editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
March 2012
Serving the Lafayette Community Welcome Aboard the Diablo Valley Lines!
By Fran Miller
The mention of a model railway likely evokes the mental image of a parent and child gathered ‘round the Christmas tree as their electric toy train chugs along on its circuitous route. However, a trip to the Diablo Valley Lines Railroad layout of the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) in Walnut Creek’s Larkey Park will quickly terminate that image. “We are not playing with toys here; we are operating a model railroad,” says member Ted Moreland with a wink. A survey of the Society’s approximately eighteen hundred square foot layout in their own building, specially designed and constructed by WCMRS members, confirms that this past time is indeed more than child’s play. Featuring nostalgic steam locomotives, modern diesels, a narrow gauge logging road, and electric traction lines on 4,300 feet of hand laid track with 175,000 individual ties over 54 x 32 feet, 400 working switches or turnouts, and several miles of electrical wire, the WCMRS layout operation requires a dispatcher to communicate with several engineers who are provided a high-above-the-track bird’s eye view. The WCMRS layout is believed to be the most mountainous model railroad of its kind anywhere. The highest peak is about 1,350 scale feet above the floor (measured in HO 1/87 scale) and the highest trackage is some 400 scale feet above the base table. A
See Trains continued on page 13
Lamorinda Toastmasters
A group watches the trains go by during a trip to the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society.
By Fran Miller
In addition to the common goals of improving and refining public speaking artistry, members of Lamorinda Toastmasters join the speaking and leadership skill organization for varying reasons. Some look to meet new people and make new friends, some seek a sales edge, some are interested in developing interpersonal skills, and some hope to refine their English language skills. The beauty of Toastmasters is that members can find all of these elements and more. Toastmasters is a globally recognized program proven to improve the speaking and presentation skills of all of its members. The Lamorinda chapter’s mission is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Whether a member is a professional, a Clean Water Ballots – What’s This All About? student, a stay-at-home parent or retiree, Toastmasters provides an efficient By Sharon Burke and enjoyable avenue for increasing communication aptitude. Ballots went out in late February to property owners asking for their vote on The Lamorinda chapter meets every Tuesday evening from 7:30 – 9pm at the Contra Costa Community Clean Water Initiative. The election is required by Temple Isaiah, located at 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. The program Prop. 218, the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, passed by California voters in 1996. utilizes manuals to help members practice the skills needed to become The countywide initiative was ordered for election by the County Board of Su- more competent communicators. The first speaking manual includes ten pervisors on February 7 on a 3-1 vote. A majority vote of property owners in the projects offering specific speaking aspects on which to focus, such as County is necessary to pass the fee. Critics have questioned the mode of election speech organization, body language, and vocal variety. Members then used for this measure, which is required in accordance with Prop. 218, written and receive verbal and written evaluations by championed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Prior to Prop. 218, no the other members. This congenial and nonvote was required to assess a property related fee. And since property owners felt threatening evaluation process is the heart it unfair for renters and other non-owners to vote on property related fees, Prop. Volume V I- Number 3 of the Toastmasters program. 3000F DANVILLE BLVD #117 218 specified that only property owners could vote in a property related election “Lamorinda Toastmasters offers a ALAMO, CA 94507 See Ballots continued on page 18 supportive and friendly environment for Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 members to practice and critique their PRSRT STD editor@yourmonthlypaper.com delivery of both prepared and off-theU.S. Postage cuff public speaking,” says Greg Fisher, PAID Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Local Permit 21 Lamorinda Toastmasters’ Vice President The opinions expressed herein belong to the Postal Customer writers, and do not necessarily reflect that Lafayette, CA of Public Relations. “Most members are of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not for the content of any of the adsurprised that their gained confidence responsible ECRWSS vertising herein, nor does publication imply
See Toastmasters cont. on pg. 16