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August 20, 2010
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Campus improvements aim to restore pride to CV High HANK STRATFORD
MAYOR’S CORNER Some question Character program I recently received some criticism for the “Do the Right Thing” character development efforts. Some of the criticism was personal and some was regarding the program. Since the character trait for August and September is “responsibility,” I want to address the criticism and seek your input in a responsible manner. A few members of the community believe I have overstepped my role as mayor by participating in the development of a community-wide character development program. They say such a program is offensive and not needed. I have struggled to understand
See Mayor, page 9
Incumbents challenged for two city council seats TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
A Microsoft executive and a small business owner will face off against the incumbents for the two open seats on the City Council this November. Jim Diaz has lived in Clayton for 30 years and owns a small security and investigations business. He is a member of the Clayton Business and Community Association. He made an unsuccessful bid for the council in 2008. Ted Meriam, a 2001 graduate of Clayton Valley High School, moved back to Clayton in 2008 after graduating from the
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
Two falls ago, Clayton Valley High School began a year-long celebration of its golden anniversary. Alumni, community members, faculty, staff and students celebrated past accomplishments while looking ahead to even better times. Of course, that also meant the facility was 50 years old. Kelly Clough was among those concerned with the appearance of the campus. The 2009-’10 president of the Parent Faculty Club and the PFC Project Pride Committee decided that those who “look good, feel good” and went about giving the aging school grounds a fresh look. Visitors driving down Alberta Way may do a double take when they see the new landscaping in front of the campus. Imagine lush green grass, plants and shrubs where mud and weeds have reigned supreme for quite some time. There are also new murals and a dozen benches around the school. However, it will take a more discerning eye to see the other result of Project Pride this summer – gum removal on the walking surfaces. ONGOING EFFORT These changes are the most striking, but the PFC and Project Pride Committee consider these just the first phase of an ongoing effort to “bring pride back to the school,” according to Clough. Her successor as PFC president, Alison Bacigalupo, has taken up the charge and has been keeping tabs on the sweeping changes this summer.
See CVHS, page 3
Two Clayton Valley High School grads each spent 160 hours to create a gallery for local artists in addition to the one at the library. For their senior project for the ClaytonArts Academy at CVHS, Danielle Velasquez and Elena Nielsen partnered with a nonprofit organization on a project that benefits the community. With guidance from the Creekside Artists Guild and mentors Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen and Anne Sackman, the students met with Cup O’Jo owners to hear their ideas and prepare proposals for the makeover of two rooms. The project includes a room for children to display art (Jo’s Play Place and Children’s Rotating Art Gallery) and another for adult artists (Creekside Jo’s Gallery) to display their artwork, including three-dimensional pieces such as ceramics. They kept costs to a minimum by getting recycled paint for free.
See Gallery, page 10
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
NEW FRONT LANDSCAPING, A CLEAN CAMPUS and freshly painted wall murals will greet students returning to CVHS this fall. The sprucing up was the result of “Project Pride,” a two-year-long collaboration of parents, students, local businesses and civic organizations.
YOUNG ARTIST GEORGE CURTIS VAN LIEW is flanked by Danielle Velasquez and Elena Nielsen in the Children’s Rotating Art Gallery at Cup O’Jo on Main Street where Van Liew’s watercolors are currently on display. The gallery was the senior project for Velasquez and Nielsen. Another room, which will display the work of adult artists, is due to open soon.
Police, neighbors team to thwart crime TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
See Council, page 7
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
New galleries bring artistic flair to coffeehouse
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
ALEXANDER AND SISTER NICOLE ROYET check out Police Chief Dan Lawrence’s car at the National Night Out gathering at Khani and Dane Horton’s Oakhurst home. The goal of NNO is to bring neighbors together to increase vigilance against neighborhood crime.
What’s Inside Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
On Aug. 3, residents in four neighborhoods across town met with police as part of the National Night Out program. NNO’s primary focus is to fight crime at the very local level by getting neighbors out in their front yards and talking to each other. As police met with residents, they each cautioned their groups to be vigilant about what is happening on their streets. “Call police if you see slowmoving vehicles cruising, espe-
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Community Calendar . . . . . . . .16 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . .5 DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
cially if they have no lights and appear to be looking inside parked cars,” Officer Rich Enea told his Eagle Peak group. “Take everything out of your parked car and lock it,” advised Officer Todd Billington, who met with neighbors in the Westwood area. “And call if you see something suspicious.” The city requires door-todoor solicitors – magazine sales, painting contractors, landscapers, etc. – to have permits. If the solicitor refuses to show a permit, call the police immediately. NOISE, TRASH CONCERNS The dozen or so neighbors
Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .4 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . . . .20 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
who gathered at the Oakhurst home of Khani and Dane Horton had some specific concerns for Police Chief Dan Lawrence. The open space along Pebble Beach Drive has become a popular gathering spot for carloads of teens, who congregate there almost nightly. Residents say the noise from boom boxes wakes them up at night, and mornings find the street scattered with trash – beer bottles and used condoms among the most offensive, says one neighbor who goes out every morning with a garbage
See NNO, page 6
Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15