| | Published March 12th, 2014
| business briefs
| |  | | Lanvie Assistant-Manager Jenny Helms (right) shows a dress to a customer Photo Sophie Braccini |
Lanvie Moves to Lafayette
3569-C Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
(925) 283-1888 www.lanvieusa.com
The changes planned for Broadway Plaza could turn out to be a boon for the city of Lafayette as some stores must relocate during the long remodeling process. Lawn Wu, the Alameda stylist, who had one of her three Lanvie stores that offers a line of very feminine women's fashion in Walnut Creek, choose Mt. Diablo Boulevard for her retail space. Wu calls her inspiration "organic chic," using mohair wool, cotton linen or cotton silk blends for women of all sizes who want to find a look that's beautiful for them. She has a special liking for black and white, as well as subtle colors such as beige or olive, and her dresses, of varied length and in a great variety of sizes, can be easily accessorized from the simple to the very sophisticated. Pants are mostly leggings, but with some interesting flattering plus size options that coordinate well with the lace tops and tunics that drape nicely. Lanvie also offers a line of shoes and accessories.
The Perfect Packers
Moraga Road, Lafayette
(925) 238-5100 theperfectpackers@gmail.com
Moving in, moving out and not willing to do all the packing yourself? The Perfect Packers will come and take care of it for you. If you move locally, the team can also unpack for you. "We have found that good organizing and properly packed goods is the first key to a successful transition," explains the company's website. Perfect Packers come to your home or business, organize, pack, and label your belongings as well as provide a list of what has been packed.
Moraga Employee of the Month for February
Moraga's February employee of the month is Louise Hansen, a tutor with the Moraga School District who has had an impact on the education of Moraga children for over three decades. Hansen began her work as a writing aide in 1980; she tutored middle school children in the community by improving their writing and composition skills, while working at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. "Louise has an uncanny ability to connect with children and works equally well with the lowest performing students and the highest achievers," said Moraga School District Superintendent Bruce Burns. "She is a gift to both our students and our teachers as her humble and thoughtful style has paid real dividends to our community during her time with the district." Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Moraga and the Chamber of Commerce, Hansen will be presented with a gift card to Safeway as well as a gift certificate to Ristorante Amoroma in Moraga at the Moraga Rotary luncheon on Tuesday, March 25.
New Team at Coldwell Banker, Orinda
5 Moraga Way
(925) 253-4600 WoodwardJonesTeam.com.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage announced that two of the top realtors in its Orinda office have come together to form an outstanding team. Frank Woodward and Tina Jones have over 40 years of experience and over 1,000 homes sold between the two of them. They will bring together their talents and provide the buyers and sellers of Lamorinda world-class service. Frank Woodward has an extensive sales and marketing background in the tech industry and has a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from UC Berkeley. He became a realtor in 2002 and has consistently been a top producer. Tina Jones has owned her own brokerage for 20 years and sold it to Coldwell Banker in early 2013.
Business Anniversaries
Lafayette-based Futures Explored Inc. is celebrating 50 years in Lafayette
3547 Wilkinson Ln., Lafayette
(925) 284-3240 www.futures-explored.org
Futures Explored supports individuals with developmental disabilities. "As active contributors to society, they keep our parks clean, they bag our groceries, they recycle our waste, they cater food for our events, and the list goes on," says Jennie Dobies of the non-profit. Futures Explored was incorporated on Jan. 6, 1964 in Lafayette with a small group of young adults with developmental disabilities, their parents, and the founding director, Helen Young. There were six clients making handcrafted items for sale (which is still done today), and volunteer parents mostly staffed the program. At the time there were few, if any, programs for adults with disabilities and this was a very new and innovative idea being developed by parents throughout California. "It's amazing how far we've come!" adds Dobies. Futures Explored provides work and life skills training to adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Participants may need help with personal or social skills, or to seek and hold a job, or both. The Supported Employment program places individuals in jobs in the community based on their skills and job readiness. The program derives revenue from the state, but also from donations, sales at the Nifty-Thrift stores (Lafayette and Antioch), Nifty E-Waste Recycling Centers (in Lafayette at 3467 Golden Gate Way) and the Huckleberry CafÇ To-Go, a catering service for breakfast, lunch, and party platters.
News from the three Chambers of Commerce
Lafayette
Mixer tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Lafayette Physical Therapy, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite #B110.
Ribbon cutting at The Dailey Method, celebrating its one-year anniversary at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at 3344C Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Entrepreneur's Club meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20 in the chamber conference room.
Green Committee open meeting at noon Tuesday, March 25 in the chamber conference room.
Moraga
Chamber mixer at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 at the Serbian Cultural Center, sponsored by the Moraga Rotary and the Moraga Valley Kiwanis.
Orinda
Save the date for the Orinda Trivia Bee sponsored by the Orinda Chamber and Orinda Rotary Club at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 in the Orinda Masonic Lodge, 9 Altarinda Road, Orinda. For more information, visit orindachamber.org.
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 | | From left: Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School's Brad Carn, vice principal, Joan Danilson, principal, Louise Hansen, Bruce Burns, superintendent of the Moraga School District, and Kevin Reneau, president of Moraga Chamber of Commerce. Photo provided |  | | Frank Woodward and Tina Jones Photo provided | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA