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June 28, 2013
Eye of Diablo Beacon lifted from its longtime post on Mt. Diablo summit Iconic light structure will get needed rehab before Dec. 7 return
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER Ideas to escape the summer funk School’s been out for just two weeks. Have the summer doldrums set in already? Clayton and its surrounding areas are full of great activities for kids and their parents. Try exploring our great Clayton trail system. We have many trails that will get you off your beaten track and up into our beautiful hills to enjoy the views and solitude. We have maps available at City Hall and posted in the kiosk at the Black Diamond Plaza (at Main Street and Marsh Creek Road) that show all the trails in Clayton and our surrounding area, including our side of Mt Diablo.
See Mayor, page 9
PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
Scott Hein
SHELL MARTINEZ REFINERY AND MAXIM CRANE WORKS DONATED THE CRANE AND CREW SERVICES to safely move the beacon from atop the Summit Building to a waiting trailer where it will undergo a much needed rehabilitation before being returned to its perch in time for the Dec. 7 anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The project was spearheaded by Save Mount Diablo.
All eyes were on the “Eye of Diablo” as a crane lifted the 1,500 pound, eight-foot-tall beacon, swung it in a gentle arc and carefully placed it on a custommade platform attached to a truck and trailer. A small, private crowd of park rangers, Save Mount Diablo members, Pearl Harbor survivors and their wives, engineers and media quietly watched the operation. The beacon was heading down from its perch atop Mount Diablo in SMD’s efforts to make improvements to it before Pearl Harbor Day 2013, Dec. 7. The beacon was secured in place before making its slow decent down Mount Diablo to a warehouse in Concord for its
See Beacon, page 7
Local Girl Scout Emma Hall brings family fun to Clayton Enter the annual Pioneer July 4 Photo Contest and win cash prizes Shutterbugs and patriots, grab your cameras and celebrate “Community and Country.” Capture the spirit of the day and share your favorite images with our readers. Anyone who receives the Pioneer, either by mail or carrier, is eligible to enter. The contest is open to all, adults (over 12) and kids (12 and under.) The winning photos will be published in the July 12 issue of the Pioneer.
Each individual may submit up to three photos, but only one can win a prize. Submit snapshot size prints (nothing bigger than 5” x 7”) AND a CD with hi-resolution files. DO NOT email entries. Photos must have been taken during this year’s July 4 Celebration in downtown Clayton. On the back of each photo, put your name, address, phone
See Contest, page 2
Concord’s Singing Flag turns 25 The Calvary Temple Church will present highlights of the last 25 years at the annual event in Brubeck Park
JOHN JACKSON Special to the Pioneer
On July 2, 3 and 4, more than 30,000 fans are set to celebrate not only our country’s birthday, but something that has sparked patriotism and good-will in the hearts of Concord and Clayton residents for a quarter-century: The 25th anniversary of Concord’s Singing Flag at Dave Brubeck Park.
See Singing Flag, page 6
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Don’t let the parade pass you by
June 29 event features volunteers, performers from throughout the community DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
There’s still time for late entries in Clayton’s July 4 Parade. So, put a coat of wax on the old pick-up, stock up on crepe paper streamers and load up the back with flag-waving patriots. Join your friends and neighbors, clubs, scout troops, and marching bands in this most patriotic and traditional celebration of our country’s independence. Fill out a parade application at the city of Clayton website at cityofclayton.org, or pick one up at City Hall and get it in by the end of the day on Monday. No advance entry is needed for the Kiddie Parade – just show up with decorated bikes, trikes, scooters and the family dog at the flagpole by 10 a.m. The day starts early with the annual Rotary Club pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at Endeavor Hall. The parade begins at 10 and Clayton’s Cw Wolfe will be back on the grandstand this year as Grand Marshall.
People seldom equate fun with learning to administer CPR – despite instructors’ insistence that the correct rhythm goes along with the aptly-named, Bee Gees song, “Staying Alive.” That said, courtesy of local Girl Scout Emma Hall, fun and community activities, including learning about disaster preparedness and hands-only CPR, are going hand-in-hand at the Clayton Family Fair and Picnic on June 29. There, families from Concord and Clayton are invited to bring a picnic – or grab a meal from a nearby restaurant – and join in with community groups from throughout the area for a free, interactive event in the Grove. Families can expect free activities such as face painting and balloon animals provided by local Girl Scout troops, a painta-rock-like-an-insect activity sponsored by the Clayton Garden Club, a railroad exhibit at the Clayton Historical Museum,
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Community Calendar . . . . .14 CVCHS Reporter . . . . . . . . .9 Design and Décor . . . . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 Doctor’s Orders . . . . . . . . . . .3
Fashion Over 50 . . . . . . . . .15 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .16 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . .17 Pocket Parenting . . . . . . . . . .8
Jason Rogers/Clayton Pioneer
WHEN CLAYTON COUNTS DOWN was cancelled, Girl Scout Emma Hall stepped into the breach, planning and organizing the first Clayton Family Fair and Picnic to replace the free event.
and a vintage police car on display. In addition, live music will be performed by groups including Bingo Schmingo, Greg Fogg, and a children’s violin ensemble. The cherry on the sundae of the event’s entertainment will be a demonstration by the Clayton Bikes stunt team at the end of the evening. The event is the brainchild of both local Girl Scout Emma Hall and Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce. Pierce made public her desire to plan new family activi-
Speaking of Sports . . . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Travels with Woody . . . . . . . .4
ties after the annual Clayton Counts Down New Year’s Eve event was cancelled in 2012, due to declining attendance. Although not as popular an event as the Concerts in the Grove (which attract thousands of people on Saturday evenings throughout the summer), the absence was felt by many residents. In response to comments that there was nothing for families to do in Clayton, Pierce put
See Family Fair, page 13
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