Feb 22 Clayton Pioneer 2008

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February 22, 2008

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County explores prison site near Clayton City is expected to oppose a state prison on the outskirts of town ANDRÉ GENSBURGER & TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

SITUATED LESS THAN four miles from Clayton city limits, Marsh Creek Road site could house new state prison.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is exploring the possibility of locating a state prison on Marsh Creek Road next to the Marsh Creek Detention Facility.

The state has asked the county to submit potential sites for a transitional state prison in exchange for improving the county’s chances of getting state grants for up to 75 percent of the cost of building a new West County jail.

The state prison would be three and a half miles from Clayton’s eastern border and would house 500 inmates, raising

the total Marsh Creek prison population to 650.

At the Feb. 12 Board of Supervisors meeting, the board voted to consider exploring the potential of five sites, including the Marsh Creek location, in order to decide which should be submitted to the state on the application. Also under consideration are sites near Deer Valley High School in Antioch, a parcel near the intersection of the Cummings Skyway and Highway 80 and two sites in Martinez near the Benicia Bridge.

City Manager Gary Napper will ask the City Council to take a position opposing the Marsh Creek site at the council meeting on Feb. 19.

“Marsh Creek is a narrow two-lane country road that meanders through the valley area,” he says in his staff report.

“It is considered to be somewhat dangerous in configuration and

See Prison, page 8

Clayton soldier receives Bronze Star Medal Army sergeant returns to Clayton after 15 months in Iraq ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

GREGG MANNING

MAYOR’S CORNER

Show a little respect while enjoying park With the nice weather, I am downtown a great deal of the time. Since fall, there has been lots of activity downtown, with the park being the greatest attraction. Nothing in my memory has brought as many people downtown to stay and play on a continuing basis. There are people in the park day and night, rain or shine.

However, this activity has brought to the surface another challenge. Each of use has a standard to judge the use of public space. Some of us treat public space with reverence and try to leave it in better shape than when we got there. Others believe any “public” space is for us to do what we want in an interactive way since it is “ours.”

Conflict may occur when these two groups meet.

I believe there are some universal standards. I am glad we have the snow fences around the grassy areas, since I am sure people would have walked or ridden bicycles on the grass and damaged it. I can’t say they would do this deliberately, but deliberately or inadvertently, the damage would be the same.

The city has placed signs noting prohibited behavior.

These signs don’t have space to

See Mayor, page 18

What’s Inside All About You . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Staff Sgt. David Bryant, who was recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in combat as well as a Combat Badge, has returned home to Clayton after serving more than 15 months “Boots on Ground” duty in Iraq.

A career Army man, Bryant has been on active duty for more than 15 years, including

several years as a local Army recruiter.

“We were originally supposed to serve one year here with III Corps from Fort Hood,” he said. “The III Corps command was the spearhead of the surge, so it was absolutely our duty to lead from the front and serve the extension.”

Bryant’s Iraq experience left him with an appreciation for the Iraqi people, whom he describes as “a very proud and brave group.” Having traveled the country extensively, Bryant got to see the differences in the regions.

“I had three complete laps,

ground convoy in up-armored HMMWVs,” he explained. “My team was engaged in either direct fire combat or attacked with roadside bombs more than a dozen times.”

Bryant’s mission was to lead the Personal Security Detachment for the Command Group. “It was our mission to provide a secure ground maneuver element for a – significant – person. It was my task to train soldiers who would drive and defend these important people as they conducted their business throughout the theatre of operations.”

The significant person was

reportedly one of many generals in the area, and Bryant’s job was ensuring his safety.

While in Iraq, Bryant and his squad conducted rescue training for casualties trapped in battledamaged Humvees at the Victory Base Complex.

“The purpose of this training was to instill confidence into soldiers by letting them know the soldiers coming to assist them know how to help, how to utilize the equipment and have confidence the equipment works effectively,” said Bryant.

“By conducting tough, realistic

See Bryant, page 18

Library Foundation celebrates the arts What: Creekside Arts Celebration: “Migratory Journey…a Quest for Life” When: Fri., Feb. 29, 6-9 p.m.; Sat., and Sun., Mar. 1-2; 1-5 p.m.

Where: Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

“Migratory Journey… a Quest for Life” is the theme for the Creekside Arts Fifth Annual Celebration Fri., Feb. 29 through Sun., Mar. 2 at the Clayton Community Library.

Incorporating Clayton Community Library Foundation’s (CCLF) 13th anniversary theme, the free event highlights visual and performing arts through sales, perClassified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Community Calendar . . . . . . .14 Crossword Solution . . . . . . . . .8

formance, live demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages.

The community event has a migratory journey of its own beginning with the library’s building in 1995. Themed events began in 2000 with “Early California” highlighting a Spanish guitarist and Native American Vaqueros on horseback.

The Arts and Entertainment Celebration became Creekside Arts Celebration in 2004 when it included art sales as part of the foundation’s efforts.

“That year the Clayton Library had a particularly large decrease in funding to purchase new materials,” explains Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen, Branch Volunteer Coordinator and Event Coordinator. “The participatory portion was highly encouraged as I wanted this to be an educational and inspirational event for the arts rather Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . .13 For the Books . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

than simply a sale.”

Art sales have raised nearly $5,000 since 2004. CCLF is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Artists are requested to donate 20 percent of their profits

towards supporting environmental education programs in the library wildlife habitat and related library materials.

See Arts, page 7

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephanie Homan, MNC-I PAO.

STAFF SGT. DAVID BRYANT at the ceremony where he received the Bronze Medal Award.

Council approves TCSP land use changes TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Nicci Shipstead/Clayton Pioneer

NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CREEKSIDE ARTS GUILD, Dick Powell, a macro-photographer, studies a collage by Seema Mahboob. CAG member Lynn Koellermeier (background) is pictured next to her most recent watercolor of her daughters.

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . .4 Minding Your Business . . . . .16 Movie Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . . . .11

Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . .15

The Clayton City Council gave final approval to an amendment to the Town Center Specific Plan (TCSP) which calls for two story commercial buildings in the town center and eliminating such uses as meeting halls and theaters.

Nearly 100 people packed the Library Community room at the Feb. 5 meeting while 18 took the microphone to speak on the amendment which has provoked controversy because of its impact on the Clayton Community Church’s (CCC) plans to build a worship center

See TCSP page 15 Sharing History . . . . . . . . . . .16 Sports (New Feature) . . . . .12 Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Around Town Girl Scouts make “Pillow Pals” for foster kids Clayton Girl Scouts recently completed a service project for Foster A Dream, a Benicia based organization that benefits children in foster care.

Junior Troop 1895 made “Pillow Pals” for young children, who often enter foster care with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Along with a new pillow and stuffed animals, the girls decorated pillow cases and made ‘no-sew’ fleece blankets to complete their projects.

What’s happening Around Town?

We want to know what’s happening in your families and in your neighborhoods.

Send your news to info@claytonpioneer.com.

Summer concert series comes to The Grove The summer season will kick off in style on May 31 with the first of nine free outdoor concerts in the Grove.

The series, co-sponsored by the city of Clayton and the CBCA is a “great joint effort for the betterment of the community” says CBCA’s Howard Geller who is chairing the series.

Each co-sponsor contributed $10,000 for the series.

The first concert features light jazz and show tunes by Pittsburg band Three Dimension+1 who currently appear monthly at the Pittsburg Yacht Club.

To date, five others have confirmed and by the end of

Photo courtesy of Walt HIll

WALT HILL and Three Dimension+1 will open the summer concert series in the Grove.

See Concerts, page 3

Photo by Christine Mitchell

GIRL SCOUT TROOP 1895 MEMBERS Haylee Roden, Delaney Sunde, Emma Hall, Miranda Hansen, Monisha Suresh, Emily Wright, Casey Mitchell, and Emily Rowland.

Rhines and Claytons attend Camellia Tea

Englund’s celebrates love with dinner dance Englund’s Restaurant and Tea Cottage was the scene of a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance with music by Mariko, a local group made up of singer and keyboardist Mariko Giverink, her husband Bob on the guitar and drummer Bill Bennett.

Among the sold out crowd of 52 who enjoyed the four-course dinner and dancing to Mariko were Frank and Diane Lagau.

Frank is the owner of Clayton Fitness and Tanning in the Clayton Station.

FRANK AND DIANE LAGAU

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JEAN WEINER FISHER, great niece of Charles Rhine, pours tea for Kristen Weiner, great-greatgranddaughter of Jake Rhine (Charles Rhine’s brother.

Standing behind are Charles Calhan, great grandson of Joel Clayton and his daughter Ellen Calhan Magine.

The cousins are all in their nineties.

Local gardeners covered nearly every surface of the Clayton Museum with camellias of every imaginable shade of pink and red. Providing a delicate backdrop for the flowers was the museum’s current exhibit of colorful Depression glass. The tea is an annual event and an opportunity for Clayton to honor its early settlers.

The Clayton Historical Society Museum is at 6101 Main St. It is open 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays and other days by appointment. For more information, visit www.claytonhs.com.

Descendents of two of Clayton’s pioneering families were on hand for the Clayton Historical Society’s 31st Annual Camellia Tea on Feb. 10.

Pouring were members of the Charles Rhine family while descendents of Joel Clayton sipped and mingled among the nearly 80 guests attending throughout the afternoon.

Members of the Frank and Mann families were also on hand to exchange family history.

All of Willmetta Frank Mann’s first cousins from Sacramento made the trip, but Willmetta, 94, was not up to the making the trip from her Santa Rosa home.

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Around Town Field trip leaves sweet taste behind NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

Two busses full of students, teachers and parents of Mt. Diablo Elementary School firstgraders took the annual field trip

Jelly Belly guide.

As the walking tour progressed deep into the factory, a fine coating of cornstarch covered the walls and an almost sickening sweetness filled the air. “I think it smells like sour

MDUSD board member says call for superintendent’s resignation is union ploy Treece says plan to oust superintendent isn’t clear-cut ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

Mt Diablo Board of Education president April Treece, a Clayton resident, does not understand the recent furor over the calls for the resignation of Superintendent Gary McHenry.

Calling it all “a game” played out in the media as a tool by the teacher union to secure a contract, Treece believes it to be counterproductive and detrimental to the mutual cause of the district and teachers – serving the needs of the students.

Gary Eberhart and Paul Strange, two members of the five-person board, called for the superintendent’s resignation

Nicci Shipstead/Clayton Pioneer GABRIELLA MANCINI, HANNAH CONCEPCION AND DONNA RODEN make a

“friendship chain” during the MDE first grade Jelly Belly factory tour in Fairfield on Feb. 8. Mikey West is in the background.

to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield on Feb. 8. Visiting the candy factory is a part of the social studies curriculum regarding community and society.

In addition to the 150 famous Jelly Belly flavors, the factory produces popular candies such as cinnamon bears, sweet and sour worms and candy corn. Production for Easter candy got underway early this year, so they don’t fall behind in order fulfillment like last year, explained Cricket, a

apple today,” Cricket guessed.

Asked about a pizza-flavored Jelly Belly, the tasting cashier explained: “We had that for a while, but the same recipe is now known as ‘vomit.’ ” Some of the first-graders thought that might make an appropriate Valentine candy.

Each tour participant departed with a bag of Jelly Bellies and a recipe booklet.

For tour information, call 800953-5592 or visit www.JellyBelly.com.

Page 3

during a January board meeting based on their belief that he could no longer effectively represent the district. They are holding him accountable for what they believe are failures in the operations of the district.

“I am committed to Mt. Diablo,” Treece said. “I was a Clayton Valley graduate. My daughter just graduated from there. I do consider Gary McHenry to be an educational leader and what I have observed as a board member is how he has transformed the leadership and also the climate change in how we operate.”

Treece explained that prior to his arrival, management met in isolated pockets, without including parents and members of the community. “You can’t just mandate things from the top,” she said. “Education is a living system. Change happens very slowly.”

Concerts, from page 2 the month, every date should be filled, says Geller.

There will be a concert at least every other Saturday beginning with the May 31 date and continuing through September.

Local restaurants are already preparing their concert fare. Ed Moresi, owner of Ed’s Mudville Grill and Moresi’s Chophouse says “both restaurants will have a parkside menu.” La Veranda will offer gourmet sandwich-

es and a wine and cheese basket and Skippolini’s will definitely have “some concert deals,” says owner Clayton Ipsen. The Village Market also plans to have some sort of deli-fare for concert nights.

It’s against city regulations to sell or distribute alcohol in the park, says Laura Hoffmeister, Assistant to the City Manager, but concert-goers can bring it in with a picnic dinner.

LONG HISTORY WITH THE DISTRICT

Treece came to the district as a parent, after a career in public relations with AT&T. “In 1983, when ‘A Nation at Risk’ was published, it had a profound effect on me. I was responsible for the Western 13 states in developing educational partnerships in response to the call for educational reform.”

In 1988 she retired and had a daughter, Amy. After her daughter was in school, Treece sought to reenter the job market. She took a job as public information officer with the district under the prior superintendent, believing that it would entail external partnership development work.

What she found was an organization cluttered with internal operation needs, leaving no time for anything external.

After six months, she resigned.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CONCERTS IN THE GROVE

May 31 - Three Dimension+1, light jazz and show tunes June 14 - The Sun Kings, a “Beatles” band July 12 - The Silver Spurs, country and western July 26 - Frankie G and the Convictions, rock August 9 - The PHDs, Santana-type music

All types of mechanical repairs and computer diagnostics including 30K, 60K, 90K factory maintenance on all European, Imported and domestic vehicles.

Official for

Call ttle free shu service

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

MDUSD Board Member April Treece was a CVHS graduate.

Treece started her own company, Opus Communications, and volunteered services to the Contra Costa County Office of Education. This exposed her to

See Treece, page 10

Farmers Market still in the works Efforts to bring a Farmers Market to downtown Clayton are still underway, says Laura Hoffmeister, Assistant to the City Manager.

“Logistics are the real concern,” says Hoffmeister. Street closures, traffic from school dismissal time and other community activities scheduled for the same day are all considerations.

Right now, the best time and place seems to be Diablo Street on Wednesday evenings through the summer.

“We just have to wait and see what the Market Assoc. wants to do.”

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Freedom Calls brings troops home via teleconferencing ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

Capt. Jason Hughes, Army Reserve active duty, is serving a second tour in Iraq. Having grown up in Clayton, with dad, Ken Hughes, a Vietnam Veteran, as a role model, Jason is no stranger to serving his country. In 2004, a non-profit organization named Freedom Calls returned the favor.

While Jason was in Iraq, the company set-up “meeting times” three times a month so that Jason could see and hear his wife Chrissy and sons Patryck and Christian, who was then just 3 years old, as well as his parents, Ken and Sandra. The company provides live video teleconferencing between their centers in Iraq and families in the United States

Photo courtesy of Ken and Sandra Hughes

CAPT. JASON HUGHES enjoys time with his sons before returning to Iraq.

Freedom Calls, which operates out of New Jersey, is a charity-based operation that receives no government funding.

Through the use of fiber optic phone lines through Atlanta and then a private satellite uplink to

Letters to the Editor Teacher speaks out on school district Dear Editor: Thank you for the unbiased article about the current condition of the MDUSD. I have taught for 12 years in this district and have seen it run into the ground from the top down.

In the article the "top" of the district cites that the superintendent must be doing a fine job because test scores, etc. are rising. The "top" should be thanking the teachers and site administrators for that, not the superintendent!

This is one of the constant battles that teachers face.

Having never been a classroom

teacher, the superintendent is out of touch with the needs of teachers. He is obviously first and foremost a businessman, however, as superintendent it is quite necessary to have someone who gives a d**n about those actually teaching our students, as well as being able to lead an entire school district. It should have been noted also that out of the $1.5 million in fines in the ENTIRE state, $1.3 million went to our district alone for having uncredentialed teachers in the classrooms. Why so many uncredentialed? Poor leadership at the very top, as well as salaries and medical benefits that are just about last compared to any

Iraq, soldiers can see and hear their loved ones who use Internet cameras and microphones from their homes.

“The first time, we had such trouble getting everything to work,” said Ken. “We called John

other district.

If I were starting over again as a teacher, I would not choose MDUSD. Many of my colleagues have left for better districts. I dare say $1.3m would have gone a long way toward the salary negotiations!

Kudos to Paul Strange and Gary Eberhart for actually taking action to get a quality superintendent. Our district deserves one. They are the only board members who actually have LISTENED to teachers, parents, and students, and have acted in our best interests. This decision has been a long time coming and was not easy. I strongly encourage parents and students to support Strange and Eberhart in the removal of Superintendent. McHenry.

Karen Duggan 6th grade teacher

Harlow and he got it worked out with the tech people.”

Harlow is the executive director of Freedom Calls, with 25 years of experience as a Wall Street lawyer, investment banker and venture capitalist as well as the founder of two Internet service provider start-ups.

Freedom Calls is only able to reach about 50,000 troops, about 25 percent of the size needed.

“Our biggest problem is getting enough funding to increase our service,” Harlow said.

“We’re competing against companies like AT&T that provide cheap phone rates at 19 cents per minute.”

Likewise, the military offers Internet cafés, although there are not enough locations, long wait times and short usage times. It’s better than nothing,

but hardly ideal. Freedom Calls offers regularly scheduled sessions.

According to Ken, Jason is due to return the end of September. “He will have had eight years of active duty.”

In the meantime, the family has been staying with Jason’s parents, who recently moved to Antioch after 32 years in Clayton.

“Chrissy had been in nursing training and now works at a Concord hospital,” said Ken, who watches the boys while she works.

“Freedom Calls is an amazing process,” Ken said, “although with this tour, we did not get to use the service due to Jason’s location.”

Jason, a Clayton Valley graduate, is at Camp Anaconda near Baghdad, where he works on

intelligence gathering in order to provide briefing for the generals. “He has 12-hour shifts, seven days a week,” Ken said.

In recent years, an increasing number of active military personnel have utilized technology.

The video site YouTube often carries postings from the front lines of battlefields, allowing friends and family to see perspectives not shown by TV news.

Freedom Calls is expanding its operations to include a camp in Afghanistan this year, through a sponsorship with an American car manufacturer.

“It costs tens of thousands of dollars to operate this program,” said Harlow. “But we serve 10,000 families that make it worthwhile.”

Business owner weighs in on Town Center business

the latest flyer – a bike shop, small appliance repair, etc.) will never achieve the status we desire. Our economic base is better suited by having solvent businesses rather than more businesses.

The latest of many attempts to inform and persuade seemed to disparage the church for having a majority of their people coming from outside our distinguished community. They say this as if it is a bad thing! My wife and I have spent considerable advertising dollars enticing residents from Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and yes, even Concord to our Clayton business. With the church, we have a business that will bring hundreds of non-Clayton customers to our downtown on a weekly basis. To borrow a mar-

keting slogan: High numbers of potential customers every week = “Priceless”.

I am not certain that this particular piece of downtown property is best for the church, but it would certainly be a positive economic force for our growing downtown business base. The formula for success in our downtown is more than the presence of businesses; we need people to generate business revenue!

Duane Barnett Englunds Tea Cottage

Dear Editor, I am a Clayton resident and a business owner in this community. I take exception to the premise that the presence of a business assures people for that business. There are countless downtowns around our state and nation that are filled with rotating ownerships and low occupancy rates. The harsh realities are that historic Clayton is not convenient for the great majority of pocketbooks in our area; there are few truly unique “destination locations” that can risk capitalizing a location in our downtown; and a downtown filled with cottage industries and “summer only” attractions (such as the ones suggested in

Donations can be made at www.freedomcalls.org.

The Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. Submit your letter by email to tamara@claytonpioneer.com, or from our Website at www.claytonpioneer.com.

Letters must be signed.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Classified HELP WANTED Foreign Exchange Program Manager Work out of your home. A non-profit student exchange organization is seeking a highly self-motivated person for a part-time position. Requires a high degree of responsibility, public relations, sales and counseling skill; must enjoy working with teenagers, recruit host families and oversee a 10 month high school program in your area.

Patty Sweet, P.O. Box 1144, Marysville, Washington 98270, chipatty@chinet.org.

Massage Therapists Certification required. Call Massage Envy, (925) 672-3689.

Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today (925) 6728787.

MISCELLANEOUS Bookstore Wants Used Books Clayton Books is looking for quality used books to buy or trade. 5433 D Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-3325.

VACATION RENTAL Cabin for Rent Cabin in Blue Lake Springs (Arnold, CA). Sleeps 6, fully remodeled, quiet, use of recreation facilities. $150/night, $950/week. Call Kevin Parker at 3839430 or www.vrconnection.com/ parkerpaw.

Correction:

FREE E-WASTE DISPOSAL The phone numbers in the Going Green piece on TDR Free E-Waste Disposal were incorrect in the Feb. 8 issue. To schedule a pick up, call (877) 356-2771. For more information about TDR and their services, call Peggy Anderson, (510) 284-7349. We apologize for the error.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED Love Estate Sales?

Here’s an opportunity that is fun and of benefit to Hospice of the East Bay patients and families. Diablo Appraisal and Estate Sales, a service of Hospice of the East Bay, is seeking volunteers to help prepare for and staff estate sales. Volunteers sort through household items. Professionals do the pricing and handle sales. Volunteers will receive on-the-job training. Everyone is welcome. Volunteer when it fits your schedule. Funds generated from sales go to Hospice of the East Bay programs and services. If you are interested in this opportunity, please call Lamont Campbell at (925) 766-5066.

Hospice of the East Bay Become a volunteer with Anna’s Program, a specialized program of Hospice of the East Bay, which provides support to women in Central and East Contra Costa who have been diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer.

All services are provided in the home.

Volunteers provide companionship and practical assistance. To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) 887-5675 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Clayton Historical Society Museum Greeter needed for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. No experience or extensive knowledge of Clayton history is necessary. All you need is a cheerful smile and a “hello” as our guests come through the door. You’ll meet interesting people and learn a lot about our historic town. Call the museum at 6720240 and leave your name.

Clayton Community Library We are seeking to fill the following volunteer positions: (All positions require a minimum age of 13 years and a 6-month commitment. Training will be provided). Shelver - To shelve and sensitize library materials. Various days/times. Tutors - no prior experience necessary, simply a desire to help students learn. You determine the grade level and subjects you are comfortable working with and the days/times.

Contact: Arlene @ 673-9777 or email: akikkawa@ccclib.org.

PIONEER INFO CONTACT US Come find out if you are a success oriented person; open to change and willing to understand and take advantage of working for profit instead of working for wages.

SKILLS REQUIRED: the desire to be willing to be teachable.

Learn why people like Robert Kiyosaki and other experts are calling this the Perfect Business. Listen and learn as multi-millionaires from around the world come together and explain their “secrets” of how to own and run a business that thrives in the face of economic recession.

Space is limited.

Feb. 29 and Mar. 1.

Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 CONTACT US Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Beth Neudell beth@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to Randy Rowland sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send Church News to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com

Call for reservations.

(925) 686-0176.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Classified rates per insertion: Non-profit: $12 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word Individual/non-commercial: $18 for first 30 words, $.30 each additional word Commercial: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 672-0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580 All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa) We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer reserves the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable.

LET US KNOW

Dark rooms getting you down?

Recessed lighting dramatically changes any room.

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Keep your cool with beautiful new ceiling fans to match any décor.

Lighting and fans and much more.

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www.burkinelectric.net

Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Website.

Attach your photo to the form.

Make sure the image size you are about to send is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. The only format we accept is JPG. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you.

Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion.

Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.”

E-mail your letter in a Word Document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500, Fax: 925.672.6580 TAMARA

AND

R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers

TAMARA S TEINER , Editor A NDRÉ G ENSBURGER , Reporter and Feature Writer P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor and Feature Writer R ANDY R OWLAND , Sports Writer B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant In Memoriam Jill Bedecarré

Directory of Advertisers Aegis of Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aegis of Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Allied Waste Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4711 American Discount Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-0677 Aussie Pet Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-738-6624 Donna's Quilting Loft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0405 Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . .685-4523 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 Butch's Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .707-718-5778 Butterfly Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4238 Calkins, Bill - Charlotte Clifford Realtors . . . . . . .673-9164 Carol Keane and Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200 Cartridge World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3500 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Cegielski Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2855 Children's Dentistry of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . .938-2392 Classic Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-3157 Clayton Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3325 Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Clayton Mind and Body Connections . . . . . . . . . .673-0686 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6744 Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Clip n Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-9355 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100 Diablo FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-4625 Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 Fly Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-2318 French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Granelli Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7238 Help - U - Sell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Insite Design and Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .980-0465 Isagenix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .570-5187 Ken Mitolo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2460 Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Real Estate . . . . . . . .939-7920 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Lifelock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .888-215-1391 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Mavericks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-5600 Massage Envy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3689 Mazzei Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Michael Dwyer & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3980 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Miller, Tom - Certified Public Accountant . . . . . . .354-1385 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . .280-8563 Navlet's Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550 Neptune Society of Northern California . . . . . . . .944-5100 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 Nuchols, Alicia - Bank of America . . . . . . . . . . . .497-6195 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Pans on Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600-7267 Postal Annex + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8900 R.E. Carpet Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .595-8623 RMoney Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265-1115 Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 Schaefer's Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-6065 Seasonal Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4425 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138 Sonset Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-8200 Sorelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3500 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 The Royal Rooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2025 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Today Hauling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .497-4907 Travel to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9840 Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-877-8328 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . .672-2300 Vonage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-581-7152 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433 We The People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370

Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Consider what you can afford to buy Buying a home can be an enriching experience. But it can also be frustrating if you waste time looking at homes you can’t afford. Do yourself a favor and find out how much you can

REAL ESTATE afford before you start looking.

Three factors will determine your price range: the amount of cash you have for a down payment and closing costs, the size of the mortgage you can qualify for and how much you want to pay.

Although some buyers can pay cash, most must borrow from a lender to finance their home purchase. To qualify you for a mortgage, a lender will analyze your financial situation,

you a sense for how much house you will get for the price you can afford to pay. But as soon as you are serious about buying, you should get formally approved for the mortgage you’ll need to complete a purchase.

Preapproval is the process by which you are formally approved for a mortgage. You will need to submit a loan application, and the lender will need to check your credit history and verify all of your financial documentation. Preapproved buyers have an edge in home purchase negotiations because it lessens any uncertainties the sellers might have about your financial capabilities.

Buyers often find that they qualify for a higher price than they feel comfortable paying. So regardless of how large a mortgage you qualify for, you should review your personal financial goals to determine a realistic price range.

It’s useful to tally your monthly expenditures to see if there are any expenses that can be eliminated. Also consider any major changes in your life that might affect your income and expenses, such as a baby on the

way or a planned return to school.

It’s also important to consider the after-tax cost of home ownership. With certain limitations, homeowners who itemize deductions can deduct the costs of property taxes and mortgage interest paid on their principal residence in the year they are paid. This can amount to significant tax savings.

Another way to find out what you can afford is to visit a financial Website like mortgage.bankofamerica.com or a realtor Website like Realtor.com.

The mortgage calculator at Realtor.com is easy to use. From the Realtor.com homepage, select “financial calculators” in the “tools” section. Then select “home affordability” in the “mortgage calculator” section.

Enter your income, debt and down payment amounts in the home affordability calculator and click on the calculate button.

Local references available.

Book now through March 31 & receive 15% off on any FULL interior or exterior job.

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including your credit history, to make sure that you are a good credit risk.

The easiest way to find out what size mortgage you qualify for is to talk to a lender or mortgage broker. To find a good lender or mortgage broker, ask friends who purchased or refinanced a home recently for recommendations. You may want to talk with several people.

There’s no obligation to use the person you speak with initially.

Assemble the following information about your current financial situation before you make any calls: your gross income (before income taxes are subtracted), your outstanding debts (i.e., a car or student loan and unpaid credit card bills), any recurring obligations such as alimony or child support and the amount of cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs. Based on this information, a lender or broker can tell you how much you can afford.

This cursory review of your finances is called prequalification. Once you’ve been prequalified, you can start looking at homes for sale. This will give

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erstore Party Sup d n a y a d The Holi has everything

Election official tells the straight story you hold the corner and move the iron over it, it’s a much better iron,” he explained.

“Weir, a member of the When Stephen Weir, the Clayton Rotary for 11 years, Contra Costa registrar of vothas never offered to iron for ers, says: “We didn’t want any our group,” noted wrinkles in this elecChuck Graham, also tion,” he isn’t kidding. of the Rotary.

Following the As if the massive California primary ironing task were not election, Weir was enough, Weir was shocked to discover short seven inspectors that about 10,000 balon Election Day. He lots had an edge crease recruited emergency making them unreadtrainees amongst able by the optical friends and family and scanners used to tally was thankful that he the votes. could find eight, “You can’t tamper which meant that he with the ballots,” Weir would not have to be said. “We put the an inspector. machine in test mode “Had one dropped and tried running them out,” Weir said, “we’d through. It didn’t work, have had a crisis so one of my colPhoto by Chuck Graham because I would have leagues suggested ironhad to take that spot.” ing the creases flat STEPHEN WEIR, COUNTY REGISTRAR, demonstrates the proper way to hold a Perfection iron when attempting Usually, California enough for the scan- to de-crease election ballots. does not have a high ners to read the balturnout for elections. lots.”

With a cavalier attitude, that need to be ironed. And This election drew a 66 percent Weir set about determining the guess what? You can’t just iron turnout from our county, the best course of action. the edge down – you have to highest since 1980. Due to the turnout, polling stations almost Purchasing a $14.99 Perfection iron the whole thing.”

Weir, a Clayton Rotarian, ran out of ballots. iron because no one would “Ballots are ordered 90 days offer their own, Weir tested a brandished the iron before felvariety of settings before set- low Rotarians and exposed the out,” Weir said, “and we order tling on a no-steam setting, now-tarnished heat surface. “If up to 150 percent over what we ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

th E wi ase E R F h purc k o bo

sandwiching the ballot between two pieces of paper, with the iron set between wool and cotton.

“So here I am, one guy,” Weir said, “with 10,000 ballots

with this ad. (exp. 3/6/08) Collectibles and costume rentals excluded

you need to celebrate

anticipate needing.”

Weir quickly recognized that with an increasing nonpartisan group of voters, more “decline to state” votes and the number of voters crossing party affiliations, it would be possible to have a shortage of Democratic ballots, even with the overage ordered.

“Forty precincts could possibly have run out,” he said.

Through ongoing contact with the polling stations and borrowing and delivery ballots where they were needed, Weir managed to avert a crisis. “As it was, because we backfilled behind 20 precincts, only two stations might have run out.”

They did not.

“If you’ve ironed one ballot,” Weir said with a laugh, “you’ve ironed them all. Most of my staff are women and they were watching me through the glass in the secured room where I was ironing. Now they ask me to come do their ironing. I guess you could say that I have attained perfection in ironing ballots.”

Weir takes pride in his work and encourages everyone to exercise the right to vote. “You register to vote, you vote and,” he said with a smile, “most of the time, you get it right!”

St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Partyware, balloons, decorations, lights, stuffed animals, candy and gifts.

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Do you have a

AN EVENING

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for fitness?

Wed., Mar. 19, 7 p.m.

Mavericks Sports Club in Concord is proud to be hosting a Personal Trainers Certification Workshop by NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association).

Tea with Michelle Richmond at Englund’s Restaurant and Tea Room.

5433 Clayton Rd., Ste. L, Clayton

Reservations required.

Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

MAVERICKS SPORTS CLUB 5294 Clayton Rd. Concord, Ca 94521

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Friday & Saturday April 19th & 20th 8:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Cost is $299 Contact Dave Brown if interested.

925-602-5600

February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Massage Envy strives for that personal touch ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

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Cipriano Olivarez wants to personally welcome every client at his Massage Envy location in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center.

Olivarez says that he offers more than a massage salon – it’s a retreat from the daily stresses of life. “I always liked the whole concept of health and wellness, and there are studies that show how massage can have a therapeutic effect,” he said.

The employees call him “CP” and know that he is involved in all aspects of the business. Girlfriend Yadira Hernandez, co-owner of the business, also designed the clinic. “She handled the color scheme, the tiles and glass door – she wanted people to be able to relax.”

Coming from a career with Bank of America, including four years as a bank manager, CP considers his business sense one of his chief assets.

“Working for a bank, you learn what world class service is supposed to be,” he said. “I want that here. We stand and greet you when you come in – we want you to know that we’re going to take very good care of you.”

Massage Envy opened Dec. 26 and employs 20 people, of which 12 are licensed massage therapists. CP calls the state certification process “tough and grueling.” His plans are to increase the number to 30 therapists with the range of experience spanning 5-13 years, so that you know you’re “in good hands.”

Most of the hires come

Let Massage Envy’s professional therapists help you feel completely rejuvenated, when it’s most convenient for you.

Weeknights, weekends, whenever the kids are at school. Escape to Paradise, at Massage Envy

39

$

Introductory 1-Hour Massage Session

Clayton 5442 Ygnacio Valley Rd. ste. 140 Clayton Valley Shopping Center 925-672-ENVY (3689)

Franchises Available l MassageEnvy.com l Convenient Hours Open 7 Days: M-F 8am-10pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm *Valid for first one hour session, which consists of a 50 minute massage and time for consultation and dressing.

Not valid for non-member gift certificate purchase. Prices subject to change. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. © 2008 Massage Envy Limited, LLC.

us er to m o t a cus ta Refer d you ge icate f an i t r e gift c ouse in $100 resi’s Chophwe get o to M ton when l C ay the job.

Nothing says high-end like natural stone For countertops, bar and vanity tops, bath and shower enclosures and fireplaces

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CIPRIANO OLIVAREZ takes pride in the distinct décor that makes Massage Envy stand out.

from the immediate area, because CP wants the local feel that you get from a smaller town like Clayton. That’s the reason he chose the location in the Clayton Shopping Center, right at the Clayton border.

“My uncle lives there,” CP said. “I originally came from Sacramento. But I wanted to be

near my family. I get to leave work, drive a few minutes to have dinner with my uncle and still be able to come back.”

Massage Envy is nationwide, in almost every major city across the country. As part of the franchise, CP discovered he had the benefit of a business that “has an outstanding business model,

Arts, from page 1 “I would like to thank the librarians for being tolerant as I have continued to push the boundaries of what libraries ‘normally’ do,” said KikkawaNielsen. “Today, the library anniversary celebration includes environmental education tables to support our wonderful creeks and trails located throughout Clayton, local music, dance, drama performance groups, fine arts and crafts, photography and film, authors, poets and storytellers.”

Returning to lead last year’s popular and dynamic outdoor interpretive tour is Jim Hale, a local wildlife biologist.

New this year is a self-guided walking tour of the interpretive area entitled “California Native Plant Garden.” The “Bio-Art” brochure is a collaborative project created by library student volunteers researching, gathering and documenting over a six month period. A graphic map created by Lisa Anich, Friends of Mt. Diablo Creek, depicts the location of shrubs and vines, perennials,

grasses and annuals within the certified wildlife area. Plant needs and uses are noted with icons such as “attracts hummingbirds and butterflies” and describing optimal sun exposure which can be helpful to local home-gardeners. The brochure describes Native American medicinal uses of plants, research provided by Northgate High School student Gregory Toy, as well as supporting resource material available at the Clayton library.

“As many know, several California native plants tend to disappear when they aren’t in season,” explains KikkawaNielsen. “The collection can take time and be tricky since you have to make sure you find the plants when they are in bloom and not in their dormant stage for taking samples.” The project will continue with collecting and pressing seasonal plant samples and preparing a finished book for library patrons’ reference.

Among the visual arts on display are works by Sandra Artru, Janet Facchini, Jean

supports its owners and has a different concept than a traditional salon.”

For example, there is the Tranquility Room, a softly lit room, visually appealing with comfortable, yet elegant furnishings. A tabletop waterfall provides the trickling of water against the near-silence.

“Everyone has a perception that massage is just elite,” he said. “The truth is that there are so many benefits both psychologically as well as physically.”

Since moving from Sacramento, CP has focused on meeting people. Lots of people.

“It’s hard when you move to be out of your network and have to start over,” he noted.

Still, he likes to talk and enjoys the experience of meeting people and learning about them.

“You have to understand my commitment to the people of Clayton and my business,” CP said. “I left a secure corporate America job so that I could have a greater control over my life in a field I believe in. My father thought I was crazy giving it up, but now he understands. He’s even a client. My sister thinks it’s awesome. And Yadira and her family each contributed to help us make this the best we could come up with.”

Massage Envy is at 5442 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Ste 140, in the Clayton Station Shopping Center. For more information call 925-672-3689.

McVay, Ronia Smits and Tom O’Connor. Leslie Mathie will display mosaic, gourd and fused glass art.

Other Clayton participants include Deborah Osteen of Modern Day Treasure Hunters leading children on a migratory theme hunt down the creek.

Sharon Osteen of Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm incorporates the migratory theme following the path of seeds.

Friday evenings’ opening reception from 6-9 includes refreshments, Native Bird Connections’ Eurasian Eagle Owl, and music from the 40s, 50s and 60s by local singing group, Yesterday’s Kids, at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s activities include a drama presentation by students from CVHS Arts Academy.

Sunday closes with professional musicians and a “Meet the Musician” event and poetry reading led by the Pioneer’s book reviewer Sunny Solomon at 2 p.m. All are invited to an open poetry reading.

For more information contact Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen, Event Director at akikkawa@ccclib.org or (925) 673-9777.

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Page 8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Let experience be your travel guide wedding gifts,” Fraga notes.

“Nowadays, a lot of people have started out already living together and may have a lot of the traditional bridal gifts already. The honeymoon is often an expensive part of the wedding for them to handle.”

ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

“It isn’t about competing on price,” says Patricia Fraga, owner of Travel To Go in the Clayton Station. “It is about service and the value of our experience in this business.”

Fraga and her staff of seven will be the first to tell you that they have been around long enough to see many changes in the industry, changes which they have weathered because of their core values and reputation.

Fraga started with the business in 1981. It was then located elsewhere with a different owner. “I started by accident,” she notes. “The owner’s husband wound up getting transferred, so I decided to buy the business.”

This was 1985. “It was a huge learning curve,” Fraga adds. “I didn’t know things like where I should be advertising, so I advertised everywhere.”

Fraga attributes much of her early success to her selection of staff, people who would be knowledgeable and have a focus on customer service. “They are still my biggest asset,” she says.

“That is what this business is about.”

GOING FOR THE WHOLE PACKAGE Following the changes in the airline travel industry around 2002, when the airlines eliminated commissions paid to travel agents, travel companies shifted focus more toward tour packages and cruises, developing many exciting product lines along the way.

“Package tours are a great way to know what you are get-

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

PATRICIA FRAGA, OWNER their ideal cruise.

OF

TRAVEL TO GO, enjoys helping people find

ting for your dollar,” Fraga says.

“We do lots of Hawaii trips,” reports Becky Estenson, one of Fraga’s team. Estenson has been with Travel to Go for 15 years. Another agent, Sarah Bingenheimer, has been with Fraga for 12 years.

“Book your cruises in advance,” Estenson advises.

“The cruise lines offer rewards for advance bookings.”

Those in Fraga’s office go to Hawaii together once a year. “It gives us a chance to experience what is being offered, as well as getting to have some fun outside the office,” Fraga says.

Cruising offers the traveler the advantage of knowing where all the expenses are ahead of time. In addition, cruises are becoming extremely popular with all age groups.

“There are whole family cruises,” Fraga says. “Mom, dad, the kids, grandparents, all go.”

“It’s not like you have to be all together all the time,” Estenson adds. “The cruise

Solution for 2/08 Crossword The Crossword will return next issue

ships have wonderful programs for ages 2 and up. You can choose when the family comes together and still get to enjoy what there is to offer.”

VARIED PAYMENT OPTIONS Travel to Go offers the option of setting up a payment plan. “You can pay weekly or monthly, get your cruise planned and booked and pay toward it,” Fraga says.

“There are also bridal registries,” Estenson says, “where you can put money toward the honeymoon cruise of the bride and groom. When you do, we send them a card that lets them know that you made this gift for them.”

“I think cruises make great

WORLDLY TRAVELERS Travel to Go offers a wealth of experience with the warmth of a family-like atmosphere.

The staff and Fraga are visibly comfortable together. “Between all of us, there isn’t a destination one of us hasn’t had experience with,” Fraga says. “My favorite destination is taking a European river cruise with my husband.

These are smaller, 140-passenger ships that drift along the river. You get to see lots of things that are off the beaten path.”

According to Estenson, each cruise line has its own personality. “We can show you all the things that are offered to help you make a good choice.”

While many people do research online, Fraga says they still come in the office to make their booking. “Here, you get to talk to people you know will be around for quite some time to come, who have a lot of experience with your destination. We really enjoy what we do.”

Travel to Go is at 5439 Clayton Rd., Suite F, in the Clayton Station Shopping Center. For more information, call 672-9840.

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And, he continued, “(there are) large ranch-style homes and properties in the immediate area, many of significant value, including Morgan Territory Road.”

Pete Laurence, former mayor and councilman agrees. He is opposed to considering either the Marsh Creek or Antioch sites.

“Well, Antioch is absurd,” he said, “and Marsh Creek isn’t any better.”

“A re-entry facility needs to be remote from habitat and near potential jobs. There aren’t jobs anywhere near Marsh Creek. The only place that makes sense is Cummings Skyway. It’s remote from houses but close to jobs.”

The Marsh Creek site is the preference of County Administrator John Cullen because it meets the state criteria of being remote and having a minimum of unencumbered and unrestricted acreage owned by the county or a special district.

While a handful of sites met

No job too small!

all the criteria, all but the Marsh Creek site posed development issues that Cullen believed would rule them out.

“The work has begun,” Cullen said, describing the process of selecting sites, “and the plan is to have something to present to the board at the March 11 meeting.”

Supervisor Mary Piepho asked whether the proposal was being made to consider all sites or just one site. “Part of selecting just one site is the concern over community input that would result.”

“Community concern will be intense,” Piepho noted.

Supervisor Susan Bonilla repeatedly stressed that the board was strictly in the preliminary stages of examining the feasibility of different sites. “It is far too early to narrow it down,” she said.

“There is a tremendous potential impact.”

Board member John Giola agreed. “We’re keeping the door open,” he said. “My preference is to take the extra money we’d be spending and put them into alternatives to incarceration.”

With that, the supervisors voted to consider the sites and try to make a selection at the next meeting, on March 11.

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February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

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Page 9

Kelly Ferro loves her job as marketing director of Aegis Living of Concord. It has been a year since she took the role, after years of experience as an activity director and working with Alzheimer patients, and Ferro delights in coming each day.

“It just is not a job,” she said, trying not to sound ridiculous.

After all, how many people can say that their job provides so much pleasure that they have nothing but glowing things to say?

Ferro, a single mom of two boys, visibly enjoys her work.

“People expect to see a bunch of old people sitting in a wheelchair,” she said. “Asleep! That’s just not what we are.”

Outside her office on the street level, the buzz of activity is prominent. “This place is like a cruise ship on land,” she said.

The 146-unit facility is always active and boasts a movie theater showing a different movie nightly along with a heated pool that, despite chilly weather, entices residents to swim. There is a sauna and full service beauty salon, a bistro, ballroom, library and computer lab.

“You’d be surprised how many of our residents are more computer savvy than I am,” Ferro stated. “And if you want to see fun, come visit during Happy Hour at 3 p.m. on Fridays. The residents know how to have fun.”

We provide transportation,” Ferro said. “The Lunch Bunch is a popular group on Wednesdays.

They travel to different restaurants. We provide transportation

“This is where I want to retire,” Niven said. After all, the company slogan is “grow young, gracefully.”

Aegis offers a lot of respite

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

Manny Pearlman, resident, thinks Kelly Ferro is “the best.”

to Safeway on Monday, or to the bank. You schedule it and we get you there.”

There is a high couples residency, as well. “And a lot of new relationships that bloom,” Ferro added.

A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE EMPLOYEES COME FIRST Donna Niven, the concierge Niven, who came from a who greets you at the front door grocery career, enjoys the sense and on the phone, agrees. “My of happiness that surrounds mom passed away 19 years ago,” her. “Aegis is a great company she said, “but when I came here, to work for,” Ferro explained. it’s like having a “It’s an employbuilding full of ee-first compamy parents. It’s ny. In fact, when “My mom passed wonderful.”

I was interview“ C o m i n g away 19 years ago but ing that was a here was like when I came here, it’s question I was going to my asked by one of grandmother’s like having a building the executives: house,” Ferro full of my parents. It’s Who are the added. “There wonderful.”” most important are 180 of them people at Aegis? and they all Donna Niven, Most people have an input in Aegis Living concierge automatically say my personal the residents are. life.”

The employees Ferro explained that during a are, because if they are not trip to Southern California, the happy, nothing will work right.”

Grapevine was icy due to Each week, Ferro has to inclement weather. The resi- send in a “makes life better” dents, who had been monitoring story, detailing what the facility the weather and were concerned did that week to make life betfor her safety, called her cell ter. “I was told that all the phone to warn her of the responses are compiled and potential perils. read at an executive level,” she Only a small part of Aegis is said. “Tell me another company for assisted living, which uses 51 with that attitude.” of the units. The rest are indeThere are 32 Aegis facilities pendent living in a safe and across California, Nevada and respectful place.

Washington. Oregon will short“It’s a great place to retire. ly be included in that list.

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care – short term or temporary care for people transitioning from nursing care to home. The short term can be 5 to 45 days.

“Some people come from Arizona to stay short term,” Ferro said. “The cost includes all meals, the room, cable and even a cell phone. It’s cheaper and better than a hotel room.”

And pets are allowed, as well.

A MODERN FACILITY Many seniors are now demanding the kind of retirement that Aegis offers. The huge, villa-style building stands impressively against Clayton Road, with manicured lawns and wood trimmed interior complete with a fireplace lobby and birdcage.

Manny Pearlman, 90, has been a resident of Aegis for three years. Well-read and interested in the backgrounds of people he encounters, he offers Ferro a giant bear hug and calls the place “just excellent.”

While he enjoys playing bridge and likes to golf, the weather has been a deterrent for a while.

“Everyone is good here,” he said with a hearty laugh.

“They’re all good, but Kelly is the best.”

“It doesn’t get better than this,” Ferro said, beaming.

Aegis Living is at 4756 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, call 692-5838.

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Page 10

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Bickering over the pledge won’t solve anything ANDRÉ GENSBURGER

DEAL WITH IT Gimme a break! We put God on our currency, proclaim America to be a nation of “God-fearing” souls, celebrate diversity, hypocrisy and economic exploitation of the masses, so can someone explain to me about the problem with “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. What is the big deal?

Not that Americans, as a whole, are any good at keeping their mouths shut – especially since it became fashionable for people with no credentials whatsoever to inflict their opinions upon the rest of us. It seems that if a pledge did not or could not support the notion of a nation under God, a simple, silent omission of that one phrase would suffice, not unlike the restraint shown in wishing “Happy Holidays” to non-

Christians.

Of course, we are not a nation under one God; our multi-cultural makeup and freedoms of belief and expression allows for many Gods. Likewise, we endorse our right to be free to choose liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We are a nation of contradictions. Christianity denounces idols, yet in those very churches are idolic representation on altars. Even the representation of Jesus Christ as a fair-skinned Westerner, an image retold through film and television, is inconsistent with his eastern roots. Nonetheless, that became the image for Berkeley, California, in the 1970s.

Like sex, religious beliefs and political ideology used to be private matters. And they still should be.

One nation – this land from shining sea to shining sea – was borne of a passion for Manifest Destiny, that mantra where Americans believed in their

Treece, from page 3 other districts and the formation of the county-sponsored Business Education Leadership Council, a daylong event that, in 2001, garnered her the job to implement the plans she helped develop.

“I wanted my daughter to have an invigorating learning experience,” Treece said. “That was my hope, but it became clear that it wasn’t going to happen.”

MOVING UP TO THE BOARD Then a volunteer position opened up on the Mt. Diablo Board of Education and Treece ran for it and won.

“I hoped that by becoming a board member,” she said, “I would be able to implement a policy-level change, which is what I pushed for and still push for.”

Coming from a business background, Treece believes in a “data-driven” process. “The superintendent said to me that the educational term was datainformed,” Treece said with a smile. “I still prefer the term data-driven.”

At first she was surprised by McHenry’s “binder of data,” which he would bring to meetings and use to illustrate where there were obvious needs for change. She later came to respect that process.

“By the third year, everyone was used to his binder of data,” Treece said, “and people were saying ‘I wonder what the data shows this year?’ His ultimate goal is to change what happens in the classroom for the better.”

RETAINING STUDENT INTEREST

Treece had an additional reason to push for change. Her daughter had become resistant to the idea of going to college.

“She did not want to sit through any more boring classes.”

Treece knew that was the same problem she had experienced at school. The model had not changed much.

These days, Treece pushes for smaller learning communities and works with the high schools to establish partnerships with businesses that encourage and foster student interest.

“April has worked closely with two science teachers, Frank Redle of Concord High and Karen Kelly of Clayton Valley, and industrial arts teacher Steve Seaman of Mt. Diablo High,” said Sue Berg, communications specialist for the district. “Any of them might give a good perspective on how (she) combines her roles of board member and facilitator of business-education partnerships.”

Treece says her goal is “to bridge the gap between high school and careers, focused on creating a seamless system for students from K-12 to post-secondary education.”

“April Treece is an outstanding board member,” said fellow board member Dick Allen. “I know she wants all children to be prepared for work or college – that is her focus.”

On Feb. 1, she culminated a six-month planning process organizing the Contra Costa

divine right to be an uninterrupted, bicoastal creation from the very hand of God. There are extreme religious groups like the Breatharians, a short-lived cult who believed that all sustenance, both physical and spiritual, was provided by breathing alone. There were wackos in Waco, Texas, and cults of every order allowed to enjoy their freedoms. Remnants of the Nazi party remain, as do white supremacists. And let us not forget the ritual suicide by the religious cult attempting to hitch a ride to God on a passing comet some years back.

There are radical extremists who justify the shooting of medical personnel at clinics performing legal abortions and tree-huggers who defy the destruction of old trees. All this takes place while business pollutes the air and water and addicts us to the tastes of commercialization with scant opportunities to become famous or wealthy.

Veterans of wars defending our freedoms represent those who survived, while members of the armed forces currently serving, whether we choose our freedom of expression against the war or not, nonetheless risk their lives so that others amongst us do not have to serve.

There is no doubt, 235 years after independence, we are a nation still a work in progress.

And as we stand before the flag of this country and pledge our thankfulness for the rights we so cherish and so abuse, those few words that have riled so many over the years should be the least of our problems.

If you do not believe in God, if you do not believe you need to pledge it, then don’t say the word. Just deal with it!

County Health & Bioscience Career Fair in San Ramon, “which attracted over 450 students who were in attendance with about 40 industry partners.”

These are the processes that Treece believes in and uses as examples of her commitment to both the community and the district.

blogging, which she acknowledges is a new concept for her – and one she is unsure how to utilize effectively. “I look at the number of people, sometimes only a few hundred,” she said, “compared to the thousands of voters who do make an impact and I wonder whether that is where I should focus. I never look forward to the politics.”

She would rather focus on the parts that directly affect education policy, such as summer camp opportunities. She cites an Engineering Camp at Diablo Valley College June 16-20, an Environmental Camp at Los Medanos College June 23-27 and a BioTech Camp at Cal State East Bay Concord July 7-11.

“Students and teachers can see what exciting things are going on in the work world of Contra Costa and meet some interesting people,” she said.

“Up to 60 students can participate.”

Treece comes across as a woman of confidence who has enjoyed many years of success in her chosen field. “What surprises a lot of people is that I am really very shy,” she said. “I’ve had to learn to step over that shyness when I am in public. I am still the same shy kid at Clayton Valley High School, sitting quietly in the back of the room, seen but not heard. But I am very passionate about serving kids. It’s that important to me.”

TRYING TO DIVIDE THE BOARD? Citing the recent media coverage about the teacher negotiations as well as the division within the board regarding the superintendent’s effectiveness, Treece dismisses it as a California Teachers Association negotiation tactic that she has observed in other district negotiation disputes.

“First, you discredit the superintendent,” she said, “and then split the board members.”

Treece recounted an attempt to detract from another board member, Linda Mayo, during a previous negotiation year. This year, it is Treece and Eberhart who are up for re-election.

Eberhart is one of the two board members calling for McHenry to resign.

“Normally, I would start looking at the election process around July, but ... I sense there is some interest to vote me out,” said Treece, referring to blog sites focusing support on replacing her with a member more favorable to the position of Eberhart and Strange.

Despite the current media focus, she said the board meetings aren’t chaotic. “But it is destructive to our overall goals.”

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André Gensburger is a staff reporter and feature writer for the Pioneer. His email address is andre@claytonpioneer.com

For more information about the summer camp opportunities, contact Treece through the school district office at 682-8000 or email opuscomm@pacbell.net.

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February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Page 11

Kitties love company, but let them meet slowly Introducing a new cat to a household of existing cats can be tricky. However, with preparation, time and patience, you can ensure a smooth introduction and pave the way for peaceful inter-kitty relationships.

Kris Swanson, intake technician at the Animal Rescue Foundation, has some great ideas about introducing new kitty companions. Before bringing home your new friend, set up a room that will be your new cat’s private space for several weeks. A spare bedroom or home office is ideal. Miss Kitty should have food, water, toys, bedding and a new litter box that has never been used by other cats.

When you bring your new cat home, take her directly into the room, open the carrier and leave the room – closing the door behind you. Give her a few hours of alone time to destress and explore her new territory.

This is the perfect time to sit outside the door and give extra

attention to your existing cat, who has undoubtedly noticed the new cat’s smell and may be anxious. Some hissing and swatting between the two under the door is normal.

On day three, swap the bedding of your cats so they can become accustomed to each other’s scent. You can also groom both cats with the same brush to exchange smells.

During the next three days, close your original cat in a different room several times each day and open the door of the new cat’s room. Allow her several hours to investigate the rest of the house without having to encounter your original cat.

Once a week has passed, open the door just a crack. Secure it so that it cannot open any wider but also cannot close. Now the cats can meet each other nose to nose and interact without the threat of a fight. Supervise these sessions several times each day.

When there is no more hissing, growling or swatting, the cats are ready to finally meet.

Wait until your original cat is asleep or resting away from the door. Nonchalantly walk up to the door, open it, step back and observe. Let the cats meet at their own pace and don’t be alarmed by some hissing and

swatting. They may posture and wrestle but don’t intervene unless you think someone is going to be seriously injured. If a true fight does occur, spray them with a water-filled squirt bottle. Never put your hands in between fighting cats.

In the beginning, you should always supervise the cats’ interactions. When you leave the house or at night, the new cat should be confined in her room.

Once you notice they are calm

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Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)

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Page 12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Clayton Sports Panel weighs in on Super Bowl, NBA All Stars Speaking of Sports is a new fea-

ture debuting today on the Pioneer sports pages. Each issue, a panel of Clayton sports enthusiasts will air their views on a current topic in the sporting world. If you would like to suggest a topic or question to our panels, email sports@claytonpioneer.com.

After watching Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots, where does the game rank among previous Super Bowl games?

Stelzner: Not my top five of those I’ve seen. Here they are: 1) SB XXIII Niners/Bengals (Super Joe! – sorry can’t help being a homer.) 2) SB XXV Giants/Bills (Wide right!) 3) SB XXXIV Rams/Titans – (Almost!) 4) SB XXXVI Pats/Rams (Upset!) 5) SB XXXII Broncos/Packers (Scramble) Was this year’s in the top 10? Yes! Kirmsse: Best Super Bowl: David vs. Goliath. David wins after three quarters of bruising defense (entering the fourth quarter only 10 points and 351 yards total). Fourth quarter: three clutch, lead-changing touchdowns.

The wrong brother’s escape act and pass to lowly backup receiver. Close second: Rams vs. Titans, Super Bowl XXXIV. Helena: This past Super Bowl ranks in the top 10. It was unique because it combined the usual Hollywood script of David (Giants) vs. Goliath (Patriots) with a Cinderella storybook ending. However, we’ve seen this script before, most recently in SB XXXVI with the Patriots over the Rams.

Merrigan: Would have liked to see Brett Favre and the Packers one more time. But overall, I really enjoyed watching Super Bowl XLII. I’m one of those people who root for the underdog. It was great seeing the Giants put the brakes on the Patriots incredible offense. One of those games for the history books.

Snyder: When I heard there was not going to be a Bud Bowl at halftime, the game was already better than the last nine games played. The biggest disappointment for me was watching an AFC team lose. We all know the stock market goes up in years when the AFC team wins. Now we really need to worry about subprime mortgages and a slowing economy.

Rob Helena, a diehard 49er and Giants fan, has coached CYO and Little League baseball and MDSL soccer and has played semi-pro baseball.

“If ESPN was around when I was a kid, I probably wouldn’t have gotten married,” he says.

Leigh Kirmsse

Deanna Merrigan

has coached youth sports in the ConcordClayton area for many years including soccer, baseball and basketball.

As a participant, she has also played collegiate and national softball.

loves NFL football, March Madness and her daughter’s soccer games.

An avid hiker, she plans to conquer Half Dome this summer.

Deanna is a former sports writer for the Pioneer.

Rafallo: I would have to say it ranks No. 1. Not only was the game an upset, but the Giants beat a team that was undefeated! It was a wellplayed game defensively and the last five minutes were as exciting as any professional game of any sport.

Do you agree with the current NBA All Star game selection process?

Stelzner: Most of the major sports All Star games end up being more of a “beauty contest,” and the deserving players often get left out.

Besides, that’s what the NBA wants to market. Athletically, the NBA has the world’s best, but for purist basketball, most games are fundamentally flawed.

Tina Rafallo

Chris Snyder

loves all sports but is passionate abut soccer and softball.

She played softball for 17 years and coaches her daughter’s team. She was an LA Dodgers fan until “we moved north and saw the light. We are avid Giants fans now.”

grew up in Denver playing baseball and football. He has coached his kids in soccer, baseball and basketball for eight years. His biggest thrill is watching the Clayton kids grow together and excel in the youth sports programs.

If you want to see true quality basketball, follow the college game. Can’t wait for March Madness!

Kirmsse: The NBA should fix the 24, 24, 12 rule and move the player pick from the beginning of the season. The 24, 24, 12 rule should instead be five spots (point, small, power, center and shooting). The media should pick the ballot toward the end of the season.

Helena: I agree with the process.

The problems are with fan voting accuracy and the 24-player limit. In comparison, the All Star roster limit for the NFL is 84 and MLB is about 50. Too many great players, too few spots, mistakes by fans and someone deserving will ultimately be left out.

Merrigan: It’s great for fans to have a vote. Maybe coaches and league

Ralph Stelzner played varsity basketball and ran track in high school.

Along the way to middle age, he’s dabbled in a little of everything from swimming, skiing and tennis to distance running. He is strictly a Bay Area sports fan.

personnel should have more voting power, because sometimes a deserving player isn’t voted for as the casual fan votes for the recognizable big name.

This can result in a popularity contest rather than an honor recognizing a player for their skill, effort and overall play.

Snyder: Groucho Marx once said, “I would not belong to any club that would accept me as a member.”

Obviously Baron Davis is not a member of the All Star selection committee. Go Warriors.

Rafallo: Since there are only five players on the court at a time, you really couldn’t carry a much bigger roster. I think after the fan votes, maybe stats should weigh more heavily rather than the coaches getting to choose. Good luck next year, Baron!

Youth soak up the basics at Y basketball sessions RANDY ROWLAND Clayton Pioneer

This is the first in a series of monthly features on programs available through the YMCA in our community. Many of these programs are held in the Diablo View Middle School gym in Clayton.

Watching the little legs of the children running up and down the court on Feb. 2 was incredible. These elementary school kids, most of whom had never played basketball before, were being encouraged and praised by their volunteer coaches, who were trying to teach a sport that is difficult to grasp.

Unlike soccer, where the goal is on the ground level, the baskets above these players looked daunting – even though they were adjusted to 8 feet from the regulation 10 feet to accommodate the players.

What is even more memorable are the smiles on every

one of these children’s faces as they came off the court to greet their parents at the end of the hour-long session.

The Clayton YMCA offers youth basketball to children from age 3 through eighth grade. Teams are made up of both boys and girls in several age divisions. The K-first graders are the Rookie Division, and grades 2-3 are the Winners Division. From there, those interested in continuing to play basketball move on to the Oakland Diocese CYO program.

The YMCA program is structured so that the first half of the hour session is dedicated to dribbling, passing and shooting skills, so the kids have the basic tools to play. The coaches slowly work on positioning and where to be on the court when they are on defense or offense.

Volunteer Robert Marx has been coaching youth basketball, baseball and soccer for more than 10 years and never tires of it. “The most rewarding part of

this for me is the teaching and watching them grow and have fun,” he said. “A week ago, the kids put on a uniform for the first time and are now playing a sport.”

“I like basketball. It is fun,” Clayton resident Aiden Simons said as he walked off the court after a K-1 game for his Cavaliers’ team.

“I have learned defense and offense and dribbling,” added Aiden, who also plays baseball and soccer.

Donna Roden, a first-grader at Mt. Diablo Elementary, said she just started playing basketball this year. “It is fun, and I have learned to shoot baskets.”

Donna, who plays for the Grizzlies, added that she likes running and dribbling with one hand. She also plays soccer.

Grayson Wright plays for the 76ers and is in his third season playing basketball through the YMCA. Next year, he plans to play for the St. Bonaventure CYO team but for now he is having fun playing at the Y.

“I like playing basketball because my cousin plays and I started playing with him,” Grayson said.

He added that his favorite part of the sport is “blocking people and blocking their shots.” He also likes playing soccer and baseball.

Robert Wollenzien is the coordinator of youth basketball for the local Y. He has been the sports director for the Pleasanton and Clayton YMCAs since November 2007 but has been involved with the Y since he was a child. His father is a YMCA professional.

“I share in the values of the Y, and it has had a major impact on my life,” he said.

Robert is charged with scheduling the games, putting together rosters, and marketing and hiring referees for all of the hundreds of young children involved in this basketball program. And he is out there every Saturday, hands on, working at the gym and watching the smiling faces as the kids dribble

down the court.

“That is the reason I do this,” he said, “seeing them have fun makes the whole league worthwhile.”

For more information on basketball or other Y sports, call the YMCA at (925) 889-1600.

Information is also available on the Website at www.mdrymca.org

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Trust needs competent, committed trustees

CD Federal Credit Union For membership information contact Jenn Irwin at 925-825-0900, ext. 314 1855 Second St. Concord, CA 94519

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A trustee has the authority to oversee and administer a trust’s assets according to your wishes.

So selecting a competent trustee who will act in your — and your beneficiaries’ — best interest is essential.

Before you select a trustee, it’s important to consider the range of duties associated with managing a trust, including:

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Managing all assets, including securities and business and real estate interests.

Maintaining detailed records and preparing transaction statements.

Handling collections, distributions and payments.

Preparing and filing all tax returns.

Communicating with and responding to all inquiries from beneficiaries.

Advancing trust principal or providing care for a beneficiary as permitted by the trust.

Settling the trust, when applicable.

DETERMINING THE BEST FIT Select a trustee who’s not only reliable and trustworthy, but also willing and committed to serving for the life of the trust.

There are two types of trustees. An individual trustee may be a family member or close friend, a business advisor, an attorney or another professional.

A family member or friend may seem like the natural choice because of the trust, common bond and likelihood that he or she understands your wishes for your family’s future. It’s also likely that he or she will charge little or nothing in trustee fees.

But keep in mind that, ideally, a trustee should have financial knowledge, be familiar with taxes and accounting and have good business sense.

s Start end Tr yout This Week

Page 13

So it’s essential that individual trustees without professional expertise in managing trusts consult with accountants, attorneys and investment advisors to help them get the job done effectively.

The other kind is a corporate trustee. This trustee typically is a financial institution, a bank trust department or a trust company.

A corporate trustee specializes in managing estates and trusts and generally is free of conflicts of interest, allowing it to carry out its duties impartially.

A corporate trustee also has direct access to investment advisors, tax planners and other financial experts. Most institutional trustees charge fees based on a percentage of the trust’s assets. For long-term trusts, an institutional trustee can be beneficial because you don’t have to worry about the trust outliving the trustee.

In some cases, you can create a hybrid trustee by appointing an institution and an individual as co-trustees. The institution provides the professional experience and skills needed to effectively oversee the trust assets, while the

individual is someone you can trust to act in your family’s best interests.

OUTLINING RESPONSIBILITIES After choosing a trustee, it’s important to determine the amount of control that he or she will have over the trust assets and distributions to beneficiaries. Consider giving your beneficiaries the power to remove an institutional trustee and replace it with another that’s a better fit as needs change or evolve. This provides an extra layer of protection from a trustee charging exorbitant fees or mismanaging the trust.

Outline what standards the trustee should use to determine when to make distributions to beneficiaries and in what amounts. The standards of providing for health care, education, maintenance and support often allow a trustee substantial latitude to determine what is appropriate while still keeping the trust assets out of the beneficiary’s estate.

In addition, make your trustee aware of the liabilities involved. For example, the

CVHS’ Roper to play for Arizona

The Mt. Diablo Soccer League and Diablo Valley Soccer Club have joined together and are now Diablo FC. Under the direction of Brian Voltattorni and Marquis White this new club will participate during the 2008-09 season in Super Y-League, US Club Soccer, CYSA, Golden State Soccer League and Norcal Premier, as well as conducting its Soccer Academy.

Our outstanding Diablo FC professional coaching staff will train 50 Super Y-League, Class 1 and Class 3 teams in 2008. Join our exciting new club!

U13 thru U20

Open tryouts for the upcoming season begin this month in Concord.

We strongly urge players to pre-register at www.diablofc.org.

We suggest players attend all tryout sessions for their age group.

Professional coaches Innovative training program Unparalleled coaching staff Goalkeeper & striker training True club atmosphere College preparation

Norcal Premier League, tournaments & Regionals

Pre-register at www.diablofc.org. No charge to tryout.

Weather Updates

Tryouts at Clayton Valley High School (CV) & Newhall Park (NP)

925-672-3373

U9-U14 BOYS and GIRLS

U15-U18 SUPER Y-LEAGUE

Class 1 & Class 3 teams

U15 BOYS & GIRLS

U9 & U10 BOYS & GIRLS

Born between 8/1/93-7/31/94

Born between 8/1/98 - 7/31/01

Sat 2/23 & Sun 2/24, 9 - 10 AM, CV Sat 3/1, 9 - 10 AM, NP

U16 BOYS & GIRLS

line for the NAU Lumberjacks.

Roper was also recruited by Utah State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State. He made his decision after visiting the campus in Flagstaff, Arizona and seeing the facility and meeting all of the coaches at the school.

Clayton resident, Mike Rose, has been in business for over 35 years and has always provided quality repair with excellent customer service!

Born between 8/1/92 - 7/31/93

Born between 8/1/97 - 7/31/98

Sun 3/2, 11 AM - 1 PM, CV

Sat 2/23 & Sun 2/24, 10 - 11:30 AM, CV Sat 3/1, 10 - 11:30 AM, NP

U17 BOYS & GIRLS Born between 8/1/91 - 7/31/92

U12 BOYS & GIRLS

Sun 3/2, 1 - 3 PM, CV

Born between 8/1/96-7/31/97

U18 BOYS & GIRLS

Sat 2/23 & Sun 2/24, 11:30AM-1PM, CV Sat 3/1, 11:30 AM - 1 PM, NP

Born between 8/1/90 - 7/31/91

Sun 3/2, 3 - 5 PM, CV

U13 BOYS & GIRLS Born between 8/1/95-7/31/96

Super Y-League tryouts will continue EVERY Wednesday in March at Hillcrest Park in Concord, 4-6 p.m.

Sat 2/23 & Sun 2/24, 1 -3 PM, CV Sat 3/1, 1 - 3 PM, NP

U14 BOYS & GIRLS Born between 8/1/94 - 7/31/95

There will be additional Class 1 and Class 3 tryouts for U15-U19 boys and girls in April

Includes Super Y-League team Sat 2/23 & Sun 2/24, 3 - 5 PM, CV Sat 3/1, 3 - 5 PM, NP

(925) 798-GOAL

DANNY ROPER celebrated with teammates and coaches on Feb. 7 after signing a letter of intent to play football at Northern Arizona University.

Roper, who lives in Clayton, played both ways on the offensive and defensive line for the CVHS Eagles, was recruited to play offensive

Sun 3/2, 9 - 11 AM, CV

U11 BOYS & GIRLS

G

www.diablofc.org

Richard Littorno is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He has offices in Clayton and Pittsburg. Send your questions to rlittorno@msn.com.

Sports Shorts DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION Registration for 2008 swim season will take place at the Dana Hills cabana 296 Mountaire Cir, Clayton, Returning families register Mar. 1, noon-4 p.m. and Mar. 5, 7-9 p.m. Both new and returning families register Mar. 15, noon – 4. The program is designed to provide swimmers of all levels with the opportunity to learn stroke technique under the age group format and to apply what they have learned in competitive situations.

For more information please contact Debbie Anderson at (925) 672-2773 or by email at dsdkanderson@comcast.net.

Two of the area’s premier youth soccer organizations combine forces to form Diablo Futbol Club

• • • • • •

trustee may be held personally liable in instances of poor investment decisions, not exercising discretion or inappropriate allocation of assets.

Whether you select an individual trustee, institutional trustee or both, your trustee(s) will be responsible for the financial well being of your beneficiaries. Careful thought and selection today can help ensure that your trust estate is managed with skill and care.

Clayton Sports

2008 Tryouts

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EAGLES BASEBALL ACADEMY Spring Break Baseball Camp signups for boys and girls ages 7 and up are on Mar. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at CVHS baseball field. This camp will cover all aspects of the game of baseball, as well as providing an opportunity for the kids to play in games during the camp. The staff will consist of the Varsity baseball team at CVHS. We have no limit on the number of campers.

The camp will be held rain or shine at our all-weather facility at CVHS. Eagle Baseball Academy provides baseball instruction to players ranging from beginners learning the most basic of skills, to advanced players who are looking to fine tune skills and learn the finer points of the game of baseball. The nonprofit academy is directed by Coach Casey Coakley, Varsity Baseball Coach for Clayton Valley High School and utilizes the facilities at CVHS. The fee is $100. For more info, 672-4960, www.eaglebaseballacademy.com Readers can submit sports items from our Website at www.claytonpioneer.com. On the left side of the home page are forms for competition results, story ideas and Sports Shorts. You can attach a photo to your email.

Page 14

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. FEB. 27 FOR THE MAR. 7 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH FEB. 28 Reading Is Fun Club @Clayton Community Library For Ages 5 - 8, prizes For Reading! Ask for details at the library's Information Desk! (925) 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd. THROUGH MAR. 6 Picture Book Time @Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Drop in Thursdays. For children 3 - 5 years old. Child may attend without caregiver. (925) 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd. THROUGH MAR. 25 Patty Cakes @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Story time for babies - 3 yr old. Child attends with caregiver. Drop in any Tuesday. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, 673-0659.

THROUGH JUNE 1 Depression Glass and Vintage Linens Exhibit @ Clayton Historical Society Museum

FEB. 26 Oddfellow's Meeting @ Pacheco Lodge #117, Concord 3 p.m. Meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. All are invited to come and be our guest for a meeting and dessert. For information call Herb Meeks @ (925) 682-7358. Pacheco Lodge #117, 4349 Cowell Road, Concord.

FEB. 26 Clayton Valley Woman's Club @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 9:30 a.m. coffee; 10 a.m. meeting the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Call Joyce at 672-3850 or Sheila at 672-7947. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.

FEB. 26 Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek 12-1:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All are invited to check us out and be our guest for lunch. Call Sam Totah at 941-1536. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek..

FEB. 28, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. every Thursday. Meeting includes breakfast and usually features a speaker. Visit www. claytonvalleyrotary.org or call Chuck Graham at 6897640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton.

FEB. 28, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27 Weights Watchers Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau Building 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in and meetings. Call 800-326-8450, x 2023. Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord.

FEB. 28, MAR. 6, 13, 20, 27 Contra Costa Chess Club @ Starbucks, Clayton 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Contra Costa Chess Club welcomes chess players of all ages and skill levels, and we provide instruction and materials for beginners. We are governed by the USCF Rules of Chess, and it's coffeehouse chess at its best. There is no cost to playing in or joining the club. Contra Costs Chess Club meeting at Starbuck's, 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton.

Wednesdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The glass was popular during the Depression because of its low cost. The floral printed linens mix well with the glass. The display, coordinated by Jan Trolan and Mary Spryer, consists of pieces loaned by Mary and Jan as well as Diana Hunt and Dinah Towns and some from the museum's collection.www.claytonhistory.org.

Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main Street.

FEB. 24 Chili Cook-Off @ Clayton Club Saloon 10:30 a.m. set up, 11 a.m. check in, 12 p.m. judging. $15 registration fee.

Chili must be made from scratch. $500 First place, $250 second place and $100 third place. Entries limited to 25. Pre-register at the Clayton Club Saloon, 6096 Main Street, Clayton.

MARCH 1 Early Spring Plant Sale @ Regional Arboretum Society, Concord 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The sale features Philadelphus Lewisii, Acer Circinatum, Rosa Nutkana, Aronia Melanocarpa and Katsura trees in 5 gallon containers. www.markhamarboretum.org, 925-681-2968, Markham Nature Park and Arboretum, 1202 La Vista Ave., Concord, CA 94521.

MAR. 3 Read Across America Craft @Clayton Community Library 2 - 4 p.m. Drop in. For children through age 9. Celebrate Seuss and make a Dr. Seuss themed craft to take home. All supplies are provided. (925) 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS FEB. 23 Scrabble Club @ Carl's Jr. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Club meets the second and fourth Saturday of the month.

All ages and skill levels. Prizes and contests. We have grown from six players to a roster of sixty in a year's time. Just $2 to play for the day. Carl's Jr., 1530 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton.

FEB. 24 Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting @ Clayton Community Church 7-8 p.m. AA Big Book Study every Sunday night. 673-9060. Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St., Clayton.

FEB. 28 Clayton Business & Community Association @ Oakhurst Country Club 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting the last non-holiday Thursday of the month. This is a great place to meet fellow Claytonites and become involved in some of the ongoing events that CBCA sponsors. Cost of the dinner is $24. Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. Mike Fossan, President. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton.

MAR. 1, 4, 8 Diablo Valley Literacy Council Tutor Training @ Diablo Valley Literary Council, Concord The Literacy Council needs English Tutor volunteers to help non-English speaking adults to read, write and speak English. We will teach you to be a tutor. Tutor-training workshops will be held March 1, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., March 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and March 8, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Diablo Valley Literacy Council, 4000 Clayton Road, Concord. There is a $15 non-refundable registration fee. For more information or to register, please call Shirley Mattes at 925-685-3881.

MAR. 2 Knitting Club @ Concord Library 2-4 p.m. the first Sunday of the month. Have you noticed that knitting is all the rage? Join the group and get creative. 646-5455. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio St. MAR. 4 Knights of Columbus @ St. Agnes Church Hall 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. We look forward to seeing our brother Knights at the general membership meeting of the Knights of Columbus Concord Council 6038 of Concord and Clayton. St. Agnes Church, 3478 Chestnut St., Concord.

MAR. 6, 20 Rebekah's Meeting @ Mt. Diablo Lodge #228, Concord 8 p.m. Meets every first and third Thursday of the month. All are invited to come and be our guest for a meeting and dessert. For information call Carmen Frank @ 925-672-5045. Mt. Diablo Lodge #228, 4349 Cowell Road, Concord.

MAR. 6 Sons in Retirement (SIRS) @ Oakhurst Country Club 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Meetings are the first Thursday of the month. SIRs is dedicated to promoting the independence and dignity of retired men and has no initiation fees or dues. The only requirement, other than being a man who is retired from his primary employment or career, is attendance at the monthly luncheons. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. For more information, call Carl Sisson, 672-6418.

MAR. 8 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women's Club Spring Fling @ Oakhurst Country Club 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch, fashion show and fashions by Coldwater Creek, Walnut Creek. There will be a boutique featuring jewelry, purses, food items, home decorations and Solutions skin care. Key note speaker will be Barbara Allen. Please join us. Tickets are $30 per person, or table of 10 for $300. R.S.V.P. to Barbara Allen by March 1, 672-5061. Questions? Call Terri Di Loreto at 672-0305 or 766-4603 or e-mail goterrid@comcast.net.

Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton.

MAR. 9 Concord Mystery Book Club @ Concord Library 2:30-4 p.m. All mystery readers are invited to participate and explore a different genre each month. Group meets the second Sunday of the month.

Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord, 646-5455.

MAR. 9 VFW Breakfast @ Concord Veterans Memorial Hall 8 - 11 a.m. Breakfast is held on the second Sunday of each month. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, sausages, coffee, tea and orange juice. $4/adults and $2/children under 12. Concord Veterans Memorial Hall located at 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord.

MAR. 10 Clayton Valley 4-H Club @ Farm Bureau Hall, Concord 7 p.m. Open to boys and girls ages 5 - 19, and adults. Many projects, community service and leadership opportunities, conferences, 4-H Camp and scholarships. For information contact Candy Hogan 925 969-1325. Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 Clayton Rd. Concord 94521.

MAR. 12 Clayton Valley Garden Club Meeting @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. Neal Richmond will speak about basic fertilizing chemistry, just in time for spring. With so many fertilizer brands and products available it's important for the home gardener to learn how to read product labels. Do you really need a bag for every plant? This presentation will be informative and interesting. Every one is welcome! We'll see you there. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center Street, Clayton.

MAR. 12 Creekside Artists Guild - General Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 7p.m. Come and join this eclectic group of artists that meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month. All levels and all art forms are welcome! S-T-RE-T-C-H your artistic boundaries and bring artwork to the meeting that creatively expresses this months theme, "Sunrise and Sunset", if you wish. We provide an environment for all artists to inspire, create, educate and prosper...Questions? Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen 673-9777, email: nielsenjanc@aol.com or visit our website: www.creeksideartists.org and link onto the NEW Online Newsletter!

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT FEB. 26 County Board of Supervisors @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. Tuesday mornings. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us or 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., Room 107, Martinez.

FEB. 26 Clayton Planning Commission @ Clayton Community Library 7 p.m. The coommission meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. www.ci.clayton.ca.us or 673-7304. Clayton Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road.

MAR. 4, 18 Clayton City Council @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. The council meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas posted at City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. Clayton Community Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road.

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION MAR. 6 Parent Faculty Club (PFC) @ Clayton Valley High School (CVHS) 7 p.m. in the school's library. All parents/guardians in the school community are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you are interested in placing an item on the agenda, please contact either of the Co-Presidents: Dianna Sutherland: 672-9392, dandb200@pacbell.net or Carolyn Hartnell 6724146, crhartnell@earthlink.net. Meetings are generally the first Thursday of each month. CVHS, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.

Clayton Community Recreation The YMCA in partnership with the city of Cl ayton offers a variety of classes and activities for all ages. From Pilates to ornament decorating; from Kids’ Nights Out to Lego Camp, try the Y for fun things to do.

NOW THROUGH MAY 27 MODEL UNITED NATIONS AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00 pm, seventh through ninth grade. Learn about the real United Nations and how it works. As a delegation, we will choose a country to represent, and then each teen will be assigned to one of the organizations that make up the Model United Nations. We have weekly meetings from February through May. We have one training conference before we head down to Pasadena, where we will stay in the Hilton Hotel. During this four-day event, we will be dressed to

impress and express our views as they relate to our country.

MAR. 5-26 PILATES AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Wednesday evenings from 6:45-7:45 pm, age twelve and up. All levels welcome. This class benefits all body systems and contributes to overall wellness. This ongoing class is an ideal complement to any exercise program and great for stress relief.

MAR. 4-25 VOLLEYBALL OPEN GYM AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Tuesday evenings from 7:00-10:00 pm.

MAR. 6-27 MINI MICHELANGELOS AT ENDEAVOR HALL Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 pm, age three through five. Do you have a young Picasso or

Michelangelo in the making? Join your child and venture into the world of art. Each week will feature a different art project from finger painting to sculpture.

safe and friendly environment. Dinner and snacks are provided. Kids Night Out is offered the third Saturday each month from 6:00-11:00 pm.

MAR. 8 SNOW DAY TRIP 5:30 am-9:00 pm, sixth through eighth grade. Boarders, skiers and snow bunnies— join the YMCA for a day in the snow at Squaw Valley this winter. Numerous activities are available, including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow tubing and more!

MAR. 23 CPR AND FIRST AID AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM 9:00 am-3:00 pm, recommended for age twelve and up. Learn how to effectively respond to an emergency situation and provide the necessary care needed. This CPR and First Aid training will teach you to effectively give emergency care to infants, children and adults. Upon successful completion, participants receive certificates for Standard First Aid (valid for three years) and Adult, Infant and Child CPR (valid for one year).

APR. 26-JUN. 28 YOUTH SOCCER AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM 9:00 am, preschool through third grade.

Introduce your child to the great game of soccer. Children will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense while developing their values of sportsmanship, teamwork and having fun. The games are coached by parent volunteers and are refereed

by YMCA staff. All practices and games are played for one hour on Saturdays and are scheduled by the YMCA at the Clayton Community Gym. There will be no games or practice on May 24, 2008.

APR. 3-24 SING, SAY AND PLAY AT ENDEAVOR HALL Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 pm, age three through five. A fun class! Share quality time

For more information or to register for any of these classes, call (925) 889-1600, or register online at mdrymca.org.

MAR. 15 KIDS NIGHT OUT AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM 6:00-11:00 pm, age three through twelve.

Bring the kids down to the Clayton Community Gym for an evening of fun while you have a night out on the town. Children will enjoy crafts, games, movies, and dinner while you are worry-free knowing they are in a

with your child as you both enjoy arts and songs, music and motion.

February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 15

‘Tallgrass’ a compelling take on America Is there anything to be gained by reading yet another book about the World War II internment of JapaneseAmericans? If the book is as good as Sandra Dallas’ “Tallgrass,” the answer is a resounding yes.

The first glimpse we have of the Japanese-Americans is their arrival at the train depot in fictional Ellis, Colo. This is 13-yearold Rennie Stroud’s telling. She is among the townsfolk gathered to gawk at the detainees.

Ellis is a community of farmers, ranchers, shop owners and the like, not the sophisticated citizens of Denver. What they know about the Japanese is what they read in the paper, and they have come to see them as the bucktooth cartoons of antiJapanese war posters. What they find are people dressed like them

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(and many dressed much better), as rumpled and worn out as any train traveler and not a bucktooth cartoon among them.

The fictional camp of Tallgrass is based on the real camp of Amache, built just outside Granada, Colo., in 1942. Dallas has written an intelligent and moving tale. We immediately like Rennie (affectionately called “Squirt” by her father) and her believable family.

Her mother is the emotional compass for the family, which includes a brother who has enlisted, an older sister who lives in Denver and works at a war-related job, and an aging grandmother who moves in and out of lucidity.

Rennie’s dad is a beet farmer whose matter-of-fact outlook on life anchors the family.

Like every other American

town with young, able-bodied people eager to serve their country, Ellis copes with the effects of war. Gasoline, sugar and other staples are rationed.

These are hardy, resilient folk, but their resiliency begins to crack with the arrival of the camp detainees.

Tallgrass is described with journalistic clarity.

We feel the everpresent wind and dust, and we see the barbed-wire fence and watchtowers with armed sentries. But this story is not just about the detainees. This is a story of a town and what it learns about itself in the wake of such an encampment.

The Japanese detainees become an intregal part of the Ellis community, whether or not either is ready for it. When a young girl in town is brutally raped and murdered, the town

looks to the camp for the killer.

That death becomes the backdrop for all that is right and wrong in Ellis.

With so many young men gone to soldiering, a shortage of farm labor develops. Now the camp dwellers come to Ellis as laborers and household helpers.

As townsfolk become acquainted with these workers, their prior beliefs about what makes an American are held up for examination. Lines are drawn as prejudices wane and town bullies rise to the surface, like the scum in a water barrel.

“Tallgrass” is not just Rennie’s coming of age story; it is also the maturing of an entire town. The lessons learned in Ellis are hard taught but will last a lifetime as Dallas takes the story all the way to the death of Rennie’s mother in 1974.

This is a uniquely American story and one for all readers, young and old. Dallas writes with directness and heart. We become as much a part of Ellis as any of her characters. The

SUNNY SOLOMON

FOR

THE

BOOKS

hardware store, the barn, the beet fields, the old pickup truck, the dirt road to the camp all take on a life of their own.

Ellis and its people resonate mightily, giving this historical period a fresh understanding that is deeply and richly felt.

Sunny Solomon is the BookLady and manager of Clayton Books in the Clayton Station. She holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Sunny is a poet and loves to “talk books.” Reach her with questions or comments at 673-3325.

Be aware of symptoms of heart disease

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We all hear and read about heart disease and probably even know someone close to us who is at risk. Heart disease is the No. 1 health problem for both men and women in the United States.

There are many risk factors for heart disease – some you can manage and some you can’t.

You can’t change your age, race or family. But you can control your weight and cholesterol and stop smoking.

Managing your cholesterol is essential to heart health. High cholesterol occurs when too much LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol) builds up along the walls of your arteries. This build-up is referred to as plaque. When there is too much plaque, it can block the flow of blood through the arteries – possibly resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

Other risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, age, lack of “good” cholesterol and smoking. Being aware of your risks is an important first step toward lowering your chance of heart disease.

The heart is the organ that pumps blood, with its life-giving oxygen and nutrients, to all tissues of the body. If the pumping action of the heart becomes inefficient, vital organs like the brain and kidneys suffer. Life is dependent on the efficient oper-

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Prior to the TCSP change, CCC would have applied for a use permit for their church as a permitted meeting hall use.

With the elimination of meeting halls and public gathering places as permitted town center land uses, building a church in the town center would require an amendment to the city’s General Plan, according to Dan Adams,

the city’s attorney.

Addressing the council, CCC’s pastor Shawn Robinson said “I come with mixed feelings. I’m saddened because our intentions have been questioned. It seems that many of the proposed changes (to the TCSP) seem to be directed at the church. We want to be judged on the merits of our plan at some time in the future.”

The pastor declined to com-

ation of the heart.

You can live with heart disease for years and have no idea that your heart is at risk. Many people who have heart disease experience no symptoms and do not even know they are sick.

There are many warning signs that a person with heart disease may experience, but they are different for each person.

The most common is chest pain. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain can also affect your shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, face or back. Some people also experience indigestion.

Other symptoms of heart disease can include: Unusual shortness of breath when doing light activity or at rest.

Persistent coughing or wheezing.

Palpitation, rapid or unusual heartbeat.

Fainting or passing out.

ment on when he thought he would have a project to submit to the city.

Speaking after Robinson, Clayton resident Eric Maurelatos replied “change in downtown Clayton has been talked about since I was a kid in high school. The vision for downtown isn’t anti anything— it’s pro retail.”

In December 2006, CCC entered into a contract with Richard Buscaglia to purchase the L-shaped parcel that runs behind and next to their offices

for $1.4 million. Escrow closed in November 2007. Buscaglia had submitted plans to the city for a single story commercial building on the parcel but withdrew it when changes required by the city included a second story.

The amendment also eliminated day care facilities from the permitted uses in the town center while “grandfathering” the KinderCare facility that operates on the property next to CCC

Fluid retention or puffiness.

Loss of appetite and weight loss.

Unusual tiredness.

Severe chest pain.

Sometimes none of these warning signs apply. Other times, they will go away and return.

There’s a good chance that you, a family member or a friend could be affected by heart disease. That’s why you should be aware of what you can do to reduce your risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and many other heart conditions.

Knowledge is powerful.

Please see your doctor, and ask questions. Be heart healthy, and your heart will take care of you.

Kelly Ferro is Marketing Director for Aegis of Concord. Send comments or questions to kellyfarro@aegisliving.com

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Page 16

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

After childhood during war, flowers bring peace craters all around them, but because we were out in an agricultural area, we didn’t lose any people in our neighborhood. But the cities like Hamburg were demolished completely.”

COLLEEN ELWY

SHARING HISTORY Donning an Athletics baseball cap and a welcoming smile, Eric Klein, 76, sat down with me recently after his daily morning walk around our serene town. “I love walking and always enjoy being outdoors with nature and the quiet,” Eric says joyfully.

“This means a lot to me.”

And as Eric shares his story of a young child living outside of Hamburg, Germany, during WWII, you begin to understand the importance of his peaceful way of life here.

“I was 11 years old and living with my parents and two brothers during WWII. And I can remember sitting in the basement with the bombs falling around us,” Eric recalls. “The houses had

CHILDREN TAKEN TO SAFETY Eric’s family had their own garden and his father worked in the war industry. Although they had to ration, they never starved. But the war got worse and the government decided that for safety reasons, the children should leave Germany.

“At that time, they took all the kids and sent them to other countries like Czechoslovakia and the whole school went together. Even our school’s teachers and all of us from that school were brought to Prague,” says Eric. “We lived in places there and had our school, but we didn’t see our parents for a couple of years.”

When things began to calm down after a few years, the children could sense that they would be returning home to their families once again. But the trauma of what was ahead for them stands out vividly in Eric’s memory.

regularly and met his wife Elly there. He brought her back to the United States, and they traveled extensively throughout the country whenever they could.

Eric was drafted and served in the Army for 2½ years in Alaska, stationed as part of a protection group against Russia at JOB LED TO TRAVEL Following the war, Eric’s the time. Eric’s wandering feet family needed more money and brought him to California after his father found him a his service. He worked job working with flowfor a Bay Area nursery ers in a nursery. and ultimately retired Ironically, it was the from his career here. beauty within all the turEric has a daughmoil of the area that ter and son and four would become Eric’s grandchildren. He was lifelong career and pasmarried to Elly up sion. Because the feauntil a few years ago, tures of tending to when she passed away, flowers, or what Eric and Eric then moved ERIC KLEIN calls “greenhousing,” is to Diamond Terrace. an independent type of He enjoys many of work, it allowed Eric to travel the activities there. Although he from nursery to nursery. The does not work with flowers any jobs brought Eric to Denmark, longer, Eric’s walks allow him to Sweden and South Germany as take in the beauty that captured he traveled by bicycle to work his heart so many years ago. with nature.

If you are a senior living in Eventually Eric ended up in Clayton, or know of a senior that Chicago through a job connec- would like to share their life story tion and lived there for several with the Clayton Pioneer readers, years while working with please contact Colleen Elwy at 672orchids. He visited Germany 9565 or at colleensbyline@aol.com.

and even today I can still see the bullets hitting the dirt all around us. We lost a few boys on that train that got hit by those bullets, too.

Nothing is guaranteed in war, and it was one of the most traumatic times in my life.”

Photo courtesy of Eric Klein

ERIC KLEIN was stationed in Alaska during his army service.

“They put us on the train from Czechoslovakia to Hamburg and at that time, the British and the Americans were still in charge of that area. And I can remember

seeing the small fighter planes up above diving down toward the train and they started firing on us,” Eric states. “The train was moving along in a sort of ditch on the rails

Taking a closer look at Clayton real estate market CASEY CLINE Special to the Pioneer

As a follow up to the Jan. 27 “60 Minutes” expose regarding the recent mortgage meltdown, or subprime mortgage crisis, some information regarding the real estate market as it relates to Clayton may be helpful.

During this subprime tsunami, three major forces were at play: Loose lending practices made credit available to people with little to no documentation.

Overbuilding in certain areas such as east and west Contra

Data

Costa County.

A certain “irrational exuberance” that home values would only go up.

After speaking with several real estate professionals in the area, the consensus was that we are in a declining market.

However, opinions varied on how long the decline would last.

To understand the current impact on home values, it might be wise to get a copy of Kenny Rogers “The Gambler,” grab your whiskey and read on …

KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ’EM Regionally, Contra Costa

Active

County’s median price declined 12.36 percent on a year over year basis. Clayton experienced an average decline of 5.8 percent. Data suggests that Clayton’s rate of decline is not severe when compared to some neighboring communities. (See accompanying County Home Sales chart.)

Before a home goes into foreclosure, the seller may try to sell as a short sale. A short sale involves bank approval for the seller to pay off the existing mortgage for less than is owed.

When a short sale does not sell, it usually ends up in foreclosure

Pending

No of Listings 45 10 Low Sale $375,000 $399,900 High Sale $1,000,000 $998,000 Median $650,000 $639,490 Average $669,084 $645,868 Average DOM 113 95

3 Months 26 $434,950 $999,980 $590,000 $645,762 66

Sold 6 Months 12 Months 53 148 $395,000 $395,000 $995,000 $1,000,000 $598,500 $623,500 $632,557 $650,293 62 46 Source: Multiple Listing Service

County/City # Sold Contra Costa County 809 Antioch 69 Brentwood 51 Clayton 11 Concord 80 Oakley 40 Pittsburg 47 Pleasant Hill 20 Walnut Creek 62

PAT MOSCA MINDING

YOUR BUSINESS Statistics show that the amount of money being spent on the Internet is going up while the amount spent on television advertising is going down.

What’s obvious here is that more people – I say both young and old – are turning to online and mobile for both their news and entertainment, so it makes sense that the advertisers would follow.

For small Website owners, this means you need to think about advertising your Website.

For most of us, that means spending money on Google Adwords. I get asked for advice on this all the time. There are no

TARGET YOUR KEYWORDS As soon as you set up your Adword campaign, turn off the content network. This option defaults to “on” and should be turned off. Otherwise, this option positions your ads on broad content sites that tend to lead to lots of clicks but no serious buyers.

The next big mistake I see is using too many keywords. You don’t need to waste money on every keyword under the sun.

Target your keywords toward a specific niche and its underlying categories.

Analyze your competitors.

Find out what keywords they’re buying. Use the Google keyword tool. Select “site-related keywords” and enter the competitor’s Website to pull keyword groups from their pages.

At SpyFu.com, you can find out more about your competitors’ rankings and competitive pay per click spending. It is valuable to know what keywords your competitors are buying, so do some research.

You should now have a pretty good list of what words you want to use for your Adword campaign. When you write your ad, make sure to use keywords in the title and body of the ad.

The link to your site should send people to a specific page that reflects the particular details relating to the ad. Don’t send them to your home page and expect them to find, on their own, the particulars in the ad. Send them right to it.

CONSIDER YOUR MATCHES When setting up Google Adwords for the first time, the keyword defaults to broad match. I like using phrase match and exact match types and tracking performance from

Price Dec. 2006 $570,500 $520,000 $649,000 $690,000 $499,000 $509,750 $448,250 $649,500 $640,000

% Change Yr.-to-Yr. -12.36% -32.69% -32.36% -5.80% -17.94% -18.20% -27.50% -9.92% -8.91%

Source: Data Quick Systems

status. As foreclosure activity mounts, it will create a market like we are currently seeing.

It’s no secret that foreclosure activity is closely tied to a decline in home values. With today’s depreciation, an increasing number of homeowners find themselves owing more on a property than its market value.

For Clayton, foreclosures were reconciled to 43 properties and rising. This includes preforeclosures, bank-owned homes and homes up for auction.

For Clayton single-family dwellings that sold for less than

For small Website owners, it’s time to advertise quick and simple answers, so before you spend money, here are some money-wasting mistakes to avoid.

Median Dec. 2007 $500,000 $350,000 $439,000 $650,000 $409,500 $417,000 $325,000 $585,050 $583,000

there. For example, a broad match search for “leather jacket” returns any items made from “leather” and any type of “jackets.” A phrase match search returns only “leather jackets.”

This is way more cost-efficient.

To track all this activity, use the free Google analytics tool to check the performance of your keywords.

Finally, there is testing. The advertising world has been testing ads since the beginning.

With Adwords, you can write at least two ads per group and Adword rotates the ads for you.

Soon you’ll find the winning ad.

Delete the non-performing ad, then try to write a better ad and put it into rotation. This all takes a little time, but if you’re consistent, you will prevail.

Google is the most advanced advertising platform, and success here can be applied to other pay per click advertising companies such as Yahoo Search

See Business, page 17

$1 million, there has been a decline in both the number of sales and the sales price in the last 12 months. According to the Multiple Listing Service, current prices are experiencing downward pressure in Clayton, the average days on market (DOM) are increasing and inventory is beginning to increase. (See accompanying Clayton Housing Market chart.)

AND KNOW WHEN TO HOLD ’EM There are some keys that may change market sentiment in the near future: Spring is around the corner, and that’s traditionally the kickoff to the cyclical real estate market.

An economic stimulus package should increase the conforming loan limit.

Further rate cuts may occur if there is continued weakness.

All said, Clayton has many features that make it desirable.

Our city is clean, orderly and comfortable with that smalltown charm. In fact, it was recently ranked No. 57 in Money magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2007. Our schools are top-notch, and we have a low crime rate. And don’t forget the opportunity to spend a warm summer’s eve in the new downtown park.

Yes, the market will have its ups and downs, but “there’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.”

Casey Cline is a real estate market analyst and licensed real estate appraiser for Cline Appraisal. He lives and works in Clayton.

February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 17

Club News KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Concord Council 6038 donated funds to the Clayton Challenger Baseball League as part of the MR Drive of “Shaking the Can.” Every October, the Knights raise money to support physically and mentally challenged youth of the community. The Knights originally gave the league the seed funds to start this worthwhile youth activity. *** Don Ouimet, owner of Ouimet Funeral Home in Concord, was honored at the Knights annual Crab Feed on Jan Photo by Claire Tryon 26. Ouimet has given 50 years of JIM BROPHY, vice president of loyal and faithful service to the the Clayton Challenger Baseball organization. He received his 1st League, accepts a check from degree in the Knights in New the Knights of Columbus.

York on May 1, 1957.

CBCA SCHOLARSHIPS The Clayton Business and Community Association is offering seven scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education—four academic, one music/art, one vocational and one for community involvement.

Applicants for the academic scholarships must be residents of Clayton (with a 94517 zip code) and have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Students applying for the music/art, vocational, and community involvement scholarships must be students at Clayton Valley High School.

Music/art scholarship applicants need not plan to major in these fields in college, but must have participated in either music or the arts in high school and plan to continue their involvement during their college education.

Preplanning means accommodating your wishes, your budget and your attitudes about death, dying and parting rituals. It means providing an environment where you can make choices based on your own personal values. It means dignity without an astronomical price tag. It means doing things your way, not someone else’s way.

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BAHA’IS OF CLAYTON All are invited for prayers from various religious traditions, followed by a talk by scholars and ending with a Q&A. The topic of the prerecorded talk is “Influence of the Baha’i Revelation on the Romantics and on Modern Psychology,” by Ross Woodman, professor emeritus of English.

The event begins at 11 a.m.

Sunday, March 2, at Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Feel free to bring your own favorite readings or prayers to share. Music and refresh-

Open Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Sat 9 am - 3 pm

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF DIABLO VISTA On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the club will host a program about human trafficking at its noon meeting at the Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord. The speaker is Joseph Davidson, a retired FBI agent who specialized in fighting human trafficking.

Sex trafficking is a $32 billion annual industry. In the United States, 14,500 to 17,500 victims of human trafficking are brought in each year, most of them women and girls trafficked for sex.

If you would like to attend this meeting, contact Gloria Utley at 672-0508.

CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB The club invites the public to their meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Alberta Way, Concord. The guest speaker is Kelly Hope, son of Dolores and Bob Hope. He will speak about his collection of vintage musical instruments.

For additional information, call Joyce at 672-3850.

ments will be provided.

For more information, call Guity at 672-1095. *** The Baha’is also extend an invitation to a talk and evening of fellowship on Friday, March 7. The subject of the talk is “Understanding the Reality of Man,” with speaker Art Hatley.

The writer and public speaker has received several awards, including 1st Degree Award of Excellence from RAC Association of Executive Business Coaches.

The program starts at 7:30 p.m. with a period of interfaith devotions, followed by Hatley’s presentation at the Toloui residence in Clayton. For more information and directions, call 672-6686.

ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH The church will host two more Wednesday Lenten services, at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 12. All are invited. There will also be opportunity for conversation and fellowship at a 6 p.m. supper on March 12.

This year’s Lenten theme is “Crossroads – Traveling with Our Savior.” The services will be held at the Contra Costa Farm Bureau hall, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord.

For more information, call 524-0295 or visit www.EternalLifeLutheranChurc h.org.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA The group invites all people of faith to the annual World Day of Prayer on Friday, March

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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN The group hosts its second annual Spaghetti Feed fund-raiser, 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Endeavor Hall in downtown Clayton. The event is an opportunity to support Clayton AAUW’s Tech Trek and scholarship programs. Tech Trek Camp gives local middle school girls exposure to stimulating science in a creative and comfortable atmosphere.

AAUW hopes the community will support this positive cause while enjoying a menu of pasta with a choice of sauce, salad, garlic bread, beverage and dessert. Beer and wine will be available for an additional donation.

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 years and free for children under 6. Tickets are limited. Call Mary Ann at 672-4391 or Dee at 672-6379.

Church News

Call or write today for your free Neptune Planner.

Since 1973

Applicants may be judged on completeness of application, extracurricular activities, academic achievement, communication skills, maturity, need, and achievements in a chosen field.

Students should contact their college/career guidance counselor at school to obtain an application. After an application is submitted, students may be required to participate in an interview.

phone (925) 685-8200 fax (925) 685-0633

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The Website www.jonrognerud.com provides a wealth of informative articles,

7, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Registration and fellowship begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the program at 10.

The theme, “God’s Wisdom Provides New Understanding,” will be highlighted by guest speaker Mary Ann McCoy, founder and executive director of Children of Grace, a ministry in Uganda, East Africa, for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Church Women United began in 1941 as a movement of prayer, action and advocacy with women representing seventy denominations. The local unit has been in operation since 1952.

For more information, contact Evelyn Ternstrom at 2794301. Call by Feb. 29 to reserve child care.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

Data backup options available, so pick one already

WILL CLANEY TECH TALK Everyday, hard drives crash from a hardware or software failure, and so will yours. It’s guaranteed and the problem is just going to get worse before it gets better, so you need a plan.

The ever-increasing demand on drive size vs. the cost of the drives, rotational and data access

speeds, data compression and incompatible software and malware (virus, spyware, etc.) makes it virtually impossible to avoid a crash. The only salvation is a backup plan.

If you’re one of those brave souls running your computer without a backup plan, adopt one now. Over the past 10 years, hard drives have increased in capacity from 5MB to 500GB a 10,000 percent increase in density. At the same time, the price per gigabyte (GB) has come down from about $2,500/GB to under $0.35/GB. During that same period, software has “bloated” from simple kilobyte programs to many gigabytes.

More room for errors and more entry points for virus.

A backup plan is important given that all hard drives will die,

most of them prematurely. This shortened lifespan is due to demands on the drive like lower cost and increasing density and

more complicated and buggy software. According to Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, a global hard drive manufacturer, “As hard drive areal density increases, the physical dimensions of the read sensor have

had to be significantly reduced to accommodate the small data bits. The dramatic reduction of read sensor, more that 10x (fold) in 10 years has increased the stress on the read head and created the potential for (hardware) failure.”

Backup plans come in all flavors, from simple USB flash drives to more complicated RAID arrays. Let’s start with the simple USB flash drive. It is thumb-sized, stores about 4 to 16GB of data and is perfect for backing up documents, letters, books and most text with limited graphics. Simply plug it into the USB port, then drag and drop your document files into it.

USB hard drive enclosures are great tools, as well. One takes a hard drive, new or used, and puts it into an enclosure, a

protective shell. The external drive connects to the PC via USB, Firewire or the new eSATA connectors. Depending on the size of your computer’s main drive and the secondary enclosure drive, you could backup the entire drive or portions of it. It is simple, like the flash drive, drag and drop and you’re backed up.

You could invest in a backup program and have backups done periodically, automatically.

Backup software is available in the $20-$50 price range. (See www.shopcusa.com for details on Memeo backup.)

For business owners and power uses, a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks)

array is the way to go. A RAID is just a bunch of inexpensive drives automatically copying data from one drive to the other(s). The RAID array is run by software or hardware. The RAID knows to copy data to the drive or drives assigned to be the backup and it’s done in real time. Backups become a mirror of the original data. If one drive fails, as we know it will, the others are there to support the integrity of the data until the failed drive can be replaced and rebuilt with data.

Will Claney is the CEO of Computers USA! in the Clayton Station. Contact him at 925-6729989.

Bryant, from page 1

Ease your tension with a bit of self-massage Are the kids becoming too much? Are you screaming at your spouse? These could be signs that you need to relax. You know, “take a chill pill.”

Relaxing is not something that comes easily to adults. We think we can’t afford to take the time to relax. But can we really afford not to stop and smell the roses? Yes, something as simple a taking a few minutes to do just that can stop the yelling.

If you find yourself in a situation that has you wanting to yell, pull out your hair or take a swing at somebody, remember your grandmother’s strategy and count to 10. If you find your tension building and want to calm down, tell yourself to “Stop.” Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. As you do, drop your shoulders and relax your hands. Take another deep breath. Let it out slowly. Make sure your teeth aren’t clinched.

Take two small quiet breaths.

Self-massage is another way to help you relax, especially at work. Here’s an example from “The Keep It Simple Series Guide to Massage,” by Claire Maxwell-Hudson: To induce calmness, practice slow, deep abdominal breathing. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Breathe through your nose and allow the abdomen to expand.

Then exhale through the nose, feeling your abdomen sink. The hand on the chest should remain still.

Loosen your collar, if necessary, and mold your hands over your shoulders.

Exhale, letting your head drop back, and slowly draw your fingers down over your collarbones, stroking deep into the muscle to relieve tension.

Place your left hand on your right shoulder by the neck and gently squeeze the

flesh between your palm and fingers. Hold for several seconds, then release. Work along your shoulder and the top of your arm, wherever you feel tautness. Stroke the whole area and repeat on your left shoulder.

Place the fingers of both your hands at the base of your skull, on either side of your spine. Apply slow circular pressure, working down your neck and out across the back of your shoulders.

Support your left elbow with your right hand and firmly drum the fingers of your left hand across your right shoulder blade. Then stroke the whole area to soothe it. Repeat on your left shoulder.

Place both hands on the back of your head, interlacing your fingers. Drop your head forward, allowing the weight of your elbows to

DAVID GODSOE

ALL ABOUT YOU pull your head gently down.

You should fell a stretch down the back of your neck.

To banish any last vestiges of tension, lift your right shoulder and slowly rotate it backward. Repeat with your left shoulder, then rotate both shoulders together, keeping your arms loose and relaxed.

David Godsoe is a licensed esthetician. For questions or comments, call him at 673-0686.

Age matters when it comes to tax time

CAROL KEANE, CPA

TAX TIPS Awareness of how the tax code affects you and your family at different ages is important.

Here are a few examples of agerelated provisions that could

affect you and your dependents: At birth through age 19 and even 24, dependency deduction. Parents can claim a dependency exemption for a child under 19 or for full-time students under the age of 24.

Under 13, child care credit. This provision gives parents a tax credit for dependent care expenses.

Under 17, child tax credit.

If parental adjusted gross income is below a threshold level, parents can claim a child tax credit of $1,000.

Under 18, kiddie tax. This IRS rule requires a child to pay

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the same effective tax rate as their parents for investment income more than $1,700. In 2008, the age limit increases to 19 and to 24 if child is a fulltime student.

At 50, retirement contributions. The government allows extra “catch up” contributions to retirement savings.

This is a helpful provision to encourage savings.

Before age 59½, early withdrawal penalty. Withdrawals from IRAs and qualified retirement plans, with some exceptions, are assessed a 10 percent penalty tax.

At 65, extra standard deduction. Uncle Sam grants an extra standard deduction, but there’s no additional tax benefit if the taxpayer itemizes deductions.

At 70½, mandated IRA withdrawals. The IRS requires minimum distributions from a taxpayer’s IRA beginning at this age. This starts to limit taxdeferral benefits. However, the ruling doesn’t apply to Roth IRAs. Carol Keane is a Certified Public Accountant in Walnut Creek. Email her at carol@carolkeanecpa.com.

training, the team was able to gain technical and tactical knowledge and experience that can be utilized on the road.”

Bryant does not want anyone to be impressed by the award he received. “I was very fortunate,” he explained. “I know too many folks who haven’t been, including our own (Sgt.) Jared Agnetti. He was repeatedly here before me and he was the very first applicant I ever helped recruit.”

Agnetti, 25, also from Clayton, was severely wounded in 2003 after being struck by a sniper bullet while patrolling in the Iraqi city of Hit, in Anbar Province. Airlifted to safety, he underwent multiple surgeries before recovering. Agnetti received the Purple Heart and the city of Clayton proclaimed Nov. 5, 2003, Jared Agnetti Day. “I think it is nice that such a small community has provided so many quality young men and women to this cause,” Bryant said. “Sometimes it is a good thing to remember. I was home for Memorial Day and the people of Clayton have a lot to be

proud of in Jared Agnetti, Clint Emelia, Daniel Gordon, Jeff Matschke, Lauren Bush and Joey Graves. These are only a few of the soldiers from our neighborhood who I have had the honor of knowing and the privilege of serving with.”

“We’re very proud of him,” said Jennifer, Bryant’s ex-wife.

“He’s a good soldier and this is his forte.”

Their children, Danika, a 17-year-old Clayton Valley student, and Arthur, 11, are also proud of their father. “Danika would email him lots of pictures and Arthur emailed him frequently,” explained Jennifer.

She says the family remains close. And while they always worry for his safety, they appreciate the courage that allows him to do his job well.

Bryant returned to the United States on Feb. 10.

“While the people still live without regularly working water, plumbing or electricity,” Bryant added, “there is a truly fundamental change there. We should be proud of what we have done (in Iraq) and what we continue to do.”

Mayor, from page 1 note everything that is prohibited. A great many things are “common sense,” but I am beginning to believe “common sense” is not as common as it used to be.

Skateboarding and bicycling are not allowed because, with the high number of small children, there is a great potential for accidents. Parents are financially responsible for the actions of their children. People should know they should not run over the plants, tear up the grass and throw mulch around.

This is your park, paid for and maintained with your money and if you believe the public behavior of others is detrimental to the park’s wellbeing, you should address the issue with those doing the damage. I am not trying to develop a corp of town scolds, but a paid park patrol would cost money and take some of the joy out of a visit to the park. I hope it does not take police presence to allow a pleasant experience.

In addition to people wanting me to reprimand park “offenders” while I am visiting the park, others express concern about the statuary. A number of people believe children playing on the “Circle of Peace” statue will break or in some way damage the piece. They also believe playing on the statuary is dangerous. I guess anything you do can be dangerous.

I have seen so many children on the statue that you could not see the statue, yet I don’t think

playing on the piece will break it. People also point out scratches and places where the metal is worn. These will be part of the patina with time.

When I was growing up in Illinois, there was a park that had a full-size World War II tank. It was great fun to play on.

My friends and I could spend all day on that thing and never tire of it. None of us ever got hurt, even though we had to really work at getting up on it. I was back there a few years ago and noted there was an 8-foot high iron fence around the tank. I don’t think the fence would have stopped us, but it did detract from the piece.

I don’t want to see a fence around our statue. For all of you who play in the park and on the statue, have fun but be careful.

I had hoped in this article to talk about more changes downtown. I guess I am too fixated on the park, so I will get into the new retail addition across from Endeavor Hall, the planned retail in the old city hall space and changes to the Town Center Plan in my next column.

I will note that the Village Market is once again open and doing a brisk business with park patrons. I also have seen some people take their meal from Ed’s and go over to the park to eat. I hope to see more of that in the future and maybe delivery from Skip’s to the park.

You can email me at claytonmayor2008@comcast.net.

February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Sitters learn tricks of the trade NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

Four new local babysitters participated in the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA training seminar on Feb. 10 at the Clayton Community Gym. Instructor Katie Cook, a YMCA gym attendant, has been leading the class for six months utilizing the American Red Cross “Babysitter’s Training Handbook,” video segments and games. The class runs four hours and is available for ages 11-16.

“It is a long day,” said Cook, “but there is a lot of valuable information packed in there.”

The class teaches babysitting skills, including feeding, diapering, playing with and caring for children. “It has really helped me, too,” Cook said regarding her own babysitting career. She points out an extensive list of safety elements and appropriate toys for each age group.

Matthew Capella, 13, of Concord has experience sitting for his 9-year-old brother. He found it valuable to be trained to take care of younger children and what to do in an emergency.

He noted that participants receive a YMCA Certificate of

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Kimber Searle, Ariana Moghbel, Kyra Ortiz, and Matthew Capella open their “babysitting school briefcase” containing a First Aid kit, flashlight, emergency numbers form, family interview forms, safety checklist and American Red Cross’ “Babysitter’s Training Handbook”.

Completion. “Being certified is always a good thing.”

At 11, Kyra Ortiz of Clayton is one of the youngest participants and does not have babysitting experience yet. She will probably first approach neighbors with her Certificate of Completion.

Like Matthew, Ariana Moghbel, 12, of Clayton has cared for her 9-year-old sister.

She learned the most from the video and handbook teaching

on infant care. “It shows how to feed the babies and burp them and pick them up and hold them (cradle hold),” she said.

“We also learned how to solve problems.”

Cook uses a diagram of the decision-making process, which the participants apply to a visual safety game called “What to Look for.” For example, too many electric cords plugged into one outlet, overflowing papers in the trash near a heat

source and a plugged-in hair dryer in the sink are all potential sources of danger the babysitters learn to recognize.

Kimber Searle, 11, of Concord has babysat for her little brother, 3, and cousins ages 3-5. “The hardest thing is all the squirming during diaper changing,” Searle reflected, “but my little brother doesn’t wear diapers anymore so that’s one good thing.”

Each participant receives a babysitter’s briefcase, which includes a safety checklist, family interview form, first aid kit, flashlight and emergency information list. “The family interview form has questions which help to get to know the family before you are ever left alone,” said Cook.

Participants also get an overview of child CPR basics and are taught “Check, Call, Care” in case of emergency.

First, check the scene, then call for help and take care of the child until help arrives. “In our area, call 911 or poison control,” said Cook. “Do not hang up; stay on the phone until help arrives.”

For more information or to register for classes, call 889-1600 or visit mdrymca.org.

Information is power, especially when it comes to disaster preparedness

Tues. - Sat.: 10-5 Sun.: 11-4

Page 19

There have been a host of new shows, like “Survivorman” and “Seconds to Disaster,” on educational and science channels.

I like these shows if for no other reason than to provide information on disasters and surviving challenging situations – and they’re somewhat entertaining.

The Internet is another good resource for disaster safety information. When surfing the net or doing searches, you’ll typically find government Websites along with a lot of non-profit sites.

Most are helpful, but it’s hard to determine where to start. I recently did a couple of quick Google searches for “disaster safety” and “disaster supplies” and came up with nearly 90,000 results. Whoa! Even for a tech geek like me, going through 90,000 results is a bit much.

So I came up with a short list of sites to help you avoid the angst I had. While looking at the results of my search, I realized there are federal, regional, state and local government sites.

These sites are chock full of information and can be somewhat cumbersome to navigate. I also found a couple of great resources for kids on disasterrelated topics. If you have a family, those two kid resources will help make learning and getting prepared for a disaster more interesting and fun to do as a family. Plus, it will get your entire family involved and better prepared to deal with a disaster both physically and emotionally.

Then there are non-profit sites, and the ones listed here have great information. Usually these are more user-friendly and easier to navigate. When visiting these sites, you’ll find links to the government sites.

There are also stores that provide information – while hoping to sell you disaster safety supplies. These retailers are a great resource to begin putting together your disaster preparedness kit or plan. (I do not guarantee the level of service, quality of product or reputation of the retailers listed here.)

My short list will get you going. You’ll probably enjoy the

DISASTER PREP INFO Government sites: www.nsc.org www.redcross.org www.disastercenter.org www.redcross.org/disaster/ www.aap.org/terrorism safety/guide www.contracostacert.org www.fema.gov www.claytoncert.com www.fema.gov/areyouready Retailers: www.fema.gov/kids www.emergency.cdc.gov www.disastersafety.org www.oes.ca.gov www.quakekare.com www.ready.gov www.zeemedical.com www.citizencorps.gov/cert www.weather.com www.disasterstuff.com Non-profit sites: www.survivalsupplys.com www.thesafetylibrary.com www.emergencyanddisaswww.flash.org tersupplies.com www.homesafetycouncil.org www.beprepared.com sites and will quickly learn that there are endless links and places you can visit.

This list is just a starting point for you to get to information more quickly. Don’t be shy; click to your heart’s delight on any interesting links or information tabs you see when surfing. You may learn more than you expected.

When you visit these sites, it’s important to print out the information they provide and save it for later. You probably won’t have Internet access during a disaster or emergency. I have a binder full of information so if a disaster were to hit, we could pull out the binder and have a little light reading.

Just remember, if there is a disaster, you should be prepared to be on your own for 7-10 days without any significant help from the fire, police or other government agencies. Right now is the time to prepare.

For more information or if you would like to become a Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) member, visit www.claytoncert.com or call 673-7355 for details on upcoming classes in Clayton.

Harun Simbirdi is a member of the City of Clayton Citizen Corp Council, part of the CERT Team, and a resident of Clayton. He can be reached at simbirdi@yahoo.com or call 570-1324.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

While it’s raining outside, get a great deal on the inside

Tardy policy keeps focus on classwork Five, maybe 10 minutes after the final bell has rung, some obnoxious girl waltzes into class with a smug look on her face and a Starbuck’s coffee in her hand. We all look up as she slams the door behind her and proceeds to take another three minutes to get settled into her desk.

The teacher, who was rudely interrupted, has to go back to his or her desk to give the late student a worksheet that was passed out at the beginning of class. My thought process, as well as that of my classmates, has been disrupted. All in all, three to five minutes have been wasted.

Clayton Valley recently adopted a tardy policy that has zero tolerance for inconsiderate people. As soon as the last bell rings, students must go to the multi-use room to get a

pass to go back to class. Some classroom doors are even locked. Once a student has a pass, they are allowed to go back to class and the attendance is adjusted.

Many of my peers instantly expressed their dissatisfaction.

However, I don’t understand why students wouldn’t support the new policy. The only people who should have a problem with this are the students who are perpetually late. And from my observation, that’s only a small portion of the population.

Unfortunately, it only takes one person per class to cause a problem, which is why the harsh tardy policy is appropriate. My only regret is that it wasn’t established sooner.

I understand that there are legitimate excuses as to why some people can be late.

Sometimes it might even seem illogical to send a student to the multi-use room to wait in a 10-

MICHELLE TROSCLAIR

STUDENT REPORTER minute line to get a pass when they were only a few minutes late in the first place. In my opinion, however, it’s even more illogical to allow one student, even if he or she were late by 30 seconds, to come in because it disrupts the entire

class.

Either way, why should I be penalized because someone else had car trouble or woke up late? I don’t mean to be insensitive, but that really isn’t my problem. And when I’m late one day, I will be more than happy to walk half way across the school to the multi-use room.

During the days after the policy was implemented, there was an immense student response. In all of my afternoon classes, there was literally only one late student. Clearly, students respond to a little tough love. And at least that girl with the Starbuck’s coffee had a red pass in her hand, too.

Michelle Trosclair is a junior at CVHS and is a contributing writer for the Life In Perspective series for the Contra Costa Times.

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School News DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL On Mardi Gras, Feb. 5, the spirit of New Orleans was alive and well in Madame Chang’s French class at Diablo View. To prepare for the celebration, Madame Comeaux, the library media teacher, shared some fond memories of her experiences as a native of New Orleans. For example, her young son would perch on top of

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The school is accepting applications for cabin leaders and chaperones to join the annual 5th-grade outdoor education camping trip.

This year, the students are going to Sly Park at Pollock Pines. High school students (must be 17 by April 2008) can receive an application by emailing marydm64@yahoo.com or by calling 672-4840.

DIABLO VIEW FRENCH STUDENTS SHOW THEIR REMARKABLE MARDIS GRAS CREATIONS. From top to bottom row, Amanda Calimlim, Most Original; Demi Diquattro, Most Outstanding; Jennifer Mikkelson, Most Attractive; Graham Pimm, Most Humorous; and Ellie Robley, Most Creative.

a short ladder with a fish net to catch the most desirable throws tossed from the floats, including handmade bean bags, Rubik’s cubes and oversized sunglasses.

For nine years, Comeaux has provided bead necklaces for students from her vast collection. She also talks about the history, symbols and festivities involved in this celebration, which takes place the day before Lent – the Christian period of sacrifice leading to Easter Sunday.

On Mardi Gras day, Comeaux pretends that she is a “krewe” member on a float and throws bead necklaces to the students as they call out the chant of the day: “Throw me something, Mister” (even though she is a woman).

Afterward, students display their masks in a Parade of Masks judged by school staff. Then everyone looks forward to getting a piece of king cake to see if they have the hidden trinket.

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ALL-SCHOOL EVENTS Mark your calendar for the annual Area Band Festivals, featuring musicians in grades 4-12.

Wednesday, March 5: Clayton Valley High School, Pine Hollow Middle School, Highlands and Ayers elementary schools.

Thursday, March 6: Clayton Valley High School, Diablo View Middle School, Silverwood and Mt. Diablo elementary schools.

Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m. in the CVHS gymnasium, 1101 Alberta Way. *** The annual Orchestra Festival will be held Wednesday, March 19, at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. It will feature Northgate and Clayton Valley high schools; Pine Hollow, Diablo View and Foothill middle schools; and Clayton/Walnut Creek area elementary schools. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium, 425 Castle Rock Road.

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CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL The Parent Faculty Club has begun planning for its 3rd annual Fiesta De Mayo, a Benefit for Technology. This dinner/silent auction fund-raiser will be May 2. Planning meetings are set for Feb. 27 and March 11 at 7 p.m. in the school library, 1101 Alberta Way. If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, donating goods or services for the auction, or would like to assist in other ways, contact Dianna Sutherland at 672-9392. *** The school’s bands and orchestra will host an old-time Spaghetti Feed starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in the school multi-use room, 1101 Alberta Way. Tickets are $12. The event will include a silent auction.

Meanwhile, the bands and orchestra will travel to Southern California March 7-9 to perform in the Heritage Music Festival.

They are entered in four categories: Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, String Orchestra and Full (Symphony) Orchestra.

This year, the bands will play mostly contemporary literature, including David Gillingham’s “Council Oak,” an homage to the Seminole tribe of Florida, and Jack Stamp’s “Fanfare for a New Era.” In the jazz category, the feature selection is “Samba Mozart,” written by CSU-EB retired jazz professor Dave Eshelman. It will include soloists Hannah Dehghan and Nick Perona.

The string orchestra is also performing new arrangements, including Grundman’s “An Irish Rhapsody” and Soon Hee Newbold’s “Fantasia Espanola.” In the full orchestra category, the literature is more traditional, including “Scene de Ballet,” from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” and “Selections from Faust.”

Last year, the bands earned top honors at the Heritage Music Festival in Seattle, while the orchestra traveled to Colonial Williamsburg for the Fiesta-Val Music Festival, earning top honors in the orchestra division.

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(925) 524-0011 6201 CENTER ST. CLAYTON The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist

Clayton’s own

Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer For bookings and performances:

Visit our Website www.jhudak.com E-mail jimmydak@pacbell.net Piano CD’s available on his Brainstorm Records label

Call Or Write:

Brainstorm Records P.O. Box 488 Clayton, CA 94517 (925) 673-7293

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February 22, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 21

Flowering quince a show-stopper this time of year evergreen gray foliage would help disguise the winter stems and add contrast to the green spring and summer leaf. Plus, the summer bloom will extend your flower season.

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL Late February through March is about the time that some of the most dramatic flowering shrubs show off their stuff with a blast of blossoms. These lovely displays are made possible by the lack of leaves; no leaf means you only see the flower.

Flowering quince is often the over-looked can in the shrub aisle, until late winter, when – boom – blossoms everywhere. Every year on the corner of El Molino and Marsh Creek and along the fence line at Easley Ranch, a bright salmon-red bloom catchers the eyes of passers by.

This shrub is Chaenomeles, commonly called flowering quince.

Chaenomeles is an Eastern Asian shrub with many great attributes that any Clayton Valley gardener can easily enjoy. This late winter bloomer will add sunshine to sunny hillsides and large garden areas.

Flowering quince will take center stage in your landscape after most of the winter’s cold, when a gardener needs some bloom the most. Then as spring brings on new perennial interest, flowering quince fades quietly into the background, forgotten until the next year.

Photo by Jeffrey Friedl

FLOWERING QUINCE

EASY TO MANAGE Flowering quince is a tough, versatile shrub that tolerates full sun, has low water needs and ultimately becomes self-sufficient. With proper installation, it’s extremely disease-hardy and long-lived.

Eventually, the flowering quince will yield a hard, applelike fruit. Some plants fruit sooner than others; some never get around to it. The fruit is hard and inedible raw, so you are installing Chaenomeles for the flower, not the fruit.

Texas Scarlet is one of the showy quinces. This beauty has fiery red apple blossomlike flowers that line the reddish twigs. Texas Scarlet’s masculine frame will make a strong statement in an extreme landscape condition. It is built to last and makes a great com-

panion for other wonderful hardy shrubs.

Texas Scarlet will reach 3 feet tall and more than 5 feet wide. It has many woody stems and toothpick-sized thorns, so consider these features when planting.

The hopseed shrub Dondonea would make a wonderful backdrop for the Texas Scarlet. Hopseeds are the columnar-shaped evergreens that have that brilliant bronze coloring on their basilshaped leaves during the winter. Julia Phelps Ceanothus could also be used as a back layer to the flowering quince.

Ceanothus is a dark-green leafed evergreen shrub with clusters of lilac-like blossoms in shades of deep to light blue.

Julia Phelps can reach 5-6 feet tall and wide.

Goodwin Creek lavender

would make an interesting front layer to the quince. The

BOUNTIFUL COLORS Toyo Nishiki is an interesting flowering quince. Its blossom color varies, including shades of pink, white and red all within the same blossom.

The Toyo Nishiki grows larger than the Texas Scarlet, reaching eventual heights of 8 feet tall and wide. Combine Toyo with Crimson Pigmy Barberry, Coral Carpet Roses, Blue Hibiscus and Golden Sunset Breath of Heaven. This combination would be a real hill full of thrills.

Nivalis is a pure white selection of flowering quince.

This variety has glossy green leaves and is another robust grower, reaching heights of 8 by 8 feet. White is a wonderful addition to the garden,

because it continues to make a statement long after the sun has set.

Yankee Point Ceanothus would make a nice companion, reaching 8 feet tall and wide.

The dark clusters of flowers would mix gracefully with the crabapple. Leptospermum Crimson Glory also would blend with the quince. The red foliage and small dark pink blossom would appease the pastel gardener.

Chaenomeles makes a great cut flower and has been used to celebrate Chinese New Year for thousands of years. Cut branches at the first sign of bud for a structural floral statement.

Install unique shrubs each year when they bloom. You’ll be glad you did.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com

Movie Reviews

Sorting through the best of this year’s Oscar nominees

JIM BRIGGS

AT

THE

MOVIES

Thanks to the writer strike finally ending, Jon Stewart will host the 80th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 24. While there are many strong nominees, the ceremony wouldn’t be the same without some head-scratching surprises and baffling omissions.

BEST PICTURE In the best picture category, the nominees are “Atonement,” “Juno,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood.”

This is an unusual year, because I think all five films deserve their nomination.

Who will win?

“Atonement,” a period film based on beloved literature (that isn’t Austen), is tailormade for this award. It wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, but at least it isn’t “Crash.” Who should win? “No Country For Old Men” is a crowning achievement from the already accomplished Coen brothers.

Surprises: “Juno” doesn’t have a shot, but it’s nice to see it up there. It’s also refreshing to see “There Will Be Blood” getting so much attention. Snubs: “Away From Her” came out too early. I guess everyone forgot about it.

BEST ACTOR Nominated for best actor are George Clooney (“Michael Clayton”), Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”), Johnny Depp (“Sweeney Todd”), Tommy Lee Jones (“In the Valley of Elah”) and Viggo Mortensen (“Eastern Promises”). Who will and should win? Day-Lewis is a shoo-in. Viggo was superb as a Russian mobster in “Eastern Promises,” but this isn’t his year. Surprises: Depp? Best actor? Really? Snubs: Josh Brolin from “No Country For Old Men.”

BEST ACTRESS Nominated for best actress are Cate Blanchett (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age”), Julie Christie (“Away from Her”), Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), Laura Linney (“The Savages”) and Ellen Page (“Juno”). Who will and should win? Christie. Contrary to DayLewis, Christie gives a quiet performance that is just as effective. Surprises: Blanchett is nominated for a turkey even she couldn’t save. Snubs:

picture winners based on novels often take this award as well.

Who should win? Harwood’s “The Diving Bell & The Butterfly” is about a man who can only communicate by blinking. Somehow, he executed this beautifully. Let’s just forget that he also adapted “Love in the Time of Cholera.”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Nominated for best original screenplay are Diablo Cody (“Juno”), Nancy Oliver (“Lars

Adapted from Ian McEwan’s best-selling 2002 novel, “Atonement,” starring Kiera Knightley and Robbie Turner, is tailor-made for Best Picture in which unbridled passion compels a young girl to commit a devastating act of betrayal.

Naomi Watts in “Eastern Promises” and Keri Russell in “Waitress.”

BEST DIRECTOR Nominated for best director are Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Jason Reitman (“Juno”), Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”), Joel and Ethan Coen (“No Country for Old Men”) and Paul Thomas Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”). Who will and should win? I can see it going to the Coens or Anderson. Both deserve it, but I think it’s going to be the Coens year. Snubs: David Fincher for “Zodiac.” Why did this film come out in March?

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Up for best adapted screenplay are Christopher Hampton (“Atonement”), Sarah Polley (“Away from Her”), Ronald Harwood (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), the Coens (“No Country for Old Men”) and Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”). Who will win?

Hampton’s “Atonement.” Best

and the Real Girl”), Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”), Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco (“Ratatouille”) and Tamara Jenkins (“The Savages”). Who will win? I think Cody’s “Juno” will surprise us. Who should win?

Gilroy’s “Michael Clayton” is the result of letting a smart writer have free reign over a project, but I’ll be just as pleased if it goes to “Juno.”

BEST FOREIGN FILM In the foreign film category, I was surprised by the snub of “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” but I was thrilled that Glen Hansard’s beautiful song “Falling Slowly” from “Once” was nominated for best original song. It’s a well-deserved nomination, and it would be a welldeserved win.

Enjoy the ceremony!

Jim is a music teacher and freelance musician. He has a B.A. in Jazz Composition from the Berklee College of Music and currently teaches the drumline at Clayton Valley High School.

Page 22

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

February 22, 2008

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Simply Spectacular “Doral” Model! 4 bedrooms plus a downstairs den & huge Upstairs loft with custom built-in cabinets including computer workstation, 3 full baths, approx. 2,854sf, roomy inside laundry & 2 car garage with extensive built-in cabinets/storage & workbench. Convenient bedroom & full bath downstairs.

Chef’s dream kitchen boasts Slab granite counters & island, commercial grade stainless steel “Viking & Bosch” appliances including: built-in refrigerator, maple cabinets with upgraded doors & hardware & island display cabinet with frosted doors, large pantry & eating nook. Spacious family room offers a cozy upgraded travertine fireplace & media nooks. Living & dining room features soaring ceiling & elaborate custom window treatment including “Silhouettes”. Gorgeous master suite with view of surrounding hills. Master bath offers upgraded tile floors, curved vanity with dual sinks, oversized tub & separate stall shower & 2 walk-in closets! Professionally landscaped lot with large lawn/side yard, cozy patio & separate play area.$749,000

Concord Rancher!

3 bedroom, 2 baths, approx 1,106sf, and 2 car garage.

Spacious living room features brick fireplace with slider to covered patio.

Kitchen offers cozy eating nook. Huge pool size lot offers large sideyard.

Property has lots of potential. Great starter home.

NG I D PEN

$404,900 CONCORD!

Fixer/Contractor Special! on a huge approx. .31 acre lot with RV parking! 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, approx.

2,351sf, 2 fireplaces, inside laundry & an expanded detached 2 car garage. Large living room with marble tile floors & custom built-in cabinetry. Family room with fireplace. Master suite offers a fireplace & master bath with tile floor & oversized tub surround. Endless possibilities. Centrally located near shopping & transportation. $449,000

DANA HILLS!

Absolutely Adorable & Highly Desirable Single Story! situated near the top of Dana Hills with great views of Mt. Diablo! 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx 2,078 sf, inside laundry and 3 car garage. Large living room with spectacular views of Mount Diablo.

Updated kitchen offers upgraded Corian Counters with undermount double sink with upgraded faucet, newer appliances & cozy eating area with Butler’s pantry. Large family room with brick fireplace, wet bar & slider to backyard. Spacious master bedroom. Large lot features a front courtyard with observation deck offering spectacular Mt. Diablo views and totally private backyard with towering redwoods, patio, lawn area & in-ground spa with Pergola cover & built-in bench. Close to greenbelt with miles of walking trails!

$639,000 PLEASANT HILL!

Tres Lagos! WOW! Really Priced to Sell! 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,365sf, inside laundry plus a one car attached garage & one carport space.

Gorgeously upgraded/updated! Vinyl dual pane windows, custom mouldings, new doors, light fixtures, updated baths & decorator paint! Living room with soaring ceiling & brick fireplace. Formal dining room with upgraded chandelier & slider to patio.

Serene setting with views of greenbelt & private back patio. $449,000

Mortgage Market Update Conforming $417,000 or less

Jumbo $417,001 and up

30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .6.125% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . . .6.25% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.5% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.0%

30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .6.125% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . . .6.75% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.125% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.0%

Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS 2 Regency Dr 7 Mount Lee Pl 31 Mount Shasta Pl 1782 Indian Wells Wy 3603 Coyote Cir 151 Mountaire Pkwy 602 Golden Eagle Wy 28 Westbrook Ct 1238 Buckeye Terrace 10 Mt. Hamilton Ct 1160 Torrey Pines Pl 417 Chupcan Pl 717 Acorn Dr 793 Bloching Circle 1167 Shell Lane 1390 Shell Lane 7 El Portal Dr 205 El Pueblo Pl 3405 Coyote Circle 27 London Ct 209 Mountaire Cir 54 Karkin Pl 14 Mount Lee Pl 628 Julpun Loop 10 Mt McKinley Ct 1378 Shell Lane 106 Forest Hill Drive 4297 Morgan Territory Rd 8 Whitt Ct 180 Mountaire Parkway 332 Saclan Terrace 13 Atchinson Stage Ct 407 Grenache Circle 25 Clark Creek Circle 1203 Buckeye Terrace 48 Marquette Ct 1125 Peacock Creek Dr 1801 Yolanda Circle 3021 Windmill Canyon Dr 1469 Indianhead Circle

PRICE $675,000 $590,000 $590,000 $450,000 $395,000 $575,000 $700,000 $534,950 $585,000 $515,000 $1,040,000 $515,000 $995,000 $650,000 $519,000 $508,000 $610,000 $735,000 $420,000 $715,000 $712,000 $560,000 $775,000 $465,000 $800,000 $501,500 $1,085,000 $925,000 $835,000 $600,000 $613,000 $650,000 $790,000 $435,000 $590,000 $593,800 $895,000 $865,000 $620,000 $555,000

SALE DATE

SF

BED/BATH

02/08/09 02/06/08 02/01/08 01/31/08 01/31/08 01/31/08 01/31/08 01/31/08 01/30/08 01/25/08 01/15/08 12/31/07 12/21/07 12/21/07 12/20/07 12/19/07 12/12/07 12/11/07 12/11/07 12/7/07 11/16/07 11/15/07 11/6/07 11/5/07 11/1/07 10/30/07 10/29/07 10/26/07 10/26/07 10/24/07 10/23/07 10/12/07 10/5/07 10/5/07 10/2/07 9/28/07 9/25/07 9/24/07 9/13/07 9/11/07

2324 2177 1740 1235 1252 2448 2854 1940 1710 1740 3308 1749 3079 2325 1709 1430 1895 2390 1252 2324 2171 1904 2481 1235 2566 1430 4076 1995 2600 1858 1904 1926 2052 1457 1639 1471 3030 3533 2143 1366

4/2.5 4/2.5 4/2 2/2 2/2.5 4/2.5 4/3 4/2 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 5/2.5 3/3 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 2/2.5 4/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 5/3 2/2 5/3 3/2.5 5/3.5 3/2 5/3 4/2 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 4/3 5/4 3/2.5 2/2.5