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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 1
M AY 2 0 1 7
HELPING TO CLOTHE TEENS IN NEED
By Fran Miller
It was 2011 when Laura Graham, then a student at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, decided to help change the lives of local needy teens. With the assistance of her mom, she started 1Closet, an organization that has since helped to clothe thousands of young people living in foster care and shelters throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. When Graham left for college in 2014, she handed the 1Closet reigns to the Glasser family of Alamo whose three sisters, Riley, Carly, and Bella, have led, and will continue to lead the organization through the next several years. Riley served as director until leaving for college in August, Volunteers help to sort teen clothing at a 1Closet 2015. Carly, a student at San Ramon Valley High School, now serves as sorting event. director, and Bella, also a student at SRVHS serves as executive director and will have her turn at the helm when Carly departs for college in 2019. “Laura found us through a National Charity League connection,” says Carly. “She was looking for someone to take over 1Closet once she left for college. Our family was a good fit, especially since three sisters could keep the organization going for many more years to come.” 1Closet partners with local high schools by holding clothing drives for gently
See Teens continued on page 19
The young artists pictured above are the winners of the 2017 Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center annual Bookmark Contest. Any student in K-8 who uses the Lafayette Library is invited to participate, but most entries were submitted through the Lafayette Elementary Schools, Stanley School, and St. Perpetua. Each winner received a gift certificate to Bel&Bunna’s Books, a gift certificate to the library’s own Friends Corner Book Shop, and a certificate for a complimentary framing of their winning bookmark by FastFrame of Lafayette. Come by the Friends Corner Book Shop or the Lafayette Library, and see the outstanding collection of artistic bookmarks. Back row: Ava Curletto, Andreya Cox, Isabella Bartos, Chloe Dawkins, Ethan Del Rosario, Carrie Zhang, Sofia Bartos, Dagny Bradford-Urban, and K. Yasumura; Front row: Cooper Banwart; Stella Byrne, Ella Del Rosario, Gavin Wang, Avery Marshall, and Tamia Grosser.
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette, CA
ECRWSS
LOCAL AUTHOR CHRISSA HARLEY VENTRELLE RELEASES MAY IT BE: GROWING A GENUINE LIFE
By Fran Miller
When Chrissa Harley Ventrelle’s oldest child started high school a few years ago, she felt the pace of her life, and her family’s life, accelerate to breakneck speed. School, homework, athletics, clubs, and other activities quickly filled the days and nights, and real conversation started to take a back seat. In an effort to slow the pace a bit, the Lafayette resident and mother of three returned to her writing
Author Chrissa Harley Ventrelle and her youngest son, Ryan. Photo credit: Suzanne Everly.
roots and began composing a series of reflections – simple and poetic thoughts and hopes to share with her children as they stand at the precipice of adulthood. Ventrelle recently published in book form the resulting collection, May It Be: Growing a Genuine Life. Within its 100 pages, Ventrelle, a former restaurant reviewer for Bay Area News Group, offers insightful and thoughtful musings broken into nine metaphorically titled categories linking nature to life, such as Wayfinding, Trail Markers, Valleys, and Peaks. While the book is a passion project for her family, Ventrelle hopes that others will find it meaningful and that her words might help to provide a sense of one’s true north.
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR MAY IT BE?
I have three kids, ages 19, 13, and 9. When our family schedule started to get incredibly hectic, I worried that I wasn’t making enough time in the day-to-day rush to elevate the conversation to what really matters in the long run. I worried that I wasn’t providing the space for my kids to learn about Volume XI - Number 5 themselves and explore what really 3000F Danville Blvd #117 matters: connection with others and Alamo, CA 94507 something greater than themselves, an Telephone (925) 405-6397 understanding that struggle is a part Fax (925) 406-0547 of everyone’s life, and remembering editor@yourmonthlypaper.com to find joy in the journey. In its final Corstorphine ~ Publisher form, May It Be: Growing a Genuine TheAlisa opinions expressed herein belong to the Life is a collection of short offerings writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of LaToday. Lafayette Today is not responsible on creating a growing and giving life, fayette for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See Book cont. on pg. 20
nor does publication imply endorsement.
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PAGE 2 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
CONCERT AT THE RES
The Lafayette Rotary Club is proud to announce the 2017 Concert at the Res at the Lafayette Reservoir on Saturday, May 13, from 11AM to 3PM. Since 1994, Lafayette Rotarians have been hosting a free afternoon of music each spring which features local bands including Acalanes High School, Stanley Middle School, Bentley School, and the Big Band of Rossmoor. This annual concert was conceived by local Rotarian Dick Holt to raise money to support Lafayette schools music programs and to provide a venue where local musicians could entertain the community at the beautiful Lafayette reservoir. The Lafayette Rotary Club annually produces the Concert at the Res, and, with help from the Lafayette Community Foundation, raised the money to fully fund the community stage at the Lafayette reservoir for use by the entire community. This year’s event includes the award-winning jazz combo from Acalanes, the Rossmoor Big Band/Generations in Jazz, the Bentley High Jazz combo, the Stanley middle school Symphonic Orchestra who will be joined this year by the Westlake Middle school from Oakland, the stunning dancers from the Lamorinda Theatre Academy, and the talented Town Hall Education performers. Along with great live music and dancing, there will be food and beverages available. The stage is adjacent to a shady picnic area, public restrooms, and the children’s playground. Once you have parked, walk east (to your left) towards the reservoir trail. The stage is about 150 feet from the parking lot. Golf cart transport will be available to and from the stage area. Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase with great prizes including weekend get-a-ways. The proceeds are used to fund the Rotary Club’s public service projects and local school music programs.
MORAGA COMMUNITY FAIRE & CAR SHOW
The 2017 Moraga Community Faire & Car Show will be held from 11AM to 4 PM on Saturday, May 13 at the town’s Rheem Valley Shopping Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for a “family fun day.” New this year are pony rides and other Kid’s Zone activities include a climbing wall, bounce house, and Hi Stryker game. Grab a quick lunch at the food trucks, relax with a glass of local wine or beer, and check out the over 70 amazing classic cars. Introduce yourself to over 60 local artists, business and organizations. Live entertainment will be presented all afternoon from the Saint Mary’s Jazz Band to CAPA dancers and more. Don’t miss the Car Parade around 2PM. Moraga Community Faire & Car Show is organized and sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www. moragachamber.org/faire.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH WITH YOUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Neighborhood Watch is a Community Action and Problem-Solving Program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any community issues that concern residents. Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-Winters (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
The Danville Family History Center has been open and serving the community for almost two decades. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff who volunteer to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in our center. We are located inside the LDS building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9 pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
LAFAYETTE JUNIORS HOST 18 TH ANNUAL KITCHEN TOUR
Tickets are on sale for the Lafayette Juniors 18th Annual Kitchen Tour. This self-guided tour will be held Saturday, May 20th from 10am to 3pm. The tour welcomes guests into six special Lafayette homes with masterfully-designed unique, elegant, and awe-inspiring kitchens. Attendees will receive a Kitchen Tour program detailing all of the distinctive design elements of the kitchens as well as information on the architects, designers, and contractors who created these spaces. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with a few of the professionals who created these stunning spaces. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit the work of four local non-profit organizations: Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Alternative Family
Services, The Taylor Family Foundation, and Trinity Center. These organizations were selected by the Lafayette Juniors for the support they provide to women, families, and individuals in need throughout the East Bay. Tickets are $40 ($35 tax deductible), with a box lunch available for $15. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lafayettejuniors.org and are also available at Premier Kitchens located at 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. “As we prepare for our Kitchen Tour, I’m reminded of what’s possible when we come together to raise funds for charity. The tour is a substantial fundraiser for our beneficiaries and gives them the ability to provide critical services to foster youth and families, affordable housing and supportive services to homeless families and individuals, and therapeutic experiences and support to children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses,” said Katie Morgan, Co-President of the Lafayette Juniors. “We would like to thank everyone who is helping to make this NEW YEAR year’s Kitchen Tour possible from our sponsors • CARPET and donors to our generous homeowners who are NEW FLOORS! opening their homes to us all to make a difference • HARDWOOD in the lives of others.” • CARPET RUGS For more information on the Lafayette Juniors CUSTOM RUGS Kitchen Tour and its beneficiaries, visit www. • HARDWOOD lafayettejuniors.org. • RUGS LINOLEUM
ABOUT LAFAYETTE JUNIORS
• LINOLEUM TILE
Founded in 1953, Lafayette Juniors is a non-profit organization made up of local women dedicated to raising funds and offering service in Family Owned Business Since 1989 support of other non-profits that serve women, families, and seniors in need throughout Contra 3344 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Costa and neighboring counties in the San FranLafayette, CA cisco Bay Area. Over the past 17 years, Lafayette 925.284.4440 Juniors have raised more than $650,000 for Bay www.LamorindaFloors.com Area non-profit groups. License# 708486
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 3
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Downtown Lafayette
An Earth Day spring cleaning got me realizing the abundance and over abundance we sometimes surround ourselves with. I think to myself, “What am I doing? Do I really need all of this stuff and in these gianormous quantities?” I was cleaning out a medicine and toiletries shelf and found duplicates, triplicates, and “quadruplicates” of many everyday items like toothpaste, Kleenex, and sunscreen. There were surplus cough and cold remedies, which during cough and cold season were consumed in huge quantities (hence, I thought the need to stock up for “good measure” was a great idea), but now that they are sitting on the shelf, I know they will slowly lose their potency. With deep and plentiful cupboards, we sometimes forget what we already have and sometimes find it’s easier to pick up a replacement product than dig to find what we have stocked up on. When it all stares me in the face, I realize that it’s a waste on so many levels: a waste of resources to make the products, a waste of surplus that will often get tossed out or unused, and a waste of my time and hard earned dollars as all of these items were traded for hours of labor to purchase them. If you head to any college campus community where students are moving out for the summer, you will see great examples of this excess and consumerism. As the school year ends, students often find it is easier to pitch unwanted items in the trash rather than rehoming them. Some college communities are proactive in this regard and set up donation trailers for drop offs for those motivated enough to take that extra step to prevent their items from going into the dumpster. I vividly remember when my son was moving from Santa Barbara, and a swarm of people came to town at graduation time to glean discarded items. There were metal scavengers and clothing scavengers, and people who looked for used electronics or half used bottles of how Hootenanny (brin cleaning supplies. To some, the word “scavenging” may Hipp g an instrument) ie Street Fair . Post-S have a negative connotation, but in this case it was wonPRESENTED BY THE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE CHAMBER derful to know that the discards, which most likely would have ended up at the dump, were providing a secondary economy and getting a second life. Ironically, as I sat typing this my daughter, who graduated from college last year, was finally cleaning out some boxes she had brought home from school. She placed on my desk a plethora of pens, all tested to work, with miles of ink left and in perfect shades for editing! It looks like I won’t need to restock pens for quite some time. A great local resource for those looking to pick up or repurpose unwanted paints or garden, garage, home, and workshop products is the Contra Costa County Hazardous Waste facility in Martinez. When they receive partially used products still in usable condition, they make them available for free pick-up at their site. Learn more at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options/v5951.htm. Local abundance recently helped my extended family through a time of need. My niece and nephew and their two daughters found themselves having to get rid of all of their clothes, bedroom furniture, children’s books, and toys due to a problem of mold and later-discovered asbestos contamination. I thought I could help them rebuild, and through the generosity of our local communities, I was able to do so. I was humbled by the overwhelming response to my posting of their plight on the NextDoor (www.NextDoor. com) app. In less than a week, I was able to help my relatives recover, replace, and rebuild their belongings through the kindness of neighbors. Beds and bedding, clothes, baby equipment, a dresser, rocking chair, and other items were lovingly donated by those that read my post and wanted to help. Not only did it relieve a huge financial worry of having to purchase new items, but it also eliminated hours of time which would have been needed to shop and procure items they had lost. In many cases it also helped the donation givers lighten their load while knowing where their treasures would be ending up. My Earth Day take away is to cycle through the commodities I already have, donate my excess, and go forward with more deliberate purchases once I know I have used all I had. I think it’s worth the effort.
FRIDAYS IN JUNE 2017 . 6 pm
It’s FREE
It’s Groovy
LOVE
C HAMBE R
DESIGN: AMY DRYER DESIGN, LAFAYETTE, CA 925-283-9687 • PRINTING: MINUTEMAN PRESS, LAFAYETTE, CA 925-945-6006
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PAGE 4 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
LAFAYETTE GARDEN CLUB’S FABULOUS CELEBRATION
The Lafayette Garden Club will be holding their annual fundraising event on Thursday, May 11th, at 10AM at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek. Cost is $35 per person. The event will feature a fashion show with garden inspired apparel, which will be for sale. Floral arrangements will be provided by John James Designs, and a raffle will be held for the arrangements. Mimosas and brunch will be served. For reservations, please email Ann Ward at annward@annward.com or Laurelle Thom at laurelleht@comcast.net.
SONS IN RETIREMENT LAMORINDA BRANCH 174
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison
Sons in Retirement is a social organization of retired and semi-retired men who enjoy spending leisure time with friends and activities. Activities are golf, bowling, bocce ball, table pool, travel, fishing, computers & technology, bridge, poker, pinochle, investing, wine tasting, walking, astronomy, stamp collecting, etc. The group meets for lunch at 11AM the second Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center located at 1700 School Street, Moraga. The guest speaker on May 10th will be Steven Burchik, photographer and author FREE MUSTANG CAR SHOW of Compass and a Camera: A year in Vietnam. The Bay Area Mustang Association presents For attendance and membership info, call Tyler at (925) 284-5561. “Ponies and Snakes,” a free judged car show featurTo learn more about the group, please visit www.branch174.sirinc2.org. ing Mustangs and Cobras on display will be held on Sunday, June 25th from 10am ALAMO JEWELRY, FINE ART, AND CRAFT to 3pm at the Danville Livery located at 400 Sycamore Valley SHOW Road West in Danville. There Painters, jewelers, sculptors, and other artisans will be gathering on will be awards, live music, a charity raffle, and more. Mother’s Day weekend at Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, located at the For additional information and online registration highway 680 Stone Valley Rd. West exit, for the annual Alamo Jewelry, to display your car visit PoniesandSnakes.com. Fine Art, and Craft Show. This popular two-day event will be held Saturday, and Sunday, May 13 & 14 from 10AM to 6PM. LAFAYETTE HIKING GROUP This year’s show features local and regional artists exhibiting original Join the Lafayette Hiking Group on the following spring hikes. The works of art including paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, glass, group forms carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or snacks, water, layered woodwork, mixed media, photography, and more. clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection, and money ($3 local, more “This celebration of Art offers a great opportunity for art lovers to meet if further) to contribute toward gas, bridge tolls, and parking. with and purchase directly from some of the West Coast’s most talented WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 ~ SUNOL PARK artists and artisans,” said festival director John Holland. Meet in the parking lot at the corner of Pleasant Hill Rd & Olympic Admission to the festival is free. Additional show information and maps Blvd at 9AM. are available online at www.jhfestivals.com. Enjoy spring green, flowers, and a rushing river. The hike is about 4.5 LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS miles with 3.5 of the miles being single track trails, 1 mile of gravel/dirt, I Can Do That Youth Theatre Company presents, Little Shop of Horrors, with a 600 foot elevation gain loop trail starting from the Old Green Barn on May 26th - June 4th at the Danville Village Theatre. Performances are Visitor’s Center. The route will be Meadow Trail, Camp Ohlone Road, to Little for all ages on Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at Yosemite. Return on Canyon View Trail, Indian Joe Nature Trail, and Shady 2pm. Tickets are $20 with group and children pricing available, and can be Glen Trail. Those wishing a shorter 3.75 mile hike can avoid 0.75 miles and purchased online at www.ICanDoThatTheatre.com, at the Danville Com100 feet elevation gain by not doing the Shady Glen Trail Loop at the end and munity Center, or by calling (925) 314-3400. returning directly to the parking area. The hike leader is Peggy Kroll. Seymour Krelborn is a meek assistant at a floral show who happens upon SATURDAY, MAY 27 ~ LAFAYETTE RIDGE TRAIL TO a strange plant. Little does he know that this unusual plant will develop a SPRINGHILL VALLEY soulful voice and an unquenchable thirst for blood! This delectable sci-fi Meet at the EBRPD parking lot on Pleasant Hill Rd next to Springhill musical with electrifying 1960s pop/rock score features the talented kids School at 8:30AM. of Danville’s I Can Do That Theatre Company. Enjoy great views of the surrounding areas as you climb the Lafayette Ridge to the John Kiefer Trail. This small trail should have some interesting wildflowers as you go down through the woods to the Springhill Valley. The latter part of the hike will be on streets, including Springhill Road. The hike is strenuous and hilly, and 4 to 5 miles long. The hike leader is Alison Hill.
925-765-4209
www.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
Kerrie Andow is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 13 last month!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 ~ CASTLE ROCK PARK, WALNUT CREEK
Meet in the parking lot at the corner of Pleasant Hill Rd & Olympic Blvd at 9AM. Enjoy sandstone outcroppings and a fantastic view of the “castles” on this hike. You may even catch a glimpse of peregrine falcons soaring high above Pine Canyon. The hike follows the Castle Rock trail and then gains altitude as you take the Buckeye Ravine Loop Trail and then back to Pine Creek. There will be some creek crossings, so you may wish to bring a change of shoes. The hike is moderate with hills and about 4 ½ miles long. The hike leader is Jennifer Russell. For any questions, send an email to LafayetteHiking@comcast.net.
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 5
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN 17 TH ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR
Celebrate Mother’s Day and spring by experiencing the beauty of five colorful and whimsical gardens in Alamo and Danville at the Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women’s 17th Annual Garden Tour. The Tour will take place May 12th and 13th from 10AM to 4PM each day. While traditional and non-traditional plants and flowers abound, these gardens were planned with comfort and outdoor entertaining in mind. In the mist of the flowers, don’t be surprised to see a sprinkling of bronze statues, wind sculptures, art work, and even a chicken coop which provides the owner with fresh eggs. Tickets cost $40. Additional information and ticket purchase is available at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden-tour-2017/. The tour is a tax deductible fundraiser with proceeds going to help women further their education and to support a variety of women’s causes.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE DONATES 150 FILLED BACKPACKS TO ASPIRANET HARMONY HOUSE RECEIVING CENTER
The more organizations that are involved with protecting the community’s vulnerable, the safer the community becomes. In 2012, Assistance League® of Diablo Valley established Community Programs, a collection of seven hands-on programs designed to support the vulnerable and at-risk members in our community on a one-time basis. One of the seven programs, Receiving Center Backpacks, reaches out to children and teens who are removed from their homes due to neglect, abuse, or substandard housing. On April 7, Assistance League of Diablo Valley filled 150 backpacks to full capacity with such necessities as sweatshirts, grooming supplies, a fleece blanket, fun packs, and snack packs (the last of which were provided by the organization’s Assisteens® Auxiliary) designated for Aspiranet Harmony House Receiving Center. The Receiving Center works in partnership with Contra Costa County Child and Family Services, Behavioral Health, and County Public Health. The Harmony House Receiving Center provides a safe haven for children and teens (up to 24 hours) who were removed from their homes with little or no notice, which sometimes occurs in the middle of the night. Harmony House offers a bright, cozy home-like surrounding with such amenities as bedrooms, kitchen area, washer and dryer, bathing facilities, storage area for those fortunate to arrive with possessions, and a large living room with play area. Cubbies filled with toys, arts & crafts, movies, games, and books help children and teens regain a sense of trust and safety. Like the childcare staff and profession- Assistance League of Diablo Valley Community Programs Chairman Susan al nursing staff that are on site, the filled Petersdorf (left) and Vice Chairman Backpacks Susan Geldin (far right) greet backpacks help the young clients to Supervisor of Harmony House Receiving Center Lotte Bouter and Aspiranet Greater Bay Area Program Director Peter Maspaitella. transition to a healthier environment. On April 12, at Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s monthly meeting, Supervisor of Harmony House Receiving Center Lotte Bouter and Aspiranet Greater Bay Area Program Director Peter Maspaitella thanked the organization for the much appreciated filled Discover the Sparkling Dance Collection, a beauty to resents p backpacks. Ms. Bouter shared some of the children’s behold inspired by Dancing Swarovski Crystals. reactions when they received the backpacks: “Look Delicate pieces that are meaningful gifts for loved ones. what I got...I don’t like to leave…I like it here!” of Sparkling Dance Necklace 129.00 Ms. Bouter added that with the help of Assistance Sparkling Dance Earrings 89.00 League of Diablo Valley, 3,200 children and teens have been served. To learn about all of Assistance League of Diablo Taking over the Village Theatre Danville, The Livery Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza MAY 26TH- JUNE 4TH Valley’s philanthropic programs that are primarily MADISON 3518-B Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette www.ICanDoThatTheatre.com funded by its thrift shop in Lafayette, please visit diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.
Little Shop
Horrors
ts! cke t ti Ge
PAGE 6 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
THE BOOKWORM
By Joan Stevenson
I savor fond memories of reading the Sunday funnies with my brother, laying side by side with colorful comic sheet spread on the floor. Fast forward seventy years, and I receive a unique gift: March, a threevolume biography of one of my heroes, Civil Rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, a stunning graphic trilogy. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a graphic novel is “a fulllength story published as a book in comic-strip format.” That format has grown 54% in the past five years. On Saturday, May 13, noon – 2PM in the homework center, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to make your own graphic novel when San Francisco resident and Harvard alum Oliver Chin will be at the library to teach patrons how. Hailed as a “comics expert” by San Jose Mercury News, Oliver has conducted numerous comics workshops at public libraries and schools. Be sure to register for this free event as space is limited. The event is for ages 10 and up. This is part of “ComicFest 2017” which begins at 1PM. We’ll celebrate ComicBook day with free comics and other fun activities. A gathering on Tuesday, May 16, 5:30-7:30PM will consider the balance between work and personal values, “Right Livelihood: finding your true work in a well-lived life.” This interactive dialogue will explore effective strategies, including building intentional approaches to work, self-awareness, and understanding of others, as well as exploring our lives as humans, citizens, and parents. Using these tools, we can consciously design our approach to work to find joy, dignity, and purpose, and to achieve what is most meaningful to each of us. The goal in life is not a job nor career…but finding your true work – your calling. The event is presented by Edward Quevedo, J.D. Register for this free program at tinyurl.com/LAFright, atoreceive and receive advance reading materials by email.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com Sweet Thursday, hosted by the Friends, wraps up the year with a bang on Thursday, May 18, at 7PM. You will not want to miss the first ever Local Authors Sweet Thursday event featuring four writers who’ve written wonderful books spanning a variety of genres. Our panel discussion will feature James Leach, The Sustainable Way; Roberta Palumbo, Robert and Elizabeth: Two Voices, One Love; T.J. Reilly’s latest thriller Ladies Invited; and Chrissa Ventrelle, May It Be: Growing a Genuine Life. Sports fans and especially A’s fans will definitely want to circle Thursday, May 25 on their calendar when the Distinguished Speaker Series brings you Author Jason Turbow and sports journalist Glenn Schwarz discussing Turbow’s new book Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic Reggie, Rollie, Catfish and Charlie Finley’s Swinging A’s. The Oakland A’s of the early 1970s were a revolutionary band of brawling Hall of Famers and the most transformation team in baseball history. Never before had an entire organization so collectively traumatized baseball’s establishment with its outlandish behavior and business decisions, let alone an indisputably winning record: five consecutive division titles and three straight championships. Tickets are $10 for general admission and free for children under 18 accompanied by an adult. LLLC Foundation discount donor tickets are available by calling (925)283-6513 x102 Come celebrate a very special birthday on Thursday, June 1, at 6:30PM in the Community Hall. Sgt. Pepper is 50 year old. The album includes “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “With a Little Help from my Friends,” and “A Day in the Life.” “It’s crazy to think that 50 years later we are looking back on this project with such fondness and a little bit of amazement at how four guys, a great producer, and his engineers could make such a lasting piece of art,” Paul McCartney writes in a new introduction for the anniversary edition of a project that started out as his baby. We will remember this Beatles’ 1967 revolutionary album and learn about its background, creation, and songs in this illustrated presentation by Dulais Rhys, Ph.D. I think a sing-a-long will be quite appropriate, don’t you? I hope this one is on your calendar!
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EL NIDO MOTEL BECOMES “LA NADA” (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT)
By Ruth Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society
Recently several visitors to the History Room have inquired about the existence of the Lafayette Inn. While researching the inquiries we found the El Nido Motel became the Lafayette Inn for a short time. “It breaks our hearts.” That's how the woman who opened the glittering El Nido Motel-Restaurant in the 1940s describes the 1966 demolition of the landmark [which had by then become the Lafayette Inn]. “The Inn at the western entry to Lafayette was only a shadow of its razzle-dazzle beginnings, even before the wrecking crews came to clear the way for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The old motel saw many changes in these suburbs from the days when it was the ‘most going place on the Strip’ to its unceremonious demise.” [Or, as the Sun article put it, “It has seen a lot of living since its glittering opening to the public December 19, 1946.”] But it was actually Highway 24 and not BART that did the deed. The freeway sped past the entrance to the El Nido, and by leaving it off the main drag, it put a stake in the heart of the old nightspot. “In the motel’s heyday, there were 40 employees, along with plenty of champagne and celebrities. The Sunday morning breakfasts with bartender Ray Tatum’s famed fizzes attracted as many as 600 people to the Lafayette bistro. These gatherings featured broadcasts with appearances by such stars as Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Jerry Cologna, Betty Grable, and Harpo Marx. [Harpo was the silent Marx brother, which must have generated a memorable “broadcast.”] “Manager Mrs. Marge Knappenberger, now Mrs. O’Brien, kept the dining room open seven days a week from 7AM to 2PM. [I guess it was an early-to-bed crowd, or was that a typo that should have read 2AM? We’ll never know.] Her formula was ‘Romance your customers. Give them good food, service, and good atmosphere.’” The atmosphere of the El Nido was Spanish-Western. The waitresses wore culottes with white silk fringe. The dishes were four-colored pottery, and the tablecloths had the map of California on them. “There was dancing to the band of Buddy Webber and other name bands of the era, as well as fashion shows to benefit the Children’s Hospital of the East Bay. All of the local service clubs met and entertained at the El Nido. ‘There were hundreds of social events and high school parties with no behavior problems,’ Mrs. O'Brien remembers. “During those early years, the El Nido was known as a boy-meets-girl road house. Out in the country, Bay Area executives often came with their dates for a one-night stopover. While there was no backroom gambling, as found at other spots on the Strip, as well as found at the Orinda Crossroads, it was known that registration at the El Nido was easy for men who wanted
MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 7
to ‘hide away’ for a night or two.”The word “nido” means “nest.” [The Spanish dictionary I referred to helpfully added, “nido amor means 'lovenest'.”] But a sad ending befell the El Nido after the highway bypassed the Boulevard. In conclusion, the piece noted, “All that remains of it is a skeleton—roofless and windowless—saturated by the rain. Unnoticed by the commuters passing by on the sleek freeway, ‘the swinging spot’ will soon become a part of rapid transit.” As you speed towards San Francisco on a packed BART train, think about those swingin’ parties and ‘one-night stopovers’ at the El Nido and the big names (as well as little names) who entertained there, and reflect upon a time gone by.
LAFAYETTE KITCHEN TOUR MEETS THE SPRING MARKET
By Erin Martin
At the beginning of May, I always start to get excited about the Lafayette Kitchen Tour. No matter how many houses I see throughout the year, I love the kitchen tour because it is a great opportunity to see new kitchen design trends and the creative new choices homeowners are making in their kitchens, while at the same time supporting local charities. If you are thinking about remodeling and need ideas or if you are preparing your home for market, the kitchen tour is a great way to do research. As the spring market unfolds this year, it is important to keep in mind that buyers are paying a steep premium for homes that are completely remodeled to the taste of today’s buyers. For example, 1083 Upper Happy Valley Road, listed for $1,625,000 just sold for $1,905,000. We are hitting new highs in terms of price per square-foot: At 2,073 sqft, 1083 Upper Happy Valley Road sold for $919 a square-foot. In addition, 3943 S. Peardale sold for $994 a square-foot in March. Although both of these homes were on the smaller side, they were both completely remodeled. Many families moving to Lamorinda have two working parents and do not feel that they have time for remodel projects and are willing to pay a premium for something done. In this market it pays to update kitchens and baths and professionally stage your home as long as you are making choices that appeal to new buyers’ tastes. Make sure you consult with your realtor to ensure you are picking the right finishes. CNBC news recently reported that this year’s spring market is the “strongest seller’s market ever.” They also stated that San Francisco tops the list for the largest number of people looking for homes to purchase outside of their city. Mortgage rates have recently come down and remain near record lows after creeping up slightly at the beginning of the year. The relatively cheap cost of money has certainly helped the spring market. Now back to the kitchen tour - This self-guided tour will be held on Saturday, May 20th, from 10am to 3pm and welcomes guests into six special Lafayette homes with masterfully designed unique, elegant, and awe-inspiring kitchens. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit the work of four local non-profit organizations: Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Alternative Family Services, The Taylor Family Foundation, and Trinity Center. These organizations were selected by the Lafayette Juniors for the support they provide to women, families, and individuals in need throughout the East Bay. Tickets cost $40 ($35 tax deductible), with a box lunch available for $15. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lafayettejuniors.org and are also available at Premier Kitchens, located at 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. I hope to see you on May 20th. Please feel free to email me or call with your real estate questions – I can be reached at erin@erinmartinhomes. com or at (925) 951-3817. Advertorial
TOASTMASTERS
Postcard of the pool patio at El Nido Rancho
Goal Achievers Toastmasters meetings are held every Monday from 7:15 - 8:15pm at Atria Park Lafayette, located at 1545 Pleasant Hill Road. Develop your presentation skills and become the speaker and leader you want to be. The group is open to everyone aged 18 and up. For more information, visit http://goalachievers.toastmastersclubs.org.
PAGE 8 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
SUSTAINABLE LAFAYETTE TIP OF THE MONTH
WATER CONSERVATION NEEDS TO BE A WAY OF LIFE
The drought is over! The drought is over! Uhhhhh…really? Yes, on April 7, the Governor declared that the drought that plagued California from 2011 through early 2017 had ended, thanks to the wettest winter on record in Northern California. Then, in late April, California’s main water regulatory agency ended mandatory conservation regulations for urban residents. The State Water Resources Control Board’s decision means that urban water agencies (such as EBMUD) no longer have to prove they have enough water to withstand three straight years of dry weather. All other conservation requirements have ended, too, although Californians are still prohibited from engaging in “wasteful practices” such as watering their lawns while it’s raining or hosing down sidewalks. But let’s face it: California remains distinctly water-insecure. The wet winter of 2015-16 and the very wet winter of 2016-17 don’t solve the underlying problems. Because only the northern part of the state generally receives rain and snow, any winter that’s drier than average has far-reaching effects. This is made worse by the fact that not much water infrastructure has been built since 1979, even though the state’s population has doubled since then.
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LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY GARDEN FIELD TRIP
The Lafayette Community Garden (LCG) is offering an upcoming trip to view the Mt. Diablo Recycling Facility. The LCG is located at 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd, across from and just west of Lafayette Reservoir. To register for classes, please visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support the Garden’s education programs. For more information, e-mail marthaharrislcg@gmail.com. Mt. Diablo Recycling Facility Tour ~ Thursday, May 18 ~ 9AM Join the LCG for an amazing tour of the Mt. Diablo Recycling facility. This field trip will include a tour of MDR’s 90,000-square-foot recycling facility, where participants will learn about “Big Blue” and “Big Wall-e,” and the sorting and baling machines. Now you’ll know what really happens to the recyclables in your blue can! Plan to gather at the Lafayette Community Garden at 9AM to arrange carpooling and account for any traffic problems (The normal drive to Pittsburg is 24 minutes). The tour starts at 10AM. Register by May 11 to save your spot.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Come dance every Thursday evening, year-round. No partner is required and no Scottish ancestry is needed. This dancing is aerobic and very sociable. Adult beginners are welcome anytime. Classes take place each week at 8PM. More experienced dancers also begin at 8PM in a separate class. All classes are held at the Danville Grange, located at 743 Diablo Road 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 10-week session paid in advance. Call Witsie at (925) 676-3637 or Kathleen at (925) 934-6148 for more information. Classes for youth are also offered at a different location; please call Kathleen for dates and fees.
Furthermore, the state’s reservoirs are not big enough to hold even one year of precipitation, and, due to limited spillway flow design, reservoirs cannot be quickly drained in anticipation of major storms. Without changes in water use, it would take about six dry years to deplete the state’s undersized reservoirs. The bottom line is that we all need to continue the water conservation efforts that have become part of our lives over the last few years. Drought-tolerant landscaping with timed irrigation, watering early in the morning and reducing run-off by setting sprinklers for short periods of time but repeating the cycle 2-3 times, is both attractive and practical. Native plants are ideally suited for our long, dry summers. Californians still need to be vigilant about leaky sprinkler heads, not to mention running toilets and drippy faucets. Low-flow showerheads and buckets to capture water while it’s heating up are things we’ve grown accustomed to, and we realize that they’re not all that burdensome. Under Gov. Brown, the state’s Natural Resources Agency has developed a California Water Action Plan, a roadmap for the first five years of the state’s journey toward sustainable water management. It was originally released in 2014 and revised last year; the 2016 update reflects both endorsement of the original goals and considerable progress toward them. California’s recent water crisis is not thought to be part of a longterm change in precipitation but simply a symptom of natural variability. However, geophysicists have suggested that the record-high summer temperatures that accompanied the recent drought and made its impacts worse were probably due to human-induced global warming. Check out Sustainable Lafayette’s website at Sustainablelafayette.org for information about local projects and events. Connect with community members who care about sustainability issues at the group’s monthly “Green Gatherings.”
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 9
COUNTY’S HEAD START PROGRAMS PROVIDE CRITICAL EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE TO NEEDY CHILDREN
By Supervisor Candace Andersen
Last month, I had the opportunity to tour the County’s Head Start early childhood facility in Concord. This was my third visit to the center during my tenure as County Supervisor. I am always impressed with how well the Center is run and the difference it is making in the lives of young children and their families. The nationwide Head Start program was introduced in 1965 as one of the premier programs in President Johnson’s War against Poverty legislation. The program began as a half-day, four-day-a-week, nine-month-a year preschool program with the goal of increasing social competence in children so that they could perform at the same level as their higher income peers. Responding to landmark legislation in 1996 known as Welfare Reform, which requires parents who receive public assistance to go to work, Head Start programs expanded from part-day, part-year to full-day, full-year programs to accommodate the needs of working parents by partnering with state-subsidized child development programs and other community-based partners. Since the beginning, Head Start distinguished itself from other pre-school programs by providing comprehensive services (medical, dental, mental health, nutrition, disabilities and social services) to children and their families. Every child receives individualized care and attention. Head Start recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their children and, as such, gives parents decision-making capacity in the program. Parents are involved at all levels of the program in significant ways. In response to brain development research that shows that the most formative years are from birth to three, Head Start expanded from a preschool program for 3 to 5 year olds to include pregnant women and children 0 to 3 years of age. This expansion is known as Early Head Start (EHS). Contra Costa County’s Community Services Bureau (CSB), which is part of the county’s Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), was one of the early recipients of the EHS grant in 1998, serving just under 100 children ages 0-3. CSB was awarded some much-needed funding two months ago to expand their Early Head Start program. The Early Head Start-Child Partnership federal grant of $3.4 million was awarded to subsidize childcare and benefit children 0-3 years of age. With this expansion, CSB is able to serve a total of 573 of the county’s youngest children and their families. One of the most pressing needs for Contra Costa residents has been access to licensed childcare for infants and toddlers. In 2014, only 13% of low-income 0-2 year olds received this care. Only 74 out of 600 nationwide applicants were selected for the highly sought after funding. The grant provides funding for 190 children. However, 2,074 more kids are still on the county’s waiting list to receive EHS childcare. The grant, which will be renewed over the next five years, continues covering a child whose parent receives a promotion at work. Often times, an increase in pay makes a family ineligible for their current subsidy. The Early Head Start-Child Partnership grant continues subsidizing the family through a job promotion. The Early Head Start-Partnership grant also allows agencies to partner with local providers. It enhances their services by giving additional funding for materials and staff while strengthening existing programs by bringing EHS’s comprehensive services directly to children and their families. Contra Costa County enrolls 2,564 children in their Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Research confirms that children who attend high-quality early care and education programs are better prepared for kindergarten. High-quality care and education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment – ranging from $7 to $14 for every dollar spent – by potentially reducing future expenditures on special education, public assistance, and the criminal justice system. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
ALAMO RUN
The fifth annual Alamo Run will take place at 8:30AM, Sunday, June 11 in downtown Alamo. Please visit alamorun.org to sign up. Registration is $35 for all events; a family rate of $100 is available for up to four family members. The run includes a 5K family friendly/competitive run & 10K competitive run for serious runners. Baby joggers and dogs are also encouraged to participate in the 5K event. Same day registration will be available for an additional $5 fee. Same day registration will begin at 7AM at the northwest corner of Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd. Prizes will be awarded to top youth runners in three age groups (18 and under) and also to seven adult age groups from ages 19 to 80 plus. The top two runners overall (male and female) will receive special prizes. Additionally, the categories of fastest dog and fastest baby jogger will be recognized. The 2017 Alamo Run T-shirt will be available on race day for all participants who register by May 27. Those registering after May 27 will be notified by email as to when and where their T-shirt will be available. Proceeds of the Run are used to support the youth education programs of the Walnut Creek based, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center
MEALS ON WHEELS
Seniors in our community need your support! Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services have been supporting seniors in YOUR neighborhood since 1968. Two of the programs, Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visitors, rely on the support of volunteers, and we need your help now more than ever. Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to local homebound seniors through regular two hour shifts once per week or as substitute drivers. Friendly Visitors volunteers provide weekly one-hour companionship visits to isolated seniors. To volunteer for either program, please call (925) 937-8311.
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PAGE 10 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
TIDES
By Linda Summers-Pirkle
“The air is warm, thickened with smells of wastewater and pesticides in the dusty streets of Yanguan,” writes Jonathan White, adventurer, poet, marine conservationist, sailor, surfer, and a very good story teller. If you heard White’s interview on NPR, you most likely already purchased his new book Tides, The Science and Spirit of the Ocean. He explains in one chapter how the Silver Dragon, the Qiantang River, one of China’s largest, “slinks toward the sea like a drowsy dragon.” During his research for his latest book, White traveled to the Arctic, Mont St. Michel in France, Chile, Scotland, Panama, Venice, Italy, and China in search of the largest, fastest, most dangerous, and breathtaking tides in the world, and at the Qiantang River Tidal Bore Watching Festival he writes, “Twenty miles downriver, where the Qiantang meets Hangzhou Bay, the tide rises and falls exactly as it does on most coasts around the world. But inside the river’s entrance, it becomes a monster. Squeezed by the river’s funnel-shaped sides and bottom, the tide erupts into an avalanche of whitewater. Known as the Yin Long (Silver Dragon), it spits and jerks through Qiantang’s bends and shallows. The dragon finally collapses a hundred miles upriver, only to roar up again at the next flood tide…the Chinese have been haunted by this monster every day -- twice a day -- for at least 2,500 years.” Closer to home is the beautiful coastline of California near Moss Landing, which is one of my favorite places. The town sits at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough (Elkhornslough.org) which offers whale watching tours, charter fishing boats, and wildlife nature tours. Moss Landing is always fun to explore. There is the world famous Phil’s Fish Market and Eatery (Philsfishmarket.com) with the most delicious fish and chips to dine on. Recently our friends Edy and Jeff offered us their gorgeous beach-front house in Monterey Dunes Colony, one-mile south of Salinas River State Beach (take Potrero exit off Highway 1 South and follow the road through artichoke fields to the parking lot). It was a glorious retreat. Walking along the beach is my favorite past time and I spent a few hours each day enjoying the unseasonably warm temperature. From Monterey north to Moss Landing, five state beaches (Salinas River, Moss Landing, Zmudowski, Marina, and Fort Ord Dunes) are beautiful but hold hidden dangers offshore. Patrons are warned about heavy surf with extremely strong rip currents and undertow. Caution is advised even when wading. Fishing from the shore or in small boats is allowed on these five beaches, a valid California fishing license is required. On my walk along Salinas River State Beach, I met a dad and son who extended their soccer tournament weekend to spend the day fishing, and by mid-morning they had already caught five perch. A few locals sporting head-to-toe gear were also having a good day with their catches. Monterey State Beach has a gentle shelf of sand that slopes into the bay and is listed as safe for water recreation. Call 831-649-2836 or visit parks.ca.gov for more information on Monterey State Beaches. You most likely are familiar with the acclaimed jazz festival in Monterey (60th annual) which will be held in September. Another festival, the Monterey International Blues Festival, will be held Saturday, May 13, from noon to 6pm, at the Historic Monterey Fairgrounds -- the same grounds that hosted the Monterey Bay Blues Festival for nearly 30 years. This rebirth is hosted by two national non-profit organizations, The Salvation Army and Guitars Not Guns. For more information, check out their website at Montereyinternationalbluesfestival.com. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant, is 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. Salinas River State Beach
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GOLD COAST CHAMBER PLAYERS FINISH SEASON WITH TANGO VIRTUOSOS
The Gold Coast Chamber Payers finish their season with Tango Twist on Saturday, May 13, at 7:30PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. The event will feature the electrifying Quartet San Francisco (QSF) and renowned bandoneon player, Seth Asarnow. Classically-trained violinist and a student of Itzhak Perlman and Anne Crowden, QSF’s Jeremy Cohen performs in multiple genres, and his appeal to traditional chamber music audiences is widely known. This eclectic program caps off a banner season for Gold Coast who were recently awarded a Proclamation for Women in Music Day by the City of Lafayette. Grammy nominees for their last three CD releases (2009, 2007, and 2006) and International Tango competition winners (New York, 2004), QSF expresses itself in its agility and standout virtuosic playing. QSF was founded in 2001 by celebrated Bay Area violinist and composer-arranger Jeremy Cohen who is joined by violinist Anthony Blea, violist Chad Kaltinger, cellist Andres Vera, and bandoneon player Seth Asarnow. A special performance of tango music by Patrick Horn, the son of former Lafayette Mayor, will add to the uniqueness of this popular concert. Tickets are $40 general, $35 seniors, and $15 students and include 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. Limited seating is available, so please reserve early.
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 11
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WALKING THE RESERVOIR
By Jim Scala
Lafayette’s Bird Man. The Senior Center ladies picked a winner with Brent “Ben” Patterson to conduct the bird program. Birders meet Wednesdays at the Senior Center and go to a special bird habitat with Ben. Serious members have binoculars hanging on their necks. Occasionally they do a bird study at the reservoir. Walking near the Visitor’s Center, we stopped at a low-hanging pine tree where Ben pointed out some birds among the cones underneath. I was amazed at how many I spotted. Turns out that was typical for our walk. Ben and his group can tell what birds are in a tree by their call before they’re seen. That’s easy for crows but not for songbirds and over 85 varieties of birds which inhabit our reservoir. Ben, a natural leader, knows his stuff, makes everyone feel welcome, and makes time passes quickly. I wondered, how did he get so good at what he does? Ben started as a master painter and settled down. But, like many a young man, he got a hankering to travel, became a sailor, and went to sea. He earned a Coast Guard Over-Seas Navigation Certificate and was on his way to a sailor’s life. I asked him where he’d traveled. He chuckled and replied, “Jim, it’s easier to tell you where I’ve never been.” He’s been almost everywhere. Then, he met a fine lady, and his sea-faring life was over. He returned to his painting business. About fifteen years ago a close Lafayette neighbor moved and took all his bird feeders, and the neighborhood birds became distressed. Ben saw the problem, bought some feeders, became interested in birds, and, as he said, “The rest is history.” He took birding seriously, became an expert, and has generated many followers. A res-walk with Ben is an unforgettable and interesting learning experience. The Audubon Society asked him to handle a segment of Eastern Alameda for the 2016 annual Christmas bird count. His group spotted 87 species in the ten-hour count. The group counting at the reservoir logged 70 species. As we walked, Ben pointed out our five, distinct reservoir-bird habitats that include housing, water, grassland, brush, and forest.
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Bird housing. Western bluebird nest-boxes placed by the Audubon Society for over forty years have stopped their extinction. The boxes are easy to spot. They are about ten feet high, have round openings, and are carefully protected with cage wire. Thanks to them, our bluebird population continues growing. Bat houses are a little larger, are higher on the poles, and have long vertical openings. Bats feed on many evening-night flying bugs, especially mosquitoes, and help make res-walking a flying pest-free experience. They also spread seeds much more widely than birds. So, as you walk the trails and enjoy the wild flowers, thank the bats. Fish day. Ben pointed out that the cormorants and penguins show up by 10:15AM on Thursdays and are ready when the fish-stocking truck backs down to the black pipe and releases about 1,000 pounds of fish. He said, “To them it’s not Thursday, it’s Fish Day.” Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Walking the reservoir regularly can help prevent and reduce the severity of these two life-destroying afflictions. Research published in neurological journals concludes that regular exercise can go a long way in this direction. While the type and amount of exercise studied varies, walking the reservoir three times weekly is about as good as it gets for senior citizens. A person with early onset of these diseases can benefit dramatically no matter their age. Rim Trail foliage. It’s profuse and will remain that way all summer. The Rim Trail is a terrific, challenging walk that can be conveniently done in short segments. The entire walk is over 4.5 miles. Contact me if you need a companion-guide. May 14th Concert. Lafayette Rotary’s annual concert starts at 11AM and features seven bands at our bandstand. There are plenty of seats and a large grassy area for a picnic lunch. Walking groups. Our senior group walks Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:30AM, but it is only one of many groups. The Sierra group walks Wednesday at 4PM; local SIRs and Meetup groups schedule res-walks irregularly. After the res-walk, the seniors offer a yoga session. Group walking accomplishes both social and fitness objectives. It is social because there’s great conversation, and it leads to fitness because a res-walk three times weekly meets the recommendation for moderate exercise by the Mayo Clinic and endorsed by many health institutions. Let me hear from you at jscala2@comcast.net.
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PAGE 12 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
LONG-TERM CARE: WHAT’S COVERED AND WHAT’S NOT
By George M. Noceti, CRPS® -Wealth Advisor and Paul A. Noceti, Financial Planning Specialist, Integra Group at Morgan Stanley
Long-term care costs have soared in recent years and are expected to rise even higher. The average annual cost of a private room nursing home stay is currently hovering around $105,645, and in 30 years that number is expected to reach $352,672.1 Medicare will only cover a fraction of such costs and then only under certain conditions. Long-term care insurance will cover most but not all expenses, depending on the amount and nature of the costs and terms of the policy. Keeping these numbers in mind, whether you are currently caring for an aging family member or are looking into a long-term care policy of your own, you may want to consider including care-related expenses as a line item within your wealth plan sooner rather than later.
WHAT MEDICARE DOES AND DOES NOT COVER
In general, Medicare does not pay for most long-term care services, although it does cover certain costs over limited periods if you meet certain conditions. Those conditions are that you have had a recent prior hospital stay of at least three days, that you are admitted to a Medicare-certified nursing facility within 30 days of your prior hospital stay, and that you need skilled care, such as nursing services or physical therapy. These are distinguished from custodial services, such as feeding, bathing, or supervision, which Medicare will not pay for. If you meet all these conditions, Medicare will pay some of your costs up to 100 days. Medicare will pay 100% of costs over the first 20 days and will reimburse the difference over the daily limit of $157.50 (rate for 2015) from days 21 through 100. You would then be responsible for all costs after day 100.2 In addition to nursing facility services, Medicare will pay for some services on a limited basis if your doctor says they are medically necessary. These include skilled nursing care, physical therapy, medical supplies, and certain social services. Medicare also covers hospice care in your home, a nursing home, or in a hospice care facility, if you have a terminal illness and are not expected to live more than six months.
WHAT A TYPICAL LONG-TERM CARE POLICY COVERS
Most long-term care policies today are comprehensive, meaning they cover home health care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care. Other services offered by some policies include hospice care, respite care, care after a hospital stay, or caregiver training for family members. However, not all long-term care insurance policies cover all services or even pay out the same rate for similar services. Some policies may exclude or limit coverage for preexisting conditions, mental health or nervous disorders, or care by a family member. They may also exclude coverage for certain conditions resulting from alcoholism and drug addiction. That’s why it pays to weigh out your options and make sure you fully understand what’s covered under a given long-term care policy, when benefits are paid, as well as period of coverage. Instead you might consider a hybrid life insurance policy that combines life and limited long-term care coverage, or a life insurance policy with accelerated death benefits, which allows you to take an advance on your death benefit under certain circumstances. Regardless of how you plan to address long-term care costs, remember to work with us or other professionals who can make sure you ask the right questions before making any decision. Contact us for further information on how our advice can better help you plan financially for you and your family. Also contact us for a complimentary Financial Plan review, Long Term Care review, Medicare review, or Social Security review at (925)746-2982, via email at george.noceti@morganstanley.com, or visit our website at www.ms.com/fa/theintegragroup. Connect on LinkedIn: George M. Noceti, CRPS®. Follow me on Twitter: @GNocetiMS. Sources/Disclaimer - 1John Hancock Insurance 2016 Cost of Care Calculator. Assumed rate of inflation is hypothetical, based on a 4.1% average annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for All-Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the 50-year period ending 12/31/15. CPI-related data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S Department of Labor at www.bls.gov. 2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Find Your Path Forward. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters. Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates. Article by Contently and provided courtesy of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. © 2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1625121 10/16 Advertorial
WHAT’S UP?
MT. DIABLO ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (MDAS). By Jim Scala
Monthly meeting. On May 23, the Lindsey Wildlife Museum Auditorium opens at 6:45PM, and the formal meeting begins at 7:15PM with a member’s short talk. That’s followed by the featured lecture, entitled COSI – the Compton Spectrometer and Imager. The talk, by Clio Sleator who is a candidate in Astrophysics at UC Berkeley following her degree at Columbia will be captivating. She will introduce you to a unique telescope, not set up in some distant observatory, but carried aloft by a balloon. One of COSI’s main objectives is to learn about gamma rays. Clio’s talk will also help you understand one of NASA’s objectives. Refreshments are always available. The meeting adjourns at 9:15PM. Mt. Diablo on May 20. Observing begins at 7:30PM. It’s good to arrive at the lower summit parking lot by about 6:30PM and take time to see the members’ telescopes, the MDAS observatory, and look at the sun which sets
at 8:17PM. A short lecture explains the evening’s feature stars, supernovas. You’ll learn why and when some stars explode. Members’ telescopes will be set up to show you interesting celestial objects. Jupiter will be spectacular. Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, exhibits many unusual colored bands, small clouds, and a great red spot which is a gigantic storm over 160 years old in the planet’s active atmosphere. Three of Jupiter’s four largest moons will be visible. And, since Jupiter rotates in 10 hours, its markings will change during the evening. A possible Saturn sighting. Saturn rises at 10PM. Since the evening ends at 11:30PM, there’s a chance you might get a view. Once you see its unusual ring system, you will return in June and July. Then, both Jupiter and Saturn will be easily visible. Deep sky objects. Galaxies, nebulas and star clusters will be shown through MDAS members’ telescopes. Our Milky Way galaxy is like many other galaxies, so as you look at one, try to think that you’re seeing how we look from there. When you view M-13, a nearby star cluster in which stars are tightly packed, it appears like a ball of stars. Our nearest star, Proxima Century, is four light years away. In M-13 they are at most light weeks apart. Imagine a night sky so filled with stars that it doesn’t get dark. You’ll see all that and more on May 20 and have interesting discussions on your drive home.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Saturn. Image by Jim Scala.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 925-646-4461.
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 13
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helpdesk@pcioit.com w w w. p c i o i t . c o m TECHNOLOGY MATTERS
By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
The iPhone was introduced in 2007, and there’s a generation of kids coming up right now that have never known a world without a smartphone. They will only read about a ‘rotary phone’ or a ‘dial-up modem’ in history books, and if they bother getting their driver’s license at all, their first car will probably be electric. They buy everything they need online, they don’t carry cash because they transfer money between themselves using ‘Venmo,’and they definitely don’t call each other using telephones (they text!). Consider for a moment how many habits and technologies that have changed or we’ve left behind in the last decade. Modern technology has changed our lives, and tying all of it together is the internet and our WiFi networks. We’ve all become accustomed to accessing our information instantly, and we expect ubiquitous WiFi coverage no matter where we are. We expect it to be strong: wall-to-wall, five-bars strong. Not coincidentally, our most popular service is enhancing internet connections and WiFi networks for homes and businesses, more so than viruses and data security. Contrary to what most people understand, your internet provider (Comcast, AT&T, Charter, Astound, Telepacific, etc.) is not responsible for ensuring you have a great network inside your building. They do not understand WiFi networks, and they are not in the business of implementing or installing in-building networks. Their job is to bring signal to your building and install their own modem or router, and what happens inside your building after that is 100% your responsibility. That’s where PCIO comes in, because one size definitely does not fit all. Networks require a scientific approach, and there are picky rules to follow for them to work correctly. The main components are routers, wireless access points, and switches. The science of networking is about balancing power, capacity, and frequencies. It is also about managing congestion between networks, as WiFi networks have spread and often bump into each other. Our neighborhoods have become so congested with competing networks that the older style , legacy, 2.4GHz networks are becoming unusably slow. Business parks, high-rises, and retail areas are so congested that dual-band networking is an absolute requirement if you want to get any work done. All
of these factors need to work together as a balanced whole, and there are dramatically different levels of quality between vendors and products. In addition, WiFi networks need tuning; not only to work well by themselves, but to be good neighbors and not mess up the radio spectrum for any surrounding networks. While WiFi components may work ‘out of the box,’ they will usually not be good neighbors, and they won’t work as well as a network that has been properly tuned. “Functioning” is not the same as “working well.” It is a truism to say you get what you pay for, and it’s especially true when it comes to buying network equipment. The products you get from the retail channel are not geared towards the quality that will deliver trouble-free and reliable service. If we could deliver our guarantee of flawless networks using off-the-shelf products, or the products that our ISP’s provide, we would. In today’s atmosphere of many businesses not wanting to be responsible for results, we claim responsibility because we know exactly what works and how to deliver the network coverage you need. We use the same factual approach and professional tools, whether we’re working for businesses or homes. We’re experts at surveying spaces, assessing network coverage, and specifying the right products to ensure you have a guaranteed positive outcome. I’ve never seen another IT firm use the type of sophisticated tools that we use for our analysis. For us, it’s a science; for others it’s guesswork. Here’s a final tip. One of the most common mistakes we see folks make is that they try to do too much with one wireless unit, then blame the carrier when things don’t work well. They try to cover multiple rooms from one weak, mis-installed device, and then they think they need a faster internet circuit because everything is so slow. The majority of homes and small businesses do not need more than 50mb download speed. Unless you’re using AT&T DSL (which is old technology and slow), your internet circuit is probably fine; you probably need better wireless coverage. The radios in these devices are scarcely stronger than a child’s walkie-talkie. To cover a home or office, it requires multiple units spaced out depending on your building materials and local frequencies in use, and each unit needs its own network cable connecting it back to the source. One ISP-delivered combination WiFi/router unit is usually not nearly enough to do the job. PCIO delivers results, and we’re here to help. If your network is ailing, reach Advertorial us by phone at (925)552-7953, or email info@pcioit.com.
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PAGE 14 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
LEAVING A POWERFUL LEGACY
By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
As people get older, they often appreciate how interesting history is and how many valuable lessons can be learned by studying it. Ironically, family history, including the stories and lessons closest to our hearts, is not often given much attention. Many people know shockingly little about the lives of their grandparents, and some don’t know all that much about the younger lives of their own parents. As the saying goes, “life is short.” We all want to be productive and useful during our lives, and we wish to leave a meaningful legacy of some kind – maybe to the world, but certainly to our loved ones. How does one do that? A good starting place is to protect your loved ones by engaging in good, practical financial, insurance, and estate planning. I take great pride in playing an important role for my clients by helping them establish comprehensive estate plans. Most folks, however, miss a wonderful opportunity to incorporate something more special into their planning: taking specific steps to ensure that their stories, values, life lessons, hopes, aspirations, and/or dreams are passed on to loved ones. Lip service is given to how these “intangibles” are ultimately much more valuable than material wealth. Yet, compelling and marvelously illuminating personal and family stories, feelings, morals, and such are too often lost forever when someone dies. Sadly, the essence of these deceased loved ones is then unavailable to help teach their descendants the ways of the world, how to adjust their compasses, and what tools they might employ to help them enrich their life journeys. Frequently, due to modesty, humility, or self-doubt, people believe their lives aren’t particularly special. I believe nothing is further from the truth. Everyone has interesting experiences to share and significant lessons they’ve learned. So, what might you do beyond simply planning for the succession of
CINEMA CLASSICS
PARENTHOOD By Peggy Horn
This month’s Cinema Classic is Parenthood (1989). The cast includes Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, and Tom Hulce. Dianne Wiest was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Best Supporting Actress in this movie, and the actors Tom Hulce and Joaquin Phoenix have been nominated for Academy Awards for their work in other films, so there was a lot of talent in this movie. Parenthood was directed by Ron Howard. Howard also contributed to the story development along with screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel and film producer Brian Grazer. The film was also nominated for its second of two nominations with the Academy Award for Best Original Song, “I Love To See You Smile,” by Randy Newman (It lost to “The Little Mermaid” at the 1990 Academy Awards). The story line delves into various family issues, some serious and many humorous. Gil Buckman (Steve Martin) is a father and husband, happily married to Karen (Mary Steenburgen), and they have three children. Their oldest child is struggling with some emotional difficulties which causes them concern, but they console themselves with the apparently worse circumstances facing Gil’s divorced sister, Helen. Both of Helen’s kids seem to be troubled. And then there’s Gil’s younger brother, Larry (Tom Hulce), who is perpetually in need of a loan to pay off his gambling debts. The plot extends to Gil’s father, Frank (Jason Robards), and another sister as well as their families. It is hard to believe that this is a comedy, but it manages to thread humor through the various predicaments very successfully. Furthermore, this movie seems to support the proposition that a sense of humor is one of the best weapons against adversity. Parenthood is a delightfully humorous movie combined with tender
your monetary assets? You could write an “Ethical Will,” which is not a legal document and can take on any number of different forms. It can be as simple as writing a list of core values, a statement of hopes for loved ones, an expression of gratitude, a brief life story, or foundational lessons to share. Alternatively, you can essentially have your Ethical Will filmed. For many people, just talking about their life is easier and preferable to putting pen to paper. Moreover, the visual medium can create a magnificent, emotional connection to loved ones if filmed and edited well by a professional who specializes in such projects. My interest in this realm has increased significantly in recent years – both for my own family and for the benefit of my clients. This has led me to develop a great association with April Bell, a well-respected, local professional story-teller and video producer (and really nice person) who has been featured in the New York Times. By arranging for my clients to work with April, they are able to create their own, special, short film, which becomes a wonderful gift to family and friends that can be enjoyed and cherished for decades. It is also very satisfying, if not transformative, to the people making it – reinforcing that they have lived remarkable lives in their own way. I’m proud and excited to offer my clients the ability to “supercharge” their estate plans - transforming them into true “legacy plans.” They can now seize the opportunity to pass on not only their “valuables,” but also the stories and values that have made them who they are. I encourage you to visit my website (www.rsilvermanlaw.com) to view my brief video describing this service and look at the “Legacy Planning” page that contains more detailed information. * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, 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
moments that make it seem real. From start to finish, it is endearing even though it is a little raw at times. Overall, this is a very worthwhile and entertaining movie.
MUSICAL NOTES
It is enjoyable to look up Randy Newman’s work as an American singer/ songwriter, film score composer, and arranger. The pop tune “I Love L.A.” (1983) was in the zenith of its popularity when I lived there, and “I Love To See You Smile” makes me…smile! Newman has received twenty Academy Award nominations and has won the Oscar twice. He has composed lots of film scores including the beautiful and enigmatic music for the movie The Natural.
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 15
ENERGY CURRENTS
HALF A MILLION AND COUNTING By Mark Becker, GoSimple Solar
The upcoming Memorial Day holiday is a special day for our nation. It is also an especially meaningful day for veterans and families who have personally experienced the loss of comrades or kin during combat or non-combat related missions. In the East Bay we pay tribute to our veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice in many different ways. One of the most special community events is the Danville Half Marathon and 10K Run, which benefits Danville’s Semper Fi Foundation charity. The Semper Fi Foundation was created by the family of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua “Chachi” Corral, who died in action at the age of 19, while he was with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Afghanistan in November 2011. I highly encourage your attendance at this great community event. In addition to the two races, there will be giveaways, a kids’ run, Boy Scout volunteers, GoSimpleSolar’s “BioFuel Bertha” military five ton truck, and a flyover conducted by the NorCal Beech Boys and some local “war birds” joining the formation flight. It will be a special honor for me to be able to perform the missing man formation flyby tribute to Lance Corporal Corral and our memorialized veterans. Visit http://semperfifoundation.org/events to learn more about the Danville Half Marathon and 10K event. We hope to see you there! Well over 580,000 solar projects are operating in California. The fact that P&E has more solar customers than any other utility in the United States is a testament of the financial rate of return that solar PV systems in Northern California provide. Solar is an investment, which needs to be structured (designed and installed) with caution by investing in the right equipment and the right installation team. Investing any other way simply adds risk to otherwise virtually guaranteed returns. A salute! This Memorial Day will be especially important to me. A very close family member who served, was wounded twice, yet survived some of the most historical Marine Corps battles of WW II passed away recently. Our grateful nation will honor and bury him in a cemetery dedicated to veterans and their spouses. Be an “energy hawk.” An “energy hawk” is someone who combines strong opinion and action regarding domestic energy sourcing to foster American self-reliance, with the ultimate goal of American energy independence. Sourcing of energy from all types of American sources, in my opinion, is a virtuous pursuit (assuming it’s done with environmental considerations in mind). The reasons to be an energy hawk are many-fold: Job creation and resource utilization are the most inherently obvious. Perhaps a less obvious but a more important benefit can be gleaned from the definition of “independence” itself. Independence means “Freedom from control: freedom from dependence on or control by another person, organization, or state.” As a nation we can wrest ourselves from the manipulation of oil exporting nations and OPEC. As a homeowner or business owner, you can achieve energy independence (freedom from PGE electricity) by generating your own energy via the most abundant resource available, the sun. “Improved domestic security” may be difficult to measure, but calculating the savings a solar PV system provides is easily quantifiable. A great many of GoSimpleSolar’s customers are finance professionals who clearly understand how “arbitrage” plays a key role in maximizing solar PV investment returns. The definition of arbitrage is, “The simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset in order to profit from a difference in the price. It is a trade that profits by exploiting price differences of identical or similar financial instruments, on different markets or in different forms.” The “asset” in the case of a solar PV investment is the cost and credit of the PGE kWh which can be imported and exported from a home or business at different times of the day and season, at different costs and credits. This allows a solar PV investment to provide greater financial return (typically 10%+) than most “bull years” in the stock market and at much lesser risk. Almost all risk can be mitigated from a solar PV project if “done right” by properly licensed installation professionals who utilize high quality non-proprietary (read: compatible) products. Keeping your solar PV system properly serviced and monitored is as important as ensuring a proper installation is performed. Selection of non-compatible products increases risk by limiting future replacement options. The highest quality installation will naturally result in lesser long-term servicing costs and hence better long-term financial returns and savings. Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For more Advertorial information, call 925-331-8011, visit www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or stop by the showroom at 115 West Linda Mesa Avenue, Danville.
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PAGE 16 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
THE INCENSE-CEDAR
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
The incense-cedar graces many Bay Area gardens with its shade, beauty, and intriguing fragrance. Calocedrus decurrens, its Latin name, means beautiful cedar. The striking contrast between the vibrant greens of its leaves and the trunk’s rich reds creates a pleasing aesthetic further enhanced by the relaxed elegance of the weeping foliage. The beauty of this tree is not confined to the realm of the visual. The incense-cedar gives off a distinctive fragrance that fills the air with a pungent aroma strongly reminiscent of gradeschool classrooms and the unforgettable smell of the pencil sharpener. In my youth, and still largely today, pencils were made from the soft and distinctively fragrant wood of Calocedrus decurrens. The incense-cedar is not a true cedar (thus the hyphen). The so-called “true cedars” are native to the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, and are members of the genus Cedrus. These include the majestic Deodora and Atlas cedars, as well as the famous Cedar of Lebanon. The incense-cedar, which may live a thousand years and attain a height of 150 feet, is a true California native. It evolved in North America, and its current range extends from the Cascade Mountains in northern Oregon, through the Sierra Nevadas, and down to the Sierra San Pedro Matir of Baja California. Throughout its range it has been important in the lives of Native Americans. The Klamath tribe of Oregon wove its bark into baskets. The California Paiutes made infusions of its leaves for colds. The Round Valley tribe of Mendocino Country used leaflets as flavoring when leaching acorn meal. This species has provided Native Americans with food, shelter, clothing, and music. The incense-cedar’s natural resistance to rot made it very useful both in antiquity and in modern times. Homebuilders use it for siding, decking, moulding, and interior paneling. Landscapers use its chips and bark for mulch. Its wood is made into furniture, shingles, and railway ties. Sawdust and wood scraps help fuel co-generation of electricity. The softness of the wood and its resistance to splintering make the incense-ce-
GARDENING WITH KATE
By Kathleen Guillaume
The rains of winter and spring have been a boon for roses; they are outstanding this year. Swaths of blooms are everywhere. In bloom at this time in my garden is a cutting that my friend Dariel Alexander gave me. It is of her beloved and fragrant Madame Alfred Carriere. It is always wonderful to receive a rose bush from a friend. Also blooming is one of my favorite thorn-less roses, Reine des Violettes. One of the Hybrid Perpetuals, it is a deep violet purple and is a repeat bloomer. I also enjoy one of my favorite climbing roses, my “Sally Holmes.” I miss my old rose garden which held forty of the most disease resistant and highly fragrant varieties. However, as I drive around on my most mundane errands, I am treated to glorious displays of them everywhere. If you are thinking of adding a rose to your garden, it is a perfect time to suss one out. Before you pick one from a catalog or nursery, take a look at some of the ones that impress you that are in your neighbor’s gardens. Some of my best choices have been roses that I saw in local gardens. If you find a plant that takes your breath away, all it takes is a simple knock on a door to inquire about what it is. If the homeowner doesn’t know, ask for a clipping with a bloom on it and visit a rose specialist like those you can find at Orchard Nursery. We are on the cusp of summer, and my summer blooming plants are looking healthier than ever. There is still time to set out some summer bloomers and get them established before their bloom time. I still favor drought tolerant plants like yarrows, Achillea millefolium and lavenders -- Hidcote is one of my favorite varieties. We are blessed to have great local nurseries that can give you perfect recommendations for hardy summer bloomers. Birds have returned, filling our gardens with their morning calls, and we are lucky to have so many varieties. If you want to invite birds into your garden, it is important to plant food sources and specimen trees that encourage them. Hummingbirds, which are my favorite, are easy to attract with nectar producing flowering plants. I prefer this method to placing hummingbird feeders. If you do decide on placing a hummingbird feeder, please note that water based vials of nectar go bad. It is important to sterilize feeders between each change of
www.yourmonthlypaper.com dar ideal for encasing pencil lead. However, these qualities also make the wood fragile, brittle, and potentially somewhat problematic as an urban landscape tree. When it grows as one trunk from a thick base to a single pyramid-shaped crown, the incense-cedar is relatively stable; it requires little work other than the periodic removal of deadwood. But if the trunk of the tree divides into multiple columns or has large branches which turn up and rise parallel to the trunk, the tree has structural problems that make it vulnerable to column failure. After some recent winter storms, Brende & Lamb looked at many incense-cedars that had shed branches and sometimes entire columns. Most of the failed trees suffered from a malady of tree anatomy called included bark. This structural defect occurs when the bark at the crotch folds inward, and interrupts the continuity of the fibers supporting the columns. Good pruning can ameliorate many structural problems. Co-dominant stems (more than one column of roughly the same diameter) are more likely to fail than trees with a single leading column. Sometimes reducing one of the competing leaders can minimize the hazard. If column removal is not advisable for aesthetic or functional reasons, it is often possible to cable the multiple stems together. However, individual trees are so unstable that removal is the safest alternative. Whatever you do, do not top these trees. Topping a cedar will eventually produce many unstable columns multiplying the risk and, ultimately, the expense of keeping the tree. Preventative medicine is almost always less expensive and more effective than later surgery. If you plant an incense-cedar, choose nursery stock with only one trunk and no crotches with included bark. Remember that a seedling cedar can grow to over a hundred feet, and that tall trees may cause view concerns for yourself and your neighbors. Calocedrus has graced the California landscape for almost 200 million years. With a little forethought and good pruning, the incense-cedar can continue to bless Bay Area gardens with the subtle fragrance of childhood. It takes a little effort to live at peace with this large California native, but its bounty of colors, shapes, and scents make that effort worthwhile. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, client testimonials, and Advertorial work in your neighborhood. nectar, and it is recommended that the nectar get changed every four or so days depending on the weather. I know few of us follow this strict and time consuming schedule which is why my druthers are to plant natural food for the hummingbirds by having a rotation of constant blooms in my garden. You will find that hummingbirds nest in tall shrubs and plants that have weak and floppy structures. They do not use trees with firm branches that are easy for predators like cats to climb. Tall shrubs like mock orange and other loosely branched shrubs make perfect nesting sites. Now is also the time for mosquitoes to start filling our outdoor spaces. Mosquitoes are not only an uncomfortable nuisance, but as our temperatures get warmer we are encountering more mosquitoes that are disease carriers. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Take a thorough walk through your garden to make sure there is no standing water anywhere. Once I forgot a coffee mug which I’d carried out to a bed when I was weeding, and the plants grew up around it. When I found it, it was full of mosquito larvae. To have a safer neighborhood, prepare a small flyer to remind neighbors to check their yards for standing water as well. If you have a neighbor who is breeding mosquitoes,you will get equally bitten. If you have an elderly neighbor offer to sweep their yard looking for discarded items that collect standing water. Mosquito-born West Nile Virus is a dangerous disease, and we did not have it in our county before 2004. So never just assume that mosquitoes are just annoying. They can be a source of a serious illness. It is worth spending some time getting your neighbors involved in mosquito abatement. The Contra Costa Vector control (www.contracostamosquito.com/services_programs.htm) can provide mosquito fish if you have a pond on your site, and they can also offer other assistance if you have an abundance of mosquitoes on your property or other pests like ground-nesting yellow jackets. Soon stores will have great deals on wonderful gazebos that are easy to set up and install in your garden. Prices start at about $500. They often come with breeze drapes that can be closed to keep mosquitoes out and give you a shady place to eat and entertain outside. They will be on display at most hardware and big box stores and are a special gift you can give your home and garden. I always order a second set of the curtains so two or three years down the road I have replacements. Happy gardening!
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MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 17
STARTING A WINE CELLAR
PART 1 By Monica Chappell
Why bother with a wine cellar? Done right, you’ll find fun and delicious drinking in even the simplest wine collection. Starting a wine cellar can seem intimidating to the uninitiated, but it need not be. Just familiarize yourself with the basics, set your personal strategy, and you’re on your way to the best kind of adult entertainment around. Whether it is a cave underneath your castle or a cupboard in your studio apartment, a wine cellar allows you to store your wine over time so you can experiment with the effects of age, develop your palate, and bring your best bottles to their peak potential. It’s like a savings account for your wine-loving soul.
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Make a Plan - As with life, you’re more likely to like where you Call for a end up if you put some thoughts into your cellars up front. free consultation • How much do you drink? If you open a special bottle on each birthday and holiday, the annual total is the number you should lay down each year. Daily bottles can come from non-cellars bottles that FDA 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle are drinkable now. Approved • How much can you store? A good cellar keeps you interested Danville, CA 94506 with a wide variety of selections – so if you’re working with a small Several insurances accepted closet, buy by the bottle and not by the case. • How much can you spend? In divvying up your budget, it helps VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE to distinguish between daily drinking, special occasions, and splurges. www.blackhawktms.com Allot your dollars according to your priorities. For most people, only the latter two categories involve cellar-worth wines. Go Shopping – Most people buy wine to drink immediately. You’re about to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Buying wine for your cellar entails a few more considerations then daily wine buying. • Cellar wines improve as they age. Save valuable cellar space for only the best quality wines. Otherwise, skip the cellar and drink it tonight. BENEFITING 2017 • Use your personal taste as your guide. While wine ratings can steer you toward wines that you are more likely to appreciate, they are not the final SATURDAY assessment. Buy and drink wines that you like. MAY 27, 2017 • Try a bottle before buying in quantity. True cellarheads make their BENEFITING 2017 selections with a certain amount of ceremony. 8:00 a.m. Race Start Time SATURDAY • Evaluate the wines color, clarity, nose, taste, and finish. Run along the Iron Horse MAY 27,the2017 Trail through quaint SEMPER FI • Try the wine with food towns of Danville and Alamo FOUNDA TION • If you find a wine you like, re-cork the bottle and repeat this process 8:00 a.m. Race Start Time Run along the Iron Horse for several days to see how the wine holds up after being opened. Race Start/End - 655 Old Orchard Road, Danville, CA Trail through the quaint SEMPER FI • Size what you buy to available space. The average cellar purchase (LDS Chapel off of Sycamore Valley Road) towns of Danville and Alamo FOUNDATION is a case of more. This quantity enables the periodic taste tests that are REGISTRATION part of the fun of having a cellar. If buying by the case requires too much Race online Start/End - 655 Old Orchard Road, Danville, CA Registration is now open! Register at www.danvillemarathon.com (LDS Chapel off of Sycamore Valley Road) money or space, try to stock at least 2-3 bottles of each wine to allow you Discounted Entrance Fee, if registered prior to May 1 to taste it across time. Challenge yourself with a Per-Mile Fundraiser REGISTRATION Get Tasting - Track how long bottles have been in your cellar and KID’Sonline RUN at www.danvillemarathon.com Registration is now open! Register FREE Kids 1-Mile Race for children 12 years and under. Starting at 10:00 a.m. when you expect them to peak. Periodically pull and taste bottles to see Discounted Entrance Fee, if registered prior to May 1 Kid’s Race participants receive a medal Challenge yourself with a Per-Mile Fundraiser how the wine is progressing. Ideally, you will want to leave a least one for GIVEAWAYS KID’S RUN the projected moment of optimal maturity. Keep a record of your tasting All runners will receive a runner’s medal and event t-shirt FREE Kids 1-Mile Race for children 12 years and under. Starting at 10:00 a.m. adventures to flesh out your preferences. Must be registered by May 10, to be guaranteed a medal and t-shirt Kid’s Race participants receive a medal Water, fresh fruit and muffins available I have hopefully whet your appetite for the perfect wine cellar. Look GIVEAWAYS EVENT SPONSORS for Part 2 of this series next month. Monica Chappell is a wine writer and All runners will receive a runner’s medal and event t-shirt Must be registered by May 10, to be guaranteed a medal and t-shirt educator - wineappreciation101@gmail.com.
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Water, fresh fruit and muffins available EVENT SPONSORS
Community Volunteer Partner - BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
SEMPER FI FOUNDATION Serving the needs of severely wounded Marines and their families. www.semperfifoundation.org Community Volunteer Partner - BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA SEMPER FOUNDATION Previous runs have raised over FI $20,000 for the Semper Fi Foundation Serving the needs of severely wounded Marines and their families. www.semperfifoundation.org Please contact us for Event Sponsorship Opportunities jwtrueman@gmail.com / info@semperfifoundation.org Previous runs have raised over $20,000 for the Semper Fi Foundation This program is not sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Approval to distribute flyers is a community service and does not imply endorsement.
Please contact us for Event Sponsorship Opportunities jwtrueman@gmail.com / info@semperfifoundation.org
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PAGE 18 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
BRAINWAVES BY BETSY STREETER
www.yourmonthlypaper.com
REFRESHED NOT WEIRD: HOW BOTOX, DYSPORT, AND FILLERS SHOULD LOOK
By Dr. Barbara Persons, Persons Plastic Surgery
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. Planning: Responsible for current and long-term planning for the physical development of the community that is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the direction of the City Council. Planning Department hours are 12pm – 5pm Monday-Friday. For information call (925) 284-1976 or email planner@lovelafayette.org. Police: Responsible for public safety, law enforcement, emergency operations, and parking control. The Police Department is located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd, #130, Lafayette. Hours are 8am-12pm & 1am-5pm Monday-Friday. For general questions call (925) 299-3220. For police dispatch call (925) 284-5010 or 911. Public Works: Responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the City including road repair, storm drains, and landscaping of public property. The Public Works Corp Yard is located at 3001 Camino Diablo, Lafayette. Hours are 7am – 3pm Monday-Friday. For questions call (925) 934-3908. To report potholes, streetlight outages, traffic signal problems and other issues call the Hotline at (925) 299-3259. Parks & Recreation: Responsible for the management and operation of a variety of recreation programs, special events and facilities including the Lafayette Community Center, the Community Park and a system of city trails. The Parks & Recreation (Community Center) is located 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette. Hours are 9am – 5pm Monday-Saturday. For questions call (925) 284-2232. Code Enforcement: Responsible for enforcing the Lafayette Municipal Code. The Code Enforcement Officer concentrates on the investigation and abatement of complaints involving land use (zoning), housing conditions, abandoned vehicles, signs, animals and vermin, weeds/fire hazards, fences and general public nuisances. Contact Adam Foster at 925-299-3207 or afoster@lovelafayette.org. For more information, visit www.ci.lafayette.ca.us.
A friend had just finished a high level business meeting with two women. He said, “What is it about 40-year-old women who have been overdone?” He was talking about people that have gone overboard on injectable treatments such as fillers and Botox. My initial thought... he doesn’t realize that these women are not forty-something. They do look younger than their 50 years, but they look overdone. This is indeed a problem, and it’s becoming a more common problem that I am being asked to fix in my practice. Facial rejuvenation is one of the top requests I receive. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all like the thought of a refreshed version of ourselves. Ultimately, gravity wrinkles and loss of volume over time will ultimately be most improved by surgery: a neck lift, facelift, eyelids, etc. But, for many patients, natural fillers and fat grafting, Botox, Dysport, Filaser, and RF treatments provide a safe and effective treatment to subtly improve our look. The key in facial rejuvenation -- from Botox to fillers to fat grafting -is achieving a look that is youthful, not “weird,” as my friend stated. The look should be refreshed, never overdone, and most importantly natural. Aging gracefully is just as important as looking beautiful, and the secret here is ensuring no one can guess there been a treatment done in the first place. As an expert in face work, I have many tools to use, but the secret to subtle, successful artistry is understanding how exactly to use them. There are two basic sets of concepts when it comes to facial rejuvenation. The first is lifting with volume replacement, and the second is improvement of texture, lines, pigment, and laxity. There was a time when we associated aging only with “gravity.” However, we now understand that volume loss can also dramatically change the aesthetic balance of the face. Volume loss occurs in soft tissues and bone, especially in the temporal areas, nasolabial fold, and the cheeks. This results in hollow areas of the temples, sunken eyes, eye bags, tear troughs, mid cheek breaks, marionette lines around the mouth, droopy skin at the jaw, and excess neck skin and bags. The combined effect of volume loss, sun exposure, and age also contributes to increased skin laxity, which presents as wrinkles around the eyes, the forehead, and the middle brow. The face looks more aged, more tired, less full, and overall less youthful. In the wrong hands, or with the wrong product (cheap counterfeit versions of many popular products like Botox, Dysport and fillers are a real problem), the results are only made worse...you become overdone and look weird The correct approach in my opinion is a whole face approach: recreating the beautiful normal. With Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin, the muscle relaxers, I recommend a balanced treatment. This means relaxing each of the main muscles, say in the forehead or around the eyes in a balanced synergistic way. Fillers and fat grafting should be used to perform a liquid facelift while keeping the proportions natural. Phi or the ideal proportions can be referenced. Properly treated lips should look natural, not weird. Nasolabial folds should not look like sausages - laser treatments and/or Botox/Dysport for fine lines and wrinkles and the right filler for replacing volume. There are new fillers such as Voluma, Restalyne Silk, and Radiesse Plus for treating very specialized areas of the face that may be worth the higher cost. Most importantly, consistency is key. Make sure you use a well-trained, highly skilled injector with a heightened aesthetic sense who is able to learn the intricacies unique to your face. Find a physician or nurse injector you like, and stick with that person. Most people who end up overdone have had multiple visits with multiple doctors. Our nurses, Melissa and Jocelyn, work hard with me to make sure you look natural. As always, we look forward to meeting you at Persons Plastic Surgery for a consult so we can demonstrate our approach to consistent results. Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. To contact me call 925-283-4012 or email drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
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IS EXPENSIVE SUNSCREEN WORTH IT?
By Christine Chung, MD
Ms. Y is a 75 year old woman who noticed a dry lump on her left forearm several months ago. The lump quickly grew, and a biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. She was treated with Mohs surgery, a procedure in which a dermatologist shaves off layers of skin to remove the cancer. The cancer had invaded into the nerves, so she was sent to me for radiation treatment of the skin. She asked me, “I know that sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer. Is it better to use the most expensive one?” SCC of the skin is one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in the US, with over 700,000 new cases each year. It occurs most frequently on sun-exposed skin in fair-skinned individuals, though it may also develop in people with darker skin. SCC of the skin is associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun (UVA and UVB) and occurs more often in people over 45 years old. Over 90% of skin SCC are cured with local therapy alone, usually surgical excision like Mohs. Low-risk SCC may also be treated with freezing (cryotherapy), radiation therapy, or a topical cream. Some patients may need radiation after surgical excision, if the cancer cells have aggressive features, such as invasion into the local nerves, or if the cancer continues to return even after being surgically removed. Also, the surgeon may refer the patient for radiation if the tumor could not be fully excised.
Teens continued from front page
used, current style teen basics; jeans, T-shirts, athletics, coats/sweaters, and accessories. (They do not accept children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, bathing suits, or pajamas.) All donated garments are sorted, sized, and boxed for easy distribution to social service agencies throughout the East Bay and beyond such as DreamCatcher Youth Services Teen Homeless Shelter, Edgewood Center for Children and Families, and Youth Homes, Inc. The group has also partnered with Hyatt House to secure a permanent 24/7 drop-off location at 4545 Chabot Drive in Pleasanton. The Glassers also accept donations at their Alamo home. “We just ask donors to contact us first to set that up,” says Carly. Due to privacy and confidentiality issues, the Glassers and their volunteers usually do not meet the recipients of their largess. They simply deliver boxes of clothing to the organizations who then distribute the articles to their teen clients. “But the organizations do tell me stories about who receives them and why, and we get thank you cards from some of the teens,” says Carly. “The stories they tell me, although sometimes sad, give me joy that I was able to help them and make them happy despite their circumstances.” 1Closet has paired with the Rainbow Community Center (RCC) in Concord for over three years. RCC is the sole provider of LGTBQ+ services in Contra Costa County. “The clothes afforded to RCC have helped more than 100 youth and young adults live and look better as often they are marginalized and forced out of their primary residences due to their sexual
Carly Glasser, current director of 1Closet.
MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 19
Cumulative sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, so avoid sun exposure during peak hours (10am – 2pm), and wear sun-protective clothing. Apply sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protective Factor) of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, and put it on 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. It is important to use enough sunscreen: 1 teaspoon to the face and neck, 2 teaspoons for the torso and back, 1 teaspoon for each arm, and 2 teaspoons to each leg. It’s a lot of sunscreen – more than most people apply on a daily basis. Sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days, as ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds. Chemical sunscreens contain chemicals such as oxybenzone or octinoxate that absorb UV light. Physical sunscreens contain substances such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which can also absorb and reflect UV light. Either type of sunscreen is effective, though physical sunscreens are generally preferred for small children, as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. To answer my patient’s question, more expensive sunscreens are not better, and budget brands of sunscreen are highly effective. Be sure to look for a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, use enough sunscreen (follow the teaspoon rule), and remember to reapply it every two hours. Dr. Chung is a board certified radiation oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group in Pleasant Hill. Join Dr. Chung at the Many Faces of Skin Cancer on May 24th, 6:30-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library. This event will feature a panel of skin cancer medical experts who will discuss early detection, prevention, risk factors and latest treatment options. Please reserve a seat by calling 925-677-5041 or visit www.dvohmg.com. Advertorial orientation and/or gender identity expression,” says Tech Tran, Case Management Program Director at RCC. “Many of these youngsters are thrilled to receive clothes that they actually want to wear and that match their gender expression. The clothes are high quality and on-trend, and help to make them feel better about themselves.” Tran also works with the Mount Diablo Unified School District as a Social Work Specialist where he utilizes 1Closet for his most vulnerable students. “1Closet has provided MDUSD students with more than 30 boxes of new to slightly used clothes that help to increase students’ overall sense of self-worth,” he says. “Grass roots organizations like 1Closet are a tremendous asset to the community,” says Candy Espino, CEO of Youth Homes, Inc. “Youth Homes is grateful to have developed these types of collaborative partnerships within the community and is inspired that more of these organizations are being spearheaded by youth themselves!” The Glasser girls and 1Closet are always open to working with new organizations. “We are open to giving boxes of teen clothes to any organization that works with teens,” says Carly. “Please contact us via our website at www.1-closet.com if interested.”
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
The free events listed below are held for cancer patients and their caregivers. The talks take place at the Cancer Support Community, located at 3276 McNutt Avenue in Walnut Creek. For more information and reservations please call 925-933-0107. UPDATE ON THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA with Dr. Stanley Rockson, Cardiovascular Surgeon at Stanford, will be held Tuesday, May 30, 6-8PM. Learn about the latest treatments to manage lymphedema, one of the most difficult long-term side effects that may occur after surgery or radiation. Dr. Rockson, a lymphedema specialist, will discuss current treatments and clinical trials and leave plenty of time for questions. YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM & CANCER TREATMENT with Piyush Srivistava, MD, Medical Oncologist at Kaiser Walnut Creek, will be held Wednesday, June 28, 6-8PM. Learn about one of the most exciting new discoveries and treatments for cancer: immunotherapy. Find out how the immune system interacts with cancer, treatments that are currently available, as well as treatments in development along with tips to manage side effects.
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PAGE 20 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
Book continued from front page
HOPE MATTERS
while celebrating along the way.
WHO IS THE BOOK’S TARGETED AUDIENCE?
The book is especially appropriate for teenagers and for anyone older. It resonates most with those seeking a bit of inspiration, hope, or encouragement, particularly in times of change. The book was written with a timeless quality in mind, so I relied heavily on metaphors from nature rather than human-made items. My intention is for the book to feel gender-neutral so that it would appeal to all people. The offerings are short, with the hope that a reader would feel a little pick-me-up in just a minute or two. During the writing phase, I had the joy of keeping my ear to the ground every day, listening for fresh words of wisdom or for ways that nature could teach me something. What’s been really fun for me is to hear how different offerings resonate with people differently. There seems to be no consensus over which poems are the most compelling because it depends on where the reader is in his or her own life at the moment.
WHAT SORT OF SUPPORT DID YOU RECEIVE IN THE CONCEPTION/WRITING/PUBLISHING OF THIS BOOK?
I worked closely with Orinda writer and teacher Cynthia Leslie-Bole (author of The Luminous In-Between) through the conception/writing process. Cynthia has helped many local authors bring their books to fruition. I also consulted with Lafayette resident and Art Moves Project founder Christy Mack on choosing the cover design and font. The cover was designed by Oakland-based designer and artist Hannah Mode, who is currently pursuing an MFA in Studio Arts at Mills College.
DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL ASPIRATIONS AS AN AUTHOR? IS THERE ANOTHER BOOK IN YOU?
My hope is for May It Be to be the first of three books of blessings. I would like to write one with each of my three kids in mind as they move through the teen years and into adulthood. I think each of their journeys will offer new insights. Plus, there are lots of topics not covered in May It Be – there is little written about romantic love, for example, because billions of words have already been devoted to that subject. I also didn’t include much about physical health because all my attempts sounded like a nagging mom, which was the exact tone I wanted to avoid. Additionally, there are a few other nonfiction topics I’d like to explore in future books. For more information, visit www.ChrissaVentrelle.com. May you simplify, paring down to what you love and what you use creating space for clarity and room for ideas to germinate. May you weed out clutter and cultivate calm, shaping where you live into a place that rejuvenates and inspires.
By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
Worldwide in 2013 there were about 1.8 million new cases of breast cancer and over 464,000 cancer deaths in women. About one-half of breast cancer cases, and nearly 60% of breast cancer deaths, occur in women in less-developed countries. In the United States, mammography remains the mainstay of screening for breast cancer, with multiple randomized trials showing screening mammography in women 50-60 years old decreases breast cancer mortality. Treatment often includes an initial conservative breast surgery (lumpectomy) followed by adjuvant therapy which can include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Adjuvant therapy for a breast cancer – treatment after surgical removal of the tumor – is a major therapeutic advance that has had a considerable effect on prolonging disease-free and overall survival. Adjuvant “chemotherapy” is often given for 5-10 years, with the goal of driving systemic estrogen levels to as low as possible since many breast cancers are estrogen sensitive. Aromatase inhibitor’s (AI) are the preferred adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early stage breast cancer. A very low systemic estrogen level can lead to vaginal dryness and decreased libido, both of which may lead to poor compliance and early discontinuation. Pain with intimacy in patients taking AI’s is common. There is HOPE! The last several Menopause Matters articles I have written addressed menopausal changes in genitourinary health and treatment options with locally administered medicines and/or the MonaLisa Touch laser. Worldwide, approximately 30,000 patients and in my office approximately 100 patients have undergone MonaLisa Touch laser with an approximate 93% patient satisfaction. Symptomatic patients with genitourinary changes due to menopause or cancer chemotherapy are encouraged to use low dose vaginal estrogen which is often covered by insurance. Breast cancer survivors are understandably fearful of using any estrogen so are reluctant to use this option. I offer the initial three MonaLisa Touch treatments to five breast cancer survivors a month for FREE with the help of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) (cancersupportcommunity.net). Contact the CSC for more information. The CSC is a non-profit organization in Walnut Creek that provides their resources for FREE. They offer classes on nutrition, exercise, and counseling and support groups for cancer patients and their families. Anyone touched by cancer only needs to call, and they will find a community of caregivers with open arms asking, “How can we help?” Corporate and private donations, in addition to several important fundraising events, allow CSC to provide their resources for free. An important fundraising event takes place every May and is called HOPE WALK. HOPE WALK is a 5K (3.1 miles) walk around scenic Heather Farm Park and is for friends and families to celebrate and honor the lives of those living or passed who have been touched by cancer. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the CSC to provide support, education, and hope free of charge to anyone facing cancer. Hope Walk will take place on May 20th, and I encourage you to spend that Saturday morning getting to know this inspirational community of patients and caregivers. You may consider a donation (www.hopewalkbayarea.net) to financially support their goal of raising $150,000, but if this is not possible, then donate your time and come walk with this hopeful community. HOPE MATTERS! Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page, Timothy Leach MD, for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925-935-6952. Advertorial
HAIR CARE PROFESSIONALS AND MASSAGE THERAPISTS NEEDED
Hospice of the East Bay provides care to terminally ill patients and their families in their homes or facilities throughout Contra Costa County. Many of our patients benefit greatly from a haircut or hair set or from the gentle and compassionate touch of a massage therapist. Would you be interested in volunteering a few hours a month to provide comfort to our patients? If so, please call the Volunteer Department at Hospice of the East Bay, (925) 887-5678. (License/Massage Certification required)
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We admire his dedication to supporting people in our community facing cancer.
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YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
SIMPLY LOWERING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
Lately I am seeing many clients that wish to get off of their blood pressure medication due to the side effects of the drugs. The clients feel that they have to resort to eating a bland diet. I am thrilled to show them that dining can be enjoyable, especially when they are well educated. My client John and his wife Adelle were referred to me by a local physician. The doctor was inclined to increase John’s medication because his numbers were not in the normal range but noted, “If you see Linda, we’ll wait two months.” John and Adelle are retired, and their kids live on their own. Adelle wanted a break from cooking, and they felt that this was finally the time to enjoy more restaurants and travel. However, John expressed some nervousness in going to restaurants because of a realistic fear that the food could raise his blood pressure. After seeing John’s food diary, I decided our basic strategy was to limit his salt intake to 2,000mg of sodium per day, which is equal to a teaspoon of salt. I saw that his choice of foods – breads, bacon, soups, chips, and deli meats – included heavy doses of salt. We first focused on how to read food labels, pointing out that in spite of claims on packages a low sodium product is 140mg per serving. I strive to take what my clients enjoy and set up meal plans based on favorite foods. I introduced John to breakfast options that have no salt such as oatmeal or even a slice of salt free bread with unsalted almond or peanut butter. I also recommended that John enjoy an omelet made with unsalted butter, Swiss cheese (which is naturally low in salt at 60 mg/ slice), spinach, and mushrooms along with fresh salsa that has very little salt. I also introduced him to Kashi Go Lean as the best cold cereal with 80 grams of sodium per cup. I told Adelle that though I appreciate her desire to go out, there is a short list of foods that must be prepared at home to avoid salt traps. I recommended making homemade soups that easily can substitute fresh herbs and spices for salt; baked turkey breast and chicken with BBQ sauce; vinaigrette salad dressings; and marinara and cheese sauces for pasta that John loves. I introduced Adelle to salt free chicken stock as well as vinegars that provide a terrific flavor when splashed onto cooked veggies. Adelle now cooks a great sauce for John’s beloved spaghetti consisting of chopped tomatoes along with fresh basil, oregano, and garlic, and adding some aged parmesan which only has 75mg/Tbs. of sodium. Adelle loves to make beans soups, and I told her she can buy salt free beans or dried beans and soak them overnight to cook the next day. Adelle and John did not realize that all breads have an average of 150mg of sodium per slice so I suggested using salt free bread for their sandwiches adding yellow mustard (55mg/teaspoon). In addition, John was happy to learn he could still enjoy snacks such as unsalted baked chips, unsalted nuts, or even dry cereal that is low in salt. I told Adelle and John that it would be my job to make sure they will enjoy their glorious retirement in restaurants and become more comfortable while traveling. We have discussed the advantages of ordering fish, beef, or chicken that is freshly cooked without salt and where olive oil, lemon, pepper, and herbs are used. Though salt is a favorite addition of many cooks to veggies, we discussed the need to be firm with the waiter that you cannot have salt. A side salad is great to order, and many restaurants will bring you a decanter of oil and vinegar. I emphasized that John can still enjoy a restaurant meal with salt if he keeps the other meals of the day relatively salt free to meet the 2,000mg sodium goal. We also discussed the advantages of staying in condos with kitchens which will allow for eating breakfast and some lunches in and dinner out. I advised John that he must drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to get rid of the salt he is consuming and also to walk 30 minutes per day. He agreed that he would begin doing both. I am glad to inform you that after working with John for a month, his blood pressure is the best it has ever been in years, and he has lost 10 pounds. The couple has decided to go visit their kids in Texas, and John says he is not scared of eating in restaurants anymore. I will continue to follow John through phone and e-mail, even in Texas, and assist him with eating while out of town. The good news is that Aetna, Blue Cross, UHC, Cigna, and most insurances cover nutritional counseling. Please visit www.LindaRD.com for more information about your nutritional concerns, call (925) 855-0150, or e-mail me at Advertorial lifeweight1@yahoo.com.
MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 21
CHURCH PROVIDES COMMUNITY CARE
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian’s Stephen Ministry has 25 trained lay people who provide ongoing, one-on-one Christian care to those in our congregation and in the community who are experiencing transitions in their lives. LOPC Stephen Ministry is confidential and is provided at no cost. A Stephen Minister is... • A congregation member with a gift for listening, • A lay person who has received 50 hours training in providing emotional and spiritual care, • A committed caregiver who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages those who are hurting, and • Someone who will “be there” for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there’s a need. Stephen Ministers are available for those who are dealing with illness or hospitalization, loneliness, aging, being shut-in, separation due to military deployment, death or serious loss, separation or divorce, disabilities, or grief and anxiety. If you know of someone who would benefit from the ongoing confidential, no cost, spiritual, and emotional support of a Stephen Minister, contact Jean Lee at (925) 943-2237, or visit www.lopc.org/ care_stephen_ministry.asp.
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.
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EVENTS FOR LAFAYETTE SENIORS
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center (LSC), located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette, unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call (925) 284-5050 to reserve a spot. Unless otherwise mentioned, events are free for members and $10 for non-members. Friday Connections at the Lafayette Library Every Friday • 1PM – 3PM • Lafayette Library & Learning Center - Join the gathering at the Lafayette Library for a variety of activities including speakers, games, film screenings, presentations, and more. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones over refreshments! Check with library staff or the online calendar (tinyurl.com/ lafcalendar) for each week’s activities and meeting room. For more info, contact Chris Gray at (925) 385-2288 or cgray@ccclib.org. Let’s Do Lunch! 1st Tuesday monthly • 11:30AM - Discover and explore the various dining experiences in the Lamorinda area. Relax, dine, meet new people, socialize, and enjoy lively conversation! Space is limited. Contact Lafayette Senior Services for the schedule of restaurants and to make your reservations: Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050. Individuals will pay for their own lunches; the restaurants will provide separate checks. This interest group is offered in conjunction with Lamorinda Village. Showtime at Town Hall Theatre: An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde 6/18 • 1PM Pre-show Gathering; 2PM Curtain • Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street - Enjoy a pre-show gathering in the lobby of Lafayette’s very own charming and historic Town Hall Theatre (THT) one hour before the curtain rises on An Ideal Husband. This is one of Oscar Wilde’s most beloved – and funniest – plays. Featuring biting wit, this play takes aim at hypocrisy as well as women’s place in society. THT has offered discounted tickets of $20/ person which includes a coupon for one free item at the concessions area. Tickets must be purchased by June 9. Call the THT box office at 283-1557, Tues- Fri, 4:00 – 6:00PM or Saturdays 2:00 – 4:00PM and say I’d like to reserve __ number of tickets with the LSS Group (Lafayette Senior Services). Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards accepted. Android Basics 3rd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Designed for owners of non-Apple mobile devices that use Google’s Android operating system, this series will explore the wide range of functions including texting, calendar, email, music, photos, and more. Learn how to download and use free apps from the Google Play store (bring your Google Play account log-in information). There will be time for individuals’ questions at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with non-Apple devices. Apple Basics 1st Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - This ongoing series covers many topics such as Apple IDs, iTunes, iCloud, and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for upcoming sessions are based on participants’ input and needs. There is always time for Q&A at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with Apple devices only. Lamorinda Dance Social Wednesdays • 1 – 3:30PM • Live Oak Room, LSC - 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. Words of Wisdom...From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted 3rd Tuesday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Share your opinions with us in a freewheeling exchange of ideas: from current events to philosophy to the inspirational. There may be agreement or there may be different opinions -- it’s all in the spirit of learning, sharing, enrichment, and good humor. Our “elder perspective” frequently sounds a lot like wisdom! Reservoir Walking Group Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays • 9:30AM – AM 11 • Meet at the reservoir at 9:20AM at the center bench on the dam - Come 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 uplifted and radiant with that overall feeling 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 284-5050 or email seniors@lovelafayette. org to add your name to the email list. Bring quarters or credit card for the
parking meter. Annual senior (62+) parking passes may be purchased at the reservoir Visitor Center. Free Free Peer Counseling 2nd Tuesday monthly • 10AM - noon • Alder Room, LSC - 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 to sign up for one of the 60-minute appointments. Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Wednesdays • 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. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features discussions on a wide range of topics that guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome! Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentation: Strokes 5/24 • 11:30AM – 12:30PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Falls are a threat to health and independence. The effects of a stroke can be devastating. Learn what causes strokes and how to recognize when one is occurring in order to avoid some of the debilitating effects. Hearing Screening 1st Wednesday monthly • 1PM – 2:20PM • Check in at Community Center Front - Minimum of two sign-ups required in order for hearing screenings to take place. To reserve one of the 20-minute appointments, contact Lafayette Senior Services. Drop-In Mah Jongg! (Intermediate Level) Tuesdays • 12:30-3:30PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Bring your card and mah jongg set, and join us every Tuesday afternoon for intermediate level play.
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HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION
Come to meetings of the Diablo Valley Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Walnut Creek United Methodist Church located at 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek Education Bldg., Wesley Room. Meeting room and parking are at back of church. All are welcome. Donations are accepted. An assistive listening system is available for T-coils, and most meetings are captioned. Contact HLAADV@hearinglossdv. org or (925) 264-1199 or www.hearinglossdv.org for more information.
editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
MAY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 23
A CONVERSATION WITH OUR PASSENGERS
By Mary Bruns, Lamorinda Senior Transportation
It was affirming and enlightening to talk to passengers who frequently use the Lamorinda Spirit Van as well as to the eight people who joined the April 10 Senior Center Without Walls Senior Transportation Focus Group. We learned how appreciative Spirit Van passengers are of the program and the drivers, and how important community-based transportation is to older adults across the country. Some individuals use the Spirit Van to go to medical appointments, meet their shopping needs, and get help carrying their packages; and some enjoy the camaraderie of going to the C.C. Café Lunch Program at the Walnut Creek Senior Center where they can get out of the house, take a ride through scenic Lamorinda, and socialize with their new-found friends on the van and at the Café. Most passengers are in their 80’s and 90’s: with one or two exceptions, they can no longer drive or are limited to driving locally. Aging often brings physical challenges, so mention was made of conditions such as macular degeneration, heart conditions, strokes, limited walking ability, painful knees, arthritis, MS, and using canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. Impressive were the stories of people who are determined to exercise daily either through walking or riding a stationary bike to help maintain mobility and balance. Two people spoke of long waits for paratransit due to heavy bookings, one member of the focus group spoke of the difficulty of grocery shopping by taxi since taxis don’t wait for them, and one participant spoke of taxi drivers who wouldn’t drive her to visit her husband at his board and care as the trip was too short. Some wished we operated on weekends. (That’s a hint to our community for additional volunteer drivers.) All in all, these were very valuable and inspirational conversations. When asked how she was doing, one woman, confined to a wheelchair with MS, said, “I have an 8 to 5 assistant every day. My feet, hands, and legs don’t work, but I feel great. We all love Eddie (the lunch driver). He took us to a play at the Town Hall Theatre, and we had a great time.” It is inspiring to see how the transportation services make a difference. A trip to the Town Hall Theatre to see An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde is scheduled for Sundays, June 11 and 18 at 2PM. Reserve your ticket by June 1. Call the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 and say, “I would like to reserve # __ of tickets for the Lamorinda Spirit Van Group.” Phone hours are Tuesday – Friday, 4 - 6PM and Saturday, 2 - 4PM.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 29 AT JOHN MUIR BALL AUDITORIUM
Since Measure X didn’t pass, the Senior Mobility Action Council (SMAC) has been looking for ways to be supportive to Contra Costa County’s efforts to determine how to proceed to meet accessible trans-
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Volunteer Drivers – Needed, Valued, and Appreciated We will accommodate your schedule. Call one of the programs below to volunteer.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
925-283-3534
Takes Lamorinda older adults, age 60 and up, to errands, appointments, shopping, classes, and to lunch at the C.C. Café. Wheelchair and walker accessible. WE LOVE TO SAY YES, so call early to make your reservation. ‘LIKE” us at www.facebook.com/lamorindaspiritvan.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 925-284-1234 10% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
925-402-4506
Mobility Matters Rides for Seniors
925-284-6161
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.
County Connection LINK Reservation Line 925-938-7433 For people with disabilities. (Older adults often have “age-based” disabilities.)
Mobility Matters Information and Referral Line 925-284-6109 Gogograndparent.com 855-464-6872 A way to use UBER or LYFT without an iPhone. Press “0” to speak to an operator.
portation funding needs and to help the public, public officials, medical discharge planners, social workers, and others who assist the older adult population understand what is available in the realm of senior transportation, and what the limitations, gaps, and needs are. To that end, SMAC is developing an educational event to be held Friday, September 29. Besides representatives of transportation programs, we plan to invite legislators, the DMV, and a representative from the self-driving vehicles industry to speak and answer questions. Stay tuned next month for a report on the May 11 Senior Rally Day at the State Capital hosted by the Seniors Count Coalition.
Senior Rally Day 2016
C L A S S I F I E D S HANDYMAN SERVICES
Home Services with 30 years experience. •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Baseboards •Drywall repair •Picture hanging •New toilets •Repair toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring •Sliding doors and more! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877.
COMPUTER HELP
ITkid Computer Help with any tech related issue for a low price. Computer Set-up & Repair •Email •Wifi •Smartphone •Home Theater - $40/hr. Contact Max Nunan, (925) 482-5488, maxnunan@gmail.com, www.itkid.co.
AUTOS WANTED We Will Buy or Consign Your Car. All cars displayed in our private and secure showroom. We are a locally family owned dealership serving the Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley for over 30 years in a very relaxed atmosphere. Free pick-up and delivery. 925-820-1188
ARCHITECT
JOHN ROLF HATTAM - ARCHITECT Specializes in modest budget, new and renovated residences. Over 200 completed projects. Brochures available for all of our professional services •RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION •NEW RESIDENCES •CHURCHES •COMMERCIAL •MULTI-FAMILY. For the brochure meeting your need call 510-841-5933.
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PAGE 24 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • MAY 2017
PATIO FURNITURE Floor Sample & Special Order Sale
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