IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
August 26, 2011
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Local family takes home grand prize in CBCA BBQ Rib Cookoff
For the sixth time, Clayton has landed on CNNMoney Magazine’s list of America’s Best Small Towns, moving to 83rd from 87th in 2009. “This picturesque Bay Area town is great for outdoor lovers,” reads the Money Magazine listing. “It’s right next to Mount Diablo State Park. Walkers, bicyclists and equestrians ply the Clayton Trail System, a bucolic 27 miles on 515 acres. The town makes efforts to preserve its Old West heritage – it recently renovated a 1885 winery which now houses City Hall – and its family friendly feel (the crime rate is low) . . . ” Clayton is one of only three California towns to make the list and the only one in Northern California. Walnut and La Palma in Southern California placed 57th and 64th. We asked several Claytonians what THEY think makes Clayton a great place to live.
DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER
Lawyering up As summer draws to a close there is lots going on in Clayton, so let’s get started. New attorney. Being one, I can say this on good authority, but no one (ok, maybe mom) likes an attorney unless he/she/it is their attorney. Well, after 47 years, the Council has just hired the second ever Clayton City Attorney. Please welcome Malathay “Mala”
See Mayor, page 6
New businesses set up shop despite rocky economy TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
WHAT RECESSION? Some entrepreneurs are thumbing their noses at the grim economy and following their hearts and heads into new ventures. Since spring, six new businesses have opened in the three business districts between downtown Clayton and Ygnacio Valley Road. DOWNTOWN The ground floor of the Flora Square building at the west end of town is fully leased up. Levity Fitness Studio and
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
A SURPRISED CLAYTON FAMILY GRILLED THEIR WAY TO A FIRST PLACE win at the CBCA Rib Cookoff on Aug. 20. From left Scott Baker, Jenny Baker, Keith Baker, Mike Baker and Gail Baker. TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton can add another great party to its annual calendar. An estimated 1,500 turned out for barbeque, bands and beer at the 2nd annual Rib Cook-off hosted by the Clayton Club Saloon last Saturday –
more than twice as many as attended last year. By 8 a.m., 24 barbeque teams had their racks of ribs slow cooking on their grills. Mouths were beginning to water as the tantalizing aroma filled the air. A welcome breeze blew through every few minutes to clear the smoke. Four teams of judges waited
at roped off tables behind a sign that read “Please don’t feed the judges.” Local bands provided non stop country and rock. Despite the elbow-to-elbow crowds on the patio, a few determined dancers carved out a bit of space in front of the bandstand. CBCA member, Jim Frazier leaned into the smoke over his
See BBQ, page 2
Despite setbacks in China, Stanfordbound star is eying US Olympic team
City opts out of CalPERS for elected officials
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
See CalPERS, page 6
fire while his team, Frazier’s Angels, worked at tables behind him “It takes love and a long time to make good barbeque,” he says, brushing, turning and poking as the judging hour nears. Teammate Lola Alvarez agrees. “Patience, that’s the secret,” she says.
Kristian Ipsen rebounds from Worlds disappointment for national glory
See Business, page 16
Future city council members will not be treated as city employees for the purpose of participating in the California Public Employees Retirement System. The resolution passed at the August 16 meeting applies only to future councils. Current members who are already a part of the system may
Clayton makes ‘Best Places to Live’ list
AP Photo/Mark. J. Terrill
AMERICA’S
GREATEST DIVER,
GREG LOUGANIS (LEFT),
PRESENTED
CLAYTON’S KRISTIAN IPSEN with
his Gold Medal at the AT&T National Diving Championships this month at UCLA. The Clayton diver can dream about emulating the feats of Louganis, who won four Olympic gold medals, a silver and missed a fourth Olympics due to the American boycott in 1980.
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . .15
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Community Calendar . . . .14
Concert Schedule . . . . . . . .3 Directory of Advertisers . . . .5 DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . .17 Fit with Levity . . . . . . . . . .15 Food for Thought . . . . . . .18
Athletes at the highest levels need to have not only physical and technical skills but strong mental capabilities as well. No one wins all the time and thus athletes need to learn from setbacks and rebound even stronger in their next game or competition. Clayton’s diving phenom Kristian Ipsen is no different. He’s amassed amazing records and awards since winning his first national championship in 2003, taking at least one American title every year since. The recent De La Salle High School grad moved onto the international stage in a big way
See Ipsen, page 11
Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Letters to the Editor . . . . . .8 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
MARCELA HUNTINGTON “I love the downtown Grove Park. The community is kid-friendly. Great place to raise children.” GERRI BAKER “I love the sense of community. I am impressed by the planning the city had done; the park system and the downtown development. The crime rate is low and we feel very safe here.” ADELA OLDFORD “The small town flavor. I am a member of several local organizations and enjoy interacting with the members and supporting the community. I feel that I am really able to give back to the community and that is what makes Clayton special for me. JUDY HARVIE “The small town atmosphere. Dining at the local restaurants while the kids play in the park with the mountain in the background. And the fact that Clayton is quiet and not crowded, yet it is so close to San Francisco. It has everything.” HOWARD KECK “Because it has everything a small town should have; a library, a stream running through town and a community park. Both of my girls swam on the Dana Hills swim team and I was impressed with the amount of direct parent interaction that you only get in a small town.” So Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . .12 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190