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February 24, 2012
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Amgen Tour to come through Clayton on third leg of race JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
HOWARD GELLER
MAYOR’S CORNER
New homes selling well despite sluggish market The challenge of writing the Mayor’s Column is to meet biweekly deadlines, be factual and to cover items important to our community that have not already been beaten to death by other media. My desire is to inform my readers about what has transpired at our City Council meetings and in the community. I must admit these deadlines do come quickly. Most of the time, Clayton is just what it appears to be: a quiet, low-key community where people know their neighbors and enjoy the natural ambiance our town exudes. For this, we are thankful. So what has recently happened in Clayton?
See Mayor, page 8
Photo by Doug Pensinger, Courtesy Amgen Tour of California
THE STREETS OF CLAYTON AND CONCORD WILL BE FILLED with nearly 200 of the world’s greatest cyclists competing in the seventh annual Amgen Tour of California bicycle race May 15. America’s most successful cycling event has included a climb of Mt. Diablo in its route for the first time and after descending the mountain riders will travel over Ygnacio Valley, Clayton and Marsh Creek roads in our area.
CVHS alum Daniel Zacapa finds stardom as he heads down ‘The River’
GARRET PEARSON – better known as actor Daniel Zacapa – cuts through the jungles of Hollywood to star in a new hit ABC series. ELLEN FINDLAY HERDEGEN Special to the Pioneer
Daniel Zacapa has had quite a ride – from Clayton Valley High School to the Amazon. Zacapa is one of the stars of ABC TV’s new hit series, “The River,” about a group of friends hunting for a famed adventurer who goes missing in the Amazon. Some of his 1969 CVHS classmates may think that Zacapa has gone missing himself from his high school yearbook, but he is there. Back then, he was known as Garret (Gary) Pearson. Zacapa was active in the CVHS drama department, and pursued his dream to be an actor. After high school he attended San Francisco State, then backpacked through Europe, joining
up with several street theater troupes. Back in the Bay Area he performed with Berkeley Stage Company and the Kensington Players. He earned his Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card soon after with two words of dialog, “Yes, sir,” in the 1977-78 science fiction television series, “Man From Atlantis.” Roles were few and far between until a theatrical agent suggested he change his name. “You don’t look like a Garret Pearson. That sounds like someone who is blond haired, blueeyed and six-feet tall,” Zacapa recalls. He took his mother’s maiden name, Zacapa, better suited his dark features and Hispanic background; he was born in Honduras. The name Daniel
See Zacapa, page 4
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .15
For a half hour on May 15 the streets of Clayton and Concord will be filled with nearly 200 of the world’s greatest cyclists competing in the seventh annual Amgen Tour of California bicycle race, just weeks before many of those same athletes compete in the Tour De France and only 10 weeks prior to the Summer Olympics in London. Course Director Eric Smith credits the allure of Mt. Diablo as the reason our local cities are now part of the tour. “Every year riders and fans have said ‘why aren’t we climbing Mt. Diablo?’” This year Smith worked hard to incorporate Mt. Diablo into the route and set Stage 3 to begin in San Jose and end in downtown Livermore. The riders will enter Mt. Diablo State Park on South Gate Road near Blackhawk and then come down
See Amgen, page 11
Garden Club ‘Blossoms for Barbara’ brightens Valentine’s Day for many NICOLE HACKETT Special to the Pioneer
The Clayton Valley Garden Club brightened Valentine’s week for many during their first “Blossoms for Barbara” event. This event was created by Clayton Valley Garden Club member and Program Chair Linda Manss Karp in honor of her mother Barbara Manss, who passed away in November. Karp had an idea to give flowing plants in celebration of Valentine’s Day to the patients of the Hospice Foundation of the East Bay. A similar foundation brought Linda and her family comfort during their difficult time, and she wanted to give back. Karp approached the Clayton Valley Garden Club with her idea. Originally, each member was asked to bring one or two florist quality flowering plants to the February Membership meeting. The hope was to be able to donate 50 plants to the patients of hospice. The interest began to grow. Members formed a committee, people began to talk, and letters were written. Hospice had comforted so many through difficult times that there was an outpouring of compassion. Local retailers and restaurants gave to this event, as well as a generous donation from our own CBCA. All the contribuClassified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Community Calendar . . . . . .12 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . .9 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . .8
tions, including those from family and friends, made it possible for the Clayton Valley Garden Club to donate 350 flowering baby roses, tulips, anemone and primula that were wrapped with festive foils and fabrics, tied with decorative ribbons, and topped with hand cut heart shaped Valentine wishes. The Foundation of the East Bay only needed 75 flowering plants for the patients in their care last week. Blossoms for Barbara Valentines then made their way to the recipients of Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services in Concord, Clayton and Walnut Creek, Stone Brook
Convalescent, Montecito Oakmont Senior Living, Windsor Manor nursing care and Walnut Villa residential care in Concord and Diamond Terrace retirement living in Clayton. Deliveries took a week to finish, with the final delivery on Feb. 13 to Meals on Wheels in the pouring rain. The volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels received “warm and glowing thank yous,” where the “heartfelt gifts will proved many days of joy to their homebound seniors,” said Sharon Fitzgerald, program manager of Meals on Wheels in Concord. During the days of delivery Linda Manss
Karp was graciously thanked, blown kisses, and smiled at by those she touched through Blossoms for Barbara. Thanks came from as far away as the East Coast, as an email was sent to the Clayton Valley Garden Club by a woman named Faye from Midlothian, Virginia, whose mother is in the convalescent care center at Montecito Concord. She said, “Mom’s heart was touched by the kindness of your organization; being remembered on Valentine’s Day was a true gift.”
See Blossoms, page 3
DENNIS KAUMP AND LINDA MANSS KARP from the CVGC, Kelly Trujillo Out Reach Worker and volunteers from Meals on Wheels deliver colorful flower pots in memory of Karp’s mother.
Food for Thought . . . . . . . . .16 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . .5 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . . .4 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The Charter Papers . . . . . . . .9
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