MAY19 Clayton Pioneer 2006

Crown your Dad King for a Day See page A7

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May 19, 2006

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Another fantastic Art and Wine

Clayton paramedic wins Star of Life award BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

DAVE SHUEY

MAYOR’S CORNER Honor our heroes on Memorial Day John F. Kennedy’s immortal words are especially poignant as we approach another Memorial Day: “Ask not what y our country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

I am not g oing to g et into the politics of war or the military, but the fact remains that almost ev eryone kno ws a grandparent, parent, child or relative who has proudly ser ved this countr y in the militar y.

Clayton has many parents and kids who are or ha ve recently served in Iraq and elsewhere.

They all deser ve our respect and admiration, regardless of your political feelings as to their mission. Like it or not, freedom comes with a price – and some give more than others.

I am forev er proud that m y father ser ved in the Air F orce, and one of my regrets in life is that I did not ser ve.

As long as I can remember , Clayton has put on a wonderful Memorial Da y ev ent honoring our militar y heroes (and yes , in my mind they are all heroes). I hope that on that day, you come down and celebrate those who are and have served our country and kept our freedom alive.

I hope to see y ou on Main Street on Monday, May 29, at 10 a.m. to honor these amazing people.

Meanwhile, praise also g oes to our o wn Mt. Diablo Elementary Sc hool, which w as named a Califor nia Distinguished Sc hool. Only 5 percent of the sc hools in California g arnered this honor .

According to the state , “these schools are the best of the best.

They share a vision of excellence and they ha ve brought that vision to life.”

See Mayor, page A9

What’s inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 Classifieds and Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 So, Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . . .A7 Minding Your Business . . .A9 Food For Thought . . . . . .A10 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . .A11 At the Movies . . . . . . . . . .A11 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . .A12

SECTION B

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Church News . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . .B7 Community Calendar . . . . .B8 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . .B9 School News . . . . . . . . . . .B10 July 4 Parade Application .B10 CVHS Student Reporter .B10 Dining Around . . . . . . . . .B11 Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . .B12

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

ARTS

AND CRAFTS,

music, a jam packed food court and plenty of good wine and beer brought thousands to the festival.

BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

If you w ere a y oung bo y, Manseaus’ Wood T oys booth was the place to be at Cla yton’s Art and Wine Festival.

On Saturda y, May 6, they were lined up three dee p to test out r ubber band guns with names like Wyatt Earp, 007 and Space Ranger.

“Oh perfect, ” screams Clayton resident Conner

Campbell, 11, as he helps a friend pic k out a gun. “You’ve got to get the scope!”

Conner enjoyed playing with the shooter he bought last year .

Unfortunately, it’s been lost for a while – “probably in my closet somewhere.” He w as spotted back do wn at the booth on Sunday, after con vincing his parents he needed a re placement weapon.

Jay Manseau of Dayton, Nev., handcrafts the w ooden

guns with his ste pfather and sells them at about 40 sho ws a year. They came up with the idea after seeing similar guns and improving the technology.

“This one holds 12 shots instead of one,” he sa ys while trying to k eep the cro wd of young customers in line.

His wife , Adriana, was selling solar landscape decorations called “F rogs on Logs” in the booth next door . “He k ept telling me last year ho w beauti-

ful it w as here . And he said, ‘This year , we ha ve to g et tw o booths,’ ” she says.

Meanwhile, the y oung girls in the cro wd veered toward the face-painting booth in Kiddieland. Clayton Valley High students Danielle Stensvold and Lindsey Nielsen catered to a steady crowd on Saturda y afternoon. The big requests: butterflies and dragons.

See Art & Wine, page A13

Airsoft pellet guns are illeg al in public TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

It’s w as 3:48 on a quiet Wednesday after noon. School had been out for nearly an hour when the call came in.

Two adult males had been seen walking along the street in front of the school. One was dressed all in black and the other was carrying a shotgun.

Police quic kly mobilized with all day and swing shift offi-

cers, the police c hief and tw o back up detectives from a neighboring city responding.

Armed with AR 15 assault rifles, the police began to search the park and w ooded area across from the sc hool. They could hear sounds coming from deeper in the w oods and, with weapons ready, they moved in.

Sound lik e the latest cop show? Guess again.

The cops were Clayton cops, the tw o detecti ves w ere from

Concord, the park was the Dog Park across from Diablo View Middle School and the w ooded area was the area known as “the pit,” a dee p hollo w along the creek behind the Dog P ark where neighborhood kids had built a bicycle jump course.

As police mo ved into the clearing, what they found were a group of kids – maybe 10 or 12 of them – all ar med. The kids began to scatter when they sa w the police but officers were able

Clayton resident Donnie Fisi grew up w atching the crew of Station 51 on “Emerg ency” and knew he w anted to be a paramedic.

“There w as just something about seeing the emerg ency vehicles and all the lights ,” Fisi says. “That sho w w as instr umental in putting paramedics into the U.S. consciousness.”

Unlike the thousands of other kids who dream of becoming paramedics , police officers or firefighters – and end up sitting behind desks as adults – Fisi stuck to his words.

And, after 19 years of service, Fisi w as honored with the Star of Life in W ashington, D.C., in early Ma y. The American Ambulance Association presented the award to about 100 recipients

DONNIE FISI

to collar fi ve of them at gunpoint. The guns the kids w ere carrying were toys.

This might sound lik e a bad joke, but these to y guns, manufactured under a v ariety of brand names and models , are designed to look and feel lik e the real thing . They are illeg al.

And they can be deadly . They can get their owner shot.

Until police can deter mine

nationwide. It’s the highest honor an emerg ency medical service worker can receive.

Fisi was honored at the state level before being selected to go on to national recognition. “I felt v ery humbled to g et the award, just to g o to Sacramento,” Fisi recalls . “It’s certainly a career highlight for me.”

He w as nominated for the award b y Mic helle V oos, para-

See Airsoft, page A4

See Fisi, page A4

Bellagio inspired pool highlights ‘06 Garden Tour TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Garden lovers turned out in force last w eekend for the Clayton Historical Society’ s 14th Annual Garden Tour.

Five lo vely g ardens w ere open to visitors , three in Clayton and tw o in Concord.

Styles rang ed from the eleg ant and for mal to do wn home and rustic.

The pool at the Bellagio Hotel in Las V egas w as the inspiration for Mik e and Laurie Miller’s new home on Rac hel Ranch Cour t. The swimming pool, with its arching fountains, is the dramatic center piece of this bac kyard. Imaginative use of cement balustrades, columns and lion’s head fountains create a for mal and eleg ant space for relaxing and entertaining.

Dan and Carol Henr y ha ve long had an interest in “g reen” design and their home on Whispering Pines (off Morgan Territory R oad) ref lects their respect for the en vironment.

The home has a passi ve solar design which utilizes the g reenhouse on the south side of the house to collect and store warm air whic h is then released into the home during the winter months. The landscaping makes liberal use of native plants and low maintenance shr ubs, trees and g round co vers. A g ravel path takes visitors through their “outdoor ar t g allery” of fountains and sculptures.

Sherry Wright’s Pinot Cour t home and g arden ref lect her desire for peace and tranquility .

Many of her plantings w ere

See Garden, page A12

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

THE BELLAGIO HOTEL was the inspiration for the pool and formal gardens of this Rachel Ranch home.

Page A2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Around Town

Big turnout for Clayton Cleans Up

Ryan Morimoto, 1 1/2, can already taste his hotdog.

Obituary

Shuey family brings home new daughter from China

BBQ chefs: Alden Foster, Casey Cline, Debra Maylan, Andy Siver

bands made from recycled r ubber and a pac ket of wildflower seeds to scatter.

Thanks to (ev eryone) who came out and helped on this day, our community had a little more shine and sparkle just in time for the annual ar t and wine ev ent,” said Assistant to the City Manager Laura Hoffmeister.

Arthur Westman weeds and trims around the Clayton City monument sign.

Winter-weary Cla ytonians, eager to soak up some of the first ra ys of the season, turned out in big n umbers for this year’s Cla yton Cleans Up .

Over 125 moms and dads , kids, scouts, garden club members , Trails and Landscape Committee Members and oth-

May 19, 2006

ers combed the streets and trails of Clayton pulling w eeds and pouncing eag erly on anything that remotely resembled trash.

The net result w as 150 big orange plastic bags filled with everything from paper and cans to a couple of old la wn c hairs, broken fence boards and an old

basketball hoop fished from the creek. Eryn Dudley , 8, even found a big beer m ug from last year’s Art and Wine.

After filling their trash bags , volunteers g athered at the City Hall for a barbeque lunch and to pick up their “Cla yton Cleans Up” t-shirts, Earth Da y wrist

Mom Elisa and Erin, 8, Dudley with their “bag of treasures.”

Catherine is the newly adopted daughter of Dave and Shelly Shuey of Clayton who tra velled to China to bring her home . They officially adopted her on April 25.

The Shueys fell in lo ve with Catherine’ s photograph. “We look ed at her face and knew she w as ours,” said Dave.

Catherine is 2 1/2 and is currently adjusting to her new role as little sister to Samatha, 10 and Andrew 9.

Her g randparents Ben and Carol Shuey also li ve in Clayton.

Pictured above at the airport on their arrival home is Dave, Samantha, Andrew, Shelly and Catherine.

Dave Shuey is the Ma yor of Clayton.

Elizabeth Steiner

Elizabeth “Lee” Steiner died on May 5 after a long illness.

Lee w as bor n F ebruary 9, 1912 in Honolulu where she li ved until coming to Califor nia with her family in 1926.

In 1031 she mar ried R obert and for the next 62 years they walked side b y until his death in 1993.

Lee w as a wizard in the g arden. She could stick a coat hanger in the ground and it would sprout.

Flowers w ere her g reatest lo ve and, judging from her g ardens, they lo ved her bac k just as passionately.

When she w asn’t dig ging in the g arden, she w as creating something useful from yar n, thread or cloth. Her needlework was leg endary and her colorful afghans—“Nonnie Nug gies”— will grace forever the backs of all our couches.

Lee spent her last years di viding her time between her daughter Jeri Mills’ home in Livermore and son and daughter -in-law Bob and Tamara Steiner’s home in Clayton.

She will be w armly remembered by Jeri, Bob and Tamara, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two g reat g reat g randchildren and her many friends . She was the long est li ved of her fi ve sisters and two brothers.

Memorial Ser vices will be May 20, 2 p.m. at St. John’s Parish, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton.

$859,980 Clayton Windmill Canyon – Single-story 3 bedroom, 2 bath has an updated kitc hen w/g ranite & larg e pantr y. Elegant living, dining and family rooms . Master bedroom with retreat. Picturesque bac kyard pool with w aterfall, covered patio & vineyard.

$1,225,000 Clayton Peacock Creek @ Oakhurst – Palatial 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath features a beautiful marble entr y, teak wood floors, soaring ceilings , 2 fire places, and a g ourmet kitc hen w/granite. Backs to open space. Beautifully landscaped with lights & fountain.

Clayton $829,980 Dana Hills – Mt. Diablo State Park, views and trails are at your door in this 4 bedroom, 3 bath home . Family room w/w et bar and fire place, first f loor guest room, spacious g ourmet kitc hen. Entertain on y our patio in your private yard with views!

$639,980 Clayton Oakhurst Duet – Upgraded 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath is light and air y w/ dramatic ceilings , pristine f loors and walls. Gourmet kitc hen with island/breakfast area and pantry. Landscaped yard with dec k. Low maintenance living in a g reat neighborhood.

$879,980 Clayton Windmill Canyon – Pristine 5 bedroom, 3 bath has a large kitchen w/sunny dining area next to family room w/fireplace & slider out to patio & views . Grand entr y w/ spiral staircase leads to bright master suite w/ his/her closets and a balcony.

Clayton $815,000 Jeffrey Ranch – Updated 4 bedroom, 2 bath home has new paint, dual pane windo ws, and a master bedroom w/built-in cabinetry. Kitchen w/garden window, vaulted ceilings and skylights. Large yard with pool, gazebo, plus a finished 3-car garage.

Clayton $849,980 Regency Meadows – 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on a cul-de-sac has a master suite w/ soaking tub & w alk-in closets, formal dining & living rooms w/vaulted ceilings and a g ourmet kitc hen. Great bac kyard w/dec k and landscaping.

Clayton $684,980 Windmill Canyon – Single-story 3 bedroom, 2 bath in Oakhurst has a fabulous , open g reat room with vaulted ceilings , fireplace and for mal dining . 3/4” hardwood floors throughout & a larg e eat-in kitchen w/bay window.

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"The Lynne French Team" (L-R): Julie Clairmont, Jim Bartneck, Ruth Reed, Inge Yarborough, Danny French, Heather Gray, Lynne French.

May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page A3

Around Town ‘Twas a buggy, wormy day at CV Pumpkin Farm

Book sale was a huge success

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT for Mia Propesi and her worm.

DORÉ RIPLEY

LOADS UP

on books for her grandkids in Hawaii.

Doré Ripley str uck it ric h at the Cla yton Comm unity Librar y’s semi-annual used book sale . At a dollar eac h for most books , this Morgan Territory grandmother could load up on books to send to her grandchildren in Hawaii and history books for her colleg e age son.

The librar y has been holding sales twice a year since 1990. This spring’s sale netted over $7,500 which will all go to buy new books and materials for the librar y.

Used books are all donated b y indi viduals. Most are sold at the used book sale, but some find their way into the stacks. “For the past three years we have been receiving many recently published books and many of these are put into the librar y collection, ” said Librar y Volunteer Jeanne Boyd. “In fact last year we put in donated materials valued at almost $24,000. This is a g reat way to impro ve our collection.”

The library collects books for the sale all year long, storing them in the historic K eller House behind the librar y.

They’ve budg eted money for a storage shed which will be located at the future Bocce Ball on City Hall property.

It tak es sev eral v olunteers working full time for a week to sort the 10,000 or so books for the sale.

“Our sale is one of the best in terms of making it easy for customers to find the g enre they are wanting to buy,” said Boyd.

In the last few hours of the sale, books g o for $2 a bag and Photos by Joan Bergum any books remaining at the close Connie Weimar models fashions of the sale go to the recycler. from J. Jill of Walnut Creek.

photos courtesy of Clayton Community Preschool

CARA WAHL

FIELDS QUESTIONS

from enthusiastic preschoolers at “Spring Planting” day.

Woman’s Club previews new fashions Served b y handsome w aiters in white shirts and black bowties, over 160 women enjoyed lunch at the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club “Festival of Tables and Fashion” on April 29. Seated at 21 tables featuring whimsical themes suc h as Americana, simple eleg ance and a tribute to the Oakland A ’s, the guests w ere w elcomed b y event chairwoman, Sharon Hupp.

Following lunc h, which w as catered by One Good Cook, J Jill of Walnut Creek presented a selection of spring fashions , ranging from jeans and casual tops, a lo vely linen suit, and a skirt and blouse appropriate for

daytime or ev ening w ear.

Models Shirley Adams , Millie Graham, Chris Light, June Stewart and Connie Weimar glided betw een the tables so that guests could ha ve an up-close look at the fabulous outfits.

Attendees w ere offered the opportunity to tak e a c hance on wonderful prizes, including a golf outing at Oakhurst Country Club, dinner for two at Equinox in San Francisco, and many bask ets filled to the brim with g oodies assembled by club members. All proceeds from the ev ent benefit Clayton V alley W oman’s Club projects whic h include the

IT WAS SERVICE with a smile by Messrs. Hooy, Weimer, Bolin, Hupp, Doward, Abernathy and Atkinson.

Concord and Cla yton Historical Societies and the Cla yton Community Librar y, as w ell as scholarships and donations of time and money to other community organizations.

Preschoolers from Cla yton Community Presc hool visited Clayton V alley Pumpkin F arm last w eek and had some hands on fun lear ning about spring planting from Pumpkin F arm staffer, Cara Wahl.

The kids and a few parents got up close and personal with some slim y, wiggly w orms and learned about soil, recycling and composting.

Then Emily Kindric k dressed up like a bee and everyone lear ned the names of the body par ts of an insect. After that, they cra wled through the “bug tunnel” for a look at the bugs, worms and plant par ts that they would see if they were actually underground.

Each c hild planted a sunflower seed in a peat pot to take home along with a “Sunf lower Journal” to record their plant’ s growth o ver the next three months.

What’s happening Around Town?

Send y our “ Around T own” news item to tamara@cla ytonpioneer.com, or g o online to www.claytonpioneer.com.

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Page A4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Airsoft, from page A1 that a replica gun is not real, they have to assume that the barrel of the gun they are looking down is real — and act accordingly.

Last w eek, Martinez police shot and killed a man who had brandished a handgun and threatened a citizen.

When ordered b y police to drop the gun, he refused and the police fired. The handgun tur ned out to be a plastic pellet gun that looked lik e a T ech 9, said one witness.

These airsoft guns are inexpensive and con venient. They can be set to fire in semi-automatic mode and some can be set to full automatic and can fire repeatedly as long as the trig ger is held back. They cost as little as $10 or $12 and shoot plastic BB’s that are about $5 for a package of 5000. The guns are nearly impossible to distinguish from the real thing unless y ou have them side-b y-side. Even then, to the uninitiated, they appear identical.

So, when police respond to a

call where w eapons are re portedly in volved, they can ’t tell whether the guns are real or airsoft.

“When w e g et a re port of someone carrying a weapon, we have to take it seriously. Officers don’t know what they’re walking

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

ONE OF THE GUNS PICTURED is an authentic HK 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun used by Clayton police. The other is an airsoft replica. Can you tell the difference between the two?

Fisi, from page A1 medic clinical specialist for American Medical R esponse of Alameda County. After working with him as a paramedic, then as a super visor, Voos w as impressed with both his medical skills and personal demeanor.

“This award is a testament to who he is as a person, ” Voos says. “He is one of those men who has integ rity. He is the kindest, most sensiti ve man we’ve had in this company.”

According to V oos, Fisi remains calm and friendly despite his high-stress profession. “It can be 4 in the mor ning, and he’ s unc hanging. He’s constant. You can rely on him.”

Although the 38-year -old

into,” said Sergeant Tim O’Hara of the Cla yton P olice. “I can ’t tell an officer not to be prepared. We didn’t kno w if those guys last w eek had just shot someone at the middle school or were headed to the park where there w ere people ,” he explained. “Last month w e g ot called out on tw o men w alking toward Cla yton along Marsh Creek R oad car rying rif les.

Fisi says “he’s seen it all” while out on calls, he’s hard-pressed to recall specific incidents that left a lasting impression.

“You nev er kno w what you’re g oing to w alk in to . I’ve been on things as min ute as someone calling 911 because they had a nightmare . And then I’ve been to plane crashes ,” he says.

“Maybe once a year, I’ll kind of step bac k when w e’re on a call and think, ‘This is a v ery weird way to make a living,’” he adds. “You can be sitting on the couch in the station w atching TV one min ute and the next thing, you’re on the freeway and there’s a big rig on top of a car.”

“You never know what you’re going to walk in to. I’ve been on things as minute as someone calling 911 because they had a nightmar e.

And then I’ve been to plane crashes” Donnie Fisi Fisi w orks about 10 da ys a month out of Castro Valley, on 24-hour shifts . As a prece ptor and field training officer, he also has mentored hundreds of interns and new paramedics.

When off-duty , he enjo ys spending time with his wife Sue and their 3-year-old son Jessiah.

Those guns w ere real. We ha ve to be ready.”

Under federal la w, airsoft guns m ust ha ve at least a 6mm bright orang e tip on the end of the bar rel and it is illeg al to remove this tip . Under the Clayton Municipal Code , the air guns are illeg al in any public place. The only place y ou can shoot an airsoft gun, a BB gun, a paint ball gun, a g as-operated gun or a spring gun is on private property and only if both the gun and the pellets sta y on private property.

Following the incident earlier this month, O’Hara met with the parents and the kids in volved.

“Some of the parents felt that the police w ere o ver zealous in their response ,” said O’Hara.

“They didn’t like it that officers approached the kids with guns drawn.”

“Most of the parents didn ’t know the nature of the original call—that w e w ere looking for two guys with a shotgun—or that airsoft guns are illeg al,” he explained. “Once they knew , they were pretty understanding.”

He pla ys the dr ums for the 9 a.m. choir at St. Bonaventure Catholic Churc h in Concord and records CDs with Christian artist Jesse Manibusan.

As a testament to his dee p faith, Fisi sees his career as a calling. “It is a pri vilege to be able to go out and help people,” he reflects. “People have a tr ust that w e are g oing to come through for them in their moment of need.”

For him, each call is unique – and equally impor tant. “It’s not only about IVs and a life or death situation. It’s about helping a family … taking y our gloves off and holding a lady’ s hand because she is scared, ” he says. “Sometimes it’ s really about dealing with the survivors.”

May 19, 2006

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May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

HELP WANTED

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Baby Sitter. We are looking for a responsible, caring, kind-hearted, patient baby sitter for the sweetest little 1-year old girl. Must be flexible with time. Call 925-672-3882

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City of Clayton Needs Commissioners City of Clayton has the following openings to fill: Planning Commissioners ($100/month stipend) and Community Service Commissioners ($75/month stipend). If you would like additional information about these openings please visit City of Clayton’s website at www.ci.clayton.ca.us. Or contact Rhonda Basore, City Clerk, at 925-673-7304.

Library Commissioner. The City of Clayton is looking for a Library Commissioner. It is a voluntary position.

If you would like additional info about these openings please visit City of Clayton’s website at www.ci.clayton.ca.us. Or contact Rhonda Basore, City Clerk, at 925-6737304.

SERVICES

ClutterCutter - I organize your stuff.

Surprise you by helping you possibly discover lost treasures you’ve been missing and by maximizing the usefulness, enjoyment and value of your house. You’ll thank yourself. Phone Judy 925-408-3643

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Greeter. Clayton Historical Society Museum needs a greeter the second

Tutoring. Local MDUSD teacher available for tutoring K-3. Focus is on language arts and match concepts. $45/hr. Email: Liberatore915@comcast.net; 673-0227.

Long Term Care Insurance. Mrs. Brown, age seventy-two, just spent her last dollar on her nursing home bill.

Avoid being a burden to your children with long-term care protection. 24Hour free recorded information. (800) 835-1871 Ext.1112.

Perennial Garden Design by Nicole Hackett AKA The Garden Girl Personal consultations regarding plant choices, placement, identification, fertilizing and maintenance. Spring is just around the corner. Call or email for info and pricing. 925-673-1746 (leave msg) gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.

STUDY GROUP

Readers of The Urantia Book will start a new study group this spring. The group will meet in a downtown Clayton café. New and seasoned readers will explore the book by topics. The group will decide the time (hour and day). Email urantian@mac.com or call 925-672-4689 and ask for Tery.

The Clayton Community Library Foundation is currently seeking to fill the following volunteer positions: Shelver - (min. age 13 years) to shelve and sensitize books in the library. Will train, day/time is Tues.10 a.m. -2 p.m. or 2 – 6 p.m. and Sat.10 a.m. –1 p.m.

Book Processor - (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work with labeling and marking books. Hours are Wed. 1 – 5 p.m. Book Mender - (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work mending worn books. Hours can be chosen between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thurs.

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 J ILL B EDECARRÉ , Assistant Editor and Display Advertising B ILL WAGONER , Sports Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor and Feature Writer B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newsp aper Publishers Assoc.

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VACATION RENTAL

Cozy cabin in South Lake Tahoe. Two bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 car garage. Great for a family or two couples. Ten minutes to Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, casinos, skiing, and hiking. Please call Mike Risso at 925-890-4623.

Sun. of each month from 2 - 4 p.m.

Training is provided. If interested, call 672-0240, email claytonmuseum@sbcglobal.net or visit the museum between 2 and 4 p.m. on Wed. or Sun.

700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., #360 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Carol@carolkeanecpa.com

(925) 937-5200 (925) 937-5202 fax www.carolkeanecpa.com

t i e n C a u o G r nter tops m o t s u C Starting at $2,199 Installed

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PIONEER INFO HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

Classified rates per insertion: Non-profit: $12 for first 30 words, $.20 eac h additional word Individual/non-commercial: $18 for first 30 w ords, $.30 each additional word Commercial: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 eac h additional word To place y our classified ad over the phone , call the office at (925) 672-0500 betw een 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Or, you ma y fax y our typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580 All classifieds m ust be paid for in adv ance b y 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 Cla yton Pioneer reserves the right to reject any advertising w e believ e is unsuitable.

LET US KNOW

Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all w eave tog ether as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us kno w of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Cla yton resident. You will find the appropriate for m for your announcement on our Website. Attach your photo to the form.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Cla yton Pioneer w elcomes letters from our readers.

As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one w eek prior to publication date. Letters concer ning current issues will ha ve priority .

We may edit letters for length and clarity . All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion.

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

E-mail y our letter in a Word Document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com.

Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.

Directory of Advertisers

Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 Alexander Video Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0911 Applause Staging and Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 All Loving Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0752 Apronstrings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-7621 Aqua Pro Pool & Chemical Service, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .673-7000 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .726-0154 Bay Arts Custom Children's Murals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323-9323 Benton, Murlene - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 California Reverse Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899-3511 Calkins, Bill - Charlotte Clifford Realtors . . . . . . . . . . .673-9164 Candy Created Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6818 Carol Keane & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Clayton Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Home Inspection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9405 Clayton Mind and Body Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0686 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4848 Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Clayton Valley Villa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8401 Clip n Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-9355 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Cookies by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256-1137 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 CTA Crossroads - Quadrille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-0597 Denim & Lace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0345 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Dromlewicz, Kim - Century 21 Diablo Valley Realty . .682-4663 Dryclean USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5653 Eagles Peak Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465-0435 Englund's Tea Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8327 Eternal Life Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0295 Fashion Cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-9005 Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Windemere Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . .672-8787 Galaxy Nail Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-8668 Garaventa, Les - American Financial & Tax Services .676-3400 Golden State Granite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-5888 Help You Sell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 Highfill, Lynne - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7335 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Joanna's Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8911 Kelly Marshall Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0327 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 Lela's Hair Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2000 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Lerner Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1130 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Merrigan, Deanna - Team Mount Diablo Realty . . . . . .890-0430 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Mingham, Pete - Elite Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-8166 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Dr. Steven Moon, Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-8400 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . .280-8563 Neptune Society of Northern California . . . . . . . . . . . .944-5100 Nuchols, Alicia - Premier Home Loans . . . . . . .691-5070 x 323 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 O'Hara's Martial Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7438 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Pasta Primavera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-5300 Postal Annex + of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8900 Rahimzadeh, Helen - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7375 R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .947-6105 Schaefer's Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-6065 Silvester, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-0777 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6461 Smith, Miriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-485-3665 Sobotka Heating & Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-9300 SPA'tique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-1712 Sposito, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7334 Steve Youse Painting and Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6945 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Stone Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-2094 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Swint, Brad - Team Funding Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .997-2691 Talmadge, Brad - Home Loan Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . .759-8971 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 The Pool Shark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-7585 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Travel Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-5000 Tullis, Shanan, Team Mt. Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .286-1268 Van-Fleet-Bronson, Intero Real Estate Services . . . . .672-4333 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . .672-2300 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . .672-4433 We the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370 What's My Home's Value.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286-9489 Williams, Mike - Williams Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-5363

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Home Ownership AcceleratorTM

Golden State Granite 825-5888 fax: 825-5338 locally owned & operated

Shelf Reader - (min.age 13 years) to read the library shelves in order to ensure the correct placement of books...must be familiar with the Dewey decimal system. Tutor - (min.age 13 years) to tutor one-on-one or give homework help at the library to local students in our community. You choose the age range, subjects, remedial help or light homework help, and the days/times.

Call Arlene at 673-9777, e-mail akikkawa@ccc.lib.org.

THE LOAN YOUR BANK DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT!

Tear out of old counters available

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Page A5

This is NOT a gimmick to pull equity out of your house, nor is it a bi-weekly loan.

Join us!

This loan can truly: Pay off your home in about half the time Wed., June 7 at 6 p.m.

Save you tens of thousands in inter est Make no change to your spending habits Oakhurst Country Club Use the loan as an equity sour ce as you pay off, Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton or an income source after you retire!

Will your current loan be completely paid of f by the time you retire? Can you af ford to count only on appreciation to increase the equity in your home? Investing 90 minutes of your time could change your life by changing the way you think about mortgages and your money . Join us for this exciting and highly informative program. You have absolutely nothing to lose, except years of f your mortgage!

Alicia Nuchols

hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served to RSVP, call: 925-691-5070, Ext. 323

Mortgage Consultant DRE Lic. #1310277

925-497-6195

Page A6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

Be sure to include details in y our offer Making an offer on a home is an ex citing experience. But no matter how elated you are, be sure to focus y our attention on protecting y ourself in the transaction.

To do this, your offer (also called a purc hase ag reement) should include all the pro visions, terms and conditions that y ou’ll require to buy the property.

One couple w as so interested in tying up a hot new listing that they made an overasking-price offer , without specifying many of the ter ms of the contract, such as the closing date and the time period for financing to be approved. The buyers knew that the sellers w anted to exclude their master bedroom drapes from the sale , but the buyers didn ’t address this issue in the contract.

They hoped that the sellers w ould change their minds and let the drapes stay with the house.

Some buyers are anno yed at having to deal with complicated contractual issues, without first knowing whether the sellers will acce pt their price .

They figure that if the price is right, the rest will follo w. The problem with this approach is that y ou ma y not be dealing with a cooperative party.

By acce pting y our price , the seller ma y feel that he’ s entitled to call the shots when it comes to ironing out the remaining ter ms and conditions of the contract. Rather than build uncertainty into the contract, it’s better to ag ree on as many contract ter ms as possible at the beginning of the transaction. Then you and

drainage, etc.).

A final w alk-through provision.

Additional ter ms and conditions, such as the sale of another proper ty, seller w arranties, rights of tenants in possession, a home w arranty plan, risk of loss and condition of the property.

Methods for dispute resolution.

Confirmation of the agency relationship where required by law.

How closing costs will be shared.

A time period for the sellers’ response to your offer.

If your purchase is contingent on an ev ent that is not covered in the abo ve list, you should include it in y our purchase agreement.

You ma y be refinancing another proper ty to accum ulate the do wn pa yment.

Unless the refinance is complete and you have the cash in hand, you should mak e the

the other par ty will kno w exactly where y ou stand. This will keep stress to a minimum.

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ESTATE Your purc hase contract should minimally include: An identification of the property and the buyers and sellers.

The purc hase price and the amount of the good faith deposit (also call the ear nest money deposit).

The financing ter ms, including the maximum interest rate and points the buyers will acce pt and the time period for the buyers to obtain their financing commitment.

Prorations suc h as for property tax es and rents (if applicable).

The closing and possession dates.

A pro vision for the transfer of clear title from the sellers to the buyers.

Attached and personal property that are included and excluded.

Disclosures and compliance oblig ations that are required by law.

Inspection contingencies (home, termite, roof,

successful completion of the refinance a conting ency of your contract. If your refinance doesn ’t come through, you w ould probably ha ve a legitimate way out of the contract.

To k eep both buyers and sellers on the same w avelength, compile a list of all the contract conting encies and their due dates . Make sure all parties to the contract ha ve copies of the timeline . And confirm that there aren ’t any disputes about critical dates.

Lynne F rench is a r ealtor with Windermere Real Estate and a Clayton r esident. F or any r eal estate needs or questions contact her at: Phone (925) 672-8787 or E-mail: Lynne@LynneFrench.com Advertise in the Pioneer It works.

Call today 672-0500

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DESSERT BINGO TEA More than $500 in prizes!

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Gorgeous custom Rancher features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and AWESOME living room, dining room and great room! Beautiful pool sparkles next to your own private spa.

Sunday May 21, 3-5 p.m. $25 per person includes Bingo cards, beverages, assorted desserts, scones, fresh fruit and lots of fun!

A limited number of ADVANCE TICKETS are on sale now

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1391 Yosemite $749,000

914 Arrowhead Terrace $639,999

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Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 .5 bath.

Coming soon!

Antioch, 4435 Pronghorn Way 4 bedroom, 3 bath.

Antioch, 2327 Camelback Dr. Charming 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath.

Clayton, 972 Oak St. 4 bedroom plus den, 2 large baths.

Concord, 3574 Halifax Way 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath.

4504 Deer Way, Antioch $684,000 Enormous 4 bedroom 3 bath plus spacious rec/bonus room.

5433 L Clayton Road (in Clayton Station)

672-TEAS (8327)

Clayton’s Preferred Real Estate Team

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925.932.7375 Helen

925.932.7329 Stephanie

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May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page A7

It’s fun to be (yawn) young at heart

Reem mood deelliinngg R D e c k s Decks Ovveerrhhaannggss O Wiinnd doow wss//D Doooorrss W wnn M Moolld diinngg CCrroow S i d i n g Siding m TTrriim

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Clayton Resident

We attended a little family dinner last night. My in-laws are out of town, so m y sister inlaws, their husbands and a few close friends took adv antage of their absence and clean house to experience a little thro wback to our high sc hool days and P ARTAY. My “single” sister-in-law brought a “friend, ” as we’ll call him for now. He was the perfect gentleman; cleaning up after the kids and sho wing concer n for my sister-in-law’s happiness. He was fooling no one.

And clearly she doesn ’t much care for him as she c hose to subject him to the rest of us.

(Yes, I’m kidding – this is a humor column, for hea ven’s sake.)

So anyw ay, the “friend” seemed to fare OK. Perhaps he was just drinking hea vily, a not uncommon reaction when exposed to “the family .” We all went through it, friend, so have no fear.

Admittedly the “par -tay” was a little more subdued than the old days – a 12-pack instead of keg and sev eral bottles of decent wine replaced the Bartels & J ames wine coolers . Instead of Domino’s pizza, there w as grilled tri-tip . And c hilled tig er shrimp and coc ktail sauce instead of Funyuns.

Another ob vious difference was that, in the old days, we didn’t attend parties with our kids in tow. In fact, the under 20 cro wd far outnumbered the elders.

This beg an a con versation about just ho w quickly 20 years has g one b y. The T hirtySomething Assassin has already checked most of us off his list and those remaining are squarely in the crosshairs.

We discussed v arious topics like sore backs, expanding waistlines, “creaking knee syndrome”

T I R E D of those Reading Glasses?

and “ar m w addle,” also kno wn as “mom arms.”

At one point, I actually man-

JOE ROMANO

SO ANYWAY aged to pull m yself up into the mulberry tree with m y 8-year old bo y. This is a tree that I’ d climbed quite often and easily in my y outh. Someone at g round level advised: “Don’t hurt yourself up there.”

Sage advice , but it w as offered a little too late . The effort of actually climbing into the tree w as enough to ag gra-

vate a slew of bone and muscle groups that ha ve lain dor mant for years.

But while w e’ve all ag ed a bit, most of us fully admit to still feeling, albeit only mentally, like we’re 17. There is no doubt that most of us still act like it.

It’s interesting that while the body continues to age, the mind in many w ays does not. Life forces us to mature and mor ph into reasonably responsible members of society. Yet when a group of old friends come together, the years seem to melt away and w e’re suddenly kids again.

We laugh about the same immature jokes and topics as we did in high sc hool. Some of us hold our liquor about as w ell, too.

We’re parents , homeowners, business owners – and still we’re not imm une to the doubts and insecurities of youth. We just hide it better.

Another difference is that,

once upon a time, 10:30 pm was still considered early . Most times, the party was just g etting good b y then. Now the ya wns have begun and I’m c hecking my w atch, thinking about what time I ha ve to be up in the morning.

Not long ag o, we had tired toddlers who needed to g et to bed. Nowadays, they’re wideawake and ready to g o and it’ s me that has begun to fade .

As I write this, I try to imagine what things will be like once another 20 years slip by. Most of our parents seem to ha ve more energy than we do.

I think once the kids are grown and a good night sleep is no longer just a dream, we’ll get our second wind. That’s when the par-tay will really begin.

Clayton resident, Joe Romano, is a family man, a fr ee-lance writer for hire and the Pioneer’s “all around funny guy.” E-mail him at jromano01@yahoo.com

Crown your Dad King for a Day

D

ads are a wesome. They teach us how to ride a two wheeler, how to pla y catch and how to solv e quadratic equations. They can fix anything from a brok en bicycle c hain to a g arbage disposal and they’ll get rid of the bugs in the bathtub that we don’t want to touch.

This F ather’s Da y, show Dad just how much you appreciate him. Write an essay telling us wh y y our dad should be crowned King for a Da y and win a royal package containing Six free g ames at Cla yton Bowl Pizza dinner for six at Rocco’s Ristorante

A free oil c hange at Clayton Valley Shell A shampoo and haircut at Hair by Jim $50 gift cer tificate from R&M P ool, Patio and Garden

Cookie Bouquet from Cookies by Design

Essays must be between 200 and 400 w ords and contain your name , age, address and telephone n umber. You m ust be under 18 to enter.

Please send y our essay (in a Word or W ord Perfect for mat) electronically to essay@claytonpioneer.com or drop it off (CD, diskette or typewritten copy) at the Clayton Pioneer, 6200 F Center Street, Clayton.

Essays m ust be submitted no later than Monda y, June 5.

Winning essa y and photo of you and y our King will appear in the J une 16 issue of the Pioneer.

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Page A8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

CCWD main break repair work continues

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

CCWD crews remove the section of the water main that broke in late March, causing severe damage to Clayton Rd.

The Contra Costa W ater District is still working to repair the por tion of Clayton R oad that was damaged in late March.

All work is expected to be com-

pleted in mid-June.

Heavy rains appear to ha ve caused the g round to shift, breaking an underg round water main at Peacock Creek Drive in

Clayton.

The district’s contractor, Bay Cities Grading and P aving, is excavating old pavement, repairing concrete curbs, repairing the road base and la ying down new pavement. All work is occurring on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. No weekend work is anticipated.

After concrete re pairs are made to the curbs alongside the road, it must sit undisturbed for several da ys while it “cures .” It does not indicate that w ork on the project has stopped.

Through Ma y 31, motorists can expect significant c hanges in traffic patter ns between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p .m. During w ork hours, Clayton Road’s two westbound lanes will be closed and the two eastbound lanes will be temporarily used for both eastbound and w estbound traffic .

Flag people will be present to assist motorists with these changes.

During non-w ork hours , Clayton R oad will contin ue to have tw o eastbound lanes and one westbound lane.

After May 31, Clayton Road will ha ve temporar y pa vement and lane markings for the convenience of motorists while the project is finalized. Some minor traffic adjustments can be expected while per manent paving and lane markings are laid.

During the repair period, the district reminds people to dri ve safely, stay aler t to c hanges in traffic patter ns and “slo w for the cone zone.”

For updates , go to www.ccwater.com or call 6888010.

Avoid probate with a Revocable Living Trust BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

The days of Uncle Ed writing his will on the bac k of the electric bill or Grandma affixing stickers to her precious c hina cups are long g one.

At least they should be – if your family w ants to a void probate court after they die.

Going to cour t could dela y distribution of funds for a year , plus tack on tens of thousands in additional expenses .

“California is one of the worst probate states in the countr y,” notes Cla yton attor ney Ric k Silvester.

Another hazard of probate is that a notice m ust be published in the paper , which ma y lead to more claims ag ainst the estate.

“People see that and sa y, ‘Hey, there’s money here,’ ” says Clayton attor ney Ric hard Littorno. “And y ou’re not around to defend yourself. Your family members are left to sor t it out.”

These days, many people are opting for a rev ocable li ving trust. Although they date bac k to English common la w, trusts weren’t popular in this countr y until about 30 years ag o.

“They were just for the v ery wealthy,” Littorno sa ys. “But now we have a more prosperous middle class that can afford legal assistance.”

A rev ocable li ving tr ust is a legal document that contains instructions for ho w y ou w ant your assets distributed.

But unlike a will, a living trust avoids probate court after you die – or the possibility that a cour t will take o ver y our assets if you become incapacitated.

“The whole idea of a trust is that it’s going to be a lot simpler for y our family once y ou’re

gone. The tr ustee or successor trustee can deal with it without going to cour t or g etting anybody’s per mission,” says Silvester. “If you have real property and beneficiaries that y ou care about, you should ha ve a trust.”

Clayton resident Da ve McEwen lear ned the importance of solid estate planning after his parents died. Although they had a tr ust, “the planning wasn’t as much as it should have been,” McEwen re ports. “The laws had changed and they hadn’t updated their estate.”

After that, McEwen and his wife Deborah hired Littor no to update their o wn tr ust. “It’s a good move to check your estate planning ev ery three to fi ve years,” advises McEwen.

According to Silv ester, several key events should trig ger a re-evaluation of your tr ust: a change in a mar riage of either yourself or a c hild, a death in the family , changes in the tax laws or a significant c hange in your financial circumstances.

As part of the trust, parents need to establish guardianship for minor children. It’s common

for parents to name their adult siblings as guardians.

“But make sure they are willing to ser ve,” cautions Littorno, who also suggests naming a specific indi vidual rather than a married couple.

Guardianship requests aren’t legally binding, and suc h cases always end up in court. “Anyone can file a petition to become guardian,” says Silv ester. “But the judg e is probably going to go along with what you ha ve stated as your personal preference.”

While you’re Richard Littorno thinking about your own mor tality in hard and fast terms, it’s time to pre pare an advanced health care directi ve and a medical po wer of attorney. These for ms designate the degree of medical care y ou desire and who makes decisions for y ou should y ou become

See Trust, page A9

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incapacitated.

“There are some sensiti ve issues, as far as at what stage you would w ant health care withdrawn,” says Littorno.

As difficult as these decisions ma y be to consider no w, the prolong ed case of Terri Schiavo in Florida pro ves that it’s better to have your wishes in writing. “You couldn ’t ev en imagine those circumstances where a husband is ag ainst the parents for years over her health care,” Littorno says.

Now that the decisions are made, who needs to kno w the information? Silv ester and Littorno both advise ag ainst talking too much about how the estate will be divided.

“There’s alw ays a risk of sharing copies and later making changes,” says Littorno. “Then there are hard feelings , and you’re sorry.”

When the McEwens updated their li ving tr ust in 2002, however, they wanted their two adult c hildren present. The couple detailed their funeral arrangements while also clearly

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Learn all you can about your customers

Advertise in the Pioneer. 672-0500

Think how useful it would be to understand customer demographics and buying behaviors.

Do y ou kno w their ag e ranges and average household income? Ho w often do they buy and what do they buy?

What do they lik e about y our products? W hat other features would they like to see in your service? What’s the average amount spent with y ou annually? Has their buying experience been positi ve and will they buy again?

National retailers spend millions isolating customer demographics and buying behavior. As a result, product development and mark eting efforts are more successful.

As a small business , you don’t ha ve the resources to gather detailed demog raphics about customers . There are , however, practical approaches

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Page A9

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you can use to better understand customers.

For years , L.L. Bean, Lands End and Dell Computer ha ve been using what’s called customer L TV, or the “lifetime v alue” of your customer. Over a period of time, your typical customer spends X dollars with y ou.

You can often g ather this information easily.

Grab copies of client invoices or receipts for the past year . Isolate sev eral dozen specific customer receipts and total them o ver the period.

For example , as a local Clayton dry cleaner, let’s say I find that m y typical customer spends about $15 w eekly for cleaning. This doesn ’t sound like much, but extrapolate this over fi ve years . That’s about how often typical homeo wners buy and sell their homes ergo, the life cycle of a dr y cleaner’s customer.

We no w see a customer will spend about $3,900 o ver this time . This is the customer’s L TV, what eac h cus-

BERNIE THEOBALD

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS tomer is really worth for your business.

Another approach is to ask your customers.

Perhaps y ou’d lik e to better understand ho w to improve y our products or tweak your advertising to better match your target. Prepare a 3x5 card with some questions and spaces for answers.

Give them out to customers o ver a month or so .

Mention that y ou’d lik e to serve them better b y learning a few things about them and their experiences with y ou.

Assure that their responses

Trust, from page A8 allocating their personal effects.

“We g ot pretty detailed about who g ets what – to avoid squabbles ,” says Da ve McEwen.

At minim um, even minor children should kno w where

the documents are located.

Littorno recommends k eeping a copy somewhere in the house rather than in a safe deposit bo x. “Sometimes there are issues of access to them,” he says.

Mayor, from page A1 Congratulations to the administration, teachers and all who helped mak e our elementary school top-notch.

I appear to be full of praise this issue, so let’s give a round of applause to the Clayton Business and Community Association for another amazing Ar t & Wine Festival. Wonderful w eather, good food and beverages, fun for the whole family and they raised a lot of money that will go directly back into the community. What a g reat g roup that is all about gi ving bac k.

Thanks.

On a personal front, I just got bac k from China with a beautiful new daughter , Catherine Elizabeth, age 2 ½.

She is a blessing from God and a joy to our family.

After spending 16 da ys in China, I can only sa y “God Bless America.” That is not to denigrate China, which is

amazing in many w ays, but some of us do not realize how w onderful w e ha ve it here. I do no w, but am also eternally grateful to China for bringing us “Cat.” Some things I lear ned in China: No matter what sauce y ou put on them, chicken legs are still just c hicken legs and I won’t eat them.

If you think dri vers in the United States are bad, think again.

Even in China, I am not the tallest person.

Even in China, people get on an elev ator and think that pushing the “close” button will mak e the doors close quicker.

I still like beer in China.

Letting a la wyer hag gle about almost ev ery price in China is a lot of fun.

Four-fifths of the w orld’s bikes must be in China.

remain anonymous.

Ask six or eight questions about their buying habits , how y ou can impro ve y our products or other g eneral demographic information. Be concise.

Compile the responses in an Ex cel spreadsheet, then sort the data to glean useful insights.

You can ev en do a small selected customer discussion group to fur ther explore some of your findings.

These practical approaches help y ou better understand client demos and satisfaction.

You become smar ter about customers to ser ve them better – and k eep them coming back. And in today’s competitive mark et, customer retention is a very good thing.

Bernie Theobald is a Clayton r esident, practical marketing and advertising expert with y ears of experience hel ping companies build successful mark eting partnerships and brand aw areness pr ograms. He can be r eached at: btheobald@sbcglobal.net.

Rich Littorno’s office is at 6160 Center St., Suite D , Clayton. For more infor mation, call 672-6463 or visit www.littornolaw.com.

Rick Silvester’s office is at 3101 Clayton Road, Concord.

He can be reac hed at 6870777.

There is no Skip’s Pizza or Ed’s Mudville in China.

I am that ugly American who travels abroad.

My wife is pretty in any country.

The Great W all is OK. (Thanks to my friend Doc for that quote.)

If you ask for “Chinese food” in China, you g et even weirder looks than before.

People stare in China, too.

China could use a “nosmoking” ordinance.

I really do not w ant to see the head of anything I am eating.

No one should ha ve to f ly economy class for 12 hours.

I can sa y “no” to my kids in Chinese or English.

Finally, in honor of my trip abroad, I bring y ou another great quote from Will Rogers: “The taxpa yers are sending cong ressmen on expensive trips abroad.

It might be worth it, except they keep coming back.

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Page A10

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Oregano brings aromatic flavor to your dishes LINDA WYNER

FOOD

FOR

THOUGHT

Spring has been v ery g ood to m y herb g arden. With the warmer days, it is bursting with lush pungent growth.

On long g reen stalks , my oregano is no ex ception. While Origanum vulgare is commonly associated with Italy , it is more likely that it originated in Greece. In fact, the w ord “oregano” is from the Greek, meaning “mountain joy.”

There are about 50 types of oreganos. It comes from the mint family, which includes sage and basil, but it is most closely related to marjoram. In a tautology that only a la wyer w ould love, it is said that all marjorams are oreg anos, but not all oreganos are marjorams.

Some herbs mark eted as oreganos are not ev en from the same botanical g enus. For instance, Coleus anboinicus from Puer to Rico is combined with bay leaf and celery as a traditional Cuban seasoning, and Lippia graveolens with its strong peppery f lavor is sold as Mexican oregano.

Like most herbs , oregano has a histor y of medicinal and folkloric uses . The ancient Greeks associated oreg ano with Aphrodite, the goddess of love,

and cro wned bridal couples with laurels and planted it at gravesites to gi ve peace to the departed.

Hipppocrates used oreg ano for its antibacterial and antifungal proper ties, and it w as chewed in the Middle Ag es as a painkiller. Its oil is used in European cough for mulations to this da y, and Mexican researchers are testing its effectiveness ag ainst Giardia, a water-borne parasite.

It has strong antio xidant characteristics and ma y some day supplant ar tificial BHA and BHT in processed foods .

Cosmetic companies and perfume mak ers also use oreg ano in their formulations.

Oregano w as hardly kno wn in American kitc hens until World W ar II. Soldiers in the European theater dev eloped a liking for pizza and ric h tomato sauces aromatic with onions , garlic and herbs. It is most commonly associated with Italian, Greek and Mexican cuisines.

The herb pairs well with egg and c heese dishes along with breads, meats, shellfish, vegetables, marinades and salad dressings. It adds a nice f lavor to olive oil and vineg ar. The ancient Romans even used it to flavor red wine.

Oregano is g ood both fresh and dried (1 Tbsp. fresh = 1 tsp. dried). Dried oregano should be crushed before use to release its

essential oils and f lavors. It is one of the few herbs more pungent in its dried state.

Instead of drying oregano, I sometimes mix c hopped lea ves with a little w ater and freeze in an ice cube tra y for adding later to sauces.

CHICKEN SCALOPPINI WITH LEMON 2 boneless chicken breasts ½ c. flour 2 Tbsp. fresh oreg ano (or 2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed) 2 Tbsp. fresh Italian parsley, chopped ½ tsp. paprika Salt and pepper 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. butter ½ c. dry white wine 2 lemons Thinly slice c hicken breasts lengthwise. Between la yers of plastic wrap or w axed paper , pound slices until ev enly thin.

Juice one lemon and thinly slice second lemon.

Combine f lour with the paprika and half of the oregano and parsley . Add 1/8 tsp . salt and several grinds of fresh pepper.

Heat oli ve oil and butter in frying pan until butter begins to bubble. Dust c hicken pieces in flour mixture and add to pan.

Sauté for a min ute or tw o per side, until just beginning to brown. Remove c hicken from heat and keep warm.

Richard A. Littorno

Add wine to pan, stirring to deglaze the bro wn bits . Add lemon and remainder of oregano and parsley . Simmer until reduced in half. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

MEXICAN SNAPPER SAUTÉ 1 lb . snapper, ono or mahi mahi filets 1 onion, thickly sliced 2 c. zucchini, thickly sliced 2 cloves garlic, pressed 1 to 2 tsp . minced jalapeño (to taste) 2 Tbsp. olive oil or rice bran oil 15-oz. can diced tomatoes , drained and juice reser ved 2 Tbsp . chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp . chopped fresh oregano Salt and pepper to taste Cut fish into 1-inc h cubes .

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil and add zucchini, onion, garlic and jalapeño .

Stir-fry for three min utes. Add remaining oil and fish. Continue to stir-fry for another three minutes (tr y not to break up fish).

Add tomatoes , herbs, salt and pepper and simmer for fi ve minutes. Add half of the reserved juice to star t, more if needed for proper sauce consistency. Serve over rice.

May 19, 2006

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Club News CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB Members of the Cla yton Valley Woman’s Club will hold a luncheon meeting on T ues. May 23 to honor their 2005-2006 donation recipients. Guests will include re presentatives from the Cambridge Comm unity Center , St. Vincent de P aul F ood Bank, Blue Star Moms, NAMI – Contra Costa and F riends Outside in Contra Costa. After careful consideration b y the Donations Committee, each was selected to receive a monetar y donation to assist them with the g ood works they do in the Cla yton and Concord communities. The general recipients of CVWC donations are Concord Historical Society, Clayton Historical Society, Clayton Comm unity Library and a sc holarship to a college-bound senior from Clayton V alley High Sc hool.

Funds for these donations are raised through ev ents suc h as a spring fashion show, participation in the Macy’ s Concord Community Shopping Day, crafts boutiques and the Cla yton Kitchen Tour to be held on Sat., Oct. 21.

The Cla yton Valley Woman’s Club is a local ser vice org aniza-

tion whose members “mak e a difference” in our comm unity.

CVWC has donated countless hours and more than $200,000 to local org anizations since its inception in 1973. Meetings are held on the second and four th Tues. of the month. Guests are always welcome. If you are interested in attending the lunc heon please contact Connie Weimar at 689-5415 to reserve a space. Holy Cross Lutheran Churc h, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.

VWF Members of Clayton’s Lt. Jerry No vakovich VFW P ost 1525 will be distributing Buddy Poppies at the Safew ay store located in Clayton Station and the store at Cla yton and Denking er Roads on F ri. May 19 and Sat. May 20. Buddy Poppies will also be distributed on Fri. May 26 and Sat. May 27 at Alber tson’s on Alberta and Walgreens in Clayton Station. VFW by-laws require all proceeds from the distribution of Buddy Poppies be used to benefit disabled and needy veterans, widows and or phans of deceased veterans located in the Clayton/Concord Community.

Page A11

At the Movies

Action, drama and smarts in MI3 Let me clarify something immediately: Action mo vies are not typically my bag.

I have little to no recollection of the first tw o “Mission Impossible” films, besides the odd action sequence . I cannot remember who pla yed whom or why they were blowing things up any more than I do with the recent James Bond films.

However, when a producer finally figures out that action, drama and intellig ent comedy can peacefully coexist to satisfy the entire spectr um of consumers, as they do here , I lea ve the theater with a gleeful squeal of delight.

To begin, the casting is inspired. Besides the usual T om Cruise charm, our villain is 2006 Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman. This indie leading man is able to use his trademark gravel-voiced cynicism to tor ment our hero with convincing bile.

The delightful suppor ting cast have almost all made names for themselves doing solid w ork in an ar ray of film types, though rarely do they ha ve the audience this film will g enerate. They include retur ner Ving Rhames ,

Jonathan Rh ys Meyers (fresh from a stint in W oody Allen ’s “Match P oint”), Keri R ussell (“Felicity”), Laurence Fishbur ne (“The Matrix”) and Billy Cr udup (“Almost Famous”).

In their capable hands , this unexpectedly witty script holds its own amidst the usual CGI stunts and confusing ter rorist acti vities our heroes are sent to foil.

For once, Ethan Hunt gains a solid personal life with real motivation other than “a pretty girl needs my help.” Perhaps writers are finally looking at television action series to disco ver that flawed c haracters with (v aguely) real problems are more enjoyable than those whose task begins and ends with their unquestionable expertise.

Director J.J. Abrams, a veteran of hit series’ “Lost” and “Alias,” brings his success strategies to play here.

However, we nev er disco ver

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JEANNA ROSS

AT THE MOVIES beginning and guessed the plot twist 10 min utes in. It has happened before and will probably happen again.

If you like that kind of thing, then g o for th and forfeit y our wages. If you are not usually inclined but are pulled by a complete lack of interesting films at the cinema, then this could provide a w elcome respite to the litany of mindless c hase sequences.

Jeanna Ross is an English teacher in the Pub lic Ser vice Academ y at Clayton V alley High School. Send your comments to movies@claytonpioneer.com.

‘Stick It’ manages to land a few things properly

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the m ysterious objecti ve. They mention something called a “Rabbit’s F oot” that came in a biohazard vial from a laborator y, but that is all w e really understand.

But major kudos to the writers who w ere bra ve enough to give “the girlfriend” (Liv T yler look-alike Michelle Monaghan) a life outside the usual sobbing, messy w eakling. For a brief moment, the entire “Mission Impossible” franchise rests in her capable hands and I nearly thought w e w ould destro y Tom Cruise to end the series , in spectacular “24” style. No such luck.

Now, expect nothing new besides the fun cast and their smart-aleck remarks . There are action sequences and stuff blows up. I held my breath and hid m y eyes when something particularly violent happened to someone I liked.

I thought too m uch in the

NATALIE BUDESA

AT

THE

MOVIES

“It’s the ‘Bring it On ’ movie, except with g ymnastics,” was how I described “Stick It” to my parents as I left the car . And the connotation serves quite well.

“Stick It” goes about its job with a jag ged, sometimes cr ude, flair, although its power stays just

as long as the full theater of girls’ newest fad.

Haley Graham (a stunning Missy P eregrym) is a rebel who has had sev eral r un-ins with the police. Her latest venture involving bike stunts earned her a spot in cour t. The judg e gi ves Haley her sentence: jail or competiti ve gymnastics. Gasp!

Though the cour t system is more than a bit sk ewed, Haley luckily happens to ha ve a roc khard body underneath her bag gy

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attire. She used to be a g ymnast and is already capable of back handsprings and the uneven bars.

I like how that all works out.

An icy relationship exists between Haley and her fello w gymnasts, as it is explained that she walked out on a World competition years before . Her tough love coach Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges) tells her no one cares what she does with her life no w, leaving Haley with talent yet no direction.

She is the underdog, despite her raw skills, good looks and the witty comebacks she spews with the f luidity of a snapping tur tle.

Sorry, still g etting o ver the w ay things work out.

There w as some ex citement knowing that someone was going to smash a body par t sooner or later, and the audience was ready to grimace as girls hit the ground hard. The movie took a tur n for the better as it made its w ay to the competition f loor, where every capable girl strived for perfection in front of the judges.

A rebellious air befitting of teenagers throws some surprises, and Haley rev eals troubles from her past that w ere hardly foreshadowed and left unresolv ed.

But the mo vie fails to delv e deeper into her character.

The coac h-athlete companionship does get close to working, as Burt says just the right words at the right moment. The banter between the teens feels fresh, although almost too shar p, as I found myself laughing and missing other g ags at the same time .

Still, it entertained throughout.

The rock soundtrack sets the mood for the teen outlook on a sport that can appear uptight.

Anyone interested in g ymnastics would appreciate the film and the life it endeavors to give its clichés.

Director J essica Bending er should be good at that, since she happened to also direct the aforementioned “Bring It On.” I should’ve known.

Natalie Budesa is 15 years old and a sophomore at CVHS . She aspir es to a career as a cinemato grapher. Send y our comments to movies@claytonpioneer.com

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Page A12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

When planting in containers, don’t forget the foliage

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL Foliage incor porated in a container planting is the binding element of the g rouping. The quiet contrast adds dimension to the eyes, as the leaf draws us in and pro vides a needed element for a successful combination.

The choices of foliage for a container are tr uly indi vidual.

Some people lik e cer tain colors – y ou are either a red, grey or green foliag e g ardener. Others enjoy v ariegation that sw ays toward white and some yellow.

Taking your preferences into consideration, here are some great foliag e plants that w ould thrive planted in a garden vessel,

hanging basket or window box.

Heuchera is a g reat container ingredient. The fancy leaf is scalloped-shaped and v ery interesting. The foliage suits just about every gardener’s taste. For the red foliag e lovers, they can’t go wrong with Heuchera.

Amethyst Mist is a selection that is easy to find and really pleasing. The dark v eining over the purplish red leaf adds to the overall appeal. The potential size of this evergreen makes this Heuchera a medium-sized plant in a container garden.

Heuchera Snow Angel is a green and cream v ariegated evergreen with the same familiar scalloped lea ves. This selection will please the g ardener craving more light in a mixture of plants for the garden vessel.

All Heuc hera plants need part sun to mostly shade , so consider that when designing your arrangement.

Glechoma is v ariegated i vy that is soft to the touch and gentle to the eye . This perennial is one of the most popular sold and enjoyed year after year. The size of the leaf is small, making Glechoma an easy introduction

to any sort of container.

The rooting habit of this plant allows the g ardener to cut apart small pieces and cram into any spot of soil. Glechoma is simple to install in hanging baskets and windo w bo xes where room is tight, but dramatic results are necessary.

HEUCHERA

The v ariegation of Glechoma is g reen and cream.

The foliag e has a w oodsy scent that will ev entually become familiar to you and another reason for enjoying this perennial.

After a spring and summer of great growth in part sun, the rather long cascade of leaf will end with small periwinkle-colored f lowers resembling salvia.

This plant is an herbaceous perennial. During the winter months, Glechoma will be dormant under the soil.

Not to worry, though, this plant has proven itself many times over to be great with its return. You will love it.

Glechoma is a perennial that makes a g reat container g arden accessory. Commonly called Chameleon Ivy , the unique v ariegation of salmon, cream and green is remarkably sun tolerant with moderate water.

Eventually ag gressive, this herbaceous perennial thrills the gardener with is simple yet successful g rowth habit. It reaches 6 to 8 inc hes tall and cascades 16 to 18 inc hes. Topped with white f lowers and follo wed b y berries in the fall, this plant is an excellent introduction.

Incorporate this perennial with salmon-colored diascia or blue fox veronica. If your garden displa ys more of a tropical theme, plant under canna lilies

Garden, from page A1 started from slips gi ven to her by friends and family . These became her “babies” as she watched them g row. One “baby” that’s g rowing where it probably shouldn’t is the lo vely peony happily blooming near the bac k fence . “Peonies don ’t usually bloom in California—it’s too w arm in the winter ,” explains Sher ry. So, how does she explain the soup bo wl size white blooms on her plant?

“Ice,” she sa ys. “I put ice all around the plant sev eral times during the winter . The freezing is what makes it bloom.”

Perry and Edith Carlston have spent the last 18 years developing and fine tuning their Kirkwood Cour t g arden in Concord. Their g oal w as a relaxed countr y g arden with meandering paths . They ha ve

made liberal use of color, texture and fragrance and have created an in viting quail habitat.

And a stately 200 year old oak tree silently stands guard o ver the home and garden.

When you enter Ted Mundy and K aren F rampton’s Myr tle Drive g arden, you will think you’ve just time tra veled bac k more than a centur y. Karen and her father Ted have taken a leaf from Califor nia Gold Countr y history with their miner’ s shack filled with family memorabilia, a blacksmith’s forg e and her grandpa’s outhouse.

And keeping watch on all of it are the topiar y creatures—a cobra guards the entrance to the “Poppy Hill Mine ,” and a topiary buc k k eeps a w atchful eye on the topiar y bear standing near the stream. The topiaries

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

YOU CAN ENCOURAGE your cold loving peony to bloom in our mild California climate by icing it down in the winter.

PLANTS AND ARRANGEMENTS donated by Garden Club members for their sale make a lively display at the Clayton Museum.

GLECHOMA

or alstromeria for added interest.

Helichrysum is refer red to as the licorice plant . The fuzzy foliage comes in many colors and sizes . Limelight is a c hartreuse selection that is one of our fastest sellers . Small, round leaves of golden lime green grip onto soft stems that arc h through the container , making Limelight a g reat medium addition to the garden vessel.

Petite licorice is a full sun v ariety with smaller , fuzzy g ray leaves and the same familiar arching growth. Combine Petite licorice with other full-sun plants, like rudabeckia or salvia, for magazine appeal.

Buy y our helic hrysum as small as possible. This plant has rapid g rowth that is unbelievable. Love this ev ergreen while it lasts , though, as the cold weather will probably kill the plant bac k v ery hard eac h winter. If the plant g rows out of bounds or covers more valuable selections, prune bac k to control. You are the boss of your garden.

Plectranthus f orsteri Marginata is a new member of the Swedish Ivy family. This evergreen has a larger, more dramatic leaf than others . The white , arrow-shaped leaf is left to contrast with the dark green margin.

Knowing the Plectranthus family for many years now, I can say that this plant will look great standing alone . It hardly needs the support of other perennials.

Plant the Marginata in a window box or hanging planter and enjoy the fast and furious growth. This ev ergreen needs part shade , preferably mor ning sun for maximum appeal.

There are foliag e c hoices down every aisle. Look for what you find attracti ve, then ask questions about g rowth habits , water and sun needs . That w ay the plants in the container all receive what they need to thrive, not just survive.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at GardenGirl94517@yahoo.com

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are all Ted’s creations.

All proceeds from the Garden T our benefit the Clayton Historical Society and the Museum.

In tandem with the ev ent is the Clayton Garden Club’s plant and f lower ar rangement sale .

Sales w ere brisk right from the start. “We sold more on F riday morning that w e did the whole two days last year,” said Garden Club member , Jeff Glassauer.

“One lady from Auburn bought over $300 w orth of plants and arrangements.”

The plants and ar rangements are all donated b y members and proceeds from the sale benefit the Garden Club.

For more infor mation on the Historical Society and the Museum, call 672-0240.

For infor mation about the Garden Club, call Co-president, JoAnn Caspar 672-7680.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Art & Wine, Chantal Hummel opted for a pink star on her forehead and a small butterfly on her c heek. Her sister Riley was treated to a full-face blue and white butterfly from Nielsen.

I’m in an art class,” says Nielsen, “ so it’s easy for me.”

“It took me awhile to get the hang of it,” Stensvold adds . “She can do the harder stuff.”

Deeper into Kiddieland, the inflatable slide was a big hit with sisters K aitlyn and Cour tney Sheffield of Clayton. Their 5-year-old brother Ryan leaned to ward the blo w-up wrestling ring . His fa vorite moment of the da y: “Knocking m y sister down!”

It w as a busy w eekend for the Sheffields, with Kaitlyn’s 4th birthday party on Saturda y mor ning and Courtney’s First Comm union on

8

Page A13

from page A1 Sunday mor ning. Still, they made time for their annual trip to the festival.

“They did a g ood job of spreading things out this year,” notes mom Cristie Sheffield. “It seems less crowded, especially do wn b y the band.”

After finishing a roc k climb, 7-year-old Bailey DeSchane of Clayton also gave high marks to the inf latable slide – along with the shaved ice drinks . Four-yearold Spencer concur red with Bailey’s assessment.

Their dad, Charlie, says the 1 family enjo ys coming to the festival each year. “It’s a good opportunity to see friends w e don’t see all the time ,” he sa ys, adding: “Thank you, Clayton, for putting this on.”

The Cla yton Business and Community Association (CBCA) sponsors the annual event, with proceeds benefiting local projects and groups.

“It’s all about the comm unity and raising money to better the comm unity,” says J oe Medrano , who cochaired this year with Ho ward Geller and Debbie Mullins.

The CBCA also sponsors Oktoberfest, Christmas ev ents and the upcoming June 5 Clayton Classic golf tournament at Oakhurst.

“It’s an amazing org anization for such a small comm unity,” Medrano notes. “The amount of money w e raise is phenomenal.”

2

Over in one of the beer booths , CBCA v olunteers Memor y and Dennis Woodard of Clayton re port that a good time was being had by all on Saturday.

“It’s been a steady f low all da y,” she says. “There’s a lot of repeat customers.”

Next in line for a “blonde” brew was Meredith Slater of Berkeley, part of a friendly conting ent led b y Clayton resident Becca Zewan.

“It’s a g ood time on a Saturda y afternoon, with g ood drinks and great weather,” Zewan says, as a light breeze k ept her cool and comfor table.

Although they had just ar rived, Slater said she w ould definitely be heading to the craft booths . “We’re starting a home soon, so maybe some artwork,” she says.

“It’s more lik e we’re looking, and then if something catc hes y our eye , we’ll snag it, ” chimes in her friend, Jacki Komisar of Walnut Creek.

Komisar brought her Y orkshire Terrier, Avrie, with her to the festival.

The 6-pound dog was in good canine company on Saturday.

The star of the day, though, was probably 160-pound Der ringer, a Harlequin Great Dane. Owner Sarah Brooks of Clayton couldn ’t w alk more than a few steps without someone stopping to check out the gig antic dog. “It’s insane. You don’t get an inch,” she says, laughing.

Derringer is currently in competition to become the Old Navy mascot dog. You can v ote for her at www.oldnavy.com.

3

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Photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

5

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Williams Properties Your local real estate broker isted Just L

Clockwise from above: 1. Event Co-chairs Howard Geller, Debbie Mullins and Joe Medrano; 2. Former Police Chief Pete Peterson and wife, Carol; 3. Linda and John Manzeck; 4. Jack and Diana Starr; 5. Event Volunteers Michelle Matthews and Stu Bermann report to Volunteer Coordinator Jean Wondra for duty; 6. Jim and Tina Frazier; 7. Face painter Lindsay Nielsen and Liana Marchion of Pleasant Hill; 8. Event volunteer Jim Conneally takes time out for a Hot Link.

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Page A14

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

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“Serenade” model is 5 bedrooms + den, 3 baths, approx. 3,079sf, 3 fireplaces & 3 car garage. Desirable 1st floor bedroom. Upgraded tile flooring, carpet/pad & decorator paint. Gourmet tile kitchen with pantry. Family room with tumbled stone fireplace.

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Clayton Market Update

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Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . .$1,200,000 (over list price) Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . .$1,150,000 Oak Hollow at Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . .$729,500

Mortgage Market Update

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Jumbo $417,001 and up (no points)

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30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . .6.375% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . .6.375% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .6.625% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . . .6.75% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.5% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.875%

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SALE DATE

SF

BED/BATH

05/02/06 04/30/06 04/28/06 04/28/06 04/28/06 04/26/06 04/19/06 04/19/06 04/17/06 04/14/06 04/14/06 04/13/06 03/31/06 03/30/06 03/30/06 03/30/06 03/29/06 03/28/06 03/24/06 03/24/06 03/23/06 03/22/06 03/17/06 03/16/06 03/15/06 03/14/06 03/10/06 03/10/06

2,116 1,891 1,378 1,939 2,011 2,619 2,095 1,252 1,457 1,919 3,162 2,753 2,313 1,877 3,599 2,005 1,367 3,615 1,443 2,391 1,648 2,944 3,335 3,008 1,549 2,342 2,543 1,430

4/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5 6/2.5 3/3 2/2.5 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 4/3 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5 4/2.5 2/2.5 5/4.5 3/2 4/2.5 3/2 4/2.5 4/2.5 4/3 3/3 4/2 3/2.5 3/2.5

CLAYTON PIONEER May 19, 2006

Section B

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page B1

It’s all about the wine for these local winemak ers point,” he notes.

That ev er-present bottom line has k ept Longfellow out of the white wine business . “With our cost str ucture, we’d have to make a white wine that can command $40 a unit. That’s a more limited uni verse than where w e are right no w,” Mark Smith says.

“I w on’t lie to y ou. Our wines are expensi ve,” he adds .

“It’s a function of the sheer

BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

Longfellow Winery has deep roots – stretc hing all the w ay from Mar yland to the Napa Valley, with stops in Clayton and Berkeley along the way.

The winer y w as founded in 2000 b y Cla yton resident Mark Smith and Craig W hitney of Berkeley. The Longfellow name comes from the neighborhood in Maryland where they grew up together.

The friends dev eloped “a passion for the wine countr y” after visiting Califor nia while in college.

“We like to talk about wine .

We like to meet people and generally mo ve along the spirit of wine,” says Smith, who g ets tremendous satisfaction when a stranger comes up and compliments him on the wine.

Before star ting Longfello w, Smith and his wife Kristy w ere in escro w to buy a St. Helena wine facility. “But I didn’t know how to dri ve a tractor , and I’ d killed just about ev ery plant I’ d had,” he recalls , “so w e took a step back.”

After talking it o ver with Whitney and his fiancé (and now wife) Melissa, the couples decided to focus on making high quality red wines. “We said, ‘Let’s put every dollar we had into the bottle,’ ” says Mark Smith.

Each year, they bottle about 1,000 cases total of pinot noir , syrah and caber net sauvignon.

“We selected the wines we wanted to mak e from what w e liked and our gut feeling about what would work,” he reports.

So far, it appears to be working. The wines sell out each year

expense of the fr uit and the expense of producing the wine.”

To help promote the wines , the owners participate in a v ariety of charity ev ents. Kristy Smith helped org anize a recent wine tasting at Blac khawk Plaza to benefit the Buena Vista Auxiliary.

The Smiths also donated a

See Longfellow, page B6

Top quality wine will come from Diablo foothills BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Kristy and Mark Smith taste test their latest pinot noir in the wine celler of their Oakburst home.

and ha ve recei ved top ratings from national wine critics , including the syrah’ s 89+ from Robert Parker.

The o wners purc hase the grapes in small lots from specific Napa area g rowers, keeping a close eye on the vines throughout the season.

“We’re out there at bud break w orking with the g rowers,” Mark Smith sa ys, before Kristy adds: “That’s the winemaker’s job. But we’re out there learning.”

Winemaker Rolando Herrera has more than 15 years experience in the industr y – from his beginnings at Stag’ s Leap to winemaker at Vine Cliff before launching his o wn winer y, Mi Sueño, in 1997.

“Rolando goes for more of a Bordeaux style cab at his winery,”

says Mark Smith, “and w e g o more for a California style cab.”

“It’s more fr uit-driven,” his wife adds.

The majority of the wine is sold through their do wntown Napa tasting room, Vintner’s Collective, and at restaurants . It can be found in Cla yton at La Veranda, Ed’s Mudville Grill and Oakhurst Countr y Club as well as Lark Creek Cafe and Vic Stewart’s in Walnut Creek.

According to Smith, the wines can be enjoyed soon after release. “They are approac hable young,” he sa ys. “Many times , big Napa V alley cabs simply don’t drink well that young.”

Wine T hieves in the Clayton Valley Station also carries the Longfellow wines, even though their price tags are much higher than the a verage

bottle at the store.

“Typically, three-quarters of the store sells for less than $10.

That’s kind of our nic he,” says Bennett Burke of Wine Thieves.

Priced at $27.99, the Longfellow syrah sells well at the Clayton shop. “We go through a nice c hunk of it,” says Bennett, who calls the Longfello w wines “big, ripe and full.”

“I am a big suppor ter of what Wine Thieves does,” Mark Smith sa ys. “You can g et w onderful white wines there for $10 a bottle.”

Some of Smith’s favorites at Wine Thieves are the sauvignon blancs from W hitehaven ($12.99) and De Sante ($15.99) and the pinot g ris from Mac Murray ($12.99).

“It’s kind of difficult to g et into a c hardonnay at that price

In the wine business , name recognition is k ey. At Shadowbrook Vineyards in Walnut Creek, they are out to prove that the Diablo foothills appellation can be a contender in the highly competitive industry.

“It comes do wn to g row-

ing g ood g rapes and ha ving the right balance in the wine,” says Cla yton resident Mark Lavezzoli, winemaker at Shawdowbrook.

Lavezzoli, who has no formal training in winemaking, is taking his hobb y to the next level with the help of friend and winery owner Tim Jochner.

See Shadowbrook, page B6

Bev Britton/Clayton Pioneer

Shadowbrook owner Tim Jochner, left, and winemaker Mark Lavezzoli of Clayton have been friends since childhood

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Page B2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

Clayton Sports Kelsey and Lindsey Chambers PIONEER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT TWINS ARE DOUBLE TROUBLE, IN SOFTBALL AND BASKETBALL

Identical twins Kelsey and Lindsey Chambers are softball and bask etball standouts who are best friends and staunch competitors.

The Cla yton V alley High sophomores have been starters on the varsity softball team for tw o years , with Kelsey at second base and Lindsey at shortstop.

Other than their positions and numbers, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. Kelsey (No. 12) often hits leadoff and chokes up a bit on the bat, while Lindsey (No. 10) hits in the second-to-fourth spot and swings from the knob.

Both pla y outstanding defense on an Eagles nine that is out to a 12-6 start, including a third place 7-4 record in BVAL. Each is capable of big offensi ve output on any given day. Hosting Deer Valley recently , it w as Lindsey who came up huge with a line dri ve homerun o ver the left-center fence in the first. She followed that with a ringing double and an inside-out single to right, scoring both runs in a 2-1 victory.

Two days later, Kelsey went 4-for4 with a triple and homer un in a rout

KELSEY AND LINDSEY CHAMBERS

of Ygnacio Valley. Lindsey also homered ag ainst YV , marking the first time they’ve both gone deep in the same g ame.

The girls w ere bor n in Oregon and mo ved to Cla yton in the second g rade. Softball started at ag e 5, and they w ere regulars on the tra vel team circuit by the time they were 8.

When the high sc hool season ends , they’ll tur n it up a notch for the 18-under Sorcerers tra vel softball team out of San Ramon. They’ll play

KELSEY Favorite Favorite Favorite Favorite

three to four w eekends per month, as far away as Florida.

Mother Kim Chambers is accustomed to the constant rig ors of yeararound spor ts and the tra vel softball schedule. She says the girls help motivate each other. “They compete most with each other,” she notes.

Father Ron was a five-sport star in Oregon, playing baseball, basketball, football, while also r unning crosscountry and track.

“We really didn ’t push them or steer them to ward spor ts. Their big brother, Colby, played baseball and the girls just couldn ’t wait to star t playing when they were very young,” he says.

“This is our life ,” Ron contin ues.

“We’ve been doing this since w e moved to Califor nia in 1997. In the summer time, you have a weekend off and you don’t know what to do with yourself.”

Concurrent with tra vel softball, Clayton Valley summer basketball will prepare them for their second season of varsity basketball.

“I star ted a few g ames,” Lindsey offers modestly when reviewing her sophomore basketball season. In fact, she star ted most of the g ames at shooting guard. She was ranked in the top eight in BV AL scoring and paced the league in three-pointers.

Kelsey played behind a senior at the small forw ard

athlete: Giants SS Omar Vizquel food: salads activity: vacation travel subject: English (Lindsey agrees)

LINDSEY Favorite athlete: Yankees SS Derek Jeter Favorite food: fruit Favorite activity: computer Favorite music: country artist Tim McGraw (Kelsey agrees)

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position, which limited her pla ying time as a sophomore . Yet she still earned her w ay onto the Nor thgate all-tournament basketball team.

As a freshman in softball last year , Kelsey is w ell-chronicled for homering off Amanda Williams of Freedom High in a cable-televised g ame.

Freedom is cur rently rank ed the top team in the nation, and the Arizonabound Williams (14-0 with three perfect g ames) is often called the best pitcher in the state.

Kelsey and Lindsey are 3.5 GP A students, sharing just a math class together. On the diamond, they share softball instincts and have developed a trademark over-the-shoulder flip from Lindsey to K elsey after taking the catcher’s thro w to conclude infield warm-ups.

The Cla yton Pioneer spotlights a local youth athlete from our circulation area in the second issue eac h month.

If you are a coach or an administrator and would like to nominate a young person (under 20 years of age) for the R occo’s Athlete Spotlight, please send infor mation to spor ts@claytonpioneer.com or fax to 672-6580.

Nomination deadline for our J une 16 issue is Sunday, June 4.

Sports Shorts FIFTH ANNUAL CV YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP Fundamentals and Techniques of Football. Open to boys grades 5 through 9. Clayton Valley High Sc hool 1101 Alber ta Way Concord. Herc Pardi- Football Camp director, Jerry CoaklyAsst. Camp director. Camp practice time 9 am-2 p.m.

Camp Fees: Two separate checks for $125 and a $75 de posit for equipment made out to “Cla yton Valley Football” (refunded on the last day of camp with the return of the equipment). Fees include instr uction, camp, practice, practice jersey, trainer and camp evaluation. Camp flyers are available at the Clayton Valley High Sc hool Main Office during sc hool hours . 925-6827474x3115.

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son leading up to the finale at the Clayton Gym. Pictured following their Ma y 11th c hampionship victory: (front, from left) Sandra Bohn, Kim Buc k, Jill Thompson; (back, from left) Bill Sablan, Kelly Sessions , Dennis Cedros, Ron Buck.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Clayton Sports CVLL girls don’t need ‘A League of Their Own’

Page B3

The Clayton Connection for all your financial & real estate needs

BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer

Clayton Valley Little League sports four girls in the Minors and Majors di visions – and these are not tok en girl pla yers in a boys-only game.

Lyrica Langlois is the v eteran of the g roup, playing as an 11-year-old for the Majors Division Cardinals . The shor tstop and pitc her dra ws praise from around the league as “one of the better pla yers on the team.”

“She’s v ery close with her brother,” mom Sandy reports of Lyrica and older brother Ev an, who pla ys for the 13U J unior Eagles tra vel team based in Clayton.

“She alw ays w anted to be doing what her brother w as Clayton’s Mali Tehaney with mom, Kristen doing,” father Greg c himes in, “even when Ev an w as pla ying Earlier in the w eek, Lyrica LEADING THE WAY FOR Falcons football.”

THE CARDINALS rescued the star ting pitc her Lyrica star ted pla ying baseAt the Minor A lev el, 11when he couldn’t get out of the ball as an 8-year -old in F arm B. first inning . She threw strik es year-old Ashley Allen of the She skipped Farm Cardinals is a leader who is and closed out the A – quite un usual inning with a strik e- equipped to pla y at the Majors even for bo ys – level today. out of the opposing and w as drafted Alongside brother J onathan hitter. “Fastball and

by R utherford (playing as a 9-year -old) and changeup” is her Pascal for his playing for her father/manag er repertoire on the Minor B team in Carl Allen, Ashley recently startmound.

2004. Last year , A few da ys later , ed at shor tstop and filled the Pascal drafted Lyrica made her pres- fourth spot in the batting order Lyrica ag ain for – both slots reser ved nor mally ence felt on the diahis Minor A mond in a one-r un for the best athletes.

Indians club and Ashley’s Minor B Athletics game ag ainst the LYRICA LANGLOIS this year made it Yankees. After star t- team of 2005 advanced the furthree consecuti ve ing at first base , she thest of any CVLL team last seasons b y drafting Lyrica for moved to centerfield in the mid- season, winning the District 4 his Majors Division Cardinals.

Tournament of Champions. dle innings.

“I’ve explained to her that Clayton V alley prev ailed 7-5 With the bases loaded and the commitment to Majors is two outs, Lyrica ranged into the over Alameda at the Concord for two years,” says Sandy.

American fields, and Ashley was left-center g ap to mak e a fine “I w ant to pla y baseball as running catch in stride – sa ving pressed into pitc hing duty durlong as I can, ” the Highlands ing the middle a lik ely three-r un Elementary fifth-g rader sa ys triple. innings as the staff while w arming up for a recent wore thin.

“She’s a no-nondoubleheader.

“Ashley g ot hit sense girl, ” Greg “I prefer to pla y baseball in the mouth with reports matter -ofwith the boys,” Lyrica adds, But factly. “She pla ys a ball during she’ll likely transition to softball with quiet confiwarm-ups of that after the 2007 season of CVLL dence and has championship Majors baseball. game,” Carl recalls, always been one of On this da y, the pony-tailed the strongest funda“but she was ready Lyrica (who wears No. 1 on her mental players at her to g o for the first jersey) bats fifth and star ts at pitch only about level. Lyrica is v ery shortstop. She approaches each ‘coachable,’ stays ASHLEY ALLEN 10 minutes later.” at-bat ag gressively, often hitting focused during the Ashley, who early in the count and roping a attacks the ball early in the games and has a mental toughline dri ve that nearly sails o ver ness about her. She’s never been count, was the first player in the the centerfielder’s head.

Minor B division to homer over just the ‘tok en girl’ on the With her Cardinals nursing a team.” the fence last year – in their slim lead in the 6th, the centeropening g ame. She’s also a Selected to the CVLL 10fielder charges a tw o-out single year-old all-star team last sumdefensive asset, evidenced b y up the middle and nails the run- mer, Lyrica drilled a couple of her rang e from shor tstop b y ner from first on a force at secracing into shor t left field to doubles ag ainst an Oakland ond. She not only tur ns a clean make an o ver-the-shoulder team, prompting the opposing hit into a force out but she shortstop to turn to his outfield- catch while crossing the foul shows the opposing bo y pla yer ers and announce: “Back up … line. how the g ame is pla yed and it’s the girl hitting!”

See CVLL, page B4 saves the victory.

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Page B4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Clayton Sports

Make Your Life Easy

13U Junior Eagles earn invitation to USSSA World Series in Michigan BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer

The Clayton-based 13-under USSSA J unior Eagles tra vel baseball club contin ues to pla y solid ball, falling just short in the championship g ame at recent tournaments.

“This team is jelling, ” says manager Da ve Deic hler. “They are star ting to believ e they can get it done.”

Playing at the spectacular “Field of Dreams” complex in Redding on May 6-7, the Junior Eagles pulled out a 3-2 win over

the No. 2 team in the state , the Red Bluff River Dogs , to advance to the c hampionship game.

“The R ed Bluff game w as huge,” Deichler recalls . “The players knew the opposing team’s ranking g oing into the game and put tog ether one of their best efforts of the year.”

Jordan Burg er and Andrew Deichler recei ved T ournament MVP honors for “their combination of exceptional defense , strong pitc hing and g ame-winning hits.”

In a Martinez AAA Division

tournament a few w eeks earlier, the 13U J unior Eagles ag ain advanced to the c hampionship game only to drop the final bracket ag ainst P etaluma. After losing the first g ame of the tournament 3-2 ag ainst a tough Corte Madera club , the Eagles reeled off three straight wins to advance to the championship.

Deichler (.500) and P eter Stoiber (.468) paced the team offensively while Drew Crider , Burger and Stoiber anc hored the pitching staff.

The Mar tinez tour nament showing ear ned the Cla yton

May 19, 2006

team an invitation to the USSSA World Series in Mic higan later this summer.

“With this being the first year of tournament ball for many of these players, our focus is on ‘finishing g ames,’ understanding the g ame from top to bottom and using ‘small ball’ to our adv antage,” Deichler concludes.

A Memorial Da y w eekend tournament in Modesto will cap a v ery busy month for this squad as they contin ue to rac k up the victories – and miles.

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13U JUNIOR EAGLES AT THE FIELD OF DREAMS in Redding: (front row, from left) Brian Hutfliess, Kevin Adams, Evan Langlois, Jordan Burger, Derrick Bizicki, Sean Flannery; (back, from left) manager Dave Deichler, Andrew Deichler, Drew Crider, Jeffrey Doran, Solomon Cazares, Lucas Arteaga, Peter Stoiber, Blake Simons, coach Ron Burger

CVLL, from page B3 Baseball is in Ashley’s blood, with her mother Donna’s father having pla yed eight seasons in the major leagues . Grandfather Don Landr um, a 1954 Mt. Diablo High Sc hool g raduate, broke into the big leagues in 1957 with the Philadelphia Phillies and wrapped up his career by appearing in 72 games with the 1966 San F rancisco Giants.

Father Carl is a CVHS graduate who star red in football, basketball and baseball before playing football at Long Beac h State. He later teamed up with QB Jim Kelly as his center with the USFL ’s Houston Gamblers.

defense frequently , in accordance with CVLL r ules for this level of play.

TAKING THE FIELD FOR FORGET ABOUT SOFTBALL THE NATIONALS When 9-year -old Mali Nine-year-old Arianna Tehaney of Dana Hills w ent Robertshaw of the Minor B to Little League sign ups, the Nationals hails from a baseball staff told her : “It’s OK, you family. Her 13-year -old brother just g o out there Jeffrey plays in the and have fun.”

Juniors Di vision Every year , and younger sister mom Kristen Haley pla ys F arm encourages Mali to A. play softball with “Little sister the girls but eac h Heather is a girlyear so far , the Mt. girl who dances ,” Diablo Elementar y says mom Carol. fourth-grader Arianna pitc hinsists on pla ying es a bit and enjo ys with the guys . And playing first base . she’s the third She mo ves ARIANNA ROBERTSHAW tallest on the team. around on

Mali credits her athletic ability to her mother . Kristen is a for mer softball star at Eureka High School who went on to pla y second base at Humboldt State for two years.

“Until I blew out m y knee,” says Kristen, sporting the scars from seven surgeries.

“I still pla y for a w ork team, with a knee brace , when I’m available around Mali’ s sc hedule.”

Mali, who also plays MDSL fall soccer for the 10-under Shockwave, has been pla ying baseball since ag e 4. She prefers playing the infield.

Six-year-old twin siblings Sean and Grace are expected to follo w Mali into the Little League system next year.

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Page B5

Clayton splashes into ’06 swim season BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer

Clayton swim clubs hit the pools on Ma y 8 for their first practices of the 2006 season.

The Dana Hills Otters continue to build on a strong tradition that dates bac k to 1977.

The team boasts more than 210 swimmers for the cur rent season.

Dana Hills pro vides a recreational and competiti ve swim program, participating in the Contra Costa Swim League against clubs of similar size.

Andrew Sa vine, 22, joined Dana Hills this month as head coach, following seven years of recreational swim team mentoring. Savine is also the head v arsity coac h at Salesian High School in San Pablo.

Kelly McCabe, 20, teams up with Andrew as assistant coac h, following five years at Gehringer Park and V alley Vista. McCabe comes to Dana Hills with a resume that includes NCS , state and All-American honors during her swimming career at Ygnacio Valley and Diablo V alley College.

Returning for the second year is Dana Hills lifer Nic holas Zefeldt. The 22-year -old is a Clayton-raised DHST family

Bill Wagoner/Clayton Pioneer

Dana Hills Otters assistant coach Kelly McCabe, head coach Andrew Savine, and assistant coach Nick Zefeldt following the first practice.

favorite, having sw am for 13 years with Dana Hills before advancing to the UC Santa Cruz swim team.

At Santa Cr uz, Zefeldt excelled in the breaststrok e and was par t of the UCSC 2004 record-breaking medley rela y team.

Not to be o verlooked is Junior Coac h K elsey Brassil, entering her third season of

working with the younger swimmers. She is a 2006 Carondelet graduate coming off a fine high school swimming and w ater polo career.

One highlight of the DHST season is the “Devil Mountain Pentathlon.” The club will host the 11th ann ual ev ent J uly 8-9.

This major fund-raiser is expected to draw more than 800 swimmers from throughout the county.

SECOND YEAR WITH ORCAS Over at Oakhurst Countr y Club, head coach Jane Robinson leads her Oakhurst Orcas for a second season.

“We’re a smaller team, ” Robinson explains. “We emphasize personal bests.”

Robinson, 23, swam for Antioch High Sc hool and came to Oakhurst last season follo wing eight years as an assistant coach for the East County Stingrays in Antioch.

The Orcas are not affiliated with a league and traditionally swim ag ainst clubs of similar size – with Diablo Countr y Club, Oakwood and Springwood on their schedule.

“We ha ve about 100 swimmers registered this season, ” Robinson sa ys. “We w ork on dropping time and personal bests. We had a few county qualifiers last season, with our 6under bo ys and 9-10 girls rela y teams w orking so hard all season.”

TAKING ON THE TERRAPINS At the other end of the competitive spectr um, four Clayton swimmers are on the Terrapins swim team that makes its home at Concord Community Pool and their East County base at Liber ty High School in Brentwood.

With a motto of “Desire, Dedication, Determination,” the T errapins pro vide a year round prog ram that requires a much greater commitment than recreational swim clubs offer during their typical three to four month season.

The T errapins, producer of Olympic athletes including Natalie Coughlin, are a member club of the P acific Swimming Association of USA Swimming.

The T errapin prog ram has reached Gold Medal status for the fourth consecutive year. It is the only P acific Association team to be ranked in the top 10 nationally o ver the past four years.

Clayton swimmers with the Terrapins are J on P earson (15, De La Salle), Sean R eilly (15, Clayton Valley), Anita Yung (16, CVHS) and Sarah Dey oreo (17, Northgate).

According to coac h P aul Stafford of the Terrapins, Sarah will be attending UC Ir vine in the fall on a swimming sc holarship.

Matt Biel is one Dana Hills swimmer who w ent on to set regional and national records with the T errapins before advancing to the Uni versity of Arizona as one of their key distance swimmers. Wildcats sophomore Biel recently took 10th place in the P ac-10 1650 freestyle championships.

The local 2006 dual swim meet season culminates with a CCSL league meet at the end of July. Over the A ug. 4-6 w eekend, swimmers from Dana Hills and Oakhurst will join surrounding teams at the Concord Cup City Meet.

Qualifiers advance to the county meet, where DHST w on the Di vision II c hampionships in 1998 and 1999.

Page B6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Galaxy Nail Spa soothes stress away

May 19, 2006

Applause Staging

& Interiors

JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

When it’s time to take a break from toda y’s hectic lifestyle , Galaxy Nail Spa is the perfect place to settle in for some w elldeserved pampering . The new spa on Clayton Road in Concord across from F oodMaxx offers a plush en vironment with soft music and a tranquil setting where y ou can relax, and as owner Martin Le says, “feel rejuvenated every time you visit.” It’s easy to forg et the outside w orld once y ou begin y our spa treatment at Galaxy . Martin has worked diligently to pro vide the utmost h ygiene care for his clients. “Our concern for a clean and health y en vironment is top priority,” he sa ys. This concer n for a clean en vironment is enhanced b y Galaxy’ s ten LaFleur spa c hairs featuring the latest in clean no-pipe tec hnology and offering the utmost in comfort and customized care.

The professional staff is experienced in all types of nail care and enhancement for men, women and c hildren including nails naturally and pedicures as well as facials , waxing and massage. Special ser vices include a “Gentleman’s Manicure , “Petite Pedicure for young girls, “Sports

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672-7701

Bring in a friend and both of you get

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

These three ladies from Clayton have decided to pamper themselves at Galaxy Nail Spa in Concord with soothing pedicures. From left: Michelle Kim, Sharon Gutermuth and Denise Leveroni.

Pedicure” designed to address a man’s o verworked ac hing feet and the popular “Galaxy Signature P edicure,” which includes foot soaking, exfoliation, massage, and polish.

Martin offers clients a wealth of special packages to help make their stay at Galaxy an enjo yable one. There’s a private double spa chair for couples who wish to experience Galaxy’ s spa treatment tog ether. There are also discounts for special celebra-

tions lik e sho wers, reunions, mom’s night out, prom nights for high sc hool students and other group gatherings.

Martin opened his tw o spas in Concord and San Ramon to bring this relaxing nail spa experience to ev eryone. Hi g oal was to mak e the experience affordable and high quality. “Everyone deserves to ha ve a g ood time at our nail spa; to enjo y a g ood manicure or pedicure in a healthy en vironment,” Martin

says.

After only a few months of operation, Galaxy in Concord has become a popular nail spa in the area and that’s due primarily to “the customer ser vice,” according to receptionist Tina Nguyen. “We have been so busy, especially with walk-ins,” she adds. “It’s the place to g et away from the stress,” customers say after experiencing one of the unique spa packages, Tina adds. See ad this page.

15%

off

Call and ask about

Spa Day 2006 Call (925) 673-0686

June 3

for an appointment

Clayton Mind & Body Connectio ons 1007 Oak Street, Clayton, CA 94517 www.mind-and-body-connections.com

Cruise Adventures Unlimited Serving all cruise lines since 1987

Shadowbrook, from page B1 Longfellow, from page B1 “The whole conce pt of this project is that it is locally g rown and that the foothills of Mt. Diablo can produce top-quality wine,” says Jochner, who has five acres planted on the hillsides at his Northgate area home.

Shadowbrook is in the infant stages, with a new winer y facility opening in J une and a new product set for release in 18 months. That c hardonnay is a “big butter and oak bomb right now,” says Lavezzoli, who is still fine-tuning the blend.

“As w e g et to ward long er time in the bar rel, I’m out here almost w eekly,” says La vezzoli.

His day job is managing a 212person claim operation for St. Paul Travelers in Walnut Creek.

Lavezzoli beg an making wines at home in 1993.

His father-in-law, Dick Immel of Moraga, learned about the German style of winemaking from Hans Kornell while working as a reporter.

Jochner also brings viticulture experience to the table . He and his brother Mark operate Diablo Vineyards, which installs and manag es home vineyards .

Randle J ohnson, chief winemaker at Hess Select, works

with Shado wbrook on a consulting basis.

Aside from c hardonnay, the winery focuses on red blends .

“They’re g oing to be 75 to 80 percent cab. Then from there, it depends on whic h v arietal is going better ,” says La vezzoli.

“We’re g oing to tr y to mimic what Opus does and g et to that point someday.”

Because of city regulations , the winer y is limited to 1,000 cases per year and can ’t offer public tastings . The wine will mainly be sold at restaurants and on the Internet.

“Our hope is to be an exclusive estate wine and sell at restaurants in W alnut Creek, ” says La vezzoli. “We plan to do all the mark eting and distribution. We w ant to k eep it real small.”

Jochner believes the wine will be in high demand. “Everyone is going to w ant to see if a local winery can make good wine,” he says. “It’s all about g rowing it here – what this soil can produce is what w e want to offer to the local customer.”

For more infor mation, visit www.shadowbrookvineyards.co m or call 988-9463.

wine dinner and barrel tasting to the Mt. Diablo Elementar y School A uction in Marc h.

Kristy Smith is this year’ s cochair of the sc hool’s P arent Faculty Club.

Longfellow will offer a unique vintag e for the Napa Valley Wine A uction in J une.

“We’ll pull aside the best bar rel and blend up something special.

Typically, it’ll g o for $1,000 a case,” Mark Smith reports.

They ev en g ot some free publicity on NBC’ s “Scr ubs,” after meeting one of the show’s producers.

“We g ot a call and he ask ed for a special wine tasting and tour,” Mark Smith recalls . “I told him that w e’re not really

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5100 Clayton Road Concord, CA 94523 ph: 925-689-6245

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We offer comprehensive homeowner coverage that provides financial compensation as well as the expert assistance y ou need to get your identity back.

We’ll make sure you’re an identity theft survivor, not a victim!

Contact your independent insurance agent.

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open to the public at the winery, because it’s in a business park.

But he insisted.”

After a private tour and tasting, Smith sent him back to L.A. with a magn um of Longfellow wine. The bottle was featured in a bar scene with “Scr ubs” stars Carla and Turk.

“They had the magn um front and center. It was kind of blurry, and the NBC log o co vered par t of it. But some companies pay big buc ks for things like that,” he says, laughing.

The Vintners Collective is at 1245 Main St. in Napa. For more infor mation, visit www.longfellowwines.com or call 888-533-5569.

Princess Cruises

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Mediterranean, Greek Isles, British Isles Scandinavian, European and Transatlantic 2007 Itineraries are Open for Booking on FIVE ships:

Emerald Princess (brand new ship) Grand Princess Royal Princess (new addition) Sea Princess Star Princess

Owners Valerie O’Connell (Clayton resident, 25 years) & daughter Colleen O’Connell

Ships registry: Bermuda and Gibraltar

call m-f 9-5:30, Sat 10-2

(925) 935-7447 1610 Locust St., Walnut Creek

www.cruiseadventuresunliminted.com

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Professional Nail Salon For Men and Women

W

e're proud to welcome you to our beautiful new nail spa.

You will find our highly trained staff to be experienced in all phases of nail care and enhancement, facials and waxing.

In pursuit of the utmost in cleanliness and comfort, we are pleased to offer LaFleur spa chairs, the latest in cleanjet no-pipe technology. Our goal is to pamper you in a spa-like environment so that you feel relaxed and rejuvenated every time you visit.

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(925) 676-8668

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any service over $20 Concord salon only. 1 coupon per customer.

Cannot be combined with any other of fers.

Exp. 6/2/06

Also located in San Ramon: 130 Sunset Dr., (925) 866-0666

May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church 925-672-4848 1578 Kirker Pass Road MISSION STATEMENT

to follow the risen Christ by studying His Word, to live God's love through service to others, to nurture our church family, to accept all who enter our doors, to tell others about God's grace, and to be a shining light in our part of the world.

Sundays 10:30 a.m.

www.cvpresby.com

Church News CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Hang out with us this summer at Clayton Community Church for July Movie Nights. Every Fri. night in July see a movie in our parking lot in downtown Clayton. Movie begins at dusk (8:30 p.m.). Enjoy refreshments from our Cla yton sponsors. Bring a comfor table chair or blanket to share with friends.

Family Adv enture Camp . Bring y our whole family and in vite your friends to join us for five evenings of drama, music, games and activities that are geared towards having fun and bringing your family closer tog ether. The camp r uns from J uly 9 - 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm. Cost is $20 for each family member (3 years old and above). This is primarily for families with at least one child in K-5. For more info contact John Wright at 6732101.

Third Annual Clayton Community Great Labor Day Derby is Sat., Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mark your calendar for a day of fun and family enjo yment as kids ag ed 7-16 race official Soap Bo x cars down Main Street, Clayton. There will also be refreshments, inflatable bounce houses and slides, and a professional race car and driver where kids can g et their picture tak en. The contact for sponsors is Mik e Fossan at 672-1949 or msfossan@sbcglobal.net. The contact for registration is Peggy Bidondo at 672-9708 or pbidondo@pacbell.net.

Clayton Community Church meets for worship every Sunday at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Diablo View Middle School.

CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH Annual Day Camp is planned for J uly 17-21. The theme is Narnia – Live the Adventure. It is a one week morning camp 9 a.m. to noon. Kids 3 years old to grade 5 are welcome. Call the church to register. 798-5905 ext. 201. Ask for Laurey. Come and discover what the light is all about. Everyone is welcome.

In an age of confusion about roles and relationships, we believe that God intended marriage to be a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman.

Marriage Seminar, May 20th

10 am Sunday School & Bible Class, 11:15 am Worship

Bible-based & Christ-centered worship, education & fellowship

5554 Clayton Rd., Concord (in the Farm Bureau building) (925) 524-0295 William Kant, Pastor

Across

Crossword

1- Small children; 5- Opposite of odd, especially when applied to numbers; 9- Umbilicus; 14- Oven used to dr y hops; 15- An apple or a planet will have this at the centre; 16- Playing marble; 17- The closest one to us is the sun; 18- Arrogant; 20- Confession to a priest; 22- Litigate against; 23- Exclamation to express sor row; 24Decree; 26- Agitate; 28- The grantor of a patent; 32- Foreigners; 36- Biblical high priest; 37- Chad neighbor; 39- Trademark; 40Ghana neighbor; 42- Clique; 44- Bright star; 45- Inactive; 47- Fourdoor; 49- Convent dweller; 50- Dorsal; 52- Activator; 54- Single entity; 56- Network of nerves; 57- Travel on water; 60- Deranged; 62- Period of immaturity; 66- Layer of the earth’s atmosphere; 69Clench; 70- Invalidate; 71- Burden; 72- One with a glazed look, perhaps; 73- Unordered; 74- Stares at; 75- Detest

www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org Member of WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

Page B7

ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH Eternal Life Lutheran Churc h will host a mar riage enric hment seminar on Sat. May 20 from 9 a.m. - 3p.m. Dr. Kevin Leman’s video series “Making the Most of Marriage: Building a Relationship That Will Last a Lifetime” will be the basis for lear ning and discussion. Husbands and wives will be encouraged to understand their differences and to build health y relationships with lo ve and g race.

They will find practical, biblically-sound guidance on being lo ving, caring, and effective marriage partners and parents . Cost is $10 per couple. A light lunch will be served. Please call Pastor William Kant, 524-0295, for information and to register. Space is limited.

Eternal Life’s regular Sunday schedule is: Sunday school and Bible study at 10 a.m.; worship at 11:15 a.m. Bible study is also held on Wed. at 7:15p.m. Eternal Life Lutheran Churc h is located at 5554 Clayton Rd., Suite 1B, in Concord. Please call 524-0295, or visit the church w ebsite at www .EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org for more information.

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH The church is sponsoring a rummage sale on Sat. June 3; from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Table or space is available for $10. The sale is open to the public . For reser vation, please call the c hurch office at (925) 686-2000. Deadline is May 30. Come to shop or sell.

Our Vacation Bible School is set for Mon, June 26 through June 30. For c hildren pre-K (minim um ag e is four) through g rade six.

Please call the c hurch office for more infor mation or registration form, (925) 686-2000.

We are located at the cor ner of Alberta Way and Ygnacio Valley Road.

38- “M*A*S*H*” name; 41- Haughty; 43- Tardiness; 46- Light brown color, common to pale sunworshippers; 48- Western pact; 51- Lame movement; 53- Extent; 55- Lake in the Sier ra Nevada; 57- Former name of Thailand; 58- First-class; 59- Taverns; 61Repudiate; 63- La Scala solo; 64- Golden; 65- Fencing sword; 67Shortened version of actor Stallone’s first name; 68- Regret

Down

1- Throw; 2- Sworn thing; 3- Nicholas II was the last Russian one; 4- Bitter conflict; 5- Glad all over; 6- Pledge; 7- Historical chapters; 8- Old Ethiopian emperor; 9- Not for a Scot; 10- Agricultural; 11Colorado resort; 12- Gas burner or Sicilian volcano; 13- Race parts; 19- “___ grip!”; 21- Helsinki resident; 25- Roman garments; 27- Unwell; 28- Minor, in law; 29- Unaccompanied; 30- Large cat; 31- Renaissance fiddle; 33- Deep black; 34- Birthmark; 35- Slope;

The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist

Clayton’s own

Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer For bookings and performances:

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

Call Or Write:

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

Call today for a personal tour & complimentary lunch

(925) 524-5100

Retirement Community

4820 Burgundy Drive Oakley, CA

(925) 625-1123 e-mail: contact@robertaclaire.com www.robertaclaire.com

Ask about our Wedding Special

Come see what’s new 6401 Center Street Clayton CA 94517

www.diamondterrace.net

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Page B8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., MAY 24 FOR THE JUNE 2 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT MAY 18, 19 DramaMama Productions Presents “Dear Edwina” @ Diablo View Middle School May 18 at 7 p.m. and May 19 at 8 p.m. Dear Edwina is a light hearted musical set in the garage of Edwina Spoonapple, advice giver extraordinaire give advice on a wide array of subjects to the delight of all. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 3-12. Diablo View Middle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.

MAY, 19, 25, 26 Clayton Valley High School Drama's "Willie's World" @ CVHS 7:30 p.m. Willie's World is CVHS's second lip-sync musical. In Willie's World (written and orchestrated by Tom Wills) we meet Viola, a high school teen who is struggling with an English assignment directing her to memorize a Shakespearean monologue. She is transported her to a fantastical world inhabited by characters who spend their days recreating scenes from some very famous plays as well as breaking into numerous songs (Eagles, Beatles, Train, Rent, Cats, etc.). A good time will be had by all. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord, MU Rm. $5 at the door.

MAY 20 Spring Into Health Family Fair @ We Care Services for Children 12 - 4 p.m. The event will feature healthy living and child safety information and health screenings; and will introduce the Autism Family Support Project (AFSP), We Care's new program for families living with autism. There will be food, raffles, games, bounce houses and face painting. For additional information about We Care Services for Children, please visit www.wecarebmcc.org or contact Barbara Langsdale: (925) 671-0777, ext. 13, e-mail: langsdale@wecarebmcc.org. We Care Services for Children, 2191 Kirker Pass Rd. across from the Chronicle Pavilion.

MAY 22 "This is Africa" Presentation @ Diamond Terrace 10:30 a.m. Come and hear about International Vision Volunteers and their work in Africa. Presented by Chuck Graham. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100.

MAY 23, 30 Scrap Booking @ Diamond Terrace 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Join us on Tuesdays this month for scrap booking classes.

Bring your photos and join the fun. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100.

MAY 24, 31, JUNE 7, 14, 21, 28 Fitness with Fred @ Diamond Terrace.

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Fred is a teacher with the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Program and the class is open to all. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100.

MAY 25 Open House @ Diamond Terrace 4-5 p.m. Join for an Open House Social. Refreshments will be served. Come and enjoy. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100.

JUNE 8 Jungle Joe the Puppeteer @ The Clayton Community Library 3:30 p.m. Kickoff the Kids’ Summer Reading Program by meeting wild and exotic pet puppets trained to talk, read and perform tricks! Recommended for kids in grades K-3, but all are welcome. No registration necessary.

Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659.

JUNE 9 - 24 CTA Crossraods Theatre presents Quadrille @ CTA Crossroads Thurs. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sat. matinees 2 p.m. Script and Story by Melynda Kiring Preheat the year 1835. Mix a baker and a nobleman together gradually until romance blossoms. Gently add a sweet young lady into the mix.

Sprinkle in a pinch of frustrated love, and then add a dash of hero rushing in to save the day. Bake at 350 degrees for the length of one duel.

Quadrille is a delicious tale featuring romance, secrets, plots, secret plots, good food, bad food, heroic duels, and plenty of perfectly prepared corn muffins. Bon Appetite! Tickets are $28, $25 for seniors, $22 preview. www.ctacrossroads.org, 925-944-0597, CTA Crossroads Theatre, 1277 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek.

JUNE 11 Clayton Valley High School Grad Night Preview @ Centre Concord 6 - 9 p.m. The public is invited to preview the culmination of a yearlong effort on the part of senior parents to provide graduates a safe, sober, drug free place to party after their graduation. Centre Concord will be transformed into a magical place with very unique decorations, structures, and activities. Entrance is free. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord.

JUNE 14 Buchanan Airport Noise Study Meeting @ Crowne Plaza Hotel 7 p.m. Contra Costa County is hosting a community meeting to discuss the noise study being conducted for Buchanan Field Airport. The topic for the meeting is noise contour maps and existing and future noise impacts. If you have questions call Beth Lee at Buchanan Field Airport at 925-646-5731.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord.

JUNE 19 - AUG. 4 YMCA Summer Gym Club @ Clayton Community Gym Do you need some time to shop or are you looking for a safe place for your children to play? The YMCA is excited to provide your children with fun filled afternoons during the summer months. Afternoon activities are arts and crafts, movies and gym games. For children entering grades one through four. Cost is $7 per day for Clayton residents, $9 per day for nonresidents.

Concord/Clayton YMCA, 925-889-1625.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS MAY 21, 28, JUNE 4, 11 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. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord, 646-5455.

MAY 25 "Songs to Delight our Senses" @ Diamond Terrace 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Marsha Joy from the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Program will lead us in song. Come join us. Bring a friend and enjoy. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100.

MAY 23, 30, JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27 Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meetings every Tues. All are invited to check us out and be our guest for lunch. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. for more information call Sam Totah, 941-1536.

MAY 27 Blankies for Grown-Ups Work Day at John Muir Health,Concord 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Community work day. Volunteers are needed to help make quilts for cancer patients. Since it is Memorial Day weekend we will be making quilts for Veterans as well. Bring your portable sewing machine, all supplies provided. Non sewers welcome too. Lots of non-sewing work to do.

John Muir Health, Concord Campus (formerly Mt. Diablo Hospital), 2540 East Street, Concord.

MAY 23, JUNE 13, 27 The Clayton Valley Woman's Club @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 9:30 a.m. coffee, 10 a.m. meeting. Regular monthly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Anyone interested in attending or learning more about the Woman's Club, please call Joyce at 672-3850 or Sheila at 672-7947. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE The Jerry Novakovitch VFW Post 1525 will once again host a Memorial Day Service in honor of all veterans of foreign wars. This year’s service is dedicated to the memory of those veterans who were killed in action in Viet Nam. Services begin at 10 a.m. on May 29 at the flagpole on Main Street with the Presentation of the National Colors and the National Anthem played by combined bands from Diablo View and Pine Hollow Middle Schools.

There will be an opportunity for those in the audience to share their memories or reflections.

JUNE 6 – JUNE 22 Patty Cakes and Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library Patty Cakes - 11 a.m. Tuesdays, story time for birth to 3 years. Picture book time - 11 a.m. Thursdays, child may attend without parent. For 3 to 5 years.

No registration required. 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.

MAY 24 Blue Star Mom Meeting in Concord 6:30 p.m. Small group Blue Star Mom meetings held the 4th 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. Call 676-3654 for information.

MAY 25, JUNE 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m.and 5:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in and meeting on Thurs.. 800-326-8450 x 2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord.

MAY 25. JUNE 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thurs. for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker. Feb. 16 is the Annual Valentine's Day breakfast. Members can bring their spouses/partners/sweethearts for a program that celebrates affection and romance. www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 6897640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.

MAY 25 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meeting @ Oakhurst

6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting, last non-holiday Thurs. of the month.

Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. John Rubiales, President. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.

JUNE 1 Sons in Retirement, Branch 19 @ Oakhurst Country Club 11:30-1:30 p.m. Speaker and lunch every first Thursday of the month. SIRs is dedicated to promoting the independence and dignity of retirement.

Open to all men retired from their primary job and/or not seeking full-time work. For more information about joining us for a SIRs meeting, call Al Brunner at 687-0594 or Membership Chairman, Carl Sisson, at 672-6418.

JUNE 6 Knights of Columbus @ St. Agnes Parish Hall 7:30 p.m. Concord Council 6038 of Concord & Clayton holds their monthly meeting the first Tues. of each month. Monthly officers meeting is the last Tues. of each month at St. Agnes Parish Hall, at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing our brother Knights there. St. Agnes Parish Hall on 3966 Chestnut Ave, Concord.

JUNE 12 Clayton Valley 4-H club @ Mt. Mike’s Pizza 7 p.m. 4-H is open to youth ages 5 - 19 and adults. Projects in small and large animals. Learn new skills including cooking, photography, arts/crafts etc. Opportunities in leadership, community service, conferences, 4-H camp, fairs. Contact Candy Hogan at 925- 969-1325 for more information.

Meetings held on the second Monday of the month Sept. - June. Mt. Mike’s Pizza, 5358 Clayton Road, Concord.

JUNE 14 Clayton Valley Garden Club @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. The Clayton Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at Diamond Terrace. Every meeting has an informative program concerning some aspect of gardening. The speaker this month will be a parent from Diablo View Middle School. She will be talking about a student garden project. Last month, our club members planted flowers in the planter boxes on Main Street. Take a look, they are blooming! Anyone interested in gardening is welcome at our meetings.Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. Call Jeff at 672-7579 or Barry at 827-9540 for information.

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT MAY 23, 30, JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tues. mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez.

JUNE 6, 20 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tues. of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton.

JUNE 8 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail, Clayton.

JUNE 13, 27 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd and 4th Tues. of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION JUNE 1 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @Clayton Valley High School 7:00 p.m. If you show your child that you care about their school, your child will care too. Together we can make a difference! The meeting will be held in the school library. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.

JUNE 7 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Diablo View Middle School 7 p.m. Meeting to be held in the school library. All parents welcome. Diablo View Middle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.

JUNE 13 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7p.m., Multi Use Room. Make a difference in your child's education. For items to be included on the agenda, contact Stacey Wickware 673-1999, the5wicks@sbcglobal.net or Kristy Smith 673-1795, kristinsmith@yahoo.com, PFC Co-Presidents. Childcare is available. Watch website for details.! http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary/.

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May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Recycle this paper

Page B9

Apronstrings is your pet’s best friend JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Professional pet grooming salon for dogs and cats Self-service pet wash available

Tues - Sat, 8-5 Experienced staff with more than 20 years of service

est. 1978

Adjacent to Hollywood Video

925-676-9355 4375 Clayton Rd. Unit K Concord owner & Clayton resident Grace Carson & her dog, Blue

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PAWS

Apronstrings Pet Sitting HELP

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925.798.7621 Kimsits@ASTOUND.NET

HAPPILY SERVING CLAYTON FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS

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KIM TANK AND OLLIE

Kim wouldn’t have it any other way. She says. She’s always envisioned a career w orking with animals. “I ha ve a v ery strong nurturing side,” Kim adds. From short stints pet sitting for friends and relatives to a career as a registered v eterinary tec hnician, Kim dabbled in v arious animaloriented jobs until she beg an thinking about doing something different. She thought about a

career that offered close association with animals yet the flexibility to spend time with her o wn family and in 1990, she for med Apronstrings. The name of the business, explains Kim, captures the bond betw een pet and pet owner. Apronstrings has g rown rapidly, especially since Kim’ s husband; Howard joined the pet sitting venture several years ag o.

Apronstrings no w boasts 700

Help your dog gain confidence

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If it was rough lea ving your pet this mor ning, you might want to consider the ser vices of Apronstrings, a local pet sitting service that dedicates itself to keeping y our fur ry friend content and happy while you are off to work or on vacation. Owners Kim and Ho ward T ank and their lo yal staff of eight, keep busy sev en da ys a w eek caring for y our pets , taking them on walks, visiting with them and attending to their medical needs when necessary.

Kim talks about her da y at the office which is anything but conventional; lying on the f loor having some quality pla ytime with Ms . Kitty or hitting the trails with R over who lik es his morning romp in the outdoors , rain or shine. Apronstrings cares for birds , geckos, rabbits and snakes and sev eral staff members are trained to gi ve injections for pets with diabetes and other ailments. “I love working with animals,” says Kim. Every day is always different.”

It’s all in a da ys w ork and

clients.

It’s the personal aspect that has kept Kim’s pet sitting ser vice successful. Many of her clients are refer rals whic h is a good testament to Apronstrings’ quality of service and trustworthy employees. She talks about her staff as family; some ha ve been with her from the beginning . “I ha ve a v ery loyal staff ,” says Kim who stresses the impor tance of familiar faces for the animals they care for . She has also discovered that in the Contra Costa area and cities lik e Cla yton, Concord, Pleasant Hill and Martinez, people treat their pets like family and want the best for them. And that’ s where Apronstrings steps in. The local pet sitting ser vice helps pet owners and pets cope with se paration anxiety on a daily basis,” explains Kim. Kim’s busiest times are when the kids are off from sc hool. So if your fur ry friend needs some care this summer, Apronstrings is ready to ste p in and help mak e y our vacation a fun time for y ou and your fa vorite pet.

See Apronstrings ad this page.

AND

CLAWS

Is Rex the life of the party, a wallflower or something in between? Dogs come with so many personalities that sometimes it tak es trial and er ror to bring out the best in eac h dog.

Training is not one size fits all. It’s best when you tailor your training to suppor t y our dog’ s individual needs.

Shy dogs need lo ving help , but they w on’t blossom into social butterf lies o vernight.

Some never become extro verts,

but they all can improve.

If Rex is sh y of people, other dogs , weird objects or noises, help boost his confidence b y teac hing him to be calmer in ev ery situation. The more he practices , the more natural it will become for him.

He will be happier and more adaptable o verall when he’ s gained confidence in a v ariety of situations.

Find out what motivates Rex – something he lo ves to do lik e play with a ball, or a fa vorite treat suc h as a small piece of cheese. Use that consistently as a reward.

Always use positi ve reinforcement, not punishment.

Sometimes an inexperienced dog o wner inadv ertently reinforces his dog’s shy behavior by trying to console him for being scared, saying “T here, there.

You’re all right. ” Resist the temptation because the message you send is “Good dog, for being afraid.”

Also, your dog senses when you are uneasy , so tak e dee p breaths and calm y ourself during his anxious moments.

When meeting Mr. Smith, let your dog approac h Mr . Smith,

rather than vice v ersa. Ask Mr. Smith to crouch or sit down and then allow Rex to approac h on his own.

Mr. Smith should not look Rex in the eyes or put his face up to Rex’s, as this is challenging and scar y for a dog . When he comes closer, Mr. Smith should offer R ex a treat in his open palm.

Be patient, be predictable and don ’t r ush this . A sh y dog will tak e time to feel comfor table.

By rewarding Rex for behavior you want, your dog will learn to come out of his shell.

The Animal R escue Foundation recommends not pulling on the leash or drag ging the dog because it ma y confuse or frighten him more .

Sometimes a pat on top of the head is also frightening . If your dog seems relax ed, ask a nice stranger to calmly pet his shoulder or his bac k, or scratc h his chest. Praise him and offer a treat if he sta ys calm for the stranger. Talk calmly and not loudly.

Let him practice this with you and with new people sev eral min utes ev ery da y, and he’ll

start to be more tr usting.

Remember to fur nish your visitors with small, tasty treats as rewards whenev er y our dog approaches them. His confidence will contin ue to g row with this type of predictable routine.

Obedience and specialty training are also a g reat w ay to build confidence . A dog who knows what y ou w ant, does what you ask and then g ets lavished with sincere rew ards for doing it is g oing to be a happy , secure dog.

Once some basic obedience training is done , you’ll find that other types of training can greatly improve a shy dog’s confidence level. Classes that w ork especially well for this are agility, freestyle, Canine Good Citizen preparation and adv anced obedience. These courses strengthen the positive working relationship betw een a dog and his guardian.

For more information, check out ARF’s dog training courses at www.arf.net.

Elena Bicker is the general manager of Tony La R ussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be r eached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)

Lucien and Kanga are ARF’s adoption stars ana Hills?

D d r y o t o u couldn’t aff Though ONLY $700,000

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Enjoy spectacular views from the 11,000+ square foot level lot.

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Call Anytime 800-634-4505, ext. 1112 for info or showing.

One-year-old Lucien is a very gentle and loving little boy.

He lo ves to pla y with to ys, but would much rather snuggle with a friend.

The adoption fee for Lucien is $100.

Come fall in lo ve with Lucien and his fabulous feline friends at ARF . Visit our W eb site, www.arf.net, to lear n more about adding a cat to y our family, or call (925) 256-1ARF.

KANGA

Fifteen-week-old Kanga is a busy, friendly, and w ell socialized puppy, who would lo ve to join y our family and la vish her love on you!

The adoption fee for K anga is $200 and includes the first six training courses.

Bring everyone who will li ve with Lucien or Kanga – including any canine family members for Kanga – to meet them at T ony La R ussa’s Animal R escue

Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 to 7 p .m. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 4:30 p .m.

Saturday and Sunday.

Would you like to be part of the heroic team that sa ves the li ves of rescued do gs and cats? Can y ou share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers ar e making a dif ference! Visit www.arf.net or call (925) 2561ARF for more information.

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

project w as “Can a Solar Electric Energy Source be Built to Power a Home Computer at a Reasonable Cost?” The results of her experiment sho wed that the solar system perfor med well, powering the computer for 5.5 hours , and w as built under budget, at a reasonable cost.

School News DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL The after sc hool drama prog ram DramaMama Productions Presents “Dear Edwina” May 18 at 7 p .m. and May 19 at 8 p .m. Dear Edwina is a light hear ted m usical set in the g arage of Edwina Spoonapple, advice giver extraordinaire gi ve advice on a wide ar ray of subjects to the delight of all. The sho w has g reat songs and m usic.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for c hildren 3-12. Diablo View Middle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.

The 4th of July Committee is looking for local non-profit groups w anting to sell sodas and w ater at the 4th of July Parade. Your g roup will k eep 100 percent of the profits .

Please call Deborah Meylan at 673-1548 or email at 4meylans@sbcglobal.net with questions or to obtain an application.

The first 4 Non-Profit groups with applications returned b y J une 20 will be our v endors for the 2006 4th of July Parade.

673-7000 Pool Inspections Weekly/Monthly Maintenance Quality Service & Repair New Construction/ Remodel Solar Installation & Repair

5433 Clayton Rd., #K in the Clayton Station shopping center

DEIRDRE RUSCITTI

CVHS REPORTER

672-8900

It was that m y oppor tunities for extracurricular acti vities w ere severely limited. I could not join clubs such as Mock Legislature in middle school because I wasn’t in GATE. The unrelenting focus on STAR testing had other adv erse effects. After years of somewhat dismal R eading Comprehension scores, I became convinced that I was no g ood at English, even though I had a propensity for reading and writing.

After all, in m y impressionable middle sc hool mind, the STAR test results were as omniscient and po werful as a deity .

Those n umbers surely predicted my fate . Otherwise, why w ould there be so m uch emphasis on the test?

Since then, a number of wonderful English teachers have convinced me otherwise , and now I want to major in creati ve writing in college.

Without reforming the STAR test, a vicious cycle of student apathy will for m. By forcing students to dev ote suc h a larg e quantity of time every year without fail, the testing loses its urgency. Forcing students to take a two-week long test every year is excessive.

STAR testing should also not be used to deny oppor tunities to students who desire to fur ther their education.

But what do I care? I’m done!

For comments or questions contact Deirdre at CVHS@claytonpioneer.com

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Key Making Mail boxes Notary Copying / Fax

Spring is here !

Want a fresh new look, new spring colors? How about a bright, new home. Re-do the dining room drapes & the table runners. Re-upholster the old sofa with fabulous new fabric for a fresh look for spring.

Spring into a new home.

Call Joanna at (925) 673-8911 Clayton Resident

We can help with personal care, respite care, light housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation & catering personnel.

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CLAYTON'S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 2006 MAIN PARADE APPLICATION FORM Entry Title: Name(s) of dignitaries, float or group Brief description of your entry to be read by the announcer. If additional space is needed, please attach it to this form.

Representative (group contact) for information about your parade entry.

Name: Phone number 1: E-mail: Address:

Composition of entry: Describe the physical size and make-up of your entry.

# of adults: # of children: # & type of non-motorized vehicles: # & size of motorized vehicles: Year & make of vehicles # & size of floats: # of horses: Sound: Other:

Phone number 2:

Please help us make this a fun parade for everyone; submit your registration forms early. Any forms postmarked after June 14 or received by any other means after June 16, may not be considered for inclusion in parade line-up. Due to space limitations and time constraints parade entries may be limited this year, particularly for vehicles. You may complete this application form or print it from the city's website, www.CityofClayton.org, then fax it to (925) 673-3369 or mail or deliver it to: Clayton’s Fourth of July Committee, Attn: Barbara Dwyer, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, CA 94517. (Application not needed for Kiddie Parade: children, bicycles,wagons, strollers) Hold Harmless Agreement. I (we) as an applicant and parade entrant, or an authorized representative of the applicant, agree to and shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Clayton, the Community Services Commission, the 4th of July Parade Committee, its officials, officers, directors, employees, volunteers and agents from and against any or all loss, liability, expense, claim, costs, suits and damages of every kind, nature and description, directly or indirectly, arising from my (our) participation as a parade participant(s).

www.aquapropool.com

Julia Aguilar, owner

(six months or longer)

ind of m

EAGLE PEAK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Local spas ha ve par tnered with Eagle P eak Montessori Sc hool (EPMS) to present Spa Day 2006 on June 3. Spas participating in the event, set for June 3, will celebrate with drawings, discounts and treats.

Details can be found at www .spaday2006.com. EPMS has also created the Spa Pass program. The Spa Pass ($25) offers a 25 percent discount at each of the 10 par ticipating spas in the East Ba y, including Clayton Mind & Body Connections in Cla yton.

All proceeds from this ev ent benefit the only public c harter school in Central Contra Costa County , Eagle Peak Montessori Sc hool. The school is located in W alnut Creek ser ves students from Cla yton, Concord and the Diablo Valley. For more information visit www.eaglepeakmontessori.org.

Soda vendors wanted for July 4 Parade

every day

A

CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Grad Night Preview: Many years ago CVHS parents created an all night g raduation par ty, an ev ent that w ould k eep g raduating seniors , safe, sober, and drug free on the night of their graduation. The tradition continues with the yearlong effor ts of a tireless g roup of senior parents. On Sun. June 11 from 6 - 9 p .m. the public is in vited to preview night at Centre Concord. This an opportunity for the community to see the results of Centre Concord’s transfor mation into a magical place with unique decorations, structures, and activities, waiting for the new graduates to enjoy. The preview is free of charge. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord.

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is offering a summer arts program for students in middle sc hool and g rade 9. Families ma y obtain the registration material at each middle school office, next to the summer sc hool material. Students will tak e tw o enric hment classes , choosing from art, band, string orchestra, show choir, guitar, dance, and drama. The Summer Ar ts Program will be held on the Cla yton Valley High Sc hool campus from J une 26 - J uly 25. For more infor mation, contact Mr . Mundy Viar at 682-7474 x 3125, or at ClaytonBands@aol.com.

Across the United States , the modern-day high school marching band has tak en a theatric perfor mance approac h. Close to home , Clayton Valley High School is the only local high school that offers this type of contemporary pag eantry experience that has its histor y in parades and football halftimes.

Students who like to perform, as well as students that have not had the oppor tunity to perfor m but w ant a new experience , are strongly encouraged to join this award-winning team. We want boys and girls for our color guard section, for our drum line, and for our band, in general. Clayton Valley has won numerous awards for creative designs, excellent performance, and interesting music arrangement.

To register and to recei ve the summer and fall 2006 sc hedule, contact Mr. Mundy Viar at Cla yton Valley High Sc hool, 682-7474 x 3125, or at ClaytonBands@aol.com. Registration will close in May. Beginners and students with no experience are w elcome!

3 Months FREE Mail Box Rental Notary on duty for New Customers

er

Jessica F ong w as first place winner, 8th g rade junior di vision, at the 2006 Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa Science and Engineering Fair, held March 30 – April 1.T he Mt. Diablo Unified Sc hool District Board invited J essica to their Ma y 9 session to present her with a certificate of recognition. Her

The annual bane of standardized testing has once ag ain passed through the halls of Clayton Valley High School.

Every year , students from high, middle and even elementary schools across the countr y are forced to participate in days upon days of mind-numbing testing. In California, it’s called Standardized T esting and Reporting (ST AR). Even the name puts you to sleep.

Students at CV w ere tested over a tw o-week period, with testing three days a week for two hours a da y. Luckily for me , though, this w as m y last year . I am a junior , and seniors are exempt.

I have no grudge against standardized testing in g eneral. For example, I recently took an Advanced Placement test in U .S. History, created b y the Colleg e Board, which also produces the SAT. The essa y questions w ere phrased in a manner to allow you to take an issue that y ou lear ned about in a textbook and look at it in a different light. Then you had 35 to 45 min utes to write an essay.

Even the m ultiple c hoice questions made y ou think about information y ou had lear ned, instead of merely asking y ou to spit back facts verbatim.

The ST AR test mak es no such academic leaps . It fails to accurately assess students and, therefore, falls flat at its very purpose.

I hated the ST AR test ev en back in m y elementar y and middle school years. My low scores in Reading Comprehension prevented me from entering the Gifted and T alented Education program (GATE). Every year, I’d fall a few points shor t of the score necessary to be admitted.

The fact that I w asn’t in GATE wasn’t what bothered me.

Notary, Fax and Shipping Services

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Jessica Fong wins first STAR place at Science Fair tests don’t measure student’s knowledge

May 19, 2006

embra c

Page B10

Serving Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Clayton, Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood & Discovery Bay

License No. 671549

General Parade Rules: Candy may not be tossed from vehicles or to parade watchers but may be distributed at curb line by walking participants. No squirt guns, water squirters or other similar item may be used. If found, they will be confiscated and not returned. All parades entrants are subject to search. All drivers of motorized vehicles must have a valid driver’s license and insurance.

No stopping to conduct performances. All participants must follow the instructions of designated parade officials.

I (we), the undersigned, have read, understand and agree to comply with all the above parade rules and hold harmless agreement, written or implied, regarding my (our) being a parade participant.

Organization or individual entry (please print):________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________ (sign)

__________________________________ (print name)

Date: ______________________________________

May 19, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Dining Around If you want a special place to dine, you might want to stop by PASTA PRIMAVERA at the corner of Clayton Road and Treat Blvd. in Concord. We recently enjoyed lunch there and commented on just how charming the dining room is with the dark cherry wood chairs and tables and mirrored back wall.

The relaxing ambiance is matched by a delectable menu that offers a variety of items from antipasti and salad to pasta, seafood chicken and veal.

Our party of three each tried a different lunch entrée. The Linguine with garlic and mushrooms in virgin olive oil arrived at our table piping hot and smelling absolutely deli-

La Veranda Café Northern Italian Cuisine in downtown Clayton Fresh soups, salads, antipasti, pizza and pasta Dinner and lunch daily Brunch on Sunday Children’s menu and take out service available

For reservations call (925) 524-0011 6201 CENTER ST. CLAYTON

cious. It was the personal favorite of our lunch partner and that was plain to see…every last noodle was devoured.

Jill had the blackened salmon and Caesar salad.

The salmon was mouthwatering and the salad fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing. The soup that accompanied the salad was cream of broccoli…perfect texture and very tasty.

Another favorite was the seafood salad featuring shrimp and scallops on a bed of spinach in a warm lemon Dijon sun-dried tomato dressing. For salad lovers who enjoy their salad as main course, this is for you. Prices are very reasonable which make Pasta Primavera a perfect choice for any occasion.

Recently featured in Diablo Magazine’s “At The Table” section, LA VERANDA CAFE received raved reviews from restaurant reporter Melissa Swanson.

La Veranda serves a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal

Open at 11 a. m., 7 days a week

Locally owned by Rocco Biale & family

Rocco’s New Sports Bar NOW Open

Banquet Rooms Patio Dining

Watch all the games

Florentine, omelettes and pancakes. A new twist on the tried and true Joe’s Special will leave you begging for more. All are served with potatoes, toast and fresh fruit.

This popular spot is a perfect place for a lovely, quiet Sunday morning brunch where you are likely to run into friends and neighbors. La Veranda opens on Sunday at 10 a.m. and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at

and fish starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil.

Pasta dishes range from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. “...make no mistake;” said Swanson, “this is no spaghetti and red sauce throwback. The quality of La Veranda’s food sets it apart.”

If you haven’t yet had brunch at La Veranda, you are missing a real treat.

The menu includes all the popular breakfast choices, Eggs Benedict and

ast at Ou r

Fine Italian dining with an extensive menu • Weekend Special - grilled steaks • Gourmet desserts and fine wines Very reasonable prices

2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd. at Oak Grove Rd. in Walnut Creek (925) 947-6105 • Fax (925) 947-6106 www.roccospizzeria.com

Nearly one in fi ve American drivers still fails to regularly wear a safety belt when dri ving or riding in a motor v ehicle, according to a new re port from the National Highw ay T raffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Among those least lik ely to buckle up— y oung males, pickup tr uck dri vers and their passengers, people who live in rural areas and night-time drivers. But failure to regularly w ear a safety belt can be deadly. According to NHTSA, 31,693 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes during 2004 – and 55 percent of those killed w ere NOT w earing their safety belts at the time of the crash.

sk

That’s wh y Cla yton P olice Department will join with more than 12,000 other state and local law enforcement and highw ay safety officials during late Ma y for an aggressive national “Click It or Tic ket” mobilization to crack down on California’s safety belt la w violators and to reduce fatalities on our streets and highways.

“Safety belts clearly sa ve lives. But unfor tunately too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are g oing to be out in force buc kling do wn on those who are not buc kled up.” said Dan La wrence, Clayton’s Police Chief . “Unless y ou w ant to risk a tic ket, or worse - y our life, you need to remember to ‘Click It or Tic ket’ day and night.”

Regular safety belt use is the

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single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor v ehicle crashes , says Lawrence. When worn correctly, safety belts ha ve pro ven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passeng er car occupants by 45 percent – and by 60 percent in pic kup tr ucks, SUVs and mini-vans.

Nationally, police will ramp up safety belt enforcement, checking for safety belt use at checkpoints and utilizing other enforcement acti vities during the enforcement mobilization which r uns from Ma y 22 through June 4. Locally, Clayton police will be more a ware of those who c hoose not to w ear their car’s seat belts and will be issuing both w arnings and citations to violators.

“Too many people still tak e

the attitude that it will nev er happen to them. But fatal crashes can and do happen every da y.

So w e will be out in f o r c e CHIEF DAN showing LAWRENCE zero tolerance for anyone not buc kled up ,” Chief Lawrence said. “We’d m uch rather write a hundred tic kets than have to knock on one family’s door with the news that their loved one didn ’t sur vive a crash because they weren’t wearing their safety belt.”

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2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty.

The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97, this large pizza will feed a small army.

Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads.

All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m.

And, ROCCO’S NEW SPORTS BAR is now open.

With a full bar and 12 big flat screen TVs, sports fans might just think they’ve found heaven.

And for those who need a little break from sports, check out the beautiful new fresh water acquarium behind the bar.

See you at Rocco’s.

www.pastaprimaveracafe.com

Police to crack down on safety belt violators TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

TAMARA STEINER/CLAYTON PIONEER treat the family to pizza on the patio at Rocco’s

Mon. – Thurs.

Co zy P fé 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. asta Pr avera Ca im Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

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Page B11

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Page B12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

May 19, 2006

Camp, hike – even try a triathlon – at Lak e San Antonio

KEVIN PARKER

HIKER’S HAVEN You kno w that mental checklist of things you want to accomplish in y our lifetime?

Catching a foul ball at a baseball game, sending your kids to college, writing a no vel or in m y case finishing a triathlon.

And so , the Wildf lower Triathlon brought me and the family do wn to Lak e San Antonio. Held ev ery year on the first w eekend in Ma y, this event dra ws more than 8,000 competitors and 22,000 spectators. When I first heard those

numbers, I w as thinking tw o words, “mad house,” but upon arriving at Lak e San Antonio and spending three da ys at the event, it w as indeed w orth the drive.

Lake San Antonio is about 20 miles inland from California’s beautiful Central Coast. It’s 17 miles long with more than 65 miles of shoreline and a surface size of 5,000 acres. Year-round activities such as picnics , fishing, hiking, swimming, boating and birdwatching are just a few of the many things you can do here to enjoy the outdoors.

The lak e also offers more than 2,000 campsites and one of the few places in Califor nia with actual “shoreline camping.”

Lake San Antonio has more than 26 miles of hiking and biking trails that pro vide many opportunities to enjo y a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife. This area is one of the largest eagle winter habitats in

LAKE SAN ANTONIO has more than 26 miles of trails.

THOUSANDS OF COMPETITORS make a big splash as they start the Olympic Distance Swim, the second event in the Triathlon. Kevin’s in there somewhere.

Central Califor nia. The best months for viewing eagles (both g olden and bald) are December through F ebruary.

Other wildlife found here includes white pelican, heron, Canadian g eese, rabbits, deer, coyotes, bobcats and wild boars.

However, for three da ys a year, this quiet and serene landscape is slo wly transfor med into the Wildf lower T riathlon.

People from all o ver the w orld come to compete. Wildflower is comprised of three races: Long Course Triathlon (1.2 m. swim, 56 m. bike, 13.1 m. run), Olympic Distance T riathlon (1.5 k. swim, 40 k. bike, 10 k. run) and the Mountain Bik e Triathlon (.25 m. swim, 10 m.

bike, 2 m. run).

Athletes from professionals to beginners test their fitness and stamina on courses that meander through some of the most scenic countr y in the state. Green rolling hillsides , tree g roves, miles of shoreline and wildf lowers are just some examples of the back-drops for this event.

Even if you are not interested in competing, the sheer number of activities directed at athletes, spectators and families means something for everyone. Watching the races , the exposition area complete with v endor tents , food and drink, bands pla ying throughout the da y and ev en magic shows for the kids mak e the

event enjoyable for all.

This ev ent is sponsored b y Tri-California, and this g roup has g ot it do wn – ev erything from bathroom facilities to race organization to a pro-en vironment and lo w-impact attitude to the Lake San Antonio area in general. I have never been par t of an ev ent that w as so w ellplanned and so much fun.

So if you are looking for a great place to tak e the family this summer or maybe you see a triathlon experience in y our future, I give Lake San Antonio and the Wildf lower T riathlon the double thumbs up.

For more information on this hike or other outdoor experiences , contact me @ hikershaven@sbcglobal.net.

Destination Lake San Antonio Getting

there: Take Highway 101 S. and exit Jolon Road (G-14) just north of King City. Follow Jolon Road for 20 miles, turn right on Interlake Road for 13 miles until you reach the South Shore Park Entrance.

Travel time: 3 ½ hours.

Trip tips: Campsites are first come, first served.

Information: Lake San Antonio: www.cityofsoledad.com/tourism/lake _sanAntonio.cfm. Lake San Antonio Resort: www.lakesanantonioresort.com. Wildflower Triathlon: www.tricalifornia.com/wildflower/2006.

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107 Jeffry Ranch Court

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$330,000

1737 Oakmead Drive

$465,000

1950 Altura Drive

$499,500

Clayton

Concord

Concord

Concord

4 Bedrooms & 3 Baths, approx. 2,150 sq. ft.

Desirable cul-de-sac location! Spacious formal dining room with high vaulted ceilings, family room with granite faced wood burning fireplace, and bonus room addition done with permits. Bright kitchen with tile counters, oven, stove, dishwasher, breakfast bar, white cabinets, pantry, separate eating area, wet bar and recessed lighting. Convenient inside laundry room and monitored alarm system!

2 Bedrooms & 1 Baths, approx 915 sq. ft.

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765 Parkway Drive

$599,000

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$378,900

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$599,995

5071 Bonwell Drive

$595,000

Martinez

Concord

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Owner wishes to carry the first trust deed.

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3370 Northwood Dr. #C

$379,000

308 Rock Creek Way

$479,950

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Pleasant Hill

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$535,000

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$550,000

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