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Lafayette Today ~ January 2014 - Page 25
June 2014 Life Beyond the “Bubble”
Serving the Lafayette Community
By Fran Miller
Lafayette is often referred to as “the bubble” – a safe, secure, and comfortable place, sheltered from the real world. For those who have grown up here, venturing beyond can be both scary and exhilarating. As the students from Acalanes’ class of 2014 near completion of their high school years and prepare for futures outside the bubble, emotions run the gamut. But according to the following four 2013 Acalanes grads, there is nothing to fear. Ally Rosenberg, Maggie Chan, Brett Usinger, and Tristan Tarpey claim it’s really not so bad out there in the real world; it’s actually pretty awesome, though Lafayette does retain charms that lure them all back. Ally Rosenberg, 18, just finished a successful freshman year at the University of Oregon, where she is member of Chi Omega sorority, Ally Rosenberg and her mom Liz, and just recently scored a coveted internship enjoying the perks of her job with in the University’s Athletic Communications the University of Oregon's Athletic Communications Department. Department. She has relished her new independence, and the new experiences (both good and bad) that seem to pop up for her daily. “It is exciting to meet new people almost everyday, which is something that doesn’t happen in Lafayette,” says Rosenberg. She admits to feeling that one of Lafayette’s best characteristics – its tightknit community where everyone knows each other – can be a double-edged sword, and she has most enjoyed expanding her social circle. “I have met so many amazing new people. I have learned to be more responsible since there isn't someone to constantly look after me, and I have learned how much potential I have and that I should not settle for average, as I did in high school. I know that if I put my mind to something and work hard, I can accomplish it. I have had some of the best times Brett Usinger takes his sister Brittany and mom Laurie on a of my life since I've been away tour of the Princeton campus. at school.” Maggie Chan, 18, deliberately left the Lafayette comfort zone in an effort to broaden her horizons. A declared marketing/management business major at the University of Alabama, her goal has been met. “Choosing to go to out of state for college has been the best decision I've ever made,” says Chan. “I love experiencing a different culture, atmosphere, and way of life. I've adjusted to extreme humidity, fried or barbecued foods at most meals, and a more conservative environment, and I’ve also learned that leaving California makes me appreciate it so much more.” Chan is an active member of Delta
See Bubble continued on page 10
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Lafayette Elementary Troop 32851 recently earned their Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. The troop of thirteen 5th grade girls hosted an Earth Day event in coordination with the Lafayette Elementary School spring campus cleanup day. The event included multiple display booths and activities that offered students and local scouts a hands-on opportunity to learn about three key conservation values: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Photo by Belinda Young.
Lafayette’s Annual ‘Rock The Plaza’ Series
The ‘Rock the Plaza’ summer music series will take place Friday nights in June at Lafayette’s Plaza Park located at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road. The headliners start at 6:30pm and are free of charge. Arrive a little early for a good spot on the lawn. This year’s line up includes: • Friday, June 13 ~ THE FLOORSHAKERS • Friday, June 20 ~ THE BIG JANGLE • Friday, June 27 ~ LAMORINDA IDOL FINALISTS The Floorshakers (www.thefloorshakers.com) are back for a fourth time to offer up funk, soul, and rock and roll. This 10 member band includes a full horn section. The Big Jangle Band (http://d37539.wix.com/bigjangleband) is a San Francisco Bay Area band dedicated to playing all things Tom Petty. They capture the Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers concert experience, so not only playing the music of Tom Petty, but the songs he covers live, such as The Traveling Wilburys, The Byrds, and Stevie Nicks. Comprised of seasoned musicians located in the East Bay including local greats Paul Cotruvo and Kiki Stack, you will be guaranteed a great musical and dancing experience. Lamorinda Idol (http://orindaarts.org/ lamorinda-idol), created and sponsored by the Orinda Arts Council, offers a multimonth collection of auditions, performance workshops, community performances, and a final competition. Participants learn to choose Volume VIII - Number 6 music that highlights their talent, present 3000F Danville Blvd #117 themselves creatively, connect with an Alamo, CA 94507 audience, take constructive criticism, and win Telephone (925) 405-6397 or lose graciously. They also get to meet likeFax (925) 406-0547 minded young people and feel the support of editor@yourmonthlypaper.com adult volunteers who believe that performing Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher arts add to the fabric of our community. The opinions expressed herein belong to the Food and beverages will be available at writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Laall events or you can pack a picnic. We will fayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible the content of any of the advertising herein, provide the music. For information visit www. for nor does publication imply endorsement. lafayettechamber.org or call 925-284-7404.