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April 11, 2014
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Clayton fire station to re-open in August TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton’s Station 11 will reopen in August, thanks to a $9.5 million federal grant
designed to help local fire districts maintain adequate emergency response levels. Station 11 was one of four stations forced to close in 2013 after a $75 parcel tax failed at the polls and the district had to slash costs.
Of the four closed, Station 11 is the only one to reopen. The Clayton station averages two calls a day with 65 percent of them being for emergency medical services (EMS). Station 11’s location on the far eastern edge of the district makes it
difficult to provide fast response and back-up resources. “Clayton’s an outlier, isolated,” says Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “Reopening the station is an operational decision, determined solely by the
number of calls.” It costs about $1 million a year to operate a fire station, Mitchoff says. The rest of the grant will be used to add emergency medical squads at Station 6 in downtown Concord and Station 1 in Walnut Creek and
to hire and train the 12 vacancies that have been filled by overtime since the shutdowns. The grant will run for two years, giving the district time to attack the structural budget
See Station 11, page 3
Drama and drought watchwords of this year’s Garden Tour JOHN JACKSON Clayton Pioneer
HANK STRATFORD
MAYOR’S CORNER
Focus on Integrity this month During the months of March and April the focus of the Do the Right Thing program is on Integrity. In thinking about this universal character trait, I was reminded of a story I once heard about a high school football player named Joseph It was the championship game. The play called for Joseph to run the ball up the middle for the go-ahead touchdown. He
See Mayor, page 2 Photo courtesy of the Griffiths
More than 500 sign up for bocce league Construction of the eagerly anticipated Ipsen Family bocce courts will begin this month and already the league is full with more than 500 signing up on April 5. The current league slate has 50 teams playing Sunday-Thursday evenings and league leadership is considering adding two more divisions. If interest is high enough. the league will ad one division on Friday evening and one on Sunday afternoon. Those interested and available for these divisions are asked to send an email to claytonbocceleague@gmail.com. There are no more signup dates scheduled. League play will begin in June and run through September. Team fees are $350 per team Individual sign-ups are available at $40 per person. The Ipsen family, founders of Skipolini’s Pizza, are building the park which will be operated by the Clayton Business and Community Association.
THIS DRAMATIC SOLARIUM AT THE CLAYTON HOME OF BOB AND ROBIN GRIFFITHS houses a large collection of succulents and unusual potted plants. The Griffiths recently reduced the thirsty landscaping in the front with a drought tolerant cactus garden. The home is one of six on the Clayton Historical Society’s annual Garden Tour on April 26 & 27.
Concord: Diversity fuels history, spurs economic growth in county’s largest city PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
[Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series on the growth and development of Concord. In this issue we look at its history and economics; next issue we examine the Concord lifestyle.] If Don Salvio Pacheco stood in the middle of Todos Santos Plaza today, he would not believe what has risen from his 1834 land grant. Residents bustle through the restaurants and shops around the plaza, the hum of BART trains echo in the distance, and silver high-rise buildings glisten in the warm spring sun. Concord in 2014 is a far cry from the Pacheco 17,921-acre “rancho.” With a population of more than 122,000, it is the largest city in Contra Costa County — and perhaps the most unique.
See Diversity, page 7
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Behind the Badge . . . . . . . . .5 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Rochellez Photography
MODERN-DAY CONCORD BOASTS A UNIQUE ARRAY OF LOCAL COMMERCE, from thriving retail and office plazas to smaller businesses that reflect the diversity of the city. That diversity has allowed Concord to withstand recent economic upheavals and establish itself as a city poised for 21st Century success.
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Community Calendar . . . . .14 Concord City Beat . . . . . . . . .7 Design and Décor . . . . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5
Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . . .8 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 MDES Reporter (NEW) . . . .9 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .16 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Pine Hollow Reporter . . . . . .9 Police Activity Report . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
When the six homeowners around the Clayton area open their gardens on the weekend of April 26-27 to show off their hard work at the 22nd annual Clayton Historical Society Garden Tour, don’t be surprised if some of the bounty is edible. Interest is always high for the popular tour, but this year could draw many eager onlookers looking for ideas in water conservation. Plus, this year’s tour includes a look at a permaculture design at a local farm. “Bumblebee Farm,” owned by Rob Kingsbury and Nadine Findley, is a four-year- old food garden that rests on one acre of land. This type of garden has never been included on the tour before. Its permaculture practice takes advantage of 12 raised beds and several different types of soil to minimize water use and “take advantage of what nature can give us,” says Kingsbury. His goal is to make the growth of his plants a fully sustainable and natural experience. “When you look at nature, it does so much better through the whole season, whether it rains or not,” he says. He wants to
See Garden Tour, page 3
Clayton honors Earth Day with Clean Up Event Rain or shine, hundreds of Claytonians flock to City Hall every year on a Saturday morning in April to pick up garbage bags and gloves before spreading out to city parks, trails and neighborhoods for Clayton Cleans Up. This event, to honor Earth T-shirt design by Day, is the per- Janet White. fect opportunity for kids, adults, Scout Troops, service clubs, families and neighbors to spruce up the town for the Art and Wine Festival. The free volunteer T-shirt is a special designer edition created by Creekside Artists Guild member, Janet White. “I have been very fortunate to live in the Clayton community for twenty years. It was a great privilege for me to
See Clean up, page 2
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Around Town Mortensons celebrate 70 years of marriage The congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church celebrated Jack and Doris Mortenson’s 70th wedding anniversary with a luncheon on Sunday, March 30. Jack and Doris have been members of Holy Cross for 30 years, holding many different positions within the church. Even now, Jack still teaches Bible study every Sunday. Doris was raised in Fresno. Jack was born in Grandview, WA and raised in Tacoma. Jack was attending Princeton University when WWII started, and he left school to serve in the military. Jack was a flight instructor for the B25 Bomber up and down the west coast when he met Doris in Fresno during one of his trips there. After the war, he took Doris to Princeton to finish his college
JACK AND DORIS MORTENSON
education. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science. Doris was a “domestic engineer,” raising their ever-growing family. Jack and Doris have nine children: Susan, John, Ruth, Sarah, Judith, Martha, Matthew, Andrew and Daniel, 22 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Doris says their marriage has been challenging because of all the moves, but the secrets to its longevity are “give and take” and living a Christian life. Jack says he has an extremely tolerant wife.
Mayor,
Clayton resident and real estate veteran, Stephanie Lopez, recently received top honors from Coldwell Banker Real Estate when she earned membership in the company’s prestigious International President’s Circle. Lopez has lived the Bay Area for more than 40 years. After graduating from UC Davis in Managerial Economics, she entered the real estate business in property management and luxury leasing. She was part of the successful launch of the
Nonagenarians honored by retired teachers Ninety-one-year old Jane Peterson of Clayton was one of 16 Golden Agers, retired teachers 90 years of age and older, recognized at the California
Retired Teachers Association Diablo Vista Division luncheon at Boundary Oaks in Walnut Creek on April 2.
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Beautifully Updated Single Story Rancher on a huge lot with views! 4 bedrooms, 2 updated baths, approx. 1609sf. Gourmet kitchen with slab granite counters & cherry finish cabinets. Updated baths boast slab granite, natural stone & dresser style vanities. Private lot features a spectacular outdoor Pavilion with brick fireplace, large patio & fruit trees! $599,000
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South Beach Marina Towers in San Francisco. She has been with Coldwell Banker for 12 years. She and Caldwell STEPHANIE Banker teamLOPEZ mate, Leigh Klock, sponsor the horse-drawn carriage rides every December. Lopez and her husband have two sons and live in Clayton. She works out of Coldwell Banker’s Walnut Creek office.
Clean Up,
FREE ESTIMATES
from page 1
Stephanie Lopez named to Coldwell Banker’s President’s Circle
from page 1 design this year’s T-shirt. I will wear it proudly as I walk the trail with my garbage bag,” White says. Volunteers meet at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 26, at City Hall to pick up a T-shirt, garbage bags and gloves. At 11:30, everyone meets back at City Hall for a barbecue lunch. Local organizations will be present or have information available for preserving the environment. The event is sponsored by the Clayton Pioneer and the city of Clayton with generous donations from Republic Services, the CBCA, Travis Credit Union and local merchants. Download registration form from the Clayton Pioneer website and bring filled out to event: claytonpioneer.com. For more information, call the Pioneer at 672-0500.
962 Easy Street – Alamo
took the handoff and plunged into the line. He knew he was close to the goal line, but didn’t know how close. As he was pinned at the bottom of the pile, he reached his fingers forward a couple of inches and felt the goal line. It was two inches away. At that moment he considered pushing the ball forward. He knew he could do it and when the referees finally pulled the players off the pile he would be a hero. No one would have ever known. Joseph had dreamed of this moment and now it was within his reach. Joseph then remembered the often spoken words of his mother, “Joseph, do what is right, no matter the consequence. Do what is right and things will turn out okay.” Joseph wanted desperately to score the touchdown. But more than being a hero in the eyes of his friends, he wanted to be a hero in the eyes of his mother. He left the ball where it was, two inches from the goal line. As we continue to work on Integrity, I hope that we can all have that quiet confidence that comes from doing what is right, even when no one else is watching. I hope the Do the Right Thing program has spurred conversations in your homes and in your lives. The program has helped me as I consider these basic character traits and I recognize ways that I can improve. I also hope to see many of you at Clayton Cleans Up on April 26. We will be meeting at 9 a.m. at the City Hall courtyard. Feel free to contact me with questions and comments by email at hstratford@ci.clayton.ca.us.
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P EN DI NG Best of both Worlds! Country living yet close to town! Tucked away at the end of a private road and situated on 8 acres with spectacular Mt. Diablo views & meandering creek! 3 bedrooms, 3 baths + a loft, approx. 2800sf. Open floor plan features soaring ceilings, walls of windows and a distinctive two-way stone fireplace that is the focal point of the formal living areas. $669,000
provided by Better Homes Realty ADDRESS Great “Gorham” model at Peacock Creek! 4 bedrooms + loft, 3 baths, approx. 3230sf, 2 fireplaces, 2 car garage, rare builder’s option home office. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters. Spacious family room with fireplace. Huge master suite with upgraded master bathroom! Private lot offers sprawling lawn, mature landscape & patio area. $849,000
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P EN DI NG Irreplaceable Setting! One of the Best View Lots in Falcon Ridge tucked away at the end of a Court! $850,000
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SALE DATE
. . . . .4/4 . . . . . . .3/28/14 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .3/26/14 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .3/21/14 . . . . .3/3 . . . . . . .3/21/14 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .3/21/14 . . . . .5/3.5 . . . . . .3/17/14 . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . .3/17/14 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .3/13/14 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .3/11/14 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .2/28/14 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .2/27/14 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .2/27/14 . . . . .3/3 . . . . . . .2/25/14 . . . . .5/2.5 . . . . . .2/24/14
Don Howard Realtor-Associate
Clayton Resident
(925) 408-3184 Donald.kent.howard@gmail.com
Emily Howard
Realtor-Associate
925-408-1871 howard.emily05@gmail.com Cal BRE #01846446 & Cal BRE#01938441
howardhomeseastbay.com
April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Traditionally in the self-guided tour, flower gardens are the main event and this year they will exhibit water features, outdoor stonework, a waterfall, a pool surrounded by plant life, and a sunken seating area with a glass fire pit. One of these gardens is owned and maintained by Lyle Swallow and Jack Becker, who believe that the “selling point of this yard is how to take a small space and make it as useable as possible.” The entire lot that the home rests on is just .18 acre, offering significant challenges to designing a workable landscaping plan. “The challenge was how to make the yard useable, and we really did it in two pieces. We did the backyard first, then we did the front,” says Swallow. They ended up creating three differently unique seating areas in the back with different themes: an herb garden, dining area and fire pit. In the front yard, they mixed a meadow theme with a traditional lawn, considering curb appeal as a high priority. Between the two spaces, they have carpet roses, day lilies, papyrus and several grasses that grow all year. The result has been rewarding, according to Swallow.
Garden Tour, from page 1 avoid a situation where “if something goes wrong with the weather pattern, we lose the whole crop.” Decks in the garden are made from reused materials and “rainwater-catching” is carefully thought out for maximum effectiveness. All of this allows the garden to produce an incredibly robust crop that has something sprouting all year around. “Our
artichokes start coming up in the winter and we have three types. Right now we’re eating the purple artichokes,” Kingsbury says. He also points to a long list of organic fruits, vegetables and nuts that grow continuously from the garden: strawberries, raspberries, grapes, almonds, peaches, plums, apricots, limes, lemons, apples, and apricots are just the beginning.
BUMBLEBEE FARM AND GARDEN, ONE OF SIX HOMES on the Clayton Historical Society’s 22nd annual Garden Tour, features a “permaculture” design that makes maximum use of rainwater and recycled materials.
Page 3
“The thing that people say they like about a garden like this is that it is small. It’s really easy to find interesting big yards,” Swallow says. “A lot of times, people want to know what creative things they can do with a small yard.” In all the gardens on the tour, drama is the watchword with imaginative stonework, wandering pathways, unique hill designs, inviting pools, waterfalls and natural plantings.
June 16-20 and June 23-27 Mon.-Fri. 9am to 3pm $500/week or $100/day $475/week if registered by May 15
The Clayton Historical Society Garden Tour is April 26-27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Garden Tour is the major fundraiser for the Clayton Historical Society. Tickets for the tour are $30. For more info or to buy tickets, go to claytonhistory.org.
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Choose How You Live Station 11, from page 1 issues and look at ways to increase revenue. “We’re looking at providing ambulance services as a revenue generator,” Mitchoff said, “Or, possibly increasing the current $10 EMS parcel tax.” WILDLAND FIRE DANGER HIGH
Further east, out Marsh
With the smoke barely clear from the recent Morgan Fire, Marcucci reminds residents to clear brush and grass to create at least 100 feet of defensible space around their homes. Inspectors will be driving through the area for the next few weeks. Residents can expect a “friendly reminder” if the grass is too high. For more information on preparing for wildfires and defensible space visit: www.ReadyForWildfire.org
Creek and Morgan Territory, Cal Fire is gearing up for a very high risk year, says Battalion Chief Mike Marcucci. “The recent rains haven’t really helped. It’s just made the grass higher,” he said. With the drought, the bushes and trees are already dry and underbrush dead, Marcucci said.
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Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Recycling Center marks Earth Day with celebration Earth Day is not just a oncea-year holiday for Mt. Diablo Recycling, though it does highlight a reason to celebrate with the Contra Costa County community. Mt. Diablo Recycling’s second annual Family Earth Day Celebration on April 26 offers free family fun and will feature the announcement of the elementary, middle school and high school winners of their first ever Recycling Contest. The Family Earth Day Celebration includes a choice between two separate two-hour tours of the 90,000 square foot recycling facility where participants will learn about the “Big Blue” and “Big Wall-e” recycling machines, an interactive education lesson about the five R’s
(Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-RespectRecover), recycling games and a take home craft. Families can also take pictures with the Recycling Guy and recycling trucks. Before the start of the second session, the winners of Mt. Diablo Recycling’s first ever Recycling Contest will be announced and their winning projects displayed. “There is no better time than Earth Day to share our passion for recycling and recovery with the entire community,” Joseph Garaventa, chief executive officer, says. Mt. Diablo Recycling is one of the largest, state-of-the-art recycling centers in Northern California. It is part of the East Bay area’s oldest locally-owned
recycling and resource recovery company, Garaventa Enterprises. Garaventa Enterprises offers state-of-the-art recycling and resource recovery facilities and currently serves the areas of Concord, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Oakley and Rio Vista. Tours are 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for free at the Mt. Diablo Recycling facility, 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. Reservations required. Contact Adriana Medina at (925) 7712721 or Adriana.Medina@ Garaventaent.com. For further information, contact Jill Kipnis, AMF Media Group, at (925) 790-2635 or by email at jill@amfmediagroup.com or go to www.mtdiablorecycling.com.
Pioneer Photo Album Magdalena Jusko woke up early after a rainstorm last month and was enjoying those rare quiet moments before the kids get up. “I looked outside and couldn’t believe my eyes.” She grabbed her camera and fired off this amazing photo.
Magdalena, a 10-year Claytonian, moved to her new home above Russelmann Park last August and says she still can’t get enough of the views from her windows. Magdalena used a Canon Rebel to capture the scene.
The Pioneer is proud to spotlight our readers’ photos. Email your photo in a high-resolution format to tamara@claytonpioneer.com with a description of the photo, where and when it was taken and a little about why you like it. Include your name and phone number. Then look for it in the next Pioneer.
LEIGH KLOCK
STEPHANIE LOPEZ
Realtor®, DRE#01874255
Realtor®, DRE#01370548
925.212.5593
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www.1901CarzinoCt.com Beautiful Expansive Rancher on Clayton Border. 4 bedrooms 4 1/2 baths, 2 masters, 4080 square feet, possible in-law, or au pair set up. Beautifully landscaped lot 29,621 sq. ft. RV parking-Clayton Valley Charter High School!
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I N S P I R E D R E A L E S TAT E
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April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Website. Attach your photo to the form. Make sure the image size you are about to send is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. The only format we accept is JPG. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on our Website are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization.
Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send Church News to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com
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CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word Non-profit: $24 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 6720500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580. All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa) We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 250 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter in a Word document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.
How to aid the homeless
Page 5
Directory of Advertisers Business Services Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations . . . . .672-8717 Construction and Trades
The issue of homelessness is a difficult one for us to confront. The sight of a person living on the streets can be unsettling to us all. In some cases the homeless subject has mental health or addiction issues. This causes them to behave in odd or bizarre ways, and can be frightening. In other cases, families are involved, tugging at the heart strings of even the most stoic among us. For some, the sight of a homeless person is a painful reminder of how close they may be to a similar fate. For whatever reason, the homeless issue is difficult to watch. We often receive calls regarding homeless people at the police department. In our daily activities, we contact the subjects. However, being homeless is not a criminal act. We are working on local statutes to help us address some of the issues. With that said, the long-term answer to homelessness probably does not rest with the Clayton Police Department. We do not have the necessary resources, housing/counseling/financial support to solve the matter. Sadly, during the economic downturn those resources were further reduced. Residents often ask how they can help. It’s a difficult question
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to answer. It truly depends on the underlying reason for the person being homeless. Giving money to an addicted subject likely does more to further the addiction. Sadly, some (not all) of the subjects looking for money are “scamming,” the funds raised go to purchase alcohol, drugs or support other vices. Others are homeless due to the loss of a job or unforeseen financial stress. For them, short-term assistance at a shelter while they “get back on their feet” can be the solution. In my personal life, I’ve assisted homeless subjects by providing meals and assisting them with getting plugged in to vital services. If you truly hear the calling to help, there are homeless advocacy groups and shelters that are always looking for volunteers and financial assistance. Reach out to them and see how you can be of assistance. Chris Thorsen is Clayton’s chief of police. For questions and comments, call him at (925) 673-7350.
FOR LEASE Office and retail space for lease in Historic Clayton City Center: Village Oaks Center, 6200 Center St., Clayton. Call Nick Adamson at (408) 371-8770, ext. 21.
HELP WANTED Computer Tech Growing business has position for onsite pro computer tech in Contra Costa County. Must have experience in Windows and Mac OS, network repair and troubleshooting. ComputersUSA! 672-9989.
Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144 Gary’s Home Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787-2500 Iron Horse Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .566-8666 Schaefer’s Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-6065 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 Events Art and Wine Festival – CBCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 Concord Pavilion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-2408 Financial, Insurance and Legal Services DuRee, Daniel – The Law Office of . . . . . . . . . . .210-1400 Littorno, Richard – The Law Office of . . . . . . . . .432-4211 Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .888-698-0000 Van Wyck, Doug – State Farm Insurance . . . . . .672-2300 Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Groceries Doorstep Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349-4568 Home and Garden Clayton Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-2299 Diablo Lawnscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-3757 Interiors Panache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7920 Just Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-4747 Navlet’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 The Floor Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .969-9890 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055 Waraner Bros. Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .831-2323 Waraner Tree Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250-0334 Mailing Services The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Optometry Foresight Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4100
Park District Summer job openings for students as well as openings for park police officers. Go to www.ebparks.org/jobs.
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Sales Associate Retail feed and pet supply store, full or part time. Apply in person at Rodie's Feed, 8863 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton. Seasonal Positions Job fair and interviews for Concord Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 26 at Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. Pick up and fill out application at fair. Come join Mazzei Realty! Currently interviewing and hiring new and experienced real estate agents. Call 693-0757 for details. Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today 672-8787.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help Fight Hunger Anna Chan – AKA: The Lemon Lady needs your help! Weekly commitment appreciated. For more info and contact numbers, go to thelemonlady.blogspot.com. Clayton Historical Society Museum Needs a greeter for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. Call the museum at 672-0240 and leave your name. Clayton Community Library Needs volunteers. Minimum age 13. Minimum commitment is 6 months. Some training provided. Contact Arlene at 673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com. Meals on Wheels Looking for volunteer drivers one day a week between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Make a tremendous difference to seniors in your community. Contact Sharon Fitzgerald at 932-8607 or sfitzgerald@mowsos.org today!
Pet Services Cat Hospital of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2287 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276-5744 Pittsburg Pet Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387 Rodie's Feed and Pet Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Real Estate and Mortgage Services French, Lynne – Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Howard, Don – Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . .408-3184 Howard, Emily – Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . .408-1871 Klock, Leigh – Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593 Landgraf, Linda – Prudential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .876-0311 Laurence, Pete – RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie – Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Mazzei, Matt – Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757 Stojanovich, Jennifer – Better Homes Realty . . .567-6170 The Torrey Team – J. Rockcliff Realtors . . . . . . .595-6707 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . .672-4433 Recreation and Fitness Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-7454 Senior Services Courtyards at Pine Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-3900 Diamond Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Services, Other ComputersUSA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Net Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6029 Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . .473-0180 Travel Travel to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9840 Worship Concord United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .685-5260 Eternal Life Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0295 St. Bonaventure Catholic Community . . . . . . . . .672-5800
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Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Obituaries
Marina Rubiales March 23, 1921 – March 5, 2014
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Marina Rubiales passed away on March 5, 2014. She was born on March 23, 1921, in Pittsburg, California. Her parents, Jose and Maria Lopez, were immigrants from Spain. Marina’s father, in partnership with his brother-inlaw, owned grocery stores in Pittsburg and Brentwood and her mother, Maria, worked as a midwife’s assistant and in local canneries. Marina grew up in Pittsburg with her parents and three siblings, John, Anthony, and Mary. She attended the local elementary school and Pittsburg High School. In 1938 Marina met John Rubiales, whose parents were also immigrants from Spain, and after a courtship of nearly two years he proposed to her at the 1939 World’s Fair on
Treasure Island. Marina said “yes” and she and John married on Columbus Day, 1940, and began their life together in Cowell, where John worked at the cement plant. Two years later the young couple moved onto the ranch that John co-owned with his parents and brother on Clayton Road in Concord. In 1944, with her urging, Marina and John purchased a house and parcel of land that was exclusively theirs, which was also on Clayton Road. By the end of 1946 Marina had become the mother of three children, John, Diana and David. Marina was a devoted mother who involved herself extensively in her children’s lives. Marina was very pleased that her ambition that
all of her children would graduate from college was realized. In 1957 Marina and John became one of the founding families of St. Bonaventure’s parish in the Clayton Valley area of Concord, pledging monthly donations so that a permanent church building could be constructed on donated land. Marina became a member of the Women’s Guild of the St. Bonaventure parish. She devoted much time to the organization and enjoyed and valued the friendship of other Catholic women. The values Marina embraced in life reflected her Catholic faith. She believed that “we are all God’s children” and practiced tolerance and kindness toward others as well as generosity. She firmly believed that all
people should be treated with dignity. Her friends and the children in her extended family knew her as a “sweet” woman, but who was also known to stand up for her beliefs and principles, thus gaining a reputation as being a strong and determined person. In later years, after John had sold his business in Concord (Concord Ice & Fuel Co.), Marina and John enjoyed traveling, especially to Spain, where they visited with relatives.
Jim Webb April 10, 1933 – March 25, 2014
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Valued friend and city supporter dies at 80
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Jim Webb died at his home after a brief illness on March 25, just two weeks short of his 81st
birthday. “Jim was a familiar face around City Hall,” says Julie Pierce, Councilwoman and friend. “He was the consummate volunteer.” He worked in the Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS), organized his Neighborhood Watch program and assisted city staff with projects wherever needed. He was a generous supporter of the Clayton July 4 Celebration and Clayton Counts Down. In 2008, he was the city’s Volunteer of the Year. “No matter what he was doing, there was always a smile
on his face and a cheerful greeting,” Pierce says. “He was always watching out for all of us. He will be missed.” Jim was born on April 10, 1933 in Texas. He moved to Sacramento with his parents as a young boy and graduated from Sacramento State College. He served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After discharge, he worked for a time for the state of California in Sacramento before taking a position at Metropolitan Life Insurance in San Francisco. He retired from Met Life after 35 years.
He also worked part time as House Manager at Circle Star Theater in San Carlos for four years. While at Circle Star, Jim met and worked with many famous stars such as Harry Bellefonte, Judy Garland, Rick Nelson and Sonny and Cher. “He had stories,” says his life partner, Rob Draim. “He loved everything Hollywood.” Memorial donations can be made to Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Dr. W.C., 262-1179, www.arf.net.
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I love Clayton because it’s such a beautiful town. I’ve lived here for about six years. I hope we will live here forever. One thing I love about Clayton is its town. One street runs along the different stores and restaurants. This busy street is called “Main Street”. Some shops that are on Main Street are: Village Market, Skipolinis, Clayton museum, Clayton police department and a saloon. Every year on the fourth of July they have a big parade. Everyone has lots of fun playing games and pigging out! Clayton also has a lot of history in it. Like for instance, some people say Mt. Diablo had Indians that lived there. Mt. Diablo is a big mountain. Some
people climb it. But one thing that’s bad about that is it has tons of poison oak! Clayton has many developments, too. Some are Jeffry Ranch, Dana Hills, Dana Farms, Easley Estates and even more. A long time ago there was a yellow house that was right across the street from the Village Market. Some people say it was haunted. There are a lot of old, old houses that some say are haunted. I don’t think so but I’m not taking any chances. Clayton has an elementary school called “Mt. Diablo”. It’s a very good school to go to. I think Clayton is a very good place to go to, and live in. Clayton is a beautiful place all together! Source: Misty Bruns, docent at the Clayton Museum
The Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. in Clayton is open Wednesdays and Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. For more info go to claytonhistory,org.
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April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
City works to smother bed bugs
RON LEONE
CONCORD CITY BEAT
Bed bugs are biting in Concord. In October 2013, several Monument corridor residents, along with a representative of Tenants Together, a non-profit tenant advocacy organization, came to the city council meeting to air their frustration with the bed bugs in their apartments. They complained that their landlords are not helping to rid them of these pesky insects. Although the city council’s hearts went out to the children and their parents complaining of this bed bug infestation, the City
Diversity, from page 1 Diversity drives the community, from the make-up of its residents to the businesses represented. And it has weathered economic upheavals and the changing dynamics of the East Bay to evolve into more than a bedroom community for San Francisco, but as a job center, business destination and patchwork community of close-knit neighborhoods. THE RANCHO Don Salvio’s original land grant, the “Monte del Diablo,” covered the Diablo Valley from the Walnut Creek channel east to the hills and generally from the Mt. Diablo foothills westward. (The name “Monte del Diablo” originally had been used by Spanish soldiers to describe a dense thicket — monte — of willows at the north end of the valley. The soldiers believed the thicket was possessed by evil, devilish Man spirits, hence the name “Monte del Diablo” or thicket of the devil.) Don Salvio’s son, Fernando Pacheco, was sent to occupy the grant and begin cattle operations on the Pacheco’s new Rancho. Don Salvio’s daughter, Maria Dolores Manuela, married Don
Francisco Galindo. For a while, a new town called Pacheco, adjacent to the Rancho, prospered as an industrial center, but it suffered because of fires, flooding and the 1868 earthquake. It was then that Don Salvio Pacheco, his son Fernando, and his son-in-law Francisco Galindo created a new town at the center of their Rancho. They called their new town Todos Santos (All Saints), and, in 1869, offered lots free to the merchants and residents of Pacheco. Its perimeter was marked by Bonifacio Street on the northwest, East Street on the northeast, Contra Costa Street on the southeast, and Galindo Street on the southwest. However, “Todos Santos” would not be the name for long. Within months after Todos Santos had been recorded as the official name, “Concord” was heralded by the Contra Costa Gazette as the actual name. Fernando Pacheco was not happy with the change. By 1879, the town had grown to 300, and doubled by 1905, when incorporation of the “Town of Concord” was approved by a local two-vote margin. That ushered in a sleepy time
of Concord considered bed bugs as a public health matter and not a public nuisance. As a result, infestations are considered to be the jurisdiction of Contra Costa County Public Health and not subject to City of Concord code enforcement action. However, the council and staff was determined to help these people in need. The first attempt to assist brought in the California Apartment Association which hosted a bedbug prevention training session in
November, and Tenants Together hosted several tenant advocacy meetings throughout the fall. A best-practices meeting was held at the Monument Crisis Center on Nov. 18, attended by a councilmember, Contra Costa County Director of Environmental Health Marilyn Underwood, a representative from the County Board of Supervisor’s office, a representative from the City of Concord’s Multi-Family Inspection, a Con-
for the community, which was still an agricultural center. It was a slice of small-town America, and at the start of WWII, featured a high school, a modern hospital, five churches, two railroads, a fine library, a nationally recognized central plaza, two cinemas, a fullservice downtown commercial area, tree-lined streets, comfortable homes, and a population of only 1,400. All that changed during and after the war, with the development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station and Port Chicago, both major hubs. After the war, the population boomed, and by 1948 6,500 people called Concord home. While that still seems like little more than a mere burg, it heralded the advent of the “new” Concord. Neighborhoods like Holbrook Heights sprung up, more schools were built, and diversity increased. While Concord always had a strong heritage from Spain and Mexico, many residents of Italian, Portuguese and other European decent began to move in, according to Carol Longshore, president of the Concord Historical Society. “That diversity helped make Concord what it is today,” she says. The real growth of the city,
however, came in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, thanks to visionaries like Dean Lesher who saw the promise of an East Bay lifestyle. Freeways were built, and then BART, and the sleepy little blue-collar community of Concord was connected to the greater Bay Area. Developers with names like Hofmann and Seeno built up neighborhoods, and the population soared. Some said the result was a hodge-podge, while others said the diversity of the neighborhoods reflect Concord’s strength, according to Longshore. At the same time, commerce was coming, and coming quickly.
SALVIO STREET, CIRCA 1875
See Bed Bugs page 8
RETAIL MOVES IN When Sunvalley Mall was built in 1972, it changed the climate of business in sleepy Concord. While Concord had always been a tradesman town, now it had the opportunity to delve more into retail. When the nearby community of Pleasant Hill balked at having the shopping center, Concord officials annexed the property. Between Sunvalley and the bustling Park n’ Shop center on Willow Pass Road, retail was becoming a major factor in Concord’s growth. It already was home to some of Chevron’s major offices, and the city’s loca-
Page 7
Volunteers needed at Camp Concord, South Lake Tahoe Camp Concord is getting ready to open up for the 2014 camp season. Volunteers are needed for a spring work weekend at Camp Concord, South Lake Tahoe on May 2-4. The summer camp, operated by the City of Concord, will provide food and lodging for interested volunteers. “Anyone willing and able to volunteer for the weekend is welcome,” says Camp Director Laura Bryan. “We have tasks
such as organizing, cleaning and raking as well as helping with bigger projects, like finishing cabin improvements. The whole family is welcome! Camp staff will be onsite offering activities for young children. Opening camp would not be possible without the help of volunteers. All help is greatly appreciated!” For more information or a registration form, contact Bryan at camp@cityofconcord.org or call (925) 671-3006.
tion lent itself as a strong industrial hub. Meanwhile, its local businesses — the “mom-and-pop” stores supported by the neighborhoods — continued to thrive. That diversity was a blueprint for the city’s economic success, says Concord Economic Development & Housing Manager John Montagh. Montagh himself has seen the city weather several economic trials, including the 2008 recession and the loss of redevelopment funds, which had been critical to the city’s revitalization. Now, however, he echoes the words of Mayor Tim Grayson when he says, “Concord is back.” “Our strength is that we are home to all types of businesses,” he says. “We have retail, industrial, small businesses, larger businesses, home-based businesses…we have something for all walks of life.”
ing, with a diverse array of ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, clothing outlets and Fry’s Electronics, he says. Meanwhile, smaller shopping centers in the neighborhoods are still enjoying the support of their neighbors, Montagh says. The one area that is especially thriving is the Monument Corridor, he says, with its eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants and markets, stalwarts like Dolan’s Lumber, and “one of the most successful Costcos on the West Coast.” Montagh also touts two citybusiness collaborations that are having a marked success in Concord’s economic vitality: The marketing of local car dealerships, and the creation of a tourism district by local hotels to attract more convention traffic. “We have it all,” he says. “We have a great location at the junction of two freeways, two BART stations, and a business-friendly local government. Concord is poised to thrive.” Add to that the development of downtown around Todos Santos Plaza and on the Concord Naval Weapons Station land, and this little Rancho is quickly becoming a world class city. [Historical information provided by the Concord Historical Society and the City of Concord.]
BUSINESS IS BOOMING Besides the continued retail success of Sunvalley, he says that recent restaurant openings in that area have opened the eyes of other business owners. “We have BJ’s, Lucille’s and Lazy Dog all doing a booming business,” he says. “Other restaurant owners are taking notice.” The Park n’ Shop Center — sans a Park n’ Shop — is flourish-
SALVIO STREET, CIRCA 1908
SALVIO STREET, CIRCA 1940
Photos courtesy of the Concord Historical Society
THIS SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF SALVIO STREET LOOKING EAST FROM GALINDO, TAKEN OVER THE PAST CENTURY AND A HALF illustrate the city’s rise from its roots of “Todos Santos” (circa 1875) to the newly incorporated “City of Concord (circa 1908), when population swelled from 300 to roughly 600. The early part of the 20th Century was a sleepy time for the agricultural community (circa 1940), but all that would change in the new, post-WWII Concord.
More residents happy with Concord this year than last A random sampling of 500 residents gave the city of Concord high marks in the 2014 Community Priorities Survey, continuing a multi-year trend of positive feedback. Four out of five residents rated their quality of life in Concord as “excellent” or “good”. Eighty-three percent of residents were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied”
with the job the city is doing. Residents expressed greater optimism in 2014 about their future quality of life than in 2010, the last time the survey was conducted. This year, 28.6 percent expect their quality of live to be “better” and 55.78 percent expect it to be “about the same” compared with 27 percent “better” and 44 percent
“about the same” in 2010. The survey was conducted by telephone between Feb. 9 and Feb. 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent. Survey results are available on the city’s website at www.cityofconcord.org. For more information, contact Community Relations Manager Leslye Asera, (925) 671-3272.
Pavilion tickets discounted for Concord residents The Concord Pavilion returns to its roots this year, readopting the name that originally was given to the facility when it opened in 1975. With the name change comes a new Concord resident ticket presale program, allowing residents to purchase tickets to shows at the Pavilion on the day before the tickets go on sale to the general public. A special resident hotline at (925) 363-5701 has been
launched with information about presale dates. To participate, Concord residents must bring a current utility bill and photo I.D. with matching address to the Pavilion box office on the day before tickets go on sale. Service charges are waived for Concord residents during the presale. The Pavilion box office is located at the entrance to the facility at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. All concert-goers can buy
tickets with no service charge at the box office on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for any show at the Pavilion. Tickets are available online at Livenation.com andTicketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-7453000. Tickets are also available at SunValley Shopping Center in Concord at the information desk and at select Walmart locations. For general Pavilion information, call (925) 6768742.
PG&E halts plans to remove trees from Concord public property PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
Concord Mayor Tim Grayson isn’t going out on a limb when it comes to protecting his residents’ trees. “If PG&E comes to your home, you do not have to let them into your yard to cut down trees,” he says emphatically. His defense of residential
trees is the latest in a saga that has pitted local lawmakers from throughout Contra Costa Country against PG&E, who is embarking on a effort to clear out more than 700 trees from Concord. The project is part of PG&E’s Pipeline Pathways project, a statewide initiative aimed to clear foliage from around gas lines for safety purposes. The
$500 million project covers 6,750 miles of gas pipelines from Bakersfield to Eureka, removing structures and vegetation to provide 10 feet of clearance on either side of the gas company’s main gas lines. What has steamed local officials is that PG&E announced its intentions without consulting with local officials. “We were not given any opportunity to
discuss this, or to see any evidence that these trees were a safety hazard,” Grayson said. In Concord, 202 trees on city-owned property and 521 trees on private property were slated for removal. However, after Grayson and seven other local mayors wrote to PG&E in opposition to the plan — and after several news stories on local television stations aired —
PG&E announced it was halting its plan to remove trees on public property until it had met with city officials. Grayson, however, said this was a “verbal” agreement, and as of the writing of this article no formal letter of intent had been received by the City of Concord. And, as Grayson says, the moratorium only covers the trees on Concord’s public land
— including some at the Diablo Creek Golf Course and at local parks — and city-owned trees on private land. No provisions have been made for privatelyowned trees, which is what concerns Grayson. In Walnut Creek, a similar number of trees were targeted, but a vigorous online campaign
See Tree Removal page 8
Page 8
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April 11, 2014
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The State of New York stands to receive $40 million from the estate of a Staten Island real estate developer who passed away without a will. Roman Blum, a Holocaust survivor, was worth nearly $40 million when he passed away at the age of 97 in 2012. An extensive search has not yet found a written will or any living heirs to claim his estate. If, after three years no living heirs have been located, the entire $40 million will go to New York State under a legal rule called “escheat.” Most states, including California, have
similar rules in the probate code which apply to people who pass away without a signed written will. According to the New York State comptroller’s office, Blum’s estate is the largest unclaimed estate in New York history. The public administrator of the estate has already sold Blum’s home, auctioned off his personal possessions, and is preparing to sell the rest of Blum’s property. It is a tragic end to a difficult life that started in 1914 in Poland. When the war broke out, Blum escaped across the border to Russia, where he
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CBCA has spring fever, sends money outdoors GARY CARR Special to the Pioneer
It’s spring, and the Clayton Business and Community Association’s attention turned to the great outdoors as members heard requests for outdoor activities at the March 27 meeting at Oakhurst. The club approved funds for Clayton Valley Charter High School’s track & field team’s request to build an “acceleration hill.” Golf was also a major topic as the club discussed the request by the CVCHS girls’ golf team for funding shirts, fees and equipment for the upcoming season. The item will be voted on at the April meeting. Also, Jeff Martin, chair of this year’s Clayton Classic Golf Tournament, said things are moving smoothly for the 28th annual event on May 19 at Oakhurst. The event raises funds for the CVCHS golf program. The bocce court construction is now underway. Ed Harley, chair of the Bocce League Committee, reported that Allied Waste has committed $10,000 toward signage. Keith Haydon reported naming rights to courts, tables and benches are still available. Team play is slated to start on June 2. More information is available on the CBCA web-
site, or by emailing claytonbocceleague@gmail.com. The Clayton Art & Wine Festival is one of the funders of the bocce courts. Chairman Lou Gernhardt says that volunteers are still needed for the May 3 and 4 event. You don’t have to be a CBCA member to participate. CBCA doesn’t neglect the “Business” component in its name. Members take advantage of the Business Network
cord Police Department Code Enforcement representative, representatives from the California Apartment Association, and Tenants Together. The purpose of the meeting was to identify current bed bug response practices within the county and create a foundation for future refinement of these processes. Tenants Together staff expressed strong concerns that the traditional education strategy was inadequate and was not holding property owners accountable. Tenants Together urged a collaborative response between County Public Health and code enforcement which, under existing law, would allow cities to enforce substandard building laws based on bed bug infestation identified by County Public Health. At the council’s Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting March 24, Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger and city staff recommended a pilot program that holds the landlord and tenant jointly responsible for bed bug abatement, with education on the process provided by code enforcement staff. However, in cases where voluntary abate-
Social Hour on the first Thursday of every month at Oakhurst, from 5:30-7 p.m. During free announcements, C.W. Wolfe, stage manager for the Clayton Theatre Company, said their production of “The Night of January 16th”, which runs through April 12, is in need of volunteer ushers and ticket-takers. A recent email from CTC sought to clarify the “The Night of January16th” is the title of the
show, not its performance date. Finally, it’s not all golf and bocce in the great outdoors. Bag-the-Trash, a.k.a. Clayton Cleans Up, the annual spiffingup event, will sweep into town on April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon, with a free BBQ afterwards. Community-minded folks are asked to meet at Clayton City Hall, rain or shine.
AAUW celebrates 40 years in Clayton The Clayton Branch of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) will be holding its ninth Annual Spaghetti Feed from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30 at Endeavor Hall in downtown Clayton. This is the only fund raiser that Clayton AAUW holds and the funds raised support Tech Trek, a science and math camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eight grade in the fall. The Clayton AAUW branch typically sponsors three girls per year to Tech Trek, selected by a teacher nomination from Diablo View Middle School, and then narrowed down by an essay contest. Tickets are available in advance from any AAUW mem-
Bed Bugs, from page 7
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was captured and placed in prison. He was eventually released along with other prisoners to fight against the Nazis. Blum later married and came to America with his wife, who predeceased him in 1992. They had no children. Friends of. Blum urged him to create a will and he had agreed, but he never got around to it. His friends said that there were charities and causes near to his heart, but he never named them in a written will. Make sure that your wishes are carried out by creating a written will or a living trust to
ment is unsuccessful, code enforcement action will hold the property owner responsible for abatement through established civil, criminal or administrative channels. The effectiveness of this pilot program will be evaluated in six months, and city staff will bring revision recommendations before the committee at that time. The purpose of this pilot is not to place undue hardship on Concord property owners. However, it has become clear that, in some cases, education alone is not enough to prevent infestations. There is no question bed bugs affect tenants, but allowing them to remain unabated and spread, bed bugs may also impact Concord on a wider quality-of-life and economic scale. This pilot program seeks to decrease the impact of bed bugs on individuals and the city, first through cooperation and voluntary compliance, and only when this fails, to enforce provisions of the code to compel abatement. Ron Leone, Vice Mayor of the City of Concord and former Mayor, welcomes comments and questions. Call him at (925) 680-1776 or ronaldleone@comcast.net.
ber, or at the door. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children between 6 years and 12 years of age, with children under age 6 eating for free. A wide variety of raffle items are also available. The event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Clayton Branch of the AAUW. Three of the founding members, Roseann Krane, Barbara Fogerson and Rhoda McDaniel, are still active today. The branch honored the women and threw itself an anniversary party on March 24 at the home of Diana Bauer. Twenty-four women attended the event to reminisce about past accomplishments and look forward to future successes. Many of those past accomplishments were done through the AAUW’s Educational Foundation Program (EF), now known as AAUW Funds. It supports women across the U.S. by providing fellowships for women in post-graduate research and special projects. The Clayton Branch/Roseann Krane Endowment was partially funded by the local branch and honors the work of Krane and the branch in raising money for EF. For six years, the Pumpkin Patch raised $10,000 toward the eventual $25,000 Endowment. Other highlights of Clayton’s
AAUW work include: In 1976 the branch created a teaching unit on the history of Clayton called “Clayton 94517” as a bicentennial project. The unit was used by the Mt. Diablo Elementary School. In the summer of 1978 the Clayton Community School was formed to provide after-school and evening classes for both children and adults. More than 500 people took advantage of the myriad leisure classes, from macramé to guitar. In 1980 AAUW sponsored the first certified Farmers Market in downtown Clayton. The group participates in the annual Fourth of July parade as well as sponsors local candidates’ nights and public information on local issues of interest. In 1989 the Branch first raised funds to provide a scholarship to a deserving Clayton Valley High School (now Clayton Valley Charter High School) senior woman. Each year since that time the scholarship has been awarded. All graduates of two and fouryear colleges and universities are eligible to join AAUW. If you are interested in our Branch membership, please contact Marcia Hart ( 925827-9540) or Dana McDaniel (925-672-5024).
Tree Removal, from page 7 led by Mayor Kristina Lawson stalled PG&E efforts there until a community meeting could be held. Clayton Mayor Hank Stratford was one of the eight mayors who signed the letter to PG&E decrying the tree removal, but said that since no major gas pipelines run through town, no trees were targeted for removal. Still, Grayson said that more than 3,000 trees in Contra Costa County were slated to be removed, including in Lafayette and San Ramon. “Here in Concord, we don’t know what types of trees they are considering removing, whether they are heritage trees or not,” Grayson said. “We have not seen evidence that roots are
a safety concern. In fact, many of these trees were here when the PG&E pipes were first laid.” Grayson is quick to point out that safety is a number one priority for the city administration, but “we just want to see the evidence before they start tearing out trees. We want a voice of reason.” The PG&E Pipeline Pathways project is one of the new safety initiatives developed in the wake of the deadly 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. Officials have put blame for that explosion on faulty welding and inefficient check-ups of the pipes. To see maps of where the trees are slated to be removed, visit the Concord city website at www.ci.concord.ca.us.
April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 9
Winning posters say ‘no’ to drugs NATALIE PURSCHE
MDES CORRESPONDENT “Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person’s body works. You’ve probably heard that drugs are bad for you, but what does that mean and why are they bad?” asks the website Kids
Health, where kids can find more information about the effect of drugs on their bodies, brains and health. (kidshealth.org) On Wednesday, March 26, two fifth graders from Mt. Diablo Elementary School tried to answer that question with their No Drug/Alcohol Posters. Audrey Carlson and Matthew Hubbard were informed their posters won a “No-Drug/Alcohol Poster Contest” in an annual, state-wide contest sponsored by St. Bonaventure’s Knights of Columbus. Audrey and Matthew, from Mrs. Kerr’s fifth grade class, were
stunned, yet excited about being recognized. Although Audrey and Matthew did not win the state-wide contest, they did win for their school. Audrey’s poster slogan rhymed, “Do what’s right, get up to fight, say no to drugs!” “I chose something that rhymed with right because if people would do the right thing there wouldn’t be as much drug use as there is now,” Audrey says. Audrey also believes that drugs are bad for your mind and can ruin your life. Drugs don’t solve problems, of course. And using drugs often
CVCHS Air Band does more than pay lip service Air Band, the annual lip-syncing competition at Clayton Valley Charter High School, took place on April 3 and 4. Weeks of preparation resulted in one show with 16 unique acts performed by the students of the Public Speaking class at CVCHS. Maureen Allan, the Public Speaking teacher, worked with her students throughout the third and fourth quarters of this year to put on this event. For as long as any of the current CVCHS students can remember, administrator Neil McChesney was the Public Speaking teacher. However, with his transition from the classroom to an administration post, Allan took on the challenge of teaching this diverse class. “Teaching this class has been both challenging and rewarding; it has been a great opportunity for me as both a student and a teacher,” Allan said. Allan fervently believes that public speaking is an essential life skill, and although there have been some challenges with planning Air Band for the first time, she is excited to have partaken in it. Air Band practices started tak-
ing place sixth period, but during the week of the performance, the students stayed after school rehearsing for several hours. Gregory Hile and drama teacher Kevin Cline offered what advice they could to students when they visited the rehearsals. The Tech Team also worked long hours for “tech week,” helping the students achieve their desired lighting and sound affect. Air Band began with the entire public speaking class dancing to the song “Let’s Get it Started,” where the audience was surrounded by dancing students. Sam Myers and Luis Molina were the Masters of Ceremony of Air Band and kept the audience’s attention in between songs. Senior Myers, also having taken Public Speaking two years in a row, says, “I was not really nervous for being an MC, except maybe afraid of forgetting my lines in front of the audience. Otherwise, I felt confident because of my prior experience in Public Speaking and Air Band last year as well.” Some of the songs acted out by students included the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Heartless,”
LILIANA HERNANDEZ
TEEN SPEAK “A Thousand Miles,” “Burning Up,” and many more. The Public Speaking students did not only learn staging and lighting techniques, but also gained confidence with this event. “I have benefitted because when I work with other people I feel more confident performing and sharing my thoughts,” freshman Spencer Tamichi says. All in all, Air Band is always an event to watch. Often comedic, the individual performances are only limited by the students’ imagination. A lot of work was put into Air Band, and the Public Speaking students can be proud of what they achieved. Liliana Hernandez is a Senior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. She loves to read and plans to pursue her interest in writing in the future. Send email to her at liliana@claytonpioneer.com
AUDREY CARLSON
causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place Matthew’s poster focused on alcohol. His slogan was more straight-forward, saying “Alcohol is bad for y’all.” Matthew says he wanted to tell kids taking drugs or drinking alcohol doesn’t solve problems, but creates them, and kids should focus their lives on more important things like doing well in school and following their dreams. “It is easier for kids to become addicted,” says Matthew.
CARLIE BEESON
PINE HOLLOW REPORTER The transition from middle school to high school is exciting. We will be leaving behind memories at Pine Hollow Middle School, and creating a new ones at Clayton Valley Charter High School. But making that transition can be scary and overwhelming. As an eighth grader, we have many things to do before we begin our first year of high school. We have to fill out registration paperwork, pick our classes, figure out which activities and sports to participate in, all within a new environment. Figuring out classes was, for me, the hard part. At Clayton Valley Charter High School, there are many different opportunities for incoming ninth graders. For instance, the school offers academies that students can participate in that focus the learning standards to fit different areas: Engineering, Arts, Medical and Public Service. Choosing to do an academy can make picking your classes for the year difficult. In a way, by joining an acade-
my, you have to choose what you could potentially want to do for the rest of your life. It can be a little nerve-wracking to have to make those choices. If you do choose an academy, it affects what other classes you will take. That’s hard enough because you do not know what the classes and electives are like. In addition, with all of the mandatory classes, you only get to choose maybe one class or elective that could be of interest to you. Needless to say, picking my freshman year classes was not as easy as I thought. Many students at Pine Hollow feel excited to experience these new options, while others are nervous. Approximately half of the students I spoke with feel a little overwhelmed by the whole high school process. A variety of students at Pine Hollow said that CVCHS needs to improve on some of the things at registration, especially for incoming freshman. Emma Ramirez, an eighth grader at Pine Hollow, thought that the process of registering for high school was very overwhelming. “There were so many students and parents in one room, and most did not understand what to do. The registration process was very overwhelming and disorganized,” Emma said. Even though this is only CVCHS’s second year, students at Pine Hollow feel as if the high school has many things to improve on before next year. Eighth grader Rylie Bowerbank thinks that the high school should make registration not so complicated.
“CVCHS should try cutting the freshman class in half during registration to make things less crowded, and they should explain the different scenarios more clearly.” Although students may feel like they were overwhelmed with the whole registration process, many of us think that there is always room to improve. Hopefully next year, the incoming freshman feel differently, and CVCHS will consider making their system easier and more organized. Carlie Beeson is an 8th grader at Pine Hollow Middle School. She enjoys reading, playing soccer, and singing. Questions or comments? Send her an Email at carlie@claytonpioneer.com
“Their bodies and minds are not developed yet.” Instead, “kids should be playing sports and enjoying life not worrying about drugs, because drugs can ruin their life and the lives of their family.” Drugs and alcohol, of course can be dangerous, since drugs and alcohol can have unexpected adverse health effects even with one use; and drugs and alcohol affect your ability to exert good judgment — making it more likely that you might engage in risky behaviors that can have serious
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consequences. Audrey and Matthew are now happy and proud about winning, but also happy about getting a very important message out to other kids: “Don’t do drugs, be healthy, be happy, is wise advice!” Natalie Pursche is a fifth grader at Mt. Diablo Elementary School who is an avid reader, enjoys writing, loves the outdoors, and is a member of the MDE school council. Send comments to natalie@claytonpioneer.com.
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April 11, 2014
Sports Seniors in spotlight for Clayton Valley spring sports teams have a large number of seniors dotting their rosters.
[Second in a series] JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Spring sports are rushing towards Diablo Valley Athletic League championships and North Coast Section competition and many Clayton Valley Charter High School teams have an experienced look to them as Eagle coaches
Kim Anderson photo
SENIOR CO-CAPTAIN JORDAN TATE (foreground) is a 100 and 200 freestyle specialist for the Clayton Valley Charter High School swim team this spring.
BOYS GOLF During their DVAL golf matches this spring the Eagles have had senior Eric Carlson and freshman Daniel Schaefer trading back and forth as low scorers with coach Jen Moore calling Schaefer “most consistent” on the team. Another senior, Bobby Klarman, is new to varsity but has posted some good scores. Tyler Blazer, Kevin Cuff, Anthony McDonald and Marcellus Medrano round out the varsity lineup. Moore’s team has a pair of matches next week against Berean Christian and Concord to conclude league play with the DVAL Championship hosted by College Park coming up April 28. North Coast Section, NorCal and State competitions will fill the May and early June calendar. Moore has coached the CVCHS girls golf team for years and is her second season with the boys team. She’s excited that the turnout this year was large enough to add a junior varsity team. Chris Krnich, a 2000 grad from Clayton Valley, is coaching the JVs bringing “a calm, focused approach with his coaching philosophy,” according to Moore.
Photo courtesy CVCHS tennis
THE MAJORITY OF THE VARSITY SLOTS on the Clayton Valley Charter High School boys tennis team this year are filled by seniors. Coach Rick Ortega’s team features, front, Allayne Leongson; middle row from left, Alex Hu, Jimmy Young, Kevin Dong; back row, Dave Katsnelson, team captain Harrish Sheikh, Nick Kies and Austin Arter.
SWIMMING Shaun Guest is in his second season running the CVCHS swimming program and is looking to get his athletes qualified for NCS May 16-17 in Concord as well as challenging Northgate for league honors. The teams meet in the final dual meet April 30 and renew the rivalry May 9-10 at College Park at the DVAL Championships. He had a several NCS qualifiers returning including Taylor Thorsen (50 freestyle, 100 free), Sara Abele (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke), Jake Frigard (200 IM, 100 butterfly, 100 free), Jordan Tate (100 and 200 free), Jack Brown (50 free, 100 breast) and Abbie Kubota (100 free). Additionally Alina Weigelt, Kayla Conger, Kayleigh Rohrbach, Anthony Vines and Ryan Levy were NCS relay participants last year. Cameron Brandt (100 breast, 100 free), Jerron Miller (100 back) and Bailey Reading (100 fly) are top newcomers to the squad. Guest is hoping his boys and girls can overcome Northgate’s very deep program. “We will really have a close shot on the girls side and it will be very competitive on the guys side. Main goal is to get as many swimmers to NCS and to qualify top 15 in team’s division.” He says College Park is also a key rival for top honors. BOYS TENNIS The majority of coach Rick Ortega’s boys tennis team is returning with the senior class expected to fill the majority of varsity ladder spots. The seniors are Austin Arter (co-captain and currently playing No. 1 singles), James Young, Kevin Dong, Alex Hu, David Katsnelson, Nick Kies and injured co-captain Harrish Sheikh. Junior Bryce Sampson and sophomores Matt Osterkamp and Daniel Castro have helped fill the absence of Sheikh. Osterkamp, Dylan Kies and Castro all started their first varsity season. Aaron Olk, Allayne Leongson, Nick Heyer and Donovan Hunter are providing depth. DVAL semifinalists Charley Jang and Kenny La graduated. They reached the semi before losing to teammates Dong and Young. College Park and Northgate are battling for the league title with two final rounds of dual matches next week. The DVAL Championships are April 29May 1 with NCS singles and doubles May 9-10 with the team championships
Ipsen Pac-12 Diver of Year JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Kristian Ipsen came home from his third NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships without an individual title for the first time as his entire Stanford team “came up short of representing our talent,” said Ted Knapp, Stanford’s Director of Men’s Swimming. The Cardinal dropped to ninth for its lowest team finish in 35 years while their fiercest rivals, Cal, won its third title in four years. Last week Ipsen had that disappointment somewhat soothed when he was named Pacific 12 Diver of the Year for the second time after defending his 1-meter title at the Pac-12 Championships, finishing second in the 1meter and third in the platform. Ipsen won the one-meter collegiate title as a freshman and the three meters twice while he was also second on the platform as a soph. This year the Clayton diver was second on 1M, fourth in the 3M and sixth on the platform as his scores were all lower than a year ago when he was NCAA Diver of the Year. Ipsen staked the NCAA silver off the one-meter board when he improved from third through the prelims and scored 436.55 in the finals to finish behind Texas freshman Michael Hixon. The local native has been named
Kim Anderson photo
SENIOR MATT D’ANGINA (12) is a two-time all-DVAL player who will be an outside hitter and setter for the Clayton Valley Charter boys volleyball team this year. He had over 300 kills and 100 assists as a junior.
the following week. Ortega has coached nine years at CVCHS and this year welcome alumnus and new assistant coach Renato Castro to the team. BOYS VOLLEYBALL Coach Stephen Coddington has taken his Eagles boys volleyball team to NCS every year starting in 2009 when the section added a Division II bracket. Unfortunately, the last two years after CVCHS won its opening game it faced Campolindo and lost each time to the eventual NCS champions. Senior Matt D’Angina will key the
Photo courtesy StanfordPhoto.com
All-America in all nine diving events during his first three years at Stanford. He’ll be completing his senior season next school year and then concentrating on reaching the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. His Stanford diving coach Dr. Rick
Schavone was voted Pac-12 Men’s Diving Coach of the Year for the third straight year, not coincidentally the three years Ipsen has led his squad. Schavone has also received the Pac-12 Women’s Diving Coach of the Year award six times.
See Spring Sports, page 12
Kara Kohler spends Spring Break in Australia rowing for Cal and USA JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
STANFORD SWEPT THE PAC-12 CONFERENCE MEN’S DIVING AWARDS this year with Clayton’s Kristian Ipsen (right) voted Pac-12 Conference Men’s Diver of the Year, teammate Bradley Christiansen Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year and Cardinal head coach Dr. Rick Schavone (left) tabbed Pac-12 Men’s Diving Coach of the Year. The awards were voted on by the men’s diving head coaches. It was Ipsen’s second consecutive Diver of the Year accolade. He didn’t compete in the Pac-12 Division championships as a freshman getting ready for the London Olympics.
Eagles this season. He’s received allDVAL honors all three years including first-team recognition last season when he led his team with over 300 kills and also contributed 100+ assists. His classmates Garrett Blatter (300+ assists, 100+ kills), Shane Russell (over 75 kills and 50 blocks as a middle blocker last season) and Clark Blatter (over 100 kills as an outside hitter) give the team lots of experience and leadership. Garrett Blatter was second-team all-league a year ago. Junior Sean Vaisima transferred
Senior Kara Kohler got her final collegiate crew season off to a start 7400 miles from Berkeley when her No. 1 Golden Bears took part in two events in Sydney, Australia. The busy Kohler rowed for the Cal women’s eight and also for the United States in the pairs during her school’s spring break. The Clayton athlete added to her international experience midway between the London and Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics at the Sydney World Cup and Sydney International Rowing Regatta. After a slow start the Cal eight built its speed and nearly caught the Australian national team, which was racing as a Melbourne University composite crew. The Cal eight started slow and was down over four seconds after the first 500 meters. The Golden Bears gained throughout the next 1500 meters and closed strong. They came up 1.7 seconds short of the win. Cal finished 7.7 seconds ahead of third place Mercantile composite, which was also a crew of Aussie national team athletes. “We had a terrific day down here and I’m really pleased with how everyone has been racing,” Cal head coach Dave O’Neill said. “Our first 500 needs
a lot of work right now. But, that makes a lot of sense due to the little work we’ve put into it thus far and where we are in our training. I’m most pleased that our base speed looks to be quite good and our fitness seems to be on track.” The San Diego Crew Classic provided Cal, which was voted the No. 1 preseason women’s crew, with its first test against collegiate crews in NCAA events last weekend after they returned from Down Under. Following the women’s eight finals Kohler and teammate Agatha Nowinski took part in the pairs race representing America at the Sydney World Cup. Nowinski and Kohler raced in the “repechage” second-chance race and finished second to move onto the A final. “The World Cup racing was a terrific experience for these two pairs and the rest of our team, as well,” Cal head coach Dave O’Neill said. “The four of them worked hard over the winter to get this opportunity, and I’m glad they made the most of it.” In the A final, Nowinski and Kohler were looking to start fast and had the best start of any Cal boat during the week. They remained with the pack to
See Kohler, page 11
April 11, 2014
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Recreation soccer tournament season is going full bore and Mt. Diablo Soccer Association has teams playing and performing well in tournaments near and far. The MDSA United FC under 19 girls prevailed in a close contest among five teams in the recent PHMSA SoccerFest. Coach Jose Soltero’s squad provided strong defense and goalkeeper Paige Alford posted four straight shutouts for the team to narrowly claim top spot in a round-robin format despite drawing two of its four games. United FC had 28 points, Mountain View Relentless 26 and Davis Finesse 22 in a closely-bunched field. Sandwiched between a pair of scoreless draws in their first and last games United filled the net with goals in its middle two contests. The opening tie with Concord FC was in a driving rainstorm. They beat Davis 4-0 with Marina Arcaya and Adelle Meyer each scoring a goal and
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Daniel L. DuRee Estate Planning Attorney THE U19 GIRLS OF MDSA UNITED WON THE RECENT PHMSA SOCCERFEST CHAMPIONSHIP. The team includes, front, goalkeeper Paige Alford; bottom row from left, Andi Hellstrom, Rachel Semple, Rosie Ellis-Falik, Daisy Lozano, Alexandra Converse, Hannah Louis; back row, coach Jose Soltero, Megan Bluth, Alyssa Bluth, Melissa Newsome, Rachel Delong, Adelle Meyer, Marina Arcaya , Cristina Ramos-Daly, Riley Pearson, Kimber Searle, Daisy Agers and Adriana Gauthier.
Kimber Searle adding a pair. The locals blanked PHMSA Freedom 6-0 and wrapped up first place with its second 0-0 draw, this time against runnerup Relentless. MDSA Legends made it to
Photos courtesy MDSA
MDSA DIABLOS WERE UNDEFEATED IN LEAGUE PLAY and then swept through the Area 2C/2D Select League Tournament. The team included, front row from left, Devin Kelly, Gabe Lauricella, Hunter Bock, Grayson Boustead, Chase Caldwell, Miles Davis; back row, coach David Caldwell, Ian Kelly, Killian Pollock, Bakari Johnson, Jacob “Wheels” Oledan, Nolan Martin and coach Andrew Boustead.
the U14 girls semi-finals at SoccerFest before falling 1-0 to Galaxy. The Legends won their flight with one win and two draws in preliminary games. The MDSA Diablos U10 boys took first at the Area 2C/2D Select League Tournament last month with five consecutive wins by a combined 224 score. Three of the wins came over Davis teams plus a narrow 1-0 victory over Walnut Creek. The closest call for the Diablos was in the semi-finals when they went to penalty kicks to edge Davis 1-0. BAKERSFIELD FINALS Two young MDSA boys teams went to the AYSO California Cup last month in Bakersfield and came home with second- and fourth-place finishes. The tournament featured top fall house league teams from the four AYSO sections in California. Mt Diablo Arsenal represented Section 2 in Bakersfield and back with silver medals in U10 boys. In their semi-final against Long Beach Keegan
Boustead scored three goals and Ryan Ross another in a 4-0 win. Center defender Logan Gonzales anchored the defense. In the championship game, Arsenal faced Pacific Palisades and Arsenal took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Alex Braginsky assisted by Adam Rychtecky. Pacific Palisades scored with just minutes remaining in the game to tie it up and send the game into overtime. A late goal in the second overtime period gave the SouCal team the championship. In the U12 boys bracket MDSA Men in Black lost to eventual Cup champ Cutler Orosi 4-1 after Abdullah Saleh had given the local team an early lead. In their second game Men in Black gave up a goal to El Monte on the opening kickoff play but Chase Graves and Saleh responded with goals to give MDSA a 2-1 lead. Another Saleh score wasn’t enough to hold off El Monte in a 4-3 game. Men in Black finished the season with 21 wins, three losses and one tie.
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49ers waiting until NFL draft to strike gold
TYLER LEHMAN SPORTS TALK The feeding frenzy that is NFL free agency has settled down and now teams are looking towards the draft to address their needs. The San Francisco 49ers have been relatively quiet during free agency, making some small trades and a couple of key signings. The biggest free agent acquisition for the 49ers has been former Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea. He slides in to replace the hard-hitting Donte
Whitner, who signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason. The signing of Bethea works out nicely for the 49ers as his contract is less than what Whitner signed for so the 49ers end up saving cap space and get a player in Bethea who is the same skill-level as Whitner. The 49ers have also signed cornerback Chris Cook to a one-year deal. Cook played for the Minnesota Vikings last year and he’s a big, powerful cornerback. Cook was somewhat underwhelming as a Viking, accumulating zero interceptions in his four seasons with the team, but perhaps a change of scenery and system will be good for him. The 49ers also traded a couple of their vast draft picks to obtain quarterback Blaine Gabbert and left-tackle Jonathan Martin. Gabbert is a former firstround pick who played very
poorly during his tenure as a Jacksonville Jaguar. The 49ers only had to give up a sixth round pick to acquire him and with help from Jim Harbaugh he might become a solid back-up to Colin Kaepernick. The trade to acquire Martin was an interesting move by the 49ers. Martin was involved in the huge bullying scandal that was a part of the Miami Dolphins organization. He played for Harbaugh at Stanford, so the fit seems right for Martin. He will most likely be a swing tackle, filling in as needed for the starting tackles, whenever injuries arise. So far this offseason, the 49ers have made some nice moves to add depth to their roster but they still have a few glaring needs they must address. Wide receiver and cornerback are two positions the 49ers must fill during the NFL draft. The amount of draft picks
the 49ers have for the draft is almost unfair, with six in the first three rounds alone. Their roster is already filled with many key playmakers, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them trade up in the first round to acquire an impact player they really like. Someone like Sammy Watkins would fit perfectly in the 49ers system. He’s a guy that can stretch the field and give Kaepernick a deep-threat option. Harbaugh hasn’t gotten along very well with former “speed” receivers, so a receiver that has all the skills to be an elite wideout like Watkins makes a lot of sense for the 49ers. Tyler Lehman is a sophomore at Diablo Valley College and a 2012 CVHS graduate. He plans to major in journalism and wants to be a sports writer. Email your comments or questions to Tyler@claytonpioneer.com.
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Kohler, from page 10 the midway 1000m mark, but the pace proved too much. They finished sixth in a strong field of national team athletes. “Racing pairs at the senior international level was a new experience for all of us,” Kohler said. “The pair brings so many responsibilities that you just don’t get in the eight. So, to
have that experience under our belts while still in college is pretty unique. We felt like we had little to lose heading into the racing. Knowing we were racing top crews from other countries was only more incentive for us to see how long we could hang. Looking forward I think this World Cup experience has set
our team up well to achieve our goals.” “Since this was our Spring Break, we did a lot of training in addition to the racing this week, so I’m impressed with how they did at the end of it all,” O’Neill said. “While I’m proud of their results, I’m most happy with the way they raced and improved throughout the racing. “”This experience will certainly help us in the goals we
have at Cal, but the World Cup racing was definitely a development opportunity with their international pursuits in mind,” O’Neill added. “All of us are thankful to the national team coaches for allowing us to do this, and I hope it will pay off for the USA in the years to come.” Kohler is seeking her second Olympic team berth in Brazil. Cal Athletics News Service contributed to this story.
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April 11, 2014
Sports
RIP, XP. What Tabernacle Tigers net first BACSAL happens now? soccer championship for school
Your hard disk drive needs at least 100GB of free space.
Tabernacle School of Concord has been a part of Bay Area Christian Schools Athletic League since 1975 and this
spring won its first-ever boys soccer championship with a 2-1 title game win over rivals and previously undefeated San
Ramon Valley Christian Academy Eagles. Coach Daran Fraser’s team was 6-2 during the regular sea-
Photo courtesy Tabernacle School
TABERNACLE TIGERS won the Bay Area Christian Schools Athletic League soccer championship last month for the first time in school history. The team included, front row from left, Cooper Pauline, Russ Martinez, Jaden Watt, Isaiah Lelu, Kyle Antonson, Aiden Simons, Josh Manickam, Zak Martinez, Niko Ferrante; back row, Devin Holcomb, coach Daran Fraser, Josh Gilbert, Mark Anderson, Aidan Jackman, Yanni Reynolds, Armando Nevarez and Gabe Garner.
Sports Shorts KAYLA TAYLOR WINS POST-SEASON BASKETBALL HONORS
Senior post player Kayla Taylor of Clayton Valley Charter High School was named to the AllEast Bay third team last week. She helped the Eagles make school history by advancing to the semi-finals of the Northern California Championships after finishing runner-up at North Coast Section for the third time in four years.
DIABLO FC OLDER TEAMS SOCCER TRYOUTS CONTINUING
Tryouts for U15-U19 players with Diablo FC are taking place, weather permitting. Younger players in the U9-U14 age groups who missed formal tryouts can contact the club for an individual evaluation and possible placement on a competitive team for the 2014 season. Visit diablofc.org for the tryout schedule and to register for free tryouts in all age groups.
DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION Dana Hills Swim Team is accepting online registrations for the 2014 recreation season. New members are given the option to sign up for the team on a free, one-week “trial” basis. Dana Hills has won 21 of the past 22 Concord Swim Championships. For additional info and to register, visit danahillsotters.com.
CONCORD CUP XXI RETURNS MAY 17-18 The 20th anniversary edition of Concord Cup youth soccer tournament which began in 1994 returns to many local fields on May 17-18. Applications are now being accepted for boys and girls teams from U10-U19. Concord Cup is a rare tournament that includes both AYSO and club teams. Diablo FC, MDSA and Concord AYSO are the host leagues. For information visit concordcup.com.
WALNUT COUNTRY SWIM TEAM ACCEPTING SWIMMERS
Boys and girls up to 18 years of age (as of June 15) are being accepted for the Walnut Country Swim Team online at wcstingrays.com. Preseason practice begins Monday.
SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION FOR ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES COMING SOON Signups are approaching for All Out Sports League summer programs at Clayton Gym. Youth basketball and volleyball, flag football league, adult volleyball and football academy programs will all be announced soon. For complete information on all the Clayton programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
OAKHURST ORCAS SIGNUPS
THIS
FRIDAY
Final Oakhurst Orcas summer recreation swim team registration date is this Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Oakhurst Country Club. Information is available at oakhurstorcas.com.
son in the East Division of the 22-school BACSAL entering the league playoffs last month in Fremont. A pair of preliminary victories advanced the Tigers to the semi-finals against Milpitas Christian. Tabernacle’s Niko Ferrante scored the game’s only goal about midway through the first half off an assist from Armando Nevarez to reach the championship game. SRVCA was sitting on an undefeated 10-0 season including two defeats of Tabernacle entering the final as San Ramon looked to cap a perfect season. The finale didn’t open ideally for the Tigers when an own goal was scored off a SRVCA cross in the first 15 seconds of the game. Tabernacle rebounded to score two goals in spectacular fashion late in regulation to capture the BACSAL soccer title. A cross from Armando Navarez found Ferrante to even the score and then Navarez hooked up with Devin Holcomb to score the winning goal and give the Tigers an historic victory.
Spring Sports, from page 10 from Ygnacio Valley HS and became eligible to play last week. He helps replace departed seniors Tyler Sun and Taylor McCracken. The Eagles haven’t won a DVAL league title since 1987 but have managed to make regular treks to NCS. League matches continue through May 8 before NCS begins May 13. NorCal Championships start two weeks later. Northgate has a perennially strong program including 1993 and 2009 Section titles. The Broncos have a full lineup of seasoned club players and are favorites to win league. Coddington says Berean Christian is a solid program with sights on a league title. College Park graduated a lot of players from last year’s team but “have reloaded” while new Concord coach Andrew Romer “has them moving in the right direction.”
WILL CLANEY TECH TALK By now, you’ve heard the news: Windows XP is dead and no longer supported. That means an immediate upgrade is in your future. So, what do you do and what do you buy next? Will your applications and files transfer to your new equipment? Can you even do that, or will you need to buy everything all over again? Keep in mind the old adage, “when you buy it cheap, you buy it again.” Microsoft drops support for the 11-year old operating system (O/S) this April and that means you should expect security issues and attacks shortly thereafter. The bad guys know who you are and they will attack. So, that I am clear, if you run Windows XP, you are screwed. Well, if you’re like a lot of Windows XP users this announcement isn’t new, but it is a major pain in the neck because you must migrate everything to a new operating system. Your migration and options thereon are dependent upon your situation, so let’s review a few. THE LUCKY ONES The lucky ones are those who really want a new computer and will buy everything new. Just save your data, pick out your new computer, and restore your data. EVERYONE ELSE For everyone else still running Windows XP, you have a journey ahead of you. It starts with hardware. The performance of your current computer must meet the increased requirements of your new Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 software. If it doesn’t you may need a minor hardware upgrade. For example, most XP equipment is running only 2GB of RAM. You need at least 4GB for this experience to be worthwhile.
WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS Without a doubt, spring is my favorite season. Part of it stems from my Midwestern roots. It was such a relief to say goodbye to the cold and snowy winter. And spring meant the start of baseball season, if the weather cooperated. Scientific studies have documented how changing weather conditions affect many aspects baseball. Besides the postponement of games due to wet weather, the primary meteorological variables that affect the game are wind, relative humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure. Winds alter the speed and flight path of both pitched and
moist air is less dense than dry air and exerts less frictional drag on the flight of a baseball. A well-hit fly ball will travel about one foot further when the relative humidity is 35 percent compared to 15 percent, assuming no change in air temperature or air pressure. Air temperature has a greater impact on air density than relative humidity, and therefore a larger impact on the distance a ball will travel. A ball hit well enough to fly 375 feet in 50-degree weather will reach nearly 390 feet in 90-degree weather, assuming no difference in atmospheric moisture or air pressure. Air density decreases with altitude, and the distance a baseball struck with identical force will increase with elevation. Given similar temperature and relative humidity conditions, a ball hit well enough to fly 375 feet at either of the Bay Area’s sea level stadiums will travel a little more than 400 feet
at Denver’s mile-high ballpark. The game of baseball itself is dependent on the weather too. In the first few weeks of the 2011 season 26 major league games were canceled due to snow or rain. The cities with the most rainouts are located in the northeast. Since 2000 Boston leads the majors in rainouts, averaging a little over three per season. California teams get rained out less than three times per decade. After over 40 years in California, I still retain my Midwestern anticipation of spring and the beginning of baseball season. Baseball is a game of balance between offense and defense, and there are many games when weather factors play an important role in the outcome . Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com
LET’S GET UPGRADED For most of us the upgrade isn’t really an upgrade, but rather a reload of the O/S. That means everything must go because you will “reformat” your hard drive. (Note that “reformat” means everything is wiped off the hard drive. Nothing will remain — nada, zip, zilch, naught, zero, nothing, blank.) Check your configuration and minimum system requirements, save your data first, then format and load either Windows 7 or 8. Next, install your original applications stored on CDs or the cloud, and replace your data. Here is where I suggest this is a great time to put ALL your data in the Documents subdirectory as it makes finding your documents easier and less aggravating when you try to find them when marrying your data back to your application. (Think “open file” in your application.) This way it is easy to find your data files, they’re in the (My) Documents directory. There you have it. Your journey has already begun, your brain is ready. Oh, by the way, support for Microsoft Office 2003 and older, gone as well. William Claney is a professional computer consultant and technical writer. Will is the CEO of CUSA (ComputersUSA!) an IT repair and support center located in the Clayton Station shopping center. He is available for comments: 925-672-9989 and says, “retirement is overrated.”
Police Activity Report
Weather is baseball’s secret weapon batted balls. With a tailwind over 5 m.p.h., a 95 m.p.h. fastball can approach the 100 m.p.h. mark. A similar decrease in velocity is experienced when the wind blows strongly into the batter’s face. Strong winds can significantly change the distance of a batted ball. A well-hit fly ball that would normally go 375 feet in calm conditions will travel more than 400 feet when tail winds exceed 5 m.p.h. That same fly ball would travel less than 350 feet if similar winds blow from the outfield toward home plate. The amount of humidity in the air also plays a role in the distance a batted ball will travel, but at a smaller scale than wind. Conventional wisdom is that moist air is heavy, and baseballs slow down when the relative humidity is high. In fact the opposite is true. Since the molecular weight of water vapor is lower than the molecular weight of dry air,
DIY Do it yourself or let professionals have at it? Today’s upgrades aren’t as simple as dropping a CD into the CD drive and waiting for it to finish. Software upgrades involve specific requirements, with few deviations allowed. Let’s say you want to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP. You will need to first upgrade to Windows Vista, then to Windows 7 as there is no direct path to 7 from XP. Keep in mind you must maintain your “bit priority.” That means if you run 32 bit Windows XP, you MUST maintain 32 bits. You cannot, for example, upgrade to a 64 bit O/S from 32 bit.
A Clayton woman was left shaken but uninjured after she was robbed at gunpoint in front of her Oakhurst home shortly before 8 p.m. on March 21. The woman had just arrived home from work when a black male wearing a ski mask approached her on foot, pulled a gun and demanded her purse and possessions. He then ran to a dark colored SUV which was waiting around the corner. The victim was unable to determine the make or model of the car or the age of the suspect. According to Chief Chris Thorsen, police believe the victim was targeted because of the possessions she was carrying. “We don’t think this was a random act,” Thorsen said. To protect her safety, police are not releasing the victim’s name. Anyone with any information about this crime, contact Clayton Police, (925) 673-7350.
Police Activity for two weeks ending April 3, 2014 ACCIDENTS: Mar. 29, 8:19 p.m. Oakhurst Dr./Clayton Rd. ARRESTS: Apr. 1, 7:44 p.m. Crow Pl. A 52-year-old Clayton female was arrested for battery on spouse/cohabitant. Apr. 3, 4:20 p.m. 5400 Clayton Rd. A 27-year-old female was arrested on a warrant. BURGLARIES/THEFTS: Mar. 31, Windmill Canyon Dr. Robbery. VANDALISMS: None.
April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 13
Pooch finds safety and security in crate ELENA BICKER
PET PALS Dogs are “den” animals, naturally finding sanctuary in secure, enclosed spaces, like crates. Crate training, often used to help with housetraining since dogs typically will not soil their sleeping area, takes advantage of your dog’s instinct to seek a den for safety. By crate training your dog, you will teach her an indispensable skill for a variety of situations, including emergencies,
a day at the groomer or veterinary hospital, or even overnights at a boarding facility or friend’s house. Begin by acquiring the right size crate. You will need a crate that allows your dog to comfortably stand, turn around, and lie down. If you have a puppy, take into consideration what size she will be when she is fully grown. If your crate is larger than what your puppy initially needs, you can make it smaller by blocking off the back with an empty box. The crate should have soft bedding for your little one and a water bowl. Water bowls that attach to the side of the crate are helpful in preventing spills. The crate should always be a happy place. It should never
be used for punishment. Start training by having the crate in the room where the family relaxes, and leave the door open for the dog to explore. Feed your dog in the crate and place treats in and around it to create a positive association. Once your dog has entered the crate and feels comfortable inside, shut the door for a few seconds before opening it again. Repeat this routine many times randomly throughout the day when you are home. If your dog does not appear anxious, you can start increasing the length of time the door is closed. Do not rush the crate training process. Once your dog can spend approximately 30 minutes in the crate comfortably with the
through the night). Puppies should be crated for much shorter amounts of time; a general guideline is a maximum of one hour per one month of age.
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door shut, begin leaving the room for short increments of time. Start with quick errands, no more than 30 to 60 minutes long, and gradually work up to as long as four hours — provided your dog seems comfortable and happy. Remember, four hours is as long as any adult dog can be crated without a potty break (with the exception of dogs that sleep
Once your dog becomes comfortable with her crate, it can come in handy in a variety of situations. If you love to travel with your furry family members, many hotels allow pets to stay as long as they are crate-trained. It is also a good idea to crate your dog while you are driving. It gives her a safe place to relax in the car and allows you to focus on the road. Once your dog is cratetrained she will always have a safe, comfortable home away from home.
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Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)
925-672-CATS (2287)
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first time cat guardian. All adult cats (6 months or older) are FREE through April 30 as part of ARF’s “Pick Me!” promotion.
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8-month-old Muffin Man is a sweet little gentleman who would love to keep you quiet company while you go for walks, work on your computer, or maybe even snuggle with you in your bed at night. Muffin Man would make a great little companion for a quiet home. We recommend a Small
Dog Manners or Wallflowers class to help this little guy build some confidence and bond with his new adopters. It is unknown whether Muffin Man has previous experience with children. He currently weighs 16 pounds. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60% off
one 7-week dog training session. 3-year-old Magnum will dazzle you with his outgoing personality and charm his way into your heart. He likes attention from his people and really enjoys playing with toys. It is unknown whether Magnum has previous experience with children. He is suitable for a
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 5 pm. Wednesday, 3 to 7 pm. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.
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First words on magical journeys “In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters.” — House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
CYNTHIA GREGORY
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In his infinite wisdom, Chinese philosopher Lau Tzu coined the phrase “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and it is a hard one with which to argue. However, never being content to leave a great sage alone, I would add: “all the pages of a genius novel begin with a single compelling sentence.” And after having read such a beguiling book, remembering that first sentence is often enough to ignite passion for that novel again and again. The usual list of literary greats contains (mostly) the names of dead white guys, but this is one for the girls. Herewith, a list of 15 brilliant first sentences and the novels from which they arise. By women. You could say it’s an epic recommended reading list. You could say it’s ambitious. You could say it’s a good place to start a 2014 reading challenge. “The children’s section of the colored Methodist Episcopal church was wiggling and giggling over my well known forgetfulness.” — I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
“Here they are, two North Americans, just over and just under forty, come to spend their lives in Mexico and already lost as they travel cross-country over the central plateau.” — Stones for Ibarra, Harriet Doer “I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.” — Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen “I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever since I saw a tractor tire blow up and throw Newt Hardbine’s father over the top of the Standard Oil sign.” — The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
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“A green and yellow parrot which hung in a cage outside the door, kept repeating over and over: ‘Allez vous-en! Allez vousen! Sapristi! That’s all right!’” — The Awakening, Kate Chopin
“The Whistle Stop Cafe opened last week, right next to me at the post office, and the owners Idgie Threadgood and Ruth Jamison said business has been good ever since.” — Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, Fannie Flagg
“Eighty some years previous, through a town that was to flourish and past a farm that would disappear, the river slid — all that happened began with that flow of water.” — Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Louise Erdrich
“Time is not a line but a dimension, like the dimensions of space.” — Cat’s Eye, Margaret Atwood
“My name is Ruth.” —Housekeeping, Marilyn Robinson
“There were 117 psychoanalysts on the Pan Am flight to Vienna, and I had been treated by at least six of them.” — Fear of Flying, Erica Jong “Here is an account of a few years of the life of Quoyle, born in Brooklyn and raised in a shuffle of dreary upstate towns.” — The Shipping News, Annie Proulx “The grandmother didn’t want to go to Florida.” — A Good Man is Hard to Find, Flannery O’Connor
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“May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month.” — The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy “My mother’s name was Mercy Stone Goodwill.” —The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields Seriously, this is not a complete list by any stretch, but it is a beautiful beginning. Happy Reading! Cynthia Gregory writes book reviews, award-winning short stories and a blog. Visit her blog at PersephonesStepSisters.Wordpress.com or send email to her at cgregory111@gmail.com The death of a beloved pet can be devastating. Share loving memories with friends & family by creating a Reflections Memorial for your departed pet. Send a photo (JPEG, PDF format, 300 dpi) with your reflection (maximum words – 75) to Reflections@claytonpioneer.com. Include your name, address, phone and email address. Memorial box is 4” wide by 3” high. Cost is $90. We will call you for credit card info.
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April 11, 2014
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. APRIL 16 FOR THE APRIL 25 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
IN CLAYTON Thru Apr. 12 “Night of January 16th” A tense and humorous courtroom drama depicting a murder trial. Jury picked from the audience. Is she guilty of murder or not? Clayton Theatre Company, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. $18-$20. claytontheatrecompany.com. 222-9106. Apr. 26 Clayton Cleans Up Honor Earth Day with a town spring cleaning. Help pick up trash, pull weeds and share in community spirit. A great activity for clubs, school or a family outing. Meet at City Hall at 9 a.m., T-shirt, gloves and garbage bags provided. Barbecue at 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Clayton Pioneer and the city of Clayton with generous donations from Republic Services, the CBCA and many local merchants. Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. Clayton Pioneer, 672-0500. Apr. 26 – 27 Clayton Gardens Tour Six beautiful gardens on self-guided tour. Benefits Clayton Historical Society. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Starts at Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. $30. claytonhistory.org. 672-0240. May 19 Golf Tournament Clayton Business and Community Association’s Clayton Classic. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. Contact 28thclaytonclassic@gmail.com or 672-2272.
IN CONCORD Tuesdays Farmers’ Market Tuesdays year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org. Apr. 16 Community Blood Drive Sponsored by Associated Students Inc. of Cal State East Bay. 1 – 7 p.m. Redwood Room, Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road. Contact Ellen Griffith to register at asidirconcord@csueastbay.edu.
ON THE MOUNTAIN Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information. Apr. 18 Round the Mountain Hike Views in all directions. Pass through burnt areas. Wildflowers should be abundant. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Juniper Camp Trailhead. Apr. 19 Butterfly Walk Walk up Donner Canyon and return via Tickwood and Back Creek Trails looking for butterflies and flowers. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meet at end of Regency Drive. Registration required. Apr. 20 Hike Sycamore Canyon and Knobcone Point hike. Expansive views. Pass through burnt areas. Wildflowers should be abundant. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet at Curry Point Trailhead. Apr. 26 – 27 Celebrate on the Mountain Commemorate the 150th anniversary of California State Parks and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Explore Mount Diablo at five park locations, go on hikes, see demonstrations and presentations, visit activity booths. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cake at the Summit on Saturday at 3 p.m. Free admission; $10 park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org for more information. Contact info@mdia.org to volunteer. Save Mount Diablo programs listed are free unless otherwise noted. Go to savemountdiablo.org and click on Activities/Guided Hikes for more information. 947-3535. Apr. 19 Diablo Trails Challenge Races: 5K, 10K, half marathon, 50K. Fundraiser run for Save Mount Diablo hosted by Brazen Racing. Starting at 7 a.m. Races begin and end at Castle Rock Recreation Area, 1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek. Registration required. Apr. 30 Student Photo Contest Contest for students kindergarten through grade 12 of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Submit photo of one of eligible Diablo parks that shows why the student enjoys the land and thinks it should be protected. Due Apr. 30. savemountdiablocontest.com.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Thru Apr. 20 “Les Miserables” Treasured tale about the survival of the human spirit. Performed by the Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $44-$57. ccmt.org.
Thru Apr. 26 “Sleuth” One of the best stage thrillers of all time. Performed by Center REP. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33-$54. centerrep.org. Apr. 13 Tapestry Musical journey from Rodgers and Hammerstein to The Beatles. 4 p.m. Clayton Valley Presbyterian, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. Free will donation. tapestryringersandsingers.org. Apr. 17 – May 11 “The Real Housewives of Walnut Creek: The Musical” Secrets, lies and betrayal are at the center of this hilarious romp inspired by the infamous reality series. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25-$41. centerrep.org. Apr. 26 Devil Mountain Double Century Bike Ride Starts and ends in San Ramon, traveling up Mount Diablo and along Morgan Territory Road. quackcyclists.com. Apr. 26 Family Earth Day Celebration Tour of Mt. Diablo Recycling’s facility, interactive recycling lesson, games, crafts. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. Free. Reservations required. Contact Adriana Medina at Adriana.medina@garaventaent.com or 771-2721. Apr. 26 Pink Floyd Concert Experience The ultimate Pink Floyd tribute show starring House of Floyd. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40-$45. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Apr. 26, 28 “The Emperor of Atlantis” and “Another Sunrise” Presented by Festival Opera. Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. $35. festivalopera.org. Apr. 27 Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience Recreating the look, sound and history of The Beatles. 3 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40-$45. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Apr. 27 Tribute to Patsy Cline Performed by Joni Morris. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com. May 1 – 4 “Cinderella” Everyone needs a fairy godmother. Presented by the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14. fantasyforum.org. May 2 – 3 “Swan Lake” This opulent ballet casts a haunting innocence on the passion of undying love. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20-$35. contracostaballet.org. May 4 A Russian Spectacular Presented by California Symphony. 4 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15-$65. californiasymphony.org.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION
Apr. 14 Clayton Library Book Club Sunny Solomon leads the discussion of “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes. Open to anyone who would like to join. 7 p.m. Apr. 16 “Daughter Cell” How far can you genetically alter someone before she becomes someone else? Talk and reading with author Jay Hartlove. 7 p.m. Apr. 17 Celebrate Earth Day Crafts and fun for children. Preschool age through fifth grade. 4 – 5 p.m. Registration required. Apr. 19 ACT/SAT Practice Test Kaplan administers practice test. 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Apr. 30 is a follow up meeting with parents and students from 7 – 9 p.m. Register at ccclib.org. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. ccclib.org or 646-5455. Friday and Saturdays thru Apr. 14 Free income tax assistance from AARP to low and middle-income people. Appointment required. Apr. 12 Computers and Technology If you need help with your mouse, come to our house. Drop-in assistance to learn how to use computers, smart phones and tablets. 12 2 p.m. Additional dates and times offered. Check library calendar. Apr. 26 – 27 Book Sale Hardcovers $1. Paperbacks $.50. Children’s books $.25-$.50. Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun. 1 – 4 p.m. $3/bag.
GOVERNMENT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council 7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Concord City Council 6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. Join us this Easter
Good Friday
Apr. 26 Festival of Tables and Fashion Fashion by Chico’s. Lunch by La Veranda. Proceeds go to select charities and scholarships supported by Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. 11 a.m. Concord United Methodist Church, 1645 West St., Concord. $40. Contact Rosemary Harwood 672-3490. claytonvalleywomansclub.org.
April 18 Worship 7 PM
Easter Sunday, April 20
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. claytonlibrary.org or 673-0659. Tuesdays Thru May 13 Patty Cakes Story time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. 11 a.m. Wednesdays Book Buddies A volunteer will read stories for children 3 and older. 2 - 3 p.m. Call in advance.
Estate and Tax Planning 101 “What you don’t know can hurt you.” Thursday, April 17, 2014 6:30 - 8:00 PM Walnut Creek Office
Walnut Creek Office:
IRA Beneficiary Trusts
3100 Oak Road, #100 Walnut Creek CA 94597 (925) 937-4211
“How to Stretch out Payments and Protect your IRA Beneficiaries.” Wednesday, May 21, 2014 6:30 - 8:00 PM Walnut Creek Office
Call to RSVP (925) 432-4211 Or send email to Christine@LittornoLaw.com
Richard@LittornoLaw.com www.LittornoLaw.com
Apr. 11 - 13 Used Book Sale Most books $1. Most children’s books $.50. Fri. 4 – 7 p.m. members preview. Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 12 – 4 p.m. half price. 2 – 4 p.m. $3/bag; bag provided.
FUNDRAISERS
Upcoming Seminars
2211 Railroad Ave. Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 432-4211
Thru Apr. 30 Student Exhibit Danish students in fourth and fifth grade tell about their country.
Apr. 27 Book Discussion and Potluck Dr. Herman Waetjen leads discussion of “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.” Come for both or discussion only. Open to the public. 12 – 1:30 p.m. Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. cvpresby.org. 672-4848.
LITTORNO LAW GROUP
Pittsburg Office:
Thursdays Thru May 8 Picture Book Time Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. 11 a.m.
Space is Limited Refreshments served
5554 Clayton Rd., Concord
Breakfast 9:30 AM Festival worship 11:15 PM
(in the CC Farm Bureau building)
(925) 524-0295 For more information, go to EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org
St. Bonaventure Catholic 5562 Clayton Rd. Community HOLY THURSDAY- April 17
Concord (925) 672-5800
Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Bi-lingual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY – April 18 Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross in the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00 a.m. “Walking with Jesus to the Cross”- Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:15 p.m. Passion of the Lord - Church (English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 p.m. Church (Spanish) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:30 p.m. Parish Hall (English) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
HOLY SATURDAY - April 19 Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Easter Vigil in the Holy Night: (Bi-lingual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
EASTER SUNDAY: The Resurrection of the Lord - April 20 English Masses: Church, 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. English Masses: Parish Hall, 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. Spanish Mass: Church, 12:45 p.m.
No 5:00 p.m. Mass on Easter
April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Lighten up your laundry room blue washer and dryer set, a black brick floor, and a collection of vintage laundering tin posters. Consider an orange-colored washer and dryer set, with contrasting turquoise walls and a gray tiled floor to look like reclaimed wood. Or, how about a black washer and dryer set, with metallic silver walls, a shimmery ivory fleur-de-lys stencil, and a mini crystal chandelier centered above the work space. Sterile and bland? No way. The laundry room may not be a super fun space to spend time, but the color and décor doesn’t have to reflect the laundry room’s reputation.
JENNIFER LEISCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR There’s something utterly unglamorous about a laundry room. It’s a room where dirty clothes are collected, clean clothes are folded, and sometimes, where the tedious act of ironing takes place. Sadly, the laundry room has built up a dull and boring reputation over the years, with its known rap sheet of monotonous activities. On the “fresh spring breeze” side of things, with a little thoughtful décor and planning, the laundry room can be transformed into a space that is cheerful, functional, and perhaps, a space you may even want to spend some quality time. Here are some ideas to create the perfect wash-dry-fold experience. FESTIVE STORAGE The laundry room is more than just a room dedicated to laundering. For most of us, it’s also a catch-all space for the storage of cleaning supplies, a mud room, a warm and cozy room for the pets when its raining outside, and even a party prep space to hide the surprise
THINK BEYOND WHITE WHEN CHOOSING COLORS for your laundry. Bright colors give snap to even plain white appliances.
birthday cake. The laundry room needs to have ample and unique storage and staging space to suite its many needs. Consider upper cabinetry with wire mesh or glass inserts to give your space some visual depth. A series of cubbies on either side of your washer and dryer fabricated from modular cabinet boxes (less the cabinet doors) might be useful for dryer sheets, bleach, detergent, or even adding just a tad of precious counter space. Or, try
thoughtful placement of hooks or a decorative peg board to hang cleaning tools, or bins to store laundering supplies — or anything else that winds up in the laundry room. HAPPY COLORS Secretly, you may aspire to have the whitest-of-whitewhites on your block, but that doesn’t mean your laundry room has to have bleached walls. Think color. Try sunshine-yellow walls with a bright cobalt-
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Whether your laundry room is more of a “designated area” within your garage, an extradeep closet in your bedroom hallway, or an actual room somewhere within your home, every laundry space has its own special charm. Sometimes this charm is obvious and easy to work with; sometimes, this charm must be dug up and created. Using storage creatively, incorporating cheerful or sleek colors, and having some fun with accessories and lighting will take your laundry room from boring to a space that invigorates your inner designer. Yes, we’re still talking about the laundry room. Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.
Celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 20 With Concord United Methodist Church 1645 West Street, Concord 6 am Sunrise Service 10 am Easter Service Free Nursery Care provided at the 10 am Service Free Children’s Easter Egg Hunt after 10 am Service
(925) 685-5260
concordumc.org
Hardscapes Masonry Interlocking Pavers Drainage & Grading Retaining Walls
Onofre Gomez, owner, lic. #964834
ConcreteByIronhorse.com Onofre is as professional as you can get, always on time, great explanations, and the work speaks for itself. I would definitely recommend Iron Horse Concrete to my family and friends. - Kim Waraner, Waraner Tree Experts
Spice up meals with sweet, crispy bok choy DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Part of the cabbage family, bok choy is a versatile leafy green with crunchy white stalks and tender, dark green leaves. It has a light, slightly sweet flavor and crisp texture. In the past, it was used mostly in Asian cooking – soups, stir-fry, and other
dishes – but it is now readily available and used widely in a variety of Western dishes. At the farmers’ market you will find the standard large bok (about the size of a head of leafy lettuce) and a smaller, more tender baby bok choy that would fit in the palm of your hand. When purchasing bok choy, select stalks that are pure white
and firm. Additionally, look for leaves that are dark green and non-wilted. Do not select bok choy that has any brown spots on its leaves, as this type of bok choy is less flavorful. Look for a plant with firm stalks that is free of brown spots. Wrapped in paper towels and stored in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator, bok choy should keep for up to a week. You can stir-fry, steam, microwave, or eat raw. You can even roast it with other vegetables like onions and mushrooms. Use as a side dish or add to soups and stews. One half cup of raw bok choy, which is approximately 56 grams, contains only 10 calories. Additionally, bok choy contains no fat or cholesterol and is a good source of calcium. It is also low in sodium and high in vitamins C and A.
WARM BOK CHOY SALAD 4 heads baby bok choy, chopped into large pieces 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 inch piece fresh ginger, chopped fine 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 4 Tbsp. toasted almond slivers Salt and fresh pepper, to taste In a wok or skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for a minute. Add the bok choy and stir fry over medium heat till the stalks are tender and the leaves are wilted. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar and seasoning. Pour over the cooked bok choy and sprinkle the toasted almond slivers. Your salad is ready to be served warm.
FREE ESTIMATES
925-250-0334
Owners Dustin & Kim Waraner Contractors Lic #879423 Arborist Lic WE-7372A
The Torrey Team is now in Clayton! With more than four decades of success throughout the central county area, Clayton resident Zack Torrey and the rest of The Torrey Team provide a unique blend of exemplary service. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Clayton, find out what our HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE can do for you!
(925) 595-6707 BRE license #01433553
Sunday, April 20 • Two Seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Check out our website, review our performance statistics, and then give The Torrey Team a call for a free, “no-strings” consultation.
If you’re looking for place to go for a delicious Easter Sunday Brunch, come celebrate the holiday with your friends and family at Oakhurst Country Club. Ring in springtime with a delectable selection of food, drink, and beautiful surroundings.
There will also be a Petting Zoo, an Easter Egg hunt, and pictures with the Easter Bunny for the kids. $43.99++ Adults • $22.99++ Children (ages 4-12)
www.TheTorreyTeam.com of J. Rockcliff Realtors
For reservations, please contact (925) 672-9737 ext. 217 | eventdirector@oakhurstcc.com
1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton, CA | www.oakhurstcc.com
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Performing Arts
Diablo Theatre Company takes a year off to ‘retool’ Diablo Theatre Company will not be presenting a musical season next year at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The company, who just closed their 54th season with “Guys and Dolls” and in January were honored with six Shellie Awards including Outstanding Musical Production for “Singin’ in the Rain,” can no longer afford to produce main stage musicals at the Lesher Center. “It was a banner year for us and we are very saddened to
announce that we will not have a 2014-15 season at the Lesher Center. The costs of producing main stage shows at the Lesher Center have escalated beyond our resources, compelling us to take a year off to retool and evaluate options,” states Sherry Caraballo Dorfman, Board President. She continues, “We hope to produce on a main stage again in 2015-16.” DTC began modestly in the late 1950s with a small group of musical theater fans who wanted to produce their favorite Gilbert
and Sullivan operettas. Calling themselves Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC), the founders presented shows at Walnut Creek’s old Civic Arts Center, a converted walnutshelling house. When Walnut
Creek opened its state-of-the-art performance venue, the Lesher Center for the Arts, in 1990, DLOC became one of its anchor tenants and began mounting large-scale musical productions in the 785-seat
Tiffany Bertolami-Fong and Michael Malerba
ROSSELYN RAMIREZ dances in “Great Masters” presented by Diablo Ballet May 8-10.
A.C.T. presents haunting, musical ‘Suit’ Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble
“Cinderella,” the romantic story of a girl’s dream to find her true love comes to the Margaret Lesher stage at the Lesher Center next month when Fantasy Forum Ensemble closes their 41st season. In this adaptation with original music by Florence Denison, Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters make a hilarious attempt to marry the prince. With help from the audience, Cinderella’s fairy godmother does make dreams come true. This is an original family friendly musical
that encourages audience participation from all ages. The show runs May 1-4 with several performances each day. For performance times and ticket info call (925) 943-SHOW (7469), or go to www.leshercenter.org, or buy in person at the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office located at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek or from the ticket office at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek. Go to www.fantasyforum.org for more information on Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.
Get caught in ‘The Mousetrap’
Ron Llenado Photography.
‘THE MOUSETRAP,’ AGATHA CHRISTIE’S famous mystery, opens at the California Theater in Pittsburg on May 9.
Pittsburg Community Theatre will ask “who dunnit?” as it presents Agatha’s Christie’s “The Mousetrap.” Directed by Roberta Tibbetts and featuring PCT’s founder Betty Brown, this classic mystery will have you guessing to the very end. The story surrounds a group of strangers who are stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house, and the suspicions that are in their minds nearly wreck their perfect marriage. Others are a spinster with a curious background, an architect
who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman, traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives, than the jurist is killed. Performed at the newly renovated California Theatre, the show is scheduled over Mother’s Day weekend May 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and May 10 and 11 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call or visit the box office at 351 Railroad Ave. (925-427-1047) Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. or visit www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
enough money to begin producing large-scale musicals again. To make a donation or for more information, please visit their website at: www.diablotheatre.org.
Diablo Ballet wraps up season with ‘Great Masters’
Fantasy Forum closes season with hilarious ‘Cinderella’
IN THIS ORIGINAL FANTASY FORUM ADAPTATION of “Cinderella,” the Fairy Godmother turns to the audience for help.
Hofmann Theatre. On its 50th anniversary, the company changed its name to Diablo Theatre Company. The company will be launching a “Back to the Main Stage” fundraiser in hopes to raise
From legendary theatrical innovators Peter Brook, MarieHélène Estienne, and Franck Krawczyk, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) presents the internationally acclaimed music-infused production, “The Suit,” April 23 through May 18. Fresh from sold-out runs in New York, Paris, and London, “The Suit” is a tragic tale of betrayal and resentment adapted from the short story of the same name by South African writer, Can Themba. When a husband catches his beautiful wife in the arms of her lover, the lover flees — but leaves his suit behind. As her penance, the husband makes his wife “treat the suit as an honored guest,” to accompany her wherever she goes. From the dinner table to walks around the neighborhood, the suit becomes a whimsical yet cruel reminder of her infidelity. Traditional African melodies
CenterREP dishes on Walnut Creek’s desperate housewives Meet Joanne, Penny, Babette, Beezus, and Lulu, “The Real Housewives of Walnut Creek.” They are the ladies who have it all. Or do they? Secrets, lies and betrayal are flowing as quickly as martinis at 1515 in the latest offering of Center Repertory Company’s Off Center Series, “The Real Housewives of Walnut Creek: The Musical.” It runs April 17 through May 11 in the Stage 3 theater at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. A World Premiere new musical by Molly Bell, who was recently starred in “Sweet Charity” last season at Center REP, this hilarious romp is inspired by the infamous reality series. Set to a rockin’ score, the new musical explores the underside of climbing the social ladder and staying ahead of the pack. “Molly Bell wowed us with ‘Becoming Britney’ and showed she has a great comedic gift for cultural observation,” says Center REP Artistic Director Michael Butler. “And as a singer/dancer/actor, she always delivers a powerhouse performance. I can’t wait to see her take on this!” All performances will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.centerrep.org.
interweave with jazz standards to underscore this simple yet surprising tale, set in Apartheidera Johannesburg. Reminiscent of “The Scarlet Letter” and overflowing with the same inventiveness as “The Overcoat” and “Brief Encounter,” “The Suit” features innovative staging that integrates virtuosic musicians directly into the action, making Brook’s haunting production of this heartbreaking fable sing. “The Suit” will perform at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater , 415 Geary Street, San Francisco. Tickets ($20 $120) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.
Diablo Ballet concludes its landmark 20th 2013-14 Season at the Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium in Walnut Creek on May 9 and with Great Masters, featuring Val Caniparoli's passionate duet, “Fade to Black,” set to the legendary songs of Nina Simone. The duet, demonstrates fireworks between a couple in a sassy, sultry and rough-love dance work. Also on the program is George Balanchine’s celebratory Concert Version of
“Who Cares?” set to the Broadway music of George Gershwin. This joyful ballet brings to the stage the exuberance of city life through swift group dances and dreamy duets. Performances are May 9 at 8 p.m. and May 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 . Purchase tickets online at www.DiabloBallet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775
The Story of Indie Rock Icon Kristin Hersh comes to the Stage
Kristin Hersh’s
Adapted to the stage by Stuart Bousel
Thur., Fri., Sat., 8:00 pm. May 1-24, Tickets $15 EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St., S.F. (Two blocks from Powell St. BART)
April 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
Available this Spring at Navlet’s Garden Centers: World’s Hottest Chili Peppers
Red Savina Habanero
Navlet’s Garden Centers 2014 line up of pepper plants features some of the hottest chili peppers in the world. Gardeners seeking to spice up their cuisine will have no problem turning up the heat this spring with Navlet’s scorching selection. Just how pungent are Navlet’s peppers? The answer lies in the Scoville Scale, the most widely used and respected test for heat in spicy foods to
date. Back in 1912, American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville developed a method for measuring the heat unit of a given pepper by its level of capsaicin, the compound that puts the “hot” in hot pepper. The hottest of the hot are the Trinidad Scorpion Moruga, Trinidad Butch “T” and Bhut Ghost Red, with ratings that range from one to two million Scoville heat units. That is well over 400 times hotter than tabasco sauce. Other popular varieties include the Caribbean Red Hot, Fatalii, Habanero and Thai Hot. All are guaranteed to satisfy the most fervent heat seekers. Navlet’s four East Bay stores will carry over fifty different pepper varieties throughout the spring season. That includes the Red Savina, a Habanero chili pepper available exclusively at Navlet’s. Selectively bred by a grower in Southern California to produce more pungent and robust fruit, the Red Savina reigned as the Guinness Book of World Records’ hottest chili from 1994 until 2006, when it lost its title to the Ghost Pepper.
Mild pepper varieties, such as Bell Peppers and the Sweet Banana, round out Navlet’s selection. Availability will vary weekly. As Buzz Bertolero, the one and only Dirt Gardener and executive vice president of Navlet’s,
says, “Variety is the spice of life. Our big, bold selection of peppers allows our customers the opportunity to try out new varieties and new flavors.” For more information, go to navletsgardens.com.
Used book sale benefits library It’s time to stock up on some favorite books. The Clayton Community Library Foundation’s (CCLF) Spring Used Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday April 12, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at the Clayton Community Library. Most books are $1, with children’s books 50cents. There will be a half-price and $3-a-bag special on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
There will be a Member’s Only preview on Friday, April 11 , from 4 to 7 p.m. Memberships can be purchased at the door. The cost for an individual is $10, a Family Membership is $15, and Contributing Member is $30. Used book sales are CCLF’s major fundraiser, bringing in between $14,000 and $16,000 each year. Our other major source of income is membership
dues. CCLF gives a minimum of $25,000 each year to the library for materials, programs, furniture and volunteer services. We are encouraging everyone to donate books they have read, especially recent publications. Many of our good quality donations find themselves on the shelves. The Clayton Community Library is located at 6125 Clayton Rd.
L SPECIA
212 Mountaire Circle, Clayton
f f O % 0 1
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DI PEN
ton for Clay only s t n e resid
Remodeling Specialist
Offered at $640,000 Plenty of TLC is reflected in this gorgeous 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths in the wonderful Dana Hill neighborhood. Nestled in a spectacular wooded setting with views of Mt Diablo & hills! Enjoy everything wonderful Clayton has to offer – fantastic schools, small town charm PLUS a fantastic floor plan. A special home you must see to appreciate.
Kitchens Bathrooms Windows Mouldings Decks Siding Painting interior & exterior
1830 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Kevin Schmidt, Clayton Resident
925-822-5144
Family Owned and Operated
738 Bloching Circle, Clayton
license 962284
LINDA LANDGRAF
(925) 876-0311
Real Estate Professional
lindalandgraf@comcast.net
Cal BRE License #01504011
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RENTAL
803 Condor Pl, Clayton
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom
$1950/month Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
ACTIVE LISTINGS
2004 Alvarado Dr. Antioch
$299,000
4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Approx. 1794 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
Diane and Bill Hayes Sales Agent DRE#01222762
925-890-4701 Dianemariehayes25@ yahoo.com
PENDING
4 Mount Wilson Way, Clayton
$349,900
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, 966 sq ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
304 Ahwanee Lane Clayton
$819,900
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Approx. 2505 sq.ft. Listing agent: Diane Hayes
What’s included, and so much more.
Paula Johnstone Broker Associate DRE# 00797857
925-381-8810 heypaula10@gmail.com
SOLD
Ph: 925.672.9840
travel-2-go.com
Clayton Station Shopping Center 5439 Clayton Road (Suite F) - Clayton, CA * Sample price is per person, based on double occupancy in a Club category room on select weeks at Ixtapa Pacific. Prices on other dates may vary. Offer requires a 7-night or 14-night stay. Available at Ixtapa Pacifi c. Does not include airfare. Valid for new individual bookings only for select travel dates from 5/3/2014 through 8/23/2014 and must be booked by 4/22/2014, subject to capacity control & may increase at any time. **Children aged under 4 years stay for free. For flights that are booked through Club Med, tickets for children must be paid for by the client. Children who are eligible for free stay must be lodged in the same room as the adults who are paying for their stay, or in a connecting room. Costs associated with Baby & Petit Club Med are at full day rate during entire stay booked. General Conditions: Blackout dates apply, including holidays and other dates. Club Med Membership fees of $60 per adult and $30 per child are additional. Other restrictions apply including brochure terms and cancellation/change fees. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. CST#: 2020955-50. Privacy Policy: Your Personal Information is solely intended for use by members of the Club Méditerranée Group. We respect the privacy of our web site visitors and follow strict guidelines for protecting and maintaining any and all information we may have about you. This responsibility is fundamental to our business. In connection with meeting this responsibility, Club Med Sales, Inc. is a member of the Direct Marketing Association and participates in its DMA Privacy Promise to American consumers. A visitor providing information through this site may delete personal information that we maintain in the ordinary course of our business. You can exercise this option by calling 1-888-WEB CLUB (1-888-932-2582, toll free), or by sending a letter to: Guest Relations, Club Med Sales, Inc., 2151 E. Broadway Road, Suite 217, Tempe, AZ 85282 .
CST #2033054-40
$700,000
4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, Approx. 2257 sq.ft. Listing agent: Rula Masannat
For more information or to book, please contact:
Travel To Go, Inc. -
5858 Pine Hollow Rd. Clayton
4790 Matheson Ct. Concord
$630,000
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom, Approx. 2212 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
mazzeirealty.net Clayton residents since 1959
925-693-0757 (Main)
Matt Mazzei, Jr. Broker/Owner DRE# 01881269
925-766-6745 mazzeirealty@yahoo.com
6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton
925-693-0752 (Fax)
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Love some Salvia Hot Lips Senior Tuesday Seniors 55+ take 10% off every Tues.
Our passion is pets.
Excludes livestock feed & sale items.
NICOLE HACKETT Blue Buffalo
Greenies
Merrick
Triple Dental
Natural Dental Chews
Dental Chews
Brush Bones
Tooth Brush Kit
$
17
12 oz. bag
14
.99
$
.99
Huge Gift Clearance.
80 off %
all items in the Loft
$
• • • • •
VIP Vet Clinic Parrot Training Workshop
14
.99
$
9
.99
Garden Art & Statuary Willow Tree Figurines Exotic Scented Soaps Stuffed Animals for kids Many more items
Sat. 10 - 11:30am
Apr. 19
Sun. 9am - 4pm
Apr. 27
Call for info and reservations.
Bird Grooming Customer Appreciation & Pet Adoption Day
GARDEN GIRL Salvia Hot Lips is Clayton Valley’s longest blooming, sunloving perennial. It’s only the beginning of April, and this sage is already in full bloom, much to the delight of hummingbirds everywhere. The flowers of Salvia Hot Lips are red, bi-color red\white and solid white. All colors can be in show on the plant at the same time. The airy, thin branches are lined with stacks of the colorful display. The flowers are two-lipped shaped, creating the perfect throat for the long tongue of hummingbirds. This perennial is an evergreen, but performs better when pruned hard in February,
the end of May and the middle of September. February’s pruning will be the deepest. It will be difficult for some garden lovers to make the necessary cuts. If Salvia Hot Lips is left to grow on its own, it may reach four-feet tall and wide, and lose some of its density in the process. Not to worry though, if you have let your Salvia Hot Lips go, prune hard whenever you can and it’ll grow back, fabulous. Salvia Hot Lips thrives in full sun. At least six hours of sun is needed for bloom. Salvia Hot Lips looks great at two- to three-feet tall and wide. It grows round in nature, so allow enough width for it to shine. Salvia Hot Lips is worthy of both landscape and container situations. That says a lot for the versatility of this perennial. Within a landscape, Salvia Hot Lips can hold its own visually among evergreen and other foundation shrubs and trees. It can be used as the flowerpower of a landscape. Mix Salvia Hot Lips in with your Crape Myrtle, Lavender, Indian Hawthorn, Lantana, Flax or Ceanothus.
Schaefer’s PAINTING
Sat. 10am - 3pm Sun. 9am - 2pm
Re a neady for this w loo spri k ng?
May 3 May. 17
If we do not have your product, we can special order. Open 7 days Mon - Fri 10 to 6 Sat 9 to 6 Sun 10 to 4
www.rodiesfeed.com (925) 672-4600
8863 Marsh Creek Rd. in Clayton
Interior & Exterior Popcorn Ceilings
Sheetrock, Texture Cabinet Refinishing
Bryan Schaefer Clayton Resident License #708321
(925) 260-6065
Family Trade since 1936
SALVIA-HOT-LIPS
Some may consider using Salvia Hot Lips in a large planter, urn or wine barrel. The hardiness and flower- power of the Salvia Hot Lips makes it a great centerpiece to a container planting. Surround the base of the Salvia Hot Lips with cascading, flowering plants. For spring and summer cascading flowers consider using Million Bells, Petchoa, Verbena or Lobelia. When the summer blooming cascading plant’s flowers start to fade, supplement some winter color in your container. Pansies, Snapdragons and Stock will flower from October through March. Squeeze cellpacks in to the planter along the summer bloomers. They will co-exist and cycle in and out of bloom. Salvia Hot Lips is a tough, Clayton Valley hardy shrub-like perennial. It creates impact with its constant bloom. It is drought-tolerant, neat and hummingbird-friendly. It’s already blooming and will try to flower until pruned next year. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contact her with questions or comments at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com