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March 2013 Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Serving the Lafayette Community By Fran Miller
Diablo Magazine recently named the Lindsay Wildlife Museum as one of 13 great date locations. Those believing the Museum to merely be a fun grade-school field trip setting might scoff at the notion of courting amongst the critters. But Diablo Magazine is on to something - there is nothing quite like the soul-stirring site of a golden eagle’s outstretched wings to make the heart go pitter-patter. Just what is the measurement of that wingspan? Step over to the new Raptors! exhibit, hold out your arms, and compare your own reach to the eagle, a condor or a hawk. Look to the left, and view the real deal. As the museum’s “ambassadors,” this grouping of live, native California birds sits above the crowd surveying the curious. They will spend their lives at the Museum due to physical or behavioral disabilities that prevent them from being released in the wild.
Congratulations to Greg Moeller - Lafayette Citizen of the Year
Release is what the Museum strives for. As a working wildlife hospital, and one of the oldest and largest rehabilitation centers in the United States, Lindsay treats more than 5,000 injured, sick, or abandoned animals annually. Some of those who cannot ultimately fend for themselves in the wild find a home at the Museum (And when full capacity is reached, the Museum’s nationwide network is tapped to find homes
See Lindsay continued on page 18
California Magic Soccer Club
Always smiling, always saying hello, Greg Moeller is the 2013 Lafayette Citizen of the Year. Anyone who lives in the “Greg Zone” (Happy Valley Rd., El Nido Rd, Upper Happy Valley Rd.) knows what happens each year as spring approaches...the daffodils, that were planted by Greg in January, are exploding in color all over the neighborhood. It is The Greg Zone, a place where Moeller has been transforming our community by sharing seeds and bulbs and birdhouses and poppies and JOY. For the people who are lucky enough to live in the “Zone,” they know Greg has spent thousands of hours over the years making Lafayette just a little nicer than it would have been without him. This talented and dedicated citizen has done more than most to enhance the beauty of Lafayette. To honor Greg is to honor an ordinary citizen who does extraordinary work. Join in the celebration of the weeding, pruning, fertilizing, and planting Greg has done. A dinner to honor Greg takes place on Friday, March 22nd at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, located at 3287 Mount Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. Cocktails will be served starting at 6pm and dinner begins at 7pm. Please make reservations by visiting www.lafayettechamber.org or by calling 925-284-7404. Please make your reservations no later than Wednesday, March 20th.
By Fran Miller
In existence for less than a year, California Magic Soccer Club is already making its mark on the soccer fields of Lamorinda and in the lives of its players. Like any other soccer club in the area, California Magic strives for wins, but their definition of “winning” encompasses success PRSRT STD both on and off the soccer field. U.S. Postage Under the guiding beliefs that all PAID Local children have an absolute right to be Permit 21 Postal Customer Lafayette, CA happy in sports, and that the ‘talent is in the effort,’ California Magic Soccer ECRWSS
See Soccer cont. on page 16
Volume VII - Number 3 3000F Dਁਖਉਅ Bਖ #117 Aਁਏ, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher
The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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Free Tax Preparation
Meals on Wheels
Free tax preparation for the 2013 tax season is available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit for whom they can serve. EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000. For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the Walnut Creek area, please call (925) 943-5851 for the Walnut Creek Senior Club site, (925) 405-6278 for the Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site, or (925) 979-5013 for the Walnut Creek St. Paul’s Episcopal Church site. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo ID for yourself and spouse • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2011 Tax Return.
Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.
Lafayette Improvement Association Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA), Lafayette’s first community service organization founded in 1911, is seeking board members. The LIA is a non-profit organization and the steward of the Lafayette’s Town Hall building. We are looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to preserving this historic community resource and have experience working in fundraising and marketing. Community members who are interested in learning more about the LIA can visit www.lia-ca.org and contact LafayetteImprovementAssoc@gmail.com for more information.
Bunny Brunch Family fun awaits you at the annual Bunny Brunch to be held on Saturday, March 30th at 11AM at the Lafayette Community Center, Live Oak Room located at 500 St. Mary’s Road. Ticket price includes a pancake breakfast, an engaging and entertaining children’s show put on by “Sheriff of Fun,� Michael Goldstein, an exciting egg hunt for the kids, ARF’s Pet Hug Pack, and a visit from the Big Bunny! Tickets are on sale and can be purchased for the advanced sale price of $7 per person. Tickets at the door are $9 per person, but space is limited, so purchase tickets early before it sells out! For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Lafayette Community Center at (925) 284-2232 or visit www.lafayetterec.org.
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Host Families Sought for French Students
A Toast to Tutoring
For the eighth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming to Danville. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April 20th and depart May 2nd. The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and one weekend. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at caussefly@wanadoo.fr or dachary.martine@orange.fr. There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you. The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or 925-718-5052.
A Benefit for the Buena Vista Tutorial Program
There’s More to Girl Scout Cookies than What’s in the Box By Lafayette Girl Scouts Service Unit 326
Buena Vista Auxiliary of Assistance LeagueŽ of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that operates the Buena Vista Tutorial Program, an early-intervention literacy program for elementary age schoolchildren in Contra Costa County. To date, the tutorial program has helped over 3,600 children improve their reading skills in a private, differentiated learning environment. Buena Vista Auxiliary is thrilled to be hosting this year’s “A Toast to Tutoring� at Round Hill Country Club (located at 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo) and to be celebrating 25 years of service in our local community. The event will be held Friday, April 12th from 6pm-10pm and will feature wine and beer tasting, seated dinner and silent and live auctions. For more information please visit www.atoasttotutoring.org. In 1988, a small group of women from Contra Costa County wanted to make a difference — Buena Vista ES¸ZZ>]eS`EOaVWbT]` Auxiliary was born. For the first six years, Buena Vista g]cO\RPZOabOZZ]TbV]aS Auxiliary aided Assistance \OabgQ]PeSPaT`][bVS All outdoor living LeagueŽ of Diablo Valley in SOdSa]Tg]c`V][SOb areas power washed their many volunteer efforts. \]ORRWbW]\OZQVO`US With this experience, they starting at $249 were inspired to start their own program focusing on ’4@73<2:G@3:7/0:3A3@D713 children's literacy. In 1993, the ’:713<A320=<232 Buena Vista Tutorial Program 7<AC@32&!!"$ was launched at Meadow ’4@331=<AC:B/B7=<A Homes Elementary School in Concord. Twelve children participated that first year. Since then, over 3,600 children in Contra Costa County have been served. Currently 2319A ’ 2@7D3E/GA ’ 43<13A ’ 4:/5AB=<3 12 elementary schools in the >/B7=A ’ ABC11= ’ 0@719E=@9 ’ E/:9E/GA 6=CA7<5 3FB3@7=@A ’ =CB2==@ 4C@<7BC@3 Mount Diablo Unified and Walnut Creek School Districts ' #'#!!#!% participate in our program.
GET READY AB/7<32>/B7=FOR SPRING!
Green box means Thin Mints, but that’s not all! The updated boxes detail how the easy-to-inhale cookies play a key role of a Lafayette Girl Scout building The Five Skills: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Ethics. Goal Setting & Decision Making. The process starts with each Troop and Girl Scout determining individual and team sales goals. How many boxes of cookies to get a cool toy or digital tablet? Will the Troop use the money earned or save it? Troops even apply their funds to trips or community projects and donations. Twin Canyon Camp in the Lafayette hillside was purchased with cookie sales money back in 1954, proof that what girls accomplish today can make a lasting impact. Business Ethics. Superbowl Sunday doubled as cookie delivery day with an initial order of nearly 3,000 cases unloaded at Stanley Middle School’s gym. Lafayette Girl Scouts, parents and the community-at-large worked
See Cookies continued on page 17
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 3
69% of Surveyed Families with Portfolios Exceeding $5 Million are Interested in a Second Opinion! Hutch Ashoo, CEOo
Overriding concerns are stock market volatility, outliving assets, not being able to afford the current lifestyle in retirement, and political/economic uncertainty.
Chris Snyder, Principal, SR. VP
If you have similar concerns and feel it is time for a second opinion, call (925) 407-0320 to schedule your complementary analysis. Pillar Wealth Management is committed to providing unbiased advice. We deliver 100% feebased customized wealth management solutions to a limited number of affluent families. Pillar is fully owned by Mr. Hutch Ashoo and Mr. Chris Snyder. They are book authors, financial columnists, and nationwide radio guests. They have been providing customized financial solutions to affluent families for a combined 47 years. Call (925) 407-0320 to schedule your complementary analysis.
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Boulevard View By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor In this age of heightened food awareness, I reflect on what our family eats now and what we ate a few short years ago. Due to newly discovered allergies, new exercise regimes, and concerns about the common food supply, our diet has opened up to many different new foods and preparation techniques. I consider cooking to be an essential life skill that I made sure our children had under their belt before leaving the nest. While they weren’t initially eager chefs, they all enjoy home cooked meals and have embraced, and jumped into, the fun and art of cooking. They have even started requesting cooking gadgets for birthday and holiday gifts. Over Christmas I purchased two smaller turkeys rather than one large one to feed the crowd. However, when the time came to start marinating and prepping the turkeys, I lost my motivation to prepare them. I came up with a brilliant (in my-mind and albeit self-serving) idea and convinced my two sons that everyone needs to know how to cook a turkey. I created a challenge and gave them free rein to each cook a turkey however they wished. They immediately embraced the challenge and began internet searches to find the perfect recipe. Of course they found we needed to add a new device to our gadget collection, so we were off to the store for an infuser to shoot in the concoctions of spices they came up with. One of my sons prepared a more traditional recipe while the other chose a “General Tso’s” variation. While one turkey was the victim of an out-of-whack oven temperature, and a pan that wasn’t as effective, both were delicious, and great learning occurred (especially when it came to delving into the bag of spare parts in the turkey cavity).I further reinforced the experience by having one of my younger nephews learn how to
properly carve the turkey. I got to sit back and enjoy the event! My mother-in-law’s vintage crock pot sat on our shelf unused for a number of years. It was pulled out of the cupboard after having a delicious crockpot ham at a friend’s house and has since become a staple in our kitchen. We now cook big batches of stews and other meat dishes and freeze them. The frozen meals, which also include dozens of homemade breakfast and dinner burritos, are shipped with friends who travel from our area to my two children who are still in college. The meals get them through times when they need something quick and easy, and they don’t have extra money to spend. I have probably single-handedly caused multiple shelf restockings at the store as I have switched from most of my plastic storage containers to glass ones. Mason jars aren’t just for canning fruits, veggies, and preserves. They are the perfect vessel for soups, sauces, salads, and quick oatmeal breakfasts. Do a websearch on “mason jar meals” and you’ll find a plethora of meals that you can freeze, microwave, bake, and pack in a lunchbag. My current favorite (pictured above) is differently flavored oatmeal with fruits and seeds that are perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts. Our middle child called me after an outing spearfishing in Santa Barbara, and he wanted to know how to cook the fish he had just caught. His first thought and question was, “Can I just fry it and put cream of mushroom soup on top?” Yes, that was one way to do it, I noted, but I further shared that he should “respect the fish” and simply savor it as the special food it was and not try to hide it under some “gluppy” sauce. There is still more for my children to learn about cooking, but we are enjoying our new food journeys.
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Page 4 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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“Inside/Outside” at the Lafayette Gallery This is the in-between time of year: between winter and spring, rain and sun, inside and outside. So to celebrate, the Lafayette Gallery announces a new Exhibit, “Inside/Outside.” Starting March 12th, the Gallery will be filled with an all-new selection of paintings, photography, prints, cards, ceramics, jewelry and sculpture, available in a wide range of prices and all designed to enhance your home with the invocation of the warm, sunny outdoors. On April 21 we move outside as well, as The Lafayette Gallery Sculpture Garden is re-opening after the annual winter hiatus. To celebrate the reopening, the Gallery is hosting a free reception, Sunday April 21st from 1 - 4 PM , with free wine, hors d’oeuvres, and live music! Filled with works that vary from the whimsical to the earthy to the elegant, the Sculpture Garden is a unique feature of the Lafayette Gallery. There are very few locations in the Bay area where one can view outdoor sculpture in a setting scaled like a residential garden. Every sculpture is unique, and all are made by local artists. For more information, visit www.lafayettegallery.net, or call 925-284-2788.
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. Send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to:
Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507
Kristen Nielson is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 5 last month.
Science Expo The 2013 Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) Science Expo is coming to Stanley Middle School on Wednesday, March 27th from 6:30-8:30PM. The Expo, held bi-annually, offers community members, parents, and students of all ages the opportunity to learn about the wonders of science, engineering, and technology through interactive exhibits from both exhibitors and students. At the event will be the Chabot digital dome planetarium where one can see how video game design and mobile application development works with The Academy of Digital Science. See live therapy animals with an exhibit by the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) showing how animals communicate. Participate in a hands-on activity with VisionTech, including game design, engineering and robotics, and learn how a recording studio works from Red House Studios. Extract your own DNA, learn about engineering with the Galileo Quest “Gumdrop Bridge Challenge,” see a Chevy Volt, visit the “Special Exhibit” with the latest in instructional support technologies and a designated quiet area with a quiet activity, and experience much more. For an updated list of exhibits, go to www.stanleypta.org/lpie-science-expo. More than 100 student science projects created by Stanley student scientists are expected including topographical maps, Rube Goldberg Machines, and traditional science fair projects with a hypothesis and conclusion. “The whole emphasis of the Science Expo is to highlight science and make science the rock star. The event shows the diversity of science careers and immerses students in an evening that makes science very, very cool,” says Michael Menenghetti, 6th grade science teacher. If you have questions, please email one of the LPIE Stanley Science Expo Co-Chairs, Catherine Maiden at tcmaiden@sbcglobal.net, Merilee McCormick at merileemccormick@comcast.net, or Laura Varner at ltvarner@msn.com.
Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop’s “March Madness” Member volunteers at Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette, want to remind all of you shoppers that time marches on, especially during the month of March, and most especially since Easter Sunday falls on March 31. These insights will give you a better understanding of “March Madness.” You might consider saving a great deal of money while helping those in need and at risk by greeting the month of March one week at a time. A restful, three day weekend will help you reconnect with your family and friends while you restore your cutting edge shopping acumen. On Tuesday, March 12, beginning at 10AM, when you return to Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, you will cross a threshold into spring during the appropriately entitled Spring Merchandise Event. You will renew your wardrobe with colors and accessories that will make for a very smart look. The remainder of March will unfold with the Easter Merchandise and Little Girls’ Dresses events. Shelves will bulge with baskets, large and small bunnies, plastic eggs for hiding goodies, shoes, and niceties guaranteed to put you in the pink of things. Easter entertaining enhanced by linen placemats and napkins, centerpieces, silver plate trays, candle holders, and serving platters and bowls will delight the most discerning guests. Easter dolls and wall hangings will complete the desired effect. To make room for all of these great finds, you might consider sorting out those items that you no longer use. Member volunteers will return your kindness with heartfelt thanks and a tax donation receipt. To learn more about Assistance League of Diablo Valley and the eight philanthropic programs that the thrift shop funds, please visit our website, diablovalley. Member volunteer Katherine Stupak reminds us that assistanceleague.org. Easter Sunday falls on March 31 this year, and the niceties in this photo do have a way of hopping out the door.
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 5
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Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center Please join us for one or all of our upcoming classes at the Lafayette Community Garden across the street from the Reservoir. These classes are interactive, informative and fun so come join us and prepare to get your hands dirty! It can be muddy and cold in the winter, so dress appropriately.
April 13th 10am – 11:30am, Irrigation and New Norms for California Landscape Scott Sommerfeld, Landscape Architect and EBMUD representative for water conservation, will emphasize site stewardship and resource efficiency as the new norms for local landscapes. He’ll discuss best practices for landscape and irrigation design, installation, and maintenance and update us on the newest high efficiency irrigation equipment.
May 11th 1:30pm – 3pm, Creating and Enjoying a Butterfly Garden Join Pamela Winther, Landscape Architect and Adjunct Professor at DVC to learn all about butterfly gardens and the beauty and delight they bring. She’ll tell us the best plants to grow, what conditions they need to flourish, and which beauties you’ll find in your garden. We’ll explore the Community Garden’s new butterfly garden and maybe find some visitors. Classes are free although a $5 donation is appreciated. To register for a class, please visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org, and click on classes.
Montelindo Garden Club The next Montelindo Garden Club monthly meeting (every third Friday of the month) will be held on Friday, March 15th at 9AM at Orinda Community Church, located at 10 Irwin Way in Orinda. The topic for the March meeting will be “Incorporating Australian Plants into a New Existing Landscape.” The speaker will be Troy McGregor, owner of Gondwana Flora, a nursery specializing in Australian plants. McGregor is also the director of the Ruth Bancroft garden.
(Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
Discover a Sense of Place Free workshops at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek will be held Saturday, March 23 and May 11 from 9AM – noon. Discover what it is that makes Diablo Valley, this place we call home, such a unique and fascinating bioregion. Learn why and how to become an eco-steward of the nature found in your community. Both of the workshops will focus on a different aspect of our habitat: how nature can be harnessed to prevent and fight disease in your garden, and the natural history of our region – how plant and animal species native to Diablo Valley have changed over time and why. Instructors are widely recognized authorities in their field and live and work locally. The programs include hands-on activities outdoors. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 947-1678 or go to www.gardenshf.org. The six acres of organic gardens at The Gardens at Heather Farm inspire and educate the community about sustainable gardening and stewardship practices that contribute to the preservation of our environment. The Gardens just celebrated its 40 year anniversary as a nonprofit. It is open to the public daily, free of charge.
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Lafayette Hiking Group Join the Lafayette Hiking Group on March 23rd for a hike in the Moraga Hills followed by wine tasting. We will hike five to six miles (with hills) from the Moraga Barn to the Valle Vista staging area, then the Rimer Creek Trail to the Rocky Ridge Trail, King Canyon Loop, then back along the Lafayette-Moraga Trail to the Moraga Barn for a tasting of local wines (optional). There is a $20 fee for wine tasting and cheese plate. Reservations are required by March 13th. For questions and reservations, email or call leader George Denny at georgedenney01@comcast.net or 925-787-9437. Meet in the parking lot out from the main entrance to Lafayette BART at 8:30, we firm carpools to the trailhead, or at the Moraga Barn at 8:50. Bring snacks, water, layered clothing sun protection, and money for carpool.
Page 6 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
The Bookworm By Joan Stevenson Storytime We are all storytellers from the seven year old who answers the question, “What happened at school today?,” to the class reunion participants remembering a prank from middle school fifty years before. We tell our stories around the dinner table and where siblings gather. Our shared tales are our history. There are those among us who are professional storytellers. This is your invitation to a storytelling concert on Tuesday, March 19th at 6:30pm in the homework center at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center (LLLC). This is an event for the whole family when expert storytellers from The Bay Area Storytellers will captivate us with tales that are fun and fanciful of heroes and heroines. You just might glean a few tips on how to tell your story even better! There are also storytellers who share their experience so that we might learn by from it. The Honorable Ellen Tauscher has such a story to tell. She is our special guest on Friday, April 12th, 6-8pm when John Muir Health presents an Esophageal Cancer Awareness seminar. Ms. Tauscher is an esophageal cancer survivor. She will be joined by John Muir Health specialists who will address the warning signs, latest medical treatments, early detection options, and what you need to know to stay healthy. Scott Hutchins will share the story of his journey as a writer, including the publication of his first novel, A Working Theory of Love, when the Friends of LLLC host a conversation with him at Sweet Thursday on March 21st at 7:30pm. He is a former Truman Capote fellow in the Wallace Stegner Program at Stanford University, where he currently teaches. His work has appeared in Story Quarterly, Five Chapters, The Owls, The Rumpus, The New York Times, San Francisco Magazine, and Esquire. The San Francisco Chronicle described Scott’s new work as “inventive, intelligent, and sometimes hilarious.” They go on to note, “One of the pleasures here is
13th...Wednesday 7:00–8:00pm 19th...Tuesday 6:30–7:30pm 19th...Tuesday 7:00–8:00pm
A&S
HC
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21st...Thursday 12:00–12:30pm
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21st...Thursday 6:30–8:00pm
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21st...Thursday 7:30–8:30pm
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26th...Tuesday 2:00–3:00pm
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www.yourmonthlypaper.com Hutchins’s terrific grasp of the zeitgeist - the intellectual energies, cultural landscapes, and characters of the Bay Area.” Then, there are the storytellers extraordinaire. On Sunday, April 14th we will have the opportunity to meet Alexander McCall Smith, our speaker at the LLLCF Distinguished Speaker Series. He is the bestselling author of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series which introduced fans around the world to its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 60 books, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children’s books. His Isabel Dalhousie series, featuring the insatiably curious philosopher and detective, has also reached bestseller status. Ninth in this series is the just-published The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds. In conversation with Diablo Magazine’s Peter Crooks, McCall will discuss his newest work and his illustrious career. The event will take place at the Lafayette Veteran’s Memorial Building at 2pm. Tickets are $35 for general seating, and $75 for reserved seating and Meet and Greet. Call 925-283-6513 to reserve. By coincidence, our time with Alexander Mc Call comes on the eve of World Book Night on April 23rd. Never heard of it? It is an annual celebration dedicated to spreading the love of reading, person to person, and Alexander McCall Smith’s wonderful first novel, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, has been selected by readers as part of World Book Night 2013. Each year thousands of volunteers go out into their communities and give half a million free World Book Night paperbacks to light-readers and nonreaders. World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. It’s also about more than that. It’s about people, communities, connections, and it’s about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways – through the sharing of stories.
Berkeley Repertory Theater Docent Talk.......................Free Fallaci - A docent will join us to share the back-story of this world premiere play which depicts the larger than life Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci. reserve@LLLCF.org Family Storytelling Concert!.............................................Free Stories, fun and fanciful, of heroes and sheroes, will be spun by popular Bay Area professional storytellers to entertain and delight! no reservations necessary Science Cafe: The Buzz about Bees!.....................................$5 UCB Faculty Entomologist Dr. Gordon Frankie & Bay Area Beekeeper Steve Gentry discuss the latest research on CA's top pollinators & the busy world of local honey making. reserve@LLLCF.org
28th...Thursday 6:00–8:00pm
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4th to May 9th Thursdays 10:00–12:00pm
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4th to May 9th Thursdays 1:15–3:15pm
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Lindsay Wildlife Museum.................................................Free Creepy Crawlers - Ms. Ginny will read fun, creepy, crawly themed books and then Lindsay will bring animals at noon for some post-storytime fun! reserve@LLLCF.org Contra Costa Master Gardeners........................................$5 What's Bugging You? Pest Control for a Healthy Planet A Master Gardener will share how to solve and prevent pest problems, with pesticides as your last resort. higginssierra@gmail.com Friends of the LLLC Sweet Thursday present..............Free Scott Hutchins - The award-winning author will share his journey as a writer, including the publication of his first novel, A Working Theory of Love. no reservations necessary Friends of the LLLC present...........................................Free de Young Museum Docent Lecture- An art-filled afternoon unfolds as a docent describes the exhibit, The Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis.
7th...Sunday 1:30–2:30pm
no reservations necessary
A&S
9th...Tuesday 11:00–12:00pm
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9th...Tuesday 2:00–3:00pm
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12th...Friday 6:00–8:00pm
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Diablo Valley Oncology presents......................................Free The Many Faces of Colon Cancer - An engaging panel of medical experts will discuss the most current information regarding prevention, treatment, etc. 925-677-5041 x272 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.........................Fees Apply Landmark Trials - Retired Judge and author Lise Pearlman will explore the polarizing issues brought to light by epic trials. What was really the trial of the 20th century? www.olli.berkeley.edu Osher Lifelong Learning Institute........................Fees Apply Music and Spirituality - Composer Aaron Blumenfeld will examine factors including consciousness, emotion, intuition & focus in the creation of music. www.olli.berkeley.edu Lawrence Hall of Science: Frogs and Tadpoles........$20/child Touch slippery frogs & bumpy toads. Watch them hop & swim. See what frogs look like when they’re babies & learn about their life cycle. Ages 3-6. www.lawrencehallofscience.org/library The Oakland Zoomobile:.................................................Free An Oakland Zoo animal ambassador will bring awe-inspiring small animals and will discuss animal care and conservation. Ages pre-K - 1st. reserve@LLLCF.org Friends of the LLLC present...........................................Free An Asian Art Museum Docent- A docent will share highlights of their latest exhibit, China's Terra Cotta Warriors: The First Emperor's Legacy. no reservations necessary John Muir Health presents...............................................Free Esophageal Cancer Awareness Seminar - Special guest and esophageal cancer survivor, the Honorable Ellen Tauscher, and specialists break down the disease. johnmuirhealth.com
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Would You Like to Serve on Contra Costa’s Retirement Board?
Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 7
Lafayette Volunteer Vacancies
The Contra Costa County • Community Center Foundation is dedicated to renovating and expanding the Lafayette Community Board of Supervisors is seeking Center. individuals with a sound business • Creeks Committee encourages beautification of Lafayette’s more than 16-miles of creeks and improves background, experience in pension fund investment or adminisresidents’ awareness of creek maintenance and pollution prevention policies. The committee helps the tration, or experience in equity investments or banking to City’s staff ensure compliance with public education requirements under its Storm Water Permit. serve on the Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement • Crime Prevention Commission studies safety issues in the City and works to educate the public. Association (CCCERA) Board of Trustees. • Downtown Street Improvement Master Plan Implementation Committee (DSIMPIC) The The Retirement Board is responsible for the administraDowntown Street Improvement Master Plan, adopted in 1988, guides developers and staff in making tion, management, and guidance of the County’s defined improvements to street frontage in downtown Lafayette to develop a cohesive, positive visual image benefit pension system with assets over $5.5 billion and an for Lafayette’s downtown while providing amenities to make the downtown a more comfortable, safer unfunded liability of close to $1.2 billion. Board trustees and enjoyable place. are fiduciaries who analyze the merits of investment products and work with the staff (internal Chief Investment • Emergency Preparedness Commission coordinates preparation and planning efforts to mitigate Officer and outside investment consultants) to determine the effects of natural and man-made disasters. successful diversification for the pension fund. Part of For applications and additional information visit the city’s website the investment duties of the Board trustees may include onsite visits to existing or proposed investment managwww.ci.lafayette.ca.us or call Joanne Robbins, City Clerk 925-284-1968. ers and attendance at investment educational seminars Positions open until filled. throughout the year. The Board reviews actuarial valuations, studies, and economic assumpCinema Classics By Peggy Horn tions to protect and maintain CCCERA’s financial viability for current and The Egg and I future members. Board trustees make policy decisions that shape how this This month’s cinema classic is The Egg and complex system functions, including implementing benefit structures and I (1947), starring Claudette Colbert and Fred contribution rates for employee and employer members. MacMurray. The director, Chester Erskine, coBoard trustees approve service retirements, disability applications, and wrote the screenplay with Fred Finkelhoffe, and retiree cost-of-living adjustments. With legal guidance, the Board makes the screenplay was loosely based on the best selling decisions on a variety of issues, from listening to members with specific book also entitled The Egg and I which was written concerns to IRS regulation compliance. by Betty MacDonald in 1945. The Retirement Board is made up of 12 trustees. Four trustees (including Ms. Colbert plays the role of Betty MacDonald, an alternate) are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, four trustees who wrote her book about her real life adventures with her husband, Bob, played by Fred MacMurray, working their chicken (including a police/fire “Safety” alternate) are elected by CCCERA’s active ranch in the state of Washington. Prior to her marriage to Bob, Betty had been a plan participants, and two trustees, including one alternate, are elected by pampered city girl and knew nothing about farming or ranching…or chickens! the retired membership. Alternates vote in the absence of specific trustees. But she believed in supporting her husband’s dreams, so to the chicken farm The County Treasurer serves as an ex-officio member. Board members serve she did go. Consequently, the movie is comprised of amusing details about how three year terms, with the exception of the County Treasurer who serves Betty and Bob built the farm up from a ruin through hard work, laughter, and during his tenure in office. even a disaster or two. It is a very comical and charming movie that would not Regular meetings of the Retirement Board are held the second and fourth hold up to today’s demand for attention to detail and exacting plotline, but it AM Wednesdays of each month beginning at 9 and sometimes extending into makes for great old-fashioned entertainment just the same. One of my favorite the afternoon. There may also be additional meetings on special topics that scenes in the film occurs as Betty and Bob survey the damage done to their farm arise from time to time. Members of the Retirement Board receive $100 after a devastating fire. They both agree, that despite the massive damage, they per meeting, up to a monthly maximum of $500, plus reimbursement for want to rebuild. They hear cars honking and when they go to investigate the actual and necessary expenses. reason for the noise, they discover that the townspeople have gathered together This recruitment seeks to fill one permanent seat that will become vacant on their farm, and each individual wishes to pledge some item or service to on June 30, 2013. The appointment will be made for a new three-year term the young couple to help them rebuild their farm. It is one of many touching beginning July 1, 2013 and concluding on June 30, 2016. Application forms moments in the movie. This film introduces Marjorie Main in the role of Ma can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) Kettle. Ms. Main was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a 335-1900 or by visiting the County website at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. Supporting Role for her performance in this movie. Although The Egg and I didn’t win any Academy Awards, it was a Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, tremendously popular movie and is still a very entertaining option today. It is Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, available for rental or purchase online. CA 94553, no later than 5PM on Friday, April 12, 2013. Applicants should Musical Notes plan to be available for public interviews on Monday, May 13, 2013 and Farms and ranches bring to mind bluegrass and country music. Monday, June 10, 2013. Further information about the Retirement Board Consequently, this month’s musical download recommendation is, “Don’t can be obtained by calling Retirement CEO Marilyn Leedom at (925) 521Fence Me In.” Although several performers have recorded this song, the 3960 or by visiting the website at www.cccera.org. version by Roy Rogers is particularly nice. This selection can be found on To be considered, candidates must be County residents, must not be a collection of Roy Roger’s tunes entitled Ride Ranger Ride, released on CCCERA members or retirees, and may not market any investment, conSeptember 25, 2001. The song itself was originally released in 1934. Cole sulting, or related service to the CCCERA Board or any other 1937 Act Porter composed the music, and Robert Fletcher and Cole Porter wrote the Retirement Board. lyrics of this song that became one of Mr. Porter’s most popular songs ever.
Page 8 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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Healthy, Tasty Alternatives to Meat
Walking the Reservoir
By Sustainable Lafayette
Lafayette Reservoir Rim Trail By Jim Scala
Did you know that one of the quickest and most effective ways you can reduce your contribution to climate change is to eat less meat? It’s faster than installing solar panels! It’s cheaper than buying an all-electric car! A few years ago, the United Nations issued a report called “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” which has been an influential landmark in the debate over the role of meat in climate change and other environmental hazards. Since you probably won’t read this very long and technical report, here are some facts about the issue. • More than a third of all raw materials and fossil fuels consumed in the United States are used in animal production. • 64% of U.S. agricultural land goes to grow livestock feed. • Half of U.S. water goes to livestock. 2,500-6,000 pounds of water is needed to produce one pound of beef. • It takes 7-8 pounds of corn to add a pound of weight to a cow. • Producing a single hamburger patty uses enough fuel to drive twenty miles. • According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American meat industry produced more than 1.4 billion tons of waste in 1997—five tons for every U.S. citizen and 130 times the volume of human waste. All of this waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than CO2. • According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, “The methane that cattle and their manure produce (in the U.S.) has a global warming effect equal to that of 33 million automobiles.” • The average person now eats twice as much meat as 50 years ago. Fortunately, there are delicious ways to get your protein, and you need less of it than you may think. Contrary to the well-funded ad campaigns promoting meat as the best or only source of protein that we need in our diets, we actually need just 2 ounces a day for the average-sized man and 1 ½ for the average-sized woman. And protein comes in nuts, beans, legumes, and some vegetables. Meatless Monday is a campaign, in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to help human and planetary health by cutting out meat one day a week. The website www.meatlessmonday.com is a goldmine of information, recipes, articles, and more. Some members of the Lafayette community recently created their own version of this practice. New members are warmly invited. For more information, contact linda@ sustainablelafayette.org. If you really want to be inspired, you could check out Berkeley Vegan Earth Day, coming up on Saturday, April 20th at the David Brower Center. More information can be found at http://www.berkeleyveganearthday.com. To see how much impact your diet has, visit the colorful “Eating Green” calculator at http://www.cspinet.org/ EatingGreen/calculator. html. To read real-world success stories about how residents in Lafayette are living more sustainably, please visit www. sustainablelafayette.org. Volunteers Needed: Want to help out on Earth Day? Lafayette’s festivities will be held Sunday, April 21, from 11AM to 3PM at the library. Short shifts are available. For more information, e-mail earthday@ sustainablelafayette.org.
Lafayette Reservoir’s Rim Trail is a spectacular, invigorating walk. Our group walked left off the dam and, shortly past the restrooms, took a path going up into the trees. It’s a short, steep climb to the 4.7 mile, unpaved Rim Trail. All of us are in fair shape, wore substantial, athletic walking shoes, and can do the entire circuit, which ends at the fish cleaning station, in just over 1½ hours. My friend Kim asked me, “How many calories will I burn?” “Greg, at six feet, will burn about 500, and at five-four, you’ll use over 400 calories. It takes 3,000 calories to burn off a pound, but exercise converts fat to muscle. So, people often keep their weight while losing inches,” I noted. “Aren’t fewer inches what you’re really after?” I then chuckled. She laughed, “Is that why you tell us to do arm raises with two to five pound weights while walking the paved path?” “Yes, it’s an easy way to body-tone while enjoying nature and the fantastic Rez social network,” I replied. As we climbed I asked the group, “What attracts you to the Rim Trail?” “It’s challenging and this steep path is a good warm up. At the trail we stop, inhale the great views, and catch our breath,” Greg replied, breathing a little harder. We reached the trail, stopped, overlooked the reservoir, and saw snake hill, Mt. Diablo, and the graceful rolling hills towards Orinda which imparted a soft green look against a clear cobalt sky. “At this point it’s fairly easy walking,” Greg added. “The small hills are challenging, and several side trails go down to the easier, paved walking trail – you’re not forced to stay on the rim. It’s better to build up for the full rim circuit a little at a time.” “Okay, it’s about building up,” I said seriously. “So, what’s ahead?” “We’ll come to Hell Hill – my nickname – which is steep and over 45° in places. However, there’s a short-easy cut about halfway up on the right that meanders through rocks and lots of wild flowers, mostly lupines. It’s the easiest route for beginners.” He was right. The shortcut’s easier, and at the top, Mt. Diablo commands the view. Greg added, “On the clear days we’ve had this February, the Sierras are easy; they make the reservoir seem small – almost far away. I see something new every time.” I asked, “After Hell Hill, is there a place to rest?” Kim laughed, “Even joggers take a break there, and it’s the half-way point. Thanks to a local scoutmaster, a large bench and water fountain with a dog bowl awards man and best friend.” A large EBMUD water tank marks where the Rim Trail starts a moderate down grade overlooking the south end of the reservoir and the valley. Greg commented, “You’re in our unofficial nature-preserve-botanical garden. Buckeye trees are especially nice because they bloom early with long, sweet smelling white flowers. Rock lichens in a pastel orange-yellow almost look painted on with a soft translucent glow. You can’t miss the poppies, many native flowers, and Spanish moss in some trees, and we’re not a mile from downtown Lafayette.” “On the paved, lower trail there are rabbits, squirrels, water and other birds. What do you see up here?” I asked Greg. “I see lots of birds and snakes such as King, gopher, and an occasional rattler – steer clear! Once I saw a large rattle snake with his head stuck in a gopher hole. Deer are common, and there’s the occasional bobcat and coyote. When the sheep herder is up with his flock, it is quite a sight.” As we neared the end and walked through the oak forest, I noticed a murder of crows, and counted 23 wild turkeys. There is a catalogue of Rez-birds in the visitor center. How about starting one of Rez snakes? One morning I saw a woman doing a Yoga Sun Salutation on the grass near the bandstand. That series of poses are excellent for limbering and warming up the body, getting the organs to function well, and focusing the mind. I approached her and asked, “I occasionally see people doing yoga, but not this seriously. How often do you come?” She looked sad, almost apologetic. “I’m visiting from Pennsylvania and couldn’t resist coming here this once. It’s so beautiful – a Sun Salutation seemed right. I wish we had a place like this back home.” Our Rez could be the most spectacular yoga studio anywhere. If you’re interested, tell me at jscala2@comcast.net.
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Shop Talk Springtime Maintenance By René Aguirré, Urban Suburban/The Mechanic We have had some wonderful weather over the past month; isn’t this what California is all about? Spring has definitely sprung! Here are our top care car tips for spring maintenance and a few exciting events coming up at the shop. Springtime car care and maintenance - While we enjoy mild weather in this part of the country, many of us enjoy taking off to the mountains to enjoy the snowy weather. Car maintenance for colder weather is vastly different than the maintenance for the warmer months. Warmer months call for leaner fluids to handle higher heat. As temperatures rise outside, drivers and families want to keep cooler during the fun road trips and vacations. Now is a great time to take a look at your car’s air conditioning and window controls to make sure your climate is comfortable for any kind of road trip you may take with your family this year. Here is a check list for you to think about this spring: 1 – Check your battery – Cold weather is harder on the charging system because it can take more than one try to get the car started on a colder morning. These multiple starts can affect the charging life of the battery. Have it checked out before taking a long journey. 2 – Check the tires – The change from warm weather to cold weather, rain, sleet, snow, and ice has an impact on the wearing of our tires. Dirt, mud, and salt can get into the suspension parts creating uneven wear on tires too. Check the tread and the tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure can help gas mileage, in some cases by up to 3%. 3 – Speaking of gas mileage, another little known item to check out is the oxygen sensor. The O2 sensor is responsible for determining the proper fuel mixture for your car. A faulty sensor can significantly cut your gas mileage by 40%-50%. These sensors are typically changed out every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. 4 – Brakes – Sudden stopping, and sliding, and stop-and-go traffic can increase the wear on your brakes. A quick check, clean up, and fluid flush can get your brakes back to proper working order. 5 – Check belts and hoses - A broken belt or hose can cause problems ranging from the loss of power steering to an overheated engine, but these parts are easily overlooked. Look for cracks and peeling on the belts, softening of the hoses - or ask your mechanic to do it for you. 6 – Check the air conditioning - Turn on the cooler full blast, and make sure it reaches that maximum chill in short order. If you suspect problems, get a mechanic to check it out soon. Being in ninety degree heat in the middle of nowhere is not a fun way to find out the air conditioning is not up to par. What has “The Mechanic” been up to? We are preparing for a few events to celebrate our new identity – THE MECHANIC. Please join us on March 21st for a ribbon cutting event hosted by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We will be launching the new website for The Mechanic and providing entertainment. On April 20th we will be hosting a larger grand opening event and fundraiser. The fundraiser is to benefit the Triple Nickel Racing Team and their efforts to race in the Mexican 1000. These guys have put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get this project to Baja. You will have the opportunity to meet the team and some of our sponsors, and you can take part in a 50/50 raffle. More information is available on the Urban Suburban and The Mechanic Facebook pages. We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events! Our shop is available as a free small event venue. We are the cleanest shop in the Bay! Krysten has hosted many different kinds of events from Chamber mixers to major fundraisers and our shop provides a unique background for people to enjoy. Contact us if you are interested in having your event with us. Like our page on Facebook to keep up with our events, car tips, and special offers. If you have any questions about this or any other “Shop Talk” issues, call us today at (925) 283-5212. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 5pm. At The Mechanic, we are your personal car consultant and your dealership alternative! We provide free shuttle service to the local area. Advertorial
Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 9
College is Real Fundraiser & Dinner Dance Help Richmond High School students “Beat the Odds” on April 27th at the 2nd annual College is Real Fundraiser and Dinner Dance at Round Hill Country Club. The community event will start at 6PM, and participants are encouraged to dress in Kentucky Derby Style. That means wearing big, fun hats and spring sun dresses for the women and brightly colored shirts/suits for the guys. Of course, all Derby attire is completely optional, but, we will have a judge for some of the best costumes! Last year we were able to raise over $60,000 for the College is Real Program and have over 20 new mentors working with Richmond students. We are also seeking event sponsors that will be recognized at the event, in the program, in the media, and on the CIR Website, and we are also looking for new and exciting items and trips for our Live Auction. Please contact Lisa Blackwell at lsblackwell@aol.com if you or your company can help or for tickets and event information. Read more about the College is Real Program at collegeisreal.org. This program, that helps students apply and get into college, has grown from 16 students in 2005 to over 100 students in 2012-13. In addition to the 100 students on-campus that CIR serves, 77 students have graduated from the program, and 70 have attended college. CIR also had its first alums graduate from college in 2012. Please help these deserving students beat the odds, and make their dreams of college come true!
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter
Page 10 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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Quick Trips
By Linda Summers Pirkle San Francisco Performing Arts Center Tour
I have been to the ballet and opera in the War Memorial Building and to the symphony at the Davies Hall and various concerts at the Herbst Theater, but I did not know much about the history of these diverse and beautiful buildings. Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, and Herbst Theater are part of the San Francisco Performing Arts Center, and “behind the scenes” tours are offered every Monday. My friend Kathy and I rode BART to the Civic Center Station, walked one block to the Louise M. Davies Hall, and were greeted by a team of professional, dedicated, and knowledgeable volunteers. Mr. George Lucas, one of the original founders of the tour program and retired ballet dancer who performed in London, Italy, and South Africa, oversees the very efficient tours for the Performing Arts. According to Mr. Lucas, the tours started when Davies Hall opened in 1981, and each building had their own tour. Now, you can visit all three theaters with one guide. The tours, which last approximately one hour, focus on the historical, architectural, and acoustical features of the buildings. We started in the Davies Hall. Melissa Aurand, our guide, led us to the area above the orchestra section where we sat in the seats behind the front stage. We then moved to the Second Tier where we could view the entire 2,743 seat theater. What a unique experience for us! Except for the “ghost lamp” on stage, the lights were dimmed, and we were able to experience the quiet of this gorgeous theater. Our next stop was the War Memorial Opera Building. Our guide gave us the history of this beautiful Beaux Art building and its twin, the Veterans building next door. Soil from WWI battle fields were sprinkled in the “Court of Memory,” the park section between these two buildings. Our guide explained that many people assume that the Opera House/Veterans buildings were WPA projects because they were built during the Depression. However, they were built with private funds. It was the collaboration between opera lovers and war veterans that made the buildings a reality, opening in October 1932 with the opera “Tosca.” Our last stop was the Herbst Theater, originally called the Veteran’s Auditorium. When it was built, it had a flat floor and no permanent seating. It was converted to a theater with a donation of $750,000 from the Herbst brothers. Our guide referred to the theater as “a little jewel,” and we were in total agreement. You may want to take this delightful tour before June. Our guide mentioned that the Veterans Building is going to go through a seismic retro-fit, similar to the retrofit of the Opera House a few years ago. This retro-fit is scheduled to start in June, during which time the building will be closed. The retro-fit process may take up to a year. Our tour lasted almost two hours since we had lots of questions, and our guide was very generous with her time. • For a quick tour of the Opera House, drop-in “Glimpse tours” are offered. This option is less of a tour, more informal, and an opportunity to have a brief “look-see.” The schedule for the “Glimpse tours” are Tuesday thru Thursday, from 11AM to 2PM. The cost is $1. Guides meet you at the entrance of the War Memorial House, 301 Van Ness Ave at Grove St., across from City Hall. These short tours are only available during the summer, starting in June. • Performing Arts Tours (War Memorial Opera House, Davies Hall, and Herbst Theater) are held every Monday on the hour (except for holidays) between 10AM and 2PM. The tour starts at the Davies Symphony Hall, Grove Street entrance. To reach their office for additional information, call (415) 552-8338. Cost is $7, Seniors and Students $5. • Arlequin Café (www.arlequincafe.com) is a short walk from the Davies Hall. Their Arlequin baked mac n’ cheese, macaroni pasta with gruyere, grana padano, and grafton Vermont white cheese is delicious. Their address is 384B Hayes Street, and their phone number is (415) 430-6540. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “If it’s a trip for my husband and me, my husband drives and I talk (he’s a captive audience) – the perfect combination! What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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Spring Pruning By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb Once again, it’s that time of year when the landscape grows lush, beautiful – and out of control. At Brende & Lamb, we prune to balance the practical with the aesthetic. When our clients ask us to restore their views, bring more light into their gardens, and reduce fire hazards, we do our best to keep their screening intact and to protect their privacy. At the same time, we work hard to enhance the natural beauty of their trees. Balancing your tree care needs are skills we’ve developed over decades of caring for trees.
Aesthetic Pruning Each plant has a natural growth pattern. Aesthetic pruning accentuates the shape given the plant by nature, and good pruning creates a light and open feeling. A well pruned plant enhances the observer’s experience by accentuating the interplay of light and shadow, open spaces and denser spaces, and the sculptural elements revealed in a tree’s trunk and branch. The first step in aesthetic pruning is to see the flow of the tree. We begin by looking at the base of the trunk, and then let our eyes follow the trunk upward into the branches and out to the branch tips. We notice how the flow of the branches determines the tree’s form. The form may be weeping, as with Willows and Chinese Elms. Perhaps, as with Monterey Cypress, the branches form at acute angles to the trunk, giving the tree an upswept look. Or the branches may bend and twist, forming complex arcs, as does the Coast Live Oak. Within these patterns, each tree has its own unique form and flow.
Pruning and Size Reduction It is important to prune in a manner that does not harm the health of the tree. When thinning a pine, for example, it is important not to strip the major branches of their smaller branches, a practice called “lion-tailing” which leaves a branch denuded except for foliage at the end. Lion-tailing increases the chance of branch failure by concentrating the weight at the branch tips.
Gardening with Kate By Kathleen Guillaume My garden knows it is spring at last, but it would dearly like to see some rains. I have two new hummingbirds this year that must be migratory as they are not the regular family of Allen Hummers that live close by. They are all enjoying my in-totalfull-bloom Winter Daphne which fills my back yard with a scent so sweet it is beyond wonderful. There is still time to spray fruit trees if they haven’t budded out. I have one late peach tree that needs to be sprayed, the others are already in bloom, along with my almonds; unfortunately it is too late for them. Roses can get another spray of horticultural oil, even if they have new leaves coming out. Remember, it does no good to spray if there is rose leaf litter on the ground, as these old leaves hold black spot, rust, and mildew from the previous season. Be sure to spray the cleaned ground also. Afterwards put down new clean mulch and spray again. It is a good time to prepare any trees that get scale, and/or aphids. These two scourges of the garden are carried to our ornamental and fruit trees by ants who set up colonies and then collect the honeydew they excrete for their food supply. I received a good suggestion from Helen Erickson, Master Gardener at Lafayette Garden Club, and instructor at “Our Garden” sponsored by the Contra Costa Times. Helen says the best way to prevent ants from carrying these pests to our trees is to tape the base of the tree with duct tape and then with a disposable utensil smear “Tanglefoot” a very sticky substance on the tape band. You will need to check this remedy occasionally because ants organize to overcome just about any obstacle. They will eventually create a bridge over the bodies of dead ants which have gotten stuck in the “Tanglefoot” and carry these pests into the branches of the trees. Just scrape the dead ant bridge away and add more Tanglefoot. This effort is a lot easier than trying to control scale once it gets established. “Our Garden” is a large demonstration garden located off of Wiget Lane in Walnut Creek. They offer free gardening classes on Wednesdays. Check with the Contra Costa Times Gardening Section for classes and times. One of the best
Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 11 A healthier tree, and more subtly beautiful look, is achieved by thinning to highlight the spaces or “layers” in a trees natural patterns. Removing diseased wood, and removing or reducing crossing branches that interrupt the natural flow, lets in more light and air, encouraging interior growth and overall health. Careful pruning can increase desired screening over time by encouraging interior growth.
Aesthetic View Work In view work, the beauty of the view and the beauty of the tree often seem to be in conflict. Some tree-workers will sacrifice the tree for the view by “topping” the tree. Topping is almost always a bad idea. “Topping” creates a dense re-growth in “water-sprouts” that is unsightly. But more than the tree’s beauty is at stake here. Topping wounds the tree and promotes disease, including heart rot, and can make the tree dangerous. The water-sprouts on a topped tree are not deeply anchored in the trunk and are subject to failure in high winds. Add in the fact that these sprouts may be anchored onto a rotting trunk, and you have a safety problem that gets worse over time. Responsible arborists do not top trees. Removing a tree, perhaps replacing it with a smaller variety that can be kept out of the view, is usually preferable to beheading it. Looking at tree and view as two elements that complement each other can often solve view problems. Sometimes, lightly bringing the tree back without cutting into major branches can prevent further encroachment on the view. To open even more of the view, we create windows by selectively removing branches not essential for the tree’s natural form. We can enlarge these windows by removing branchlets that rise or drop into the view. Thinning above and below the window creates a feeling of openness, rather than gaping hole. The image formed by Mt. Diablo framed by the trembling leafs of a well-windowed tree proves that nature and civilization can complement each other. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work Advertorial in your neighborhood. classes is Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees which is offered almost every year. Here is something to put on your calendar,“Our Garden” is having a mega Plant Sale on Saturday, April 6th starting at 10am. They plan to have 10,000 plants on sale including 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillo, and other varieties. Having tasted their heirloom tomatoes, I can tell you they are beyond divine. While at the sale ask any of the Master Gardeners who will be working there for information on how to plant your new garden finds. If you follow their instructions on tomatoes you will have a great and abundant yield this summer. Be sure to purchase early and late ripening tomatoes so that you have a long harvest time. Note, tomatoes have one primary need - consistent watering. What this means is if you deep water once a week, always deep water once a week, if you give them a light sprinkle every other day always give them a light sprinkle every other day. Pick an irrigation plan and stick to it. The next most important thing to remember for your garden is, if you have no pollinators, you will have no fruit or vegetables. Make your garden pollinator friendly, select companion plants that attract bees, close to your vegetable beds. Many of our native bees are ground bees; they live a solitary life in the soil. If all of your soil is covered with a heavy layer of mulch they won’t be able to get to or get out of their nest. So, leave a few patches of ground that is not deeply covered in heavy mulch or bark for the bees to thrive. Happy Gardening!
Lafayette Garden Club The Lafayette Garden Club will holds its’ meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 9:30am Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. The next meeting is Thursday, March 14th. The topic will be “Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers” Let speaker Shawna Anderson, who is often called the “Container Diva,” inspire you with her creative container designs. She is a Certified Nursery Professional and Horticulturist. Save the date to replace your frostbitten plants at the Lafayette Garden Club Plant Sale to be held on May 9th! Watch for upcoming details. For more information email sa613and@aol.com.
Page 12 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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Life in the Lafayette Garden Surface Trends By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect One of many important decisions you will make while designing your Lafayette garden will be regarding what kind of surface materials you will be using for your patios, walkways, decks, and hardscape. Today, the choices in materials are numerous. Sometimes they’re overwhelming! When you think of what has been available in the past, you think of dull gray broom-finished concrete, tanArizona flagstone, and red brick. When you think of decking materials, redwood has dominated the industry for the past fifty years. Today, a myriad of hardscape materials are now available. Natural stone products such as flagstone, slate, wall ledger, and rock have dominated current trends in hardscape materials. In the past ten years the natural stone industry has grown by leaps and bounds. When considering natural stone as your primary surfacing material, you must understand this is the most expensive approach. Generally, natural stone surfacing runs $15 to $35 a square foot* when mortared over a concrete base. *Prices indicate current market averages including material, labor, and profit by licensed contractors. With the awareness of “Green” building methods, manufactured surfacing material choices have also gone off the chart. There is an abundant choice of manufactured stone and pre-cast concrete products in a multitude of colors. These products make long-lasting affordable surfaces for patios, walls, and veneers. They are less expensive and less labor-intensive to install, and prices range from $12 to $25 a square foot, depending on your surface and product. A very popular trend that came into the industry about 15 years ago is interlocking concrete pavers. When first introduced, the shapes, colors, and surface choices were limited. Today, interlocking pavers span a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes. Pavers have become the new “cheaper” solution to large expanses of surfacing, such as driveways, patio, plazas, and streetscapes. Concrete once dominated the industry as the number one choice of surface materials. Recently, pavers have taken over because of effective costness, ease of installation, sustainability, and a more creative design detail. Interlocking paving generally ranges from $9.50 to $15 a square foot, although large, expansive streetscapes can be
installed for as low as $3.50 a square foot. Concrete is still one of the most popular choices for hardscape. It is cost effective, although concrete prices have sky-rocketed over the past five years as petroleum prices increased shipping costs. Concrete’s versatility is its strong point. Innovations in concrete treatments have soared in efforts to keep up with the natural stone industry growth. New treatments such as dust-on color hardeners, pigmented acid stains, multi-colored stamped concrete, and creative designs have given concrete a new lease on life. These new treatments have replaced exposed aggregate, salt finish, and broom finished concrete. Concrete prices range from $9 to $25 a square foot. Other uses include lightweight concrete counter tops for outdoor kitchens. A specialized product that I have been enjoying lately is a product called “ArcusStone™.” This product is very attractive and durable. It adds an element of elegance and uniqueness that other hardscape materials don’t have. Basically the material is an overlay of a cementitious limestone with natural mineral pigments that can be customized into any design and color range thinkable. When you think of “Old World” techniques, this is exactly that. It takes a trained craftsman to apply it because it is totally shaped, colored, and created at your project site. It runs $12 to $25 a square foot when overlaying concrete or a wall, and it can be used as a patio, walkway, wall face, cook center countertops, fireplace, or bar top. Wood surfaces have fallen in popularity because of rising costs, maintenance
concerns, and environmental issues. Redwood was once abundant locally but has now become expensive and marginal in quality because of the halt in foresting and environmental concerns. If a natural wood product is what you’re looking for, redwood has been replaced with Ipe (e-pay), or ironwood, and other sustainable woods. Manufactured wood products such as “Trex” and “TimberTech” have also become extremely popular because of their environmental approach and low maintenance. If you are looking for a wood-look as a choice in hardscape, there are many choices ranging from $25 to $35 a square foot. One of my favorites is the use of gravel or decomposed granite for informal patios and paths. This is the lowest cost solution, ranging from $3-$5 a sq ft. When I work with my clients in the creation of their garden environment, choosing the hardscape material can sometimes be one of the highest hurdles to get over. With adherence to the design process, the choices are narrowed by the design goals and budget decisions to an appropriate choice that you will be happy with for many years to come. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Don’t order catalogs; the internet is a great place to start your search for hardscape materials. A lot of suppliers and manufacturers have good pictures of ideas on their websites. Check our new HOUZZ profile. www.houzz.com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects Gardening Quote of the Month: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” ~Thoreau 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
St. Perpetua’s 3rd grade boys basketball team capped a successful season by winning the American Division in the West Diablo CYO league championships. Back row, from left: Brady Burman, Will Stryker, Aidan Mahaney, Marco Chao. Front row: Harry Llewellyn, Joe McCauley, James Frye, Jack Wood, Luke Souza, Mike Kostolansky. Photo by Jamie Frye.
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 13
Solar Currents By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar Bring Me Data Bring me data, and bring me documentation of that data - solar customers should take this approach with solar contractors who provide them with proposals. A solar photovoltaic (PV) system proposal is a detailed financial transaction that utilizes many criteria to arrive at the estimated savings gained through the use of a solar system. Guaranteed kilowatt production numbers, warranty information, annual kilowatt production information, and shading information are just a few bits of data provided to a consumer in a comprehensive solar PV proposal. However, most consumers don’t ask for the documentation as to how the contractor arrived at their data. Every bit of data needs to be backed up by solid documentation. If your solar contractor balks, or is unable to provide the requested documentation to you in writing, then you’re not getting the customer service you deserve. If you cannot get the documentation you deserve, it’s logical to suggest that the proposal provided should not be considered an accurate proposal or an accurate summary of financial savings and product quality. Financial savings generated by a solar PV system are predicated on many criteria, none of which can be shortcut. Virtual proposals (online, no site visit before contract signing) can be convenient for the contractor, but they can prove to be inaccurate. The average consumer needs to perform a significant amount of research to determine the validity of a contractor’s solar PV proposal. I believe there needs to be more oversight in the process in order to protect the consumer. Considering the behind-the-scenes complexity of a solar PV transaction, why is it that this portion of the solar industry is unregulated, and that the onus is “buyer beware,” especially in leased solar program contracts? Simply put, it’s in the contractor’s and financier’s interest to make their proposal look the most appealing to the consumer in order to make the sale. Solar PV energy systems can, and do, save homeowners and business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars. When I take out a car loan or buy a CD at a bank, regulators oversee the process. Why is it any different when a contractor generates solar financials and models financial savings for a consumer? Finally, a third-party financed program I can believe in - Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) are nothing new, and in my opinion, they exceed the benefits of a solar lease program. In both cases, the solar system is owned by a finance company, is hosted by the home or business owner, and saves the home or business owner money on electric bills. In both programs, the financing company banks the majority of the savings. I believe a PPA is a superior product to a lease program because the home or business owner only pays for power that the solar system generates. Theoretically, a properly modeled and contracted PPA will never put a homeowner in an “upside down” cash flow situation because of low output of the solar system. In a PPA, the bank has a vested interest in ensuring the PPA system produces the most power it can; they make money on each kilowatt generated, and the customer saves money on each kilowatt consumed. In comparison, the bank owners of a leased solar system make money on the monthly equipment lease; should kilowatt production fall, the lease payment remains the same. Be choosy - A home or business owner is not the owner of the solar system in a PPA or lease, but choosing a trusted installer will determine product quality, appropriate tradesman certification, and accuracy of the contract. After all, it’s your home. Consumer Alert - Since the financiers make their money on each kilowatt produced in a PPA contract, it’s important that the PPA solar array is not oversized. Oversized systems can result in the consumer paying for kilowatts that are unused. Choose your contractor well. In all solar contracts, insist on documentation for all the data. Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715). Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or Advertorial email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com.
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Page 14 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
The Market Heats Up
By Art Lehman, Village Associates Realtors
It has been a long time since this was the case, but I can finally say multiple offers on homes are again commonplace. The inventory of available homes is still very low and what comes to market has been selling quickly. What a change this is from the past six years! It seems that most of my past articles were about hanging in there if you could. Well, now we have a slightly different challenge. The new challenge is if you sell your house, where do you go? Some areas are recovering from the housing market downturn more slowly than others. Lafayette seems to be recovering more quickly. I’m not saying your house will sell at the high prices that homes were valued at in 2005. That is hardly the case. But, the good news is that your home will sell now and it will sell more quickly and for more money than we’ve seen in the recent past. If you have been waiting and waiting to put your house on the market, I think now is a good time to get serious. On the other hand, with the way interest rates have been, maybe you refinanced your home instead of selling and decided to stay put. That is not such a bad idea either. I think the short and sweet is now that you finally have some options. Perhaps selling your house not knowing where you’re going is unsettling. However, you can take comfort in knowing that your home is likely to sell. So ask yourself, “Am I willing to take some risks and move on?” If the answer is yes then get going. If not enjoy your garden! If you have any questions on selling or buying a home in the area, please contact me at 925-200-2591 or by email at art@artlehman.com. If you’d like a free Advertorial automatic email update of current listings and sales, call or visit my website to sign up, www. artlehman.com.
The Great Tear Debate By Monica Chappell A common question from my wine students is related to wine “tears,” a mythical indicator of wine quality. In wine speak, “tears” refer to the way that wine swirled in a glass runs down the inside surface. There you go; that’s it. But is it? If you look wine “tears” up in Wikipedia, you will find, “The phenomenon called tears of wine is manifested as a ring of clear liquid, near the top of a glass of wine, from which droplets continuously form and drop back into the wine.”
How it Works Fill a wine glass one quarter full, and gently move the glass in a circular motion so that the wine swirls up the sides. Hold the glass still and look at the wine as it runs down. It may flow down in a fairly even sheet, or it may pull into more concentrated streaks. These tears, or “legs” as the French refer to them, are the streaks of wine.
What it Means Once upon a time, these tears were interpreted as the sure sign of a rich, high-quality wine. While some people believe that the presence and thickness of tears relates to the sweetness, viscosity or quality of wine, none of these is correct. Today, we know that a wine’s tears are a complicated phenomenon having to do with the surface tension of the wine and the evaporation rate of the wine's alcohol. Because a wine’s “body” is affected by the alcohol content, there is some relationship between tears and body, but there are so many other factors involved that tears are a poor indicator of quality.
Give it a Try Still not convinced that it's physics and not quality that drives this phenomenon? Try covering your next glass of wine, and see if the tears present decrease when covered compared to when open. What you'll find is no evaporation, no tears. This is because the air inside the glass contains enough alcohol vapor to prevent more from evaporating and the formation of tears stops. Uncover the glass and tears will start to form again.
Swirl Away If this is true, then why do wine lovers still swirl their wine? They do it because it helps to release aromas which in turn makes tasting and smelling the wine easier. Swirling also increases oxygenation of the wine, which in turn affects the flavor, so swirl away! Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Danville. Visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot. com for a list of classes.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Meetings The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10 am 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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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 15
Invest in Curiosity By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO I’m often asked how I got my start in computers and electronics. People ask me what classes I’ve taken or where they can learn how to do what my staff and I do on a daily basis. The truth is, it’s a combination of nature and nurture, and it goes way back. I was always the curious kid who liked to tear into and fix discarded equipment. Whether it was a stereo, a CB radio, a light, or a broken appliance, I was interested in either fixing it, or dismantling it for its components. I wasn’t always successful mending the broken piece, but I was always shocked at how much “good stuff” people discarded with simple flaws. I still feel that way. It’s always been easy for me to diagnose and fix things. I’m the youngest of seven children. My dad worked three jobs to make ends meet. He wasn’t around a lot, but he saw something in me, and he tried to feed my aptitude by buying me electronic kits to assemble. I remember creating my first crystal radio at our kitchen table and winding fine copper wires around iron cores to make my first motor. I began to learn electronic theory there, and I learned even more in John McCollum’s electronics class at Homestead High in Cupertino, CA. McCollum was a great teacher and was responsible for teaching and facilitating a generation of engineers, including Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs of Apple. I wish I had been a better student, but I still learned so much. In those nascent days of electronics, everyone was getting on the bandwagon. Everything was fresh and new, and there were scores of companies founded to bring electronics to the masses. One of those companies, Heathkit, had been around for decades, and it was a major supplier of do-it-yourself electronics kits for the amateur radio hobbyists. They had a great reputation, but as digital electronics came to the fore they lost focus and market share. They went through bankruptcy and as recently as 2012 tried to re-kindle the fire, but now they’re gone for good. I think Heathkit failed because they were too focused on the large scale endproduct and not focused enough on the smaller “teaching” circuits. They wanted to sell a $2,495 computer kit, not a fundamental $39.95 circuit that taught theory. The niche that needed filling was for small functional kits, like the ones that I built as a child, to teach a new generation of kids about electricity and electronics. They could have sold millions. But Heathkit was more concerned with really large kits, and they were unable to keep up with the speed of Moore’s Law while building computer kits for the masses. They couldn’t sell their inventory, because why would someone want to buy a kit of last year’s computer parts, when they could buy a brand new one, fully assembled and functional for less? They became dated and irrelevant because they couldn’t keep up with the pace of digital innovation. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, while the actual computer industry went berserk, we went through a sort of “dark ages” as far as teaching aids and electronic kits are concerned. In fact, here in California, all of the trades took a hit in our public schools. We used to have metal shop, wood shop, drafting, electronics, and even our own TV studio at my high school. During this time it was dismaying to go to electronics stores and not be able to find the types of products that I enjoyed as a child. There was a whole generation of kids who grew up with nothing but academics and no clue about how things work. As a result, they’re just consumers, not builders. But in the last decade there has been a renaissance, and there is now a wonderful selection of kits, components, and circuits that the hobbyist can buy and assemble inexpensively. My own son is using off-the-shelf kit components to design two separate circuits he hopes to mass produce for the motorcycle industry. I’ve had a lot of fun helping him figure out how to make things work, and it’s brought us together doing something we both love. Do you know any youngsters that seem to have ‘the knack’ for gadgets? If you do, buy them a kit and feed their imagination! You can go online to places like Amazon.com, and search for electronics kits. The have a great selection. Even better, go down to your local Radio Shack, and choose from what they have on the shelf. I’m completely impressed by the broad selection of novice to advanced build-it-yourself kits. If it weren’t for these kits and my father being wise enough to feed my interest, I may never have gotten into this field. The knowledge I’ve gained over a lifetime of tinkering has given me a career, friends, and a lot of fun. If you’re looking for ideas, give the friendly staff at Portable CIO a call at 925-552-7953, or email helpdesk@theportablecio.com. We’re always here to help. Advertorial
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Page 16 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
The Often Neglected Piece of Estate Planning By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law Estate Planning is largely about providing for the smooth succession of management of your personal and financial affairs to those you trust. The bulk of discussion about estate planning focuses on Wills and Living Trusts. Wills and Trusts are extremely important. However, in many ways, two other documents are more fundamental. They govern who will handle your affairs during your life if you become unable. These two documents are a Durable Power of Attorney, sometimes called a “General Power of Attorney” or Durable Power of Attorney for Property Management (“DPA”), and an Advance Health Care Directive (“AHD”). Every adult - irrespective of one’s circumstances - should have a DPA and AHD. In short, a DPA and AHD enable you to appoint someone you trust who will have legal authority to make financial and health care decisions for you if you are ever temporarily or permanently unable to do so. The potential consequences of not establishing both of these documents can be harsh. These consequences may include incurring substantial, ongoing legal fees, costs, delay, and inconvenience in connection with a court conservatorship proceeding – in which a court appoints a conservator to act on your behalf. Tragically, the judge could appoint someone as conservator whom you would never choose nor want to make these critical personal and financial decisions for you. When I review an existing estate plan for new clients, in many instances I find a Will and Living Trust in place, but there is either a missing or outdated DPAs and/or AHDs. If you do not have appropriate, up-to-date DPAs and AHDs, you should take action to establish them. It’s not overly cumbersome or expensive to hire an attorney to help you. Hiring an experienced estate planning attorney to assist you is worthwhile if: a) you are unsure about whether or not your DPA and/or AHD are currently compliant with the law and appropriate for your situation; or b) if your wishes have changed since your documents were executed; or c) if you answer “no” to any of the following questions: DPA: 1) Do the express terms render it “durable,” meaning that the agent’s authority extends beyond the date you become incapacitated? Although instinct would dictate that all forms include language making the powers “durable,” many forms do not. 2) Is the primary agent (legal term: “attorney-in-fact”) you named still the trustworthy and responsible person you’d prefer to transact financial business for you in your stead? 3) Have you appointed at least one suitable alternate agent in case your primary agent is unwilling or unable to serve when needed? 4) Are the powers broad and appropriate? It’s important that the powers do not unnecessarily impede your agent’s ability to manage all of your financial affairs? 5) If your DPA is “springing” – meaning that your agent’s powers are triggered by your incapacity - is the definition of “incapacity” reasonable and practical? The
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www.yourmonthlypaper.com method by which your agent is required to prove your incapacity may be looser or stricter than you may want or need. AHD: 1) Is the primary agent you appointed still the person you’d prefer (trustworthy and responsible) to make health care decisions for you in your stead? 2) Have you appointed at least one appropriate candidate to serve as alternate agent in case your primary agent is unwilling or unable to serve? 3) Did you appoint only one primary agent (and only one alternate at a time)? Note that if you name co-agents, and they disagree or reach an impasse, it could cause family heartache, compromise your health care decisions, and possibly result in litigation. 4) Is the AHD still valid? In or before the early 90’s, AHDs (then called “Health Care Powers of Attorney”) automatically expired after seven (7) years, so some people have older documents they don’t realize have expired. 5) Is a HIPAA release included in the body of the document or attached? Current HIPAA (federal privacy law) render this specific release necessary to ensure that a copy of your medical records will be given to your agent when he or she needs them. 6) Does your AHD have provisions directing your agent to carry out your particular wishes, such as those governing “heroic measures,” organ/tissue donations, and disposition of remains? Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 9449700; rsilverman@sbllp.com. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Mr. Silverman offers a free introductory consultation. 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 only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial
Soccer continued from front page Club was established in July 2012. “Many people saw a need in our community for a new approach to competitive soccer,” says John Topping, California Magic’s President. “The Club uses an approach which takes into account not only quality soccer skills training but also the physical, mental, and emotional development of young soccer players, and does it so in an age appropriate and 100% positive manner.” Most soccer clubs in the area share a similar philosophy on developing soccer players, teams and good citizens, and the game of soccer itself is the main focus. But it is the methods used by each club that differentiates one from another. California Magic uses the game as a tool for teaching life lessons to its young players – lessons that can be applied to any other discipline throughout their lives. “From day one, our idea of success is having our members be happy in soccer and life at age 8 through 88,” says Director of Coaching Haris Obic. “Our developmental method is driven by age, gender, and competition appropriateness. We adhere to an approach that allows us to build an athlete first, soccer player second, and team third through a balance between structured and unstructured play. We develop training sessions with progressive, player-centered outcomes in mind, but on some days we deliberately have players, friends, family members, and coaches play a pick-up soccer game with simple goals, no coaching, and no stoppages. A child who is passionate on the field and enjoys a positive team experience will ultimately commit to training and will strive to excel. Cal Magic considers happiness and passion on the field to be major contributors to the success of a child on and off the field.” California Magic currently maintains nine teams, with 150 players in the Under 8 through Under 14 levels. Remarkable numbers turned out for this year’s tryouts, and while the Club wishes it could create more space for interested athletes, they are committed to building at a pace where quality can be maintained. The selection process is competitive, and criteria vary by age group. “We look at attitude and enthusiasm as well as skills and a positive approach to learning,” says Obic. “In the younger age groups, selections are made more on attitude and enthusiasm for being on a soccer field. Children who intrinsically enjoy the experience of kicking a ball and running down a field in a group setting are what coaches look for in the very young players. In the older age groups, selections are made more on technical skills, ball handling, speed and agility as well as a positive mental approach to learning.” Thirteen year-old Sam Pinto played for four years with another local
See Soccer continued on page 24
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 17
Sequester Hysteria & Rule of Lawyers By Daniel A Barnes, CFA There was no deal reached in the Sequester reality show, and it was a step in the right direction. Since no political faction has the will to lead, the “forced” Purveyors of classic, exotic, and Sequester gets the ball rolling. Is it a blunt instrument? Absolutely. high-performance cars for more than 30 years. Will it hurt some people? Yes. But this is the result of a lack California’s #1 Classic Car Dealer of political consensus and political leadership. Over 200 vehicles in inventory! The media provides little help in understanding the budget problem. I’ve been amazed to hear the hysteria about “the Sequester.” The media squawks as a siren of niche interest groups, politicians, and other vocal minorities. The U.S. budget problem is made up of too little commerce (tax receipts) and runaway expenses in Medicare and Social Security. The efficacy of federal agencies seems very mixed. Some are exquisitely managed (Social Security for example, less than 1.5% in administrative Showrooms in Pleasanton, Benicia, and Fairfield. costs), while others seemingly have insatiable appetites for federal funds (Agriculture, Homeland Security, State, www.SpecialtySales.com | 800.600.2262 HUD, Intelligence). The accomplishments of the political class of the last two decades have been to turn an economy from one ruled by Law, to one ruled by Lawyers. Like the politicians of the 1820s and 1890s, they’ve Cookies continued from page 2 accomplished little besides adding complexity and fortifying the legal moats of not the rule of law, but together dividing the inventory in time for troop pickup. Local high school senior and ambassador Girl Scouts the rule of Lawyers (to quote historian Niall Ferguson). The impasse of our legislative process is a direct reflection of two facts: 1) The politicians are helped locate troop orders and load cookies into vehicles, almost entirely legally trained. They see value in process, complexity, and legalese. The wealth of earning volunteer time in the process. People Skills & Money Management. In the early the country has enabled us to politicize and legalize every matter under the sun, such as the 6,000 years little Daisies and Brownies sell cookies by the page legislation to improve financial oversight known as the “Dodd-Frank.” 2)The electorate has reached little consensus about how to restrain spending, and the politics of pain avoidance has fed caseload with an adorably, toothless grin and simple request. As girls mature, they become more proactive with gasoline to the spending through the unlimited printing press of Ben Bernanke’s Federal Reserve. From 2007 to 2013 the US Budget rose 39% from $2,730 billion to $3,803 billion. Yet our sales, break change, track funds and engage customers. helpful media and our elected lawyers obsess over “Sequester,” a 2% cut of $85 billion. In other Older Girl Scouts may even present their cause, make words, the Sequester hullabaloo is about paring back the US budget from $3,803 to $3,718 billion. enough of an impression to influence larger purchases and even inspire young girls to become Girl Scouts. Keep in mind that $3,718 billion is still $988 billion more than the 2007 budget. So while you sit there consuming the recommended serving So where does that $3,803 billion of federal spending go? Good question. A better question several times over, take time to read the box. This year’s would be, how did the spending grow from $1,073 billion in six years? This column is too short regional cookie assortment include chocolate Thin Mints, to review each governmental agency that makes up the budget, but let’s take a glance at the coconut caramel Samoas, peanut butter chocolate Tagalongs®, change since 2007. shortbread Trefoils™, crunchy creamy peanut butter Do-si-dos®, • Medicare is $941 billion, up from $671 billion in 2007, an increase of $270 billion. lemony Savannah Smiles®, milk caramel Dulce de Leche, and • Social Security is $883 billion, up from $586 billion in 2007, an increase of $297 billion cranberry white chocolate Thank U Berry Munch™. Favorites • Defense spending is $673 billion, up from $549 billion in 2007, an increase of $124 billion. can be purchased from regional troops at Diablo Foods, Safeway, • Interest on the National Debt is $246 billion, and increase of $2 billion over the $244 billion Noah’s Bagels and Ace Hardware through March 17th. of 2007. To buy cookies directly from the Lafayette Service Unit 326 • Agriculture seems to be $154 billion, up from $109 billion in 2009 and $27 billion in 2007. Cookie Cupboard, contact Sharon and Tiphanie at 925.283.4668, It seems they are accounting for something new in the Department of Agriculture. I’m sure I’d be email lafayettegssales@email.com. To learn more about none too happy to understand these subsidies better. The Education, Transportation, HUD, Homeland Lafayette Girl Scouts visit www.lafayettegirlscouts.org. Security, State, and Intelligence agencies have budgets from $50 to $90 billion. Justice and Energy Camp Awesome and More! budgets are $36 billion and all the other agencies are under $20 billion. Are you a parent looking for a place for your kids to have There is much to look forward to longer term. In 10 years or less, we will be energy independent and even exporting energy. In 10 years, nano-technologies are likely to have revolutionized many things. fun while you enjoy a night out? Then take advantage of And the Millennial Generation (those born 1981-2001) has the best team mindset of any generation the springtime Awesome Friday Nights! Every Friday night th since the GI Generation. They might change the entire attitude of the country as they mature and settle starting April 19 and all the way through the month of May, the Lafayette Community Center will be hosting an Awesome in the work force over the next 5-10 years. Friday Night. While you are out having an amazing time, your In a world of trillion-dollar deficits and asset repurchase programs as far as the quill can fly, your best children will be having a blast doing arts & crafts, playing protection is to invest in a little gold and a lot of blue chip stocks. Leading multi-national companies have stable profits and are benefiting strongly from new sales in developing markets (China, India, Brazil, Indonesia). games, and watching a movie (Rated PG). This evening of fun That combination gives them the ability to survive both deflationary and inflation environments, and at 3% costs $23 per child and includes pizza, popcorn, and drinks. The Lafayette Community Center is also offering many new dividend yields, they are the best game in town. Although that sounds like a plan for 1963, not 2013, under classes this spring season such as Irish Dancing, Golf, Ninja the rule of lawyers and the blades of Helicopter Ben, there’s few better alternatives for most investors. Training Camp, Fashion Design for kids, French, and Zumba Barnes Capital, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor. We build balanced portfolios for plus Toning on Tuesday and Friday mornings for adults. clients seeking conservative growth, retirement income, and capital preservation. We offer a level For more information or to register for any of the events of service which clients struggle to find elsewhere. To learn more call (925) 284-3503 and visit and classes visit www.lafayetterec.org or call the Community www.barnescapital.com. Advertorial Center office at (925) 284-2232.
Page 18 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
Join Me at a Bridal Fair By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. First, a warm congratulations to the two fabulous women on my all-women staff who just got engaged. As I watch these young brides plan their weddings, I find myself reflecting on what we all do to prepare for weddings, and how much has changed. In 1946 my father, a fighter pilot just back from World War II, saw my mother walking across the quad at Auburn University. “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen,” he said to me, even now smiling at the memory, “and I knew right then I would marry her.” Less than a year later, in a simple ceremony, my father in his a light tan suit and my mother in a modest Sunday dress, they were married. On Valentine’s Day this year, I brought my father home from the hospital to celebrate with my mother; they enjoyed dinner at my new home along with the rest of the family. Romance, I thought, has so many different faces. It is thus that I think of weddings as more than a day to look beautiful, for over the years the wedding has become an event, even an entire weekend, unto its own. Vows taken are shared by families and loved ones, and promises are made not only between the betrothed but between friends and relatives. They wish to see each other more, to stay in touch, to remain inspired and hopeful. And, no matter what the age of the couple, there is a particular youthfulness about a husband and wife to-be that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The actual day is one of spontaneity (from spur-of-the-moment toasts to unconstrained laughter), happiness (the joy of the present to the promise of forever), and celebration (Music! Dancing! Love!). Whether we are the mother of the bride, the maid of honor, or the flower girl, this
Ask Dr. Happy By Bob Nozik, MD Dear Dr. Happy, I don’t get what’s going on with young people today (my husband and I are retired). They all seem to wear ear-buds on the street, in stores, at dinner, or wherever. And not just that, but they spend every minute staring at their phones, and sending and receiving text-messages. I see couples in restaurants ignoring each other while texting or playing games on their phones. What kind of world is this? I think what these people are doing is nuts. All my friends agree with me; all, that is, but my “Everything is okay” husband. He just sits there smiling like it’s all just ducky. What’s wrong with him? ~ Really Annoyed
www.yourmonthlypaper.com is a day we all cherish—not just because of the way we looked, but because the way we felt-- just joyous! My mother, I am sure, prepared far less for her entire wedding than my two nurses have done in the past week, but her marriage was no less inspired for it. Still, all that we do as we look towards the weddings to come this season is nothing short of fun. From tanning beds to flower arrangements, from public gift registries to hush-hush beauty tweaks, there is much to plan. One place to begin the merriment is a bridal fair. There are some upcoming events in our area. I will be at a few of them, and I hope you will be there too! • Saturday, March 9th, 11am-3pm - Bridal Open House, Tiburon • Sunday, March 10th, 11am-4pm - The Romancer Wedding Show, Alameda • Sunday, March 17th, 11am-4pm - Happily Ever After Starts Here Bridal Faire, El Cerrito • Sunday, April 7th, 11am-4pm - The Bay Area Wedding Fair, San Ramon • Sunday, April 21st, 11am-4pm - San Francisco’s Bay Area Wedding Fair & Gown Sale, San Francisco • Saturday, April 27th, 1pm-4pm - Bridal Faire, San Ramon Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Lindsay continued from front page for those in need). About 95% of animals treated are admitted due to adverse contact with human activity. While the hospital provides treatment, the Museum provides educational programs to help prevent the problems that have brought the animals to their care. Daily Museum programs open to the public include the Petting Circle where one can learn about and touch a rabbit, guinea pig, or hamster. The new Wildlife Hospital Behind the Scenes presentation allows for a real-time peek at animal exams and treatment. The new Raptors! exhibit allows for a true bird’s eye view of flight, as participants lie horizontally in front of a simulation screen, a la Disney’s Soarin’ Over California. Meet one of the ambassadors at close range, and then watch him take his afternoon meal, or sit for a while, and lose
Dear Really Annoyed, The past decade or so has seen unprecedented advances in consumer technology. So, we now have telecommunication hardware unlike anything we’ve had before. As a member of the older generation, you and your friends are, understandably, more observers than participants in all this new stuff. In addition, there is a phenomenon called Cultural Lag. Culture needs time to catch up with the best way for using the new technological innovations and this causes social problems and conflicts. So, we shouldn’t be surprised or dismayed when we see the effects of this cultural lag going on. Your husband has the right idea: amused tolerance and curiosity are much better ways to view what’s happening rather than your more judgmental dismay. It is also more realistic and much better for your happiness.
Happiness Tip Because it is so seductive, many people tend to grow more and more judgmental as they grow older. This is a big mistake, and here’s why. When we are judging we are comparing what’s going on in life with our standard of what we have arbitrarily decided is ‘right.’ Because life presents in so many ways but only one way will match our standard, we will make many more negative judgments than positive ones. The problem is that making negative judgments all day long pulls negative emotions in with them. This is why highly judgmental people tend to be pretty unhappy much of the time. So, for the sake of your happiness, learn to judge less. Please send questions/comments for Dr. Happy to Pollyannan@aol.com.
yourself in the beehive activity of up to 10,000 honeybees obeying their queen (who is identified with a large white dot). More than 50 species of live, non-releasable, native California animals are on display at Lindsay, such ground squirrels, Virginia opossums and a gray fox named Kin-tah who was found in a barn near Humboldt, California. Other creatures, such as Mexican free-tailed bats and tarantulas, dwell behind the scenes and make appearances for special presentations and school programs. Officially founded in 1955 by Alexander Lindsay, a local businessman who taught neighborhood children about nature, the Museum has experienced a number of name and location changes over the years. Originally housed in an elementary school, the Lindsay Junior Museum moved in 1965 to a 5,000 square foot water pump house in Larkey Park where it housed non-releasable native wildlife and natural history objects. In 1987, The “Junior” was dropped from the name in order to reflect its appeal to all age groups. Another move to its current 28,000 square foot location
See Lindsay continued on page 19
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Your Personal Nutritionist By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS. Good Nutrition Means Avoiding Constant Hunger and Cravings for Sweets Dr. Jeff, a local physician, decided to take advantage of my Eight Week Royal Treatment weight loss program. This special program is based upon several studies that confirm if a person changes their eating habits over a two month period, they have the optimal chance of reducing weight and keeping it off – less time is not as effective, and more time has diminishing returns. My eight week program includes visiting the client’s home, making an assessment of their refrigerator and pantry, taking them on a supermarket tour, planning detailed menus, and following up frequently through phone, email and face-to-face sessions. When Jeff called me he was complaining that in his quest to lose weight he felt he was always hungry and craved sweets, and as a result he could not drop the weight he wanted. He came to my office for an initial session with his wife Ellyn and brought a food diary covering a few days. I could immediately see why he is always hungry - his diet was very low in protein and fiber, especially during his busy day. For the second session I went to his home and made an inventory of their refrigerator and pantry where my low protein and low fiber diagnosis was confirmed. There were several types of cheese, leftover spaghetti with marinara sauce, fresh eggs, veggies, and a fruit bowl on the counter. Jeff is a “cracker boy,” as he noted and explained the many boxes of unhealthy crackers in the pantry. There were no ready to take meals or snacks for the office, such as hard boiled eggs. Jeff and his wife agreed to go with me to Trader Joe’s to set them up with fresh, tasty meals that would be available for their high paced lifestyle. Jeff loves Trader Joe’s but was shocked to see all the great food items that he simply overlooked or was unaware of how to prepare. We went aisle by aisle and through each item where we discussed meal and snack ideas based on what we saw. In the lettuce section I introduced them to the organic bags of arugula that is delicious with diced fennel, fresh beets, and fresh quartered artichokes to be thrown in salads. We bought shredded cabbage and shoestring carrots that would
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 19 make delicious Asian coleslaw, along with Persian cucumbers, cilantro, sundried tomatoes, and sesame oil to be used to make low-fat hummus. I introduced them to Just Chicken, Fresh Grilled Chicken Strips, and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Breasts which are all better than greasy rotisserie chickens. We bought the 97% fat free Hebrew National hot dogs that will be enjoyed with fat free baked beans, and pickles. We also purchased individual serving packages of almonds that Jeff liked for taking to the office, and I suggested he create a trail mix with dried cranberries and Kashi Go Lean cereal which would help slow down his consumption of too many nuts. In addition, I showed Jeff the best cracker on the market called Akmak, which has lots of protein and fiber. He found he liked the nutty, grainy taste. We went to the grains section where they found foods they never heard of such as quinoa, whole wheat couscous, faro, barley, and bugler. We scheduled a cooking lesson the next day where I would show them how to simply prepare these grains. I pointed out the popular Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soups which I recommend as a side to lunch. They learned that the lentil vegetable, black bean, and minestrone soups are heartier and provide protein and fiber and they are a great complement to a sandwich or a chicken caesar salad. The couple was excited to see how I put meals together for them while shopping. At their home, I helped them prepare the hot dogs with fat free baked beans, which were served alongside pickles and sauerkraut that they had in the pantry. Jeff was so full after this meal that he said he felt like he would never be hungry again. We then made tabouli with whole wheat couscous and veggies, coleslaw, and low fat hummus to be kept in the refrigerator for quick snacks. I set up a meal plan for them and then followed this up with evening phone calls to see how they liked the menu I planned. I was thrilled to hear that Jeff was experiencing a happy fullness after each meal without wanting to snack. He felt that his energy level during the day was high and remained constant while seeing patients. I am also glad to inform you that Jeff has lost 10 pounds, which he said was painless. Now Jeff shops weekly and makes sure that at home there are many choices for meals that are properly balanced with protein and fiber. I am glad to inform you that your health insurance may pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo. com and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www. LindaRD.com for past articles, recipes, and tips in my blog section. Advertorial for wildlife. Community donations allow the Museum to save the lives of thousands of patients. Contributions are vital to sustaining the Museum, its educational programs, and wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Become a member and take your significant other on a date that you won’t soon forget – and make sure to catch the golden eagle. Attend a live “animal encounter,” on Thursday, March 21st at noon at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, where librarian Ms. Ginny will read fun, creepy, crawley themed books, followed by a presentation of Lindsay Wildlife Museum animals. Reserve your space by visiting reserve@lllcf.org.
at 1931 First Ave in Walnut Creek was necessitated in 1993, and in 1996, the word “Wildlife” was added to the title to better express the Museum’s objectives. Lindsay Wildlife Museum currently serves more than 100,000 visitors each year, including 40,000 school children. Approximately 600 volunteers are active in the museum’s work, contributing more than 120,000 hours of service each year to education, wildlife care, museum operations, fundraising, and outreach. There is a volunteer job for nearly every interest and age group. Youth can participate as teacher’s helpers or interpretive guides. Adults can participate in rehabilitation or animal husbandry. They can be museum interpreters, docents, or exhibit volunteers. Volunteers are also utilized in the gift-shop – a treasure trove of beautiful and whimsical wildlife items including puppets, books, tee’s and socks. Orinda resident Jim Lautz has been volunteering his time since 2009 and has held nearly every volunteer position available. As a semi-retired media content professional, Lautz spends about 11 hours minimum per week at the hospital. He also takes part in the Home Care Program, where in the past he has housed in his backyard a pack of raccoons. He claims that the Museum’s ambassador birds know him and recognize his voice – something he proves by holding a “conversation” with the resident raven. Volunteer Miriam Delay-Friant is new to the Museum. The Danville resident was looking for a volunteer activity that involved her love of animals, specifically birds. She works three hours per week as a docent, walking the exhibition hall and dispensing information that she herself has learned on the job. “It is so rewarding, learning about the animals, and sharing that knowledge with others, especially children who are like sponges and are thirsty to know more.” To learn more about the various volunteer programs, call 925-9351978 or visit the Museum’s informative website at http://wildlifemuseum.org. Learn more about the Museum ambassadors, exhibits, and program dates and times. A free volunteer orientation will be held June 13th, from 5:30-7pm. And finally, there is no medical insurance Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
Page 20 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
Failure to Launch Syndrome By William Shryer, LCSW, DCSW Clinical Director, Diablo Behavioral Healthcare Failure to Launch Syndrome is the term used to describe a phenomenon that is far more common than most folks think. This term is used to describe those young adults, usually males, that seem unable to take the next step in their lives and move into increasing independence and employment. They often have a history of starting school or jobs and not following through and dropping out in more ways than one. They also often have histories of substance abuse and addictive behaviors. By “addictive behaviors” we don’t just mean the use of substances such as drugs and alcohol. We include in this area the overuse of computer technology, video games, and RPG (Role Playing Games) such as World of Warcraft, Black Ops, and Diablo 3 to name but a few. When the term “computer or internet addiction” is used, it usually refers to this type of behavior. Often the teen or young adult will require more and more time gaming in a subconscious attempt to balance their mood and anxiety. Another area that most parents are reluctant to talk about is when the computer isn’t used for games, but they find that their son has been looking at internet pornography to excess. This is very understandably disturbing for parents. We often find the child sneaking online to view more and more hardcore sites, often staying up until the wee hours to use the computer uninterrupted. This is far from the old sneak-a-peek at the Playboy magazine at the barbershop. This is an inability to not look and fantasize, as this is a type of stimulation that affects an area of the brain that needs more and more stimulation to feel balanced. Teens and young adults that are involved in this type of behavior need assistance, not moralizing as it has very little to do with conscious choice after a while. It becomes a driven, even obsessive need that negatively impacts a large part of their life. If their computer time is restricted in any manner, the teen or young adult may experience a deep melancholy and become angry, irritable, and even aggressive towards caregivers or parents. They often avoid social encounters, homework, and other daily responsibilities that remind them of what they should be doing. This can raise their anxiety and plunge them back to the computer and the safety of the game and the fantasy world that is easier to
www.yourmonthlypaper.com contend with than the real world and it’s subsequent demands. Some of the diagnostic areas that seem to contribute to this “stuck life position” are depression - usually reactive to their inability to move on, ADHD and the need for constant stimulation, and learning disabilities that not only effect schooling, but reading and its impact on educational progress. Young adults with Asperger’s as well can be prone to this phenomenon as they can perseverate, meaning they get stuck on themes and ideas and not transition to what they need to be doing. All of these things can contribute to low self-esteem, academic under achievement, and being unprepared for adulthood, leaving them dependent on their families. Most, if not all, of these teens and young adults have a great potential, even superior IQ’s for developing the awareness needed to move confidently towards a life free of disempowering perspectives, negative behaviors, and their selfimposed limitations. This is where it “takes a village” to get them back on the right track. Usually the more typical “how does that make you feel” therapy is a dead end. The village is the family, a guide, or a therapist/mentor who can help begin the transition to adulthood and a good and proper launch! If anyone you know falls into this category, there are good resources that address this issue. We are happy to schedule a phone consultation time to point you in the right direction. For more information on any behavioral or developmental concern, call our office at (925) 648-4800, and we will take the time to answer your questions. To learn more about behavioral disorders, visit our website at www.behaviorquest.com. We are located at 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Advertorial Suite 210 in Danville.
Hospice Volunteers Needed Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients and their caregivers. Opportunities include: • Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling • Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy • Mobile Notaries to witness the signing of important documents • Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died • Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) 8875678, and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-forprofit agency that helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.
Dumploads OnUs specializes in providing the ultimate junk removal solution. We’ll haul away just about anything - from old household junk to construction and yard waste. The only items we are unable to accept are hazardous materials. We • Computers make getting • Cables rid of your • TVs unwanted junk • Monitors as easy as 925.934.3743 • 925.934.1515 • Servers 1-2-3; we load, www.dumploadsonus.com • www.erecycleonus.com • Phones we sweep, and 1271 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek • Printers then we haul Monday-Friday, 8-5 • Saturday 9-1, Sunday, closed •Copiers away. It’s that • Fax Machines • Power Supply Units • Discs and Tapes easy! Plus we do it • Scanners • Printer Cartridges and Toners • And More... with a smile!
Coping with the Death of a Pet When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief. Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required. Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.
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Free Yourself from the Addiction Trap By Michael Anne Conley, LMFT The box sat in front of a neighbor’s door. It was unmarked, except for four words wrapped around one corner
Highly Addictive Contents Inside
Highly Addictive Content s Inside
...like the label writer thought it was funny. But if you’re dealing with addiction – whether it’s in you or in someone you care about – it’s not something to take so lightly, is it?
Reaching for Ten No matter what the substance or behavior, if you’re like most people, when you drink, use drugs, eat that pastry, or play the slots, you probably just want to take a break from some stress in life. You want pleasure; you’d like to be at a 10 on the scale. Have you ever said, “I just want to relax,” or “have some fun.” If it was fun, then you got what you wanted. Can you imagine what it’s like to have a different result – and then to have this experience lead to a different desire altogether? Maybe you don’t have to imagine it at all. It might be that you feel lucky just getting to zero.
Chasing Zero This is what it’s like for alcoholics, addicts, chain smokers, habitual lottery players, food cravers et al. While the desire for pleasure may kick off the behavior, the result is often not so much about fun, but instead it is relief from a sense of deficit. “For the first time in my life,” they will say, “it was like a veil lifted. I didn’t even realize I’d been buried below ground. That first snort, toke, drink, spin, lifted me out of a cave. I didn’t feel nervous anymore. It was the first time I felt comfortable in a social gathering. I felt the way I thought normal people felt all the time.” Almost thirty years ago, I met Sister Janet Rolando at my first training
Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 21 experience at Chrysalis House, site of a recovery program for women alcoholics in Oakland. She was the director and I remember an afternoon when she predicted that eventually everyone would know that alcoholism was caused by genetics. There was no room in Sister Janet for blaming the women, even though they were experts in self-blame. She understood, even though science was just beginning to get a clue, that there was a reason only some people got hooked when they sought the pleasures of drinking. It was a mystery, just like the cold bug that tapped you on the shoulder and skipped everyone else in the room. Something had to be afoot, since the Irish were cursed and the Chinese were not. The science has long since caught up. In some ethnic groups, certain genetic markers make it more likely that some people will not be attracted to drinking. But for most humans, neurochemicals in the brain create a pleasurable “high” when we drink, use drugs, or even smoke a cigarette. Similar connections are triggered when we exercise, and scientists are discovering more about what happens in the brains of people who have eating and gambling problems.
What about Responsibility? Knowing about the genetic markers for addiction and similar conditions doesn’t absolve us from responsibility. We’re all built to send ourselves warning signs when we overdose. And if you’re wired toward addiction, then some behaviors have a bigger potential for crash and burn. Once you’ve learned that you have diabetes, after all, you become responsible for managing that disease. The same is true for any addiction. Even though the biochemistry differs, that hangover from partying too hard on Saturdays or the aftermath of all those heavy meals is a signal to adjust. Genetics may have made you susceptible, but years of behavior got you here. In my experience, you’ll succeed more easily if you don’t try to free yourself on your own. I’ll offer more about that next month. If you feel embarrassed about your addictive behavior and self-help programs just aren’t private enough, Michael Anne Conley can help you shed the shame of the past and become gratefully addiction-free. She is a holistic addiction therapist and director of Stillpoint integrative health center in Lafayette. Apply for a free discovery session at www.habitsintohealth. com/get-support. Find out more at www.habitsintohealth.com/get-support or contact her at maconley@wellnesslafayette.com or 925-262-4848. Advertorial
New Drugs Give Hope for Colon Cancer By Jewel Johl, MD March is colorectal cancer awareness month and a reminder to patients aged 50 and older to be screened either through occult blood test or colonoscopy. Screening for colorectal cancer can identify premalignant lesions and detect early stage cancer. Approximately 150,000 new cases of large bowel cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, of which 108,000 are colon cancers and the remainder rectal cancers. Annually, approximately 50,000 Americans die of colorectal cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death, and it accounts for approximately nine percent of cancer deaths overall. Several new drugs have been approved for metastatic colorectal cancer and have the potential to extend survival and improve patient quality of life. Some of these drugs work in a unique, biological way. While some are approved to be given in combination with chemotherapy, one is approved to be given by itself to patients who have advanced metastatic colorectal cancer and have run out of standard chemotherapy options. While new drugs continue to give hope to colorectal cancer patients, early detection is still critically important to patient’s survival. Screening for colorectal cancer can identify premalignant lesions and detect early stage cancer. There are several tests that are available for colorectal cancer screening. While stool occult blood test can detect cancer at an early stage, colonoscopy has the potential to prevent cancer by detecting polyps that can be removed prior to malignant transformation. Screening needs to start even earlier for patients with hereditary forms of colon cancer (HNPCC) or when a strong genetic predisposition is suspected. Jewel Johl, M.D. is a Medical Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. One of his specialties is treating colorectal cancer. He practices at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill and at a satellite office in Brentwood. For more information, call (925) 677-5041. Advertorial
Spot it Early
The Many Faces of Colon Cancer
FREE Skin Cancer Screening
Come and experience “The Many Faces of Colon Cancer,” an event focusing on the unique issues of colorectal cancer patients. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they cover the most current information regarding prevention, screening, treatment options, surgical techniques, nutrition, and survivorship. The event, hosted by Diablo Valley Oncology, will be held March 28th from 6-8PM in the Community Room of the Lafayette Library and Learning center, located at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. Register for the event by calling (925) 677-5041 x272.
Spot it Early is a new program being offered at the California Skin and Melanoma Center in Pleasant Hill. Rachel Ghiorsi, a Physician Assistant and Christine Lee, MD from The East Bay Laser and Skin Care Center will be performing complimentary full body skin cancer screenings on March 28th from 9-11am at 400 Taylor Blvd. #305 in Pleasant Hill. Limited appointments are available. Please call 925-677-7287 to schedule a screening time.
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Page 22 - March 2013 ~ Lafayette Today
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Events for Lafayette Seniors
Our mission is to provide personalized care, help All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior maintain independence and enhance our Center (LSC) located at 500 Saint Mary’s client’s quality of life on a daily basis. Rd in Lafayette unless otherwise noted. • Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 ensure the right care plan • Hourly care Heartfelt & to reserve a spot. Annual Membership fee: for you • Live-in care Supportive $10 per person. General Event fee: Members • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. • Elder referral and placement $1; Non-Member $3. Special Concerts fee: At All Times... Members $3; Non-Members $5. Ongoing 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D Lafayette, CA 94549 Caregiver Support Group: Members: no (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com 925-284-1213 charge; Non-members $1. Telephone Access Program • Thursday, 3/21 • 10:30AM – noon • Cedar on a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants towards a Room, LSC - California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) is a state- more ideal and positive life experience. PM mandated program that provides free, specialized phones to help eligible Bi-Monthly Caregiver Support Group Mondays 3/25 • 1:30–2:30 consumers who have difficulty with hearing, vision, mobility, speech and/or • Elderberry Room, LSC - If you are a family member helping to care memory. On display will be various phones for different applications. In this for an older adult, join our support group to find balance and joy as you free event Crystal Lin of the Public Utilities Commission will explain the manage your responsibilities. Document Your Life Story 3/20 – Cedar Room, LSC 3/6 – Sequoia procedure for applying for the phones and the Telephone Access program. Room, LSC • 1 - 3:30PM - If you have wanted to write the stories, memories, and AM CHP: Age Well/ Drive Smart • Thursday, 4/4 • 10:30 – noon • experiences of your life but haven’t known where to start, wait no longer. Michael Sequoia Room, LSC - Presented by CHP Officer John Fransen and CHP Caligaris, MFA Candidate in Creative Writing, Saint Mary’s College will guide Sr. Volunteer Cindy Lima, discover the keys to driving safer and driving you through the process of leaving a living history for future generations –what a longer. You have the ability to change your driving habits or take other gift! This drop-in group meets through May. Included will be an optional outing corrective steps that will allow you to stay safe on the roads. Hear about the to St. Mary’s for their Creative Writing Reading Series. warning signs and solutions to aging well and driving smart. Book Club 3rd Tuesday monthly 3/19, 4/16 • 1 – 3PM • Elderberry Room Lamorinda Dance Social Every Wednesday • 12:30 – 3PM • Live Looking for a good book to talk about with others? Join this brand-new, informal Oak Room, LSC - Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday, and learn group of book lovers, and enjoy enrichment, discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. some great new dance moves. On the first Wednesday monthly, professional Words of Wisdom…From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted 3rd dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, Tuesday Monthly 3/19 • 10:30 –Noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Take part in this playing your favorites and taking requests. $2 Members/ $4 non-members. free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor. Topics – from soup to Lafayette Senior Services Commission 4th Thursday of the month nuts - will be explored, examined, and discussed by participants. Long-time Lafayette from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the LSC - View agendas at the City of Lafayette of- resident Paul Fillinger’s stories and photographs will stimulate humorous discoveries fice or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us. regarding the benefits of becoming the ‘elders of our tribe.’ Senior Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Every Wednesday • 9AM - 11AM Anne Randolph Presentation: Art of Balance 3/22 • 11:30 – 12:30 • • Call LSC to find out weekly meeting locations - Experience nature at its finest Sequoia Room, LSC - If you are worried about falling or at risk of falling, along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the you should know about activities that improve balance. Learn how to gain while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be increased balance and avoid the risk of falling. helpful if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever you are able. • Free Memory Screening - 3/22. Call 284-5050 to sign up for one ‘Common Threads’ Stitching Group Every Wednesday thru 3/27 • 2 of the following appointment times: 12:30, 12:50, 1:10PM. PM – 3:30 • Elderberry Room, LSC- Whether you are a seasoned cross-stitcher or Free Peer Counseling 3rd Wednesday of the month 3/20 • Cedar Room, newbie beginner, join this ongoing, drop-in group for instruction, guidance, or simply a LSC - Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-on-one counseling with relaxing afternoon spent with fellow stitchers. Allow instructor Ben Pettersson to guide senior (55+) counselors who use their life experiences to help other older adults you regarding supplies and designs for a new cross-stitch project, or bring your own cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. Confidentiality is (needlepoint, knitting, crochet, etc. are welcome, too!) strictly observed. Appointment required. Call LSC to sign up for one of the Come Play Dominoes! Wednesdays 1:30-3PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Join us following appointment times: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, or 11:30AM. every Wednesday for a rousing game of dominoes, refreshments, and socializing. Come out and challenge your brain, meet friends – old and new, or just spend an Is Food a Problem for You? Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through enjoyable afternoon over the game table. Feel free to drop in any time. Come Play Mahjong! Every Tuesday 1PM–3:30PM • Sequoia Room, shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone LSC - Come join us on Tuesdays for a drop-in game of mahjong. Mahjong is a suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and game of skill, strategy, and certain degree of chance. All levels welcome. Bring bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior's Lutheran your card, a mahjong set and a snack to share (optional). RSVP not required. Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information. Hearing Screening • First Wednesday of the Month 3/6 • Alder Hearing Loss Association Room, LCC - Audiologists from Hearing Science/Diablo Valley Ear, Nose, Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association and Throat will screen your hearing. An appointment is required. Please call pm Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to sign up for one of the following of America at 7 on the first Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek appointment times: 1:00, 1:20, 1:40, 2:00 Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at the back nd th Self-Discovery and Aging, Creative Writing Workshop • 2 and 4 PM Thursday monthly 3/22 • 3 - 5 • Elderberry Room, LCC - Join creative writing of the church. All are welcome. Donations are accepted. Assistive listening and english instructor Judith Rathbone and write to explore issues around aging, system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact emotion and perception–or get support to write on any topic! Workshop sessions HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or (925) 264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.
include writing prompts, feedback and encouragement, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) Thursdays 3/14 • 10:30AM – noon • Toyon Room, LSC - Brighten your day with Dr. Bob Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF and author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It. Take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers
Come Taste Our Award Winning Wines! 5700 Greenville Rd, Livermore www.redfeatherwinery.com 510-861-2722
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Out of Isolation and into Courage By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator Lamorinda Senior Transportation, an Alliance of Transportation Providers Stephen Covey writes, “Courage is not the absence of fear but the awareness that something else is more important.” This wonderful statement has such a ring of truth that it could become a guiding principle for dealing with each new challenge in life. Life sometimes wears down our courage as we experience physical, mental, financial, or social changes as we age. Unless we are proactive with regular exercise, good nutrition, social interaction, and new learning, we may experience less energy, lower confidence, and less of the internal drive with which to get out and about to be as active as we have been before. Each time we decide not to push ourselves forward when faced with a challenge, we subtly agree to give up our personal power and take it easy, and the personal growth we wanted to accomplish falls by the wayside. This reduces our confidence and increases the feeling of being stressed by the next life challenge. A conscious effort is needed to get out of the house and away from the TV before isolation and loneliness increasingly creep in. In the field of senior transportation, we are passionate about the need for older adults to remain active, independent, and self-sufficient for as long as possible. In a recent online publication of Walk the Talk, Jim Rohn is quoted, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” And Brian Tracy adds, “If I had to pick the number one key to success, it would be self-discipline. It is the difference in winning or losing; between greatness and mediocrity.” We know that to build a particular muscle, we need to do the specific exercise repeatedly. We don’t do one sit-up; we do five, building up to 10 on our way to 20, 30, or more. That’s what builds physical muscle and physical strength. In the same way, taking charge of our emotions builds emotional muscle, mingling with other people on a regular basis builds social muscle and strength, and learning new things builds mental muscle, strength and agility. The Senior Mobility Action Council in partnership with John Muir’s Caring Hands, Meals on Wheels, Senior Helpline Services, Rehabilitation Services of Northern California, and the Lamorinda Spirit Van is sponsoring an upcoming event on May 31st titled, “Out of Isolation – The Mobility Connections.” Dr. Carla Perissinotto from the UCSF Medical Center will discuss the findings of her study on isolation, loneliness, and its effect on seniors. Representatives from the DMV and the CHP will provide a presentation called, “Age Well, Drive Smart.” Folders of informational
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ARCHITECT JOHN ROLF HATTAM - ARCHITECT Specializes in modest budget, new and renovated residences. Over 200 completed projects. Brochures available for all of our professional services •RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION •NEW RESIDENCES •CHURCHES •COMMERCIAL •MULTI-FAMILY. For the brochure meeting your need call 510-841-5933. 737 Dwight Way, Berkeley.
Lafayette Today ~ March 2013 - Page 23 brochures on transportation options will be provided. Whether you are a senior, friend or family member of a senior, or work with older adults as a staff-member or volunteer, we invite you to Save the Date of May 31st from noon to 3:30pm at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek. A free boxed lunch will be provided. Parking is available. Please RSVP to staff@ mowsos.org or call 937-8311 and ask for Chris. This event could be the first step in moving Out of Isolation and into Courage.
The Lunch Bunch group
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers Lamorinda Spirit Van
283-3534
Taking Lamorinda Seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, special events, and lunch at C.C. Café. $10 round trip; rides to lunch are free. Reserve your seat at least two business days ahead of time by 1PM.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
402-4506
Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands. Phone for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to donate.
Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors
284-6161
Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with rides to doctors’ appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays. Phone for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to donate.
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Soccer continued from page 16 soccer club before he found a home with California Magic. “The difference is that with Cal Magic, I feel like my club is my family,” says Pinto. “What I like most is the coaching and how we play. We’re not like other teams that just boot the ball; we’ve learned to pass the ball in a Barcelona-like style. Our coach is constantly pushing us to do the best that we can. He’s tough, constantly encouraging us, and we have a lot of respect for him.” The Club’s commitments to community involvement and community service expand its reach beyond its 150 player roster and make it a new model for youth sports in the Lamorinda area. In an effort to share the love of soccer with the entire community, the Club organizes frequent pick-up soccer games for any and all ages. This spring pick-up will be held on many Thursdays from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Burton Valley Elementary fields (See website for specific weekly information). California Magic coaches Haris Obic and Jasko Begovic initiated a “Soccer in School” program where they organize lunchtime soccer games for all interested students. They also collaborate with P.E. teachers to provide soccer skills training for P.E. classes, and California Magic makes all of its players aware of the greater community by engaging them in programs such as their recent “Warm Coats and Warm Hearts” fundraiser. Additional programs and policies that differentiate California Magic from other clubs include physical and mental skills development programs in which the Club works with top notch affiliate partners to offer education that will help athletes both on and off the field. They provide ongoing coaches training to ensure the highest coaching quality possible, and, they have an “open door policy” for feedback and communication from coaches, parents, players and the community. “We value transparency and honesty as we foster an environment of empowerment, collaboration, and mutual respect,” says Topping. Adds Hobic, “At Cal Magic, we believe that determining the right sporting experience for your child is of key importance and we encourage everyone to explore our website (www. calmagicsc.com) and come on out to experience Cal Magic firsthand on the field.”
New Eagle Scouts Lafayette Boy Scout Troop 243 congratulates its five newest Eagle Scouts: Luther Kuefner, Aaron Miller, Justin Nathan, Nicholas Villanueva and Reece Yamamoto. Kuefner, Nathan, Villanueva and Yamamoto have been in Scouting together since elementary school at Burton Valley in Cub Scout Pack 645. They joined Troop 243 in 2006. Aaron Miller joined the Troop in 2009. Kuefner is a senior at Campolindo High School. For his Eagle Project, he ran a food and diaper drive for Concord’s Monument Crisis Center, soliciting donations from local preschools and from local shoppers. Aaron Miller is a senior at Acalanes High School. For his Eagle Project, he became a member of the Lafayette Community Foundation's Senior Liaison Committee, helping to plan and execute the 4th Annual Symposium for Seniors, “Aging Successfully in our Community.” Justin Nathan is a senior at The College Preparatory School in Oakland. His Eagle Project was a complete refurbishment of the area behind the Lafayette Christian Church. He replaced a fence, built a bench, and removed a dilapidated gate. Nicholas Villanueva is a senior at Campolindo High School. For his Eagle Project, he built a sandbox, pergola, new benches, and a storage unit for the preschool at Orinda’s Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church. Reece Yamamoto is a senior at Campolindo High School. He planned and built a Left to right Reece Yamamoto, Justin Nathan, Aaron Miller, Nick Villanueva, and Luther Kuefner. fence at the Lafayette Christian Church for his Eagle Project.
Published on Mar 10, 2013
Lafayette Today, March 2013. The town of Lafayette, California's monthly advertiser-supported community newspaper.
