Published May 27th, 2009
Lamorinda Moms Vote: The Best of Lamorinda And the winners are...
Submitted by Stephanie Kusinski

Lamorinda Moms is a social and support club for parents with children under five in the greater Lamorinda area. The organization strives to help members enrich their lives through cultivating new friendships, personal and professional growth, and community involvement. Since 1995, Lamorinda Moms has evolved to become one of the largest parenting organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, with approximately 570 members. The club hosts dozens of activities and events each month, and provides valuable resources to parents in the Lamorinda area. To learn more about Lamorinda Moms, including how to join, please visit us at www.lamorindamomsclub.org.
Approximately every two years, Lamorinda Moms has conducted a survey to determine member favorites in a variety of categories including raising kids, health, and entertainment. In addition to creating a resource list for our members, we also publicly recognize the outstanding local vendors. We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 survey here.
Methodology:
The 2009 survey categories evolved from the year's previous and suggestions suggestions from the general membership were added. The general membership were invited to nominate their favorites in each category and voting selections were compiled from those nominees. Nominees did not need to be located within Lamorinda but must serve our community. An online survey was then created in which the entire membership was invited to vote once over the course of three weeks.
Winners were those that received the most votes. There were four close votes where two winners were selected.
Local winners will receive a letter informing them of the win, as well as information about Lamorinda Moms. We hope this survey serves as a valuable resource to both to our members and to the community at large.

Children: Everything you need for the kids!

Babysitting resource: Lamorinda Mom’s Yahoo! Message Boards
Birthday Entertainer: Firepixie Entertainment
Birthday Party Location: Home
Children’s Birthday Cakes: Safeway
Dance Lessons: Kids ‘N Dance – Lafayette
Drop-in Daycare: Tot Drop
Gymnastics Classes: Kindergym – Lafayette or Orinda
Kid’s Haircuts: Ms. Karen’s – Lafayette
Local Beach: Crissy Field
Music Class: Music Together – all locations
Park for children of multiple ages: Moraga Commons
Petting Zoo: Little Farm at Tilden Park
Picnic Spot: Lafayette Reservoir
Rainy Day Spot: Studio Grow – Berkeley or Concord
Storytime Location: Orinda Library
Swim Lessons: (TIE) Sherman Swim School – Lafayette
AND Little Dipper Swim School - Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Concord
Summer Camp: Seedlings Preschool – Lafayette
Walk/Hike with Kids: Lafayette Resevoir

Vacations and Recreation: Family Friendly Spots!

Bike Routes: Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail
Weekend Getaway for the Family: Lake Tahoe
Family Cruise: Disney Cruise Lines
Family Vacation Destination: Hawaii – all islands
Hiking Locations: Lafayette Resevoir
Local Amusement/Theme Park: Oakland Zoo Amusement Park
Ski Resort: Northstar-at-Tahoe resort

Style and Fitness: Feel good, look good!

Day Spa: Claremont Resort and Spa – Berkeley
Dermatologist (incl. cosmetic laster, photo, botox): Dr. Kristen Walker – Orinda
Facial: Claremont Resort and Spa – Berkeley
Gym: Renaissance Club Sport – Walnut Creek
Haircut: Entourage Spa – Orinda
Hair colorist: Entourage Spa – Orinda
Manicure/Pedicure: Lavande Nail Spa – Lafayette
Massage: Clarmont Resort and Spa – Berkeley
Pilates Studio: Dailey Method – Lafayette
Waxing: Entourage Spa – Orinda
Yoga Studio: Renaissance Club Sport – Walnut Creek
Other Organized Fitness Class: (TIE) Bar Method – Walnut Creek or San Ramon
AND Oakwood Athletic Club – Lafayette

Food, Dining, Drinks and Fun:

Because we all need to get away sometimes.
Brunch: Chow – Lafayette
Carryout: Chow – Lafayette
Chinese Food: Uncle Yu's Szechuan – Lafayette
Cocktails: Va de Vi Bistro and Wine Bar – Walnut Creek
Café: Chow – Lafayette
Dancing: Petar’s Restaurant – Lafayette
Delivery: Round Table Pizza
Desserts: Teacake Bakeshop – Lafayette
Family-friendly Dining: (TIE) Chow – Lafayette AND Pizza Antica – Lafayette
Golf Course: Tilden Park Golf Course – Berkeley
Indian Food: Swad Indian Cuisine – Lafayette
Italian Food: Pizza Antica – Lafayette
Japanese Food/Sushi: Kane Sushi – Lafayette
Live Music: Summer Concert Series at the Park – Moraga
Live Theater: Lesher Center for the Arts – Walnut Creek
Middle Eastern Food: La Mediterenee – Berkeley
Mom’s Night Out Spot – Va de Vi Bistro and Wine Bar – Walnut Creek
Movie Theater: Walnut Creek
Outdoor Dining: Va de Vi Bistro and Wine Bar – Walnut Creek
Romantic Dinner: Postino Restaurant – Lafayette
Romantic Weekend Get-away: Carmel
Pizza: Zachary’s Pizza – all locations
Seafood: Yankee Pier – Lafayette
Steak: Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Walnut Creek
Thai Food: Siam Orchid – Orinda

Health and Medical: Staying healthy.

Adult Dentist: Dr. Steven Russell – Orinda
Ob/Gyn: Dr. Stephen Wells – Walnu Creek
Pediatric Dentist: Dr. Neil Katsura – Aloha Pediatric Dentistry Orinda and Berkeley
Pediatrician: Dr. Michael Malone – Lamorinda Pediatrics Lafayette
Primary Care Physician/General Practioner: Dr. Mary Miller – Orinda

Home, Garden & Other Professional Services:

Everything but the kitchen sink!
Drycleaner: Orinda Cleaners
Florist: Orchard Nursery and Florist – Lafayette
Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s
Party Supplies: Boswell’s
Pet Grooming: Pampered Paw’s – Lafayette
Place to get cards (e.g. Birth Announcments, Holiday, etc.): tinyprints.com
Plant Nursery: Orchard Nursery and Florist – Lafayette
Veterinarian: Lafayette Animal Hospital

Pregnancy, Maternity and Newborn Resources:

Lactation Consultant: Day One – Walnut Creek
Maternity Clothes Shop: Mimi Maternity
Sleep Consultant: Dr. Noelle Cochran
Infant Specialty Items Shop: (TIE) Day One AND Nurture Center
Reach the reporter at:
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA