THE ORINDA NEWS Gratis Published by The Orinda Association 12 Issues Annually Volume 33, Number 6 Delivered to 9,000 Households and Businesses in Orinda June 2018 Miramonte Public Speakers Succeed at CHSSA State Tournament New Student Center Slated for Miramonte By BILL O’BRIAN Staff Writer hen students at Miramonte High WSchool return to school next fall, they will find a new Student Center de- signed and constructed just for them along the lines of college student unions. The work is being done this summer in classroom space previously used for art classes. Plans are for the Center, accord- ing to Associate Principal Jan Carlson, to be open all day for students to relax, talk, receive peer tutoring, meet friends, have a quiet space or play games. Further, if PAUL BARRIE interested or needed, students may consult The Miramonte High School Public Speakers took sixth place out of 151 high schools at the California High School Speech Association (CHSSA) State Championships held near Tracy, CA from April 19-22. Teacher and Head Coach Kristen Plant led the team for her 10th year, keeping team spirit with resident professional intervention spe- high in the face of 14-hour days and stiff competition. Standout Miramonte speakers include Kelly Zheng and Tai Fox who won first and second place, cialists who deal with social, emotional and respectively, in International Extemporaneous Speaking, Evan Barrie-Kivel who came in second in Presiding Officer in Congressional Debate and Clara physical health aspects of students. Wu who took fourth place in Original Oratory. [SEE MIRAMONTE page 8] Measure J Library Tax Tops June Ballot for Orinda Residents By SALLY HOGARTY Fortunately, Orindans have far fewer bal- of the library’s open hours for 10 years.” Editor lot measures to contemplate June 5. Tops Measure J, also without a sunset limit or cost among local concerns is Measure J. This escalator, is projected to fund the same level ccording to Ballotpedia, the online library parcel tax increase measure will of service until 2024. Aencyclopedia of American politics add $30 annually to the existing parcel tax. “If Measure J doesn’t pass, the county li- and elections, voters in California decide Passed in 2008, the existing tax maintains brary staff would recommend cutting back to local ballot measures on as many as a dozen the Orinda Library’s present 60 hours per 35 hours a week,” says Friends of the Orinda different election dates. In even-numbered week and pays for repairs and maintenance. Library Treasurer Linda Landau. years, voters decide hundreds of measures; Increased costs over the years, however, For more information on Measure J, go to the number of local measures has ranged have made the current funding inadequate https://cityoforinda.org/384/MEASURE-J- from about 530 to more than 800 in the last to continue those hours. --Library-Services-Parcel-Tax. three two-year cycles. In odd-numbered The Friends of Orinda Library point out Also of interest to Orindans, especially years, local voters generally decide be- the 2008 tax, without a sunset limit but also those commuting to San Francisco, is Mea- tween 100 to 200 measures. without a cost escalator, “funded 42 percent sure RM3. The Bay Area Traffic Relief Plan CONTRIBUTED PHOTO asks for a $1 toll increase on local bridges Moraga resident Ursula Schilling has launched a write-in campaign challenging Dianne Feinstein (except the Golden Gate Bridge) effective in for her Senate seat. 2019 with additional $1 increases in 2022 IN THIS ISSUE and 2025. steep hillside along Highway 24. Possibly increasing traffic closer to home Also, on the local front, a tenacious News is Measure L. A yes vote on this measure on Moraga resident is running a write-in Orinda Action Day 2 the Lafayette ballot would allow 44 units of campaign for the United States Senate. CERT Meeting 5 residential housing and a park facility, known Ursula Schilling hopes to challenge Sena- Police Blotter 5 as The Homes at Deer Hill, to be built on a [SEE ELECTION page 2] Around Town Car Show 7 Local Events 2, 15, 19 District Teacher of Year Obituary 6 Perf/Visual Arts 7, 12, 17-18 Students/Schools 9-12 Wildlife Festival 13 Business Buzz 20 Calendar 15 Classifi eds 16 Editorial 4 Mat’s Talk 10 The Orinda Association 3 Seasoned Shopper 8 The Reel Less Traveled 14 ECRWSS Postal Customer Customer Postal PERMIT# 4 PERMIT# ORINDA, CA ORINDA, SALLY HOGARTY PAID On May 2, the Orinda Rotary honored teachers from the Orinda Union School District at its weekly US POSTAGE US luncheon. Above are (L-R) front row: Rotary President Weylin Eng, District Teacher of the Year Glo- rietta’s and OUSD Superintendent ; back row: Mayor NON-PROFIT Carol Levin Dr. Carolyn Seaton Amy Worth, and Wagner Ranch Teacher of the Year Julie Ritzman. See page 9 for more awards. 2 n THE ORINDA NEWS n JUNE 2018 ORINDA ACTION DAY AND VOUNTEER FAIR t ELECTION from page 1 formulate one of my main goals: fixing the infrastructure nationwide. We have lots Orinda Action Day Volunteers tor Dianne Feinstein for her senate seat. of things in California that are first class, The energized 70-year-old is a native of but our infrastructure isn’t one of them,” Germany who moved to Australia at age Schilling notes. four and immigrated to the United States As a former teacher, Schilling also hopes when she was nine. She became a U.S. to work on offering extracurricular arts, Citizen in 1962 while attending Acalanes music and sports programs in every public High School. school. “It helps develop social skills, Her many careers include: high school teamwork, lifelong friendships while also chemistry, science and music teacher; improving grades and test scores. It’s the realtor; lawyer; stockbroker for Merrill best way to help our youth prepare for the Lynch; sales rep for Kaiser Aluminum future,” she says. and Chemical and book author. “I learned When Schilling missed the April 11 so much at Merrill Lynch that helped me deadline to get her name on the ballot (she was recuperating from a hip replacement), she decided to run a “zero money” write-in campaign. For more information about Schilling, go to www.uschilling2013.wixsite.com/ SALLY HOGARTY schillingforussenate. (L-R) Blythe Walterspiel, Hawken Walterspiel, Quinn Walterspiel, Orion Filippenko, Anarose Eng Smith and Capri Filippenko were all smiles while pitching in on Orinda Action Day. The helpful volunteers donned their gardening gloves to pull weeds and pick up litter along Orinda Way. Orinda Volunteer Fair SALLY HOGARTY The Orinda Association (OA) Vice President Joe Garvey, Mayor Amy Worth, OA Co-Presidents Anil Comelo and Cindy Powell, and Seniors Around Town staff members Cathy Goshorn and Pamela Manning welcomed Orinda Action Day participants and other attendees to the Volunteer Fair in Library Plaza April 21. The event gave local nonprofits the opportunity to reach out to new volunteers and to share ways to get more involved in the community. THE ORINDA NEWS n JUNE 2018 n 3 THE ORINDA ASSOCIATION A Message From the OA President Named Longest Married Couple Park it in Orinda Cindy Powell rinda Park is the place to be this tradition. They will also be playing on July Omonth! On June 1, let’s enjoy the 4th after our hometown parade. opening night of Spider’s Web as Orinda Come back to the park two days later Starlight Village Players kick off their on June 14 because Beauty and Beast season with Agatha Christie’s play in the will begin at dusk on the big screen. And park amphitheater. because it is a Thursday, you can skip the Happy Trails to you on June 2 as we picnic basket and get your dinner from the SALLY HOGARTY celebrate National Trails Day. In honor of food trucks. Thank you to the Park & Rec. At 66 years of marriage, June and Joe Haughin received Longest Married Couple honors at this year’s the 50th anniversary of the National Trail Foundation, Orinda Community Founda- Three-Quarter Century Club luncheon. Joe is an Emeritus Board Member for The Orinda Association. System, pledge to pack out trash, join a trail tion and Rotary for the movies and concerts work project, or clean up a park. In 1996, in the park all summer. June 14 is also Flag the City of Orinda won a Trail Town USA Day and Orinda looks great when we have The Orinda Association designation. Get out there and stomp about, our flags flying. Thank you to Dick Burk- The Orinda Association is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to: but remember to leave the trail better than halter, local Boy Scouts, VFW Post #8063 • Maintaining and improving the quality of life in Orinda; you found it. and Orinda Public Works for hanging our • Promoting awareness and discussion of issues that are important to the On June 4, the Orinda Library’s Sum- American flags around town. community; mer Reading Festival, open to all ages, If you live in a house in Orinda, you need • Encouraging and recognizing volunteer efforts to enhance the beauty, begins. Drop in any time and see what the to prepare for fire season. Create defensible character and security of Orinda. new theme will be this year. space and clear your property of fire fuel Remember to Vote on Tuesday, June by June 15. The Fire District offers home P.O. Box 97 5. You can put your mail-in ballot in the assessments and information to “harden” 26 Orinda Way (Lower Level Library) “CoCo Vote-N-Go” drop box at City Hall your house against fire.