Town passes solicitor ordinance

Peddlers and solicitors wishing to sell goods or offer services to Moraga residents will now need a permit to do business.

Town leaders added this week a new chapter to the municipal code that will regulate such activity by requiring peddlers and solicitors to apply for permits with the police department. Once issued, the permits are good for one year and must be carried while conducting business.

Those excluded from obtaining permits include children ages 15 and younger, and people delivering dairy products, newspapers and other items to regular customers on established routes.

The ordinance comes in response to concerns by residents about door-to-door solicitors and peddlers who commit fraud, use aggressive tactics and refuse to leave the premises when requested, among other complaints.

The new rules become effective in mid-March.

Blood drive set for March 2 at MVPC

Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, working with the American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane.

Everyone is welcome; sign up online at redcrossblood.org (enter the Sponsor Code: Moraga925), and walk-ins are welcome, too.

For further information, call Les Deane at 925-283-5648.

Town volunteers still sought

The town is still seeking volunteers to serve on several commissions. Applicants are being sought to fill openings on the ADA Advisory Committee, planning commission and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.

Information is available on the town's website at www.moraga.ca.us.

Applications, supplemental questionnaires and resumes must be submitted to the town clerk's office at 329 Rheem Boulevard by noon, Feb. 20.

College field lights appeal Feb. 27

The Town Council will hear an appeal Feb. 27 by Saint Mary's College of a Planning Commission directive to turn off its intramural field lights at 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

Neighbors had expressed concerns with the lights and noise at the later hour.

Saint Mary's officials had asked the town officials for a delay in considering the appeal to allow college representatives to meet with campus neighbors. SMC to meet with neighbors. Commissioners had said they would consider reinstating the 10 p.m. lights-off time if the college could reach an acceptable agreement with nearby neighbors.

The college is working with an independent consultant to negotiate a solution with neighbors regarding the light and noise impacts.

Contra Costa

Grand jury applicants sought

The Contra Costa grand jury is seeking applicants for the 2013-14 fiscal year to oversee city and county governments, and school and special districts.

Grand jury members must be 18 years or older, US citizens and have resided in Contra Costa County for at least one year before selection. They can't hold any elected positions within the county and must be able to be released from their jobs to perform jury duties, among other requirements.

Sixty applicants will be selected to be interviewed by the grand jury Selection Committee. A final panel of 19 will be chosen by random drawing on June 14.

Interested applicants should contact the Office of the Civil grand jury at 925-957-5638 or visit www.cc-courts.org/grand jury.

Looking for love at the Lindsay museum

Love is in the air at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum from Valentine's Day through President's Day, with "Wild Valentines," a special, family-friendly presentation that explores how wild animals find mates, raise families and "love."

"Wild Valentines" will be presented today, Feb. 15 from noon to 5 p.m.; Feb. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These presentations are free with the cost of standard Lindsay admission: $7 for adults and $5 for children (free for museum members). The museum is at 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, near Larkey Park. For more information, call 925-935 1978.

Paint collection sites established

Several paint collection sites have been set up as part of the California Paint Stewardship Program, which requires paint manufacturers to develop a system to retrieve leftover paint from household and commercial consumers.

The program will be funded by a "recovery fee" attached to the purchase price of paint sold in California. That money will go to PaintCare, a nonprofit organization created to administer the state paint disposal and recycling programs. These fees go up to $1.60 per one- to -five-gallon container of paint.

Some collection sites include Kelly Moore, 2700 N Main St. in Walnut Creek; Glidden Professional, 2260 Commerce Ave. in Concord; Kelly Moore, 5600 Imhoff Drive in Concord; Sherwin-Williams, 1241 Diamond Way in Concord; Dunn-Edwards, 555 Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill; and Kelly Moore, 1725 Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill.

For more information about the California Paint Stewardship Program visit www.paintcare.org

-- Jennifer Modenessi and Sam Richards