See Observatory on page 21High to Raise Money for Burton Valleycontinued Class Shoots the Hidden Genius Project
The Book Bonanza is an annual fundraiser that has been a long-standing tradition at Burton Valley Elementary School. Every year, the students from Ms. Martinsen’s 4/5 grade AIM class collect, price, and, of course, sell, books. . . at incredibly low prices (some books are as cheap as 10¢).All proceeds go to a charitable cause, and this year the students chose to support The Hidden Genius Project. Based in Oakland, this non-profit organization provides Oakland (and surrounding area) black male youths with the knowledge, skills, mentors, and experiences to obtain and create technological jobs in this new, global, 21st-century economy. The whole class banded together to complete each step in the process, and after three weeks of collections and pricing, the two-day sale was on. Classes from the Burton Valley community came to support the AIM class, buying books and contributing donations to the donation jar . After the frenzy, the students counted their change bags and were thrilled to realize they had surpassed their goal and raised $1,439.21! The students presented a check to Brandon Nicholson of The Hidden Genius Project right after winter break and felt good knowing they had made a difference in many disadvantaged children’s lives.
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
May 2016
Serving the Lafayette Community
Dog Agility Leads to Exciting Opp portunity
Grateful Gatherings
Like many high school seniors, Morgan Orsolini, who attends Acalanes High School, is involved in a sport. Unlike many students, Morgan’s chosen sport involves an unusual teammate, her 2 ½ year old Border Collie named Tyme. Morgan has been involved with dogs since she was around four years old when she began volunteering with her mom at an animal shelter. Although she was too young to go in the kennels with the dogs, she was able to toss treats to them and start training them to be quiet when people approached. This helped to make the dogs more adoptable. Morgan’s mom had been Morgan works with her dog on the course. raised with dogs but became allergic to them, so for many years Morgan’s family was unable to have a dog in their house. After many years of allergy shots and two puppies that had to be returned because they made her mom sick, the family was able to rescue an older non-shedding dog. After that success and more shots, the family was able to get a Brittany puppy named Dixie. So at age 11, Morgan finally had a puppy to train. Morgan and Dixie started with basic Obedience classes and then moved on to Rally, two different types of dog performance events. They then got involved in Hunt Tests because Dixie was a true bird dog, followed by Agility when Dixie was about one year old. Dog Agility is a team sport where the handler and dog have to run a course of between 16 and 30 obstacles (jumps, tunnels, weave poles, seesaws, etc) for points and the fastest time. The dog has to be trained to do all of the obstacles and to follow their handler’s directions. The handler has to be able to memorize the course in less than 10 minutes and then be able to direct the dog in the fastest way possible that will work for that dog. Every dog is different: a small or slow dog is handled very differently compared to a fast or large dog. Some dogs prefer certain obstacles and have to be directed around them when they aren’t supposed to take them. An example of this is a dog who is a “tunnel sucker,” a term used for dogs that will run halfway across the course to go into a tunnel because they enjoy this obstacle so much. Morgan has become such a good handler over the years that she is often asked to handle her classmate’s dog if their handler is unavailable. Morgan and Dixie trained together for several years and finally started entering agility competitions, called trials. They did very well together, but Dixie started having back problems, and Morgan had to make the difficult decision to retire her because she didn’t want Dixie to be in pain. Morgan then decided to purchase a Border Collie puppy, using her own money. She found a reputable breeder, filled out the application forms, and then spent months anxiously waiting to see which litter would have a puppy for her. The
In 2013, KTVU’s Frank Sommerville covered a story that involved an East Bay family and how they handled the holidays while living in a shelter. Sommerville’s wife Donna accompanied him to the shelter, and they became acquainted with the family. When that family was finally able to move to their own apartment, Donna took it upon herself to gather from friends and family items to stock their empty abode. Donations were quickly gathered, and volunteers helped to set up the apartment. The effort was entirely rewarding, and Donna set out to formalize and expand on the idea that a community can come together quickly and easily to make a difference. Thus, Grateful Gatherings was born. Partnering with her good friend Chris Flitter, Donna sought non-profit status for the new venture, the mission of which is to improve lives by
See Agility continued on page 22 Local Postal Customer
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providing quality furniture and household goods to those transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Grateful Gatherings believes that by providing families in transition – or those having faced tragedy – with a safe, warm, comfortable and well-equipped home, they have a greater chance for success outside the home. “We like to think we fill their home with needs and with hope,” says Donna.
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Taste of Lafayette Don’t miss Lafayette’s favorite dinner party – the “Taste of Lafayette” restaurant stroll which will be held Tuesday, May 17th from 5:30-9pm. There is no better way to experience Lafayette’s Restaurant Row than with friends, family, and neighbors while walking through beautiful downtown Lafayette and sampling signature dishes from the town’s popular restaurants and local caterers. Start your evening at the hosted wine and beer reception at 5:30pm at the Lafayette Plaza Park. Here, participants check in, meet friends, and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer while noshing on delicious
See Taste continued on page 9
Volume X - Number 5 3000F DANVILLE BLVD #117 ALAMO, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.