editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2011
Serving the Lafayette Community
Behind-the-Scenes Help By Fran Miller Junior Prom, Senior Ball, Senior Day of Reflection, Homecoming, Senior Breakfast, Graduation – It takes time, a great deal of organization, and funds to stage these traditional Acalanes High School rites of passage, for which Acalanes class officers are officially in charge. But the transitory nature of annually elected officers, combined with heavy class loads, athletic or club endeavors, family obligations, and the need for occasional rest and relaxation, make event-planning continuity a challenge. Enter the Acalanes Class Liaisons – behind-the-scenes committees of three to four dedicated parent volunteers who are enlisted for a full four years to advise, guide and support their graduating classes’ student body officers through the planning and fundraising for these time-honored events. In addition, the liaisons act as a conduit to the parent community as well as to the chairs and co-chairs whom they recruit for the various other committees. They organize adult fundraisers to benefit each class, coordinate donations and volunteers for football and basketball game concession stands, chaperone Homecoming events, assist with community service day transportation, and organize back-to-school Dons Days. Acalanes Student Body Secretary Kate Avery suspects Acalanes students work on spirit activities, with behindthat without the assistance of the-scenes help from their Class Liaisons, who try to the class liaisons, chaos would maintain a low profile while guiding student activities. more than likely reign. “I mean, we're teenagers,” says Avery. “It's always difficult to really know what we want, but these moms and dads are fabulous at translating what we mean. They are extremely helpful. They usually have had a kid already go through Acalanes before us, so they know the ‘lay of the land’ much better than we do. They do so much, most of which is all behind the scenes work and they are incredible and we are so grateful.” Acalanes Principal Aida Glimme allows that while her students can be organized, creative, and hardworking, she agrees with Avery that most of the events at school would not be successful without the parent help. “The help of the liaisons allows for students to participate in other activities and spend more time on academics,” says Glimme. “The liaisons are also truly liaison's to the community. We receive feedback and input from them and come to many of our decisions based on that input. Many times, we get to know the needs of our community by working with the liaisons.” What possesses these altruistic parents to not only raise their own teenagers, but to act as mentors for scores of others? The answers vary, but most cite an interest in staying apprised of school events, something that becomes more difficult as kids
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Holding the winning ticket is Janet Pease, posed with husband Norm (right) and John Fazel, representing Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, which handbuilt and raffled the 15-foot wood canoe. Gross ticket sales exceeded $17,000. Every dime goes toward funding community service projects in Lamorinda, including construction of the new outdoor concert stage at Lafayette Reservoir.
Couple Wins Rotary Raffle Canoe Winners of a custom-made, handcrafted wood canoe raffled by Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club are Norm and Janet Pease, longtime residents of Orinda. Their winning ticket was drawn after the recent Lafayette Reservoir Run - in which Norm was an entrant - by Jay Lifson, executive director of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Run sponsor. Gross revenue from the raffle totaled $17,310. The winner had the choice of accepting the canoe or $2,000 cash. The Peases opted for the
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Local Jazz
By Fran Miller
Jazz seekers no longer have to cross the bridge to find live music in a club-like atmosphere. For jazzy sounds as entertaining as anything you’ll find at the Rrazz R o o m , Petar ’s r e s t a u r a n t Evan Mickas (tenor sax), Ryan Kapoor (trumpet) and Nick Curry in Lafayette (trumpet) jam on stage at Petar's Jazz Night. features occasional Monday night jazz jam sessions. Arrive early though; the musicians have Volume V - Number 12 a curfew. 3000F DANVILLE BLVD #117 Featuring jazz students from ALAMO, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Stanley Middle School, Bentley, Fax (925) 406-0547 Campolindo,Acalanes, Miramonte, editor@yourmonthlypaper.com and other area schools, Petar’s Jazz Night is the brainchild of music Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher instructor Terry Miller. From 6 – The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is 8:30pm, young jazz musicians are not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See Jazz cont. on page 11
nor does publication imply endorsement.