 254-0800 or email oa@orindaas- sociation.org. David DIERKS – Sally Hogarty, Editor 1929 Chrysler Model 75 from last year’s Orinda Classic Car Show A Message From the OA President Orinda Is A Friendly Place Bill Waterman ccording to a survey published on profit groups.