editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
April 2011
Serving the Lafayette Community
Celebrate Earth Day with Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events • Earth Day, Saturday, April 23rd a Community Picnic! th th
Sustainable Lafayette will again host a special Earth Day community picnic on Saturday, April 23rd, from 11am-3pm. This event celebrates Lafayette’s commitment to sustainability and will be held in the heart of town at the Lafayette Plaza Park and at Stanley Middle School. There will be organic food, live music, and fun activities that will appeal to the entire family. Drop in for a short time, or come and stay for hours. The event is free, and all are welcome! First on the schedule is a Bike Safety Rodeo and Self-Propelled Parade, in which children K – 5th grade will participate in an outdoor bike safety course. Come by anytime between 9AM and 11AM at the Stanley Middle School basketball courts. It will take approximately 15 minutes for each child to go through the safety stations at the “bike rodeo.” At the conclusion of the rodeo, join a selfpropelled parade that leaves for downtown at 11:30AM. Parents and children can decorate bikes and then apply their newly acquired bike safety skills as the parade makes the short journey to the Plaza Park to join in the Earth Day festivities. The Picnic on the Green, from 11.30AM-1:30PM at Plaza Park, will feature an amazing lunch made from fresh, local, and organic ingredients provided by farmers for just $5, including drink and dessert. If you prefer, you can bring your own picnic. The Park will be filled with tables and chairs where you can enjoy lunch while listening to live music by Pat Nevins & Amy Gabel and the Delta Dogs. Among the many delicious dishes that will be offered, picnickers will find Polenta with Tomatoes/Mushrooms/Cheese, Curried Rice Salad, Quinoa Salad, Baked Spinach Frittata, Green Salad, Bagel Plate, Mandarin Orange Sherbet, plus iced tea and lemonade. While at the Picnic, you can learn about local environmental groups who are working to make Lafayette a more earth-friendly community. Tour “EcoWay.” from 11AM – 3PM, to see a fascinating “Backyard of Tomorrow” with the latest green techniques and ideas for your yard. You may also purchase veggie starters (growing seedlings of tomatoes, beans, etc., that you can take home and plant in the ground or a pot) for kick-starting your own local food movement at home, preview the upcoming Lafayette Farmers’ Market, visit with the Urban Farmers, and more. We encourage you to walk, bicycle, or carpool as parking will be limited. For more information, visit www.sustainablelafayette.org. Questions, comments, contributions? Email earthday@sustainablelafayette.org.
Free Symposium for Seniors - The Secrets of Dynamic Aging: Finding New Paths and Staying Engaged By Sandra Smith, Lafayette Senior Liaison Committee and Lafayette Senior Services Commission
After retiring from a wonderful 30 year career doing research at the University of California Medical Center, I wondered what I could possibly do to equal the satisfaction I got from working. I must admit I was quite bored the first few months into retirement. I had to find something new and different. Then I read in the paper that the City of Lafayette was looking for a volunteer for the Senior
See Seniors continued on page 24 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette CA
• 9 Annual Taste of Lafayette - Tuesday, May 17 • 17th Annual Concert at the Res - Saturday, May 14th • Summer Outdoor Movie Series begins with Iron Man, Thursday, May 19th
For information on any of these events contact the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at 925-284-7404 or visit their website at www. lafayettechamber.org.
A Labor of Love
By Fran Miller Producing and directing an audience-worthy play starring 35 energetic fourth and fifth graders might be daunting to many, but for Burton Valley Elementary (BVE) School second grade teacher Carol Kerr, it’s a labor of love. This year is Kerr’s tenth as producer and director of BVE’s annual after-school drama club, the Burton Valley Players. The children who performed in her first production are now in college.
Carol Kerr, (center) director of the Burton Valley Players after-school drama program, with two of her performers: Reed Sabey (left) and Lindsay Torres (right).
Drawing from either the classics, such as The Emperor’s New Clothes, or from something more original, such as Bee-bop with Aesop, Kerr always selects plays with themes, dialogue and songs that are written with children in mind. This year’s play was Of Mice and Mozart. With Kerr at the piano, the Burton Valley Players rehearse once per week for twelve weeks, performing for one night only the week before spring break. A preview is performed during school for the other students. “We create a “cliffhanger,” says Kerr. “We NEVER give away the ending, so that everyone will come to the performance.” Kerr’s productions are kid-driven. She doesn’t have a final product in mind when rehearsals begin; the children create as they go. “Many times their ideas for choreography and actions are better than mine!” laughs Kerr. Volume V - Number 4 High school and college-aged PO Box 1335 Lafayette, CA 94549 singers, dancers and actors often Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 assist Kerr. “It’s great for the kids Fax (925) 406-0547 to have older role models,” says editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Kerr. “Some of the assistants, like Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Laura Zenoni, are actually alumni The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not of Burton Valley Players.” For the necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is first time, Kerr had a co-director not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See BVE cont. on page 16
nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
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The View from Here
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Emergency Preparedness Class and Neighborhood Captains’ Training Emergency Preparedness for Individuals and Families ~ Thursday, April 28th, 7:-9PM Don’t put it off any longer! This quick and easy session will help you prepare yourself and your family for the next earthquake whether you are at home, work, or out and about. Emphasis will be on earthquake preparation, but the information applies to other emergencies as well. Bring pencil and paper. Materials will be provided.
A crisis can happen at any time. On a recent evening, a friend who lives nearby my home went outside to let her dog in, expecting to cozy up by the fire for the evening. When she went outside, she saw an ember flying around her chimney. She mentioned this to her friend who was inside, and he noted she had a spark arrestor on her chimney, so she shouldn’t be Editors Jennifer Lopez and Alisa alarmed. However, when he went to check for himself, he Corstorphine rushed back in saying to call the fire department. The 911 call they placed was routed through CHP which leads to a longer response time than calling the fire department directly. (For fire department emergency dispatch, you are encouraged to call 925-933-1313. It is a good idea to program this number into your cell phone.) When the fire started, I was sitting at home watching TV. Hearing a bunch of sirens traveling down the street I checked my computer to see what was going on. It stated there was a house fire nearby. The street was familiar. I looked up the address and realized it was the home of my friend. Listening to an emergency services scanner application I have on my iPhone, I heard that all of the people were out and accounted for. I wondered if there was a way I could help. Then I remembered my friend volunteered as a foster-home for dogs for the White Kitty Foundation. I knew she often had extra animals in her care. My son and I grabbed all of our dog leashes and rushed out the door. I was passed by several fire engines and their support teams. The two alarm fire had started in the chimney and had spread to the attic area. When we arrived, flames were leaping 15-20 feet in the air over the house. I
Neighborhood Captains’ Training ~ Thursday, May 12th, 8:30PM
Join other Lafayette residents in becoming a neighborhood captain in the Lafayette Emergency Action Response Network (LEARN). This session is designed to help you organize your block or neighborhood in becoming self-sufficient for the first 72 hours following a major disaster. Attendance at a basic preparedness class (as above, CERT or Red Cross class) is recommended prior to attending this class. Bring paper and pencil. Written materials provided. All classes will be held at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Rd. in the Elderberry Room (back parking lot). Classes are taught by the Emergency Preparedness Commission and are FREE. Register by calling the Lafayette Community Center at 925-284-2232. The Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Commission can arrange classes specifically for Lafayette Homeowner groups, church or service groups, possibly closer to home. For more information call the Commission at 925-283-3680 or email csurges@ lovelafayette.org.
J.F. Kapnek 5K/1K Family Fun Run
Bring your friends and family to celebrate accomplishments in Zimbabwe with the J.F. Kapnek Trust’s 8th Annual 5K/1K Family Fun Run on May 1st starting at 9AM at Miramonte High School in Orinda. There will be races for children as well as adults along with music of Zimbabwe, children’s crafts and activities, and a delicious brunch. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trust’s efforts to diminish the impact of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic on the children and families of Zimbabwe. Registration fee includes brunch and a T-shirt. Register online at www.active.com (keyword: Kapnek) or go to the Trust’s website at www.jfkapnektrust.org for more information.
Photo by Lucas Hirst
found my friend and inquired about the animals. Her three dogs were in a car which was boxed in the driveway by the fire engines. I took two of the dogs, and a neighbor took the third. The home received extensive damage, and my friend has to relocate for a year while the house is rebuilt. She had thought she was taking care of her chimney and flue by the use of creosotesweeping fire logs. However, she found out the hard way that they don’t compare to having your chimney inspected and swept annually, and are not recommended by the fire chief. The two foster dogs found new homes. Our family fell in love with one of the dogs, and the other went to another family, but the White Kitty Foundation (www.whitekittyfoundation.org) is without one of their dependable foster parents for at least a year. If you can become an animal foster, or if you have room to adopt an animal, please contact them or any rescue group and help out. The need is huge. Our family had no intention of adopting an animal! But it is amazing how something can unexpectedly weedle its way into your heart. I found out that twoyear-old Zoe had been scheduled to be euthanized at the animal shelter, as surprisingly there was no interest in her. She had 24 hours to live when White Kitty swooped in to rescue her, and she began her circuitous journey to our home. Her previous owner had surrendered her. It could have been the owners were forced to move and couldn’t take her, or maybe a family member got sick and wasn’t able to care for her. It is obvious to me that someone did care for her, as she’s a loving and well-behaved little dog. Unfortunately, there are thousands more like Zoe facing a similar fate. Recent events remind us that disaster can strike at any time. Do you have an escape plan for you and your animals? Please, learn vicariously from my friend, and check your chimney, because it only takes a spark to cause a disaster.
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Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 3
Spring Plant Sale
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If you love gardening, the Gardens at Heather Farm’s fundraising plant sale will be a horticultural ,W¡V D SHUIHFW WLPH WR get RUJDQL]HG heaven! The sale will be featuring water wise plants suited to our area’s climate, grown from seeds and cuttings or divisions from plants established in the gardens themselves. The event will take place Saturday, April 16th from 9AM to noon, at 600 North San Carlos Drive, in Walnut 3URIHVVLRQDO 2UJDQL]DWLRQ & Interior Design Creek. If you’re a member of The Gardens, bring your membership card for a 10% discount, or join ZZZ FKDRV WDPHU FRP while attending the sale. To view the list of plants available for sale, visit www.gardenshf.org, or for Saint John’s more information call (925) 947-1678. Proceeds support GHF’s educational gardens and programs.
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Tri-City Dance
Hey sports fans, don’t miss the Fan Fest, a sport-themed LamorindaTri-City Dance for high school students on Friday, April 22 at The New Rheem Theatre! The teens of the Lafayette Youth Commission, the Moraga Youth Involvement Committee, and the Orinda Teen Advisory Council are joining together to support this drug and alcohol free event. Current Acalanes, Campolindo, and Miramonte students are welcome to attend. The LYC, MYIC, and OTAC will be collecting $2 donations at the door that will benefit the Athletic Departments of the three schools. Tickets are available at the Rheem Theatre box office. For full details, call the New Rheem Theatre at 925-388-0751, or find the event on Facebook.
Member World-wide Anglican Communion
Sunday Worship 11am
at Chapel of Santa Maria Church, Orinda
Visitors Welcome 925.386.6393
info@saintjohnsanglican.org www.saintjohnsanglican.org • http://anglicanchurch.net
Life in the Lafayette Garden Tour
The public is cordially invited to step into the enchantment and delight of five Lafayette gardens designed by John Montgomery on Saturday, May l4th from 11AM to 4PM, at a cost of $25 per person. This second annual event is a fundraiser with proceeds to benefit Hospice of the East Bay, the Tech Trek program sponsored by the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of The American Association of University Women, and other local charities. John Montgomery, whose gardens are famous, believes the function of the garden is 8ZM[MV\[ to rejuvenate, inspire, and relax one’s spirit. Come chat with John Montgomery, nibble goodies during an outdoor cooking demonstration by A Loveable Feast, participate in a lively presentation by The Urban Farmers, and enjoy serene live music by the 8ZM[MV\[ AIVSMM 8QMZ RI Danville Community Band as you stroll through all five of these distinctive gardens. $118$/ To purchase tickets, please contact O-M-L AAUW member Pat Lopker at 8QbbI )V\QKI (925) 376-5l55 or sign-up on John Montgomery’s website - go to www.jm-la.com AIVSMM 8QMZ RI $118$/ 4I .QVM[\ZI and click on “Garden Tour.� For any other questions, please contact Debbie at <]M[LIa 5Ia " XU ___ TINIaM\\MKPIUJMZ WZO dblumhardt@jm-la.com.
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Summer Music Jazz Workshop
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Lafayette’s Summer Music Jazz Workshop is now accepting applications for their summer program. Go online to www.lafsmw.org to download your application and learn more about this incredible summer program. The workshop is for middle school to college aged students. The workshop is presented by Generations in Jazz Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Spend six 8ZM[MV\[ incredible days with top music 8ZM[MV\[ professionals. Workshop is July 31 – August 5, AIVSMM 8QMZ 2011. Intimate classes cover AIVSMM 8QMZ $118$/ RIRI music theory, ear training, $118$/ improvisation, and combo performances. Enjoy a 4I .QVM[\ZI <]M[LIa 5Ia " XU superior music experience for <]M[LIa 5Ia " XU 4I .QVM[\ZI 8ZM[MV\[ ___ TINIaM\\MKPIUJMZ WZO students interested in learning ___ TINIaM\\MKPIUJMZ WZO ! an American Art form of ! JAZZ! 8QbbI )V\QKI
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Page 4 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Have a Question About County Government?
Committed to your health and wellness
Free Community Lecture Tuesday April 26th at 7pm
Lisa Gibson, Physical Therapist, DPT, Certified Active Release Techniques® (ART) Specialist will be giving an informative lecture on:
Optimizing Sports Performance and Injury Prevention Seating is limited; please RSVP to 925-284-6150 to reserve your seat. Convenient location off of CA-24 Extended Hours 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110, Lafayette, CA 94549 www.LafayettePT.com
St. Vincent de Paul Receives “Challenge Grant”
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, (SVdP) of Contra Costa County has received a $50,000 “Challenge Grant” from the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation. “The funds will be utilized to purchase a new truck in order to update the efficiency and operation of the SVdP truck fleet which supports the pick-up, delivery and transportation of all goods sold or given to the needy from the two SVdP Thrift Stores,” said Ron Weston, executive director of SVdP. Additional uses of the truck fleet include distribution of 14,000 warm coats each winter in the “One Warm Coat Program” and distribution of food/meals to the needy. The SVdP Thrift Stores support the economically marginalized in Contra Costa County by providing free and low-cost clothing, furniture, and appliances. Over $100,000 in free clothing/furniture was provided by SVdP of Contra Costa to over 25,000 families in 2010. Over the past five years, our truck driver employee development program has successfully transitioned 12 employees from post-incarceration and successful parole completion to productive employment. SVdP of Contra Costa County looks to strengthen vulnerable families by providing not only clothing, furniture, and appliances, but by also providing nutritional support, (free meals and food pantries/distributions), rental assistance, immigration and legal services, job training, medical care to uninsured adults with acute or chronic health conditions, and shelter for the homeless. Please help us meet the challenge of this generous Grant from the Lesher Foundation by making your donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Truck Fund by calling (925) 439-5060 or at www.svdp-cc.org.
Lost Dog!
$50 REWARD If you find him and your name is drawn!
He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.
Lafayette Luther is Missing He has become lost in this paper.
To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to: Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, PO Box 1335 • Lafayette, CA 94549
Marie Broatch is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 19 last month.
County residents now have an additional avenue to use in order to receive answers to questions they may have concerning the County. The County’s website, www.co.contra-costa.ca.us, now has a live “chat mode” where users can post questions for County staff and get prompt answers. The chat feature will be staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm. What kinds of questions? Well, what do you want to know? Maybe you like to know things like, “Where do I go for a building permit?”, “What do I do about barking dogs?”, “Is there a bus to the Martinez hospital?”, or “Where do I vote?” The possibilities are endless. The same chat mode has been running successfully on the County’s Library website for years. The same employees who answer these questions will handle the main website’s chat. For now, the chat feature is being operated as a trial run. If it is successful, the County will make it permanent. Try it out and let us know what you think. User feedback is important to knowing what is working and where to improve.
Way Side Inn Thrift Shop
The Assistance League® of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, member volunteer organization dedicated to improving lives in our community through hands-on programs. Let Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop help you create your “Martha Moment” when it features its “Apronista Event,” that's right homemade aprons galore! The event starts Tuesday, May 3rd. These one of a kind, works of art have been sewn by the busy hands of our chapter's member volunteers. They come in a bouquet of fresh and vibrant spring colors. Not to worry, purchase of such an item in no way obligates you to assume cooking duties, nevertheless, presentation is everything! Tuesday, May 10th will launch the Men's Aloha Shirts & Hawaiianna promotion. Visit the islands vicariously by finding that one item that alerts spouse, kids, and boss that you have clocked out and will soon retire to the patio for a backyard luau! On Tuesday, May 17th, our Bathing Suits promotion will begin. You'll find fashionable swimwear and beach apparel for those long awaited summer days that will follow. While the approach of summer evokes a spirit of carefree days, member volunteers of Assistance League Wayside Inn thank you for your purchases as well as donations, all of which help improve the lives of those in our community who are in need or at risk. Your support funds eight philanthropic hands-on programs that sends a message of “Caring and Commitment in Action.” Mahalo! To learn more about Assistance League of Diablo and the Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, visit our website diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
Lafayette Garden Club
The Lafayette Garden Club holds it’s meetings at 9:30AM on the second Thursdays monthly at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. The theme of the program for April 14th is Roses, Roses and More Roses. Come and learn about one of our favorite flowers. For information about the May 12th meeting and Spring Plant Sale, contact petersonb4@aol.com.
Junior Achievement Needs You
Junior Achievement, a non-profit funded by foundations and businesses, offers an exciting opportunity for you and your office to partner with local schools to educate students about business and financial literacy. By volunteering in the schools or hosting a Job Shadow, companies can increase outreach. Programs are offered to the schools at no cost. For more information, please contact Jenni Beeman at 465-1082, email jbeeman@janorcal.org, or visit www.janorcal.org.
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Bunny Brunch
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 5
Our mission is to provide personalized care, help The Lafayette Community Center Foundation’s maintain independence and enhance our annual Bunny Brunch will be held Saturday, client’s quality of life on a daily basis. April 23rd 11am-12:30pm at the Lafayette • Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits Community Center. Here are seven great reasons ensure the right care plan • Hourly care Heartfelt & why you and your family should attend! for you • Live-in care Supportive • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. 1. Enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, • Elder referral and placement ham, juice, fruit, and coffee. At All Times... 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D 2. The Lafayette Crime Prevention Lafayette, CA 94549 Commission will distribute free Child (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com 925-284-1213 Identification-DNA Kits as well as informational brochures and promotional items such as badges, stickers and tattoos. Lafayette Juniors Host 12th Annual Lafayette 3. Reed Fromer, a former youth television performer and producer of Kitchen Tour award-winning children’s CDs, will perform lively participatory songs and Tickets are on sale for the 12th Annual Lafayette Kitchen Tour scheduled for musical stories. Saturday, May 14th from 10AM until 3PM. Guests will have the opportunity to 4. EGG HUNT! visit six exquisite kitchens located in Lafayette. Attendees will receive an event 5. After the Egg guide detailing all design elements and information on the contractors, architects, Hunt, Bunny Brunch designers, and design resources featured in each home. participants will have The tour will benefit Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, a program committed an opportunity to to creating a permanent solution to local homelessness. Tickets are $35 ($25 tax meet ARF’s Pet Hug deductible). A boxed lunch is available for an additional $12. Buy tickets in advance Pack. Visit with these through a loving animals and Lafayette Junior, their owners and learn in person at about this wonderful Douglah Designs community program. 3586 Mt. Diablo ARF’s Pet Hug Pack Blvd., Premier teams visit hospitals, Kitchens, 3373 rehab centers, schools, Mt. Diablo Blvd., and adult day care or at www. facilities throughout lafayettejuniors. Contra Costa County. org. Pack pets have been The Lafayette tested to ensure they Suburban are well-mannered, healthy and possess good temperament. Junior Women’s Club, chartered in 1953, is an organization of approximately 6. Bring your camera, and take photos with the bunny. 50 women dedicated to promoting social welfare, education, and civic 7. Start an annual spring tradition with your family while helping to improvement in the Lafayette and surrounding community. For more raise funds for the Lafayette Community Center! information, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org. Come by the Lafayette Community Center at 500 St. Mary’s Road, or call us at 925-284-2232 for tickets and more information. This event has Tossed Treasures Sale sold out in the past, so get your tickets early. Lafayette Service League’s Annual Tossed Treasures Sale will be held on Saturday, April 30th from 9am to 3pm and on Sunday, May 1st from 11am Lafayette Rotary Club Spring Egg Roll to 2pm at the Lafayette Community Center located at 500 St. Mary’s Road in The Lafayette Rotary Club is pleased to announce the Spring Egg Roll, Lafayette. Plenty of free parking is available. the Rotary Club’s annual egg hunt. This event is open to all children ages two The League is looking for donations of jewelry, glassware, knick-knacks, through 3rd grade. The event takes place at Lafayette Plaza (corner of Mt. collectibles, kitchenware, small appliances, linens and tableware, fabric, Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd) in Lafayette, at 9:30am, Saturday, April 23rd. small furniture, art work and decorative pieces, CD’s and DVD’s, books The park lawn will be covered with candy for the kids to put in their (but please no magazines, technical books, or encyclopedias), baskets, toys, baskets. The youngest are always given extra time to get their share! The games, tools, and garden items. No clothing please! Bunny will be there to take pictures with the kids. Please arrive on time. We Proceeds will benefit Hospice Foundation of the East Bay and the am Community Center. start promptly at 9:30 . Join us for the fun. If you have items to donate, please call Judy 925-284-9266, Diane 283The Rotarians work with youth, helping our community and playing an 8790, or Jackie 925-284-4131. active part in international and world community service. pm We meet every Thursday 12:15 at Oakwood Athletic Club located at Lamorinda Peace and Justice 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. The Lamorinda Peace and Justice Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of
Easter Service
The members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek cordially invite you to join us for Easter Service on Sunday, April 24th. Services will be held at 7am, 9am, and 11am. The church is located at 1924 Trinity Ave. in Walnut Creek. For questions or information, please call 925-934-2324, or visit www.stpaulswc.org.
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each month from 7 – 9 in the fireside room of Lafayette Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Our group is committed to working to support a healthy planet, a thriving local community, and a safe, equitable world for all. For more information, call 925-946-0563.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Meetings
The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10am the third Tuesday of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. A speaker is at every meeting. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, or visit http://srvgensoc.org.
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Page 6 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
The Book Worm
By Joan Stevenson
Sharon Lingane, Manager of the Friends Corner Book Shop, knows that The Book Worm is always looking for a story, so when I received the message about Rebecca Maran, I knew had to meet this Stanley student. Rebecca is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah. One requirement is to complete a tzedakah project to raise money for a charity. She made her cause Lincoln Elementary School in Richmond when she learned the school had few books available to the students. Rebecca set about raising money, and with over $900 received, she became one of the most enthusiastic and discerning shoppers in the children’s section of the book shop. In addition to books, Rebecca gathered school supplies and two white boards, items on the schools wish list. On March 30th Rebecca and 1,000 books packed inside her mom’s car arrived at Lincoln Elementary to deliver her project. Good show, Rebecca! Now Rebecca could not have completed her project without the help of the 200 volunteers who put in…drum roll, please… 10,000 volunteer hours. And, if you’re counting the numbers, consider these. The Friends raised $110,179 and donated $266,597 ($166,101 to the LLLC Foundation and $100,496 directly to the library for books, programs and furniture); so let’s celebrate and say thanks to all of you friends of the library by gathering on May 9th at 9:30AM at the Community Hall for the Friends Annual Meeting. After a light repast, we will hear our own Steve Falk talk about why he loves Lafayette. Rebecca Maran The next Half Price Book sale at the Friends Corner Book Shop will be on Saturday, April 30. Doors open from 9-5PM. And while we are at it, let’s remember that Sweet Thursday is brought to LLLC by the Friends. Grab your calendar because beginning on April 28th we have three Sweet Thursday’s in a row. Join the Friends on Thursday April 28 at 7:30PM when Shilpi Somaya Gowda discusses her much-acclaimed first novel, Secret Daughter. This is the story of a baby girl, Asha, unwanted in a family and culture that values only sons, the mother who is haunted by the decision to give her up, and her adoptive parents from San Francisco. May Sweet Thursdays will celebrate two local authors – both Acalanes High School graduates. Justin Fox, joins us on May 5th at 7:30PM. Fox is the Editorial Director of the Harvard Business Review Group as well as author of the bestselling business book/thriller, The Myth of the Rational Market: A History of Risk, Reward, and Delusion on Wall Street. Fox brings modern finance to life by taking on the notion that stock market prices are both random and rational. He will discuss Wall Street behavior since the financial collapse in 2009 and how it affects our economy today, both nationally and globally. May 12th at 7:30PM we will welcome Joshua Mohr, the author of the novels Termite Parade, which was an Editors’ Choice on The New York Times Best Seller List, and Some Things that Meant the World to Me, one of O Magazine’s Top 10 must reads of 2009 and a SF Chronicle best-seller. His work has been described as tossing, “the concepts of guilt, responsibility and self-preservation under a microscope… and spinning an imaginative tale.” He has an MFA from the University of San Francisco and has published numerous short stories and essays in publications such as The New York Times Book Review. He lives in San Francisco and teaches fiction writing USF and The Writing Salon. His third novel Damascus will be published in October 2011. Lafayette Library’s own Miss. Donna is a storyteller extraordinaire! In fact, Miss. Donna was awarded Best of Lamorinda 2011 for her Storytime by Lamorinda Moms, currently at 700 members!
LAFAYETTE LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER HOME OF THE GLENN SEABORG LEARNING CONSORTIUM
April-June 2011 ~ Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation ~ LLLCF.org or 925-283-6513 x.101 LEGEND: CH=Community Hall, A&S=Arts & Science Discovery Center, HC=Homework Center, VM=Veterans Memorial, GSLC=Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium Program
Date and Time
lawrencehallofscience.org 2 Saturdays 11am-12pm Apr. 16 A&S May 14
A&S
reserve@LLLCF.org Saturday 10-10:50am June 4 A&S
YOUTH SERIES (GSLC)
Lawrence Hall of Science Ages 3-7 $20/child Frogs and Toads ~ Touch slippery frogs and bumpy toads, watch them swim and hop. Learn their life cycles. Air, Air Everywhere! What does wind do? Test a hot air balloon, kite, other materials in a special Wind Tube Chabot Space & Science Center Ages 2.5-5 $5 Tyke Explorers engages parent and child in a variety of interactive, hands-on activities - topic coming soon!
Date and Time
The Legacy of John F. Kennedy ~ President of JFK $5 University Steven Stargardter shares stories and photos of our 35th US President, born 94 years ago, May 29, 1917
olli@berkeley.edu Thursdays 1:30-3pm May 19 CH June 16 CH
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) $10 "A Republic, If You Can Keep It," UC Lecturer Dariush Zahedi on prospects for democracies in the Middle East The King and I: Autobiography, King Lear, and $10 Australian Cultural Identity told by Philippa Kelly
COMMONWEALTH CLUB SERIES (GSLC) commonwealthclub.org Thursday 6:30-7:30pm Apr. 21 CH
Members $12
Wednesday May 11
6:30-7:30pm CH
The Devil's Light, Richard North Patterson's thriller tackles the possibility of a nuclear threat from al-Qaeda
Wednesday June 1
6:30-7:30pm CH
Muslim and Jewish Perspectives, A Panel Discussion A look at the Middle East in today's environment
Thursday June 23
6:30-7:30pm CH
Kim Barker's The Taliban Shuffle, surprising humor of an investigative reporter in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Non-members $22
Students FREE
The Science of Geniuses: The 2010 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Winners
ARTS SERIES calshakes.org/education Tuesdays 7-9pm Apr. 19 to June 7 A&S reserve@LLLCF.org Thursday 7-8pm Apr. 21 A&S
California Shakespeare Theater $250 Literary Society, Series of 8 Unique opportunity for delicious emersion in theater Berkeley Rep Docent Talk FREE The Three Sisters, Chekhov’s masterpiece, tells of humor and heartaches for an entire village of lovers
Thursdays Apr. 28 May 5
CH
Friends of LLLC ~ Sweet Thursdays (no need to reserve) Shilipi Somoya Gowda, Secret Daughter Justin Fox, The Myth of the Rational Market: A History of Risk, Reward and Delusion on Wall Street Josh Mohr, Some Things That Meant the World To Me
reserve@LLLCF.org Tuesdays 6:30-8pm Apr. 19 CH
An interactive "conversation" with experts $5 GoogleLitTrips: A Technological Trek Through Great Literature, award-winning innovator/teacher Jerome Burg
May 17
Breaking Trail: Mountains To Molecules To Motherhood, author, mountaineer, biophysical chemist Arlene Blum talks treks, tenacity and toxic chemicals
May 12 carrole@sutterhealth.org or 510-869-6737 Thurs. Apr.14 6:30-8pm 4/14 is in the Mercantile Bldg, 3595 Mt. Diablo Blvd. #350
Wednesday May 25
6:30-7:30pm CH
ALTA BATES HEALTH SERIES
Precocious Puberty ~ Dr. Suruchi Bhatia on FREE the challenges when puberty comes too soon. First program in a series by Alta Bates Summit Women's Health Center Osteoporosis and Vitamin D ~ Women's Health Center specialists share information and insights
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
reserve@LLLCF.org Tuesday 7-8:30pm May 3 CH
7:30-9pm CH CH
CH
SCIENCE CAFE SERIES
NOTE: Always Check Schedule Changes, Updates at LLLCF.org ~ click “Join Email List” for AdLib e-newsletter create visualizing thee
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News You Can Use on the Wine Label, Part I By Monica Chappell
The technical terms and mysterious locales mentioned on many a wine label can initially confuse more than they help the would-be consumer of a bottle's contents. Add in the language barrier and elaborate classification system found on European labels, and you may be tempted to ignore the message on the bottle altogether. But resist the temptation. Like an introductory chat with a new acquaintance, labels can tell you a lot about where a wine comes from and how it’s made, as well as help you define your preferences. Every bottle of wine must have a label, and that label must provide certain information about the wine. The country where the wine is made requires some of the information on the wine label. The country where the wine is sold requires other label information.
In Europe, Appellations Speak Volumes
By now, most winemaking countries have some sort of government-sponsored agency overseeing the sort of label that gets slapped on a bottle of wine. In this regard, France serves as the model. The most developed, defined, and refined wine labeling system in the world hails from France, where all information boils down to one word: appellation. The French Institute National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) is the oldest and strictest wine-regulating system on the planet. This body governs the geographical limits of winemaking regions and for each one sets the acceptable grape varieties, approved percentages for blends, maximum amount of wine produced per acre, minimum aging, and additional specifics.
Varietals Rule in the U.S.
In the United States, on the other hand, varietal names take center stage on most wine labels. You may be more likely to scan a wine list or market shelf for a Cabernet than for a bottle from, say, the Stag's Leap appellation in Napa, and most people think grape first when forming first impressions. Because American labeling laws regulate the percentage required to call a wine by its varietal name, blends are often left in the lurch label-wise. An American label without a varietal name could signal one of two things: a generic or jug wine or one of the upscale European-style blends. Knowing the difference can help you get what you pay for. So, now that you're an expert and multi-lingual label decoder, what does it all mean in a nutshell? When the decoding is done, the ultimate proof of a wine is in the bottle and on your palate - a pleasure that may even be beyond words. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Danville and Pleasant Hill. For a list of classes go to www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 7
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The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette Community Foundation are once again teaming up for a great night out on the town. Taste of Lafayette is a tour of Lafayette’s finest eateries that lets you sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. The event will be held Tuesday, May 17th and begin in Lafayette Plaza at 5:30PM where you will check in, listen to music, enjoy a glass of wine, nosh on appetizers, and get a chance to join in on a spectacular raffle that will raise money for the projects that the Lafayette Community Foundation will fund. Next, you can stroll down Lafayette’s Restaurant Row on Mt. Diablo Blvd. or board the shuttle bus that will take you up and down the boulevard. Between 1520 local restaurants and catering companies will be participating. At each stop, comes another “taste.” Finally, we gather back in the park to enjoy coffee and dessert. This is your chance to try as many restaurants as you can squeeze into two hours. If you would like to view our Taste of Lafayette on YouTube, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=r74ISEvnQsI. Proceeds from the event benefit the Lafayette Community Foundation and the Services and Programs of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Tickets for the event are available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit www. lafayettechamber.org or call 284-7404 for more information.
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Page 8 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Mystery of the Murals Brings Treasure Island to Lafayette By Julie Sullivan, Lafayette Historical Society (LHS)
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Anne Schnoebelen, vice president of the Treasure Island Museum Association, will be the featured speaker at Lafayette Historical Society’s May 10th Potluck Dinner. The story of how her speech came about involves a mystery that spans more than 70 years. Late last year, the Lafayette Historical Society (LHS) received an anonymous donation of a portfolio of prints that linked Lafayette with the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. A little research revealed the prints depicted mural maps by Miguel Covarrubias, which originally adorned Pacific House, the theme building of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. Pacific House sat on an island in the center of a lagoon, and the murals were its showpiece. “The originals were huge,” Anne explains. “Four were 15 by 24 feet, and two were nine by 13 feet.” Prints of the murals could be ordered from Pacific House as souvenirs and shipped to the buyer’s home at a 1939 cost of six dollars. The portfolio which appeared on the LHS doorstep was still in its original cardboard shipping box and bore a mailing label. After researching the murals’ history, LHS contacted the Treasure Island Museum Association, which indicated interest in seeing them. Four members of LHS traveled to Treasure Island, met Anne and toured the now-closed museum. LHS agreed to donate the murals to the Museum Association and invited Anne to be the featured speaker at their annual Potluck Dinner. In the meantime, LHS members are hot on the trail of the mural’s original owner, determined to solve the mystery of their anonymous donor. The Golden Gate International Exposition held in 1939-40, was also called The Pageant of the Pacific. There were originally six Covarrubias murals titled Peoples, Flora and Fauna, Economy, Art and Culture, Housing, and Transportation. They glorified the art, architecture and culture of the Pacific Rim, carrying out the exposition’s theme of Pacific Unity. Anne’s presentation will cover the Golden Gate Exposition and will include artifacts from it, including the portfolio of murals. “Like any world’s fair, the exposition encompassed foods, inventions and modern innovations of the time,” Anne says. “Its theme of Pacific Unity was spurred by two major events, the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and the inauguration of Pan American World Airways’ China Clipper flights to Asia.” The Pan Am Clippers, which took off and landed on water, were called ocean-going flying boats, and their base on the West Coast was the airport at Treasure Island. “They could make the journey to Asia in an, at that time, astonishing five days,” Anne adds. “Both of these events helped fuel the feeling of unity between the Western United States and Asia. Treasure Island was developed in 1938 as an airport specifically for the clippers and was intended to become a commercial airport afterwards.” Anne first became involved with the Treasure Island Museum Association when she was teaching at St. Mary’s The murals were huge! The artist, his wife, and unknown individual are pictured standing in front of one of them. College in Moraga. “I got totally caught up in local history,” she says. She has been a volunteer, speaker, or board member of the museum association for 20 years. She is a member of the staff of Stanford University. The Treasure Island Museum was closed when the U.S. Navy ceased operations on Treasure Island and began the process of turning the island over to the City of San Francisco. Now the Association works to preserve and share the history of Treasure Island and to reopen the museum. The Treasure Island Development Authority, the agency in charge of redeveloping the island for the City of San Francisco, is working with the Navy to retain the museum collection, including five of the original Covarrubias murals, on Treasure Koi Pond, Pond, Island. The decision is expected later this year. & Fountain The LHS Potluck will be held Tuesday, May 10th, at 6PM at the Lafayette Library’s Community Hall, Mount Diablo Boulevard and First Street. Cleaning Donations of $15 for non-members are requested. Everyone is asked to bring By Steven Stone a hearty salad or casserole and serving utensils. Dessert and coffee will be Start designing your backyard water features today provided by LHS. Reservations may be made by calling LHS at 925-8231848 or emailing Lafayette.history@comcast.net. LHS History Room is Design | Installation | Maintenance | Repair open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10AM – 2PM. Look for displays of artifacts from the Treasure Island Museum in the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in April and May. Free In-Home Estimates • Serving the Bay Area • Licensed and Insured • Over 30 Years Experience
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Cinema Classics Orchestra Wives By Peggy Horn
This month I recommend a film from 1942 entitled, Orchestra Wives, starring Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery. This is a cute, lighthearted movie featuring the real Glenn Miller and his band playing several of their gorgeous songs, including At Last and Serenade in Blue. Both are beautifully performed in this movie, and actress, Lynn Bari, is the tempting songstress in both songs. A hugely entertaining rendition of I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo is presented by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton (Betty Hutton’s older sister), and the Modernaires and this film’s performance of that tune generated an Academy Award nomination for “Best Music – Original Song,” in 1943. Mr. Miller plays his own charming self in the movie although his name has been changed to Gene Morrison. Whatever his name, it is Mr. Miller’s music that absolutely makes the movie! Jackie Gleason, Ceasar Romero, and Harry Morgan all have roles in this movie that was filmed during the development of all three of their successful acting careers. Even Dale Evans, wife of cowboy Roy Rogers, has a small part in this movie, but to her credit, in 1950, Miss. Evans composed the song, Happy Trails, which some consider one of the most recognized tunes on the planet! The movie purports to portray the lives of the women married to the Glenn Miller band members although the real orchestra or band wives apparently felt that this portrayal was inaccurate claiming that they actually all got along very well. Miss. Rutherford plays the part of Connie Ward, a small town girl who chances to meet the principal trumpeter for the band, Bill Abbott – played by George Montgomery. Following a lighting fast courtship they marry and Connie becomes an orchestra wife as she and her new husband travel with the band as it gives performances throughout the country. Because this is a forties movie, we have the opportunity to hear phraseology from that time period such as “Pencil me in for a dream,” “Knee deep in orange blossoms,” and “That would be grand.” But the music is the thing in this movie and on that basis alone it can be enjoyed again and again. Orchestra Wives is available inexpensively online and at select DVD rental establishments.
Lafayette Garden Club Award Grants
The Lafayette Garden Club is happy to announce that the funds generated by the 2010 Gardens for Gardeners Tour in the amount of $8,000 have been given to the following grant recipients: • Kim Coriel ~ Burton Valley School • Gailene Nelson ~ Lafayette School • April Raffel and Bruce Wodhams ~ Springhill School • Kim Stern ~ Happy Valley School • Monette Meo ~ St. Perpetua’s School • Patrice Hanlon ~ Heather Farms/Springstone School • Mary Fuchs ~ Lafayette Senior Services • Mary Bruns ~ Lafayette Spirit Van These funds were raised in order to benefit area schools and Lafayette Seniors’ garden education projects.
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 9
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Page 10 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Shop Talk from Urban Suburban Saving Gas By René Aguirré
René Aguirré
What a change! One week it is pouring cats and dogs. The next week, we see beautiful sunshine and record breaking temperatures. Spring is here folks! Although we are happy to see the sunshine with promises of fresh flowers and the possibilities of road trips, we are not so happy to see the rising gas prices. Let’s talk about a few ways you can make your gas tank go the distance.
Housekeeping for you car
Filter service- You had your oil changed which included replacing the oil filter. How about the fuel filter? Or air filter? The air and fuel filter work together to ensure the right fuel mix is running through your car. Next time you are in for an oil change, take a look at your other filters. Tires and steering- Keep your tires at the recommended factory pressure. Lower air pressure in your tires increases drag on your car and your car needs more energy to maintain speed. Look at your tires from time to time. How does the tread look? Regularly checking you air pressure, rotating tires with every service, and keeping up with tire replacement will help to improve gas mileage. Worn out parts of the steering and suspension will increase wear on your tires, and the drag on your car, and it will cause unnecessary movement in parts which will add to your gas mileage woes. Routine inspections and alignments will improve gas mileage. Some automotive shops include suspension and chassis inspections when you get a minor or major service. Driveline- A noisy driveline means the parts are worn out or not lubed and running smoothly. This will increase the drag on your car and impact the gas mileage. Maintain the driveline shaft and u-joints by checking and lubricating the parts. Some auto manufacturers say synthetic lubricants are better for the drive train and u-joints over the long term. Discuss this with your mechanic, and consult your manufacturer manual.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Filling up at the pump- Wherever you choose to fill up, fill your tank to full and fill it in the morning. Filling in the morning means gas is denser than the hotter times of the day. You will get more gas for your dollar during the cooler morning hours.
Team Urban around town
April is here! As promised, the Green Cow and Team Urban are ready to get out into the community! The Green Cow is making an appearance at Acalanes High School from April 11th – 13th to assist in a dairy project presentation. Then on April 23rd, we will be hanging out at the Earth Day celebration hosted by Sustainable Lafayette. Town Hall Theater has announced its 2011 – 2012 season, Main Stage and the Town Hall Music Series. The folks over at the Town Hall Theater always put on great shows! Team Urban is back in action from a much needed break. We headed south to the Baja to take in some relaxation. I know, everyone says how dangerous it is south of the border. We went to San Felipe to take in fish tacos and do some dirt riding. Krysten participated with the local Rotary Club, which is actively raising funds to build schools in the locally depressed neighborhoods. Krysten, another friend, and I took a 500 mile motorcycle trip, mostly dirt, south from San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay and on to Bahia De Los Angeles. The highlight of the trip was a fabulous sunrise in Gonzaga Bay and eating fresh shrimp tacos. The locals, ex-patriots, Mexicans, and retirees said most of the dangers were near the border towns. Our trip was awesome and trouble free. We are relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the rest of the year! If you have any questions about this or any other Shop Talk issues, call US today at 925-283-5212 or visit our website www.urbansuburban.com. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 5pm. Urban Suburban is your auto repair specialist for Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Saturn, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Chevy, Porsche, Jaguar, Acura, Volvo, Saab, Nissan and more. We are your dealership alternative! We provide free shuttle service to the local area. Advertorial
Sustainable Lafayette Tip of the Month
Plan your garden together
Sometimes when you least expect it, you learn something new. This was the case as we began planning the Backyard of Tomorrow to be featured at the annual Earth Day Event in Lafayette Plaza Park on April 23rd. We began looking for all the newest and coolest backyard trends. Ironically, our research and study led us back to the gardens of our childhood. I remember growing up with fruit trees, animals, and an all season vegetable garden. My mother would hang the laundry on a line outside to dry on sunny days. Back then we used the weather, wind, and land as efficiently as possible out of necessity. This place, believe it or not, was urban Los Angeles in the 1960s. Eventually, the vegetable garden fell out of favor and was replaced by a mowed lawn. The laundry was dried indoors. These days there is a renewed interest in gardening, growing our own vegetables, and participating in community gardens. We share a new understanding of how everything we do in the garden works together to create a healthier environment. You may be one of the local residents who participate in the Urban Farmers program by growing heirloom fruit trees and vegetables. Others are raising chickens for eggs, planting butterfly gardens, and adding beehives. Together these efforts are raising awareness of the benefits of natural fertilizers, bee pollination, and beneficial insects. Many of us are considering reducing or removing our traditional non-native lawns to make way for edible gardens, native landscapes, and meadows once again. Water conservation is no longer the only reason to replace a lawn.
Plan an all season garden
Planning the Backyard of Tomorrow
Plant a new garden during a non-drought year
This year is a great time to begin a new garden. Even though the California drought of the last three years is officially over, we know that water is a precious resource that should be used efficiently. Since it does take more water to establish new plants, it makes sense to plan a new garden now during a non-drought year.
Study your garden site
Determine the direction and duration of sunshine, wind, and shady areas. Discuss how you and your family want to use the garden. In addition to edible and flower gardens, consider native bunch grasses to provide a lawn alternative that does not require mowing. Gravel and paver paths add interest and a way to move through the garden.
Sketch out your ideas on paper, maybe even several versions. Consider circulation and ease of use. A kitchen garden is best placed close to the kitchen area for easy access. If you have space, include recreation and dining areas. Choose plants that are appropriate for your garden and your goals. Consider how much time you have to put toward garden maintenance before adding plants that require constant care. An excellent publication for selecting appropriate plants, Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region, is published by the East Bay Municipal Utility District and is available in most bookstores or online. It may take more than one season to put your plan into the ground, so be patient. A long-range plan that is implemented in steps will be more successful than a full-scale attack hastily planned. Choose native or drought tolerant plants to provide color, texture, and interest all year. When choosing plants this spring, look beyond the popular spring and summer seasons. Choose plant varieties that provide colorful fall leaves, distinctive evergreen shapes, and trees with textured barks. Include native and sun loving plants that attract birds, bees, and beneficial insects. These animals and insects help control unwanted pests, provide early pollination to fruit trees, and improve the overall health of the garden ecosystem.
Reduce your water use
Install low-flow irrigation systems, and arrange plants with similar water demands together. Rain barrels for water catchment have become popular, are easy to install, and are available at local hardware stores.
Reduce your energy use
Solar garden lighting is now very affordable and easy to install. LED lighting is newer to the marketplace and still expensive but reduces your energy use, when compared to traditional lighting, by as much as 30 percent.
Reduce garden maintenance
Mulch to retain water and reduce unwanted weeds. For an economical way to cover large areas, ask your tree service for their extra mulch from chipped tree leaves and small branches. Since we all live busy lives, reducing garden maintenance is a key factor in successful garden planning. For more tips and success stories go to www.sustainablelafayette.org. Resources: Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region, East Bay Municipal Utility District, 2004, http://www.EBMUD.com.
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Life Skills
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 11
By Daniel A Barnes
I’m on my annual pilgrimage to Southern California for my Rotisserie baseball drafts, and I came across the work of Marla Jo Fisher, a columnist for the Orange County Register, who goes by the nickname “Frumpy Middle-aged Mom,” with the subtitle “Just can’t bring myself to browbeat my children into achievement.” I am particularly intrigued by a hypothetical question that Fisher poses: “Is ‘browbeating our children into achievement’ a good idea?” But, rather than tackle that question, for now I’d like to think about the longer term and this question: What are the core skills that our children need to learn? Which life skills are really important? I think there are just four. Three are communicative in nature (reading, writing and speaking), and the last is computation.
Read for Comprehension
First, everyone needs to be able to read for comprehension. If you read books, pamphlets, and any other ordinary documents (ballot propositions excepted) and come away befuddled, then you are going to have a hard time in life. It's going to be difficult to hold down a job that provides a living wage in Northern California. So, reading for comprehension is a core skill.
Concise Writing
Second, you’ve got to learn to express yourself concisely in written form. Learning how to do this takes some time. Schools seem to be stuck on the same format that they taught 60 years ago, namely the five-paragraph essay. I propose that perhaps a few other written forms may be of value. For example, the business memo, or its modern-day equivalent, the informative, concise email. This isn’t an easy thing to master. As Blaise Pascal wrote, “I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short.” Writing a concise email that communicates is a skill. Today’s “chat” and “textbased” writing aren’t quite the same thing. If you want to see where your kids are at in this skill development, I’ve got an idea. Next time they ask you for something, (the car keys, a ride into town, permission to do some complicated weekend plan) ask them to “put it in a memo.” See what you get. If your kids can not express what they want and why in a few sentences, then there’s probably some room for improvement in their writing. Even with new forms of communication (voice memos, Tweets, or YouTube videos), concise written communication skills are non-negotiable for a every person engaged in the knowledge economy.
Articulate Speaking
Finally, articulate speaking is a core skill that is required for most jobs that pay a multiple of the minimum wage. (And making much more than minimum wage is necessary if you ever want to be able to afford to live under your own-financed roof in Northern California.) Verbal articulation, similar to written articulation, is not an easy skill to master. It involves a combination of vocabulary, mental acuity, grammar, and logical thinking, as well as personal skills of empathy, humor, and patience, as well as physical skills of projection and confidence.
Math Competence
Lastly, proficient arithmetic computation is critical, lest you be cheated out of your change (or sign loan documents that tie your future mortgage rate to dangerously high floating rates). A lot of people try to go through life without proficient computational skills. I believe that with better computational skills it is easier to make retirement planning and budgeting decisions. My favorite way of teaching computation skills is board and card games. How do we best support our kids to master these skills? Frumpy Mom says, “Unlike Tiger Mom’s kids, mine rarely practice their instruments.” Does browbeating our kids to do well in school help them ultimately master these four skills? I’m not sure. It’s related to the question of how much harm we’re doing as helicopter parents. But what I do know is that ultimately the core skills of reading for comprehension, writing concisely, speaking articulately, and calculating pragmatically are non-negotiable skills for life. Let me know your thoughts on browbeating. Barnes Capital LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor located in downtown Lafayette in the Bay Area. We manage trusts and retirement income portfolios. Financial planning is an integral part of our process. We protect client capital using municipal bonds, high-quality dividend-increasing companies and precious metals, which have protected wealth in every epoch spanning five millennia of bankruptcies, inflation and other forms of attrition. Call 925-2843503 and visit www.barnescapital.com. Advertorial
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Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter
Page 12 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
A Real Rollercoaster!
By Art Lehman, Village Associates Realtors
Each month when I sit down to write an article, my first thought is, “So Art, how is the marketing doing THIS month?” I feel like I’m conducting inconsistent parenting (or animal training). One month I say one thing and the next month another. But without being too harsh on myself, I quickly realize that is the state we are in. Our local market seems to be forever changing. However, by national standards, it is probably more consistent than most areas. To give you an example, at the time of this writing, I looked in the Multiple Listing Service and found that there are actually only 76 properties active in Lafayette, and I’m happy to say 40 pending sales. Looking back to last year, we were seeing inventory of 125+/- active homes and far fewer pending sales. I repeatedly said in my articles over the years that if only serious and necessary sellers came on the market and the rest stayed home and sat tight, good things would happen, and at least for THIS month that’s what we’re seeing. Probably a lot of this has to do with the fact that many sellers just can’t fathom selling their homes for a price that seems so low after the beating we’ve all taken, AND they have nowhere particular to go. On the other hand, buyers are starting to think about the good job and economic reports lately, and that sooner or later the ride maybe over, so let’s make a move now before prices and interest rates go up. I think that is good assessment. I’m not really sure that prices are going up anytime soon, but it sure feels good to see the bleeding stop and the healing begin. Well at least for THIS month anyway. By the way, now that springtime is upon us, to those of you just sitting back and enjoying your home in this market, it is a great time to make those necessary maintenance improvements i.e. fix the fence, energy upgrades, caulking and sealing, roof, paint. As long as you’re staying, you might as well be enjoying. For those residents who are considering selling their home or would simply like more in-depth information, I can provide a customized home value report and a strategy for how to make a home worth more. The detailed information I provide helps homeowners better understand the value of the investment they have made in their home by detailing key factors such as a home’s value based on current market conditions and amenities, recent home sales in Lafayette and listing prices of other homes that home buyers may be considering in the neighborhood. You can call me at 925-200Advertorial 2591 or email me at art@artlehman.com.
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St. Perpetua Garden Tours
Tours of the St. Perpetua Garden of Learning are being offered to local preschools. Led by Monette Meo, certified Master Gardener, the children’s garden is a place of enjoyment where preschoolers can come for a walk, talk, and taste tour along with storytelling, organic snack, and a take home project. The Garden of Learning opened its doors to the community in 2004. Monette’s vision to create a place where children could explore and grow has surpassed all expectations and has become a teaching tool not only for science but also for ecology, art, history, and sociology for grades K-8 at St. Perpetua School. St. Perpetua School is pleased to invite the community to come to the garden for a visit. Please contact the school office at (925) 284-1640 to schedule an educational preschool tour, or visit our website at www. stperpetua.org for more information.
Science Discovery Day at Lafayette Nursery School
Come play with huge bubbles, visit with animals, and dig for dinosaur bones. Make a volcano explode, blast a rocket into space, or explore the gooey texture of slime. These are just a few of the activities your family will enjoy at the 35th Annual Lafayette Nursery School’s Science Day of Discovery to be held on Saturday May 14th from 10am to 1pm at Lafayette Nursery School. This science fair is designed for children preschool age through third grade and features over 20 exciting hands-on experiments. The cost is $4 per child preschool age through third grade (parents and infants are free). For more information, contact Nancy Turtle at 925253-7985 or visit our website at www.lafayettenurseryschool.com.
St. Perpetua CYO West Diablo League Champions!
St. Perpetua parish in Lafayette sponsors Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) as one dimension of its total ministry to youth. Athletic programs through CYO provide opportunities for young people to develop strong moral character, self-esteem and leadership qualities. The West Diablo League includes the following parishes: Santa Maria, St. Monica’s, St. Mary’s, Christ the King and St. Catherine’s. Pictured at left are the four St. Perpetua (SP) th 4 Grade Boys Playoff teams. In the bottom row is SP Team 1, the second row from bottom is SP Team 2, the third row from bottom is SPTeam 3, and the top row is SP Team 4. This season was the first time in a long time that the championship playoffs were dominated by SP teams. To learn more about St. Perpetua’s CYO Basketball program, visit www.stperpetua.org. Photo by Michelle Alessandria
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Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 13
Probate – Fact and Fiction
GREAT SERVICE. EVEN BETTER VALUE.
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Probate is a bit mysterious. People often know little about what it is, its purpose, when it applies, where it takes place, the process, its costs, and what the alternatives are. Rather, focus is on the concept that probate CONVENIENT SHUTTLE SERVICE TO should be avoided! HOME, THE OFFICE, BART AND BACK. What: Probate is a public, court-supervised, estate administration process. Purpose: It’s designed to protect a decedent’s creditors and heirs; to administer the correct Will (last valid Will signed by the testator), if the decedent had one, and to ensure that after valid FACTORY TIMING BELT LUBE, OIL expenses and creditor claims are paid, remaining estate assets are distributed to the SCHEDULED SPECIAL & FILTER MAINTENANCE Multi-Point beneficiary(ies) lawfully entitled to them. Performance Inspection Improve mileage and extend the life of your $ Drain and Replace vehicle – follow recommended service schedules. When: In California, a probate is necessary when assets of the decedent (of the All Engine Oil type that are subject to probate) exceed $100,000 in aggregate value. The value of Install Genuine Factory Oil Filter OFF certain kinds of assets are excluded because they are not subject to probate, such as 95 OFF $ +TAX Any Timing Belt Service. when an account has a then-living co-owner or “transfer/payable on death” desigREGULAR PRICES nation on file with the financial institution; and retirement plans and life insurance For Acura, Honda, Lexus, and Toyota vehicles only. Valid only at THE SERVICE OUTLET on the day of service. Please policies, in which one or more valid beneficiaries have been designated, at least present coupon when service order is written. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons, offers or discounts. one of whom is alive on the deceased owner’s death. Where: A California probate proceeding takes place in the Superior Court in the County in which the decedent permanently resided on death. If the decedent owns real property in a state(s) other than California, an “ancillary” probate proceeding is required in each such state. Process: Generally, the steps are as follows: 1) a “Personal Representative” (“Executor” nominated in the Will, or if no Will exists, typically a close relative proposed “Administrator”) hires an attorney; 2) the attorney prepares and files a Petition to open the probate and supplemental forms; 3) notice of the Petition must LAFAYETTE SAN RAMON SINCE be given to proper parties and published in a newspaper; 4) a hearing is scheduled; 3340 Mt. Diablo Blvd. 2151 San Ramon Valley Blvd. 1993 5) the attorney appears at the hearing, and if everything is in proper order, the Pro925.283.3133 925.837.3000 bate is opened (the Judge admits the Will, appoints the Personal Representative, THESERVICEOUTLET.COM and issues “Letters…” – a document that gives the Personal Representative broad authority to act on behalf of the estate and its beneficiaries); 6) a four month credi- Lafayette 1009074-TSO-ALToday-5x6.25.indd 1 9/15/10 11:07:47 AM Youth Commission tor’s claim period must run, during which creditors may file claims; 7) a probate The Lafayette Youth Commission held their first ever 3 on 3 Basketball referee is assigned by the court to value the assets as of date of death; 8) the Personal Tournament at the Lafayette Roller Hockey Rink. Eleven teams of three Representative pays expenses and approved claims, and keeps an accounting; 9) an Inventory and Appraisement form is prepared and filed with the court; 10) a from the Acalanes and Campolindo high schools faced off in the double comprehensive final Petition is prepared and filed, including an accounting, if elimination tournament. The Acalanes’ self-proclaimed “Dream Team” of required; and 11) the attorney appears at the final hearing, and the Judge approves Adam Jakubowitz, Cho Chien Lin, and Sohoraab Jahromi took the winners the final Petition, which order includes that the attorney and Personal Representa- bracket by winning their first four games, but in the end it was Campolindo’s tive receive proper compensation for their services, and that assets be distributed “You Won’t Rebrett It” (Isac Christian , Jack Evans, and Matt McCue) took the championship by winning four games straight after ending up in the to the beneficiaries. The process generally takes 9-12 months, or longer. Costs: The probate attorney and the Personal Representative are each entitled loser bracket in the 3rd round. to the same amount of “ordinary” compensation per the applicable statute, on a The Lafayette Youth Commission is built up of 15 junior high and high graduated fee schedule based on the gross value (debts are not deducted) of the school volunteers that are appointed to office by the Lafayette City Council. estate’s assets. In short, the formula-based compensation is 4% of the 1st $100,000; On top of advising the Lafayette City Council, the commission put on events 3% of the next $100,000; 2% of the next $800,000; and 1% over $1 Million. When though out the year including their annual Haunted House, Tri City Junior extraordinary services are rendered by the attorney and/or the Personal Representative, they also receive “extraordinary compensation” at court-approved rates. Costs are also paid, which usually total a few thousand dollars, for court filing fees; publication; probate referee charges; etc. Alternatives: A major misconception is prevalent - that if you die with a Will, your estate will escape probate. Not true. Most importantly, if you die without a Will or revocable living trust, the State of California (applicable “intestate” probate code statute) dictates to whom your assets are distributed. In fact, dying with or without a Will guarantees probate (of those assets that are subject to probate) unless you have a valid revocable living trust and substantially all of your assets are titled in your trust on your death. Typically, trust administration is faster, private, less cumbersome, and substantially less expensive than probate administration. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Shapiro Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 944- 2011 ChampsLYC(1) (Left to Right) Katheryn Stabler, Isac Christian, Jack Fink, Jack 9700; rsilverman@sbllp.com. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Evans, Lucas Levine, Matt McCue, Eric King & Caitlin Noll Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Please call for a free High Dances, and the upcoming High School Tri City Dance at the Rheem introductory consultation. Theatre (April 22nd). The basketball tournament was a brand new event for This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice the commission. It was organized by the commission’s chair, Lucas Levine, only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written and refereed by high school volunteers. 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Page 14 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Tree of the Season: Japanese Maples
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
Japanese maples have an elegance and sculptural quality that resembles dance. Careful study of their form, in any season, can call the viewer back to the natural world. In winter, the falling leaves raise the curtain on the form of the trunks and put the dance on center stage. Winter rain intensifies the show by adding a sensuality to the movement of stem and bough, one that beckons to even the unpracticed eye. In spring, certain varieties of Japanese maples send out new leaves so bright a green they appear lit from within. In summer, upright cultivars that are well pruned have spaces between the branches, giving the canopy the appearance of being composed of many floating islands. And in fall, Japanese maples mark the change of season by turning colors ranging from yellow to scarlet, depending on the variety of maple; there are many varieties. Luckily, Japanese maples are relatively easy to grow and are relatively tough. In their long evolutionary dance–fossilized maple leaves date back over 60 million years–Japanese maples have developed the genetic information necessary to protect them against most common garden afflictions. They are, however, subject to verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungal disease that can cause dieback, and sometimes death. There is no known cure for verticillium, but you can decrease the likelihood of your new maple getting the disease if you 1) don’t plant it in ground known to have verticillium, 2) make sure the soil around the tree is well drained so that the roots don’t remain soggy throughout the winter, and 3) protect the tree against environmental stresses by giving it summer water and keeping it well mulched. Maples can grow and remain healthy in gardens with a history of verticillium. If they are not stressed by soils too damp, too dry, or too compacted, some individual maples can thrive even though a near neighbor may die. It depends on the genetics of the individual. If your mature maple shows significant dieback, it may be fighting a case of verticillium. It is
Gardening with Kate By Kathleen Guillaume
Finally the sun has come out, and our garden soil can dry out enough to be worked with. Remember, if you walk on soggy soil or lawn, you compress the soil terribly and basically squeeze out the tiny air pockets that roots need to stay healthy. If you have to work in very wet soil, try setting a pallet on top to disburse your weight and create a minimal impact. I was so overjoyed at the sunshine I nearly lost my mind, but I waited a few days before I played in the dirt and then got a whole winter’s worth of weeds pulled. Now I just wish my neighbors would so the same before all that massive weed soup goes to seed which is sure to blow across my garden creating problems for me all summer. It is still a little too wet to dig deep holes for my tomatoes. I always have them in by now. My sugar snap peas, for the most part, just rotted away, so I have to get more seeds started. I spent some time at the San Francisco Flower Show, which is now in San Mateo. It is much smaller than the old time displays at the Cow Palace but always worth seeing. It is a place where the growers, fronted by designers, show off all of the new “in” plant material. It is also a showcase for the “we just rediscovered this old garden favorite” which will start appearing soon in most of your local nurseries. For the second year in a row, Echeveria took center stage. This is a succulent that is beyond gorgeous in a range of colors that can create beautiful focal points scattered throughout the garden or at the edge of pots. There are a large variety that are quite hardy and will survive all but our most horrid of winters when the temperatures get down in the teens. Go to Google, put in “echeveria,” and click on the images page to see what they look like. If you have patience, you can add to your echeveria collection by buying
www.yourmonthlypaper.com not necessarily a death sentence. Some trees succeed in fighting off the disease. You can help them recover by pruning out the deadwood and improving the soil environment by mulching and aerating. Though some varieties can withstand full sun, Japanese maples do best in part shade. They do not thrive when exposed to the drying effect of constant wind. If you live on an exposed hillside, it is best to plant them in the lee of a larger tree. Dieback in Japanese maple crowns often is the result of too much sun, too much wind, or the even more deadly combination of the two. Maples need water. Keeping them moist throughout the summer and fall, and into the early winter in dry years, will make them happier and more disease resistant. Pruning, besides benefiting the mental health of the pruner, can enhance the grace of the plant. If your pruner is an artist, removing deadwood and teasing apart the plant’s natural layering opens little windows that reveal and accentuate the tree’s natural form. A well-pruned tree looks as if it hasn’t been pruned. Paradoxically, it looks more natural after pruning than before. Though it is sometimes necessary to lower the crown of a maple, as when it is beginning to block a treasured view, lowering should be done only when necessary, and the lowering should not be so drastic as to involve topping cuts (see the article on topping). Lowering a maple to gain a view is not something that you can do just once. Pruning down the crown stimulates new growth, and maintaining the view, or the size reduction, will require yearly pruning. No matter how good the artist, you can’t make a topped maple look as good as a natural tree. Much pruning, and therefore expense, can be avoided by planting the right variety in the right place. When planting a new tree, plant a cultivar that won’t exceed the desired height when it matures. This is almost always preferable to containing a variety that will grow beyond the desired size. It is our hope at Brende & Lamb that the pleasure our clients derive from their well-pruned trees exceeds the considerable pleasure we get from revealing the beauty inherent in their trees. If your trees and shrubs need a little TLC - call us at 510-486-TREE (8733) or email bl@brendelamb.com to schedule a free estimate. For more Advertorial information visit our website at www.brendelamb.com. the small 2 and 3” pots to keep your cost low. They like some moisture but abhor being wet which makes them perfect along paths as the heat radiating off of the paths tend to keep them a little dryer. They like a well drained soil, which most of us do not have, so mix up some planting mix with a good portion of coarse rock, decomposed granite, or perlite, and make a little mound of this mixture to anchor your echeveria. I use pea gravel as a compost over the soil mix to keep it from washing away and to keep the leaves from sitting on damp ground. Euphorbia is another highly used plant which is quite drought tolerant and comes in a range of electric colors and bracts that have fabulous displays. My favorites are ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ and ‘Glacier Blue,’ both variegated varieties that have pale ivory bracts. ‘Fireglow’ and ‘Bonfire’ have deep colored leaves and orange through red bracts. ‘Martini’ and ‘Blackbird’ have purplish green leaves and purple bracts, and the old standby ‘Wulfinii’ is a taller variety that has a profusion of chartreuse bracts. This variety is known also as a gopher repellent. The sap and roots bleed a sticky white ooze that is unpleasant and is used medicinally. Some people also have sensitivity to the sa . I wear latex gloves when I prune or handle it so I can dispose of them easily. I don’t think that I have a sensitivity, but I have had problems with digitalis (Foxglove) and a few other plant materials. I figure better safe than sorry, so disposable gloves are essential in the garden. I don’t have a problem with latex, so that’s what I use, but there are also latex-free disposable gloves. You can find them in any drugstore in 50 -100 count boxes generally for under $10. Enjoy the sunshine, don’t forget to troubleshoot your irrigation system, and get any broken heads repaired and any blocked fittings cleared before you are really dependent on it. Remember the worst of the drought is over, but we do not have all the water California needs for people, agriculture, and manufacturing. Try to stay water wise. Despite of the fact that we have a 50’ snowpack in places, a lot of that will have to get released early to prevent flooding and will just roll out to the sea. Happy Gardening and join in “Plant a Row” (You can get information at your nursery or at www.gardenwriters.org.)...share the bounty.
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Life in the Lafayette Garden
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 15
The Glory of Spring By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect
Getting pounded with these late winter rains, it doesn’t quite feel like spring yet here in Lafayette! But if you look closely in the garden at the trees, shrubs, and perennials, you’ll see the glory of spring quietly emerging from the cold and wet. The beginning of spring is one of my favorite times in the garden. I love to observe the new and fresh leaves bud from dead and deciduous branches, bright new lime green leaves stand out against older darker green ones. I like to watch how quickly daffodils, jonquils, and paper whites (Narcissus) push their fresh long leaves through the decaying leaves and mulch to bloom bright and cheery colors. The days are warming; the sun shinning and like clock-work life in the garden labors to show us the glory of spring. Here are some of the plants that you might have noticed that are the first to declare the beginning of Spring. Cercis occidentalis (tree-Western Redbud) blooms lavender flowers on smooth gray branches before leaves form, Daphne odora (shrub-Winter Daphne) with its intoxicating fragrance fills the air, Hardenbergia violacea ‘Happy Wanderer’ (vine-Lilac Vine) weaves a lively trail of lilac flowers, Iberis sempervirens ‘Snowflake’ (perennial-Candytuft) trails profuse white flowers over the ground, and, one of my favorites, Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’ (ground cover-Speedwell) blooms profuse cobalt blue flowers as winter fades out. Other great note-worthy spring blooming trees are Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’ (ornamental pear), Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia), and Prunus serrulata ‘Shirotae’ (Flowering cherry). After a long winter’s nap, we long to connect with nature to rejuvenate, relax, recreate, and renew ourselves. A Garden is one of those places that has the gift to touch all of our human senses: sight, smell, touch, sound and taste. Wandering through a beautifully designed Lafayette garden allows the senses to be stimulated by wonderful visuals, fragrances, textures, sounds, and tastes that nature can offer.
Let your spirits be lifted twice this spring: first by strolling through inspiring gardens and second by knowing that you are helping to raise much-needed money for charity. Come join our spring tradition! I am thrilled to announce our 2nd annual Garden Tour Fundraiser: Life in the Lafayette Garden- a tour of five distinct Lafayette gardens designed by me. I personally invite you to come enjoy the glory of spring with us. Stroll the budding gardens, nibble goodies during an outdoor kitchen cooking demo, learn about urban farming in our veggie garden demo, listen to music as you meander, chat with me, and enjoy other surprises we have planned while supporting our beneficiaries Hospice of the East Bay, Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette A.A.U.W. Tech Trek program, the Gretta Foundation, Urban Farmers, and Contra Costa Guild Dogs for the Blind. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 14th from 11AM-4PM. For more info and tickets, visit www.jm-la.com, and click on the Garden Tour tab. It will be a pleasure to celebrate the glory of spring with you! A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: As the glory of spring emerges, it’s time to control aphids, slugs, and snails. It’s time to set out cool season annuals; snapdragons, viola, and stocks. You can also seed some veggies like radishes, carrots, peas, and set seed potatoes. Gardening Quote of the Month: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com,or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial
Page 16 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
BVE continued from front page
this year, Happy Valley and Burton Valley music teacher Angela Borba. Aspiring actress Lindsay Torres, a ten-year old Burton Valley fourth grader, is the second in her family to participate in Burton Valley Players. She played the role of Mozart’s snooty canary. “Her older sister played an ugly duckling in a BVE performance three years ago, so our family seems to be moving up in the world,” laughs her mother Kathi Torres. Lindsay’s favorite part of the production is rehearsing her lines. “She has been practicing an English accent to sound more posh,” says Torres, who appreciates that her kids have the opportunity to do musical theater at their school. “Though there are other venues for children to participate in theater production, such as Town Hall, I love that the Burton Valley Players get to perform with and for their schoolmates,” says Torres. I also enjoy the hands-on aspect of parents and children coming together to develop sets, donate props and costumes, and manage publicity and ticket sales. It's yet another example of how our community comes together in support of our children. The Burton Valley Players has been a great experience for Lindsay; she is growing as a performer and as a person, and is simply having fun!” “It's fun to work with other kids and then put on a show in front of a crowd,” says Reed Sabey, also a ten-year-old fourth grader who plays the role of Mouse 16. (There are 19 total mice.) “And, Mrs. Kerr always comes up with really good ideas for the show.” Reed’s mom Erin notes that in the very sports-oriented Lafayette community, it is nice to have this more creative outlet for kids. “It is great for Reed to be able to do this with his friends/classmates, and it is right after school so it is very convenient,” says Sabey. “Carol is very enthusiastic and is great at getting the kids excited. I think it is particularly cool that she continues to oversee the Burton Valley Players even though she is now teaching second grade full time.” “I keep threatening to retire, but somehow, kids and parents keep talking me into continuing!” says Kerr. “You have to love it! It's so much fun to see the final production. We have all worked so hard, and it's so rewarding to see what they have created.”
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By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Maybe you’re like me in that you listen to the car radio when you’re driving around. I listen to the news, and of course to support the news, stations have to sell advertising. I’ve noticed several types of commercials right now. I’m a very skeptical listener, and it seems to me that the commercials are aimed very low, toward people who are very gullible, and they are increasingly predatory. One of the commercials recommends that I should buy gold, and/or sell my ‘junk’ gold to get spare cash. Another wants me to refinance my mortgage with their super low rates (and tons of fine print). The third type of ad pops up around the holidays, and it’s for ProFlowers, a company I’ll warn you about another time. The fourth, and what I’m writing about today, are ads to magically clean up your PC. There are a few different products being offered. The product I’ll write about today is MyCleanPC.com, but my comments here are directed at the whole genre of online computer cleanup tools. The bottom line? Avoid them. I think they are largely ineffective and a waste of money. When your computer becomes slow, there are many possible reasons. The assumption of each of the online cleanup tools is that they know exactly what ails your computer without even looking at it. It is true that a downloaded diagnostic program can look at many aspects of your system, but a) that’s not what these programs do, b) it’s a complex undertaking that takes quite a bit of time, and c) it can’t perceive what a trained professional is going to notice. Instead, they’re focused on one specific task and selling that as a PC tune-up. I think it’s misleading. System performance tuning is complicated. Many factors come into play and interact with each other in a complex ballet of symptoms. How old is your computer? What operating system is it using? Does it have the latest patches? How much RAM is installed? How full is your hardisk? What programs are you using, and what versions? Is the hardisk working properly? Is it making noises today that are new or different? How fragmented is your hardisk? Is there a bad stick of RAM? Is your page file properly sized? Do you have too many programs running on startup? Is there a single program running that is running away with all of the system resources? Is your networking card working properly? Are your system temp folders overflowing with junk files? Is there a motherboard problem disguising itself as a software issue? Are there a lot of orphaned entries in your system registry? Do you have two different antivirus products loaded that are competing with each other? I’ve never seen a program written that can survey all of these factors, sort them out, discuss options with the owner and make decisions about what to do, and then effect those repairs. The online services these sites sell are typically called “registry cleaners.” They really don’t do very much. The “registry” is a big system database that Windows keeps hidden away in a system folder. As you install, run, and de-install programs, there are usually entries left in the registry that shouldn’t be there. Over time, if this happens enough, the registry can become large and fragmented. But, as fragmented as it may become, it is only one small part of the performance puzzle, and the clean-up is not nearly as profound as the commercials indicate. I downloaded and ran the product at MyCleanPC.com. It’s actually another name for a company called “CyberDefender,” which is just another antivirus company. The website immediately asks if you want to scan your system for “errors.” The download is free. When you run the product, it begins to scan your registry. It completes after a few minutes and displays a report of supposed “errors” that need to be fixed. On my system it found 942 “errors.” If you want to “fix” those errors, it forwards you to their website to get the unlock code for their software. They want $39.95 for the unlock code. They also automatically check a box that says you want a copy of their antivirus for an additional $29.95, as well as the “backup CD” for $14.97. If you’re not paying attention, that’s $84.90 to “fix” a problem that really isn’t a problem. The key points are as follows. First, just because an entry is left in the registry or a file is left on your system, doesn’t make it an “error.” So I object to their alarmist characterization of this ordinary phenomenon. Second, as I pointed out above, cleaning up orphans in your registry is just one aspect of tuning a system, and there are many other areas that more commonly cause system performance issues. Third, I think their advertising is misleading, their product is over-priced, and pre-checking boxes for other products is a sneaky way to sell product. The bottom line is computers are complex. There are many factors to consider when they’re not working well. It’s best to work with a trained professional who can give you honest advice in the context of your business or personal requirements. Computers can do many things well, but diagnosing themselves is still better accomplished by a human. For friendly, professional advice, give Portable CIO a call (925)552-7953, or email your questions to helpdesk@theportablecio.com. Advertorial
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To Run or Not To Run?
What is the answer? By Steven Marcinkowski, PT, DPT
“Oh, you run. Aren’t you putting yourself at risk for an injury? Aren’t you concerned that running will lead to knee arthritis?” These are questions every recreational to elite runner has been asked. The questions are reasonable. After all, who has not been injured themselves or known someone who suffered an ache or pain while attempting to improve their fitness level by jogging? I run approximately 50-60 miles per week and also hear the above two questions on a regular basis. As a physical therapist in a sports medicine setting, I have the responsibility of ensuring that the orthopedic patient, including the running athlete, understands the cause of their injury, techniques to assist with healing of the damaged area, and suggestions to assist with diminishing the possibility of reoccurrence. Addressing the first question, there is an abundance of evidence linking running and lower body injuries. A 2008 study out of Germany, “Acute and overuse injuries correlated to hours of training in master running athletes,” found that 56.6% of the athletes had an Achilles tendon overuse injury, 46.4% anterior knee pain, 35.7% shin splints, and 12.7% had plantar fasciitis. Additionally, a 1992 study out of the Department of Health Science, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, “Running injuries. A review of the epidemiological literature,” states “The overall yearly incidence rate for running injuries varies between 37 and 56%.” The study notes, “Factors associated with running injuries include previous injury, lack of running experience, running to compete, and excessive weekly running distance.” Although the running induced injury statistics are discouraging, help is readily accessible. For example, a running coach may be of assistance to counterbalance lack of running experience. The idea is that correct running form promotes efficient running function. Should an injury occur, or as so often happens, reoccur, the ailments can be managed with a visit to your doctor and referral to a physical therapist for treatment including correct exercise and training strategies. In response to the second question, an examination of running as a source of knee arthritis appears to be mixed. Multiple research studies have concluded that evidence is weak as to running being a culprit in the development of wear and tear (osteoarthritis) in healthy joints. For example, a 2008 Stanford study, “Long distance running and knee osteoarthritis. A prospective study,” looked at runners versus non-runners over a period of two decades. The findings concluded that “Long-distance running among healthy older individuals was not associated with accelerated radiographic osteoarthritis.” These statistics raise the prospect that severe osteoarthritis may not be more frequent among runners. In contrast to the healthy knee joint, a history of knee surgery to remove torn cartilage (meniscectomy) may require additional guidance as to whether running is a suitable and safe activity. The post-surgical knee joint may not be
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 17 as user friendly to the runner if its cushioning and stability mechanism has been altered. A 2007 study in The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy describes a scale and lists guidelines that may be of assistance with predicting the possibility of returning to running following knee surgery. Responding to “Oh, you run. Aren’t you putting yourself at risk for an injury?” and “Aren’t you concerned that running will lead to knee arthritis?” can be summarized as follows. Running often results in injuries to the Achilles tendon, knee, shin, and arch of the foot. However, understanding and correcting injury factors may lessen the odds. Should an injury arise, proper medical and physical therapy treatment will assist with prompt and safe return to running. The risk of jogging leading to the advancement of knee arthritis does not appear to have support in the medical literature as it pertains to healthy knees. Conversely, one with a surgically corrected knee may be better served by consulting with their surgeon and physical therapist as to the safety of returning to running. Steven Marcinkowski has been located in Lafayette for twenty years. His physical therapy office is located at 3730 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste. 100, Lafayette. He can be reached at 925 284 4486 or lamorindaorthopt.com. Advertorial
Page 18 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Ask Dr. Happy Dear Dr. Happy,
I’m a stay at home mom with three children, ages 4, 6, and 9. It seems like all I ever do is childcare. I cook, I clean, I chauffeur, I grocery shop, I nurse sick kids, it never ends. Also, my husband is no help; he says he’s old fashioned. He claims that by working and bringing home a paycheck, he’s doing his part. I have no energy; we rarely have sex, and when we do, I resent it. I can’t imagine going on as I have for another decade and more. Sometimes I just want to get on the Greyhound bus and disappear. Help! ~Trapped
www.yourmonthlypaper.com belief and tradition. Because of this, I strongly recommend professional help for ‘Trapped’ and her husband before this conflict ruins what remains of their good will and destroys their marriage.
Special Notice
There will be a FREE Symposium for seniors and their caregivers: Secrets of Dynamic Aging, on Friday, May 6th, at Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. I am one of the speakers and will present a talk titled: Happiness: If Not Now, When? For information and registration, call 925-330-0060 or email Symposium. lcf@comcast.net; hope to see you there. Please send questions/comments for Dr. Happy to Pollyannan@aol.com.
Dear Trapped,
All marriages have operating rules; usually they just evolve, ad hoc, as a byproduct of living together rather than through mutual planning and agreement. Sometimes this works out well, other times, not so much, as in your case. Clearly, you and your husband need to actually negotiate your marital rules. This will require flexibility on both your parts. Frankly, I’m a little concerned that because your husband says he is old fashioned, this may translate into meaning he is inflexible. If that is the case, the two of you may need to work with a therapist in order to reach an acceptable compromise. Your complaints are not unique and there are solutions that will work. However, both husband and wife must be willing to change their attitudes for that to happen. It’s important, in any marriage, to establish rules that work for both parties.
Happiness Tip
Living with another person as in a long-term marriage can be a heaven or hell depending on how well they handle conflict. Best is to settle key, big issues, like whether or not to have children and how many, before marriage. Basic male/female roles, as in this case, fall into this category, as well. It is not so much a matter of right/wrong or good/bad, but it’s more a case of
Effectively Treating Lumbar Disc Degeneration By Jeffrey Johnson, D.C.
Lumbar disc degeneration is a well-known cause of back pain in today’s society. People suffering from pain secondary to lumbar disc degeneration usually experience back and leg pain, as well as muscle spasms in their low back and leg. They also commonly report muscle weakness, numbness, and pins and needles in the thigh, leg, and foot. As degeneration usually occurs on one side of the disc, the pain is generally worse on the corresponding side of the back. The pain can worsen with coughing, straining or sneezing as well as slouching and bending, which compresses irritated discs in the spine. It often gets better with bending backward or leaning to one side (the one opposite to the pain) which takes pressure off irritated discs. Because of this, people with lumbar disc degeneration often adopt a particular posture or walking stance to ease discomfort. They may be seen bent sideways, forward, or with knees slightly bent to relieve pain in the legs. While the pain of lumbar disc degeneration can radiate into one or both legs, the cause of the condition occurs in the lumbar spine, which is just above your buttocks. Your lumbar spine is comprised of five bones called vertebrae. Like the coils of a slinky, these vertebrae are stacked one on top of the other and move in unison. To prevent friction during movement, intervertebral discs cushion and protect the vertebrae. These discs are soft, fluid-filled pads, and when they become herniated, the gel-like material inside may bulge out into the spinal canal. Within the spinal canal lies the spinal cord, which contains spinal nerves that exit between vertebrae and branch out to the rest of the body. Any displaced gel from a degenerated disc may compress these nerves, causing pain in the low back and the areas of the body which nerves travel from the spinal cord. In severe cases, the displaced gel can even compress the spinal cord itself. A singular traumatic event is usually not enough to cause disc degeneration. Most disc degeneration is more likely a result of steady abuse. People whose work involves lots of twisting, bending, prolonged sitting, or heavy lifting are more at risk as these activities cause disc stress, wear, and tear. Truck drivers, for example,
Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
www.yourmonthlypaper.com endure prolonged periods of sitting in a vibrating vehicle, which can cause tremendous stress for the intervertebral discs and over time lead to a disc herniation. While extreme cases of lumbar disc degeneration may require surgery, our comprehensive approach which combines conservative chiropractic care, VAX-D therapy, McKenzie protocols, neuromuscular reeducation and exercise therapy which has proven successful for most of our patients suffering from lumbar disc degeneration. Let's take a look at one of the approaches we frequently incorporate in our comprehensive treatment paradigm.
VAX-D Therapy
VAX-D therapy has proven to be effective in relieving the pain our patients experience secondary to herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. VAX-D therapy allows for the safe, controlled distraction or decompression of the lumbar spine. We are able to provide each patient with a personalized decompression treatment as we use a computerized program to administer an exact treatment. Your treatment is determined after reviewing your medical history, examination findings, and diagnostic imaging reports. From this information we determine how much of a stretch is placed into your lower back and how often it is repeated.
How VAX-D Works
The repetitive stretching or “decompression” of your lower back may create relief by physically decreasing the pressure on the lumbar discs and spinal nerves, creating a neurological response which inhibits lumbar spine pain generation and by encouraging the flushing of painful inflammatory chemicals out of the disc for replacement with oxygen, water, and nutrients necessary for disc health. Most patients experience relief with VAX-D therapy within 6 to 8 sessions and are able to effectively transition into the exercises and stretches that are necessary for sustained lumbar spine health.
Can VAX-D Therapy Work For You?
It is important to note that no therapy consistently creates relief of the lumbar spine in all patients. But, at Johnson Chiropractic Group, we have seen a large population of patients positively affected by this safe, relatively inexpensive treatment. Many people that were once forced to compromise their daily activities are now living pain free or managing their pain much more effectively. For more info go to www.movepastyourpain.com, visit us on Facebook, or contact Dr. Johnson at Johnson Chiropractic Group, 115 Town & Country Dr., Suite E in Danville. 925.743.8210. Advertorial
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Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD
Stop Pre-Diabetes and Prevent Diabetes
Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes are at epidemic proportions. If you are fortunate enough to learn you are pre-diabetic, there are minor nutritional changes you can make that can prevent diabetes. Physicians are referring patients to me that are in the pre-diabetic blood glucose range between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/ dl as well as full diabetics with fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dl or higher which will need medication if changes are not made. I truly am thrilled when a physician sends me a newly diagnosed pre-diabetic or diabetic patient because I know that changes in diet can significantly affect their condition. My first contact with clients is when they are distraught with this diagnosis. I tell them this might be the best thing to happen to them, giving them a wakeup call to finally get their health in order once and for all. I tell them their Type 2 diagnosis does not mean they can no longer enjoy sugar, but rather the key is to balance their meals with protein, fiber, and fat along with sweets and alcohol. Let me tell you about my most recent newly diagnosed pre-diabetic with a blood sugar of 123 mg/dl. Paul came to my office with a food diary that was very revealing. For breakfast Paul would alternate between Raisin Bran and Cheerios with a banana. For snacks he ate granola bars, yogurts, and fruit galore. For lunch he always went to Safeway for a turkey and cheese sandwich on a French roll with a bag of chips. In the afternoon he would grab a candy bar or enjoy some of the homemade goodies at the office. When he came home, he was famished and ate the large traditional meal with several slices of French bread. Paul said he thought his diet was moderate and did not deserve his diabetes diagnosis since he hardly ate sweets and drank water rather than sodas and juices. Paul did not realize that his menu choices were low in protein and fiber
Does Your Neck Give Away Your Age? By Barbara Persons, MD
Is a sagging neck or double chin causing you to feel as though your reflection in the mirror doesn’t reveal the true you? Many of us focus on our faces. We protect our faces from the sun, yet we leave our necks and upper chest skin to age from sun exposure and weight change. Fortunately, there are several options to improve the appearance of your neck. In this month’s article, I will discuss the most effective options available for neck rejuvenation. As we age, men and women both develop pockets of fat under the chin which can make an otherwise fit physique appear unfairly chubby. For patients under 45 looking to minimize these fat pockets, liposuction may be an option. In my experience, high-definition Vaser Lipo technology produces the most desired result with minimal downtime. This technology uses ultrasound to break down fat cells while protecting other cells and blood vessels and is well suited to the delicate neck area. Tiny incisions are made under the chin and jaw lines which are barely noticeable once healed. This procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation, takes approximately one hour, and has a recovery time of about seven to ten days. The removal of fat is almost always permanent, but it can return if there is significant weight gain following the surgery. For patients over the age of 45, laxity of the skin starts to become the critical factor when determining the most suitable procedure. There are many popular procedures being marketed today that attempt to solve this issue while claiming minimal downtime. The reality is that skin laxity can only be properly corrected with an actual neck lift, often combined with some degree of a face lift. A cervicoplasty (neck lift) involves an incision under the chin and an incision around each ear. The platysmal bands (the vertical muscles at the front of the neck) are tightened and fat is removed by liposuction or surgical excision. Any excess skin is removed. This procedure takes about two hours and may be performed under mild sedation and tumescent anesthesia. This type of neck lift is often combined with a mini facelift and is a favor-
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 19 which is necessary to keep blood sugars normal. His breakfast choices hardly have the required 2-3 oz of protein and 5 grams of fiber needed. I suggested Paul switch to Kashi-Go-Lean, oatmeal or even eggs with a 100% whole wheat English muffin. For snacks I told him good choices would include, a hardboiled egg, beef jerky, or handful of almonds and a fruit. For lunch I suggested that he continue having the sandwich, but order it with 100% whole wheat bread and extra veggies, which he loves, along with an apple. Instead of the chips, he should buy a hearty bean Progresso soup which can easily be poured into an oversized mug with the convenient flip top lid. When he craved his chips, he could order 1/3 pound of meat, large coleslaw or broccoli slaw, and then have a bag of chips. The chips will replace the bread of the sandwich, and the salad will provide the fiber. Paul also needed to eat a mid-afternoon snack to keep his blood sugar stable and prevent him from being famished at dinner. I recommended cottage cheese with fruit or veggies and a few Ak Mak crackers or a few slices of meat wrapped around pickles and a fruit. I stressed the need to make sure that fruit is consumed as a dessert and never on an empty stomach noting that fruit consumed on an empty stomach leads to rise in blood sugar and does not satisfy hunger. We discussed the need for Paul to come home with a low-calorie appetite. I am glad to see that Paul now comes home without being famished and will be satisfied by chomping on some raw veggies that are always available. His portions at dinnertime have become reasonable. He feels that his energy level is high. The best news is that after working with Paul for two weeks, his blood sugar is in the teens. Paul is so excited that he is no longer a candidate for diabetic medication. He has lost ten pounds, and he feels like a new man. If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, I can show you how quickly this can be reversed. Linda is located in her office in Alamo. She welcomes your call to discuss your needs and personal diet challenges. Please visit www.LindaRD.com for more information, helpful tips, recipes and Linda’s blog or call (925) 855-0150. Advertorial ite of men and women seeking to create a more youthful appearance while having a more rapid recovery time than with a full facelift. The surgical incision for a mini facelift can be mostly behind the ear and in the hairline, making it barely noticeable. A mini facelift may be performed under local anesthesia and mild sedation and takes one to two hours. A Rhytydectomy (a full facelift) is designed to remove the loose skin and excess fat on the face and neck and to return the tissues of the face to a more youthful, natural looking position. It can be combined with fat grafting to fill areas of low volume in the face and cheeks. Recovery time is approximately two weeks and the results are the longest lasting of the surgical methods discussed. In addition to the surgical procedures described above, there are technologies and products available for patients who wish only to improve the tone and texture of the neck area skin. Laser technologies, such as Cutera Titan and Sciton SkinTyte, improve the tone and texture of the neck skin by using infrared light to heat the deep dermis below the skin. Another technology, Thermage, achieves similar results using sound waves. While these technologies may provide some improvement in the appearance of the neck area skin, they are rarely as long lasting as surgical treatments. Additionally, years of exposure to the sun can cause this delicate neck and upper chest area to age prematurely. A prescription-based skin care product such as Obagi’s Elastiderm Décolletage is a skin lightening and wrinkle reducing treatment protocol. Such a product may be effective in reducing age spots and hyperpigmentation while improving the overall appearance of the chest and neck area. Further, neurotoxin treatments like Botox or Dyport can be effective in relaxing the platysmal bands which are often the blame for the dreaded “turkey neck.” While the number of options discussed above may seem overwhelming, this variety of treatment options exists because we are all unique individuals. Age, sun, and gravity affect each of us differently. I would be pleased to discuss which one of these treatments may be right for you. Barbara Persons MD owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 925 Village Center, Suite 6 in Lafayette. Please call 925-283-8811 or email at drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Page 20 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Fighting Cancer with a Cup of Tea By Jewel Johl, MD Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Despite the estimated 565,650 deaths in 2008 of Americans as a result of cancer, it is mostly a preventable disease. Simply by modification of diet, maintenance of optimum body weight, and regular physical activity, 30% to 40% of all instances of cancer could be prevented. Modification of diet alone by increasing vegetable and fruit intake could prevent 20% or more of all cases of cancer and may potentially prevent approximately 200,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Because of their safety, low toxicity, antioxidant properties, and general acceptance as dietary supplements, fruits, vegetables, and other dietary elements (phytochemicals and minerals) are being investigated for the prevention of cancer. Extensive research over the past several decades has identified numerous dietary and botanical natural compounds that have chemopreventive potential. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages and is rich in substances with antioxidant properties. Different processing techniques yield different types of tea. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea and has gained the most attention with respect to anticarcinogenic activity. Although both black tea and green both have potential in prevention of cancer, green tea shows higher promise and greater efficacy against multiple types of cancer. Various studies performed in the lab and in the clinics have shown that EGCG found in green tea can potentially help patients suffering from various cancers such as cancers of the breast, colon, ovary, lung, prostate, and blood such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Green tea can potentially make cancer therapies more effective by making resistant cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of EGCG. Because of these promising results, several clinical trials are currently
www.yourmonthlypaper.com ongoing involving green tea alone or in combination with other drugs that are used to fight cancer. At Diablo Valley Oncology, we take an integrative approach to treat patients with cancer by educating patients about the therapeutic benefits of natural compounds that have very little or no side effects. Advertorial Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group founded the California Cancer and Research Institute. Located in Pleasant Hill, it is the largest comprehensive, non-hospital based cancer and blood disorder treatment center in Contra Costa County. The center brings together medical oncology, hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, clinical trials and supportive care services all in one convenient location. For more information contact: 925-677-5041 or visit www.DiabloValleyOncology.md.
Optimizing Sports Performance and Injury Prevention
Lafayette Physical Therapy, Inc., located at 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Suite B110, Lafayette, is hosting an informative talk for the Lamorinda Community. Lisa Gibson, Physical Therapist, DPT, and Certified Active Release Techniques® (ART) Specialist will speak on “Otimizing Sports Performance and Injury Prevention” Tuesday, April 26th at 7pm. There is no cost. Seating is limited so please RSVP to 925-284-6150 to hold your seat.
Hearing Loss Association
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations accepted. Assistive listening system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact: HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or 925.264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.
An American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey reveals that 92% of adult respondents say an attractive smile is an important social asset. 74% believe an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for a successful career. More than any other facial feature, a smile can reflect trust, comfort, confidence and the shortest path to reflecting your personality. Dr Rader is a graduate of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI), a renowned center for cosmetic,TMJ, and Neuromuscular dentistry. He is one of a few dentists nationwide to complete Full Mouth Reconstruction curriculum at LVI.
925.932.1855 Alex Rader DDS
General, Cosmetic, and Neuromuscular Dentistry 1855 San Miguel Dr, Suite 12 • Walnut Creek, CA
www.alexraderdds.com
Actual patient, smile design by Alex Rader, DDS
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Teachings in Tremors By Dr. Michael Nelson
Tremor is one of the more noticeable neurological conditions. We have all seen friends, relatives, and strangers with shaky hands or heads. Frequently, people will assume someone may have Parkinson’s, is very anxious, or enjoyed a few too many drinks the night before at the Round Up. As a neurologist, we are trained to be very observant and diagnosing a type of tremor can sometimes be done with this simple skill. This explains why most neurologists will get their own patients from the waiting room and walk you to the exam room. There is a lot to be gained from watching a patient respond to their name, get up out of the chair, and walk down the hallway. You may not realize it, but when you see a neurologist your examination starts when we call your name. There are many causes and types of tremor. Essential tremor, also called action tremor or benign familial tremor, is a high frequency, low amplitude tremor that is present with activities. Imagine a nervous waiter carrying a cup of coffee on a saucer and you have the right idea. This is the opposite of a Parkinson’s tremor which is a rolling tremor at rest. It is variable and worse with stress, caffeine, or lack of sleep. You may also find that a glass of wine reduces it. Essential tremor is the most noticeable in the hands, but can be present in the head, voice, or legs. Sometimes, I can diagnose the tremor just by the patient’s handwriting on the patient forms. The forms will look like they were filled out while riding in the back of a pickup truck down a long gravel road. The handwriting of Parkinson’s patients is small but neat. Most importantly with essential tremor, there are no slow movements or shuffling walking that we see in Parkinson’s. Also essential tremor is typically present for years or even decades before seeing
Elephant Elbows and Hillbilly Heels By Dr. Shanny Baughman
Want to get a jump on summer styles? Starring in a birthday, anniversary, or wedding gala soon? Preparation might involve firming, toning, hair treatments, and wardrobe selection. However, do not neglect two important body parts - your elbows and your feet! Fondly referred to as “elephant elbows, and Dr. Shanny Baughman, Alamo hillbilly heels,” these brownish-grey patches are not caused by dirt, but by a build-up of dead dry skin cells. Investing just 60 seconds daily for ten days will result in spectacularly smooth skin. There are two essential requirements for elbow and heel care- exfoliation and moisturization. Omit one and the other will be only minimally effective. Exfoliation is best done in the shower or bath. Moisten your skin and then gently scrub your elbow or heel in a circular motion for 10 seconds and repeat on the other extremity. Apply soap to a washcloth, sponge, or brush for a mechanical exfoliant. The cleanser you use may have fine beads or crushed apricot kernels added for additional exfoliation. Sugar or salt scrubs are also effective. Remember this is a process requiring several days. You do not want to remove all the dead skin cells at once; gradual removal will be less traumatic and minimize wounds caused by overly vigorous scrubbing. Your skin will be a bit red after exfoliation, but it should not be tender. Don’t let the bends of your arms turn into If it is, you were too vigorous. If so, “elephant elbows!”
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 21 a neurologist and is much more likely to run in the family. As with Parkinson’s disease, a brain scan is not helpful in determining your diagnosis. Your tremor may not represent an underlying neurological disease at all. It can be due to a side effect to medication or other substances. Once again, detective work remains very important. If your tremor started after a new medication, then chances are it is due to that medication. In the reverse way, I have had patients who took beta blockers for years for their blood pressure and a tremor was noted when the beta blocker was stopped. What this means is they have had essential tremor that had been treated by the beta blocker. The tremor can also be due to a medical condition such as hyperthyroidism. While I’m not the oldest neurologist you’ve ever seen, treatment for essential tremor has not changed since I first learned about it. There are two main treatments. The first are beta blockers such as propranolol or Nadolol. The other is an older seizure medication called primidone. These medications can also be used in combination for the worst cases. Topiramate can also help and in the worst cases, deep brain stimulation can help essential tremor. Due to side effects and the difficult nature of tremors, the goal of treatment is to reduce but not eliminate the tremor. For the vast majority of people, essential tremor is a nuisance and will not lead to disability. Frequently patients will decide it is time to seek medical attention when the tremor interferes with activities or they find it socially unacceptable. A lot of patients just want to make sure they don’t have Parkinson’s disease. I hope you have found this information educational and enlightening. As always, proper diagnosis and treatment of your tremor should be performed by a neurologist. Dr. Michael Nelson is a board certified adult neurologist who has been serving general neurology patients in the East Bay for the past nine years. His office is located at 970 Dewing Ave, Suite #300 in Lafayette, CA. He can be reached at 925-299-9022 to schedule an appointment and can also be found Advertorial on the web at www.michaelnelsonmd.com. take a break for a few days, and avoid beads or crushed kernels the next time. A Clarisonic brush can be used in place of a washcloth or sponge. The ultrasonic action of the brush fibers may be superior at loosening adherent dead skin cells. After exfoliation your elbows and heels are ready for the second step - moisturizing. All moisturizers are not created equal. With a few exceptions, the thicker a moisturizer, the more emollient and hydrating it will be. An ointment is more emollient than a cream and a cream more Dr. Kelly Hood, Lafayette than a lotion. A generous application of moisturizer just once daily after exfoliation will soften dry elbows and help lighten the gray-brown color. Moisturizing cream applied to slightly damp skin traps a bit of water next to the skin that is released over time. Therefore, your skin will be better hydrated with less cream or lotion. Waiting to moisturize after the skin has dried is less effective because 1) the moisture film has evaporated, and 2) more lotion or cream will never recreate the water-under-cream environment. Remember that rush of fragrant, humid air when you stepped off a plane in Hawaii? Remember how your skin feels while you are there - more moist, hydrated, and less dry, taut, and wrinkled? Applying moisturizer over moist skin helps simulate a more humid environment, minus the frequent flyer miles! I recommend the following moisturizers because they are effective, well-tolerated, and readily available at most pharmacies - Aquanil, Cetaphil, CeraVe, DML, and Vanicream. Prevention of “hillbilly heels” includes wearing socks with shoes, not going barefoot, and limiting the use of sandals or flip-flops. With a bit of attention and small investment in time and materials, your elbows and feet will be show-quality for summer. To schedule a consultation with one of us, contact Dr. Shanny Baughman at Alamo Oaks Dermatology, 3189 Danville Blvd, suite 130, Alamo, 925-362-0992, shanny.derm@gmail.com, or Dr. Kelly Hood, 970 Dewing, Suite 301, Lafayette, Advertorial 925-283-5500, khoodderm@yahoo.com .
We may not have tsunamis here in Contra Costa County, but we do have our occasional earthquakes and power outages. While these can be inconvenient for most of us, they can be life-threatening for seniors – especially Photo by www.JamieWestdal.com if they are dependent on power for medical equipment. According to a Harris Poll conducted for AARP in 2006, 13 million people (or one of every six American citizens aged 50 and older) say they will need help evacuating if a natural disaster strikes. Half of these individuals mentioned that they will require help from someone outside of their household. In another Harris Poll conducted in 2007, only one-quarter of those polled said they have put together a disaster supplies kit with water, food, medicine, and other supplies. Because no one can predict when an emergency situation will arise, everyone, especially seniors, needs to be prepared for when disasters strike. With proper planning, injury and life-threatening harm to seniors and the disabled can be minimized when unexpected emergency situations strike. Family caregivers and their loved ones should take three steps to prepare for emergency situations, including developing a plan, preparing an emergency supplies kit, and setting aside copies of important medical records in an easily accessible location. Develop a Plan: A plan should consider all types of emergency situations including power outages, floods, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters. • Family Input – The plan should include input from the senior and multiple family members, and it should detail who will be a part of the support network including family, friends, and neighbors. • Consider Health Issues – Families must keep in mind the elderly or
www.yourmonthlypaper.com disabled individual’s specific needs and health issues in order to properly execute the plan and to provide suitable resources. • Logistics – The plan should clearly convey how the individual should get help in a disaster situation; whether help comes to them or if they should go to a pre-designated safe haven such as a shelter or hospital. • Communication – Once a plan is prepared, family members should make sure everyone in the support network is informed and aware of the process in place. Emergency Kits: Basic emergency supplies should always be kept accessible such as water, food, batteries, flashlights, radio, and first aid kits. • Extra Medications – A minimum of three days worth of extra medications should be kept on hand as well as medical equipment ranging from oxygen tanks to eye glasses and hearing aids. • Backup Power Sources – Battery powered back-ups for any special medical equipment should be installed on devices that require it. • Contacts – The kit should include a list of contacts; telephone numbers for family, friends, neighbors, medical professionals, and caregivers so the senior and tending family member or friend can reach them. Important Information: When in an emergency situation, it is important to keep medical records available. • Location –Those in the support network should know where to go to get access to important documents and records • Necessary Information – Contents of the documents should include information such as medical history, allergies, insurance forms, medical providers, and financial documents. These records should also contain a list of medications taken on a daily basis. For more details, please visit our blog at http://www.rah-mtdiablo.net. About Right at Home - Jim and Joyce Newport opened Right at Home in Pleasant Hill in 2009. We directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom are thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. For more information on Right at Home in-home caregiving services, call us today at 925.256.HOME (4663). Advertorial
Events for Lafayette Seniors
Opposing Osteoporosis with Anne Randolph, RPT ~ Friday
Page 22 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Did You Say Disaster?
Simple Safety Tips that Can Save a Loved One’s Life During Emergencies By Joyce & Jim Newport, Owners, Right at Home of Mt. Diablo
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 to reserve a spot. Annual Membership fee: $10 per person. General Event fee: Members $1; Non-Member $3. Special Concerts fee: Members $3; Non-Members $5. Ongoing Caregiver Support Group: Members: no charge; Non-members $1. An Afternoon of Dance from China and Korea ~ Friday 4/15 1:30PM – 3PM, Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center Talented and exuberant dance artists from the Culture to Culture Foundation will delight us with the Chinese Scarf Dance and the Korean Fan Dance and more. In addition, audience members will be encouraged to learn and follow along with Tai Chi and Luk Tung Kwen steps to join in the fun. Bring friends and enjoy light refreshments.
“It Might As Well Be Spring” - Afternoon Jazz Piano Event at the Library Friday 4/22 1:30PM – 2:30PM, Community Hall,
Lafayette Library and Learning Center – 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Talented keyboard musicians from the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society will again grace us with their interpretations of wonderful music, this time highlighting romantic songs and the gaiety of the spring season. Join us and bring friends.
The Not So Elemental Basics of Successful Gardening for the Beginner and the Veteran Part 1: Tuesday 4/26, Part II: Tuesday 5/17
10:30AM – noon at the Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center Scared to start gardening AGAIN? Healthy very green weeds proliferate in your yard and you think, if they can grow so well, maybe adding something colorful and intentional might be doable. Garth Jacober from Mt. Diablo Nursery will help you to make gardening a lovely and joyful reality. Their first session in April will focus on selecting plants that are particularly suited to our area and specifically to your home site. Perennials, annuals, how to mix and match and much more will be discussed. The May workshop will guide you through a better understanding of pruning and maintenance processes including seasonal timing, drought management, mulching, soil conditioning. Bring your problem cases to share and discuss with the group. At both workshops, there will be plants on hand to examine, learn about, and purchase (at a special senior discount – ask us more).
4/29, 11:30AM – 12:30PM Sequoia Learn how to maintain or possibly increase your bone mass. What are the risk factors for developing osteoporosis; what are some treatments? Get tips on how you can take control and keep your bones in the best shape possible.
Hearing Screening- Is Your Hearing Not What It Used to Be?
~ Ongoing Monthly Hearing Screenings by Dr. .Mimi: Wednesdays: 4/13, 10:30AM, 10:50AM, 11:10AM, 11:30AM, 11:50AM, and 12:10PM. Self-Discovery and Aging Creative Writing Workshop - 4/15 ~ 2:30-4:30PM • Elderberry - Write to explore issues around aging, emotion and perception – or get support to do your own thing! Workshop sessions include feedback and encouragement, writing prompts, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing. Bi-Monthly Caregiver Support Group Mondays, 4/14 • 1:30 – 2:30PM Caring for older adults in the home often creates great stress and emotional anguish for spouses and family members. Certified Geriatric Care Manager offers a support group for family members involved with the care of an older relative. Tea Dancing - Enjoy afternoon Tea Dancing and light refreshments at the LCC Live Oak Room every Wednesday from 12:30 - 3PM, and learn some great new dance moves. $2 Members/ $4 non-members. Positive Living Forum (a.k.a “Happiness Club”) - Positive Living Forum features eminent speakers on a wide range of topics that will stimulate and guide participants towards a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins are welcome. Next meeting 4/14 • 10:30 – noon. Moderated by Dr. Bob Nozik, MD. Lafayette Senior Services Commission - The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 3:30 – 5:30PM at the Lafayette Senior Services Center. View agendas at the City of Lafayette office or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.
Best White Cabernet in the Valley! 510-861-2722 5700 Greenville Rd Livermore, CA 94550 www.redfeatherwinery.com
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What’s New at the Spirit Van?
By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator, Lamorinda Senior Transportation, An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Mauna Wagner has taken on the role of helping new volunteer drivers get accustomed to driving the Lamorinda Spirit Van. Beginning with Blanche Poynter, Mauna has provided supervised practice first to Blanche and lately to Dave Cummins and John Vocke who are about to join Reigh Granlund, Malcolm Hendry, Mike Madden, Blanche Poynter, Steve Rogness, and Mauna Wagner as our crew of valued volunteer drivers who along with much appreciated staff drivers, Eddie Caravalho and Paula Karl, take Lamorinda seniors out and about. Steve Rogness, fire fighter for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District and veteran Lamorinda Spirit Van Volunteer Driver says, “The Lamorinda Spirit Van Program provides a service to our community that is beneficial in so
Lafayette Today ~ April 2011 - Page 23 Symposium: The Secrets of Dynamic Aging: Finding New Paths and Staying Engaged scheduled for Friday, May 6th, from 9AM to noon at Temple Isaiah addresses this important topic. (Registration begins at 8:30AM) Call the Lafayette Community Foundation at 925-330-0060 or email Symposium.lcf@comcast. net to reserve your space and find out more about this exciting event featuring Houston Robertson, Dr. Happy (Dr. Bob Nozik), and Shirley Krohn. Staying active, getting out and about, having a sense of purpose, and becoming or remaining involved in the community all help seniors to retain and build youthful energy, vitality, and health. To that end, the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program offers paratransit van transportation to as many destinations as time, drivers, and resources permit. Currently, the Spirit Van is offering two upcoming mini-trips to local gardens: Saturday, April 23rd to Heather Farms and May 14th to UC Botanical Gardens. Call us at 925-283-3534 to reserve your space if you would like to join like-minded seniors for this three to four hour outing to see beautiful gardens and gain ideas for adding plants to your own home and garden. Bring a bag lunch. Sponsored by the Lafayette Garden Club.
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
YOU CAN HELP! VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE NEEDED. As long time volunteer driver, Malcolm Hendry, says: “It’s just a way of helping a fellow traveler who needs it.” Call each program for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to make tax-deductible donations.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
283-3534
Taking Lamorinda Seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping and lunch at the C.C. Café. $10 round trip; rides to lunch are free. Reserve your seat two business days ahead of time by 1PM. Call for information about mobile advertising. Volunteer drivers left to right: Malcolm, Mauna, and Steve.
many ways including supporting senior independence by helping seniors achieve the daily tasks of grocery shopping, running errands, and going to doctors’ appointments. It provides the opportunity for seniors to socialize with other seniors during the senior lunch program and relieves pressure for care givers, friends, and family who would normally drive seniors to their destinations. It is very rewarding for me to help provide such an important service to our community.” Lamorinda Senior Transportation began as an effort to help seniors live independently and stay engaged in community life. The upcoming Senior
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CAR FOR COLLEGE STUDENT Looking for a cheap car for a college student. Preferably a Honda or Toyota. Manual transmission OK. Please call 925.216.1089
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE!
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Volunteer Driver Program
Volunteers driving their own cars provide free rides for seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
402-4506
Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors
284-6161
Serving Orinda seniors with rides for appointments and errands.
Serving Contra Costa County seniors with rides to doctors’ appointments during the week, grocery shopping on Saturdays.
ARCHITECT JOHN ROLF HATTAM - ARCHITECT Specializes in modest budget, new and remodeled residences. Over 200 completed projects. AUTHOR: Houses on Hills and Other Irregular Places. Also, National Parks from an Architect’s Sketchbook Call for a brochure: 510-841-5933. 737 Dwight Way, Berkeley.
LESSONS MUSIC INSTRUCTION with Robbie Dunbar. Bach to Beatles and beyond. Piano, guitar, other instruments. All ages and levels welcome! I travel to your home. Decades of experience, including Masters of Music Composition. Also PIANO TUNING. (925) 323-9706, robbiednbr@gmail.com
Lafayette Today Classifieds
Reach over 11,500 homes and businesses in Lafayette - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: PO Box 1335, Lafayette, CA 94549 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Lafayette Today” or “Danville Today News” and pay half off for your second and/or third ad! Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name_________________________________________ Address___________________________________________ # of Words_______________
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Page 24 - April 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Stanley Science Expo
The 2010 Stanley Science Expo sponsored by Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE), was held on March 31 st in the Stanley Gym. The Science Expo is the final event in a series of Lafayette elementary science fairs. Stanley's Science Expo is unique because in addition to displaying student science projects, it includes a diverse array of exhibitors who share their passion for science with the students, parents, and teachers. Above Lafayette Elementary School students Zach and Nate, with father Quinlan Tom, extract DNA from cheek cells with Sangamo Biosciences scientist Janet Estee. At right, Lafayette Elementary School 5th grade student Emma Kacharmina extracts DNA from cheek cells. Photos by Lynn Truong.
SALE on Firepits, Patio Furniture & Outdoor Fireplaces
SAVE 30%-40% OFF Retail
Patio Renaissance
Patio Renaissance
Open Tues thru Sat 10 to 6 Sunday 11 to 5 Closed Monday
Danville 925.648.0293 3426 Camino Tassajara
Alamo 925.820.8492
3189 Danville Boulevard
Seniors continued from front page
Services Commission. At first I thought, “How would I qualify for something like that?” It was so different from what I was used to doing. I would have been ecstatic to have seen in the paper a notice of our upcoming Symposium. It would have been just what I was looking for - help finding a path to making my new life as dynamic as my career life had been. Fortunately I did apply and got the position which I have enjoyed for the past 23 years. It was not only a new path in my life, but it is a way to stay engaged with the community. I have met so many interesting people and have made many wonderful friendships. It was one of the Secrets of Dynamic Aging. For all of us there are new paths to follow and new doors to open, but it is not always easy to find and go through them. That is why this Symposium is so important. It will help us find ways to stay engaged and defeat loneliness. It will help us realize our potential for personal growth and happiness. Our first speaker, Houston Robertson, will address this very subject. Mary Bruns will talk about the Lamorinda Spirit Van and the importance of transportation in staying engaged with our community. Shirley Krohn will show us how to stay safe inside and outside our homes, and Dr Bob Nozik, known for his Positive Living Forums, will speak on “Happiness, if not now, when?” These interesting speakers will indeed reveal the Secrets of Dynamic Aging! So come and participate in this Symposium. To make a reservation call 925-330-0060. The Symposium is free, and refreshments will be served. Seniors of all ages, adult children of seniors and anyone interested in seniors, are invited. It will be held on May 6th from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.