Published by The Orinda Association THE ORINDA NEWS Gratis www.TheOrindaNews.com 12 Issues Annually Volume 34, Number 5 Delivered to 9,000 Households and Businesses in Orinda May 2019 Orinda Children Deliver 300 ‘Peace Kits’ to Paradise Students Impacted by Fires Elementary School in Durham. Not only By SALLY HOGARTY did these children lose their homes, but they Executive Editor also lost one of the stabilizing influences in their lives – their school. cented eye pillows, beaded breathing “The social and emotional impacts of Swands, friendship bracelets, small jour- the fires will be around for a long time to nals and hand-stuffed animals. These were come,” says Orinda Rotary Club President some of the items Orinda school children John Donnelly. “Rotary Clubs all across made and took to Paradise school children Northern California contributed gener- displaced by last year’s Camp Fire. ously in the immediate aftermath of the The fire destroyed Ponderosa Elementary fires, providing the children with school CONTRIBUTED PHOTO School in Paradise (Butte County) with the supplies and books. We are very pleased to Children from Ponderosa Elementary School explore items in their Peace Kits with the help of an Orinda 250 children and staff relocated to Durham [SEE PEACE page 6] Union School District student. School District Prepares to Spend $105 Million in Thank You! Bond Money, Holds Breath on State Funding By BILL O’BRIAN son Kaune offered their vision and explained from the bond money, put the projects out Staff Writer the process for spending of last November’s to bid and hire an architect to draw up plans. passage of two school bonds, Measures E “We don’t want to rush and we need rinda school officials presented a and I. to get input, but we need to move along Omixed report on school finances re- The process is in its infancy but eight quickly since construction prices are ris- cently as they prepare to spend $105 million people have been appointed to the Citizens ing,” Seaton says. “We are sorting out in voter-approved bonds while worrying Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). Orin- what we can and cannot afford. We hope about future funding from the state. dans can follow the committee’s progress to create more opportunities for students At a presentation to the Orinda Inter- and find meeting times and places on the to work together in and outside of the mediate school Parents Club last month, district website: Orindaschools.org. The next classroom. There are vision drawings and Superintendent Carolyn Seaton and Orinda steps are to hire a program manager to help architects are drawing up pictures of what Union School District Board Member Ja- the district manage the site improvements these ideas can look like.” “We wanted more curriculum connected to the outdoors and wanted the buildings to May 31 Event Planned to Address Wildfi re reflect that,” Kaune says. The projects can be viewed on the district Prevention, Preparation and History website (scroll down to OUSD Facilities By BOBBIE DODSON expected this spring,” says Rein. “These Master Plan). As Seaton says, “There are The Orinda Association would not be able to Staff Writer fuel issues may contribute to another active more improvements than we can afford; we do what it does -- including publishing this fire season this year.” cannot afford everything.” newspaper -- without the contributions of its s Lamorinda prepared for fire? Rein said he will discuss ways MOFD Despite the excitement over bond money, supporters. See who and what they are. A complete list begins on Page 10. I Realizing the potential for a devastat- is working to alleviate the possibility of [SEE BOND page 14] ing fire here, Lamorinda Village is sponsor- a wildfire causing destruction such as has ing All About Wildfires, an event aimed at occurred in other areas of California. Top- educating and protecting local residents. ics will include external and internal fuels Featured speakers are Dennis Rein, [SEE WILDFIRE page 14] emergency preparedness coordinator for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD), and Jerry Kent, retired assistant general IN THIS ISSUE manager of operations for the East Bay News Regional Park District (EBRPD). City Council 7 “A robust fuel crop and brush growth are Police Blotter 16 Around Town Garden Club 9 Read More Online Local Events 2, 5, 15-16 n addition to what is in this edition, Performing/Visual Arts 2, 8-9, 20 you’ll find more online on our web- Teachers/Schools 7, 18 I Trail Challenge 5 site: www.TheOrindaNews.com. Read Business Buzz 20 about David A. Hollinger, an expert on Calendar 7 American intellectual history, who will Club Calendar 17 speak on “Global Christianity and the Car Time 6 Ecumenical-Evangelical Divide” at this Classifi eds 16 month’s First Friday Forum. Discover Editorial 4 books recommended by Orinda Books. Everyday Orinda 15 Be inspired by Orinda’s 101-year-old Library Calendar 9 skier. See what Orinda girls learned Obituary 2 recently at the STEAM conference, and Reel Less Traveled 14 who won scholarships from the AAUW Seasoned Shopper 5 Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette branch. The Orinda Association 3, 10-13 ECRWSS Postal Customer Customer Postal PERMIT# 4 PERMIT# ORINDA, CA ORINDA, PAID US POSTAGE US NON-PROFIT 2 n THE ORINDA NEWS n MAY 2019 SENIORS / CAL SHAKES / OBIT Jane Andersen: Remembered For Positive Attitude And Gregarious Nature Luncheon Set Jan. 15, 1932 - March 21, 2019 Harry’s death in 2011. Most recently, Jane for 3/4 Century was delighted to live close to three genera- ong-time Orindan Jane Andersen tions of family in Corvallis, Oregon. Club Seniors Lpassed away peacefully surrounded by Jane was perhaps best known for her eorge Jedenoff and Elva Rust are family on March 21 in Portland, Oregon. positive attitude and gregarious nature. She Gthe reigning “King” and “Queen” Jane was born in Carrington, North Da- accompanied Harry on many tours, and she of the Three-Quarter Century Club, kota, and raised in Tacoma, Washington. learned Danish to converse with Harry’s which celebrates Orinda seniors. The She graduated from Stadium High School many relatives from his homeland. She group holds its 20th Annual Luncheon and Washington State University. In 1955, was fond of family road trips to Colorado, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at when she was teaching second grade, Jane Washington, Bodega Bay, and Silver Lake; the Orinda Community Church. It will learned about a European summer tour in later years, she cherished her grandchil- feature special guest Bernat Rosner, organized through the University of Cali- dren and great-grandchildren. a Holocaust survivor speaking on the fornia. While in Paris on the tour, she fell in When she was not in Orinda she could “Power of the Human Spirit.” Sponsored love with the tour leader, Harry Andersen. often be found in Carmel, Maui, Kenya, or by Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary and the They were married that December and Denmark. She was grateful for her many Orinda Community Church, this event started a family in the Berkeley hills. In friends in the Bay Area and around the is open to all Orinda residents age 75 1959 they moved to Orinda, where Jane and world, including her bridge club, P.E.O. or older. To make a reservation, contact Harry raised their four children and encour- chapter, Orinda Community Church, local John Fazel at [email protected] or CONTRIBUTED PHOTO aged them to experience and appreciate the Jane Andersen was an active member of the swim and tennis clubs, and many friends call 925-324-2017. world. In 2000, they retired in Carmel until Orinda community for over 40 years. [SEE ANDERSEN page 17] Cal Shakes Celebrates 45th Season with Two ‘Best’ Works, Two Modern Classics By KATHRYN G. MCCARTY been at the Roundabout Theatre Company, Staff Writer Playwright’s Horizons, the Geffen Play- house, Goodspeed and Juilliard. Rafaeli is he stars shine over California Shake- a 2016-18 Time Warner Directing Fellow at Tspeare Theater’s majestic hills this the Women’s Project Theatre and received summer as the company celebrates its 45th the 2014 SDC Sir John Gielgud Fellowship season at the Bruns Amphitheater. Com- for Classic Direction. pany Artistic Director Eric Ting says he is Ting directs The Good Person of Szech- excited about the big plans for the season’s wan by Bertolt Brecht, the second show of productions. Cal Shakes’ season running July 3-21. It is “We’re bringing back two beloved plays the first time Cal Shakes has produced a by William Shakespeare that collectively Brechtian work, which is a fable for current represent the best of his works, and we’re times exploring the lengths one must go to pairing them with two modern classics: one survive in the modern world. old, one very new. It’s a season of glorious Ting is introducing Cal Shakes’ audienc- comedy, stark tragedy and complex human- es to the visions of two new directors this ity that grapples with the timeless question: season. Megan Sandberg-Zakian directs the How are we responsible to one another?” world premiere of House of Joy by Madhuri said Ting. Shekar, produced as part of Cal Shakes’ Opening the 2019 season is A Midsum- New Classics Initiative (NCI), running mer Night’s Dream, directed by Tyne Ra- Aug. 14 to Sept. 1. faeli. The show runs May 22 -June 9. Ting The NCI seeks to engage living writers says he is thrilled to welcome Rafaeli back in dialogue with classical works. Shekar’s to the Bruns after her successful 2017 run work got the attention of Cal Shakes at of Measure for Measure.