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May 2011 Amigos By Fran Miller
For many Lafayette teens, the summer months typically entail activities such as part time jobs, test-prep classes, athletic endeavors, and of course, simply hanging out with friends. For the six Acalanes High School students volunteering with Amigos de las Americas, the summer will be spent planting community gardens and emphasizing community nutrition, encouraging youth leadership, building latrines and stoves, refurbishing playgrounds, perfecting their Spanish, and gaining experiences which will undoubtedly change their young lives forever. Annie Beliveau, Brendan Kirbach, Westin Mirner, Anna Peare, James Prinzi, and Sami Sciacqua are this year’s Lafayette volunteers with Amigos de las Americas, an international nonprofit organization p r o v i d i n g unparalleled leadership and community service opportunities for Acalanes student Anna Peare spent last summer in Panama with the Amigos de las Americas program. She will live in Peru this summer, young people that contributes to where she will focus on children's health issues. the well-being of hundreds of communities throughout the Americas. During its 43-year history, more than 20,000 Amigos volunteers have gained a lifelong commitment to community service, while strengthening multicultural understanding and friendships. See Amigos continued on page 18
A huge thank you card for Abi, (Abi 4th from left) successfully obtained donations of personal care items, over 150 personal care packs she put together for participants at Fresh Start. This was part of her Gold Star Award for Girl Scouts. Pictured l-r, Geoffrey, Bill, Robin, Abi, Billy, Polly. To learn more about Fresh Start, see page 17. PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette CA
Serving the Lafayette Community Jumping for Joy By Fran Miller
When Joy Upshaw turned 50 this year, she jumped up and down. The distance between the up and the down just happened to be further than any woman her age had ever jumped – 17 feet, 10 ¾ inches to be exact – a new indoor world long-jump record for women 50 and over. Upshaw, a Lafayette native, is a star in the world of USA Masters Track and Field where 5-year age divisions begin at age 30. She is a luminary in the 50 – 54 age range, also holding a world record in the 200. Track and Field, Joy participating in the long jump. specifically the long jump, is in her blood – her dad, Monte Upshaw, broke Jesse Owens’ 1954 high school long-jump record. Her maternal grandfather, Norman Jackson, was a national-class sprinter in the 1920s. Her sister, Grace, participated in long jump in the last two summer Olympics, and her daughter, Sunny Margerum, is a freshman jumper at UC Berkeley. Younger daughter, Windy, is on the Stanley Middle School track team. When she’s not training and traveling the world as a Masters competitor, Upshaw is an assistant coach at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, at Stanley, and at her alma mater, Acalanes High School. Her friendliness and love of the sport are palpable. “We're always happy to see Coach Joy out on the track,” says Katie Barton, 18-year-old senior captain on the Acalanes team. “Joy always has a smile on her face and is very good at making others smile. She has such a positive attitude, believes in our ability to improve, and knows how to balance hard work with a good time. Sometimes, she'll give us a quick workout after we work on hurdling, and she'll say, ‘Isn't this fun, guys? I love this workout! This is one of my favorites!’ She also makes lucky hair ribbons for us girls when we race, and we hope when we wear them that her speed will make us run faster. “She has been running since she was our age, so she is very knowledgeable,” adds Barton. “When she coaches us, we know we are getting the best advice possible, and we notice our form improve every time we work on hurdles with her. She works us hard but manages to keep things fun.” “I have known Joy and her family since MY high school Volume V - Number 5 days,” says Manny Myers, who PO Box 1335 is currently in his 21st year as the Lafayette, CA 94549 head Cross Country Coach and Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Physical Education Department Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Chair at Acalanes. “I chased her father's record while competing Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher at Piedmont High School, and I The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is first coached Joy when she chose necessarily not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See Joy cont. on page 24
nor does publication imply endorsement.
Page 2 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Boulevard View
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
It’s sad to go to an antique store and see so many old family photos with no names, dates, or other forms of identification. Many things have little extrinsic value unless you know the story behind the objects. Without a story, a family heirloom is just a dust collector. When my in-laws were alive, I once sat with them and took pictures of all of their important family possessions. I cataloged them and made brief notations of how the possession came to be. There were wedding presents given to their parents and great-grandparents. The glass-fronted bookcase near my office desk is noted as a “cheap stained pine or redwood” unit that used to be part of the furniture at the family vineyard in Woodside. Tucked inside the bookcase were two empty wine bottles from the last production year of the La Questa vineyard, Rixford family wines. The notes go on to say, “the premium Cabernet wines were from the legendary La Questa vines, planted by E.H. Rixford in 1884.” Some silver plated trivets from my in-laws possessions were noted as being obtained from redeeming the old S&H Green Stamps. According to Wikipedia, “S&H Green Stamps were trading stamps popular in the United States from the 1930s until the late 1980s. Customers would receive stamps at the checkout counter of supermarkets, department stores, and gasoline stations among other retailers, which could be redeemed for products in the catalog.” I fondly remember my sisters and me filling up books and then going to the redemption center for “prizes.”
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Another family member undertook a similar project cataloging their possessions. In the catalog a small ornament from a Mayan temple is pictured. The caption goes on to say “Found in Mexico in about 1930 by Mr. & Mrs. Dudderar.” My aunt noted, “We paid a small boy to run up the steps of a temple and chip off this ornament for us.” The piece probably dates back to 300-600AD. Another entry shows a wooden napkin ring. The text says, “John collected this napkin ring from his great, great, Aunt Florence. It had been purchased by her husband Albert on his European trip of 1900. The carved word “OBERAMEGAU” identifies it as being from the German town of Oberammergau. Albert’s expense journal indicated that he purchased it on August 11, 1900 for 25 cents. Also pictured are two decks of playing cards purchased by a relative in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1925. Next to it is a piece that appears to be a broken dagger handle. The handle was found by a relative living in Czechoslovakia in the 1960’s. It is believed the piece dates back to the 7th or 8 th centuries. Without documentation, this ribbed lump of metal has much less of a story. There is also a hand-forged iron ring dated 1775. A note, passed down by the family, says “This iron is part of an old linchpin wagon of colonial times; used to convey household goods of early settlers to Indiana. The iron was used to hold the hownds of the wagon to the coupling pole.” My next project is to start attaching tags to special possessions in our house so the pieces will have a story to travel with them through the years. Do you have belongings with a story? Make sure to take the time to let that story be told.
Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973
Since 1973
3191-M Crow Canyon Pl San Ramon Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 866-2200 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com
In Loehmann’s Shopping Center (next to Lucky’s)
2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433 (Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)
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Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 3
18th Annual Concert at the Res
The Lafayette Rotary Club is pleased to announce the 18th Annual Concert at the Res. The popular community event was first introduced to the community sixteen years ago, and it has grown in stature and quality every year since. The event showcases our local school music programs that play live music at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir. This year’s show will be held on Saturday, May 14th from 11AM to 2PM. This event was conceived by Lafayette resident and Rotarian Dick Holt. Dick and his fellow Rotarians produce the show and direct event proceeds to support local school music programs and to help fund local charities and organizations that Rotary supports such as Trust in Education, Meals on Wheels, the Contra Costa Food Bank, Generations in Jazz, Futures Explored, Hospice, LN4 Foundation, and Rotary’s scholarship and Grant programs. Performing at this year’s Concert at the Res will be the Stanley Symphonic Band led by Bob Athayde, honored as the 2007 Outstanding Music Educator of the Year, the highly acclaimed Acalanes Wind Ensemble led by Norm Dea, the Big Band of Rossmoor led by Mo Levich, honored as Lafayette’s 2007 Business Person of the year, and the Bentley School Jazz combo led by Brian Pardo. This year’s concert will be held for the last time at the meadow just above the Boat House. Shuttles are available to take you from the main parking lot up to the concert. Next year Concert at the Res will be performed on the new permanent stage that is being built just to the left of the dam, across from the children’s play structure. This project is sponsored by the Lafayette Rotary Club, the Lafayette Community Foundation, and EBMUD. A model of the stage and information will be available at this year’s concert. Please join us at the 18th Annual Concert at the Res...It’s free! For more information, contact Jay Lifson, Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at (925) 284-7404.
Motorama!
If you like classic and other interesting cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, downtown Lafayette is the place to be on Fathers Day, June 19th. That’s because the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club is presenting the second annual “Motorama – World of Wheels” in the parking lot shared by Postino restaurant and the Clocktower on Mount Diablo Boulevard. Dads (and everyone else) are invited. Gates open at 9AM, and admission is free! Motorama strives to be big enough to have plenty to see, small enough to make it easy to see it all, and diverse enough to have something for a wide range of tastes. “This is a fun, low-key, family-friendly display of many different types of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, ones that bring smiles to the faces of both enthusiasts and the general public,” said event chair Krysten Laine. You can also treat dad to the VIP Tent, where, for a modest fee, massages, Scotch tastings, and special surprises await. Food and beverages will be available for all. “This event is a real hit with all ages,” said Laine. Turnout at last year’s inaugural event was estimated at 2,000. “Rotary is a 106-year-old service organization,” said club president Thomas Peeks. “Among the many local community service projects we sponsor is our popular HOME Team, started a year ago. Club members volunteer their time in performing minor, but important, home repair and maintenance chores for seniors who can no longer do them themselves.” Peeks stressed that all net proceeds help to fund service projects. “Not one cent goes to overhead or administrative costs.” For additional information or to register a vehicle, visit www.motorama.us.
Saint John’s Anglican Mission
Member World-wide Anglican Communion
Sunday Worship 11am
at Chapel of Santa Maria Church, Orinda
Visitors Welcome 925.386.6393
info@saintjohnsanglican.org www.saintjohnsanglican.org • http://anglicanchurch.net
Have you Seen this Dog?
“Coby,” 10 months old Black/Tan German Shepherd/ Cattle Dog mix. Missing since March 1st. Spotted all over Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Alamo. Shy but friendly. Not known to bite. Please help us catch him and bring him home! Had a name tag and red print collar. Generous REWARD for his return. Please call or text Julie 415-806-0658 ANY TIME with info.
For tickets call (925) 284-7404 or
Photo by Tom Black
8ZM[MV\[
Page 4 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Science for the Future
Computer Programming & Robotics Summer Camp for kids 8-12 years old
Your kids will learn computer-programming concepts. Give your kids a skill they can use for life and they’ll have fun too!
800.841.9356 | www.KidsLogic.net 1111 Civic Drive, #130, Walnut Creek
Camp founder and instructor: Ph.D. in Computer Science, UC Berkeley.
Taste of Lafayette
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette Community Foundation are once again teaming up for a great night out on the town. Taste of Lafayette is a tour of Lafayette’s finest eateries that lets you sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. The event will be held Tuesday, May 17th and begin in Lafayette Plaza at 5:30PM where you will check in, listen to music, enjoy a glass of wine, nosh on appetizers, and get a chance to join in on a spectacular raffle that will raise money for the projects that the Lafayette Community Foundation will fund. Next, you can stroll down Lafayette’s Restaurant Row on Mt. Diablo Blvd. or board the shuttle bus that will take you up and down the boulevard. Between 15-20 local restaurants and catering companies will be participating. At each stop, comes another “taste.” Finally, we gather back in the park to enjoy coffee and dessert. This is your chance to try as many restaurants as you can squeeze into two hours. If you would like to view our Taste of Lafayette on YouTube, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=r74ISEvnQsI. Proceeds from the event benefit the Lafayette Community Foundation and the Services and Programs of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Tickets for the event are available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org or call 284-7404 for more information.
Summer Outdoor Movie Series
The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce jointly announce the inaugural Summer Outdoor Movie Series to be held the third Thursday of the month, between May and August, starting at 8PM at the Lafayette Plaza. This summer, as part of our ongoing effort to enliven downtown, the City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce are planning, once again, to screen outdoor movies in the Lafayette Plaza. Last year’s trial run of Monster’s Inc. was a huge hit, and we’re delighted to bring back this community event once a month, May through August, starting at dusk. The movies will be free of charge, and all are welcome to attend! Below is the summer line-up: • May 19 ~ Iron Man ~ PG • June 16 ~ How to Train Your Dragon ~ PG • July 21 ~ Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark ~ PG • August 18 ~ Finding Nemo ~ G Residents can shop for their local produce at the Farmer’s Market and stay for the family-friendly film! So invite your friends, family, and neighbors, bring a blanket or two, shop at the farmers market for a fresh and delicious picnic or pick-up a meal to go at the nearby restaurants, and stake out your spot on the Lafayette Plaza greens for the free family entertainment. The movies will follow the Farmer’s Market at sundown. Sweets and drinks will be available for purchase. A raffle with prizes awarded each evening will be held. Donations will also be collected at each event. All proceeds will go towards maintaining this event as a recurring summer series next year and beyond. We’re also looking for volunteers to help coordinate, manage, and raise funds for this event. If you are interested, please contact Michael Cass at (925) 299-3219.
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.
To be eligible send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to: Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, PO Box 1335 • Lafayette, CA 94549
Erma Takeda is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 11 last month.
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Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop
When you visit Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette, the week of June 14, you will see red! That’s right--red, white and blue. Many of you have celebrated the Fourth of July in previous years with purchases made at the thrift shop. This year's observance should be no different; in fact, it can be virtually “over the top”! Be the first to drop by to see all of the Fourth of July Merchandise - tee shirts, caps, decorations; it’s all about one-stop shopping. The week of June 21 will launch “Disneymania” at the thrift shop. Again, volunteer members have worked especially hard to rekindle this great American pasttime by sorting and storing memorabilia for an entire year. Relive magical moments from childhood or collect items that would enhance any “Mickey Collection” at recession-proof prices. Assistance League of Diablo Valley thanks you for your donations and purchases. Thinking of others who are in need and at risk enriches our lives and remains a pervasive part of our heritage. To learn more about Assistance League of Diablo Valley and the Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, visit www. diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
Lafayette Farmers Market
Spring arrivals feature delicious ripe strawberries and raspberries, fresh cut asparagus, and cherries at the Lafayette Farmers Market! The Farmers’ Market is open for the 2011 season at Lafayette Park Plaza at Moraga Road and Mt. Diablo Blvd. The new hours are from 3:30pm7pm every Thursday. The Farmer’s Market is wonderful gathering place for family and friends. Have a picnic dinner on the lawn with your justpurchased Market goodies, or stop by a prepared food vendor’s booth for a delicious meal or snacks. Enjoy live music and face painting for the kids. New in 2011 are “Free Movie Nights” for the whole family on the 3rd Thursday following the market. The movies are brought to the community by the City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber. The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Sustainable Lafayette bring you “Village Night” on Thursdays with extended downtown shopping hours, restaurant dining specials, and special library programs. The Farmer’s Market welcomes local community groups and nonprofits to participate at the markets. Enter the monthly raffle drawing at the information table when you shop! Walk, ride your bike, or carpool to the market. Bike racks are available, making it simple to ride and park! Veggie Valet makes it easy for you to shop till your hearts content- leave your market purchases at the Valet stand while you get your car, and market staff will help you load your vehicle when you return. Help the environment one bag at a time by purchasing reusable, washable cloth produce bags at the information table. Make the Farmers’ Market part of your Thursday routine, and taste the difference of locally grown produce. For more information, visit the Contra Costa Certified Farmers’ Market website at www.cccfm.org or call CCCFM at 925.431.8361.
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 5
Life in the Lafayette Garden Tour
Alamo’s 3RD Annual
The public is invited to step into the enchantment and delight of five Lafayette gardens designed by John Montgomery on Saturday, May l4th from 11AM to 4PM. The cost is $25 per person. This second annual event is a fundraiser with proceeds to benefit Hospice of the East Bay, the Tech Trek program sponsored by the OrindaMoraga-Lafayette Branch of The American Association of University Women, and other local charities. John Montgomery, whose gardens are famous, believes the function of the garden is to rejuvenate, inspire, and relax one’s spirit. Come chat with John, nibble goodies during an outdoor cooking demonstration by A Loveable Feast, participate in a lively presentation by The Urban Farmers, and enjoy serene live music by the Danville Community Band as you stroll through all five of these distinctive gardens. To purchase tickets contact Pat Lopker at (925) 376-5l55 or sign-up on John Montgomery’s website www.jm-la.com and click on “Garden Tour.” For questions, contact Debbie at dblumhardt@jm-la.com.
Native American Indian Art Show and Sale Friday, May 13th (preview) 3-7pm Saturday, May 14th 10-6pm Sunday, May 15th 10-4pm Alamo Women’s Club
1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo Free Parking Adults - $5 Children - Free
Lafayette Juniors Host 12th Annual Lafayette Kitchen Tour
Tickets are on sale for the 12th Annual Lafayette Kitchen Tour scheduled for Saturday, May 14th from 10AM until 3PM. Guests will have the opportunity to visit six exquisite kitchens located in Lafayette. Attendees will receive an event guide detailing all design elements and information on the contractors, architects, designers, and design resources featured in each home. The tour will benefit Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, a program committed to creating a permanent solution to local homelessness. Tickets are $35 ($25 tax deductible). A boxed lunch is available for an additional $12. Buy tickets in advance through a Lafayette Junior, in person at Douglah Designs 3586 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Premier Kitchens, 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd., or at www.lafayettejuniors.org. The Lafayette Suburban Junior Women’s Club, chartered in 1953, is an organization of approximately 50 women dedicated to promoting social welfare, education, and civic improvement in the Lafayette and surrounding community. For more information, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.
Lafayette Recreation
Summertime Rocks at the Lafayette Community Center! School will be out soon, and summer registration is now open. Make your plans to spend this summer having a ton of fun with your friends and Lafayette Recreation! Play your favorite sports like basketball, soccer, and hockey, or learn something new like lacrosse, gymnastics, golf, or fencing. We have many other full and half-day camps to choose from including Spanish, Chess, Hip Hop Dance, Theater, Camp Green Thumb, Mad Science, and Lego Engineering. Camp Awesome runs throughout the summer and will be filled with fun games, exciting activities, new shows, and lots more. Camp Awesome will also be visited throughout the summer by Games2U (recently featured on the Rachael Ray Show and ABC’s Shark Tank) with video game, laser tag, and human sized hamster balls. Need more flexibility with your schedule? Purchasing the Awesome Card will allow you freedom to pick your Awesome days at camp. With Awesome Lunch Hour, you can pick two different half-day camps and spend your lunch with us. Whatever you choose, your summer will rock with Lafayette Rec! For adults, upcoming spring classes still open for registration include: • Crocheting for Beginners-May 14, 2-4PM • The Auteur: Film Criticism and Interpretation-May 17-June 7, 2-5PM • Adult CPR June 1, 7-10PM and Pediatric CPR-June 2, 7-10PM • Appetizer and Dim Sum Cooking Class-June 7, 6:30-9:30PM View the schedule and register online at www.LafayetteRec.org or call 925-284-2232. Hope to see you soon!
Eagle Scout Rank Awarded to Ryan Mitchell
Lafayette Boy Scout Troop 243 is proud to announce that Ryan Mitchell of Lafayette has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He will be honored in a National Eagle Court of Honor on May 14th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Scoutmaster John Coleman will present the Eagle award. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. An Eagle Scout must have earned a minimum of 21 merit badges and organized a service project that benefits his community. Ryan’s Eagle Project was to build a bus stop in Orinda that serves the parishioners of Holy Shepard Lutheran Church and the surrounding residents. He transformed the area from a patch of dirt to a concrete pad with a redwood bench, complete with a Bus Stop sign visible to those wishing to take the bus. His project not only required the design and construction of the bus stop but also coordination with the City of Orinda and the Contra Costa Transit Authority. Ryan is the son of Anne and Mark Mitchell and is a senior at Acalanes High School. For over 56 years, Lafayette Boy Scout Troop 243, chartered by the Lafayette Christian Church, has been providing boys from our area with a variety of hiking, camping, leadership and community service opportunities. The Scouts come from four different high schools and eight elementary and middle schools. Summer activities including backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, sailing at Florida Sea Base, land and water based adventures at Catalina Island, 50 Mile hikes, Mt. Lassen bike rides, whitewater rafting, and Camp Wolfeboro outings.
Page 6 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
The Bookworm By Joan Stevenson
Excerpt from an online post:: “The Lafayette Library is absolutely amazing!!! My family and I are relatively new in town, and this place was a blessing. Free internet, librarians that are helpful and tons and tons of information and books. Love the fact that I can order any book in the county and pick it up here. Also like that they call you when your items are ready to be picked up ….Only wish they where open longer hours on weekends!” Well, listen up, visitors! We have great news. Effective May 2nd, the Library will be open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday. Consider the statistics our own librarian, Susan Weaver, shared about the first year of operation that demonstrate the popularity of the Lafayette Library: 12,297 visitors per month – an increase of 83% over 2009; 70% of all Lafayette residents have a library card; 51,720 log-ins on the Library’s computers; more than 1500 people log on to the Library’s free wireless system per month. Add to this the programs sponsored by the Library Staff, Friends of the Library, and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation. In the first year of operation, more than 20,000 people attended 390 programs. On April 29, the Book Worm was invited to the inaugural viewing, A Partnership Beyond Books, the oral history of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. How like our community to take the creation of the library one notch up by documenting the process! Produced and edited by Brenda Hepler the voices involved in “imagining a place” related the ideas, the innovative thinking, and the steps that were taken. They have archived an important part of the history of our community. This documentary is available on CD at the Historical Society. Hats off to Brenda and her creative team! Come to the Science Café, sip a glass of wine or cup of coffee, and hear Arlene Blum, author, mountaineer, and biophysical chemist talk about treks,
www.yourmonthlypaper.com tenacity, and toxic chemicals. After organizing the first women's team to climb Annapurna in the Himalayas, Blum turned her attention to eliminating cancercausing chemicals from children's sleepwear and ultimately brought science into regulatory decisions, stopping the unnecessary use of toxic chemicals. The Breaking Trail: Mountains to Molecules to Motherhood talk will be held Tuesday, May 17th from 6:30pm – 8pm in the Community Hall. Do you wonder as you view the images of uprisings throughout Africa and the Middle East what will evolve? Come on at 1:30pm May 19th to the Community Hall to hear Dariush Zahedi, a lecturer in political science at UC Berkeley and a 2009-10 visiting professor at Bilkent University in Turkey, to hear his discussion entitled, A Republic, if You can Keep It. What are the prospects for successful transitions to democracy in Egypt and Tunisia? How about for any other country in the Middle East and North Africa that manages to topple its authoritarian government? What is the likelihood that transitions to democracy will be sustainable and enduring? It is presented by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of UC Berkeley. Tickets are $10 at the door. Reserve a place in advance at http://olli.berkeley.edu/lecture-series/Spring2011_Lafayette.html. The latest news…once again. Vitamin D and osteoporosis have again been in the news...It appears that there are more pieces to the osteoporosis puzzle than just Vitamin D and calcium. Exercise plays a key role, as do other factors. Gynecologist Risa Kagan, MD and physical therapist Joanie Shepherd-Mellows will help us understand more about this complex and common condition. Enjoy hearty hors d'oeuvres at this free presentation, and enter a raffle drawing for a fabulous prize! Bone Up on Osteoporosis talk will take place Wednesday, May 25th from 6:30pm to 8pm Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Call (510) 8696737 to save your seat. And there you have it, a glimpse of what goes on beyond the open door at LLLC. There is much more, so to keep up with the news, check out www. lafayettelib.org. As a community you need to take a bow because without YOU it could not have happened. Keep your eyes open because there is a magical birthday party being planned in September that you will not want to miss.
editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 7
Sustainable Lafayette – Tip of the Month
Now that the weather has finally turned sunny and warm, you may get the urge to do a little spring cleaning. The challenge is how to attack the clutter in your home and get your patio and yard ready for active use and entertaining without producing unnecessary waste or exposing your family to toxics. Following are our tips on how to make your annual scrub-down as green as possible.
Step 1 – Identify all the stuff that you never use anymore.
If you haven’t used it in the past year, then you probably never will again. Go through all the places where stuff accumulates--closets, junk drawers, out-of-reach shelves, attics and basements, patios, decks, and any other place where you're inclined to put stuff.
Step 2 – Consider the growing arsenal of ways to find a new home for unwanted items besides the landfill. Putting items in the garbage and sending them to the landfill should be the last resort.
REUSE - Be creative. Can an item be reused in some other way? Can you take the frames off those old, dated paintings and use them elsewhere? Etc. SELL – For more valuable items that you want to sell, put an ad up on Craigslist. GIVEAWAY – For items in good working condition, offer them to friends, put them in front of your house with a “free” sign, post them on Craigslist, use the Lamorinda Freecycle Network, or try the newest idea – an annual “Give Your Stuff Away” day on May 14th. Just bring your unwanted stuff to the curb on that day (giveyourstuffaway.com). DONATE – It’s easy to donate old clothes, toys, sports equipment, small appliances, etc. You can take these types of items to Goodwill at Rheem Shopping Center, Wayside Inn Thrift, and Nifty Thrift Shop. RECYCLE – Take recyclable items to drop-off locations around Lamorinda. Check the Lamorinda Recycle Guide on our website (“Resources” section under “Waste”). When you disassemble larger items, see if specific parts are recyclable – Like the aluminum base of a trampoline. You can take scrap metal to the Walnut Creek Recycling Center. REUSE & CLEANUP DAYS IN JUNE – The next curbside reuse and cleanup days are coming up in June (in Lafayette), so whatever you can’t find a home for by then, can go out to the curb on those special pickup days.
Step 3 – Clean using green, non-toxic cleaners and reusable wipes
Once you’ve cleared out all the excess stuff, it’s time to clean, but that doesn't mean you have to stock up on sprays and powders that are made of potentially toxic chemicals and can cause indoor air pollution. Choose from the many new green, natural, and non-toxic cleaning supplies (Diablo Foods and Open Sesame both have a good selection), or mix your own cleaning solutions using vinegar, baking soda, and good old hot water. There are many recipes on the internet. No matter how green your sprays and scrubs may be, if you use an entire roll of paper towels to clean your patio table-well, that is not exactly eco-friendly cleaning. Trade paper towels for reusable rags, microfiber cloths, or sponges, and ditch the Swiffer sweeper for a broom (preferably one you already have, of course).
Step 4 – Re-organize with green storage solutions
Now that you've managed to weed out the useless from the useful, you need to find a system for organizing what you've got left--because if you can't find something when you need it, you might as well not have it at all. For this, you'll need storage containers, but that doesn't mean you need to stock up on plastic bins that aren’t biodegradable or recyclable; instead, try cardboard boxes made out of recycled materials or cloth bags. Use ecofriendly shelving to free up floor space and make your rooms look bigger.
Library’s 2011 Summer Reading Festival
The Contra Costa County Library celebrates reading and adventure all summer long during the 2011 Summer Reading Festival, “One World, Many Stories,” and is pleased to announce its Festival author, noted travel writer and expert, Rick Steves. Acclaimed for his best-selling guidebook series, public television series, and public radio shows, Rick Steves will share all the latest in smart European travel in “Europe through the Back Door,” at 7PM on Thursday, June 16th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Whether you are actually planning to travel or dream of doing so, this event is sure to delight and inspire with travel tips and stories from other lands. “Every year, the Summer Reading Festival focuses on the importance and the joy of reading. This year, we’re highlighting the way in which books and libraries can deliver the world to people in so many different ways,” said Barbara Flynn, County Librarian. The Festival begins Saturday, June 11 and runs through August 20. People of all ages are encouraged to read for fun and prizes and to enjoy the exciting programs and entertainment being held in all Contra Costa County libraries and online at www. ccclib.org throughout the summer. With musical performances and storytellers from around the world, henna tattoo, a digital photography contest for teens with the theme “You Are Here,” and much more, the library will be the place to celebrate culture and your place in the world – here in Contra Costa County and beyond. Rick Steves studied at the University of Washington where he received degrees in Business Administration and European History. But his real education came from his time in Europe. Since 1973, he’s spent 120 days a year in Europe. Having spent a third of his adult life living out of a suitcase in Europe has shaped his thinking. Today he employs 72 people at his Edmonds-based company, Europe Through the Back Door, where he produces over 50 books on European travel, the popular Rick Steves’ s Europe public television series, a weekly hour-long public radio show, and a weekly column syndicated by the Chicago Tribune. Tickets to Rich Steves’s show are $10. For ticket information, please visit www.ccclib.org or contact the Lesher Center for the Arts at 925.943.SHOW (7469) or www.lesherartscenter.org. For more detail on the Summer Reading Festival, please visit the Summer Reading Festival website at http://guides.ccclib.org/srf.
Step 5 – Plan ahead to minimize next year’s spring cleaning
Try not to accumulate stuff that you only need occasionally. Instead, borrow from friends, and try new services like neighborgoods.com, loanables.com, and sharesomesugar.com for borrowing or renting stuff from people in your community. Take advantage of the seasons to pare down your collection of stuff - you might get more at a consignment shop for a winter coat in the fall then in the spring, etc. Thinking green throughout all areas of your life, from your office to your wardrobe to your home electronics, will put you ahead of the game come next spring. For more ideas about how to reduce waste and to read real-world sustainability success stories written by residents and organizations around the Lafayette area, please visit sustainablelafayette.org.
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Page 8 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Shop Talk from Urban Suburban The Local Economy By René Aguirré
At the beginning of the year, someone out in the business world said the recession was over. I don’t know about you, but I am not so sure I believed that then. Recently, we saw noticeable increases in prices for oil, gas, groceries, and other necessities. How can the recession be over? What I have seen is more movement in our local economy. Our community has been out and about in force- shopping locally, supporting local events, René Aguirré and showing a more mindful attitude to where their dollars and cents are headed. Let’s talk about some of our local businesses who are going the extra mile to help you save and give you a better bang for your dollar and where you can help.
What does shopping locally accomplish?
Try Lafayette First - Try Lafayette First is a program designed to raise awareness about local businesses. More than half the money spent in the community stays locally to support programs and schools. Additionally, more money spent here means more jobs and more community interaction. When you spend time with local businesses, you get to know who you are working with. You have the opportunity to foster relationships, which doesn’t happen with an online resource or an out-of-town department store. Shopping locally is good environmental practice for saving gas! The Try Lafayette First campaign is encouraging everyone to shop in Lafayette first. The campaign is also encouraging merchants to recommend each other. Previously, we recommended automotive services in Lafayette. This time we will focus on our some of our other favorites around town. Shopping local - recommendations from Team Urban- Last week, Krysten had the pleasure of spending some time with Larry Blodgett of Blodgett’s Abbey Carpet & Flooring. She had a great time learning about flooring, materials, and the work that goes into finding the right kind of flooring for your space. Larry is the subject matter expert when it comes to flooring. Blodgett’s carries environmentally conscious lines created from sustainable resources. They also carry many economical and Made in the USA brands in hardwood flooring, carpeting, and tile. If you are searching for a new look in the entry way, remodeling a room, or even a throw to liven up the place, visit Larry over at Blodgett’s Abbey
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Carpet & Flooring. I promise you will not be disappointed! These are a few of the many places we love to shop, dine, frequent, or give business to: Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Privé Jewelers, Ware Designs, Diablo Foods, Bank of the West, Mechanics Bank, Wine Thieves, Postino Restaurant, Metro, El Charro, Diablo Nursery, Orchard Nursery, Farmers Insurance, Kosich & Callahan Insurance Services, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Accurate Bookkeeping, Balance Right Services – bookkeeping, Minuteman Printing, Diablo Rapid Print, and Humann Company. Each of these businesses gives back to the local community and is a pleasure to work with. What about volunteering? Every community has programs for children, adults, seniors, pets, and more. In today’s economy, we are seeing continuing cuts to programs necessary for the people in the Lafayette community to live, learn, and prosper. Cuts lead to adjustments, such as increased fundraising and an increased need for volunteers. When you look around the Lafayette community, you see many opportunities to volunteer and give back. The Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program at John Muir Health is always looking for helpers to participate in the one-on-one matches between volunteers and seniors over 60 who are in needed. If you have children, the local schools can always use support and assistance in the classroom. Check in with the Lamorinda Moms Club for local opportunities. Lafayette is a great place to get out there and pitch in. In Lafayette, we have so many programs, so many opportunities, and even more ways to get to know your neighbors and businesses. Team Urban around town- Team Urban has taken things to new levels this Spring! We are spending lots of time getting to know as many people and businesses as possible to improve our levels of service for you! Krysten spent time at a social media networking workshop to learn more ways to reach out to the members of the community. Stay tuned for new and exciting things to come out on the web from Team Urban! We are pleased to announce our participation in the Motorama – World of Wheels second annual event. The Rotary Club of Lamorinda Sunrise has grown the event with a pre-event Gala to raise funds for local programs. At the Gala, the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club is launching a local literacy for children program. Visit www.motorama.us for details on the pre-event Gala happening Fathers’ Day weekend. If you have any questions about this or any other Shop Talk issues, call US today at 925-283-5212 or visit our website www. urbansuburban.com. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 5pm. Urban Suburban is your dealership alternative for All German, All Japanese, and All Domestic vehicles. We provide free shuttle service to the local area. Advertorial
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Cinema Classics
Run Silent, Run Deep
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 9
By Peggy Horn
In honor of Memorial Day later this month, I have chosen a movie dealing with World War II, entitled, Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), and starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. Each month I choose a movie that is funny or uplifting or both, and this month’s movie, although serious, is uplifting. My husband received this film as a gift years ago, and our sons watched it in preference to other ‘children’s’ movies many, many times. My husband, who has worked and cruised on a Navy submarine, agrees with film critics that the movie excellently captures life onboard a sub and conducts the realistic portrayal of a submarine underway. The film deals with Captain Richardson, played by Clark Gable, who goes against orders to find and sink a particular Japanese destroyer that has sunk at least four American submarines in the so-called Bungo Straits. Captain Richardson drills his seamen for this objective in spite of the protests of the Executive Officer on board, Jim Bledsoe, acted by Burt Lancaster. Mr. Bledsoe’s disapproval of their mission is representative of the general population on board and could have resulted in a mutiny if it were not for Mr. Bledsoe himself putting a stop to it by saying, “This boat, any boat, has but one captain.” As a consequence, deference is given to Captain Richardson. In spite of the original discord, the dangerous mission is approached Do you have a list of projects with courage, daring, and old fashioned preparation. All the men aboard this you would like to get done? submarine face death and injury with calmness, aplomb, and even a sense of Ask us about our specials... humor that is inspirational. To reward the real sailors and soldiers of World War II and other wars for their intrepid efforts, it is appropriate that we Mention this ad at the time you remember what they have done as symbolized in this and other films of its receive your FREE estimate type and that, in the words of Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, “…we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” and get 20% off labor! This movie is available for purchase inexpensively online or for rent at • Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels select DVD rental establishments.
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Cracking the Code: Wine Labels, Part 2 By Monica Chappell
Say you’re in the wine store, and you want to buy something new. You have nothing to go by outside of the label. Will the label tell you anything you should know? Welcome to the second part of a two-part series exploring the news you can use on a label of wine. Here are a few helpful definitions: Vintage Date: This is the year in which all or most of the grapes in the wine were harvested. Some vintages are better than others within a given region, and the best age at which to drink a wine can vary by grape, region, and production method. Not all wines are vintage dated. Old vines or vieilles vignes: Theoretically, older vines produce fewer, but more flavorful, grapes, but the problem is that no one has defined what an “old vine” is, so anyone can put this on the label. Brand Name: The winery that produces and sells the wine, called a chateau in France. Since total unknowns may offer undiscovered treasures and even the most revered wineries can turn out flops, brand name alone is not necessarily enough to judge a wine. Quality Level: European Union labels usually indicate the wine’s status within the country’s quality hierarchy. On a French label, the term “reserve” generally tells you that the bottle in your hand has been aged a bit longer, while on an American label the word’s meaning depends upon the winery’s whim. High-quality producers take it seriously and put their best grapes into reserve bottlings. Varietal Designation: The dominant grape or grapes in the wine, and in the U.S., one of the first places to look for the sort of flavors to expect. Varietal designations are rare on French labels. Appellation of Origin: The more specific the better; this is the name of the place where the grapes in the wine were grown, which can be a country, state, county, region, or viticultural area. Alcohol Content: Just like it sounds. Most wines are 7-14 percent alcohol by volume. Estate Bottled: Indicates that the wine was continuously under the control of one winery in one location. One hundred percent of the grapes were grown,
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crushed, fermented, finished, aged, and bottled on the property. These “artisan” wines likely to emphasize the unique properties of the grapes, the vintage, and the winemaker’s vision are the common practice in most regions of France, while stateside, estate bottling is seen mostly in boutique wineries. Trade Name: The name of the bottler or importer. The more discerning importers’ names are considered an important indication of quality - and when buying wines from tiny French estates might be just about all you have to go on. Wines made outside of but sold within the U.S. must list the importer on the label. Once you speak a label’s language, it’s impressive how much you can learn about a bottle of wine just by looking at it. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Danville and Pleasant Hill. For a list of classes go to www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.
Summer Music Jazz Workshop
Lafayette’s Summer Music Jazz Workshop is now accepting applications for their summer program. Go online to www.lafsmw.org to download your application and learn more about this incredible summer program. The workshop is for middle school to college-aged students. The workshop is presented by Generations in Jazz Foundation, a non-profit organization. Spend six incredible days with top music professionals. The workshop will be held July 31 – August 5, 2011. Intimate classes cover music theory, ear training, improvisation, and combo performances. Enjoy a superior music experience for students interested in learning an American Art form of JAZZ!
Page 10 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
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Bookmark Contest Winners! 1009074-TSO-ALToday-5x6.25.indd 1
9/15/10 11:07:47 AM
Congratulations to our 2011 Bookmark Contest Winners! Each year the Friends of the Lafayette Library hosts a bookmark contest with the four Lafayette Elementary Schools, Stanley Middle School and St. Perpetua School. The contest is open to all students in grades 1st through 8th. Each winner received a gift certificate to a local bookstore. In addition, the Hall of Fame category recognizes students that potentially have a winning bookmark but have already won in the Hall of Fame Winners: Front: past. These students received a gift certificate Chaya Tong(2nd gr.). Back: to the Friends Book Shop located beneath the Michelle Montano(8th gr.) and Amanda Gonzales(6th gr.). library next to the Historical Society. Each year Fast Frame reaches out to the community and frames each winning bookmark. They also frame all winning bookmarks for our display in the library. Special thanks Anthony Ruiz for generously donating your framing and time to our contest! Thanks to all who participated!
2011 FLL Bookmark winners. Front row: Ethan Michon(3rd gr.), Ashleigh Ericson (2nd gr.), Sean Harrington(1st gr.) Back row: Tim Kostolansky(4th gr.), Alex Shimotake(8th gr.), Emily Collins(7th gr), Julia Stedman(6th gr.), Isabella Chao (5th gr.).
Caldecott Fourth Bore
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Tunnels to the Past By Julie Sullivan, Lafayette Historical Society (LHS)
The locale is the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore between Orinda and Oakland. Imagine the time is the late Miocene period, about 10 million years ago. The climate was warmer then, and abundant greenery flourishes. Gone are the rugged, rocky hills, the freeways, the cities. In their place is a verdant river flood plain where small, rodent like creatures nest in the savannah grassland, and antelope and gazelle graze peacefully on lush foliage. Let your imagination move forward several million years to the Pleistocene period, a mere one million years ago. The scene is much the same, but suddenly the earth trembles. An enormous hairy creature emerges from the thick undergrowth and lumbers toward the river to drink. It’s a giant sloth bigger than a 17-person van. This is the picture geologist Jim Allen creates of what the tunnel locale used to look like, partially from fossils similar to those being found in the Caldecott Fourth Bore excavation. Jim will share the discoveries paleontologists have found at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, part of the Lafayette Historical Society’s (LHS) speakers series. “Tunneling Through Time” will be held at 3PM on June 14 and is open to the public. A donation of $10 for members and $15 for non-members is requested. “We’re encouraging families to attend,” Judie Peterson of LHS says. “There will be specimens and fossils that should provide a great learning experience. Kids will love it.” Along with Jim, Caldecott Fourth Bore public information officer Ivy Morrison will give an overview of the tunnel progress and a glimpse of the intricate excavation process. The Fourth Bore project is a partnership between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), and the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA). It will create a two-lane fourth tunnel north of the existing three Caldecott tunnels. “A group of paleontologists has been involved with the Caldecott Fourth Bore since the beginning of construction,” Jim says. He was responsible for editing and updating the paleontological salvage plan for the project. “When construction crews uncover fossils in the excavated material, paleontologists are called to the site,” Jim says. “They identify where the fossils were found and supervise careful packaging of the specimens for storage and eventual delivery to the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology. From the fossils we can draw conclusions about what the terrain was like at the time the animals died and how the climate changed.” Fossils of mammals found in previous excavations include camels, rhinoceroses, three-toed horses, and small mastodons. “We are lucky to have an abundance of fossils from the earlier tunnel excavations of the 1930’s and 1960’s,” he adds, “since there were no paleontologists involved. The construction guys at that time realized the importance of what they were finding and took it upon themselves to preserve and transport the specimens to the university.” Jim will bring rock samples from both the eastern (Orinda) and the western (Oakland) excavations, showing how different the rock formations are on each side of the tunnel. The tunnel is projected to open to traffic in 2013 and to be completely finished with all landscaping in 2014. A complete history of the tunnel, the excavation process, and photos are available on the website www.caldecott-tunnel.org. To make reservations for June 14, call (925) 283-1848 or send an email to lafayette.history@comcast.net. The History Room in the Lafayette Library and Learning Center is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10AM – 2 PM.
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An Uneasy Marriage – Democracy & Capitalism By Daniel A Barnes, CFA
Last weekend, I traveled south to La Jolla for the 8th annual Strategic Investment conference, put on by John Mauldin. I’ve been to this event that features many of the world’s most cogent minds several times. I find it crucial for me to attend so I can be the best steward of my client’s financial interests. The stellar lineup of speakers included Paul McCulley, one of my favorites. For the last 11 years, McCulley was Central Bank Strategist and counterpart to Bill Gross at PIMCO, the largest bond manager in the world. McCulley retired in December at age 53 to a think tank, and on Saturday, he appeared before us like a crazy man as our lunchtime speaker, with a big Santa Claus beard and sun-burned skin from too much fishing. McCulley is famous for posing philosophical questions to his pet rabbit, Morgan Le Fay, who in turn elucidates on the politico-economic reality. McCulley coined the term “Shadow Banking System,” which refers to a credit creation system of hedge funds, pension funds, and Wall Street that supported and profited from the housing bubble, as well as “debt deflation, the beast of burden capitalism cannot bear.” Saturday’s lunchtime speech focused on the current unsustainable government finances and what’s going to happen. To McCulley, the social contract of countries in which wealth is formed is the result of the truly odd marriage of capitalism and democracy. Democracy starts with the socialist notion of: One person = one vote. Democracy is a struggle for justice, the distribution of our economic pie. It is not a struggle about the size of the pie. This predicament finds itself in direct conflict with capitalism, a simple, cumulative voting system whereby: One Dollar = One Vote. It is a cumulative voting system; the more dollars you have, the more votes you get! In order to flourish, however, capitalism requires the Rule of Law and its corollary, the sanctity of property rights. And that is precisely the one thing that capitalism is unable to give to itself. If capitalism were in charge of enforcing the rule of law, how would that look? You guessed it - the best justice money can buy. So, capitalism needs require the rule of law, which it cannot render unto itself. The one thing that the socialist idea of democracy cannot give to itself is an economy. Safeguarded by the rule of law and the sanctity of property rights, greed (capitalist activity) provides the formation, accumulation, and perpetuation of wealth, a phenomenon hereunto unknown before democracy and capitalism got hitched about 200 years ago with the successful French and American revolutions. Capitalism’s gift to democracy is the pursuit of profit directingAdam Smith’s invisible hand with the time-proven result being the growth of our collective economic pie. But the ethos of capitalism is at best agnostic, about whether the pie is distributed justly. Many would aptly point out that it is antagonistic to the idea. McCulley says democracy and capitalism are “strange and necessary fellow travelers: visible socialist ideals dueling with the invisible enigma of greed.” And this is why economics without politics is an analysis of a world that does not exist. Why do I care? Why should you care about this uneasy marriage between Democracy and capitalism? You should care because the marriage is in trouble. Democracy and capitalism must undergo intense, expensive, and extensive marriage counseling in the next years. This counseling will produce a rewriting of the social contract between the young and the old and the rich and the poor. People of economic privilege must surrender some of their advantages in order to secure the viability of the fiscal corpus. That means testing for social security and Medicare and compromises between the old and the young regarding the safety net and when it starts paying. While this marriage counseling will be ungodly expensive, it will also be successful. And the marriage between capitalism and democracy will survive this decade and thrive in the roaring 2020s. Call me if you’d like to discuss what this means for your portfolio.~ Daniel Barnes Capital LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor located in downtown Lafayette in the Bay Area. We manage trusts and retirement income portfolios. Financial planning is an integral part of our process. We protect client capital using municipal bonds, high-quality dividend-increasing companies and precious metals, which have protected wealth in every epoch spanning five millennia of bankruptcies, inflation and other forms of attrition. Call 925-284-3503 and visit www.barnescapital.com. Advertorial
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 11
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Town Hall Theatre
May at Town Hall Theatre is packed with something for everyone. May 12-15 the THK Players presents The Wizard of Oz. The THK Players is Town Hall Kids’ flagship program, featuring young actors from ages 7 to 18 performing full-length, family-friendly productions. Rounding out an exciting month, political satirist Will Durst, makes his triumphant return as part of the Town Hall Comedy Series, hosted by improv giants, Crisis Hopkins. For more information, check out TownHallTheatre.com or call the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557.
Contra Costa Wind Symphony
The Contra Costa Wind Symphony, featuring resident harpist Shannon Polley, will perform on May 28th at 8PM. The farewell concert, celebrating music of the dance with Maestro Duane Carroll and Contra Costa Wind Symphony, will be held at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church located at 1801 Lacassie Ave. in Walnut Creek. Composer Randol Bass will be conducting his composition “Champagne and Roses.” Tickets cost $10, and they can be purchased by going to www. CCWindSymphony.org or at the door.
The Willows Presents Chicago, the Musical
The Willows Theatre Company will stage its production of the musical Chicago, the epic tale of murder, mayhem, and courtroom chicanery in America’s most famous Prohibition Era city. The show is based on a true story from the Roaring 20s. The musical is a satire on corruption and the concept of the “celebrity criminal.” Chicago runs May 14th through June 12th at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street in Martinez. For tickets or information call 925-798-1300 or visit www.willowstheatre.com.
Lamorinda Peace and Justice
The Lamorinda Peace and Justice Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7 – 9 in the fireside room of Lafayette Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Our group is committed to working to support a healthy planet, a thriving local community, and a safe, equitable world for all. For more information, call 925-946-0563.
Page 12 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
The Tree of the Season: Coast Live Oak By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
If you have a coast live oak in your yard, you will understand that its Latin name, Quercus agrifolia, is appropriate. Agrifolia means spiny leaves. And though the tree retains green leaves throughout the year, it also sheds dead leaves, many dead leaves, and they are less than friendly on bare feet. If you are lucky enough to have a mature coast live oak in your garden, you are well aware that its sculptural qualities more than compensate for the ongoing maintenance this big beast requires. I find comfort in the manner wherein old trees twist into their strangely beautiful form, their rugged bark accentuating, in counterpoint, their grace and openness. The generous shade offered by their broad crowns seems to invite one to lounge against their trunks and think about things that are never on TV. Agrifolia became the dominant tree of the costal plain, not because it’s beautiful, but because it’s tough. Though plagued by several diseases and pests, the continuing ubiquity of live oaks over the millennia is testament to their ability to resist diseases and fight off pests. Several fungal diseases, with the generic names “twig blights” and “oak branch dieback,” attack the crowns of live oaks. Brown patches in your oak’s canopy are most likely from these fungal diseases. An aesthetic debit, they rarely pose a serious threat to the life of the tree. Unsightly deadwood can be pruned out. Though these diseases come from water-borne fungi, they often occur in oaks weakened by drought stress. It is common knowledge that over-watering coast live oaks is a good way to kill the tree. Too much summer water promotes the growth of oak root fungus, a common soil fungus that can turn lethal in soggy soils. Less widely appreciated is that summer watering of oaks can make them more disease and insect-resistant IF, and it is a big IF, they are watered correctly. Correct summer watering of coast live oaks requires placing a soaker hose in a circle around the tree at least ten feet from the trunk and running the
www.yourmonthlypaper.com water for about two hours–sunset is a good time. It is important to water the tree not more than once a month: once in July, once in August, once in September, and once in October. Over-watering can kill oaks by stimulating parasitic fungi. Judicious watering during dry summers gives the tree a boost but doesn’t encourage root diseases. It’s better not to water oaks at all than to over-water them, and lawns, grown under the canopy of the oaks, are a common cause of over-watering. One way to make your oak–and the many creatures it supports–happy is to turn lawn under the canopy over to native, drought-tolerant plants. This saves water and reduces the likelihood your oak will get a root disease. Oaks also appreciate a layer of mulch. Mulch helps aerate the soil and improves the environment for beneficial soil creatures. Given that the current stewards of the coastal plain seldom burn the woodlands, most of our oak forests have built up a significant load of dead wood. To prevent a crown fire, like the one that ravaged the East Bay in 1991, it is important to make all landscape trees and shrubs more fire safe. At Brende and Lamb it is our fervent hope that all current players in the ongoing drama of the oak woodlands act to maintain a healthy ecosystem in which coast live oaks, and the many creatures that depend on them, continue to appear center stage. Unfortunately we a starting to see a few cases of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in the East Bay, concentrated mostly in forested parklands. The SOD pathogen infects susceptible oaks during spring rainstorms. It is difficult to prevent an oak from being infected, but there are steps to reduce the probability of infection. California bay trees are an alternate host to SOD, where it occurs as a leaf disease. Infected bays don’t die, but they can spread the spores to oaks. Studies show that pruning back Bay trees to give a 10 foot separation from your oaks can significantly lower the infection rate. At this time, preventative action is the only way of treating the disease. It takes two years for an infected tree to show any sign of infection, and once infected there is no way to cure the disease. The best place to find current information on SOD is the California Sudden Oak Task Force: www.suddenoakdeath.org. If your trees and shrubs need a little TLC - call us at 510-486-TREE (8733) or email bl@brendelamb.com to schedule a free estimate. For more information visit our website at www.brendelamb.com. Advertorial
Lafayette Hiking Group
To participate in outings with the Lafayette Hiking Group meet in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s main entrance at 8:30am. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas. ($3 local).
May 14 - Pinehurst Trail, Redwood Park
We will hike the East Ridge, Canyon, Stream and Prince Trails, with panoramic views of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir and Mt. Diablo. Enjoy the serenity of redwoods and streams. Hilly, 5.3 miles. Leader: George Denney
May 28 - Lafayette Ridge, Briones Loop
We will walk from BART to the Elizabeth Street trail, then up to the ridge to enjoy beautiful views of Lafayette, the Diablo Valley, and Mt. Diablo. We will climb to Russell Peak, then exit the park at Panoramic Drive and return to BART via Happy Valley Road. Hilly, 5 - 6 miles. Leader Alison Hill
Document Shredding Fundraiser
Safeguard your personal information and protect against identity theft while recycling for our planet and helping people fighting cancer in our community. Bring old tax returns, business records, bank statements, cancelled checks, credit card statements, bills, receipts, and other documents containing personal information to our event, make a charitable donation, and ShredWorks will shred your documents on the spot! The event will be held at the California Cancer and Research Institute, located at 400 Taylor Blvd in Pleasant Hill, on Saturday, June 4th from 10AM to 12PM. Cost is $20 for first box and $5 for each additional box (standard record size storage box). All proceeds will benefit Cancer Support Community, a nonprofit organization supporting cancer patients.
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Life in the Lafayette Garden
A Garden Makeover By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect
Everyone knows that good design is “maintenance free” and “lasts forever.” Right! This is why there are so many beautiful gardens existing from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Ratty looking junipers and Monterrey pines; you get the picture. You wouldn’t keep your carpet for 30 years, right? So, your Lafayette garden needs a good makeover as well! There are three basic reasons for a garden makeover; to respond to the changing site conditions which normally occur as a landscape site matures (i.e. stuff gets overgrown), to respond to changing needs of the users of the landscape (i.e. families grow and change), and to re-adapt a site for a new owner (i.e. a new set of uses.) New home sites are generally sunny with bright light and are more exposed to wind, sun, and more harsh conditions. Maturity brings radical changes that are often welcomed. It also brings other changes that are not. Trees finally provide shade cover and shade out once sun-loving plants. Lack of care and poor maintenance practices have taken their toll. Hedges and shrubs have become overgrown hiding the house and blocking good views. These changes give cause for redesign although the overall context of a “well-designed” landscape may still prevail. Within the life of your Lafayette home, an owner’s uses will change as kids grow-up or a family matures and changes. Lifestyles evolve and change. Once busy families had no time to work in the garden and are now retired and have time to “putz.” This brings a whole new reason for the landscape. Children learn to swim, and a swimming pool is now a requirement. These changes call for careful consideration and should be well thought out. They should be logical and creatively resolved. Garden makeover projects are challenging yet satisfying when properly executed. I enjoy working with my clients creating a new vision for their yard while using a lot of the existing conditions that work like large established trees, established privacy screening shrubs that are in tact, and specimen plants that would cost thousands to replace. These dramatic changes to a home warrant a garden makeover. As older families move from the neighborhood, new ones move in. When a new family moves in it changes the needs of the landscape. The landscape needs to be redesigned to re-adapt it to the new family or the new home. Rarely does a landscaped site meet all the needs and expectations of the new owner. Re-adapting a site must be clearly articulated and solved as a design problem using an organized design process. Also, some sites are badly neglected and need drastic measures taken to redesign the landscape. Thorough documentation of all existing conditions such as soil, micro-climates, drainage, and shade and wind patterns should be considered. All existing plants, trees, shrubs, and constructed features that are to be considered to remain should be well documented. A creative design solution, which meets the new need and is sensitive to the existing features and conditions of the site, must be developed. Construction of the new landscape must include all necessary measures to protect and preserve all of the worthwhile existing site features and landscape. Potential additions to the makeover will include updated hardscape elements; paved areas of use, benches and seat walls, retaining walls, steps to make site usable or gain new space, dramatic landscape lighting, swimming pools, play courts and kid zones, and sculptures. Times have changed with the recent economical downturn; we are looking at our homes a little differently. We might be more inclined to make incremental or phased investments, and a garden makeover makes more financial sense. Like the design of a new landscape project, a garden makeover should adhere to the design process. Design and budget go hand in hand! A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Executing a garden makeover for tired gardens can be a challenge. It can also make all the difference in the appeal of your home. Take time to walk your garden and note what you like and what you dislike. Consider the term of how long you will stay in your home as a basis for planning your garden.
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 13
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Gardening Quote of the Month: “Despite the gardener’s best intentions, Nature will improvise.” ~Michael P. Garafalo 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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Page 14 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Gardening with Kate
By Kathleen Guillaume
This is starting out to be a very cool season. Normally by now we have enjoyed consistently warmer weather. My roses just started setting buds the last week of April. Normally April is a month when my roses perfume the whole garden. The coolness has even blocked the fragrance of my Philadelphus (Mock Orange) which is laden with blossoms, thousand of them, their fragrance held in check. Perhaps it will warm some before the blooms fade. I am preparing my beds just in case the weather turns hot, applying a deep layer of mulch over all bare spots of soil. You want to keep this as loose as possible as our native California bees are solitary ground dwellers for the most part, and if the mulch layer is too heavy, they cannot get out of their burrows to their pollinating tasks. Often people are quite fearful of bees; often assigning their terror of yellow jackets and wasps to the umbrella called “bees.” Most garden bees are not aggressive in any way; yes if you step on one barefooted, they will sting, and that sting ends in their death. Bees are unlike the more pesky and dangerous yellow jacket which is aggressive and can sting multiple times and have a knack of releasing scents that call to arms all of their brethren for a concerted attack. You can protect yourself and others by paying attention especially to ground dwelling yellow jackets. It is with my blessing that I suggest extermination directed at their nest...mostly done by the use of peppermint extracts. Yellow jackets can be triggered to swarm by any vibrations to the earth such as a weed whacker, lawn mower, or other mechanical gardening tools, and they all come out to protect their territory. Do not confuse them with our wonderful beneficial bees which we sorely need for pollination. I am fortunate to have, at least on last count, over 12 varieties of bees in my garden from the tiny “I hardly look like a bee” native to big fat furry black and white bumble bees. They keep me in fruit and tomatoes, and I love them dearly. Also think about adding some heat to your garden this summer. Even if you have a pastel palate of pinks and peach colored blooms, nothing looks as remarkable as a few punches of red scattered here and there. My favorites are Echinacea “Tomato Soup” whose height is approximately 30” with 4” flowers in a yummy red, and of course the “Bat Faced Cuphia,” a 20” mounding plant which has a bright royal purple with a vibrant crimson blossom. If you are looking to cool down a vista, nothing does it like whites and blues. We have those easy and inexpensive standbys that you buy in 6-packs like Allyssum and Lobelia that can spill over the edge of pots or line the edges of beds. Don’t forget that these great performers also need to be deadheaded to keep them from looking rangy and spent. Just grab handfulls, and lop off the top 1/3 of the plant when the blossoms are spent and in weeks you will have a fresh display of blossoms. Another one of my favorites is Iberis (Candy Tuft) which creates 10-12” banks of white blossoms, re-blooming as often as you are willing to deadhead. My favorite blue Geranium is “Rozanne” which makes great mounds of bright blue flowers ~12-16” tall. They are backed with white Digitalis purpea “Alba” (White Foxglove) and any array of blue flowering clematis. This combination, besides creating an area that looks cooler on the hottest of days, also has the benefit of having the white blossoms glow in the illumination of any moonlight making a lovely evening view from any interior window. It is definitely time to get to either Mt. Diablo Nursery or Orchards Nursery; their staff can make suggestions to add color to any corner of your garden, sun or shade. Enjoy. Happy Gardening!
Lafayette Garden Club
The Lafayette Garden Club holds it’s meetings at 9:30AM on the second Thursday of each month at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. The next meeting, which will include a plant sale, will be held on May 12th. For more information, e-mail petersonb4@aol.com.
Lafayette Gallery Artist's Markets
This years colorful, art filled Lafayette Gallery Artist’s Markets will be held on Saturdays, May 21, June 18, July 16, and August 20 from 11AM - 5PM at 50 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette. On those four Saturdays, the parking lot of the Lafayette Gallery is transformed into an inviting market place with artists displaying and demonstrating their art. Visitors will enjoy an outdoor setting where they will have an opportunity to chat with different artists about their art work. In addition to the artists of the Lafayette Gallery, there will be invited artists from the Lamorinda Arts Association. Visitors can browse among displays of original photography, jewelry, paintings, collage, sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, and more. The events are free to attend. For more information, go to www.lafayettegallery.net or call (925) 284-2788.
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Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 15
Technical Relationships By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Our mission is to provide personalized care, help maintain independence and enhance our client’s quality of life on a daily basis.
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• Free in-home assessments • Regular home visits ensure the right care plan • Hourly care for you • Live-in care • Fully bonded and insured • Geriatric care mgmt. • Elder referral and placement
Every month I look forward to the opporAt All Times... 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite D tunity to write this colLafayette, CA 94549 umn and connect with the (beside Trader Joe’s) www.excellentcareathome.com 925-284-1213 community. There are so many developments in the computer industry, that it can be challenging to narrow down and choose what to write about. At the same time, there are Improving your Home! only 700 words with which to either convey or convince you of whatever By Art Lehman, Village Associates Realtors strikes my fancy; pithy writing is simultaneously coveted and elusive. Whomever takes the time to ask will learn that ours is a people-business Whether you’re selling or just enjoying, there first; a major in relationships with a minor in technology. This was demonare always easy ways to improve you home, and strated to me yet again this past weekend, when I learned that one of our I thought I’d pass on a few ways to do it: dear customers, Don Mann, passed away shortly before Easter. It really hit When friends come over in the summer, me hard, as he was one of the first people willing to take a risk on this brand a kitchen is always a busy place. You can new little computer company we started ten years ago, and he was always completely change and improve the look of such a friendly, self-effacing guy. I saw him a few months ago after he beyour kitchen by simply painting your cabinets came aware of a relapse in his illness, and he was as positive and cheerful as and adding new handles or knobs to them. always, despite the anxiety and concern he must have been hiding. I think it First, sand them down, then prime them, and paint them. If you takes a hell of a man to stare his mortality in the eye without blinking. I guess are talented enough to do it yourself, you can save a lot of money! I related to Don, who left a beautiful wife and two lovely daughters, as he Adding some backsplash makes it even better. was the consummate family man trying to earn a living and trying to do his If you have old, worn out and stained carpeting, replacing it will best. A guy’s guy. He’ll be missed by everyone who knew him. make a big difference. It will make the room look a lot nicer, fresher, If we were just a team of nerdy guys running around with pocket protectors and in better condition. This doesn’t mean you have to replace all and screwdrivers, we probably wouldn’t notice when a guy like Don crosses your carpeting – just the carpeting that needs the most attention. our path. We’d be too interested in the gadgetry and arcane inanities of the This will help you only spend what you have to for this project, computer world to realize it was a human we were really working with, not keeping the costs down. a computer. The best part of our business is the people we get to work with, Another easy way to improve your home? Replace old or outdated hands down. Sure, we run into difficult people just like anyone else, but we light fixtures with new up-to-date ones! This doesn’t have to be too know those are just the 1% who exist to remind us why we love to work with costly, and it adds to the appeal of your home. the other 99% so much. Looking for a really simple improvement? In one word: Paint. We’ve been keeping in touch with people a little better lately, beginning Painting a room brightens things up and can really improve the to try out Facebook and Twitter for the company. It’s a slow process. I must admit publishing helpful little tidbits and other info on a regular basis is a look. Go with a nice, warm, neutral color. Wall paper is no fun to habit that must be acquired. I’ve always been of the opinion that it’s best to be deal with or remove, but nowadays most people prefer paint over thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt. And, relating wallpaper. It adds to the neutrality of the room. So if you have any that to Facebook, I think it takes practice to feel comfortable updating people “busy” wallpaper in the house, strip it and paint the walls instead! If you have old windows, you’re probably getting more than about your likes, dislikes, or goings-on multiple times daily. There’s so much garbage. There’s a fine line between keeping people up-to-date with relevant enough draft coming into the house through them. This will cost info and the constant blathering din we find on the public forum. Our plans you in your heating bills during the winter and is a negative if you are perhaps a little more pedestrian, planning to post these articles, alerts, want to sell your home. Replace an old drafty window with a new and updates we think will be helpful to anyone who chooses to “follow” us one, and save yourself the costs. If you have several old windows (Portable CIO). I promise if you give following us a try, we’ll do our best to in need of replacing, then replace them one at a time as you’re able. keep our contributions as concise and relevant as possible. Time is valuable, Besides that, if you purchase an Energy Star window, you may even be eligible to receive a tax credit at the end of this year. and words matter. Also cleaning up the garden, power washing the driveway, and Recently I visited one of our customers when one of our guys fell ill. I had a great time discussing the customer’s business while attending to her adding a few colorful plants can go a long way. list, and I noticed along the way she was using an iPhone. Having adopted Just to sum it up, paint your kitchen cabinets and add new knobs. an iPhone last year, and having subsequently purchased an iPad, I was cu- Replace old light fixtures. Replace your old, worn out carpeting. rious about which applications she was using and how she liked using the Paint a room. Replace old windows. Clean up the outside. phone. She liked it a lot, and it turns out we have similar tastes in pastimes; For those residents who are considering selling their home she also plays the ubiquitous “Words With Friends” game with her kids and or would simply like more in-depth information, I can provide a friends. Words With Friends is based on the game of Scrabble. We “added” customized home value report and a strategy for how to make a home each other, and she’s certainly a worthy opponent! Do you want to play with worth more. The detailed information I provide helps homeowners me? If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, look me up and lets play! better understand the value of the investment they have made in My ID is ‘ecorstor.’ their home by detailing key factors such as a home’s value based At Portable CIO we have over 75 years of experience across our team you on current market conditions and amenities, recent home sales in might meet when you or your company need assistance. Chances are good that Lafayette and listing prices of other homes that home buyers may be we have an answer for your question, or we can direct you to someone who considering in the neighborhood. You can call me at 925-200-2591 does. When you think “Help!”, email us at info@theportablecio.com, or give or email me at art@artlehman.com. Advertorial Advertorial our friendly staff a call at 925-552-7953.
Page 16 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Secret Marriage – An Ugly Twist On Elder Financial Abuse By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
The confluence of an aging population, longer life expectancies, and a plethora of con- artists has resulted in an explosion of elder financial abuse in the last few decades. The perpetrators are caregivers, financial service providers, neighbors, and “friends.” Fortunately, California has responded by enacting more aggressive civil legislation. Relevant statutes have, among other things, loosened plaintiff “standing” requirements, enabling more third parties to bring a case, expanded damages that can be ordered, and, in some instances, allowed attorneys’ fees to be recovered. Unfortunately, however, it is still difficult to combat elder financial abuse. Sometimes it isn’t recognized or at least not until it’s too late – the abuser or the money disappears. Other times, the elder victim and/or family is embarrassed or just wants to move on. Sadly, even when a civil complaint (lawsuit) is filed, the accused perpetrator often argues that the victim voluntarily gifted him or her the absconded funds, and evidence may not satisfy the required standard of proof that the perpetrator should be held liable. Naturally, the most effective means of fighting elder abuse is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Elder abuse clinics and other outreach programs sponsored by professional, judicial, and other non-profit organizations help build awareness and offer useful tools. Close relatives or friends of the elder citizen are often in a position to keep an eye out for signs of potential abuse. Sadly, “secret marriage” is an ugly twist on elder financial abuse that’s extraordinarily difficult to defend against, particularly after the elder victim dies. Secret marriage, a version of which is called “deathbed marriage,” is when a financial abuser secretly marries an elderly person. Frequently, the marriage stays secret because the elder victim is incapacitated or has significant enough mental deficits that he or she doesn’t recall that the marriage ever took place. More problematic yet is that a wise abuser can arrange to enter into a “confidential marriage” with the victim. This process, which is perfectly legal when one meets the easy
Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter
www.yourmonthlypaper.com requirements, blocks the marriage certificate from being accessible via public records, as it otherwise would be. Absent a court order, the only people who can access the record are the parties to the marriage themselves. Of course, once married, the abuser manipulates the defenseless elder into making gifts to the abuser and/or turning over access to the elder’s assets. The abuser often also persuades the elder to change the elder’s Will or Living Trust so that the abuser spouse becomes the sole or major beneficiary. If not, on the elder’s death the abuser spouse can claim a share of the elder’s estate as an “omitted spouse” (or if the victim had no Will or Trust, by intestate succession). Marriage is profoundly personal and favored by public policy – without restrictions. The government can’t practically decide or second guess who marries for the right reasons. Nevertheless, some kind of legislative recourse would seem to be rightfully available to victims of deathbed marriages and their families. But, only a few states, including Florida (not California), have enacted protective statutes. In fact, a substantial minority of states in our country have laws prohibiting heirs from challenging deathbed marriages! Laws such as Florida’s can be crafted to narrowly separate the (constitutional) right to marry from the spouses respective property rights. Media coverage of this issue should help, as should politicians who increasingly address needs of the growing elderly electorate. Hopefully, this will lead to the development of a reasonable legal framework to mitigate this kind of emotional and financial devastation. Meanwhile, what can you do personally? Most importantly, watch and communicate regularly with your elderly loved ones and friends to detect signs of potential financial elder abuse. Whether you are elderly yourself or a child of parents of advanced age (who may be starting to lose some mental faculties), you should seek appropriate trust and estates legal advice. Proper professional planning can help prevent this kind of fraud and deception. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with Shapiro 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. Please call for 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
Ask Dr. Happy Dear Dr. Happy,
I just returned from a trip to Texas where I was called as the only living relative of an elderly veteran who had served in the Korean War. He, like so many veterans, was living in near poverty in a run-down hotel. My relative died the day after I got there. One of his neighbors helped me find my way around town, and another brought in food for me; everyone was so kind and helpful, this despite their poverty. When I offered his meager possessions to them, everything was gone in a matter of minutes. My question is: what kind of thank-you gift would be appropriate for me to give these poor but proud people? ~At a Loss
Dear At a Loss,
Thank you for sending this moving story. And, I applaud you for wanting to do a kindness for your relative’s neighbors. As you know, I’m sure, compassion for others is a powerful way for creating a win-win scenario; helping others creates a tremendous boost to your own happiness. You asked me for a gift suggestion for those kind neighbors who were so helpful to you. Why not write a note of thanks and appreciation to each of them who helped you? Be as specific and personal with each one as you can, and your notes will be something they will keep and treasure the rest of their lives.
Happiness Tip
Kindness is a powerful and effective happiness principle that generates happiness for both the giver and receiver; a classic win-win. And it needn’t be costly or difficult to do. The key is for us to act from a compassionate heart. In this case, all ‘At a Loss’ needs to do is feel the love that she clearly has for those who showed her kindness, and express her heartfelt appreciation to them will give more than money ever could. Remember, when you act from compassion, everyone is rewarded with more happiness. Please send questions/comments for Dr. Happy to Pollyannan@aol.com.
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Summer Skin Problems By Dr. Kelly Hood
I think we are all ready for some heat and sun, but there are a few skin problems to be reminded of as we enter the summer months. Intense sunlight, hot and humid temperatures, poisonous plants, and biting insects can cause a host of skin problems.
Heat Rash
Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red spots or small, blister-like bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat rash usually develops in skin folds or where clothing causes friction. Treatment: Reducing sweat and keeping skin cool helps clear the rash. Cool water compresses, Calamine lotion, and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching. Avoid heavy creams and powders as these can block pores.
Dr. Kelly Hood, Lafayette
Polymorphous Light Eruption
This rash begins within hours of exposure to UVB light-either from the sun or tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots in the exposed areas. People with fair skin and limited exposure to sun in the winter are particularly susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity usually decreases. The same rash may occur the next year. Treatment: Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream, and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, Aspirin) can help symptoms. The rash usually resolves within 7-10 days. If the symptoms do not improve quickly, the rash may represent another condition or allergy.
Poison Oak
Contact with poison oak leaves, stems, or roots causes red, swollen skin, blisters, and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. The toxin is not spread by scratching. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet fur, and even gardening tools.
A Fresh Start
By Fran Miller
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 17 Treatment: Avoidance is the best prevention. Remember, “Leaves of three, beware of the.” For patients who are highly sensitive or involved in high-risk activities such as hiking and camping, some dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains bentoquatam, which prevents the urushiol from penetrating the skin. When exposed, the skin should be washed immediately with soap and water. Try to wash within 10 minutes. For mild rash, cool showers, Calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream can help. For severe Dr. Shanny Baughman, Alamo rashes, prescription medicines are necessary.
Chigger and tick bites:
Chiggers, tiny red mites found in grass and weeds attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and intense itching can last for weeks. Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or skin reactions. They can transmit Lyme disease. Treatment: Protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks and shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellents containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattach ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers. Over the counter hydrodrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor’s care is needed for bites. To schedule a consultation with one of us, contact Dr. Shanny Baughman at Alamo Oaks Dermatology, 3189 Danville Blvd, suite 130, Alamo, 925-362-0992, shanny.derm@gmail.com, or Dr. Kelly Hood, 970 Dewing, Suite 301, Lafayette, Advertorial 925-283-5500, khoodderm@yahoo.com .
Fresh Start, a respite and service center for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless, is growing and expanding. For most enterprises, this would signify progression and success. But for Fresh Start, expansion is indicative of trying times. “Fresh Start has changed for the better over the last few years, and for better or worse it has grown,” says Executive Director Bill Lunghi. “In other words, Fresh Start serves more participants due to the Great Recession. As more and more Americans are losing their jobs and/or their homes, more people are requiring our services. Moreover, worker/consumer income continues to decline, and the social safety net is simply falling apart.” Lunghi’s wife, Susan Prather, founded Fresh Start in Walnut Creek sixteen years ago. Her compassion, charisma, and unconventional style served to change the lives of everyone she met. She, in essence, was Fresh Start, and when she passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, Lunghi took the reigns and has successfully navigated the non-profit through one of the worst economic downturns in recent history. Fresh Start continues to thrive, thanks in large part to its volunteer staff - management, administrators and case counselors - who dedicate their lives to helping those less fortunate. A “who’s who” list of Bay Area businesses and individuals provide both financial and meal assistance; Loaves and Fishes, for instance, offers the midday meal free of charge. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, on Trinity Avenue in Walnut Creek, provides the office and communal space. A $250,000 donation, willed to the city of Walnut Creek in 1999 by the late Elizabeth Martin of Rossmoor, allowed Fresh Start to operate for 2 ½ years before it became a private non-profit. To this day, Fresh Start has never operated on government funding. “We operate on the kindness of both friends and strangers,” says Lunghi. At Fresh Start, clients find a safe and peaceful atmosphere where they can receive a healthy meal, a hot shower, laundry services, use of a phone, and clothing. Fresh Start provides personalized case management, as well as advocacy and assistance in accessing county, state, and federal benefits. They also provide legal and medical assistance. Clients may include those experiencing declining earnings, lost jobs, foreclosed homes, unaffordable rental units, or wiped-out retirement funds. People flock to Fresh Start, not only for the plentiful help, but also for a sense of togetherness and ongoing support. At Fresh Start everyone is equal, and all are respected. There is no time limit or restriction on most services. The average participant stays with the program off and on for about two years. Some stay even longer – as employees. Billy Lewis, who describes himself as “residentially challenged,” was a client for about one year, before being hired by Prather as her personal assistant. “Susan described Fresh Start as community; I call it family,” says Lewis who is now Fresh Start’s operations manager. “We’re doing the best we can, and we’re doing pretty well. Bill really knows this organization in and out, and he’s doing a great job.” “Over the years, it has become apparent that one of Fresh Start’s major reasons for success is our consistency in providing services,” says Lunghi. “Participants are relieved that they do not have to tell their story over and over again to strangers, dredging up a lot of pain in order to get help. At Fresh Start, no one is blamed or judged.” For information on getting involved with the Fresh Start organization, visit www.freshstartwc.org. Current need is cash donations, in order to maintain their valued programs. In addition, a “wish list” of items can be found on their website.
Page 18 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Follow The Plan to Conquer Your Back Pain
By Bridget Scott, D.C., Johnson Chiropractic Group
Do you suffer from back pain? You can conquer it. You can get back to enjoying many of the things you love: exercising, playing with the kids, or simply working and living without pain. But you have to follow The Plan. Perhaps you’ve tried one or more treatments to mask or minimize your back pain in the past: physical therapy, ultrasound, stretching, massage, cortisone shots, chiropractic care, decompression, or rest. And perhaps, worst of all, you’ve spent lots of money looking for relief. Whether your back pain is subtle, chronic, or downright debilitating…it can be conquered! Which brings us back to The Plan. All of the aforementioned treatments, on their own, can provide short periods of relief for certain symptoms of your back pain. However, I know from ten years of experience as a chiropractor that you want real results: pain relief that lasts! And the key to your recovery – the key to pain relief that lasts – is following The Plan.
How The Plan Works
The Plan is a unique, four-part approach to back pain relief. Each part is reasonably effective on its own, yet when combined, the treatments and therapies will catapult you toward recovery and long-term pain relief. The Plan consists of the following: Neuromuscular Re-education (NMR), McKenzie Method Exercises, Decompression Therapy (VAX-D), and chiropractic adjustments.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com restrict the normal movement of the muscles and nerves. This creates inflammation and irritation. Other symptoms that can be a result of muscle/tendon adhesions are aching, tingling, numbness, burning, stiffness, immobility, and loss of strength.
How McKenzie Method (Low-Back) Exercises Work
A mechanical diagnosis identifies the location of joint and soft tissue involvement in your injury. Extension and flexion are taught to help effectively relieve disc or nerve involvement in that area. These McKenzie exercises help retrain the muscles and joints to their optional position and correct structural changes affecting the injured area. Thousands of our patients have seen significant reduction in their pain and sustained improvements in their condition due to these exercises.
How VAX-D (lumbar decompression therapy) Works
VAX-D has proven effective in relieving the pain secondary to herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. VAX-D therapy allows for the safe, controlled distraction or decompression of the lumbar spine. We provide each patient with a personalized decompression treatment, by using a computerized program to administer an exact treatment. Your treatment is determined after reviewing your medical history, examination findings, and diagnostic reports. Then, the repetitive stretching or “decompression” of your lowered back creates relief by physically decreasing pressure on the lumbar discs and spinal nerves. Most patients experience significant relief with VAX-D therapy within 6 to 8 sessions, and they are able to effectively transition into the exercises and stretches necessary for sustained lumbar spine health.
How Chiropractic Adjustments Work
The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to correct a misalignment in the spine or at a specific joint. The adjustment relieves pain by reducing abnormal pressure/stress on the soft tissue, joints, and nerves involved. How Neuromuscular Re-education (NMR) Works Johnson Chiropractic Group is the only office in the East Bay offering The NMR is a dynamic technique focused on soft tissue rehabilitation. It is a non- Plan, this unique combination of four progressive treatments for back pain, invasive treatment designed to restore proper muscle function and movement bundled into one visit, for one price. enabling the body to heal and perform at its most efficient level. NMR combines I’m so confident these treatments will help you move past your pain…that I the use of pressure, tension, and motion to force the layers of the muscle and tissue will guarantee my professional services and your improved condition! If you’re to work together properly. There are very few chiropractors that incorporate a focus not satisfied with your improvement within three visits, I guarantee a full refund. on soft tissue into their practice. However, many injuries to the low back should So call and make an appointment today, and get your life back, pain-free. not be immediately treated with chiropractic manipulation until the adhesions in For more info go to www.movepastyourpain.com, visit us on Facebook, or the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) have been treated. Specifically for low back contact Dr. Bridget Scott at Johnson Chiropractic Group, 115 Town & Country injuries, muscles and tendons often initially heal incorrectly, with adhesions that Dr., Suite E in Danville. 925.743.8210. Advertorial meeting new people, and experiencing a different culture. “While I’m in the Amigos continued from front page The Lafayette students will be dispatched for six to eight weeks to various Dominican Republic, I hope to improve my Spanish, build relationships, and work Latin American countries where they will help to support the communities in with the community to do some sort of sustainable project that they can continue which they will live. They will experience new cultures and traditions as they after I leave,” says Sciacqua. She joined the Amigos program because she felt it was strengthen their Spanish language skills. Beliveau and Mirner are headed to different than similar programs. “Amigos is really big on supporting communities Panama to work on environmental health issues, Kirbach and Sciacqua will be in Latin America, not helping,” she says. “At every training session they stress to in the Dominican Republic working on youth leadership issues, Prinzi will be us that we are not going to Latin America to ‘help’ the communities; we are going in Paraguay focusing on reforestation and nutrition, and Peare will be in Peru to support them and to learn about and experience their culture.” Volunteers live with host families and are immersed in their families’ daily lives. promoting children’s health consciousness. But a volunteer’s experience is not completely characterized by these projects, Living conditions for the six will vary greatly; almost all of the communities are notes Don Margolis, co-president ofAmigos’East Bay chapter. “Volunteers will also small and rural. Some host families have no power or plumbing, and they and the work with their communities to develop what we call ‘community based initiatives,’ volunteers take bucket baths and use latrines; other families have amenities such by which they survey the community to ascertain the community’s interests and as power, indoor plumbing, and even computer access. “Typically our volunteers assets in terms of skill and manpower,” says Margolis. “And the volunteers will then enthusiastically embrace dramatically reduced amenities as representing the typically assist in planning, and often starting or even completing, an infrastructure experience they expected and wanted to experience,” says Margolis. “And many, or other community development project of the community’s choosing, such as possibly most, return to the United States not only appreciative of what they have installation of a fence around an athletic field, construction of a community center here, but also realizing that many of the comforts we take for granted are not essential or kitchen, painting of murals, and construction of libraries. The list is limited only to happiness, health, and the ability to thrive and live a meaningful life.” Margolis says thatAmigos volunteers tend to experience increased self-confidence by the imagination of the community members.” Prinzi, 16, learned of the Amigos program during a presentation last year to and a belief in themselves as capable community leaders who are agents of change. his Acalanes Spanish class. “I liked the whole message,” says Prinzi, “so I took a “Many of our volunteers go on to repeat their experience the following summer, handout form and went to the first meeting, and then another, and another! And become members of our veteran volunteer training staff who assist in preparing the next year's crop of volunteers for their summer, and ultimately go on to be teachers, now here I am, ready to go to Paraguay.” Prinzi looks forward to living alongside people he’s never met, while working social workers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, or other valuable members of the service towards a common goal. He hopes to return after his six weeks with a better professions,” says Margolis. “Most study Spanish intensively in college, and vow understanding of South American culture. “I find that the further I move through to return to their host countries and host communities and families to cultivate the the Amigos program, the more I realize how culturally insensitive our country profound relationships that were forged during their summer.” “We have two slogans that permeate this organization,” says Margolis. is,” says Prinzi. “I hope the experience makes me a more open person, and being “AMIGOS changes lives,’ and, ‘The world needs more AMIGOS.” immersed in the Spanish language is sure to help me become more fluent.” For more information on Amigos de las Americas, visit www.amigoslink.org. Sciacqua, 17, is most looking forward to seeing a different part of the world,
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Mysterious Migraines By Dr. Michael Nelson
Not too infrequently I am asked why I chose neurology for a specialty. Part of the reason is that there are things that happen in neurology that are simply fascinating to me. If your heart doesn’t work right, you will certainly be aware of it, but in the end your heart is basically a pump. When the brain goes wrong, you can experience symptoms that seem stranger than fiction. These are moments for a patient where they can’t believe it is really happening to them. I have reassured patients many times that, “You’re not crazy, I’ve heard this before.” One example of unusual neurological symptoms is migraine aura. Migraine auras are symptoms that typically precede a migraine but can occur by themselves. They include many different symptoms. Visual auras, also called optical migraines, can produce zig-zag lines, a kaleidoscope image, or checker board pattern in the periphery of your vision. The aura may also decide to put a glowing ball right in the middle of your vision. This ball can start in the outside of your vision and then move in, or start in the middle and move out. Fortunately, people with chronic migraine with aura tend to have the same aura over and over again, so it becomes familiar and predictable. Some unlucky people will get a single visual aura which may be so distressing that they will end up in the emergency room. Migraine aura can also be unusual sensations. I have patients who will have a very tender scalp, become moody, or have a very sensitive sense of smell. More extreme examples are hemiplegic migraine and basilar migraine. With hemiplegic migraine, as the name suggests, you experience weakness on one side of your body similar to a stroke. Fortunately these resolve quickly, but again, just imagine the first time you would experience this. Basilar migraine treats you with vertigo prior to your migraine. Vertigo is like that childhood game where you spin around and around then try to run in a straight line. But with this vertigo the spins keep going for about a half an hour. I recently watched a YouTube clip of a reporter suddenly going from clear
Running Injuries, Part II “The Shoe” By Steven Marcinkowski, PT, DPT
Last month’s topic focused on running injuries. We discovered that running often leads to an injury to the Achilles tendon, knee, shin, or arch of the foot. Primary factors associated with running injuries include a previous injury to that area, limited running knowledge, racing, and excessive weekly running distance for one’s current fitness level. The conclusion was if an injury happens, correct medical and physical therapy treatment will assist with a timely and safe return to training. Subsequent to that article, I received emails asking what role shoes play in running injuries and injury prevention. The questions are pertinent and timely as many people in this area are now training for the San Francisco or Nike Women’s Marathons. Although running shoes are not listed as one of the primary causes of injuries in the evidence-based literature, there is moderate debate as to their actual involvement. Injured runners referred to me for physical therapy often ask the questions “How long do running shoes last?,” and “What shoes are best for me?” The answers to these questions are not as obvious as they first appear and actually may require one to think outside of the box, or shoe box, as it relates to this article. An internet search for the question “How long should running shoes last?” elicits 4.9 million results. The predominant answer (at least in the initial sites) is between 300 and 500 miles. There does not appear to be any scientific basis or reasons for this suggested distance range. A search using PubMed, a referenced data base, resulted in no answer for the optimal length of running shoe wear. Running shoe manufacturers generally group their products into three foottype categories: motion control for the flatter foot, stability for the normal foot, and cushioned for the higher arched foot. However, a 2009 study by Richards et al, “Is your prescription of distance running shoes evidence-based?,” found no evidence-based studies to support the actual recommendation of your local running shoe store as to prescribing a running shoe based on your foot-type. If there is no or limited research evidence to justify the life of a running shoe and no evidence to support a running shoe-type for your foot, then what guidelines should a person follow? Running shoes obviously have a life span. That life may
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 19 sentences to having words come out that made no sense. Her speech trouble lasted about twenty minutes and then resolved. When I was searching for this clip, there was a different website that claimed this was an example of a government mind control machine gone wrong. While I love conspiracies, this event was another example of a migraine aura. The cause of migraine with aura is not clear. Originally, migraines were described as vascular headaches and these neurological symptoms were thought to be related to changes in blood flow. Now, these symptoms are thought to be waves of electrical excitation. We do know that patients placed in functional MRI machine during a migraine will have an area in the brainstem light up. Triptan medications such as sumatriptan fit into serotonin receptors in this area. So to summarize, migraines are complex and I suspect the explanation of migraine with aura will continue to change. There does appear to be a connection between the heart and migraine with aura. The foramen ovale is a hole between the upper chambers of our heart that usually closes when we are born. About 20% of people do not completely seal this hole, and this is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Interestingly, 50% of patients with migraine aura have a PFO. How in the world can a hole in the heart cause migraine with aura? Please let me know so I can win some sort of award. It reminds me of how we used to think stomach ulcers were from stress and now we know it is due to a certain bacteria. Who knew? Unfortunately, closing a PFO is risky and has not shown to clearly reduce the frequency and severity of migraine with aura. There are many other fascinating aspects of neurology, and I hope you have enjoyed learning about migraine aura. Due to the unusual nature of these symptoms, proper diagnosis and treatment should be performed by a neurologist. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and if you should experience any of the above symptoms, please call 911. Dr. Michael Nelson is a board certified adult neurologist who has been serving general neurology patients in the East Bay for the past nine years. His office is located at 970 Dewing Ave, Suite #300 in Lafayette, CA. He can be reached at 925-299-9022 to schedule an appointment and can also be found on the web at www.michaelnelsonmd.com. Advertorial be shortened, for example, by a person’s body type causing excessive stretching of the uppers of a shoe leading to decreased stability. Likewise, a particular running pattern may cause the inner or outer sole of the shoe to wear abnormally quickly. In closing, in an effort to better assist the runner and the running shoe store with “best” shoe options, as well as hopefully diminishing the odds of injury, applying one or more of the factors known to cause running injuries could be beneficial during the purchase process. As an example of how this may work, a 2008 German study, “Acute and overuse injuries correlated to hours of training in master running athletes,” determined that the Achilles tendon is the most common running-associated injury. Additionally, the group noted that an asphalt running surface decreased Achilles injury risk, whereas, sand increased the relative risk for a tendon injury by a factor of ten. With this information as a point of reference, if a runner with a history of Achilles strain were to take this data with them to a running shoe store, then a shoe with less heel cushioning may potentially be a viable option in preventing a future injury or re-injury to the Achilles tendon. Please keep in mind that other factors such as running form need to be addressed to further insure healthy running. For assistance with running injuries or injury prevention methods, please contact Steven Marcinkowski, DPT at 925 284 4486 or sjm.dpt@gmail.com. Next Month: Shoulder Injuries. Please email me shoulder questions, and I will do my best to incorporate the topic matter in the article. Steven Marcinkowski has been located in Lafayette for twenty years. His physical therapy office is located at 3730 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste. 100, Lafayette. Advertorial He can be reached at 925 284 4486 or lamorindaorthopt.com.
Stephanie Ross - Certified Pet Dog Trainer
www.pawsitive-reinforcement.com
925.383.9292
Page 20 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Your Personal Nutritionist
By Linda Michaelis, RD No More Heartburn with Good Nutrition
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Do you experience heartburn several times per week? Have you confirmed your symptoms with your physician? I often hear clients, both young and old, complain about a burning chest pain behind the breastbone. This is the most common symptom used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disorder, commonly known as GERD. Other symptoms may be tightness in the chest that may wake you up at night, regurgitation of stomach fluids into the mouth, nausea, recurring sour or bitter taste in the mouth, hoarseness especially in the morning, and coughing to clear your throat. Without getting too technical, there is a valve (known as the sphincter) that separates the stomach from the esophagus, and when it fails to close properly, the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus. Normally, the valve opens when you swallow and allows food into your stomach where the rest of the time it is supposed to squeeze tight to prevent food and acid in the stomach from backing up into the esophagus. Let me tell you about my recent client Tom who was having a terrible time with pain due to his GERD. He found over-the-counter medications did not work very well. His doctor told him that he could prevent his symptoms if he worked with me and began to make lifestyle changes. Being overweight is highly associated with GERD. I find that when my clients lose 10 pounds their symptoms lessen as the weight loss helps to make it easier for the sphincter to close. Certainly Tom was enjoying the good life eating high fat meals that were often on the spicy side. Fatty foods are a true culprit when it comes to GERD symptoms. In addition to fat, there are many foods that relax the esophageal sphincter during their digestion. These include coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, spearmint, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, raw garlic and onions, and carbonated beverages. After interviewing Tom about his typical eating habits, I almost did not know where to begin. Tom always started his day with several cups of coffee topped off with half and half. He went out to lunch each day where he ate hamburgers, greasy Chinese entrees, tacos, burritos, and his favorite Italian subway sandwich. When he came home from work he would eat spicy salsa and chips. For dinner he often enjoyed pasta with his wife’s homemade fresh tomato marinara sauce. Though dinner would often include a veggie or a salad, these two items were non-existent at lunch. I took a great deal of time to educate Tom on how to read a food label for calories per serving, fat, protein, and fiber. I showed him how to enjoy his beloved high fat foods such as a hamburger and balance it with eating a salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. His beef consumption twice a day had to be reduced to one every other day to allow his body the chance to digest it. We talked about how he could add more chicken, fish, and legumes to his diet and still enjoy his meals. He could snack on turkey jerky, fat-free cottage cheese, tuna salad made with lite mayo, and even homemade hummus. Tom committed to begin eating smaller, more frequent meals which is very important to prevent GERD symptoms. I asked him to eat a lighter dinner that contained a few ounces of protein, lots of veggies and a salad. I noted how important it was to not eat 3-4 hours before bed and to never lie down right after eating. I also suggested that he cut his alcohol consumption in half. We talked about reducing all tomato based products, due to their acidity, and substituting them with other spices and seasonings. I am glad to say that after working with Tom for two months he has lost 10 pounds, and his symptoms have almost disappeared. It has been a truly rewarding experience working with Tom. Please feel free to call me and let me help you. Linda is located in her office in Alamo. She welcomes your call to discuss your needs and personal diet challenges. Please visit www. LindaRD.com for more information, helpful tips, recipes and Linda’s blog or call (925) Advertorial 855-0150.
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Revitalize Your Eyes
By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
“The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” The clarity and sparkle of the eyes are a measure of health and vitality. As we age, however, the appearance of our eyes, these amazing portals to who we are, can be diminished due to excess skin and bags around them. A furrowed, drooping brow can further alter the alert, interested look of the eyes. The competitive work environment leads many professionals to consult me regarding their options for enhancing the youthfulness of their eyes. This month I will discuss the ways a plastic surgeon can revitalize your eyes. An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can restore the youthful appearance of the eyes by removing fatty tissue and excess skin and tightening the lax muscles that develop around the eyes and in some cases even improve the field of vision. The bulging fatty eyelid tissue can occur prematurely, as early as the twenties, and will appear in most people by age 50. The upper blepharoplasty procedure involves making a small incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. If the muscles are lax, creating a droopy eyelid, the muscles may be tightened. Small amounts of fat are removed, and fat grafting may be used fill areas which have hollowed such as the tear troughs. For a lower eyelid tightening, a small incision is made just below the lower eye lash or inside the lower eyelid. The upper and lower eyelid lift may be done separately or at the same time. Fine sutures close the incisions and are usually barely noticeable after healing. This procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation and takes approximately one hour. Recovery time is about seven to ten days. In consultation with a plastic surgeon, the patient looking for eyelid surgery may learn that to gain the full benefit of a blepharoplasty, it
Are You in a Sandwich?
By Joyce & Jim Newport, Owners, Right at Home of Mt. Diablo
And how did you get here? Looking back, it started when mom asked for a minor home repair. Then your folks asked you to pick up a few groceries. Then dad asked for a ride to his doctor because mom can no longer drive, and he isn’t feeling up to it. Now you’re making weekly grocery trips, spending hours on your weekends preparing meals in small portions that they can easily heat up, and making sure that their bills are being paid on time, all the while musing about when you will squeeze in time to do your own laundry. Eventually, you may find yourself assisting in ways you never anticipated, such as with grooming and hygiene. You are far from alone. According to Caring.com, nearly one household out of every four provides care in some form for an older family member. Oh, and are you also taking care of children of your own? Then welcome to the “Sandwich Generation!” Of course, you hope that your family members stay physically and mentally healthy and are able to live in their own home for the rest of their lives. In many cases, the loss of independence is gradual, and the need for assistance is not always clear. Maybe you and your spouse have talked about eventually moving mom into your home. The very best thing you can do for yourself and your elderly loved ones is to act now to find out what they would want should they need assistance, and put a care plan in place. More often than not, decisions about long term care are made during crisis situations. It is so much more effective if you can have a series of family meetings before an emergency occurs so you can calmly discuss potential scenarios and develop a plan for when dad will need long term care services. Sit with your elderly loved ones, ask them about their needs and preferences, and consider all of the alternative levels of care including enhanced services within their own home. Involve all family members in the process, and make a long term care plan that everyone is comfortable with. Ensuring that everyone
Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 21
should be done with a brow lift. Horizontal forehead lines, sagging eyebrows, and wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabellar) can cause us to look tired, sad, or even angry. Botox relaxes the muscles that cause the previous symptoms. As we get older, a brow lift is required to achieve the desired brow position. I most commonly use the endoscopic approach, which involves a few small incisions hidden in the hairline through which the brow is lifted. The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation and takes approximately one hour. Recovery time is about 3-5 days. A rhytydectomy (full facelift) is designed to re-sculpt the face by removing the loose skin and repositioning tissues on the face and neck to return them to a more youthful, natural looking position. A facelift procedure involves incisions made in the hairline above the forehead and ears to reposition facial muscles and tighten the skin. As the volume of the face affects appearance as much as the muscles and skin, a complete rejuvenating facelift would include fat grafting to fill areas of low volume in the face, lips and cheeks. Recovery time is approximately two weeks. The general rule is that the procedure takes 10 years off of one’s appearance. When contemplating any procedure to enhance your face, it is vital to consult a plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or oculoplastic surgeon. Be wary of centers offering relatively inexpensive lunchtime lifts with minimal downtime. These cannot match the facelifts performed by a plastic surgeon with years of training who provides quality care to her patients. With a well done face lift, you notice that your friend looks much better, but you would never know that she has had anything done. I would be pleased to consult with you about the best options for achieving your goals based in this regard. Barbara Persons MD owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd in Lafayette. Please call 925-283-8811 or email at drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial in the family is in agreement now will save incalculable grief in the future. During your family meetings, some of the key areas you will need to discuss will be the costs of the various living options and your loved ones’ financial resources, proximity to family members and sources of assistance, and how the family will assign various roles such as arranging for care if the time comes. You’ll want to look at the kinds of insurance coverage they have and what services are paid for and what services are not paid for. Whether your parent ultimately decides that they want to age in place in their own home, or they prefer to move into a community that will provide the assistance they will need long term, the sooner you have that family meeting to prepare for this process, the better the transition will be. Without a plan, it is difficult to determine at what point to intervene, and you will most likely face resistance from mom who is not accustomed to having her child tell her what to do. Your family members who live on the other side of the country will want to share their opinions about what steps should be taken. And while you all struggle over these issues, mom or dad might suffer a fall, and the crisis has begun. Wouldn’t you like to know that you can pull out a map to lead the way? For tips on starting the conversation, visit our blog at www.rah-md.net. About Right at Home - Right at Home is a non-medical home care agency. We directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured. For more information on Right at Home services, please call 925.256.4663. Advertorial
Hearing Loss Association
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations accepted. Assistive listening system are available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact: HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or 925.264.1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org.
Page 22 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Local Physicians Receive Patients’ Choice Award By Sandy Goldberg
Diablo Valley Oncology physicians Matthew Sirott, Robert Robles, Tiffany Svahn, and Sachin Kamath of Contra Costa County are recipients of the latest 2010 “Patients’ Choice Award” from the popular rate-your-doctor website Vitals.com. “The honor is bestowed to physicians who have received near-perfect scores as voted by patients,” the website says. The annual award is based on more than 1 million patient reviews nationwide and goes only to doctors who earn four-star ratings on the site. Out of the nation’s 720,000 active physicians, fewer than six percent receive this honor. Dr. Svahn, the group’s breast cancer specialist, has received the award three years in a row.
Dr. Sirott, Dr. Svahn, Dr. Robles, Dr. Kamath
Every month, tens of thousands of patients across the United States provide online feedback on Vitals.com about doctors’ quality of care, postappointment follow-up, bedside manner, and office staff courtesy. While physicians generally receive positive feedback from their patients, only a select few consistently receive rave reviews. Doctors Sirott, Robles, and Svahn specialize in medical oncology and hematology. Dr. Kamath is a radiation oncologist. In April, Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group celebrated their 10 year anniver-
Events for Lafayette Seniors
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 to reserve a spot. Annual Membership fee: $10 per person. General Event fee: Members $1; Non-Member $3. Special Concerts fee: Members $3; Non-Members $5. Ongoing Caregiver Support Group: Members: no charge; Non-members $1.
The Not So Elemental Basics of Successful Gardening for the Beginner and the Veteran Part II: Tuesday 5/17 • 10:30AM – noon •
Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center Scared to start gardening AGAIN? Healthy very green weeds proliferate in your yard and you think, if they can grow so well, maybe adding something colorful and intentional might be doable. Garth Jacober from Mt. Diablo Nursery will help you to make gardening a lovely and joyful reality. The May workshop will guide you through a better understanding of pruning and maintenance processes including seasonal timing, drought management, mulching, soil conditioning. Bring your problem cases to share and discuss with the group. There will be plants on hand to examine, learn about, and purchase (at a special senior discount – ask us more). Flute and Fiddle Concert Friday 5/20 • 1:30 – 3:00PM • Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center Featuring Flutist Carol Alban and Fiddler Mark Shaw We are blessed to have these extraordinary musicians join in musically for an afternoon performance that ranges from classical to folk to standards. From many concerts and drop-bys over the years, Mark Shaw has entertained us with fiddle music that is derived from the old time music of Appalachia and from the Civil War. Carol Alban, new to us, is the principal flutist with the Bay Are Chamber Symphony and has performed at the World Flute Fest at Carnegie Hall. Enjoy light refreshment provided by At Home Care and Companion Services.
Town Hall Theatre Presents….Behind the Scenes of The
www.yourmonthlypaper.com sary. They also recently became one of the first oncology practices in the nation to receive the Quality Oncology Practice Certificate from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Advertorial Diablo Valley Oncology founded the California Cancer and Research Institute. Located in Pleasant Hill, the cancer center is the largest freestanding, non-hospital based facility in Contra Costa County. The center brings together medical oncology, hematology, radiation, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, clinical trials, and supportive care services – all in one convenient location. The facility provides the latest in technology and therapies – to better serve patients in the community. www.DiabloValleyOncology.md
Hospice Launches Vigil Program
The passage into death is as momentous as the passage into life. Dying alone is often listed by patients as their greatest fear as they face the end of life. Yet many people are left to make the journey alone. They may have few, if any, relatives living nearby, or they have outlived their family and friends, or they are, for whatever reason, estranged from family. Such patients face the disheartening possibility of ending their lives with no one at their side. In an effort to make patients’ final passages as peaceful and dignified as possible, Hospice of the East Bay works to bring them physical, emotional, and spiritual relief. Nothing is more central to the idea of hospice care than ensuring that each patient has someone with him or her at the end of life. However, it is difficult to predict exactly when the end will come much less guarantee that each patient’s loved ones can be present during the final hours or days of life. To fill this gap, Hospice of the East Bay has launched a Vigil Volunteer Program where trained patient support volunteers are at the bedside of actively dying patients. The Vigil Program helps Hospice of the East Bay support its patients every step of the way - bringing relief to family members who are unable to be present for the death of their loved one. And, most important, patients will know that they are not alone.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Tuesday 5/24 • 10:30-Noon • Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street at Moraga Rd in Lafayette Join us as Town Hall Theatre’s Artistic Director Clive Worsley leads us into a sneak preview of the upcoming June production of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy The Twelfth Night. Each believing the other lost at sea, twins Viola and Sebastian journey to find each other again, and along the way they encounter some of Shakespeare’s most well-known and hilarious characters. Meet director Soren Oliver, the actors and production crew, smell the grease paint, and stand on the hallowed floorboards of this charming local theater stage. Light refreshments provided by Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging. Living Well with Chronic Illness Thursday 5/26 • 10:30-Noon • Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center As we age, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, respiratory problems, a bum back, and blood pressure issues that slow us down tend to take over our lives. We live in a universe of pills and tonics, pain, and doctors’ visits, and our relatives look grey in the gills with worry. Come to this workshop and learn to lift your own spirits upward, re-focus and find new joy and balance in your own life. Presented by Jean Tokarek, Eldercare Services. Hearing Screening- Is Your Hearing Not What It Used to Be?
~ Ongoing Monthly Hearing Screenings by Dr. .Mimi: Wednesdays: 5/11, 10:30AM, 10:50AM, 11:10AM, 11:30AM, 11:50AM, and 12:10PM. Tea Dancing - Enjoy afternoon Tea Dancing and light refreshments at the LCC Live Oak Room every Wednesday from 12:30 - 3PM, and learn some great new dance moves. $2 Members/ $4 non-members. Positive Living Forum (a.k.a “Happiness Club”) - Positive Living Forum features eminent speakers on a wide range of topics that will stimulate and guide participants towards a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins are welcome. Next meeting 4/14 • 10:30 – noon. Moderated by Dr. Bob Nozik, MD. Lafayette Senior Services Commission - The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 3:30 – 5:30PM at the Lafayette Senior Services Center. View agendas at the City of Lafayette office or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.
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Lafayette Today ~ May 2011 - Page 23
A Visit with Suzanne
By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator - Lamorinda Senior Transportation, An Alliance of Transportation Providers
“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children…to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of oneself; to leave the world a bit better… to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exaltation; to know one life has breathed easier because you have lived…this is to have succeeded!” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. When I read these words, it is easy to think about Suzanne G., who often calls to say how much she appreciates the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program and our amazing drivers Reigh, Mauna, Mike, and Malcolm who have taken her grocery shopping, helped her with her packages, and driven her to medical appointments. This time she called to say how much she enjoyed the trip to the Gardens at Heather Farm and our wonderful driver, Eddie, who she says, can navigate around the tightest of corners and who took such good care of her on this little mini-trip. Suzanne shared that she used to go swimming next to the Gardens and how much she loved watching the children climb trees and enjoy the water at Heather Farm. She wished she could be out there climbing trees too. Suzanne walks for exercise – 1700 steps a day – outside her home when it is nice out, inside when it isn’t. We were talking about how important exercise is to maintain fitness and stay youthful and energized. Recently another of our passengers, Nancy, who is recovering from a car accident, began “Sit and Be Fit” which can be found on public television every day. This is now part of her daily routine. “If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” ~ Michael Jordan. It is inspiring to see seniors taking charge of their health and fitness so they can continue to get out and about, enjoying the mini-trips we offer such as the upcoming trip to UC Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 14. (Call 283-3534 to reserve your seat). “Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but the ability to start over.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald. “I loved the tour of the Gardens at Heather Farm. The docent we had (Arlene) was very knowledgeable and pleasant. We learned about the satellite watering system that Heather Farms uses for water conservation.” “There are so many varieties of Japanese Maple Trees.” “I learned what a Bearded Iris is.” These are just a few of the appreciative comments made by trip participants. The driving force and joy behind Lamorinda Senior Transportation, an Alliance of Transportation Providers is to help seniors improve the quality of life and maintain their independence by making transportation available to essential activities of daily living such as social outings, grocery shopping, errands, and medical appointments.
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CAR FOR COLLEGE STUDENT Looking for a cheap car for a college student. Preferably a Honda or Toyota. Manual transmission OK. Please call 925.216.1089
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE!
Suzanne (front row, far right) Celebrating Marjorie’s 100th Birthday
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
YOU CAN HELP! VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE NEEDED. As long time volunteer driver, Malcolm Hendry, says: “It’s just a way of helping a fellow traveler who needs it.” Call each program for information, opportunities to volunteer, and to make tax-deductible donations.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
283-3534
Taking Lamorinda Seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping and lunch at the C.C. Café. $10 round trip; rides to lunch are free. Reserve your seat two business days ahead of time by 1PM. Call for information about mobile advertising.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Volunteer Driver Program
Volunteers driving their own cars provide free rides for seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
402-4506
Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors
284-6161
Serving Orinda seniors with rides for appointments and errands.
Serving Contra Costa County seniors with rides to doctors’ appointments during the week, grocery shopping on Saturdays.
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Page 24 - May 2011 ~ Lafayette Today
Joy continued from front page
Cal Sate Hayward for college. As a graduate of Acalanes, Joy exudes pride in her alma mater, and our student athletes see this every day. She brings a level of energy that is infectious, and she wants to contribute to Acalanes’ future successes. Joy is more of an old world coach who excites her athletes and makes them want to perform even better.” A college All-American in relays, hurdles, long jump, and heptathlon, Upshaw switched to distance running after graduation. It wasn’t until age 30, and her discovery of the Masters program, that she once again took up her favorite activities – sprinting and jumping. Her recent record-breaking jump was longer than she jumped in college, and she recently ran a 12.79 in the 100 meters at the Mt. Sac relays in Southern California. “Coach Joy has proven that you aren’t always your best in high school or college,” says Acalanes track star Katie Berge, 18. “There is way more to come after. She inspires me to be a runner for life.” “The great thing about Masters Track & Field is that anyone can participate,” says Upshaw who is the Pacific Association Masters’ Chairman. “And you can compete forever. Joy (right) with daughter Windy. I’ve met athletes who are 100 years old. It’s so inspirational. I plan to participate and compete as long as I can; it’s so fun.” She also plans to coach for as long as she can. “I love promoting our sport, and I love attending clinics and sharing my knowledge with other athletes, both younger kids and those in the Masters program,” says Upshaw, who in 1998 started the Jack Rabbits Track Club in the South Bay, an introductory track experience emphasizing proper running mechanics for kids age 3 – 14. “I’m constantly learning and challenging myself. Track and field is a way of life it’s healthy and invigorating and it keeps me young.” Upshaw cites the friendships she has made with fellow athletes as one of her favorite aspects of Masters Track. “It’s great to meet up with track friends at the different events,” says Upshaw, who has traveled as far as Finland, Italy, Spain, and Austria to compete. She will add Guadalajara, Mexico to the list when she serves on the coaching staff for the Pan American Games in October – a major honor. After living on the Peninsula for the past several years, Upshaw has recently returned to Lafayette with daughter Windy to be closer to family. Her mom is in Lafayette, her dad is in Oakland, and she has a sister in Montclair and a brother in Alamo. She continues to train a few times per week in the South Bay, where she maintains the Jack Rabbits club. Upshaw is currently training for the World Masters Championships, to be held Buy 1-Patio Furniture in Sacramento this summer. “Her work ethic, personal zeal, and drive always Table with 5 or more make her a contender,” says Myers. “Joy Dining Chairs and is one driven person, trust me. And, she get 1-Free Dining Chair is one ripped fifty year-old.” Offer Good Thru 5/30/2011 “Coach Joy can run faster than most of the people on our high school team,” OPEN TUES THRU SAT 10 TO 6 SUNDAY 11 TO 5 CLOSED MONDAY says Barton. “What an inspiration!” For information on the US Masters Track & Field program, visit www. usatfmasters.org. For information on Upshaw’s Jack Rabbits Track Club, visit www.jackrabbitstrack.com.
1 Free Patio Dining Chair Value $99 to $799
Danville 925.648.0293 3426 Camino Tassajara
Alamo 925.820.8492 3189 Danville Boulevard