MARCH 2015 Clayton Gazette

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 2 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

A Word from the Publisher

by Tiffany Gensburger

March Madness?

I have been asked a lot, recently, why we are not writing any articles on the Clayton Valley Charter High School conflicts that have appeared in print elsewhere, and online, including Claycord.com and as postings on our Facebook page? The answer is that we’ve noticed publications taking only one position. We believe that the issues are complex and that both sides have valid points.

Currently there are some investigations going on from the Contra Costa County Office of Education, as well as the District Attorney’s office taking a look. I expect, as both reach conclusions, there will be something to write about that will be comprehensive and definitive.

On our Facebok page I have been posting items from both the Stakeholders for Transparency, as well as the I Support Clayton Valley Charter High School pages. These are presented for viewers wishing to see the play by play in action.

The Clayton Gazette has no position regarding these events aside from our sincere hope that conclusions are reached and changes are made so that the school can be what it set out to be.

0 2

5 1 Warmly,

Tiffany G. Tiffany Gensburger Publisher tiffany@claytongazette.com

Index of Stories

James’ Head Games .............

2 Dan Ashley’s “What Really Matters” 4 MadsCaps 4 Cancer............

4 Bead & Boutique............

6 Bonilla Bills.........

8 Film & Book Reviews...

10 Time for the Arts..........

12 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 13 Classified Ads...............

15 Arts & Entertainment..

15 Are You A Hoarder?.....

15 Food/Farmer’s Market..

15 Cathy Turney - “A Little Bit Off!”... 16 Answers to James’ Games....

16 COVER PHOTO: Madison Greenwood and her MadsCaps 4 Cancer hats.

Read her own words on page 4. Photo by CSKPhotography.net for The Clayton Gazette

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 3 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

A Walk Through Time

with Misty Bruns, Docent at the Clayton Museum

The Carbondale School—150 years ago

Information and photo from the Clayton Museum

The Carbondale school was built in Nortonville. It was one of the first schools built in the mining area.

In 1865 there were 26 schools in Contra Costa County.

There were 192 students enrolled at the Carbondale school in Nortonville California.

During the flourishing years of the local mining communities, up to 400 students came to the Carbondale school. Students would walk, ride horses, and even hitch a ride on a coal train to get to school.

When mining slowed down enrollment diminished. Eventually, the mines and miners disappeared.

Over time the buildings and the beautiful Carbondale school went into disarray.

The town of Nortonville is now part of East Bay Regional Parks District at Black Diamond Mines.

Source: The story of Contra Costa County for Boys and Girls printed 1942 -California Contra Costa County and illustrated history printed in 1990. The Clayton Museum and the Contra Costa County Historical Society

Clayton Theatre Company The Clayton Theatre Company has your spring and summer covered. First is Arsenic and Old Lace, the classic madcap comedy about two lovable old ladies who poison lonely old men with elderberry wine spiked with arsenic, and then bury them in their basement.

The rest of the family is even nuttier.

The preview, April 15, is a fundraiser for Relay for Life.

Half the ticket sales will go to that very worthy charity. The play then runs April 16 - 19 and April 22 - 25.

You can purchase tickets now at brownpapertickets.com. There is more information about the play, tickets, and volunteering on their website at claytontheatrecompany.org. You

don’t want to miss this production. It’s going to be a side-splitting delight.

For the post school, June dilemma of “what am I going to do to keep the children busy” problem, the Clayton Theatre Company Summer Stage for children ages 6-16, runs from June 15th -19th, June 22nd-26th and June 29th-July 1st.

The Summer Stage classes are held at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center Street, Clayton.

This is a great program for children who love theatre and want to learn more about musical theatre principles, and for those who want to learn to speak in front of groups, or just get over their shyness.

Students will learn scenes from “Aladdin Jr.,” “Matilda,” and “Newsies.” The classes culminate in performances on July 2nd at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information visit claytontheatrecompany.org.

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 4 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

WhatReallyMatters MadsCaps 4 Cancer

by Dan Ashley, ABC-7 News Anchor

Watch Dan’s live newscasts at http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/live

It’s almost time to Rock the CASA !

One of the incredible privileges of my job, for which I am always amazed and grateful, is the chance to be a part of the community in such a unique way.

When I entered this profession decades ago, I knew that I wanted to tell stories, to right wrongs, to seek the truth and to report to viewers about what I had learned.

The job has never disappointed me in that regard as I have had so many remarkable opportunities as a reporter over the years.

What I did not realize when I first got into broadcast journalism back then is that, because of the public nature of the work, you would be afforded the chance to occupy an unusual place in your community simply because you are on television. As I said, a privilege.

Over the years, I have had the great honor of being a part of so many amazing events and charitable causes.

All of those experiences, I believe, has prepared me to do something that I have been working on for the past couple of years. Please allow me to tell you a little bit about the new non-profit charity that I have created called “Dan Ashley’s Rock the CASA”.

Billed as “An Evening of Music for Court Appointed Special Advocates”, it actually supports two causes that are very near and dear to my heart and have been for a long time.

CASA is a phenomenal organization that steps in to help, and often save, young people who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and/ or neglect. There are so many stories of young people whose lives are turned

around during a critical moment in their lives that was not of their choosing or of their making. The other cause that Rock the CASA supports is Friends of Camp Concord which sends under-served kids in the Bay Area to summer camp at Lake Tahoe each summer. In the eighteen years or so that I have hosted an annual golf tournament to raise money for FOCC, we’ve send about 8,000 young people to summer camp, all expenses paid. I am proud to serve on the boards of both of these worthy organizations.

The first Rock the CASA concert is on Saturday night, June 20th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek featuring legendary rocker Eddie Money of “Two Tickets to Paradise’, “Think I’m in Love”, and “Shakin” fame. There will be other musical acts as well, including my band, PUSH, and several special guests and very cool surprises including the chance to take home beautiful guitars signed by some of the biggest names in music.

It will be a very special evening to support two very special causes and I would be most grateful for your support making this inaugural event a big success.

Tickets are on sale now but, if you can’t attend, you can also make a donation if you are so inclined.

For more information please go to; www.rockthecasa.org Dan Ashley is an anchor at ABC-7 News and can be seen weeknights at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on ABC-7 and at 9 p.m. on KOFY TV20.

Contact him at dan@myconcordian.com.

Visit http://www.rockwithpush.com for more on the band.

My name is Madison Greenwood and I am in the 7th grade. For all my life I have had to wear hats for a medical reason. Two years ago, I came up with an idea for a project. I started making it a reality last November when I cut 11 inches off of my hair to donate to Locks Of Love to kick-off my project called MadsCaps 4 Cancer.

My goal is to donate 125 hats by my 13th birthday, this April, to a Bay Area Pediatric Cancer ward for kids who are battling cancer.

Through friends and family, I have raised over $300 and have purchased over 40 hats. Over the next 2 months, I am going to spend the rest of the money to try to reach my goal. A few family friends are knitting or crocheting hats to donate to my project. I am optimistic that I will meet my 125 hat goal by the end of April.

My main purpose is to help raise the self esteem of kids that have medical challenges, and to make them feel better about themselves.

I invite you to join me. If you wish to donate in some way, please email me at MadsCaps4Cancer@gmail.com

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 5 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

resident tales

Sponsored by the Diamond Terrace 55+ Retirement Community, Clayton

Stubby Stories When our three daughters were about 12, 9, and 6 years old, my husband, Walt and I decided it was time that we owned a dog. We saw an ad in a local paper

and trooped over to that house to look at puppies. The litter consisted of six little dears. They were playing with each other with great gusto—wrestling, chewing on

By Marge Crawford

each other’s ears, and enjoying all sorts of puppy games. Of course, there was one puppy who caught our collective eyes— the runt of the litter, little female who

rushed over to us wagging her stubby tail and begging for us to take her home with us! We immediately named her Stubby and “adopted” her on the spot!

Now Stubby was no ordinary mutt. She had papers, which “registered” dogs of each breed had. She was of registered Boxer breed. I can’t recall her sire’s name (it was something like King Tut). But I clearly remember that her mother’s name was “Mama Bahama”!

We were honored to include her in our family of beings.

Stubby’s tail had been bobbed at birth, I believe, but Boxers’ ears are not fixed until later in their first year. Until that operation, her ears were little floppy, pointy-tipped things. So we took her to a veterinarian and had the operation performed. When we picked her up after her ear fixing, she came out of her hospital kennel and all the nurses fussed over her, telling her how beautiful and regal she now looked! Her ears stood up straight and tall. She seemed quite proud of her new appearance.

While Stubby was outgrowing her early puppyhood, we moved from Evansville, Indiana, to Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Whenever Stubby escaped from her outdoor run or scooted out of our front door, when it was opened, she would prance around the neighborhood and tease all of the other dogs. She would dance around each dog, which was securely tethered, as if to invite each one to come and play. Then, off she would go to the next frustrated, tethered victim.

She also found ways to tease the people, our neighbors, in any way possible. For instance, one garbage pick-up day when every homeowner had put out bags of garbage on the curb, I received a phone call. It was one of my close neighbors pleading, “Come and get Stubby! She has my garbage and she won’t give it back!” We kept devising new and better security systems to prevent Stubby’s escapes with some success, now and then.

One of Stubby’s escape escapades through our front door was the most hilarious of all: Walt’s brother, Elmer, and his wife, Mary Ruth, were expected to arrive at our home any minute. We were listening for the doorbell while busily getting everything ready for our guests. Stubby was there in our midst being a good dog and keeping out from underfoot, sharing in our excited anticipation. Although she had no idea what it was all about, she was on high alert for something wonderful to happen!

Then, the doorbell rang!

Whoever was nearest to the front door flung it open. There stood Elmer and Mary Ruth—our expected guests.

Simultaneously, Stubby leapt through the wide-open door, expecting to land on her feet and run off for a fun time— but instead, landed on Elmer, who instinctively put out his arms and caught this “missile dog” in them!

All of us, including Stubby, had such surprised looks on our faces that we all began to howl with laughter. We pulled Elmer, Stubby, and Mary Ruth into our foyer and shut the door, tight.

Stubby eventually settled down as she grew older. Although, she always aspired to be a “free-range dog”, she did become a reliable friend and helper to all her people.

www.diamondterrace.net

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 6 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Stress-FREE

Bead & Boutique Arts Show

by Jennifer Stojanovich/Better Homes Realty

Bead & Boutique Arts Show returns to Hilton Concord on Friday Feb 27 and goes through Sunday March 1, bringing exceptional craftsmanship to the public, as well as to art galleries, designers, and retailers.

The show offers 200 artisan galleries exhibiting handmade beads, jewelry, hand-sewn clothing, accessories, gemstones, textiles, antiquities and vintage items.

There are both established craft artists and trades people, as well as newly discovered artisans –including beadmakers, gemcutters, fashion designers, and hat makers.

Discover one-of-a-kind boutique goods –gemstones, felted hats, pearls, findings, woven textiles, hand-sewn skirts, hand-dyed silks, vintage beads, and wearable art.

Bead & Boutique Arts Show offers traditional design to a new generation of buyers who welcome one-of-a-kind products that are offered exclusively by the artisans themselves.

There are also wholesale merchants specializing in beading/ jewelry supplies, bringing extensive

Real Estate

Which Home Improvements Offer the Best ROI? Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, many homeowners contemplate how much the improvement their considering will add value to their home? Kitchens and bathrooms definitely get the most attention from buyers and add the most pizzazz in marketing a home however they aren’t always the improvements that have the highest return on the investment when you sell your home.

According to “Remodeling” magazine’s 2015 “Cost vs. Value Report” here are the best updates/upgrades for your home offering the highest return: 1.

A Steel Entry Door 2.

A Wood Deck 3.

An Attic Conversation 4.

A New Garage Door 5.

New Exterior Siding (including fiber cement, vinyl, or manufactured stone veneer) 6.

New Energy Efficient Windows 7.

Kitchen Update – A minor kitchen remodel including new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, along with new appliances, countertop and flooring has

one of the highest return averages in the “Cost vs Value Report” It’s also important when making any

improvements to your home to utilize licensed contractors to ensure proper permits are pulled if necessary and that remodel/updates are done to building codes as this is important to most buyers when it is time to sell your home.

If you’re considering selling your home in the near future feel free to contact us to determine if the perceived value of the update/remodel considered would result in actual market value. Better Homes Realty Jennifer Stojanovich Broker Associate 925-567-6170 Contact me today to get started!Email me at jenstojanovich@yahoo.com or SEE OUR AD BELOW

Returns to Concord

inventories of silver, copper, brass, glass, stone beads and findings.

And those looking for collectibles and antiquities will discover fine art jewelry, artifacts, ethnographic objects, nomadic costumes, vintage and antique glass, stone, and gold beads, tribal, scarab, venetian trade beads, amber beads, champlevé, Gablonzer crystals, sacred textiles, hand spun yarns, ceremonial objects, and textiles.

In addition to the exhibits, everyone is invited to roll up their sleeves and take part in workshops by craft artists and designers. The workshops offer instruction at all skill levels and most include tools & materials. Projects include beadmaking, riveting, metal clay, leather work, bead work, electroforming, enameling, shibori silk, metalwork, and wire-work.

Open to the public. Show admission $10, good for all three days; workshop costs vary. Show hours Friday - Sunday, Feb 27 – March 1, 10am - 6pm daily, at Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord, CA. For information visit www.beadandboutique.com

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 7 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

A LifeTIME of Smiles

by Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S.

Your Nails, Latte or Teeth?

It’s YOUR Choice!

My wife, Marci, recently shared a story with me and I felt compelled to share it with all of you.

She was getting her hair cut and started to chat with another client at the hair salon. The conversation went something like this. How long have you been getting your hair done here? What do you do? My wife answered that she manages our Dental Office and then the client asked the big question. How often do you think a person should get their teeth cleaned? The client continued, I don’t have dental insurance and about 3 years ago I had to give something up to stay on budget. She stated that she couldn’t give up getting her hair cut or colored ($125 every 6-8 weeks), would not think of giving up her weekly manicure ($12 x 4 = $48 monthly), monthly pedicure ($20) and how could she possibly give up her daily delicious latte ($4 a day x 5= $20 per week)? So, she gave up going to her dentist. “What do you think?” she asked my wife.

This was the answer…. Going to the dentist at least once a year should be mandatory, especially if you are a coffee/ tea drinker. Of course 2 times a year is best but if you can only afford one time a year that is better than nothing. Going to your dentist for your annual oral/ cancer screening exam and cleaning or what we like to call Continued Care is not as expensive and you may think. Your exam will cost approximately $65 (may be more, may be less) and your cleaning $108 (may be more, may be less). If you need x-rays they can range from $44 -$180 depending on how many you need, but remember that is not every year.

So let’s just say you need an: Exam - $ 65 Cleaning-$108 2 x-rays- $ 71 TOTAL: $244 Now let’s look at your budget for Coffee, Mani/Pedi: Coffee budget: 5 large latte’s a week at $4 each = $20 per week X 52 weeks =

$1040 per year (WOW!) Manicures: 4 manicures a month at $12 each=$48 x 12 months = $576 Pedicures: 1 month at $20 each x 12 months = $240 My wife does agree that it would be difficult to give up the hair thing because she couldn’t do it by herself!

So the bottom line is to help keep you and your mouth healthy it may cost you approximately $250 annually ($23.80 a month). Please also keep in mind it is recommended that you do get your teeth cleaned 2 times a year if possible. That may cost approximately $350 annually ($29.16/month) Even if it costs you $450 annually that is $37.50/month.

It is still less than the budget for manicures or just give up 2 of your 5 latte’s a week. Your teeth and body will love you!

I like to tell my patients that your mouth is the gateway to your body. When you smile it has been proven it not only puts you in a good mood but a smile is contagious and puts everyone else around you in a good mood also.

If your dentist is not seeing you regularly please give your Dentist a call and I guarantee that your Dentist will help try and make your dental care fit your budget.

As always…Please remember to always swish, floss, brush and swish again and continue to see your dentist at least every six months or as often as your dentist prescribes.

Please visit my website, roberthwaldmandds.com for more topics of interest. Just hit the Blog tab for many of my articles or the video tab to see many educational dental procedure videos.

Keep Smiling~Dr. Rob

Ask Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S. your questions at 925-682-6940, DrRob@ RobertHWaldmanDDS.com or www. roberthwaldmandds.com.

THE CLAYTON GAZETTE of the DIABLO VALLEY

Your Voice. Your Stories About Your Community. Because We Care!

www.ClaytonGazette.com Stop by our office today and pick up a copy of The Clayton Gazette

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 8 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

We Need Your Help!

I’ve been asked about groups and activities where widows and widowers can get involved, meet new people and have something positive they can do. Two groups that we had listed in our paper are now defunct.

The closest we could find was San Francisco, which seems an absurd distance. No doubt our neighborhoods have many widows and widowers looking for a group to join.

The Gazette has decided to create one with the sole purpose of getting widows

and widowers together. For this we need your help.

If you know a widow or widower in our communities who is interested, please let us know. With their permission, please email their contact information.

The Gazette will act as a liaison to arrange their groups first Photo credit: Cathy Yeulet meeting. We can then include the group meeting information in our calendar section.

Can you help? I hope so. ~Tiffany

CHS School Report

by Rebecca Jensen

Meeting Special Needs

Imagine for a moment you are participating in a swimming meet. There are many participants and the pressure to win is intense. Now imagine that you must swim your heat using only one arm. For many students with special needs, attending public school can be just as challenging and frustrating. But at Concord High, we have a flotilla of dedicated teachers and assistants to buoy up these students so, though they might not win the race, they may at least complete it.

Over the past years, Concord High has become the school of choice for many parents of children with special needs. CHS has been successful in providing a “least restrictive environment” for students who have a broad range of physical, emotional, behavioral and intellectual challenges. An Individual Education Plan (IEP), which spells out the special needs, accommodations, modifications and goals for each student, is created as a blueprint for success. And our wonderful teachers work hard to apply each individual plan to its individual student, enabling most to participate in high school in a meaningful way, with many of them successfully navigating the graduation track and earning a diploma.

One classroom I was privileged to visit was that of Jeanne Lilley. She, and teachers Koralyn Driskill and Tim Timon, supervise classrooms of students

who have been identified as having moderate to severe disabilities. Limited to only 11 students, each teacher has 3-4 para-professionals that assist them in the classroom since some students require 1-1 supervision. Academic instruction and participation in regular education elective classes are part of their curriculum. But they also have specialized classrooms where they learn (and practice) basic life skills such as cooking, laundry, monetary transactions and socialization.

Weekly outings provide community based instruction and help reinforce classroom lessons as they participate in activities such as bowling, volunteering at nearby schools and work experience. Teachers also work closely with parents and often try to address in the classroom some of the challenges that are happening in the home. And the truly wonderful outcome is that, at the end of their high school experience, they receive a Certificate of Completion and are able to participate in graduation ceremonies with their peers.

In spite of the variety of challenges facing their students, these amazing teachers and assistants patiently provide a stimulating and positive educational experience. The Minutemen of CHS salute the special teachers of our students with special needs.

CaliforniaFirst Financing Available to Concord Homeowners This Spring We all pay the price for comfort during the summer and winter however there is a way to curb what you are paying.

Californians are going green in an effort to reduce energy consumption and PG&E costs. One of the many changes you can make is to replace your heating and air conditioning system with high efficiency equipment.

Many cities in the Contra Costa County have adopted The CaliforniaFIRST financing program, including Clayton, Martinez, and Walnut Creek. Concord will be available in the spring.

The CaliforniaFIRST Program is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program for residential properties. Through an innovative partnership with your county government, CaliforniaFIRST allows property owners to finance the installation of energy and water improvements on homes through the issuance of a municipal bond and pay the amount back as a line item on their

property tax bill. Interest on the financing may be tax deductible as it is part of your property taxes. CaliforniaFIRST financing does not rely on your credit rating or debt-to-income ratio.

This program requires only minutes, in the comfort of your home, for approval.

All documents to sign and approve are emailed directly to you. There is no paperwork to mail in and no real waiting time for authorization.

Another great aspect of CaliforniaFIRST is that if you decide to sell your home, the balance is transferable to the new owner. This allows you to increase your home’s value without adding extra debt to yourself.

Any secondary homes or rental properties may also be eligible for this program.

For more information on this innovative program, call Clean Air HVAC at 925-689-7017 or visit the official CaliforniaFIRST website at CaliforniaFIRST.org. – Desire Medlen, Clean Air HVAC

CoUNTY

Bonilla Bills News from Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla

Lara Bill Will Allow Children to Attend School where Live-in Working Parents Reside Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) today introduced a bill to allow children to attend school where their live-in working parents reside. SB 200 would update California’s school residency laws to ensure that live-in workers, such as nannies, caregivers, maids, and gardeners, whose children live at their place of employment, are able to attend school in the district in which they work if they reside there for at least three days of the week.

“Many workers are required to live part or full-time with their employers to fulfill their duties while caring for others,” said Senator Ricardo Lara. “It is simply wrong to believe that certain workers are okay to hire for service-jobs but not okay for their children to attend local schools.

This bill will keep families together and provide a fair shot for children of live-in workers to attend school conveniently where their parents work.”

“I am proud to stand with my colleague, Senator Lara, to support parents in enrolling their children in the school district in which they live and work for the majority of the school week,” said Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord), the principal co-author of the bill.

“This bill will ensure equal educational access for children under these circumstances, with the intent of reducing the number of intimidating and demeaning investigative practices.”

In November 2014, reports came out of a second grade child of a full-time nanny who was kicked out of her school after the district hired a private investigator. The investigator determined that despite the girl, named Vivian, living and residing in the district five days a week, where her mother worked, she was not a

resident and they proceeded to kick her out of school.

Despite the district’s ability to grant the child residency due to her mother’s employment, the district initially refused to let the child continue attending school.

The district’s decision put the family in a difficult situation, where the child would have to be separated from her mother or the mother would have to quit her job.

After community outrage, the district reversed its decision, but required the employer to become a legal guardian of the child.

“It is in a child’s best interest to reside with their parent, and attend school where the parent resides, when the parent resides in an employer’s home,” said Miriam Storch, the employer of Vivian’s mother Maria. “In Vivian’s case, her mother is a single parent so there is nowhere else for Vivian to go. This situation is not unique to Orinda and I applaud the Senator for addressing this critical issue.”

This is not an isolated problem. Across the state caregivers, nannies, and other workers whose jobs require them to stay overnight are faced with challenges over where their children can go to school.

Districts across the state handle these issues differently.

For these workers, the nature of their employment effects far more than their commute. They should have the option to keep their family together and keep their children with them during the work week.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) was elected in November 2010 and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 9 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 10 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

themoviemaverick

by Jason Rugaard, www.moviemavericks.com

Tracers

A Tale to Tell

3-Stars/4 Tracers is an energetic and often visually inventive action thriller that comes straight out of the Point Break, Fast & Furious‘ welldefined mold.

It features two attractive leads and is laced with almost constant action, this may not be hailed for inventiveness or originality but the sheer velocity at which the film moves is of great value.

Cam (Taylor Lautner) is an agile and aggressive hotshot bike messenger, who rampages through the streets of New York City, peddling as if trying to break a speed record for non-motorized vehicles. His low-paying gig can’t cover the rent or his monthly payment to a group of hostile Asian gangsters. One day while on the job he literally crashes into an attractive young woman Nikki (Marie Avgeropoulos), ruining his bike and leaving a lasting impression on the mysterious girl. So, Cam is more than surprised when Nikki has a new bike delivered to the station. Intrigued by Nikki’s parkour moves, the young man sets out to find the donor and thank her for the gift. A mutual attraction soon blossoms and Cam is introduced to the world of Parkour and criminal activity.

The free-runners are a gang led by Miller (Adam Rayner), who specialize in breaking and entering, robbing

a warehouse for its valuables and transporting them to a buyer. They are undiscriminating in their stolen goods as long as the buyer on the other end pays on delivery. Indebted financially to mobsters, and kicked-out of his home, Cam is recruited into the inner circle of thieves much to the dismay of Nikki.

Lautner acquits himself well in this his second action film since the Twilight series ended, his stunning co-star Maria Avgeropoulos is the better actor and is capable of handling roles with more depth, but the two have a good onscreen chemistry that sells the love story.

Outside of the physical stunts, the most amazing aspect of the picture is that four screenwriters are credited with the script.

That is astounding since this is virtually a retread of a retelling, penned by names that have loitered in similar narratives previously.

Director: Daniel Benmayor Stars: Taylor Lautner, Marie Avgeropoulos, Adam Rayner, Sam Medina

bookends

by Chadwick H Saxelid

Read more of Chad’’s book reviews at http://bit.ly/McHguP

Symbiont

by Mira Grant

When I finished Symbiont, the second book in Mira Grant’s Parasitology trilogy, I understood why some of my fellow bookworms choose to wait until a series has finished before starting it.

What a terrific, and terrifically frustrating, cliffhanger ending this book has!

And what a long wait it will be for me, until the final book, tentatively titled Chimera, comes out later this year (probably in November).

Symbiont begins almost exactly where Parasite ended, with Sal Mitchell discovering that she is, in fact, a chimera. A human body piloted by a sapient tapeworm.

This fact came as no surprise to a great many readers, because Grant (a pseudonym for urban fantasy author Seanan McGuire) made it very clear - at the very beginning of Parasite - the Sal Mitchell who awoke from a coma was nothing like the Sally Mitchell that had gone into said coma.

And, although a part of Sal’s mind had known she was no longer Sally Mitchell, that the memories and personality she had before her coma would not return, ever. Having it confirmed does give Sal a reality-challenging jolt. One that vibrates through the entire novel.

While Sal struggles to fully understand who and what she is, more and more

of the SymboGen tapeworms awaken, turning their host bodies into what appear to be shambling, aggressive zombies.

As society crumbles around her, and a war of breaks out between humanity and a rogue band of chimera, Sal finds herself caught in a variety of terrifying, and constantly worsening, situations.

Each of these situations forces Sal to question and re-evaluate what she believed to be her humanity.

They also get her to question what, if any, side of the war she is fighting on, or for.

The supporting cast is filled with colorful characters. The good guys, some morally conflicted about what species they believe deserves to be saved, are sympathetic and engaging.

The bad guys, both human and chimera, are monsters of the lowest and most loathsome sort.

Sal, caught and bounced back and forth between two warring factions, begins to sympathize with the shambling, environment-ravaged sleepwalkers.

As she learns more about her true self, Sal sees the sleepwalkers less as monsters, but more as confused and needlessly suffering life forms.

Because the reader sees and experiences everything from Sal’s perspective, this raises some fascinating moral and ethical ideas to mull over, while waiting (impatiently) for the final book to come out.

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PRINT and DIGITAL editions.

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The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 11 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Apple Pay

Is it Safe?

The big news of the day might be that Apple has launched Apple Pay. That’s the ability to pay with just a touch of your phone. Essentially, you connect a bank card or account to your phone, go to a merchant, tap your phone and viola!

Payment made! It’s called NFC (for Near Field Communication) meaning you have to be really close for anything to communicate with it. Not WiFi close, not Bluetooth close, even closer… Like invade my ‘personal space’ close.

The big question you should have is…

protecting your phone (and you should) plus you’ll also have biometrics enabling the pay. That’s your thumbprint on the go button. That’s good too!

Of course this stuff is nothing new.

Google created it’s Google Wallet a few years ago. Some Android phones have been doing NFC for years. But with the new Apple Pay, their might be a little more momentum behind this now.

THE BAD PINs are always safer than no PIN but the

IS THIS SAFE? Here’s the Good, The Bad and the Ugly on Apple’s new Apple Pay. First of all, nothing is ever really safe.

Nothing. Sorry.

We have a false sense of trust

when it comes to things like this.

Everyone is going to be different in what they feel comfortable with. Some will never use a credit card online. Others don’t even want to use them in person at a grocery store – and with the recent news of skimmers or accounts being hacked (Target, Home Depot, etc) that card they hold in their hand isn’t even safe.

THE GOOD For that reason, we’re all getting new cards soon, ones with EMV chips embedded in them.

Square does a great job explaining why a smart card is better. It’s nothing new. I’ve been carrying around a Google Wallet card with a chip in it for a while.

When it comes to Apple Pay, your account information isn’t stored on your phone at all. To top that, Visa has also rolled out a token system.

The technology generates a specific digital account number that’s associated with your card. That means Apple Pay would never actually pass your 16-digit credit card number through to a merchant when you’re making a purchase with a Visa card. Rather, the digital account number is passed through to the merchant and then to Visa to charge your credit card.

That system works by using a complicated algorithm to generate a unique number each time.

Apple’s system works with the Apple 6. That means you could have a pin

truth is that I could stand behind you at the store and learn your PIN pretty easily. As for that thumbprint – it can be hacked. No really. It can be faked with a little effort.

THE UGLY There’s something else you should know before you jump headlong into the world of NFC payments.

As new and safe as this new technology is, hackers will still go after this. If it’s popular – they’ll seek to infiltrate it.

Anything is only as safe as the weakest link and that’s exactly what a hacker looks for. That weakest link might just be the NFC reader at the register.

NFC skimmers could snatch the unique Apple Pay codes. And because the system will be so widespread, you can bet a lot of hackers will by trying out different methods. “An NFC skimmer is as real as a classic ATM one,” Bestuzhev told me.

“In the end it’s about traffic interception which was done for other standards/ protocols too.” http://gizmodo.com/how-safe-canapple-pay-really-be-1633065822 In the end, you’ll still need your wallet with all it’s cards, but if you choose to do so you’ll be able to pay with your phone.

Just be careful out there.

A former professional hand model, Mike now builds the custom Apps that create the Tabs that make Custom Facebook Pages special.He also builds WordPress Blogs.

He’s an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike and a motorcycle (a really fast one), loves strong beer and good red wine. You can contact him at www.areweconnected.com or Mike@ areweconnected.com

THE CLAYTON GAZETTE of the DIABLO VALLEY

Your Voice. Your Stories About Your Community. Because We Care!

www.ClaytonGazette.com

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 12 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Time for the Arts

by Deborah Ashley

Deborah Ashley has 20 years of teaching experience in piano violin and art and teaches ages 5 through adult. She offers private piano and violin lessons as well as private and group art classes. Contact Deborah at deblovesart@aol.com, or 925 588-5226.

A Dynamic New Lafayette Art Gallery One year ago last month, Jennifer Perlmutter, artist and Lafayette resident opened her art gallery, the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, on Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette right across from Diablo Foods. For anyone who is interested in the arts, this gallery is a must see and a wonderful addition to the art scene in the East Bay. In the short year that Jennifer has opened the doors of her gallery, she and all those who collaborate with her, have made this gallery not only unique, but extremely successful.

What motivates someone to open an art gallery? Selling art is not always an easy venture, but Jennifer believes there is more to her gallery than just selling paintings. Selling art is of course a critical piece of the equation in order to remain in business, but as a working artist herself, she wanted to open a gallery “to engage more with the public, to empower other artists and to elevate the conversation about art in this region.”

Perlmutter focuses on a wide variety of contemporary art including paintings, ceramics, prints, photography and sculpture. The gallery feels like one you might find in a large city and Jennifer has a working studio for herself in a back room so she can paint while still being on-site to greet clients.

In addition to the rotating shows featuring different artists every six weeks or so, the gallery has events and receptions throughout the year that encompass other areas besides just visual art. Jennifer is concerned and conscientious about giving back and contributing something to the community and in deciding which events to schedule in the gallery, she

says that she wants them to “uplift, educate and serve. The calendar is filled with exhibits and programs that bring value.”

Last month, the gallery hosted an author reading and book signing by author Patricia Rain, with an enticing event headline, “Sex and Vanilla”.

She offers art classes at the gallery, lectures and slide presentations and last month on February 25th, she started what she calls Salon Wednesdays. These events will be an opportunity to go deeper into discussions with fellow artists or anyone interested in talking with others in depth on artistic projects.

Currently, the exhibition “Flesh and Mind” is on view at the Perlmutter gallery through March 21st and includes paintings

by Kerry Sorenson, paintings and sculpture by Polly Frizzell and etchings and prints

by Elizabeth Jameson.

Running a business of any kind is difficult, but an art gallery, even more so given that they aren’t selling bread, milk or gas.

But Jennifer’s gallery is a

What Really Matters Read my column “What Really Matters” exclusively in every issue of The Clayton Gazette.

And follow my on-air edition of “What Really Matters” on ABC7 News and Facebook at www. fb.com/DanAshleyABC7 ~ Dan Ashley, ABC-7 News

wonderful model to follow, and her dedication to giving back to the community and bringing worthwhile events that leave people feeling uplifted and happy must be a huge part of her success.

Notable elements helping the gallery to flourish as well are the superb quality of art shown and the gallery space itself.

The gallery is located at 3620 Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. For more information about The Jennifer Perlmutter

Gallery, please visit the website at www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 13 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Calendar of Events

MARCH 2015 NOTES:Daylight Savings Time Begins, San Francisco Bay Area Sunday 3/8/15. At 2:00 am turn your clocks forward 1 hour.

HOLIDAYS/CELEBRATIONS •St. Patrick’s Day March 17 •Spring begins March 20 •Palm Sunday March 29

FAIRS/SHOWS

•Bead & Boutique Arts Show, Friday Feb 27 to Sunday March 1, offers traditional design to a new generation of buyers who welcome one-ofa-kind products that are offered exclusively by the artisans themselves.

Open to the public. Show admission $10, good for all three days; workshop costs vary. Show hours Friday - Sunday, Feb 27 – March 1, 10am - 6pm daily, at Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord, CA. For information visit www.beadandboutique.com.

SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 6 •CLAYTON: Wedding Show Weekend - Oakhurst Country Club, Sunday, March 1, 12pm–3pm, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton,888/514-1346, www.weddingshowweekend.com •LAFAYETTE: Luxury Bridal Event At The 5-Star Lafayette Park Hotel, Sunday, March 8, 11am–4pm, 3287 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, 510/886-1317, urlocalbride.com/eastbay/bridal-events/

FUNDRAISERS

•WALNUT CREEK: Swing into Spring Big Band Dance in Walnut Creek, Las Lomas Performing Arts Foundation Fundraiser, Friday, March 6th, 7 pm, BLU42 Lounge, 1251 Arroyo Way, Walnut Creek, Tickets may be purchased at http:// www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/1065092 or by contacting LLPAF at (925) 330-0518 •Pacheco: 4/18, 5-9 pm, Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd. It’s a Showdown at the Poodle Corral benefitting Norcal Poodle Rescue. Put on your western gear and join us for all you can eat the Bosses Chuck Wagon, prepared and served

by Back 40 Texas BBQ, beverages, and an evening of casino entertainment: roulette, blackjack, craps, poker. Have fun! Win prizes! Help us bring the doggies home. Tickets are now on sale at norcalpoodlerescueadoption.com or norcalpoodlerescue. net $75.00

OUTDOORS:

•MARTINEZ: - See AD PAGE 9 •DANVILLE: First Sunday of every •Month: Cars ‘n Coffee, On the First Sunday of every month, automotive enthusiasts gather in the parking lots of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum to share their vehicles and admire the other fabulous classics, exotics, rods and anything else with wheels and a motor. There is no fee for Cars & Coffee. Come when you want, leave when you want, but

know that early arrivals do get the parking space they prefer. Also, the Museum opens at 9am on Cars & Coffee Sundays. 8am-10am , Blackhawk Museum • 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville, CA 94506 p:925.736.2280 • f:925.736.4818 • museum@blackhawkmuseum.org, http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/ carsncoffee.html •SAN FRANCISCO: Chinese New Year Events Several other events are also held to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown. The Year of the Ram •Chinese New Year Parade: Saturday 3/7/15 , 5:15 pm-8:00 pm.

•Chinatown Community Street Fair: Sat-Sun 3/7 & 3/8/15, 10 am-4:30 pm, http://www.chineseparade.com/calendar.asp •LAFAYETTE: 3/8/15, 4/12/15, 5/10/15, Family Day at Sienna Ranch, Each Fall and Spring, Sienna Ranch opens its doors for special family and community open house days. Come enjoy our lovable animals, fun activities, good company, and wholesome environment. Bring your own picnic lunch or pre-order a healthy lunch to eat on the day. Family Day Passes are $85, Admission to Sienna Ranch Family Day for up to 5 people, 3 pony or horse ride tickets 3 archery tickets, 5 tractor-pulled hayride tickets, Participation in the hands-on activity,Opportunity to go on a guided nature hike to our Tree Fort. Unlimited animal visits to goats, sheep and chickens during open pen times. http://bit.ly/1FOtrdc to register Sienna Ranch, 3232 Deer Hill Rd., Lafayette •SAN FRANCISCO: Gray Whale Migration Season, Numerous locations along the Pacific coast Thru – 5/31/15, Paid boat tours or Free from shore . Watch some 20,000 gray whales migrating from the Arctic to Baja, Mexico. Tour boats leave San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Moss Landing and Monterey during this season. Or, watch them from on shore. http://www.hiddensf.com/ gray-whale-migration-california.html

CLUB EVENTS

•CONCORD: 4th Friday: Concord Ducati Bike Night, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord. 925/8491221 http://norcaldoc.com •Word Weavers Toastmasters invites the public to join us at these two Free special events and see how Toastmasters can improve your communication, presentation, and leadership skills in a friendly and entertaining environment.

Monday, March 2, Word Weavers will have the club International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest from 7 pm to 8:15 pm. Montecito, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord

KID/FAMILY EVENTS •OAKLAND: Lego Laboratory Chabot Space and Science, Sunday Mar 08, 15, 22, 12:00pm-4:00pm, $7 Think, build, test, destroy... do it

all over again and again! We’re hosting open LEGO Laboratories every Sunday with an engineering challenge focus. http://www.chabotspace. org

HOME & GARDEN/ FARMERS’ MARKETS

•Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association: •Concord Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, rain or shine, Todos Santos Plaza. •Concord Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, Todos Santos Plaza.

•Clayton, Saturdays 10am - 2pm •Martinez, Sundays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, Main St. and Estudillo.

•Pleasant Hill Saturday, May 3rd through November 15th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown Plaza (in front of Jack’s Restaurant) http://www. pcfma.com http://www.pcfma.org •Contra Costa Certified Farmers Market Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Year Round, WalnutCreek, North Locust St between Giamona and Lacassie St. (925) 431-8361 http://www.cccfm.org

VISUAL ARTS/ BOOK SIGNINGS

•WALNUT CREEK: Thru 4/2015 Artist Deborah Ashley -Twenty of Deborah’s paintings will be on exhibit until April 2015 at Kanishka’s Restaurant, 1518 Bonanza St. (near Locust Avenue), Walnut Creek •WALNUT CREEK: Art Exhibitions Around Town: Discover local Civic Arts Education artists.

Until March 15: Rita Sklar, mixed media abstracts, City Hall 1st Floor Until March 15: Leslie Wilson, watercolors, City Hall 3rd Floor Until March 15: Fumiyo Yoshikawa, ink paintings, City Hall 2nd Floor Until March 20: Linhai Cao, realist paintings, Heather Farm Until March 1: Leslie Wilson, watercolor landscapes, Shadelands Art Center, Civic Arts Education, 925.943.5846, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek

THEATRE/FILM

MUSIC/BANDS/ DANCE/COMEDY

•WALNUT CREEK: Free Comedy & Beer Night | Walnut Creek, The Sports Basement Walnut Creek store hosts a free comedy night on (most) fourth Fridays of the month from 6:30-8 pm. 1881 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek •Originals Presented by Music Repertoire, Sunday, March 1, 3:15 pm., Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http://www. lesherartscenter.org •Big Band Summit: March 2, 7:30 pm. Las Lomas High School, Northgate High School, Jazzschool Studio Band with Mary Fettig, Erik Jekabson and Dave Eshelman. Presented by California Jazz Conservatory featuring the Las Lomas High School Big Band, Northgate High School Big Band and the Jazzschool Studio Band. Lester Center: 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http:// www.lesherartscenter.org •Concert Presented by Diablo Wind Symphony, Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 pm, Hoffman Theatre, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http:// www.lesherartscenter.org •Band Classics from Bach to Bernstein, Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band. Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 pm, Soloists for the evening are Whitney Isbell Denison, English Horn, and Stephen Denison, Trumpet, from the United States Air Force Band, Travis, AFB, performing Copland’s Quiet City. Hoffman Theatre.

1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http://www.lesherartscenter.org •Diablo Choral Artists (formerly Voices of Musica Sacra), directed

by Mark Tuning, presents “Vespers: Music for Evening Prayers”, featuring Stanford’s and Byrd’s Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, Pergolesi’s Magnificat and Handel’s Dixit Dominus with stringed orchestra. March 13, 8:00 pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, WC, March 15, 3:00 pm, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek. Details www.vmschorus.org, info@dcachorus.org. Tickets: adults $25; ($22 before 3/10), seniors 60+ $18 ($15 before 3/10), students $5.

•Pinocchio Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Friday, March 13 - Sunday, March 15, times vary. The true measure of the love and honesty of everyone’s favorite puppet is tested as this adventure ­GOVERNMENT tale of an old man’s dream comes to •Concord City Council, 1st, 2nd life. With your help and guidance, and 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Council Pinocchio learns to be a real boy in Chambers, 1950 Parkside Dr, Cononly 3 days. Margaret Lesher Thecord. Or watch online at http://www. atre, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/agendas/ (925) 295-1400, http://www.leshercouncil/ artscenter.org •Clayton City Council, 1st and 3rd •The Music Man, presented by ConTuesdays, 7pm. Hoyer Hall, Clayton tra Costa Musical Theatre, March Library, 6125 Clayton Rd, Clayton.

20 - April 19, . Fast-talking con man http://ci.clayton.ca.us Harold Hill sells instruments and •Martinez City Council, 1st and 3rd uniforms to the naive Iowa townsWednesdays. City Hall, 7 pm, 525 folk, promising to train the members Henrietta Street, Martinez. Or Listen of a new boys’ band – without giving online at http://www.granicus.com/ music lessons. Plans to skip town streamingMediaHelp/minimumSyswith the cash are foiled when he tem.htm, http://www.cityofmartinez. falls for Marian, the librarian. Lester org Center, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http://www.lesherartscenter.org

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The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 14 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

•Walnut Creek City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7 pm. Or watch online at http://www.walnut-creek.org/services/citizen/granicus.asp •Pleasant Hill City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers of the Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Or follow online at http://www. ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/media/

CLUBS

•American Association of University Women - Concord Branch www.aauw-concord.org •American Legion Post 171 - 5 p.m. third Tuesdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 687-1427.

•B2F Business Networking Group - noon first and third Thursdays.

998-8844.

•Beachcomber Singles - Social and service activities for active adults age 45 and above. For more information call (510) 799-2207, Or visit our website: www.beachcombersingles.org/ •British Club - 11:30 a.m. first Wednesdays, Zio Fraedo’s, Pleasant Hill. 682-7978.

•Circle of Friends - second Mondays, Walnut Country Club, Concord. 9988844.

•Clayton Valley Garden Club- 7p.m. second Wednesdays, February-November. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Contact: www. claytonvalleygardenclub.org •Clutch Busters Square Dance Club - 7:30 p.m.-9:30 pm Thursdays, New dancers and those wanting brush-up are welcome. Willow Pass Community Center, 2748 E Olivera Rd, Concord. 686-3774.

•Concord Art Association - 12:50 p.m. second Tuesdays, Concord Library. 646-5455.

•Concord Diablo Rotary - 12:15 p.m.

Wednesdays, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord. dirk@wentlingstudio.com 685.7760 •Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club- 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton.

689-7640 or www.claytonvalley-rotary.org.

•Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. For meeting times call Aleta at 925-6729448 www.claytonvalleywomansclub.org.

•Concord Garden Club - 9:30 a.m. third Tuesdays, Bethel Baptist Church, Concord. 687-2334.

•Concord Lions Club - 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant, Concord. 687-3594.

•Concord Mystery Book Club - 2:30 p.m. second Sundays, Concord Library, 646-5455.

•Concord Senior Club - ballroom dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and 8 p.m. second Saturdays. 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord.

798-4557.

•Contra Costa Genealogical Society - 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Concord. www.rootsweb.com/~cacccgs.

•Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society - 7:30 p.m. second Mondays, Centre Concord. 429-2748 or www. ccmgs.org.

•Creekside Artists Guild Meets 2nd Wed. each month @ 7-8:30pm. Clayton Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Arlene 673-9777, akiksen@aol.com •Concord United Methodist Women Monthly Meeting 510-758-4837 •Diablo Numismatic Society - 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 825-0649 or xsteam-

erx@aol.com.

•Diablo Toastmasters, every Thursday 7 – 9 p.m., Sizzler Rest., Concord. http://www.diablotoastmasters.org.

•Diablo Valley Democratic Club - 7 p.m. third Wednesdays, Ygnacio Valley Library, Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or http://www.dvdems.org.

•Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group - 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays.

Bancroft Elementary School, Walnut Creek. 689-1155 or www.dvmug.org.

•Diablo Valley Mustang Assoc meets 7:00 pm second Wednesdays each month at Fuddruckers Concord. All Mustang afficiados invited. Nancy Russell 925-825-5994. www.dvma. org •Diablo Valley Wings, Chapter P of the Gold Wing Touring Association - 12:15 p.m. third Tuesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 686-3774 or http://www.

GWTA-CA-DVW.org.

•East Bay Prospectors Club - 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. 672-1863 or www.eastbaygpaa.webs.com.

•Ellen’s Guild - 10 a.m second Tuesdays, Family Stress Center, Concord.

672-5409 or www.familystresscenter.org.

•Hope Academy Concord Open House, Third Thursday of each month, 9 – 9:45 a.m. Reservations required: Judy Davies 687-7555; 5353 Concord Blvd. www.hopeacademyconcord.org •Kiwanis Club of Greater Concord - 8:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Buttercup Grill and Bar, 4301 Clayton Rd., Concord. 372-5348.

•Knife Throwing Club/Diablo Impalement Arts Group:We throw anything with a point on our 40 foot multiple target range, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun-part of the Diablo Rod and Gun Club, 4700 Evora Rd. Concord,(925)709-9199 www.throwzini.com/events.html •Knitting Group - 2 p.m. first Sundays, Concord Library. 646-5455.

•Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, St.Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Contact Rayce at 6839717 or rayce@aol.com.

•Mt. Diablo Metal Detecting Club 7:30 p.m. second Tuesdays, Contra Costa Water District Offices, Concord. 682-7428 or www.mdmdctreasurehunting.com.

•Mt. Diablo Branch, California Writers Club 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill $35 for CWC members. Contact jeaniegpops@comcast.net, or 9345677 for more information.

•Soroptimist International Diablo Vista - 12:15 p.m. first, second and third Wednesdays, Sizzler, Concord.

672-2727 •National Marine Corps Business Network: www.nmcbn.com/ We normally meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact 925-680-8714.

•Odd Fellows - 3 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Pacheco Lodge 117, Concord. 682-7358.

•Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek Mothers’ Club, http://www.phwcmothersclub.org •Rising Stars Toastmasters. This group was created for job seekers.

For more information, contact Derrick Smith at (925) 381-4551 or go to risingstarstm.toastmastersclubs.org.

•Snowchasers Ski Club - Snow skiing and Snowboarding- First and Third Wednesdays of each month.

Snowchasers meets 7:30 pm Sizzlers Concord.Contact iSteve and Rosalie Rhodes,925-228-8145. www.snowchasers.org

•Toastmasters International - 7 p.m.

Mondays, Montecito of Concord, 682-7211. Also, 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord Campus. Toastmasters can help! Our local club, Word Weavers, meets Mondays, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. at 4756 Clayton Road, Concord 686-1818. www.toastmasters.org.

•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 - 9 a.m. second Saturdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord.

SUPPORT GROUPS

•Al-Anon Family Group - 7:30 p.m.

Mondays, St. Martins of Tours Anglican Church and Preschool, Concord.

932-6770 or www.ncwsa.org.

•Alcoholics Anonymous - 939-4155 or www.aa.org.

•Cardiac Care Support Group - 7 p.m. second Thursdays, John Muir Walnut Creek or Concord. 947-5206.

•Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implant Wearers Support Group - 7 p.m. first Wednesdays, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. HLAADV@hearinglossdv.org or 264-1199.

•HIV/AIDS Support Group - 7-9 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, John Muir Concord.

674-2190.

•Leukemia Society Family Support Group - 7 p.m. first Thursdays. 9474466, ext. 32797.

•Living with a Mental Illness? Join NAMI Connection Peer-led support group. Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm Held at John Muir Behavioral Health Center 2740 Grant Street Concord.

Call 925-942-0767 or www.namicontracosta.org •Nar-Anon - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord. http://naranoncalifornia.org.

•Pet Loss Support Group, Every first Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration required.

•Rainbow Community Center Check Website for services. 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200, Concord. www.rainbowcc.org.

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The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 15 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Farmer’s Market Fresh

by Debra Morris, Pacific Coast Farmers Market http://www.pcfma.com/concord

Asparagus Time The green spears of spring are here. Over 65% of the asparagus grown commercially in the U.S. is grown in the Sacramento River Delta. While the harvest season lasts only a short time in this northern production area, California’s wide range of micro-climates allows for asparagus to grow from February through May. Asparagus growers are concerned about the drought and their crop yield. Although asparagus is considered to be somewhat drought tolerant, if water is cut back too severely, spear yield and size can decline during the subsequent harvest season. The Sacramento River Delta growing region has fairly shallow water table, so farmers are not yet in panic mode. They have cut back a bit on acreage, but you’ll still see plentiful quantities at the farmers’ market.

When selecting asparagus look for bright green stalks with closed, compact, firm tips. If the tips are slightly wilted, freshen them up by soaking them in cold water. The fat spears are just as tender as the thin ones. Tenderness relates to color—the greener the better (for white asparagus, the whiter the better.) Keep fresh asparagus moist until you intend to use it. Make sure you use your asparagus within 3 to 4 days, a week at the most. To freeze, trim off woody ends and freeze whole or cut into 2-inch lengths. Blanch in boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes. Cool, place in freezer bag, and store in freezer. Do not defrost before cooking. Do not refreeze. Make sure you use asparagus within 8 months.

Preparing asparagus is easy. To boiling, place whole trimmed asparagus in a large skillet with 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches of water. Boil and start timing; reduce heat and briskly simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 4 minutes.

To steam, place asparagus on a steamer rack in a large saucepot over rapidly boiling water (water should come up to the rack but not over it). Cover saucepot and start timing. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes.

Enjoy the earthy flavors of fresh spring asparagus while you can. Visit Cecchini & Cecchini at the farmers’ market for some of the very best spears around.

Are You A HOARDER?

CLASSIFIEDS & Service

Directory

•THE MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS SEEKING CANDIDATES for the position

by Kiera Rain

People hoard to fill emotional voids. It’s not about the stuff—it’s about what’s going on with them on a personal level. Here are the five reasons why people hoard.

1) Loneliness. Hoarders surround themselves with things to fill the empty space around them so they don’t feel as isolated. Stand in an empty, quiet room, and then stand in a room full of furniture with a chiming clock, interesting knickknacks, pictures and books, and you’ll FEEL the difference of the space. Unfortunately, instead of making the home warm, inviting and comfortable, the home becomes so crowded it becomes a nonfunctioning space. People can’t sit on the couches, people aren’t invited over because of the embarrassment of the mess, friends and family threaten to stop coming over until the hoarder cleans up their space, etc.

I help clients take back their space while making it warm and inviting again.

2) Impoverished. For those who grew up in the Depression Era, poverty, had penny-pinching parents, etc, buying things can be very powerful therapy. Until the retail shopping causes more damage than good. These types of

hoarders love to bargain shop, buy in bulk, and always have multiples of everything.

3) Grief/Loss. This is the biggest reason why people hoard.

Has the hoarder lost someone very close to them—a parent, partner, child, even a family pet?

Doesn’t have to be death—divorce, job loss, retirement and more are all reasons to grieve. Grief is a very serious transition that we must all go through, and some people resort to trying to cope via hoarding. They try to fill the void in their lives, fill the empty space around them, shop for retail therapy to lift their spirits, and hold on to everything they have of the deceased love one.

4) Memories. Many hoarders feel they need to keep things so they don’t forget about someone or a special event. They feel they will forget the person or occurrence if they don’t have the item to remind them. I give suggestions like taking pictures of the items to keep in the “Memory Box/Treasure Trunk,” and donating the items to a good home where they will be used and appreciated. I also suggest hugging that favorite old T-shirt goodbye before donating it to a good home to ease the transition

a

process. I also recommend calling the person you’ve been missing and have a long catch-up conversation. If the person has passed on, write the deceased a letter or talk to them in your own special way.

5) Rescue Mentality, Commonly from Abuse/Neglect.

People will also hoard when they’ve been abused/neglected.

Because they were rejected, and tossed aside and not taken care of, they rescue items in an effort to rescue themselves. They don’t want to see things go in the landfill, never to be used or cherished. They “might need it one day,” so they hold onto it. I help clients see that instead of a cup sitting in a corner collecting dust for 6 years, they can donate the cup and give it a good home.

The cup is not serving it is purpose if it’s not being used/ cherished/valued, so give it a chance to be useful. ~Kiera Rain, Bay Area Professional Organizer Free phone consultation at (415) 786-8266. http://www.

BayAreaProfessionalOrganizer.com

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The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • MARCH, 2015 • Page 16 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Just A Little Bit

from Page 14

the humor of Cathy Turney

These Wings Weren’t Made for Flyin’ I firmly believe that a smile and a short haircut take years off a mature woman’s face. But that does nothing for her upper arms, which under certain climatic conditions can become billowing spinnakers the likes of which Larry Ellison only wishes he could buy. This has been bothering me for a long time. Global warming, ISIS, and vulnerability to cyberattack aside, this is a crisis of national importance.

It all begins with one, except in the case of Adam and Eve, which predated society’s obsession with perfection, so I decided to do something to improve my little corner of the world. To make America beautiful…to counteract the insecurity that Michelle Obama with all her good intentions has wrought on the women of our country. Just call me Lady Bird.

Since I am a Very Busy Person educating the public about real estate, and writing books about real estate, and selling houses so I can afford to write books about real estate, I need to approach this in the most expeditious way. So I scheduled an appointment with my sports doctor, the one who told me “not many women your age are still

jogging.” Forgiveness is divine.

He strolls into the exam room. “I see you listed ‘faulty triceps’ as the issue.

What’s going on?”

“Can you fix this?” I ask, raising my arm and letting it blow in the resulting breeze.

“That’s just part of normal aging,” he comments. “No one looks at your triceps.”

I should find a woman sports doctor.

“Well, yes they do. I do. Granted, you men look at other body parts until you’re startled back to a woman’s upper arms.

But then you look, and it ain’t pretty.”

“OK. So let’s start with building body strength and balance. You should be more concerned with that.”

“Doc, if I could suck in my arms I wouldn’t be here. I do my Nordic Track minus the arm pulleys every day. And I have 3-, 5-, and 10-pound weights under the sofa. I’m strong. Enough. I came to see you because: •You pride yourself on keeping patients out of the hospital, and I don’t want this to go south on me, •Surely there must be a scientific shortcut to buff arms, •And I need a guarantee that the time I invest in this exercise will be

proportionate to the benefits derived.”

Dr. L: “You want a guarantee?! Never in my entire career has anyone asked me for a guarantee!”

Me: “Well, Helllllo! Isn’t medicine all about progress?”

He glances at his watch. In 20 minutes he can bill me for a half-hour consultation, so he draws some stick figures on a piece of paper. They do not have horns, or he erased them before showing the paper to me.

“Do these twice a day and come back in a month.”

“Great. Does this guarantee I can go sleeveless?”

“What’s your alternative?” he asks.

“A new wardrobe.”

He just stares. Which is not convincing. So I fired him and signed my husband up at the gym on the way home.

To be continued....

Cathy Turney is the author of Laugh Your Way to Real Estate Sales Success, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com

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