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May 7, 2010
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Summer concerts open with classic rock and roll NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer
The Concert primed Clayton
third fabulously free in The Grove series is and ready to ignite rockers. Shows begin
this Saturday, May 8, with Aja Vu featuring danceable R&B and classic rock hits from Steely Dan, Sly and the Doobie Brothers. “This is promised to be the best season as far as quality of bands,” said Councilman and
concert organizer Howard Geller. “We took back the cream of the crop.” Mamaluke – with four members who attended Clayton Valley High, Mixed Nuts and Diamond Dave from Lafayette
all return as popular favorites for their third year. New bands include Laurent Fourgo & His Orchestra on July 31, fulfilling a popular request for big band sound. The group boasts a six-piece horn section
and soaring vocals. “Swing appeals to another generation,” promised Councilwoman Julie Pierce, concert coordinator for the city, “and introduces the younger generation to big band sounds.”
CBCA’s annual Art and Wine Festival now a regional event
DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
MAYOR’S CORNER
When Karen Leffler sets a goal, very little gets in her way. Whether it’s a fear of public speaking, rain on the day of a planned hike or even encountering an angry rattlesnake coiled on a hiking path, she’s going to find a way around it and reach her goal. Once terrified of speaking
Creating character as a community
See Shelter, page 11
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
DON FITZGERALD, LEFT, ART AND WINE FOUNDER AND EVENT CO-CHAIR KEITH HAYDON stroll Main Street during the 15th annual CBCA Art and Wine Festival last weekend. All proceeds from the event are donated to local schools and charities. TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
If you were looking for sunshine, fun shopping, good eating and plenty of wine, then downtown Clayton was the place to be last weekend for the 15th annual
CBCA Art and Wine Festival. Booths selling everything from tattoos to teriyaki, jewelry to jambalaya and bonsai to “Lee and Larry’s Bad-ass BBQ” lined Main Street and filled the food court. By mid-afternoon on
Saturday, Keith Haydon, cochairman of the two-day event, thought the weekend crowd might top 50,000 – a long way from the two or three thousand that attended the first festival in 1995. “We had less than 50 vendors
at the first one,” recalls event founder Don Fitzgerald, who serves as advisor to co-chairs Hayden and Ed Hartley. This year’s event drew 120 vendors from all over California.
See Art & Wine, page 6
Photo by Ed Rose
KAREN LEFFLER, left stands with friend Pam Appel at Cataract Falls on Mt. Tamalpais on a recent fundraising hike for Shelter, Inc.
Spend a lovely day on the Clayton garden tour NICOLE HACKETT Special to the Pioneer
See Mayor, page 18
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
See Concerts, page 19
Volunteer hikes it into high gear to aid Shelter, Inc.
HANK STRATFORD
When Benjamin Franklin was 20, he launched an ambitious plan to achieve “moral perfection.” His plan included identifying 13 virtues and systematically focusing on each virtue. The 13 virtues were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, chastity, tranquility and humility. Franklin worked on these virtues throughout his life. Recently, a group met to discuss the concept of a community-wide character development program. The goal wasn’t to achieve “moral perfection” but to infuse positive character traits into the culture of our schools and community. Principal Patti Bannister, vice principal Connie Cirimeli, campus supervisor Debbie Farley and Parent Faculty Club president Alison Bacigalupo were in attendance from Diablo View Middle School. Vice principal Rick Leach from Clayton Valley High School also was there. Unfortunately, an emergency prevented principal Bob Dodson of Mt. Diablo Elementary from attending. In addition to representatives from the schools, Clayton Business and Community Association president Ed Hartley and vice president Keith Haydon, Clayton Police Chief Dan Lawrence, retired educator Kay Lane, organizer/facilitator Candace Bass and Clayton
A new country band also should satisfy some requests, Pierce noted. The Michael Paul Band, slated for July 17, entertains with hot new country and Southern rock.
SEE THE POSSIBILITIES OFFERED BY ALL NATIVE PLANT GARDENING at landscape designer Kelly Marshall’s Clayton home on the Clayton Gardens Tour, May 7-8.
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Many honor their moms and motherly figures on Mother’s Day by giving flower bouquets, flowering plants or cards with flower prints. This Mother’s Day weekend, perhaps you could spend time with your mom, grandmother, aunt, sister or friend while looking at the flowers during the Clayton Historical Society’s 18th annual Clayton Valley Gardens Tour. The tour takes place 10 a.m.4 p.m. Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8. Touring Clayton Valley gardens with someone
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you love and appreciate would be a great prelude to this nationally recognized holiday. The gardens exhibited during this year’s tour have something for any type of garden lover. The panoramic views surrounding the California living landscape at the home of John and Meridy Challoner is breathtaking. All of the spring rain has kept the hills beneath Mt. Diablo lush and green, creating a beautiful backdrop to the Challoners’ pool and waterfall. The slope garden behind the outdoor kitchen is in full bloom, with alstromeria, wallflower and lantana. The Challoner home has
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dynamite curb appeal, with traditional plantings and cool green grass. The Clayton garden of Kelly Marshall and Michael Weidner is a contrast to traditional landscape. This home’s entire front yard is planted with California natives. From afar, the front looks cottage-like with piles of purple, deep pink and white flowers. Walk the stone path to get a better look at the vast selection of California natives represented in this landscape. Or sit upon the iron bench for another view. A Mediterranean inspired
See Garden Tour, page 20
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