APR 09 Clayton Pioneer 2004

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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

925.672.0500

YMCA salutes happy, healthy kids

Tamara Steiner / Clayton Pioneer

KIDS BY THE DOZENS work off energy on the Obstacle Course at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day

Connie Rehr retires after 25 years as Museum’s curator

BY JANET EASTON Special to the Clayton Pioneer

Last month, Connie Rehr, Clayton Museum’s long time curator, resigned. Her health precludes her from opening the doors to the museum every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. During her 25-year tenure as curator, Connie Rehr proved to be a most gracious hostess.

Rehr moved to Clayton more than 50 years ago. In 1974 she was one of the founding charter members of the Clayton Historical Society. When the building for the museum—the Joel Clayton house—was acquired by the Society from the Keller property, Connie officiated. The building was dedicated in December 1978 and the museum opened to the public in January 1979.

During the first two years of

the museum’s operation, Connie unofficially assumed the position of curator. Subsequently, at every annual meeting, the board of directors made it official.

Connie raised the flag each week during the museum’s open hours. One busy week, she hurriedly raised the flag in front of the museum and was surprised by a call from the Clayton police, inquiring if something was wrong. It seems that someone from the Clayton Club had called to report that the flag was flying upside down–an international distress signal. None of the “brave” men from “across the street” dared investigate.

Connie went outside and corrected the flag’s position while the patrons of the Clayton Club cheered her from “their side” of Main Street.

Another time, during one of the Society’s annual Camellia

Teas, a group of leather-clad motorcycle riders entered the museum. Connie, gracious as always, greeted them and asked them to join the festivities. They ate some cookies, toured the museum, left generous donations, but did not seem interested in tea. They left and walked back across the street to the saloon for more suitable libations.

Always one to diminish her personal contributions, Connie says that the job of curator is definitely not a “one woman job.” She attributes her success as curator to the many docents she recruited and trained over the years, and to the work contributed by the volunteer housekeepers and museum maintenance staff. She is hesitant to name them for fear of omitting someone, but certainly among them are the Bates family, the Arundells, the Hoyers, the

Sowersbys, Sally Turner, the Eastons, the Gomez family, the descendants of the Frank and Duncan families, and many others.

Some of Connie’s favorite memories of the museum are the visits by the school children.

More than one thought that Connie was “Mrs. Clayton” or that the museum was “Connie’s house.”

The monthly brown bag, oldtimers lunch was instituted during Connie’s curatorship. She’d say, “Rain’s predicted and I don’t know if anyone will show up.” But show up they did, be it five or 35, and they all shared old times in Clayton, laughing or arguing about a particular story and it’s details or just having fun.

She also served as the chair of the acquisition committee, and the artifacts, antiques and other furnishings of the museum and its grounds were all obtained under her guidance. When asked what her favorite museum pieces are she replied, they “would have to be the music, the organ and pew from the old Congregational Church. That was the entertainment of the day.

But then again, I love the needlepoint furniture in the living room and of course, the Russelmann and Frank pieces upstairs. And, Oh! The school things.” She just

Kids came for the fun activities. Parents came to find out how to keep their kids healthy.

Everyone left with their fill of physical exercise and healthy information.

The Concord/Clayton branch of the Mt Diablo Region YMCA hosted “Healthy Kids Day” at the Clayton Community Gym last Saturday and offered four hours of games, activities, sports events, dancing demos and information booths to promote physical activity that is fun for youth. The 13th annual nationwide event is even more important today due to the national decrease in PE classes at schools across the county and the rising statistics on youth obesity.

According to Julie Finora McAfee, Director of Resource Development for the Mt. Diablo YMCA, “getting exercise and being healthy doesn’t have to be boring or tedious.” McAfee cites stats from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that fewer than three out of 10 U.S. kids attend physical education classes and according to the American Heart Association, less than one-quarter of high school students get 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity each

day.

The afternoon free event was anything but boring. There was break dancing, obstacle courses, fire truck tours, fitness activities, karate and face painting. The event also provided an opportunity for families to sign up for the Y’s summer programs like swimming, day camp, sleepover camps and sports activities. Information booths included SCORE, Presnick Chiropractic and DVC Dental Hygiene.

“Healthy Kids” is also a way for the YMCA to promote families exercising together. “When kids and parents work out together, it becomes a way for families to spend quality time together, work toward a common goal and reconnect with each other,” says McAfee.

The afternoon event was also a first for the six YMCAs in Central, South and East Contra Cost County to come together and promote Healthy Kids. “We wanted to showcase the new gym,” says Lisa Ramirez, District Vice President for the YMCA in charge of the new Concord/Clayton branch. “Over 2400 YMCA’s across the county are involved in promoting healthy kids,” says McAfee.

Photo courtesy of Tery McCade/Clayton Historical Society

CONNIE REHR, retires after 25 years as curator of the Clayton Museum couldn’t decide on one particular piece. And who could? The museum is so packed with Clayton memorabilia that you could visit many times and each time notice something that you

hadn’t seen before.

Connie Rehr still plans to be a docent at the museum, to greet visitors and show them around.

She is, and always will be, a gracious hostess.

They’re more than just the “ladies in the office”

BY JILL BEDECARRE Clayton Pioneer

They work in an office where the testosterone levels are unusually high. They interact mostly with men and run an office that is virtually a revolving door of uniformed police officers. Diana Errington and Susan Burdette are the support team at the POLICE SUPPORT TEAM, Diana Errington, left, and Susan Burdette, right

Clayton Police Department.

Diana has been with the department for the past nine years and Susan, the past six years. They respect for who they are and what they do from the police chief on down. Keeping track of what everyone does is a job in itself. With 11 officers out in the field doing their jobs, it’s up to Diana and Susan to keep the enormous paper trail organized and the department running

smoothly.

Although their jobs overlap at tines, Diana and Susan have their own daily log of duties.

And they perform those duties with finesse, expertise and always with a woman’s touch.

“We’re more than just ‘the ladies in the office,’” Diana says.

Diana is the Police Office Coordinator for the city of the Clayton. She’s well qualified for her job with close to 400 hundred hours of skilled training

under her belt. Diana oversees the basic functions of the front office, coordinates computer needs for the department, processes accounts payable, and citations, compiles statistical data and oversees department volunteers.

She served two terms on the planning commission and started with the police department as

See Police, page 3

Page 2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

Around Town Do I hear…… $7000?

Spelling Bee whiz kids

auction raised, not $7000, but a whopping $10,000.

Proceeds from the charity auction benefit programs such as We Care Center for Disabled Children, Concord Crisis Center, local high school scholarships, Camp Royale, “Every 15 Minutes” program, student exchange programs and others.

Rotarian Mureleen Benton and her husband Joe (top left), were the top bidders for the time share anywhere in the

world.

Bob Deiss and his wife, Karen (top right), were the lucky winners of the Clayton Pioneer’s guided hike with outdoorsman and columnist Kevin Parker. The Deisses also won a dinner catered by Station 59 and an outdoor grill donated by Yardbirds.

Don Ouimet (left) was all smiles as helped to spot the “big” bidders.

Museum receives donation

Diamond Terrace Retirement Community recently donated $159 to the Clayton Historical Society.

The money was raised through a raffle at Diamond Terrace’s inaugural Doll and Quilt Show and Sale held recently at the senior community. Hundreds came to the event. Raffle prizes were a basket of antique dolls and a basket of quilts. From left: Sally Turner, treasurer for the Historical Society, Dick Ellis, president of the Historical Society and Naomi Gary, marketing director for Diamond Terrace.

That’s what Rotary chairperson Al Martin wanted to hear when all was said and done at the Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise Rotary Spring auction. Martin reports that the

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Canto Bello’s Spring Ring The Canto Bello Handbell Ensemble, under the direction of Claytonian Cindy Krausgrill, is getting ready for their annual Spring Ring, Sun., Apr. 18 at 4 p.m., at the Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road in Clayton. All are invited to a gourmet dessert reception following the concert.

Admission is free.

Last summer, the group traveled to Sarajevo, Bosnia to participate in the Summer Nights International Music Festival.

Eleven of the group’s 14 members are from Clayton.

Pictured below, from left, kneeling, Carol Smith, Kim Alvey, Lois Kail; middle row, Jennifer Chisar, Julie Aumock, Dale Scovill, Judy Piazza. Back row, Melinda Darbee, David Kail, Cindy Krausgrill and Ruben Mindoza.

Bowling for dollars

Clayton resident Eleanor Thompson recently placed 5th in Women’s singles and 3rd in the doubles category at the Diablo Women’s Bowling Association tournament, finishing in the money. The tourney was held at Clayton Valley Bowl on Clayton Road in Concord.

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It was “autumnal” that stumped Mt. Diablo Elementary School 5th grader, Lincoln Crane (inset), at the Contra Costa County Regional Spelling Bee For eighth grader, Darcy Smith (left). from Diablo View Middle School, the tough word was “fanciful.” Both students represented their individual schools at the County Bee and were among hundreds of students who competed for the championship.

The first couple of rounds included a written test and the rest of the rounds were verbal.

THE LYNNE FRENCH TEAM From left Julie Clairmont, Heather Gray, Sharon Sundin, Angelique Stone, Lynne and Danny French, Ruth Reed, Julie Dunn and Jeff Gillett.

Watch your mail box for the 2004 Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants baseball schedules.

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April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 3

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Police, from Page 10

K AREN L AIBLE , Church News

part-time employee in 1995.

She is a member of the California Association for Property and Evidence and she is a certified Crime Scene Investigator. Diana just returned from a week-long conference on property and evidence in Fresno. “There are so many laws,” she says.

When any items from knives to clothing that are confiscated at a crime scene, Diana steps in to label, process and maintain the evidence during an investigation. She manages a storage room overflowing with confiscated items and keeps track of it all until the case is closed.

She also trains officers in the area of property and evidence, handles special projects for the police chief and finds time to speak to groups and organizations about women’s safety.

Susan is usually the first person you see when visiting the police department. As a Community Service Officer, She wears the blue police uniform and creates an “official” presence in the office. She handles most of the incoming calls, from emergencies, which she forwards to Concord dispatch, to general business inquiries.

She files and processes police reports and subpoenas, sends out the weekly police activity report and keeps tabs on ongoing investigations. Susan also works on special projects like the annual “Tip a Cop” program for Special Olympics, where officers serve as celebrity waiters at Ed’s Mudville Grill and collect tips for the fundraiser.

Susan coordinates the fundraising for the program and the local law enforcement torch relay through Clayton.

She’s fluent in Spanish and is often called by other city departments to serve as an interpreter. “I love the diversity of the job,” says Susan. “There’s always something new to learn.” When Susan first moved to Clayton in 1998, she volunteered at the police department to “get to know her city and neighbors.” She was eventually hired to work in the Planning Department and then held parttime positions in the finance and police departments. She became a full-time service officer when long-time employee Chris Romano retired last year.

R AFI H ASHEMI , Graphic Design B ETH

J O A NN R ICKS , Copy Editor N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant

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In addition to her busy workweek, Susan is also on a personal mission. An eleven-year survivor of breast cancer, Susan will join a team of women, including police officers, to walk the 40 mile, two-day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. “I’m collecting donations, if anyone is interested in supporting me,” Susan says. “It’s time I gave something back.”

Both Diana and Susan talk affectionately about their job and the officers they work with.

“I’m old enough to be their mother. Some even call me Mom,” says Diana.

They both have great things to say about the police officers and their commitment to the

city. “They answer calls, even when it’s nothing serious, because they care about the residents,”says Susan. “They go the extra mile,”adds Diana.

When asked about her overall feelings about the department and the police officers that serve in it, Diana recalls looking out the window one day and seeing one of the officers with his three daughters. “He was a big guy and could seem intimidating to passersby. But he had one daughter on his shoulders, one hanging on his leg and the other holding his hand. The image made a lasting impression.

“There’s another side to all of us, we are not just our job.”

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CATEGORIES Jobs Child and Adult Care Items For Sale Vehicles For Sale Garage and Yard Sales Real Estate Office Space Homes For Rent Pets and Horses Services Lost and Found Personal Business Opportunities HOW TO PLACE AN AD Go to our Web site, 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 Clayton Pioneer, 925-672-0500 to place your ad

over the phone.

Or, come by the office at 6200 Center Street, Suite F, Clayton between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rates are $12 for 30 words and 20 cents for each additional word. Classified deadline dates are printed above. 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 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 Web site.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers.

As a general rule, letters should be 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.”

You can also e-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com

GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker 6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517

Tel: (925) 672-4433 Fax: (925) 672-4424

Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.

georgevujnovich.com Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty

ADDRESS

104 Forest Hill Drive 5208 Keller Ridge Drive 1023 Feather Circle 35 Capistrano 4 Mt. Wilson Way 281 Mountaire Circle 3015 Windmill Canyon 7 Nottingham Place 1003 Feather Circle 4107 Coyote Circle 1111 Peacock Creek Drive

PRICE

$

989,980 785,000 509,000 635,000 345,000 550,000 610,000 640,000 515,000 425,000 915,000

SALE DATE

03/26/04 03/26/04 03/26/04 03/25/04 03/24/04 03/19/04 03/19/04 03/16/04 03/16/04 03/16/04 03/15/04

SF

4,018 2,843 1,638 2,313 966 1,919 2,053 2,210 1,651 1,595 3620

BED/BATH

5/4.5 4/3 3/2.5 4/3 2/2 4/2 3/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5

ADDRESS

PRICE

97 Regency Drive $ 610,000 337 Mt. Washington Way 533,300 618 Julpun Loop 558,000 263 Mountaire Circle 625,000 1286 Shell Circle 490,000 1458 Indianhead Circle 432,000 5004 Raven Way 632,000 1161 Moccasin Court 565,000 701 Condor Place 413,500 7024 Molluck Way 579,500 801 Gray Fox Place 669,000

SALE DATE

SF

03/11/04 03/11/04 03/10/04 03/09/04 03/09/04 03/05/04 03/04/04 03/04/04 03/04/04 03/01/04 02/27/04

1900 1600 1939 1919 1709 1355 2315 1911 1595 1816 2237

BED/BATH

4/2 3/2 3/2.5 4/2 3/3 3/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 3/2

ADDRESS

59 El Portal Drive 635 Mt. Duncan Drive 3203 Coyote Circle 126 El Portal Place 206 Condor Way 800 Gray Fox Way 67 Regency Drive 3102 Coyote Circle 109 Forest Hill Drive 1279 Shell Circle 1340 Shell Lane

All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

PRICE

$ 672,500 715,000 376,000 657,500 555,000 599,000 570,000 395,875 812,500 408,000 449,900

SALE DATE

02/27/04 02/26/04 02/25/04 02/24/04 02/23/04 02/20/04 02/18/04 02/12/04 02/11/04 02/11/04 02/06/04

SF

2857 2960 1252 2427 1911 2542 1801 1554 2680 1430 1745

BED/BATH

5/3 5/3 2/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 3/3

Page 4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

There’s no such thing as a good tan When it comes to sun exposure and protection from UV rays, nobody’s perfect, right?

Just for fun, let’s see the hands of all you sun gods and goddesses who spent your entire teenage years greased up like a WWF contestant, bronzing bottoms and bellies at the beach, by the pool and on the river— maybe even adding a little iodine to the baby oil for good measure. Hard to believe our naiveté, isn’t it?

Here’s another entirely random, unscientific survey question: How many people do you

know who have had sizeable pieces of skin sliced off arms, legs and noses because of suspected skin cancer? We were a nation of sun worshippers and by gosh, we looked good; but seasons and trends change and now we know better.

Here’s how UV exposure works—the sun’s rays are actually a form of radiation. Some of this radiation hits the skin and bounces right back off.

Some rays penetrate the skin a little deeper to the place where plump, healthy cells live.

Some rays reach down to the

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Think of a baby’s skin: smooth, creamy and freckle free. Babies are not born with freckles, these darling little spots appear after skin has been exposed to the sun.

Freckles and a golden bronzy tan are evidence of sun damage to the skin. And I don’t just mean damage from a bad sunburn, either. Exposure to the sun can result in damage to the skin at a cellular level.

Period! How about those

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annoying little age spots (also called liver spots because of their color) on the backs of your hands, your face and your chest? They have nothing to do with age, ma cherie, or liver or any other internal organ; but they have everything to do with sun damage. Seriously, do you have any of these dreadful spots on the left side of your face? That side of your face is exposed to the sun through your driver’s side window?

Fortunately, skin care products and procedures can help fade the brown spots. As for melanoma, annual trips to your dermatologist are the best step in prevention and treatment of such serious skin disorders.

And, may I just say something about tanning beds— what are you thinking? Allow me to dispel a couple of tanning bed myths. Tanning beds are not safer than actual sun exposure. A trip to the tanning bed will not protect your skin from sunburn on your upcoming Panama Canal cruise. And, there is no “good” way to tan.

Tanned skin is damaged skin.

Period, end of story! Elvis has left the building.

According to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, “fake-bake tanning is no safer—perhaps even more dangerous—than exposure to natural light. People who use tanning beds or tanning lamps face a significantly higher risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer.”

Moreover, research done by the Dartmouth Medical School found that skin cancer risk for people who used tanning beds is actually 2.5 times higher than tanners who run strictly on solar power.

The foundation adds that, “despite being one of the most preventable cancers, skin cancer is also the most common cancer in the United States, accounting for almost half of all cancers.”

The good news is sunless tanning has made progress in recent years. We no longer have to suffer the clownish

I just had a very humbling experience. In speaking with a recruiter, I was told, in no uncertain terms, that my resume has an awful lot in common with a Hoover Deluxe.

Now I could very well be wrong, but regardless, I like to think that I’m at least a competent writer. In fact, I’ve been told on occasion that I write very well. Perhaps they were just being kind. Perhaps I’ve been fooling myself all this time because this woman pulled no punches.

“If this resume crossed my desk it would end up in the circular file in less than five seconds,” is basically what she said.

Now I’ll be honest. I’ve had suspicions about the quality of my resume, but our discussion

was sort of the conversational equivalent of The Emperor Has No Clothes. I knew it but did not want to admit it. \For anyone who’s ever had to write a resume, it’s probably one of the toughest things to do.

Most of us have a difficult time bragging about our skills and abilities, so when someone asks you, “what are you good at and why?” we tend to have a difficult time formulating an answer.

That is unless we’re just naturally pretty darned pleased with ourselves.

Another question that always seems to arise is “What do you want to do?” to which I always want to reply, “What have you got?” There seem to be many of us that are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we

Ninth Annual

Saturday and Sunday May 1 and 2, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Free admission and free parking Main Street in downtown Clayton

O

ver 140 creators of top quality art and handmade crafts including whimsical and traditional original art, puzzles, indoor and outdoor metal furniture, wrought iron, stained glass, jewelry, candles, soaps, ceramics, floral arrangements, antiques, bonsai, hand painted clothing, pewter, garden art, and much, much more.

Live entertainment on stage with comfortable, shaded seating Fine wines and micro brews and large food court B ig, fun, protected Kiddieland Doggie comfort station Presented by

T he Clayton Business and Community Association want to thank our sponsors for

their generous support: Jack’s Patio Company, Mazzei Auto Emporium, Conco Cement, State Farm Insurance of Clayton, Mike’s Auto Body, Placer Title Company, Insurance Management Corporation, The Lynne French Team, Diamond Terrace, Skipolini’s Pizza Garden, Oakhurst Properties, Concord Garden Equipment, George Vujnovich Better Homes Realty, Old Republic Title, The City of Clayton, Clayton Community Church, Contra Costa Times, Ed’s Mudville Grill, Englund Catering, Finta Hay Services, Markstein Sales Company, Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal, RMC Pacific Materials, Safeway.

Cynthia Gregory holds a master's degree in fine arts and is a California licensed esthetician. She combines the surprising aspects of teaching English at Solano College and practicing esthetics at Permanent Solution, in downtown Clayton, and can be reached for comment at

ceegregory@aol.com.

I’m definitely OK…I think

Clayton’s

Art & Wine Festival

orange color that past suntanin-a-bottles produced. Neither do we have to go around town as pale and ghostly as Nicole Kidman. Sunless tanning has come a long way and helps you to radiate a healthy, bronzy glow, even if you dart from bush to shadow like a dung beetle in order to avoid the sun.

Facial bronzers are another way to help put a healthy face forward without exposure to harmful radiation. Bronzers brush on like blush and come in a variety of delicious shades, like copper and peach.

Thanks to modern technology, you too can glow like Charlize Theron at the Academy Awards without putting your precious skin at risk. So, for award-winning skin—or simply the latest and the greatest in sunless tanning and sun protection products—do yourself a favor and consult your trusted dermatologist or skincare specialist.

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JOE ROMANO

SO, ANYWAY grow up. I recall taking one of those employment assessment tests in high school—you know, the one that attempts to give you an idea as to the type of job that you might enjoy based on your interests. You know what the test results told me? I should be a farmer. Me, the kid who absolutely hated (and still does) anything to do with “yard work” should pursue a career in which my “yard” could conceivably consist of a couple hundred acres. Imagine having to go pull weeds on the back forty, or mowing the back forty, or doing ANYTHING with the back forty? The only “back forty” I’m even REMOTELY interested in is the Back Forty Texas BBQ. No, I think it’s fair to say that you won’t see me in a pair of overalls anytime soon, though I will admit that the idea of getting to drive a tractor holds great appeal.

Just in case I do decide to pursue the farming gig though, I suppose I’d better work on the resume.

Objective: To wake up before the sparrows break wind, toil in the sun until my skin resembles that of an alligator, learn to chew tobacco without vomiting, determine exactly WHAT and WHERE the “back forty” is.

Experience: Grew lots of foodstuffs Fought with the government over subsidy payments Developed new rutabagaartichoke hybrid Fought with thieving government over rights to said hybrid Formed local militia Well in any event it appears I’ll be doing a little creative writing on my resume this week.

The more I think about it, I’m pretty sure farmers don’t have to write resumes. Maybe I’m being a little too hasty on this farming idea. There’s nothing that says one can’t have a “back forty” swimming pool.

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

April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Quilt exhibit a must see at Clayton Museum “Well Begun is Half Done…” Unfinished Quilts of the 30’s and 40’s is a must see at the Clayton Historical Society in downtown Clayton.

The brainchild of Special Exhibits Coordinator, Mary Spryer, the exhibit, displayed on two floors of the museum, is an eclectic collection of unfinished quilts, Depression glass, clothing, toys, books and other everyday items from the 1930s and 1940s.

In her flyer describing the exhibit, Spryer sets the mood and tone of the Depression years and the revival of the art of quilting supported by Eleanor Roosevelt. A quilter of the period, Carrie Hall, said, “without money for costly diversions, the women have turned to a renewal

of quilt making.”

The piece de resistance of the exhibit is the “Lone Star Quilt” displayed in the upstairs bedroom of the museum. Spryer (pictured below with the quilt) has difficulty containing her enthusiasm for this incredible museum piece that belongs to her husband Richard. Richard’s great-grandmother, Sarah Florence Flesher Barnett, made the quilt in 1943.

She was 69-years old when the quilt was finished and story has it that after piecing the star together, Sarah decided the diamonds were too large. In the true spirit of the “waste not, want not” austerity of the times, she took the diamonds apart, re-cut them and re-sewed them to achieve the beautiful finished

result.

Spryer’s idea for the exhibit was personal. She owned several quilts from the 30s and began to find quilt squares and other items from that era as well. “ I had more than I thought,” Spryer said. “Other people volunteered items they had and the exhibit grew.” “When we discovered the “Lone Star” quilt in our family, I decided to make the exhibit official.”

According to Spryer, the exhibit has many visitors thus far. “Well Begun is Half Done” can be seen at the Clayton Historical Society Museum at 6101 Main Street in Clayton Sunday and Wednesday from 2p.m to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information call 672-0240.

Page 5

THE VAN-FLEET REMAX TEAM AND

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Investment Real Estate Basics Spend an evening with Paul Conrow and Steve Swanson of Diablo Funding Group and learn the essential elements necessary for successfully investing in real estate

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The importance of having a s trategy Leveraging and financing alternatives What are the possible p itfalls Calculating your cash f lows What to look for in an investment h ouse How to buy at the right p rice How to get s tarted

When: April 22, 2004, 7 - 9 pm Where: Oakhurst Country Club 1001 Peacock Circle, Clayton

Serving a light dinner snack and beverages RSVP CALL (925) 889-5815 BY FRIDAY, APRIL 16, TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE

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PAUL CONROW retired from corporate America as Senior Vice President, Visa International, responsible for worldwide telecommunications engineering and operations.

During his 40-year career with various companies including Bell Labs, ATT, the Gap and Fireman’s Fund, he’s held a number of positions related to technology, customer service and finance. He’s a member of various boards including a fund raising charity sponsored by Harmon Killebrew (1984 Baseball Hall of Fame). Paul is extremely active in the real estate industry. He’s received the Affiliate of the Quarter from both the Contra Costa Realtors in Motion and the Realtors Marketing Association in San Ramon. He’s also the 2003 and 2004 Treasurer of the Women’s Council of Realtors and is a licensed Real Estate Broker.

STEVE SWANSON retired after 30 years at ATT Bell Labs and Pacific Bell as Chief Technology Officer.

Over his career, he was involved with a number of large efforts, including a deployed military ABM system, the first large-scale desktop call center system for telephone companies, and rebuilding Pacific Bell’s billing system, which quickly became the world-wide leading billing package for large telecommunications companies, implemented throughout the US, Australia, Italy, Germany and most of the US. He brings a strategic and technical view to mortgage lending, holding a BS/MS in Computer Science and an MBA from Sloan. Besides mortgage lending, he’s on the boards of a number of technology companies and conducts international workshops in building executive client relationships.

PAUL AND STEVE are branch managers for Diablo Funding in Danville where they are focused on developing educational, support and financing programs for the real estate investor. Both own investment properties as part of their portfolios, and understand the issues involved.

Josie Van Fleet-Bronson For superior service and a successful real estate transaction in Clayton or surrounding communities, call Josie, a 19-year Clayton resident and area specialist Specializing in: Property Management Loans/Refinancing Real Estate Sales - Residential and Investment

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The Van FleetBronson Team Left to right: (Back Row) Danny Provinse, Colby Chambers, Ron Chambers, Miroslav Bronson. (Front Row) Kim Chambers, Cathie Provinse, Jennifer Nascimento, Josie Van Fleet-Bronson, Lynne Wills, Kathy Frame

Come to our seller’s class and learn whether

“To Stage, or Not To Stage” June 8, 7-9 p.m.

Oakhurst Country Club

Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

There’s no place like home Grow some great cutting flowers

PATTY FLANNERY Clayton Resident Since 1979

Realtor Associate International President’s Circle

Voice Mail: 925-210-7480 Residence: 925-672-0541 Notary Public

Be with the best!

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by appointment only

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Clayton residents Randy Welty, Ted Sudderth, Doris Ward and Casey.

In Clayton, you can grow some great cutting flowers for your flower arrangements. Any sunny border or raised bed is enough room for a cutting garden.

First things first, we need to modify the soil for high production plants. This means that you must turn the top twelve inches of soil by removing all of the Clayton Clay. It’s hard work, but well worth the effort. Apply Gypsum, a sulfate of calcium, to the native soil. This naturally occurring sedimentary penetrates through the clay offering improved drainage.

Turn in a small amount of medium to large bark for drainage and to introduce organic matter to the soil. Then fill the remaining eight inches with a soil conditioner and planting mix. Use a soil conditioner that is designed to help loosen hard soils and that contains organic and natural ingredients, a dash of nitrogen and some fir bark.

Gold Rush Soil Conditioner is a perfect base soil to plant perennials for cutting. You will want to use 2/3 Gold Rush to 1/3 Paydirt Planting Mix. Paydirt is made up of 60 percent chicken manure and several organic ingredients such as mushroom compost, worm castings and bat

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guano. Use this planting mix only when it’s combined with other ingredients; that’s why we always plant using the 2:1 ratio.

Flowering plants require regular water, so make sure that your new bed gets enough overhead sprinkling by setting up a drip/spray system. Remember that regular water is crucial in bud production.

Even if an area is small, hand watering often becomes a chore.

Now that you’ve finished the hard part, we can talk about the plants. Delphinium Belladonna and Delphinium Elatum are hardy and reliable bloomers in the full sun. Both varieties grow from three to six inches tall and up to two feet wide. Towers of blooms point at the sky, in colors of whites, blues and purple. Cut blooms back within two inches of the soil to promote reblooming that you can enjoy April through June and for some, as late as July.

Delphiniums need rich porous soil and regular fertilizing to thrive.

Alstromeria bears clustered flowers at the tops of leafy stems.

Growing anywhere from two to five inches tall and through the years, they will get almost as wide. Division will be necessary and transplanting to another location is successful and encouraged.

Alstromeria comes in enough colors to please any gardener.

Brightly colored markings with contrasting blotches and speckles make this flower very interesting.

Alstromeria makes a superb cut flower, lasting longer than some other cut flower choices. Isabella is a new strain of this Inca Lily.

It’s solid bright orange and grows four feet tall. Mix this long-lived perennial with your daylilies.

Plant at the rear of the daylily. The Alstromeria blooms mostly late fall through spring. During the summer, your Inca Lilies will only be partially green and at this time, your daylily will be in bloom. It’s a perfect combination.

Sunflowers make great cut flowers. Taiyo is a sunflower that

Remodeling or buying new?

you see in florist shops. The flowers are about five to six inches in diameter and have a very formal shape. Thick, firm, golden-yellow petals contrasting beautifully against the dark four inch center.

This sunflower makes a long lasting cut flower and needs full sun, good water and rich soil. Place Taiyo carefully because it reaches four to five inches tall.

Another wonderful cut flower is the Calla Lily. The Calla needs to be planted in medium shade.

They tolerate wet soil. They are mostly evergreen. The common Calla has shiny rich green foliage and a white flower bract surrounding a central spike and covered in tiny flowers. Calla’s blooms and leaves make great additions to arrangements.

Corn Cockle looks great in a casual floral arrangement.

Reaching two to three inches tall and blooming all summer long and has mostly pink, purple and white, large three inch flowers.

All parts of this plant are poisonous to pets and people. The wispy looking plant looks nice displayed in a group. Varieties to look out for are Milas and Ocean Pearl.

Corn cockle is an annual that may leave behind some self-sown seedlings, though they may not look like the Agrostemma that preceded them.

Self-sown seedlings tend to revert to the dark pink plain species over time.

Astibles are an excellent addition to a partial shaded cutting garden. The plume-like flower clusters come in colors from whites, pinks, reds, and stands 24 inches tall and wide. Ferny, greenish-red foliage gracefully decorates the base of this herbaceous perennial. Enjoy the bloom from May through July. Foliage remains through September and then the Astible will die back to the ground. Look for new growth beginning in late March. Fanal is topped with foamy spikes of garnet flowers, Amerika has heads of lavender-pink, and both are excellent performers in Clayton.

Hydrangeas make great cut flowers. The Oakleaf Hydrangea provides a stunning summer display of elongated white flower clusters stretching nine-12 inches

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

long. Handsome foliage is deeply lobed and eight inches long, turning crimson and scarlet in the fall.

Not only do the blooms make lovely cut flowers, but the leaves are very worthy of any autumn arrangement.

Hydrangea macrophylla are also commonly planted. They are often referred to as the Garden Hydrangea. These are great performers in Clayton. Plant a garden hydrangea in rich soil and give regular water. Remember that a hydrangea is acid loving and should be fed monthly during the growing season. Also, if you have a blue variety of hydrangea you must add aluminum sulfate to the soil annually to keep it blue.

Fertilize your cut flower perennials every two weeks during the growing season. For maximum bloom, use a water-soluble fertilizer with a substantial middle number. Master Nursery’s offer a Bud & Bloom like no other, 1052-8. You will be amazed at the results. Remember to bait for snails and slugs. Follow the directions on your snail and slug killer, a little goes a long way. Put your pesticides and fertilizers in a safe place away from pets and children.

Cut your flowers and put them in your home. Flowers look great inside. The more you look at your flowers, the more you’ll love them.

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

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The Garrido Agency, at the local Clayton Station.

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April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 7

There’s no place like home Does the Internet really help sell houses?

Web site exposure should be an integral part of your marketing program. Before the Internet, prospective homebuyers relied almost entirely on real estate agents for information about homes for sale. Today, after a few hours on the Internet, many homebuyers know the inventory of homes for sale in their price range before they even connect with an agent.

Recently, a couple made an appointment to look at property with an agent who had been referred to them. They arrived at the realty office with a tour already mapped out of the listings they wanted to see. They had previewed the inventory in their price range on the Internet ahead of time. This process saved them hours of wasted time previewing homes they'd never buy.

A recent study conducted by the California Association of Realtors (CAR) compared the differences between traditional buyers and Internet buyers. The findings of the study show that buyers who used the Internet to

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ESTATE

gather information better understood the home buying process, and were more satisfied with the entire home buying experience than were traditional buyers.

In Northern California, a major tech center, an astonishing 70 percent of homebuyers begin their real estate search on the Internet. According to CAR, 30 percent of these buyers will actually purchase a property that they first saw on a real estate Web site.

Not all marketplaces will have this high a percentage of realty Internet users. Even so, if you're

selling a home, Internet exposure should be an integral part of your marketing program. Internet advertising is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your sales effort.

The Internet was the catalyst that resulted in the sale of a Piedmont, California listing. The buyer wanted to buy a home in Piedmont because of the good school system. She searched the Internet for Piedmont homes for sale. The search pulled up an agent's Web site that featured a Piedmont listing, complete with a photo tour of a dozen photos of the property. After previewing the listing online, the buyer sent an email to the agent, made an appointment to see the house, and bought it.

To be effective, the Internet advertising of your home should include photos. Descriptive adjectives can't be relied on with certainty. Adjectives like "charming," "beautiful" and "wonderful" are so over-used in real estate advertising that they have become

meaningless. What's charming to one buyer may be trite to another.

Adjectives are sometimes used to camouflage defects. Cozy is often used to describe a room that's way too small.

Print advertising doesn't tell you much that you can rely on about a property other than its location, size and list price.

Photos portray much more about the condition, ambience and décor of a listing. These qualities often trigger a buyer's decision to buy.

To be effective, however, the photos of your home must be high quality. Some Internet home photos are so amateurish that they do the sellers a disservice. Make sure to look at the photos of your home on the Internet. If you're not happy with what you see, let your agent know.

Another advantage of Internet advertising is that it has a much longer shelf life than conventional newspaper advertising.

Typically, realty companies advertise properties in the local

Big jobs often start T H E S I G N O F A PROFESSIONA L with one small idea

BARBARA GUTRIDGE

HOME WORK

Denis Diderot was a French philosopher known as a materialist of the 18th century. He wrote an essay entitled “The Scarlet Dressing Gown.” He relates receiving a gift of a beautiful scarlet dressing gown. When he adorned it, suddenly the tapestries of his room looked shabby and the carpeting looked worn.

Even his desk appeared old. So one-by-one he replaced everything to accommodate his new gown. In the end he sits in his new surroundings, lamenting the unfamiliarity of it all and realizes how uncomfortable he is.

Historians have named this the “Diderot Effect.” Have you experienced it?

At The Marble Shop we hear lots of reasons for remodeling the bath. A leaking pipe; water spots on the ceiling under the upstairs bath; water on the floor around the toilet; rust in the sink; burns, scratches, stains; or just getting ready to sell.

These are all good reasons to start a remodeling project in the bathroom. But here’s the most common one we hear: “I was just going to change the ______.”

(Fill in the blank with wallpaper, flooring, paint or toilet) Suddenly the cabinet shows some wear, and the vanity top really needs to be replaced, and while we’re at it, we might as well change the turquoise tile we’ve always hated, and hasn’t the window always been too small? Before you know it, you’re into a full-blown, not planned-for-this-year remodeling project.

Start with a budget. Plan to spend $1000 to $15,000, depending on the scope of your work.

Decide what’s most important to you: function, easy maintenance, long lasting, beauty, service, quality or lowest cost. Then be prepared to compromise accordingly. When we built our home, I chose a very expensive, high quality, long-lasting carpet. Now, 14 years later, I am very tired of

my long-lasting carpet, which will probably be lasting long after I’m gone. If I had thought about my priorities in advance, I would have focused on mid-quality, beauty and lower cost so that I could change it more often.

No matter what your preference, find vendors who listen to you and want to know your priorities. Allow plenty of time for your project. Some contractors book a full year ahead.

And as long as you’re remodeling the bath, maybe you want to make it bigger, take out one of the closets, add a jetted tub, put in a garden window, landscape the garden. And… Barbara Gutridge is co-owner of The Marble Shop. Reach her at 439-6910 with questions or comments.

z z

For any real estate needs or questions contact Lynne at (925) 672-8787 or E-mail Lynne@LynneFrench.com

Smith Trim Crown/Baseboard Doors/Windows Wainscoting Decks/Cupolas Interior & Exterior Trim Custom trim

Don Smith Phone: 925-673-3900 Cell: 510-710-5747 www.smithtrim.com License No. 820457

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Painting & Decorating

z

agent, visit the agent's Web site to see how your home will be displayed online. If your agent doesn't have a Web site, visit the company's site.

Patricia Harrison

Nu Image z

weekend papers. At the end of the weekend, the papers are usually tossed (except for the Pioneer, of course.) An Internet advertisement of your home can be viewed by anyone, anytime, from anywhere for as long as your home is on the market.

Before deciding on a listing

Complete interior and exterior painting Drywall repair and texturing Custom color consulting Special care taken to protect all furnishings

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Page 8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

There’s no place like home

Spring’s splendid stalks Ah, springtime! Daffodils and poppies running in yellow and orange streaks along the hills, apple blossoms sparkling in the sun and vast feathery green fields of asparagus covering the rich peatland of the San Joaquin Valley.

My love for springtime asparagus pales in comparison to the rapture the Romans had for the veg-

etable. Two thousand years ago, they would use chariots and runners to transport asparagus from the Tiber River to the Alps, where it was kept frozen for six months until early spring festivals. During asparagus season in Germany nowadays, almost every eatery features a “Spargelkarte,” or menu of asparagus dishes, such as ravioli

Est.1972

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with asparagus filling, cream soup, liver terrine and salmon skewers.

Wild asparagus plants are found throughout the Mediterranean region, but their exact origin is unknown. A member of the lily family (leeks and onions), it most closely resembles its other close relative—grass.

Today, China is the largest producer, followed by South Africa and Spain. The U.S. and Peru have large crops as well. Asparagus is a perennial plant that can grow as much as ten inches in 24 hours.

Like most vegetables, asparagus is used in many cultures for its medicinal benefits. It is dried for use as a diuretic to ward off bladder and kidney problems and believed by some to prevent blood vessel ruptures. The Ancient Greeks thought it cured toothaches and prevented bee stings. The Chinese use it to treat arthritis and infertility. Whatever the medicinal beliefs, asparagus is a good source for Vitamins A and C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber and is around 50 calories per cup.

Some people (like me) prefer

LINDA WYNER

FOOD

FOR

THOUGHT

force the plant to produce chlorophyll, which causes the green color.

If it’s not fresh, don’t buy it.

Rinse asparagus to remove sand and snap off the woody ends (about one to two inches at the bottom of the stalk). Some folks prefer to peel the

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Put the BEST to work for you PETE LAURENCE’S roots go deep into the Clayton soil. He’s lived here since 1954 and was a member of the Clayton Valley High School Class of ‘63. His long relationship with Clayton has given him a thorough knowledge of its history and a good perspective on its future.

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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

ASK

CIVIC MINDED MAN, Pete

PETE

asparagus and diced pepper and arrange on top of lettuce leaves.

To my dear friends in Denver, prepare a delightful Passover dish of lemony asparagus with a matzo topping.

Asparagus with Lemon Matzo Crumble 3 to 4 lbs asparagus 6 Tbsp. melted margarine, pareve, divided 5 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, divided 3 Tbsp. canola or light olive oil 3 garlic cloves, crushed 4 green onions, finely chopped 1½ c matzo meal ½ tsp. salt Rinse and trim (and peel if desired) asparagus, and steam or boil until just tender (about 3-6 minutes). Rinse under cold water until completely cooled; drain well.

In microwave, heat 3 Tbsp margarine and 3 Tbsp oil on high for 1 min. to melt margarine. Stir in garlic, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice, green onions, matzo meal and salt.

Microwave uncovered on high for 5-7 minutes, stirring every minute until mixture is dry and crisp.

Reheat asparagus in microwave on high for 2-4 minutes. Arrange on platter. Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. margarine with remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice and drizzle over asparagus. Sprinkle matzo crumbs across the center of the dish and garnish with lemon peel or zest.

Reminder: The Stockton Asparagus Festival is April 23-25 at the Downtown Stockton Waterfront.

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thin stalks, while others prefer beefier asparagus. The thickness of the stalk is unrelated to age, but rather to its variety. Most Europeans prefer white asparagus, caused by etoliation—growing the stalks under earthen mounds so sunlight won’t

stalk, which makes more sense if you are preparing thick asparagus since the outer layer is more fibrous.

Steamed, stir-fried, roasted, grilled or microwaved, asparagus is simple to cook. It should only be cooked tender-crisp—whatever you do, don’t overcook it! If fully immersed in water for cooking, add a teaspoon of baking soda to brighten the green color. Toss a pound of asparagus in two tablespoons of olive oil, add two or three minced garlic cloves, and roast for 20 minutes in a 350°F oven, turning once at 10 minutes, or steam it for 4-8 minutes until the stalks just yield to the tip of a sharp knife.

The first-class dining room on the Titanic served a cold asparagus salad as the seventh course of its last fateful dinner on April 14, 1912.

Rick Archibald and Dana McCauley’s “Last Dinner on the Titanic: Menus and Recipes from the Great Liner” includes the recipe: Cold Asparagus Vinaigrette (serves six) 1½ pounds asparagus, rinsed and trimmed ¼ tsp saffron threads 1½ Tbsp. champagne (or white wine) vinegar ½ tsp Dijon mustard Pinch of sugar 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil ½ sweet red or yellow pepper, diced 1 head leaf lettuce Steam the asparagus for 3-5 minutes until tender, but not limp.

Drain and run under cold water until completely cooled, drain well.

Dressing: soften saffron in 1 tsp. very hot water (about two minutes).

Stir in vinegar, mustard and sugar.

Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss with

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Page 9

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

March 26, 2004

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., APR. 12 FOR THE APR. 23 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT APR . 9, 16, 23, 30 Digital Thunder Bowling @ Clayton Bowl 4-6 p.m. Digital Thunder Bowling on Friday afternoons for kids includes music, lights and bumper lanes. Clayton Valley Bowl. 689-4631 APRIL - JUNE Concord/Clayton Mt. Diablo Region YMCA Programs at the Clayton gym for adults and children including hockey, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

Call 889-2600 for information APRIL - MAY 6 Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m., 3-5 yrs. of age, child may attend without parent.

Clayton Community Library APRIL 9 AARP Mt. Diablo Chapter 524 1:30 p.m. “Amtrak- Working on the Railroad.” Paul Bendix serves on the Caltrain Citizens Advisory Committee and is an advocate for accessible transportation. Refreshments will be served. For information call FredNelson, 925-9383533 x 734. Peasant Hill Community Center, Parkside Room, Pleasant Hill APR . 12-16 Clayton YMCA Spring Break Camp @ Clayton Community Gym 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early drop off 7:30 a.m., pickup by 6 p.m.

Super sports mania spring break camp for grades 1-7.

Call 925-889-1600 for more information.

APR . 17 Career Day @ Clayton Community Library 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Talk to representatives from local colleges and universities, view demo of EUREKA, the career information database and sign up for personal account. 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton APR . 18 Canto Bello Spring Ring Handbell Concert 4 p.m. Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton APR . 19 National Library Week Activities, @ Clayton Community Library 3:30-5:30 p.m. Worm stories and "wiggle worms"- make and eat your own creation while the grown ups enjoy our backyard hiking presentation. All ages welcome. No registration required. 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton APR . 21 Art for Life @ Clayton Library 3:30-5 p.m. Celebrate National Library Week by creating your own masterpiece with Anthony Knutson, director of The Art for Life Foundation. Food, art and stories, too!

Free admission, advance registration required. Clayton Library www.cclib.org 673-0659, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton APR . 22 Investment Real Estate Basics @ Oakhurst Country Club 7-9 p.m. Spend an evening with Paul Conrow and Steve Swanson of Diablo Funding Group and learn the essential elements necessary for successful real estate investing. Call (925) 889-5815 to reserve your place. Light dinner snack and beverages served.

APR . 23 Historical Society Annual Spring Pot Luck 6 p.m. Clayton Historical Society annual program & pot luck. Odd Fellows Hall, Cowell Rd., Concord. www.claytonhs.com 672-0240 APR . 24 Clayton Cleans Up 9 a.m.- 12 noon. Organize your neighborhood, scout, church or other civic group. Individuals welcome. Bring your trimmers and gloves. Help trim plants & pick up litter. Contact Dana Deely at 672-8645 for more info or to sign up. City of Clayton. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304

APR . 25 Contra Costa County Library 5K Fun Run/Walk 9 a.m. Support the library and get in shape, register at www.cclib.org/funrun/main.html. Kids fun run at 10:30 a.m.

MAY 7, 8 Clayton Historical Society Annual Gardens Tour Friday and Saturday rain or shine. Call 672-0240 for more information, www.claytonhs.com. Tickets will go on sale early this spring.

MAY 13 Puppets and Judy Puppet Show, @ Clayton Community Library 11-11:30 a.m. and 4-4:30 p.m., Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road, 673-0659, www.claytonlibrary.org MAY 16 Easter Seals Walk With Me East Bay Join friends and neighbors for 3k or 5k run/walk to raise money for disabled children and adults. 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:30 a.m. run start, 10 a.m. walk start. CSU Hayward, Contra Costa campus. Call Lynne Anderson 835-2131 X 130, landerson@esba.org for information.

MAY 17 46th Annual Pro/Am Golf Tournament Mt. Diablo Region YMCA is hosting a golf tournament, partnering with Diablo Country Club and Lexus of Pleasanton/Lexus Champions for Charity. Foursomes will be assigned a golf professional. Bid on a package for participation in the National Lexus Champions for Charity golf tournament. All proceeds will benefit the YMCA scholarship fund. For registration information, contact jfmcafee@mdrymca.org or call the YMCA at (925) 609-9622.

MAY 22 19th Annual Dana Hills Community Garage Sale 9-1p.m. Pick up maps and info at the entrance of Dana Hills. Sponsored by Lori Hagge, Allice Ponti & Larry Schafer, Century 21 Realty.

JUNE 3-6 Contra Costa County Fair Carnival open Thurs. 1-11 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 11a.m.-11p.m., exhibit buildings open until 10 p.m. Ages 6 and under free, 7-12 $4, 13-61 $7, 62 and up $4. 1201 W 10th Street, Antioch, info@cccfair.org

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS APR . 13 Concord No Le Hace 4-H Club 7 p.m. Meets second Tuesday of the month from September-June, offering animal and non-animal projects. Farm Bureau Hall, Clayton Rd., concord4h.i680n.com APR . 13 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Oakhurst Country Club 10 a.m. Business, legislative and Americanism Report.

Sons of American Revolution compatriot, Marston Watson will speak of his Revolutionary war ancestor, Captain John Pulling. Everyone welcome, RSVP to Barbara Allen, 925-672-6061 by 4/10.

APR . 15, 22, 29 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting 10 a.m., 5 & 6:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in & meeting on Thursday. Prospective members welcome.

Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord.

800/326-8450 x2023 APR . 15, 22, 29 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thursday for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker. Oakhurst Country Club. www.claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 689-7640 APR . 13 GFWC Clayton Valley Woman’s Club

9:30 a.m. Coffee, meeting at 10:00 am with lunch following. Clayton Valley Woman’s Club meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. Shirley Boyd, 672-1163 APR . 20 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Diamond Terrace 6:30-8:00 p.m. Legislation, Americanism and political issues of the day will be discussed. Everyone welcome, refreshments served. RSVP to Jennette Cabot 925-8382182. www.yvrw.org for additional information.

APR . 24 Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show 1 p.m. Donation $25. All proceeds benefit Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Charities. Reservations call 689-6649, Holy Cross Lutheran Church corner of Alberta Way and Ygnacio Valley Road APR . 29 Clayton Business & Community Association @ Oakhurst Country Club Monthly Meeting 6:30pm. Monthly dinner meeting on last non-holiday Thursday of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon. Oakhurst Country Club. Ed Hartley 6722272 MAY 6 Sons in Retirement Monthly Meeting @ Oakhurst 12 noon. Sons in Retirement John Muir Branch 19 holds its monthly meeting on 1st Thursday of month. Oakhurst Country Club. 672-6418

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT APR . 13, 20, 27 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ Clayton Library 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tuesday mornings. Open to the public. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900 APR . 20 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Library 7pm. City of Clayton City Council meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. Open to the public. Clayton Library Community Room. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304 APR . 13, 27 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month. Open to the public. Clayton Library Community Room. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304 APR . 29 Clayton Business & Community Association Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting on last non-holiday Thursday of month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon.

Oakhurst Country Club. Ed Hartley 672-2272 MAY 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.

Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304

SCHOOLS & EDUCATION APR . 20 Parent Faculty Club Meeting (PFC) @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7:00. Please join us and help make a difference! Child care is provided for this event. If you would like to have a specific item included on the agenda, please contact Rosy Straka at rosystraka@yahoo.com or 672-3200. http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary.

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Page 10

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

Clayton Sports

Speed Demons take second in tough Davis tourney

BY JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer

Mt. Diablo Soccer Association’s Speed Demons take second place as Fuego takes fourth in tough Davis Select Tourney Low-scoring defensive battles define U12 Girls Team’s efforts both at Davis and during the select season.

Mt. Diablo Soccer Association’s (MDSA) Under12 Girls Select Soccer Team #2 came in second place in the annual season-ending, Select Tournament in Davis March 20-21. A total of 10 MDSA Select teams participated in the tournament with two of the teams making it to the second day of play.

The Speed Demons comprised of 10 and 11 year-old AYSO Fall League All-Stars from Clayton and Concord played their first game on Saturday against the Walnut Creek #1 team. In their only relatively easy match during the whole weekend, they cruised to a 4-0 victory getting three goals from Laura Pargett and another from Melissa Leonard.

Game Two 2 pitted them against a tough Pleasant Hill / Martinez Soccer Association (PHMSA) Revolution team.

The hard-fought defensive game ended in a 0-0 tie and was a preview of what was to come the next day.

The last game on Saturday was against Davis #1. Emilie Toreson scored an unassisted goal as the Speed Demons won this close game by the score of 1-0, enabling the team to head into Sunday’s semifinals.

The Speed Demons’ MDSA sister U12 girls’ team, Fuego,

Photo courtesy of the Speed Demons

MDSA SPEED DEMONS ARE 10 AND 11 YEAR-OLD AYSO FALL LEAGUE ALL-STARS. Pictured, front row from left, Ali Roberts, Cassady Clifton, Jess Alderete, Annie Hotton and Ashley Klekar, Middle row, Shelby Symonds, Sonia Fracasso, Julia Roselin and Sarah Fernandes, Top row, Coach Don Hotton, Christina Lloyd, Shelby Punu, Melissa Leonard, Emilie Toreson, Emily Braunecker, Laura Pargett and Coach Stu Symonds

also made it to the Sunday semifinal game at Davis. The Fuego, coached by Paul Schnurr, lost a heart breaker to PHMSA Revolution on Sunday by a score of 1-0, finishing 4th overall in the girls under 12 age bracket at the tournament.

The Speed Demon’s own semifinal game on Sunday was against a tough Concord #2

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team. It was a battle royal that ended in a 0-0 tie after two full overtime periods. In the sudden-death shoot-out to determine the winner, Concord eventually left the door partially open and finally the Speed Demons’ 8th shooter, Emilie Toreson, calmly rolled a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal for the victory! It took over two hours in unseasonably hot 85-degree weather, but the girls on the Speed Demons were on their way to the Championship Game in a rematch with the better-rested PHMSA Revolution.

In the championship match, Laura Pargett scored in the first quarter for the Speed Demons on a feed from Jess Alderete and Melissa Leonard, who got the assists. The team hung onto this lead for awhile in another closely matched

contest. In the third period, however, after a somewhat controversial penalty call, the Revolution scored on a penalty kick to tie the score. After regulation time, the game was still tied at 1-1. While the Speed Demons played their hearts out in overtime, the game ended in the second overtime period when a Revolution forward made a brilliant move up the middle of the field and scored unassisted for the PHMSA 2-1 win.

The Speed Demons had a very successful season with an overall record of 9-1-3, scoring a total of 28 goals but giving up just four, clearly reflecting an impressive defensive team effort along with a balanced offense all season long. Goalie Julia Roselin and defenders Shelby Punu, Annie Hotton, Emily Braunecker (all from

Sports Shorts Local soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey, cheerleading, wrestling, softball, football and baseball tryouts, clinics, games, meets and special events

are aplenty, giving local residents a variety of sports activities to choose from to either participate in or to just watch the

Concord) and Sonia Fracasso, Sarah Fernandes, Cassady Clifton and Shelby Symonds (all from Clayton) led the defense. Emilie Toreson, Melissa Leonard, Ashley Klekar, Ali Roberts, Christina Lloyd and Laura Pargett led the offense (all from Clayton) as well as Jess Alderete from Concord. The Clayton girls attend either Mt. Diablo Elementary or Diablo View Middle School.

Don Hotton and Stu Symonds coached the Speed Demons. When I asked Coach Symonds, a Clayton resident, for his thoughts about his team he said, “The tournament was a blast, intense, a ton of fun for the kids and their families.”

Later, Stu also shared, “after every game, the refs would come up to me and congratulate me on the play of the girls, action.

Upcoming Clayton Valley High School Varsity Baseball Team Games: CVHS Hosts the annual Easter Tournament this year. CVHS Games will be on Saturday, April 10 vs. Irvington H.S. at 3:00 p.m.; Monday April 12 vs. California at noon and

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their outstanding sportsmanship, and the conduct of our parents. Every game!” And, he added, “the Davis tournament officials… liked the positive attitudes of our kids and families so much”.

And that is what MDSA and it’s more competitive sister organization, Mt. Diablo Soccer League (MDSL), is all about: kids and parents, participating together to make wholesome athletic activities possible. Parents, grandparents, stepparents, siblings, as well as other relatives and friends are often seen attending the games. Parents work as volunteer coaches, field workers, referees, linesmen, administrative staff and in other key roles in an effort to keep the leagues and the individual teams functioning. The kids, of course, are the key ingredient.

The MDSA recreational fall soccer season hosts about 1,700 children from the Clayton/Concord area playing on approximately 150 teams.

Boys and girls from four and a half to 18 years of age will begin practice again in August and play the regular season, which runs from September through November.

Registrations for this year’s fall season will be at Mavericks Sports Club on Thursday, April 22, from 6:308 p.m. and again on Saturday, May 1, from 1-4:30 p.m.

The MDSA Select Program which takes some of the best players from the fall season runs from December through March. They compete against teams from several different areas such as Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, Stockton, Davis, and Winters.

MDSA had 10 Select Teams with about 150 kids, ages eight to 14 participating in the Select Program this year.

Dan Olavarri, the MDSA Select Program Coordinator, summed it up this way. “All of the MDSA coaches, referees, field workers and administrative staff are volunteers because they love the game and they love to see the kids develop as players and people.”

Way to go, Speed Demons.

again vs. Hayward at 3:00 p.m.

All games will be at the CVHS Varsity Field. The Tournament Championship Game will be held on Tuesday, April 13 with teams, time and location TBA later. The CVHS regular BVAL season resumes in a big matchup with a home game against De LaSalle on Tuesday, April 20 at 3:45 p.m. The game becomes even more important following CVHS’s recent league victory over favored Deer Valley on April 1.Upcoming Clayton Valley High School Swim Team Meets: Friday, April 19 @ Freedom H.S. and Tuesday, April 23 @ Deer Valley; both at 3:00 p.m.

CVAA FALCONS FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING SIGNUPS Clayton Valley Falcons are taking signups for football and cheerleader squads for the 2004 season. Boys and girls seven to 14 years-old are eligible to register for the season that runs from August 1 through Thanksgiving weekend.

Signups will be this Saturday, Apr. 10, at Country Waffles in Clayton from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and the final signup will be Thursday, Apr. 15 at Aladino’s Pizza in Clayton from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information visit www.cvaafalcons.com or call 927-7377.

See Sports, page 11

April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 11

Clayton Sports

Jr. Eagles place in Super Series tournament The Clayton Valley Jr. Eagles baseball teams competed against some heavy competition in tournaments recently.

Two teams comprise the Jr. Eagles-13 and under and 12 and under, each of which traveled to Modesto on March 20-21 to compete in a Super Series baseball tournament. Both teams were successful in competing against nationally ranked teams.

Both teams are comprised of players from the Clayton, Concord, Walnut Creek and Martinez areas and compete in tournaments throughout the Northern California

Shorts, from Page 10 DVSC SOCCER TEAM TRYOUTS STILL OPEN Diablo Valley Soccer Club have held tryouts for boys and girls of all soccer skill levels in ages Under 9 through Under 19 (born Aug. 1, 1985-July 31, 1997). DVSC will be having teams with professional trainers in Class 1 and Class 3 in every age group. Some teasm still have openings. For more information call 229-DVSC or go to www.dvsc.com.

DVSC SOCCER ACADEMY FALL LEAGUE REGISTRATION Based on the success of its popular DVSC Soccer Academy, the Diablo Valley Soccer Club is introducing a new Soccer Academy Fall League program this year. Registration is now being accepted for boys and girls in the Under 6 through Under 8 age groups (born Aug. 1, 1996 through Dec. 31, 2000). Learn to Play the DVSC Way where every one will train, learn and play. The program combines trademark DVSC professional training with a fall soccer league concentrating on skills development. Team rosters will be 6-8 players each with small-sided games to maximize ball touches and player development. For registration packet (there are no tryouts) call 229DVSC or visit www.dvsc.com.

YMCA HOSTING VARIOUS SPORTS @ CLAYTON GYM Concord/Clayton Branch of Mt. Diablo Region YMCA will be holding a variety of leagues and programs in the coming

region The 12/U team also competed in a USSSA tournament in Davis. After completing the pool play with a three to one record, they proceeded on to the championship game where they were defeated by the Arsenal baseball team.

That same weekend, the 13 /U team played a doubleheader against a local opponent, the Pittsburg Diamonds.

The Jr. Eagles 13/U team played well, defeating the Diamonds 5-3 and 5-4 (extra innings). In the second game, Kevin Chirco singled in Andrew Lassen with the months at Clayton Community Gym. Coed leagues for ages 18 and older runs this week through June 9 for soccer and through June 3 for volleyball. Outdoor soccer league for pre-K through eighth grade is Apr. 17-June 19 and floor hockey league Apr. 19June 28. Men’s 3-on-3 and 5-on5 basketball leagues for 18 and older is now through June 20 and for 40 and older is this week to June 21. For registration and other information call 889-1600 or www.mdrymca.org.

CLAYTON VALLEY FOOTBALL CAMP Clayton Valley High School’s coaching staff will be holding the 3rd annual Clayton Valley Youth Football Camp June 21-25 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for boys and girls entering grades 5-9. Campers will be split into 5th-6th, 7th-8th and freshman groups to learn fundamentals and techniques of football. Cost is $125 for the first 150 campers. Registration forms are currently available at Mavericks Sport Club, Ed’s Mudville Grill and Linguini’s Restaurant. For information call Eagles head varsity football coach Herc Pardi at 682-7474, ext. 3115.

ROMANIA ANIMAL RESCUE GOLF TOURNEY Romania Animal Rescue, Inc. will be holding a golf tournament Apr. 26 at Oakhurst Country Club with proceeds helping send UC Davis students to Romania this summer to spay/neuter stray street dogs. Cost is $160 per person and includes green fees, cart rental, box lunch, awards dinner, raffle prizes and auction items.

Reservation deadline is Apr. 12.

For information call Rory Janes at 672-5908, e-mail romaniadogs@joimail.com or visit www.romaniaanimalrescue.4ever

New Clayton Pioneer sports editor named

JR. EAGLES, front row from left, Ricky Dunley, Jason Hartnell, Ian Ocon, Kevin Chirco, Nick Rogers, Michael Banks, Back row, Sean Oakes, Erik Reindl, Andrew Lassen, Craig Burton, Andrew Shiparo, Joe Horvot

bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to win the game.

Clayton Valley Jr. Eagles baseball provides a competitive, but compassionate, environment for children who strive to hone their skills

in the hope that they can continue their playing careers into high school and beyond.

Watch the Jr. Eagles’ progress on their website at:

.cc.

tion call LLHS head coach Doug Longero at 935-4110, ext. 2219 or e-mail Dlongero@Acalanes.k12.ca.us.

YOUTH WRESTLING PROGRAM IN CONCORD Community Youth Center in Concord is holding freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling practices for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. Call 671-7070 or visit www.concordyouthcenter.com for schedule.

CONCORD BOCCE REGISTRATION Concord Bocce Federation is taking team registrations for the summer bocce ball league at Newhall Park. Teams must have a minimum of six players and not more than 10. Registration is $150 per team. Call 675-5263 for details.

CLAYTON GYM OPEN FOR BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL Concord/Clayton Branch of the Mt. Diablo YMCA is offering basketball open gym for all ages Monday, Thursday and Friday nights and volleyball open gym for all ages Tuesday nights at Clayton Community Gym. Call 889-1600 or visit www.mdrymca.org for more information.

CONCORD ADULT SOFTBALL REGISTRATION Concord Parks and Recreation Dept. is taking team registrations for their spring and summer adult softball leagues.

Men’s, women’s and mixed leagues are being offered. Call Concord Parks and Rec at 6713279.

LAS LOMAS HIGH SEEKS FOOTBALL COACHES Las Lomas High School is looking for a head freshman football coach and staff. For informa-

www.eteamz.com/sites/jreagles

TERRAPIN SPRING CLINICS FOR RECREATIONAL SWIMMERS These clinics are offered at both the Brentwood and Concord Terrapin facilities. Clinics are open to summer recreation swimmers eight & over who wish to get a jump on their summer season. For additional information call Paul at 925-680-8372 ext.

206 or log on to the Terrapin web page at terrapinswim.com.

Introduction to Competitive Swimming. May 10 through June 10. This entry level program is open to all swimmers age 5 and over with previous lesson experience. The program is highly instructional with an emphasis on competitive swimming concepts.

For more information call 925680-8372 ext. 206 or log on to the Terrapin web page at terrapinswim.com.

The Clayton Pioneer is proud to introduce our new sports editor, Jim Zewan.

Jim and his wife Marcy are long-time residents of Clayton and have been active with their children in baseball, swimming and soccer. Jim knows the local sports scene very well.

Jim plays softball on the Walnut Creakers Softball League, and tournament softball with the Danville Renegades. He is also an enthusiastic, and always improving, golfer.

“I’m really excited about the sports activities in and all around our great town. There’s lots to cover and I expect I’ll be pretty busy,” says Jim. Recently retired from ChevronTexaco, Jim currently works part-time in the proshop at Oakhurst Country Club.

Jim will also be actively seeking nominees for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight. He encourages all coaches and team

JIM ZEWAN mates to be on the lookout for that special Athlete--not necessarily the team star, but perhaps the most improved player, or the most determined. Or, maybe you know a player who has shown great sportsmanship or courage.

Send your nominees and all your sports news to Jim at sports@claytonpioneer.com, or mail to P.O. Box 1246, Clayton 94517, or drop off at the Pioneer Office, 6200 F Center Street, Clayton.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Religion

PLACES OF WORSHIP

The Pioneer wants to know what is happening in your parish, congregation, temple, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. Tell us about your ministries, upcoming activities or notable members. Send your news items to Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton 94517 or e-mail religion@claytonpioneer.com.

Karen Laible RELIGION EDITOR BAHA’IS OF CLAYTON Please join the Clayton Baha’i Community in celebrating the festival of Ridvan at Endeavor Hall in downtown Clayton on Wednesday, April 21, from 3:30-6 p.m. Ridvan means paradise in Persian. This festival is actually celebrated over a 12day period and it includes social gatherings, devotional services, and the election of the local administrative body of the Baha’i Community. The gathering at Endeavor Hall on April 21 will include music, fellowship and refreshments. All are welcome.

The Baha’i Community is offering study circles which are open to the community. The first, titled Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, deals with questions about the soul and the meanings and purposes of life and death.

The second, Arising to Serve Humanity focuses on God’s blessings and revelations. To register, please call Guity Kiani at (925) 672-1095. For more information: 672-6686.

A correction to the article about the Baha’i Faith in the last edition of the Pioneer: The Baha’i Faith is the second most widely spread world religion.

CLAYTON VALLEY CHURCH On Easter Sunday, Clayton Valley Church on Michigan Blvd. in Concord is hosting a free Pancake Breakfast at 9 a.m.

Activities for children are planned following the breakfast.

The Easter Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will answer the question: “The Passion of the Christ: True or False?”

For more information: 6723397.

CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN Visitors are welcome at the interactive Good Friday service

St. Bonaventure Catholic Community invites you to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with us Holy Thursday, April 8 9 a.m.

7 p.m.

Morning Prayer Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

9 a.m.

Noon 4 p.m.

7 p.m.

Morning Prayer

Good Friday, April 9 “The Seven Last Words,” presented by Fr. Tom Allender

Stations of the Cross for Families Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

Holy Saturday, April 10 9 a.m.

Morning Prayer 8:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil

at 7 p.m., which will feature paintings and other objects placed around the sanctuary to assist participants in meditating on the seven last words of Christ, and at the 6:30 a.m. sunrise service on Easter Sunday morning at Diablo Valley Ranch. For more information: 672-4848.

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN On March 17, the Nifty Fifty Seniors group visited the Blackhawk Car Museum in Danville where they viewed the museum’s two floors of refurbished autos of a by-gone era.

The museum offers a truly magnificent display including autos specially designed for Clark Gable and Al Capone. Following this, the group lunched together at Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi’s Too restaurant in Dublin.

The group’s next activity will be a potluck lunch and Casino Day in the Social Hall at Holy Cross on Tuesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. All are welcome!

For more information: 6862000.

ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY The Fourth Annual Bill Brunelle Memorial Rock ‘n Roll Pasta Dinner will take place on Saturday evening, April 24, in the parish hall. The evening includes great pasta, dancing and even a Hula-Hoop contest. The dinner is named in honor of beloved parishioner, Bill Brunelle, who passed away unexpectedly three years ago.

Bill was instrumental in beginning the tradition of this popular parish event. Contact the parish

office for ticket information.

All evening Triduum services during Holy Week will be bilingual this year in order to accommodate the needs of both English-speaking and Spanishspeaking parishioners. This includes the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday, the evening celebration of Good Friday at 7 p.m., which includes the reading of the Passion and Veneration of the Cross, and the Easter Vigil, which begins at 8:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday evening. Easter morning services begin at 5 a.m. and continue every two hours through 11 a.m. in English. The 1 p.m. liturgy will be in Spanish.

For more information: 6725800.

ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK ORTHODOX At St. Demetrios, two of the events of Holy Week are celebrated in a very special way. On Holy Friday at 3 p.m., the congregation celebrates the Deposition, or the service of the un-nailing of the body of Christ from the cross. During the reading of the Gospel, which tells about the burial of Jesus after the Crucifixion, the priest stops the reading, takes down the body from the cross (un-nails it), wraps it in a clean linen cloth and places it on the altar. Later an icon representing the dead body of Christ is carried in procession around the church. This icon is then placed within the kouvouklion (representing the

See Worship, page 13

Easter Sunday, April 11 Masses at 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in English.

1 p.m. in Spanish.

St. Bonaventure Catholic Community 5562 Clayton Road, Concord 672-5800

THE

PASSION

April 9, 2004

The Passion, it’s all the rage

BY REV. JOHN BENNISON St. John’s Episcopal Church Special to the Clayton Pioneer

Remember the 2003 movie release, Anger Management, where the main character plays a typical Joe-Schmoe squeezed in an airline seat, only wanting a headset; but the over-sensitized flight attendant accuses him of air rage? The judge subsequently sentences him to anger-management training with a nutcase psychiatrist, who turns the once mild-mannered schlemiel into a raving maniac, fully engulfed in what has become a pandemic of rage. It’s a comedy.

This spring, rage is in the air.

In addition to airline rage, there’s bleacher rage that runs the gamut from hockey’s latest escapades on ice, all the way down to the sidelines of some little league games. Then of course there’s classroom rage.

There’s road rage. And there’s even a former political campaign, which mobilized some of the citizenry out of their collective frustration and anger, culminating in the now-infamous victory scream of a once hopeful Democratic contender.

Finally, nowhere is the prevalence of rage more evident than with the daily outbreaks of religious, ethnic and cultural violence, perpetrated by zealots who righteously wage a holy jihad against targeted infidels.

Against this backdrop is the film, “The Passion of the Christ.” For several weeks running, this number one box office hit has set Hollywood abuzz with the latest craze to hit local movie theaters. Who would have guessed Mel Gibson’s gamble to offer a graphic depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth would have turned out to be such a howling success?

Literally. But, it should have been obvious.

“The Passion” is a movie about rage. It might better have been titled, “The Roar of the Crowd.” It is essentially two hours of unrelenting rage, as much as it is a literal chronicling of a scriptural Passion play, set on film. Now, as Christian faith communities prepare to observe the Triduum, or the three days of Easter, we can look at this cinematic effort in the context of two millennia of the Faith. It’s the perennial question, what’s so good about Good Friday, not to mention

Easter?

First, the movie’s title, “The Passion of the Christ,” is itself a belief statement by the filmmaker. Otherwise, it might just as well have been called “The Execution of Jesus of Nazareth.” Gibson not only asserts Jesus is the Messiah; he contends—by choosing to portray Christ within the framework of his twelve hours of dying an excruciating death— that the meaning of what it means for Jesus to be the Christ is expressed exclusively in a single Christological understanding; in this case, the doctrine of Christian faith known as the atonement. As the prerelease promotional jingle to the movie went: “Dying was His reason for living.”

The film may be an accurate representation of that particular expectation of Jewish messiahship, e.g. as the “sacrificial lamb” for the forgiveness of others; but there are Christian faith traditions that embrace as equally significant other understandings of the spiritual reality of the Jesus of history and this Christ of faith.

Meanwhile, Gibson proceeds to combine four separate and distinct Passion narratives from the four canonical gospels, offering a compilation of everything attributed to Jesus. In doing so, some folks may consider such a literal presentation of such a compilation as somehow offering an accurate portrayal of “what really happened.” But such an equation and assumption is an over-simplification that sells short the ultimate power of the Passion.

Just consider, if someone didn’t already know the story line beforehand, a viewer might conclude that Jesus was simply a first century peasant rabbi from Galilee, who was martyred for some kind of prophetic and radical religious beliefs.

In the film, he duly demonstrates his nonviolent protest; but it’s depicted more as weak submission than a faithful resignation. As a drama, the plot Gibson trudges out for the viewer has little beginning, less development, and then a very, long protracted ending. Almost as an addendum, the film’s visual depiction of a brief resurrection scene following Jesus’ last, tortured dying breath only hints at a more problematic assertion

See Passion, page 13

OF THE CHRIST . . .

Perhaps it’s only fitting that it’s hollow inside.

Chocolate bunnies and jelly beans taste great. But they can leave you empty if it’s the only way you celebrate Easter. If you’re looking for something more substantial, join us in celebrating what’s new for you in Christ’s resurrection. Feed your spirit, not just your sweet tooth.

TRUE OR FALSE? DECIDE FOR YOURSELF THIS EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 11

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Good Friday - Noon and 7 p.m.

Nursery 0-36 months

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We’re SAINT JOHN’S PARISH

9 a.m. Continental Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Easter worship service

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EASTER WORSHIP 6 a.m. Sunrise Folk Service 8 a.m. Traditional Easter Worship Service 10 a.m. Traditional Easter Worship Service

Holy Cross Lutheran Church invites you to Holy Week Services

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Holy Cross Lutheran Church

There’s an Egg Hunt after each service with the Easter Bunny for the kids, and infant & toddler nursery care available for all the worship services!

Concord, CA (925) 672-3397

at the corner of Alberta Way and Ygnacio Valley Road

5555 Clayton Road • Clayton • 672-8855 • www.saintjohnsparish.org

www.claytonvalleychurch.com

1092 Alberta Way in Concord Telephone: 686-2000

April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 13

CBCA gives $2500 for track and field uniforms ship options available (see related story). CBCA’s, and Clayton’s, first Oktoberfest will be held on Oct. 2-3, along Main Street.

The CBCA is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to perform community service for the Clayton community. All Clayton residents are eligible for membership and annual dues are $48. Monthly dinner meetings are held on the last business Thursday of the month at Oakhurst Country Club. Sign-in begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meetings run until about 9 p.m.

Membership applications and sign-up sheets for the Clayton Classic Golf Tournament are available at the CBCA. Please call the CBCA at 672-2272 for more information.

CBCA’s 18th Annual Clayton Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal, will be held at the Oakhurst Country Club on Monday, June 7, 2004. The tournament format is a scramble and the time (shotgun start) is 12 p.m. Lunch will be served between 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A full dinner will be served after the tourna-

ment.

CBCA’s mission is to support and sponsor activities for the benefit of the Clayton community, youth sports, recreational activities, charitable and community based organizations. All profits are used to fulfill this mission.

The tournament committee is made up of CBCA members Howard Geller, Ed Hartley, Merle Hufford, Jim Lawrence, and Sandy Williamson.

“The Clayton Classic” is the longest running golf tournament in Clayton, and the longest running tournament at Oakhurst Country Club” according to tournament cochair, Howard Geller. “The price ($140) is very reasonable and the tournament provides a great opportunity to meet locals and advertise your business through prize and tee sign sponsorships ($100 each).” Any person that purchases a tee sign can provide a flyer or coupon to each golfer advertising their business. In addition to tee signs, a Silver Sponsorship is available for $875, which includes golf fees for four, lunch, dinner, raffle tickets and mulli-

gans. A Gold Sponsorship is available for $1,250, which includes the golf for four, dinner for eight (with champagne), raffle tickets, mulligans, and the sponsor’s name on CBCA’s banner, which is prominently displayed as you enter downtown Clayton from Clayton Rd. The Clayton Classic offers numerous opportunities to win money and prizes. At least nine foursomes will win cash based on their net scores. Cash prizes for closest-to-the pin and high gross are also awarded. A hole-inone on Number 11 will mean a one-week trip to Hawaii (one winner only). This year, the CBCA is introducing a new “Mardi Gras” hole (Number eight) that will offer golfers multiple opportunities to win money if they can avoid hitting their tee shot into the water while wearing beads. The sit-down dinner after the tournament provides more opportunities to win money and prizes. A large number of raffle prizes will be awarded and one lucky person will go home with $1,000 in cash donated by

Worship, from page 12 Passion, from page 12

Anglican tradition’s Book of Common Prayer that goes, “He stretched out his arms upon the hard wood of the cross, that everyone might come within the reach of his saving embrace. …” Regrettably, just how the cross of Christ saves us is left unexplored in the speculative imagination of the filmmaker.

Consequently, perhaps the most-often criticism—despite Gibson’s sincere expression of his own faith—is that his work falls short of any hint of the unconditional act of a God of mercy, love or grace. Instead, there is simply the depiction of superhuman endurance of unmitigated suffering in the face of our capacity for human brutality. The reaction of some of the audiences has apparently met such a graphic depiction of rage with stunned outrage. But for those with concerns about the film being anti-Semitic, we hardly need remind each other that the capacity for such brutality is hardly limited to any one or two groups within the human family.

Instead, it should be evidently clear to us all that the potential zeal of any religious authority to simultaneously foment rage amongst the faithful—while colluding with those in positions of political power and military might, to incite mob brutality—is some-

thing that is both timely and historical. It seems endemic to our human nature, and the stuff of the evening news.

So Gibson’s movie is all the rage this year, since opening on Ash Wednesday in theaters everywhere. By Good Friday it may, or may not, still be number one at the box office. And many Christian faith communities will have observed Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday.

Into the fray Jesus will have entered Jerusalem, like a lamb led to slaughter. And the newspaper headlines will have fresh new stories of numbing violence, rage and brutality.

What else is new? If it’s only about the Passion, what’s an Easter for? Indeed.

The Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA), at its March general meeting, approved a donation of $2,500 for track and field uniforms for the Clayton Valley High School (CVHS) track and field teams. The uniforms are durable and will last more than one year, thus increasing the number of athletes who will benefit from the donation. The CBCA also discussed potential donations to the Diablo View Middle School music department, to CVHS for cheerleading mats and uniforms for the CVHS women’s lacrosse team, to Cal State Hayward for their summer concert series, and to the “Every 15 Minutes” program dedicated to the potential serious consequences of teen drinking.

In other CBCA news, organizing plans continue to proceed on schedule for the Ninth Annual Clayton Art and Wine Festival, May 1-2, and for the 18th Annual Clayton Classic Golf Tournament at Oakhurst Country Club, on June 7. Entry fee for the Clayton Classic is $140 and there are numerous sponsor-

tomb) for veneration by the people.

The Agape Prayer Service of Love will be celebrated on Easter Sunday at 12:15 p.m.

During this service, the Gospel of the Resurrection is read in as many languages as can be mastered-the traditional number is twelve-as a reminder of the twelve Apostles. This service is designed to underline the universality of Christ’s message.

For more information about St. Demetrios Easter services, call 674-4657.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL St. John’s celebrates the Triduum (the traditional three days of Holy Week) with services at 7:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Saturday. On Easter Sunday, a one-hour sunrise folk service begins at 6 a.m., followed by a free Easter breakfast at 7 a.m. Two more services will be held at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Easter egg hunts for children follow each service and nursery care will be provided all morning.

The next monthly meeting of “Faithful Families” will be held on the evening of Sunday, May 2. This informal program is an opportunity for families with children of any age to set aside a sacred time to be family, in the company of other families. The evening includes a shared supper, a simple activity and good music.

For more information, call 672-8855.

assertion still. One could add a tagline to the film’s promotional jingo: “Dying was his reason for living. Not resurrection.”

Perhaps Gibson plans a sequel, though I suspect not.

For other followers of Jesus as the Christ, however, the meaning and significance of the Passion is incomplete without the transforming consequence of resurrection in the life, not merely of Jesus, the Christ, but for those who are subsequently changed and choose to follow. For example, without the conversion of Saul (Paul)–a persecutor of the early believers—some have speculated whether Christianity would have even survived.

Granted, Gibson does offer a heavy-handed reminder that for Christians of all persuasions, without the cross, the good news falls short of God’s full power and glory. The radical nature of Jesus’ life and death—not just his message— denies the understandable preference to cling to a comfortable, sanitized version of a God who remains hands-off, and at arms-length. Inevitably, the gospel message pursues the would-be believer with the hard truth that life is about suffering and sacrifice, as much as joy and bliss; and you can’t seem to have one without the other. After all, rage is in the air. The question for both Mel and me, is there anything else?

There is a prayer in the

CBCA members.

“Local businesses in and around Clayton have been very generous in their donations of raffle prizes for this golf tournament” according to tournament co-chair, Ed Hartley. “We are again asking for their generous assistance that helps make the Clayton Classic an important component of the CBCA’s mission to work for the benefit of the Clayton community.”

The maximum field is 144 golfers and last year’s tourna-

ment was a sellout. The registration deadline is May 28, after which the golf fee will go up to $175. Dinner for non-golfer guests is only $30 For more information on the Clayton Classic, please contact Howard Geller 925.323.4913, Ed Hartley 925.698.4191, or any member of the committee.

Call the CBCA office at 925.672.2272 to request an application.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

LMC recording arts program is second to none

BY JIM HUDAK Special to the Clayton Pioneer

Frank Dorritie chairs the Recording Arts Department at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg. A New York native, he came out west in 1977 upon receiving an offer to join the Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. Shortly afterward, he met Carl Jefferson, who had

just started a new record label, Concord Jazz Records. Frank signed on with the label, assisting in various capacities. His big break came when he produced an album by legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey. “In This Korner,” recorded live in 1978 at the old Keystone Korner club in San Francisco, was the first record Frank produced. Since then, his producing has earned

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him two Grammy Awards and nine Grammy Nominations.

He’s produced records by Dave Brubeck, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Cal Tjader and many others. Between his producing, teaching, performing, writing and arranging, Frank Dorritie truly lives a life of music. He recently took time from his busy schedule to discuss the Recording Arts program at LMC. JH: How did the Recording Arts program get started?

FD: In the early 80’s I got a call from John Maltester, head of the Instrumental Music Program

at LMC, who had started a Recording Arts program, something very new and unique at the time. He asked if I would teach a class one night a week.

Recording Arts wasn’t a designated major yet; it was still part of the Music Department. But the few classes we offered quickly became very popular. We didn’t have any equipment yet, and were teaching out of a converted hallway, but the program soon became a victim of its own success, and broke off from the Music Department to establish its own identity. We had some great teachers: Richard Greene,

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Dennis Rice, and Rick Shiner, who still teach here today. They were all with us at the beginning.

JH: How did you become the Chair of the Department?

FD: Sort of by default. I soon became, and still am, the only full-time instructor in the department.

JH: What kind of person does this program mainly attract?

Musicians, engineers, or a combination?

FD: In the beginning, it was mostly musicians who didn’t want to feel victimized when going to a recording studio, and we had a smattering of people who actually planned to become recording engineers. At this point, I would say 70 percent of the people in the program are interested in engineering and/or producing, and the other 30 percent are musicians who will take at least some courses if not the entire two-year program.

JH: Is the program open to anyone? Do you need to be a Contra Costa County resident?

FD: It’s open to anyone. If you are a non-resident of California, you pay higher tuition, but there are no special requirements otherwise. The ideal student has a strong desire to work in the technical side of the music industry.

JH: Can someone easily

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transfer out of the program to other similar four-year programs?

FD: Yes, though this type of program is still rare. Cal State Chico has a full, four-year Recording Arts major. San Francisco State has a BroadcastCommunications Arts major, though it’s geared more towards television and radio. There are a few others around the country were one to do some research.

JH: Some of the classes in your program are almost as scientific as they are artistic. Sound waves, physics of sound, electronics…it can be a bit overwhelming for some people. Is this by design?

FD: This is a hybrid discipline of art and science with the emphasis on the “art” part. The aesthetic or artistic side remains extremely important. I am particularly attuned to that aspect of the program since all of my colleagues here are engineers. They emphasize the technical aspects of recording, but since I came in as a musician first, I carry the banner for the artistic side.

JH: What’s your vision of the program for the future?

FD: We must continue to update. The entire method of retrieval and storage of audio information is changing dramatically. Tape is on the way out. Our next big expense will be setting up stations for recording on hard-disk drives. Surround Sound is rapidly replacing stereo as the standard. Budgeting for these things is difficult, but it’s critical. We’ll beat the bushes for grants and funding wherever we can find it. We simply must do this in order to maintain what is clearly the best Community College Recording Arts program in the country.

Contact Jim Hudak at jimmydak@pacbell.net.His piano music CD’s are available from amazon.com and on his website at www.jhudak.com.

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April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

My pet’s scratching is driving me crazy!

Does your cat frantically scratch at her neck leaving hair throughout your house? Are you kept awake at night by sounds of your Labrador annoyingly biting at his skin?

Well, there are many causes for excessive itching. Some are more pronounced during the spring and summer. Over the next few months, we will explore the common causes and treatments for your pet’s itchy skin.

Fleas are the number one cause of scratching. Flea season starts in early spring and

hits its peak in late summer to early fall. As our days become longer and start to warm up, flea eggs, which laid dormant over the winter, will start to hatch. Within a couple weeks, these eggs will hatch into larvae that pupae into adult fleas.

These fleas are hungry and will seek out a warm body for a blood meal. After a blood meal, a female flea can lay up to 30 to 50 eggs per day. These eggs will fall off your pet onto your couch, bedding, carpets and yard. In a month, 25 fleas can

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Droncit is an injection or tablet your veterinarian can administer to your pet, which will kill the worms. But the best treatment is to prevent fleas. Don’t worry; humans do not contract these tapeworms.

To rid your life of fleas you need to treat not only the pet but also the environment. Flea season used to be a veterinarian’s worse nightmare. We felt like a broken record in the summer, explaining to multiple clients a day the involved steps of flea control, from treating the pet with baths, powders and collars to treating the environment with vacuuming, sprays and flea bombs. All of these products were toxic organophosphate-based insecticides, which had a high level of toxicity, often deadly to cats.

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When a flea bites, whether you or your pet, it will draw out blood and leave behind saliva.

This foreign protein can then stimulate an allergic reaction that we call Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). Every individual has a different level of reaction.

Symptoms are inflamed skin with small red bumps or papules at the site of the bite, creating itchiness. Open sores, infection, crusts, and hair loss will develop secondarily to the scratching. The main distribution of these lesions will be at the tail base, hind legs and belly as well as around the neck.

A sure sign of fleas is to find flea dirt in the fur. These small black specks are the excrement of the flea. Essentially, “dirt” is what is left of the blood meal after digestion. You can test and treat for fleas by using a flea comb— a fine toothed metal comb. As you comb around your pet’s neck and back, the comb will pull out fleas and flea dirt. If you place the flea dirt into a water filled sink, you will see the dirt dissolve into red blood. The best way to kill the fleas you comb out is to squash them with your fingernail on a hard surface or spray them with flea spray.

Where there are fleas there will also be tapeworms. Fleas are an intermediate host to these worms. After your pet swallows the flea while chewing at his skin, the intermediate stage of the tapeworm will then develop into an adult in your

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Page 15 ered that fleas were developing resistance to these products.

Luckily, over the last decade there has been great improvement in the products we use to kill fleas. These products are more convenient, more effective and less toxic.

One of the first products to impact flea control was PROGRAM®. This oral medication controls infestations by preventing the eggs from hatching.

We found that initially, Program did wonders by dramatically reducing the flea population. But, with time we realized that since the adults were not killed and still biting, our pets were still itchy, particularly the flea allergic pets. An adulticide such as a spray was still needed.

The two truly revolutionary products on the market now are ADVANTAGE® and FRONTLINE® TOP SPOT®. These products are applied directly on the skin from a small tube. The products then disperse through the coat within 24 hours, killing the fleas. They are not absorbed into the body.

Advantage controls only fleas and is applied once a month.

Frontline will control fleas when applied every one to three months, and ticks when applied monthly. Because the fleas are dead within 24 hours, they do not have the opportunity to reproduce. Since these products adhere to the fur, as your pet sheds, any fleas exposed to this fur will also be killed. So within a couple weeks your environment will also be treated. But if you have a large flea infestation, you may still need to bathe your pet and spray the house and yard for an initial immediate knock down of the flea population.

So, start now with flea control on your pets to prevent suffering from Flea Allergy Dermititis and tapeworms.

Here’s some good advice

Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be reached at Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital, Concord.

672-1100.

Hang on to good friends. They’re few and far between.

Laugh often

Always be up for a surprise

Page 16

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

CVHS winter percussion ranked first in nation Music has been one of my passions for as long as I can remember. I have always played piano, but my entrance into high school three years ago offered

new musical dimensions. Now I participate in marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble and winter percussion at the high school.

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of winter percussion, I invite you to follow along on a recent day as winter percussion heads off to a competition.

It is Saturday, Mar. 27, and today the Clayton Valley High School winter percussion group is traveling to their fourth competition in an undefeated winning streak. We are going to Union City to compete in the Regionals at James Logan High School. As our 14-person group arrives at CVHS at 10:45 a.m., there are complaints of being tired, and wishes of wanting to sleep in longer, but everyone is still in an upbeat, friendly mood.

Slowly, we shuffle in and out of the band room pushing two marimbas, two vibraphones, one xylophone, one glockenspiel, two bass guitars, one guitar, one large amplifier, two smaller (but still fairly large) amplifiers, a keyboard, a gong, two bulky congas, one huge, bass drum and a drum set. We load the equipment into our rented truck as quickly as possible, getting the ten boys and parents to help lift the heavier sides of the mallet instruments. Then, we jump into the brave parentdrivers’ cars and off we go! Once

we

CYNTHIA WEST

CVHS NEWS arrive at James Logan, we unload a little faster than we loaded (since the equipment is coming down the ramp instead of going up it) and find a shady spot to warm-up.

Our instructor, Vinnie Angelo is quick to find us once we are set up and we run through our set, “First Circle,” a few times, working out the kinks that the newest changes have created. At 1:40 p.m., we move to the staging area with our hearts pounding and the music running through our heads for the last time before we take the floor in the “Scholastic Concert

Open” competition. When the announcer acknowledges that our group and the judges are ready, our drummer kicks off the show with everyone joining in during the following measures.

We perform a high energy, virtually flawless show, then exit the performance area as quickly as possible so we aren’t penalized for being on the floor for too long.

For the next few hours, our percussion ensemble jokes around outside, eats lunch, plays games (such as football, badminton, etc.) and just act like a normal group of teenage friends. Later, we go inside to watch a few other groups and wait to find out if we made it past preliminaries and into the finals. We learn that we placed first with a score of 89.3 with a five-point lead, which means that we will be competing later.

We are all ecstatic as we begin warm-ups for a second time today at 6:45 p.m., now with hopes of placing high in the finals. During the finals, we play our show one more time for a larger crowd, then wait in quiet anticipation for the award’s ceremony. When our two captains enter the stadium, we applaud loudly. Then, the contest

officials begin to announce awards in our category, Scholastic Concert Open, and we all hold our breath. They announce third place (not us), second place (still not us) and finally first place. We won by a seven point lead with 88.4 points. Now we are excited, but our exhaustion hits hard once the nervous high diminishes and we climb into the cars to head back to school. We arrive back at 12:45 a.m. and decide to simply go home and unload the truck later in the morning.

As of Monday, Mar. 29, Clayton Valley High School percussion was ranked first in the nation among the other concert percussion groups that compete in WGI (Winter Guard International). We hope to complete our season undefeated by continuing our winning streak at our last competition on Sunday, Apr. 4 in San Jose for CCGC (California Color Guard Circuit).

(At press time, we had not yet competed.)

Cynthia West is a junior at Clayton Valley High School. She will be reporting regularly from CVHS. E-mail her at cvhsnews@claytonpioneer.com

We fix $59 brake jobs We’ve all seen the $59 Brake Job signs, but have you ever seen a “We Fix $59 Brake Jobs” sign?

In this article, I will try to give you some pointers on choosing a good shop. It’s easy, just pick mine. On a more serious note, a shop cannot survive doing brake jobs for $59. This is an advertising ploy to get you in the door. Then they can inspect your car and sell you something else. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important that your mechanic looks over your car for you, but this is where things can really get

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out of hand. Example: Your car has 24,000 miles on it, so you take it in for an alignment. After a few minutes a service writer asks you to follow him out to your car, where he grabs a part on your front end and wiggles it all over. Then he tells you this part has got to be replaced or your wheel could fall off. I use this example because it happened to a customer of mine recently. The part they had shown her was a tie rod end, which if it didn’t move would not allow the steering wheel to turn. She needed no repair, but fortunately got a second opinion.

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honest, friendly, dependable, rapport, unfriendly, dishonest, like, dislike. Starting to get the point, IF YOU DON’T LIKE OR TRUST YOUR MECHANIC, GO FIND ANOTHER ONE! Asking friends and neighbors where they take their car is a very good idea. Just don’t ask the guy who hates cats, dogs, trains and the sky. He isn’t going to like his mechanic either!

Ok, here is the part you have all been waiting for. Price, My general opinion of price is, if you like and trust your mechanic, price is not an issue, because you know he wouldn’t rip you off.

A shop’s pricing is based on overhead. Payroll is by far a

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You would go to somebody you trust.

There may be some liability in this next statement, so just keep it between you and me, OK? Watch out for shops that pay their mechanics on parts’ sales. If a mechanic can make money on parts, human nature tells him to sell parts. Some of these shops have been in the news over recent years for wrongdoing. A mechanic’s job is to evaluate a vehicle and repair it as required, and to make suggestions to other potential service needs.

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He can be reached for comments or questions at 685-8495.

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April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 17

Hikers’ Haven

Stage Road/Wall Point/Briones-Mt. Diablo Loop anyone can offer any advice on poison oak related remedies, medicines and other general knowledge, it would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately no matter how careful, I seem to be a magnet for it. Email me with any pertinent information (as you can guess, I’m tired of scratching). kaypee@sbcglobal.net

Hike of the Week: Stage Road/Wall Point/BrionesMt. Diablo Loop Trailhead: Diablo Foothills Regional Park Staging Area located just before Castle Rock Recreation Area Distance: 3+ miles Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 2.0 hours +/Getting There: Follow Oak Grove Road past Northgate High School until you reach Diablo Foothills Regional Park

KEVIN PARKER

OUTDOORS WITH KEVIN When I think back to most of the hikes I’ve had the pleasure writing about for this column, very similar geographical features come to mind. Lush canyons with meandering creeks, felt covered hillsides, an abundance of trees and wildflowers and wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

Upon hiking into Diablo Foothills Regional Park, it becomes obvious just minutes after hitting the trail that the scenery is like nothing else found in this part of the county. I am speaking specifically about Castle Rock, the surrounding sandstone, rock formations and caves that stand proudly above this regional park. Castle Rock itself is the highest peak measuring in at an elevation of 972 feet. These sandstone outcroppings, which look as if they are peeking out from the vegetation below, are reminiscent of a jungle-like environment. For you bird watchers, various types of raptors including golden eagles, red-tail hawks and prairie falcons nest in the formations while hunting in the surrounding areas.

If you want to see these formations up close, any number of trails from Stage Road and a quick side trip will put you on top of the world. There are dozens of caves and numerous areas to explore once you reach the heart of Castle Rock. Although not shown on the park map, there is a complex series of trails leading up to the rocks. Some of these trails are steep and require balance and agility in order to safely ascend.

I would have liked to spend all day exploring the outcroppings, but made my way back to Stage Road and continued winding up into Pine Canyon. The section of trail crosses Pine Creek five or six times in the course of a mile or so and on a hot day was a welcome refresher. Careful navigation is required while crossing the creek if you want to keep your shoes dry. However with two dogs as my hiking companions and a big stick, it was impossible to stay out of the water.

This time of year is the ultimate for hiking in my opinion with warm weather and spring’s vibrant array of colors. The grassy meadows are so green and inviting, it felt like a scene from “The Sound of Music.” And needless to say, the dogs loved it as well. An added bonus is the

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CASTLE ROCK, above, and the Stage Road Side Trail, below, deliver scenery unlike any other found in this part of the county.

forth as you continue to rise from the canyon floor below.

Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail junctions with Wall Point Trail heading back towards Pine Canyon. You actually cross into three separate parks while on this hike (Diablo Foothills, Shell Ridge and Mount Diablo). This section of trail comprised of hard rock and sandstone makes it an interesting trek back down into the canyon and Stage Road.

Once I reached the canyon floor, I discovered cooler temperatures and a very inviting Pine Creek. Heavy rains and water canopy of large trees along the trail to help you avoid direct sunlight as you press deeper into the park.

After reaching a picnic area, we decided this would be a great place to have lunch. Once again more shade, a few hikers enjoying the outdoors, some picnic tables and even a guitar player helped to make this slice of nature a utopian paradise. From here we followed a connector trail that eventually takes you to Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail. This trail abruptly ascends from Pine Canyon heading towards Shell Ridge. Shaded trail and moist canyon air eventually give way to wide open fields, big oak trees and a beautifully-cut trail which bounces you back and

flow have washed out portions of this trail, but navigation is still possible. You even pass through Pine Canyon riparian zone, which is a natural stream-side habitat that provides shelter, shade, water and food for many species of wildlife found in this area.

Follow Stage Road until you reach the trailhead, which completes the loop and hopefully a good workout. Remember to get out there and enjoy your parks!

For information on Diablo Foothills Regional Park; www.ebparks.org or (510) 562PARK. On a more selfish note, if

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Page 18

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

CCMT serves up a big, gutsy, glorious show The year is 1912. The biggest moving object on earth sets sail from England, loaded with over two thousand passengers, goes too fast, hits an iceberg and sinks, plunging some 1,511 people to the bottom of the freezing ocean, all in less than two hours.

That’s what happened. Now, “the rest of the story.”

Contra Costa Musical Theater’s West Coast premier of “Titanic, The Musical” opened at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek last Friday. I attended the final dress rehearsal the night before. Knowing how often a final dress rehearsal can illustrate Murphy’s Law (anything that CAN go wrong, WILL), I was prepared to overlook some pretty major glitches.

But, I didn’t have to overlook anything . . . at least not from the performance. The large ensemble cast delivered a BIG, gutsy glorious show. Fully 80 percent of the script was sung, difficult at

Photo courtesy of Contra Costa Musical Theater

THE TITANIC’S Capt. Smith (Steve Durflinger) points out some of the ship’s attributes to passengers Kerri Shawn of Pleasant HIll and young Grant Strain or Walnut Creek. best even for experienced opera however, was the lack of any performers. But the non-profes- true “leading characters.” The sional CCMT performers met story moves back and forth the challenge head on, and deliv- between the “hoity-toities” in ered! Every actor, singer and first class, the less socially stagehand was at the top if their endowed passengers below the game. deck and a handful of crew What I did have to overlook, members so intent on covering

Look for these backyard visitors For those of you beginner bird watchers who would like to know what birds are lurking in your very own yards, here are a few easy ones for you to look for and identify.

A frequent visitor to most yards and bird feeders is the Housefinch, approximately five inches with a short conical bill, and a fairly long tail. The most eye-catching feature of the Housefinch is the red color of his head, neck, breast and rump.

Females are less colorful, mostly light brown with streaked

it’s greener above, more yellow below and has a white patch in the wing. The American Goldfinch is a bit larger than the Lesser Goldfinch—four to five inches—and has the same yellow markings, black wings with white wing bars; the difference is the males sports a black cap on his head. The Female American Goldfinch is a paler yellow with no black cap. So if you spot a little yellow bird and aren’t sure if it’s a male, female, Lesser or American, you can still impress your friends by identifying it as a Goldfinch.

For a challenge, look for these sparrows in your yards.

House Sparrows are the most abundant songbirds in North America and the most widely distributed birds on the planet.

House Sparrows are not actually sparrows, but are Old World Weaver Finches, a family of

wings and underbellies.

Another easy bird to pick out will be the pretty, yellow Goldfinch. There are two varieties found in our area, the Lesser Goldfinch and the American Goldfinch; they are quite similar in appearance. The Lesser Goldfinch is approximately three to four inches, and the male is bright yellow during spring and summer. They are quite striking with all the yellow and their black wings with white wing bars. The female Lesser is similar to the female and immature American Goldfinch, but

their backsides, that there isn’t much opportunity to emotionally “attach” to any one or two characters. Also missing were any really memorable melodies or toe tappers. And, there wasn’t much dancing, either. (Don’t look for any Gordon McRaes or Shirley Joneses on these decks.)

But, as soon as I sat back and recognized that the only real leading lady was the Titanic, herself, the sketchy, stereotypical characters merely became vehicles for moving the story along.

Now, back to the show. The first act opens with back to back high energy production numbers describing the ship, detailing the inventory and setting the stage for what’s to come. Huge, high energy numbers that early in the show is risky business.

Sometimes, the only place to go from there is down. Not so with this show. The cast maintains the pitch and pacing throughout the demanding first act which rides in on the excitement and frenzy

of a couple of thousand people who have no idea they are embarking on the “vacation from hell,” and ends with the ship’s predicted encounter with the legendary iceberg.

The second act slows down enough for the characters to take stock of their situation and for the boat to sink. Sadly, the playwright did not give us much opportunity in the first act to “bond” with any of the characters, so, our emotional connection in the second act goes down with the ship.

However, despite the built in deficiencies in the script, the show definitely floats. The voices range from really good, individually, to downright glorious in ensemble. The staging is tight and precise with no wasted motion. The director makes creative use of “stop action” to shift the dramatic focus from one piece of action to another during the big production numbers.

How does a ship sink through

birds noted for their ingenious nest-building abilities. The male House Sparrow is approximately four to five inches and has a brown back with black streaks.

The top of the crown is gray, but the sides of the crown and nape are chestnut-red. The chin, throat and upper breast are black and the cheeks are white.

Females and juveniles are less colorful.

White-crowned Sparrows are a fairly large sparrow, approximately six to seven inches in length with a strikingly patterned head; a broad-white, central crown-stripe is bordered by black, lateral crown stripes. The back is brown streaked with black. The rump and the long, slightly notched tail are brown.

The wings are brown with two prominent white wing bars. The legs are yellowish, as is the

CATHIE

the flat surface of a relatively small suburban stage? With crafty set design, clever technical effects and an audience willing to “buy in.” The sets are spare and massive, making liberal use of space and shape to move the audience from bridge to deck to ballroom to steerage. Some pretty spectacular lighting helps, too.

The show is masterfully directed by local theater veteran, Harvey Berman. With some 40 years experience teaching and directing, Berman not only knows what he wants on stage, but how to get it. And what he got is a magnificently staged, hallmark production and a dignified theatrical tribute to one of the 20th century’s most avoidable tragedies.

Titanic plays ThursdaySaturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through May 1 at the Regional Arts Theatre in Walnut Creek. Call (925) 943-SHOW for ticket information.

collar with two white wing bars.

Some good sightings around town this past month have been the White Tailed Kite, American Kestrel, Yellow Rumped Warbler and Western Tannager.

Has anyone been able to positively identify a Golden Eagle around the Lydia Lane Park area? I’ve spotted a large bird going to a large nest but have not been able to get a good look at the inhabitants, all those tree leaves in the way.

Let me know what you are seeing out there and happy birding.

GERNHARDT

FOR THE BIRDS beak.

Golden Crowned Sparrows, six to seven inches, are very similar to the White-crowned Sparrow with a yellow or gold crown bordered by wide, black cap, a dusky bill with an unstreaked gray breast, cheek and

Cathie Gernhardt has lived in Clayton for the past 38 years.

Bird watching is one of her greatest joys. She has taken classes at Wild Birds Unlimited and has frequently participated in local bird walks. You can email her at Cathie@claytonpioneer.com.

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April 9, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 19

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Studios and 1 bedroom apartments ranging from 425 sq. ft. to 840 sq. ft.

Spacious 2 bedroom apartments ranging from 1000 sq. ft. to 1680 sq. ft.

Month to month rentals State-of-the-art theater Restaurant style service in our beautiful dining room Overlooking Newhall Park Fitness center, swimming pool and outdoor fireplace Full-service day spa Concierge service Assisted living services available

'Aegis

Located on Clayton Rd., between Treat Blvd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.

Senior Living

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

April 9, 2004

When you call Lynne French, be sure to request a free copy of her special report “29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar).”

This valuable information can save you precious time and money as you prepare to make your move.

(925) 672-8787 www.LynneFrench.com Lynne@LynneFrench.com

S

omeone who’s always on the go and always in the know, Lynne French’s natural energy and positive personality drive her to make the most of every moment, whether it’s in her hobbies, in her home life with husband, Danny, or in her role as one of the area’s leading real estate professionals.

With such a determined approach, it’s easy to see how Lynne has made such a

lasting impact through her long-running real estate career. By working her hardest and providing the most possible options, she has helped many Discover the Possibilities in the East Bay Area real estate market.

Whether you’re buying or selling, Lynne French and her team are the ones to know for a higher level of service. Give them a call today and experience the difference for yourself.

6200-E Center St. 1801 N. California Blvd.

Clayton, CA 94517 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

GEORGE VUJNOVICH,

Broker

(925) 672-4433

Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.

6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517

PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

georgevujnovich.com FALCON RIDGE AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

Just Listed

PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

G DIN N E P

IRONWOOD AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

G DIN N E P

Spectacular "Belvedere" model on a prime view lot! 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 3,911 sf. Four car garage with workshop area, extensive built-in storage & workbench + rv/boat storage in huge paved side yard! Bedroom & full bath downstairs. Living room with fireplace. Formal dining room.

Enormous great room with stacked stone two-way fireplace, walk-around bar. Wired for surround sound with built-in speakers. Sunning master suite features a retreat & balcony offering sweeping views. Gourmet kitchen with upgraded tile counters, island, floor, dual motorized skylights & spacious pantry! Huge level view lot overlooks City, Carquinez Strait, surrounding hills & ridgeline. Professionally landscaped, featuring custom patio, large lawn area, an assortment of colorful flowers & ornamentals, fountain room for an rv+boat & still plenty of room for a pool too! $1,125,000

Fabulous "Moonlight" model! One story, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 2,237sf, & 3 car garage. Upgraded beveled travertine floors in entry, hall, kitchen, family room & baths. neutral décor, carpet & custom window coverings.

Gourmet kitchen features granite tile counters (incl: full back-splash), island & maple cabinets. Family room with travertine fireplace, built-in speakers & wired for surround sound. Great views from cozy front porch. Rear yard backs to oak studded open space & features a custom patio, lawn area & a variety of ornamentals. $689,000

Stunning “Gorham" model! 3 bedrooms, 3 baths plus huge downstairs bonus room, 3 car garage & inside laundry room. Neutral décor throughout! Living room offers an upgraded travertine tile fireplace and views of the hills & city to Delta! Large family room with a recessed media nook & fireplace with raised hearth & gas logs. Gourmet kitchen boasts upgraded hardwood floors, maple cabinets, granite tile counters/island & pantry with glass door.

Spacious master suite features double door entry & use of upgraded marble tile in bath-tub surround, shower & counter-tops plus an enormous walk-in closet! $859,000

Desirable single story "Augusta" model! 3 bedroom 2 bath approx. 1816 sq ft. Neutral carpet and décor. Many upgrades including tile floor in the entry, and semi vaulted ceilings in the living room. $579,000

CHAPARRAL SPRINGS AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB !

FALCON RIDGE AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

OAK HOLLOW AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB!

G DIN N E P

Prime golf course lot! 3 bedroom 3 bath, appx. 1709 sq. ft. Gorgeous views of Mt. Diablo, surrounding hills and golf course.

Gourmet kitchen with tile flooring and counters. Full bedroom and bath downstairs. $ 489,900.

D SOL

Beautiful “Balboa” Model! 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths approx. 4018 sq feet. 1 bedroom and 1.5 baths downstairs , extensive upgrades throughout this home include tile entry, gourmet kitchen with Corian counter tops, wet bar, and breakfast bar, walk in pantry and abundance of maple cabinets.

Huge family room with built in entertainment center, neutral carpet and décor. Quiet private lot. $999,950

D SOL

Striking home on premium view lot! 4 bedrooms 3 full baths, approx. 2843 s.f. Views to the Delta and beyond, downstairs den with French doors, family room features a stacked stone fireplace, master suite features a retreat and a balcony with sweeping views. Secluded yard with a covered patio, and lush lawn.

SOLD over list at $785,000

D SOL

Immaculate home! Views of Mt. Diablo! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths apx 1651 sq.ft. Home features inside laundry, beautiful neutral décor and Berber carpet thru out. Large eat-in kitchen with tile counters, maple cabinets and hardwood floors.

Larger private backyard with aggregate patio and lawn area. Walk to downtown, pool and trails.

SOLD over list at $515,000