Published by The Orinda Association THE ORINDA NEWS Gratis www.TheOrindaNews.com 12 Issues Annually Volume 34, Number 6 Delivered to 9,000 Households and Businesses in Orinda June 2019 Council Takes Stand on State Housing Bills By PAUL KILDUFF Contributing Writer eighing in on proposals to build high- Wdensity housing in California, the City Council voted unanimously to support resolutions opposing three controversial state bills. But on the heels of that May 7 vote, the California Senate Appropriation’s Com- mittee declined to take a vote on one of the bills, Senate Bill 50, thus tabling it for the rest of the year. This means the earliest the bill could be voted on would be January. SB50 seeks to rectify the state’s afford- able housing crisis by allowing construction of four- and five-story apartment buildings throughout the state within a half-mile ra- dius of what are called “transit rich” areas in higher population areas. Because Orinda has a BART station and is in a county of SALLY HOGARTY MC John Fazel presents a plaque and champagne to Vic and Fran Smith. Married for 70 years, the avid hikers won the Longest Married Couple award. 600,000-plus residents, it qualifies. The bill would also allow the remodel- ing of existing single-family homes that haven’t been lived in for five years and are Ah, to be 75 Again… Three-Quarter Century Club Holds Court considered “substandard” into buildings of By BOBBIE DODSON it, “This is the place to come to visit with Realtor Tania DeGroot knew George up to four units in single-family neighbor- Staff Writer friends that perhaps we don’t see very often Jedenoff and exclaimed, “After I saw your hoods. Vacant lots in these areas could also anymore. It makes today truly special.” video this year of skiing in Alta (Utah) and have multi-unit structures built on them. he buzz began as soon as guests Vic Smith tapped George Jedenoff on exercising at your Orinda home, I want to The buildings would have to provide half Tarrived at the 20th Annual Orinda the shoulder and queried, “Didn’t we work [SEE CENTURY page 11] a parking space per unit. Three-Quarter Century Club Luncheon. together at Geneva Steel 50 years ago?” Larger homes could also be built in resi- As Betty Karplus, former Orinda School Yes, they had and during lunch fondly [SEE SB50 page 4] Board member and high school teacher put remembered work experiences of the past. Don Reichert admitted he was happy to IN THIS ISSUE be coming out for lunch – “and it’s free!” News Pat Gersham said she always looks for- Police Blotter 14 Everyday rinda ward to the outstanding speakers – and John Around Town Fazel as Master of Ceremonies. Car Show 12 Lookout Kardashians, it’s Graduation Barbara Anderson, long-time local piano Fourth of July 2 Party Season in Orinda teacher, says she had to be home in time to start teaching. She has 20 students, includ- Local Events 2, 6, 13 MIMI BOMMARITO ing two great grandchildren. Performing/Visual Arts 9-10, 17 Fazel, host of the event to which Orinda Schools/Students 5-6, 18 residents 75 years and older are invited, ex- Business Buzz 20 nce upon a time in Orinda, most likely that elementary reprieve. After the Orinda plained that the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, Calendar 13 Owhile paring a mountain of strawber- Intermediate School and Miramonte High Orinda Community Church and Abio Prop- Club Meetings 16 ries for the school lunch salad bar, an in- School commencement addresses, our erties, a new addition, sponsored the event. Classifi eds 16 nocent mother wondered aloud why there children are treated to elaborate parties that Volunteers, he said, had as much fun as were no special commencement festivities would even impress a Kardashian. the guests because they, too, saw acquain- Editorial 4 for elementary school graduates. A jaw-dropping wonderland, an embar- tances and enjoyed the happy spirit of the Library Calendar 8 Clearly a maternal freshman, this woman rassment of riches and an insurance policy, crowd. Held at the Orinda Community School Calendar 18 was immediately shut down by a wolf pack all rolled into a spectacular send-off. And, Church Hall on May 15, the event this year Seasoned Shopper 8 of seasoned mothers, riddled with hair I feel like I can say this, because for two included visitors from Lamorinda Village The Orinda Association 3 loss and stress headaches from their past years in a row I co-chaired the OIS Promo- and Aegis Living Moraga, a senior residen- The Reel Less Traveled 15 involvement with our local middle and high tions party and worked on the entertainment tial community. school graduation celebrations. The squelch committee for Miramonte’s Grad Nite in was not done cruelly, but it was done firmly. 2016. Guilty, if you will, of feeding the Nobody wanted that firecracker exploding frenzy. in the woods. Her enviable, collagen- Creating these events is intimidating and induced spark was immediately snuffed. quite a bit of pressure. Kids today are so Because, young mothers, if you want easily bored. It takes a lot to wow them. And pomp, circumstance and festivities, you sometimes we ask ourselves, when we have will get all three. One just has to be patient, so much already, why do we want to wow calm your inner thoroughbred, and savor [SEE EVERYDAY page 10] Find these stories and more on our new web site TheOrindaNews.com. ECRWSS Postal Customer Customer Postal PERMIT# 4 PERMIT# ORINDA, CA ORINDA, PAID US POSTAGE US NON-PROFIT 2 n THE ORINDA NEWS n JUNE 2019 FOURTH OF JULY / FIRST FRIDAY FORUM Get Your Red, White and Blue On By SALLY HOGARTY 23. These can also be found on The Orinda Executive Editor Association website. With an opportunity to get creative, the parade features myriad uly Fourth may seem far away as gradu- groups, from local preschools to swim Jation takes center stage during June. But teams to marching bands to local residents it will be here before you know it. displaying their classic automobiles. Now is the time to check out all your One marching band that exempli - red, white and blue clothing, and if you fies the hometown experience is the Orinda need to add to your wardrobe, The Orinda All Volunteer Pick Up Marching Band. Association (OA) will have T-shirts for sale. This group plays at the beginning and the Purchase them the day of the parade at The end of the parade. Made up of musicians Orinda Association booth in the park or with at least two years of experience, the call 925-254-0800 to purchase in advance. band plays a variety of Sousa and patriotic Festivities begin with the Lamorinda songs as well as the official songs for the Sunrise Rotary’s pancake breakfast from United States Armed Forces. 7:30 to 10 a.m. with the parade starting at Colleen and John McCormick, owners 10 a.m. A complete timeline, including the of Lamorinda Music in Lafayette, have flag raising ceremony, fun run and more, organized the marching band for the past can be found on page 3. several years and have been playing in the For a booth in the park, where the concert band since 1995, often with their children. and lots of fun activities take place after the They provide the music and lyres to hold parade, deadlines are almost here. Food and the music while marching as well as drums SALLY HOGARTY beverage booth applications are due June and cymbals. Members of the Orinda All Volunteer Pick Up Marching Band play patriotic favorites at last year’s Fourth of July Parade. 5 with non-profit booth applications due “We always need drummers and look June 19. Both applications can be found on forward to hearing from past members cussionists meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot shorts and a white shirt. Lamorinda Mu- The Orinda Association’s website (www. and new participants,” says Colleen Mc- next to 89 Davis Road in Orinda (next to the sic can loan a drum to those who need orindaassociation.org/participate-parade). Cormick. Flying A gas station). All other instruments one. For more information, go to www. Those wishing to be part of the “Best The music for the parade can be picked join them at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m. the pa- lamorindamusic.com/parade or call Col- Hometown Parade Ever” need to have up in advance at Lamorinda Music, 81 rade begins in front of the Orinda Theatre. leen at 925-385-0963. You can also email their parade application forms in by June Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. On July 4, per- Musicians should wear blue pants/ [SEE FOURTH page 3] Friday Forum Season Ends with Talk on the Supreme Court and Politics By BOBBIE DODSON Staff Writer tephen Woolpert, a professor at Saint SMary’s College of California, speaks on “The Supreme Court and Politics,” mark- ing the last program of the 2019 First Friday Forum series presented by the Lafayette- Orinda Presbyterian Church. Woolpert specializes in the U.S. Con- stitution, civil rights, the Supreme Court and California politics. About his lecture he says, “It is inspired by a famous quote from the 1830s by Alexis de Tocqueville: ‘Scarcely any political question arises in the CONTRIBUTED PHOTO United States that is not resolved, sooner or Professor and political scientist Stephen Woolp- later, into a judicial question.’ The contro- ert will speak at June’s First Friday Forum.