Holiday Shopping Guide See
page 10
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
925.672.0500
Clayton Valley football champs in first Regional Bowl Game JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER
‘New’ mayor among other fresh faces at city hall As your new – and returning – mayor, I have the honor of writing this column for the coming year. I hope you will take an active role in the discussion and let me know if there are issues you’d like me to address. A few notes: This has been a year of transition for the City of Clayton staff. We’ve had some long-time city hall employees who have retired or will very soon: Lynn Cupit, accounting; Rita Howe, code enforcement;
See Mayor, page 6 Mike Dunn photo
THE COLD, RAIN AND WET TURF COULDN’T DAMPEN THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS last Friday evening after they defeated Rancho Cotate of Rohnert Park 35-7 to earn the Eagles their first-ever North Coast Section football championship. Kristian Mamea (44) and Luke Jalbert (24) shared the NCS pennant that will soon hang in Dan Della Gymnasium signifying the initial section title in 54 years of varsity football at Clayton Valley.
Clayton Valley Charter will be making California high school football history this Saturday night when the North Coast Section champion Eagles oppose the Oakdale Mustangs in one of five first-ever CIF State Regional Football Bowl Games. After winning the school’s first NCS football championship last Friday coach Tim Murphy’s team had little time to celebrate before beginning preparations for the Regional Bowl clash with Oakdale. The stakes are high as the winner of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Lincoln High School in Stockton will be going to the CIF State Bowl game a week later in Southern California at The Home Depot Center in Carson. First-year coach Murphy saw his team reach a new pinnacle in the 54th year of varsity football at Clayton Valley when the Eagles beat previously undefeated Rancho Cotate of
It’s all about See Champs, page 15 the cookie at Pioneer’s 9th Pearl Harbor survivor remembers morning of infamy annual contest JOHN JACKSON Clayton Pioneer
During the holiday season, it doesn’t get much more Norman Rockwell than the Clayton Pioneer’s Annual Christmas Cookie Contest set for December 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Clayton Library. For weeks before the contest, families pore over cookbooks and old family recipes looking for that sure winner, and the Pioneer is lining up the judges. On contest night, while the judging panel is getting its final instructions from the Pioneer’s Food for Thought columnist Linda Wyner, the cookies begin arriving – one plate for the contest and one for the sharing table. As the judges set about their work, the party begins with live music and caroling by popular Clayton trio Vintage and a visit from Santa. The suspense builds as the See Cookie
The morning of December 7, 1941, began like any other on the base of Pearl Harbor for Navy Third Class Petty Officer John Tait. Then something happened on that calm Sunday morning that altered the course of American history and made Tait, now a Concord resident, witness to what then-President Franklin Roosevelt described as “a date that will live in infamy.” After waking early in his cabin aboard the USS St. Louis, Tait enjoyed what he describes as the “best breakfast of the week.” The first thought on Tait’s mind that day was getting to shore. It was a Sunday, a day
for him to relax a bit and prepare for the week ahead. These plans, however, would quickly be cut short. “I probably got up to the bunkroom about 7:45 a.m., and was I wondering, should I go to shore today or not,” says Tait. “Then we heard CLANG, CLANG, CLANG and the Boss of the deck passed the word, ‘General quarters, all hands man your battle stations: we are under attack!” Tait rushed to his station, which was on the ship’s second deck, far to the front. He was stationed there for the entirety of the attack. MEMORABLE FIRST WEEK In the first week of December, 1940, John Tait boarded the
USS St. Louis, as a 20-year-old kid fresh out of boot camp in Long Beach, California. Six days later, he was in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. Soldiers spent much of their time “practicing” for war. To rehearse for air attacks, planes would fly pulling “sleeves” while the ships shot rounds of artillery at them. “Sometimes they’d get kind of close to the airplane,” he says wryly. Tait himself was a ship fitter. He was busy on his ship with metalwork of all kinds, including welding, burning and repairs related to steel fabrication and assembly. His job became increasingly valuable after the December 7 attack.
See Survivor, page 6
JOHN TAIT DOESN’T HAVE TO RELY ON OLD NEWSPAPER HEADLINES to remember December 7, 1941. Tait’s ship, the USS St. Louis, was the first to escape when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The ship spent the weeks after the attack escorting injured soldiers and their families safely back to the Port of San Francisco.
Fire District plans to close Station 11 in January TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Contest, page 2 CLAYTON
WILL HAVE TO RELY
on two Concord stations for fire services if supes approve closure plan.
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Cookie Contest Entry Form . .2 Community Calendar . . . . . .13
Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . .9 Earthtalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . . .9 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . .17
Clayton’s fire station will close in early January as part of a cost cutting plan proposed by the Contra Costa Fire Protection District. Station 11 landed on the list of planned closures after a temporary parcel tax on the November ballot received only 53 percent of the votes, falling short of the two-thirds supermajority required.
Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Holiday Guide . . . . . . . . . .10 Mind Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .18
Measure Q proposed a seven-year parcel tax that would have preserved fire and emergency services at the current level and given the District time to come up with a permanent solution to its budgetary bleed. The recession and real estate market crash beginning in 2008 severely cut into the District’s property tax revenues. Declining revenue coupled with increasing salaries and burgeoning pension
See Station 11, page 6 Police Activity Report . . . . . .12 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . .6
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Cookie Contest from page 1 judges make their final rounds. Finally, the votes are tallied. A hush falls over the crowd as the
drum roll begins. Wyner steps to the microphone and announces, “This year’s winning Junior Baker is . . .” The proud bakers stand in front of a cheering crowd. There’s much backslapping and high-fiving as the kids, hyped
by a visit with Santa and the promise of a sugar-filled finish, clamor to be first at the sharing table to taste the winning cookies. It’s easy to be part of the fun. See below for contest details and entry form.
December 7, 2012
Area homes deck the halls for Christmas Home Tour
Judging Party is Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Clayton Library Community Room. Be there for live music and caroling led by Vintage, games and crafts for the little ones and photos with Santa. Recipes and photos of winners will appear in the Dec. 21 issue.
Deadline Clayton Pioneer’s for entry is 2012 CHRISTMAS COOKIE December CONTEST ENTRY FORM Please fill out a separate form for each entry. 11 Name (Please print) Address
(Must be 94517 or 94521 resident)
Phone Number Email address (so we can mail instructions) Name of Recipe
Master Baker (20+) Teen Baker (Ages 13-19)
Contestant agrees to being photographed at the competition. Recipes used from published books must identify source. Signature
Your age____
Junior Baker (Ages 6-12) Your age____
Mail your entry to: the Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517; or drop off at our office at 6200 H Center Street, Clayton. If the office is closed, slip it through the mail slot.
Deadline to enter is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11 Parent's Signature (for Junior Bakers)
1155 Redfern Court, Concord
THE DANA HILLS HOME OF JOHN AND LINDA MANZECK is lavishly decorated in red and gold with the formal dining room sparkling and ready for holiday dinner. European ornaments hang from the crystal chandelier. The home is part of the Clayton Historical Society Christmas Home Tour on Dec. 16.
Five Clayton area homes, all decked out in holiday finery, will throw open their doors on Dec. 16, when the Clayton Historical Society holds its third annual Christmas Home Tour. Visitors will begin at the Clayton Museum where a stately Christmas tree holds court in the front parlor and Victoriana reigns throughout the historic Joel Clayton house. From there, it’s on to nature, Norway and nutcrackers. Christmas flows from outside to inside and back out again with little interruption at the Clayton hilltop home of Jack and Marcia Thome. A big fresh tree adorned with berries, ribbons, birds and ornaments, greenery and lights framing the windows and tulips, pomegranates and cuttings from the yard bring the outside in throughout the home. Clayton Museum curator Mary Spryer celebrates her Nor-
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wegian heritage throughout her Regency Estates home. Painted on the fireplace mantel are the words Ost or Vest Hjemme er Best (East or West, Home is Best) Lyle Swallow and Jack Becker’s Concord home is all about “everything nutcracker,” from groups of the beloved wooden figures standing at attention to the soaps, towels and table settings. At the Von Brusselen home in Clayton, holiday decorations have evolved through the years with the help of children and family. “Some of our decorations include handmade ornaments that our children created over 25 years ago and Hawaiian ornaments handed down to our family,” says Lisa Von Brusselen. This is the third year for the Christmas Home Tour, which is a major fundraiser for the Historical Society. Each year, the tour
includes the home of at least one of the Society’s members. The tour is self-guided and begins at the Clayton Museum, 6010 Main Street. Homes are open between noon and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. Tickets are $20 and are available online at claytonhistory.org or the day of the tour at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main Street.
LYLE SWALLOW’S nutcracker collection is just one of the collectible displays visitors will see on this year’s Christmas Home Tour
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December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
‘Mr. Christmas’ inspires award-winning documentary the right parts,” says Palmer. The only copyrighted song in the movie, “God Bless America,” belongs to Sony, whose $20,000 fee causes a problem for distribution to iTunes or television. “I’m hoping they find it in their heart to help the little filmmaker tell the story of the endearing old guy,” Palmer says.
NICCI SHIPSTEAD Clayton Pioneer
For many Claytonians, driving by the Mertz House on Olive Avenue in Concord– with its flashing lights and decorations – is as much a Christmas tradition as Egg Nog and singing holiday carols. Thanks to a couple of talented young “fans,” the story of Bruce Mertz’s holiday decorating – known as “Mr. Christmas” – is now immortalized itself in a new buzz-worthy film, “Mr. Christmas, A Documentary.” The film made its local debut at the California Independent Film Festival at the Orinda Theatre in November. Director Nick Palmer, who graduated from Clayton Valley High School but now lives in Hollywood and is a screenwriter, employed the help of his hometown chum, Jim Briggs – a former sportswriter for the Clayton Pioneer – to compose an original score for the documentary. “He was a big part of Christmas for me,” says Palmer of Mertz, “Mr. Christmas” himself. “We would always drive by his house.” Both Palmer and Mertz were
“The whole budget was my own – a labor of love.” He, like Mertz, knows the truth about labors of love. Purchase the $10 DVD at www.mrchristmasmovie.com or www.facebook.com/MrXmasMovie. Mr. Christmas display runs Thanksgiving night through January 2, 6-10 p.m. at 5208 Olive Drive, Concord.
Clayton Lights Up Photo Brian Espinosa
BRUCE MERTZ, KNOWN LOCALLY AS “MR. CHRISTMAS” for his famous 50,000-light display at his Concord home, recently saw his name up in lights when Director Nick Palmer’s short film documentary, aptly named “Mr. Christmas,” screened at Orinda Theatre.
on hand for a Q-and-A session and reception following the screening of the film, which received the 15th Annual CAIFF Best Documentary Short award. “It’s doing well because it’s a sweet story,” Palmer said. Palmer officially met Mertz when he came into AJ’s “all lit up” (in a unique, battery operat-
Photo Amanda Treyz
FAMILY TRADITIONS HAVE GROWN UP AROUND visiting Mertz’ Olive Drive Christmas Display, earning him the nickname Mr. Christmas.
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ed jacket) one Christmas Eve a couple years ago with his buddy Randy Riel. The inspiration hit: Palmer felt it would be satisfying to depart from his day-to-day career to tell the personal story of “Mr. Christmas.” Mertz was the youngest of 10 children growing up on a farm with no electricity in South Dakota before he left for Wyoming to train as an electrician in the Air Force. He then settled in Concord with his wife Nelly, who loved going to church and telling Christmas stories with passion. She passed away just a week shy of 10 years of marriage, so when Mertz retired from civil service in 1994 he decided to “just keep doing lights.” “It entertains people; it makes them happy and in turn makes me happy,” Mertz says. The tradition started simply enough: The first year the Mertzes were in their home, the
neighbor across the street explained the neighborhood tradition of adding some seasonal decoration each year; a strand of lights was suggested. “He’s had the same strand of C9 bulbs every year now, while he looks out his window at my house,” Mertz says of the 50,000-light display that takes three months for him to set up. This year’s addition, Riley Reindeer, stands 21-feet-tall, just left of the main display. Joe Legault of Clayton brought his now-grown daughter to see Mr. Christmas’ house every year and continues the tradition with his wife Cyndy and 8-year-old daughter Juliette, who viewed the film at the Orinda Theatre. “It’s a really sweet story,” said Cyndy, “I laughed and I cried.” “The reception in Orinda was unbelievable: laughing, tears, the right response at all
1595 Lower Trail Ride, Clayton $100,000 Concord Trail Ride – Just over an acre with building pad and utilities, this beautiful lot is fenced and surrounded by mature pine trees. Ride your horses right onto the mountain & enjoy the tranquility.
Claytonians took advantage of a tiny window between storms last Saturday when they gathered downtown for the annual Tree Lighting. The festivities started in the afternoon with the arrival of the two horse-drawn carriages sponsored by Stephanie Lopez and Leigh Klock, Ed Moresi and P2C Foundation.Clayton singing group Vintage, provided the welcome sound of Christmas carols for the families waiting in line for the rides. After a short concert in The Grove by the Mt. Diablo Elementary School chorus, the wail of a siren signaled the arrival of Santa chaffeured by Police Chief, Chris Thorsen. Then everyone made the short walk down Main Street where Santa flipped the switch on the town tree, officially kicking off the holiday season in Clayton. Top photo: Councilman Howard Geller and Santa; left: Vintage singers Joyce Martinez, Maryann Tarantino and Roxanne Pardi
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
Marsh Creek inmates help make Christmas for kids in need
THIS FIREHOUSE WAS MADE in Santa’s Workshop at the Detention Center where inmates learn new skills and earn education credits while making and repairing toys for kids in need.
More than 35 Contra Costa County children’s services agencies headed out to the Marsh Creek Detention Facility on Nov. 17 to fill up their clients’ wish lists of donated toys and bicycles for the upcoming holidays. There, for the 16th straight year, the agency representatives chose from more than 1,300 handcrafted toys, and between 200-250 bicycles refurbished by the inmates. Approximately 175 inmates have participated in this project throughout this year, fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new and building beautiful wooden toys, such as, pull toys, doll houses, doll cradles, fire houses, fire engines, yo-yos, cars, rocking horses, rocking airplanes, skill games, and many more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), which is located within the jail facility.
The workshop is co-sponsored by the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office and the CCCOE. Organizations participating in this special shopping spree include the Salvation Army,
Friends Outside, George Miller Center, Solomon Temple Mission, Contra Costa Crisis Center, Bay Area Rescue Mission, La Casa Ujima, and a number of others. During the 2010-11 school year, approximately 2,720 inmates were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs including basic literacy and GED preparation, to vocational programs including woodshop and state-ofthe-art computer training. By the end of the school year, 69 student-inmates received their GED, 41 received a high school or adult school diploma, and 42 students passed the CA High School Exit Exam. Less than half of the inmates who enter the Marsh Creek Detention Facility have graduated from high school, and most are parents of school-age children. These classes help to interrupt the generational cycle of illiteracy and lack of education that can lead to repeated incarceration.
Town has several drop off places for donated toys Send a message of hope this Christmas to less fortunate children in the community by donating to Toys for Tots. Bring new, unwrapped toys to Clayton area locations: Bank of America, Clayton Valley Shell, Ed’s Mudville Grill and The Grove Park. The Grove toys will be collected at the tree lighting on Dec. 1. Other locations will have donation barrels until Dec. 22. Toys are distributed by the United States Marine Corps as Christmas gifts to those in need in the community.
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December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
City of Clayton now accepting applications for
TRAILS AND LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA
AND
R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers
P EGGY S PEAR , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration S TAFF W RITERS : Denisen Hartlove, Nicci Shipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn
We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
PIONEER INFO
reserves the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable.
CONTACT US Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send Church News to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com
Send School News to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com
Send Classified Ads to classified@claytonpioneer.com
CLASSIFIEDS Classified rates per insertion: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word Non-profit: $24 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 6720500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580. All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa) We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer
LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Website. Attach your photo to the form. Make sure the image size you are about to send is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. The only format we accept is JPG. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on our Website are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 250 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter in a Word document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.
Auto Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Business Services Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations . . . . .672-8717
Office Term: Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2014 The Trails and Landscaping Committee, comprised of up to 11 members, is appointed by the Clayton City Council. This citizens committee advises the city council and city manager on maintenance, improvement and financial matters related to the 2007 Citywide Landscape Maintenance District (a community facilities district). The District has an annual budget to maintain the roadway and median public landscaped areas, public open space/hillsides of the city, annual weed abatement and seasonal fire break tasks, the Clayton fountain and the trails system of the city.
Construction and Trades Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672-1519 Cheyenne Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .566-8226 Copa Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2202 Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144 Iron Horse Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .595-3951 Ken Mitolo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2460 Steffan Smith Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0497 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679
For applications and more information, contact Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, (925) 673-7300 or email ljackson@ci.clayton.ca.us; or visit the city website at www.ci.clayton.ca.us.
Application deadline is 5 p.m., Dec. 21. Appointments are expected at the second city council meeting in January.
Classified FREE
FOUND
1988 Honda GL 1500 motorcycle for give away. Contact crisben204@gmail.com for more information.
Patio Umbrella. Nautica, 77-inch diameter, white plastic pole, silver inside, multi-colored. Wind blew it into garden at 20 Mt. Scott Ct., Clayton. Call 925-672-7896 to claim.
FOR SALE White washer/dryer combination. $400. Please call 628-8167.
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OPEN STUDIO Locally made furniture for sale. Great holiday gifts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. 808 Eberhardt Court, Clayton. Upcycle Designs uses reclaimed materials to create unique works of art. upcycledesigns.com. 6726365.
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Computer technician. Growing business has position for onsite pro computer tech in Contra Costa County. Must have experience in Windows and Mac OS, network repair and troubleshooting. ComputersUSA! 672-9989. Come join Mazzei Realty! Currently interviewing and hiring new and experienced real estate agents. Call 693-0757 for details. Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today 6728787.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help Fight Hunger Anna Chan – AKA: The Lemon Lady needs your help! Weekly commitment appreciated. For more info and contact numbers, go to thelemonlady.blogspot.com. Hospice of the East Bay Help needed at Hospice of the East Bay Concord Thrift Shoppe located at 5350 Clayton Road, Concord. 674-9072. For information contact Carmen Siems, volunteer coordinator at 887-5678 or carmens@hospiceeastbay.org. Clayton Historical Society Museum The Clayton Historical Society Museum needs a greeter for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. Call the museum at 672-0240 and leave your name. Clayton Community Library Needs volunteers. Minimum age 13. Minimum commitment is 6 months. Some training provided. Contact: Arlene at 673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com.
Dentistry Perfect Smiles Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . .889-9212 Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737, ext. 205 Financial and Insurance Services Held, Chris - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney . . . .930-3815 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . .432-4211 Prosperitas Wealth Management . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7700 Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-877-8328 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . .672-2300 Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Home and Garden Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245 Diablo Lawnscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-3757 Flooring City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-8220 Just Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-4747 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 Sherwin-Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5367 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055 Waraner Tree Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250-0334 Optometry Foresight Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4100 Pet Services Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Pittsburg Pet Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387 Rodie’s Feed and Pet Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Real Estate and Mortgage Services French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Klock, Leigh - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593 Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Mazzei, Matt -Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433 Recreation and Fitness Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 East Bay Regional Park District . . . . . . . . . . . .ebparks.org Kali Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276-0845 MDSA Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mdsoccer.org Senior Services Courtyards at Pine Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-3900 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100 Montecito - Oakmont Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .852-6702 Services, Other Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Net Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6029 Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . .473-0180 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 Specialty Stores HobbyTown USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-3802 Travel Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Holiday Guide Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Bella Mia Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7792 Blessed Brides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1200 Cegielski Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2855 Clayton Business and Community Association . .672-2272 Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-7454 Great Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-9003 Jennifer Leischer Interior Design . . . . . . . . . . . . .270-9955 Memo’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0395 Moresi’s Chophouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1333 Sublime Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5599 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Vintage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vintagetrio.com Waraner Bros. Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .831-2323
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
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Winter arrives on Dec. 21. That date is also known as the winter solstice, or the shortest sun-lit day of the year, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also the day when the noon-time sun is at its lowest altitude toward the horizon. Even though wintery storms strike the Bay Area months before the official beginning of the season, the coldest weather
we experience typically occurs between mid-December and the end of January. Based on long-term temperature records from Concord Airport, we can expect about 10 days per year with freezing temperatures in the Clayton area. Weather forecasts that predict freezing conditions send local gardeners scrambling to protect sensitive plants. Sometimes an extreme cold wave will occur. In our area, a cold wave is defined as several consecutive mornings of freezing temperatures. The most extreme example of a cold wave in recent history began on Dec. 20, 1990, and resulted in a stretch of 14 consecutive days with low temperatures below freezing. Concord Airport reported an all time record low of 19 degrees during that event. Weather forecasters look for
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As the bombs and missiles rained onto the ships in Pearl Harbor, Tait held his post in the bow of the St. Louis. He heard the gunfire from the top deck for nearly two hours. “We could hear our guns firing,” he says. “The one-point-ones, the 50 calibers. They weren’t our main battery. You didn’t try to shoot down an airplane with a main battery.” Then the USS St. Louis made a break for the open sea. “We were cold iron. It took us about two hours to finally get enough steam up to where we felt we could get out of the harbor.” A neighboring ship’s admiral strongly advised against the maneuver because the harbor was extremely congested as a result of the attack. But the St. Louis Captain George Rood was determined to get his ship and crew out, and he did. The ship was the first to exit Pearl Harbor and reached the open sea just before 10 a.m.
PEACEFUL NO MORE Three days later, Tait and his ship returned to an island he hardly recognized. Everything was different. What he remembered as a peaceful, calm environment was now devastated. Barbed wire was strung along the beaches and martial law was put into effect for nearly three years. Strict censorship was enacted on all information channels, including newspapers, radio and mail. Curfews and blackouts were put in place until 1945 and barricades were erected on beaches in fear of Japanese airplane landings. This was not the peaceful island John Tait had awakened to early on December 7. Today, John Tait lives quietly with his wife in Concord. He recalls his time on the St. Louis with a steely patriotism. He attends memorials and reunions with other Pearl Harbor survivors, although few of these American heroes
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over the Sierra Nevada into California and the Bay Area. Fortunately, the arctic air mass temperatures rise substantially during the journey to California and we are spared the sub-zero temperatures felt in Canada. Current forecasts for the upcoming winter season indicate that normal to slightly below-normal temperatures are expected. This means we will likely have several mornings with freezing temperatures in Clayton. If you hear the local forecasters discuss the development of an Alberta Clipper, or compare forecasted temperatures to December of 1990, be on the lookout for a serious cold wave. Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist with PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com
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specific signals in computer models to determine whether an extreme cold wave is likely in the Bay Area. The first signal is the development of a cold and dry Arctic air mass over central and western Canada. Temperatures in this air mass can range from -30F to -60F. Arctic air masses form over central Canada nearly every winter. Under normal jet stream conditions, these will move either eastward across Canada, or southeastward toward the mid-western and eastern United States. The second signal forecasters watch for is the development of an abnormal jet stream wind known as the “Alberta Clipper.” This configuration pushes the arctic air mass southwestward across the Rocky Mountains. When Alberta Clipper winds are strong and persistent, the cold air mass can be forced westward
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commitments busted the District budget and exhausted all reserves. “We have run out of options,” said Fire Chief Daryl Lauder. The other CCCFPD stations set to close in January are in Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Martinez. Closing the four stations will cut about $3 million from the total $104 million budget. The District plans to close a total of 10 stations by 2014. The January closures will impact response times and leave Clayton to rely on Concord Stations 22 and 8 for fire service. Station 22 is at Crystyl Ranch on Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Station 8 is on Clayton Rd., next to the TJ Maxx Shopping Center.
Rural residents in the Marsh Creek/Morgan Territory area are in the East County Fire Protection District. ECFPD contracts with the state of California to operate the Sunshine Station on Marsh Creek Rd. Station 11 is the back up for the Sunshine Station. CCCFPD’s decision to close the four stations was based on the level of risk or threat to the community, call volume, and the ability of adjoining stations to absorb the added work load. The District will no longer respond to non-emergency, non-life threatening calls such as broken water pipes, kittens in trees and lockouts with no safety threat.
Mayor, from page 1 police officer Shanna Decoite; police office coordinator Lynn Dansie, and police chief Dan Lawrence. We wish them well as we welcome new faces at city hall. Our new police chief, Chris Thorsen, has already checked out the seat in our vintage police car, escorting Santa to the Tree Lighting last week. And, finally, we welcome Jim Diaz to the Clayton City Council. Jim is a dynamic, enthusiastic man who already contributes much to our community and I’m sure he will bring all of that energy and commitment to his new role on the council. It will be a challenging year for California cities as we con-
tinue to deal with the economic issues and as the state continues to find even more creative ways to steal from local governments to address its financial responsibilities. On the positive side, property values are starting to climb again and sales taxes are inching slowly upward. We’re starting to get inquiries about available spaces for new businesses in our downtown, so that’s promising for 2013. More on that as things develop. SINGING IN THE SEASON A huge thank you goes to the Clayton Business and Community Association for another fabulous job decorating the town and
JOHN TAIT WAS A PETTY OFFICER IN THE US NAVY, stationed in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941
remain today. Tait left that famous ship in December of 1943, but today
when he speaks of it, it’s evident that a piece of the ship still remains within him.
The Board of Supervisors was expected to approve the plan at their meeting earlier this week. “My vote will be based on occupational safety,” she said. “This is what the chief has recommended. I expect it will be approved.” Mitchoff was a proponent of Measure Q and made a strong pitch to the Clayton City Council in October to publicly support the measure. Individual council members were split on the issue and the council declined to take an official position. “It’s a band-aid,” says Councilman Dave Shuey. “It does nothing to fix the long term problem of pensions and salaries.” City Manager Gary Napper says it’s a bad idea to close Station 11. With grassy hills and
steep slopes, Clayton is vulnerable to wildfires. With only one way in and one way out of the city, accessibility is also a big issue. “We need a fire station now for all the same reasons we did in 1999,” he said. CCCFPD purchased the land for Station 11 from the Clayton Redevelopment Agency in 1999 and the RDA financed 63 percent of the expected cost to develop the fire station. Under the agreement, the property is to be used only as a fire station. Should it be closed or converted to another use, Clayton is to recover its 63 percent of the sale price or fair market value. With the “killing off ” of the RDAs this year, it’s unclear how or if the city will recover its interest.
the holiday tree-lighting program. We had a great turnout. The park was full of happy families and the elementary school chorus sang beautifully as Santa arrived to light the tree. Many people may not be aware that all of our town decorations are purchased by the CBCA and put up by volunteers every year. Our city maintenance crew helped place the high decorations and CBCA volunteers did the rest – thank you to all.
Down Community New Year’s Eve Celebration event this year. Attendance has dropped over the past few years, and with the details of the 2010 census now available, we know why. There are fewer than 1,200 gradeschool age children in Clayton. And the most significant drop is in the under-5 age group. So, we are planning to create a different family-focused event for all ages in the early fall instead. Planning for that is still fluid, but if you’d like to help on that, let me know. I want to thank all of our dedicated volunteers who have been there for the past nine years. You have been marvelous.
CLAYTON COUNTS DOWN CANCELED However, there is one Clayton holiday tradition that we won’t see this year. I am sorry to report that we will not be holding the annual Clayton Counts
I’m looking forward to the next year. You can email me at Julie_Pierce@comcast.net.
December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 7
Citizen Police Academy seeks applicants The Concord Police Department is currently accepting applications for the spring session of the Citizen Police Academy. The academy provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement, giving an overview of the police department’s function and operations. The 10-week academy curriculum and teaching methodology embrace real examples of police work. The weekly sessions, however, are not designed
to train participants as police officers. Police executives and veteran police officers will introduce Academy students to a variety of topics and training programs. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Concord Chief of Police and staff members. The academy begins Feb. 7, 2013. Classes will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Concord Police Headquarters, 1350 Galindo St.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: • Minimum age of 16 years; • Live or work in the Concord area; • No felony convictions; • No misdemeanor convictions within one year of application. Interested candidates can visit the City of Concord website at www.cityofconcord.org/ police/joinin/academy.aspx to obtain more information about the Citizen Academy and to download an application. Appli-
cations can also be picked up at the Concord Police Headquarters in the front lobby. Completed applications should be returned to the address listed below by Jan. 11. Applicants who are accepted to the program will be notified of their selection at least two weeks prior to the first meeting. Send completed applications to: Margaret Romiti, Manager, Office of the Chief, Concord Police Department, 1350 Galindo St., Concord CA 94520, 925-671-3184.
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Make your own peace on Earth and keep the holidays happy STEPHANIE HO MIND MATTERS The holidays are fast approaching and you may find yourself feeling relieved that we had a few extra days between Thanksgiving and Christmas – more time to do more. But I want to encourage you to step away from the mixing bowl, away from the wrapping paper and bows, and away from the Christmas card
envelopes that need licking and think about this: The holidays do not have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful. Too often we try to create a magazine spread-quality holiday that attempts to fulfill either our deeply held need for the magical Christmas that we never got or tries to make everything seem perfect so as to help us forget about our day-today problems. The good news is that even though we may live in a Norman Rockwell-esquelooking city, we do not have to stress ourselves by trying to
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make our holidays perfect. Here are some tips for keeping holiday stress at bay and keeping yourself grounded in what matters most this season: Keep your expectations realistic. You cannot do everything that you want or need to do – at least not without pulling late nights, being resentful and snapping at others. Decide on your priorities and recognize that other things will not get done or at least not get your full attention – and that is okay. Keep a sensible budget. While you may think you need to buy your loved ones' happiness by splurging on gifts, you'll only stress yourself out with your credit card statements in January if you've gone overboard. Consider what gifts you can make or what fun activities you can do with loved ones, if budgets are really tight, that will delight them just as much if not more than a store-bought item. Eat for sustenance, not for comfort. We often eat more during the holidays not just because it is hard to resist the annual delights, but also because we tend to be stressed and want emotional comfort. If you are feeling overwhelmed,
reach for the phone to contact a loved one rather than reach for food. Your needs will get met in a much deeper, meaningful way and you'll be able to feel good about your soul and your body. Give your time. Your time is worth so much to your loved ones. Your family, especially your children, will be more affected by your mood than your holiday decorations. Those closest to you want to be with you, just as you are. Consider spending quality downtime doing activities that bring your family closer together and make you a happier, peaceful parent. Express your gratitude. Use the holiday season as a time to thank others for what you appreciate most about them. Volunteer your time for local charities or shelters as a way to give thanks and show kindness to others. Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and happy holiday season spent with your loved ones. Stephanie T. Ho is a licensed psychologist. She has a private practice office in Walnut Creek and works at UC Berkeley. She can be reached at stephanie.ho.phd@gmail.com.
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Club News TROOP 31374 OF CLAYTON DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
The best mandarins, lemons, tangerines, grapefruit, and oranges are now in the farmers’ market. Enjoy their sweet juicy goodness now through February or March. California was once known for its acres and acres of citrus fruit. But as the population grew, the fields were plowed under to make way for homes and businesses. But, recently, there has been a resurgence of citrus tree planting, with growers specializing in boutique varieties such as blood oranges, Meyer lemons, pomellos, and kumquats — all of which are available at your farmers’ market. Try some new varieties and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. When selecting citrus, buyers should look for fruit with a shiny skin free of blemishes, wrinkles, soft areas, or mold. The citrus should be heavy for its size, which indicates that the fruit is full of juice. Lighter fruit has more skin and drier pulp resulting in less juice. Choose navel oranges with small sized navels. Oranges with larger navels were overripe when picked. Store oranges in a cool place outside the refrigerator and try to
eat them within a few days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate in a plastic bag or in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator. CITRUS TOSSED SALAD 6 cups torn mixed salad greens 3 oranges or 2 grapefruit, peeled, sectioned 1-1/2 cups peeled jicama, cut into thin strips 1 red onion, sliced, separated into rings 1/3 cup Citrus Vinaigrette
EARNED THEIR BRONZE AWARD.
Choosing a worthwhile project suitable for the Girl Scout Bronze award can be a challenge in itself, but the industrious girls of Troop 31374 knew they wanted to help the smallest of all so they choose to make layettes for newborn babies in need. The girls gave up a good portion of their summer vacation lovingly sewing receiving blankets and baby kimonos. The Women’s Ministry of Concord Bible
Church generously shared the pattern for this project. The girls completed 30 sets in all and presented them to Birthright in Concord. Troop leader Julie Kinsey organized a visit to the facility where the girls received a tour and learned more about the support Birth Right offers to mothers in need. The Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can receive. These girls have all bridged to Cadettes and are now in sixth grade at Diablo View Middle School.
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In a screw-top jar, combine all ingredients. Shake well to mix. Chill covered for up to one week. Before using, let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes; shake well. The Concord Farmers’ Market is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Todos Santos Plaza.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
Book Review
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I can’t believe how much I love “Tell The Wolves I’m Home,” the debut novel by Carol Rifka. From page one I tumbled and totally gave myself over to the narrative. It begins as 14year old June Elbus and her sister Greta are sitting for a portrait painted by their eccentric Uncle Finn, who also happens to be June’s godfather. June feels like a freak for being secretly in love with Finn, the one person in the world who understands her. She also feels sad, because it is 1986 and Finn is dying of a mysterious disease called AIDS, and there is no saving him. Each week June’s mother drives her and Greta from the suburbs into Manhattan where, in Finn’s
apartment, June is the delicious center of Finn’s focus for a few precious hours. What makes this novel so stunning is that Rifka creates such a perfectly outcast child in June, who feels like the strangest creature on earth. At 14, she likes nothing better than to hike out into the woods which, in her imagination, are a mediaeval forest, not just a suburban patch of trees. The world is a mystery. Her parents are dull. Her sister is becoming a teenage alcoholic. She has a crush on her uncle and is deeply shamed by the realization. Rifka’s child-narrative will break your heart: “That afternoon we sat for an hour and half while Finn painted us. He had on Mozart’s Requiem, which Finn and I both loved. Even though I don’t believe in God, last year I convinced my mother to let me join the Catholic church choir in our town just so I could sing the Mozart Kyrie at Easter. I can’t even really sing, but the thing is, if you close your eyes when you sing in Latin and you stand right at the back you can keep one hand against the cold stone wall of the church, you can pretend you’re in the Middle Ages.
That’s why I did it. That’s what I was in for.” When Finn dies, June’s world closes in on her. According to her mother, Finn’s lover Toby murdered him, so the whole family is pledged to disavow him. And then against all reason, Toby contacts June with a gift from Finn, something so compelling that for the first time in her life, she defies her parents. She meets him on the sly. Toby is sweet and strange and treats June like an equal. He lets her smoke and tells her things he shouldn’t and more than anything wants June to know that he didn’t kill Finn, that he sees the way June mourns Finn because he does, too. Smart girl that she is, June realizes that Toby is her ticket into Finn’s world. Of course, it isn’t what she thought it was, but she’s also learning nothing much is. June begins to see that so
much of her memories of Finn were colored by Toby, and at first she hates him for it. But then she realizes that without Toby, Finn would not have been everything she loved. When she learns that Toby is dying too, she sees she is the only one who knows or cares. Then, strange, compelling, beautiful June leaves the child she was behind, and takes care of Toby the best way she can. She can’t save him, but in the end, she manages to save herself. “Tell The Wolves I’m Home” is a great book for anyone who was once was a strange girl or who is lucky enough to know one. Cynthia Gregory writes book reviews, award-winning short stories and a blog. Visit her at www.twogirlstakeonlove.com or write cgregory111@gmail.com
If there is no compromise to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff,’ what will this do to real estate? Q. How is the problem with the fiscal cliff going to affect the real estate recovery and interest rates? A. The so-called “fiscal cliff ” is a combination of tax increases and massive government spending cuts that will hit the U.S. economy in 2013, unless Congress takes action before the end of the year. Most economists see the result of the fiscal cliff as something that will hurt the U.S. economy with too many tax increases and spending cuts. I discussed this with one of my mortgage advisors, Jay Voorhees. He reminded me, first of all, that when stock prices go up, bond prices go down. And when bond prices go down, rates go up. With the fiscal cliff, such a threat to economic growth actually reduces interest rates. If an actual compromise is reached in Congress to avoid the fiscal cliff, stocks will rally and bond prices will drop. As he said, when bond prices drop,
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS rates will go up. Voorhees says that the increases in stock prices and interest rates will be temporary though, because the Fed will continue to buy up bonds in what they call their QE111 program, which is a pledge to keep interest rates down. So if nothing is done about the fiscal cliff, rates will probably go down. If something is done about the fiscal cliff, rates will probably go up, but only temporarily. It will help the real estate recovery because people will feel the
confidence they need to make a move. I say this as long as they don’t mess with the mortgage interest deduction. Q. We are almost ready to move into our new house. What are some moving tips? A. It is never too soon to start planning the move. To-do lists are great so you don’t forget something critical. This is a great time to sort and get rid of things that you really don’t need. It feels good to start fresh with a lighter load. When packing your boxes, put heavy items in smaller boxes. Try to keep the boxes under 40 pounds. Color-code the boxes for each room and label them on all sides. That way you won’t have to move boxes to see the label. Wrap every fragile item separately and use a packing material such as bubble wrap. You can purchase these at moving stores. Back up your computer files before moving your computer. Decide what you are going
to move on your own. You might want to carry valuables, breakables and items with sentimental value with you; also, items that the movers won’t take, like plants. Keep a bag with you that has necessities for that day such as snacks, tissue, medications, etc. Keep all documents pertaining to the move with you including the movers’ name and contact information and your phone book. Try to make arrangements for your children and pets to be away on moving day. This will spare them the stress of the move. When the shipment arrives, inspect all boxes and furniture right away. 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.
Earthtalk
Has recycling lived up to its promise? Americans still don’t recycle as much as they could. Nonetheless, the practice is already considered a huge success given that it keeps about a third of the solid waste we generate out of our quickly filling landfills and saves natural resources while generating much-needed revenue for struggling municipal governments. Recycling also helps us keep our carbon footprints down: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one ton of aluminum cans conserves more than 1,665 gallons of gasoline. Of course that doesn’t mean the progression from virtually no recycling just 40 years ago to today’s U.S. average of 33.8 percent has always been smooth. Some types of materials, especially mixed plastics, have proven difficult and/or expensive to recy-
cle, causing skeptics to question the overall value proposition. But well managed recycling systems that focus on profitable resources like glass, paper and metals have been a big success. And why wouldn’t they be, when recycling uses as little as five percent of the energy required for virgin production of materials such as aluminum? Sara Brown of Presidio Graduate School reports that, while recycling has gained significant momentum during the last two decades, it has still not yet realized its potential. “Unfortunately, recycling pick-up services are not cheap and it is viewed as a redundant service; extra trucks mean extra cost,” she says. “Trash, on the other hand, is far more indiscriminate because everything just goes to one place, the landfill.” New York City was a pioneer
in recycling, she says. But when the city became strapped for cash, recycling rates fell precipitously to just 15 percent and have not recovered. “New York City officials claim it is more expensive to recycle than to send trash to landfills and incinerators for disposal, and that they have to weigh those costs against environmental goals.” On the other end of the spectrum is San Francisco, which has been steadily increasing its recycling and composting and is now up to over 77 percent. Even more incredibly, the city is aiming for zero waste by 2020. Brown lauds San Francisco for structuring its recycling program to promote the desired behavior. “Curbside fees are charged on a ‘pay as you throw’ basis for trash, while recycling and compost are free, creating a financial incentive for fol-
lowing the law and sorting your waste.” Brown adds that programs like San Francisco’s prove that recycling can be economically viable besides being good for the planet. Brown acknowledges we’ve come a long way with recycling but that there is still great potential to do more. A November 2011 report entitled “More Jobs, Less Pollution” by Recycling Works! supports a U.S. government mandate to divert 75 percent of our waste coast-to-coast by 2030. The result would be 1.5 million new jobs as well as significant pollution reduction and savings in water and other resources. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine. Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
The best presents are things you can’t buy SAMANTHA TUOHEY
DVMS REPORTER Diablo View students have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. Some people
don’t even have everyday necessities that many of us take for granted. We have so many things to be thankful for, but often we overlook them. When we remember people who have gone through things like Super-
storm Sandy on the east coast, who have now lost their homes and don’t have adequate food or warm clothes, we realize just how fortunate we are. I interviewed four people at Diablo View: Reese, a sixth
DVMS Food Drive exceeds all goals Leadership students at Diablo View Middle School exceeded their goal of collecting 6,000 canned goods in two weeks for the local Food
Pantries by bringing in 7,322 items. Leadership teacher Jennifer Ruff said the students held a food drive for their quarterly
JACK SIMPKINS, CAROLINE TARANTINO, TAYLOR HEUERMAN, GRACE SMITH, SERENA CONNEL AND JADYN HARRIS show the results of November’s annual food drive held by Diablo View Middle School and Mt. Diablo Elementary School.
service learning project. They coordinated efforts with Mt. Diablo Elementary School to foster community spirit. Principals Irene Keenan and Patti Bannister supported the fundraiser. The theme of the food drive was the character trait of kindness. Proceeds were donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa. The top donating class from each school earned a free breakfast. Diablo View’s top donating class was Laura Ploetz’s eighth grade core with 426 items and Mt. Diablo Elementary’s winner was Peg Buchanan’s second grade class with a total of 400 items. All students were rewarded for “Doing the Right Thing” by having no homework on the last day of the food drive.
grader; Kelly, a seventh grader; Mikaela, an eighth grader; and Mr. Thompson, the band teacher. I asked them all what they are thankful for and why. Reese is thankful for going to a good school with great teachers and his family, because he feels really lucky and some people aren’t fortunate enough to have all these things. Kelly is glad to live in a safe city like Clayton, because she knows that she can count on her neighbors and friends. Mikaela says, “I am thankful for my home, because some people don’t have a roof over their heads.” Mr. Thompson is grateful for his family, the improving economy, and teaching at DVMS because these are all valuable things to him and he treasures them. We all have reasons to be thankful for what we have especially when there are so many people in the world who are less fortunate than us. The things people are most thankful for are usually not possessions. Instead, they are the things that you can’t buy. Samantha Tuohey is in the seventh grade at Diablo View Middle School and plans to be a writer someday. Email your story ideas, comments and questions to Samantha@claytonpioneer.com.
Page 9
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I am so proud of the students of Clayton Valley Charter High School. In more than 30 years of working closely with high school students, these “Eagles” stand out as being truly great kids. Sure they are typical American suburban teens who are faced with the same challenges, pressures, passions, curiosity, dreams and drive for humor, all of which can create challenges for teachers, parents and administrators. But these are great kids. They are full of respect, compassion for others, desire to learn, need to be respected and nurtured, and love of life. This 2012-2013 school year is a remarkable time in the life of our community. While we have converted from a traditional
DAVID LINZEY
high school to a charter school, the kids are still kids and teachers are still teaching. But parents are more involved than ever. Teachers are working harder to reach all students so that they can teach them and inspire them to learn. Counselors are working diligently with those students
needing more direct guidance to motivate them to excel and get back on track towards college. New teachers have arrived with their passion to join our staff ’s vision “to prepare all our students to become first-class citizens with a world-class education.” Students are being required to complete missed assignments as learning is mandatory and not “optional.” School spirit is very high on campus as there is an emphasis upon teacher-student relationships. While athletic prowess comes with being an “Eagle,” the football team is experiencing a rebirth of excellence as they won the DVAL as undefeated champions. They made it to the championship game of the NCS and Coach Murphy has the players motivated both in the classroom as well as on the field. The Measure C facilities pro-
gram is also alive and well at CVCHS. New technology infrastructure, computers, servers, switches and hubs are all in the works. Two new science classrooms were built recently and the stadium is being completely refurbished with a new track, turf and additional bleachers. Many other projects are in the planning stage as well. The support from the community has been tremendous. There is a real partnership between the school, parents and local community. I want to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and contribution to making CVCHS such a great place for kids, and I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Dave Linzey is the Executive Director of Clayton Valley Charter High School.
General contractor with 25 years hands-on experience Clayton resident
Call for free estimate or advice (925) 914-0497
CVCHS head congratulates students, community DAVE LINZEY Special to the Pioneer
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Should you transfer your home to your children? RICHARD LITTORNO ESTATE PLANNING If you’re considering giving your home to your children, talk to your estate planning advisor first to make sure you do it the right way. Many people mistakenly believe they can transfer their home to their children while retaining the right to continue living in the home for the rest of their life, and remove a
substantial portion of the home’s value from their taxable estate. It’s a simple, inexpensive way – they reason – to avoid probate and reduce estate taxes. To the contrary, retaining such a “life estate” guarantees that the home’s value will be included in your taxable estate when you die. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. It depends on your situation and what you’re trying to achieve. If you give your home to your children outright, they’ll take over your tax basis in the property. So if the home has appreciated significantly in
value, or you expect it to appreciate in the future, your children won’t be able to sell it without triggering substantial capital gains taxes. On the other hand, if the home passes to your children as part of your estate, they’ll receive a stepped-up basis, which reduces potential capital gains. To determine the best course, compare the potential tax implications of each strategy. Retaining a life estate may be a good option, for example, if you believe that potential capital gains taxes would outweigh any estate tax savings an outright
gift would create. Of course, you can achieve the same result simply by leaving your home to your children in your will or living trust. But transferring your home while retaining a life estate may offer certain benefits, including protecting the home from your creditors and reducing your assets in order to qualify for Medicaid. Richard A. Littorno is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He has offices in Walnut Creek and Pittsburg. Send your questions to Richard@LittornoLaw.com.
Doug Van Wyck CLU ChFC, Agent Insurance Lic. # 0586396
6200 Center St. Ste. A Clayton, CA 94517
925-672-2300 www.dougvanwyck.com
Call me and I’ll help you choose the right life insurance for you and your family. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI), State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI), Bloomington, IL P092014.1
Page 10
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
“Nancy, we couldn’t have done this remodel without you. The kitchen, the living room, the bathrooms…not only do we love the look, it’s practical for how we live.”
The UPS Store
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Holiday Hours: M-F 8-7, Sat. 9-5 Open Sunday Dec. 9 & 16, 10 - 3
- Jane & Chris McCormick, Clayton
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December 7, 2012
Our friendly staff will help you get your gifts packaged and delivered on time, safe & sound. Notary, Stamps, Postal, Copy & Fax Services also available.
Clayton/Concord Location: Vineyard Shopping Center, (next to Lucky) 5100 Clayton Rd, Concord, 925-689-6245
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Pioneer Guide to Holiday Shopping Sublime Design Nancy Guyette of Sublime Design is a residential interior designer with a portfolio of clients spanning from San Jose to San Francisco and into the East Bay. Work with Sublime Design on your remodel, redesign or redecoration project, and avoid common mistakes that cost homeowners time and money. Start experiencing the best your home has to offer. Carpet Starting at $ .99 s.f.
Hardwood Starting at $ .99 s.f.
1
2
Tile Starting at $ .69 s.f.
1
Laminate Starting at $.99 s.f.
Sale ends Dec. 31, 2012
Abbey Carpet & Floor 1170 Burnett Ave., Ste. E, Concord
Flooring & Interiors
925-686-9901
Contra Costa Floors Showroom hours: M-F 9-5 Sat 10-4
Got packages to mail? Pressed for time? Stop by The UPS Store in the Vineyard Shopping Center and let owner Tricia Tamura and her knowledgeable staff help get your gifts delivered safely and on time. They also assist with copies, FAXing, Notary Services, Passport photos, Mailboxes, Document Services and Binding.
Cegielski Jewelers
Bella Mia Spa -
Walk into this little jewelry store tucked away off Clayton Road and the artistry of Anna Cegielski is everywhere. Elegant platinum, gold and silver, sparkling diamonds, sapphires, rubies and luscious pearls are all worked into spectacular one-of-a-kind pieces that will make that special person's heart sing this Christmas. Customize a piece of jewelry in your collection or design something new for your loved one. Visit this little store for gifts that are sure to become the next treasured family heirloom. Festive gift wrapping included. See our Holiday Guide ad for store location and hours.
Where Life is Beautiful Come let us pamper your body, mind and spirit in our luxurious, Italianesque day spa. Customized European Facials include cleansing, exfoliation, partial massage, extractions and moisturizer. Massage therapy and spa body treatments are of the highest quality and tailored to your needs. Additional beauty treatments are available.
Moresi’s Chophouse At Moresi’s, the atmosphere is warm and inviting and the perfect place for an intimate dinner for two or to meet friends. VIP treatment begins at our front door when you are greeted by our personable
staff that shares a commitment to your dining pleasure. Moresi’s has a wide selection of delicious entrees, appetizers, side dishes and desserts. A full bar and wine list complement your experience. Moresi’s Chophouse, bringing people together to celebrate, socialize and enjoy the full dining experience.
Blessed Brides is a mother-daughterowned business, which opened April 1, 2011. We are a women's bridal and formal wear store for average and above-averagesized women. Our idea is that anyone who walks in can try on a dress and have it be an enjoyable experience. Our boutique offers designer wedding gowns, mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaid and prom dresses.
Welcome the season with a special A A unique unique harmonic harmonic sound sound by by Clayton’s Clayton’s own own
Please call to book your reservation now
672.1333 Maryann Tarantino
Joyce Martinez
Santiago Martinez
Roxanne Pardi
FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Dec. 7. 7:30 p.m. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 5562 Clayton Rd., Concord Also appearing Donnie Fisi, Malcolm Hunter, John Jordan and Kevin McFarland with special guests Katy and Dell Burchett
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. St. Agnes Catholic Church 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord Donnie Fisi, John Jordan and Bruce Mishkit
Vintage will also appear Dec. 13, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Clayton Pioneer Cookie Contest Judging Party at the Clayton Library
New Christmas CD just released “A Vintage Christmas” Featuring new original song by Santiago Martinez, “A Diamond for Christmas” Available now at all performances and online at
www.vintagetrio.com
Remember Stocking Stuffers
Hats T-shirts Gift Certificates
for Moresi’s &
Ed’s Mudville Grill
STEAKS SEAFOOD COCKTAILS WINE
6115 main street in beautiful historic downtown clayton
www.moresischophouse.com
e v a h e Com
t r e s s u s Cla e D s. PartyPrizes, Favors, r Candy Canes & see Santa, too M h t
wi
Join us at
Historic Endeavor Hall
Saturday, Dec. 8 11 - 2 p.m. Bring your camera
Donation appreciated Free for children 12 & under Children must be accompanied by an adult
CHRISTMAS in CLAYTON is hosted by the elves of the CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association.)
CBCA: 672-2272
December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Serving Northern California for Over 30 Years
COMPLETE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES RANGING FROM
Offering All-Season
Specializing in Large Hazardous Trees Crane Service Tree & Stump Removal Pruning/Cabling
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Earthquake Arabians Nothing speaks “love” quite as sweetly as that special bond between horse and rider. Earthquake Arabians helps the rider build confidence, pride and an understanding of the responsibilities involved with horses whether it is the rider’s first time in the saddle or they dream of competing at the national level.
interior design services for projects of varying square footages, styles and budgets that reflect your personal style, your family’s needs, and the special character of your home. This holiday season, treat your home to the gifts of functional and practical design, with a sprinkling of stylish whimsy. We are Ivalina and Adelio, the father-daughter team that has owned and operated Memo’s since 2003. We are passionate about the restaurant and very proud of the distinct, unique dishes we offer our guests. Our deep appreciation for exceptional quality is noticeable in every thing we do. Every dish is made from scratch of the freshest ingredients. We look forward to serving you for special events, holidays and anytime you feel like stopping in for a great dinner.
Father and Daughter Owned & Operated T HE H OUSE
OF
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ays
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pecial
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(925) 914-0395 2118 Mt. Diablo St., Concord
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memoscuisine.com
Bridal Gowns Bridesmaid & Flower Girl Dresses Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Prom & Special Occasion gowns Quinceanera Gowns
Waraner Bros. Tree Service was established in 1980 by Ed Waraner and has been serving the greater Northern California region for over 30 years. Ed is a certified arborist and licensed contractor. He completes each job to the highest standards. Waraner Bros. lives up to its motto: “A Shade Better.”
J. Designs provides
There is nothing that brightens up your home for the holidays more than new floor covering. Imagine walking into your home and seeing new carpet, wood, tile or vinyl on your floors. We have an outstanding selection of all types of flooring to choose from. Even Santa will be surprised at how beautiful your home can look!
925.360.7454
3141 Morgan Territory Rd., Clayton
www.waranerbrostree.com
“Hi. Welcome to Great Clips,” is what you will hear when you walk through our door. We provide walk-in services only, but if you don't like to wait, please feel free to use our online check-in from either your app-ready phone or from Greatclips.com. There you can view the wait times and put your name on the list for up to an hour before you come in. We have seven stylists who have been trained to perfection, earning us five stars on Yelp.com. We guarantee every haircut, every time!
Limited camp size.
$300. Per-day rate available with advance notice
Lic. #642272 Certified Arborist WE-3386A
Vintage’s unique style of four-part harmony will carry the right tune for your special occasion. This local group has been performing for over 10 years at weddings, private company events, parties and church functions. Members and Clayton residents Joyce Novicky Martinez, Santiago Martinez, Roxanne Pardi and Maryann Tarantino sing as well as play a variety of instruments. Celebrate the season with their newly released Christmas CD, “A Vintage Christmas.” For booking and more information, go to vintagetrio.com.
JENNIFER S. LEISCHER INTERIOR DESIGN 925.270.9955 WWW.J-DESIGNS.COM
Dec 26-28 & Jan 2-4 9 am - 3 pm
Vintage Trio
Room by room décor and design Kitchens & Bathrooms Interior restyling with existing furnishings General residence and seasonal décor Children’s rooms Custom furniture & window treatment design Color consultation - interior and exterior Real estate staging
Call J. Designs to get started!
Holiday Camp
8861 Marsh Creek Rd, Clayton Bonded and Fully Insured
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Major Credit Cards Accepted
Page 11
Now offering
Tuxedo Rentals & Gown Preservation services
Holiday Clearance Sale
60% off
all party & formal wear Gowns by David Tutera by Faviana, Bonny Bridal, Eden Bridal, Blush, Modeca, Mia Solano, St. Patrick by Pronovias, Liz Fields & Bari Jay, Shimmer. Sizes 0-32
Blessed Brides By Sarah (925) 672-1200 MyBlessedBrides.com
Please find us at our new location in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center -
5420 Ygnacio Valley Rd Ste 4
Nothing says special gift like jewelry And nothing says jewelry like Cegielski Huge selection of unique quality pieces Many elegant designs by Anna Cegielski
9.99
Something special for every budget
$
ANY HAIRCUT Ring Sizing, Chain Repair, Stone Setting Work done on site Local, family owned Part of the community since 1987
Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. At participating salons. EXPIRES: 1/31/13
Hours
Monday-Friday 9-9 Saturday- 9-6 Sunday 10-5
5435G Clayton Rd. (In the Safeway Center)
Clayton, CA 94517
A Great Haircut. Guaranteed
Telephone
925.524.9003
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Don’t forget pet care during disasters
Pet Suites Inn IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. Please read. We are in the transition of a name change between now and Feb. 1, 2013. Our new name is
Pittsburg Pet Resort. Same Loving Care, Same Staff, Same Owner, Same Location… Just A New Name! We apologize for any inconvenience and value your continued support!
•10% OFF Boarding & Grooming Services (with this ad) •FREE Pick-up & Delivery • Now Open Sun. 10-5 Josie Van Fleet, Owner and Operator
(925) 432-PETS (7387) 671 Willow Pass Road #6, Pittsburg Fully Staffed & Monitored 24/7
PetSuitesInn.com
Remodeling Windows/Doors Crown
Disasters are inevitable. The recent destruction brought by Superstorm Sandy was once again a brutal reminder. The devastation certainly took its human toll with many rescue organizations mobilized to help. But who is there for the animals? One of the most important lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was that pets should accompany their owners during evacuations. The Red Cross now works with local SPCAs to include care for both animals and people in their disaster plans. During Superstorm Sandy the North Shore Animal League, well known from the TV reality show, was well prepared. Shelters were set up to house owners and their pets not only during evacuated but also for those who found living without power too difficult in the days that followed. (See their website for heartwarming rescue stories.) The NSAL, along with other local humane groups, had volunteers on duty to rescue stranded animals, provide shelter and networking for pet/owner reconnection. Veterinary organizations also set disaster plans into action. The
MARYBETH RYMER,
Decks
Siding
Trim
PET PALS American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), urged pet owners to remember their pets when preparing for Superstorm Sandy. This is a timely reminder for us here in the Bay Area to update our own pet disaster plans. The AVMF offers the following disaster preparedness advice: Should you have to evacuate, take your pets with you. All pets should have a collar and tag or be identifiable through an up-to-date microchip or tattoo. Have an ample supply of food, bottled water and any medications.
The AVMF also sponsors the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) program, which is available to provide trained veterinary respon-
ders to states affected by disasters. Here in California, the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the California Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF) sponsor the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC),
which mobilizes regional professionals in local disasters. To learn more about their efforts visit www.facebook.com/ CAVMRC. Veterinary Centers of American had many animal hospitals in New Jersey and New York affected by Sandy. Every effort has been made by VCA to support these hospitals, their staffs and their animal victims. Of course all these organizations need our help, with donations and volunteers. In this season of giving consider a donation to a disaster rescue group/charity of your choice: Red Cross: www.redcross.org/ charitable-donations American Veterinary Medical Foundation: www.avmf.org North Shore Animal League: www.animalleague.org ASPCA: www.aspca.org California Veterinary Medical Foundation: www.cvmf.net Veterinary Centers of America Charities: www.vcahospitals.com/main/charities Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be reached at Monte Vista Animal Hospital, Concord. 672-1100.
Dottie and Jessie are ARF’s Adoption Stars 10-year-old Dottie is a sweet, gentle girl who is healthy and strong for her age. Who says ten-year-olds don’t like to play?
Clayton Resident
case. She deserves a second chance for a wonderful home to enjoy her golden years. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60% off one 7-week dog training session.
Bathrooms & Kitchens
TipperaryConstruction.com
Tipperary Construction Inc. license# 783799, B, HIC
DOTTIE
Dottie is an absolute darling who was found abandoned and emaciated in an empty house and was part of a neglect
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process.
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5-year-old Jessie is a beautiful blue lady who is shy at first but warms up quickly to gentle attention. Once she settles in, she loves laptime and cuddling and will be an easy-going, loyal companion. Jessie’s adoption fee has been pre-paid by a generous donor.
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December 7, 2012
Police Activity for two weeks ending Nov. 30, 2012 ACCIDENTS Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m. 6100 blk. Center St. Nov. 27, 2:46 p.m. 6100 blk. Center St.
ARRESTS Nov. 16, 10:43 a.m. 1800 blk. Yolanda Cr. A 30year-old Clayton male was arrested after officers served a warrant. Nov. 22, 6:50 p.m. Concord Blvd./Las Ramblas. A 23-year-old Martinez female was arrested for DUI; willful cruelty to child after being
stopped for Vehicle Code violations. Nov. 25, 1:25 a.m. Clayton Rd./Mitchell Canyon Rd. A 25-year-old Elk Grove male was arrested for DUI; possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) while driving; probation violation; driving w/BAC while on probation for DUI; sus-
JESSIE
pended license after being stopped for a Vehicle Code violation. Nov. 29, 6:41 p.m. Heritage Trail. A 49-yearold Antioch female was arrested for DUI after officers responded to a call for service. BURGLARIES , THEFTS Nov. 18, Kirker Pass Rd. Attempted burglary Nov. 27, Condor Pl. Residential burglary Nov. 28, Caulfield Dr. Residential burglary Nov. 29, Clayton Petty theft
Why do you read the Pioneer? “Hi Tamara: We want to let you know how much we enjoy the Clayton Pioneer. It really makes us feel connected to the community. When we take the mail out of our mailbox and the Clayton Pioneer is there, it's the first thing we read. Thanks for a great publication.” SINCERELY, BARBARA AND RON JACOBS
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December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 13
Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. DEC. 12 FOR THE DEC. 21 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
IN CLAYTON Dec. 8 Dessert with Mrs. Claus Children must be accompanied by an adult. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Donations appreciated. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272. Dec. 13 Cookie Contest Bake a batch of your best Christmas cookies. Live music by Vintage and Santa visits the judging party for all. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Free. Register for contest by Dec. 11, Clayton Pioneer 672-0500. Dec. 16 Christmas Home Tour Self-guided tour of five homes decorated for the holidays in Clayton. 12 – 7 p.m. Rain or shine. Starts at Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. $20. Proceeds benefit the Clayton Historical Society. claytonhistory.org. Call 672-7680 or email museum@claytonhistory.org.
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Thru Dec. 8 “Christmas Belles” The Onstage Theatre Company performs this southern-fried comedy revolving around the antics of the Futrelle sisters at Christmas. Cue Productions Live, 1835 Colfax St., Concord. $12$15. 518-3277. Thru Dec. 16 “A Christmas Carol” Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $41-$49. centerrep.org. 943-7469. Dec. 7 Christmas Concert Vintage performs at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. 7:30 p.m. 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. vintagetrio.com. Dec. 7, 10 “Sleeping Beauty Jr.” Classic fairytale told Disney style by Youth Theatre Company. 7 p.m. Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10. 943-5946. Dec. 7 – 16 “North Pole Revue” Come meet Santa, the Elves and Santa’s crazy reindeer as they sing and dance you into the holiday spirit. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 21, 22 “Once Upon a Christmas” The Ballet Joyeux presents this holiday ballet featuring Santa, his elves and all the toys in the workshop. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20 for children under 12. $25 adults. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Dec. 22 “Adventures of the Christmas Tree” The forest animals and forest monsters each want the beautiful Christmas tree as a guest at their New Year’s Eve parties. Will there be a bitter war or a big party? 4:45 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $17. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Dec. 23 Holiday Concert Come celebrate the holidays with a magical evening of music and good cheer with the California Symphony. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $65. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Dec. 29 Comedy Show Political comedian Will Durst hosts a night of humor lampooning the events of 2012. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $22-$25. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION Dec. 7 Baha’i, interaction, fellowship and discussion. Topic: I love Christ; that is why I am a Baha’i. Speaker: Dennis Pettyjohn. 7:30 p.m. Free. For directions, call 672-6686. Dec. 15 Christmas Songfest Join The Salvation Army’s brass band in singing Christmas carols. 7 p.m. 3950 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. 676-6180, ext. 21.
FUNDRAISERS Thru Dec. 12 Bake Sale Purchase goodies baked by KinderCare children. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross to help Hurricane Sandy victims. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. KinderCare, 6760 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton. 672-0717. Thru Dec. 23 Christmas Tree Lot Boy Scout Troop 317 is selling Douglas, noble and grand fir Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe and tree stands. 10 a.m. – 10
GOVERNMENT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, except Dec. 25 Clayton City Council 7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group Meets 6 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month, Montecito, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord. 692-5838. Claycord 4-H Meets 6:45 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 Clayton Road, Concord. Clayton Business and Community Association Meets 6:30 p.m. last Thursday of the month except holidays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Sue at 672-2272. Clayton Valley Garden Club Meets 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, February through November. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. claytonvalleygardenclub.org. Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Meets 9:30 a.m. second Tuesday of the month except July and August, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. 672-9448. Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association Meets 6 p.m. first Saturday of the month for a potluck. Open to members and guests. CMDTRA, 1600 Trail Ride Road, Clayton. cmdtra.org or cmdtra@yahoo.com. Contra Costa Chess Club Meets 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Starbuck’s, 1536 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. ccchess.com or contact Mike at 639-1987. Creekside Artists Guild Meets 7-8:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. All artforms and both emerging and experienced artists welcome. Contact Arlene at nielsenjanc@aol.com, creeksideartists.org or call 673-9777.
Dec. 8 Holiday Concert Presented by Diablo Valley Women’s Chorale. 2 p.m. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10 students. $15 general admission. diablowomenschorale.org.
Diablo Valley Democratic Club Meets 7-9 p.m. third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. dvdems.org, 946-0469.
Dec. 8 Illusion Fusion Magic performed by Alex Ramon. 3 and 7 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Knights of Columbus Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, St. Bonaventure Church, Ministry Center, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Art 6721850, shanone@comcast.net or Chuck 849-5466, cecooper3@comcast.net.
Dec. 10 Stroke Support Group Holiday celebration. 7 – 9 p.m. Ball Auditorium, John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Free. Contact Ann Dzuna 376-6218. Dec. 13 - 16 “The Biggest Gift” Join the fun and laughter as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas. Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Dec. 14 Christmas Concert Vintage performs at St. Agnes Catholic Church. 7:30 p.m. 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. Free. vintagetrio.com. Dec. 14 - 16 “It’s a Wonderful Life” Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Diablo Actors’ Ensemble, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $25. diabloactors.com. Dec. 17 Holiday Concert Contra Costa Wind Symphony performs with harp soloist Alexandra Nieuwsma and harp ensemble The Four Graces. 7:30 p.m. Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave., Walnut Creek. Free. ccwindsymphony.org. Dec. 20 “A Christmas Carol” An evening of Victorian cheer and a new telling of the story you only think you know. 8 p.m. Cue Productions Live, 1835 Colfax St., Concord. $15-$20. b8company.com.
TINY BAKERS FROM KINDERCARE raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims (Left to Right) Olivia Caponio, Wyatt Waraner, Jenna Cooper, Sydney Wettstein, Evan Wettstein and Justin Caponio. p.m. Dana Plaza, Concord Boulevard at Landana Drive, Concord. Contact Scoutmaster Ben Soleimanieh at bsatroop317@hotmail.com. Dec. 7 Katie Grace Fundraiser Train rides, Christmas carols, Jingles the Elf. All proceeds go towards Katie Grace’s medical expenses for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. 2 - 9 p.m. Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm, 1060 Pine Lane, Clayton. 672-5198. Dec. 9 Holiday Faire Food, raffle, shopping. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clayton Valley Charter High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. cvchspfc.com.
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. claytonlibrary.org or 673-0659. Wednesdays Book Buddies A volunteer will read stories for children 3 and older. 1-2 p.m. Dec. 19 Book Talk Local author Connie Self discusses her historical fiction “Life in Hitler’s Crosshairs.” 7 p.m.
MOMS Club of Concord/Clayton Meeting dates vary. 331-0674, concordclaytonmomsclub@hotmail.com or concordclaytonmomsclub.webs.com. Oakhurst Business Network Meets 5 – 7 p.m. first Thursday of the month for social hour. Hosted hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Dr., Clayton. oakhurstcc.com. Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Meets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. claytonvalleyrotary.org or 566-8166. Scrabble Club Meets 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. second and fourth Saturdays of the month, Carl’s Jr. Restaurant, 1530 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. All ages and skill levels welcome. $3. scrabble-assoc.com or call Mike at 639-1987. Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista Meets 12:15 p.m. second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month, September-June, Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Contact Nicole at 692-2224. Veterans of Foreign Wars Breakfast 8-11 a.m. second and fourth Sundays of the month, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. $4, $2 children under 12. Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Meets third Wednesday of the month, except June, July, August. 10 a.m. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. Reservations required. $25. Call Barbara Allen at 6725061.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
Sports Healthy Allen counted on to lead Eagles basketball JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Two seasons ago Clayton Valley girls basketball created another chapter in its proud history by winning the Diablo Valley Athletic League, reaching the North Coast Section Division II championship game and advancing to the Northern California Championships. Last year the Eagles were projected for more of the same until it became clear that 2010-11 DVAL MVP Ashley Allen was not going to recover from a major back injury in time to help the Eagles repeat. Allen, now a senior, is back and holds the key to CVCHS again finishing ahead of the pack in league play. Even without Allen last year, the Eagles were only a game behind champion Northgate with a 10-2 league mark. Assistant coach Kris Pascoe calls this year’s team “young, but talented” and it has to overcome the departure of graduated allDVAL standouts Molly Kommer (Sonoma State) and Karley Menez (DVC).
As a sophomore two years ago Allen was a key figure as the Eagles ran off 20 consecutive victories to end Northgate’s 28-game league winning streak and take top honors in the league. They had to defeat the Broncos for a third time in the NCS playoffs but eventually lost the NCS championship game to Dougherty Valley in a heart-breaker by one point and then were upended on their home Dan Della gym court in the NorCal opener to Chico. Last year Northgate and Clayton Valley traded home court wins with the Broncos taking the title by one game. Berean Christian, which handed CV its other league loss a season ago, and College Park might have moved ahead of Northgate as pre-season choices to battle it out with the Eagles for top honors. Allen was DVAL MVP as a sophomore guard averaging 14.3 points per game. Pascoe describes her “amazing athleticism, superior driver, can shoot from anywhere.” Allen recovered from her injury in
See Allen, page 15
Mike Dunn photo
PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THIS YEAR’S TALENTED BUT RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED Clayton Valley Charter High School girls basketball team are seniors Taryn Pascal (left) and Ashley Allen. The Eagles won their first league title since 1999 two years ago but a near season-long injury to Allen derailed their chances at a repeat DVAL championship a year ago.
Clayton Valley Falcons celebrated old, new this fall JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Falcons
MOST OF THE CLAYTON VALLEY FALCONS JUNIOR MIDGET team was in a familiar place when they played East County again in the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference Turkey Bowl last month. And unfortunately for the local squad was the same last the powerful East County team concluded an unbeaten, unscored upon season. The team includes, front row from left, Tyler Brigance, Andres Fonseca, coach J.R. Barrientos, coach Tom Sparks, coach John Cullen, head coach Kevin Confetti, coach Jason Omania, coach Pierre Braganza, junior coach Masen Confetti, Kyle Van Tonder, Anthony Lowe; second row, Peyton Omania, Jaron Jackson, Jack Cullen; third row, David DeBardeleben, Josh King, Mauricio Bermudez, Evan Grabher, Anthony Sanchez, Casey Prasitsak, Kyle Collins, Quentin Strange, Angelo Aguirre, Chris Mitchell; back row, Nick Lilly, Marcus Harris, Doug Bermudez, Brandon Abon, Elijah Tafao, Joseph Guelld, Zach Colchico-Greely, Brock Maxwell, Brian Rivera, Jacob Harris and Jack Morse.
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Clayton Valley Falcons completed its 40th season of youth football this fall capped for the local program with a pair of teams reaching the annual Turkey Bowl for Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference. And even in this landmark year the Falcons began a new era as they work with firstyear Clayton Valley Charter High School football coach Tim Murphy and his staff to train potential future CVCHS Eagles. Falcons president Dave Cooney was really pleased with the team’s performances this season as the five Falcon squads combined for a 32-15 record including the two Turkey Bowl appearances. The Junior Midgets coached by Kevin Confetti was shut out by East County in the Turkey Bowl. The team was 9-
2 on the season and both losses were to East County, which was not scored on all year! To reach the finals the Jr. Midgets beat San Leandro 28-22 in the playoff quarterfinals and then edged West Pittsburg 12-7 in the semis. It was the second year in a row going to Turkey Bowl for the majority of this group. They have lost to talented East County teams lead by former NFL running back Ron Rivers the past two seasons. The story wasn’t too much different for coach Tony Brigance’s Pee Wees. They were also 9-2 and lost both times to Benicia, which also didn’t allow a point all year. In the playoff quarterfinals the Falcons beat Walnut Creek 41-8 and then ousted Antioch 35-14 in the semi-finals. Jim Walker’s Junior Pee Wees lost in the first round playoffs 12-6 to Benicia to conclude a 7-2 campaign. Their other loss was to Turkey
Bowl champion East County earlier in the year. Clayton Valley Charter junior varsity coach Rich Peralta was in charge of the youngest and smallest Falcon players on the Scouts. They were 5-3 in the season. There are no playoffs for that 7-9 year-old division. Pat McGrath is the CVCHS freshman coach and coaches the Falcon Midgets. The team only won two games but the won-loss record wasn’t as important for this oldest Falcons team. The club started running the unique wing-gun offense that Murphy brought to the high school team this year with such record-breaking effect. Cooney explained that, “Our Midget team ran coach Murphy’s offense this year to prepare them for freshman football. Not a great win loss record as they were running a
See Falcons, page 16
December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Sports Garrett Biel makes last kick for Trinity University leaving big imprint in Texas college record book JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton’s Garrett Biel journeyed halfway across the country after his senior year at De La Salle High School to become the placekicker for Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Since that summer of 2009 Biel has been the regular kicker for the Tigers finishing up his final year this fall holding no less than five school records. Biel categorized his senior season as “bittersweet. I got to spend this past summer working out in San Antonio with NFL player (Seahawks, Cowboys, Cardinals and Chiefs) and Trinity alumni Jerheme Urban. Even though our 7-3 record was not good enough to make the playoffs it felt good to win our conference and beat all the teams that recently left the conference. I did not have as many field goal attempts [9] this season as I have in the past.” Although Trinity is in NCAA Division III the school is not immune from the recent trend sweeping intercollegiate sports of conference realignments. Eight schools left the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in the past two years making for a weird 2012 season when the Tigers played many former conference foes. The team was 28-13 during Biel’s four years, making an NCAA playoff appearance last season and winning a pair of SCAC championships in 2011
Photo courtesy Trinity University Sports Information
SENIOR GARRETT BIEL of Clayton wasn’t quite as busy this year kicking fields as in past seasons but he helped the Tigers to a conference championship and is leaving the Trinity football team with five school records.
and 2012. Among the Trinity records Biel set were most fields goals in a game (4 vs. Rhodes in 2009) and a season (17 in 2009), PATs in a game (8, once each in 2011 and 2012), single-season field goal percentage (89.5% in 2009) and career field goals made (39). He is second in school history in career PATs (137), career PAT % (93.8%) and single season PAT % (95.8% in 2012). He was conference special
teams player of the week four times this year, twice as a junior and once each as a freshman and sophomore. His incredible freshman year, when he led all D3 kickers in field goals made, earned him third team Division III allAmerican honors and preseason all-American team for 2010. “My overall experience with Trinity football was great. As my coach [Steve Mohr] says, it’s not easy dedicating so much time for a Division III sport where there is
less spotlight. You truly are playing for your teammates and your love for the game. I’m not going to lie, it was not an easy decision giving up soccer and adventuring off into the football career but I felt that it was going to be a new experience and that I had much to learn from football. I did. The team itself was very close knit. I was welcomed in as a freshman by the entire team and that really boosted my confidence on and off the field.”
Champs, from page 1 Rohnert Park 35-7 at rainy Diablo Valley College last Friday to win the Division II NCS title. It was the fifth time Clayton Valley was in the section championship game and the first time the Eagles came out on top. For Murphy it was his fourth section title after winning NCS with Ygnacio Valley in 1999 and a pair of Central Section crowns at Clovis East. Clayton Valley is no stranger to the NCS playoffs with nine appearances in the past 10 years but the Concord school had never won the final game until now. The wing gun offense Murphy installed this year has led to a school record-tying 12 straight wins after dropping the season opener in August at Pittsburg. League offensive MVP Joe Protheroe has been the offensive standout this year rushing for nearly 2,900 yards and scoring 34 touchdowns. Rancho Cotate held him to a season-low 116 yards from scrimmage but Protheroe also returned the second-half kickoff 94 yards for the Eagles final touchdown, giving them an insurmountable 35-0 lead. Although Clayton Valley has rolled up glossy numbers including having the highest scoring offense in California high school football, it was the Eagles defense that turned over Rancho Cotate five times in the wet conditions (four interceptions and a
fumble recovery) setting up the Eagles with three very short fields in the first half to blow the game open 28-0 at halftime. In Oakdale CVCHS will face a Stanislaus County school founded in 1889. The scarlet and gold Mustangs are no strangers to post-season play. They won the Sac-Joaquin DIV football championship in 2007 and lost the 2010 and 2011 DIII finals to Del Oro. Coach Trent Merzon has been coaching at his alma mater for 22 years, the last 13 as head coach with a record of 12931-1 in that time with six consecutive Valley Oak League titles or co-championships. The Mustangs were mythical State Champions in 2007. This fall they have a 13-1 record after winning the SacJoaquin Section title last week over Vista del Lago of Folsom 22-9 at Lincoln High, where the Regional Bowl Game is being held this Saturday. Their only loss came in the second game to San Diego area power Oceanside of Escondido 34-14. Oceanside has won two State Bowl games since 2007 but was denied a Regional Bowl Berth this year despite a 12-1 record and the San Diego Section DII championship (12th since 1995). Both Clayton Valley and Oakdale feature high-scoring offenses with the Mustangs having eight games of 42 points or more with
Mike Dunn photo
JOE PROTHEROE (5) was held to his lowest rushing total of the year, 125 yards, but the Clayton Valley Charter running back was still able to score three touchdowns as the Eagles defeated Rancho Cotate 35-7 in the NCS championship game last Friday at Diablo Valley College.
their Wing T offense while Clayton Valley has amassed its 12game unbeaten streak by winning every game by at least 20 points. For the year the Eagles average 51 points while allowing 17.5. Murphy pointed to his defense after the NCS finals saying they have been overshadowed by the offense. In point of fact, during three of the past four games CVCHS has allowed a single touchdown with Diablo Valley Athletic League defensive MVP Jesse Medrano leading the charge. Coach Murphy said after the title victory, “Our defense played great. Curtis Grant and Garrett Nelson had interceptions and played really good! Jesse and Tanner (Wraa) played really well also on defense.” Oakdale is averaging 10 fewer
Clayton Valley Football History Highlights 2012 2008 2003 1998 1985 1975 1974 1959 1958
NCS DII Championship Game Champions Play in first-ever CIF State Regional Bowl Game NCS DII Championship Game Finalist Only undefeated regular season 10-0 NCS 3A Championship Game Finalist NCS 3A Championship Game Finalist NCS 3A Championship Game Finalist NCS Football Playoffs established Roger Zino Clayton Valley won back-to-back DVAL titles for only time Turkey Bowl Champions Ranked #1 in East Bay end-of-season polls 1st Varsity Football Season Clayton Valley High School opens
Tim Murphy Herc Pardi Herc Pardi Herc Pardi George Smiley Roger Zino Pat Murphy
points a game than Clayton Valley while also allowing a touchdown less per game on defense. Seven times this year Oakdale has held its opponent to single digit scoring. Oakdale has an enrollment of 1,600 (compared with CVCHS’s 1850) and is the only high school in a city of about 21,000 that calls itself ”The Cowboy Capital of the World.” In the school’s 123year history the most famous football alumnus is College Hall of Famer Eddie LeBaron, a 5-7 quarterback who played collegiately at College of the Pacific (now UOP) before heading to an NFL career that included four Pro Bowl appearances. Murphy has never faced Oakdale with any of his teams but says, “Football is a big deal there; reminds me of Clovis. Tremendous attendance at games, fans are very into it and cheerleaders across the entire side of the field.” The Eagles coach added that the site of the Bowl Game, Lincoln High in Stockton, “is a great field. No track, stands are very close to the field and it seats a lot of people.” He summed the feelings of all connected with Clayton Valley Charter when he said, “We are honored to play in the first NorCal Regional Bowl Game in California history!”
Allen, from page 14
Biel was one of a dozen players not from Texas in the 140man Trinity football program. “Right away being in Texas got me familiar with addressing adults as ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am.’ My relationship with the coaches and faculty seemed more of a friendship than a superior. The friendships I have made throughout my time here are ones I know last forever.” Biel continued, “Of course it was nice breaking records but more importantly it felt good to be a key contributor to the team and our success. Time really flies by but overall playing football has taught me skills that will help me in the future such as time management, representing yourself well, being respectful to others, being sociable, being a leader and holding myself accountable.” He will graduate next December after spending next summer studying abroad. Biel is a marketing major with a double minor in communications management and entrepreneurship. Biel came to Trinity after two magical years in football and soccer. He helped De La Salle High football to the 2007 California State Championship and a runnerup finish in state the following year after winning a pair of North Coast Section football titles. On the soccer field he scored the Golden Goal for coach Brian Voltattorni in overtime of the NCS finals as a senior for the Spartans. Ironically the kicker placed that winning goal into the net with his head. It was the second NCS soccer crown for Biel in his three years on DLS varsity. As a member of the Diablo FC 90 and DVSC Black Pearl 90 soccer team he was a part of three State Cup, US Club Soccer Regional and USYSA Far West Regional championship squads. His team reached the US Club Soccer National Cup IV finals in Florida when he was just 14. Then in 2008 the team went to the Western Regionals in Hawaii and in the semi-finals Biel had to make a penalty kick in the shootout to help his team advance to the Regional finals which they won and then on to the National Championships in Arkansas for his long-time coach John Badger. Biel had a chance to be a camp kicker next summer with the San Francisco 49ers but he’ll be studying in Europe. “I am definitely still working out, still kicking and giving private lessons so maybe in two summers you will hear about me making it big!”
time earlier this year to play AAU basketball for Cal Stars 2013 Elite, a team ironically coached by Northgate head man Dan Middleton. Athletic and speedy senior forward Taryn Pascal is on hand to assist Allen in a leadership role. Annemarie DelBene is the junior point guard who will need all of her court vision and aggressive defense to get the team moving in her third varsity season. Her classmates Kayla Taylor at forward and Jordan Johnson at guard will get plenty of playing time. Taylor averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game a year ago while Johnson is a fast and aggressive defender. Hailey Pascoe was named second team all-DVAL last year as a freshman, probably getting more playing time than expected with the absence of Allen. She put in 10.5 points per game and was also a top defender. Her offensive repertoire includes a three-point shot as well as driving to the basket. A pair of sophomore guards, Sarah Williams, another outside shooter, and Morgan Giacobazzi will also be in the Eagles scorebook. Giacobazzi was called up to varsity midway through her freshman season gaining valuable experience. Kimmie Anderson, Katie Osterkamp and Jenna Zukowski complete the Eagles varsity roster. Honing their skills in the off season, Giacobazzi and Pascoe played on the Cal Stars 2015 Elite team coached by Bernard Barnes, who is entering his ninth season with Clayton Valley basketball and sixth as head varsity coach. Johnson and Taylor were on Cal Stars 2014 Elite while Eagles Anderson and Osterkamp played on Cal Stars Select. Pascoe closed out her team preview by saying, “We are definitely shooting for league champs! We have the potential to go deep into NCS. We would like to make another run at the NCS title game.” Testing his team against top flight competition Barnes entered them in the Central Valley Showdown hosted by Clovis West last weekend where they lost in the opening round to defending Central Section Division I champion Hanford in the opening round.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
Sports MDSA Avengers finish third in two Cups MDSA Avengers took third in the MDSA World Cup which earned them a spot in the season-ending Area 2C Cup AYSO tournament for U12 girls. Coach Robert Waller’s girls won four of five games at Area to claim third place. The Avengers, who played in the World Cup as Finland, include, front row from left, Sierra Lofgren, Madeline Hayworth, Eva O’Toole, Makenna Hornsby, Farah Anwar; back row, Kristen Barnes, Kaitlyn Chiok, Carlissa Reagan, coach Dennis Lofgren, Emma “Pickles” Wilcox, Amaya Berkeley, coach Waller, Isabella Arredondo and Christina Muller.
Photo courtesy MDSA
Falcons, from page 14 completely new offense than the majority of kids were accustomed to. Our goal at
this level was to prepare the kids for the H.S. program. Ninety per cent of our players are within the boundaries and will attend CVCHS. Many of the current Eagles are former Falcons. “We have established a great relationship with coach Murphy and his staff. One of
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his first priorities in taking over the [CVCHS] program was to reach out to our organization and offer to help us any way he could, with the common goal of increasing our coaches’ knowledge of the game and our players’ skill level.” Murphy inherited some special talents in his CVCHS team this year but recognizes that long-term success begins with developing football players on the Falcons for Clayton Valley. “The youth program is doing a great job and they have coaches that are not only teaching good football but teaching kids to do the right thing. Dave Cooney is outstanding. He does it for all the right reasons and is always looking to make improvements to the program. The high school and the youth program work well together and [CVCHS Executive Director] Dave Linzey and [Operations Director] Pat Middendorf are improving our facilities so much, the youth program is really going to benefit next year,” the new Eagles coach added during preparations for the North Coast Section championship game last Friday.
Sarah Nelson earns weekly college basketball honors twice JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Sophomore center Sarah Nelson was named to the Pacific West Conference Fantastic 15 for the first and second weeks of the college basketball season last month for Dominican University of San Rafael. The Clayton Valley High School grad was the Lady Penguins leading scorer in their opening three games to claim the league honors. The Clayton native averaged 14.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in the opening week as her team dropped its opening two games. In addition, she went 14-of-24, ranked second in field goal percentage (.583) and led the conference in blocks per game (4.5) while averaging 1.5 steals per contest. The Lady Penguins lone win in their first four games was a thrilling 93-91 victory over visiting Cal State Stanislaus when Nelson tallied a career high 26 points and matched career bests with 13 rebounds and seven blocks. She shot .846 (11 for 13) from the field and was four of five from the free throw line. The outing was her second straight doubledouble. Nelson, who was best among PacWest players in blocks last season, leads the category again with 5.3 blocks per game. She is fourth in scoring and second in conference rebounding. Coach Brianna Chambers says of Nelson’s early-season play, “It is an honor for Sarah to be recognized for her work! She has worked hard to get better and it has shown early in the season.” As a freshman, the former Eagle played in all 28 Dominican games, all but one as a reserve while averaging 4.1 points per game. She led Pacific West Conference players in blocked shots per game (2.2), which was 33rd in the nation in NCAA Division II. She had a season-high seven blocks vs. Cal State East Bay. She also led the Lady Penguins in field goal percentage (.438) and rebounding (4.2). In the 2011-12 season she twice scored 14 points. Nelson was named Newcomer of the Year for Dominican
Sports Shorts CV FALCON CHEER HOLDS LAS VEGAS TRIP FUND RAISERS Clayton Valley Falcons cheer squads are raising $5000 so the 20 girls who have formed a Falcons National cheer squad can travel to Las Vegas Jan. 28 to compete in the JAMZ Nationals. Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria of Walnut Creek will donate a percentage of each food purchase on Wed., Dec. 12, for anyone mentioning CVAA Falcons Cheer. The team will host a car wash on Sat., Dec. 15, at Mountain Mike’s on Clayton Rd. A poker tournament will culminate the fund raisers on Sat., Jan. 12, before the girls compete in Las Vegas. For more information or to donate contact Paula Schiff (925) 3216139 or email Pkschiff@pacbell.net
HOT STOVE LEAGUE DINNER FOR CVCHS BASEBALL JAN. 11 Head coach Casey Coakley is reviving an old tradition with the Clayton Valley Charter High School Hot Stove Dinner on Friday, Jan. 11. This type of serves to whet the appetite of baseball fans in the cold winter months before spring training starts again. There will be lots of baseball talk, guest speakers, door prizes, raffles plus dinner, all to benefit CVCHS Baseball and its scholarship fund. The event will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. at Shadelands Civic Arts Center, 111 N. Wiget Ln. at Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Walnut Creek. For more information and to buy tickets at $40 each email coach Coakley at Casey.Coakley@ClaytonValley.org.
DFC WINTER SOCCER ACADEMY ACCEPTING PLAYERS Diablo FC’s renowned 12th annual Winter Soccer Academy is taking signups now for its 2013 session running on Mondays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. at Willow Pass Park in Concord from Jan. 7 through Feb. 14. Boys and girls 5-12 years of age in all skill levels can participate in Winter Academy getting professional coaching in a non-competitive environment. The year-round U8 Diablo FC Academy also begins its 2013 sessions with the Winter Academy. St. Mary’s College head coach Adam Cooper runs the Winter Academy. For more information on Winter Academy and U8 Soccer Academy visit diablofc.org.
CV LITTLE LEAGUE BOYS, GIRLS REGISTRATION OPEN Registration for Clayton Valley Little League is open for the spring 2013 season. Baseball programs for players ages four to 14 and softball for girls four to 14 are both open for registration.
Photo courtesy Dominican University Sports Information
SOPHOMORE CENTER SARAH NELSON earned Pacific West Conference Fantastic 15 recognition for the first and second weeks of the college basketball season for Dominican University of San Rafael. The Clayton Valley High grad was the Lady Penguins leading scorer in their opening three games while shooting 65% from the field.
women’s basketball and was selected to the Pacific West Conference All-Academic Team. In her senior season of 201011 at Clayton Valley Nelson was a key part of the Eagles first league championship team since 1999, averaging nine points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots per game for coach Bernard Barnes while being named to the
all-Diablo Valley Athletic League second team. The Eagles had a 20-game winning streak to advance to the North Coast Section Div. II championship game and then to the Northern California tournament. Nelson was a teammate of current Eagles players Ashley Allen, Taryn Pascal and Annemarie Del Bene on that titlewinning squad.
The CVLL program began in 1964 and includes a Challenger Division for players with physical and mental special needs. Players must reside within the CVLL boundaries. For more info or to register, go to cvll.org. The online Clayton Valley Little League merchandise store is open in order to stock up on CVLL gear before the season or for holiday gifts at cvll.org.
DIABLO FC U9-U12 COMPETITIVE SOCCER TRYOUTS JAN. 26-28 Diablo FC tryouts for the 2013 season for under 9 through under 12 boys competitive teams and U9-U11 girls will be held Jan. 26-2728 in Concord. Boys born between Aug. 1, 2001 and July 31, 2006 and girls born between Aug. 1, 2002 and July 31, 2006 are invited to try out. Tryouts for girls in the U12-U14 and boys U13-U14 age groups will be Feb. 2 and 4. There is no charge to try out and players can pre-register today at diablofc.org.
BLAZE AAU BASKETBALL TRYOUTS DEC. 29 AT CLAYTON GYM The Blaze AAU basketball program at All Out Sports League is holding tryouts for 2013 boys 9-14 and girls 12-16 on Sat., Dec. 29 at Clayton Community Gym. The AAU basketball teams compete in tournaments from March through July. Information and registration for tryouts can be found at alloutsportsleague.com.
CV SEEKS 2013 HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee is accepting nominations for the 2013 induction class. This will be the third class for the Hall, which began during the school’s 50th anniversary year in 2008. Individuals can nominate student athletes and coaches for the Hall of Fame. The requirement is that the nominee was a CVHS grad or coach in the years 1960-1999 who was allleague in at least one sport. Requests for a nomination form can be sent via e-mail to Dee Billeter at deebilleter@yahoo.com or Bill Nelson at mommanelson5@yahoo.com. Include a mailing address and an application form will be mailed to you. The induction takes place next May 18 at Centre Concord.
10TH ANNUAL DIABLO FC CRAB FEED & AUCTION FEB. 8 The 10th annual Crab Feed and Auction to support Diablo FC youth soccer programs is Friday, Feb. 8, at Centre Concord. Besides the crab feed dinner and fund-raising live and silent auctions, there will be dancing. Tickets are $50. To get more info or to buy tickets visit diablofc.org
December 7, 2012
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
Shortbread is long on history LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
Shortbread – otherwise known as the Scottish Christmas Cookie – was once considered a food to be consumed only on Christmas or Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year’s Eve). By the late 1800s, however, it evolved into a yearround treat. Several hundred years ago in Medieval Scotland, Mary, Queen
of Scots installed cooks in her kitchens who brought with them various recipes to make rich crispy cookies sometimes called “biscuits” (although we Americans know biscuits as something entirely different). This was the first incarnation of shortbread. The earliest known recipes for shortbread called for yeast to
Highland Springs preserved by Save Mount Diablo
Scott Hein
Parcel overlooks new developments dotting the Tassajara Valley Save Mount Diablo’s purchase of 105 grassy acres in the Mt. Diablo foothills in the Tassajara area is the stewardship organization’s latest effort to combat urban sprawl east of I-680 corridor. Highland Springs, which SMD bought for $495,000, sits on the western face of Highland Ridge, one of the East Bay’s highest points next to Mount Diablo itself. From 1,985 foot elevations, the land overlooks the Tassajara Valley and the proposed “New Farm” project – a development proposal that seeks to build suburban density housing outside San Ramon’s Urban Limit Line next to Hidden Valley Open Space. DEVELOPMENT RISK “The Tassajara Valley and its surrounding hills are some of the best grasslands in the state, a 20,000-acre rectangle surrounded on three sides by preserved ridge lands,” says SMD’s Land Programs Director, Seth Adams. “However, there has been pressure for development of home sites because of the proximity to freeways and the Silicon Valley.
Highland Springs’ 105 acres are carved by two beautiful steep stream canyons on the face of Highland Ridge. The property rises from 1,270 feet to 1,985 feet, just below the ridge’s peak between two islands of chaparral. It’s visible from as far as Palo Alto and has “airplane” views extending to the Peninsula. “Often above the fog layer, moisture allows vegetation to sprout on Highland Springs during the summer,” Adams says. “The height also contributes to its large amount of ground water supporting the stream canyons and springs for which the property is named.” In addition to the abundance of water, the property has another key element for wildlife. Highland Springs is at the confluence of Highland Ridge and the Blackhills, making its chaparral patches critical habitat for rare species such as the Alameda whipsnake. The property is edged by the last chaparral patches on the southeast end of the Blackhills, making Highland Springs a paramount wildlife corridor to connect to chaparral on the Los Vaqueros side of the ridge. Although Highland Springs is on the west slope of Highland Ridge, it is a short distance to Los Vaqueros and the prairie falcon cliffs of Mallory Canyon and to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve.
NEAR CCCWD OPEN SPACE The area may be as equally attractive to development as it is to wildlife. “The property is near three recently acquired Contra Costa Water District properties preserved as open space, which helps to expand existing protected habitat,” says SMD Executive Director Ron Brown. “ According to SMD, a survey and inventory of natural resources is just beginning and the property will be managed for sensitive species habitat. Grazing, which benefits several rare grassland animal species, will continue. Meanwhile, SMD will continue Darker green areas are protected lands. The section in to monitor development proposals yellow is Save Mount Diablo’s Highland Springs near the in the Tassajara Valley. lands in blue which have been preserved by the Contra For more information go to SaveCosta Water District. Map courtesy of Save Mount Diablo. MountDiablo.org.
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make it “short,” the term used to describe a crispy and crumbly texture. Butter was substituted in the 1600s. (In fact, that’s where we think the term “shortening” came from – the use of fat to make “short” cakes and breads.) The typical shortbread recipe consists of flour, sugar and butter. Queen Victoria enjoyed her shortbread seasoned with salt; some heirloom versions in Scotland are flavored with coriander and caraway, or orange peel and almonds. Buttery flavor is an essential quality in shortbread. About 100 years ago, the British government legislated that to be called “shortbread” at least 51 percent of its fat must come from real butter. Of course, there’s no such requirement outside of the United Kingdom, so you should check the label to ensure you enjoy an authentic shortbread experience. If you can find (or make) 100 percent butter cookies, savor every bite. EARLY SHORTBREAD RECIPE A Mrs. Frazier in her 18th Century cookbook gives her recipe as follows: Take a peck of flour…beat and sift a pound of sugar; take orange-peel, citron, and blanched almonds, of each half a pound, cut in pretty long thin pieces: mix these well in the flour; then make a hole in the middle of the flour, put in three table-spoons of good yeast; then work it up, but not too much…roll out; prickle them on top, pinch them neat round the edges, and strew sugar, carraways, peel, and citron, on the top. Fire it…in a moderate oven. These days, there are countless variations on shortbread.
You can try it with black pepper and maize, espresso chocolate, g i n g e r cacao and vanilla sea salt, creations of Emily’s Cookies in Brooklyn, New York. Incorporating tea into the recipe is also quite popular – African Honeybush, Earl Grey, Chai – and of course there’s cappuccino, espresso and mocha coffee shortbreads, as well. A purist, I prefer sticking with the three main ingredients and treat them with respect to coax out the quintessential shortbread. If, on the other hand, you’d like to find a recipe that is tender with great depth of flavor, find America’s Test Kitchen’s shortbread recipe which uses cornstarch to reduce the gluten and finely ground oatmeal for earthiness. Even the world famous Walkers Shortbread Company, founded as a bakery by James Walker in 1898, likes to shake up tradition. Although Walker’s heirs still produce a gazillion tons of their basic shortbread, they are innovating in some of their more distant production facilities with ingredients like ginger and chocolate chips. SHORTBREAD SHAPES What seems to stick with tradition is the shape of shortbread – it’s usually pressed into round molds with decorated edges, although it is acceptable to cut it into “fingers,” rectangular logs, or individual rounds. The large round design was said to resemble the Yule bannock
which was an a n c i e n t rounded and notched cake artistically rendered to resemble the sun. While still underbaked, shortbreads are often scored to make them easy to cut up. Wedges scored in the large round discs are called “petticoat tails” after Mary, Queen of Scots’ wardrobe. Alas, the popularity of enjoying a shortbread cookie with a cup of tea didn’t exist in Mary, Queen of Scots’ day since tea wasn’t introduced to Scotland and its sister country to the south until the mid-1600s. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try a “cuppa with a short biscuit” to honor the old Scottish holiday tradition. Happy baking! Have you signed up for the 2012 Clayton Pioneer Christmas Cookie Contest? Junior and master bakers alike will compete for bragging rights on December 13. Call The Pioneer for info 925672-0500 or go to www.claytonpioneer.com. Linda Wyner, a local attorney and foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Friday, Dec. 21
The Peter Pan Foundation presents
The Phantom of the Opera’s Franc D’Ambrosio in
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Tickets $50 and include auction, raffles, and refreshments
6 pm – silent auction/ appetizers 7:30 pm - concert
Performing Arts
Diablo Ballet celebrates the holiday season with wonderful Winter Gala The magic of the season is here as the Civic Arts Education’s Dance Academy partners with Diablo Ballet for a festive “Winter Ballet Gala.” Two young Clayton Dancers, Emily Payne and Samantha Tuohey, will join the cast for this celebration of people and countries from all around the world. The gala features holiday favorites in both classical and contemporary styles. The second half of the program includes “The Magic of the Nutcracker” featuring Dia-
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blo Ballet’s professional dancers Hiromi Yamazaki and Edward Stegge.” Yamazaki and Stegge will perform with Dance Academy students from Levels II, III, and the Intermediate and Advanced Professional Training program. Performances are Dec. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Shadelands Auditorium, 1111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. For tickets, call the CAE office, (925) 943-5846.
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Have you sent your letter to Santa? Then why has he not received it? No letters, no Christmas. Join the fun and laughter as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas in the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble’s “The Biggest Gift,” an original family friendly musical that encourages audience participation from all ages. “The Biggest Gift” plays Dec. 13-16 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. For show times and tickets go to www.leshercenter.org. Or buy
in person at the Ticket Office at the theatre or the outlet in Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek. Or, call (925) 934-2133
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OLIVIA MONTIJO OF CLAYTON SHARES WISDOM with Bill Dietz of Walnut Creek in “Christmas at The Biltmore,” opening Friday at The Brentwood Theater
A family that does the play together, stays together. This twist on the old adage seems true for the Montijo family of Clayton. It is rare that a show can accommodate casting that includes most of a family, but such is the case however in “Christmas at The Biltmore,” the Brentwood Theater’s heartwarming holiday show, written and directed by Steve Kinsella. Ten-year-old Olivia Montijo portrays Julia Holbrooke, the star of this family-friendly new holiday story. Other family members in the show include older sisters Isabella and Wren, plus their mother, Nathalie Archangel, as Margaret Williams. “Christmas at the Biltmore” is a touching show which examines the strength and resilience of family in the midst of crisis. The Biltmore Hotel is the back-
drop for the play, a bed-andbreakfast in the heart of New England. Christmas week has begun and as each guest arrives the audience sees that their family has brought with them a burden on their vacation. Aided by quirky members of the hotel staff, the guests come to a deeper meaning of family during “Christmas at The Biltmore.” While touching, the show also provides many comical moments as hotel staff and local personalities facilitate the guests experience at the cozy bed-and-breakfast. “Christmas at the Biltmore” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec.8. All shows will be at The Edna Hill Theater, 140 Birch St. in Brentwood. For tickets, call the Brentwood Theater at 925-516-1741.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 19
Broken hydrant floods Center St.
Photo by Jim Jennings
For a few minutes on Nov. 27, Johnny’s Deli could boast outdoor, lakeside dining. When a tall SUV unexpectedly connected with a short fire
hydrant in front of the post office just before 3 p.m., it sheared off the hydrant and sent a geyser of water more than 50 feet into the air. The geyser flooded Center Street between the post office and Morris Street. Johnny
Sandhu, owner of Johnny’s International Deli piled towels against the doors and, more or less successfully kept the waters at bay. No one was hurt or cited and there was no damage to anything except the hydrant.
Youngster wades in “Lake Clayton” and Johnny Sandhu mops up the deli after a motorist knocked over a hydrant that flooded downtown Photos by Tamara Steiner last week.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
December 7, 2012
Weeping Atlas Blue Cedars bring nothing but smiles demands more attention then all the others, it’s the stately Cedrus Atlantica Glauca Pendula, or commonly called Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar. These conifers are stunning to see. They have blue needles on horizontal stems that twist and weep, creating a network branches, that can be shaped and braced into dramatic positions. The Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar is a very slow grower. At maturity, it may reach 15-feet tall and 10- to 12-feet wide. Imagine this stately specimen stretching its long arms filled with rows of icy blue needles that line the stems that drape to the ground. They are a wonder to see, espe-
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL As the leaves drop from our Clayton Valley trees, and the perennials cycle for their winter’s rest, evergreen plant material in our landscapes begin to command our attention. There is one conifer out there that
cially once mature. Our Clayton Valley climate is a great location to grow this living architectural wonder. Weeping Atlas Blue Cedars thrive in full sun, and enjoy our mild winters, where there isn’t the fear of ice and snow. Soil amendments have to be considered though. Our sticky, clay soil is not the growing medium of choice for the Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar, who would much prefer a lighter, more acidic mix. If you are considering installing this tree, you’ll have to get your shovel out and dig a big, wide hole. The hole’s width is very important, and should be 2-1/2 times the width of the contain-
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All trees and shrubs need to be planted with their roots never looking like they’ve ever been in a pot. You should take your time when planting, and probably untwine the roots yourself. If you have a landscaper person working for you, utilize them to dig the hole, and do the planting for yourself. Once installed spread a layer of mulch 2- to 3inch thick around the newly planted tree. Don’t pile the mulch up against the trunk of the tree, as the mulch will break down and feed the soil the acid the Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar needs. You will have to apply
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mulch a couple times a year, which is something you should be doing around your other acid-loving plants anyway. The Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar is such a statement maker in a Clayton Valley Landscape. While the trees are young you can brace up their limbs to add drama and width faster. Use in focal settings surrounded with boulders, in raised beds, along property lines, or hillsides. This tree works into various theme landscapes from traditional California style to Asian-inspired landscapes. Purchase a small
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Jingle Bell Collars
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WEEPING ATLAS CEDAR
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er, try to work and loosen the outer sides of the hole. The depth of the hole however needs to only be 1-½ times the height of the pot. Before planting you will need to have some soil conditioner on hand. If you are planting a 15-gallon Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar, you will need two, two cubic foot bags of conditioner, if your planting a five gallon, you will be able to get by with one, two-cubic-foot bag. You’ll have to mix the conditioner with the native soil. When purchasing a soil conditioner make sure its made up of natural ingredients, with out any fertilizer added to the mix. Most Weeping Atlas Blue Cedars will have a burlap bag surrounding the roots of the tree, even if in a nursery container. Make sure you remove the all of the burlap covering. It will take too long to decompose, and will keep the Weeping Atlas Blue Cedar’s roots all balled up. Once removed from the container and burlap (if there is any), you’ll have to work hard on untangling and spreading out the roots.
A dry dog is a happy dog
Sat 9 to 6
# TTY 711 diamondterrace.irmmanagement.com
Sun 10 to 4
8863 Marsh Creek Rd. in Clayton
www.rodiesfeed.com
(925) 524-5100
*Rents are usually $2,106. Income limits apply.