s y a d i l o H y Happrom all of us f
f you o l l a to
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
December 18, 2009
925.672.0500
Clayton lights up for the holidays HANK STRATFORD
MAYOR’S CORNER New mayor shares hopes for coming year Shortly after I become mayor, Tamara Steiner, the editor and publisher of this paper, let me know that my first column would be due the following Wednesday, six days later. My first question was, “How long does the column need to be?” She replied that I should try to keep it to less than 750 words. She misunderstood my question – I wasn’t worried about the maximum length, but I wanted to know if there was a minimum. I also wondered if the font size could be increased if necessary. Writing this column is one of the mayoral responsibilities about which I was most worried. Originally I thought I would offer an introduction and make some recognitions. However, I decided that I would like to introduce a couple of ideas that
See Mayor, page 18
Stratford to focus on character development The Clayton City Council underwent its annual reorganization on Dec. 2 with the election of Hank Stratford as mayor and Dave Shuey as vice-mayor. Stratford, who was elected to the council in 2006, will take up the gavel from Councilwoman and four-time mayor, Julie Pierce. Clayton, a general law city, does not elect the mayor in an open election. Rather the largely ceremonial seat traditionally rotates between members. The mayor has no more authority than the other four elected council members.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
See Council, page 18
Photo by Pete Barra
HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES SPONSORED by Stephanie Lopez and Ed Moresi added to the festive atmosphere downtown as Clayton’s annual Tree Lighting officially kicked off the holiday season. ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
The annual tradition of the downtown tree lighting Dec.5 drew a large crowd of about a thousand people fighting off the rapid chill-down that led to the amazing snowfall two mornings later.
With the angelic songs of the Mt. Diablo Elementary School choir under the guidance of Michael Hanna at the gazebo, carriage rides around the square and visitors gathering at local eateries as they waited for Santa, the chill seemed to bother no one – adding instead
to the holiday charm. “This is really cute,” said Lindsay Bradburn, holding little Brook as she stood against a park bench so she could see, with daddy Keith and sister Lindsay by her side. “It’s amazing,” said Keith. New to the festivities this
year, was the horse and carriage sponsored by local Realtor, Stephanie Lopez and Ed Moresi, owner of Moresi’s Chophouse and Ed’s Mudville Grill. Over 100 riders clipclopped their way around town in the the old-fashioned car-
riage lit up with white lights. “This is such a fun way to give back to the community,” said Lopez. Farther down Main Street, Geri Engberg, Michael Hanna’s wife and their dog Blue, decked
See Lights, page 2
Historic snowfall blankets downtown, hillsides TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
It was a strange sight for Claytonians last week, when the whole town turned white under the first measurable snowfall since 1976. Big, fat, fluffy flakes started falling on Dec. 7 around 1 a.m. and by dawn a dozen or more “snowpeople” stood guard in the park and on lawns and hillsides all across town. Kids and adults, some still in pajamas under their ski parkas and wrapped to their noses with scarves and hats, poured into the streets and neighborhoods and shrieked with the cold as snowballs hit their targets. Snowboards and sleds found their way out of summer storage and onto the slopes of the Oakhurst hills.
See Snow, more photos, page 6
Linda Pinder
A DEC. 7 SNOWFALL TURNED THE VIEW FROM CANDACE BASS’ OAKHURST backyard into a Courier and Ives postcard. Snow on Diablo is not unusual during the winter months, but the last time locals can remember measurable snow in downtown was 1976.
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . .18 Cookie Contest Winners . . . . . . .17 Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . .5
Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Holiday Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .5