IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
925.672.0500
Church’s ‘Story Poles’ set the framework for downtown project Public can review Clayton Community Church plan now through June 25
DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER Summer brings out the best–and worst–in Clayton
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton is hopping as summer approaches! Our opening Music in the Park and Farmer’s Market were huge successes, and new stores are close to opening in Flora Square downtown. So remember, in today’s economy, shop Clayton first! EVERY POLE TELLS A STORY Questions and speculations abound as to the what and why of the giant erector set projects downtown. The real story is the wood frames downtown are “story poles” that the City asked the Clayton Community Church to put up as part of the environmental impact review of their proposed building plans. These poles are supposed to represent
See Mayor, page 8
TAMARA STEINER/CLAYTON PIONEER
RESPONDING TO A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH’S APPLICATION for a four-building, 42,000 square foot complex on Main Street, the city asked the church to erect “story poles” to show the size, mass and height of the proposed project.
It’s unlikely that anyone passing by the Clayton Community Church property would not have noticed what looks like a Burning Man set or the start of a tent city. The criss-crossed two-byfours are “story poles,” and the first step in bringing the church’s application for a 42,000 square foot, four-building worship center before the planning commission and city council. The poles are designed to show the size, scale and mass of the project, says Clayton Community Development Director, David Woltering.
See Story Poles, page 16
Clayton matriarch City Council agrees to pay legal fees for dies after long illness CV petition to convert to charter school TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
Eldora Hoyer, one of the principal players in the incorporation of the city of Clayton in 1964, died Sunday. She was 88. Her husband, Robert “Bob” Hoyer was Clayton’s first mayor. Hoyer was noted for her love of history and meticulous attention to detail. She was a founding member of the Clayton Historical Society and was instrumental in obtaining a grant to salvage, move and preserve the Joel Clayton home, now the Clayton Museum, to its present location on Main Street. Hoyer was active in civic affairs until her illness two years ago. She was a supporter and driving force behind the downtown Grove Park and was an original member of the Clayton Woman’s Club and a member of the CBCA. “She was the powerful matriarch,” says Mayor Dave Shuey. “She was the quiet power and you just knew, that at any moment, she could take control if needed.” “Eldora was a dynamic lady
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The city of Clayton put some “skin in the game” at the last city council meeting when the city council voted 4-1 to support the
ELDORA HOYER
whose passion for our community is visible everywhere we look,” says Councilwoman Julie Pierce. “I am honored to have known her as a mentor and as a dear friend.” Pierce says. “She would often call me and say, ‘Julie, I have an idea’ or ‘a thought about that.’” “I will dearly miss those calls and her sparkling blue eyes, her wonderful energy and lilting laughter. Her passing leaves a hole in my heart and that of our community.” A trained journalist, Hoyer was a frequent contributor to local newspapers including the Clayton Pioneer. She served in the US Navy from 1943 until 1946. In 1947, she married Bob. They bought their hillside property near downtown in 1956 and built the home where they would raise their three children. She is survived by her husband, sons Robert Jr. and Fred, and daughter Helen Hoyer Falcone. At Eldora Hoyer’s request, there are no services planned.
The financial support was
proposed by Mayor Dave Shuey who strongly supports the conversion effort and is working closely with the organizers. Shuey has five children in the public schools and a son who will be a freshman at CVHS next
year. “I obviously have a vested interest in this whole issue,” he admitted. To convert to a charter school, CVHS must withdraw
See Charter, page 8
Clayton teens honored with Jefferson Awards at Carondelet DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
Who says teens are selfish and self absorbed? One look at Clayton teens Haley Morucci and Lauren Ipsen proves that the youngest members of our community often have the biggest hearts. Haley and Lauren, both students at Carondelet High School, are the most recent winners of the school’s prestigious Jefferson Awards for Public Service. Haley, 15, was recognized for her work on behalf of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation, an organization that became highly personal to her because of the help it gave her Uncle Dan before his death last January. Haley supported Lazarex –
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
conversion of CVHS to a charter school with $8500 to help pay legal fees. The council had previously voted to support the conversion “in concept.”
Community Calendar . . . .13 Concert Schedule . . . . . . . .3 Directory of Advertisers . . . .5
an organization that provides financial assistance and help navigating the system of clinical trials to cancer patients – by selling bright-orange rubber bracelets that bear the motto “Hope, Dignity and Life.” She and her brother, Brad, also organized a fall festival, and the efforts have raised more than $7,000 for Lazarex, according to Haley’s mom Kim Morucci, a local realtor. “What really keeps me going,” Haley says, “is knowing the difference I can make for someone who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance. If the money I raise saves their life, why not push it to the extent you can to save several lives?”
See Jefferson, page 12
Food for Thought . . . . . . .18 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Letters to the Editor . . . . .16 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
Lauren Ipsen and Haley Morucci were each honored for their community service with the prestigious Jefferson Award.
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . .14 School News . . . . . . . . . . . .9 So Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .11 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
Around Town Anna Chan, Clayton’s newest home town hero MIKE DUNN Clayton Pioneer
Clayton resident Anna Chan, The Lemon Lady, has a yet one more honor to add to a growing list accolades. Chan was People
Magazine’s “Home Town Hero” this month. Her story is in the May 30 issue of People Magazine that is on newsstands and in mailboxes now. The one page story is on page 74. Needless to say, Chan is thrilled.
VFW to host annual Memorial Day Service
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is more than a day to simply worship at the barbeque of your choice. It is a day to remember those in the Armed Forces who have died in the service of our nation. Memorial Day has always been an important holiday in our family. My father served in the Marine Corps in Guadalcanal from January 1942 until the war ended in 1945. Each year, our Decoration Day would begin with a trip to the cemetery with flowers. Sometimes my grandparents were with us. We would visit the graves of my dad’s uncles and cousins that died in France in
Little over a month ago, local writer, Susan Young, contacted Chan about writing a story for People. After being interviewed by Young, a small crew from People gathered with Chan in a Concord lemon tree grove. The crew included a photographer, a photo studio, hair and make up stylists for all the glitz and glamour of a New York style photo shoot. In the People article, Chan talks about her original motivation for her project; getting her daughter Ava to sleep. She discusses growing up poor in
Hayward, being raised by a single mother and standing in line for food at churches and The Salvation Army. She still vividly recalls those hard times. Chan offers pickup and delivery service of the fruit and vegetables she collects to local food pantries so people could eat. If not collected, the produce would end up rotting on the ground instead. For more information about Chan and her work, visit her blog, thelemonlady.blogspot.com/ or (510) 406-1625. Scouts and service groups are welcome to help.
Roundhill Country Club! Spectacular single story
on a park-like elevated lot! High end-no expense spared remodel and expansion with exquisite attention to detail! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 2,637sf. Extensive use of slab granite, onyx & marble, German Ghroe fixtures, Lucas audio systems, 3 zone HVAC, & 3 fireplaces. Totally private lot offers black tumbled slate patio & trex deck, elaborate Koi pond! A must see! $1,395,000
Concord
ANNA CHAN IN PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Chaparral Springs at Oakhurst Country Club!
near shopping, dining and transportation! 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, approx. 1,260sf and inside laundry. $124,900
Concord Amber Grove! Palatial New PULTE Home!
PENDING
5 bedrooms + office & a loft, 3 baths, 4,003sf & 3 car garage! 1st floor bedroom & bath. Gourmet kitchen. Huge prof. landscaped .25 acre lot! $699,000
See Volunteers, page 15
In keeping with the Girl Scouts high value on community service, the girls of Troop 30905 recently raised money for tsunami relief efforts in Japan and made blankets for the women at a local shelter. Adding some of their own money to a portion of the proceeds from recent Girl Scouts cookie sales, the Troop raised $195 for tsunami victims. Last month, the girls made blankets for the women at a local shelter.
Front row: Laniey, Emmy, Syndie, Alexa, Olivia, Frieda; Back row: Kamryn, Lauren, Rochelle, Annika, Kendal, Francessca.
GEORGE VUJNOVICH Broker Helping friends, neighbors & newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979
Manzanita model offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,355sf , inside laundry & 2 car attached garage! Walk to downtown, trails & community pool! Coming Soon
Clayton Valley Terrace! Conveniently located condo
named Clayton Community Library Volunteer of the Year for their outstanding service. Mayor Dave Shuey presented each with a certificate at the May 17 city council meeting.
Girl Scouts support tsunami relief
Clayton
Alamo
THE CLAYTON CITY COUNCIL HONORED THE CLAYTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION and recognized three outstanding volunteers at the May 17 council meeting. From left, Laura Carlson, Sarah McCracken, Mayor Shuey, John Robinson, Librarian Karen Hansen, Jeanne Boyd, Joyce Atkinson, Rosemary Harwood and Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen.
Next month, June 17 will officially be Clayton Community Library Volunteer Day. This is the city’s way of honoring the 62 library volunteers that donated more than 9,000 hours in 2010. Three of the volunteers were
the First World War and of his childhood friends who served alongside him in WWII but did not come home. On the way to the cemetery, my dad would sing the Marines Hymn, softly, almost humming – “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.” By the time I was three, I knew all the words by heart and it was the first piano piece I could play with two hands. Last year, I lost my dad in a car accident. I spent months going through his 88 years of living – all of those things important enough to him to pack away and keep safe. As my family and I worked our way
See Memorial, page 12
City Council honors library volunteers
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
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6160 Center St., Suite E, Clayton Clayton Market Update provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
1554 OHara Court....................$333,000 3149 Morgan Territory Rd ........$791,360 10 Mount Wilson Way ..............$190,000 101 Mount Whitney Way ..........$440,000 70 El Molino Drive ....................$520,000 232 Jeffry Ranch Pl..................$466,000 33 Mountaire Ct........................$615,000 5832 Verna Way E ...................$425,000 5555 Southbrook Dr .................$442,500 4255 Morgan Territory Rd ........$790,000 510 Mount Dell Drive................$530,000 212 Mountaire Parkway ...........$600,000 102 Forest Hill Dr .....................$640,000 907Arrowhead Terr...................$399,000 521 Hamburg Cir......................$575,000
SF
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SALE DATE
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May 27, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Around Town Sarah Turrin and Marty Barbano to wed
SARAH TURRIN AND MARTY BARBANO
Sarah Turrin and Marty Barbano will marry on July 2 in Brentwood. Sarah is the daughter of Art and Dee Turrin of Concord and a 2004 graduate of Clayton Valley High School. She graduated from Sacramento State University in 2008. She is currently going to graduate school. Marty is the son of Mark and Lea Barbano of Clayton. He graduated from Clayton Valley High in 1999 and from the San Francisco City College Paramedic program in 2004. He is a firefighter and paramedic. The two became engaged last October in Half Moon Bay where they celebrated their six-year dating anniversary at the Ritz Carlton. Thinking she might be expecting an engagement ring, Marty gave Sarah a “decoy” bracelet instead. She hid her disappointment until sunset, when Marty proposed.
Page 3
s t r e c Con The Grov in
6 to 8:30 p.m. At the Gazebo in The Grove Set up chairs and blankets on the lawn after 4 p.m.
June 4
Clayton girls raised over $367 in honor of MDES classmate Kate Amos at a lemonade stand and bake sale in the Grove on May 7. Kate is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The school encouraged students to participate in a fundraiser program called Pennies for Patients to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. All students were invited to collect coins to raise money for a cure for cancer. The girls made posters and hung up balloons to attract customers for the donuts, muffins and homemade lemonade. For more information about Pennies for Patients at MDES or Kate Amos, visit mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary
Back row: Karen Amos, Sara Cademartori and Jeremy Amos. Front row: Anna Browett, Elaina Browett, Haley Morrison, Zoe Morrison, Maggie Levy and Bess Amos.
Miranda Lutz receives Blackhawk scholarship Miranda Lutz, 18, from Clayton was awarded a Blackhawk Women’s Scholarship Fund scholarship for 2011. Miranda, one of six scholarship winners selected from a very competitive field of applicants, was presented with the $5,000 scholarship award during the BWSF Annual Tea held on May 1. Pam Harris, Chairman of Blackhawk Women’s Scholarship Fund, said “Miranda is a charming, delightful girl who will quickly organize a benefit concert to help out a sick friend and end up raising $8,000. We were all impressed with her leadership skills and her compassion.” Miranda will be heading to UCLA in the fall to major in anthropology. “I took an AP Psychology class and was fascinated by the
Hot Rods Rock and roll from the 50s and 60s
June 18
Unofficial Rolling Stones They look like the original, strut like the original and rock like the original
July 2
Diamond Dave Vocals from classic Sinatra to HipHop
July 16
The Chicago Tribute Authority Sing and dance to Chicago’s greatest hits
July 30
Classmates make lemonade for leukemia support
Saturdays
e
The Michael Paul Band Five-piece southern/country rock band
Aug. 13
Vocal-ease and The Boogie Men Retro band covers big band and swing to Doo-Wop and Motown
Aug. 27
A Swingin’ Evening with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Rat Pack Orchestra
September 10 - East Bay Mudd 10-piece dance ban. Powerful horn section
Sponsored by the city of Clayton, CBCA and Allied Waste Services
Local Food To Go Support your local businesses and restaurants. Takeout or dine in before or after the concert. Moresi’s Chophouse 6115 Main St., 672-1333 MIRANDA LUTZ
way people interact and evolve,” says Miranda. “Anthropology is a good base for politics, journalism, psychology, and the health fields. It is a strong foundation for life because it gives you a lot of skills. I find the information so interesting.”
Ed’s Mudville Grill 6200 Center St., 673-0333 La Veranda Cafe 6201 Center St., 524-0011 Canesa’s Brooklyn Deli 6054 Main St., 852-1650 Skipolini’s Pizza 1035 Diablo St., 672-1111 Village Market 6104 Main St., 672-0188 Johnny’s Int’l Deli & Café 6101 Center St., 672-1203 Cup O’Jo 6054 Main St., 672-5105
JUST LISTED
NEW LISTING
NEW PRICE
$349,000 1403 Idaho Court, Concord Clayton Valley Highlands – Completely renovated 3BD/2BA on cul-de-sac offers kitchen w/skylight, granite & island. Enjoy red oak flooring & crown molding accents. French door to patio & quiet yard.
$518,000 325 Roundhill Court, Clayton Briarwood – Contemporary 4BD/2.5BA floor plan near downtown. Office, formal living & dining rooms on main level. Bright kitchen w/recessed lights & garden window. Large, private yard w/pool.
$459,000 1158 Camino Solano, Concord Seven Oaks – Lots of possibilities at this very private property on a large lot. Updated kitchen & baths highlight a very desirable, open 4BD/2.5BA floor plan. Near to schools, parks & shopping.
NEW PRICE
5464 Anselmo Court, Concord $349,000 Clayton Border – This 3BD/2BA offers a huge upstairs bonus room and has a fun pool area for summertime. Formal living, family and dining room are spacious. Open kitchen w/skylight & recessed lights.
JUST LISTED
1908 Yardley Court, Concord $428,000 Clayton Border – Absolutely charming 4BD/2BA offers updates, amply sized bedrooms, and open, spacious floor plan. Enjoy pebble tech pool & large, flat, YardleyCt.com corner lot with RV parking.
1115 St. Francis Drive, Concord $650,000 St. Frances Park – Custom 3BD/3BA + office & den. Stunning paint, trim & light accents. Fabulous curb appeal w/ hardscape planters & amazing resort-style pool, patio & gazebo area in back.
4724 Hakimi Court, Concord $398,000 Clayton Valley Corridor – 4BD/2.5BA w/open floor plan near shops & commute. Entertainer's backyard w/heated pool. Kitchen w/dbl. oven & Pergo floors. Large master suite & extra closets. HakimiCourt.com
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8114 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton Custom 4BD + possible in law unit/3 BA has ~3717 s.f. on nearly ½ acre. Wrap-around Trex deck & pool with spa and waterfall. Views! $759,000 Michelle Gittleman/ (925) 768-0352 8114MarshCreek.com
Clayton Resident & Broker Owner
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
Around Town Daisy Scouts cross the bridge
Pete Laurence revisits Viet Nam
Photo courtesy of Maria Butticci.
In a “bridging” ceremony in the Grove on May 12, Daisy Scouts from Girl Scout Troop 31927 became full-fledged Brownies. The girls put on a skit with the help of Brownie Troops 30129 and 30905 and then walked over a bridge to symbolically
mark the occasion. Phil Kelly of Clayton built a the bridge just for this purpose. Pictured crossing the bridge are (from left) Amber Capinpin, Addie Beever, Alyssa Butticci, Ainsley Townlin, Lauren Wishnow. The rest of the girls are
Abby Bennett, Meaghan Vargas, Jillian Chrobak and Melinda Cark. The little girl in the front is Sydney Bennett. The lady in the back is Jamie Beever (Addie’s mom). The girl with the pink headband is Melissa Cark (our troop assistant).
Eagle Scout Projects recognized by city Flanked by Scoutmasters Brian Blatter and Mayor Dave Shuey on the left and Stan Hanson on the far right, Eagle Scouts Brayden Moore, Bryan Crase and Clark Blatter were honored by the city council at the May 17 meeting for their Eagle Scout projects, benefitting the community. Garrett Blatter was among the honorees but was unable to attend the meeting. The four projects brought needed improvements to the Clayton Dog Park. Brayden Moore installed six shade trees and new signage. Bryan Crase and Garret Blatter added water
LEIGH KLOCK
show of the project. “It took over five hours.” “Clayton seems to be a hot spot for Eagle Scouts,” said the mayor, “and the community really benefits. We are lucky.”
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Pete Laurence took the Pioneer along when he and a fellow serviceman visited Viet Nam and Cambodia on a threeweek tour in April. Laurence and Bob Little both served with the US Army Special Forces during the Viet Nam War. The two saw the “Hanoi Hilton” prison and Ho Chi Minh’s Tomb where he is embalmed before visiting their old operational area of combat between Dalat and Phan Thiet. They continued on to Phan Thiet Resorts on the South China Sea and played golf “only 20 miles from where we had been in combat.” They visited Saigon, saw the Cu Chi Tunnels and shot AK47s. They visited the famous Angkor Wat Temples in Cambodia before continuing on to the “Killing Fields” where the Khmer Rouge communists killed almost two million Cambodians.
May 27, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Peggy Spear joins Pioneer staff as copy editor, news and feature writer
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design P EGGY S PEAR , 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
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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.
PEGGY SPEAR
This month, local journalist Peggy Spear joins the Pioneer staff as copy editor and contributing news and feature writer. Spear brings insight and
experience to the local news scene from her years as an editor for Diablo Publications, community news editor for the Contra Costa Times and editor for Bay Area Parent magazine. Most recently, she was editor at Concord Patch, an online news site owned by AOL. Spear holds a BA in journalism from UC Berkeley. She and her husband, Tony Ucciferri, live in Walnut Creek with their two youngest children, Charile, 17 and Mick, 13. Oldest daughter, Frannie, just finished her freshman year at UC Berkeley. She replaces copy editor Bev Britton who came to the Pioneer in 2004, also with a background in community news as editor of the Lesher Publications’ Suns Newspaper Group. Britton is packing up her blue pencil to spend more time with family.
Page 5
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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.
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Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
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Local leaders are pulling out the big guns to fight education cuts in California. And they started firing last week, when local political and education leaders and representative of the business community joined teachers, parents and students at a rally in Concord, trying to generate a groundswell of support for Gov. Brown’s 2011 revised state budget— specifically, the tax extensions that will keep education budgets from more gutting. But more importantly, the rally served as a chance to launch an unprecedented alliance of county-wide leaders from different—and sometimes rival—factions, including cities, local schools and business leaders, all with the aim of saving
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public education in Contra Costa County and throughout the state. “I honestly cannot recall a group of such diverse interests coming together to support local education,” said Walnut Creek Council member Kish Rajan, who helped organize the event. “I think it speaks to the seriousness of the challenge with education today, and how important it really is to the strength of the entire community.” The rally was the brainchild of California Assembly member —and former Concord High School English teacher—Susan Bonilla (D-Concord). She is in a unique position to tie the diverse factions together; not only because of her education background but also because of her stint as Concord mayor and county supervisor, where she says she has seen statewide cuts in education take a harsh toll on local students. “It is so encouraging to see so many teachers and students out here today,” Bonilla said to the amassed crowd of about 100-150. Many were teachers carrying signs that urged the state to “Fund Public Education,” and in support of specific schools that have been targeted for possible closure. Schools fared well in Gov. Brown’s revised budget proposal, which was released earlier this month. It included an unexpected $6.6 billion in new revenues, which many hope will alleviate cuts in education.
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However, the governor has said that education funding still relies on the contested tax extensions. In the past years, California schools have taken a $20 billion hit, causing the demise of many academic, arts and athletic programs, Bonilla said. “We’ve all seen what has been happening to public education,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important that we show a united front.” The rally, held on May 18 at Todos Santos Plaza, was an opportunity for different “stake-
holders” in local education talk about how budget cuts have hurt. Speakers included teachers, business leaders and parents, but the message was the same: public education is broken, but there is hope it can be saved. Still, some parents at the rally expressed skepticism that public education could be saved. Concord resident Evelyn Degman says her 15-year-old daughter studies in a private, online school. “We just aren’t happy about all the cuts in our
local schools,” she said.” It’s a sentiment Rajan says he’s heard quite a bit. “We did the rally to raise awareness about just how serious this budget problem is,” he said. “If the legislature does not bend, and does an all cuts budget, our kids in Mt. Diablo could be looking at 20 or more days cut from the school year. This is not only awful for the kids, but also bad for our entire community. We need to let the Legislature know that we won’t accept such an outcome.”
Local contractor goes for perfection and detail PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
One more week added
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STUDENTS AND TEACHERS JOINED COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS at a rally opposing state education cuts last week in Concord. The rally was organized by Assembly member Susan Bonilla (D-Concord).
Bill Peck of Bill Peck Home Improvements schedules one job at a time so he can be on site everyday. “I am a perfectionist,” Peck says. He prefers to do or oversee all work himself to insure a quality job. He specializes mostly in kitchens and baths now after 31 years in contracting. Peck’s love of construction goes back to his high school years. His family business was renting houseboats in the delta. Peck built many a dock. “You show me once, the second time, I’ll do it myself,” Peck says. Peck combined his natural ability to build with an associate’s degree in construction technology and architecture from Diablo Valley College. He
worked for a contractor for 10 years before starting his own business. “I do the plans, roofing, sheetrock, cabinets, kitchens…homes from the ground up,” Peck says. “Lately, however, most homeowners are focused on renovating their current home.” Whether the job is small or large, Peck wants to do the work. “That (small job) gets you into the big job,” Peck says. His attention to detail carries over into his paperwork where he lists a complete breakdown of materials and labor for any job. Mindee Spear lives near the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord. She hired Peck to redo her kitchen and ended up with a complete home remodel – roof, windows, paint, deck and floors because everything was old. She
describes Peck as honest, hardworking, there on time and every day, considerate and caring, telling how “he cleans up every day so you have a path.” And as for his work, Spear says, “The kitchen is exactly how I used to dream about it for years.” Peck and wife Carol live with their children and grandchildren in the same home in Concord that they have been in since the 1970s. Peck enjoys camping with Carol. His grandchildren, Hayley and Nicholas, are his fishing buddies and affectionately call him “Fishing Papa.” Peck thrives on his work, but adds, “You gotta relax a little bit.” For more information, a checklist for what to look for in a contractor and a photo galley, go to www.billpeckhomeimprovements.com.
The Trave l to Go fa mily welcomes our newest member -M onica Frag a. She joins our long time staff Sarah Bingenheim er (15 years), Pat Fraga (26 years), Monica F raga, Becky Est enson (17 years), & Vicki Huf ford (18 ye ars). Please stop in to say hello to M onica and reacquaint with our other trave l counselor s.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
No permit, no problem – usually Remodels Home Repairs
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Unpermitted additions and upgrades come up in home purchases frequently. They don’t preclude you from selling your home by any means. The important thing is to disclose this fact to potential buyers. You are required to disclose anything you know about the property. A seller in our area wanted to disclose that a sunroom addition was done without permits but was up to code. Luckily he was instructed not to disclose that it was up to code because he didn’t know that for sure. When the buyer did their inspections they were informed that it wasn’t built to code. It is important to only disclose what you know for sure. One thing that would make it difficult to get financing on a home is if it has an addition with an unpermitted kitchen. Most lenders won’t touch an unpermitted kitchen. I know of a seller that pulled the stove out of the kitchen area of the addition before the sale so it wouldn’t be considered a kitchen. The buyer had the option to put a
percent. This is the second increase since the home values started going down. Why would my rates go up when my property values are going down?
stove in after they moved in. I don’t think I would have suggested this but it was fully disclosed and the sale went through. The biggest problem that might arise from an unpermitted addition is the appraisal. The appraiser will attribute little value to this space. A buyer will like it, though, because they are getting extra square footage for very little extra money.
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS
What are some changes occurring in housing due to the current economy, housing market and demographics?
Hispanic populations are increasing. These groups are twice as likely than domestic born to want options that can accommodate extended family members. The gap, however, is narrowing somewhat with the domestic born demographic because of the need for flexibility in housing accommodations due to the challenging economy.
One niche that is growing among builders is multi generational housing. Part of this is due to a growing immigrant population. But also, families are pooling their resources and nesting together, so to speak. Various cultures are creating a strong demand for this type of housing. Domestic-born people are following suit. Asian buyers, for instance, come with the whole family. They want to accommodate their parents and grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Census figures in the Bay Area show that both Asian and
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the width, depth and height of the buildings so that our planning commission – as well as interested citizens – can visualize the concept. These poles will remain up for a little while to let anyone interested see them during the comment period of the review. So take a look, but don’t touch because if you break ‘em you bought ‘em! MISCHIEF MAKERS On a sad and depressing note, as the days get longer and the weather warmer, our downtown parks and facilities are being vandalized. We were all kids once and a little mischief is expected, but this vandalism is permanently damaging our beautiful property. In this recession and with money being constantly taken away by the state, every dollar counts, and we just can’t afford the waste of time, manpower and expense this causes. So talk to your kids about mischief versus vandalism, heed McGruff the Crime Dog and keep a watch out and report any suspicious activity to protect our city! THE HOME STRETCH And finally, a Herculean task. The Clayton Valley Charter High School proposal is in its final stages. Our teachers behind this movement are spending every
from the school district and form its own governing board. The charter school is still a public school, but it receives its funding directly from the state and is responsible for facilities operations, hiring and firing teachers, curriculum and disciplinary policy. The charter school will see an increase in the per student allowance from $4,900 to $6,200. A majority of the teachers (50 percent plus one) must agree to the charter school conversion. Shuey says the organizers feel they have the needed support now and want to take the teacher vote before the end of this school year. A call for donations at an information meeting with the parents last month brought in $1,500. The attorney’s fee to complete the petition to the school district is $10,000. With the clock running, Shuey says the group doesn’t have enough time to raise the remaining $8500 by the end of the month. While Councilwoman Julie Pierce is strongly in favor of CVHS converting to a charter school, she is just as strongly opposed to giving city money to the effort. CVHS students come from both Clayton and Concord and she questions why no Concord organizations have been approached to contribute. She is concerned about how the $8,500 donation will be perceived by the employees
Richard A. Littorno
waking free moment (while still teaching our kids) putting the finishing touches on the proposal. They will then take their internal vote for acceptance and, assuming passage, will then present the plan to the school district for a decision. This is vital to our kids as CVHS is the only public high school for Clayton kids. This will also help our property values, as real estate professionals are clear that as the quality of the schools go up, so does the value of our property. So what we need from everyone (whether you have no kids, young kids, old kids, small kids, big kids, cute kids...you get the point) is for you to send me an email with your name, your address and expressing your support for making Clayton Valley a great charter school. I will forward these, along with the already received 500-plus signatures we have on a petition, to the district when the plan is presented so they can see the overwhelming citywide support. Please, everyone email me at shuey@rankinlaw.com. Finally, I have no pithy comments or jokes today, so a short poem: “Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, and I started smiling too.”
and the school district. The city is currently in negotiations with employees for the next fiscal year. In an ongoing struggle to keep a balanced budget, the city has held back on raises, increased furlough days and cut into paid vacation and holidays. The police department is also facing the possible loss of the state funded COPS grant that pays for one officer. She is also concerned that the move may anger the school district and jeopardize the ongoing negotiations to reach an agreement for the gym’s operating costs. “I’m not ready to slap the district in the face like this,” she said. “We could end up losing the recreation program which affects everyone in Clayton.” “The school is not our responsibility,” she said. “I would be in favor only if it were a guaranteed loan.” Shuey sharply disagreed. “This is the time for bold leadership. CVHS is our only high school. To say that the school is not our responsibility is flatout wrong.” Councilmen Howard Geller, Joe Medrano and Hank Stratford all agreed that the city should pay the legal fees Geller, a real estate professional, says the charter school will help property values. Shuey agreed to ask the CBCA to help with the legal fees. If they agree, the city’s share would be reduced.
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Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions, contact her at 672-878 7or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
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Experts say premiums are partially based on rebuilding costs, not a home’s appraised value. They have been on the upswing in the last couple of years. More rate increases are expected in the near future too, insurers say, due to increased costs from natural disasters. Sorry to end on a negative note. See you next time.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 9
Sports injuries deserve more than just a passing glance SARAH ROSEN TEEN SPEAK Student athletes take a beating each time they step onto the field or court. Normal wear and tear on athletes is to be expected, considering the competitiveness of high school sports. However, many athletes are encouraged to play through the pain – and the results can be costly. High school athletes suffer 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations annually. Because only 42
percent of high schools have access to sports medicine trainers and coaches are not trained in this field, many student injuries go uncared for until irreparable damage is done. I recently found myself sitting in the orthopedic surgeon’s office, being told I needed surgery for a bone lesion on my ankle due to repeated ankle injury. I was having such severe pain in my heel that I could no longer walk on it, much less play varsity lacrosse. Prior to the doctor visit, I had been told it was probably just a heel bruise and I should stay off it for a week, then hop back on the lacrosse field. After my week off, I played through
BBQ rewards Club 800
More than 1000 CVHS students “did the right thing” last week when they gathered on the football field for a BBQ Bash to celebrate their membership in Club 800. Students in the Club 800 have taken the Eagle Pride Oath which embraces the character traits of Responsibility, Respect, Kindness, Self-Discipline, Integrity and Courage, all part of the “Do the Right Thing” character initiative adopted by CVHS. The designation “800” is the Academic Performance Index (API) result that CVHS is aiming for this year as part of the state’s STAR testing program. CVHS has made continued progress each of the last five years, bringing the school’s API from 733 in 2007 to 776 last year.
MDUSD Music Foundation announces grant program A new grant program is music to the ears to young musicians in the Mount Diablo Unified School District. The Mount Diablo Music Education Foundation (MDMEF) recently launched its Music Education Grants program, designed to provide support for music education programs in communities within the MDUSD. Donations from individuals and businesses have enabled the foundation to provide the grants, said Joan Miller, MDMEF President. “As the state’s budget crisis has continued, it is gratifying that we are able to step in and help facilitate the efforts of those that can make a difference for our music students,” she said.
Through the Music Education Grants, MDMEF intends to draw on the “energy and creativity” of different communities within the district, Miller said, hoping to draw on “a grassroots understanding of what is needed and what is possible with limited funds.” Music Education Grants are intended to encourage innovation by both individuals and organizations in the community. The grant guidelines, along with a grant application and instructions, are available on MDMEF's website at www.mdmusicfoundation.org. Applications will be accepted through July 1, 2011, and grants are expected to be awarded at the start of the 2011-2012 school year.
the pain – knowing it hadn’t healed. I learned it was plantar fasciitis, or severe irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. It was a result of my walking irregularly after repeatedly injuring my foot and ankle. Though I’m quickly recovering, I’ll most likely be out for the rest of the lacrosse season because I didn’t take the time to properly heal my injuries. The nurse in the waiting room looked at me sympathetically, saying she had never seen so many students coming into the office with sports injuries. As soon as spring sports started up, there were countless high school athletes with injuries requiring surgery. The pressure to be training five days a week to maintain your play time in games is tremendous, and missing one or two practices seriously diminishes that precious time. One can only imagine the pressure felt by an athlete relying on a college sports scholarship. Many injuries may be the result of a lack of pregame/practice warm ups or players not giving enough attention to injuries. In the end, there are too many injured students
School News C V HIGH SCHOOL Volunteers are still needed before and during Grad Night on June 7. Help is needed to move sets at 6 p.m. June 2. Meet at the old Party Time store on Clayton Road (next to Food Maxx). To volunteer on June 7, visit cvhspfc.wufoo.com/forms/cvh s-g rad-night-11-volunteersignup/. Or, bring donated cookies, brownies, soda, water and juice to Centre Concord by 9 p.m. June 7. Preview night is 6-8 p.m. June 5. No seniors please. EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE Thomas Molina Smith of Clayton received the Music Department’s Outstanding Senior in Music award. He was also named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester. At the May commencement, Smith was awarded a bachelor’s degree in music, teacher preparation/instrumental. While at Emory and Henry, Smith was a member of the brass quintet, brass and trumpet ensembles, chamber choir, Blue Key Honors Society, Sigma Mu Honors Society and managing editor of the college newspaper. The Clayton Valley High School graduate is the son of Mary and Marshall Craig Smith.
who are too passionate about their game to give it up for a seemingly minor injury. I know the feeling; it kills me to watch my teammates while I sit on the sidelines. But I now know that it’s not worth becoming permanently injured. Though my injuries are fairly small, there are thousands of students with life-threatening sports injuries. Both coaches and students need to take responsibility for properly warming up before a game and knowing when enough is enough and asking themselves, “Is it really worth irreparable damage?”
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May 27, 2011
Clayton Sports MDSA enjoys record-breaking Concord Cup soccer Cup title. Seven other MDSA teams were finalists in the area’s largest soccer tournament. A total of 137 teams from throughout Northern California and Nevada descended on Concord for two days of soccer with 19 separate division champions determined. The tournament in recent years has added divisions to accommodate more teams and try to balance out the level of play within age groups. Concord Cup is a joint effort of Concord AYSO, Diablo FC, Mt. Diablo Soccer and city of Concord. Over $20,000 was donated last year to the host organizations as well as to the high school soccer programs at Clayton Valley, Concord, Mt.
JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Mt. Diablo Soccer teams enjoyed a wonderful performance at the Concord Cup XVIII tournament this month with 10 teams from the local league reaching the finals of the 18th annual event. Three MDSA teams took first place, matching the total number of titles won by the league in the past four Concord Cups combined. The U12 boys MDSA Strikers FC and MDSA Rampage U14 girls each took home first-place ribbons at Concord Cup while the U16 girls MDSA United FC earned their second straight Concord
CONCORD CUP XVIII HONORS IN THE UNDER 12 BOYS. Red Division went to MDSA Strikers FC. The team includes, front row from left, Diego Cordova, Evan Lonestar, Bryden Connel, Dylan White, Faisal Hakimi, Luca Giannini; back row, coach Jorge Cordova, Ismael (Alex) Delgadillo, Ryan Anchondo, Taylor Heuerman, Mitchell Campos, Casey Smith, Zachary Lamb, Farid Hakimi and coach Dave Lonestar.
Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools. MDSA Chivas were second to their league mates Strikers FC in the U12 boys red division while MDSA United tied a Pacifica team in the U14 boys blue final. Still, it was on the girls side that MDSA teams really shone. Besides two distaff champs, MDSA girls team who were runners-up included Strikers (U10 Red), Dynamite (U10 White), Xtreme (U12 Blue), Vortex (U12 Red) and Rage (U14 Blue). Vortex was also finalist two years ago in the U10 age group. MDSA Strikers FC and Chivas met in the final of the U12 boys red division. The game was well contested with Strikers coming away with a 3-1 win and their third tournament championship of the spring following the Comstock Shootout red division in Carson City, NV and the Area 2C/D Select Tournament. The Strikers outscored their four opponents 22-3 with attacking play from forwards Taylor Heuerman, Faisal Hakimi and Zachary Lamb and midfielders Diego Cordova and Evan Lonestar. Team defense was credited by coach Jorge Cordova as the catalyst to the final with Casey Smith, Ryan Anchondo, Luca Giannini, Bryden Connel and Dylan White in front of goalkeepers Mitchell Campos and Zachary Lamb. The Strikers defeated PCSSL Menlo Park 8-2, Pacifica
Photos courtesy of Mt. Diablo Soccer
FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW MDSA UNITED FC WON A CHAMPIONSHIP at the Concord Cup soccer tournament earlier this month. The team includes, front, McKenna Peterson; sitting from left, Serena Soltero, Nicole Merritt, Megan Elms, Erika Galdamez; kneeling, Ashley Osborne, Meghan Lauer, Ashley Deichler, Stephanie Semple, Alex Tate; standing, coach JC Araujo, Ashley Gingrich, Rachel Dennis, Emily Lucot, McKenna DeLong, Marie Hertz, Kristel Araujo and coach Jose Soltero Jr.
Norcal Giants 5-0 and Davis Daredevils 6-0 before the championship game. United FC girls faced a local foe, Liga Latina Inter, in the U16 girls finale. Liga Latina used a fast counter attacking style of play to win three games before the finals. United’s midfield was counted on to make its passing game from Kristel Araujo, Serena Soltero, Alex Tate, Alex Artiga and McKenna DeLong work to
keep Liga Latina from being able to establish their counter attack. Erika Galdamez in the first half scored to give United a 1-0 lead. Liga Latina came out strong in the second half and had a handful of good opportunities to tie the score. The last 10 minutes of the finals saw United in control as they possessed the ball for much of the time to ensure their repeat crown.
TRACK & FIELD Alexandra Tate, two-time DVAL cross country champ, won the mile and two-mile on Saturday for the Clayton Valley High track and field team and then jumped into Concord Cup play with United FC as a center midfielder. Her CVHS soccer teammate and goalie Megan Elms also was a key factor for the Concord Cup champs as she played in goal for three shutouts as well as scoring a pair of goals.
NCS competitions culminate CVHS spring season JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
feated through the Diablo Valley Athletic League season. A pair of losses at the end of April in the Crown Classic tournament at Valley Christian marred an otherwise stellar season. The 1-2 pitching punch of Chaz Meadows, 30-2 for his three-year varsity career, and left-handed junior Dominic Mazza has been the backbone of the team. At the plate the Eagles have a .334 season batting average while scoring nine or more runs nine times among their 19 victories heading into the playoffs. Matt Hill’s boys lacrosse team was 6-0 in league play, gaining a ninth seed in NCS Division 1. The Eagles lost 15-5 to Las Lomas in the opening round of the playoffs. The Knights had handed CVHS its
The end of the school year not only brings proms, final exams and commencement exercises but also North Coast Section competition in all spring sports, giving teams and individuals a chance to test their skills against the best of the 170school section. Clayton Valley High School sent boys volleyball, baseball and lacrosse teams to NCS along with swimmers and track and field athletes. Coach Bob Ralston’s Eagles baseball team began NCS play this week hoping to replicate their NCS Division 2 championship from 2009. The Eagles have been among the topranked squads in the Bay Area this season while going unde-
first loss of the season at the beginning of March. For the year, CV was 12-6. Mitchell D’Angina concluded his Clayton Valley volleyball career with 16 kills and 18 digs as the Eagles fell to Sir Francis Drake in three sets of the opening NCS playoff game. CVHS was the seventh seed in NCS Division 2 play which matched them with #2 seed Drake in the opener. Junior Cole Willardson had 15 assists and Clark Stratford 31 digs in a losing cause. The Eagles ended the year 16-11 overall. TRACK MEDAL HAUL FOR CLAYTON VALLEY The track-and-field teams had excellent DVAL championships as they started a grueling stretch of four competitions that
will conclude for elite athletes at the NCS Meet of Champions this weekend at Cal and the CIF State Meet next weekend in Clovis. The Eagle girls won the DVAL team title in dominating fashion with 177 points while the boys were second to College Park. Clayton Valley athletes won 15 of the 32 events at the league meet. Alex Tate (1,600 and 3,200meter runs) and Sara Holt (100 meters, triple jump) were double winners for the girls as they took the league crown. Other firstplace finishers for the champs were Gina Del Bene in the 800 meters, high jumper Megan Coppa and both the 4x100 and 4x400 CVHS girls relay teams. Coppa, Gina Del Bene, Taryn Pascal and Melissa Del Bene
See NCS, page 11
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DEREK ANDERSON AND ALLYSON HANSEN will be heading off to collegiate water polo in the fall but this month they capped their distinguished CVHS swimming careers as the Most Valuable swimmers at the Diablo Valley Athletic League meet. Each Eagle senior won a pair of individual events at DVAL with Anderson setting a league and school record in the 100 backstroke, a mark he sought for nearly three years.
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Page 11
Clayton Sports Kristian Ipsen caps high school career with fourth straight section diving title Clayton diver now looks towards Shanghai, Stanford JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton’s globe-trotting athlete Kristian Ipsen was close to home last week as he notched his fourth successive lopsided victory in the North Coast Section diving championships three days before he graduated from De La Salle High School. Now he can turn his attention to Shanghai and the FINA World Aquatic Championships in July and then starting college this August at Stanford University. Ipsen has been named a high school AllAmerica every year he’s been at De La Salle and the national high school champion the past two years. At NCS in Concord last week he scored an NCS record 708.6 points, 277 points more than the runner-up diver. Ipsen had set the previous mark of 699.6 as a sophomore in 2009. Final national rankings won’t be available for sometime but it’s unlikely any other high schooler will be able to outdo someone who is representing the United States in two events at the world championships this summer. In 2009, USA Diving paired the high school phenom Ipsen with veteran diver Troy Dumais as a three-meter springboard synchro team. Since then they’ve dominated domestic competition winning seven consecutive national meets and earned a silver medal in Rome at the world championships only months after starting their partnership. Dumais and Ipsen will be competing as individuals and then together in 3M springboard competition in the diving portion of the World Aquatic Championships July 16-24 in Shanghai. Two meets in Florida earlier this month gave Dumais and Ipsen a chance to get back in tandem as Ipsen’s school schedule hasn’t allowed them to train too much together. “For not practicing much lately, I thought we hit our dives solidly,” Ipsen said after the AT&T USA Grand Prix meet in Ft. Lauderdale, where the duo
Sports Shorts Youth Summer Recreation coming soon to Clayton Gym The comprehensive Clayton Youth Summer Slam program offered by All Out Sports League at Clayton Community Gym is accepting reservations now for junior golf clinic, youth basketball and volleyball leagues, summer day camp, cheer camp, indoor floor hockey league and flag football camp. Summer programs run between June 13 and Aug. 20. For more information call (925) 203-5626 or to register for any program offered by All Out Sports at the gym, visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com.
CV football camp deadline nears The 10th annual Clayton Valley youth football camp runs June 20-24 at Gonsalves Stadium on the Clayton Valley High School campus from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. It is for boys and girls entering third through ninth grades. Head football coach Herc Pardi, defensive coordinator Jerry Coakley and the Eagles coaching staff and players provide fundamental instruction and daily full contact competition. There is a trainer on site. Each participant gets a camp shirt and written evaluation. Cost is $125, plus a refundable $75 equipment fee. For more information, email herc_pardi@hotmail.com, call (925) 682-7474 ext. 3115 or pick up a brochure at the CVHS front office. Deadline to apply is June 9.
CV Falcons cheer, football signup Clayton Valley Falcons cheerleading and football signups are now open online at cvaafalcons.com.
Photo courtesy of Ipsen family
FOR THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS KRISTIAN IPSEN (center) set a new record at the North Coast Section diving championship meet last week becoming only the second person to win four straight section diving titles. Ipsen scored 708.6 points, besting his previous record set in 2009. He first shattered a quarter-century old NCS diving mark as a freshman. Asher Lichtig (right) of Acalanes was runner-up with Erich Brodbeck of Monte Vista third. Ipsen was over 277 points ahead of his nearest rival for the gold while silver and bronze was separated by 1.2 points. The Stanford-bound Ipsen has a challenging summer ahead representing the USA in Shanghai at the World Aquatic Games in July.
won the silver medal behind a Chinese team led by Olympic Gold Medalist Qin Kai. “Troy’s dives were really good, but I can clean up a few things.” A week later at the World Championship Trials in Tallahassee Ipsen and Dumais broke their own American record by 25 points while beating the second-place finishers by nearly 70 points. Ipsen was also named to join Dumais as the American divers in the 3-meter springboard individual event in Shanghai where they will compete
against the likes of Kai, who won the 3M at the Grand Prix meet. Dumais was third and Ipsen sixth in the event. Shanghai is the first meet where countries can qualify for spots in the 2012 London Olympics, the event Dumais and Ipsen have been eyeing since they began teaming up in 2009. Dumais will be vying for his fourth US Olympic team berth. Ipsen, of course, is hoping for his first Olympic team spot.
Football is open for players 7-14 years of age while cheerleading begins for five-year-olds. The next sessions are Thursday, June 9, from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mountain Mike’s Pizza next to Clayton Bowl in Concord. The final session is Thursday, July 7, 6-8 p.m. Complete information on the Falcons football and cheer programs is available at cvaafalcons.com.
Former MLS player teaching soccer scoring skills in July
CV Baseball schedules summer camp June 13-30 Two-time DVAL champion Clayton Valley High Eagles coaches and players will present their annual Summer Baseball Camp June 13-30 at the Concord school. The program each week is Monday through Thursday for boys and girls 7-15, from beginners to advanced players. Camp Director Bob Ralston says current college players and student coaches from Clayton Valley provide positive role models and give hands-on instruction. To register for summer camp, call 682-7474 ext. 3115 or visit eaglebaseballacademy.com.
Pre-Season Summer camp for MDSA players Boys and girls in Mt. Diablo Soccer are invited to AYSO Pre-Season Camp Aug. 1-4 at Boatwright Fields in Concord. Diablo FC will have an all-star coaching staff including St. Mary’s College head coach Adam Cooper, Cal Berkeley goalkeeper coach Henry Foulk, Brazilian World Cup legend Sissi and 5-time NCS champion coach Brian Voltattorni on hand for the sessions. The camp is open to all AYSO players as they get ready for their 2011 fall league season. Registration and information is available at diablofc.org.
Former college and professional star Marquis White will be offering a shooting and skills soccer camp this summer in two sessions at Boatwright Fields in Concord. The camp is for all Under 10 through U13 boys and girls interested in improving their attacking skills and becoming a more dynamic player. White played in Major League Soccer for the Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution. He’s now Technical Director of Diablo FC. Sessions will July 11-14 and July 25-28. For complete details and to register visit diablofc.org.
New 10 Under baseball team forming in Clayton All Out Sports League 10 Under travel baseball team based in Clayton is now taking signups. The team will play in tournaments throughout N. California and Nevada and practice at Clayton Community Park. Tryouts for the 2012 season will be held Sept. 4 and Oct. 9 from 3–6 p.m. There is no fee to tryout. Players need to be born after April 30, 2001 in order to qualify for the 10U age group. For more information call (925) 203-5626 or visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com.
Diablo FC Under 8 Soccer Academy open A new comprehensive soccer program for girls and boys 6-8 years of age is being introduced with the Diablo FC U8 Academy. The first of four groups of sessions in running on Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 2 at Boatwright Sports Complex in Concord. New players are invited to attend a session. Camp Director Brian Voltattorni says the Academy is a developmental soccer program that
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NCS, from page 10 comprised the 1600M relay while Jordon Johnson, Jessica Forrester, Felicia Huddleston and Janelle Bandayrel were the winning sprint relay. Although the boys finished behind College Park, Michael Stupka certainly wasn’t at fault. The Eagle sprinter swept the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races and capped off his meet as anchor of the 400-meter relay champs along with teammates Brenden Eddy, Andrew Segura and Kelii Dominguez. The Eagles did very well in the field events too. Holt won the triple jump for girls while Kunle Fashola took the boys high jump matching Coppa’s title, Craig Ihle won the long jump and Rudy Ellison the shot put. Coach Les Garaventa sent 35 competitors to last weekend’s NCS meet in Livermore (the most from CV in over a decade) and he expects 15-20 will be at this week’s Meet of Champions. “The past two years the girls have been co-champions with College Park, but this year the girls beat them!” No records fell at the league meet due to very windy conditions but three weeks ago Stupka broke the school 400M record a the Sacramento Meet of Champions. SENIOR SWIMMERS GO OUT IN STYLE Senior standouts Allyson Hansen and Derek Anderson capped their DVAL careers as league MVPs and with a pair of victories each in their specialties in the new College Park pool. Hansen won the 100 and 200 freestyles while Anderson was victorious in the 100 backstroke and 200 free. Anderson broke the school and league record in the 100 back. His winning time of 51.45 was nearly two seconds under his previous DVAL record and qualifying for all-America consideration. Sophomore Jacob Reynolds also set a DVAL record with his 4:56.57 mark in the 500 free. He was 14 seconds faster than the old standard by the Eagles’ Colton Rogers in 2009. Josh Harmon was second in 100 free and third in 100 fly. Coach Dennis Bledsoe mentioned before the season that his teams had talent spread out throughout the four classes. Among his freshman and sophomore swimmers who placed at DVAL were Sara Abele, Ariana Bermudez, Jake Frigard, Matt Vanderstraeten, Bailey Rogers and Reynolds, giving the team a strong base for the coming years. Clayton Valley was second in the boys final standings and third in girls as Northgate swept both team titles.
will include psycho-motor skills, coordination exercises, technical training with the ball and free play. The Academy is scheduled so that players can also participate in an AYSO recreation program during the fall. For complete details and to register visit diablofc.org.
Still time to register for Mt. Diablo Soccer in fall Mt. Diablo Soccer is still accepting applications for fall league. The local AYSO recreation soccer program is offering online registration for the first time. Mt. Diablo Soccer encourages families with children 4 -18 years of age to visit its website at mdsoccer.org and sign up. Children must be at least four-years-old by July 31, 2011 to play this fall season. Email Mt. Diablo Soccer at fall@mdsoccer.org. Information on fees and volunteer requirements are on the website. Team practices begin as early as Aug. 1.
Under 23 men’s, women’s teams offered at Diablo FC Diablo FC will be fielding women’s and men’s teams in the NorCal Senior Premier League College Showcase Division. The goal of the College Showcase Division is to provide a highly competitive environment where college players and elite prep players can continue to develop while maintaining a high level of training and match fitness as they prepare for their collegiate season. The season runs through Aug. 6. St. Mary’s College Associate women’s head coach Scott Alexander and former MLS player Richard Weiszmann will be coaching the teams. For complete details and to register visit diablofc.org.
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Kara Kohler hopes to lead Cal to NCAA rowing championship this weekend on familiar waters JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Top-ranked California is one of 16 teams competing this weekend in the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing Championships at Lake Natoma in Gold River near Sacramento. Pac 10 2010 newcomer of the year Kara Kohler from Clayton helped the Bears finish second overall and fourth in the varsity 8+ grand final at last year’s NCAA Championships in her first year in the sport. Just 12 months later sophomore Kohler has experienced winning a world championship and is in the No. 6 seat for the Cal varsity hoping her team can add to its outstanding season with a national title. Last summer Kohler and teammate Mary Jeghers were part of the gold medal-winning USA team in the U23 World Championships in Belarus. The Golden Bears have already raced twice this spring at Lake Natoma. They competed in April at the Lake Natoma Invitational and then two weeks ago in the Pac 10 Championships where they edged Stanford in the varsity 8+. “Racing at NCAAs is always a privilege and something we work very hard to achieve,” Cal head coach Dave O’Neill said. “Our team is proud to be one of the teams selected and we’re looking forward to the racing ahead. The level is always raised another notch at this regatta and making the podium is always difficult. We’ll be giving our best
Photo by Richard Ersted - GoldenBearSports.com
SOPHOMORE KARA KOHLER (fourth from right in sunglasses) has experienced winning a world rowing championship and is in the No. 6 seat for the Cal varsity hoping her team can add to its outstanding season with a national title this weekend in the NCAA Championships near Sacramento. Last summer Kohler and teammate Mary Jeghers (third from right) were part of the gold medal-winning USA team in the U23 World Championships in Belarus.
effort for sure.” Cal has won the NCAA team title twice - in 2005 and 2006 - in the 14-year history of the event. The other Pac-10 teams in the NCAA field are Washington, Stanford, USC and host Washington State. The rest of the field includes, among others, Harvard, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, defending team champion Virginia, Wisconsin and varsity 8+ champs Yale. This weekend Kohler and the Bears are racing after winning their fourth straight Pac-10 team championship, as Cal’s varsity 8+ won the conference crown in addition to the Bears’ team title. Cal finished with 43.5 points in the team standings to second-place Stanford’s 34. They claimed three of the
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Classmate Lauren, also 15, was drawn into community service because of a family member as well, only in her case it was watching her mom, Yvette, volunteer. “I’ve always just felt like I needed to do something as well,” Lauren says. In addition to helping her parents supply food to local homeless shelters, Lauren also teaches catechism classes to first graders at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, serves pizza from her family’s Skipolini’s restaurants to residents of Diamond Terrace (then serenades them on her guitar), and is preparing to put together an online slide show to benefit East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge’s efforts to find homes for animals. She says the key to her volunteerism is extending the joys of activities that make her happy—working with animals
(Cheddar, the family cat, came from EBARR), and playing the guitar—to others who may be in need. “It makes me happy, and I hope it makes other people happy, too,” she says. The Jefferson Awards were founded in 1972 in part by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who noted that there are Nobel Prizes for excellence in areas including physics, literature and world peace, but none for service and volunteerism. According to its website, the mission of the awards organization today is “to recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America.“ Classmates, staff and faculty nominate students from each grade level at Carondelet. A Leadership Team at the school reviews the list of nominees, and selects the winners.
four races at the conference meet at Lake Natoma in cold, rainy weather. “We knew we were going to be right there,” coach O’Neill said. “Both Stanford and USC are fantastic crews. We’ve been coming along and doing pretty well. We knew that the water was going to get a little rough at times. We’re not the biggest crew out there, but they definitely showed they’ve got a lot of heart and a lot of fight in them. I don’t use the word epic too often, but that was an epic race.” The skies opened up just as the crews reached the starting line for the varsity 8+ race, with driving rain pelting the course. Cal, though, led from the start and opened up a more than twosecond advantage over the Cardinal with 500 meters to go.
Although Stanford closed quickly, the Cardinal could not catch the Bears, who won in 7:02.1. Stanford was timed in 7:02.6. Adding a little gloss to their achievements in the boat, women’s rowing was one of four Cal teams recognized by the NCAA for high academic achievement. The team got a maximum score of 1000 on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. Women’s volleyball and water polo and men’s tennis were similarly honored. Both women’s volleyball and water teams were runners-up in the NCAA finals. Highlights of the NCAA Championships will appear on the 2011 CBS Sports Presents Championships of the NCAA, set to air on Sunday, June 19, on CBS at 1 p.m.
Honey O’Leary, Coordinator of Community Service for the school, sees the awards as providing encouragement to others who may not yet have discovered volunteering. “When you celebrate people who do service, service creates service, and other people want to do it,” she said. O’Leary noted that while volunteering is admirable, finding time can be especially difficult for some teens. “People have all sorts of situations in their own homes,” she said. “Sometimes with students, both parents are working and there are younger siblings. There are all sorts of expectations put on high school students these days.” The two honorees agree. “Everything takes time,” says Lauren. “But I think we need to find time and make time for community service as well.” O’Leary, however, says that once started on the road to community service, most people find it addictive. “The fire is there,” she says. “They get such satisfaction, and they get such affirmation from the people they are serving, it makes them want to go back and do some more.”
Memorial, from page 2 through the keepsakes and memories, I was looking for one thing. I wasn’t sure where it was, but I was absolutely certain it was there. And I was right. In the farthest corner of his garage was a steamer trunk. At the bottom, neatly folded and wrapped in brown paper were his Marine Corp dress blues – in perfect condition. I knew my father would never have discarded his uniform. It meant honor and service – and survival. He never talked much about his time in the South Pacific, but all his life, he quietly honored those who had fallen. I will remember them all this Memorial Day. Please join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1575 on May 30 at the flagpole on Main Street for the annual Memorial Day Service. The program begins at 10 a.m. with the presentation of colors by the VFW Post 1575 and Boy Scout Troop 262.
May 27, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 13
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. JUNE 1 FOR THE JUNE 10 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
IN CLAYTON May 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25 Farmers Market 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Diablo Street between Main and Center streets, downtown. pcfma.com. May 30 Memorial Day Program Color Guard, entertainment by Clayton’s Yesterday’s Kids and speakers Mary Tollefson of Gold Star Families, Maj. Mike Hudson of the Marine Corp and Denver Mills, director of the Concord Veterans’ Center. A Vietnam area helicopter will be on display. Presented by VFW Post 1525. 10 a.m.noon, downtown flagpole, Main and Oak streets. Free. Call Pete at 255-3449. June 4 Hot Rods Concert A musical tribute to ’50 and ’60s rock. 6-8:30 p.m., Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. For a concert series list, see Page 3. June 13 CBCA Golf Tournament Sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. noon shotgun start, dinner afterward, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr. $175; $35 dinner only. Applications due May 28. 672-2272 or cbca.org. June 27 “The Three Davids” Lecture An audio-video presentation by Ken Alexander of Los Medanos College. Sponsored by the Clayton Valley Art Collaborative. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., La Veranda Café, 6201 Center St. $25. RSVP by June 18 to Candace at kndbass@aol.com.
ENTERTAINMENT Through June 12 “Chicago” The Willows presents the award-winning musical of flash, sass and tabloid murders. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $22-$32. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org. Through June 25 “Blues in the Night” Center Repertory presents the songs of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Bessie Smith and more. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $36-$45. 943SHOW or centerrep.org. May 28 Aquanuts “Night of Champions” Synchronized swimming exhibition with poolside dinner, silent and live auctions, live entertainment. Featuring Clayton swimmers Morgan Boneberg, Carolyn Morrice and Audrey Annison. 5-9 p.m., Clarke Memorial Swim Center, Heather Farms, Walnut Creek. $25 or $40. aquanauts.org. May 28 Contra Costa Wind Symphony Resident harpist Shannon Polley performs a farewell concert, celebrating music of the dance. 8 p.m., Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacasssie Ave. $10. ccwindsymphony.org. May 28-30 Bay Area KidFest Main stage entertainment, Kid’s Town, plus 125 arts and crafts booths. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2450 Grant St., downtown Concord. $5-$6. Babies and seniors free. 671-3287 or kidsfestconcord.com. May 31 Katy and Dell Concert An acoustic blend of folk, gospel, blues, jazz and more. 121:30 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. 671-3464 or concordfirst.org.
May 31 Youth Orchestra Spring Gala Featuring 15-year-old classical violinist Johannes Fischer. 7 p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5846 or arts-ed.org. June 1, 3 Spring Dance Concert With Civic Arts Education and Diablo Ballet, featuring “Swan Lake.” Includes Clayton resident Emily Payne. 7:30 p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5846 or arts-ed.org. June 2 Lumberyard Concert Local cover band playing music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. 6:30-8:00 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. 671-3464 or concordfirst.org. June 16 “Europe Through the Back Door” Travel writer Rick Steves headlines the Contra Costa County Library’s Summer Reading Festival. 7 p.m., Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $10. 943-SHOW, lesherartscenter.org or ccclib.org.
FUNDRAISERS June 20 Best Martini Contest A benefit for Project Second Chance and the Contra Costa County Library. 6-8 p.m., Lafayette Park Hotel, Mt. Diablo Blvd. Must be 21. $25 at the door, includes two drink tickets. 927-3250 or ccclib.org/psc.
CITY MEETINGS June 7, 21 Clayton City Council 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. June 14, 28 Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
June 18 Juneteenth Dance Celebration “Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars” presented by the Grown Women Dance Collective. 8 p.m., Diablo Valley College Theater, 312 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. 680-4400 or brownpapertickets.com.
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. 673-0659 or claytonlibrary.org. Wednesdays Book Buddies A volunteer will read stories for children of all ages. 1-2 p.m. Through June 2 Picture Book Time Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. Drop in 11 am. Thursdays. June 13 Book Club Sunny Solomon leads a discussion of “Breakfast at Sally’s: One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey” by Richard LeMieux. Anyone welcome to join the club. 7 p.m.
Tue through Sat 10 am - 7 pm
June 15; July 13, 27 Around the World Book Club Discussions of books set in other countries, crafts from that area of the world and other activities built on the theme. For ages 10-12. 4 p.m. June 15 “Sean’s Shadows” Shadow puppet theater for all ages. 7 p.m.
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SCHOOLS June 12 Retirement Party/St. Agnes School Principal To honor Karen Mangini’s 21+ year commitment. Mass at 1 p.m., St. Agnes Church, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. Dinner reception, 6 p.m., Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd. $35, $25 young adults. RSVP by June 6. Call Lisa at 586-7647 or stagnesconcord.com.
CHURCHES & RELIGION June 10 Educational Lecture Stephen Lambden, a scholar in Biblical and Islamic scriptures, will discuss the long-awaiting expectation of the appearance of a Messiah in Judaism, Christianity and Islam to bring about a new civilization of peace and tranquility. 7:30 p.m., Toloui home in Clayton. Free. RSVP to 672-6686.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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May 27, 2011
ELENA BICKER
PET PALS We’ve all been inspired by the tale of a scrappy underdog persevering to overcome tremendous obstacles, but bringing such a dog (or cat) home can be a different story. Though our hearts are touched, the label “special needs” leaves us wondering what extraordinary accommodations will be required. Caring for an animal like this is not always a major expense or adjustment, however. The term “special needs” encompasses a variety of conditions, and simply indicates that a little something extra is necessary to care for that animal. Not only are animals with physical disabilities considered special-needs, but so are those with chronic illness, emotional or behavior problems, and those recovering from serious injuries. Often what these animals especially need are merely extra patience, understanding, and love. As with any animal, taking the time to understand your special-needs pet will lead to a longer life and a tighter bond between you. Working with hearing impaired animals require patience and persistence, but sign language and hand signals are immensely helpful to creating a healthy and understanding relationship with your pet. Animals with hearing and vision impairments benefit greatly from having their own companion animal at home to follow and mimic, and often
make good buddies for existing pets. Regular visits to rehabilitation facilities are often lifechanging for animals that have physical disabilities or are recovering from debilitating injuries, giving them a chance to romp and play again. It can also be a rewarding experience for you, offering a better understanding of the challenges facing your pet and ways to help him along the path to strength and recovery. Even healthy pets can develop special needs from everyday life interaction. Allowing your cat to roam outdoors can expose them not only to the dangers of cars, wildlife, and nature’s elements, but also to diseases like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), easily contracted during fights with infected animals. Comparable to HIV (though only transferrable between cats), FIV compromises the immune system. While cats with the disease can live long, healthy lives, they should do so indoors, which can be considered their particular special need. Pets bring joy to each of us in different ways. Having a hiking buddy or hearing your cat chirp at the birds can be singular pleasures. However, improving the life of a dog recovering from a car accident or a diabetic cat requiring daily insulin injections can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The knowledge that you’re providing a safe, loving home to an animal that might otherwise have been overlooked provides deep satisfaction. The next time you and your family begin the important discussion about bringing home a furry new family member, think about adopting a special needs animal. Though caring for one means being aware of
your pet’s condition and paying a little more attention to his comfort, any additional time or energy you’ll spend is more than worth the investment, since no disability can
diminish his capacity to return your love. Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 256-1ARF (1273)
‘Will you still feed me when I’m 64?’
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Last Saturday, I went to Rodie’s Customer Appreciation Day to have a hot dog, take some pictures and check out the vendors and I came home with a guy – kind of an older guy. Chef is getting on in years – 9 by his calendar, 63 by ours. He is dignified and handsome; calm and grounded; sweet tempered, wise and agreeable to pretty much everything. That said, he has some – shall we say – age-related issues. He sleeps a lot, his legs are a little stiff after a nap, he has a cyst on his butt and he farts a bit. Chef is a Pointing Griffon – looks purebred, but could be a mix. He’s a pretty big guy, maybe 50-60 pounds. His health checks out fine except for the creaky joints and he’s maybe a little bit hard of hearing.
What Chef doesn’t have is a home. He was abandoned, probably in the night drop, at the Animal Shelter in Martinez. His only crime was that he got old. Chef was one of the hopeful homeless that rolled in on the Adoption Truck for Rodie’s big event. So, now this old guy is sleeping in the office under the copy machine today. And he will go home with me tonight. Neighbors and family will help host him for the shortterm, but he needs a “forever” home. At 9, forever will be sooner than later. Call me at 672-0500 or on my cell at 285-8612 if you can find room in your home and your heart for a sweet old man that only wants a soft bed, his own fencepost to pee on and some company in his sunset years.
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Most everyone has seen the big road signs and the warnings in the news about “distracted driving.” If you’re like me, when you hear the term “distracted driving,” the first thing that pops into your mind is someone on a mobile phone. When I started my research on this topic, I found out is that distracted driving is so much more than being on the phone while you are driving. What I learned is that we could all be driving more safely – and that includes me. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 20 percent of all injury crashes in 2009 were a result of distracted driving. In fact, according to www.distraction.gov, there are three main types of distractions: • Visual – taking your eyes off
the road. • Manual – taking your hands off the wheel. • Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing.
3. Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (younger than 18). 4. Ban on texting for all drivers
WHAT IS “DISTRACTED DRIVING”? By definition, distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. While all distractions can endanger drivers’ safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction. Other distractions include using a cell phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading (including maps), using a PDA or navigation system, watching
WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE SAFER ON THE ROAD? First, we need to better understand and know what constitutes a distraction. Yes we know that phones are texting are distractions, but so is searching for that station on the radio or applying lipstick. Second is to encourage others to gain a better understanding of what distracted driving means – especially those of you who have kids who are just starting to drive. Make copies of this article and pass them out. Third, don’t take for granted that someone else on the road knows what distracted driving means. Be attentive and ready to react by focusing your eyes on the road. Lastly, if you have a distraction that will take your attention off the road, then pull over to a safe area and stop to deal with your distraction. Don’t risk the safety of yourself or others to deal with the distraction while driving.
HARUN SIMBIRDI
SAFETY ZONE a video, and/or changing the radio station, CD, or MP3 player. So what’s the law in California? There are actually four parts to the law: 1. Handheld ban for all drivers. 2. Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers.
Harun Simbirdi is a resident of Clayton and member of the City of Clayton Citizen Corps Council (C5CERT). He can be reached at simbirdi@yahoo.com
May 27, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Mike’s Auto Body Pulls Into New Digs
Mike Rose, Antioch Mayor Jim Davis, Brennan and Laurie Rose.
The staff of Mike’s Auto Body in Antioch had a lot to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo as they revved up for the ribbon-cutting of its new shop. After months of construction, Mike Rose’s shop is bright, clean and airy, complete with a water feature on one of the meeting room’s walls. The remodeled building anchors a block that used to be home to run-down auto dealerships. In fact, city officials, insurance representatives, chamber of commerce
members and friends were on hand May 5 to celebrate the opening of the new digs. “The building is over 23,000 square feet,” Rose said. “It got a total facelift inside and out, including new wiring and all new plumbing. Rose bought the property in January of 2010, and construction began in September. The new facility is located at 1001 Auto Center Drive at the corner of West 10th Street. The phone number is 925-755-1739. By Mike Dunn
Club News Clayton Valley Woman’s Club benefits six local charities The Clayton Valley Woman’s Club awarded donations to six nonprofit organizations at their annual donations luncheon on May 10 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Concord. Donations were given as usual to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, the Clayton Community Library and the Clayton and Concord Historical Societies. This year’s additional recipients were Shelter Inc and STAND. Timothy O’Keefe, executive director for Shelter Inc, said, “There has been an 81 percent increase in need since 2007.” He thanked the club for giving hope to shelter clients with the donation. Kris Jachens, development officer for STAND. Tearfully credited the donation as “a chance to start over” for many people trying to stop the cycle of domestic violence. The Fellowship Hall was decorated for spring with fresh flowers at the podium and potted plants as table centerpieces. Most of the 84 members attended and prepared finger foods and salads for the potluck luncheon. Never missing a chance to raise money, the club sold the centerpieces as well as secondhand accessories after the awards presentation. CVWC was established in 1973 for woman of all ages in Clayton and Concord “to provide community service through volunteering and fundraising,” according to their website. They are a member of the General
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CBCA Mixer spotlights Clayton Station merchants
Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is one of the world’s largest women’s volunteer service organizations. For more information visit claytonvalleywomansclub.org. Jim Frazier, Hamid Shahrodizadh and Ed Hartley at the CBCA fundraising event.
Connie Weimar, CVWC; Timothy O’Keefe, Shelter Inc.; Karen HansenSmith, Clayton Community Library; Judy Bradford, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano; Kay Massone, Concord Historical Society; Ted Meriam, Clayton Historical Society; Kris Jachens, STAND
Clayton Station merchants and members of the Clayton Business and Community Association mixed it up with wine and cheese at the Pavilion Restaurant last month. The social, which shined the spotlight on the Clayton Station, was part of a membership drive. The CBCA sponsors three major fundraising events a year, the spring Art and Wine Festival, the June Clayton Classic Golf Tournament and the fall Oktoberfest. Funds raised from the events are contributed back to the community in the form of city improvements, scholarships and charitable support. CBCA meets the fourth Thursday of the month at Oakhurst Country Club. For membership information, call 672-2272 or go to www.claytoncbca.org.
Kick your summer off with a bang. Join us for a FREE day camp. You get to plan your own camp! You can choose to: Play basketball, soccer or karate Cook or do arts and crafts Sing or learn a dance Learn about science or build Legos
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Volunteers, from page 2 Laura Carlson began working for the library in October 1999 shelving books. She has given 1016 hours of service. “We always know when Laura has been working,” said Clayton Library Foundation President Joyce Atkinson. “She clears everything up and even picks up in the children’s area. The staff enjoys working with her.” Since starting as a volunteer in 2006, John Robinson has racked up 899 hours helping with shipping and shelf reads. Accuracy and precision is a
priority for him. “He takes great delight in pointing out inconsistencies in the cataloging of books,” says Atkinson. The student Volunteer of the Year is Sarah McCracken, CVHS senior, who has given the library 394 hours since June of 2008. “She is always willing to tackle any job given her,” says Atkinson. “She will be missed when she heads off for college next year. A lot of work gets done when she is here.” The Clayton Library Volunteer Program is the largest
Police Log
The 49-year-old man was booked for felony reckless evading, hit and run, resisting arrest, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.
TWO WEEKS ENDING MAY 19, 2011
POLICE, CANINE TRACK DANA HILLS SUSPECT After a wild drive through downtown Clayton during the early morning hours of May 14, a suspect was apprehended in his Dana Hills neighborhood. Clayton police had attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. After driving recklessly through downtown to avoid the police, the driver crashed into the raised planted shoulder area at Marsh Creek Road near Diablo View Lane. The driver fled back into the downtown area and officers lost sight of the vehicle. Using evidence at the crash scene, officers went to the vehicle owner’s residence in the Dana Hills neighborhood. A vehicle abandoned at the end of Regency Drive had damage consistent with the crash. There was no evidence that the vehicle had been stolen. With the assistance of the Pleasant Hill police, a K-9 track led from the vehicle back to the Dana Hills neighborhood. The suspect was apprehended after a brief foot chase as he attempted to return to his home.
ACCIDENTS 9:44 a.m. May 16, Clayton Rd./Washington Blvd. Noninjury. ARRESTS 11:04 p.m. May 7, Clayton Rd./Mitchell Canyon Rd. A 19year-old Concord man arrested for driving on suspended license after stop for vehicle code violation. 3:11 a.m. May 9, Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 58-yearold Concord man arrested for possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on suspended license, false display of registration and a warrant after stop for vehicle code violation. 11:57 p.m. May 9, Clayton Rd./Peacock Creek Dr. A 21year-old Clayton woman arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle code violation. 1:18 p.m. May 11, Coal Mine Ct. A 42-year-old Clayton man arrested on a warrant. 8:41 p.m. May 13, Clayton Rd./Atchinson Stage Rd. A 31year-old Concord man arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle
in the Contra Costa Library system, says Atkinson. Based on the wage value of $23.42 per hour given to volunteer labor by an independent sector study, the Clayton Library volunteers contributed $165,790 in 2010. The Clayton Library Foundation supports the library with money, books and labor. Principal fundraisers are the used book sales in the spring and fall. Last year, the Foundation generated $50,175 for library books and supplies. For information on how to join the Clayton Library Foundation, go to www.claytonlibrary.org.
code violations. 2:55 a.m. May 15, Kirker Pass Rd./Olive Dr. A 26-yearold Concord man arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle code violation. 9:30 a.m. May 16, Obsidian Way. A 48-year-old transient man arrested for trespassing after call for service. 12:57 a.m. May 17, Clayton Rd./Tara Dr. A 44-year-old Concord woman arrested for resisting executive officer, under the influence of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of tear gas after stop for vehicle code violation. 11:12 p.m. May 17, Clayton Rd./Ygnacio Valley Rd. A 25year-old Walnut Creek woman arrested for DUI after stop for vehicle code violation. 1:27 a.m. May 19, Clayton Rd./Heritage Tr. A 41-year-old Concord woman arrested for DUI. 3:55 a.m. May 19, Clayton Rd./Ayers Rd. A 23-year-old Concord woman arrested for DUI. BURGLARIES/THEFTS 5:47 a.m. May 18, Eagle Peak Dr. Vehicle burglary. 8:53 a.m. May 18, Mt. Palomar Pl. Grand theft. VANDALISM 8:51 a.m. May 14, Main St.
Life Church, 4255 Clayton Rd, Concord
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
Theatre
Gutsy, jazzy ‘Chicago’ opens to full house TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The opening weekend of the Willows Cabaret production of “Chicago” was a complete sell out and the run dates have been extended through June 18. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the Kander-Ebb-Fosse musical is a sexy, bawdy, sophisticated tale of two ladies who get on the wrong side of love and the law. A married Roxie Hart has a fight with her boyfriend and shoots him point blank. She tries to pass of the dead man as a burglar and (temporarily) convinces her gullible hubby to take the blame. Night club chanteuse, Velma Kelly finds her mate in bed with her sister and shoots them both.
The two end up on the front pages of the newspapers . . . and in the slammer. Velma and Roxie have the same defense attorney who plays one off against the other as the two jockey for the notoriety they hope will save them from the gallows. The show is non-stop sensory feast of jazzy songs and highkicking legs. Nicole Helfer as Velma lays it all out for the audience in the opening number “All That Jazz.” Kerrie Wininger as Roxie sees her future in neon lights as she sings with the boys in “Roxie.” Mark Farrell as the sleazy lawyer raises the roof and brings cheers from the audience as tells his client all it takes for acquittal is to “Razzle Dazzle” the jury.
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If you saw the 2002 movie version of the show with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere, leave your expectations in the parking lot. This show is altogether different. Directed by Eric Inman and choreographed by La Tonya Watts and set in the cabaret-style, night-clubby Campbell Theater, this “Chicago” is more vaudeville than musical – grittier and gutsier than its big screen incarnation.
The sell-out audiences represent a huge victory for the beleaguered Willows Theatre, which was on the verge of bankruptcy only a year ago. Forced to close their Concord Mainstage last fall, managing director David Faustina is rightfully proud of the sell-out crowd at the “Chicago” opening. “We needed this,” he said. “We are now confident that we will be back in the black by fall.” The company re-opened the
‘Tales’ comes to the City Mary Ann Singleton, Mona Ramsey, Michael “Mouse” Tolliver, and their irrepressible pot-growing landlady, Anna Madrigal – Armistead Maupin’s beloved characters come to life on stage three decades after he mesmerized millions with his daily column in the city's newspapers. His San Francisco saga comes home as a momentous
new musical with an all-star creative team including the Tony Award–winning creators of Avenue Q and the musical minds behind the glam-rock phenomenon Scissor Sisters. Playing now through July 10, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City makes it debut on the American Conservatory Theater stage. On the bustling streets of
Concord Mainstage in March of this year and will be announcing their 2011-2012 season next month. “We had a big hill to climb,” said Faustina. “But we’re back and 2012 will be a blockbuster year.” “Chicago” plays Thurs-Sun. through June 18 at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Purchase tickets on line at www.willowstheatre.com, by phone (925) 7981300 or at the box office, Mon.-Fri. from noon-5 p.m., 115 Tarantino Dr., Martinez.
1970s San Francisco, neon lights pierce through the fog-drenched skies, disco music explodes from crowded nightclubs, and a wideeyed Midwestern girl finds a new home – and creates a new kind of family – with the characters at 28 Barbary Lane. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City unleashes an exuberant celebration of the irrepressible spirit that continues to define our City by the Bay. Tickets are $40-127 and are available at www.act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.
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Cats – man’s questionable friend In a constant attempt to slash expenses while searching for work, I’ve thought more than once about dumping the cats. You know, two less mouths to feed and all that jazz. Relax PETA folks. Holster those wagging fingers before you start pecking out angry emails. I’m not talking about fitting them with cement kitty shoes, or sending them to “a nice farm where they can chase mice and have plenty of wide-open space to run around.” Besides, I think my kids are on to that one since they discovered that there’s no such thing as a guinea pig cruise ship. But I wonder sometimes if I’m getting a good “pleasure return” on my cat investment, and if I should consider investing that money into something else – like Chia Pets or an expanded cable package. There are three kinds of people in the world: cat lovers, cat haters and those who, while they like cats, really don’t feel like being bothered to clean up after them, feed them and find caregivers for them when they want to go away for more than 24 hours – only to be ignored until said cats decide they wants to be fed, or pet, or
play Frisbee or whatever the heck else you do with a cat. At least dogs give you a little love, a wag of the tail and perhaps a little piddle of excitement when you return home. Dogs have personality. They have pizzazz. So anyway . . . the cats. Today was pet food purchasing day, and these thoughts cross my mind every time I strain my back hefting those huge bags of food into my cart, then into my car and then into my garage. Do the cats show any sort of thanks? Sonny just sits there with a blank look on his face as I wrestle the bag into the garage. And Nellie normally just runs away whenever someone looks at her. Oh but when they get hungry, there they are – meowing until they hear the satisfying clatter of kibble on ceramic. And can I be really honest here? I don’t trust them, particularly the fat one since we put him on a diet. I see the way he looks at me, willing me to turn my back so that he can make a dive for the pantry and his beloved Cat Chow. Many times he has attempted to trip me up by darting out from under a chair at just the right moment, his dastardly attempts foiled only by my remarkable ath-
JOE ROMANO
SO ANYWAY letic prowess. But it’s only a matter of time. One of these days, Sonny’s 27pound aim will be true. I’ll whack my head on some decorative wrought iron piece from Southern Living at Home and expire on our cat hair-infested floor. At least the dog would have the common decency to whimper at my demise, before joining the cats in raiding the pantry. Clayton resident, Joe Romano, is a family man, a free-lance writer for hire and the Pioneer’s “all around funny guy.” E-mail him at jromano01@yahoo.com
Letters to the Editor Church too big for downtown The pole display on the Clayton Community Church's property in Clayton's Town Center is a excellent visual to see how overpowering these structures would be in our tiny Town Center. Although proposed structures are beautifully as shown in the artist renditions, they are best suited in another setting. The parking needed to support an assembly use that is proposed for this Church building would cause a deluge of cars each Sunday; devouring our Town Center just like the Mississippi River is currently devouring towns on it's banks. This would also occur for other uses that could be any day of the week. Parking is a critical factor in this environment! Would Clayton need to give up our weekend festivals because of this assembly use? Would current and future business not have parking available for their use? Would other property owners not want to build because of this limitation? Would potential sellers not find a market because of the parking issue? I certainly hope that the Clayton Planning Commission and the City Council uphold the current zoning laws for no further assembly use buildings in our Town Center. Clayton has no need for additional assembly use. Marlyne L. Hadley People of Clayton have a brief opportunity to see the “spirit poles” in downtown Clayton showing the outline of the proposed church to take up Clayton’s best remaining commercially zoned parcel. Folks should picture that extra bulk and how it is so close to the Clayton Road corridor that it overwhelms our quaint Town Center … this proposal seems to detract from Clayton. Drive by and decide for yourself, while the poles are still up. Then, however you feel, let the City Council and Planning Commission know, because they really do want your feedback. Linda Sager Ipsen Support our advertisers. They make your FREE PAPER possible
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Story Poles, from page 1 “Given the importance of the project, it is very helpful to have them to show how the project would fit into the existing setting and surrounding buildings,” Woltering explains. “The city asked for them the first part of May,” says Clayton Community Church pastor Shawn Robinson. “We didn’t know what they were,” said Robinson. “We had to Google them. But once we figured it out, our guys got to work and got them up. I hope they are helpful.” The story poles will remain in place during the public review period which began May 11 and ends June 25. AMBITIOUS PROJECT Robinson encourages people to stop and look at the artist’s renderings of the complete project that are posted in the windows of the church. The project would sit on a little more than three acres between Main Street and Clayton Road. The proposed development has generated controversy since 2006 when the church bought the lot that adjoined their existing church offices in the historic Pioneer Inn
building. The church’s downtown location accounts for nearly 20 percent of the town center. The plans call for a 500-seat, 22,400 square foot worship center and three other buildings that would house classrooms, a community center, offices and 8,000 square feet of retail space. The existing Pioneer Inn building would be torn down. The Town Center Specific Plan and the city’s General Plan call for two story buildings in the town center with the ground floor dedicated to retail use. Approval of the church project will require changing the city’s General Plan, the TCSP and zoning ordinances to allow for assembly use. The church is also asking for a waiver of the city’s parking requirements. The project requires 222 onsite parking spaces. The church is proposing 54 onsite spaces and plans to use existing public parking and shared parking arrangements with other downtown properties to make up the difference. TROUBLE SPOTS AND ALTERNATIVES In the draft Environmental
Impact Report released May 11, the consultants outlined several areas of potential trouble spots and possible ways to reduce the negative impacts on land use, traffic and parking, noise pollution and air and water quality. The EIR evaluates the existing proposal as well as two alternatives. The first alternative is to scale down the whole project to 31,000 square feet with a smaller sanctuary, more retail space and second-floor residential apartments. The other alternative assumes that the proposed project would be built at another location on Marsh Creek Road. That property, however, is not for sale, says Robinson, who says church representatives have spoken to the owner as recently as a month ago. Robinson is open to the idea of another location for the church. “I’d love it if someone gave me a real option,” he says. “But there aren’t any. We have tracked down every lead that everyone has given us. The first public hearing on the EIR was May 24 at the planning commission meeting. The public can continue to weigh in during the public comment period which extends until June 25. Comments during this period are limited only
to the issues raised in the draft EIR. “The EIR hearing covers only the potential environmental impacts of the project,” explains Woltering. “It does not address the merits of the project or the economic impact on the downtown. Is the report accurate, clear and complete? That is all we’ll be considering at this stage of the process.” PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO COMMENT A separate economic impact report that evaluates the economic impact on the downtown will be complete later this year. The report will be available before the public hearings on the merits of the proposal, which Woltering estimates will begin in September. The planning commission meets twice more during the public comment period–June 7 and June 21, at 7 p.m. in Hoyer Hall in the Clayton Library. Direct written comments to: Community Services Director, David Woltering, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, 94517, or email to dwoltering@ci.clayton.ca.us. The city’s fax number is 925-672-4917. A complete copy of the draft EIR is in the city offices and on the city’s website at www.ci.clayton.ca.us.
May 27, 2011
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page 17
Lush hydrangeas may take work, but they’re worth it GARDEN GIRL
EASY TO GROW Endless Summer is the original hydrangea series produced for an ease of growth and reliability of bloom. First on the scene was their Original Blue mophead. This hydrangea boasted the fact that it would bloom on both old and new wood. They were right. It does. The blue flowers had a great surge of mid-spring flower, and promise a very nice repeat bloom towards the end of the summer. It isn’t unusual to have blooms lasting through fall, while the shrub is actually
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pink, almost reddish bloom. This journey takes some time, so you will probably not get a rebloom on this hydrangea. Don’t deadhead, let the blooms mature. Oakleaf hydrangea is another panicle-shaped bloomer with unique leaves—which is where it gets its name. This selection is quite easy to grow, and can tolerate a touch of sun. Unlike the other hydrangeas, the Oakleaf has fabulous fall color, adding interest in the landscape through November.
NICOLE HACKETT Hardly any flowers are as striking as hydrangeas, and the dramatically blooming plants are familiar sights in shady spots around Clayton Valley landscapes and gardens. As many gardeners will tell you, the impressive size and vast colors of hydrangea flowers are worth the hard work that sometimes goes into their care. The varied sizes of flowers are shaped into three different clusters of blooms: formed into a ball, called a mophead; stretched into a panicle, called a paniculata; or lying flat, called a lacecap. Once planted, hydrangeas need little attention, at least at first. The more care, the more productive is the plant. Hybridizers have developed hydrangeas that are easier to grow, and they are definitely recommended for our environment.
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dark green foliage. Either of these hydrangeas would be great planted in a mostly shady spot in the garden. Allow a little room for growth: Eventually these hydrangeas will reach 4-5-feet tall and wide. If your garden has room for larger hydrangea plants, you may want to try Hydrangea paniculata, a group of woody hydrangeas that can be as large as 6-8-feet tall and wide, creating a tree shape. This type of hydrangea can take a speck more sun. Not as much as your lavender, but definitely as much as a gardenia. If you haven’t the room for a large hydrangea shrub, dwarf varieties are also available. Hydrangea Compact Bright Pink produces medium-size mophead blooms on a shrub that grows less than half the size of its cousins. There are other unique hydrangea options, including Vanilla Strawberry, a new hydrangea introduced for 2011. During the summer, this shrub produces panicle-shaped white flower clusters that age to a deep
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beginning to lose its leaves. Blushing Bride is another of the Endless Summer series. This mophead’s flowers begin as a white, and age to a medium deep pink. The color journey of this hydrangea is always interesting. New on the market this year is an Endless Summer lacecap called Twist-n-Shout. This shrub has contorted red stems that add additional interest to the frame of the shrub. The blossoms have deep pink centers surrounded by pink flowers. This is the hydrangea to have this summer, and it would make a great addition to a larger container. There are also traditional hydrangeas to keep in mind for this season’s gardens, such as Nikko Blue and Pretty Red. These are not patented selections, so their prices are very affordable, and they are found almost everywhere hydrangeas are sold.
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A HEALTHY PLANT IS A HAPPY PLANT Hydrangeas do need care once they are planted in the garden. First off, they need to be awakened each early spring with fertilizer. I like to use a dose of multi-purpose granular fertilizer while it is still raining. Depending on the color of the bloom, you will need to supplement it with vitamins. Blue hydrangeas need aluminum sulfate, and pinks need dolomite lime. Once during the early spring, and again in the early summer, iron should be applied to keep the plants green. During bloom, apply liquid 2-10-10. This will feed the flowers, not the leaves. Be patient when with your hydrangeas. With our clay soil, they need three years to get happy. Once happy, they are rewarding, thrilling plants! Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
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Page 18
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
May 27, 2011
County Fair is a Mudbugs have a delicious blast from the past bite of their own LORI MARSHALL Contra Costa County Fair
There aren't many aspects of modern life that are the same today as they were nearly 100 years ago. It's no longer the custom for men to wear hats, most women work outside of the home, we even live longer. But in this rapidly changing world, one thing has endured – the county fair. The Contra Costa County Fair has provided affordable family entertainment since 1936 and it’s still going strong, as it opens Thursday, June 2 and runs through Sunday, June 5 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch. Through depressions and recessions, wars, peace, free love and the ‘80s, the fair has woven into the fabric of our lives for generations. Nearly everyone has a fond memory of a time spent at the fair. The dusty grounds, the yummy smell of corn dogs and not-so-yummy smell of cows; the bright lights of the midway rides; and sounds of the game hawkers conjure up the feeling of carefree summertime fun; a mingling of innocence and daring that few experiences rival. While there are new exhibits every year, new stock raised by the local 4-H and bands you haven't seen yet, the fair is timeless. In 1944, E.B. White wrote, "Anything can happen at a county agricultural fair. It is the perfect human occasion, the harvest of the fields and of the emotions. To the fair come the man and his cow, the boy and his girl, and wife and her green tomato pickle, each anticipating
victory and the excitement of being separated from his money by familiar devices." Despite economic, personal or even global upset, the fair is a place where everyone belongs; it is familiar, constant – like coming home. This year, Fairgoers can enjoy more than 100 exhibits on cooking, arts and crafts, fine arts, jewelry, horticulture and more. And don’t forget the music: Great bands like country group Whiskey Dawn and rockers The Lost Boys will kick off this year’s event with shows on Thursday and Friday. Tribute bands paying homage to Taylor Swift, Guns N’ Roses and Def Leopard will rock the house all day Saturday. General admission is $8 for a full day’s admission, but there are many ways to get free or deeply discounted tickets this year. On June 2, active military with ID and senior (62+) will get in free all day and everyone will get free admission from noon until 3 p.m. On June 3, kids 12 and under get in free all day. You can also buy discounted tickets in advance at Walgreens stores. Hours for the fair are Thursday and Friday, noon to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information on discounts or the fair in general, visit at www.contracostafair.com. The fair runs Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch. For a complete schedule, directions and more discounts, go to www.contracostafair.com.
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer in the U.S.— although those of us here in Northern California may not believe it. Weather aside, the weekend is notable for food festivals around the country, and some of the best can be found in Shreveport or Gonzales, Louisiana, Fredericksburg, Texas or Amana, Iowa. That’s because those cities host crawfish festivals. Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters, and they are found all over the world (except Antarctica and Africa). Their English name comes from the French écrevisse, or crevice, where European crawfish are often found. Most Yankees call ‘em crayfish but in Louisiana, where some of the best crawfish boils can be found, they’re referred to as “crawdads” or more affectionately, mudbugs. There are hundreds of varieties of crawfish but only two are commercially significant. Louisiana produces more than 90 percent of the domestic crop of red swam crawfish and white river crawfish (aquaculture farms are serious business in the Atchafalaya Basin). Surprisingly, the country that enjoys the most
U.S. bred crawfish is Sweden, where they are in big demand during mid-summer. China also has a big domestic market for the little beasties. Still, Louisiana is the unofficial U.S. capital of crawfish. At festivals, they’re boiled by the hundreds in huge pots with potatoes, corn, sausages, onions, garlic and lots of seasoning—particularly cayenne pepper, dried herbs and salt. In Cajun and Creole dishes, crawfish are fried, blackened, made into a po’ boy sandwich, savory pies, étouffées, gumbos… and even beignets (little fried morsels of dough normally doused in sugar). Here’s a mighty fine gumbo recipe that includes some mudbugs. Don’t be frightened by the length of the ingredients list— the completed dish is worth the effort. CRAWFISH & SHRIMP GUMBO Serves 8-10 1¼ c. good quality vegetable oil (not olive oil), divided 1 c all-purpose flour plus more if needed 2 red bell peppers, finely chopped 1 c. finely chopped celery 2 large onions, finely chopped Half a bunch of parsley, chopped 1 stick butter (4 oz) 1 lb. Andouille or other hot smoked sausage, sliced thin ½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1” cubes 1 can (15 oz) peeled tomatoes 4 bay leaves 1 lb. okra, trimmed and cut into ½” slices 1 Tbsp. black pepper 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper 1½ tsp. white pepper 1 Tbsp. paprika
2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. premade Creole or Cajun seasoning 1 tsp. seasoned salt 1 tsp. dried thyme 8 cups chicken stock 1 lb. shrimp peeled and cleaned 1½ lb. crawfish tails 2 bunches green onions, finely chopped Combine ¾ cup oil and the flour in a heavy bottomed pan over low heat. Add more flour if needed to absorb the oil and make a smooth thin paste, a roux. Stir constantly until the flour thickens and turns light brown (about the shade of chocolate milk). This may take about 20 minutes – stir and watch carefully to avoid burning the roux. In another pan, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the sausage, peppers, onions, celery, garlic and parsley until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer while you prepare the okra. Heat another skillet over medium high heat. Add ½ cup oil and the sliced okra. Cook until the okra has broken down and the sliminess has cooked off, about 6 to 7 minutes. Combine the okra and sausage-vegetable mixture then stir in the seasonings, chicken meat and chicken stock. Bring to
a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for an hour. When the vegetables and chicken are cooked through, stir in the roux and simmer to desired consistency, stirring frequently. Lastly, stir in the shrimp and crawfish to the pot, turn off the heat and cook then with the residual warmth of the soup (test for doneness at 5 minutes and again at 10 minutes if needed). Serve over rice garnished with green onions. If you’re looking for fresh mud bugs to cook in your own kitchen, try 99 Ranch Market (in the Park & Shop Center on Willow Pass) or Bob’s Bait Shop in Isleton. If you want someone else to do the “dirty work,” try Red Crawfish at 611 Larkin in San Francisco, which serves up amazing fusion CajunVietnamese cuisine—they rake in kudos for their spicy crawfish boils. Meanwhile, for a mud bug festival close to home, check out the Isleton Crawdad Festival June 18 and 19. For more information, visit www.isletoncoc.org/crawdad. Linda Wyner, a local attorney and foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Send your column suggestions or questions lwyner@pansonfire.com
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