ay d i l o H
g n i p p Sho ge 10 Pa
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
925.672.0500
It’s Showtime as Clayton gets pro basketball team JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER Holidays bring out community’s best I love this time of year, with mild, sunny days, brisk nights and family holiday gatherings coming quickly together. I also love the way our town comes together in celebration of family. You know what I mean – it’s why most of us moved our families here, or in the case of many of our younger residents, back here to start their families. As I write this, I have just come from a neighborhood party that exemplifies what Clayton is all about. It was our neighborhood’s annual Pumpkin Carving Party. What fun! Everyone pitches in to buy the pizza and contributes some-
See Mayor, page 20
Take sharps and unused prescriptions to City Hall In California, it’s illegal to dispose of needles and pharmaceuticals in the garbage or to flush unused drugs down the toilet. Despite this, trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are still showing up in the surface waters of streams, lakes and rivers. As part of the effort to combat this pollution, the city has installed collection boxes at City Hall for unused pharmaceuticals and sharps (needles, lancets and syringes). Both boxes are located on the second floor in the police department lobby and will be accessible to the public during business hours. In compliance with DEA requirements, the pharmaceutical box will be within view of law enforcement at all times and, according to the police chief, will be bolted to the floor. The collection boxes are provided by Republic Services, Inc., which provides trash collection services to Clayton.
Flu epidemic has minimal impact on local schools
Professional basketball has found a home at the Clayton Community Gym. Our small city is now part of the American Basketball Association along with Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle and San Diego. The new Clayton Showtime franchise is owned and coached by area resident Earl Williams. His daughter Monica, a sophomore at Clayton Valley High, came up with the name in honor of her dad’s favorite pro team. The 1980s-era Los Angeles Lakers of Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem AbdulJabbar were nicknamed “Showtime” for their pleasing style of play that earned them five National Basketball Association titles that decade. The announcement of the new Clayton Showtime franchise was made from the league’s Indianapolis headquarters last month. “The Northern California division is developing very well and we are certainly pleased to have Earl Williams and his fine organization as part of the league,” stated ABA CEO Joe Newman. “The team started as a bunch of guys playing rec ball together to travel ball and has progressed into a full-fledged ABA team. Quite a story, but then, that’s what the ABA is all about,” Newman added. The ABA was founded in 1967 as direct competition to the NBA and competed head to head through 1976 with stars
See Showtime, page 8
MATT BROWN Special to the Pioneer
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
SHOWTIME’S NO. 33, SWANEY COOPER scores against St. Bonaventure’s Bulldog Andrew Jenker of Clayton. The semi-pro team is based in Clayton and practiced with the Bulldogs at the Clayton Community Gym last Friday.
On Oct. 24, President Barack Obama declared the swine flu pandemic a national emergency – increasing people’s concerns about a very early flu season in which it seems no household has avoided having someone with flu-like symptoms. There is widespread flu activity in 40 states, including California. Locally, four cases of swine flu have been confirmed for Mt Diablo Elementary and one at Diablo View Middle School. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in October alone, one in five children had flu-like symptoms. The majority of these cases were due to the H1N1 influenza virus. The CDC also estimates that “many millions” of Americans have already been infected with H1N1 influenza. While only those with severe flu symptoms are being tested, 70 percent of those tested have tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus. Fortunately, we also know that the H1N1 influenza virus has caused only mild flu symptoms in most of those infected. To date, there have been more than 20,000 hospitalizations for the swine flu and nearly 1,000 deaths. While these numbers are above what is expected for this time of year, they are well below the 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually attributable to
See Swine Flu, page 4
1960 film a critical flop, but rich with nostalgic details LOU FANCHER Clayton Pioneer
If every person has their 15 minutes in the spotlight, then every county must surely have an equal brush with the same fame. While the term doesn’t match the silvery smoothness of “Hollywood,” or “Bollywood,” “CoCo Countywood” does recognize a two-week period in 1960 when Contra Costa County was in the film industry’s circle of light. “The Wild Ride,” Jack Nicholson’s second movie, produced by Roger Corman and directed by Harvey Berman, was shot locally. The 60-minute film is all about tough kids cruising pell-mell down Pine Hollow Road and Concord Boulevard. Nicholson, who
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
leads the dragster gang as the rough hunk Johnny, runs motorcycle cops off the road, disparages women who love it and rolls his eyes at authority in the way only Nicholson can. If the movie is thin on character development (more about that later), it’s worth watching for the scenery. It’s fun to see Nicholson saunter into the Pioneer Inn or zoom well over the speed limit past a sign announcing the new homes at DANA ESTATES. And for former students from Mount Diablo High School’s theater department, some of whom had roles in the film, it’s a chance to see themselves up on the big screen.
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . .16 Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . .5
See Film, page 6
Photo courtesy of Harvey Berman
FILMED IN JUST TWO WEEKS WITH A BUDGET OF $15,000, JACK NICHOLSON’S RIDE” gives 1960 Clayton and Concord a bit of screen time.
Doc Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
SECOND FILM,
“THE WILD
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
Around Town CVHS Homecoming
Marlina Flannery and Eric Mansfield Wed
CVHS Homecoming kicked off with a parade on Main Street on Oct 21. The CVHS marching band led the trucks and floats piled high with students from the school’s clubs and associations. The varsity game on Friday night was a bit of cross-town rivalry in the first (to be annual) Claycord Cup. CV lost the heartbreaker 56-20. Eden Mesfin and Jacob Baldree were crowned the Homecoming Queen and King.
Pioneer goes fishing in Idaho and to the opera house in Sydney The Pioneer went camping in Pine, Idaho with the Keys kids, Taylor, 7 and Tanner, 5, and their grandparents last month. The children spent seven days hiking, playing in the snow, looking for deer and riding four wheelers. The air was crisp, the snow was beautiful and the yellow and orange leaves were amazing.
To celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, Chuck and Debbie Wittneben took a 17 day cruise in October from Honolulu through French Polynesia, ending in Sydney, Australia. They took the Pioneer along and stopped for a photo in front of the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is in the background.
$539,980 410 Chupcan Place, Clayton Gorgeous 3BD/2.5BA end unit on golf course has great views & updated in and out! Call Julie Clairmont 639-7906. www.ChupcanPlace.com
$729,000 350 Blue Oak Lane, Clayton Eagle Peak – Popular 2,448 s.f. Diablo model offers single-story luxury, 4BD/2.5BA, on corner lot. www.BlueOakLane.com
On July 18, Marlina Flannery, daughter of Patty and Marlin Flannery of Clayton, married Eric Mansfield in an evening ceremony at Wooden Valley Winery in Fairfield. The elegant “Barrel Room” was lined with wine barrels, dim lights, candles and flowers in a color scheme of red and black. Marlina wore an ivory satin gown accented with cherry red satin and carried a bouquet of red roses. Maid of Honor was Jessica Del Prato. Her sisters, Melissa Lanza and Betsy Crommie and her cousin, Lacy
$578,500 785 Bloching Circle, Clayton Regency Woods – 4BD/2.5BA and 2,011 s.f. with hiking & biking trails of Mt. Diablo out your door. www.785BlochingCircle.com
DeQuarfro served as bridesmaids. Her three nieces, Rylee, Gracey and Kendall were flower girls and nephew Trevor was ring bearer. Marlina is a purchasing assistant for Timee in Vallejo. Eric is the son of Terry and Celeste Mansfield of Concord. His Best Man was Chris Shipp; groomsmen were Kevin Thompson, Judge Rice and Chuck Shaw. Eric is a sheet metal worker in Walnut Creek. The couple honeymooned in Mendocino and live in Concord.
3100 Bragdon Way, Clayton $499,980 Marsh Creek Countryside – Very private lot sized 38.54 acres with amazing views of Mt. Diablo.
Thank you Clayton! Windermere Community Service was a 4322 Machado, Concord $279,000 Convenient Concord – Well-maintained duet with 2BD/2BA is spacious & includes backyard area that is private. Great commute location.
3564 Torino Way, Concord $579,800 Ygnacio Hills – Premium lot 3BD plus master bedroom w/ retreat, 2.5 bath, pool and updated kitchen. www.TorinoWay.com
success! We collected over 2,600 pounds of food for the Contra Costa Food Bank L-R: Lynne & Danny French; Back Row: Julie Dunn, Inge Yarborough, Nancy D'onofrio, Marybeth Cook, Maria Sanchez, Carol vanVaerenbergh, Sophia Duran, Michelle Gittleman, Angelique Booth. NOT PICTURED: John Silvester, Walter Merlino, Stacy Hengemihle, Vickie Coker, Francine Thomann, Shelly Gwynn, Julie Clairmont, Heather Gray
Thank you Agents! It's your hard work and dedication that make us
#1 DRE# 01122025
Clayton Resident & Broker Owner
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Foreign exchange students find pumpkin’s true purpose
Page 3
Halloween Around Town Halloween started early with Boo Night on Wednesday. The YMCA sponsored event at the Clayton gym drew witches and ghosts of all ages and sizes. Kids carved pumpkins, created masterpiece Trick or Treat bags, got their faces painted, scared themselves silly in the Haunted House and worked off their sugar high on the inflatable slide. Halloween morning saw local tykes decked out for the costume contest at the Farmer’s Market. Outstanding costume went to 3year-old Ethan Raichoudri. Asked how he felt about the win, Ethan simply walked in circles repeating, “I am a robot, I am a robot.” Over at City Hall, staff was in a party mood as they headed to
Endeavor Hall for their Employee Awards luncheon where Police Cpl Richard Enea received the City Manager/Mad Hatter’s “Outstanding Achievement Award.”. At the firehouse, the kids posed with Sparky the Firedog, spun the “spider wheel” and learned about fire safety. The annual event was rescued from the budget ax this year by the AT&T Pioneers. an organization of active and retired AT&T employees who provided the funding and volunteers for the event. It wouldn’t be Halloween in Clayton without the annual Ghost Walk led by Richard Taylor, who for the 29th time led scores of the curious on a ghostly tour around town.
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
Foreign Exchange Students gathered in The Grove last week where they learned the fine art of pumpkin carving.
Sixteen Rotary Youth Exchange students kicked off a weekend of traditional American Halloween festivities on Oct. 30 with a trip to the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm. Poring over the pumpkin patch selection, the teenagers carefully chose their pumpkins to carve. It was a first for most of the students, who come from Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovakia, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Taiwan and Japan. With the selections made, the group scooted to Clayton’s downtown park to carve their own jack-o-lanterns and other creatively whittled creations. They wrapped up the day with pizza at Skipolini’s. With its roots in Celtic cultures, Halloween is not celebrated in all countries and regions of the world. Among those that do, the traditions and importance of the celebration vary widely. Celebration in the United States has had a significant impact on how the holiday is observed in many other nations. The Americanstyle Halloween weekend experience continued with a corn stalk maze adventure, trick-or-treating in self-made Halloween costumes, a haunted house visit and a Halloween party. Having already solicited sponsors, the students took part in Day at the Races for Literacy by running and walking 5K and 10K races on Halloween morning. – Memory Woodard Concord Rotary
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
Top, from left: Nicolette Medrano’s (in front) slightly off-kilter jack-o-lantern won the pumpkin carving contest at the YMCA Boo NIght. Showtime players were on hand to help with the event. Back row: Coach Earl Williams, Swanney Cooper, Dave Driskell, Nurudeen Adepoju; Front: Kevin Jackson, Jamar Smith, Nicolette Medrano and Team Manager Jim Beresford; Kids on the slide at Boo Night; Bottom from left: City Manager Gary Napper; Robot Ethan Raichoudri; Spencer Collier spins the Spider Wheel at the Firehouse; Officer
Shanna DeCoite takes public and ghostly safety seriously on the annual Ghost Walk
Medicare specialists— for more than 30 years. People with Medicare want benefits, not restrictions. That’s what you can depend on from SCAN. We’re a non-profit health plan that has been dedicated exclusively to the needs of people with Medicare for more than 30 years. SCAN connects members to the right medical care, services and information they need, when they need it. Our sole focus is meeting the challenges of aging with personal service, expert guidance and enhanced benefits that help people with Medicare maintain their
For first-class service and a better way to bank, give us a try, and watch your frustration with big bank thinking drain away. Our members have named Travis Credit Union the best place to bank 11 times. We’d love to show you why. Switch now and get the service you deserve.
health and independence.
1-800-915-7226 TTY users: 1-800-735-2929
Join at any branch or online at www.traviscu.org Concord: 1257 Willow Pass Road Antioch: 5819 Lone Tree Way
Clayton Valley: 5442 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Suite 10 Brentwood: 3111 Balfour Road, Suite N
Certain membership requirements may apply.
*Se habla español www.scanhealthplan.com
SCAN Health Plan (HMO) has a Medicare Advantage contract with the Federal Government. SCAN also contracts with the Department of Health Care Services. For more information, please visit www.scanhealthplan.com. *We speak Spanish. H5425_H9385_H5811_SCAN_5305_2009F_CMS102009
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Swine Flu, from page 1 seasonal influenza. This does not mean that there is no cause for concern, as the CDC has predicted that the early flu season, mostly due to the swine flu pandemic, will probably result in more deaths due to pneumonia and influenza than seen in previous years. Most concerning is that 100 children have died of the swine flu – as many as die in a typical flu season. To minimize the effects of
the swine flu pandemic, the CDC highlights three actions people should take: Get vaccinated. The CDC recommends that children 6 months to 19 years of age get the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine for those up to 24 years of age. People over 50, pregnant women and those with certain conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma should also get vaccinated. Talk to your physician if you have questions
about vaccination. Take preventative actions. These include avoiding close contact with sick people, staying home when sick, coughing and sneezing into a tissue, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and regular hand cleaning. Take antiviral medicines when prescribed by your physician. The CDC also recommends staying informed, as much to reduce anxiety as to know how best to avoid illness. MDES principle Bob Dodson echoes the attitude of many when he says: “I’m not
worried about it at all. We’re following all the protocols and parents have been very cooperative and supportive.” While the president’s announcement may be concerning, the primary purpose of the declaration was to loosen federal restriction so that hospitals could treat larger numbers of patients, and if necessary, isolate swine flu patients to limit the spread of the illness to other patients. For additional information on both the seasonal and the H1N1 swine flu, visit cdc.gov/flu/.
Websites cover everything you want to know about the flu MARK FREEMAN
ON
THE
NET
With flu season in fullswing, it never hurts to be well prepared. These Websites can find flu shot clinics and arm you with virus-fighting knowledge. It’s easy to find flu shots for the seasonal influenza virus. You can visit flucliniclocator.org, run by the American Lung Association, to find clinics near your ZIP code. The closest flu clinic in the Clayton area is located at the Walgreen’s in the Clayton Station. There are several others in the Concord and Walnut Creek area. You can also locate clinics that provide vaccines for the H1N1 “swine flu,” but as of this writing these vaccines were scarce. However, if you visit
flu.gov, you’ll find a list of retailers in California who will offer the vaccines when they become available. Walgreens.com offers the easiest way to find swine flu clinics. When you use the site’s store finder, it lists which stores in your area will carry the H1N1 vaccine when it arrives. Call the store directly to confirm that flu shots are available. Contra Costa Health Services’ Website, cchealth.org/topics/flu also has information on flu clinic locations. They recommend getting the vaccine from your health care provider. However, they also list dates of CC Health flu shot clinics that may offer a swine flu vaccine (if available) along with free seasonal flu shots. Since the spread of swine flu is of particular concern among grade-school children, CC Health’s Website also lists which
elementary schools in the county will receive free H1N1 vaccinations. The vaccines in this case will only be offered to students and school staff. Close to half of the elementary schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District will have the vaccine. Besides finding flu clinics, you can also learn about how to combat the flu itself. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, CDC.gov, offers a wealth of information on both seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses. You can use the CDC’s Website to learn more details about how the virus spreads, what to do if you get symptoms, and how to take care of a sick person. Flu.gov offers similar information, but also breaks down how different age groups should deal with the flu virus. It includes pages for seniors, travelers, and expectant mothers.
Clayton Valley Shell
WINTER SPECIALS FREE
$ 10 off OIL CHANGE
WINTER CHECK-UP
Includes inspection of brakes, tires, wipers and fluid levels.
$57 value
Clayton Valley Shell. May not be combined with other offers. Expires 11/21/09
Free if needed work is done at Clayton Valley Shell. May not be combined with other offers. Expires 11/21/09
rvice e s e l t t u Free sh r repairs o
for maj
$ 10 off SMOG
INSPECTION Clayton Valley Shell. May not be combined with other offers. Expires 11/21/09
Official S m and Rep og Check air Statio n
Our professionals are here to serve you:
Mechanical repairs and computer diagnostics including 30K, 60K, 90K factory maintenance on all European, Imported and domestic vehicles.
Corner of Clayton Road and Kirker Pass Road
925 672-3900
If you think you may have swine flu, you can take a confidential, online assessment that you can bring to your doctor. This assessment, available at H1N1.cloudapp.net, uses medical information from Emory University to see if you or someone you know may be sick. The Website lets you print out your results so your doctor doesn’t have to ask you the same questions. With so much information online, you can keep yourself prepared and your family safe. To get additional resources and more in-depth details, check the CDC Website on a regular basis. Mark Freeman is a student at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, studying economics and English. He enjoys creative writing and is a reporter for the school paper. Questions/comments can be sent to mfreeman543@gmail.com.
November 6, 2009
Lions and tigers and pigs, oh my Lessons learned from flu crisis As the director of the Emergency Department in Concord, which saw a 50 percent increase in our volume over several very busy days, you would think I would be bitter about the swine hype. To be honest, I was. Then I had a good night’s sleep and awoke with an epiphany. This swine craze was a good thing and a great opportunity for us. It has shown and taught us just what type of an effect a potential worldwide pandemic can have and what responses need to occur if it happens. This flu has also allowed us to practice, in real life, our disaster plans – whether they be plans for our work, personal lives, schools, hospitals, county or state. Each entity is evaluating those plans and making adjustments for the next time. With this flu, we were also reminded that the world is an extremely small place where bugs can travel long distances in a short time. Early recognition, containment, communication and education are key to limiting the spread of a disease. This crisis has shown us that countries need to collaborate in order to prevent a global catastrophe. We need to have stockpiles of drugs and indications for their usages readily available. The H1N1 virus (we have to stop maligning the poor pig) has also placed responsibility on the shoulders of each of us by making the need for personal containment paramount. By this, I mean coughing into one’s arm
DR. DAVID BIRDSALL
DOC TALK not hands, keeping your hands away from your face, staying home if you are sick, keeping your kids home if they are sick, washing your hands often and getting immunized. Not surprisingly, the virus has made us look at what we do in terms of public transportation. Though poorly stated, Vice President Joe Biden did have a point that public transit needs attention. We need good cleaning of vehicles, air exchanges in airplanes and the consideration of alternative virus killing techniques. We should also look at these strategies in other areas where crowds gather, such as movie theaters, stadiums and restaurants. We need to look at our environment in a different way and we need to take responsibility for limiting the spread of disease. We don’t need to be paranoid – just cautiously smart and vigilant. Dr. Birdsall is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Chief of Staff of John Muir Hospital in Concord. He lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Dr. Marian Birdsall, and two children. Please email him at David. Birdsall_md@johnmuirhealth.com
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Readers Forum P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor A NDRÉ G ENSBURGER , Reporter and Feature Writer P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRE , Sports B ETH N EUDELL , Advertising Sales C HRISTINA S CARLOTT , Administrative Assistant We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
PIONEER INFO CONTACT US Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com André Gensburger Andre@claytonpioneer.com Beth Neudell beth@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send Church News to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com
Send School News to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com
CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: Non-profit: $12 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word Individual/non-commercial: $18 for first 30 words, $.30 each additional word Commercial: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 6720500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580. All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa)
Meet
the
We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer reserves the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable.
LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Website. Attach your photo to the form. Make sure the image size you are about to send is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. The only format we accept is JPG. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 300 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter in a Word document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.
authors
Population Control I was impressed to see the article by Mr. Gensburger in the October 23, 2009 edition of the Clayton Pioneer. For years, I have been writing similar articles to SF Bay media to address this important matter, with no responses to date unfortunately. Some other newspapers won’t. . . . As an environmentalist for over 25 years, I have been advocating for the control of growth and population (both by birth and immigration) to curb their impact upon society, infrastructure, and the world's natural resources and beauty. The world is at 6.7+ billion people now and according to a John Hopkins study, it is projected to be over 16 billion by 2100, with serious dire consequences! California’s current population is expected to grow from 36+ million to 50 million by 2020! Shame on people for not exercising better judgement and
DONATIONS NEEDED Clayton YMCA The Y is seeking donations of supplies and items for use in the summer day camps and the after-school programs. Please call Jennifer Beck at 925-692-2364 if you have books for all ages, old movies (PG and G rated), all types of board and interactive games and anything else that would be appropriate for kids.
HELP WANTED Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today (925) 672-8787.
LOOKING FOR James Conrad Diaz ~ Please contact Mrs. Valentine.
SERVICES
Clayton Books
November Events
The opinions expressed in the Reader’s Forum are those of the writer, only. They are not necessarily held by the editorial staff of the Pioneer. - Ed.
Classified
If you cannot attend, we are happy to get books signed for you.
at
using better sense, in lieu of smart growth and sustainability, and particularly for most Americans who seem to demonstrate such destructive behavior that harmfully places individual rights above the rights of the whole and earth in this regard. How selfish and wrong can people be? I'm no Nostradamus, but if America (and the world) do not get a handle on this abuse soon, there will not be much of a world left, and people will be killing people just to get access to whatever minimal resources are left. Education is not enough. So please write your legislators to mandate population controls and smart, sustainable growth in all areas before it’s too late. Tom Stoflet Clayton
11/08 Sun 2pm .........Local Author Extravaganza with 10 authors 11/09 Mon 7pm..........Poetry event featuring Sunny Solomon and 5 other local poets reading
from their new book. 11/10 Tues 7pm .........Kevin Nelson, author of “Wheels of Change.” 11/12 Thurs 4pm .......Children’s authors/illustrators, “Meomi” present “The Octonauts.” 11/12 Thurs 7pm .......Greg Kihn interviews Ben Fong-Torres about his new book
“The Grateful Dead Scrapbook.” 11/15 Sun 3pm ..........Jeff Vandermeer, author of “Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the
21st Century Writer.” 11/17 Sun 3pm ..........Susan Griffin, author of “Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy:
On Being an American Citizen.”
Computer Services Need help with your PC? I can troubleshoot, repair or upgrade your current computer. In home tutoring, wireless networks, virus/spyware checks. Clayton resident. 925-209-9704
VOLUNTEERS WANTED Meals on Wheels Drivers 1 – 1 1/2 per week. Drivers and relief drivers needed for delivery of Meals on Wheels in East County. People are on the waiting list due to lack of drivers. A small amount of your time can make a big difference in someone’s life. If you can help, please call Jim at 673-0300 or email hairbyjim@sbcglobal.net.
11/19 Thurs 7pm .......Allison Hoover Bartlett, author of “The Man Who Loved Books Too Much.” 11/21 Sat 11am .........Brandon Sanderson, author of “The Gathering Storm.” 11/22 Sun 1pm ..........Stephanie O’Dea, author of “Make it Fast, Cook it Slow.”
In the Clayton Station
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
(925) 673-3325
Anna’s Attic Volunteers Volunteers needed at the Hospice of the East Bay thrift store. The address of the store is 5350 Clayton Road. Call store manager, Debbie at 674-9072 or Lamont Campbell at (925) 766-5066.
5433 D Clayton Rd., Clayton joelharris@aol.com www.claytonbookshop.com
Hospice of the East Bay – Anna’s Program Seeking dedicated, caring volunteers to provide home companionship and practical support for women with recurrent breast cancer. To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) 887-5678 and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Clayton Historical Society Museum Greeter for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. No experience or extensive knowledge of Clayton history is necessary. 672-0240.
* Offer is valid only to new members who have not been a member of the club for at least 12 months prior to the time of membership application. Each member must submit his/her own membership application. Each member pays 50% of the non transferable membership deposit and dues rate but are responsible for the full price of f&b minimum and other ancillary charges. Effective upon the first year anniversary, each member will then be responsible for payment of the full monthly dues. See Director of Sales for details. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 12/31/09. All rights reserved.
Clayton Community Library Shelver - to shelve and sensitize library materials. Various days/times. Tutors - no prior experience necessary! You determine the grade level and subjects you are comfortable with and the days/times. Requires good communication skills, patience and a desire to help students in the community. Contact: Arlene @ 673-9777 or email: akikkawa@ccclib.org
Page 5
Directory of Advertisers Auto Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Dirito Brothers Concord Volkswagen . . . . . . . . . .887-6000 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Construction and Trades Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-3339 Grover Electric Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .969-9743 Ken Mitolo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2460 Olde World Mill & Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .915-0822 Outback Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-1244 Smith & Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Dentist Bradburn, Keith D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Children's Dentistry of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . .938-2392 Gardner, Randell D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0110 Renner, Jason D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800 Rissel, Richard D.M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800 Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Willows Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .957-2500 Educational Services Katherine Palau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510-207-7467 Events Clayton Pioneer Cookie Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0500 Contra Costa County Fall Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-4400 Festival of Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Financial and Insurance Services Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . .685-4523 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Ferrante Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .674-1755 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . .672-2300 Fitness Butterfly Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4238 Coach Terry Fit Body Boot Camp . . . . . . . . . . . .586-3649 Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Gifts Gift Baskets by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-8878 Keenan Heinz Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288-0159 The Royal Rooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2025 Home and Garden Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Bee Hive Ovens, Al Fresco Imports . . . . . . . . . . .672-9547 Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245 Floors to Go Danville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .820-8700 Lewis & Lewis Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-2145 Navlet’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 Pans on Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600-7267 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055 Welcome Home House Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . .584-5980 Mailing and Shipping The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Personal Products and Services Bella Mia Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7792 Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 Sport Clips Haircuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368-4264 Weight Watchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-800-379-5757 Pet Services Aussie Pet Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-738-6624 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 O’Brien Family Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899-7354 Rodies Feed and Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Real Estate and Mortgage Services Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Kavanaugh, Mike - RE/MAX Town & Country . . .383-6102 Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . .280-8563 Rahimzadeh, Helen -Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . .932-7375 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433 Recreation Clayton Bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2522 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 YMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .889-1600 Senior Services Aegis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5853 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100 Scan Health Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-800-915-7226 Services, Other Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . .473-0180 The Cutting Edge Knife Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2723 Shopping Clayton Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3325 Donna’s Quilting Loft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0401 Travel Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Travel to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9840
Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
Upcoming Events 6096 Main Street, Clayton, 673-0440 All entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Nov. 6, 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Whiskey River Nov. 13, 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Relyks Karaoke Wed. nights Open Mic Thurs. nights www.claytonclubsaloon.com
2 for the price of 1 Beer only. Good anytime with original coupon. Exp. 11/21/09
NOV 18 HOSPICE TREE OF LIGHTS The annual commemorative tree lighting of the Hospice Tree in the Clayton Station (in front of Safeway) begins at 5 p.m. with speakers, poetry, candlelight vigil and music by the MDES chorus.
You don’t need an appointment.
NOV. 21-22 HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE SALE Decorate for the holidays with fall and Christmas home décor items all made by the talented women of the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. Find the perfect table runner, wreath or ornament for yourself or someone on your gift list. Clayton Library Community Room, 10-4 both days.
A notary is on staff when the store is open
The UPS Store Independently owned and operated
Store Hours Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Clayton/Concord Location:
Vineyard Shopping Center 5100 Clayton Rd., Concord ph: 925-689-6245
WORK
Restore power to breakers, fuses & outlets. Fix any electrical problem no matter how small or large. FREE estimates.
At your DOOR in 1 HOUR or
Locally Owned & Operated Since 1992
10% OFF
Bonded & Insured Lic. #914192
925-969-9743
CONSTRUCTION BATHROOMS KITCHENS DOORS WINDOWS
FIREPLACES MOLDINGS DECKS LIGHTING
CA Lic. #531028, Est. 1987
(925) 672-2460 Serving the Clayton community for 20 years. Clayton resident Big Discounts offered on all jobs before January Spotless daily clean-up guaranteed. No job too small.
Contractors Call us today to
saveon your $$$$$ insurance
General Liability Worker’s Compensation Bonds
Locally owned since 1996
Ferrante Insurance Services, Inc. 3018 Willow Pass Road, Suite 100, Concord
License # 9603-4769
Responding to California’s plea for drought assistance, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to expand the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program on Oct. 15. If enacted, the bill will add 2.6 billion gallons of water to the region’s water supply. The water input from almost half a million homes and 3,000 businesses will be treated by Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD) to EPA stan-
1 Year Guarantee on All Labor
Ken Mitolo
AirCloud Communications, in partnership with Johnny's International Deli, has installed public access WiFi service for The Grove in downtown Clayton. The WiFi service provides free ad-supported as well as paid ad-free Internet access. The WiFi network name is "aircloud-free-wifi." Once connected to the wireless network open your browser and select one of the paid ad-free options, or choose the free service. AirCloud also offers an adfree monthly access plan for $15 per month that works on any airCloud WiFi Hotspot. To locate an airCloud WiFi HotSpot, go to www.aircloud.com/public.
Bill would benefit Bay Area water users MATT BROWN Special to the Pioneer
ELECTRICAL
Free WiFi in The Grove
dards and recycled for use in irrigation, landscaping and other industrial purposes. Six projects funded by bill HR 4224 will add enough water to meet the needs of more than 24,000 households. The bill was introduced by nine Bay Area representatives, including Ellen Tauscher (DConcord) and George Miller (DMartinez). According to regional agencies, more than 3,500 jobs will be supported by the bill’s enactment. “Expanding water recycling will allow our Bay Area communities access to a continuous water supply, even during times
Film, from page 1 Carol Bigby, now Hampton, found out about the movie from Gary Espinoza, a fellow graduate of Mount Diablo High. “Get over there and see if you can get a part,” she remembers him telling her. Discovering that Berman, her former high school drama teacher, was directing the film, Hampton hustled over to his classroom. “I threw the door open, leaned on the door frame and seductively said, ‘Harvey, dahhling….’” She got the part of Joyce with no audition. “The movie opens on my rear end – dancing!” she says, delighted with the memory. Dancing was one thing Nicholson did not know how to do when filming began. Hampton had to teach him the jitterbug. “Everyone thought, who is this guy?” she recalls. But no one had to tell the future star how to act, or how to send the cast reeling with laughter. In one scene, Johnny is out of sight behind a log and the other characters are supposed to be sad, shocked. Nicholson kept up such a steady patter of jokes and funny faces from his hiding place that keeping a straight face was impossible. “We had to shoot over and over again,” Hampton says. MOVIE DRAWS IN LOCALS Local kids who weren’t in the movie still managed to get involved with the filming. Rob Cavanaugh recalls riding on horseback into Clayton and noticing movie cameras. He and a friend watched the shoot at Chubby Humble’s Pioneer Inn, now the offices for Clayton Community Church. “They were holding up 4 by 6 foot pieces of aluminum,” he says, “to shine more light on the actors.” No fancy generators on this set; instead, the crew was reliant on the sun. When Cavanaugh saw the final film, he was surprised. “In the movie, even with all that aluminum, the scenes were still
somewhat dark!” Making “The Wild Ride” was a community event, with local policemen from the Concord Police Department recruited for the cast. Hampton remembers Chuck Evans preparing for his scene. “The wind was blowing 100 miles an hour and he was so nervous, he just sat there clutching his hairbrush and shaking,” she says. Another time, while shooting at the Pacheco speedway, unreliable machinery played a major role. Nicholson leapt into the Ford convertible for a quick getaway, cranked the engine, and it wouldn’t start, causing another hilarious cut. It happened on each subsequent take. Eventually, the film had to be spliced at that point. One person not entertained by the production process was Berman. His description of making “The Wild Ride” is delivered in blunt, black-and-white language, like the film’s format. Of the producer, Berman says, “Corman tells me, ‘I’ll give you 15,000 dollars and two weeks.’” Berman’s face pinches as if he’s bit into a lemon, “I had no time to rehearse, or anything else!” With the time constraints, handling Nicholson was also tough: “He thought everything had to be analyzed,” Berman remembers. “I had two weeks to shoot and he’d ask me, ‘What do you think about this? What do you think about that?’” The experience turned him off of moviemaking, and explains why he’s credited with just two films. When the film debuted at the Paramount in Oakland and at the Fox in San Francisco, it was paired with Butterfield Eight and GI Blues, two larger films with well-known stars. Even so, Hampton remembers feeling uncomfortable. “A man near me turned and said, ‘Boy, if I was in that film, I’d really be embarrassed.’” The beatnik language was passé and the movie wasn’t
of drought, and will stabilize both our water resources and our local economies,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “And creating new alternative water sources by using innovative water recycling technologies will allow us to take some of the enormous strain off the Bay-Delta and other natural water resources.” California is facing its fourth year of drought, and the state Department of Water Resources recently predicted chronic water shortages by the year 2020. The Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program envisions 33 water recycling projects, includ-
ing seven which are currently producing 4 billion gallons of water. At full capacity, more than 40 billion gallons of water would be recycled by the 33 programs. Clayton is not part of the recycled water area and there are no plans in the near future to expand the system. “The problem is that recycled water lines, well, almost any sort of pipe system, costs about $1 million per mile,” explains Michael Scahill of CCCSD. “We’d love to expand use of recycled water, but the capital just isn’t there at the moment.”
old enough to be respected as a cult film. Despite the disappointing stature of “The Wild Ride,” the movie provides a satisfying glimpse of 1960 Concord and Clayton. The memories of Hampton, Cavanaugh, and Berman – not to mention
Nicholson, slender and slouchingly handsome – remind us not to take ourselves too seriously, to have fun, to wipe up the Hersheys (used for blood in old black and white films like this one) and move on.
Harvey Berman’s Wild Ride Lou Fancher It’s impossible to glean from the whiplash that is “The Wild Ride” that Harvey Berman is a masterful storyteller with an impeccable flair for dramatic timing. “I’ve been quoted inaccurately,” he says, beginning our interview with a thrust worthy of the most agile Shakespearean sword fighter. He’s been directing theater and opera productions for over 50 years and has no time for fools or poor follow up. Fortunately, what he does have time for is priceless. Stored in his considerable memory is the rich history of regional theater in the East Bay. When “The Wild Ride” squelched his enthusiasm for movies, the film industry’s loss became live theater’s gain. Berman turned his directing acumen to creating Diablo Valley College’s theater department out of the dust of its English program. He spent half a century instructing students, until last year, when he retired. “You have to know when to stop,” he says, straightforward and elusive at the same time. “Now, I turn down jobs.” When pressed for an explanation, he says, “[Students] are not as dedicated to a study program. They’re driven by too many things.” They have cars, jobs, computers—all moving faster than the hot rods in “The Wild Ride.” Berman, who’s won awards and the respect of local theater artists with his “Amadeus,” “Marat/Sade,” and “Anne of the Thousand Days,” will no longer be rushed. Directing
without digging in to the script disinterests him. “It doesn’t reveal your skills,” he says, “There’s no collaborative art in that.” What he loved about directing was “using the entire stage to make a play come alive.” What wipes the sour lemon look clean off his face is a memory of summers on the Russian River, with the Stumptown Players, a group he formed with fellow UCLA grads Carol Burnett and Monte Helleman. It’s in the middle of this memory—after a full 35 minutes of biography—that Berman says simply, “My father never talked. Never spoke.” It’s a late explosion of fact and yet it gives foundation to everything that has come before it: his skill at conveying meaning with movement, his ability to replay entire onesided conversations, his lifelong fascination with words. And like the best storytellers, it hooks the audience, leaving them spellbound for Act Two. If there’s a documentary director out there, “Berman, His Wild Ride,” would make a fantastic flick.
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 7
Who pays closing cost can be negotiated LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE During the process of Q selling my home last year, almost $10,000 worth of structural pest control repairs turned up. I am still confused about how this unfolded. The home did close. The buyer signed an as-is addendum and I paid their closing costs. What do you think about the way this was handled? – R.W. It seems it was handled A appropriately. It appears that you signed an addendum (called a WPA) when you accepted the offer. On this addendum, you agreed to fix any “Section 1” repairs (actual damage of infestation and dry
rot) on the Structural Pest Report (commonly called the Termite Report). The buyer’s lender would require a Section 1 clearance because the addendum is part of the contract. The quickest way to deal with the repair is to give the buyer a credit and they can get the work done after it closes. One way that the lender will accept the seller giving the buyer money is to designate it to go for the buyer’s nonrecurring closing costs. These onetime fees include title insurance, inspection fees, transfer taxes and loan origination fees. The as-is addendum was used so the lender wouldn’t look for a clearance of these repairs. I am in a contract to buy Q my first house in Concord. On the one hand, it is a dream come true. I love the house – or at least I think I do.
On the other hand, I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since the offer was accepted. Did I pay too much? Is it a good neighborhood? What if I lose my job? How do I know for sure if this is the right thing to do? – J.B. It sounds like you have a A case of “buyer’s remorse.” Buyers often feel anxiety, fear or depression early in the transaction, but it usually passes. Try not to overreact and back out of the deal right away. There could be consequences if you back out of a deal simply because you are scared. A good way to cope with these feelings is to stay wellinformed during the process. Make sure your Realtor sits down with you and really explores the comparable sales in the area. Explore the future possibilities for appreciation. Speak to your mortgage broker about not only what you qualify for
Tracking the rarity of October’s storm The first storm of the rainy season greeted Clayton and Bay Area residents with hours of gusty winds and heavy rain Oct. 13. Records indicate that it was the strongest October storm since the Columbus Day storm of 1962. Although winds were strong enough to blow down fences and uproot trees, the real story of this storm was rainfall. Some weather stations in the Bay Area measured more than 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Several Clayton residents responded to our request for storm rainfall measurements. The results not only show that this was an unusual event but how much variation there is in rainfall amounts across relatively short distances. This is typical of rainfall patterns in areas with large geographical features like our backdoor neighbor, Mt. Diablo. Reported amounts range from 3 to 5½ inches. Storm totals of more than 5 inches were reported by Linda Hull on Oak Hill Lane and Mike Wagner on Keller Ridge Drive. Linda reported that it was unusual for her to see water running down both creeks bordering her property the next day. Other readers commented on the unique results of this storm. Roger Frost measured nearly 4 inches of rain at an Oak Street location. He reported that
Mitchell Creek, which runs behind his house, had water levels nearly as high as any time last winter. Carol Herington stated that she has been measuring rainfall data for many years and Oct. 13 was the first time she has seen more than 4 inches in one day. Storms that bring significant amounts of rainfall to California usually have subtropical origins. A sure sign that a storm is subtropical is that temperatures are mild before and after the rain falls. Temperatures were in the 60s and 70s before and after Oct. 13, verifying that the storm was subtropical. Weather maps and satellite photographs prior to the storm provide evidence that the subtropical air mass that resulted in our storm had an interesting recent history. It started out as organized bands of thundershowers north of the Philippines a week earlier and grew to become Typhoon Melor. This typhoon struck the Japanese mainland on Oct. 7 and then moved into the western Pacific Ocean. This moisture from Melor stayed intact as it traveled across the Pacific toward California. This air mass was guided by jet stream winds located far to the south of their normal latitude during October. The massive amounts of warm moist air in Typhoon Melor provided the
but what your complete payments will be. Make sure you factor in your mortgage interest deduction. There should be a contingency for inspection. Have a thorough professional inspection and attend the inspection. At that time, you can become familiar with the ins and outs of the home. The inspector should not only point out the defects but the attributes of the home. I recently bought a home Q that wasn’t on the market. There was one neighborhood that I was interested in, so I sent out cards to the owners and found a family willing to sell me their home. I hired a real estate agent to handle the transaction. Though I love the home, I know I paid a premium price. We even had trouble getting it to appraise so I had to put in extra money. Is this a good strategy for purchasing a home when inventory is low? – F.B.
Looking for a home can A be a tedious process in a market where few homes are available in your chosen area. Sometimes, homeowners will agree to sell a home they weren’t planning to sell if you offer a price they can’t refuse. If the home were listed on the open market, it would be easier to gauge its market value. If buyers are making offers or expressing serious interest, then the asking price is on target. If it sits on the market for months, then it could be overpriced. It is hard to determine the market value if it hasn’t had that market exposure. In a case like this, you will never really know if you paid too much and the seller will never know if they could have sold for more. If you aren’t finding what they want on the market, have your Realtor explore expired listings. These are listings that didn’t sell while they were
being marketed. A real estate professional can help you find out why the property didn’t sell. You can study comparables before deciding what price to pay. These sellers are often motivated to sell since they did have the property on the market at one time. With a sale on a property that isn’t listed for sale, make sure that your interests are represented by a either a Realtor or an attorney. You need to have all disclosure requirements in compliance. Have the property thoroughly inspected even if it seems like a great deal. Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions, contact her at 672-878 7or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
Club News WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS energy needed to create strong surface winds and the moisture needed to produce rainfall totals as high as those measured in the Clayton area. A few days after the rainstorm, I took a hike along Donner Creek in Mt. Diablo State Park. It was a weird sensation to hear water rumbling down the stream. Although the hillsides were still brown after six months of dry weather, it looked like, sounded like and felt like spring. Last month’s storm will be long remembered. In the coming years when October rain storms hit the Clayton area, residents will be reading their rain gauges and comparing amounts to those recorded during 2009. It may be a long time before another October storms packs this punch. I would like to thank the readers who not only responded to the request for data but also provided comments that verified the rarity of this storm.
As part of their 25th anniversary year, The Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) recognized seven of the association’s founding members at the October dinner meeting. Honored were (from left) Al Martin, DDS, Ingrid Hempell (La Cocotte), John Rubiales, Gloria Utley, Doug Van Wyck (State Farm Insurance), Skip Ipsen (Skipolini’s) and Ed Moresi (Ed’s Mudville Grill and Moresi’s Chophouse.) Skip Ipsen recalled the group’s genesis in 1984 when a small group of local business owners began meeting at John Jawad’s Pioneer Inn “in response to some political issues in town over which we had no control.” Today, membership is at 170. The organization, which
ed $65,000 for the city’s gateway renovation, $25,000 to the MDUSC Athletics Foundation, $20,000 in scholarships, and $10,800 for the summer Concerts in The Grove. For more information, call Sue White at (925) 672-2272 or visit claytoncbca.org.
Mention the Clayton Pioneer & receive a
Build-a-Bear gift card with new patient visit!
Less than 10 min. from Clayton
Randall E. Chang, DDS, Inc. Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry 3050 Citrus Cir., #110 Walnut Creek (925) 938.2392
Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist with PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com
began as the Clayton Business and Professional Association, sponsors the Art and Wine Festival, the Clayton Classic Golf Tournament and the Oktoberfest. This year, the events have raised more than $142,000 for charitable contributions. Major gifts have includ-
www.cd-wc.com
We Specialize in the Treatment of Infants, Children, and Young Adults The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see their dentist by their first birthday.
Thinking of Buying or Selling?
Contra Costa’s Real Estate Company
#1 Think RE/MAX
925-672-7800 Mike Kavanaugh Owner 1026 Oak St., Suite 204, Clayton, CA DRE#0888284
Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
Clayton Sports Scuba divers draw friends into the deep blue LOU FANCHER Clayton Pioneer
Five years ago, at age 65, Steve Stewart turned to his wife Carla and said, “We better do it now or we’ll never get to it.” He wasn’t talking about taking the grandkids to Disneyland, shoring up the retirement funds or learning to play bridge: He was talking about scuba diving. Until that day, the Stewarts had lived what could be considered a standard life. Not long after moving to Concord in 1974, they found their current home in Clayton on a casual drive to look at new houses under construction. “We went out at noon and by 5 o’clock, we’d made an offer,” Steve remembers. Carla loved the area’s open space – a healthy contrast from the intensity of her job as a nurse at Mt. Diablo Hospital. They raised a family and made friends. Ed and Cathy LaHay were a part of their inner circle. The LaHays met while scuba diving on a Club Med vacation in Cancun. Ed, a single father of two teens and the owner of his own business, understandably sought pleasurable escapes. “Diving’s the most relaxing thing I’ve ever done,” says Ed. An avid photographer, he also relished the exotic beauty of marine life. Cathy shared his passion and the two traveled extensively, exploring the world’s vast underwater resources. Naturally, Ed and Carla encouraged the Stewarts to join them. Ten years after promising
CARLA AND STEVE STEWART
Photo courtesy of the Stewarts
CLAYTON COUPLE, CARLA AND STEVE STEWART, didn’t take up scuba diving until their mid-sixties. Shown here at Roatan, Honduras, the couple, now in their seventies, travel with friends to diving spots all over the world. to take the plunge if their friends learned to snow ski, Steve and Carla signed on at the Anchor Shack in Pacheco. They are now certified open water divers and Steve has passed his advanced levels. The only place they can’t dive is in deep sea caves. That still leaves the underwater world of Maui, Curaçoa, Fiji and the British Virgin Islands – just a few
Winter sports a go after 5K Walk/Run raises over $100,000 JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Next week is a big one at Clayton Valley High School and the other schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Tryouts for winter sports teams will be taking place on soccer fields, basketball courts and wrestling mats, just like it’s been done for decades. But for the dedication, determination and largess of some key community leaders, this year might have been very different. Last spring, MDUSD faced an unprecedented financial meltdown and, along with teachers, librarians, counselors and reduced class sizes, the entire high school sports program was axed by the school board as they attempted to balance the ever-shrinking budget. The board gave the sports program an ultimatum: If you want to play, you need to pay and that total is $1.2 million. Otherwise, more than 5,000 student athletes would be deprived of high school sports. DETERMINED FUNDRAISERS CVHS athletic director Pat Middendorf was among the first to stand up and say, “We can do that.” She helped found and now chairs the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation, with representatives from all six high schools in the district. She got the seed money for the foundation through a $100,000 donation from Debra and Steve Gonsalves of Clayton.
Based on the foundation’s assurances that the needed money would be raised, the school board allowed fall sports even without the funding in the bank. A key element in the financing plan was voluntary participation fees paid by parents for their children to take part in sports. The participation fees range from $50 for water polo and golf up to $300 for football. The majority of sports are $225. Those numbers are in addition to a $100 transportation fee that has been in existence for some time. An individual family would only be required to pay a maximum of $600 in a school year, even if they have children playing multiple sports. The foundation came up with many fundraising efforts, including selling student sports activity cards. Part-way through the fall season, Associate Superintendent Alan Young threatened to shut down the fall sports teams at the district’s oldest school, Mt. Diablo High School, due to a lack of athletics payments coming from the Concord school. Keeping with the foundation’s “one for all and all for one” credo, Middendorf said, “If Mt. Diablo has to stop fall sports, we all stop fall sports.” The district’s threat was particularly upsetting to Middendorf and the foundation, because they
See Winter sport, page 14
of the numerous locations they have visited. Their trip to the British Virgin Islands spawns a wave of favorite memories. They lived on a 105-foot sailboat and explored an underwater shipwreck. “You could see the tile, the utensils – all preserved,” Steve says, with the wonder of a kid at Christmas in his voice.
“There’s a legend about the ship,” Carla adds. “The legend is that if you touch a porthole, you’re going to come back someday and dive again.” They dove and touched and fully expect to return. The Stewarts and LaHays says becoming certified is methodical and safe – and the first step to an activity many
Showtime, from page 1 such as Julius “Dr. J” Irving and Rick Barry, eventually forcing the NBA to take in several ABA franchises. The current incarnation began as ABA 2000 and has grown to a league with nearly 60 teams from coast to coast. FIRST HOME GAME DEC. 3 Williams sounds like a proud dad when he talks about Clayton Showtime. “Since beginning as a semi-pro team a few years ago, the Showtime team has made quite an impact on the pro-am circuit,” he said. “It pretty much just happened. My daughter really pushed me to do it. It’s taken on a life of its own.” Standing beside Williams is Joe Beresford, the team’s assistant coach and player personnel chief. “I’ve played with and against Earl. We’re really excited about the prospects for our team this year,” Beresford said. The team begins its inaugural 30-game ABA regular season schedule Nov. 20 in San Francisco with the first of three consecutive road games before a four-game homestand at Clayton Gym Dec. 3-11. The home opener and first-ever professional game in Clayton is 7
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, against Sacramento Heatwave. Williams and Beresford have put together a roster that includes two players from Nigeria and American players who have overseas experience. One of the team leaders is guard Jamar Smith. The Sacramento native played collegiately at Cal State Monterey Bay. “I bring toughness, aggressiveness and leadership to the team,” Smith said. “I do what it takes to win.” Smith will be getting the ball to inside players Mike Cambell and Tim Johnson. The 7-foot Johnson last played in Switzerland. Indiana native Cambell also has pro experience overseas. The Nigerians on Showtime are 6-8 Fredrick Oguns and 6-5 Nurudeen Adepoju, who most recently played in Iran. Sharing backcourt duties with Smith are Marcus Morgan from Cal State Fullerton and Jamar Holloway. Cleveland’s Swaney Cooper, Dave Driskell from Antioch and Kevin Jackson are also battling for playing time in the Showtime rotation.
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
BULLDOG COACH GREG JECKER of Clayton instructs the young St. Bonaventure’s Bulldogs in the art of the game as Showtime player Marcus Morgan looks on.
divers enjoy for a lifetime. Locating a dive center with a good reputation is paramount. PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, is one international organization that issues certification through its member dive centers and educational facilities. The Anchor Shack, where the Stewarts trained, is a five-star
AIMING FOR THE TOP Williams likes to set up his offense “from the inside out. Our players are very athletic and most can play more than one position,” he noted. “We’ll employ a Princeton-style motion offense.” The coach wants his players to be thinking about “playing at the next level” and to be tough so he never uses a zone defense “not even a matchup zone.” The 35-year-old Williams will need to use the expertise gained from his San Francisco State business administration degree to make the franchise successful financially while also creating a winning product on the court. Williams played in Europe and the Philippines after college and has contacts to help his players wanting to make professional moves there. “Our vision is to be competitive so scouts for the NBA and foreign teams will come visit us and recruit some players and, of course, to win the ABA championship – something we are capable of doing,” Williams said. The league uses the heritage red, white and blue basketball made famous in the original ABA and employs NBA rules including the shot clock, 12minute quarters and the same three-point shot distance. “We are excited to be part of this great league, a part of this dynamic community and look forward to developing relationships with local businesses as well as becoming an integral part of family-friendly sports entertainment here in the East Bay,” Williams said. The team is looking for local sponsors. Contact office manager Alicia Beresford at aliciashowtimebasketball@yahoo.com. Tickets for home games are available for less than $10 at showtime-basketball.com or at the door. Fans can follow the ABA at abalive.com.
PADI development center. They offer their own pool and an extensive list of programs. The basic dive course takes 5-6 weeks. All students begin by filling out medical questionnaires. A doctor’s letter of approval is required if there are any health concerns, such as a history of asthma or heart disease. The next step is demonstrating basic swimming skills: seven laps at the pool at the Anchor Shack and the ability to float or tread water for 10 minutes. After four classes, a weekend of performing actual dives at the Monterey Bay or the Quarry in Livermore completes the program. When the Stewarts tell people about their hobby, the most common response is “Wow!” “I think they think we’re too old,” Carla says with a hint of surprise, as if the very idea would never have occurred to her. She and Steve, like Ed and Cathy, have found their fountain of youth – 80 feet under the ocean’s surface.
Sports Shorts JAN. 9 CVHS BOOSTERS CRAB FEED CVHS Athletic Boosters Club will be hosting its 16th annual Crab Feed & Auction on Sat., Jan. 9, 6 p.m. at Centre Concord. This major fundraiser directly benefits all the athletic programs at CVHS. Seating is limited and tickets are on sale now for $50 at the school or online at www.cvhsboosters.org. Raffle and auction item donations are accepted by emailing crabfeed@cvhsboosters.org. LACROSSE CLUB SEEKING CLAYTON PLAYERS FOR U13 & U15 TEAMS Walnut Creek Warriors Lacrosse Club is seeking to set up Clayton-based boys and girls teams in the Under 13 and Under 15 age groups. Clayton resident Leslie Hunt is recruiting players to develop teams in the middle school age groups. “The teams will practice at CVHS. The objective in starting up the Clayton area team is to grow the game, offer good coaching and lots of playing experience for the kids and make it as convenient as possible. We are doing this with the help of both Clayton Valley boys and girls lacrosse coaches.” Registration is now open at www.walnutcreeklacrosse.com or call Hunt at (925) 673-5206. JAN 11. – FEB. 18 DIABLO FC SOCCER WINTER ACADEMY Diablo FC is holding its ninth annual Winter Soccer Academy Jan. 11 through Feb. 18 every Mon. and Thurs. from 5-6 p.m. at Willow Pass Park in Concord. The renowned Diablo FC professional coaching staff will teach boys and girls 5-12 years old basic dribbling and juggling skills, passing and receiving the ball and ball striking. Youth of all skill levels from novice to those ready for competitive soccer are invited. There are no tryouts for Soccer Academy. Sign up at www.diablofc.org.
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Help the Pioneer cover the local sports scene. Send competition results, story ideas, announcements, sports shorts, etc. to sports@claytonpioneer.com. Please attach a high-resolution photo whenever available.
Page 9
Clayton Sports
Diablo FC teams find the treats at Halloween Classic A record-breaking 80 club soccer teams from throughout Northern California converged on the Boatwright Sports Complex and two other local fields for the 11th annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic hosted by Diablo FC. Players arrived for their first
game dressed as M&Ms, the Blues Brothers, tie-dyed hippies, vampires, convicts, pumpkins, cowgirls, surfers, magicians, wizards and assorted other characters from literature, movies, television and people’s imaginations. In keeping with the Halloween spirit, judges awarded prizes for
the teams with the Scariest, Most Creative, Funniest and Most Original costumes. Two days of soccer action also determined the winning boys and girls teams in Under 9, Under 10 and Under 11 age groups. The host Diablo FC had 10
teams participate in the Halloween Classic. Two of them came away with championships and another was a finalist. Diablo FC 98 girls captured their second consecutive Halloween Classic title by beating their rivals, Mustang Magic, 2-0 in the final game. Earlier in the tournament, the Under 11 team coached by Brian Voltattorni defeated West Valley Surefire, Central Valley Jaguars Red and Mill Valley Rockets to win their bracket and reach the
U11 Girls Black Cats finale. Mustang Magic came up on the short end to Diablo FC 98 in the championship game, but they were named Most Creative in the costume contest among the 80 teams with clever magician outfits befitting their team nickname. In the same age group, the Diablo FC 98 Blue girls made it through to the U11 Pumpkins division championship by defeating Central Valley Jaguars Red B and Walnut Creek Fury
after opening with a draw against Mission Valley United 98 Black. In the finals, coach Miguel Gonzalez’ Diablo FC 98 Blue girls took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick before seeing Mustang Strikers rally for a 2-1 victory. Diablo FC 99 boys won the Under 10 Bats division by scoring 27 goals in four games and allowing only one. Coach Steve Shott’s team won the championship game 5-0 over Mersey Galaxy.
KTVU contest win for CV scores broadcast of football game ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy Diablo FC
DIABLO FC 98 GIRLS REPEATED AT HALLOWEEN KICK OR TREAT CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIPS beating their rivals Mustang Magic 2-0 in the championship game. The team was in the holiday spirit for this photo, kneeling from left, Sierra Bruni, Sarah “Cookie” Emigh, Sophia Panella, Briana Perez, Gabriela Tambazidis; standing from left, Kaeli “Kiki” Evangelista, Cynthia “Sushi” O’Neill, Katie Hoyt, Fiona Dolan and Samantha Perez.
Certified Pre-Owned
like Facebook and MySpace as well as frantic Twitter tweets to get supporters to cast their vote. Popular local Blog sites like Claycord.com posted the challenge early on when it looked like Clayton Valley was behind, urging people to contact friends to gain additional votes. Even the schools got involved. One Blogger at Claycord.com announced: “I just heard from my daughter and her friends that CVHS announced this twice today over the P.A. system asking students to go home after school and vote.”
There’s nothing like some friendly competition when it comes to sports. KTVU Channel 2 television spurred Bay Area high school football teams once again with a contest for the most votes, driving fans rabid with excitement. The contest offered a cash prize for the two winning teams and broadcast highlights of the game on KTVU’s Wells Fargo High School Football Game of The Week. The challenge resulted in a viral reaction that resonated from Emails, social media sites
The official rules condoned multiple voting which was also spread through communication channels with some people repeating their vote significantly. At one point a few hours before the end of the contest, refreshing your computer screen would show you the large jumps in the number count. In the end the Clayton Valley/Ygnacio team combo won with 27,268 votes, 3912 higher than their nearest challenger. Each of the teams wins a $500 grant from Wells Fargo with game highlights featured on the Game of the Week broadcast.
Winter’s A-Comin! Take care of your feathered friends
Right on the corner Right on the Price 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Convertible $11,995, 2.4L HO Turbo FWD Automatic Burgundy
925-934-8224 2051 N. Main St., Walnut Creek
Super Twirl 3 Quart Feeder with “Twirl-a-Squirrel”
Buy a case of 12 High Energy Suet .99 for $
Squirrels weight on feeder activates motor which gently spins him off
19
2005 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS Turbo 2D Conv. $14,995,
2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL Minivan 4D $29,995 V6 4.0L FWD Automatic
VIN# 3VWCD31Y65M367137 Stock# M953
VIN # 2V8HW64X09R544002 Stock# P603
2007 Volkswagen GTI 2.0T 2D Hatchback Coupe $20,995. FWD Tiptronic Automatic Transmission
2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Value Edition 4D Sedan $13,995. FWD Tiptronic Automatic Transmission
VIN# WVWFV71K37W054341 Stock# M996
VIN# 3VWPG71K36M622176 Stock# M998
2005 Ford F150 V6 4.2 2WD Short Bed $9,995 Automatic
2009 Scion xB 4D 1.5 Sport Wagon $11,995 Manual FWD
2002 Dodge Durango 4D Sport Utility $9,995
VIN# 1FTRF12285KE73408 Stock# B3135A
VIN# JTLKT334464065049 Stock# M984A
2007 Ford Focus SE Hatchback 2D $7,995
2006 Scion TC 3D Hatchback $12,995
2003 Ford Expedition XLT 4D 2WD $11,995
Completely Assembled
VIN# 1FAHP31N87W204018 Stock# B2928A
VIN# JTKDE177560089853 Stock# M985A
VIN# 1FMRU15W73LB84852 Stock# M980
$
2009 Volkswagen Jetta S 4D Sedan $15,995 Tiptronic Automatic Transmission
2006 Volkswagen Passat 4D Sedan $17,995 2.0 L Turbo FWD Tiptronic Auto Transmission
2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 4D Wagon $9,995 V6 2.8L FWD Tiptronic Automatic Transmission
VIN# 3VWJZ71K09M004365 Stock# M995
VIN# WVWEK73C56P040508 Stock # M1001
VIN# WVWHH63B31E000462 Stock# 33402A
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2D Hatchback $7,995, 2.0 L Automatic FWD
2006 Toyota Corolla CE 4D Sedan $10,995,
2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 4D Sedan $19,995 2.0L FWD Turbo Tiptronic Auto Transmission
VIN# 3C3AY75SX5T70099 Stock# M846A
2007 Ford Mustang 4.6 GT Coupe $23,995 V8 Automatic RWD VIN# 1ZVHT82H175239210 Stock# B3174 A
VIN# 3VWBB61C8WM012088 Stock # B3196A
VIN# 1NXBR32E96Z747277 Stock# B3111A
VIN# 1B4HR48Z12F211594 Stock# M974A
$ $ $ $ WE BUY CARS FOR CASH $ $ $ $
Safe - No Harm to birds or squirrels
Weather resistant PVC
Runs on 3-D Batteries not included.
-
Whole Peanut Feeder
$
Patented Spiral Design
89.99
Seeds-N-More Combination Feeder
Squirrel Proof Locking Lid
VIN# 3VWXJ71K96M629148 Stock# M992
and Get a Free Suet Feeder
Seed & Suet Attract more birds Double Sided Weather Resistant 2.5 Gallon Capacity Secure, Easy-fill Roof
Easy to Fill
31.99
51.99
$
Buy any feeder & we’ll fill it with seed for FREE Nyjer Thistle - 20 lbs.
$
26.99
Small, Black Oil Sunflower Seed - 20 lbs. Western Delight Value Mix - 40 lbs.
$
$
12.99
11.99
Coupon expires 11-30-09
(925) 672-4600
3 Tube Feeder
Feeds 24 Birds and you CAN SEE THEM ALL
29.99
for $ P
8863 Marsh Creek Rd. in Clayton
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Ladies, why go to a gym designed for Men?
Gift s ficate Certi ble a Avail
5439 Clayton Rd. Clayton, CA 94517
November 14 & 15
5439 Clayton Rd., Ste. E, Clayton
Save the date for our
Tue.-Fri.: 10 to 5 Sat.: 10 to 5 Sun.: 11 to 5
and gifts for everyone on your list
925-672-4238
1028 Diablo St., Clayton
Continued from page 11
All fabric 45% off Remaining Kits 30% off Thread 50% off
the cellophane can actually damage the food and beverage items inside the basket...and we certainly do not want that! We ship Nationwide and offer hand-delivery in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more details visit www.gift-basket.com or call 925.687.8878 today!
*with this ad. 1 yard minimum. Exp. 11/20/09
KEENAN HEINZ
Store closing December 31, Long arm machine quilting service will continue
Located in downtown Concord, Keenan Heinz Company is truly a unique retail shop. Inside you will find such a diverse collection of items for home and garden that many customers say visiting the store is like being on vacation or going to a museum. As a matter of fact; they got their tag line 'Really Cool Stuff' from customers walking in and exclaiming "Wow! That's cool". As you enter the small building your life will be transformed into an escape from all the pressures of everyday life. Keenan Heinz
NAVLET’S GARDEN CENTER If you enjoy gardening, you’ll love Navlet’s Garden Centers. We’ve been helping Bay Area gardeners grow beautiful gardens since 1885. Our California Certified Nursery Professionals are experts in the Bay Area’s wide range of microclimates. They can help you select the best flowers, landscape shrubs, perennials, fruit, citrus,
INSTALLATION
Paver Patio & Walkway Retaining Walls Drainage Lawn & Plant Installation Lawn Renovation - Aeration & Thatching Low Voltage Lighting We Design & Install Landscape
Bring in this ad and receive:
In-Office Bleaching O F F E R E X P I R E S JA N UA RY 3 1 , 2 0 1 0 . C A N N OT B E C O M B I N E D W I T H A N Y OT H E R O F F E R .
KEITH B RADB U R N D DS
Company is dedicated to providing a new kind of shopping experience; one in which beauty, art, function, and informal sophistication are combined in a very friendly and casual setting. Filled with hand-picked treasures Keenan Heinz Company offers unique gifts for you and your friends. Relax, breath deep, and stop to rub Buddha's belly. Life is too short to shop at the mall. 1700 East St. www.keenanheinz.com, 288-0159.
COMPLETE LANDSCAPE
Dreaming of a White Christmas?
925-672-9955
R AN D ELL GAR D N E R D DS
6123 Main Street, Clayton, ca 94517
Lic. 542812 Fully Insured
en v O ired F d WoImo e v i BeehAl Fresco
FREE ESTIMATES
www.nicholslandscape.com
phone 925.672.0110 fax 925.672.0365 email info@bradburndentistry.com
Christmas Specials Express Mani/ Pedi combo Buy three 1/2 hr. massages for $
925-672-2025
Across from Blockbuster
*
Where Life is Beautiful
925-680-7792 A purveyor of unique gifts, home decor & pantry
One Free Yoga class when you join
SPA
Across from Blockbuster Video
New holiday merchandise
Join now to enjoy savings of over $150
We now have personal training also!
Holiday Open House
a i M a l l e B THE
No Enrollment No Processing Low Low Monthly Dues
Owned by a woman, Run by women. Women who understand Women
November 6, 2009
$
40
$
10 OFF
a full body spray Tan
Holiday Package
105
1/2 hr massage, European Facial and Express Manicure and Pedicure, all for $135
www.thebellamiadayspa.com herbs, vegetables, and other plants for your garden. We even have Free Gardening Classes on select weekends. Beyond quality plants at great prices, you’ll find pottery, statuary, fountains, gift items, and a wide range of other garden items and supplies. Visit us at any of our East Bay locations, in Concord, Danville, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill. For specific locations and hours, visit us online at www.navletsgardens.com. While online, be sure to sign up for our Preferred Mailing List and we’ll keep you current on seasonal gardening information, new products, special offers, and more.
NICHOLS LANDSCAPE The winter months are a great time to reevaluate your home’s landscaping. You’ll have plenty of time to plan and plant your new grasses, trees, and shrubs before the blistering heat of the summer. Nichols Landscape is a full-service landscaping company featuring state-of-the-art techniques, professional employees and heavy-duty equipment to handle all your landscape needs from start to finish. “We specialize in all kinds of installation, including the installation of sod and plantings,” says Nichols. “We can install pavers, concrete, patios, arbors, decks, sprinkler systems, low-voltage, lighting and retaining walls. We can also do awesome stuff like waterfalls and bridges.” Don’t trust your lawn and landscaping to amateurs! When you need a contractor you can trust with the design, appearance and uniqueness of your yard, call the professionals at Nichols Landscape. For a free estimate call (925) 672-9955, or email Nicholslandscape@msn.com, or visit www.nicholslandscape.com. A complete photo gallery is available to view online.
Boyce Nichols - Owner
THE ROYAL ROOSTER Tired of the same old look available in every national chain store? The Royal Rooster has both hard-to-find antiques and customorder furniture to fit your needs. Not just a furniture shop, The Royal Rooster also sells unique gifts for friends and family of all ages, including the popular Webkinz and a line of Melissa and Doug Toys. Their French Country specialties include gorgeous stationary and bath items for every occasion, including distinctive lines such as Thymes Bath & Body, Caldrea, Lollia, Sonoma Lavender and LaLavande French Soaps. Corporate gifts and personal shopping services are also available. The Pantry is stocked with delicious gourmet foods including Stonewall Kitchens, Barefoot Contessa, A Perfect Pear and Elaine’s Toffee. The Royal Rooster is located at the corner of Center and Diablo Streets in Clayton, behind Cup O’ Jo Coffee House. (925) 672-2025.
SPORT CLIPS HAIRCUTS When a guy needs a haircut, where can he go? His choices used to be limited to a local barbershop or the salon where his wife went. Unfortunately, barbershops are disappearing and the salons are full of chemical smells and one-hour haircuts. Now guys have a place that’s just for them. Sport Clips Haircuts is where guys can go to have a championship haircut experience. Sports on TV Guy smart stylists. Steamed towels. Shoulder and back massages. That’s what guys want and that’s what Sport Clips delivers. You won’t find chemical smells because we don’t perm or color. We just cut hair the way that guys want it cut. Check us out at the Clayton Valley Shopping Center (925) 673-5686. We are between Bronze Buddha and Tavo’s Pizza. Ask for the MVP treatment.
ents
g resid innin yton W la d C r a y e Aw ted b pera gazin o a M & it ed ppet Own s t Bon A r o p
From
Thinking about a Beehive Oven for the Holidays? Cook your turkey, meats, breads and caramelized vegetables to perfection in this European wood-fired oven.
(925) 672-9547
www.alfrescoimports.com
FREE Admission both events Vintage will also perform at
The Clayton Pioneer Christmas Cookie Judging party. Join us for Cookies and Caroling Thurs., Dec. 10, 6:45 - 8 p.m. Clayton Library.
www.vintagetrio.com
with Clayton’s own Joyce and Santiago Martinez & Roxanne Pardi Special guests: Kevin McFarland, Donnie Fisi, John Jordan and Katy and Dell Burchett.
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 5562 Clayton Road, Concord
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Young archeologists dig into the history of the Miwok people NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer
Clayton fourth-graders wowed professional archaeologists with information regarding local native history at “Arrowheads and Acorns: a Journey Back in Time” honoring California Archaeology Month. The Clayton Historical Society and Museum hosted two free workshops on Oct. 25, sponsored by the Society for California Archaeology. To coincide with statewide K-12 curriculum on Native American and California history, October is designated Archaeology Month. It’s part of a national program to promote the preservation of our country’s heritage. When considering an historical site, archaeological begin projects with a survey. Then preservation and economic considerations are explored. “Excavating is often really the last consideration in archaeology,” said archaeologist Joe Griffin. Nine-year-old Kate Amos was able to solve many of the problems posed by archaeologist Christine McCollum because her fourth-grade class has been studying the Miwok tribe native to this area. A cinderblock wall at the back of the museum, which slightly raises the KinderCare
in the native language, in the late 1700s. There were more than 100 languages in California alone at the time, making it difficult to understand each other. However, trade was understood by all. “They used what they had around them – water, natural foods,” McCollum notes. “But what about things that were not available?” “They could do trading with other tribes – things they had lots of for things the area didn’t have,” answers Amos. Griffin draws a paradigm using obsidian, which makes really good arrowheads and comes from the Santa Rosa area. Griffin identifies the two areas on a map, then reminds the class there were no bridges. “So you would need a canoe or have to walk all the way around maybe,” he said. As the Clayton children grew tired in the afternoon sun, the cost involved in trade two centuries past becomes uncomfortably real.
Nicci Shipstead/Clayton Pioneer
CHRISTINE MCCOLLUM, archaeologist with the Society for California Archaeology captures the attention of young archeologists at the “Arrowheads and Acorns” workshop at the Clayton museum. The next workshop is Nov. 15.
parking lot, is the only visual clue to the ancient Miwok burial ground below.
Spanish explorers encountered and named the tribe Miwok, meaning “the people,”
The next Arrowheads and Acorns workshop at the museum will be Sunday, Nov. 15. Registration begins at noon, or download the registration form at www.claytonhs.com.
Page 13
Installations – Repairs Toilets Faucets Water heaters Garbage disposals Clogged drains
Belfast Plumbing Clayton Resident
(925) 457-5423 www.belfastplumbing.com License. 906211
925-939-2145 2615 North Main St., Walnut Creek www.lewisandlewiscarpets.com
The Clayton Historical Society and Museum is at 6101 Main Street. For more information, call 672-0240 or visit claytonhs.com.
Once a house divided, Chophouse honors The Growler’s long history PAM WIESENDANGER Special to the Pioneer
Moresi’s Chophouse, with its alluring patio and ever-popular rocking chairs, was once two separate buildings. Most notably, the western half was known as the Growler. The building that housed the Growler was one of two homes built in the 1860s, standing sideby-side. Jack Duncan rebuilt the west building about 1908 and it served as a post office (run by Mrs. LeClaire), a barber shop and eventually, the Growler Tavern – where you could buy a “growler,” or a pitcher of beer. The east building was owned by Judge Gus Goethals and
functioned at various times as a justice office, a bank, a real estate office and, later, a private home. A picture in 1965 showed it as a store with a gas pump. Gus’ definition of “bank” was a large safe in which he allowed customers and friends to keep their valuables. His brother, Jack, was the barber in the neighboring barber shop. Gus was also a reporter for four local newspapers. Pictures show the quirky, leaning Growler in great disrepair in the 1970s. In 1972, Joe Pastor and Edward Minadeo planned to open the Growler Restaurant and began interior renovations. An acacia tree fell on the building and delayed the reopening until February 1973.
When reopened, the walls of the Growler displayed paintings and sketches of historic landmarks and scenes of Clayton. By 1975, Joseph and Marjorie Salas owned the Growler. They restored and merged the east and west buildings to become La Cocotte, offering fine French cuisine and decorated with antiques and findings from the construction. The renovation was part of the Bicentennial Plan, which enabled Clayton to become a national bicentennial city. Ingrid and Rudy Hempell bought the restaurant business in 1976 and in 1979, they bought the building. Rudy learned the restaurant business in Europe. He and
Photo courtesy of the Clayton Historical Society
This photo of The Growler was taken circa 1971. Standing in front of the old saloon are brothers Johnny and Francis Joaquin, descendants of early Clayton settlers.
Ingrid came to America for the New York World’s Fair and ended up in San Francisco in the restaurant business. They wanted to live in the country, which drew them to Clayton. They were a success and recognized by the city for 25 years of improvement and operations. In 2002, the restaurant business was sold to John and Sharon Johnston. They changed the name to Fox and the Fiddle in May 2003. The Johnstons changed the menu to more American cuisine and considered adding special Irish events to showcase dishes from their homeland, having moved from Ireland to Concord in 1994. After Sharon died in 2005, the restaurant changed hands one more time, operating briefly as Elysium, before it opened as Moresi’s Chophouse in June 2007. Ingrid Hempell still owns the building. Moresi has made extensive renovations, but the building still preserves the old-time charm of the Growler. Like previous owners, Moresi displays many photos of buildings in decades past, including the Growler and neighboring home. Dominic Moresi says some of the original features remain, such as the face of the bar and a window between the two buildings, discovered when they tore down a wall. A recent patron seemed to know a little about the ceiling panels, which may have been brought from Nortonville by his grandfather who built the building. Like so many other businesses in town, this pair of buildings has an interesting past and reflects Clayton’s desire to preserve the historic charm of our town while offering the convenience of modern restaurants and shops.
1015 San Carlos Drive
Beautifully updated 3 bedroom 2 bath home – Call for details!
p you d l e h anie e an l h a p s e t t r Let S e sho h t h g ss! throu ure proce los d ocess forec ess an ing pr c k en suc ith the ban v o r p w Her aling t results! e d t c dire you ge p l e h l wil
Real ired vice p s n I r te Se Esta
925.932.7329
Stephanie Lopez
For more listings and Real Estate Alerts, go to
www.MyDynamicRealtors.com
Page 14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
py ing p a H sgiv nk a h T
RAM: do you really need it?
DRE#00906625
Patty Flannery Your local neighborhood REALTOR since 1986 Call me. Let’s talk REAL ESTATE
Office: 925.975.5255 email: granyflany@msn.com,
home & fax: 925.672.0541
Cruise Adventures Unlimited Serving all cruise lines since 1987
Celebrity Cruise Sale Nov. 9 - 13
50% reduced deposit Shipboard credit (select sailings)
Broaden your horizons and try an exciting cruise to Alaska, Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal and South America. Please call for additional details
Owners Valerie O’Connell (Clayton resident, 30 years) & daughter Colleen O’Connell
(925) 935-7447
CST 2074362-40
1610 Locust St., Walnut Creek
www.cruiseadventuresunlimited.com
So, you’re in the store and porary area so the data may be the sales clerk says, “The reason viewed, edited or used quickly your computer is running slow vs. waiting for the slow poke is because you need more hard drive to fetch it. The more RAM.” RAM there is, the more data is And you say something like, in temporary storage and there“Really?” fore data He goes, becomes quicker “Yeah, really you to access. need four To understand Gigabytes. We how the computhave it on sale, er works, think of and it’s easy to your own work install, all you experience sitting need to do is behind a desk. open your comFirst, there’s you, puter and pop-itthe worker. That’s in.” the CPU or the WILL CLANEY And you central processor. TECH TALK think, “Hmmm, You know her, that doesn’t and she’s fast. sound too bad.” Second, there is So, you tell him you have an the desktop – call it RAM. The HP computer and he goes, “No more RAM you have, the bigger problem I know just what you your desktop is. The bigger the need;” grabs the RAM and desktop, the more files you can hands it to you. have on it. There are so many things Lastly, your file cabinets are wrong with this – where do I like the hard drive. To access start files when you need something, First, how much RAM do you have to get out of your you need, and what does it do chair, walk over to the file cabianyway? In geek speak RAM net, search for a file, bring it holds information from the back to the desk, and place it on hard drive in a fast access tem- the desktop to work on it.
Winter sport, from page 8
Open Thanksgiving 5 pm to midnight $1.50 games, Mon. thru Thu. 9pm to midnight
Freaky Funday on Sundays 5pm to midnight - $6 cover charge gets you $1-games, shoes, hotdogs, sodas and small beers.
rG ital Thunde low Bowling g i D 5 BIG DVD SCREENS Digital Thunder PLUS on the last 12 lanes FRI 4 pm - 6 pm (kids), 10 pm - 1 am, Sat 10 pm - 1 am
925.689.4631 visit: claytonvalleybowl.com
Clayton Valley Bowl 5300 Clayton Road Concord, CA
Where the artisan meets the craftsman
were gearing up for their first major community fundraiser, a 5K Run and Walk at Newhall Park Oct. 18. That event turned into an absolute “home run,” with more than 2,200 members of the community participating – including 608 representing Clayton Valley High. They raised more than $110,000 and, more importantly, brought widespread public and media awareness of the plight facing district athletes. ‘TROUBLESOME’ TREND The timing was critical since the school board was slated to meet Oct. 27 to make a decision on allowing winter sports. The interest in that meeting was so large the meeting was moved from the district board room next door to Monte Gardens Elementary School’s multi-use room. The board unanimously approved winter sports that evening but did not take any action on spring sports, so the process continues for the 11 boys and girls spring sports teams that will need to gain approval early next year. Middendorf ’s comments before the school board Oct. 27 gave a recap of the foundation’s daunting task. She mentioned
that $1.2 million doesn’t cover all the costs for the full athletics programs at the six high schools. “MDUSD is unique in that it does not fund many sports and only partially funds some sports. This leaves a much larger burden on the athletes and parents than is currently accounted for in the alleged $1.2 million budget,” she reported. “We believe that some athletes have already quit playing sports, knowing they cannot afford the fees. That’s heartbreaking and very troublesome. Many students cannot even afford lunch – how can they afford up to $400 to play a sport?” The CVHS athletic director pointed out that more than half of all the games and competitions district teams take part in are not in the Diablo Valle Athletic league but in nonleague contests. “If other schools hear that there is a chance we will not continue high school sports, they will not schedule games with us.” FUNDING ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED
Middendorf was the girls soccer coach at Clayton Valley
Clayton resident, Mike Rose, has been in business for over 36 years and has always provided quality repair with excellent customer service!
Mike Rose’s Auto Body Concord (925) 689-1739
Quality Custom Cabinets Kitchen, Bath, Office and Entertainment Centers Commercial Millwork
Six other locations to serve you
Kevin Mancino, Proprietor, Local Resident
(925) 915-0822
Free granite countertop with your kitchen cabinet purchase Limited to granite styles in stock, fabrication not included
LIC # 915172
www.oldeworldcabinets.com With our compliments
November 6, 2009
Antioch (925) 755-1739
Concord (925) 686-1739
Walnut Creek (925) 210-1739
Brentwood (925) 634-6366
Pittsburg (925) 432-9910
Walnut Creek (925) 979-1739
Visit our website WWW.MAUTOBODY.COM I Car Gold and ASE certified technicians Approved by most major insurance companies
Well then, RAM is a large desktop. Lots of files, photos, etc. are quickly accessed by the worker without getting out of the chair. So, the sales person was right. Right? Get a bigger desktop and all your problems with the computer are solved – a quick and easy solution. Not so fast. What about matching the RAM to the computer? Are all manufacturers reliable? Do you know that different computers require different RAM? Yup. Also, do you know that not all operating systems, like Windows XP, can handle that much RAM? Then, there is that little detail of installing the RAM and testing to be sure it works properly. And, oh, by the way, if you handle the RAM improperly you could short it out with a static shock and render it inoperable So, buyers beware! RAM isn’t as easy to deal with as that department store stock clerk says it is. Although adding RAM can be beneficial, it takes an expert to know when and how much. If your computer is running slowly and it used to run fast, the problem isn’t likely to be the RAM. It’s more likely either a malware infection or maybe a
nearly-full hard drive. Hard drives fill up with music, photos and data files. If your drive is over 60 percent full, putting more on it will slow your computer even further. To check your drive now, go to your Start menu, open “My Computer”, right click on the drive, go to properties and take a look. More than 60 percent full and your drive/data access will get slower and slower. As the drive passes 70 percent you’ll get a two times slowing; at 80 percent four times slowing, and at 90 percent full your drive will be so slow you could hire the worker in our scenario above and have her look up your files faster than the computer, and no amount of RAM will help. If your computer has always been slow, RAM might help – if the CPU is fast enough. Have an expert look at your computer, otherwise you could just be bifurcating with the solution going one way, and your money the other. I’m Will and that’s my opinion.
for 13 years. This winter, Scott Booth steps into that position and the uncertainly it entails. “I remain very concerned with the long term outlook for sports, mainly due to the lack of effort the district is putting forth,” he said. “They continue to say our district is funded different than other districts yet offer no solutions to change that. I would think that if the system is so unbalanced, then something should be done to correct this. Maybe a parcel tax is the only way, but has anything else been explored?” Booth believes the board had no other choice but to approve winter sports. “The UMDAF has done such a fantastic job of raising money and policing the schools to make sure fees are collected. Basically they have done the impossible in a short period of time,” he said. “This is proof positive of what can be achieved when people work together. It’s a real lesson in practical politics. The power politic said ‘no,’ and the people said ‘yes’ and then made it happen.” Many businesses, including Mike’s Auto Body and its owners Mike and Laurie Rose of Clayton, have made sizeable donations to UMDAF in the wake of the call to action. The volunteer Concord Cup soccer
committee recently donated $250 to each of the boys and girls soccer programs at the four Concord schools in the district. Booth sounded a cautionary tone when he added, “The community is very enthusiastic about saving sports now, but how long can we have our hand out for money? It is going to grow old and people are going to get tired of always having to worry about the next season.” Clayton Valley was well-represented in the 5K run. Recent CVHS grad Nathanael Litwiller was the race winner, while Adrian Capinin was 13th overall. Chris Ward of Clayton was top male in the 50-59 age group and Kevin White was the No. 1 one finisher in the 40-49 division. Taylor Wingard was the top CVHS student fundraiser, with $1,580 in sponsorship money. Next up for the foundation is the Jeremy Brigham “Make a Difference” Celebrity Golf Tournament on Nov. 12. The ex-Oakland Raider is bringing many celebrities together to help fund high school sports in the district. He was also on hand at the 5K run to encourage all the participants.
Will Claney is the CEO of Computers USA! in the Clayton Station. Contact him at 925-6729989.
For more information on the golf tournament or to make a donation, visit unitedmtdiabloathletics.org.
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Local author puts together a ‘toolkit’ for young writers
Young writer gets help from sixth-grade teacher, Jill Curtin, during a writing class on Halloween day.
Young writers can take their writing from boring to soaring thanks to “Young Writers’ Toolkit,” a new reference book by Clayton resident, Mike Fine and co-author Veronica HoyleKent. The easy-to-read and easy-to-use book aims to help students write better, faster, and with less anxiety. “I love writing and I use this book to help me all the time,” said Tyler Sadoff, who wrote his first book, “A
Journey in Time,” at age ten. Fine and co-author Veronica Hoyle-Kent have also created a writing program based on custom decks of cards called StoryDecks. The cards define story guideposts (such as character information, a story goal, and problems to overcome) and students provide the details to create a complete, compelling story. Decks include Medieval Quest, Space Quest, and Jungle Quest.
Students in Jill Curtin’s sixth grade class grade at Diablo View Middle School used the program and the book and created some amazing stories which are posted on the author’s Website at www.persepress.com. DVMS is a participating school in “buy one, get one free” program sponsored by the authors. For every copy of the book purchased on the author’s Website by anyone associated with a participating school, the school will get a free copy of the book for use in their classrooms or libraries. Mr. Fine recently moved to Clayton. He is a new member of the School Site Council at Diablo View Middle School and is also the school’s GATE parent liaison. Veronica HoyleKent, the book’s co-author, lives in Morgan Hill, CA.
The book is available through the Contra Costa County library system and can be purchased exclusively at the publisher’s website, www.persepress.com.
By high school, students need to take personal responsibility
CADY LANG TEEN SPEAK If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. - Abigail Van Buren With the first quarter of school behind me, I recently chose to take a much-needed personal day. Some of my peers couldn’t believe that my mother allowed me to spend a school day in frivolous relaxation. My school allows two personal days a year and my mother trusts me to be responsible with my freedom. More importantly, my mother is not responsible for my academic affairs. I reported my own absence and ensured that it did not conflict with any major school work. When did it become a parent’s responsibility to keep track of their offspring’s grades, behavior and attendance – especially at the high
school level? It’s shocking to hear students at my school complain about their parents checking their online grade reports daily. If anyone should be checking the grade reports, it should be the student. It’s acceptable for a parent to behave in this manner when their child is young and, thus, incapable of understanding the responsibility of academia. However, by elementary school, a student should be able to assume much of the academic responsibility without the help of a parent. As a first grader, I forgot to give my mother a permission slip to sign; the natural consequence was my inability to attend the field trip. While that was a painful lesson for me to learn as a 7-year-old, my mother would have done me a disservice if she had chosen to bail me out of the consequences of my irresponsibility. Sadly, some parents have never allowed their students to experience the consequences of their actions as my mother did. These are often the students who habitually skip “exam” days, having their parents excuse them as “sick.” There are some parents who have never allowed their students to “fend” for themselves. These parents are overinvolved or overly helpful. These are often the students whose parents remind
them daily of their homework assignments and grades and often lend a “helping hand” for major assignments. At some point, a student has to have their own motivation to succeed, as opposed to the motivation of one’s parental units. After all, at college (and beyond), parents won’t be there to assist with all-nighters or remind their children to study for a test. Students need to be responsible for their studies, as well as their time. I believe that my mother has enabled my relative academic success through her encouragement of all that I tried; however, I’m certain that her “tough love” parenting style built the foundation for it. I’m grateful that she allowed me to come to my own conclusions and experience the consequences of the decisions that I’ve made. I believe that her actions have shaped me into a more competent student, with a motivation to succeed that’s entirely my own. Furthermore, she taught me the importance of holding myself to my personal best – not only as a student, but as a responsible individual. Cady Lang is a senior at Berean Christian High School. She would like to major in English and eventually pursue a career in writing. Email her at cady@clayton pioneer.com.
Page 15
Clayton estate home on 1.26 acres–Now only $1,195,000! (Would Consider a Contingent Purchase)
This custom “Country-Tudor” home built in 2002 has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 4,025 square feet plus 500 more in a basement for storage, and has extras galore! From a stone column front with parking for 9 cars, to a huge marble entry, 10’ ceilings, 3 fireplaces, a gourmet granite kitchen, beautiful formal dining room, to its Master Suite with his & hers walk-in closets, this home is filled with casual elegance. KNOWLEDGE
SERVICE
Located 3 doors from Mt. Diablo state park it has awesome views. A 9-Hole putting green, it’s own regulation horseshoe pit, granite outdoor kitchen with Bar and BBQ, a 9’x12’ inground Spa, a burning pit, Barn, rose garden, room for a pool, and it’s own secluded meadow and trails for your own private park! Call PETE or your Agent to see this great home and value while it’s still for sale!
INTEGRITY
RESULTS
Pete Laurence,
Broker, Realtor, GRI 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek Direct 940-2777 Cell 890-6004 Fax 937-0150
Now is the time to buy.
DRE#00344166
YOU DON’T NEED A DIET. YOU NEED MOMENTUM.
TM
With the Weight Watchers Momentum program you’ll learn how to stay full longer, so you can lose weight and keep it off.
Check out a meeting for FREE* WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Come see what all the excitement is about! Visit your local Weight Watchers location:
Farm Bureau Building 5554 Clayton Road, Clayton, California 94517 Thursdays at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Visit a meeting for free and receive $5 off a product purchase of $20 or more and get free registration if you register by 11/30/2009. Be sure to bring this ad with you!
Remember Weigh-in and registration begins 30 minutes prior to meeting time. *A Free meeting visit is available year-round. The Free meeting does not include Program materials. If you decide to join, you will get the first week’s Program materials and pay the fees then in effect to join. Available in participating areas only. ©2009 Weight Watchers International, Inc., owner of the WEIGHT WATCHERS registered trademark. All rights reserved.
1 800 379-5757 WeightWatchers.com
Call today for a personal tour & complimentary lunch
(925) 524-5100 Retirement Community
6401 Center Street Clayton CA 94517
“I enjoy and look forward to the entertainment and socials here, and I think the food is also very good.”
www.diamondterrace.net
- Cay VanScoy
For all your Electrical Needs. All work done by owner.
Residential g Commercial g Industrial
School News CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Two local businesses are sponsoring fundraisers for the CVHS Music Boosters this month. From 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, El Tapatio Restaurant will donate 20 percent of your bill to the boosters. Print out a flier at claytonbands.org and present it when you order. The restaurant is at 4475 Treat Blvd., Suite D, Concord. On Nov. 18, mention the CVHS Music Boosters and Yogurt Shack will donate 25 percent of your yogurt purchase. No flier necessary. The Yogurt Shack is at 5438 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord.
MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The annual MDES Holiday Gift & Craft Boutique is 1-7 p.m. Dec. 2. Nearly 40 community vendors and crafters will be set up in the multi-use room with a wide array of products, crafts and gifts available for purchase. The school is at 5880 Mt. Zion Dr., Clayton. What’s happening in your School? New teacher? Special projects? Awards? Send your news of community interest to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com
Professional Installation of: Ceiling Fans, Recessed & Track Lighting Kitchen or Bath Remodel Exterior/Security/Landscape Lighting Complete Home Wiring Old & New
Electrical Service Upgrade Spa Installation Custom Homes Office & Building Maintenance Repairs Insurance Repairs Troubleshooting & much more
Bonded & Insured
Licensed l Lic. # C10-631523
James J. Burkin
Sole Proprietor
Call Jim for a FREE Estimate Today phone
925.672.1519 Serving Contra Costa since 1991
cell
925.212.3339 30 years experience
www.burkinelectric.net
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. NOV. 11 FOR THE NOV. 20 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
BEN LOOMER
Through Nov. 7 “Oliver!”
Contra Costa Musical Theatre presents Dickens’ classic tale. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. 943-SHOW or ccmt.org. Through Nov. 8 “Barefoot in the Park”
Neil Simon’s nostalgic look at newlyweds. Willows Theatre, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org. MELISSA QUINE AS CORIE AND BRADY WOOLERY AS PAUL in “Barefoot in the Park.”
Nov. 14 Contra Costa Children’s Chorus
A concert of liturgical, classical and folk selections. 4 p.m., St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1955 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. childrenschorus.org or 945-7101.
FUNDRAISERS Nov. 7 Blue Star Moms Holiday Donation Drive
Donations most needed are small toys, plus items for service dogs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wal-Mart, 1021 Arnold Dr., Martinez. Checks for postage of $11.95 per box may be made payable to Contra Costa Blue Star Moms, P.O. Box 6379, Concord CA 94524. ccbluestarmoms.org. Nov. 8, 22 Breakfast with the Veterans of Foreign Wars
8-11 a.m. the second and fourth Sundays, Veterans Memorial Hall, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $4 adults, $2 children under 12. Nov. 11, 18 CVHS Music Boosters Fundraisers
11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Nov 11, El Tapatio, 4475 Treat Blvd., Suite D, Concord. Print a flier at claytonbands.org, present it when you order and the restaurant will donate 20 percent of your purchase. On Nov. 18, the Yogurt Shack will donate 25 percent of your purchase when you mention the Clayton Valley High Music Boosters; no flier necessary. Yogurt Shack is at 5438 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord. Nov. 21-22 Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Holiday Boutique
Nov. 15 Contra Costa Wind Symphony
centerREP.org or 943-7469.
A concert with trumpet soloist Ben Loomer of Alamo and guest conductor Larry Widener of Deer Valley High School. 7:30 p.m., Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. $10 at the door. ccwindsymphony.org.
Nov. 21 Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra
Through Nov. 16 “Over the River and Through the Woods”
Diablo Actors’ Ensemble presents the funny and heart-warming tale of a not-so-typical family. $10-$25. 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. diabloactors.com or 866811-4111.
A gift and craft boutique to benefit the school. 1- 7 p.m., multi-use room, 5880 Mt. Zion Dr., Clayton. Jan. 9 CVHS Athletic Boosters Crab Feed
To benefit athletics at Clayton Valley High School. $50. 6 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. www.cvhsboosters.org. To make a donation, email crabfeed@cvhsboosters.org. 672-0418.
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Community Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Most programs are free. 673-0659 or clayton-library.org. Through Nov. 19 Clayton Reads
The second annual Clayton Reads features “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson. A free copy of the book may be picked up at the library as supply lasts. Readers are encouraged to pass the book on to friends and neighbors. Events include “Midwives on a Mission of Service,” 2 p.m. Nov. 8; “Daughters of Afghanistan,” 7 p.m. Nov. 9; “Three Cups of Tea” book discussion, 7 p.m. Nov. 16; and a Tea Party, 4 p.m. Nov. 19.
VINCE FASO AND SAL RUSSO in “Over the River and Through the Woods.”
Center REPertory Company presents the Agatha Christie drama. 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $18-$41.
Dec. 6 Shell Ridge/Howe Homestead Park Hike
Five-plus mile hike sponsored by the East Bay Casual Hiking Group. Meet 9:30 a.m. on Walnut Boulevard, Walnut Creek. Off-leash dogs OK. 272-4321 or hiking.bondon.com.
YMCA Register at mdrymca.org or 889-1600. Or, contact Jennifer at 692-2364 or jbeck@mdrymca.org.
For preschool through fifth grade. $113, or $123 non-residents. Nov. 7-Dec. 19 Youth Flag Football
For first through sixth grade. Contact Brittney at 692-2362 or ccyprograms@mdrymca.org. Through June 17 Middle School After-School Program
Fun, safe, supervised environment for children with indoor/outdoor activities, homework help, healthy snacks and monthly special events. $220 a month for three days a week; $300 a month for five days.
MEETINGS Nov. 10 Diablo View Middle School Parent Faculty Club
9 a.m., Community Room, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. Nov. 10, 24 Clayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. Nov. 10 Mt. Diablo Unified School District
7:30 p.m., 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. mdusd.org. Nov. 17 Clayton City Council
7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
CLUBS Clayton Business and Community Association
Meets 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month, except holidays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Sue at 672-2272.
Story time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. Drop-in 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Through Dec. 3 Picture Book Time
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club
NATURE Nov. 8 Save Mount Diablo’s Trail Adventure
Includes a half-marathon, 10K run, family hike and lunch. 9 a.m., Castle Rock Park, Walnut Creek. $40. savemountdiablo.org.
Featuring the Vintage Harmonic Trio and guests Kevin McFarland, Donnie Fisi, John Jordan and Katy and Dell Burchett. Free. 34:30 p.m., St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. 352-6303 or VINTAGE HARMONIC TRIO joycenovicky@comcast.net.
Concord Stompers Square Dance Club
Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Mt. Diablo Women’s Club, 1700 Farm Bureau Road, Concord. Call Jennie at 6729676 or angelfire.com/id/stompers. Contra Costa Chess Club
Meets 7-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Starbuck’s, 1536 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. Contact Mike at 639-1987 or uschess.org. Contra Costa Mineral and Gem Society
Creekside Artists Guild
Meets 7-8:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, Clayton Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. All artforms and both emerging and experienced are welcome. Contact Arlene at 673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com. Or creeksideartists.org. Diablo Valley Democratic Club
Meets 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. 9460469 or dvdems.org. Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group
Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Bancroft Elementary School, 2700 Parish Dr., Walnut Creek. 6891155 or dvmug.org. East Bay Prospectors Club
Meets 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. Clayton resident Doug Junghans is president. eastbaygpaa.webs.com or 6721863. Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise
Meets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. Contact Chuck at 689-7640 or claytonvalleyrotary.org. Scrabble Club
Meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. On Nov. 11, Barry Hoffer will speak about Japanese maples. Contact Dorothy at 672-2526 or visit claytonvalleygardenclub.org.
Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. Drop-in 11 a.m. Thursdays.
Rollicking tribute to the Red Hat Ladies and all women “of a certain age.” Directed by Lois Grandi. Tickets are $22$32, discounts for seniors, students and groups. Call box office (925) 798-1300 or go to www.willowstheatre.org for show times.
Meets 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. 779-0698 or ccmgs.org.
Nov. 7-Dec. 19 Youth Basketball
Clayton Valley Garden Club Through Dec. 1 Patty Cakes
Nov. 23-Jan. 10 “Hats: The Musical”
Dec. 13 Vintage Christmas Concert
Through Nov. 21 “Witness for the Prosecution”
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Call Peggy at 672-2043. Dec. 2 Mt. Diablo Elementary Holiday Boutique
Photo by Ben Krantz
Festival holiday music for brass and choirs. 8 p.m., Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $20, or $25 at the door. 687-4445.
Meets 9:30 a.m. for coffee, 10 a.m. meeings, second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Alberta Way, Concord. Membership drive is Oct. 27. Call Joyce at 672-3850. Clutch Busters Square Dance Club
Meets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Mt. Diablo Women’s Club, 1700 Farm Bureau Road, Concord. Contact Dorothy at 754-8117.
Meets 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. second and fourth Saturdays of the month, Carl’s Jr. Restaurant, 1530 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. All ages and skill levels welcome. $3 fee. Call Mike at 639-1987 or scrabble-assoc.com. Sons In Retirement (SIR)
Meets 11:15 a.m. first Thursday of the month, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. 429-3777. Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista
Meets 12:15 p.m. the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month, September-June, Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Clayton resident Sue Manning is president. 672-2727. Widows/Widowers
Meets for dinner, brunch, theater, etc. This is not a dating service nor is it a greiving class - just a way to meet other people. Contact Lori at 998-8844 or lori@lorihagge.com.
Send your calendar announcements to calendar@claytonpioneer.com. Free listings must be from a non-profit, school, club or government agency. Business events are $25 for the first event and $10 for each additional. Call the office at (925) 672-0500 with your business event listings.
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
‘In plastic we trust’ is a poor excuse ANDRÉ GENSBURGER
DEAL WITH IT We’ve all seen those lures for easy plastic over the years: low rates, easy payments, no payments for 12 months, no credit check, pre-approved. And over the years we have grown accustomed, you could even say addicted, to no longer earning as we go and no longer paying as we earn. Instead, we have deferred the great American dream into a package that closely resembles the federal govern-
ment’s national banking policy – spend now and increase the national debt. If you are not intimidated by the trillions of dollars of debt we have amassed as a country, you should be. For individuals, however, that new couch, vacation and HD plasma television must all be obtained now, even if the money to back the purchase is not there. This is where the credit card companies have acted like drug pushers, first offering a taste and then plying in the incentives. How about those Reward Points – points for spending that can be used for more spending that, amazingly, you
“If you are not intimidated by the trillions of dollars of debt we have amassed as a country, you should be.” offering a special; get your ticket now and take 14 months to pay for it with no interest. You can’t beat that deal, especially if you use your Reward Points. Like drug addiction, however, the usage increases until the credit limit is reached and consumer withdrawal sets in. From here on out, you are paying through the nose with a high interest rate applied to things you have already consumed or exhausted. That’s not pretty. Worse still, in the economic misery that we have sustained, the credit card issuers are now exerting their authority – entrapping the consumer in a no-win relationship. Here is how that works. You have good credit and several thousand dollars left of your credit limit when, for no reason, you find out that the company lowered your limit to your existing balance. They notify you of this at their convenience because by law they do not have to notify you at all. You were enjoying a nice
interest rate, but now that your limit is your balance your credit score drops because you are carrying a high balance-to-limit ratio. Worse still, that interest charge on your existing balance, which was not an issue when you had additional credit, has now just pushed your balance over your (new) credit limit – triggering an over limit fee and allowing the card company to increase your interest rate as a result of your over limit. If that does not enrage you enough, you also learn that paying off your card balances early now incurs a fee for the early payment. There is also a new inactivity fee for when you choose not to use your card. Coupled with annual fees, higher interest rates and fees for every other possible thing you could do with that little piece of plastic, it leaves us feeling trapped, angry and extremely foolish for allowing ourselves to get in that trap in the first place. When I was in my 20s and just beginning to develop my credit rating, it was quite popular for these credit pushers to send pre-approved cards to anyone they culled from a mailing list. I can’t count how many pre-approved offers I received. Back then, unlike now, pre-approved credit cards meant just that. Now you have to still qualify as credit worthy. My dog back then was a not too smart, yet lovable black Labrador with no job and no credit. Nonetheless, the dog managed to receive a credit card in the mail once. I spent a long time laughing at
that one. If there is a lesson to be learned, it is simply that there was some great credibility in the old layaway plans of days gone by. On layaway, you did not get your merchandise until it was fully paid for, and
that is the way most people learned to deal with it. André Gensburger is a staff reporter and feature writer for the Pioneer. His email address is andre@claytonpioneer.com
Dentistry
Required kindergarten screening – complimentary
for Infants, Children & Teenagers Jason M. Renner, D.D.S. Richard C. Rissel, D.M.D
Proudly serving the Diablo Valley for over 25 years – “experience counts”
925-689-2800
www.diablovalleykids.com 2875 Willow Pass Rd., Concord
Less than 5 miles from Clayton
A Different Kind of We do one job at a time, so YOUR project has our full attention. Woman Owned & Operated by Local Residents since 1991
Kitchens Baths Windows Decks Crown Moulding Shelving Tile & More Major Remodels
Small Repairs
Cosmetic Updates
Contractor
Police Log
can also add onto your card. You earned 25,000 points and can afford that airline ticket to Montana but only for one. So you learn that the airline is
Local, Licensed, Bonded, Experienced.
Outback Construction Michèle Gorman or Chris Mankewich
925-673-1244
Outbackconstruct@aol.com
CA Contractor Lic# 625193
Two weeks ending October 29, 2009 ARRESTS Oct. 16, 3:06 p.m., Diablo View Ln. Possession of marijuana, Clayton youth, 13. Oct. 17, 12:59 a.m., Clayton Rd. and Kirker Pass Rd. DUI Alcohol/Drugs, Concord woman, 29. Oct. 17, 6:08 p.m., Marsh Creek Rd. and Diablo Pkwy. Driving on a suspended license, Clayton male, 30. Oct. 17, 6:39 p.m., Marsh Creek and Diablo Pkwy. Driving without a license, Concord male, 27. Oct. 19, 11:20 p.m., Driving on a suspended license, Pittsburg male, 21. Oct. 23, 9:10 p.m., Kirker Pass Rd. Driving on a suspend-
ed license, Concord male, 25. Oct. 26, 11:06 p.m., Clayton Rd. and El Camino. Driving on a suspended license, Concord male, 27. BURGLARIES/THEFTS Oct. 17, 7:00 p.m., Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Dell. Vehicle burglary Oct. 18, 2:35 a.m., Long Creek Cr. Vehicle burglary Oct 18, 3:05 a.m., Long Creek Cr. Vehicle burglary Oct. 19, 4:02 p.m., Mt. Sequoia Ct. Vehicle burglary
Stunning and Spectacular Home Northgate custom with over 3,980 sq.ft. of elegant living space, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, Grand marble entry with spiral staircase, unique architectural features throughout, private serene backyard with pool/spa/waterfall on 1/3 acre premium lot. Offered at $1,359,000 Call for Private
Is your teenager struggling with writing projects or reluctant to begin assignments? I offer one-on-one customized tutoring to improve:
Showing
VANDALISM Oct. 17, 6:37 p.m., Rachel Ranch Oct. 28, 1:20 p.m., Miwok Way
Give your teenager the tools to succeed in school.
analytical writing skills reading comprehension English SAT scores organization & time management skills
FREE FIRST SESSION
Katherine Palau RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE
(925) 932-7375 Email: Helen@HelenandHomes.com
www.HelenandHomes.com
Masters degree in English. 20 years teaching experience Focus on High School English. References available.
$40/hr In home or at library
510-207-7467 located in Clayton
Page 18
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
HOLIDA Y SPECIA L ONE FR
Dog Walking, Cat Visits, Pet Sitting,
Movie Review
EE VISIT *
Overnight & Nursing Care, Fine Art Pet Portraits
*with four day minimum. Overnights not included. New clients only.
O'BRIEN FAMILY PET CARE for dogs, cats, horses & exotics Insured and Bonded
(925) 899-7354
Aimee O'Brien
Registered Veterinary Technician with 10+ years experience with animals
www.obrienfamilypetcare.com
“I do all work myself. I am the only person that will be in your house.” - Leah Gomez Owner, Clayton Resident
Call (925) 584-5980 FREE ESTIMATE
November 6, 2009
MANY REFERENCES Est. 1991
‘Wild Things’ offers unique film perspective Max (Max Records) gets a ride from wild thing Carol (voice of James Gandolfini) in “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Adapting a 10-sentence children’s book, beloved by millions, into a full-length feature film seems like a risky proposition that could go wrong in so many ways. “Where the Wild Things Are” author Maurice Sendak supported Spike Jones’ decision to take on the task and the result is a film as unusual as the book. Jones, the mind behind the wacky but exceptional film “Being John Malkovich,” opted for costumes and animatronics
to bring Sendak’s monsters to life on the screen and it’s a refreshing break from the slew of CGI animation creatures of recent years. Shot with hand-held cameras at kids’ eye level, the film captures the atmosphere of being a kid with all its struggles and fears. It’s an ode to childhood and punctuates a melancholy mood with bursts of joyful abandon in telling the story of Max, a sensitive boy trying to find his place within his family
and the world. Unable to con- Monsters” and instead harkens trol his childish rage at the pow- back to a simpler, pre-Wii time erlessness of being a kid, Max when children entertained escapes into the world of the themselves with sticks, rocks wild things, where, instead of and dirt clods in the back yard. being a child who must cope Its otherworldliness is achieved with unreliable adults and older with unsettlingly pale lighting kids in his life, he and stick strucbecomes king. tures that seem At first, his simple but power is complete. impossible at When a monster the same time. named Judith The mood (voice of Catherine veers into true O’Hara) asks him if scariness in a he can protect couple places, them from sadness, but Jones pulls he answers definiback just before tively, “I have a DON PEDRO CRUZ things get too sadness shield that AT THE MOVIES dark.While it keeps the sadness out,” and the creadoesn’t provide tures become his any easy willing subjects. Eventually he answers for how to get through must deal with all the personali- childhood, the story of Max is a ty conflicts, hurt feelings and genuine lesson in acceptance fears in this dysfunctional mon- and unconditional love. ster family and finds that taking the responsibilities of a king (or a parent) can be more difficult than being a child. “Wild Things” eschews the Don Pedro Cruz is a local free“bigger, faster and wilder is betlance writer and graphic designer. ter” school of thought behind Send your comments to recent kid movies such as dpvc2000@gmail.com “Shorts” or “Aliens vs.
Jarlath and Christian are ARF’s Stars
JARLATH Nine-month-old Jarlath is a goofy and bouncy Golden Retriever/Poodle mix. He loves everyone he meets. This silly bear will thrive in an active home with plenty of opportunities for physical as well as mental exercise. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60% off one 7-week dog training session. Christian is one loving cat who likes to tell you how he
CHRISTIAN feels. He enjoys being held and getting as much attention as possible. If you are looking for one loveable guy, look no further! The adoption fee for adult cats is $50. Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue 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.
The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.
Mon - Fri 10-6 Sat 10-5
Hardwood, Tile and Stone, Carpet, Laminate
Free shop at home service! •
Free custom baseboards with all hard surface orders! OR
•
Free upgraded pad with any new carpet order!
•
Hardwood on sale now!
(925) 820-8700 Locally owned and operated by 30-year Clayton residents Keith and Mike Baker
99 Railroad Ave., Danville www.diablo.floorstogo.com floorstogodanville@sbcglobal.net
November 6, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Fibromyalgia Syndrome in seniors older patients is not believed to be common and more research needs to be conduct-
KELLY FERRO
SENIOR MOMENTS Fibromyalgia, an increased sensitivity to pain and severe muscle and tendon fatigue, poses unique challenges for seniors; in fact the diagnosis of this syndrome is different than that of younger patients. Seniors also experience different degrees of symptoms than do individuals under the age of 60 who also have fibromyalgia, as such treatment for seniors must be tailored to meet the needs and requirements of senior health. The average age of the typical fibromyalgia patient is 45. Diagnosis of the syndrome in
“It’s troubling that the syndrome is often missed in seniors and is often misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.” ed with regard to this subject. It’s troubling that the syndrome is often missed in seniors and is often misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. So following up with the doctor in such cases is necessary for seniors to assure that their diagnosis is the accurate one. Compared to people under the age of 60, seniors with fibromyalgia syndrome experi-
ence different symptoms unique to their age group. While younger people express that pain is their most severe symptom, seniors are most affected by fatigue, soft tissue swelling and depression. Common signs and symptoms include: Widespread pain Morning joint stiffness Nausea Dizziness Sleep disorders Memory impairment Anxiety Not all of these symptoms will apply to all patients. And some patients may have different complaints. Treatment of fibromyalgia may differ from person to person. What works for one may not work for others with the same symptoms. While medicated care is often the route taken, alternative types of treatment may also be beneficial for seniors. Low impact exercises may
help to minimize many of these symptoms while improving overall health and quality of life, listed are a few recommended to ease the pain of Fibromyalgia. Tai chi is a low impact form of exercise that can help to reduce pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Meditation can help the patient relax which also can help to minimize pain. Please be sure if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to check with your doctor on the best course of action to follow. A fibromyalgia support group meets every other Monday from 7-9 p.m. at 82 Cumberland Court in Danville. For more information, call (925) 837-0510. Being in pain does not have to be the focus of your day. There is help available. Kelly Ferro is Marketing Director for Aegis of Concord. Send comments or questions to kelly.ferro@aegisliving.com
Page 19
Advertise with the Pioneer 672-0500 Sharp knives take the stress out of holiday cooking
The
g n E i dge t t u C Knife Works Custom Sharpening Services Knives Scissors Mower Blades Garden Tools
Chipper Blades Planer Blades Jointer Blades
M – F 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closed Sundays
925
Louie Galvin
672-2723
1030 Diablo St., Clayton
Clayton Resident
Behind Cup O’Jo next to the Royal Rooster
UTOPIC GARDENS
Book Review
Diamond novel follows the ripples of one fatal moment CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
Elizabeth Diamond’s novel, “An Accidental Light,” is a cautionary tale. It is not a morality tale. Rather, it seems to convey the idea that nothing is quite as it appears. It seems to imply that what you take for granted every day to be solid, real, reliable, can be gone in a minute. It is easy to immediately have compassion for Jack Phillips, an off-duty police officer who, in one of those life altering moments, accidentally, but fatally, strikes a thirteen year old girl while driving home from work. Jack is a father himself, a sober man, a good man. And yet on that day, in the blue twilight of an early winter evening, he makes a mistake that is the undoing of everything he knows to be true. “She came out of the blue, I said to the coroner. . . I couldn’t tell him about the
light in November. When it’s easy not to notice the first signs of dusk. When shapes suddenly lose their edges and a girl moving quickly from behind a stationary bus, moving in the fading light, in the rain, in the November gloom, may be a ghost, a spirit, something from the Underworld, a phantom from out of my own mind.” The consequences of that single moment haunt Jack. Of course they do. From that second on, his life begins to unravel. Jack takes a leave from the police department, and reluctantly enters therapy. In the course of studying his own life, he discovers long buried family secrets. He comes to terms with an emotionally and tragically fragile mother, a “good boy” who grew up to be
a cop, an absent father, an accumulation of “facts” that inform his past even while he faces an uncertain future. While Jack’s marriage begins to unravel under the strain of the accid e n t , Jack is like a drowning m a n , unable to bring himself to do anything to save it. Meanwhile, time ticks on and Jack’s wife runs out of patience for his recovery, seeing out a solace of her own. The saving grace that appears in Jack’s life is Lisa Jenkins, the mother of the girl. Lisa moves through her own grieving process. She slowly awakens to the fact that her husband is set on vengeance,
that the frail adhesive that held their marriage together has dissolved; that she understands that Jack didn’t mean to do what he did; that it wasn’t his fault; that it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jack and Lisa are two wounded people who manage to comfort one another for a brief time. No one can understand the losses they’ve endured better than the other but even that compassion has its limits. Even they realize it would be wrong on so many levels for their relationship to be more than a momentary respite. Of course they do. And yet what they are also able to offer each other is hope, which in the end is what every good character needs. Cynthia Gregory has won numerous awards for her short fiction. Her work has appeared in Glimmer Train Press, the Red Rock Review, Writer’s Digest, The Sun, The Ear, Santa Barbara Review, Black River Review, Briarcliff Review, Chicago Tribune, Bon Appetit, and the Herb Quarterly. You can write her at ceegregory@aol.com.
Welcome!
925.524.0055 DESIGN & INSTALLATION LIC. NO. 898331 Fully Insured - Clayton Resident
www.utopicgardens.com
Now more than ever, you deserve 110 years of strength and stability on your side. Today’s economy gives us all cause for concern and we realize that one of the most important messages you can hear right now from Ameriprise Financial is this: we are strong, stable and committed to safeguarding our clients’ dreams. Call me today, I can help you understand your options and give you the guidance you need to weather turbulent times.
Mureleen Benton, CFP®, Financial Advisor 5356 Clayton Rd., Suite 211 Concord, CA 94521 (925) 685-4523 Mureleen.M.Benton@ampf.com CA License #0692378 Financial planning services and investments available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2009 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Now during our GOLD TAG FLOORING SALE you’ll find savings in every department
Carpet
Hardwood
Tile
starting at
starting at
starting at
$1.99*
sq.ft.
$2.99
sq.ft.
$2.00
Laminate sq.ft.
starting at
$1.09
sq.ft.
*installed
Abbey Carpet Gallery Flooring & Interiors 1170 Burnett Ave., Ste. E, Concord
925-686-9901
Contra Costa Floors Showroom hours: M-F 9-5 Sat 10-4
Page 20
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 6, 2009
Church News
Est.1972
Smith & Bernal
Roofing Tile repairs Reroof Ventilation Gutter Cleaning Inspections Bird abatement
Free Roof Check-up (925) 672 0138
CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Actors Reading Writers presents “Cornucopia,” an evening of short-short stories by James Michener, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Maxine Hong Kingston and Leslie Marmon Silko, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov 9. The church is at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. For details, please call 6724848.
CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH Stop by the church to register for the Human Trafficking Walkathon, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Concord High School track field, 4200 Concord Blvd. Pick up a sponsor sheet at the church, 5353 Concord Boulevard, Concord, or call 798-5905. At 3 p.m. Fridays, moms with young children are invited to meet at Clayton Community Park to visit while the chil-
dren play. This is weather permitting. No one to contact; just show up. The church also has a Ladies Luncheon at noon the third Thursday of every month at the church. All are welcome, but please RSVP at 798-5905. A Women’s Bible Study is held 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The group is currently studying the book of Esther and watches a video every other Tuesday. Child care is provided; donations accepted.
Clayton resident Lic. Number 727021
St. John’s to screen film on caring for the terminally ill
Appliance
Repairs by Bruce, Inc. 35 years experience
“We do a doggone good job” Bruce & Holly Linsenmeyer 30 year Clayton residents Office: (925) 672-2700 Cell: (925) 956-8605 State of California B.E.A.R license #A44842
- Zoey & Bruce
We repair all major appliances, most major brands, and we’re local
http://appliancerepairsbybruce.com
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
free free estimates estimates
Declan Woods 925.216.2679 Specializing in Bathrooms and Kitchens
Noel O’ Meara 925.518.0821
Recommended by “Realtor of the Year” Lynne French
Clayton Resident
General Contractor
“Caring for Dying: the Art of Being Present” will screen at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at St. John’s, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton. Selected best documentary at the 2008 Poppy Jasper Film Festival, the film examines the art and ache of accompanying the dying. It is the second in a four-part film series on death and transformation. The filmmaker will be present following the screening for a thoughtprovoking discussion on issues of caregiving. A suggested donation of $10 benefits both churches. For more information about the film, visit secretsoflifeanddeath.com or call 6728855.
FILMMAKER DR. PETICOLAS will be present following the screening for a thought-provoking discussion on issues of care giving.
Mayor, from page 1
thing to the yummy treats and then families get down to the business of creating the great pumpkins that will sit on doorsteps throughout the ’hood on Halloween. Among the “oooh, spooky” and “great job” comments, I hear the lively banter of good friends. Every kid gets hugs all around, with lots of “Wow, look how you grew this summer!” and “Can you believe the
license# 783799, B, HIC
amount of homework?” from the moms and dads. Then there’s the anticipation and challenges made for the annual Great Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest that gets us all together again in December. I’m sure many of our neighborhoods have similar activities. If yours doesn’t, maybe it’s time to start a new tradition. As one neighbor said to me tonight, “We are so thankful for this
awesome neighborhood. We never would have guessed the friendship, support, care, fun and unconditional love we have received since moving here six years ago. These people have brought us meals when we were sick, watched our pets, watched our kids, loaned us cars, celebrated holidays, birthdays, births, funerals, fixed broken fences, broken appliances and broken hearts.” She’s right – that spirit is a big part of what makes our town a true community. I feel really grateful to be a part of it. But now, Halloween is over for this year and Thanksgiving is in just a couple weeks. The Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) is getting ready to decorate our downtown right after Thanksgiving for the holidays. They also produce the Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 5, with Santa visits and Mrs. Claus’ Tea on Dec. 12 for the little ones to enjoy. Plan to be there! New Year’s Eve is just eight weeks from this weekend. Our small committee is planning our
seventh annual Clayton Counts Down New Year’s Eve party for Clayton families. As in past years, it’s a free, no-alcohol, family event featuring games, activities and simple BBQ. It will be held at the Clayton Community Gym 6-9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. It’s always a lot of fun, but it also takes a lot of work to put it all together. The event is run by volunteers and funded solely by donations. We could sure use some volunteers to help set up for a couple hours that day or during the event. You don’t need to have kids there to have a great time! If you’d like to help out for a few hours or make a financial donation, send me an email or call Laci Jackson at City Hall at 673-7300. Plan now to bring your family. This year’s theme is Back to the ’50s Sock Hop with related activities, so start practicing your hula-hooping skills. As always, you can contact me at Julie_Pierce@comcast.net. Let me know what you think.
Law Offices of
Richard A. Littorno Since 1979
Avoid Probate
& other legal proceedings Living Trusts Wills Medi-Cal Transfers Probate & Trust Administration Elder Law Creative Estate & Tax Planning Asset Protection & General Business Advance Health Care Directives 4820 Burgundy Drive
Clayton Office:
Pittsburg Office:
Oakley, CA
6160 Center St., Suite D Clayton, CA 94517 Phone: (925) 672-6463 Richard@LittornoLaw.com
2211 Railroad Ave. Pittsburg, CA 94565 Phone: (925) 432-4211 www.LittornoLaw.com
(925) 625-1123 e-mail: contact@robertaclaire.com www.robertaclaire.com
Ask about our Wedding Special
November 6, 2009Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
The Accidental Vegetable Belgian endive is an accident of horticultural history. In the mid-1800s a Belgian man stored chicory roots in his basement. Chicory was (and still is today) used as a coffee substitute and he planned to transplant the roots in the springtime so he could enjoy his morning beverage. To his surprise, he found the roots had sprouted plump buds with long yellowish leaves. He tasted them and found them pleasantly sweet-bitter and he notified a local botanist who tinkered a bit with the rootstock and developed the commercially viable veggie we enjoy today.
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
Belgian endive (or witloof, meaning white leaf) is different from the rest of the bitter leaf lettuce family of escarole, radicchio and frisee (or curly endive). Rather than being loose, the leaves are tightly wrapped around a small inedible core. Together, they resemble a bullet shape or a small ear of corn. France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Chile are the world’s top producers. However, we are fortunate to have California Vegetable Specialties practically in our backyard. The Rio Vista based company specializes in endive production, ensuring we have a fresh, local source. They supply Whole Foods, Raley’s/Nob Hill and Trader Joes. While endive is somewhat pricey, you get about five or six heads (or 70 leaves) to the pound. Remarkably low in calories (about 1 calorie per leaf), Belgian endive (pronounced “ON deeve”) is packed with potassium, selenium, fiber, folate (Vitamin B) and beta-carotene. It has great storage life—it can be stored for several weeks if kept dry and stored in the coolest part of your refrigerator. Trim out the core and rinse and gently pat dry the heads (or individual leaves) before using. One of the simplest uses is to separate the leaves and use them in lieu of chips or crostini to hold dips or slices of pear and blue cheese. Arranged in a circular pattern on a platter, they make a stunning presentation. Belgian endive is also used fresh in salads. This recipe from Cakebread Cellars (reprinted with permission of California Vegetable Specialties) features beets, whose sweetness is a great counterpoint to the bitter leaves. BELGIAN ENDIVE, BEET AND WATERCRESS SALAD 3 bunches baby beets 3 bunches watercress 3 heads California endive 1 Tbsp fresh dill 3 oz chevre (goat cheese) 1 c candied pecans 3 Tbsp sherry wine vinegar 1 small shallot, minced 2/3 c olive oil Salt and freshly ground pepper Roast washed and topped beets in a foil packet for an hour in a 400 °F oven. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skin under running water. Cut into wedges and reserve. Prepare the vinaigrette by
whisking together the vinegar, minced shallots and salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to create a smooth emulsion. Wash the watercress and spin dry. Remove the core and roughly chop the endive leaves. In separate bowls, dress the lettuces and beets with some of the vinaigrette. Serve lettuces with beets on top. Garnish with chopped dill, pecans and crumbled chevre. A wonderful wintertime dish is braised and gratineed Belgian endive. This European standard is a favorite dish of Rich Collins, president of California Vegetable Specialties. Here’s a version you might like to try. BELGIAN ENDIVE AU GRATIN 4 Belgian endive, medium sized 4 thin slices good quality ham, preferably Spanish 1 recipe Béchamel sauce, see below 1 c grated gruyere cheese Steam endives until very tender (about 10 minutes or so) Preheat oven to 350 °F (or use broiler). Wrap each endive in a slice of ham and transfer to a baking dish. Cover with the béchamel and sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake for 10 minutes (or place under a broiler to toast (gratinee)) the cheese. EASY BECHAMEL SAUCE 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper 2 pinches ground nutmeg 1 ¼ c milk, heated Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour along with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Continue to whisk and cook until flour begins to give off a slight nutty aroma and the roux becomes slightly colored (about 1-2 minutes). Add one-half cup heated milk, whisking briskly to prevent curdling. Whisk in another one-half cup milk and cook until mixture is thickened and bubbly (another minute or two). You want to reach a consistency a little heavier than whipping cream. If the mixture is too thick, thin with some of the remaining milk. Linda Wyner, a local attorney and foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com
Page 21
There’s gold in them thar hills and these prospectors go get it ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton resident Douglas Junghans has had gold in his eyes since 1992, when he started watching some TV shows produced by the Gold Prospectors of America club. At age 41, he joined the group, devoured the magazines they put out and was glued to the weekly shows. He started gold prospecting immediately. A few years later, he moved to Clayton and was disappointed to find that there was no GPAA club to be found. And until 1999 Douglas, who goes by the prospecting moniker Pucky, had no Internet access. “I frequently went to some gold claims near Columbia, CA, and found a little gold on each trip – not a lot, but enough to keep me very interested in the hobby,” he recalled. Then he joined the parent club of GPAA, the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association, which had proper-
FANNING OUT ACROSS A STRETCH OF THE YUBA RIVER, members of the East Bay Prospector’s club work the river for the gold nuggets that they get to keep if found. ties throughout the country. “You can camp and stay on,” Pucky said, “and, more importantly, keep all the gold you find.” The prospecting world
opened up for him when he finally got a personal computer and Internet access. “I really got rolling as the information online was awesome,” he said. “I was learning a lot and finding more
gold everywhere I went. Last December, I found out that a new prospecting supply store was located in Concord.”
See Gold, page 22
In any economy, bicycling is healthy entertainment for the whole family TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
When Tim Kramer first turned an entrepreneurial eye toward the bicycle business 34 years ago, he saw a huge potential for growth. “The health revolution was just beginning and people were getting excited about recreation,” he explains. “And it was a clean business that cut across every demographic.” He hit the mark and today, Tim owns both Encina Bicycle Center in Walnut Creek and Clayton Bicycle Center in Clayton. Tim’s son, John, runs the Clayton store. “There weren’t one-tenth of the products in 1975 that there are now,” he says, surveying the hundreds of bikes that hang in neat rows the length of the store. “There were no mountain bikes, not much in the way of road bikes. And helmets? There was one brand, one color.” Today, the stores are packed to the rafters with everything from the tiny-tot two-wheeler to the low-slung motocross. There are mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes and hybrids and floor to ceiling accessories. The
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
TIM KRAMER, OWNER OF ENCINA AND CLAYTON BICYCLE CENTERS, keeps the store stocked with bikes for all enthusiasts. If it isn’t in the store, he will find it for you.
Clayton store carries a full line of skateboards, as well. “I cover it all,” Tim says. “I don’t cater to the high-end or the low-end. If someone out there wants a bike, I want to get it for them.” Business for the two stores has remained fairly brisk despite the sluggish economy. Cycling is one of the few things that families can do for free, Tim notes. “Doesn’t cost anything to load
up the bikes and kids and head for the shore.” And, people are fixing and keeping things more now, which has kept the service and repair side of the business jumping. While most of Tim’s customers are recreational cyclists, the bike-as-transportation is gaining slowly in popularity. Although the locals are still pretty wedded to their cars, when gas prices peaked a year
ago, Tim says more people were talking about riding their bikes to work. “Some took it up for a short time, but it didn’t last” he says with a laugh. “School kids are the real bicycle commuters.” Tim has seen a huge growth in recreational cycling in his 34 years in the business. He encourages even those who haven’t ridden in awhile to get rolling. “It’s true, what they say about riding a bike,” Tim says. “You never forget; the muscle memory does not fade.” The Iron Horse Trail would be a good place to start. Flat and paved, the trail runs from Concord to Pleasanton along the old Southern Pacific rail tracks. For trail entrances and a map, go to ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_ horse. Encina Bicycle Center is in the Encina Shopping Center at Oak Grove and Ygnacio Valley roads, 944-9200. Clayton Bicycles is in the small center next to the Shell Station at Clayton and Ygnacio Valley roads, 672-2522. Both stores are open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Visit encinabicyclecenters.com.
Encina /Clayton BICYCLE CENTERS Celebrating 35 years in business
La foryaway Chr NO is tm W as
Mon. – Sat. 10 to 7 Sun. Noon to 6
BMX & Skateboards Road, Mountain
Kids & Comfort Bikes B.O.B. Strollers
Two great locations CLAYTON/CONCORD – Clayton Rd. @ Ygnacio 925-672-2522 WALNUT CREEK – Ygnacio @ Oak Grove 925-944-9200
www.encinabicyclecenters.com
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Gold, from page 21 After meeting the owner, the two men decided to start their own chapter and local club. The East Bay Prospectors launched their first official meeting at Gold Pan California in March 2009. “We had 92 folks there that day,” Pucky noted, with more than a handful from Clayton. Included in the group is Mike Dunn, who owns the gold prospecting shop Gold Pan California in Concord, and Don Smith, the oldest prospector at age 67. “It’s a nice outing,” Smith noted, who has been prospecting for more than 30 years. “It’s always nice to find gold, meet other people and enjoy the time out there.” For Pucky, who is 58, the attraction is still as strong as ever. “I got elected president (of the club) and we have some great volunteers to help out,” he said. “We have a meeting monthly and prospecting outings and pot
A
DAY OF PROSPECTING
lucks. I even started a Website for the group now that we have over 200 members, 142 of whom are online.” Members come from all around the Bay Area. “Our motto is Learn to find gold: Have fun doing it, all the while preserving and protecting the environment,” Pucky added. “The camaraderie among our members is wonderful. I could not be happier with our progress so far and we are actively searching for our own gold claim already.” For prospective prospectors, Smith offers the advice: “Just come to one of the outings or meetings. There are no dues or fees. We have all the equipment. Really all you would need is a gold pan and a sieve, but we have some if you need it. It’s nice. We share.” For more information, visit eastbaygpaa.webs.com or call 6721863.
yielded these gold nuggets for Pucky.
November 6, 2009
Bursts of color warm any winter day
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL Clayton Valley gardeners have lots of blooms to look forward to even in the winter. Those with shady and sunny spots can easily have flowers from now through Valentine’s Day. By installing a couple of key evergreen plants, a handful of perennials and a scattering of bulbs, your garden will shine through our Clayton Valley winter. Fall through early winter, gardeners have the blooms of the Correa, leonotis and mimulus to keep them company. Correa has orange-mauve, bellshaped blooms that hang from under arching, woody stems. Correa Wyn’s Wonder had variegated foliage that stands 24 inches tall and 4 feet wide. Enjoy this evergreen on a slope or hill in full to partial summer sun. Correa is Australian, is drought-tolerant and doesn’t care for too much feeding. Prepare to have flowers through early January. OPTING FOR ORANGE Leonotis loves full sun, grows vase-shaped and stays evergreen. Plant in the back of a
garden, near a fence or against a wall for show-stopping flowers November through January. The whirl-shaped orange blooms will keep the hummingbirds happy through the cold. Leonotis reaches 4-6 feet tall, so think about that when you plant. Mimulus is commonly called the sticky monkey bush. Any gardener who has shade with a touch of sun and poor soil should consider this California native. Mimulus reaches 2-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Trumpetshaped flowers are scarlet, orange, yellow and sometimes cream. It is easy to grow yet sometimes hard to establish, so plant in the autumn; it will like you better. January has flowers, too. That’s when cyclamen, camellias and hellebores are blooming up a storm. Cyclamen is a bulb plant for shady areas. A shooting star-shaped bloom stands atop tubular stems. You can find cyclamen in scarlet, fuchsia, purple and white. Cyclamen make a great companion to hosta, columbine or astible. When they are sleeping, the cyclamen is blooming.
plant c a n reach 2 feet tall and has the ability to grow wide. Large, palm-shaped leaves are interestingly enough, but the flowers really take your breath away. Hellebores can be found in reds, burgundy, wine, pinks, creams, chartreuse, gold and yellow. Some can have freckles and others streaks. One can almost become addicted to owning and growing this winter bloomer. The length of the bloom makes the helleborus an exceptional family. Flowers fade while colorful bracts remain, giving the garden the illusion of continued bloom. Often faded flowers are not removed until late April. BRING ON THE CITRUS February is not without bloom in the garden. Daphne is a wonder at this time of year. Bursts of sweet, citrus-smelling blossoms cover this evergreen for 4-6 weeks. Daphne needs afternoon shade and can tolerate morning sun or touches of evening summer sun. You can expect this shrub to reach 3-4 feet tall and almost 5 feet wide. This plant has soft wood, so prune as needed after bloom. Daphne is drought-tolerant,
SHADES OF RED Camellias are shade-loving evergreen shrubs that grow 4-10 feet tall and wide. Flower shapes vary from single, semi or full. Colors are usually in the pinks to reds, with some white and bicolor blends. Litter from fallen blossoms can be a nuisance, but it’s the price you pay to have blooms in the winter. Helleborus is a family of evergreen perennials that are also shade lovers. This hardy
georgevujnovich.com
HELLEBORUS
requiring little summer water once established. For gardeners who cannot get enough Daphne, there is a summer blooming variety called Summer Ice. Hardenbergia is that purple vine you will see in full bloom during February at the Clayton Post Office. Happy wanderer is a sure thing, always reliable. Walkabout Purple is a new and improved introduction that should be considered. Plant it in morning sun. This vine is never picky about soil or fertilizer. Clayton Valley gardens and landscapes do not need to be dull during the drab days of winter. They can bloom and have life – you just need to know what to plant.
Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
Tel: (925) 672-4433
Trust your home to
GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker Helping friends, neighbors and newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517
CLAYTON!
CLAYTON!
Falcon Ridge at Oakhurst Country Club! Beautiful sin-
Vintage Clayton!
Exquisite home with breathtaking views nestled in a quiet court with walking distance to downtown! 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, large loft, approx. 3,213sf, 2 car garage with workshop. Huge gourmet kitchen features slab granite counters, all stainless steel appliances & cherry wood cabinets. Oversized family features walls of window with gorgeous views of Mt. Diablo & surrounding hills. Living room with cozy fireplace & views from every window. Separate formal dining room features a built-in wine refrigerator & raised ceiling with a dramatic chandelier. Spacious master suite offers wooded, sweeping views of Mt. Diablo & surrounding hills. Luxurious upgraded travertine tile master bath boasts a jetted tub looking out to Un-obstructed Mt. Diablo views, a separate oversized stall shower, two walk-in closets with extensive organizers. Large level lot offers a sprawling lawn, extensive natural slate patios & a custom built waterfall feature and magnificent views of Mt. Diablo & oak dotted rolling hills! $849,000
gle story “Moonlight” model backing to open space on a quiet court! 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 2,237sf & 3 car garage! Gourmet kitchen features 13x20 upgraded tile floors, upgraded tile counters and island. Family room with travertine tile fireplace. Huge private level lot with large lawn, ornamentals & a “Sundance” spa. $649,000 CONCORD!
Absolutely stunning single story in a central Concord neighborhood! 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 2 car garage. Quality upgrades throughout include ¾” hardwood floors, crown mouldingbaseboards, dual pane windows, designer paint colors and central heat & air! Slab granite kitchen with tumbled travertine back splash & tile floors. Huge park-like back yard with large lawn area & towering trees $324,500 offers privacy. Big side yard for RV/boat/toys.
CLAYTON!
Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club! 4 bedrooms, plus a den, 3 full baths, approx. 3,030sf, 2 fireplaces & a 3 car garage! Gourmet kitchen boasts all stainless steel appliances, Euro style cabinets, bull-nosed slab granite counters and a custom extended island with built-in dinette. Spacious family room features a fireplace & custom built-in. An upgraded fireplace the focal point of the elegant dining and living rooms featuring crown moulding and an elaborate chandelier. Enormous master suite. Huge lot has been professionally landscaped with lush lawn areas, custom pergola topped stained concrete patios, various ornamentals, colorful flowers & maturing trees add to the relaxed and private atmosphere
$785,000 CONCORD!
Country Living in the middle of Concord! Super Cute single story on a huge lot in a private court with only two other houses! 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, inside laundry, approx. 1,212sf & a detached 2 car garage with RV and Boat parking! Updated kitchen boasts slab granite counters with full backsplash, oak cabinets & stainless steel appliances. Dining area with gleaming hardwood floors. Family room with updated fireplace & hardwood floors. Huge .32 acre (approx) lot with large patio area $325,000 offers tons of possibilities!
Clayton Market Update provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS 8014 Kelok Way 1019 Panadero Way 1200 Buckeye Terrace 3504 Oak Hill Lane 6012 High Street 23 El Toro Court 7014 Molluk Way 1824 Ohlone Heights 402 Chupcan Place 179 Mt. Vernon Dr 1519 N. Mitchell Canyon Rd 1349 Shell Lane 139 El Portal Pl 312 Mount Sierra Pl 260 Mountaire Parkway 953 Tiffin Dr
PRICE $660,000 $525,000 $479,000 $420,000 $597,000 $750,000 $499,500 $587,000 $510,000 $505,000 $433,000 $427,500 $640,000 $498,000 $612,000 $550,000
SALE DATE
SF
BED/BATH
10/23/09 10/22/09 10/20/09 10/05/09 10/02/09 9/24/09 9/22/09 9/22/09 9/18/09 9/2/09 9/1/09 8/28/09 8/26/09 8/19/09 8/14/09 8/12/09
2894 1646 1710 1716 2063 2890 2315 2313 1939 1740 1831 1709 2420 2261 2694 1878
4/3 3/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 4/2.5 5/3 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 3/3 4/2.5 4/2.5 5/2.5 4/2
Better Homes DRE#00933393
Page 22