MAY 2015 DIABLO GAZETTE by Publisher

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 2 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

A Word from the Co-Publisher by David King

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

May is a busy month indeed. The area is bustling with activities. Cinco De Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, and our schools are winding down. Summer is heating up and so is our Calendar of Events. It is full of announcements on arts and craft shows, concerts, fairs, and festivals, as well as other outdoor activities and events. I have a big announcement as well. I am now the co-publisher of the Diablo Gazette with my company, City Publications. City Publications, specializes in direct-mail services and has been instrumental in the success of Claycord.com advertising. (No, I am not the Mayor of Claycord.com)

“I am happy to announce that David King and City Publications now copublish the Diablo Gazette. David brings many years of experience in all phases of publishing and local retail advertising. He will ensure that our paper continues to grow in readership, support our local communities, and actively engage you to

share your unique stories with us all.” – Tiffany Gensburger

Even though we are a monthly magazine, you can still get daily updates on our Facebook page. www.FB.com/DiabloGazette . You can always find the latest copy of Diablo Gazette on our website. Diablogazette. com. If you have a story that you like to share, a business to promote, a club or event to announce, send your inquiries and tips to diablogazette@ gmail.com. It has been a spectacular first month at Diablo Gazette. I look forward to our next issue. Happy Mothers Day.

David King David King Co-Publisher Diablo Gazette

Did Someone Say “Free Software”? Windows 8, the beginning of the Microsoft vision for a future operating system, has just had a much anticipated upgrade called Windows 10. The new Windows has evolved by resolving issues and problems previously associated with Windows like returning the Start Menu. It’s a massive shift to the way we control and run computers, combining the good and ejecting the bad. Apps on the new Windows 10 OS are now certified by Microsoft to work the way developers claim they do so there will be fewer problems, but only if you purchase the apps from the Microsoft Marketplace (app store). The operating system (OS) is the Microsoft software you use to control the parts in your computer by way of graphical interface, like icons and tiles. The graphical interface (GUI – geek speak, say gooey) is the environment that runs your programs (“apps”) so you get work done. Windows 10 controls the hardware and helps apps do their job. By the way, did you know Microsoft Windows 10 is free? Yes, that’s right

you can upgrade your OS for free if you already own Windows 7, Vista, 8 or 8.1. Sorry XP players you waited too long, your software is old, and crusty, and aged, and decrepit, and well, not upgradeable as a DIY, rather it takes a pro to upgrade XP. But if you are smart, agile, aggressive and intuitive your upgrade is free. Free period expires 2016. Microsoft’s new CEO, Satya Nadella, has a vision for the future of Windows 10. The OS is designed to work for a Smart phone, tablet, laptop, desktop and even an XBox. The idea being one learns how to use a computer once, and everything else works the same way. We call that environmental GUI integration spanning the machine industry, or you can just call it progress. William Claney is the owner of Computers USA of Clayton. New or refurbished computers, parts and service, articles, tech trends coupons and sales visit Computers USA in 1520C Kirker Pass in Clayton and in Brentwood. www. shopcusa.com. PH: 925-672-9989.

Answers on page 15

ADVERTISERS - DON’T MISS OUR NEXT ISSUE Our June Edition features Fathers’ Day Sales, Graduation, Summer Sales, Sports, Home & Garden and more. RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW! Claycord.com Package rates apply.

Send Request for ad rates to diablogazette.com or call (925) 255-2123.

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 3 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 4 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

A Walk Through Time

with Misty Bruns, Docent at the Clayton Museum

The Fire Dancer-Papinta—148 years ago 1867 Was the year Caroline Hipple was born in Minnesota (some say Indiana). May 10, 1887 Caroline married William J. Holpin in Chicago, they were both 19 years old. William encouraged and paid for a dance teacher for Caroline. She studied the art of her dance for over a year. Papinta made her debut at the 1893 Chicago World’s fair to rave revues. Papinta traveled through the capitals of Europe, South Africa, Cuba and throughout the United States dancing her Flame dances. While performing in Cuba in 1894, the Cubans named a cigar after her “Cuban Papinta Cigar” Her stage performance consisted of yards and yards of silk fabric, entire lighting system, orchestras, and costumes, mirrors that which reflected light form calcium arc lamps. With the placement of glass, mirrors, and lighting her dance she managed to keep 50 yards of silk in motion, suspension of large amounts of silk that would create illusions of nature. Papinta was one of the original Vaudeville performers in the late 1800’s. She was the first female dancer filmed in New York with the Vaudeville performers by the Vitascope. She was the highest paid performer in history at the time. Her

dance career spanned over 15 years. With her salary she purchased over a 100 acres for $8000.00 in the Ygnacio Valley- Pine Creek Canyon. The ranch was located five miles south of Concord in what is now Walnut Creek California. As so “Pipinta Stock Farm “was created. William used his skills as a talented electrician to light up the over 100 acres and the horse training race track via the river that ran through their Ygnacio Valley Farm. Papinta made the ranch her summer home and entertained friends. Her home was luxuriously furnished. While Papinta was in New York William died of a sudden heart attack, he was only 35 years old. Papinta ordered a $1600.00 headstone for her husband. Life began to do a downturn after William died. She had to fight Williams’s father in court to maintain her ownership of her ranch, which she won. Papinta died on November 21, 1907 while on an extended tour in Europe. Her body was brought back to the United States on ocean liner and then a train to San Francisco. The great Papinta Caroline and her husband William are buried next to each other at the Alhambra cemetery in Martinez California. Information and photo from the Clayton Museum

farmerfresh

by Debra Morris, Pacific Coast Farmers Market http://www.pcfma.com/concord

Fresh, Sweet Cherries

If you want

BREAKING NEWS Don’t read a newspaper!

Claycord.com

is where you get the news first! If you want local features, people stories, with photos and videos from our team on the street, then be sure to read

Diablo Gazette www.DiabloGazette.com

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY http://www.fb.com/DiabloGazette

Fresh sweet cherries have come to the farmers’ market. The season is very short, usually early May to the end of June, so enjoy them now while they’re in season. California is home to over 600 cherry growers, farming over 26,000 acres from the fertile San Joaquin and Santa Clara valleys which has nutrient-rich soil, sunny days and mild nights. From Burlats and Bings, to Rainier and others, these beauties are here for only a short time! California grows mostly sweet cherries as opposed to tart or sour cherries grown in Michigan and the Pacific Northwest states, with Bing cherries having the most acreage. But small farmers grow a nice variety of other cherries with subtle taste differences, varieties that you won’t see in any supermarket! They come from Brentwood, Lodi, Stockton, Linden, down towards Gilroy and Hollister, and other northern California valleys. Try a bag of each and see which ones you like the best! Bing cherries are the leading commercial sweet cherry. They are firm, juicy, large, and a deep mahogany red when ripe. They have a distinctive heart shape. Bings are intensely sweet, with a vibrant flavor. Rainier cherries are yellow inside and out, with just a bit of red blush on them, quite large, sweet and firm. Burlat cherries are an early variety,

arriving in the markets in May, and have a mild sweet flavor. It is a large, meaty cherry, great for snacking. Brooks cherries are a large, uniform, dark red fruit. Flesh is firm and crisp with variable shades of red and pink. The stone is nearly free. This cherry works well for canning and baking. Cherry Bruschetta 18 slices baguette-style bread, cut about 1/2-inch thick 1-2 tablespoons olive oil 6 ounces fresh sweet cherries, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons each diced green and yellow peppers 2 tablespoons finely chopped spring onions 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon lime zest Ground black pepper 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil Lightly toast one side of the baguette slices. Turn slices, brush with olive oil and toast. Combine cherries, peppers, spring onions, lime juice, lime zest, any remaining olive oil, season with black pepper and mix well. Top each slice of baguette with a little fresh mozzarella cheese, a heaped tablespoon of cherry mixture and sliced basil. Best served warm. Makes 18 appetizers. For more information on the Clayton Farmers’ Market, or to find another farmers’ market in your area, please contact Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at (800) 949-FARM or visitwww.pcfma.org.

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 5 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Money Matters by Kristin Peterson,

Pacific Service Credit Union

What You Should Know About Your Credit Score Your credit score can have a major impact on your life. Not only do creditors typically check your score when deciding whether or not to approve a loan application and what interest rate to charge, but landlords, insurance companies, and even employers often check it as well. Having a good score is important in helping achieve your financial goals. What is a credit score? Your credit score is a mathematical assessment of the likelihood you will repay what you borrow. It is based on the information in your credit report, which tracks your credit-related activity. Types of credit include credit cards, store cards, personal loans, car loans, mortgages, student loans, and lines of credit. For each account, your report shows who it is with, your payment history, the initial amount borrowed (for loans) or credit limit (for revolving credit), the current amount owed, and when the account was opened. Your report also shows if you have experienced any credit-related legal actions, such as a judgment, foreclosure, bankruptcy, or repossession. There are three major credit bureaus that compile and maintain credit reports: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. FICO score The most commonly used scoring model is called a FICO score. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with a higher score being indicative of less risk. Generally, those with a higher score are more easily granted credit and get a better interest rate. Improving your score Following these habits can help increase your score: • Always pay on time: Your payment history makes up the largest percentage of your credit score, so making your payments on time is extremely important. • Pay down existing debt: Even if you

have never missed a payment, a large debt load will lower your score. Explore ways to lower interest rates on high rate loans and try to make more than the minimum payments. • Avoid taking on additional debt: Besides paying down existing debt, make an effort to not take on more debt in the future. • Check your report for errors: Many reports contain score-lowering errors. Check your credit report from the three bureaus annually, and send a dispute letter to them if you notice any errors. • Avoid excess credit applications: When you apply for credit, your score decreases just a bit. If you do it frequently, a creditor may see it as a sign that you need to rely on credit to pay your bills. • Be patient: It may feel like credit mistakes can haunt you forever, but remember that your payment history from the past two years is much more important than what happened before that. Also, keep in mind that most negative information is removed from your report after seven years. Obtaining your score When you apply for credit, the creditor may provide you with your score at no cost. Otherwise, consumers are allowed to obtain a free credit report once a year from the credit bureaus. The only official website to obtain this information is annualcreditreport.com. Checking your credit report can be helpful if you are planning to apply for credit soon and want to have an idea if you will get approved or qualify for the best interest rate. For information about Pacific Service Credit Union, please visit our branch at 3000 Clayton Road in Concord or 2051 Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. You may also call a member service representative at (888) 858-6878 or visit our website at www.pacificservice.org. SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 6

Contra Costa County Fair Opens May 28 – May 31 Mark your calendar for this year’s Contra Costa County Fair happening May 28th – May 31st at the Contra Costa County Fairgrouands in Antioch. Welcome to FAIRadise, is the theme for a fun planned four day event for Fair-goers of all ages. The Contra Costa County Fair is the perfect place to enjoy live entertainment, exciting arena events, delicious food, carnival rides, animals, and hundreds of exhibits – all in a community-friendly environment and at affordable prices! For main stage entertainment, the Fair’s 2015 concert series

features: Summer Beach Party and Chris Gardner Band on Thursday May 28th, Superlicious performing on Friday May 29th, Journey Unauthorized performing Friday May 29th & Saturday May 30th, Metalachi and Cover Me Badd also on Saturday May 30th, and Hispanic Musical Celebration Sunday May 31st. All concerts are FREE with admission to the Fair. While visiting the Fair, enjoy other highlights such Circus Imagination, Splash Dogs, Great American Duck Races, Wood Carvers, Undead Betty Roller Derby, Stock Car Races, Livestock and more!!! Visit www.contracostafair.com for more information

WhatReallyMatters by Dan Ashley,

ABC-7 News Anchor

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

Restoring Value to a

College Education My oldest son, recently graduated from college. It was a proud moment for him, of course, and for us as well. He is not ready for the real world just yet as he planned for graduate and medical schools. In reflecting on having a kid with a college degree, (yes, I know, I’m far too young!) I have been thinking a lot about how much things have changed since I was in college three decades ago. I was fortunate to attend an outstanding school, the University of North Carolina which is, by the way, the first state school established in the United States, 1789. Let me bird walk for just a moment, however. Have you been on a major university campus lately? They are very different than they were even just a few years ago. Most major schools have fitness centers that are vastly better than almost any health club you can join around here. And the food! My youngest son’s student ID card gave him access to more than a dozen restaurants and more than four hundred vending machines. Four hundred! When I was a kid dormitories looked more like San Quentin while, nowadays, many resemble upscale condos with restaurants, courtyards, work out and laundry facilities. But I digress, regular commentary service is now resuming. Education has traditionally been the golden ticket to a better life in America and, while it is still a crucial component of upward mobility, it is no longer a guaranteed path to greater opportunity. So many parents today are simply unable to provide the same level of college experience from which they benefited. The costs have spiraled completely out of control and have reached a level that make a university degree unattainable for a growing number of young people.

I had three jobs during my senior year in college, the restaurant, the television station, and at the ice rink as a figure skating instructor. It added up to pretty good money for a college kid back then, but it would not even come close to touching the kind of money a young person must spend today for tuition, room, board, and books. The ability to work your way through college is not only a rite of passage and an opportunity to get the same education available to those from more affluent families, it also helps foster work ethic and an appreciation for paying one’s own way as well as self-reliance. A great many young people today have been robbed of those lessons by college costs that are beyond reach. You simply can no longer wait enough tables in the summer to pay for much of anything at an institution of higher learning. Then there is the issue of getting what you pay for. Most college graduates today are tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and will spend decades re-paying government loans. Conventional wisdom has been that re- payment will not be a hardship because, with a college degree, a good salary was expected. That has changed too. Recent studies suggest that one in eight recent college graduates are unemployed and half of those with jobs are doing work that does not require a college degree. Education is still the great equalizer, but What Really Matters is that we recognize that the changes are serious and consequential and act accordingly. 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.

Do You Want a Performance Arts Charter School? The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) Board of Education will be voting in May on an updated proposal to create a Performance Arts Charter School, drawing students from within the district and elsewhere. The original proposal was declined by the Contra Costa Office of Education. This charter is being proposed by the same person who started the Clayton Valley

Charter. Your opinion matters! Contact the board to express your feelings about this proposal. MDUSD Board members are: Dr. Meyer - meyern@mdusd.org; Ms. Hansen - hansenc@mdusd.org; Ms. Oaks - oaksb@mdusd.org; Ms. Mayo - mayol@ mdusd.org; Ms. Mason - masond@ mdusd.org; Mr. Lawrence - lawrenceb@ mdusd.org.

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 6 • www.DiabloGazette.com

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 7 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

That’s What She Said

A Pictorial Tribute to Mothers By now, most of us have seen the images of Toya Graham on the internet, news, or TV talk shows. A single mother of six, Toya saw her son engaging in the Baltimore riots and lit into him. Some say “Mother-of-the-Year”, others scorn her use of parental violence. Kids make mistakes and discipline is the necessary part of the parenting job. You can search on the web and find hundreds of sites and articles on what makes a good Mom.

We however, went right to the source in this Micah-on-the-Street pictorial tribute to local Moms and asked, “What does motherhood mean to you?” Sitting down with Mabel Truax, 96, at her home at Diamond Terrace Retirement Community in Clayton, to

Thomas J. Long Foundation Awards $5 Million to Help East Bay Children Reach Their Optimal Development The Thomas J. Long Foundation has awarded a $5 million grant to First 5 Alameda County and First 5 Contra Costa to ensure that developmental delays are identified and treated early in childhood. The grant will expand Help Me Grow, a national model that promotes early detection of development delays in young children, such as speech problems, behavioral challenges and autism, and ensures timely access to needed services. Currently, seventy percent of developmental delays are undetected until children reach kindergarten, resulting in missed opportunities for children to receive early intervention services. “One in four young children is at risk for a developmental delay, “The optimal time to detect and address concerns is in the first three years, when children’s brains are still forming and are most receptive to intervention,” said Janis Burger, CEO of First 5 Alameda County. “Early detection and treatment services can vastly improve developmental

outcomes for children with special needs and prevent further progression of delays.” Funds will also be used to provide one-on-one and group support for children with moderate delays and to teach parents how to address their child’s needs. “Children with moderate delays have the same challenges as children whose difficulties are more severe. The difference is that they don’t have access to free intervention services the state is mandated to provide. “…we’ll be able to provide these children with the timely and effective services they need to improve their development.” said Sean Casey, Executive Director of First 5 Contra Costa. First 5 Contra Costa helps young children start school healthy by investing in programs and activities during their first five years. In the last 15 years, First 5 Contra Costa has invested more than $120 million in Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds to help Contra Costa’s children. Learn more: www.firstfivecc.org.

What Really Matters Read my column “What Really Matters” exclusively in every issue of the Diablo Gazette. And follow my on-air edition of “What Really Matters” on ABC-7 News and Facebook at www.fb.com/ DanAshleyABC7 ~ Dan Ashley, ABC-7 News

discuss Motherhood, one thing becomes very clear, this lady, both modest and elegant, gives all of the credit for being a good mom to her own mother. Mabel speaks fondly of growing up in a family of nine children, where her mother worked hard to provide them all with good food to eat and nice clothes to wear. “My mother taught us all to be patient, kind, and charitable to

those around us.” Certainly something we all could take note of. Mabel’s mother (and father) made sure that the whole family was in church every Sunday, rain or shine, and were never timid when it came to telling their kids how very proud they were of each of them and how much each of them were loved, unconditionally. To Mabel, Mother’s Day is a wonderful way to recognize and show mom how much we really appreciate her as the special person she is. “I am grateful for my dear mother, for all she sacrificed to give us kids a wonderful life.” Mabel’s mother was a woman full of patience and understanding and was always ready and willing to “hear of any problems [the kids] would be having” and encouraged her children to face every situation with tact and kindness. Mabel, in turn, has given that same advice to her two boys, her seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. “What’s the best part of motherhood?” Mabel repeats, “Well, it’s spending time together as a family and knowing that loved ones may leave, over time, but the memories never will.” Jennifer says, “Motherhood has brought joy to my life, introduced me to a whole new network of women and a whole new group of friends.” Denise who is a mother of three and

grandmother of eight commented “ Motherhood means complete joy. Even in the tough times, which there are, it still is a joy.” ~ Micah Nunez/Diablo Gazette

ONE READER’S TESTIMONIAL: “I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the Clayton Gazette! I’m fairly new to Clayton, but my family has lived here for 20 years. I moved here from Martinez where I had a home for 40 years. The Gazette is full of great ads and interesting columns. I have clipped some of both from the issues I have received. Keep up the great work and I hope to be getting the Clayton Gazette for many years!” ~Ruth Olson, Clayton

s. y

n a

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 8 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

resident tales

Sponsored by the Diamond Terrace 55+ Retirement Community, Clayton

A Story of the Patent Leather Shoes When I was growing up, my Mom and Dad, my sister and I all lived on my Grandpa’s farm in Connecticut. There were many special spots on the farm with pet names such as The Violet Hill and The Fairy Lot. They were all kind of magical to my sister and me. We would make up fine tales about each place. Today I want to tell you about the picnic spot on The

Silvery Brook and the dire thing that happened to me there! It was our custom on Sunday afternoons in fine weather to quickly change from our Sunday-Best clothes after church into our casual clothes like slacks, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Then we would walk to the picnic spot where uncles, aunts, Grandma and Grandpa would join us. The

By Marge Crawford

adults would relax in the sun on cedar logs and benches to visit and lay out the picnic lunch. My sis and I would scamper off to play near The Silvery Brook and act out wonderful tales of Fairy Queens, Princesses, Unicorns, and such. That particular Sunday, I had decided that I would just leave on my new, shiny, black, patent-leather shoes and leave my

sneakers at home. That was a bad decision, as you soon shall see. At one point in our acting out of our Fairy Fantasy, my sister and I formed a grand procession of characters. We were the Queen and Princess, of course, and our attendants were various dolls and stuffed animals that we had in tow. When we came to the brook, we decided to cross it on the stepping stones in all our regal dignity. We had used these stepping stones many times and were quite agile on them. So, off we went, very regal: step, hop, step. But, oh no! I had not counted on the slippery soles of my new shiny, black, patent-leather shoes! On the third hop, my foot slipped off of the next stone and I went SPLASH! PLUNK! My feet and seat quickly stuck in the muddy stream bed. I raised quite an undignified howl and cry and caused a great rush of adults to the brook to see what had happened. I was duly helped up out of the mire, someone brought a blanket, and I was wrapped up and taken to dry land to the circle of my family. My shoes and socks were removed and the de-muddifying of my feet and seat were attended to. I spent the rest of the afternoon wrapped in the blanket, in wet clothing, not the least bit comfortable and thinking how dumb I was to wear those shoes to a picnic! Somehow, we all got home again and resumed normal life. But, what about my beautiful shoes?! Were they totally ruined? Would they crack into pitiful strips of dilapidated leather as they dried? Mom, in her usual wisdom, had taken charge of them. She had cleaned off every last speck of mud and had applied Vaseline petroleum jelly to them several times as they dried. Wonder of wonders! In a few days, the last coat of Vaseline, having been wiped away, and good buffing with a soft cloth having been administered, they stood by my bed looking almost as black and shiny as new! Looking back, I think of this experience as one of many ways that my mom showed me her unconditional love. She never scolded me or berated me for my naughty, silly decision to wear those shoes to a picnic by the brook. She knew that I had had sufficient “pain and suffering” just realizing how stupid I had been. So she restored my shoes to a “new life” and entrusted them to me again, knowing that I could, hoping that I would, do better with the next decision that came my way. Thanks, Mom. www.diamondterrace.net

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 9 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 10 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

themoviemaverick by Jason Rugaard, www.moviemavericks.com

Absolution

A Tale to Tell

3 stars Nowadays, Steven Seagal movies are judged not on any sort of artistic merit but rather, if there is any cohesion in the story line. In that respect, Absolution is a notch above some of the recent dreary output from the heavily goateed action icon. Re-teaming with director Keoni Waxman and co-star Byron Mann, Seagal plays yet another mercenary with moral fortitude who gets caught in political webs that will eventually threaten his life. The opening voice over informs us that solider of fortune John Alexander (Seagal) is a man who has committed horrendous acts of violence in honor of country. Now, he fears sins committed during covert operations will haunt him. Alexander has been recruited to take out a coked-up arms dealer under the protection of high security deep within a fortified mansion. Aided by his partner Chi (Byron Mann), the duo are able to hit their mark and escape into the night unnoticed. This act sets the mechanics of the plot in motion. MMA and UFC star

Josh Barnett appears in this sequence and proves himself eligible for leading man status in his next B-movie action outing. During the getaway, Alexander discovers a girl on the run from a psychotic mafia figure (Vinnie Jones) with dangerous connections and political backing. The mob boss is in the business of human trafficking. Now, the mercenary is caught between loyalty to his bosses or protecting a runaway with no-one on her side. Absolution is a slickly photographed, well choreographed, exuberant action thriller. If it doesn’t signal that Seagal has awoken from his cinematic sleepwalking phase, it is at least a step back in the right direction. We are a long way removed from the heights of Above the Law, but this is at least better than Half Past Dead. Seagal’s most enjoyable outing in years. Director: Keoni Waxman Stars: Stven Seagal, Byron Mann, Josh Barnett

bookends

by Chadwick H Saxelid

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

A Moment in the Sun by John Sayles Although I enjoy reading the occasional history book, I do not care all that much for works of historical fiction, especially epic ones. It might have to do with my dislike of “doorstopper” books. Nine-hundred plus page narratives, featuring a cast of characters large enough to populate a small city. I’m more of a quick read type of guy. I enjoy books I can polish off in a few days. It might be an attention thing, but books that take longer to read leave me cold. I also happen to be a huge fan of writer/filmmaker John Sayles. Have been ever since I realized he had written the screenplays to Piranha, The Howling, and Alligator, before moving over to the art house arena with The Brother from Another Planet. Reading one of Sayles’s few novels, or short story collections, has been on my bucket list for decades. What do these two very different things have in common, you might be asking? Well, “way back” in 2011, John Sayles’s historical epic A Moment in the Sun was published. I picked it up (downloaded it

onto my Kindle, actually) at the time, but only got around to reading it last month. Beginning in 1897, in the gold rush choked Yukon, Sayles’s novel spans five years and half a dozen countries. He follows a dozen or so characters as they are caught up in, or callously brushed aside, or crushed, by the military and societal convulsions that birthed what is now known as the American Century. Well over half of Sayles’s many characters hail from Wilmington, North Carolina. A setting that allows him to contrast the brutality of the Wilmington insurrection of 1898 with the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and the atrocities that followed. Lest you start worrying that A Moment in the Sun is some hateful, anti-American screed, it isn’t. Sayles’s characters, most coming from an impoverished or non-white section of the population, serve as ironic contradictions to their nation’s actions. Most, although not all, are wonderful examples of the American character. They show why the American character can be admired, even when the actions of their country aren’t the least bit admirable. Although I spent almost one thousand pages with them, I found I was not ready to say good-bye when I reached the final page. There is no higher praise to give a storyteller than that, I think.

Time for the Arts by Deborah Ashley

Deborah’s column will return in the June issue of the Diablo Gazette

Calendar of Events

HOLIDAYS/CELEBRATIONS May 5 Cinco De Mayo May 10 Mothers Day May 25 Memorial Day

FUNDRAISERS

•Tenth Annual Festival of Tables & Fashion. Concord United Methodist Church. May 9 Concord- 1645 West St. Fashions are by Draper’s and Damon’s of Walnut Creek. Seating is limited. For Reservations ($40), call Rosemary Harwood at 925-672-3490. Proceeds from the luncheon and fashion show will go to selected community charities and scholarships. Fore more information on the Women’s Club, go to claytonvalleywomansclub.org. •Golden Gate Park- May 9th Girls on the Run 5K . A family-friendly, community event that strives to share the tools and inspiration for healthy living and self-confidence from the Girls on the Run program with all members of the Bay Area community. All proceeds from the event benefit the incredible girls of Girls on the Run of the Bay Area. 5K FUN RUN DJ MUSIC - ZUMBA - FACE PAINT - TECH TEES FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT- MEDALS FOR ALL KIDDOS - HEALTHY FOOD & BEVERAGES •Lafayette Juniors 16th Annual Kitchen Tour for Charity: May 16th - | $40 Tickets are on sale now for the Lafayette Juniors 16th Annual Kitchen Tour. This self-guided tour will feature six special Lafayette homes with beautifully designed classic, traditional, contemporary, transitional, and modern cottage kitchens, and a mid-century modern kitchen recently featured in Houzz “Kitchen of the Week.” Kitchen Tour program details special design elements of the kitchens as well as information on the architects, designers and contractors who created these spaces. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit the work of five local non-profit organizations: Ruby’s Place, Boys & Girls Club of Diablo Valley, Las Trampas, Trinity Center Walnut Creek, and VESTIA •Double Elimination Bocce Tournament Senior Men of Clayton Valley Charter High School will host their inaugural fundraiser Bocce Tournament at the Ipsen Family Bocce Park. May 30 Clayton Sixteen, 4-person teams compete for great prizes. The entry fee is $35 per person which includes breakfast and a complimentary gift bag. Prizes throughout the day, silent auction for a weekend at Lake Tahoe. Breakfast for all participants at 9:30 AM. The tournament will get underway at 11:00 AM •Buying into Education Day June 3 -The Walnut Creek Education Foundation and Walnut Creek Downtown are partnering to support 5000 students and parents in our community. Help build stronger schools and support programs such as art, music, PE, science, technology and so much more in Walnut Creek Schools and at Las Lomas High School. •June Wine Walk 6P-9P June 17 Walnut Creek Enjoy sipping a variety of hand-selected wines while strolling charming downtown Walnut Creek’s retail shops, artwork and restaurants to live, acoustic music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the WC Library Foundation & Diablo Regional Arts Association. Tickets: Advance tickets are $30/person; tickets at the door $40/person. Ticket sales end 11 a.m. on June 17. Purchase tickets at www.walnutcreekdowntown.com. Maps of participating businesses and complimentary wine glasses will be available to those 21 and over at the starting location at Walnut Creek City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street. •The Concord Senior Center and the Contra Costa Humane Society (CCHS) invite animal lovers of all ages to the Furry Pet Faire and

Maddie’s Pet Adoption Day May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John Baldwin Park on Parkside Circle in Concord. The event will be held across from the Baldwin dog park.

OUTDOORS:

•MARTINEZ: - See AD PAGE 10 •DANVILLE: First Sunday of every •Month: Cars ‘n Coffee, On the First Sunday of every month, automotive enthusiasts gather in the parking lots of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum to share their vehicles and admire the other fabulous classics, exotics, rods and anything else with wheels and a motor. There is no fee for Cars & Coffee. Come when you want, leave when you want, but know that early arrivals do get the parking space they prefer. Also, the Museum opens at 9am on Cars & Coffee Sundays. 8am-10am , Blackhawk Museum • 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville, CA 94506 p:925.736.2280 • f:925.736.4818 • museum@ blackhawkmuseum.org, http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/carsncoffee.html •LAFAYETTE: 5/10/15, Family Day at Sienna Ranch, Each Fall and Spring, Sienna Ranch opens its doors for special family and community open house days. Come enjoy our lovable animals, fun activities, good company, and wholesome environment. Bring your own picnic lunch or pre-order a healthy lunch to eat on the day. Family Day Passes are $85, Admission to Sienna Ranch Family Day for up to 5 people, 3 pony or horse ride tickets 3 archery tickets, 5 tractor-pulled 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 •SAN FRANCISCO: Gray Whale Migration Season, Numerous locations along the Pacific coast Thru – 5/31/15, Paid boat tours or Free from shore . Watch some 20,000 gray whales migrating from the Arctic to Baja, Mexico. Tour boats leave San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Moss Landing and Monterey during this season. Or, watch them from on shore. http:// www.hiddensf.com/gray-whale-migration-california.html

CLUB/SUPPORT GROUP EVENTS

•CONCORD: 4th Friday: Concord Ducati Bike Night, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord. 925/8491221 http://norcaldoc.com •“Tenth Annual Festival of Tables & Fashion” event. The proceeds from the luncheon and fashion show will go to selected community charities and scholarships. The date is Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 11:00 am and the place is the Concord United Methodist Church at 1645 West Street in Concord. Fashions are by Draper’s and Damon’s of Walnut Creek. Luncheon by Rick’s On Second. Seating is limited and the event was sold out last year. For reservation information ($40), please call Rosemary Harwood at (925) 672-3490. For more information about the Woman’s Club, check out www.claytonvalleywomansclub. com. •The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will meet in the Concord I Room at John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus, (2540 East Street, Concord) May 11 from 7-9 p.m. The speaker will be Susan O’Grady Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist. Her topic will be “Intimacy Following Stroke”. After the program, attendees will break up into three coping groups: stroke survivors without aphasia, stroke survivors with aphasia, and

continues on page 12

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 11 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 12 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Calendar continued

caregivers and families of stroke survivors -- each group led by a trained professional. For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at925-376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.” •Clayton Valley Garden Club (CVGC) -Annual Plant Sale May 9 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center Street, Clayton. Annual Plant Sale will offer 1-gallon pots of Alestromeria, Parrot’s Beak, Scilla, Iris, assorted Geraniums, Clivia, Bromeliads, Container Tomatoes, Black Sunflowers, Hostas, various Plectranthus, a range of succulents and even more plant species.

KID/FAMILY EVENTS

•Mount Diablo Music Education Foundation’s 6th Annual All Area Music Festival, featuring music students from Mt. Diablo elementary, middle and high schools. May 9 Concord 12pm-5pm. Admission is free. 1pm Mayor Grayson announces Winners of the Mother’s Day Essay Contest. The AAUW Art and Wine (and Beer) Walk 1pm-4pm •Studios on the Streets, May 9 presented by Martinez Chamber of Commerce. Visual artists’ works and live workings of crafts, paintings, sketching, pottery making, sculpting, music, children’s activities, music, beer and wine www.studiosonthestreet.com for more information. •Orinda Restaurant Tour – Dining Al Fresco, May 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Theatre Square in downtown Orinda with most of the Orinda restaurants providing samples of some of their finest offerings to tour participants. “Taste” Orinda at its finest in one easy walking tour, al fresco! Up to 20 restaurants so “abbondanza!” Live music by The Ripplers. Tickets $30.00 available at www.orindachamber.org or at First Republic Bank, 224 Brookwood Road, Orinda, or the Orinda Chamber of Commerce at 26 Orinda Way. •Rodie’s Annual Customer Appreciation and Pet Adoption Day May 16 9am-2pm. Contra Costa Animal Services Pet Adoption Mobile, which will be here from 10am to 2pm with dogs and cats in need of a loving home. Learn pet care, safe, responsible pet rescue, or adopt an animal from the Contra Costa Humane Society. One Day Sales, Prizes, and lunch for purchase. See back page for more deals. Rodies Feed and Pet Supply 8863 Marsh Creek Rd. Clayton •Thursday Night Music and Market Series takes place in Todos Santos Plaza Concord when Zydeco Flames opens the season with its authentic re-creation of the sounds and feel of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras. Starts May 16 •Meadow Homes Spray Park Opening Day May 23 at 1351 Detroit Ave., Concord •Bay Area KidFest May 23-25 Memorial Day Weekend, 10am- 6pm Silver Anniversary KidFest is East Bay’s largest annual family event. Aussie Kingdom educational show with kangaroos, wallabies and other birds and animals, Kent Family Circus, Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” Judy Garland impressionist Elaine Horn, Nickelodeon superstars Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, PETFEST, exhibitions by Concord Police K9, Nonstop entertainment on community stage, 5th annual Memorial Day ceremony featuring U.S. Navy Band veteran Deborah Del Mastro performing the armed services theme songs and the Star Spangled Banner with the Mt. Diablo High School Jr. ROTC color guard. Del Mastro originated the role of Sr. Robert Anne in the “Nunsense” touring show and was a cast member of Beach Blanket Babylon. Face painting, balloon art, sports, golf, bounces and crawls, Kid’s Town America. Arts & crafts and exhibitor booths, food court, 20 rides and more. Admission $6 per person with the donation of a canned good for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano. $7 without can donation. Babies under 24 months and seniors 65+ are FREE. Downtown Concord, 2450 GrantSt. Sorry, pets may not be brought on the grounds . www.KidFestConcord.com Sorry, pets may not be brought on the grounds . See our ad on cover. •Contra Costa County Fair opens May 28 -31 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds SEE AD PAGE 3

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 •Walnut Creek Sundays 9am-1pm North Locust between Giamona and LaCassie St. •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/THEATRE/MUSIC

•Pittsburg Pittsburg Pops Presents Mariachi Sol De Mexico May 7, 2015 --The expression of México’s authentic Musical heritage lives on through the voice of Sol de México 7PM. All tickets are $39 Comedy at the California Theatre May 8 Pitts-

burg - Auggie Smith, featuring Robin Cee & Hosted by Dan Mires. An evening of riveting, take-no-prisoners stand-up comedy. 8PM. Tickets $17 in advance, $20 at the door. •Ygnacio Valley High School’s Jazz Band will be holding it’s annual “Blast from the Past Swing Dance” in the school Multi-use room May 8 from 7-9pm. The event is open to the public and the tickets will be available at the door. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students. The proceeds from this event will benefit the YVHS instrumental music program. Our school is located on 755 Oak Grove Rd in Concord. •Diablo Ballet’s 21st Season continues with Celebrated Masters at the Del Valle Theatre May 8 in Walnut Creek. The performances feature live music and a lively, interactive Q&A with the dancers hosted by local celebrity moderators. A reception with tasty dessert delicacies is served up close and personal with the artists. Celebrated Masters: Performances: Friday, May 8, 2015 at 8:00 pm and Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Location: Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Purchase tickets online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org or by calling (925) 943-7469. For more information, please call the Diablo Ballet office at (925) 943-1775 or e-mail diablo@diabloballet.org •California Theatre. May 9 Pittsburg.-Sargent Tucker Salutes The MOTOWN Era with HEY JUDE honoring “The Beatles” and legends such as Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder. 8 PM . $17 in advance & $20 at the door •The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra closes its 2014-2015 season with an unusual program, “Some Assembly Required”, featuring the full group as well as the brass, wind, and string sections performing separately. The program opens with the brilliant brass fanfare from La Peri by Paul Dukas, followed by an eclectic combination of wind instruments performing Stravinsky’s Octet. The full orchestra then assembles to perform Haydn’s joyful Symphony No. 1 in D Major, known as “The Clock.” The strings will perform a trio of works, including the first movement of David Diamond’s most popular piece, Rounds, and the full orchestra reassembles to close the program with Grieg’s powerful Peer Gynt Suite. Friday May 8 7:30pm Alhambra High School, Martinez, $5-$10 at the door ; May 9 -2:00 pm, El Campanil Theatre, Antioch, $5-$10 at the door. May 10-- 2:00 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, $10-$30 at the door, by phone (925-943-SHOW) or online at www. LesherArtsCenter.org •Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga performing at the Concord Pavilion, May 28 •Pittsburg Community Theatre Greater Tuna. What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Phineas Blye and Rev. Spikes have in common? In this hilarious send-up of small town morals and mores, they are all among the upstanding citizens of Tuna, Texas’ third smallest town. Bonus show. A hilarious two-man show featuring, Brian Villaneuva and Greg Brown, will keep you laughing in your seats. May 14-May 17 Performance(s): Thursday at 7:00PM; Friday at 8:00PM Saturday at 8:00PM; Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 2:00PM Ticket(s): Adults $25 Seniors & Students $15; Children $10 •Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir with 55 singers and a full band, this ‘Celebration of Gospel Music’ is sure to bring everyone to their feet. June 4 •The Diablo Women’s Chorale present “Get Happy”, at Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. May 15 and 16 . Show times are 7:30pm Friday night and 2pm Saturday. Advance tickets are $16.00 General Admission, $10.00 Student, $20.00 Premium seating. Tickets purchased at the door will be $20.00 Adult and $10.00 Student. Tickets can be purchased at www.DiabloWomensChorale.org or call 800-838-3006. •Playwrights’ Theatre series, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House is featuring Golden Boy by Clifford Odets, seen by many as “the heir to Eugene O’Neill.” May 17 2 PM Danville -- Reserved tickets for both events are available online at www.eugeneoneil.org, or by phone at (925) 820-1818. There is limited seating available in the Old Barn performance site. All seats are $25.00 per person. •Walnut Creek Art Exhibitions Here is a round-up of curated art exhibits and events open to the public at locations around Walnut Creek: Until June 17: Walnut Creek Photo Forum exhibit, ‘Local Landscapes,’ City Hall, 2nd Floor Until June 1: Fumiyo Yoshikawa, ink paintings, City Hall 1st Floor Until June 1: Michelle Su, color photography, City Hall 2nd Floor and City Clerk’s office Until May 20: David VanderJagt, multimedia ceramic wall pieces, Heather Farm

GOVERNMENT

•Concord Budget Workshop May 12 ; Residents are invited to attend the 2015 City of Concord Budget Workshop during the regular City Council meeting held at the Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Drive. The evening will in-

continues on page 15

A LifeTIME of Smiles

by Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S.

Old Wives’ Tales When my wife became pregnant one of the books she read listed many old wives tales one being, “lose a tooth with every birth”! It seems that women used to be told not to go to the dentist while pregnant! Hard to believe in this day and age but knowing no one ever likes going to the dentist, I can see why women would avoid going. It is very important during pregnancy is to avoid fever and since dental infection can cause body temperature to rise it can be a very serious problem. There is no reason a woman should avoid dental care, in fact many dental insurance companies allow an extra cleaning during your pregnancy, however, the best advise is to discuss your needs with your physician 1st. As always prevention is top priority. Almost all women experience increased gingivitis during pregnancy, so keeping up prevention is key. Most of the time women are advised that any dental procedure is safest when done in the 2nd trimester, including using any necessary anesthetics. All elective care such as fillings, crowns and cosmetic bonding is perfectly safe to do. How about the need for root canal therapy or extraction during pregnancy? Unfortunately I have had to perform these necessary procedures at times that were not the appropriate time because dental disease does not follow “the rules”. Again it is very important to work closely

with the woman’s physician in order to minimize risks that may include the need to take antibiotics, potent pain relievers as well as an invasive procedure which may cause excessive bleeding and spread infection. I will leave you with a story which brings light to that old wives tale. Many years ago I treated a young woman who had not been to see me in 9 months. It turned out she was 9 months pregnant and had a terrible toothache from a badly decayed wisdom tooth. As the story goes I called her physician and we both agreed that her wisdom tooth needed to come out but at this stage of her pregnancy it was best to refer her to and Oral Surgeon. I made a few more calls and got her scheduled in a office closer to her home. I put her in a cab to send her right over. In the cab on the way to the oral surgeon with a toothache she went into labor and took the cab to the hospital where she had her baby and both mom and baby were just fine. Two weeks later she had her wisdom tooth removed! Remember prevention is key! Rinse, Floss, Brush and Rinse again!!! Happy Mother’s Day, Marci W. ~Dr. Rob

Ask Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S. your questions at 925-682-6940, DrRob@ RobertHWaldmanDDS.com or www. roberthwaldmandds.com.

Just A Little Bit the humor of Cathy Turney

My Husband Has a Girlfriend We’re on our way to the Austin Healey Club season opener in the green car, which means that MyHusbandTheEngineer has had a sixmonth hiatus in which to repress all the reasons he should have found another copilot, and hasn’t, so here we are. I owe him because he just spent a weekend with my side of the family—the most, entertaining, enlightened and elevating company one could ask for, and he loved every second of it, but he keeps score during car season. “Here, put this on,” he yells as he hands me the other pair of headphones. “We can’t talk to each other, but the music works.” And you can hear it when the engine dies and the car is standing still. Since he really doesn’t want my input on these rides, he would say that the headphones are working at 100 percent efficiency. “Don’t touch the buttons!” he shouts. Since the music is not working, and he can’t hear me over the din of the engine, so there’s no point in screaming back, I’m reminded by contrast of the Simon and Garfunkel hit, “Sound of Silence.” They knew a good thing when they heard it and were obviously Americans who drove quiet Japanese cars or how would they have known what silence sounds like? In the prehistoric early days of Healeys, owners didn’t have nice wineries at which to have brunch before setting out on their treacherous adventures (nor designer outlets to stop at on the way home). But neither did they have to deal with clubby Jaguar owners wearing linen shorts, Ralph Loren Polo shirts and tassel loafers without socks who think that having their mechanics on speed dial* makes them better than us. Perhaps it has to do with Austin Healey’s more plebeian roots (in the eyes of Jaguar owners—just go with me here), but we’re real and down to earth—

especially the earth under a broken axle at the side of a meandering country lane. We revel in the romance of the road: the sight of poppies, blue lupine, and mustard as we fly by; and the smell of exhaust. And skunk. And gasoline leaking from the car in front of us. “Is that us I smell?” “What smell?” my husband yells. Denial is common in this group. “The smell that is probably emanating from the car in front of us which I now see limping to the shoulder of the road.” And then the funereal procession of Healeys pulls behind it, in sympathy for the dead car. Times like this distinguish the men from the boys (and Jaguar owners from Healey owners). Len, one of the most tenured club members and therefore the one with the biggest collection of car parts, resuscitates the body with a contraption he created that looks like a cat-o-nine-tails. I’m sure he beat it back to life—the car did return from the dead. Meanwhile, I am sweltering in the cockpit of our car, which came to the meet with its top on because I get cold. Well, now I’m hot. “I’m hot,” I state to MyHusbandTheEngineer. “You promised you wouldn’t complain,” he reminds me. “OK, I’m dying.” “You’re complaining.” “No, I’m not. I’m stating a fact.” Which he ignores. Looks like we’re in for another Healey season. But there will be many wineries on the itinerary. *Thanks for this insight into Jag owners, Rich Kahn!

Cathy Turney is the author of Laugh Your Way to Real Estate Sales Success. Contact Cathy at Cathy@CathyTurney. com and on Facebook and Twitter (CathyTurney1)

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 13 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

CHS School Report by Rebecca Jensen

Charter High School

Staffalumnus Academicus It has recently come to my attention that we have at Concord High the presence of a rare and intriguing species, a collection of individuals who, for lack of current scientific identification, I will refer to as staffalumnus academicus. These amazing persons can be found teaching in classrooms, strolling the halls and even occupying the main office. They are resource specialists, teachers, AP teachers, department heads, even an administrative VP. And some add to their already busy day by coaching sports after school. But what makes these individuals even more intriguing is that they have been here before! I’m speaking of Trevor Chatterton (’00), Rebecca (McCoy) Dell (’97), Jeremy Eklund (’95), Matt Harrod (’98), Julene MacKinnon (’91), Kami (Whirlow) Rossi (’92), Matt Ryan (’97), and Crystal Stull (’00). Each is an alumnus of Concord High and has returned to the classrooms and desks they once occupied as students. (And I would not doubt they are the same desks!) When asked why they chose a career in education, most shared they’d had a

CVCHS Student

Creativity Shines at Clayton Valley

particular teacher that had a deep impact on them and served as their role model. As one staffalumnus wrote, “My high school English teacher inspired me to become a teacher. She had a passion for working with students and went to great lengths to help students who needed the support. She really worked with the ‘whole student’ and that is a model I try to embrace on a daily basis as well.” Another common theme is that all have chosen to return to Concord High to give back to the community they loved and enjoyed when they here as students. I guess you could say they are paying it forward, teaching and helping students the way in which they themselves were helped. To me, this is yet another validation to the close-knit and involved community thriving at Concord High. CHS has become a school of choice for many parents who apply for transfers so their children can attend here. And it is persons such as these, as well as all other administration, faculty and staff that create a high school environment where students can succeed. We salute our staffalumni! Once a Minuteman, always

Art Show

Clayton Valley Charter High School held its annual Art Show and Open House. This year’s Show theme was “Forever Young”. The evening was highlighted by the Clayton Valley Charter High School Jazz Band, prizes and an open house. Awards were given in seven different categories listed here. Congratulations to all. Photos by Micah Nunez/Diablo Gazette

Graphic Art: 1st JT Vincent 2nd; Haylee Roden; 3rd - Genevieve Vargas: Honorable mention: Cammy Bazan Video: 1st Olivia Schneider; Honorable mention: Julia Healy Painting: 1st- Cammy Bazan; 2nd- Sam Albertsen; 3rd- Gabrielle Dela Cruz; Honorable mention: Myla Montoya and Hoy Tran Photography: 1st-Alyssa Weed; 2nd- Janine Bandayrel; 3rd- Mary Mitchell; Honorable mention: Katie van Tuyl Drawing: 1st –Jasmin Regato; 2nd- Colin Moore; 3rd –Sharon Wang; Honorable mention: Stephanie Leighton Mixed Media: 1st-Renae Stapleton and Nick Noratto; 2ndLindsey Snyder 3rd- Rain Benevent; Honorable mention: Trinity Tourady Sculpture: 1st-Jesse Miller; 2nd- Alex King; 3rd- Blake Crahan; Honorable mention: Caleb Ricks

Fundraiser to

Remodel Teachers Lounge

for the year,” said Alex King, President Bocce is quite popular in Clayton of Senior Men, “Bocce has been really as indicated by the long line of bocce popular. Hosting a tournament was enthusiasts, some who camped overnight the obvious way to go.” Several local to register for the Clayton Bocce League businesses have play. donated cash and On May 30, the prizes for the event. Senior Men of Clayton The tournament Valley Charter High is 100% nonSchool will host their profit with all of inaugural fundraiser proceeds invested Bocce Tournament at the into remodeling Ipsen Family Bocce Park. the Clayton Valley Sixteen 4-person teams Charter High School will compete in a double teacher’s lounge. elimination tournament Executive Director, for great prizes. The entry Bocce enthusiasts, the Rodenburgs, kept Mr. Lindsey agreed to fee is $35 per person matching proceeds. which includes breakfast warm while waiting to register. “The response has and a complimentary been very popular. There are only a few gift bag and many great prizes to be won spots left,” said President King. throughout the day including a weekend The easiest way to register is to stay at Lake Tahoe. CVCHS’s Chef Wayne will be serving breakfast for all the go to the www.claytonvalley.org and look for the Bocce Tournament link and participants beginning at 9:30 AM. The register on line. Forms are also available tournament will get underway at 11:00 at Clayton Valley. You can register as AM. a team or as an individual assigned a Each year, the CVCHS Senior Men team. Contact Alexander Geller directly, host fundraisers to give back to the the Senior Men’s Advisor at Alex.Geller@ school. “We wanted to give back to the ClaytonValley.org. teachers. This is our final fundraiser

Rodie’s Annual Customer Appreciation and Pet Adoption Day Are you looking for something fun for the whole family to enjoy? Each year Rodie’s Feed & Pet Supply hosts a Customer Appreciation and Pet Adoption Day. On Saturday, May 16 spend a day at Rodie’s in Clayton. Learn how to improve the health and happiness of your furry or feathered friends. It is promised to be a day of fun, education, with exclusive deals and prizes. This year’s event will feature the Contra Costa Animal Services Pet Adoption Mobile from 10am to 2pm. Meet the dogs and cats that are in need of a loving home. The Contra

Costa Humane Society will be on hand to answer questions about pet care, show you other animals available for adoption, and provide advice for safe and responsible pet rescue. Venture from booth to booth and learn about various food, toys and supplies from expert representatives in the pet industry. Gather their signatures and you may win the grand prize, a two-burner outdoor stove and propane tank. Take advantage of oneday-only deals from pet food brands like Blue Buffalo, Diamond, Fromm Family Foods, Evanger’s, Nutrena, Loyall, Elk Grove Milling and many

more. Bring your propane tank and get ready for summer BBQ, Free 5 gallon fill with $10 purchase or $only $2.50 per gallon. To ensure your order is in stock you can pre-book early and come in to pick it up on Customer Appreciation Day. Enjoy delicious Mexican fare for purchase from the food truck. Support your local community and visit booths hosted by the Contra Costa Avian Society, K9 Coalition/Clayton Dog Park

and Contra Costa Animal Services. Rodie’s Feed & Pet Supply is a family operated retail pet store featuring high quality food and supplies for all domestic pets and farm animals including dogs, cats, birds, horses and livestock and other pets. Rodie’s has been serving the Clayton Valley community for over thirty years. See their ad on the back page for more information.

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 14 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 15 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779

Concord Police Offer Tips for Preventing

So far this year, 315 auto burglaries have been reported to the Concord Police Department. During the same time in 2014, there were 344 auto burglaries reported. Although the slight decline is good news, the Concord Police Department is asking that the public maintain vigilance in taking basic precautions to protect their vehicles and personal property. “When parking your car, we recommend that you take your valuables with you whenever possible,” says Detective Sergeant Kristin Coupar. “Leaving valuables visible in your car is a sure way to attract the attention of a thief. Be sure to always lock your vehicle and close all the windows when it is unattended. At night, try to park in well-lit areas of parking lots or heavily-traveled areas if parked curbside. Consider using an inexpensive vehicle security device (“The Club”) or ignition-disabling alarm system to reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen, and always take your car keys with you!

Calendar continued clude a presentation on the proposed fiscal year 2015-16 City budget and the ten-year financial forecast. •Concord City Council, 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Council Chambers, 1950 Parkside Dr, Concord. Or watch online at http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/agendas/ council/ •Clayton City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Rd, Clayton. http://ci.clayton.ca.us •Martinez City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. City Hall, 7 pm, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez. Or Listen online at http://www. granicus.com/streamingMediaHelp/minimumSystem.htm, http://www.cityofmartinez.org •Walnut Creek City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7 pm. Or watch online at http:// www.walnut-creek.org/services/citizen/granicus.asp •Pleasant Hill City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers of the Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Or follow online at http://www. ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/media/

CLUBS

•American Association of University Women Concord Branch www.aauw-concord.org •American Legion Post 171 - 5 p.m. third Tuesdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 687-1427. •B2F Business Networking Group - noon first and third Thursdays. 998-8844. •Beachcomber Singles - Social and service activities for active adults age 45 and above. For more information call (510) 799-2207, Or visit our website: www.beachcombersingles.org/ •British Club - 11:30 a.m. first Wednesdays, Zio Fraedo’s, Pleasant Hill. 682-7978. •Circle of Friends - second Mondays, Walnut Country Club, Concord. 998-8844. •Clayton Valley Garden Club- 7p.m. second Wednesdays, February-November. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Contact: www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org •Clutch Busters Square Dance Club - 7:30 p.m.-9:30 pm Thursdays, New dancers and those wanting brush-up are welcome. Willow Pass Community Center, 2748 E Olivera Rd, Concord. 686-3774. •Concord Art Association - 12:50 p.m. second Tuesdays, Concord Library. 646-5455. •Concord Diablo Rotary - 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord. dirk@ wentlingstudio.com 685.7760 •Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton. 689-7640 or www.claytonvalley-rotary.org. •Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. For meeting times call Aleta at 925-672-9448 www.claytonvalleywomansclub.org. •Concord Garden Club - 9:30 a.m. third Tuesdays, Bethel Baptist Church, Concord. 687-2334. •Concord Lions Club - 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant, Concord. 687-3594. •Concord Mystery Book Club - 2:30 p.m. second Sundays, Concord Library, 646-5455.

Car Crime

Properly secured cars will absolutely have a deterrent effect on many criminals.” The Concord Police Department has investigated two auto burglary reports in the past several months where the method of entry into the vehicles

suggested that suspects may have defeated the locks using some kind of remote electronic device. Car owners with passive keyless entry and start systems (PKES) -- commonly called “Smart” keys – is advised to store

•Concord Senior Club - ballroom dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 p.m. second Saturdays. 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. 798-4557. •Contra Costa Genealogical Society - 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Concord. www.rootsweb.com/~cacccgs. •Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society - 7:30 p.m. second Mondays, Centre Concord. 4292748 or www.ccmgs.org. •Creekside Artists Guild Meets 2nd Wed. each month @ 7-8:30pm. Clayton Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Arlene 6739777, akiksen@aol.com •Concord United Methodist Women Monthly Meeting 510-758-4837 •Diablo Numismatic Society - 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 825-0649 or xsteamerx@aol.com. •Diablo Toastmasters, every Thursday 7 – 9 p.m., Sizzler Rest., Concord. http://www. diablotoastmasters.org. •Diablo Valley Democratic Club - 7 p.m. third Wednesdays, Ygnacio Valley Library, Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or http://www.dvdems.org. •Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group - 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays. Bancroft Elementary School, Walnut Creek. 689-1155 or www. dvmug.org. •Diablo Valley Mustang Assoc meets 7:00 pm second Wednesdays each month at Fuddruckers Concord. All Mustang afficiados invited. Nancy Russell 925-825-5994. www.dvma.org •Diablo Valley Wings, Chapter P of the Gold Wing Touring Association - 12:15 p.m. third Tuesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 686-3774 or http:// www.GWTA-CA-DVW.org. •East Bay Prospectors Club - 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. 672-1863 or www.eastbaygpaa.webs.com. •Ellen’s Guild - 10 a.m second Tuesdays, Family Stress Center, Concord. 672-5409 or www. familystresscenter.org. •Hope Academy Concord Open House, Third Thursday of each month, 9 – 9:45 a.m. Reservations required: Judy Davies 687-7555; 5353 Concord Blvd. www.hopeacademyconcord.org •Kiwanis Club of Greater Concord - 8:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Buttercup Grill and Bar, 4301 Clayton Rd., Concord. 372-5348. •Knife Throwing Club/Diablo Impalement Arts Group:We throw anything with a point on our 40 foot multiple target range, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun-part of the Diablo Rod and Gun Club, 4700 Evora Rd. Concord,(925)709-9199 www.throwzini.com/events.html •Knitting Group - 2 p.m. first Sundays, Concord Library. 646-5455. •Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, St.Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Contact Rayce at 683-9717 or rayce@aol.com. •Mt Diablo Metal Detecting Club and have Meets at the Elks Lodge in Walnut Creek. 1475 Creekside Dr. 730 pm www.mdmdc. com meets on the second Wednesday.www. mdmdctreasurehunting.com. •Mt. Diablo Branch, California Writers Club 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill $35 for CWC members. Contact jeaniegpops@comcast.net, or 934-5677 for more information.

James’ Games Puzzle Answers

•Soroptimist International Diablo Vista - 12:15 p.m. first, second and third Wednesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 672-2727 •National Marine Corps Business Network: www.nmcbn.com/ We normally meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact 925680-8714. •Odd Fellows - 3 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Pacheco Lodge 117, Concord. 682-7358. •Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek Mothers’ Club, http://www.phwcmothersclub.org •Rising Stars Toastmasters. This group was created for job seekers. For more information, contact Derrick Smith at (925) 381-4551 or go to risingstarstm.toastmastersclubs.org. •Snowchasers Ski Club - Snow skiing and Snowboarding- First and Third Wednesdays of each month. Snowchasers meets 7:30 pm Sizzlers Concord.Contact iSteve and Rosalie Rhodes,925-228-8145. www.snowchasers.org •Toastmasters International - 7 p.m. Mondays, Montecito of Concord, 682-7211. Also, 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord Campus. Toastmasters can help! Our local club, Word Weavers, meets Mondays, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. at 4756 Clayton Road, Concord 686-1818. www. toastmasters.org. •Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 - 9 a.m. second Saturdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord.

SUPPORT GROUPS

•Al-Anon Family Group - 7:30 p.m. Mondays, St. Martins of Tours Anglican Church and Preschool, Concord. 932-6770 or www.ncwsa.org. •Alcoholics Anonymous - 939-4155 or www. aa.org. •Cardiac Care Support Group - 7 p.m. second Thursdays, John Muir Walnut Creek or Concord. 947-5206.

these keys in Faraday bags/sleeves or in RFID-blocking wallets at home or on their person. The Concord Police Department encourages people to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious behavior, and allow the police to investigate if that behavior is innocent or criminal. It is always better to call and let the police do their job, rather than rationalize suspicious behavior and not call. For example, people loitering in parking lots and peering into cars or trying door handles definitely qualifies as suspicious behavior, and merits a 9-1-1 call right away. “For the Police Department to be successful in reducing car-related crime in Concord, we need the awareness, vigilance, and support of the public to simply make it harder for car burglars and thieves to commit these thefts. Together, we hope to reduce the frequency of these crimes, as well as arrest and prosecute those responsible.” For more information visit http:// www.cityofconcord.org/police/

•Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implant Wearers Support Group - 7 p.m. first Wednesdays, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or 264-1199. •HIV/AIDS Support Group - 7-9 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, John Muir Concord. 674-2190. •Leukemia Society Family Support Group - 7 p.m. first Thursdays. 947-4466, ext. 32797. •Living with a Mental Illness? Join NAMI Connection Peer-led support group. Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm Held at John Muir Behavioral Health Center 2740 Grant Street Concord. Call 925-942-0767 or www.namicontracosta.org •Nar-Anon - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord. http://naranoncalifornia.org. •Pet Loss Support Group, Every first Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration required. •Rainbow Community Center - Check Website for services. 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200, Concord. www.rainbowcc.org. •Retired & Senior Volunteer Program - 4725777. •The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will hold its monthly meeting. For details of time and place contact Ann Dzuna at 925-376-6218. Meetings are free.

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 Diablo Gazette! Thank you for such a comprehensive list of events and activities! ~Christine Ondersma Visit our Website for Full Printable Calendar and Support Group Listings at www.DiabloGazette.com - Thanks for reading the DIABLO GAZETTE.

Diablo Gazette • MAY 2015 • Page 16 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette • (925) 303-4779