Kaitlin Fleming, 20, had a double lung transplant today, Friday, May 14 and people in the San Ramon Valley are rallying around her to raise $40,000 to help pay for the surgery and her aftercare.

With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients are unable to cover the costs not covered by insurance. That’s where the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) comes in. It’s a national charity that helps organize and guide communities to raise funds for transplant patients. At least three events are planned in Danville for Kaitlin this month and in June.

Born in 1989, Kaitlin was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was 1 year old. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. It affects about 30,000 children and adults in the United States and an estimated 70,000 people worldwide, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

She lived in Florida until she was 6 years old and has lived in Danville for almost 15 years. Kaitlin attended Baldwin and Montair elementary schools, Charlotte Wood Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School.

Her health began to decline in her junior year of high school and since then, she has had to have increasing treatments, frequent hospital stays and full-time oxygen. Sometimes, she spends more than 10 hours a day doing therapy to help with her condition.


Do crunches for Kaitlin

On Wednesday, May 19, long-time San Ramon High teacher and coach Hans De Lannoy, is organizing the "San Ramon Valley Yoga Crunch-A-Thon 2010 for Kaitlin." Students, and possibly even a few brave teachers, will meet at lunchtime in the auxiliary gym to pump out as many crunches as they can for as long as they can. People sponsor the students and teachers for a certain amount of money for every crunch completed.

Walk to show your support

At 11 a.m., on Sunday, May 23, there will be a walk-a-thon to help raise funds for Kaitlin. Meet at the Sycamore Club House, 635 Old Orchard Dr. in Danville for an easy stroll on the Sycamore Valley Creak trail in front of the clubhouse.

There will also be fair-themed fundraising booths, music and lunch (bbq chicken, Ceasar salad, beans, potato salad, rolls and beverages) provided by Bulldog BBQ and Catering. Registration is $25 per person.

Register at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=cota&id=3 and choose "walk for Kaitlin" from the drop down menu. Registration jumps to $35 on the day of the walk. Children under 6 are free, including lunch. No bikes, scooters, skateboards or pets will be allowed on the walk. To volunteer, contact Lisa Coleman at 925-352-4403 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Eat pizza for Kaitlin

On Saturday June 5, Primo’s Restaurant in downtown Danville will donate a percentage of the night’s revenue (including take out) to Kaitlin’s cause. All the waiters and waitresses are donating their tip money as well.

Kaitlin was a hostess and a waitress at Primo’s, but can no longer work because of her condition. The parking lot will be blocked off for live music and to accommodate more diners,Primo’s will open at 4 p.m. that Saturday, earlier than usual.

On Facebook, where Kaitlin has a Hope For Kaitlin Fleming page, she lists some of the things she wants to do when she gets well: run a half marathon, go to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, zip-line in Hawaii and skydive. We hope she gets to do all that and more. Donations can be made in person at any Wells Fargo Bank branch located using account number 6733376070.

Donations can also be mailed to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, Indiana, 47403. Checks or money orders should be made payable to COTA, with "In Honor of Kaitlin F." written on the memo line of the check. Secure credit card donations are also accepted online at www.COTAforKaitlinF.com.

We will bring you more updates on her condition when they become available. Follow allnewsnoblues.com for udpates. --KB

Whether you are into shopping, the outdoors, entertainment or just lounging by the pool, Palm Springs is your weekend destination.  A little more than an hour by plane (Alaska Airlines has three daily non-stops from SFO) or about seven hours by car, this desert community has something for everyone.

More than 100 years ago, Palm Springs was a sleepy village situated in what were once hallowed Indian canyons.  By the turn of the 20th Century, it was thought to be a place with restorative powers, due to the natural hot springs.  By the 1920’s, it was discovered by movie makers and the Hollywood elite.  Considered just far enough from Los Angeles to be out of the reach of tyrannical studio heads, movie stars flocked to the area to let down their hair and party like early rock stars.

As the era of Old Hollywood faded, the “Rat Pack,” headed by Frank Sinatra made it their own, building luxurious homes and backing the building of high end resorts and golf courses.  But by the 80s, Palm Springs had become a faded beauty, known for tacky tee-shirt shops and retirees.

Enter Sonny Bono.  The entertainer, restaurant entrepreneur and social activist ran for mayor and to everyone’s surprise, won the seat.  Bono worked hard to bring the charisma back to the area, starting the Palm Springs International Film Festival, helping to restore the city core and bringing media attention back to the desert community. Sadly, he was killed in a tragic ski accident in 1998 .
 
But his work and dreams live on.  Today, Palm Springs is a happening place, full of fascinating things to do, places to visit and of course that unbeatable weather.

Here’s how you can experience your own Palm Springs Weekend:

Friday

3:00 p.m.:  Take the mid-afternoon flight from SFO to PSP.  Check into the Ace Hotel, the newest and hippest hotel in the city.  You may see in its stark white walls and orange doors a faint resemblance to a 60’s Motel 6, which it once was.  The room rate varies by season, so check the website to make reservations.

6:00 p.m.:  Head to Tropicale in downtown PS for cocktails and dinner.  The outside patio is a great place to meet new friends while you enjoy the warm evening air.  The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.  Serving a Hawaiian Fusion menu, entrees run from about $15 to $25.

10:00 p.m.:  Don’t miss a show of the Palm Springs Follies.  You may have to order tickets ahead of time as this is the most popular show in the city.  60 and 70 year old showgirls sing and dance their way through the music of the 1930s to 1950s.  Las Vegas has nothing on this extravaganza.

Saturday

9:00 a.m.:  After breakfast at the Kings Highway at the Ace, rent scooters right out front and motor around the fascinating mid-century neighborhoods nearby.  Stop at the top of Palm Canyon Drive, and look south for a dead on view of Bob Hopes house, designed by famed architect John Lautner.

Noon:  Park your scooter in front of LOOK, for lunch.  The lime green and black and white décor makes for a perfect place to experience the ultimate PS vibe.  The food and service are the best with a covered patio to keep you out of the sun.  My favorite, a wrap called Nuts and Clucks runs just under $10.

2:00 p.m.:  Continue your scooter tour through the downtown neighborhoods of Las Palmas, The Movie Colony and Old Tuscany.  Get a map of the celebrity homes just about anywhere downtown so you don’t miss the pad where Elvis spent his honeymoon with Priscilla or the Peter Lawford house, where it’s said Marilyn Monroe secretly met with Bobby Kennedy.

6:00 p.m.:  Cool your tired body with a margarita and dinner at El Mirasol.  This come as you are Mexican restaurant attracts all types, from blue haired grandmas to families to in- the-know gay men.  Get there early, as it gets crowded.  Once you have your table, don’t hurry the meal.  The people-watching is as good as the food.  Their signature margarita is about $8, but the food itself is very inexpensive.

9:00 p.m.:  Stroll along the retro shops of north Palm Canyon.  Window shop, take in an art gallery opening or grab a gelato.

Sunday

10:00 a.m.:  Right across from the Ace is Koffi, where you can sit by the fountain and enjoy the view of Mt. Jacinto.  Also be sure to check out Koffi downtown, where Sunday morning is an event with the grassy yard filled with morning people and their dogs.  Right next door is Just Fabulous, where you can buy gifts, cards and books on the history and homes of Palm Springs.

1:00 p.m.:  Palm Springs is famous for its consignment stores.  Two of the best are The Estate Sale and J & J Consignments.  Peruse everything from furniture to art to jewelry here.  If you see something you like, buy it.  By tomorrow, it may be gone.

4:00 p.m.:  As your afternoon draws to a close, take time to lounge by the pool.  The Ace pool area is usually rocking with a lively crowd on late Sunday afternoons.

7:00 p.m.:  Palm Springs is loaded with entertainment options.  From the McCallum Theatre to the Annenberg Theater to the many casinos in the area, there is always a great artist in town.  Recent concerts ran the gamut from Reba McIntyre to Earth, Wind and Fire to Adam Lambert.

Sadly, you’ll have to catch that Monday flight home.  But this is one weekend you won’t forget while you make notes of all the things still to do on your next visit.--SEW

Resources:

Ace Hotel
www.acehotel.com/palmsprings

Look
www.lookpalmsprings.com

Tropical
www.thetropicale.com

El Mirasol
140 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760 323 0721

The Estate Sale
www.theestatesaleco.com

Palm Springs Follies
www.psfollies.com

McCallum Theatre
www.mccallumtheatre.com

Annenberg Theater
www.psmuseum.org

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. We wish all the mothers of the world a wonderful day. Contributing writer Steve Wallace wrote this in honor of his own mother. Enjoy.


The day before Easter, I got an e-mail from my mother. Now, that in itself isn’t so unusual, she e-mails me often. But those are usually of the "Why haven’t you called me?" variety or a smattering of forwarded jokes, funny stories or self-help ideas. No, this one was very special. It read: "Today Toby and I got married."

My mother is 74. She is still a beautiful woman and has a wicked wit and sense of humor. She can tell from 3,000 miles away if I’m having a bad day and I can tell from her "hello?" on the phone what kind of day she is having. We have had our ups and downs over the years. She can be stubborn, needy, loving, funny, exasperating, thoughtful or my best friend. Sometimes these things happen in the same day.

We have gone through periods of not talking, periods of talking three times a day. We share the same gene pool and to my total mortification I often hear, "You look just like your mother." Her greatest pet peeve in when someone says to her "Carolyn, you look just like YOUR mother." We are way too much alike, which can often lead to misunderstandings, pettiness and hurt feelings. On the other hand, we can sit and talk to each other for hours oblivious to the rest of the world.

My parents divorced when I was 17. They married way too young, and if you look at pictures of their wedding day you will see a couple of terrified kids who are keeping the secret of a baby on the way (ME.) By their 30’s they realized that they were different people, with opposite ideas of what they wanted in life. Divorce is never easy and theirs was typical of most, but it was what they both needed to do to be happy.

For many years, mom struggled with her identity and insecurities. Having gone from a daughter and only child to a wife and mother, she wasn’t always sure who she was or what she wanted. There were other relationships. A second marriage that didn’t work out and another long term boyfriend. But eventually she found herself single again and stayed that way for nearly 20 years.

Then at her fiftieth high school reunion, in the small town in Ohio where she grew up, she ran into Toby. They had known each other in school, but not dated. They probably didn’t even run in the same crowd, but he had never forgotten her. He had also had a marriage or two, had grown children and a life time of experiences. They immediately found a commonality and bond.

But there was one big problem. He lived in Oregon and she lived in Florida. I think the term "geographically undesirable" might have applied here, but for them and the modern world, it made no difference. By phone, computer and the US mail, they got reacquainted and found laughter, joy and eventually love. He visited Florida. They spent a summer together exploring the country by car and visited family, introducing each other to their respective children and friends.

Within two years they had figured out how to share a life. Toby moved to Florida and somehow, two people in their 70s were living the life they may have had in that small town in Ohio in 1954.

This brings us to today.

That e-mail did catch me off guard, as it did my brothers and I’m sure Toby’s children, too. But, they planned a wedding just for them. No stress about inviting everyone. No frustration over other peoples wishes and wants. Just the two of them in front of their local minister in the library of their church. He was handsome in a suit and she was pretty in pink. They both wore big smiles with trust, hope and respect in their eyes.

So, for having the courage to find happiness at 74, for having the strength to just go for it, for having the love to sustain a new beginning, I celebrate your marriage even from a distance.

Congratulations Carolyn and Toby.--SEW

This is the May installment of the Designer's Log by Danville designer Steve Wallace. Look for Wallace's column once a month, usually the first Thursday of the month and feel free to email him ideas.

As I’m writing this today it’s raining and cool, even though it’s May.  But, don’t let this longer than usual winter weather fool you. Summer is almost here, and you need to be ready.  Just like you’ll be trading in the coats and boots for shorts and flip-flops, your home and yard wants to shed the gloom and show its stuff.

Here are 5 ideas to get your summer off to a fresh new start:

Get your outdoor furniture refreshed.

Winter can be downright hostile to your patio furniture. The rain, freezing temperatures and winds may leave your outdoor area looking worse for wear.  Take time to give your furniture the attention it needs so when you are ready to sit out there with a cool drink it’s ready for you.

Teak furniture can be cleaned with mild soap and water.  For tough stains, use a scrub brush with a little bleach.  If you haven’t sealed it, it will have turned a silver-grey color. If you like that look, great; if you want your teak to look like new again, use teak oil, found at any hardware store. 

Metal or aluminum furniture should hold up well over the winter. It’s best covered or put in storage, but if not, a good hosing will wash away dirt and grime.  Most furniture made of metal or aluminum has a powder coating, which should not fade or discolor. If you have cushions, clean with a mild soap and scrub brush. 

Wood or wicker furniture will be most damaged by the elements.  Look for cracks or loose joints.  Often these can be fixed with wood glue.  More serious issues can be addressed by re-weaving or new dowels.  Consider painting wood or wicker for a bright, fresh new look.  White is always a safe bet, but wouldn’t it be fun to brighten up the space with sapphire blue or canary yellow?

Plant a container garden

Whether you have a large yard or a small balcony, plants and flowers in pots bring life and color to any space.  Use odd shapes and sizes of containers for that unplanned, natural look.  Pansies, vinca vine and geraniums are all inexpensive to buy, easy to plant and require low maintenance.  Check with your local nursery for what works best in your situation.  It’s even fun to plant vegetables and herbs.  Tomatoes, beans, strawberries and basil all thrive well in pots.

Invest in new accessories

This is the time of year to find great plastic serving pieces at the stores.  I’ve seen colorful plates, glasses, pitchers and platters everywhere from Tuesday Morning to Target to Pottery Barn.  You can also use mismatched glasses for candles (remember Citronella keeps the bugs at bay), throw an assortment of colored pillows on the hammock and rolled up towels on the chaise lounges for that resort look.

Plan a barbeque

Nothing gets the season off to a fun start like an outdoor party with friends and family. Make it easy on yourself and don’t over plan the event.  Grill hamburgers or chicken, make a large green salad and serve strawberries and ice cream for dessert.  Don’t offer too many refreshments, you don’t want to play bartender all afternoon.  Wine, beer and soda should be enough to please everyone.  E-vite.com has great summer- themed invitations for a fast and convenient way to keep track of the guest list and RSVP’s. 

Your insides need love too

Although this is the time of year to spend more time outside, do something to bring summer indoors.  Paint an accent wall yellow or lime green or lilac.  Place a bouquet of wildflowers in a glass pitcher.  Hang sheer drapes from a rod and let the breeze move them around.  I have a brightly colored throw from Hawaii that in the spring comes out of hibernation to brighten up on the bed or sofa. You can feel like you are on a tropical island inside your house as well as out.

Whatever you do, make it fun.  Let your imagination wander. This is vacation time. There should be no rules, no schedules, and no stress. Grab that margarita, your sun screen, your baseball cap and get out there and enjoy.

Steve Wallace lives in Danville. An interior designer for more than 20 years, his work has been featured in Palm Springs Life and he is completing a book about design for publication soon. He writes a monthly entry for www.allnewsnoblues.com about design and style. Contact him at www.stevewallacedesign.com or call 925.915.1005.