Moraga

Moraga School District Settles Sex Abuse Lawsuit for $2.85 Million

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The Moraga sex abuse scandal from the 90s has finally been settled for $2.85 million according to a press release from the Moraga School District. Other Moraga sex abuse lawsuits are pending.

From the Moraga school district:

The insurance company for the Moraga School District has reached a negotiated settlement in a lawsuit arising out of the sexual abuse of a student in the 1990s. As part of the settlement, the lawsuit brought by Kristen Cunnane against the district and three former administrators will be dismissed.
Under the terms of the settlement, the district’s insurer will pay Ms. Cunnane $2.85 million. These funds will not come from the district’s general fund and will not impact operations at district schools. The settlement amount was reached through discussions between attorneys for the district’s insurer and attorneys for Ms. Cunnane.
“First and foremost, we want to again apologize to Ms. Cunnane and to her family for the abuse she suffered as a child and for the pain it has caused,” said Bruce Burns, district superintendent. “It is our hope that this settlement will help Ms. Cunnane continue to heal, and allow the district to continue working to educate and protect the children entrusted to us.” Continue reading →

Moraga Community Faire & Classic Car Show May 11th at Rheem Shopping Center

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Moraga Community Faire:

Rheem Valley Shopping Center
580 Rheem Blvd, Moraga
Saturday, May 11th, 2013
11:00am – 4:00pm | Free

This annual event is planned and organized by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce. The core of this community gathering is its businesses, coming out to meet and greet the public. Other attractions will include a classic car show, wine tasting from our local vineyards, cool music from our schools’s bands on our stage, and oodles of activities for the kids (crafts, bounce houses, contests, etc.)

7th Annual Moraga Triathlon April 27th

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Moraga Triathlon:

Campolindo High School
300 Moraga Rd, Moraga
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
7:30am | $88 (adults)

Adult and Student divisions must be checked in by 7:15 AM and inside the Soda Aquatic Center. The weather may be cool, so we suggest you wear warm clothing priorto the swim.
Please note the following times and details:
ƒ 7:15 AM: athletes will be lined up according to race number. You must start the swim in the designated order. Anyone notin order will be disqualified.
ƒ 7:25AM: Final race instructions given to adult participants
ƒ 7:30 AM: Swim Start – Adult and Student divisions will start at the Northeast corner of the Soda Aquatic Center pool and swim all 8 lanes of the 50 meter pool (8×50 = 400 m). Athletes will swim down lane 1, and then cross under the lane marker and swim back in lane 2, repeating serpentine style until they have traversed the entire pool.
• Upon completion, athletes will exitthe Southeast corner ofthe pool
• Participants will jog to the transition area
ƒ Inside the transition area, athletes will grab gear and bike and head for the exit. NOTE: YOU MAY NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE INSIDE THE TRANSITIONAREA ANDHELMETS MUST BE STRAPPEDONBEFORE EXITING.
ƒ The bike course takes you down Moraga Road to Canyon Road, right on Pinehurst to the Canyon School turnaround and then back into Town to Camino Pablo. Riders turn right on Camino Pablo where they will once again turn around heading back to and up Moraga Road. The bike ride finishes back at the transition area. Remember, you must dismount before entering the transition area.ƒ Participants will return their bike to the transition area before heading out on the 5K (3.1 mile)run thru the Campolindo subdivision.
ƒ The last leg ofthe run comes thru the Campolindo parking lot and up the hillto the Campolindo stadium. Be sure to save some energy for your kick, because the last leg is a ¾ lap around the track, finishing in front of the Grandstand. The Town of Moraga, Village Associates Real Estate, Moraga Country Club and our sponsors will host a post race awards ceremony and celebration. Awards will be presented to the top finishers in each category. Celebrate your victory with friends and fellow athletes.

West Side Story Screening with Guest Rita Moreno at New Rheem Theatre in Moraga this Sunday

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West Side Story:

New Rheem Theatre
350 Park St. Moraga
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
2:00pm | $15

This weekend we are very excited for our special guest ; Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony recipient, Rita Moreno. On March 23rd, we will be screening “Singin’ in the Rain” at Orinda Theatre, 7pm. On March 24th, we will be screening “West Side Story” at the New Rheem Theatre, 2pm. Ms. Moreno will be doing a Q&A at both screenings, and signed copies of her new memoir will be available for purchase. Tickets are available on our website for $15.

Los Perales Elementary School Blackberry Bushes Cut Down in Moraga

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Some things in life are taken for granted. Summertime. Hot weather. Children smiling. Picking blackberries before school lets out for summer. That is until one day when the Los Perales school administration decides that the blackberry bushes enjoyed by kids and parents for years are considered a “hazard” and *poof* all of sudden they are gone. Apparently, despite the fact that they were behind a fence as you can see in the photo above, they had reached a size which necessitated their removal. I wonder how many injuries or complaints Los Perales received that caused them to take action. Or maybe the occasional trimming was too bothersome or expensive so they razed them instead. (Even non-thorny bushes were cut down).

Sorry children of Los Perales, as you walk home from school in a couple of months there will be no blackberry pickings for you. I know you learned a bit about nature and where food comes from and such, but you’re going to have to look elsewhere from now on. Some things in life are taken for granted.

Carnaval! – St. Mary’s Museum Docent Talk at Lafayette Library this Thurs

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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center:

Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Thursday, February 28th, 2013
6:30pm – 7:30pm | $5

Curious about Carnaval? Join us for a lively discussion
about this enthralling new exhibit at Saint Mary’s
College! Heidi Donner, Manager of Educational
Programs at Saint Mary’s newly renovated Museum of
Art, will discuss the Museum’s colorful display that
captures the European and American origins, history and
practices of “The Feast Before the Fast.” Ms. Donner
will share highlights of the sights and sounds of Carnaval
in New Orleans, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Trinidad, Italy,
Spain, and Switzerland.
Also featured: a dynamic video documentary of Carnaval
festivities around the world by award-winning travel
photojournalist Robert Jerome. For thirty years, Mr.
Jerome has photographed Carnaval in Europe, the
Americas and the Caribbean. A few items from the
exhibit will be on display in the community hall as well.

Oscar Party at The New Rheem Theatre in Moraga on Sunday, Feb. 24th

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Photo by Flickr user Schaffner

From the New Rheem Theatre:

On Sunday, Feb. 24, attend the Oscar Party at the Rheem Theatre. The evening will include red carpet arrivals with photo ops, live music, dancing, the Oscar program projected onto the big screen, door prizes and dinner provided by Shelby’s Restaurant of Orinda. Tickets are $100 each and the goal is to sell 250 tickets!