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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
September 24, 2004
We will never forget
Seussical perfect for small theater
JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The sun was shining and the air was crisp and refreshing. It was the type of morning that beckons you out of bed and into the day ahead. Two weeks ago on September 11, residents began their day by remembering the New York City firefighters who lost their lives in the World Trade Center disaster three years ago. A display of 343 American flags each bearing a photograph of the firefighter killed in action and a brief biography filled the lawn area in front of Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District, Station 11 on Center Street. At 9 a.m. The Fire Department Color Guard from Local 1230 raised the flag which flew over the World Trade Center on the day of the attacks, and Captain Dave George led the Pledge of Allegiance. The fallen firefighters were remembered with patri-
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
When CTA’s “Seussical: The Musical” opens in Walnut Creek next week, Clayton will be well represented both on stage and behind it. For the past 13 years, CTA has claimed center stage in the Tremaine family. Daughter Lizzie, 15 and a sophomore at CVHS, has studied acting, dance and voice at California Theater Arts Conservatory, birthplace of the Crossroads Theatre, toured the country with the Conservatory’s student productions, and has appeared on the Crossroads Stage for the past four years. Jane, a former city administrator who decided to become a “stay at home” mom when Lizzie was a baby, had no idea how little time she would spend actually staying at home. Many days, you can find Jane in the car chauffeuring Lizzie to rehearsals and performances almost anywhere in the Bay Area. Or she and Lizzie might be on tour in New York or Oklahoma City with a CTA student production. When not on the road, Jane is on duty at the Crossroads Theatre on Boulevard Way in Walnut Creek, where she is Executive Director and Producer. Husband Dick retired from his job as an electrical engineer a few years ago, only to find himself climbing ladders and stringing cable as the company’s sound technician. The whole family is excited, enthusiastic and immersed in the latest CTA production. “It’s a really energetic show. It’s really cool ‘cause you can read some of
See Seussical, page 5
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otic music, solemn words by Captain George and the ringing of the bell to symbolize a comrades passing. This year Station 11 attached a photo and biography to each flag. “I thought that photos would bring more realism to the display,” George added. He noted that it was difficult for his crew at Station 11 to set up the display because they would see photos that reminded them of their colleagues. They often had to stop and take a break.
“Let’s not forget those who paid the price.” Capt. Dave George The display was also a moving experience for residents, bringing many to their knees to read about the firefighters and reflect on the sacrifice they made. “Let’s not forget those who paid the price,” said Captain George.
DeMartini Winery building commemorated TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton celebrated its fortieth birthday Saturday with the unveiling of an historic marker for the DeMartini Winery building. The bronze plaque was a birthday gift from the Clayton Historical Society. On hand were dozens of DeMartini descendants, members of Clayton pioneer families, supporters of the Historical Society and city officials. About 100 people attended the celebration. The building, originally built as a
gravity fed winery in 1885, was placed on the National Historic Registry in 1987. In 1988 the city purchased the building from Gloria Forni Patten. According to Mayor Julie Pierce, the city had originally planned to find a commercial use for the building, but later decided to convert it to city offices in order to preserve its historical nature. In 1997, the building opened as the Clayton City Hall and Civic Center. Assisting Mayor Pierce with the dedication of the plaque, Forni thanked the city for saving the building. "It couldn't be in better hands," she said.
DEMARTINI DESCENDANTS Victor DeMartini, May Schraeder, John DeMartini, Dewey DeMartini and Don DeMartini. Original builder of the Winery, Paul DeMartini is their great uncle.
CBCA...you’ve come a long way, baby Next month’s Oktoberfest caps association’s 20th year
One of their first fundraisers was the Roundup on Easley Ranch. That was about 20 years ago. Today the group "couldn't be any different," says current president Ed Hartley. The
Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) is over 130 members strong and membership continues to grow. The current group is more about providing than needing protection. "Our sole
JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
It began as a political action group in response to a growing mistrust of the current city council. They referred to themselves as a "watchdog" group making sure that local businesses had a voice in city issues. The initial group was looking for protection from a mayor that didn't have any interest in promoting business in the downtown area, says Gary Hules, one of the founding members. Hules and others like Skip Ipsen, John Jawad, Julie Gilchrist, Gloria Utley, John Morris, John Hellmer, Nan Wallace and Roy Hawes banded together and met for luncheon meetings at the Pioneer Inn.
The Internationals, who will perform at Clayton’s Oktoberfest, is the only non-German band invited to play at the Munich Oktoberfest.
function is to raise money and donate," says Hartley. One visit to the annual Art and Wine Festival in downtown Clayton and it’s easy to see that the group takes its role in the community seriously. Just a few months ago, the 17th annual Art and Wine Festival brought thousands to the streets of Clayton for the two-day event. Leaders are reluctant to reveal exactly how much the organization raises each year. But, donations to local groups are substantial. In June, the community group gave $5500 in scholarship money to seven worthy Clayton Valley High School seniors, increasing the prior year’s donation by $2500. CBCA donated a $25,000 Gazebo for the future park in downtown Clayton and has made purchases to improve the city's landscape, schools and community gym. While the group is generous with donations, they have a formal request procedure with set criteria. "We want to know who it's going to benefit, will it be
long-lasting and will it reach more than one person," says former president and member Howard Geller. One of the most rewarding projects for him
What: Oktoberfest When: October 2-3 Where: Downtown Clayton Who: Sponsored by the CBCA-Chairperson Maryann Lawrence Specifics: Music by the Internationals. Dancing, imported German beer, food court, wine, vendors, pumpkin patch, kinderland and more. Free parking and admission.
is the Adopt-A-Family at Christmas. The group finds needy families in the area, researches what the families need and then personally delivers bags of goodies during the holidays. "If you could just see the look on their
faces when you arrive," says Geller. He is also impressed by the interview process for the scholarship program and the talented students who apply each year. Geller has chaired the Art and Wine Festival for the past nine years and has witnessed that event's growth and popularity. Hartley was actually drawn into the group after attending his first Art and Wine Festival in 1995. He became a member, liked what he saw and stepped up to the plate to become a Board member, co-chair of the annual golf tourney and then president. Membership has soared under his leadership. "We're attracting new members and they're staying," says Hartley. "That means people like what the group is doing." It was Hartley's idea to test the waters and see if the group was open to another big fundraiser. "When things are going well you can afford to experiment," he says. The general membership toyed with a few ideas and then voted in
See CBCA, page 5