LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Mayor Days Be Merry!


Karen Mendonca and Victoria Smith Photo Doug Kohen

It's that cheery time of year when kitchens are bursting with the wonderful aroma of holiday baking! Cookies and candies, jams and breads, roasts and rubs and all the trimmings are being prepared for family gatherings, holiday teas, cocktail parties and Santa's trek back up the chimney! We thought it would be fun to take a peek at what our 2011 mayors have in store for the Christmastime food and festivities.

Orinda's Mayor Victoria Smith shared a few of her family's fun holiday traditions as well as her recipes for scrumptious zucchini nut bread and her sons' fabulous fudge. Mayor Karen Mendonca of Moraga offered two delicious recipes, and a little insight into her Christmas festivities. Unfortunately, we could not collect any recipes from Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri due to his heavy travel schedule, however his traditional Swedish Christmas Eve fare sounded very intriguing indeed!

For Mendonca, Christmas has always been the time of the year when her family reunites with loved ones they don't get to see every day.

"Traditionally, we attend vigil services early in the evening on Christmas Eve, and then return to open presents and enjoy a nice dinner with the immediate family," the mayor said. "Then, on Christmas Day, we enjoy a large breakfast of omelets, fresh fruit and 'potica', an Austrian yeast bread."

Then the formalities begin of setting the Christmas table, preparing the meal and welcoming family and friends for the holiday feast.

Smith and her family always make time to attend a concert, play or other holiday event together, so as to enjoy the festive spirit of the month.

"And, we always read 'The Night Before Christmas' every Christmas Eve!" she said.

It has always been important to her family to give back during the holidays. When the mayor's own sons, Will and Daniel, were young Scouts they worked at the Food Bank or the Books for Barrios program. More recently, Smith and her husband, Wick, have donated gifts for the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary.

"This helps to provide some small gifts (and good cheer) to young people in juvenile hall, many of whom don't receive any other gifts," she pointed out.

"Enjoy your families and your time together this year," said Smith. "And, during these tough economic times, if you can, please contribute with your time, or financially, to those who may not be as fortunate this holiday season. Happy holidays, Lamorinda!"