IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
January 28, 2011
925.672.0500
Eagle Scout projects bring big improvements to parks
Disputed gym charges hold up request for parking lot easement
DAVE SHUEY TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
MAYOR’S CORNER Proposed state budget would ax RDAs Sometimes being the mayor is no fun, because I have to report bad news and there is just no way around it. Or, as President Obama said, “If you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.” Now, don’t get upset, it’s just a platitude and I am not casting aspersions on, or favoring, Republicans or Democrats. Remember, at the local level, we are not one party or the other– we are Claytonites. Unfortunately, right now we Claytonites need to circle our wagons because the state is once again looking to the cities to bail it out. The governor released his new budget proposal and this pig stinks, with or without lipstick. In the interest of fairness, I should say the Gov. Jerry Brown is doing what he thinks is in our best interests as a whole and we will all have to, in one way or the other, share in the pain before the gain. That being said, this new proposal figures to hit us hard. Foundationally, the budget indicates a shortfall for fiscal year 2010-’11 of $8.2 billion and for 2011-’12 it is $17.2 billion, for a teeny weeny, itsy bitsy speck of a structural deficit of $25.4 billion. Folks, that is not a typo. Contextually, if everyone in Clayton (11,431 in July 2009) decided to pitch in and help, they would have to contribute more than $2.2 million each.
See Mayor, page 9
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
BANDIT, THE DALMATION, SHOWS OFF HIS SKILLS ON THE NEW AGILITY JUMP at the Clayton Dog Park. The jump is part of major landscaping and water improvements built by Troop 492 Scouts Clark Blatter (left), Bryan Crase (center) and Garrett Blatter to earn the ranking of Eagle Scout. PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
How many people can say they earned 21 merit badges by age 18? Served six months as a group leader? Planned, developed and led a community service project? Six and counting in the Pioneer’s distribution area. These Boy Scouts have progressed through five levels of scouting and are attempting to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Only 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earned Eagle Scout rank nationwide in 2010. Four Eagle Scout projects were finished in Clayton in December: one at Lydia Lane Park and three at the Clayton Dog Park. James Van Wyck, Troop 262, built a horseshoe pit at Lydia Lane Park. Clark Blatter, Garrett Blatter (cousin) and Bryan Crase, Troop 492, made water and landscaping
improvements at the dog park. The Scouts are at various stages of doing final write-ups of their projects and getting board approval to earn the Eagle Scout rank. James is a senior in high school and has his Eagle Scout Board of Review in one month. He chose the horseshoe pit at Lydia Lane Park from the city’s wish list of projects. He added his own special touch of a square sand pit around the stakes, with gravel between them. While completing the project, James says his most important lesson was leadership communicating with people to direct them and achieve a goal. He appreciates the experiences he had as a Boy Scout. “Boy Scouts is really a great thing for young men,” he notes.
See Eagle Scouts, page 11
Photo courtesy of the Van Wyck Family
FOR HIS EAGLE SCOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE project, James Van Wyck of Troop 492 built a horseshoe pit at Lydia Lane Park.
Plans to expand the parking lot at the Community Park ball fields stalled last week when what the city thought was a routine request for an easement was turned down by the school district. The easement is needed to connect the school district driveway to the parking lot. Without it, the project will require a second driveway on Marsh Creek Road and a “hammerhead” dead end to the parking lot. City officials were taken by surprise at the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s denial, which is based on a dispute over custodial fees at the Clayton Community Gym. The two issues are unrelated, says city manager Gary Napper, and the city has been trying unsuccessfully to resolve the custodial fee issue for more than a year. A joint use agreement between the city and the school district gives Clayton full use of the gym during non-school hours. According to the agreement, the city is responsible for operating and custodial expenses only when it is using the gym. Until last year, the YMCA contracted with the city of Clayton to use the city’s time to run a recreation program. When the YMCA folded last year, Napper discovered that the district had been charging custodial and operating costs for all of the hours allocated to the city, even when the gym was not in use. Further, the city was being charged for cleaning areas never
See Easement, page 9
Clayton swears in new sergeant Friends, family remember John Jawad as a man of wit and charm TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
panel, it gets the juices flowing,” says Police Chief Dan Lawrence. “McEachin was the No. 1. He was clearly out in front.”
See Sergeant, page 6
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
Clayton police officer Rich McEachin was promoted to sergeant last month, beating out six other candidates. McEachin was the top pick, scoring at the top of each round of testing that included writing
skills, management ability and a personal evaluation. The selection committee was made up of three lieutenants from other police departments. “When you have to demonstrate your skills in front of a
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
CITY
CLERK
LACI JACKSON swears in new sergeant Rich McEachin.
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
John Jawad, owner of the Pioneer Inn Restaurant for almost 30 years, died on Jan. 17 in Las Vegas, Nev. after a long illness. He was 84. The Pioneer Inn put Clayton front and center on the Bay Area’s dining map for the three decades that Jawad owned it. John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman and Count Basie were among Jawad’s diners and friends.
See Jawad, page 8
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .5 Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Fit with Levity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
JAWAD, OWNER OF CLAYTON’S ICONIC PIONEER INN on Main Street, died on Jan. 17 after a long illness. He was 84. Jawad is pictured here with Bob and Eldora Hoyer at his 80th birthday celebration in 2006.
Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Readers' Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Time to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 28, 2011
Around Town Pioneer goes to Sedona
Kimberly Lowe makes Dean’s List
Mary Rogers and Shane Letts engaged Christmas Eve brought more than Santa Claus for Mary Rogers and Shane Letts this year. Shane, down on one knee with the family watching, proposed to a surprised Mary. She said ‘yes.’ Mary, a homemaker, is the daughter of Al and Vicky Rogers and lives in Concord. She graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in 1995 and attended Diablo Valley College. Shane, a Clayton resident, is the son of Sharon Carrol. The two will marry in April at St. Bonaventure’s Church.
Chippero’s welcome daughter Daelyn
When Dane and Kahni Horton traveled to Sedona, Arizona to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary, they couldn’t bear to leave their Pioneer behind. So, we went along. Dane and Kahni were married in their Oakhurst home on Jan. 21, 2002.
Kimberly Lowe, daughter of Wendy and David Lowe, was listed on the 2010 fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Portland. Kimberly, a 2007 CVHS graduate, will earn her BSN in Nursing in May. Students must have at least a 3.5 grade point average to make the Dean’s List.
A.J. and Julielyn Chippero of Clayton welcomed a new baby daughter on Nov. 29. Daelyn Rayne, 7 lbs. 14 oz, stretched 19.5 inches, tip to toe.
leopard, a lioness and her three cubs, a cheetah as well
Send your news and photos of your births, engagements, weddings, special recognitions, etc. to info@claytonpioneer.com.
Pioneer Photo Album
Lions and cheetahs and zebras, oh my This past September, as a part of a group organized by Overseas Adventure Travel, the Pioneer joined Bill and Kathy Gray and their friends from Orinda on a safari tour in Africa. A oneengine plane flew us into a Wilderness Tent Camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. From there we visited safari camps in Zimbabwe and Namibia, Victoria Falls and Cape Town South Africa. During excursions from the safari camps, the we saw a
SHANE LETTS AND MARY ROGERS
We just moved to Clayton a few months ago and were pleased to be welcomed to our new Oakhurst home by a fox. This lovely creature visited our backyard and hid among our lawn statuary for several days.
as elephants, giraffes, zebras, kudu and impalas.
-Ann and Bill Callahan Send in your cute pets, funny kids, great landscapes, favorite sites in town or whatever makes your heart beat a little faster. Email a hi-resolution jpeg or tiff album@claytonpioneer.com with a description of the photo, where and when it was taken and a little about why you like it. Include your name and phone number.
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6 Bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 3477sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage! Convenient upper and lower level master suites! Combined dining and living rooms. Gourmet kitchen boasts slab granite counters & an eating nook. Spacious family room with fireplace. Large backyard with pergola covered patio and lush lawn area. $637,000
Clayton Market Update provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
7002 Molluk Way......................$569,000 1048 Feather Circle..................$415,000 928 Kenston Dr ........................$460,000 902 Arrowhead Ter ...................$343,000 408 Wawona Lane ...................$720,000 17 Long Creek Cir ....................$194,000
SF
BED/BATH
SALE DATE
. . . . .2556 . . . . .5/2.5 . . .01/19/11 . . . . .1338 . . . . .3/2 . . . .01/07/11 . . . . .2852 . . . . .4/4 . . . .01/07/11 . . . . .1749 . . . . .3/2.5 . . .01/07/11 . . . . .2944 . . . . .4/2.5 . . .01/06/11 . . . . .966 . . . . . .2/2 . . . .01/05/11
ADDRESS
PRICE
160 Mount Etna Dr ...................$250,000 1216 Buckeye Ter ....................$430,000 5739 Verna Way.......................$330,000 5130 Morgan Territory Rd ........$560,000 226 Condor Way ......................$439,000 156 Mount Etna Drive ..............$307,000
SF . . . . .1442 . . . . .1710 . . . . .1100 . . . . .1709 . . . . .1343 . . . . .1442
BED/BATH
SALE DATE
. . . . .3/2 . . . .12/30/10 . . . . .3/2.5 . . .12/30/10 . . . . .2/2 . . . .12/29/10 . . . . .3/2 . . . .12/28/10 . . . . .3/2 . . . .12/23/10 . . . . .3/2 . . . .12/17/10
January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 3
Readers’ Forum
Club News
Championing public art a touchy task The Pioneer makes the Readers Forum space available to readers with a point of view on a topic of community interest. The views expressed in the Readers Forum are those of the writer and not necessarily held by the Pioneer publishers. GARY CARR Special to the Pioneer
On the subject of weather or taxes, everyone has an opinion, rarely rising above the level of grim resignation. Everyone has an opinion on public art, as well, but the emotional accompaniment from the vast majority of the public is pitched much higher, usually starting from a baseline of angry
BOW AND ARROW SCULPTURE in Rincon Park on the Embarcadero sparked considerable controversy
resentment and reaching a crescendo of choking apoplexy. In 2002, San Francisco installed a giant bow and arrow sculpture in Rincon Park on the Embarcadero. The huge piece by Claes Oldenberg and Coosje van Bruggen was commissioned by the Donald and Doris Fisher Foundation, they of the Gap, and raised a storm of controversy at the time. The furor has dissipated over the years, thanks in large part to the contentious nature of San Franciscans, who find new barricades to storm
every week. (What will we do without lightning rod Chris Daly?) San Francisco is also a city that reveres whimsy. Think of the preservationist push to keep on display one of the giant dog heads from the longshuttered Doggie Diner. Or the city’s amusement with larger-than life political figures like Emperor Norton and Willie Brown. Not so fortunate was the “Spirit Pole” installation in Concord. In 1989, the city approved a public art project in which artist Gary Rieveschi erected a series of 18-foot metal rods along Concord Avenue, at the entrance to the city’s downtown. The artist’s concept was to convey a feeling of perpetual motion to those driving along the avenue – to represent the continual changes in the area from indigenous tribes to Spanish settlers to the modern day. The Spirit Poles were part of a $400,000 Heritage Gateway Project. Most people hated – nay, loathed the poles. In fairness to the artist, it should be noted that the City Council got involved (rarely a good sign) and forced a cutback to the original design – fewer poles, less landscaping and no public walkway so people could stroll along the structure. Public opinion about the poles simmered for more than a decade, until the anti-pole faction got its wish. The poles were found to be unstable and a
CONCORD’S ILL FATED SPIRIT POLES came down in 2001
The club held its annual holiday luncheon at Oakhurst Country Club on Dec. 14. Patricia Munson, president of the Tracy Women’s Club, installed the 2011 officers. Carol Smith, a solo hand bell ringer, and accompanist Jane Patty provided music entertainment. The club’s holiday charity project gathered items for the Layette Project at Hillcrest Congregational Church. The club meets the second Tuesday of each month except July and August. For membership information, call 672-1163.
THE CIRCLE OF PEACE IN THE GROVE park was designed by artist Gary Price to encourage children to become a part of the art. danger to pedestrians and drivers. Although some questioned the validity of the structural study (Where were those cracks?), the poles were removed in 2001. To add fuel to the fire and assure that public art might not rear its ugly head again, it was widely reported that the City Council approved a payment to the artist of $75,000 to surrender his claim to the poles. The poles are now stored somewhere in Concord. Obviously, the artist’s big mistake was not capping each pole with a fiberglass doggie head. Moving farther east, we come to the city of Clayton. In 2008, the city installed a sculpture called “Circle of Peace” by artist Gary Lee Price in The Grove, its downtown park. The sculpture depicts seven bronze, life-size children dancing around in a circle. Everyone in Clayton, from the word go, seemed to respond enthusiastically to the sculpture. Truly then, it’s a triumph of public art. Everyone loves it. Except me. Or, at least, that was my
initial reaction. Syrupy, sappy and sentimental, I thought. Norman Rockwell on steroids. But, I’m not big on most things Disney, either. However, I got to see how kids were reacting to the sculpture. They love it. You can’t go by on a sunny day and not see kids swarming over their bronze counterparts, holding the statues’ hands and joining the dance. It’s interaction with art on the most basic, kinetic level. It’s giving the kids a chance to enjoy art at the level of their still-forming little brains and guts. Donald Judd’s stark metal boxes wouldn’t do it for them – not yet, anyway. Let them have the Circle of Peace. It gives ’em a respite from Disney DVDs in the back seat of the family SUV. Art has gotta start early, or we’ll never have any audiences in 20 years. Gary Carr is the owner of Claytonbased Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations, www.risingmoonarts.com. Email him at carrpool@pacbell.net.
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CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB
THE 2001 WOMAN’S CLUB
BOARD,
from left, Connie Weimar, president; Joyce Atkinson, budget director; Shirley Boyd, second vice president/membership; Merle Whitman, auditor; Chris Light, treasurer; Becky Hanson, third vice president/programs; Priscilla Manlove, first vice president/dean; Kathy Hester, parliamentarian; Arlene Lewandowski, recording secretary; Jeanne Groschwitz, newsletter editor; and Kathy Olson, corresponding secretary.
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Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Concord city officials recently won two big victories in their continuing battle against the Herbal Essence business on Clayton Road. Owner Najib Dabit has been operating the holistic healing center and medical marijuana dispensary since June 2010, despite city efforts to stop the venture. Concord’s municipal code specifically bars medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.
On Jan. 14, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Cheryl Mills granted the city’s request for a preliminary injunction against Herbal Essence, preventing it from “conducting, operating, permitting, allowing, suffering or maintaining any further operations … of a medical marijuana dispensary or collective or similar use.” According to the order, the city was permitted to inspect the property at 5065 Clayton Road as early as Jan. 19 to “confirm the use and activity has ceased as ordered.”
Also on Jan. 19, the Planning Commission denied Dabit’s appeal of the revocation of his permit to do business. The revocation was issued in September 2010 on the grounds that massage services, in addition to retail sales and meditation, do not meet the city’s zoning requirements for the area. The block where the business operates on Clayton Road, near Kmart and Lucky supermarket, is zoned for apartments and professional offices. Neighbors include a former daycare and offices for an
ambulance service. Herbal Essence has ceased doing business in that location. Dorji Roberts, the attorney representing Dabit, said his client hadn’t made a decision about his next step. Roberts said the city’s efforts to force Herbal Essence to close are at the expense of people who need help coping with health issues. “It’s difficult anywhere in the eastern part of the county for patients to get safe access (to medical marijuana),” he said. “It’s really unfortunate.”
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In simple terms, you are what you eat I’m not sure who first said “Garbage in/garbage out,” but surely truer words have never been spoken. In fitness, as in life, such sensible phrases superbly express an idea while leaving little room for argument. It is never too late to learn that you should not have Skittles on the way to a championship soccer game, lest it end up covering the referee in more colors than black and white. Never water down a young athlete with glazed doughnuts as a postgame snack, lest you be rewarded with a sluggish, lackluster team after they have been literally bouncing off each other for hours. Athletes must rely on many elements in order to build a foundation that is stable, strong and beautiful. One such neces-
ILIMA HEUERMAN
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sary element is proper nutrition. Awareness and education of proper nutrition not only brings about immense mental and physical changes, it revitalizes the body from the inside out. What you put in usually figures in what you get out. With nutrition, the range of benefits and possibilities can be endless. Many people believe they
overeat, but actually they undernourish the body by eating in excess things the body does not need and avoiding things it requires like nutrients, fats and proteins. Yes, I said fat. Fat provides necessary rebuilding nutrients to muscles, retards hunger, aids in the absorption of vital nutrients, is necessary for brain activity and provides cushioning for bones, ligaments, joints and vital organs. Here are a few other sensible phrases from more than a few sensible faces: “Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet, but one of the most vital.” – Julia Child
“My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people.” – Orson Welles
“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” – Thomas Edison
Ilima Heuerman holds multiple fitness certifications. Her new fitness center, Levity, will open in the spring in downtown Clayton. Email Ilima at travelingtrainersllc@gmail.com
“Unfortunately what the experts tell us about diet is aimed at the whole population, but we are not all the same.” – Scientist Magazine ‘Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” Mark Twain “Clogged with yesterday’s excess, the body drags the mind down with it.” – Horace “A healthy body is the guest chamber of the soul; a sick, its prison” – Francis Bacon
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January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
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 , Administration S TAFF W RITERS : Denisen Hartlove, Jay Hartlove, Lou Fancher, Nicci Shipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn
We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
PIONEER INFO CONTACT US Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Randy Wenger Randy@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send Church News to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com
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CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: Non-profit: $12 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word Individual/non-commercial: $18 for first 30 words, $.30 each additional word Commercial: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word 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-
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. 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. 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.
Artists can create ‘a better world’ through library art show The Clayton Community Library Foundation is seeking participants for the 8th annual Creekside Arts Celebration March 4-6. Artists, musicians, authors, poets, storytellers and environmental groups are all welcome. The theme is “Inspirations for a Better World … Past, Present, Future.” This event explores our cultural diversity through the arts while supporting environmental education programs in the library’s certified creekside wildlife habitat. It includes free entertainment for all ages, with interactive workshops in visual and performing arts, art sales, cultural performances, storytelling, celebrity poetry, authors and music, environmental education groups and exploration of the local creekside. Artists who creatively interpret this year’s theme will be honored by the jury, which includes members of the Hearst Gallery, Art Concepts Inc., the Bedford Gallery and the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County. Visitors can vote for the People’s Choice award. Submission deadline is Feb. 12. Artists donate $30 for space to sell their work for the weekend as well as 20 percent of profits toward this fundraiser to benefit the environmental education programs in the library wildlife habitat and related library materials. Artists solely entering juried artwork donate $15 for up to three pieces. This event helps raise public awareness about the biodiversity in our community as nature
inspires “BioArt” works of art. Community groups include Clayton Valley High School’s ClaytonArts Academy, the Creekside Artists Guild, the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association and the Clayton Valley Garden Club. The popular outdoor interpretive tour returns with photo opportunities led by Jim Hale, a renowned, local wildlife biologist and ethnobotanist. Eloquent, two-time national Haiku poetry winner Tazuo Yamaguchi will emcee the open poetry readings and musical jam session. New this year, a Native American tribe will present a tribal dance and drum circle and art workshops including plein air painting outdoors. The event opens 6-8:30 p.m. March 4 and continues 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 5 and 1-5 p.m. March 6. Friday evening will include an artist’s “mini-showcase” and sampling of art sales, along with awards for juried artwork submitted within the “Inspiration” theme, a “live” raptor, music and refreshments. Saturday and Sunday will feature more art sales with live demonstrations and workshops, environmental groups and nature tours, poetry, music and cultural performances. The weekend event is held throughout the inside of the library, the community room, adjoining outdoor courtyard and interpretive area in the certified wildlife habitat. Artist entry forms are available at www.claytonlibrary.org. For more information, contact Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen at 673-9777 or akiksen@aol.com.
Classified SERVICES Girl Gardening Garden care, monthly pruning and fertilizing services. Plant suggestions and installation. Call or email Nicole Hackett 673-1746, or gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.
WANTED Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today (925) 672-8787.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help Fight Hunger Anna Chan – AKA: The Lemon Lady needs your help! Weekly commitment appreciated. Please contact Anna at 672-1988 or AnnaAndAva@gmail.com. Meals on Wheels Drivers 1 – 1 1/2 per week. Drivers and relief drivers needed for delivery of Meals on Wheels in East County. Call Jim at 673-0300 or e-mail hairbyjim@att.net. Hospice of the East Bay – Anna’s Attic Volunteer at Anna’s Attic Thrift Shoppe, located at 5350 Clayton Road. For information call (925) 674-9072. To learn more about volunteering for Hospice of the East Bay please contact (925) 887-5678, or email volunteers@hospiceeatbay.org. 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. 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. Contact: Arlene @ 673-9777 or email: nielsenjanc@aol.com.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Sergeant, from page 1
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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, the police reserves and RACES, the building’s emergency ham radio system. “That was foreign to me,” says McEachin. “I didn’t even know we had the system until I got promoted.” McEachin likes being the one people come to for advice or help. Former Police Explorer Matt McLaughlin recalls working with him. “McEachin was always willing to go the extra mile to help out anyone, coworkers and citizens alike, who needed assistance. … He was an excellent officer and will make an outstanding sergeant.” Prior to becoming a police officer, McEachin spent most of his career as a supervisor in the restaurant business. He lives in Brentwood with his family.
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Clayton PD has three sergeants, one for each shift. In addition to supervising the three or four officers on a shift, the sergeant pulls patrol duties, supervises the administrative staff and participates in department policy decisions. “Police work is inherently risky work,” says Lawrence. “They carry deadly weapons and have to use them at the right time. The supervisors are trained to manage a pursuit, to evaluate catching the bad guy vs. the community’s safety.” Sergeants also pick up their share of administrative work, evaluating evidence and managing special programs. The department has two other sergeants, Tim Marchute and Scott Dansie. The new sergeant says the biggest challenge so far is juggling the responsibility of the
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Clayton police arrested a local man suspected of being part of a large Asian organized crime ring based in Hayward. The Jan. 20 Clayton bust was one of 8 arrests made the same day for human trafficking/brothel activity. Earlier that morning, about 10 officers from the Hayward Police Department and the Contra Costa Sheriff ’s Department met with Clayton officers in the city hall parking lot. After a briefing, the caravan set out for the suspect’s Dana Hills home. Before they got there, Clayton police spotted the suspect leaving the area. They stopped him at Marsh Creek Road and Center Street and made the arrest.
“The suspect was taken into custody without incident,” reports Clayton Police Chief Dan Lawrence. “But, it created a dramatic scene for downtown visitors.” After the arrest, officers continued to the suspect’s home to execute a search warrant. Police do not believe the Clayton man was operating a brothel out of his residence. They say he was in the business support end of the crime ring, purchasing supplies and other accessories for the operation out of his home. The warrant was to obtain his computer and other business files.
January 28, 2011
Former Subway owner arrested for state income tax evasion John Meza, 37, and Jessica Meza, 40, former operators of the Subway Sandwich shop in the Clayton Station, were arrested by Franchise Tax Board (FTB) special agents on four felony counts of state income tax evasion and one felony count of concealing property, FTB announced last week. The Mezas lived in Brentwood and owned and operated seven sandwich shops and a newspaper distribution business in the bay area. The couple allegedly failed to file state income tax returns for the 2004 through 2007 tax years and failed to report more than $800,000 in taxable income. They owe the state more than $57,000 in unpaid tax. Interest, penalties, and the cost of the investigation will be added to this amount and sought as restitution. FTB initiated the investigation after the couple failed to respond to numerous notices
sent by the FTB demanding them to file California personal income tax returns. In addition, in 2006, the couple allegedly opened a bank account using false social security numbers and deposited checks into this account to conceal the funds from the government. Each felony count carries a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. The failure to report income is part of the $6.5 billion tax gap California faces each year. The tax gap is defined as the difference between the tax that is owed and the tax that is paid. The couple was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on Jan. 20. Their bail is set at $100,000 each. Their arraignment date has not been determined. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
If you failed to file a state income tax return in 2009, expect a letter While most people are working on their 2010 state tax returns, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced that it is contacting some 214 taxpayers in Clayton and 2724 in Concord who did not file a 2009 state income tax return. These are
among the 22,810 non-filers in Contra Costa County and more than 900,000 statewide. FTB finds non-filers by using more than 400 million income records it receives each year from third parties such as the IRS, banks, employers, state departments, and other sources. In addition, FTB uses occupational licenses and mortgage interest payment information to detect others who may also have a requirement to file a state tax return. FTB then contacts those who earned California income, but did not file a return for the 2009 filing year. Last year, FTB collected more than $550 million through these efforts. Since the 1950s, FTB has contacted people who may have a filing requirement, but have not filed a tax return. Individuals contacted have 30 days to file their state tax return or show why one is not due. When a required return is not filed, FTB issues a tax assessment using income records to estimate the amount of state tax due. The assessment includes interest, fees, and penalties of up to 50 percent. “If you get one of these letters,” warns Daniel Tahara of the FTB public affairs office, “don’t ignore it, or the FTB will simply calculate what they think you owe and bill you for it.” Generally speaking, if a taxpayer owes less than $25,000 and can pay it off in five years or less, they will qualify for an installment plan. Taxpayers under financial stress who are having difficulty paying their state income taxes can call (800) 689-4776 and a specialist will go over the work-out options. FTB provides more information for those receiving notices at ftb.ca.gov. From the home page, select the Bills and Notices tab, and then under the Tax Debt Section, select: Respond to request or demand for tax return. Taxpayers can request more time to respond, retrieve information that can assist them in filing a tax return, request tax forms, learn about payment options, sign up to receive an email reminder to file, and access other services. Individuals can also call FTB at 866.204.7902 to get information.
January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Right time for social security? Do the math to find out
RICHARD LITTORNO
ESTATE PLANNING Estate planning and retirement planning go hand in hand. After all, the amount of wealth available for your children and grandchildren depends on the amount you need to continue your desired lifestyle during retirement years. Social Security is an important component of retirement income. Many people elect to begin receiving benefits as soon as they’re eligible, but that’s not always the best choice. There’s no magic formula for deciding when to begin receiving Social Security benefits, but there are a few factors to consider. WEIGHING THE BENEFITS You can begin receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher the monthly benefit because the system is designed to provide you with roughly the same total benefit (based on government life expectancy tables) regardless of when you begin receiving payments. If you start benefits before your “normal” retirement age, you’ll receive a smaller check over a greater number of years. If you start later, you’ll receive a larger check over a smaller number of years. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, for example,
your normal retirement age is 66. If you start receiving benefits at age 66, you’re entitled to a full benefit based on a formula tied to your earnings history. Let’s say your monthly benefit at age 66 is $2,000. If you elect to begin receiving benefits at age 62, the monthly amount is reduced by 25 percent, to $1,500. (For ages 6266, benefits are reduced on a sliding scale.) If you delay benefits past age 66, the amount is increased by 8 percent per year. Many people can maximize wealth accumulation by delaying Social Security benefits to age 66 or later. But there also are reasons to start Social Security early. For example, in many cases, tapping other investments – such as IRAs, 401(k) plans or mutual funds – comes at a higher cost in terms of lost future earnings or accelerated taxes. FIND
YOUR BREAKEVEN POINT
Assuming you can live comfortably without Social Security benefits, a useful tool for choosing the right starting age is to calculate your breakeven point. For example, Frank, who is retired, is about to turn 62. He’s trying to decide between taking a reduced Social Security benefit right away or waiting until his normal retirement age of 66. His full monthly benefit at 66 would be $2,000 and his reduced benefit at 62 would be $1,500. Frank’s breakeven point is 77 years, 11 months. At that age, his total benefits will be about the same whether he starts at age 62 (191 months x $1,500 = $286,500) or at age 66 (143 months x $2,000 = $286,000). If Frank expects to live beyond his breakeven age, his lifetime benefits will be greater
What’s your retirement age? Year of birth*
Normal retirement age
Reduced benefit at age 62**
Increased benefit at age 70***
1940 . . . . . . . .65 and 6 months . . . .77.5% . . . . . . .131.5% 1941 . . . . . . . .65 and 8 months . . . .76.67% . . . . . .132.5% 1942 . . . . . . . .65 and 10 months . . .75.83% . . . . . .131.25% 1943-1954 . . .66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75% . . . . . . . . .132% 1955 . . . . . . . .66 and 2 months . . . .74.17% . . . . . .130.67% 1956 . . . . . . . .66 and 4 months . . . .73.33% . . . . . .129.33% 1957 . . . . . . . .66 and 6 months . . . .72.5% . . . . . . .128% 1958 . . . . . . . .66 and 8 months . . . .71.67% . . . . . .126.67% 1959 . . . . . . . .66 and 10 months . . .70.83% . . . . . .125.33% 1960 + . . . . . .67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% . . . . . . . . .124% Source: U.S. Social Security Administration *If you were born on Jan. 1, refer to the previous year’s numbers. **As percentage of full benefit at normal retirement age ***As percentage of full benefit
if he waits until age 66 to start collecting. If he doesn’t expect to reach that age, he’s better off starting at age 62. Suppose that Frank’s father and grandfather both lived to be 90. If Frank follows suit, then he’ll receive an additional $72,500 in Social Security benefits by waiting until his full retirement age of 66. WORKING IT OUT After determining your breakeven point, the right choice for you depends on several factors, including your actuarial life expectancy, health and family history. Keep in mind that the above example doesn’t consider potential earnings on Social Security benefits. If you plan to invest your benefits, you may need to adjust your breakeven point depending on your expected rate of return. If you plan to continue working after you become eligible for Social Security, you’re likely better off delaying benefits at least until you reach your normal retirement age. If you start earlier, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain threshold ($14,160 in 2010). If, for example, your benefit amount is $1,500 per month, or $18,000 per year, then your benefits will be eliminated if your earn $50,160 or more. After you reach your normal retirement age, you can continue working without reducing your Social Security benefits. Whether you continue to work or not, a portion of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. To determine if any of your benefits are taxable, your tax advisor must add one-half of your benefits to all of your other income, including taxexempt interest. If the total exceeds a base amount ($25,000 for single filers, $32,000 for joint filers) then up to 85 percent of your benefits will be taxable. The taxable portion depends on your income level. You should also consider whether your spouse is entitled to his or her own benefits or to survivor benefits after you die. Your estate planning advisor can help you evaluate your situation and select the option that maximizes the potential value of Social Security for your family.
Richard A. Littorno is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He has offices in Clayton and Pittsburg. Send your questions to Richard@LittornoLaw.com.
Page 7
Police Log stop for vehicle code violation. 1:40 a.m. Jan. 14, Mitchell Canyon Rd./Clayton Rd. A 33year-old Clayton woman arrested for driving on suspended license after stop for vehicle code violation. 2:20 a.m. Jan. 14, Yolanda Cir. A 28-year-old Clayton man arrested on a warrant after a call for service. 1:40 a.m. Jan. 15, Kirker Pass Rd. A 27-year-old Clayton man arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle code violation. 12:14 a.m. Jan. 16, Clayton Rd./Center St. A 43-year-old Clayton man arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle code violation. 2:27 a.m. Jan. 18, Concord Blvd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 41-year-old Concord woman arrested for DUI and driving without a license after stop for vehicle code violation. 11:19 p.m. Jan. 20, Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 23-yearold Clayton man arrested for driving on suspended license after enforcement stop.
7:34 a.m. Jan. 8, Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 57-yearold Concord man arrested for driving without a license and a warrant after stop for vehicle code violation. 2:22 p.m. Jan. 8, Concord Blvd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 51-yearold Antioch man arrested for driving on a suspended license and a warrant after stop for vehicle code violation. A 58-year-old Pittsburg female passenger was arrested for drug charges and possession of stolen property. 3:23 p.m. Jan. 9, Clayton Rd. A 37-year-old Pittsburg man arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools and parole violation after an enforcement stop. 9:53 p.m. Jan. 11, Kirker Pass Rd. A 32-year-old Concord man arrested on a warrant after contact by officers. 1:12 a.m. Jan. 12, Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 22-yearold Pittsburg man arrested for driving on suspended license after
ACCIDENTS 2:19 p.m. Jan. 13, Clayton Rd./Washington Blvd. Noninjury 6:40 p.m. Jan. 14, Marsh Creek Rd./Diablo Pkwy. Non-injury. 4:45 p.m. Jan. 17, Mitchell Canyon Rd./Pine Hollow Rd. Non-injury. 4:06 p.m. Jan. 20, Clayton Rd./Lydia Ln. Non-injury. ARRESTS 9:54 a.m. Jan. 7, Oak St. A 41year-old Clayton woman arrested on a warrant after contact by officers. 2:58 p.m. Jan. 7, Clayton Rd./Center St. A 29-year-old Concord man arrested for driving without a license and a warrant after stop for vehicle code violation. 1:58 a.m. Jan. 8, Clayton Rd./Allegro Ave. A 26-year-old Concord woman arrested for DUI, probation violation and a warrant after stop for vehicle code violation.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Complete inspections should accompany ‘as is’ listing Last year, we put our house Q on the market and got an offer after three weeks. We accepted a price that was below market value because our home needed some repairs. We gave the buyer disclosures that we filled out and, after reading them, they agreed to buy the house “as-is.” The buyers did an inspection and when they removed their inspection contingency, they asked for a huge price reduction based on the findings of the inspectors. This reduction included repairs they had agreed to accept “asis.” I simply said no. The new price was ridiculous and, more importantly, I believe the buyer negotiated in bad faith. I took my house off the market but am planning to put it back on this spring. Is there anything that I should have done or that I should do differently now? The first thing I would say is that if you want to sell your home “as-is,” you should provide complete inspections when you put it on the market. That would include a structural pest control report (termite report), a general building inspection and a roof inspection. If you believe there is structural damage, provide an engineering report. That way, the buyer knows exactly what they are buying and you can deal with issues at the offer stage. One thing you could have done before simply canceling the contract is give the buyers a 24notice to remove their contingency. This is provided for in the contract. If the buyer proves to be unreasonable, it is best to cancel the contract. You could waste your time holding out hope for a buyer that may never perform. Sometimes it’s not easy to determine which party to the contract is behaving unreason-
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ably. In an ever-changing market like we have, the gap between seller’s expectations and what buyers will be willing to pay could widen. Before giving a buyer an ultimatum, carefully consider the pros and cons of the transaction. Is the buyer financially able to close the sale in your timeframe? Could you easily replace this buyer or will you need to wait for another one while the market softens. You could be stuck selling for a smaller amount. Though you might not approve of the buyer’s tactics, don’t let your emotions interfere with closing a sale that works to your advantage. We recently bought a home Q and a muddy runoff accumulated in the swimming pool during the rainstorms. We found out there was a drainage problem that was never disclosed to us. The sellers said they had put drains in years ago and never had a problem. We also noticed that cracks were repaired on the ceiling and we found out these were from previous water leaks from the above bathroom. We were never told of any water leaks. They said we had inspections and signed off on them, so the problem is between us and the inspectors. It is hard to believe this was the first time the problems occurred. What is our recourse? California has disclosure laws that require sellers to disclose material facts about the property. A material fact is one that would influence whether the buyer would buy the property or the price they would pay. Sometimes it doesn’t occur to a seller to disclose problems that they fixed. One of the reasons they should disclose this information is that repairs are
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Jawad, from page 1
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On weekends, the place jumped with live music – with the brave and well-lubricated at the gut bucket, plunk-plunking away with the late singer Phil St. Pierre. If a customer had a bit too much to drink, Jawad would arrange a free ride home. The place was famous for steaks and prime rib. Jawad was a cattle rancher and a state brand inspector, appointed by then Gov. Ronald Reagan. Beef aged for 21 days was his trademark. Diners would stop at the meat case on the way to the dining room to pick out their steaks. The historic Pioneer Inn was built in 1848 as a hotel and tavern. Currently, it houses the offices of Clayton Community Church. ADAPTING TO SMALL
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not even his granddaughter, Kristin (“I’d ask, but he’d always say it was his little secret”) – was born in Oakland on Sept. 27, 1926. He spent his early years in Oakland and worked for Montgomery Ward for a brief time after high school before being drafted into the Army. Gregarious and charming, Jawad was a natural for the restaurant business, opening his first establishment at age 25. Inexperience caught up with him, though, and he closed it after a couple of years. He went to work for Ruth Thompson, who owned the Cape Cod House in Lafayette, and soon became a partner. They expanded and opened the Newell House Restaurant in Walnut Creek in the 1950s. In 1961, Jawad and his first wife, Anita, bought the Pioneer Inn and moved the family to
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often temporary fixes. Besides, the California Association of Realtor’s disclosure forms specifically ask for a list of previous repairs. If you believe you were misled, first scrutinize all disclosures and reports on the property. Sometimes buyers overlook property problems in their excitement to buy. If this is the case, the seller may not be responsible for the current problems. Most sellers fail to disclose defects because they are afraid it will keep their home from selling. This is unfortunate, because buyers appreciate knowing any bad news before they buy. If the seller intentionally knew of issues but failed to disclose them, it’s a problem. Legal proceedings can be costly, with the outcome uncertain. It is best to see if you can resolve the issue informally with the seller. Write a letter stating your concerns. If you believe you lack the expertise to do this, consult your real estate agent or have a real estate attorney write the letter. Include an expert’s assessment of the problems and repair
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS estimates. A trained professional ought to be able to tell you if the problems have been ongoing. In your purchase contract, you may have agreed to mediation or arbitration as your method of dispute resolution rather than suing in court. Even if you didn’t agree to it, you can always mediate or arbitrate. If the other actions fail, the next step would be to go to an impartial mediator to try to resolve the dispute. You can bring an attorney along to represent you. Good luck and let me know how it ends up. 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.
Emergency alerts can go to your cell phone The Community Warning System (CWS) of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff offers a cell phone alerting program. Under this program, users can register their phone with the county and be notified automatically in the event of a wildfire, hazardous material spill or other emergency situations that pose an
imminent threat to life or health. Users can tailor the alerts they receive to specific areas in the county. To register your phone, go to http://cws.cccounty.us and submit your cell phone number and the county locations you are interested in receiving alerts for. Contact Eve Ridgers at (925) 313-9627, eridg@so.cccounty.us.
Clayton. The dapper and social Jawad fit right into the small town life and made friends easily. Ingrid Hempell owned the neighboring restaurant, La Cocotte (now Moresi’s Chophouse), and recalls their kitchen fire in 1988. “We had to close our restaurant temporarily, so we took all the filet and lobster that we had over to John – who promptly prepared a delicious dinner and served it to our whole work crew,” she said. “He was my mentor and my friend and I am deeply saddened by his passing.”
Founders Title Co. executive Bill Pisani resulted in a new career for Jawad in business development. “Their chief schmoozer,” Victoria says with a laugh. “While we were all working, he took everyone out and entertained them.” “He was a real innovator,” says Pisani. “He was so gentle. He didn’t come in and barnstorm all over; he just came in and delivered. He was a real gentleman and sincerely liked people. I never heard a bad word about him.” Jawad continued working in the title industry until two years ago, when a another serious car accident again forced him to retire. He sold his home in Clayton and divided his time between the Las Vegas home he shared with Bonnie, his wife of 17 years, and a condominium in Rossmoor where he could be close to his doctors. The irony of living in a condo on the land where he used to graze cattle did not escape him. In late November, Jawad suffered a debilitating stroke. He never came home from the hospital. “He was suave and debonair,” says Howard Geller, a member of the City Council and a close friend of Jawad’s. “No matter where he went or what he did, he was a classy guy. He was a good friend and I’ll miss him.” Another close friend, Peter Hellman, describes Jawad as “the greatest listener. It made it such fun to be his friend.” Friends and family gathered for a celebration service at Oakhurst Country Club on Wednesday. after graveside services at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland earlier in the day. Jawad is survived by his wife Bonnie, brother David, son John Jr. (Skip), daughters Connie, Debbie, Victoria and Michelle; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
OF HORSES AND GOLF Away from work, Jawad was a veteran golfer, traveling to Myrtle Beach, S.C., every year for a tournament. He was a founding member of the Round Hill Country Club. He never lost his love for horses and ranching. He owned cattle ranches in Elko, Nev., and in Walnut Creek where Rossmoor is now. In 1979, Jawad won the stock horse championship at the Cow Palace. “He was a good old boy,” says his son, Skip. “He taught me a lot about life – the right ways and the wrong ways. He was a wise man.” “I loved his giggle,” says Kristin. “It was so contagious. He’d giggle so hard he had to hold his stomach. He was loving and generous.” After heart bypass surgery in the mid-’90s, Jawad began volunteering in the cardiac care unit at John Muir Hospital. “He’d encourage the heart patients,” says his daughter, Victoria. In 1991, a serious car accident, personal issues and tough economic times forced the closing of the Pioneer Inn. “He had a hard time adjusting,” Hempell notes. A MASTERFUL PERSONALITY A long-time friendship with
January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 9
The world is changing faster than schools are improving SARAH ROSEN TEEN SPEAK Willard Daggett, CEO of the International Center for Leadership in Education, emphasizes the importance of relating information taught to real-world experiences. “Relevance and relatedness makes rigor more possible for students,” he says. Without making the information relevant to the students’ lives and interests, it is impossible to increase the rigor of the curriculum and expect students
to fully comprehend the material. Daggett’s primary goal is to show that abandoning outdated teaching styles will improve schools across the nation and help them change the way information is presented to students, supporting changes in the learning process. Daggett delivered a lecture regarding globalization and its effects on education at Clayton Valley High School on Jan. 12. Sponsored by the school district’s Center for Adult Education, the event introduced the idea that our world is changing faster than schools are improving – making it crucial for schools to change teaching methods. According to Daggett, tech-
School News MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Parent Faculty Club is seeking donations for the 11th annual auction on March 18. The event brings in much-needed funds for various school programs. Donations may include cash, vacation houses, discounted goods or services from your business, or desserts and beverages to serve at the event. For more information, contact the auction team at mdepfc.auction@google.com.
DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL A new tab on the school’s Website features a staff “wishing tree.” As cutbacks continue to affect schools in every way, the Parent Faculty Club asked teachers to list some much-needed supplies. Donations may be sent in with your child or left at the school office. For more information, visit mdusd.k12.ca.us/diabloview.
Easement, from page 1 used, such as locker rooms and school grounds. The overcharges came to light when the YMCA declared bankruptcy and the city signed a new contract with All Out Sports League. The district has continued to charge the city the fully loaded rate and efforts to clear the misunderstanding have been fruitless, says Napper. In November, the city notified the district that they would not pay any more custodial charges until the issue was resolved. When city engineer Rick Angrisani went to the district
office last week to request the easement for the parking lot expansion, he said he was “unceremoniously dismissed” and told that there would be no discussion of an easement until all the back charges were paid. Money to build the parking lot will come from a $400,000 grant from the East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW funds, but only if the city can submit its completed application with all easements in place by Feb. 28. If they miss that deadline, they can’t reapply until February 2012. The district’s linking of the
Mayor, from page 1 Other than one person with a hilltop view in town, that might be problematic for most of us. Just for kicks, I checked the sofa cushions and now I only have slightly more than $2.2 million to go for my contribution. I guess I could get a third job. Anyway, the governor’s budget proposes ending all Redevelopment Agencies (RDAs) in the state. I won’t bore you with the logic of this, but it would make even a Byzantine citizen scratch his head.
So what has the RDA done for you? Well, our community gym, my house, the Grove Park, City Hall, my car, Endeavor Hall, my adopted kids, handicap ramps, sewers and certain pavement and landscaping projects have all come about through our RDA. OK, not the stuff about me, but I just wanted to see if anyone was still reading. In short: RDA = good; no RDA = bad. It gets worse, because eliminating the RDAs does not eliminate cities’ obligations to pay
nology is underutilized in our education system, which places students at an extreme disadvantage. Many U.S. companies are taking advantage of the increase in educated people from other nations and if our country is to compete for jobs on our own soil, we must utilize everything available for the benefit of our students. Technology could be our most valuable asset in educating students in a way that is relevant to their learning process. Daggett is concerned that schools are not set up for the good of the students, but for the ease of the teachers. It is far easier for teachers to use the same teaching methods decade after decade, rather than come up with an updated approach to teaching. For example, students in the past “learned to do” but today’s kids “do to learn” and lessons need to be modified to fit that new model. CVHS teacher Tom Fester believes teaching methods need to change for the good of the students. “Dr. Daggett was right on. We need to incorporate computers with Internet access into the daily classroom, and until the district does so, we will be stuck with lectures and Power Points, which aren’t effectively teaching today’s students,” Fester said. “They are learning differently than students have in the past, so we need to step into the 21st century’s technology and make learning relevant to students.”
Daggett and his colleagues researched the fastest improving schools in the nation and found that they are moving away from the standard formulas of teaching. But not every change is technology-based. For example, the majority have implemented a system in which the teachers are looped. Looping teachers means that they move through the grade levels with their students, benefiting both students and teachers. Teachers get to know their students better and can provide a clear focus on academic expectations for the following year. Daggett emphasizes the particular importance of this for high school students. As students face numerous personal changes, it is unproductive for teens to cope with six new teachers each year while adjusting to new teaching methods as well. CV principal Gary Swanson shares his idea for the future of CV. “It is easier said than done to evolve teaching methods for the good of the students,” he says. “As Daggett said, ‘relevance and relatedness equal rigor,’ so my vision is that CV will be almost all academies with cross-disciplinary schemes – basically, schools within schools.” Sarah Rosen is a junior at CVHS. You can e-mail her at sarah_rosen@claytonpioneer.com.
two unrelated issues and its refusal to discuss the easement request in light of the impending deadline sparked a heated response by the city. “There are words for this,” Napper said in his report at the Jan. 18 City Council meeting, “But, I won’t use them.” Councilwoman Julie Pierce was less restrained. “It’s extortion,” she said. Pierce’s quote was picked up in an article in the Contra Costa Times the next day. Mayor Dave Shuey responded quickly to the Times article in a posting on the paper’s Website. “I would like to point out for the record that while there was some visceral reaction when this
was raised at the meeting, I made a point to indicate to the rest of council and the audience that both Julie Pierce and I had been in contact with school board members and that I was cautiously optimistic that a resolution could be achieved.” Shuey had a brief conversation with board trustee Gary Eberhart last Friday. “I again stressed the need to differentiate and separate the easement issues from the gym issue and the time urgency of the easement issue. It was overall a positive and ‘working together’ telephone call, although both of us were not happy about the portrayal in the press.”
off their bond debt service from past projects. For Clayton, the net result would be a loss of $350,000 per year for the next four years until our debt service is paid off. That creates an immediate 9.5 percent budget deficit for our General Fund. No matter how good our city staff is, they cannot eliminate any more pencils and office supplies to make up that difference. We would be left, therefore, with the prospect of layoffs, cutbacks in city services, digging into our reserve fund or some combination thereof. On the plus side, through extreme diligence and foresight on the part of past and present
councils, city managers and staff, we have enough in our reserve fund to cover some or all of this shortfall if needed. Of course, the governor’s new budget is just a proposal at this point and the jackals and attorneys (yes, they are different; same genus, different species I think) will do their best to create more chaos of the situation. But you can count on your council and city staff to be working on contingency plans in any event. Sadly, Mark Twain said it best, “No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session.” Send your comments and questions to shuey@rankinlaw.com.
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January 28, 2011
Pack it up the right way One of my favorite travel sayings is: “Bring half as much clothes and twice as much money.” Some people think packing means dumping half the closet into a flimsy bag the night before a trip. You are trying to get away from it all, not take it all with you. We can’t bring everything we want to on vacation anymore. With the airlines charging for checked bags and sometimes even ones you carry on, plus the weight restrictions, travelers need to make the most of limited packing space. If you are addicted to overpacking, in this month’s and next month’s arti-
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Pets bring seniors a positive outlook Pet ownership can open up a whole new world for senior citizens. From childhood to adulthood and into our senior years, our needs and wants change. But for pet lovers, the joy and fulfillment that come from having a pet rarely subsides with the passing years. The type of pet they desire, however, may be subject to change as living arrangements or health conditions evolve. Adopting older pets usually means seniors don’t have the hassle of housebreaking or training. Many seniors would rather have a pet that has an established personality and already follows the rules about good behavior. These adoptions are a win for the senior, who benefits from the companionship of a pet, and for the pet, who gets to spend his years in a loving home rather than a shelter. Pets can provide excellent
social support, stress relief and other health benefits for seniors. Pets can be a buffer against loneliness. Caring for them gives owners a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Those with pets are also more likely to exercise and have a decreased chance of depression. Pets appear to provide a sense of consistency in a rapidly changing world and may reinforce feelings of self-sufficiency, dependability and optimism with their owners. Above all, pets offer their owners unconditional love and attention, regardless of how old they are. Often times, meeting a pet ignites a spark in a senior, perhaps bringing up fond memories of a pet they had as a child. There is no denying the smile in their eyes. Pet ownership in seniors can also act as a therapeutic agent that allows individuals to escape stress and concentrate on something other than the challenges
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cool and warm climates and reshapes after wrinkling. If you have to bring bulky items such as heavy shoes, a ski sweater, winter coat, etc., wear them on the plane instead of packing them. Include a few quick-drying items that can be washed in a jiffy, including T-shirts, underwear and lightweight trousers. Next issue we will cover ideas number 4 (Keep Toiletries to a Minimum) and 5 (Pack Thoughtfully). 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.
Fresh & Easy set to open in CV Center March 16 The new Fresh & Easy market in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center is set to take flight on March 16 after more than two years of sitting on the runway. Green and lean, the store promises “big box savings without the big box,” fresh produce packs for 98 cents and prepared meals made daily “with ingredients you can actually pronounce.” Operating costs are contained through an energy saving building design, using about 30 percent less energy than the typical supermarket. Each store employs 25-30, all whom work 20 hours or more per week, which gives them access to health care benefits. The company will pay at least 75 percent of employee health benefits. Along with competitive pay and benefits, CEO Tim Mason says “we try our hardest to have fun at work because a great place to work is an even greater place to shop.” Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets are owned by Tesco, a British owned company has more than 150 stores in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada and was poised for a Northern California entry when the economy hit the wall two years ago. The company will open 13 stores in Northern California in the next few months, a sure sign that the economy is in recovery.
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Can you hear meow? ELENA BICKER
PET PALS Some cats have something to say about everything. Certain breeds, especially Siamese and their mixes, meow more than others. Cats also yowl during mating season, if they are in discomfort, when stressed or grieving, and for attention. A persistently meowing cat might look healthy but be experiencing pain or discomfort. Always visit the vet when your pet has a sudden behavior change. Sensory changes such as blindness, deafness or cognitive disorders can cause increased meowing. Also, female cats meow while in heat, and male cats yowl to threaten other suitors and to “serenade” the cat in heat. Neutering or spaying can help control this. Excessive vocalization may signify anxiety. Changes in routine, a new home or a new
family member can stress cats. When planning a change, gradually introduce the situation and keep to the usual routine as much as possible. With a new home, restrict your cat to one room and slowly expand the area available for exploration. For new furry family members, keep them separate and introduce them first by smell with a blanket or clothing, then by sight before actually introducing them. Cats also vocalize when they are grieving the loss of a family member. The loss might be temporary, like college students returning to school, or more permanent, like death. Again, maintain the usual schedule but give extra attention if it is wanted to help your cat through the grieving process. The mewing should diminish over time. Most frequently, cats vocalize to communicate with their people, asking to be let out, to be fed or to have some other interaction. This is called “attention-seeking behavior.” While at times this kind of
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“demand meowing” can help lower the instances. Establish a schedule for play time and/or petting time. Once your cat knows that there is a set routine for when his needs will be met, the stress of anticipation is lowered. He can reliably predict when something good is going to happen. If your cat starts meowing to hurry the process, stop the routine and leave the room. When he is quiet again, restart the routine as a reward. Don’t forget to reward your cat when he is already quiet. Offer a chance to play with a cat dancer or extra snuggle time. Hide treats when he isn’t in the room and call him in for a “scavenger hunt.” After ruling out health problems, realize that excessive vocalization, while frustrating, can be flattering. By meowing at you, your cat is saying that he depends on you and that you are someone upon whom he can rely.
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Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)
MINUTE MAID Six-month-old Minute Maid is a sweet wee gal who’s hoping the New Year brings her a new home! Like all dogs, she’ll enjoy a variety of activities for mental and physical exercise, plus she always has time for a cuddle! Attending training classes will be a fun way for her to learn some new skills. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60% off one 7-week dog training session. Two-year-old Cool E Cougar
COOL E. COUGAR is an easy-going gal, looking for a loving forever home. She loves getting chin scratches and lounging on a comfortable kitty bed. The adoption fee for adult cats is regularly $50. Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The
Eagle Scouts, from page 1 Clark, a freshman, planted six trees in the Clayton Dog Park. His troop committee chair, Stan Hansen, helped select appropriate trees for the climate while providing shade. Clark also coordinated with Bryan, who enhanced the water system. Clark says he learned the values of hard work, leadership, planning and executing. “Some people think Boy Scouts are nerdy or dorky, but really, it’s a great experience,” states Clark. Garrett finished his dog park project and has yet to do his final write-up, but he is motivated. His parents said he has to have his Eagle Scout rank before he can get his driver’s license. The freshman installed two water stations, adding to the one already at the north end of the park.
Garrett installed a water station midway in the park and in the small dog play area. Each station serves a multipurpose: It has a fountain for people, a spigot for filling dog bowls and irrigation below for plants. “It was a good learning experience,” says Garrett, who discovered the value of thorough research. Bryan, a senior, installed a water station at the south end of the dog park. He arranged for an adult to dig a 260-foot trench with heavy equipment. The station included a fountain, spigot and irrigation as well. The Scouts meet with Mark Hall, district advancement chair, when they are contemplating an Eagle Scout project. Hall explains the process and expectations. The Scout then
primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.
meets with Derek Brown, district Eagle advisor. He works with the Scout to insure the project is “focused and sufficient in size for them to demonstrate leadership, the purpose of the project,” explains Hall. Thorough documentation is required. The Scout’s post project write-up goes to Hall, who works with a coordinator to schedule the Eagle Scout Board of Review. If the project is approved, the Scout receives an Eagle Scout badge in a special ceremony called the Court of Honor. For James, true approval of the project comes from the many footprints he has found around the horseshoe pit. The same could be said for the dog park projects. “People are coming here in droves for the improvements,” says dog park user Elaine Friedman. For more information, visit bsa-mdsc.org.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 28, 2011
Clayton Sports Eagles girl hoopsters making run at DVAL title JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton Valley High School’s girls basketball team has reached the North Coast Section playoffs the last two years and seems well on its way to a third successive trip to post-season play. The Eagles are now in a place they haven’t occupied in some time: the top of the Diablo Valley Athletic League standings. It took a resounding 75-60 victory over Northgate last week to put CVHS back atop the DVAL. Northgate had a 28game league winning streak until CV played rude hosts in Dan Della Gym last week. The Eagles then maintained their perfect 8-0 home record with a victory over Berean Christian to conclude the first half of the league schedule 6-0. It was the team’s 12th successive win. SHOOTING FOR NCS The girls began the season with high expectations and hope the win over Northgate will be a springboard to a successful conclusion to league play and then a good showing at NCS. “We fell short of winning the
league title last year and advancing in NCS,” says coach Bernard Barnes. “We know what we are capable of doing and what it’s going to take to reach our goal. We have had a great season so far, but we can accomplish more.” His faith is based around a strong corps of returning players, including two senior captains and varsity veterans Sarah Nelson, the 6-4 center who is No. 1 on the team in rebounds (7.3 per game) and blocked shots, and point guard Gina Del Bene, who leads the Eagles in steals and is a close second in assists. Junior forward Molly Krommer is right behind Nelson in rebounds, averaging 6.9 boards and 7.5 points per game. Another junior, Karley Menez, is the second leading scorer (11.4) and top 3-point marksman (she’s made 62 percent of the team’s treys) from her forward and shooting guard roles. Tri-captain Menez has also taken and made the most free throws. ALLEN MAKING HER MARK The team’s offense has revolved around underclassman Ashley Allen. The 5-8 guard,
who was on varsity last year as a freshman, averages 14.5 points and 3.2 assists per game. She’s been a consistent point maker, with only three games out of the first 20 where she failed to reach double figures in scoring (eight points is her low game) and she exploded for 28 in the win over Northgate. Allen has accumulated her scoring while making only three 3-point shots all year. Before her freshman season, Barnes said: “The sky is the limit for her.” That prognosis seems to be coming true. “Ashley can penetrate the key at will,” says assistant coach Kris Pascoe. “She has expanded that skill by not just utilizing her scoring ability in the key, but to create offense for others with great passes. She is also a threat with her outside shooting, which she has continued to work on and develop. All of this combined with outstanding athleticism make her extremely difficult to guard.” Allen primarily plays shooting guard but can play point as well, which she did in the Northgate game when Del Bene got into foul trouble. Sophomore Taryn Pascal and freshman Anne Marie Del Bene
Photo by Mike Dunn
CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH POINT GUARD GINA DEL BENE (21) sets the tempo for the Eagles as she is second on the team in assists and first in steals. The senior captain is guarded by Tess Soper of Northgate as Clayton Valley snapped the Broncos 28-game DVAL winning streak last week.
have made a mark in their first year on varsity. Also helping the Eagles in their maiden varsity seasons are sophomore Jacee Almond, junior Emily Wood and seniors Ashley Sohltalab, Juliana Casuga and Avery Van Horn. “The team has continued to improve in all aspects of the game: defense, perimeter play, post play and penetration game,” Pasco adds. “They have high expectations for themselves and anticipate going into NCS playoffs with hard work and dedication.” EVALUATING THE COMPETITION
Photo by Mike Dunn
JUNIOR KARLEY MENEZ (with the ball on the floor) contributes in many ways to the success of the Clayton Valley High girls basketball team on offense and defense. A tri-caption, Menez is the second leading scorer and top 3-point marksman from her forward and shooting guard roles.
When assessing the league, Barnes says the DVAL sometimes doesn’t get the credit it deserves. “Northgate and Clayton Valley are going to battle it out for the league title, but if we overlook teams we could be in trouble,” he notes. “Berean Christian is having a great year and they are vastly improved from last year. College Park is always scrappy and will put a scare in you. We don’t have the teams that the DFAL (Diablo Foothill Athletic League) has, but the teams in our league can shock you if you aren’t ready to play.”
Barnes is in his fourth year as varsity coach after spending three years with the junior varsity. His Eagles won eight games the first year but upped that total to 17 and 19 the past two seasons as CVHS went to NCS playoffs each time. They now seemed poised to break the 20-win barrier and advance in NCS. They can dream about matching the 1998 Eagles, who won the section championship. “I think our pre-season wins against Liberty for the Stonebarger Tournament championship and over Benicia in the first round of the Napa Wine Valley Tournament were key to our growth as a team,” Pascoe says, trying to trace the team’s success. “We played Liberty last year and lost in the last 10 seconds of the game. This year, it was a close game in their gym and the girls needed to prove to themselves that they could come out on top in a hard-fought, tight game. “Against Benicia, we played very flat the first half and not to our potential at all, so to come back in the second half and fight for a win was also key to our growth.”
Pascoe says a loss to California was a turning point for the team. “California is a good team, but we didn’t come out focused or ready to play. We got ourselves into a hole that we couldn’t get out of,” she says. “The team doesn’t want to have that feeling again of losing a game because we weren’t playing with enough intensity.” The team hasn’t lost since that Dec. 14 match-up. “And if we lose again, we want it to be because we were outplayed or the team was better that particular night, not because we weren’t ready to play,” Pascoe adds. Clayton Valley won the Stonebarger and Napa Wine Valley tournaments after taking third in the season-opening Jesse Bethel Tournament in Vallejo, where they suffered their only other loss of the year to Capital Christian of Sacramento. Barnes lauds his staff, which includes Pascoe in her third year with Barnes, Paul Kommer in his fifth year as JV head coach and new frosh coach Kevin Fordan. “Our program has been successful because of the stability of our coaches and the hard work of the girls.”
Injuries ravage Clayton Valley boys basketball team JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Coaches in every sport dread the ugly “i” word: injury. For Troy Sullivan, in his eighth year at the helm of the Clayton Valley High School boys basketball program, this season might be remembered with a capital “I” after a string of mishaps necessi-
tated continuous juggling of the roster. Sullivan has seen his Eagle teams go to the North Coast Section playoffs in five of the past six seasons, so the lack of player availability and lineup continuity has been a new challenge. The team began practice this year knowing they would be without graduated senior main-
S P R I N G into t s spor
stays Tyler Fjellbo, Tom Sprague and Mike Jayko along with junior guard Corbin Weller, who moved to Indiana over the summer. Sullivan expected his key returners to be a trio of seniors, guards Thomas Roccanova and Julian Tiongson along with forward Kunle Fashola. Both guards, Roccanova and Tiongson, injured their hands in
Register before
December. Then Fashola was late to basketball after playing for the Eagles football team for the first time last fall. “Julian gets the bad luck award. His first game back from the hand injury, he came down from a rebound, landed awkwardly and damaged ligaments in his ankle. He’s likely out for the year,” Sullivan reports. “Thomas
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was cleared to play right before our first league game against College Park and looks as if he may be getting his sea legs back. “The loss of Julian (team captain) and Thomas hurt our floor experience and leadership,” the coach adds. “Julian is a thirdyear varsity player and our most experienced ball handler, so the loss hits particularly hard.”
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AND THE LIST GOES ON Promising sophomore transfer Joe Protheroe broke his leg toward the end of football season and will miss the entire basketball campaign. The junior class wasn’t immune to injuries, either.
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January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Clayton Sports
Name: Ashley Allen Age: 15 Sport: Basketball - Softball Team: Clayton Valley High School Basketball Sophomore guard Ashley Allen has enjoyed a wonderful second season on Clayton Valley High School varsity basketball as the Eagles’ leading scorer and assist maker. However last week she had a career night as the local girls snapped Northgate High
School’s 28-game DVAL winning streak and moved to the top of the league standings. Allen hit 11 of 17 field goals and six of eight free throws for 28 points. She also had eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals to help the Eagles overcome their
Sports Shorts ing lane against Northgate. Assistant coach Kris Pascoe said, “She is an amazing offensive player who has expanded her game so much this year. She has gone from just a scoring threat to a phenomenal passer and great defensive player as well. Our win against Northgate was fueled by hardworking defense by her and the entire team.”
of the Athlete Week
Sport Chalet congratulates Ashley Allen and rewards her achievement with a Sport Chalet gift card. nemesis Broncos. Allen, who was also shortstop on the varsity softball team as a freshman, is always backed by a large family rooting section at Eagles games and her supporters must have been over the moon as she continually penetrated the driv-
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@claytonpioneer.com.
Clayton Tanner seeks pitching role with world champion Giants Bochy and pitching coaches Dave Righetti and Mark Gardner that he’s ready should a starter go down with injury or suffer poor results. Righetti and Gardner both watched him last spring, as well. “They spend more time with the rookies,” Tanner says. “The major leaguers only come to the coaches when they are having a problem. Otherwise they’re left alone to their own routine.” San Francisco’s vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans is high on Tanner. “Clayton is a great kid who continues to improve year to year. He has shown value as a starter at each level of the minor leagues where he has been assigned,” Evans says. “His success will hopefully translate in him not only being on the 40man roster, but impacting our major league club at some point in the not too distant future.”
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
While the first-ever World Series championship trophy earned by the San Francisco Giants is carted around the West Coast for fans to see, left-handed starting pitcher Clayton Tanner of Clayton is trying to earn a long-shot spot on the opening day roster of the pitching-rich Giants. After only two years as a starting pitcher, Tanner signed with the Giants in June 2006 – weeks after graduating from De La Salle High School. Following five seasons in the minor leagues going from Salem, Ore., to Augusta, Ga., to San Jose and Richmond, Va., he was added to the 40-man roster of the Giants late last year. That earned him a place in the major league camp when spring training begins for pitchers and catchers Feb. 14 in Scottsdale, Ariz. San Francisco won the World Series with a fabulous pitching staff that included left-handers Jonathan Sanchez, rookie phenom Madison Bumgarner and veteran Barry Zito along with righty All-Stars Matt Cain and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. This makes it a daunting task for Tanner to earn a spot in the starting rotation. Since he spent 2010 in Richmond at the Giants AA team, many of the beat writers and baseball bloggers who follow the Giants project him to be sent to AAA Fresno this year.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants
PITCHER CLAYTON TANNER hopes to make an impression on San Francisco Giants coaches and executives during spring training next month in Arizona.
TIME IN TRAINING Tanner, who turned 23 last month, has been in Arizona the past 10 days in a special training session with about 20 other players, including second baseman Freddie Sanchez and young players new to the 40-man roster. He will be there until Feb. 3, when he returns home for a brief visit before reporting to spring training. Last year, he spent about a
month with the “big club” in spring training – getting his first taste of major league life. Aside from the baseball, including getting to pitch an inning against the American League champion Texas Rangers in a spring training game, his biggest thrill was meeting Muhammad Ali in the Giants clubhouse. With the major league pitching staff pretty well set, Tanner needs to show manager Bruce
Page 13
OPTING OUT OF COLLEGE Tanner was living in Oakhurst with his mom Kim Zocchi and younger brothers Nathan and Weston when his life took a dramatic turn. The former Clayton Valley Pony player had been primarily an outfielder (“I loved centerfield”) and first baseman when his JV baseball coach at De La Salle suggested he concentrate on pitching. He helped DLS win the North Coast Section championship as a junior and began earning the attention of college coaches and then pro scouts
YOUTH TEE BALL, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AT CLAYTON GYM A winter youth basketball academy for boys and girls of all skill levels in first through ninth grades is being held two hours a week through March at Clayton Community Gym. Signups are being taken for youth tee ball and volleyball leagues, which will run on Saturdays from Mar. 5-April 23. Tee ball is for boys and girls 3-6 years of age, while volleyball is for ages 8-14. Adult leagues for basketball and volleyball are also gearing up. For more information or to register for any program offered by All Out Sports at the gym, visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com. DIABLO FC U8-U11 COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS THIS WEEK Diablo FC tryouts for the 2011 season for under 8 through under 11 competitive teams will be Jan. 27 and 30. Boys and girls born between Aug. 1, 2000 and July 31, 2005 are invited to try out. The Thursday evening tryout is at Willow Pass Park in Concord and Sunday’s tryout is at Ygnacio Valley High School. Tryouts for boys and girls in the U12-U14 age groups will be Feb. 20, 24 and 27 at Clayton Valley and Ygnacio Valley high school fields. There is no charge to try out; pre-register today at diablofc.org. DIABLO FC ANNUAL CRAB FEED & AUCTION, FEB. 11 The eighth annual Crab Feed and Auction to support the Diablo FC youth soccer program is slated for Friday, Feb. 11, at Centre Concord. Besides the crab feed dinner and fund-raising live and silent auctions, there will be dancing with DJ Terry Newberry, the voice of CV High football. Tickets are $50 if purchased before Feb. 1. To get more info or to buy tickets visit diablofc.org. CV LITTLE LEAGUE SIGNUPS EXTENDED TO JAN. 28 Clayton Valley Little League provides baseball programs for kids 515, softball for girls ages 6-15 and a Challenger Division for players with physical and mental special needs. Registration for baseball and softball players is accepted online through this Friday. Tryouts for late signup players will be held at Clayton Valley High School next Saturday, Feb. 5. For more information, visit cvll.org or email info@cvll.org. For details regarding the Challenger Division, contact Jim Brophy at 685-1801. FINAL MT. DIABLO SOCCER SPRING SEASON SIGNUP THIS SAT. Final signup for Mt. Diablo Soccer’s spring AYSO program will be held this Saturday from 12 noon-3 p.m. at Concord High School. The spring program is for boys and girls ages 4-1/2 to 18. For more info email spring@mdsoccer.org or visit mdsoccer.org. DIABLO YOUTH RUGBY ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS Diablo Youth Rugby is assembling U10, U12, U14, frosh and varsity teams for the 2011 season, which runs February-May. Registration fee is $225. For additional information, visit diabloyouthrugby.clubspaces.com or call Mike Dominguez at 381-5143. DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM’S FRIENDS & FAMILY FIESTA FEB. 25 Dana Hills Swim Team will hold its first Friends and Family Fiesta on Friday, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. at Centre Concord. Team members and supporters are welcome. Included in the festivities will be dinner, live and silent auctions, door prizes, live band and dancing. Enjoy catered Mexican cuisine, beer, wine and margaritas and dance the night away to support the DHST swimmers. Tickets at $50 per couple including dinner, two drink tickets and door prize entry. For more info or to RSVP visit danahillsotters.com.
Free Clinic&s14 and
FREE SOCCER CLINICS
Mondays, Feb. 7 Thursdays, Feb. 10 & 17 oncord at Willow Pass Park in C 5-13 year-olds and The free clinics are for ic re for tryouts. Girls clin will help players prepa m. p 0 3 : 8 5 1 : 7 e r a s y o b is 6-7:15 pm and
2011 Season
Tryouts 0, 24, 27
Jan. 27, 30 & Feb. 2
Diablo FC is the area’s premier youth soccer club with competitive teams for boys and girls from Under 8 through Under 19. Diablo FC takes pride in the development of each player and the excellent performances of its players and teams in all age groups. a 2011 Diablo FC d in trying out for If you are intereste tryout form today. line on r ou te ple please com maximize their competitive team, to ts ou try ed to attend all team selections. Players are encourag for s player s as they evaluate che coa the to re exposu
See Tanner, page 14
Age Matrix
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U8-U10 Girls 9-10:30am U8-U10 Boys 10:30am-12noon U11 Girls & Boys 12noon-1:30pm Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord
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U12 Boys & Girls 9-10:30am U13 Boys & Girls 10:30am-12noon U14 Boys & Girls 12noon-1:30pm U8-U11 Boys & Girls 1:30-2:30pm Boys at Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord Girls at Clayton Valley High School, Concord
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Page 14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 28, 2011
Clayton Sports Injuries, from page 12 Newcomer Tyler Kobata missed the first few weeks with a hand injury and is now trying to play his way into a role. His classmate forward Garrett Lemos had been playing well with a couple of monster dunks prior to breaking his hand before Christmas. “We are not sure if he will be back before the end of the year, but Garrett is hopeful for a return next month. He was a key part of our rotation and his loss has left a hole in our front line that we are still trying to cover,” the coach explains.
NEW TEAM LEADERS Fashola (11 points and 10 rebounds per game) experienced his first transition between football and basketball and it’s taken him some time to reacclimate. He is one of the team’s top scoring threats both inside and out, along with being the leading rebounder. Fashola was named to the all-tournament team at the Brett Callan Memorial Tournament before Christmas in Petaluma. Junior guards Craig Ihle and Noel Russell have had to take on
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much greater load with the absence of Roccanova and Tiongson. Although both have had exceptional games (each earning all-tournament honors this season), they also suffer from a lack of playing experience that has led to some illadvised shots, unforced turnovers, difficulty defending and trouble understanding time and situation in close games. According to Sullivan, they are both “very high energy guys who are constantly trying to improve” and each is averaging close to double figures scoring. R.J. Franco is the starting center as a sophomore. “He’s played well despite being so young. He has had some very good moments, including a 28point performance against Richmond. There have also been some growing pains, but we expect that he will be a bright part of our future,” Sullivan says of his 6-5 post man. ‘BATTLING GAMELY’ Junior forwards Adam Sifferman and Tommy Boyle moved up from junior varsity and have been thrust to frontline action due to the injury problems. “Both have been eager and willing despite a lack of basketball experience and we see improvement every day from them in practice,” the coach notes. The other varsity newcomer is Patrick Willis, a senior who moved up from the JV team. He was recently injured in PE class, missing a few days. “Patrick has been a great motivational teammate and showed good shooting range on the perimeter,” Sullivan says. The spate of injuries also prompted the promotion of JV guard Jeremy Guzman at the start of league play, and the coaches are anxious to see what he can do against varsity competition. “Despite an injury-plagued year that has played heck with our rotation and play structure, our guys have continued to battle gamely,” Sullivan says in recapping the first two months of the season. “Many of our games have been decided in the last couple minutes. We have received bursts of scoring from Kunle Fashola, R.J. Franco, Craig Ihle and Noel Russell, but team defense still presents challenges.” The coach says the lack of experienced depth and, in some cases, a shortage of players has made preparation difficult. “We have spent good chunks of time with only seven to nine healthy bodies, which makes practicing 5 on 5 a little difficult.” With a half-dozen games left in league, the team remains competitive. “Hopefully, the injury bug is gone and we can get some of our kids back so they have an opportunity to finish the year in uniform and on the floor,” Sullivan says.
. . . w o ! r N e p c c U o n S Sig For Spring Mt. Diablo Soccer - AYSO Region 223 Everybody Plays. . . Everybody Wins! Fun, affordable memories that last a lifetime. Mt. Diablo Soccer has been the first name in youth soccer in the Diablo Valley since 1980. Every child plays at least 50% of EVERY game!
Final Registration Date for Spring Soccer Boys & Girls, Ages 4-18 Please bring a copy of registration form, for each child, and payment* to the following location: Concord High School Saturday, January 29, Noon – 3:00 pm COST: $50 for returning MDSA Fall 2010 players / $65 for all others Includes: T-shirt & Insurance fee
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MMA fighter Eric Lawson back in cage Jan. 29
Photo courtesy of Eric Lawson
ERIC LAWSON (top) returns to the Strikeforce cage this Saturday evening, Jan. 29, when he takes on Ron Keslar at HP Pavilion in San Jose.
Eric Lawson returns to the Strikeforce cage this Saturday evening, Jan. 29, when he takes on Ron Keslar at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Cyborg” at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The middleweight scrap was supposed to take place in October, but Lawson was forced to withdraw due to injury. Lawson is a local real estate executive who has been fighting professionally since 2003. Just one week before graduation from UC Davis, Lawson was on a side of campus that he nor-
mally didn’t go to when he ran into his friend, Urijah Faber – now one of the best bantamweight fighters in the world. Faber was watching cage fights online and talked Eric into trying it. Seven years later, he’s 9-3 in the second biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world, Strikeforce. Lawson had a five-fight winning streak snapped last February, when he was submitted by Sherdog MMA Fighter Exchange participant Wayne
Phillips at Strikeforce Challengers 6. Prior to that bout, Lawson had won seven of eight, including a perfect 5-0 stint inside Strikeforce. The Combat Fitness fighter holds more than half of his career victories by submission and has fought to a decision only twice as a professional. The Clayton Valley High graduate’s loss in his last fight nearly a year ago hasn’t stopped him. “I’m really looking forward to getting back in there and getting a win. My last fight was a disappointing loss and I really need to get past that. I have to remind myself that it’s only my third loss in 12 fights and I’m still a young fighter,” he says. “I don’t even train full-time like most of the guys.” While most MMA athletes have years of martial arts or wrestling backgrounds, Lawson only wrestled at the high school level. He spent far more time in high and college riding BMX bikes. He trains once a day (instead of twice like most fighters) and doesn’t train with any of the champions of the sport. “I have a good gym with good people,” he says. “I train once in a while with Jake Shields and Faber, but only when I need to really sharpen my skills.”
Tanner, from page 13 while playing club baseball for NorCal Baseball Club and leading the Spartans in his junior and senior years, especially catching the eye of scouts at tournaments in Southern California. He committed to attend Pepperdine University but shortly after graduating, he informed his mom he wanted to seriously consider signing a pro baseball contract if he were drafted high enough. The draft on June 6, 2006, saw him taken in the third round by the Giants as the 89th overall pick. “It was the best feeling ever,” he recalls. Lincecum, from the University of Washington, was the first-round Giants pick and shortstop Emmanuel Burriss was taken in the second round. After negotiating with Tanner’s agent, the Giants offered him a signing bonus of about a half million dollars plus a guarantee to pay for his college education after his pro career. “It was the hardest decision of my life. Pepperdine had changed their offer to a full ride and I had spent my whole senior year set on going there,” Tanner recalls. “On the other hand, I had dreamed of playing pro ball my whole life.” After signing his contract two weeks after the draft, things happened so fast he wasn’t able to take the senior trip to Hawaii with his DLS classmates. Instead, the 18-year-old reported to his first pro assignment in Oregon on
June 24, thus beginning a journey that has alternately taken him from the West Coast to the South for two seasons each. He hopes he won’t have any more stops out of California, either with the Giants or AAA Fresno. THAT WINNING FEELING Tanner has won 43 games in the last four years for San Francisco minor league teams. Lincecum was at Oregon with Tanner for two starts and the team ultimately won the Northwest League title, giving Tanner his first pro championship ring. Both 2010 National League Rookie of the Year Buster Posey and 2009 Giants star Pablo Sandoval have caught for Tanner in the minors. “Sandoval playing with us in San Jose was unfair. He hit homeruns in the same game from both sides of the plate,” Tanner notes. In 2009, the San Jose Giants won the California League championship. “Awesome” is all the lefthander says to describe the feeling of helping his team to the title, including pitching a key playoff game victory. To put it mildly, the life of a minor league player is not quite as glamorous as those in the majors. Bus rides up to 12 hours are commonplace. Hot, humid playing conditions are the norm in parts of the country. Even in his fifth year, he was making just $1,600 a month. While training with the
CLAYTON TANNER
Giants last spring, his $100 per day meal money and living expenses check matched a good portion of what he earned all season as an All-Star pitcher for Richmond. Since he’s now on the 40-man roster, his salary increases several fold but still is peanuts compared to the $400,000 minimum salary of a major leaguer. Tanner has learned that in the majors, pitching is “90 percent mental.” He says his minor league pitching coach Ross Grimsley repeatedly told him that “you can’t beat yourself.” He tells me, “Even when you don’t have your best stuff you have to figure out how to get each batter out.” This year, Tanner needs to learn how to pitch better against left-handed hitters, which may not be what you’d expect from a lefty thrower. “I have to pitch inside more. At this level, you can’t groove a pitch as hitters live on pitchers’ mistakes.”
January 28, 2011
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IN CLAYTON Feb. 13 34th Annual Camellia Tea
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. 673-0659 or claytonlibrary.org.
Tuesdays through March 1 Patty Cakes Story time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m.
Thursdays through March 10 Picture Book Time Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. Drop in 11 a.m.
Pleasant Hill. Class starts at 7 p.m. Jan. 24. masterworkschorale.net.
CITY MEETINGS Feb. 1, 15 Clayton City Council 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
Feb. 8, 22 Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
CLUBS Feb. 26, March 19 “Winter Watercolors” Hands-on art program sponsored by the Creekside Artists Guild. 10 a.m. Feb. 26, “Plein Air Landscapes” with Leslie Wilson. 10 a.m. March 19, “A Study in Shadow and Light, Portraiture,” with Anne Sackman - experienced students only. For ages 17 and up. Register at www.ccclib.org or 673-0659.
Honoring Clayton’s pioneering families. Sponsored by the Clayton Historical Society. Free tea, coffee, cookies. 1-4 p.m., Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. Contact Mary at 672-7232 or claytonhistory.org.
Jan. 29, Feb. 5 SAT/ACT Practice Test Presented by Princeton Review. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Follow-up strategy session 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 5. Register at www.ccclib.org or 673-0659.
Feb. 19 Daddy/Daughter Dance
Jan. 30 Dog Safety Seminar
Sponsored by Clayton Community Church. 6:30-9 p.m., Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr. $20 per couple, $5 for each additional daughter. Age 3 and under free. Contact Debbie at 827-9090 or thebluthbunch@att.net.
Taught by Barbara Dwyer. The first half will focus on children and dog safety, with the second half on canine behavior. Sponsored by Clayton K-9 Coalition. 1-3 p.m.
March 4-6 Creekside Arts Celebration Arts and crafts, music and dance and wildlife will all be part of the annual Creekside Arts Celebration at the Clayton Library. Celebration opens 6-8:30 p.m. March 4 and continues 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March. 5 and 1-5 p.m. March 6. Juried art show will include a Peoples’ Choice award. This year’s theme is “Inspirations for a Better World...Past, Present and Future. For more information go to www.claytonlibrary.org or call 673-9777.
FUNDRAISERS Feb. 11 Diablo FC Crab Feed/Auction With DJ Terry Newberry. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. $50 before Feb. 1. diablofc.org.
Feb. 13, 27 Breakfast at the VFW
Jan. 31 “Blind Cats: Veiled Women in Saudi Arabia, Europe and Canada” Learn what it’s like to wear a veil and why men want “their” women to veil. Presented by Jean Grant, who lived in the Middle East for 20 years. 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 “Recess: It’s Not Just for Kids” A workshop designed to help people remember their intrinsic value, celebrate themselves and have fun. Presented by Karen St. Julien. 7:15-8:45 p.m.
Through Feb. 14 Bookmark Design Contest Winning entries will be printed for giveaway at the library. This year’s theme is “I Love Books.” For ages 3-12. Pick up an entry form at the Information Desk.
ENTERTAINMENT
8-11 a.m. second and fourth Sundays, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Eggs, pancakes, sausage plus a beverage. $4, $2 children under 12.
Jan. 27, 28 “Musical Revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein”
Feb. 25 Dana Hills Swim Team Fiesta
Presented by Youth Theatre Company’s Teen Theatre. 7 p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5846 or www.youththeatrecompany.org.
Mexican dinner, auction and dancing. 6:30 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. $50 per couple. danahillsotters.com.
March 18 Mt. Diablo Elementary School Auction Food, cocktails and dancing with a Speakeasy theme, sponsored by Parent Faculty Club. 5 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Online auction March 4-13. mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary.
SCHOOLS Jan. 30 St. Agnes Elementary School Open House Beginning with 9 a.m. Mass, 3886 Chestnut Ave., Concord. Applications for the 2011-’12 school year accepted through February. stagnesconcord.com.
Feb. 1 Mt. Diablo Elementary Kindergarten Registration Registration packets available 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays at the school office, 5880 Mt. Zion Dr, Clayton. Kindergarten registration 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Feb. 1. in the multi-use room. Registration for 1st-5th grades starts Feb. 15.
Feb. 8, 22 Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board 7:30 p.m., 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. mdusd.org.
Feb. 16 Diablo View Middle School Parent Faculty Club 7 p.m., school library, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.
CHURCHES & RELIGION
Jan. 28-Feb. 3 International Film Showcase Feature films screened for seven days each month. First up is “Max Manus.” Orinda Theater, 2 Orinda Theater Square. www.lfef.org or www.facebook.com/pages/International-Film-Showcase.
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 Feb. 9, Bob Ehrhart will talk about camellias. Contact Nancy at 673-3522 or claytonvalleygardenclub.org.
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Meets 9:30 a.m. second Tuesday of the month except July and August, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. 672-1163.
Clutch Busters Square Dance Club Meets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Willow Pass Community Center Hall, 2748 East Olivera Road, Concord. Contact Karen at 686-3774.
Concord Stompers Square Dance Club 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 Genealogical Society Meets 7 p.m. second Thursday of the month, LDS Church, 1360 Alberta Way, Concord. On Feb. 10, the speaker is John A. Keibel, author of “Behind the Barbed Wire: History of the Naval Weapons Station Concord.” cccgs.ca@gmail.com.
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, 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 Feb. 16, foreign correspondent Reese Erlich and media critic/columnist Norman Solomon will discuss the occupation in Afghanistan. Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or www.dvdems.org.
East Bay Prospectors
Jan. 28 – Feb. 26 “Boeing, Boeing” Don’t miss CenterRep’s high-flying Tony Award-winning comedy that had Broadway audiences airborne with laughter. Lesher Center for the Arts. For tickets, call (925)943-7469 or go to www.centerrep.org.
Meets 6:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month, Oasis Christian Fellowship, 2551 Pleasant Hill Road, Pleasant Hill. Clayton resident Douglas Junghans is president. 672-1863 or eastbaygpaa.webs.com.
Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, except holidays, Cauchi Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3966 Chestnut St, Concord. Contact Rayce at 683-9717 or rayce@aol.com.
Jan. 31-Feb. 27 “Rags” Willows Theatre Company presents the epic story of love and struggle. Campbell Theatre, 626 Ward St., Martinez. Tickets, $22$30. Purchase at www.willowstheatre.com or call 798-1300. Feb 11-Mar. 5 “The Drowsy Chaperone” Diablo Theatre Company presents this hilarious musical, winner of the most Tony awards in 2006. Lesher Center for the Arts, Hoffman Theatre. Tickets $17-$48. Call (925) 943-7469 or go to www.diablotheatre.org
Feb. 12 Houseblend
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. 566-8166 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 639-1987 or scrabble-assoc.com.
Sons In Retirement (SIRs)
An a cappella quartet. 7:30 p.m., Walnut Avenue United Methodist Church, 260 Walnut Ave., Walnut Creek. $10, or $25 per family. Proceeds benefit Fresh Start. Free child care. 787-3038.
AUDITION
Feb. 8 “Understanding Islam”
Jan. 24 Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale Auditions
With author Amer Araim. 7 p.m., St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. 672-5800.
6 p.m., Room 101, Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road,
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.
Word Weavers Toastmasters Meets 7-8:15 p.m. Mondays, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord. Visitors
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 28, 2011
Photographer turns to the computer for inspiration LOU FANCHER Clayton Pioneer
Jeff DeSalles’ life is not unlike an artist’s palette: a surface full of blending and mixing, a colorful existence touched by a man prone to experimentation. DeSalles, a painter/photographer living in Concord, discovered an interest in photography during his years in the Marine Corps. His passion for technology and years working in Japan fed his creative passions and he is largely self-taught. Eventually, boyhood ties to the East Bay pulled him back to the Clayton area, where he set aside his camera to explore the world of painting. Ten years ago, for reasons
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
JEFF DESALLES’ PICTURES START OUT AS A PHOTO, but his creative eye and hours at a computer will turn it into a work of art.
both practical and artistic, DeSalles cleaned his brushes one last time and turned to the
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computer to produce his art. “It was a time where, logistically, I got away from the habit of priming my canvases. Just sitting down and being able to relax to do artwork was necessary,” he said. “It was easier to slide into a chair and work on a photograph on a computer.” Plus, life interfered with the hours he needed for visualizing a painted idea and rendering a sketch. “I don’t have a blank canvas facing me now. When I painted, I had to consciously put something in,” he noted. “With a photograph, there can be a milk can in front of a barn and I can work it and work it. It might end up looking like a blob, but I can just take it out.” New software, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Streamline and, especially, Corel Painter, allowed DeSalles increased flexibility. “I can experiment with light
source and direct the shadows a little. I can put clouds in from pictures I’ve taken at other times. When I painted, I left the sky alone, but now, because it’s easier, maybe I put them in more,” he mused. He follows instinct to create his artwork. “I didn’t learn from anybody, except for from myself,” he said of developing his current technique. “Books and experimenting – I guess that’s pretty much it.” He finds artistic synergy through the Creekside Artists Guild, a collective group based in the Clayton area. “It gives me the opportunity to talk to people for a lighthearted critique of what I have done. I talk to other artists, to like-minded people,” he said. “There’s no charge to belong: it’s just camaraderie and fellowship.” One of the subjects they talk about is artistic frustration. According to DeSalles, people don’t always understand his art. “If they can’t put it into the category of photography and they can’t put it into the category of painting, many people are less inclined to buy it. They feel more comfortable with things they understand,” he said. DeSalles has found that the proliferation of digital media has led to more confusion. “With digital photography, everybody thinks they’re a pro. They may not know more, but they have more to say about it,” he said. “I think they think it is easy to do, but in many ways it takes me the same length of time as when I used to paint the image.”
DeSalles has worked hard to master the technique he uses and was amazed he could push pixels around on a screen – much as he used to push oil paint on a canvas – and still wind up “making mud.” That’s
an artist’s way of referring to paint that is over-mixed or overworked. Exactly what constitutes original art when it is created in
See Inspiration, page 17
Theatre
Willows brings immigrants’ story to Martinez stage If you’ve ever wondered what might have happened to the people of “Fiddler on the Roof ” after they left their little village for America, “Rags” might hold some clues. “Rags” is the tale of a naïve Russian immigrant who arrives in early 20th century New York with her young son. The epic musical story follows their struggle to make a new life for themselves. While the young woman searches for her husband, who arrived in America ahead of them, she toils in a sweat shop. When she is finally reunited with her husband, she finds herself at odds with his rejection of their ethnic culture and assimilation into the new land. The Willows Theatre Company reprises the musical, which was a hit here in 1996. The New York Times said that the music “expresses the churning excitement of a heady new urban experience” in songs like “Brave New World” and “Blame
Benjamin Pither as Saul amd Teressa Byrne as Rebecca Hershkowitz in Rags at Willows Theatre, Jan 31-Feb 27
it on the Summer Night.” The book is by Joseph Stein, who also wrote the book for “Fiddler on the Roof.” Music is by Charles Strouse (“Bye-Bye Birdie,” “Annie”), with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (“Pippin,” “Godspell”). “Rags” plays Jan. 31-Feb. 27 at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Tickets are $22-$32. Call 798-1300 or visit willowstheatre.com.
Book Review
‘Hare’ an adventurous tale full of magic
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“The Year of the Hare” is a perfect winter book. Get the fire going, pull up a comfy chair, pour a snifter of brandy and settle into what will surely be one of the most satisfying and entertaining reads of the new year. Never mind that Arto Paasilinna’s novel has been in print since 1975, in almost every language but English, let’s just toast Penguin Makes Paperbacks for getting it out now – appropriately in 2011, the Chinese Year of the Hare. Paasilinna, master Finnish storyteller, takes charge with his opening salvo: “Two harassed men were driving down a lane.” He goes on: “It was midsummer, but the landscape on this sandy byroad was slipping past their weary eyes unnoticed …” The two men, a journalist and photographer no longer on
SUNNY SOLOMON FOR THE BOOKS the best of terms, are on their way home from a magazine assignment. It is more than scenery slipping past them, but only Vatanen, the journalist, realizes this, and only after their car, driven by the photographer, strikes a young hare that has been practicing its leaps in the middle of the country road. The hare bounces off the car, is
thrown out of the roadway and disappears into the forest. Vatanen goes after the injured animal. Neither returns. Even in Finland, men have midlife crises, and when Vatanen finds himself in a beautiful forest with a young hare to look after, it does not take long before he knows he will not go back to his job, his wife or Helsinki. Thus begins an odyssey for the reader to take into any winter night. However, for Vatanen and the hare, it is still midsummer and they have miles to travel before winter sets in. The hare is attended to by a vet and, while still small, it happily takes up residence in Vatanen’s coat pocket. Knowing that no escape from life is successful without proper planning, Vatanen finds a village with a phone and a bank.
He calls a friend in Helsinki, offering to sell him his boat and instructing the fellow to give almost half the money to his wife and to wire the rest to the bank. When Vatanen goes to pick up the money, he discovers that his friend has brought not only the money, but also both his wife and boss – all three determined to drag him back to his old life. The fact that Vatanen, with hare in tow, is able to outfox these people confirms the steadfastness of our hero. From there on out, everything is pure magic. Paasilinna mixes reality with enough madcap bedlam to carry the reader into every misadventure the pair happens upon. We follow dizzily as they encounter a ravenous raven, a bureaucratic nightmare of licensing, a disastrous state dinner, the ravishing Leila, judiciously content to be engaged to Vatanen until a divorce can be obtained, a wild bear hunted across the Soviet border and finally the Soviet courts, which satisfied that Vatanen and the hare are not Finnish spies, agree to send them back to Finland to face myriad charges regarding Vatanen’s reckless disregard of all things related to bear hunting. For a while both Vatanen and the hare are imprisoned. Then they are not. How did Paasilinna do that? How does anyone escape anything? It’s easy: Pick up the book, pull up the comfy chair and … well you understand. 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.
January 28, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 17
Summer fruit the reward of winter vigilance rid stone fruit trees of peach leaf curl is to spray garden fungicides during the dormant period. That time is now, while the trees are without leaves.
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL Planting, growing and maintaining fruit trees has become quite the gardening fad. Homegrown apples, peaches, apricot, cherries and plums delight the palates of Clayton Valley fruit lovers from late spring through summer. Planting fruit trees was the easy part. Growing and maintaining them takes some effort. Although fruit tree care is important, it is often put to the side until summer – when gardeners suddenly realize the peach tree leaves are full of curl and there are worms in the apples. Once these problems present themselves, they are incurable until winter. Prevention and timing are keys to protecting fruit trees from various fungi and pests. A CURLY SITUATION Peach leaf curl is one of the most disfiguring fungi found on stone fruits. It also attacks apricots, plums and nectarines. As spring warms and the leaves of fruit trees developed, you may spot a blister or pucker on some leaves. These blisters spread as they grow, eventually covering the leaf. The damaged leaf changes color from reddish orange to yellowish. Then they mildew and inevitably fall to the ground. Fruiting will be poor, and the fruit that is present may be covered with raised, wrinkled, irregular lesions. When gardeners see the beginnings of peach leaf curl, they may try to cut away the infected branch. This is a good idea, but be sure to sterilize sheers between cuts. To kill the fungus from the blades, use Lysol spray. The only way to completely
IT’S SPRAYING SEASON Two to three applications are necessary to take control of this fungus, but it’s been tricky finding time for the first application this winter. With all the December rain, spraying a fungicide would have been useless. Now it’s the end of January and sunny, so get spraying now. In a perfect world, gardeners would have applied two applications of fungicide while the trees are completely dormant and then a third application when the tree is in full bud. This final spray is the most
BEATING THE BLIGHT Twig blight affects both fruiting and flowering pear trees. They will need applications of fungicide while in bud and through the blooming cycle. Remember back to spring and summer of last year: Did your pear trees have rotten, saggy blossoms that fell to the ground? Or did you notice leafy twigs that wilted from the tips down, looking black and water soaked? These are signs of twig blight. This problem will disfigure and eventually kill a tree. The infected branches need to be cut away deep, about 18 inches from the last sign of infection. Destroy the branches; do not compost them. Sheers will need to be sterilized after each cut. When spraying, apply the
and comments to Nicole at trees, too. Scale and borers are big Nicole Hackett is the garden girl problems on peach and cherry at R&M Pool, Patio, Gift and gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com trees. Those growing flowering Garden. Email your questions cherry trees may notice these problems as well. Spray your chosen insecticide now and periodiFREE kindergarten cally through the growing season. screening I would choose a product that is more natural, or organic. Many homeowners make a mistake by spraying too infreProudly serving Jason M. Renner, D.D.S. quently. They may spray today, the Diablo Richard C. Rissel, D.M.D then forget for awhile and spray Valley for over again next month. This kind of 925-689-2800 25 years – application doesn’t fix anything. “experience Different problems are remecounts” died by different spray rates. The pest you are trying to control and the product you are using will dictate the days between each application. Sometimes you apply www.diablovalleykids.com every 5-7 days or every three Less than 5 miles weeks. Follow the product direcfrom Clayton 2875 Willow Pass Rd., Concord tions to get the results you need.
Dentistry
for Infants, Children & Teenagers
DON’T FORGET THE FERTILIZER
HEAD
OFF PEACH LEAF CURL NOW
important. Watch stone fruit trees closely. One day they’ll be in bud and the next in bloom. When the flowers are open, spraying the fungicide will have no effect in controlling peach leaf curl. Whether using a typical garden fungicide or an organic product, the success of the treatment depends on the timing of application. As always, follow product directions. Cover skin when applying any spray, protect the eyes and please don’t overuse. If the recommended application rate is 2 tablespoons per gallon, doubling the rate would be irresponsible gardening – and would not guarantee any greater success. Read labels and ask questions.
Inspiration, from page 16 a computer is another point of confusion for DeSalles’ customers.
SEE DESALLES’ COMPUTER PAINTING of the cross above Clayton Community Park and other local scenes at the Creekside Arts Celebration in March
by spraying with fungicide.
proper rate of product every 5-7 days, from the time the pear is in bud until after the petals have fallen from the blossom. The last application of fungicide should coincide with an application of insecticide. Applying insecticide to a pear tree while the petals are falling will help control any moth larvae from hatching. Worms and larvae also are found in peach and apple trees. Just like with the blight, apply an insecticide of choice while the petals are falling from the blossoms. As always, follow all product directions, cover the skin and protect the eyes while applying.
Fertilizing fruit trees also is important. Fruit tree and vine food in the granular form is easy to use and works well while it’s still raining. When spring warms and summer begins, feeding fruit trees is still encouraged. But you should consider what type of product to use and how you water. Drip system plants need water-soluble products, while areas with sprinklers can use granular products. Fox Farm makes some excellent water-soluble products that are proven and organic. One more chore for the fruit tree people is to pick up any fruit that has fallen to the ground and remove mummies on the trees from the past season. Bugs hid in old fruit and this is where some problems are born. Fresh fruit from the garden is the sweetest part of summer. You’ll just have to work a little before you can enjoy your labors of love.
MAINTAIN A SCHEDULE Other critters invade fruit
“Art has become less high brow than it used to be. You have more people putting it in their homes, even if it’s a cheap knock-off. You can get a copy of a copy of an original. Maybe it’s more popular, but people don’t care about originals,” DeSalles said. His print runs are limited, and he’s never produced more than four of any single image. Like most artists, he’s not getting rich; he’s just hoping to share his work with an appreciative audience. “I’d like to transition from my 40 hour a week job into something I can do into my later years,” he said. “I’d like to take a picture of someone’s home, or their pet or favorite fountain and do a photo painting for them that would cost a lot less than an (oil) painting.” DeSalles’ work will be featured at the Creekside Artist Guild’s booth at the Creekside Arts Celebration March 46 at the Clayton Library. For more information, visit www.jeffreydesalles.com/index.html.
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BMX pros and locals alike strut their stuff MIKE DUNN Clayton Pioneer
Bicycle-motocross professionals offered aspiring BMX enthusiasts advice on riding and doing tricks during a meet and greet at Clayton Bikes on Jan. 12. Before the pros arrived, the back parking lot was alive with kids and adults doing stunts on BMX bikes, riding the bar and grabbing some air off a ramp. Riders were going high on the ramp, bouncing off the back wall of the building next door. Some seemed to defy gravity as their bikes stopped for a split second on the side of a wall. The first-time event featured riders from Animal and Skavenger brands. Edwin
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DeLarosa, Tom White, Chris Gille, Pat Wang and Brandon Olivero arrived to an adoring mob of kids. Team members gave pointers and tips to the kids while signing autographs and posing for photos. Later, the performers became the audience as they gathered behind the store to watch the kids do stunts. Clayton Bikes has been selling BMX bikes for more than 30 years and started the events two years ago, but this is the first time professional riders attended. “This is a nice treat for the kids in the neighborhood,” said manager John Kramer. “They idolize these guys.” Clayton Bikes recently started a stunt team for young riders and will have a show at Diablo View Middle School on March 3 and at Walnut Creek Elementary on April 1. There are 10 shows scheduled in the coming year and another 10-20 for next year through the 511.org program, which promotes bike safety.
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
BOBBY WARD OF CLAYTON event on Jan. 12.
GRABS SOME AIR
“The program teaches them how to ride to school, take care of their bikes and obey the laws so they won’t get into accidents or get hurt,” explained store employee James Brom. “Anything is better than sitting on the couch playing video games,” Kramer added. “If we
at Clayton Bikes’ BMX
can get these guys out riding a bike, it’s a healthy thing to do and promotes a quality lifestyle that we really encourage.” For more information, check out Clayton Bikes at facebook.com/claytonbicycles or bicycling.511.org. The Skavenger video blog is at scavenger.com.
Notice anything funny about this sign? Yup. Oakhurst is misspelled. The street sign at the corner of Oakhurst/Center and Clayton Rd. was destroyed by a tall truck in November. The city called the county, which supplies the signs, and ordered a new one. Since it was simply a replacement for the original sign, no one thought to spell out “Oakhurst.” A few days later, the county installed the replacement sign without anyone from the city seeing it first. The city engineer has asked the county to supply a new sign at their expense. ETA? not yet known.
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