Photo Andy Scheck

Petar's, Reborn

32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette

(925) 284-7117, www.petars.com

Nosrat Kermaninejad finally dared to update the Lafayette traditional restaurant, Petar's. After 11 years of ownership, Kermaninejad is transforming it into what he knows very well -- a Mediterranean restaurant. To make it official, the owner has changed the name; it is now called 'Grape Leaf Restaurant Petar's Pub.' "We wanted to keep the name Petar's because we are continuing the traditions that have made this restaurant successful, but we wanted to add a more modern touch, adding a focus on lighter offerings featuring healthy selections made with local produce and organic items when available," says Kermaninejad. The change is very recent, the beginning of December, but the owner says he has already positive responses. "All our customers gave us positive feedback on the new menu," he says, "and they probably enjoyed the drop in menu prices, too." To make the switch, Kermaninejad did not have to look too far. Until 1999, he was the owner of Chardonnay restaurant in Livermore, a successful Mediterranean restaurant. He decided to leave on the menu some of the items that have made the reputation of the old Petar's. "We are continuing the tradition of live music as well," says the owner, "Petar's pub is a popular night spot in Lafayette featuring headliner and one-man band, "Diamond" Dave Hosley. There will be no changes in the night time programming. Check out the new Grape Leaf menu posted on the website (above).



New Leaf Treatment Center Welcomes Dr. Elyse Eisenberg

251 Lafayette Circle # 150, Lafayette

(925) 284-5200, www.nltc.com

Dr. Alex Stalcup, Medical Director of New Leaf Treatment Center, a substance abuse and pain management clinic in Lafayette, is pleased to announce the recent addition of Dr. Elyse Eisenberg to the New Leaf staff. Dr. Eisenberg, a resident of Oakland, received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine in 1986 and holds bachelor degrees in both Cellular and Molecular Biology (San Francisco State University) and Psychology (Michigan State University). Dr. Eisenberg has over fifteen years experience treating adolescents and adults with addictions to various substances. She also has experience treating patients suffering from chronic pain. While Dr. Eisenberg will be sharing her expertise in addiction medicine with both adolescents and adults, she is particularly concerned about the growing numbers of young people living in Contra Costa County who are becoming addicted to OxyContin, an opiate that is often prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain. "Ten years ago, opiate addicts were shooting heroin; now what we see are teenagers as young as age thirteen who are heavily addicted to OxyContin as well as other prescription medications," said Dr. Eisenberg.



News from the three Chambers of Commerce

Lafayette

 Shop Lafayette Meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 12:30pm

in the Chamber Conference Room

 Green Committee Meeting on Wednesday, December 15,

12:00pm in Chamber Conference Room

 Entrepreneur's Club on Thursday, December 16, 8:30am in the

Chamber Conference Room



Moraga

California Independent Film Festival Comes to Moraga from January 28th through February 3rd. Between one and three thousand people will attend this film festival. It will benefit the business community, and there are many ways to be involved. Email Beau Behan, Manager of The New Rheem Theatre, at beau@caiff.org for more information or if you want to be part of the fun of helping with this event. Check their website, www.caiff.com, for updates.



Orinda

Holiday Mixer on Thursday, December 9, 5:30-7:00pm. The Chamber invites its members and their guests to come for the traditional Holiday Mixer, held this year at Citibank, 37 Orinda Way.