s #1 The Orinda · PDF fileGratis Published by The Orinda Association 12 Issues Annually ......

The Orinda newsGratis Published by The Orinda Association 12IssuesAnnuallyVolume30,Number2 Deliveredto9,000HouseholdsandBusinessesinOrinda February2015

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IN THIS ISSUENews Police 5 WasteServices 5AroundTown Organizations/Residents 9,13,14 ParksandRec 6 Schools/Students 15 Speakers/VisualArts 2,3,7BetweentheLines 14BusinessBuzz 20Calendar 17CarTime 7Classified 16Editorial 4EverydayChanges 6Obituaries 8OrindaAssociation 3RovingReporter 10SomethingtoHowlAbout 12TheReelLessTraveled 18

Orinda’s #1 News Source!

Local Girl Scouts Send 500 Stuffed Socks to Soldiers Overseas

By SALLY HOGARTYEditor

What better way to begin 2015 thanwithatributetoourlocalGirlScouts

andaprojectthathonorsoursoldiersserv-ingoverseas?

This pastVeteran’sDay,more than200GirlScoutsfromOrindaandMoragacametogethertostuff500pairsofnewsockswithhandmadecardsandlotsofcandy.Thegirlsrangedinagefromkindergartenthrough12thgrade.“ThesocksweredeliveredtotheBlueStarMoms,Chapter101,inDanville,”says

Orinda resident Mary Friese. “The sockswerethenshippedtoAfghanistantoarriveintimefortheholidays.”

AccordingtoFriese,oneoftheBlueStarMomshadpreviouslyreceivedsocksfromthe Orinda Intermediate School’s OthersFirstvolunteerprogram.

“Shenoteditwasverydifficultforhertoexpresshowimportantasimplegestureofsocks, treats andamessage fromhome isforthesoldierswhoareenduringsuchharshconditions,”Friesesays.“Shesaidhersonstillhasthecardshereceivedandstillreadsthem.“

RxSafe Battles Prescription Drug AbuseBy MICHAEL SAKODA

Staff Writer

Between2008and2012,therewere408overdose fatalities in Contra Costa

County.Morethanhalfinvolvedprescriptiondrugs.Asanation,welost41,502peopletooverdoses in 2012 alone; 22,114 of thosedeathsinvolvedprescriptiondrugs.Prescrip-tiondrugabuseanditsconsequencesareanational epidemic that affectsOrinda, justliketherestofthecountry.

LastOctober,theLamorindaAlcoholPol-icy Coalition initiatedRxSafeLamorinda,joiningSanRamonValley,Marin,Martinezand Brentwood in educating communitymembersaboutthedangersofprescriptiondrugs inorder toreduce theratesofover-dosesandaddiction.

AprilRovero,wholaunchedRxSafeSanRamonfiveyearsago,spokeatthemeetingofherownloss.Rovero’sson,Joey,21,diedonDec.18,2009ofaprescriptiondrugover-dosejustonedaybeforereturninghomefromcollegeforwinterbreak.Joeywasfoundwithacombinationofbenzodiazepines,opiatesandalcoholinhissystem.

“I’ll have conversations with parentswherethey’llsay,‘Well,mysonisastraightA student; he’s a football player,’ and I’llsay,‘Mysonwastoo,’”saidRovero.“This

problem crosses all boundaries, it doesn’tmatter.Anyoneisatrisk.”

Addiction isn’t a diseaseof thepoorordowntrodden. Itknowsno race,genderor

age;itdoesn’tdiscriminate.ThegoalofRx-Safeistobreakthroughthesestereotypesand reach people who wouldn’t actively

[SeeDRuGSpage6]

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

GirlScoutsfromOrindaandMoragaworkedtogethertohelpsoldiers.

MICHAELSAKODA

MembersofthenewRxSafeLamorindameetatOrinda’sCityHall.

MiramonteHighSchool’sExamJam

SALLYHOGARTY

Students at Miramonte High SchooleagerlypickuphealthysnacksprovidedbytheParents’Clubbeforestudyingforexamsattheschool’sfirstExamJam,thebrainchildofPrincipalJulieParks.Thetwo-dayeventheldtheweekbeforefinalsencouragedstudentstostayafterschoolandstudywithteachersavailabletohelp.

2 n The Orinda news n FeBRuARy 2015

LIBRARYGALLERY

Library Gallery Features Four Women in Love with Creating

By ELANA O’LOSKEYStaff Writer

The OrindaArts Council presents thework of four women artists at the

Orinda Library Gallery during February.StopbytoviewCarlaGelbaum’spaintings,JoanIbarolle’sceramicworksandporcelaindolls,ShirleySanderson’sexoticwildlifephotographs and CynthiaWhitchurch’sfusedglassworks.Meetthemattheirart-istreceptiononSunday,Feb.8,from2:30to4:30p.m.whenlightrefreshmentswillbeserved.

Carla Gelbaum of Moraga is showingabout20paintingsandasamplingofhermonotypes.Shehasbeenmakingartherentirelifeandsaysthatherpaintingsareawaytoconnectherdreamstoherreal-ity.Lookfortwolargepanels:Brunch at Brita’s One (55” x 80”) and Brunch at Brita’s Two (72” x 93”). She painted onindividual sheets of un-stretched canvasand sewed them together like a quilt onherlatemother’sFeatherlightSingersew-ing machine.They portray an imaginedbrunchhostedbyhermother,Brita,soshecouldmeethergranddaughter,Julia.Guestsincludehermother,herdaughterandhermother’smother.OtherinterestingguestsincludetwowomenwhoareNobelPeacePrizerecipientsfromMyanmarandKenya,Queen Nefertiti (who had six daughters)and Indira Gandhi.Themenu is onehermotherwouldhavemadeandthetableissetwithnamecardsforeachguest.Gelbaumsays,“Eachpersoninthisworldhasinfinitepotentialasvastastheuniverse,andIhope

thatthroughmyartpeoplecanfeelthein-finitepotentialoflife,especiallyasweallfacethemanydifficultiesandstrugglesintoday’sworld.”Seehttp://cwgelbaum.comformoreofherwork.

JoanIbarolleofWalnutCreekis83yearsoldandhasbeencreatingceramicsfor38years.Shestartedasapainter,butwhenherdaughterwenttocollege,shedecidedtotryclayandfellinlovewithit.Atfirst,shedidfunctionalpiecesbuteventuallybranchedoff into sculpture. Joseph Campbell’sdictate,“followyourbliss,”remindedherhowshewasalwaysbranchingofftomakefaces;andthatshehasaloveofchildrenandofdolls.Ergo,shelearnedhowtocreatere-

Moraga Gallery Displays Lisa Gunn’s Impassioned Art


OrindaresidentLisaGunn’sexhibit,Art Appassionata, isbeingshownatthe

MoragaArtGallerythroughMarch21.Theterm describes an impassioned classicalsonata–noaccident,asGunnhastaughtmusicfor29years.However,heresheap-pliesthetermtopaintingwithpassionaswell,beitlandscape,portrait,figurativeor

stilllife.Asaprofessionallytrainedpianist,she discovered a delightful transferencebetween her ear and her eye - playing apiece of music, and creating a painting.Thecomparisonsareinnumerable,somanyof the same terms apply: bright sounds/brightcolors;minortones/darktones.Justas composers use music to connect with

[SeeGuNNpage8]

[SeeGALLERypage8]

SHIRLEYSANDERSON

Thisphotoofamalelionwithanunusualblackmane in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve inBotswana is part of the February exhibit at theLibraryGallery.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

PersimmonsontheWindowsillwillbeamongtheworksinLisaGunn’sshowsattheMoragaGallery.

The Orinda news n FeBRuARy 2015 n 3

ORINDAASSOCIATION

The Orinda Association

OFFICERSPresident BillWatermanVicePresident: JoeGarveySecretary AlisonDewTreasurer CindyPowellMembership JimLuini

BOARDMEMBERSMauraAarsMaryamAsgariJoeHaughinChrisLaszcz-Davis

TheOrindaAssociationisanot-for-profitcorporationdedicatedto:•Maintainingandimprovingthequalityof

lifeinOrinda;•Promotingawarenessanddiscussionofis-

suesthatareimportanttothecommunity;•Encouragingandrecognizingvolunteeref-

fortstoenhancethebeauty,character,andsecurityofOrinda.

P.O.Box9726OrindaWay(LowerLevelLibrary)Orinda,California94563Phone:254-0800Fax:254-8312www.orindaassociation.org

A Message From the OA PresidentMeet OA Board Member Joe Garvey!

BillWaterman

The OrindaAssociation recently hadtwo new members join the board –

JoeGarveyandMauraAars. I thought itwouldbenicetointroducethemtoyouinmycolumnbeginningthismonthwithJoe(whojumpedrightinandagreedtobeournewvicepresident)and,inMarch,profil-ingMaura.

marketingfromNewyorkuniversityandenjoyedacareerinthetravelandhospital-ityindustrieswhereheadvancedtoseniormanagementpositionsasavicepresidentwithunitedAirlines,RoyalVikingCruiseLines and Hyatt Hotels. In the remain-ingyearsofhiscareer,heandcolleaguesfrom these companies formed their ownenterprise and were consultants to suchhotelsastheRitzCarltonHotels,Destina-tionHotelsandvariousindependenthotelsandresorts throughout theunitedStates,EuropeandAsia.

Joe and his family resided in NyC,Chicago, Portland, Denver and Orinda.Joe says that, without question, Orindahas been the most enjoyable communityinwhichthey’velived.HethinksOrindaoffersauniqueandfulfillingqualityoflifewhere residents are friendly, caring andinvolvedinourbeautifulcity.ByservingontheboardoftheOrindaAssociation,JoewishestoexpresshisgratitudetoOrindaresidentsbycontributing to theenhance-mentofthebeauty,characterandsecurityofourcommunity.

If you are interested in serving onthe OA board, please contact me [email protected] and Linda, his wife of 51 years,

movedtoOrinda28yearsago.Theyaretheproudparentsofasonanddaughterwhohaveblessedthemwithfourgrandchildren,all boys.Their children graduated fromMiramonte High School and went on toearndegreesfromCaliforniauniversities.

Joe served in the Navy after graduat-ing from theu.S.NavalAcademy.Afterleavingtheservice,heearnedhisMBAin

Perlmutter Gallery Showcases Schumer’s Without Hesitation


Julie Schumer’s solo Without Hesita-tion exhibit displays work in the alla

primapaintingstylewhichtheartistwasdrawntobecauseitconveysagreatsenseofmovementandenergy.SchumerraisedtwoboysinOrindaandspent20yearsintheBayAreabeforemovingtoSantaFeadozenyearsago.ShehasmaintainedmanyfriendshipsintheareaandisthrilledtobeshowingherworkatthePerlmutterGalleryinLafayette,where it is ondisplayuntilValentine’sDay,Feb.14.

Insteadofbuildingcolorsupwith lay-ers of glazing over an underpainting, analla primapaintingiscompletedwhilethepaint is still wet; sometimes it is startedand finished in one session. The literaltranslationfromItalianis“atonce,”whichconveys a direct, expressive style withminimalpreparation.StopbytoseeLand-scape Composition 40,a40”x50”acrylic

and cold wax painting on panel, whichconveysSchumer’sjoyfulencounterwiththestyle.Seewww.julieschumer.comformoreinformation.

Thegalleryislocatedat3620Mt.DiabloBlvd., Lafayette, CA 94549 and is openTuesday-Saturday,11a.m.to5p.m.,andbyappointment.Formoreinformationgoto www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com orcall925-284-1485.

CHARLIEJARRETT

VicePresidentJoe Garvey

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Julie SchumerexhibitsheracrylicandcoldwaxpaintingentitledLandscapeComposition40.

SALLYHOGARTY

Avolunteeroffersadrinktooneoftheyoungparticipantsasshebeginsherrun.

Volunteer OpportunityThe 7thAnnual NorCal Kid’sTri-

athlon needs volunteers to helporganize its popular sporting eventscheduledforSaturday,Aug.29,from7:30a.m.–1p.m.

Volunteer will help a few hours amonth between now and theAugusteventandthenonthedayoftheevent.Organizers are looking for help withthefollowing:

1.Marketingandpromotions;2.Socialmediamanagement(Face-

book,twitterandInstagram);3.Sponsorandfundraisingefforts;4.Awardsandclothingorders.SponsoredbytheOrindaCommunity

Foundation, theKid’sTriathlonintro-ducessportstoyoungpeopleinasafeand supportive environment that en-courageshealthycompetitionbetweenfriendsandfamily.

Formoreinformationonvolunteer-ing,contactcoordinatorCharlieVollmar

[email protected].

Thegroupisalsolookingforvolun-teerstoserveonaplanningcommitteeforOrindaAction,theannualdaywherethecommunitycomestogethertoclean,weedandmore.Gotowww.orindafoun-dation.orgformoreinformation.

GalaAwardDinnerFebruary8at6p.m.

OrindaCountryClubVolunteeroftheYearWilliamPennMott,Jr.

925-254-0800

VolunteeroftheYearandWilliamPennMott,Jr.Awards

JoinusfordinnertohonorDickBurkhalterastheVolunteeroftheYearandOrindaIntermediateSchool’sOthersFirstprogramastheWilliamPennMott,Jr.EnvironmentalAwardwinner.

February 8 at 6 p.m.OrindaCountryClub

Cocktailhouranddinnerfollowedbytheawardsceremony.Call925-254-0800orgoonlinetowww.orindaassociation.orgtomakeyourreservationanddinnerselection.

MARYFRIESE

OIS students (L-R) Louie Giles, Chinmai Srinivas, and Juliet AdamatGlideMemo-rialChurch.

SALLYHOGARTY

Dick BurkhalterinMexicodistributingOrindasoccer uniforms and equipment to needyyoungplayers.


EDITORIAL

The Orinda Newsprints9,000copiesandispublished12timesayearbyTheOrindaAssociation.Theofficeislocatedat26OrindaWay(lowerleveloftheLibrary).Allrightsreserved.Thepublicationissentoutbydirectmail(Permit#4,OrindaPostOffice)anddistributedtokeylocationsthroughoutthecity.Editor..........................................................................................SallyHogartyAssistantEditor...........................................................................DavidDierksCopyEditor..............................................................................MaggieSharpeAdvertisingRepresentatives...............................JillGelster,ElanaO’LoskeyEditorialCommittee...............................................JillGelster,SallyHogarty,

CharlieJarrett,JimLuini,ElanaO’Loskey,MarkRoberts,BillWaterman,KateWiley

StaffWriters......................... JenniferConroy,BobbieDodson,ValerieHotz,JeanetteIrving,CharlieJarrett,KathrynG.McCarty,MarianNielsen,

ElanaO’Loskey,MichaelSakoda,JohnVanek,BillWaterman,BonnieWaters,TomWestlake

ContributingWriters.........................................KayeChavalas,StephenEllisGraphics................................ AspenConsulting:JillGelster&DavidDierksPrinting................................................................................... FolgerGraphics

Opinions of The Orinda News are expressed on theeditorialpage.Viewsofwritersand letters to theeditoraretheir own and do not necessarily reflect the views ofTheOrindaAssociationorofThe Orinda News.Advertisementsappearing in The Orinda News are not to be construed asendorsementsbyTheOrindaAssociationorThe Orinda News.

Letters to the Editor are printed on a space-availablebasisandshouldbenolongerthan400words.Theymustin-cludethewriter’sfirstandlastname,signatureandtelephonenumber.

Send letters to: Editor, The Orinda News, P.O. Box97, Orinda, CA 94563, fax them to 254-8312, or emailto [email protected]. Letters to Editor fortheMarchissuearedue February 8,2015.

Fordisplayadvertisingrates,callJillGelsterat925-528-9225oremailtojill@aspenconsult.net.ThedeadlinefortheMarchissueisFebruary8,2015.

The Orinda NewsAPublicationof

TheOrindaAssociationMailingAddress

P.O.Box97Orinda,California94563Telephone:925254-0800

Fax:925254-8312

www.orindanews.org

TheOAisa501(c)(3)not-for-profitorganization.

KattenburgArchitects 20TaxiBleu 12Real EstateAGRealtyAlexanderGailas 20BetterHomes&GardensLisaShaffer 19ColdwellBankerLauraAbrams 9PattiCamras 2ShellieKirby 8SteveStahle 7MaureenWilbur 11PacificUnionVirginiaandPaulRatto 15LeilaSchlein 3SoheilaSmithRealEstateSoheilaSmith 14VillageAssociatesDexterHonensII 5AprilMatthews 19KarenMurphy 6AnnSharf 13ClarkThompson 18Restaurants/CateringBaanThai 15CasaOrinda 13LaMediterranee 18Loard’sIceCreamandCandy 9SiamOrchid 14VillagePizza 9Zamboni’sPizza 3Retail StoresEchoGrove 2Morrison’sJewelers 2TheatreSquare 20Senior LivingAria 19

List of The Orinda News AdvertisersPage

AutomotiveOrindaMotors 7OrindaShell 10Beauty and FitnessCoreKinetics 2LivingLeanExercise&EatingProgram 10ChurchesLafayetteOrindaPresbyterianChurch 12Cleaning ServicesKirbyCarpetCleaning 17Construction and TradesZigenisPainting 12DentalDr.KristiL.DoberenzDDS 20Dr.MarySmithDDS 1Educational/CampOldFirehouseSchool 20Financial and Insurance ServicesBreedloveInsuranceServices 2MedallionGold,Inc. 5RPMMortgageDianneCrosby 14KatRider 6Garden/LandscapingBlueRidgeLandscaping 11TreeSculpture 8MedicalDr.BrianClark 10MedicineShoppe 14Dr.KristinWalker 11Non-ProfitsOrindaAssociation 3OrindaChamberofCommerce 5,11Pet ServiceAnimalHousePetSitting 12TheatreViewVeterinaryClinic 12Professional ServicesCruiseAdventuresUnlimited 9

Page

Letters to the editor

Corrections...

Vote AfloatIthashappened.AttheDec.15Orinda

Council meeting, Councilmember EvePhillipsmadeamotiontohaveOrindansvoteforopenpublicdiscussionpertainingtomajor land-usechangesconsequent toOrinda’s Housing Element plan. Openpublic discussion. That is worlds apartfromhowthecouncilheretoforechosetoaddresspublicconcernreOrinda’sHous-ingElement issues. No citizenquestionwas answered straight and simple, oftennotatall,inapublichearing.Theprevi-ousprocessamountedtoendorsingover-zealous policies, prohibiting interactivepublicdiscourseandsubordinatingcitizens’concernstothedesiredgainsofnon-profitadvocatesandprojectdevelopers.MayorGlazer,ultimately,secondedCouncilmem-berPhillip’smotion;CouncilmanOrrvotedinfavor. Astoundingly,CouncilmembersSmithandWorthopposedavoteforopenpublicdiscussion.

InJenniferModenessi’sJanuary1Con-tra Costa Times article, CouncilmemberWorth stated that [voters] elected citycouncilstogovernandmakedecisionsafteralong,thoughtful,openprocess,andthatplacingthehousingelementontheballotisn’talegaloption. Ms.Worthseemstomake no distinction between the legalityofhavinganOrindahousingelementandholdingavoteforopenpublicdebateonthesubstanceofOrinda’shousingelement.Andherstatementregardingthecouncil’spreviously “open process” is manifestlyuntrue. IfMs.Worth’sassertionwasthecase, citizens would not have elected avirtuallyunknowncandidate,EvePhillips,who supported a voting initiative, as thefirstamongsixvyingforcouncilpositions.

Ms.Worth’sconclusionthatelectiontoofficetranslatesintoabsoluteruleisinimi-cal togoverningaccording to thewilloftheelectorate,whosedutyitistoactivelyparticipateinpublicdiscussionsonmajorissues that directly affect their schools,protectiveservices,privatepropertyvaluesandcommunitycharacter. Councilmem-bersWorthandSmithapparentlycanfindno demonstrable difference between thedecision-making process in contracting

forOrinda’sgarbageserviceandenactingaGeneralPlanHousingElementthatwillfundamentallyandirretrievablydeterminethedirectionofOrinda’s land-use agree-mentsnowandintothefuture.

PerhapsthequestiontobeaskedinthenextOrindaCityCouncil’spublic forumis“WhatareCouncilmembers’WorthandSmith’sargumentsinoppositiontohavingasubstantive interactivedebateonmajorland-usechanges?”Acommunitycannotcontinue to bevibrant andhealthy whenitconcedescontroltobrazenbureaucraticregional powers. Such negates the verypurposeofacitycouncil.

–CharlieBrown

A Practical Housing Strategy for Orinda

ThehousingelementprocesshasbeenoneOrindahasbeenobligedtocompletein2014,buttheconversationaboutaffordablehousingneedstoexpandtotherenewalofdowntown and the role of housing in itsfuturedevelopment.

Thecity,actinginitsownbestinterests-notbecauseitmayberequiredbythestate,shouldpursuethedevelopmentofhousing,someofwhichshouldbeaffordable.Themost feasible location for new housingdevelopment is in the city’s commercialdistricts, particularly in OrindaVillagewhere there are several underdevelopedproperties.

Over 70 percent of the land area inOrindaVillageisdevotedtosurfaceparking-notanappropriatewaytoutilizevaluabledowntownland.Thecitycorrectlyproposeshigherdensityandundergroundparkingformixeduse-housinginthisarea.However,current land values and costs associatedwithundergroundparkingwouldprecludeaffordablehousingexceptforsomesmallpercentage.

ThevariousunderdevelopedpropertiesinOrindaVillageprovideopportunitiesformoreintensivedevelopmentofmixed-useretailandofficeaswellashousing,allofwhich would benefit the city financiallythroughenhancedpropertyandsalestaxes.Equallyimportant,developmentthatiswellplanned,welldesignedandwhichcreates

acharming“village”characterwoulden-liventheareamakingitmoreattractivetobusinessesandshoppersaswellasfutureresidents.

Chapter 17.1 of the city’s MunicipalCode cites the specific purposes of the“downtown district regulations”, whichcould further the intent of revitalizingdowntown areas.These include the fol-lowing:

“…regulatedevelopmenttoachieveavi-brantcommunitycenterovertime;provideformultifamilyhousing,includingafford-ablehousingindowntownareas;establish

incentives, such as additional buildingheight,higherfloorareaorbroaderrangeofpermittedusestohelpachieveavibrantcommunitycenter.”

Thesearelaudableobjectives,whichthecityshouldacceptasanobligation.

Inorder to“achieveavibrantcommu-nitycenter,”thecityneedstodevelopanimplementationstrategytoaccomplishit.

Orindadoesnotneedagrandiosedown-town plan.All that is required are somebasic zoningmodifications togetherwithsomemodestdevelopmentstudiesofspe-

[SeeLETTERSpage16]

IntheJanuary2015issue,thepho-tograph for the Children's Health

Guild on page 19 should have beencreditedtoJennFoxPhotography.

AlsointheJanuary2015issue,thepage1storyonMonteverdestatedtheCity of Orinda issued a Request forProposalsin2008.ItshouldhavesaidaRequestforQualifications.

Editor's Note:While a well-in-formedreadernotedotherpointsinthepage1Monteverdestorythathefelt

needed additional clarification, the storyfocusedonthefinishedprojectandcurrentresidents rather than the hotly contesteddevelopment.

Weapologize fornothaving thespacetoincludeallthevariousissuesduringtheproject’splanningstages.Thesewerecov-eredinvariousstoriesatthetime.FormoreinformationontheMonteverdeproject,gotothecity’swebsiteatwww.cityoforinda.organdclickonDepartments,thenPlan-ningDepartment.


POLICE/WASTESERVICES

FreeE-WasteRecyclingEventsatDVC

Saturday,Feb.7from9a.m.-1p.m.DiabloValleyCollege

321GolfClubRoad(overflowparkinglot#7)PleasantHill

Visitwww.NoEwaste.comforacceptedandnon-acceptedelectronicitemsandeventinfo.

New year, New Services

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

LicenseplatereaderssimilartothisonearebeingdiscussedforuseinOrinda.

License Plate Readers Not a Done Deal

By SALLY HOGARTYEditor

AtitsJan.13meeting,theOrindaCityCouncilonceagainheardareportby

PoliceChiefNagelonthefeasibilityofus-inglicenseplatereaderstodetercrimeandhelpcatchcriminals.CityCouncilmembersand many local residents, however, con-tinuetoquestionhowdataretrievedfromthecameraswillbeusedandstored.

ChiefNagelhadinitiallyreportedtothecouncilatitsNov.18meetingonthevari-oustypesofcameratechnology–motion-activatedcamerasandlicenseplatereaders–usedbyvariousBayAreapolicedepart-ments.TheinterestincameratechnologydatesbacktoanAugustcommunitymeet-ingheldbyresidentsinNorthOrindawhowere experiencing an upswing in crime.Orinda Downs installed three Reconyxmotion-activatedcamerasonprivateroadsinearly2014.

At the January council meeting, ChiefNagel presented additional informationincluding how the Piedmont Police andthe Lafayette Police used these devices.In his presentation, the Chief includeda statement from Lafayette Police ChiefEricChristensenthatstated,“In2014,ourinvestigationsteamsolved100percentofourarmedrobberiesthroughsometypeofcamera system.Without the cameras, atleast60percentofthosecrimeswouldnothavebeensolved.”

While the statistics from Piedmont

and Lafayette included in Nagel’s reportwere impressive, information suppliedby Capt.William Duke had even moreeffectoncouncilmembersand thepublicin attendance. Capt. Duke noted that allfixedcamerasandautomaticlicenseplatereadersusedbysheriff’sdeputiesfallunderthecounty’snewbodycamerapolicyandthat audio and video data not booked asevidencemustbekeptfortwoyears.Capt.Dukeoverseespoliceservicesincitiesthatcontract with the Contra Costa Sheriff’sDepartment for police services, whichincludesOrinda.

“The license plate readers are entirelydifferentthanotherequipmentlistedinthecounty’s policy,” said Chief Nagel, whonotedthatthecountywouldworkwiththeCityofOrindaonapolicyforthemotion-activatedcameras.

While many in attendance at the Jan.13meetingstillexpressedsupportof thecameratechnology,othersexpressedcon-cern about privacy issues.Theprivately-owned cameras in Orinda Downs onlygive photos to the Orinda Police whenthere has been a crime or suspiciousactivity.

The City Council asked Chief Nagelto return with more information on thecamerasaswellasalternativeoptions.CityattorneyOsaWolffwillalsomeetwiththecounty’slawyertogooverthenewcamerapolicyandhowitwouldpertaintoOrindaifandwhenthecityincorporatescameratechnology.

POLICe BLOTTeRDecember 2014 through Jan 3, 2015

Burglary, Auto: 4incidents:CharlesHillRd.,WilderRd./RabbleRd.,OakDr.andLosAmigos.

Burglary, Commercial: 1incident:ElGavilanRd.

Burglary, Residential: 7 incidents:LaVuelta, Hillcrest Dr., Estates Dr.,ClaremontAve.,HallDr.,MoragaWay,andEastwoodDr.

Fraud/False Pretenses: 1 incident:CaminoSobrante.

Forgery:1incident:CounterReportatOrindaPD.

Grand Theft: 2 incidents: BatesBlvd.andBearRidgeRd.

Hit and Run Misdemeanor: 1inci-dent:KnickerbockerLn.

Identity Theft: 8 incidents:Brook-wood Rd., LostValley Dr., CrescentDr.,OrindaWay,DarylDr.,andCounterReportatOrindaPD(3).

Petty Theft:7incidents:CanonDr.,Tara Rd., Coral Dr., Fallen LeafTer.,OakDr.,WoodcrestDr.andBeverages&More.

Petty Theft from Vehicle:1incident:ScenicDr.

Theft Access Card: 1incident:Glo-riettaBlvd.

Threats: 2incidents:OrchardRd.andTheatreSquare.

ArrestsDrunk in Public Arrest: 1 arrest:

GloriettaBlvd.In Custody Theft Arrest:3arrests

atSafeway.Suspicious Subject Arrest:2arrests:

OrindaWayandOrindaLibrary.Traffic Accident Arrest: 2 arrests:

CaminoPablo/BrookwoodRd. andE.AltarindaDr./HarranCircle.

Traffic Stop Arrest: 3arrests:VashellWay/MoragaWay,CaminoPablo/MinerRd.andHwy.24/FishRanchRd.

Warrant Service Arrest: 1 arrest:WilderRd.

Orinda BART StationNoreportedincidents.

–CompiledbyJeanetteIrving,OrindaPoliceDepartment

Beginning in March 2015, RepublicServices(formerlyAlliedWasteSer-

vices)willbethecollectioncompanyforlocaltrash,recyclingandyardtrimmings/foodscrapscarts.Thecompanywillalsomake somechanges, includingnew low-emission,state-of-the-artcollectiontrucks,different-colored collection carts and anexpandedrangeofservices.Inaddition,theContraCostaCountySolidWasteAuthor-ity’snextissueofitsquarterlynewsletter“Diversions” will arrive in mailboxes in

February and March and will provide acompletereviewofthenewservices.

Businessesandmulti-dwellingbinswillchangefrombluetograyandbedeliveredbeginning in February. New residentialcarts(blackforlandfill,greenfororganicwaste, and blue for recyclables) will bedeliveredthedaybeforeyourregularcol-lectiondaybeginninginMarch.

For more information, call CCCSWAat 925-906-1801 or email - [email protected].


BEAUTY/RECREATION

Saint Valentine’s Day, also knownasValentine’sDayortheFeastofSaint

Valentine,iscelebratedaroundtheworld.AccordingtoWikipedia:“St.Valentine’s

DaybeganasacelebrationofoneormoreearlyChristiansaintsnamedValentinus.ApopularaccountisthatofSaintValentineofRomewhichstatesthathewasimprisonedforperformingweddingsforsoldierswhowereforbiddentomarryandforministeringtoChristians,whowerepersecutedundertheRomanEmpire.Accordingtolegend,during his imprisonment, he healed thedaughterofhisjailer,Asterius.Anembel-lishmenttothisstorystatesthatbeforehisexecutionhewroteheralettersigned‘yourValentine’asafarewell.”

The day was first associated with ro-mantic love in the circle of GeoffreyChaucer in the MiddleAges, when thetradition of courtly love flourished. In18th-centuryEngland, it evolved into anoccasion inwhich lovers expressed theirlove for each other by presenting flow-ers,offeringsweetsandsendinggreetingcards(knownas“valentines”).InEurope,SaintValentine’skeysaregiventoloversasaromanticsymbolandaninvitationtounlock the giver’s heart. Since the 19thcentury,handwrittenvalentineshavegivenwaytomass-producedgreetingcards.

Modern-day traditions now involvespecial shared experiences by couples.Valentine’sDayisaspecialtimeatChangesSalonandDaySpa.Welovecreatingmem-

orableexperiencesandcoupleshavechosentomakeaValentine’svisittoChangesanannualtradition.Ourdualsuiteisperfectfor those who want to enjoy the tandemgift of relaxation. Sharing experiencescanalsobegintogetherwithourrelaxingfootbath and lead to avarietyof optionsincludingourOM4Facial forgentlemenandaChangesSignatureFacialforladies.SinceChangesSalonandDaySpaiswalk-ing distance to most ofWalnut Creek’sfabulousrestaurants,therelaxedexperiencecancontinuewithaleisurelystrolltoyourfavoriteeatery.

Moreandmoremenaretakingadvantageof the easeofgivinga spagift card andwomenwholovetoreceivethemarenowreciprocatingwithgiftcards for themenintheirlives,redeemableforasportsmas-sage,men’sfacialand/oramen’smanicure.Fortheultimatesharedrelaxationexperi-ence,tryadualspathree-monthMassageMembership.

ThisValentine’sDaygivesomeoneyoulovesomethingtheywilllovewiththegiftofa relaxingexperience.Remember thatValentine’sDayfallsonSaturday,Feb.14socallaheadandmakeyourplans.

Everyday ChangesRelax With Valentine’s Date at Spa

BonnieWaters

Parks & Rec Hosts Activity and Camps Fair

By KATHRYN G. MCCARTY Staff Writer

AreyoucuriousaboutwhatisactuallydoneataMadScienceCamporhesi-

tanttostartaZumbaclass?Perhapsyou’rewondering if your child would like theLegoPlay-wellTechnologiescamp?Then,according to Parks and Recreation De-partment supervisor JenniferWeiss, “theOrinda Recreation and Camps Fair is amust-do.”

The fair will be held Saturday, Feb.28 from10 a.m. to1p.m. at theOrindaCommunityCenter.

According toWeiss, Parks and Recre-ation director Michelle Lacy introducedtheeventtoOrindaafterseeingitssuccessin other communities.Weiss calls it, “aunique opportunity for residents to meetinstructors,askquestions,maybewatchademo,vieworcreateasampleprojectorparticipateinanactivitythatwouldbepartoftheprogramtheyareinterestedin.”

Fairparticipantsmightalso find them-selvessurprisedthatthey,“mayevengaininterestinanotherprogramthattheyprevi-ouslydidnotconsider.”

According toWeiss, Parks and Rec-reation will be offering more than 225campsand250classes this summer.Sheattributesthepopularityoftheclassesto“alonghistorywithgreatinstructors,popularprogramsandfantasticstaffthatworkdili-gentlyonofferingnewandexcitingeventsandprogramming.”

Weisssaidprogramswill includeSky-hawkssports,ItalianandFrenchprograms,dogobedience,OrindaBallet,artprograms,mad science, computer classes, OrindaKarate-do,chess,taichi,tennis,carpentry,bridgeandpickleball.

Weiss, who began working with thedepartmentinJuneoflastyear,saysthattheystrive tocreateacommunity,whichincludesofferingactivitiesforpeople1-109yearsold.“Weofferprogramsbeginningwith Kindergym classes for crawlers towobbly walkers to senior programs likelunchn’learnandseniortripsforindividu-als50andover.”

Weisssaidtheupcomingfair“offersop-portunityforinstructorstogetface-to-faceinteractionwithparticipantsandcommu-nitymembersaswehelpthemtoplantheirspringandsummerrecreationchoices.”

Formoreinformation,visitcityoforinda.orgorcall925-254-2445.Attendeeswhosignupforclassesatthefairwillreceive10percentoffregistrationfees.

seekthisinformation.TomGilmore,a21-yearLafayetteresi-

dent,toldthegroupthatLafayettehaslostsevenyoungmeninthelast3-1/2years(sixinthelast2-1/2years)toprescriptiondrugoverdoses.His sonDaniel, a23-year-oldAcalanesanduniversityofOregongradu-ate,wasoneofthem.

Four other formerAcalanes studentsaged 23, 21, 27 and 17 and two formerCampolindo students, aged 25 and 20,tragically lost their lives since2012,andthenumbersdon’tnecessarilyaccountforformerLamorindaresidentswholosttheirliveselsewhere.

“Thesewerenotkidslivingunderfree-way overpasses. These were kids fromgoodfamilies,ingoodacademicstanding,”said Gilmore. “They passed through theinstitutionsinLafayette,andthere’sheavyevidencethatsuggeststheirdrugusebeganinmiddleschool.”

Gilmore believes that parents and stu-dentsneedtobeeducatedwhilethechil-drenarestillwithintheinstitutionsoftheirhometownssuchasschoolsandchurches.

“I’ve often thought how a couple ofpeoplewerehitbycarsandinjuredcrossingthestreetbytheLafayetteParkHotel,andthey put up traffic lights,” said Gilmore.“Weneedtodothesameaboutthis.”

Also at last October’s meeting wererepresentativesfromLamorindapoliceandfire departments, local hospitals, schoolsand drug treatment centers, as well asparentsandteachersfromtheLamorindacommunity.

“In2005,25percentofourjuniorsadmit-tedtousingprescriptiondrugsrecreation-

tDRuGSfrompage1 ally,”saidoneoftheschoolrepresentatives.“TheseweredrugslikeVicodin,OxyCon-tin,Percocet,XanaxandLortab.”

Drugtreatmentcounselorstoldthegroupthat prescription pill addicts are oftenforced to seek their high through streetdrugs,whichinturnleadstomoredeaths.

In2010,PurdueManufacturingstoppedthe production of OxyContin, frequentlyreferred to as “hill-billy heroin,” a nar-coticopiate intended tobeused forpainmanagement. They stopped making the“OC”markedpills,whichcouldbesnorted,smokedandinjectedintravenously,hopingtoputastoptothepillspopularabuse,re-placingitwithatime-released,supposedlyimpossibletoabusepillmarked“OP.”un-fortunately,OxyContinusersaren’t stop-ping,manyaresimplyturningtoheroin.

“We’re seeing teenagers andpeople intheir20sfromthisarea,”saidJordanfromNewLeafTreatmentCenter.“Theystartoutat15,16withpainkillersandtheirhabitgrowsto$200aday.Sowe’veseenatrendwhere they’re turning to heroin becauseit’scheaper.”

The2014transportlogfromlocalpara-medicsreads likeawarning:19-year-oldfemale,drugoverdose,ProzacinMoraga;14-year-oldmale,drugoverdose,VicodinandTramadol in Orinda; 15-year-old fe-male,unknowndrugoverdoseinOrinda;17-year-old female, unknown drug over-doseinMoraga;fiveheroinoverdosesinthe lastyear, allmale, all early20s, twosurvivors;twoover-the-counterdrugover-doses,twosurvivors.

RxSafeLamorindameetsFeb.11at10a.m.intheSargeLittlehaleRoomatOrindaCityHall.Formore information, contactJaimeRich,[email protected].

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

ThiscampertriesouthisbasketballskillsatoneoftheCommunityCenter'smanycamps.

ParksandRecFairFebruary28-10a.m.-1p.m.

OrindaCommunityCenter925-254-2445

www.cityoforinda.org


SOVIETAFFAIRS/CARS

expert on Soviet Affairs Speaks at First Friday Forum

By BOBBIE DODSONStaff Writer

“Russia, ukraine, and theWest in2015” is the subject of the First

FridayForum(FFF)onFeb.6at1:30p.m.intheSanctuaryofLafayette-OrindaPres-byterianChurch,49KnoxDrive,Lafayette.ThespeakerwillbeDr.GeorgeBreslauer,authorof12booksontheuSSRandRus-siaandeditorsince1992ofthescholarlyjournal, Post-Soviet Affairs. Some of thetopics on which he has written include“The Global Dynamics of Cold War,”“Gorbachev’s Efforts to Transform theunion,”“BorisyeltsinandtheInventionoftheRussianNation-State”and“LeadershipandNationBuilding.”

“Thecrisisinukrainehasbroughtrela-tionsbetweentheunitedStatesandRussiatoalowlevelnotseensincetheendoftheColdWar,” says Breslauer. His talk willfocusonhowthiscameaboutandthepros-pectsforapeacefulresolutionofthecrisis.

Breslauerrecentlyretiredfromhisposi-tionsasprofessorofpoliticalscienceandExecutiveViceChancellorandProvostatu.C.Berkeleywherehehadtaughtsince1971. In 1997, he was presented withtheDistinguishedTeachingAwardof theSocialSciencesDivisionatu.C.Berkeleyand,in1998,hereceivedtheChancellor’sProfessorship in recognitionofoutstand-ing achievement in research, teachingandservicetotheuniversity.In2014,forhis contributions toboth scholarshipandeducational leadership, he was elected aFellowoftheAmericanAcademyofArtsandSciences.HenowholdstheemeritustitleofProfessoroftheGraduateSchool,u.C.Berkeley.

“We are proud to be presenting thisdistinguishedscholarwithsuchoutstand-ing credentials to discuss this subject ofvitalimportancetotheunitedStatesandtheworld,”saysFFFchairDarleneJames.“Attending the lecture should help all ofushaveabetterunderstandingofthemanycomplexitiesoftheissue.”

RefreshmentswillbeservedinFellow-shipHallat1p.m.,priortothetalk.Call925-283-8722foradditionalinformation.

ForumFebruary6,1:30p.m.

LafayetteOrindaPresbyterianChurch925-283-8722

Car TimeVisualInspectionNeededforProperDiagnosis

By JOHN VANEK

Whenitcomes tovehicle repairandmaintenance,thetopconcernthese

daysiscost.Assoonastherearesignsoftroublewiththefamilyhauler,theanxietylevelgoesup.Howmuchnow?Acarcareprofessionalisnotgoingtoknowhowmuchthe problem will cost without checkingthecar inperson.Over thephoneoron-line information can’t provide a realisticdiagnosisforyourcar.Priceshoppingforan unknown repair is usually a waste oftimeforyouandtherepairshopsyouarecalling.Callingaroundfindingashopthatisexperiencedwithyourcarisabetteridea–andresearchingthecarshop’sreputation.

Routine maintenance can be estimatedaslongasyouknowwhatyouareduefor.Whatwasdonelast?Whatserviceisdueaccordingtothemanufacturer?Halfofourcustomershavenoideawhattheirvehicleisdue for.Knowing ishalfof thebattle.Maintenanceintervalsaredescribedintheowner’smanual.Theschedulewilldescribethetypeofservicerequiredatwhatmileage

interval.Mostrequiredintervalservicesareinspections.Whatworkneedstobedoneisaresultoftheinspection.Let’ssayyouhave anAcura MDX with about 90,000miles.you are calling around trying tofindthebestpricefora90Kservice.Thepersononthephoneisnotgoingtobeabletotellyouabouttheconditionofyourcarover the phone. Once again, the vehicleneedstobelookedovertounderstanditsconditionandpotentialcosts.Ideally,youshouldbeshoppingforarepairfacilitythatyoucantrust,insteadofshoppingforprice.Aworthyrepairshopwilllookoutforyouandgiveyouagoodvalue.Arepairfacilitythatalwaysfitsyouin,takescareofyouremergencyflattireordeadbatteryandgetsyoubackontheroadiswhatyouneed.

Whatisyourtimewithyourcarworthanyway? Probably quite a bit. Having abudget for your vehicle is a good idea.Spending money maintaining or repair-ingyouroldercarisareality.yourcaris

[SeeCARTIMEpage13]

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Dr. George Breslauer will speak on "Russia,UkraineandtheWest"attheFebruaryforum.


OBITUARY

listeners’emotions,paintersusecolor,formandcompositiontodothesame.

In the past five years, she has studiedwith several teachers including CamillePrzewodek,who“taughtmetoworshipthelight”andKristenLewhohelpedherinstillacrucialawarenessofedgesandshapes.Gunnhopesthestrongloveofpaintingsheexperiencescommunicatestothoseview-ingherwork.LookforCrockett Cows,20”x20,”andPersimmons on the Windowsill,24”x20,”bothoil on canvas.There areother painters who were also musicians.AmericanportraitpainterJohnSingerSar-gentcomestomind.Sargent(1856–1925)wasanaccomplishedmusicianascompos-ersPercyGraingerandGabrielFauré,close

tGuNNfrompage2

productionsofporcelaindolls.IbarollewassogoodatitthatAshtonDrakeofferedheracontract,andsheworkedforthemcreatingporcelainchildren’sdollsfor10years.Theyarecollectibleandtreasuredbythoseluckyenough toownone.About adecadeagoshestoppedmakingthedolls,andnowjustcreateswhateverinterestsher;shedoesn’tplanahead,justgoeswithherinstincts.“Iambasicallyself-taughtandhavealwayshadthefeeling that ifyoureallywant todosomethingandaredetermined,thatyoucandoit,”saysIbarolle.LookforPedestal Pot, a 14” tall and 14” in circumferencereductionfiredclayplanterandLittle Boy With Pigs,a6”talland7”incircumferencereductionfiredporcelainsculpture.

“Wild”isthethemeforShirleySander-sonofKentfield’sphotographsintheshow.“Itreferstoboththeanimalsthatarethesubjectofmyphotosaswellastheplaceswhere they live; I believe we need bothwildnessandwildernessinour21stcenturyurban-centric world,” she says. The 27photographsSandersonisshowingarefromsafarisandexpeditionssheandherhusbandhavetraveledtoallovertheworldforthelast10years.Thephotographsare takenwithlonglensesandfastresponsecamerasinprotectedreserves.Manyareofanimalswhoseconservationstatusisendangeredorthreatened.Shehopesthatshowingthesephotographs will raise awareness aboutthese threats and help bring about solu-tions to ensure their continued existencein the wild. Look for Black-Maned Lion Drinking, an 18” x 12” photograph, andPolar Bear Mother and Cub,a12”x18”photograph.AllproceedsfromthesaleofherphotographsgotoWildernessTrustbywayofResourcesFirstFoundationfortheirconservation and education programs insouthernAfrica.WildernessTrustprotectsovereightmillionacresofwildlifehabitatandinvolvesallthelocalAfricancommu-nities in their projects and business. Seewww.wanderingeye.netformoreinforma-tionaboutherwork.

CynthiaWhitchurchofLafayette is anex-Fortune 200 executive who is livingher dream as an artist and entrepreneur.Thesparkleandcolorofglass,crystalandgemstoneshasalwaysfascinatedher,andforthepast10yearsshehasbeencreatingallkindsoffusedglassworks.Shestudiedwith the late Dan Fenton, a famous BayArea glass teacher who she considers awalking encyclopedia of glass. She isshowingabout50piecesincludingpanels,bowls,platters,jewelryandcoasters.Get-tingthefusedglasstolookstretched,asifitisblownglass,ishercurrentchallenge.Shekeepsupwithadvancementssuchas

tGALLERyfrompage2 atechniquewhereyoutakeglasspowder,mixitandputitinakilnwhereyoucancutitwithscissors.“Pendantsandearringsaremadefromdichroicglasswhichisfuntoworkwithbecauseyoudon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappentilltheheathitsit–youlookinonedirectionandit’sgreen,anotherandit’spurple,”saysWhitchurch.LookforTwo Become One, a19.5”x14.5” fusedglasspaneland“Pick up the Pieces,” an18”x4”fusedglassbowl.Shehopesview-erswillbeinspiredtotrynewthings.Forexample, shegoes througha lotofglasstolearnhowtomakenewpiecesandlikesthisstyleoflearning.Seewww.whitchurch-glassdesigns.comformoreinformation.

Astothevalueofartinthecommunity,Gelbaum believes that, “It has been saidthatartisforoursoulwhatfoodisforourbody.Through the arts, we can expressourcommonhumanityandtheenergyandvitalityoflife.Weneedtoensurethatthe

Remembering Jean Thomas Lyford, a Dedicated educator

BornDecember20,1929,inPhiladel-phia,PA,JeanThomasLyforddiedaf-

terafightwithbreastcancer,onDecember8,2014,atherhomeinOrinda.

Jean was born and raised in suburbanPhiladelphia, thefirstchildofLewisandMargarettaThomas.Shehadtwomarriag-es,thefirsttoJerryMcKee,andthesecondtoJosephPhilipLyford.SheandJosephhadtwochildren,AmyandJoseph,Jr.

Jean was an educator, writer and gar-dener and connected these as vocationsand avocations throughout her life. JeanearnedadegreeinBusinessAdministrationfromDrexeluniversityinPhiladelphiaanddid graduatework inVictorian literatureat Columbia university in Newyork.She earned a teaching credential fromTeacher’sCollegeatColumbiauniversity,afterwhichshetaughtkindergartenattheDaltonSchoolinManhattanandjuniorhighschoolinBrooklyn.Jeantaught7thgradescienceatbothPineGroveandthenOrindaIntermediateSchoolinOrinda.ShelaterearnedanMAinSchoolAdministrationatSt.Mary’sCollegeinMoragaandservedas principal of Orinda Intermediate andinterim principal ofDelReyElementarySchool.

FollowingherprofessionalworkintheOrinda schools, Jean served as a trusteeontheBoardoftheOrindaunionSchoolDistrict.Shewasamember,andthefirstfemalepresidentoftheOrindaRotaryClub;a member of the OrindaWoman’s Club;andanactiveparticipantintheHumming-wordsWritingWorkshop.Shewrotefourbooksofpoetry,allpublishedwithAzaleaArtPress:Waves of Time(2011),Remem-brances(2013),Waiting for the Wind and Opening (both2014).Jean’sloveofnatureanddedicationtogardeningwerereflectedinher poetry.Shenurturedher plants asshedideverypersoninherlife,withdeepcompassionandgenerosityofspirit.

Jean was remarkable for her empathy

andcaringregardforherfriends,family,studentsandcommunity.Hernaturalabil-itytoviewproblemsfrommanyperspec-tivesmadeherasympatheticear,anaturalmediator, problem-solver and leader.Throughoutherlonglife,herdevotedpas-sionandenthusiasmforcommunityserviceneverlefther,andshewillbemissedbyallwhose lives shehas touched.Among themanylegaciessheleavesbehindareasmallgardenatherOrindahome,andalargeronethatistheOrindaschooldistrictshehelpedsolovinglytoshape.

Jean Lyford was pre-deceased by herhusband, Joseph Lyford, in 1992. Sheis survived by her brothers, E. J. BaylisThomasIII(Newyork,Ny)andLewisJ.Thomas,Jr.(St.Louis,MO);herchildrenAmyLyford(Altadena,CA)andJosephP.Lyford,Jr.(Orinda,CA);hergrandchildrenEve andWilla Lyford (Orinda, CA); herdaughter-andson-inlaw,StephanieBrown(Orinda,CA)andDavidClegg(Altadena,CA);andhersister-in-law,NormaHurlburt(Newyork,Ny).

AcelebrationofJean’slifewasheldonJanuary12attheBrazilianRoominTildenPark.DonationscanbemadeinhonorofJeanLyfordtotheEducationalFoundationofOrinda:orindaefo.org.

friendsofhis,saidthathismusicalabilitywasasgreatashispaintingskills.

Herguestartist,CarolTarzier,isateach-erattheAcademyofArtinSanFranciscoandatOakland’sStudioOneArtCenter.Tarzier is showing California beach andcoastalscenesthatmakeyouwanttogetthesandbetweenyourtoesandthewindinyourhair.

The show also includes works by 16resident artists and several guest artists.Visitthegalleryat522CenterSt.,RheemShopping Center, Moraga 94556, call925-376-5407, or go to http://moragaart-gallery.com formore information.HoursareWednesdaythroughSunday,noonto5p.m.ForinformationonLisaGunn,visitwww.lisagunnart.com.

artsareavailableinourschoolsandcom-munities.” Ibarolle says, “I’ve been partofClayArtsGuildofWalnutCreeksince1976. I love the people there. Throughthe creativity we share, we enrich eachother’s lives and that spills over into thecommunity.” Sanderson says, “I believethatartbroadensourhorizons,mayalterourperceptions(orstrengthen them)andenrichesouremotionallives.Inthatway,itismuchlikethevalueofvisitingothercultures.” “I love what Orinda has donewith community art,” saysWhitchurch.“The bicycle sculpture, the fish in frontofNations, thewall inrestaurantsquare;itfeedsmycreativityasanartist,andI’msureitfeedsothers.”

Visitthegalleryat26OrindaWayduringnormal library hours – Monday throughThursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday andSaturday,10a.m.to6p.m.;andSunday,1to5p.m.;closedonPresidents’Day,Feb.16.Call925-254-2184formoreinforma-tionorvisithttp://ccclib.org.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Joan Ibarolle'sAfricanMaskaddstotheFebruaryexhibitattheOrindaLibrary.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Jean Lyford spentmanyyearsasateacherandadministratorintheOrindaUnionSchoolDistrict.


SUESEVERSON

Sue Severson Retires After 16 years of Dedicated Service to City

By BOBBIE DODSONStaff Writer

SueSeverson,whoisretiringfromtheOrindaCityCouncilaftereightyearsof

service,saysthepeoplearewhatshe’llmissmost.“Thecityhasanexcellentstaff,ad-visorycommitteesandcouncilmembers,”saidSeverson.“It’salwaysbeengratifyingtoservewith themandthepeopleof thecommunity to move things forward in apositiveway.”

Seversonsaidshe’sprobablymostproudofheraccomplishmentswhileservingontheOrindaSchoolBoard.“WeworkedonastrategicplanthatincludedimprovingthecorecurriculumwhichIthinkcontinuestohavepositivebenefits,”saidSeverson,whowas on the board for eight years. “Also,we made major facility improvementsincludingthereopeningofWagnerRanchElementarySchool.”

WhileontheOrindaCityCouncil,Sev-ersonsaidshesuggestedformingafinanceadvisorycommittee, tappingtheskillsofcitizens with financial expertise. “Also,

we formed a revenue enhancement taskforce with citizens reviewing all optionsforincreasingrevenuestorepairourroadsandfaultydrains,”saidSeverson.“Noone

[SeeSEVERSONpage13]

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Ralph and Sue Severson

OCFCelebratesFifthBirthday

TherewillbecakeandmoreonFeb.26at4:30p.m.astheOrindaCommunityFoundationcelebratesitsfifthyearofservicetothecommunity.Thenon-profithasenhancedlocallifethroughitssupportoflocalgardenclubs,musicinthepark,theOrindaAssociation'sJuly4thparade,LamorindaIdolandsomanymorelocalorganizationsandprojects.

Tolearnmoreaboutthisdynamicorganization,cometothepartyorgotowww.orindafoundation.org.

RICHARDWESTIN


HEALTH/ROVINGREPORTER

Move of the Month

• Holdthehandlesinanormalgripandfaceawayfromtheanchorpoint.• Slowlyspreadyourarmswithaslightbendinyourelbowtoprotectthejointfrom

overextending.Keepthebendconsistentthroughouttheexercise.• Widenyourarmsuntilyourhandsarenexttoyourshoulders(armsareatanap-

proximate180degreeangle).• Pushbackintoyourhandsbyusingyourchestmusclestoreturntoyourstartingposi-

tion.Keepyourbodystraightandstabilizewiththecorethroughoutthefullexercise.• Toadjusttheintensityofthisexercise,moveyourfeetforwardorbackwards.

TRX Chest Press:

Formoreinformation,contactSheenawithLivingLeanpersonaltrainingandeatingforelitefitness,at925-360-7051orwww.thelivingleanprogram.com.

Roving ReporterDo you Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

CharlieJarrett

Asked at Peet’s Coffee and Geppettos in Orinda

Bryce, Aaron and sonShane Zuzack live in Orinda and recently stopped byPeet’sforcoffee.“Valentine’sDaymightbeabiggerdealtosingles-it’sharderonthemIthink,”saidBryce.“Forusit’sjustanother day, because for us, every dayisValentine’s Day!He tellsme he lovesmeeveryday.Everytimewehangupthephonewesay‘Iloveyou.’”Aaronchimedin,“Andeverynightwesay ‘I loveyou’beforewegotosleep.”

AaronwasborninOrindaandattendedGlorietta,Orinda IntermediateandMira-monteHigh.HeworksinWalnutCreekforacommercialrealestatefirm.Brycerananaquaticsprogramfor7years,isaformerPeninsulagirl,andtodayisdevotedtorais-ingShane.Thecouplemet7yearsagoandmarriedjustover2yearsago.

Lynn Danille SugayanandherhusbandEliot Kenin talkedabout the importanceof celebrating love and building soundrelationshipsandsaidtheycelebrateVal-entine’sDayeveryyear.Theyfirstmetinthelate‘70swhenLynnandEliot’swife(atthetime)werebothcoffeehousepoets.LynnandEliotsubsequentlyranintoeachotherovertheyearsbutneverreallycon-necteduntilNewyear’sEvein2000.Theybecamebetteracquaintedwhileattendingvariousevents inwhich theyhadacom-moninterest.

Duringthisperiodbothoftheirspouses[SeeROVINGpage11]

CHARLIEJARRETT

(L-R)Bryce and Aaron ZuzackwithsonShane.

CHARLIEJARRETT

Lynn Danille SugayanandEliot Kenin.


ROVINGREPORTER

tROVINGfrompage10

haddied.Theybecameinterestedineachother,butfeltstymiedforatime,worriedthattheymightbedishonoringthelovetheyhadfortheirdeceasedspouses.Theyfinallydecideditwasokaytodateand,withthespiritoftheirformerpartnersstillfirmlyintow,theyeventuallyfounditcomfortableto hold hands while dating.They easedtheirinsecurefeelingsbydescribingtheirdatesas“doubledating,”keepingmemoriesof their deceased spouses close at hand.Finally, theygave themselvespermissiontofallinlove.So,saidLynn,the“doubledating”experience,althoughverytaxing,didworkoutafterall.LynnandEliothavebeenhappilymarried since2004and re-joicethatitisnevertoolatetoonceagainfind true companionship, friendship andeventuallylove.

EliotandLynnliveonafarminnearbyBrionesParkbutarewellknowntoOrindaresidents.EliotandhisSpiritof’29Dix-ielandBandplayearlyjazzonhisModel“A”FordtruckintheOrindaFourthofJulyParadeeveryyear,drivenbyLynn.

surely appreciateEZebrush’s ‘carrywithyou’convenience,”saidthedoctor.ZiadehistheinventoroftheEZebrushandiswork-ingwithDr.Bolanostosecurefundingforthe product through one of Dr. Bolanos’companies,Venture-Med.,anOrinda-basedAngelInvestmentGroup.

Tom Taed and Carl Eggers, stalwart

Dr. Jose BolanosandassociateMichael Ziadeh were discussingmarketing plansforarevolutionarynewhealthenhancementproduct,acompactuni-structuretoothpasteandtoothbrushcalledtheEZebrush,whenthey overheard the discussion onValen-tine’sDayandchimedin.Dr.Bolanossaidthathiswife,CameronBarnhart,will,with-outquestion,bereceivingadozenrosesandthathewilltakehertodinneratoneoftheirfavoriterestaurantsinOrindaorLafayette.She might even receive one of the newEZebrushprototypesasaValentine’sgift!“Shehasa trulybeautifulsmileandwill

members of the Orinda Coffee Grindersgroup,whichfrequentslocalcoffeeshopspracticallyonadailybasis,saidtheyloveThe Orinda Newsandfindspecialinterestintheexcellentcoverageoncommunityandsafetyissues.Thecoffeegrouporiginallystarted gathering at Royal Grounds Cof-fee shop before it went out of business.CarlsaidthatValentine’sDayhasspecialmeaningtohimandthatheplanstobringhis wife flowers and, perhaps, even goout to dinner to celebrate the occasion.Tomplans tosend flowers tohiswifeatworkwhilehecooksaspecialdinnerforthembothathome.Tom,originallyfromMichigan,haslivedinOrindaforabout14yearsaftermovingherefromPinole.CarlwasborninthePanamaCanalZone,wherehisfatherworkedfortheFederalAviationAdministration.HeandhiswifemovedtoOrindain1979.

Just prior toValentine’s Day, the Rev.JimBrommersBergquist,seniorministeratOrindaCommunityChurch,ishostingaspecialworkshoptoexploresomenewtoolstoenrichcouples’relationships–whetherstrainedornot.Therewillbeopportunitiesfor attendees to learn about a variety ofcommunicationtools,includingthebenefitsofnon-violentcommunication.Thework-

[SeeREPORTERpage16]

CHARLIEJARRETT

(L-R)Jose BolanosandMichael Ziadeh

CHARLIEJARRETT

Tom Taed andCarl Eggers


ANIMALS

Sleepy Hollow’s Annual Walk a Howling Success

On December 20, 2014, Sleepy Hol-lowneighborsheldtheir12thAnnual

SleepyHollowHolidayWalk.HeldatPamandGarySchroeder’shouse,thewalkat-tracted over 70 families as well as theirdogs,children,friendsandguests.

The event involves neighbors walkingaround theonemileplusSleepyHollowloop with their dogs and children. TheNeighborswhocannotwalkparticipatebyhostingwatering stationsalong the route– and stand-by with treats and greetingsfortheparticipants.ThisyearSantatookabreakfromhisbusyscheduletoparticipantintheeventaswell.

–KayeChavalas

DAVIDDIERKS

JoiningSanta Claus atthedogwalkwereMayor Steve GlazerandChiefofPoliceMark Nagel.

What’s in a name?As Shakespearewrote–“Arosebyanyothername

wouldsmellas sweet.”But is that reallytrue? Psychologists have studied namesand have done some interesting experi-mentswithnames.InonestudyatMcGilluniversity in 2008, different odors werepresentedtosubjectswithnamesthatwerepositiveandnegative.Forexample,“carrotjuice”wasusedasapositivenamingofanodorwhile“moldyvegetables”wasusedtorepresentanegative.Itturnedoutthattheodorsgivenpositivenameswereperceivedas more pleasant, regardless of what theactualodorwas.

We all know how names can affectpeople.Anegativenicknameoranobscureformalnamecanbeproblematic.Sowhataboutnamesforcompanionanimals?

Names affect animals in a number ofways,fromhowwefeelabouttheanimal

Something to Howl About...Animal Tales

“LetMeCallYouSweetheart”

JenniferConroy

tohowtheanimalrespondstous.Onanemotional level, the care with which wenameourcompanionanimalevokesacer-tainlevelofattachmentandcommitmentto that animal. Selecting the name of alovedoneorchoosinganamethatwehavealwaysfavoredbringsapersonalelementof closeness to the relationshipwe sharewiththeanimal.

Anamethatreflectsapositivetraitoftheanimalservesasareinforcementofwhatitisthatwecherishinthatanimal.Ontheother hand, names that are disrespectfulor dismissive only create distance anddisaffection.Iknowtherearetimeswhenwehumansthinkwearebeingcutewhenwenameadog“Dog”oracat“Cat”butthatwouldbelikenamingachild“Boy”or“Girl.”

Givingananimalalong,complexname[SeeTALESpage14]


LOCALRESIDENT

importanttoyourfamily;itneedstobeapriority.Keepingtrackofthemaintenanceandkeepingontopofneededrepairswillhelppaintabetterpictureofwhatkindofmoneyyouwillhavetospendonyourve-hicle.Iamalwaysavailableforautomotiveconsultation.

tCARTIMEfrompage7

thingfixedtheproblemsbutweinstitutedaphasedapproachresultinginthepassageofmeasuresLandJ.I’malsoproudofOrindaActionDaywhenmanyOrindansgetoutandworkinthecommunitytocleanupandbeautify.It’sagreatfamilyday.”

When Severson moved to Orinda in1978, it was natural for her to volunteerintheschoolssinceshehadfivechildren.ShewaspresidentoftheParents’ClubatMiramonteHighSchool;shewasinvolvedwiththeemergencypreparednessprogramatOrindaIntermediateSchool,whichsheextended to all Orinda schools. “At thistime,OrindaformedadisastercommitteeandIwasaskedtoserveonit,representingtheschools.Iwasneveroneforpolitics,butwhenIwasurgedtorunforschoolboardI did because I like to serve and help. Isteppeddownaftertwotermsasmyyoung-estdaughterwasenteringMiramonte,andIwantedtotakemoretimetobethereforher.ItwaswhenshegraduatedthatIwasencouragedtorunforCityCouncil.”

Accolades for Severson’s involvementin the city abound. RichardWestin saidsheknowshowtogetthingsdone.“Sueiswilling todo anythingwithgreat energyandextremeconscientiousness.IespeciallycommendherforworkingwithmetoformtheOrindaCommunityFoundation(OCF)in2010.”TheOCFnowhelpsfundnumer-ousartandmusicperformancesinthecity.“Inthelastfiveyears,we’vegivenaround$150,000backtothecommunitytofundeventssuchasthese,”saidWestin.

PatRudebuschservedwithSeversonontheOrindaSchoolBoard.“It’scleartomethatourschoolsarestillbenefittingfromSue’sleadership,”saidRudebusch.“She’satirelessadvocateforchildren,familiesand

tSEVERSONfrompage9 the community she loves.There’shardlyafacetofcommunitylifethathasn’tbeenmadebetterbySue’sindomitablespirit.”

CurrentOrindaMayorSteveGlazeradds,“Sue’sleadershipinspires.Sherollsuphersleeves and makes good things happen.TherearefewwhohavehadabiggerimpactonthewellbeingofOrindathanSue.Weareverygrateful.”

Some of Severson’s achievements in-clude: Orinda Citizen of theyear, 2004;CityofOrinda,EmergencyPreparednessCommittee; Cub Scout and Boy ScoutLeader;PresidentoftheLatterDaySaints(LDS)ReliefSociety,youngWomenAdvi-sor,ReliefSocietyteacher;hostofthefirstInterfaithbreakfast;Rotary International,PaulHarrisFellow;andSpecialCongres-sional Recognition by then Congress-womanEllenTauscher.

SeversonisaNorthernCaliforniaAreaFamilyHistoryAdvisorintheLDSChurchandhopestonowdevotemoretimetoherfamilygenealogy.“I’vecompleteda300-page book about my father’s side of thefamilysonowmybrothersandsisterareurgingme todoourmother’sside. Idowanttostayinvolvedinsomewaysinthecommunity.”

Then, there are the 18 grandchildren.Severson is very happy that she’ll havemoretimetospendwiththem.

Anti-Crime Activist Promotes Safe Kids Now Network

By KATHRYN G. MCCARTYStaff Writer

It’sdifficulttoimaginetheaffluentbed-roomcommunityofOrindaexperiencing

acrimewave.However,in1969,twoyearsaftermovingtoOrinda,StephanieL.Mannfoundherselfinthethickofitall.

“Children were victims of gangs andviolenceinOaklandandRichmond,”saidMann.“Orindahadacrimewaveandwedidn’thavealocalpolicedepartment.”

Mannknewshehadtodosomething.Shejoined10otherresidentsinagroup

calledtheP-4Committee.“Pforpolice,”Mann explained, adding that at the timeOrinda had only one and one-half sher-iff’s deputies, sharing an officer with ElSobrante.“Wegotorganized,focusedonstrengtheningcitizeninvolvementandre-ducedcrimeby48percentwithintwoandone-halfyears.”

Now, almost five decades later, Manncontinues her work helping the Orindacommunity be safer for its families, andsheisenlistingOrindansforhelp.

Mannsaidthatwhenshebegan,shehad,“Nopriorexperience,justadesiretohelpstopthedrugandcrimeproblem.Thecom-mitteelearnedbymakingchangehappen.”

Herfocusintheearly‘70sledhertotheworkshecurrentlydoesasfounderofSafeKidsNowNationalNetwork,whichseeksto empower communities to help createneighborhoods where children feel safeandprotected.

“Wegottogetherbecausewewerecon-cernedaboutthenewpoliceNeighborhoodWatchprogramassumingtoomuchcontrolovercities,”saidMann,whoraisedthreechildreninOrindawithherhusbandDoug.

“AllthepeopleImet,startinginOrinda,havebeenmyteachersandsteppingstonesto launch my life’s work,” Mann said.“TodayIencourageteenstogetinvolvedin their community to learn new skills,developconfidenceandbecomeleaders.”

MannhasworkedasaconsultantfortheOfficeofCriminalJusticePlanning,Oak-landPDandContraCostaCountyasWestCountycoordinator.Shehasbeenaguestspeaker at cities throughout the country,andhasbeenfeaturedonmanyinterviewsincludingtheBillMoyer’sspecial,“Solu-tionstoViolence:MakingOurNeighbor-hoodsSafe.”

Mannsaidherworkhasallowedhertowitnessthetransformationthatcanhappenwith citizen involvement and referencedBarbaraVigil.MannsaidVigilcametoherofficebecauseshewasupsetthattheSanPablo City Council had decided to closeDavisParkduetocriminalactivity.

Mannandherofficemadesuggestionsthat helpedVigil and her neighbors stop

drug dealers from frequenting her localpark and, 12 years later,Vigil becameMayorofSanPablo.

Anaccomplishedauthor,Mannhaswrit-tenfourcrimepreventionbooks,someofwhichareavailableontheSafeKidsNowwebsite.ShehasaTuesdaypodcastseries,which offers advice to those concernedaboutchildandteensafety.Theshowsare

RegistrationforKindergartenandTransitionalKindergartenChildrenenteringOrindapublicschoolsforthe2015-16schoolyearaskindergartners

ortransitionalkindergartnerscanregisterbetween9a.m.–1p.m.attheappropriateelementaryschoolonthefollowingdates:

Mon,Feb2,2015Tue,Feb3,2015Wed,Feb4,2015Thu,Feb5,2015

ThoseneedingassistancetodeterminewhichschoolachildshouldattendcangototheOuSDwebsiteatwww.orindaschools.orgorcall925-258-6211.

KindergartenstudentsmusthavetheirfifthbirthdaybySeptember1,2015andstu-dentswhosefifthbirthdayfallsbetweenSept.2–Dec.2willbeeligiblefortransitionalkindergarten.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Orinda resident Stephanie Mann worked tostrengthen the Orinda police in the late 1980sandnowworkstokeepchildrensafe.

“All the people I met, start-ing in Orinda, have been my teachers and stepping stones to launch my life’s work,” said Stephanie Mann.

availableforfreeoniTunes.“I love reaching out with podcasts to

parents,”Mannsaid,addingthatshealsohosts workshops around the country, in-cludingonewithDr.BarbaraWilliamsforBayArea Church Conference in CastroValley. Past podcast themes include bul-lying,creatingresilientchildrenandchildabuseprevention.

Mann,whohasenjoyeda35-yearcareerasacrimeandviolencepreventionconsul-tant,livesbythewordsofanthropologistMargaretMead:“Neverdoubtthatasmallgroup of thoughtful citizens can changetheworld.Indeed,itistheonlythingthateverhas.”

She invites community members whoare interested in youth, home, neighbor-hoodandcommunitysafetytojointheSafeKidsNowNationalNetwork.“Ourgoalistostrengthenfamilyandcommunities.Wecanstaysafeifweknowwhattodoandhowtodoit.”

To learn more about how to volunteerwiththeprogram,visitwww.safekidsnow.com.


BOOKS/WOMAN’SCLUB

worksonlyifashorternicknameisusedconsistently.This iswhathappens in theshow dog world. Dogs have registerednames that reflect their lineage but arerarelycalledbythatname.

Howdoanimalsrespondtoanameandcanyouchangethenameofananimalthathasalreadylivedwithaparticularname?Therealityisthatanimalsrespondtotone,pitch and sound more than they do to aword.Syllablesareimportantinnamingbecausetheyestablisharhythm.Forexam-ple,ifyouadoptacatthathasbeennamedJerryandyouprefer thenameHenry,gofor it.Namesbeginningwith the letterScanbeconfusing toananimal trained incommandsofSit,StayandStand.IfyounameyourdogSamwhenyoucallhim,he

tTALESfrompage12

Between the Lines

MarianNielsen,OrindaBooks

New Books for a New year

InJanuaryandFebruary,thereisawon-derful flavor of “new beginnings” in

the publishing world and Orinda Booksalwayscatchesthatexcitement.Publishers’catalogshavepromisedtemptingofferingsfor 2015, both from favorite establishedauthors and first-timers hoping for theirownshareofthereadingpublic.

In the world of fiction, readers whoenjoyedRachelJoyce’swonderfulnovel,

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryandwerecaughtupinHarold’sadventures,walkingthelengthofEnglandtovisithisoldfriendQueeniebeforeshedied,willbedelighted toknow that JoycehaswrittenasequeldueMarch3,The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey,(RandomHouse$25).Reviewersintheu.K.havecalledthisthe“perfectcompanionpiece”toHarold’sstory–darker, butwith the same subtle,emotionaldepth.

WhenJeffreyArcherbeganhisClifton Chroniclesin2011,thepublisherhadin-dicateda trilogy.WhetherArcher’s storygrewinthetelling,orhischaracters–andpossiblythepublisher–beggedformore,wedon’tknow,buttheserieshasblossomedintoaquintet.Thefifthvolume,Mightier than the Sword(St.Martin’s$27.99–Feb.24) begins with a literal bang - an IRAbombaboardthemaidenvoyageofaClif-tonfamily-ownedluxuryliner.ThissagaoftheunitedKingdom’srichandfamoushasallthetwistsandturnsforwhichArcher,whowriteswithauthorityaboutthisterri-tory,isknown.Ifyouneedtocatchup,Be Careful What You Wish For(No.4inthese-ries)isavailableinpaperbackinFebruary.

Debut novelistPaulaHawkins ismak-ingasplashthismonthwithanewthriller,The Girl on the Train(Riverhead$26.95).Hawkinstakestheunreliablenarrator,likethoseinGillianFlynn’sGone Girl,astepfurtherbutwithsimilarlymurderousconse-quences.Herheroine,Rachel,analcoholicwithafailedmarriageandafailedjob,fan-tasizestheperfectlifeforacouplesheseeseachdayfromhercommutertrainwindowuntilthatwomangoesmissingandRachelbecomesinvolvedintheinvestigation.

Ifcontemporaryissue-relatedfictionistoyourliking,AmandaEyreWard’snovelThe Same Sky(Ballantine$25)standsfrontandcenter.The immigrationdebate con-tinues in the news andWard has writtenamovingstory that focuseson thewaveof unaccompanied children journeyingfrom CentralAmerica, through Mexico,toTexas.Shespentmanymonthsvisitingshelters inTexasandCalifornia listeningtoimmigrantchildren,andshehascraftedheart-wrenchingfictionfromthetruesto-riesthatsheheard.

Highlyanticipatedintheworldofnon-fiction this year isAlexandra Fuller’s

maythinkyouaretellinghimtostandallthetime!Sincemanycaninecommandsaresingle-syllablewords,atwo-syllablenametypically works best. Sam can becomeSammy,andthedogwilllearntolistenforthatsecondsyllable.

What are some of the popular namesgiventocatsanddogsinpastyears?Fordogs, Bella, Bailey, Max, Lucy, Molly,Buddy, Daisy and Boomer have rankedhigh. Forcats,Chloe,Smokey,Shadow,Tiger, Charlie, Penny and Katniss havebeenpopular.Interestingly,manyofthemfollowthetwo-syllablerule.

Whateveryoudecidetonameyourcom-panionanimal,trygivingitanamethatispositiveandhelpssolidifyyourrelationshipevery time you utter it.And remember,Sweetheartisonlytwosyllables!

Leaving Before the Rains Come(Penguin$26.95). OrindaBooksreadershavebeenFuller fans since her 2002 debut, Don’t Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight andits2011follow-up,Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness.Wecanallempathizewithher attempt to create for her own familyafardifferentlifeintheRockiesthanthechaoticchildhoodsheexperiencedinZim-babwe.Eveninchroniclingthedissolutionofhermarriage,sheremainsanengagingandmovingmemoirist.

Another favorite non-fiction author atOrinda Books is Erik Larson, who, withhis exemplary research into the intimatedetailsofaperiodandthelivesofhispro-tagonists,hasbroughtworld-shakingandworld-changingeventsintoclearerfocus.Larson’spreviousbook,In the Garden of BeaststookusintotheheartofNaziGer-manyin therun-uptoWWII.Inhisnewtitle, Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (Crown$28-March10)wejourneybackto1915whenthesinkingoftheLusitaniabyGermanu-boatsbecameanimportantfactorinthesubsequenten-tryoftheunitedStatesintoWorldWarI.Larsonbringsthedetailsoftheinfancyofsubmarine warfare brilliantly to life andarmchairhistorianswillbe fascinatedbythisnarrativeofthe100-year-oldmaritimetragedysofreshlytold.

Finally, for book groups who select

theirlistsearlyintheyear,therearesomehighly praised 2014 titles making recentpaperbackdebuts.ThreeoftheNew York Times’topfivenovelsfor2014areoutinpaperbackandeachoneoffersacuteliter-ary perceptions of contemporary issues: Family LifebyAkhilSharma(W.W.Norton$14.95)bringsanewintensitytotheim-migrantexperience; Dept. of SpeculationbyJennyOffill(Vintage$15)tellsthestoryofacontemporarymarriagethatyoucanreadinanafternoonbutwillthinkaboutfordays;Redeployment byPhilKlay (Penguin$16–Feb.24) isacollectionofshortstoriesthattakesthereaderuncomfortablyclosetothesightsandsoundsoftheIraqwar.KlayservedasapublicaffairsofficerinIraqandhastranslatedhiswartimeexperiencestopainfullyunforgettablefictionthatwonthe2014NationalBookAward.IntheNew York Times’topfivenon-fictiontitlesandnowinpaperbackisElizabethColbert’sThe Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History(Picador$16). Kolbertmakesitgrimlyapparentthatmanhascreatedthepotentialthreattotheearth’ssurvival.

Sowhetherit’stheenvironment,subma-rinewarfare,familyaffairs,financialskull-duggery,recentbattlefieldsortheimmigra-tion debate, there is thought-provoking,informative, entertaining reading comingyourwayinFebruaryandMarch.

Enjoytheworldofbooks!

youth Ink Applications Due Feb. 18

AcceptingApplicationsforMajorAwards

OrindaWoman’sClubisacceptingapplicationsforitsmajorbeneficiaryawardsof2015. Acceptedapplicantswill reach thecriteria:1) servingyouthand

womenandchildrenprimarilyinContraCostaandAlamedaCounties;and2)bea501c3organizationwithanincomenogreaterthan$2millionannually.ApplicationformscanbeacquiredfromOrindaWoman’sClub,BeneficiaryChair,925-254-1162orviaemailtoadeline@mcclatchie.com.ApplicationsaredueMarch2by7p.m.

TheOrindaJuniorWomen’sClubisac-ceptingentriesforitsannualyouthInk

writingcontestformiddleschoolstudentsthrough Feb. 18. Entries may be a story(fictionornon-fiction),poemorotherformofcreativewritingandmustbe750wordsorless.Submissionswillbeevaluatedoncontent, clarity, structure and originality.

Thisyear’swriting“prompt”is“Choices.”Participants need to be Orinda residentsor attend school inOrinda.To enter, ap-plicantsmustdownloadtheentryformatwww.orindajuniors.org. Prizes include:1stplace-$250;2ndplace-$125and3rdplace-$75.

–SallyHogarty,Editor


YOUTHSPORTS

Miramonte Fencer Wins Silver at World Cup Competition

By KATHRYN G. MCCARTYStaff Writer

MiramontesophomoreGabrielBron-fman describes fencing as “very

different than what you imagine fencingisfromthemovies.There’snospinningorjumping-it’smorecontrolledandstrategic.It’smore likeplayingchessat100milesanhour.”

That speed, skill and agility helpedBronfmanbringhomethesilvermedalattheWorldCupFencingCompetitionheldinDecemberinCopenhagen,Denmark

“It felt reallygreat tobepartofTeamuSA, representing my country,” saidBronfman,whoexplainedthecompetitionincluded nearly 500 men’s and women’sCadet(under17)Epeefencersfromaroundtheworld.

in San Francisco, as well as at GeorgePlatt’sSwordplayinConcordandcreditshiscoaches,MaureenGriffen,PaulSoter(GGFC), RyanArieta and George Platt(GPS) for mentoring him. “I learn a tonfromthem.”

BronfmanliveswithhisparentsandthreesiblingsinOrinda.Byrnesaidthatwhileherotherchildrenarenotfencers,Eavan,13,and10-year-oldtwinsLeoandHollis“allenjoyhorsebackriding,soccer,base-ball,tennis,swimmingandrugby.”

Byrne described watching her son’scompetition as not only “wonderful” but“prettynerve-racking.”Sheaddedthatshefocusedonhowhersonwasfencing,ratherthanhowhewasdoinginthecompetition.“Ididn’tactuallyknowforsurethathe’dearned a medal until after it was over,”shesaid.

School CalendarNote:SchoolsclosedFeb.13and16forPresidentsDayweekend.FormoreinfoonMiramonte

events,gotohttp://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/miramonte.2 Elementary Schools’ KindergartenRegistrationthroughFeb.6.(Seepage13.)4 Acalanes Union High School DistrictGoverningBoardMeeting,1212PleasantHillRoad,

Lafayette,7:30p.m.Also,Feb.18.Visitwww.acalanes.k12.ca.us.5 Del Rey Elementary School ParentsClubExecutiveBoardMeeting,Library,7to8p.m.

Visithttp://dr-orinda-ca.schoolloop.com. Miramonte High SchoolOpenHousewithiMatsShowcase.Reception,gym,5:45p.m.;

program,6:15p.m.7 Miramonte High SchoolShakespeareShowcase,Theatre,7to9p.m. Miramonte High School8thGradeParentInformationNight,Gym,6p.m.10 Miramonte High School NCAApresentation,Theater,7p.m.11 Del Rey Elementary School ParentsClubMeeting,Library,7to9p.m.Visithttp://dr-

orinda-ca.schoolloop.com.13 California Round Robin National Debate Competition, College Preparatory School,

6100Broadway,Oakland,7p.m.18 Miramonte High School ParentsClubMeetingoncollegeandcareers,9:30to11a.m. Miramonte High School AAuWinformationsessionforparents,6p.m.19 Sleepy Hollow Elementary SchoolSiteCouncilmeeting,Library,3:15to4:15p.m.Visit

http://sh-orinda-ca.schoolloop.com.20 Del Rey Elementary School ScienceFair,allday.Visithttp://dr-orinda-ca.schoolloop.

com.24 Miramonte High SchoolSeniorParentMeeting,Cafeteria,7to9p.m.26 Miramonte High SchoolCASEStudyNight,mockcollegeadvisorycommitteeevaluation

applications,5to9p.m.

Basketball Team Wins Championship

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

The Miramonte FroshbasketballteamspentitsholidayvacationwinningitsdivisionchampionshipatatournamentinNapa.Andrew LoganreceivedtheMVPawardforthegamewithTyler ZwahlenreceivingtheMVPfortheentiretournament.(L-R)CoachTerry Juergens, Chase Callister, Benjamin Kao, Henry Marken, Fraser Burch, Andrew Logan, Tyler Zwahlen, Jimmy Foley, Bryce Radlow, Paul Bakshi, Liam Glynn, Spencer Lang, Asim Khan, Coach James Bell, Ryan Ford,andBallBoys:Nicolai BellandKenny Kostermans.Notpictured: Mark Mezody.

Orinda Aquatics Swimmers Shine at Junior Olympics

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Withnearly100teamsrepresentedatthePacificSwimming14andunderWinterJuniorOlympicsinMor-ganHill,CA,Orinda Aquaticsswimmersearnedanimpressive2ndplaceteamfinish.HighpointhonorswenttoGinny Vazques-Azpiri(9-10girls),Ashleen O’Brien(13-14girls)andMax Cruz Costello (11-12boys).Asidefromearningthehighpoint,12-yearoldMaxCruzCostelloswama54.16inthe100-yardbutterfly,breakingthePacificSwimming11-12boysrecord.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

Orinda’sGabriel Bronfmann(2ndfromleft)with(L-R)coachMaureen Griffen, Joe Taylor(Chicago,IL),Wolf Crouse(Houston,TX)andcoachTsenko Hantov.

Eachcountrycansendjust20fencers;Bronfmanqualifiedforaspotthroughpar-ticipationinu.S.nationalfencingcompeti-tionsoverthepastyear.

BronfmansaidheenjoyedhisfirsttriptoEurope.“Everythingwasnewanddiffer-ent.Thecompetitionfeltveryofficial,withfencersfromallovertheworld-Europe,NorthAmerica,SouthAmerica,somefolksfromAfrica.”

AccordingtoBronfman’smother,KaseyByrne,thefencerearnedhismedalintheCadetTeamevent.Hepartneredwithtwootheru.S.fencers,bothfromTexas,beatingthetopseededteamatthetournament,theRussian national team, which also upsettheNorwegianandItaliannationalteamstogainaspotonthepodium.

Byrneadded thathersonalsofinished83rd(outof240)intheMen’sIndividualCadetEpeeevent,heldatthesamevenue.

Bronfman discovered fencing in4th grade when he attended a summercampwhichofferedthesport.Hesaidhesoondroppedoutofothersportsinordertofocusonfencing.“Iloveditandnaggedmymomtosignmeupforlessons.”

HetrainsatGoldenGateFencingClub

Bronfmansaysthattrainingasmuchassixdaysaweekkeepshimfit.“IcompeteatBayCupeventsonceortwiceamonth-alldayfencingcompetitions-andcompeteatregionalandnationaleventsonceamonthor soduring theyear. I alsogo to a fewfencingcampsinthesummer.Thelasttwosummers,I’vegottentotrainattheOlympicTrainingCenterinColoradoSprings.”

Bronfmanseeshisfencingcareergoingwellintohisfuture.“Idefinitelyplantofence in college,” but he added there isuncertainty about what the future afterthatholds.“Fencingisn’treallyalucrativeprofessionalsport.”

TheunpredictabilityofthesportiswhatBronfman said he enjoys. “Fencing is areallyfast,dynamic,combativesport.Ev-erymatchisdifferent–everyone’sstyle,tempo,distanceisunique.”

Bronfmansaysthathehaslearnedskillswhilefencingthatbenefithiminotheras-pectsoflife.“Ihavelearnednottolosemycool,”hesaid.“Infencing,ifyouloseyourcool,youlosethematch,evenifyou’reabetterfencer.IfeellikeI’mmuchmoreableto handle frustration or disappointment,withoutgettingrattled.”


CLASSIFIED

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Your ad in The Orinda News reaches 9,000 households and businesses in Orinda!Issue

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EncloseyourcheckpayabletoThe Orinda AssociationandmailtoOrinda News,P.O.Box97,Orinda,CA94563.Wereservetherighttorejectanyad.Classifiedadsmustbeprepaid.Your cancelled check is your receipt.

shop will be facilitated by Judy Huston,M.A., M.Div. and Jennifer Pister, MFT,Intern,intheFiresideRoomoftheFellow-shipHall,OrindaCommunityChurch,10IrwinWay,onSunday,Feb.8,4to7p.m.Suggesteddonationis$25/person.Finan-cialassistanceisavailable.RSVPtojim@orindachurch.org.

tREPORTERfrompage11

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cificdowntownsitesandoveralldowntowneconomicandmarketingstudiestodeter-minethefeasibilityofpotentialretailcom-mercial,officeandhousingdevelopment.

Orinda’seffortontheHousingElementwillsoonbecompletedandsubmitted totheState.Onceaccepted,theCityCouncilshoulddevote itsattentionandenergy topursuingeffortstorevitalizeitsdowntown,includingaffordablehousingintheprocess.Ithastheopportunityandindeedtheobliga-tiontodosowithoutdelay.

–MichaelKaplan

Amy Worth and Britney Spears?WhatdoMetropolitanTransitCommis-

sion(MTC)chairandOrindaMayorMs.AmyWorth and a young Britney Spearshave in common? Like OMG, decisionmaking. The Beale-street SF palace tohouse several unelected regional bureau-cracies, including the MTC, will cost atleasttwiceoriginalestimates(yourbridgetolls).Towhich,Worthremarked,“Iwishwe had more information going into thedeal.”Indeed.Shecouldhavesaid,“oops,Ididitagain.”Britney?

AtleastMs.Worthhasanamplechorus,includingallthedecisionmakersinthenewBayBridgefiasco.TherenownedengineerTung-yenLin,whofoundedthefirmthatproduced both the chosen design, and adifferentcandidatedesign,with40+yearsofengineeringexpertisesaidofthechosendesign,“thiswillbebuildingamonumenttostupidity”(sfgate.comJune23,2013).Oops,wediditagain!ShesingsthesametuneasWillieBrown(2012acknowledge-ment that public-sector unions were amajormistake(seeWaPoSeptember2012summary)).Onecancontinueadnauseam.Pleasedon’t.I’malreadynauseated.

Principledleadershipisnotevident inhindsightpseudo-apologiesbutisgroundedintheabilitytoinfer,toanalyze,todeduce.If you can’t, do something else, please.Singing? Oh, that our elected officialswould be subject to such a meritocracy.Britney made the 2012 “100 greatestwomeninmusic”list.Iftruthprevail,his-torywouldnotbesokindtoCalifornia’sleadership. Alas, truth usually doesn’tprevail;tax-fundedgrantstoafakePh.D.

tLETTERSfrompage4 willservejustfine(fakePh.DHienTranauthorofthescientificfarcebehindCARBdiesel regulations).These are the peoplewhoare,atthisverymoment,plottingtheday-to-dayworldyourchildrenwillinhabit.Oops,wediditagain!It’s(almost)nottoolatetoundoit.

–MichaelGarrabrants

A New Year Look At Pedestrian Safety In Orinda

Newyearisatimeforreflection:notingpastachievementsandfailuresanddoingplanning.Somechoosetolivewiththosefailures. This identifies significant pastpedestriansafetyfailuresandoversightsofcouncilandrespectfullyasksittopromptlyremedy the following important safetyproblems, rather than allowing them toexistanylonger,giventheapparently-not-so-watchful eyes of established OrindaCommitteesandCommissions.

PedestrianSafety:AltarindaRoad:Thecityinstalledapedestrian-activatedillumi-natedcrosswalkwarningsign(PAICWS)ateachsideof8AltarindaRoad. Thesesigns show some recognition by the cityof the dangers to pedestrians when ac-tive pedestrian crossing locations do nothavePAICWS,includingthenewactivityfrom the 73 Orinda Grove units. Good.Pedestrian Safety: Orindawoods Drive:Thecityinstalledavehicle-activatedradartrafficcalmingsign(VARTCS)atthebot-tom(west,downhillend)ofOrindawoodsDrive, indicating some city recognitionofthedangerstopedestrianswhenroads,which have large numbers of speedingvehiclesandwhicharelocatednearactivepedestriancrossinglocations,donothaveaVARTCS.Whythendidthecityneglecttoinstallthesametypeofpedestrianprotec-tionsattheeastendofOrindawoodsDriveneartheentry/exitfromtheOrindawoodsTennisClub,forexample?Thatentry/exitis equally-dangerous,with activevehicleentry/exitactivitypluschildrenaspedes-trians.Certainly,aVARTCSoneachsideofthatentry/exitwouldtendtoslowdownhigh-speedtrafficpassingtheTennisClub;andaPAICWSoneachsouthandnorthsideoftheDrive(andcrosswalks)wouldprotecttheyouthfulandotherpedestrians.NotealsodangeratWoodhallabsentcrosswalk&PAICWS.

PedestrianSafety:OrindaWay–Monte-

verdeseniorunitsrecentlyopeneddespitethe absence of important nearby safetymeasures.Apparently ignoring the prec-edent of the noted important PAICWSs,thenewseniorresidentshavenoPAICWS(norunlightablepedestriansigns)toprotectthemastheycrossheavilytraffickedOrindaWay(atthecornerofIrwinWay).Trycross-ingtheresafelyatnight!Numerousotherlighting deficiencies exist, e.g., the lackofilluminationofthepathjusteastofthebusstopnearthatcornerandofthatpathapproaching the Community Park. Thisseniorrespectfullyasksforinspectionsoftheseandotherpedestriansafetydeficien-cies,andforimmediatecorrectionofall.

–ChetMartine

Shocked by OUSD PresidentWe were stunned by the comments of

Matt Moran, president of Orinda uSDBoardofTrustees,printedintheJanuaryissueofOrindaNews.

Inhis first public comments about thebungled residency case, Matt expressedconcernandpityfortheemployeesofthedistrict,sayingthisordealhasbeen“hurt-ful” to them. The comment seemed somisdirected that we initially thought thereportereithergot itwrongorMattmis-spoke.It’sastonishingtousthatMattwasgiven the opportunity to say somethingmeaningfulaboutthiscase,andnotonlydidhenottakeit,buthemanagedtosaythingsthatwerelikepouringsaltinthewound.Hechosetovictimizeanddefendthedistrictstaffmembers–highlycompensatedadultemployees,mostofwhomdonotlivehereanddonothavechildrenattendingschoolhere.Heseemsnottorealizethathisroleasaschoolboardmember,anelectedofficial,istoservethefamiliesofthedistrict,nottheemployees.Matthasilluminateddeepdysfunctionwithinthedistrict.

Thatsaid,weunderstandthatthedistrictstaffwouldbeupsetbyallegationsofrac-isminthemedia,asanyoneshouldbe.Itis true(Ihope)thatwe’llprobablyneverfindamemooranemailinwhichadistrictemployee says explicitly that they wantViviandis-enrolledbecausesheisMexican.Butracismcanhappen,andusuallydoeshappen, in more subtle ways. It is hap-peningwhenweapplypoliciesdifferentlyfromonefamilytothenext.Itishappeningwhenwedenybenefitsandservicesbased

onwhatwethinksomeonedeserves,ratherthanonhowtheyqualify.Itishappeningwhenourperceptionofsomeonemakesusmorelikelytoshunthem,andlesslikelytotreatthemwithdignity.Anditishappeningwhenwebelievewecangoaftersomeone,simplybecausewethinktheycan’torwon’tfightback.Theseareallversionsofrac-ism, and theyusuallyhappen reflexivelyorunconsciously.ThatiswhytheOuSDBoard ofTrustees must take the lead inrevising and strengthening the district’sguidelinesforhowfamiliesaretargetedforresidencyinvestigationandhowthosein-vestigationsarecarriedout.Itshouldneverbelefttothewhimofthesuperintendentandhisstafftodecidewhichfamiliesaregrantedameeting,andwhichonesaren’t,orwhichonesgetanappealprocess,andwhichonesdon’t.

WewereencouragedtoseeJasonKaunetaketheleadinlaunchingadiscussionofpolicyrevisionsattheboard’smostrecentmeeting,andwehopetoseechangetakeshapeverysoon.

MattMorananddistrictadministratorshave cited “student privacy laws” as thereasonthatthedistrictcannotdefenditselforexplainwhathappened.Surelystudentprivacy laws do not prevent them fromcommunicatingdirectlywithMaria,sincesheistheparentofthechildinquestionandwasherselfasubjectofthe“investigation.”yetstillthedistrictrefusestoanswerherquestionsorexplaintohertheprofounddis-crepanciesbetweentheirstatedpoliciesandhowhercasewashandled.That,perhaps,isthemostincriminatingevidenceofall.

–MiriamStorch

New Council MemberA breath of fresh air.That’s how we

feel about our newest councilmember,EvePhillips.Sheisyoung,intelligentandprofessionalwiththoughtfulideas.SheisoneofourownwhowasintheClassof‘95atMiramonte,MITandStanford-educated,andanentrepreneurintechnology.Wearefortunatetohavesuchexpertise.

Evealsoreceivedthehighestnumberofvotesoutofthetotalofsixcandidates.Ashasoftenbeensaid, receivingamajorityof votes represents what residents wantforourcommunity. Congratulationsandwelcome,Eve.

–NyeFamily


CALENDAR

Coupon Clippers - Shop Locally and Save!

FEBRuARy2 Orinda Library Art GallerypresentspaintingsandprintsbyCarlaW.Gelbaum,ceram-

icsbyJoanIbarolle,natureandwildlifephotographybyShirleySandersonandfusedandstainedglassbyCynthiaWhitchurchthroughFeb.28withanartists’receptionFeb.8,2:30to4:30p.m.,featuringlightrefreshmentsandmusic.

5 Orinda Books,StoryHourwithCathyGoshornforchildrenaged2to4,Thursdays,276VillageSquare,10to11a.m.Call925-254-7606.

Orinda Community Center,ThursdaysTogetherfeaturesboardgamesforseniors,10a.m.tonoon.$3residents,$4non-residents.Call925-254-2445orvisitwww.cityoforinda.org.

6 First Friday Forum with Dr. George Breslauer speaking on Soviet affairs, 1:30 p.m.,LafayetteOrindaPresbyterianChurch,49KnoxDrive,Lafayette.Call925-283-8722.

7 8th Annual Poetry Out Loud Contra Costa Competition featuring entrants from14highschoolsinContraCostaCounty,LasLomasHighSchoolTheatre,1460SouthMainSt.,WalnutCreek,[email protected].

8 Orinda Community Church,CouplesCommunicationWorkshopexploresnewtoolstoenrichrelationships,facilitatedbyJudyHuston,M.A.,M.Div.andJenniferPister,MFT,Intern,FiresideRoomoftheFellowshipHall,10IrwinWay,4to7p.m.Suggesteddonation$25/[email protected].

Orinda AssociationAwardsdinnerhonoringDickBurkhalter andOthersFirst,6p.m.,OrindaCountryClub,315CaminoSobrante,Orinda.Call925-254-0800orgotowww.orindaassociation.org.

10 Orinda Parks and Recreation Department,Winchester Mystery House Tourforseniors,8:30a.m.to3p.m.Residents$30;non-residents$38.Call925-254-2445orvisitwww.cityoforinda.org.

11 Orinda Books,SecondWednesdayBookGroupwillreadanddiscussMy Grandfather’s BlessingbyRachelNaomiRemen,276VillageSquare,3p.m.Thegroupmeetsmonthlyandwelcomesnewmembers.Call925-254-7606.

12 Orinda Theatre,FreeMovieNight,everysecondThursday,7p.m.Visithttp://www.lam-orindatheatres.com/index_orinda.asp.

19 Saint Mary’s College Guildcelebrates“FunandGamesDay,”9:30a.m.-2p.m.,SodaActivityCenter,1928SaintMary’sRd.,Moraga.Bunco,bridgeandbuffetluncheonwithproceedsbenefittingstudentscholarships.Call925-376-6588.

20 CAIFFFoundersNightfeaturesthebestfilmsoftheCaliforniaIndependentFilmFestival’s17-yearhistory,RheemTheatre,350ParkSt.,Moraga,7p.m.Admission$7orfreeforlead-ingrolemembersofCAIFF.SeriesrunseverythirdFriday.Visitwww.lamorindatheatres.com/index_newrheem.asp.

21 Rheem TheatreLiveJazzSeries,350ParkSt.,Moraga,7p.m.$20general;$15seniorsandchildren.SeriesrunseverythirdSaturday.Visitwww.lamorindatheatres.com/index_ne-wrheem.asp.

27 International Film ShowcasepresentsThe Verdict (Het Vonnis) throughMarch5,OrindaTheatre.Visithttp://internationalshowcase.org/forinformationandshowtimes.

28 Orinda Community Center,FirstAnnualRecreationandSummerCampFair, 10a.m.to1p.m.Residentswhosignupforaclassorcampatthefairreceivea10percentdiscount.Visitwww.cityoforinda.organdclickon“upcomingEvents.”

ATTHELIBRARyAll events are free unless otherwise specified. Library closed Feb. 16 for Presidents Day. For

more information, call 925-254-2184 or visit www.ccclib.org/locations/Orinda.html. 3 Toddler Lapsit.Storytimeforchildrenaged1to3andtheircaregivers,GalleryRoom,10

and10:30a.m.Noregistrationrequired,butattendancelimitedtoonceperweek.AlsoFeb.4,10,11,17and18.

Peek-A-Boo Time.Songs,stories,rhythmsandrhymesforinfantsto18months,GalleryRoom,11:30a.m.AlsoFeb.10and17.

4 Teen Advisory Group.FirstWednesdayofmonth,TutoringRoom,4p.m.Makeanappoint-mentattheInformationDesk.Teensmeetwithteenlibrariantoplanfunteenprogramsandsuggestlibraryresources,receivevolunteerhoursandgrowleadershipskills.

Free Computer and eReader Help. Wednesdays,5:30to7:30p.m.AlsoFeb.11,18and25.Callorvisitthelibrarytoregister.

Paws to Read.1st-through5th-graderspracticereadingwithafriendlydog,GalleryRoom,3:30to4:30p.m.

5 Special Monthly Book Sale.HostedbyFriendsof theOrindaLibrary,BookShopandsortingroom,10a.m.to1p.m.

English as a Second Language Conversation Circle.PracticeEnglishconversationinaninformal,small-groupsetting,TutoringRoom,1to2:30p.m.Preregistrationnotrequired.AlsoFeb.12,19and26.

7 Saturday Morning Live!Storytimeforchildrenaged3to5,PictureBookarea,11a.m.AlsoFeb.14and21.

Weekend Paws to Read.1st- through5th-graderspracticereadingwithafriendlydog,GalleryRoom,2:30to3:30p.m.Callorvisitthelibrarytoregister.

17 Lunar New Year Craft.KidscelebratetheyearoftheSheepatthecrafttable.Alldayactivity.AlsoFeb.18,19,20,21and22.

20 Mystery Book Club. Membersdiscuss thebookofthemonth, TutoringRoom,3to4p.m.For18yearsandup.

22 Contra Costa Tale Spinners. Adultstorytellingwithguestspeaker,GalleryRoom,7to9p.m.Tellataleorjustcometolisten.

24 Humanities West.GeorgeHammondgivesapreviewof theupcomingperformanceofCharlemagne,6:30to8p.m.Visitwww.humanitieswest.org..

CLuBMEETINGSDiablo Star Chapter #214,OrderoftheEasternStar.SecondMonday,7:30p.m.OrindaMasonic

Center,KarenSeaborn,925-689-0995.Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe.Third Monday, 7:30 p.m., Gallery Room, Orinda

Library,www.moragaadobe.org.Friends of the Orinda Creeks. FourthWednesday, 8:30 a.m., May Room, Orinda Library,

925-253-1997.Lamorinda Alcohol Policy Coalition.ThirdWednesday,10to11:30a.m.,OrindaCityHall

ONTHECALENDAR

Send calendar items to Maggie Sharpe at [email protected]

SargeLittlehaleRoom,925-687-8844,ext.227.Lamorinda Nature Walk and Birdwatchingforseniors.Wednesdays,9to11a.m.,free.Call

925-254-2445forweeklymeetingplace.Lamorinda Sirsforretiredmen.SecondWednesday,11a.m.to1:30p.m,HolyTrinityCultural

Center,1700SchoolSt.,Moraga,PeteGiers,925-254-4667.Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary.EveryFriday,7a.m.,LafayetteParkHotel,3287Mt.DiabloBlvd.,

Lafayette,www.lamorindasunrise.comor925-283-8288.Lamorinda Toastmasters. EveryTuesday,7:30p.m.,TempleIsaiah,3800Mt.DiabloBlvd.,

Lafayette,http://lamorinda.toastmastersclubs.org.Montelindo Garden Club. ThirdFriday,9a.m.,SeptemberthroughMay,St.Stephen’sEpiscopal

Church,66St.Stephen’sDrive,www.montelindogarden.com.FebruaryspeakerislandscapedesignerSusanMorrisontalkingon“SmartSpace.”

Orinda Garden Club. FourthThursday, 10 a.m. to noon, September through May, OrindaCountryClub,315CaminoSobrante.

Orinda JuniorWomen’s Clubcommunityservicegroup.FirstTuesday,SeptemberthroughJune,7p.m.,www.orindajuniors.org.

Orinda Rotary.EveryWednesday,noon,OrindaCountryClub,315CaminoSobrante,925-254-2222.

Orinda Association.SecondMonday,7:15p.m.,OrindaLibrary,MayRoom,925-254-0800.Orinda Hiking Club.Everyweekendand firstWednesday,www.orindahiking.orgor Ian at

925-254-1465.Orinda Historical Society.ThirdTuesday,2p.m.,26OrindaWay,925-254-1353.Orinda Job’s Daughters.FirstandthirdMonday,7p.m.,9AltarindaRoad,925-283-7176.Orinda/Tábor (Czech Republic) Sister City Foundation.FourthThursday,7p.m.,social,7:30

p.m.,meeting,call925-254-8260forlocation.Orinda Teen Advisory Council. SecondWednesday,4p.m.,CommunityCenter,28Orinda

Way,[email protected] Woman’s Club.SecondTuesday,9:30a.m.tonoon,callJeanBarnhart,925-254-3881,

orhttps://sites.google.com/site/orindawomansclub.Walnut Creek Garden Club.SecondMonday,9:30a.m.,CamelliaRoom,HeatherFarm,1540

MarchbanksRoad,WalnutCreek,http://californiagardenclubs.com/content/[email protected].

CITy/FIRE/SCHOOLDISTRICTMEETINGSCHEDuLEAcalanes Union High School District.FirstandthirdWednesdays,7:30p.m.,districtoffice,1212

PleasantHillRoad,Lafayette.City Council.FirstandthirdTuesdays,7p.m.,LibraryAuditorium,www.cityoforinda.org.Historic Landmarks Committee.FourthTuesday,3to5p.m.,LibraryGardenRoom.Call

925-788-7323.Moraga-Orinda Fire District. First and third Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m.. Visit

www.mofd.org/board/meetings,locationwillbepostedontheagenda.Orinda Union School District Board of Trustees. Second Monday, 6 p.m., OuSD

ConferenceRoom,25OrindaWay,Suite200,Orinda,CA94563.Forthelatestlistingofdates,pleasecheckthewebsiteatwww.orindaschools.org.

Planning Commission.SecondandfourthTuesdays,7p.m.,LibraryAuditorium,www.cityo-forinda.org.

Orinda Association Honors Local VolunteersBy SALLY HOGARTY

Editor

TheOrindaAssociation(OA)willhonorlong-timeOrinda residentDickBur-

khalter as its 2014Volunteer of theyearandmembersof theOrinda IntermediateSchool's(OIS)OthersFirstprogramastherecipientofthe2014WilliamPennMott,Jr.Environmentalawardatagalacelebra-tiononFeb.8attheOrindaCountryClub.

BurkhalterhasvolunteeredfornumerousprojectswiththeOrindaRotaryClubandhasbeenadedicatedvolunteerdriverforthe OA's SeniorsAroundTown programtonamejustafewofhismanyendeavors.Meanwhile,over400OISstudentsannuallyvolunteer their time at local non-profits,many of which have an environmentalfocus.

TheFeb.8programbeginswithcocktails

at6p.m.followedbydinnerandtheawardsceremony.Forreservations,alltheOAat925-254-0800orgotowww.orindaassocia-tion.org.

SALLYHOGARTY

Dick Burkhalter in Mexico distributing Orindasocceruniformsandequipmenttoneedyyoungplayers.


LOCALBUSINESS/FILM

In Forma Celebrates 20 years of Fitness in Orinda

By STEPHEN ELLISContributing Writer

InFormaIntegralFitnesshadapartylastmonthcelebrating20yearsofbringing

fitness toOrinda.“Wehavebuiltacom-munityof likemindsandlikehearts thatis dedicated to well-being,” said ownerAndreaColombu.“Ifthereisathemeaboutthese20years, it is‘laboroflove.’Ifol-lowedmyheartfromthebeginningandIappreciateandrecognizethesupportofourmembersandstaffbecausenoonesucceedsalone.Itdefinitelytookotherscomingonboard, liking the idea, and supporting itwhichenabledustogrow.”

Colombuhasbeeninvolvedwithfitnesssince1989andfoundedInFormain1995in the studio at 23A OrindaWay. “Westarted in this one space.We expandedin 2008, right before the recession. Sixmonthsaftertheexpansion,theeconomycrashedsowerolledupoursleevesandre-allygottowork,”saidColombu.In2012,heexpandedthespaceagainandaddedaTRXandPilatesspace.“I’vereceivedalotofsupportandIwanttoacknowledgethat.Themembershiphasbeenveryloyalfor20years,inspiteoftheotheropportunitiesthathaveopenedupinthearea.”

Originally,Colombustartedthefacilityto showpeoplehow themind, body andspiritareinterconnected.“Thebodytomeis themost importantvehicle for life, sothiswastheideaofhonoringthisbeauti-fulgiftthatwehaveandfindingawaytocreateapathtowell-beingthatwasmorecomprehensivethanjustgettingfit,gettingstrong and looking good.What are theimplicationsofwhatyou’redoinginyourlife?Thebodyandmindareintegrated,sowhat you’re doing with your body has adirectimpactonyouremotionalstateandyourwell-beingingeneral,”saidColombu.ThespiritualisbecomingmoreevidentintheclassschedulesandworkshopsthatIn

Forma hosts. “The Mindfulness Medita-tionClassthatisheldeveryMondaynightoriginallystartedin2010andwasnotontheschedule,”saidColombu.“Atthetime,IinvitedpeopletoparticipateandIwantedtokeepitseparate.Imadeadecisionlastyearthat I actuallyneeded tohaveanofficialclassandittookoff.Theinterestissolidwithreallygoodparticipationonaweeklybasis. Now, it is very much a part of InForma.”InFormaalsohostsworkshopsonTaiChi,stressreductionandbodyrolling.

Inadditiontothespiritualside,InFormaoffers a lot of traditional fitness options.“Suspensiontrainingisabigpartofwhatwedonow.ItisoftenadvertisedasTRX,”saidColombu.InFormaalsooffersyoga,PilatesandBarre.“Barreclassesareverypopular.Theyaresortofatakefromthedanceworldandaretailoredforintegrat-ing exercises that are primarily focusedon building core strength and overallstrength, using methods very similar tostrengthtrainingforballet.yogahasbeenan ongoing part of our classes.” Bothforms of Pilates are offered: mat classesandReformerclasses (theReformerma-chine was developed by Joseph Pilates).“Besidestraditionalfitness,wearedoingfusionclasses,whichisputtingtwoclassestogether,forexample,suspensiontrainingwithBarre.Thecardioandfitnessclassesarealsofusion.Thereisnooneclassthatisonlycardiooronlystrength.Wecombinealotofthosesortsofapproaches.Therehasalsobeenalotofgrowthinpersonaltrain-ingoverthelastcoupleofyears.”

Colombu credits his membership andstaffforthesuccessofInForma.“Adreamcame true for me. I really wanted to dofitness inadifferentway,not the typicalapproach.Ifollowedmyheartandpeoplejoinedme.We’vefollowedeachotherandhereweare.”

Formoreinformation,visitwww.infor-maorinda.com.

The Reel Less Traveled

Movie Riches – Good and Bad!TomWestlake

Thismonthbrings us a cornucopia ofcinematicrichesandacoupleofpieces

ofgoodnews thatwill delight long-timereaders.

Let’sstartoutwithadoublethreatfromour returning champions of the foreignfilm,EfiLublinerandJoAliceCanterbury.They are offering two finds that they’vebrought back from their travels to otherfilmfestivals.ThefirstisHuman Capital.This award-winning Italian film is partNashville insofar as it tells a multitudeof stories–mostlycenteringaround twofamilies–andIrreversibleorMemento, asitplaysfastandloosewiththetraditionalnarrativestructure.Startingattheendandworking backwards, we are witness tothisornatedrama,filledwithamysteriouscause,followed(orperhapspreceded)byaseriesofnot-so-mysteriouseffects.Itisshowingat theOrindaTheatre fromJan.30 through Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.Visit http://lamorindatheatres.com/index_orinda.asp.

NextontheiragendaisThe Verdict (Het Vonnis).Nottobeconfusedwiththe1982filmofthesamenamewithPaulNewman,thisoneisfarmoreKafkaesqueasitdealswith a fragile and flawed justice systemandthepricetheinnocentandguiltypay.This is anail-biter thatprovidesnoeasyanswers.Saveatableatyourfavoritelo-calrestaurantafterwardsasthismoviewillprovideplentytotalkabout.ItrunsforoneweekattheOrindaTheatrebeginningFeb.27at7p.m.Foradditionalshowtimes,visithttp://internationalshowcase.org.

Anotherfilmthatmightcauseconfusion,asthereismorethanonefilmthatbearsthename,isSabrina. However,asthisispartof the Classics Film Showcase, it’s safeto bet that this is the 1954 version star-ring Humphrey Bogart,Audrey HepburnandWilliam Holden.Telling the classicstoryof“girlmeetstwoboys,”thisBillyWilderclassicfindsHepburnathermostcharming, with a little petulance throwninforgoodmeasure.Thetwomaleleadsare playing against type and one mightfindBogart’spairingwithHepburnalittle

odd. Theseareminor reservationswhenweighedagainstthesparklingscriptbasedontheplaySabrina Fairandthebeautifulblack-and-whitecinematography.Whowillshechose?FindoutonFeb.12at7p.m.attheOrindaTheatre.

Now,let’sforgetclassicsandprestigiousforeign films and move on to plain old“bad”movies.Acoupleofyearsago,theRheem presented the Leave Your Brain at the Doormovieseries.Well,it’sback!Details are scant, but I have it on goodauthority that on the second Saturday ofeverymonthat7p.m.,wewillbetreatedtotheveryworstthatcinemahastooffer.Thisisawelcomereturnastheairupherehasbecomealittletoorarifiedandit’stimeforawholeotherstratosphereofjustplainfunthatwehavehadtoolittleoflately.Sokeep checking http://lamorindatheatres.comfordetails.

Inarareinstanceofsynchronicity,TheMoraga Movers bring us a double doseofBogey thismonthas theypresentKey Largo.This time, our leading man is inslightlymorefamiliarterritory,playingasoldier returning home fromWorldWarII.Thoughdeeplyaffectedbytheconflict,he soon finds himself fighting the warat home when he comes in contact withEdwardG.Robinson (playing to type asagangster)andtensionsarise.AddtothemixLaurenBacallandLionelBarrymore–withdirectionbyJohnHuston–andyouhavethemakingsofamasterclassinwhatgreat filmmaking isallabout.Key LargoshowsattheRheemTheatreonFeb.18at1p.m.

We’ll conclude with another welcomepieceofnewsabouttheInternationalFilmFestival. On the third Friday of everymonth,manyof the films featuredat thefestivalwillhavearepriseshowing.Asofthiswriting,nofinalprogramhasbeenan-nouncedbutthisisagoodchancetocatchmoviesyoumighthavemissed.Keepaneye on http://lamorindatheatres.com and,untilnextmonth,remembertostayinthedarkforthat’swherethereelmagiclies.

TimetoChooseSummerMoviesIfyouenjoyedthemoviesputonbytheOrindaParksandRecreationDepartment

lastsummer,now'syourchancetohelpdecidewhatisshownthiscomingsummer.Anonlinesurveyhasbeencreatedfor thoseinterestedinrankingtheir topmovie

choicesfromapre-selectedlistfortheSummerMovieseries.Tocompletethesurvey,visittheParksandRecreationwebpageonthecity’swebsiteatwww.cityoforinda.org.ThesurveywillconcludeonFeb.9.

MovieswillbeheldattheOrindaCommunityCenterThursdayeveningsatduskonJune25,July9and23,Aug.6and20.

Forquestions,[email protected](925)254-2445.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

In Forma staff include: (L-R)Julie Gauigan, Robin Bertelson, Natasha Hartman Colombu,ownerAndrea Colombu, Dave D’Angelo, Connor CosleyandAlison Schneider.


BUSINESSBUZZ

Mental Skills Training Program Offered at Living Lean

As a youngster Sheryl Cardiff expe-rienced extreme test anxiety in schoolthatwassopersistentitfollowedherintoadulthood,underminingherabilitytoattainpersonalgoals,preventingherfromdemon-stratingaccomplishedequestrianskillsinEnglishhorseshoweventsinherteenyears.

“WhileIworkedhardandpreparedwell,whenitcametotheexamination,mymindwaseverywhereexcepton the test,”saysCardiff.“Ibecameinspiredtodeveloptheskills toovercome thisobstacleandhelpotherstodosobyearningaMasterofArtsdegreeinSportPsychologyattheuniver-sityofSouthernCalifornia.”

Currently, Cardiff offers her MentalSkillsTraining Program in conjunctionwithSheenaLakhotia’sLivingLeanPro-gram,locatedinTheatreSquare.Sheisamember of theAmericanAssociation ofAppliedSportsPsychology,withsixyearsof experience as a certifiedmental skillstrainer,

“I teach clients to understand, masterandapplyconceptsthatmanagetheirmind,enabling them to perform to the best oftheirabilitywhenitcounts,”saysCardiff.“Theseconceptsincludeimagery,self-talk,efficientgoalsettingandpositivesequenc-ing.Myclientstypicallyrangeinagefrom14 to 19 years, and I have worked withindividualsasyoungas12yearsofageaswellasadults.”

Duringtheinitialmeetingwithpotentialclients, Cardiff meets with both parentsandchild todeterminewhether thechildtrulywantstobeinvolvedinthetrainingprogram.“If thepotential client isundertheageof18,parentsarepresentduringtheintakeinterview,buttheteenshouldtaketheinitiative.Allinformationisconfiden-tial.Myexpertiseisinsportsperformanceand related issues. If something surfaces

tBuZZfrompage20 beyondmyexpertiserelatedtothechild’shealthandwellness,Iprovideareferraltoalicensedclinician,”explainsCardiff.

Theprogramapplies toacademicsandbusiness,aswellasathletics.“Iamadeptattakingtheclientfromdoingwell,todoingbetter.Thefirststepistounderstandwhattheclientneeds,why it is important andhow toget there. I enjoyhelpingpeopleachievewhat theyarecapableofachiev-ing,” says Cardiff. “I work with SheenaLakhotiabecausesheispassionateabouthelpingpeopleattainfitnessandwellness.Anygoal,nomatterhowbigorsmall, isveryimportant.”

AllthreeofCardiff’schildrenarecom-petitiveathletes.EldestsonDanattendsCalPolySanLuisObispowhereheplaysonthemen’stennisteam.RyanplaystennisatAcalanesHighSchoolandMeganplaysvolleyballatAcalanesHighSchool.Inherspare time, Cardiff enjoys photography,playingtennis,runningtostayfitandhascompetedinsixhalf-marathons.“IknowifIamphysicallyfitthenIamemotionallystrong.”

For more information about MentalSkillsFitnessProgramatLivingLean,visitwww.livingleanprogram.com and clickonPrograms.TolearnmoreaboutSherylCardiffgotowww.sherylklinecardiff.com.

ChamberAwardsLuncheon

Feb.20at11:30a.m.OrindaCountryClub

TheOrindaChamberofCom-mercewillpresentannual

awardsrecognizingoutstand-ingcontributionstotheCham-

berandOrindabusinesscommunity.

Call925-254-3909orgotowww.orindachamber.org.


BUSINESSBUZZ

Business BuzzPutting a Personal Face on Local Business

ValerieHotz

To send items for consideration, email Hotz at [email protected].

Reliable Casual Carpool “Commutr” Launches in Orinda

After participating in the local casualcarpoolsceneforthepastcoupleofyears,technologyentrepreneurAlexMooradiandecidedtoimprovetheconceptbytakingtheguessworkoutofeverythingandmak-ingitmoreconvenient.Lastmonth,Moo-radianinauguratedCommutr,anorganizedcasualcarpooloperatingfromsouthOrindaservingbothOrindaandMoragaresidents.

“It’sanamazingwaytogettoSanFran-cisco,andIwantedtomakeitmuchmorepredictableandreliableforthepublic,”saysMooradian.“WecreatedaniPhoneapplica-tiontoorganizethesystemandawebsite,www.getcommutr.com.” Plans are in theworkstobuilditfortheAndroidaswell.

There is an addedmeasureof securityforeveryonebecausetheidentityofapar-ticipantisverifiedwhensigningup.“Werequire passengers and drivers to submiteither their LinkedIn profile, Facebookprofile or a business card before accept-ingtheminthesystem,”saysMooradian.“Theonlywayapersonhasaccesstothiscasual carpool is touse the iPhoneApp.This allows us to control the experienceforeveryone.”

Individuals may sign up through theAppafewdays inadvanceandeven themorningofaride.A$3feeischargedforeachride.MooradianguaranteesacarpoolridetoSanFrancisco’sFinancialDistrictwillbeavailablewithin10minutesofar-rivingattheparkingsite,locatedatHoly

Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 MoragaWay in Orinda.The drop-off location inSanFranciscoisthecornerofFremontandHowardstreets.

“Commutr takes all the stress out ofcarpooling.Itcostslessmoneyandismoreconvenient thanexistingcasual carpool,”saysMooradian.Thebonusattractionforthereturnhomeisashuttlebusrunsevery10minutesfromBARTtotheHolyShep-herdLutheranChurchparkinglotbetween5and9p.m.

“The City of Orinda and Town ofMoraga embrace Commutr as a way toreducetrafficcongestiononMoragaWay,not tomention thefact that it isaGreeninitiativethatbenefitsthecommunity,”saysMooradian.Heisindiscussionwithotherlocalchurchestodeterminewheretolocateanother meeting point where commuterscanleavetheircars.

Previously a financial service profes-sional,Mooradianyearned tobecomeanentrepreneur, moving to Moraga fromNewyorktostarthisfirstcompanyEurekaWorkforce, followedby Readyforce. HiswifeSaravolunteerslocally,mostrecentlyservingaspresidentoftheLosPeralesPar-entTeacherAssociation.The couple hastwo children.Anna attends fourth gradeatLosPeralesandJackisasecond-gradestudentthere.Mooradianenjoysspendingtimewithhisfamilyandplayinggolf.

Formore information aboutCommutr,visit www.getcommutr.com or callAlexMooradianat650-260-5675.

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VALERIEHOTZ

Entrepreneur Alex Mooradian

VALERIEHOTZ

LivingLean’sSheryl Cardiff

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