LAMORINDA WEEKLY | business briefs


Joanna Hill Photo Sophie Braccini

New Counselor in Moraga and Lafayette

Joanna Hill

P.O. Box 6354, Moraga, (202) 441-4960, joannahill@stanfordalumni.org, www.jhillcounseling.com

Bay Area Psychotherapy Training Institute

3468 Mt Diablo Blvd., Suite B201, Lafayette

The Career Wisdom Center

1036 Country Club Drive, #100, Moraga

Joanna Hill, MSW, recently opened a private counseling practice in Moraga, co-located with the Career Wisdom Institute. She also practices at the Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute in Lafayette. Her first specialty was support and crisis intervention. "I worked with people who had been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness to reach their inner ability to be healthy," says the Moraga mother. In her new practice she works with people who have too much stress in their lives, feel strain at work/school or in their relationships. "I work with young adults to older adults. I offer them support so they get immediate relief. As they relax and feel better, they start getting insights about their lives." Hill specializes in stress, anxiety, life transitions, family relationships, parenting, and having loved ones with diagnoses and/or addictions. A Moraga resident for eight years, Hill has two school-age children. She earned her Master in Social Work from Columbia University. Hill offers a free initial 30-minute consultation.

Anniversary and Open House in Lafayette

Tara Natural Medicine

3186 Old Tunnel Road, Lafayette, (925) 949-8604

www.taranaturalmedicine.com

Tara Natural Medicine, a naturopathic family practice in Lafayette, will hold an open house in celebration of the practice's 15 years in business from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9. The event occurs during National Naturopathic Medicine Week, and is free and open to the public. The open house event offers the community an opportunity to learn about the benefits, principles, and practices of natural medicine, and how it can be an option to, or work with, conventional medicine. Demonstrations of therapies offered, as well as talks on specific health topics, will be featured at the event. Lecture topics will include: Bio-identical Hormone Therapy for Women and Men, Secrets to Looking 10 Years Younger in 10 Days, and Healing from Allergies. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and talk with Tara Natural Medicine's practitioners.

New Auto Shop in Lafayette

Top Shop Auto

3340-D Mt. Diablo Blvd. (in the Lemos Center), Lafayette

(925) 900-8160, www.myshopontop.com

A group of like-minded auto technicians and managers, with many years of experience in Bay Area dealerships and independent repair shops, decided to team up and open their own shop to service the Lamorinda community. "We use the latest diagnostic technology to provide high quality service and repair, with a one day turnaround in most cases," says Rick McCarty. "Our factory trained technicians are skilled in their trade and have years of combined experience. Top Shop Auto is family-owned and has a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere. We believe in providing old-fashioned automobile service that you can trust ... every time." Top Shop Auto is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Moraga Employee of the Month

Lindsay Pirkle, the general manager of the Rheem and Orinda theaters and the membership director of the California Independent Film Festival, has been named the Moraga Employee of the Month for September. Pirkle has been an integral part of the growth of both theaters in her tenure over the last four years and oversees the day-to-day operations of both theaters. She also has played a major role in the hugely successful California Independent Film Festival. In winning the award, Pirkle will receive gift cards to Safeway and Lamorinda Pizza in Moraga. Pirkle will be presented with her award and gifts at the Moraga Rotary meeting on Oct.14.

Business Anniversary

The Writing Studio Celebrates Second Anniversary

884 Broadmoor Ct, Lafayette

(925) 385-0211, lafayettewritingstudio@comcast.net.

Shoshana Mark's The Writing Studio, Lamorinda's first writing school for children in grades k-12, celebrates its second anniversary in October. The Writing Studio offers a 10-week hybrid program comprised of classes and one-on-one sessions.

News from the Chambers of Commerce

Lafayette

Chamber Mixer, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Lafayette Art Gallery, 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite A.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for East Bay Shoulder Clinic & Sports Rehabilitation at 5 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 9, 3717 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 100.

22nd Annual Reservoir Run and 3rd Lafayette Health Fair will be held from 7 to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 (read a related article on this page).

Moraga

Chamber Mixer, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at Canyon Construction in The Barn, 925 Country Club Drive. The historic building is for sale; it is an opportunity to take a look at a Leed platinum structure. The mixer is free but an rsvp is required, (925) 323-6524.

Orinda

Union Bank Open House, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 140 Brookwood Road.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for Orinda's new shoe store from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Orinda Shoe Service, 27 Avenida de Orinda. Get 50 percent off women's and men's shoes to celebrate the newest addition to Orinda retail.