COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Have You Heard of the Lamorinda Spirit Van?

Lamorinda Spirit Van has been providing affordable, door to and through door transportation to Moraga Seniors since June 2006. We go anywhere in Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord and Martinez!

To register, reserve a ride or learn more, contact us at (925) 283-3534.

Volunteer Drivers Needed! We, at Lamorinda Spirit Van, need additional drivers, so we don’t have to regretfully say: “Unfortunately we are already booked up for that day.”

The Lamorinda community depends on an inflow of Lamorinda Spirit Volunteer Drivers to provide those much-appreciated rides for older adults who prefer to age in their own homes and neighborhoods.

• Do you enjoy driving?

• Would you like to meet some fascinating older individuals?

• Are you interested in experiencing the satisfaction of helping seniors get to medical, personal, and social appointments, errands, exercise, lunch at Café Costa or to visit a spouse in a care facility?

• Can you spare 4 hours every week or two?

If you answered yes, contact our Program Coordinator now at (925) 284-5546.

Moraga Historical Society

When participating in community events, the most frequent comment heard from Moraga citizens is, “I didn’t know we had a historical society. Where is it located?”

In existence since October 1965, the Moraga Historical Society is now located on the right side of the Moraga Library. The Society was the creation of Brother Dennis Goodman and Maggie Skinner; the archives were once housed at St. Mary’s College before fundraising made an extension of the library possible. Author Sandy Kimball chronicled Moraga’s history in her book Moraga’s Pride: Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, from prehistoric to incorporation. Susan Skilton added to this rich history by penning Images of America: Moraga with abundant photographs of our past.

The History Center is open every Thursday, 1:00–3:00, supervised by archivist Bonnie Krames. Housed in three rooms are artifacts, photographs, documents, and a wealth of information about our Town, its founders and citizens. New to Moraga? Purchase Moraga’s Pride or Images of America: Moraga. Both books are available at the History Center or the September 30th Pear and Wine Festival booths. Our mission is to bring the story of Moraga— the land, and its people—to a new generation of residents. Join the Moraga Historical Society by going to our website www.Moragahistory.org or calling 925-377-8734.

Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley

The “Giving Back” priority for our club is to help children, families, and the elderly in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties through service projects and financial support. The majority of last year’s funds have been distributed to worthwhile charities and 2023 service projects are well underway. We thank our local community for your support.

Recent service activities include working with the Monument Crisis Center, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Moraga School District, Friends of the Moraga Library, Contra Costa County Foster Care Network, sponsoring and organizing the Town’s Citizen of the Year banquet, and staffing the jumpees and food sales at the Town’s July 4 celebration at the Commons.

Some of the expected Fall activities include onsite support to local food banks, the Moraga Pear Festival, Halloween party with Hope Solutions, Xenophon Therapeutic Horse Center, and Moraga Library Fall Book Sale. And, of course, our annual See’s Candy Fundraising store where we love to see everyone in person during the holidays.

We invite you to attend one of our weekly Thursday breakfast club meetings as our guest to meet our members, enjoy our stimulating speaker programs, and learn more about our projects and activities. Visit our website moragavalleykiwanis.org for details and contact us at moraga.kiwanis@gmail.com.

CERT Fall Class Registration in Progress

The weather is warming up and wildfire season is approaching. A great way to prepare for wildfires as well as other disasters is to take the Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class series. We invite residents to register for the Fall class starting September 14, 2023, in Orinda. The Fall class series will be held Thursday nights from

September 14 to November 9, 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Orinda Community Center. The subjects covered in the class include: personal and home preparedness for all-hazard emergencies, hazardous materials and fire safety; disaster medical response, light search and rescue, Incident Command System, disaster psychology, terrorism, radio communications, and pet preparedness. The information you will learn in these classes is key for preparedness and response should disaster strike, and spaces are filling up fast. Register at www.classes. lamorindacert.org.

Being prepared is essential for the safety of you and your family. Take the CERT class series and learn how to get prepared before the next wildfire or earthquake strikes!

“Ten minutes before the party is not the time to learn to dance.” – Snoopy

Moraga Park Foundation (MPF): A Volunteer Organization Supporting Our Parks

• We organize/finance/staff eight summer concerts at the Commons plus the 4th of July Band.

• We coordinate the annual Pear Harvest in August.

• We support Hacienda Nights and Movies Under the Stars.

• We support park beautification and improvement projects: Commons Skate Park, Commons Picnic Area, Commons ADA bathrooms, Commons Bocce Ball courts, Moraga Garden Club Monarch Butterfly Garden at Rancho Laguna, MGC Rheem Triangle, MGC Hacienda Cherry Trees, MGC Commons Garden Project, etc.

• We supported John Muir Land Trust acquisition of Painted Rock.

• Pear pie sales at the Pear and Wine Festival and your donations make all of this possible.

• Visit our website at moragaparks.org or our Facebook page at Moraga Park Foundation for more information and how to get involved.

Thank you, Moraga, for your ongoing support!

Friends of the Moraga Library

Friends of the Moraga Library is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the financial support of the Moraga Library and service to the local community. Money raised through membership, donations, and book sales is used to underwrite library enrichment programs, as well as the purchase of books, periodicals, DVDs and CDs. This fall come visit the library and enjoy the benefits of a very special Refresh Project—beautiful furnishings, tables, and chairs all purchased by the Friends, plus newly installed carpeting compliments of the Town of Moraga.

In addition, the Friends operate an amazing bargain Book Shop at the library, which is open during most library hours, so don’t miss out… drop by soon! The Friends also hold huge semi-annual Book Sales: save the date for the Fall Book Sale, October 28, 10:00 am—2:00 pm. For more information regarding the ways to join and/or volunteer, please go to www.ccclib.org/ mor-friends or email FOML94556@gmail.com.

Learn What Is Happening in Moraga Each Week

The best place to find out is in your copy of The MCN Link. You don’t get this twice-amonth e-bulletin? That is quickly solved! Go to our website at www.MCNMoraga.org to click on the blue button to subscribe with your email address.

You’ll find that The MCN Link will keep you up to date on:

• what community events are happening, like the Pear and Wine Festival,

• music and theatrical events at Saint Mary’s College, Town Hall Theatre, and Campolindo,

• when a service club is offering take-out dinners,

• Town Council discussion topics,

• and so much more.

In addition, our website holds a Calendar with details for a wide variety of events going on in Moraga in the coming months, as well as a description of parks and more, key places in town, and a listing of opportunities for involvement in the life of our town.