Jan 25 Clayton Pioneer 2008

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January 25, 2008

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Claytonians flock to Grove opening TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

The town took a glorious walk in the park last week when the long-awaited Grove opened under sunshine and blue skies.

The merciful break in the weather brought out hundreds of Claytonians and their kids and dogs to try out the state-ofthe-art play structure, splash around (despite the chill in the air) in the water feature, picnic at the game tables and play “Ring Around the Rosy” with the seven bronze children in Gary Lee Price’s “Circle of Freedom” statue at the southeast corner of the park.

Vice Mayor Julie Pierce led the dedication ceremonies, in Mayor Gregg Manning’s absence. Manning had knee replacement surgery two days before and, despite his optimistic prediction that he would be at the opening, he was instead at home with an ice pack.

Standing on the steps of the

GREGG MANNING

MAYOR’S CORNER

Best laid plans require patience I guess, I will never learn.

Over and over, I tell myself not to predict events about which I have little control. A case in point was my prediction in the last issue that in spite of having a total knee replacement at John Muir Medical Center on Jan. 10, I would be at the opening of the new downtown park on the 12th. Those of you who were there know that I was not.

I lost all control of events when I was prepared for the operating room and they gave me the sedative. When I awoke in recovery, I was unable to leave since I had only one operating leg and no clothes. John Muir is a fantastic hospital, but like most hospitals serving areas like ours, they need more rooms.

I got a room and was content but in no condition to leave.

Hospitals across the nation have not kept pace with the medical needs and desires of the approaching wave of baby boomers. But that is another story for another time.

It was best for all concerned that I did not attempt an appearance. The lesson learned is to be prepared and know your limits.

In the Bay Area, we are always being told to be prepared for the big earthquake – which could happen at any time. Few of us are prepared, but some are more prepared than others. Some 60 Clayton residents have taken the city’s CERT course. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Training.

The city will be giving the next CERT course starting April 14. An application can be downloaded at www.cityofclayton.org.

The application asks for some

See Mayor, page 4

What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 Classified Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Minding Your Business . . . . . .8 Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Look Good, Feel Good . . . . . .9 Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-14 Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . .15 Community Calendar . . . . . .16 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . . . .17 For the Books . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . .18 Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Sharing History . . . . . . . . . . .20 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . .20 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Photo by Sue Elliot

HUNDREDS OF HAPPY CLAYTONIANS turned out for the opening of The Grove, the new one acre park downtown.

See Park, page 2

Five months after fire, homes still await repairs Black Diamond residents seeking input from board TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

It has been more than five months since Diane Massoni’s duet home at 406 Chupcan Place went up in flames. The fast-moving fire also severely damaged the unit next door at 404, owned by Grace Maes. Five months and nothing has been done to repair

or rebuild the homes.

The burned and boarded-up eyesore stands shrouded in blue tarps, while the two homeowners are living in rented quarters and watching the insurance money allowed for living expenses dwindle down to nothing.

Massoni, Maes and their neighbors in the Black Diamond development want some action from the Christison Co., the property management company hired by the Black Diamond Homeowners Association (BDHOA) to manage the subdivision.

More than 50 irate homeowners packed the hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church Jan 16 for a BDHOA board meeting.

Homeowner Ann Vestal presented Christison Co. representatives with a petition signed by 197 of the 205 Black Diamond homeowners. The petition expresses support and concern for Massoni and Maes and calls into question the competence and professionalism of the management company.

Steve Martin, the Christison

See Chupcan, page 4

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

BLACK DIAMOND HOMEOWNERS blame the management company for inaction in rebuilding this Chupcan Place duet damaged by a fire on Aug. 7.

Nwakuche wins bid for Oak St. building Concerts, Flora Square developer needs to act quickly with new plan TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

The City Council has approved a developer and a project in concept for the two city-owned parcels on Oak

Street that are now occupied by PERMCO Engineering and Clayton Mind and Body.

Two retail/residential proposals were submitted for consideration at the Jan. 15 council meeting. They selected a proposal by Uzoma Nwakuche for a two-story building with retail on the ground floor and residential rental units upstairs.

Nwakuche is the developer of Flora Square at the corner of Oak and Center Street.

His new plan beat out a three-story building with two-

story condo units over ground floor retail submitted by Rick Angrisani, owner of PERMCO Engineering. Angrisani contracts with the city of Clayton to provide engineering services.

Nwakuche has offered the city $675,000 for the two parcels, which run parallel to the creek along Oak Street across from Flora Square.

TIMING IS CRUCIAL Nwakuche will be racing against the clock in obtaining building permits for the project.

The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is proposing some new regulations that could require a setback from the creek bank of 100-200 feet. The width of the two parcels between the creek and the street range from 75 feet at the northern edge to 140 feet at the southern. A 100-foot setback requirement would essentially render the land useless for development, says City Manager Gary Napper.

See Oak Street, page 6

Rendering courtesy of Bob Staehle

NWAKUCHE’S OAK STREET BUILDING will add more than 15,000 square feet of retail space to Town Center.

economic study for Town Center TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Toot the horn, beat the drum, a concert series is coming to town.

The City Council agreed at the Jan. 16 meeting to match the CBCA’s $10,000 donation to fund a summer concert series in the Grove. A total of $20,000 will be available to finance either nine or twelve Saturday evening performances, depending on who is selected to manage the events, says CBCA’s Howard Geller.

Geller has proposed two scenarios: one, a 12 show series that he volunteers to manage at least for the first season. The other would be a nine concert series that would be professionally booked and managed.

Either series would include a variety of music styles, including light rock, jazz and classical.

See Concerts, page 7

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Park, from page 1

January 25, 2008

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was putting the statue together, he decided to leave the hole for people to close.

“I hope the piece continues to bring everyone together as it does today,” said Price, who came from Utah for the dedication and was impressed with the community support and enthusiasm for the new park. “It was a magical day,” he said.

Also on hand for the celebration were members of the original citizens’ Park Design Committee, which included David Shuey, John Roskelley, Ed Hartley, Bob and Eldora Hoyer, Kent Ipsen, Glenn Miller, Melinda Moore, Ray Vignola and Mike Zeidler.

The park stands on what was

once a dense eucalyptus grove.

For many years, the Fourth of July celebration took place in the grove where local food vendors set up barbecues with chicken and hot dogs as the kids dragged the Main in their Big Wheels.

The city bought the land in 1999 for $500,000, using Redevelopment Agency funds.

Sadly, the trees were diseased and began to fall, creating a safety hazard and raising serious liability issues. The city was forced to cut the trees down.

aside for commercial development and the rest for a park.

According to former council member Pete Laurence, the combined use was not a popular idea. The citizens wanted the entire parcel dedicated as parkland.

In 2002, the nine-member design committee went to work on ideas for a city park. In 2004, the City Council approved a final design.

However, it would be two more years before voters approved operating and maintenance funding for the park.

Finally in November 2006, the park maintenance issue passed with a resounding 70 percent voter approval. The

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gazebo grandstand, Pierce waved to the crowd with a big smile. “It’s as beautiful as anyone could have imagined,” she said. She then accepted a check for $35,200 from Mike Fossan, representing the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA), which paid for the gazebo.

Also presenting a donation to the park was Jack Maguire of Endashiian Co., developers of the new Longs Drugs on Center Street. Maguire gave Pierce the first of 10 annual $10,000 payments made as a gift to the park.

READY FOR PLAY After much handshaking and

a few pictures, the countdown began and the ribbons to the gazebo and all the park features were cut, much to the delight of the impatient crowd.

Gracing the Marsh Creek/Center Street corner of the park is Price’s sculpture, which will likely become the signature feature of the Grove. In the “Circle of Freedom,” seven life-size bronze children join hands in “Ring Around the Rosie.” The circle is broken, however, leaving a space for an eighth child to close it.

“Serendipity” is how Price described the opening in the statue. The sculpture was originally designed as one solid circle but built in two pieces. As he

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PARK VS. DEVELOPMENT The council began to explore a combined use for the acre with 30 or 40 percent set

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construction was awarded to JFC Construction in March 2007. With the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2007, construction began and after several delays, the park was finally complete last week.

Pictured clockwise from top left: 1. Council members Hank Stratford, Julie Pierce, Bill Walcutt and Dave Shuey prepare to cut the ribbon on the gazebo; 2. “Waste not, want not” – Jordan Aszklar puts one of the bows from the ribbon cutting to good use; 3. Clayton Mahloch, 5, is poised for maybe his millionth trip down the slide. “It’s really cool,” was his considered opinion; 4. Artist Gary Lee Price hoped that kids would connect with the Circle of Freedom. Looks like he was right; 5.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” thinks Jersey, the bulldog, as he stops for a wet one at the dog fountain; 6.

Chilly day? Not chilly enough to discourage Garret Hellstrom, 4, and Daniel Sanna, 2, from splashing around in the water feature; 7. Sheri Laurence, City Manager Gary Napper, Design Committee Member Bob Hoyer and artist Gary Lee Price soak up some sunshine. Photos on this page by Tamara Steiner.

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A special thank you goes to Sue Elliott for sending us the great park photo we used on the front page.

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Page 3

Around Town Cardinet photo to hang in City Hall

The family of George Cardinet, Jr., presented the Council with a photograph of the famous Claytonian at the Council meeting, Jan. 16 The

photo will hang in City Hall.

Cardinet, who died in Mexico last year while visiting friends, was the founder of the California Horsemen’s

A full evening of music as students perform

Association and a tireless crusader for riding and hiking trails in California and across the nation. He was also the son of the founder of the Cardinet Candy Company.

Shown here with Vice Mayor Julie Pierce are Cardinet’s daughters Michele “Pinky” Tomasulo and Maureen Casteel and son George Cardinet III. Michele and Maureen both live in Concord. George, a retired veterinarian, lives in Winters.

After the presentation the family joined Pete and Sheri Laurence for dinner at Moresi’s Chophouse.

Photo: Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Young Scouts take old-fashioned trip NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

Tiger Cubs Pack 262 of Clayton visited the Clayton Historical Museum to earn a “Go See It” bead. The mostly first-grade boys from Mt. Diablo Elementary began the tour in the front room of what was the original Joel Clayton house, going over museum rules and some basic definitions with curator Mary Spryer.

Upon questioning, one Tiger Cub’s kindergarten brother raised his hand in admission that he is “sometimes not responsible.” He promised not to touch anything on this day, “because he is a Scout.”

Spryer had the boys guess how a white lidded pan in the upstairs bedroom might have been used, filling the room with “ewws” upon learning the pur-

pose of a chamber pot. The pack was intrigued with a modern reference to the famous novels of Harry Potter and his

“room under the stairs.” The boys were incredulous that it would be possible to live in such

See Scouts, page 4

Nicci Shipstead/Clayton Pioneer

TIGER CUB PACK 262 OF CLAYTON participates round-robin style on vintage equipment at the Clayton Historical Museum. Pictured from foreground left to right are Andre Buckman, Connor Barnes, Andrew Hevener, Kyle Gregerson and David McNulty assisted by Mary Anna Hevener, Tristan Sunde, Patti Sunde and Tyler Ferrara.

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

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IN ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE in the program are Ms. Marcy Vines, Cambria Rojas, Anthony Vines, Jessie Verderame, Sarah Verderame, Jayleen Malley, Sean Malley, McKenna Peterson, Madelyn Vines, Emma Wilcox, Chrystina Heuerman, Emily York, Jenna Simpkins, Katie Essayan, Erik Ortiz, Kyra Ortiz, Wyatt Bredell, Camylle Callahan, Jesse Reyes, Jacob Reyes, Wayne Anderson, Cailin O’Toole, Whitney Rojas, Caleb Ricks, McKay Blatter, Julie Ricks and Talia Bullock.

Over 100 friends and family attended Marcy Vines Fifth Annual Piano Recital on Thursday night, Jan. 17. The audience and 26 pianists (mostly from Clayton) ranging in age from 5 through 14 and “mature” student Wayne Anderson crowded a small room at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Alberta Way, Concord.

Vines began the evening with “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. Each student played a piece then played a second

choice for the experience. Her recital is not about playing perfectly, it is about getting up in front of an audience and having the experience, explained Ms. Vines. “I want them to like performing,” she said.

In an hour and ten minutes the students performed 46 pieces of music. “This represents hundreds of hours of practice,” she explained. “It is a show of their perseverance and determination.”

McKay Blatter, 13, finished the evening with a rousing sam-

ple of YMCA which many audience members could not help but join in with the popular hand motions.

Ms. Vines then introduced her students and passed out thank you gifts remarking on some of their attributes. Kyra Ortiz, 11, practices the most and Jenna Simpkins, 6, enjoys piano the most. Brothers Jesse and Jacob Reyes, 6, are the newest talent with only a few lessons so far. Some of the experienced students are now teaching their younger siblings.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

More Around Town

Chupcan, from page 1

Jerry Rice booksigning event gives Gail’s Angels opportunity to raise funds A group of Gail Adams’ friends raised money for breast cancer research by providing gift wrapping services at the recent Jerry Rice booksigning event at Clayton Books.

Gail’s Angels is a local group which formed to honor the memory of Gail Adams who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2005. The group is primarily made up of friends and parents of students who attend Monte Gardens Elementary School, where Gail worked for over 25 years. Gail knew every student by name and ensured their safety on the playground and in the carpool lane before and after school each day. In addition, she organized many school activities including Breakfast with Santa, Candy Cane Lane and Lunch on the Green, all of which continue today.

Gail’s Angels has made a difference by walking the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in both 2006 and 2007. In 2007 they raised over $47K and were one

GAIL’S ANGELS AVON WALK TEAM MEMBERS at Clayton Books with Jerry Rice: Sue Brekle, Patty Riley, Ali Popino, Sharon Steele, Michelle McClintock & Tracy Jin.

of the top 10 teams fundraising teams that participated in the San Francisco event. They began their fundraising efforts for this year’s Avon Walk by giftwrapping books in exchange for donations at Clayton Books during Jerry Rice’s book signing

Scouts, from page 3 a tiny space, much less fit a bed.

The Tiger Cubs were a little less impressed with the new Depression glass and vintage linen display, however, they erupted in cheers with the promise of a future candy display inspired by the vintage candy case displaying the glass collection.

Interest was intense as the children round-robin participated with machines of old, includ-

ing a typewriter, adding machine, an iron and board, coffee grinder, hand-crank egg beater, daguerreotype viewer, camera and phone. The speed, or rather lack thereof, confused the users on the adding machine, which required depressing one key at a time then advancing the printing ribbon with a pull-lever. Only a visit to the jail outside could draw the Scouts away.

January 25, 2008

of his autobiography.

Each team member has committed to raising at least $1,800. If you would like to support or join the team, please contact Tracy Jin at tjin@astound.net for further details.

Each Tiger Cub donates $1 when they meet, earned by doing chores at home. Pack 262 made a donation of some of these funds to the museum.

What’s happening Around Town?

Send your news of births, special recognitions, engagements weddings, anniversaries, etc. to info@claytonpioneer.com.

representative who has been handling this case since the Aug. 7 fire, attributes the delays to difficulty in obtaining the original plans for the 18-year-old homes.

Martin claims the Wm. Lyon Co. homebuilders have the original plans but are refusing to release them and that efforts to obtain the original plans recorded with the county at the time the development was completed 18 years ago were unsuccessful.

Richard Robinson of Wm. Lyon Co. did not return our call, nor did Steve Martin of Christison.

A ‘DIFFICULT’ PROCESS Sometime in late December or early January, Christison hired an architect to prepare new drawings, which will need to be submitted to the city of Clayton for approval and to the county which issues the building permit.

In a chronology summarizing their “Activities to Date,” which was available to homeowners at the meeting, Christison asserts that the city of Clayton “has additional requirements for the reconstruction of fire damaged houses as compared to most other Bay Area municipalities…”

“That’s simply not true,” replies Clayton Community Development Director Jeremy Graves. “We don’t treat fire dam-

age differently from any new construction or remodel.”

Bernard Andres, the construction project manager hired

by Christison Co., estimates it will take four to six weeks to obtain the building permit once the plans are approved. However, Andres was unable to tell the homeowners exactly when the plans would be complete. “The only thing I can tell you,” he quipped, “is that life is difficult.”

According to Graves, the plans must be submitted by Jan. 29 in order to get on the Feb. 12 Planning Commission agenda.

Graves anticipates no delay at the city level.

“It will be approved in a heartbeat,” he said. “We only look at the exterior elevations, the siding and the roof.”

Once approved by the city, plans go to the county for review.

Depending on county workload, it could take a week or two for approval– not the four to six weeks estimated by Andres.

“It’s incredulous,” said one homeowner from the audience, “that Christison has been taking our money month after month and doing nothing on this.”

THE DAMAGE CONTINUES Homeowners also questioned why it took until December to

Mayor, from page 1 background information and seeks to determine if you have any specialized training. I would like every resident to receive CERT training.

So far, Councilman Bill Walcutt and I are the only members of the City Council to have taken the course. Vice Mayor Julie Pierce is enrolled for the April class. It is just a matter of time before the two remaining members take the course.

Now you may believe you know what to do in an emergency and maybe you do. That Boy Scout training or the first aid classes at the Y during high school may just kick in when you need it. But since you had your training, procedures have changed and it never hurts to receive up-to-date training.

In addition to the basic CERT course, there are periodic refresher courses. CERT is a

put tarpaulins over the open roof of Massoni’s home, the most severely damaged of the two.

According to neighbors, the tarps have blown off and the heavy rainfalls have further damaged the inside of Massoni’s home.

“They told me they couldn’t put tarps up because the roof was too unstable,” Maes said.

Martin, however, believes that the insurance company has likely weighed the cost of additional damage caused by the rainstorms against the cost of coming out to replace the tarps and has calculated the cost of the damage to be less than replacing the tarps.

After waiting more than five months for some sign of progress and seeing none, Massoni and Maes are worried about money. Maes is living in a rented room and Massoni has an apartment and the insurance money that pays for lodging while the houses are being repaired is running out.

“I have enough to pay for a month and a half more in the apartment. I’m going to have to find a cheaper place,” Massoni says. “The problem is,” she says with a sigh, “everyone wants a year’s lease.”

Meanwhile, mortgage payments, taxes and, Maes notes with a twist of irony, the monthly HOA dues continue. national organization and if you have a strong interest in the area, you can train to become an instructor.

Whether you just what to know what to do to help your family or neighbors or go on to be the CERT expert in the nation, it all starts with that first basis CERT class. So what are you waiting for? There will never be a better time. It can be one New Year’s resolution you actually put into practice.

I look forward to seeing you at April’s class.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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CALL FOR LOCAL ARTISTS The Clayton Community Library Foundation is seeking artists, musicians, authors, storytellers and environmental groups for the 5th annual Creekside Arts Celebration.

This free event will highlight visual and performing arts and entertainment, environmental groups, a local guest author, and local schools.

The dates are February 29th, March 1st and March 2nd. The weekend’s events include art for sale, a “live” raptor, music, and refreshments, environmental groups, live demonstrations, and author book signing. The celebration will be held inside and outside the Library. Artists are requested to donate $25 for participation as well as a small percentage (20%) of their profits that will go towards supporting library programs. CCLF will provide all advertising and publicity for this community fundraising event.

Call Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen, Community Events Coordinator, CCLF at 673-9777, e-mail akikkawa@ccclib.org.

CCLF is a 501c3, non-profit organization.

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We don’t require PMI, regardless of your down payment, so there is less pressure for you to put down 20%.

925-497-6195 Alicia Nuchols Mortgage Consultant

Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today (925) 672-8787.

Part Time Server needed for Englund’s Tea Cottage. Must be able to work weekends as well as weekdays.

Call Pam, 672-8327.

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

SERVICES Pet Sitting Is there travel in your future? Don’t forget your pets. I offer daily or overnight visits. Reasonable rates, insured and bonded. Call Linda at Peace of Mind Pet Services. 672-9781.

References upon request.

diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer.

All services are provided in the home.

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 The Clayton Historical Society Museum needs a greeter for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. No experience is necessary. All you need is a cheerful smile and a “hello” as our guests come through the door. Call the museum at 672-0240 and leave your name.

More than 12 years of Great Lending Experience

Happy New Year....

Cheers to a Great '08!

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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 383-9430 or www.vrconnection.com/parkerpaw.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sopranos (2) needed for Yesterday’s Kids, a community choir that performs at community events and in retirement and nursing homes. Rehearsals are alternating Fri. and Sun. evenings.

Must be able to read music. Solo opportunities. Call Tamara Steiner, 672-0500 or email tamarapersonal@gmail.com.

Tax Assistance Volunteer Training The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free income tax assistance to many low and moderate income taxpayers, and in particular senior citizens. Training will commence in early January. For more information about becoming an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer, contact Helen Crisman, Tax-Aide State Coordinator, at (650) 591-4284.

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

An independent study shows that Travis Credit Union members save almost $300 a year, as compared to bank customers. Because we are a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution, our priority will always be to provide more value to our member-owners.

PIONEER INFO CONTACT US 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

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 Come on over and let us show you how we can add value and help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

N RENOWNED member service N HIGHER dividends on deposits N LOWER loan rates and fees N FREE Checking, no monthly fees, no minimum balances

N FREE Online Banking and FREE Bill Pay N FREE access to more than 25,000 ATMs displaying: N CONVENIENT hours, including Saturdays

5442 Ygnacio Valley Road in the new Clayton Valley Shopping Center

Member Service Center (800) 877-8328

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

Now Open

Where You Belong www.traviscu.org

Friendly, helpful telephone support Mon–Fri: 8am–7pm, Saturday: 9am–5pm NCUA—Your savings federally insured to at least $100,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Everyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Contra Costa county is eligible to join. Certain membership restrictions may apply. *Based on a two-member household in a 2006 study commissioned

by Travis Credit Union and conducted by Dr. William E. Jackson III, Professor of Finance and Management at the University of Alabama, and former financial economist and associate policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. For a list of CO-OP Network ATM locations, please visit www.co-opnetwork.org.

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

Clayton Community Library Shelvers and Tutors Needed. Both positions require minimum age of 13 years and a 6-month commitment.

Training will be provided. For 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

VACATION RENTAL

No Fee Mortgage PLUS -

$0 application fee $0 closing fees

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

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.

B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant In Memoriam Jill Bedecarré

Directory of Advertisers Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aegis of Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Allied Waste Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4711 American Discount Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-0677 Applause Staging and Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 Beautique Beauty Supply and Salon . . . . . . . . . .672-0405 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 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 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 - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . .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 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 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 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

January 25, 2008

Weigh your options before deciding on open house LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ESTATE

TAKING THE CHANCE A good reason to have your home open to the public is that some buyers actually find the home they buy at an open house. Sometimes buyers are new to an area and find a house they love by chance. Often buyers who are looking with an agent are sent to an open house, particularly when a listing is new on the market. Sometimes buyers even stop by to see a listing that wasn’t recommended by their agent and discover the list-

ing is the one they want.

Several years ago, a seller whose house had been on the market for months finally allowed his agent to hold the home open. The ultimate buyers found the house at the open house. The buyers had been working with an agent, but their agent had failed to show them the property. If the house hadn’t been open, the buyers might never have found it.

It’s true that neighbors who aren’t buyers visit open houses in their area. There is a marketing benefit to this. Sure, it gives the listing agent good exposure in the neighborhood. But it is also a way to get the word out about your listing. Neighbors often have friends who are interested in buying in the area.

WORTH THE RISK? Sellers often worry about public open houses because of the security risk. This is a legitimate concern. Take precautions to protect yourself by putting valuables in a safe place. In some cases, the risk of an open

house may not be worth the additional market exposure.

The listing agent of a stylish home in Blackhawk was nervous about having the home open to the public because the owner had an expensive art collection. The seller decided against a public open, but the agent held extra broker open houses for real estate agents and encouraged them to bring or send their clients.

If you do make public open houses a part of your marketing plan, use them strategically. An open house every week can send the wrong message. You don’t want to get a reputation for being the listing that’s always open, but never sells.

Treat open houses as a special event – to announce a new listing, a price reduction or to let the world know that the listing is still available.

Lynne French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions, contact her at 672-8787, Lynne@LynneFrench.com or stop in at 6200 Center St. in Clayton.

Local references available.

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

Bryan Schaefer Clayton resident since 2000 Lic. #708321

Public open houses are a mainstay of the residential real estate business. But are they really necessary?

A Clayton homeowner recently visited a few open houses in her neighborhood before listing her home for sale.

She was appalled at what she saw. The houses were filled more with curious neighbors than with legitimate buyers. She resolved to sell her home without having public open houses.

The house sold for the price she wanted, and it was never held open to the public.

Of course, we will never know if the house would have sold for more with public open house exposure. But the listing agent received numerous inquiries from prospective buyers who wanted to know when the listing would be open. They were unwilling to make a private

appointment to see the listing, so they never saw it before it sold.

You might be thinking that nothing was lost; these buyers were less than serious. Not necessarily. Some buyers avoid making an appointment to see a new listing because they don’t want to feel pressured into making a decision. However, if the home is open, they’ll stop by and take a look. An open house provides a non-threatening environment for a prospective buyer to preview the property.

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Oak Street, from page 1 The city’s Storm Water Permit, issued by the RWQCB, comes up for renewal in July and it’s likely that a renewal of the permit would be subject to the new regulations, putting pressure on the developer to get the building permit for the project before July.

In evaluating the two proposals, the primary issue was the parking garage.

Angrisani’s proposed building included an underground parking garage, and all of the council members expressed concern that construction of a subterranean garage would slow down the permitting process.

“I am 100 percent confident that we can build the garage without endangering the creek bed,” Angrisani said.

Despite his assurances, the council shied away from the proposal.

Nwakuche’s building will utilize hydraulic lifts to provide stacked parking. “It’s a very inexpensive way to double your parking. A lot of the lots in San Francisco have these, but it will be new to this area,” explained building architect Bob Staehle.

CLEAR DESIGN PREFERENCE The two buildings were similar in use – ground floor retail and residences upstairs – but the design was strikingly different.

Nwakuche’s two-story building is designed in the Old West style favored by the council, with

15,380 sq. ft. of retail and eight rental units upstairs. The units may be converted to condominiums when the market is more favorable to residential sales.

Angrisani proposed a Victorian-style building with two-story condos over the

“and I don’t want to look like Concord.”

Angrisani was disappointed with the decision. “It’s always frustrating when people don’t agree with your vision,” he said.

“But I’m sure Uzoma will do a nice job with the building.”

Angrisani has not given up on the idea of developing property in the Town Center. There is

council and Planning Commission will meet in a special joint session on Jan. 29 to discuss the finance and design specifics and reach a consensus on how to proceed with getting the building permits.

The buildings that are currently on the parcels are old and in poor repair and will be torn down to make way for the new

Valentine’s treat?

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Rendering courtesy of Bob Staehle

PROPOSED RETAIL/RESIDENTIAL development for Oak Street echoes the roof line of Endeavor Hall.

ground floor retail. The three stories brought the building height to 46 feet, higher than the 40-foot height limit for Town Center buildings.

The council was also less than enthusiastic about the Victorian design. “It looks like downtown Concord,” said Councilmember Julie Pierce,

nothing definite on the table, but he is considering other options for downtown development.

“The problem is getting people to decide to sell their land,” he said.

“It was a fun process,” he added with a laugh.

In the interest of fast-tracking Nwakuche’s project, the

development. There are only two tenants occupying the properties, PERMCO and Clayton Mind and Body. PERMCO plans to take 2,400 square feet in the new Flora Square building when it’s complete. David Godsoe, owner of Clayton Mind and Body, is uncertain where he will go, but plans to stay in Clayton.

Costa Rica. Perfect beach weather. Right now.

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January 25, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Page 7

Science takes center stage at CV fair ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

Karly Lee and Lindsey Young, ninth-graders at Clayton Valley High School, decided to kill bacteria as part of their Science Fair project “We wanted to see which cleaning product would kill the most bacteria,” said Lee, a Clayton resident.

“We took a wet paper towel,” Young explained, “and wiped it across the bathroom floor in order to get the bacteria.”

“We tested the bacteria against 15 different products,” Lee said. The used Tide, rubbing alcohol, Lysol, garlic, salt and soap, to name a few.

“Clorox bleach killed everything.”

That was not the surprise, however. When using salt in one test and antibacterial soap in another, the team noticed no difference. “It didn’t kill anything,” Lee noted of the soap.

The fair, officially called the Intel-Affiliated Science and Engineering Fair, took place on Jan. 17 at the school. Led by

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

LINDSEY YOUNG, KARLY LEE

AND

KAREN KELLY in front of the 9th graders’ bacteria experiment.

CV biology teacher Karen Kelly, the fair showcased 56 exhibits, both individual and team projects.

“This is going very well,” she said. “It gets better every year.”

“It’s one of the best fairs

JUNXING (CICI) CHEN, 11th grade, explains the process she used to convert Brown Rot Fungus into Ethanol

phone

925.672.1519

ever,” college advisor Cheryl Long told Kelly.

Junxing (Cici) Chen, a junior, took a semester to develop her project, which was to see whether brown or white rot fungus could be converted into ethanol as an inexpensive energy source. The problem she faced was that rot fungus did not naturally degrade into ethanol and, in fact, did not even degrade into sugar that could be converted into ethanol without much assistance.

“Yeast can turn glucose into ethanol,” Chen said, using her professional-looking display chart to explain the process.

“You need to take the DNA from the fungus in order to allow the yeast to break it down.”

Chen worked at the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek three days a week, as they helped her to understand the steps needed in the process. She

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learned how the procedure, if refined, could provide a new energy source.

“I had to ride my bike there each day,” Chen said. “My

mother was working and could not give me a ride.”

She hopes to continue her work at the Department of Energy facility through a summer internship. “JGI want me to apply,” she added. “I definitely will.”

She also plans to attend the county science fair in March, as well as a symposium in February.

“She is a very dedicated student,” Kelly said. “And very humble.”

Kelly assigns grades as part of the science coursework, however, Science Fair winners are judged separately. “First place winners get a $15 gift certificate,” Kelly said. “And one for $10 for second place and $5 for third place.”

She asked the students to pick topics that interested them.

“I wanted them to be able to persevere through the frustrations that I knew they would encounter. It’s all part of the process of learning science.”

Concert, from page 1 Another volunteer group cochaired by Clayton resident Teresa Azevedo and Assistant to the City Manager Laura Hoffmeister is very close to bringing a Saturday afternoon Farmers Market to downtown which would also begin this summer.

“It’s a great plan,” said Geller.

“People will come down to the Farmers Market, get something to eat at a local restaurant and then stay for the concert.”

MARKET ANALYSIS NEEDED FOR TOWN CENTER In other business, the Council, acting as the Clayton

Redevelopment Agency, hired Jim Harrigan of Economic Development Systems (EDS) to conduct an in-depth market analysis of downtown Clayton.

The Town Center is emerging as a viable place to do business, says City Manager Gary Napper, but still needs help in attracting appropriate commercial ventures. “Successful (towns) typically generate retail strategic plans designed to proactively recruit commercial establishments . . . rather than idly sit by and be grateful for whatever walks through the door.”

Council member Julie Pierce

Workers still needed for February election The Contra Costa Election’s Office is short almost 60 inspectors for the Feb. 5 presidential primary election. An inspector is the person in charge of a precinct.

In Clayton, there is a need for two inspectors.

No experience is necessary and by serving as a poll worker, you can make a difference.

Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the compensation is $100 for inspectors and $80 for allday clerks. All registered voters can qualify for these positions and should contact County Clerk Stephen Weir at 335-7899 or visit www.cocovote.us/.

“Elections in the United States are a citizen-based system,” said Weir. “Your public participation as a poll worker helps us guarantee fair, honest and accessible elections for all voters.”

agrees. “It’s been 21 years that we’ve been working on the economic development of downtown. We aren’t looking at strip malls or national name businesses. We can’t be the cookie cutter stuff. We need particularly suited businesses for our downtown.”

In addition to the market analysis, Harrigan will identify specific businesses that would be appropriate for the Town Center and actively recruit them.

The first year’s contract with EDS will cost the city $86,000 plus expenses (up to 16 percent of the contract.)

“We certainly can’t hire anyone in-house to do it for this,” said Pierce.

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Link up with like businesses to build your customer base PAT MOSCA MINDING

YOUR BUSINESS Finding new customers for a new company has been the bane of business for as long as business has been around. One of the fastest ways I know to get new customers is to piggyback on a similar market’s database that serves the same customer profile.

One example is a women’s lingerie Website that needed new customers. She was picking up one sale here and there, but it was a slow process.

With a little research, she found out that her typical customer profile included women who love Mercedes Benz cars.

So she arranged to give a free silk teddy to every female customer of a local Mercedes Benz dealership who visited the site after receiving a letter

sent by the dealership offering the $75 teddy as a gift for their past patronage. More than 500 people responded to the offer and visited the site to sign up and receive a free teddy.

The lingerie cost the site’s owner $20 each, but the average woman spent $150-$300 on additional items during her visit to the site. Simple math shows a nice return on investment, not to mention gathering 500 new customers in a short time.

To make this work, of course, you need to make a detailed profile of your customers. The lingerie Website’s owner determined that her customers liked Mercedes Benz automobiles, expensive spas, fancy health clubs and expensive shoes and held executive positions.

Another strategy is to identify a business that serves the same customer profile as your own. Chances of keeping these like-minded customers is much greater and will increase the likelihood that they’ll give you

repeat business.

When you’re ready to approach your prospective partner, you need to have a clear and concise offer that has an obvious value to his customers as well as a low cost to you. A motorcycle insurance company could offer a free upgrade on insurance to motorcycle shops. A framing store could provide free framing to a camera shop. Free cigars to a liquor store, and so on.

When you pitch your proposal, highlight the benefits to the business by emphasizing that it a valuable reward for their customers – and at no cost to them. It will enhance their relationship and help maintain a continual effort to reach out without looking like they’re just trying to get another sale.

It’s a win-win for him and his customers, with little effort on his part.

After he accepts your offer, make sure you supply the letter or whatever device is used to

contact his customers. This will expedite the plan and allow you to maintain the perfect sales pitch to his database.

The final part to this strategy is to make sure you have developed a solid plan to convert his customer participants into your repeat customers.

Don’t assume that they’ll make all these discoveries themselves.

The worst thing you can do is have “browsing” be your No. 1 sales strategy. You need to lead a horse to water. Make sure you have an action plan devised for all your new customers. A customer sign-up should be part of that strategy, along with an easy path of navigation to wherever or whatever it is you want them to do.

With some good research and a well-crafted plan, you should build your new customer database in no time.

Pat Mosca is the owner of Fly Media. He can be contacted at (925) 437-2318 or by email at flymedia@ pacbell.net.

Lies seem to be woven into fabric of our lives Admit it – there is a small, And just how many traffic almost perverse sense of satis- offenders lie to evade a ticket?

When the country was faction about lying and getting founded, the Puritans followed away with it.

Everybody lies. As parents, a far stricter ethical standard of morality and we perpetuate decency and the the lie about fact that “one’s Santa Claus, the word” was “one’s Easter Bunny bond” required and the Tooth everyone to Fairy, only to adhere to the yank the illusion same standard. away when we Granted, some of decree the kids the standards old enough to extreme, “handle the ANDRÉ GENSBURGER were nonetheless, they truth.”

DEAL WITH IT were adhered to Historically, and those defythe truth and politicians, lawyers and ing them were chastised and Realtors have not been syn- avoided.

Marriage vows used to state onymous, but then society is based on the mythic truth of “until death do you part” and ideals, values and cold, hard often the endings of marriages are based on the lies and infifacts.

Presidents lie. Nixon had delity of one or both partners.

Likewise, employers used Watergate, Clinton had Lewinsky and George W. had to treat employees with a far “Weapons of Mass superior standard of decency Destruction.” Politicians have and respect in the hopes of broad definitions of truth, retaining “life-long” workers, much as Clinton had broad offering incentive and bonuses definitions of what constituted to command a higher standard of operations. Nowadays, the sex.

In addition, the entire job turnover rate matches the process of interpreting and marriage turnover rate and the completing our income tax concept of the “model” forms is based on deceit, con- employee working for a “stelfusion and lying, often legally. lar” company ranks as high as

HOW DO OUR READERS ‘DEAL WITH IT?’ “There are times when you have to lie in order to be kind,” said Clayton parent Jen Ruff. “You might have to spare a child’s feelings by not telling the whole truth, especially in defense of mean-spirited comments from another child.”

“The problem with lying,” said John Richardson, “is that once you start it never ends. Do I lie? I’d like to think that I tell the truth, although I’m sure you could find someone to argue against that.” having a mate for life.

What do you expect when the truth is so hard to find that it requires many years of education just to decipher it?

The degrees of lies within society pervade all aspects of it. Contracts and disclaimers offer legal protection for the lies of businesses out to make a quick buck, including attempts at absolving liability even in the event of negligence. It is easier to clog up the courts than to admit a mistake.

From weight loss claims to the virtual tons of junk e-mail that promise bigger breasts or an athletic sex life, million-dollar checks from Nigeria and working 10 minutes a day and collecting a year’s worth of income, lies have become the nuclear fuel that cements the promise of a robust economy

and the very fabric of society.

Television news, once proud of objectivity and nonsensationalistic presentation, now pander to half-truths with the same mercilessness as the tabloid papers covering celebrity meltdowns. And in this election year, just what percentage of the information presented in debates can be called the truth? I, for one, do not have the time to find out for sure.

So what can you expect?

For my part, as a writer, let me assure you that I will always tell you the truth, unless you discover that I have lied to you, in which case you’ll just have to deal with it!

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

January 25, 2008

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SAFETY ZONE Being prepared before an emergency involves learning as much as we can and making plans to act.

Keep a list of emergency services numbers handy. Be sure to have police, fire and rescue numbers on the list. The number to reach these first responders is 911. If you use a cell phone, call 673-7350 for the Clayton Police. If you use a cell phone to report a fire, call 9413333. If you were to use 911 on a cell phone, it will go to the California Highway Patrol Dispatch in Vallejo and this could delay the arrival of emergency personnel.

Also, be sure your house number is visible from the street and that the house number is painted on the curb.

Your list of emergency numbers should include family contacts. These numbers may be needed should a household family member be away from home at the time of an emergency and not be able to return home due to closed roads, fires, etc. The contact should be someone outside the area that may not be affected by the

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emergency. A good contact would be a relative or friend who lives outside of your state.

Keep a copy of the list in each family member’s wallet and by your phone.

Make sure every family member knows how to keep in touch with one another in the event of an emergency. Make sure they know how to contact you at work. Make sure your children know their phone number and home address.

Have the children know landmarks and cross streets. Teach your children how and when to use 911. If your children have cell phones, program the emergency numbers as noted above.

Some people also use “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in the cell phone directory.

Prepare a neighborhood plan for children and seniors who may be home alone when an emergency occurs. Know your neighbors who may need help, such as children, seniors and those with disabilities.

Should only your home be affected by an emergency situation, the family members will know where to go so all can meet at an agreed-upon location. This could be a neighbor’s home, fire station, library or place of worship.

At the time of an emergency, you may be advised to “shelter in place” for a period of time. Have a home disaster supply kit prepared and stored in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack should you be advised to vacate your home at a moment’s notice. Include water and some food supplies. Also

have extra clothing, cash, credit cards, prescriptions, eye glasses and needed personal items.

During the recent San Diego fires, some homeowners were given just 20 minutes to evacuate. Develop and practice your home emergency plan. Know what to do if you are instructed to evacuate your home or our community. Every family member should know at least two ways to get out of the home in case of fire or other emergency.

If you live in a condominium or apartment complex, know the evacuation plan. Agree on a place to meet once everyone gets out.

Your emergency plan should include household pets. It is not recommended that you leave pets behind if you evacuate.

Should you have to leave your pet, be sure to leave plenty of water and food. Post a note on your front door that indicates there is a pet inside and your evacuation destination. If you can take your pet with you, have at least a three-day supply of food, water and other needed items. Be aware that emergency shelters may not allow pets – even if they are crated.

Additional emergency preparedness information is available from FEMA at www.fema.gov/areyouready/ or by calling 1-800-480-2520. You may also want to consider Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) training. Refer to www.claytoncert.com or call 673-7355.

Herb Yonge is a volunteer with the Clayton Police Department. His email is hlyonge@att.net

This month is a good time to toss out cosmetics that are past their expiration date OK, you survived the holidays and made those New Year’s resolutions that you’re trying to keep. Through it all, your makeup lasted. But just like everything else, makeup has a shelf life so now would be a good time to throw out the old and buy some new.

It’s important not to use products that are past the expiration date for one simple reason: bacteria. The preservatives that keep bacteria from growing do not protect it forever.

The Cosmetics Products Safety Regulation of 1996 says that products that don’t last longer than 30 months must show a use-by date. So how do you tell if your makeup is still good? If it smells funny or has changed color, it’s a good idea to throw it out.

Here are some guidelines for makeup that you have opened and used once or twice:

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Foundation: If it is waterbased, 8-12 months. Oilbased lasts a little longer, 1518 months.

Concealer: Up to 12 months.

Skin tone corrector: 6-12 months.

Blush: Cream blush, 9-12 months. Powder blush, 1218 months.

Powder: Loose or pressed, about 18 months.

Mascara: 3 months, or sooner if it dries out. Never add water.

Eye shadows: Powders, about 18 months. Creams, about 12 months – sooner if drying out. Again, do not add water.

Eyeliners, eyebrow pencils and lip liners: About 16 months. Remember to sharpen before and after each use. Because they are used around the eyes, be really careful to make sure they have not expired.

Lipstick: About 12 months.

Toss it if it smells or tastes odd.

To help extend the life of your cosmetics, use brushes whenever possible and wash them at least once a week. Dry them flat, so the wooden han

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If you are using products that are “natural” or “green,” be extra careful. They have fewer preservatives and have a shorter shelf life that must be shown on the packaging.

As for all those lotions, face creams and other skin care products, they have a shelf life of about a year – maybe two.

That’s unopened. Once open, they should be used a quickly as possible.

Again, keep your hands out of the product if possible. Use a plastic spatula or an unused popsicle stick. Putting your fingers in the product can cause contamination. Remember to always wash your hands before using any product.

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

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

CV’s school of rock – and other radio skills KVHS provides a true hands-on work experience

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If you want to work in a professional radio station as a career, you would do well to start at Clayton Valley High School’s KVHS-FM, the Edge.

First on the air in 1964, the station was started by Ernie Wilson, no relation of Melissa Wilson – who is in her 10th year as general manager and faculty advisor of the station.

“They had reel-to-reel tapes back then,” Wilson said. “Now we do digital edits and we use the same equipment you would see at a commercial radio station.”

Clayton resident James Tourte is on the general staff of the station, focusing on audio production with the goal of securing a paying job in commercial radio. He works at KVHS in addition to holding a 40-hour a week job as an event planner/caterer.

“My lifelong dream has been to work in radio,” he said. “This will prepare me better than anything else I could do.”

There have been many well-

LINT, in the studio, adjusts the volumes as he makes an on-air announcement.

known alumni from the program, including Jeff Richards, comedian on “SNL”; Jason Chudy, known as Jason Thomas on WXRT Chicago; and Sterling James from Energy 92.7 and KBLX, to name a few. It’s a testament to the depth and quality of instruction at the station.

“We’re very proud of them,” said Clayton Valley Principal Gary Swanson. “It takes a generous amount of dedication for these kids to be involved for the amount of time they are.”

REAL-LIFE COURSEWORK In 1978, Tom Wilson,

707-718-5778 Free estimates Local resident 25 years experience, now working locally

TAX TIPS Some investors may be in line for a “once-in-a-lifetime” tax-saving opportunity.

Beginning in 2008, you might benefit from a zero tax rate if you have dividend income or you sell securities or other capital assets. But like many things in the tax world, this unprecedented tax break comes with strings attached.

In 2003, Congress carved out a new, lower tax rate for long-term capital gains and

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KVHS STUDENTS discuss production logs with Melissa Wilson, Managing Director and Faculty Advisor

Melissa’s husband, took over from Ernie Wilson, pushing for equipment and resources to bring the station current with the time. “It’s got to run like a real radio station,” she said, “and that’s how we run it.”

The course teaches the science of radio programming, which includes announcing, news broadcasting, production, demographics, both analog and digital editing, audience research and ratings, an introduction to using the RCS Selector, public relations, advertising, radio sales, finance, personnel management, Selector software, music logs, radio electronics and equipment maintenance. The comprehensive course pushes students to grow.

Wilson, no stranger to the format, has an extensive background in broadcasting. Known previously as Melissa McConnell of Bay Area radio and television programs, she has more than 20 years of professional experience. She has been a guest co-host on KPIX’ “Evening Magazine” as well as KQED pledge drives and has worked at radio stations such as KYA-FM and AM, K101-FM, KEEN-AM, KDBK/KDBQFM, KKIS-FM and AM and KYCY-FM, along with KWUNAM with Tom Wilson.

High school and adult students in Contra Costa County can apply to interview for the program. “It’s more than just needing to read and write,” she said, “although you don’t have to speak like radio DJs. We teach you what you need to know. We also teach you how to present yourself in a professional manner. Manners and courtesy go a long way when

you are looking for donations, or applying for a job.”

REWARDING WORK The classroom itself, within the on-campus radio station, has room for 30 students rotating through the various job positions. They must punch in on a time clock upon arrival and have a mailbox, make sales calls (soliciting donations that can be given away on air) and work on the production of the programming that, although not always live, runs 24 hours a day through the computer system.

Jasmine Hernandez, a Clayton senior, started the program last year. However, with a full AP class load, she found she could not devote the time needed and so deferred the class until this year. “I’m really happy to be here,” said the communications major, who is hoping to get a paid job in broadcasting. “I haven’t been on the air yet but will be training soon and I’m looking forward to it.”

The on-air talent have radio names. Aaron Cordary, a student through 2003, returned to the station in 2006 as Lint. At first glance, you might mistake his appearance, with tattoos, piercings and the tough-guy image of the motorcycle rider he is, and yet the moment he begins to speak, a polished, professional-sounding radio personality emerges. He effortlessly convinces you of his skill with the technical and audio sides of his job.

“I guess I’m an advanced student,” he said humbly, referring to his role as DJ and training others in production and digital editing.

“It’s a tough job,” he said, “but one that is extremely

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Even better, for taxpayers in the lowest regular tax brackets of 10 and 15 percent, the maximum rate for long-term gains and dividends was reduced to 5 percent.

The 2003 law also created a future tax break that is finally dawning. For 2008 through 2010, the maximum 5 percent tax rate is cut to zero.

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rewarding.”

His goal is to attract an audience and to keep them hooked.

In the process, he captures the best of his on-air time in a demo tape that can be assembled as a mini-show to help him get a professionally paying job at an alternative rock format station.

“Ms. Wilson knows what she’s talking about,” he said.

“I’ve seen other college radio stations and while some have a bit more in equipment, none have the entire program that we have here.”

Other on-air personalities include Depthcharge, DawnaDead, Zoe and KaBoom, each offering a different style of broadcasting and each with their own listeners.

STILL WORK TO BE DONE The Mt. Diablo Board of Education is a financial supporter of the station, having onair broadcasts of the monthly board meetings. The station also does many public service announcements, offers giveaways to listeners and has a reputation that goes beyond the school. You can even listen to the station on their Website, www.kvhs.com.

“When I wear their T-shirt in public,” Swanson noted, “people stop me and are excited – shout out, ‘I used to work there!’ ” Two of the rooms at the school are production rooms.

Only one is complete; the other is in need of a volunteer contractor to complete the framing.

“We have people to connect all the electrical,” Wilson said, “but we’re in desperate need of a contractor who can volunteer time to finish the construction of it.”

If you are interested in joining the program, contact the Contra Costa County Office of Education at 942-3437 and an application will be mailed to you. Interviews will be held in May and June for the September class. If you are a high school student, contact your vice principal to sign up.

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Religious rap out of place at CVHS Longtime bus driver About two weeks ago, I was walking through the quad at lunch and all of a sudden a group of students with microphones started blaring Christian rap throughout the school. The music was so loud, I couldn’t hear myself think.

I thought it was some sort of joke at first, because it was so ridiculous. I later found out that this was an organized event put on by Clayton Valley’s Christian Club.

It isn’t my intention to come across as being intolerant of other people’s religions. I feel that everyone has a right to believe what he or she wants to believe and that, to a certain extent, religion can be celebrated in an academic setting.

However, while schools should be respectful toward all types of

MICHELLE TROSCLAIR

STUDENT REPORTER religions, that attitude should also apply to those who don’t choose to follow any religion.

Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, but I find it a little curious that religion is almost completely removed from all other aspects of school.

If religious views can’t be reflected in a class setting and

we have Winter Break as opposed to Christmas Break in an effort to include people of all religions, then why is such an event allowed on campus?

People weren’t even teaching about the Christian faith; rather, they were screaming it at everyone for a good half hour.

I don’t think that religious speech should be prohibited at school, but it’s not like this was a small gathering in a classroom during lunch. If students want to listen to such music at school, perhaps administrators should designate a particular area to Christian rap. If I want to listen to it then by all means I will, but students weren’t given a choice.

I don’t feel the need to force my religious beliefs or lack thereof on other people while at school, and I, as well as other

students, deserve that same amount of respect as well. I just couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I stood on a soap box in the middle on the quad at lunch, microphone in hand, preaching atheist views.

I’m not deeming myself an atheist, but that’s beside the point. I highly doubt that type of publicity would be wellreceived by the religious clubs at Clayton Valley or the administration.

Clayton Valley should certainly be tolerant of all religions, but the school should also be a little more tolerant toward those who choose not to practice one.

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

School News HORIZON’S EMMA HALL IS FINALIST IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GEOGRAPHY BEE

ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

Clayton’s own Emma Hall, a Horizon’s Homeschool fifth grader, became a finalist in National Geographic’s Geography Bee recently.

Emma will be representing the Horizons program when she takes a written exam this month to qualify for the state level competition. The top 100 scores will compete in April. The televised national competition will air on May 21.

The Horizons program is part of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

EMMA HALL AND HORIZON’S ADVISOR, JULIE KIPPER.

DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL The Leadership Class is seeking donations for Cartridges for Kids.

The following items are accepted: video game consoles (include all accessories), video games (include case), empty inkjet cartridges, empty laser cartridges, used cell phones, digital cameras, laptops (include power cords), PDAs/Palm Pilots (include all accessories), iPods (include all accessories) and DVD movies (include original case).

Items can be dropped off at the school, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton or at the Clayton Pioneer, 6200 F Center Street. If you would like to host a box at a local business, students could bring a box and empty it every few weeks. For more information, call the school at 672-0898 and ask for Mrs. Ruff.

CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL The school held its third annual Public Service Academy Community Service Showcase on Jan. 14 in the Multi-Use Room.

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Clayton Valley High School will be celebrating its 50th anniversary later in the year. Plans are underway to have a “year-long celebration,” said Gary Swanson, Principal of the school. “We have original staff members and students starting to contact us and we encourage more.”

Included in the year of activities will be a kickoff weekend in mid-October, a Saturday football game against Mt. Diablo High School, “our original rival”, as well as a breakfast and dinner/dance.

The culminating weekend (likely in April 2009) will include a Fair/Carnival type of event as well as other celebrations.

“We’ve come a long way,” Swanson said, “and there’s lots to be proud of.”

If you are an alumni of the school or would like further information, you can email the principal at swanson.gary@mdusd.k12.ca.us or call the school: (925) 682-7474

reflections of community service projects that represented more than 2,000 hours of volunteer work in our community.

Students also voted and selected projects for the second semester on more of a global concern, such as the western Sudan’s Darfur region.

Strategies to help the region will be developed by Public Service Academy students and implemented during the second semester.

For more information on the Public Service Academy, contact Neil McChesney at mcchesneyn@mdusd.k12.ca.us The Clayton Valley High Quiz Bowl team of Joe Flynn, Justin Johnson and Kyle Thomson have made it to the “Elite 8” by winning their second match in KRON’s “Quiz Kids Tournament.”

They defeated Westmont High School from Daly City, 340-280. The match will air on Channel 4 at 2 p.m. Feb. 23.

The students’ next match will be at the Peninsula TV studio in San Carlos at 11 a.m. March 1, against Homestead High School from Cupertino. If you’d like to be a member of the studio audience, contact the Peninsula TV studio at 650-637-1936.

ST. AGNES CATHOLIC SCHOOL The school will host its Open House, 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Jan. 27.

The Book Fair will be open until 1 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the school is invited. In February, the school we will be accepting applications for the 2008-’09 school year.

The school is at 3886 Chestnut Ave. Concord. For more information, call 689-3990.

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The school will be hosting a Family Mass and Open House on Sunday, Jan. 27. Mass will be at 9:30 a.m., with the Open House from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

All families interested in having a child attend St. Francis are invited to attend Mass, meet teachers, explore classrooms and learn more about faith-based education.

The school is at 866 Oak Grove Road, Concord. For more information, call 682-5414.

TRAVIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Travis Credit Union will again award 20, $1,000 scholarships. Each applicant must be a high school senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must be bound for a two- or four-year college or university and be a member of Travis Credit Union in good standing. Students may join the credit union and apply for a scholarship at the same time.

Completed applications must be received by March 14. For more information, visit www.traviscu.org.

caters to her ‘family’ NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

Bonnie Pattillo “handpicked” her Clayton route on school bus No. 24 for her last year of driving before retirement. With the most seniority of the bus drivers, she had first choice of routes this past October. Pattillo knew she wanted a “big” bus versus a van.

She also enjoys the Clayton community as she drove the Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek route for a few years.

“It’s a joy to drive the Clayton kids,” she says.

Pattillo knows every student by name because she cares for each child – and so she can shout “Sit down,” she jokes. Discipline is hardly ever an issue with the younger children, but occasionally the middle school students have to sit up front with Pattillo.

“They hate that,” she says.

Routine is important to Pattillo and she reserves the back of the bus for the middle school students. With “early out” on Wednesdays, the fifthgraders get to sit in back until the middle schoolers get on. A few of the elementary kids stay with Pattillo until their middle school siblings are dismissed.

“It’s nice because they sweep and Febreze the bus for me while we wait,” she says.

One year, Pattillo told her students they were going to “drive the route backward today,” she quips. “They all turned around, literally expecting the bus to drive backward.”

Pattillo begins her morning at 5:30, inspecting the bus. She picks up middle school students

BONNIE PATTILLO drives School Bus No. 24

in Bay Point at 6:30, then goes through Clayton with drops at Diablo View and Pine Hollow middle schools and Mt. Diablo Elementary.

“She is very friendly and encouraging, which is nice especially when the girls don’t want to get on the bus so early in the morning,” said Sherrie Sarna of Clayton, mother to first-graders Bailey and Aaliyah.

“They become my own kids until I drop them off,” Pattillo says. “We get really attached.”

Pattillo began bus driving in 1981. Her husband Pat was selfemployed and with three children, she wanted summers and holidays off, plus benefits. Two years ago, they bought a home in Grass Valley and she plans to retire at the end of this school year.

A prior student, now grown with her own child, once recognized Pattillo at a garage sale.

Another time, a U.S. soldier recognized her at the airport.

“That was really neat to see,” she says.

Volunteers needed for MDES camp Going to fifth grade camp is one of those events that we seem to remember forever The fifth graders at Mt. Diablo Elementary School are going to Sly Park Outdoor School in Pollack Pines, Calif. from Apr. 14-18 and are looking for late high school or early college age chaperones/leaders to go to camp with the kids.

This is an excellent opportunity for the leaders who are interested in careers involving kids, outdoor science, etc. It also may be just a great way to take a break and have some fun.

For more information call Megan Kommer, 672-1193, kommer@sbcglobal.net or Diahnn Goldsmith, 672-4840, diahnn@sbcglobal.net.

Lawyers can help at Mock Trial Practicing and retired lawyers are needed to assist at the 27th annual High School Mock Trial, held Tuesdays and Thursdays in February in Martinez. Secondand third-year law students are also welcome.

Each year, the Constitutional Rights Foundation creates a trial case. This year’s case is People vs.

Palmer, a murder trial.

Teams of high school students work with teachers and attorney coaches to prepare prosecution and defense cases. Real judges and attorneys score their performance and provide feedback.

For more information, visit www.cocoschools.org/edsvcs/events/ mocktrial.htm or contact Jonathan Lance at 942-3429 or jlance@cccoe.k12.ca.us.

Academic Decathlon volunteers sought Volunteers are needed as proctors for written tests during the Academic Decathlon on Feb. 2 at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

High school students representing 14 schools will be in top form for the scholastic achievement competition. The Academic Decathlon is an opportunity for students to compete as individuals and teams in 10 academic tests

and demonstrations, including art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, essay, interview, speech (prepared and impromptu) and SuperQuiz (a team relay event).

For more information, contact Joan Sieczkowski at 942-3400 or jski@cccoe.k12.ca.us. Or visit www.cocoschools.org/events.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Club News CBCA DONATES TO THE GROVE

CLAYTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY The group is hosting the 31st annual Camellia Tea, 1-4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10, at the museum on Main Street. The tea traditionally honors descendants of pioneering Clayton families.

The museum will be adorned with camellias provided by local grower Edith Mazzei. Tea, punch, coffee and cookies will be served.

The public is invited to attend. There is no admission charge, but children must be accompanied by adults.

The museum is at 6101 Main St., Clayton. The Website is claytonhistory.org.

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CLAYTON ROTARIANS CLEAN UP

CBCA President Mike Fossan presented a check for $35,200 to Vice Mayor Julie Pierce at the dedication of The Grove on Jan. 12. The check is a donation from the CBCA to pay for the gazebo grandstand.

The CBCA is a community organization that raises money for community needs, scholarships, charity and local schools. Major fundraisers are the Art and Wine Festival and Oktoberfest.

For more information on CBCA, call Sue White, 672-2272.

On Jan. 12, Clayton Sunrise Rotarians spent two hours picking up street trash as part of their commitment to the Adopt-ABlock program.

Assigned the area between Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Ayers Rd. along Clayton Rd, and armed with gloves, grabber tools and industrial sized trash bags, the group dug through side alcoves, just off the road, that had become areas for the homeless, grabbing the trash left behind, along with empty bottles of alcohol, and empty drug baggies. By the end of the shift, each member had a filled bag of trash.

For more information about Rotary contact Chuck Graham at (925) 689-7640.

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Church News ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH

ST. BONAVENTURE CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO PARTICIPATE IN CHORAL FESTIVAL

To aid in the spiritual preparation for Holy Week and Easter, all are invited to midweek Lenten services at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 13, Feb. 27 and March 12. Soup suppers will precede the services, beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s Lenten theme is “Crossroads – Traveling with Our Savior.”

Meanwhile, Eternal Life is again collecting used greeting cards for prison ministries. Anyone is welcome to drop off Christmas or birthday greeting cards at the Contra Costa County Farm Bureau building, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. Leave them in the collection box in the front entryway or in Suite 1B. Or call 524-0295 to have them picked up.

For more information, visit www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org.

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ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Bonaventure’s will present an inspirational Lenten speaker series beginning in February. Schedule and topics are : Week 1, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, “Jesus Alive,” with Sister Rose Marie Hennessy, principal of St. Elizabeth School.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, “Jesus Alive in the Family,” with Maurine Behrend, director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at Catholic Charities of the East Bay. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, “Jesus Alive in the Community,” with John Fitzgerald of the Department of Justice Education at St. Anthony’s Foundation in San Francisco.

7:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, “Jesus Alive in the Parish,” with Rich Fowler, director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Stockton.

The church is at 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, call Patti Collyer at 672-5800.

CONCORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The church is having an Italian dinner on Saturday, Jan. 26, in Oglesby Hall. Dinner will be served by the youth, and it is a way to support the Youth Ministry. Three seatings are available. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children.

The church is at 1645 West St., Concord. For more information, call 685-5260.

Members of the Heavenly Harmony Children’s Choir from the St. Bonaventure Catholic Community in Concord will be participating in the Pueri Cantores Choral Festival on Sat., Feb. 2, in San Francisco.

Each year, the American Federation Pueri Cantores organizes Choral Festivals and Masses for Roman Catholic parish and school choirs (children ages 8-18) in cathedrals and other churches throughout the United States. The groups join as one large combined choir to prepare and present great liturgical music spanning some 1500 years – from Gregorian chant and polyphony to masterworks of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Internationally, Pueri Cantores includes over 60,000 singers from 30 countries worldwide. Here in the United States, Pueri Cantores gives American youth the opportunity to share in the musical and liturgical heritage of the Roman Catholic Church. The Feb. 2 will include a choral concert starting at 4:45pm, followed by a Eucharistic liturgy at 5:30. For more information, call Barbara Wolpman, Director of the Heavenly Harmony Choir, 925-465-4468.

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Page 13

Clayton Sports CV wrestling coach pleased with team’s growth RANDY ROWLAND Clayton Pioneer

When Kyle Behmlander took over as the varsity coach of the Clayton Valley High School wrestling program in 2005, he brought with him years of experience – and an agenda of his own.

His plan was to grow the program from 30 kids to 50 plus and originate excitement around the sport. He did not anticipate the turnaround happening this quickly, but today Clayton Valley is able to field a wrestler in each of the weight categories, from 103 pounds up to 285 pounds.

Behmlander is a 1989 graduate of Clayton Valley, where he played football, baseball and, of course, wrestled. As a senior, he led the team in sacks with 10 and was all league in football. He had a successful career as a wrestler in the 132/138-pound divisions.

Two memories that stand out for Behmlander are taking second place as a sophomore at the Clayton Valley tournament and winning the Mission San Jose tournament. From Clayton, Behmlander continued on to Diablo Valley College. He wrestled at the 142 pound and 150 pound weights and qualified for state both years.

CLAYTON

BACK TO CLAYTON VALLEY After living in the Chico area for a few years, Behmlander returned to Clayton and spent several years working as an electrician and a sheet rocker. He got married and had two boys.

He had no plans to compete

again, let alone coach, until his old coach at Clayton Valley informed him a wrestling coach position was coming open. With his oldest son turning 1, he contacted the athletic director and agreed to come on as an assistant. He coached both the jun-

Photo courtesy of Rhonda McCoy

RESIDENT

DAVE MCCOY takes down his opponent at the Mat Classic tournament in Newark in December. ior varsity and varsity teams, along with head coach Brian Baker and co-assistant coach Brian Fontz. In 2005, he took over the program, assisted by Mark McChesney, Frank George, Ron McCoy and Anthony Gross.

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Since then, Clayton Valley has had two very successful seasons and is looking to make it three in a row. In 2005-’06, they had their first winning season since 2001 and repeated that in 2006-’07. Currently, the Eagles are 2-2 in dual meets – with wins over Ygnacio Valley and Antioch. This season, Clayton will compete in eight dual meets and approximately 10 tournaments. They are able to field a wrestler in every division, sometimes two.

KIDS NEW TO THE SPORT Because wrestling is not a sport that is offered before high school, Behmlander has his work cut out in recruiting kids into the program. For the most part, he says he brings in kids from the middle school with no wrestling experience. They are normally introduced to the sport through the Physical Education department right before the season.

But Behmlander has been proactive in getting the word out to the local middle schools.

“We have a junior high school program now at Diablo View and have been able to bring 10 wrestlers into the program this way,” he notes.

He even has a female

wrestler on the team this year, Adriana Camerena, a 130-pound fighter as a sophomore. “Last year, we had five girls on the team,” says Behmlander. “I am happy to have Adriana.”

Once a wrestler comes to the team, Behmlander pushes them hard. “Fitness is of major importance to me,” he says.

The athletes will increase their number of push-ups and sit-ups and do a little bit more each day. They train five days a week and work on techniques.

They try to learn three to four new moves each practice, going from the basic single and double leg take downs to pinning combinations.

STANDOUTS FROM CLAYTON Clayton Valley hosted a varsity tournament the weekend of Jan. 12-13 that attracted 31 teams from throughout Northern California and Nevada. They were able to bracket 24 wrestlers in each weight division. The Eagles finished eighth overall, with several Clayton residents placing in the medal rounds.

Four Clayton residents, all seniors, have had strong starts to the year. Dean Farley won a third-place medal at Newark, a second-place medal in Sonoma

and fourth at the Clayton tournament, all in the 171-pound division. Dave McCoy and Brian Prell both wrestled in the 152pound division, placing at the Clayton tournament. Prell also won a second-place medal in Sonoma.

Brandon King, wrestling in the 140-pound category, took fourth in Sonoma and third at the home tournament.

For Behmlander, the best part of coaching is “the relationships you build with these guys. I’ve coached baseball and football since I was 19, but wrestling is such a different sport. You take them as freshmen and watch them progress, as they go from being young teens into young men.”

After spending 12 hours with the kids on a Saturday and 10 hours a week training, it is no wonder his wife Karen complains he spends more time with the team than at home. But the Behmlanders’ sons, Cade, age 7, and Colton, age 4, are already displaying an interest in the sport.

“They come to practice all the time,” Behmlander says. “It’s scary to think I could be coaching them. I never even started wrestling until high school, and these guys are already wrestling in tournaments.”

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 25, 2008

Clayton Sports CV boosters give athletes a leg up RANDY ROWLAND Clayton Pioneer

The Board of Directors of the Clayton Valley Athletic Booster Club is committed to supporting every one of the 56 sports teams that the Clayton Valley High Eagles will field for 2007-’08. This group of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly behind the scenes, unbeknownst to most, but they are the vital cog in the wheel that turns the sports programs at our local high school.

Without their selfless effort and support, Clayton Valley would not be able to compete in so many different sports

“Bob [Banks] is relentless in his drive to make the Booster Club the best it could be… My opinion is that we have the best booster support in the area.””

Pat Middendorf, CVHS Athletic Director and the numbers of student athletes able to play would diminish – at the detriment of the school’s pride and reputation.

Booster Club President Bob Banks is in his third year as leader of this special group.

Banks said the group’s primary focus is “to support all of the teams and their coaches and to help fund-raise to offset the

costs of being able to play.”

He described how little money the Mt. Diablo Unified School District is able to provide the area high schools sports programs and laments the fact that this will likely only become more acute. One of the stated goals of the boosters is to allow every deserving athlete an opportunity to play at the high school level.

VARIETY OF PROJECTS Some of the projects that the Booster Club has been involved in over the past few years are replacing the hardwood floor in the gymnasium, the sound system for the football stadium and the renovated tennis courts. They also worked in conjunction with the baseball boosters to provide a new electronic scoreboard beyond the right field wall in 2007.

And for the first time, Clayton Valley athletics is able to fund a full-time athletic trainer, Achilles Walker, who works with any athlete in any sport who requires his expertise. Walker has been important in treating injuries, as well as teaching fitness lifestyle changes that benefit the student athletes’ overall wellbeing.

Recently, the club was able to purchase an ice machine to replace a broken unit, and the unit is already been used many times over.

The 2008-’09 season will be one of change at Clayton Valley and throughout the area, as realignment will bring new and old rivalries together again in the soon-to-be

formed Diablo Valley Athletic League. Realignment of athletic leagues is considered every few years based on fluctuating enrollments, and for the first time in many years, the Eagles will play in a league with the likes of longtime area rivals Ygnacio Valley, Concord, Mt. Diablo and Northgate.

The Booster Club is already planning what they can do to support the teams in this transition. “This realignment will be good for the school athletic program, as the distances at away events will decrease,” Banks noted.

TWO MAJOR FUND-RAISERS Most of the money raised for the boosters comes from two annual events that are always successful. One is the crab feed and the other is the golf tournament held at Oakhurst Country Club in August. The Jan. 12 crab feed was another smashing success a sellout at 400 for the second consecutive year. Moved to Centre Concord to accommodate the growing number of attendees, the catered event featured music by Clayton’s Terry Newberry, also the voice of Clayton Valley football.

Other ways the boosters raise funds are through merchandising, escrip and membership. Membership dues are as little as $25 and benefit the entire team with rewards in the form of cash returned to the teams if two-thirds of the roster of any given sport sign up.

The Booster Club also offers the buy-a-brick program that allows an athlete or their family to have a permanent record of their contribution at

the track.

Besides helping individual teams meet their financial goals in order to compete, the boosters provide academic tutors for student athletes. The program, launched a couple years ago, has been wellreceived. They also assist nonfunded sports that are growing in popularity, such as lacrosse, and cover transportation expenses that are not included in the district budget. The club often pays to rent busses for away trips to Brentwood.

SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED The efforts of Banks and his colleagues do not go unnoticed by the athletic director.

“Bob is relentless in his drive to make the Booster Club the best it could be,” Pat Middendorf said. “He took this on and made it one of the strongest ones in the area. My opinion is that we have the best booster support in the area.”

Middendorf and Banks have worked well together in supporting each other’s efforts. “Bob is a great leader, but the entire board is a very tight family and they are very important to me,” she added.

“With all the work they do no matter what the sport, it makes my job easier, and I really appreciate that. They are a real asset to the entire community.”

Banks also maintains the club’s Website, which includes details and statistics on individual teams as well as sections on the history of the club, the board, the philosophy and links to schedules and results.

For more information, visit www.cvhsboosters.com.

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VARIED INTERESTS EARLY ON His father wanted him to be a doctor, lawyer or engineer. He wanted to be a teacher or an astronomer, and so he took engineering for one year, believing that it would be needed. After telling his counselor that he wanted to take classes in astronomy and Spanish, he was advised to drop out of the College of Engineering. This led to him dropping out of UC Berkeley altogether.

Instead, he went to San Francisco State and later Diablo Valley College, where he majored in music, drama, speech and accounting.

“I always had interest in lots of things,” he said. “Too many things. It worked against me, although I believe the more things you like in life, the happier you’ll be.”

Peppin went to work for General Foods as a mail clerk in the San Leandro plant. He quickly progressed to an input/output technician on their computer system, then found himself promoted as a supervisor of that

department.

From there, he was promoted to supervisor of the ratings and payments department that handled, among other things, the accounts receivables and he “got to know everything about that office.”

the Concord/Clayton Sunrise Rotary – where he is an active member today.

Lesotho “was a nice place to live,” Peppin explained, “although a lot of things were not dependable, such as electricity and water.”

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

THE

INDEPENDENT

DICK PEPPIN on his way to Rotary.

The company transferred him to the New York office to be a methods analyst, which he hated.

“I knew very little about computers and they needed programming as part of the job function,” he said, “and so they wound up teaching us programming in the COBOL computer language.”

ADVENTURES IN AFRICA With that new experience, he resigned and moved back to California, accepting an internal computing job at Bank of America. In 1981, he was sent to Lesotho, Africa, as manager of the IT systems for the Lesotho Bank, helping them upgrade to a working computer system.

“Here I was, with no degree,” Peppin explained, “and one of the first things the general manager did was assemble all 22 people who worked there, and 11 of them had master’s degrees from the U.S. or Russia. That stuck with me over the years.”

What Peppin found in Lesotho was a shift in cultural values with more emphasis on personal relationships over work.

“The general manager of the bank was the equivalent of the tribal chief,” Peppin said. “He commanded a lot of respect.”

It was there that Peppin joined Rotary, beginning a long association with the global service organization that would ultimately lead him to Clayton and

Then there was the day he answered his front door to two armed men demanding his money and his car.

“My dog ran off and my first reaction was to slam the door on them and then I realized that would be a foolish choice since they could shoot me through the flimsy wood door, so I let them in and convinced them to leave the wallet and just take the money, which they did.”

A guard working for his neighbor witnessed the theft of his car and told Peppin to call the police.

“The police couldn’t come,” Peppin said, “as their car had run out of gas and wasn’t running, so they asked for me to come pick them up.”

Since his car had been stolen, the guard and the neighbor drove Peppin to fetch the police and they returned to the house, where a detailed report was filed.

“Some time later, they found the car because they found my license plates in the trunk, even though it now had South African plates on it.”

The car had been taken across the border to South Africa. It had a cracked oil pan that had been repaired by the new owner, who needed to be reimbursed for his cost.

BACK TO ACADEMICS When Bank of America exit-

ed the consulting business, Peppin returned to the United States and decided to go back to college and obtain a bachelor’s degree, then an MBA, all in four years. He resigned from Bank of America in 1985 and took some time to do volunteer work in Thailand, where he worked with the Bank for Agriculture Cooperative.

The following year he went to Botswana and then, in 1989, spent four months in Somalia, leaving when he felt it became too dangerous and no benefit was being gained. Had he remained, he would have been among the people evacuated later that year when Somalia erupted in violence.

While his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2000 slowed him down, Peppin believes that his glaucoma inhibits his lifestyle even more by robbing him of the ability to read many of his books, watch TV or do computer work. His medications also cause complications and side effects and the right dosage is a fine balance between hallucinations or his muscles locking up.

“If we spent as much money looking at Parkinson’s as we do in other areas of research, we may have a cure,” Peppin said.

While he retains a high degree of independence, it takes him longer to achieve the desired results. “I am unable to drive,” he added, “as the glaucoma has robbed me of depth perception.”

These days, Peppin works on his mail order stamp business, selling off private reserve price lists globally. “I have 35 years of experience with stamps,” he noted. “It works pretty well and helps me to pay my bills.”

Peppin has been a Rotarian for 26 years, with “a perfect attendance record,” he proudly said. He was a past president of the Concord Diablo Rotary before joining the Clayton Sunrise Rotary that has a breakfast meeting each Thursday morning in Clayton.

“This is the best club I’ve seen,” he said. “It’s a fun group, decent people with a good sense of humor and so lively at 7 a.m., that it’s a pleasure to go to the meetings.”

Peppin may be the last to finish his meal, but he has a lot to share with those who wish to listen and has had a life well-lived.

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Be smart - eliminate tax refunds If you’re among the many taxpayers who get a large tax refund every year, do yourself two favors. First, invest your 2006 refund instead of spending it. (Using it to max out your 2007 retirement plan contribution is one good investment idea.) Second, adjust your 2007 withholding to more closely match your ultimate 2007 tax liability. Invest those extra dollars during 2007 instead of making an interest-free loan to the IRS.

700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., #360 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Carol@carolkeanecpa.com (925) 937-5200 (925) 937-5202 fax www.carolkeanecpa.com

Timely tax tips for seniors It’s that time of year when we’re starting to think about getting our things together for tax time. With new laws all the time, keeping track can be overwhelming.

Generally, you must file a federal return if your income is above a certain level. The amount varies depending on the filing status, age and type of income you receive. For example, a married couple age 65 or older is not required to file a federal return until their joint income reaches $18,900. A single taxpayer age 65 or older is not required to file until his/her income reaches $9,700.

Current research indicates that individuals are likely to make errors when preparing their tax returns. The following tips were developed to help avoid some common errors dealing with the standard deduction for seniors, the taxable amount of Social Security benefits and the credit for the elderly and disabled.

If you do not itemize your deductions, you can get a higher standard deduction if you and/or your spouse are 65 or older. You can get an even higher standard deduction if either you or your spouse is blind.

When preparing your return,

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be especially careful when you calculate the taxable amount of your Social Security. Use the Social Security benefits worksheet found in the instructions for IRS form 1040 and 1040A. To receive your credit for the elderly or disabled, you must use form 1040 or 1040A. You cannot get the credit if you use 1040EZ. A lot of media attention has focused on the difficulties some people experience dealing with the IRS. Following is a list of your rights as a taxpayer: Protection of your rights. The IRS will explain and protect your rights.

Privacy and confidentiality. The IRS will not disclose to anyone the information you give, except as authorized by law.

Professional and courteous service.

If you believe an IRS employee has not treated you in a professional manner, you should inform a supervisor.

Representation. You may represent yourself or, with proper written authorization, have someone else represent you in any IRS meeting or interview.

Help from the Problem Resolution Office. This organi-

KELLY FERRO

SENIOR MOMENTS zation can help with unresolved tax issues and hardship cases.

Appeals and judicial review. If you disagree with the IRS about the amount of your tax liability, you have the right to ask the appeals office to review your case.

Relief from certain penalties.

The IRS will waive penalties when allowed by law if you can show you acted reasonably and in good faith relied on the incorrect advice of an IRS employee.

Tax time can be stressful for all, but it’s important to take advantage of your allowed deductions. If you’re not sure, there is plenty of help available.

Contact the AARP Tax-Aide at 888-227-7669 or the IRS information line at 800-829-1040.

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

Page 16

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 25, 2008

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. JAN. 30 FOR THE FEB. 8 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH FEB. 7 Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Story time for 3 - 5 yr old. Child may attend without caregiver.

Drop in any Thursday. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, 6730659.

THROUGH FEB. 17 Diablo Valley College Presents Bat Boy, the Musical @ DVC The little town of Hope Falls is desperate. Their coal mines have run out and their cattle are dying. This delicious twist on the modern day musical comedy tells the amazing story of a strange boy with pointy ears, his struggle to find a place in a world that shuns him, and the love that can create both miracles and madness.Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm. Tickets $10-$15. Box office open Monday-Friday 12pm to 4pm.

(925) 687-4445 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 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.

JAN. 28 Clayton Branch of AAUW Host of Poetry Presentation @ Diamond Terrace 7:30 p.m. Presentation is by Sunny Solomon of Clayton Books. In addition to Sunny's creative poetry, the audience is invited to share an original or favorite poem during the "open mike" interval. The event is free. Refreshments will be served. No reservations needed. For information call Mary Ann 672-4391 or Sheila 672-7947. Diamond Terrace 6401, Center St. Clayton.

JAN. 31 Smart Discipline Seminar @ St. Bonaventure Church 7 - 9 p.m. This is one of America's most popular seminars for parents. Gain positive cooperation from your children while eliminating negative behaviors. Issues such as promoting positive values, self confidence and self motivation will also be addressed. $15 per person or $25 per couple can be paid at the door. For more information email Patti Collyer at patti.collyer@stbonaventure.net. St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord, California.

FEB. 4 From Invention to Marketplace: Lessons from One Entrepreneur's Adventure @ Clayton Community Library 7 p.m. Deborah Stephens Stauffer, co-inventor of the DaysAgo Digital Day Counter and founder of Double U Products, Inc. will discuss her adventure bringing the award winning DaysAgo product to market. Debbie has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNBC's The big Idea and HGTV. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, 673-0659.

FEB. 5, 12, 19, 26, MAR. 4 The Art of Retirement @ Loma Vista Adult Center 7 - 9 p.m. Objectives include learning more about retirement, meeting other people with similar interests, and having fun discussing retirement issues. Topics include how to keep the money you have, activities in retirement, health in retirement, travel, and more. The course costs $18 for people 55+. Call (925) 937-1530 for registration information. For information about course call instructor George Fulmore at (925) 686-6916. Loma Vista Adult Center, 1266 San Carlos Ave. in Concord.

FEB. 13 Newcomers Club of Walnut Creek Welcome Coffee 10 a.m. Newcomers Club builds support and friendship for women new to the area. All prospective and present members are invited to a welcome coffee. RSVP to Vinita Ramsay, 925-465-496l, www.newcomersclubofwalnutcreek.org. A unique tour of Sausalito's Bay Area Model is planned for Thursday, February 21.

FEB. 15 5th Annual MDSL Crab Feed @ Centre Concord 6 p.m. Cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, raffles, live auction and dancing. The MDSL Crab Feed is a major fundraiser for our club. This event has been a sellout

event in the past so get your tickets early. Louie Zandonella will be our chef and brings many years experience and great recipes. Tickets are $50.

Proceeds raised at this event will be used to offset costs for all participants.

Donations are tax deductible. Call Paul Anderson, 672-3776 for information and tickets. Centre Concord, 5290 Clayton Road, Concord.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

FEB. 10 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.

JAN. 26, FEB. 9 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. 11 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.

JAN. 27, FEB. 3, 10, 17, 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. 12, 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.

JAN. 29, FEB. 5, 12, 19, 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..

JAN. 31, FEB. 7, 14, 21, 28 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.

JAN. 31, FEB. 7, 14, 21, 28 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.

JAN. 31, FEB. 7, 14, 21, 28 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.

JAN. 31 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 Claytonians 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.

FEB. 3 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. FEB. 5 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.

FEB. 7 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.

FEB. 10 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.

FEB. 13 Clayton Valley Garden Club @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. Pennie Rose of Living Art, and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, will speak about tree care, pruning for appearance and proper planting - just in time for spring. Pennie is an exciting presence, and the Garden Club is thrilled to have her. Questions are encouraged, bring problem plants or photos. This is a presentation not to be missed. Everyone is welcome. Clayton Valley Garden Club meets at Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center Street.

FEB. 13 Creekside Artists Guild - General Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 7p.m. Come hear the exciting plans for the 2008 New Year! All levels and all art forms are welcome! Join this unique group of eclectic artists that meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month. S-T-R-E-T-C-H your artistic boundaries and bring artwork to the meeting that creatively expresses this months theme, Migratory Journey...a Quest for Life", if you wish. We provide an environment for all artists to inspire, create, educate and prosper"...Questions? Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen (925) 673-9777, email: nielsenjanc@aol.com or visit our website: www.creeksideartists.org.

FEB. 21 Veterans of Foreign Wars Meeting @ Concord Veterans Hall 6 p.m., meeting begins at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. All veterans of foreign wars are invited to attend. The VFW is here to support eligible veterans and their families. Wives and daughters of eligible veterans are invited to join the Ladies Auxiliary. Veterans Memorial Hall, corner of Colfax and Willow Pass Road, Concord.

FEB. 27 Blue Star Mom Meeting in Concord 6:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month. Blue Star Moms is a support and service group for those serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. 1792 Elmhurst Lane, Concord, 676-3654.

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT JAN. 29, FEB. 5, 12 ,19, 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. 5, 19 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.

FEB. 11 Clayton Trails and Landscape Committee @ Clayton Library 7 p.m. The committee meets the second Monday of the month. Residents are invited to attend to hear what is being proposed and to provide input and get answers to questions. Clayton Community Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road.

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION FEB. 7 Parent Faculty Club (PFC) @ Clayton Valley High School (CVHS) 7 p.m. Club meets 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 672-4146, crhartnell@earthlink.net. CVHS, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.

YMCA Calendar of Activities league. League winners will receive championship jerseys. Contact Jacob Duncan at 925.889.1600 or ccyprograms@ mdrymca.org for more information.

The Clayton YMCA 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.

JAN. 6-MAR. 16 ADULT BASKETBALL: MEN’S 5 ON 5 AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Sunday evenings from 5-9 p.m., age eighteen and up. Show off your skills in the YMCA Men’s 5 on 5 Basketball league. This is an eight week season that meets once a week for a game. At the end of the season a playoff will be held to find the winner of the

JAN. 26-MAR. 15 BASKETBALL 9 a.m, Grades Pre K-8. Dribble, pass and shoot your way into the YMCA’s basketball league. 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 game times are scheduled by the YMCA at the Clayton Community Gym. Register by December 26 and receive special early bird pricing.

FEB. 5-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. Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 5-26 VOLLEYBALL OPEN GYM AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Tuesday evenings from 7:00-10:00 pm.

Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 6 BE MY VALENTINE AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM 6:00-8:00 pm. FREE EVENT! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, spend the evening with the YMCA creating something special for your someone special. Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 6-27 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. Call 925.889.1600 for

more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 7-28 PAINT, PASTE AND PLAY AT ENDEAVOR HALL Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 pm, age three through five. A fun class! Paint, Paste and Play allows you to share quality time with your child as you both enjoy arts and crafts, music and motion. Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 10 BABYSITTER TRAINING AT THE CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM 9:00 am-1:00 pm, age eleven through sixteen. This class teaches babysitting skills including feeding, diapering, playing with and caring for children. Participants also learn to respond to emergencies while babysitting.

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a YMCA Certificate of Completion.

Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

FEB. 16 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 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. Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

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

Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

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. Call 925.889.1600 for more information or visit mdrymca.org to register.

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

January 25, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Celebrating 30 years

in business at the same location

Welcoming well known local groomer Jan Walker with 15 years experience Self-service pet wash available

Jan Walker

Tues - Sat, 8-5

925-676-9355 4375 Clayton Rd. Unit K, Concord (Adjacent to Hollywood Video)

Professional pet grooming salon for dogs and cats

The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist

Clayton’s own

Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer

This year, resolve to make your pooch a good citizen The beginning of a new year welcomes opportunities to make changes in one’s life.

Don’t forget a resolution that includes the family dog. Now is a great time to brush up on Buddy’s training and secure his Canine Good Citizen Certification (CGC).

Sara Cunningham, dog training coordinator at the Animal Rescue Foundation, offered a summary of the CGC program. Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, CGC consists of 10 test items. All

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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- Brad Milner, Milner’s Jewelers

Family Owned since 1957

Mike Granelli General Contractor

Page 17

“The CGC test is a wonderful way to strengthen the bond with your dog and a great way to show your dedication to having a well-behaved dog.”

Elena Bicker

dogs are eligible to take this test, which demonstrates that the dog has good manners in public with both his handler and with friendly strangers and also demonstrates that the handler is a responsible owner.

Evaluators approved by the AKC administer the test.

During the test, the owner is encouraged to praise the dog, but food rewards and toys are not permitted. The dog should be on a flat collar and remains on leash during the test. The first part of the test includes accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting and a demonstration that the dog is comfortable with basic grooming including inspection of their ears and paws and light brushing.

The next portion tests how the dog acts in public with common distractions such as someone using a walker, joggers running by or an object falling to the ground. The dog is also tested to see if he can ignore other dogs by having two handlers walk toward each other, shake hands and hold a short conversation before continuing their walk.

Another part of the test includes having the dog respond to sit and down on command. The dog has to perform a 20-foot stay and also come when called by the owner from 10 feet away. The final step is a three-minute separation test that shows that the dog can be left with a trusted person; the dog should remain calm the entire time.

The CGC test is a wonderful way to strengthen the bond with your dog and a great way

to show your dedication to having a well-behaved dog.

ARF U, ARF’s dog training program, offers a class which helps owners prepare for the test. The CGC prep class is a good follow-up to the completion of a basic manners course.

After earning the CGC, some owners pursue a career for their dogs as a therapy animal. Many therapy animal teams, including ARF’s Pet Hug Pack, require that applicants earn their CGC before joining the team.

The Pet Hug Pack consists of more than 65 handler teams who makes visits to 29 facilities,

ELENA BICKER

PAWS

AND

CLAWS

including hospitals, rehab centers and schools. The dogs on the team provide unconditional love to the people they visit.

To find out more about the Pet Hug Pack or to see the schedule of upcoming CGC tests, visit www.arf.net.

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

Glasbergen Chuckles

Fairy and Gershwin are ARF’s Stars Fairy is a gentle and loving little girl who’s waiting to find her forever home. The adoption fee for Fairy is $50.

Gershwin is a sensitive and gentle soul. He is looking for an adopter with patience and a gentle touch to coax him out of his shell. He loves the company

of other dogs and having a resident dog in his new home will ease his transition.

The adoption fee for Gershwin is $225 and includes the first six training courses.

Meet your purr-fect match at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell

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Page 18

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 25, 2008

This year, read at least one more book SUNNY SOLOMON

FOR

THE

BOOKS

What would a new year be without a resolution? Luckily for you, I don’t care how much you weigh, what you choose to eat or even what you imbibe.

My resolution, or more accurately, my wish, is for you to

read at least one more book than you read last year and that you’ll read something you never imagined reading.

For parents and grandparents, try reading the books your kids are reading. Picture books are a special favorite of mine, but I’ve finally begun to read those young adult books that are the rage, especially those populated by vampires.

When you’re through reading the books, try talking about them with your kids – the key word being “with” and not

“to” your kids.

If you like mysteries or romances, try something different at least once this year.

After listening to a UC Berkeley economics professor/author speak on NPR, I bought a copy of his book on capitalism. We’re talking about some very serious reading. I’ve promised myself not only to read it, but to cast all caution to the wind and review it as well.

If history or politics is your pleasure, move into a novel for a change of pace. Around tax

time, we should all probably look for a bit of humor.

Thurber still makes me laugh.

Or consider a graphic novel. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the Japanese warrior books to Shakespeare.

It is my goal to entice at least a few of you readers to pick up and read a book of poetry. OK, maybe you won’t read it, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick it up for a quick look.

And check out Oliver Sacks who writes wonderful books about neurologically damaged patients and the conditions that challenge both them and

“My wish, is for you to read at least one more book than you read last year and that you’ll read something you never imagined reading.”

Sunny Solomon their doctor.

Biographies, memoirs, selfhelp, reference (dictionaries can be a blast and there must

be a dictionary for every darned subject around), religion, the list goes on and on.

The next best thing to reading a book is talking about what you’ve read. I love it when you stop in to tell me about a book you’ve read. Let’s all make 2008 the Year of the Book.

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.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 19

Jeweler reflects on 29 sparkling years in business ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer

“Dreams come true,” Clayton resident Anna Cegielski, owner of Cegielski Jewelers in Concord, says of her life, family and 29 years in business.

Born in Swidnich, Poland, Anna began designing her own jewelry at age 16 and having them manufactured. It was a talent she believes came naturally. She completed college and then managed a family jewelry business for 2½ years before moving her family to the United States in 1981, fearing the ever-growing conflict between the Communist leaders and the Solidarity movement.

“We left in September,” she said, “and then on Dec. 13th, martial law was established. We got out just in time.”

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Arriving with her then husband and son, and six-months pregnant with a daughter, she settled in Concord, living in the state streets at the Clayton border, attending St. Bonaventure’s Church and finding many new friends welcoming the immigrant family warmly.

“St. Bonaventure’s was wonderful,” she said. “The people brought me gifts, held baby showers. They made us feel welcome. They are still my friends today.”

A FRIENDLY BUSINESS “Make her tell you that she is not a pushy salesperson,” said Jennifer Cegielski, Anna’s daughter-in-law, who works with her at the shop.

“It’s true,” Anna said. “I like to help my customers and they come to me and tell me about their life and we get to know each other.”

“You can browse in the store and no one will bother you,” Jennifer added.

Anna tells of a customer who came in 10 times before she was ready to buy. “Then she said to me, ‘Thank you for being so patient with me,’ ” Anna said.

“Young men come in to buy an engagement ring and then we talk about how they will propose and they talk with me as though I were part of the family.”

Anna is invited to many of her customers’ private events, such as weddings and showers.

“One couple in their 60s came into the store to get a ring;

they were getting married. The ring was set while they waited – that is what we do. But then, instead of waiting to go to where he was going to propose to her, he goes on his knee in my store and proposes to her.”

Anna laughed at the memo-

AGAINST THE ODDS Cegielski Jewelry opened five years after the family arrived in Concord, against the advice of friends and family who feared that with their Polish accent and lack of fluency in English, the business would fail.

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer

ANNA CEGIELSKI welcome you to the family jewelry store.

ry. “She said yes and we all went to Moresi’s for dinner.”

Jennifer’s husband proposed inside his mother’s store, as well.

“I have known three generations of customers,” Anna recalled. “Little boys who came in one time with their mothers later come back to buy engagement rings. And I remember them when they were smaller.”

“Two years later, many of them admitted they were wrong.

Some even became my customers,” Anna said. “Dreams come true and if you work hard, you can achieve anything.”

In early 2007, a fire ravaged the florist occupying the Clayton Road end of the jewelry company’s building. Despite the best efforts of firefighters,

whom Anna calls “heroic,” the business had to relocate for eight months because of smoke and water damage to the property. It was a difficult time, causing more stress for Anna than many other life events.

“The irony is that we moved back into the renovated building exactly 20 years after I first moved in, almost to the day,” Anna said.

Jennifer started working at the store two years ago, also against the advice of friends, as well as Anna’s son. They were worried that a rift could develop between mother and daughterin-law. The reverse happened; the two women not only bonded, but also found themselves an excellent working team.

“I was supposed to train Jenny,” Anna said, “and then she would go open her own business.

But she decided she wanted to stay and work with me.”

“We’re family. That’s why I want to work with her,” Jennifer said. “I think it is because we’re different that we get along so well.”

Cegielski Jewelers offers custom services while you wait.

“We can redesign or refurbish old jewelry, including heirloom pieces,” Anna noted, “and we do diamond settings, ring sizing, chain repair, as well as offering beautiful jewelry. I love to design, especially the engagement and wedding rings. A wedding ring should be unique.”

Cegielski Jewelers is at 5354 Clayton Rd., Concord; 6822855. See ad on this page.

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“The Great Debaters” is the second theatrical release of Harpo Films, the production company of the illustrious Oprah Winfrey. As occurs so frequently with her choice endorsements – for Oprah’s Book Club novels, for the Broadway production of “The Color Purple” – “The Great Debaters” has the potential to receive infinitely more exposure than a small, independent film produced by the Weinstein Co. would normally gain.

The film is advertised as the same simple Cinderella story so often recycled through the sports world, about overcoming adversity to rise above the expectation. To some extent, that is the idea. The title certainly does nothing to dissuade this notion.

However, “The Great

Debaters” provides a fresh perspective on a culture we thought we understood.

Segregation. The Deep South.

The Depression. Those words bring to mind racist bigots, poor sharecroppers and rampant lynchings, all of which appear in “The Great Debaters.” Yet, the setting of this story is not the starving farmer’s one-room shack but the halls of Texas’ Wiley College, a private university with African-American administrators, professors and co-ed students.

Director Denzel Washington plays Professor Melvin B. Tolson, stringent head of the debate team. Forest Whitaker (Oscar winner for “The Last King of Scotland”) is Dr. James Farmer, college administrator and father to the naïve student through whose eyes this story is told, James Farmer Jr., played by 17-yearold Denzel Whitaker (no relation to either of the aforementioned.) Rounding out the cast are Jurnee Smollett as the first female debater in the college’s history and Nate Parker as the token angry-young-manturned-inspiration.

Despite the Washingtonfocused poster, this is an ensemble piece, with greater

DENZEL WASHINGTON Great Debaters”

AND

DENZEL WHITAKER (standing) star in “The

focus on the students than their teacher. Through their training and their experiences, we see the seeds of the civil rights movement planted and fostered.

“The Great Debaters” provides a fresh perspective on a culture we thought we understood. Segregation.

The Deep South.

The Depression.”

Jeanna Ross Our liberal sensibilities cringe as a dirty Anglo-Saxon man threatens Dr. Farmer, a professor who speaks seven languages, forcing him to relinquish a month’s pay for an accident caused by the sharecropper’s own carelessness. We feel the panic of the lynch mob that turns on a dime and carries the disinterest of the law on its side.

We applaud whenever the team is awarded the respect they deserve – the right to be

treated just like their Caucasian counterparts.

The team’s debates are not the central focus, though they do underline the story’s conflicts. Miraculously, the arguments posed by the dissenters are fair and well-balanced, though unlike real debates, they always argue the side for which they believe. We understand why educated white people genuinely believed they were acting in the best interest of African-American students.

However, this is not a story of bad white people versus good black people. This is a rational discussion on the issues of the time: integration of state universities, civil disobedience, capitalism – all debates that would become the central focus of our country in the coming years. In the mouths of these intelligent, well-spoken young adults, it is clear why the battles were eventually won.

Jeanna Ross is an English teacher at Clayton Valley High School and a free lance writer. She regularly contributes to the Pioneer.

Send comments to her at movies@claytonpioneer.com.

Page 20

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 25, 2008

Piccolo player marched in the Rose Bowl Parade 1928-30

COLLEEN ELWY

SHARING HISTORY

Photo courtesy of Petie Kaufman

PETIE KAUFMAN (top left) in uniform with the Taft Union High School Girls Band around 1929.

Pauline “Petie” Kaufman, 95, has lived quite a content life.

She was born in Iowa in a town of 1,700 people and moved to California at age 12.

“My mom brought me to Taft, California. It was a very wealthy town and Mom got a job teaching at the high school there,” recalls Petie, who lost her father when she was just 8 months old. “We left Iowa and headed west and went to the great beyond.”

It is in Taft that Petie’s personal piece of history evolves, with the Tournament of Roses parade as one of her lifetime’s cherished highlights.

“Taft Union High School had gobs of money and they got a girls-only band together.

We had 30 or so girls and the boys carried the tubas because they were too heavy for us to carry on our own,” says Petie.

“The school furnished all the instruments and costumes and I played the piccolo. They called me Piccolo Petie.”

Being the only high school to have a girls’ band in all of California at that time, Taft Union participated in the Tournament of Roses parade from 1928 to 1930. They also had their own floats and Petie’s favorite was their “Princess of India” float.

“The theme was countries and our float was marvelous,” Petie reminisces. “We all had iridescent turbans and shoes and it was so much fun.”

The next year, one of the girl’s dads had a Hudson sedan and six girls, including Petie, drove down to Pasadena together instead of riding on the band bus. “Now that was quite an experience for me,” Petie says with a laugh. “The mothers weren’t sure what to think of it all, but that was my first emancipation for sure.”

they were fortunate that he had a job, even during the Depression.

During the war, it also saved him from being drafted.

“When the war was declared, we were living right there along the highway in Labeck and these big trucks of soldiers started coming through that area,” states Petie. “We didn’t know

MEMORIES OF HARD TIMES Following high school, Petie attended UCLA for two years and then San Francisco Dentistry School to become a hygienist. She married right after and had two children.

Because her husband worked for the gas company in Labeck and he had specialized knowledge about the gas pipes, etc.,

what was happening, but they stopped in our front yard and drank water from our hoses and we found out.”

What impressed her most about WWII was that everyone was together. “You felt a security and a ‘oneness’ that has never been here since. No one griped about things and you just did what you had to do to help oth-

PETIE KAUFMAN

ers. We even drove 60 miles to give blood,” Petie says.

“Don’t get me wrong, as I don’t want to say it was a fun time, but it was a good thing because everybody came together.”

THE GOOD OLD DAYS Petie smiles when asked about what change has had the most impact on her life.

“Definitely the television and the invasion of the cell phone.

For me, I love to sit back and still watch Opie (from ‘The Andy Griffith Show’) rather than the current news. It takes me back to my memories.”

Having lived at Diamond Terrace and this area of California for just four months, Petie is still adjusting to her life here. Petie was married for 68 years and has four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She shares that being a grandmother is the best job she has ever had.

Petie also enjoys reading and especially walking her poodle Zack everyday. “I have had a life of complete comfort,” she says happily.

If you are a senior living in Clayton, or know of a senior that would like to share their life story with the Clayton Pioneer readers, please contact Colleen Elwy at 672-9565 or at colleensbyline@aol.com.

Caribbean taro root dresses up beautifully I recently had the privilege of sailing on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the largest luxury liner afloat (at 150,000 tons). The destination was the Eastern Caribbean and my goal was to do some culinary exploration at each of our island ports of call.

I wasn’t disappointed.

I’ve always found it easy to break the ice with strangers by speaking with them about food – about popular foods in their community or country and their favorite dishes. I try to locate public markets where I can talk with the sellers about what’s on display and ooh and ahh over their items.

This wasn’t my first trip to the Caribbean, so I was surprised to discover some new foods. In some cases, I learned there were actually different names for familiar items.

One vegetable that is popular throughout the area is dasheen, the West Indian term for taro root. It is widely used in soups, stews and stuffings. A starchy and relatively bland vegetable, it pairs well with stronger flavors. (See Dasheen Pineapple Stuffing below.)

An important note about

dasheen/taro: It must be cooked, because it contains calcium oxalate in its raw form that is destroyed by cooking.

Pigeon peas were another new discovery. Originally from Africa, they are popular throughout the Caribbean. They have a nutty flavor with a bit of earthiness. Here in the United States, they are mostly sold in cans and best found in Latin food sections of the store.

These legumes are widely used in pelau, similar to paella, a rice dish with all sorts of meats and vegetables.

Food is expensive in the West Indies, especially if it is imported. St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands) imports just about everything, because there is so little arable land for raising cash crops and livestock.

Dairy is particularly dear — $8 for a gallon of milk. (Sorta makes their $4/gallon gas look cheap!) However, breadfruit, papaya and mango trees abound, and these ingredients often appear on the dinner table.

Many people through the region raise a little produce on their land to supplement their

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incomes, so it’s not hard to find peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, true yams and beans in the public markets and roadside stands.

Fishing is abundant. In Barbados, government-controlled fishing stands hawk flying fish, octopus and various types of snapper throughout

like to cook at home, although the kitchen is still mostly a province for women. Cooking schools are beginning to spring up – a few for culinary tourists but mostly to train people to work in the restaurant/hospitality business.

Here are a couple of the recipes people were kind

DASHEEN (TARO)

the day. Based on my observation, though, it’s best to get your fish earlier in the day because ice isn’t available in these barebones stands.

I also learned that many men

enough to share with me. I was mostly told ingredients with generalized quantities. These contain ingredients you should find locally.

DASHEEN (TARO) PINEAPPLE STUFFING 1 lb. dasheen (taro), peeled and cubed 1 T. vegetable oil ¼ c. scallions, chopped ¼ c. green or red pepper, chopped 4 slices pineapple, cubed 1 tsp. white pepper Salt to taste Cook the dasheen in salted water until tender; cut into cubes. Heat a skillet and add the vegetable oil, scallions and pepper. Sauté until they begin to soften. Combine with pineapple cubes, white pepper and dasheen and mix well. Add salt to taste. Can be served as a side dish or use it to stuff chicken.

PELAU 2 T. margarine (or vegetable oil) ½ lb. chicken pieces (often back and necks are used) ½ lb. ham (salted pig tail is more authentic) 1 carrot, diced small 1 can pigeon peas, drained and rinsed ¼ c. diced green pepper ¼ c. diced pumpkin (or sweet potato)

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¼ c. onion, sliced ½ lb. spinach, finely chopped ¼ c. chopped chives or green onion tops 1 lb. rice 8 cups water Salt and pepper to taste.

Heat margarine in stockpot or Dutch oven and add chicken, ham, carrots, peas, pepper, pumpkin and onion. Sauté until meat has browned and vegetables have begun to soften.

Wash the rice and add to the pot along with the water, spinach and chives or green onion tops. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered until the rice is tender.

Linda Wyner, a local attorney and foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton.

Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com

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January 25, 2008

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Page 21

Evergreen Hardenbergia boasts grand display NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

Remember your Valentine!

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925-672-2025 Tues. - Sat.: 10-5 Sun.: 11-4

Photo by Gregory John Boyles

HARDENBERGIA VIOLACEA

Hardenbergia is an excellent selection for a Clayton Valley yard or garden. This vinelike plant will easily twine its way over fences and arbors, up posts and along beams. Commonly called Happy Wanderer or Winter’s Wisteria, this evergreen has may attributes that you will enjoy.

Hardenbergia violacea Happy Wanderer is a full sun, fast-growing, woody vine.

Purple flowers begin to trickle bloom during October and November, with its largest display taking place late January through February. Masses of violet purple flowers resembling narrow lilacs hang from the twisty stems, adding a cottage appeal. The leaves are oval, with deep green coloring, sturdy and hardy looking.

Hardenbergia is a native to Australia, therefore, it has a bet-

ter chance in our climate compared with tropical vine selections. Happy Wanderer may suffer frost damage at 25 degrees but has survived temperatures as low as 20.

As for drought tolerance, this vine needs little summer watering once established. It takes time for a plant to become established in our Clayton Valley clay, so don’t rush it.

Install your vine using a planting mix in a well-amended bed.

Water with a bucket the first couple of weeks, daily if we haven’t had any rain.

After the heal-in period, feed it with a balanced fertilizer, 1212-12, and water deeply after feeding and then every third or forth day. Making it past the first summer without problems, such as breakage at the stem or gopher damage, will almost cement the survival of this vine

in your Clayton Valley yard or garden.

The Happy Wanderer comes in other colors for those who are not purple people, yet these varieties are hard to find. For the gardener craving white blossoms, there is Hardenbergia violacea Alba. This is a direct first cousin of the Happy Wanderer. The flowers are pure white, resembling small sweet peas. It blooms mid to late winter.

If considering planting this selection, be cautious of the sun. We have never grown this vine and are not as confident about its sun tolerance.

Hardenbergia Rosea is a pink selection with tones of slight salmon. This vine is not as popular, because most people desire the powerful punch of the purple flowers, but for the plant collector who wants

variety, keep your eyes peeled for the pink.

Considering that all Hardenbergia are evergreen, it makes this vine a great choice for mixing with other deciduous vines. If you grow clematis, trumpet or mandivellia vines, include a Hardenbergia. You can plant them side by side, or even in the same hole. This way you will have the evergreen foliage to cover up the stems of the dormant vine, and the early bloom will extend the color in that section.

The trumpet vine blooms when the weather heats up, so having flowers in the area as early as January will be nice. If you grow clematis, the extra vine foliage from the Happy Wanderer will keep your plant cooler during the hot summer months.

Mixing vines with another evergreen is possible as well.

Star Jasmine makes a great fence cover, but its bloom does not begin until June.

More flowers earlier is always better.

Look for Hardenbergia growing around town and you will see some of the extreme conditions that it thrives in. It may be a consideration for you.

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

Depression glass, vintage linens on display at museum NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

The Clayton Historical Society creates a pretty new background of Depression glass and vintage linen for the upcoming 31st annual Camellia Tea honoring the area’s pioneer families. The display, “Depression Glass and Vintage Linens,” runs through June 1 at the Clayton Historical Museum.

In 1928, the Jeannette Glass Co. perfected a low-cost process for machine-made glassware called tank molding. Rather than expensive hand etching, the glass took on the decoration in the relief. There are about 150 patterns and myriad colors.

Color was added using manganese, copper, cobalt, chromium, sulfur, tellurium or phosphorous to hide the many imperfections of this mass-produced glassware.

With the American economy hard hit in the 1930s, this new way of making glass offered nearly everyone an opportunity to collect. The glass was often used as a premium for people to purchase larger items. Cookie jars were given away with the purchase of cookies. Glass was packed in oatmeal and cereal boxes or was given away at gas stations. “Dish night” at the movies was a big hit, because you would pay to see a double feature and receive a new dish as you left the theater.

With renewed interest in “Grandma’s old dishes” in the 1960s and 1970s, the name “Depression glass” became widely used by collectors. Boxes stored in attics and barns started showing up at garage sales, auctions and flea markets.

Mary Spryer, curator at the museum, donated a number of

Photo by Mary Spryer

DEPRESSION GLASS, given out with a movie ticket in the 1930s, for years was the only tableware in many households.

her pieces and collectors books for the display. She has been a collector for some time and advises doing research before investing in expensive pieces.

“This piece is a reproduction, because if you look closely there is a No. 76 printed right in the pattern, for 1976,” laments Spryer.

“I didn’t even look. But it’s OK (to buy a piece) if you just love the color or the pattern. Just don’t pay too much,” she warns.

An original Depression glass 54-piece set of topaz Patrician that sold in 1933 for $3.16 would now be valued at more than $1,000.

Jan Trolan provided her sherbet and saucer collection to the display. She often uses the various colored collection while entertaining friends. Other display contributors are Dinah Towns, Diana Hunt and the CHS Collection.

Prior to the man-made fibers offering “wash and wear” in the early 1950s, handkerchiefs, bed linens and tablecloths were made from linen or cotton. In the 1930s to early 1960s, thou-

sands of manufacturers produced printed tablecloths in countless colors, fabrics and themes. These “vintage” linens, carried over from Victorian traditions of hand-embellished trousseaus for a new bride’s home, are becoming increasingly popular to collect.

Generally, vintage fabrics are more lustrous and of a higher quality than modern-day fabrics due to the way cotton and linen were grown; with one cutting a year producing the strongest fibers possible. Today, these plants produce many cuttings a year with weaker and shorter fibers.

Modern reproductions of vintage-looking linens are currently on the market. If you are looking for the real thing, be sure you know that your seller is reputable.

The Camellia Tea is 1-4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10, at the museum, 6101 Main St., Clayton. The public is invited to attend the free event. The museum is open 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays.

For more information, visit claytonhistory.org.

Page 22

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

January 25, 2008

georgevujnovich.com

Trust your home to

GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.

Helping friends, neighbors and newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979

DANA HILLS!

Tel: (925) 672-4433 6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517

CONCORD!

Highly Desirable Single Story! situ-

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.

ated near the top of Dana Hills! 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx 2,078sf, inside laundry and 3 car garage. Large living room with spectacular views of Mount Diablo. Gourmet kitchen with abundant cabinets and eating nook. Cozy family room with fireplace & slider to backyard.

Spacious master bedroom. Large lot features sunny courtyard and private backyard with towering redwoods, patio, and ornamentals.

Close to greenbelt with miles of walking trails!

$639,000

$422,900

CONCORD!

PLEASANT HILL!

Fixer/Contractor Special! on a

Tres Lagos! WOW! Really Priced to Sell! 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths,

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. $475,000

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. $429,000

PINE HOLLOW ESTATES!

Fantastic View Lot Overlooking Rolling Hills & City Lights!

D SOL

Upgraded/updated throughout! Dramatic entry with oak library walls. Spacious living room with vaulted ceiling & formal dining room. Upgraded gourmet kitchen with 16" diagonal laid tile floor, gorgeous slab granite counters, recessed lights, stainless appliances, custom oak cabinets, and bay window. Large nook with built in oak hutch and bay window with views! Updated/upgraded hall bath with Travertine tile shower, granite countertop, new oak cabinet, recessed lighting & crown molding. Huge master suite with double door entry, vaulted ceiling with lighted ceiling fan, plantation shutters & two closets with organizers. Master Bath features dual sinks, oversized soaking tub and separate stall shower. Private lot with desirable court location backs to open space with sweeping views, beautiful landscape, aggregate patio, gazebo & lush lawn area. $745,000 FALCON RIDGE AT OAKURST COUNTRY CLUB!

D SOL

Exquisite “Serenade” Model On A Premium View Lot overlooking un-obstructed views of hills-val-

ley-city to Delta! 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, approx. 3,079sf, inside laundry and 3 car garage.

Extensively updated/upgraded: crown moulding & baseboards, plantation shutters, 17 X 16ft sun room, window trim, new plush neutral carpet & wood flooring. Gorgeously upgraded gourmet kitchen featuring slab granite counters, “Euro” style cabinets, stainless appliances including sub-zero and “Dacor” 6 burner gas range & double oven with wall mounted pot filler faucet & sunny skylight. Expanded family room with cozy fireplace offers French doors to large sun room. Enormous master suite features balcony with sweeping views & separate master retreat.

Professionally landscaped ridgeline lot located in a peaceful cul-de-sac setting with incredible views, cov$995,000 ered brick patio, large lush lawn area, and a magnificent array of flowers & ornamentals.

Mortgage Market Update Conforming $417,000 or less

Jumbo $417,001 and up

30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . . .5.5% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . . .5.5% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .5.625% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . .6.875% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.0% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.625%

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 . . . . . . . .6.5% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.875% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.5%

Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS 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 4707 Keller Ridge Dr 1407 Indianhead Way 1108 Peacock Creek Dr 201 Round House Pl 632 Mt Olivet Ct 1288 Shell Circle 1236 Buckeye Terrace 3103 Morgan Territory Rd 226 Stranahan Circle 1126 Peacock Creek Dr 121 Forest Hill Drive

PRICE $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 $545,000 $514,900 $1,125,000 $489,900 $784,000 $520,000 $580,000 $1,115,000 $597,000 $1,199,000 $900,000

SALE DATE

SF

BED/BATH

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 9/6/07 8/29/07 8/28/07 8/22/07 8/22/07 8/22/07 8/17/07 8/16/07 8/16/07 8/15/07 8/15/07

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 1554 1355 3675 1246 2694 1367 1343 2709 1650 3820 2748

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 3/2.5 3/2.5 4/3.5 2/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 4/3 3/2.5 4/2.5 4/2