Lamorinda Year in Review 2017

LAMORINDA, CA — 2017 is nearly in the books. While some people will be happy when this year is behind us, for others, it was momentous. Some of your neighbors got engaged or married, while others had a baby. Some graduated from college, or started their dream jobs.

As we pause for a few minutes to look back on the year, rather than look at crime, fires, traffic accidents or winter flooding and mudslides, we’re taking stock of some of the things that brought smiles to our faces, or caused our chests to swell with pride.

The Golden State Warriors clinched another Championship. A joyous throng some one million strong descended on Oakland to celebrate with the team at a victory parade and rally. Warriors fever was heated, as one fan paid a staggering amount of money for courtside seats at Game 5. Meanwhile, 2017 also marked the year that the Warriors broke ground on a privately funded, $1 billion arena in San Francisco.

Many animals won our hearts this year. Remember the feisty kitten who clung to the undercarriage of a speeding police cruiser? Or the bobcat that was nursed back to health after being hit by a car? The mama duck who stood guard next to a storm sewer after her ducklings fell in. And the Clydesdale that was rescued from a ravine. Plenty of people are willing to step in to help animals when they can’t help themselves.

Here are some stories from Lamorinda this year. What would you add?

Heroes Honored For Saving Child's Life

• 8 members of the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department have received awards. Congratulations!

Miramonte, Campolindo Teams Honored At Model United Nations

• Students participated in the two day conference last weekend at Diablo Valley College.

Shhh! BART Wheels Are Quieter (Video)

• BART is grinding down wheels on its cars, making the ride quieter. And that's just the first step in lowering the "screech" level.

Rheem Boulevard Sinkhole Repair Work Begins

• It took more than a year for repair work to get underway.

Cattle Grazing Above East Bay Communities: Photo Of The Day

• Cattle have been an important part of California's economy for more than 100 years, generating almost $10 billion in 2015.

California's 2017 National Merit Scholarship Winners: List

• Each student on the list has won a $2,500 college scholarship.

Moraga Awarded Grant For Rubberized Roads

• The finished product is said to last longer, be safer, quieter, and more cost effective.

Moraga-Orinda Fire House Open House

• Join in the fun on Saturday!

Saint Mary's Gaels NCAA Tournament: Time, TV Channel, Watch Parties

• March Madness has come to the East Bay. With a 28 - 4 record, the Gaels plan on a long dance.

Miramonte High Named County’s Mock Trial Champion

• This is second year in a row Miramonte has earned top team honors.

Lamorinda From Above: Photo Of The Week

• We're all going to want drones!

Dominant Campolindo Wins Seventh Straight Regional Academic Decathlon Championship

• The team was named champions at an awards ceremony Wednesday night.

Stuck Deer Freed By Moraga Orinda Firefighters

• The deer needed some extra help.

Lunar New Year Lion Dance Planned in Lamorinda

• The event is free. Mark your calendar so you don't miss the fun!

— Image via Patch