Lafayette Today, February 2013

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February 2013 Las Trampas, Inc.

Serving the Lafayette Community From Parking Lot to Garden Plot

By Fran Miller

By Janet Thomas

Tucked between Moraga Blvd. and the Lafayette Moraga Regional Trail are three and a half acres of what might appear to be a refuge – a safe haven, a retreat. But appearances can be deceiving.

Las Trampas, Inc, located on Lana Lane southeast of Las Trampas Creek, is a place of empowerment.

(Above and below) Las Trampas clients assembling items for For the 60 developmentally the Reuse, Repeat, Recycle program. disabled clients it serves, it is a place to learn survival skills, to find acceptance, and to explore interests.

Rather than providing a cocoon, Las Trampas prepares individuals to live a successful life outside of its boundaries.

Las Trampas, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to helping moderately to severely developmentally disabled adults achieve success in life. First incorporated in 1958, the property was once a school for developmentally disabled children. It became an adult center in the 1970’s.

The property encompasses several buildings, a sail-covered patio and a central garden. The outward idyllic nature of the place belies the internal budget struggles that they, and every state funded program, face. “We are doing our best under poor budget circumstances,” says Executive Director Dan Hogue apologetically as he high-fives a passing client.

Under the guidance of trained and experienced staff, Las Trampas clients take part in a variety of on-site and community activities designed to help develop and maintain communication, social, intellectual, and physical skills. Programs emphasize a lifelong educational process that includes becoming skilled in self-advocacy, evaluating risks and consequences, learning to manage strong emotions, and communicating clearly. Participants, who come primarily from Contra Costa County but as far as Oakland, are given the opportunity to practice these skills in real life situations, such as outings to the bank, the grocery store , restaurants, baseball games, and museums.

Campus activities include art instruction, food preparation and kitchen skills, computer skills, physical fitness activities, a music and reading lounge, and an on-site garden. Of those served, 20 are currently in the Adult Vocational Program, and 40 are in the Adult Development Program. One of the more popular

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center, located across from the Lafayette Reservoir entrance, is about to start its second season. Less than a year old, the garden has become an attractive, thriving space which, beginning in March, will be open most days for all to enjoy. In order to build the infrastructure and develop the beds, the garden received generous support and help during its first year from garden members, community members, the Lafayette Community Foundation, the Happy Valley Garden Club, Leap Frog Plumbing, Overaa Construction, Diamond K, and other area businesses. Art work in the garden lists the names of early garden supporters.

See Las Trampas continued on page 24

Local Postal Customer

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From 2008 to 2011 a group of community members searched Lafayette for a site to establish a garden and outdoor learning center.

Their goal was to create a space where citizens of all ages could grow

See Garden continued on page 18

The Wheelchair Foundation: Giving Hope Gaining Purpose

By Jody Morgan The Wheelchair Foundation has delivered nearly 920,000 wheelchairs in over 150 countries since its inception in 2000.

As founder Kenneth Behring’s original goal of giving one million wheelchairs to disabled individuals around the world nears fulfillment, global need continues to grow. An estimated 100 million people unable to afford a wheelchair are waiting in hidden corners of the earth for the chance to experience the empowerment of mobility.

Wheelchairs were not among the donations Behring was packing in his private plane in 1999 when LSD Charities (the humanitarian outreach branch of

See Wheelchair cont. on page 20

Volume VII - Number 2 3000F Dਁ਎ਖਉ਌਌ਅ B਌ਖ਄ #117 A਌ਁ਍ਏ, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher

The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Page 2 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Free Tax Preparation Free tax preparation for the 2013 tax season is available starting in February from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs.

All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit for whom they can serve. EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000.

Beginning January 9th, for information or to make an appointment for the TaxAide sites serving the Walnut Creek area, please call (925) 943-5851 for the Walnut Creek Senior Club site, (925) 405-6278 for the Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site, or (925) 979-5013 for the Walnut Creek St. Paul’s Episcopal Church site. The Walnut Creek Rossmoor Adult Community, Hillside Clubhouse Vista Room appointments will be made onsite on February 5th from 10AM to 1PM. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo ID for yourself and spouse • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2011 Tax Return.

Lafayette Improvement Association Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA), Lafayette’s first community service organization founded in 1911, is seeking board members. The LIA is a non-profit organization and the steward of the Lafayette’s Town Hall building. We are looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to preserving this historic community resource and have experience working in fundraising and marketing. Community members who are interested in learning more about the LIA can visit www.lia-ca.org and contact LafayetteImprovementAssoc@gmail.com for more information.

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. We are 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.

Emergency Preparedness Commission City of Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Class and Neighborhood Captains’ Training Emergency Preparedness for Individuals and Families Don’t put it off any longer! This quick and easy session will help you prepare yourself and your family for the next earthquake, whether you are at home, work, or out and about. Emphasis will be on earthquake preparation, but the information applies to other emergencies as well. Bring pencil and paper. Materials will be provided. The class will be held Wednesday, February 20th from 7-9PM.

Neighborhood Captains’ Training Join other Lafayette residents in becoming a neighborhood captain in the Lafayette Emergency Action Response Network (LEARN). This session is designed to help you organize your block or neighborhood in becoming self-sufficient for the first 72 hours following a major disaster.

Attendance at a basic preparedness class (as above, CERT or Red Cross class) is recommended, but not required, prior to attending this class. Bring paper and pencil. Written materials will be provided. The class will be held Wednesday, February 27th from 7-8:30PM. Both classes will be held at the Lafayette Community Center located at 500 St. Mary’s Rd. in the Elderberry Room (back parking lot). Classes are presented by the Emergency Preparedness Commission and are FREE. Register for these classes by calling the Lafayette Community Center at 284-2232.

The Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Commission can arrange classes specifically for Lafayette Homeowner groups, church or service groups, possibly closer to home. For more information, call the Commission at 299-3220 or email csurges@lovelafayette.org.

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A Night on Broadway

Come join the Xenophon team of supporters for A Night on Broadway gala dinner, auction, wine toss, dance, and more to support Xenophon Theraputic Riding Center. The annual gala is the biggest fundraising event of the year.

The event takes place on March 9th from 6-10pm at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. The cost is $100/person, and reservations are required. For more information visit www.xenophontrc.org, email to mparino@xenophontrc. org, or call Mari Parino at (925)212-8788.

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center is located in a beautiful rural setting in Orinda. They offer life-changing experiences for children with a wide range of disabilities. They provide therapeutic horseback riding in a safe and secure environment. The children achieve goals that they never before dreamed possible and focus is put on enhancing their unique abilities. With a horse as their guide, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Character Counts The Lafayette School District will present Michael Josephson, founder of Character Counts®, on Tuesday, March 12th from 7-9pm at Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center located at 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd. in Lafayette.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn the foundation of good character. Parents and community members are invited to hear Michael speak about his life experience and the development of The Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Attending this event will provide thought provoking and life changing information as we lay the important foundation for shaping character in ourselves and our children, There’s no doubt that our character has a profound effect on our future.

Tickets are $10 for one and $15 for two. Purchase tickets at: http:// michaeljosephson.eventbrite.com Please bring your receipt with you.

Host Families Sought for Visiting French Students For the eighth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming to Danville. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April 20th and depart May 2nd (after our local Spring Break).

The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and one weekend.

The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate.

For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at caussefly@ wanadoo.fr or dachary.martine@orange.fr.

There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you (including the editor of this paper!). The local contact is Danville parent Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@ gmail.com or 925-718-5052.

“The Best Is Yet to Be” Forum The fifth annual “The Best Is Yet to Be” forum will take place from 8:45AM to 1PM on Friday, February 22nd in Walnut Creek. Five speakers will describe elements of positive aging. Topics include new nutritional guidelines, avoiding scams, benefits of pet ownership, and creative ways of dealing with challenges.

A free senior information fair will be held throughout the morning next door to the forum. Sixteen exhibitors will describe their varied services and furnish prizes, pamphlets, and gifts. The events will be held at Heather Farm Community Center, located at 301 N. San Carlos Drive in Walnut Creek.

“Our goal is to give seniors and their offspring information and ideas that will enrich their lives,” said Robert Kain, the foundation’s executive director.

Speakers at the forum include nutritionist Kathy Napoli, who will describe “The Secrets to Longevity,” and Elena Bicker, ARF’s executive director, who will talk about the benefits of owning a pet. Concord Transcript columnist Ezio Kobyashi’s subject is “It Pays to Stay Active.” Consultant Tony Jimenez’s topic is “Creative Ways to Cope with Challenges.” Eloise Patella, manager of Family Protective Services, will focus on the latest senior scams and ways to avoid them.

Lunch is included in the $20 admission. For tickets at the door, the admission is $25. To register, visit www.dv-fa.org or call (925) 945-8040.

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Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 3

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Boulevard View

The three monthly“Today” papers - Alamo Today, Danville

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor Today News, and Lafayette Today Call me old fashioned, but I still prefer reading are hyper-local, with the focus books, newspapers, and magazines in the hardcopy being positive people and orgaprint form. Don’t get me wrong. I constantly use my nizations in the immediate areas computer, iPhone, and iPad to get information, play each paper serves. My intention is your paper by far games, get reviews, find out the current temperature, to slow things down for you and has the Geocache, best return and websurf. But there are times when I share stories about your families, want all the lights and noises to just go away. I want your neighbors, your interests, and to disconnect and curl up with a good book. local businesses to hopefully proOld-fashioned, hardcopy print materials don’t blink on and off, they don’t mote deeper connections with those need charging or replacement batteries, and they don’t break. They don’t I can always tell when a new near us.

I hopewhen to engage you as a issue is delivered; that’s my phone talk at you, display videos, give alerts or chimes, or deliver ads that pop up reader in a way that is distinct from starts ringing out of nowhere. They quietly engage, inform, and entertain. They’re worn, digital media. I am not interested in warm, and familiar. drama or the latest disaster. You can When I head out of the house I feel as though I am constantly bombarded get that in any breaking news feed Our patients routinely bring in with digital images. While pumping gas, a little TV screen on the pump tries the paper or comment about the most if you want. I am interested in the to sell me products and entertain me with the latest and greatest happening. recent article written by their doctor. stories that connect us to each other.

While at a restaurant there is often a giant TV screen with the of-the-moment While the Internet can be exhilasporting event or show. rating withtoday constant links and new We made over $2000 While waiting in line at a fast food restaurant the other day, I noticed no trails to explore at a rapid pace, I one was interacting with each other, even if they entered the restaurant with hope that these papers immerse and embrace you in a way the Internet can’t. someone else. Everyone was individually engaged with their phone. I am After being at the helm of Alamo Today for over eight years, Lafayette Today not sure anyone was talking on their phones, but rather they were playing a (seven years) and Danville Today News (four years), the mechanics of assembly game, or sending emails, texts, or tweets. are easier, but the stories remain the backbone of these papers.

I notice amongst myself, my family, my friends, and the public in general The “Magazines - The Power of Print” ad campaign explains it this way: an almost Pavlovian response to various tones, songs, and alarms alerting us “A new medium doesn’t necessarily displace an existing one. Just as movies to calendar events, emails, texts, updates of “breaking news,” ticklers, and didn’t kill radio. Just as TV didn’t kill movies. Just as instant coffee didn’t kill reminders. Somehow these alarms and alerts take priority over anything we coffee. An established medium can continue to flourish so long as it continues were doing at the time.

Our eyes the sound or flash as if whatever it to gives business people ex- is why people aren’t giving up swimming, offerlocal a unique experience...Which these papers allowdivert me toto reach my exact is being communicated is now topinformation priority. It’s and sort of like the ‘call waiting’ posure in a substantive waythey also enjoy surfing,” and hopefully that’s why you’ll continue just because patient base with a local effect, when someone on hold answer another presenceputs thatyou I could not to obtain with any incoming call. to enjoy the “paper in the hand” feeling from the “Today” papers instead of ‘What about me?’ you ask.or media words on a screen. other print editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

September 2011 Bargains For Charity!

Serving Danville

Our Community Remembers

The Blackhawk Museum Guild was organized in 1991 by co-founder Pat Behring The Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley along with local veterans’ as the volunteer entity of the world-class Blackhawk Museum, a non-profit corporation organizations is hosting the Tenth Anniversary 9-11 Remembrance Cerdedicated to “ensuring significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture, emony for the residents of the San Ramon Valley. and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.”

The event will be held at All Wars Memorial at Oak Hill Park, located at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville, on September 11 and will begin at 5:50PM and conclude at 6:40PM. Immediately following the ceremony there will be a free community “American picnic” featuring hot dogs and ice cream.

This event will feature prominent guest speakers, hundreds of Scouts with an array of American Flags, joint Police and Fire Department honor Guard and Fife & Drum Corps., a bagpiper, a flight of doves, renowned tenor George Komsky and many other patriotic contributions.

Guest speakers include Winston Copeland, Rear Adm. Ret., decorated Navy Squadron Commander and Joe Viscuglia, 9-11 Survivor.

There will be an essay contest based on the event with cash prizes for high, middle, and grade school student residents of the five San Ramon Valley communities. The essay title and prizes will be announced in a subeditor@yourmonthlypaper.com

September 2011 Lafayette Community, Join David and Jay in Feeding the Hungry

Serving the Lafayette Community Big Brothers/Big Sisters By Fran Miller

Patty Guinto, age 31, is a busy woman. Her job is demanding, she has a crazy commute, she plays sports, and she enjoys time with friends and family.

The economic crisis is continuing unabated. Unemployment in Contra Costa County is over 11%. Even though we all have been negatively impacted by this down turn, those who are at the bottom of economic ladder are struggling for even the most basic of necessities: food. A Jay Lifson and David Gerson recent study shows that more than 26% of households with children in California do not have enough money to buy an adequate amount of food. Thus David Gerson and Jay Lifson have teamed up to help families with children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and all those who face hunger each and every day @y community yp p in our greater

September 2011

Serving Alamo and Diablo

29th Annual Music and Wine Festival

The Alamo Music and Wine Festival is an annual community celebration benefiting, in part, our schools’ music programs while providing a variety of activities for the entire family. This 29th annual Rotary event will be held Saturday, September 10th from noon to 11P.M at the Alamo Plaza in Alamo.

Headlining this event will be the annual favorite, the fabulous “Cruise Tones” starting at about 8pm. This talented group will play a wide variety of songs from the late 50’s to the hits of today – perfect for dancing under the stars. Also playing this year for the first time will be another popular Bay Area band – “Detroit Disciples” starting at 4pm. Local school music groups will perform starting at Noon. Come listen to the many talents from the San Ramon High School Bands, the Monte Vista High School bands, and the Stone Valley Middle School’s Jazz Band.

It is always surprising every year to see the talents of our local youth.

The day will be filled with many activities for the entire family.

Food, games, and local business booths will be set up throughout the festival area. Kids will enjoy the play zone set up by the Mt. Diablo Regional YMCA and the Alamo Improvement Association.

Our most popular feature for the

Taking Time to Talk with Trees

By Jody Morgan

The art of bonsai culture seeks to distill the essence of a tree’s encounter with the forces of nature over the course of Byron Nobriga gets advice from K Akabane a lifetime by presenting in a container a miniature specimen carefully trained to express the struggles the tree might have undergone and overcome in the landscape. Developed in Japan from an even more ancient Chinese practice of growing trees in pots, the centuries old art made its first major debut in Europe at the Paris World Fair Exposition of 1889. Initially unable to make their own bonsai survive, Europeans began gossiping about “Oriental secrets” and “Japanese magic.” Today bonsai clubs across the

See Bonsai continued on page 22

Project Second Chance

By Fran Miller

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Page 4 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

One Hundred Thousand Welcomes, an Irish Celebration Go green with the Contra Costa Wind Symphony as it performs Irish music and dance with a Riverdance flare in “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes, an Irish Celebration.” Liam Tiernan, founder of the legendary Belfast group Barleycorn, will sing favorites from his latest CD, and international competitive Irish dancers, Cortney Millitello and Lauren Edberg, will step fast and lively with wind symphony accompaniment.

The show will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek at 7:30pm, Sunday March 10th.

For tickets, visit www.lesherartscenter.org or call 925-943-7463. For information visit www.ccwindsymphony.org.

The Acalanes Performing Arts Present Sugar

The Acalanes Performing Arts present Sugar (the musical version of Some Like it Hot) on March 6th,7th,8th and 9th at 7pm in the Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center,1200 Pleasant Hill Rd in Lafayette.

All Seats are General Admission, and ticket prices are $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors 60 and older.

Visit www.ahsperformingarts.org for ticket information. Tickets will be on sale at lunch beginning the week of February 11th in front of the main office.

Will-Call tickets can be picked up on those days or at the door the night of any performance.

This production is almost entirely student run and is a collaboration of the Choral, Drama, and Instrumental departments.

Gymanfa Ganu

Gold Coast Chamber Players Concert

The Northern California Welsh Community invites you to join them at their St. David’s Day Gymanfa Ganu, a musical celebration of traditional hymn singing. The event will be held Sunday, March 3rd from 2-4pm at the Lafayette United Methodist Church located at 955 Moraga Rd in Lafayette.

Bay Area musician, Eryl Aynsley, will lead the congregational singing in both Welsh and English. If you are interested in singing, this will be an unique experience as the church will be full of singers singing in parts in both Welsh and English. Those singing in Welsh for the first time will be surprised how pleasant it sounds and how easily it is learned. There will also be soloists and a performance by Bay Area members of the Red Dragon Choir.

A Te Bach (little tea) will follow in the church social hall. Donations of Welsh cakes and finger food would be appreciated.

For further information, contact Idris Evans at (925) 283-0912 or loriteassociates@comcast.net.

World-renowned musicians from the Amati Ensemble, based in the Netherlands, join Bay Area superstar musicians on March 1st and 2nd in an unusual program of music by Mozart and Haydn.

The program offers two great works usually performed with orchestra in unusual and effective sextet arrangements. Mozart’s famed Sinfonia Concertante is transformed in this delightful chamber arrangement made during Mozart’s lifetime. It will be hard to imagine only six musicians can sound alternately like a full orchestra and also a chamber group. Beginning this program will be Mozart’s youthful quintet for two violins, two violas and cello, K. 174. Focusing on the classical style, this program showcases the tremendous inventiveness and variety of the two superstar composers, Mozart and Haydn.

The programs will be held Friday, March 1st at 7:30PM at the Orinda Library Auditorium, and Saturday, March 2nd, at 7:30PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall (pre-concert talk at 7PM). Tickets can be purchased online at www.gcplayers.org by calling (925) 283-3728. Tickets are $35 general, $30 senior, and $10 students.

Way Side Inn Thrift Shop On Tuesday, February 12th, the Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, run by Assistance League® of Diablo Valley members, will harken back to earlier times with “Pioneer Days and Western Round Up.” Expect to find a mother lode of boots, cowboy hats, belts, bandanas, books, pillows, pottery, and clothing. Ladies’ three-piece pioneer outfits, comprised of a dress, apron, and bonnet, will be sold as sets or as individual pieces.

On February 26th we will launch the annual Classic Coach and Dooney & Bourke Handbags event. It will include Dooney & Bourke’s all-weather leather bags, most of them discontinued yet known for their durability and recognizable style. This year’s selection of Coach handbags, finely crafted during the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, will be better than ever. An assortment of briefcases, attaches, and smaller items will also be available.

The Thrift Shop is located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette.

To learn more about Assistance League of Diablo Valley and its eight philanthropic programs that are funded by the thrift shop, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

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

Julian Jackl is our winner!

Luther was hiding on page 4 last month.

California Writers Club Contest & Workshop County-Wide Middle School Writing Contest Since 1995, the California Writers Club, Mount Diablo Branch, has offered cash prizes and certificates to students for their writing as part of the Young Writers Contest. What started with thirty entries from the Mount Diablo School District has grown to include every Contra Costa School that reaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade school students in the county.

Winners and their parents and teachers are will be invited to an awards banquet on May 11, with author Mike Jung as the featured speaker. The contest deadline is April 1st.

Free Humor, Mystery & Suspense Writing Workshop For over ten years the Club has led middle school writing workshops which teach the craft of writing and encourage students to enter the middle school contest. The workshops are taught by author Sarah Wilson (www.sarahwilsonbooks.com) and Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff (www.lizbooks.com). This year’s free workshop, “Humor, Mystery and Suspense,” will be held from 9AM – noon on March 2nd at the Walnut Creek Public Library. Students can learn how to write a funny whodunit or a scary thriller, play a writing game, and ask all the questions they desire about the publishing world.

If you have a middle school student, visit http://cwcmtdiablowriters. wordpress.com/young-writers-contest/ to discover the complete writer’s guidelines for the contest and the details of the workshop.

Wanna-be Singers will Love this Lady If you like to sing but have always been reluctant to join a choir, Rita Lilly invites you to give it a try. For the person who says, “I cannot sing,” or “I must be tone deaf,” she enjoys the challenge of proving this to be wrong.

The native of New York recently became choral director of Lafayette Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a professional classical singer who specializes in the performance of early music.

“The church choir has about 14 regulars, and there is always room for more,” she says. “My goal is to continue the choir’s tradition of singing fine contemporary music while introducing some classic and traditional music as well.”

The Lafayette church choir meets at 7:30PM on Wednesdays for rehearsal.

The address is 584 Glenside Drive.

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Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 5

Where’s My 23%?

The next monthly meeting of the OrindaMoraga-Lafayette Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will feature Delaine Eastin, former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as she discusses “Why Educated Women Are Not Earning More.” It will be a lively and spirited interactive Purveyors of classic, exotic, and presentation, where Delaine will explore why women with college degrees earn just 77% of what high-performance cars for more than 30 years. men with the same education earn.

California’s #1 Classic Car Dealer Delaine is the first woman elected to a four-year Over 200 vehicles in inventory! term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

She served in this capacity from 1995 to 2003, when term limits ended her position. Reforms during her tenure helped reduce class sizes and improve academic standards and accountability.

Prior to becoming superintendent, Eastin served four terms in the California legislature where she chaired the Assembly Committee on Education.

The presentation will be held Tuesday, Showrooms in Pleasanton, Benicia, and Fairfield.

February 19th from 9AM to 11:30AM. Social time www.SpecialtySales.com | 800.600.2262 and a short business meeting begins at 9AM, and the keynote presentation will start at 9:45AM. The event will take place at Holy Trinity Church Cultural Center, Lafayette Hiking Club located at 1700 School Street, Moraga. The Center is handicap accessible To participate in hikes, meet in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s and has free parking. Everyone is welcome. main entrance at 8:30AM. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or AAUW promotes education and equity for women and girls. For snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection, and further information about activities and membership in the Orinda- money to contribute toward gas and parking ($3 local, more if further).

Moraga-Lafayette branch of AAUW, please visit www.aauwoml.org.

February 23 - Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf - San Francisco

Meals on Wheels Seniors in your community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of our programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers.

Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311.

Wine & Chocolate for Your Sweetie

By Monica Chappell Celebrate the month of love with Wine & Chocolate know-how. Any true choco-holic will tell you: chocolate is best paired with chocolate. But what if you're having chocolate with a glass of wine? What chocolate do you choose? What wine do you choose?

There are plenty of choices.

Chocolate 101 The main types of chocolate are white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. These types of chocolate may be produced with ordinary cacao beans (mass-produced and cheap), specialty cacao beans (aromatic and expensive), or a mixture of the two. The composition of the mixture, origin of cacao beans, the treatment and roasting of beans, and the types and amounts of additives used will significantly affect the flavor and the price of the final chocolate. Sounds a lot like the winemaking process.

White Chocolate - Chocolate made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk, emulsifier, vanilla, and sometimes other flavorings. It does not contain any non-fat ingredients from the cacao bean and has therefore an off-white color.

Milk Chocolate - Sweet chocolate which normally contains 10-20% cocoa solids (which includes cocoa and cocoa butter) and more than 12% milk solids. It is seldom used for baking, except for cookies.

Dark Chocolate - Sweetened chocolate with high content of cocoa solids and no or very little milk. It may contain up to 12% milk solids. Dark chocolate can either be sweet, semi-sweet, bittersweet, or unsweetened.

Continue our exploration of San Francisco by walking along the Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf. We will check out the San Francisco Maritime Historic Park Museum, Fisherman’s Chapel, and other points of interest Bring BART fare or ticket, lunch, and trolley money.

Ardith Betts and Alison Hill will lead this flat, paved, easy two miles one-way trip.

March 9 - Morgan Territory Enjoy views eastward towards the Delta and Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Parts of the hike are shaded. Hiking sticks are helpful but not required. There will be some hills, and the distance is about five miles. The leader is Chester Jung.

E-mail any questions to LafayetteHiking@comcast.net.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate - This is the classic dark baking chocolate which can be purchased in most grocery stores. It is frequently used for cakes, cookies, and brownies. Can be used instead of sweet dark chocolate and has a sweet flavor.

Bittersweet Chocolate - Good quality bittersweet chocolate usually contains 60% to 85% cocoa solids, depending on brand. If the content of cocoa solids is high, the content of sugar is low, giving a rich, intense, and more or less bitter chocolate flavor.

Unsweetened Chocolate - A bitter chocolate which is only used for baking. The flavor is not good, so it is not suitable for eating. Use it only if a recipe specifies ‘unsweetened chocolate.’ It contains almost 100% cocoa solids, about half of it might be fat (cocoa butter).

Wine Pairing 101 Match Styles - When pairing wines with chocolate, match lighter-flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines, and more intense- flavored chocolates with more full-bodied wines.

Keep it Sweet - When pairing wine with dessert, choose a wine that is sweeter than the dessert.

Stick with Reds - Most white wines lack the muscle to stand up to chocolate's naturally robust flavors.

Embrace Texture - The wines that work best have a rich textural element that match the texture, weight, and creaminess of the chocolate.

Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Danville. For upcoming classes visit www.wineappreciation101. blogspot.com.

Page 6 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

The Bookworm

By Joan Stevenson In 1998 Seattle Librarian Nancy Pearl wondered what would happen if all people in the city of Seattle read the same book. So, she made it happen, and the idea caught fire. Around here we call it Lamorinda Reads, and this is how it works. The librarians in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda search for just the right book, and, with the help of the Friends, enough copies of the books are purchased and made available to me, you, and all of our neighbors. That way we are kind of all on the same page! Best of all, the author comes to meet with us.

The selection for 2013 Lamorinda Reads is Dave Eggers’s latest book, Hologram for the King, noted by The New York Times as one of the top ten books of 2012. The novel takes us around the world to show how one man fights to hold himself and his splintering family together in the face of the global economy’s gale-force winds.

This taut, richly layered novel is a picture of our contemporary moment — and a moving story of how we got here. And its author is one of the most powerful voices in the world of letters today. He is a writer, editor, publisher, screenwriter, and champion for children’s writing. He has received many prizes and recognitions, such as being named one of “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World.” He co-founded “826 Valencia,” which provides inventive programs that offer Dave Eggers under-resourced students, ages 6-18 an opportunity to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. The success spawned centers across the country. 826 National is a nonprofit organization with a commitment to the understanding that leaps in learning happen with individual attention, and that strong writing skills

www.yourmonthlypaper.com are fundamental to future success. If there ever was a doubt of the importance of this effort, consider that only 23% of students who take the entry placement exams for college-level English pass. (CCTimes January 28, 2013) Pick up your book at the library today, and join us! We will roll out the red carpet for Dave Eggers on February 28th at 7pm at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Seating is first come, first seated.

On Thursday, February 21st at 7:30pm join us when Zac Unger takes us to polar bear country: Welcome to Churchill, Manitoba, year-round human population: 943. Despite the isolation and the searing cold at the Arctic’s edge, visitors from around the globe flock to the town every fall, driven by a single purpose: to see polar bears in the wild. Churchill is “The Polar Bear Capital of the World,” and for one unforgettable “bear season,” Zac Unger, his wife, and his three children moved from Oakland, California to make it their temporary home.

They soon discovered that the polar bears are really at home in Churchill. Zac takes readers on a spirited and often wildly funny journey to a place as unique as it is remote, a place where natives, tourists, scientists, conservationists, and the most ferocious predators on the planet converge. Pick up your copy of Never Look a Polar Bear in the Eye in advance at The Storyteller Bookstore in Lafayette.

Twenty percent of proceeds go to the Friends of the LLLC. Be sure to check out all the other wonderful opportunities at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Blood Drive The need for blood is constant. The gratification is instant. Sign up today to give a donation of blood on Friday, March 8th from 10am-4pm. The Oakwood Athletic Club located at 4000 Mt. Diablo Boulevard will be the venue for the drive. Snacks and drinks will be provided and every donor will receive a wonderful raffle gift.

To register for this generous life-saving opportunity go to www. redcrossblood.org and click the tab “Give Blood.” Click on the blue “Make a Blood Donation Appointment,” button and enter the Sponsor Code “LafayetteBlood,” and the “From/To” dates of March 8 and then schedule your oppointment. Thank you for the gift of life.

12th..Tuesday 2:00–3:00pm

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Friends of the LLLC present...........................................Free di Rosa Preserve Docent Lecture - Learn about the shared vision & adventuresome spirit of prolific, passionate collectors Rene and Veronica di Rosa. no reservations necessary

28th...Thursday 7:00–9:00pm

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12th...Tuesday 6:30–7:30pm

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A Valentine for a Vulture!................................................Free Join us as local author Diane Lang shares her book, Vulture Verses: Love Poems for the Unloved. Yes, even a vulture needs love! For kids ages 5-12. no reservations necessary

2nd...Saturday 7:30–9:00pm

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13th...Wednesday 3:00–4:00pm 13th...Wednesday 6:30–7:30pm

15th..Friday 1:30–2:30pm

21st...Thursday 7:30–8:30pm

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26th...Tuesday 7:00–8:00pm

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28th...Thursday 6:30–7:30pm

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Lafayette Historical Society............$10 mbrs, $15 nonmbrs The History of Diablo State Park - Dr. John Gallagher of Save Mount Diablo will speak about the history of one of the most remarkable landmarks in our region. reserve:925-283-1848 The Commonwealth Club..$12 mbrs, $22 nonmbrs, $7 stdts Becky Worley, Good Morning America's Tech Guru The lively and playful Becky Worley will discuss making technology more accessible to the masses. commonwealthclub.org Lafayette Senior Services....................$3 mbrs, $5 nonmbrs Love is Here to Stay Jazz Piano Concert - Come celebrate the month of Valentine's Day with piano jazz performed by Contra Costa Performing Arts Society. www.lafayetterec.org Friends of the LLLC Sweet Thursday present..............Free Zac Unger - The author of Never Look a Polar Bear in the Eye, shares how the line between man's territory and mother nature's has become perilously blurred. no reservations necessary Behind the Mic - Simon Vance............................................$5 Join us to hear Simon Vance, award winning audio book narrator, as he describes the creative process behind this everpopular medium. Raffle, too. reserve@LLLCF.org Saint Mary's Museum Docent Talk - Carnaval!................$5 Curious about Carnaval? Then join Saint Mary’s own Heidi Donner as she facilitates a lively discussion about their enthralling new exhibit. reserve@LLLCF.org

3rd...Sunday 1:30–2:30pm

A&S

3rd..Sunday 2:00–4:00pm

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6th...Wednesday 6:30–7:30pm

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13th...Wednesday 7:00–8:00pm 19th...Tuesday 7:00–8:00pm

A&S

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Lamorinda Reads presents...............................................Free An Evening with Dave Eggers - The author will discuss his latest book, Hologram for the King, which explores universal issues of failure, family, culture, & more. no reservations necessary Gold Coast Chamber Players...........$35 gen, $30 sr, $10 stdt Concertante! The famed Amati Ensemble from the Netherlands join GCCP for a program of arrangements of Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart and Haydn. www.gcplayers.org Lawrence Hall of Science: Wheels!...........................$20/child Kids have fun investigating what kinds of objects roll, how to make them roll faster, slower & spin in circles. Make a toy vehicle, too! Ages 3-6. www.lawrencehallofscience.org/library Pacific Chamber Symphony...........$35 gen, $30 sr, $10 stdt Baroque and Jazz - Special guest artist Mike Marshall joins PCS as they bring their customary clarity and precision to bear on cross-cultural classics. www.brownpapertickets.com Asian Art Museum docent talk............................................$5 Art of the Silk Road - Globalization in the Ancient World A docent will discuss how merchants and pilgrims exchanged goods, ideas & religions across Eurasia. reserve@LLLCF.org Berkeley Repertory Theater Docent Talk.......................Free Fallaci - A docent will join us to share the back-story of this world premiere play which depicts the larger than life Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci. reserve@LLLCF.org Science Cafe: The Buzz about Bees!.....................................$5 UCB Faculty Entomologist Dr. Gordon Frankie and Bay Area Beekeeper Steve Gentry discuss the latest research on CA's top pollinators and the busy world of local honey making. reserve@LLLCF.org

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The Seal of Lafayette

By Amanda Berkson-Brand Lafayette was founded in 1848 by Elam Brown, but it wasn’t until the city’s incorporation in 1968 that our 15 square mile patch got some of the privileges associated with being a ‘real’ city.

Foremost among these was the chance to design and display a city seal. The seal, which would grace everything from city signs to stationery, was commissioned in 1969, and through various stages of research, it was approved for use in 1970. What now represents the town of Lafayette went through several iterations and much public input.

The seal, triangular blue and green inset with a sketch of a beautiful tree, first began with an exploratory committee and an extensive research report compiled by David A. Granados, who, in 1969, recruited graphic artists and researched how other cities in California were creating their artwork.

Results of the city survey are sometimes quite comical and can make a reader wonder about local rivalries. Pleasant Hill was deemed to have a seal that “leaves a great deal to be desired,” and Walnut Creek’s open competition resulted in a “poorly designed city seal.” Town seals further from home, however, like Huntington Beach in Southern California, were hailed as “popular,” but to be fair, several cities far and wide were credited with having talented artists creating work that was deemed acceptable.

The report also details that of the 18 solicited artists, six replied and gave their qualifications and some examples of their work.

The committee agreed that hiring a professional designer was the only way to go. After back and forth discussions with the city council and an agreement that a fee of $1,000 would cover all costs, Thomas Hansen of Hansen Design

Fire Station Closures Affect All of Us

By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 2 There has been a lot in the news lately about fire station closures and fire districts. Many people don’t know that fire services are not provided by the cities or the County, but they are run by separate agencies called “fire districts.” My Supervisorial District 2 has three fire districts covering it: San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District, and Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

For the most part, the history of each fire district began with volunteers assembling and training themselves to protect what was mostly rural and farming land dating back as far as 1912. The current fire protection districts are an outgrowth of this.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) was formed in 1980 after the consolidation by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of the Danville Fire Protection District and the San Ramon Fire Protection District. The new District served the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon - a 70 square mile area. With the reorganization of these two districts, five locally elected directors governed the newly formed District. In 1991, LAFCO completed the annexation of all territories of the Tassajara Fire Protection District and transferred them to the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, which included Tassajara Valley and the southern boundary of Morgan Territory. The major revenue sources of the District are property taxes (93%), ambulance service fees, and interest income. Total income for the year ending June 30, 2012 was $52,936,340. The District employs approximately 191 personnel.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) was formed on July 1, 1997 as an independent special district. MOFD was created through the consolidation of the Moraga Fire Protection District and the Orinda Fire Protection District to provide more efficient fire protection and emergency medical services. The MOFD provides fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services in the City of Orinda, the Town of Moraga, some unincorporated county areas adjacent to the municipalities, and the community of Canyon. The MOFD covers an area of roughly 47 square miles and serves a population of approximately 38,000 people. The major revenue sources of the District are property taxes, ambulance service fees, and a new cost recovery program to recoup some vehicle accident costs. Total budgeted income for the fiscal year 2012-13 is $17,781,231. The District employs approximately 71 personnel.

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 7 Company in San Francisco was interviewed and hired. He had the distinction of being the only applicant to apply in person and bring his portfolio with him. His attitude was lauded as very positive in Mr. Granados’ report.

Five designs were created by Mr. Hansen and displayed at the Lafayette Library for a week and a half to gather public comment. The triangular design proved popular, with one commenter declaring it “lacked the gaudiness of some designs.” High praise!

A public meeting held at Las Trampas School on August 10th, 1970 narrowed down the selection to two seals, one a semicircle scheme, also featuring a large tree, and the other the triangular design. The seals were then presented to the Mayor and City Council, who made the choice of the triangle design.

So, when you see the humble triangle on the City of Lafayette sign or embossed on civic stationery, you will duly know of Lafayette’s incorporation and the hard work of those citizens who chose it.

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW AAUW and Delta Kappa Gamma are hosting a joint meeting at 5:30pm on February 26th at Scott’s Restaurant in Walnut Creek. The speaker will be Assistant Professor Priya Mariana Shimpi from Mills College speaking on young children’s language development. The cost of the event and dinner is $35. For reservations, please send a check made out to DKG to Denise Dolan, P.O. Box 551, Alamo, CA 94507 with menu choice of salmon, chicken, or vegetarian.

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW offers scholarships and supports women in their personal and professional growth, community leadership, and friendship. For more information, visit www.aauw-daw.org.

AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four-year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree or equivalent.

Prospective members can contact Tena at 925 837-0826 or membershipvp@ aauw-da.org.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) was originally formed by the merger in 1964 of the Central Fire Protection District (Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill) and the Mt. Diablo Fire Protection District (Concord, West Pittsburg, Clayton, and Pacheco). In the years since, many other fire districts have been annexed into ConFire to create the current district. Mountain View (unincorporated Martinez), Martinez, Lafayette, Bay Point, Island, Briones, Riverview, San Pablo, Oakley, and Pinole Fire Districts have all become a part of ConFire. The District serves more than 600,000 residents across a 304 square mile coverage area, operates 30 fire stations, and responds to approximately 45,000 incidents annually. Total projected revenue for the fiscal year 2012-13 is $102,313,737. The District employs approximately 298 personnel.

Although all fire districts in Contra Costa County have been hit hard by a decline in property taxes and increased employee and pension costs, ConFire has been impacted the most. The County Board of Supervisors, which serves as the ConFire Board of Directors, voted last month to close four stations as a cost saving measure. The stations closed are Station #4 - 700 Hawthorne Drive, Walnut Creek, Station #12 – 1240 Shell Avenue, Martinez, Station #16 – 4007 Los Arabis Avenue, Lafayette, and a partial closure of Station #11 – 6500 Center Avenue, Clayton.

These closures impact all of our fire districts because of agreements to support each other through “automatic” and “mutual” aid. We are looking at both short term and more importantly long term solutions to make ConFire sustainable. These include continuing to control expenses, reducing pension obligations and employee expenses, and finding more cost efficient ways to respond to medical emergencies, which make up more than 80% of all ConFire calls. We hope to expand our use of volunteer/reserve firefighters, seek greater cost recoveries, and apply for additional grants. We are examining the efficiency of where all of our fire stations are located.

For example, rather than eventually reopening Lafayette Station 16 in its current location, we are exploring with MOFD the possibility of a joint firehouse on the Orinda/ Lafayette border to better serve both fire districts.

We often talk about being prepared for disasters, but it’s important to be prepared for emergencies in our own homes. Please ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your house and routinely checked. Have fire extinguishers on hand, and know how to use them. Consider the installation of a residential sprinkler system. Create defensible space around your home and property in the event of a brush fire, and attend citizen CPR/CERT classes and training.

For more information about the fire station closures, please see the ConFire website at www.cccfpd.org, or contact my office with any questions: Dist2@bos. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

Page 8 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Walking the Reservoir Dogs and Other Sights

By Jim Scala Dressed in smart red and blue jogging outfits, Ben and Allie sat on the Rez-walk’s southeast bench in the New Year’s Day bright sun. I said, “Happy New Year, what a great day!” “We’re enjoying it and watching the dog show,” Ben replied. Allie laughed. “He looks at the dogs, and I watch the owners – they’re more fun.”

I sat down. Lafayette Rez’s daily, informal dog show is most active on sunny weekends and holidays. Myriad sizes and breeds lead their owners around the 2.7 mile walk. “Why do dogs always lead?” I asked. Ben replied, “I think it’s about pride.” Unwell or old dogs usually nestle in their owner’s arms while large ones often ride in a child’s stroller. None are left out and they all seem happy to see friends.

Two full-sized, impeccably groomed poodles, one brown, one white – heads high – led two tall, well-built men. Next, a young man walking two thin, light-tan dogs, three feet high with sharply pointed noses came by. “What’s the breed?”

I called. “Greyhounds. I rescued them from a Florida dog-racing park,” he said with obvious pride. I asked Allie, “What’s that light brown retriever looking dog with curly hair?” “A labradoodle.” She paused. “That’s a lab-poodle mix.

It has curly hair that doesn’t shed. What’s not to like. They’re lab gentle.” Ben added, “When you mix a poodle with another breed, the pups carry the other dog’s name with the suffix doodle.” He laughed and said, “Think cockerdoodle.” Allie joined the laughter, and said “Jim, maybe we could start a Rez Dog catalogue.” “Great idea. The visitor’s center has albums showing reservoir fish, birds, butterflies and flowers – dogs seem right.” Just then a couple walked by with a Norwich Terrior – pronounced Norrich. Isn’t that the winner in Best of Show?” I asked. Both owners replied proudly, “Yes, but she needs grooming!”

Cinema Classics By Peggy Horn All About Eve This month’s Cinema Classic selection is a blockbuster hit from 1950 entitled, All About Eve starring Bette Davis as Margo Channing, Celeste Holm as Karen Richards, Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington, and Thelma Ritter as Birdie. All About Eve was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards and won six including Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Screenplay. Joseph L. Mankiewicz wrote and directed this great film.

In expressing what qualifies this movie for greatness, a couple features stand out. First, the plot is interesting, thought provoking and spelled out with excellent dialogue. It is, in fact, rather unforgettable and comes to mind long after the original viewing for further analysis. Superb acting is a second characteristic that distinguishes this movie from the rest by characters that seem believable.

They seem believable because you and I have known characters like these and have been in situations like the ones presented in this film.

In the movie, Margo Channing is a forty-year-old actress playing parts actually written about twenty-year-old characters, and this worries her although she is reassured by the playwright that she is ageless. Karen, the playwright’s wife as well as Margo’s dear friend, introduces her to an apparently devoted fan, Eve. Cunningly, Eve ingratiates herself to Margo, and at first, only Birdie, Margo’s assistant, sees that Eve is a foe and not a friend. Fans of this movie may have their favorite scene or quote. Many like Margo’s line delivered at a party she gives her boyfriend, Bill: “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night!” My own special favorite scene is one between Birdie and Margo in which those two characters share a look that reveals Margo’s dawning of realization that Eve is trying to steal her life from her – just as Birdie warned. The remarkable talent required to pull off that kind of acting gives this movie its star quality.

All About Eve, is available for purchase or download. If you’ve never seen it, you should, and even if you have seen it, it’s worth seeing again.

Musical Notes In keeping with sophisticated, cerebral themes comes “Rhapsody in Blue,” composed in 1924 by George Gershwin. This music is extraordinary, exciting, elegant, extravagant and oh, so easy to love! My advice is to download it for your permanent collection to be enjoyed forever.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com ********************************************************** While walking the Rez I do upper body exercises with a five pound weight in each hand. I get comments like, “Keep it up,” or some show guilt and say, “I should do that.” I suppose my white hair prompts younger walkers to say, “Keep on keeping on.” A tall, slender woman stopped me and asked, “How can I get rid of this loose skin under my triceps?” She held her arm out and flapped her underarm with the other hand – it wasn’t much. I showed her an exercise to do while walking and asked, “Why is it important?” “I’m a widow, moved to Rossmoor, and met a man I like.” Her eyes sparkled. “He takes fitness seriously.” About a week later, while walking and doing the exercise, she flashed a bright smile.

I stopped a couple who each wore sweatshirts with sayings; hers said: Their / There / They’re not the same! His said: Let’s eat grandma. / Let’s eat, Grandma. / Commas are powerful! “Are you folks hinting our grammar needs help?” She laughed, “No, I have two sons, and this helps with school work.” He smiled.

“The kids laugh, but they take us seriously and learn. We also have shirts about table manners. It’s my wife’s idea.” “Walt Disney would give you both a big Thumbs Up. He built his life around the idea that when people are having fun, they learn.” “That’s good, but how would he get kids interested in science? It’s not easy.” “He’d say, ‘Spark their curiosity.’” I let that sink in. “Once curiosity sets in, science follows – nature’s everywhere and questions come quickly and easily.”

Two teenagers walked by texting. “What mom can compete with that?” “Simple,” I said, “Get your children to a telescope to look at some lunar craters, the rings of Saturn, and the moons of Jupiter.” “They see that on computers,” she replied - a typical response.“It’s not the same. When lunar craters dance in the unsteady air, and kids find Jupiter’s moons against the stars or the divisions in Saturn’s rings, they’ll have succeeded, and that’s fun.” “I get your point,” came her answer.

“We call astronomy the gateway science – it peaks curiosity. Scientists often say that their interest was sparked when young by looking through a telescope.”

I paused and said, “I’d ask med students I taught what got them interested in science, and fifty-two percent gave me the looking through a telescope story.”

“Okay, but how do we do that?” We stopped walking – he was serious. “This area’s best resource is the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society. It’s a group that uses backyard telescopes. Logon to mdas.net, for times and locations.”

To share your Reservoir thoughts and observations email jscala2@comcast.net.

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Solar Currents

By Mark Becker, GoSimpleSolar American Energy Independence: The bad news is that America has again increased her appetite for energy. The good news is that the majority of the energy plants constructed in 2012 are renewable biomass, solar, geothermal, hydro, and wind plants. Domestic oil and gas production are also up. As a result of our every increasing energy independence and energy exports, there are predictions are that a geopolitical shift in energy pricing will move from the Middle East to the United States within the next 10 years. This may eliminate the price fluctuations that we suffer from as a result of international events or politically motivated embargoes.

Lease vs. Purchase of Solar: There is one very important factor that consumers must take into account when considering a solar lease. A leased solar system will reduce or eliminate your electricity bill. However, the leased solar system carries a monthly lease cost. The difference between the lease cost and the electric bill reduction is the savings the consumer should realize. A financial company owns the system and pockets most of the savings generated via the lease. It used to be that a leased solar system was the only choice for the consumer with no investment cash available for a purchase.

Much like a traditional loan agreement, a leased solar system is a contract between a consumer and finance company to make payments on the leased system for 20 years. However, the main difference is that a solar lease never leads to an ownership position in the solar system.

The Path to Ownership (and greater returns): The federal government has recently provided backing for loan products through private banks, at reasonable interest rates, for energy efficiency home improvements. This zero down PowerSaver loan product allows consumers to trade electric costs for loan costs (vs. lease costs). The proceeds of the loan provide a “Path To Ownership” that a lease does not provide. Some industry experts are predicting that this loan option will be a “lease killer” because consumers will be made aware that

Bad Gas

By Sean Harrington, Specialty Sales Classics With our coldest and wettest months behind us, and the shortest days of the year locked in the 2012 history books, we are free to dream of spring - the miracle of the annual rebirth of our natural world. The bursting blossoms, the birds and the bees and, for some of us, the intense primeval desire to re-experience this annual natural phenomenon from the driver’s seat of the machines of our youth, our classic cars and trucks.

Typically, classic and exotic car owners are by nature fastidious about the care and maintenance of their investment, bordering on acting like doting parents to a member of their family. They know that buffing their custom paint is only done on an extremely clean surface. They know that good quality lubrication is important to the health of the engine, and they know a quality antifreeze not only protects from the extremes of temperature but from internal corrosion of critical rotating parts. They understand that out-of-aligned wheels are going to chew up tires, and improperly greased suspension components will cause high wear leading to poor handling. These are standard issues of motorcars and have been since motorcars became available, but there are new threats to the health of your classic or exotic vehicle that you may even be aware of.

Your baby may be your grandfather’s Oldsmobile but it’s not using granddad’s gasoline. Lots has changed over the last few decades including the move from analog to digital, man on the moon, and robots on Mars. Gasoline has evolved from a dirty fuel to the new generation of clean fuels required to meet pollution control targets. Today’s highly oxygenated fuels, especially California blended gasoline containing ethanol, has a surprisingly short shelf life. While you are not likely to notice this degradation in your daily driver where you replenish your gas once a week, it does affect the typical classic or exotic car owner who may only drive the car a few times a year.

It is estimated that 70% of emergency backup generator engine failures are fuel related. Think about Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, earthquakes,

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 9 ownership always results in much greater financial savings.

Another Reason to Own: Recently I was surprised to hear that leasing companies often restrict their customer’s access to online solar system performance monitoring. Lease companies would rather not field continuous calls from homeowners who have concerns about their systems production and the resulting arguments about payments for perceived underperformance. The perceived “underperformance” is oftentimes attributed to kilowatt overproduction estimates by the contractor during the bid process (Discussed in last months article). In most cases, the actual performance numbers are appealing enough to the consumer, but in these competitive times, the “anything to get the job” approach can prevail. From a consumer’s standpoint, I believe that the lessee/ owner of a solar array has an absolute right to monitor the system’s performance and get accurate performance calculations; after all, they’re the ones paying for it.

California Solar Initiative FACT: According to California statute, solar contractors and solar equipment providers are required to keep all solar installations operational for 10 years at no cost to the consumer. Purchase of a solar system ensures that it will be maintained for 10 years, assuming you choose a contractor with integrity and longevity in the industry.

Mark Becker is the President of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, a Danville based Solar Installation Firm (License 948715).

Mark can be reached at 925.915.9252. Visit GoSimpleSolar’s showroom at 114 West Prospect Avenue in Danville or www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or Advertorial email Mark@GoSimpleSolar.com.

Junior Achievement Needs You Junior Achievement, a non-profit funded by foundations and businesses, offers an exciting opportunity for you and your office to partner with local schools to educate students about business and financial literacy. By volunteering in the schools or hosting a Job Shadow, companies can increase outreach. Programs are offered to the schools at no cost. For more information, please contact Shaun Rundle at 465-1082, email srundle@janorcal.org, or visit www.janorcal.org. and other natural disasters, and know that the problem is real. Classic and exotic vehicles are in a similar category of limited use.

Here at Specialty Sales Classics we often encounter clients whose cars, while looking fabulous, are hard to start, run poorly, smell terrible when running, or won’t run at all. This all seems to happen for no apparent reason. Bad gas and gas related issues are often the culprit. That gas you purchased a year ago is no longer Chevron or Shell.

The liquid lurking in your tank now resembles a Sherwin-Williams varnish product.

Today’s modern fuels can start degrading in a matter of weeks. Not only does it gum up the small diameter fuel lines, but the dreaded varnish and sludge will wreak havoc with the ultra-small diameter jets, orifices, and moving parts of a carburetor; fuel injector aren’t immune from these maladies. Water grabbing and separation caused by ethanol addition to our fuels can actually cause rusting in the micro orifices of fuel injectors. In addition, the chemistry of this cocktail can rot your gas tank. Adding insult to injury, imagine the physical debris from a rotting gas tank that could be sucked into the same small lines, jets, and orifices. This can often lead to an expensive repair requiring a new fuel tank and many man-hours of labor to clean the fuel lines and intricate passages.

So, how can you keep your gas from going bad and keep your car ready and willing for that next spring fling? There’s no easy surefire solution to long-term gas storage and degradation, but there are precautions you can take. Purists would say to drain the tank and run the fuel lines dry. This is easier said than done, and it’s not really practical. A more realistic approach would be to keep your gas tank nearly full to reduce exposure to air, but not completely full, so the gasoline can expand or contract as the temperature changes. Try to minimize temperature swings. Store your car in a cool place to reduce evaporation and oxidation. Use a gas stabilizer, and remember to run your engine so you have stabilizer in the fuel lines and the carburetor float bowls. Remember stabilizers are meant to prevent gasoline from going bad. They won’t restore bad gas to its former health, but dilution with fresh gas may work. If you suspect that you have seriously bad gas, do yourself a favor and consult an expert before attempting to start your car.

Check out our entire inventory at www.SpecialtySales.com, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at TheCarGuy@SpecialtySales.com, or call 800-600-2262.

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Page 10 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

ART CAMP at ALAMO PLAZA

COLOR BUNDLES ART STUDIO SUMMER CAMP

SPRING CAMP

March 11th - April 5th , Ages 8-16 June 10th - August 23rd, Ages 8-16 Daily sessions: M- F, 10AM - 1PM (No camp July 4th & 5th) M -F, 2PM - 5PM Daily sessions: M- F, 10AM - 1PM M -F, 2PM - 5PM $40/session Sign up before February 28th and pay $35/session

$40/session

Sign up before May 28th and pay $35/session

Please inquire about our Art Parties and Classes for Kids and Adults

SPECIALS Full Day (Two sessions/day) $65 | Five sessions/week $160 Full week (10 sessions/week) $300 For more information and camp schedules, please visit our website, call, or contact us at sales@colorbundles.com. “Like” us on Facebook (Facebook.com/colorbundles) to see our new art projects and events. 220A Alamo Plaza, Alamo, CA 94507

www.colorbundles.com | 925.727.3137

Nicole Carberry Awarded Girl Scout Appreciation Pin Nicole Carberry was recently awarded the Appreciation Pin for Girl Scouts at the Girl Scouts of Northern California East Bay Solano Area Adults Recognition Awards Celebration.

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).

Nicole is a person with passion and conviction.

She devotes herself to important issues in her community, challenges the facts, raises awareness, and galvanizes her community to bring about meaningful action and change. Nicole is a powerful voice of the benefits of Girl Scouting, not only to Lafayette Elementary but to the surrounding communities.

As a leader of two troops, she brings out the best in each girl, understanding each girl’s skills and challenging them to break out of their comfort zones, in a safe and nurturing environment. She sets a positive example for them, and the girls respect and adore her. Every girl in her troops (42 in all) knows that “Girl Scouts leave the world a better place than they found it.” As Lafayette Coordinating Team (LCT) member the past three years, Nicole has been a catalyst to make the LCT rethink how to best bring the Girl Scouts program to Lafayette, to be “more green,” more efficient, and to do things in a way that always brings the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to Lafayette Girl Scouts. Nicole’s community activism is evident in her leadership of the Save Twin Canyons campaign. She feels strongly that the life skills learned at a camp are unique and timeless as Twin Canyon, and the cold reality is that once it is lost, it can never be regained. She did not hesitate to volunteer to lead a brand new session of Diablo Day Camp to enable nearly 200 more girls to attend camp this summer. At camp, Nicole often said that “Being a Girl Scout was about being brave,” and everyone at the camp session was given that opportunity during the week she led. Nicole is a shining example of Girl Scouting.

Shop Talk It’s Official – Goodbye Urban Suburban, Hello to THE MECHANIC!

By René Aguirré After over 18 years of successful business, many, many late night conversations, and many advertising campaigns, we have decided to change our name. While we have enjoyed our identity for almost two decades, we are realizing we are short-changing our own clientele. We want you to know that we offer excellent service and fair pricing for all of your car repair needs--not just for SUVs or trucks. We provide general and specialized maintenance services to every possible vehicle driving our California highways and byways today. Not only that, but are you aware of all of the custom services our shop takes on? We will be hosting a Grand Re-opening Ribbon Cutting on February 28th at 4pm to answer any questions you may have regarding our new name, new look, and all the services we have to offer. Read on to learn more about The Mechanic.

Who is The Mechanic? The Mechanic is your personal car consultant. We are focused on advertising our knowledge and expertise in the growing complexities in car technology. As with Urban Suburban, I am at the helm, ready to discuss your car care needs. Our team will continue to provide you with the excellent service you are accustomed to with Urban Suburban on any vehicle you drive. We will continue to provide you the one-stop-shop experience.

What is different about The Mechanic? During 2011 and 2012, we took a hard look at our business model to learn how to reach out to new and existing customers. With the trend in internet advertising, we began with ramping up our web presence. We have an active Facebook page, a website, and a Twitter account, and we stay current with all the review sites like Yelp and Google. More than that though, we took a look at how we are doing business, how our skill sets match up to today’s vehicles, and how we could improve. During that time, two-thirds of our shop became ASE certified in at least one field – engine service, service management, brake service, emissions, electrical systems, and more. We paid attention to the rising trend in various vehicles appearing in our shop. With that information, we sent our lead mechanic to the appropriate specialty clinics to improve our knowledge base and expertise on those vehicles. Most recently, our lead mechanic went through an intensive training on Audi electrical systems, diagnostics, and engine servicing. As a result of these efforts, we are better equipped to handle the specific challenges that can arise with any vehicle.

Over the years, we have received many awards, certificates, and other recognition for our accomplishments. Keeping up on technology and skills in our field is a necessity to continue to give you the right level of service for your car. Most recently, our shop received recognition as a Better Business Bureau (BBB) preferred business.

We maintain our A+ rating through the standards they set forth in doing business.

We can proudly display the BBB plaque and emblems in our advertising and in our offices. Since 1912, the BBB has remained active in the business community, developing resources to find and advertise reputable businesses, creating resources to become more educated on various consumer needs, and remaining current in marketing technologies. We are proud to call ourselves BBB approved.

Other services offered – In addition to all general automotive repair, we offer vintage car restoration and fabrication. To advertise these services, we created the name Triple Nickel Resto | Race | Fabrication. Since launching this portion of the business in June 2012, we have worked on many unique projects. We have restored a late 60s Mini Cooper, done frame and bed fabrication work on an old school rat rod, and, our biggest project, modified a 1964 Ford Galaxie into an off-road Baja race car. The 1964 Ford Galaxie is a work in progress, set for completion to run in the Mexican 1000, April 27th – May 1st. Please visit our Facebook page to see more of the projects we have completed and/or are working on (www.facebook.com/TripleNickelRacing555).

Ribbon cutting – The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will be presenting an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony for The Mechanic – Your Personal Car Consultant. Please join us for the ribbon cutting, refreshments, music, and a simple car care clinic at 4pm on February 28th.

If you have any questions about this or any other “Shop Talk” issues, call us today at (925) 283-5212. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 5pm. At The Mechanic, we are your personal car consultant and your dealership alternative! We provide free shuttle service to the local area.

Advertorial

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Find Anything

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO I received an interesting email, and I thought you’d enjoy the content. The email contained a link to a YouTube video (http://youtu.be/F7pYHN9iC9I) sponsored by Febelfin Bank, set in Brussels, Belgium. The premise of the video is that there is a mind-reader who sets up in a tent in a public square.

Unsuspecting tourists are ushered into the Bedouinlike tent, where a touchy-feely Fabio-esque mindreader proceeds to gyrate and gesticulate while apparently sensing and divulging the secrets each person hides. Of course, nothing is ever that simple. Once the mind-reader has thoroughly impressed his patron, a curtain is pulled aside revealing several masked researchers in front of internet-

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 11 connected terminals. What is the message? It’s that there is almost limitless information about you on the internet for free, and for a little bit of cash, a whole bunch more can be found.

What the video didn’t show was that when the individuals were first interviewed for their “mind reading,” they gave several pieces of identifying information to the screeners. The information they provided helped the researchers behind the curtain start drilling into their lives. By exploring social networking sites, finance sites, and mortgage and property value sites, the researchers were able to fill the earpiece of the mind-reader, who was a trained actor, with enough useful facts to convince anyone that he had supernatural power.

Of notable interest in the video were some of the intimate personal tidbits that were relayed back to the victims, because that information was openly provided by those individuals on social networking sites. The public in general, and most young people specifically, don’t have a clue how much of an information trail they’re leaving behind on the internet. Maybe it’s just naiveté, or maybe laziness, but why would someone post intimate and specific details of their opposite gender encounters on a social networking site for anyone to read? The person in the video looked genuinely shocked that the mind-reader knew these details; it didn’t look intentional. It must not have occurred to these people that most employers troll the social networking sites for disqualifying information on job candidates before extending offers. It’s not worth the risk.

What can you do to protect your privacy? It helps to first divide your privacy concerns into areas of information you can control and areas that are out of your control. Keep in mind that there is a fair amount of information accessible through public websites connected to public records that you can’t stop. In other words, the information was always available in the past, but before the internet it took a lot more effort and time for someone to access it. For example, in 1980 if a newspaper wanted to find out how much I bought my house for and how much my mortgage was, they would have had to wait for weekday business hours, drive down to the county records office, and manually search for the property records on microfiche until they found it. Today, that same reporter can go to a website, put in my name, sift through the results until he finds the right “Evan Corstorphine,” and he has it all. That’s instant-access 24x7x365. But some information does require a special request, specifically Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

An example of this public access was in White Plains, New York last December where the White Plains Journal News requested a search of all registered gun owners in their area under a FOIA request, and The Journal published a map of them online. While it was a legal FOIA request, many considered it an abuse of journalistic privilege and of the FOIA process. While they cannot yet directly link the events, there have been burglaries at the homes of some of those citizens listed on the website where their noted possessions were stolen. Obviously this is an extreme case, but you need to know how broadly you are potentially exposed in this age of instant electronic access. You never know who may have an axe to grind.

An area of information you can control is what goes into social and business networking sites such as Facebook and Linkedin. I find it very difficult to understand the privacy rules on the popular site Facebook, so I have limited my use of it for personal information until I know with utter certainty who can access what I post and where it can be used. I think most people have no idea who can read what they post, and maybe it doesn’t matter to them, and that’s OK. But it does matter to me, and I don’t necessarily want everyone I’ve “friended” to be able to dig into every intimate detail I’ve posted for family use. As long as you know for certain and can make an educated decision, do what you think is right.

Obviously there is a lot more to privacy than I can cover here!

If you’d like to chat more about your particular concerns or have specific questions you’d like to discuss, please call the friendly staff at Portable CIO at 925-552-7953, or email helpdesk@theportablecio.

Advertorial com.

Page 12 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Life in the Lafayette Garden Water As A Garden Element

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect We long to dip our hands under it, stick our big toe in it, and submerse our bodies under it. Every successful garden has some form of a water element as a main attraction. It may be a huge rushing waterfall cascade, an Italianate fountain, a koi pond, or a simple wall fountain. Whatever the size and magnitude of the feature itself, water brings a sense of peace, connection, serenity, and reflection to a garden.

There are several different approaches that I take in determining the design of a water feature. What is the size, scale, and terrain of the land? Is the water feature intended to be a focal point? What is the level of sound that is needed from the water feature? Does the water feature have a function?

Size, scale, and terrain play a significant role in the design of a water feature.

If you have a large Lafayette lot tucked up against a hillside, you probably have a perfect opportunity to have a natural water feature like a waterfall, stream, brook, or thundering Sierra cascade ending into a pond or even a swimming pool. Hillside backgrounds often times are the best terrain for a waterfall cascade which lends itself to a more natural setting. Typically, I don’t like creating a “fake” backdrop for a waterfall because they never look very natural. If you’re going to build a natural water feature, do your best to recreate nature’s artful hands. Build it into the natural terrain, not onto the terrain.

The scale of a water feature is relevant to the purpose of it. Nine times out of ten a water feature is a main focal point in a garden. If it is a main attraction, design it so people can hear it, see it clearly, and access it easily and safely. A decorative fountain can often be a stunning focal point. Make sure to scale it to its surroundings. There’s nothing more disappointing than a wimpy little fountain surrounded by a massive piece of architecture. Be bold not gauche!

The sound that a water feature makes is very important. We love the look and feel of water, but often times the sound of water can be unnerving or irritating.

Most of us can remember the uneasy feeling of the water feature that sounds like the male of the species doing his business in the toilet (Hopefully that was said with some political correctness!), or the Sierra cascade next to your main patio that is so overwhelmingly loud that you have to scream at the top of your lungs to have a conversation. The sound that resonates from your water feature needs to be appropriate for your surroundings. For instance, the Sierra cascade is great for a golf course clubhouse terrace view across a lake or at a distance from your main patio in the background.

Water sounds can be very soothing and relaxing. The right sound tends to be different for each and every client. I once had a client who wanted a “lakeshore water-lapping-on-the-beach-sound” and one who wanted a “babblingbrook-sound.” Before you undertake selecting a water feature, listen for the sounds of water that please your senses.

The function of a water feature as a garden element is very important. The function can take many forms depending on the intention for its use. It can also have several different functions separately and at the same time. Swimming pools, waterfalls, ponds, fountains, rills, vanishing edge, shear descent, wall fountain, fleur-de-lis, cascade, etc. all have many different functions. Basically, all of the five senses are available to please with your water feature at any given time or maybe all of them at once - sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste! All of the aforementioned water features can fulfill the function.

Water as garden element is essential for the successful design of your garden.

It will bring you peaceful joy and connection to your landscape. It will attract

www.yourmonthlypaper.com and bring wonder to all who enter it.

A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: A well-done water feature begins with good design and is implemented by an experienced craftsman. Ask to see some finished referrals from your contractor.

Gardening Quote of the Month: How often it is that a garden, beautiful though it be, will seem sad and dreary and lacking in one of its most gracious features, if it has no water. - Pierre Husson If you would like me to write on any particular subject email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com or for design ideas visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial

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The Perfect Patio Set

By The Patio & Fire Place staff It’s the perfect time to start planning for spring and summer outdoor events. If your patio furniture has seen better days, now is the time to visit the Patio & Fire Place store to replace it. Custom orders made in February and March will arrive just in time for warmer weather.

Serving the Bay Area since 1975, our staff is well trained to take care of your outdoor furniture needs. Allana, who can be found at our Alamo store, has been in the patio industry since 1999. Her past experience at Frellen’s has given her a strong depth of knowledge to work with homeowners and businesses in creating their ideal outdoor living spaces that are not only beautiful but functional. Jay, who can usually be found in our Danville store, has an art and design background that gives him the distinctive eye in putting together a pleasing outdoor patio arrangement. His past experience of over 15 years at Simons and Frellen’s gave him a solid foundation in this business. Jay and Allana provide home consultations and design work to help you create your ultimate patio.

Patio furniture is no longer all about redwood or teak. Today’s market includes beautifully crafted sets available in a variety of materials that will turn your outdoor living area into your own personal resort.

Aluminum has surpassed all other metals and come out on top as the most popular for outdoor furniture. It is lightweight, durable, hand-welded, and best-of-all, virtually maintenance free. Aluminum is inherently rust-resistant and covers the spectrum of styles from ultra modern to traditional.

Wicker, which refers to a weaving method rather than a material, comes in rattan, bamboo, willow, and synthetic. Conversation sets generally include a sofa, love seat, club or lounge chairs, a rocking chair or two, coffee table, and side tables. Today’s wicker furniture is constructed to stand up well to outdoor use.

Where wind is a concern, wrought iron is an excellent option. From clean, simple lines, to intricate designs, wrought iron provides a classic look that also requires little maintenance, and it won’t blow around.

Did you make a resolution to be more “green” this year? If so, check out our recycled furniture options. These pieces are made from recycled plastic bottles and containers. The eco-friendly sets are suitable for any climate. They won’t crack, rot, fade, or splinter, and they are a solid color throughout.

If wood is still your go-to choice, we have many solid premium teak sets available which are crafted to withstand the elements for many years to come. ture To complete the look, the Patio Patio Furnier Sale Special Ord & Fire Place carries a full line of fire pits to make any outdoor living space shine.

Our experienced staff will help you chose the best items for your taste, needs, and budget. Our Danville store is located at 3426 Camino Tassajara in Danville, and the Alamo store is located at 3189 Danville Blvd. Both stores are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. For questions or more information, call the Danville store at 925-648-0293 or Advertorial the Alamo store at 925-820-8492.

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 13

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City of Lafayette Contacts Below are key city departments and their contact information.

Administration: Responsible for overall city operations such as human resources, finance and office operations. Key staff members include the City Manager, Administrative Services Director, City Clerk, and Financial Services Manager. The City Offices are located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #210, Lafayette.

Hours are 8am – 5pm Monday-Friday. For information call (925) 284-1968 or email cityhall@lovelafayette.org.

Planning: Responsible for current and long-term planning for the physical development of the community that is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the direction of the City Council. Planning Department hours are 12pm – 5pm Monday-Friday. For information call (925) 284-1976 or email planner@ lovelafayette.org.

Police: Responsible for public safety, law enforcement, emergency operations, and parking control. The Police Department is located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd, #130, Lafayette. Hours are 8am-12pm & 1am-5pm Monday-Friday.For general questions call (925) 299-3220. For police dispatch call (925) 284-5010 or 911.

Public Works: Responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the City including road repair, storm drains, and landscaping of public property. The Public Works Corp Yard is located at 3001 Camino Diablo, Lafayette. Hours are 7am – 3pm Monday-Friday. For questions call (925) 934-3908. To report potholes, streetlight outages, traffic signal problems and other issues call the Hotline at (925) 299-3259.

Parks & Recreation: Responsible for the management and operation of a variety of recreation programs, special events and facilities including the Lafayette Community Center, the Community Park and a system of city trails. The Parks & Recreation (Community Center) is located 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette. Hours are 9am – 5pm Monday-Saturday. For questions call (925) 284-2232.

Code Enforcement: Responsible for enforcing the Lafayette Municipal Code.

The Code Enforcement Officer concentrates on the investigation and abatement of complaints involving land use (zoning), housing conditions, abandoned vehicles, signs, animals and vermin, weeds/fire hazards, fences and general public nuisances. Contact Mark Robbins at 925-299-3207.

For more information visit www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.

Page 14 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Topping Trees?

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb At Brende & Lamb we get the occasional request to remove some or all of a tree’s crown, a process called topping.

There are many reasons why people ask to have a tree topped: increased light, better view, safer tree, or reduced leaf litter. Though it seems counterintuitive, topping almost always produces the opposite of the desired effect.

Topping can decrease available light, mar the view, make a safe tree unsafe, and even increase leaf litter. Take, for example, topping to decrease the shadow cast by a tree. This may work in the very short term, but topping stimulates rapid growth, causing the tree’s crown to thicken, thereby cutting out light after just a few growing seasons. Over time, you get more light for your pruning dollar if instead of topping you give the crown a judicious thinning. When done correctly, thinning doesn’t over stimulate the tree, and it enhances the tree’s aesthetics instead of seriously, sometimes irredeemably, damaging it.

Another common misperception is that topping will make the tree safer; it almost always does just the opposite. Most topped trees decay at the point at which they were topped. Topping also stimulates production of long lanky shoots. Given that these shoots grow out of decaying wood, topping often turns a safe tree into a hazard that increases over time. Some of the more dangerous trees we’ve seen were topped years ago with no follow-up pruning. If you have a previously topped tree growing close to your home, it is a good idea to have a competent arborist give it a safety evaluation.

Previously topped trees can be made safer by pruning to reduce wind-sail and by reducing weight on leggy branches.

People sometimes top trees to reduce leaf litter, but most trees respond to topping by putting out a profusion of leaves to help repair the damage.

In short order, the owner of a topped maple will spend more time with rake in hand than before the topping.

www.yourmonthlypaper.com Topping to increase view is often done without realizing that the new view will include an ugly tree. If the tree in the view is a bay, a eucalyptus, or any number of other fast-growing species, the topping will fail to provide view for long because the topped tree will soon produce sprouts that shoot up into the view. Well-planned pruning can often capture view, and it is often possible to enhance the beauty of the tree in the process. A beautiful view framed by a beautiful tree is far lovelier than a view over the top of an ugly and scarred tree.

Another frequent request for topping comes from people about to sell their homes who think that topping their trees will increase the sale price.

Real estate professionals know that beautiful trees can raise property values by as much as 20%, whereas a topped tree can be a liability . . . something the bidder on your house might ask you to deduct from the sales price so that they can have the tree removed.

For further information about the perils of tree topping, go to the website of the International Society of Arboriculture, and read the article at www. treesaregood.org/treecare/topping.aspx. If you are thinking about topping, please reconsider. It is possible to enhance view, increase light, and make trees safer without topping. Doing so does, however, require competent pruning by tree professionals.

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

Montelindo Garden Club The Montelindo Garden Club will meet on Friday, February 15th at 9AM at Orinda Community Church located at 10 Irwin Way in Orinda.

The topic for the meeting will be “Gardens of Israel,” and the speaker will be Sylvia Rose McDougall, member of Montelindo Garden Club and a master gardener. Sylvia will follow up her previous, very popular program with a new PowerPoint presentation.

For more information, visit www.montelindogarden.com.

Gardening with Kate

By Kathleen Guillaume We just finished the driest January on record. I know many of us have areas of ground that look wet with moss growing on it, while other parts of our garden are bone dry. These areas need to be selectively watered.

The worst thing that can happen to any plant (succulents and begonias excepted) is to be dehydrated and then hit with a frost. In spite of days in the mid-60os, we are likely to encounter another spate of nights where the temperature drops drastically. Pay special attention to plants in pots.

We are on the cusp of spring, and most of us have plants that are a wee bit confused and breaking into bud way too early. After many days of temperatures below 30o at night and then warm days for weeks, our fruit trees and perennials think that it must be March or early April. I pass by my trees and ask them not to be in a hurry...I don’t want my fruit trees to bloom then have the blossoms dashed away by rains leaving me with a minimal crop this year. Of course, I have no influence and must take what nature hands me, If you have a chance, stop by Mt. Diablo Nursery. Garth has some really unique camellias. They have small sweet and fragrant blossoms, and they are perfect for planting against a wall where they can be trained loosely against the wall or garage, bringing their sweet blooms to you at a time when very few things are blooming in our gardens. The nursery also carries an array of hellebore, which blooms this time of year, is easy to maintain, and is generally left alone by deer.

A stop by Orchard Nursery will also fill your heart with ideas. Don’t forget to go into the back Collectors Corner where you can find special hybrids and standards that many nurseries no longer carry. Both Orchard and Mt. Diablo nurseries have Peris Japonica, better known as “Temple Bells,” a great shrub with cascades of white through pink tingled clusters of bells. This plant is also generally ignored by deer and is a great landscape shrub.

Lafayette Garden Club The Lafayette Garden Club meets at 9:30AM on the second Thursday of each month at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette.

Come celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Club’s next meeting on Thursday, February 14th. Garth Jacober, owner of Mt. Diablo Nursery in Lafayette, will share his knowledge and expertise about some of our favorite flowers-Camellias, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons. Garth is a Master Gardner and a renowned camellia expert.

For more information, email sa613and@aol.com.

The nurseries are also starting to get in their collections of rhododendron, one of my favorite border plants, that put on ridiculously beautiful displays in the early spring. One thing I have learned with “rhodies” is that most growers plant them in a shredded redwood mulch. If the ones you select are in this type of medium and you just place them in the ground, you could likely have a failure. Even if the surrounding soil is damp, this mulch core that the roots are bound up in can dry out and allow the plant to die. Once that type of mulch gets dry, it is nearly impossible to re-wet without taking the plant out of the ground and letting it soak in a tub of water.

When I add a rhododendron to my garden, the first thing I do is repot it to a larger pot of 1/3 topsoil and 2/3 acid planting mix. I take it out of the pot that it came in, try to loosen up all of the mulch, and let as much of it fall away as I can manage. Rhodies don’t need a large root ball (this makes them easy to transplant), so if I break off some of the new roots, I don’t panic. Next, I place the plant in a larger pot, water it in well, and set it in a dappled shade area. I want to get some new roots established into this new soil mix so that when I plant it a few months later, I won’t worry about that root ball drying out.

I know it sounds like a real bother, but they are slow growing plants which cost more than some other shrubs, and it is well worth the time to start them off right. I want my rhodies to have a long life in my garden. Once they are established, they are near trouble free.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 15

Green Your Valentine’s Day! You can celebrate Valentine’s Day without adding to your impact on the planet. One of our Sustainable Lafayette members receives poems written by her love.

How romantic -- the impact is on her heart, not on the landfill. Here are more ideas for the holiday.

Give time, not things. Take someone you love for a walk around the reservoir. Offer to help clean up a cluttered garage. Take him or her to a concert of their favorite music.

Make a donation to your loved one’s favorite cause.

In town we have Sustainable Lafayette, the Lafayette Community Garden, The Urban Farmers, and Trust in Education. Regionally we have the Muir Heritage Land Trust, Save Mount Diablo, and Contra Costa Food Bank. Nationally and internationally there are endless lists of worthy causes. Verify the groups you wish to donate to (try CharityNavigator.org) as some charities are not what they seem.

Thinking of flowers? Red roses are very expensive in February, as they are not in season in California. Roses in flower shops have either been grown in greenhouses or are imported, usually from Central America. They may be grown in ways that hurt the environment or the people living nearby. Also, importing flowers is a huge waste of energy (packaging, fuel, refrigeration).

Many beautiful, local flowers and plants are available at this time of year. For red color, cyclamen and azaleas are gorgeous and in season. They last much longer and can be planted, giving you and your loved one a lasting memory of the special day.

Chocolates. Sustainable chocolate was the theme of last February’s Tip of the Month with facts about organic and fair trade chocolates. Many are available in stores. Check sustainablelafayette.org/?tips=sustainablechocolate for online vendors. A new favorite is Madécasse.

Their chocolates can be found at Diablo Foods and Whole Foods Market in Lafayette, or visit their website at madecasse.com to learn more about the organization behind the chocolate and to purchase gifts.

The classic romantic dinner. A restaurant meal is not guaranteed to be romantic. In the crowd on Valentine’s Day, the restaurant might like you to hurry so they can seat the next diners, or they might refuse to customize your special requests. You could create a romantic dinner at home (using sustainably farmed ingredients, of course!), or dine out on the weekend or on February 13th.

Having a party? Try alternatives to all those paper and plastic goods that probably came all the way from China, destined for an American landfill. Serve finger foods so that guests only need napkins, or use plates that you can wash. You can also rent plates, glasses, and silverware to make an elegant dining experience.

Valentines for school. Sit down with your children to make cards, rather than buying commercial ones. Use plain and colored paper and stickers, or cut out red or pink hearts and glue them on a different colored paper. The only limit is one’s imagination, and the reward is a family event the kids will always remember.

Buying a gift? Support Lafayette’s own stores! For instance, Elmwood Stationers is a certified green business, and so is Lamorinda Music (www. lamorindamusic.com).

The Nut Factory has gift baskets (www.

lafayettenuts.com). You can probably think of others.

Single? Treat yourself to a massage, or have a day at the spa. Check out the gently used books at our fabulous Friends Corner Book Shop (friendscornerbookshop.com).

Valentine’s Day is about loving and caring. Remember the green Earth, rather than the green dollar. Have a wonderful and creative Valentine’s Day!

San Ramon Valley Genealogical Meetings The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society meets at 10am the third Tuesday of every month, except August and December, at the Danville Family History Center, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. A speaker is at every meeting. Everyone is welcome.

For information, call Ed at (925) 299-0881, or visit http://srvgensoc.org.

Page 16 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

www.yourmonthlypaper.com of dollars higher than tax receipts.

Q-E Insanity However, because there is no general consensus in the body politic

By Daniel A Barnes, CFA about how this should be changed, it won’t be.

I’m not an economist. However, I’m well versed In Japan, they sell more adult diapers than baby diapers. If the U.S. in economic theory. national debt were as large as Japan’s, it would be 38 trillion dollars.

I’m not an accountant. I only care about the Japan Inc. is fi nished, done for. The economics are beyond my skill level, numbers that come before the comma.

I’m not a creative writer. But creativity is the but they are trapped beyond belief, and they cannot grow their way out of only fiction that is true when it comes to current their problem because they are anti-growth. Japan has no immigration and negative birth rates. Their population has shrunk in recent decades from economic practices across the developed world.

Folks, we are at a fairly impossible fulcrum 129 million to 125 million. They’ve had 10 finance ministers in the last six point. The insanity of current politics (whether in Athens, Brussels, years. Some morning we will wake up, and the real Japanese earthquake Tokyo, or D.C.) is that the entire fight is about what is taking place after will have been announced. When that happens, the rest of the developed nations will finally see the playbook for the endgame of rewriting the the comma, instead of what the number is in front of the comma.

In the U.S. we are faced with rewriting the social contract vis-a-vis 200 social contract in an advanced democratic wealthy nation.

In Washington, they waste our money debating a debt ceiling in which trillion dollars of future liabilities that we owe to ourselves. That’s correct, our liabilities are internal. We will owe social insurance obligations (Social only one outcome is possible. Since the people haven’t spoken clearly, Security and Medicare) to our own citizens, and the bills will be trillions the politicians cannot agree to 100 billion in spending cuts, let alone the trillions that someday will be necessary.

In the meantime, how should you and I think about all this?

About a decade ago, some big thinkers, namely Peter Bernstein and Nicholas Taleb, introduced the concept of non-linear risk to the general public. Bernstein wrote Against the Gods and Taleb wrote Fooled by Randomness. The key concept that they both present is that non-linear, i.e. cataclysmic “risk,” is greater than commonly suspected, but it’s impossible to predict its frequency. This is a critical point for all families saving for retirement. If we all had life expectancies of 100 or 200 years, then this difficult question would be much less relevant. In all of history, it’s a reasonable assertion that the greatest quantity of growth ever sustained was in the United States from 1801 to 1900, and in that period of time, there were no fewer than 20 full-blown recessions and financial panics. Despite 20 recessions and financial panics, the economy sustained the most tremendous growth in history. But, if you were 60 years old in 1872, you didn’t ever have time to recover from the speculation euphoria and triumphant bust of the Panic of 1873 (this led to worldwide bankruptcies as railroad speculation and the national meddlings of governments climaxed in to a wing-dinger of a panic and recession). If you were just about done with your working life, and you had half your savings in railroad stocks and bonds, you were wiped out just on the eve of the greatest boom of profitability ever seen with railroads from 1874-1914.

Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment And, this is the problem today. Each one of you has a different set of time horizons. We may need our savings before the next golden leg of profitability and increased prices ensues.

Dumploads OnUs So, diversify. It is unknowable whether or not there will be a specializes in calamitous economic panic in the next 15 years in the U.S. (It’s providing the ultimate junk removal quite certain there will be one in Japan). If there is a calamitous solution. We’ll haul event, you will want some gold in your portfolios and some away just about anything - from old household junk to construcsilver under your bed. You will want some bonds for stability, tion and yard waste. The only items we are unable to accept are but if you have more than $300,000 to invest, you are better off hazardous not using bond funds. You will also need stocks that pay and materials. We • Computers grow their dividends. Because even in times of big deflation or make getting • Cables big inflation, stocks that pay growing dividends (as opposed to rid of your • TVs unwanted junk stagnant dividends) are your best protection. You will want some • Monitors as easy as real estate. Any single family home or multi-family unit in a 925.934.3743 • 925.934.1515 • Servers 1-2-3; we load, www.dumploadsonus.com • www.erecycleonus.com reasonable area will probably do. The down cycle in real estate • Phones we sweep, and 1271 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek is over, so the coast seems quite clear for the next 10-15 years for • Printers then we haul Monday-Friday, 8-5 • Saturday 9-1, Sunday, closed real estate.

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Preparing Your Home for Sale

By Art Lehman, Village Associates Realtors I’ve been getting a number of clients calling over the past few weeks to get information on what they need to do to put their home on the market. I’m simply going to repeat an article I wrote a few years ago – the difference now is that the market sure looks way better then when I wrote about it previously.

A good agent will assist in helping you to prepare your home for sale by doing a thorough evaluation of your home and property. Based on the results, the realtor may provide a number of recommendations to improve the overall curb appeal and presentation of your home for interested buyers.

Below are few actions that you can take, as the homeowner, to have the best possible atmosphere and to show your home to its greatest potential.

• Make the space less personal by removing any excess of family photos, posters, collections, etc.

• In order to maximize space, clear high traffic areas of too much furniture.

• Make sure the rooms standout and key features are highlighted and are not blocked by furnishings, plants etc.

• If the carpet and flooring is in bad shape, shampoo it, fix it, or better yet, replace it.

• Remove all small items off of shelves to assist in de-cluttering the rooms.

• Touch up your paint on the walls if needed…if nothing helps, you may need to repaint.

Use common sense. What you’re creating is an environment that a buyer can walk into that’s simple, clean, looks good, and one that they can imagine their furnishings fitting into. It is very difficult for most buyers to see through others’ tastes and clutter, so you’re helping them out and making it easy.

Professional staging in many homes is a great option. Statistics show that a staged home sells quicker and typically for more money. You can discuss this

New Estate Tax Law - How to Seize a Key Opportunity

By Robert J. Silverman, Attorney at Law New Estate Tax legislation (enacted January 3rd) creates a compelling opportunity for many married couples who have a Revocable Living Trust. Below, I’ll: a) give you some background; b) describe the opportunity and to whom it applies; c) explain why, if this applies to you, you will lose the opportunity if you don’t change your Trust before the first spouse dies; and d) identify the harm caused by failing to change your Trust.

The new Federal Estate Tax exemption – the net value of assets you may own at death without being subject to this tax – is $5.25 million, and it will be indexed for inflation annually. Any excess is subject to Estate Tax at a 40% tax rate.

During the last few decades, the exemption has increased dramatically – from $600,000 - $675,000 throughout the 90’s, to between $1 million and $3.5 million between 2001 and 2009, with tax rates applying to excess amounts varying from 45-55%.

Besides having a dramatically lower exemption for the last few decades, applicable laws since 2001 have all included a “sunset” provision. Each such provision mandated the reduction of the exemption to $1 million on the law’s sunset date. Due to the uncertainty and to plan conservatively (i.e. counting on a lower exemption), many couples established what’s known as a “formula” (aka “A-B” or “A-B-C”) Trust. The primary goal of most formula trusts is to take advantage of potential Estate Tax savings.

The mechanism for realizing these tax savings is to allocate assets into two or three separate sub-trusts after the first spouse dies. Essentially, by creating these sub-trusts, a married couple can double the amount of assets they are entitled to pass on free of Estate Tax to their children or other loved ones - potentially producing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax.

At this point, you’re probably saying to yourself, “Thank goodness for formula Trusts; I need to be sure I have one!” Not so fast. For married couples with estates of up to several million dollars or more, formula Trusts were indeed the “holy grail” of estate planning for many years. They can still help accomplish certain non-tax goals, such as providing some control during the surviving spouse’s life over what happens to the assets that belonged to the first spouse

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 17 option with your realtor and have them introduce you to the best providers of those services. Most stagers will work with you based on your budget and needs.

Have your agent discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of being proactive in completing various inspections before your home goes on the market. The rationale for doing the inspections is that by doing so the seller will understand the overall condition of the home and specifically the items that are in need of repair. This information can be factored in for arriving at correct pricing of the house. A seller may decide to make repairs prior to sale so that the items no longer become an issue. Every home is unique. Typically a pest report and occasionally a home inspection are done. If certain areas of your home present issues or concerns, you may decide to do more (i.e. roof, chimney, drainage, etc.).

There are many schools of thought regarding pre-sale inspections. Some agents will say that the buyer will do their own anyway, so why spend the money.

Others respond by asking how a home can be realistically priced without taking into account its condition. Furthermore, pre-sale inspections allow a buyer to make an offer that initially reflects what condition they believe the home to be in. These are all good reasons! In some cases, where the reputation of the inspector is known, a buyer may choose to do fewer inspections because they feel the seller’s report was adequate. Sellers should go out of their way to use mainstream inspectors with good reputations.

Please consider that many sellers bring a realtor into the home selling process a bit too late. Sellers want to make the home look better for the agent in the hope of getting a better price estimate. As a result, many sellers complete improvement projects and spend money getting the home ready for sale which are done unnecessarily and don’t maximize value. Get help early from your agent so that you can spend your money wisely and make your home look great in order to improve the likelihood of it selling quicker and giving you a greater return.

If you have any questions on selling or buying a home in the area, please contact me at 925 200-2591 or by email at art@artlehman.com. Please feel free to email a topic for the next article too. If you’d like a free automatic email update of current listings and sales, call or visit my website to sign up, www.

Advertorial artlehman.com. to die. This can be particularly useful in estate planning for blended families.

Aside from these various kinds of “control” reasons to have a formula Trust (which should certainly always be considered), the current exemption of more than $5 million is such that a huge number of couples no longer need a formula Trust!

You might reasonably ask why you shouldn’t keep your A-B Trust in the remote event that you end up needing it. Because there are important, yet not commonly understood, disadvantages of a formula Trust. They are typically much more expensive to administer, and they are much more inconvenient to manage after the first spouse dies. An attorney is generally needed to help the surviving spouse comply with complicated rules in allocating and transferring assets into their respective sub-trusts. Separate records and accounts are required. A separate tax return must be prepared and filed for the ‘B’ Trust every year of the surviving spouse’s life.

Unfortunately, I have met with too many new widows or widowers to whom I had to deliver the bad news - explaining the ramifications of his or her formula Trust. Frequently, the surviving spouse tells me that if their attorney had explained the pros and cons of formula and non-formula Trusts when their Trust was drafted or when it was last reviewed (or when it should have been last reviewed) by their attorney, the couple would have definitely decided on a non-formula Trust. And by making that decision, the surviving spouse would have saved a lot of attorneys’ fees, costs, and inconvenience.

You should be on high alert if you are married and have net assets unlikely to ever exceed $5 million (in fact, because of a newer “portability” rule, even if your assets will not likely exceed $10 million). If you have a formula Trust, you should obtain expert legal advice and assistance about the pros and cons of amending and restructuring it into a non-formula Trust. If you fail to make this change, you may subject the surviving spouse to years of unnecessarily complex, expensive, and aggravating Trust administration.

Simple is often better; sometimes less is more…

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, 1333 N. California Street, Suite 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 944-9700; rsilverman@sbllp.com. His practice emphasizes Estate Planning, Trust Administration & Probate, Real Estate, and Business. Mr. Silverman offers a free introductory consultation.

This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain and rely upon specific advice only from their own qualified professional advisors. This communication is not intended or written to be used, for the purpose of: i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein. Advertorial

Page 18 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Does our Metabolism Slow Down When We get Older?

By Anna Dornier, The Club Fitness As I was talking to a new client the other day, she mentioned that she’s had difficulty losing weight as she’s become older. She said that when she was younger, as soon as she ate less, she could lose her extra weight fairly easily, in just a matter of weeks.

But now, the fat just will not come off no matter what she does with her diet or exercise. Even if her weight did budge, her results are not as good as they were when she was younger.

This has led me to the question of whether slower metabolism really is inevitable when people get older. We’ve all heard it before; people say that their metabolism has slowed down with age. They may be right, and they may be wrong.

There is a phenomenon called muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, associated with age. This is basically the loss of muscle mass people experience as they get older. For example, if you or someone you know has broken a leg bone and has had to have the injured region placed in a cast, the muscle in that part of the leg would be a lot smaller compared to the muscle on the other, un-casted leg by the time the cast is removed. This is where the saying, “Use it or lose it,” applies. The less you use a particular muscle, the less muscle you’ll have in that area.

As most people are aware, muscle burns more calories than fat cells, so when we lose muscle mass later in life, we also slow down our metabolism.

Many studies have been done on aging, and Holly Van Remmen, co-author of an aging study at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, says that, “Age-related muscle atrophy in skeletal muscle is inevitable. However, we know it can be slowed down or delayed.”

So, how do we delay muscle atrophy? The only answer is exercise.

I’m not talking about cardiovascular exercise. I’m talking about strength training exercises where you lift weights, like dumbbells and barbells, or

Garden continued from front page and share food collaboratively and learn about sustainable gardening and our rich, beautiful local riparian habitat. In February 2011, the City of Lafayette and EBMUD agreed to allow the community to use the current site. Sustainable Lafayette agreed to be the fiscal sponsor. Private donations enabled the ground to be broken in March 2012.

From April to November 2012, fifty inaugural member families, along with Boy and Girls Scouts, a church group, and other volunteers, enjoyed a sense of camaraderie as they built a greenhouse, shed, and garden beds from a variety of recycled materials. A number of different crops were grown and shared during the season. A series of educational workshops, open to the public, were successful in bringing information about gardening and natural history of the area to those who attended. The Earth Day Open House and Fall Harvest Festival were both fun community events.

The garden is sustained on a day-to-day basis by a cooperative community of members who work under the direction of a garden manager and committee leaders. Beginning this March, the garden will expand its membership from fifty to seventy families. Membership application forms can be downloaded from the garden website at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org and are due at the address listed on the application by February 28th.

A special aspect of the garden and learning center site is that it sits along the Lafayette Creek and is graced by a number of native riparian plants. These plants are highlighted in a natural riparian oak garden and along a short nature trail, which will be accessible during open hours beginning in March.

Also, in 2013, garden members hope to grow enough food to be able to share excess with local agencies that serve the needy.

Community members are encouraged to visit the garden site and participate in community activities. During February, the garden is open each Saturday from 9am – 11am, and starting in March, it will be open most days. The open hours are listed on the bulletin board outside of the garden entrance.

During the 2013 season, monthly workshops and intergenerational activities will be held at the garden’s outdoor learning center. The first four workshops are: March 9th, 1:30pm – 3pm ~ Doing Your Own Plant Propagation - Kathy

www.yourmonthlypaper.com where you use your own body weight, such as with pushups or lunges, to either maintain your muscle mass or increase it. Muscles burn four calories more per pound compared to fat. That number doesn’t sound like a lot, but it means that even if we just add a few pounds of muscle, we can immediately increase our metabolism which then prevents age-related muscle wasting.

Another benefit of having muscle is it leads to having thicker bones which will help prevent injuries later in life. Basically, your bones have to support the muscles that are attached to them, so they have to adapt by getting thicker. So, not only does increasing muscle mass help you burn more calories, but it also helps you get stronger bones, which is also beneficial for people who are prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis.

We know that medical doctors are right when they recommend diet and exercise, but we should also know that strength training will specifically help us if we want to keep our metabolism high as we age. Usually, lifting weights three times a week for 30-45 minutes is sufficient for most people who want to maintain or increase their muscle, depending on how their workout is tailored to their needs. There are also other factors that affect metabolism such as nutrition, digestion, and hormones. So, a complete health and fitness program should address those as well.

Aging doesn’t have to be a gloomy event that we all ignore. We can feel great and look our best even as we get older. But, we have to realize that we need to have a solid health and fitness program now (rather than later) so that we can reap the benefits from it later on.

For more information on how Anna and her team of coaches at The Club Fitness can help design your ideal fitness routine and nutrition plan that fits your lifestyle through their semi-private personal training program, call her at 925-297-5339 or email her at anna@theclublafayette. com. Need a jumpstart to your New Year’s resolutions? Ask us about our 21-Day Fat Loss Challenge and join other Lafayette residents in losing up to 8lbs. in just 21 days and develop the fitness habit. You may also visit our website at www.TheClubLafayette.com and get a copy of our free report “Ultimate Guide to Fat loss” where you will find our top three killer fat Advertorial loss strategies for busy people.

Echols, retired teacher of horticulture from DVC and highly respected expert on propagation, will get you excited about propagating your own plants. Learn how to start seeds and cuttings, care for them in the early stages of growth, and prepare them for transplanting to pots or your garden. You will also learn how to save seeds from your favorite vegetables to grow the next year.

April 13th, 10am – 11:30am ~ Irrigation and New Norms for California Landscape - Scott Sommerfeld, Landscape Architect and EBMUD representative for water conservation, will emphasize site stewardship and resource efficiency as the new norms for local landscapes.

He’ll discuss best practices for landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance, and he’ll update us on the newest high efficiency irrigation equipment.

May 11th, 1:30pm – 3pm ~ Creating and Enjoying a Butterfly Garden Join Pamela Winther, Landscape Architect and Adjunct Professor at DVC, to learn all about butterfly gardens and the beauty and delight they bring. She’ll tell us the best plants to grow, what conditions they need to flourish, and which beauties you’ll find in your garden. We’ll explore the Community Garden’s new butterfly garden and maybe find some visitors.

One can register for these classes at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. If you have any questions about the garden, call Janet at 946-0563.

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editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Want to Change? Expect Resistance!

By Michael Anne Conley, LMFT If you want to create some change in yourself or your life, is your committee on the same page?

Whether you know it or not, you have a committee, a board of directors that runs the organization that is you.

Everything really is an inside job. Say, for instance, that you’ve made a commitment to lose 10 pounds, start jogging again, quit your job, leave your relationship, or stop drinking coffee. Even though these changes have external aspects – the food, the job, and so forth – any changes you make have to happen on the inside to make them work.

If your insides are unclear, ambivalent, or in outright disagreement, then it’s all the harder to stick to the changes you want to make.

For instance, it’s very common for people to say things like this: “That really made me angry, but I didn’t say anything.”

“I know I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help myself.”

“Part of me says yes, and part of me doesn’t want to.”

Most difficulties occur when people are not in agreement within themselves. You, like everyone else, are made up of layers that often conflict with each other.

That’s why you can be angry with someone you love, or keep smoking when you know it’s bad for your health. It’s why you can chow down on food that is going to increase your weight, and why you can be irritable and stressed at work, while on the same day be friendly and cooperative with family or friends.

What I’ve noticed is that many people are more aware of the members of their committee who are judgmental, so I often hear things like: “What’s wrong with me?”

“When am I ever going to get it right?”

“There I go, doing it again!”

If this is true for you, then you’ve gotten so used to this negative self-talk that you’ve shut down the members of your board of directors who have

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 19 true and good things to say.

Do you discount these inner voices? Have you stopped listening to those parts of you that say things like: “I really did a terrific job on that report.”

“I was very thoughtful with Aunt Mary the other day.”

“Wow, I’m a pretty talented singer.”

If you’re like most people, you might not recognize that these voices in you are allies on your committee, and they are cheering for you when you make a decision to change in a way that increases your health, improves your relationships, or helps your career. These aspects of you are on a side of your team that will help you lose that weight, stop the drinking, manage your time more effectively, get back on that bicycle, and think well of yourself when you deserve it the most.

But here’s the tricky part.

If you’ve been in the habit of following the advice of the hostile members of your committee, you may think this is who you are! You might not even consider that you’ve just given these aspects of yourself more power on your whole team.

Once the judgmental members of the committee get used to running the show, guess what, they resist giving up their power. This is one reason why it’s harder to create positive change by doing it on your own. If you think that getting support is a sign of weakness, don’t buy into it. That’s just your unfriendly committee trying to stay in power. Your committee includes friendly and helpful voices, and you deserve to follow their guidance.

I know for myself, and my clients as well, that getting support helps reduce the power of the old team and strengthens the voices within you that will help you get unstuck and move forward in your life.

If you experience frustration from being trapped in behaviors you can’t change, Michael Anne Conley offers a partnership with you in creating your own personal path to freedom. She is a holistic addiction therapist and director of Stillpoint integrative health center in Lafayette. Find out more at www.habitsintohealth.com/get-support or contact her at maconley@ wellnesslafayette.com or 925-262-4848.

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Happiness Tip

Ask Dr. Happy

By Bob Nozik, MD Dear Dr. Happy, I am a 72-year-old man who was an awardwinning insurance salesman before I retired six years ago. I made good money and was respected as my company’s top salesman. I am an avid golfer and now play at least three or four times a week.

I’ve got it all, right? Wrong! Since retiring, I have no identity, no status. I’m bored and my wife says she doesn’t know what to do with me sulking around the house all day. I think I may be depressed. These should have been my golden years. ~ What Went Wrong?

We are responsible for creating our own happiness; no one will do it for us. Many people, after years of working jobs that may or may not have really suited them, look forward to resting happily in retirement; snoozing, watching TV, reading novels, or lying on a float in a pool. After years of 9 to 5, that may sound like heaven and be great…for a while. But, eventually, most of us will need more. The key is finding something to do in our retirement that has meaning for us. As retirement approaches, keep that in mind. Prepare for your retirement, and be sure to include at least something meaningful to you in those plans for the sake of your happiness.

Please send questions/comments for Dr. Happy to Pollyannan@aol.com.

Dear WWW, You’ve discovered that retirement is not for sissies. Most of us view retirement as the reward for all those years of hard work we put in. And it is, or can be, but it is not as easy as just stopping working. It takes skillful planning for most of us to make retirement rewarding. And, just playing more golf won’t do it for most of us for the reasons you’ve listed, WWW. Too often retirement results in loss of identity, diminished self-respect, and too many unoccupied hours hanging around the house annoying your wife like a giant dust-bunny. Very few of us are fortunate enough have had jobs that fit us so well that we could say they were our calling. Well, retirement gives us another chance to create our calling. And, because of vast life-experience and greater self-knowledge, retired people are ideally positioned to find that calling. That is the secret formula for a rewarding retirement. So, WWW, I suggest you take some time to discover what it is you would most like to do--maybe writing, or teaching, or building birdhouses. If you don’t know, seek help from your local senior services counselor. And do it now.

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Page 20 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

A Day to do Something Special

By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. Saint Valentine was a third century Roman saint who has long been associated with the tradition of courtly love. Every February 14th gifts and letters (an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards each year) are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans (Go forth, my heart, with my lady…with grace and mercy.) By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for both friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection.

I like to think of Valentine’s Day as a day to do something special. Some of my fondest memories are of writing cards for elementary school classmates. In some years, however, it was the preparation for Valentine’s Day that was special.

Valentine’s Day is a time to feel and look your best. Whether you are preparing for a romantic evening, warming up the winter blues, or want to give a gift to someone, here are eight ideas that might help you on your way.

1. A consultation - I find this to be one of the most important interactions I have with my patients. I enjoy answering questions and offering both personal and professional advice. I’m often surprised at how many people ask if surgery is right for them.

2. Botox or Dysport injection - Most commonly used around the eyes and forehead, it can be used both to prevent and treat wrinkles.

3. Volumizing filler injection - This is an excellent way to refresh your appearance, address moderate to severe facial wrinkles, and give

Wheelchair continued from front page the Church of the Latter Day Saints) asked him to drop off their aid packages en route to his African destination. He readily agreed. Included in that cargo were six wheelchairs bound for a hospital in Romania. “Little did I know,” he writes, “that those six wheelchairs would change the direction of my life.”

Behring, a successful Danville developer, defines the joy generated by setting a wheelchair recipient’s dreams in motion as the achievement of purpose. In his 2004 autobiography Road to Purpose, he recounts, “I lifted a small Vietnamese girl from the ground and placed her in a wheelchair. In that instant, she found hope...Her face opened into a smile, her eyes as bright as the noontime sky.

And I knew for all she had changed in that moment, I had changed even more.”

The Wheelchair Foundation runs an administratively lean operation, funneling virtually every dollar into providing wheelchairs. Volunteers and service organizations across America do much of the fundraising. Unanimously declaring the positive return on their investment inestimable, donors traveling on distribution trips pay their own expenses. On the receiving end, similar groups arrange local logistics including identification of recipients and appropriate configuration of the wheelchairs they require. They also fund and coordinate transportation to remote locations where wheelchairs are most needed. Rotary International, with clubs in over 200 countries, is frequently involved in all aspects of the process.

Since Bill Wheeler, founder of Blacktie Transportation, invited them on their first journey, Josh Routh and his father Don have made 20 distribution trips to 11 countries.

In the remote town of Juigalpa, Nicaragua, they met a 26 year-old woman who had been waiting eight years to acquire the wheelchair she needed to utilize the scholarship to A wheelchair recipient with Kenneth Behring (right). Photo courtesy of the Wheelchair Foundation

www.yourmonthlypaper.com youthful contour to the skin.

4. Fraxel laser treatment - Certainly not what King Henry V had in mind when he hired a writer to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois we’ve come a long way since then. For Valentine’s Day preparation, I recommend a first treatment one week before the big day. A series of treatments (generally 3-4) address texture problems, fine lines and wrinkles, and pigmentation issues such as brown spots, but results are noticeable after just one treatment.

5. Laser genesis is a great no-downtime, painless procedure for acne prone skin. While there’s never a simple cure-all for problem skin issues, laser genesis is a good place to start as the laser has enough heat to kill the bacteria in the active breakouts.

6. While not exactly the vestige of Christian and ancient Roman Valentine’s tradition, laser hair removal is a real windfall of living in the 21st century.

Several treatments are generally needed, and it works best for darker hair types.

7. Longer lashes! - Latisse is a treatment used to grow lashes, making them longer, thicker, and darker. More voluptuous lashes in just six weeks, are “romantique”!

8. Skin care products - There’s a pleasure in taking time to care for your own skin, and a cream or lotion can also make a nice gift - something to be wrapped up and enjoyed.

Sometimes just the process of sharing wisdom (and taking away some of the mystery of youth and beauty) is the most rewarding part of my day.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ personsplasticsurgery.com.

Advertorial Managua University she earned as a high school honors graduate. Finally enabled to pursue her studies, she chose psychology so she could help families coping with disabilities. In poorer places, when one family member is disabled, another often has to stay home from school or work to act as caregiver.

“When you give someone the gift of mobility, you are giving them freedom and dignity…and when someone has freedom and dignity then they have hope for the future,” explains Don Routh.

Now retired, Don spreads awareness of the worldwide need for the means of mobility and the elation engendered Josh Routh connects with a nonagenarian in Tlaquepaque, by improving the life of each Mexico, one of many wheelchair recipients from 4-96 years of wheelchair recipient. One of age he has met in Latin America. Photo courtesy of Don Routh. his initiatives at a Hayward elementary school gave low-income Latino students the opportunity to celebrate joy in their joint accomplishment: raising enough money to send six wheelchairs to less fortunate peers in El Salvador.

Don Routh plans to introduce the program the “Three Amigos” (Don, Josh and Bill) are currently piloting with the Pleasanton Unified School District to additional area school districts this spring. They provide live and video presentations, posters, collection containers, and fundraising ideas. Wheeler offers Blacktie’s community bus free for one field trip per school to either the Blackhawk Museum/Wheelchair Foundation exhibits or a wheelchair sports event. Ten wheelchairs are available for schools to borrow in rotation for students to test drive or use in fundraising races or sports competitions. For information, e-mail donrouth@comcast.net.

Eva Carleton, Regional Director of Operations of Latin America and the Caribbean, travels on 3-4 distribution trips a year while coordinating the delivery of 40-50 projects. Every working day she helps provide someone with what she considers a basic human right: a wheelchair. “Without a wheelchair,” Carleton notes, “you have to ask for everything you need.”

In a Columbian community several hours from Bogota, Carleton met a woman who had been unable to work for five years due to a spinal injury. Thanks to her Foundation wheelchair, she was back at her job. Minutes later, Eva encountered another wheelchair recipient happily earning money keeping parked cars safe.

See Wheelchair continued on page 22

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Your Personal Nutritionist

By Linda Michaelis, RD. MS. Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals Do you remember a time when you were famished and kept eating until, oops, you ended up feeling uncomfortably full? One reason that many of us are not at a healthy weight level is because, somewhere along the line, we stopped listening to our body signals that naturally tell us when we’re hungry and when we’re full. Learning to recognize those signals again can help you get to a healthy weight and stay there.

The signals are still there, but we’re out of practice when it comes to paying attention to them. As babies we ate intuitively - we fussed when we were hungry and stopped eating when we were full. As we grow up, the world “teaches” us when to eat via things such as advertising, imposed meal times, holiday meals, and grandma’s comfort foods. We confuse cravings with hunger and end up overeating.

The hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that is responsible for controlling feelings of hunger, appetite, and the satisfaction one feels after eating a meal. Did you know that it takes 20 minutes for the hypothalamus to send signals that you are full? This explains why we keep eating and then 20 minutes later feel uncomfortably full. The objective is to reset your hypothalamus, and control it by eating more slowly.

This is indeed the painless way to begin your journey to weight loss this new year.

Do you know how to distinguish between real hunger and cravings? Hunger is a painful sensation caused by the need for food. There is a signal from the brain and stomach that food is needed for energy. Signals from your stomach may include growling, an empty hollow feeling, and/or hunger pangs. Your brain may send signals such as headache, trouble concentrating, irritability, or fogginess.

Hunger does not go away over time, it only gets worse.

Unlike hunger, craving signals do not serve a life-sustaining need. They often last over a period of 10 minutes and are usually triggered by emotions such as stress, boredom, sadness, etc. With hunger, any food will quell the sensation; only one specific food like chocolate will satisfy the craving.

In my practice I teach my clients to distinguish their hunger from craving by keeping a journal to track their hunger and satiety before and after eating.

Interestingly, it initially sometimes takes them a day or two or more to feel real hunger. In the past they were eating all their meals before they received hunger signals. They soon learn that food truly tastes better when they are hungry.

I often work with a hunger scale (see below) and have my clients keep track of how they are feeling before and after they eat. I tell them that it is best to eat when their hunger level is at a 3 or 4, and not to wait until they are at a 1-2 and feeling very, very hungry. At that point they will most likely overeat and choose unhealthy foods. The 3-4 level allows them to make conscious decisions to eat

Diablo Valley Oncology Doctors Receive Patients’ Choice Award The recognition of the Patients' Choice Award reflects the difference that a particular physician has made in the lives of their patients. The honor is bestowed to physicians who have received near perfect scores as voted by their patients. Of the nation's 830,000 active physicians, only 5% were accorded this honor by their patients in 2012.

All physicians at Diablo Valley Oncology recently received this prestigious award. They are physicians Matthew Sirott, Robert Robles, Jewel Johl, Tiffany Svahn, Gigi Chen, Esther Catalya, Sachin Kamath, and Sophia Rahman. These medical oncologists, hematologists, and radiation oncologists were rated by their patients on various components of care such as ease of appointment, promptness, courteous staff, diagnosis accuracy, amount of time they spent with the patient, their bedside manner, and follow-up care.

They received the highest scores, a near perfect four star rating by their patients. In fact, the practice has more doctors recognized than any other oncology practice in the area.

Dr. Robles, the group’s blood cancer specialist, has received the award three years in a row. One comment from a patient’s review states, “Dr. Robles explained my blood disease to me in a way I could understand. His medical knowledge and experience really impressed me. I know I am in good hands in his care. I would recommend Dr. Robles to my best friend or parents.”

Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 21 the right amount of healthy and tasty foods Next time you have a meal, make it a point to pace yourself. Take a bite of food, lay your fork down, take a drink of water, and partake in conversation. Continue this practice throughout the meal, and check in with your body. This method will help you to slow down and get to the feeling of satisfaction and away from that ugly fullness.

Hunger Level

Sensations and Symptoms

1 Starving, weak, dizzy 2 Very hungry, cranky, low energy, a lot of stomach growling 3 Pretty hungry, stomach is growling a little 4 Starting to feel a little hungry 5 Satisfied, neither hungry nor full 6 A little full, pleasantly full 7 A little uncomfortable 8 Feeling stuffed 9 Very uncomfortable, stomach hurts 10 So full you feel sick I always stress that food is a celebration of life. You can still lose weight if your food is tasty and even when it has some fat. Cravings, which are often for fat, sugar, and salt, are normal and can have a place in a healthy balanced diet.

I teach my clients how to enjoy the treats, and then bring the day back into balance. When they are succeeding they know that they do not have to feel guilty.

Weight loss to me is a program that teaches you how to lose weight and keep it off forever while still eating your favorite foods.

I am glad to inform you that your health insurance may pay for nutritional counseling. Please call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com and tell me about your nutritional concerns. Refer to my website www.LindaRD. com for past articles, recipes, and nutrition tips in my blog section.

Advertorial

Coping with the Death of a Pet When you lose your pet, you often feel like a part of you is lost. The death of your beloved animal companion is one of the most difficult losses you may ever feel. This loss is sometimes made more painful by society’s seeming lack of support for pet grief.

Hospice of the East Bay and the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation is offering a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care. Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month from noon - 1:30PM at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.

For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at Hospice of the East Bay (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required.

Hospice of the East Bay Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Another patient wrote about Dr. Catalya, “The nicest doctor I have ever had. Wonderful lady and smart too!”

To view the complete Patients’ Choice “MD report card” profile of each physician, visit www.patientschoice.org.

Diablo Valley Oncology is located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill. The cancer center is the largest freestanding, nonhospital based facility in Contra Costa County. The center brings together medical oncology, hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, clinical trials, and supportive care services – all in one convenient location.

Advertorial Satellite offices in Rossmoor, San Ramon, and Brentwood.

Page 22 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

Events for Lafayette Seniors

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Our mission is to provide personalized care, help All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior maintain independence and enhance our Center (LSC) located at 500 Saint Mary’s client’s quality of life on a daily basis.

Rd in Lafayette unless otherwise noted.

• Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 ensure the right care plan • Hourly care Heartfelt & to reserve a spot. Annual Membership fee: for you • Live-in care Supportive $10 per person. General Event fee: Members • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt.

• Elder referral and placement $1; Non-Member $3. Special Concerts fee: At All Times...

Members $3; Non-Members $5. Ongoing 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D Lafayette, CA 94549 Caregiver Support Group: Members: no (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com 925-284-1213 charge; Non-members $1.

PM Lamorinda Dance Social Every Wednesday • 12:30 – 3 • Live Looking for a good book to talk about with others? Join this brand-new, informal Oak Room, LSC - Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday, and learn group of book lovers, and enjoy enrichment, discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. some great new dance moves. On the first Wednesday monthly, professional Words of Wisdom…From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted 3rd dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, Tuesday Monthly 2/19, 3/19 • 10:30 –Noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Take part playing your favorites and taking requests. $2 Members/ $4 non-members. in this free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor. Topics – from Lafayette Senior Services Commission 4th Thursday of the month soup to nuts - will be explored, examined, and discussed by participants. Long-time from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the LSC - View agendas at the City of Lafayette of- Lafayette resident Paul Fillinger’s stories and photographs will stimulate humorous fice or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us. discoveries regarding the benefits of becoming the ‘elders of our tribe.’

Senior Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Every Wednesday • 9AM - 11AM Anne Randolph Presentation: Posture Friday, 2/22 • 11:30 – 12:30 • • Call LSC to find out weekly meeting locations - Experience nature at its finest Sequoia Room, LSC - Not only is poor posture not attractive, it can lead along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the to discomfort, pain, and other problems. Discussion, demonstration, and while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be exercises will be offered to improve your posture, decrease your pain, and helpful if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever you are able. help in the never-ending fight against gravity.

‘Common Threads’ Stitching Group Every Wednesday • 2 – 3:30PM • • Free Memory Screening - 3/22. Call 284-5050 to sign up for one Elderberry Room, LSC- Whether you are a seasoned cross-stitcher or newbie beginner, of the following appointment times: 12:30, 12:50, 1:10PM. join this ongoing, drop-in group for instruction, guidance, or simply a relaxing afternoon “Love is Here to Stay” Piano Jazz Concert Friday, 2/15 • 1:30 – 2:30 • spent with fellow stitchers. Allow instructor Ben Pettersson to guide you regarding Lafayette Library, Community Hall - Come celebrate the month of Valentine’s supplies and designs for a new cross-stitch project, or bring your own (needlepoint, Day with our love of piano jazz. Songs from the Great American Songbook may knitting, crochet, etc. are welcome, too!) include tunes by Gershwin, A. Jobim, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck, as Come Play Dominoes! Wednesdays 1:30-3PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Join us interpreted by members of CCPAS. Call LSC to reserve your spot. every Wednesday for a rousing game of dominoes, refreshments, and socializing. Free Peer Counseling 3rd Wednesday of the month 2/20, 3/20 • Cedar Come out and challenge your brain, meet friends – old and new, or just spend an Room, LSC - Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-on-one counseling enjoyable afternoon over the game table. Feel free to drop in any time. with senior (55+) counselors who use their life experiences to help other older Come Play Mahjong! Every Tuesday 1PM–3:30PM • Sequoia Room, adults cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. Confidentiality LSC - Come join us on Tuesdays for a drop-in game of mahjong. Mahjong is a is strictly observed. Appointment required. Call LSC to sign up for one of the game of skill, strategy, and certain degree of chance. All levels welcome. Bring following appointment times: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, or 11:30AM. your card, a mahjong set and a snack to share (optional). RSVP not required.

Be Your Own Health Advocate Tuesday, 2/26 • 10:30am-noon • Hearing Screening • First Wednesday of the Month 3/6 • Alder Elderberry Room, LSC - Our health care system is one of the best in the Room, LCC - Audiologists from Hearing Science/Diablo Valley Ear, Nose, world; it is also one of the most confusing and fragmented. Medical research and Throat will screen your hearing. An appointment is required. Please call and technology has increased our treatment options, and health care reform is Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to sign up for one of the following changing access to care. Did you know one in five Americans has experienced appointment times: 1:00, 1:20, 1:40, 2:00 a medical error? Learn the lingo and communication techniques to effectively Self-Discovery and Aging, Creative Writing Workshop • 2nd and 4th speak with your medical providers both at the doctor’s office and in the hospital.

Thursday monthly 2/22, 3/8, 3/22 • 3 - 5PM • Elderberry Room, LCC - Join creative writing and english instructor Judith Rathbone and write to explore issues Wheelchair continued from page 20 “It is always a joy to give someone a wheelchair and it is an even greater joy around aging, emotion and perception–or get support to write on any topic! Workshop to personally watch and hear how that wheelchair improved their life,” explains sessions include writing prompts, feedback and encouragement, and information David Behring, President of the Wheelchair Foundation. David met Tran Nghia about the world of writers, writing, and publishing.

Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) Thursdays 2/14, 3/14 in 2003. Born with a neurological disorder, the Vietnamese high school student depended on family and friends to carry her everywhere. She needed a wheelchair • 10:30AM – noon • Toyon Room, LSC - Brighten your day with Dr. Bob to attend university to study English and become a doctor. The following year Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF and author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How David visited her family and they kept in touch. In November 2012 they met again to Do It. Take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers in Hanoi. “Nghia unfortunately could not become a doctor due to her disability on a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants towards a but she did learn English and translates documents for a Vietnamese company. more ideal and positive life experience. … Her smile was as radiant as I remembered it back in 2003.”

Bi-Monthly Caregiver Support Group Mondays 2/25, 3/11, 3/25 Kenneth Behring makes a point of shaking the hand of every wheelchair • 1:30–2:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - If you are a family member recipient. “All we ask in return is a smile.” Partnering with non-governmental helping to care for an older adult, join our support group to find balance agencies permits the Wheelchair Foundation to give the gift of mobility with no and joy as you manage your responsibilities. strings attached. Creating global friendship and promoting the joy of giving are Document Your Life Story 2/20, 3/20 – Cedar Room, LSC 3/6 – Sequoia additional aspects of this non-profit organization’s mission “to deliver a wheelchair Room, LSC • 1 - 3:30PM - If you have wanted to write the stories, memories, and to every child, teen, and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one.” experiences of your life but haven’t known where to start, wait no longer. Michael The Wheelchair Foundation’s annual Charity Ball at the Blackhawk Museum Caligaris, MFA Candidate in Creative Writing, Saint Mary’s College will guide February 23rd is open to the public as are all Foundation fundraisers. Jeff Behring, you through the process of leaving a living history for future generations –what a Director of Special Benefits, offers a Wine for Wheels private party plan getting rave gift! This drop-in group meets through May. Included will be an optional outing reviews nationwide as a means for finding personal purpose while sharing fun with to St. Mary’s for their Creative Writing Reading Series. friends. To register for the Charity Ball, plan a Wine for Wheels event, learn more Book Club 3rd Tuesday monthly 2/19, 3/19 • 1 – 3PM • Elderberry Room - about Foundation activities or to make a donation, visit www.wheelchairfoundation.org.

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Happy Valentine’s Day/ Happy Meditation!

By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator, Lamorinda Senior Transportation, an Alliance of Transportation Providers Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled writes, “Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual (evolutionary) growth.” You might think of yourself as on a path from Point A to Point B - Point B representing goals you have for yourself, learning you want to accomplish, and transformations you want to make. As you reach to achieve those goals, some are relatively easy and some seem more challenging, almost as though they are always out of reach. These bigger goals require internal change, becoming more than you were before, becoming less reactive, more objective, more understanding, becoming stronger while also becoming kinder and more compassionate. As you make these internal changes, you begin to notice that your larger goals seem closer and more achievable. Peck continues, “It is in the whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has meaning...Problems…create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. It is through the pain of confronting and resolving problems that we learn.”

Alan Seale’s online newsletter The Transformer notes, “In The Fire Starter Sessions, Danielle LaPorte writes, ‘Respect the fact that doubt is part of the creative process. Examine it as soon as it surfaces. Appreciate that it keeps you alert.’”

Fear and doubt are just signs that we’re entering into new territory. When we cross into new territory, there is often no guide to show us the way, no clear set of rules to follow, no instruction book to read. We learn by trial and error. We make mistakes and stumble. We experience breakthroughs and success. It’s all part of the journey.

In that unknown territory, confidence often eludes us. We don’t know what we’re doing or where we’re going, and the only way to find out how and where is to go there. Art critic Robert Hughes wrote, “The greater the artist, the greater the doubt…” That statement makes me chuckle, in part because it brings some levity to the moments when I’m feeling the most challenged, and also because I’ve learned that too much confidence can be its own trap.”

What does meditation have to do with this? Meditation is taking time each day to turn towards the inner world, to rest and renew, to become inspired and more self- aware, to release negativity, and absorb positive energy. It’s akin to going to Jiffy Lube to have your car’s oil changed and going to the gas station to get filled up/refueled/reenergized. It’s a great way to start or end your day, to recharge your internal batteries when you are tired, or to heal yourself when you feel out of sorts.

As you do regular meditation, you build a bridge to a higher state of awareness, a higher state of consciousness, and you become aware

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Lafayette Today ~ February 2013 - Page 23 of changes in yourself that you want to make.

As you work to make those changes, you have committed to your own evolutionary growth and are on your way to Point B. These changes will impact your relationships in positive ways and you may find yourself contributing, even committing to someone else’s well-being and growth.

A trip to the Jelly Belly Factory Happy Valentine’s Day! Be sure to see the movie The Impossible, a true story about surviving a tsunami and transformation.

“There is a light that shines beyond all things...This is the light that shines in your heart.” ~ Chandogya Upanishad.

I wish you love – in the best of its many forms, remembering with Peck, “Love is as love does…love is a choice.”

We love driving you to your appointments, shopping, and lunch at the C.C. Café, so give us a call to get out and about, to continue on your evolutionary journey.

Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers Lamorinda Spirit Van

283-3534

Taking Lamorinda Seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, special events, and lunch at C.C. Café. $10 round trip; rides to lunch are free.

Reserve your seat two business days ahead of time by 1PM.

Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.

Orinda Seniors Around Town

402-4506

Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands. Phone for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to donate.

Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors

284-6161

Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with rides to doctors’ appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays. Phone for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to donate.

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Page 24 - February 2013 ~ Lafayette Today

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Las Trampas continued from front page volunteer opportunities for individuals in the vocational program is the Reuse, Recycle, Repeat program, to which an entire room is devoted. Clients gather new and partially used hotel-sized shampoo, lotion, and body wash bottles that are then washed and re-filled for assemblage into personal giftbags. The neatly packaged and labeled bags are then delivered to local East Bay charities.

“Reuse, Recycle, Repeat is one of our most popular programs,” says Bonnie Peacock, former director of development.

Angie, a Las Trampas client, prepares a meal “Our clients in the kitchen. really enjoy re the process of collecting, packaging, and delivering Patio FurneitruSale SPARE THE AIR rd the items. It gives them a great sense of satisfaction O Special USE GAS LOGS & FIRE PITS that they are helping others in need.” Hogue adds, “In addition to the pride of achievement and giving back to the community, they also learn valuable transferrable work skills for future employment.”

Las Trampas also offers vocational programs for its participants who earn paychecks for various services such as community parks cleanup, janitorial services for local businesses and community facilities, and document shredding services. “Our participants are committed to Open Tuesday thru Saturday their jobs and are able to complete projects quickly and effectively,” says Hogue. “Hiring our students is a winCustom Glass 10am to 6pm Doors win; the hired worker achieves a much-needed sense of am pm Sunday 11 to 5 purpose and accomplishment, and the hiring business or individual receives quality services and the gratification Closed Monday of taking part in a good deed.”

In addition to the Lana Lane Center, Las Trampas operates four group homes located in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, all staffed with ‘round the clock support staff who provide transportation to recreational and 3426 Camino Tassajara social activities, shopping, and medical appointments.

They also provide supported living services to apartment and home residents in Concord, Lafayette, and Pleasant Hill. By developing Individual Service Plans for each 3189 Danville Boulevard participant, facilitators assess values and dreams about where they would like to live, their activities, and plans for the future. A circle of support is developed, helping to guide need for full participation the participant and strengthen his/her opportunities for success. Skills in their lives, at work, and coaching may include money management, safety, cooking, self-advocacy, in the community.” household management, health and hygiene, and recreation options.

Visit www.lastampas.

While Las Trampas, Inc. outwardly appears to be thriving, the org for more information. organization is in a constant state of crisis. “Funding is a perpetual To donate gently used problem,” says Hogue. “But we do the best we can with what we have.” clothing, accessories, The buildings, all original, need major retrofitting and the kitchen needs furniture, household an overhaul – which Hogue hopes will some day allow them to qualify items or small appliances, as a commercial facility which can be rented for additional income or as schedule a free donation a business run by the individuals served by Las Trampas. pick-up by calling ReUseIt “We rely on the kindness of our community members,” says Hogue. at 1-855-777-3873.

A Las Trampas client enjoys time in the computer lab.

“Your gifts provide our clients with the support systems and services they

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