PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
June 8, 2007
925.672.0500
Nephew carries torch for slain uncle JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
BILL WALCUTT
MAYOR’S CORNER
Using less water just makes sense With summer fast approaching, I know everyone is thinking about ways to conserve water. Well, maybe not everyone. I normally start thinking about it after I get my first summer water bill, which is a little late. Aside from saving money, we need to begin our conservation efforts early this year because this is the fourth driest winter on record. Unlike some of our neighboring water districts that are asking customers to meet specific voluntary rationing targets, the Contra Costa Water District is only asking customers to make efficient use of water. The district expects water supplies to be sufficient to meet demands for 2007 without mandatory or voluntary rationing. However, in preparation for a possible second dry year, CCWD is asking customers to use water wisely this summer and fall. Here are some fun, watersaving facts: A low-flow shower head can save 10,000 gallons per year. A faucet aerator can save 4,300 gallons per year. A high-efficiency washer can save 11,000 gallons per year. Replacing an older toilet with a high-efficiency one saves 19,000 gallons per year. Outdoor watering accounts for about half of the average homeowner’s use, so focus your conservation efforts on your yard. As a matter of fact, overwatering is the top cause of water waste and unnecessarily high bills.
See Mayor, page A7
What’s Inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2, 3 From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 Classified Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . .A5 Directory of Advertisers . . . .A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A7 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . .A8 Readers’ Forum . . . . . . . . . . .A8 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .A12 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A14 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .A15 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . .A15 SECTION B Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 At the Movies . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . . .B6 ARF Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6 Sharing History . . . . . . . . . . .B7 On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Community Calendar . . . . . .B8 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . .B9 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . .B9 Food for Thought . . . . . . .B10
Photo courtesy of The Barboza Family
Kelby Taylor was the torchbearer in this year’s Special Olympic run in Honolulu that was named in honor of his uncle, Troy Barboza. Barboza coached for the Special Olympics before being killed in the line of duty in 1987.
A fitting tribute to courageous vets JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The bright, sunny day on Monday, May 28 was in sharp contrast to a somber Memorial Day Service at the VFW Post 1525 Flagpole and Veterans’ Memorial in downtown Clayton honoring the men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country. Despite the warm weather, hundreds came to participate in the one-hour ceremony featuring community leaders, the Diablo View and Pine Hollow Middle School bands, VFW Post 1525, U.S. Marines, Olympic and Mt. Diablo High School ROTC and Boy Scout Troop 262. Master of Ceremonies was Vietnam Veteran and Green Beret Pete Laurence who introduced guests from the Governor’s office, Congressman’s George Miller’s office, State Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Clayton ViceMayor Gregg Manning, Concord Vice-Mayor Bill Shinn, Concord Mayor Mark
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
All branches of the armed forces were represented in the color guard at this year’s Memorial Day event. Here they are shown retiring the colors at the close of the service. Peterson and Concord City Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister. Special guest speaker was Major General Daniel C. Helix, Korean veteran and retired U.S Army Reserves who acknowledged the courage of all veterans “who know the sound of
angry metal.” He discussed the origin of the haunting melody Taps dating back to 1862 on a battle field in Virginia with a confederate soldier and his father, a Captain in the Union Army. Present in the audience were vets from World War II including several survivors of
the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and Desert Storm 1 & 2 and the current conflict in Iraq. The service concluded with America the Beautiful, retiring of colors and closing prayer by Mike Keppel, chaplain VFW 25th District.
Clayton students take CVHS Altair awards
See Altair, page A10
See Torch, page A4
Witnesses sought in truck versus pedestrian, June 1 A man was hit by a truck at the corner of Clayton Road and Heritage Way on June 1 and police are asking witnesses to please come forward. Robert Carnes, 92, was on his usual “speedwalk” at 11:27 a.m. when he was hit by a truck and knocked across two lanes of Clayton Road. The delivery truck drove off, apparently unaware of the collision, said Sgt. Scott Dansie of the Clayton Police Department. Carnes was helped to his feet by a passerby and was standing when police arrived. He was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Hospital where he was admitted with major injuries. According to Kevin Carnes,
See Witnesses, page A6
Performing Arts Center plans underway for CVHS TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Three Clayton students received coveted Altair awards for the graduating class of 2007 at Clayton Valley High School. Grand Altair honoree Marina Bohn is a 4.13 GPA honors student who will attend UC Santa Barbara in the fall. Bohn received numerous awards and scholarships, including a $3,000 scholarship from the
When families lose a loved one, they are reminded of that person during birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other special moments creating memories that are both difficult and healing at the same time. Long-time Clayton residents Jerry and Ron Barboza have taken one special memory of their murdered son and turned it into a poignant family tradition to help raise money for the intellectually challenged and Special Olympics. The Barbozas, their daughter Rhonda and grandson Kelby Taylor recently returned from Hawaii, where they participated in the 20th anniversary of the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run. Troy Barboza, Jerry and Ron’s son, was killed in 1987 in the line of duty with the Honolulu Police Department. A dedicated coach for Special Olympics Hawaii, Troy devoted countless hours to the Special Olympics athletes. When he died, the torch run was named
If a group of motivated parents have their way, Clayton Valley High School will soon see a new state-of-the-art, 400-seat performing arts center somewhere on the Concord campus. Fed up with sharing the decrepit 50 year old multi use room with the cafeteria, the parents have organized the Clayton Valley Performing Arts Action Committee and plan to have a MARINA BOHN
JULIE CARUSO
CLAUDIA GALAN
See Arts, page A12