Do Aging Pipes Pose an Unseen Threat?...Two flood recovery stories – page D1. Life in Lamorinda B1-B10 Fire Districts A8 Our Homes D1-D12 Hollywood actor returns to his roots –

News A2 - A12Life in Lamorinda B1 - B10Not to be Missed B8-B9HOW TO CONTACT US B9Food B10Service Directory B10Sports C1 - C3Classified C2Shop Moraga C4Our Homes D1 -D12This Week Read About:Lafayette’s new pot rules A2Orinda’s road and drainage plan A6Big home construction appeal A4Meet Eve Phillips A7Antennae helps emergency

communications A11Fighting depression during

the holidays ̀ B4SMC and Cal at Berkeley C2

Advertising

Campo winsCIFRegionalChampionship– Page C1.

Sports C1-C3

Two floodrecoverystories –page D1.

Life in Lamorinda B1-B10

Fire Districts A8

Our Homes D1-D12

Hollywood actorreturns to his roots– page B2.

New fire districtexecutives named –page A8.

Civic News A1-A12

Residents can weight in onMoraga downtown design– page A4.

Independent, locallyowned and operated!

FREEwww.lamorindaweekly.com925-377-0977

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 • Vol. 9 Issue 21

While residents in Lamorinda and beyond havebeen hammered with conservation messages dur-ing this historic drought, an estimated 2.6 million

gallons of water went down the drain Nov. 27 when an East BayMunicipal Utility District water main broke on Reliez StationRoad, flooding five backyards and affecting 35 EBMUD cus-tomers.

The break was reported at 4:30 p.m. and took just over six

hours until the water was finally shut off at 10:45 p.m. The waterlost was the equivalent of the amount of water 19 homes woulduse in a year, according to figures from the California SingleFamily Water Use Efficiency Study, which estimates the averagehousehold uses 360 gallons of water per day.

When a major break releases water that impacts nearby wa-

terways and creeks, the utility is required to send a report to theEPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System which

has regulatory standards for wastewater discharge. Accordingto the EBMUD Potable Water Discharge Report that was filedwith the Water Board, Fish and Wildlife, and the city of Lafayette,“The discharge lasted for six hours for several reasons includingdifficulty finding isolation valves in the dark under water andmud, the need for specialized equipment to close the larger valves,and one valve being broken open requiring alternative valves tobe located and closed.” ... continued on page A12

Do Aging Pipes Pose an Unseen Threat?By Cathy Tyson

Avoid Becoming a Victim of FraudIdentity theft and fraud forum focuses on ways to protect yourselfBy Cathy Tyson

The phone calls and emails are becoming all too fa-miliar: A grandson is in jail in Peru, urgently needing

bail money; you have won the Nigerian lottery and needto send funds to pay for taxes to claim your winnings; theInternal Revenue Service will arrest you if you do not sendmoney owed for back taxes right now; a contractor callsto say he will be in your neighborhood soon.

Unfortunately, these calls and emails are all likely

scams.

So how do you protect yourself? The Crime Prevention

Commission recently hosted an Identity Theft – FraudForum with speakers including the Lafayette Chief of Po-lice, and representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, the Dis-trict Attorney’s Office, the IRS and the CaliforniaContractors Licensing Board, who gave specific informa-tion about best practices to avoid becoming a victim.

“Real estate fraud is a bonanza for criminals,” said

former Deputy District Attorney of Contra Costa CountyKen McCormick to a standing room only crowd at the

Veterans Memorial Hall.

Elders are often the target of real estate crimes, espe-

cially in Lamorinda’s prosperous neighborhoods, becausethey usually have a larger net worth, and they can be sub-ject to undue influence from both shady real estate pro-fessionals and family members, according to McCormick.

... continued on page A3

Locked mailboxes Photo C. Tyson

A 66-year-old water main on Reliez Station Road ruptured with a 15-foot-long break on Nov. 27. Photo courtesy East Bay Municipal Utility District

A Note AboutOur NewspaperCarrierBlackhawk Enterprise (email –[email protected])has been delivering theLamorinda Weekly to all homesin Orinda, Lafayette andMoraga since January 2011.The team of eight drivers workshard to make sure you get yournewspaper every otherWednesday. BlackhawkEnterprise and its teammembers would like to wishour readers a joyous holidayseason and a very happy newyear. You will also see a flyerfrom them in this week's issue.

Thank you,Lamorinda Weekly

925.200.2222 Gary | 925.878.9685 [email protected] | [email protected]#00686144 | CalBRE#01418309

The Bernie & Ryerson Team

Christmas Eve Services

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Presbyterian Church this Christmas Eve! FFaammiillyy SSeerrvviicceess……......................3:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

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HHoommeeccoommiinngg CCoommmmuunniioonn SSeerrvviiccee......11:00 p.m. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church

49 Knox Drive | Lafayette, CA 94549

Questions? Email [email protected]

www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLYA2 Wednesday, December 16, 2015

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It’s a Wonderful Life…in Lafayette’s Burton Valley!City CouncilMonday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Planning CommissionMonday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.Lafayette Library & Learning Center,Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Design ReviewMonday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.Lafayette Library & Learning Center,Arts & Science Discovery Center,3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Check online for agendas, meetingnotes and announcementsCity of Lafayette:www.ci.lafayette.ca.usPhone: (925) 284-1968Chamber of Commerce:www.lafayettechamber.org

Public Meetings

School Board MeetingsAcalanes Union High School District Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.AUHSD Board Room1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayettewww.acalanes.k12.ca.usLafayette School District Wednesday, Jan 13, 7 p.m.Regular Board MeetingDistrict Office Board Room3477 School St., Lafayettewww.lafsd.k12.ca.us

Alarms 92911 Calls (includes hang-ups) 10Noise Complaints 4Traffic Stops 119Suspicious Circumstances 9Suspicious Subjects 14Suspicious Vehicles 19Abandoned Vehicle 3200 block Marlene Dr Mt Diablo Blvd/AcalanesAnimal Cruelty Dewing Ave/Mt Diablo BlvdBattery 3300 block Sweet Dr St PerpetuaBomb Threat 3800 block Happy Valley RdBurglary, Auto Mt Diablo Blvd/Pleasant Hill Rd 4000 block Mt Diablo Blvd (2) 1000 block Brown Ave (2) 1300 block El Curtola 30 block Barn Ln Lafayette Park Hotel Oakwood Athletic Club Orchard Nursery Acalanes High School Civil Problem 900 block Sunnybrook Dr Burnt Oak/Rohrer Dr 1000 block Aileen StDispute, Verbal 900 block Dewing AveDisturbing the Peace Pleasant Hill Rd/Mt Diablo Blvd Roundup 900 block Hough AveDUI 2nd St/Mt Diablo Blvd RoundupFireworks 10 block My RdFraud, Computer 3600 block Bickerstaff St (2) 3100 block Sweetbrier CirHealth & Safety Violation 3500 block Little LnHit & Run Post Office Safeway (2) Oak Hill Rd/Mt Diablo Blvd School St/Moraga RdPanhandling CVSPolice/Fire/EMS Response 4000 bock Mt Diablo Blvd 3200 block Vals Ln 1300 block El Curtola Blvd Lafayette Reservoir 3400 block Mt Diablo Blvd 900 block Happy Valley Ct Hwy 24/1st St Silver Springs/Moraga Rds School St/Moraga Rd

Ordinance Violation 30 block Diablo CirPublic Nuisance 1300 block Sunset Loop Whole FoodsPromiscuous Shooting 3500 block Hamlin Rd 1000 block Oak Hill Rd Reckless Driving Pleasant Hill Rd/Tailor Blvd Mt Diablo Blvd/Pleasant Hill Rd Mt Diablo Blvd/2nd St Hidden Valley Rd/Diablo Cir Jackson’s Wine & Spirits Deer Hill/Pleasant Hill RdsRecovery Stolen Vehicle 1000 block Sierra Vista WayShoplifting Safeway (3) Diablo FoodsTheft, Petty Trader Joe’s 900 block Acalanes Rd CVS 700 block Los Palos Manor 4000 block Legion Ct 1300 block Reliez Valley Rd 3400 Black Hawk Rd 900 block Sunnybrook DrTheft, ID 3500 block S Silver Springs Rd (2) 1000 block Lizann Dr 1100 block Sierra Vista Way 1100 block Via Media 10 block Mt View LnTheft, Vehicle Acalanes High School Safeway (2) Whole Foods 1100 Vallecito Ct Mt Diablo Blvd/El Nido Ranch Rd 1000 block Blackwood LnThreats 900 block 1st StTrespass Quandt Rd/Stanley BlvdUnwanted Guest 30 block Lafayette Cir 3500 block Mt Diablo Blvd 4000 block Happy Valley Rd 3300 block Mt Diablo Blvd 3600 block Mt Diablo BlvdVandalism Acalanes High School 1st St/Moraga Blvd Sweet Dr/Carlyle Ter 4000 block Happy Valley Rd

Lafayette PoliceDepartment IncidentSummary ReportNov. 22-28

Bomb Threat at Happy Valley School DiffusedBy Cathy Tyson

Despite the occasional car breakin, many Lafayette residents

feel that their little community is re-moved from big city problems. Thatbubble was promptly burst at approx-imately 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 when theLafayette Police Department receiveda phoned-in bomb threat targetingHappy Valley Elementary School.

Lafayette police carefully in-

spected the campus following thethreat. Children and their coachesparticipating in an after-school activ-ity were evacuated. Nothing wasfound at this campus, or at otherschool locations in Lafayette.

According to police chief Eric

Christensen, an unidentified callergave an erroneous school name toWalnut Creek dispatchers, but had thecorrect address for Happy Valley El-ementary School. Superintendent ofthe Lafayette School District, RachelZinn, said that the current investiga-tion has it narrowed down to a “robo”call that came from outside of thearea. Zinn credits the district’s part-nership with Lafayette police as“wonderful” and praised the depart-ment for its immediate response.

Out of an abundance of caution,

police were back early the next morn-ing along with a bomb sniffing dog.

... continued on next page

Happy Valley Elementary School in Lafayette was the alleged target ofphoned-in bomb threat Dec. 1. Photo C. Tyson

Recommending New Rules for Pot Delivery OK, cultivation and testing notBy Cathy Tyson

The six medical marijuana deliv-ery firms that service Lafayette

can rest easy: Abundent, Green Gar-den Delivery, Green Grizzly, NorcalPatients Collective, La Morinda TopShelf, and Pure Cure Farmacy willnot be banned from delivering in thearea, unless the City Council opposesthe current recommendation by thePlanning Commission.

Since 2011, the city has adopted

ordinances banning marijuana dis-pensaries and cultivation in Lafayette.Responding to the California legisla-

ture’s recent Medical Marijuana Reg-ulation and Safety Act, enacted tocomprehensively regulate medicalmarijuana, the city initiated anamendment that would update andexpand the existing city ordinance toprohibit cannabis manufacture, deliv-ery and testing laboratories.

At the Dec. 6 Planning Commis-

sion meeting, the majority of com-missioners supported deliveryservices. Explaining that medical useof marijuana is legal in California,Commissioner Kathryn Lyddan sided

with patients, saying, “Those peoplethat are ill are exactly the people whomight use a delivery service.”

“It’s a merchandising issue,” said

Commissioner Tom Chastain.

Proposition 215, the California

Compassionate Use Act, was passedby voters in 1996 legalizing the med-ical use of marijuana.

A motion to allow cultivation for

personal use along with delivery serv-ice died, but a motion to allow deliv-ery of medical marijuana passed. Theplanning commissioner’s recommen-

dation will go to the City Council fora final decision in January.

City Attorney Mala Subramanian

suggested in a memorandum thatmarijuana uses can become a nui-sance: “The cultivation, transporta-tion, and distribution of marijuana cancreate problems relating to publichealth and safety, crime, water and airquality, and energy consumption.”

Her official recommendation is

for the City Council to adopt a ban onmarijuana transportation, testing lab-oratories and cultivation.

SPORTS MEDICINE

more teamwork

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, you deserve excellent care. Our talented team of sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists can help you stay on top of your game.*

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www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 A3

From my family to yours...

May you have a warm, safe and very happy holiday season.

We thank you for your continued ��

Sincerely,The Katzman Family

I am here for you. Never hesitate to call.

Bomb Threat at HappyValley School Diffused... continued from page A2After scouring the classrooms andcampus again, they found nothing.There was a police presence at theother schools in the district, as well asa school psychologist who was avail-able to talk with students, staff andparents.

“We would never compromise

student safety. We were absolutelyconfident there was nothing there,”said Zinn. Although parents were un-derstandably a bit anxious, schoolwas in session the next day.

Zinn was quick to compliment

police training and preparedness, andnoted the experience has definitelyheightened safety awareness at thedistrict.

The police chief responded to

questions about why the bomb squadwas not on campus in a recent onlineCrime Bulletin: “The bomb squaddoes not search for devices – they de-activate devices once they are found.”

Both the FBI and the Bureau of

Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms are in-vestigating the matter.

Avoid Becoming a Victimof Fraud... continued from page A1

Because jail time is much

shorter for real estate fraud than forbank robbery, he suggests thesetypes of crimes are “so simple” forthose familiar with the paperwork,often starting with forging a signa-ture on a deed.

Home repair fraud is rampant

and expensive, said Jane Kreidlerfrom the Contractors State LicenseBoard. For homeowners with ahome improvement project over$500, a contractor with a valid li-censed is required. Homeownersshopping for a contractor shouldget three bids, check referencesand make sure the contractor’s li-cense and driver’s license namesmatch up. Kreidler also stronglyencouraged checking online tomake sure the license is active andin good standing. Do not use acontractor who randomly calls, of-fering services.

A contract should contain spe-

cific information about the time-frame of the job and the paymentschedule; the down payment can-not be more than $1,000 or 10 per-cent of the contract price,whichever is less. Never pay incash. “If you have a problem witha contractor, we want to know,”

said Kreidler.

A special IRS agent represent-

ing the law enforcement arm of thefederal agency who does financialinvestigation dealing with tax eva-sion and money laundering ad-dressed the group. She said afrequent scam is someone claimingto be an IRS agent on the phonewho threatens to arrest a personunless back taxes due are paid im-mediately. She was clear: “The ac-tual IRS will not call you.”

Investigations have led to a call

center in India as a source of thecalls.

For those involved in identity

theft fraud on a tax return, file anonline complaint at the TreasuryInspector General for Tax Admin-istration (www.tigta.gov).

Lafayette Chief of Police Eric

Christensen also warned that“shoulder surfing” is occurring atlocal bank ATMs, and if the personbehind you is quick, it is possibleto make an additional transaction,usually a withdrawal, on your ac-count. He recommends pausingfor a few moments before walkingaway to ensure the transaction isfully complete.

Additional Tips from the Lafayette Chief of Police: A raised red flag on a mailbox can be construed by bad guys to mean comesteal the mail. Your postal carrier will understand if there is outgoing mail inthe box. • Protect your mail and packages – pick up as soon as possible. Also con-

sider getting a locked mailbox. Christensen calls Upper Happy ValleyRoad the “speedway of mailbox theft.”

• A shredder that does a crisscross cut is best. Shred all documents withpersonal, financial and medical information.

• Using a thin-tipped Sharpie pen is the easiest way to deter criminals fromtampering with checks, as the ink saturates into the paper.

• Do not allow a random caller who says he or she is from Microsoft togain remote access to your computer.

• Check your credit report every year. You have the right to a free creditreport every 12 months.

• Protect valuables in your car, and don’t leave items in plain sight.• Be careful discarding used computers or cell phones. Be sure to wipe

the hard drive – or remove it entirely.

�� Holidays

Support Your Local Businesses and Merchants

Lisa Brydon 925.285.8336 | Kristi Ives 925.788.8345 | Kaaren Brickman 925.351.5049

[email protected]

CalBRE#: 01408025CalBRE#: 01367466CalBRE#: 01932119

Wishing our clients and friends a

Very Merry Holiday SeasonMay the coming year bring you and yours constant joy and ever increasing happiness

The Brydon & Ives Team

If you are considering selling in 2016, The Brydon & Ives Team should be your first call!


Check online for agendas, meetingnotes and announcementsTown of Moraga:www.moraga.ca.usPhone: (925) 888-7022Chamber of Commerce:www.moragachamber.orgMoraga Citizens’ Network:www.moragacitizensnetwork.org

Public Meetings

School Board MeetingMoraga School District Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.Joaquin Moraga IntermediateSchool Auditorium1010 Camino Pablo, Moragawww.moraga.k12.ca.usSee also AUHSD meeting page A2

Planning CommissionMonday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Rd .

Design ReviewMonday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Rd .

Town CouncilWednesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School,1010 Camino Pablo

Gas hose a goner, 12/7/15 A cus-tomer at a Moraga Road gas sta-tion accidentally damaged the gaspump by attempting to drive awaywith the nozzle still in her car. Itcould have been much worse.Thankfully the hose has a break-away feature for this very reasonand simply separated from theequipment. The customer did theright thing and stopped, then in-formed the service station ownerabout the incident.

Domestic violence, 12/6/15 Mor-aga cops responded to Kaiser Wal-nut Creek for a report of domesticviolence that occurred at one of theshops in the Rheem ShoppingCenter. Police conducted an in-vestigation and subsequently ar-rested the suspect who wascharged with corporal injury andcriminal threats.

Fancy phone vanishes at swimpractice, 12/4/15 The reportingperson stated that her $850 cellphone was stolen from her backpackwhile at swim practice. No suspectsor witnesses at this time. A stroke ofbad luck.

Bad tenant, 12/3/15 An elderly personwas concerned about the tenant in hisattached in-law suite, due to his oddbehavior. Cops called the tenant andasked him some questions; he did notmeet the criteria for mental healthhold and hung up on officers. Policeadvised the landlord to seek legalcounsel about evicting the tenant. Of-ficers later responded back to thehome after the tenant was banging onthe landlord’s door after a three-dayeviction notice was served. All par-ties were advised to stay away fromeach other until the civil issue couldbe sorted out.

License trouble, 12/3/15 It startedwith a busted tail light, but snow-balled from there. Cops pulled overa car on Canyon Road due to a “ve-hicle code lighting violation,” butsoon found that the driver had a sus-pended license for DUI, and failedto provide proof of insurance. Thecar was towed and placed on a 30-day impound hold. Driver was laterreleased at the scene with a signedpromise to appear. Looks like takingUber would have been the better op-tion.

Attempted theft from car, 12/1/15 ASpyglass Lane resident parked hiscar in his driveway for the past twodays. When he entered the car, hefound the contents of the car hadbeen rifled through and a couple per-sonal items were missing. Oddly, healso found his neighbor’s unopenedmail. Although there is 24-hour se-curity in the neighborhood, the thiefwas obviously undeterred.

Mail thief caught, 12/1/15 Residentsnear Ascot Drive and Moraga Roadcalled cops to report a fellow actingsuspiciously. Upon contact with the27-year-old man from Richmond,police found a check allegedly stolenfrom Orinda in his possession. Fur-ther follow-up lead police to a truckparked near Scofield Drive withmore stolen mail, along with an ac-complice, a 27-year-old from El So-brante. Both men were arrested.

Other crimes occurring inMoraga Dec. 1-8:Tools in Car Taken – Augusta DriveFalse Alarm – Sullivan Drive,Wells Fargo – Moraga WayIdentity Theft – San Pablo CourtTheft of Electrical Device– Park StreetTeenager Speeding– Dickenson DriveSuspicious Person – Camino PabloStuff Stolen from Car –Buckingham Drive, Calle La Mesa Video Consoles Stolen – RheemBoulevard

Moraga Police Department

Size of New Home Construction Debate ContinuesBy Sophie Braccini

For years developers and resi-dents in Moraga have been

fighting over home sizes: whether tobuild new homes in size similar to ex-isting homes in the neighborhood, orto maximize the size of new construc-tion. The debate continued at the Dec.7 Planning Commission meeting,which focused on a new home beingproposed by Branagh Development at68 Vista Encinos. Last October theDesign Review Board approved thesingle 3,200-square-foot home pro-posed on lot No. 4. Larch residentsappealed the decision to the PlanningCommission.

The Vista Encinos project was ap-

proved in 2002 on seven acres of un-occupied land off Larch Avenue. ThePlanning Commission approved 10lots on the uphill property, but at the

time no home size was specified,though it was recommended thatsome of the homes be limited in massto serve as a transition with the exist-ing smaller homes on Larch Avenue.Regulating bodies have often beenunwilling to set house size limits,other than for the floor-area-ratio thatis set for smaller parcels.

“We punted on multiple levels,

including on setting house sizes,” saidPlanning Commissioner SteveWoehleke, who was on the PlanningCommission at the time, “and thatwas a major mistake.”

Built on a steep slope from the

Vista Encinos level toward Larch Av-enue, the new home looks like a sin-gle-level residence from the street, butfrom Larch Avenue backyards, neigh-bors say they see 50 feet of home,

with a deck, looming over theirhouses with direct views into theirbedrooms and bathrooms. When thedevelopment was approved in 2002,it was on the condition of plantingtrees and shrubs to block the view.The landscaping plan was approvedin 2006, but many of the plants havesince died and others were deciduous,offering no visual barrier in winter.

Planning Commission Chairper-

son Tom Marnane said he was readyto approve the project provided thatthe landscaping is updated, but othercommissioners indicated that relyingsimply on trees and bushes to protectthe neighbors’ privacy was notenough. Commissioner Woehlekecited the town design guidelines thatstate that new developments need tofit the neighborhood and not ad-

versely impact neighbors. He saidthat looking at one project where fivesites have been approved for develop-ment on the south side of Vista Enci-nos would not give the whole picture.Commissioner Christine Kuckuk rec-ommended the developer increase thesecond story setback to minimize themassing as seen from Larch.

The commissioners reached a

consensus and agreed to continue thehearing at a later date, asking the de-veloper to return with a revised land-scape plan reviewed by staff, and anew floor plan, reducing the visualimpact to downslope neighbors.Branagh Development will work withstaff to amend the plan and comeback to the commission when ready.

Residents Can Weigh In on Defining Downtown CharacterBy Sophie Braccini

When story poles are erectedon a new development site,

it is often too late to make anychanges since decisions have alreadybeen made. But Moraga residents canstill weigh in on the draft “VisionConcept” created by a Town of Mor-aga steering committee at a publicopen house and discussion in January.A committee has been working withconsultant Opticos Designs on defin-ing the character of downtown Mor-aga through proposed zoning changesin the Moraga Center Specific Plan.

The steering committee was ap-

pointed six months ago to work withthe consultant on proposals on suchtopics as road connectivity in the area,integrating new public space withinthat network of roads, requiring build-ing fronts to face the streets and set-ting parking behind those buildings,creating bicycle and pedestrian net-works, refining the transition betweenlow and higher density residential bylooking at topography to minimizethe visual impact, and proposinghousing types to fit the town’s char-

acter.

In 2007 the town of Moraga

adopted a specific plan for its down-town area located around the crossingof Moraga Way and Moraga Road. In2015, building in this area began, al-though the detailed regulation fordoing so, the zoning, had not yet beendetermined. While decisions regard-ing zoning will not change elementssuch as allowed densities or types ofuse, it can shape what that area willlook like, if and when the propertyowners decide they want to build.

“We are using a zoning method

called form-based-zoning,” explainsPlanning Director Ellen Clark who

secured grant money to conduct theprocess. “It is about what people wantto see, and writing a code that willfoster predictable built results.” Rightnow an area might simply be definedby density and type of construction,but the specific plan says nothingabout setbacks, visual impact, orstyle. The new code will address ele-ments such as internal connectingroads, types of building along thecreek, height, number of stories, andpublic and private open space.

These elements, aimed more at

creating a vision for the future ofMoraga, will be presented at the pub-lic open house in January. The exact

date has not been finalized, but willbe posted on the Town of Moragawebsite at moraga.ca.us. “The openhouse will be followed by a specialjoint public meeting of the DesignReview Board and Planning Com-mission to review and discuss the vi-sion concept,” said Clark.

Once the vision concept is ap-

proved by the community, the plan-ning team will translate it into precisebuilding standards that new develop-ments will need to follow. Projects al-ready approved, such as the CityVentures development along MoragaWay, will be exempt from the newzoning.

Gary Bernie & Ken Ryerson

Gary Bernie Ken Ryerson

pacificunion.com | A Member of Real Living

Happy Holidays

925.200.2222 Gary 925.878.9685 [email protected] [email protected]#00686144 CalBRE#01418309

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give us a call for assistance.

Local Knowledge of Lamorinda & Extraordinary Results


Moraga’s ‘First Lady’ for the Third TimeBy Sophie Braccini

/alainpinelrealtors

@alainpinel

See it all at

APR.COMOrinda Office 925.258.1111

More than just a home, it’s the

NORTH POLE

It was no surprise when council members elected Mike Met-calf for the third time as mayor of Moraga on Dec. 9. The

unwritten local tradition that rotates the leader’s seat accordingto the number of votes obtained was followed to the letter. Hiswife, Sharon, was in attendance, approving of her husband’s longcommitment to the town. After seeing her husband serving thetown, free of charge, for almost 20 years, one would think thatthe former architect and engineer would be ready to see him cutback on his volunteer engagement, but Sharon Metcalf is happyto see Mike Metcalf happy. She says as long as he wants to serve,she will make the little life adjustments that make it possible andpleasurable for the two of them.

“Mike’s engagement with the town started very shortly after

he retired from Chevron,” she says. “He was first on the planning

commission, then after he timed out, he ran for town council.”This will be his 12th year at the dais. “I don’t think that he hasdecided yet if he wants to run again or not.” Sharon Metcalfknows that the newly elected mayor has transferred his passion-ate commitment to a job that took him all over the world, to themanagement of Moraga's affairs, and that he sometimes wonderswhat else he would be doing if he was not on the council. “Hewould not be one to sit around,” she says. “We are always doingsomething, either together or separately. There is not much TVwatching in this house.”

Besides spending hours studying town documents and par-

ticipating in meetings, Mike Metcalf and his wife make furniturefor family and friends in his woodshop in Guerneville. “One ofthe differences the year he is the mayor is that there is much lessfurniture making,” says Sharon Metcalf with a smile, acknowl-edging that during that year, the workload is much greater. Shewill also make sure that their trips are scheduled outside impor-tant meetings.

She says that the two of them do not discuss town politics a

lot together, but she reckons that her perspective has changed onsome topics because she sees the greater good. “When RanchoLaguna II project was proposed, I saw that it would have an im-pact on our view,” she says, “but I also know that this town needssome development in order to revitalize its retail.” When theMetcalf family moved to Moraga some 30 years ago, there werethree grocery stores and a kids shoe store, she remembers.“Young families were moving in and were shopping in town."

Sharon Metcalf has had her share of volunteering for the

town as well. She was on the board of the Hacienda Foundationfor four years and worked with Judy Dinkle to complete manyimprovement projects; she also did her part to support the 1 per-cent sales tax measure, hosting meetings.

Now, as she prepares her home for the holidays and her chil-

dren's visits, she knows that this year's responsibilities will notleave a lot of free time to her husband to give her a hand. Butthat does not faze her. She is used to it.

Mike and Sharon Metcalf in their Moraga homePhoto Sophie Braccini

A Fun Gift to Say ThanksFor a Job Well Done

Dec. 9 marked Roger Wykle’s last day as mayor of the townof Moraga. His colleagues noted how much they enjoyed

his mayorship, the firm and respectful way he conducted meet-ings and discussed issues with his colleagues, even when dis-agreeing, and the calm he was able to restore in the most heatedmoments. Town Manager Jill Keimach paid him the biggesthomage that evening, saying how she appreciated how hard heworked behind the scenes. She also explained about a few of themayor’s pet peeves, including a pair of shoes that had been dan-gling on a wire over a street by the park. “We didn't have a cherrypicker in town and had not been able to take care of it,” saidKeimach. “Jay Ingram (Parks and Recreation director) talked toone of our contractors who had a cherry picker, and we took theshoes down.” Staff bronzed the shoes, mounted them on a pieceof wood with a wire, and gave them in good fun to Wykle as athank you gift. – Sophie Braccini

Jill Keimach and Roger Wykle, holding ‘the shoes.’Photo Sophie Braccini

MORAGA PARKS & RECREATION925-888-7045 • www.moragarec.com

Sign up for Winter/SpringClasses and Activities

Resolve to recreate locally!

Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLY

Citizens' InfrastructureOversight CommissionWednesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m.Sarge Littlehale Community Room, 22 Orinda Way

Public Meetings

A6 Wednesday, December 16, 2015www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977

City CouncilTuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. Auditorium, Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way

Planning CommissionTuesday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m.Auditorium, Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way

School Board MeetingOrinda Union School District Monday, Jan.11, 6 p.m.OUSD Office, 8 Altarinda Road,www.orindaschools.orgSee also AUHSD meeting page A2

Check online for agendas, meetingnotes and announcementsCity of Orinda:www.cityoforinda.orgPhone (925) 253-4200Chamber of Commerce:www.orindachamber.orgThe Orinda Association:www.orindaassociation.org

Orinda PoliceDepartment IncidentSummary ReportNov. 22-28

Alarms 62Noise Complaints 0911 Calls (includes hang-ups) 4Traffic Stops 92Suspicious Circumstances 12Suspicious Subjects 14Suspicious Vehicles 27Abandoned Vehicle

10 block El Toyonal (2)Davis Rd/Bryant WayArbolado Ct/Muth DrKnickerbocker/Stein Way (2)Monte Vista/Marston RdsArbolado Ct/Muth Dr

Battery10 block Overhill Rd

Barking Dog10 block Rio Vista

Burglary, Auto60 block Moraga WayBevMo200 block Camino Pablo

Burglary, Residential100 block Camino don Miguel200 block Monte Vista Ridge Rd80 block Oak Rd

Civil Problem100 block Estates Dr10 block Tara Rd100 block Scenic Dr

Dependent ChildSafeway

Disturbance200 block Monte Vista Ridge40 block Overhill Rd

Embezzlement20 block Orinda Way

Excessive Speed10 block Moraga Way

Fraud200 block Orchard Rd

HarassmentMiramonte High School40 block Underhill Rd

Hit & Run20 block AltarindaSafewayMoraga Way/Glorietta Blvd20 block Bryant WaySt Stephen’s Church

Health & Safety ViolationMoraga Way/Ivy Dr

ID Theft5400 block San Pablo Dam Rd10 block Oak DrReported to police

LitterCamino Pablo/Ardilla Rd

Juvenile 600 block Moraga WayUnocal station500 block Dalewood Dr

Ordinance Violation20 block Orinda Way (2)

Motorist Assist100 block Moraga WayCamino Pablo/Miner Rd

Police/Fire/ EMSMoraga Way/El Corte 10 block Altarinda Rd1000 block Lindsey CtCamino Sobrante/Las CascaStein Way/Moraga Way

Public NuisanceRite Aid200 block Glorietta Blvd

Reckless DrivingCamino Pablo/Brookwood RdMoraga Way/Glorietta Blvd (2)ChevronIvy Dr/Cielo CtEl Toyonal/Camino PabloSafeway

Theft, Petty100 block Ardith Dr

Theft, Vehicle10 block Ardor Dr10 block Orinda Way

TrespassSafeway

Vandalism500 block Dalewood Dr10 block Knickerbocker Ln

Warrant Service/Arrest500 block Moraga Way10 block Lavenida Dr

Selection of New Mayor and Vice Mayor CapsLighthearted Year-End Council MeetingBy Victor Ryerson

No doubt about it: The Dec. 1Orinda City Council Meeting

was a love fest. Fulfilling outgoingMayor Dean Orr’s promise at theoutset that it would be a “funpacked agenda,” there were wine,women and song, not to mentionflowers and lots of loving praise forthose who have served the city overthe years.

The wine came in the form of

gifts to those honored during thecourse of evening. But it was thewomen and song that set the tone forthe events that followed. Receiving aproclamation from the council on theoccasion of its 50th anniversary,WomenSing – which started in 1969as the Orinda Women’s Chorale –treated the council members and au-dience to a beautiful a capella per-formance at the beginning of themeeting. “If we would start everymeeting with a song, perhaps wewould be in a better spot,” quippedOrr.

The most serious business con-

ducted at the meeting was the selec-tion of the city’s new mayor and vicemayor for the one-year term thatstarted that evening. Following tradi-tion, Vice Mayor Victoria Smith wasselected as the new mayor by theother council members. Council

Member Eve Phillips, the most re-cently elected member, was chosen tobe the new vice mayor. (See the arti-cle on page A7; Smith will be high-lighted in the Dec. 30 issue.)

Before that last bit of city busi-

ness was accomplished, however,there were awards, proclamations,plaques, certificates, flowers and en-comia bestowed on many of thosein attendance. Kicking off the cele-

bration, Orr presented the 2016Mayor’s Award for Excellence tothe city’s Public Works and Engi-neering Services Department. De-partment head Chuck Swansonresponded with thanks and a slideshow of his employees doing thework for which they were being rec-ognized.

Then there was a ceremony to

recognize former mayor and council

member, now State Senator SteveGlazer’s service to the city. Orrspoke about Glazer’s many contribu-tions to the city: roads, drains, theMonteverde project, and so on. Aplaque was presented to him, andeach council member offered re-marks. Then Orr presented a gift(that’s where the wine came in), andso did each council member.

... continued on page A12

Council to Discuss Road Repair Funding Options atDec. 15 MeetingThe Orinda City Council will

discuss how to fund the contin-ued restoration and maintenance ofOrinda’s roads at its Dec. 15 meeting.The council’s determination mayhave potential tax ramifications forOrinda residents. Members of thepublic will be permitted to offer com-ments during the public hearing onthis matter.

The item is an outgrowth of a

joint meeting held by the council andthe Citizens Infrastructure OversightCommittee (CIOC) on June 10, 2015.At that meeting the two organizationsdiscussed updating the current Roadand Drain Repairs Plan previously ap-proved by the council on April 22,2014. Following the meeting, the

CIOC was tasked with updating theplan, and the city’s Finance AdvisoryCommittee (FAC) was tasked withcalculating the tax rates required tofund the estimated cost of each optionidentified by the CIOC.

The CIOC presented its plan to

the council on Nov. 17, and the CIOC,FAC and city staff were directed to

focus their efforts on Scenario C ofthe plan, which calls for all publicroads in Orinda to be restored at aPavement Condition Index (PCI) of50 or better. The cost of implementa-tion will vary according to the time-frame for completion of the repairs.Scenario C was presented with 8 yearand 10 year alternative timeframes,

but the actual timeframe has not beendetermined.

The various tax rate types avail-

able to fund the work are discussed inthe FAC report and will be consideredby the council, which is expected toprovide comment and direction to thestaff at the meeting. For information,visit cityoforinda.org. – Victor Ryerson

Maureen Wilbur

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The Orinda City Council and staff smile with members of WomenSing at the Dec. 1 council meeting.Photo Ohlen Alexander

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CalBRE#01335916/0885925 ©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

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Eve Phillips: Lamorinda’s Prodigal Daughter on the Orinda City CouncilBy Victor Ryerson

Never one to sit still collecting prover-bial moss, Orindan Eve Phillips de-

cided to run for a City Council seat in2014, two years after she returned to thefold from a peripatetic career in the techworld. She won the seat. And now she isOrinda’s new vice mayor to boot.

A Moraga-raised graduate of Mira-

monte High School’s class of 1995, she isclearly also Orinda’s youngest councilmember. As such, she is the representa-tive, willing or not, of the generation thatwill inherit the future of Orinda. She cel-ebrated her most recent birthday by attend-ing the Dec. 1 council meeting, at whichshe was chosen for her new office by her

fellow council members, a definite vote ofconfidence in her vision and governanceskills.

Do not let Phillips’ youth deceive you.

She has packed more education and expe-rience into her years to date than most peo-ple do in a lifetime. A successfulentrepreneur and the CEO of her own In-ternet company (www.empower-interac-tive.com), she has the seasoning andself-assurance one would expect of some-one far more senior in the business world.She is also an accomplished athlete whohas successfully completed 30 marathons,including the Boston Marathon that wasthe target of the terrorist bombing twoyears ago. The pace of her life does notappear to have fazed her a bit.

After graduating from high school,

Phillips earned bachelor’s and master’s de-grees in computer science and engineeringfrom MIT, doing internships on Wall Streetand at a venture capital firm in England aspart of her education. When she com-pleted her work at MIT, she landed a jobat Trilogy, a “very entrepreneurial” Texas-based company that joint ventured withFord Motor Company on ways Ford couldengage in e-commerce. She traveled ex-tensively and worked with the fervor of an

Olympian. Then the dot-com bubble burst.

“I was ready to come home,” she says

– but apparently not all the way home.Joining a private equity firm in San Fran-cisco, she moved to Palo Alto to earn anMBA at Stanford, then returned to SanFrancisco, and finally moved to Orinda in2012, where she started her online mentalhealth care company with a respected psy-chiatrist.

She started to become interested in

local politics the following year. Her de-cision to run for the council seat was mo-tivated by “what was and wasn’t going onin the city,” she says. She was troubled byspecific decisions being made by the coun-cil about land use matters, as well as ques-tions of “process transparency.” Examplesof the former included the way the Mon-teverde senior residence was approvedwith relaxed height limits and parking re-quirements, and the denial of permittingfor a Montessori school in the Phair’sBuilding. Her explanation of her concernabout the city’s approval process is that thecouncil “forgot that people on the ‘outside’were unaware” of how these decisionswere made. “Decisions were made with-out (public) understanding of why,” shesays. ... continued on page A11

Newly appointed Orinda mayor Victoria Smith with Eve Phillips, the newly appointed vicemayor at the Dec. 1 City Council meeting. Photo Ohlen Alexander

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Fire Districts

Moraga-Orinda FireDistrict Board of DirectorsWednesday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 16, cancelledMoraga Library Community Room1500 St. Mary’s Road, MoragaFor meeting times and agendas,visit www.mofd.org

ConFire Board of DirectorsTuesday, Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m.Board Chamber room 107,Administration Building,651 Pine St., MartinezFor meeting times and agendas,visit http://alturl.com/5p9pu.

Public Meetings

Emergency response informationand training:Lamorinda CommunityEmergency Response Team (CERT) www.lamorindacert.org.

Share your thoughts,insights and opinionswith your community. Send a letter to

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Executive Changes at MOFD and ConFireBy Nick Marnell

Coming Soon to a Lafayette Medical Call

Beginning Jan. 1 the ContraCosta County Fire Protec-

tion District subcontracts withAmerican Medical Response toprovide emergency ambulancetransport service in most of Con-tra Costa County. The district am-bulances will be rebranded aspictured. “We started the brand-ing in December,” said fire chiefJeff Carman. “Our ambulanceswill say Contra Costa Fire - EMS,but state law requires that AMR

also be listed on the ambulance.”

The existing ambulance fleet

will sport the white color schemeand as new ambulances join thefleet in 2016, they will be paintedred, matching the color to be usedin all district apparatus.

Carman said that the reserve

ambulances were painted first,and would be dispatched only incase of equipment failure prior toJanuary. – Nick Marnell

Director Steve Anderson could not make it tothe Dec. 2 Moraga-Orinda Fire District

board meeting, so he joined the proceedings via re-mote hookup.

“You know what happens when you don’t

show up to a meeting,” said Anderson. The boardunanimously elected Anderson president effectiveJan. 1.

“I am committed to continue to provide excel-

lent service for our district residents and to maintainfiscal responsibility,” he said later. Anderson willelaborate on the state of the district in the Dec. 30issue of the Lamorinda Weekly.

Fire Chief Jeff Carman appointed Lewis

Broschard as Deputy Chief of the Contra CostaCounty Fire Protection District effective Dec. 1.

“We’ve been getting our reactive work done

but not the proactive work,” said Carman.Broschard will perform many of the ConFire exec-utive level planning tasks, such as working with thenine cities that the district serves. “It’s an honor tobe appointed as the district’s first Deputy FireChief,” he said.

Broschard has been a member of the ConFire

senior staff since 2012. “It is remarkable to see theprogress we’ve made in such a short period of timeto start the rebuilding process of the district,” hesaid. “The projects we have recently initiated to in-vest in our capital needs – including purchasingnew engines, ladder trucks and rescue apparatus, aswell as providing facility improvements at fire sta-tion 17 and the rebuilding of fire station 16 – willdirectly benefit the city of Lafayette and all thecommunities we serve.”

Carman expects to present his board a proposal

for the station 16 rebuild in January. He also saidthat he plans to fill the assistant fire chief positionthat Broschard vacated, as well as hire an assistantchief to supervise the district emergency medicalservice operations, by the spring of next year.

MOFD DirectorSteve AndersonPhoto courtesy Moraga-OrindaFire District

ConFire Deputy ChiefLewis Broschard Photo courtesy Contra Costa CountyFire District

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Fire Station Feast for FinleyThe Pertel family of Moraga,

winners of the Dinner forFinley raffle conducted by the Mor-aga-Orinda Fire District Profes-sional Firefighters Association,joined Finley Brown, her father andbrother for the feast at fire station 44Saturday, Dec. 11. Firefighter-para-medic Lucas Lambert organized theevent after meeting Finley, a cancerpatient, at the Moraga Pear Festivalin September. The raffle proceedswill pay for a trip to DisneylandPark for the Brown family after Fin-ley completes her chemotherapytreatments this month.

“I was doing my food shopping

and in came a call I didn’t recog-nize. It was Lucas, who told me thatwe had won the raffle,” said Kim-berly Pertel. “It was so great, be-cause our kids and the Browns areall school buddies.”

Lambert said the association

hoped to raise $1,500 in contribu-tions for the family. The final totalexceeded $3,400. – Nick Marnell

Top row, from left: Kimberly Pertel, Scott Pertel, and Aaron Brown; bottom row: Samantha Pertel, John Pertel,Finley Brown, Cooper Brown and Firefighter-paramedic Lucas Lambert Photo Nick Marnell

THIS SEASON SHALL CHANGE ALL

GRIEF & QUARREL INTO LOVE. ...Shakespeare

Wishing My Clients & The Lamorinda Community

a Holiday Season of Joy & Magic & A New Year Filled With Hope, Peace & Prosperity.

DAVID PIERCE | Broker-Realtor 925 . 254 . 5984

[email protected] www.davidpierce.net

Editor:

As an Orinda native and a mother of young chil-dren in our schools, I was pleased to see Lam-orinda Weekly’s coverage of the movement toimprove our downtown (“Petition HighlightsBurgeoning Demand to Improve Downtown Vi-tality”). Together with other young parents inOrinda, I have recently formed a group calledWhat’s Up Downtown (www.whatsupdown-townorinda.com) to help our peers stay in-formed and engaged in the public planningprocess. We are a generation of Orindans, many of uswho grew up here like myself, who would liketo see an improved downtown that serves as theheart of our community. We'd like a restored,charming downtown where people get out oftheir cars, connect with each other and experi-ence great local amenities: a gourmet market,buzzing coffee shops and restaurants, a pleasantwalk where we can window shop and maybebuy something we didn’t know we needed.Most of us leave Orinda for all of this, which issuch a shame. The public planning process that the Petitionurges cannot come soon enough. Some of thekey downtown parcels are now starting tochange ownership. We would like to see ourcommunity come up with a plan for what shouldreplace them. If we fail to take this on, we willbe at the mercy of private developers who willdo their own planning. Orinda can do better andwe think it's possible with community support.

Laura McDowellOrinda

Editor:

Lafayette was incorporated into a city in 1968 to keep it asemi-rural town. The town motto on the City web page says“Lafayette was incorporated for the preservation and enhance-ment of the semi-rural character of the community.” So whydid the Lafayette City Council decide to put stop lights at Re-liez Station Road and Las Trampas Road when that signal willstart a precedent of losing the semi-rural character of BurtonValley? After reviewing the report done by Stantec on May15, 2015, here are some facts regarding the approved signalsat Reliez Station Road and Las Trampas.1) It will increase danger to the 14,806 daily drivers on Reliezby making vehicles stop and roll backwards while going upon Reliez Station Road. [On Item 5.4, Page 5.22, Stantec saysthere is a concern about trucks having difficulty making stopsdue to the steep grade. Their solution is to monitor the situa-tion after installing signals to determine if there is difficultyfor trucks due to grades. They then suggest as a solution to“include creation of an advanced signal for trucks to stop ona section of road with flatter grades.” Are they kidding? Thereare no sections with flatter grades plus I have never heard ofadvanced signals for trucks.]2) Emergency vehicles would not get past a string of carsstopped for a stop light as there is no safe way to go aroundstopped cars going south on Reliez Station Road. This is dan-gerous and the delay could cost a life.3) It will impede the flow of traffic by making vehicles stopfor cars entering from Las Trampas. [A report in the Lamor-inda Weekly, of November 18, 2015 said a $59,000 study byArup Principal says that stop lights in Lafayette inhibit theflow of traffic.] Personally, I think stop lights stop traffic.4) A simple solution was proposed at a meeting that wouldbe inexpensive but was dismissed with a wave of the hand bythe consultant working for Stantec. This solution would beinexpensive and above all……safe. [Install a “No Left Turn”sign on Las Trampas was proposed by me but I was told the

residents of Las Trampas Road would not be interested in thatsolution and was told no further discussion was necessary.]5) There have not been any accidents at this intersection inthe past 5 years and most drivers do not exceed the speed limitby more than 5 mph. So why put in a possibly dangerous sig-nal? [Stantec report, Item 3.4, page 3.9] 6) An online survey said the votes suggest that pavementmarkings and signage was preferred by the community. [Stan-tec report, Item 3.4, page 3.9]7) The Stantec report said an alternative to signals would beto install speed feedback signs for both southbound and north-bound traffic plus high visibility crosswalks and the additionof warning signs at a cost of $45,000 rather than spend$300,000 for signals. [Stantec Report, Item 3.4, page 3.9]8) Many studies and several City Councils have looked atthis problem in the past and come to the same conclusion. Theconclusion is it is too dangerous to put a stop light at this lo-cation. [City of Lafayette & MTC study 8/31/2001, DowlingAssociates study 5/2/2005]So why does the City Council want to spend $300,000, makean intersection that has had no collisions less safe, ruin thesemi-rural character of Burton Valley, and inconvenience14,000 cars a day?It doesn’t make any sense to me or a lot of the residents of thisarea.

John BriggsLafayette


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Letters to the Editor, don’t despair! You can submit your letter to our PublicForum section. Just send your letter to [email protected]

and let us know you’d like to be considered for the Public Forum.

Opinions in Letters to the Editor are the express views of the writer and not necessarily those of the LamorindaWeekly. All published letters will include the writer's name and city/town of residence -- we will only acceptletters from those who live in, or own a business in, the communities comprising Lamorinda (please give us yourphone number for verification purposes only). Letters should be 350 words or less; letters of up to 500 words willbe accepted on a space-available basis. Visit www.lamorindaweekly.com for submission guidelines. email: [email protected]; Regular mail: Lamorinda Weekly, P.O.Box 6133, Moraga, CA 94570

Sherrie B. Perlstein

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Billy and I wish all of our friends and neighbors a safe and happy Holiday Season. It is such a special time of year to spend with the people close to you and create new memories that will last forever. We are so fortunate to live in this wonderful

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What gave Natasha Grasso thedesire to open a shop in

Moraga? The young woman is ametal welder, an artist and a business-woman. A success on Etsy, Insta-gram, and upscale boutiques andmuseums around the country,Grasso’s creations have been featuredin magazines including People. Theyoung Orinda resident is also an ar-chetypal Lamorindan, a creative go-getter who focuses on combiningharmonious family life with success-ful enterprising. She recently movedher first retail shop from Burlingameto Moraga to engage with her clientslocally.

Grasso exhibits a wide variety of

creations in her Rheem ShoppingCenter store, next to Tangelo. The in-timate space stocks long and shortnecklaces in silver and gold withpyrite, fresh water pearls, quartz in-terlaced with black tourmaline, ear-rings, bracelets, pendants from themost simple gold drop to ancientcoins or keys, infinity knots, and acreative horseshoe series. Pricesrange from $65 to $1,000, dependingon type of metal, length and stonesused. One of her best-selling creationsis the love-knot series available as anecklace, earrings or a bracelet, in sil-ver, yellow and rose gold. “It’s beena very successful design,” she says.“We sell it as bridal gifts, as birthday

presents, and in a cufflink version formen.”

The idea behind Grasso’s collec-

tions is for the pieces to look greatwith blue jeans or an evening dress.“These are not disposable pieces,”says the jeweler, “but they are still af-fordable and will enhance your exist-ing collection.”

Grasso is a young entrepreneur,

but is no novice. An interior designerby training, she worked for years inbusiness development for EthanAllen, learning the ropes of marketingand branding. But although that jobwas interesting, it did not fulfill hercreative side. “I have a weakness forshoes, bags and jewelry,” she says. “I

decided to try jewelry making andstarted by learning welding.” She re-members the first welding class shewent to: “When I came out, I told myhusband I wanted to get my owntorch. I was hooked.”

The foundation of her creation is

metalsmithing. “I wanted stylishpieces that I could mix with some finejewelry pieces my husband gave me,and would not make my other jewelrylook fake,” she says. She started sell-ing pieces from what she was wear-ing. “That was a little embarrassing,”she says with a smile, “so I opened theEtsy site I could refer people to.” Shequickly started selling all over theworld. “I would be working all dayat Ethan Allen, then at night I wouldbe making jewelry on my kitchentable,” she remembers. The stresslevel became quite high, but the in-come from the jewelry was catchingup with that of her regular job, soGrasso decided to take a plunge andstart a company.

She has now been in business for

eight years, expanding online, in up-scale boutiques, resorts, as well as mu-seums. “I am at the Getty,” she says,“I do special exhibitions at the DeYoung, we do an exclusive auction atthe Academy of Science Museum.”

Grasso says her challenge is that

she wants her jewelry to be made inthis country, while staying competi-tive. She is the one creating all thecollections, four times a year, byhand. She then works with a networkof artisan stay-at-home mothers livingin the United States who hand-makeeach piece sold. “One of my biggestchallenges as a small business is tomaintain the integrity behind the busi-ness and still make money,” she says.

The business owner wanted to

open her own store to build a more di-rect rapport with her clientele. “It isimportant for me to engage with thepeople who wear my jewelry; it helpsme evolve the line so it stays relevantto them,” she says. “For a small busi-ness owner, it is also important to givea face to the business, since most ofmy revenue is wholesale.”

The fact that her new baby

daughter, now 18 months old, attendsChild Day School next to the store isno doubt a big reason why Grassochose that space. The boutique isopen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdaysthrough Saturdays. For information,visit

For information, visit natasha-

grasso.com.


A display of a few of Natasha Grasso’s jewelry pieces Photo Sophie Braccini

Perfect Services Celebrates 25 years in Lamorinda1 (855) 552-9100 – www.perfectservicesllc.comMiki and Vivian Erez are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their business,Perfect Services, this year. Erez is a general contractor who prides himself onbeing able to do anything inside, around and even under the house with histeam. “We were first located in Oakland, we moved to Orinda, then to Moragaand now we are back in Orinda,” he said. Retired professor Phil Spector hasbeen a customer of Perfect Services for over 10 years and Erez has managedmany projects in his house. “He replaced the floors, redecorated the guesthouse and added a bathroom, repaired the fence, and built a wine cellar,” hesaid. The wine cellar project had been Spector’s dream for years; he just couldnot figure out where it would go. “One day I was talking with Miki in thegarden and he said, ‘We’ll build the cellar under the deck.’ And he did!” Spec-tor says he appreciates that Erez takes care of everything, and will follow hiscustomer’s lead. For the wine cellar, he found a structural engineer, and thepeople to pour concrete and to finish the wood of the cave. “It works wonder-fully, the temperature stays cool year round and the wine that has been sittingthere is aging perfectly.” Erez took four years off from construction to supportthe restaurant, Shish Kabab Show, his wife started in Moraga. “I loved theplace and went there to eat,” said Spector, “but I was happy when he cameback full-time to contracting work.”

Coldwell Banker Relocates to First Floor in Theatre Square2 Theatre Square, Suite 117, OrindaMain office: 5 Moraga Way, Orinda(925) 253-4600

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage relocated its Theatre Square office toa newly remodeled, state of the art facility in the complex. The new office islocated at 2 Theatre Square, Suite 117, on the ground floor. Val Cook-Watkins,manager of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Orinda, said the newoffice gives the company even greater visibility in the heart of downtownOrinda compared to its previous location on the second floor of TheatreSquare. Coldwell Banker will continue to operate its main Orinda office acrossthe street at 5 Moraga Way. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has 85affiliated sales associates to serve the community.

News from the Three Chambers of Commerce

The three chambers of commerce celebrated the holidays with fun Decembermixers. No other events are scheduled until after New Year’s Day.

Moraga

Save the date for the Chamber’s Business and Community Symposium from6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Saint Mary’s Soda Center where panelistswill discuss the “State of Moraga Business 2016 - Challenges and Opportu-nities for Businesses in Our Cul-de-Sac Community.” Free and open to thecommunity. Refreshments will be served.

business briefs

Lamorinda Weekly business articles are intendedto inform the community about local business

activities, not to endorse a particular company,product or service.

New Coldwell Banker location on the first floor of Theatre SquarePhoto provided

If you have a business brief to share, please contact Sophie Braccini at [email protected]

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Antenna Donation Aids EmergencyCommunicationsBy Cathy Dausman

Six antennas now sit atop Mor-aga’s new Town Council

Chambers at 335 Rheem Boule-vard. The antennas and the two-way radios they are connectedwith link town employees oremergency communicators to po-lice, public works and amateurradio operators across Lamorindaand throughout northern Califor-nia. Moraga Rotary donated ap-proximately $1,700 a few yearsago to purchase one of the anten-nas for Emergency OperationsCenter use, according to RotarianGary Irwin.

The radio setup allows the

town of Moraga to connect withamateur radio operators acrossCalifornia and even around theworld in event of an emergency.The donated antenna originally saton the town hall roof; its signalwas fed into the town’s earlierEmergency Operations site, whichwas a small storage room in theplanning department. Its recentplacement atop the town chamber

building by Lamorinda AreaRadio Interest Group volunteersfinally gives the antenna a perma-nent place, Police Chief RobertPriebe said, adding that Rotarymembers have been very patientwith the entire process, from theoriginal installation, its removaland current installation.

In November, LARIG volun-

teers completed the installation ofsix new rooftop antennas on Mor-aga’s town chamber building.Each antenna connects with a two-way radio inside the council cham-bers. The antennas will eventuallybe painted “sky grey” to minimizetheir visual impact. Priebe says theRotary-donated radio and antenna,no longer waiting for a place to go,will become “a major communica-tions tool for gathering and dis-persing information in event ofemergency when time is always ofthe essence.”

Lafayette and Orinda have

similar two-way radio systems andantennas in use as well. Orinda re-

ceived a monetary donation fromOrinda Rotary toward the pur-chase of an amateur radio to beused for emergency communica-tions, said Rotary and LARIGmember Gene Gottfried. Orinda’santennas are situated above OrindaCity Hall. Lafayette public safetyand amateur radio antennas aredistributed atop the city officebuilding, the public works build-ing and atop the Lafayette Com-munity Center, said Fred Lothrop,chair of Lafayette’s EmergencyPreparedness Commission.

LARIG volunteers Dan Spisak, left, and Al Archangel install a multi-purposeantenna at 335 Rheem Blvd. Photo Cathy Dausman

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Orinda

Eve Phillips ... continued from page A7She wanted to get more involvedand improve the community, par-ticularly its downtown center, andto improve communication withthe public. “You can never com-municate too much,” she says.

On Phillips’ want list is an-

other downtown grocery outletand more restaurants. She citesthe petition recently presented tothe council as a demonstration ofthe community’s desire to bringin these services. She works outof her home office, and wouldlike to see co-working spaces inOrinda, perhaps with associateddaycare facilities. Recently mar-ried, she and her husband are ex-pecting their first child in thecoming year.

She is interested in transporta-

tion and parking issues, andserves as the council’s liaison toBART. There are “multiple prob-lems to talk about” in this arena,including an overflow parkingissue and the need to optimize theparking situation, particularlywith the capacity on the Villageside. She also acknowledges theincreasing push for four-hourparking zones on the Crossroadsside, and although she is opposedto parking meters for Orinda, sheconcedes that they will verylikely be reviewed as one of theoptions she will have to considerin the city’s current parking study.

She also says Orindans “obvi-

ously have to raise more moneyfor roads,” but at the same timewarns that the community shouldbe looking very carefully at

whether it is exercising goodstewardship of its finances.

An avid user and supporter of

sports facilities and open space,Phillips believes that there is al-ways a need for more ball fields,and is “glad some are coming insoon.” She stresses the need to besensitive in creating access tosuch community facilities as theMoraga Adobe, balancing the de-sire to preserve and protect build-ings and open space with theinterests of residents who livenearby.

Phillips wants to be a govern-

mental leader, but not in a direc-tive way. She says hergovernance philosophy is to be afacilitator, and to encourage busi-ness and property owners to re-solve economic developmentissues while respecting theirproperty rights. But within theparameters of the Orinda GeneralPlan, it is really about what thecommunity wants, she says.“There are a lot of places thathave lost their soul. I wouldn’twant to see that here.”

With two years left in her cur-

rent term of office and the strongpossibility that she will serve asOrinda’s next mayor, Phillips willhave ample opportunity to test herapproach to leadership and gov-ernance. Given her track recordsince she walked out of Mira-monte High School 20 years ago,she appears well equipped to takeon the new challenges of her of-fice.

Then Council Member Worth pre-sented a bouquet for Glazer’s wife onbehalf of the council to recognize thesacrifices she had made to enable himto be there. Then Glazer paid homageto City Manager Janet Keeter. And soit went.

Next, Mayor Orr received his

own proclamation and expressions ofappreciation for his service. His fam-ily also received flowers for their sac-rifices from the grateful council, andeach council member individually ex-pressed appreciation. Glazer spoke,and presented Orr with a certificatefrom the California State Senate hon-

oring his service, as well as a gift.Then Orr said a few words recogniz-ing Glazer, the city’s managementand employees, and all of those in thecommunity.

At the end of the evening there

was no way anyone didn’t feel good.

To witness the wine giving, see

the women, listen to the song, andhear the encomia, you can find thevideo with a couple of mouse clickson www.cityoforinda.org.


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Aging Pipes ... continued from page A1

EBMUD has more than 900 main

breaks per year, but EBMUD PublicInformation Representative NelsyRodriguez said the Reliez event wasunique. “That was a bad break,” shesaid of the 66-year-old pipe on Reliez,noting that it was “huge – 16 inchesin diameter” and the break itself was15 feet long. Rodriguez said it tookcrews “a while” to find out the exactlocation of the break, especially sinceit was dark and freezing cold thatnight.

Due to the size of the break, the

crews had to shut off seven valves toturn the water off completely. “A joblike that normally would have re-quired us to shut off three valves, sothat should help to explain how bigthis main break was,” said Rodriguezin an email. Once the water wasturned off around 11 p.m., crews dugthrough the night but did not finish thejob until 11 a.m. the next day.

The pipes in Lamorinda are get-

ting old. According to Rodriguez, theaverage pipe in Lafayette is 65 yearsold, average pipes in Orinda are 66years old, and Moraga’s pipes are, onaverage, 50 years old. With about4,200 miles of aging water pipeline,EBMUD is currently replacing 10miles of pipe each year, but is lookingto quadruple that replacement rate to40 miles per year in the future, ac-cording to EBMUD Senior Public In-

formation Representative AbbyFigueroa. With a price tag of $2.4million to replace one mile of waterpipe, the utility spends $24 millionannually replacing pipes.

The utility plans to replace an ad-

ditional two to three miles of pipe in2016, but at that rate, replacing 13miles of pipe per year, it would take323 years to replace everything. Evenat the accelerated rate of 40 miles peryear, it would take just over 100 yearsto replace all the pipes.

A pipe’s lifespan has many nu-

ances depending on the soil condi-tions, if it is in a slide zone, if there isearthquake movement and more. Theoldest pipes in the area are cast iron,but post-World War II, cement pipewas used.

The good news for residents

around the area of the break is that thepipe was repaired, they have cleanrunning water, and the detour the re-pair caused is no longer causing con-gestion. The bad news for Lamorindaresidents is that 11 percent of waterEBMUD supplies disappears beforeit reaches your water meter, accordingto the 2010 Urban Water Manage-ment Plan, prepared by EBMUD – anunfortunate statistic to learn duringcurrent Stage 4 critical drought. In thereport’s last chapter, the utility de-scribes the difference between thevolume of water produced at the treat-

ment plant, and the sum of all billedand unbilled customers, called Distri-bution Water Losses.

All water systems have some

losses, from a low of 1.4 percent forsome utilities to a high of 25.7 percentfor others, according to the Depart-ment of Water Resources. The “loss”amount comes from a number ofsources: theft, inaccurate metering,data errors, but mostly main and serv-ice line breaks, along with back-ground leakages.

With a network of vintage pipes

covering a 331-square-mile area, re-sponding quickly and efficiently to in-evitable pipe breaks will beimperative, especially as EBMUDcontinues to require customers to con-serve.

Knowing the infrastructure is at

or nearing the end of its useful life,Figueroa said there are a number ofreasons the utility does not take amore holistic approach to replace-ment: EBMUD has already identifiedareas most at risk, and also figures incritical use, for example, pipes con-necting to a hospital, and there arebudget limitations.

“Plumbing is expensive,” she

said, adding that installing pipe is adisruptive process, tearing up thestreet, causing congestion. EBMUDseeks to minimize inconvenience. “Ifit still works, it still works.”

Orinda

Selection of New Mayor and Vice Mayor... continued from page A6

The Orinda City Council, Public Works and Engineering Services Depart-ment staff Photos Ohlen Alexander

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The Gift of MusicEnsemble Ari chamber group bridges a divide whilebenefiting othersBy Lou Fancher

Having appeared in grand con-cert halls and on prestigious

stages worldwide, Ensemble Ari co-founder and composer Jean Ahn hasfound the sweetest rewards perform-ing in Lamorinda living rooms.

“Home concerts work well when

there’s a strong community of peoplewho appreciate music,” the 39-year-old Orinda resident says.

Ensemble Ari is a chamber group

consisting of seven Bay Area-basedKorean American professional musi-cians dedicated to bridging the divi-sions between Korean history andmusic and other cultures. Performingprimarily on western or European in-struments, but mingled on occasionwith Korean or Asian instruments,the ensemble introduces audiences totraditional and contemporary musicthat crosses boundaries to reveal sur-prising commonalities. The groupformed officially in 2014.

Ahn and co-founder pianist

Sharon Lee Kim, a faculty memberat Saint Mary’s College, became ac-quainted through their children, whoattend Del Rey Elementary School.Ahn is a lecturer and assistant choirdirector at UC Berkeley and says sheand her husband, Ryan Kim, movedto Orinda in 2007 “like many people– for my kids.”

Her compositions have been in-

cluded in the repertoire at Aspen NewMusic Festival, Oregon Bach Festi-val, Festival of Contemporary Music,Berkeley Symphony Under Con-struction and Pacific Korean MusicFestival, among others. Attending aSaint Mary’s concert at which Kimperformed and where Kim is also theassistant director of the CollegeChoirs and Faculty Chamber Sun-days Series, Ahn says the two musi-cians discussed working together andthe idea “took flight that very day.”

The ideas underpinning the en-

semble evolved organically, Ahnsays, rather like the multiple mean-ings of the Korean word naming thegroup. “Ari” means many things: bigriver, wisdom and beauty, dependingon the word’s context. “I knew thesepeople and wanted to work withthem. It emerged naturally,” saysAhn.

Ensemble Ari in addition to Ahn

and Kim, includes Jiwon EvelynKwark (violin), Heeguen Song (vio-lin), Jaehee Jeong (viola), SarahHong (cello) and Joowon Kang(Baritone).

Within the classical music reper-

toire that the members perform withgroups including San FranciscoOpera, Oakland Symphony, MarinSymphony, Berkeley Symphony, Ko-rean Symphony Orchestra and others,

Ahn says their reach has boundaries.But free to set their own agendas,commission new works, or draw fromAsian folk songs, electro-acousticmusic and other musical forms, theensemble’s audience is unlimited.“Each time we perform, we can intro-duce new music, not be relegated tocontemporary or classical music, andbring out the beauty of Korean music.Because we are in America, wherepeople from all countries live to-gether, we’re not only reaching Ko-rean audiences,” Ahn says.

Beyond the music and cultural

heritage that connects them, themembers of Ensemble Ari are unitedby a desire to give. “Each one of ushas a heart for community. We be-lieve music is a gift from God, a toolwe were given to serve the commu-nity. It’s not for us, it’s for sharing,”she says.

The connection turns rehearsals

into a time of unique fellowship. In aworld often preoccupied with obtain-ing material goods, establishing fi-nancial security, looking out for self,it is almost quaint – hard to believebut oh, so attractive – to hear of pro-fessional men and women in hot pur-suit of giving.

The home concerts have all been

benefits for Del Rey.

... continued on page B4

Ensemble Ari, from left: Sharon Lee, piano, Jaehee Jeong, viola, Sarah Hong, cello, Jean Ahn, composer, JiwonEvelyn Kwark, violin, and Joowon Kang, baritone Photo Rachel Lee

www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLYB2 Wednesday, December 16, 2015

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Giving Up the Hollywood LifestyleLafayette native comes home to simpler rootsBy Diane Claytor

Michael Wiseman could notwait to leave Lafayette. His

father was born and raised here. Hisgrandfather was co-owner of a localrestaurant. His mother taught at Bur-ton Valley Elementary School for 35years. But Wiseman wanted out. “Iwas just one of those kids that wantedto get out of the house,” he explained.Shortly after his high school gradua-tion, he left.

Fast forward 20 years. Wiseman,

an actor living in Los Angeles, couldnot wait to move back. And now, fiveyears later, Wiseman, who un-abashedly talks about how happy heis to be back in his hometown, couldeasily be the poster child for the ‘LoveLafayette’ campaign. “There’s some-thing very special about this town,”he said. “It has magic.”

Wiseman is the grandson of Sol

Wiseman, who owned Wiseman’sFurniture and Appliance stores in theEast Bay and, with Jay Bedsworth,owned The Tunnel Inn, a popularLafayette steakhouse in the 1930s and‘40s. The Mt. Diablo Boulevardrestaurant (now Pet Food Express) issaid to have attracted diners from asfar away as San Francisco. In 1959,The Tunnel Inn was sold to PetarJakovina, who changed its name toPetar’s and eventually moved hisrestaurant to Lafayette Circle. Wise-man’s father, raised on WildwoodLane, graduated from Acalanes HighSchool. Wiseman himself attendedBurton Valley Elementary, StanleyMiddle School and Campolindo HighSchool.

The trail away from Lafayette

proved to be successful, although hec-tic and stressful, which is what even-tually brought Wiseman home,seeking a simpler life. He headed toSouthern California and, determinedto be an actor, began doing theater andseriously studying the art. He met theappropriate people, made the appro-priate connections and soon begangetting jobs.

One of his first roles was a cop in

“Predator 2” (1990), starring DannyGlover and Gary Busey; his first TVrole was portraying a ball player in a1992 episode of “Cheers.” Another 60roles followed, all listed on Wise-man’s imbd.com page, includingstints in “Star Trek:Voyager,” “The X-Files,” “CSI: Miami,” and “Scor-pion.” He had recurring roles in“NYPD Blue,” “Boston Legal” and“The Closer.” In 2012, Wiseman had

a “life changing” role: he played themain bad guy, Johnny Rizzo, in“Vegas,” working with Dennis Quaidand Michael Chiklis.

Finding his old Burton Valley

yearbook recently, Wiseman laugh-ingly reported that his stated goal wasbecoming a famous actor. He admitsthere is no one way to get into actingand the road is certainly not easy. “Iworked and worked, studied andstudied,” he said. “You think you’llget a job, be successful and then beable to live in your mansion at thebeach.” He kept getting jobs, al-though, he acknowledged, there weredefinitely lulls. “There was a two orthree year period where I could barelyget a role,” he noted.

While at a party in Los Angeles,

Wiseman met Caroline Keenan, apart-time actress and, to help supportherself, a hairstylist. According toWiseman, Keenan had studied withsome of the best hairdressers in Hol-lywood and began getting celebrityclientele. She was soon working as ahair and makeup stylist for photoshoots and on TV and movie sets,winning both accolades and awards.

Wiseman and Keenan married

and had two daughters, Dalilah andOlivia. With both parents workinglong and often erratic hours, the girlswere basically being raised by theirnanny – a fact that did not appeal toeither parent. Keenan-Wiseman notedthat they would visit Lafayette to seefamily every year and “it was alwayslike a little dream. I often thought thatmaybe one day we could live in aplace like that,” she said.

That day came almost five years

ago. Keenan-Wiseman found herselfout of a job and within two weeks,not only was the decision made toleave LA but the car was packed andthe family heading north. “Caroline’sdream was always to be a mom, raisethe kids, have a simple life. We fi-nally decided that if we’re going todo it, we just needed to stop thinkingabout it and do it,” Wiseman ex-plained.

They have never looked back.

Wiseman commutes to Los Angeleson a regular basis. He just completedfilming two independent films, onewith Sharon Stone. Keenan-Wisemancontinued as a hairdresser, initiallyrenting a station at a local salon.When the salon went up for sale, theWiseman’s bought it and the verypopular Caroline’s Salon was born.Keenan-Wiseman was recentlynamed best stylist and hair colorist inDiablo Magazine’s 2015 Best of theEast Bay. Needing more space, the“upscale salon with a neighborhoodfeel” recently moved above Chow inLafayette.

Wiseman admits that although the

hope was for a simpler life, that hasn’tactually occurred. “But our family lifeis leaps and bounds better and far hap-pier. And I’ve come full circle,” Wise-man stated proudly. “I look out myoffice window and can see the neigh-borhood where my dad grew up. I cansee the location where, conceptually,my grandfather worked. My daugh-ters are attending the same schools Iattended. I love every bit of being alocal Lafayette resident.”

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The Pursuit of Inner PeaceTwo new courses in Moraga focus oncenturies-old Japanese art formsBy Sophie Braccini

More than ever, Lamorinda res-idents are participating in ac-

tivities that foster inner peace, such asyoga, tai chi and meditation. Twocourses offered at BDK America inMoraga this January will give localresidents another opportunity to gowithin: “Discovering the JapaneseWay of Tea” and “Learn Ikebana – theJapanese Art of Flower Arranging.”

“Serving tea is a mindful practice,

a way to remove oneself from themundane affairs of day-to-day livingand to respect others,” says YufukoKurioka, who practices the Japanesetea ceremony for serenity and innerpeace and will be teaching a six-weekcourse beginning Jan. 20.

Jane Nato, a certified instructor in

the art of Ikebana, or Japanese flowerarranging, who began learning thecraft from her grandmother as a child,will teach a six-week course at BDKbeginning Jan. 14. “I learned to beable to sit and be in the moment,” shesays. “Ikebana is a way to forgetabout our busy life, take the time toreflect and be creative, and also be ap-preciative of nature."

The Japanese way of tea and Ike-

bana are centuries-old art formslinked to Zen Buddhist traditions.

Kurioka, the co-founder of No

Gate Tea who teaches Japanese at Di-ablo Valley College, was born inOsaka and was raised in the country-side. “I grew up watching my motherpracticing the tea ceremony a coupledays a week,” she says. Kuriokastudied Japanese history and found anew tea mentor in college; she was in-vited to come to this country to teachJapanese culture and language.

When BDK opened its Moraga

office in May, Kurioka was invited toperform an abbreviated version of thetea ceremony. Even this short sessionshowed precision, complexity andgrace.

“The tea ceremony is an art of

hospitality and mindfulness,” shesays. Zen priest Murata Shukou (orJukō) is considered the father of theceremony. He developed the spiritualform still performed today over hislifetime at the Daitoku-ji Temple dur-ing the 15th century. “It is an art, butit is also a social event to invite peoplein and have fun,” says Kurioka.

The course, which will include

demonstrations, historic and socialexplanations, and discussions whilesharing the tea and Japanese sweets,will take participants from the com-plete beginner level to being able toperform the ceremony themselves.“It is like dance or piano,” explainsKurioka. “You will start practicingsmall sequences in context, beforeputting it all together.”

Nato is a Japanese American

whose family includes a number of

Buddhist priests on her mother's side.After learning Ikebana with hergrandmother as a girl in Alameda, shemoved away, started a career and hadthe typical busy life of young profes-sionals. “I needed something to calmme down,” she says. She startedstudying Ikebana again with JoanSuzuki, who studied Sogestu Ikebanawith its founding headmaster, SofuTeshigahara. Ikebana was used forreligious offerings, but Nato says thereligious content is no longer present.“Sogetsu was started in 1927 andadded a modern twist to it. It also al-lows the artist to express his or herpersonality,” she says.

Nato does not perceive her art as

something difficult. “One has to learnthe basic rules about line, mass, di-mension and asymmetry as well astechniques for successfully using akenzan/pinfrog,” she explains. “Thenall you need is to be creative.” Stu-dents will be asked to complete anarrangement using specific contain-ers, tools and materials chosen byNato. “Students can come to the classwhenever they can and will progressat their own pace,” adds Nato. “Atsome point they will need to get theirown tools, but at the beginning theycan borrow some during class.” Stu-dents will need gardening sheers andthe textbook Nato will follow.

For years, Nato has regularly

taught an Ikebana class in Alameda.“Some of my students have been withme for over a year,” she says. “Eachtime is different, plus I teach Japanesetraditions.” Nato's students participatein exhibitions in the Bay Area, andNato has shown some of her stunningbouquets at the Ikebana Internationalexhibition that takes place in SanFrancisco every other year.

“Ikebana is a ‘wabi-sabi’ art,”

says Nato, referring to the acceptanceof transience and imperfection. “Be-cause of the impermanence of this art,it is a very Buddhist way of thinking.Nothing will ever last, we need toenjoy the moment.”

Nato will be teaching from 10 to

11:30 a.m. the second and fourthThursday of the month in Moraga be-ginning Jan. 14. To register, ideallybefore the end of the year, call (415)937-8260 or [email protected]. For moreinformation, visit http://www.bd-kamerica.org/blog/learn-ikebana-japanese-art-flower-arranging.

The Way of Tea sessions will be

held from 10:30 a.m. to noonWednesdays beginning Jan. 20. Thesecond session will start in March. Toregister, email Kurioka [email protected]. Forcourse information, visithttp://www.bdkamerica.org/blog/dis-covering-japanese-way-tea.

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“I’ll be honest, this is an affluent com-munity and they can hold these con-certs in their homes. What is great isthat you have an audience that reallywants to be there. It’s so intimate, youcan share the breathing with them.There can be discussions and after-wards, you can be friends with them.”Ahn says people who find it difficultto travel to San Francisco for quality

concerts can find great value in hav-ing a “professional ensemble livingroom experience.”

An upcoming 2016 Phos Benefit

Concert Vol. 5 in Palo Alto is thegroups’ next public performance. Thefamily-friendly “Phos” music series(translated from Greek the word is“radiance”) created in 2014 by Arimember Hong benefits nonprofits

serving children in developing coun-tries. The Jan. 30 concert featureswork by Antonín Dvořák and KoreanArt song and supports a girls educa-tion fund in Niger, a country in WestAfrica.

To learn more about Ensemble

Ari and listen to sample recordings,visit http://jeanahn.com/ensemble-ari/.

Jiwon Evelyn Kwark, violin, Heeguen Song, violin, Sarah Hong, cello, and Jaehee Jeong, viola Photo Eurus Kim

Local Therapist Offers Suggestions toHelp Fight Depression During the Holidays By Sophie Braccini

The phrase, “Be kind; everyoneyou meet is fighting a hard bat-

tle,” by Rev. John Watson, alsoknown as Ian Maclaren, was firstquoted in the 1897 Christmas editionof The British Weekly. The quote isstill relevant today, and especiallyduring the holidays.

December has a high incident rate

for suicide, as sadly illustrated inMoraga at the beginning of the monthwhen police were unable to stop aman from taking his own life. “Dur-ing the holidays, it is the contrast be-tween the messages of joy andhappiness and gratitude, and innerfeelings of down, that contribute tomake people feeling more alone andisolated from the joyfulness every-body else seems to be experiencing,”says Margie Ryerson, a licensed mar-riage and family therapist fromOrinda who wrote her master’s thesison suicide.

According to Ryerson, men are

more prone than women to take ac-tion. “When men have suicidalthoughts, they complete it more oftenthan women,” she says. For manyyears, the suicide rate has been aboutfour times higher among men thanamong women, according to TheAmerican Foundation for Suicide

Prevention. In 2013, white males ac-counted for 70 percent of all suicidesand the highest suicide rate wasamong people 45 to 64 years old. Itis the 10th leading cause of death forAmericans.

“Women want support and com-

passion, and they confide in theirfriends,” explains Ryerson. “Men typ-ically don’t have the same supportsystem, they don’t share and mightnot be in touch with their feelings.(Most of the time) they confide intheir partner, and if something hap-pens to that relationship, that is a con-tributing factor.” She says that menare often more invested in their ca-reers and their financial responsibili-ties to their families and if somethinggoes wrong, it can be a trigger. “Thereis a lot of untreated anxiety and de-pression among men.”

Reflecting on the recent incident,

Ryerson says that our communitiestend to have high expectations, and ifpeople don't feel that they fit in, theywill think that others might look downon them and will not feel accepted,whether or not it is true. “A lot of it isprojection. If we think for examplethat we are not good enough parents,we will feel that everybody around usbelieves that we are not good par-ents,” she says. “How we judge our-selves is really significant.” Thisleads to high stress, anxiety and de-pression.

And people are able to mask de-

pressed feelings very well. “Somepeople feel guilty because they didnot see the warning signs, but certainindividuals do not exhibit any warn-ing signs and can't be stopped,” ex-plains Ryerson. The warning signs, ifpresent, include drinking more heav-ily, having a low energy for life, se-cluding yourself and not wanting tointeract, sudden anger, irregular sleepor eating patterns, unusual risky be-haviors and, of course, sadness. Ry-erson notes that for adolescents, acts

can be impulsive and difficult to fore-see.

If there are warning signs, Ryer-

son says it is important to tune in andto also get help. “The best we can dois to pay close attention to our lovedones, to be an active part of theirworld. We need to express what dif-ference they make in our lives, toshow them how important they are,”recommends Ryerson. “Ask ques-tions, show affection, show caring,and find support for them if we seethem floundering. We should not feelalone and we should reach out to pro-fessionals and urge our loved ones toget help.” She suggests talking to ageneral practitioner as a good startingpoint, both for adults and teens.“Sometimes I’ve had a family mem-ber call their depressed relative’sphysician and ask them to check fordepression when they come for theirphysical.”

Police officers are often called

into situations of acute crisis andmany are trained in crisis interven-tion. “We train in recognizing mentalillness as well as techniques andstrategies to intervene if someone putsthemselves or anyone else at risk,”says Moraga Police Acting CorporalWill Davis. He adds that in a crisissituation, there is often a partnershipthat is set in place between law en-forcement and emergency responders.He wants to remind people that theContra Costa Crisis Center can bereached at (800) 833-2900, 24 hoursa day, seven days a week. It is avail-able to people with suicidal thoughtsand those living around them. Thephone number 211 is the informationand referral line that can also be called24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

Margie Ryerson is a licensed

Marriage and Family Therapist. Shecan be reached at (925) 376-9323.Her website ishttp://margieryerson.com/.

Margie Ryerson Photo Sophie Braccini

Orinda Junior Women’s ClubAnnounces Youth Ink 2016 Middle-school writing contest supports literary arts in thecommunitySubmitted by Chantal Valentine

All sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students who live or at-

tend school in Orinda are invited toparticipate in Youth Ink 2016, the an-nual creative writing contest spon-sored by The Orinda Junior Women’sClub, a local nonprofit service organ-ization that supports a variety of or-ganizations in the greater East Bay.The Youth Ink 2016 prompt is “Fu-ture,” which was chosen because itencompasses almost limitless poten-tial for subject matter, thereby encour-aging young writers to personalizetheir pieces, according to Amy Stuff-mann, president of Orinda Juniors.

Organizers say the first rule is to

write about anything you like: real orimaginary. “There is no limit to theimagination. Whatever you write

about, just remember to have fun!”

“We eagerly await the results of

how Orinda’s talented young writersapproach this year’s prompt, althoughthey can write about anything theychoose,” said Stuffmann.

Co-sponsors of Youth Ink 2016

include The Orinda Association,Friends of the Orinda Library, andThe Orinda Community Foundation,which make providing the followingprizes possible: $250 for first place;$125 for second place; and $75 forthird place.

A panel of several local profes-

sional writers, including reporters andbest-selling novelists, will evaluateYouth Ink 2016 submissions andchoose winners. The judges’ nameswill be shared when the winners are

announced at an awards ceremony at6 p.m. Thursday, April 21 at theOrinda Public Library.

Youth Ink 2016 submissions will

be accepted on an ongoing basis butmust be hand-delivered to a desig-nated school representative or post-marked by Friday, Feb. 17 and mailedto Orinda Junior Women’s Club, PostOffice Box 40, Orinda, CA 94563 inorder to be considered for an award.Youth Ink 2016 submission forms areavailable through the administrativeoffices and English departments atOrinda Intermediate School, theOrinda Public Library, Orinda Acad-emy, Athenian School, School forGirls, or online at www.orindaju-niors.org.

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Local Breads and Pastries a PerfectAddition for the HolidaysBy A.K. Carroll

Tis the season for specialmeals, out-of-town guests

and plenty of holiday gatherings.Though we would all like thetime and energy to make our ownbaked goods from scratch, thatisn’t always an option. The bestthing? Let someone else do it foryou. Whether you are hostingextra mouths, supplementing ameal, or in search of a gourmetgift, these Lamorinda bakers haveyou covered.

The Perfect Pastry—

Home/made Kitchen, Moraga

There is nothing large or in-

dustrial about the production ofpastries at Home/made KitchenCafé and Bakery. Taking tipsfrom such gastronomic masters asIna Garten (The Barefoot Con-tessa) and Thomas Keller (Bou-chon and The French Laundry),Home/made’s daily selection ofmuffins and scones add just theright touch to breakfast, brunch,or a fireside chat over a hot cupof tea. Order in advance to besure of flavor and quantity avail-abilities.

Muffins — Filled with car-

rots, coconut, raisins, walnuts andeverything but the kitchen sink,the $3 morning glory muffin isHome/made’s best-seller, with theraspberry oat ($3.50) followingclose behind. Lemon poppy seedand blueberry round out the usualflavor offerings, though seasonalspecials like a pear ginger havealso made guest appearances.

Scones — At $3 a piece, these

savory and sweet snacks beg fora hot beverage (or just a hungryappetite). Savory pastry fans willbe tickled by Home/made’s ren-dition of Bouchon’s bacon ched-dar scone, while aficionados ofthe more traditional sweet sconemight be more inclined to favorthe strawberries and cream scone.Orange currant is another popularseasonal offering.

Fresh-Baked Bread for any

Occasion—The Rising Loafer,Lafayette

Have you ever stopped in for

sandwich and thought to yourself,“This bread is so good, I wish Icould take this home”? That’s justwhat happened to Peru nativeMaria Gastelumendi when shefirst tasted the Country Oat Breadat Danville’s Rising Loafer(which has since closed). Nowpart of the duo that owns The Ris-ing Loafer Bakery and Café inLafayette, Gastelumendi sellsfresh-baked bread on a dailybasis. Winner of environmentaland green awards on all levels,The Rising Loafer is proud to uselocally-sourced ingredients andhormone free eggs in each of theirmade-from-scratch breads. Pricedat $6 each and only available intheir storefront near Trader Joe’s,loaves can be ordered in advanceand are available daily.

Country Oat — Maria’s fa-

vorite, this slightly sweet bread isexcellent toasted, even withoutbutter or jam. It would be a greataddition to a holiday meal.

New York Rye — Especially

popular with Europeans and Eastcoast natives, this rye offers ataste of home. It’s perfect forsandwiches and also pairs wellwith creamy cheeses or artichokedips.

Cinnamon Raisin — If French

toast or bread pudding isn’t a partof your holiday traditions, itshould be, and this is the bread touse for it. Sweet swirls of cinna-

mon and plump raisins compli-ment the egg and milk batter ofbrunch-time favorites.

Banana Bread ($7) — This

sweet little loaf features bigchunks of walnuts and simplespices. Toasted or sliced, it wouldbe great as a gift or an afternoonsnack.

Home/made Kitchen337 Rheem Blvd, Moraga, (925) 388-0841

Rising Loafer3643-"B" Mt. Diablo Blvd.,Lafayette, (925) 284-8816

Photos A.K. carroll

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The Lafayette Juniors were awarded firstplace from the state of California on be-

half of the General Federation of Women’sClubs for their fundraising and membershipprograms for charity. The Lafayette Juniors arepart of the GFWC, a 125-year-old internationalservice organization made up of more than 500clubs and 80,000 women who are dedicated tovolunteering their time to make the lives of oth-

ers better. GFWC clubs including LafayetteJuniors routinely seek to raise awareness of is-sues from domestic violence to disaffectedyouth and homelessness through communityservice, fundraising, and participation in local,state and national legislation.

“The Lafayette Juniors won first place in

their club category from both the Mount DiabloDistrict and the state of California because oftheir creative, unique fundraising, and for theirability to attract and retain Juniors club mem-bers that care deeply about people in need andare called to act on their behalf,” says Cary Far-rago, president-elect of GFWC’s Mount DiabloDistrict.

The Lafayette Juniors raised a record

amount at its 22nd Annual Rummage Sale atLafayette’s Our Saviors Lutheran Church tobenefit Youth Homes, Diablo Ballet, Food Bankof Contra Costa and Solano, and LamorindaSpirit Van. “The sale’s success was made pos-sible because of the dedication of our membersas well as the generosity of community mem-bers and local businesses who continually sup-port our events,” says Christy Mack, presidentof the Lafayette Juniors.

The Juniors next fundraising event will be

their 17th Annual Kitchen Tour on May 14. Forinformation, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.

www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, December 2, 2015Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLYB6

Community Service Moraga Magnetics Wow Crowdsat Moraga Royale and AegisSubmitted by Joanne Home

Twenty-one well-rehearsed students enter-tained residents at Aegis and Moraga

Royale in Moraga over the Thanksgiving week-end. Local denizen, Wei Barck, coordinated thewinter concert community service event.Hosted and performed by fourth- through 12th-graders, the two-day one-and-a-half-hour-longprograms consisted of voice, piano, clarinet,flute, cello, guitar, violin as well as the Chineseharp. Selections ranged from the classic to pop,jazz and holiday favorites.

Now known as the Moraga Magnetics,

these future maestros from Lamorinda can addone more accomplishment to their lists. A roundof applause to all participants: Emilia Barck,Henrik Barck, Jaden Chuang, Kyle Chuang,Alec Home, Elaine L., Julianna Meneses, An-drew N., Hannah Pan, Owen Pan, JustinThorne, Michelle Thorne, Lucy Wang, AislinnWelch, Katie Welch, Sarah Wu, Justin Xiao,Ashley Xu and Delu Zhao.

Photos provided

Lafayette Juniors Win StateAwards for Charity WorkSubmitted by Elizabeth Siamas

From left, tina Sebree, teli thayer, Ann vervut, Rachel Blatt Photos provided

From left, christine Kelly, Mia Kelly, Kari trimble

Sharee Spence

Lafayette Siblings Start Librariesin Botswana and SwazilandSubmitted by Linda Drucker

Acalanes High School junior Noah Prozanand his sister, Nicole Prozan, an eighth-

grader at Stanley Middle School, have collectedand shipped 1,100 children’s books to create alibrary at an elementary school in Botswana,Africa. The books are en route via freighter toBotswana’s Dagwi Primary School, which has

388 students from preschool to fourth grade and17 teachers. According to the African LibraryProject, it will be the school’s first library andthe only library in the village of Dagwi, a ruralcommunity on the border with Zimbabwe. Thebook drive began as part of a community serviceproject the siblings embarked upon as part of thecelebration of Nicole’s bat mitzvah in Septem-ber, 2015.

“Here in Lafayette, children have an abun-

dance of books but in Africa, most studentsdon’t have access to the books they need tolearn,” said Noah Prozan. “It’s exciting to knowchildren in Africa will be able to enjoy booksthat we once read and loved but no longerneed,” added Prozan’s sister, Nicole.

Bat mitzvah guests were asked to donate

books and the siblings also obtained donationsfrom the Contra Costa library system and theStoryteller bookstore. The pair’s book drivewas so successful that they have collected over500 additional books, which they will use tostart a second library in Swaziland in 2016. Thesiblings are financing for the costs of shippingthe books through contributions, and by donat-ing gift money they received from their bar andbat mitzvahs. Contributions can be made viaPayPal to [email protected].

Lafayette Rotary Work CrewCleans UpSubmitted by Matt Pease

You might have thought you saw a convictwork crew cleaning under the Highway

24 freeway overpasses on Dec. 6, but no, it wasthe Lafayette Rotary Club hard at work makingthe city a bit tidier. The team of Matt Pease,Mike Henn, Terry Ring, Josiah Coy, BeverleeHajek, David Abrahams, Steve Falk, MauriceWilliams, Tom Schnerr with his son Cooper, aswell as five students from Acalanes HighSchool, spruced up the areas at Brown Avenue,First Avenue and Oak Hill Road. The Rotarianscollected over 60 bags of weeds, debris and litter

at these areas that connect north and southLafayette. The Oak Hill Road area is a majorentry point from Highway 24 into Lafayette andthat area is now much neater and better repre-sents our city. The City of Lafayette staff sup-plied garbage bags and picked up the filled bags.The Lafayette Rotary Club will revisit theseareas several times a year to help maintain thearea. If you would like to find out more aboutthe Lafayette Rotary Club, visit http://www.ro-tarylafayette.org/.

Josiah coy Photos provided Beverlee Hajek

nicole and noah Prozan Photo provided


Moraga Musician and ComposerHonored with National YoungArtsFoundation Merit AwardSubmitted by Dejha Carrington

Lauren Grace Bare of Moraga,who attends Valley View Char-

ter Prep High School, has been nameda 2016 National YoungArts Founda-tion Merit Winner in Music Instru-mental/Composition. Selected out ofmore than 12,000 applications – thelargest number to date – Bare hasbeen recognized for her outstandingwork and accomplishments and joins819 young artists from 42 statesacross the literary, visual, design andperforming arts who are being pre-sented with this year’s honor. Winnersreceive cash awards of up to $10,000,validation by renowned mentors, op-portunities to participate in YoungArtsprograms, a strong professional net-work, and guidance in taking impor-tant steps toward achieving theirgoals.

“On behalf of everyone at

YoungArts, I want to congratulate allof our winners and look forward to

welcoming the finalists to our campusin January,” stated Lisa Leone, VicePresident of Artistic Programs forYoungArts.

Each YoungArts Winner is desig-

nated as a Finalist, Honorable Men-tion or Merit Winner through a blindadjudication process by an independ-ent panel of highly accomplishedartists. Some winners are awarded forexcellence in multiple disciplines. Allwinners are eligible to participate inYoungArts’ regional programs, in-cluding YoungArts Los Angeles (Feb.16-21), YoungArts Miami (March 8-13), and YoungArts New York (April12-17), space permitting.

YoungArts Winners become part

of the organization’s expansivealumni network of leading profes-sionals, including visual artists DougAitken (1986 Winner in Visual Arts)and Daniel Arsham (1999 Winner inVisual Arts) ; musicians Conrad Tao

(2011 Winner in Music and U.S. Pres-idential Scholar in the Arts) and Jen-nifer Koh (1994 Winner in Music andU.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts);filmmaker Doug Blush (1984 Winnerin Cinematic Arts); recording artistsJosh Groban (1999 Winner in The-ater) and Chris Young (2003 Winnerin Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholarin the Arts); writers Jenji Kohan(1987 Winner in Writing) and SamLipsyte (1986 Winner in Writing andU.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts);actors Viola Davis (1983 Winner inTheater), Andrew Rannells (1997Winner in Theater) and Kerry Wash-ington (1994 Winner in Theater);renowned choreographer DesmondRichardson (1986 Winner in ModernDance and U.S. Presidential Scholarin the Arts); and 2015 So You ThinkYou Can Dance winner Gaby Diaz(2014 Winner in Dance).

YoungArts supports its alumni by

providing opportunities to participatein the organization’s programmingnationwide, including its annualYoungArts Awareness Day, a nationaladvocacy campaign that promotes thearts as a rewarding and viable careerpath. The organization also seeks tosupport the artistry of its alumni andtheir projects throughout their careers;builds a community of YoungArtswinners across generations; and es-tablishes connections with partner in-stitutions across the country, includingthe John F. Kennedy Center for thePerforming Arts, American BalletTheater and the Metropolitan Mu-seum of Art.

For more information, visit youn-

garts.org, facebook.com/YoungArts-Foundation ortwitter.com/YoungArts.

Lauren Grace Bare Photo provided

Lynn’s Top 5 The Gift of Financial IndependencePay attention to these five pointsBy Lynn Ballou, CFP®

In just a few short weeks we willbe celebrating the end of another

busy and productive year, and wel-coming 2016. As part of our sharedexperience, we use the changing ofthe calendar as a time for reflectionand resolutions. If working toward(or retaining) financial independenceis on your list, let me offer five waysto stay on track in pursuit of yourgoal.1) It’s all about the details. I wishbecoming financially independentwas as easy as just saying it’s goingto happen. But successful plans in-volve hard work and detail. The de-tails you need to stay on top of are notjust about your net worth and how itgrows, but also about your spendinghabits now and in your future life.Envision your future self: what willyou be doing 10, 20, 30 or more yearsfrom now? In today’s dollars, whatwill that cost? And don’t kid yourself– you will spend more than just a sim-ple inflationary factor on some thingssuch as travel, health care costs andfamily. Work with a Certified Finan-cial Planner professional or take ad-vantage of well-designed softwareavailable on trusted sites. Since de-tails matter, be sure the process youuse not only includes realistic poten-tial rates of return on investments, butalso inflation, the impact of taxationand a robust life expectancy. Updateyour plan no less than annually so thatif mid-course adjustments are needed,you have time and the resources tomake change happen.2) Plan for rainy days. The saying“hope for the best but plan for theworst” is at the core of a planned rainyday fund that makes sense for you andyour family. If you are at a loss as tohow to go about this, setting asidefour to six months of fixed overheadexpenses that must be paid is an ex-cellent first step. You can be more so-phisticated in your approach byadding in other factors such as howlong a job search in your industry cantake, family members who need your

support, possible health challengesand the important “sleep at night”quotient personal to you.3) Saying no is often better foryou than saying yes. Things tug atour heartstrings and we truly want tosay yes. Or we are so busy we sayyes to many things that if we reallythought about them, we would in-stead take a pass. Create think timeby creating planning time for your-self. There are many great thinkersand researchers out there who sharewith us this thought: We cannot liveat warp rate “think” speed 24/7 ex-pecting to do our best. Allowingspace in your own personal timewarp continuum to think first is ahuge gift. This can help you avoidmaking expedient but ultimatelyharmful spending decisions, and in-stead allow you to become informedabout details that go with the deci-sions at hand. Saying an informed“no” from the start rather than an ex-pedient “yes” keeps you from havingto undo, retrace or retract poorchoices later. 4) Keep some risk; insure therest. We tend to insure for the smallnuisances of life that we really don’tneed to cover while ignoring the bigones that could wipe us out. Somematters are time consuming to re-search, but so worth it in the long run.An example of this could be ourhome insurance. Low deductiblesabound in policies, whereas the realkiller events are often ignored and weare left exposed to big potential costs.In this example a simple step of in-creasing your deductibles (it mighthurt to write a $5K deductible check,but it probably won’t devastate you)and use the savings to pay for theamount it will actually take to rebuildyour home to current code, couldhelp you avoid financial ruin. If youare underinsured, you might be writ-ing a large part of that check yourself.Work with reputable advisors andagents to review your situation andlook for potential land mines.

5) A solid plan is not achieved ina day. Many of us lack the patiencegene, but together with persistence,patience is your best friend whenplanning for financial independence.Do have a plan, but don’t try to exe-cute it all at once. If you have 10 ac-tionable items you need to implement,figure out which are the most pressing(such as paying off high interest creditcards) and which are the least (maybebuying a new car). Prioritize andtackle those that have priority first,while still working on the others.

By reviewing your plan annually

you can measure your success and beproud of what you have achieved. Ifyou feel that you are treading water orlosing traction, reach out to an inde-pendent qualified professional whocan take the emotions out of the equa-tion and provide you a professionalperspective, guidance and potentialsolutions. A year from now, you willbe proud and working on new resolu-tions.

Lynn Ballou is a CERTIFIED FINANCIALPLANNER™ professional and co-owner ofBallou Plum Wealth Advisors, LLC, aRegistered Investment Advisory (RIA) firmin Lafayette. Lynn is also a RegisteredPrincipal and Branch Manager with LPLFinancial (LPL). The opinions voiced in thismaterial are for general information onlyand not intended to provide specific adviceor recommendation for any individual.Financial Planning offered through BallouPlum Wealth Advisors, A RegisteredInvestment Advisor and a separate entity.Securities offered through LPL Financial,member FINRA/SIPC.

First Class: Jan. 14, 2016 @ 10:00-11:30 AMFor our first Japanese Arts and Culture program, we offer a Sogetsu-style flower arranging class which will begin on Thursday, January14th at 10:00 AM and will continue every other Thursday. Noprevious experience is necessary to create beautiful floral arrangementswhich you will take home with you. Students are free to begin orattend any class session as classes will be on-going and each studentwill learn at your own pace. For further information, cost details andto register for the class, please contact Sogetsu instructor Jane SuieiNaito directly at (415) 937-8260 or at [email protected] to be held at the BDK America office location noted below.

BDK America Moraga Office1675 School Street, Moraga CA 94556

Ph: (925) 388-0067

BDK America presentsJAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGING CLASS

(Ikebana)

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www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, December 2, 2015Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLYB8

Not to be missed Not to be missed

Lamorinda’sReligious Services

St. Anselm’s Episcopal ChurchA Loving community

Sunday Services: 8 and 10 AMIn-church Youth Zone, 10 AM Nursery Childcare

682 Michael Lane, Lafayette, 284-7420, www.stanselms.ws

ORINDA CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 24 Orinda Way (next to the Library) - 254-4212

Sunday Service and Sunday School 10 - 11 amInformal Wednesday Meeting 7:30 - 8:30 pmReading Room/Bookstore M - F 11 - 4; Sat 11 – 2

www.christianscienceorinda.org

ART

50th Annual Holiday Collectionfor “Artful Giving” will be heldthrough Dec. 23 at the Valley ArtGallery. The new gift exhibitionincludes a wide variety of beauti-fully crafted, ceramic, wood andglass pieces, original designerjewelry, holiday decorations,small paintings and many otherunique, one-of-a-kind gift items.For info, visit www.valleyart-gallery.org.

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallerypresents "A Visual Feast" – anexhibit featuring children’s bookillustrators through Dec. 31. Orig-inal art, reproductions and chil-dren’s books for sale. For info,visit www.jenniferperlmutter-gallery.com.

The Lafayette Art Gallery pres-ents “Artful Gifting” and its hol-iday boutique, which runsthrough Dec. 26. For info, call(925) 284-2788 or visitwww.lafayetteartgallery.com.

The Moraga Art Gallery’s newexhibit, “Yellowstone: Beauty,Beasts, and Boneyards,” featuresoil landscapes by Orinda’s LisaGunn, whose imaginative palettecaptures the primitive characterand timelessness of YellowstoneNational Park and its environs.Also featured is a boldly-huedcollection of one-of-a-kind etchedtableware, handmade by guestartist Lisa Neimeth. The showwill run through Jan. 9. For moreinfo, visit www.moragaart-gallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

MUSIC

Audition for WomenSing byappointment on Jan. 5. Allvoice parts are welcome. Scholar-ships are available for qualifiedsingers. Spring concerts will givevoice to the variety of traditionsthat have shaped America andWomenSing, including works byWilliam Billings, Aaron Copland,Alice Parker, Libby Larsen, and aworld premiere by Marjorie Hal-loran. WomenSing will be touringNorthern Italy June 21 through28, 2016, participating in the AltaPusteria International Choral Fes-tival. For info, [email protected], or goto womensing.org.

WomenSing presents MakeGood Cheer, the first concert ofour 50th season, celebrating thegift of choral music – singer toaudience and back again from 8to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 atSt. Mary’s Chapel, 1928 St.Mary’s Road, Moraga. . Cost: $28general; $10 under 18. For moreinfo, visithttp://womensing.org/concerts/current-season/holiday-concert/ orcall (925) 798-4875 or [email protected].

Patti Leidecker will be singingand playing everyone’s favoriteholiday songs at 7 p.m. Saturday,Dec. 19 on the baby grand piano

at the Rheem Theatre in Moraga.Leidecker has performed at ClintEastwood’s Mission Ranch Inn inCarmel on Wednesday nights forthe past eight years. Come singalong with Leidecker and get intothe holiday spirit. Tickets: $15general admission; $12 seniorsand children, includes holidaycookies and punch. This will be agreat event for the youngest andthe young at heart.

THEATER

“Harvey” by Mary Chase pre-sented by Town Hall Theatrewill run through Dec. 19. Gatherthe whole family for the magicaltale of Elwood P. Dowd and hisbest friend – a 6-foot, 3-and-a-half-inch tall invisible rabbitnamed Harvey. What better wayto warm up your holiday season,than with this imaginative classic!For more details and to purchasetickets go to www.townhallthe-atre.com.

A fairytale adventure of a mys-tical forest, two lost children, anenticing gingerbread house, and awicked witch, Solo Opera’s“Hansel and Gretel” is a holiday“treat” for the entire family! Theshow runs at the Del Valle The-atre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Wal-nut Creek at 7:30 p.m. Friday,Dec. 18 and at 2 p.m. Saturdayand Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20.Seating is reserved, group dis-counts are available. For info, call(925) 943-7469, visit the LesherCenter box office, or go tohttps://lesherartscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=411. Tickets: $25-$40.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

“Eyewitness Report on Syriaand Venezuela” presented byRick Sterling at a Mt. DiabloPeace and Justice Center potluckdinner event with dinner startingat 6 p.m. and the presentation at 7p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 at Mt.Diablo Unitarian UniversalistChurch, 55 Eckley Lane, WalnutCreek, California. Pre-registered:$10; $15 at the door; free for stu-dents and Center Members ticketsare half price. Go towww.ourpeacecenter.org to regis-ter or call the Center office at(925) 933-7850.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Can’t make it to midnight?Welcome the New Year early atthe Moraga Library from 12:15 to1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31.Countdown to 1 p.m. with bal-loons, time zones resolutions,crafts and sparkling cider. The li-brary is located at 1500 St.Mary’s Rd. Call (925) 37-6852with any questions.

OTHER

Purrfect cats and kittens arewaiting for you at CommunityConcern for Cats' weekend adop-tionfrom 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday,Dec 19 and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 20 at Pet Food Express inLafayette. Pet Food Express in

Pleasant Hill and PETCO in Wal-nut Creek also have similar adop-tion hours the same weekend. Formore info, visit www.communi-tyconcernforcats.org.

Daughters of the Goddess, aBay Area women-only GoddessTemple, will be holding its annualWinter Solstice Ritual at 7:30p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. East Baylocation given upon RSVP. Costfor newcomers: $15. For info,contact Kahuna Leilani at (925)787-9247 or visit www.Daughter-softheGoddess.com.

Join the National Park Servicefor a free winter solstice camp-fire program from 3 to 7 p.m.Monday, Dec. 21 at John MuirNational Historic Site at 4202 Al-hambra Avenue, Martinez. Theprogram begins at 3 p.m. withcrafts and games in the park or-chards and continues with acampfire from 5 to 7 p.m.Rangers will lead the group insongs, stories and activities.Reservations are not required. Formore information, please visit thepark website atwww.nps.gov/jomu or call (925)228-8860.

5A Rent-A-Space Santa’s Se-cret Wrapping Room open tothe public through Dec. 23, dur-ing business hours. This deco-rated area is set up with tables,chairs, wrapping paper, tape andribbon – everything needed to getpresents wrapped for free – espe-cially handy if you need to wrapgifts without the watchful eyes ofthe recipients.

The first ever “Giving Tree” isbeing hosted by CommunityConcern for Cats’ volunteers attheir Rescued Treasures ThriftShop in Walnut Creek throughDec. 24. Their goal is to give thegift of life to as many homelessstreet cats as they can by provid-ing needed medicines and med-ical procedures. Come down, buya special ornament, and put it inthe holiday window display. Res-cued Treasures Thrift Shop is lo-cated at 1270 Newell Ave.,Walnut Creek. For info, call (925)937-3201.

SENIORS

Health Insurance Counselingand Advocacy Programs(HICAP) provides free and objec-tive counseling and advocacyservices to Contra CostaMedicare beneficiaries and theirfamilies who need assistance withMedicare enrollment and issuesinvolving Medicare and associ-ated insurance programs, includ-ing prescription drug coverage.HICAP does not endorse or sellinsurance products. For appoint-ments, call Lafayette Senior Serv-ices at (925) 284-5050.Appointments are at 10 a.m., 11a.m., or noon on the first Wednes-day and third Tuesday monthly inthe Alder Room of the LafayetteCommunity Center.

Please submit events to: [email protected]

Willow Spring Community ChurchLoving God Loving People

Come and Meet our New PastorSundays: 9:15am Adult Sunday School Classes

10:15am Pre-Service Fellowship (Free Coffee & Bagels)10:45am Contemporary Worship Service

Wednesdays: 10:00am Community Bible Study1689 School Street, Moraga (925) 376-3550

www.willowspringchurch.net

Lafayette United Methodist Church955 Moraga Rd., Lafayette

284-4765, [email protected], thelumc.orgWorship Sunday 10 amChildren & Teen Faith Formation Sunday 10 amTeen Fellowship Sunday 6 pm

Opportunities for Worship, Love, Service

Moraga’s Newest/Oldest Church

Living Truth Christian CenterLiving Truth Christian CenterLiving Truth Christian Center

155 MORAGA ROAD “Just Look for the Cross”

www.livingtruthcc.com / 925.819.2127



























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To be run December 16

To be run in December 2 issue

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church 433 Moraga Way, Orinda, 254-3422

www.holyshepherd.org WORSHIP DECEMBER 6

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 9:40 a.m. Education for all ages

10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship Coffee Fellowship at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m.

Childcare available for ages 5 and younger

WORSHIP DECEMBER 13 & 20 Single Service at 9:30 a.m.


To be run beginning January 13 and forward


www.holyshepherd.org 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:40 a.m. Education for all ages 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Coffee Fellowship at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. Childcare available for ages 5 and younger


www.holyshepherd.org

WORSHIP DECEMBER 20 Single Service at 9:30 a.m.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES4:00 p.m. a family-friendly service

6:00 p.m. a contemporary candlelight communion service 10:00 p.m. a traditional candlelight communion service

(Childcare available at 4 and 6 p.m.)



www.holyshepherd.org WORSHIP JANUARY 3, 2016

Single Service at 9:30 a.m. Childcare available for ages 5 and younger

WORSHIP JANUARY 10, 2016 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship




To be run in December 2 issue


www.holyshepherd.org WORSHIP DECEMBER 6

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 9:40 a.m. Education for all ages

10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship Coffee Fellowship at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m.


WORSHIP DECEMBER 13 & 20 Single Service at 9:30 a.m.


To be run beginning January 13 and forward


www.holyshepherd.org 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship




www.holyshepherd.org

WORSHIP DECEMBER 20 Single Service at 9:30 a.m.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES4:00 p.m. a family-friendly service

6:00 p.m. a contemporary candlelight communion service 10:00 p.m. a traditional candlelight communion service

(Childcare available at 4 and 6 p.m.)



www.holyshepherd.org WORSHIP JANUARY 3, 2016

Single Service at 9:30 a.m. Childcare available for ages 5 and younger

WORSHIP JANUARY 10, 2016 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship



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“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is the mosthighly anticipated movie in years. Presale

tickets have been breaking records all over theworld and the secrets around the movie have onlyincreased the excitement for Star Wars fans. Theonly thing fans know is from the trailers releasedby Disney, which now owns the rights to Star Wars.Disney purchased LucasFilm for $4 billion in 2012,which included the legendary Star Wars franchise.LucasFilm was 100 percent owned by GeorgeLucas. Three of the original cast members arereprising their roles, which include Carrie Fisher asPrincess Leia, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker,and Harrison Ford as Han Solo. How much arethey in the movie? We will all just have to wait andsee.

The belief synopsis Disney released is “Thirty

years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo(Harrison Ford) and his allies face a new threatfrom the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and hisarmy of Stormtroopers.”

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is directed by

J.J. Abrams, who may be best known for producingand writing the popular television show “Lost,” buthis movie directing credits are also quite impres-sive: “Mission Impossible III” (2006), “Star Trek”(2009), “Super 8” (2011) and “Mission Impossible– Rogue Nation” (2015). Abrams gave new life tothe Star Trek movie franchise and has given movie-goers several exciting films over the past 10 years.As a fan of the Star Wars films, Abrams is the per-fect director to revitalize the series that Lucasstarted in 1977.

So when can you see “Star Wars: The Force

Awakens”? The Orinda Theatre is having an earlyshowing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. The theateris expecting a sellout, with over 550 tickets sold asof Dec. 10. The lines will be wrapped around The-atre Square so it is recommended that people pur-chase their tickets online atwww.lamorindatheatres.com.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens nation-

wide on Dec. 18 and is rated PG-13 with a TRT(Total Running Time) of 2 hours and 15 minutes.


Explore Lamorinda Rotary clubs The heart ofRotary is our clubs- dedicated people who sharea passion for both community service and friend-ship. Learn about Lamorinda’s Rotary clubs.

Contact us:Letters to the editor (max 350 words): [email protected] events/stories/pictures: [email protected], theater, community events: [email protected] news or business press releases: [email protected] stories/events: [email protected] interest stories/Community Service: [email protected]/Owners: Andy and Wendy Scheck; [email protected], [email protected]: Jennifer Wake; [email protected], Copy Editor: Nick Marnell; [email protected] Editor: Spencer Silva; [email protected]: 925-377-0977, Wendy Scheck; [email protected] Writers: Sophie Braccini; [email protected], Cathy Tyson; [email protected],Victor Ryerson; [email protected], Cathy Dausman; [email protected],Nick Marnell; [email protected], Digging Deep: Cynthia Brian; [email protected],Food: Susie Iventosch; [email protected] Writers: Conrad Bassett, Moya Stone, Michael Sakoda, Lou Fancher, Chris Lavin, Amanda KuehnCarroll, Diane Claytor, Uma Unni, Spencer Silva, Karl Buscheck, Ryan McKinley, Zoe Portnoff, Clare Varellas, AdamBlake, Daniel Smith, Fran Miller, Jade Shojaee, Emily Dugdale, Barry Hunau (cartoonist), Derek Zemrak (Film Critic)Calendar Editor: Jaya Griggs; Photos: Tod Fierner, Ohlen Alexander, Gint FederasLayout/Graphics: Andy Scheck. Printed in CA. Mailing address: Lamorinda Weekly, P.O. Box 6133, Moraga, CA 94570-6133 Phone: 925-377-0977Fax: 1-800-690-8136; email: [email protected]; website: www.lamorindaweekly.com

Lamorinda Weeklyis an independent publication, produced by and for the residents of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, CA

26,600 printed copies; delivered to homes & businesses in Lamorinda.

Service ClubsAnnouncements

May the Force Be With YouBy Derek Zemrak

Donation Requests from the Community

‘Tis the Season of Giving

Toys for Tots Donation Locations in LamorindaThere are several Toys for Tots donation location in Lamorinda: The Moraga-Orinda Fire District will becollecting toys 24 hours a day through Dec. 21 at 1280 Moraga Way in Moraga. For information, visittoysfortots.org.

Community Concern for Cats Giving TreeCommunity Concern for Cats, which serves Lamorinda residents, ishosting a Giving Tree through Dec. 24 at its upscale thrift store,Rescued Treasures, 1270 Newell Ave., in Walnut Creek. All theproceeds will go toward life-saving procedures for homeless cats andkittens in local neighborhoods. The donations will go toward vaccinations, micro chipping, healingantibiotics, flea protections, leukemia/FIV tests, veterinarian officevisits, neutering of male cats, spaying of female cats, surgery andemergency medical procedures and special holiday treats. So far thisyear, CC4C has neutered 1,800 and found homes for 600 cats andkittens. Thrift store hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4p.m. For information, call (925) 937-3201. Community Concern for Cats is the oldest cat rescue organization in Contra Costa County. CC4C has threeSaturday and Sunday afternoon adoptions sites: Pet Food Express, Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and PetcoWalnut Creek. Lafayette hours are noon to 3 p.m., while the others are 1 to 4 p.m.

Images provided

Suzanne and Robert JonesSuzanne and Robert Jones,longtime Lafayette residents,passed away in November.Suzanne and Robert moved toLafayette in 1969 with theirthree children. Suzanne was anactive volunteer. She startedthe safety patrol at Lafayetteschool in the 1970s and thenbecame a commissioner on thetraffic commission. She wasactive in both Camp Fire Girlsand Girl Scouts. She served onthe Contra Costa Grand Jury. Inher later years she served as acommissioner with the SeniorServices Commission. Sue

loved teaching the AARP senior driving classes. Sue lovedspoiling her grandchildren and taking them on specialadventures. Sue passed away at home on November 10. Robertpassed away a week later on November 17 at the Willows inWalnut Creek. Robert worked for PacBell in Oakland and thenin Walnut Creek. Robert served in the Korean War and was therecipient of a Silver Star. Robert and Suzanne are survived by their three children:Sharon (and John) Pagendarm, Debbie Jones and Glen Jones.They are also survived by five grandchildren and one greatgranddaughter. A joint memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday,Jan. 2 at the Lafayette Community Center. There will be a buffetlunch after the service. All are welcome. Memorial donationsmay be made to the Hydrocephalus Association, 4340 East WestHighway, Suite 905, Bethesda, MD 20814-4447.

Suzanne and Robert Jones ontheir 25th anniversary.

Josh Cooley is a featured Pixar speaker, andan original screenwriter for the awardwinning "Inside Out" smash success. Here'syour opportunity to get a real insider's viewof Pixar and the making of "Inside Out!"

December 18:We will be dark. HappyHolidays to all! We willmeet again on January 8at the regular time andplace.

Dec. 25 & Jan. I, 2016:

Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club sends a special thanks to the publishersand staff of Lamorinda Weekly, for an outstanding job of consistently

providing real news about our wonderful Lamorinda Community.

For more info, please email us at [email protected]

We meet Friday mornings at 7:00 amat The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa,3666 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.

Theater ViewVeterinary Clinic,owned by Dr. Laurie Langfold,is excited toannounce a newaddition. Dr. Amelia Ausmanhas joined our team. Come check us out.

“Dr. Laurie” Langford

Phone: (925) 317-3187Fax: (925) 334-7017

Email: [email protected]

1 Bates Blvd., Suite 200, Orinda

Theater ViewVeterinary Clinic

This is a fun salad that can beserved as a side dish or used

as a main course for lunch or alight dinner. It is super easy,stores well in the refrigerator andis also very pretty. I think it wouldalso be delicious with a sprinklingof feta cheese for a little extrapunch! The celery gives it theneeded crunch, and the marinatedsun-dried tomatoes add big fla-vor. It is the perfect Mediter-ranean dish for any season of theyear.

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A Mediterranean Medley of Color andCrunchBy Susie Iventosch

Garbanzo Bean Sun-dried Tomato Salad (Serves 6-8 as a side dish, or 3-4 as a luncheon course)INGREDIENTS1 can (15 oz.) garbanzo beans, drained3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, julienned and packed in oil, drained 2 stalks celery, finely sliced½ cup marinated artichoke hearts, cut into bite-sized pieces1 small clove garlic, crushed¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil1-2 tablespoons red wine vinegarSalt and pepper to tasteDIRECTIONSPlace first four ingredients in a bowl. Mix olive oil, vinegar, and garlic and drizzle over salad. Tosswell and season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in refrigerator and remove about 20 minutesbefore serving to allow dressing to warm up a bit.I like to serve this over a bed of lettuce, and it makes an excellent accompaniment to eggplant orlamb dishes.

Garbanzo Bean Sun-dried tomato Salad Photo Susie iventosch

Susie Iventosch is the author of Tax Bites and Tasty Morsels, which can befound at Across the Way in Moraga, www.amazon.com, andwww.taxbites.net. Susie can be reached at [email protected] recipe can be found on our website: www.lamorindaweekly.com. Ifyou would like to share your favorite recipe with Susie please contact her byemail or call our office at (925) 377-0977.

Have a Cup of Cheer at Rustic TavernBy A.K. Carroll

Burl Ives sang it best: “Have aholly jolly Christmas, it’s the

best time of the year. I don’t know ifthere’ll be snow, but have a cup ofcheer.” Here in Lamorinda, chancesfor a snow are scarce, but opportuni-ties for cheer abound in bistros, barsand restaurants. This week make aslight diversion from the hunt forhappy hour in order to sip on someseasonal cocktails and share a cozymoment in Lafayette’s Rustic Tavern.

The holiday season – that festive

sweet spot between Thanksgiving andNew Year’s – brings moments ofmerriment, bouts of busyness and anabundance of excuses to meet up fora drink. With a sparkling new liba-tions menu featuring seasonal flavorsand festive cocktails, Rustic Tavern isready to accommodate for any occa-sion, and in a setting that invites youto sit back and sip slowly.

Intentional simplicity marks the

menu and the atmosphere at RusticTavern. Small details like the polishedreclaimed wood, fresh cut flowers,flickering tea lights and parchmentpaper menus create an overall arti-sanal ambiance. Arrive just after sun-set for dimly-lit drinking (and dining)that is cozy and romantic. Take yourpick of seats from the dozen barstools, plentiful two tops, family-sizedtable or space-heated outdoor options.Then make your libation selection.

Designed by newcomer and front

of the house manager AJ Verzosa,Rustic Tavern’s fresh seasonal cock-tail selections range from merrydrinks to serious swills. The brightfuchsia Blood Moon Margartia looks(and tastes) like a party in a tumbler.Made with fresh-squeezed blood or-ange juice, lime, solerno and tequilablanco, this lush pick-me-up is servedwith a slice orange and a chile salt rimthat provides just the right balance of

sweet, sour and spicy. Meanwhile, thePear and Spice and everything icedprovides more subtle sipping optionin which notes of clove and rosemarymuddle with sweet pear puree andbotanical gin. For the wine enthusiastwho has a hankering for somethingspecial, there’s the singular GrapeStomp Martini – a vodka-based bev-erage crafted with lemon, St. Germainand a reduction of Concord grapes,making for a jammy burgundy mar-tini that dares you to describe it with-out using the term “tannic.” Moreserious swillers may opt for thestraight-forward flavors of the refash-ioned old fashioned, made withBulleit bourbon bitters, muddled or-ange and a smoked maple syrup thatgives depth to a classic.

For the less complicated crowd,

Rustic Tavern also offers a rotation offour draft beers (including the Racer5 IPA, Trumer Pils, and an 8 Bridgesbrown ale), as well as standard welldrinks and plentiful wine options, allof which are discounted during their2:30 to 5 p.m. happy hour, which runsTuesday through Friday afternoons.Drafts are priced at $3 each, withhouse wines and wells going for $5.

Whether it’s a holiday drink, a

catch up with an old friend or an af-ternoon escape while the family is intown, with its new selection of sea-sonal cocktails, happy hour optionsand charming twinkle lights, RusticTavern has your cup of cheer covered.

Rustic Tavern3576 Mt Diablo Blvd., Lafayette (925) 385-0559

Photo A.K. carroll

Holiday Gift Ideas, BothBig and SmallBy Lou Fancher

So now it’s down to the wire. Ifyou don’t have that spectacular

gift for a special someone, you needto think simple. Recognizing the pos-sibilities are infinite, hone the choicesto big or small and stay local or go on-line. Why spend hours in bad trafficwhen you could be home, loungingon a hippo – which kicks off our last-minute something-for-anyone list.

Yes, count on Hammacher

Schlemmer to come up with some-thing “big” and unneeded for peoplewith too much spare change. The198-pound Handcrafted Hippopota-mine Sofa made with “tufted full-grain leather” and covered in“pebbled leather-like polyurethane” ismeant to simulate a hippo’s hairlessskin and comes with a hefty price tag:$95,000. Does that include shipping?We didn’t even ask, so stunned werewe with the idea of also ordering afleet of remote control snapping croc-odiles, a bargain at $39.95 apiece.

Should the hippo hangout ever

disappoint you, it comes with thecompany’s lifetime guarantee and canbe or returned for credit or exchanged.What, they have an elephantine bed?

OK, now for small – and local.

Moraga-based Hollie’s Home-

grown company specializes in culi-nary and medicinal herbs, herbal teas,bath and body products, and herb-in-fused olive oils, vinegars and honey.Owner Hollie Lucas-Alcalay bringsher extensive marketing know-how,three generations of farm family ex-perience, herbs grown in her ownbackyard and a mother’s love to itemsthat help you “take good care of your-self and your family.” From tinylemon-scented candles to tall, slenderbottles of Tuscan Rosemary OliveOil, everything offered takes care ofthe large (sustainable farming prac-tices protect the planet) and smallerneeds: lips, throats, taste buds.

Conceding a strong bias toward

books as best-of-all gifts, shopping atOrinda Books is a no-brainer. The in-dependent bookstore stocks local art,photography, music and jewelry, butthe main ingredient is books.

Speaking of ingredients, one

“big” book of the year is a standout:the 6-pound, 9-ounce cookbook, “TheFood Lab: Better Home CookingThrough Science” (W. W. Norton &Company). Serious Eats Culinary Di-rector and Internet cooking guru J.Kenji López-Alt backs up everydayfoods like mac’n’cheese, steak,cheeseburgers, risotto and roastedvegetables with rigorous science andover 1,000 full color images. The960-page behemoth (29 copies equals1 hippo couch) from the San Mateo-based author is in many ways a bar-gain at $49.95 and a great gift forfoodies. To discern its value, think

about how many times you will peekat its pages as you prepare the bestboiled eggs, savory smashed turkey,or fried chicken with skin that’s noth-ing like pebbled polyurethane. Withinvaluable science-backed adviceabout knives, freezing foods, grass-fed versus grain-fed beef and how tomake the best pancakes ever, get adoorstop to match that living roomfurniture – make a hippo happy.

The perfect counterpoint to all

that heft is Cheryl Strayed’s 135-page“Brave Enough” (Knopf). Theroughly 5-by-7-inch edition, a collec-tion of quotes from the New YorkTimes best-selling author of “Wild” –the first selection of Oprah’s BookClub 2.0 and an Oscar-nominatedfilm starring Reese Witherspoon –feeds the soul after Food Lab hastaken care of the stomach. Includingadvice that Strayed followed on herPacific Coast Trail journey and wordsto which we all aspire, the missivesare scrubbed of pretense and intro-duced with brief essays that are inthemselves truly brave enough. Par-ents note, this is for the plus-16crowd.

Harmony often comes in threes

so strike the perfect chord with Na-tional Geographic’s “Rarely Seen”($40). Pictures of wonders of theworld captured by photojournalistStephen Alvarez during his 20-yearcareer as a National Geographic pho-tographer are thematically organizedaround phenomena, life, places, ob-jects and moments. Words pale whenattempting to define the images, butsuffice it to say that stars pinwheelingabove granite arches, 650 zigzag stepsresembling a corset up the face of theRock of Guatapé, a worker resting oncauliflower-like bails of cotton inCôte d'Ivoire and red-jacketed eco-tourists labeled as “Penguin Pa-parazzi” as they line up to documenta lonely penguin are only a few of thebook’s rarely seen splendors.

Of course, if you are really

jammed for gifts, there is always cash.You can go big, like do a Zucker-berg/Chan and give $45 billion instock to a charitable foundation inyour kid’s name – and watch themscream. Or go small. The youngergeneration will be wowed by the old-fashioned novelty – anecdotallyproven by a teenager who, whenhanded a $5 bill said, “Wow, papermoney, how retro.”

But the one gift you can give that

will never be refused, never be toosilly, never get old and worn orsmeared with potato chip grease(what else are you going to eat whilesitting on that hippo lounger?) andwill never cost a dime, is love.

Give some love. Get some love.

Be grateful. It’s that easy.

Find Them All Online:http://www.hammacher.com/Product/12766?promo=searchtohttp://www.hollieshomegrown.com/home.htmlhttp://www.orindabooks.com/

Hammacher handcrafted Hippopota-mine sofa Photos provided

Thanks to a late interception byDante DeLuca, Campolindo

toppled Milpitas 27-24 to claim theNorthern California Division III-AAregional championship on Dec. 11 inMoraga.

“This was just nasty football,”

said head coach Kevin Macy, as hestood on the field at Bob Wilson Sta-dium, surrounded by cheering play-ers, students and fans. “It wasn'tpretty. This was not a pretty footballgame. But if you wanted a junkyardbrawl, you got a junkyard brawltonight. Our guys can fight as hard asanybody.”

The next junkyard brawl comes

against La Mirada on Dec. 19 inSouthern California at 6 p.m., as thedefending-champion Cougars ad-vance to the state title game for thethird time in five seasons. Campowouldn't be going back to the cham-pionship clash if not for DeLuca'spick with 1:41 in the fourth quarter.

“I'm so shocked right now,”

DeLuca said after his interceptionslammed the door on a potentialgame-winning drive for Milpitas andpaved the way for senior MatthewBlair's 32-yard field goal with 23 sec-ond to go. “I was in the perfect placeat the right time.”

DeLuca was only in the right

place at the right time thanks to the in-sistence of Macy, who benched thesenior for a game early in the cam-paign after he initially refused toswitch from safety to cornerback.

It was only fitting that the inter-

ception would determine the outcomein a game in which neither team couldhold onto the ball.

“It was turnovers back and forth,”

Macy said. “Each team all night longwas throwing it back in the hands ofthe other team. Dante's (interception)was so huge.”

On offense, the biggest play for

Campo came on the opening drive of

the fourth quarter when Macy and hisstaff dialed up a brilliant trick play.Junior quarterback Jacob Westphalthrew a lateral to sophomore JohnTorchio – the team's backup quarter-back – who then connected with sen-ior wide receiver Madison Young fora 59-yard strike, as the Cougars racedout to a 21-17 lead.

“It was just a night of gambling

because we couldn't sit back,” Macysaid. “We just had to take risks.”

Campo had to take risks on the

defensive side of the ball, too. TheCougars had to entirely re-work theirusual defensive game plan as the teamwas running up against Division I op-ponent in Milpitas who sported amountain of an offensive line.

The Cougars arrived at the

matchup with Milpitas after securingthe NCS Division III crown bysmashing past Analy 38-21 on Dec. 4at Diablo Valley College. Followinga sleepy start to the contest, the of-

fense roared to life after junior NikiMoore blocked a first-quarter field-goal attempt by Analy.

“I think that was a huge momen-

tum turn,” said senior defensive/of-

fensive lineman Sterling Strother. “Ithink that was our first blocked fieldgoal all year. It was a huge change inthe tide.”

LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: C1Wednesday, December 16, 2015 www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977

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Campolindo Returns to State Title Game for Third Time in 5 YearsBy Karl Buscheck

Sophomore John Torchio (9) throwing a TD pass to senior Madison Young. Photo Gint Federas

Coach Macy assigned Travis Brainerd (51) to Milpitas' biggest player, Washington State commit ChristianHaangana (77). Photo Gint Federas

Photo Andrew Federas

Dante DeLuca (17) hoists the CIF regional championship plaque after making a game-clinching interception latein the fourth quarter. Photo Gint Federas

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Saint Mary’s, Cal Rekindle Decades-Old Rivalry in Thrilling FashionBy Dean Boerner

On Saturday Dec. 12 at Berkeley’s HaasPavilion, the Saint Mary’s Gaels (6-1)

and California Golden Bears (8-2) rekindled thedormant rivalry in thrilling fashion, with theBears eventually handing the Gaels their firstloss of the season 63-59. It was the first time thetwo schools, just 10 miles apart, had met in 11years.

In the opening half, the Golden Bears dom-

inated Saint Mary’s on the boards, outrebound-ing them 19-12. With 7:00 left and the Gaels up21-20, Cal embarked on a punishing 17-5 runto close out the half with a 37-26 lead.

Nevertheless, Gaels head coach Randy

Bennett made the necessary adjustments at half-time and their offense came out in sync. SaintMary’s slowly crept back into the game thanksto an 8-0 push featuring two Evan Fitzner 3-pointers and what Bennett called an “inspiring”effort on the glass from junior forward DanePineau.

“We changed a couple things offensively,”

Bennett said. “We definitely got better shots inthe second half.”

By the eight-minute mark in the second

half, the Gaels had outscored the Golden Bears24-9, taking a 50-46 lead, quieting those in theHaas Pavilion crowd not wearing red.

Neither team could separate in the game’s

final minutes. A Calvin Hermanson 3-pointergave Saint Mary’s a 55-52 lead, which waspromptly countervailed by a timely 3-pointjumper by Jabari Bird with 3:30 left on theclock.

The last bucket for Saint Mary’s came on a

layup from Joe Rahon with 1:47 to play, puttingSaint Mary’s up 59-58. While the Gaels hadseveral opportunities to bolster their lead thanksto the offensive rebounding of Pineau, a blockby Cal forward Ivan Rabb secured possessionfor the Golden Bears and allowed Cal headcoach Cuonzo Martin to draw a play up for Birdin a timeout.

With less than 20 seconds left, Cal down 59-

58, Bird nailed his third 3-pointer of the after-noon, giving the Golden Bears a lead theywouldn’t relinquish. Saint Mary’s had a chanceto extend the game into overtime, but a missedfree throw by game-high scorer Rahon sealedthe Gaels’ fate.

“It was the first real close game we’ve

played as a group this year,” said Rahon. “Wemade a lot of mistakes down the stretch.”

Both players and coaches alike expressed

satisfaction at the thought of making Bay Areacontests like this one more commonplace. Thegame was no doubt a reminder for Bay Areabasketball fans of what they’ve been missing

“This is what should be going on,” said

Bennett after the game. “It would be good to getsome rivalries going in the Bay Area.” Earlierthis season, Bennett’s squad had an impressive78-61 victory against Stanford in front of apacked house at McKeon Pavilion.

Cuonzo Martin showered praise on the oft-

overlooked Saint Mary’s program. “This isprobably the best team we’ve played on bothends of the floor,” declared Martin. “They playhard. They play together. Great game for theBay Area.”

The Saint Mary’s men’s team isn’t the only

one embroiling itself in more Bay Area compe-tition. The women’s team upset No. 18 Cal onpath to a Cal Tournament championship earlierthis month. With Cal up one and only secondsleft, Saint Mary’s freshman Sydney Raggio hita clutch jumper to give Saint Mary’s a dramaticroad victory.

The theatrics of Saturday afternoon’s

matchup is another episode in what might be arevived sense of competition in Bay Area col-lege basketball. “You can see the fan support(Saint Mary’s) had tonight and both teams reallyhad a bunch of fans rooting for them,” saidRabb, a Cal freshman. “We gave them athriller.”

Joe Rahon's (25) 16 points led all scorers Saturday Photo Tod Fierner

Drew Wondolowski (17) and Mark Vonhacht (4) Photo Gint Federas

Lamorinda Soccer Teams BeginDFAL PlayBy Spencer Silva

On Friday Dec. 11, Miramonte (1-1-2)hosted Campolindo (2-1-2) in a sleepy ri-

valry match that ended in a 0-0 tie. In fact, thevarsity match was moved from 6:15 to 4:15 toallow the Cougars players and coaches to sup-port the football team in their bid for consecu-tive state titles.

Both teams emphasize possession-style soc-

cer, and while each had their chances early, nei-ther was able to put the ball in the back of thenet. Senior goalkeeper Garret Johnson madetwo spectacular saves for the Mats, including astop on a ball that looked destined for the farpost well to his left.

“It was a quality match,” said Campo head

coach Shane Carney. “I think both teams wouldhave preferred a winner/loser, but we do get toplay again.”

Carney and Mats’ head coach Massood Ah-

madi have also discussed scheduling a thirdmatch between the two toward the end of sea-son, since the two teams will not meet in theplayoffs -- the NCS re-aligned its soccer divi-sions, sending the Mats down to Division IIIwhile the Cougars remain in Division II.

The Mats are encouraged by their play so

far, despite their so-so record. The team’s lonevictory came against a familiar opponent: DeAnza, the team that eliminated them from theNCS playoffs last fall. Senior Coleman Fine de-livered the game-winning goal in thrilling fash-ion, when he sent a left-footed shot from 15yards to the far upper post to clinch the 2-1 vic-tory.

The Mats are anchored by seniors Joe Wang

-- who exited Friday’s match with a pulled ham-string -- the aforementioned Fine, and attackerClark Jordan. Ahmadi is pleased with his talent,though the first-year coach admits he’s still fig-uring out how to best use his players.

“We have so much talent,” Ahmadi ex-

plained. “It’s just my job to put them in the right

spots and be creative.”

The Cougars -- who have won the DFAL in

consecutive seasons -- are dealing once againwith hefty turnover. They bid farewell to 14players from last year’s championship teamafter losing 20 the year before. Adversity, it ap-pears, is a way of life for Cougars soccer.

“A lot of coaches and programs make ex-

cuses and talk about how they are ‘rebuilding,’”Carney said. “I don't like excuses and prefer tolook at it as the opportunity to reload each year.”

The team features 10 freshman, and the ben-

efit of inexperience, as Carney noted, is quickimprovement. Seniors Ryan Rossi, Shea Dan-forth, Amir Aliakbari, and Kyle O’Connell an-chor the team. The team will also get a shot inthe arm once junior Matt Rengquist returns fromoutrunning defenders for the school’s footballteam.

“We have a lot of young and/or very small

guys, but we'll be scrappy and put a fight upagainst any opponent,” Carney said.

The Acalanes Dons (3-2) lost to Concord

High 0-2 this weekend, but remain confidentheading into DFAL play. The team graduated 12seniors, but veteran head coach Paul Curtis isn’tconcerned about the loss of talent.

“I think we’ll be competitive.”

The Dons are known for their unique play-

ing style and formation, which extends from thefreshman team all the way to varsity. In fact, theprogram emphasizes camaraderie and personalresponsibility above all. It’s not uncommon, forinstance, to see juniors and seniors at a freshmanmatch cheering on the youngest Dons.

Senior captain Ian Franklin, who has been

on the team since his freshman year, leads thevarsity team. The team is “getting organized”and polishing up its game before heading intoDFAL play.

The Dons travel to Campolindo Dec. 16 for

their first rivalry match of the fall.

Orinda soccer player, Samantha DeVecchi,was invited to compete in an elite soccer

tournament with some of the top players in thecountry.

The Miramonte junior was one of 18 play-

ers selected to represent Region IV in the 2015US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Pro-gram (ODP) Girls Thanksgiving InterregionalTournament in Boca Raton, Fla. The Region IVteam is made up of top players from the 15Western States.

The weeklong tournament featured some of

the best players in the country from each of the

four US Youth Soccer Regions. Players workedalongside some of the nation's top coaches toenhance their problem solving skills within thegame, and further their technical and tacticalabilities.

DeVecchi talked about her experience at the

camp. "This was a great opportunity for me. Iplayed with, roomed with, and became friendswith some of the best players in the country. Thetraining was intense, fast, physical, and grueling,but fun at the same time. We trained in the class-room, as well as on the fields."

US Soccer’s ODP Interregional Tournament

is a system in which players are identified, eval-uated, and developed for possible inclusion onUS Olympic and National Teams. US YouthSoccer ODP claims members of Major LeagueSoccer, the National Women’s Soccer League,and the majority of current and past national andyouth national team members, as alumni.

At the conclusion of the camp, the coaches

gave each player a written evaluation of theiroverall skills. DeVecchi said her evaluation wasinformative. “It showed me some things I dowell and also gave me positive feedback onwhat I need to continue to work on."

"Playing against the Womens' National

Team was awesome" DeVecchi said, whenasked to summarize her experience. “They wereso fast, so aggressive, and they were on you ina flash." She added, "When we had our chanceto play against them, I felt like I played well andupped my game, but they were awesome."

Currently a member of the Danville Mus-

tang ECNL U16 team, DeVecchi has been in theODP Program for the past four years.

www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 LAMORINDA WEEKLY Page: Wednesday, December 2, 2015 C3

LMYA 2015 SOCCER SEASON CLOSES WITH PANACHE

Left to right in the picture are: Coach Stuart Crumbaugh, SelmaAhmed, Romey Crumbaugh, Riley Regan, KatherineYokomizo, Carley Hudson, Riley Markham, Lauren Anderson,Mia Damon-Espinas, Catelyn Cereghino and Coach DavidCereghino. Not in the picture but also on the team, Ana Haysand Maddie O’Balle

Pictured: Bottom Row -Daniel Vasankari, Collin Malmquist,Evan Sverak, Blake Pepper, Caleb ShermanTop Row - coach Jim Malmquist, Tobias Case, Colten Haas,Mason Lane, Nick Dietsch, Nate Lyons, Will Paulsen, JackSteven, Coach Bob Sverak - Not Pictured Gavin Davidson

Pictured, back row, left to right: Coach Joe Dougherty, CoachMark Poole. Middle row, left to right: Rylan Smith, Lila Waechter,Charlotte McKenzie, Sadie Burks. Front row, left to right: JuliaPoole, Kaitlyn Keely, Sarah Gohres, Sara Archer, Krista Keely,Cate Condy, Kylie Siegel, Georgia Winkles, Gianna Giordano,Emily McDonals, Sarah Bryn Owens, Riley Baker, Katie Dougherty.

Top Row (from Left): Palmer Hightower, Antonio Godwin,Cole Foster, Eliav Feiger, Oscar Rolfe, Aaron Lee, Tyler Bul-lock, Kenny Hilton, Coach Andrew LeeBottom Row (from Left): Cooper Womack, Michael Wen, ArikShehter, Joshua Cope, Kevin CunninghamNot in Picture: Soren Anderson, Tyler Singh

Top row (L to R): Ciara Moses, Maxine D’Orazio, Natasha Ma-linovsky, Caitlin Smith, Sydney Zimmerman, Emma Phillips,Leah Macarewich, Kira Niyogi, Georgina Williams; bottomrow: Angela Chavez, Hannah Goett, Brooke Stafford, Kather-ine Groszewski, Kennedy Merrion (not pictured Tallulah Clancyand Isabel Powell)

Top row standing from left to right: Ismael Ali, Isaiah Coleman,Thomas Schrader, Eli Harper-Jorgenson, Bobby Nelson, JaredSteuber. Bottom row kneeling from left to right: Cooper Schnurr,Walter Workman, Brandon Gentry, Jackson Heglie, AlecDriver, Not Pictured: Sy Anderson, Ryan Brown, Forrest Burtis,Lewis Collinson, Anthony Mirabito. Coach Will Workman

The Lafayette Moraga Youth Association’s Soccer program is the biggest game in town. The season runs from early September until mid-November. OnNovember 21, the top teams in each of the older age groups competed in the season finale “Commissioner’s Cup”; an all-day event and festival at theLafayette Community Fields. The LMYA Soccer program is headed by Joe Dougherty and Heidi Hambidge in Lafayette and Matt Helder in Moraga.The winners are:

4th Grade Girls, NETHERLANDS 4th Grade Boys, TIMBERS 5th & 6th Grade Girls, USA

5th & 6th Grade Boys, Orinda Thunder 7th & 8th Grade Girls, England 7th & 8th Grade Boys, Liverpool

Advertising

Orinda Soccer Player TakesGame to National StageSubmitted by Mary Staff

Photo Kelley Cox

Lamorinda United 97 Finish 4-0in Surf College ShowcaseSubmitted by Nicole Yuen

Photo provided

Photo provided

Lamorinda United 97 finished their firstSurf College Showcase with a 4-0 record,

outscoring their opponents 14-2 and bringinghome the Swami Division Championship. Twoof these victories were over Colorado's No. 1team, Broomfield Blast and Washington's No.1 team, PSPL Surf Academy. The girls show-

cased their possession-style of soccer for hun-dreds of college coaches during the Thanksgiv-ing weekend. As the team heads into theirwinter break, they look forward to completingtheir final Spring season with Lamorinda United97 in 2016.

Lamorinda U15 Boys DeclaredChampions of the 2015 NorCalPremier NPL2Submitted by Vivian Alfaro

It was a phenomenal fall weekend for Lam-orinda U15 Boys soccer at the 2015 NPL

Fall College Showcase in Turlock, Calif. Inorder to secure first place, the boys needed twowins over the weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 21they faced San Mateo County Star and won 4to 1 win with goals scored by A. Cardenas, A.Alfaro, A. Sanchez, and A. Guzman. On Sun-day, they won their final league match againstPAC San Jose Academy, 2-1. Both goals were

by A. Guzman. PAC San Jose Academy gaveLamorinda a great fight that came down to theend. The boys played together, eliminating mul-tiple offensive threats and were able to clinchthe NPL2 Champions title. With a lot of sweat,some blood and plenty of hard work and train-ing, the boys finished strong in 1st place with a7-1-1 record and are NorCal Premier NPL2Champions.

Spartans Win 5th Grade GirlsTurkey Shootout Title Submitted by Stephanie and Jay Williams

Back row, from left: coaches Jay Williams and Eric Yabu, Annie Coane, Kylie Williams, Julia Hira-hara, Kalena King, coaches Sarah Garcia and Stephanie WilliamsFront row: Ava Garcia, Camille Yabu, Mina Wang, Kristin Muraoka Photo provided

St. Monica’s fifth grade Spartans dependedupon balanced scoring and team defense to

prevail in the 15th annual Turkey Shootout in

Walnut Creek, a three-day tournament spon-sored by MVP Flight basketball.

www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, December 16, 2015Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLYC4

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530 Moraga Rd. • 925-376-0692www.moragamotors.com

Professional AutomotiveService and RepairForeign and Domestic

Dr. Wm. Schwertscharf, O.D.• Comprehensive Vision Testing • Eye Disease Diagnosis • Specialty Contact Lens Care • Finest Quality Eyewear and Sunglasses

1030 Country Club Drive, Ste. AMoraga • (925) 376-2020

O P T O M E T R Y

located at the Moraga Shopping Center

925-376-1810

MORAGA GARDEN CENTER

Trees & ShrubsFlowers & Vegetables

Soil Products & FertilizersOrganic Products & Seeds

New hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-6:00 Sat 9-5, Sun closed

www.theupsstorelocal.com/2291

ShippingCopying, FinishingPrinting ServicesNotary Services

Postal ServicesBusiness ServicesLive Scan Fingerprinting

Our location:1480 Moraga Rd, Ste l

Moraga, CA 94556-2005

Studio EStudio E offering Personal Training andSemi Private/Small Group Classes. Comeexperience the personal attention andindividual motivation you need to get youstarted on a healthy track for life.

Go to www.studio-e-moraga.comfor a full list of classes.

1605 School Street Moraga(Entrance on Country Club Drive)

925-388-6779

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910 Country Club Dr.Moraga

925-377-1908

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CC & CO HAIR DESIGNS910 Country Club Dr., Moraga

(925) 437-2076

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508 Center Street, Moraga (in Rheem Valley Shopping Center)

Moraga’s Premier Salon

Lip Wax w/Brow Wax

* new clients only

1375 Moraga Way, Moraga

Complete Auto Repair State of California Brake, Lamp & Smog Station

377-6020WWW.RHEEMAUTO.COM

(Rheem center-across fromthe Post Office)

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THE MORAGA BARBER SHOP

925-247-1101 • 1431 Moraga Way

Hours: Mon: 10-7, Tues - Fri: 9-6, Sat: 8:30-4, Closed Sunday

Thinking about re-entering the workforce ormaking a career transition? Work with a local, experienced Career Coach.

OUR HOMESLamorinda Weekly Volume 09 Issue 21 Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Lamorinda

Digging Deep with Cynthia Brian ...read on page D8

Lamorinda Weekly writer Cynthia Brian left herhouse last February on a family vacation and re-

turned to find “a nightmare.”

A relatively minor pipe repair gone awry upstairs

leaked and then failed; the result was water cascadingdownstairs and throughout the 25-year-old house, af-fecting walls, ceiling and floors.

Brian was in shock when she first viewed the

damage. “I really loved the house the way it was be-fore,” she said.

Brian tried to contain the damage herself, hauling

out a hundred towels and sheets, but quickly realizedshe needed a professional restoration company. Theytrailered two portable storage units on site, boxedhousehold belongings, removed standing water, the car-pets and flooring and tore out sheetrock walls. Twelvefans were brought in to dry the structure.

For the next eight months the Brians walked on

floors covered in plastic sheeting and lived with thesmell of chemicals and the noise of construction. Noroom was untouched, Brian said. “Every time they ex-posed something, they’d find something new.”

Specifying and sourcing new materials, being

available to the crews, dealing with insurance, then un-packing their stored household goods and setting thehouse to right was so incredibly time consuming, Briansaid it became a second full-time job.

She estimates repair costs ran over $200,000.

One bit of good news: the house tested negative

for mold. Brian was very happy with the restorationcompany and construction crew, and recommendshomeowners act quickly if something similar happensto them. She also urged homeowners to interview a rep-utable and licensed contractor, and to read their insur-ance policies now and check coverage.

Although Brian dealt with good adjusters when

filing her claim, she cautions the overall experience canbe really, really tough, adding they practically had tostart over with the process when their insurance com-pany was bought out by another.

As a precaution, the Brians now shut off their

main water line before they travel. “I wasn’t expecting

this,” Brian said.

Moraga police lieutenant Jon King was not ex-

pecting it either when he endured a house flood causedby a water main break in 2007, saying he would like toavoid repeating the experience. “It’s no fun,” he saidplainly. Still, he was willing to share the experience hop-ing that someone else can be better prepared before thepredicted El Nino storms arrive this winter.

King’s Castro Valley hillside house was directly in

the path of water from a 12-inch East Bay MunicipalUtility District water main rupture in December 2007.“We had our (Christmas) tree up. My wife and I hadgone to Walnut Creek for a dinner date when I got a callfrom a neighbor,” King said. “(The water) is kinda goingby,” the neighbor told him, then added, “Oh, no. It’s inyour garage!”

King and his wife rushed home in time to see

water sluicing downhill, shooting a geyser 20 feet in theair when it hit a tire of his unmarked patrol car parkedcurbside. “There were flumes of water across driveways,”he said. The water “completely flooded the first two(hilltop) houses,” invaded a neighbor’s crawl space,dumped two to three inches of water in their garage, andeven managed to infiltrate a closed refrigerator locatedinside. ... continued on page D4

Water, Water Everywhere: A Cautionary TaleBy Cathy Dausman

Water damage was extensive at Cynthia Brian’shome. Photos courtesy Cynthia Brian

OUR HOMES Wed., December 16, 2015Page: D2

Lamorinda Home Sales recorded

Home sales are compiled by Cal REsource, an Oakland real estate information company. Sale prices are computed from the county transfer tax in-formation shown on the deeds that record at close of escrow and are published five to eight weeks after such recording. This information is obtainedfrom public county records and is provided to us by California REsource. Neither Cal REsource nor this publication are liable for errors or omissions.

CityLAFAYETTE MORAGA ORINDA

Last reported:16412

LOWEST AMOUNT:$470,000$800,000$930,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT:$6,350,000$1,150,000$1,870,000

LAFAYETTE1154 Camino Vallecito, $1,710,000, 3 Bdrms, 4014 SqFt, 1951 YrBlt, 10-26-151000 Circle Creek Drive #1002, $900,000, 4 Bdrms, 1464 SqFt, 1962 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $283,000, 01-22-991025 Dolores Drive, $860,000, 3 Bdrms, 1181 SqFt, 1950 YrBlt, 10-16-15;

Previous Sale: $152,000, 12-18-853124 Diablo View Road, $815,000, 3 Bdrms, 1664 SqFt, 1967 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $359,000, 10-05-991201 Franklin Lane, $859,500, 10-21-15917 Hough Avenue #4, $470,000, 2 Bdrms, 1038 SqFt, 1969 YrBlt, 10-27-15;

Previous Sale: $171,000, 09-09-923619 Lincoln Way, $1,132,000, 3 Bdrms, 1780 SqFt, 1963 YrBlt, 10-28-15;

Previous Sale: $727,000, 11-26-033160 Plymouth Road, $995,000, 3 Bdrms, 1495 SqFt, 1952 YrBlt, 10-28-15;

Previous Sale: $850,000, 10-19-051630 Reliez Valley Road, $2,362,000, 4 Bdrms, 4197 SqFt, 1963 YrBlt, 10-26-15;

Previous Sale: $975,000, 04-01-143354 Reliez Highland Road, $564,000, 3 Bdrms, 2607 SqFt, 1941 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $529,000, 09-15-141236 Rose Lane, $6,350,000, 2 Bdrms, 5647 SqFt, 1982 YrBlt, 10-23-15;

Previous Sale: $3,000,000, 01-12-09348 Shire Oaks Court, $1,040,000, 4 Bdrms, 1545 SqFt, 1964 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $38,500, 08-04-70562 Silverado Drive, $1,325,000, 4 Bdrms, 2132 SqFt, 1958 YrBlt, 10-16-15646 Sweet Court, $1,035,000, 2 Bdrms, 1591 SqFt, 1949 YrBlt, 10-27-15;

Previous Sale: $265,000, 02-17-943298 Sweet Drive, $850,000, 3 Bdrms, 1375 SqFt, 1954 YrBlt, 10-22-15;

Previous Sale: $280,000, 01-11-001001 Woodbury Road #202, $1,438,500, 10-27-15MORAGA923 Augusta Drive, $1,050,000, 4 Bdrms, 2828 SqFt, 1989 YrBlt, 10-30-151086 Bollinger Canyon, $1,150,000, 2 Bdrms, 1618 SqFt, 1971 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $849,000, 04-21-109 Josefa Place, $800,000, 3 Bdrms, 2095 SqFt, 1984 YrBlt, 10-16-15;

Previous Sale: $335,000, 08-07-989 Lucia Lane, $1,070,000, 4 Bdrms, 1996 SqFt, 1968 YrBlt, 10-27-15;

Previous Sale: $1,080,000, 06-03-05 ... continued on page D9

Clarification:In the Dec. 2 Lamorinda Weekly article “Recent Rains Small Respite for Drought-Stressed Trees,” East Bay Municipal Utility District staff believe the redwood treefeatured in the photo showed an example of roadway herbicide spraying and notdrought-related tree stress. Typically, drought related mortality occurs in the top ofthe tree, since branches are the last to get water, not in the lowest branches as shownin the photograph. Also, according to EBMUD spokeswoman Abby Figueroa,EBMUD does not have redwood trees dying on its watershed.

VLATKA CAN HELP YOU WITH BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME.WWW.BESTLAMORINDAHOMES.COM

VLATKA BATHGATE

IF I HAD A BUYER FOR YOURHOME WOULD YOU SELL IT?Call me at 925 597 [email protected]#01390784

©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304

FOR SALE

SOLD THIS YEARPENDING

5 Owl Hill Ct, Orinda

Offered at $3,295,000

155 Camino Pablo, Orinda

Offered at $1,578,000

774 Crossbrook Dr,Moraga, Rep. Buyer

1635 Siskiyou Dr, WalnutCreek,Rep. Buyer

La Fond Ln, Orinda Represented Buyer

114 Lucille Way, Orinda Represented Landlord

1 Culver Ct, OrindaRepresented Landlord and Tenant

117 Coral Dr, Orinda Represented Landlord and Tenant

97 Bunce Meadows Dr,Alamo, Rep. Seller

4056 Fiora Pl, LafayetteRepresented Seller

3980 Clark Rd, El Sobrante, Rep. Seller

5408 Heatherland Dr,San Ramon, Rep. Buyer

3523 Wild Flower Way,Concord, Rep. Seller

35 Canyon View Dr,Orinda, Rep. Seller

11 Muth Dr, Orinda Represented Seller

97 Oak Rd, OrindaRep. Seller and Buyer

2582 Oak Rd #218, Walnut Creek $489,000

503 Woodminster Dr,Moraga, Rep. Seller & Buyer

18 Bobolink Rd, OrindaRepresenting Seller

67 Buckingham Dr, Moraga, Rep. Seller

1002 Santa Monica Ct,Pleasant Hill, Rep. Seller

Happy Holidays!

ANGIE CLAY

925.207.9366

THE CHURCHILL TEAM

RANDY 925.787.4622SERETA: 925.998.4441

JON WOOD TEAM

JON WOOD: 925.383.5384HOLLY SIBLEY: 925.451.3105

JULIE DEL SANTOBROKER/OWNER

925.818.5500

JANE SMITH

925.998.1914

LISA TICHENOR

925.285.1093

MATT McLEOD

925.464.6500 925.360.8662 925.876.0966

PAT AMES TERESA ZOCCHI TERRYLYNN FISHER

925.330.5849

We would like to thank the Lamorinda community for another amazing year, and

we look forward to being your preferred real estate brokerage for years to come.

Wishing you and your loved ones great joy and many blessings this holiday season.

Warmest Holiday Wishes!

WWW.DUDUM.COMCALBRE #01882902

WALNUT CREEK1910 OLYMPIC BLVD., #100WALNUT CREEK, CA 94596

O: 925.937.4000 F: 925.937.4001

LAFAYETTE999 OAK HILL RD., #100LAFAYETTE, CA 94549

O: 925.284.1400 F: 925.284.1411

Proud to be affi liated with

Page: LAMORINDA WEEKLY OUR HOMES www.lamorindaweekly.com 925-377-0977 Wednesday, December 16, 2015D4

Water, Water Everywhere... continued from page D1

Water pooled near the front door was only an inch from the sill. It gained entry into their son’s room through another

door, soaking the carpet and sheetrock and depositing a “fine mud” throughout.

King shook his head and said: “You don’t even want to think what is in that water.”

The force of the water lifted the asphalt along his street’s new paving and completely ruined the King’s new front and back

yard landscaping, as well as anything that was on the floors in the affected areas. King lost a digital movie camera he left in abackpack on the floor. All told the water damage caused an estimated $25,000 to repair, which was relatively minor comparedto his neighbor’s $100,000 in damages.

“I never thought that water could cause that much damage,” King said, before adding gratefully that “EBMUD took care

of business.”

The Kings “hustled” through their repair work in a mere 30 days – the family planned to host a Christmas celebration.

Their more seriously affected neighbors’ houses took six months to repair. “And that was not even an El Nino event,” King said.

“The moral of the story is be prepared,” he said. “We know El Nino is coming. Pick up leaves from your gutters and clear

out drains. Have first aid supplies and a box of candles handy,” he said. “Be prepared for a power loss of 48 to 72 hours, andwatch your distressed trees” for signs of uprooting. “There are only so many aid crews (available during a disaster), and we’renot going to be the only ones affected.”

WWW.FINOLAFELLNER.COM

925.890.7807

BRE #01428834©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

Call me to find out what is coming on the market in 2016. It is going to be another

great year!

May your home be filled with joy this

holiday season!

Nancy Stryker925.890.6911BRE #012900021

Thank you to all my for a great year in 2015!

Happy Holidays andBest Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

1018 Richard Lane, Danville - Listed at $1,649,000SOLD! Represented Buyer

RECENTLY SOLD

©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

5 Whiting Court, Moraga - Listed at $1,485,000SOLD! Represented Buyer

371 Castello Road, Lafayette - Listed at $1,425,000SOLD! Represented Seller


Stylish SolutionsDecorative Holiday Card DisplaysBy Ann McDonald

Since the holiday season is in full swing this month, I wantedto address the issue of cards: what to do with them, where

to put them, how to display them, and most importantly, how topreserve and recycle them at the same time. Each season, I thinkthe holiday card tradition will lose steam. And then the mailboxstarts to fill.

The truth? I love the art of writing and receiving hand-writ-

ten, or at the very least, hand-signed cards. A quick conversationwith my 20-something progeny revealed he had no understandingof the value of holiday cards, even as we failed at our attempt at anice family picture. I tried to explain “in the olden days” we didn’thave pictures of all our friends near and far 24/7 in various “feeds.”Rather, we eagerly awaited the holiday season to see braces on orbraces off, hair long or hair short, growth spurts and more. It wasa real delight to see the friends, relatives and pets in all of their hol-iday garb.

The truth is, we probably do not need the card, but we like

the card and its tradition of sorts. I still read the letters, and taketime to sort and display cards for those quieter moments in be-tween the hustle of business that can take over during this time ofyear.

My Top Holiday Card Quick Tips:

1. Get a beautiful letter opener. Yes, you can use a knife –

or your fingers, or you can even rip the cards open – but the truthis, part of dressing the home for the holidays includes the subtlesystems we allow ourselves to enjoy. Breathe in deep, set the pileof letters down and carefully, with style, use the letter opener. Be-sides, this way you will never be gluing together an envelope, try-ing to see the return address so you can send the forgotten card.

2. Sort immediately by follow up needed. Then contain.

Do you need to send a card to that person? Did you forget andtheir card has just arrived? We all have those moments. Once youhave a handle on reciprocating the seasonal greeting, it is time toimmediately contain. ... continued on next page

Wreaths are still one of my favorite ways to handle the holidaycards. Why? Because you can change the ribbon and wreathstyle easily, and add ribbon to handle more cards as the sea-son progresses. Photos courtesy Couture Chateau, llc

We use micro strips and cross cut shredding to protect privacyand mix several batches to get colors fun. This is extremelyeasy and can be used for party décor (see the Dec. 17, 2014Lamorinda Weekly article “Last Minute Holiday Décor Ideas”in the online archives).

The MostWonderfulTime of the YearBy Andi Peterson Brown

A CB Top ProducerAndiBrownHomes.com

925.818.4588

It’s beginning to look a lot like the mostwonderful time of the year. And if your

home is still on the market, you might becontemplating pulling it for the winter.Hold that thought. Even though real estateactivity tends to decline during December,the season can in fact be a greatopportunity to showcase your home in itsholiday best.

Buyers who are out looking during the

holidays are usually more serious abouttheir search. To capture their hearts andsecure a sale, here are some quick and easytips for holiday staging.

Keep it natural, keep it simple. While

it might be tempting to display yourcardboard cut-out Buddy the Elf or putyour Clark Griswold skills to the test, it’sbest to keep things simple and natural atyour front door. Beautiful wreaths,poinsettias, and tasteful, classic twinklelights will put buyers in the spirit and makea lasting first impression.

Keep it natural, keep it neutral. It’s

important for buyers to see themselvesliving in your home, and universals suchas winter greenery, decorative candles, pinecones, and glass jars of candy canes andmarshmallows all invoke the warmth ofthe holidays and spread good cheer to thewidest pool of buyers.

These tips, coupled with the fact that

Lamorinda has a very low housing supply,might just make the difference for that onebuyer. And remember: it only takes one.

real local • real knowledge • real valueCalBRE# 01738605

©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registeredtrademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. EqualHousing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Sub-sidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage areindependent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real EstateLLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com OUR HOMES LAMORINDA WEEKLY Pag e: D7

One simple display trick is to attach

close pins on twine draped on a pin board,tack onto ribbon tails from a hanging wreath,or display on mirrored trays and cookie traysto work piles of cards into your existing decor.

Once the holidays are over, set aside a

day or section of hours to really go throughthings like addresses, names of children andrelationship status updates. By taking the timein January to follow up on those things, nextyear won’t seem so daunting. If you are the ad-dress label type, update and date your file soyou know which is the latest version.

3. Curate the years. One of my favorite

things to do is maintain copies of the cards thatmean a great deal to us, and still recycle the

materials. You can scan, photocopy and pho-tograph cards and notes. Scanning is the best,in my opinion, but it can take some time. Lin-ing up the cards and snapping quick photos ismuch more efficient, but not as polished in theend.

You can then import into a file for rotat-

ing picture frames, which are particularly nicefor relatives and elderly friends living in nurs-ing homes or adult care facilities. They love tosee the family and friends over the years. I havefound, while I love the photo books, theframes are much easier to edit. You can evenoverlay the names of people on photos beforeuploading.

The photo book is nice, and I have sev-

eral friends who do this every year.

4. Recycle. These holiday cards gener-

ate a lot of potential waste. What do we do?We shred. And we use the shredding all yearfor shipping. Envelopes with foil are the best.

With Couture Chateau, there are times weship out products to clients and you will findour artfully shredded cards in the box. Itbreaks my heart to simply throw them away,and this is a great, easy way to repurpose thematerials.

For more ways to reuse the cards be sure

to download the Holiday Card Helps. As al-ways, my hope, stylish suburbanite, is that youfind peace and joy this season, and that thenew year brings you much happiness.

I source bas-kets at storeslike HomeGoods, CostPlus and evenOSH. Simplychange out bowsfor the season. I likethis shape because it holds the large cards eas-ily and doesn’t take up too much counter spacelike a large flat basket does.

This is a simple display trick for cards in tight quarters. Buy a pack of clothes pins andtwine, attach with thumb tacks and voila – display!

Ann McDonald, IIDA, NAPO, is the Founder/CEO of Couture Chateau, aluxury interior design firm inOrinda. For a complete blog postincluding other design ideas, visitwww.couturechateau.com/blogDo you want your holiday decor tomake your home feel welcoming yetstill look like a top designer did thefinishing touches? Join me forStress Free Holiday Home atwww.stressfreeholidayhome.com.

INTERNATIONALDIAMOND SOCIETY

BAY AREA TOP 100

©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. EqualHousing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are inde-

pendent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

Looking to sell or buy?

Chad MorrisonDirect: 925.253.4650Mobile: 925.330.1416

[email protected] www.sellinglamorinda.com CalBRE# 01905614

Now is a great time for both. Contact me for a free market analysis of your home.

Look for interesting letter openers all yearround at antique fairs and home stores. Itend to collect them because they makegreat hostess gifts when wine isn’t appro-priate and I love displaying them on traysin the front hall or on my desk. Here is theclassic Tiffany, which can be engraved.

OUR HOMES Wed., December 16, 2015Page: D8

Digging Deep-GardeningWith Cynthia BrianBy Cynthia Brian“With our thoughts, we make the world.” ~ Buddha

My first gardening calendar was pub-lished in 1993. I had worked with

a renowned photographer for over 18months shooting fabulous photos from mygarden throughout the seasons, taking copi-ous notes of what to do and when to do it,traveling to numerous zones to note themonthly cycles. I wrote my copy on anApple desktop, the photographs were trans-parencies, and the finished product was abeautiful, printed, shrink-wrapped gift ofbeautiful flowers with monthly tips worthsaving. Over the years, people have shownme the tablemats, collages, and other cre-ative things that were made with that calen-dar. Since the backup to all of my work wason floppy disks, I no longer have access tomy unedited insights. Thankfully, I have thephotos and the published calendar as a sou-venir of my efforts. This loss of my creativewritings caused me to ponder the digitalmania that has descended upon humanity inour yearning to eliminate paper archiving.We tend to keep everything on our comput-ers, designating Facebook, Instagram, and

Pinterest as our memory banks.

My fear is that our history will be rele-

gated to oral rememberings as technologyrapidly changes. Since computers became ahousehold necessity, we have stored our dataon floppies, CDs, DVDs, flash drives,portable hard drives, and now in the cloud,but will future generations ever be able to ac-cess any of this, as equipment evolves andchanges? My iPhoto folder has now sur-passed 20,000 jpegs. Digital photos from2009 and earlier that were not printed are nolonger accessible since I have upgraded com-puters multiple times and those earlierbackup disks are not compatible.

Earlier this year, I made a book of my

favorite garden photographs throughout theseasons accompanied by my favorite gardenquotes. The book was a gift to myself as a re-minder of my years of dedication, hard workand love of nature. As I perused snapshotsfrom a quarter century of gardening bliss, Iwas able to see how much I had accom-plished with the help of Mother Nature.

... continued on page D11

Drape burlap over tender plants to prevent frostbite. Photo Cynthia Brian

925.932.5432www.sewerinspections.com

Sewer InspectionsSewer Inspections && Cleaning CleaningLocally Owned & Operated

Video Inspections & LocatingOverfl ow Protection Devise Installation

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We let the video speak for itself!We let the video speak for itself!

Gen. Eng. Lic #971074

Family owned in Moraga since 1987

[email protected] www.advancetree.com

& Landscaping

Cleaning and thinning your trees may reduce the potential storm hazardswithout compromising the shade. In some situations the risk of failure cannotbe reduced without removal of branches. Remember that healthy structurallysound trees are generally wind fast even when mature.Storm damage is usually, but not always, related to structural problems thatcould have been addressed with proper structural training when the tree wasyoung. Co dominant (two trunks with a narrow angle of attachment) trunksaccount for many trees failures. The hazard of wind damage is higher on theregrowth of trees that have been “topped”.Advance Tree ServiceYour Authority on Trees and Landscape.

Follow us on Twitter (advancetree) and like us on Face Book(ADVANCETREESERVICEANDLANDSCAPINGINC.)

Lic.: #611120

Your friendly neighborhood arborists Darren and Lew EdwardsWINTER TIPS

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 OUR HOMES Pag e: D9

[email protected]

www.RattoandRatto.comLicense #: 00900621 | 01361537

Paul & Virginia Ratto

Happy Holidays!

Kyle DavisMortgage Consultant/Owner/PartnerLamorinda Resident Since 1995CalBRE License #01111347/NMLS #274107

Direct: 925-314-5299 [email protected]

This is not a loan commitment, nor is it a guarantee of any kind. Thiscomparison is based solely on estimated figures and information availableat the time of production. Interest rate is subject to borrower and propertyqualifying.Stonecastle Land and Home Financial, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Lender.

319 Diablo Rd., Ste 103 • Danville • CalBRE Lic. # 01327738, NMLS#280803

Fixed Rates to $417,000 Fixed Rates to $625,500RATE APR RATE APR

30 Year Fixed 3.875% 3.875% 4.125% 4.125%

15 Year Fixed 3.125% 3.125% 3.500% 3.500%

RATES ARE NEAR ALL TIME LOWS!30 YEAR FIXED RATE TO $2,000,000!

3.875% /3.990% APRGREAT CONFORMING RATES!

“PROVIDING PREMIER LOAN PRODUCTS AND SERVICE FROM THE MOSTEXPERIENCED AND SOLUTION-ORIENTED PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.”

Call 925-314-5299 for Today’s Quote!

Lamorinda Home Sales recorded ... continued from page D2ORINDA7 Casa Vieja, $1,425,000, 4 Bdrms, 3083 SqFt, 1961 YrBlt, 10-16-159 Corte Bombero, $1,585,000, 3 Bdrms, 2312 SqFt, 1956 YrBlt, 11-2-15;

Previous Sale: $900,000, 06-11-13476 Dalewood Drive, $1,870,000, 4 Bdrms, 2856 SqFt, 1972 YrBlt, 10-22-15;

Previous Sale: $405,000, 05-07-8488 El Toyonal, $1,600,000, 4 Bdrms, 4192 SqFt, 1930 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $1,300,000, 08-27-132 Hartford Road, $1,545,000, 3 Bdrms, 3062 SqFt, 1941 YrBlt, 10-20-15;

Previous Sale: $2,550,000, 07-29-0511 Kittiwake Road, $1,000,000, 4 Bdrms, 1975 SqFt, 1961 YrBlt, 10-16-154 La Sombra Court, $1,055,000, 4 Bdrms, 2348 SqFt, 1952 YrBlt, 10-20-1520 La Vuelta, $1,310,000, 3 Bdrms, 2392 SqFt, 1974 YrBlt, 10-27-1519 Loma Vista Drive, $1,040,000, 3 Bdrms, 1704 SqFt, 1956 YrBlt, 10-21-1511 Muth Drive, $930,000, 3 Bdrms, 1262 SqFt, 1958 YrBlt, 10-30-15;

Previous Sale: $339,000, 04-23-9829 Muth Drive, $936,000, 4 Bdrms, 2047 SqFt, 1957 YrBlt, 10-29-1527 St. Stephens Drive, $1,410,000, 4 Bdrms, 3459 SqFt, 1983 YrBlt, 10-21-15;

Previous Sale: $825,000, 04-27-00


Cynthia Brian’s Mid-Month Reminders and Tips • REFRAIN from collecting and eating mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain they are edible. A good friend

recently collected a variety of mushrooms based on information she perused in a foraging guidebook. Fortunatelyshe took them to a mycological expert for positive identification. Eighty-four of the 85 fungi she had in her basketwere poisonous.

• CLEAN storm drains, gutters, and anywhere where water could clog or cause problems when the rains come. • DECORATE for the holidays with branches, leaves, berries, twigs, pinecones and natural cuttings from your back-

yard. Utilize surprising colors, like purple – not just reds, greens and blues. • COVER tender plants from frost and cold temperatures with burlap. Patio furniture can be protected from the el-

ements with plastic, but use burlap or fabric on plants and shrubs. Citrus is especially susceptible to frostbite.• CREATE a charming birdhouse with corks. With the festivities of the holidays, collect corks to make a home for

your feathered friends.• SPRAYPAINT the un-carved pumpkins and gourds silver, gold, or bronze to add pizzazz to a front porch or en-

trance. For recycling at its best, after the holidays, add to the compost pile. • BAIT for snails and slugs during this wet season. • HARVEST cabbages, Swiss chard and kale. Massage your kale to tenderize and eliminate bitterness.• TUNE in to StarStyle® Radio from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Dec. 30 for a full hour of live garden talk with Britain’s

rose expert from David Austin Roses. Bare-root plantings start in January and this show will give you lots of infor-mation.http://starstyleradio.net/Starstyle_Radio/Entries/2015/12/30_Toast_the_New_Year_with_David_Austin_Roses.html

• MAKE a photo album of your garden pictures throughout the years as a gift to yourself and future family gardeners.

It is too late to seed or reseed your lawns. My new grass is coming in slowly because of the extreme changes in weather.In spring, we will revisit planting a waterless turf when soil temperatures rise to 50-70 degrees.

Happy Gardening and Happy Growing.As tempting as it is to collect mushrooms, unless youare an expert, refrain. Photos Cynthia Brian

Plant pretty primroses for instant color all winter long.Rose hips can be twined into décor or made into teas for the holidays.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com OUR HOMES LAMORINDA WEEKLY Pag e: D11

©2015Cynthia BrianThe Goddess GardenerStarstyle® Productions, llcCynthia@GoddessGardener.comwww.GoddessGardener.com925-377-STARTune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.netI am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant.

Cynthia Brian in awild garden.

family owned since 1933

Free Local Delivery

Christmas Trees • Wreaths Garland • Ornaments • Poinsettias

Holiday Décor • Gifts

A combination of ferns and poinsettias brighten a porch.

Surprise your guests with passionate purple ornaments.

Blue Ridge

Landscape Company Inc.Blue Jay FeldmanOWNER/OPERATOR

www.blueridgelc.com

DESIGNINSTALLATIONIRRIGATIONDRAINAGESTONEWORKCONCRETE WORKDECKSFENCESPATIOSLAWNSPONDSCLEANUP &HAULING

925-258-9233cell: 510-847-6160

LICENSEDINSUREDLic# 818633

How happy I am that I had not only digitized photos, but also printed them for posterity. When we first movedto this area, our lot was a hillside of wild grasses, poison oak, and blackberry bushes. It is now an oasis filled withlush landscaping, orchards, vines, trees, fruits, herbs, flowers, birds, bees, butterflies and wildlife. One of the mot-tos I have always lived by is “what you think about and talk about comes about!” For me, I am always thinkingabout gardening. Today, all I have to do is look around to see that my personal world was created in my thoughts.

As the end of the year approaches, I encourage you to invest in archiving your precious memories of family,

friends, pets, plants and places you love, not only on your apps and gadgets, but in the old fashioned way: printing.Don’t allow your legacy of a life well lived become obsolete as technology races forward. Do some digital diggingand store a hard copy of your treasures. Plant and grow your memoirs.

May you shine with happiness for the holidays. Thank you for a fabulous year of Digging Deep and Gar-

dening with Cynthia Brian. I appreciate you.

Ashley BattersbyPatricia Battersby

Joan ClevelandShannon Conner

Joan EggersLinda EhrichJoan Evans

Linda S. FriedmanMarianne GreeneDexter Honens II

Anne KnightSusan Zeh Layng

Art LehmanCharles Levine

Erin MartinApril MatthewsKaren Murphy

Ben OlsenSue Olsen

Tara RochlinJaime RoderAltie Schmitt

Judy SchoenrockAnn Sharf

Amy Rose SmithMolly Smith

Jeff SnellLynda Snell

Clark ompsonAngie Evans Traxinger

Ignacio VegaTerri Bates Walker

Ann WardDan Weil

Jenny Lyons WilhiteMargaret Zucker

Lamorinda’s Leading Independent Real Estate Firm

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THE VILLAGEASSOCIATES:

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R E A L E S T A T E

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ORINDA ORINDA ORINDA MORAGA

40 Dos Osos IncredibleOrinda, San Pablo Dam, Mt.Diablo views + abundance ofnature surrounds this supersizedparcel bordering EBMUD land.Once in a lifetime opportunityraw land sale.

$489,000

407 Ridge Gate RoadRarely available detached 1story in Orindawoods. Openfloor plan with dramatic vaultedceilings. Stunning outdoorspace including generous decksfor the ultimate privacy.

$1,495,000

8 Camino Del DiabloStunning Contemporary rebuilt in2002 by MGHG Designs.Impeccable design & architecturalfinishes. Chef's kitchen w/top ofthe line appliances, Carreramarble counters, radiant flrs.

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589 Augusta DriveFabulous Moraga Country Club.All member benefits. Singlelevel detached home along 1stfairway. 3bd/2.5ba, 2687sf,family room off spaciouskitchen. Excellent schools.

$6,000/month

MORAGA LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE

176 Calle La Mesa Super opportunity inCampolindo. 4 bedroom, 2bathroom home on .4 acre lot.Peaceful location with flat yardand views. Ready for yourinspiration!

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1000 Hawthorn Drive Wonderful 3 bed/2 updated bathtraditional home in the heart ofdowntown Lafayette. Remodeledkitchen w/large island, marble/Corian counters. Hardwoodfloors. Park-like yard.

$1,185,000

1100 Rahara DriveCustom Upper Happy Valleyhome. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths,hardwood floors, resort-like yard,lush landscaping & beautifulviews.

$2,195,000

5 Burton Vista CourtSpectacular 7bd/9+ba, 8986sfEstate w/luxury amenities ingrand oversized spaces. Premium2.25ac parcel w/sport court, sun-drenched pool, pavilionw/kitchen, dressing rms &showers. $6,595,000

WALNUT CREEK WALNUT CREEK WALNUT CREEK WALNUT CREEK

1501 Canyonwood Court #2Fabulous Sonoma Wrapw/2bd/2ba + washer/dryer in unit.Cultured marble countertops inkitchen/baths. Elec. chair lift atstairs. Rear veranda enclosed,side veranda open. Views.

$395,000

3311 Rossmoor Pkwy #4A rarity! Fantastic, level in (nosteps) Cascade model on golfcourse w/views of hills & coursefrom most living spaces. Granitekitchen w/breakfast nook,plantation shutters, view deck.

$599,000

893 Amberwood CourtBeautiful New ConstructionSingle Story Home (one of five)in desirable cul-de-sacneighborhood. 4 Bed/3.5bath,den, chef ’s kitchen w/greatroom. Ideal location.

$1,550,000

887 Amberwood CourtBeautiful New ConstructionSingle Story Home (one of five)in desirable cul-de-sacneighborhood. 4 Bed/3.5 bath,den, chef ’s kitchen w/great room.Corner lot. Ideal location.

$1,570,000

For Lease

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Documents

Do Aging Pipes Pose an Unseen Threat?...Two flood recovery stories – page D1. Life in Lamorinda B1-B10 Fire Districts A8 Our Homes D1-D12 Hollywood actor returns to his roots –