The Concordian, December 2014 issue

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 2 ~ www.myconcordian.com

A Tree for Dawn Bennett-fix

InkDrops

by Andre Gensburger

A Fond Farewell Dear Readers, It with a heavy heart that I have to share this will be the FINAL print edition of The Concordian.

This newspaper began in June 2008 amidst good intentions with a, now, former partner. We began direct mailing to EVERY home in Concord, a hefty ambition considering that the advertising revenue could not support such a venture. And we progressed that way through the end of 2009 when I decided that either the paper ended or the partnership ended.

By that time we had dropped to street distribution and while we were present in the face of Concord and held favor with the city of Concord, things still held much promise.

Until this year.

The Concordian has faced an onslaught from outside publications that have entrenched themselves into the community, doing what we were unable to do. Without detail, more than one publication has been involved in this decision on my part.

As a result we are unable to generate sufficient revenue to publish a print edition.

Those of you who have dealt with me know that I deal fairly and in favor of suporting our community.

Unfortunately the people upon which we rely to further this goodwill just were not there.

No matter how much publicity you generate, a newspaper that is produced once a month can never truly be a paper of news. It is just not realistic.

Still, I am heartened by the fact that even though The Concordian will be gone, Concord will still have the Concord Transcript for news, as well as breaking news from our friends at Claycord.com.

A New Player A few months ago my wife started her own newspaper - The Clayton Gazette. It is direct mailed to every home and business in Clayton.

Recently, as I announced to her

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the demise of The Concordian, she mentioned her intention to publish twice a month, the seond issue not just for Clayton, but also offering pages for city news from Concord, Martinez, WalnutCreek, Pleasant Hill and even Danville. With the funding her publication has received, I have no doubt she will be a force to be reckoned with.

As I end my tenure at the helm of The Concordian, I will be joining her at her paper in the position of advertising consultant and content editor. In other words, advertisers of The Concordian should look to her paper as a transitional move, with the same rates they have enjoyed with The Concordian, and a better exposure - she prints 15,000 additional copies aside from her direct mailing to Clayton.

I urge you to support her by liking her Facebook page at www. fb.com/ClaytonGazette and by asking advertisers to support her publication.

The Concordian Facebook page will remain active as will the website

with all our past issues.

It has been my pleasure to have brought you The Concordian all these years. I thank you for your support, the many kind words and testimonials and the incredible Facebook following that has surpassed most other local publications.

Warmly, Andre Gensburger

Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ClaytonGazette

D

awn Bennett-fix is a patient to accept help or pay it back. Coach woman. Since last August Murphys wife, Christie, as well as when her Julie Rogers went disability coverage above and beyond to from work related let me know it would injury was exhausted, be okay.” she was left with no Dawn has been income and no remedy in physical therapy for the back injury that for over a month was getting worse. with weekly nerve The injury had injections for occured in 2007 and stimulation, hopeful she had surgery. to reverse some of Photo courtesy Dawn Bennett-fix the damage.

Until recently all was Gabe Taylor and mom, Dawn Bennet-fix well, until she had a “We are doing sudden downturn in her surgery, referred to an condition. outside specialist,” Dawn said. “It’s She has a permanent total more complex now, involves several disability and could not apply for locations along spine, and I am SSDI until she was off work for a starting to go paralyzed.” year.

She has a walker. “It’s hard to Worse, the injury is worsening and accept that,” she said. “We have could potentially leave her paralyzed. discussed certain outcomes, if I wind Her son Gabe Taylor was a football up in a wheelchair. It will be okay.” player at Clayton Valley Charter Dawn just wants her kids to get High School, now at DVC. Her other through school, graduate, be strong. son Nate, is the CVCHS Varsity “Our faith keeps us going,” She official ball boy. added.

With no income and as a single The Clayton Gazette has set up a parent, she lost her home and had to fundraiser for Dawn. On page 16 of live in a shelter. their December issue their tree shows “We were getting ready to sleep those who have donated funds to her, on the streets.” They are now living either through her PayPal account or with a good friend, Heather Drolette on her GoFundMe site. in Clayton who made it clear that was On their website at www. not an option..

ClaytonGazette.com, they have the “Last year when our first story same tree and can place more photos, went viral with Marisa and Robert business logos and messages for $10 from Cal Hi Sports and with the each. It will be up through the end of help of Coach Murphy and his the holidays. 100 percent of monies football staff, I was scared, prideful, raised goes to Dawn. If you can help embarrassed,” Dawn said. “I’m a it would be appreciated. survivor type person with a ‘we will http://www.gofundme.com/ezc4h4? be ok’ attitude. I didn’t know how

5th Annual Super Holiday Boutique Benefits New Organization The holiday season’s largest shopping extravaganza in Contra Costa is the fifth annual Super Holiday Boutique this year in Pleasant Hill and Concord on the Dec. 5 and 7.

The free holiday indoor events allow shoppers to get those special one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for family, friends and colleagues from a variety of arts and crafts vendors, homebased businesses and commercial exhibitors.

Toys, clothing, jewelry, purses, cosmetics, candles, soaps, candy, fashion accessories, home goods, bath and body, books, kitchenware and cooking products, baked goods and so much more will be available.

There will also be holiday decorations galore along with self-help and home improvement exhibitors.

The Friday evening, Dec. 5, Super Holiday Boutique is from 5- 8 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane near City Hall and Bed Bath and Beyond. The fifth annual Boutique at Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Rd. next to Clayton Valley Bowl, is on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

A raffle at each site will be held benefiting Thankfulness in California, a new organization raising awareness and respect for all military service people. Founder Annita Emerson, mother of a current military member, wants to “Inspire people to thank active military whenever they see them and send California love to our troops.” Girl Scout troop 32398 will be on hand to sell raffle tickets and holiday goodies.

Santa will be on hand to hear holiday wishes and pose for free photo opportunities for kids of all ages. There will be free holiday arts and crafts activities allowing kids to make keepsake presents for their family and friends.

Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket. The donation of each can of food to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano will earn the donor another raffle ticket. The first 200 families through the door will receive a holiday goody bag.

Super Holiday Boutique is free to the public with free parking around the venues. Visit www. superholidayboutique.com for more information.

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The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 3 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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Help the 18th Annual Monumental Toy Drive 2014 The 18th annual Monumental Holiday Toy Drive is now accepting new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations.

Monumental Toy Drive is one of Concord’s most visible events each year and is eagerly anticipated by children and volunteers alike.

Many families in our city are unable to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Monumental

Toy Drive provides gifts for these low-income families with children in grades Kindergarten through 5th from six elementary schools in the city of Concord.

Organizers are in need of new toys suitable for ages 5-10 such as games, dolls, action figures, craft kits and sports equipment.

Toys may be brought to any of the following Donation Stations: Concord Police Headquarters, 1350 Galindo St., Concord

Concord Civic Hall, 1950 Parkside Dr., Concord Goodwin Chiropractic Inc., 1800 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA And other local businesses throughout the community.

The public is also invited to attend community-gift wrapping sessions at the Harvest House warehouse, 2395 Monument Blvd., Suite K on Wednesday, Dec. 10th, Thursday, Dec. 11th

and Friday, Dec. 12th from 10am2pm or 4pm to 7p.m. or Saturday, December 13th from 12noon3pm.

For more information, to make a donation or to sign up to volunteer, please visit our website at monumentaltoydrive.org or leave your name and number at (925) 609-4458 and we will return your call

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 4 ~ www.ClaytonGazette.com

somethingtosmileabout

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) Maxillomandibular advancement Tracheostomy.

Nasal surgery to remove polyps or straighten a

by Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S. crooked partition between your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) All I Want for the Holiday is for You to Stop Snoring Surgery to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids : Additional Therapies include: Most people who snore suffer from no serious medical Treatment for associated medical problems. Possible condition. However, approximately 12 million Americans have causes of central sleep apnea include heart or neuromuscular a sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which disorders, and treating those conditions may help. can be deadly.

Supplemental oxygen. Using supplemental oxygen while you sleep may help if you have central sleep apnea. Various Sleep apnea deprives the body of normal blood oxygen forms of oxygen are available as well as different devices to levels. This may cause morning headaches, excessive fatigue, and in some cases high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, even deliver oxygen to your lungs.

Bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP). BPAP builds to stroke. a higher pressure when you inhale and decreases to a lower pressure when you exhale. Some BPAP devices can be set to I started making dental snore appliances when one of my automatically deliver a breath if the device detects you haven’t patients came to me asking for help because as he said, “I’ve taken one after so many seconds. tried everything but still snore. I’m desperate”. I’m happy Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV). This more recently to report that he loved the appliance I made him! In doing approved airflow device learns your normal breathing pattern more research and taking extra continuing education classes and stores the information in a built-in computer.. on snoring, I now encourage all patients to speak with their HYPERLINK “http://www.mayoclinic. physician and have the proper sleep studies done to know the com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148/ difference between excessive snoring and sleep apnea.

DSECTION=lifestyle%2Dand%2Dhome%2Dremedies” Lifestyle While the medical community has successfully treated and home remedies for sleep apnea. mild to severe cases of OSA with the CPAP therapy mask, In many cases, self-care may be an appropriate way for you (Continuous positive airway pressure). The mask is connected to deal with obstructive sleep apnea and possibly central sleep to a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed apnea. (Check with your physician before trying these tips): over your nose while you sleep. With CPAP (SEE-pap), the air Lose excess weight. Even a slight loss in excess weight may pressure is somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air, help relieve constriction of your throat. Sleep apnea may be and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open, cured in some cases by a return to a healthy weight. If you don’t preventing apnea and snoring. already have a weight-loss program, talk to your doctor about Although CPAP is a preferred method of treating sleep the best course of action for weight loss. apnea, some people find it cumbersome or uncomfortable.

Avoid alcohol and certain medications such as tranquilizers Don’t just stop using the CPAP machine if you experience and sleeping pills. These relax the muscles in the back of your problems. Check with your physician to see what modifications throat, interfering with breathing. can be made to make you more comfortable. Additionally, Sleep on your side or abdomen rather than on your back. contact your physician if you are still snoring despite treatment Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to or begin snoring again. rest against the back of your throat and block your airway. To The dental community has found that many people who prevent sleeping on your back, try sewing a tennis ball in the find the CPAP mask uncomfortable and cumbersome to use back of your pajama top. benefit from an Oral appliance called a “Snore Guard”. The Keep your nasal passages open at night. Use a saline nasal snore guard is a custom made oral appliance designed to keep spray to help keep your nasal passages open. Talk to your your throat open. While the CPAP is more effective than oral doctor about using any nasal decongestants or antihistamines appliances, this oral appliance may be easier for you to use. because these medications are generally recommended only for This guard is designed to open your throat by bringing your short-term use. jaw forward, which can sometimes relieve snoring and mild If you’re a snorer or sleep with someone who is I hope you obstructive sleep apnea. have found this article helpful….If you have any questions A number of other devices are available from your dentist. please feel free to email me at roberthwaldmandds@sbcglobal.

You may need to try different devices before finding one that net” or visit my website roberthwaldmandds.com. works for you. Once you find the right fit, you’ll still need to As always please remember to: Swish, floss, brush and follow up with your dentist at least every six months during the swish again and continue to see your dentist at least every six first year and then at least once a year after that to ensure that months or as often as your dentist prescribes. the fit is still good and to reassess your signs and symptoms.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY Other options to help with your snoring may include but are HOLIDAY SEASON!! not limited to: SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 7 Surgery

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The Concordian

classifieds &

service directory

NEED A TUTOR?

Educational Therapy postgraduate student/ lifelong Clayton resident offering in-home tutoring for Claycord K-6 graders! •Many local clients/ references•5 years teaching & tutoring experience•Sessions are enriching,

engaging, fun, & positive Natalie at claytoncatutor@gmail.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE?

Eastbay Works Concord offers a free 5-morning class in Customer Service covering the skills you need to succeed in the job market and work effectively with customers. Certificate awarded upon successful completion. Mon December 1 to Fri December 5, 9:00am to noon. No charge.

4071 Port Chicago Highway

APM 1yr Anniversary/ Networking Event on 4/2/15.

We’re looking for a local business to host. If you are interested, please email admin@ayalapm. com. In exchange, our marketing materials will include information about your business and you may address the audience.

Reader Submissions Horse Business in Clayton

Bob and Marilyn Miller with their Morgan horses Cinda (on the left) and Derby. We live in the Diablo Downs neighborhood and rode through the state park and into downtown Clayton to drop off our ballots on election day, November 4th. It was fun for us, and lots of people came out to see the horses.

If you have something to submit email info@ claytongazette.com. Submisssion in the subject line.

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 5 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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Jeff Holmes’ All About “A Heart ...”

My mother used to take me to see Christmas lights when I was little. I also took piano and violin lessons.

At that point, I developed an interest in putting lights and music together.

I realized there was technology to do this and pursued a degree in cinematic arts at Azusa Pacific University.

The Best and the Worst part of the process? Any artist goes through a lot of up and downs. I think the moment when you wonder if your ideas are going to be received well can be the worst. When you spend over 400 hours on the development side of a project you want people to like it.

financiallysavvy

by Kristin Peterson, Pacific Service Credit Union

The best part is seeing the faces of the guests when they are watching the show. I love the memories that are being created and the happy kids as they play in the faux snow.

I teach classes developing the concept and getting it started. The concept begins with the venue because, your location is a major asset and limitation. At that point, you decide which emotions you want the guests to feel. You gear the display to be elegant, fun, playful or scary (or a combination). You also

Refinancing Your Auto Loan Most consumers are familiar with mortgage loan refinancing.

However, members often tell us they didn’t know they could refinance their auto loan.

Vehicle loans are typically established with 4-6 year terms.

During the loan period, economic and financial situations can change.

You may be able to proactively respond to these changes with an auto loan refinance. Improvements in market rates, your credit score or your income can add up to big savings.

Rates Change Annual percentage rates periodically change. In today’s environment, rates have been declining. If you purchased a car more than a year ago, it is possible that your current interest rate is higher than what is being offered today. Refinancing could lower your monthly payment while keeping the same term. Or, refinancing to a lower interest rate and keeping the monthly payment the same could reduce the amount of time it takes to pay off the loan.

Credit Improvements Multiple factors are used in calculating credit scores, including payment history. After a year or more of timely repayments, a credit

score may improve. A higher credit score may qualify for a lower rate.

Lower rates not only reduce the monthly payment, they also reduce the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan.

Income Changes If your income has increased, you may want to consider refinancing to a lower interest rate and shortening your term. Both actions will save finance charges and increase the equity in your vehicle.

Conversely, if your income has decreased and overextended your monthly budget, you may prefer to extend the loan term and lower your payment.

Pacific Service Credit Union offers a simple process to refinance your auto loan. For a limited time, we have an unbeatable refinance offer that includes up to $300 cash back and no payments for 90 days. Give us a phone call and a few minutes and we’ll add up just how much we can lower your monthly payment and how much you will save over the life of the loan, for complete details or to find out if an auto loan refinance is right for you, visit one of our local branches or call (888) 858-6878. www. pacificservice.org.

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gear things to audience that you expect to see the display. My last class, called “Great Music, Great programming, Great Show” was held at the National Christmas Expo in Mississippi and will be taught in other locations in the coming months.

Factoid:There are 3 triangle trees that my mom insists that I put into every show. They are the original

trees that I learned to program on.

Those trees took over our family room for a full year before they were ready to be seen by anyone.

We would have preview shows in the family room at random times of the year. My friends would be amazed that my Mom let me have them up all year.

John Groebner, Katie Grace’s father is one of the biggest helpers this show. For the last couple of weeks he has been on site almost daily to help us get the more difficult tasks finished.

Everyone in my family is a “volunteer”, from the oldest to the youngest members. My dad, Neil Holmes, has stayed up way past his bedtime, many times to help me get to the finish line. There are upwards of 60 people on the team.

Their names scroll on the house in recognition after each show.

Judy Pancoast, a 2011 Grammy nominated children’s artist, is coming to our show on Wednesday, Dec 17th.

She’s going to be performing a free, one hour concert at 7 PM. And Savanha’s Singing Elves will entertain throughout the event which ends on December 28.

For the future I hope to pursue a career in creative development, hopefully on the Disney Team. If anyone has leads or possible position, I am currently looking.

Thank you, I am looking forward to having you visit the display and show. ~ Jeff Holmes, [Editor Note: Jeff Holmes is the creator of the largest musical Christmas tree in the world. The display features nearly 60,000 lights, snow machines, lasers, water fountains, projection mapping, and a 20-minute musical light show featuring our two adorable snow children, Blizzard and Flurry! Make a point to visit the show located at 1185 Pine Lane, Clayton. Learn more and see the schedule at http:// aheartforchristmas.com]

Happy Holidays from your friends at The Concordian

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 6 ~ www.myconcordian.com

resident tales

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Sponsored by the Diamond Terrace 55+ Retirement Community, Clayton

Cook Me A Sanmich Mommy By Marie Sutton

For years I have enjoyed an egg pancake with strawberry jam.

In Minneapolis, growing up we called them Norwegian or Swedish pancakes. Then my life broadened to other places to live and the name of this familiar treat added new names,

especially the French title of crepes.

Still the same pancake, only a fancier name and still delicious!

My children learned to like them also and would enjoy a pancake any time, lunch or breakfast. When my five year old son started school his

lunch frequently would be an egg pancake or it would be a popular request if he was just hungry.

Therefore, the memory of him sitting alone at the dining table and saying to me, “Cook me a sanmich, Mommy!” which meant, “Make me

an egg pancake.” Is a memory that has stayed with me for almost 60 years!

Years later, my youngest daughter went off to college, first to Chico State University where the strawberry pancake was very popular. She and her friends took me to a special pancake house where the rage was strawberry pancakes.

The line waiting for them was way out the door, but they were worth waiting for! I don’t know where she picked up the French name for these pancakes that I have had most of my life. After Chico State she attended university in Germany, than Berkeley. I am sure that Berkeley had strawberry crepes. At least she made them herself when she married and lived for many years in Berkeley.

And positively she grew up learning to like them from her older brother. I don’t remember her asking for them as he did, but I can remember visiting her after she married and lived in Berkeley.

She would make stacks of them for breakfast. A breakfast to remember forever- even without the strawberries and whipped cream, but jam instead- delicious!

For a time I worked at our sewing machine and vacuum store in Concord. One lovely young girl came into the store to buy a sewing machine. She lived at a ski resort and when I asked what job she had there, she proudly answered that she made crepes! I can just imagine the business she did for hungry skiers and the business she did that made it possible for her to purchase a Viking sewing machine, top of the line at that time!

It’s great to live in these days when fresh strawberries are available all times of the year. However, crepes are good with just jam and butter, STRAWBERRY JAM preferably. I frequently make them for my breakfast and use jam when I don’t have fresh berries. I am making myself hungry for them at this moment. However, I have to wait until Monday to go to the super market to buy some eggs. Making “egg pancakes”, the original name for this favorite treat for me, growing up, requires eggs! I am sure that every culture enjoys this delicacy, but with different names for them and with different toppings. However, I still like them with fresh strawberries and whipped cream with mine. How about you? www.diamondterrace.net Come join our Holiday Cookie Mingle on Thursday, December 4 at Diamond Terrace. See our ad on the next page ....

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 7 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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WhatReallyMatters

by Dan Ashley,

ABC-7 News Anchor

Watch Dan’s live newscasts at http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/live

Demonstration, Not Destruction

O

nce again our television sets have been splattered with images of anger and frustration over the death of a black person at the hands of a white police officer.

The grand jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of 18-year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri touched off another national debate about race in America, specifically race relations involving the police and the communities they serve.

But, once again, what grabbed so much of the attention was not the well-meaning demonstrators who took to the streets en masse to express, but the much smaller number of rioters who came out to exploit. Vandalism, violence, theft all in high-definition.

One of the challenges of my job is to try to balance how we describe these moments during live broadcasts, how to report what is happening while providing some sense of context and perspective.

Hundreds of people, who just want to make themselves heard lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and of assembly, are often over-shadowed by the relative few who behave badly. We should

draw a clear distinction between protestors and rioters, demonstrators and looters as they are not one and the same.

From the Boston Tea Party to the civil rights movement to the present day, protest has been an important part of effecting change in America.

We rightly cherish our constitutional right to speak out against our government and must protect that right at all costs as fundamental to our democracy. But rioting, looting, and vandalism are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights and are not a forms of protected free speech, it’s criminal behavior. I have often wondered when covering rioting and looting over the years how many people who are stealing and tagging and lighting cars on fire could even name the person or the cause they purport to be out in the streets to support. I’ll bet not very many. The sad part is that those lawless few often steal, not just stuff, but the headlines and therefore, the message.

What Really Matters is that we do our best not to confuse the two.

Dan Ashley is an anchor at ABC-7 News and can be seen weeknights at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on ABC-7 and at 9 p.m. on KOFY TV20.

Contact him at dan@myconcordian.com.

Visit http://www.rockwithpush.com for more on the band.

The Concordian

CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY December 2, 2014, curtain: 7:30pm , Walnut Creek Concert Band, Holiday Concert featuring “Anna’s Gift” with Guest Soloist, Barry Green, Annual Holiday Concert – Seasonal favorites and the World Premiere of “Anna’s Gift,” a multimedia event featuring Barry Green, Bass Soloist., Hofmann Theatre,1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek Fri. Dec 5, 3 to 5pm Elves’ Workshop As part of downtown Martinez annual Holiday Frolic and Snow Park, the Martinez Gallery will be hosting a free Elves’ Workshop. Create your own gift: an ornament or maybe a magic wand to wave in the Children’s Light Parade held at 6:30 pm. Walk a few blocks to the Main Street Plaza to sled on real snow (25 tons of it), skate on the ice-less skating rink or take a photo with Santa Claus. Visit http://www. downtownsnow.com/ for a complete list of activities.

10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 6 , Christmas Party: A sing-along, activities for all ages, and easy-to-make crafts will be among the holiday festivities at Lafayette , Christian Church, 584 Glenside Dr., Lafayette. Singers will be accompanied by the Overdues. A cake walk and cookie decorating will also take place. For more information about this free event, call (925) 283-8304.

Saturday, December 6, 2014, 7:30 pm, TAPESTRY PERFORMING IN CLAYTON, the Bay Area’s only combined vocal and handbell ensemble, presents: WINTERGLOW, Saturday,

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December 6, 7:30 pm at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton., Under the direction of Claytonite, Cindy Krausgrill, Winterglow is a celebration of the season, featuring eclectic music from the renaissance to contemporary favorites, offering something for everyone and perfect for all ages. Concert is free and open to the public. A free-will donation will be accepted in support of YOUTH HOMES, INC., serving the needs of abused and neglected children.

For more information about Tapestry and their winter concert season, please visit their website at www.

TapestryRingersandSingers.org, or facebook.com/tapestryringersandsingers.

Saturday, December 6, 7:00pm St. Paul Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek, Sunday, December 7, 2:30pm St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, “Diablo Valley’s own chamber choir”, Diablo Choral Artists (formerly Voices of Musica Sacra), led by Music Director Mark Tuning, sings “A Baroque Christmas” featuring Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Nöel (Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve, based on medieval French carols). Both major works will be presented with a chamber orchestra. The concert includes a carol sing-along, where the audience is invited to sing an assortment of beloved traditional carols led by the chorus and their acclaimed organist, John R.S. Walko. Come and celebrate the season with us!

Details www.vmschorus.org, info@ dcachorus.org. Tickets: $20 adult, $15 senior 60+, student $5, children 5-12 free.

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Meet Our Game Master - James Porter Growing up I was always a game player; video games, board games, card games.

One of my earliest childhood memories is playing cards with my grandmother over the summers.

She never let me win once. Losing to your Grandmother for days at a time is either going drive that competitive instinct or make you give up on games altogether. For me it was the first.

Developing apps was a natural extension of that. One day a good friend and I decided we wanted to start making games for the iphone. Having no background in programming, it was a long road of reading programming books and self study. After several months we released our first game.

It was fairly rough and did not have mass appeal, but we were incredibly proud of it. People that did find it and play got obsessed. It was fun to see game forums and websites created completely dedicated to finding solutions to our puzzles. It was and likely still is, the most difficult trivia game in the appstore.

I’m thinking about new game ideas all the time and have started to see the world in a different way. I keep notes on my phone and similar to a stand up comic when I have a game idea or puzzle, I jot down some notes for later.

I never know when the next game idea is going to hit.

After the puzzles are written out, I work on the graphics and programming simultaneously. Every element of a game gets designed from scratch in photoshop with multiple versions for different sized devices. It’s a very organic process. Since this is just a hobby, I work when I have time

between my full time job and my family.

My latest app “Fixum” is without a doubt my best game to date and an example of how functional and aesthetically pleasing graphic art is a necessary component of a successful app. I spent hours editing and reediting the most basic graphics.

There are now over a million apps in the appstore and I do a lot of research on what makes a good game. Some big game companies are hiring psychologists and addiction specialists to provide the right brain triggers to make it difficult for people to stop playing their game. So if you ever wondered why you can’t stop crushing candies or crashing birds even though you aren’t having fun anymore, perhaps it’s not entirely your fault.

I live in Clayton, but I am a Concord High graduate. One of my programming partners has been one of my best friends since high school and also still lives locally. I live within a one mile radius of my parents and my brother and his family - hi Melanie and Madison.

My website has all my apps including the game I would really encourage readers to check out, which is Fixum. It’s a FREE 800 level puzzle saga and can be found at my website: www.jpsquare.com. The QR code is on page 13 of this issue.

I created a brand new variation of crossword puzzle for this paper called Criss Cross that should satisfy people’s crossword love and I plan to offer more of that puzzle if people like it. The best way to get in touch with me is to e-mail me at: jpsquare@jpsquare.com [Editor note: You can find James’ puzzles only in The Clayton Gazette.

Play the one below.]

ANSWERS: For the answers to this puzzle visit out website at www.MyConcordian.com. You can also find two ads and QR codes for James’ games in this issue.

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 9 ~ www.www.myconcordian.com

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Making Little Actors As A Family!

You might see the film doing well in school. works. It’s a lot of fun. Especially production trucks rolling “Luckily for us, every when you work with the same people onto the family’s street commercial the boys have again and again and they get to know in Clayton, or you might done this year the agencies your family.” turn on the television and and directors have worked As for the end date? “The minute see the Ottoboni kids on with the boys school schedule they say they don’t want to do it a commercial, and soon to make it minimal to no days anymore is the minute we stop,” a movie. What you might missed per shoot.” not know is how a tightly Christy appreciates that knit family got into the flexibility. “As parents business and that it’s not we really appreciate about fame and fortune; them valuing our kids it’s something the kids education and taking it will dictate an end time, into account.” if any.

“The boys shot “The kids got into a FitBit holiday Photos courtesy Christy Ottoboni modeling and acting by commercial last month Joey is 9, Landon and Logan are 5, and Nick is 10 years old. pure luck,” mom Christy for this Christmas, and explains. “I was in Jamba just last week we shot team of directors, (the Mercadantes) Juice one day and an agent from San a Netflix commercial in our who also have grown to love working Francisco gave me his card when my house here in Clayton which with the boys, so we’ve done the most son Joey was 2 years old. From then should air in the next few Photos courtesy Christy Ottoboni work with them.” we just started building connections months.”

Landon with director Katina Mercadante for a Facebook ad.

Before you get up in arms at kids and worked our way into acting. We Christy says that they don’t being put into productions, there have really enjoyed working with a seek roles for the kids, rather they Christy says. “Our oldest Nick wrote is nothing wrong with that, and, in act as their children’s agent.

“If we an essay about how acting has helped many ways a fantastic opportunity get a call for a role, my husband him with his fear of public speaking for the future so long as parents are and I discuss it, then ask the boys if in class. We have seen a change hands on. “We are always present they would like to do it, and then go in his confidence over the last few at every shoot,” Christy says. “We from there.”

Often the time frame is years. We by no means are headed do this as a family. It’s a completely short. “From call to shoot date can all to Hollywood or pushing this as a unique opportunity to do something happen in the matter of a week so it’s career path. We’ve met some amazing different and spend time together.” very last minute most times,” Christy people, visited some cool places, have And there are limitations. Christy explains. been given some great opportunities explains that work permits are “My hope for the boys with and are having fun as a family.” needed and need to be renewed twice modeling and acting is they learn You can see the kids in a yearly. Teachers, principal, family Photos courtesy Christy Ottoboni to love themselves for who they are. commercial on YouTube at doctors all have to sign off that it is a Logan and director Daniel Mercadante doing a People would be surprised how it http://youtu.be/C5H7WDZX7oQ healthy experience and that they are shot.

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 10 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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Stop by our office today and pick up a copy of The Clayton Gazette

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 11 ~ www.myconcordian.com

Facebook 101: Understanding Your News Feed The first thing you see when you log into Facebook is what is called your News Feed. This is the stream of posts from your friends and their friends.

It’s filled with inspirational quotes, funny videos, photos and more. It’s generally here that you’ll comment, like and click to read some of the linked blog posts. It’s this stream where we digitally socialize with our friends. Comment and reply back and forth. It’s kind of the conversation we might be having if we were all sitting together in a coffee shop.

Speaking of coffee shops, have you ever found yourself talking to a friend and they mention something about a mutual friend on Facebook but somehow you missed it?

You think to yourself, “I’m on Facebook everyday, how did I miss that?”.

WHY DIDN’T I SEE THAT? The News Feed has a few tricks you might not be aware of.

First of all, there are two settings you can make in your news feed. On a desktop, if you hover over the top of the news feed label you’ll see a drop down, click on that and you’ll the two options. They are Top Stories and Most Recent.

MOST RECENT I’m going to start with the Most Recent setting because it’s the simplest. It’s just as it sounds.

If you set your News Feed to Most Recent you’ll see everything as it happens from ALL of your friends.

The average person on Facebook has 130+ friends. That creates an issue for some people. With this setting in the morning you might see 10 different friends pictures of their Pumpkin Spice Lattes with their mis spelled names. You’ll also see every “I hate Mondays” post, every shared inspirational message, and so on.

But, if you log in just in the morning, the important posts that happened late in the day will be buried deep under all these morning posts. You’ll have to scroll, scroll, scroll to find them.

TOP STORIES Facebook knows we don’t LIKE to scroll. That’s why Facebook made the “Top Stories” setting the default. If you’ve never changed it, your news feed is probably set to “Top Stories”.

Top Stories is Facebook’s way of trying

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to get the most important stories to the top of your news feed automatically. It’s an algorithm that attempts to figure out what is relative and what is mundane droll.

Facebook calls this algorithm EdgeRank.

Affinity Score: This is determined by how close you are to the person who posted the original item. Between you and this person – how close are the two of you? Do you LIKE the same things? Do you have similar friends? Do you like / comment on the same stuff? That builds the affinity (between the two of you).

Edge Weight: Different kinds of posts carry a different weight. A simple text, “I hate Mondays!” might carry the lightest weight while pictures and videos carry the highest weight. Another factor is the popularity of an item. If I adopt a new Siberian Husky Puppy and share that picture you can bet it’ll be mighty popular.

That popularity of likes and comments also adds to the weight of the post.

Time Decay: New posts are better than older posts. If you didn’t see my puppy picture last week – it’s old news in Facebook’s eyes. The freshness of posts is important to EdgeRank.

EdgeRank is a combination of these three factors and a few more.

Hopefully now, you can now switch between the two different feeds and now why you might want to.

Once you have this down it’s time for a better way. It’s called LISTS. You can segment your friends into smaller sized lists. In this way I can check out what’s happening with just my Motorcycle Buddies, or my Mountain Bike Guys, or my favorite clients.

Calendar continued...

Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Ann Nakatani’s , Annual Holiday Student Art Show Concord Senior Center - Room A, 2727 Parkside Drive, Concord, (925) 671-3320, Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided for your enjoyment Saturday, December 20th, 7 - 9 pm, Steinway Piano Gallery & Diablo Ballet invite you to its 2014 Holiday Party at Steinway Piano Gallery, 1605 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek, An inspiring evening, benefiting the Ballet’s PEEK Youth Outreach Program. Diablo Ballet will have you ringing in the season with a nigh of dance led by ballerina,Rosselyn Ramirez, and your beloved Nutcracker characters -with food, wine tasting provided by Buon Vino in Walnut Creek, and punch & cookies for children. You will sing-a-long to your favorite holiday songs accompanied by renowned pianists Aaron Pike & Justin Levitt.

With a tax-deductible donation of $50, you’re welcome to join us Diablo Ballet December 20th!All contributions support Diablo Ballet and its Performing Arts Education & Enrichment for Kids (PEEK) Program, which has reached 65,000 under-served students since 1995, providing in-school movement and free performances. For tickets: 925.943.1775/ http://diabloballet.org/events/http:// diabloballet.org/events/ Sat. Dec 13, 2:30 to 5:30pm, Santa Beer Crawl, Don your Santa suit or ugly Christmas sweater while you stroll from shop to shop, sampling beer from over 20 great craft breweries stationed inside some of the small businesses along Main Street. The Martinez Gallery will be pouring Six Rivers BreweryChili Pepper Spicy Ale and Raspberry Lambic Ale. Buy your tickets at http://www. santabeercrawl.com/santacrawldetails. html.

Sunday December 14th, Noon 7pm, Clayton Historical Society’s very popular Christmas Tour will be on It always surprises me what beautiful homes our Clayton area homeowners invite us to share. http:// www.claytonhistory.org or museum@ claytonhistory.com Testimonial After spending what seemed like hours today googling for seasonal events in the east bay area, I discovered at the end of my search that I should have begun with The Clayton Gazette! Thank you for such a comprehensive list of events and activities! ~Christine Ondersma FAIRS/SHOWS Friday, Dec. 5, 5 – 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Super Holiday Boutique 5th annual Super Holiday Boutique, Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane. First time in Pleasant Hill! Special one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Free holiday arts & crafts activities, entertainment and free Santa photo opportunity. SEE AD FRONT COVER December 7, 3:34pm, Pearl Harbor Day Beacon Lighting Ceremony: Lighting the Eye of Diablo, Every year since 1964, the Pearl Harbor survivors and their families have memorialized Pearl Harbor Day by relighting the historic Beacon atop Mount Diablo’s summit. This year will be the first official Beacon lighting since it underwent an extensive restoration Mount Diablo State Park, Concord.

The Nutcracker – San Francisco, December 13 & 14, , San Francisco Youth Ballet. This magical, full-length Continues on page 14

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 12 ~ www.myconcordian.com

Congratulations to our two- ticket winner: Christyna Reyes, a new resident to Clayton.

Enjoy The Nutcracker and let us know how you liked it! ~Tiffany Gensburger

ENTER TO WIN

TWO FREE Tickets to see The Holiday Music Showcase December 12, 13 & 14.

We have SIX (6) tickets to giveaway

(two at a time, a set for each of the shows.) Email: info@ claytongazette.com and tell us why you read The Clayton Gazette and what the holidays mean to you. Specify Holiday Music Showcase. Check www.fb.com/ClaytonGazette for info and winners. Deadline: Mon. Dec. 8, 5pm.

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A Tale to Tell

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 13 ~ www.myconcordian.com

bookends

by Chadwick H Saxelid

Read more of Chad’’s book reviews at http://bit.ly/McHguP

The Future Falls

by Tanya Huff

Tanya Huff attempts to give The Future Falls, her new novel, and the conclusion to her Gale girl trilogy, an epic amount of bang that is as literal as it is metaphoric. The good news, she almost pulls it off. The bad news, she almost pulls it off.

The literal bang is a threat called the Armageddon Asteroid, an extinction event sized chunk of space debris on a collision course with Earth.

Huff naming the asteroid after an awful Michael Bay movie adds intentional comic insult to the fast approaching extinction injury.

When the Armageddon Asteroid is discovered, it is already far too close and much too big to break apart, or redirect.

Not even the all-powerful combined magic of the entire Gale family seems capable of stopping the Armageddon Asteroid from slamming into the Earth and turning most of humanity into fossil fuel.

The metaphorical bang is provided

by Wild power Charlotte Gale, her Dragon Prince cousin Jack, and the age-restriction that keeps the two from consummating their obvious love for one another.

Gale family breeding rules have set the maximum age difference between

mates at seven years, and there are no exceptions. Thirteen years separate seventeen-yearold Jack and thirty year old Charlotte.

The fact that Charlotte and Jack both are Wild powers, and thus outside the three circles of the family, means nothing. Jack being half Dragon means nothing. Rules are rules and they cannot be broken.

Unless you are an Auntie, and Charlotte is about thirty years shy of reaching Auntie status.

Not that any of them have thirty years. The Armageddon Asteroid will hit the planet in twenty-two months, and that is the kind of bigger problem Charlotte and Jack can focus their frustrations on.

This is where Huff falls short.

The solution Charlotte comes up with involves time travel, and various characters go backward and forward in time. All their time hopping got me lost and confused. The last time I had been this baffled about what was going on in a story, I was three quarters of the way through my first viewing of Inception.

I had fun while I was lost, but I had no idea what was going on, where it was headed, or how it was all supposed to hold together afterward.

I still don’t, and trying to figure it out only gives me a headache. Time travel will do that.

a little bit Off!

the humor of Cathy Turney

E

Deck the Hostess Halls

veryone loves the holidays— except for the work. And some even like the cooking part. Not anybody at my house, but I’ve heard they’re out there. So here are some solutions to the predicament that is Christmas dinner.

For purposes of this discussion I’ll refer to the non-orchestrator of this production as “the male.” No offense, but it’s often the case. In some homes they practice role reversal, but studies have proven…and, really, ladies, even if he does assume the chef’s role, you know that you’ll have to clean up the mess, so you might as well do meal yourself and control the number of dirty pots, pans, and utensils.

Preparations. There are things that you may want your male to do, that you will want him to anticipate that you want him to do, that when you finally resort to verbalizing what these things are, he’ll look past you and say, “Sure…” and then not do them. Because activities that fall under the female’s definition of “helpful” are unnatural acts for many men. At this point, it’s ok to have a sip of wine—and offer him some when he finishes your list.

The guest list. Who came last year?

If you can’t recall, it’s because you’ve repressed the memory. But your male

will remember if it was your side of the family, because this time it will be his side. This can be played two ways. If you don’t want a crowd, leave the invitations to him. That solution has the potential to correct itself at the last minute, so you might as well just call everyone yourself.

Although the grocery stores are open ’round the clock during the holidays, how lucky do you feel?

Staging the dinner. The table is just as important as the food and drink which will end up on, over, under, and around it. Prepare the house. This is where the male can be counted on because you cannot be trusted to navigate through his mountain of tools, car parts, and sporting equipment as you try to access the cubby hole in the garage that stores the good china, crystal, and plastic carpet covering.

This will be his greatest contribution to the holiday dinner. As Moses parted the Red Sea, your male will lead you safely to the table settings. Praise him.

The menu. The possibilities are endless: Safeway does a complete takeout dinner, which, of course, requires the service of a cab driver to pick it up. Marie Callender’s frozen turkey dinners have an excellent cost-benefit ratio. Or you can become vegan for the day, which if announced early enough will induce your

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themoviemaverick

by Jason Rugaard, www.moviemavericks.com

Interstellar 2 1/2 Stars Christopher Nolan’s ambitious sci-fi project is a visually beautiful experience. The often stunning effects work and set designs are among the most striking committed to screen.

Obviously inspired by 2001, Solaris, and a host of other ‘high-minded’ space parables, Interstellar is at its most appealing before its main character launches into orbit on a mission to save humanity. The thespian pyrotechnics are laid on thick as each of the film’s three major stars is given numerous close-ups while shedding tears. The hoped for emotional impact on audience members is virtually non-existent, the final scene in Armageddon pulled more tears, although this is admittedly Nolan’s most heartfelt work to date.

In a future not too far removed from today, the human race has experienced a massive food shortage resulting in the need for us to evacuate the Earth.

Former Astronaut turned farmer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is part of the so-called ‘caretaker generation’, displaying the urgent need to reestablish societal rituals and habits. Murphy is Cooper’s scrappy ginger-haired daughter, a budding scientist in her own right and also the main character of the film. As the picture begins, Murphy is receiving some sort of sign from a supposed supernatural element that is communicating in morse code. Her father isn’t much interested in the exaggerated stories of his daughter’s fertile imagination, he tells her to record the data, analyze the facts and form a conclusion based on the material presented. This guideline works for reviewing the film as well.

Through deciphering the code Cooper and Murphy unlock the coordinates to a highly secret government facility that functions as NASA. The massive abandoned silo is now being used to construct a spacecraft capable of launching humanity off of our dying planet. Cooper is asked to man the shuttle, but the sacrifices are enormous, he will be away for decades. The spacetime continuum and wormholes will slow time for the astronauts, putting them remarkably off from their earth-

a little bit Off! continued... guests to bring what they want to eat and you can just provide the crudités.

The Afterglow. You, maestro of this grand event, must delay your glow until after dinner because all this effort will be for naught if you can’t negotiate your way to the table. No matter how much you’d love and deserve a “beverage,” you must postpone yours until the heavy lifting is done, until the last morsel is devoured, until the reminiscences trail off. It would be a shame if you slept through all the compliments you’ll certainly receive for producing such a festive gathering.

Merry Christmas to all!

bound counterparts. He accepts the mission much to the dismay of his daughter, her deep emotional pain from his perceived abandonment are central to the film and both characters.

An adult version of Murphy is played by OSCAR nominated actress Jessica Chastain. She is a fine actress capable of displaying intelligence and steely determination on-screen, but Nolan’s requirement of her are to act either angered or confused. Her portrayal is gathering a lot of critical support but I just don’t think the role is written strong enough to give her character much to do. Same for her brother Tom (Casey Affleck), who spends a large portion of the movie as a sort of villainous presence.

Ultimately the space antics and scientific theories give way to the truth, Interstellar for all it’s visually impressive effects, is about fathers and their daughters. Ann Hathaway is Amelia Brand the co-pilot onboard the spacecraft and her fractured relationship with her father Professor Brand (Michael Caine), who also happens to be mission control operations head, plays heavily into the picture’s plot and theme. To further drive in the point, John Lithgow (always a welcomed site) plays the role of Cooper’s father-in-law, a perfunctory character save for his unresolved grief over his deceased daughter.

The film’s major set-pieces are a knockouts, the kind that inspire the ‘awe’ factor that once was commonplace in these type of blockbusters. The set and production design are Academy Awards caliber, and the costumes are an interesting juxtaposition from L.L. Bean to space regalia that looks like it had been closeted since the initial Apollo landings. Set to a haunting score from the master Hans Zimmer, there are moments when Interstellar soars, particularly in a sequence involving a massive tidal wave. But the story feels out of the reach of Nolan’s grasp. The ambitious but ultimately disappointing result is reminiscent of when Spielberg was channel Kubrick in A.I. and Minority Report.

Director: Christopher Nolan Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 14 ~ www.myconcordian.com

Time for the Arts

by Deborah Ashley

Opera & Ornaments It’s hard to believe it’s December already with the holidays right around the corner. One of my favorite things about the season is the beautiful music associated with this time of year.

We hear festive music practically everywhere we go in December, but there is a very special opportunity to hear a holiday concert in Lafayette on December 13th.

The Merola Opera Program, the training program affiliated with the San Francisco Opera, will be presenting a holiday concert at the Lafayette Library. The concert is featuring one of its renowned performers, Eugene Brancoveanu who will sing opera, classical and holiday music.

Brancoveanu was a 2004 member of the Merola Opera Program and then was chosen to be an Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera. His career highlights include receiving an honorary Tony Award for his performance as Marcello in Baz Luhmann’s Broadway production of La Boheme. Eugene has performed to rave reviews with the San Francisco Opera, NY City Opera, LA Opera, LA Philharmonic and the Romanian State Opera, to name just a few.

Eugene had his professional debut on stage at 13 years old and continued to work for six years in Heidelberg, Germany. But succeeding immediately and easily wasn’t his path and it usually isn’t the case for any artist. Early failures gave Eugene “a seemingly indestructible shell of childlike enthusiasm and belief in myself.” This obviously has served him well, because he persevered and

the successes came. Lately, Eugene has started directing as well as singing in the same production. According to him, “that feels like the proverbial pig at the creative buffet. Unlimited creative freedom.”

A scenario that many artists dream about or treasure when they have it.

Traveling all over the world for performances, Eugene is “very excited about learning, everything there is to learn about this beautiful art form.” Despite his world travels and heralded career, Eugene still feels that San Francisco is home and is very much looking forward to performing in Lafayette in the December concert.

The Merola Opera Program has been a significant part of the San Francisco Opera’s training and performance programs for 57 years and has launched the careers of hundreds of opera singers and numerous opera stars such as Thomas Hampson, Susan Graham, Patricia Racette and Deborah Voigt.

The concert Opera and Ornaments will be performed at the Lafayette Library in the Community Hall on December 13th at 2:00pm. The Library is located at 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. The tickets are $10 and all of the proceeds go to support the Lafayette Library and Learning Foundation. Free parking is available. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.lllcf.org, or the Merola Opera Program at www.merola. org. You can also order tickets in advance from the library at 925-283-6513 ext 103.

THE CONCORDIAN Thanks you for all your support

www.MyConcordian.com

Calendar continued... version of The Nutcracker features Bernadette Torres and Carlo DiDio, former Principals California Ballet Company, performing with amazing guest talent and students of the San Francisco Youth Ballet. This 2-hour production is geared toward families and is a perfect opportunity to introduce young children to this holiday ballet tradition. The first 200 children go home with a Nutcracker gift bag and there will be photo opportunities after performances. For more information visit http://www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org Thursday December 11, - 14, 7:00 pm; 8:00 pm; 2:00 pm shows, Disney’s Mulan Jr., California Theatre Downtown Pittsburg, 351 Railroad Ave, Pittsburg, www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com/ Fri, Sat, Sun 12/12/14 – 12/14/14,Official Star Trek Convention, SF Airport Hyatt Regency, Are you a Trekkie? Here’s a chance to see Captain Janeway, Data, Counselor Troi, Worf and more of the original cast in person. Many fans love to go in fabulous costume to these conventions. San Francisco Trekkies are some of the best, of course, and it’s fun to watch their enthusiasm. http://www. creationent.com/cal/st_sanfrancisco.html December 12-14, Times vary. Cinderella

by Diablo Youth Theatre – The Village Theatre, 233 Front Street., Danville, http:// diablotheatre.org/blog/cinderella Thru —Dec 21, Dickens Christmas Fair, Admission $25-30/adult, Parking $10/car, Twilight tickets after 4 pm are $13.

Join the largest cast (over 700 local hobbyists) of costumed Dickensian characters in the world who do an excellent job recreating Charles Dickens’ Victorian London Town. The show fills more than 3 acres and feels even bigger. There is a wide variety of things to do (food, shows, shops, caroling, street performers, wandering the town, etc.) that will get you in the mood for Christmas. http://www.dickensfair.com Now through January 10, 2015, “Peace”, Martinez Gallery, 630 Court St., Martinez, (925) 370-6270, http://gallery.

• (800) 606-6448 martinezarts.org Outdoors Now - 1/11/15 Walnut Creek on Ice, Children’s Winter Festival $5/2 hour skating sessions offered all day! http://www.iceskatewalnutcreek.com 3/8/15, 4/12/15, 5/10/15, Family Day at Sienna Ranch, Family Day Passes are $85, Admission to Sienna Ranch Family Day for up to 5 people, 3 pony or horse ride tickets3 archery tickets, 5 tractorpulled hayride tickets, Participation in the hands-on activity,Opportunity to go on a guided nature hike to our Tree Fort.

Unlimited animal visits to goats, sheep and chickens during open pen times. http://bit.ly/1FOtrdc to register Sienna Ranch, 3232 Deer Hill Rd.,Lafayette CLUB EVENTS November 13th, the Clayton Historical Society will be having a Potluck, Annual Meeting, election, and a great presentation...so, anyone who shows up might still have a great time on the 13th. http://www.claytonhistory.org Home & Garden/Farmers’ Markets •Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association: •Concord Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm, yearround, rain or shine, Todos Santos Plaza.

•Concord Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, Todos Santos Plaza.

•Clayton, Saturdays 10am - 2pm •Martinez, Sundays, 10am to 2pm, yearround, Main St. and Estudillo.

•Pleasant Hill Saturday, May 3rd through November 15th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown Plaza (in front of Jack’s Restaurant) http://www.pcfma.com http://www.pcfma.org •Contra Costa Certified Farmers Market Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Year Round, WalnutCreek, North Locust St between Giamona and Lacassie St. (925) 431-8361 http://www.cccfm.org Visual Arts Thru 4/2015 Artist Deborah Ashley paintings on exhibit until April 2015 at Kanishka’s Restaurant, 1518 Bonanza St. Walnut Creek Continues next page

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 15 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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The Holiday Spirit of Giving Showcased at the Marsh Creek Detention Facility

For the 24th straight year, representatives from a few dozen Contra Costa County children-serving agencies were on hand at the Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s woodshop to choose toys handcrafted and bicycles refurbished by the inmates. The presents will be given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays. The Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have participated in this project during the year, fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new and building beautiful wooden toys, such as, ball-and-cup games, sailboats, wooden puzzles, spinning carousels, cars, train sets, and more. The toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the jail facility.

Many of the current inmates decorated the woodshop to look like Santa’s Workshop, with its festive decorations and Christmas trees, while showcasing the beautiful toys and bikes. Along with the non-profit-agency representatives picking out presents, numerous county members of law enforcement and education were on hand. The morning featured remarks made by Contra Costa County Under Sheriff Mike Casten and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools-elect Karen Sakata. Both speakers thanked all those involved and reminded the attendees what a special partnership this program has been over the past 24 years.

CCCOE Principal of Student Program Angela Hatter reported that there were approximately 500 toys and bikes ready for the children. “We are in the process of hiring a new instructor and creating new computer-education and construction/ carpentry-training programs, says Hatter.

We also hope to expand the toy making and bicycle restoration program, as well. This is a wonderful way for the two agencies and the inmates to give back to our community.”

Non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Early Start Program, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, Contra Costa County Public Works Dept., El Cerrito Fire Dept, Kids at Work, Lynn Center, Shelter Inc, STAND!, The Salvation Army-Antioch Calendar continued...

Theatre/Film Now – 1/4/15 , times vary, James and the Giant Peach performed by Bay Area Children’s Theatre – Mill Valley, Berkeley, San Ramon & San Francisco, An exciting new musical, inspired

by Roald Dahl’s classic tale about the orphaned boy who escapes from his wicked aunts aboard an enormous

Corps, Ujima Family Recovery Services/ La Casa, and VESTIA. During the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2,763 inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic literacy and GED preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop, construction, and state-of-theart computer training. By the end of the school year, 37 student-inmates received their GED and 22 received a high school diploma, and 24 students passed the California High School Exit Exam. In addition, there were 670 students who demonstrated learning gains in reading or math, and 939 students earned a certificate of completion in computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and Evaluation). These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse prevention. Last year, 1,839 students completed at least one of the three phases, and 357 students graduated from DEUCE. The Parenting Inside/Out class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with 37 certificates issued last school year. Last year, the CCCOE opened a new re-entry class at the West County Detention Facility. The re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft skills workshops and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program called Transitions. Currently, 32 inmates are enrolled in the re-entry course.

These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community. ~Jonathan Lance, CCCOE enchanted peach inhabited by a bevy of very big bugs. http://www.bactheatre. org/shows/ Bay Area Children’s Theatre | 6114 La Salle Ave Ste 431, Oakland, info@bactheatre.org Dec 12-14, Cinderella, Diablo Youth Theatre, The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein. Four performances only! Friday, December

12 at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 13 at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m., Sunday, December 14 at 1 p.m., The Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville,Tickets (925) 314-3466 Music/Bands/Dance Dec 5, 2014 7:30 pm, Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder is taking his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life on tour for a special series of shows including December 5, 2014 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Oracle Arena 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, http:// www.partyearth.com/san-francisco/ concerts/stevie-wonder-concert-5-1 December, Red House Live, Rock Venue, Travis Garland, Vain & Valor, Goodtime Boys, The Living Deads, Thankschilling Leftovers, Elder Brother, 1667 BOTELHO DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK, www.redhouselive.com

12/ 6, Contra Dance, Square Dance, and Waltz, Dance Series: Brentwood - 1st Saturday Location: Brentwood Caller(s): Jonathan Southard; Band(s)/Musician(s): Jimmy Murphy and Kira Ott, Brentwood Youth House, 731 South Bundy Drive, For more information, call the Dance Hotline at 626-205-2044. Web site: http:// www.caldancecoop.org.

Sports Concord American Little League, 2015 SPRING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Baseball and Softball for boys and girls ages 4-14, Online Registration: www. callbaseball.or In Person: December 13, 11:00am—2:00pm, Round Table Pizza, 3375 Port Chicago Hwy, Thursday, January 8, 5:00pm—8:00pm, Westwood Elementary, 1748 West Street. Concord For full calendar visit myconcordian.com

The Concordian

• DECEMBER 2014 • ~ Page 16 ~ www.myconcordian.com

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The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce

RibbonCuttings

by Melissa Rea, Membership Services Coordinator Meet the Greater Concord Chamber’s Young Professionals Group The Women’s Networking Group of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce volunteered their time on November 18, 2014 at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

The women worked with other community members to help sort food for those in need in the Bay Area, as well as inform the community about ABC7’s Give Where You Live Campaign at the local food bank. Spencer Christian from ABC7 News was also at the food sorting to help spread the word live on Channel 7, as well as present a $15,000 check to the Food Bank from ABC7 and parent

company Disney. Follow #WhereYouLive on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see those in your community that are giving back this holiday season.

The Women’s Group believes it is important to give back to the community, especially providing food the hungry in the Bay Area during the holiday season. To learn how you can give back at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, please visit www. foodbankccs.org, or call 925-676-7543.

For more information on becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.concordchamber.com or call (925) 685-1181.

G and K Sports Lounge Ribbon Cutting, 1907 Salvio Street, Concord

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Kindercare Ribbon Cutting – 30 Year Anniversary – 1551 Bailey Road, Concord Contact the Concord Chamber office at 2280 Diamond Blvd, Concord, (925) 685-1181, or visit our website at http://www.concordchamber.com.