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March 2016 A New Game in Town By Fran Miller
If the omnipresent local soccer leagues have failed to entice your youthful charges into participation, there’s a new game in town that might pique some interest: field hockey. This traditionally East Coast sport is gaining in local popularity, thanks to the establishment last spring of the Lamorinda Field Hockey (LFH) league.
LFH, along with sister club San Ramon Field Hockey, is part of the East Bay Field Hockey Association, founded by longtime field hockey players Elzeth Hetzler and Jennifer Gray. Hetzler, from South Africa, is a level 2 coach and currently the head coach for two of four Futures sites, the Olympic pipeline training program offered by the US’s governing body for the sport, USA Field Hockey. Gray played field hockey through high school and college back East. Her sister is currently playing on the Women’s National Team. Additional LFH coaches are international players from around the globe. Field Hockey is a dynamic, fast paced, skillful game requiring finesse rather than brute strength. Techniques are easy to learn, but they are also difficult to master. Situational awareness and keen decision making skills are keys to success. LFH coaches are aware that many people haven’t experienced the game, and thus, they offer a free introductory lesson for beginners and newcomers. LFH caters to both boys and girls, ages 5-19. The league hosts players from Berkeley, Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Moraga. Twice per week, practices take place on the Wilder fields in Orinda and also at the Lafayette Community Center. Tournaments take place on the weekends throughout the greater Bay Area – from Gilroy to Davis, including at Stanford, San Ramon, and University of the Pacific. “Our goal is to promote the game of Field Hockey in the East Bay,” says Hetzler. “Clubs are thriving in the South Bay, Peninsula, Sacramento, and across California. We want to bridge the gap for teams here in the East Bay by organizing club level play, and scheduling practices, games, and tournaments. We want to help players grow by focusing on skills, sportsmanship, and friendly competitive play.”
See Hockey continued on page 20 Local Postal Customer
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Serving the Lafayette Community The Remarkable Markham: Contra Costa’s Only Arboretum By Jody Morgan
Visitors to the remarkable Markham rarely fail to return repeatedly, whether they initially arrive to stroll the trail, attend workshops, admire the gardens, or purchase plants. Celebrating its 35th year of partnership with the City of Concord as steward of the Markham Nature Park and Arboretum, Markham Regional Arboretum Society (MRAS) continually presents timely programs, installs purposeful plantings, and propagates for sale unusual plants appropriate to the local climate. Winner of Sustainable Contra Costa’s 2015
Patrice Hanlon, pictured with her RES SUCCESS crew, finds visitors of all ages and abilities delight in stopping to observe details of the diverse life forms found at Markham.
Award for Sustainable Resource Management, MRAS preserves the natural environment of Galindo Creek and the 17 acres comprising the park. Recognizing the educational potential of their property, Ira and Bee Markham sold 12 acres including their house to the City of Concord in 1966 with the stipulation that they retain the right to remain in residence as long as they wished. They continued to plant trees supporting their vision for the nature preserve, but after Bee’s death in 1979, Ira worried about future maintenance of their legacy.
See MRAS continued on page 18
Tom Steuber Selected as Lafayette’s Citizen of the Year
Each year the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce solicits nominations, and a small committee has the difficult task of picking a Lafayette “Citizen of the Year.” Sometimes campaigns are launched and the Chamber is flooded with letters recommending Volume X - Number 3 their choices. 3000F Danville Blvd #117 For a number of Alamo, CA 94507 years, a group of Telephone (925) 405-6397 families have been telling the Chamber Fax (925) 406-0547 about one extraordinary member of editor@yourmonthlypaper.com the community, Tom Steuber. Tom has Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher presided as Scoutmaster for Lafayette’s The opinions expressed herein belong to the Boy Scout Troop 204 for 12 years. He writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible has guided hundreds of boys through for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See Citizen continued on page 22
nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Boulevard View
Ten Foot Good By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
For a Type A person such as myself, I am constantly striving for perfect results. I know my skillset, I know my potential for what I can do, and I am not settled until I have accomplished my given task with the precision and aesthetic I envisioned. For many projects, perfection is a great attribute. Attention to detail and hard work is not something that I have ever heard someone being faulted for in a job interview. At times, however, this obsessive nature can become enslaving and unnecessary for the task at hand. When buying a new kitchen brush, is it really necessary to do in-depth research to find the best scrubber that has an ergo-
www.yourmonthlypaper.com nomic handle and fancy bristles? Or is your time better spent grabbing one that looks like it’ll be good enough? Psychologist Barry Schwartz published a book on this topic ten years ago that is still incredibly relevant today. It is titled The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. Barry argues that the more options we have for any given decision, the less happy we will be. We constantly deliberate the options, and once we have decided upon a choice we are still unsure about the ‘what ifs’ of the others we left behind. It turns into an “analysis paralysis” that can truly waste hours of our precious lives. Have you been to a popular deli and been overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of sandwiches they offer? It can be an unexpected stress trying to decide on a lunch offering. However, if you accept that you may choose a sandwich that is good, but not the “best (and realize ‘best’ is all relative anyway),” you will end up being much happier (and probably healthier, too) later on. The same feeling creeps up when I’m in the condiments aisle at the grocery store. Do we really need seven different brands and six different styles of mayonnaise? Reduced calorie, olive oil, garlic flavored, low cholesterol, chipotle, squeeze bottle, glass bottle, plastic bottle?! Last weekend my husband and I were doing home projects and sprucing up. There was a window screen that had a big mark on it that had bugged me for a couple years. I had thought it was the result of some paint work we had done, but when I mentioned it to my husband he fessed-up to being the origin of the issue which stemmed from a time he was doing some pressure washing. While I had initially thought I needed to have the screen replaced, what I found upon closer inspection was that the area I thought had been painted white was just shiny aluminum from the black color of the screen being blasted with high-pressure water in one spot. One quick trip to my Sharpie drawer and less than five minutes of “coloring,” and my screen was at least “ten foot good” (and probably even three to five foot good!) and no longer bugged me. Leaders and managers can feel a similar anxiety of choice when delegating a task to another colleague. Yes, you know that you could do a great job on the project or task at hand and would be happy with the results, but is it important enough for you to take it on? Or can you just accept that that person’s interpretations of the task may be different than yours, and accept that you benefitted from the absence of the project on your plate, and that it still got finished? Jonah Lehrer has a message similar to this in his article The Eureka Hunt. As a whole, the article speaks of the frustrating process of trying to force an insight into a particular topic, and how it can actually prevent those insights from occurring. In the hunt to create a ‘zero foot good’ situation, you may not realize the answer until you let yourself accept the ten foot good situation. Then, later on, with the problem in the back of your mind, the true answer may come to you. However, trying to force these things just creates anxiety and frustration. My daughter is almost done with her undergraduate degree, and I have tried to help her with these lessons. While I do not encourage mediocrity or laziness, it is sometimes important to remind her that if she does not do well on a test, it is not the end of the world. How large of an impact on your life has one test been in your adult life, after all? While all of these examples vary slightly, they still maintain the same message: Let go. Loosen up a bit. Accept that perfection will not always be attained. Allow yourself to delegate. Ten foot good can, more often than not, be absolutely good enough.
Lafayette Hiking Group
Meet in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s main entrance at 8:30am. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas and parking ($3) .
Saturday, March 26, Redwood Park - French Trail loop
The hike starts with a steep uphill to the West Ridge and then is mostly level or downhill. Enjoy the redwoods and ferns, and maybe the stream will be flowing. Hiking boots and poles useful for both steepness and possible mud. The hike is strenuous and about six miles long. The leaders are Geoff and Sandi Berggren. For questions, email LafayetteHiking@comcast.net.
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13th Annual Silent Auction to Benefit the Springstone School
The Springstone School; an independent, non-profit school dedicated to serving 6-12 grade students with Asperger’s Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, and other neurocognitive differences; will be holding their Lights, Camera, Auction! benefit on March 12, 2:00-5:00PM. The event will be held at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette and will feature auction items such as kids’ toys and treats, spa treatments, event tickets, vacation getaways, gourmet food & dining, fine wines & spirits, artisan gifts, and professional services. Come for the auction, games, food, raffle prizes, and family fun! Admission is free! To learn more, call (925) 962-9660. th
15 Host Families Needed for One Week Student Stay
For the eleventh consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming to the area. The students will arrive on April 22nd and depart April 29th. The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and one weekend. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. For more information or to find out about past years’ programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group) at caussefly@ wanadoo.fr or dachary.martine@orange.fr. There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you. The local contact is Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or (925) 997-7226.
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 3 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! STROKE CLINICS, APRIL SWIM CONDITIONING, AND SUMMER SWIM TEAM Visit www.lmyaswim.com for more details!
Sunday Stroke Clinics – begin March 6 (stroke specific sessions) April Swim Conditioning - begins April 12 (get in swim shape!) Summer Swim Team - begins May 3 (early registration discounts) PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 @ 6:30PM (ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA) OPEN TO ALL!!
Easter Service
Sunday,March 27 @ 10:45am
Xenophon Gala
The Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center will be holding “A James Bond Extravaganza” gala on March 19th at 6PM at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center offers life-changing experiences for children with a wide range of disabilities. Through equine-assisted activities provided in a safe and secure environment, children achieve goals that they never before dreamed possible. With a horse as their guide, there is no limit to what they can achieve. Xenophon is a non-profit 501(c)3 registered charity, offering both Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. In Therapeutic Riding, basic horsemanship skills are integrated into therapy goals tailored to each individual’s specific needs. To reserve your ticket, costing $125 per person, or to sponsor the event, visit www.xenophontrc.org or contact Mari Parino at mparino@xenophontrc.org.
Gatetree Baptist Church 101 Gatetree Drive, Danville www.gatetreechurch.org 925.820.9477
Health Care in Contra Costa County Panel
The public is invited to join members of The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley and Health Care for All - Contra Costa County in discussion about health care in Contra Costa County. How are health care providers meeting current needs? What are some systemic changes we might consider? ACA offered much-needed improvements to the health care system. Yet problems remain: • Many residents are still uninsured • Patient costs continue to rise dramatically • Networks are narrowing • Family medical bankruptcies continue • Mental health, dental, and long term care needs aren’t sufficiently covered Hear from local health care experts and join the discussion at the Mc Hale Room, Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill. The event will be held on Saturday, March 19, 3–4:30PM. Panelists are Dr. William Walker, MD, Director and Health Officer, CCC Health Services; Brenda Goldstein, MPH, Psychosocial Services Director, Lifelong Medical Care; Dr. Ariane Terlet, DDS, Chief Dental Officer, La Clinica de la Raza; and Dr. Pat Snyder, PhD, Leadership Team Member, All Care Alliance. For more information, visit www.lwvdv.org or www.healthcareforall.org.
Free Tax Preparation
All in Good Taste
8” & 10” Pan Set 45.00 “Whistle While You Work” 2.5 qt. Tea Kettle 50.00
6 qt. Casserole 65.00
Danville, The Livery
Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza
Free tax preparation for the 2016 tax season is available starting February 2016 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. For information, or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the Walnut Creek area, please call (925) 943-5851 Walnut Creek Senior Club site, (925) 405-6278 Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site, or (925) 979-5013 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 the following to the appointment: Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return, Copies of all W-2s, 1098s and 1099s, Other income and deductions, Your 2014 Tax Return, and Proof of medical insurance if you are not on Medicare.
Page 4 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Lafayette Community Garden
The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is accepting applications for individual or family memberships for the 2016 season. The season opening is March 12. For more information, visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. To apply for membership, download and fill out a membership form, and send it to the address on the form. If membership is full, you will be put on a waiting list. For answers to questions, call (925) 946-0563.
San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society
You are invited to attend the free March 15 meeting of the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society from 10AM - noon at the library of the LDS Church located at 2949 Stone Valley Road Alamo. Speaker Kathy Bourges will be presenting the a talk on using DNA results for research. This program will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. For information call Ed O’Donnell at (925) 310-4691, visit http:// srvgensoc.org, or e-mail SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org.
Cuba: The Power of Community in an Isolated and Underserved Nation
The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be hosting a presentation about Cuba on March 15 from 9 - 11:30AM at the Holy Trinity Serbian Church Cultural Center located at 1700 School Street in Moraga. Two members of the OML Branch Branch will share their travel experiences and observations from a two-week AAUW-sponsored trip to Cuba in the spring of 2015. A panel will discuss what’s working and what’s not working in a country cut off from the United States for over 50 years, as well as how the people of Cuba have learned to support each other despite adversity and extreme shortage of worldly goods. Attendees will be encouraged to discuss what their impressions are of socialism – its best and worst aspects – and participate in an informal quiz. A short overview and PowerPoint slide show will focus on the history of Cuba and how it got to the place it is now with a Q & A session to follow. Potential topics to be addressed in the panel discussion are: • Fidel’s grand design for education – how it is working or not working. With over 13% of its GDP being used on education (one of the highest in the world), Cuba boasts one of the lowest illiteracy rates. • Cuba’s unique health care system - it has the highest doctor to patient ratio and one of the lowest birth mortality rates, the success based, in part, on a strong community environment. • Women’s role in government and Cuban society – at least 45% of the parliament seats are held by women. • Cuba’s inroads in sustainable agriculture – with the trade embargo, farmers have struggled with lack of fertilizer, petroleum products and transportation, forcing the country to turn to organic farming. • What the impact on Cuban society might be, economically, when the US trade embargo is lifted – the power of tourism! Come enjoy this informative morning. Everyone is invited. Coffee, other beverages, and a limited buffet will be provided. Admission is free. For more information, visit the AAUW-OML 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
Carla Hilton is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 5 last month!
Lafayette Garden Club
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The Lafayette Garden Club is holding their next meeting with speaker on March 10. This meeting will feature speaker Katherine Greenberg who will be presenting “An Andalusian Legacy,” a discussion of creating beautiful and sustainable gardens suited to California’s Mediterranean climate. Meetings are held at the Lafayette Veteran’s Building at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette from 9:45AM to noon. Visitors are welcome. For more information, e-mail Carolyn Poetzsch at cpoetzsch@gamil.com.
Walnut Creek Garden Club
The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its March meeting at the Gardens at Heather Farm on Monday, March 14 at 9:30AM. Business will be discussed at 9:30, followed by a social time at 10:30 and speaker at 11AM. The March speaker will be Dirk Muehler who is a Shell Ridge open space nature photographer. His topic will be “Photo Essay of the Animals and Plants Found on Mount Diablo.”
Montelindo Garden Club Meeting
The next Montelindo Garden Club meeting (meetings take place the third Friday, September thru May) will be held on Friday, March 18th at 9AM. The meeting will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church located at 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Everyone is welcome. A demonstration of flower arrangements will be presented by Sarah Ellis and Jeanne Walker, owners of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design business in Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.montelindogarden.com or call Sophia at 925-682-6828.
Sexual Assult Exposé, The Hunting Ground
The movie The Hunting Ground is a scorching exposé of the startling prevalence of sexual assault at U.S. institutions of higher learning. The team behind the Oscar-nominated The Invisible War presents The Hunting Ground which takes audiences straight to the heart of a shocking epidemic of violence and institutional cover-ups sweeping college campuses across America. The film will be shown free of charge on March 17th from 7-9PM at Diablo Valley College (DVC) in the Library Building. This movie is sponsored jointly by DVC and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) InterBranch Council of Contra Costa County. For more information, e-mail dianebell@rettger.com.
Diablo Choral Artists
Diablo Choral Artists presents Bach and His Predecessors, a concert featuring works by Bach, Schütz, Telemann and Buxtehude, including Bach’s “Jesu, Meine Freude” and Buxtehude’s “Magnificat” with string ensemble. Show times are: • Friday, March 11th, 8PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek • Sunday, March 13th, 3PM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com. The cost for adults is $25, seniors 60+ $18, and students $5. For more information, visit www.dcachorus.org.
Convictions: An evening of Chamber Music with Gold Coast Chamber Players
Convictions, the fourth concert of Gold Coast Chamber Player’s 2015-2016 series, showcases music by Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss, and David Popper. The concert will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. A pre-concert talk will start the evening at 7 PM. The Gold Coast Chamber Players are known for their engaging and vibrant performances. Ticket price of $37.50 general, $32.50 senior, and $15 student includes complimentary champagne, a pre-concert talk, and a reception with the musicians following the performance. Tickets are available at www. gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728.
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Rotary Club Annual Candy Scramble
The Lafayette Rotary Club is pleased to announce that the “Annual Candy Scramble” will take place on March 26th. This event is open to all children ages two through 3rd grade. The event takes place at Lafayette Plaza (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd) in Lafayette at 10AM. The park lawn will be covered with candy for the kids to put in their baskets. The youngest are always given extra time to get their share! The Bunny will also be there to take pictures with the kids. Please arrive on time. The event will start promptly. Join in the fun, and don’t miss the Jonny’s Donut Dive (for adults only) as well!
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 5
Spring Cleaning? Leave the hassles behind
The Lafayette Community Center Foundation’s Bunny Brunch
EGG-citing family fun awaits you at the Lafayette Community Center! On Saturday, March 26th the Lafayette Community Center Foundation will be holding its annual Bunny Brunch at 11AM. Come celebrate spring with a pancake breakfast, and enjoy a silly circus put on by children’s performer Bri Tree. Festivities will also include an ARF Pet Pack, a visit from the Big Bunny, and an outdoor egg hunt for the kids to top things off! The Bunny Brunch will take place at the Lafayette Community Center located at 500 St. Mary’s Rd. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased for the advanced sale price of $8 per person. Tickets at the door are $10 per person, but space is limited so purchase tickets early before the event sells out! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. lafayetterec.org or call the Community Center office at (925) 284-2232.
Sons In Retirement
Las Trampas Branch 116
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Retirement Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care
Sons In Retirement - Las Trampas Branch 116 welcomes 3:32 PM guests to socialize at their next monthly luncheon beginning022616a_Lafayette_Today_Spring_Cleaning_A.indd at 11AM on lunch is $15.1 For more information about the club’s activities 2/29/16 for retired st Monday, March 21 at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside men, please visit www.Branch116.org. Drive. Lamorinda Branch 174 The guest speaker will be Bill Green, co-director of the Speakers Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 174 is a social organization of Bureau of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley. Bill has served retired and semi-retired men who enjoy their leisure time with friends and on the Board of Directors for the VNVDV for the past decade and activities. Activities include golf, bowling, bocce ball, table pool, travel, is currently the president. He is also a mentor at the Concord Vet fishing, computers & technology, bridge, poker, pinochle, investing, wine Center for returning troops. Bill’s presentation will touch on his tour tasting, walking, astronomy, stamp collecting, etc. The group meets for in Vietnam, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a running history lunch at 11AM the second Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture of the people on the wall -- such as age groups, youngest to the oldest, Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga. The guest speaker on March 9th where they were from, how many were related, etc..., and “things most will be Diego Rio, the Student Body President of Saint Mary’s College. For people don’t know about.” attendance and membership info, call Tyler at (925) 284-5561. Please call (925) 322-1160 to make a lunch reservation. The cost for For more information, please visit www.branch174.sirinc2.org.
Page 6 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
The Bookworm By Joan Stevenson
“This is your Lucky Day!” It is true. You don’t have to stand in a line that reaches around the corner. The books you want to read now are on a special Lucky Day shelf. Think of it: new books, no wait! So here is the deal. You can check out two “Lucky Day” items per library card for three weeks. Lucky Day books are non-renewable and not available for holds. This is an exciting new program from the Contra Costa County Library, and it is available at all 26 libraries. Robin Holt, Past President of the Friends, shared news about two children’s books you may want to check out. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena is a lovely picture book that tells a simple but powerful story about a young boy who rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things. It’s also a book that pulled off the unheard-of accomplishment of winning the Newbery Medal and also being chosen a Caldecott Honor book in the same year. The Caldecott prize went to Finding Winnie, by Libby Mattick, the great-granddaughter of a veterinarian named Harry Colebourn who followed his heart and rescued a baby bear who eventually became the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh. I admire children’s book writers and illustrators. Kid’s books get maximum mileage since they are read over and over. By the way, until St. Patrick’s Day there will be a leprechaun hunt going on in the library. If you think you spotted a leprechaun hiding, then you need to go to the information desk and check in. On April 5 from 6-7:30pm, you may want to drop by the library’s amphitheater where the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society will be on hand with telescopes and viewing glasses. Since looking at the sky can be tricky, you may wish to call 925385-2280 for the time of the event. For weeks now the Sunday New York Times Book Review section has listed Arul Gawande’s provocative book on end-of-life issues, Being Mortal, as a top seller. This month Hospice East Bay is hosting “The Conversation Project” on Thursday, March 10th from 6-7:30pm, which is dedicated to helping people
www.yourmonthlypaper.com talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. The conversation will begin with a screening of the short film, Being Mortal by Dr. Gawande. Register at tinyurl. com/ConversationProjectLAF. On Wednesday, March 30th from 6-7:30pm, Dr. Robert Cole will present a discussion on the benefits of hospice and palliative care. Register at tinyurl.com/HospiceCareLAF. Both programs are free. The LLLC Foundation welcomes David Talbot on Wednesday, March 23rd at 7pm. Mr. Talbot will discuss his new book, The Devil’s Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America’s Secret Government which examines the career of Allen Dulles who, according to Talbot, orchestrated the assassination of JFK at the behest of corporate leaders who perceived the President to be a threat to national security. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for current LLLCF donor members. Purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/LLLCTalbot. Call (925) 283-6513 ext. 102 for more information. Evie Michon, a local artist, will join us for the first offering in a three-part series celebrating folk arts from around the world. She will teach us the folk art of Pysanky, Ukrainian egg decorating. Each attendee will get to dye and decorate an egg. It is a free program, sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. To register, go to tinyurl.com/FolkArtEggs. Wonders of the World, sponsored by the Friends, will focus on the latest exhibit from the Legion of Honor on Wednesday, March 9th from 2-3:30pm. Pierre Bonnard: Painting Arcadia is the first major international presentation of Pierre Bonnard’s work to be mounted on the West Coast in half a century. The exhibition will feature works that span the artist’s complete career, from his early masterpieces, through his experimental photography, to the late interior scenes for which he is best known. Author Vanessa Diffenbaugh will be with us on Wednesday, April 16th from 7-9pm. After graduating from Stanford University, she worked in the non-profit sector teaching in low-income communities. Following the success of her debut novel, The Language of Flowers, she co-founded Camellia Network, a nonprofit whose mission is to connect youth aging out of foster care to the critical resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in adulthood. General admission tickets are $15 each. Current LLLCF donor tickets are $10. Please call (925) 283-6513 ext. 102 to purchase tickets. Dogtown Downtown returns on Saturday, April 9th. The parade begins at 10AM at the Lafayette Plaza. Captain and I will see you there!
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Burning Issues Kept March 1966 Hot in Lafayette
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 7
By Ruth Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society
Lafayette residents were in a contentious mood fifty years ago this month. The first issue was the local heliport, which was discussed in a lengthy hearing limited to examining the noise and cost issues. “The hearing—attended by over 100 residents of Sunset Village, many of whom appeared for what they estimated to be the ninth or tenth time—lasted an entire evening,” according to the Lafayette Sun. Gopher/Mole Removal Competing noise tests were introduced. The star of the hearing was Clarence Rust, spokesman for the Village Center group. He said that intelligible noise tests had been taken, proving that the choppers produced 2,000% No Poison more noise than did the background sounds. During landing and take-off, the noise rose to 4,000% more than background sounds. 925-765-4209 “Rust said that the invested value of the residents made the SFO [helicopter company] investment look like peanuts. He said the homeowners who objected had a $4 million assessed valuation on their property and paid $90,000 in taxes to the county each year. “After three hours, County Planning Commissioner Arthur Young said, ‘I don’t think the heliport is in the right place.’” [Eventually, the company took its landing pad and equipment out to Buchanan Field.] The second hot topic around town was the BART Board’s decision to move the station from its original proposed site at Pleasant Hill Rd. to Deer Hill Rd. at Happy Valley. This action led to a lawsuit by a group of residents. That was met with a statement from the attorney representing BART that he would file a recommendation to the court that there’s no legal foundation to the suit and that BART had the authority to relocate the station from the initial location noted on early proposals. The third matter roiling the citizenry was EBMUD’s intention to develop the Reservoir recreation area and brought up questions as to whether its representatives “were interested in exchanging ideas. John Plumb, EBMUD director of customer relations, said the utility would provide ‘some limited recreation at the park this summer.’ “It will be developed according to the Hector Report, which means development will be phased over a period of years. Eventually, the report calls for development of 800 of the 975 acres.” And finally, as if there weren’t already plenty to hash over in the cafes and coffee houses, a proposed study of incorporation of Lafayette was also considered at the Lafayette Improvement Association board meeting. It was decided that the LIA should join with the Design Project in this effort. Now for a change of pace, a headline on the front page of the March 4, 1966, Sun caught my eye: “Pornography is Nejedly Topic for GOP Women. District Attorney John Nejedly will present a ‘status report’ on pornography and the law, an informative program recently offered to the Grand Jury, at the Acalanes High School cafeteria, announced the president of the sponsoring group, the Lafayette Republican Women. She said the public (adults only) is urged to attend and to examine the obscenity laws of the State of California. “A revealing film, Perversion for Profit, will be shown. This two billion dollar business and the pornography readily available to your youngsters will be outlined by representatives of the Citizens for Decent Literature Inc.” Mrs. Edwards noted that about 60% of the lewd magazines and paperbacks circulated in the U.S. are published by California firms.” On a sad note, on March 8, 1966, Lafayette’s beloved schoolteacher, Jennie Bickerstaff, died at the age of 93. Born in Pennsylvania, she came to Lafayette as a child and lived for more than 80 years in the little white house at 3615 Mt. Diablo Blvd. In 1964, she moved to an assisted living residence in Oakland, and the cottage was torn down. The property now is home to Diablo Foods and the majestic redwood tree that Jennie had planted in her backyard.
Assistance League of Diablo Valley Announces Scholarship Opportunities
As one of the ten philanthropic programs of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, “Scholarships” was established in 1999. Each year, this program has offered emotional and financial support to foster youth and high school, community college, and university students who demonstrate the need and desire to improve their lives by furthering their education. Individual scholarships can amount to as much as $5,000. The Foster Youth Application deadline is March 16. The High School Application deadline is March 23. The Community College Application deadline is March 18. Scholarships Committee Co-Chairmen Lesley Salo and Cindi Segale remind applicants of the addition of two categories. The Sandi Lou Back to School Scholarship is a need based, $2,500 award to benefit a Contra Costa County resident returning to school after an absence. The scholarship is an ecouragement for a person who has been out of the educational system for any number of reasons to apply for reentry at the community college level. The scholarship requirements include a high school diploma with a minimum 2.8 GPA or a G.E.D. certificate. Additional considerations include personal circumstances, recommendations, scholastic record, financial need, job/school activities, community involvement, and educational and employment goals. This scholarship fund is open to contributions from other sources. The application deadline is March 29. New this year is the Spotlight on You Scholarship which is open to students attending, or planning to attend, a community college in a vocational or career technology educational program. Other criteria include being a resident of Contra Costa County, financial need, and a 2.8 GPA from current or last attended school. The application deadline is March 29. To learn more or obtain any of these scholarship applications, please visit diablovalley. assistanceleague.org. On the upper left side of the screen, scroll down and click on Scholarship Presenting at a regular monthly meeting, aspiring ornithologist Taylor Heaton Crisologo thanked Assistance League of Diablo Applications. Valley for a Scholarship awarded in 2012.
Page 8 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Walking the Reservoir, and now, the Deck By Jim Scala
View from the deck. We are on Crystal Serenity ship that left San Francisco on a Pacific Island cruise. Standing on the ship’s highest point, the horizon is 13.2 miles away. A little math indicates that I can often see over 843 square miles with nothing in sight. It’s that empty until our first island port, Honolulu. Sea days are busy. A typical sea day begins with a 45-minute Energetic Yoga class that awakens my body. At ten o’clock a geologist delivers a lecture on the many interesting Pacific islands and their unusual geology and explosive volcanoes, referred to as the Rim of Fire. Next, the first Middle East expert discusses the convoluted roots of that area’s endless conflict. One consensus among the 900 passengers is clear – there’s no solution in sight. Every day specialty classes are offered for bridge, computer, languages, music, and even golf to improve your game. Paddle tennis and shuffleboard competitions are ongoing. Every afternoon offers serious duplicate bridge, art lessons, MahJongg, memoir writing, and a stimulating book review. First run movies are also shown twice daily. Other attractions include a full fitness center and spa. After dinner entertainment ranges from magicians and comedians to vocalists, musicians, and production shows. Anyone who’s bored during a day at sea needs serious help. Hawaii’s alpha and omega memorials of WW-II. After a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial that marks the beginning of WW-II, we toured the USS Missouri and stood where Douglas MacArthur signed the agreement ending that historic war. It was a moving experience. Fanning, Kiribati is 100 nautical miles South of Hawaii. A turquoiseblue inner lagoon with outrigger canoes welcomes you to this idyllic, primitive, nine-by-six mile atoll. Home to 1,900 people where chickens and pigs roam freely, there’s no electricity or running water, and there is one small school. Fanning’s annual 80 inches of rainfall produces an abundance of coconuts and breadfruit. They sell 50 tons of seaweed annually in addition to handmade
Wine 411
By Monica Chappell
In my role as wine instructor, I have happily answered many questions about wine. To help demystify some concepts and serve as a wine primer, here are some of the most frequently asked questions for your enjoyment and education. Let’s see how well you do.
Q: Why do European labels look so different than the labels on American wines?
A: Besides the language barrier, many European wines follow a different labeling system than the one we use in the USA. The primary point of interest on an American wine label is the name of the grape varietal i.e. Chardonnay. By contrast, the focal point on most European wine labels is the appellation. In old world winemaking countries, appellations are so well developed and defined that the varietals are implied by where the wine comes from, and the label rarely reiterates this information for those who don't happen to know which grapes grow where.
Q: What is tannin?
A: Tannin is a natural preservative that is found in foods like walnuts, tea and grapes. The tannins in wine derive primarily from grape skins but can also come from the oak barrels in which certain wines are aged. Tannins, when balanced with fruit, leave a tactile sensation in your mouth that is felt in the middle of your tongue. As a wine gets older, its tannins mellow. Of course, tannins are just one component of a wine's structure; the best wines have a balance of tannins, fruit, and acids.
Q: Are vintages really that important?
A: In short...yes and no. Grapes are an agricultural product, and some harvests are better than others. The quality and character of the grape crop in any given growing area can vary with the weather and other natural elements. With that said, the science of winemaking has evolved to such a state that quality wines can still be made even during a lesser
www.yourmonthlypaper.com shell necklaces, carved coconuts, and woven baskets. Life is uncomplicated. Apia, Samoa greets us with dance and song. Robert Louis Stevenson emigrated here to escape Scotland’s dampness, hoping to cure his tuberculosis. In the five years before his passing, he wrote 14 books and his residence is now the home of the Prime Minister. This island is home to 36,375 people and has many modest mountains. Samoans are religious and have built some of the Pacific’s most beautiful churches. Snorkeling across the Pacific. Carl Sagan advised that when you’re snorkeling, imagine yourself as a space traveler floating above an alien world. In Hanauma Bay, Hawaii I looked down on the brightly colored reef fish swimming among beige and orange coral heads that range from softball size to many feet in diameter. Unexpectedly, a dark greenish-grey Moray Eel, at least six-feet long and six inches in diameter, slithered out from under a ledge 20 feet below and swam among the coral heads out of sight. Further south in Apia, the beautiful green, orange-red, blue, and yellow coral heads with brightly colored small fish were, in Carl’s words, a spectacular alien world. I thought I was dreaming when I saw a purple-blue starfish about six inches in diameter. My mind said, this can’t be, starfish are beige. I have now seen purplish-blue starfish on most tropical islands. However, even purple starfish can’t compete with the graceful sea turtles. On Mystery Island’s lagoon, hovering over a brightly colored reef, something bumped my arm. I turned as a two-foot parrot fish bumped again - hard. She wanted me out of her territory, so I slowly swam away looking down on many small parrot fish. She proved that all mothers protect their young. In several islands, and over Australia’s barrier reef, I saw clown fish with their beautiful yellow, gold and blue. If necessary, they can change their sex to keep their numbers going. Return to reality - Sydney. We often sailed for days without sighting another ship, occasionally seeing and stopping at clusters of islands, some uninhabited, surrounded by aqua-blue water. As we sailed into busy Sydney harbor with its famous opera house and unique harbor bridge, we watched a submarine exit to sea. We had returned to reality. Lafayette’s senior walkers are going strong. My weekly updates from Toni Lewis and Wayne Young verify that the Tuesday-Thursday 9AM walking program is going strong. Walkers enjoy excellent conversation while they improve their health. Join them and enjoy Lafayette’s unique recreation place. Let me hear from you: jscala2@comcast.net. vintage. So, if you’re drinking for everyday pleasure, don’t obsess over the vintage. On the other hand, if you’re collecting, a great vintage does make a difference.
Q: Why bother smelling wine?
A: It's simple. Your tongue can only detect four main tastes, but your nose can identify more than 2,000 different odors. Wine should smell, well, like fruit--not socks or vinegar or anything unpleasant. That's why the tradition of having restaurant customers take a sip of wine to determine whether it's gone bad is not necessary. It's all in the nose!
Q: What does it mean when a wine is said to be full-bodied or big?
A: A big wine generally has more alcohol, more tannins, and more concentrated fruit; big wines are best drunk with food.
Q: What’s a safe red wine to bring as a gift to a dinner party?
A: Because foods are so subtly nuanced, cooks should avoid letting anyone randomly pick wines for them; a good match can enhance a meal, but the wrong one can destroy a day's worth of cooking. So, what is the best wine? Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo are all versatile; they're light in style with just the right balance of fruit and acid, and they pair well with fish, meat, poultry, and vegetables. Monica Chappell teaches and writes about wine. Contact wineappreciation101@gmail.com for more information about upcoming wine programs.
Family Bike Rides
Every Sunday – 9-11:30AM
Join BikeLafayette for its weekly Family Bike Ride from Stanley Middle School to Moraga Commons and back. The ride is recommended for people 7 years and up. Younger children are welcome in a bike trailer or on your bike. The children will have fun playing at the Commons. Riders are usually back at Stanley by 11:15AM. You are encouraged to bring snacks and water. For more information about BikeLafayette, visit www.facebook.com/ bikelafayette.ca.
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Sequencing
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 9
By Sheryl Kline, M.A.
When was the last time you made an unfortunate yet memorable error? Did you play it over and over in your head? I can sure think of a couple. Many of us have unknowingly used sequencing, usually when we make a mistake. Sequencing, or putting a short number of actions together, can be powerful, but it’s important to use it properly. Here is a brief description of what positive sequencing is and how you can use it to help encourage your best performance and avoid your worst.
What is Sequencing?
Chunking information together makes it easier for us to remember. That could be the very reason why seven digit phone numbers are separated by a hyphen. When it comes to High Performance Training, the same applies. It’s easier for us to remember small groups of movements instead of each small movement that makes up the group. For example, a serve in tennis: toss ball, bend knees, racket back, strike ball, follow through. You can think of all those things separately, or simply as a serve sequence. Keep in mind that, depending on the expertise of the athlete, these sequences can be very detailed such as a flat, slice, kick, or topspin serve. These sequences would involve the key components for each type of serve.
How do I do it?
1. Practice and compete deliberately. Figure out one or two sequences that are most vital to your progress or performance (i.e. aggressive second serve, attacking short balls). 2. Completely understand the mechanics and how to execute. Get some help from a coach or a reliable source if you don’t know. 3. When you execute successfully, be aware of how it felt. Get excited no matter how big or small your success is! This is good for muscle memory and confidence. 4. Practice error amnesia. When you make an error, only take away one or two things that you learned and that you will do differently next time. The rest did not happen. 5. Use error replacement. Immediately after making an error, ‘replace it’ with a correct sequence. (i.e. I dumped a ball into the net. My sequence immediately afterward would be key components of an ideal serve.)
How Can Sequencing Help High Performance?
1. Increases muscle memory. Sequencing can champion physical practice lending to progress. 2. Builds confidence. Your movement is more familiar, and you have repeated success doing it. 3. Can form a good habit, so you can focus on other details of your performance. Sheryl Kline, M.A. CMT is a Mental Toughness Coach, published author, and speaker who is in private practice here in Lafayette. Follow her on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/sheryllklinema. She can be reached at 925285-0526 or Sheryl@SherylKline.com. Advertorial
Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center Events
The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is located at 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette (across from and just west of the Lafayette Reservoir). Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support educational programs. To register for classes or for more information, please visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org.
Master Gardeners Open Clinic ~ March 19 ~ 10AM - noon
The Master Gardeners will host the first ever clinic at the Lafayette Community Garden. Representatives will be available to answer your garden questions, hand out materials, share the latest information about growing edibles in our area, and walk through the garden to answer questions about the existing crops. This event will be repeated from 10AM to noon, April 30, followed by the 1st Saturday of every month beginning June 4
Making the Most of Your Relationship with your Garden ~ Saturday, April 2 ~ 1 - 2PM
Working in a vegetable garden creates a unique relationship between gardeners and the plants that they grow. Plants nourish us at the same time that we care for them, creating a relationship of reciprocity. Darlene DeRose, Certified Master Gardener and Ecotherapist, will lead this workshop designed to deepen garden members’ experience of this reciprocity. Topics we will cover include: • The latest scientific discoveries of the healing benefits of nature including stress reduction, increased attention and improved learning ability; • The underlying philosophical, ecological and spiritual theories about why working in a garden is a healing experience; • The emerging field of ecotherapy, a form of healing work that seeks to reconnect humans with the natural world; • Practices that will support and deepen participants’ relationships with the plants that they grow.
Prepping Your Edible Garden for Spring ~ Sunday, April 3 ~ 2:30 - 4PM
Get your garden ready for a new season of growing! Join Bay Friendly Landscape Professional, Master Composter and Garden Educator Lori Caldwell to learn the basics of preparing a productive, healthy vegetable garden. Topics will include building healthy soil, seeds versus starts, crop rotation, transitioning from a fall garden or starting from scratch, and plant choice by season. This is a great class for beginning and intermediate gardeners. Are you interested in knowing more about what is going on at the Lafayette Community Garden? Do you have questions about your personal garden? Are there diseases or pests interfering with the growing results you would like to have? If so, join one of our classes and learn more about locally gardening!
Page 10 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Harley Farms By Linda Summers Pirkle
Brilliant yellow mustard fields, tulips and daffodils popping up, and baby animals are some my favorite signs of the coming spring. I had the luck to grow up in the Bay Area in the 60’s, and our family home located on the east side of Danville backed up to hills and a pasture for cows. What fun it was seeing springtime calves from my own backyard. Probably the cutest animal in my limited exposure in the farm category is a baby goat. On a recent trip to Pescadero, my husband and I happened to be at the right place at the right time. As we walked up to the entrance of Harley Farms Goat Farm and Cheese Shop, a chalk board sign welcomed us with the exciting news that a showing of the first baby goats born this spring was to take place at noon. As scheduled, a tall young man dressed in jeans and flannel shirt walked by carrying two adorable little kids, just two days old. He placed them in a small fenced area with the mama goat. What a show those little guys put on for our group of excited onlookers. Up and down they went with their little wobbly legs. Every so often they took time out from their adventures to rest and nuzzle each other. It was so adorable. The mama goat provided sustenance after their many attempts at standing and walking. Harley Farms, a restored 1910 dairy farm, is located in Pescadero, an hour and half drive from the Bay Area where Alpine American goats are raised on the 12 acre farm. The goats are milked each day at 5AM and 5PM, and each goat produces a gallon of milk per day. That gallon is made into one pound of delicious cheese. You can purchase fromage blanc, ricotta, and feta made with edible flowers, basil, sunflower seeds, sundried tomatoes, walnuts, and pistachios. Harley Farms cheeses have won over thirty national ribbons from the American Cheese Society and two world medals. I spoke to Meryl, part-time Harley Farms employee, while she was assembling delicious samples of crusty French bread slices with award winning cheese. “It’s always a good day at Harley Farms. We rarely get the cranky customer. Who can be that way with all these goats?” She mentioned that the recipes for Harley Farms products including Lavender honey, Habanera jelly and my favorite, Harissa hot sauce (North African spicy sauce) are the recipes from Harley Farms’ Chef Joe. The owner of Harley Farms, Dee Harley, was at the register on our visit. She said they expect over 300 babies to be born during kid season which lasts from mid-February to late May. With her delightful British accent (she is from Northern England in Yorkshire) she welcomed visitors all morning and answered questions about goats and the many products in the country store. Lines were long, but no one seemed to mind since everyone was sampling the various delicious cheeses, truffles, honey, and delicious cheesecake (chocolate and lemon). Harley Farms is located at 205 North Street, Pescadero. Their website is harleyfarms. com and phone number is (650) 879-0480. Spring time hours are Thursday thru Monday, 10AM - 4PM. Tours which last an hour sell out quickly; check their website for availability. You may visit Harley Farms and see the goats in the pasture (along with llamas) without taking a tour. Their online calendar lists the various events throughout the year including Solstice tours, May Day events, and Equinox tours. Their Farmstead lunches and dinners are very popular. Harley Farms is available for private events and weddings. An added bonus when visiting Harley Farms in the springtime is the 12 mile stretch of incredible views along Cabrillo Highway with field after field of gorgeous bright yellow mustard and the ocean beyond. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
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Sustainable Lafayette Tip of the Month Sustainable Advice … As Close as Your Mailbox By Pam Palitz
Remember when mail delivery was a daily highlight? These days, it seems as if it’s always a disappointment. There may be some mailers and other solicitations, a few bills that you’ve forgotten to transfer into e-bill, and maybe a catalogue or magazine or two. On a particularly bad day, everything goes straight from the mailbox into the blue recycling bin. Still, there are true diamonds in the rough, if you have the time and patience to weed out the junk. Newsletters from our public agencies and utilities are remarkably useful – filled with practical tips for saving water and energy and protecting resources. And lest you think these tips benefit you only as a member of the general public, be assured that your wallet is one of those resources. For example, the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District devoted a page of its recent “Pipeline” newsletter to wipes – baby and bathroom wipes. Even though many are labeled “flushable” and are capable of passing through a toilet, they are made of plastic fibers and get caught in pipes (which would be the homeowner’s responsibility and would require a pricey visit from the plumber) or sewers. Furthermore, they often contain chemicals that pollute our waterways. “Pipeline” also warned against flushing unwanted medications and urged residents to recycle grease and cooking oils, rather than pouring them down the sink (leading to clogs…and the plumber). The newsletter also reminded readers of the importance of recycling fluorescent lights, which contain mercury. While many of us already make the occasional trek to the Hazardous Waste Collection Facility in Martinez (located at 4797 Imhoff Place), no one objects to a gentle reminder. If you still receive utility bills in the mail rather than via autopay, you might try to spare a little time for the inserts that accompany the financial statements. For example, the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority sends out a two-sided flyer called “Diversions” which offers reminders on food-scrap recycling, composting, battery drop-off, and other hints for diverting trash from the landfill. One relatively recent edition informed readers that they should save up their wine corks and recycle them at either BevMo or Whole Foods … who knew? Finally, the city’s excellent “Lafayette Vistas” quarterly newsletter often contains articles about environmental or sustainability issues. The drought has been a frequent subject. One edition explained the PACE program which enables property owners to “go solar” in an affordable manner. For people who live in Lafayette and want to be informed about their community, “Vistas” is required reading. Meanwhile, if you are receiving catalogues that you don’t want, catalogchoice.org will get you off the mailing lists. Its free service allows you to opt out of catalogues, coupons, credit card offers, phone books, circulars, and more. Reduce clutter, protect your privacy, and help the environment. For more tips and real-world success stories about Lafayette residents living more sustainably, please visit sustainablelafayette.org.
Search and Rescue
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 925-646-4461.
Do you have a story idea, photo,or sporting news to share? Contact us at 925.405.6397 or editor@yourmonthlypapercom
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Downsizing in Lafayette
By Erin Martin, Village Associates Real Estate
What I love more than anything about Lafayette is the small town feel. When I go to the grocery store, I love running into childhood friends, my parents, my neighbors, and even my elementary school teachers. There are so many reasons to love our small town which is why I believe multi generations of families choose to stay and raise their families in Lafayette. My parents still live in my childhood home. My Dad grew up in Lafayette, and he would never consider leaving. I think the same could be said for so many people who have spent their lives in our beloved town. Recently a client asked me to list off all potential options for downsizing in Lafayette. Unfortunately, there are very few choices. Although I don’t think this is an entirely new problem, I do believe the lack of inventory in Lafayette stems from more and more people staying in their homes longer because there are so few options when it comes to finding something smaller and low maintenance. Twenty-five years ago many of my friends’ parents downsized to smaller homes near downtown on streets like Moraga Blvd. But now Moraga Blvd is the “Hot Spot” for families who value walkability and proximity to BART and are willing to sacrifice smaller yards and square footage for the more urban-like lifestyle. In December of 2015, a two bedroom, one bath home sold for $1,100,000, and a 1,563 square foot fixer sold for $964,000. A slightly larger home with 2,121 square feet sold for $1,410,000 in May of 2015. My Mom’s friend bought a home on Moraga Blvd. in the mid 1990’s for $350,000 when her kids left for college. The Woodbury is a new housing option that offers a lock and leave lifestyle. The location is extremely convenient to downtown and the reservoir. Units are all single story and accessible by elevators. In January of this year, a two bedroom unit sold for $1,340,000, and in November of 2015, a three bedroom sold for just shy of $1,500,000. The ongoing joke for my parents is that a three bedroom in the Woodbury is in fact larger than their current home. The option to end a forty-year battle with a leaky sprinkler
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 11 and pesky deer that eats my mom’s roses is appealing. Although my parent’s are staying put in their home, just yesterday a client of mine put their name on a list for a unit at the Woodbury. Merrill Gardens is another new option in Lafayette that is centrally located on Second Street and Mount Diablo Blvd. There are 85 senior living apartments and several different levels of care provided to residents. For example, there is independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care services. Monthly rent includes all meals, housekeeping, transportation, utilities, maintenance, and more, and it starts at $3,500 per month. Other services include anytime dining, activities, and concierge services. The apartments have kitchens and washer/dryers, and current availability includes studio and 1-bedroom apartments, with a waitlist for 2-bedroom apartments. The city of Lafayette planning department offers an up-to-date list of housing options in Lafayette including rentals and new potential building projects under review. This is a great source of information. You can follow plans like the KB Homes project on Dewing between BART and Petco. To learn more, check out their website at http://www.ci.lafayette.ca.us/city-hall/ city-departments/planning-building/housing. Please feel free to call or email me with your real estate questions or for a free home evaluation. I can be reached at (925) 951-3817 or by email at Advertorial erin@erinmartinhomes.com.
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.
Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973
Since 1973
3191-J Crow Canyon Pl San Ramon Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 866-2200 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com
In Loehmann’s Shopping Center (next to Lucky’s)
2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
Page 12 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Technology Matters
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Your privacy is very important. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you are aware of how little of your pubic-data privacy still exists, in particular because of the arrival of so many online databases. There are still things that are not publicly available, however, and if you wish to keep them to yourself, read on. In my experience there are three primary methods by which your personal data gets exposed. The first is when your computer becomes infected and information is electronically gleaned by the “bad guys,” such as by a keystroke logger. The second is when we voluntarily give our information away, such as when we’re tricked by a “phishing” expedition into divulging personal information, perhaps over the phone. The third is when our computing gear is stolen, such as when your laptop, tablet, or smartphone is stolen out of your bag. It’s this third scenario I’m going to focus on, because it has unfortunately become so prevalent. Luckily, there are ways to protect against someone taking advantage of your information if they steal your device. In the financial and medical sectors, it’s now common practice to apply disk encryption to laptops and desktops containing client financial or patient medical information. You may have heard of a recent case where the San Bernardino terrorists used an iPhone’s protection capability, and the FBI was asking for Apple’s help to open the system. How that plays out is anyone’s guess, but suffice it to say, the protection certainly did its job and is impeding the FBI’s ability to get at the information they need to break open the details of the attack. Disk encryption is a process by which the data on the hardisk is scrambled in a predetermined manner according to a specific “key” usually 128, 256 or more characters in length, which is safely held by the owner of the computer. If someone unauthorized attempts to read that hardisk information without the decryption key, the data on the disk appears scrambled, unreadable. We are told that even a certain government agency with a football-field-sized computer facility under their building in Maryland does not have enough computing
www.yourmonthlypaper.com power necessary to “break” a basic 256 byte encryption key. There currently isn’t enough computing power assembled in one place to break one of these keys in anything resembling a timely manner. What we are attempting to do with encryption is to drive the cost of the theft up so high that nobody would have the resources required to get at the information. When it becomes clear there is no way to access this data within their lifetime, it becomes apparent that it would be more worthwhile for the criminal to find another way to steal the data. In some cases, such as the protected iPhone I mentioned above, there are also built-in mechanisms to fry the device if someone tries to get into it too many times. When that happens, the whole device is scrambled and wiped forever, and the data is lost. In cases like that, you wouldn’t even start trying to decrypt the device because you only get 10 chances before it goes “poof.” If you travel with a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop, I would definitely take steps to protect or encrypt it. As a company owner, I would encrypt every single mobile computer and every computer that contained sensitive compliancerelated information. Encryption is a great way to ensure business-to-business confidentiality agreements are enforceable and to be able to prove your information is being kept safe. There are right ways and wrong ways to do this, so it’s important to have a very good implementation plan before diving into this project. As I mentioned above, if you accidentally lock yourself out of a system, you will not get back in, so an implementation using the right products and methods is crucial. Also, not all encryption systems are created equal, so its best to evaluate which type of system would be best suited for your environment. The most prevalent complaint regarding encryption is that because it involves so much CPU and disk overhead, it can slow down your computer. Encryption definitely works better on a newer, well-configured computer, and I would never recommend it on a computer more than a year or two old, or on one with less than an Intel i5 processor. These are some of the things you should consider before installing encryption. Talk to a professional before you take the plunge so you have a great experience. You may always reach us at info@theportablecio.com, or 925-552-7953. Advertorial
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 13
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Contra Costa’s County Animal Services Department is Serving You
Nearly every community in Contra Costa utilizes the County’s Animal Services Department. Antioch is the only city that has its own program. Contra Costa’s Animal Services Department is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all people and animals in our community through enforcing state and local laws, providing compassionate care for every animal regardless of its temperament or condition, and reducing the number of animals that enter our County shelters. To help the County achieve its mission, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recently appointed Beth Ward to be the new animal services director. She replaced retired director Glenn Howell, who had served the department for over a decade. Ms. Ward brings a wealth of experience in animal service and welfare. She came to the County after serving as the vice president of the Silicon Valley Humane Society and previously as the director of animal care for the Peninsula Humane Society. Ms. Ward plans to place an increased emphasis on lifesaving, with a goal of significantly reducing the number of euthanized animals, animal surrenders, and increasing the department’s live-release rates. Contra Costa Animal Services is the largest animal welfare organization in Contra Costa County. The department operates two shelters, in Martinez and Pinole, where it provides high-quality animal care services: shelters homeless, abandoned and lost animals; places animals in safe, caring homes; and provides education and services to enhance the lives of people and their animal companions. Since most cities rely on the County’s Animal Services, our officers are kept quite busy. The job duties and responsibilities of our Animal Services Officers range far and wide. Below are just some of the services our Officers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants perform on a daily basis. • Animal cruelty investigations • Illegal animal fighting investigations (dog fighting and cockfighting) • Sick and injured animal pick-up (domestic animals and wildlife) • Loose and/or injured livestock response • Animal rescue • Stray dog patrols • Nuisance investigations • Response to dead or live animal impound requests • Response to rattlesnake calls • Public education regarding the safe handling and humane care of animals Are you interested in helping? Our Animal Services team is always in need of volunteers. The only requirement is that you must be at least 18 years of age. Some areas that need volunteers include Martinez Lost and Found, Canine Companion, Feline Friend, Bunny Buddy, Humane Education, Mobile Adoption Team, and Foster Program, to name but a few. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Noell Crosse, Manager, Volunteer Program at (925) 335-8335 or via email at Noell.Crosse@asd.cccounty.us. For more information, to file a complaint, or to request assistance on any of the above, please call (925) 335-8300 Tuesday through Friday, 8AM to 9PM, and Saturday 8:30AM to 5PM. After regular business hours or on Sunday, Monday, and major holidays, please call the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (925) 646-2441. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
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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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Page 14 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Spring Pruning
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
Once again, it’s that time of year when the landscape grows lush, beautiful... and out of control. At Brende & Lamb, we prune to balance the practical with the aesthetic. When our clients ask us to restore their views, bring more light into their gardens, and reduce fire hazards, we do our best to keep their screening intact and to protect their privacy. At the same time, we work hard to enhance the natural beauty of their trees. Balancing your tree care needs are skills we’ve developed over decades of caring for trees.
Aesthetic Pruning
Each plant has a natural growth pattern. Aesthetic pruning accentuates the shape given the plant by nature, and good pruning creates a light and open feeling. A well pruned plant enhances the observer’s experience by accentuating the interplay of light and shadow, open spaces and denser spaces, and the sculptural elements revealed in a tree’s trunk and branch. The first step in aesthetic pruning is to see the flow of the tree. We begin by looking at the base of the trunk, and then we let our eyes follow the trunk upward into the branches and out to the branch tips. We notice how the flow of the branches determines the tree’s form. The form may be weeping, as with Willows and Chinese Elms. Perhaps, as with Monterey Cypress, the branches form at acute angles to the trunk, giving the tree an upswept look. Or the branches may bend and twist, forming complex arcs, as does the Coast Live Oak. Within these patterns, each tree has its own unique form and flow.
Pruning and Size Reduction
It is important to prune in a manner that does not harm the health of the tree. When thinning a pine, for example, it is important not to strip the major branches of their smaller branches, a practice called “lion-tailing” which leaves a branch denuded except for foliage at the end. Lion-tailing increases
Gardening with Kate By Kathleen Guillaume
We have had a taste of spring! There have been weeks in the high 60s and 70s, white and pink blossoms of wild plums blooming along the roads, fields painted with a broad brush of yellow mustard, birds more raucous and more melodic filling our gardens with song, trees laden with oranges and lemons, and newly nourished apple green weeds sprouting everywhere. Here we are on the edge of April, the month when we can fill our garden with tomato seedlings and watch our apple, pear, and peach trees bloom with promises for an abundant summer. We are sitting on the beginning of my favorite time of year...spring! Spring brings rebirth and longer days to share with those we love. Right now I am waiting for my order of clematis (three that I couldn’t resist, one an early bloomer and two early summer bloomers which repeat blooms in late summer) to arrive. I need something to climb my peach tree and my climbing roses. My soil is finely dry enough to work and weed without compressing it. I am filled with expectation for the bounty of blooms and fruit and veggies to come. As a reminder, ‘Our Garden,’ the great demonstration garden in Walnut Creek run by Master Gardeners, will be starting their free classes soon. In April they will also have their huge heirloom tomato and veggie sale. Pull out your calendars and mark April 2nd to stop by their site at North Wiget and Shadelands Drive. As a special treat, veggie guru and Lafayette Garden Club’s own Janet Miller will be giving classes during the sale at 11am and 1pm on site for those who have either not yet tried to grow their own tomatoes and summer vegetables, or those who have tried but not yet found the success they were hoping for. There will be close to 12,000 seedlings for sale... plenty for everyone. Visit www.ccmg.ucanr.edu for more information. When you think that heirloom tomatoes sell in grocery stores for $2.89 to $4+ dollars a pound or on average $2.80/per tomato, growing your own is the best gift you can give to yourself and your family...all you need is sun, patience, and a bee-friendly garden. I always plant thyme and a flowering sterile basil African Blue by my tomatoes to draw bees toward them for pollination. If your
www.yourmonthlypaper.com the chance of branch failure by concentrating the weight at the branch tips. A healthier tree, and more subtly beautiful look, is achieved by thinning to highlight the spaces or “layers” in a tree’s natural patterns. Removing diseased wood, and removing or reducing crossing branches that interrupt the natural flow, lets in more light and air, encouraging interior growth and overall health. Careful pruning can increase desired screening over time by encouraging interior growth.
Aesthetic View Work
In view work, the beauty of the view and the beauty of the tree often seem to be in conflict. Some tree-workers will sacrifice the tree for the view by “topping” the tree. Topping is almost always a bad idea. “Topping” creates a dense re-growth in “water-sprouts” that is unsightly. But more than the tree’s beauty is at stake here. Topping wounds the tree and promotes disease, including heart rot, and can make the tree dangerous. The water-sprouts on a topped tree are not deeply anchored in the trunk and are subject to failure in high winds. Add in the fact that these sprouts may be anchored onto a rotting trunk, and you have a safety problem that gets worse over time. Responsible arborists do not top trees. Removing a tree, perhaps replacing it with a smaller variety that can be kept out of the view, is usually preferable to beheading it. Looking at tree and view as two elements that complement each other can often solve view problems. Sometimes, lightly bringing the tree back without cutting into major branches can prevent further encroachment on the view. To open even more of the view, we create windows by selectively removing branches not essential for the tree’s natural form. We can enlarge these windows by removing branchlets that rise or drop into the view. Thinning above and below the window creates a feeling of openness, rather than a gaping hole. The image formed by Mt. Diablo framed by the trembling leafs of a well-windowed tree proves that nature and civilization can complement each other. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial nursery doesn’t carry this blooming sterile basil (which doesn’t get bitter when it sets flowers), you can find them at Morningside Herb Farm in Vacaville, www. morningsideherbfarm.com. I always call first to make sure they have them available, and then I go pick them up with a friend. After buying my basil and specialties like orange thyme, we stop by Fenton’s Creamery for a sundae before the trip home. It makes a great day trip. They will also ship their plants, although a road trip and a hot fudge sundae is way more fun than waiting for UPS at home. This is the time of year that I add chicken manure or bat guano to my veggie beds. After adding the amendments the garden needs a cooling off time of at least four weeks before planting as both manures are very hot and will burn new and fragile roots. For dressing other beds I mix the manure with compost in a wheelbarrow and let it age until it cools a bit. I have a tarp that I can secure over the wheelbarrow in case rain is expected, and when the soil is ready I top dress the rest of my garden before putting down mulch. Now is also time to spray both roses and fruit trees and the soil beneath and around them with a non-toxic horticultural oil. Be sure the ground is free of all plant debris, especially around the base of roses. The oil needs to be applied when no rain is expected for at least 4-5 days. The oil holds down mold spores like rust, black spot, leaf curl, etc. The oil needs to be sprayed on fruit trees as they are budding out, before they set blossoms. I spray everything again after I set down a layer of bark mulch to finish off and help retain soil moisture. Roses can be re-sprayed if you notice problems starting during their bloom cycle. Late winter/early spring is a busy time in any garden, but it is easy to get in the swing of things because we are on the very edge of everything bursting into bloom. Happy Gardening!
HairCare Professionals and MassageTherapists Needed Hospice of the East Bay provides care to terminally ill patients and their families in their homes or facilities throughout Contra Costa County. Many of our patients benefit greatly from a haircut or hair set or from the gentle and compassionate touch of a massage therapist. Would you be interested in volunteering a few hours a month to provide comfort to our patients? If so, please call the Volunteer Department at Hospice of the East Bay, (925) 887-5678. (License/Massage Certification Required).
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Life in the Lafayette Garden
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 15
Design and Budget By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
If you browse through my website or Houzz portfolio, you will see projects that are quite distinctively different. People have commented on how different each garden is. I find it intriguing that many questions I am asked are about Design and Budget, so it inspired me to write about it. I want to dispel the myth that good creative design is expensive! First, expensive is relative to each family’s budget. Every project and client is different. Therefore, everybody’s design goals and budget are different. Budgets are purely client driven by their wants and scope of the project. Everyone has a list of what they want and desire. Some clients have BIG want lists and are willing to “invest” in the budget to HAVE what they want, while others only want some simple advice to do the work themselves. I work with my clientele hand-in-hand with Design and Budget. I am well aware that while design options are limitless, most budgets are not. Good creative design need not be expensive; good creative design needs to be executed within the budget parameters. I require my clients to make tough decisions about their wants and budget so as to meet their expectations. The last thing I want is to create a beautiful garden on paper that isn’t within reach financially; I am committed to having my clients living in them! When a client interviews our firm to do their project, they basically want to know two things: “How much are your fees going to be,” and “How much is my project going to cost?” To answer the first question, which is easier to answer, my fee for every project; whether or not it is a landscape renovation, small project or a big one, is based on the scope of services I provide. I love working on all aspects of a garden. We have three basic services: consulting, design, and construction assistance. My landscape design team has a two hour minimum for consulting on items like garden spruce ups, drought renovations, flower pots, and annual color borders, etc. Our design services include garden make-overs, conceptual master plans, construction documents, and planting plans. Construction assistance includes helping you with contractor selection, bids, on-site decisions, and project observation. In response to the second question, project costs are driven by a client’s wants. People know what they want, but often times they don’t know what it costs. In general, client’s wants exceed what they think it’s going to cost! The way I work gives you choice over what you invest. I am interested in identifying how much you are willing to “invest” into your home and what’s appropriate to the home and your family budget. Before I design anything I evaluate your wants and desires, and I weigh those items against your budget. Once these parameters are understood, I begin the design, and at every step of the process I provide a lineitem cost analysis so choices and decisions can be made regarding the design and budget concurrently. I love what I do! With more than 35 years in the garden, my clients’ and my own, I understand the enjoyment we receive from our gardens, whether small or large. Not only am I a licensed landscape architect, but I am also a passionate gardener! I am dedicated to designing garden environments that produce the feelings you wish to have when you are in them: inspiration, rejuvenation, relaxation, playful, peaceful… Good creative design doesn’t have to be expensive; it has to be good creative design within your budget! A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Over the years I have observed that good design can save you money in the long run by doing it right the first time! Gardening Quote of the month: How much the making of a garden, no
matter how small, adds to the joy of living, only those who practice the arts and the science can know. ~ E. H. Wilson 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
Page 16 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Social Security Loopholes Take a Hit
By George M. Noceti, CRPS® -Wealth Advisor and Paul A. Noceti, Financial Planning Specialist with The Integra Group at Morgan Stanley
As part of last year’s Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Congress approved some major changes to Social Security which could impact your benefits. Designed to eliminate “loopholes,” the new rules will mostly impact married dual-income couples. It is estimated that couples could stand to lose as much as $60,000 in benefits as a result of these changes.1
The “File and Suspend” Strategy
The biggest change is the elimination of the popular “file and suspend” strategy. Leveraging this strategy, an individual could file for benefits at Full Retirement Age, then immediately suspend payments. The spouse could then file to receive a spousal benefit. The spousal benefit could be equal to half of the benefit amount of the spouse who had suspended the benefit. This strategy allowed for a payout of benefits to the household, while both individuals still continued to grow benefits until age 70 at the rate of 8% per year. Under the new law, spousal or dependent benefits can only be collected once the filer has started collecting their social security benefits. There are exceptions. Anyone born on or before May 1, 1950 is still eligible to file and suspend. Executing this strategy will permit others in the household to become eligible to collect benefits based on the individual who has filed. To do so, paperwork must be submitted by April 29, 2016.
The “Restricted Application” Strategy
Another change eliminated the ability for dual-earner couples to effectively double claim. Under this loophole, a spouse could choose to file
www.yourmonthlypaper.com to collect only a spousal benefit upon reaching the full retirement age, then later switch to their own benefits which will most likely be higher due to delayed claiming (at a rate of 8% a year until age 70). Under the new law, anyone born after Jan 1, 1954, will no longer be allowed to start collecting a spousal benefit upon full retirement age and delay collecting their own benefit. Those born before this date can continue to file for a spousal benefit at their Full Retirement Age and defer their individual benefit to a later time. Also, the changes won’t necessarily apply to a widow or widower. A surviving spouse could still claim a survivor benefit and defer his or her own retirement provided the survivor has not already filed to receive benefits. Determining the maximum possible Social Security benefits for a household can be quite complicated, depending on age, life expectancy, age disparity, income, and other factors. We know Social Security can be an important part of your retirement income, so it’s a good idea to discuss your Social Security strategy with your Financial Advisor to see how it may impact your long-term goals. Reach out to me with any questions you might have.
Contacting Us
For further information on how our advice can better help you plan for retirement, as well as a complimentary Medicare Review, Social Security Review, and Financial Plan Review, please contact us at George M. Noceti, CRPS® - Wealth Advisor 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: 1 New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/your-money/the-end-of-social-security-loopholes-what-now.html Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial 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. The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). 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 Advertorial security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned. © 2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Guarding Against Will and Trust Contests By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
In the course of drafting a Will, Will amendment (Codicil), Revocable Living Trust, or a Trust amendment (collectively referred to as “estate planning documents,”) some clients ask about the best way to prevent someone from challenging the applicable documents in the future. This is a fair question but not necessarily a simple one to answer. Generally, there is no legal inheritance assumption or expectation. If someone is not designated as a beneficiary under an estate planning document, she will typically only prevail in a Will or Trust contest if compelling evidence proves that the decedent nevertheless intended her to be a beneficiary. An exception applies for a spouse or child who has been “omitted” or “pretermitted.” This law gives relief to a spouse or child when a person (hereafter referred to as a “testator”): a) establishes a Will or Trust; b) later marries and/or has a child; and c) dies without amending her documents to provide for the spouse or child. Essentially, the law presumes that the spouse or child was inadvertently omitted by the testator. The scope of this law and associated planning is beyond the scope of this article; however, careful drafting of estate planning documents - before and after a testator marries (or remarries) or has children (or additional children) - is critical to prevent unintended consequences. Aside from the above exception, anyone can generally file a contest of a Will or a Trust on any number of grounds. Common grounds are: lack of capacity, undue influence, forgery, lack of due execution, duress, fraud, revocation, or that a beneficiary is a “disqualified” person (a relevant statute presumptively voids gifts to certain people). Of course, a contestant may or may not have valid or strong legal grounds and thus may or may not prevail in the litigation. What reasonable steps can a testator take to try to prevent the filing of a Will or Trust contest? First and foremost, the testator should obtain expert legal advice from an experienced trust/estates attorney. The attorney should make a threshold determination about: whether the testator has legal “capacity” - basically the ability to understand who her close relatives are, what her assets consist of, and to whom she wishes to receive those assets upon her death. The attorney should also assess whether there are signs that the testator is being unduly influenced by anyone about the terms of the Will or Trust being created or amended. Next, a “no contest” provision - commonly included in estate planning documents - should be considered. The objective of such a clause is to help prevent a Will or Trust contest when a contestant has no probable cause to support the filing of the lawsuit. If included, such a clause should be comprehensive, clearly drafted and consistent with current applicable law (which changed materially in 2010). As the examples below suggest, a testator needs sound legal advice about a prospective “no contest” provision and related estate planning document terms. Under a properly drafted “no contest” clause, if any beneficiary files a contest or challenges the validity of applicable estate planning documents and is found by a judge to have done so without probable cause (i.e. grounds), then the contestant loses the right to receive whatever beneficial interest she would otherwise have received under the documents. Suppose that a testator has an estate of $2 million and she wants to execute estate planning documents that: a) completely disinherit her son, and b) contain a “no contest” clause. While this is fine conceptually, an important practical problem exists. Regardless of how weak or non-existent the son’s grounds may be to contest his mother’s estate planning documents, the clause doesn’t provide a useful “stick” if he still chooses to do so. If the son files and loses the Will or Trust contest litigation, he hasn’t lost or risked anything (except attorneys’ fees) - he would have received nothing under the documents anyway. Alternatively, if her documents include a relatively modest cash gift (say, $50,000 or $100,000) to her son, then the “stick” may be effective in pre-empting a potential Will or Trust contest by him. In that event, if he files a contest without probable cause and loses, he would forfeit the $50,000 or $100,000 that he would have otherwise received. I offer a complimentary Estate Planning Primer and/or a free, introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group specializing in estate planning, trust administration and probate, real estate, and business taxes. They are 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 is not intended nor should it be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial
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Menopause Matters
Factual information about changes in health and wellness after a woman’s final menstrual period By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
I want to share evidenced based scientific information endorsed by the North American Menopause Society-NAMS (www.menopause.org), the professional medical society devoted exclusively to menopausal health in North American women. To understand why menopause matters … some overview of menopause definitions, demographics, and quality of life are in order. Menopause represents the permanent cessation of menses resulting from the loss of ovarian function. Menopause is a normal, physiologic event, defined as 12 months following a woman’s final menstrual period (FMP). There is no blood test that can tell you when your menopause will occur. Menopause has different stages (pre/transition/post), to be defined in future columns) and is most often a naturally occurring event (spontaneously) such that by 52-years-old, about 50% of women have not had a period for 12 months. Menopause can also be induced through medical intervention (surgery, chemotherapy, and pelvic radiation therapy). Accurate information about physiologic changes, management of meno-
Aspirin and Colorectal Cancer By Jewel Johl, MD
Colorectal cancer ranks among the most common malignancies in the United States and other economically developed countries. Approximately six percent of individuals will be diagnosed with this malignancy during their lifetime. The risk of colorectal cancer can be reduced by screening with colonoscopy. Besides screening, prevention of this cancer through use of certain diets, change in lifestyle factors, and use of medications has been an area of active research in recent years. In the late 1980’s, aspirin use was coincidentally found to lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Since then, various clinical studies have been conducted that have shown that aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the risk of adenomas in the colon (which are precursors of colon cancer in most cases) and colorectal cancer in the range of 20-40%. Some studies have shown an even greater benefit. While most of the studies were conducted in patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer such as those with a history of colon cancer or adenomas, other studies have also found benefit of aspirin and NSAIDS in people without any risk of colorectal cancer. The way aspirin and NSAIDS reduce the risk of development of adenomas, polyps, and colorectal cancer has also been studied extensively. These medications have been shown to reduce formation of cancer through inhibition of certain enzymes in the cells that promote cancer growth. While we do know the beneficial effects of aspirin and NSAIDS for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, the question still remains in terms of optimal dose and duration of use of these medications. Some studies have shown benefit of using 81 mg of aspirin, while others used 325 mg dose of aspirin. Duration of aspirin use also varied between two years to more than five years. While the dose and duration of aspirin has varied considerably in various clinical studies, most of them have shown a consistent benefit in terms of reducing the risk of developing colon cancer. One must also be aware of risks of taking aspirin include bleeding from the stomach and other parts of intestine and risk of kidney injury, and therefore you should always consult with your physician to see if aspirin or NSAIDs are right for you. Regular screening colonoscopies and healthy diet have proven benefits without major risks and should always be a priority. Dr. Johl is a Medical Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group. He sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Brentwood. Join Dr. Johl and other medical experts at an educational event focusing on the unique issues of patients with colon cancer on March 24 at 6:30PM at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. For more information, call (925) 677-5041. Advertorial
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 17 pause symptoms, and reducing disease risk is essential to midlife. Today most women live far beyond their FMP, which was not always the case. Approximately 6,000 U.S. women reach menopause every day, and by 2020 there will be well over 50 million women who are no longer menstruating. Women can expect to spend approximately a third of their lives living after their FMP. My goal is to help you live this third of your life while maintaining a high quality of life (QOL). All women experience menopause, but each one does so in a unique way. Some may view the end of fertility as liberation from needing to use birth control, while others may grieve for the children they never had. The level of menopausal symptoms will also have an influence on how a woman perceives her “unique” menopause. Diverse social and cultural differences can affect a woman’s experience of menopause and her view of menopause treatments, all contributing to her overall health and well being. In one study 80% of women experiencing menopause reported no decrease in quality of life (QOL); 75% of women denied experiencing any loss in their attractiveness. Most (62%) women reported positive attitudes toward menopause itself. Only about 10% of postmenopausal women participating in community-based studies reported feelings of despair, irritability, or fatigue during the menopause transition. Fortunately, today menopause is better understood and more openly discussed then ever before. Collaboration between a woman and her healthcare professional (family practice, internal medicine, ob/gyn), characterized by mutual respect and trust, is the goal of menopausal counseling. Menopause counseling can facilitate informed decision-making and validate a woman’s confidence in her decisions and in her ability to carry them out or modify them over time. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is a trusted resource that can help patients around the country find a doctor who is a certified menopausal practitioner. On the NAMS website (www.menopause. org) click on the “For Women” title and then you will find a link under the Menopause FAQs to “Find a Menopause Practitioner.” I hope that you find this monthly column scientifically factual and informative in maximizing your health and wellness for this time in your life, that is why menopause matters. Future columns will explore timing of important health screens, midlife body changes, clinical issues such as hot flashes/night sweats (which can happen during the day), and changes in vaginal and urinary health. I plan to share NAMS opinions about complimentary and alternative medicines, and non-prescription and prescription therapies for the various clinical diagnoses that can affect women in menopause. Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page: Timothy Leach MD for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925935-6952. Advertorial
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Page 18 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
A Physician First
By Dr. Barbara Persons, MD, FACS
Recently, I had a discussion with someone who was considering career choices. They confided in me and asked if they should pursue being an investment banker or a plastic surgeon. To many, these aspirations might seem similar: two careers, each offering the hope of success and prosperity. Shouldn’t we all pursue such dreams? I offered the best advice I could. “I know very little about investment banking,” I said, “but from my perspective as a plastic surgeon, I believe there is another choice you must make first.” I explained that long before mastering the field of surgery, a person must first choose to become a physician. I explained that this path means caring for people and finding joy in it. In the field of medicine--increasingly so as the taxonomy of healthcare broadens--we are given many options. We may choose to be a dermatologist or an obstetrician. Some choose radiology, and others, like me, are drawn to surgery. In the end, however, being a physician comes first. No matter what specialty we choose, we become, and should always remain, doctors. Any medical student will tell you that the moment they entered training, family and friends began asking for counsel. I am sure that most of my colleagues will remember those first years of medical school: everyone asked us for advice, and we probably gave it, thinking we already knew so much. That kind of enthusiasm shouldn’t change over the years, but unfortunately it sometimes does. So when I was asked for career advice, I found myself answering a bigger question. Is it possible to dedicate oneself to something truly loved? And does that choice include a commitment to service and compassion? The answer is yes. For me, going into medicine was a calling. I became a physician for two reasons. The first was simple: a sense of duty. The second is one I hold dear: the wonder of forming relationships with people in their time of need. Some might describe it as a sacrifice; holidays, weekends, and nights are dedicated to helping patients. But it has never felt like a sacrifice to me. Being a physician is honorable, and it offers me purpose. It gives me great pleasure, and I go home feeling good about what I do. Sometimes my job is challenging, but
www.yourmonthlypaper.com the most difficult moments pale in comparison to what patients feel when they are in pain or chronically ill. In my experience, many doctors forget the idea of what it feels like to be a patient. Separating ourselves can be a way to keep an even keel, but this risks alienating the very people we are trying to help. It is tempting to believe that work is better left at the office. “Don’t take your patients home with you,” I have been told. And although it is important to maintain a good balance between my personal and professional life, I do, ultimately, take my patients home with me. I think about patients in my car as I drive home, and I look forward to seeing them when I wake up in the morning. Medicine is part of who I am, and I don’t think of it as a job or occupation. Rather, it is something I have chosen because I believe in it. This perspective has actually helped me be a more energetic surgeon and a more complete person. It is thus that I think those of us with a stronger sense of calling are more resilient to the challenges of our profession. We enjoy what we do. It informs us, shapes us, and makes us better people. Becoming a board certified plastic surgeon took more than a decade of training. But along the way, I was a doctor to my patients. I find comfort in the fact that simply caring for people is something I still do on a daily basis. Over the years, I have watched our healthcare system transform and policies evolve. Many of us feel swept up in the changes; we are not sure what to predict and how it will affect us. I hope that whatever system emerges will allow doctors to follow their calling, as I have done. I hope that if we have been called to serve, we will be able to do it. How will that happen? Who among us should choose this path? These are difficult questions. In the end, however, I have begun to recognize that even the most complex questions have a simple answer. For me, the answer is taking care of my patients and finding joy in it. I am so grateful to have found my calling, for it is one that inspires and rewards me in equal measures. I am a surgeon, but I am also a physician; both are roles I am honored to fulfill. I look forward to meeting you at my practice soon. Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925-283-4012 Advertorial or drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com.
MRAS continued from front page
Karen Mahshi, founding member and past president of MRAS, met Ira Markham while serving on the City of Concord Street Tree Committee. The Markham Arboretum Society (“Regional” was added subsequently) gained non-profit status in 1981, as Karen and like-minded individuals joined forces to ensure ongoing upkeep and continued enhancement of the Markham land. “When MRAS was founded,” she explains, “we were very involved with trees. The space was simply called ‘the Nature Park.’ We insisted that ‘arboretum’ should be included in the title to emphasize the unique resources of the property.” Mahshi, a landscape architect, drew plans for the International Garden in 1989. Following city approval, planting began in 1996. Today the site showcases plants from seven global areas with indigenous species adapted to the East Bay’s hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Each space is scaled to present a miniature landscape easily replicated in home gardens. Five acres added to the property contain 26 community gardens, an education/office building, and a nursery. After Ira remarried and moved in 1983, the city kept the original house as a rental, demolishing it when deemed structurally unsound in 2001. That same year MRAS tagged and mapped 600 trees, including 84 genera and 133 species. MRAS selected 45 native and exotic species to highlight on the Tree Walk, a relatively flat trail through 2.4 acres. MRAS Past-President and current Vice-President, Fundraising, Arti Kirch has gotten involved in almost every aspect of the organization. Often volunteering more hours weekly than any paid position would demand, she is totally enthused about her commitment. “I don’t think there’s a better thing to do,” she says. “Ask anyone who has visited, and they will tell you that the Markham offers such solace – a refuge for all living things from the many challenges of our lives – that caring for it is caring for our community. It is also a place to make a stand for what sustainability looks like as we confront climate change.”
A few MRAS Board members pose beside the International Garden sign installed as Nick Lambert’s Eagle Project. L to R: Ron Harryman, Treasurer; Judy Sherwood, President: Elaine Groen, Secretary; Stan Stansbury, new member; Arti Kirch (foreground), VP Fundraising.
Kirch is proud of Markham’s leadership in demonstrating the bounty and beauty of plants naturally adapted to supporting Contra Costa life. “Plants are thrilling. The drama that goes on with them – their lust for life, survival and reproduction – is heightened for me by a basic fact: life as we know it – like oxygen in the atmosphere – is simply not possible without them.” As an almost all-volunteer organization (part-time paid positions are Nursery Manager and Administration), MRAS is able to offer trail-walks and classes at remarkably affordable prices (frequently free to members) and sometimes, like the March 12th presentation, free to all. During that Saturday’s 9-1 plant sale, Diane Goldsmith will enlighten attendees from 1011:30AM on “Adding Succulents to an Existing Garden.“ Diane has gardened in Orinda for 30 years and is a member of the Association of Professional
See MRAS continued on page 21
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Your Personal Nutritionist
Consulting with Companies on In-House Meals and Snacks By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
I see many clients that work in offices from Bishop Ranch to Silicon Valley to San Francisco. Their employers frequently offer generous lunches and snacks galore. Yes, this certainly keeps people at work and allows for bonding and the social connections necessary to create a successful business. Such a benefit, however, is offset by the fact that one of my new clients has gained 20 pounds and is prediabetic in the two years he has worked at his job. Unfortunately, the person who orders the food at most companies is usually an administrative assistant who makes orders according to a preset budget from a local catering company or restaurant and makes their food decisions based on what they think is popular. The owners or executives of these companies are usually too busy to put time into deciding what is the most nutritious for their staff and do not realize that the choices are causing weight gain and health problems. I frequently provide lunch presentations at many local companies. At one of my “Lunch and Learn” presentations on Food and Mood, I was discussing how food affects one’s mood, and there I was surrounded by the normal vending machines and baskets of Cokes, juices, candy, and chips. I was struck by the contrast of my audience learning about healthy food choices in their daily lives but never giving a thought about their junky food supply at work. As usual, I was honest in my talk and said if they wanted to feel most efficient on the job, the selection of snacks and drinks had to change. At another recent engagement at a high tech firm in Oakland I saw spaghetti and meatballs for lunch with garlic bread and a Caesar salad. I call this sleepy food. It is high in fat and carbs with very little protein and fiber. Most of the people were surprised with what I said because they love their free lunches. But, how can anyone be successful at eating well if they are eating these unhealthy lunches? I told the lunch presentation attendee to ask his boss about having me come to consult with the company to change their vendor selections and cater-
TeleCare Connects with the Homebound
Since 1971, member volunteers of TeleCare, a philanthropic program of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, have been making daily reassurance calls, Monday through Friday, to those in our community who are homebound. As the chapter’s longest standing philanthropic program, TeleCare empowers the clients, no matter what their ages, to remain in their homes. What ensures this is a daily confidential journal kept for each client that member volunteers consult prior to the phone calls then update accordingly. Last year alone, member volunteers devoted 765 hours to connecting with homebound clients. Unfortunately, many clients are socially isolated and don’t have anyone to check on them daily. Statistics indicate that loneliness can cause a 20% decline in health, a number that increases for seniors, the elderly and the homebound. TeleCare not only offsets that statistic, it ultimately serves as a safety net for clients and their families especially if volunteer callers are unable to reach the client. If you live alone or know someone who does, a daily phone call would be a great way to stay connected with life and make new friends. Other TeleCare activities include attending an annual holiday party to meet fellow clients and member volunteers face to face, as well as receiving greeting cards from the Assisteens®, an auxiliary where kids learn to participate in a community service at a young age. So make that call to get you or someone you know connected. For more information about TeleCare, please phone 925-934-0901.
925.934.3743 • 925.934.1515
www.dumploadsonus.com • www.erecycleonus.com 1271 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek Monday-Friday, 8-5 • Saturday 9-1, Sunday, closed
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 19 ing menu while sticking to the company budget. My initial consultation there has grown to where now I work with numerous companies in the Bay Area. Luckily, many of these companies I work with are located close to a Trader Joe’s which carry items included on a list I wrote of snacks for the company to have on hand at the office. In addition, I have met with their vending machine suppliers to arrange having beverages containing no sugar such as Propel, iced tea, and sparkling flavored waters. I worked with the managers of several catering companies who were providing meals to the companies and was able to create menus that consisted of the food items available in their kitchen that still could be provided within their budget. The employees were thrilled about the change in seeing more interesting entrees such as chicken piccata with spinach and whole wheat pasta, a spring mixed salad, pork tenderloin with couscous and mixed veggies, and a spinach salad. Every meal presented is now high in protein and always accompanied by a cooked vegetable, salad, and whole wheat grain. I consulted with another company in San Francisco, and I was able to get a listing of the favorite restaurants in the area that commonly cater business meeting lunches. I worked with the restaurant menus and each chef was very amenable to my suggestions such as serving more protein and more veggies in their entrees offered to the companies. Most restaurants indicated they would be happy to provide the menus we created as long as there were at least ten meals which were easily met. We set up a schedule that worked for the company, and the feedback has been amazing. The lesson to be learned is please do not eat food each day that you know is not healthy and does not help with efficiency on the job. Talk to other coworkers along with those people that do the ordering, and understand that making changes in the menu can be still be cost effective. I am available to guide you through the process to help your office have better nutrition and prevent weight gain and other health problems. Good news! Health Insurance will pay for nutritional counseling - Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Hill Physicians, Sutter Health, and other major companies. Please refer to my website www.LindaRD.com for past articles and information about services. Feel free to call me at (925)855-0150 or email lifeweight1@yahoo.com. Advertorial
Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter
Page 20 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
Robotic Surgery Opens New Frontiers for Surgeons and their Patients By Eugenia Kang, M.D., West Coast Surgical Associates
Colon Cancer Awareness Month arrives in March, and it reminds me of a recent interaction I had with a patient whose colon polyp was suspicious for cancer – and he needed an operation to remove it. He wanted to know why I wanted to take his colon out using the robot to help me perform the operation. It’s a question I answer fairly frequently, since there are many ways to remove a colon polyp or cancer -- so why do I prefer to operate with a robot? A major paradigm shift in surgery came at the end of last century with the advent of laparoscopy, or minimally invasive surgery. Using small incisions, surgeons can fix things internally without open surgery (using an incision big enough to insert a surgeon’s hand), avoiding the associated pain, longer hospitalization, and slower recovery for the patient who has a bigger open incision. The minimally invasive technology has significantly advanced with better instruments and cameras. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery are well known -- less pain, easier recovery, and faster return to work. Robotics is the next step in the world of minimally invasive surgery, and it enhances the surgeon’s view, provides better ergonomics in handling the instruments, and allows for more precision. The technology of the robotic surgery system allows for me as your surgeon to operate through just a few small incisions, operating inside the patient’s body while my surgeon hands remain on the outside. Via these small incisions, I control the instruments in
Hockey continued from front page
The League hopes to become a college feeder program, but as yet, none of the players in the new league have reached college age. Fifteen-year-old Miramonte student Eliza Williams has been playing hockey for four years and hopes to continue at the collegiate level. “My favorite thing about hockey are my teammates who support me through practices and games,” says Eliza. “I also enjoy playing a sport that not many have heard about because it gives me many opportunities to help grow the game and get people involved.”
Twelve-year-old Megan Baginski, a seventh grader at Stanley Middle School, has been playing field hockey for about four months. “I like field hockey because it is different from other sports I have played, and it is fast paced. I hope to play for as long as I can.” USA Field Hockey is currently working to encourage more boys to play. At this point, boys play only at club level, but they do have a path through a “high performance” training program to go on to the Olympics. San Ramon resident Doug Hetzler is the league’s media director, and he’s also an assistant coach. He teaches the new kids the basics, and for teams headed to tournaments, he helps them focus on team strategy. “As the club keeps growing we are hoping to get enough players to put multiple teams in each of the tournaments in the area,” says Hetzler. “We are taking a group of players to the University of North Carolina in July for their summer camp. They are the NCAA Champs and put on an intense camp right at Chapel Hill. Great Fun!” For more information on the league, visit www.eastbayfieldhockey.com, email Elzeth@eastbayfieldhockey.com, or call (925) 785-4666.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com all three dimensions, while the advanced 3D high definition vision system and optics improve my view for better tissue handling and control. The robot features wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand and let me dissect millimeter by millimeter to accomplish fine, precise, and meticulous tissue handling while I see a magnified 3D view right on the screen in front of me – all while I sit at the patient’s side. This translates into more accurate surgery, less tissue trauma during surgery, and less pain for the patient. The robotic platform can be used in specific cases to conduct your procedure via a single incision that hides in the belly button. Patients like that the surgery is minimally invasive, the problem has been fixed, and it is hard to see that they had an operation. The robot has opened an entire new approach to surgery, taking minimally invasive procedures to a higher level of quality and accuracy. Each procedure done with surgery in the operating room has a variety of techniques and approaches which the surgeon will select based on the patient’s health, the surgical problem to be dealt with, and any medical issues that might complicate recovery. The use of the robot has allowed expansion of the surgeon’s capability on selected patients while improving the speed of recovery. I can remove the colon polyp or cancer so the patient can get additional treatment sooner with the robot. I can also use the robot for other procedures such as removing troublesome gallbladders, treating GERD, or fixing abdominal wall hernias. I am happy that I can accomplish those tasks in the most accurate and least disruptive manner for my patient. For my patient with the colon polyp, fortunately he didn’t end up having any cancer, and after the surgery he didn’t have much pain either. My ultimate goal is to help patients quickly get back to their lives. The most fulfilling part of my job is fixing a health problem, eliminating symptoms, and helping patients get back to their activities with the least disruption to their lives. “Happy patient, happy surgeon.” Dr. Kang is a board certified general surgeon with special training in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. She practices with West Coast Surgical Associates (formerly Walnut Creek Surgical Associates) with offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, and San Ramon. For more information call 925-933-0984 or view the surgical team at www.wcsurgeons.com. Advertorial
Cancer Support Community
The following workshops are held at the Cancer Support Community at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. Workshops are free to attend. For more information and reservations, please call (925) 933-0107. • Return to Wellness Series ~ Tuesdays: March 8 – April 26, 5:30 –7:30PM Don’t miss this once a year special 8-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 provided. With Anne Case, LMFT. For those who have completed cancer treatment. • Your Immune System and Cancer Treatment ~ April 19, 6–8PM With Piyush Srivastava, MD, Medical Oncologist, Kaiser Walnut Creek. Learn about one of the most exciting new discoveries and treatments for cancer – immunotherapy. Find out how the immune system interacts with cancer, treatments that are currently available, as well as treatments in development along with tips to manage common side effects. For cancer patients and caregivers.
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Pacific Urology Physicians Named America’s Top Doctors
Pacific Urology is pleased to announce that Castle Connolly has published its newest edition of America’s Top Doctors and has selected Dr. Judson Brandeis and Dr. Parminder Sethi for this exclusive honor. The San Francisco Magazine listed both physicians in their ‘Top Doctors of the Bay Area’ January 2016 edition. This award is given to physicians who are nominated by their peers and meet Castle Connolly’s rigorous criteria including board certification, medical education, training, hospital appointments, disciplinary histories, and much more. Only the top 1% of physicians in their specialty are included in America’s Top Doctors. Dr. Brandeis attended medical school at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, performed transplantation research at Harvard Medical Center, and completed his Urology residency at UCLA. He has served as the Chief of Urology at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for the past six years and Chief of Urology for the Hill Physicians Medical Group for the past five years. Recently he introduced MRI fusion guided 3D prostate biopsies to the East Bay. Dr. Brandeis has an expertise in prostate cancer
Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 21 diagnosis and treatment, as well as the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. He is an expert at kidney stone treatment, female urology, and reconstructive surgery and has performed over 2,000 vasectomies. Dr. Sethi is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and completed his Urology residency at Ohio State University and trained at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Sethi is one of a few urologists who specializes in the use of advanced technology to treat incontinence and overactive bladder and was instrumental in developing Pacific Urology’s Continence Center. His special interests include treatment for incontinence, erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate, as well as bladder reconstructive surgery and minimally invasive kidney stone surgeries. Dr. Brandeis and Dr. Sethi are physicians with Pacific Urology, the surgical division of Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. Together these groups have developed the first Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence in the East Bay. Their team of highly experienced prostate cancer specialists, including daVinci trainedrobotic surgeons, provide patients with a level of care equal to top-tier academic centers. For more information please call (925) 937-7740 Advertorial or visit www.PacificUrology.com.
MRAS continued from page 18
Landscape Designers, a Qualified Water Efficiency Landscaper, and also a Markham member. She will use selections from the Markham Nursery to illustrate plants that work well with succulents. Long before joining the MRAS Board, Patrice Hanlon brought Kids & Creeks groups to the site. Her Markham projects combine her passion for teaching and expertise as long-time Heather Farm Garden Director. “Galindo Creek is a wonderful resource for teaching about wildlife since it is accessible and still natural. It makes you forget you are in an urban area. Exploration of creek critters and the plants living there is an activity that everyone seems to enjoy. Even if they don’t get their feet wet, they love observing what we find.” Hanlon enjoys engaging folks of all ages in investigating the intricate details of flora and fauna. “It’s all about slowing down. It works with all types of groups. Taking a hand lens to look at the shape of a bud or spores on the underside of a fern surprises and delights adults as well as children.” Hanlon welcomes individuals from RES SUCCESS (a program serving adults with developmental disabilities and Autism spectrum disorders) to Markham twice a month. Tasks they enjoy encompass a full range of volunteer activities. “Propagating plants is a great learning tool for adults on the Autism spectrum; they see first hand their accomplishments when their plants grow,” Hanlon notes. “For instance, we divided succulents and repotted them for a fundraiser, and for them it was a chance to see their contribution as volunteers is important.” Tiven Racioppo, MRAS Vice-President, Volunteers & Plant Sales, learned to propagate plants as a Tuesday morning volunteer, never imagining she would become lead volunteer coordinator for MRAS. She explains why Markham volunteers love their work. “Spending three hours in the sunshine, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow volunteers, and getting your hands in the dirt solves a lot of life’s issues.” Tiven is endlessly amazed at how tasks are accomplished. “Each volunteer brings a special gift. It’s rewarding and inspiring to see what they do, and Markham couldn’t do anything without them.” Preparing plants and informative signage for Markham’s major Saturday plant sales is part of Tiven’s role. Danville resident Migget Weber regularly devotes hours to helping. Many enthusiasts, including current MRAS President Judith Sherwood, discover Markham through the sales. Sherwood notes, “I buy mostly natives and some edibles, feeling that yards should provide food and shelter for our wildlife, or food for us.” Her Concord garden has been featured on the Bringing Back the Natives Tour, and Markham will once again be selling plants during the 2016 BBN event on May 2nd and 3rd. “I’ve always found my success rate to be excellent with Markham plants,” she adds. Alamo resident Linda Holmes comments, “I first visited the Markham for
Markham workshops like this one in irrigation educate participants in sustainable practices.
a plant sale that featured unusual tomatoes grown from seed by local people. Markham provided an excellent plant list with detailed descriptions of taste and appearance.” Holmes found Markham when elected President of Diablo Women’s Garden Club. “I felt that part of leading a garden club should be paying attention to and honoring the jewels in our area, so I focused on exploring local parks to share the special treats right here.” Nancy Jan served on the MRAS Board during the 25th anniversary year. Vicki Brown, another Markham supporter, has brought groups for workshops and plant sales. She recalls Chris Christensen, Board Member Emeritus, digging plants from his own yard for her when Markham stock was depleted. Holmes relates, “When I called about adding a few guests to an already full class, Markham made room for them. It’s the kind of organization that cares about helping everyone.” Sherwood believes Markham’s commitment to promoting sustainable practice helps us all. “I feel that we can do a whole lot to make this world a better place just by what we do at home; our talks and classes are a great resource for that.” Scout projects are much appreciated. Recently, Eagle candidate Nick Lambert orchestrated the building and installation of the International Garden entrance sign. Julian Rike earned his Eagle rank organizing the removal of invasive species from Galindo Creek. Markham is tucked into a residential Concord neighborhood at 1202 La Vista Avenue. The park is open dawn till dusk, 365 days a year. Almost every Tuesday plants are sold from 9AM-noon. For special Saturday sale dates, class schedules and more information, visit www.markhamarboretum.org.
Page 22 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
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.
Lunch n’ Learn: Aging in Place with Smart Phone/Tablet Apps 3/31 • 10:30AM – noon • Cedar Room, LSC - Discover helpful apps
designed to make your life easier! You will learn ways to shop at home, access transportation, check your heart rate, and be reminded of birthdays, when to take meds, etc. Focus will be on free apps. Time will be allowed to briefly help individuals log onto the internet, find various settings, etc., so we ask for everyone’s patience as individual help is given. There will also be time for questions and answers. If you are bringing an Apple device, be sure to have your Apple ID with you if you’d like help downloading apps. Lunch generously provided by Merrill Gardens. Space is limited; reservation required by Thursday, March 24. Call Lafayette Senior Services: 284-5050 or email seniors@lovelafayette.org.
Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentations: Art of Balance 3/23 • 11:30AM – 12:30PM • Cedar Room, LSC - If you are
worried about falling or are at risk of falling, you should know about activities that improve balance. Learn how to gain increased balance and avoid the risk of falling. Apple Basics 1st & 3rd Thursdays 3/17 • 11AM – 12:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - This on-going series covers topics such as the technology needed for wireless communication, your Apple ID, iTunes, iCloud, and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for future sessions will be determined by participants’ input and needs. There will be 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.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com - 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, 284-5050. Hearing Screening 4/6, 5/4 • 1:00 - 2:20PM • Alder Room, LSC Please call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to make an appointment. Minimum of two sign-ups required in order for hearing screenings to take place. Drop-In Mah Jongg! Every Tuesday • Noon–3PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Calling all Mah Jongg players! Bring your card and mah jongg set, and join us every Tuesday afternoon. This group is for all levels. ‘As The Page Turns’ Book Club 3rd Tuesday Monthly • 1PM - 2:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - Looking for a good book to discuss with others? Join this informal group of booklovers and enjoy enrichment, lively discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. The group is of mixed gender, and everyone gets to participate in the discussions as well as the selection of books to read. Please call Lafayette Senior Services for the book title of the month: 284-5050.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Programs (HICAP) 1st Wednesday/3rd Tuesday appts: 10AM, 11AM, noon • Alder
Room, LSC - HICAP provides free and objective counseling and advocacy services to Contra Costa Medicare beneficiaries and their families who need assistance with Medicare enrollment and issues involving Medicare and associated insurance programs, including prescription drug coverage. HICAP does not endorse or sell insurance products. For appointments, call Lafayette Senior Services: 284-5050. Lafayette Senior Services Commission 4th Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the LSC - View agendas at the City of Lafayette office or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.
Words of Wisdom...From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted
3rd Tuesday Monthly 3/15 • 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 and Thursdays • 9AM – 10:30AM • Meet at reservoir at 8:45AM center bench on the dam - Led by Jim Scala, Lafayette Today’s “Walking the Reservoir” columnist. Join us 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 feeling uplifted and radiating that overall sense of well-being! Please call (925) 284-5050 or email seniors@lovelafayette.org to add your name to the email notification list. Bring quarters or a credit card for the parking meter. Annual senior (62+) passes may be purchased at the reservoir visitor center. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly 3/10 • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Brighten your day with Dr. Bob Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF and author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It. Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers on a wide range of topics that guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome! 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: 284-5050. Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Wednesdays • 9AM
TM
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their scouting journey, including an unprecedented 100 scouts that have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom has taught boys to be leaders and to work together on common goals. He guides them in their service of the community. He is a role model, always patient and thoughtful. In addition to his work with Lafayette’s youth, Tom’s company, Associated Services, has reached out and supported underprivileged teachers, schools, and classrooms throughout the Bay Area. He encourages his 170 employees to reach out to every teacher they know, and no requests are denied! Tom is a remarkable humanitarian and a special Lafayette neighbor. You can join as the Chamber celebrates Tom’s contributions on Friday, March 18th at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. Cocktails will be served at 6M, and dinner will be served at 7PM. You can make reservations by visiting www.lafayettechamber.org or by calling the Chamber office at (925) 2847404. Please make your reservations no later than Wednesday, March 16th.
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Lafayette Today ~ March 2016 - Page 23
Transportation for Older Adults Equals Independence By Mary Bruns, Lamorinda Senior Transportation
We may wonder what we can do to support our community so our community can better support us as we age. The Lafayette Community Foundation and the Orinda Community Foundation raise funds to help support community services. The City of Lafayette, the Town of Moraga, the Federal Transit Administration, the Lafayette Juniors, the Moraga Juniors, the Orinda Woman’s Club, S.H.A.R.E., and private donations provide funding to the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program which therefore remains able to continue to provide rides for older adults who live in Lamorinda. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
What else can we do?
• CSL member, Shirley Krohn, writes: “The California Senior Legislature (CSL) is an organization of 120 robust advocates from around the State which researches and writes legislative proposals impacting our aging population. The CSL has been around for 35 years and has had close to 200 Bills signed into law by the Governor covering issues around elder abuse including financial, healthcare, caregivers, Ombudsman programs, and generally Bills having to do with enhancing the quality of life for our rapidly expanding aging population. The CSL is in dire need of funding. Unlike other state agencies, it does not receive any funding from the State. The CSL relies on tax deductible contributions that are received via the State Tax Form 540, listed under “Contributions” as the “California Senior Legislature Fund - Line 427.” We need to do everything we can to keep this organization funded! We urge you to make a tax deductible donation on your 2016 tax form.” • Stop by the Alder Room at the Lafayette Community Center to pick up: Way to Go, Contra Costa, a Transportation Resource Guide for Contra Costa County.” This booklet was produced by Mobility Matters (formerly Senior Helpline Services), the new Mobility Management Center for Contra Costa County. The Senior Mobility Action Council (SMAC), a workgroup of the Advisory Council on Aging, contributed much of the research that went into updating this very informative Transportation Resource Guide. Our goal is to help you get around after you no longer drive. “Mobility Equals Independence” - SMAC • Discussions are underway at the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Expenditure Plan Advisory Committee about what should be funded by the proposed new Countywide Sales Tax Measure which would fund transportation programs and projects in Contra Costa County. Older adults who no longer drive need accessible transportation options. Senior transportation advocates are advocating for senior transportation and coordinated mobility management to be included in this Expenditure Plan. If this measure is placed on the November ballot, you will have the opportunity to vote to support additional funding for transportation programs and projects in Contra Costa County – which we anticipate will include funds for senior transportation. • The Congress of California Seniors reports: “The State Controller’s Office is accepting applications for the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP). This program can assist seniors who are having trouble paying their property taxes. Information and applications are available free from the Controller’s office. To request this information for distribution at your senior center, please call the office of State Controller Betty Yee
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Volunteer Drivers – Needed, Valued, and Appreciated We will accommodate your schedule, travels, and vacations. Call one of the programs below to volunteer.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
283-3534
Takes Lamorinda older adults, age 60 and up, to errands, appointments, grocery shopping, special events, and to lunch at the C.C. Café. Wheelchair and walker accessible. WE LOVE TO SAY YES, so call early to make your reservation.
toll-free at 1-800-952-5661 and leave a message or email postponement@ SCO.ca.gov and let them know how many pamphlets you need. For further information, call 916-322-6407.” (Information provided by the Advisory Council on Aging)
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C L A S S I F I E D S ARCHITECT JOHN ROLF HATTAM - ARCHITECT Specializes in modest budget, new and renovated residences. Over 200 completed projects. Brochures available for all of our professional services •RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION •NEW RESIDENCES •CHURCHES •COMMERCIAL •MULTI-FAMILY. For the brochure meeting your need call 510-841-5933. 737 Dwight Way, Berkeley.
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Reach over 12,000 homes and businesses in Lafayette Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com. Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Alamo Today” or “Danville Today News” and pay half off for your second and/or third ad! Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your cancelled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company
284-1234
Orinda Seniors Around Town
402-4506
20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands.
Mobility Matters Rides for Seniors Information and Referral Line: 284-6161
Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with free rides to doctors appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays.
County Connection LINK Reservation Line
938-7433
For people with disabilities. (Older adults often have “age-based” disabilities. By describing your disability, you can become eligible for this service – providing you with additional transportation options.)
Page 24 - March 2016 ~ Lafayette Today
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