IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
925.672.0500
Old Bettencourt Ranch to be added to EBRPD Black Diamond Preserve TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
HANK STRATFORD
MAYOR’S CORNER Hoping to clarify some common questions For this column, I thought I would try to clear up some misconceptions or at least clarify some city-related issues. In case anyone is wondering, our City Council is not paid the same as the City Council of Bell. Unlike the city of Bell, our council members receive $390 per month. Once you consider the time spent preparing for and attending monthly meetings, the cost of travel to the meetings held outside of Clayton, and the time spent on email and other correspondence, you quickly realize that no one serves on the council for the money. Speaking of money, have you wondered what happens to the large sum of money you pay
See Mayor, page 6
New program directors at Clayton gym learning from the community JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Due to a late start in scheduling and marketing their summer programs, the new operators of the recreation program at Clayton Community Gym report they’ve had an up and down response to their initial camp and league offerings. All the while, the All Out Sports crew is learning from the experience and making plans for more programs – not only in recreation but also for educational enrichment. “The support and encouragement from the community has been outstanding,” All Out
Photo credit: David Ogden, Save Mt. Diablo
EBRPD HAS PURCHASED THE OLD BETTENCOURT RANCH IN CLAYTON FOR $2.76 MILLION. The 462-acre ranch, shown in the foreground, adjoins Irish Canyon which was recently acquired by Save Mt. Diablo and will also become part of EBRPD. This photo is taken in the springtime from the end of Peacock Creek Drive looking east into Irish Canyon. The gate to the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is to the north.
About a mile off Clayton Road, on the Black Diamond trail where it turns to the left and begins to climb, the road splits to the right and hikers are stopped by a locked gate. Beyond the gate, the road disappears into the oak trees and a few grazing cattle work their way around the old, rotting fence posts that dot the terrain. The road leads into the 100year-old Bettencourt Ranch – 462 acres of woods and grassland that has been abandoned for years. The property, also known as the “Ang” property for an intervening owner, has been purchased by East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and will be added to the growing land bank of Clayton and East County parcels preserved for open space. The old ranch is adjacent to the 360-acre Irish Canyon parcel
See Parkland, page 3
Officer Shaw takes pride in motorcycle patrols Grants make possible PD’s motorcycle overhaul JASON SHAW Special to the Pioneer
After becoming an officer with the Clayton Police Department in 2006, I expressed an interest in riding a motorcycle on patrol. I passed dual-purpose Motor Officer School in 2009 and started riding immediately. The department started an off-road, dual-purpose motorcycle program in 2002. Since then, the program has seen its highs
and lows. The only other person currently qualified to ride is Sgt. Scott Dansie and, as a supervisor, he does not have time to ride the bike often. We have a 2000 Kawasaki KTM 650 and a Honda 250, as well as a Honda used for parts. However, the brutality of the off-road motor school damaged the Kawasaki and left it in need of repairs. Since this motorcycle was not part of a primary assignment or one of our daily operated vehicles, we didn’t have the money to fix it. Dansie told me if I could find “free money,” I could do whatever I wanted to the bike. So, I started looking for grants. I
discovered that State Farm Insurance strives to meet the needs of communities by giving out grants in three areas: Safe Neighbors (Public Safety), Strong Neighborhoods (Community Development) and Education Excellence. I submitted a grant request under Public Safety, because I knew that I could use the motorcycle to patrol the 27 miles of trails and 515 acres of open space as well as to enforce traffic laws on the city’s paved roads. State Farm granted my request and donated $2,000 to overhaul the motorcycle.
See Patrols, page 10
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
OFFICER JASON SHAW FOUND ENOUGH “FREE MONEY” in the form of a State Farm grant to overhaul the department’s Kawasaki motorcycle, now used for open space and trail patrols.
Clayton resident comes home as new MDES principal JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
See Clayton Gym, page 10
Irene Keenan
Irene Keenan, the new principal at Mt. Diablo Elementary School, has lived in Clayton for nearly 20 years with her husband Jim, actively involved in their two sons’ swimming and school activities. After oldest boy Ned enrolled at Clayton Valley High School and younger brother Nick was at Diablo View Middle
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
School, Irene went back into the workforce as a library media teacher at Mt. Diablo High School in 1999. She will begin her 12th year in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District this fall as the principal at Mt. Diablo Elementary. “Our boys got a good education at Mt Diablo, Diablo View and Clayton Valley and I’m very excited about making sure our students at Mt. Diablo receive that same opportunity,” she says.
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Community Calendar . . . . . . . .14 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . .5 DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Keenan has been vice principal at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill for three years and was summer school principal this year at that campus. She was approved by the school board in late July and immediately began assimilating information on her new school while wrapping up summer school duties. She officially begins working at Mt. Diablo next week after a brief family vacation.
Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Parenting Today . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
BACK TO THE HIRING POOL In June, the school board had named Chris Nugent to replace MDES principal Bob Dodson. After Nugent’s appointment was announced, members of the public did their own online research and found that Nugent had encountered some professional and personal legal problems. Following a storm of protest and negative public -
See Principal, page 8
Take a Hike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
Around Town Local Taiko drummers part of Japanese Summer Festival Aug. 14-15
Photo courtesy of Kikkawa-Nielsen family
TAIKO DRUMMERS ANDREW KIKKAWA-NIELSEN and his sister Elena will perform at the Japanese Festival on Aug 14 and 15.
What’s happening Around Town? Send your news of births, engagements weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, special recognitions, etc. to info@claytonpioneer.com. Please attach your photos to the email as JPEG files between between 3MB and 6MB and include a caption to identify people in your photos.
Pioneer goes to Yellowstone Julie and Steve Pierce recently drove to Montana for a family reunion, taking grandson Gavin along with them. “Seeing Yellowstone through the eyes of a 4 year old is a whole new experience,” says Julie. The Pioneer rode shotgun and watched for bears.
The 54th annual Japanese Summer Festival is next weekend, Aug. 14 and 15, at the Diablo Japanese American Cultural Center in Concord. Clayton’s Andrew and Elena Kikkawa-Nielsen will be performing with Diablo Taiko, one of four Taiko drum groups featured at the festival. The popular free event includes traditional and contemporary aspects of the local Japanese American community including Japanese floral arrangement and calligraphy demonstrations, bonsai tree show, dance, judo and kendo demonstrations and music. Delicious food offerings include chicken and beef teriyaki, tempura, sushi, udon noodles and gyoza, along with American stables. The Festival is at 3165 Treat Blvd. from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.diablojaclub.com or call (925) 682-5299.
Jason Pfister graduates from SF State
City crews dig it up
Baby Landon James is first child for the Vicknairs Bryan and Nicole Vicknair welcomed their first child, Landon James, on July 2. The night before, they went to Skipolini’s for pizza. Could Landon be dreaming of pepperoni and mushrooms?
Clayton
City Maintenance Supervisor John Johnston works to remove the landscaping in the medians across from the Oakhurst fountain. The old water-thirsty plants will be replaced by permeable pavers like those seen in other narrow medians around the city. The islands at the Oakhurst
Clayton Oakhurst Country Club! One of the Best Black Diamond Golf Course & Mt. Diablo view lots! Desirable Horseshoe
fountain were originally designed and planted by Presley Homes, developers of Oakhurst, about 15 years ago. The project was recommended by the Trails and Landscape Committee and approved by the City Council in June.
Jason Pfister, son of Sue Pfister of Clayton has been named to the Dean’s List at San Francisco State University. This is the second time that Jason has made the Dean’s List. Jason will graduate in August of 2010 with a major in political science and plans to attend law school. He is a 2002 graduate of Clayton Valley High School.
GEORGE VUJNOVICH Broker
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views! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1749sf, inside laundry room & 2 car attached garage! Spacious living room with fireplace. Separate dining area. Gourmet corian kitchen with eating area & pantry. Master with sweeping views! Large Patio backs to 12th fairway of golf course with views! $450,000
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3 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage & inside laundry! Step down living room with two-way fireplace. Formal dining area. Large kitchen with tile counters, oak cabinets & newer appliances. Spacious master suite with vaulted ceiling featuring a ceiling fan & 2 huge closets. Cozy rear yard with deck! View of Golf course, hills & Mt. Diablo. $359,900 Contact Jennifer Stojanovich at (925) 567-6170 or jenstojanovich@yahoo.com
Clayton Market Update provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
5126 Keller Ridge Drive ...........$435,000 118 Forest Hill Drive.................$700,000 31 Nottingham Cir ....................$525,000 3038 Windmill Canyon Dr ........$630,000 4004 Hummingbird Wy.............$555,000 456 Obsidian Way ....................$710,000
SF . . . . .1493 . . . . .3185 . . . . .2017 . . . . .2313 . . . . .1816 . . . . .3008
BED/BATH
SALE DATE
. . . . .3/2.5 . . . .7/23/10 . . . . .5/3.1 . . . .7/16/10 . . . . .3/2 . . . . .7/11/10 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .7/7/10 . . . . .3/2 . . . . . .7/6/10 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . .7/6/10
ADDRESS
PRICE
SF
4948 Morgan Territory Rd ........$540,000 . . . . .1323 5002 Raven Way......................$695,000 . . . . .2854 937 Douglas Ct ........................$1,650,000 . . . .8200 377 Mount Washington Wy ......$560,000 . . . . .2619 15 Weatherly Dr .......................$655,000 . . . . .2324 315 Chardonnay Cir .................$665,000 . . . . .2116
BED/BATH
SALE DATE
. . . . .3/2 . . . . .6/18/10 . . . . .4/3 . . . . .6/18/10 . . . . .6/7.5 . . . .6/15/10 . . . . .5/2.5 . . . .6/15/10 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .6/4/10 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .6/2/10
August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Parkland, from page 1 purchased by Save Mt. Diablo (SMD) in 2007. When SMD completes a planned transfer of Irish Canyon to the EBRPD this fall this most recent addition to the Black Diamond Preserve will top 820 acres. The open grasslands, thick woods, canyons and ridges and creek banks are very “hiker friendly with many great picnic areas,” says EBRPD land manager Nancy Winninger But, she cautions, don’t plan on a picnic under the oaks anytime soon. It will take several years to prepare a long term land management plan, build trail loops and clean up the property for public use.. There is an old 1950s ranch house with no historical significance and some dilapidated barns and out buildings on the ranch that will be torn down. In planning for public use of the property, says Winninger, providing a staging area with sufficient parking will be the biggest challenge. Right now, there is parking for about eight cars at the trailhead on Clayton Road. “We have some options,” says Winninger. There are over 3000 acres in Clayton and East County currently set aside for parkland – including Chaparral Springs and Clayton Ranch which are out Marsh Creek Road – with another 2000 acres in acquisitions nearing completion. A little more than half of the $2.76 million purchase price was covered by Measure WW park district bonds. The other 45 percent was provided by a grant from East Contra Costa Habitat Conservancy, a joint powers agency of Clayton and the East County cities (except Antioch) which preserves endangered species habitat. The Conservancy will also provide the money to reimburse SMD their cost for Irish Canyon when SMD transfers that piece to EBRPD this fall. SMD, a private non-profit dedicated to the preservation of Mt. Diablo, acts as an intermediary in acquiring parcels for open space preservation. The Irish Canyon purchase was funded in part by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and in part by SMD. The three-way partnership between EBRPD, SMD and the Conservancy
assures that valuable open space will be protected, says Clayton’s mayor Hank Stratford. Like everyone, the entities are feeling the pinch of a sluggish economy. While EBRPD has bond funds available for acquisitions, park operations have suffered from a lack of money. “Frankly, we’re under stress right now,” says EBRPD’s Winninger. “Property tax revenues are off and we’re down staff. Thanks to SMD and the Conservancy, we can take advantage of acquisition opportunities, but we have to hold them in the land bank.” For more information on EBRPD go to www.ebparks.org. For Save Mt. Diablo, visit www.savemtdiablo.org; and to find out more about the Habitat Conservancy, go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/water/hcp/
Page 3
Concee rts in Th
Grove
Saturdays 6 to 8:30 p.m. At the Gazebo in The Grove
season Only 3 concerts left this Photo credit: Tamara Steiner
THE GATE TO THE BETTENCOURT RANCH is about a mile in from Clayton Road at the end of the Clayton Open Space on the Black Diamond fire road. The fire road runs across an easement on private property to the top of the hill where it meets the gates to the Black Diamond Mines Preserve.
Aug. 14 Diamond Dave Oldies to today’s top hits
Aug. 28 East Bay Mudd Soul, Funk, R&B
Sept. 11 The Hit Waves All the Greatest Hits Sponsored by the city of Clayton, CBCA and Allied Waste Services
Local Food To Go
Support your local businesses & restaurants. Takeout or dine in before or after the concert.
Map courtesy of Save Mt. Diablo
MAP SHOWS THE COMBINED BETTENCOURT RANCH (Ang Property) and Irish Canyon parcels to be added to EBRPD land bank this fall. The property will become part of the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.
Moresi’s Chophouse 6115 Main St., 672 - 1333 Ed’s Mudville Grill 6200 Center St., 673-0333 La Veranda Cafe 6201 Center St., 524 - 0011 Canesa’s Brooklyn Deli 6054 Main St., 852 - 1650 Skipolini’s Pizza 1035 Diablo St., 672 - 1111 Village Market 6104 Main St., 672 - 0188 Johnny’s Int’l Deli & Cafe’ 6101 Center St., 672-1203 Cup O’Jo 6054 Main St., 672-5105
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
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230 Mountaire Circle, Clayton $648,888 Dana Hills – Upgrades & custom work galore in this 4BD/2.5BA dream home including top of the line kitchen. Private yard w/resort-like pool/spa with waterfall. MountaireCircle.com
3957 Beechwood Drive, Concord $399,000 Dana Estates – Sizeable 3BD/2.BA home has over 2,000 s.f. Huge family room addition & master suite, dual panes & skylights, and lots of storage. Beautiful yard & curb appeal. 3957Beechwood.com
5359 Paso Del Rio, Concord $515,000 Pine Hollow – Excellent location close to parks & schools! Enjoy 4BD/2.5BA with updated kitchen, beautiful pool & paver patio with private rolling woods views. PasoDelRio.com
1015 Feather Circle, Clayton $469,000 Oak Hollow – 3BD/2.5BA in great neighborhood offers gourmet kitchen, wonderful light & two-way fireplace. Easy living – shows like new! A short walk to the community pool.. FeatherCircle.com
NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
3030 Windmill Canyon Drive, Clayton $610,000 Windmill Canyon – “Sunset” landscaping in graceful, serene backyard. Pristine 4BD/2.5BA offers master suite w/two closets & gorgeous kitchen w/island.
1957 Old Oak Drive, Walnut Creek $849,000 Nearly Downtown – 4BD/2.5 BA in park-like setting offers updated kitchen w/granite. Family room w/ vaulted ceilings & access to deck. 3-car garage is a nice perk. OldOakDrive.com
53 El Portal Drive, Clayton $639,000 Regency Meadows – Sought-after location at base of Mt. Diablo. 5BD/3BA w/ full BD/BA downstairs. Curved staircase to master suite w/fireplace & soaking tub. ElPortalDrive.com
1824 Princeton Court, Concord $499,000 Down a Private Lane – Enjoy this wonderful 3BD/2.5BA offering fabulous kitchen & flourishing gardens with a quiet creek passing through meandering paths & fruit trees. 1824PrincetonCourt.com
3030WindmillCanyonDrive.com
Clayton Resident & Broker Owner
DRE# 01122025
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
Budget woes top the list at DeSaulnier forum DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
When State Senator Mark DeSaulnier met with constituents on a recent Saturday afternoon at the Clayton public library, the subject of the state’s budget woes came up again and again. Voters came from as far away as Antioch and Walnut Creek, with issues ranging from complaints about cell phone towers in residential areas to a request for help in obtaining a job with the state. But more than any other, the topic turned to money. Each person who had a con-
cern met briefly with one of the senator’s assistants, before DeSaulnier sat down with them. He pinballed back and forth between two conference rooms to increase the number of people he could meet with. “Hi, I’m Mark,” said the casually dressed senator, shaking hands before taking a seat at the table. Regardless of the subject matter or the attendee’s political affiliation, DeSaulnier appeared to listen closely and seemed engaged in solving each problem or complaint. More than one person heard him ask, “What can I do for you?”
This was one in a continuing series of outreach events that have included one-on-one meetings and town hall-style gatherings in Dublin, Lafayette, and Pleasant Hill. DeSaulnier’s district stretches from Clayton out to Dublin and Kensington. DeSaulnier described the importance of having an aggressive outreach program. “It’s good for me, both professionally and personally, because hearing people’s individual stories, and oftentimes their struggles, keeps you grounded and keeps you less insular,” he said. “It’s putting a human face on things you’re dealing with.”
Mike Wells, a former Concord police officer, saw meeting with DeSaulnier as a responsibility. “That’s what citizens do,” he said. He met with the senator to discuss the school funding crisis, as well as inefficiencies and overspending by the Department of Corrections. “I don’t think we can afford any more cuts (to school budgets),” said the father and stepfather of five adult children. “Education is really our future.” More cuts may be coming, however. Senior congressional leaders are currently laboring over where to make cuts to balance the state budget, while legis-
lators remain on call to vote when a proposed budget is ready. The governor’s current budget proposal offers schools $48.4 billion in combined general fund and property tax revenues, $2 billion less than last year’s number. Democrat-controlled State Senate and Assembly proposals range from $51.2 to $54 billion. Edgar Cabral, a Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst with the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office said that even though some numbers look higher than those of last year, schools may still feel a pinch. “Part of what the state did to try to save money last year was to pay the school districts late. And
some of the money they’re getting is to pay the school districts this year is for what they didn’t get paid last year,” he explained. Meanwhile, legislators like DeSaulnier and their staffs stopped receiving paychecks as of July 1until a state budget is in place. DeSaulnier continues to seek input on governance of the state from his constituents. DeSaulnier will meet one on one with constituents in Moraga on Aug. 14, in Martinez on Aug. 28, in Brentwood on Sept. 11, and in Concord on Oct. 13. For times and locations, go to the senator’s website at dist07.casen.govoffice.com.
Upcoming Events Neighbors rally to save baby quail Aug. 21 CBCA Rib Cook-off Got ribs? Up to 15 contestants will heat up the grills and break out their best rib recipes, special sauces and BBQ secrets in the first CBCA sponsored Rib Cook-off. Grilling begins at 8 a.m. with judging at 2 p.m. After the judging, the public is invited for a rib tasting. The Clayton Club will host the event. Contestant applications are available at claytoncbca.org and at the Clayton Club on Main Street.
Sept. 4 Labor Day Derby and Car Show Don’t miss this annual event which has become a Labor Day tradition in Clayton. Produced by the Clayton Community Church, kids from 7-14 can race down Main Street in classic soapboxstyle cars provided by the sponsors. Pre-register by Aug. 29 by emailing gaylynnlaventure@yahoo.com or call (925) 673-5337. Classic and custom cars will be on display at the car show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To enter, register between 7 and 9 a.m. See ad on this page for more details.
Angela Hakimi feared the worst when she heard the distress call of an adult male quail. Angela and baby Ava were out for walk near their Dana Hills home on a hot Saturday morning in early July when Angela encountered the quail. He was running back and forth across the street from one grate to the other. The mother was a
little farther away in the bushes with several babies. Angela discovered that five baby quail had fallen through the grate and were frantically splashing for their lives in the runoff below. She described the babies as “so tiny, about the size of a silver dollar, if that.” A passing neighbor spotted Angela on her stomach in the
street and stopped to help. Soon, another neighbor stopped, and then another – five altogether. “It was such a team effort,” Angela said. Everyone had a specific job. One held the umbrella to shade the others from the hot sun. Angela ran home and found a piece of net and a dowel.
Another got the tools to remove the grate and another held baby Ava as the three-hour rescue effort progressed. The team was able to save two of the babies, but the other three perished. The two surviving birds reunited with the parents and siblings and immediately started foraging, said Angela.
Special admission day at wildlife museum As summer winds down, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum is featuring “Pay What You May Day” on Saturday, Aug. 21. As the name suggests, visitors are encouraged to pay an admission rate with which they are comfortable.
The museum includes live, native California animal exhibits, a hands-on discovery room for children, a pet education section with domestic animals, changing exhibits, educational programs and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital.
On Aug. 21, visitors can enjoy live animal presentations throughout the day, with petting circles at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Feeding demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Patrons can see a raptor up close at 1 p.m. and
hear a mammal presentation at 3:15 p.m. The museum is at 1931 First Ave, Walnut Creek. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 935-1978 or visit wildlife-museum.org.
August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
You don’t need an appointment. A notary is on staff when the store is open
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517
Page 5
Directory of Advertisers Auto Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739
TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor R ANDY W ENGER , Display Advertising P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administrative Assistant
Store Hours Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm Sat 9 am - 5 pm
The UPS Store
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Vineyard Shopping Center 5100 Clayton Rd., Concord ph: 925-689-6245
S TAFF W RITERS : Denisen Hartlove, Lou Fancher, Nicci Shipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
Children’s Services Kid’s Choice Jumpers
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Kidz Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-3012
Churches Clayton Community Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9060
Construction and Trades Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423
PIONEER INFO
Handyman Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .639-4209
criminates 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.
CONTACT US Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580
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.
Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Randy Wenger Randy@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
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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
LHI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-9941
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BOOTHS FOR RENT
LOST Men’s gold link bracelet 7/25/10 on Library Trail. $100 Reward. Call Helga: 672-4043.
FOUND Watch and backpack found in Dana Hills green belt area on July 19. Call 360-5811 to claim. Softball and baseball bats at Clayton Community Park 7/26 afternoon. Call Shirley: 693-0909.
when Free Brake Inspection done, work needed and done at Clayton Valley Shell
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bined and expi re 8/19/2010 “Whenever any thing goes wro ng I know they wi ll take car of m with my car e at Clayton Valley Official smog check Shell.”
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Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Diablo Theatre Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .943-7469
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Clayton Valley Shell Full Service Auto Care
Corner of Clayton Road & Kirker Pass Road
Pacific Coast Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9090
New Orlean’s Bourbon Street House of Beauty, 6026 Main St, Clayton. Two Hairdressers, $400/month. Two Manicurists, $300/month. Anrika: (707) 249-2551 or ap2278426@gmail.com. Start ASAP. Flexible hours.
Includes 5 qts. of Oil, Filter and Inspection.
son
Rissel, Richard D.M.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800
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Renner, Jason D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800
Willows Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .957-2500
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Ludwig, Stephen D.M.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6200
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Dentist Clayton Valley Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6200
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SUMMER SPECIALS
CLAYTON VALLEY SHELL
Smith & Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138
Children’s Dentistry of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . . .938-2392
Clayton Resident Credit Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Discover
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 250 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.
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) We will not accept any ad that dis-
Installations – Repairs
(925) 672-3900
RENTAL
Financial and Insurance Services Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . . . .685-4523 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463
1BR inlaw unit on Morgan Territory Rd. 900sq ft. All utilities paid. $875/month. Private entrance. Call Bob: 672-2390.
Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . .672-2300
SERVICES
Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242
Girl Gardening Garden care for your roses, perennials and ornamentals. Monthly pruning and fertilizing services. Plant suggestions and installation. If you want more flowers this year, call or email Nicole Hackett 673-1746, or gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.
WANTED Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today (925) 6728787.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help Fight Hunger Anna Chan ~ AKA: The Lemon Lady needs your help! Volunteers are needed to haul donated produce from Farmers’ Markets to food pantries throughout the area. Weekly commitment appreciated. Please contact Anna at 672-1988 or AnnaAndAva@gmail.com. Meals on Wheels Drivers 1 – 1 1/2 per week. Drivers and relief drivers needed for delivery of Meals on Wheels in East County. Call Jim at 673-0300 or e-mail hairbyjim@sbcglobal.net.
Funerals Moore’s Mission Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-1100
Home and Garden Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245 Diablo Lawnscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-3757 Floors to Go Danville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .820-8700 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055
Mailing and Shipping The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245
Pet Services Is Dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-5811 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Peace of Mind Pet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9781 Pet Suites Inn
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387
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 . . . .672-7800 Klock, Leigh - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593 Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7329
Volunteer at Anna’s Attic Thrift Shoppe, located at 5350 Clayton Road. It’s a way to make a meaningful difference. You’ll have the opportunity to help customers, stock shelves and prepare merchandise for sale. For information call (925) 6749072. Funds raised by the Hospice Thrift Shoppes benefit Hospice of the East Bay. To learn more about volunteering for Hospice of the East Bay please contact (925) 887-5678, or email volunteers@hospiceeatbay.org.
Mazzei, Matt -Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757
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. Call the museum at 672-0240 and leave your name.
Senior Services
Robins Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550-2383 Van Fleet, Josie - J. Rockcliff Realtors . . . . . . . . . .280-6470 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . .672-4433
Recreation All Out Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4303 Castle Rock Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-7661 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737
Aegis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . .524-5100
Services, Other Air Cloud Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 x 2
Amir
Jameson
Gary
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Clayton Community Library Needs volunteers. Minimum age 13. Minimum commitment is 6 months. Some training provided. 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
Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212-3339 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Net Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6029 Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . . . .473-0180
Travel Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447
Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
Emotions can sometimes cause seller to overprice home LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS I am shopping for a home Q for my family. I would guess that half the listings are
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overpriced. Why would a seller keep their home on the market when it is priced too high to sell? Some sellers want to test the waters at a price that’s higher than the market will support. They usually believe that someone will appreciate the added value of things that they like in their home and pay for more for it, but this is not usually the case. Buyers are concerned that home prices could drop further, so they want to make sure they don’t overpay. The sellers often end up negotiating with a legitimate buyer for a lesser price. Many of the overpriced listings belong to sellers who will only sell if they get a certain price. They may not be able to sell for less because of the size of the mortgage. In some cases, the sellers bought at the peak of the market and then improved the property further. They can’t afford to take the loss they would incur if they sold at market price. They don’t want to do a short sale so they won’t sell unless they get their price. I seriously wonder why these sellers keep their property listed in a declining market for so long, though. Bridging the price gap between home buyers and sellers can be a challenge in today’s
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market. Sellers, many of whom have a hard time accepting that their home has lost value, often expect to sell for more than a buyer is willing to pay. There is not much you can do to convince an unrealistic seller that he should accept your marketpriced offer. A lot of time and emotional energy goes into making an offer (not to mention all the paperwork). Before you make an offer on a listing that is priced over market, try to find out as much as you can about the seller’s motivation. Is there any flexibility in the price? Do they just want to sell or do they need to sell? I need to sell my house. Q You always talk about staging the home for sale so it looks like a model home. I don’t have the time, money or energy to do all that this entails. On the other hand, my home shows terrible. I am almost embarrassed to have my neighbors walk through. What can I do that is cheap and simple so I can get top dollar for my home? I don’t have much equity, either. If you need top dollar, you need it to be appealing to buyers. It should show clean and well-kept. For the most bang for your buck, these are tips for making a home appealing without spending a fortune. You should do as many as you can handle. 1. Refinish or paint the front door and replace the hardware. 2. Mow the lawn, edge the sidewalks, mulch all the beds and put big planters at either side of the front door.
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the toilet seat. Clean up the floor with vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl applied over the old floor. If the tub is dingy, add a new prefabricated tub and shower surround. 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.
It’s time to honor senior volunteers The Culture to Culture Foundation is accepting nominations for its senior volunteer awards. The awards recognize those 55 and older who have provided extraordinary voluntary service within Contra Costa County. By spotlighting these seniors, Culture to Culture hopes to inspire others to share their time and talents. Each senior must be nominated by another individual and that nominator can submit only one senior. The nominator must describe the volunteer activities in 500 words or less and must include the nominee’s age, email address, telephone number, contact information for three refer-
ences, nature of the nomination in terms of the length, hours, its significance and impact. Send nominations to senioraward2010@culturetoculture.or g or P.O. Box 1421, Alamo, CA 94507. Entries must be received by Aug. 15. The winners will each receive $250 at an awards ceremony 2-4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Kensington, 1580 Geary Road, Walnut Creek. Culture to Culture was founded in 2001 to promote peace and harmony while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the great diversity in today’s global community.
Association and the other city employees make up what is referred to as the Miscellaneous Employees. For the last two years, we have negotiated single-year agreements and our employees have been willing to take pay cuts and to pay for more of their medical benefits. We all hope that brighter times are ahead. A couple of years back, a family in town was the victim of a home burglary. As I was asking about the case, I was reminded that real-life police work is different than what we see on TV. But then I realized that my main exposure to police work is what I have seen on TV. Even though I knew there was a difference between real life and television, my perception was tainted by how the police operate on TV. I have seen law enforcement
resolve many complex cases in an hour on TV. So when our officers began building a case, making sure to have sufficient evidence for a conviction, I learned that police work takes time and patience. Occasionally I am asked, “What does the city do with the money it makes with the Art and Wine Festival and Oktoberfest?” These two events are not put on by the city. The Clayton Business and Community Association organizes and sponsors them and proceeds go to the CBCA. The CBCA then uses this money to fund its charitable giving throughout the community. If there are any aspects of the city of Clayton that you are unclear about, feel free to send me an email and I will try to answer your questions. You can reach me at hank_stratford@yahoo.com.
For more information, visit culturetoculture.org.
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Mayor, from page 1
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3. Paint or at least touch up the paint on the walls. 4. Clean the carpets or if they are worn, cover them with area rugs. Replace ceiling lights with inexpensive but attractive fixtures. 5. Hire a plumber and an electrician to fix anything that is loose or that leaks. 6. Polish up the kitchen. Add new cabinet door handles, replace lighting and update the faucet set. Give cabinets a fresh coat of paint if they look worn. 7. Tidy up the bath. Replace
each year in property tax? More than 55 percent goes to the state and 30 percent to the county. The city receives only 4.3 percent of the property taxes we pay. In a similar fashion, the city only receives a small portion of the sales tax collected within our city limits. Of the 9.25 percent sales tax rate in Clayton, our city receives 0.75 percent. However, we receive some additional sales tax dollars that are restricted for police services and street projects. Cities are non-profit public entities that are restricted in the way they operate. Unlike a business, whose goal is to make a profit, a city’s goal is to use pub-
lic money to serve its residents. Any unused revenue stays in the city’s reserves for use in future years or for emergencies. Part of the restrictions placed on a city is the way it spends public money. Cities are required to receive bids for public works projects more than $5,000. And any contract labor used by the city must be paid at “prevailing wages.” A city is not able to simply negotiate the lowest price with a vendor of its choosing. Our employees are not part of a union. However, the city is required to negotiate, in good faith, with our two employee units. Our police officers, with the exception of the police chief, make up the Police Officers
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
New search tool details funds given to Congress MAPLight.org has launched a public, Web-accessible contributions search tool that provides detailed information about special-interest contributions given to elected officials. MAPLight is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that illuminates the connection between money and politics. Its contributions data is provided by the Center for Responsive Politics. “MAPLight.org’s connections between money and votes have always relied on detailed records of who gives how much to whom,” said executive director Daniel Newman. “Now, with MAPLight.org’s new contributions search tool, users can see specific details about contributions from any company, industry or individual to any member of Congress.” The search tool reveals in detail each campaign contribution given to members of Congress, broken down by contributor, amount, legislator and date. Users can search for campaign finance data by industry, interest group, company, individual donor and more. The search tool is located at maplight.org/us-congress/contributions. The contributions search tool is linked to MAPLight.org’s research that shows which industries support and oppose bills in Congress.
Club News CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB The club is presenting “Final Signing,” a murder mystery adapted from “Murder in the Library” by Tom and Penny Warner. The event will feature theater critic Pat Craig, Joel and Christy Harris of Clayton Books, club president Kathy Hester, Concord City Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister, Chief Dan Lawrence of the Clayton Police Department, Clayton Pioneer reporter Nicci Shipstead and Clayton Councilman Dave Shuey. Guests will gather at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Oakhurst County Club. There will be a nohost bar and raffle. Tickets are $45, which includes dinner and the mystery challenge. Proceeds benefit the club’s community charities and scholarships for Clayton Valley High School. Reservation forms are available at the Clayton Community Library and Walnut Creek Ygnacio Valley Library, local businesses, cast members and club members. Reservation deadline is
Sept. 10. For more information, visit claytonvalleywomansclub.org or call 969-9885. CLAYTON BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION The CBCA has been busy this summer. Members proudly carried the club banner in the Clayton Fourth of July parade. And, the group is planning its next two big events. On Saturday, Aug. 21, the CBCA will host a Rib Cook-off and Membership Drive at the Clayton Club. See Upcoming Events (page 4) for more details. The 7th annual Clayton Oktoberfest will be held Oct. 2-3 downtown. There will be plenty of food, beverages, vendors, a carnival and entertainment. This event is a CBCA fund-raiser, just like the Art and Wine Festival, with profits donated to local charities, groups and projects. The CBCA holds monthly dinner meetings at Oakhurst Country Club on the last Thursday of each month. Visitors are welcome. Call 672-2272 for information.
Suspicious device destroyed in Community Park Clayton Community Park was the scene of a bomb scare the morning of July 25 after someone spotted an item near the ball fields that looked like an explosive device, police said. Soccer games in progress were halted and the fields and parking lots evacuated. Clayton Police called in the Walnut Creek bomb squad and the Alameda County bomb detection dogs. The item was destroyed by the bomb squad’s
water canon, said Sgt. Tim Marchut of the Clayton PD. It was later determined not to be an explosive device. Nonetheless, nerves were rattled. “It was the same scenario as Concord,” Marchut said, referring to explosive devices recently found and detonated in Newhall Park. “It certainly sent up some red flags.” Clayton police do not think the Clayton device is connected to the Newhall incidents.
Discipline helps guide children in the right direction
EVA PORTLEY WE CARE CENTER
PARENTING TODAY In order to understand the behavior of a child, parents, caregivers and educators must realize that children are very
curious. They are constantly conducting experiments to determine what works and what does not work, who will allow them to get away with certain behaviors and who will not. Many adults find this “testing” behavior frustrating. As challenging behaviors arise, parents must attempt to be one step ahead of these little scientists. This is accomplished through discipline. Discipline is guidance and teaching children self-control. It focuses on emphasizing the positive and highlighting what a child should do in a particular situation. Children must learn how to be in control of their
Page 7
own behavior. Adults must model appropriate behavior, set clear limits, have realistic expectations and teach children that there are consequences to their actions. Discipline differs from punishment in that it should be a positive experience and be considered a tool to help children learn to respect others and themselves and to create a loving bond between themselves and adults. In contrast, punishment does not promote bonding or respect and instead instills fear and increases defiance and problem behavior.
See Parenting, page 18
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Now is the time to buy. HORSE SET-UP ONLY $579,000
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Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Leaving the Pioneer behind, but the writing goes on
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As I write this, most of what I own is in boxes waiting to be shipped across the country to my new abode, Ithaca College. I’ve said good-bye to my former teachers, friends and family in preparation for my move to Ithaca, N.Y. Now it’s time for me to bid farewell to the Clayton Pioneer. For the past year, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing my monthly column for the Pioneer. While it has presented me with a few late nights (due to my own procrastination), it has been an altogether fulfilling experience. There’s something unique about writing for a small town like Clayton. This past year, I also wrote for the Contra Costa Time’s LIP Board, but I found that writing my columns for the Pioneer was more satisfying. Writing for the Pioneer was an exceptionally personal experience, whether from the e-mails I
received in response to articles or being able to talk to neighbors and fellow Clayton residents about the articles. Although not all of the responses I received were positive, the fact that people had read the articles and cared enough to respond astounded me. I received much less response when writing for the Times. Although I may have been writing for a larger audience in the Times, I had a more personal interaction with the Pioneer readers. Writing for the Clayton Pioneer has also opened my eyes to the fact that the written word still carries weight in our world of television, blogs, the Internet and podcasts. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that many of my peers, acquaintances and teachers read the Clayton Pioneer. It’s reassuring to know that individuals still enjoy picking
up newsprint and reading it in our technologically savvy age, especially since I will be majoring in journalism this fall. I even have the Pioneer to thank for helping me choose my college major. Originally, I wanted to pursue an English major; however, experience garnered from writing for the Pioneer proved to me that journalism didn’t necessarily mean a career within the narrow realm of conventional, “hard-hitting” news journalism. The creative freedom that I experienced was a definite boon. Ultimately, I chose to write about what I knew or what interested me, which, in turn, allowed me to keep my writing ethical and sincere. Among other factors, my time with the Pioneer confirmed that I’d enjoy studying journalism. I hope that my successor will have just as much fun opining
CADY LANG TEEN SPEAK for the Pioneer. It doesn’t have to always be “hard-hitting” or “controversial” journalism. It merely needs to be a subject familiar or intriguing enough for one to competently write an article to which readers can relate. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience that I’ve had this year with Teen Speak, and I will always remember the encouragement and constructive criticism I’ve received during my year with the Pioneer. The Pioneer congratulates Cady on a job well done. We will miss her perspective and clear writing and wish her all the best as she pursues her major in journalism -- great choice!
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Bright and early every morning, I get together with my swim team to practice. We spend hours preparing and conditioning for big swim competitions. We constantly train to reach the ultimate team goal, claiming victory in the final City Meet. This meet is the pride of our swim team. However in swim, it’s more than just a team effort – it’s individual effort as well. Each person works hard to beat their best times and achieve personal goals. By aspiring to our own goals, we achieve as a team. In swimming, the team is clas-
ROBBIE PARKER DVMS REPORTER sified into two groups – A and B. The A team is composed of swimmers with fast or very competitive times, while the B team is the larger body of either begin-
Principal, from page 1
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reaction aimed at new MDUSD Superintendent Steven Lawrence and his staff for the lack of a thorough background check, Nugent’s appointment was withdrawn and a new search was started. Among the first interested Mt. Diablo Elementary parents to learn of the issues with Nugent was school board member Gary Eberhart, who had just ratified the slate of district principal appointments which included Nugent. “If this situation hadn’t arisen, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity for Irene to become principal at Mt. Diablo,” Eberhart says. “She is the perfect person for this position, so something very good came out of a bad situation.”
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Keenan’s appointment was welcomed by the local community. “We were involved in the interview process for Ms. Keenan, but not for Chris Nugent,” notes Yolanda Kowalewski, co-president of the Parent Faculty Club. A former PFC president and current member of the school site council was involved, as were two teachers. “They were very impressed with Ms. Keenan’s interview. And as a former MDE mom and member of our community, she certainly brings a unique perspective and understanding of the MDE community to the job,” Kowalewski says. Kowalewski says Keenan offers a wealth of knowledge and
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ning or recreational swimmers. Although some look at the B team as slower swimmers who are not able to reach their goals, it’s just the opposite. B swimmers are just at a different pace. In addition, because swimmers are placed in age groups, it can be tough to be competitive when you are at the younger age – or “down year.” After being on a swim team for awhile, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the A-B team philosophy. I’ve come to realize that it takes every single person to make a team. Think of a pyramid: If the foundation isn’t strong, the
top will tumble and fall. When people come together for a sport, committee or staff, every willing person counts. It’s more than just the stars or most talented members that make the team successful; it’s the effort given by everyone. It’s the positive commitment by all. Both A and B are important to the success of the team and should be valued. As a wise proverb once stated: “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Robbie Parker is a eighthgrader at Diablo View. Send comments to Robbie@claytonpioneer.com
experience. “She understands the changing needs of education today and is prepared to meet them head on, even with the ongoing budget cuts.” Keenan takes over a school with excellent test scores and a stable faculty. She recognizes many teachers from when her sons attended there. Keenan was “very involved” as a parent and ran a chorus production with another parent for four years at Mt. Diablo. Ned and Nick Keenan were active in swimming with the Dana Hills Swim Team and Ned also competed for the Terrapins. Nick was a water polo player at Clayton Valley. Ned is currently a student at San Francisco State, while Nick recently graduated from Cal Poly SLO and is looking to begin a career.
interview with Dr. Lawrence and the chief administrators of the district,” she reports. She was officially appointed by the school board in a special meeting July 23. There was an open house at Mt. Diablo four days later where Keenan met parents, faculty and staff.
FINDING GOOD MENTORS The Keenans moved to California from the East Coast in 1977 when Jim entered law school at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Irene went to grad school at Sacramento State after getting her undergraduate degree at Temple University in Philadelphia. She was a grants administrator before taking time off to raise her children. She spent eight years at Mt. Diablo High. “I loved the school. I had a strong mentor in principal Bev Hansen, who encouraged me to get into administration,” Keenan says. “Mt. Diablo was a very exciting place to work.” At College Park, she worked with another “wonderful” principal in Barbara Oaks. “She was very good to me. The community there was outstanding.” Keenan was excited when the opportunity came to apply to become a principal. “First there was an interview with teachers and parents from Mt. Diablo, along with other district administrators. Then I had a second
TOUGH FINANCIAL TIMES According to Kowalewski, the PFC has been “plugging the holes” left by state and district budget cuts. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a very involved and generous community that has helped raise well over $100,000 each year,” she notes. “This money is used to help fund programs and positions and to provide supplies the school could not otherwise afford. For example, the PFC funds instructional aides for each classroom, yard duty support, support staff and supplies for the computer lab and library, classroom supplies, recess/PE equipment, science fair and much more.” She says the PFC is looking forward to working with Keenan, the school site council and faculty and staff to develop a longterm vision for the school and PFC. “This will allow us to continue our support of critical programs and help us prioritize and develop new opportunities for enrichment and educational support,” Kowalewski concludes. Keenan says she is ready for the challenge of educating more than 850 children in their formative years in light of the fiscal challenges and increased class sizes. She expects to benefit from a new mentoring and coaching program in the district for principals. Keenan will welcome her faculty back on Aug. 20 and looks forward to 8 a.m. on the first day of school Aug. 25. “I am very excited!”
August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Blazing heat may miss Clayton completely this year WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS As we head into August, the question I’ve heard repeatedly from friends in the Clayton area is: “When will the hot summer weather arrive?” The correct answer may be “next year,” if the trends of the last few months continue. Meteorologists usually look
at long-term weather records to make statistical comparisons of one month or season to another. Good statistical analysis involves continuous daily records that extend 30 years or more. Unfortunately, long-term temperature data records are not available for Clayton, so we have to review data from Concord to make a judgment about how abnormal this summer has been so far. I have access to daily temperature data from Concord that extends back to 1972. In the 39-
Online votes could push our Farmers Market to the top The Clayton Farmers Market is a contestant in the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest. The online contest is a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. The American Farmland Trust has opened voting at farmland.org/vote. After the contest ends Aug. 31, one large, medium, small and boutique farmers market will win the title. The reward will be a promotional package including free
printing, design services and more to support their role bringing farmers, food and the community together. Farmers markets are a vital link between local farms and communities, providing fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. By partnering with farmers market managers, American Farmland Trust is encouraging consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers.
year period prior to 2010, the average temperature for the combined months of May, June and July was 74 degrees F. For the same three months this summer, the average temperature was 70 – four degrees below normal. The calculation of average temperatures uses daily maximum and minimum temperatures. It turns out that maximum temperatures were an average of six degrees cooler in May-July 2010, averaging only 83. Another way to judge this summer against previous summers is to evaluate the number of hot days. Since 1972, Concord has recorded an average of eight days with a maximum temperature of 100 or greater before the first of August. This year, we have only had one such day (June 27). Many remember the extreme heat wave of July 2006. In that month alone, there were 10 days with 100 degree readings. An unusual jet stream pattern is the primary cause for the cool weather that has gripped California so far this summer. A weak upper level low pressure center has persisted over the West Coast for several months. This upper air pattern allows the marine layer of air over the western Pacific Ocean to remain thick and results in strong sea breeze winds that carry the cool low level air mass into coastal
valleys like the Clayton Valley. At this point, it is unknown if the upper low will continue to be anchored over us through summer. If it does, the entire summer may end up much cooler than normal in the Clayton area. However, it doesn’t take much of a change in jet stream dynamics for high pressure to replace the low. If that happens, the question I’ll be hearing is: “Will this hot weather ever end?” Even though long-term weather records for our area are scarce, there have been significant increases in the number of weather stations collecting hourly temperature, wind and rainfall data. The local National Weather Service office makes the data available to the public in real time on a Web page called mesonet observations (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr /mesonet). There are a variety of dropdown menus on that page that will let you customize the information presented on the map. One neat feature is that when you mouse over a station, the current data are presented in a text box. Scroll down and a table of recent hourly data for that site are listed.
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Set yourself free in the clouds There are ways to have office productivity software, things like word processing, spread sheets, power point presentations and more, without investing much money or time. These applications provide word processing and the like without a small fortune charged by software makers. They aren’t stripped-down applications from software companies you never heard of; most are giants in the business. These offerings are from the big guys with full-featured word processing applications, complex spread sheets, presentations with great graphics and special effects, plus support crews second to none. Google, Microsoft and Intuit (Quicken) are the top providers with this clout. Because of competitive juices between these behemoths, each is trying to capture the millions of users. And you, the user, benefits from their efforts. Google Docs was one of the first suites of applications to be delivered in the cloud, followed
WILL CLANEY TECH TALK by Intuit and now by Microsoft Office Web Apps. Both are Internet-based – thus the “cloud,” which references a computer or a bunch of computer or servers located somewhere in the world to which users can connect. These cloud computers host applications, like word processing or accounting and sales tracking, for general use by the public or a special group. According to Wikipedia, “The term ‘cloud’ is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on the cloud
drawing used in the past to represent the telephone network, and later to depict the Internet in computer network diagrams as an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it represents …” Most cloud applications are modeled after programs which you’re familiar with or are already using. The primary differences are the way you pay for them and how they are delivered. For example, you probably have taken a trip to the store to purchase an application like Word or Quicken. After the purchase, you’ve taken it home and installed it on your computer. Each year or two, you repeat the process to keep your applications current. Cloud is similar except no trip to the store and the updates or current versions are available to you each time you open your browser and use the application. Instead of at the store, you shop online, download a small application and login to a special Website to use the software. You pay a monthly fee based on the
number of computers accessing the application. During some “roll-outs” or trial periods, applications may be free to register and use. The war between Google and Microsoft has created an environment where word processing, spreadsheets and the like are likely to be free for a long time. To sign up for Microsoft Office Web Apps, go to office.live.com/. To sign up for Google Docs, open google.com. Move your mouse over the top of the word “Google” and a ribbon will appear. Click on “more,” then “documents” to get started. There are many other applications in the cloud, like point of sale (POS), self help or photography. To find out more, call a licensed professional or drop by your local computer store and talk to the experts. Will Claney is the CEO of Computers USA! in the Clayton Station. Contact him at 925-6729989.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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We were able to replace all of the broken and worn parts and upgrade the emergency equipment to make it more efficient and safer to ride. Dansie and I did all of the upgrade work ourselves, so we could invest the grant money into the motorcycle instead of labor costs. I now ride the motorcycle as often as possible on my regular shift, about 20-25 hours a week, as well as during special events like Art and Wine and Oktoberfest. Due to a shift change, Dansie also expects to be using it to patrol more on weekends.
I have had the opportunity to speak with a lot of nice folks walking the trails and to talk with some not so happy folks I have caught committing hazardous traffic violations on the roadways. I enjoy the many questions and comments I get about the motorcycle and our trail patrols from people on the street and on the trails. I also appreciate the freedom the motorcycle provides for me to enter some of our parks from unconventional directions. I’ve seen a few surprised looks from juveniles I’ve caught engaging in mischief.
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And since a lot of people know the “common” spots where Clayton officers watch for traffic violations, I like to stop in unexpected spots. My hope is to expand this project to add an additional motorcycle and get more officers certified to ride. That would mean more opportunities to have a motorcycle on the street and trails. The next time you see me riding down the street, don’t hesitate to flag me down if you have a question. And please, don’t run that red light. For more information on the department’s motorcycle program, call 673-7350.
manager Laura Hoffmeister and Councilman Howard Geller in attendance. Kids were shooting baskets and playing in a bounce house. Then kids and adults got an impromptu game of floor hockey going – played with tennis balls. It was spirited and competitive. “Look at them, they love this,” says Copeland. “We’re definitely going to offer it!” Also there was Marilyn Nicoletti, who enrolled her son, Alessandro, in the basketball camp. Since it was his first time, she was uncertain whether he would like it. “He loved it and he learned so much. The camp ran from 9 till noon and the kids were worked hard. They worked on skills and techniques and then played a game every day,” Nicoletti says. “I thought he would be exhausted, but he didn’t want to leave.”
Sports CEO Casey Copeland said. “We continually get feedback from parents and kids.” All Out Sports worked out an arrangement with the city of Clayton and Mt. Diablo Unified School District to take over the recreation programs abandoned when the Mt. Diablo YMCA left the city and subsequently declared bankruptcy. However, they were too late to adequately market their summer camps and leagues. They didn’t get into the gym until the third week of June. “We’ve had some very popular programs, especially basketball and introduction to hip hop for kids and co-ed volleyball and men’s basketball for adults,” Copeland says. “On the other hand, youth flag football and soccer camps didn’t get enough signups to be held. Next summer, we’ll be able to start scheduling and promoting our programs much earlier.”
All Out Sports recently held an Open House in the gym with Napper, assistant to the city
ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD All Out Sports is taking signups for a fall basketball league that will begin Sept. 18 for boys and girls age 4-14. Based on the summer basketball success, he expects a good turnout. The league will practice on Fridays and play games on Saturdays. Besides online registration, which is always available, there will be walk-in registration 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, at the Clayton gym. Copeland spoke to the Pioneer after concluding an evening of kickball in the Antioch/Brentwood area, where All Out Sports began a couple years ago. “We had 180 adults out playing kickball this evening. It’s another program we want to bring to Clayton,” he notes. Clayton City Manager Gary Napper has been pleased with the efforts of Copeland’s group. “The quality of our
CITY MANAGER GARY NAPPER (LEFT) WITH ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUE DIRECTOR CASEY COPELAND at the AOSL open house last month. The city of Clayton contracts with AOSL to offer sports and enrichment programs at the Clayton Community Gym, filling the void created by the collapse of the Clayton Valley YMCA earlier this year.
community-based recreation programs has been raised to a higher level by the presence of All Out Sports League now operating out of the Clayton Community Gym, and I strongly encourage parents and youth of all ages to take advantage of having after-school enrichment and sports programs now readily available within our community,” Napper says. “You will be pleased by their friendliness, earnest interest and skill at offering top-notch programs for all to enjoy, and your support and participation is key to their success. Our city is fortunate to have AOSL step forward and fill this local recreation void.” REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH With school just around the corner, Copeland’s wife, Tamila, is making plans to offer an afterschool educational enrichment
OFFICER JASON SHAW
program for middle school students. She had three successful one-week science camps in Antioch this summer for students through eighth grade. “I want to get kids excited about math and science and learning,” she says. The Copeland’s oldest child, Brooklyn, is 12 and they see the value in her being exposed to learning opportunities in addition to her regular school curriculum. Casey Copeland has had conversations with Diablo View Middle School principal Patti Bannister and hopes to work with the school in setting up the after-school program, which would run every weekday during the school year. “We would begin with 45 minutes of homework/tutoring. The kids will do their regular assigned school homework during that time, then will we have our daily lesson or activity in science, math, engineering or technology,” Tamila says. Besides the science and math, All Out wants to help children with life skills. “Middle school students can already be doing things that will start them thinking about and preparing for college,” she says. “We’re so excited about this opportunity. We have lots of ideas.” Tamila wants the enrichment program to be hands-on, fun and enhance what they’re already doing in school. “We can take concepts in math, science and technology and make connections to real life. Let’s get all our kids excited about learning,” she says enthusiastically. At the invitation of Bannister, the Copelands will have an informational table at the Diablo View Middle School Back to School Night. All Out Sports is also hosting a parentchild golf tournament on Aug. 22 at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in American Canyon. For more information on programs at the Clayton Community Gym, call 374-1422 or visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com.
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August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Leaving your dog in parked car is illegal and deadly MARYBETH RYMER,
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Fourteen states, including California, have laws prohibiting inhumane confinement of animals in parked motor vehicles. Under these laws, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others are authorized to enter a car by whatever means to save the animal. A first conviction carries a $100 fine per animal. If the animal suffers bodily harm, the fine may be up to $500 and six months in jail. Overheating in a car can happen any time of the year but particularly during the summer. On a 70-degree day, temperatures in a car can rise 40 degrees within an hour. Cracking the windows does little to improve ventilation. California law considers it animal cruelty to leave your pet in a hot car to die an agonizing death. Heat stroke, also called heat prostration or hyperthermia, is
when the body temperature rises secondary to environmental conditions. Normal cat and dog body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees F. As the temperature rises above 105, serious shut down of the body occurs. Hot/humid days are the most dangerous. Overheating can occur if you leave your pet in a hot yard without adequate shade or water, exercise it in the heat of the day or leave it in a hot, poorly ventilated enclosure such as a car or garage. Dogs rely on panting to efficiently cool their bodies. Normal dogs pass air quickly over their tongues, evaporating saliva – in turn cooling the blood in the tongue capillaries. This blood cools the body as it returns to the heart. But heat, humidity and physical body conditions can overcome this natural air conditioning. Dogs bred for colder climates that have thick double coats are at risk, such as the Husky, St. Bernard and golden retriever. Although it’s less common, cats
also are susceptible – especially long, thick-coated Maine Coons and the short-nosed Persian. Other contributing factors are obesity and old age. At most risk are the brachycephalic (short-headed) breeds, which include the bulldog, boxer, pug, Boston terrier, Pekingese and Shih Tzu. The bulldog was bred with a compressed upper jaw to allow for a more powerful bite to lock onto the neck of a running bull. But in reducing the length of the upper jaw, breeders compromised the upper respiratory system – creating deformities known as the Brachycephalic Syndrome. An easily seen deformity is stenotic nares, or small nostril openings restricting air intake. Other changes require X-rays and anesthetic to fully assess. Because the nose is too short, the soft palate becomes elongated, blocking air movement into the trachea. Tracheal stenosis, or narrowing of the trachea, may also be present. These breeds also commonly have averted laryngeal sac-
Fernando and Jeremiah are ARF’s Adoption Stars
cules. The larynx or voice box has two small saccules on either side. With chronic stressed breathing, these saccules turn inside out – creating partial airway blockage. All of these deformities can be surgically corrected. In bulldogs, this is often done at a young age as means of prevention. The first signs of heat stroke are excessive panting and agitation. There may be large amounts of drool and nasal discharge. Your pet will struggle to breathe and collapse. Gums will be blue or bright red – signs of inadequate oxygenation. First, remove your pet to a cooler environment. Cool the body by placing cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits and groin area. Use cool water on the ears and paws. The breeze from a fan will cool by evaporating the water. If possible, take a rectal temperature. Strive to reduce the body temperature from 105-plus to 102.5 to 103 degrees. Seek veterinary care immediately. Once at the hospital, the dog will be given a sedative and be started on IV fluids, oxygen and appropriate shock treatment. A referral to a veterinary surgeon specialist for emergency surgery may be needed. Do not use ice or cold water, because it actually slows down the lowering of the core body temperature. Cold constricts the outer body blood vessels, forming an insulation that keeps the heat inside. Also, don’t put your pet into a pool to cool down. He may be disoriented and drown. Do not assume your pet will be safe for even a few minutes in the car. If you are delayed, you may return to a dead pet – and legal ramifications. For more information, visit aspca.org. Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be reached at Monte Vista Animal Hospital, Concord. 672-1100.
FERNANDO TORRES Fernando Torres is fun, lively pup. He has no shortage of energy and would love to join you on adventures. His ideal adopter will be able to provide him with a variety of mental and physical exercise daily. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60 percent off one 7-week dog training session. Jeremiah is a gentle, sweet boy looking for a quiet forever
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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.
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 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The primary caretaker
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.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
Clayton Sports Diablo FC wins half the titles at Summer Classic
Photo courtesy of Diablo FC
AFTER A PAIR OF RUNNER-UP FINISHES AT THE DIABLO FC SUMMER CLASSIC the under 15 Diablo FC 95 girls made their third championship final the charm, winning the championship last month in Concord. The team coached by Sissi includes, front row from left, Lauren Bradley, Taylor Mangini; middle row, Haley Cappa, Donna Baldetti, Desiree Martinez, Stephanie Macaluso, Hannah O’Campo, Hannah Harris, Mary Stammers; back row, Sarah Toelkes, Brianna Gonzales, Mikayla Wightman, Kylee Smith, Francesca Panella, Kay Hays, Quianna AshleyWhite and Megan Coppa.
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The local competitive soccer club, Diablo FC, proved successful at its eighth annual Summer Classic by winning four of the eight championship games and having five more of its teams finish in second place. A pair of boys and girls Diablo FC teams was in the winner’s circle. The four championships is one more than Diablo FC teams won combined in the previous two Summer Classics. On the boys side, the under 12 Diablo FC 98 and under 13 Diablo FC 97 teams claimed championships. For the girls, Diablo FC 96 won the under 14 age group and Diablo FC 95 was the winner in U15. VICTORY AT LAST Probably no team was happier about finishing first than Diablo FC 95 girls. The U15 team had lost in the tournament finals the past two years and this was the last time they’d be age eligible to play in the classic. This year’s final victory came after a hard-fought championship match 1-0 over their sister Diablo FC 95 Blue team. Diablo FC defeated Benicia Arsenal 95 3-1, Dublin United Hurricanes 3-0 and Livermore Fusion Black 95 3-0 leading up to the finals. Excellent goalkeeping from Mikayla Wightman was on display over all four matches
for coach Sissi’s team. The other girls champ from Diablo FC came in the U14 age group. Coach Marquis White’s team was Summer Classic champs two years ago as well. The local team garnered three consecutive shutouts to reach the championship game, defeating East County United Synergy 6-0, Ajax United premier 97 5-0 and Mustang Dynamite 3-0. In the finale, they surrendered a goal to Ajax United East Bay and ended up tied 1-1 after regulation play and overtime. Diablo FC 96 won a shootout to earn first-place honors. SORROW IN SHOOTOUTS In the two younger age groups of the Summer Classic, Diablo FC teams were not so fortunate in championship shootouts. Diablo FC 97 girls never gave up a goal in four U13 games as defenders Izzy Reyes, Courtney Sheffield, Kyra Trowbridge, Caleigh Silva and Jade Rafallo front goalkeeper Kaylie Collins. However, coach Lewis Woodward’s team wasn’t able to put even one shot in the goal during a shootout to lose the finale to Heritage Dynamite. Diablo FC 97 was runner-up two years ago in the Summer Classic U11 age group. The Diablo FC 98 U12 girls of coach Sissi also fell in the shootout to Ajax United East Bay 99 after a scoreless championship match. The team had three straight 0-0 games after
starting the tournament with a 4-0 victory over Livermore Fusion 98 Black. The U13 Diablo FC 97 boys also endured a pair of runnerup finishes in the Summer Classic the past two years. This time they had shutout wins over Hayward Charruas 2-0, Bay Oaks Roadrunners 4-0 and Castro Valley United 2-0. They matched up with Atletico Santa Rosa United in the finals and came away with a 2-1 win for new coach Joel Cazarez. AN ALL-CLUB FINAL In the youngest age group, U12, Diablo FC had an embarrassment of riches as Diablo FC 98 met Diablo FC 99 I the finals. The younger Diablo FC 99 team was “playing up” an age group in the Summer Classic. The age group champion Diablo FC 98 scored 21 goals and gave up only two in winning four games comfortably for coach Mani Salimpour. A few weeks earlier, Diablo FC 98 made it all the way to the finals of the prestigious Cal Cup in Sacramento before dropping a 2-1 verdict to host San Juan SC Lightning 99 I the finals. Although they were playing up an age group, Diablo FC 99 scored 25 goals in its first three games before coach Steve Shott’s team was overmatched by its clubmates in the finals. It was especially impressive performance because the team usually plays in U11 age group, where the games are 9 vs. 9 as
Photo courtesy of Diablo FC
THE DIABLO FC 96 GIRLS go by the nickname Shockwaves and they were just that in winning their own Summer Classic U14 championship. The team includes, front row from left, Jess Viera-Ramirez, Phia Rumpf; middle row, Taryn Niederberger, Maggie Aires, Lizzie Chavez, Rachel Lindenauer, Kendall Marsh, Jacqueline Laird; back row, Rachel Lanfranchi, Brianne Newell, Jacky Scharff, Shelby Johnson, Kaitlyn Emigh, Michelle Li, Dominike Tambazidis and Ale Gonzalez.
opposed to the 11 vs. 11 format in the Summer Classic. The U14 Diablo FC 96 boys of coach Derricke Brown lost 21 in the finals to Atletico Santa Rosa Santos despite a brilliant second-half goal by Jared Amodio that cut their halftime deficit in half. They had earlier met the same team in roundrobin play, losing 2-0. That loss was sandwiched between Diablo FC 96 victories over Ajax United Elite 97 4-1 with goals by Jonathan Bellesorte, Marshall Lyon, Amodio and Daniel
Garcia and Almaden Valley United 96 Green 3-0 as Michael Clancy, Michael Samaniego and Garcia all scored in the second half. The only age group that did not have a Diablo FC team in the finals was U15 boys. The nationally ranked Diablo FC 95 boys were playing the same July weekend at the Surf Cup in San Diego. After losing in the U14 finals a year ago, Diablo FC again made a deep run at Surf Cup this year. They lost 1-0 in the U15 semi-finals to the sev-
enth-ranked team in the United States, San Diego Surf Academy, denying them a chance to play for the title again. Diablo FC is ranked among the top 20 U15 boys teams in America. Diablo FC is hosting its annual Summer Challenge for under 9 through under 11 teams in Concord Aug. 21-22. For more information and complete tournament results, visit diablofc.org.
Ipsen racks up three more Junior National titles JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Kristian Ipsen won three titles at the USA Diving Junior National Championships in Tucson in late July, bringing the career total to 16 Junior National championships for the 17year-old from Clayton. That total would be even greater had he competed in the 2009 meet. Ipsen had just returned from Rome last summer – where he combined with
Troy Dumais to place second at the FINA World Championships in the 3-meter synchro competition – and decided to take a break from national competitions after his first major international senior meet. In Tucson, Ipsen won the 1and 3-meter springboard for 16-18 boys. His total in the 1M was 565.15 and in the 3M 575.30. In the latter event, he was 30.1 points ahead of runner-up Michael Hixon. Ipsen and Hixon of Amherst, Mass., then combined to win the 14-
18 3M synchro event. Ipsen has been competing in synchro since early last year with three-time Olympian Dumais. “I expected it to be a little more difficult,” Ipsen said of pairing with Hixon. “We’ve only really practiced together once, but everything clicked and it felt natural.” Ipsen won his individual titles on the opening two days of the meet. “I hadn’t been to a junior meet in a really long time, so I actually was really
See Ipsen, page 13
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Clayton Sports Rowing neophyte Kara Kohler takes World Championship gold in Belarus
BIG CAL TURNOUT Kohler had never participated in crew 12 months ago as she prepared to begin her freshman year at Cal, after graduating
The numbers are remarkably similar year after year: More than 900 swimmers representing nine recreation swim teams in Concord and Clayton will descend on Concord Community Pool Friday through Sunday for the 44th annual Concord City Meet. The swimmers age 4 up to 18 combine for more than 2,500 entries and 300 relays. The event is hosted by the Springwood Swim Team and part of the Concord Cup youth sports series. For the Oakhurst Country
Photo courtesy USRowing
CLAYTON’S KARA KOHLER (5th from left) on the gold medal stand with her American teammates after they won the women’s 8 at the World Rowing U23 Championships late last month in Brest, Belarus. The Clayton Valley High graduate capped a whirlwind rookie year in the sport with the world championship gold medal.
from Clayton Valley High School in June 2009. She quickly adapted, earning a spot in the Pac 10 champions No. 1 crew and was named conference Newcomer of the Year this spring. She was invited to try out for the Under 23 national team and went through an intensive evaluation and training period during June and July in Southern California and on the East Coast. While making her debut with the national team, Kohler was joined by Cal teammate Mary Jeghers on the U.S. women’s eight. Jeghers was a part of the U.S. eight that won world silver last year. Additionally, their coxswain was Ariel Frost of Walnut Creek. Cal rowers Nareg Guregian, Samuel Walker, Nick Lucey and Zachary Vlahos teamed in the men’s eight that captured silver at the Under 23 Championships. In Belarus, the American crews brought home seven medals, breaking the previous record of four won in 2002. The USA entered all 21 events at the World Championships.
Club Orcas and Dana Hills Swim Team Otters, the meet is an opportunity for swimmers to measure themselves against the best of Concord’s rec team swimmers in A and B division competition. Dana Hills has especially enjoyed the city meet, with seven consecutive A team titles and 17 of the past 18. Springwood won the 2002 team title, interrupting Dana Hills’ dominance. Oakhurst coach Jane Robinson says the Orcas are excited for the city meet. “This is the culminating meet of the season for most of our swimmers and we are expecting many ‘Pop’ (personal best)
Ipsen, from page 12 nervous. I’m happy I stayed consistent,” he said. With those titles, he qualified to represent the USA Sept. 1-6 back in Tucson for the World Junior Championships. “Junior Worlds is a really fun meet and I wanted to have a chance to compete on as many boards as possible,” added
Sports Shorts
BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR MARTA AT CONCORD SOCCER CLINIC Girls and boys ages 7-14 are invited to the FC Gold Pride Community Clinic next Thursday, Aug. 12 at Boatwright Sports Complex in Concord. Four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta and other Pride players will be teaching the soccer clinic hosted by Diablo FC. Registration for the clinic includes a ticket to an FC Gold Pride game. Register at fcgoldprideacademy.com or call (888) 541-3511.
DEDICATED ATHLETE Kohler and the U23 American team stayed at the Solnechny Health-Improving Center, which her dad described as a Belarusian mountain spa. “The team had the entire place to themselves. Kara texted that she felt like they were in the middle of an enchanted forest.” The Kohlers are extremely proud of Kara. “She has worked hard and is so focused when she puts her mind to something that it is nice to see her achieve this level of success,” he dad adds. “Of course, a parent’s view of their child’s success can be biased to some extent, so it is gratifying when we hear comments from her coaches and teammates about how focused Kara is when she sets a goal. Kara’s Cal coach, Dave O’Neill, posted a link to a Pioneer article on Cal Crew twitter and he said, ‘Go Kara Kohler. A terrific athlete and even better person.’ Comments like that mean more than her athletic success.” One of Kohler’s American crew teammates, Felice Mueller
of Cleveland, wrote a blog throughout the national team trials process. Mueller wrote of Kara: “I knew coming to camp that I would be training with the fastest collegiate girls in the country, but quite honestly, I wasn’t prepared for this. My roommate, Kara, who’s from Cal Berkeley, is a perfect specimen of athleticism. She’s 6-2 and her body is perfectly proportioned, toned muscle. And Kara was a freshman last year. You may be thinking, well she’s just a freak of nature. But in actuality, all the girls here are just like Kara. Tall, jacked and fast. I can tell you now before seat racing starts that it’s going to be cut throat to make this U23 eight.” Kohler arrived home two days after the finals with exactly one month off before her sophomore classes at Cal start. The same day she got home, she told her parents that she is thinking of meeting up with a coach at Briones Reservoir to do some sculling (two oars per person) because she has not done much of that and would like to get better at it.
Nine teams vying for glory at 44th Concord swim meet this weekend JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
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.
ATHLETIC BOOSTERS TOURNAMENT SEEKS GOLFERS There are still openings for golfers and sponsors at the 19th annual Clayton Valley High School Athletic Boosters Club Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 16, at Oakhurst Country Club. The tournament benefits all sports teams at the high school. The $175 entry fee includes green fee, golf cart, tee prize, golf shirt, course drinks, lunch and dinner. For more information, contact tournament director Dave Looney at 2859903 or visit cvhsboosters.org.
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Two weeks ago Sunday, the lights were on in the Clayton home of Mike and Caryl Kohler at 4 in the morning as they listened to the live online feed of a boat race from Brest, Belarus, which is 10 hours ahead of Pacific time. It wasn’t just the women’s eight finals at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. The Kohlers cheered on the USA boat with their youngest daughter Kara joining her American teammates as they beat New Zealand and Canada to the finish line for the gold medal and world championship. “It was pretty exciting. We talked to Kara a few hours after the race and she said the team was thrilled to win,” Mike Kohler says. “They had been in the practice lake next to the course during the morning races and kept hearing national anthems played during the various medal ceremonies – which made them want the gold even more. She said she couldn’t imagine a better way to wrap up her first year in the sport.” The American women’s eight crew took home world championship gold for the third time in the last five years. In a tight race, only 0.37 seconds separated the top four crews through the first 500 meters. The USA then surged ahead and took a 1.50-second lead at the midway point. By the finish, the United States held more than a four-second advantage and completed the 2,000-meter course in 6:31.97. New Zealand was second in 6:36.48, followed by Canada.
Page 13
Ipsen, who won the 1-meter at the 2006 Junior Worlds. The local diver has little time to rest on his laurels as he’s at Texas A&M for the AT&T National Championships. He’ll be in the 3M springboard and teamed up with Dumais in the 3M synchro.
times.” The Orcas have 68 swimmers participating. “We hope to have many swimmers qualify for the county swim meet,” Robinson adds. “A few of our hopefuls include Megan Morimoto, Brianna Murray, Tyler Hanson, Sofia Earle, Henry Smith, Ryan Roo, Nick Fuentes and Clarice Roo. They would join Grace Smith and Erika Wolfram at the county meet.” The team expects to have many finalists in the A and B divisions. “We are also excited to see the debut of 7-8 Nolan Degener’s new dive,” the coach says.
Then he returns to start his senior year Aug. 18 at De La Salle High School, getting a couple weeks of class in before heading to Arizona for the World Juniors. Speaking of world championships, the Junior Nationals ended July 27 – exactly two years to the day before the start of the 2012 London Olympics, where Ipsen hopes to be wearing the red, white and blue of the American team
Dana Hills has more than 30 county meet qualifiers before league and city meets, including swimmers who have made county qualifying times in three or more events each. These multi-event qualifiers are Derek Anderson, Bekah Padilla, Sarah Hamilton, Ashley Jennings, Josh Harmon, Michael Chiok, Nikki Palmer, Justine Trimble, Sara Abele, Melissa Schoell, Niklas Weigelt, Lily Stagner, Alina Weigelt, Anthony Vines and Logan Sherman. The city meet begins 6 p.m. Friday with individual medley timed finals. Saturday and Sunday competition runs all day from 8:30 a.m. at Concord Community Pool. Admission is free. A cadre of more than 100 Springwood Swim Team families plan and organize the meet. The other eight participating teams provide volunteers to time, score, marshal, judge and do other jobs on the pool deck. The annual summer recreation swim season ends Aug. 14-15 at the Contra Costa County Meet, this year at Diablo Valley College.
FALL BASKETBALL LEAGUE AT CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM All Out Sports is offering a seven-week basketball league for boys and girls age 4-14 starting Sept. 18 at the Clayton Community Gym. Walk-in registration will be accepted 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, at the gym. For more information or to register, visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com. DIABLO FUTBOL PRE-SEASON AYSO SOCCER CAMP Diablo Futbol Club professional coaches will present the first MDSA Pre-season Camp 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 9-13 for AYSO players in MDSA and other recreation programs. The camp staff will concentrate on a single soccer skill each day. The camp is at the Boatwright Sports Complex in Concord. For more information, visit diablofc.org.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG. 9 FOR THE AUG. 20 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com Sept. 2-Oct. 10 “She Loves Me”
CLAYTON EVENTS Saturdays through October Farmers Market
CLUBS
Considered the most charming and romantic musical ever written. Center Repertory Company, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $19$45. Centerrep.org or 943-SHOW.
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Diablo Street between Main and Center, downtown Clayton. No markets Sept. 4 and Oct. 2. pcfma.com or 800-949-3276.
Through Sept. 16 Music and Market Series
Aug. 14, 28 Concerts in the Grove
CLASS REUNION
Meets 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm, 1060 Pine Lane. Sharon Osteen talks about vermicomposting with worms. Contact Nancy at 673-3522 or claytonvalleygardenclub.org.
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club
Aug. 21 Clayton Valley High School Class of 1990
Diamond Dave comes to the Grove Aug 14 for the Clayton concert series
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.
Clayton Valley Garden Club
Concerts 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. ci.concord.ca.us or 671-3464.
Aug. 14: Diamond Dave covers the classics and the latest hits. Aug. 28: East Bay Mudd is a 10-piece cover dance band. 6-8:30 p.m., Grove Park, downtown Clayton.
Clayton Business and Community Association
Dinner, dancing and reminiscing. 6 p.m.-midnight, Wildwood Acres Resort, Lafayette. For tickets, make a $100 check payable to “CVHS Class of 1990 20-Year Reunion” and deposit it to Wells Fargo account 5713376928 or mail to Julie Moss, 120 Shoreline Circle, No. 441, San Ramon, CA 94582. Include your email address in the memo field. Or contact Kim at 425-417-0320 or kimberlynunes@hotmail.com.
Meets 9:30 a.m. for coffee, 10 a.m. meetings, second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Alberta Way, Concord. Meetings begin again in September. Call Joan at 672-2471.
Clutch Busters Square Dance Club Meets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Willow Pass Community Center Hall, 2748 East Olivera Road, Concord. Contact Karen at 686-3774.
Concord Stompers Square Dance Club
FUNDRAISERS
Aug. 21 CBCA Rib Cookoff/Membership Drive
Sept. 19 Murder Mystery Dinner
Sponsored by the Clayton Community and Business Association. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Clayton Club, 6096 Main St. Judging completed by 2 p.m., with public tastings after. Contestant applications at claytoncbca.org and at the Clayton Club. 672-2272.
Through Sept. 15 Classic Car Exhibit 2-4 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, plus 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays to coincide with the Main Street Car Show. Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. 672-0240 or claytonhistory.org.
Sponsored by the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. 4:30 p.m., Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. $45, includes dinner and the murder mystery with local celebrities. claytonvalleywomans-club.org or 969-9885.
Contra Costa Chess Club
Sept. 20 Friends of Camp Concord Golf Tournament
Contra Costa Mineral and Gem Society
Hosted by Dan Ashley at Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. friendsofcamp.com.
Through Aug. 7 “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”
Donations benefit the Monument Crisis Center. Drop off 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Mt. Diablo Peace Center, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Or at the Crisis Center 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, 2350 Monument Blvd., Suite B, Concord. Contact Mary at 9337850 or maryalice@mtdpc.org.
Neil Simon’s salute to gifted writers and comedians. Diablo Actors Ensemble, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $10-$25. 866-8114111 or diabloactors.com.
Through Aug. 8 “Footloose”
AT THE LIBRARY
With the Willows Theatre Youth Conservatory. Alhambra Performing Arts Center, 350 E St., Martinez. $10-$15. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org.
The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Most programs are free. 673-0659 or claytonlibrary.org.
Aug. 9 Clayton Library Book Club
Aug. 10 Civic Arts Young Performers Orchestra/ Diablo Regional Youth Orchestra
Sunny Solomon leads discussion of “The Pastures of Heaven” by John Steinbeck. 7 p.m.
A mix of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and classical music. Shadelands Auditorium, 1111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5846.
Aug. 12 “Secrets to Tapping the Hidden Job Market” Learn how to find out about and get hired for jobs that aren’t listed. A free interactive workshop with Marilyn Ashlin of Ashlin Career Consulting Services. 1-3 p.m.
Aug. 13-21 Diablo Actors Ensemble One-Act Festival Featuring middle and high school students. 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. diabloactors.com or 866-811-4111.
Tuesdays through Aug. 17 Patty Cakes
Aug. 14 Lee Harvell Classic Car Show Free barbecue, music and a water play area for kids. 5:30 p.m. to sunset, Crossroads Church, 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord. To register a car or motorcycle, crossroadschurchweb.org or 798-5905, ext. 204.
Aug. 19 Big Band Summer Concert 7:30 p.m., Civic Arts Education Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5846.
Real People, Real Results
Meets 7-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. 946-0469 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. 689-1155 or dvmug.org.
East Bay Prospectors Club Meets 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month, Gold Pan California, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. Clayton resident Doug Junghans is president. eastbaygpaa.webs.com or 672-1863.
Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month, except holidays, Cauchi Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3966 Chestnut St, Concord. Contact George at 685-9547 or visit kofc6038.org.
Thursdays through Aug. 19 Picture Book Time
Scrabble Club 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 (SIRs)
MEETINGS
6 p.m., Diablo Valley College Music Building, M-101, Pleasant Hill. 228-3293 or masterworkschorale.net.
Diablo Valley Democratic Club
Meets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. 566-8166 or claytonvalleyrotary.org.
Learn about job training programs in East Contra Costa County. A free workshop by Opportunity Junction. 2 p.m.
Aug. 16 Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale Auditions
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 artists welcome. Contact Arlene at 673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com. Creeksideartists.org.
Storytime for babies to 3 year olds. Child attends with caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m. Tuesdays.
Aug. 25 “Free and Low-Cost Job Training”
A wacky musical satire from the Willows Theatre Company. Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward St., Martinez. $22-$30. willowstheatre.org or 798-1300.
Meets 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. 779-0698 or ccmgs.org.
Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise
Storytime for 3-5 year olds. Child may attend without caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m. Thursdays.
Aug. 16-Sept. 19 “Six Women with Brain Death, or Expiring Minds Want to Know”
Meets 6:30-9:30 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.
Creekside Artists Guild
Through Sept. 30 Collection of Locally Grown Produce
EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT
RE/MAX
Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Willow Pass Community Center, 2748 East Olivera Road, Concord. Call Jennie at 672-9676 or angelfire.com/id/stompers.
Meets 11:15 a.m. the first Thursday of the month, Crown Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. The chapter no longer meets at Oakhurst Country Club. 429-3777.
Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista
Aug. 10, 24 Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
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
Aug. 11, 25 Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Meets for dinner, brunch, theater, etc. This is not a dating service nor is it a grieving class - just a way to meet other people. Contact Lori at 998-8844 or lori@lorihagge.com.
7:30 p.m., 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. mdusd.org.
Jeanette Shelton 408-4323
Will Haskins 899-3988
Lito Calimlim 768-1684
Judy & Al Ruskus 980-8301
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Christine Geddes-Sinclaire 286-7593
Hugh Toloui 876-4844 DRE #00918424
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Mike Kavanaugh 383-6102 DRE #01309778
August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Theatre
What we offer:
Wacky ‘Six Women’ an outrageously audacious comedy GARY CARR Special to the Pioneer
Photo: David Faustina
“Six Women...” features (clockwise from the top), Jujuana Williams, Erica Richardson, Muraya Ranieri and Kristine Lowry.
If you’ve had the kids all summer, it might be time for a laugh before you send them back to school. The Willows Theatre Company is here to help, bringing back one of its funniest and most popular musical shows – “Six Women with Brain Death, or Expiring Minds Want to Know.” “Six Women” is the supermarket tabloids come to life. It’s a fast-paced, take-no-prisoners satire of life and pop culture from an entirely feminine standpoint. In a series of bizarre, hysterical songs and sketches, the show explores TV soaps, “genuine press-on nails,” Barbie and Ken’s secret fantasy life, divas and a unique way of recycling – with an unforgettable detour through a forest where Bambi meets Rambo. The Willows has assembled a talented cast that includes Erica Richardson, Jujuana
Williams, Kristine Lowry, Denmo Ibrahim and Muraya Ranieri. Lowery was last at the Willows as the Baroness in “Hats: The Musical.” Williams turned heads in “Forever Broadway” earlier this year at the Herbst Theatre. Richardson was the feisty tune-belter Dionne in the Willows production of “Hair.” Ibrahim is a seasoned Bay Area performer, playwright and co-founder of the physical theatre troupe Mugwumpin. Ranieri has been a band singer since the age of 13 and also plays drums. The production is directed by artistic director Richard Elliott, with musical direction by Tim Hanson and choreography by Nicole Helfer. Clayton’s own Catherine Gloria played Lucy in the Willows production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
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Book Review
Following ‘Grace’ a worthy war adventure
CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
After a spate of Hollywood blockbusters about World War II a few years ago, I decided I was done with the narrative of a man’s war, the killing, the heroism. I know war is “real” and I know that it often happens for justifiable reasons, but I had enough. Then I discovered another version of that epic piece of history: a woman’s version. I recently had the good fortune to encounter “Days of Grace” by Catherine Hall, whose point of view is a wel-
come change. The narrative of “Days of Grace” runs on a parallel track. One line tells the story of a young girl from London, shipped off to the countryside for safety during the dark days of World War II. The other track offers the progressive slide of an old woman looking back on a quickly guttering life. The story’s conclusion meets somewhere in the middle. The story opens with 12-year-old Nora Lynch as she is separated from her mother and shipped off to the English countryside, where bombs presumably will not fall from enemy planes. It is a strange experience for a city girl to leave the regularity of an ordered existence and be supplanted in a bewildering country life. Nora is placed with a surrogate family belonging to the Rev. Rivers, his wife and their daugh-
ter, Grace. Nora falls easily into life with the Rivers family. More importantly, she finds in Grace a loving and resourceful sister, and, as passionate young girls can be, Nora and Grace become inseparable. When Nora is given the chance to return to London, she chooses to remain with the Rivers family. It is an understandable choice for a girl in her position. However, after five years in the country, news reaches Nora that her mother’s apartment has been destroyed in a German bomb blast. Full of remorse, she decides to return to London. Not a girl to be left behind by her best pal, Grace tags dutifully along. The second narrative of the novel takes the perspective of Nora as an old woman near
death. Her story unravels backward, to the days when she and Grace arrived cold, hungry and scared in bomb-ravaged London. Having lived many years in the city, Nora was street-wise, but Grace was a country flower, easily swallowed up in the city grit. Arriving in the city penniless, the girls were befriended by a local thug who gave them a place to live, ostensibly because he was such a swell guy. Grace was overjoyed, but Nora could see what was coming. She had a front row seat to Grace’s slow destruction, helpless to do anything but stand close to pick up the pieces as best she could. Let me just say that the end of “Days of Grace” is both sad and triumphant. It is a perfect summer read. Cynthia Gregory writes book reviews, award-winning short stories and a blog. Visit her at www.twogirlstakeonlove.com or write ceegregory@aol.com
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Movie Review
Toys really shine in third movie in classic series
2011 Alaska, Europe, Caribbean, Canada & New England are now available for booking
Owners Valerie O’Connell (Clayton resident, 30 years) & daughter Colleen O’Connell
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Toys can hold memories of the joyful, carefree times of our youth. Picking up an old favorite toy sparks a hint of that belief that your toys were thinking, feeling, comforting creatures. But toys can also be really creepy in the right lighting, and “Toy Story 3” brings both fun and scary toys into the mix. By the third movie in most sequel chains, the story starts to wear thin. This one faces that fact head on rather than trying to cover it up with bigger, shinier and louder gags. The nostalgic story wants you to remember the family of toy characters (voiced by Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and others
from the previous films) from the original 1995 film and its 1999 sequel just as you might a cherished plaything from your childhood. But now the kids who loved the first movie are grown up and the parents who took them are thinking about the next phase of life – and this movie caters to both groups. Growing up and growing older involve scary uncertainties and here those fears are embodied by evil toys and uncontrolled tots in the new environment of Sunnyside day-care center. When the toys’ child Andy (voice of John Morris) gets ready for college, his favorite toy cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom
Pixar Animation Studios/Disney Pictures
An exuberant toddler prepares to slobber all over Buzz Lightyear’s helmet in “Toy Story 3.”
DON PEDRO CRUZ
AT
THE
MOVIES
Hanks) and the other toys face “retirement” to the attic. Through a series of mishaps, they instead end up going to a day-care center that at first seems an ideal place for a toy but becomes nightmarish when some of the resident toys turn out to be ruthless dictators running things like a prison camp. Although it is rated G, some of the scenes at Sunnyside are frightening. Remember that “lifelike” baby doll with the lazy eye staring at you in a dark room? If you never had nightmares about it before, you might after this movie. But like most real-life fears, these obstacles can be overcome and eventually everyone finds their places and the movie finds
its warm and satisfying wrap-up. The toy characters may seem antiquated when matched up against the electronic games and gadgets that today’s kids want for Christmas, but the writers really know these toys and know how to make them both funny and lifelike, without losing their “toyness.” Within the first five minutes, I couldn’t help but smile as the colorful hair of the troll dolls blew past in the windows of a train. I don’t know why that’s funny, it just is. And the writer who thought to show what it looks like from the inside of Buzz Lightyear’s plastic helmet when a drooling child licks it truly understood how to get inside that toy’s imaginary head. “Toy Story 3” makes for a great summer movie with its humor and thoughtful nature, as well as a few thrills and chills to keep the story moving along.
Don Pedro Cruz is a local freelance writer and graphic designer. Send your comments to dpvc2000@gmail.com
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A take-no-prisoners musical satire of life and pop culture from an entirely feminine standpoint…
Directed by
Richard Elliott Musical Direction by
Tim Hanson Takes a snarky look at Barbi & Ken’s secret fantasy life… a unique way of recycling…a forest hike where Bambi meets Rambo
Aug 16 – Sept 19 At the Campbell Theatre 636 Ward Street Downtown Martinez Telecharge (925) 798-1300 WWW.WILLOWSTHEATRE.ORG
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
August 6, 2010
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Clayton Community Church is celebrating a new award for spiritual growth. The Bartlett L. Hess Award was delivered to the membership on July 18 by Jeff Jeremiah, stated clerk for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, for demonstrating the most innovative approach to church growth or revitalization. The annual award encourages positive, reproducible innovation with others in the EPC denomination. The EPC consists of more than 260 churches and about 85,000 members. According to Jeremiah, EPC’s priority is sharing Jesus Christ and the gospel with those who need healing and redemption. The Hess Award recognizes efforts to declare Jesus’ praises in the community and the world. “A church that is healthy and vital will attract people who are looking or need answers,” Jeremiah said. “This award is not about (CCC Pastor) Shawn Robinson, this award is about you,” Jeremiah told the congregation. “Recognizing, cheering, patting you on the back for the work you are doing in your ministry.”
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of the church were the “living stones” of 1 Peter 2:5. He counted his stones one by one. “If one of the stones is missing, pastor and people need to know why.” If you were absent from Hess’ congregation for three Sundays, you could expect his rumbling voice on the phone on the third Sunday afternoon. If you were a first-time visitor in his church, by Sunday evening you would have heard from him. By Monday morning, your name
would be on the evangelism pastor’s desk and, if you returned the next Sunday, Hess would greet you by name. Clayton Community Church meets at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays in the multi-purpose room at Diablo View Middle School. For more information, stop by the church office at 6055 Main St., Clayton, call 673-9060 or visit claytoncc.com. For more information about the Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the Bart Hess Award, visit epc.org.
Church News
CCC’S SENIOR PASTOR SHAWN ROBINSON accepts the Bart Hess Award, a sort of Spirit’s spirit-award for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church denomination, from regional Stated Clerk Jeff Jeremiah.
CLAYTON VALLEY CHURCH The church will host its second Back 2 School Giveway 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. While supplies last, the church will give away free school supplies to help families in the community get ready for school. The church is at 5430 Michigan Blvd., Concord. For more information, call 6723397.
High school poetry assignment sparks local historian’s Pony Express passion LOU FANCHER Clayton Pioneer
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Hess was one of the founding fathers of the EPC. Praised as a great leader and visionary, he pastored with skill and care. He planted daughter churches and revitalized tired churches. “Bart Hess was not that great a preacher or speaker,” Jeremiah added. “That’s why we won the award?” Robinson interjected. “Nooo,” Jeremiah retorted with a laugh. Hess believed that the people
One hundred and 50 years ago, Thomas Bedford missed the boat. Good thing, because Bedford’s tardiness is one reason Concord’s Tom Crews became a leading expert on the American West’s Pony Express. Crews, a retired Army Corps Engineer and avid photographer, got hooked on investigation and exploration in high school. An English teacher’s poetry assignment started the whole thing. “Everyone hated her, but I liked her,” Crews says. “I hated poetry though, so when she assigned us to collect poems, I tried to think of one subject I could stand. I chose transportation.” He didn’t learn to love poetry, but he did learn a lesson that
defines his life’s work. “I found out the narrower and narrower you make a subject, the more and more you can get out of it,” he says. A LOVE OF RESEARCH After graduating from the Naval Academy, Crews applied that same zoom-lens philosophy to engineering work on Navy destroyer ships. Nine years later, stepping off the deck in Alameda, he joined the Army Corps of Engineers. “My job was to provide reports for permits for anything that impacted the wetlands or the coastline,” he explains. Investigating project proposals satisfied the explorer in Crews. Sometimes, the research took only days; other times, it required years. Speaking of it now, there’s no frustration in his tone. He says the process of
looking closer, then closer again, was satisfying. Eventually, he moved from the Army Corps to an environmental planning company in San Francisco. There, he followed an unusual path to his next subject of study. “I was a partner and there was a seminar I wanted to go to,” he says. “It was in Puerto Rico and I thought, ‘Well, that’s kind of cool.’ I told the company I’d go to any seminar they had.” For the trip, Crews purchased a camera and shot photos. “The day I got those photos back, I went right to the camera store and upgraded to a single lens reflex camera,” he says. Soon, he had joined the Contra Costa Camera Club. “That’s when I really began,” he says. “I had a dark room in my house. I even became president of the club after a bit.” PERUSING PONY EXPRESS ARCHIVES
Hobby grew to be profession: Crews became a salesman and instructor at Reed’s Cameras in Walnut Creek. In 1990, while planning the family’s annual summer road trip, he noticed a Pony Express Station on a Nevada map. “It triggered a memory I had of a statue in Sacramento,” he recalls. About the same time, a friend gave him a National Geographic magazine article about the Pony Express, and Crews was on a quest. “With that, not only did I have a story, I had a map. I started researching,” he says. Pausing to clear his throat, he then confides: “You know, I get involved in stuff and get to overkill. By the time I got done, I had a foot-high pile of Pony Express information.” And, he’d found a fascinating tidbit. The Express, which ran from St. Joseph, Mo., to
Sacramento, where mail was sent to San Francisco by steamer, had come through Contra Costa County 150 years ago. TOM CREWS Although it came through twice more in 1860 and had a stop in Lafayette for a period of time, this was the first. “It turns out the Pony Express actually came through here because they missed the boat in Sacramento,” he says. FACT BEFORE FICTION In typical fashion, Crews dug deeper. “The original articles never said how old the Contra Costa rider was,” Crews says, “but in a much later Benicia paper, it said he was 13.” The rider’s age, the youngest in Express history, became part of common folklore. Intrigued, Crews narrowed his focus again. “I studied newspapers and an 1860 census and found out that Thomas Bedford was actually 32. He wasn’t 13 – a reporter had just made it up.” The allure of tantalizing historical discoveries has captivated Crews. His Website, xphomestation.com, offers historical facts, photos, quizzes, maps and links to more information about the Pony Express. He continues to share his love of photography with students at Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education and several Bay area camera stores. And wherever he heads, you can expect him to follow the trail to its end. Crews will be speaking on the Pony Express to the Benicia State Parks Association at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters of the Benicia Arsenal. The COQ was restored (again) and rededicated in 2009. There is no charge for the lecture.
August 6, 2010
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
A little TLC and morning sun can tame the finicky gardenia labels. This is perfect, because gardenias like small meals often, not a blast of heavy feeding during installing. That’s all you need, since that bag says “good for three months.”
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL Dear gardenia, why do you trouble me so? I love your shiny green leaves and your intensely fragrant blossom, and yet you keep losing your leaves, as their color pales with yellow, and your flowers have become fewer in number. What can I do for you to make you happy again, gardenia? Please tell me the secret to succeeding with you in my garden. Gardenia bushes are hard to keep happy in Clayton Valley landscapes and gardens. They need fertile, rich soil, substantial morning sun, regular water and fertilizer, with the occasional dose of iron. Satisfying these needs is easier said than done. Most of the time, the gardenia shrubs that I encounter are leggy, yellowish plants with a handful of flowers that seem to stress the bush, rather than accessorize it. Success begins with proper installation for almost any shrub especially gardenias. They are famously picky plants, with more needs then our Clayton Valley soils can naturally provide. Gardenia roots like to travel for nutrients, and our sticky, compacted clay soil holds them back and keeps them stagnant and unhappy. MAKE THAT SUPER-SOIL When installing a new gardenia, you must amend the soil. Incorporate compost with your native dirt. Ideally you make your own compost, but purchased compost can work well if the ingredients contain fir or cedar bark, earthworm casting, bat guano, chicken manure and beneficial bacteria. Work the compost into the native soil, dug in and through. As you water the plants, the compost breaks down and feeds the soil. Resist the temptation to use compost or planting mixes with fertilizer mixed into the bag. It is better to control what your plants are getting and when. Gardenia bushes like to be fed often. They look forward to regular, monthly feedings of a light, acid fertilizer. Most acidbased granular fertilizers have numbers less than 10 on the
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE If you have previously installed gardenias or have inherited them in your landscape, you can still cultivate some compost near the drip line. Adding nutrients naturally is desirable for these finicky shrubs. Spread a 23 inch layer of compost under the gardenias and water thoroughly. Depending on the compactness of the area, you’ll probably
need to use a liquid soil penetrate to introduce the compost to the gardenia roots. Without using one, all the good stuff may drain away from your plant. Perc-o-late Plus by Monterey Garden Supply is so good for Clayton Valley landscapes that it should be mentioned by name. This product will allow the soil to accept nutrients and water again, while boosting it with a touch of mild fertilizer. BY THE NUMBERS Now is the time to judge what type of fertilizer you should apply to existing gardenias. You’ll need two different potencies. If your gardenias have many buds, use a food with a larger middle number and a smaller first number. The first number on a fertilizer label is for nitrogen, and the use of nitrogen promotes growth of stems. The second number is geared for the buds of your plant. If you have buds, you don’t want to encourage stems to grow because they will cover up your buds and you won’t get to enjoy the flower. Now consider how your gardenia is watered. If you water by drip system, you will need to use water-soluble fertilizer. If you water with a sprinkler system, you have the luxury of using granular fertilizer.
Like people, gardenias need food and vitamins. If you see the gardenia leaves turning yellowish, it is time for vitamins. Gardenias will need iron and sulfur almost every quarter. I like to use different types of iron depending on the time of year. With my summer and fall feedings, I’ll use liquid iron; Dr. Iron is my product of choice. Winter and spring, while it’s still raining, F.S.T. is my favorite granular product. Always follow the label directions when applying fertilizer. If the label says 2 tablespoons per gallon, resist the urge to use more. We don’t want product runoff it’s not responsible gardening. BEWARE OF GENERIC LABELS Gardenia plant labels are notoriously deceptive for our Clayton Valley. Growers do not change out plant tags per nursery location, so you have to judge each plant for yourself. If you choose a plant and the label says full sun, consider where we live. Our climate is normally hot and dry in summer, with even dryer winds. You would never think that our weather is the same as Berkeley, so why would we plant the same plant in the same place? Gardenia plants are shade lovers that can tolerate blasts of sun. Morning sun is perfect for a gardenia in the Clayton Valley. A couple hours of late afternoon sun would do for a gardenia as well. Gardenias love to be planted near the home or a fence because they appreciate the extra warmth provided by the structures during the winter. KEEP IT SIMPLE If you are planting or gifting a gardenia, choose some of the easier to grow varieties – such as the Gardenia jasminoides. Family members include Vecheii and First Love. Both are fantastic, with smaller leaves that are easier to keep green. You can expect 3-4 feet of height and width from those selections. Gardenia August Beauty will grow taller and makes a nice patio tree. Gardenia Mystery is a large, leggy selection that is better grown on an espalier or tied up a post, since it can reach 5-6 feet tall and wide. With time, you’ll see that the fragrance of the bloom from a gardenia is worth all the work put into the shrub.
Page 17
Take a hike
Mitchell Canyon Nature Trail By Ali Van Otterloo and Beryl Anderson Save Mount Diablo
Rating: Easy Trailhead: Mitchell Canyon Trail Statistics: 4 miles total length. This walk follows the Mitchell Canyon-Deer Flat-Back Creek Loop for the first two miles where the trail begins climbing by switchback up to Deer Flat. At the point where the climb begins, turn and retrace your walk. Description: Take Mitchell Canyon Road into the northern entrance of Mount Diablo State Park and park at the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area. This hike route is extremely popular in the spring and early summer when wildflowers are abundant. There are ten identified stops following the Mitchell Canyon Trail Guide that can be obtained at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center in the Staging Area. After parking, begin the hike by continuing on Mitchell Canyon Road. The Mitchell Canyon Road trail follows Mitchell Creek as it winds its way around the side of the mountain. The route begins within an oak savanna woodland, a lightly forested grassland with oaks as the main species of tree, and then enters a riparian or creekside community. Riparian areas are the green and vegetated sections alonga rivers or streams. The shaded north exposures are alive with wildflowers in the spring. Watch for the California quail and butterflies along the hike as well. Once you have traveled about two miles along the Mitchell Canyon Road trail the elevation will begin to rise as the trail climbs to meet Deer Flat Road trail. At this point you can turn around and begin heading back towards the Staging Area for a 4 mile round trip.
You may alter a portion of your return by following the Globe Lily Trail which offers a modest elevation gain and provides wider vistas. To reach the Globe Lily Trail, after turning around on Mitchell Canyon Road trail to head back, turn left onto Red Road trail where Mitchell Canyon forks. Follow Red Road briefly until you reach Globe Lily trail. Head right on Globe Lily trail which will end at Black Point Trail after a little less than half a mile. Turn right on Black Point Trail then left back down Mitchell Canyon Road to the Staging Area. For information on more hikes visit www.SaveMountDiablo.org and click on the Hike Schedule.
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Page 18
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
r u o y t ’ n e r a These s e r o m ’ s s ’ grandma
low, drizzled with honey and topped with chopped walnuts. Banana split: Graham crackers spread with strawberry jam, banana slices, milk chocolate bar and toasted marshmallow. Berry delicious: Graham crackers spread with strawberry jam and a toasted strawberry marshmallow. Caramel apple: Cinnamon graham crackers spread with LINDA WYNER caramel dip and peanut butter, FOOD FOR THOUGHT slices of Granny Smith apple and toasted marshmallow. Yes, Virginia, there is a day Chantilly cream: Graham to celebrate s’mores – the classic crackers spread with raspberry American treat of graham jam or preserves, white chococrackers, melted chocolate and late bar and toasted marshmaltoasted marshmallow. So ear- low. mark Aug. 10 and stock the Choc-o-holic: Chocolate pantry to have some fun. cookies or chocolate graham S’mores emerged as a camp- crackers, dark chocolate bar and fire treat in the early 1900s after toasted chocolate marshmallow. commercially prepared marshThe Elvis: Cinnamon gramallows became available. The ham crackers spread with traditional recipe was first pub- peanut butter, banana slices and lished by the Girl Scouts as toasted marshmallow. “Some Mores,” with the name Raspberry truffle: Chocolate shortened some years later. cookies or graham crackers Although most of us gather spread with raspberry jam, dark around a campfire or BBQ to chocolate bar and toasted strawmake s’mores, some upscale berry marshmallow. restaurants have started to place Turtle: Graham crackers them on the menu, served table- spread with caramel dip, milk side with a personal grill so you chocolate bar, toasted marshcan toast your own. mallow and chopped pecans. Like most recipes, people Worth a mint: Chocolate have been tinkering with the cookies or chocolate graham ingredients to come up with dif- crackers, creme de menthe canferent combinations. The Akron dies and toasted chocolate Beacon Journal recently pub- marshmallow. lished a list of its top picks, If you’d like to make your including: own homemade marshmallows, Baklava: Cinnamon graham Alton Brown of the Food crackers and toasted marshmal- Network has a foolproof recipe.
HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS (Makes 1½ lbs.)
3 packets unflavored gelatin 1 c. ice cold water, divided 12 oz. granulated sugar (about 1½ c.) 1 c. light corn syrup ¼ tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract ¼ c. confectioner’s sugar ¼ c. cornstarch Nonstick spray Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 c. water. Have the whisk attachment standing by. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 c. water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook 3-4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, 7-8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat. Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, 12-15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping, combine the confectioner’s sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13-by 9inch metal baking pan with non-
AAUW Tech camp inspires Diablo View students PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
Three Diablo View Middle School students returned from Tech Trek camp singing its praises. Megan Haley, Kelsie McNiff and Monishaa Suresh called it “wonderful,” “amazing” and “unforgettable.” Diablo View teacher Cynthia Brewington recommended the three to attend Tech Trek, sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The students had to write an essay on how math and science affects the world and were interviewed by a panel before being accepted. At camp, the students explored math and science by doing hands-on experiments such as extracting
AFTER ATTENDING THE AAUW TECH TREK CAMP, Kelsie McNiff (foreground) plans to continue in math and science. She wants to become a pediatrician.
DNA from a cheek swab and meeting with women in careers using the two fields. One guest was a solar engineer who worked on a project to transfer information from solar panels to computers. “I felt lucky to be able to talk to her since we are trying to be more green,” Monishaa says. The camp included core classes, with additional labs allowing in-depth examination of topics. Field trips to Safari West and kayaking in Tomales Bay emphasized that math and science are fun as well as educational. The campers stayed in the dorms at Sonoma State and ate cafeteria food, having the full college experience and making new friends – a network that will grow and support their future endeavors. The girls used the word “cool” many times to describe the experience, experiments and people. “I hope to go back as a counselor in a couple of years,” Kelsie professes. Monishaa and Kelsie attended the July Clayton Business and Community Association meeting to thank the club for helping sponsor the camp and share their experiences. Both girls plan to stay in math and science studies throughout their educations. Kelsie wants to be a pediatrician and Monishaa would like to be a marine biologist. All three students will be speaking at the September AAUW meeting. Kelsie is the eighthgrade Student Body president for this coming school year at Diablo View and has been asked to do a presentation for sixth-graders to encourage them to apply for the program.
August 6, 2010
Specializing in
stick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use. When ready, pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula to spread evenly. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar/cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares, using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioner’s sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
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Recycle your waste at our place
My cooking school, Pans on Fire, recently served 400 people during a wine tasting evening. We offered a pork shoulder braised in Coca Cola with a Carolina BBQ sauce (hmm, that’s another column) and Deconstructed S’Mores, which were graham cracker tidbits covered in a homemade marshmallow cream and topped with shaved bittersweet chocolate. Oh, yeah!
Punishment is not a permanent solution to problem behavior. It stops a behavior momentarily, while discipline focuses on how the child will conduct him/herself in the future. To effectively communicate with a child, adults can establish eye contact and get down to his or her level. Get their attention and be firm without yelling. Use simple and clear statements such as “No, that was not nice” or “Don’t do that.” Try to avoid sending a child mixed messages, such as saying “Don’t do that” yet hugging the child after reprimanding. This confuses the child and tells them that you are not serious about what you say. It also increases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again.
If you utilize a time-out, it should be in a safe, lit, non-threatening area within view of the adult and should be stimulus-free (without TV, radio, books, toys, people or pets). Time-out should not be used for a child to escape a non-preferred activity. Children should only be on time-out one minute per year of age (i.e. 2 years, 2 minutes). Being consistent and following through are the hardest parts of disciplining a child, but the hard work eventually pays off. Reward and praise your child or student on a daily basis when he/she is doing the right thing to help build confidence. You will notice how much more they will want to do the right things in order to please you and make you proud. Portley is a child development specialist with We Care Services for Children. Contact her at eportley@wecarebmcc.org.
www.contracostawaste.com Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 925-473-0180 Please call for prices
Mt. Diablo Recycling www.mtdiablorecycling.com We’ll buy back your recyclables! 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Monday - Friday 925-682-4518
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
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1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg
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Parenting, from page 7
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