APR 07 Clayton Pioneer 2006

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April 7, 2006

925.672.0500

Main break severely damages Clayton Rd. DAVE SHUEY

MAYOR’S CORNER Varied programs help local youth It is with great trepidation that I begin this column by telling you that I have no idea what to talk about. Imagine, a politician without anything to say.

Ok, I got over it. I’ve found my muse and will forge ahead.

Follow at your own risk.

I had the great pleasure to read a story to a group of young readers and their parents as part of the Clayton Library’s recent celebration. Also reading stories to the kids were Linda Hutcherson (Mt. Diablo Elementary principal), Tamara Steiner (Pioneer publisher), Police Chief Dan Lawrence and Laura Hoffmeister (our assistant to the city manager and a Concord City Council member).

Despite the fact that the chief cheated by handing out shiny sticker police badges to enthrall the children (What am I going to give them, a tax bill?), we all read wonderful stories that I hope will start those kids on a lifetime of reading and learning. (Oh stop Shoe, you’re making me cry with all this sappy stuff.)

But the sap does not stop.

Before the reading, I had the opportunity to watch several tutor volunteers working with middle school and high school kids on their coursework. These are your neighbors giving their time to help your kids, for no recognition or glory. Well, I am giving it to them here. Great job on a great service to the community.

If you want to help tutor our kids or if your kids need some help, pick up a flier at the library. (Crying yet?)

Turning to other events, the Mt. Diablo PFC fund-raising auction on March 25 was a huge success, raising more money

See Mayor, page A4

What’s inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2 Classifieds and Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 At The Movies . . . . . . . . . .A9 Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A9 Sharing History . . . . . . . .A11 So, Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . .A11 Upcoming Events . . . . . .A12 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . .A13

SECTION B Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Pet Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6 Community Calendar . . . . .B7 Church News . . . . . . . . . . .B8 Letters to the Editor . . . . .B9 Tea for You . . . . . . . . . . . .B10 EcoFocus . . . . . . . . . . . . .B10 Dining Around . . . . . . . . .B11 Food for Thought . . . . . .B12

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

CCWD crews dig for the broken water main at the corner of Clayton Road and Peacock Creek Drive which damaged 1000 feet of Clayton Road.

TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

The road damage on Clayton Road caused by a ruptured Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) main pipe last week will take until at least mid-summer to repair, says City Manager Gary Napper.

The 12-inch pipe, which

runs down Peacock Creek Drive and makes a right turn at Clayton Road, broke at the right elbow about 3:30 a.m. March 30. It snarled traffic and created delays of up to three hours during the morning commute.

Marsh Creek Road is an alternative route for thousands of East County commuters seeking to avoid the backups on

Highway 4. The morning of the main break, traffic came to a standstill and was backed up for miles out Marsh Creek Road.

Julie Dunn, who works in Lynne French’s office in Clayton, commutes from Brentwood.

“The traffic stopped dead at the Marsh Creek Trailer Park,” she said. “I kept thinking it was an acci-

dent.” The trailer park is about eight miles east of the city limits.

In an effort to get around the traffic jam, cars spilled over into residential neighborhoods, clogging virtually every through street in town.

“Many East County commuters have, for the first time, been introduced to some of the

other marvelous parts of Clayton,” Napper said with a smile, “like the nice neighborhoods and our quaint downtown, areas they’ve missed when they were whizzing through town.”

Crews were on-site by 4:30 a.m., when they closed the street

See Break, page A4

City proposes tiered parcel tax for downtown park TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

"Build it and they will come" is the battle cry of the Clayton City Council as it prepares to take the downtown park issue to the voters one more time next November.

They want the voters to decide on the park separately from the general landscaping issues and are proposing to create

a special Community Facilities District for the park alone.

The City Council believes that a park will attract more pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the downtown area, which will then attract more businesses, creating a synergy that translates to increased sales tax revenue.

Since businesses will see a direct bottom line benefit from the park, the City is proposing a tiered parcel tax, with businesses

to pay one-third of the cost of park operation and the residents to pay the other two-thirds. This translates to an annual assessment of about $16.39.

Businesses will pay an average of $239 per quarter acre parcel with downtown businesses paying a higher tax than those further out.

Operating costs for the park were included in Measure M, on last November's ballot. Measure

M proposed a $365 annual assessment to cover all landscape maintenance including the park operation. The measure needed a twothirds majority to pass. It got 45 percent.

Feedback from voters indicated that, while the majority wanted a park, the $365 annual assessment was too high. Many felt that businesses should shoulder a greater share of the tax burden for the park.

Uzoma Nwakuche, Clayton businessman who is developing the parcel at Oak and Center Streets says "I'm absolutely in favor of businesses paying a larger share. The park is critical to drawing traffic downtown. It's key to the town's revitalization."

The park tax will be assessed through a special district set up for the maintenance and operation of

See Park, page A4

For dialysis patient, there’s no place like home BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

Every time Clayton resident Jake Casey returned from dialysis at a local facility, he was wiped out.

“It knocks the snot out of you,” he says.

But after two years on an experimental home dialysis regimen, Casey is a new man. Or more to the point, the man he used to be.

“Overall, I feel almost as well as before my kidneys failed,” Casey says enthusiastically from the comfort of his Regency Woods living room.

“I’m doing so well that if I were offered a transplant today, I don’t think I’d take it.”

The 64-year-old man’s descent into kidney failure began at the age of 32, when he discovered he had polycystic

kidney disease. As the genetic disease progresses, cysts grow and multiply on the kidneys.

“Over a period of years, you have more cysts than you do kidney surface,” Casey says.

Ultimately, the diseased kidneys shut down in end-stage renal disease. Dialysis and transplants are the only forms of treatment available.

Until Casey’s father was hospitalized at the age of 52, the family didn’t realize anything was wrong.

“All we knew was that my grandfather had died of kidney failure when he was 41. We didn’t know why,” says Casey.

In addition to his father, his sister Peggy also inherited the disease. She died at the age of 47, due to complications of high blood pressure – a common

See Dialysis, page A10

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

This portable dialysis machine has allowed Jake Casey to dialyze on his own schedule.

Page A2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

Around Town Denim and Diamonds raises $60,000 for MDES

Ice cream social rewards cookie dough saleskids Mt. Diablo Elementary School’s students are champion fundraisers. Their recent schoolwide cookie dough sale netted $14,000. To say thank you for the Herculean efforts of his sales force, “Cookie Dough Joe” of Harmony Resources Fundraising sprang for an ice cream social for the entire school on Mar. 23. Lots of parents were on hand to scoop ice cream, add toppings and share the joy—and a sweet time was had by all.

George Del Monte, Katie Kreske, Mary Del Monte, Dave Kreske

ROSY STRAKA MELINDA MORIMOTO Special to the Pioneer

DJ Kevin Case and wife, Caren

It was a night many will remember for a long time and the buzz at Maverick’s Monday morning had it the party of the year.

The Mt. Diablo Elementary Sixth Annual Benefit Auction on March 25 had been in the works for months, headed by Melinda Morimoto and Susan O’Toole. The theme was Denim

Mark Riley, Jim Wickware, Sean Lally

Bartenders Bill Calkins and Mike Straka

and Diamonds and captured the essence of downtown Clayton.

For weeks before, room parents and their recruits poured through the businesses on the streets of Clayton, drumming up wonderful donations for the room baskets.

The day of the party finally arrived and armies of volunteers poured into the Centre Concord to decorate and set up.

As the day’s efforts wound down, the ladies went home to dig out their diamonds,—the boys their Levi’s, boots and hats.

The saloon doors opened and Clayton’s finest begin arriving. Joe Medrano, our Showcase Sponsor, Dave Shuey, Mayor and Auctioneer for the night, Kevin Case, DJ Extraordinaire, and Back Forty BBQ brought in their famous ribs! The Daisy Duke Dancers gave new meaning to the word “dessert.” Susan Halliday, winner of the $100 raffle, also went home with the Dreyer’s Bus Wine Tour for her and 39 of her closest friends.

Over 300 parents, staff and friends helped contribute to record setting proceeds of close to $60,000 to benefit the school.

The total surpassed the goal by a wide margin according to PFC VP Fundraising, Sydney Alcock.

Photos courtesy of the Denim and Diamonds committee.

Jay and Suzanne Polshuk

Mike Metz

Beth Neudell/Clayton Pioneer

Back to front: Cookie Dough Joe and scoopers Ben Smith, Michael Moore, Joel Harris and Joe Medrano.

Glonek joins Peace Corps Recent University of Wisconsin graduate Sarah Glonek, will serve in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, spending the next 27 months in Rio Bamba working with a cooperative of farmers that exports grain.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management in December 2005 and was named to the Deans List in the fall of 2005.

Following her Peace Corp assignment Sarah plans to attend veterinary school. She graduated from CVHS in 2001. She is the daughter of Betty and Gordon Lahti of Clayton and Jerry and Sharon Glonek of Gordon, Wisconsin.

SARAH GLONEK

Clayton $879,980 Dana Hills - 4 bedroom, 3 bath home has gourmet kitchen with granite, light cabinetry and opens to family room with fireplace and entrance to backyard pool and spa. Elegant dining, living and Mastersuite.

Clayton $869,980 Regency Meadows - $15K seller credits to use for upgrades on a cute 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home located on a court. Large, private landscaped backyard, spacious kitchen with island, and formal living and dining rooms.

Clayton $729,980 Prime Clayton Location - 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with backyard views of Mt. Diablo has fresh exterior paint, and manicured lawns. Great floorplan with open family room situated next to a gourmet kitchen.

Clayton $829,980 Dana Hills - 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on a hilltop culde-sac backs to Mt. Diablo State Park! Mastersuite, first floor guest room, hardwood floors, and a gourmet kitchen. Patio with an arbor and a private yard.

Concord $659,980 Concord/Clayton Border - $10K seller credits on this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home located on a serene .41 acre lot at the end of a private lane. Spacious rooms include a Mastersuite. New landscaping and dual-pane windows.

Concord $999,980 Merritt Estates - 4 bedroom, 3 bath on a .36 acre lot has an elegant tiled entry, red oak floors and a great floorplan, including a bed and bath on the first level.

Backyard has views of rolling hills and RV/boat parking.

Concord $999,980 Davis Ridge - Custom-built 5+ bedroom, 4 bath home that allows for a possible in-law set-up! Boasts an updated kitchen, 2 fireplaces, Mastersuite, 3-car garage, and a redwood deck. Call Heather Gray (925) 765-3822.

Concord $615,000 Classic Concord - 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with fresh interior and exterior paint, refinished hardwood floors and dual pane windows. One bedroom has a separate entry. Kitchen has new countertops and appliances.

Lynne offers FREE Professional Staging with all her listings Concord $586,980 Clayton Valley Highlands - 3 bedroom, 2 bath w/ remodeled baths, kitchen, & hardwood floors and family room w/ fireplace. Landscaped yard, a sparkling pool and Mt. Diablo views. Call Heather Gray (925) 765-3822.

April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page A3

Around Town Garden Club doesn’t take NO on M for an answer Undeterred by threat of rain, Clayton Gardon Club members turned out in force last Sunday determined to bring a little color to the downtown planters.

When Measure M took a major thumping at the polls last November, members of the Clayton Garden Club took things into their own hands.

The 35 member club, dissatisfied with the minimalist look of the downtown landscaping has taken over the upgrading and maintenance of the 24 raised planters along Main and Center Streets and Marsh Creek Road.

Measure M would have renewed the landscape maintenance district and provided funding for such things as flowering planters and median landscaping.

But, with the district about to sunset in 2007 and current budgeted funds running out rapidly, the best the City could do was to

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Clockwise from left: Co-president JoAnn Caspar, Maria Schell, Cindy Haydon, Co-president Marcia Hart and Kay Lane.

keep the existing planter boxes watered.

The Garden Club, with a $500 grant from the CBCA and the blessing of the City Council, filled the downtown planters with red, white, yellow and blue flowers which will be in full

bloom for the Art and Wine Festival in May. The planters will all be uniform and have the same color scheme. The rose bushes in the Center Street planters will remain.

The Club has been maintain-

ing the raised beds behind the library for many years and was looking for another project when the subject of the downtown beautification came up at a meeting last fall.

“The businesses downtown are really happy with what we are doing,” said JoAnn Caspar, copresident of the Garden Club.

“They want the downtown to look pretty, too.”

There are two or three members assigned to each planter for planting, fertilizing, weeding and trimming. “We want every member to be involved in this,” said Caspar.

There is no direct expense to the City for the beautification project, said City Manager Gary Napper in his Feb. 7 report to the City Council. Any increase in water consumption is expected to be marginal and will likely be offset by the reduction in the time the maintenance staff must

Community leaders read new books at Library Readathon

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Mayor Dave Shuey reads The Teddy Bear to an attentive audience.

Five local “celebrities” were the guest readers at the Clayton Community Library’s Read-athon on Mar 22. Each reader read one of the five picture books nominated for the 2006/06 California Young Reader Medal to a small but rapt audience of young Claytonians and their parents.

At the end of the program, the children were asked to vote for their favorite book. It was a tie between “Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook” read by Mt. Diablo Elementary School Principal,

Linda Hutcherson and “Ruby, In Her Own Time,” read by Clayton Pioneer Publisher Tamara Steiner.

Pictured is Mayor Dave Shuey reading from “The Teddy Bear.” Clayton Chief of Police Dan Lawrence (“How I Became a Pirate) and Assistant to the City Manager Laura Hoffmeister (The Perfect Pet) were also on the reader roster.

For more information on the library’s youth programs, email Youth Services Librarian, Amy Perry at aperry@ccclib.org or call 673-0659.

spend on replacing annuals each year.

“This project is yet another shining example of the community and the City working togeth-

Theater Critic, Pat Craig addresses Clayton Woman’s Club

Nicole Hackett and JoAnn Caspar

er to keep Clayton the special place that it is,” said Napper.

For more information on the Clayton Garden Club, call Jeff Glassauer, 672-7579.

Hartley’s welcome new grandson

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Clayton Woman's Club Co-president, Sheila Driscoll, Pat Craig, Program Director Millie Graham

Contra Costa Times columnist and theater critic Pat Craig was guest speaker at the Clayton Woman’s Club luncheon on March 28.

Addressing a packed house of over 60 members and guests, Craig talked about his early career as a general reporter (“The stories on the society pages were the ones I really wanted to write”), his love of live theater (“Even the absolute worst play is better than the absolute best planning commission meeting”) and answered questions from the floor.

KAI MANA HARTLEY

Ed and Cecelia Hartley have a new baby grandson. Kai Mana Hartley arrived March 8 at a buff 7.5 lbs and 19 inches. His parents are Ronald Hartley and Leinani Sierra of Gresham, Oregon.

What’s new around town?

Know someone that’s getting married? Just had a baby?

Took a great trip?

Got an award?

Send your items to info@claytonpioneer.com

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Page A4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Break, from page A1 and turned off the water.

According to Napper, only Oakhurst Country Club was without water for a few hours.

The water ran under the street surface for about 1,000 feet, undermining the roadbed and buckling pavement until it broke through a weak spot and spewed mud and debris over the road and pathways.

A high-pressure gas line and a

crude oil petroleum line both run under Clayton Road along the affected stretch. Neither line was damaged.

Napper credits CCWD with an “excellent response to the emergency.”

“They had more crews out there in an hour than I have in the whole city,” said Napper.

“We were able to establish a plan of attack very early.”

Mayor, from page A1 Speaking of making money, the Clayton Business and Community Association’s 11th annual Art & Wine Festival will be May 6 and 7 in our downtown. This is their primary fundraising event of the year and the proceeds go directly back to the community. They have donated to hundreds of causes over the years that have benefited our community, including a security system at the high school, college scholarships for our kids, downtown beautification, the Clayton police officers association, middle school gym funding, downtown garbage cans and benches, City Council kickbacks (Wait, I

Park, from page A1 the park. The district will have an annual operating budget of $100,600, significantly higher than the $60,000 proposed by Measure M. This is because the special park district budget will include about $22,000 a year in reserves for infrastructure replacement, vandalism repairs and unexpected expenses that were not separate items under Measure M, explained City Manager Gary Napper at a

community meeting on April 1.

The City will also lose some of the economies of scale that would have been present had the park been part of the larger landscape district.

"Funds in the park district will be restricted to park use and cannot be used to offset other City expenses," said Napper. "Nor can general fund money be used for park maintenance," he said.

The new Community

again, he said.

Before the main break, the city was just about ready to go out for bids for a $1.2 million pavement rehabilitation project.

According to Napper, the reconstruction required by the water main damage is likely to double the original pavement project.

This may, in the long run, benefit the city by creating some economies of scale, allowing more streets to be included in the $1.2 million than originally planned.

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am kidding. Honest. Trust me.), sponsorship and support for the Clayton Historical Society and other community events.

In short, they are an awesome asset to this community. More than 130 members strong and growing. If you want to join this great organization, call Sue White at 672-2272. And make sure to come down to the Art & Wine Festival.

Finally, the silver lining in the “great water main break of 2006” is that the remediation of Clayton Road will be part of our Pavement Rehabilitation bid (paid for by the Water District, not us) this spring/summer.

Since it significantly increases the size of the job, we will get greater economy of scale for the price of rehabbing other city streets,

which I hope will let us include additional streets into the project. I tell you, the glass is half full.

In honor of opening day of my favorite sport, I give you this slightly paraphrased quote from comedian Dave Barry: “If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving her spouse’s life, she will choose to save a life without even considering if there is a man on base.”

And for continuing political humor, Margaret Thatcher once said: “In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”

Remember, email me at shuey@rankinlaw.com and let me know your thoughts or questions. Have a great week.

Facilities District would have a term of 10 years, after which it would have to be renewed by the voters. Annual adjustments will be tied to the Consumer Price Index, but can never exceed 3 percent in any one year.

The 1.1-acre downtown parcel was once a eucalyptus grove and privately owned. The City acquired the property in 1998.

The eucalyptus trees had already been cut down by the prior owner. The property, at that time, was zoned strictly commercial.

In 2000, the City asked the

voters if they wanted a park on the land. 54 percent said yes, but in a related ballot issue, 73 percent soundly rejected a local excise tax to pay for the park.

The City has the $1.3 million needed to build the park in the bank. Most of this money is Redevelopment Agency money that is restricted to capital investment and cannot, by state law, be used for maintenance. $260,000 is a state grant that is a "use it or lose it" proposition. If the park issue fails, the City will have to return this money to the state.

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than ever before to help the elementary school with a variety of needed items. Of course, this was despite yours truly’s complete vocal breakdown while doing the auction.

(Congratulations, Clayton, you elected the first mayor that’s going through puberty. Ouch.)

My voice is better now, but I am sure some were happy to see me almost speechless that night.

Despite this, people kept the laughter down and their paddles up to raise lots of money.

Thanks to all the volunteers who arranged the event and to all those who gave their time and money.

CCWD has acknowledged financial responsibility for the damages and road repair, said Napper, but the city of Clayton will manage the reconstruction.

“CCWD will hire an independent engineer to assess the damage and scope out the reconstruction project. The city will take a look and make sure we are in agreement. Then the specs can be drafted and we can go out to bid,” Napper said.

“It’s going to be at least mid summer” before everything is complete and both lanes are open

April 7, 2006

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April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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HELP WANTED Children’s World Preschool - Cook Cook wanted for Children’s World Preschool. 8:30-1:30, M-F. Call Barbara Owens, 672-9370.

Clayton Historical Society Museum – Greeter. Greeter needed the second Sun. of each month from 2 - 4 p.m.

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STUDY GROUP Readers of The Urantia Book will start a new study group this spring. The group will meet in a downtown Clayton café. New and seasoned readers will explore the book by topics. The group will decide the time (hour and day).

Email urantian@mac.com or call 925672-4689 and ask for Tery.

VACATION RENTAL Cozy cabin in South Lake Tahoe. Two bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 car garage. Great for a family or two couples. Ten minutes to Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake,

casinos, skiing, and hiking. Please call Mike Risso at 925-890-4623.

Cabin in Blue Lake Springs (Arnold, CA). Sleeps 6, fully remodeled, quiet, use of recreation facilities. $150/night, $950/week. Call Kevin Parker @ (925) 383-9430 or http://www.vrconnection.com/parkerpaw.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Clayton Community Library Foundation is currently seeking to fill the following volunteer positions: Shelver - (min. age 13 years) to shelve and sensitize books in the library. Will train, day/time is Tues.10 a.m. -2 p.m. or 2 – 6 p.m. and Sat.10 a.m. –1 p.m.

Book Processor - (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work with labeling and marking books. Hours are Wed. 1 – 5 p.m. Book Mender - (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work mending worn books. Hours can be chosen between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thurs. Shelf Reader - (min.age 13 years) to read the library shelves in order to ensure the correct placement of books...must be familiar with the Dewey decimal system. Tutor - (min.age 13 years) to tutor one-on-one or give homework help at the library to local students in our community. You choose the age range, subjects, remedial help or light homework help, and the days/times. Call Arlene at 673-9777, email akikkawa@ccc.lib.org.

HomeSellers Find out what the home down the street sold for. FREE computerized list of area home sales and current listings www.BayAreaHomesWorth.com

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580

LUXURY FIXERS TAMARA

AND

R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers

TAMARA S TEINER , Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ , Assistant Editor and Display Advertising B ILL WAGONER , Sports Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor

Try the Pioneer Classifieds. Go to

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Go to our Website,

claytonpioneer.com. Click on the Classified Advertising tab on the left side of the page.

Complete the form to submit your ad. Mail a check for the number of insertions to P.O. Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517 or call the office with your credit card information.

Rates are $12 for 30 words and 20 cents for each additional word.

For deadlines, go to the Publication Dates page on the Website. Use the later of the two deadline dates.

Classifieds MUST be submitted via the Website.

The Clayton Pioneer will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. We reserve the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable. All classified ads must be paid for in advance.

LET US KNOW

HOMES FOR SALE

Homes in great areas that need work. FREE computerized list of upscale fixer properties. www.BayAreaLuxuryFixers.com

PIONEER INFO

B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.

www.claytonpioneer.com

Williams Properties Your local real estate broker reystone Lan e 1415 G

380 Blue Oak Lane

on ng So i m o C

Oakhurst, 4 bed, 3 baths, 3,008 sq. ft. New pool and spa.

ng Pendi

Clayton, 4 bed, 2 ½ baths 1,891 sq. ft., Best value in Clayton. $629,950

ilson Way 20 Mt W

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages 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.

Westmont Cou 1061 rt

ng Pendi

ng Pendi

Clayton, 3 bed, 2 ½ baths.

What a view. $535,000

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.

Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization.

Advertise with the Pioneer 672-0500

Pittsburg, 4 bed, 2 baths, 1,731 sq. ft., backs to open space. $549,950

Mike Williams

Thinking of buying or selling?

The name to call is

Page A5

Directory of Advertisers Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 Alexander Video Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0911 Applause Staging and Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 All Loving Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0752 Apronstrings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-7621 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .726-0154 Bay Arts Custom Children's Murals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323-9323 Benton, Murlene - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 CCMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .943-7469 Calkins, Bill - Charlotte Clifford Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9164 Candy Created Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6818 Carol Keane & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Clayton Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Home Inspection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9405 Clayton Mind and Body Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0686 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4848 Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Clayton Valley Villa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8401 Clip n Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-9355 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Cookies by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256-1137 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Denim & Lace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0345 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Dromlewicz, Kim - Century 21 Diablo Valley Realty . . . . .682-4663 Dryclean USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5653 Eagles Peak Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465-0435 Englund's Tea Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8327 Eternal Life Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0295 Fashion Cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-9005 Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Windemere Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8787 Galaxy Nail Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-8668 Garaventa, Les - American Financial & Tax Services . . .676-3400 Help You Sell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 Highfill, Lynne - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7335 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Joanna's Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8911 Kelly Marshall Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0327 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 Lela's Hair Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2000 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Lerner Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1130 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Marlene M. Eastman, EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0024 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Merrigan, Deanna - Team Mount Diablo Realty . . . . . . . .890-0430 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Miller, Thomas - Certified Public Accountant . . . . . . . . . .354-1385 Mingham, Pete - Elite Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-8166 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Dr. Steven Moon, Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-8400 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . . . .280-8563 Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-9222 Neptune Society of Northern California . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-5100 O'Hara's Martial Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7438 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Padgett Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510-704-7716 Pasta Primavera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-5300 Postal Annex + of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8900 Rahimzadeh, Helen - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7375 R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .947-6105 Schaefer's Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-6065 Silvester, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-0777 Skin Care by Trina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2000 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6461 SPA'tique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-1712 Sposito, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7334 Steffen, Tim - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-4407 Steve Youse Painting and Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6945 St. Bonaventure Catholic Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5800 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Stone Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-2094 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Swint, Brad - Team Funding Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .997-2691 Talmadge, Brad - Home Loan Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .759-8971 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 The Pool Shark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-7585 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Travel Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-5000 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Tullis, Shanan - Team Mount Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . .286-1268 Truesdell, Lisa - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-4747 Van-Fleet-Bronson, Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . .672-4333 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2300 Vasona Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-0216 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4433 We the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370 What's My Home's Value.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286-9489 Williams, Mike - Williams Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-5363 Wooden' It Be Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5595

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Page A6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Being thorough pays off when buying new construction Before you enter into a contract to buy a new home, find out exactly what’s included in the price.

How many of the classy upgrades displayed in the builder’s model will cost you extra? Are the carpets, light fixtures, doors and windows the same grade that you’ll get in your new home? Are window coverings and landscaping included, or do you pay extra for these?

An itemized list of finishing details and who’s paying for them should be made a part of the purchase agreement. Both you and the builder should sign off on it.

New homes in a planned development are usually subject to use restrictions described in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Make sure you read and approve the CC&Rs. Also find out the amount of the homeowner’s dues and if there are any additional assessments, such as for new roads or a sanitary sewer system.

Hire a professional to inspect a new home. Just because a house is new doesn’t mean it was built correctly. City inspectors sometimes overlook code violations. Ask the builder for copies of any reports on the property, including the soils report. Have your inspector review these, as well as architectural plans, surveys, engineering calculations, city building inspections and any other con-

struction documents.

Your inspector should help you prepare a “punch list” of items the builder needs to complete by closing.

There can be unanticipated delays in building a new home.

Don’t give a 30-day notice to vacate your present home until you’re sure of the occupancy date on your new home. Find out if the builder will pay the cost of an interim rental (or hotel room) if construction is delayed.

Since you’ll probably have to use the builder’s contract for your purchase agreement, it’s a good idea to have it reviewed by a knowledgeable real estate attorney or broker to make sure you’re adequately protected.

Investigate the reputation of the builder, because even a new roof can leak. Does the builder have a reputation for responding to calls from buyers when unsuspected defects appear? Is the problem then remedied quickly and without undue hassle?

Ask to see other homes the builder has constructed to check out the quality of the workmanship. Be sure to talk to the homeowners and investigate the builder’s reputation with lenders and material suppliers.

Check at the county courthouse to see if any lawsuits have been filed against the builder. Talk to subcontractors who worked for the builder.

Ask if the builder cut corners

April 7, 2006

4th of July Parade needs sponsors and volunteers LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ESTATE

during construction and if he paid his bills on time.

Contact a real estate attorney or the state contractor’s licensing agency for the answers to questions about the builder’s liability for defects.

Make sure the builder will give you a warranty on latent defects for a year or two. You may want to ask an attorney to draft a warranty agreement, or ask the builder to purchase a new home warranty policy from an independent insurance company.

Ask the sales agent how many units like the one you’re buying have sold and for what price. Be careful about buying into a new project in a down market, particularly if the project is only partially built and you’re one of the first buyers. If the development isn’t selling well, the builder might not be able to complete future phases.

Or the builder might find that he has to drastically discount the price on newer models to sell them. This will have a negative effect on the value of your home.

Lynne French is a realtor with Windermere Real Estate and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions, contact her 6728787 or Lynne@LynneFrench.com.

Home loans can be confusing.

Let me explain the advantages & disadvantages of today's changing loan programs.

You could save $500 - $1000 a month on your mortgage payment.

Raising children is not the only thing that takes a village.

The 4th of July Celebration takes a village of at least 70 volunteers to direct traffic, help with crowd control and parade registration, keep the parade route clean (read “scoop horse and pony poop”) and take care of the dozens of other big and little tasks associated with the annual downtown parade.

“You don’t have to work all day,” said Community Services Commissioner Mike Williams, “even an hour or two will help.

This is a great way to enjoy the parade and help out in the community at the same time.

The 4th of July Celebration also needs sponsors . . . with checkbooks.

“It costs the City about $6000 to put on the parade,” said last year’s Community Service Commissioner, Linda Pinder, addressing a general meeting of the CBCA last week. “The costs involved are mostly for insurance, police overtime (all police officers are on duty that day), and then the costs of the bounce houses for Kiddieland.”

To support the effort, Pinder then presented her personal check for $1000 to Mayor Dave Shuey.

The CBCA general membership immediately voted to match her contribution.

“My hope in making a public announcement of the donation” said Pinder after the meeting, “was to stimulate other individuals to consider financial support of the Fourth of July.”

To volunteer your time or to make a donation to the Celebration, contact Mike Williams, 260-5363, or email mike@REMike.com

Offering no cost loans, free credit report and evaluation, and many other loan options.

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Spring Semester begins April 14

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April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

A Razz Mattazz sendoff for Sandy Patel

Schaefer’s PAINTING

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“A Razza Razza Razza, a Razza, Razza Razza, a Razza Razza Razza Mattaz” hummed my two children, Andrew, 10, and Elena, 13, as we drove home last Saturday. That was the theme song we all sang as we closed a touching tribute for Clayton resident Sandy Patel, 72, who died in February.

Hundreds attended this “Celebration of Life” for our dear Clayton Library volunteer and colleague at Onstage Theatre in Pleasant Hill. We both laughed and cried while we were entranced by the beautiful video that showed glimpses of the very full and zestful life he led.

We were in awe as we watched clippings of his numerous musical performances with a group called Razzamattaz, and we laughed at his endearing humor and booming voice.

The speakers gave accounts of his past, many times with great humor. We heard how as a young man he fought in the Korean War, how he tried to make a living selling cars and finally decided to become a teacher, and then his theatrical prowess …wow!

Cleo Reed, a library volunteer and Sandy’s shift leader, shared fond memories. City Councilman Gregg Manning read an inspiring and touching letter from one of Sandy’s former 5th grade students, Dan Siri, now Concord’s chief of police.

And then there was the endless stream of one-liners, Sandy’s trademark, which the many speakers read before sharing their memories.

the “Queen Bee” and wore antennae and a bulbous rear made out of a stuffed garbage bag.

Another year, he was the “Wild Man of Borneo,” decked in fur and wild wig as he approached the parade crowd looking for books to read, all the while shouting “Books … must read books!”

Then, of course, he delighted our children at library programs as he dressed in underwear as Captain Underpants and regal blue satin as the King of Salaam.

This may be our final tribute to a wonderful individual, but he will forever be remembered for his great smile, humor and the life that he brought to the library and to the city of Clayton. We’ll miss you, Sandy.

The Clayton Community Library dedicated its 3rd annual Creekside Arts Celebration in his memory, with a picture board that will be on display through April 20.

I couldn’t help but recall that it was one year ago when we held our own tribute to him. Sandy, a library volunteer since 1995, with well over 1,000 hours, was chosen as the Clayton Library’s 2005 Volunteer of the Year.

Many Clayton residents have had the pleasure of witnessing Sandy’s talents. He directed last year’s Murder Mystery at the Library, as the library celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

Sandy, our lead actor for several years on the library’s Fourth of July float, also volunteered to be

Sandy Patel died on Feb. 12, 2006.

He is survived by his wife, Claudia, his son, Dr. Richard Patel, daughter Karen Caneday and three grandchildren, Alexander, Chloe and Emily.

Middle schoolers find joy in music at Disneyland

Call me

Gifts that TASTE as GOOD as they LOOK

Page A7

Diablo View Middle School student Andrea Nebeker enjoys performing, and so she was looking forward to her second trip to Disneyland with the school’s symphonic band.

And the March 23-25 trip did not disappoint. “I thought it was even more fun this year, because I knew a lot more people,” says the eighth-grade flutist.

Jennifer McLaughlin and the band’s other percussionists had some tense moments, however, because of drummer Chris Morgan’s illness. Morgan rallied, and according to band director Carl Kaiser, “it might have been the best I’ve heard him play.”

This is the fourth time Kaiser has taken the Clayton school’s

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formances and a two-day park pass, the students took part in a recording session with conductor David Warble. The students sightread music, which was then mixed with a video.

Warble recently recorded “Symphony No. 1, Inspired by ‘The Lord of the Rings’ ” with the London Symphony Orchestra.

“So we got to work with a real top-notch professional conductor,” says Kaiser.

As Nebeker, McLaughlin and other students enter high school next year, their music training will serve them well.

Nebeker, who also plays piano and sings in the church choir, plans to join the choir at Clayton Valley High School.

For McLaughlin, it’s tap, jazz and hip-hop dancing.

they heard.” bands to T h e Disneyland, symphonic through the band played Disney familiar M a g i c tunes from Music Days “The Little program.

Mer maid” “They cater and James to bands, B o n d c h o i r s , Katie Hill, left, Nik Heisinger and Bryan movies, as orchestras, Johnston at Disneyland on Mar. 25 well as clasdancing group … just about any stage pro- sics like “Lassus Trombone” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” duction,” says Kaiser.

“That was well-received. It’s a This year, 50 students in the symphonic and jazz bands made good Dixieland piece,” Kaiser the trip. Each band performed for says of “Just a Closer Walk.”

The jazz players blasted out a half hour Saturday on the Plaza “Birdland,” “Witchcraft” and Garden Stage.

“There were some people “Sweet Georgia Brown,” along stopping and asking parents if with “Electric Lady,” which calls “everybody’s indeed the sign was right and it Kaiser was a middle school band,” notes favorite.”

In addition to the plaza perKaiser. “So I guess they liked what

Page A8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Improve both your skin and your mood with some luxury pampering at Spa’tique vibrant appearance.”

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those ugly little devils, to prevent infection and avoid scarring, extraction is definitely an activity best left to the professional.

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Spa’tique welcomes you Originally from San for an hour or two of luxuJose, Jones now lives in rious pampering. With its Antioch with her husband location across from the and two daughters, 9 and Concord Library on Salvio 13. “They are my best Street, it’s perfect for a midclients,” she says, laughing. day getaway--and you can “Mommy, massage my always find a place to park. hands” is a familiar refrain Delight and de-stress around their house. with a personalized facial, a She is a graduate of the Tattered Tootsie Treatment Deloux School of or a full body scrub, mask Cosmetology in Fairfield, and moisturizing by licensed where she completed 600 esthetician Carrie Jones. hours of training before Women, especially, don’t passing the state’s licensing take enough time for themexam a little over a year ago. selves, Jones asserts.

In addition to running “In today’s hectic world, Spa’tique, Jones volunteers many live under stressful her services to the Look conditions that negatively Good, Feel Better program affect mood, appearance Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer through the American and personality,” she says. Carrie Jones, wants your visit to Spa’tique to be relaxing and “all about you.”

Cancer Society. This is a “Taking an hour and a half massage will include face, neck, free, national public service proout for a facial or a foot treat- tains in her gentle manner.

After cleansing comes exfo- shoulders and hands and a 12- gram dedicated to teaching ment lifts your mood, which liation, which “removes dead point acupressure massage. female cancer patients beauty then reflects on others.” skin cells, stimulating cell Mmmmm. techniques to restore their Everything about this slenrenewal and producing a healthy But wait, there’s more. The appearance and self-image durder, attractive brunette is tranmassage is followed by applica- ing cancer treatment. (For more quil, gentle and relaxing. From texture,” she explains.

Then … ahhhhh … the tion of the proper mask for information, go to www.lgfb.ca.) the minute you step through the warm steam opens the pores. your skin type and finally, mois“What a great career I have,” doors, every detail is designed It’s at this point that Jones turizer and sunscreen. You will she shares. “I can help others to with relaxation and rejuvenation will closely examine your skin leave dewy and glowing. look their best and warm my in mind.

Once you’ve experienced the own heart at the same time.”

“Our services are designed for any impurities, a.k.a. blackFor more information on the servto relax, refresh and renew heads, and carefully extract relaxation and renewal of a Personalized or ices offered by Spa’tique, visit your mind, body and spirit,” them.

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‘Inside Man’ may feel familiar, but it breaks out of the norm Spike Lee’s latest “joint” opens with Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) speaking directly to the camera, revealing information on a need-to-know basis.

He gives the audience just enough to make it through the been-there, done-that hostage crisis that is the first half of “Inside Man.” Denzel Washington plays Keith Frazier, an NYPD detective whose career is on the rocks following the disappearance of a large amount of money on his watch. Russell and his team of “painters” cleverly break into a bank and dress the employees and customers up in identical outfits.

Suddenly, we have a tired heist/hostage negotiation, along with a good cop vs. clever criminal formula. Is there someone with a health problem who needs to be let out? Yes. Is there a kid? You bet. Does someone try to be a hero? Of course.

Yet, Lee makes “Inside Man” the best film of 2006 by putting a new spin on this familiar picture.

This is not a heist movie, it’s

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Page A9

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are two or three steps ahead of us. The difference with “Inside Man” is that certain characters are even further ahead. So bring a pillow for when your jaw drops.

The narrative is punctuated with interrogations of each of the hostages by Frazier and his partner Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor) that eventually line up JIM BRIGGS chronologically with the film.

AT THE MOVIES Jody Foster plays Madeleine White, but I’m still not sure a man’s adventure that begins exactly what her job is. She repwith a heist. And it’s a lot of resents Arthur Case fun.

(Christopher Plummer), who I’m reminded of Woody owns the bank and may have Allen’s recent film “Match something to hide.

Point,” as the characters begin The mayor owes her a favor, to act in seemingly bizarre ways so I can assume she’s got a little but we come to realize that they power (and her computer monitor is comically big). She exudes so much confidence, she seems impossible to intimidate. It’s the antithesis of her recent characters in “Panic Room” DENZEL WASHINGTON AND JODIE FOSTER a n d

Jim Briggs is a composer and music teacher. He has a BA in Jazz Composition from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He writes film reviews for the online magazine, Dissolver (www.dissolvermagazine.com). Send comments to movies@claytonpioneer.com.

Could the alternative minimum tax be on your radar screen?

Each year, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) is impacting more middle and upper middle class Clayton families who are reporting ordinary deductions.

The AMT tax system was set up in 1969 to prevent people with very high incomes from using special tax benefits to pay little or no tax. Since 1969, the average middle and upper middle class incomes have risen to above $75,000, while the AMT has not been changed or indexed for inflation.

In addition, the 2001 reductions in the federal tax rates lowered traditional federal tax without an equivalent reduction in AMT rates - further exposing individuals and families to this tax.

The AMT is extremely complex, but simply speaking, it takes away certain ordinary deductions and adds certain “preference items” back into taxable income for the purposes of figuring AMT. To determine your AMT tax liability, two calculations are necessary: one under the traditional tax system and another under the AMT sys-

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“Flightplan.”

It’s about the halfway point in the film where the magic of Lee and first-time screenwriter Russell Gewirtz become apparent. There’s a very funny and almost creepy moment between Dalton Russell and Brian (Amir Ali Said), the 8-year-old son of one of the hostages. He’s playing an absurdly violent handheld game that Russell finds morally objectionable. Even Russell sees the irony in the situation, and the scene plays delightfully.

In Lee’s films, we’re always aware that he’s showing us our own world unlike last year’s Oscar-winner “Crash,” which shows us a world that is certainly familiar but in no way our own. Filmmakers who can take us to the edges of plausibility without walking off the edge are the real geniuses of this medium.

y h W

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Excluded deductions for AMT include many popular middle class deductions such as property, state and local income tax, interest on home equity lines of credit and personal exemptions for you and your family members.

Whether you will be liable for the AMT depends on your combination of income, adjustments and preferences.

If you owed AMT last year, the risk remains that you will owe again.

Here are some common items that can cause an “ordinary” taxpayer to be subject to AMT: All personal exemptions (especially of concern to large families).

Itemized deductions for state and local income taxes and real estate taxes.

Itemized deductions on home equity loan interest (except on loans used for improvements).

Miscellaneous itemized deductions.

Tax-exempt income.

Large capital gains.

Accelerated depreciation.

Exercising incentive stock options.

Changes in some passive activity loss deductions.

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If you feel you may be liable for the AMT, a CPA can identify the potential risk and might help reduce the impact of the tax.

Given today’s political environment, the AMT will likely be around for a couple more years. But because of the large number of taxpayers affected, I’m optimistic something will be done to correct the AMT. Tom Miller is a CPA who provides professional tax services in Clayton. He can be reached at 3541385 or tac.light@gmail.com.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Dialysis, from page A1 problem associated with kidney failure.

His father, Jake Casey Sr., was on dialysis for five years before dying at 73 of a heart condition.

WAITING FOR THE INEVITABLE

Although the younger Casey knew the risks of the road he was traveling, there wasn’t much doctors could do to thwart the devastating cysts.

“Doctors won’t even spend any time with you until you’ve gotten to a certain point in your condition,” he says. “There’s no special diet or anything. All they can do is keep the blood pressure down. I was on eight different blood pressure meds.”

Unfortunately, Casey’s kidneys were near failure in May 2003.

Recently retired from his job as a firefighter for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, he had purchased an RV and was ready to travel with his wife. Instead, he was tied to a schedule of peritoneal dialysis four times a day, for an hour at a time.

“One of the photos I love to show other doctors is Jake dialyzing beside a lake in Washington state in his RV.” Dr. John Moran, Director of research, Well Bound “It changes your life. I don’t care what dreams you have, it drastically changes them,” Casey says solemnly.

In peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is used to fill the abdomen with a cleansing liquid. Waste products and extra fluid pass from the blood into the dialysis solution and are then drained from the body.

After six months of treatment, he developed peritonitis – an inflammation of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). An accompanying fungal infection required doctors to try another option: hemodialysis.

In hemodialysis, the blood flows, a few ounces at a time, through a machine with a filter that removes wastes and extra fluids. The clean blood is then returned to the body.

In addition to being exhausted from the dialysis schedule, Casey found the treatment centers depressing.

“It’s really sad to sit in one of these places and talk to people and hear their stories. I’ve never been depressed in my life until I spent time in that place,”

says Casey.

It was hard for his wife to see him so depressed, but having been with him to the centers, she understood. “Most of them just lie there … it’s like they are gone already,” she says with sadness.

“I’ve seen a big change in him,” she adds, “not only physically but just being around people and being more uplifted.”

THESE DAYS, IT’S ‘TOTAL FREEDOM’ Working with Dr. Carol DiRaimondo and the staff at Diablo Nephrology, Casey was placed into a trial for NxStage’s portable home dialysis system in 2004.

The system weighs only 70 pounds – compared to other home machines that weigh up to 300 pounds and require installation of a special water processing system.

“I can put this in our RV and take it with us,” says Casey, who is relishing his return to “total freedom.” He and his wife Carol are back on the road, taking their three English springer spaniels to dog shows or touring the West.

“One of the photos I love to show other doctors is Jake dialyzing beside a lake in Washington state in his RV,” says Dr. John Moran.

Moran, director of research at Well Bound in Mountain View, helped train Casey on the home equipment. “We feel very strongly that the best place to dialyze people is in their own homes,” he notes.

Casey uses the NxStage devise almost every day, for about three hours at a time.

Before he begins, the system goes through an 18-minute check cycle. “This thing has about 60 security alarms on it.

It’s very sensitive,” he says.

Then, Casey works at his computer or watches TV while his blood supply is piped through the system, which cleans the toxins from his body.

His wife is always at home during the treatment in case anything should go wrong.

NxStage received FDA approval for the device last fall.

Moran is particularly pleased with the system because the cleansing fluid is delivered in bags to the patient’s home.

“They’re not hooked up to the local water system and dealing with whatever agencies put in the water.”

With the special “button hole” technique Casey has for the needle inserted into his upper arm, he says the process is “absolutely pain-free.”

And more importantly, he isn’t tied to a clinic schedule.

“If we have other things, say we need to go shopping, we’ll go do that and I’ll do the

Look for signs of kidney disease The number of patients on dialysis is increasing at an alarming rate in this country, says Dr. John Moran.

“It’s an enormous public health issue, because this is a pretty expense treatment,” he says.

Today, more than 400,000 Americans are on dialysis.

Moran believes that number will grow to 600,000 in a few years.

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dialysis later,” he says. “I could go two to three days (without it) and still feel good. But my wife will notice that I start to look a little puffy in my face.”

Today, Casey’s blood pressure is back under control, and he only needs to take a few supplements to keep his system in balance. The only noticeable signs of his disease are a slight yellowing around his eyes and the bulge in his upper arm from the vascular access.

According to Tricia McCarley, a nurse practitioner at Diablo Nephrology, Casey is a good example of a patient who has taken control of his medical situation.

“The mental aspect is just huge – that the patient has control of their own destiny,” says McCarley, noting the sense of futility patients have when they feel doctors are making all the decisions.

AN ACTIVE SPOKESMAN Bay Area patients in Casey’s clinical trial shared their success stories at a two-year anniversary celebration held in Berkeley in March. Casey was amazed by the transformations he saw while watching a slide show at the party.

“You could see a difference in them – watching the slides, then looking around the room,” he says. “They just look healthier now.”

In addition to telling his story at the Berkeley reunion, Casey also recently spoke before thousands at a Kidney Foundation meeting in San Francisco.

“Doctors couldn’t believe it,” he says proudly. “They were lined up to ask me questions.”

Casey is adamant that not enough dialysis patients are

aware of the home care option.

“It’s a matter of educating the doctors. We’ve got to get them to tell the people, ‘You know, you could do that at home,’ ” he says.

Although Well Bound’s goal is to free patients from restrictive in-center treatment, only 40 percent of its patients now choose home dialysis.

“Most patients still opt to go to the center because they feel there are health-care professionals to care for them,” Moran says. “We believe that more people could be – and should be – using home dialysis.”

Another obstacle to home dialysis is the cost. Medicare currently pays for four days of dialysis a week. NxStage is picking up any additional costs for Casey’s daily treatments.

“It’s just a matter of time before Medicare will have to extend their coverage,” Casey notes.

The next hurdle for Casey, and his family, may be coping with the genetic disease in future generations. His 38-yearold son Gary is symptomatic and is having difficulty keeping his blood pressure under control. Daughter Teresa, 45, hasn’t been tested. “She doesn’t want to know,” says Casey.

Researchers have identified the two genes – PKD-1 and PKD-2 – which cause the disease. “With polycystic kidney disease, we believe it may be cured by gene therapy,” Moran says. “But that’s sometime in the future … decades.”

For more information on home dialysis, contact Well Bound at www.Wellbound.com or 1-800-4765450. Or visit www.homedialysis.org.

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Researching Clayton’s past keeps Dick Ellis always moving forward

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Dick Ellis is passionate about became an offshoot of the United States in 1837 and settled Clayton’s history, and that comes UCVC. In 1975, the first official in Wisconsin. He later decided to through with a deep fondness for meeting was held for the new travel in the direction of the Oregon Trail and worked along the journey that has brought him group.

“We didn’t open the Clayton the way. His wife Margaret came to know so much about our town.

Dick has volunteered with the Museum until 1981,” Dick through the Isthmus of Panama to be with Joel, and Clayton Historical he traveled by horse Society for more than from Washington 30 years, including to meet her. serving as president Coming back from 1982 to2005. His up through this way involvement began again, Joel found with a school project. that this area “I was born and reminded him of raised in San Francisco Bugsworth. and had always wanted “He built his to be a teacher. I had house here, and had attended Saint Mary’s the town named College, gone to the after him. Joel lived Marine Corps for here until he died in three years and 1872 of pneumonia returned to get my creout in Black dential and taught at a Diamond while middle school,” says Photo courtesy of Dick Ellis tending his sheep,” Dick. “In the meanDick says affectiontime, friends of mine Dick Ellis and his wife Mary Lou at their high told me about new school senior ball in 1948. The couple celebrates ately. “Because we have taken the time schools opening up their 53rd wedding anniversary this year. to gather all this here. I came out to plan and start the graphics and reports. “Many people don’t information about our town, we photo program at Clayton Valley know it, but the front of the have Joel Clayton and his wife’s museum is an original part of Joel complete genealogical records High School.”

In 1973, Dick was contacted Clayton’s home. The back part of here also.”

Dick and his wife, Mary Lou, by the Upper Clayton Valley Corp the museum is from a house Joel (UCVC), a group of women pro- Clayton’s daughter had lived in at presented Buxsworth with a proclamation from then-mayor moting history in the area. They one time on Oak Street.”

It’s at this point in the story Pete Laurence in 1994. “We have asked if his class would be interested in producing a commemo- that his heart begins to spill over also hosted families from there in with his deep connection to our home, and they have done the rative historic calendar to sell. same for us when we visit,” Dick “I was all for it and my stu- Clayton.

“In 1983, my wife and I decid- says. dents, along with the adults, did The Historical Society is this project together that year, and ed to go to England to find out then in 1975, too,” says Dick, where Joel Clayton had been always adding details to the town’s smiling. “Everyone got so excited born. We called his great, great history. “Just last year, we got about what we could achieve, that grandson, who worked for Joel’s signature from a probate with the help of several teachers, Lockheed but who happened to document,” Dick says as if he him personally. we put together the book be in England, and he told us to knows ‘Clayton, Small But Proud’ after go to Buxsworth (originally “Something that we still don’t named Bugsworth when Joel have is his exact birth date. But I that.”

Later on, a book about Clayton was born there),” Dick know it’s going to pop up one day, Concord was published through says. “It turned out to be a town and we’ll find it. This history stuff of 300 people, and we were able is just a part of me now.” the same combined efforts.

Dick encourages children to The Clayton Historical Society to find a lot of the family facts.”

Joel Clayton, the oldest of explore their personal history. eleven children, came to the “They need to sit down with

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SHARING HISTORY mom and dad to ask where grandma and grandpa came from and develop that connection to who they are in the world beyond their neighborhood.”

Besides researching, Dick teaches adult woodworking classes and is a board member for the County History Center in Martinez. He and his wife continue to add to the 52 different countries they have visited.

Dick also contributed to the Clayton Historical Society’s new book, “Images of America: Clayton,” which can be purchased at the museum.

Dick Ellis in Chinley, England, pouring over Baptismal records.

As we wrap up our time together, Dick and I walk through the front of the museum that was Joel Clayton’s home in the 1860s.

I can imagine Dick sitting down here with Joel to share the day’s stories as if he were a well-known friend.

If you are a senior living in Clayton, or know of a senior that would like to share their life story with the Clayton Pioneer readers, please contact Colleen Elwy at 672-9565 or at colleensbyline@aol.com.

Crazy cat story, ripped right from the headlines As a cat lover and, admittedly a bit of a loon. this is the kind of stuff I love to hear. Lewis, a renegade cat, is terrorizing his neighbors.

According to the Connecticut Post, the feline Col. Kurtz has attacked two neighbors and an Avon Lady.

His owner, Ruth Cisero, claims that the human scratching post in question may have stepped on Lew’s tail or “closed a door on him.”

Regarding the neighbors, Cisero says one neighbor stepped into a standoff between Lewis and her cat. She says the other received her thrashing in retaliation for “attempting to shoo Lewis away” from her home after another incident with

her cat: the equivalent of a Kitty Drive-By. Like any patriotic, red-blooded, litigious American, said Avon Lady is now suing Cisero for $5,000, because naturally somebody has to pay for the actions of this hairball hacking hooligan.

The local animal control authorities have placed Lewis under house arrest (true) and are fitting him for a kitty tracking anklet (made up). No one can accuse Fairfield. Conn., of being soft on crime, no sir. It’s comforting to know that some cities are not afraid to play hairball I mean hardball.

So let this column serve as a public service announcement and warning to my neighbors.

Sonny and Nellie are on the

Free o

JOE ROMANO

SO ANYWAY loose and will not hesitate to unleash their paws of fury on any unsuspecting passerby.

Or at the very least, they’ll give you a dirty look as they crap in your yard.

Either way, you’ve been warned.

nline

Clayton resident, Joe Romano, is a family man, a free-lance writer for hire and the Pioneer’s “all around funny guy.” Email him at jromano01@yahoo.com

home

evalu

ation

Page A12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

Dave George leaves Station 11 TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Capt. Dave George of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District waved goodbye to Clayton and Station 11 on March 29, after nearly seven years of service.

He has been promoted to battalion chief and will be stationed in Pleasant Hill.

George came to the Clayton station as a captain in 1999, a year before the new building at Center and Clayton Road was completed. He gave the invocation when the new building opened.

His career as a firefighter and paramedic spans 24 years, making him the senior paramedic in the department.

In his new position, George will be in charge of 18 stations, including Station 11.

“This means I won’t be a

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Captain Dave George will miss being a paramedic. paramedic anymore,” says George. “I will miss being able to go into a situation and be the moral support to be able to hold a hand and comfort a person and tell them everything’s going

to be OK, while at the same time, knowing all along that I had this arsenal of medications if I needed it.”

George will best be remembered by the residents of

Clayton for his inspired 911 Flag Display, an annual memorial to the firefighters lost in the World Trade Center attack.

“I’ll miss the people of Clayton,” he says. “My friendships with the city leaders … everyone is great. I’ll miss riding in the Fourth of July parade, the greatest American parade in the country.

“And the crew that I worked with shared the same feeling for the people in Clayton. Alone, I would have been adequate.

Together, we did more than any one of us could have imagined.”

George is frequently the department’s spokesman to the media during a fire or at the scene of an accident. He offers this pledge to Clayton residents. “If you see me on TV and I tug on my right ear, that’s my little hello to all my friends in Clayton.”

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Applause puts your home center stage JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Alise Lacosse is sold on staging. An accredited staging professional master, Alise is dedicated to helping local residents get the best value for their home. They will do just that with Alise’s professional staging consultation.

She and her partner Dee Dee Hammer are a team. They believe in what they do and according to Alise, homes that are staged, sell quickly and very often for over the asking price.

Last spring, Alise staged two homes. One sold for $100,000 over the asking price, another sold for $50,000 over.

“My clients were ecstatic,” says Alise. In fact, they said, if they knew their home would have looked so good, they never would have sold.”

The process is a simple one, notes Alise. She and her partner, can literally stage a home for sale or transform a vacant house into a showplace in one day.

Alise first determines what the home needs and has plenty

of resources to bring in furniture, accessories, new lighting fixtures etc. Many of the homes that Alise is asked to stage are older homes that need to be updated, decluttered and brought up to the high standards that everyone has come to expect in today’s real estate market.

Although staging can be done in one day, she prefers several weeks notice in order to thoroughly evaluate a home to determine what she can do to showcase the residence.

“Many times an older home needs some maintenance and repairs and color consultation which takes a little more time,” says Alise.

It’s worth the extra effort, because the client reaps the benefits when a home sells. “The way you live in your home and the way you sell you house are two different things,” she says.

Applause Staging can work with a vacant home or a home that residents are living in while the staging process is in effect.

Having worked in interior decorating since 1997, Alise has

Upcoming Events

EASTER EGG HUNT Clayton’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt is Hoppening Sun. Apr. 9, 12 – 2 p.m. at the Clayton Community Gym. This is a free community event, for kids Pre-k through third grade. There will be an Easter egg hunt, BBQ, raffle, inflatable bounce house and Easter bag-decorating contest. The Easter Bunny may be present for pictures too - come out to see. For more information, call Wendy Moore, 925-682-3255, wmoore@apr.com.

The YMCA, Alain Pinel Realtors, the City of Clayton and Clayton Community Church are sponsors of the event.

SPRING CLEANING The City’s spring-cleaning day is set for April 29. Rain or shine, volunteers will report for duty at 9 a.m. to clear trails, pick up trash and generally put a “spit shine” on the City. So, grab your work gloves and a poncho in case of rain. Work off some of those winter calories and spruce up your city at

the same time. Clayton has been rated as one of the “most walkable” cities in the country and this a good opportunity for families, scout troops, clubs or

a wealth of experience, which makes each new project a work of art.

“The main goal is to have potential buyers enter a home and want to purchase that home just as is. You don’t want them thinking that they need to change lightALISE LACOSSE AND KOBI ing fixtures or declutter the roster of clients and realtors den,” says Alise. “It’s my job to who solicit their work. “Staging make each home showcase it’s is getting hotter and hotter,” best features.”

Alise says.

Her greatest satisfaction Once a bid is accepted, Alise comes from happy clients who works with each client to comcannot believe the total trans- plete the job. “I do all the folformation of their home. “They low-up, freeing clients to do want all their neighbors, friends what they do best--market a and relatives to see the differ- home for a quick sale at the ence,” Alise says. highest possible price.”

Alise and Dee Dee work See Applause ad at the top independently and have a strong of this page. just those Claytonians with a bad case of cabin fever to help maintain that reputation.

The semi-annual Clayton Cleans Up Day has a new look this spring with a brand new logo. Ten-year-old Grant Meylan submitted the winning entry in the City’s search for a new graphic to be used on flyers, posters and T-shirts.

The design was selected from a field of more than 25 entries. Casey Mitchell, 8, and Mark Kassicieh, 7, received honorable mention. All three are students at Mt. Diablo Elementary School.

The event is sponsored by, Allied Waste Services, YMCA, The Clayton Pioneer, City of Clayton, Safeway, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Alden Foster Pacific Mortgage and is held in conjunction with Earth Day, the N a t i o n a l Po l l u t i o n Prevention awareness campaign and the State’s Keep California Beautiful initiative.

For more information on Clayton Cleans Up, call Laura Hoffmeister at City Hall, 6737300

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CALIFORNIA WILD LILAC is blooms profusely in early spring and thrives on Clayton hills.

Looking around town, you may have noticed that Clayton has a case of the blues. Blue flowers that is.

You’ll find them spreading down banks and pointing straight toward the sky. These April beauties are apart of two-well known families of plants, Ceanothus and Echium, commonly called Wild Lilacs and Pride of Madeira.

Both varieties are naturals on Clayton’s slopes and hills. They can tolerate almost all our environment has to offer: heat, drought, poor soil, heavy winds, you name it. The key is placement when installing them.

Ceanothus is a family of plants native to California. That is where it gets its name, Wild Lilac.

This extensive family has a plant size for just about every application. Ceanothus is found in any shape from groundcover to tall shrubs or small trees, so be aware when installing.

Showy clusters of tiny flowers are pale to brilliant blue, white, lavender and occasionally pinkish rose. They appear in spring and last for four to six weeks. Dark evergreen foliage is robust and sturdy.

Several varieties of Ceanothus are critical survival items for California’s deer. The smoother the leaves, the tastier the plants are to the deer.

Ceanothus griseus horizontalis is commonly called Carmel Creeper. This fast growing groundcover will reach 2 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide, with large, rounded, glossy green leaves. The light blue flowers are moderately showy and appear in late winter and early spring. The Carmel Creeper needs summer water until established.

Yankee Point is another groundcover variety of the Wild Lilac. This selection matures with a little more height, eventually 3 to 5 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide, with showier darker blue

flowers. The leaves are slightly narrower and deeply veined, with a darker green color.

Both of these Ceanothus selections would be great introductions to any steep hillside.

They would provide erosion control and cover the dirt for prevention of weeds.

Our quail population uses the low branches of the Wild Lilac for shelter and protection of their nests.

Ceanothus Dark Star reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, with small rounded clusters of dark blue flowers appearing in spring from light burgundy buds.

This compact selection has dark foliage with wavy leaves. This plant is moderately deer-resistant.

Julia Phelps is another bushy variety of Ceanothus. Medium to dark blue flowers in short, rounded clusters appear mid-spring.

This variety reaches 4 to 6 feet

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

and 6 to 8 feet wide. Julia Phelps is also a deer-resistant selection.

I can’t talk about Ceanothus without mentioning the Ray Hartman. This is the most commonly grown tree or large shrub variety. Rarely growing less than 15 feet tall and wide, this plant has burgundy buds that appear in late winter and open with small spikes of medium blue. The small, rounded leaves are a favorite among deer, so consider that when installing.

Pride of Maderia is a family of

plants that originated in the Canary Islands. This evergreen has dramatic grey green to silvery grey foliage. Mature specimens can get 6 to 8 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. These beautiful and intriguing plants bloom a tall upright spikes of densely packed flowers in early to mid-spring.

Colors range from light rose pink to dark purple blue, with most plants falling somewhere in the medium blue range.

The Echium prefers sun, with eventually little to no summer watering. Make sure you give Echium enough room to mature.

Pride of Maderia will not look good or respond well to constant cutting back. Allow 5 to 6 feet of sidewalk clearance.

If you need to restrain you plants, prune right after spring bloom or in late fall, so they have time to leaf out and be ready for spring flowering. Pride of Maderia will reseed, so you will have even more to enjoy.

Echium candicans is a big, bold, fast-growing shrub for full sun with tall spikes of iridescent violet-blue flowers in spring.

Because it is drought and wind tolerant, the Pride of Maderia is great for the welldrained slopes of Clayton.

Echium wildpritii is commonly called Tower of Jewels.

This Echium is a biennial with a rosette of silvery gray leaves. In the second year, a 6 to 10 foot spike of dark pink to rose-red flowers arises in late spring.

Honey bees love this variety, so plant far from foot traffic.

The Tower of Jewels will die after bloom but will reseed for future enjoyment. Keep your eye out for the blue Tower of Jewels, as it is another great garden addition.

And remember, with all these plants, placement is the key to avoiding removal later.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Garden Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at GardenGirl94517@yahoo.com

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Page A14

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

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30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . .6.25% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . .6.25% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .6.375% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . . . .6.5% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.250% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.625%

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Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty

BLACK DIAMOND AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

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Spacious master offers a built-in bay window seat with gorgeous views.

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ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

SF

5607 Lassen Court 508 Hamburg Circle 2 Rialto Drive 3046 Miwok Way 112 Forest Hill Drive 374 Blue Oak Lane 1546 O'Hara Court 540 Mt. Davidson Ct 5191 Keller Ridge Dr 1467 Indianhead Circle 3003 Coyote Circle 9007 Elk Drive 718 Anizumne Court 2 Mt. Wilson Way 1164 Moccasin Court 8019 Kelok Way 5120 Keller Ridge Dr 1124 Whispering Pines 5017 Raven Way 5175 Keller Ridge Dr 5007 Raven Way 1032 Pebble Beach Dr 90 Mt. McKinley Ct 107 El Portal Place 104 Mt. Whitney Way 905 Arrowhead Terr 410 Chupcan Place 107 Jeffry Ranch Ct. 8027 Kelok Way 8000 Kelok Way 204 Falcon Place 1468 Yosemite Cir 11 Alef Court 24 Ohlone Lane 620 Black Point Ct 1127 Peacock Creek Dr 1874 Eagle Peak Ave 4003 Hummingbird Wy 118 Forest Hill Dr 151 Montaire Parkway 5185 Keller Ridge Dr 459 Obsidian Way

$629,950 $829,300 $820,000 $1,034,000 $1,055,000 $922,000 $684,000 $780,000 $760,000 $593,000 $505,000 $890,000 $680,000 $499,950 $670,000 $890,000 $739,000 $1,175,000 $825,000 $899,000 $750,000 $1,060,000 $799,000 $915,000 $825,000 $665,000 $715,000 $760,000 $954,980 $889,500 $800,000 $580,000 $897,000 $825,000 $815,000 $1,332,500 $815,000 $900,000 $1,075,000 $800,000 $917,000 $1,020,000

03/24/06 03/24/06 03/23/06 03/22/06 03/17/06 03/16/06 03/15/06 03/14/06 03/10/06 03/10/06 02/2806 02/28/06 02/28/06 02/23/06 02/22/06 02/22/06 02/17/06 02/17/06 02/16/06 02/13/06 02/10/06 02/09/06 02/07/06 01/31/06 01/24/06 01/17/06 01/06/06 01/03/06 12/29/05 12/28/05 12/23/05 12/19/05 12/16/05 12/16/05 12/15/05 12/14/05 12/08/05 12/08/05 12/02/05 12/1/05 11/29/05 11/23/05

1,443 2,391 1,648 2,944 3,335 3,008 1,549 2,342 2,543 1,430 1,252 2,543 1,904 1,378 1,343 2,542 1,877 2,700 2,467 3,079 1,835 3,335 1,919 2,857 2,566 1,797 1,991 2,150 3,079 2,542 2,467 1,326 2,370 2,313 2,005 4,100 2,467 2,854 3,185 2,448 2,894 3,454

BED/BATH 3/2 4/2.5 3/2 4/2.5 4/2.5 4/3 3/3 4/2 3/2.5 3/2.5 2/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 4/3 4/3 3/2 4/2.5 4/2 5/3 5/3 3/2.5 3/2 4/3 4/3 4/2.5 4/3 3/2 4/2.5 4/2.5 4/2.5 6/3.5 4/3 3/3 4/3.5 4/2 4/3 5/3

CLAYTON PIONEER April 7, 2006

Section B

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page B1

Shelter makes winter nights seem less daunting BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

While it’s true there’s no place like home, the Winter Night Shelter is a welcome respite for homeless families.

St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church hosted the rotating family shelter program for a week in late March. About two dozen people – more than half of them children – stayed in the church hall.

“Primarily, we want to get them out of the cold,” says Clayton resident Pat Conroy. “Secondarily, we want to help them become more stabilized and help them look for affordable or transitional housing.”

Conroy coordinated the local volunteers who provided meals and assistance to the temporary residents.

“We want them to feel comfortable,” she says. “We make them feel welcome and warm in faith.”

Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa, Winter Night Shelter was launched in 2002 to help families on the waiting list for a private family shelter. The rotating Winter Night shelter, which can house 30 people, is open midOctober through May 1.

Although the families are constantly on the move – as a new church hosts them each week – the children are usually able to maintain enrollment at their own schools.

“Vans pick them up and transport them each day, so there is not that great trauma of shifting from school to school,” says Conroy.

Clayton resident Carol Chrobak, who interacts with the children during playtime at the St. Bonaventure

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Pat Conroy and Jenny Maltez sort through blankets in preparation for the Winter Night Shelter at St. Bonaventure Church. Students at Wood Rose Academy in Concord made 21 blankets, one for each of the shelter’s residents.

shelter, is encouraged by the attitudes of the younger residents.

“The children are very flexible.

They seem to kind of roll with what is going on,” she reports. “The parents, of course, are devastated that they don’t have a home for their children.”

Winter Night has served 53 families since October 2005. Seven families moved to permanent shelters, while three were able to move into apartments.

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According to executive director Gwen Watson, it costs about $117,000 to operate Winter Night for a season. “That is just a fraction of the cost,” she notes, “because all the congregations give us free facilities, free meals and free volunteers.”

Since the shelter is only open from about 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., families not occupied during the day are sent to the St. Vincent de Paul “oasis” in Pittsburg. There, they find showers, laundry facilities, computer access

and a play area for children.

After Chrobak and her husband Pete help prepare an evening meal at St. Bonaventure, they dine with the families. Through those mealtime conversations, she has learned how easy it can be to spiral into homelessness.

“We are all just a step away from being on the streets. That is something we have to be mindful of,” she says, adding that a “simple” job loss can have devastating consequences.

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She credits the shelter program with providing hope for the families in need. “They can see that there is help to get them back on their feet.”

But like other local programs for the homeless, Winter Night Shelter’s future is uncertain.

Because of funding woes, a private Concord shelter for families closed in mid-March. Its counterpart, Mountain View House in Martinez, is slated to close in June.

Winter Night has been a haven for those on the waiting list for the two, more permanent shelters. But without those referrals, Watson is unsure how her program will operate next season.

She notes that the county also recently cut funds for a homeless crisis line – another source of clients for the rotating shelter. “We are losing the continuum,” she says gravely.

The families served by Winter Night are anxious about their future, Watson says. “They are saying, ‘What’s going to happen to us on May 1?’ We are saying we are going to do everything we can to help them.

But I can’t promise anything, especially without the infrastructure.”

For more information on Winter Night Shelter, visit http://cccwinternights.org or call 933-6030. Donations can be sent to the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597. Write Winter Nights Shelter in the memo line.

There is also a funding drive to help keep the Martinez family shelter open.

Checks may be made out to the Family Emergency Shelter Task Force and sent to Shelter Inc., 1815 Arnold Dr., Martinez CA 94553. For more information, call 335-0698, ext. 107.

Page B2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

Clayton Sports Silva links Clayton to state basketball championship BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer

SPARTAN’S

Photo courtesy of Bob Sansoe, De La Salle High

GUARD

RYAN SILVA at the Norcal Finals, March 11, Arco Arena, Sacramento.

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ANOTHER DLS LINK Clayton resident Tom Brassil coaches De La Salle’s “Freshman Green” team. The former UC Santa Barbara basketball player also has coached at Whitworth College in Spokane.

After running his freshman practice at 6 a.m. and his “day job” as a corporate sales manager, Brassil also made it to “over 95 percent” of the school’s varsity practices in the afternoon.

“Ryan nailed two ice-water free throws against Serra that were huge in deciding that postseason game,” Brassil recalls.

Without hesitation, Brassil adds confidently: “Ryan is ready to lead next season. It’s been demonstrated, and he’s ready.”

Brassil says he’s learning a lot from Allocco. “He truly is one of the finest coaches in the country.

It’s a thinking game and you have to play with a very high level of intensity,” he says.

“This program stresses how to coach the game of basketball … how to coach the bad habits out of players,” Brassil adds.

A SOLID SPOKESMAN Silva speaks with a conviction beyond most 17-year old high school juniors, which is a testament to the De La Salle athletic programs.

Regarding that lone December loss in the 32-1 season, Silva states simply: “We came together as a team … and agreed that it’d never happen again.”

Despite the loss of five starting seniors and a key senior sixth man, Silva doesn’t believe the 2006-’07 season will be a rebuilding year.

See Silva, page B3

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NOT HIS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP As a seventh-grader playing for St. Bonaventure, the Dana Hills resident helped carry his team to the CYO Oakland Diocese championship. Travis Ford, a teammate on that St. Bonaventure club, is now a BVAL rival with Clayton Valley High.

In his freshman year, Silva was called up from the JV to varsity at the end of the regular season. From the bench, he witnessed as De La Salle take on Fairfax (Los Angeles) in the 2004 state championship. Trailing by four at the half, the Spartans lost by 16.

“I’ll never forget it,” Silva recalls. “They took the seniors off the floor near the end of the game … and they were crying.”

He vividly remembers Coach Allocco telling him after the game: “We will win the state championship together.”

Just two short years later, that mission has been accomplished.

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De La Salle High School and “championships” have become synonymous over the years.

Spartans’ coach Frank Allocco is coming off a second state basketball title in recent years, on top of four regional and six sectional titles in his nine years of coaching.

“Each team forges its own identity,” Allocco states matterof-factly during a break at the McDonald’s All-American High School game in San Diego.

This year’s De La Salle team won their first five games, then lost a heartbreaker on a lastminute shot in a San Diego Christmas tournament. That team, Franklin High from Seattle, would ultimately win their Washington state championship.

De La Salle then reeled off 27 consecutive victories to capture the 2006 CIF Division I State Basketball Championship on March 18 in front of nearly 8,000 crazed fans at Sacramento’s Arco Arena.

Clayton junior guard Ryan Silva is a significant piece of the puzzle and a key ingredient going forward for next season.

On a team stocked with seniors, Silva garnered 13 to 14 minutes per game.

“Ryan’s got it,” Allocco reports. “He’s a special boy and has overcome a bit of adversity.

Ryan broke his wrist before his sophomore season and also broke his thumb that year.”

Silva used to shoot with two hands and the coaches couldn’t break that habit. “Since the broken thumb, he doesn’t shoot twohanded,” says Allocco. “A higher authority took over, I suppose.”

Silva came up big in crucial games against Monte Vista, a

tough 36-28 win en route to the March 4 NCS championship, and against Serra, a 52-48 win that vaulted De La Salle into the Norcal championship against Tokay (Lodi).

Two weeks later, they played the state championship game against Clovis West (Fresno). De La Salle prevailed 43-40.

“He played so well in those games,” Allocco says, beaming.

Though he saw limited action in the March 18 championship game, Silva still led all players with three assists.

“Three phenomenal plays,” Allocco recalls. “With Ryan, it’s always about the team.”

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April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Clayton Sports Crazy Eagles win Diablo East Championship

Page B3

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Photo courtesy of the Crazy Eagles

CYO Basketball Crazy Eagles placed first in the Diablo East Division play-offs.

MELANIE STIELOW Special to the Pioneer

St. Bonaventure’s CYO A2 Boys fifth grade basketball team captured first place in the 2006 Diablo East Division play-offs held Feb. 25-26. The Crazy Eagles won the first round of the play-offs on Saturday to advance to Sunday’s final game for the championship. They faced the only team to hand them a loss during regular season play, St. Anthony of Oakley.

The Crazy Eagles, coached

by Craig Oelrich, Melanie Stielow and Andrew Lassen, came out strong behind the sizzling hot shooting of Matt Oelrich. He nailed his first three shots from 20-foot range and Ryan Snyder followed-up with a quick jump shot to take the team to an early 8-0 lead. The pace was set and the Crazy Eagles never looked back.

Ball handler, Ryan Snyder,

did an excellent job out front and orchestrated the tempo the entire game. Forward, Jeremiah Stielow, did a great job of driving to the hole and St. Anthony was in foul trouble early.

Teammates Stirling Pascal, RJ Mazolewski, Joe Essayan, Taylor McCracken, Ron Dinoso and Eli Sawko played an aggressive 2-3 defense and held St. Anthony to just three points in the first quarter. St. Anthony battled back in the third quarter with great outside shooting.

With less than four minutes remaining in the game, the Crazy Eagles led by just three points.

Centers Taylor McCracken, Ron Dinoso and Joe Essayan turned up the heat at the boards. Essayan had a key bucket in the middle of the fourth, and McCracken and Dinoso continued their offensive attack, which forced them to the free throw line several times as the game drew to a

Silva, from page B2 “We’re just going to be young,” he says. “Teams will be out to beat us, and we’ll need to earn their respect.”

Silva has grown up with Clayton youth sports and schools, having attended Mt. Diablo Elementary and Diablo View Middle School. Little League baseball wound down after the 6th grade for him, and club soccer fell by the wayside a year later. AAU travel basketball filled those voids.

“I really fell in love with basketball around the 6th and 7th grades,” he recalls, “and I knew

by the 7th grade that I wanted to play basketball at De La Salle.”

The 30-hour practice weeks during the off-season, along with De La Salle’s “Greenline” spring and summer basketball program, make hoops a yeararound passion for the 5-10 playmaker.

When the Spartans put away Tokay for the Norcal championship, Silva’s sister Kelly, 28, booked her flight from Colorado to Sacramento for the state championship game a week later. For parents Dave and Leslie, it marked the exten-

close. With their injured teammate, Jacob Falls, cheering wildly from the bench, the Crazy Eagles brought the victory home with excellent team play throughout the game and a solid 37-30 final score.

Matt Oelrich led the team with 10 points, two rebounds and a steal. Ryan Snyder had eight points, six rebounds and six steals to his credit. Taylor McCracken and Ron Dinoso contributed five points/seven rebounds and three points/two rebounds, respectively. Jeremiah Stielow put three points, two rebounds and two steals in the scorebook. Joe Essayan added two points and a rebound to the game, and Eli Sawko nailed two points and a steal. RJ Mazolewski added a point, three rebounds and a strong defensive effort, while Stirling Pascal rounded out the total team victory with three points,one rebound and one steal. sion of their version of “March Madness.”

With the “Frank’s Boys Rock Arco” banner providing the backdrop, the Spartans rode a 60 spurt in the second half to take the lead for good. In the end, it was the trademark “smothering defense” and “fundamentally sound” De La Salle squad that repeatedly held off the Southern California champion team.

In the final 2006 USA Today high school basketball rankings, De La Salle finished as the No. 6 team in the country, up from the No. 7 spot after beating No. 18 Clovis West.

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Page B4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

Clayton Sports 75-year-old Clayton Valley man rolls 12 strikes for a perfect 300 sure. I was looking over at the seven pin, since that’s a bad pin for a left-hander, that corner, and it wasn’t there. I just went ‘Oh man!’ ” The southpaw was bowling against Steve Valente. “The next thing I knew, he just jumped up in my arms and screamed,” Small says. “Then everyone just poured down on me.”

“I don’t recall anyone bowling their first 300 game at the age of 75,” notes Paul Thompson, general manager of the Clayton Valley Bowl.

Small started game two with another pair of strikes, ending up with 14 straight strikes on the evening. He wrapped up game two with a 205.

NEARLY DERAILED

a few times,” he says. “I had made it to 10 once. But 11?”

Just as when a pitcher is throwing a no-hit game, teammates tend to quiet down and keep their distance in the later frames when a perfect game is on the line.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Small says unconvincingly. “After the 11th one, I wasn’t really feeling nervous, but my knees were getting a little weak. It was probably just the adrenaline or something.

“I just got up there and threw it,” Small adds. “I knew it was a good shot, but I didn’t know for

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chuckles at what Small went through the evening of the perfect game.

“I almost messed him up,” Frimann recalls. “Rick had eight strikes. I was up, and then I bowled on the wrong lane. With this new electronic scoring system, we had a 15-minute delay before everything was straightened out.”

The break in rhythm didn’t get in Small’s way. “The truth is … I needed a rest,” he confesses.

Then, Small knocked down his 9th, 10th and 11th strike. “I’d had eight strikes previously quite

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PERFECT GAME

Photo courtesy of Rick Small

JUST FOUR DAYS SHY of his 76th birthday, Rick Small bowled his first perfect game.

BOWLING AS A PASSION Small started bowling in his late 20s, as a casual activity with friends when the bowling alley opened in Albany.

“I have a competitive nature,” he offers, “and this is something you can compete with.”

Small didn’t play much for about 20 years. When he was about age 50, his bowling passion ignited.

“Around 10 years ago, I had to lay off for about eight years following a right hip replacement – the one I land on,” Small notes.

“I didn’t think that I’d ever get back to the same level of play as before the surgery. I thought maybe a 160 average or so, but two years later, I was back to my 200-plus average.”

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Bowling a 300 game is a rarity. Getting those 12 strikes in a row comes along about as often as a hole-in-one for a golfer.

Just four days shy of his 76th birthday, Rick Small rolled his first 300 game recently in the Clayton Valley Bowl’s Monday night Valente Scratch Trio Invitational league.

The Kirkwood resident estimates that he’s bowled “at least 2,500” league games. “My high game had been a 290, where I opened with a spare and then had 11 strikes,” he reports.

Small compares the 300 game to a similar feat achieved earlier in his life. “In five years of professional baseball, I hit for the cycle once (single, double, triple and homerun in one game) – so maybe that’s about the same odds,” he says.

He played baseball and football at El Cerrito High School and was discovered by a Philadelphia Phillies scout while playing in an all-star game at Seals Stadium his senior year.

Over the next five years, from 1948 to ’52, the left-handed first baseman toiled in the Philadelphia and Brooklyn Dodgers minor league organizations.

“I went to Spring Training with the Dodgers in 1950, and they didn’t even know who I was,” Small recollects. “We were in Vero Beach, and I guess the scouts didn’t communicate too well.”

As a bit of an understatement, he notes that there were “a couple of pretty good first baseman” ahead of him at AAA – Gil Hodges and Chuck (“The Rifleman”) Connors.

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April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page B5

CONGR ATULAT to Mrs. IONS Hutche r s o n , the sta PFC, MD ff, E stude n ts past present & and the Clayton City of on bein g nomin for Cali ated fornia D istingui shed School Award!

T

hank you for once again supporting our children at Mt. Diablo Elementary. th Our 6 annual benefit auction, Denim & Diamonds, was a huge success, raising close to $60,000 for MDE. The PFC raises money to fund critical ongoing support for the school such as the computer lab and computer aide salaries, 4th and 5th grade instructional aides, and the Kaleidoscope tutoring program and is working towards $150,000 needed for air conditioning. Our school looks David Thompson, Chris Fregosi, Jay Polshuk and Mark Riley great with many new classrooms completed this spring; however, 15 of our older classrooms do not have air conditioning. This will make it hard for children to learn when school starts again in August. Your continued support is critical to providing our children with a great instructional environment!

Some special thanks go to:

Our Showcase Sponsor, Mr. Joe Medrano of Insurance Management Corporation located here in downtown Clayton Our Mayor, Dave Shuey, for once again ensuring high bids as our auctioneer Susan O’Toole and Melinda Merimoto

Kevin Case, DJ extraordinaire, who donated his time and services and kept the dance floor packed

Kim Lally and her AMAZING decorating crew: Tami Kratz, Edie Olson, Stacey Wickware, Kristy Smith, Ann Norwood, Kim Thompson, Denise Stephens, Laurie Parker, Kim Freeman, Shawna Frasier, Suzanne Polshuk, Theresa Ruscitti, and Monica Monika.

The auction committee who worked tirelessly over the past year to plan, set up and run the very fun event: Sydney Alcock, Ginny Allen, Christine Banducci, Bill Calkins & his fabulous bartenders, Sharon Degener, Eric The Daisy Duke Dancers (from left) Nancy Llacuna, Tiffany Dennis & his clean up Wilkinson, Melanie Stielow, Kelly Cough and Megan Kommer. crew, Dana Heinz, Leah Kemple, Fatima Legault, Deborah Meylan & her team at check in, Denyse Metz, Melinda Morimoto, Alicia Nuchols, Susan O’Toole, Laurie Parker, Karen Treppa’s check out crew (and those who jumped in when it got busy), Gigi Pishny, Melanie Stielow and the Daisy Duke dancers, and Rosy Straka.

Thank you to all of the room parents for the fabulous gift baskets & class picture – always a highlight of the night!

Thank you to the businesses who so generously donated goods & services. We count on your support!

Thank You to Our Cash Sponsors Thank you to all of our generous cash sponsors! Your contributions make it possible to make this event fun and profitable! We ask that you show your thanks by patronizing these businesses.

Showcase - $4,000 and over Joe Medrano, Insurance Management Corporation, www.imcservices.com

Emerald - $1,000 - $2,499 Michael Moore, Diablo Ford, www.diabloford.com George & Mary Del Monte, Proud Parents of Dominic and Vincent

Ruby - $500 - $999 Ed Moresi, Ed’s Mudville Grill, www.edsmudvillegrill.com Cindy Kannally, Acura of Concord, www.acuraofconcord.com Kent & Yvette Ipsen, Skipolini’s Pizza Garden, www.skipolinispizza.com George Del Monte, Redwood Painting Company, www.redwoodptg.com Mike & Rosy Straka, Daddy and Mama of Nicolas and Natalie

Sapphire - $250 - $499 Bill & Kelly Burmeister, Renaissance Precision Mfg., Inc., www.rpmfg.com Mas and Melinda Morimoto Lynne French, Windermere, www.lynnefrench.com Ms. Graser’s Class Kelly & Patty Crane, Napa Valley Wealth Management

Pearl - $249 and under April Pedrani, Creative Memories Consultant, www.creativememories.com/aprilpedrani George Vujnovich, Better Homes Realty, www.georgevujnovich.com The Downings, JGS Repairs Erik & Linda Fjellbo, Fjellbo & Son Construction, Inc. Marc & Sandy Macaulay Lewis & Lewis Carpets David & Sharon Osteen, Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees, www.cvpumpkinfarm.com Jim & Patti Bass, Proud grandparents of 3rd Grader, Cody White The Fonseca Family The Parents of Room 32, Mrs. McCauley’s Class

Thank You to Our Event Donors The Clayton Pioneer, www.claytonpionner.com Minute Man Press, www.mmpwc.com Winner’s Circle Western Wear, Clayton Kelly Marshall Garden Design Joel A. Harris, Trust & Probate Law, Antioch, CA Mike Banducci, Toys, Games & More, Clayton Cafe Sante Ed’s Mudville Grille Chronicle Pavilion Jim & Melanie Stielow Wine Thieves, Clayton Al & Monica Stellini Janet Facchini

Page B6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Do your research when looking for pet services JULIE BOND

PAWS

AND

CLAWS

I am often asked for referrals to other pet professionals in an individual’s hometown. I also am asked for opinions regarding another individual’s qualifications or skill level.

Clients who work with me one-on-one know that I encourage pet owners to seek out second opinions from veterinarians, breeders, dog trainers, holistic practitioners and even other behavior specialists. There are several steps to help you choose the animal professional that is right for you and your pets.

First, ask your friends, family, pet-owning neighbors and co-workers for recommendations. Word of mouth is always the best advertising, and pet professionals who are good at what they do will have a loyal following.

If you are looking for a veterinarian, for example, ask your neighbors where they take their pets. Be sure to meet the veterinarian and the staff with your pets in tow before you actually need an appointment. This gives your pet the opportunity to

become familiar with the office before being taken there for an exam, vaccine or procedure.

Ask for a tour of the facility and any informational brochures that describe the services they offer. It’s a good idea to ask for references as well.

See if the hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, an association with strict policies regarding the quality of medicine practiced by the facilities receiving accreditation. You can contact the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org to determine if your veterinarian is in good standing.

Many veterinarians also maintain membership in the local chapter of the veterinary association. This usually means they are attending regular meetings aimed at providing insights into the newest practices, procedures and equipment.

If you are looking for a dog trainer or want to enroll your canine friend in training classes, it’s wise to ask those whose pets you admire where they took their pets for obedience work.

Contact different trainers and set up times without your pet to observe classes.

There are many different methods used to train dogs.

Many are based on positive reinforcement, but there are still trainers adhering to punishment-based training. You need to decide which method you are comfortable with and which one suits the temperament of your dog.

If you don’t know anyone to ask for a referral to a dog trainer, visit the Association of Pet Dog Trainers at www.apdt.com.

Ian Dunbar, DVM, Ph.D., founded the organization in 1993 as a forum for trainers and others interested in canine behavior to trade ideas and philosophies. They boast 5,000 members worldwide, so there is bound to be an APDT certified dog trainer near you.

If you are looking for a boarding facility or kennel, personal recommendations are extremely helpful. The quality and quantity of care given by these facilities is incredibly varied.

Once again, it is important to tour the facility and find out what additional services they offer pets staying in their care.

For example, do they provide exercise in a communal play yard? Do they provide daily one-on-one attention?

If your animal takes daily medication, it is important to make sure that the boarding

facility is staffed to provide this service. You will want to find out if the animals are groomed before going home.

If you are thinking about acquiring a particular breed of dog or cat, attend shows, competitions and other animal-related events. This is a great way to see, and even touch, several examples of the breeds you are considering.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the breeders, handlers and even the judges regarding their experiences with the breeds. Be honest about what you are looking for and the time you have to invest in daily exercise, grooming, etc. The more upfront you are about your personal situation, the better chance you have of getting honest, useful information from these fanciers.

If, for example, you want to compete with your dog in agility, it would be wise to attend several agility events to determine which breeds are most often represented. You also can talk to the owners and handlers about how they acquired their dogs and got involved in the sport.

You will want to find out special needs of the canine athletes.

Pet magazines such as Dog

See Paws, page B10

O’Malley and Poppy are ARF’s adoption stars

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O’MALLEY

One year old O’Malley is an entertaining little guy, charming and sweet, who’s looking for his purrfect match!

Two year old Poppy is a sensitive and gentle flower who loves to snuggle! She will thrive in a quiet home with a stable and consistent daily routine.

Bring everyone who will live

with O’Malley or Poppy – including any canine family members for dogs – to meet her at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.arf.net or call (925) 256-1ARF for more

information.

Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats?

Can you share your talents to connect people and animals?

ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our Web site, www.arf.net, or call (925) 2561ARF.

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Page B7

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., APR. 12 FOR THE APR. 21 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH MOTHER'S DAY Tea For Two, A Collection of Teapots @ Clayton Historical Society 2-4 p.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays. Clayton Historical Society member, Kathleen Bailey, has generously loaned us her collection of teapots for this display. We hope you enjoy the wide variety of over 50 teapots, which are included in this beautiful exhibit. Both vintage and modern teapots are included in this special exhibit, which include bone china, metal and ceramic teapots in a variety of shapes and sizes. Photo by Brad Shackleton. Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St., Clayton.

THROUGH APR. 22 Playhouse West Production of The Brute and Other Farces @ Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts The one-act comedies of Russia’s greatest dramatist, Anton Chekhov are rendered in a lively production. Renowned actor and director Ray Reinhardt returns to the Bay Area to star in these minor masterpieces including Swan Song, A Marriage Proposal, The Harmfulness of Tobacco, The Brute and Summer in the Country. Call 943-7469 for ticket and show information.

Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek..

THROUGH MAY 4 Patty Cakes and Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library Patty Cakes - 11 a.m. Tuesdays, story time for birth to 3 years.

Picture book time - 11 a.m. Thursdays, child may attend without parent. For 3 to 5 years. No registration required. 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.

APR. 7 - MAY 13 CCMT’s Production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast @ Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts A tale as old as time...the legendary show is based on the Academy Award winning film. This Disney musical extravaganza is filled with technical wizardry, special effects, dazzling production numbers and memorable songs.

Call 943-7469 for ticket and show information or buy tickets online at CCMT.org. Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek..

APRIL 8 Annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk @ Heather Farms Park Registration begins at 8 a.m. MS walk begins at 9 a.m. The annual MS Walks raise money to support research in fighting the devastating effects of MS. Funds raised from the MS Walks also benefit 10,500 Northern California residents living with MS through vital programs and services.

5K and 10K routes are available for participants of all ages and abilities.

Lunch and entertainment at the finish line. Contact Vicky Hush, Sr. Walk Manager, 510-268-0572 x 108 or vicky.hush@can.nmss.org Heather Farms Park, 301 North San Carlos, Walnut Creek APR. 9 Easter Egg Hunt @ the Clayton Community Gym 12 - 2 p.m. This is a free event open to the community for kids in pre-K through third grade. There will be a BBQ, raffle, inflatable bounce house, and an Easter bag-decorating contest. Clayton Community Gym. APR. 11 The Art of Retirement @ Loma Vista Adult Center, Concord 7 - 9 p.m. The course is five weeks in length and costs just $17 for people 55-plus. Course units include how to keep the money you have, health, long-term-care insurance, volunteering vs. working part-time, and more.

Objectives include gaining confidence in your retirement opportunities and meeting other people with similar interests. Upon the completion of the course, students should know themselves better in light of their quest for a successful, meaningful retirement. People of all ages and situations are welcome. For more information on the class please call instructor George Fulmore at (925) 686-6916. Students can also join the class the night of April 11th. Call (925) 937-1530 for registration information. Loma Vista Adult Center. Located at 1266 San Carlos Ave., Concord.

APR. 11 Knitters @ the Clayton Community Library 3-5 p.m. The Clayton Community Library is hosting knitters on the second Tues. of the month. For beginners and experienced alike. Bring patterns, resources, tips and tales to share. Experienced knitters will be available for help and inspiration, and there will be plenty of books to check out. For ages 8-108.

APR. 19 Springtime Stories and Crafts @ Clayton Community Library 7 p.m. Creepy crawly stories and crafts. We’ll be buggin out with a bee buzzin craft. Come down to the Clayton Community Library Story Room to show off your creative side. Hear stories and make springtime themed crafts to take home. 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.

APR. 21 - 23 Computers and Electronics Waste Disposal and Recycling @ Chronicle Pavilion, Sponsored by Clayton Valley /Concord Sunrise Rotary Fri. open 1 - 6 p.m., Sat. and Sun. open 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free to all California residents, recycle computers, monitors, TVs, copy machines, lap-

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APR. 22 Earth Day Celebration @ Mt. Diablo State Park 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Festivities scheduled for the Mitchell Canyon entrance of the park. A variety of ecosystem restoration projects will take place. These projects will include planting native vegetation, exotic plant removal, barbed wire fence removal, trail restoration and more. Volunteer must pre-register by e-mailing Ranger Ryen Goering at junctionrangers@earthlink.net or calling 925-837-6129 Ext. 5. Mt. Diablo State Park, Clayton.

APR. 29 Clayton Cleans Up @ City Hall.

9 a.m. All Clayton residents are invited to pitch in and help make Clayton shine. Volunteers - meet at City Hall to get your assignments. Bring work gloves and a poncho in case of rain. After cleaning up Clayton meet back at City Hall at 1 p.m. for a BBQ lunch. City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton.

MAY 6, 9, 13 English Tutor Training Workshops @ Diablo Valley Literacy Council The Diablo Valley Literacy Council is looking for volunteers to help nonEnglish speaking adults learn to read, write and speak English well enough to function in our society. There is a $15 non-refundable registration fee.

For more information or to register, please call Jane at 925-938-0139.

DVLC, 4000 Clayton Road, Concord.

COMING IN SPRING Readers of The Urantia Book will start a new study group this spring.

The meeting will be held in a downtown Clayton cafe. New readers are asked to join seasoned readers to explore the book's topics and to discuss the time/day to meet (weekly, bi-monthly or monthly). Email: Urantian@mac.com or call: (925) 672-4689 and ask for Tery.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS APR. 9,16, 23, 30 Concord Mystery Book Club @ Concord Library 2:30 - 4 p.m. All mystery readers are invited to participate and explore a different genre each month. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord, 646-5455.

APR. 10 Clayton Valley 4-H club @ Farm Bureau Hall 7:10 p.m. 4-H is open to youth ages 5 - 19 and adults. Projects in small and large animals. Learn new skills including cooking, photography, arts/crafts etc. Opportunities in leadership, communty service, conferences, 4-H camp, fairs. Contact Candy Hogan at 925- 969-1325 for more information. Meetings held on the second Monday of the month Sept. - June.

Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 Clayton Rd. Concord.

APR. 11, 18, 25 Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meetings every Tues. All are invited to check us out and be our guest for lunch. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. for more information call Sam Totah, 941-1536.

APR. 11 The Clayton Valley Woman's Club @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 9:30 a.m. coffee, 10 a.m. meeting. Plans for the upcoming "Festival of Tables and Fashion" to be presented on April 29 will be discussed. Regular monthly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Anyone interested in attending or learning more about the Woman's Club, please call Joyce at 672-3850 or Sheila at 672-7947. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.

APR. 12 Clayton Valley Garden Club @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. The Clayton Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at Diamond Terrace. At our April 12th meeting, the speaker will be Nancy Norris from the Bay Area Garden Railroad Society. She will be talking to us about adding an interesting addition to our gardens. Anyone who is interested in gardening (or trains) is welcome! Every meeting has an informative program concerning some aspect of gardening. We hope that you will join us. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. Call Jeff at 6727579 or Barry at 827-9540 for information.

APR. 13 Women's Connection Luncheon @ Oakhurst Country Club 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. "Easter Bonnets" is the theme. Wear your Easter bonnet or favorite hat and show it off at our Apr. luncheon. Our featured speaker is Sherry Mehl. She is the Executive officer of the Board of Behavioral Sciences for the State of California. Learn how to smooth out life's rough roads. Cost is $16.00 inclusive. Please call Rose by Apr. 10 at (925) 798-6778 to make reservations. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr, Clayton.

APR. 13, 20, 27 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m.and 5:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in and meeting on Thurs.. 800-326-8450 x 2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord.

APR. 13, 20, 27 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thurs. for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker. Feb. 16 is the Annual Valentine's Day breakfast. Members can bring their spouses/partners/sweethearts for a program that celebrates affection and romance. www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 6897640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.

The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist

Clayton’s own

Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer For bookings and performances:

Visit our Website www.jhudak.com E-mail jimmydak@pacbell.net Piano CD’s available on his Brainstorm Records label

Call Or Write:

Brainstorm Records P.O. Box 488 Clayton, CA 94517 (925) 673-7293

APR. 19 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Oakhurst Country Club Meeting at 10 a.m., program at 11 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m. Lunch is $18.

YVRW is a non-profit club that meets the third Wed. of the month. Marianne Haydon, President of the California Federation of Republican Women will speak on Republican issues of today. The public is invited. RSVP to Barbara Allen at 672-5061 by Mon. Apr. 17. E-mail www.yvrwf.org for additional club information. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Road, Clayton, CA. APR. 23 East Bay Casual Hiking Club Hike @ Mount Diablo Waterfall Hike 10 a.m. This is a 6 mile hike with a 1,200 foot climb. Plan on two - three hours to complete this hike. Though most of the hike is moderate, there are a few narrow spots. Not recommended for beginners or anyone with a fear of heights. Meet at the end of Mountaire Parkway, Clayton. Visit hiking.bondon.com for more information and directions.

APR. 26 Blue Star Mom Meeting in Concord 6:30 p.m. Small group Blue Star Mom meetings held the 4th Wednesday of each month. Blue Star Moms is a support and service group for those serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. 1792 Elmhurst Lane, Concord. Call 676-3654 for information.

APR. 27 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting, last non-holiday Thurs. of the month.

Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. John Rubiales, President. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.

APR. 27 Contra Costa Republican Women Federated Regional Conference @ Oakhurst Country Club 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m. Republican Women are the party's gold. Kathleen Antrim, San Francisco Examiner Bert Prelutsky, Political Humorist Steve Frank, Political Analyst Karen Atteberry, CFRW Northern Division President, Contra Costa Children's Chorus. $35 per person which includes a hot lunch, dessert, great speakers, entertainment, camaraderie.

Public welcome. RSVP, check payable to: CFRW-ND-VI to J. Cabot, 15 Cedar Hollow Drive, Danville 94526. For more information go to jngcabot@pacbell.net or 925-838-2182. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek, Clayton.

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT APR. 11, 18, 25 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tues. mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez.

APR. 11, 25 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd and 4th Tues. of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.

APR. 13 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail, Clayton.

APR. 18, MAY 2 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tues. of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton.

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION APR. 12 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Diablo View Middle School 7 p.m. Meeting to be held in the school library. All parents welcome.

Diablo View Middle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.

APR. 18 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7p.m., Multi Use Room. Make a difference in your child's education. For items to be included on the agenda, contact Stacey Wickware 673-1999, the5wicks@sbcglobal.net or Kristy Smith 673-1795, kristinsmith@yahoo.com, PFC Co-Presidents. Childcare is available. Watch website for details.! http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary/.

MAY 4 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @Clayton Valley High School 7:00 p.m. If you show your child that you care about their school, your child will care too. Together we can make a difference! The meeting will be held in the school library. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.

Spring is here !

Want a fresh new look, new spring colors? How about a bright, new home. Re-do the dining room drapes & the table runners. Re-upholster the old sofa with fabulous new fabric for a fresh look for spring.

Spring into a new home.

Call Joanna at (925) 673-8911 Clayton Resident

Page B8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Local fund-raiser targets school in El Salvador BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

When parishioners at St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church began their Lenten drive, they planned to build a high school in Soyapango, El Salvador.

But after a goodwill gesture from Soyapango officials, who agreed to fund the building project in mid-March, the Clayton and Concord residents can focus on amenities such as a science lab and a basketball court.

According to Sister Roberta

Students at this elementary school in Soyapango, El Salvador, will be able to continue their education at a new high school that is under construction.

Church News CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Palm Sunday: Apr. 9 at 9 or 10:45 a.m. and Easter egg hunt hosted

by CCC and the YMCA from noon to 2 p.m. See Upcoming Events for more info.

On Apr. 13, Maundy Thurs., Communion service at Clayton Gym from 7-9 p.m. Easter Sunday celebration is Apr. 16 at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at DVMS. We meet every Sun. at Diablo View Middle School at 9 and 10:45 a.m.

CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Women’s monthly Bible study is on Apr. 12 at 7 p.m. The youth group meets Tues. 6:30 to 8 p.m., men’s discussion group is Fri. at 8 to 9 a.m. Women’s support group meets every first and third Tues. at 7:30 p.m. Working girls’ lunch is Wed. Apr. 12 at 12:30 p.m. We are accepting signups for all church retreat Apr. 28 - Apr. 30. Special services: Apr. 13 - Maundy Thurs. at 6:30 p.m. with soup supper. Apr. 14 - Good Friday at noon, Easter sunrise service on Apr. 16 at 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. Easter choral service.

Sun. services at 10:30 a.m. Sun. school and childcare provided, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton, 672-4848, www.cvpresby.org ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH All are invited to Good Friday and Easter services. The Good Friday service of darkness will be held on Apr. 4 at 7 p.m. The Easter Sunday festival service will be held Apr. 16 at 11:15 a.m.

Eternal Life will again be collecting used greeting cards after Easter.

All from the community are invited to “recycle” Easter and other greeting cards to be used in prison ministry by bringing them to the church or call 524-0295 to have them picked up.

Eternal Life’s regular Sun. schedule is: Sun. school and Bible study at 10 a.m; worship at 11:15 a.m. Bible study is also held on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. Church is located at 5554 Clayton Rd., Suite 1B, (in the Farm Bureau Building) in Concord. Please call 524-0295, or visit the church website at www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org for more information.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church Palm Sunday service Apr. 2 is at 9 a.m., Maundy Thursday Apr. 13 service starts at 7 p.m., Good Friday service Apr. 14 is at 12 p.m., Tenebrae service is at 7 p.m., Apr. 16, Easter breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Easter service at 10 a.m.

On Tues. Apr. 18, the Nifty Fifty Seniors of Holy Cross invite you to attend luncheon and an informative and interesting portrayal of the Apostle Paul narrated by Jack Mortenson. 11:30 a.m. in the Social Hall.

St. Bonaventure Catholic Community

Carson, most children past elementary age simply aren’t attending school in this very poor area of town.

“If they don’t go to school, in most cases, the young people end up in gangs and get murdered. It’s just a fact of life down there,” says Carson, who visited Soyapango last fall with other church members.

The St. Bonaventure community has been helping the El Salvadoran community since Father Adrian Sanchez served here seven years ago.

When he returned to El Salvador, Sanchez founded a church, Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Americas. A second church, Carmello, followed. “The third one is still literally a chicken coop,” Carson reports.

Sanchez established a school for children in first through seventh grades at Guadalupe, along with a preschool and kindergarten next to Carmello.

“There are no decorations nothing. They can’t afford it,” says Carson. “There isn’t even room to walk around the classes at all because it’s so crowded.”

The students have textbooks but no resource books.

Or extra pencils. “It’s one for the year,” says Carson.

Carson points out the huge disparities between life here in Clayton and in El Salvador. For $140, a student there can receive a year of education, books and a uniform.

“We are asking people to give instead of going to Starbuck’s, or Peet’s or Burger King. Take away one hamburger meal a week – that’s $5,” says Carson, who hopes to raise $200,000 through the Soyapango Hope fund-raiser.

Children in the St. Bonaventure community are helping raise funds, a quarter or dime at a time, says Clayton resident Rosann Halick.

As youth sacramental coordinator, Halick encourages the second-graders to save money for a charity throughout the year.

“We talk about the spirit of giving. We encourage them to make good choices and be peacemakers,” says Halick.

The local donations also will be used to update a clinic,

April 7, 2006

Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church 925-672-4848 1578 Kirker Pass Road

On Easter – April 16 th 5 Sunrise (at Diablo Valley Ranch on

11540 Marsh Creek Road), 6:30 a.m.

5 Special Choral Service, 10:30 a.m.

Sundays 10:30 a.m.

www.cvpresby.com

ind new life this nd f Eas a e ter m !

Co

Good Friday Service of Darkness, April 14, 7 pm

Easter Sunday Festival Service, April 16, 11:15 am

5554 Clayton Rd., Concord (in the Farm Bureau building) (925) 524-0295 William Kant, Pastor

www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org Member of WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

See School, page B9

Call the office at 686-2000 to make a reservation. The church is located at 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.

DIAMOND TERRACE INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE Please join us on the first Sun. of each month for devotional readings and prayers from various religious traditions. Feel free to bring your own favorite readings or prayers. Music and refreshments provided. The first devotional meeting will be on Sun. Apr. 2 from 10 - 11 a.m. downstairs, in the movie room.

ST. BONAVENTURE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH The third Mother/Daughter Tea will be Sat. May 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the parish large hall. Treat your grandmother, mother, aunt, sister, and daughter to a fun tea party, which will include tea, light sandwiches, dessert, and beautiful piano entertainment by Patti Leidecker.

Patti Collyer and her daughter Shannon will be speaking on the Legacy of Motherhood while the little girls create an arts and crafts project.

Proceeds and gift basket raffle will benefit The Gabriel Project of NorthernCalifornia. Adults $10; young ladies ages 5 – 10, $5; under 5 are free. For more information call Linda Vesneski (925) 686-1352.

ST. JOHN’S PARISH We will be serving suppers at the Homeless Shelter in Martinez Mon. - Fri. May 1-5. Volunteers in the community are always welcome to share in this meaningful gesture to our neighbors in need. To sign-up now, contact the church.

Meanwhile, the “Sox” Project (collecting new white athletic sox, all sizes) continues through Apr. 16. Donations will be distributed to folks in need with cold feet, through the Martin de Porres Hospitality Center, San Francisco. Community donations most welcome.

Saint John’s begins a series of meaningful weeklong worship services with Palm Sunday, Apr. 9 at 8 and 10 a.m. Holy Week includes a one hour commemoration of the Last Supper, with traditional foot-washing and folk hymns on Maundy Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday’s one hour 7:30 p.m. service includes a dramatic reading of Christ’s passion and traditional hymns, and concludes with burning of the “sticks” and burying the “stones” we have laid down during the Lenten season.

The first celebration of Easter begins at 7:30 p.m. on Sat., Apr. 15 when the ancient practice of the first light of Easter is lit. Easter Sunday worship offers three services, including a one hour sunrise folk service at 6 a.m., followed by a free breakfast; as well as traditional Easter services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Nursery care is available at all Easter services, and the Easter Bunny pops up after each service with an Egg Hunt for the kids.

What’s happening in your house of worship? Start a new ministry or outreach program? New classes? New pastor? Membership drive? Send your news of general interest to churchnews@claytonpioneer.com.

5562 Clayton Road, Concord (925) 672-5800

2006 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

12:00 noon 2:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

HOLY THURSDAY- April 13

Morning Prayer Mass of the Lord's Supper: A Multi-Cultural Celebration (C)

GOOD FRIDAY- April 14 Morning Prayer Stations of the Cross (C) Solemn Liturgy: English (C) Children's Stations of the Cross: English (C) Solemn Liturgy: English - (H); Spanish - (C)

HOLY SATURDAY- April 15 Morning Prayer Easter Vigil: English (C) Spanish (H)

EASTER SUNDAY- April 16 Masses in English: 7 a.m. (C), 9 a.m. (C), 9:15 a.m. (H), 11 a.m. (C), 11:15 a.m. (H) Mass in Spanish: 12:45 p.m. (C) *No 6:00 p.m. Mass (C) Indicates Mass in the Church; (H) Mass in the Hall

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Page B9

PASTOR WILLIAM R. KANT Special to the Clayton Pioneer

I noticed that the movie made of C. S. Lewis’ popular children’s book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” just came out on DVD. In the fantasy land of Narnia, when the four children first entered, it was always winter because the evil witch had all the control. But, it was never Christmas.

In the real world, many Christians like to pose the question: What if there were no Christmas?

Hopefully, this question would encourage people to think about and appreciate the main event of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ whom the Bible calls, and Christians believe is, the Son of God and Savior.

Without Christmas—that is, the birth of Jesus Christ— the Bible would be without a historical foundation and Christians would be without One to cling to in faith for life and eternity.

Well, what if there were no Easter? I suppose that we might be without many of the present day Easter traditions— little girls (and maybe bigger ones too) going to church in their beautiful new Easter dresses and hats; thrilled children searching intently in community parks for eggs and the prizes and candies inside; springtime scenes and symbols of new life such as decorated eggs, aromatic trumpet-shaped easter lilies and newly-transformed butterflies; early and extra Sunday church services and breakfasts with “hot-cross buns”; and triumphant music within the churches that can send shivers through the body.

In The Lion, the Witch and

the Wardrobe, the great lionking Aslan came to restore good, spring and joy to the winterized Narnia. But that restoration was in doubt until Aslan—who allowed himself to be killed as a substitute for the traitor Edmund by the witch and the forces of evil— rose from death, defeating the forces of evil.

Without Aslan’s return to life, I suppose Narnia would have returned to an eternal winter under the control of the evil witch and the forces of evil.

If there were no Easter, I suppose we would be without many of the wonderful traditions mentioned above. But we would be without much more.

The Bible describes, and Christians believe, that the main historical event that Easter is based on is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead. That is, he was dead after being crucified on Friday, but came back to life again on Sunday morning.

If there were no Easter, Christians would be without some assurances that the Bible says Christ’s resurrection guarantees...

First, Jesus Christ was either the Son of God or the world’s greatest fraud. His bodily resurrection on Easter proves the former is true.

Easter assures Christians that Jesus is who he said he is—the Son of God. It therefore also assures us that his word is true and his promises can be banked on.

Second, if Christ had not risen, there would be doubt about the removal of sin that his death was supposed to accomplish.

But Christ was raised to life and so Easter assures there is

Letters to the Editor Smoker responds

As a smoker I had to respond to the pompous article that Joe Romano wrote on smokers…

He should tell it like it is.

He is singling out smokers because he doesn’t like smokers.

He probably feels it is a dirty, nasty and harmful habit. I agree. He feels that smokers are not working as hard as others because of all of their “smoke breaks.”

People are people, some smoke and some don’t. Some are dedicated and conscientious workers and some are not. To assume that because someone smokes means that that person it not putting forth his best effort at work, is arrogant and pompous. What Mr. Romano is really saying is that he doesn’t like smoking. That is his privi-

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lege. But don’t say that because someone smokes that he or she is not a good employee! I smoke, I supervise and I give my employer 110% of my time and energy while at work. Does Mr. Romano?

Karen A. Sykes

Social Security number on health care cards

In Bev Britton’s article on identity theft in the last issue, one of the items listed in the gray box was “Don’t carry your Social Security number in your purse or wallet. And ask your company for a new health insurance ID card if your Social Security number is on the card.” For those of us who are retired, we are constantly asked to present our Medicare

School,

Insurance card, which has the SS# prominently featured in bold numerals just below the name. The offices, clinics, pharmacies, ERs, and hospitals ask for the card, take it off to copy it, and bring it back. Sometimes one has to remind them to give it back. Please speak to this? It is a real concern, as it would seem we need to carry the Medicare card with us. Any thoughts on minimizing the risk?

Janet Photinos Ed. Anyone have any suggestions for Ms. Photinos?

Another resident angry with speeders

We wish to also thank the Police Chief Dan Laurence for his efforts to slow down traffic

from page B8

which is housed at the elementary school but serves the local community.

“The clinic is so small – it’s like a closet,” says Carson.

“One household here has more medications than that whole clinic has.”

Still, Carson sees signs of hope in Soyapango. Although many parents are barely scraping by, they are doing everything they can to educate their children. And the teachers, she notes, have university degrees but return to their community

Steve H. Youse Painting & Decorating

complete forgiveness of sins.

The resurrection is conclusive evidence that the Father accepted his Son’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of the world.

And the third assurance that the Bible teaches believers is that they too will rise from the dead and live with Christ eternally.

With his resurrection on Easter Jesus demonstrated his power over death and power to raise us too. Therefore he declared in the Bible (John 11:25-26): “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

These are the main reasons Christians fill their churches on Easter and fill their lives with expressions of joy each and every spring.

But Easter also gives hope for all the other seasons of life as well: Because there is Easter, the person assaulted with doubts, uncertainties, threats and fears can be sure there is One greater who has all these things in control.

Because there is Easter, the person filled with guilt over a life of immorality and wrong choices can be sure there is hope for a renewed life because there is complete forgiveness.

Because there is Easter, the person weighed down by a lifethreatening illness can be sure that he/she is not alone and that an eternity awaits that is free of suffering, pain and heartache.

It certainly is good news that there is Easter.

Pastor William R. Kant is the pastor of Eternal Life Lutheran Church in Concord. You can reach him at 524-0295.

in Clayton. This has been a real issue to us; it is amazing how rude, inconsiderate and aggressive our “nice” Clayton neighbors are when they are driving through our streets. Yes, East County people speed through on their way to work, but locals are just as bad with their speed and tailgating throughout Clayton’s streets and neighborhoods. So we welcome the crackdown on them. It’s for everyone’s safety.

It actually did our hearts and spirits good when last week we witnessed a Clayton police officer pull over a motorist that had been tailgating us as we drove down Clayton Road. So please keep up the good work – 99 percent of us support the crackdown on speeders. We appreciate all the Clayton police officers.

Jeff Ryan

“to help the children.”

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Page B10

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

Taking the story of tea on the road

PAM BARNETT

TEA

FOR YOU

My husband and I recently took a cruise to New England and Nova Scotia. As we left New York, one of us was dreaming of the rich history and beautiful landscapes we would see. The other was combing the pages of Tea Digest in search of tearooms to visit in each port.

Our first stop was Boston. I convinced my husband that we could combine both of our interests by taking a historical tour that included the harbor where the famous Boston Tea Party took place.

He waited patiently while I shopped in the nearby gift shop for authentic Boston Tea Party Tea, souvenir tea towels and a

teacup with a map of the city on it. Unfortunately, my shopping took longer than expected and we missed the tour of “Cheers,” the famous TV bar my husband wanted to visit.

The next day, we were on to Nova Scotia. There was very little about tea here, so I won’t bore you with the details. Oh yeah, there were lighthouses and beautiful coastline.

I was really looking forward to our next stop, New Brunswick. My guidebook said that the Red Rose Tea Co. was located here, as well as a good tearoom we could visit.

I was finally able to convince my trusty companion to get off the ship with me and have lunch at Infusion, a new tea shop in Saint John. Much to our (my) delight, we discovered that owner Gloria Barker and her husband John were there.

We spent a delightful hour visiting with them and comparing notes on owning a tearoom.

Their homemade lemon curd was absolutely delicious on the fresh blueberry scones. My Cherry Green tea was brewed perfectly and piping hot.

We exchanged business

cards, and they promised to visit our shop, Englund’s Tea Cottage, if they were ever in the Clayton area.

The Red Rose Tea Co., now owned by Lipton, was founded in 1894 with the idea of blending Indian and Sri Lankan teas, rather than the more common Chinese and Japanese teas. In just six years, they were selling more than a thousand tons of tea per year and had become a household name.

The Red Rose Tea Building, built in 1903, still stands today.

We admired the large Red Rose Tea mural on its west wall and pondered the first teabags that were processed there in 1929.

Well, one of us was pondering, the other was wondering which entree he was going to have for dinner back on the ship.

Some of you may remember the figurines that were included in boxes of Red Rose Tea. The original set of 32 different Wade animals appeared in boxes from 1967 to 1973 and are now highly collectible.

From 1982 to 1984, a new set of 23 animal figurines was distributed. In 1985, the final set of 15 appeared.

In 1997, Red Rose began to issue eight collectible teapot figurines per year. Many can be found on eBay these days.

After leaving the Red Rose Tea Building, we drove by the elegant Red Rose Mansion. It was built in 1904 for the founder of the company, T.H. Estabrooks. Though it once operated as a five star B&B, it is now privately owned.

After 100 years, the home has retained the intricate, detailed woodwork and beautiful stained glass windows.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a bed and breakfast inn like this that also housed a tearoom?” I sighed dreamily.

With no answer, my husband climbed back in the car and reminded me that he would plan our next vacation. He wants to visit all of the major league baseball parks in the country.

I wonder if there are tearooms in each of those cities …

Pam Barnett was an English major in college and a teacher before becoming co-owner with Sally Englund of Englund’s Tea Cottage in the Clayton Station.

Email her at Pammbarnett@aol.com

One thing is certain – change is always with us “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.”

- Charles Darwin, “The Origin of Species” Each year I offer my university ecology students a simple bet. I give them odds of $10,000 of my money to $1 of their that sometime between the end of September and the beginning of November, the leaves in southern New York will change color and then drop off the deciduous trees.

Wisely, no one takes the bet.

Nature almost always acts in ways that are characterized by a dynamic balance of things.

GERARD CAPRIULO

ECOFOCUS

Predators seek out prey, as prey continually works on avoiding predators. In turn, the predators re-adjust, followed again by a similar move of the prey.

Paws, from page B6 Fancy and Cat Fancy list shows and events in the back of their monthly issues. Websites such as www.infodog.com also maintain extensive lists of shows and events. Local breed clubs and training clubs are other resources for finding out about local events.

Because veterinarians are often avid pet owners, they are wonderful resources for information on local breeders, trainers, behaviorists, medical specialists, etc.

If you are considering a holistic practitioner for your pet, your veterinarian can help you make an informed choice. There are holistic veterinarians all over the country who specialize in acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic care and herbal remedies,

combining these methods with conventional medicine. There are other holistic therapists who are not veterinarians but have extensive animal experience.

Your vet can help you decide when other types of specialists are needed for the health and well-being of your pet.

Veterinary medicine, like human medicine, has specialists in ophthalmology, orthopedics, internal medicine, reproduction, oncology (cancer) and behavior, just to name a few.

And don’t forget to research, research, research. You can find out quite a bit about different breeds, training methods, animalrelated equipment, animal sports and medical therapies by going to the library or bookstore.

There is a vast quantity of infor-

Richard D. Silvester,

Predators seem to know what their prey will do and when, while at the same instant prey seem to know what a given predator is doing.

In like fashion, seasons march on year after year, in a mostly orderly way. In fact, all of nature seems to behave according to expectations. There is predictability on earth.

But why do things behave in balanced and predictable ways?

Why does nature act so reasonably (e.g., why do leaves fall when expected)? Is there an external thermostat-like control for nature? If so, how did the set-point get programmed, who set it and how does it work?

Understanding any life forms on earth, how they interact with any other forms of life,

collectively or in isolation, and why there is a robust balance in nature requires a deep and real scientific appreciation of evolution by natural selection.

Indeed, an understanding of ecological interactions in nature and how ecosystems work also requires such insight.

Evolutionary adaptations produced by natural selection result in many changes in organisms. These changes are often beneficial to an organism for one reason, but once manifested, may serve one or more additional valuable functions - some which equal or exceed the benefit of the original function.

From the perspective of interacting populations of

mation, and misinformation, available on the Internet as well.

Look to reputable sources and validate any claims being made.

With information from reputable sources, you should feel better prepared to talk to those

veterinarians, local breeders or other specialists whose services you are exploring.

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April 7, 2006

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page B11

Dining Around If you want a special place to dine, you might want to stop by PASTA PRIMAVERA at the corner of Clayton Road and Treat Blvd. in Concord. We recently enjoyed lunch there and commented on just how charming the dining room is with the dark cherry wood chairs and tables and mirrored back wall.

The relaxing ambiance is matched by a delectable

menu that offers a variety of items from antipasti and salad to pasta, seafood chicken and veal.

Our party of three each tried a different lunch entrée. The Linguine with garlic and mushrooms in virgin olive oil arrived at our table piping hot and smelling absolutely delicious. It was the personal favorite of our lunch partner and that was plain to

La Veranda Café

Northern Italian Cuisine in downtown Clayton Fresh soups, salads, antipasti, pizza and pasta Dinner and lunch daily Brunch on Sunday Children’s menu and take out service available

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see…every last noodle was devoured.

Jill had the blackened salmon and Caesar salad.

The salmon was mouthwatering and the salad fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing. The soup that accompanied the salad was cream of broccoli…perfect texture and very tasty.

Another favorite was the seafood salad featuring shrimp and scallops on a bed of spinach in a warm lemon Dijon sun-dried tomato dressing. For salad lovers who enjoy their salad as main course, this is for you. Prices are very reasonable which make Pasta Primavera a perfect choice for any occasion.

Recently featured in Diablo Magazine’s “At The Table” section, LA VERANDA CAFE received raved reviews from restaurant reporter Melissa Swanson.

La Veranda serves a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and fish starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil.

Pasta dishes range from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. “...make no mistake;” said Swanson, “this is no spaghetti and red sauce throwback. The quality of La Veranda’s food sets it apart.”

If you haven’t yet had brunch at La Veranda, you are missing a real treat.

The menu includes all the popular breakfast choices,

MARY’S PIZZA SHACK

Eggs Benedict and Florentine, omelettes and pancakes. A new twist on the tried and true Joe’s Special will leave you begging for more. All are served with potatoes, toast and fresh fruit.

This popular spot is a perfect place for a lovely, quiet Sunday morning brunch where you are likely to run into friends and neighbors. La Veranda opens on Sunday at 10 a.m. and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Don’t be mislead by the name of this delightful fami-

ly restaurant just over the hill in in the Citrus Marketplace.

MARY’S PIZZA SHACK is definitely NOT a shack, and you can find a lot more on the menu than just pizza-although the pizza is a fine choice, indeed.

Mary’s Pizza Shack serves up a delicious array of their legendary pizza and Italian dishes with both a luncheon and dinner menu.

Mary’s loves families so bring the kids. Pizzas range from $7 for a small Napoletana to $20.50 for the large Mary’s Combination. A pasta lunch

EcoFocus, from page B10 organisms, all evolutionary change is unexpected. The alteration in question may be trivial, having little or no effect on other organisms and ecosystems, or revolutionary, perturbing the very fabric of global ecosystems. Interestingly, revolutionary change can only be recognized in hindsight.

Change is at the heart of all that is. There is no true stasis in the universe, no status quo.

Things - be they organisms, ecosystems or galaxies - that often appear to be in total balance are merely exhibiting a property which results from the underlying dynamics.

In essence, the physical world is like a theatrical stage whose backdrops and sets act as chameleons. A successful dominant species of organism can be reduced to a quivering mass of extinction, as the rules change.

Ponder the plight of the lead actor in a production of “Hamlet,” standing on stage, valiantly breathing life into the play’s dialogue while holding the skull of Yorick, when suddenly and unexpectedly the stage and set changes to that of “Death of a Salesman.”

The actor is left speechless and helpless. He must shift gears or exit. If he is not familiar with

any other plays, his lead role is terminated. If the only other play he is familiar with is “Death of a Salesman,” he is extremely lucky (preadapted, in the jargon of evolutionary biology). If this individual is familiar with the lead role of hundreds of plays, he is prepared.

It may also be that while this actor does not know the lead role of Willy Loman, he does recall the lines of a lesser part (e.g., that of Biff). While he no longer is the primary actor, he at least remains on stage.

Even as this individual shifts to a new character or leaves the stage, others are readjusting themselves to their newfound world.

Such is the plight of species on earth. Change results in some extinctions, the rise of new organisms to dominant roles and the associated slight to significant counter shifts of other species.

This reshuffling occurs via biological evolution, the progressive change of living things through time. Such evolution is a consequence of self-replication controlled by the nearly endless ways in which the DNA molecular code can be arranged.

Due to this, groups of organisms display a continuum

will run you $7.25-$9.25; dinner $10.75-$13.25.

A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty.

The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97, this large pizza will feed a small army.

Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads.

All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m.

And, ROCCO’S NEW SPORTS BAR is now open.

With a full bar and 12 big flat screen TVs, sports fans might just think they’ve found heaven.

See you at Rocco’s.

of variation in their genetics and characteristics. Changes in the environment, competition and interactions result in differential survival. Certain traits are more or less beneficial than others and, consequently, are selected for or against. This is natural selection.

As organisms with the less successful traits die, the more positively adapted traits increase in frequency, as do the genes that code for them. In such a way, organic evolution proceeds.

In fact, the answer to the question posed at the start of this column is that the controlling mechanism for balance in nature is evolution by natural selection. As organisms change for the better, all others must respond to the changes or perish.

Since misfits are eliminated, all remaining life forms act in a balanced way, at least for a while.

This gives the outward appearance of a well-oiled machine in near perfect equilibrium. But it is an equilibrium born of struggle, for as soon as organisms step out of line, they either go the way of the dinosaurs or drive out the current kings of the hill, to themselves rule for a time.

Gerard M. Capriulo, Ph.D., is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga.

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Page B12

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Peppadews ready to make their mark in American cuisine On a sunny day in 1994 in South Africa, farmer Johan Steenkamp was touring his fields when he encountered a rogue bush full of green (unripe) and red (ripe) cherry tomato-sized fruits.

One cold, rainy January day in 2006, I was wandering through Andronico’s deli when I spied a tray of bright red glistening orbs. The attendant gave me one to taste: yum.

A thick tender/crunchy red flesh first surprised me with spicy heat, then a cooling sweetness. It was like a jalapeno and roasted red pepper rolled into one.

The trademarked Peppadew may be the first major food introduction to the United States since kiwifruit some 25 or 30 years ago. I just saw a dish of them at the Safeway in Clayton Station, and a Website states that Albertson’s and Whole Foods also carry them.

So, it looks like West Coast delis are finding customers who appreciate the sweet-spicy taste.

Peppadew International markets these sweet piquant peppers. They claim that there are no preservatives, yet the fruits have a 24-month shelf life. They come in bottles, cryovac packs and sauces.

According to the Peppadew Website, its brand name should not be used as a generic term for the fruit. Instead, they want the fruits to be called “sweet piquant peppers.” Somehow, I think the

public will ultimately prefer the tradename instead.

There is little published research on the origins of the Peppadew. Because it seems to be a capsicum (chili pepper), it’s believed to be native to Central America. Some obliging bird migrating to South Africa likely introduced a fertile seed.

Despite this story, I’m not

LINDA WYNER

FOOD

FOR

THOUGHT

aware of any Central American counterparts to this plant.

Adding sweet piquant peppers to soups, stews and sauces, egg dishes, ethnic meals and fish preparations will liven up the dishes. I did some experimentation about a month ago, so I can share these recipes with you.

I do have a word of caution.

In the processing these fruits, some pits of the hard seed pouch remain behind. I recommend a thorough rinsing and checking for hard bits before including these peppers in a recipe.

PEPPADEW APPETIZERS 24 Peppadews 8 oz. herb boursin cheese or: 8 oz. feta Rinse and check peppers for residual pits. Stuff the cavity with about a teaspoon of the selected cheese. Garnish with a

small sprig of parsley, minced cilantro or dash of paprika.

PEPPADEW MELTED CHEESE SANDWICHES 1 c grated cheddar cheese 2 Peppadew peppers, diced ¼ tsp onion powder 2 Tbsp mayonnaise 6 slices whole grain bread butter for toasting Heat griddle pan. Combine first four ingredients and divide among the three sandwiches.

Melt a small pat of butter in the pan and immediately place one sandwich in the melted butter.

Grill until browned, then turn and grill until cheese is melted.

Repeat twice more with small pats of butter.01 SPICY LAMB KABOBS 1 lb. lamb sirloin, diced into chunks 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp dried oregano ¼ tsp cayenne 3 cloves garlic, smashed 1 large Vidalia or super sweet onion, in large chunks 12 Peppadew peppers Prepare marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, cayenne and garlic. Toss in diced lamb and marinate for at least two hours (or up to 24 hours).

Preheat barbecue (or indoor grill pan). Skewer lamb, alternating with onion and Peppadews.

Repeat for each of four skewers. Grill until desired temperature (about five minutes a side for medium).

MALAY BOBOTIE This South African “comfort food” was introduced by Malaysians in the late 18th century 1 Tbsp olive or rice bran oil 1 large onion, sliced 1 lb. ground beef 1 c milk, divided 1 tsp salt 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp cumin 1 Tbsp curry powder (mild, med or hot to taste) ½ c raisins 4 Peppadew peppers, quartered ½ c spicy fruit chutney 2 eggs chopped cilantro to taste Preheat oven to 350° F. In oil, brown meat and onions.

Add ½ c milk and spices, raisins, Peppadew and chutney.

Turn mixture into 9x13 baking dish and bake 20 minutes.

Mix eggs with remaining milk and ¼ tsp salt. Pour custard over meat and bake until set, about 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Linda Wyner is an attorney in Walnut Creek by day, and an accomplished chef and “foodie” by choice.

Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com

April 7, 2006

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$369,000

2 Bedrooms & 1 Bath approx. 899 sq. ft.

Large wraparound balcony with views of Newhall open space! New microwave, new dishwasher, refrigerator & built-in oak cabinets. Convenient inside laundry and one car attached garage with one space. Community pool and green belt area!

4805 Clayton Road #17

Concord

$378,900

2 Bedroom & 2 Baths, approx 908 sq.ft. This gorgeous upstairs end unit in back of securitygated complex has it all! Wood burning fireplace, new paint, new carpet, Pergo floors and new water heater. Beautiful built-in China cabinets with glass doors in dining room, garden window in kitchen, vaulted ceilings, mirrored closets doors and inside laundry. Garage and 1 assigned parking space. Washer, Dryer and Refrigerator included! Make an Offer-Won't Last Long!

1737 Oakmead Drive

Concord

$465,000

B. Cutkomp

Sell Fast!

Save Money

3370 Northwood Dr. #C

Concord

$379,000

3 Bedrooms and 1.5 Baths, approx. 1,240 sq. ft. Newer air conditioner, heater and water heater. Full bathroom has been updated and whole house has fresh paint. Water, garbage, 4 community pools, tennis, basketball courts and clubhouse.

1613 El Campo Drive

Concord

$685,000

4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, approx. 1,649 sq. ft.

Updated kitchen and bathroom, dual pane windows throughout! New french doors with 4 openings. Refrigerator included with newer appliances. Recessed lighting in kitchen and halls. Hard wired ADT Security System. In ground pool with aqua jet vacuum, yard fully landscaped with automatic sprinklers, front, back and sides.

Concord

$509,000

3 Bedrooms & 2 Baths approx. 1,176 sq. ft.

Built in 1955 and has a new roof done in June of 2004. Tract lighting kitchen which is eat-in, carpet throughout, and fireplace in living room. A beautiful new double front door.

Wall heater and AC. Has a two car carport.

Located within minutes of downtown, close to parks, farmers market, restaurants and library. Kitchen with tile counters, pantry and garden window. A credit for dual pane windows, fireplace and new roof. Washer and dryer included with laundry hookups in garage, hardwood floors, fireplace and central heat/air. Just minutes away from Pixie Playland Amusement Park .

d $8932! aved Sold Selllerr S

d Likke New! Remodelled

1344 Vermont Ave.

Concord

$599,995

4 Bedrooms & 2 Baths, approx. 1,360 sq. ft.

Completely remodeled, everything is new!

New windows and roof. Freshly painted inside and out. Beautiful fireplace and custom tile work. Walking distance to schools, and close to shopping and Mt. Diablo!

gance!!

Countrry Eleg

We sold and purchased our home with Help-U-Sell and we were very impressed with the expertise and the professionalism of our agent. HelpU-Sell will be the only way we go in the future.

1950 Altura Drive

5071 Bonwell Drive

Concord

$595,000

3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, approx. 1,400 sq. ft.

Owner wishes to carry the first trust deed.

Below market terms, fixed rate, quick and easy to qualify. Low or no down possible.

Large lot with separate out building, great for storage or workshop.

ng!

Pendin

3455 Moretti Drive

Concord

$549,950

4 Bedrooms & 2 Baths, approx 1136 sq ft.

This family home has an in-law suite with outside entrance and huge backyard! New hardwood floors, updated kitchen and new inside paint. Close to BART, parks and is a great commute location! New front landscaping is a gardener's paradise.

1705 Greer Ave

Concord

$550,000

3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath , approx 1072 sq ft.

Newly updates kitchen with wood cabinets, gas range, disposal, microwave, and pantry.

Dining area with patio doors leading to large patio. Additional patio adjacent to bedroom and garage. Single car garage with work bench, side yard access and dog run!

You Could Save $27,050!

By selling your home with Help-U-Sell instead of with brokers who charge a 6% commission* (the savings are based on a home selling for $600,000).You can select from many fine real estate professionals.Why not choose one that will also save you money when you sell? *Commissions are negotiable and not set by law.

visit us online at

helpusell.com

You’re Paying How Much To Sell Your Home?

LOW FEES HAPPY CUSTOMERS!

Owners Valerie O’Connell (Clayton resident, 25 years) & daughter Colleen O’Connell

Visit our office at 4918 Clayton Road