OCT 22 Clayton Pioneer 2010.pdf

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Have a Happy Halloween

IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

925.672.0500

Clayton Valley High continues to lead way in Save High School Sports effort JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

HANK STRATFORD

MAYOR’S CORNER Don’t lose sleep on street project I’m guessing you wake up in the morning wishing you knew more about Clayton’s street maintenance. Since the city is about to start a $1.3 million street project, I thought I would give you some information you can use as you stand around the water cooler at work. In order to qualify for state and federal funding for street projects, the city is required to maintain an acceptable pavement management program. As part

See Mayor, page 20 Photo by Mike Dunn

Museum event brings history into perspective

THE FAMILY FUN RUN/WALK was a highlight of the second annual Save High School Sports 5K event at Newhall Park in Concord. Over 1600 runners and walkers, plus some of the four-legged variety, took part in the event helping raise approximately $75,000 to fund sports a the six high schools of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Runners and walker wearing the school colors of Clayton Valley, Concord, Northgate, College Park, Ygnacio Valley and Mt. Diablo high schools included students, parents, teachers, school staff, alumni and community supporters.

Photo by Mike Dunn

FIONA SUNDY watches as her sister Branna grinds seeds into a pulp at the Clayton Museum. Looking on is Aiden Dvorak. MIKE DUNN Clayton Pioneer

Whispers of local people from the past were clearly witnessed at the Clayton Museum on Oct. 9. The “whispers” were visual clues seen with the help of Christine McCollum, a local archaeologist and 1994 Clayton Valley High alumnus. McCollum and museum curator Mary Spryer created an engaging and interesting focus

The Halloween Ghost Walk, an annual Clayton favorite, is marking its 30th anniversary this year. Clayton historian Richard Taylor leads the hauntingly fun tour from Endeavor Hall. The first Ghost Walk was really a history field trip. Taylor taught a class called “Clayton Past and Present” for Clayton Community School, an afterschool program at Mt. Diablo Elementary School. He walked 24 students and parents around Clayton, sharing interesting stories of Clayton’s

history. The abundance of scary stories coincided with it being Halloween that day, earning him a command performance the following Halloween. Word and interest spread and by the third year, 500 people showed up for the ghost walk. Today’s crowd averages about 200 people. The city of Clayton sponsors the event, and Police Explorers escort the crowd safely through the streets. Taylor’s mother assisted with the walks until she died in 2005. His father kept the ghouls and goblins satisfied at home by handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.

See Ghostwalk page 18

TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

FOR 30 YEARS, RICHARD TAYLOR has led the annual Halloween Ghost Walk through the streets of Clayton. At the Oct. 19 City Council meeting, Taylor was honored for his efforts.

Take action against online bullying now

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190

See Museum, page 6

SARAH ROSEN TEEN SPEAK

Over the past month or so, six kids have killed themselves as a result of bullying in the United States alone. Two of these were from California. The kids, ranging in age from 11 to 19, could no longer take the relentless bullying. Whether they were taunted because they were thought to be homosexual or were seen as being different, these children took their lives

What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

See 5K Run page 13

Downtown business development, potential conflicts addressed at Candidates’ Forum

The year’s Ghost Walk marks 30 years of ghoulish goings-on PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer

As families rally to save sports in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, the second annual Save High School Sports 5K Run/Walk at Newhall Park in Concord raised $75,000. Clayton Valley High School took a leadership role in the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation, which was formed in 2009 to spearhead the Save High School Sports fund-raising efforts. At the second annual run/walk Oct. 10, CVHS had the most registered participants with 450 runners or walkers. Decorated former Eagle runner Nathanael Litwiller once again the first runner to cross the finish line of the 5K course around Newhall Park in a time of 16:31.46. Last year, families and community members were told they must raise more than $1.2 million so athletes from the six high schools can participate in boys and girls sports.

because they couldn’t live with the abuse. This past spring, I joined a group of Clayton Valley High School students as volunteer camp counselors for Ayers Elementary School’s fifth-grade Camp Sea Lab in Monterey. Upon my arrival, I realized that times had changed. There were no hand games and singing “Wheels on the Bus.” Instead,

Community Calendar . . . . . . . .16 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . .5 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . .21 From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Going Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

these kids were singing songs with references to alcohol and sex. After I got home from camp, I found that several of the kids had “friended” me on Facebook. Though I questioned why fifthgraders had Facebook pages, I accepted the requests.

See Bullying, page 18

Holiday Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .7 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Mayor’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Police Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Attracting more businesses to the downtown was the central issue at last Monday’s Candidates’ Forum sponsored by the Clayton Pioneer and the Clayton Library Foundation and moderated by Concord Mayor Guy Bjerke. Dave Shuey, an attorney, is running for a third term and Hank Stratford, a businessman and CPA is running for a second. Challenger Ted Meriam is a Microsoft executive currently sitting on the Planning Commission and Jim Diaz is a businessman with a security and law enforcement background. This is his third run for City Council. Shuey and Stratford are essentially conducting a single campaign and say their skills and experience are needed in some critical areas. Shuey brings legal expertise to the city’s ongoing

See Forum page 17

Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Take a Hike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8


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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

Around Town Julie and Steve Pierce – ‘best Fay Bower friends’ celebrate 40 years receives Holy

Rotary Goes Hollywood The Clayton Valley/ Concord Sunrise Rotary Club went Hollywood with their annual dinner and charity auction fundraiser on Sat. Oct. 9th. Among the Clayton folks attending in character were the Scarecrow and Charlie Chaplin (Al & Renee Martin), Bugsy

Names Faculty Award Dr. Fay Bower was presented with the 2010 Holy Names Faculty Award at the 37th Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 1. She was recognized for her outstanding service and loyalty to the university. Dr. Bower is chairperson and a professor in the Department of Nursing at Holy Names and is an award-winning healthcare professional. In 2009, Cambridge Who’s Who recognized Dr. Bower for demonstrating a lifetime of dedication, leadership and excellence in healthcare education. She is an expert on evidence-based practice, research and community healthcare and a founder of the Center for Third Age Nurses. Dr. Bower lives in Clayton. Julie and Steve Pierce celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 8 with

dinner at Moresi’s Chophouse followed by cake and champagne at their home in Clayton Joining them were Julie’s father Wil Barnes and son Robert and his wife Jennie and grandchildren Gavin and Ellie. Son Shawn and wife Jaime and granddaughters Ashlyn and Sadie live in Nipomo and were unable to attend. Julie and Steve met in Ames, Iowa, where they were high school sweethearts. “We started out as best friends over 43 years ago,” says Julie, “And we still are.”

Clayton

From upper left: Cindy Haydon and Debbie Mullins; Bob and Karen Deiss, Al and Renee Martin dine and dance at Rotary Hollywood dinner

KinderCare has new director

DR. FAY BOWER

Sydney Alcock has been named Director of Clayton KinderCare on Main Street. A native of Clayton and graduate of CVHS, she has worked for KinderCare since 2007. “I have always loved working with children and my heart warms as they grow and discover the world around them,” says Sydney. Sydney is the daughter of Mike and Susan Fossan, also of Clayton.

Clayton

We want to know what’s happening in your families and in your neighborhoods. Send your news of births, engagements weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, 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. SYDNEY ALCOCK

Broker Helping friends, neighbors & newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979

Regency Woods! Great single story tucked away at the end of a quiet court backing to open space! 4 bed3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1816sf. Large combination living & dining room with semi vaulted ceiling & neutral carpet. Eat-in kitchen features tile counters & island, upgraded tile floors, maple cabinets, built-in recipe desk & pantry, plus nook with views! Family room with cozy fireplace & custom built-in media cabinet. Spacious master suite with views of hills. Low maintenance lot offers a brick trimmed aggregate patio, lawn areas & views of rolling hills. $495,000

rooms, 2 updated baths, approx. 1895sf . Updated kitchen boast gorgeous slab granite counters, gleaming hardwood floors & breakfast nook with Bay window! Combination step sown living and dining room. Family features hardwood floors a brick fireplace with raised hearth & slider to yard! Roomy master suite offers dual closets with extensive organizer system & slider to private patio. Large totally private .20 acre lot backs to open space and features multiple patio areas, lawn area & mature lush landscape! $499,000

Clayton

Clayton

Oakhurst Country Club! Peacock Creek! Fantastic “Nantucket” model backing to open space!

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Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated. Better Homes DRE#00933393

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Clayton

PENDING un-obstructed breath taking views of oak dotted hills, canyons/valley & Mt. Diablo. Private quiet court setting! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths plus a loft, approx. 3308sf & 3 car garage! Rare & desirable first floor master suite! Elegant living & dining room with fireplace. Spacious gourmet kitchen opens to large family room with soaring ceiling, fireplace & wall of windows. Meticulously maintained professionally landscaped huge level lot features a sprawling lush lawn, custom patio, palm trees & a variety of ornamentals! $829,000

672-4433

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Oakhurst Country Club! Peacock Creek! Sensational single story “Lenox” model on a prime view lot!

Oakhurst Country Club! Peacock Creek! Stunning “Coronado” on a premium view lot backing to open space with

4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, plus an downstairs den and an upstairs loft! Approx. 3820sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage! Upgraded flooring and lighting with neutral décor & plantation shutters throughout! Gourmet eat-in kitchen! Expanded family option with stacked stone fireplace! Spacious master overlooks opens space and ridgeline. Private lot features a custom salt washed patio & walks, relaxing spa, nice lawn area & lots of trees! $795,000

What’s happening Around Town?

GEORGE VUJNOVICH

Windmill Canyon/Ironwood! Super single story “Augusta” model with views of rolling hills!

PENDING

Siegel and his Vegas showgirl (Pete & Sheri Lawrence). Many other Clayton celebrities walked the red carpet, posed for the photographers and actively bid on the many fine auction prizes. Following dinner, they danced to music by Clayton musician Santiago Martinez and his band.

PENDING tucked away at the top of Peacock Creek with views of hills, ridgeline & canyons!. 3 bedrooms plus a den, 2 baths, approx. 2748sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage! Spacious gourmet kitchen boasts slab granite counters and center island with breakfast bar. Adjoining large family room with fireplace flanked by custom built-in media cabinets. Spacious master suite with Huge walk-in closet! Large level private lot features a custom patio, lush lawn areas & an assortment of ornamentals and offers beautiful views and refreshing spa! $729,000

Clayton Market Update provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS

PRICE

5920 Herriman Dr.....................$615,000 473 Obsidian Way ....................$655,000 5850 Pine Hollow Rd................$445,000 5222 Keller Ridge Dr................$689,900 8028 Kelok Way .......................$630,000 379 Mount Sequoia Pl..............$670,000

SF . . . . .3614 . . . . .2455 . . . . .1494 . . . . .2894 . . . . .2237 . . . . .3216

BED/BATH . . . . .5/3 . . . . .4/2 . . . . .3/2 . . . . .4/3 . . . . .4/2 . . . . .5/3

SALE DATE

. . . . .9/30/10 . . . . .9/30/10 . . . . .9/30/10 . . . . .9/24/10 . . . . .9/22/10 . . . . .9/21/10

ADDRESS

PRICE

5210 Keller Ridge Dr................$680,000 3030 Windmill Canyon Dr ........$605,000 53 El Portal Dr..........................$608,150 3307 Coyote Cir .......................$370,000 1015 Feather Cir ......................$450,000 51 Tule Court............................$430,000

SF . . . . .3079 . . . . .2313 . . . . .2857 . . . . .1595 . . . . .1638 . . . . .1749

BED/BATH

SALE DATE

. . . . .4/3 . . . . .9/20/10 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .9/15/10 . . . . .5/3 . . . . .9/14/10 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .9/8/10 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .9/8/10 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .9/3/10


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 3

Around Town ‘Symphony of Favors’ draws CVHS music supporter for a common cause

WENDY AND ERIC MOORE; Karen and Richard Vales were among the supporters.

Supporters of the CVHS music programs gathered at Endeavor Hall for a wine and cheese and a bit of socializing on Oct. 8. On hand to provide background music during the “Symphony of Flavors” fundraiser were members of CVHS String Orchestra, Heather Raymond and Jessica Untalan, Latin percussionist Arthur Jones and the five-member electronic “Gregg Fogg Band.” The event, designed to bring

Photo by Donna Price

EVENT ORGANIZERS SANDY FOGG, Mundy Viar, Linda Minorsky and Andrea Raymond.

needed attention to the CV music department drew nearly 150 to the event. “We wanted more than anything to just gather music supporters together and get focused at the beginning of the year,” said CV music teacher Maundy Viar. “This did it.”

BRIAN FOGG, PIANO AND ARTHUR JONES, DRUM. The two played together for the very first time, with no rehearsal, at the fundraiser.

Marcia and Harvey Maslin mark 50 years Marcia and Harvey Maslin celebrated their 50th anniversary last month with a cruise to the Greek Isles and Turkey and a renewal of their wedding vows on Aug. 21. Marcia wore her original wedding gown and veil at the celebration held at the home of their oldest daughter and her husband. The evening, attended by family and friends, included an outdoor dinner party with music and dancing. The couple met at Tucson High School, when Marcia was a freshman and Harvey was a senior. She asked Harvey out to a girl-askboy party, but they did not see each other again for three years. They courted during Harvey’s junior year in college and after they married, Marcia began the University of Arizona as a freshman and Harvey was a senior. He received the “Cradle Robbing Award” that year from his fraternity before starting the University of Arizona Law School. They live in Clayton.

The Pioneer visits the Normandy Beaches with the Stickles

BOB AND JANET STICKLE

In September, Bob and Janet Stickle of Clayton traveled to France and visited the Normandy Beaches, including Utah, Omaha and Point du Hoc. They took the Clayton Pioneer along with them and took this picture at Ste. Mere – Eglise, the little town where the 82nd Airborne and 101 Airborne Divisions parachuted and landed to begin the liberation of northern France on June 6, 1944. Bob retired as a Commander after serving 20 years in the Navy and Naval Reserve. They have lived in Clayton for 38 years and have raised both their children here.

MARCIA AND HARVEY MASLIN

Sissons travel to China

SUSAN AND DAVID SISSON

Susan and David Sisson recently returned from China where they took this photo at the Terra Cotta Warrior site in Xi’an They spent 12 days touring and visited the Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges Dam.

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4903 Keller Ridge Drive, Clayton $289,000 Diablo Ridge – Located adjacent to 7th hole at Oakhurst, this home offers 2 master bedrooms & 2.5 baths. This is a perfect place to relax w/a drink on the patio. Easy living, low maintenance at a great price.

5561 Maryland Drive, Concord $350,000 Clayton Valley Highlands – 3BD/2BA has large, fenced front yard and a spacious living room with dining area, all with fresh wood laminate floors. Updated kitchen with gas range & dining nook. Close to schools!

2238 Southwest Court, Martinez $399,800 Diablo View – Quiet cul-de-sac location backing to open space makes for great privacy. 3BD/2.5BA with upgrades galore including landscaping, windows, paint & deck. SouthwestCourt.com

5741 Tamarack Way, Concord $508,000 Dana Farms – Clayton schools w/this single-story 3BD/2BA. Cozy fireplace in family room & updated kitchen with pantry, bay window & hardwood floors.

328 Mt. Washington Way, Clayton $539,000 Dana Hills – Single-story home with 4BD/2BA includes office/retreat off master. Convenient built-in cabinets in living & family rooms. Plush backyard with spa. MtWashingtonWay.com

170 Brandywine Place, Clayton $839,000 Peacock Creek – Located on a prime, corner lot, 4BD/3BA plus den has over 200K in superior upgrades. Impeccable landscaping & outdoor kitchen & spa.

NEW PRICE

1824 Princeton Court, Concord $449,800 Down a Private Lane – Wonderful 3BD/2.5BA offering fabulous kitchen & vibrant gardens galore with a quiet creek. Ample space for your RV/Boat/Toy parking. 1824PrincetonCourt.com

Clayton Resident & Broker Owner

TamarackWay.com

170Brandywine.com

DRE# 01122025


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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

City proclaims November as Pulmonary Hypertension month

KATIE GRACE GROEBNER, left, joins the Piranhas soccer team as they wear blue lips to boost awareness of pulmonary hypertension.

In honor of a local family, the city is proclaiming November as Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in Clayton.

In conjunction with the national event, the local effort is on behalf of the Groebner family. They ended up in Clayton – far from their home in

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Minnesota -- because their 8year-old daughter, Katie Grace, started receiving medical care at Stanford in 2008. “Alone, not knowing anyone and with little hope for our daughter’s life, this city has embraced us and made us one of their own,” mom Kathy Groebner says. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare disorder causing intolerable blood pressure levels in the arteries between the lungs and heart. Upon diagnosis, many patients are told they have six months to live. “But with earlier diagnosis and new treatments, many patients are living five, 10, even 20 years with this illness,” Groebner notes. “Hope for tomorrow is even better.” Groebner cites advances such as eight FDA-approved treatments, 230-plus support groups, 6,000 PH-treating medical professionals and $9 million committed to PH research. In an effort to raise awareness, the city of Clayton urges all residents to recognize the seriousness of the disease and the meritorious work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association to find a cure. Among the community efforts on behalf of the Groebners are local real estate agent Lynne French making her office a kissing booth for PuckerUp4PH and Clayton Valley High School students running the Race for a Cure at Stanford. “I am proud to call Clayton my new home and I can not think of any better place to end up in our situation,” Groebner concludes. For more information, visit phassociation.org.

Lease Listings With interest rates at an all-time low, now is a good time to buy.

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Clayton residents since 1959 DRE# 01881269 DRE# 01879806

October 22, 2010

Obituary

Joyce Krieger Schilp October 5, 1939 – October 14, 2010 Joyce Krieger Schilp died in the care of Hospice of the East Bay on October 14 after a short, but valiant battle with cancer. She was a noted musician and singer and a 40-year member of the Masterworks Chorale at Diablo Valley College. She sang with the local Clayton choir, Yesterday’s Kids, and the Blackhawk Chorus in Danville. She was an accomplished pianist, organist and choir director at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Alberta Way in Concord. Her friends and family remember her for her warm, straightforward, “nononsense” way and her ever-present sense of humor.

Joyce was a quilter and loved to travel. She played golf and was an avid hiker. And she loved her family, said daughter Linda. “She was my best friend forever.” A newlywed, Joyce is survived by her husband of one year, William Schilp, her daughter Linda Smith of Brentwood and sons Wendell Doman and Steve Doman, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Friends and family remembered Joyce at a memorial service on Oct 20 at the LDS church on Alberta Way. Memorial donations can be made online to Hospice of the East Bay, www.hospiceeastbay.org, or by check to 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.

Morgan Territory residents organize for fire protection Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek area residents are gearing up for a fight to keep the Cal Fire Sunshine Station on Marsh Creek Road open. State funding for the station will end after this fire season, and the station is set to go dark at month’s end. “Our goal is to keep the Sunshine Station open,” Cheryl Morgan told the crowd of more than 100 who met on Oct. 11 to hear their options for fire protection and emergency services during the off-season. “We need

to keep that as the focus.” She urged the group to exert pressure on the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) to draw on its $4 million in reserves to cover operating costs of the station November to April. “We are a community with a shared interest. Just laying back and letting the station close is not an option,” Morgan said. The off-season contract with Cal Fire costs $366,000. Area residents pay more than $400,000 to East County for fire

protection. “The (budget) shortfall does not come from the Morgan Territory area,” acknowledged Erick Stonebarger, president of the East County board of directors. “You have more than enough to pay for it.” He said it was an issue of allocation of resources. “Tax revenues are down and the district is running out of money. Without a parcel tax measure, we will run out of cash in 2½ years,” he said. See Cal Fire Contract pg 7


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Notice to Advertisers and Readers

Clayton Pioneer and The Concordian not affiliated

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 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

The Clayton Pioneer and The Concordian have been under separate ownership since December 2009 and are not affiliated in any way. During 2008 and 2009, Pioneer publisher Tamara Steiner was co-publisher and owned a half interest in The Concordian. In December, Andre Gensburger became the sole owner of the The Concordian. There is no editorial, advertising or financial connection between the two papers. The Clayton Pioneer is a community newspaper, published twice a month. Circulation is by direct mail and home delivery to 5400 homes in Clayton and 7200 homes in Concord.

S TAFF W RITERS : Denisen Hartlove, Lou Fancher, Nicci Shipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

Page 5

Directory of Advertisers Auto Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Construction and Trades Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212-3339 Handyman Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .639-4209 LHI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-9941 Mitolo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2460 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Dentist

PIONEER INFO

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

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churchnews@claytonpioneer.com

Send School News to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com

CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: Non-profit: $12 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word Individual/non-commercial: $18 for first 30 words, $.30 each additional word Commercial: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word

Help Wanted Reporter/Writer

Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440

Reporter, feature writer needed to cover events, news and people for Clayton and the Clayton Valley. Must be a local resident and have good community connections. Excellent writing skills using AP style guide. Send summary of experience and writing sample for a news story and a feature or personal profile to tamara@claytonpioneer.com.

Contra Costa County Fall Faire . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-4400

Willows Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .957-2500 Events Contra Costa Home & Garden Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.capitalshowcase.com Pacific Coast Farmers Market

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9090

Financial and Insurance Services Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . .685-4523 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463

HELP WANTED Bus driver: Class B license. Good driving record. 30 hours/week transporting Seniors to appointments/outings. Able to assist and transfer clients. Aegis Living 6925838, ext 207, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord.

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-

Rissel, Richard D.M.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800 Dining and Entertainment

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 Website 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

Renner, Jason D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800

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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.

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Hospice of the East Bay – Anna’s Attic 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) 674-9072. Funds raised by the Hospice Thrift Shoppes benefit Hospice of the East Bay. Established in 1977, Hospice of the East Bay is a not-for-profit agency that helps people cope with life-limiting illnesses by providing medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more about volunteering for Hospice of the East Bay please contact (925) 887-5678, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Pet Services Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Pet Suites Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387 Rodie’s Feed and Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Real Estate and Mortgage Services Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Klock, Leigh - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593 Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Mazzei, Matt -Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757 Morucci, Kimberly - J. Rockcliff Realtors . . . . . . .437-1650 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433 Recreation All Out Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4303 Castle Rock Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-7661 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-7454 Retail

Clayton Historical Society Museum The Clayton Historical Society Museum needs a 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. 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: nielsenjanc@aol.com.

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Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

More than awareness needed to fight breast cancer nosed or been diagnosed with the disease themselves. Maria Sousa, executive director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure’s San Francisco Bay Area affiliate, acknowledged that preaching awareness is no longer a struggle. “I think part of it is that the attitude toward breast cancer has really changed in our society and in our country,” she said.

DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer

Not that long ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer was hidden from friends and relatives. And the word “breast” was never used in polite company. Today, a brief survey of Clayton residents found that every person asked knew at least someone who had been diag-

“Women are much more open if they have been diagnosed or if they are survivors.” That’s a considerable change since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was conceived by drug manufacturer AstraZeneca 25 years ago. “I really do think that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was helpful when it was first established,” noted breast cancer researcher

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Dr. Susan Love. “But at this point, I believe it has outlived its usefulness.” SIFTING THROUGH THE STUDIES

The billions of dollars poured into research and early detection campaigns have helped raise five-year survival rates for early detection from 74 percent to 98 percent of diagnoses. Yet today some sacred cows are being sacrificed, and women are finding that they are their own best advocates in wading through the conflicting studies and recommendations. Mammograms used to be the gospel preached by breast cancer awareness groups throughout the land for early detection. But in 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force came out with recommendations that radically contravened current wisdom. No longer should women be taught to do breast selfexams, said the group, because if done wrong, they could lead to anxiety, distress and unnecessary testing. Nor were routine mammograms indicated until age 50, lest women incur unnecessary radiation. Soon afterward, a study from Norway showed that mammograms accounted for the decline in only a third of breast cancer deaths, with the rest attributed to increased awareness and better diagnostic skills in physicians. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wasted no time in issuing its own opinion. “The college continues to recommend that fellows advise mammography screening for their patients aged 40 and older and that they counsel their patients that BSE (breast selfexamination) has the potential to

physicians assistant Elizabeth Sivesind. She noted as an example the higher number of diagnoses in women with college educations. “But you can’t say college causes breast cancer,” added Sivesind, who sees female patients every day in the Walnut Creek office she shares with ob/gyn Dr. Margaret Craig. Julie Durand, manager of the Muir Cancer Institute Cancer Program, also suggests taking many of the studies with a grain of salt. “I just don’t think there’s one set of rules – I think every person is different. And depending on their family history, you have to look at all the components that are part of your history,” Durand said. “It’s hard to just come out with a golden rule really.” Both experts counsel women to get information from more than one source and suggested Websites including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (acog.org) and the American Cancer Society (cancer.com). In the meantime, most women surveyed plan to continue having mammograms every year or two after they turn 40. “The alternative is, I think, far worse,” Clayton resident Kelly Tuohey, 42, said of her decision. “How else are you going to catch it if they’re saying don’t even do self tests? I don’t know what the answer to that is.” In addition to regular mammograms, Duran said the answer is often self-awareness. “The bottom line is you just need to know your body, no matter what,” she said. “There’s a danger there when we don’t know our own bodies.”

detect palpable breast cancer and can be performed,” the group stated. The congress further noted that the task force’s recommendation would have implications for insurance coverage of mammograms for many women. Tamara Steiner, owner and editor of the Clayton Pioneer, is a breast cancer survivor. She learned of her diagnosis at age 48, a few months after starting hormone replacement therapy. During a mammogram appointment, a vigilant technician spotted a dent on her breast. Further testing found a small but aggressive tumor. After more than two years of treatment that included a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, Steiner has been cancerfree for 13 years. Steiner noted that if she’d waited until she was 50 to have a mammogram, I’d be dead.” ‘KNOW YOUR BODY’ The amount of information on the types of breast cancer, from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to infiltrating and invasive tumors, as well as the means of detection and treatment options, can be dizzying. Risk factors include some that can’t be controlled -- such as age, racial background and family history – but also factors some believe can be managed. Alcohol intake, obesity and lack of exercise have all been linked to higher rates of breast cancer. Some hormone therapies have also been found to be connected to increased risk. “It’s hard to quantify a lot of that because they’ll (the scientists) associate a lot of different lifestyle habits with increased or decreased risk. But you can’t add them all together,” said certified

science. Science is a very big part of what we do, obviously,” McCollum said. “Being really strong in the sciences and being comfortable being outdoors are important. Those are two things one needs to focus on.” According to McCollum, field work is essential in her profession. “You need to go out and learn the field methods and at least get a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. If you want to continue this as a career, you need to get a master’s degree,” said McCollum, who has an undergraduate degree from UC Davis and a master’s from Cal State Sacramento.

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for the second annual “Whispers of the Past” event. Children from two fourth-grade classes at Highlands and Mt. Diablo elementary schools were invited to join in as a field trip to the museum. “October is archaeology month in California,” Spryer noted. “Last year was the first time we had it and we heard about that through Christine.” During a demonstration behind the museum, McCollum showed off the tools of the archaeologist’s trade – including

brushes, small tools and measuring devices. Some archaeologists even use GPS units. Inside the museum, children and adults were asked to match up ancient tools, toys and devices to their current counterparts. McCollum, a resident of Sacramento, has been involved with archaeology for about 10 years. She was inspired to become an archaeologist while reading her grandmother’s National Geographic magazines. “It’s very important to study

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October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Page 7

CVHS grad hits No. 1 on country music Billboard After graduating from Clayton Valley High School in 1994, Michael Busbee set out to make it in the music business. “Our Kind Of Love,” a song he co-wrote, recently ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts. He also has produced and written music for numerous recording artists and is now known professionally as just Busbee. “It’s for branding purposes,” he says. The 34-year-old musician, composer and producer has amassed a large body of work in a relatively short time. He’s worked with artists such as Katy Perry, Timbaland, Tony

JIM HUDAK

MUSIC NOTES Braxton and Lady Antebellum. He’s placed his music into films and commercials and has released two solo albums as an EP with his band, GoNorthToGoSouth. Busbee was born in Walnut

Creek, then spent the rest of his early years in Concord and Pittsburg. He attended CVHS for all four years. He began studying jazz trombone at an early age, citing CVHS band director Steve Ernest as the person who introduced him to jazz. “I never intended to be an artist,” says Busbee. “I was committed to being a behindthe-scenes guy.” Eventually, Busbee found his way into the world of pop music. He came to realize that it was music “with its own sophistication.” He decided it was a good vehicle for communicating to more people, whereas “jazz was more akin

CalFire Contract, from page 4 During the fire season April to November, fire protection and emergency response services out of the Sunshine Station are funded by the state. During the off-season, these services have been covered by a contract between ECCFPD and Cal Fire. To help close this year’s budget gap of $1.8 million, the East County directors decided in June not to renew the 2010’11Cal Fire contract. That leaves the Morgan Territory/Marsh Creek area without a nearby fire station for six months out of the year. Emergency response during the off-season will come from Antioch, Brentwood or Clayton – increasing response times for structural fires, medical emergencies and auto acci-

dents by as much as 20-30 minutes. Property owners have already seen skyrocketing insurance premiums, as much as 300 percent. Some residents won’t be able to get insurance at all. Debbie Bell, who lives on Leon Drive, will be without fire insurance Nov. 1. Others have seen premiums increase from $1,500 to more than $4,000 a year. “We didn’t know what the response time would do to insurance rates,” Stonebarger noted. Property owners were not aware of the station closing until insurance bills began to arrive. The only public notice of the decision was in the East County Times, a paper with no circulation in the affected area,

Morgan said. The East County board will hear from area residents at the Nov. 1 meeting, when the issue is on the agenda. They may reconsider the decision and could decide to draw on reserves to keep the station open, said Stonebarger. “Talk to us, tell us the issues.” “Spread the impact around,” said one member of the audience. “Why should we have to take 100 percent of the impact?” East County is looking at options for raising addition revenue including putting a parcel tax on the June ballot. The board meeting is at 6:30 Nov. 1 at the ECCFPD office, 3231 Main St., Oakley.

to fine wine.” Jon Bendich, a teacher in the East Bay and San Francisco, further guided Busbee’s journey into pop music. Through Bendich, Busbee met Eric Valentine, an established rock/pop producer from the Bay Area who was moving to Los Angeles. In 2000, Busbee moved to L.A. to become Valentine’s assistant. “After moving to Los Angeles, I signed a music publishing deal and that pretty much changed everything. It allowed me to write songs full-time, which is what I love the most,” Busbee explains. “The next big thing was having my first hit song, a song called ‘Summer Nights’ that was recorded by Rascal Flatts.” Talking with Busbee, I can sense his pride and determination, yet a certain down-toearth quality remains. He’s grateful that business has been pretty steady and urges aspiring musicians to keep at it. “I would rather speak to people who have a talent and a passion and say that so much of it is just showing up. I mean, there are a lot of talented people out there, but showing up, working hard and being a good person to work with and a person of integrity – those things have all mattered and have opened doors for me,” he says. “I’ve had perseverance and I’ve built relationships with people and I haven’t given up.” Songwriting is extremely competitive, and it took more than eight years in Los

Letter to the Editor VOTE FOR LIBERTY

MICHAEL BUSBEE

Angeles before things really began to happen for Busbee. It was refreshing to hear that the basic values of perseverance and treating people right have guided him in a cutthroat field that leads many people with dreams to give up too quickly. “No one particularly needs my songs,” he notes. “There are a lot of great songwriters out there. But I’ve built relationships in an open way because I tend to love people. It’s been a long story in the making.” Clayton resident Jim Hudak is a noted musician, recording artist and composer. You can mail him at jimmydak@pacbell.net.

Far too often in these pages we read the opinions of supposed knowledgeable authorities who impart their views and vision for Clayton as one that is “central” and “important” to our future. They talk about the “need for more revenues” as if that is something the government creates when in fact it is the people’s property that they seek and wish to con-scribe. These individuals feel compelled to advise us to follow and vote in manner to support their vision of Clayton because supposedly their service entitles them to a profound knowledge that they alone know what’s best for us. Our founders believed in limited and accountable governance and they revered the rights of individuals and organizations especially when it came to the use of private property and hard-earned treasure. As you evaluate your vote why not ask what do they want these revenues for? Why do they need more? And, why is their “vision” and “Plan” the only one you should consider? – Glenn D. Miller Clayton, CA Submit your letter to the editor on this or any other subject from our Website at www.claytonpioneer.com or email to tamara@claytonpioneer.com

The Pioneer -- It’s your paper!


Page 8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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The kids are back to school and I am not sure if I am happy about it or not. On one hand they are out of the house for 7 hours a day, but on the other there is homework, school projects, soccer, piano, etc. I can’t keep up. Then I think on

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If you simply want one for your family’s enjoyment, then go for it after checking out the actual expense. The first thing, of course, is installation fees. On the very low end, that could be $25,000$50,000 and up, depending on the options you want. Experts estimate that pools can cost $3,000-$5,000 in maintenance a year. If something goes wrong, say the filters or pump need to be replaced, costs can quickly add up. When it needs to be resurfaced, it could cost more than $10,000. If you wanted to upgrade the tile, decking or plaster, that could cost up to $20,000. If at some point you wanted to remove the pool, it can cost more than $15,000. Knowing all this, pools are still always in demand. They may be costly, but quality of life is priceless. What is all this I am hearing Q about banks suspending foreclosures? Is this a strategy to improve the housing market? I

am trying to time the sale of my house. This moratorium on foreclosures isn’t a strategy to control the market, but it will definitely affect the market. In California, most foreclosures are conducted as non-judicial foreclosures or trustee sales. This means that they don’t involve a court process to foreclose. Twenty-three states that have judicial foreclosures are suspending them due to problems with the signing of declarations in connection with these. Bank of America, however, has suspended theirs in 50 states to see if lenders have complied with other legally required procedures. They want to insure that homes weren’t improperly foreclosed on and are following state law. Other banks may follow suit. Some legislators are pushing for a nationwide moratorium on foreclosure sales. In the short run, this could improve the market because

A

there won’t be as many foreclosed properties on the market for competition. The problem is the “shadow inventory” will still be increasing. These moratoriums will postpone the recovery because we need the inventory to be absorbed to begin normal appreciation. Are there any new “health Q and safety” items I need to know before I sell my home? One new law is coming up A soon. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law Senate Bill 183, which will require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in single family homes by Jan. 1, 2011. 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 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.

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our yard and we all love water activities. We have never had a pool before. Would this be a good investment? A pool is not a financial investment, but it is an investment in your quality of life. Since you have never had a pool before, you should investigate what it might entail both in expense and upkeep. In an area like ours, where you will get many months’ use, a pool can be an attractive feature when selling a home. Some buyers only want a home with a pool. On the other hand, some buyers won’t consider a home with a pool. These are often people who have had a pool in the past and don’t want the upkeep any longer.

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the other facet of fall. Those little Petri dishes we call children are repeatedly passing germs amongst themselves and bringing them home. It makes me want to put up a decontamination room in our entryway for the kids to go through when they get home each day. Fall is also the time of year where we see a rise in the number of patients who travel to their doctor’s office and to the emergency room requesting antibiotics for a cough, runny nose etc. Remember back in the day when you would go to your doctor and they would give you antibiotics at a drop of the hat? “You have a cough and runny nose for one day? Here, have a 10 day course of antibiotics.” “You feel like you may be getting sick? Let me write you a prescription.” Well, the times have changed. Now in order to get antibiotics, you practically have to beg, plead, and cry. However, your doctor should hold firm to the American Medical Association criteria, the CDC and the World Health Organization’s recommendations by withholding such antimicrobials unless they are absolutely indicated.

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CREATES SUPER BUGS

The reason for this is that we have created, and we are continuing to create, a legion of super bugs; bacteria that are resistant to many and sometimes all of our antibiotics – bacteria like MRSA (methicillin resistant staphlococcus), VRE, gonorrhea, penicillin resistant streptococcal pneumonia, and some strains of tuberculosis. These bacteria are mutating at alarming rates far exceeding our ability to create new antibiotics. The medical community’s overuse of antibiotics has set about Darwinism on a cellular level. What doesn’t kill them makes them stronger. As in animals, bacteria

select out and propagate those traits that improve the chance of survival for all like bacteria. For example, if an antibiotic doesn’t kill a bug because of the bacteria’s cell wall make up, that bacteria will create more of its kind. This leads to super bugs. The more super bugs there are the more likely they will share their special resistance genes among bacteria and the more likely they will spread among humans. Likewise, the overuse of broad-spectrum “strong” antibiotics (those antibiotics that kill a number of different bugs) can lead to cross-resistance. This means that if certain bacterium is resistant to a certain antibiotic, it will also be resistant to other antibiotics in the same class. That is why if your doctor does choose to use antibiotics it is important for her to use antibiotics that have a narrow spectrum of activity so that if resistance does develop it will be to fewer antibiotics. It is important to note that antibiotics are only effective against bacteria and not viruses such as the common cold and your typical stomach flu. As well, not all bacterial infections

See Health, page 17


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

New shop in Concord offers the right clothes for the right job PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer

East Bay Work Wear is a family affair, with owner

Glenn Moffatt and his wife Robin managing the store and son Nick ordering and updating the website from college. This is the Moffatts’ “first

retail thing,” although they have been in the business of good customer service for 15 years with Glenn’s Auto Body in Antioch. After selling that

GLENN AND ROBIN MOFFATT, OWNERS OF EAST BAY WORK WEAR, with sales manager Gary White bring a legacy of good customer service to new venture.

business, Glenn recognized a niche for one-stop shopping for work clothes – heavy duty, safety or uniform-specific attire, accessories or footwear. Customers of work-specific clothing are brand loyal to insure quality, safety and comfort. “If a tow truck driver has to lie down in the pouring rain, he doesn’t want to get wet,” says Robin. “A welder doesn’t want to catch on fire. They need clothing to protect them.” Ordering parts for the auto body business prepared the Moffatts for purchasing different brands, sizes and styles of clothing and footwear for their new business. Networking resulted in the right vendor contacts. East Bay Work Wear opened three months ago behind the Park ’N’ Shop center in Concord. “A lot of people know what they want, they just have to find the store,” says Robin.

Page 9

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Seniors a high risk group in flu season

KELLY FERRO

SENIOR MOMENTS The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. In temperate climates, influenza A usually arrives between early winter and early spring. Influenza B can appear at any time of the year. The most common way to catch the flu is by breathing in droplets from coughs or sneezes. The flu can also be spread by touching a surface such as a door knob or phone that has the virus on it and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms can appear one

to seven days later, but most commonly within a few days. The flu spreads through the air and is very contagious. It often strikes a community all at once, causing an epidemic illness. This results in many school absences and missed employment. Seniors who live in a senior living community need to be diligent about hand washing and wiping down surfaces as this is a community in itself. Tens of millions of people in the United States get the flu each year. Most get better within a week or two, but many become ill enough to need a stay in the hospital. About 36,000 people die each year from complications from the flu. The flu usually begins abruptly with a fever of 102106 degrees. Often an adult will have a fever lower than that of a child. This fever can last for a day or two but can last as many as five days. Other common symptoms include body aches, chills, dizziness, headache, lack of

energy, nausea and vomiting. Between two and four days, the “whole body” symptoms begin to subside and respiratory symptoms increase. The most common respiratory symptom is usually a dry hacking cough. Runny nose and sneezing are also among

“The flu spreads through the air and is very contagious. It often strikes a community all at once, causing an epidemic illness. This results in many school absences and missed employment.” these symptoms, which usually disappear within four to seven days. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, muscle aches, stiffness and sweating. Treatment for a mild case

of the flu and for those not at high risk includes plenty of rest, taking medications that relieve symptoms and help you rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding aspirin (especially teens and children), alcohol, tobacco and antibiotics (unless necessary for another illness). Most individuals who get seasonal flu will likely recover without needing medical care. Those at high risk, such as seniors, should talk to a doctor about getting a flu vaccine. The shot is normally given at the beginning of the flu season, late October or early November in the United States. The flu shot is approved for those individuals 6 months and older. During this season, take every precaution to stay healthy. Talk to your doctor and take steps to be the best you can be this winter. Kelly Ferro is a marketing director for Aegis Living. Send comments or questions to kelly.ferro@aegisliving.com

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Page 10

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

Keep trick-or-treating safe – and fun Kitchens Bathrooms Concrete Luigi Barberio

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Most people look forward to Halloween each year, especially kids. Children like dressing up in costumes, but mostly they like to get the candy and treats that are given out at each house they visit. However, the excitement

“Let Us

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Life” Recess an Lights & F Specials

DAN LAWRENCE

that this holiday creates can sometimes cause trick-ortreaters to engage in unsafe activity while trying to get as much candy as possible. Historically speaking, accidents and injuries are more likely to occur on Halloween night than on other nights of the year. As a result, I have provided a few common sense and simple ideas to help you protect yourself and your kids while trickor-treating on Halloween.

Know the trick-or-treat route that your kids will take. Wear light-colored or reflective costumes. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult. Kids should go out in a

group and stay together. Take a cell phone and flashlight with you. Do not enter a stranger’s house or car for any reason. Look both ways before crossing the street. Carefully examine your treats before eating them. Don’t eat any treat that looks like it has been tampered with or looks suspicious. Vandalism is not cool. Throwing eggs at cars or houses can cause injuries or property damage. If you see anybody engaged in this type of criminal behavior, report them to the police immediately. I firmly believe that by

incorporating these basic, common sense safety tips into trickor-treating, the risk of accidents or injury will be greatly reduced this year. By keeping Halloween a fun and safe adventure, you and your kids will look forward to many happy years of Halloween fun in the future. Contact the Clayton Police Department at 925-673-7350, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, if you have questions or can offer additional ideas for a safer Halloween.

Dan Lawrence is Clayton’s Police Chief. Please send your questions, comments or topics you’d like to see covered to DanL@cpd.ci. concord.ca.us

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Police Report ACCIDENTS 7:18 p.m. Oct. 2, Clayton Rd./Washington Blvd. Noninjury collision. 8:15 a.m. Oct. 7, Clayton Rd./Atchinson Stage Dr. Noninjury collision. ARRESTS 9:52 a.m. Oct. 1, Mt. Olympus Pl. A 43-year-old Clayton man arrested for outstanding warrant. 5:58 p.m. Oct. 1, Clayton Rd. A 40-year-old Clayton woman arrested for petty theft after call for service. 8:52 p.m. Oct. 1, Main St. A male juvenile arrested for receiving stolen property and petty theft after call for service.

7:06 p.m. Oct. 2, Clayton Rd. A 51-year-old Oakland man arrested for commercial burglary and robbery after call for service. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3, Main St. A 48-year-old Concord man arrested for domestic battery, DUI, evading an officer and a probation violation after call for service. 10:03 p.m. Oct. 6, Clayton Rd./El Camino Dr. A 33-year-old Clayton woman arrested for possession of marijuana after stop for vehicle code violation. 8:15 a.m. Oct. 7, Clayton Rd./Atchinson Stage Dr. A 30year-old Clayton man arrested for driving on suspended

license after traffic collision. 2:07 a.m. Oct. 9, Clayton Rd./Mitchell Canyon Rd. A 20-year-old Clayton man arrested for public intoxication after being contacted by officers in the roadway. 12:31 p.m. Oct. 10, Marsh Creek Rd./Clayton Rd. A 40-year-old Concord woman arrested for driving on suspended license after stop for vehicle code violation. 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Clayton Rd. A 34-year-old Los Angeles woman arrested for cruelty to animals after call for service. 6:15 p.m. Oct. 14, Clayton Rd. A 40-year-old man arrested for commercial burglary after call for service.

BURGLARIES /T HEFTS 8:52 p.m. Oct 1, Main St. Petty theft. 5:58 p.m. Oct. 2, Clayton Rd. Petty theft. 7:06 p.m. Oct. 2, Clayton Rd. Commercial burglary, robbery. 11:20 p.m. Oct. 2, Center St./Oak St. Robbery. 9:15 a.m. Oct. 3, Main St./Morris St. Grand theft. 5:04 p.m. Oct. 6, Diablo View Lane. Petty theft. 11:15 a.m. Oct. 14, Heritage Trail. Petty theft. VANDALISM 8:13 p.m. Oct. 8, Oakhurst Dr./Indian Wells Dr. 3:25 p.m. Oct. 8, Stranahan Dr. 6:03 a.m. Oct. 10, High St./Oak St.

What to consider in deciding where aging parents should live

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As parents age, it often becomes more difficult for them to live independently and manage their own affairs without outside help. The thought of mom or dad leaving the comfort of the family home can be a painful and challenging proposition for everyone involved, but if it’s no longer safe or practical for them to live alone, adult children often need to intervene and help find an alternative living arrangement. At that point, the question becomes whether you should invite Mom or Dad to live with you in your home or help facilitate a move to a nursing home or other senior living facility. Consider the following when deciding how to address an elderly parent’s living situation. THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER

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It helps to realize you’re

entering a very emotional territory – for you and your parents – when you broach the subject of a move. Adult children typically experience feelings of worry, guilt and sadness. You may also be frustrated by a parent’s lack of cooperation or combativeness. For the parent, there most likely will be a degree of sadness and, in some cases, anger. Understandably, parents will mourn their status as independent adults, which may be compounded by grief over a lost spouse, failing health or the prospect of dying. Be patient and respectful of one another and avoid rushing the decisionmaking process as best you can. AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS Before you ask Mom or Dad to move in with you, think about the realities of this scenario. Does your home have the

necessary space and amenities? You may need to remodel to accommodate special needs, such as a ramp for wheelchair access, safety bars in the bathrooms and so on. Many senior living communities are designed with these needs in mind.

MURELEEN BENTON FINANCIAL SENSE

It’s safe to assume your parent would prefer to remain close to the old neighborhood and existing support systems such as friends, place of worship, healthcare providers and so forth. If moving in with you means moving across town (or across the country), the transition may become all the more difficult for your parent.

ate level of supervision, assistance with daily cares and doses of medication, rides to the doctors’ office and more? Are you ready to make and serve three meals a day, manage the additional burden on your laundry and tolerate the invasion of your privacy? You may have the time, energy and willingness to joyfully take on these responsibilities. Or you may not. Avoid taking on more than you can handle and seek the help of professionals if you are able to do so.

THE PRECARIOUS NATURE

THE COSTS AND WHO

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

OF RELATIONSHIPS

WILL PAY THEM

How well you get along with your parent can also help you decide whether living together again (after all these years) is a smart move. If your relationship was contentious, it probably won’t get better in close quarters. Then again, if your parent is opposed to living in senior housing such as a nursing home, living together may be the only option to keep the peace. But wait — you also need to consider others living in your home. Before you settle on a decision, be sure to have an open and frank discussion with the other members of your household about the implications of having Mom or Dad move in.

Whether you open your home to a parent or help find a suitable alternative, there will be costs involved. If your parent needs to rely on you for financial assistance, a financial advisor can help you sort out the ramifications to your budget of having another boarder under your roof or contributing to the cost of nursing home care. If you are paying for more than half of a parent’s living expenses or paying for medical expenses, you may be eligible for a tax break. Talk to your tax preparer to see if you qualify for deductions.

LEVEL OF CARE REQUIRED Be honest with yourself about how much care you can give on your own. If your parent moves in with you, will you be able to provide the appropri-

DON’T HESITATE TO SEEK HELP WITH THE DECISION No one can tell you what to do when the time comes to decide on new living arrangements for an elderly parent. Rally extended family members

See Financial, page 15


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Page 11

The tail tells the story – from excitement to anxiety

ELENA BICKER

PET PALS Wagging tails aren’t always a sign of joy. A wag expresses the many states of a dog’s mind and is as nuanced as a smile. It’s capable of expressing not only happiness, but also anxiety, confusion, mischief, excitement and ambi-

guity. To tell which, look at the whole tail and not just the movement. The height of a dog’s tail wag is an indicator of arousal. A low wag, when the tail dips below the dog’s back, indicates uncertainty -- perhaps at the approach of a distant figure or when going someplace new. A relaxed dog, wandering in for belly rubs, wags about level with its back. An excited dog seeing a squirrel or anticipating someone throwing a tennis ball has a high (above back level) wagging tail. A high tail wag can also predict extreme behavior such as charging rather than trotting or walking to greet. The rate of the wag express-

es a dog’s level of self-control. It’s similar to laughter. A fast wag is like the giggles, which can happen during moments of extreme happiness but also during extreme nervousness. The slower the tail wags, the more aware the dog is of his environment. When a dog is very focused, while hunting or perceiving a potential for danger, for example, his tail might not wag at all. A dog whose tail is wagging wildly might be totally unaware as he smacks the furniture or clears a coffee table. The stiffness of a dog’s tail directly relates to the dog’s level of relaxation. The dog’s whole body usually corresponds with the tail’s rigidity. A dog that is

Canine thwarts endangered escapee just yards from freedom

very tense will have a stiff tail, with perhaps only the tip wagging or an intermittent wag. It’s the sign of a dog deciding what to do next. A tail that wags in sloppy sweeping motions shows that a dog feels comfortable in its environment. Observing the combination of all three factors gives a better picture of the meaning of the tail wag. For example, when a dog greets another dog with a high, stiffly wagging tail, expect sudden action – usually a

for a first time cat owner. The adoption fee for adult cats is $50.

find out how to care for it. This time, someone recalled a report from Aug. 5 regarding a missing tortoise from a neighboring street in Clayton. Kelly contacted the Marr family, who was excited to get their long-time family pet back. John Marr estimates the desert tortoise is more than 50 years old. John’s brother, Jim, was gifted Sugar at the age of 5 following good behavior at a dental exam. When the adult Jim’s home could not accommodate the pet with a projected lifespan of 80-100 years, it moved to the mother’s home in Palo Alto – where it once escaped. When she moved to a retirement facility, Sugar moved to John’s home in Clayton. John’s 14-year-old son could not bear to call the reptile by its oh-so-sweet name and dubbed him Torti. While the Marrs

Girl Scouts collect pet supplies for ARF Clayton Girl Scouts Casey Mitchell and Miranda Hansen of Troop 31895 are collecting pet supplies for Tony La Russa’s ARF at Pet Food

Casey Mitchell and Miranda Hansen earn their Silver Award with ARF fundraiser.

Express, 5404 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 6-7. Help the girls earn their Girl Scout Silver Award by donating cat and dog toys, treats, litter boxes and scoopers and pet toys. Customers who purchase an item to donate from Pet Food Express will receive a coupon for 20 percent off toward a future purchase. Their goal is to collect at least 75 items to help ARF care for dogs and cats rescued from shelters. The Girl Scouts are also collecting gently used supplies including towels and blankets. Drop these donations off at Diablo View Middle School during the month of October. For more information, call Christine Mitchell (925) 348-3925.

vacationed, Torti made his second escape on Aug. 2. “We searched for more than four weeks and posted signs around the neighborhood,” said Leslie Marr. “We didn’t want to tell Jim. But after six weeks, we were resigned he was gone and getting ready to tell him.” Then the Lindsay Wildlife Museum left a message reporting Torti had been found. “We had him checked by a local vet. He had an eye infection and scratches on his under shell,” Leslie reported. The Marrs had searched downhill, thinking Torti had gone in search of water. However, the tortoise rescue group Kelly contacted explained that they usually travel east. Kelly said that, in fact, the tortoise was headed uphill through tall, thick and stickery underbrush – or eastward. “I think he was headed to the top for the view,” Kelly said. “After planning his escape for more than 50 years, he’s found just yards from his destination by a young golden … it makes a good headline though,” she said.

Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)

mals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.

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 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. AERIAL PARADE

SUGAR, A 50-YEAR-OLD DESERT TORTOISE escaped from his Clayton home in early August and was on the run until mid-September. The Kelly family’s golden retriever Ryley discovered Sugar while on his daily stick-hunt. Sugar is now home with his owners.

tense and focused and not ready for petting. A happy dog not only loosely wags its tail at back height, he will also have a relaxed body, squinty eyes and an open mouth, with the corners pulled back into an unmistakable easy grin. It’s the same expression with which your best friend greets you at the front door.

Aerial Parade and Motta are ARF’s Adoption Stars

NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer

Laura Kelly’s dog Ryley always finds the biggest tree branch possible to carry home from a walk. So she was not surprised when the 5-year-old golden retriever dashed into the brush off the fire trail in Oakhurst and began snuffling around one day in midSeptember. But this time, the treasure began to move. That is how Kelly’s companion became the first Clayton canine to rescue an endangered species – a desert tortoise. “The turtle went half way into his shell. It seemed a little startled, but then kind of friendly,” she said. Kelly picked up the 10-inch diameter shell like a football and brought it home to her two boys, Nicholas, 5, and Brayden, 3. They named the green, wrinkled prehistoric-looking creature Yoda in honor of the character in one of their favorite movies, “Star Wars.” “I thought he was a baby giant tortoise like we see at Marine World,” Kelly said. “The kids were all excited. We propped up a plastic swimming pool in the backyard and he went under there.” Kelly promptly called the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, researched a tortoise rescue group and called a couple of pet shops hoping to find a missing pet report. After about two hours, she assumed she would have the tortoise overnight. So she called Lindsay Rehabilitation Hospital again to

pounce or play bow. This is a dog that’s very excited and tense, evaluating whether the other dog is safe or not. If a dog has a low but quickly wagging tail during the greeting, he’s nervous, unsure what to do and is waiting for the other dog to act in order to decide on fight, flight or play. Looking at the whole dog, including the tail, is the best evaluation of a dog’s feelings. A dog with a rigid body, a closed mouth and a low wagging tail is

One-year-old Aerial Parade is a flurry of life and activity. She is a bright, outgoing Basenji mix who will do best with an adopter who can provide daily activity to satisfy her mental and physical energy demands. Aerial Parade’s agility and intelligence will make training her a joy. View her video at youtube.com/tlrarf. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60 percent off one 7-week dog training session. Motta is a social butterfly who loves tons of attention. This friendly, playful Siamese would make a great addition to a busy family looking for an attentive companion. Threeyear-old Motta may enjoy kitten friends as well. She is suitable

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Page 12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

Clayton Sports Water polo alumni games show mixed results JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

The longest running alumni games at Clayton Valley High School are the annual water polo matches at Concord Community Pool, which are followed by a barbecue for current and former Eagle polo players. This year, the Clayton Valley girls’ alumni defeated the varsity team 16-11, while the CVHS varsity boys wore down the former Eagles to claim a 17-11 win. The girls’ alumni squad featured players going back to the class of 1995. Scoring goals for the winning grads were Lindsay Kiyama, Allison Johnstone, Natalie Jennings, Meghan Pardi and Natalie Nelson, while Dani DeBoever got in the pool for the first time in years and made nine saves in goal for the alums. The varsity boys’ team won against an alumni team with the majority of the players from the 1980s and ’90s. The oldest player in the pool was Vernon Rogers, who is going into the CVHS Hall of Fame this month and graduated in 1979. Long-time CVHS polo coach Dennis Bledsoe, who hosted the post-game meal, said the alums “ran out of gas” in the fourth quarter and the varsity, in the midst of its season, powered to victory.

Photo credit: Kathy DeBoever

CURRENT AND FORMER CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WATER POLO PLAYERS mixed it up in the pool at the annual CVHS Alumni Game recently at Concord Community Pool but then got together for a post-march BBQ. Taking part in the alumni game were, front row Natalie Nelson, Ally Johnstone, Natalie Jennings, Casey Adams (Soph), Ashley Richman; bending over second row, Cherlyn Brock (Sr), Kimi Anderson (Fr), Sara Johnson (Fr), Sarah Abele (Fr), Avery Van Horn (Sr), Cheyenne Colomb (Jr), Alexis Lamareaux (Jr); standing, Ashley Jennings, Ally Hansen (Sr), Michelle Lutz (Soph), Taylor Ryle (Soph), Logan Shaw (Jr), Hannah Polshuk, Gabby Creamer (Sr), Gina Devecchio, Dani DeBoever, Meghan Pardi, Sabrina Inloes, Kayla Butler, Lindsay Hansen and Lindsay Kiyama.

CVHS Hall of Fame welcomes second class of inductees This is the second in a three-part series about the 2010 Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame. JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CO-CHAIRS BILL NELSON AND DEE BILLETER have spent countless hours researching potential members of the Hall of Fame. CVHS yearbooks were a good source of information as they followed up on nominations submitted by the public. The Hall of Fame Class of 2010 induction ceremony is Oct. 30 at Centre Concord. Nelson and Billeter spent a combined 69 years on the Concord campus as teachers, coaches and athletic directors before both retired in 2003.

Kid’s Fall Leagues

An incredible array of athletes, coaches, teams and community leaders from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s will be permanently memorialized at the second Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Centre Concord. A committee of long-time CVHS coaches and alumni selected a distinguished Class of 2010 to join the inaugural Hall of Fame Class from 2008 during the Concord school’s golden anniversary. Plans call for special displays in a new Wall of Fame in the multi-use room at CVHS featuring athletics, arts and academic Hall of Famers. The inductees this year are:

Coaches: Howard Marshall and Roger Zino. Athletes: Jenny Bader Baker, Kris Colchico, Brook Knight Constable, Jeri Pournaras Feuer, Dave Gotz, Lisa Barbieri Hobson, Tom Hook, Kellie Ruiz Leffle, Craig Marble, Gilbert Martinez, Courtney Nelson Murrell, Vernon Rogers, Ray Santucci, Todd Skow, Frank Snyder, Karey Sheehan Venegas, Steve Villa and Mickey Wharton. Teams: 1960 boys basketball, ’60s-’70s girls Pioneers, 1974 football and 1988 girls basketball. Community Leadership: Laurie Anderson Rose and Mike Rose. Hall of Fame co-chairs Dee Billeter and Bill Nelson gathered nominees from the general public during the past year. Making the final selections with the chairs were Ralph Belluomini, Dennis Bledsoe,

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Pete Carpino, Ron Clark, Tom DiMercurio, Dick Ellis, Debra Gonsalves, A.J. Hanson, Karen Johnson, Kim Lackey, John Millar and Herc Pardi. Lackey is a 2008 inductee. CVHS grad Terry Newberry will be master of ceremonies at the induction ceremony.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased through mdusd.k12.ca.us/ claytonvalley, click on Web store, or by sending a check to CVHS Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 203, Clayton CA 94517. Contact Billeter at 6726379 or Nelson at 672-4092 for more information.

2010 CVHS Hall of Fame inductees Kellie Ruiz Leffle Volleyball-softball, 1980 Kellie entered Clayton Valley High in 1976, playing four years of varsity volleyball and softball while winning seven league championships. While at CVHS, her teams won three league titles in volleyball and, as a frosh, her Eagles were North Coast Section 3A champions.

She was named All-League and NCS All-Tournament. The 1976 volleyball team was inducted into the CVHS Hall of Fame in 2008. Volleyball went on to repeat as NCS champs in her sophomore and senior years. The 1979 team went to the first round of the state tournament.

See Hall of Fame, page 14


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Clayton Sports

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.

team in kills, is second in blocks and third in aces and digs. She’s also “one of the first players in the gym for practice or back from water breaks, and can be found hitting or serving extra balls,” according to her coach Lisa Barbieri Hobson, herself a former Eagle standout. Camille was first-team allDVAL last year and has hopes of attending the US Naval Academy next year.

of the Athlete Week Name: Camille Condit Age: 17 Sport: Volleyball Team: CVHS Volleyball

Sport Chalet congratulates Camille Condit and rewards her achievement with a Sport Chalet gift card.

Camille Condit has always enjoyed music and the Clayton Valley High senior has been in the school choir for four years. However her biggest notoriety in high school has come on the volleyball court. She was introduced to the sport when older

sister Amanda signed up for club volleyball and the girl’s mom enrolled younger sister Camille too. The Condit sisters played together for one year at CVHS when Camille was just a freshman and made the varsity squad. Four years later she leads the

Page 13

Do you know a young athlete that should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sports manship, or remarkable improve ment, or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight to sports@claytonpioneer.com.

5K run,

Sports Shorts CVHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION OCT. 30 The second Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will be Saturday, Oct. 30, at Centre Concord. The event will honor athletes, coaches, teams and community leaders from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at mdusd.k12.ca.us/claytonvalley (click on Web store) or send a check to CVHS HofF, P.O. Box 203, Clayton CA 94517.

For more information, call Dee Billeter at 672-6379 or Bill Nelson at 672-4092. YOUTH FUTSAL, OTHER TEAMS FORMING AT CLAYTON GYM Indoor soccer, aka futsal, is coming to Clayton Community Gym this winter. Boys teams in the under 10, 12 and 14 age groups are forming a league for the five-a-side game. The league will run Nov. 6-Dec. 30. There will also be an under 14 girls tournament at the gym Nov. 27-28. Other November events at the Clayton gym include a youth winter basketball academy for boys and girls second to ninth grades, an adult winter volleyball league and total body fitness for adults.

For more information or to register, visit their website at alloutsportsleague-clayton.com.

from page 1

DIABLO FC WINTER SOCCER ACADEMY STARTS JAN. 6 CVHS athletic director Pat Middendorf, who chairs UMDAF, said that the $75,000 exceeded the group’s projections. “All in all, we thought it was a very fantastic event,” she said. “It was pretty evident that the athletes themselves showed up in great number to support this event.” Following Clayton Valley with the most registered participants were College Park, Northgate, Concord, Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools. CVHS coach Michelle Howisey’s Eagles cross country team was well-represented in the 15-19 and 10-14 age groups. “All my athletes participated in the 5K. They weren’t racing, but all ran,” Howisey said. “They were very organized and dressed in a jungle theme, which included them meeting in advance to make costumes together. We even had quite a few parents run.” Six of the top 10 girls in the 15-19 age group are on the CVHS cross-country team. Sarah Litwiller (1st), Alexandra Tate (2nd), Megan Mayhew (4th), Melissa Del Bene (5th), Brigitte Leblow (7th) and Ning Ning Hu (10th) all placed in the top 10. Rachel Preeg was second in the 10-14 age group. On the boys’ side, Clayton freshmen Danny Condon and Taylor Linzey placed among the top six in the 10-14 age group. Sean Wanket of Concord was first. Clayton’s Johnny McCluhan and Braden Hart were leaders in the boys 9 and under race. Litwiller, now at Sacramento State, ran both races and then said he needed to run six more miles for his team workout. He hoped to make it back before the awards ceremony was over. Of course, he did. “An outstanding runner and person, we are really proud he represented CV again this time as an alumnus,” Middendorf said of Litwiller. In the adult categories, Katie

Diablo FC is holding its 10th annual Winter Soccer Academy Jan. 6-Feb. 17, 5-6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Willow Pass Park No. 5, adjacent to the Willow Pass tennis courts in Concord. The renowned Diablo FC professional coaching staff will teach boys and girls 5-12 basic dribbling and juggling skills, passing and receiving the ball and ball striking. Youth of all skill levels from novice to those ready for competitive soccer are invited to attend. There are no tryouts; sign up at diablofc.org.

DIABLO FC U8-U11 COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS IN JANUARY Diablo FC tryouts for the 2011-’12 season for under 8 through under 11 competitive teams will be held Jan. 23-30 in Concord. Boys and girls born between Aug. 1, 2000, and July 31, 2005, are invited to try out.

There is no charge to try out; pre-register at diablofc.org.

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THE BROTHER-SISTER COMBO OF SARAH AND NATHANAEL LITWILLER was all smiles after posting top times at the second annual 5K Run benefiting the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation in Newhall Park. Nathanael Litwiller, who now runs for Sacramento State and is an alumnus of Clayton Valley High School, repeated as the fastest overall runner in the 5K race with a time of 16:31.46. Sister Sarah Litwiller, a CVHS senior, was the top 15-19 female runner with her 20:47.58 time, which barely edged her Eagle teammate Alexandra Tate.

Wanket of Pleasant Hill was the first overall woman in a time of 19:28.65. Shannon Carr and Patricia Sackett were Concord runners in the top six of women 20-29. Ursula Reynosa of Concord was first in women 3039, Mary Trumble of Concord and Carina Fryer of Clayton were in the top five 40-49; Kimberly Tank of Concord and Jennifer Roe of Clayton were top six in 50-59. On the men’s side, local runners Aaron Takahashi, Tapinder Singh, Kevin Dixon and Shaneel Kumar were top 20-29 finishers. Abel Vanegas of Concord was third in men 30-39, while Kevin White, Dan Wanket, Tim Llacuna and Mark Catalano were top 8 at 40-49. The men’s 50-59 group was dominated by local runners with Thom Trimble, Chris Ware, Bill Hermens, Michael Smidebush, Bob Hermens, Keith

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Christensen, Bill Svoboda and Stan Roe all in the top 10. In men 60-69, Fortwnato Perez, Rex Takahashi, Rees Markham and Tony Pawlowicz posted top times. Bryan Holmes was the No. 1 70-79 runner. “Our second annual Save Our Sports 5K run was a magical morning of our community coming together to support athletics in our high schools,” said event co-chair Marci Finley. “We had a total of 110 volunteers coming from all of the six high schools, including 30 provided by Diablo Futbol Club.” According to Finley, the sense of urgency created by the initial announcement of the school board cutting the funding of sports has waned. “What the public is missing is that we are in the exact same position as we were last year. We need to raise $1.2 million to continue athletics in MDUSD or the

board will cancel sports,” Finley noted. “Sunday’s 5K was a success. The six high schools and the community came together to make a difference and we did. Now we just have to keep at it.” Adding to the color and festivities at Newhall Park were San Francisco radio station KMEL blasting music while cheerleaders and school mascots from several schools, including the CVHS Eagles, were dancing and playing with the crowd. The Mt. Diablo High Tahitian dancers made a repeat appearance. The school mascots led off the kiddie race and had a dance contest to conclude the morning’s festivities. “We had more sponsors this year, but had about 600 fewer runners,” said Middendorf, who was still reviewing figures. “It appears the adult runners were the category that dropped the most.”

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Y o u t h and Adult sports at the Clayton Community Gym Youth Futsal (indoor soccer) league for U10, U12 and U14 Boys in November Coed Adult Volleyball league in October

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Clayton Sports Hall of Fame, from page 12 Kellie was first team allleague for her final three years in volleyball and softball. Softball placed second in NCS. In her senior year, Kellie was CVHS softball MVP and AllEast Bay. She received a softball scholarship to Cal State Fresno. Lisa Barbieri Hobson Volleyball-basketball-track, 1989 Lisa moved up to varsity volleyball as a freshman for the playoffs and went on to play middle blocker on the varsity for the next three years. She also played two years of JV and one season of varsity basketball and four years on varsity track. During Lisa’s sophomore year, the volleyball team won the league championship with a 25-1 record and went to NCS playoffs. Lisa was voted team

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LISA BARBIERI HOBSON, 1989 CVHS Athlete of the Year

Most Improved and AllDVAL. Her junior year, volleyball finished second in DVAL and fifth in NCS playoffs. Lisa was again All-DVAL. She played center/forward on the basketball team that finished second in NCS and went to the NorCal playoffs. Lisa was again chosen MIP and first team All-League. She still holds school record for most rebounds (376) in a single season. She finished second in the high jump at DVAL and third at NCS. As a senior, Lisa was captain of the volleyball team that finished second in the new Bay Valley Athletic League and fifth in NCS. Lisa was MVP and first team All-BVAL. She was high jump champion at BVAL track finals and finished her career at Clayton Valley winning the 1989 Athlete of the Year Award. Lisa received a full scholarship for volleyball at University of the Pacific and her team was second in the nation as a freshman and in the top 10 each of her final three years. She currently is the girls’ head varsity volleyball coach at CVHS. Brook Knight Constable Tennis-soccer-track, 1988 Brook played three sports for Clayton Valley. She earned the No. 2 tennis singles spot and was team captain her senior year. Soccer became a sport in her junior year and she was All-DVAL and league scoring champ. As senior captain, she was instrumental in securing the Eagles their second straight DVAL championship. She made her mark as a freshman high jumper and would go on to three more track seasons, racking up accolades such as DVAL, NCS and Meet of Champions winner. She finally ascended from 16th

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to fifth place at CIF State Meet. By the end of high school, Brook was 1988 Female Athlete of the Year, lettering nine times. Brook excelled at Fresno Pacific College in track and volleyball (a sport she took up in college) and finished with an NAIA National qualification in high jump and led the Sunbirds to an NAIA National Tournament fourth place in volleyball. She returned to Clayton Valley to teach English and leadership for 12 years. She also coached soccer and track for many seasons. Howard Marshall Coach, 1980-’93 Howard coached girls’ basketball at Clayton Valley for 13 years – 11 years at the varsity level. He has the longest tenure for a head varsity girls’ basketball coach in CV history. He also has the distinction of being the first Clayton Valley basketball coach to take a team to the North Coast Section championship game and the first to go to the Northern California Championships. He coached his Clayton Valley teams to 195 wins for a career .635 winning percentage. Before the 1982 season, Howard and Roger Zino switched places on the girls’ basketball staff with Howard taking over the varsity reins. In four seasons from 1985-’88, the team won three DVAL championships and was second once. The 1988 team was runner-up at NCS and went to the Northern California Championships. The coach always had a great love for the game of basketball and was an excellent teacher. With his skill and knowledge, he was able to inspire and motivate his athletes. His son Steve was inducted into the CVHS Hall of Fame in 2008 as part of the 1977 State Champion wrestling team. 1988 Girls’ Basketball Team The ’88 girls’ basketball team was the first Clayton Valley basketball team, boys or girls, to play in the championship game of the North Coast Section. They were also the first team to go on to the Northern California Championships. The DVAL championship team, under head coach Howard Marshall and assistant Roger Zino, featured seniors Kricki Bader, Michelle Jones, Amy Lunsford, Erin Schriefer, Kristie Van Fleet and Becky Vigil and juniors Lisa Barbieri, Bridget Billeter, Courtney Kenworthy and Amy Rufenach. They won DVAL with a 14-2 record, finished with an overall record of 23-9 and made it to the NCS championship game. They received an at-large bid to the NorCal Tournament, where the Eagles lost to eventual the state champions, Fremont High of Oakland. Barbieri, Bader, Jones and Van Fleet were All-DVAL and Van Fleet was chosen DVAL Player of the Year and AllEast Bay. Karey Sheehan Venegas Tennis-volleyball-basketballsoftball, 1980 Karey, a versatile, talented athlete who played four varsity sports, still has her name on the basketball record board in Clayton Valley Gym 30 years after graduating. She holds

records for most career points (1236) and assists (442). As a freshman, she played basketball and tennis and both teams won league championships. The basketball team took third at the NCS championships. Her sophomore year, Karey played volleyball, basketball and softball. Volleyball won league and NCS championships, while softball took league and came in second at NCS. Karey’s junior year, the volleyball team won league again and she was All-League and NCS All-Tournament. Karey was the basketball captain and MVP. She was first team AllLeague, league leading scorer with a 22.1 average, All-EastBay second team and Concord Transcript Girls Athlete of the Year. She was captain of the softball team, which won league for the third straight year, and she was on her third All-League team with a batting average of .453. The accolades continued in Karey’s senior year. She was volleyball captain and MVP, winning league and NCS championships. Karey was again an NCS All-Tournament selection and the team went to the state tournament. Basketball brought another league championship as she was captain and MVP, averaging 23 points per game. Her honors included All-League, All-East-Bay, Big C Athlete of the Year, 1980 CVHS Athlete of the Year, All-Northern California and All-America by Scholastic Magazine. After graduation, she went to UC Berkeley and then Santa Clara. Her senior year, she was Santa Clara basketball captain and MVP. Courtney Nelson Murrell Diving, 1987 Courtney entered CVHS in the fall of 1983 and was Most Valuable Diver and captain of the diving team for four years. She ended her first high school season setting a school record and placed second at NCS. During her sophomore and junior years, Courtney was league champion, placed at NCS meet, was third in the National Junior Olympics while doing well enough to qualify and compete in the Senior Nationals. Courtney earned AllAmerica honors as a junior and senior. Her final year, she won the league and NCS championships and represented the United States in the Junior World Championships. Courtney finished her high school career as 1987 Athlete of the Year. In college, she won 11 AllAmerica honors and was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2001. Courtney was a member of the U.S. National Team 1989-’92. In 1989, she competed in the U.S. Diving Nationals and, through a vote of coaches and peers, was presented the Phillips 66 Performance Award. In 1992, Courtney competed in the Olympic Trials on the 10-meter platform and 3meter spring board. She placed sixth and fifth in these events. Jeri Pournaras Feuer Tennis-basketball-track, 1985 The three Pournaras siblings, Jeri, Dean and Shawn, played tennis together at Clayton Valley. Jeri lettered 10 times at Clayton Valley and was 1985 Athlete of the Year. She was on varsity tennis four years, competed in varsity track her freshman through junior years and was varsity basketball her last three years.

On the tennis courts, she was DVAL runner-up in No. 1 doubles for two years, No. 3 singles runner-up her junior year and league champion as No. 3 singles player her senior year. Switching to the basketball court, she was MVP as a sophomore and senior and twice All-DVAL. As a senior, she won the Oakland Tribune Athlete of the Year award. She led CVHS to the DVAL championship her senior year and still holds the record for most assists in a game at 14. She averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and five steals per game. As a freshman, Jeri was fourth in the NCS triple jump. She was first at the DVAL meet in the mile relay, 100 meters and triple jump. She took second in the long jump. In 1983, she was track and field MVP. Jenny Bader Baker Volleyball-basketball, 1986 Jenny still holds three records on the CVHS basketball board in the gym. She set marks for most career rebounds (831), rebounds in a game (22) and career free throws (301). Jenny began earning honors early in her athletic career. As a freshman, she was selected MVP for JV basketball. Her sophomore year, the first time she played volleyball, she was JV MVP. She played varsity volleyball her junior and senior years and was on varsity basketball as a sophomore, receiving Most Improved Player award. Her junior year, the basketball team won league and placed sixth at NCS. She was first team All-League and NCS All-Tournament. During Jenny’s senior year, the team won the Tracy Lion’s Club Tournament and she was named tourney MVP. The team repeated as DVAL champs and sixth place at NCS, with Jenny as co-captain and team MVP. She was named All-League first team, NCS All-Tourney and All-East Bay first team. She received the Oakland Tribune DVAL Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award and San Francisco Examiner Bay Area All-Star Honorable Mention. She ended her high school career as 1986 Girls Athlete of the Year. Jenny attended Los Medanos College and played basketball for two years, winning Coast Conference AllConference honors and voted LMC MVP. Her sister Kricky is also being inducted this year as a member of the 1988 basketball team. Laurie Anderson Rose and Mike Rose For decades, Clayton Valley High graduates Mike and Laurie have given their time, talent and financial support to their alma mater. Their generosity, creativity and hard work have benefited CVHS programs in many areas. The Roses are staunch supporters of athletics and, through their efforts, the annual boosters’ golf tournament was started. Mike and Laurie and their business, Mike’s Auto Body, have worked in all aspects of fundraising with the CVHS Athletic Boosters Club and the list of their activities and donations is extensive. Their enthusiastic and generous response to the many and varied requests over the years has been phenomenal. Laurie is also being inducted this year as a CVHS Girls Sports Pioneer for her softball and basketball excellence.


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Page 15

Book Review

n a m y d n s a e c H i v r ‘Baking Cakes’ a backdrop for worldly lessons Let me Se

SUNNY SOLOMON

FOR

THE

BOOKS

I could tell Kigali was a place in Africa from the cover of “Baking Cakes in Kigali,” but until I turned the book over and read the blurbs, I had no idea about the story. When I read that the protagonist, Angel Tungaraza, a Tanzanian woman living with her family in Rwanda, was a kindhearted soul who befriended many people in the process of running her home business of baking cakes, I was intrigued. But don’t let the blurbs about Angel Tungaraza fool you. Author Gaile Parkin, a white South African who spent two years in Rwanda after the genocide, may have created a character who is kindhearted, but sweet Angel is also savvy, inherently wise, gutsy and a collector of stories the reader will not soon forget. Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city and was the heart of the 1994 genocide. Parkin has not softened Kigali’s history. She has written the story of one woman who becomes a wellspring of stories depicting the human condition. Angel, a Catholic, lives with her Muslim husband, a consultant to a local university, and her grandchildren (her own children

are dead) in a compound housing foreigners helping rebuild Rwanda. She is an entrepreneur who bakes cakes for almost anyone celebrating almost any occasion. Parkin wastes no time (page one) in showcasing Angel’s business acumen when describing her awaiting an important customer: She “had dressed smartly for the occasion, in a state of great anticipation of the benefits that it might bring.” Make no mistake, “benefits” is another word for money.

to consult with each other across the bridge of her nose.” What is most striking in Parkin’s writing is the respect and warmth she shows for her characters. Most of the world knows Rwanda by its violence, and Parkin does not skirt this issue. Her characters deal with murder, prostitution, HIV/AIDS, the effects of colonialism, female genital mutilation, lack of sanitation, education of women and infidelity. They also deal with a fierce love of family, a keen and forgiving understanding of their neighbors, and a determined insistence to find ways around the obstacles that would prevent them from moving past the horrors they’ve survived. Rwanda’s population is attempting peace through Unity and Reconciliation, a program similar to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation. Parkin weaves a tale in which even Angel must come to accept her own family truths before she can reach a state of forgiveness and reconciliation. She gains this understanding after she tells her own story to a young, and wise, prostitute she befriends. Parkin has an ear and eye for capturing the essence of her characters, both in their strengths and weaknesses. You will laugh out loud, probably cry and often recognize yourself. The reader will not forget the women who populate this novel. They are strong, loving, resilient and pragmatic. They come from many parts of Africa and the world. Should anybody wonder if feminism is

Each customer must come to the Tungaraza apartment so that Angel can determine exactly what kind of cake she will bake. This requires her customers to reveal a great deal about themselves and the event to be celebrated. There is enough humor in the novel to ease any reader through its most difficult tales. A hidden reference to HIV as “the problem” is raised by one customer and Angel must think of a tactful way to respond. In so doing, her “eyebrows rushed

alive and well, read this book. It is time to take a much closer look at the continent and people of Africa.

Sunny Solomon is the “Book Lady” for the Clayton Community Library Book Club. She holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Her poetry and prose has been published in literary journals and magazines. You can each her at memorie3@yahoo.com.

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Keep safety at the top of your holiday shopping list As we enter the busy season of shopping and parties, we may need to be reminded about “safety first.” First, here are a few tips when going shopping – not just for holiday gifts but even grocery shopping. Women should place handbags in the trunk of the car before leaving home. Take into the store only the credit card(s) you need or the appropriate cash. Do not broadcast to people hanging around parking lots that you have your purse in the trunk. Be careful of those behind you at the checkout counter, because people with cell phones could take a picture of your credit card and make a fraudulent card. After shopping, place all articles in your trunk; do not leave them inside of your car. Holiday gifts, groceries, etc. should be placed in the trunk and out of sight. Next, it’s time to think about rotation of emergency supplies. The Community Emergency Response Team

suggests rotating water stored for emergencies every six months. Do it at the same time you replace smoke alarm batteries. Most folks will do this at the switch from standard time to daylight saving time and vice versa. Some people who use prescription drugs place a small emergency supply in the car’s glove compartment. Heat can change the chemical content of some drugs, so be careful about storing and rotating the drugs. Also, dispose of expired drugs properly. Pharmacies do not have “takeback” programs. However, we have a program in Clayton to dispose of unwanted drugs, including vitamins and liquids (cough syrup, etc). Place the items in a plastic bag and deposit them in the container on the second floor of City Hall. There is also a container for sharp objects, such as used needles. Following are the monthly recommendations for emergency preparedness:

Retirement Community

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SAFETY ZONE 1. Obtain a container and make it your Family Emergency Container (FEC). Place it in area that is easily assessable, near the primary exit of the home. 2. Place a minimum of a three-day supply of food and water for each family member in the FEC. Consider food that does not require water, such as peanut butter, crackers, canned tuna or meat.

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3. Place a pair of shoes and flashlight under each family member’s bed. 4. Develop an emergency escape plan and practice at least once a month. Herb Yonge is a volunteer with the Clayton Police Dept. & a member of the city of Clayton Citizen Corp Council, CERT Team. He can be reached at 673-7355 or by email at hlyonge@att.net.

Financial, from page 10

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. OCT. 27 FOR THE NOV. 5 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com

CLAYTON EVENTS Oct. 25 Pros and Cons of the Nov. 2 Ballot Propositions Featuring a speaker from the Diablo Valley League of Women Voters. Sponsored by the Clayton and Concord branches of the American Association of University Women. 7:30 p.m., Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St. All interested voters welcome. Contact Carolyn at 672-0700.

Oct. 28 California Garden Clubs Meeting The Clayton Valley Garden Club will host the Diablo Foothills District meeting and luncheon. Gary Gragg will speak about “Subtropical Plants for Bay Area Gardens.” 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr. $25. Contact Shelia at 682-7887 or president@claytonvalleygardenclub.org.

Oct. 30 “Viva Arts!”

Clodagh Martin will perform with the Diablo Regional Youth Orchestra at the Oct. 30 Civic Arts Education fundraiser

Civic Arts Education students will perform, including the Diablo Regional Youth Orchestra’s Leadership Ensemble, Diablo Ballet’s professional intermediate program and the Youth Theatre Company. Silent and live auctions benefit art scholarships for low-income county residents of all ages. 6:30 p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. 939-2787 or friendsartsed.org.

Saturdays through October Farmers Market

Nov. 15 “Tortilla Curtain” Book Discussion Librarian Karen Hansen-Smith will moderate a discussion. Part of the “Clayton Reads” program. 7 p.m.

Tuesdays through Dec. 7 Patty Cakes Story time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m. Tuesdays.

Wednesdays Book Buddies Reading to 4- to 7-year-olds. 3-4 p.m.

Thursdays through Nov. 4 Picture Book Time Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m. Thursdays.

SCHOOLS

MEETINGS

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Diablo Street between Main and Center, downtown. pcfma.com or 800-949-3276.

Oct. 27 Panda Express Fundraiser

Oct. 26; Nov. 9, 23 Clayton Planning Commission

Nov. 6 Community Emergency Response Team Drill

To benefit the Clayton Valley High School Music Boosters. 3-8 p.m., 2280 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Download a flier at claytonbands.org.

7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

The drill will include Incident Command System procedures and Search and Rescue. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. claytoncert.org.

Oct. 30 Clayton Valley High School Clean-up Day

HALLOWEEN Oct. 31 Halloween at Rodie’s Feed Store Get a free photo of your dog and enter the costume contest. Free door prizes, treats and awards. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 8863 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton. Call Sarah at 672-4600.

Oct. 31 Halloween at the Fire Station

Bring gardening gloves and tools to help spruce up the school. 9 a.m.-noon, 1101 Alberta Way. Email Micki at mcwalls@comcast.net.

Nov. 3 Tavo’s Pizzeria Fundraiser Mention Mt. Diablo Elementary School and the restaurant will donate 15 percent of the purchase to the Parent Faculty Club. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 5434 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord.

Nov. 4 Highlands Elementary School Holiday Boutique

For pre-K to fifth-graders; children must be accompanied by an adult. 5:30-7:30 p.m., 6500 Center St., Clayton. Free. Contact Emily at 941-3505.

Local vendors and crafters, raffle drawings, food and bake sale. Also, the Gold Refinery will purchase gold jewelry 2-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association. 2-8 p.m., 1326 Pennsylvania Blvd., Concord. Contact Vixen at 681-3382.

Oct. 31 Ghost Walk

Through Dec. 17 Box Tops for Diablo View

7:30-10 p.m. Meet at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Free. Bring a flashlight; costumes optional. Contact Richard at 228-9144.

EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 6 “Reach for the Sky”

Girl Scout Emma Hall is collecting box tops for the middle school. Bring box tops to the Diablo View office, 300 Diablo View Lane, in a ziplock bag with your child’s full name and grade on it. Students will compete for prizes. Residents without students can bring box tops to the Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, or State Farm Insurance Agency, 6200 Center St.

“Building a Pathway to Success”

The Contra Costa Wind Symphony opens its 30th season with a program featuring brass, music with an outer space theme and Dick Callahan, a voice familiar to sports fans. 8 p.m., Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave. $15. ccwindsymphony.org.

Families can purchase a personalized brick for the pathway to the flag in front of Mt. Diablo Elementary School. Prices begin at $55. Order forms at mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary. Contact Michelle at michellejcurry@sbcglobal.net or 6721257.

HEALTH

Nov. 6-7 Gem and Rock Show Jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils and gold, plus rock painting for kids. Sponsored by the Contra Costa Mineral and Gem Society. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. 289-0454.

Oct. 23 Bone Marrow Donor Drive Co-sponsored by state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier and the Asian American Donor Program. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Seafood City Supermarket, 2030 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 942-6082.

Through Nov. 7 “Sleuth”

Nov. 1 “Diabetes Dialogue: A Taste of Good Health”

The Willows presents a mystery thriller with plenty of plot twists and turns. $22-$32. Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward St., Martinez. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org.

5:45-8:30 p.m., Ball Auditorium, John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Free. Register by Oct. 25 at 941-4141. johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/diabetes.html.

Through Nov. 14 “Becoming Britney” A caustic, but loving PG-13 fable that chronicles the rise, the dip and the salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenom. $25. Center Repertory Co., 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. centerrep.org or 943-SHOW.

Through Nov. 20 “Dracula” Experience the gothic classic as you’ve never seen it, presented by Center Repertory. $36-$42. 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. centerrep.org or 943SHOW.

Nov. 6 John Muir Medical Center Open House Includes tours of the new Hofmann Family Patient Care Tower, a health fair, local food vendors, activities for kids, music and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2540 East St., Concord. johnmuirhealth.com.

AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. 673-0659 or claytonlibrary.org.

Through Oct. 27 Guess the Pumpkin’s Weight Madeline H. D. Brown and Eugene Brancoveanu in “Dracula,” presented by Center Rep.

Nov. 29-Jan. 16 “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” The Willows Theatre presents everybody’s favorite nun, starring Deborah Del Mastro. Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward Street, Martinez. willowstheatre.org or 798-1300.

FUNDRAISERS Oct. 23 “Music, Masquerade and Fine Arts” Food, wine, dancing, costumes, art auction, live music. $50; $25 is tax-deductible. 7-10 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton. 672-8855.

The person with the closest guess without going over wins the pumpkin. For children through age 12.

Through Nov. 18 “Clayton Reads” All residents are invited to read “The Tortilla Curtain” by T.C. Boyle. Pick up a free copy at the library.

Oct. 23 “Mexican Immigration: Past and Present” Professor Manuel Gonzales takes a look at legal and illegal immigration since the Mexican Revolution. Part of the “Clayton Reads” program. 2 p.m.

Nov. 7 “Tortilla Curtain” Book Discussion Librarian Karen Hansen-Smith will moderate a discussion. Part of the “Clayton Reads” program. 2 p.m.

Nov. 8 Folktales from Mexico Performer Michael Katz tells tales from Mexico. A “Clayton Reads” program for the whole family. 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Mt. Diablo Unified School District 7:30 p.m., 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. mdusd.org.

Nov. 2, 16 Clayton City Council 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us

CLUBS Clayton Business and Community Association Meets 6:30 p.m. last Thursday of the month, except holidays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Sue at 672-2272.

Clayton Valley Garden Club Meets 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. On Nov. 10, Lew Thompson will present “Crazy for Chrysanthemums.” Contact Nancy at 673-3522 or claytonvalleygardenclub.org.

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club 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. Call Shirley at 672.1163 or claytonvalleywomansclub.org.

Clutch Busters Square Dance Club Meets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Willow Pass Community Center Hall, 2748 East Olivera Road, Concord. Contact Karen at 6863774.

Concord Stompers Square Dance Club 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.

Contra Costa Chess Club 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.

Contra Costa Mineral and Gem Society Meets 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. 779-0698 or ccmgs.org.

Creekside Artists Guild Meets 7-8:30 p.m. 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.

Diablo Valley Democratic Club Meets 7-9 p.m. third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. On Nov. 17, Polo Morales of Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization and Mark Silverman, director of Immigration Policy for the Immigrant Legal Resources Center in San Francisco, will discuss the essentials of good immigration reform. Contact Pat at 946-0469 or dvdems.org.

Knights of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. 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.

Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Meets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. 5668166 or claytonvalleyrotary.org.

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 6391987 or scrabble-assoc.com.

Sons In Retirement (SIRs) Meets 11:15 a.m. first Thursday of the month, Crown Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. 429-3777.

Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista Meets 12:15 p.m. first, second and third Wednesdays of the month, September-June, Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Contact Nicole at 692-2224.


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Think Palm Desert for a ‘cool’ time

PEGGY BIDONDO

TIME

TO

GO

It was 100 degrees in Clayton and we were heading to Palm Desert, where it was bound to be a lot hotter. Fortunately, the weather turned out to be perfect – 75 to 80 degrees each day. It was great for sightseeing, shopping, sunbathing and sitting outdoors while sipping local libations. We had booked a week at a resort more than a year ago and decided to go in spite of the weather. The drive from Clayton is a relatively easy one as the majority of the trip is on Interstates 5, 210 and 10. With stops to fill up the tank (both for the vehicle and us), we made it in about seven hours. Thanks to an audio book and snacks, the time went by quickly. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians was drawn long ago to the canyons of the Coachella Valley, which provide an oasis of palm groves, natural waterfalls and hot mineral springs at the base of towering mountains. It is a rich agricultural area, where 95 percent of the nation’s date crop is grown. After buying some dates at Hadley’s Fruit Orchard in Cabazon (which was featured on the Food Channel), we can attest to their delicious quality. If you have one of their “date shakes,” it supposedly makes

Photo: gowestusa.com

THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY traverses the rugged Chino Canyon These high tech rotating tram cars give every visitor desert and mountain views during the ten minute ride to the top.

you a local. Also in Cabazon are three buildings housing 150 outlet stores in case you need to update your wardrobe and 3,200 wind turbines that power electricity to about 200,000 Southern California homes. This area is the best place in the United States to harness wind power. HEAD FOR THE HILLS The best heat-beater in the summer is to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mt. Jacinto State Park. The trip takes only 10 minutes aboard a rotating tram car that travels up to 8,516 feet of pristine wilderness. Once there, it’s 30 degrees cooler than in the parking lot

Club news

where you left your car. There are spectacular views of the valley floor and surrounding areas. You can hike on the 54 miles of trails, bring a picnic or have lunch at the restaurants. Even with a couple of hundred people at the top, it was quite quiet. Everyone seemed to have a reverence for what we were viewing. From there you could see the San Andreas Fault which runs down the middle of the valley, the Salton Sea – the largest lake in California, and on a really clear day, all the way to Las Vegas. STAR SEARCH This area is one of the world’s premier golf destinations. With more than 350 days

TO SUCCESS

Clayton Valley Garden Club members delivered a second elevated raised bed that allows wheelchair and other disabled students access to gardening classes at Diablo View Middle School. Garden club member

EATING ON THE CHEAP A walk along El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of Palm Desert, brings you past every kind of upscale retail store you can imagine. From clothing, to jewelry, fine art and even finer prices, it is definitely a fun place to window shop. When you get tired of walking, there is a little yellow golf cart that gives complimentary rides up and down the street. Forever in search of a good meal deal, we sought out many of the Happy Hour offerings in the area. Just about every

See Travel, page 18

Health, from page 8 require antibiotics as our bodies are quite capable of fighting them off on their own. As an example in ear infections, based on recent studies, Pediatricians are now withholding antibiotics in most patients for two days to assess whether or not the infection clears on its own. Surprisingly, a large number of those infections disappear without the aid of antibiotics.

BUILDING A PATH

of sunshine, mild winters and more than 200 golf courses in the valley, it becomes a haven for “snowbirds” from October through May. One source told me it takes 800,000 to 1 million gallons of water per day to keep all those courses green. It has been a magnet for Hollywood stars since the 1930s, when Bing Crosby and Ralph Bellamy founded the first tennis club in Palm Springs. Other 1930/1940s stars known to stop by were Mary Pickford, Judy Garland and Humphrey Bogart. The ’50s and ’60s brought Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack, along with famous folks from Washington such as JFK, Eisenhower and Nixon. We took a celebrity home tour along with two couples from Britain who were ecstatic when we entered the home of Elvis and Priscilla Presley at 845 West Chino Canyon Road. One of the women was an Elvis devotee and knew more about him than the tour guide. This was the highlight of her trip to the United States.

Neal Richmond built the two elevated raised beds. Soil and vegetables ready for planting were also donated to the school. Shown here are special ed teacher Stephanie Barambani, Richmond and David Walters of the school district.

PREVENTION IS KEY The best way to defeat bacteria and to avoid antibiotic resistance is to prevent the infection from developing in the first place. This can be accomplished through the use of immunizations, discarding suspicious foods, having a safe water supply, and practicing good hygiene; wash your hands. These simple acts are surprisingly and dramatically effective. As an example, due to immunizations we have virtually eradicated many diseases in our country, diseases that had plagued our parent’s gener-

ation. In our own children we are also seeing a fast decline in the incidence of bacteria that can cause life threatening pneumonia and meningitis. Immunizations work and the benefits far outweigh the risks so please do not be influenced by alternative opinions. To summarize, listen to your doctor and don’t be upset if you don’t receive the antibiotics you think that you need. Your physician is really looking out for your best interest. As well, remember to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, remember to wash your hands, and practice basic good hygiene. If not, we will see you down the road at John Muir Concord. Dr. Birdsall is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Chief of Staff of John Muir Hospital in Concord. He lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Dr. Marian Birdsall, and two children. Please email him at David.Birdsall_md@johnmuirhealth.com

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Page 17

Candidate’s Forum from page 1 Oakhurst landslide litigation. Stratford brings needed accounting and financial skills to a city faced with the worst recession in recent memory and continued state takeaways. Meriam, although new to politics, serves on the Planning Commission and says he will bring a “fresh perspective” to the Council. Diaz likes to “think outside the box” and says the city needs to find new ways to cut costs, including outsourcing landscape maintenance. The four candidates share a common vision for the downtown – a bustling Main Street lined with shops, Western storefront buildings with no vacancies, pedestrian walkways and the ka-ching of sales tax revenues. But, say Meriam and Diaz, the city hasn’t done enough to realize this vision. “The city needs to do more to create a business friendly environment and engage with current businesses,” Meriam said. Shuey, running for a third term, countered their claim with a list of major projects completed by the city during his terms. “We’ve brought the concerts in, which drives traffic downtown. We’ve built a CVS drugstore, the Grove Park, Flora Square and now the Creekside Terrace Project is ready to go to a developer.” “We’ve changed the building requirements to allow bigger buildings on smaller parcels and revised the parking requirements to encourage new business.” Diaz says the city should use Redevelopment Agency money to offer incentives to attract new business. “I’ve seen this done in other cities,” he said, “It works,” but agreed that it could cause some fairness issues with existing businesses. PROPOSED CHURCH PROJECT All four were asked about their position on the Clayton Community Church’s proposal for a worship center on their Main Street property. Approval of the project will require an amendment to the Town Center Specific Plan. As sitting Council members, Shuey and Stratford would not prejudge. “This is an important and divisive issue. Hank and I have both been careful not to do or say anything that we would have to recuse ourselves for.”

Diaz and Meriam, however, were less reticent. “I do not favor the church as a church, but I would be open to reviewing the project. We need to be open minded,” said Meriam. “I don’t think it’s the right place for it,” said Diaz. “But I would be open to working with the church to find other land in the city. It should be outside the commercial area.” CONFLICT QUESTIONS All four candidates were quizzed as to any potential conflicts of interest they may have with current or proposed projects. City officials may not participate in decisions on projects within 500 feet of where they live. Meriam’s home on Oak Street is within 500 feet of the Creekside Terrace project and he will not be able to participate in or vote on the development. His 500 ft. radius does not touch the church’s property on Main Street and expects to participate in the church project hearings and decisions. However, said Shuey, because the project requires public parking in downtown, this may bring the scope of the project within 500 feet of Meriam’s home. Meriam said he would seek the advice of the California Fair Political Practices Commission if there was any question of conflict. None of the other candidates live within 500 feet of the Town Center. All of the candidates agree that the city has done a good job balancing the budget and containing costs without cutting services. But all are looking for the “biggest bang for the buck.” Meriam says the city could save money if they withdrew from the CalPERs pension plan and went to a 401k plan. “This is a hot topic with no easy answer,” Stratford said. ‘The city has already reduced retirement benefits by going to a Tier 2 plan. Scrapping the CalPERS plan altogether would cost the city $1.5 million in unfunded liabilities and without it, it would be difficult to attract quality employees.” Meriam is opposed to using public funds to pay for the concerts downtown and says the city should call on alcohol sponsors and sales to support the event.


Page 18

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Bullying, from page 1 DRE#00906625

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VICIOUS COMMENTARY A few weeks ago, I had one of those “what has happened to the world?” moments. I was checking Facebook when I saw a picture of myself with dozens of smiling kids from Camp Sea Lab on one of the kid’s Facebook pages. I smiled as fond memories flooded my mind – but then I read the fifth-graders’ comments. My joy turned to astonishment followed by anger so deep, I felt physically sickened. I couldn’t comprehend the utter barbarity of the words these kids used to refer to their peers. The worst attacks focused on a disabled classmate. At camp, I felt proud of the way some of the students had treated this child, but behind his back, others found the “courage” to call him names. I wonder where these 10-year old children learned this language – words I didn’t even know existed when I was in fifth grade. Then I saw a comment from one of the mothers. “Leave him alone ... Be nice ... I hope he is not your friend on Facebook, cause if he is he knows now you guys don’t like him.” That was it. Even after her son had joined in on the commentary. I wondered how a parent could under-react to such blatant bullying that was continuing nearly six months after camp ended. Just because a child is unaware of the hatred spread behind his back doesn’t mean he’s not suffering the effects at school. One minute, he could be friends with somebody, and

the next, they’re making faces at him or calling him the names created by the cyberbullies. ESCALATING TREND Retired third-grade teacher Maxine Buxbaum, who began her career in Chicago during the 1950s, stated in an interview that the extreme nature of bullying today mimics the extreme nature of our society. “The growing pressures to have material things, drugs, teenage drinking and more permissive parenting go hand in hand with the escalations in our behaviors in society,” she noted. Perhaps parents are more permissive nowadays because they’re more concerned about being “buddies” with their children. Little do they know, their permissive attitude could lead to the demise of another child. According to a recent study by the National Institute of Health of 7,000 students, cyber bullying can cause higher levels of depression since one may feel more helpless. The experts state that messages posted on the Internet are difficult to remove and can reach thousands of students with one click of the mouse. Often, the student being bullied is unaware of why the attacks against him are growing. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, says cyberbullying is now the most common form of bullying because kids are attracted to hiding behind a screen.

Travel, from page 17

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restaurant has half-price specials on drinks and food – some starting at 11 a.m. and going to closing. But the majority of the places we visited had a 4-7 p.m. timeframe. We enjoyed some delicious dishes such as mussels in garlic wine sauce, crab sliders, chicken pot pie, chopped salads and mac and cheese with bacon and mushrooms. All the dishes were plentiful enough to share and allowed us to try things we might not order otherwise. Certain nights will also get you bottles of wine at half price. After a week of indulging ourselves in the pleasures that Palm Desert and the surrounding cities had to offer, it was time for the trip home and a plan to return soon to a

place that has become a new favorite spot to visit. Recently retired, Clayton resident Peggy Bidondo is a tireless traveler with a passion for travel planning and writing. Send your questions and column ideas to Peggy Bidondo at timetogo@claytonpioneer.com.

Travel Tip If you are flying to a new city and don’t know where to go or what to do when you arrive, ask your flight attendant for dining, shopping and sightseeing advice. Most crews have up-to-the-minute recommendations gleaned from layovers and they are more than happy to share the information.

October 22, 2010

FEW LEGAL OPTIONS The California Department of Education code section 4 8900(r) allows for suspension or expulsion of a bully and asks that parents report cyber bullying to law enforcement officials or the local Internet service provider. California passed renewed legislation SB719 in October 2003 that treats bullying as a punishable crime. However, according to Clayton Valley assistant principal Sharon Brockman, it’s extremely difficult to prosecute bullies. “Because kids have trouble getting enough evidence, prosecutors have difficulty building enough of a case,” Brockman stated. She advises students to notify the school immediately upon being bullied and to save all evidence supporting the accusation, including texts, phone records and Facebook page printouts. A CALL TO ACTION While schools have policies aimed at protecting students who have the courage to report bullying and state laws support citizens providing sufficient evidence, I believe there’s a giant, missing link to solving a problem that is claiming so many young lives. I’m reminded of a CNN article about the suicide of a 13-year-old child from Tehachapi. Seth Walsh, an openly gay eighth-grader, had been teased since fourth grade. “He was teased in fourth and fifth grade and by sixth grade the kids got really mean,” said his mother, Wendy. “By seventh grade, Seth was afraid to even walk home from school, and in

Support Hotlines The Trevor Project, 24-hour support for gay youth, 866-4UTREVOR. 24-Hour Youth Crisis Line, 800-843-5200. Contra Costa Crisis Center: 24-hour suicide hotline, 800-SUICIDE or 800-273-TALK.

September, he ended his misery and hung himself in his backyard.” At his funeral, which 600 people attended, his younger brother, Shawn, remarked: “I just wish people could have been nice to him, like my mom taught me.” Considering 600 people from this tiny town attended this boy’s funeral, I can’t help but wonder where they were when the bullying was taking place. What will it take for us to recognize our own accountability? The giant, missing link is each of us who turn a blind eye to nasty remarks, hateful slurs and physical attacks. It’s those of us who don’t urge children to stand beside the bullied and not the bully. Technology is here to stay and we, as a society, must respond to its rapid growth in a responsible manner. Will we be the next community to show our support after a child takes his life? Or will we, as a community, stand beside this child at the start of trouble? Sarah Rosen is a junior at CVHS. You can e-mail her at sarah_rosen@claytonpioneer.com.

Church News CONCORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The church will host its Bell Bazaar Nov. 5-6. The event includes the sale of handmade items, crafts and home-baked goods, plus tickets for raffle prizes. Lunch is served 11 a.m.-1 p.m. both days. The bazaar will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The church is at 1645 West St., Concord. For more information, call 685-5260.

What’s happening in your place of worship? New pastor or choir director? Special projects? Active ministries? Send your news of community interest to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com.

Ghost Walk, from page 1 Taylor moved to Antioch with his parents from Kansas in 1955 and then to Clayton in 1961. His parents were school teachers drawn to the area when friends relocated to Martinez. Taylor is a teacher, writer, illustrator and actor. When he heard about various shootings in Clayton’s past, Taylor started collecting articles and other tales about town. He excitedly retells these events, with one rolling into the next – from creepy burial grounds and bloody buggy accidents to deadly bar fights. Taylor tracks live celebrity sightings as well, such as seeing Robert Redford in a local restaurant. Spectators of the specters are thrilled by guest ghost

appearances on the walk. Taylor sets the macabre mood by donning a top hat and cape like an undertaker. Walk participants receive an “I Survived the Ghost Walk” certificate. “It’s been a lot of fun,” says Taylor. Because many regulars take the walk, “I can’t leave out any stories.” For more tall tales of the town, see “Ghosts and Other Celebrities of Clayton” by Richard Taylor at the library. Be prepared to wait; copies keep “disappearing” from the shelf. Gather for the Ghost Walk at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. The walk is 8-10 p.m. Bring a flashlight. Costumes are optional.

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October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

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Reviewers do not allow theater companies to tell them what or what not to write. So it’s not the Willows Theatre Company that’s holding the reins of a reviewer’s pen: it’s Anthony Shaffer, the playwright of “Sleuth,” the Willow’s current production. Since the play’s original 1970 staging in London, audiences have been asked to remain mum about the plot. “Sleuth” is a murder mystery with multiple layers of deceit and deception. A tell-all would spoil half the fun of seeing the show. Many may already have seen the play or either of the two movies – a 1972 version with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine or the 2007 film starring Caine and Jude Law. Yet due to Shaffer’s skillful playwriting and the popularity of the mystery genre, there’s still good reason to buzz over to the Campbell Theatre in downtown Martinez. Director Richard Elliott spins out an efficient tale, with enough humor and danger to satisfy the nearly sold-out houses the production is attracting. What can be told about the plot is simple. Andre Wyke, a wealthy thriller writer, invites young Milo Tindle to his home for a drink. Over scotch, Andrew reveals that he knows about the affair his wife is having with Milo. He suggests a devilish plan to rid himself of a tiresome wife and grant Milo his heart’s desire. Of course, there’s something fishy in Andrew’s motivation and in Milo’s participation, but that’s where the exposition must come to a halt. Shaun Carroll as Andrew Wyke is vibrant. He’s not as haughty as Olivier or as gritty as Caine, but his portrayal of a wronged spouse gains depth as the play progresses. Especially in the first act, Carroll bounds

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SHAUN CARROLL AND ERIC INMAN star in the Willows Theatre production of Sleuth, Oct. 4-Nov. 7 at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez.

www.3699OakCreekCt.com across the Campbell’s diminutive stage with the dexterity of a gymnast. Although this energizes the production, it detracts from his character’s claims that he needs Milo’s help because he, an older gentleman, is less agile. It’s a small point, but an important one early on, when the plot is still dependent on an old cliché: Seeing is believing. Eric Inman is an enchanting blend of gullible lover and resentful, pouty, young professional. As Milo, he’s deft at comedic moments: climbing into a clown suit with all the delight of a 6-year-old at Halloween and in other scenes too far into the play’s “protected plot” to describe. The kitschy set is full of visual charm,

from a collection of colorful masks to a bubbling fish tank to the 4-foot tall fisherman doll that laughs upon the press of a button. Elliott demonstrates once again his affinity for humor, even amidst the blood and bullets. If you know the plot, it’s still a delight to watch how human desire for love or revenge leads to … well, I can’t tell you that part. You’ll have to go and see for yourself. “Sleuth” plays through Nov. 7 at the Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward St., Martinez. Tickets are $22-$32. For more information, call 798-1300 or visit willowstheatre.org.

Willows toasts the holidays with new ‘Nunsense’ musical GARY CARR Special to the Pioneer

Everybody’s favorite nun is back at the Willows Theatre. Billed as a “one Nun-sense musical event,” “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” stars Willows’ veteran Deborah Del Mastro as the tune-belting, wise-cracking, trumpet-playing nun who left her sandal prints over all the previous Nunsense musicals. “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” is the Willows’ holiday musical offering, opening Nov. 29 in Martinez. The show features songs from all the “Nunsense” shows and is directed by Dan Goggin, the creator of all seven (so far) “Nunsense” musicals. “Danny Goggin made the Willows an offer that we couldn’t pass up: the West Coast premiere of a ‘Nunsense’ special, written specifically for Deb Del Mastro,” said Willows general manager Christine Marshall. Del Mastro and Goggin premiered “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” in July

I N S P I R E D R E A L E S TAT E

at the Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, Conn., where it played to full houses and got superb reviews. The Willows is the first West Coast theater to produce the show. Del Mastro, a “singing nun with a difference,” is a longtime member of Goggin’s favorite nunnery, the Little Sisters of Hoboken. She originated Sister Robert Anne in “Nunsense Jamboree,” “Nuncrackers,” “Meshuggah-Nuns” and “Nunsensations,” all of which played at the Willows over the years, many as world premiers. She can be heard on all the original cast CDs. Del Mastro filmed “Nunsense Jamboree” with Vicki Lawrence, “Nuncrackers” with Rue McClanahan and “Nunsensations” with the original cast. She is also a Beach Blanket Babylon alumna. And as a U.S. Navy Band veteran, she really is the one playing the trumpet. “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” plays Nov. 29-Jan. 16. at the Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward Street, Martinez. Tickets available at willowstheatre.org or 798-1300.

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DEB DEL MAESTRO stars as Sister Robert Anne, a part written especially for her, in the latest Willows Theatre “Nunsense” production, opening Nov. 29 at the Cabaret in Martinez.

Britney and friends play it out in Center REP show

“Becoming Britney” opens at the CenterREP Oct. 28.

How does a pop sensation wind up bald and trapped in her own musical? “Becoming Britney” is a caustic (but loving) PG-13 fable that chronicles the rise…the dip…and the salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenom. Produced by Center REP and directed by Daya Curley, the show features eleven original songs that pay homage to multiple musical theatre genres including shows like “Annie” and “Rent,” and composers like Rodgers and Hammerstein among others. The songs include a comical waltz between Britney and K-Fed as they both agree the other is, “The Love of My Life (So Far),” a show-stopper called “Push It Out” in which Brit has two babies and “Out of Control,” a swingin’ jive number about her downward spiral with the help of friends Lindsay and Paris. NY Fringe Festival award winning

actress Molly Bell wrote the book, music and lyrics and also stars in the show. Bell was recently seen in Center REP’s “A Marvelous Party.”

Performances run from Oct. 28 through Nov. 14 in the Knight Theater, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Tickets are $25. For more information go to CenterREP.org or call (925) 943-SHOW (7469), or go to the LCA Ticket Office at 1601 Civic Drive or the Ticket Office Outlet at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek.

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Page 20

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

Mayor, from page 1

Finally, creative financing for solar Sponsored by NextEnergy by Doug Hamilton Creating electricity on your rooftop has long been a popular idea. But solar has had serious limitations that kept most homeowners from taking the plunge. Panel efficiency was low, reputable installation companies were few and far between, and product choices were limited. One-byone, these limitations are melting away. But a persistent limitation is also the most vexing: the high up-front cost. The solar industry is finally getting its act together and providing a creative array of financing options for homeowners. The first and best option to finance a solar electric system is a home equity loan. This secured financing product usually has the lowest interest rate, and a percentage of the payments can be deducted from your taxes. However, fewer people have much equity in their homes these days, and some folks are upside-down on their mortgages. So it’s time to get creative. There has been a recent flourishing of “no money down” financing, such as the solar lease and the solar PPA (power pur-

chase agreement). The lease is much like a car lease in that the buyer has no up-front cost and pays a monthly lease payment for 10-18 years. This is one of the lowest cost ways to get solar on your home. The savings is usually smaller than if you bought the system, and most leases have a yearly payment escalator. Most leasing installers also provide a performance guarantee where they pay the difference for the expected solar production if the system doesn’t perform as promised. In the PPA, the buyer agrees to rent roof space to a company, who then pays the homeowner in the form of reduced rates for electricity. These power purchase contracts can range 10-20 years. The installation company will maintain the system and make sure the panels are clean. Even more creative are the Same As Cash (SAC) programs and a variety of unsecured loans. With SAC, the buyer would not have any payments or have interest accrue for a specified period of time – 90 days to a year. The cost of this money is usually absorbed by the solar installation company to entice people to buy their product. However, buyers must pay the balance off in full at the end

of that term or re-structure the principle into another loan. The most creative unsecured loan program is a five-year term with a balloon payment at the end. Although most balloon payments make people nervous, this program offers homeowners flexibility. The payments are amortized over 10-15 years to keep monthly payments low. Monthly payments are made for five years and then there is either a balloon payment or refinancing of the loan balance. It’s a relatively easy qualification process and the interest rates vary depending on credit qualifications. The loan can also be reamortized when the buyer gets that 30 percent federal tax credit, making the monthly payments even lower. These are just a few of the financing innovations that are taking place in the solar industry today. The idea is to make solar affordable for more people than ever before. And given PG&E’s propensity for rate hikes, a solar electric system will be more valuable in the coming years. Hamilton is a senior solar consultant at NextEnergy Solar.

T AKE

of this program, each street in Clayton is evaluated and given a numeric score based on its condition. A firm specializing in these types of evaluation performs the evaluation and scoring. Our streets were recently scored. Our weighted average score was 76, putting us in the “very good” category – the highest of the Pavement Condition Index. In the county, only Brentwood, Contra Costa County, Oakley and Concord scored higher. We are able to use the street scoring to select which streets to include in improvement projects. We selected the 34 worst residential streets, based on scoring, to be included in the project. For the first time, this included some of the Oakhurst streets. (Thank you, Oakhurst residents, for driving carefully and making your streets last longer.) We also included what is referred to by some as Old Marsh Creek Road, the stretch of road that runs from downtown to the middle school. We began to see failings in the pavement and, since this road is heavily traveled, we wanted to make sure that our arterial roads are in good condition. One of the signs of pavement failure is the presence of alligator cracking, or fatigue cracking. I like the sound of alligator cracking

better. It’s a series of interconnected cracks, giving the appearance of alligator skin. Other cracking can be sealed, but once alligator cracking appears, a more extension repair is required. The work to be performed with our current project ranges from adding an overlay to grinding and repaving, depending on the street’s condition. One of the exciting parts of the project, and something you will want to remember to mention at the water cooler, is the use of rubberized asphalt on Old Marsh Creek Road. Rubberized asphalt is made of traditional asphalt and ground up old tires. In addition to the environmental benefit of recycling old tires, rubberized asphalt is quieter and requires less thickness than traditional asphalt. Caltrans has been using rubberized asphalt on many of freeways. Over the next few months, you will be seeing paving crews working on this current project. As funds become available, we will continue to maintain and improve our streets. I hope when you wake up tomorrow morning that you feel you know a little more about our street maintenance. You can contact the mayor at hank_stratford@yahoo.com

A HIKE

Save Mount Diablo leads first public hikes in Irish Canyon

Photo by George Phillips

Two guided hikes will follow new trails at Irish Canyon. Save Mount Diablo is hosting the first public tours of the spectacular 320-acre Irish Canyon property on Oct. 24 and Nov. 14. The land is marked by three spring-fed branches of Irish Creek, a blue oak woodland, a valley oak savannah and grassland heading toward Kreiger Peak. Steep slopes are sculpted by landslide slumps. The property supports more than 400 species of plants and animals, provides world-class views and has a rich history, including two home-

stead sites. Bob Jones, the first professional baseball player from Contra Costa County, was born in Irish Canyon. Jones played for the Detroit Tigers with Ty Cobb. Save Mount Diablo (SMD) has been unable to lead public hikes on the property for the last three years due to access restrictions. A recent acquisition by the East Bay Regional Park District bridged the gap from Clayton open space to Irish Canyon and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.

During the spring, SMD built two trails that provide access to some of the more rugged areas on the property. Although Irish Canyon is closed to the public, SMD will lead public hikes at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 24 and Nov. 14. Tours begin at the carpool lot at Peacock Creek Drive and Clayton Road in Clayton. The hike is about six miles round trip. To reserve a spot on a tour, call (925) 947-3535. For more information, go to www.savemountdiablo.com


October 22, 2010

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Page 21

Get creative

Advertise in the Pioneer 672-0500

with ornamental grass selections

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL Ornamental grasses can create movement and add texture to a Clayton Valley landscape or garden. This time of year, ornamental grasses take center stage in many yards around town. Whether it’s the common red fountain grass or the uniquely striped zebra grass, they are here to be enjoyed and the season to notice them is now. Red fountain grass may be the reason that ornamental grasses have become so popular. About 10 years ago, tufts of reddish-bronze foliage began popping up here and there. At first, they did not command much attention. But as the season wore on and summer peaked, stalks of fuzzy pinkish plumes appeared above the grassy foliage. These plumes added much to the look of the plant, as they swayed in the slightest breeze. GO BIG, OR A BIT SMALLER Red fountain grass is identi-

fied as Pennisetum Rubrum. This ornamental can reach 3-4 feet tall, with plumes that stand even taller, so planing in the right place is important. Red fountain grass has a smaller brother, Pennisetum Rubrum Dwarf. This would be a good selection for someone with less planting area. The dwarf red fountain grass has all the same features but is just slightly smaller. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide, with the plumes 16-18 inches taller than the foliage. For gardeners who crave green foliage but want the same look, there is Pennisetum Orientale. This ornamental will reach 2-3 feet tall and wide, with ivory plumes as the bloom. If you want more color with fountain grass, Fireworks was released last year and has really hit it big this planting season. Bright red, pink and bronze variegation runs along this plant’s grassy foliage. The bloom is more like the red fountain grass, and the size of this selection is about 2 feet tall and wide. Fireworks fountain grass is nice in a landscape and equally as nice in the ground. ZEBRA GRASS A BOLD MOVE Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus is commonly called zebra grass. It has green blades with horizontal stripes of yellow positioned every inch or so along its length. This grass is extremely appealing and unique. It satisfies that urge

to grow something different. However, be cautious when planting zebra grass. This ornamental can reach 5 feet tall and wide. Picture it taking up an entire fence panel. Placement is important. If you don’t have room within your yard, consider installing zebra grass in a large container. It would make a dramatic statement on a patio or in the distance of the landscape. Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster is another large ornamental grass selection that looks fabulous when installed in the right spot. Dark green, grassy foliage will reach 3 feet tall, and beige plumes of blooms stand 5-6 feet tall. This grass is exceptional. Karl Foerster could be used as a backdrop for a dry garden or creekbed. It also makes a nice privacy screen or living wall. CLUMP IT UP If you need a smaller ornamental grass, consider the family of Carex. It has selections of green, orange and variegated foliage. Some are runners, so be careful not to select those. The clumping varieties are fantastic in a landscape. Carex testacea is an all-time favorite of mine. It will grow 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. During fall, the color of the blades changes and become a russet orange, which is desirable this time of year. Carex testacea Prairie Fire is a

newer selection with a bolder orange color. It is definitely worth a try. The Northern Lights grass called Deschampsia cespitosa is good for those who crave pink. This clumping grass will reach 812 inches tall and wide, making it a great border plant. Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens is commonly called black mondo grass. This small clumper has almost black blades and reaches 8 inches tall and slightly wider with age. It is evergreen and very conversationworthy. Install in the ground or in a container. Acorus variegatus ogon is a yellow-bladed ornamental grass. Acorus is exceptional in a container or in the ground. Fescue Elijah Blue is a great gray foliage grass. Those who think they know fescue grass should really try this selection – it’s marvelous. Ornamental grass season is here, so get planting. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com

It’s time for the crepe escape Sweet crepes can also be rolled in warm syrup, folded in fourths and served with a compound butter or flambéed in liqueur. French chef Henri Charpentier is credited with creating the famous dessert dish crepes Suzette, possibly named after an attractive young woman who accompanied a European royal to dinner at the restaurant where he worked. The batter contains lightly grated orange peel and the cooked crepe is doused with orange liqueur or brandy and ignited for a spectacular presentation (and taste).

LINDA WYNER

FOOD

FOR

THOUGHT

Tired of the same ol’ pancake for breakfast? A tortilla for lunch? A dosa for dinner? It’s time to escape the routine and go back to the past by making a crepe. Crepes originated centuries ago in Brittany, a region in northern France. They were made from buckwheat, which isn’t wheat at all – it’s a glutenfree grain. Breton crepes were the staple bread of the peasant class. As sweeter, less coarse white flour became available to the middle and lower classes around the start of the 20th century, the more familiar crepe emerged and is now widely regarded as the national dish of France. Crepes also have a traditional religious role in France. La Chandeleur or Candlemas celebrates the Virgin Mary’s blessing on Feb. 2 each year. It’s also known as avec crepe day, a traditional offering of crepes with historical roots dating back to when peasants gave crepes to landowners as a sign of allegiance. The goal of avec crepe is to hold a coin in one hand and flip the crepe in the pan with the other. A successful flip portends financial success in the coming year. Crepes rapidly became the culinary darling of neighboring

European countries. There’s the crespella of Italy (the basis for meat-based cannelloni), palacsintas in Hungary, filloas in Spain, pannekoeken in the Netherlands, blintzes on Jewish tables and blini in Russia. Crepe’s cousins are easily recognized around the world: the African injera, the Indian dosa, the Mexican sope and the Mandarin pancake for Chinese moo shu pork. Simply made of flour, eggs, butter, milk and seasonings, the crepe gallette is the French savory pancake filled with meat, poultry, cheese, vegetables, seafood and sauces. When sugar and sometimes spices are added, a sweet crepe sucres emerges – begging to be filled with jam, fruit and cream. A crepe batter is simple to prepare but requires planning because the batter must rest for at least an hour before cooking. The resting period allows the bubbles to subside and minimizes the risk of tearing during cooking. Most batters may be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Here’s a successful recipe adapted from renowned Food Network personality Alton Brown:

BASIC CREPE BATTER 2 large eggs ¾ c. milk ½ c. water 1 c. flour 3 T. butter, melted Butter, for cooking Pulse all ingredients in a blender for about 10 seconds. The batter should be like thick cream; don’t worry if there are small lumps of flour. Cover and refrigerate the batter for an hour. Preheat a small nonstick pan over medium to medium-high heat – not so hot that the butter browns or burns when added to the pan before the batter. Pour about 2 T. batter into the buttered pan and swirl to create a round shape of even thickness. Cook about one minute, then loosen with a thin spatula and turn, cooking another 30 seconds. Remove to a platter. You can continue to pile on the cooked crepes, separated by sheets of waxed paper. Cooked crepes can also be frozen; defrost before use. Suggested fillings include poached chicken in Mornay sauce or shirred eggs and minced ham. Let your imagination run wild.

CREPES SUZETTE Basic Crepe Batter 2½ T. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 T. rum or orange liqueur Grated zest of one orange FOR THE SAUCE: ¼ lb. butter 2 T. sugar 3 oz. favorite liqueur 4 scoops vanilla ice cream Prepare crepes following Basic Crepe directions. Fold them in half and half again so they are in the shape of a triangle. Melt half the butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. When it foams, stir in the liqueur and sugar. Use tongs to transfer the crepes back to the pan and turn to coat. Remove to serving plates with the ice cream. Return the pan to the heat, add the remaining liqueur and tilt the pan. Ignite the liqueur with a long match and spoon some of the flaming liquid over the crepes.

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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Page 22

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

October 22, 2010

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November 13 & 14

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Christmas is just around the corner and its time to get a head start on your holiday shopping. The 2010 Contra Costa County Fall Faire is Nov. 13-14 at the fairgrounds in Antioch. Join us for this two day event that will showcase all that Contra Costa County has to offer...quality arts and crafts, carnival, food, beverage, local businesses, community services, Santa, kids’ zone, and even an amateur cookout contest. Applications are available online at www.contracostafair.com for anyone who might be interested in participating in this event.

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