Lafayette_Today_Jan_2015Lt 2015 jan full

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Lafayette Today ~ January 2014 - Page 25

January 2015 Lafayette Chamber of Commerce

By Fran Miller

If the name “Chamber of Commerce” ushers forth images of the Welcome Wagon and brochure-distributing administrators, you likely haven’t met Jay Lifson or attended one of his Lafayette Chamber of Commerce events.

In his nearly ten years as executive director of the Lafayette Chamber, Lifson has helped elevate the organization to its status as a social, philanthropic, civic, and business force.

He, his staff of three part-timers, and a 20 member volunteer board of directors have taken seriously the Chamber’s original 1947 mission statement – To promote and maintain a healthy business climate and to preserve and enhance Members of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Young the quality of life in Professionals Group gather at an evening meet-up.

Lafayette – and have created and advanced an atmosphere that exceeds those stated objectives.

With the knowledge that a community’s make-up includes businesses, but

Serving the Lafayette Community Winter Nights Shelter: Good News in Bad Times

By Jody Morgan

Winter Nights Shelter, in its 11th year of providing temporary shelter for homeless families with dependent children, is a project of the Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Winter Nights accommodates up to nine families (about 30 individuals) in rotating sites throughout Central Contra Costa County from October to May. Over 50 faith communities share in welcoming shelter guests with nightly dinner,

See Chamber continued on page 10

Leila Douglah: 2015 “Marquis” Business Person of the Year

“Give with no expectations. Giving back is my way of thanking life for the opportunities that I have been afforded,” says Leila Douglah of Douglah Designs.

Leila has lived by this philosophy ever since she opened the doors of her shop in Lafayette back in 1997. Her success has been shared with the greater community in many ways. Leila served as Lafayette’s Chamber Board President in 2013 and currently serves as the chamber’s Secretary. With her success she has given back to many local organizations including Habitat for Humanity East Bay, Lafayette Partners in Education, SHELTER Inc. and the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. While on the board at the Chamber, she spearheaded some of the most successful campaigns including the city’s SHOP LAFAYETTE program, the new Premier Membership program, and the local gift card program. Douglah Designs, a full-service interior design/build firm, opened their second showroom in La Fiesta Square last fall. Leila’s 5 star ratings for her work as a design and remodeling expert all seem to say the same thing: Leila and her staff rock!

Stop by Douglah Designs and congratulate Leila. The “Marquis” Business Person of the Year annual dinner will be held on Friday, January 30 beginning at 6PM at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. The evening also includes the introduction to the Lafayette Chamber’s 2015 Board of Directors, the incoming President Debbie Cooper, and the “State of the City” address by Mayor Brandt Andersson. Reservations can be made online by visiting www.lafayettechamber.org or by calling the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at 925-284-7404.

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette, CA

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Setting up tents at Lafayette United Methodist Church, one of 17 shelter sites.

Photo courtesy of Winter Nights.

daily breakfast and food to pack bag lunches for midday meals. Seventeen churches and synagogues each take two-week turns housing clients with 18 co-hosts providing food and additional congregations supplying funds and donations. Saint Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg offers a daytime Oasis for adults searching for work.

Initially concerned citizens trying to establish emergency shelter for homeless Contra Costa families received nothing but bad news. In many California counties, National Guard Armories provide space. After being quoted a price for use of the Concord Armory, the group was denied access to the facility because Concord Council Members noted there were already two county homeless shelters in their city. Orinda’s new library made the vacant old library available, but negotiations with a willing City Council failed when a few vocal residents railed against the proposal because they misunderstood the population being served. Rather than intact families who only wanted a chance to rebuild their lives, they envisioned hard-core drug addicts and perverts flowing into Orinda.

Bad news turned to valuable publicity when local and national press reported the struggle. Morrison Foerster, one of the nation’s leaders in pro bono law, assigned two attorneys to advise the group on developing an appropriate structure. Local Volume IX - Number 1 legislators helped formulate a 3000F Danville Blvd #117 solid business plan. The Contra Alamo, CA 94507 Costa Interfaith Council adopted Telephone (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 the cause, finding sufficient comeditor@yourmonthlypaper.com mitment from associated faith Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher communities to initiate the project opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and in 2004. The business plan sets The do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette forth precise rules for shelter Today is not responsible for the content of any of the ad-

See Shelter cont. on page 13

vertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Page 2 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Sons in Retirement

As this new year begins you may be thinking of activities you would like to pursue. Sons In Retirement (SIRs) Las Trampas Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize with us at 11am on Monday, January 19th at our monthly luncheon at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge located at 1475 Creekside Dr, and learn of our membership activities which include book discussions, bridge, computers, dine-outs, fishing, golf, hiking, walking, investments, poker, travel, wine tastings, and more.

In addition we have special golf events and bridge tournaments during the year where wives, partners, and guests are invited. If these are activities you like to do, then you may find even greater enjoyment in doing them with the friendly group of retirees in the SIRs organization. For more information about our activities for retired men, visit www.Branch116.org. Please call 925-322-1160 for lunch reservations. The cost for lunch is $15.

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.

Discover a Sense of Place

Co-sponsored by The Gardens at Heather Farm and the City of Walnut Creek, Discovering a Sense of Place is a free lecture series with topics ranging from landscape and irrigation tips to the basics of backyard composting.

In addition to providing valuable gardening resources, the series, which includes a field trip to Big Break Regional Shoreline, will help guide participants in a discovery of the larger geographical area in which they live. By strengthening the connection to the natural world around them, participants will gain a true appreciation of the importance of protecting the surrounding land, watersheds and wildlife.

The series runs as follows: January 21: Integrated Pest Management Around Your Home and Garden February 18: Becoming a Water Conservation Geek February 21: Installing a State-of-the-Art Drip Irrigation System March 18: Living in California’s Greatest Watershed – The Delta March 25: The Secrets of Composting (repeats on April 22) April 3: Field Trip to Big Break Regional Shoreline May 14: It Takes a City May 27: The Future of Solid Waste Classes will be held at The Gardens at Heather Farm. Admission is free, but advanced registration is requested. Participants may register online at gardenshf.org or by calling (925) 947-1678.

The Gardens at Heather Farm are a Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Green Business, The Gardens at Heather Farm (GHF) provides six acres of educational gardens and programs for youth, adults and persons with disabilities.

A qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, GHF is self supporting through memberships, fundraisers, grants, private donations, facility rentals and program fees. The mission is to inspire and educate our community about sustainable gardening and stewardship practices that preserve and protect our environment.

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Sister-to-Sister Initiative—Sisterhood of Reinvention By Lynda Leonard

The Sister-to-Sister (S2S) Initiative, sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW)-Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch, connects middle and high school girls in a supportive environment to address the empowering and challenging aspects of adolescence. The Initiative equips young women with the confidence and the skills to make positive choices in their lives.

A “Sisterhood of Reinvention” brings exciting news this year!

Lamorinda’s AAUW Sister-to-Sister (S2S) outreach program has evolved into something new. An Annual Summit does not characterize this year’s Initiative. Instead, three two-hour monthly sessions have been developed and will be presented from 2:30pm to 4:30pm on January 11, February 8, and March 15, 2015. This new format allows for follow up with the middle school girls and encourages stronger connections to form between the participants and their “big sisters.”

The 2015 Sister-to-Sister program will be held at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Registration is now open. The cost is $55 or $45 with a “Register With a Friend” promotion.

Applications are available at oml-ca.aauw.net/s2s/. For more information contact Laura Wittenberg at 925-788-0901 or laura. wittenberg.mft@gmail.com.

At each event we ask for feedback from the participants to upgrade subsequent year efforts. Emma, a senior who participated in S2S the past two years suggested the following: “I think it would be awesome to have a second summit day, maybe a couple months after the first summit, where we meet with the same girls in our groups to check up on them. We could ask how they are doing in high school, or if our advice helped them solve their problems that were discussed in the groups and panels.” Several other returning girls made the same suggestion, which got us to taking the idea seriously. Why not create further opportunities for follow up and connection?

The three two-hour sessions will provide two opportunities to follow up on issues raised by the middle school girls in previous sessions. Emma states the rationale for the change very effectively: “After the summit last year, I missed the girls in my group, and even today I wonder how they are doing in school. I think having follow-up time to catch up with our little sisters would really show them that we care about them being happy and successful in life.”

Weekly Family Bike Ride to Moraga Commons

On Sundays, Janury 18 & 25 from 9AM-11:30AM, join other local families for a fun, casual bike ride to Moraga Commons and back. The ride is recommended for 7yrs and up, but bring the little ones in a trailer or on your bike. They’ll have fun playing at the Commons. The group is usually back at the starting point by 11:15. Snacks and water are encouraged. Meet on the Lafayette-Moraga Trail at Stanley Middle School.

Scottish Country Dancing

Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round. No partner is required and no Scottish ancestry is required. Adult beginner classes for Scottish Country Dancing take place each week with free lessons at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM. Once a month Ceilidh dancing will take place as well. Dancing will be held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Rd in Danville. All dance nights are drop-in. The first beginner lesson is free, afterwards the cost is $8/night or $6/ night if attending a 10week session paid in advance.

Call Witsie at (925) 676-3637 or Kathleen at (925) 934-6148 for more information.

For children’s classes ages 7 and up, please contact Cathy at (925) 284-9068 for dates and fees.

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Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 3

Boulevard View

By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor

PROUDLY INTRODUCING

Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

The goal of this monthly paper is to provide you with hyper-local information, involve you in our community, and present you with opportunities to better know your neighbors and local vendors. It’s meant to be a vehicle and platform to share victories, stories, events, and photos. We provide a space to learn about upcoming events and encourage your attendance, rather than informing you out about an event after the fact. Hopefully you are inspired to become involved.

Lafayette has many individuals who are reaching out to others both locally and internationally. Highlighting these groups and individuals brings to light their great work and offers the opportunities to get involved and bring additional skills and knowledge to the table. Nobody has all the resources to make things happen, but we can all make a difference by working together. An oft-repeated question in our family when one is faced with a big task is, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is, “One bite at a time.”

All mountains to climb are summited step-by-step. Goals must be broken into small pieces, smaller tasks, and “many hands make light work.”

Families are often known for taking care of each other.

Merrill Gardens at Lafayette is now open and we However, a family doesn’t have to be the classic dictionary definition of “any group of persons closely related by invite you to come meet our team, see our beautiful blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins.” A new building and learn about all of the services family can be a neighborhood or a town, and as is noted in the book Eat, Pray, Love, “We must take care of our famiand amenities we have to offer. lies wherever we find them.” I’ve come to realize that this Call and we’ll set up a visit that paper helps us reach and connect with that extended family.

We do something unique by providing “Advertorial” works for your schedule. columns written by local service providers. Their goal is to inform and educate you about their specific industry and give you insights to which you ordinarily wouldn’t be Many of our apartments have exposed. These writers are also your neighbors and local already been reserved. community members. They are there to help you. Most of Don’t miss your opportunity to them are individuals or are working in small businesses select your new apartment! and are directly accountable to you, the customer. These are not people who will require navigating through a phone tree maze to reach!

(925) 854-1858 While I find myself to be fairly handy, I don’t know everything, and I often don’t have the extra time, en1010 Second Street ergy, strength, or skills to properly tackle a new task.

Lafayette, CA 94549 I’ve learned to trust local experts rather than try to be an merrillgardens.com Lic #079200358 expert at everything myself. These service providers are passionate about what they do and have honed their craft.

Retirement Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care It’s part of their makeup, their DNA. They have the skills, tools, and passion to get the job done. Please support these 010215aCT_Lafayette_LafToday_A.indd 1 1/2/15 11:16 AM League of Women Voters amazing columnists who help bring you this paper each month.

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley (LWV-DV) presents a The final thought I’ll leave you with is that I choose to present positive monthly program and discussion. January’s presentation will concern BART news and avoid drama in these pages. There are plenty of places for you to and the future of public transportation. Guest speaker for the event will be Gail find that elsewhere. As Greer Garson, a popular World War II era British Murry, past mayor of Walnut Creek and current elected member of BART. American actress, once noted, “I think the mirror should be tilted slightly The meeting will be January 17 from 3 - 4:30PM at the Lafayette upward when it’s reflecting life--toward the cheerful, the tender, the compas- Community Center Cedar Room. Everyone is welcome. For more sionate, the brave, the funny, the encouraging, all those things,” and that is information, call (925) 283-2235 or visit www.lwvdv.org. the vision for what I present to you each month. I encourage your sharing of ideas, stories, photos, and other local information. I look forward to hopefully Lamorinda Peace and Justice The Lamorinda Peace and Justice Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month inspiring you and making our community even better as we begin a new year.

PM To contribute or share ideas, please email me at editor@yourmonthlypaper. from 7 – 9 in the Fireside Room of Lafayette Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. We are committed to working to support a healthy planet, a thriving local com or via phone at 925-405-6397. community, and a safe, equitable world for all. For information, call (925) 946-0563.

N OW O P E N!

Page 4 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Looking for Veterans

The regional government of Normandy, France created a special medal to be given to living veterans of the Battle of Normandy (D-Day +100) or those who participated in the reconstruction of Normandy after the war. The local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) group is searching for Lamorinda Veterans meeting the criteria.

Boy Scouts of America will be distributing a special medal that was created for these Veterans.

To be awarded the medal, the name of the Veteran and the unit served are needed.

Lamorinda Boy Scouting is coordinating with the local VFW on an award ceremony for the Lamorinda Veterans.

If you are a Veteran who served in the WWII Battle of Normandy, or if you served in the reconstruction of Normandy after the war, or if you have information about one of these Veterans, please email VFW.8063@gmail. com with information about the individual.

Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club Speakers

The Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club offers upcoming speakers at their morning meetings held at the Lafayette Park Hotel located at 3287 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette at 7AM on the noted dates. For more information about the speakers and the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Group, visit www.lamorindasunrise.org.

January 16 ~ Gustavo Silva, “My Life as a Brazilian Exchange Student” Our guest speaker will be Gustavo de Carvalho Silva. Gustavo is an exchange student from Paraguacu Paulista, Brazil, which is about 400km from Sao Paulo. Gustavo is being co-hosted by the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club and the Lafayette Rotary Club during this school year and is attending Acalanes High School. Come join us and hear about Gustavo’s adventures as an exchange student from Brazil.

January 23 ~ Laura Simpson, Housing Division Manager, Community & Economic Development Dept, City of Walnut Creek, “Vision for Walnut Creek Development”

Walnut Creek’s rapid economic and housing growth will be reviewed.

Come join us!

Contact Lafayette Today at 925.405.6397 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Lost Dog!

$50 REWARD If you find him and your name is drawn!

He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.

Lafayette Luther is Missing He has become lost in this paper.

Send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to:

Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507

Margaret Harbarth is our winner!

Luther was hiding on page 19 last month.

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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 Danville. 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 one weekend.

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

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

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

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.

Beginning January 5, for information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the Walnut Creek area, please call (925) 9435851 Walnut Creek Senior Club site, (925) 405-6278 Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site, or (925) 979-5013 Walnut Creek St. Paul’s Episcopal Church site. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www. earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring 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 • Your 2013 Tax Return

City of Lafayette Contacts

Below are key Lafayette city departments and their contact information.

Administration: Responsible for overall city operations such as human resources, finance and office operations. Key staff members include the City Manager, Administrative Services Director, City Clerk, and Financial Services Manager. The City Offices are located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #210, Lafayette. Hours are 8am – 5pm Monday-Friday. For information call (925) 284-1968 or email cityhall@lovelafayette.org.

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

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

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

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

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Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 5

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For the prestigious Gold Award, comparable to the Boy Scout Eagle Award, girls spend months or even years completing requirements that develop leadership and culminate in an extensive service project that makes a difference in their community or even across the world.

To earn her Gold Award, Erin completed a project that developed the Lamorinda Feral Kitten Rescue Network. The project focused on community education, fostering, socializing, adoption, collection, and distribution of donations and supplies for feral kittens 4 – 8 weeks old.

Kittens socialized between the ages of 4 – 8 weeks old have a high rate of adoptability as normal house cats. Since finishing the project, Erin continues to collaborate part-time with the Contra Costa County Feral Cat Foundation and SNIP (Spay Neuter Impact Program) for feral cats.

A Girl Scout since kindergarten, 2001, Erin began working on her Girl Scout Gold Award in August 2013. She is a recent Acalanes High School graduate and current first year student at Diablo Valley College.

Member volunteers at Assistance League® Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, located at 3521 Golden Gate Way, in Lafayette, have been collecting and storing quilts and related items in preparation for their Quilt event scheduled for Tuesday, January 20.

Quilts play an integral part of our nation’s culture in that, initially, they consisted of scraps of material that, when stitched together, provided warmth for those who ventured to a new world. Over the years, quilts, whether applique or piece, vintage or new, have since evolved from utilitarian objects to objects of art.

Today, a valuable lesson remains; we need to continue the discipline of renewing our resources rather than discarding and replacing them.

Venture through the selection of more than 50 beautifully crafted quilts, many of which are hand pieced and hand stitched. You will also find fabrics, quilt frames, quilt books, and thimbles, all of which were donated.

Donations of quilts and supplies are still being accepted. The Quilt event is typically frequented by hundreds of quilt enthusiasts in the East Bay, so shop early! The shop is open 10AM to 4PM, Tuesday through Saturday.

Assistance League® of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, member volunteer organization dedicated to improving lives in our community through hands-on programs.

Your generous donations and purchases improve the lives of those in our community who are vulnerable. To learn aboutAssistance League of Diablo Valley’s nine philanthropic programs that the thrift shop funds and its recently awarded GuideStar Exchange gold participation level status, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Page 6 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

The Bookworm

By Joan Stevenson

“So keep ‘em, fund ‘em, embrace ‘em, and cherish ‘em !” That is the advice about libraries from bestselling novelist, David Baldacci, an admitted “library rat.” And here is the reason why -“The first thing dictators do when taking over a country is close all the libraries because libraries are full of ideas and differences of opinion, all the things we say we want in a free and open society.” The writer continues by sharing that his favorite reads growing up were the biographies of famous people, especially when they chronicled their childhood because “they made me think anything was possible in my life.” What greater gift can a child receive?

Biographies are for grownups, too! My recent favorites, Unbroken and Wild, became movies in December, but those books still sell, hardback, paperback, and eBooks - Unbroken with 182 weeks on the New York Times best seller list and Wild with 90 weeks. They are page turning personal tales which inspire us to stretch our comfort zones. I would like to give a shout out to Karen Mulvaney who had an idea that Louie Zamperini, hero of Unbroken, might accept an invitation to come to Lafayette Library and Learning Center and speak. She picked up the phone, asked him, and he said yes. On April 17, 2011, a full house had the unforgettable experience of listening to Louie Zamperini. He was the first in the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Distinguished Speaker Series. Other authors followed including my other favorite, author of Wild, Cheryl Strayed, on January 6, 2013. I heard a whisper the other day that another blockbuster speaker is in the wings for spring, so stay tuned. Shhhh…, it’s a secret! This is just one of the many, many reasons why we should support our library.

There is a fresh calendar on my wall, so what adventures does the library have for me to explore? The garden now quenched of thirst is ready for instruction from a Contra Costa Master Gardener on Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30pm. The expert will share the basics of healthy pruning practices for your trees, shrubs, and roses. Learn how to prune, when to prune, and what to prune. The event is

www.yourmonthlypaper.com free of charge. To reserve your space, please email higginssierra@gmail.com.

Now that you know how to give the garden a fresh start, how about youself?

The next night, Wednesday, January 14 at 6pm, join us for an introduction to holistic health with Holly Reese, Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Wellness Coach. Holly will describe a variety of holistic techniques used to heal from chronic illness and pain. She will also teach some basic reflexology techniques, as well as introduce a variety of foods that heal. Holly will discuss her book Rising from the Abyss, which chronicles her journey out of chronic illness using holistic health techniques. This event is free of charge.

The Friends will roll out the red carpet for their first Sweet Thursday of 2015 on Thursday, January 15 at 7:30pm. Our guest author will be Julia Scheeres, a Berkeley resident and New York Times and London Times bestselling author, as she discusses her latest book, A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Jonestown. In this true life story of blind loyalty and daring escapes, of corrupted ideals and senseless, haunting loss, Scheeres follows the experiences of five Peoples Temple members who went to Jonestown. This event is free of charge.

Here is a great way to finish off the week: come on Friday night, January 16 at 7:30pm to a very special Jazz Piano Concert in the library Community Hall. It is presented by the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society. It is a free event, and refreshments will be provided. Sounds like an ideal date night!

On Thursday, January 29 at 6:30pm, Financial Planner Kinley Wong will offer a Social Security Benefits Workshop. It should be no surprise, but Social Security is far more complicated than most people realize. The decisions you make now can have an impact on the total amount of benefits you stand to receive annually and over your lifetime. Good news…help is on the way. Wong will address such issues as when to for Social Security benefits, how much one should be expect to receive, if Social Security benefits will be enough to live on, how to potentially maximize benefits to best suit specific needs, and will Social Security be there through a full retirement.

Have you sent your contribution to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation yet? In the elegant words of David Baldacci – “So keep ‘em, fund ‘em, embrace ‘em, and cherish ‘em.” The library is our community anchor. Happy New Year!

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

50 Years Ago

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 7

Sights and Sounds of Suburbia

By Ruth Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society

The December 4, 1964, Lafayette Sun yielded several nuggets of Lamorinda life in the mid60s. Return with us now to those golden days of yesteryear. (Does that conjure any memories of the Lone Ranger?) As the paper reported…

“A very diplomatic Ginnie Phair, at Orinda’s Phair Store, pleased both the Stanford and Cal customers/ rooters during the pre-game week. Daily, the frontdoor model’s duds were changed from red and white to blue and gold and back again. Mrs. Phair got into the act wearing a cardinal red shirtwaist one day, a yellow dress the next.”

And then this wee musical note floated by: “From Campana’s Music Shop, a Charlie Mingus record melding with awkward strains of ‘My Darling Clementine,’ as some young one proddingly [sic, but actually a likely apt typo for ‘ploddingly’] plays new notes at an accordion lesson.”

California Freeways Pass 1,500-Mile Mark

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“The 1,000th mile of freeway had been opened in July 1962. At our current rate of freeway construction, we should have the 2,000th mile of full freeway opened a little more than two years later.”

“The 10.5 mile freeway over Donner Summit on I-80 should open shortly,’ he said, ‘provided the early season snowfall in the area is succeeded by an interval of dry weather. Another major project opening to traffic is a 6-mile stretch of I-680 in the Danville area.’”

[Aren’t we glad CalTrans was working on freeways half a century ago, or where would we be today? I know, some of you are saying we wouldn’t be in a traffic jam. There would likely be even more of us on BART, which the same issue of the paper reported was scheduled to lay its first rails on Tuesday, December 22, 1964. And greater BART patronage begs the question, Where would we park? This is still a good question today.]

Mr. Lee’s New Dryer Saves Time

“Mr. Lee’s Hairstyling in the Crossroads Building, Orinda, is featuring a new Royal Jetstream Dryer, which cuts drying time from the customary hour to 5 or 6 minutes. The highly modernistic furniture has 30 transparent flexible tubes through which heated air is passed, after the tubes have been attached to the core of each roller.”

“There is no hood over the head to muffle sound or to give milady claustrophobia. Instead of warm air rushing around the crown, Jetstream dries from the inside out,’ according to Mr. Lee. He said, ‘Because the head doesn’t get hot, there is less moisture on the hair and scalp. And when milady is dried out’ [that’s what’s he said; don’t blame me], the sets will stay longer,’ said Mr. Lee. He recently opened his shop in the tallest building in Orinda.”

Under the headline “Squeaks, Squalor, Squeeze-Out,” a highly critical report decried the diminishing Greyhound bus service from the county.

“Martin J. Rosen, an attorney representing the Contra Costa County Commuter Association, said, ‘Greyhound has been quite candid in admitting it has no interest in encouraging additional passengers to utilize its commute service.

Greyhound is asking for a 20% hike in commute fares in Contra Costa.’ Rosen said the company plans to use the same 105 buses now in operation that will be fully depreciated by January 1, 1965.

“A Greyhound rider from Walnut Creek said the vehicles have most of their innards loosened to the point of danger; plastic sunshades have a habit of falling on unsuspecting passengers, and the ‘squeak,’ or sit-down portion of the rear seat, is loose to the point where a rider could be hurled to the floor in a sudden stop. Mr. Zintz said he appeared as a private citizen, protesting that the company isn’t doing enough to promote daytime commute service. He said various wayside stops are not marked on timetables and aren’t even known to the drivers. Greyhound was on record as saying the company is more interested in the contraction of commute service.”

And there you have it, folks. Wonder what commuter The old Kennedy Tunnel, Caldecott predecessor, dripped constantly, making the roadbed slippery. In January 1922, a serious snowfall made driving even more hazardous, especially on the incline heading delights await us in 2015. A very Happy New Year to all! into the tunnel. (Photo courtesy of Contra Costa County Historical Society.)

Page 8 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Walking the Reservoir

An opportunity for seniors

By Jim Scala

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Lafayette Recreation’s winter magazine, page 29, has a plan to encourage Rez-walking among senior citizens. It proposes that on Thursdays at 10AM folks meet me at the center bench on the dam – rain cancels – and walk the paved trail. If interested, please e-mail me, or call Maureen at (925)284-5050 at senior services. Once started, we can adjust dates and times to be convenient for everyone. Come on Thursday and help get the program started.

Maureen, the pretty lady on the magazine’s cover, proposed that after we walk I show interested folks some useful yoga poses to improve balance and flexibility. If there’s enough interest, I’ll try and persuade Earth and Sea Yoga to start a senior’s yoga program. If you’re not interested in yoga, it shouldn’t stop you from walking.

We promise good fellowship, better health, and stimulating discussion as a bonus. And we can segue into a refreshment break after the walk – we’re seniors – we deserve it!

Dave said, “Our Rez-holiday tree speaks volumes about us.” Every year Rez-walkers decorate the small tree on the paved trail’s south side. On December 13th Dave and I stopped and studied the decorations, and he commented, “This tree says the people who come here have spirit, sense of community, and commitment.” The many colorful peace symbols expressed our hope for a more peaceful, nonviolent world. Dave is right.

People often hang a picture and short write-up about someone they walked with who passed on and they want remembered. I included one about my cousin who won the Medal of Honor. He’d agree with the peace symbols – it’s what he believed in. Let’s all strive for a better world where lives can be fulfilled.

A lady’s Zen sweat shirt. First line: Three things can’t stay hidden. Second line: Sun, Moon, and Truth. When I asked who said that, she replied, “The Buddha!”

We agreed that he was right, and his messages are timeless.

Walking in the rain. On a very rainy December 15th, Rez-walkers were active all day. Many young mothers– jogging or walking – pushed covered strollers with clear windshields. The young sprouts don’t get wet, they see what’s ahead, and they learn to enjoy nature in all her moods. We dress for the weather while the dogs walk uncovered and appear to enjoy the rain.

I counted 24 turkeys on the grassy hill past the visitor’s center. I wondered, “Are turkeys taking over?” I looked at geese coming in for a water landing, honking as they do.

On hot days, crows make a loud racket that can make conversation difficult. But, rain or shine, the Rez-turkey’s distinctive gobble goes on uninterrupted – are they taking over?

A buck sighting and a rabbit question. Jil told of a big buck, with at least six points, stomping and snorting on the hill behind the children’s play area. We often see deer, but seldom do we see a full grown buck that big.

Several people have asked, “Where are the rabbits?” On early morning walks we saw many rabbits. But in 2014 they were rare; could it be predators or the drought? I’d like your thoughts.

Feral cats and birds. I decided to look into the often heard claim that windmills kill birds. Energy-producing windmills account for almost a half million bird deaths annually. A little more smash into building windows and are killed. Feral cats kill in excess of over three million birds annually! Birds were hurt badly by the drought that’s ending; feral cats are a continuing threat.

Look at the evening star. By January 30th, Venus, the evening star, sets after 7:30 and will be visible above the western trees during evening twilight. Venus is the next planet near the Sun from us, so when we see it in the west, we watch it catching up and it will pass in front of earth in late spring. Starting in April, I’ll set a telescope up on the dam each week to show Venus’s spectacular phases.

Walking and basal metabolism (BMR). Often people say they’re getting heavier but are not eating more and may be eating less. It’s simple: most calories are used for our basal metabolism, even when we sleep. As we age, our BMR declines, we use fewer calories, and we are less active. Walking the Rez can help because besides burning calories, it nudges our BMR a little higher. Men take notice: recent studies prove the BMR decline increases prostate cancer risk.

Let me hear from you at jscala2@comcast.net.

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CARLOS “KIKO” CAICEDO Shop (925) 284-4852 Cell (925) 285-0783 lafayettemotors@gmail.com 3470 Golden Gate Way , Lafayette, CA 94549

Lafayette Motors Independent service and repair for Mercedes Benz

JERRY FIGUEROA Shop (925) 284-4852 Cell (510) 754-1942 lafayettemotors@gmail.com 3470 Golden Gate Way , Lafayette, CA 94549

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Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 9

Serving the Bay Area with honesty and integrity since 1973

Since 1973

3191-J Crow Canyon Pl San Ramon Carpets, Hardwood, Laminate & Stone (925) 866-2200 www.MacFloor.com • info@macfloor.com

In Loehmann’s Shopping Center (next to Lucky’s)

Cinema Classics His Girl Friday

By Peggy Horn

This month’s Cinema Classic is His Girl Friday, (1940) starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and directed by Howard Hawks. This appealing movie is full of clever dialogue and comical scenes with a good dose of realism. The characters speak over one another, as happens in real life, and the actors, being who they are, carry it off very well.

The title refers to a character named Friday, from Robinson Crusoe (1719)

by Daniel DeFoe. Friday was a close working assistant to Robinson Crusoe.

The plot features Cary Grant in the role of Walter Burns, a super smart, super savvy newspaper editor with a slight touch of megalomania thrown in for good measure. His ex-wife, Hildy Johnson, played by Rosalind Russell, shows up to tell him that she is going to be remarried to one Bruce Baldwin (played by Ralph Bellamy), an insurance salesman from Albany. Walter, however, is going to put a stop to that notion, and he proceeds to interfere with their engagement in a myriad of hilarious ways. In spite of the hilarity in this film, there are serious moments as well. Hildy is a talented journalist, admired by her colleagues (including Walter), and when she responds to Walter’s request for a temporary assignment with, “Don’t worry, I’m on the job!” she gets the job done.

Sophisticated and funny, this movie is certain to entertain, but be prepared for fast paced dialogue that is actually worth hearing.

Musical Notes

2395 Monument Blvd., Suite J Concord (925) 680-4433

The year His Girl Friday came out was also a great year in music. To get a flavor of the musical era, try,“Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, sung by Frank Sinatra and “The Java Jive,” by the Ink Spots. The fabulous Glenn Miller Orchestra released, “Tuxedo Junction” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000” in 1940, and, really, it doesn’t get any better or cooler than this. All four recommendations are available on YouTube for your listening ears!

(Across from Costco Gas Station, next to Harvest House)

Gold Coast Chamber Players Present Serenade

The Gold Coast Chamber Players concert, Serenade, is a chance to hear dreamy sound paintings by French and Japanese Impressionist composers.

The concert will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 7:30PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. Leading off the program is “Chanson Madécasses,” by Maurice Ravel, in which the soprano, flute, cello, and piano evoke a romantic vision of Madagascar. In Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan,” the cello sings serenely as the swan and the harp imitates the gentle ripples in the water created by the swimming bird. “And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind,” by Toro Takemitsu, was drawn from an Emily Dickinson poem and has an expansive, meditative quality. Serenade pays homage to early 20th century Romanticism, with lush instrumentation and daring new harmonies. A pre-concert talk with Kai Christiansen will start the evening at 7PM. The Gold Coast Chamber Players are known for their engaging and vibrant performances. Audiences have been responding with such enthusiasm that tickets are in great demand.

Ticket price includes complimentary champagne, a pre-concert talk at 7PM, and a reception with the musicians following the performance. Tickets are available at www.gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728.

Genealogical Meetings

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

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

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Page 10 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

New Year Cleaning

By Pamela Palitz, Sustainable Lafayette

Forget about “spring cleaning.” The best time of the year to de-clutter your house is when you ring in the new year. After all, the first thing you do is recycle old calendars, right? And you probably received a few gifts that make some of your old possessions expendable.

The biggest problem with cleaning is deciding what goes where. If it’s broken or useless, then sadly your only option is the trash (unless it’s electronic…but we’ll discuss that a little later). If it fits in your blue bin, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you have to stash it and wait for the semiannual pick-up, but please think of this as a last resort.

Once you’ve identified all your usable surplus items, you should figure out whether you want to sell them, donate them, or just get rid of them. If you want to sell them, your best options are Craigslist and NextDoor. Your “reach” will be greater on Craigslist; you will be connecting with a neighbor if you choose NextDoor. Regarding Craigslist, here are a few guidelines.

• Always post an item with a corresponding picture. Buyers want to know what to expect, and you can bet there are items similar to yours that DO have pictures.

• Include as much detailed information as possible about the item. Don't be shy -- include dimensions, sizes, wear, and tear. This will prevent long email exchanges with potential buyers.

• Post your ad on a Thursday or Friday. This increases the likelihood of a purchase and pick-up over the weekend.

• Don’t ever invite a stranger to your house when you are the only adult home. Have a friend or family member with you when showing any of your items. One avid Craigslister in Lafayette always meets his customers at Lafayette BART, assuming that the items he’s selling are portable.

Of course, most of the items you are getting rid of are not really worth

Chamber continued from front page

January Sale!

Up to 40% OFF

PLUS: 10.00 Bonus Coupon! on your next purchase of 50.00 or more in Mens, Boys, Kids, Womens, Jr’s, Lingerie, Shoes



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10.00 Bonus Coupon Present this coupon at point of purchase for 10.00 off your one-time combined purchase of 50.00 or more.

1 coupon per family. Not valid on previous purchases, other coupons and/or promotions.

No cash substitutes. May not be used on payment of account. Pandora, Brighton, Boy Scouts, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome,Fragrance Dept., TOMS and UGG excluded.

Expires Jan. 31, 2015

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Lafayette • Danville • Countrywood • Concord Montclair • Orinda • Moraga • Sonoma • Auburn



See Chamber continued on page 12

enough to sell, and you will want to donate them.

Here are a few local options.

• Wayside Inn Thrift (3520 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette) – accepts toys, books, clothing, shoes, sporting goods, and household items.

• Nifty Thrifty Shop (3467 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette) – accepts toys, books, clothing, shoes, sporting goods, and household items.

• Goodwill Donation Center at Rheem (Rheem Shopping Center, Moraga) – accepts clothes, shoes, sporting goods, and household items.

There are also places to donate very specific items. The Friends Corner Book Shop is a great place for used books, since the Friends sell them in support of our wonderful Lafayette Library & Learning Center. Sports Basement in Walnut Creek, across from Heather Farms, recycles old sports shoes. Books for the Barrios in Concord accepts old office supplies.

Do not put electronics into your blue bin, even if they don’t work. There are many local options for e-waste recycling. DVC hosts an e-waste event on the first Saturday of every month, and Rapid Recyle in Martinez is open daily and accepts computer components, appliances, metal, and cardboard.

For a comprehensive list of Contra Costa e-waste events, check www. co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options/e-waste.htm.

RecycleLafayette.org is a great local resource for figuring out what can go where…and why. And WasteDiversion.org, the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority’s website, offers a recycle wizard on the home page with the most comprehensive database of recycle locations in Contra Costa County.

Just remember that there are almost always alternatives to putting stuff in the garbage. To read success stories about how residents in Lafayette are reducing waste and living more sustainably, please visit sustainablelafayette.net.



also schools, community organizations, religious institutions, city government, and residents, the Chamber promotes and works with all facets for the betterment of the entire region. “This Chamber makes four particular pledges,” says Lifson. “These pledges are to build a strong economy, to advocate for business, to provide networking opportunities, and to promote the community, all in a welcoming manner.”

The Lafayette Chamber is the third largest in Contra Costa County with 715 members. Its monthly business/social mixers are well attended and fun. “People enjoy our Chamber,” says Lifson. “We provide a different feel; our events are inviting and comfortable for both established members and new members. We are like family.”

Lifson sets the tone for that family feel with his warm manner. An easy conversationalist, he is well known and well-liked throughout town. And he knows of what he promotes; he started doing business in Lafayette in 1983 when he opened, at the west end of town, The Rocking Horse restaurant, which he operated for more than five years. He also managed the Hungry Hunter, was the food and beverage manager of the Lafayette Park Hotel’s Duck Club, and then was manager of Bing Crosby’s Restaurant in Walnut Creek, all prior to taking the helm at the Chamber.

Lafayette Chamber Executive Director, Jay Lifson Lifson has seen many changes in Lafayette during his Chamber tenure, and he is most proud of having helped the business community weather the recession. “Lafayette had one of the lowest unemployment rates during that time,” says Lifson. “When other organizations were restricting themselves, we swung open our doors and added programs and events to better serve our constituency; our philosophy was and still is simple: Have fun, listen to our customers, and make a difference.”

One such program was the Shop Lafayette First campaign, encouraging

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Changes in the Law Allows Dining with Dogs

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 11

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale

Each January many new laws go Lafayette - According to industry ex- sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers into effect. One of them may find you dining with dogs! California’s perts, there are over 33 physical prob- away altogether. In most cases, you can health code was modified this past lems that will come under scrutiny during make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself year by the State legislature to allow a home inspection when your home is if you know what you're looking for, and restaurants with outdoor seating for sale. A new report has been prepared knowing what you're looking for can help areas to permit dogs in their outside which identifies the 11 most common you prevent little problems from growing dining areas starting January 1. The retail food businesses of these problems, and what you should into costly and unmanageable ones. that choose to permit dogs will need to meet certain condi- know about them before you list your home To help home sellers deal with this issue for sale. before their homes are listed, a free report tions that are meant to protect both diners and staff.

Whether you own an old home or a brand entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Local cities and counties can opt out of this law by new one, there are a number of things Pass Your Home Inspection" has been passing their own ordinance restricting or preventing the practice, but our County hasn’t done so. Contra Costa’s that can fall short of requirements during a compiled which explains the issues involved.

Environmental Health Services is the agency that inspects home inspection. If not identified and dealt To hear a brief recorded message about all restaurants within the County. As one might expect, this with, any of these 11 items could cost you how to order your FREE copy of this report, dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's call toll-free 1-866-265-1682 and enter new law does not change the health and safety standards by critical that you read this report before 2003. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, which all retail food businesses must operate. They’re still you list your home. If you wait until the 7 days a week. subject to the same regulatory and inspection requirements building inspector flags these issues for Get your free special report NOW to learn as other restaurants. you, you will almost certainly experience how to ensure a home inspection doesn't If an eatery decides it wants to allow dogs to dine with costly delays in the close of your home cost you the sale of your home. people, there are additional requirements that apply. The This report is courtesy of J. Rockcliff Realtors #01763819. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013 animals must be on a leash or in a carrier, and the co-mingled eating can only take place in an outdoor eating area that has a separate en- The Many Stories of Rosie the Riveter trance. Dogs are never allowed inside and may not sit or stand on chairs or

By Pat Beckner other furniture. Food cannot be stored in the pet area, and dogs may not eat Join the Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette Branch of the American Association or drink from dishes used to serve food to people. In fact, they can only eat or of University Women (AAUW) on Tuesday January 20, 2015 for a program drink from single use, disposable containers provided by the establishment. examining the powerful role of women in the WWII workforce. The monthly No pet dishes from home are allowed. am Waiters and restaurant staff are not allowed to play with the dogs or branch meeting beginsamat 9 with a light continental breakfast, followed by have any contact with them. If staff members happen to get too close, they a presentation at 9:30 . The meeting will be held at Holy Trinity Serbian must immediately wash their hands. Who cleans up after the dogs or stops Church Cultural Center located at 1700 School Street, Moraga. them from being unruly? Customers are responsible for their own dogs, but ultimately it’s up to the restaurant to ensure that the eating areas are clean, sanitized, and safe for diners.

If you’re ever curious about the health inspection results for local restaurants, make sure you have the California Food Inspector smartphone App which was created by the County’s Health Department and released in 2013.

Each year the County’s trained food-safety specialists conduct thousands of A guest speaker, Ranger Raphael Allen from the Rosie the Riveter unannounced restaurant inspections. They attempt to visit each food estab- National Park, will lead us through a historical recounting of Women in lishment at least twice a year.

WWII—with special highlights surrounding “War Jobs for Women,” issues The App allows users to search inspection results for the past five years surrounding the shifting role of women during this era, and the critical role for 4,200 food facilities in Contra Costa County. It includes everything from “Rosie” played—who she was, how she got started, and why the branding restaurants to coffee shops to ice cream vendors. The inspection histories eventually discontinued. show what, if any, violations these food facilities have been required to corCome prepared to share your family’s own war stories. We’ll read wartime rect. With this new App, routine inspections are being uploaded weekly. Any propaganda messages, considering how our elders might have chosen to closure information will be updated each evening. respond. Women who were already in the paid workforce had different Using the “Closures” button on the App, you can also see a list of eater- perspectives than did housewives who signed up just to ‘bring the boys home.’ ies in the County which have been forced to temporarily close their doors What questions did they each raise when the war ended? And what do we to correct serious violations that pose an imminent threat to their customers’ understand now when we regard these many women side by side? health. Using your mobile phone’s GPS, you can also scan restaurants near A native of Oakland and graduate of Stanford University, Ranger Raphael your current location and compare the health-safety records of those venues. Allen co-taught Stanford’s first course in History of Men and Masculinity.

The App was created to reinforce the County Health Department’s com- He went on to work as an acquisition editor at both University of Michigan mitment to making information more readily accessible to the public. For and Duke University Presses, where he acquired and developed titles in many years restaurant inspection results have been on the department’s web- history, the social sciences, gender-studies, health, and technology studies.

After three years of volunteer work for the National Park Service, Allen site, and with this mobile app, this information is available to the public in an even more convenient way. To learn more about this App and the changes in became an interpretive ranger in support of Port Chicago Naval Magazine the law regarding dogs dining with you in local restaurants, go to cchealth.org. National Memorial (Concord) and Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District National Historical Park (Richmond). He assisted with the development of 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, the Park’s permanent exhibits and 12 films, helps train docents to learn and Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to share the historical literature, and also conducts programs for the public.

Bring your friends, enjoy some refreshments, and share in the camaraderie! contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic For more information about the event, email communication-publicity@ or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos. aauwoml.org. cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.

Page 12 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

White Elephant Sale

By Linda Summers Pirkle

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Soups On In

My mother loved garage sales. She shared a story about her defining “garage sale moment.” Driving home from the market on a Saturday afternoon, she saw a parking spot in front of what looked like a promising garage sale. Since it was after peak garage sale times, Soup Making starts with Great Tools she was not surprised to be the only shopper as the owner was arranging his articles. Perusing the wares in the garage she asked the price of an item, noting that there was no price tag (usually good for bargaining). The smiling gentleman told her the item was not for sale. After asking the price of a second and third item, it suddenly dawned on them she was “shopping” in an open garage, not a garage sale, and they both shared a laugh!

I am not a garage sale enthusiast like my Mom was, but I never miss the yearly White Elephant Sale held on March 1 and March 2 in the Oakland estuary at 333 Lancaster Street. In its 55th year, this hugely popular sale held in a 96,000 square-foot warehouse to benefit the Oakland Museum is attended by thousands of sharp-eyed shoppers.

I spoke to Anne Chan, Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee Oakland Museum Women’s Board and the sponsor for this huge event. “Our Preview sale is held on Sunday, January 26th, from 10AM- 4PM. We usually have a long line reaching about eight blocks from the entrance, and people arrive as early See our wide selections of tools for the Cook as 7AM for the 10AM opening.”

All-Clad | Bodum | Bo’s Best | Capresso | Chantal | Couleur Nature | Cusinart | Dexas | Edgecraft | Emile Leslie Piels, long time volunteer advised bringing your patience and good Henry | Fagor | Govino | LeCreuset | Kyorcera | Lekue | Maviel | Microplane | Now Designs | Nordicware | humor; with over 17 departments including jewelry, books, linens, furniture, Nespresso | OXO | Pillivuyt | Rosle | Rosy Rings | Shun | Sistema | USAPans | Wusthof | Zoku and more! you never know what you will find. “In the accessory department we once got a very large scarf. We all thought it was unattractive, but it was obviously of good quality. We looked it up online and discovered it was made by a famous Alamo Ace Hardware |3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo | 925.837.2420 and sought-after designer, and it was worth over $1,000. We priced it at $300, www.AlamoHardware.com and it sold within the first day. We get so much stuff! What we don’t use goes to other charities such as St. Vincent’s, or we give to farm workers and homeless shelters. We also donate old suitcases to Homeland Security for dogs to practice their sniffing skills. It is quite organized.”

Leslie shared some insider tips. “If you can stand the crowd, the Preview sale on January 26 is really when you have the best chance to get the best stuff.

If you can’t handle the crowd, just bring some quality items from home to donate during the insider shopping days. Since we are receiving great stuff during this time, you never know what treasures you’ll find. So, come often.” *The White Elephant sale is located at 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland. Their phone number is 510-536-6800 and website is WhiteElephantsale.org.

Preview sale is held on January 26; entrance price for Preview sale is $20 at the door and $15 prior to sale. Advance tickets may be purchased in person at the Oakland Museum or at WhiteElephantSale.org. All credit cards (except American Express) are accepted. * The Main Sale is held on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. Hours are 10AM-4PM and entrance is free. Insiders sales days (not advertised on the website) are January 29 - February 25, except Sundays and Mondays and the holiday February 16. Bring gently used items to donate for entrance to the sale. *Complementary shuttles from Fruitvale BART Station run throughout the Preview sale (January 26) and the Main Sale (March 1 and 2). Parking is permitted at the BART station parking lot for shoppers on January 26 and March 1 and 2.

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.

Lifson and his staff are a wealth of knowledge for businesses in town, and Chamber continued from page 10 whenever a new member joins the Chamber, he and membership director residents to shop local in order to promote local business and keep tax dollars in Barbara Gilmore meet with that new member to give them the lay of the land town. Offering one of the first online Downtown Collective Gift Card programs and explain Chamber membership benefits. They provide background on the in the country, the Chamber partnered with GiftCards.com, allowing customers business community, the school community, and the city council, and they to purchase one gift card than can be used at local shops, services, and restaurants. provide copies of the local papers and newsletters. They make sure that new The Chamber also co-sponsors the town’s marquee events such as the Lafayette businesses feel welcomed and prepared.

Art and Wine Festival, The Taste of Lafayette restaurant stroll, and the Reservoir “This community has a heart and soul,” says Lifson. “We at the Chamber do Run – all of which raise funds for local organizations. In total, these events have our best to contribute to Lafayette’s collective success.” helped raise more than $50,000 for local non-profits. The Art & Wine Festival, held For more information, visit www.lafayettechamber.org. each year on the third weekend in September, is the largest event in Lamorinda and

perhaps one of the five biggest outdoor festivals in Contra Costa County. The event Montelindo Garden Club Meeting is a four-time winner of Diablo Magazine’s Best of the East Bay’s Best Festival.

The Montelindo Garden Club will be holding its next monthly meeting But Chamber business is not only about events and festivals. In his position (third Friday, September thru May) on Friday, January 16 at 9AM at St. as executive director, Lifson has become a valued leader in civic affairs and Stephen's Episcopal Church, located at 66 St. Stephens Drive in Orinda. regularly attends city council meetings where his opinion and counsel are often Visitors are welcome. sought. He reads all council and committee agendas, and stays abreast of all city January’s meeting topic is Fruit & Vegetable Gardening, and the speaker issues. Chamber members are also encouraged to involve themselves further in will be Claire Splan, a San Francisco Bay Area Gardener and author of the community by participating in a number of committees such as Emergency California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

Preparedness, Lafayette Green, Governmental Affairs, and Education.

To learn more about the club, visit www.montelindogarden.com.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Travelling Light

By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO

Last month, my family and I were blessed to spend time away from the normal holiday routine in the Bay Area. Our destination was Baja, California, and we tremendously enjoyed our stay. Our Christmas was spent rather non-traditionally, deep-sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez, instead of huddling around a pointy, lighted tree while exchanging gifts. I recommend it.

As you may recall, the whole southern Baja region was hit hard by hurricane Odile last September. Most of the damage has been cleaned up. What we noticed on our trip was the absence of things that used to be there, that were blown away during the storm. One might see a pole, a sign, or a tree that used to be vertical, but is now bent at 45 degrees pointing in the northwesterly direction away from the 125mph winds. The Cabo airport was so badly damaged that it took a full month for it to reopen and accept commercial flights after the hurricane. For a quick look at the mess they had to clean up, Google “cabo airport hurricane odile.” The whole area was without water or electricity for almost three weeks. The residents are eager for the return of tourism because they took an expensive and unplanned hiatus from their incomes while they cleaned up after the storm. Could you lose a month of income, and your roof, and be OK? It would be tough.

One thing you get used to when you travel to Baja is that things do not happen at the same speed as what you’re used to here at home. For example, ordering a meal at a restaurant is a much more relaxing affair, and we’re not pressured to gobble our food and free up the table for the next guest.

The Baja pace is perfect if you are looking to unwind and relax.

Of course, you will also notice this speed differential while accessing the Internet. There is quite a bit of Internet access available across Baja.

It’s not fast, but it’s ubiquitous and fine for simple web surfing or reading email. Everywhere where we asked for the wireless key, the vendor was happy to share it with us. Everyone needs the Internet at some level, and it’s recognized as a resource that everyone wants to share, like water.

The Internet in Baja, perhaps all of Mexico, is DSL-based because they do not have the cable-TV infrastructure on which to run high-speed broadband access (like Comcast). What this means is that Internet access is all built on the telephone infrastructure, the same way AT&T has distributed basic DSL to American customers for the past fifteen years. Right now, the Internet speed in Baja is where our speeds were fifteen years ago. There is only so much you can do with DSL technology, and I don’t think Baja’s Internet speeds are going to be improving any time soon. It’s simply too expensive to lay fiber in the ground for something equivalent to AT&T U-verse, and as I mentioned, they don’t have the Cable TV infrastructure in place. I would guess that the next Internet access revolution for them is going to be some sort of wireless or satellite access, because terrestrialbased solutions are too expensive to implement.

If you think you’re going to bring your laptop down to Baja and stream music from Pandora, watch YouTube videos and have flawless video calls with Skype, re-think the plan. Sure, bring the laptop or tablet, but plan to do you work locally, and transmit it later. Once, I was able to get a good connection (about 1.5mb download speed), and I used it to remote control a PC here in the US. While the process worked, it was painful. Plan for zero access, and be happy with what you find.

I recommend this approach. Pre-download your Kindle or Nook books, your videos, or music to your devices before you leave. While there are many ways to do this, probably the easiest is through iTunes. Be sure to allow a few days to download the material to your devices prior to departure.

Once you leave home, you may not have enough download bandwidth to finish downloading. If you make your plans around not needing intense internet access, you can un-plug and enjoy your vacation.

If you are getting ready to travel and want help sorting out your connection and entertainment strategy, don’t hesitate to call your friends at Portable CIO, 925-552-7953, or email us at helpdesk@theportablecio. com. Advertorial

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 13

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guests and clearly defines the population eligible for consideration. No drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, no weapons, appropriate parental supervision of children, and many more detailed regulations ensure that Winter Nights guests and volunteers all have a safe, healthy, and successful experience.

A volunteer's child plays with a client's child at Winter Nights Shelter.

Winter Nights measures success in many ways including the number of homeless people sheltered when no other shelter is available, the number of persons placed in sustainable housing during the program, and whether children remain in school and continue to perform at their grade level. Grants Writer Jo Kerner explains, “We don’t want to foster dependence. Our goal is to help these families move on and do the things they need to accomplish to become independent.” But lack of housing in Contra Costa County affordable to the working poor is a major challenge to helping clients achieve

See Shelter continued on page 17

Page 14 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Wine for the Ultimate Comfort Food: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Cool weather begs for warm, simple comfort food, and I’ve got just the thing: grilled cheese sandwiches, grown-up style. The combination of crisp, buttery, grilled bread, melted cheese, and a steaming bowl of tomato soup cannot be beat. But while you’re dunking your diagonally cut sandwich into that soup, can you have a glass of wine in your free hand, a wine that will complement this classic comfort food duo? Absolutely.

The wonderful thing about grilled cheese sandwiches is that they are so diverse, and they can pair with many types of wines. Here are two basic guidelines to follow.

• Pair like with like. If you use an acidic cheese like goat cheese, pair it with an acidic wine like a sauvignon blanc.

• Pair opposites. A really rich cheese, like a blue cheese, may need a wine with strong acidity to balance it out, like a sparkling wine.

Here are a trio of options to consider.

Start with a Sparkler

I love the combination of grilled cheese and sparkling wine. The fresh acidity of the wine slices through the richness of the cheese. Sparkling wines can cost less than $10 a bottle and as much as hundreds of dollars for premium Champagne. For this job, an inexpensive, refreshing domestic sparkler with lively bubbles and a dry profile would be perfect to cut through the richness of all that butter and cheese. A well-chilled bottle can counteract the heat of the soup and match with the acidity of tomatoes.

Don’t Forget Rosé

Not just a summertime sipper, dry rosé is one of the most versatile and food-friendly wines on the planet. Rosé wines are made from red wine grapes fermented just a short time with their skins. Colors range from light salmon to bright pink to medium-deep rose. If you have a wide variety of cheese to contemplate for your sandwich, rosé can cover a lot of flavor ground. The savory and herbaceous notes of the wine also work well with the tomato soup. Look for a heartier rosé, like examples from Tavel.

How about a Red

Lighter style reds, like Cru Beaujolais, are fantastic with cheese. Some consider basic Beaujolais a bit lightweight, so look to the Cru Beaujolais from the region’s top 10 villages. While the grape remains the same - Gamay Noir - the quality is typically several notches above that of a basic Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages.

Serve your Beaujolais with a slight chill to bring out the best in this pairing.

What wine would you pair with grilled cheese and tomato soup? Feel free to do as many taste tests as necessary.

Monica Chappell teaches wine appreciation classes in Lafayette. For a class schedule, visit www.wineappreciation101.blogspot.com.

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Winter Pruning

By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb

Now is a great time to prune your trees to protect them against winter storms. A judicious pruning can reduce the likelihood of branches falling and causing damage to person or property. Evergreens, such as cedars, and many species of deciduous trees, such as valley oaks, can be pruned in the late fall and early winter, and now is by far the best time to prune pines. Monterey pines can only be pruned between October 1 and February 15 without attracting pine beetles. These potentially lethal beetles, which can smell sap from long distances, go dormant in the winter.

Some species of beetles carry pine pitch canker, an increasingly common fungal disease that disfigures pine trees and sometimes kills them. If your tree has dead tips scattered throughout the canopy, it probably suffers from pine pitch canker. To prolong the aesthetic life of the diseased tree, prune out the infected tips when the beetles are dormant.

Even healthy trees require occasional pruning to keep them safe and beautiful. Many trees are subject to branch and column failure. Thinning the crown reduces the wind-sail effect of the canopy and thereby reduces the risk of the tree failing in a windstorm. Removing weight from the ends of heavy branches reduces the likelihood that those branches will break.

Pruning trees for safety is a craft requiring study and experience. A wellpruned tree should not only be safer, it should look beautiful. At Brende & Lamb we take great pride in both the science and the art of pruning. Each plant has a natural growth pattern. Our trimmers are expert at accentuating the shape given the plant by nature. Within the bounds of what is healthy for each species, Brende & Lamb works to make trees as beautiful as possible.

Our trimmers are well practiced in aesthetic pruning and are attuned to the artistic flow inherent in tree forms. The form may be weeping, as with Willows and Chinese Elms. In some species, such as Monterey Cypress, branches ascend at acute angles to the trunk, giving the tree an upswept look. Branches in the coast live oak bend and twist, forming complex arcs. Each tree species has a unique form and flow.

When necessary, trees and shrubs can be reduced in size, but crown reduction requires a good eye; a poorly reduced tree looks like a thicket of stubs. Topping is almost always a bad idea. However, the crown of many trees can be reduced by cutting back long branches to the crotches formed by shorter branches growing in the same direction. If the branch doesn’t fork, we cut back to the lowest growth point that will neither create a thick stub nor undermine the arching quality of the branch. When a tree or shrub has been reduced in this way, it’s difficult to detect the cuts or tell that the branches have been shortened.

Sometimes the form of trees needs to be modified to capture or accentuate views. View pruning requires restraint and a willingness to compromise. In view work, the beauty of the view and the beauty of the tree often seem to be in conflict. Many pruners focus solely on the view and simply hack back the tree. However, more than the tree’s beauty is at stake. Topping stimulates production of water sprouts, and it also causes disease and rot - all of which make the tree more, not less, dangerous. However, view problems can often be solved by looking at tree-and-view as an aesthetic unity, as two elements that complement and frame each other. Sometimes, lightly bringing the tree back without cutting into major branches can prevent further encroachment on the view.

To recover even more of the view, we create “windows” by selectively removing branches not essential for the tree’s natural form. We can enlarge these by removing small branches that rise or drop into the view. Thinning above and below the window creates an overall feeling of openness, rather than an abrupt gaping hole. The image of Mount Diablo framed by the trembling needles of a well-windowed Redwood proves that nature and civilization can complement each other - as can aesthetics and practicality.

If your trees need a little TLC to protect them against winter winds, or if your property could use a little fire protection, 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, Advertorial client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

Life in the Lafayette Garden

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 15

Creating a Family Garden

By John Montgomery, ASLA, Landscape Architect #4059

What is a Family Garden? Well, it is a term that has newly emerged from families I’ve been working with on the creation of their outdoor environments. A “Family Garden” is a yard that has all the elements in it that attract kids to want to stay at home and play. With growing concerns, real and perceived dangers in the world, parents have been asking me to create outdoor environments that will attract their children and their friends to their home. The main idea is to keep children and teens at home were they are safe, occupied, and under a parent’s watchful eye.

An outdoor environment that is geared toward being a “Family Garden” has many elements that allow children and teens to be active, be together with their friends, and, most importantly, want to stay there. The yard has to be multipurpose. The elements of the landscape need to challenge a child physically, mentally, and visually. In other words, places are needed to physically exert the enormous amounts of energy that children and teens have. There need to be places for adventure, imagination, games, reflection, and risk-taking. Within that environment of physical and mental challenge, the space has to be visually pleasing to children. It has to look cool! A child will naturally be attracted to stay and play.

Plastic-coated steel play equipment made in primary colors is not the prerequisite for engaging a child’s attention. If you were asked to recall your favorite childhood place, it would probably be a special tree you climbed, space for a “secret” house or fort under a hedge, or somewhere you could mold dirt or sand into fantasy landscapes. Play equipment is certainly an added activity center for your “Family Garden,” but it’s not enough. It is now recognized that risk-taking is an important element of play and physical development. A “Family Garden” is designed intentionally to provide an environment for your children and their friends to develop an appreciation of risk in a controlled play environment rather than taking similar risks in the uncontrolled and unregulated wider world. Your yard should have levels of graduated challenge. In design terms, this means that children of different ages, abilities, and levels of daring need to find activities that are within their capabilities, plus some that are just beyond them.

What are some of the elements in an Lafayette yard that can provide this kind of environment? The landscape itself is definitely the primary element that provides the environment for this to occur. A lush, tree-filled, sunny yard with large lawn spaces and plantings that children are allowed to interact with provides hours upon hours of play. Play sets, swings, slides etc. will give your child a place for hours of extended energy output. Places for games to be played are necessary. Lawns are wonderful places for any child who is sport-minded. They are great for soccer, baseball, football, tag, croquette, volleyball, hide-and-seek, gymnastics, cartwheels, and the list can go on and on because children are not limited to play on a plastic play set.

Swimming pools definitely add the element of water play and physical activities to the point where a child needs to be pulled from the water because they look like a prune. Recent additions to some of my pool designs are beach areas or “Shamu” shelves, water slides, waterfalls, and diving rocks. Beaches and shelves provide shallow areas for the younger ones so they can safely play in the pool, water slides for the older ones to provide adventure and fun, waterfalls for the sound, action, and adventure, and diving rocks for safe risk-taking.

Sports courts are great for all kinds of activities. Basketball, paddleball, roller hockey, volleyball, and badminton are just a few. It’s unbelievable what children can create to do when they have an environment that supports their imaginations.

Remember that children are limitless when it comes to creativity and energy.

Provide spaces for quiet play and contemplation such as a shade tree to lay under and day-dream and watch the sunlight dapple across their faces. Children need

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places to wonder and explore and, of course, a place to play with Mom and Dad. A hot tip from your local Landscape Architect: Remember to plant flexible and resilient plantings that can stand the occasional trampling. “Family Gardens” are great for multi-family entertaining.

Gardening Quote of the month: We have not inherited the earth from our parents; we have borrowed it from our children. ~L. Brown, 1981 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 16 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Gardening with Kate

By Kathleen Guillaume

We finally got our blessed rain which gave our gardens a deep soak, for which we are quite grateful, and some of us have had our first frost or freeze in certain valley areas. The weather service gave us good forewarning on the high 20s temperatures, allowing us to cover citrus and frost-sensitive plants.

It is a good time to remind gardeners, if your plants received frost damage, do not cut or prune any of the damage away. Leave it in place as it will protect the foliage below as frost descends, and it will settle on whatever growth is on top. It is better to have frost fall on damaged foliage than let it burn the healthier foliage below.

Towards the end of January it will be time to prune your roses. Roses like deep pruning: shrub roses should be brought down to 8”, andhybrid teas and floribundas should be cut as low as 12”. I cut straight to get the growth down until I have something manageable to work with, then I cut the remaining branches at a 45o angle to allow rain to roll off. A flat cut will allow moisture to set on top of the pruning cut and rot the stem, causing further damage.

A healthy rose likes good air circulation. After you cut the top growth, you will need to clean up the interior of the plant. Remove any branch that grows toward the center (you want it shaped like a bowl). Take a rose saw to any dead branches that are left - a good rose saw can be found at your local nursery. (Rose gloves are another good thing to have. My favorite pair has a suede forearm cuff.) Next, the base has to be cleaned up; some people use a wire brush, but I prefer to use my saw to scape over the base. You want to remove all loose bark around the base and down to the soil line in order to keep moisture from sitting at the base and to eliminate a harbor for boring insects. Roses are the toughest of all plants, although gardeners often approach them as though they are fragile, so don’t be afraid: attack. If you are really skittish, check with your local nursery which often has rose pruning classes that are offered for free.

The next rose maintenance job is to pick up every rose leaf on the ground-

www.yourmonthlypaper.com -every single one. I put myself in a meditative mind raking up the bulk of leaves, and then I get comfortable and hand pick the remainder. It is important to have the surface of the soil totally leaf-free around the rose. Almost every rose disease; rust, mildew, and black spot; are fungus. The fungus spores are on the ground and on the dead foliage, which is why if you want healthy roses this is the most important task in rose maintenance. With everything cleaned up, wait until you know you will have three to four rain-free days, and then spray the bushes with horticultural oil, making sure to spray the ground around the rose also. Horticultural oil is safe to use. Do not buy any toxic rose spray product as they do NOT do a better job. They do put toxins in the soil which run into our water supply. Next, spray again in the spring when the rose starts to bud out.

Winter is also bare root season. You can find peonies, bleeding heart hostas, roses, and fruit trees sold as bare root, either packaged in sawdust with a plastic wrapper or set loosely in soil at your nursery. If you are looking for bare root plants, be sure to prepare your planting bed before purchasing so you can bring them home and plant immediately; you do not want the root ball to dry out while it sits around waiting for you to have time to get it planted. All of these plants will have planting instructions, and your nursery will have instructions. If you need information about how to care for fruit trees, see below.

You can check with the Contra Costa Times “Our Garden” run by Master Gardeners, located at Wiget and Shadelands in Walnut Creek. Their workday is every Wednesday 9am to noon, and there are people around who will be glad to show you their orchard, and you can see how to prune a new bare root fruit tree. If I described the process they use, you probably wouldn’t quite believe me because it is contrary to what most books and bare root instructions advise you to do. It is definitely worth a trip to the Walnut Creek garden if you are adding a fruit tree, so you can understand how drastically you prune to insure that you keep dwarf trees dwarf and fruit at a height that will allow easy harvests. “Our Garden” just planted some new bare root trees and have some that are as old as three years, so you really can walk away with a good picture of the right way to prune fruit trees.

Happy Gardening.

Ask Dr. Happy

Brainwaves by Betsy Streeter

Dear Dr. Happy,

By Bob Nozik, MD

My name is Fred and I am a 25-year-old unmarried, newly minted MD. I was born and raised in a large Midwestern city and have a large, close knit family: parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, plus dozens of cousins. I have had a lifelong dream of living in California; I hate cold weather. While I love my family, sometimes they can be controlling. Of course, my folks are dead set against me leaving. But, if I don’t go, I’ll feel I’ve lost my dream. If I do go, I know I’ll feel like I’ve let down my family. I just don’t know what to do. ~ Paralyzed

Dear Paralyzed,

Let’s look at the scales to help us with your quandary. On one side, choosing to stay will please your family although you’ll remain in the cold weather you hate. On the other side, you’ll be honoring your dream of living where you wish, but you’ll have to deal with the unfamiliar as well as going against your family’s wishes. I believe your best choice for happiness would be to follow your dream. You have a profession, and it is now time to express your adulthood by saying something like: “Thanks, Mom, thanks, Dad, thanks everyone else for getting me to this point. I’ll take over now.” You can still keep close contact with your family and friends, even as you follow your dream. By the way, I was in your situation when I graduated medical school and left home to follow my dream of coming to California, and I’ve never been sorry for doing so.

Happiness Tip

Becoming happy is not always easy. Sometimes, as in this case, we need to make difficult choices. Here, Fred is torn between following his own stars and disappointing his family or succumbing to their wishes and giving up on his dream.

He will experience pain however he decides. In this case, I believe the choice is clear.

To not follow his dream would fill him with regret and resentment that would grow rather than fade over time. It is now time for him to test his wings and leave the nest.

To submit questions for Dr. Happy, email pollyannan@aol.com.

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

The Elephant in the Room Long Term Care

By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.

Life expectancies are steadily rising. Generally, healthier lifestyles and meaningful advances in medicine bode well for this trend to continue. But the elephant in the room is long term care. How are you going to pay for your potential long term care needs?

Many elderly people and baby boomers are aware of the potential upcoming challenges of long term care but are in denial. Others don’t appreciate the importance of planning or don’t think they have the financial means to pay for their long term care needs.

First, it’s important to cover the basic definition of “long term care” in the context of this discussion and identify some myths associated with available payment options. By long term care, I mean custodial (not medical) care - in which one or more third parties are required to provide care for activities of daily living (basic needs), such as eating, bathing, going to the bathroom, etc. - for more than a few months. Such care may take place at home, a convalescent hospital, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or other similar place.

It’s intuitive that if custodial care becomes necessary for a prolonged time, it can get extremely expensive in a hurry. A prevalent myth is that Medicare covers long term care. Medicare coverage may apply, but it is very limited – generally only for skilled, not custodial care, and only up to 100 days. So, if you end up needing long term care for more than 100 days, you need to find other resources to pay for it.

Another myth is that Medicaid is always a viable option; often, it’s not. Medicaid (in California, “Medi-Cal”) is available only for those who have low income and meet other eligibility requirements (e.g. having very little in assets, other than a home that may be exempt). Even those who qualify must contribute substantially all of their income as their “share of cost” before the government pays the balance. Additionally, the Department of Health Services typically has a lien on assets of the decedent recipient to recover benefits paid out. Many complicated rules apply to Medi-Cal eligibility, recovery, etc., so anyone who wishes to evaluate Medi-Cal as a potential long-term care alternative should obtain legal advice from an elder law attorney experienced in that niche.

Another common misconception is that most people can “self-insure.” A very small percentage of people are in that position. In California, decent custodial care often costs $7,000 to $8,000 per month, if not more. Furthermore, many who are able to self-insure don’t want to risk diminishing their estate so dramatically as to leave little or no inheritance to their loved ones. If one develops Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, a long-term disability could continue for as long as a decade or more. Many hundreds of thousands of dollars, or occasionally millions of dollars, could be required to cover long-term care needs.

An alternative that should be explored carefully, particularly by successful baby boomers, is buying private, long-term care insurance. Fortunately, many different kinds of plans are available, enabling you to custom-design your coverage as to how long a period you want to cover; the waiting period before coverage starts, the amount per day that can be paid out; whether benefits are adjusted for inflation, etc. There are also “hybrid” plans that combine life insurance and long-term care. Part or all of the premium you pay is sometimes tax deductible (check with your income tax advisor!).

Finally, people who are convinced their budget will not reasonably accommodate long-term care insurance premiums are sometimes wrong. Satisfactory coverage may be available for less than you think. Furthermore, some clever ways to pay for some or all of your premium may be feasible without reducing your current cash flow. For example, you may be in a position to use or exchange coverage for one or more cash value life insurance policies you no longer need, or obtain and withdraw funds from a reverse mortgage.

I’m not a long-term care expert, but I try to stay educated about the subject, and I know a number of seasoned long-term care agents in the area. NOTE: long-term care is not the right solution for everyone; however, it’s a shame when people ignore the elephant in the room and fail to even explore their options. Bottom line: I recommend that you think about the issue, identify your long-term care funding alternatives, and of course, coordinate this with your estate and tax planning.

Upon your request, I would be happy to provide you with any or all of the following, free: i)i) a brochure on alternative methods of holding title to property; ii) an “Estate Planning Primer”; iii) a complimentary, introductory meeting.

Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 240, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; 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 ~ January 2015 - Page 17

NOW OPEN!

Walnut Creek Veterinary Hospital Jill Christofferson, DVM 130 La Casa Via, Suite 103A Walnut Creek, CA 94598 925-448-2908 www.wcvethosp.com Shelter continued from page 13

self-sufficiency long-term.

Families recommended by County Services are interviewed by phone and then in person before acceptance on a first-come-basis. Originally Winter Nights was able to transition many families into more permanent housing after a few weeks at the shelter, allowing those on the waiting list to move into the program. Increasingly, economic pressures force families to stay longer. “People start to bond. When one family finds housing, it’s hard for them to leave their shelter support group—to leave friends and all the services the shelter provides,” Kerner says. “One little five-year old girl, when her

Winter Nights Program Manager Bill Shaw (left) gives Bullhead City, Arizona visitor a tour. Photo courtesy of Winter Nights.

mother was celebrating finding an affordable apartment with a group of other clients, said with tears in her eyes, ‘But I will miss all of you!’”

Gwen Watson, Winter Nights Executive Director for the first ten years, recalls how the organization developed. “As we went along, we tried to handle everything we thought we could to make the lives of shelter guests easier and to help the children do better. Needs we couldn’t handle, we referred to

See Shelter continued on page 21

Page 18 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Preparing Your Home for Sale in 2015

www.yourmonthlypaper.com depth information, I can provide a customized home value report and a strategy for how to make a home worth more. The detailed information I provide helps homeowners better understand the value of the investment they have made in their home by detailing key factors such as a home’s value based on current market conditions and amenities, recent home sales in Lafayette, and listing prices of other homes that home buyers may be considering in the neighborhood.

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

Last month I talked about what 2015 looks like. I’ve had a number of clients call the past few weeks to get information on what they need to do to get their home on the market.

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

Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients Here are a few bottom line suggestions that you can do, as the homeowner, to and their caregivers. Opportunities include: have the best possible atmosphere and to show your home to its greatest potential.

• Make the space less personal by removing an excess of family photos, • Licensed Hair Stylists to offer hair cuts and styling posters, collections, etc.

• Certified Massage Therapists to provide massage therapy • In order to maximize space, clear high traffic areas of too much furniture.

• Mobile Notaries to witness the signing of important documents • Make sure the rooms stand out and key features are highlighted and are not • Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide support to family members blocked by furnishings, plants etc. after their loved one has died • If the carpet and flooring is in bad shape, shampoo it, fix it, or better yet • Patient Support Volunteers to provide companionship and practical replace it. assistance • Remove all small items off shelves to assist in de-cluttering the rooms.

To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) • Touch up your paint on the walls if needed...if nothing helps, you may need 887-5678, and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@ to repaint. hospiceeastbay.org.

All I’m suggesting is to use common sense. What you’re creating is an Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency environment that a buyer can walk into that’s simple, clean, and looks good and that that helps people cope with end of life by providing medical, emotional, they can imagine their furnishings fitting into. It is very difficult for most buyers to spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of see through others’ tastes and clutter, so you’re helping them out and making it easy. their ability to pay.

Professional staging in many homes is a great option. Statistics show that a To learn more or to make a donation of time or money, please contact staged home sells quicker and typically for more money. You can discuss this (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org. option with your realtor and have them introduce you to the best providers of those services. Most stagers will work with you based on your budget and needs.

Meals on Wheels Have your agent discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of being Seniors in our community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior proactive in completing various inspections before your home goes on the market.

Outreach Services have been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood The rationale for doing the inspections is so the seller understands the overall since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, condition of their home and specifically the items that are in need of repair. This rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. information can be factored in for arriving at correct pricing. A seller may decide Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seto make repairs prior to sale so that the items no longer become an issue. Every niors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. home is unique and as such may require more or less inspections. Typically a pest Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to report and occasionally a home inspection are done. If certain areas of your home isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925)937-8311. present issues or concerns, you may decide to do more (i.e. roof, chimney, drainage etc).

Dumploads OnUs There are many schools of thought regarding specializes in pre-sale inspections. Some agents will say that the providing the ultimate buyer will do their own anyway, so why spend junk removal solution. the money. Others respond by asking how can We’ll haul away just you realistically price a home without taking into account its condition and furthermore it allows a about anything - from old household junk to construction and yard buyer to make an offer that initially reflects what waste. The only items we are unable to accept are condition they believe the home to be in. These hazardous • Computers are all good reasons! In some cases where the materials. We reputation of the inspector is known, a buyer may • Cables make getting choose to do fewer inspections because they feel rid of your • TVs the seller’s report was adequate. Sellers should unwanted junk go out of their way to use mainstream inspectors • Monitors as easy as with good reputations.

925.934.3743 • 925.934.1515 1-2-3; we load, • Servers Please consider that many sellers bring a www.dumploadsonus.com • www.erecycleonus.com realtor into the process a bit too late. Sellers want we sweep, and 1271 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek • Phones to make the home look better for the agent in the then we haul Monday-Friday, 8-5 • Saturday 9-1, Sunday, closed hope of getting a better price estimate. As a result, • Printers away. It’s that sometimes repair projects are done and funds for easy!

•Copiers getting the home ready are used unnecessarily, Plus we do it • Fax Machines • Power Supply Units • Discs and Tapes and many projects that should have been done to with a smile! maximize value don’t get done. So get help early, • Scanners • Printer Cartridges and Toners • And More... spend you money wisely, and make your home look great – your home is likely to sell quicker and give you a greater return.

For those residents who are considering selling their home or would simply like more in-

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Your Personal Nutritionist

Oldie but Goodie!

Lose Your Excess Weight Forever This New Year the Healthy Way

By Linda Michaelis RD,MS

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 19

Happy New Year! Have you been using this time as a motivator to drop the weight you have been struggling to lose all year round? You may have the best of intentions to lose weight or exercise more as the New Year begins, but somehow, life happens and you often find yourself going back to your old ways.

Try a different approach for this New Year. Instead of going on a diet again, where you usually go off it a few weeks later, try beginning to make lifestyle changes that I know will guarantee success and finally keep the weight off. My clients enjoy using trackers such as My Fitness Pal or Lose It to get a sense of how many calories they have been eating. After inputting their height and weight, the program calculates how many calories they should consume in order to lose a pound a week. I think this is a great way to begin to get a sense of the amount of calories that you are eating. Where I come in is with helping my clients to set up a meal plan that fits their schedule which includes their favorite foods and certainly does not make them feel like they are on a diet. We view websites together of the various restaurants they go to, and I teach them how to arrange their meals and snacks around the meal out. The trackers do not teach you what are the best meals and snacks to keep you full and prevent cravings for sugar. When I work with my clients, I hold their hand and educate them about nutrition, which is something they usually lack, and I help keep them motivated with frequent (even daily) phone calls or e-mails.

Don’t look at this year’s resolution as a temporary change; look at it as a lifestyle change. Making too many changes at once can cause you to burn out before the end of January, causing you to break your commitment. Therefore, instead of changing your entire way of living all at once, try making these small nutrition and exercise changes everyday. Work your way SLOWLY to a healthier you.

1. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Everyday have two servings of veggies such as by adding veggies to your egg white omelet, having a soup with veggies at lunch, or having a salad. Have a fruit at both lunch and dinner.

2. Switch to 100% whole grain. If you’re still eating white bread and pasta switch to whole grains. Whole grains contain more fiber and nutrients and will keep you fuller for a longer period of time. Clients enjoy Trader Joe’s 100% whole wheat pasta, quinoa, couscous, barley, and brown rice.

3. Portion control. Work your way to smaller portions, and this will help control your calories. If you typically use a big dinner plate and fill the whole plate, try using a smaller size plate. You will always eat more when you have a pile of food on your plate.

4. Limit the sweets. You do not have to avoid sweets. The key is moderation. If you enjoy dessert and sweets several times a day, make a goal for yourself to limit sweets to either once per day or a few times a week.

I teach my clients to have their sweets after a meal instead of randomly during the day, which will prevent cravings for them.

5. Swap out the soda and juice. These beverages are loaded with sugar and greatly contribute to your daily calories. And, let’s be honest, most people don’t drink just one can a day. I show my clients many beverages that are popular and have no calories.

6. Begin a walking program. Commit to a daily walk, either first thing in the morning or after dinner. I teach my clients about interval training, which shocks the metabolism and causes us to burn calories much faster.

7. Schedule your workouts. Just like you schedule a doctor’s appointment or a lunch date with a friend, schedule your workout on the calendar, and make it a part of your routine five times a week. I teach my clients how to set up their meal plan based on their exercise schedule for the day.

8. Practice mindful eating. Since you have vowed not to diet this year, practice being mindful when you are eating. Listen for your hunger and fullness signals, and respond appropriately. Don’t eat when you are not hungry, yet don’t let yourself get to the ravenous point either. When eating, stop midway and ask yourself if you are still hungry. If not, stop and save the rest for another time. I spend a lot of time practicing this technique with my clients.

I am glad to inform you that insurance companies will cover nutritional counseling. Please visit LindaRD.com for the list of companies that cover counseling, past articles, and more information about nutritional concerns. Call me at (925) 855-0150 or e-mail me at lifeweight1@ Advertorial yahoo.com.

Page 20 - January 2015 ~ Lafayette Today

Routine Blood Tests Help Us

By Kasra Karamlou, MD - Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group

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CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) is the most common form of leukemia in the United States and is considered slow growing. The majority of the patients with CLL are diagnosed on routine blood tests, when they are noted to have an abnormally high white count with elevated lymphocytes. The diagnosis can be made based on evaluation of the peripheral blood and usually does not require a bone marrow biopsy.

Many patients with CLL are managed by what is termed an active surveillance. This means periodic doctor visits with blood count checks and physical examination. Some patients can undergo such a follow-up for many years, as many older trials did not demonstrate an advantage in treating asymptomatic patients. There has been a recent interest in re-addressing this issue as therapies in the field have improved, and there is some data suggesting that some CLL patients with high risk features may benefit from early intervention.

Symptoms of CLL can vary in patients. They often include enlargement of the lymph nodes and spleen which are commonly associated with low blood counts and recurrent infections.

Once a determination has been made that a patient requires therapy, many factors go into the choice of therapy. A patient’s age and other medical conditions usually dictate the choice of therapy.

Initial therapy for younger and/or older fit patients usually combines chemotherapy with immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment which utilizes the individual’s immune system to fight against the cancer and also allows the chemotherapy to be more effective. For older patients and/or patients not fit for chemotherapy, one can consider “lighter” chemotherapy in combination with immunotherapy.

There have been major advances in management of CLL over the last decade. Two novel drugs have been approved for the management of CLL over the last year. The recent American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in December was held in San Francisco and many new therapies and refinement of the older therapies were discussed.

Clinical trials are also an exciting option in management of CLL and will allow us to identify novel therapies and also to incorporate more effective therapies in the early management of the disease.

Dr. Karamlou is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group. He has a special interest in hematological malignancies (Lymphoma, Leukemia, MDS ,and myeloma) Dr. Karamlou sees patients in Pleasant Hill and Brentwood. Join Dr. Karamlou and other medical experts at the “Many Faces of Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma” presentation where they will give an update from ASH on exciting new treatments and therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The event will be held February 11,2015, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Walnut Creek Library-Oak View Room. To register, please call 925-677-5041 x272. Advertorial

Is Food a Problem for You?

Overeaters Anonymous offers a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. This is a 12-step program. The free meetings are for anyone suffering from a food addiction including overeating, under-eating, and bulimia. The group meets Wednesdays at 6PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Visit www.how-oa.org for more information.

A New Year, A New You

By Linda Adams, LVN

Headlines and articles encourage and give us plenty of helpful tips to make healthy lifestyle changes in the New Year. So when you make are making your 2015 resolutions, whether it is eating healthier, losing weight, exercising more or in general taking better care of yourself, don’t forget about your bladder and pelvic floor. If you have not yet suffered from any urinary issues, or your symptoms are so mild they are easy to overlook, this is not likely to be at the top of your list or on it at all.

So, as you promise to get in shape and take better care of yourself, remember to work on the muscles that are less talked about – your pelvic floor muscles.

Exercises common in yoga and Pilates that focus on working and strengthening your core are actually benefiting your pelvic floor. This is important because the pelvic floor is responsible for keeping your balance when you sit down or stand up. It also supports and holds certain organs in place, plays a big role in keeping you from leaking urine during exercise, coughing or sneezing, and assists improved sexual response. Another simple exercise that strengthens the pelvic floor and helps with urinary incontinence is Kegels. I advise women of all ages to do their ‘Kegels’ daily – in the car, standing in line, or sitting at a desk.

Other urinary symptoms women experience may be urinary frequency and or urgency. If you need to urinate more than eight times during the day or if you get up more than twice during the night, you may have an overactive bladder. If you have to rush to the bathroom, this is called urgency; it may or may not be accompanied by urinary leakage. Have you had a change in your urine stream? Is it not as strong as it used to be?

There are different causes for these symptoms; therefore there are various treatments. Each of these symptoms can affect your quality of life and general outlook. I hear stories daily of how one’s life is affected because they are consumed with always needing to know where the nearest bathroom is or wondering if there is a line at the restroom and they may not make it in time.

If you find yourself identifying with any of the above, you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor who can refer you to an incontinence specialist.

Some treatments will work after only one or two sessions, and all are usually covered by insurance.

Linda Adams, LVN, has dedicated her career to helping patients take control of their incontinence for the past 20 years. In addition to crafting individualized care for her patients, Linda also works to increase awareness and knowledge of continence through classes held at both Pacific Urology and in the greater community. She can be reached at (925) 937-7740. Advertorial

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A Path to Happiness

By Barbara Persons, MD, Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Recently, a doctor friend was interviewing college applicants at an Ivy League school. When asked what the participants wanted to be, two separate candidates confided: plastic surgeon or investment banker.

What on earth, I thought...wow! These aspirations might seem similar: two careers, each offering the hope of success and prosperity. Shouldn’t we all pursue such dreams? I offered the best advice I could. “I know very little about investment banking,” I said, “but from my perspective as a plastic surgeon, I believe there is another choice you must make first.” I explained that long before mastering the field of surgery, a person must first choose to become a physician. I explained that this path means caring for people and finding joy in it.

Any medical student will tell you that the moment they entered training, family and friends began asking for counsel. I am sure that most of my colleagues will remember those first years of medical school; everyone asked us for advice, and we probably gave it, thinking we already knew so much.

That kind of enthusiasm shouldn’t change over the years, but unfortunately it sometimes does. So when I was asked recently about how to choose a career, I found myself answering a bigger question. Is it possible to dedicate oneself to something truly loved? And does that choice include a commitment to service and compassion?

The answer is yes.

For me, going into medicine was a calling. I became a physician for two reasons. The first was simple: a sense of duty. The second is one I hold dear: the wonder of forming relationships with people in their time of need. Some might describe it as a sacrifice; holidays, weekends, nights, and personal time are dedicated to help patients. But it has never felt like a sacrifice to me. Being a physician is honorable, and it offers me purpose. It gives me great pleasure, and although it is not always easy, there is at least one person each day who sends me home feeling good about what I do. Sometimes my job is challenging, but

Shelter continued from page 17

professionals with county services.” Pro bono professionals on staff include Case Manager Joe Macaluso whose MSW in Social Work is backed by years of experience in the field.

Judy Stillman, Executive Director since June 2014, comments on the importance of the case manager’s role. “This year we are being especially vigilant about monitoring weekly progress with clients getting education and training, finding housing and searching for jobs.” One client told her, “Being here has made all the difference. I feel like I can now get my finances in order and find a place for me and my kids to live.”

Working hard is often not enough to keep families solvent. Unfortunately not unique is the story of a pregnant mother of five whose unintended highrisk pregnancy caused her to lose her job just as terminal illness and funeral expenses for two elderly family members eroded savings, leaving no money for rent. Getting up at 4:30 every day to drive her husband to work, she drives back to the shelter to see her kids off to school at 7am. The good news is they have a warm, safe haven where they can get back on track toward independent living.

Moving every two weeks is a complex process made possible by Bob Russell’s generous donation of the use of his truck not to mention his skilled assistance.

Mattresses, tents (giving families privacy within the shelter) and possessions (restricted to specific container sizes) move every other Monday from one site to the next. “Each congregation does something special,” Watson relates. “Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek, for example, takes out the pews in their sanctuary to make room for Winter Nights guests.” Every two weeks some 100 different volunteers accept the task of maintaining the shelter.

Recognizing how busy the Christmas season is for churches, Temple Isaiah in Lafayette hosts shelter families with an amazing outpouring of interfaith fellowship. Carols are sung. Presents from wish lists are wrapped and distributed. “Celebration of the Christmas season at Temple Isaiah is so perfect that families begin to relax,” Watson says, “but in January and February their anxiety about what will happen when the shelter closes in May begins to build. Will they find sustainable housing and jobs to support themselves?”

The Traveling Tutors program is one aspect of Winter Nights that provides

Lafayette Today ~ January 2015 - Page 21 the most difficult moments pale in comparison to what patients feel when they are in pain or chronically ill.

In my experience, many doctors forget the idea of what it feels like to be a patient. Separating ourselves can be a way to keep an even keel, but this risks alienating the very people we are trying to help. It is tempting to believe that work is better left at the office. “Don’t take your patients home with you,” I have been told. And although it is important to maintain a good balance between my personal and professional life, I do, ultimately, take my patients home with me.

I think about patients in my car as I drive home, I reflect on them in the evenings, and I look forward to seeing them when I wake up in the morning. Medicine is part of who I am, and I don’t think of it as a job or occupation. Rather, it is something I have chosen because I believe in it. This perspective has actually helped me be a more energetic surgeon and a more complete person. It is thus that I think those of us with a stronger sense of calling are more resilient to that which is challenging in our profession. We enjoy what we do. It informs us, shapes us, and makes us better people.

Becoming a board certified plastic surgeon took more than an a decade of training. But along the way, I was a doctor to my patients. I find comfort in the fact that simply caring for people is something I still do on a daily basis. Over the years, I have watched our healthcare system transform and policies evolve. Many of us feel swept up in the changes; we are not sure what to predict and how it will affect us. I hope that whatever system emerges will allow doctors to follow their calling, as I have done. I hope that if we have been called to serve, we will be able to do it.

How will that happen? Who among us should choose this path? These are difficult questions. In the end, however, I have begun to recognize that even the most complex questions have a simple answer. For me, the answer is taking care of my patients and finding joy in it. I am so grateful to have found my calling, for it is one that inspires and rewards me in equal measures. I am a surgeon, but I am also a physician; both are roles I am honored to fulfill.

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

Advertorial com. continuity throughout the time children are in the program. Ten volunteer tutors each work one night a week with students to help them maintain good grades. Students attend the schools in which they are enrolled at the time they enter the shelter. Winter Nights provides transportation as needed.

Having the same tutors following them from site to site offers consistent support in a disruptive time. “Half our job is making these kids know that adults besides their parents care about their academic success,” says Harry Miller who helps coordinate the tutoring program. “What I find most rewarding is seeing a kid who is not crazy about a subject like reading or math at the start of a session get it and get engaged.”

Tutors are sometimes called upon to come up with materials for a science project or find a book for a book report. One tutor recalls a seventh-grader from a family with four children who had a paper due on a Friday about which the tutors knew nothing until Thursday evening. The two tutors on duty worked with her for several hours. Completing the project as the lights out bell sounded, she exclaimed, “I love learning!”

Winter Nights is happy to share the keys to their success with any interested organization. In early December a group from Bullhead City, Arizona came to tour. Although Watson maintains that the Winter Nights business plan is easy to follow, finding sufficient community support can be a daunting task.

To learn more about the shelter and how to contribute, visit www.cccwinternights.org. Donations for transportation from BART and bus cards to family cars are especially needed.

Advertise in Your Community!

Lafayette Today is a hyperlocal paper delivered exclusively to the Lafayette, 94549 zip code.

Reach out to over 12,000 LOCAL homes and businesses.

925.405.6397

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Page 22 - January 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 925284-5050 to reserve a spot. Unless otherwise mentioned, events are free for members and $10 for non-members.

Document Your Life Story If you have wanted to write the stories, memories and experiences of your life but haven’t known where to start, wait no longer. You will be guided through the process of leaving a living history for future generations-what a gift! These are not drop-in classes, but are meant to be taken as a complete course. Dates, times, and meeting rooms to be determined. Please call Lafayette Senior Services for details: (925) 284-5050.

Unless otherwise stated, classes are free for members and $5 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 credit card for parking meter. Annual senior (62+) passes may be purchased at the reservoir visitor center. Free Free Legal Assistance for Older Adults (60+) Thursdays, 1/15, 2/19 • 10AM and 11AM • Alder Room, LCC - NOTE: A $15 deposit, fully-refundable at the time of your appointment, is required to 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 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette, CA 94549.

• Landlord/Tenant Problems • Medi-Cal Issues • Durable Powers of Attorney • SSI Overpayment • Rights of Nursing Home & Long-term Care Residents ‘As The Page Turns’ Book Club Tuesday, 1/20, 2/17 • 1PM – 2:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - Looking for a good book to discuss with others?

Join this informal group of booklovers and enjoy enrichment, lively discussion, fellowship, and refreshments. Please call Lafayette Senior Services for the book title and to add your name to the email notification list: 284-5050.

Cultivating Your Creativity Wednesdays starting 2/25 • 10:30AM – 12:00PM • Toyon Room, LCC - This 5-week course will include exercises and challenges that generate ideas; creations of innovative, even quirky, individuals; and problem-solving guidelines. Field trip(s), a guest speaker or two, and myriad resources are all part of this innovative class. Limited to 15 participants.

Digital Cameras: How to Take Photos Wednesday, 1/21 • 10:30AM – 12:00PM • Cedar Room, LCC - There is much more to taking good photos than just clicking the shutter on your digital camera. Learn the basics of composition and lighting, and how to use the many settings and options that ensure the best quality for saving, sending, and printing your treasured photographs.

Apple Basics Thursdays, 1/15, 2/5 • 10:30AM – 12PM • Cedar Room, LCC - This on-going series covers topics such as the technology needed for wireless communication, your Apple ID, iTunes, iCloud and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for future sessions will be determined by participants’ input and needs. There will be time for Q&A at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with Apple devices only. Facilitated by Sharon Beck, owner of Mac-Senior Caregiver Support Group Mondays • 1:30PM – 2:30PM • Elderberry Room, LSC - If you are a family member helping to care for an older adult, join our support group to find balance and joy as you manage your responsibilities. Drop-ins are welcome.

Origami Wednesday, 1/28 • 2PM – 4PM • Elderberry Room, LCC - Learn the ancient art of origami: Japanese paper folding to create works of art.

Although there are very intricate designs, beginning paper folders will start with a basic design. Julia Lam will accommodate those who would also like to learn slightly more difficult, but still easily mastered, designs. Please bring one crisp, new one-dollar bill with which to make a special creation. Paper for all other projects will be provided.

Parkinson’s Disease Presentation Wednesday, 1/28 • 11:30AM – 12:30PM • Elderberry Room, LCC - Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be challenging, but there are things you can do to maintain your quality of life and live well. Learn about the stages of PD and how to optimize your physical ability as long as possible. By Anne Randolph, physical theripist

www.yourmonthlypaper.com Men’s Slow Pitch Softball League, 68 years and up This new Lamorinda team for players with varying levels of experience focuses on fun, camaraderie and safety. Games in this recreational league will be Wednesdays, 9-10:30AM. Teams played will be Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Concord.

First-year start-up fees are estimated at $50-$55/player; fees in subsequent years will be lower. For more information, please email Alan at alkanije@ aol.com and use “softball” in the subject line.

Words of Wisdom...From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted

Third Tuesday Monthly • 10:30AM–noon • Cedar Room, LSC - Take part in this free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor. Topics – from soup to nuts - will be explored, examined, and discussed by participants. Stories and photographs will stimulate humorous discoveries regarding the benefits of becoming the ‘elders of our tribe.

Lafayette Oral History Project Do you have stories about Lafayette in the days of yore? Allow Ryan to document that history which will then be included in the Lafayette Historical Societies’ archives, preserved for generations to come.

All you have to do is tell those stories to Ryan; he’ll do the writing. You’ll receive a copy of the final document at the time of completion. Call Lafayette Senior Services for details and to be a part of this project. No charge.

Lamorinda Dance Social Wednesdays • 12:30 – 3PM • Live Oak Room, LCC - Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday, and learn some great new dance moves. On the first Wednesday monthly, professional dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, playing your favorites and taking requests.

Lafayette Senior Services Commission 4th Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the LSC - View agendas at the City of Lafayette office or at www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.

Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Every Wednesday • 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 learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever you are able. For more information or to place your name on the route email/phone list, call Lafayette Seniors Services. No charge.

Come Play Mahjong! Every Tuesday • Noon–3PM • Sequoia Room, LSC - Come join us on Tuesdays for a drop-in game of mahjong. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and certain degree of chance. All levels welcome. Bring your card, a mahjong set, and a snack to share (optional). RSVP not required.

Creative Writing Workshop Tuesdays • 11AM - 12:30PM • Toyon Room, LSC - Examine the possibilities of self-expression through writing. This friendly dropin 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 who will help bring out the writer in you. If you can speak, you can write! Beginners to established writers welcome.

Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Brighten your day with Dr. Bob Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF and author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It. Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers on a wide range of topics that guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome!

Free Peer Counseling • Alder Room, LCC - Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-on-one counseling with senior (55+) counselors who use their life experiences to help other older adults cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. Confidentiality is strictly observed.

Appointment required. Please call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to sign up for one of the 60-minute appointments.

Hearing Screening & Telephone Distribution - 1st Wednesday monthly • 1-2:45pm • Alder Room, LSC. As a service in addition to your hearing screening, if it determined that you are eligible for specialized telephone equipment, a representative from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) will provide you with a free adaptive telephone at your appointment. Appointment required. Please call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to sign up for one of the 20-minute appointments.

Memory Loss: Help is Close at Hand - Wednesday, 12/10 • 10:30am – Noon • Cedar Room, LSC. Getting Connected: A great place for everyone to start. Learn the basics about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as programs and services offered by our local Alzheimer’s Association. Partnering With Your Doctor: Your healthcare team is a key resource as you face the challenges of dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. You will learn how to identify the meaning and purpose of a healthcare partnership, put into action eight strategies that strengthen a healthcare partnership, and use tools to better prepare for doctor visits.

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A Philosophy for Aging Well: Beginning the New Year with Purpose

By Mary Bruns, Program Coordinator, Lamorinda Senior Transportation

It’s that time of year when we often set goals and objectives for the coming year – even when we are retired. We may be thinking of accomplishments or self-improvement we would like to make to change things for the better.

When we have been successful in achieving our goals in the past, we look ahead confidently to the next accomplishment. When some types of success have eluded us, we may feel a little hesitant to start.

To become who we want to become requires embracing some changes in how we have always done things. You may have seen the Friday night TV show Wake-Up Call on TNT. We see people getting the help they need to make changes they need and want to make; and we see someone go out of their way to provide structure, knowledge, and support to facilitate that change. In one case, the needed change was to not give up when the going gets difficult. In another case, it was about having the same commitment to one’s self as we have to our job or other people.

The latest topic was teaching a restaurant owner to give up shouting at his employees, for him to develop patience when supervising and training – especially while under the pressure of many customers and many mistakes.

He was also encouraged to delegate some of the work to other chefs so he could spend more time with his family instead of working 70 hours a week.

We find out where we still need to grow by evaluating how we handle situations when things are not going well. Just as in the TV show, life gives us tests from time to time. When we pass the test, energy becomes available to us to use in new ways, and our skills evolve. When we don’t pass the test, we can’t move forward in the way we wanted to; it’s a little like not being able to advance to the next grade in school.

We live in challenging times where there is often too much to do, with limited resources, and we feel stretched to the max. It’s during these stressful times when we see how much we have progressed. As we mature in our emotional development, we become more successful in our personal relationships as well as in our work relationships.

Why would someone in their 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s set goals when they are in the “golden years” of retirement? The simple answer is because we aren’t fully “baked” yet. There are still accomplishments to be made in our growth and development. As we age, and even earlier on, we review our life experience, trying to understand what we were learning through those various life experiences. Our goal is to become a larger, more expansive, highly developed version of ourself, to fill in knowledge where we didn’t

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have it before.

The chef in our TV series had had a bad experience when he first went to work. It was so bad that he decided never to work for anyone else again. However, instead of internalizing how not to be when he became a boss, he never developed the skillset needed to become a great boss.

When we have bad experiences, our goal is to learn from them – to learn how not to be – and to go on to develop the skillset of how to be. Life gives us continuous practice until we have the skillset we wanted to develop. Then we can do something truly creative with that skillset, something that brings us joy and a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and contribution. Experiences we have had can be thought of as stepping-stones to help us get to our goal – to become more than we were before – as our chef did.

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.

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