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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 1
JANUARY 2017
GREG MOELLER BRIGHTENS LAFAYETTE
BRENDA OUM, 2017 LAFAYETTE MARQUIS BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
By Fran Miller
Greg Moeller loves Lafayette and it shows. The thousands and thousands of blooming daffodils that make their appearance in town each spring are his handiwork and, in essence, his love letter to his hometown. He spends his own money on the bulbs and asks for nothing in return. “I just like meeting all the nice people who stop occasionally to comment or to thank me,” says Moeller. “It’s a nice feeling to know that you are making someone’s day a bit brighter.” Moeller, who was selected as ‘Lafayette Citizen of the Year’ in 2013 thanks to his beautification efforts, has now ventured into housing the area’s birds. Those fanciful birdhouses seen on the back of Happy Valley stop signs are his handiwork. (They are easily removable should he be asked to desist, but residents Greg Moeller. Photo by Karleen Kawakami are smitten.) He’s now fielding requests from those in other neighborhoods and is making the creative and highly detailed houses as fast as he can. Each is original and is made with both recycled elements and items sourced from craft supply stores. Moeller knows exactly which types of birds use his houses: House Wren, Oak Titmouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Like the daffodil bulbs, Moeller solely funds his birdhouse hobby. He makes about 100 each year that he freely gives away to anyone who seems interested, and he plants between 10,000 and 15,000 bulbs annually. Most of the daffodils are centralized at Upper Happy Valley and El Nido roads, but he’s branched out to the area near Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church. The planting work is arduous – an individual hole must be dug for each bulb – and the rewards are brief: blooms appear anywhere from 10 days to three weeks. But for Moeller, the efforts are worth every gaze and every smile. “This is my way to give back to all the volunteers in our community – all of those who give their time to make
SEE MOELLER CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette, CA
ECRWSS
Twenty years ago, Cynthia Murdough, owner of Papillon Gourmet Coffees, was honored as Lafayette’s Business Person of the Year. Now that honor has come full circle as we congratulate Brenda Oum, the 2017 Business Person of the Year. Brenda and her husband Tom are the current owners of Papillon. Brenda received over 40 nominations from her patrons with one of them explaining “Papillon is the Cheers of Lafayette.” Brenda’s life story was the subject of a recently published book, Remember to Remember. Brenda’s story has been a long, strange trip. Her journey started in Cambodia during the rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970’s. When Brenda was five, her family was forced from their home which led to her and her family spending years as slave labor subjects to Pol Pot. Brenda came to America after her escape in 1987 from Thailand.
SEE OUM CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
ACALANES GRAD CROWNED MISS CALIFORNIA
By Fran Miller
Lafayette is proud to claim as its own several notable athletes, a musician or two, and a few Hollywood stars. As of December 4, 2016, the list now includes Miss California. 2014 Acalanes High School grad India Williams was recently crowned Miss California USA® 2017 at the December competition held at the Long Beach Miss California, India Williams Convention Center. Williams is currently a junior at Loyola Marymount University in Los Volume XI - Number 1 Angeles, working on her Bachelor’s 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Degree in Business EntrepreneurA lamo, CA 94507 ship. She is also a part-time model Telephone (925) 405-6397 and was a Cycle 22 cast member on Fax (925) 406-0547 America’s Next Top Model television editor@yourmonthlypaper.com series. Though extremely busy with Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher her current duties, she recently found The opinions expressed herein belong to the time to check-in with her hometown writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible newspaper:
SEE CROWN CONT. ON PAGE 12
for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
PAGE 2 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
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POKER NIGHT FUNDRAISER
Join Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services at their Texas Hold ‘Em Fundraiser. The evening will be held at the Danville Grange located at 732 Diablo Rd. in Danville on Saturday, February 25th from 6-11pm. The cost is $85 per person and includes buy-in, a full BBQ dinner from Andy’s BBQ, and one drink ticket. No poker experience is needed! The event is for ages 21 and up. To purchase tickets visit www.mowsos. org/event/poker or call 925-239-2487. Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services are non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations (IRS#680044205).
FREE TAX PREPARATION
Free tax preparation for the 2017 tax season is available starting February 2017 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 in whom they can serve but EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000. Beginning January 9, 2017, 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 Center 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 the taxpayer and spouse, if applicable • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2015 Tax Return
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO PROVIDE WARM CLOTHING TO THOSE WITHOUT SHELTER
There is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer to make sure that homeless people in our county don’t suffer from the winter cold. White Pony Express (WPE), a nonprofit based in Pleasant Hill, has launched its Cold Weather Clothing Program (CWCP) for this winter. This program has already distributed 4,000 items of new or like-new clothing—coats, pants, shirts, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, underwear, and boots—given to people without shelter. Your help is needed to continue this vital program throughout the winter. The Cold Weather Clothing Program originated last winter when two homeless men, John Dulik and Todd Cambra, died from exposure in Walnut Creek. It was that sad situation that spurred our founder, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, to ask that warm clothing be procured and provided to the homeless to enable them to endure cold winter nights. So now it is a WPE tradition. Come and make a difference! Everyday WPE provides between 5,000 and 6,000 pounds of food to those in need in Contra Costa County (seven days a week), as well as distributing about 12,000 articles of new and like-new clothing, toys, and books per month. Interested volunteers should contact Mandy Nakaya at 925-818-6361, email her at mandy@whiteponyexpress.org or visit www.whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer/. For more on WPE, go to www.whiteponyexpress.org.
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ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DIABLO VALLEY SCHEDULES PROSPECTIVE MEMBER COFFEE
Since 1967, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, a nonprofit member volunteer organization, has improved lives in our community through hands-on programs. Its’ primary fundraiser, the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, is a well-known landmark located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette. In response to the needs of the client base, Assistance League of Diablo Valley is reaching out to those of you who would enjoy clothing elementary schoolchildren for a more successful educational experience, performing educational puppet shows for schoolchildren, reading to second grade students, or helping in providing emergency clothing, food, and supplies to those in crisis. Two recently formed philanthropic programs concern implementing art in the classroom and staffing the Listen Program which helps identified students with verbal expression. Two other programs the group supports address the needs of our seniors. If you are interested in spending quality time and meeting energetic and upbeat people while helping those who are vulnerable, please phone 925-9340901 to inquire about a Prospective Member Coffee scheduled for early January. For more information, please visit www.diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
SONS IN RETIREMENT LAMORINDA BRANCH 174
NEW YEAR
• CARPET NEW FLOORS! • HARDWOOD • CARPET RUGS • HARDWOOD CUSTOM RUGS • RUGS LINOLEUM • LINOLEUM TILE
We are a social organization of retired and semi-retired men who enjoy our leisure time with friends and activities. Our activities are golf, bowling, bocce ball, table pool, travel, fishing, computers & technology, bridge, poker, pinochle, investing, wine tasting, walking, astronomy, stamp collecting, etc. We meet for lunch at 11AM the Second Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Family Owned Business Culture Center 1700 School Street, Moraga. Our Since 1989 guest speaker on January 11th will be Amy Worth 3344 Mt. Diablo Blvd. of the Orinda City Council. Lafayette, CA For attendance and membership info, call Tyler 925.284.4440 at (925) 284-5561. Please visit www.branch174.sirinc2.org for www.LamorindaFloors.com License# 708486 more information.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 3
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
New
It’s been a long time coming but worth the wait. I am excited to share the Classes Start Soon freshened-up look of our papers with you. With a new logo, a new website, new The Writing Studio mastheads, and updated fonts and layout, I hope you find things pop a bit more Where Words Come to Life and draw you into the content provided by our wonderful advertisers, writers, and contributors. The Writing Studio is a unique program that provides I didn’t know it at the time, but my journey with running and publishing a classroom instruction and individual sessions for students newspaper began in high school. I was a photo editor for the multi award-win- in grades 3-12. Young writers step into a world of creative storytelling and essay based expository writing projects ning Cupertino, California, Homestead High School Epitaph. and develop strong writing skills in the process. The Epitaph paper was something to be a proud part of. During his tenure, longtime teacher and adviser Nick Ferentinos helped guide the staff to winning many awards including eight “Gold Crowns” The writing studio from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). During 3455 golden gate Way, suite A, lafayette that same period, the paper received eight Pacemaker Awards from the National Scholastic Press Associwww.lafayettewritingstudio.com ation. As late as 1994, those were the most prominent national awards ever given to a high school paper. (925) 385-0211 While some former Epitaph staff moved on to careers with The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and at least one as a White House correspondent for the Associated Press, I didn’t have the same goals as they. I went to school and graduated with a business degree and planned to do something with that...I just didn’t know it would be owning and producing my own publications! Over a decade ago, an opportunity came to me to take over the reins of Alamo Today. I jumped in and so this journey began. My desktop publishing skills were rusty but came back quickly. The Union City based printer that was already providing printing services for Alamo Today was actually the same press our Epitaph staff worked with from my high school days! A couple years after taking the helm of the Alamo paper, I started two subsequent papers: Danville Today News and Lafayette Today. The foundation of each paper is to provide our communities with hyperlocal, positive stories about people in the community: your neighbors, classmates, workmates, and teammates... as well as to spotlight the hard work of our local non-profits. Our advertorialists bring you news and expertise in their small business specialties, and our advertisers announce their presence, their sales, and their events. Through our advertisers and advertorialists, this paper gets produced, printed, and delivered to you. Please take the opportunity to patronize their businesses and to let them know you see their ads and articles. For quite awhile I have realized an update of the papers and website was needed. I was fortunate to be able to enlist the help of a hyperlocal resource, a neighbor, and someone I watched grow up. With a small window of time between her college graduation and her first career job I enlisted Sarah Herzog (www.sherzogdesign.com) to help me start anew. What started out as my request for a “simple” website refresh became a full rebranding. And I couldn’t be more grateful. Sarah’s insight and ideas helped me get this task off my to-do list and come to fruition, and I am delighted to bring this to you. I receive many comments that this is a paper that is looked forward to each month and read cover-to-cover. In this digital day and age people tell me they still like the tactile feeling and the focus of a newspaper. It gives them a chance to disconnect from the bits and bytes and bright screens. I hope you feel that way, too. If not, please let me know what you’d like to read more of or what other changes you’d like to see. I’d love to hear from you. Reach me at editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Happy New Year!
Celebrate the New Year with our 2017 Cooking Classes
HOST FAMILIES SOUGHT FOR TWO WEEK STAY BY VISITING FRENCH STUDENTS
January 26th • 5pm – 7pm
Re-Energize the Body Healthy Soups & Salads with Patt Larkin $55/per person Call today to reserve your seat!
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For the twelfth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the south of France are coming to the Bay Area. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April 1st and depart April 16th. 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 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 dachary.martine@orange.fr. There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you (including the editor of this paper!). The local contact is Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925)718-5052.
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Meet 91 year-old Lafayette mystery writer Richard L. Wren at the launch of his fifth novel, Joshua: Judge & Jury, on Saturday January 21st from 4-8PM at the Winslow Center located at 2590 Pleasant Hill Rd, in Pleasant Hill. The event is free. There will be a meet and greet, a talk about the new book (and the other four if you ask), signing discounted copies, a raffle for free books, and also discussion about starting a writing career late in life -- Richard published his first novel in 2010 at the age of 85!
PAGE 4 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
STEM FITNESS FOR ADULTS
The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presents “Stem Fitness for Adults” on Tuesday January 17 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda, from 9:30 to 11:30AM. So, what’s all the excitement about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)? Do you ever think that maybe the middle school girls, for whom a number of STEM programs have been developed to increase competitiveness in science and technology development, are the only ones having all the fun? As the March 2017 Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) STEM Conference at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga draws near, and AAUW takes applications for Tech Trek Camps at local universities this summer, the group thought it was time for all, regardless of age, to have some fun. Come to AAUW-OML “STEM Fitness for Adults,” and see for yourself why the girls are having such a good time. Design a bridge that won’t collapse under its own weight, solve the unsolvable Insanity Block Puzzle by trial and error or pen and paper, race a mousetrap car, or find out why geometry really is fun. The group will have a special guest speaker to explain it all, and you will have a chance to do a little coding of your own to produce a binary friendship bracelet. This is your chance to learn about STEM, socialize, and play. See you there! AAUW, established in 1881, advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information, visit oml-ca.aauw.net.
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ASSISTANCE LEAGUE WAY SIDE INN THRIFT SHOP PIECES TOGETHER QUILT EVENT
Assistance League® of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, member volunteer organization dedicated to improving lives in our community through its hands-on programs. Throughout the year, member volunteers at Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette, have collected quilts and related items in preparation for the Quilt event scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 10. Whether appliqué or piece, vintage or new, quilts have enjoyed a balance of practicality, heritage, and art throughout our nation’s history. To this day, a valuable lesson endures; we need to continue this example of ingenuity and innovation by renewing our resources rather than by discarding and replacing them.
AAUW COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE ONLINE
By Lynda Leonard
Applications for American Association of University Women (AAUW) Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) scholarships are available online at oml-ca. aauw.net. Female Lamorinda seniors graduating from Miramonte, Acalanes, or Campolindo High schools are encouraged to apply. Three scholarships are offered each year to high school girls: one is a $5,000 award and two are for $1,000 each. The deadline to apply is March 7th. Additionally, a fourth scholarship of $5,000 is awarded for graduate work to a senior from Saint Mary’s College. The deadline for that application, also available online, is March 14, 2017. The focus of the application is on community service, and applicants are asked to reflect on their experiences and achievements. It’s exciting to see how these young women live their lives and to learn about their interests, their choices of community service, and their academic achievements. The applicants reflect on what they have learned from their experiences. One girl wrote, “I had entered Girls Who Code believing the most important skills I would learn would be technical skills, but the importance of asking questions and engaging with my students became the defining theme of the club. I learned to adapt my plans and to focus on engaging with the girls.” There are some remarkable young women growing up amongst us, and they are encouraged to continue reaching out, engaging with their community, and leaving their footprint! Scholarship recipients will be recognized at an awards celebration on Sunday, April 23, 2017. AAUW, established in 1881, advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. It is open to everyone with an Associate Degree or higher and visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information, visit the website at oml-ca.aauw.net.
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
Jean Hallstone is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 17 last month!
The quilt embodies a balance of practicality, heritage and art.
Venture through the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop to find a selection of beautifully crafted quilts, many of them hand pieced and hand stitched. You will also find fabrics, quilt frames, and quilt books. Add warmth to your home by adorning a wall, covering a bed, or gracing that favorite chair in your reading corner. If you have any quilt related donations, the dedicated thrift shop member volunteers will happily add them to this special event. As with the early chapters of our nation’s history, our local community faces numerous challenges. Your generous donations to the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, along with your purchases there, not only ease suffering, but they also restore hope. To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s philanthropic programs which are primarily funded by the thrift shop, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
TK AND KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Registration for Lafayette students entering TK and Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year will take place January 19th and 20th . Further information can be found at www.lafsd.org. In addition, an informational presentation, “A Roadmap to Kindergarten” will be held at Happy Valley Elementary, Multi-purpose Room on January 12, from 6-7:30PM for all interested parents in the school district. The following are specific school registration times. • Burton Valley Elementary, 9-11AM and 1-3PM - 561 Merriewood Dr., 927-3550 • Happy Valley Elementary, 9-11AM - 3855 Happy Valley Rd., 927-3560 • Lafayette Elementary, 9-11AM - 950 Moraga Road, 927-3570 • Springhill Elementary, 9-11AM - 3301 Springhill Rd., 927-3580
GOLD COAST CHAMBER PLAYERS INTERMEZZO
Intermezzo, the third of the Gold Coast Chamber Players five concerts this season, takes place on Saturday, January 28 at 7:30PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. The program offers a poetic mix of music with at least one foot in the romantic era, which glorified the sensual, the emotive, and the sentimental. The Gold Coast Chamber Players are known for their engaging and vibrant performances. Ticket price includes complimentary champagne, a pre-concert talk at 7PM, and a reception with the musicians following the performance. Tickets are available at www.gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728. Seating is limited, so please reserve early.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 5
LIVE, LOVE, LAFAYETTE The town you have always loved now offers a fresh new take on how to call it home - luxury flats at Woodbury by The New Home Company. Come home to Lafayette.
Final Move-In Ready Single-Story Flats • From the High $700,000s Model Home Open Daily | 925.299.1325 | WoodburyNWHM.com
All information subject to change. Models do not reflect ethnic preferences and housing is open to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, handicap or national origin. Not an offer or solicitation to sell real property. Offers to sell real property may only be made and accepted at the sales center for individual New Home communities. Hardscape, landscape, upgraded features and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. All imagery is representational and does not depict specific building, views or future architectural, community or amenity details. TNHC Realty and Construction Inc. BRE #01870227. December 2016.
PAGE 6 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
THE BOOKWORM
By Joan Stevenson
My 2017 calendar is hung where I can see it, and I delight in the blank squares as I wonder what will fill them. I picked this one, The Book Lover’s Calendar, because it celebrates the unforgettable cover art of my favorite books like The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, Walden, and Alice in Wonderland. The Bookworm’s task is to keep you informed about the LLLC offerings you might like to add to your calendar. I went directly to my informed source, Vicki Sciacca, our librarian, who gave me a look at what promises to be a most exciting road ahead. The theme for January is “New Year, New You” with buzz words like mindfulness, meditation, and organization. That sounds like my New Year’s Resolutions list! On Thursday, January 19 at 7PM in the Community Hall, Dr. Kate Levinson, author of Emotional Currency, A Woman’s Guide to Building a Healthy Relationship with Money, will unravel for us the emotional complications behind finances and discuss the taboo of talking about money. Register at tinyurl.com/NYNYmoney. Now, tell the truth: does “organize my photos this year” appear annually on your resolution list? It does for me, too. Don’t let your memories get buried in a shoebox or on a hard drive! Come to the Homework Center at 6:30PM on Thursday, January 12, and learn how to protect and enjoy your photos, videos, and memorabilia with Jean Gerding as she discusses “ABCs of Organizing Photos.” Register at tinyurl.com/ABCphoto. Wonders of the World kicks off the year on January 11 at 2PM in the Community Hall with a look at the DeYoung Museum retrospective of Frank Stella. Frank Stella has been one of the most important and influential figures in the evolution of modern art. This first comprehensive US exhibition of the artist’s work since 1970 features approximately 50 large-scale works, including paintings, wall-mounted reliefs, and three-dimensional sculptures. The exhibition design highlights the transitions that connect aspects of this diverse body of work. I love the holidays when family and friends gather around my table, and the conversation is full of remembering the shared past…the birthdays, the
www.yourmonthlypaper.com celebrations, funny moments, and sad moments, too. We are, deep in our DNA, storytellers. The Lafayette Library and Learning Center will present a conversation about The Power of Storytelling. Whether oral, written, or filmed, storytelling has the ability to stir emotions, to inspire, and to create change by opening our minds, hearts, and eyes to the lives of others, deepening our understanding and connection. The Distinguished Speaker Series looks at the power of storytelling revealed through two featured documentaries: A New Color, January 12, and Mothering Inside, February 2. A New Color will be presented at the Lafayette Library on January 12 , 7 – 8:30PM as part of a conversation on The Power of Storytelling. Celebrated San Francisco Women’s Building muralist and educator Edythe Boone is the subject of the award-winning documentary A New Color, a film by Mo Morris. Edythe Boone painted walls to build bridges toward unity after the chokehold death of her nephew. His final words ignited a national outcry for racial justice. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion that includes the director, Mo Morris, Edythe Boone, and Jorge Mario Abundis, a student featured in the film. Tickets cost $15 general and $10 for LLLCF donors. For tickets, call (925)2836513 x102. The second film, Mothering Inside, will be shown on February 2 in the Community Hall 7 – 8:30PM. It will be followed by a panel discussion with Brian Lindstrom and one of the mothers featured in the film, followed by a conversation with author Cheryl Strayed on the power of storytelling. Mothering Inside chronicles the experiences of incarcerated women and their children as they participate in the Family Preservation Project (FPP) in Wilsonville. FPP is designed to interrupt the cycle of intergenerational criminal justice involvement, poverty, and addiction, and to promote healthy mother-child relationships, support successful reentry to society, and decrease recidivism. Tickets cost $25 general, $35 for reserved seating, or $15 for LLLCF donors. For tickets call (925) 283-6513 x102. If “smarten up” and “simplify” were on your resolution list, you may want to “Cut the Cable Cord!” I wish, right? Learn all about “smart” TVs, the variety of streaming media services, and how to decrease or get rid of your cable bill entirely by attending the presentation on Wednesday January 15 at 1PM in the Homework Center. “What’s on your calendar?”
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 7
BIRCH IMPEACH SIGN REMOVAL CALLED ‘RUTHLESS POLICE ACT’
By Ruth(less) Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society
Just like in January 2017, the word “impeach” was in the air in Lamorinda in January 1967. But then it referred to Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court, following the court’s unanimous “Brown vs. Board of Education” decision that ended school segregation. Signs calling for Warren’s impeachment were prevalent throughout the South, and one (actually, two) in Orinda caused an uproar. As the Lafayette Sun told the story on January 6, 1967: “Besieged by his constituents to have an ‘Impeach Earl Warren’ sign removed from the backyard of an Orinda home, clearly visible from Hwy. 24, Supervisor James Moriarty cut through state governmental red tape to get action before the New Year weekend. “Friday, the maintenance crew of the State Division of Highways removed from the home owned by Mrs. Nona West on Muth Drive the sign that carried its message for less than 24 hours. Mrs. West is a resident of San Leandro; her daughter and son-inlaw live in the Orinda house. “The action prompted charges of a ‘ruthless misuse of police power,’ and a ‘deathbed act of the Brown Administration’ by Dr. John Richardson. He was present on the scene protesting the taking down of the sign without a hearing in court or court order. “Dr. Richardson, an Orinda resident and practicing physician and active member of the John Birch Society, was a Congressional candidate in the general election. He will conduct a program for the Truth About Civil Turmoil (TACT) Committee of Contra Costa County tonight at the Masonic Auditorium. He told the Sun that he would touch upon the sign issue. “However, the main part of the program would be the showing of a film, Anarchy, USA, which reveals the parallels of the civil rights struggles in America to Communistic countries, according to Dr. Richardson. “Supervisor Moriarty told the Sun yesterday that what the sign said wasn’t the issue. It was clearly a violation of the State Outdoor Advertising Act of 1964, as well as the County zoning ordinance covering signs along a landscaped freeway, and advertising in a residential area.” He pointed out that the State spends millions for the beautification of its freeways, and that the Outdoor Advertising Act, as well as the County zoning ordinance, was to protect the people at large. “Many residents of Orinda, as well as others, were outraged by the sign,” he said. “Two other ‘Impeach Earl Warren’ signs, apparently put up by members of the John Birch Society in Lafayette and Walnut Creek, remain standing. One is at the Pleasant Hill interchange off of the freeway on the building formerly occupied by a furniture store. The other is on the upper part of Ygnacio Valley Road that’s due to be torn down to make way for BART. “If Earl Warren had been impeached a long time ago, this wouldn’t have happened,” said Dr. Richardson, referring to the taking down of the sign. “No branch of government can go on private property,” he said. “Also concerned about the sign story in the Sun last week was Tom Linthicum of Lafayette. He questioned whether the County record REMEMBERING BEN MILLER referring to Mrs. West as a ‘strong member of the Birch Society’ was By Erin Martin,Village Associates Real standard procedure and invaded privacy or individual freedom. ‘I am Estate only interested in protecting your liberty and mine,’ he said. ‘We can’t Just before Thanksgiving, the Lamorinda use slander to usurp our freedom.’ realtor community was stunned and heart broken “When informed that the sign was to be erected, Moriarty checked by the loss of Ben Miller, a beloved local realtor the Department of Highways (DOH) zoning coordinator on the legality with Dudum Real Estate Group. Ben passed away of the proposed sign. The DOH informed Mrs. West that the sign had to suddenly due to a heart condition at his home in be removed within 10 days. Moraga. Ben is survived by his beautiful wife, “If the violator is persistent and not showing any willingness to Ashlie Rolley Miller, his six-year-old son, and his conform to the law, the district maintenance officer is authorized to go new baby. Needless to say, Ben was way too young to be taken from his on their property and remove the sign. “Moriarty, learning that the expiration date had passed, contacted family and friends. the DOH maintenance engineer in Sacramento, who said there was Ben and I began our careers in real estate at the same time and no question as to the violation of the Outdoor Advertising Act and became friends. The loss that I feel for his family and our community authorized a maintenance crew to remove the sign. Now.” is immeasurable. Ben brought laughter, kindness, and positivity to In a matter of a few hours, all vestiges of the sign were removed. our profession and his clients. We had so much more to gain from his Dr. Richardson, who was on the scene, claimed it was the use of police perspective and his drive to succeed. I wish there was a way to document power “by the government, and it’s about time this is stopped. The how many colleagues and friends were touched by Ben and devastated ruthless confiscation of private property was decried by the doctor. He by his passing. The response speaks to how truly beloved he was and insisted it was what the sign said which was really the issue.” how deeply he will be missed. If the sign were for public service (i.e., “Drive Carefully”) it would have Real estate is a competitive profession, but Ben and his business been allowed to remain, the law reads. There were two large billboards partner Sherry Hutchins were such a successful team. Ben and Sherry, on the West property. They were in a spear shape, about 7 by 12 feet, and top-ranked at Dudum Real Estate, worked tirelessly for their clients. It could be seen clearly by eastbound and westbound traffic on Hwy. 24. was just the beginning for Ben. “The structure being up was Many of you know Ben outside of work from swim meets, sporting legal,” said Dr. Richardson. He events, and school functions as an incredibly attentive dad. Ben loved claimed that Mrs. West wasn’t given being a part of his kids’ lives and talked endlessly about his newborn an opportunity for a public hearing. daughter. There is a GoFundMe site where you can offer support to Ben’s He estimated that 15 hours of family: https://www.gofundme.com/a-celebration-of-ben-miller. manpower with 24 people had Life is fragile. It reminds us to hug the ones we love and to cherish all gone into erecting the short-lived Gopher/Mole Removal sign. The DOH had no court the things we have to be thankful for. I wish you and your family a wonderful New Year. Please feel No Poison order to take down the sign, Dr. Richardson added. He termed free to contact me with your real estate questions, or for a free home I can be reached at (925) 951-3817 or by email at erin@ 925-765-4209 the sequence of events “pretty evaluation. erinmartinhomes.com. Advertorial advanced toward Socialism.”
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PAGE 8 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
REFLECTIONS ON MY YEAR AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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By Supervisor Candace Andersen Contra Costa County, District 2
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It has been a very busy year as I finish serving as the Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and have also just completed my first four-year term in office. I truly enjoy my public service and am looking forward to serving in this next term. As the Board of Supervisors starts the new year, I would like to congratulate and welcome new District III Supervisor Diane Burgis who, along with East Contra Costa County, represents the communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, and the unincorporated Danville community. I want to thank Mary Nejedly Piepho for her 12 years of distinguished service. Congratulations also to colleague Federal Glover on his re-election as the District IV Supervisor and as incoming Board Chair. The County implemented some new programs and updated others this past year. We also hired some very talented and accomplished people to replace exiting staff or fill new roles. In December, we passed a pharmaceutical disposal ordinance which will require drug manufacturers to create a stewardship program for the collection and disposal of unwanted pharmaceutical drugs. Most of our local police departments are currently already collecting unwanted prescription drugs, and this ordinance will expand options for disposing of these unwanted pharmaceuticals. We created a Sustainability Coordinator Position, hiring Jody London to coordinate the development and integration of the County’s sustainability activities, including the newly implemented PACE Program, which enables property owners to finance energy-efficient and water-saving home upgrades to be repaid through their property tax bill rather than through conventional financing. We have also just established a Sustainability Commission which will advise the Board of Supervisors on issues related to our Climate Action Plan and look at equity and fairness in our disadvantaged communities. We formed a County/Cities coalition and commissioned a jointly funded technical study of options for bringing Community Choice Energy aggregation to Contra Costa County. Community Choice Energy allows local governments to pool the electricity demands of their communities in order to purchase power with higher renewable content, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reinvest in local energy infrastructure. In the interest of public protection, we promoted Todd Billeci to County Probation Officer, replacing Phil Kader who retired. The environmental review was finalized for the West County Detention Facility, laying the groundwork for future expansion of our existing jail rehabilitation facility, where there can be a great emphasis on assisting those inmates with mental illness. We created the Racial Justice Task Force to advise the Board on issues of disproportionate contact of minority residents with the criminal justice system. We also created the Office of Reentry & Justice as a pilot project of the County Administrator’s Office to assist with efforts to prevent recidivism and help people break from patterns of crime. In the area of Human Resources and Labor Relations, we settled labor contracts with all of our Bargaining Units. We welcomed Jeff Bailey as our new Labor Relations Manager and Dianne Dinsmore as Director of Human Resources. A new Health, Housing, and Homeless Services division was added to Contra Costa Health Services. This new division will integrate housing and homeless services across our health system, and coordinate health and homeless services across county government and into the community. Our Public Works Department was once again recognized for excellence by their peers with an award from the Northern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association. They also received a 2016 Clean Air Champion Award for superior achievement in the use of cleaner fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles. The Purchasing Division earned the National Procurement Institute’s “Achievement of Excellence in Public Procurement” award. Our Airports Division negotiated Airline service between Buchanan
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Field and Burbank/Las Vegas by JetSuiteX. The service kicked off from Buchanan Field to Burbank round-trip three times daily in April 2016 with Las Vegas added shortly thereafter, and future flights and additional routes are planned. This offers a time-saving gateway for East Bay residents looking for a quick weekend trip. X 5”toward our goal of fiscal responsiWe had some achievements this3”year Danville Today 190.00 In Home Jan 3 bility. We maintained our AAA Bond Rating from Standard & Poor’s, and received an upgrade on Lease Bonds from Moody’s (from A1 to Aa3) with Alamo Today 155.00 In Home Jan 3 both agencies commenting on the fact that Contra Costa County was “Fundamentally sound and had a stable outlook for the future.” The Budget was Lafayette 180.00 In Home Jan 9 structurally balanced for the 6th year in a row, built on the assumption of a 6% increase in assessed valuations; actual assessed value countywide was 6.01%. Other Post-Employment Benefits Unfunded Liability was reduced to $764.3 million as of the January 01, 2016, valuation (it was $2.6 billion in 2006), and current Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Assets exceed $200 million. Our highly acclaimed library system continued to expand and improve library services and facilities countywide. We hired Melinda Cervantes as our new County Librarian. She was previously our Deputy Librarian before moving to Santa Clara and then to Arizona. The San Ramon Library remodel continued throughout the year with a planned reopening in March of 2017. It’s been a great year with so much accomplished. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues, old and new, in 2017 as we serve our residents of Contra Costa County! Should you have any questions or other County issues you wish to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact me. As your County Supervisor, I’m here to serve you. I can be reached at (925) 957-8860 or Candace. Andersen@bos.cccounty.us.
“Today” Papers
SPECIAL SUSTAINABLE LAFAYETTE FILM EVENT BEFORE THE FLOOD
On Wednesday, January 18th, Sustainable Lafayette and the Town Hall Theatre are co-hosting a special film event featuring the new documentary Before the Flood. The new film features Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace traveling to five continents and the arctic to witness climate change firsthand. With unprecedented access to scientists, political leaders, and thought leaders, DiCaprio shares a riveting account of the changes now occurring as well as the actions we can take to prevent the disruption of life on our planet. • Enjoy a pre-movie reception with free appetizers and discounted local craft beers (doors open at 6pm) • Learn the latest status on Lafayette’s use of clean energy • Ask questions of a local panel of experts, including MCE • Indulge in free treats after the film • Get fired up about a series of inspiring events and actions in 2017 • Help fund Town Hall Theatre shifting to 100% clean energy for 2017 (use of all donations) Pre-movie reception starts at 6pm, and the movie begins at 7pm. The event will be held at Town Hall Theatre, located at 3535 School St., Lafayette. Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 at door, student discount, and kids under 14 are free. For more info and tickets, visit townhalltheatre.com.
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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 9
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WALKING THE RESERVOIR
By Jim Scala
Mountain Lion Sighting. On December 1, KRON-4 news reported a cougar sighting on the reservoir’s perimeter near Glorietta Boulevard, near where the Canyon Trail and Rim Trails meet. This is the general location of sightings over the years. While the big cat was seen off the property, his lair is most likely in that large wooded area. When encountering a big cat, experts say, “Stand tall and slowly back away.” They’re shy animals and do not like being around humans and will run off. Never walk towards them, crouch, or act aggressive. When walking a dog, keep it leashed and back away. If you do see one, take careful notice of what a beautiful animal it is, and consider yourself fortunate. Mountain lions avoid human contact, so you are lucky to see one up close in its habitat. Always stop and read the paved trail plaques describing the animals and their habitat. They are short, easy reading and excellent sources of information. Reservoir Pelicans. When you stand on the dam or the bandstand and look over the reservoir, watch the pelicans as they dive for fish, come back to the surface, and dive again. They often feed in groups of three. They carefully work the areas where the reeds are growing and where the fish live, and they seek safety. It’s interesting to time how long they remain under water searching for fish. Insight into the pelican’s understanding of human activity is easily seen on Thursday mornings at the dam. Be there by 10AM, and plan to stay until 11AM while fish are stocked. Pelicans are usually waiting about an hour before the hatchery truck backs down to the large black pipe through which the fish are released. Question: “How do they know it’s Thursday?” On a clear day, the sun tells the time, but on December 8th it was raining and they were still on time; how do they know? A ranger motors a boat around the area so the fish can go deep and avoid being scooped into a pelican’s mouth. However, these birds have developed a clever ability in which some
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of them avoid the ranger’s boat and dive for the fish while others are being chased away. Are res-pelicans smart? Do they team up? Since fish are stocked by weight, the annual amount is tallied in tons. It’s great for fishermen and pelicans. Walking in the rain. It was a rainy Thursday at 9:30AM when we seniors started walking and were pleasantly surprised by how many people of all ages were out. Especially gratifying were the young mothers pushing enclosed strollers, complete with a nice windshield. Unfortunately, the stroller designer didn’t include a windshield wiper so the young sprouts could see better. Our res-Christmas Tree predicts a good 2017. I placed a bow on the tree before Thanksgiving, and by the first week of December branches were loaded with decorations. After walking the res for over 30 years, I’ve noticed that earlier decorations indicate a good year ahead. One point remains: our tree is becoming a little sparse. A fox illustrates the cycle of life. When walking the rim trail early, it’s not uncommon to see these pretty animals, and the young ones are especially interesting to watch because they aren’t fearful and they’re playful. Foxes are often seen where the westview and rim trails intersect. As I came across a dead, young fox, feelings of sadness and loss swept over me. I understand the cycle of life, but it’s particularly difficult when it appears so vividly with such a beautiful animal. I will miss that young fox. Take time to see Venus. As winter yields to spring, what is often called the “evening star” is the planet Venus. It’s easily visible in the early evening sky at about 4:30PM, a little south of west. Stand on the dam and try and spot it against the light sky. Through binoculars, it appears like a small quarter moon. Starting on January 14th, on clear Saturdays and Sundays at about 4PM, I’ll be at the dam with a small telescope set up so you can view Venus. It’s especially rewarding for children and gives them a fine perspective on our solar system. Lafayette’s senior res-walking program thrives. Seniors meet at the dam’s center bench on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:20AM, walk at 9:30AM, and some do a yoga session on the bandstand after the walk. You’re welcome to join. Let me hear from you at jscala2@comcast.net.
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PAGE 10 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
WHAT’S UP By Jim Scala
MT. DIABLO ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Build A Sundial. On January 24th at the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society (MDAS) meeting in the Lindsey Wildlife Museum, a talk will be given on how to build a sundial. A good sundial is more than a decorative yard ornament, and, if correctly built, it will give accurate time. It’s also a fine way to understand time. There will be no program on Mt. Diablo this month. Observe the full Moon through binoculars. If you observe the Moon through binoculars from about January 10th though the 12th when it’s full, you’re in for some interesting views. Notice the system of rays that radiate from a central crater – Copernicus – located in a large dark area known as Mare Imbrium, the sea of rains. Ancient observers thought the large dark areas were seas like on the Earth. The bright ray system that radiates from Copernicus was formed by debris that was thrown out when a meteor crashed into the ancient moon, creating that spectacular crater. In 2001, A Space Odyssey, it was the lunar crater where the monolith was found and was a central feature.
A Home Improvement Show for Lamorinda!
Sunday, January 29, 2017
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PIE DAY
By Monica Chappell
Andromeda Galaxy as it appears in a telescope and Venus as seen through a small telescope and binoculars. Composite and photos by Jim Scala
Venus dominates the western evening sky. Look West in the early evening around 5PM, and you can see Venus as the brightest star in the sky. It’s Earth’s twin, and through binoculars, it looks like a small version of the half-full or quarter Moon. Venusian phases are the result of it being closer to the sun, and as it catches up alongside Earth and passes by, it exhibits phases. Since Venus gets closer, it appears to get larger. When we look west in the evening sky, we’re actually looking back where we’ve been and can see Venus. Since our orbits are slightly tilted, Venus only transits the sun’s disk every 121.5 years. A crossing of the sun’s disk happens again in December 2117. Observe our twin galaxy. Look up high and you will see the Andromeda Constellation to the right of Venus. It appears like a large square with an arm going off to the north. Take your binoculars and search along that northward arm, and you will see a small, hazy patch of light. That’s our galaxy’s twin, the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.2 million light years away. Hence, we see it as it was 2.2 million years ago, while we are 2.2 million years in their future.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in our community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services have been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of the 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.
January 23rd is National Pie day - not that we need much encouragement to eat pies. National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie. It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies. Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pie, and in that spirit, I thought it would be fun to match a tasty wine with your favorite piece of savory pie. Beef pies with red wine sauce: This pairing will work with any full-bodied red. I tend to favor Rhône-style reds, but try any earthy red. Cooking with the same wine you drink is always a smart trick. Chicken pies with a creamy filling: The gold standard of savory pie would have to be the chicken pot pie. My go-to wine is a New Zealand Sauvignon, or try a less aromatic white like an unoaked or subtly oaked Chardonnay. Pies with a tomatoey filling: Regardless of what the other ingredients are, I generally find cooked tomato works best with an Italian Sangiovese or a Tempranillo-based red like Rioja, especially if there’s chorizo involved in the pie mix. Cheese and spinach pies: I generally prefer crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc or even a more neutral white with a light vegetarian pie like this, but in contrast, pairing this pie with a Beaujolais works really well also. Dessert pies: That’s for another article! Once you have your perfect bite, post it on social media #NationalPieDay. Happy Pairing! Monica Chappell is a wine writer and educator based in Lafayette.
LAMORINDA PEACE AND JUSTICE
The Lamorinda Peace and Justice Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7 – 9PM in the Fireside Room of Lafayette Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. The group is committed to working to support a healthy planet, a thriving local community, and a safe, equitable world for all. For information, call (925) 946-0563.
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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 11
WOODBURY SHOWCASES LUXURY, MOVE-IN READY LOCK-AND-LEAVE FLATS IN DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE One Model Home, Fitness Room, and Community Lounge are now open daily at Woodbury, a collection of luxury single-story residences in downtown Lafayette. Woodbury by The New Home Company is a community of luxury, single-story flats in the heart of Lafayette designed with “lock and leave” living in mind. The idea is simple. Spend less time caring for a home and more time enjoying the ease and independence of a state-of-the-art new residence in a town you love. Residences offer modern flat designs with up to 1,703 square feet of living space, 2 bedrooms plus study and 2 baths. The final collection of move-in ready homes are now available at Woodbury, each including a wide array of designer amenities such as Thermador appliances, hardwood flooring, crown molding in select rooms, California Closets, and more! Pricing begin from the high $700,000s. These luxury flats, crafted by Ward Young Architects (WYA), an award-winning firm who has established an innovative approach to design excellence since its inception in 1977, feature unique single-story architectural designs. WYA drew inspiration from the surrounding area of Lafayette when designing the overall architectural aesthetic of the community, stating, “Lafayette is a town very rich in history. As such, the actual architecture reflects a more traditional style, focusing on the empty nester buyer who is more comfortable with this design.” Of these “lock and leave” residences, WYA states, “The flats boast very efficient floorplans and were designed to utilize space in the most productive way possible. Maximizing space in a smaller space was the main focus. Imagine a state-of-the-art new residence with a master suite, kitchen and living room of great scale with a smaller guest bedroom that sits vacant for 350 days a year. This is the concept of the these homes that also offer access to Woodbury’s private Fitness Room and Lounge that are located in the same building.” With views of Mount Diablo, Woodbury was designed to include private open space pockets and walking paths throughout, providing easy access to Lafayette’s downtown shops, restaurants, and BART station. The community is equally close to the Lafayette Reservoir, one of the area’s most popular destinations for running, cycling and boating. Woodbury amenities also include a community Lounge and Fitness Room available to all residents. “Woodbury represents a rare and special opportunity to live within a unique, thoughtfully designed community in one of the Bay Area’s most coveted locations,” said Kevin Carson, NEW HOME’s Northern California President. “NEW HOME is proud to have Woodbury as part of its growing portfolio of compelling new communities here in the Bay Area and throughout Northern California.” Woodbury was recently honored with the "Community of the Year" award at the Bay Area Building Industry Association's (BIA) 2016 Excellence in Home Building Awards. The Sales Gallery, Model Home, Fitness Room & Lounge are open daily from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday 12pm to 5pm. For more information, please call (925) 299-1325 or visit www.WoodburyNWHM.com.
ABOUT THE NEW HOME COMPANY
NEW HOME is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NWHM.” It is a new generation homebuilder focused on the design, construction and sale of innovative and consumer-driven homes in major metropolitan areas within select growth markets in California and Arizona, including coastal Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, metro Sacramento, and Phoenix. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, NEW HOME was the recipient of “The Eliant” for Best Overall Customer Experience in the Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice Award’s multi-divisional builder segment. In 2016, NEW HOME won a total of 23 Eliant Awards, including nine First Place Awards, the highest number earned by a homebuilder. Also in 2016, the National Association of Home Builders and the Northern California MAME Awards selected The Cannery, an innovative mixed-use community developed by NEW HOME in Davis, Calif., as “Master-Planned Community of the Year,” and The Cannery won a Grand Award for “Residential Community of the Year-Master Plan” at the 2016 Gold Nugget Awards presented during PCBC. NEW HOME earned top honors at the 2016 Bay Area Building Industry Association’s Excellence in Home Building Awards, winning “Community of the Year” for its Woodbury neighborhood in downtown Lafayette, Calif., and “Best Builder of the Year.” For more information about the company or its current Advertorial new-home offerings, visit www.NWHM.com.
PAGE 12 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
CROWN CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE WHEN DID YOU START PARTICIPATING IN PAGEANTS?
The first pageant I ever competed in was in 2013 for the title of Miss Teen Oakland/San Jose. This was an incredibly small Bay Area pageant that led to a national pageant in Orlando, Florida. After winning the title of Miss Oakland/ San Jose and placing first runner up at the national pageant, I felt confident enough to make the transition to a much larger pageant system. I competed for the title of Miss California Teen USA in both 2014 and 2015. The first year I represented the city of Lafayette, and the second year I competed at the state level after winning a preliminary pageant, Miss Pacific Coast Teen USA. In the end, I actually never placed as a finalist in the Teen division, so after taking a year off to grow and mature, I decided competing for the title of Miss California USA would be a better opportunity for me. In March of 2016, I competed in my first Miss California USA preliminary pageant, Miss Santa Monica USA. Representing the beautiful city of Santa Monica, I competed for the title of Miss California USA 2017, and I was luckily able to take home the crown! Competing in pageants has been such a confidence booster for me and has drastically increased my self esteem.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SEGMENTS OF THE COMPETITION?
Miss California USA is part of the Miss Universe Organization, so our structure is very similar to what you would typically see on the Miss USA or Miss Universe stage. The competition consists of a panel interview with the judges, swimsuit competition, evening gown competition, and onstage question for the top five contestants.
WHAT WAS THE COMPETITION LIKE? HOW DID IT FEEL TO COMPETE AGAINST SO MANY OUTSTANDING YOUNG WOMEN?
Competing for the title of Miss California USA 2017 was such a surreal experience. I had been actively practicing and preparing since early March, so to finally be able to show off all of my hard work and dedication was just a wonderful opportunity. I had countless interview coaching sessions, walking lessons, and wardrobe fittings that all needed to be completed prior to the competition. I also actively volunteered within my community and
QUICK TRIPS By Linda Summers Pirkle
ENCHANTED HIKE
Paris and Côté de Sud may get the press, but the forest of Paimpont in the Northwest region of France is an unexpected, under-rated, and under-the-radar destination. A group of us met at the steps of a beautiful stone church, Eglise de Graal (Church of the Grail) which is located in the small town Trehorenteuc, Brittany. Our guide, Jean Pierre, a 75-year-old beret wearing gentleman, and his scruffy little dog led us through the enchanted forest that according to legend is the place where the great magician Merlin lies in his tomb. Jean Pierre wove stories of Vivane, the Lady of the Lake who raised Sir Lancelot while pointing out native plants and advising us to be on the lookout for the French version of pesky leprechauns. Paimpont’s woodland area is privately owned but accessible to visitors on designated hiking trails. The Bay Area has its own enchanted trails, and the system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is comprised of 121,122 acres in 65 parks, including over 1,250 miles of trails. We are lucky! My son and I set out on an excursion recommended by avid hiker Murray, a Lafayette resident who mentioned it was one of his favorite under-the-radar spots. We took Fish Ranch Road heading west on Highway 24, and at the first junction we turned left and crossed over the freeway above the Caldecott tunnel, then turned at the first right, and parked in the small parking lot (five spaces only). We started our hike by walking through the gate marked Skyline Trail South. This short trek (9/10ths of a mile), which leads to Sibley Volcanic Visitor Center is an entry to a 32-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation trail that goes through six different parks and preserves and leads to the larger 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail that circles the entire Bay Area.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com involved myself in as many things as possible so that I would feel prepared to hopefully be the best representative for our state. This year, there were nearly 130 contestants competing for the title of Miss California USA. I had the opportunity to reunite with some amazing friends and even make some new ones along the way.
WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES NOW?
Now, as Miss California USA 2017, I plan to involve myself in as many things around the state as possible! Whether that be volunteer involvement, charity events, or red carpet/modeling opportunities, I plan to be open minded and experience all the things this beautiful state has to offer. I also am incredibly lucky to have so many amazing sponsors to work with throughout the year. A definite highlight will be beginning preparation for and attending the Miss USA pageant this coming summer! This is the opportunity of a lifetime and something I have dreamt of achieving for years, so I definitely plan to make the most of it.
WHAT ARE YOUR LONG TERM GOALS?
I am currently a Junior studying Business Entrepreneurship at Loyola Marymount University, and after graduation I plan on either attending law school to study contract law or obtain an MBA. Education has always been very important to me, so I definitely have a goal of pursuing some form of higher education.
ARE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SURPRISED WITH YOUR WIN?
You know, I actually don’t think they’re too surprised. I believe I have always been very goal oriented and driven, so I don’t believe accomplishing something I’ve worked so hard for comes as a surprise to anyone.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WINNING THIS COMPETITION AND BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT CALIFORNIA?
California is such a beautiful and eclectic place. To be able to represent a state that is so full of diversity and excitement feels wonderful. I honestly couldn’t be happier! And I’d like to express appreciation to my friends and family who have been such an integral part of my success; I will be forever grateful for the constant love and support they have shown me. The gradual climb took us through an enchanting canyon with stunning evergreen plants, fragrant Bay Laurel trees, and a creek. This pass, also known as the Caldecott Wildlife corridor, provides deer, fox and bobcats as well as other wildlife the ability to safely move between parklands on the south and north sides of Highway 24. Our hike led us to the Robert Sibley Regional Volcanic Preserve Visitor Center with a self-guided display that is informative and beautifully written. An excerpt from the display reads, “It’s a fine place to see a single Golden Eagle move beneath a wheeling flock of Turkey Vultures or to watch a mating pair of Red-Tailed Hawks tumble from the blue sky…it’s a fascinating place to see what happens where the city comes slamming into the countryside...” We learned about the 10-million-year old volcano, and a self-guided brochure is highlights visible geological features. If you have not made your New Year’s resolution yet, you may be interested in the Trails Challenge, a free program that entices walkers to discover new trails. Co-sponsored by the East Bay Regional Park District, Regional Parks Foundation features 20 trails of various difficulties in parks throughout the District. You can pick up a 2017 Trails Challenge booklet at any Visitor Center or at the Park District headquarters, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, or visit the website www.regionalparksfoundation.org. If you would like to drive to Robert Sibley Regional Volcanic from Highway 24, take the Fish Ranch Road immediately east of the Caldecott Tunnel. Continue 0.8 miles to Grizzly Peak Blvd. Turn left and go 2.4 miles on Grizzly Peak to Skyline Blvd. Turn left and drive 0.1 mile to the preserve entrance on the left. Linda Summers Pirkle is inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area. She organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
HOW TO CHOOSE A TRUSTEE
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
Establishing a Revocable Living Trust for yourself and your family is worthwhile for many reasons I’ve written about previously, including avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, controlling when and how young loved ones inherit assets, mitigating estate tax, etc. Perhaps the most compelling reason is to create a “financial succession” vehicle optimized to ensure that your assets are handled the way you want, both during your life and after you’re gone. A Revocable Living Trust (“Trust”) has three “stakeholders”; 1) the Settlor [aka “grantor” or “trustor”] – the person(s) who establishes the trust; 2) the Beneficiaries – the people who benefit from the trust; and 3) the Trustee – the person who manages the trust. As long as a Settlor is willing and able, he or she (or if a married couple, they) typically serves as initial Trustee(s). A much more difficult but important question is who should serve as Successor Trustee(s) and thus manage the Trust – the bulk of the Settlor’s financial affairs - when the Settlor(s) die or become unwilling or unable to do so. This has many implications. It should be thought through carefully and discussed in detail with your estate planning attorney. One should also consider the pros and cons of naming the chosen Successor Trustees in other critical estate planning documents, such as your Durable Power of Attorney and Will. First, it’s critical to step back and ask what the appropriate criteria is for choosing a Successor Trustee. It depends on all relevant facts and circumstances, including the makeup of the Settlor’s family, loved ones, assets, and objectives. Certain criteria is intuitive, including trustworthiness. Aside from whether or not a candidate is trustworthy, is he or she responsible - the type of person who gets up in the morning and takes care of business? Geographic proximity can be a factor but tends to be less important now because of technology advances that facilitate the management of assets from afar. Emotional character and personality
HOW TO HAVE A MORE ECO-FRIENDLY FIREPLACE
By Pam Palitz, Sustainable Lafayette
On a cold winter night, there’s nothing cozier than an evening by a roaring fire. Go ahead … as long as you’re sure it’s not a winter Spare the Air day (check sparetheair.org). There are ways to maintain a relatively eco-friendly fireplace, outlined below. But first consider these adverse aspects of burning wood: • Cutting down a tree for the purpose of burning wood contributes to deforestation, which destroys local ecosystems. In addition, even if you plant two trees to replace the tree that was cut down, the amount of carbon dioxide that was produced by the large tree is not nearly replaced. • When wood is not burned efficiently and completely, particulate matter is released into the air. Particulate matter consists of tiny, solid particles that can be described as soot. These particles can cause many health issues, such as lung problems. • Another byproduct of incomplete combustion is a release of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Nitrogen dioxide is brown, smelly, and toxic. • Incomplete combustion also results in a release of carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas. • The same as when burning oil, coal, or natural gas, burning wood releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While natural trees do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when they are burned, VOCs are emitted as gases when certain liquids and solids are burned. That’s why you should never burn formaldehyde, pesticides, arsenic, wood that is painted, stained, or glued, diseased or moldy firewood, glossy or colored paper (newsprint is okay), driftwood (it releases chlorine gas because it contains ocean salt), trash, or any type of treated wood such as cardboard, particle board, and pallets. Feeling sufficiently guilty, but you’re still going to go ahead and burn, baby, burn? Here are some guidelines: • Do not burn unseasoned firewood. The combustion process is disrupted if wood contains too much
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 13
should be assessed since one or more trust Beneficiaries (who are often related to the Successor Trustee) may try to manipulate the Successor Trustee. For example, a Beneficiary may request (and/or persuade) the Successor Trustee to exercise certain Trustee-authorized discretion in a manner that may not ultimately be in the best interest of that Beneficiary. Much too frequently, a quick, “painless” decision is made by summarily nominating one’s spouse, oldest child, or all children as Co-Trustees. Such haste may lead to problems, if not disaster. Choosing Co-Trustees, even when they consist of all of your children, is often problematic because of the logistics or because of the required compatibility and cooperation involved in making Trust decisions (e.g. how, when or whether to sell or divide certain cherished assets). Family relationships can be devastated as a result of a Settlor not taking ample care in deciding who is truly best suited to serve as Successor Trustee. This decision is often more sensitive and difficult when married Settlors have a blended family. Sometimes, neither relatives nor friends are the best candidates. Many financial institutions have reputable trust departments, with capable, seasoned trust officers who can potentially carry out a Settlor’s wishes most objectively, safely and effectively. Another alternative is to choose an experienced, “private fiduciary” – an individual who is properly licensed and bonded, whose job entails serving as Successor Trustee for many different family trusts. As with many important decisions, your trusted professional advisors should help you make this decision. Certainly your estate planning attorney should be directly involved. If you wish, other advisors, such as your CPA and/or investment manager, can sometimes provide helpful counsel. * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com. This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
moisture. “Green” wood creates a lot of pollution and greatly increases the amount of creosote that is deposited in a chimney lining. • Always burn seasoned firewood. When you use dry firewood and use the most environmentally friendly burning practices, the amount of particulate matter that is released into the air is greatly minimized. Store hardwoods for a minimum of six months. Stack wood split-side down and off the ground to allow air to circulate around the wood. Cover the top of the stacked wood with a heavy-duty tarp to protect it from rain. • Burn hardwoods. Oak, maple, almond, and walnut burn cleaner, longer and hotter than softwoods. Split wood in a range of sizes, but do not cut pieces that are larger than six inches in diameter. • Avoid a smoldering fire. Burn a hot but safe fire, since it will yield greater efficiency and achieve full combustion. A smoldering fire yields a lot of smoke and releases hazardous particulate matter into the air. The less smoke there is, the more heat is produced. To begin, start a small fire with dry kindling, then add a few pieces of wood. Give the fire plenty of air by fully opening the air controls until it is roaring. • Keep your chimney clean and in good working condition. If a chimney is in a state of disrepair, it results in less efficient venting and more pollution. Make sure to have a certified chimney sweep annually inspect your wood-burning appliance and chimney for any gaps, cracks, or creosote build-up. • If you don’t already have one, consider getting a fireplace insert for your open hearth fireplace. The efficiency of a fireplace insert can be up to 80%, whereas a regular fireplace usually only has about a 10% efficiency at most. Otherwise, you can move trapped hot air near the ceiling, by running a ceiling fan counterclockwise on low speed. For more ideas about how to transform your home and community into more sustainable places, please visit sustainablelafayette.org.
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PAGE 14 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
OUM CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
Brenda, Tom, and their daughters run the daily operations at Papillon. The family is a model for what one can achieve through hard work and a welcoming atmosphere. Their customers are loyal, even with the addition of several new coffee houses within walking distance. Join the community at a dinner honoring Brenda and her family along with Mayor Mike Anderson presenting his “State of the City” talk. Reservations can be made by visiting www.lafayettecahmber.org. The dinner and talk will be celebrated at the Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa on Friday, January 27th. Cocktail service begins at 6pm, and dinner will be held at 7pm.
LAFAYETTE GARDEN CLUB MEETING AND SPEAKER
Lafayette Garden Club is excited to present “Painting With Flowers: Monet’s Giverny,”presented by Michael Stehr on January 12th. Michael studied art history at Stanford, focusing on Michelangelo and Baroque interior church design. He gives history lectures throughout the Bay Area and leads small groups to Rome and Paris. He provides quality hand painted finishes through his company Sistine Chapel Decorative Art. For our January meeting, Michael will share the history and beauty of Monet’s Gardens of Giverny. Meetings are held at the Lafayette Veteran’s Building located at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette from 9:45AM to noon. Visitors are welcome! Please email Carolyn at cpoetzsch@gmail.com for further information.
MONTELINDO GARDEN CLUB
The next meeting of the Montelindo Garden Club (third Friday of every month, September through May) will be held on Friday January 20 at 9AM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive in Orinda. Everyone is welcome. The presentation for January’s meeting is titled Repurposing for an Artistic Garden. The speakers will be Sean Stout and James Pettigrew, owners of Organic Mechanics of San Francisco. This dynamic duo designs one of-a-kind garden landscapes with sustainability in mind, and by finding creative ways to use recycled materials. Their presentation will show how to use these concepts in your garden! For additional information, visit www.montelindogarden.com.
WALNUT CREEK GARDEN CLUB
The Walnut Creek Garden Club monthly meetings are held at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. A business meeting starts at 10:00AM followed by a social 10:30-11:00AM and a program 11:00-12:00AM. The January 9 program is “WC Open Space Foundation.” The volunteer organization works to preserve and enhance 2,700 acres of the Walnut Creek “back yard.” You’re invited to attend and consider becoming a member.
BRINGING BACK THE NATIVES GARDEN TOUR
Now is the perfect time to plan a garden transformation, shop for plants, and plant your water-conserving, pesticide-free California native plant garden. To help you on the way, you might be interested in the following.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
“Gardening with Nature in Mind” will be offered on Saturday, January 28, and “California native plant propagation: How to create native plants from seeds, cuttings, and divisions” will run on February 4 and 25. These workshops will fill. For more information or to register, visit http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/winter-2016-2017-workshops.
NEW GARDENS ON THE UPCOMING TOUR
The gardens that will be showcased on the Sunday, May 7 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour are going up on the Tour’s website. This year there will be 25 new gardens. Check them out at www.bringingbackthenatives. net/view-gardens. Advertise with the Tour! If you are interested in running an ad in the garden guide, e-mail Kathy@KathyKramerConsulting.net now to reserve a space. Sponsors are being sought to support the 2017 Tour. Learn more by visiting www.bringingbackthenatives.net if your company would be interested in becoming a Tour sponsor.
BUSINESS TRANSITION: PLAN EARLY, COMMUNICATE OFTEN
By George M. Noceti, CRPS® -Wealth Advisor and Paul A. Noceti, Financial Planning Specialist with The Integra Group at Morgan Stanley
As the Baby Boom generation continues its march to retirement, a significant number of entrepreneurs will soon begin the process of transitioning family businesses to the next generation. If you are about to embark on this journey, here are some of the potential pitfalls to avoid. According to the 2016 U.S. Family Business Survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, only about 43% of private businesses have done any exit planning whatsoever.1 Failure to execute a business transition may lead to multiple negative outcomes, including: 1. Breakdown of communication and trust within the family unit, 2. Inadequately prepared heirs and absence of a clear vision or mission to align family members, or 3. Failure by advisors to properly address taxation, governance, and wealth preservation issues.
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
With success riding largely on a family’s ability to communicate and to clearly articulate a plan for the future, the following guidelines may help to ease the business transition process.
START PLANNING EARLY
Get the process started years before the actual transition occurs. Some experts recommend building an exit/transition strategy into the initial business plan. As part of the planning process, business owners should create: • Supporting structures, such as a family constitution and business bylaws to familiarize all parties with the rules of governance. Fewer surprises mean fewer conflicts and discord down the road. • A clear vision for the business that involves all family members, whether or not they are active in running the business. Visioning is an effective method of allowing all stakeholders to share their personal goals for the business, which in turn helps create buy-in and minimize future conflicts.
PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION
Identify the skills and leadership qualities the business may need in the future, and then prepare young family members to fulfill those roles. This will likely require sharing knowledge and providing educational opportunities.
MANAGE CONFLICTING PRIORITIES
It is not uncommon for younger and older generations to have differing, and conflicting, priorities for the business. • Senior leaders may have concerns about whether the younger generation “has what it takes” to successfully run the business; anxiety about the next chapter of their lives (retirement, staying involved in some capacity); or worries about all children, including those not involved in the business, receiving a fair share of the family wealth. • Members of the younger generation may be anxious “making their mark” on the business by taking it in a new direction, investing in new technologies or processes that may improve the business but require a significant capital outlay, and micromanaging by an owner remaining involved in day-to-day operations. It is important that families express their concerns openly, and it may help to engage a professional facilitator. When all parties feel they are being heard and respected, the sense of commitment to the business - and the transition process - is strengthened. Contact us for further information on how our advice can better help you plan financially. Also contact us for a complimentary Financial Review, Medicare Review, or Social Security Review at (925)746-2982, via email at george.noceti@morganstanley.com, or visit our website at www.ms.com/fa/ theintegragroup. Connect on LinkedIn: George M. Noceti, CRPS®. Follow me on Twitter: @GNocetiMS.
Sources/Disclaimer - 1PricewaterhouseCoopers, Family Business Survey 2016, http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/ family-business/family-business-survey-2016.html. The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and data in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned. Article by Contently Inc. and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are urged to consult their personal tax or legal advisors to understand the tax and legal consequences of any actions, including any implementation of any strategies or investments described herein. © 2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1646374 12/16 Advertorial
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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 15
TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine
In recent articles I’ve written about the “Internet of Things” (IOT) and, in fact, my article last month spurred several questions from readers. It seems many of us would like to electronically check and open/close our garage doors, as one of the examples last month explained. Along these lines, there is an even more compelling need I’ve discovered, one for tracking my mailbox out on the curb. Lately we have experienced a surge in mail theft in our area. It’s brazen, and happens whether at night or in broad daylight. The likelihood of the thieves being caught is very low. As with most things, I believe the best offense is a good defense, and it is along those lines that I’ve been thinking. We need a way to monitor our mailbox, and be alerted when mail arrives or when the mailbox door is opened. We need to get to the mail before the thieves do. I searched the internet for mailbox-monitoring and remote-sensing solutions, and I was underwhelmed with what I found. On Amazon there are a couple of devices to be found under the search term “mailbox monitor.” They involve a small “sender” unit which is affixed to your mailbox’s door and activates when the sensor within the unit senses the door opening or closing. The receiver is a small intercom-sized unit with an antenna, and that is supposed to sit in your front room, perhaps on a kitchen counter or another obvious location. When your mailbox is opened, the sender gives a signal to the receiver, and a bright LED begins blinking while it emits an alert sound. The other more generic solutions I saw involved sensors that detect when something like a car or person breaks the beam. They can all be adapted, but they are closed systems and would require significant tinkering to do what I want out of them. Ten years ago I may have been excited about trying to work with these solutions, but this is 2017 and I want something that will integrate with my network, alert my iPhone, and tell me the instant that my mailbox has been
touched. My wife and I always keep our phones nearby, and we’re always waiting until late at night to get our mail. (Side note: Our mail carriers are having no fun at all right now, frequently working until 10pm to finish their routes; be nice to them!) I did find a few modern and innovative mailbox monitoring solutions, but they were all nascent efforts that the designers were attempting to fund through Kickstarter and IndieGogo. The two that interested me the most didn’t secure the necessary amount of funding by their deadline, and the efforts stopped. I’ve reached out to see if there is still any interest in moving their projects forward, but as of this writing I’m still waiting to hear back. I have a feeling that the target market for their iPhone-integrated solution, which is mainly homeowners like you and me, don’t frequent websites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Conversely, the people who do frequent those sites are among the least likely to need this solution, as most young people don’t own homes. These solutions were intelligent, could help neighbors work together, and gave the user much more information about their mailbox than a basic “open or closed” message. I’m convinced that if we bring one of these more modern IOT-oriented solutions to market, there would be significant interest. I can say with certainty there are a bunch of people locally who’ve been affected by this problem and who’d be first in line. Is this something that you’d be interested in buying if someone had worked out a turnkey alerting system which notified you via your smartphone? Think of this as the ‘Ring Doorbell’ or ‘Nest Thermostat’ of mailbox monitoring solutions. It’s the same basic idea, just a slightly different application. If it’s something that you’d pursue, please drop me a line at smartmailbox@pcioit.com, and I’d be happy to tally your interest and approach these designers in an attempt to motivate them forward. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. We’re doing more and more of this sort of integration work, both for commercial interests and residential customers. The “Internet of Things” is here to stay, and our experts will help you prepare your environment to implement these solutions. If you’d like to talk about your particular situation, give us a call at 925-552-7953, or email info@pcioit.com. Advertorial
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PAGE 16 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
WINTER PRUNING
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
Now is a great time to prune your trees to protect them against winter storms. A judicious pruning can reduce the likelihood of branches falling and causing damage to person or property. Evergreens, such as cedars, and many species of deciduous trees, such as valley oaks, can be pruned in the late fall and early winter, and now is by far the best time to prune pines. Monterey pines can only be pruned between October 1 and February 15 without attracting pine beetles. These potentially lethal beetles, which can smell sap from long distances, go dormant in the winter. Some species of beetles carry pine pitch canker, an increasingly common fungal disease that disfigures pine trees and sometimes kills them. If your tree has dead tips scattered throughout the canopy, it probably suffers from pine pitch canker. To prolong the aesthetic life of the diseased tree, prune out the infected tips when the beetles are dormant. Even healthy trees require occasional pruning to keep them safe and beautiful. Many trees are subject to branch and column failure. Thinning the crown reduces the wind-sail effect of the canopy and thereby reduces the risk of the tree failing in a windstorm. Removing weight from the ends of heavy branches reduces the likelihood that those branches will break. Pruning trees for safety is a craft requiring study and experience. A wellpruned tree should not only be safer, it should look beautiful. At Brende & Lamb we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning. Each plant has a natural growth pattern. Our trimmers are expert at accentuating the shape given the plant by nature. Within the bounds of what is healthy for each species, Brende & Lamb works to make trees as beautiful as possible. Our trimmers are well practiced in aesthetic pruning and are attuned to the artistic flow inherent in tree forms. The form may be weeping, as with Willows and Chinese Elms. In some species, such as Monterey Cypress, branches ascend at acute angles to the trunk, giving the tree an upswept
GARDENING WITH KATE
By Kathleen Guillaume
Well, it is finally deep winter. The first hard frosts have landed on our gardens, we have enjoyed some gentle and not so gentle rains, and we are getting ready for our winter gardening projects. Mulching is the first on the “to do” list. A deep layer of mulch not only holds down weeds, but it also protects some of the frost tender plants you love. If the ground is wet, do not do any gardening chores (a good excuse to stay in the warmth of your home, curled up with a toddy and a good book). Saturated soil will compress with your weight and will suffocate the roots of your plants. So, you have an option of building a platform that can bear your weight and have minimal contact with the soil or waiting for the soil to get drier. It is time to prune roses (more toward the end of January), and the first thing you can do to make this an easier task is to gather up your pruners and loppers and take them to be cleaned and sharpened. Dull cutters smash stems rather than cut them cleanly which allows for healthier healing. The most important thing to do is to invest in a good rose saw like a Felco. If you are unsure how to properly prune a rose, you can Google sources, go to the library and check out a book, or head to your local nursery and ask for their best pruning book. None of us are born knowing how to prune anything properly, so don’t get overwhelmed or feel helpless. “Mow and blow” gardening guys are notoriously bad rose pruners, but don’t despair. Let them do their thing and remove most of the growth, and follow up after they are done by correcting their blunt cuts into diagonal cuts and thin out the crossing branches. It is hard to destroy a rose by pruning too much -- most roses are not pruned enough. Remember to clean up around the base of your roses and leave no dead or dying leaves on the ground. Meticulous clean-up will help you keep your roses disease-free. It is also a time to prune back perennials. If you are not sure what to
www.yourmonthlypaper.com look. Branches in the coast live oak bend and twist, forming complex arcs. Each tree species has a unique form and flow. When necessary, trees and shrubs can be reduced in size, but crown reduction requires a good eye; a poorly reduced tree looks like a thicket of stubs. Topping is almost always a bad idea. However, the crown of many trees can be reduced by cutting back long branches to the crotches formed by shorter branches growing in the same direction. If the branch doesn’t fork, we cut back to the lowest growth point that will neither create a thick stub nor undermine the arching quality of the branch. When a tree or shrub has been reduced in this way, it’s difficult to detect the cuts or tell that the branches have been shortened. Sometimes the form of trees needs to be modified to capture or accentuate views. View pruning requires restraint and a willingness to compromise. In view work, the beauty of the view and the beauty of the tree often seem to be in conflict. Many pruners focus solely on the view and simply hack back the tree. However, more than the tree’s beauty is at stake. Topping stimulates production of water sprouts, and it also causes disease and rot - all of which make the tree more, not less, dangerous. However, view problems can often be solved by looking at tree-and-view as an aesthetic unity, as two elements that complement and frame each other. Sometimes, lightly bringing the tree back without cutting into major branches can prevent further encroachment on the view. To recover even more of the view, we create “windows” by selectively removing branches not essential for the tree’s natural form. We can enlarge these by removing small branches that rise or drop into the view. Thinning above and below the window creates an overall feeling of openness, rather than an abrupt gaping hole. The image of Mount Diablo framed by the trembling needles of a well-windowed Redwood proves that nature and civilization can complement each other - as can aesthetics and practicality. If your trees need a little TLC to protect them against winter winds, or if your property could use a little fire protection, 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, Advertorial client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. do, don’t sweat it. You can always look it up or ask a gardening friend or turn to an expert at your local nursery for advice. The great thing about gardening is that people love to share their knowledge. Also, gardens are forgiving. If you don’t get your roses pruned until late February, they still will bloom in abundance in April, so pace yourself. Rose tending is supposed to be an enjoyable past-time, not a chore. Winter is also a time to divide bulbs, like daffodils, which you can’t do if you don’t mark out where you have planted them the previous year. I generally divide mine every two years. It is also time to plant bulbs. Your local nursery has many choices this time of year. Most bulbs want to be planted in full sun and like to be planted with a good bulb food. They are most impressive if you plant them in fairly tight groups, where they can support each other and provide a mass of spring blooms. The only thing they need is good drainage. In soil that is constantly wet, they will just rot in the ground. If you feel that your garden is too drab in the winter, it is a good time to visit your nursery and find those plants and shrubs that have some winter pizazz. There are many plants that have bright orange bark, winter flowers, colorful leaves, and berries. The perfect time to check them out is in the depth of winter at your local nursery. Gardens are most interesting when there are repeat patterns that tie the garden together visually. You rarely want just one of something unless it is a focal plant or specimen tree where it is to be the entire focus of that section of the garden. Patterns can be repeated by scattering the same plants along walkways and in beds, or by repeating the colors of a particular plant along a path or in beds. Now is also a good time of year to stay in where it is warm and do a little planning and dreaming which is why most growers have beautiful catalogs available to tempt us. I find that if I take pictures of sections of my garden during each season, it helps me with planning for the future. I can circle things I want to remove and dream about the possibilities of what will be planted in its place. Kick back, stay warm, and realize that your garden is very good about taking care of itself. Happy Gardening.
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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 17
LIFE IN THE LAFAYETTE GARDEN
CREATING A KID MAGNET By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
What is a “kid magnet”? Well, it is a term that has newly emerged from families I’ve been working with on the creation of their outdoor environments. A “kid magnet” is a yard that has all the elements in it that attract kids to want to stay at home and have friends come over. With growing concerns, real and perceived dangers in the world, parents have been asking me to create outdoor environments that will attract their children and their friends to their home. The main idea is to keep children and teens at home were they are safe, occupied, and within a parent’s watchful eye. An outdoor environment that is geared toward being a “kid magnet” has many elements that allow children and teens to be active, be together with their friends, and most importantly, want to stay there. The yard has to be multi-purpose. The elements of the landscape need to challenge a child physically, mentally, and visually. In other words, there need to be places to physically exert the enormous amounts of energy that children and teens have. There need to be places for adventure, imagination, games, reflection, and risk-taking. Within that environment of physical and mental challenge, it has to be visually pleasing to children while being pleasing the adults, too! It has to look cool! A child will naturally be attracted to stay and play. Plastic-coated steel play equipment made in primary colors is not the prerequisite for engaging a child’s attention. If you were asked to recall your favorite childhood place, it would probably be a special tree you climbed, a space for a “secret” house or fort under a hedge, or somewhere you could mold dirt or sand into fantasy landscapes. Play equipment is certainly an added activity center for your “kid magnet,” but it’s not enough. It is now recognized that risk-taking is an important element of play and physical development. A “kid magnet” is designed intentionally to provide an environment for your children and their friends to develop an appreciation of risk in a controlled play environment so that they won’t be enticed to take similar risks in the uncontrolled and unregulated wider world. Your yard should have levels of graduated challenge. In design terms, this means that children of different ages, abilities, and levels of daring need to find activities that are within their capabilities plus some that are just beyond them. What are some of the elements in an Lafayette yard that can provide this kind of environment? The landscape itself is definitely the primary element that provides the environment for this to occur. A lush, tree-filled, sunny yard with large lawn spaces and plantings that children are allowed to interact with provides hours upon hours of play. Play sets, swings, slides etc. will give your child a place for hours of extended energy output. Places for games to be played are necessary. Lawns are wonderful places for any child who is sport-minded: soccer, baseball, football, tag, croquette, volleyball, hide-and-seek, gymnastics, cartwheels, and the list can go on and on because children are not limited to play on a plastic play set.
Swimming pools definitely add the element of water play and physical activities to the point where a child needs to be pulled from the water because they look like a prune. Recent additions to some of my pool designs are beach areas or “Baja” shelves, water slides, waterfalls, and diving rocks. Beaches and shelves provide shallow areas for the younger ones so they can safely play in the pool; water slides for the older ones to provide adventure and fun; waterfalls for the sound, action, and adventure; and diving rocks for safe risk-taking. Sports courts are great for all kinds of activities. Basketball, paddleball, roller
hockey, volleyball, and badminton are just a few. It’s unbelievable what children can create to do when they have an environment that supports their imaginations. Remember that children are limitless when it comes to creativity and energy. Provide spaces for quiet play and contemplation as well: a shade tree to lay under and day-dream and watch the sunlight dapple across their faces. Children need places to wonder and explore and, of course, a place to play with Mom and Dad. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Remember to plant flexible and resilient plantings that can stand the occasional trampling. “Kid magnets” are great for multi-family entertaining. Gardening Quote of the month: “We have not inherited the earth from our parents; we have borrowed it from our children.”--L. Brown, 1981 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 or www.houzz. com/pro/jmla/john-montgomery-landscape-architects. Advertorial
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PAGE 18 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
LOSE EXCESS WEIGHT FOREVER THIS NEW YEAR THE HEALTHY WAY By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Happy New Year! Are you using this time as a motivator to drop the weight you have been struggling to lose all year round? You have the best of intentions to lose weight as the New Year begins, but somehow, life happens and you often find yourself going back to your old ways. Try a different approach for this New Year. Instead of making a diet and weight loss resolution, focus on improving your health by making weekly nutrition and fitness goals. Decide what goal you will work towards for the coming week. Log your progress and check in with yourself at week’s end. This is the process that I follow when I work with my clients. Don’t look at this year’s resolution as a temporary change; look at it as a lifestyle change. Making too many changes at once can cause you to burn out before the end of January and cause you to break your commitment. Therefore, instead of changing your entire way of living all at once, try making these small changes everyday. Try these nutrition and fitness goals, and you’ll see how great you feel. 1. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Every day have two cups of veggies. Try adding veggies to your egg white omelet, and have a salad or soup with veggies at lunch. Also, have a piece of fruit at lunch and one after dinner. The new recommendation is that half your plate should be veggies and fruit, and the other half should be a ½ cup of grains and 4 ounces protein. 2. Portion control. Work your way to smaller portions, and this will help control your calories. If you use a big dinner plate and usually fill the whole plate, try using a smaller size plate. You will always eat more when you have a pile of food on your plate. 3. Limit the sweets. You do not have to avoid sweets. The key is moderation. If you enjoy dessert and sweets several times a day, make a goal for yourself to limit sweets to either once per day, or a few times a week. I teach my clients to have their sweets after a meal instead of randomly during the day which will prevent cravings for sweets. 4. Swap out the soda and juice. These beverages are loaded with sugar and contribute to your daily calories. And let’s be honest, most people don’t
only drink a can of soda or juice a day. Imagine how many extra pounds in one year are contributed from soda alone. I show my clients many popular beverages that have no calories. 5. Begin a walking program. Commit to a daily walk, first thing in the morning or after dinner. I teach my clients about interval training which shocks the metabolism and causes us to burn calories much faster. 6. Schedule your workouts. Just like you schedule a doctor’s appointment or a lunch date with a friend, schedule your workout on the calendar, and make it a part of your routine five times a week. I teach my clients how to set up their meal plan based on their exercise schedule for the day. 7. Make sure you are taking care of your basic needs such as eating and sleeping. It will then be easier to listen to what your body needs in terms of food and exercise. When my client is having a problem with overeating, I often see it is because they have not gotten enough sleep or are overwhelmed with family and work and then use food to get them through these stressful times. 8. Practice mindful eating. Since you have vowed not to diet this year, practice being mindful when you are eating. Listen for your hunger and fullness signals, and respond appropriately. Don’t eat when you are not hungry, yet don’t let yourself get to the ravenous point either. When eating, stop midway and ask yourself if you are still hungry. If not, stop and save the rest of your meal for another time. I take a lot of time to practice this technique with my clients. Good news! Health insurance including Aetna, ABMG, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Net, Hill Physicians, Sutter, and other major companies will pay for nutritional counseling! Call me at (925) 855-0150 about your nutritional concerns or email me at Lifeweight1@gmail.com. Visit my website at www.LindaRD.com for Advertorial past articles in my blog section and nutrition tips.
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 • Administrative Support Volunteers to assist in the Pleasant Hill office • Thrift Shoppe Volunteers to work in one of the organization’s five stores which are located in Alamo, Concord, Martinez, Danville, and Walnut Creek. • 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 at (925) 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit 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.
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PREGNANCY MATTERS
VACCINES WHILE PREGNANT By Dr. Theresa Gipps
After growing up in Walnut Creek and completing my Ob/Gyn residency at UCSF-Fresno, I joined Dr. Timothy Leach’s medical practice in 2015. To complement Dr. Leach’s monthly ‘Menopause Matters’ column, I plan to review common questions I hear from pregnant women, along with other aspects of women’s health care. Vaccines have been a hot topic in recent years. In the United States we have seen outbreaks of several diseases which we have vaccines for including whooping cough, measles, and mumps. Pregnant women every year ask their doctors, “Should I really get a vaccine now?” and “Why?” Though most vaccines are not given to pregnant women, two vaccines are recommended during pregnancy: the influenza (flu) and Tdap vaccines. Below I will review vaccine basics and why the vaccines are recommended in pregnancy.
A QUICK REVIEW: VACCINES
Vaccines are made from weakened or inactivated parts of bacteria and viruses which cause infectious disease. Vaccines are most effective when given before exposure to a disease, and they can either prevent the disease entirely or result in a less severe form of the disease. Vaccines have helped slow or stop diseases like smallpox, polio, and chicken pox. Scientists today are working to develop vaccines against other diseases like HIV and Zika. When a vaccine is given, it causes the body to create protective proteins called antibodies. These antibodies are ready to fight off that disease if you should ever be exposed again. It takes about two weeks after getting a vaccine before your body has produced enough antibodies to protect from infection.
TDAP VACCINE
Tdap is a vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Whooping cough is a respiratory infection which may cause only mild symptoms, but it can be especially dangerous for newborns and young children. Most adults received a whooping cough vaccine in childhood, but the protection provided decreases over time. So, many adults may no longer be immune. Children receive their first whooping cough vaccine at eight weeks old. Before then they only have protection if they receive protective antibodies from their mother. California had 4,750 cases of whooping cough in 2015, and ⅔ of the patients hospitalized were infants younger than four months. Every year as many as 20 babies die in the US from whooping cough. When a woman receives a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, her body increases production of protective antibodies. These antibodies are transmitted to the baby until delivery and can be passed to her newborn when breastfeeding. If a woman gets the Tdap vaccine during her third trimester (27-36 weeks) her baby’s risk of whooping cough in the first eight weeks of life is decreased by at least 85%. A Tdap vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy.
THE FLU VACCINE
Flu season lasts from October to May each year, and every year a new flu vaccine is produced. Influenza is usually a mild respiratory disease which may cause cough, fever, body aches and occasionally vomiting or diarrhea. Pregnant women are at higher risk than most other adults of serious complications from the flu. Complications include pneumonia, respiratory failure requiring breathing support (intubation), and even death. During the H1N1 influenza epidemic, 12% of all US deaths during pregnancy were caused by the flu. Fever caused by the flu in early pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects. Pregnant women with the flu are at increased risk of early delivery. Large studies have shown no increased risk of birth defects or other problems in babies born to women who received the flu vaccine during pregnancy. And just like with the Tdap vaccine, women who receive the flu vaccine during pregnancy will pass some protection onto their babies after delivery.
FINAL NOTES
While vaccines are generally safe, anyone with a previous serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or its components should not be vaccinated. The nasal flu vaccine (spray) is a live virus and should not be given during pregnancy. Dr Leach’s column “Menopause Matters” will return next month. We are both excited to keep our readers up to date on important topics in women’s health care. If you are interested in a particular topic, we would like to know! You can email us at leachobgyn@gmail.com. Also, please visit our NEW website www.leachobgyn.com for articles and other important health education information. Our office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925-935-6952. Advertorial
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 19
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: THE OTHER SIDE OF PLASTICS
By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
What I really enjoy about writing this monthly column is that it affords me the opportunity to educate, and clarify misconceptions about plastic surgery. My practice encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, and is in the most basic sense, about changing my patients’ quality of life. Whether the surgery is cosmetic or reconstructive, I look forward to work every day because I know I can help people feel more confident about themselves, and improve their ability to function well, both physically and emotionally. Many of my past articles have focused on education associated with cosmetic procedures, but this month I want to focus on the reconstructive side of my practice. According to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, reconstructive surgery is defined as “surgery performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease.” Generally, reconstructive surgery is performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, I perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Reconstructive surgery represents a significant portion of my practice. The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires extensive training in areas which include congenital defects of the head and neck, craniomaxillofacial trauma, reconstructive surgery of the breast, surgery of the hand, plastic surgery of lower extremities, plastic surgery of the trunk and genitalia, burn reconstruction, microsurgical techniques, reconstruction by tissue transfer, and surgery of benign and malignant lesions. While a plastic and reconstructive surgeon’s training is extensive and spans many areas of expertise, a strong sense for aesthetics is also critically important for a procedure to be successful. Reconstructive surgery is in fact, as much an art form as it is a science. To perform a successful reconstruction, one must envision the results, the “art,” before beginning to operate. It is “seeing” in a completely different way. Plastic surgery has often been misunderstood, or perceived as being superficial. The reality is that my training and strong aesthetic sense has enabled me to perform countless reconstructions, most recently on a pregnant woman with rapidly progressing cancer. It has allowed me to reconstruct a gunshot victim’s facial wounds, and repair the faces of dozens of children who were victims of dog attacks. Additional reconstructive procedures I’ve performed include reconstruction of skin cancer defects, skin grafts, and hand surgery. To have the opportunity to work with patients in need of reconstructive surgery is one of my greatest joys in life. I have seen the physical and emotional transformation of thousands of patients over many years of performing surgery. Enabling a patient to live a normal life, while instilling in them a sense of renewed confidence and self-esteem, is remarkably rewarding. It is more than improving appearances, it is allowing people to live the life they deserve and desire. 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 Advertorial 925.283.4012 or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com.
HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations are accepted. An assistive listening system is available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or (925) 264-1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org for more information.
PAGE 20 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
STIMULATING HOPE
BREAK THROUGH THE BLEAK CYCLE OF DEPRESSION By William Shryer, LCSW, DCSW Clinical Director, Diablo Behavioral Healthcare and Blackhawk TMS
Depression is a subject that is rarely if at all talked about. We have associated shame and powerlessness with this subject and often have difficulty knowing how and what to do if we, or someone close to us, becomes depressed. Some of the symptoms of biochemical depression are feeling long-lasting sadness, sleeplessness, a change in appetite or weight, or even difficulty in following a daily routine. These feelings are sometimes accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. These are symptoms of biochemical depression that is treatable. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most acute, widespread pathologies of the 21st century, affecting nearly 15 million American adults annually. Patients suffering from MDD are traditionally treated with antidepressants and/or psychotherapy. However, too often, antidepressants and other treatments fail to bring the hoped-for relief to patients. The marriage of Silicon Valley technology and forward thinking medicine has resulted in the technology known as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This novel and successful treatment for depression has been used for years in Europe but sadly, only recently here in the U.S. Brainsway is one of the most advanced companies providing this technology based out of Israel, and Blackhawk TMS located in Danville is the first to bring this exciting technology to the Tri-Valley. Brainsway can help you break through the sadness and start anew with a safe, non-invasive, and effective treatment for depression. The treatment has been shown to bring significant improvement to patients suffering from depression and
BRAINWAVES BY BETSY STREETER
www.yourmonthlypaper.com anxiety, including those who have tried several types of antidepressants to no avail. Brainsway's treatment for depression has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013. The treatment has no systemic side effects and is highly convenient, requiring only 20-minute daily sessions over a period of 4-6 weeks. Moreover, the treatment is prescribed and supervised by a licensed psychiatrist in an outpatient facility.
HAVE ANTIDEPRESSANTS FAILED TO WORK?
Brainsway’s treatment launches a new era in the treatment of MDD. It has many unique advantages over other treatments for depression. Antidepressants, for instance, fail to provide an adequate solution for many patients, and they often entail harsh side effects, ranging from nausea, insomnia, and anxiety to weight gain and sexual dysfunction. This can lead many patients to neglect their medication regime, believing that living with depression is better than living with the side effects. Other alternatives, such as electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), require anesthesia and is associated with memory loss. To be clear, TMS is not ECT, and it does not induce electric current into the brain.
BRAINSWAY’S DEEP TMS – BRIEF, EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
The Brainsway Deep TMS is a non-invasive treatment which stimulates the brain region responsible for depression to bring significant improvement to patients. It is an outpatient procedure which does not require hospitalization or anesthesia, and it entails no memory loss or systemic side effects. The treatment generates brief magnetic fields at similar amplitude to that used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. These magnetic fields briefly stimulate the targeted brain area and improve depressive symptoms. After each session, patients can return home independently and follow through their normal daily routine, including going to work. If you or someone you know would like more information on this amazing treatment technology, just call Blackhawk TMS and we will take the time to explain this in greater detail. We are located at 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Suite 210 in Danville. Please call us at 925-648-2650. Advertorial
MOELLER CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
Lafayette a better place.” Raised in Martinez, Moeller moved to Lafayette at age 18 and has never left. His extended family is large, and most live in the area. He attended DVC and then Saint Mary’s College where he studied accounting. He’s been retired for nine years from Citibank where he served as a CPA. He married his boss, Karleen Kawakami, and the two now have a house full of rescued dogs: four very large ones and one dachsund whom they take with them on their annual vacations to the dog-friendly Cypress Inn in Carmel, owned by Doris Day and to whom Moeller has gifted a birdhouse. He cherishes her handwritten note of thanks. He’s been the treasurer of the Happy Valley Improvement Association for as long as he can remember, and when not planting or building birdhouses, he helps his nephew with his plumbing business. “The daffodils and the birdhouses are a gift from me to the people of Lafayette,” says Moeller. “It just gives me a good feeling to be able to give back to this great town we call home.”
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GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)
By Dr. Irene J. Lo, MD, FACS
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, is a condition where stomach contents come back up into the esophagus, resulting in a variety of problems. The classic is heartburn, but symptoms can include acidic taste in the mouth, cough, chest pain, breathing issues, nausea, intolerance of certain foods, pain after eating, bloating, belching, flatulence, hiccups, hoarseness, and sore throat. In the United States, GERD affects more than 40% of the population at least once per month, 20% once per week, and 7% daily. Medical treatment of GERD results in costs of at least $6 billion per year. GERD is caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the junction between the esophagus and the stomach. Because of its weakness, the LES is unable to close properly, and, as a result, stomach contents are able to reflux back into the esophagus. Certain risk factors are associated with the
PRACTICE CHANGING HEMATOLOGY UPDATES
By Robert Robles, MD
This year’s meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), held this year in San Diego, was less noticeable for blockbuster announcements than many potentially practice changing presentations. For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the use of Obinatuzumab (Gazyva), in combination with standard chemotherapy, was superior to the use of the standard therapy with Rituximab (Rituxan) in prolonging the time CLL remains under control. Two studies demonstrated the use of Lenalidomide (Revlimid) as a maintenance therapy after completion of standard chemotherapy also delayed the progression of CLL. CLL by nature is a chronic disease with relapses and remissions. Safe and well tolerated therapies which prolong the interval between potentially more toxic therapies should be a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium. Diffuse large B cell non Hodgkins Lymphoma is the most common subtype of non Hodgkins Lymphoma. It is a potentially curable malignancy when treated with chemotherapy. However, since not all patients are cured, there has been continuous research to improve treatment results. A trial conducted in the U.S.A. compared standard chemotherapy, R-CHOP, with a more intensive and difficult-to-administer chemotherapy regimen called dose adjusted R-EPOCH. This trial showed the treatments to be equivalent. Although this trial did not show a benefit to any one treatment, the subtleties of why this result occurred are probably as important as the result of the trial. Regardless, the most important message from this trial is that more chemotherapy is not necessarily better. A better understanding of the subsets that make up the category we currently call diffuse large B cell non Hodgkins Lymphoma will hopefully allow more targeted therapies to be developed. A study from the University of Minnesota evaluated the safety and efficacy of new anticoagulants (Pradaxa, Eliquis, and Xarelto) in patients with cancer. The use of these new anticoagulants in patients with cancer has not been evaluated in a large number of patients. The study concluded these drugs appear to be safe and efficacious. Large studies evaluating the new anticoagulants to confirm their safety and efficacy are ongoing. Robert Robles, MD is board certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He practices with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group, located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill, and he also sees patients in San Ramon. Dr. Robles has a special interest in treating hematologic cancers, lymphomas, and blood and clotting disorders. For more information, call (925) 677-504 or visit www. Advertorial dvohmg.com.
JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 21
development of GERD including obesity, pregnancy, smoking, hiatal hernia, and advanced age. It can be worsened by drinking certain beverages such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea; or by eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy foods, or fatty foods. Some medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or certain blood pressure medications can also provoke symptoms. GERD can also be associated with various complications. Patients can develop chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, and dental erosions. Over time, due to exposure to stomach acid, esophagitis, a painful inflammation of the esophagus, can also develop. This can lead to bleeding, scarring, or ulcers. In addition, a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus can affect about 1% of GERD patients. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when cells in the lower esophagus become damaged and change in character and composition. This leads to an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. If you are concerned that you may have GERD, please consult your primary care physician who can order tests and diagnose the problem. For those whose symptoms do not improve with simple measures, further testing may be necessary in order to confirm a diagnosis of GERD. These tests include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), upper gastrointestinal series (x-rays taken while contract liquid is swallowed), esophageal pH monitoring (a small probe placed to measure acidity), or esophageal manometry (probe to check pressure of peristalsis). Treatment of GERD can include lifestyle changes, dietary modification, medical management, and surgical intervention. Patients with GERD are encouraged to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, quit smoking, put blocks under the head of their bed to raise their head, avoid eating 3-4 hours before lying down, avoid wearing tight clothes or tight belts, and lose weight. Medications currently being used to treat GERD include H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Some of these medications should not be used long-term since they are associated with osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) and other side effects. Surgical intervention, also known as anti-reflux surgery, can be performed using an open, laparoscopic, or robotic technique. There are a variety of new surgical approaches to treating reflux. If you have GERD, schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask about your treatment options. Dr. Irene Lo is a Board Certified General Surgeon who has completed a fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is part of the 680Bariatrics Team at Walnut Creek Surgical Associates, with offices in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Concord. Call (925) 933-0984 to schedule an Advertorial appointment or find her on www.wcsurgeons.com.
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
The following classes are held at the Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Classes are free. For more information and reservations, please call (925) 933-0107. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ~ Tuesday, January 17, 6-8PM ~With Michele Magar, Esq. You have civil rights as a cancer survivor. Learn how to avoid discrimination based on your cancer status in employment, housing, government services, and public places. Cancer survivors are protected from discrimination under both state and federal law when they are in treatment as well as in remission, so this workshop is relevant to anyone who’s ever received a cancer diagnosis, even if they’ve been in remission for years. Michele is a cancer survivor and civil rights lawyer focused on preventing discrimination on the basis of disability.For cancer patients and caregivers. RETURN TO WELLNESS SERIES ~ Mondays, February 6 - April 3, 7-9PM ~ Don’t miss this once a year special eight week series focused on survivorship practices that enhance quality of life and help to decrease risk of recurrence for people who have completed treatment. The structure includes group support to manage the emotional aspects of survivorship and changes in relationships. Two presentations on nutrition address how diet can impact recovery and survivorship. Three sessions are devoted to increasing physical activity and regaining strength. Healthy snacks will be provided. For those who have completed cancer treatment.
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PAGE 22 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
EVENTS FOR LAFAYETTE SENIORS
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center (LSC), located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette, unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 to reserve a spot. Unless otherwise mentioned, events are free for members and $10 for non-members. Let’s Do Lunch! 1st Tuesday monthly • 11:30AM - Discover and explore the various dining experiences in the Lamorinda area. Relax, dine, meet new people, socialize, and enjoy lively conversation! Space is limited. Contact Lafayette Senior Services for the schedule of restaurants and to make your reservations: Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050. Individuals will pay for their own lunches; the restaurants will provide separate checks. This interest group is offered in conjunction with Lamorinda Village. Discovering Opera: Kevin Puts’ Silent Night Thursday, 2/9 • 1:30 – 3PM • Lafayette Library, Arts & Science Room - Kevin Puts’ 2011 opera recounts a miraculous moment of peace during one of the deadliest wars in history. On the western front, bloodied from battle and mourning their dead, weapons are laid down when three Scottish, French, and German officers negotiate a Christmas Eve truce amid the trenches. As evening sets in, a carol begins, floating softly over no man’s land. One voice becomes many, and as enemies lay down their arms to celebrate a precious night of peace and hope, they come together to share Christmas. Lecturer Bradford Wade will give a guided tour of Silent Night, with a description of the plot interspersed with musical examples. This lecture is given in conjunction with Opera San José’s production of Silent Night, February 11-26. Android Basics 3rd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – 12:00PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - Designed for owners of non-Apple mobile devices that use Google’s Android operating system, this series will explore the wide range of functions including texting, calendar, email, music, photos, and more. Learn how to download and use free apps from the Google Play store (bring your Google Play account log-in information). There will be time for individuals’ questions at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with non-Apple devices. Apple Basics 1st Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - This ongoing series covers many topics such as Apple IDs, iTunes, iCloud, and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for upcoming sessions are based on participants’ input and needs. There is always time for Q&A at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with Apple devices only. Lamorinda Dance Social Wednesdays • 1 – 3:30PM • Live Oak Room, LSC - Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday, and learn some great new dance moves. On the first Wednesday monthly, professional dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, playing your favorites and taking requests. Words of Wisdom...From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted 3rd Tuesday Monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Share your opinions with us in a freewheeling exchange of ideas: from current events to philosophy to the inspirational. There may be agreement or there may be different opinions -- it’s all in the spirit of learning, sharing, enrichment, and good humor. Our “elder perspective” frequently sounds a lot like wisdom! Reservoir Walking Group Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays • 9:30AM – 11:30AM • Meet at reservoir at 9:20AM at the center bench on the dam Come for camaraderie, fresh air and enjoyable exercise, all in magnificent surroundings. Optional bonus: at the end of the walk, Jim will lead you through easy yoga poses and breathing exercises in the most beautiful outdoor yoga studio: the band stage overlooking the water. Increase your balance and fitness – both physical and mental – and leave each week uplifted and radiant with that overall feeling of well-being! Jim is an author, nutritional expert, former Air Force pilot, and consultant to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team and Mt. Everest expeditions. Please call 284-5050 or email seniors@lovelafayette.org to add your name to the email list. Bring quarters or credit card for the parking meter. Annual senior (62+) parking passes may be purchased at the reservoir Visitor Center. Free Free Peer Counseling 2nd Tuesday monthly • 10AM - noon • Alder Room, LSC - Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-on-one counseling with senior (55+) counselors who use their life experiences to help other older adults cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. Confidentiality is strictly observed. Appointment required. Please call Lafayette Senior Services to sign up for one of the 60-minute appointments.
Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Wednesdays • 9AM - noon • Alder Room, LSC - Experience nature at its finest along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever you are able. For more information or to place your name on the route email/phone list, call Lafayette Seniors Services. Drop-In Mah Jongg! (Intermediate Level) Tuesdays • 12:30-3:30 • Cedar Room, LSC - Bring your card and mah jongg set, and join us every Tuesday afternoon for intermediate level play. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Sequoia Room, LSC - Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features discussions on a wide range of topics that guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome! Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentations: Parkinson’s Wednesday, 1/25 • 11:30AM -12:30AM • Cedar Room, LSC - Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be challenging, but there are things you can do to maintain your quality of life and live well. Learn about the stages of PD and how to optimize your physical ability as long as possible.
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IS FOOD A PROBLEM FOR YOU?
Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.
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JANUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 23
WHAT’S ON YOUR 2017 BUCKET LIST?
By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator, Lamorinda Senior Transportation
The Lamorinda Spirit Van Program began as a dream in the minds and hearts of a small group of people. By seeing the need, developing the vision, and taking one step at a time, we have come a long way in 11 years: hundreds of people served and over 33,000 rides delivered, evolving from one older vehicle to four newer vehicles. Carl Sandburg suggests: “Nothing happens unless first we dream.” This statement may cause us to take a few moments to reflect on our dreams for 2017. What would you like to learn about, prepare for, contribute to, or accomplish in the upcoming year? It’s a New Year filled with opportunities for new beginnings in each area of life that is important to you. If you were to create a pie chart, you could label the different areas of your life: Physical/Mental Health, Financial Prosperity, Spiritual/Personal Growth, Social/Family Relationships, Exercise, Nutrition, New Learning, and Community Contributions. Which of these segments needs more attention, keeping in mind that it’s never too late, and we are never too old to set our dreams into motion? So, as you reflect on your life, what dreams/ goals remain on your bucket list? In the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program, the needs fluctuate over time. Sometimes we need more drivers, other times we need to let prospective passengers know we are available, and sometimes we need to work on increasing funding. The priorities shift as different needs bubble up to the surface, and we strive to pay attention to the signals and strike a balance. As we age, attending to our physical health can demand more attention than before, and we may want to sign up for an exercise or cooking class. As friends pass away, we may find ourself grieving and spending too much time alone. It may be time to call the Spirit Van to go out to lunch, to a computer class, or to a social event to meet new people and make new friends. If we have not been able to adequately prepare financially for retirement, financial concerns may rise to the surface, so we reach out to solicit some advice. Perhaps these life-areas are well taken care of, and we simply need the challenge of learning something new or contributing to our community in a new way. Cities, churches, organizations, and the Lamorinda Spirit Van all need volunteers. It’s a win-win since when we volunteer, we make new friends in a field of mutual interest. One of the joys of grandchildren is that they can revitalize family relationships. Family members pull together to support busy parents and attend to the young children’s needs. For those without grandchildren, volunteering at the Monument Crisis Center is a wonderful option. Sir Arthur Wing Pinero reminds us: “Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.”
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Volunteer Drivers – Needed, Valued, and Appreciated We will accommodate your schedule. Call one of the programs below to volunteer.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
925-283-3534
Takes Lamorinda older adults, age 60 and up, to errands, appointments, shopping, classes, and to lunch at the C.C. Café. Wheelchair and walker accessible. WE LOVE TO SAY YES, so call early to make your reservation. ‘LIKE” us at www.facebook.com/lamorindaspiritvan.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 925-284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
925-402-4506
Mobility Matters Rides for Seniors
925-284-6161
Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands.
Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with free rides to doctors’ appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays.
County Connection LINK Reservation Line 925-938-7433 For people with disabilities. (Older adults often have “age-based” disabilities.)
Mobility Matters Information and Referral Line 925-284-6109 Gogograndparents.com 855-464-6872 A way to use UBER or LYFT without an iPhone. Press “0” to speak to an operator.
A trip to Rosie the Riveter museum.
Now that the holidays are past and life is quieting down, we can think/ dream about the coming year and our 2017 pie chart of life priorities. A friend of mine is cleaning out his closets and file cabinets – what a gift to his family! Another friend revisited her will and made a bequest to the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program – what a gift to our community! As Norman Cousins has said, “If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.” What dreams/goals are on your bucket list for 2017?
C L A S S I F I E D S FINE ART PRINT FOR SALE
FAMOUS WESTERN ARTIST Howard Terpning’s Last Rays of Sun showing a native Indian on horseback print for sale. This signed and numbered fine art print, custom rustic framed, is accompanied by his highly valued collectors edition book, Spirit of the Plains People. $1,200 value, sacrifice for $300. (925) 639-2718.
COMPUTER HELP
ITkid Computer Help Assistance with any tech related issue for a low price. Help with Email•Wifi•Computer•Smartphone•Tablet•Etc. $40/hr. Contact Max Nunan, local ITkid consultant. (925) 482-5488, maxnunan@gmail.com.
FOR RENT
BIG ISLAND HAWAII - Luxurious 5 bedroom, 5 ½ bath home with pool and spa in Mauna Lani, Champion Ridge. Access to private beach, 2 golf courses, shopping, restaurants, and many other amenities. Rent by the week. Call 925586-8893 or reserve on VRBO listing #630743.
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.
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PAGE 24 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JANUARY 2017
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