Lamorinda Music and Gifts - Grand Opening on July 31
81 Lafayette Circle - 385 0963 – www.lamorindamusic.com
Colleen McCormick has been a Lafayette resident for 16 years and a science teacher with the Lafayette Art and Science Foundation for 10. But there is a passion for music that runs in the McCormick family, from both parents (Colleen and John) to the children Scotty (13) and Emily (16) who play at Acalanes. So it was only natural for Colleen to venture in that direction when she decided to start a business of her own with her husband’s support. The concept of Lamorinda Music is two-fold: soundproof music studios for private lessons and group lessons for pre-schoolers, and a store to buy or rent all the band and orchestra instruments. All rental contracts can be transformed into purchase with complete transfer of the money invested in the rental. Being a mother, Colleen added some welcome convenience to her project such as a lounge and a terrace where parents will be able to wait comfortably for their offspring using wi-fi and sipping tea/coffee. The grand opening will be on Friday July 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. With neighboring business, Lafayette Health Club, Lamorinda Music and Gifts will be offering food and drinks, and of course a lot of live music.
Local Builder Wolfgang Schilling Receives 2009 Piedmont Design Award, 81 Claremont Avenue, Orinda, 254-9145
The City of Piedmont recently announced their 2009 Design Award Winners. Included in the recipients was local builder, Wolfgang Schilling, in the category of “Best Remodel and Landscape”. This is the second Piedmont Award for this general contractor in three years, having been awarded “Best Addition Award” in 2006. “It’s nice to be recognized but the best prize of all has been the opportunity to work with great clients, excellent architects and visionary designers,” said Schilling. This accomplished furniture maker, mill worker and general contractor loves creating home environments just as much today as when he started 35 years ago. Since moving to Orinda in 1972 with his wife and two children, Wolfgang has completed projects in the East Bay, South Bay, San Francisco, Solano and Marin counties, Tahoe area and Italy.
Lafayette Car Wash Voted Best of the East Bay
3319 Mt Diablo Blvd - 283-1190 www.lafayettecarwash.com
“We are trying to do all the things possible to make our customers happy and focus on quality,” says Blake Wellen, commenting about Diablo Magazine’s Best of the East Bay vote, ”we want our clients to have a good experience from beginning to end.” Part of this good experience is the greeting at the entry of the car wash, and the comfortable waiting area. Wellen credits his quality to his employees. “We have a very small turn over for our profession,” says Wellen, “some of them have been on board for 17 years and we all share the same determination to clean all the little nooks and crannies because quality is what counts for customers.” The Lafayette Car Wash can also pride itself in the recognition of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). In their “drought center tips” the agency wrote: “Lafayette Car Wash … has a system that recycles 50 to 60 percent of the water it uses, and all but the final rinse water is recycled. By improving the efficiency of the system over time, they are washing the same number of cars with about half the water, down to 25 gallons per car”. The company uses biodegradable washing product as well, avoiding another nightmare of EBMUD, sending chemicals in the drainage systems that end up in our reservoirs and drinking water.
A Majority of Lafayette Businesses Support Farmers’ Market
At the beginning of the month the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce sent its members a questionnaire regarding the possibility of a farmers’ market in Lafayette. Jay Lifson, CEO of the Chamber, shared the results:
Do you think a Lafayette Farmer's Market will help or hurt our local business owners? 121 responses, 80.1% answered “help” and 16.5% answered “hurt;” 3.3% no response.
Do you currently shop at a local Farmer's Market? 60.3% yes, 48% no.
Do you think parking in Lafayette will be an issue on Thursday night? 47.9% yes, 48.7% no, 3.3% no response.
Do you anticipate any traffic /circulation problems during the time the Farmer's Market is open (4pm-8pm)?
43.8% yes, 53.7% no, 2.4% no response.
If the Farmer's Market were to be held on a weekend day rather than an evening, would this change your opinion?
42.9% yes, 53.7% no, 3.3% no response.
Would you be inclined to visit a restaurant or local business before or after shopping at a Farmer's Market? 76.0% yes, 23.9% no.
Are you in favor of a local Farmer's Market in Lafayette?
82.6% yes, 16.5% no.
Chamber members made some suggestions regarding “conditions of operation.” Some recommended that parking arrangements be made with Safeway, or in the parking area at the new library. Others proposed that local businesses have a first-right-of-refusal on booth space. Some want to see adequate pay back to the town and local charities and want to make sure that the farmers clean up after themselves.
Chambers of Commerce:
Lafayette
• Business Issues Committee Meeting on Friday, July 24 at 8:00 a.m. in the
Chamber Conference Room.
• The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce supports the Safety Fair on
Sat. Aug. 1 at Stanley Middle School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (See page 2)
• Rock the Plaza Concerts
will start on Fridays -
August 14, 21 & 28 at
6 p.m. on the Plaza Park.
Spazmatics will play August 21st
Moraga:
• The July Chamber meeting will be held Friday, July 31st from 7:30 a.m.
to 9:30 a.m. at the Fireside Room of the Hacienda. There will be a vote
on the updated Bylaws by the membership. Mike Segrest, Moraga Town
Manager, has been invited to be the guest speaker. He is hoping his
schedule will clear, so he will be able to attend. Members are encouraged
to check the new bylaws on the web site.
Orinda:
• Planning has started for the second Orinda Restaurant Tour. The Tour is
a component of the Orinda Chamber of Commerce's "Shop Orinda
Campaign." The event is scheduled this year for Tuesday, September
29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fun will start at Theater Square and will
include favorite local restaurants. The event benefits the Orinda Schools.
Tickets should be purchased in advance for $30.00 per person - with
tickets at the door costing $35.00. Purchase your ticket online at
www.orindachamber.org/OrindaRestaurantTour2009.htm.
|
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA