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LafayetteToday Today~~February January 2014 Lafayette 2015 - Page 25 21
February 2015
Serving the Lafayette Community
San Ramon Valley Horsemen’s Association
“Day in the Life” Photos of Lafayette on Display
Bob Cooper can remember exactly when he fell in love with horses. “I was nine years old and was on vacation with my family at a Montana dude ranch,” he says. “That’s when I caught the bug.” Back home in Chicago, he had to settle for a few riding lessons in order to feed his interest. It wasn’t until a job relocation many years later that Cooper was able to fully immerse himself in his equine fascination. He arrived in California in 1969 and bought his first horse in 1970. A truck and trailer purchase followed a year later, and in 1973, Cooper joined the San Ramon Valley Horsemen’s Association (SRVHA), where he currently serves as historian. Cooper and his horses now reside in the Altamont area of Livermore on five acres. He and two other SRVHA members currently hold the title for longest running membership.
Submissions to the City of Lafayette’s “Day in the Life” Photo Contest are now on view at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in the Community Hall Gallery. Sponsored by the City’s Public Art Committee, the display features photographs taken during the winter solstice, December 21st, the shortest day of the year. All photographs, taken at various Lafayette points of interest, are by those who live or work in Lafayette. Complimenting the Kim Overaa's “Love at the Community Garden,” a photo exhibit is a display winning submission to the City of Lafayette’s “Day in the Life” photo contest. of antique cameras and vintage photographs, courtesy of the Lafayette Historical Society. Kim Overaa's image of a heart shaped grape leaf, taken at The Lafayette Community Garden, earned one of five Juror’s Awards. “The garden was my first choice for where to take photos and I simply walked around to look with slow, quiet, eyes,” says Overaa. “When I saw the leaf, it touched me deeply. I paused for a minute or so to just soak in its beauty and simplicity, then remembered I was there to take
By Fran Miller
By Fran Miller
See Day continued on page 4
SRVHA's Wente Ride. Photo Credit: Bob Cooper
SRVHA was created in 1960 by a dozen residents of Danville who were interested in pleasure rides and horse shows. They rode in local parks and on private land, and they staged shows, the last of which occurred in 1975 when the group became primarily trail oriented. During the next few decades, SRVHA members participated in trail rides from Fort Brag to Santa Cruz, and Golden Gate Park to the Pacific Crest Trail. Members were also active in events such as the De Anza reenactment (a Mexico City to San Francisco ride emulating the 1776 De Anza route) and the California State Horsemen’s Association Seven Day Ride from Mt. Diablo to Briones, Tilden, Redwood, and Chabot Regional Parks and back. While these days there are fewer horsemen/women in the area, and trail rides are less frequent with fewer riders, the organization has not strayed far from its roots; A current total of 70 members from all over the Bay Area (and one from Hawaii) include riders and horse enthusiasts of all skill levels who take part in weekday and weekend trail rides, camping trips, monthly socials, and other special events.
See Horsemen continued on page 14
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Burton Valley Students Raise Money for Youth Homes, Inc. - The Book Bonanza fundraiser has been a long-standing tradition at Burton Valley. Every year, the Alternative Instructional Magnet (AIM) class collects, prices, and sells books and all proceeds go to a charitable cause. This year the students chose to support Youth Homes, an organization that helps neglected and abused foster children and adolescents. The students raised $1,411! Pictured above, student Haelee Chung and her classmates presented a check to Laurel Pendleton of Youth Homes.
Volume IX - Number 2 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher
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Page 2 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
Lafayette Volunteer Opportunities There are currently openings on the following Commissions and Committees:
• Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee • Community Center Foundation • Capital Projects Assessments Committee (CPAC) • Circulation Commission • Creeks Committee • Crime Prevention Commission • Design Review Commission • Downtown Street Improvement Implementation Committee (DSIMPIC) • Emergency Preparedness Commission • Environmental Task Force • Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission • Planning Commission • Public Art Committee • Senior Services Commission • Youth Services Commission • Lafayette Representative to the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging For additional information visit the city’s website: www.ci.lafayette.ca.us/city-hall/commissions-committees Or call Joanne Robbins, City Clerk 925-284-1968. Application deadline March 31, 2015. Positions open until filled.
Thrift Shop Presents Leather Handbags Event
How apropos that the dedicated member volunteers at Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop in Lafayette will feature American Classic Designed Handbags in February, the birth-month of two of our nation’s more extensively researched presidents. On Tuesday, February 17, the thrift shop, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way in Lafayette will transform to a purveyor of high end handbags at bargain basement prices! This well-known annual event will celebrate the creative genius of Dooney & Bourke, Coach, Cole Haan, Michael Kors and Brighton, all fashioned by American designers who were inspired by modern world nuances. Engineered with the highest regard for materials and craftsmanship during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, such attributes as expertly structured, timelessly chic, elegant but functional, as well as glamorous and on-the-go, will obviously come to mind. While several of the styles have since been discontinued, their signature hardware, contrast interior design, and durability will confirm authenticity. When you purchase one of these classic finds, whether a shoulder bag, tote, satchel or drawstring, you will enjoy years of fashion and luxury. More important, you will participate in the tradition of improving the lives of those in our community who are vulnerable—another great American signature piece! To learn about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s nine philanthropic programs that the thrift shop funds visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
Sons In Retirement
Sons In Retirement (SIR) Las Trampas Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize with us at 11am on Monday, February 16th at our monthly luncheon at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr. Please call 925-322-1160 for lunch reservations. The cost for lunch is $15. Before each luncheon we have a Book Exchange where members bring a book they think is of interest to others and take home a book from those left by others. This sharing of books provides an enhanced opportunity for literary enlightenment. In addition, our Book Discussion Group meets, generally on the fourth Monday of the month, at 10:15am at Orinda Books which is located at 276 Village Square in Orinda to discuss a book recommended by one of the members. The February book will be Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era by James Barrat. If you enjoy reading and like stimulating discussions, you will find enjoyment with the friendly group of retirees in the SIRs organization. To learn more about our membership activities for retired men, please visit www.Branch116.org.
Now Accepting Nominations for Lafayette Green Awards
Do you know a resident, student, teacher, local business, community organization, or architect/builder that took impressive steps to become more environmentally friendly in 2014? If so, then make sure to nominate them for a Lafayette Green Award. The “Environmental Awards of Excellence,” as they are officially known, are jointly sponsored by Sustainable Lafayette and the City of Lafayette and recognizes outstanding efforts that contribute to a more sustainable community. Fifty-four different individuals and organizations have been honored since 2007. Last year’s winners included Tina Goodfriend, Erika Pringsheim-Moore, Rising Loafer Café & Bakery, Hunsucker Goodstein PC, the Fresh Connection, and the Friends Corner Book Shop. Nominations are evaluated by the City’s Environmental Task Force, across five different categories, based on three primary criteria. • How successfully did the candidate’s activities reduce their footprint? • How much have the candidate’s activities helped achieve the City’s environmental goals? • How much have the candidate’s activities inspired others in the community? This year’s winners will be announced at the 10th Annual Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 26th. Mayor Andersson will award certificates at the City Council meeting on April 27th. To nominate a resident, local business, green building, school, or community organization for a GreenAward, please complete the nomination form by February 28th on the City’s website at http://www.lovelafayette.org/GreenAwards.
Host Families Sought for Visiting French Students
For the tenth consecutive year, students from a large high school in the South of France are coming to the East Bay. Every visit by the students has been better than the last. The students will arrive on April 11th and depart April 25th. The teens stay with local families and have a full itinerary of activities during the days and only require your attention in the evenings and weekends. The visit is an ideal opportunity to experience another culture and hopefully consider visiting France in return. Anyone interested in hosting a student (or students!) is welcome to participate. For more information or to find out about past year’s programs, please contact Martine Causse (teacher in charge of the group), at caussefly@ wanadoo.fr or dachary.martine@orange.fr. There are many happy local host families ready to discuss any questions with you (including the editor of this paper!). The local contact is Kevin Dimler, who can be reached at kevindimler@gmail.com or 925-718-5052.
Free Tax Preparation
Free tax preparation for the 2015 tax season is available starting February 2015 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit in whom they can serve but EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000. For information or to make an appointment please call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Copies of all W-2s • 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions
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Boulevard View
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
In March of 1965, the movie The Sound of Music was released, and people started singing: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things About 10 years before the movie came out, my mother was a junior high school student, and she had come up with a list of her own favorite things that she typed out on her typewriter. These were things she loved. The list wasn’t for an assignment or other purpose; it was simply a list of memories for her to reflect on and enjoy. It’s a list she shared with my sisters and me growing up so we could know her better and reflect on those things that made her happy - The outside layer of a roasted marshmallow/ Views from high places/ Watching raindrops in water/ Talking to older people about their childhood/ Children’s magic and puppet shows/ Maps/ Good hot soup/ Intriguing mystery stories in Arabia, India, Tibet, or China/ A firm handshake... These days our lists, thoughts, and feelings are often shared publicly on websites such as Facebook. It has become commonplace on the site to see “feeling __________” filled in with words like “accomplished,” or “hopeful.” Sadly, more often people focus on the negative - “pissed off,” “defeated,” or other unhappy emotions. What a waste of a good opportunity to practice recognition and gratitude. Years ago, when our children and their friends would describe something to us adults, we often worked with them to re-frame their point of view to something positive. Usually, they would be complaining about a friend, a class at school, a place, or an event. It would begin like this: “I hate it when XYZ happens…” Tiring of the complaining, we would turn the conversation around by simply saying, “Enough of that! Tell me something you LOVE!” Saying this to them was as much a verbal cue that the complaining session was officially ending as it was a cue to stop the ‘stinkin thinkin’ and concentrate on the good that surround us. We’ve tried, from a very early stage in their lives, to help our children focus on LOVE, as much for each other as for their amazing lives. We want them to be grateful for the opportunities and comforts we often take for granted. Certainly,
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Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 3 some international travel has not hurt development of this awareness. There’s nothing like visiting those who are much less fortunate to put the minor discomforts of our lives into the proper perspective. Happily, our exhortations and coaching seem to have worked. What do you LOVE about where you live, who you are, your family, your friends, and your travels? Some of the things I LOVE about this area are - Beautiful views/ Mount Diablo/ Horseback riding/ Sunrises/ Close freeway access (but not too close!)/ Good restaurants/ Interesting people/ The Iron Horse Trail/ Farmers Markets/ Geocaching... There are things in this life that transcend all boundaries; these universal experiences that evoke positive reactions and create good memories. These thoughts, from my mother’s list, bring people together - Autumn, when the leaves fall and the nights are sultry/ The roar of the sea/ Big bridges at night/ The warmth and glow of a fireplace on a cold crisp night/ Spring, when everything in nature is reborn/ Playing old records that bring back fond memories... On my list of things I LOVE is - Trying new restaurants/ Seeing shows with my husband/ Playing Words With Friends with my kids/ Spontaneous photographs that perfectly capture the moment. My mom loved - Shopping for groceries/ The alter of a church/ A wild jay who will feed from your hand/ Talking to older people about their childhood/ Church bells... I read these words and I remember that everything around us is a treat we get to experience for just a moment. Everything, including our short lives, is temporary. Whether it’s something happy or sad, don’t worry, because it’s temporary. Yin and yang, positive and negative, the sine wave of life flows through us and around us. The feelings of happiness and LOVE are based on our attitudes, and the moment to moment choices about what we are going to appreciate today. They’re as much about what we are choosing to remember as they are about what we will choose to “let go” because it’s not something good or something that we can change. Mom’s lists help me remember what is important - Travelling/ An ocean illuminated by blue fluorescence/ Summer, when the nights are beautiful and the days are lazy/ The smell of frying bacon in the outdoors/ The moon over the rim of a mountain/ Animals with big, friendly yet timid eyes/ The smell of a pine tree/ A hot bath and hearty dinner after a day at the beach/ Children who make things to sell... I think I will continue my mother’s list. She was definitely on to something. Happy Valentines Day.
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The wine toss requires a keen sense of hand-eye coordination, a symmetrically balanced ring, and the wisdom as to when to “let it go!” An auxiliary of Assistance League® of Diablo Valley, Buena Vista is a women’s philanthropic nonprofit organization dedicated to helping elementary school children in Contra Costa County learn to read through its Buena Vista Tutorial Program. These dedicated women raise funds to employ credentialed teachers to help students who are below grade level in reading. Its 16 The wine toss requires a keen sense of hand-eye coordination, a one-hour after symmetrically balanced ring and the wisdom as to when to “let it go!” school tutoring sessions are spread over a six week period and provide a 2:1 studentteacher ratio. At no cost to the 11 schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified and Walnut Creek School Districts or their families, 97% of the students show measurable improvement, gain confidence when celebrating their reading skills, and receive gifts of books at their new reading level as well as school supplies. If you would like to be a part of this celebration, please join “A Toast to Tutoring,” Buena Vista’s largest fundraiser. This event, resplendent with a wine tasting, a wine toss, silent auction, dinner and live auction, will take place at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo on Friday, March 20th, starting at 6PM. Book a babysitter, invite some friends, and take part of the fantastic evening and raffle! Your generous participation in “A Toast to Tutoring” promises an evening of fun, fine food, and “feel good” when you consider that you are helping children succeed by fortifying their reading skills. If knowledge is power, then reading empowers. For detailed event information and ticket sales, including VIP tickets, please visit http://bva.schoolauction.net/attt/.
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photos. When I was looking at the photos I had taken that day, I just kept going back to this one and it made me pause each time, and still does. My son, Luke, encouraged me to enter the heart.” Stu Selland’s “Gateway” also earned a Juror’s Award. “Since I’ve never entered a photo contest before, interpreting the “Day in the Life” theme was exciting,” says Selland. “Right away, I thought of the Lafayette Moraga trailhead at Olympic and Reliez. For years I’ve viewed it as the busiest gateway to exercise and community in Lafayette. My plan was to photograph activity from 9am to 9:30am from a stationary spot. I was sure to catch people, dogs, bikes, etc. in order to convey the multitude of activities taking place in just that one little portion of the day. I was thrilled to see 60 cyclists pass by, a family with two tricyclists, dog owners, hikers - each contributing to the whole story. The only planned contributors to the photo were my daughter Rose and her fiance Nick who I anticipated using as anchors. All that remained was to paint in the parts I thought best told the story of a few minutes of use, a Day in the Life of Lafayette.” The photo contest is the second in a series sponsored by Lafayette's Public Art Committee, composed of individuals who “Gateway,” by Stu Selland was selected for a “Juror’s Award” by their experience, by the City of Lafayette Public Art Committee. training, education, occupation or avocation, have demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the visual arts. All of the submitted photos are on display at the Library Gallery untilApril 16, 2015. The Gallery, created to support diverse artistic expression and to encourage appreciation of the visual arts, is open to the public Monday evenings from 7pm - 9pm, during public events occurring in the Community Hall, or by reservation through the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
Buena Vista’s “A Toast to Tutoring”
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Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 5
Lafayette Garden Club February Meeting
The Lafayette Garden Club February meeting will feature Rebecca Sweet speaking on “Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture, and Form.” Rebecca has been featured in numerous publications and shares her many secrets in her popular blog, Gossip in the Garden. She is owner of design firm Harmony in the Garden and author of two wonderful garden books, both of which will be available for purchase. The meeting will take place on February 12th with 9:30AM coffee and 10:00-12:00 noon meeting at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Lafayette Garden Club welcomes guests. E-mail questions to cpoetzsch@gmail.com.
Montelindo Garden Club
The next Montelindo Garden Club meeting will be helf on Friday, February 20th at 9am, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, located at 66 St. Stephens Drive in Orinda. Everyone is invited to hear Susan Morrison landscape designer, master gardener, and co-author of Garden Up! talk about “Smart Space.” Meetings are held the third Friday, September thru May. For more information, visit www.montelindogarden.com.
11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale Lafayette - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home
sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report, call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter 2003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013
Scholarships Offered Through AAUW
The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) seeks candidates for its 2015 Local Scholarship Program. Applicants must have attended high school in Walnut Creek or live(d) in Walnut Creek or Walnut Creek's unincorporated area boundaries or attended high school in the San Ramon Valley School District or reside in this area now. Scholarships are based on merit and start at $1,000. Undergraduate applicants must be entering into their junior standing or higher at an accredited 4-year college or university by the fall term of 2015. Applicants pursuing an advanced degree – masters, doctorate, or post-doctorate – must be accepted at an accredited college or university graduate program for their course of study also by the fall term of 2015. The deadline for applications is April 1, 2015. Awards will be announced by mid-May and presented on June 11. The recipient of the Jane Trittipo Scholarship will be selected from applicants in a medically related field of studies. Undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and post doctorate level students qualify as long as they meet other eligibility criteria for the year in which they are applying. The recipient of the Creative Endeavors scholarship will be selected from applicants in visual art fields that create works such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video, filmmaking, and architecture. Also included are the applied arts, such as industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, and decorative art. Learn more about the scholarships at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/2015scholarship, and download the scholarship application packet there. E-mail Marcia Steinhardt at marcia.steinhardt@yahoo.com if you have questions.
Lost Dog!
St. David’s Day Gymanfa Ganu
The Welsh American Society of Northern California (WASNC) will hold its annual Gymanfa Ganu on Sunday, March 1st at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road in Lafayette, at 2PM. Everyone is welcome. In the Welsh language Gymanfa Ganu is the name for a traditional HymnSinging Festival where many of the most famous Welsh hymns of the past two or three hundred years are sung by the whole assembled community. Each year around March 1st WASNC’s members invite the whole community to join them for an afternoon Gymanfa Ganu. March 1st is the saint’s day of Wales’s patron saint, St. David. Whether you join in the singing in four-part harmony, sing only the melody, or just sit and enjoy this glorious music, we’ll extend a warm Welsh welcome to everyone who joins us. Hymn books containing all the songs will be available. The congregational singing will be led by Eryl Aynsley, with accompanist Donna Llewellyn Swanson. Some soloists and the Red Dragon Choir will perform to give the singing community a few moments to catch their breath during the afternoon. After about two hours of joyous singing, everyone is invited to gather in the church’s Social Hall for a traditional Welsh Te Bach (Little Afternoon Tea). A knowledge of Welsh is not necessary – all you need is a love of singing. For more information about the event, please go to WASNC’s website – www.wasnc.org, or contact Howard Thomas at (408) 866-5448 or President@wasnc.org.
$50 REWARD If you find him and your name is drawn!
He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.
Lafayette Luther is Missing He has become lost in this paper.
Send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to:
Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507
Johanna Erickson is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 5 last month.
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Page 6 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
The Bookworm By Joan Stevenson
Had enough of the cold and the fog? How about an armchair getaway? The ambiance is breathtaking and the price is right. Where is this unbelievable place? The Lafayette Library and Learning Center! Come escape into 18th century Mexico, and find yourself in a world or passion, faith, dueling, and, of course, love! Or travel to the heart of the African Savanna, and spend an evening with Massai Chief Salaton Ole Ntutu to hear him speak about his passion for that culture. For an out of space experience, beam yourself directly into a conversation with Andy Weir, author of The Martian. Have I made you curious? Read on for more! Claudia H. Long, author of The Duel for Consuelo, will be with us for Sweet Thursday on February 19 at 7PM. Picture Mexico during the 1700’s. The Enlightenment is making slow inroads in Mexico, but the world is still under the cloud of the Inquisition. Consuelo, the daughter of a secret Jew, is caught between love and the burdens of the threatened religion. Forced to choose, Consuelo’s dilemma illuminates the timeless complexities of family, faith, and love. Claudia is a local writer. In her blog she writes that she practices law as a mediator, plays the ukulele, is a dream catcher, is a weaver of words, and drinks a lot of coffee! She sounds like fun to me. You are invited to Journey to Africa through the eyes of the Massai on Saturday, February 21 at 1PM with a Massai Chief. Learn how he survived life among the wild animals he now passionately works to protect. On Tuesday, February 24 at 6PM come to the Community Hall to celebrate Chinese New Year with the Leung White Crane Lion Dance Troupe. Fueled by a lifelong passion in the ancient art form of lion dance and martial arts, three brothers, Kuen, Kwan, and Allen Leung, established a struggling school in Oakland in 1971. Their goal for the school was to create a youth club, which not only upheld and preserved the traditions of the ancient art but which also promoted brotherhood and respect in its system. The Leung brothers’ timeless devotion has proven to lead the troupe into one of the biggest and finest lion dancing and martial arts schools in North America. For a truly out of this world experience, mark your calendar to be with us
www.yourmonthlypaper.com on Wednesday, March 4 from 7-9 for a conversation with bestselling author Andy Weir who wrote the novel The Martian. He will be joined by Dr. Pascal Lee, Chair of the Mars Institute, and NASA scientist Dr. Margaret Race for a lively discussion about the future of missions to Mars. Additionally, Andy will discuss the upcoming film of the same name, The Martian, starring Matt Damon. Join us on Thursday, February 12 at 6:30PM for a workshop with Don Joseph Goewey, author of The End of Stress: Four Steps to Rewire Your Brain. Don Joseph managed the department of psychiatry at Stanford Medical School, ran a regional emergency medical services system, and for twelve years headed an internationally recognized institute that pioneered an approach to catastrophic life events. The workshop offers a simple, straightforward solution that can switch your brain’s auto pilot from habitual stress and anxiety to a mindset that is calm and wired for success. Come and learn how this proven approach can help you build a better brain for life. I am a big mystery/detective story fan. There are few writers of that genre more acclaimed than Laurie R. King. She will be with us on Thursday, March 5 at 7PM to discuss the latest mystery in her award winning Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, Dreaming Spies. Detectives Russell and Holmes navigate the exquisite yet perilous royal hallways of a politically unstable Japan and are confronted with an old acquaintance in Oxford whose rare skills may surpass their own. King weaves a literary masterpiece with the detective duo at the center of it all. On Wednesday, March 11 from 2-3PM WOW lecture Series will take a look at the Asian Art Museum’s Seduction: Japans Floating World. Much like Las Vegas today, Japan’s 17th-century floating worlds referred to both the pleasure quarters in major cities and a pleasure-seeking way of life. Through more 70 works of art, including paintings, woodblock prints, kimonos, and an almost 58-foot-long handscroll, this exhibit provides the opportunity to explore the intersection of art and desire. Many of these programs are underwritten by the Friends of LLLC, and funding is generated by The Friends Corner Book Shop. Thank you for your support. Save the date, the secret is out! On May 7th Lafayette Library and Learning Center welcomes David Sedaris, American humorist, comedian and best-selling author to the Distinguished Speaker Series. Sign up for our AdLib newsletter online, and receive the latest news on upcoming events. For more information, visit www.lafayettelib.org. PM
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Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 7
Torrential Rains Not New in County History… and Neither are Droughts
NOW OPEN!
By Ruth Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society
Even though this current January was dry, at least we can read about local winters awash in rain a century and a half or two ago. The January 15th, 1965, Lafayette Sun took a look back at the rainfall records left from the California Mission era. “That rainstorms in 1805 created statewide havoc was verified by the records of Southern mission padres. Proof of the record-breaking 1861-62 deluge was corroborated later when water marks were found in trees in the San Joaquin Valley, showing that a former flood had been fully six feet higher. “The padres recorded a rainfall in 1819 so great that rivers changed their beds. Historians mentioned the winter of 1825-26, 1840 and 1846-47, when great numbers of stock were lost by drowning.” From the same sources we learn of extremely dry years. In fact, the Native Americans told of a year in which no rain fell at all—the drought of 1824, which caused cattle to die by the thousands. And the year 1831 was so dry [here I heard the voice of Johnny Carson’s 130 La Casa Via, Suite 103A audience calling out: “How dry Walnut Creek, CA 94598 was it?”...but I digress], Historian William Heath Davis wrote, that 925-448-2908 rancheros killed thousands of www.wcvethosp.com horses to preserve what little feed there was for their cattle. Official weather records were kept beginning in 1849. From that year to 1914, Contra Costa County experienced 11 floods, and there were 21 drought years. A 1970 history of the Municipal Utility District (entitled Its name was M.U.D.), reported that the winter of 1850-51 had been unusually dry, a mere 7.1 inches of Dick Francis water witching, 1977 rainfall, and by summer the springs and creeks carried far less water than before. “Few at the time might have guessed, but the problem of water was to become the most vexatious and turbulent the area was to have over the next 60 years. It only grew more complex as communities expanded and natural water sources disappeared.” And 1860 was a short rain year, as well, and what water there was quickly ran off the denuded slopes, where trees had been clear-cut to provide lumber for the fastgrowing Bay Area. But according to William Brewster, in his journal Up and Down California in 18601864, “Between November 1861 and January 31, 1862, 102 inches of rain fell in the Central Valley, which was one vast lake 250–300 miles long and 20–60 miles wide. The winds made high waves of the cold, muddy waters that beat to pieces farm dwellings that had withstood the flood waters. “The course of the river itself could be told only by treetops. River steamers were used to get to ranches 14 miles from the river. Isolation from the east, where the Civil War raged, was complete. Bridges and roads were destroyed, so that the Overland could not operate. [Beginning in 1857, the Overland Mail Company carried mail from St. Louis to San Francisco twice a week.] Even the telegraph was not working, for in the Sacramento Valley, for some distance, the tops of the poles were under water. An eye-witness account of the view from Mt. Diablo was that the San Francisco Bay appeared small compared to the muddy sea to the east. “Warehouses along the waterfront and their contents of wheat were swept away. Recurring Henry Toler Brown during the flood of 1910 floods brought more mud and silt from upstream that filled the slough and overflowed into the town.” And one additional peril: “In 1862 the Bay Area was issued a rattlesnake warning, as the rattlers were washed down from the mountains on floating debris,” Brewster reported. As the song goes, we’ve seen fire and we’ve seen rain...along with sunny days we thought would never end. Two photos from the LHS Independent service and repair for Jaguar Independent service and repair for Mercedes Benz archives demonstrate the yin and yang of local rainfall. The circa 1910 flood scene shows CARLOS “KIKO” CAICEDO JERRY FIGUEROA Henry Toler Brown (“Papa,” according to writing on the photo margin) near the flooded Shop (925) 284-4852 Shop (925) 284-4852 Cell (925) 285-0783 Cell (510) 754-1942 Lafayette Creek at Oakland Ave. and Mt. lafayettemotors@gmail.com lafayettemotors@gmail.com Diablo. The other picture is of Dick Francis water witching during the drought of 1977. 3470 Golden Gate Way , Lafayette, CA 94549 3470 Golden Gate Way , Lafayette, CA 94549 Any bets on how 2015 will turn out?
Walnut Creek Veterinary Hospital Jill Christofferson, DVM
Lafayette Motors
Lafayette Motors
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Page 8 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
How to get Reliable Environmental News
Some Advice for Gen Z
Living in the Bay Area, it seems as if environmental consciousness is a universal value. Our Bay Area culture is unusually “outdoorsy,” so we treasure our open spaces and work to retain them. We fret about the particulate matter on “Spare the Air” days, and half of the electric cars sold in the U.S. are sold in California. For the many of us interested in environmental news, we relish that it shows up from many different sources and in all sorts of forms - such as articles on webpages, emails in our inboxes, and posts on Facebook. Yet it can be confusing to know where to look for information that is accurate and reliable. We want to be confident of our facts when we’re talking to friends and co-workers, especially those who don’t share the same environmental enthusiasm. Here are some tips for staying current on the latest environmental news and information. At the most basic level, there are an array local organizations, such as Sustainable Lafayette (sustainablelafayette.org) and local land trusts, that all manage detailed and informative websites. Many Bay Area non-profits such as Save Mount Diablo, Save the Bay, the Regional Parks Foundation, and several national organizations, such as the Sierra Club, Trust for Public Land, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Nature Conservancy, have strong presences both locally and on the internet. An excellent aggregator of environmental news is environmentalhealthnews. org. You can subscribe for free to the website and request an email synopsis of environmental news stories that have appeared in newspapers online, and in radio and TV reports worldwide. The website is easy to navigate, and you can click on issues of particular interest to you. There are other similar websites such as sciencedaily.com and enn.com (Environmental News Network). ScienceDaily is great if you like science along with your environmental news – it provides information about a range of research topics. Enn.com is less easy to navigate as it is cluttered with advertising, but it does have many worthwhile articles. Many trusted news sources have specific pages and archives dedicated to environmental stories such as The New York Times, the BBC, National Geographic, and NPR are easy to search for specific topics in science and the environment. You can also easily find out what is going on in Bay Area environmental academia by checking out local university websites. UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Stanford, for example, all have environmental studies departments, and present some of their more noteworthy research on their websites. UC Davis has launched its Information Center for the Environment (ICE), an environmental information brokerage and research lab, that has collaborated with journalists to tell environmental stories with more visual data. Sustainable Lafayette's calendar of events, our Facebook page, and our email newsletters can help you keep track of local lectures and workshops that enhance your knowledge and understanding of environmental issues, both locally and globally. To make sure you are up-to-date, sign up for our communications at sustainablelafayette.org and “Like” us on Facebook.
Teens and young adults today face unique opportunities as well as challenges that earlier generations have not had to grapple with. Below are six nuggets of advice to help navigate these formative years.
By Cyrus J. Boga, Novamaya
By Pam Palitz, Sustainable Lafayette
LAFCO: The Most Powerful Local Agency you Have Never Heard of By Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 2
In my role as County Supervisor, I get to sit on many interesting boards and commissions. LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) is one of those boards. Although LAFCO is likely an unfamiliar entity to the general public, it does play a significant role in local government. At a recent conference I heard it described as “the most powerful local agency you have never heard of.” LAFCO is a state mandated agency in each county that oversees boundary changes to cities and special districts, the formation of new agencies including the incorporation of new cities, and the consolidation of existing agencies. After World War II, California's population and economy grew, generating demands for housing, employment, and municipal services. In response, the state approved the formation of many new local government agencies. Over time, the lack of coordinated growth management led to hastily formed
See LAFCO continued on page 16
1. You are not alone – find your tribe, build your network
It is a sad fact that in our hyperconnected world we can still feel lonely and isolated. One of the key misconceptions young people have is that their interests or problems or issues are distinct and unshared. They’re not. While individual circumstances may differ greatly, the underlying hopes, anxieties, frustrations, worries, insecurities, and fears are universal. As you move through life, you will realize pretty quickly that what matters is the relationships you have: family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors. It’s never too early to start building social capital. Seek out people and groups with whom you share values and vision, and engage with them.
2. Explore!
Don’t stress about finding your purpose or passion. Young people today feel pressured to have it all figured out by the time they reach college. And given the high cost of exploring during college, this is not unsurprising. So explore! The more you are exposed to new ideas, people and places, the more likely it is for you to find something that speaks to you. An excellent way to explore is by joining the fast-growing number of young people who are opting to take a gap semester or year between high school and college, or even once they’re in college. This not only allows you to assess your interests and explore new ones, but it enables you to return energized, more focused, and with a clearer sense of direction. And that helps make college a more worthwhile investment of time, money, and energy. The costs of exploration are greatly reduced when you’re young. So step outside your comfort zone, open your mind and heart, and trust in yourself. Take risks. Do stuff, just because.
3. Get to know yourself
A huge benefit of exploration is not only learning about the external world but, perhaps more important, about yourself. By working through challenging or unfamiliar situations in a controlled environment, you get a better sense of your own capabilities and capacities. You’ll learn what motivates and inspires you, what elevates you, and what brings you down. This knowledge can be empowering, boosting your confidence, motivation and focus, all of which are key determinants of success.
4. Know that everything is just a story
We’ve been telling ourselves stories since the dawn of civilization. It’s how we make sense of the world around us and of our place in that world. We create stories to explain the unknown, because if we can explain it, we can control the narrative and hopefully wield some measure of control over the inherent randomness of life. Some stories turn into myths, beliefs and religions, some into science. Every story was created by someone, somewhere, and has been edited and interpreted many times before reaching you. Do not get too caught up with any one story. Keep an open mind. Hear different stories. They’ll help you understand people (and yourself) better.
5. Develop key competencies & skills
This is not your parents’ world any more. Unfortunately, too often you are being prepared for a world that doesn’t exist any more. You will need a new and different set of skills and knowledge. Financial literacy, critical thinking, digital and media savvy, communication and collaboration, the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn, entrepreneurial thinking, good habits of mind and body and these are some of the key competencies and life skills you will require in the 21st century.
6. Write your own story
Do not conform to someone else’s norm. You are not your parent, teacher, sibling, friend, or cult hero. There is something unique and individual and special about the combination of traits, dreams, and ideas that makes you, you. You have your own story to write and a lifetime in which to write it. Don’t try to replicate anyone else’s, and do not allow anyone to author yours. Cyrus J Boga is the program director at Novamaya, which offers summer, semester, and other programs for high school and college students. Applications are now open for Novamaya’s Summer 2015 programs at Amherst College, and for the discovery semester programs in South America and India for the 201516 academic year. Novamaya is the only learning institution recommended by Jake Ducey, the Voice of the Millennials and best-selling author. Find more information at novamaya.org, or by calling 925-272-7015. Advertorial
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Walking the Reservoir By Jim Scala
Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 9
Senior’s Walk Program. Even though it was a little cold, our first senior walk on January eighth was enhanced with a blue sky and bright sun. Five of us, with one friendly dog, walked the Rez’s paved trail. We communicate our walking times by e-mail, and our group is growing. We walk at a comfortable pace, fast walkers in front, and have good conversations. We get to know each other and regroup at the bandstand. Some of us carry yoga mats with a shoulder strap. Our purpose with yoga is to improve balance and flexibility, and I show poses I know that work well. However, there are no limits and we work at our own pace. Seniors can join by calling 925-284-5050 or e-mailing me at jscala2@comcast.net. Crows. Our bandstand ranks among the world’s most spectacular yoga studios, and except for the cacophony crows provide on sunny days, it would be the most tranquil. I asked myself, “What does modern science say about crows?” Crows are smart. They identify card symbols correctly 75% of the time on their first try. After a few lessons, 100% identification is routine. Their willingness to attack and eat small, helpless creatures gives them a bad rap. However, studies prove crows have an environmental awareness and cull out only those creatures that are unfit to survive. Hence, more birds and animals thrive and increase in numbers when crows are abundant. Crows are smart, they have an important ecological role, but they make too much noise. Pelicans. On Thursdays, elegant white pelicans gathered at the dam when we start our ten o’clock Rez-walk. During the next hour a truck arrives and releases trout. The pelicans feast. Their built-in calendar is synched with the Reservoir’s stocking schedule. And I thought crows were smart. Dog walkers. Fran and her friendly Golden Retriever, Reggie, were near the end of their clockwise walk at the fountain near the visitor’s center. An Australian Shepard, being walked in the opposite direction, lunged across the path at Reggie. Tangled leashes and aggressive pulling soon caused Fran to trip and fall hard. As she lay on the ground with her hip and shoulder hurting, the Shepard’s owners looked down, said, “Sorry,” pulled their dog away, and continued on their trek. Fran shouted, “If you can’t control your mean dog, you shouldn’t walk the Rez!” A friend helped Fran up, and nothing was broken. However, a large bruised hip was still black and blue two weeks later. Fran could have been hurt badly. “Why didn’t the Shepard’s owners stop and help her,” I wondered. Regular Exercise. We know that regular exercise reduces the risk of diverse, seemingly unrelated health problems from Alzheimer’s to kidney failure. Recent research helps us understand that diversity. Our body responds to exercise by improving the way our genes are expressed. When they’re called on to deliver, they do it more quickly and effectively, thanks to slight biochemical changes that take place on DNA. It’s why simple, regular exercise improves such seemingly unrelated things as creativity while reducing the risk of type-two diabetes. Keep walking the Rez – it works in many ways. A Zen Shirt: Thought. You are what you think. Successful people, from astronauts to zoo keepers, extol that philosophy. Test it when walking. Say “hello” to others and you usually get an enthusiastic reply. Occasionally you’ll get a look and a grunt. Buddha explained both replies. Antioxidants and walking. Essential antioxidants, from Vitamin C to resveratrol, are touted in everything from chocolates to V-8 juice and red wine. But antioxidant pushers never say that they’re delivered by HDL, the good cholesterol, to where they’re needed. Our HDL level is a simple fitness index, and a higher HDL means your body delivers antioxidants effectively. There is another reason to walk regularly – the chocolates even taste better. A large catfish. My grandson and I enjoy rowing the Rez and watching fishermen. Recently we saw a father-son team land a catfish that was over twofeet long. I always thought people were only after trout. The diversity of Rez-fish is outstanding. The Evening Star. On January 11th, I stayed at the Rez until the last minute before closing. Venus was shining brightly above the western trees. It will get higher as spring progresses. It’s an easy object to help understand our solar system dynamics. On April Saturday afternoons, I’ll set up a telescope to show its incredible phases. Astronomy sparks children’s interest in science and math; it’s called The Gateway Science. Encourage children by pointing out the evening star. Let me hear from you at jscala2@comcast.net.
Page 10 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
Rejuvenation
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO
Over many years of servicing computers I’ve arrived at a place where I’ve become confident about what works well and what doesn’t. My aim is always to find what makes people happy with computers and to most effectively use their financial resources. My professional advice revolves around maximizing the elements of speed and reliability. Many people have laptops that are a couple years old that aren’t performing as well as they used to, and they’re unsure what to do with them. They think maybe it’s time to buy a new system, but a laptop of the caliber they’d really want is easily over $1,000, and they’re sure there is more life left in the current system. What should they do? Keep reading, because I’m going to give you a recipe for success. Before we start spending your money, your laptop must be strong enough to make these upgrades worthwhile. I would avoid upgrading laptops which are more than three years old. With that said, there are three relatively inexpensive things that can benefit every laptop. They are installing a new battery, adding RAM, and replacing the regular hardisk with a new Solid State Drive (SSD). Let’s start by buying a new battery. Unless a laptop is unique, it comes with a removable 6-cell battery. Most laptop batteries are ruined when people leave them plugged in all the time. Leaving the laptop constantly plugged into a power outlet ‘cooks’ the battery so it cannot hold a charge, and the laptop ends up with a battery that lasts minutes instead of hours. Go to amazon.com and search for a “9-cell” battery for your laptop model. A “9-cell” battery has 50% more capacity than the battery your computer most likely came with and this improvement will lengthen the laptop’s runtime and is usually a $40 investment. The next item we’ll address is your RAM. Every computer is different so you need to check if your computer can accommodate more RAM. A rule of thumb is that you want at least 8 gigabytes of RAM in your laptop. Why? The Windows operating system operates best when it has ample RAM to store regularly accessed programs. When you don’t give Windows enough RAM, it has to constantly access the information it requires from the hardisk, which dramatically slows things down (even if that disk is an SSD). RAM upgrades are inexpensive and highly effective at improving performance. Depending on your computer, RAM upgrades cost around $29-49 per stick. Finally, the hardisk is the heart of your computer. Laptop hardisks come in three speeds: 5400RPM, 7200RPM, and SSD’s of various types and speeds. Most new laptops come with large 5400RPM drives, which is great if you have a lot of data to store, but it is not great if you want a quick machine. I personally advise against using your laptop as a storage depot, and I think filling up a 1TB hardisk on a laptop is not a good idea. I’d much rather keep that quantity of data in DropBox, OneDrive, GoogleDrive, or a local desktop computer, and then back up the data with Crashplan, an online backup service. Laptops, by their very nature of being portable, can get dropped, lost, or stolen. Laptops are far too risky of a place to keep large amounts of data. Instead, I recommend using a smaller but very fast SSD for your laptop. Store your documents and data elsewhere, and everything will work better. Again, speed and reliability are our goals. SSD’s have come down in price, and I use them whenever possible. They are at least 50% faster than a regular hardisk, consume less power, weigh less, and are shock-proof so that a bump to your laptop won’t crash the disk. Of course an SSD costs a little more than a conventional hardisk, but it’s well worth the amazing performance and new life it breathes into your old laptop. The SSD alone will make the biggest difference in laptop performance. Although Windows 7 works fine, Windows 8 is better. The last thing I would do is obtain a copy of Windows 8 to use on your rejuvenated laptop. Windows 8 is very fast, and it works best on laptops and tablets. One quick example: Windows is now able to properly “sleep” a computer and bring it back up in a usable manner without loss of functionality. This has been a pet peeve of mine, and they finally fixed it. To put it plainly, the “sleep” feature is now as good in Windows as it is on the Macintosh. If you follow this recipe you will have a fantastic, rejuvenated laptop that will perform better than it did when it was new, and it will cost less than a quarter of a new laptop. If this is technically a bit too much for you to bite off, contact your friends at Portable CIO to help, at either 925-552-7953 or by email at helpdesk@theportablecio.com. Advertorial
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Cinema Classics The Miracle Worker By Peggy Horn
This month’s Cinema Classic is, The Miracle Worker, (1962) starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. The film was preceded by a play of the same name, and both the play and the film were based on the autobiography of Helen Keller from 1903 entitled, The Story of My Life. The play premiered on Broadway in 1959 and starred Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke as in the movie. Prior to writing this column I read The Story of My Life, and I tremendously admired the beauty and eloquence in the way the story was told and the subject matter it presented. For humility and appreciation of life, even without sight or hearing, few authors can compare with Helen Keller and her extraordinary imagination and writing ability! The plot consists of a series of events that actually happened in Helen’s life, including the account of the sickness that took away her sight and hearing, and how her teacher, Annie Sullivan, rescued her from the darkness of a world without words. It is a tribute to Helen’s intelligence that she was able to grasp language at all since, by the time she was learning it, she was already seven. Miss Duke was fifteen when she played the role of Helen Keller. It is a difficult film to watch, especially knowing it is true. Nevertheless, it is a film worth watching. The acting is superb and the story is uplifting. There are even humorous scenes in which Helen plays little tricks on her teacher, exhibiting her clever wit. Oh, I wish that every movie could be so beneficial and worthy of our time.
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Estate Planning No-No’s! By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
It has been a while since I have written about common mistakes people make in the estate planning arena. I think it’s instructive to highlight a number of important “no-no’s” and to comment on positive steps that can be taken to avoid them. 1. Failing to Plan at All! The most critical estate planning error is not to do any! Every adult should establish at least a Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive and Will; and many people would also benefit from a Revocable Living Trust. These are documents that serve very important purposes and will inevitably be needed at some point – we usually don’t know just quite when or how. So, doesn’t it make sense to have them in place, just in case…? 2. Not Obtaining Proper Legal Advice. Time and again, I have consulted with people who are struggling to administer a trust or estate because the decedent (for whose trust or probate estate they are administering) failed to obtain sound legal advice about the estate planning documents her or she signed. “Canned” documents prepared by an inexperienced attorney, prepared by a paralegal at a document preparation service, or purchased online are of very little value without good legal advice about their terms, alternatives, and implications. You know the adage, “You get what you pay for.” In fact, the potential consequences of the lack of expert advice - unlawful, ineffective or impractical documents - can result in inconvenience and administration fees and costs that are many multiples of what it would have cost to obtain good, professional advice in the first place. 3. Neglecting to Fully Fund Your Living Trust. It is not uncommon for people to establish a living trust, but not adequately “fund” it (formally transfer title of assets into the trust). Having a living trust and not funding it with substantially all of your assets leaves your estate vulnerable to an otherwise avoidable probate and to having these non-trust assets inherited by people you wouldn’t want to receive them and/or at a time or manner you would not wish. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to transfer assets into your trust with appropriate instructions and forms. 4. Not Having Current Beneficiary Designations on File for Life Insurance and Retirement Plans. People often misunderstand the disposition rules on death that apply to these kinds of assets. Retirement plans (e.g. IRAs, 401Ks) are governed by beneficiary designations – they are distributed to the living beneficiary, if any, who is designated and on file with the financial custodian or insurance company at the time of the participant/owner’s death. And the beneficiary designation trumps whatever your Will or Living Trust might state. Accordingly, it’s imperative that for each such account/policy, you have a current beneficiary designation on file. It’s very wise to also have at least one contingent beneficiary on file – in case the primary designee(s) predeceases you. Frequently, people either don’t have any beneficiary designated; have an out-of-date designation on file; or have only a primary, but not a contingent/secondary designation. This can lead to unintended consequences. I have a client (unnamed and facts changed) who is the beneficiary designated on his recently deceased ex-wife’s $3 million life insurance policy – his ex-wife never submitted a new beneficiary form to the life insurance company after they divorced 10 years ago. So, he will receive the $3 million death benefit (regardless of whether she wanted him to receive it). 5. Nominating the Wrong Candidates for Key Positions. It’s hard to overemphasize the importance of this one. Whether it is a successor trustee you name in your Living Trust, an executor or guardian in your Will or your agent under a Power of Attorney or Advance Health Care Directive, it’s easy to emotionally or irrationally designate someone who is not suitable or at least not optimal. Many questions should be explored carefully with legal counsel when making these decisions. Does the person you have designated for a given position have the requisite skill set? Will he or she act cooperatively or likely have a conflict with the other family members or loved ones who are involved? Does the designee have the time and inclination to serve in the applicable capacity? If you name two people to serve together (co-trustees, co-agents, co-executors, etc.), will they get along and would it make more sense to name one as primary agent and the other as alternate? Picking the wrong people can wreak havoc with a smooth succession for loved ones. Upon request, I’ll be happy to provide you, on a complimentary basis, any or all of the following: i) an “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) a brochure on alternative methods of holding title to property; iii) an introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 7054474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.
This article is intended to provide information of a general nature, and should not be relied upon as legal, tax and/ or business advice. Readers should obtain specific advice from their own, qualified professional advisors. Advertorial
Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 11
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Wine Pairings - Good and Bad By Monica Chappell
To make sense of the best wine pairings, it helps to recognize the worst wine pairings, too. Here are a few pairing to look for on your quest for the perfect pairing.
Champagne
Sparkling wines are eminently food-friendly. Bubbles wake up the taste buds! Champagne, specifically, is blended from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and the lesser-known Pinot Meunier, which are all fairly easy to pair on their own, too. Worst Pairing: Chocolate Cake - A frequent wine-pairing mistake: cake and bubbly. The Champagne is relatively tart, the cake is super-sweet, and it’s like World War III in your mouth. Best Pairing: Spicy Asian noodle and chicken salad. Champagne, when light, dry, and acidic, elegantly cuts through the spices in Asian food; dishes with nuts bring out the nutty flavors in the sparkling wine.
Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wins over fans with its tart brilliance and is a good example of the bold, grapefruit-’n’-grass style that works with many dishes, but not all of them. Worst Pairing: Brussels sprouts, blue cheese, and pecan salad. Blue cheese is tough with any wine—and the slightly sweet pecans make the wine taste more tart than it really is. You can’t have two bold flavors competing. Best Pairing: Seared Sea Bass with fresh herbs and lemon. This dish has the same citrus and herb profile as the wine, but complementary tastes as well.
Pinot Noir
Ever since the movie Sideways, Pinot Noir has been riding a wave of popularity as the easy-drinking light red. It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t like a fruity, lower-tannin wine with a sight hint of earthiness, but that doesn’t mean it can go with everything. Worst Pairing: Chicken with tarragon vinegar sauce. The herb vinegar in this dish dampens the wine’s fruitiness. Like sprinkling tarragon over roses. Pinots clash with acidic dishes. Best Pairing: Chicken thighs with squash, yams, and apricots. Any dish with mild, even flavors like this one with fruit and sweet veggies will bring out Pinot’s essential flavors.
See Wine continued on page 12
Page 12 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
Topping Trees?
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
At Brende & Lamb we get the occasional request to remove some or all of a tree’s crown, a process called topping. There are many reasons why people ask to have a tree topped: increased light, better view, safer tree, or reduced leaf litter. Though it seems counter-intuitive, topping almost always produces the opposite of the desired effect. Topping can decrease available light, mar the view, make a safe tree unsafe, and even increase leaf litter. Take, for example, topping to decrease the shadow cast by a tree. This may work in the very short term, but topping stimulates rapid growth, causing the tree’s crown to thicken, thereby cutting out light after just a few growing seasons. Over time, you get more light for your pruning dollar if instead of topping you give the crown a judicious thinning. When done correctly, thinning doesn’t over stimulate the tree, and it enhances the tree’s aesthetics instead of seriously, sometimes irredeemably, damaging it. Another common misperception is that topping will make the tree safer; it almost always does just the opposite. Most topped trees decay at the point at which they were topped. Topping also stimulates production of long lanky shoots. Given that these shoots grow out of decaying wood, topping often turns a safe tree into a hazard that increases over time. Some of the more dangerous trees we’ve seen were topped years ago with no follow-up pruning. If you have a previously topped tree growing close to your home, it is a good idea to have a competent arborist give it a safety evaluation. Previously topped trees can be made safer by pruning to reduce wind-sail and by reducing weight on leggy branches.
Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz By Linda Summers Pirkle
No matter where I go, either in the U.S. or abroad, when I mention I was born in San Francisco, the most common comment I hear is, “What a beautiful city!” The second thing people usually add is their favorite spot in the city, and Alcatraz ranks high on the list. Alcatraz is one of America’s most visited national parks. Over 1.5 million people come to the island each year. It was a military fortress, federal penitentiary, significant site of Native American history, and now a national park with historic gardens, bird colonies, and wonderful views. From now until April 26th Alcatraz hosts @Large: Ai Weiwei, an exhibition by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei who explores human rights and freedom of expression. The For-Site Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Park Conservatory were responsible for bringing this important exhibit to the island; and what a location for such an extraordinary exhibition! The Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz exhibit allows rare access to parts of the island that are traditionally not open to the public. My favorite sculpture of the show is With Wind, a gorgeous multi-part Chinese “dragon kite” suspended from the ceiling of the New Industries building. Faded and cracked bare walls and broken glass windows are an interesting contrast to light, colorful, and cheerful art. Even the rusty sinks along the perimeter of the cavernous show room provide the perfect backdrop for kites, some with stylized birds and flowers, all of them handmade by Chinese artisans who worked with Weiwei’s studio in Beijing and shipped the items to Alcatraz for the show. Refraction, another Weiwei piece, is a massive metal sculpture depicting a bird’s wing. When this structure was being assembled, according to our guide, each piece was carefully carried from a truck parked a distance from the building and quietly assembled without the use of any power tools. Since it was nesting time for cormorants on the island, extraordinary care was used to not disrupt the natural habitat. A long narrow hallway from which to view the sculpture was once the gun gallery where armed guards pointed their weapons at “privileged prisoners” who were allowed to work. The exhibit is thought provoking and ranked as one of the 15 Best Art Exhibitions of 2014 by Huffington Post and the Best Museum and Gallery Exhibition of 2014 by Architectural Digest. Exceptionally helpful trained guides are stationed throughout the exhibit. Each guide I spoke to was helpful, knowledgeable, and passionate about the show.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com People sometimes top trees to reduce leaf litter, but most trees respond to topping by putting out a profusion of leaves to help repair the damage. In short order, the owner of a topped maple will spend more time with rake in hand than before the topping. Topping to increase view is often done without realizing that the new view will include an ugly tree. If the tree in the view is a bay, a eucalyptus, or any number of other fast-growing species, the topping will fail to provide view for long because the topped tree will soon produce sprouts that shoot up into the view. Well-planned pruning can often capture view, and it is often possible to enhance the beauty of the tree in the process. A beautiful view framed by a beautiful tree is far lovelier than a view over the top of an ugly and scarred tree. Another frequent request for topping comes from people about to sell their homes who think that topping their trees will increase the sale price. Real estate professionals know that beautiful trees can raise property values by as much as 20%, whereas a topped tree can be a liability . . . something the bidder on your house might ask you to deduct from the sales price so that they can have the tree removed. For further information about the perils of tree topping, go to the website of the International Society of Arboriculture, and read the article at www. treesaregood.org/treecare/topping.aspx. If you are thinking about topping, please reconsider. It is possible to enhance view, increase light, and make trees safer without topping. Doing so does, however, require competent pruning by tree professionals. If your trees need a little TLC please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www. brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. Advertorial In addition to being the temporary home of the Weiwei exhibit, Alcatraz is also the only breeding colony site for two species of cormorants. Our guide Lauren mentioned “If you look outside the windows of the western wall of the New Industries building you can see the remnants of the nests of the birds. They are perfect tiny circles, faint, but you can see them.” Don’t miss the multi-media area near the bookstore. One room focuses on Alcatraz history, another on nature and wildlife on the island, and the third shows documentaries by Ai Weiwei. • @Large Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz is open to all visitors; there is no additional charge to visit the exhibit. The show runs thru April 26th. Alcatraz tours operate seven days a week, and tickets may be purchased online at www.alcatrazcruises. com or by calling 415-981-7625. Free docent led walking tours of the gardens are offered every Friday and Sunday. The tours start from the Alcatraz dock at 9:45AM. Alcatraz Gardens website is www.alcatrazgardens.org. • Special @Large Night tours and @Large Early Bird Access tours (limited availability) can be reserved in advance. Call the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for more information on special access times and options at 415-561-3021. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has been arranging and leading tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do. To share your “Quick Trips” ideas email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
Wine continued from page 11
Cabernet Sauvignon
Big Cabs are the giants of the wine world. Be careful, or they will stomp all over your menu. I love them for their berry-filled exuberance, but fear their chewy tannins. Worst Pairing: Pan-seared petrale sole with winter vegetables. Filet of sole, like flounder or any white flaky fish, is delicate, and will not only get lost, it will sour when it hits Cab’s dense texture. Best Pairing: Rib-eye steaks in red wine sauce. Red wine and beef is a classic match, but the addition of soy sauce, which helps soften tannins, makes the match that much better. Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette. For a class schedule visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.
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Life in the Lafayette Garden
Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 13
Spruce Up the Tired Garden By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059
Let’s talk Tired Gardens! You know what I’m talking about. You look out into your Lafayette garden with a huge sigh and see uninspired plantings that you have looked at for years. The gardener continues to prune the plants that are clinging to the edge of survival. Once glorious flowering shrubs and perennials have been reduced to woody stalks that seem to suffice because they are still alive. It may be a single small area or it could be the balance of your front and back yard but
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something needs to be done! What do you do when your garden is tired? In some cases it is wise to design a new Master Plan and start fresh. In other cases it makes sense to “spruce up.” Instead of bulldozing the entire garden you can revive what you have! The fundamental criteria for a spruce up are that you are happy with the basic functionality of your hardscape and garden layout. Maturity brings radical changes to landscapes that are often welcomed. It also brings other changes that are not. Trees finally provide shade cover and block 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 a spruce up, although the overall context of a “well-designed” landscape may still prevail. Within the life of your Lafayette home, an owner’s uses of the home and yard will change for many reasons: kids grow-up, a family matures, lifestyles evolve. Once busy families that had no time to work in the garden are now retired and have time to play. This brings a whole new reason for the landscape to be spruced up. These changes call for careful consideration and should be well thought out. They should be logical and creatively resolved. Updating landscape projects are challenging yet satisfying when properly executed. In addition to our full spectrum of landscape design services we offer garden consultations that cover a wide range of solutions for sprucing up an existing landscape. Our consultation service
is intended to provide clients with simple and doable solutions that satisfy their need for a beautiful and inspiring garden without the need of a master plan. Our basic consultation includes a site visit to assess the condition of your garden. We provide practical recommendations for planting, irrigation, drainage, and soil problems. Whether you are tired of a small planting bed or your whole yard we can provide solutions to revive your tired garden. Especially in today’s economic climate, in many cases it makes sense to spruce up your tired Lafayette garden instead of completely gutting it. Consultations for this service may reach beyond just the planting and include adding dramatic landscape lighting or adding colorful pots and décor around the entry which can make all the difference to inspire a tired area. Like the design of a new landscape project, a garden “spruce up” should be well thought out and planned before executing. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Whether you are interested in a “spruce up” or Master Plan, now is a great time to design and execute your project; while winter has set in think ahead to spring and be ready to implement your project so you can enjoy your yard during next year’s summer months. Please read and celebrate with us on being voted “Best of Houzz 2015” for customer service, www.houzz.com/pro/jmla. Gardening Quote of the Month: “Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it.” ~Author Unknown If you would like me to write on any particular subject, email your ideas to jmontgomery@jm-la.com. For design ideas, visit www.jm-la.com. Advertorial
Page 14 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
Gardening with Kate By Kathleen Guillaume
Here we are in the depth of winter, but my two garden stars are blooming. I have two immense winter daphnes, ‘Daphne odora marginata.’ The fragrance fills my garden, and both daphnes are planted on the north side of my home, in clayish soil and receiving minimal water. They are known as very frustrating, but oh so wonderful, shrubs. They do not like wet soil or too much water. They do not like rich loamy soil. They will either thrive where you place them or simply die (that is the frustration part). I recommend you buy daphnes in the 4” or 1 gallon size, so if you lose one or two you won’t want to pull your hair out. They hate to be moved or transplanted, so larger size plants are best to be avoided. They are worth the effort to add to your garden, just to have something blooming in December, January, and into February. Their fragrance is outstanding and they are excellent cut flowers and foliage for winter bouquets. The other great winter bloomer is my Corsican hellebore with large bracts of pale green flowers. Except for my rosemary, the rest of my garden is dormant. January was my sit-down and go-through catalogs dream time. This is when I select those things I will add to my garden for spectacular summer blooms. We are still in the depths of a drought, so anything we select must require little water once established...and hopefully be deer resistant. “Deer resistant” is a truthful way of saying deer proof, which, especially in drought, nothing is. Deer have virtually no water supply right now, so to keep from dehydrating, they will even munch on toxic plants for the moisture. My picks for my garden this year all come from Annie’s Annuals (www.AnniesAnnuals.com) and also can be ordered through local nurseries. These are all tall, back of border plants to place along fence lines or against structures. They also all love sun, attract pollinators and hummingbirds, and are glorious...what more could you ask for? Penstemon palmeri loves hot and dry weather, and it has tall bloom stalks up to 3-4’ of larger than usual flowers. The bloom stalks come in a pink blush with darker veining and has a grape scent. Plant these 3-4’ apart. They also are tolerant of clayish soils. Minimus bifidus is a white Monkey Flower with large 2” azalea type blooms and is my favorite dry garden flower. This grows in 2+’ mounds 24 x 30” with attractive foliage. Echium plantagineum “Blue Bedder”...now this is not that gigantic echium with the large spikes...but a glorious low growing variety that grows to a 20 x 30” mound and has blue cup shaped flowers. For this variety you want to enrich soil before planting. And a wonderful 3+” white semi double cosmos, that grows 3’ tall, is Cosmos bipinnatus, ‘Snow Puff.’ These mix beautifully with a beautiful blue 4” blossom of the Scabiosa caucasica ‘Fama Blue.’ Do you notice a theme with pale whites and blues? White and pale blossoms reflect moonlight and help create a moonlight garden effect. If you like hotter colors, my favorite brightly colored flowers are Rudbeckia, commonly called Black-eyed Susans. There are also some glorious hybrids, like ‘Goldstrum’ and ‘Indian Summer.’ These are often sold in jumbo six packs. Ask your nursery when they will be getting these six packs in. This is the way to buy them, so you can afford to have swaths of them at cost of around a dollar each. They like the moist-side of dry soil. They form 20 x 30” mounds of endless blooms (if you deadhead) and are perfect if paired with Russian Sage’s blueish purple blooms. As I sit indoors and dream of my spring and summer garden, this is the time I plan. As I clear beds, and prune back my roses and perennials, I imagine where I will add the things that bring joy when the warm weather fills our lives again. I always pick things that do double duty. I need bees to pollinate my tomatoes and find it healthier for hummers to create a variety of nectars for them to choose from. So blooms that attract both are a necessity for my garden. Happy Gardening.
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Life After the Super Bowl!
This article will be short and sweet. Last week there were 12 homes in Lafayette on the market at every price point (one even under one million). If that isn’t a sellers’ market, I don’t know what is. Only time will tell if people were waiting to sell until after Super Bowl Sunday or not. Hopefully, a more generous supply of homes for sale will appear. My guess is there will be more homes coming on the market. The amount of homes for sale is all about timing. If I had a home I wanted to put on the market, I wouldn’t be hesitating about listing it now -- I’d just list it and not look back! If you have read my articles over the years, you know I believe there are either the risk takers that “just do it” (and typically across the board they have done well), there are those with concrete plans that will stay on track to get their home sold and “stay the course,” and there are the conservative sellers that take little risk and wait for all the papers to validate that it is the perfect time to list (typically they waited too long and have a less quality result). Finally there are the talk-about-and-do-nothing sellers who typically wake up when the market goes down. For now there are way more buyers than homes to buy, however we know, that could change on a dime! If you are considering selling your home, give me a call to take advantage of this time of low inventory of homes on the market. If you have any questions on selling or buying a home in the area, please contact me at 925 200-2591 or by email at art@artlehman.com. If you’d like a free automatic email update of current listings and sales, visit my website to sign up www.artlehman.com or call! Advertorial
Horsemen continued from front page
“We have a lot of fun,” says Cooper. Members must be at least age 12, and annual fees are $40 for individuals and $55 for families. While one needn’t own a horse in order to be a member, one does need to have his or her own horse for riding activities. Annual events include two potlucks in April and May, one of which features a guest speaker and the other horse vendors, horse rescue and horse therapy organizations. June features a poker trail ride on Mt. Diablo with prizes. In July, SRVHA will host a five-day ride at Jack Brooks Horse Camp in San Mateo County’s Sam McDonald Park, a deluxe horse camp in the horse-loving community of Woodside. In September, Cooper will lead the Pelican Inn Ride which originates at the Miwok Stables near Mill Valley and meanders along the hills eventually dropping into Muir Beach where riders will enjoy a buffet at
Bob Cooper on his horse Sport, “packing” to Point Reyes with Daisy Mae.
the Pelican Inn. “Our horses will notice our weight gain when we ride back to the trailers,” laughs Cooper. SRVHA plays host twice this year at Diablo Ranch on Mt. Diablo: In May,
See Horsemen continued on page 17
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Male Incontinence By Parminder Sethi, MD
Incontinence is a medical condition caused by the unintentional leakage of urine. While incontinence is more common in women, men may also experience symptoms of incontinence. Luckily, incontinence is a treatable condition. Depending on the type, a treatment plan is customized according to patients’ needs and desired outcomes. The prostate gland, in combination with aging, is one of the chief causes of incontinence in men. Because the male sex organ enlarges as men age – commonly presented as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – it may put pressure on the urethra, affecting the urine stream.
Common types of urinary incontinence:
Most often, men experience overflow incontinence. Indicated by a full bladder sensation after urination, men will continue to leak after and between bathroom trips. Treatment options for overflow incontinence will vary and may include a temporary or permanent catheter, medication, minimally invasive thermotherapies, laser therapy, or entire prostate removal. Urge incontinence, or overactive bladder (OAB), occurs in men when the bladder squeezes without warning and control. Symptoms may include a frequent urge to urinate. In some cases men may experience an urge that arises so quickly they are unable to reach a bathroom before voiding begins. Kegel exercises, biofeedback therapy, medications, Urgent PC, Interstim, Botox injections, and double voiding strategies may help male patients improve urge incontinence symptoms. Stress incontinence occurs most often in females, but men can also suffer from these symptoms. Ticks such as a sneeze, laugh, cough, or any other movement that stresses or strains the bladder may cause leakage. A patient may experience stress incontinence as a result of nerve damage to the sphincter, the muscle that maintains bladder control, or from a prostate removal. Men experiencing this form of incontinence may opt for biofeedback training, muscle strengthening, minor office procedures, or surgery as a treatment option.
Behavioral modifications that can help:
Set daily bathroom times - Setting and sticking to a voiding schedule will help regulate bodily functions. Recording all bathroom trips in a diary and sharing them with your urologist may help your doctor create future treatment plans. Double voiding – This practice requires the patient to urinate as much as possible, relax for several seconds, and again resume voiding to empty the bladder in full. Incorporate Kegels into a daily routine – This simple pelvic floor exercise will help strengthen the muscles surrounding, and involved in, the release of the bladder. To find this group of muscles, begin urinating and halfway through the void, slow and stop the flow. These are the muscles needed to properly perform a Kegel. To strengthen the pelvic floor, contract and release this group of muscles in intervals of ten, three times daily.
Lifestyle factors that can help:
Male incontinence is not a disease, rather a symptom most often linked to aging or a malfunctioning bladder. With that in mind, there are several nonmedical lifestyle changes that will likely improve incontinence symptom severity as well as overall health. Limiting alcohol and caffeine – Because both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, they increase the need to urinate. Limiting these will help reduce trips to the bathroom. Improve diet – Increasing fiber consumption will reduce constipation and overall functionality of the digestive and urinary tract systems. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as supplementing with fiber tablets, may help decrease urinary leakage. Exercise regularly – Aim to exercise moderately to vigorously five times weekly. Choose enjoyable activities to sustain a regular schedule. Yoga and Pilates, for instance, target the lower abdominal muscles and will help a patient locate and strengthen Kegel muscles. If behavioral and lifestyle changes do not yield satisfactory results, in some cases, patients may opt for surgery to eliminate symptoms. Men who experience incontinence may be treated with surgery after exhausting other options such as Interstim neuromodulation, Urgent PC, Botox injections, or use of anticholinergic drugs. Surgical treatment for incontinence may involve the partial or complete removal of the prostate or the use of an artificial sphincter – an inflatable rubber device that fits around the urethra to control urine stream by either inflating or deflating it. Dr. Parminder Sethi is a Urologist at Pacific Urology. He specializes in treating patients with urinary incontinence and bladder dysfunction. He sees patients in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Livermore. To reach Dr. Sethi, call 925-830-1140. Advertorial
Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 15
DNA Analysis and Hematologic Cancers By Kasra Karamlou, MD
A study published November 26, 2014 with the New England Journal of Medicine shows an interesting promise toward detection of hematologic cancers prior to onset of clinically apparent symptoms through DNA sequencing. Though there are more studies that would need to be conducted on a larger scale to provide clinical usefulness, our understanding on DNA mutations relationship with elevated risks of diseases in individuals is growing. By better understanding this relationship, we can attempt to create early interventions and perhaps even prevention. It is known that cancer is developed through multiple mutations in the body, and in some cancers those early mutations cause clonal expansions. Clonal Expansion is the production of daughter cells all arising originally from a single cell (medilexicon.com). It was hypothesized that duplication of specific mutated genes could be identified as predecessors to hematologic cancers. The study was conducted on 12,380 persons who received complete DNA sequencing, and then were followed up with for 2-7 years. After analyzing the collected data, it was organized by the number of mutations that an individual possessed and subsequently by which genes specifically were identified as most commonly mutated. It was found that four genes resulted with higher numbers of mutations than others. These genes were identified as ‘Drivers’ of somatic mutation, meaning that they contribute to production of cells arising from a single cell. Data shows as individuals age, they are more likely to possess gene drivers that may be a contributor to hematologic cancer. It was also found that as the age of the individual increases, so does the amount of mutations found. Persons who had three or more mutations occurred in only .3% of people younger than 50 and 4.6% of those older than 65. Upon observation it was apparent that the same driver gene mutations that were detected in participants are present in individuals with hematologic cancers. These genes can be mutated and leave individuals un-symptomatic for long periods of time before perhaps cooperating events attribute to hematological cancer. While currently there are no interventions available for individuals who have a slightly elevated risk of hematologic cancer, and testing positive for these mutated genes does not warrant a diagnoses of such, it is hoped that strategies may be developed for eventual early detection and prevention of the hematologic cancer and other diseases that risks can be calculated with DNA screening. Dr. Karamlou is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology in Pleasant Hill. He specializes in treating hematologic malignances and benign hematology. To hear more on Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma, join Dr. Karamlou and Dr. Robles for a free event focusing on the unique issues of patients with blood cancer. They will discuss and share exciting new research, treatments, and therapies recently announced at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting. Q & A session to follow. February 11, 6:30PM at Walnut Creek Library’s Oak Room 1644 N. Broadway Walnut Creek. For more information, visit dvohmg.com or call 925-677-5041. Advertorial
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Page 16 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
A Day to do Something Special By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.
Saint Valentine was a third century Roman saint who has long been associated with the tradition of courtly love. Every February 14th gifts and letters (an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards each year) are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans (Go forth, my heart, with my lady…with grace and mercy.) By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for both friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection. I like to think of Valentine’s Day as a day to do something special. Some of my fondest memories are of writing cards for elementary school classmates. In some years, however, it was the preparation for Valentine’s Day that was special. Valentine’s Day is a time to feel and look your best. Whether you are preparing for a romantic evening, warming up the winter blues, or want to give a gift to someone, here are eight ideas that might help you on your way. 1. A consultation - I find this to be one of the most important interactions
LAFCO continued from page 8
cities and special districts, inefficient public service delivery, and diminishing amounts of agricultural and open-space lands. As a response, LAFCOs in each of the state’s 58 counties were created to serve as the state legislature's watchdog over city and special district boundaries. Each LAFCO is made up of two members and an alternate from cities, special districts and the county, and one member and an alternate from the public. Commissioners serve a four year term. The first group are elected officials from cities and the county that include, aside from myself serving as an alternate, Mayor Tom Butt of Richmond (alternate), Councilmember Don Tatzin of Lafayette, Mayor Rob Schroder of Martinez, County Supervisor Federal Glover, and County Supervisor Mary Piepho. There are also three members representing special districts in the county: Mike McGill of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Igor Skaredoff of Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, and George Schmidt of West County Wastewater District (alternate). The third category is members of the public (selected by the other six LAFCO Commissioners) and includes Don Blubaugh and Sharon Burke (alternate). LAFCO is not a County department or county agency, and although meetings are held in a County building and elected County Supervisors are appointed to sit on LAFCO, the County has no authority over LAFCO, and LAFCO’s decisions cannot be appealed to the board of supervisors. Cities, counties, and special districts share the cost of LAFCO’s annual operation in equal thirds. LAFCO has three main purposes: encourage orderly governmental boundaries, preserve open-space and prime agricultural lands, and discourage urban sprawl. To achieve these goals, LAFCOs have planning and regulatory powers that include acting on local agency boundary changes, reviewing annexations, adopting spheres of influence for local agencies, approving city incorporations and special district formations, and conducting Municipal Service Reviews. A Municipal Service Review (MSR) is a comprehensive study to determine the adequacy of governmental services being provided by the local agencies under LAFCO jurisdiction. These studies may be used by LAFCO, other governmental agencies, and the public to better understand and improve provision of services and to identify opportunities for greater cooperation between service providers. The service review is a prerequisite to a sphere of influence update and may lead LAFCO to recommend actions to other agencies or to take actions under its own authority. Each year LAFCO focuses on reviewing a variety of agencies. In recent years Contra Costa LAFCO has reviewed Water/Wastewater Districts, Library Services, Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Service Districts, Recreation & Parks and Cemetery Services, and Public Health Service Districts. Copies of these MSR’s are found on the contracostalafco.org website. Contra Costa LAFCO typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings take place at 1:30pm in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 651 Pine Street, 1st Floor. The meetings are open to the public and agendas and meeting materials posted online ahead of time. For more information about LAFCO Contra Costa, visit their website at www.contracostalafco.org. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com I have with my patients. I enjoy answering questions and offering both personal and professional advice. I’m often surprised at how many people ask if surgery is right for them. 2. Botox or Dysport injection - Most commonly used around the eyes and forehead, it can be used both to prevent and treat wrinkles. 3. Volumizing filler injection - This is an excellent way to refresh your appearance, address moderate to severe facial wrinkles, and give youthful contour to the skin. 4. Fraxel laser treatment - Certainly not what King Henry V had in mind when he hired a writer to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois we’ve come a long way since then. For Valentine’s Day preparation, I recommend a first treatment one week before the big day. A series of treatments (generally 3-4) address texture problems, fine lines and wrinkles, and pigmentation issues such as brown spots, but results are noticeable after just one treatment. 5. Laser genesis is a great no-downtime, painless procedure for acne prone skin. While there’s never a simple cure-all for problem skin issues, laser genesis is a good place to start as the laser has enough heat to kill the bacteria in the active breakouts. 6. While not exactly the vestige of Christian and ancient Roman Valentine’s tradition, laser hair removal is a real windfall of living in the 21st century. Several treatments are generally needed, and it works best for darker hair types. 7. Longer lashes! - Latisse is a treatment used to grow lashes, making them longer, thicker, and darker. More voluptuous lashes in just six weeks, are “romantique”! 8. Skin care products - There’s a pleasure in taking time to care for your own skin, and a cream or lotion can also make a nice gift - something to be wrapped up and enjoyed. Sometimes just the process of sharing wisdom (and taking away some of the mystery of youth and beauty) is the most rewarding part of my day. Happy Valentine’s Day! Dr. Barbara Persons is a Plastic Surgeon and owns Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. She may be reached at 925.283.4012 or drbarb@ Advertorial personsplasticsurgery.com.
Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter
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Your Personal Nutritionist
Case Study wit Remarkable Results By Linda Michaelis RD,MS
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Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 17
Cindy Rasicot Women’s Support Group Chasing o ur D reams
The following is a real case study and teaches us how poor health can be transformed with Experienced Licensed Marriage some easy, sensible changes in diet. I received a frantic call and Family Therapist LMFT # from Jan (names are changed) asking for help with her hus12273 band Tom who was just discharged from the hospital due to chest pain, uncontrolled diabetes, and blood pressure. Tom’s Inspiring Women to Embrace their physician told him this was a warning, and he better take Passion and Purpose losing weight seriously, start exercising, and see LindaRD. Jan said I was the first phone call she made when they came home from the hospital because Tom was confused about 510 332-‐0463 | www.cindyrasicot.com what he should eat. Since he was still weak, I decided to do cindy.rasicot@gmail.com a visit to their home in Alamo. Tom works out of his home, and not surprisingly, the re919 Village CenterLafayette, CA 94549 frigerator was loaded with juices, soda, high sugar yogurts, Lic. # MFC 12273 different flavored creamers for coffee, cheeses galore, and frozen pasta dishes, while the cupboards were filled with chips, crackers, and cookies. Jan indicated she hardly eats Tom’s snacks and said she had given up. Now the doctor eliminated his Metformin prescription at night and gave him a Based on prior experiences I knew that immediate changes in Tom’s diet could prescription for a significantly lower dose of his blood pressure medication. You create fast results such as dropping weight, lowering blood sugar, and lowering should have seen the big smile on Tom’s face, not to mention the relief on Jan’s blood pressure. Tom’s best friend was his food, and he expressed fear that he would face when he got that news. feel hungry all the time without his goodies. I knew I had to show Tom how he could My time with Tom and Jan was truly rewarding, and I am still amazed how still have his favorite foods as long as he balances his meals and snacks correctly. after a short period of hand holding and education you can get poor health on track. First, I devised a nutrition plan and told Tom and Jan the plan must be based on Please allow me to help you if you feel you cannot do this on your own. having protein and fiber at each meal and snack which would help bring down Tom’s I am glad to inform you that insurance companies will cover nutritional counblood sugar and create a sense of fullness. Next, I decided to educate the couple about seling. Please visit LindaRD.com for the list of companies that cover counseling, food labels, taking items from the fridge and explaining what they were actually eatpast articles, and more information about nutritional concerns. Call me at (925) ing. Tom was shocked to learn, that cheese, his favorite snack that he would consume 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com. Advertorial all day long, was almost pure fat, high in salt, and hardly contained any protein. Tom also could not believe how many teaspoons of sugar he was consuming in one day. We put together a list of snacks that Tom would enjoy during his work day. Of course, we kept his cheese in, but I asked him to keep his cheese intake to 2 oz. a day and to make sure he purchased it in 1 oz. slices. I asked Tom to add to Horsemen continued from page 14 his snacks veggies such as peperoncinis, roasted red peppers, or even raw veggies breakfast will be served; In September, there will be a catered dinner dance that he said he likes. I also suggested that in addition to cheese Tom add turkey or followed by music and dancing. Afterwards, riders will follow the trails back other sliced meats for a change. to the trailers in the moonlight. November brings a Thanksgiving celebration When he saw how high in fat and salt his Ritz crackers were, Tom agreed to Turkey ride on Mt. Diablo. “If you want to eat turkey but don’t want to cook substitute them for Akmak, Rye Krisp, Kavli, or even whole wheat Triscuits. it, this is the ride for you,” says Cooper. “Turkey and all the trimmings and A couple of days later we made a trip to Safeway to show Tom other foods that a bunch of potluck dishes will be included.” he could add to his life and really enjoy instead of always ‘cheesing it up.’ Tom In December, SRVHA celebrates the national Day of the Horse in Alamo’s was delighted to see that he can have shrimp with cocktail sauce, ceviche (that is Hap Magee Park, where young people and horse neophytes have the oppornow available in delis), calamari salad, and even prepared tuna which I felt was still better than rich cheese. I was thrilled to see that Tom was interested in trying tunity to get close to the horses. “It was obvious at this event last year that Greek yogurt and cottage cheese which he joked was “women’s food,” and I corfor many people, this was their first time to be close to a horse,” says Cooper. rected him by saying “real men” also eat it. “You should have seen some of the wide-eyed expressions on those kids and Since our Safeway trip was so successful, we decided to go to Trader Joe’s the the smiles on the adults.” following week to find other convenient healthy items. The couple was amazed at Cooper is already planning a special ride for January 2016 to Wente the already prepared snacks and meals such as grilled chicken strips and the huge Vineyard’s restaurant, The Wente Grill. “I can’t tell you any more about it,” array of interesting veggies. says Cooper. “Join up, and you get to go.” When Tom was feeling better, we began to discuss menu choices at some of Membership in SRVHA is not only about fun and games. Throughout its his favorite restaurants, going over the menu before dining out. Tom began saying history members have worked with East Bay Regional Parks, Mt. Diablo he was getting comfortable with eating healthy and was understanding that he was State Park, and water districts to help create more parks and trails and have creating a lifestyle change. I was thrilled that Tom began to see that he was not joined work parties to help maintain and fix trails. Many members also put feeling hungry with the meals and snacks that I was suggesting. In fact, Tom said their horse riding skills to use as members of mounted patrols and search he was feeling better and the weight was melting off. and rescue groups. After working with Tom for two months, we had a visit with his doctor, and she For more information on SRVHA membership and activities, visit www. was amazed that Tom’s blood sugar and blood pressure were now in the normal srvha.weebly.com. “We are looking for members all of the time,” says Coorange, and he had lost 20 pounds. The doctor mentioned that she had previously per. “Come join the fun.” been very frustrated with Tom and felt he was not taking his health seriously.
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Page 18 - February 2015 ~ Lafayette Today
Events for Lafayette Seniors
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center (LSC), located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette, unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call 925-284-5050 to reserve a spot. Unless otherwise mentioned, events are free for members and $10 for non-members. Reservoir Walking Group Thursdays • 10AM – 11:30AM • Meet at reservoir parking lot - Led by Jim Scala, Lafayette Today’s “Walking the Reservoir” Columnist. Join us every Thursday for camaraderie, fresh air, and enjoyable exercise, all in magnificent surroundings. Optional bonus: at the end of the walk, Jim will lead you through easy yoga poses and breathing exercises in the most beautiful outdoor yoga studio: the band stage overlooking the water. Increase your balance and fitness, both physical and mental, and leave each week feeling uplifted and radiating that overall sense of well-being! Jim is an author, nutritional expert, former Air Force pilot, and consultant to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team and Mt. Everest expeditions. Please call (925) 284-5050 to add your name to the email notification list. Bring quarters or a credit card for the parking meter. Annual senior (62+) passes may be purchased at the reservoir visitor center. Free Posture Presentation Wednesday, 2/28 • 11:30AM – 12:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - Class is led by Anne Randolph, Physical Therapist. Poor posture can lead to discomfort, pain and other problems. Discussion, demonstration, and exercises will be offered to improve posture, decrease pain, and help in the never ending battle against gravity. Digital Cameras: Q & A Session Wednesday, 2/18 • 10:30AM – noon • Cedar Room, LSC - Bring your questions Merrill Gardens at Lafayette is now open and we to this open forum where Fred Winslow will provide as many answers as time will allow. You will learn new tips, tricks, and invite you to come meet our team, see our beautiful techniques through Fred’s answers to participants’ questions. new building and learn about all of the services Topics may range from the very basic to the more advanced -- there will be something for everyone. and amenities we have to offer. Apple Basics Thursday, 2/19 • 10:30AM - Noon • Cedar Room, LSC - This on-going series covers topics such as the Call and we’ll set up a visit that technology needed for wireless communication, your Apple works for your schedule. ID, iTunes, iCloud, and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for future sessions will be determined by participants’ input and needs. There will be time for Q&A at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with Apple devices only. Many of our apartments have Free Legal Assistance for OlderAdults (60+) Thursday already been reserved. 2/19 • 10AM and 11AM •Alder Room, LCC - NOTE: A$15 deposit, Don’t miss your opportunity to fully-refundable at the time of your appointment, is required to select your new apartment! reserve your spot. Refund will be issued if cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to appointment. In order for legal counseling to take place, both time slots must be filled. Please send check, made payable to Senior Legal Services, to Lafayette Senior Services, 500 (925) 854-1858 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette, CA 94549. 1010 Second Street • Landlord/Tenant Problems • Medi-Cal Issues Lafayette, CA 94549 • Durable Powers of Attorney • SSI Overpayment merrillgardens.com Lic #079200358 • Rights of Nursing Home & Long-term Care Residents ‘As The Page Turns’Book Club Tuesday, 2/17 • 1PM – 2:30PM Retirement Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Elderberry Room, LSC - Looking for a good book to discuss with others? Join this informal group of booklovers and enjoy enrichment, 010215aCT_Lafayette_LafToday_A.indd 1 1/2/15 you 11:16 are AM if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever lively discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. Please call Lafayette Senior Services for be helpful able. For more information or to place your name on the route email/phone the book title and to add your name to the email notification list: 284-5050. Cultivating Your Creativity Wednesdays, 2/25, 3/4 • 10:30AM – 12:00PM list, call Lafayette Seniors Services. No charge. • Toyon Room, LSC - This 5-week course will include exercises and challenges Creative Writing Workshop Tuesdays • 11AM - 12:30PM • Toyon Room, LSC - Examine the possibilities of self-expression through writing. This friendly dropthat generate ideas; creations of innovative, even quirky, individuals; and problem-solving guidelines. Field trip(s), a guest speaker or two, and myriad in group will welcome you and any of your writing efforts. As there is no teaching instructor, you will find encouragement and feedback from your fellow participants resources are all part of this innovative class. Limited to 15 participants. th Lafayette Senior Services Commission 4 Thursday of the month who will help bring out the writer in you. If you can speak, you can write! from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the LSC - View agendas at the City of Lafayette of- Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Brighten your day with Dr. Bob fice or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us. Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Every Wednesday Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF and author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It. Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which • 9AM - Noon • Alder Room, LSC - Experience nature at its finest along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while features speakers on a wide range of topics that guide participants toward a learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome!
PROUDLY INTRODUCING
Merrill Gardens at Lafayette N OW O P E N!
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About the California Senior Legislature By Mary Bruns, Lamorinda Senior Transportation
This year, the California Senior Legislature (CSL) is celebrating its 35 anniversary. The CSL is made up of 40 Senior Senators and 80 Senior Assembly Members elected as a non-partisan body of volunteers representing older adults in their respective geographical area of the state. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for aging Californians by identifying senior concerns, developing proposals, and advocating for the inclusion of those concerns in legislative bills. The CSL put out a flyer which notes, “Contra Costa Advisory Council on Aging (ACOA) members Shirley Krohn, Gerald Richards, and Joanna KimSelby are also members of the CSL. At the January 2015 ACOA meeting, Shirley Krohn reported on the activities of the CSL, and the top 10 proposals made to the California State Legislature which are as follows. • Prescriptions: The Medication Labeling proposal would require all prescribers to include the purpose of the medication in a prescription. The prescription drug label may include that purpose unless the patient or the prescriber requests this information be omitted. • Personal Income Tax: The Voluntary Contribution proposal would allow filers of Corporate Tax Return 100 and Partnership Return form 565 to contribute amounts in excess of their tax liability for the support of the CSL Fund. • Silver Alert Program: This proposal would permanently delete the repeal of the existing Silver Alert program. • California Death with Dignity Act would authorize adult California residents who are mentally competent and terminally ill to make a request, and receive medication, for the purpose of ending their lives in a humane and dignified manner as specified. It would not classify any action pursuant to the act a suicide or homicide. It would provide immunity from civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action to any person, hospital, or health care facility that complies in good faith with the act and make other clarifying changes as specified. • Health Care: Dementia Training proposal would require paramedics, Emergency Medical technicians, and hospital staff to receive, as part of their continuing education, dementia training from specified entities. • Fall Risk Screening Education for Health would require the Public Health Department to develop and implement a fall risk screening education program aimed at health care providers and administrators, require the State Department of Public Health to work with the California Medical Association to have fall risk reduction, fall risk screenings, and assessments made part of the required continuing education for physicians, and encourage health care providers to conduct a simple fall risk screening on all older patients to ascertain which patients should be referred for more in-depth assessments to determine the causes of their elevated fall risks. • A proposal related to Identity Theft would impose a two-year punishment enhancement for a felony conviction of these provisions when the crime is against a victim who is 65 years of age or older. • A proposal regarding Elder Friendly Courts would require an elderfriendly court to be established in each county in California. th
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Lafayette Today ~ February 2015 - Page 19
• Medi-Cal Long Term Care: Personal Needs Allowance proposal would increase the personal needs allowance from $35 to $80 per month and annually adjust the personal needs allowance by the same percentage as the Consumer Price Index. • Alzheimer Disease: Prevention and Early Intervention Program would require funds be made available or clarify that mental health services act funds may be used for programs that provide education, prevention, and early intervention programs and services with respect to Alzheimer’s Disease.” A State of California Press Release dated January 20, 2015 notes that to support the CSL, you can make a donation on your California State Tax Form or make a check out to California Senior Legislature and send to California Senior Legislature, 1020 N Street, Room #513, Sacramento, CA 95814. For more information on the CSL, you are invited to attend the Advisory Council on Aging meetings which convene on the third Wednesday of the month in the first floor Board Room at 500 Ellinwood, Pleasant Hill.
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Lamorinda Spirit Van
283-3534
Takes Lamorinda Seniors to errands, appointments, grocery shopping, special events, and to lunch at the C.C. Café. Reserve your ride at least two business days in advance – sooner or when you make your appointment if possible. WE LOVE TO SAY “YES”!
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 284-1234 20% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
402-4506
Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors
284-6161
Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands.
Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with free rides to doctors’ appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays.
C L A S S I F I E D S ARCHITECT
JOHN ROLF HATTAM - ARCHITECT Specializes in modest budget, new and renovated residences. Over 200 completed projects. Brochures available for all of our professional services •RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION •NEW RESIDENCES •CHURCHES •COMMERCIAL •MULTI-FAMILY. For the brochure meeting your need call 510-841-5933. 737 Dwight Way, Berkeley.
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