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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
925.672.0500
Neighbors oppose Bocce Ball Centre JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
GREGG MANNING
MAYOR’S CORNER ART AND WINE The first thing I want to do is remind all of you that before another issue of the Clayton Pioneer is published, the City will be hosting the annual Art and Wine Festival on April 30 and May 1. This year’s event will be the biggest yet with more craft vendors than ever and an even larger variety of wines and beers. On both days we will be starting at 10 a.m. On Saturday the event will close at 7 p.m. and on Sunday the event will end at 5 p.m. I want to thank the Clayton Business and Community Association and their dedicated members who have been planning this event since late last year. The core group is augmented by hundreds of volunteers. Like almost everything which happens in Clayton, it is the volunteers who
See Mayor, page 6
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
CARDINET DRIVE RESIDENT CHRIS FREGOSI opposes the current Bocce Ball Centre proposal. Fregosi points to neighbor Joe Simeona’s home, which is less than 38 feet from the nearest court.
Neary leaves high school for good JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
“I loved high school so much, I never left,” says Clayton Valley High School Principal John Neary reflecting on his years as an educator and administrator. In June, after serving seven years at Clayton Valley and a career in education that spans more than 30 years, the 57-year-old Neary will finally leave high school for good. Physically, Neary knows he’s ready to retire. “I’m so tired,
bone tired,” he says. When you look at Neary’s style as principal, it’s easy to see why. He runs through the day and night. He’s everywhere. “I literally can’t tell you how many times a student I don’t even know has come up to me to say ‘thank you’ for being at a certain event.” He’s at sports activities, drama presentations, music concerts and academic achievement assemblies. “My office door is almost always open. When the phone rings, I answer it. I talk to the
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
CVHS PRINCIPAL JOHN NEARY retires in June.
people who want to talk to me.” His secretary for the past seven years, Cher Morehouse, likes the fact that Neary gave her the freedom to do her job and to be a better person. “We complement each other. He’s incredible to work for,” she adds. He’s a 24/7 type pf person.” CVHS teacher Michele Birkenshaw agrees. “He had an open door for me. He celebrated my successes with me,” she says. She describes Neary as a “force that’s leaving.” Neary thinks about his job as “having all those plates spinning on sticks.” And that’s why you’ll find him in the office every Saturday and most Sundays to catch up on the paper work. He thinks a high school principal should oversee everything. “So if you oversee everything you better be there. I love it all and I go to it all.” Neary’s love for sports and drama and day to day high school activities goes way back to his own high school days. “I had such a wonderful time, specifically in athletics and dramatics.” When he began to teach in 1972, he was 22-yearsold, married and had two children. He remembers getting the
job at Pleasant Hill High School because he had experience coaching football. When Pleasant Hill High School closed, Neary began teaching social studies at College Park. When he wasn’t teaching he was directing plays, and coaching football, wrestling, soccer and softball. “Teaching was a means to coach,” he says. In 1989, Neary moved on to become vice principal of Clayton Valley. He held that position until 1991 when a family situation led him to take a vice principal position in North Lake Tahoe. He went on to become the principal of North Tahoe Middle School. But it was his love for secondary education that brought Neary back to the Bay Area and to Clayton Valley when he was hired as principal in 1998. He was filling the shoes of his close friend Ray Schultz. The two kept in touch with each other during Neary’s stint in Tahoe and then Schultz got sick and eventually died in 1999. “I felt like my goal was to keep going what Schultz started and I think
After more than two hours of public testimony and more questions than answers about the proposed Bocce Ball Centre on a 0.7-acre site behind city hall, the Planning Commission decided to continue public hearing on the Environmental Review to the April 26 and May 10 meetings. Plans call for 10 courts, a storage building up to 1200 square feet, gazebo, restrooms, picnic tables and barbeque grills, lighting and public address system. Before a packed house at Endeavor Hall last week, the commission heard from disgruntled neighbors who are against the Bocce Ball Centre as well as seasoned Clayton players who anxiously await playtime on courts in their own city. Neighbors from Cardinet and Wallace Drive, streets adjacent to the bocce site, voiced their concerns about issues that they say immediately impact their homes, neighborhoods and families. Residents discussed a variety of negative
See Bocce, page 6
Make mom “Queen for a Day” Moms are the greatest. They spend most of their waking hours taking care of everyone else before they do anything for themselves. You can fix that. Write an essay telling us why your mom should be crowned the Clayton Pioneer’s “Queen For A Day,” and win a day of pampering in Pioneer Territory for the “queen of your heart.” If yours is the winning essay, your mom will receive a very special and elegant “Tea for Two” at the new “Englund’s Tea Cottage,” a relaxing massage and very special gift basket from Clayton Mind and Body Connections, a pampering facial from
Cynthia Gregory at Pe r m a n e n t Solutions and a bouquet of lovely spring flowers from C l a y t o n Flowers. And, last but not least; we will publish the winning essay in the Pioneer along with a photo of you and your mom in the May 6 issue. To be eligible, you must be a Clayton resident between the ages of 6 and 18. Your essay must be typewritten and must be between 200 and 350 words. Mail or e-mail your essay to The Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton, 94517; essay@claytonpioneer.com, or drop off at the Pioneer office at 6200 F Center St., Clayton. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 27.
See Neary, page 7
“Grove” park is a go if voters approve the landscape district JILL BEDECARRÉ & TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
In seven months, Clayton residents could be heading for the polls in a special election that would significantly change
the city’s landscape. If voters approve the renewal of the Landscape Assessment District next November the city could see some major landscape improvements, including the long awaited “Grove Park.” The proposed assessment of $365, up from the current
$122.90, will include the $15 necessary to fund the annual park maintenance, said Dan Richardson, head of the Blue Ribbon Landscape Maintenance Committee. Richardson addressed a handful of residents at the committee’s first community outreach presentation to
the AAUW on April 9. Park construction costs are no longer a problem, despite losing a $685,000 state grant last year, said City Manager Gary Napper at the April 5 City Council meeting. “It’s always been an issue of maintenance,” he said. Redevelopment Agency
funds, bond proceeds, developer fees and state paybacks will raise the estimated $1.23 million needed to build the park. Construction could begin as soon as next spring if residents approve the renewal of the District in November, said city staffer Laura Hoffmeister.
Besides paying for the estimated $60,000 per year maintenance costs, the $365 assessment would also be sufficient to fund the $2.5 million in deferred maintenance and capital improvements, and to continue
See Landscape, page 7
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Around Town Webelos say goodbye to graffiti Members of Cobra Patrol, the second year Webelos from Clayton Cub Scout Pack 262, recently took time from their busy schedules to remove graffiti from one of the walls in the Dana Ridge community. The boys learned a good lesson in respecting the property of others as well as in understanding about other forms of pollution. Several neighbors passing by stopped to thank the boys for the clean up.
Lauricellas Andrew Deocares is martial welcome baby arts Grand Champion Gabriel
Clayton Valley High School student, Andrew Deocares captured the title of 2005 AMAPA Grand Champion in the weapon division at the the first AMAPA (Affiliated Martial Artists Promoters Association) East Bay Challenge was held March 26 at Clayton Community Gym. He also took first place in the hand form division. Andrew is also a medallist in international competition. In Oct. 2004 he traveled to Zhengzhou, China with the Plum Blossom Federation where he won the gold medal in the weapon division and a silver medal in the hand form division at the Wushu Festival. Andrew is an instructor at the Concord Kung Fu Academy in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center and trains under Sifu Evelina Lengyel, who was recently inducted in the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
CLAYTON CUB SCOUTS (From left) Richard Filgas, Tony Lampo, Ted Hall, Eric Dira and Tyler Lehman.
Lindermans celebrate 40th anniversary High School sweethearts Karen and Mike Linderman of Clayton will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary when they renew their wedding vows at Endeavor Hall on May 14. They will celebrate the event
surrounded by their children Cami Ferrell and Chad Linderman of Concord, and their grandchildren Jeffrey, Daniel Brandon and Joey Ferrell, and Jake and Jenny Linderman.
Expressing her feelings for her parents, Cami said, “I love you both with all my heart! I thank the Lord daily for giving me parents who have been such a positive role model for me.”
GABRIEL LAURICELLA
Jennifer and Michael Lauricella of Clayton welcomed their new baby boy, Gabriel Robert on March 14. He weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and measured 20 inches long. Gabriel brings the Lauricella family number to four as he joins his big brother Lucas, age three, at home.
Cathy and Nick Paris meet their new grandson
MIKE
AND
KAREN LINDERMAN on their wedding day in 1965. JOSEPH PARIS
Concord Clayton Border - 5 bedroom 3 bath on ½ flat acre. In law unit/private court location.
$1,080,000
Windmill Canyon - 3 bedroom, 2 bath home backs to open space, upgrades and views of rolling hills.
$669,980
Clayton Border - This tri-level home is light & airy, has 4 large bedrooms and 3 full baths.
$725,000
Cathy and Nick Paris of Clayton are proud new grandparents of baby Joseph. Born to parents Jon and Jane Kuo Paris of Palo Alto, Joseph weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz., and was 20-1/2 inches tall. He is the first child in the family. Father Jon Paris grew up in Clayton and graduated from CVHS.
Photo courtesy of Concord Kung Fu
MARTIAL
ARTS CHAMPION,
Regency Woods - Spacious single story with 5 bedrooms 3 ½ baths, on a cul de sac with beautiful back yards views. .
$825,000
Diablo Village- Spacious single story with 3 bedrooms. 2 baths with private yard and Mt Diablo views.
Dana Hills - Court location, 4 bedroom 2 ½ baths with almost 2,700 sq ft of living space. Outside enjoy a spa, large private yard and wonderful views.
$699,980
$859,980
CVHS student Andrew Deocares.
Regency Woods - Updated 4 bedroom 2 ½ bath home on over ½ acre lot with wonderful surrounding views.
$779,980
Regency Meadows - 2390 sq ft 4 bedroom 2 ½ baths Mediterranean with Florida room. $849,980
$849,980
COMING SOON! Concord/Clayton Border - 3 bed/2 bath, remodeled on .41 acre. $599,980 Springwood - 3 bed/ 2 bath upgrades, newer carpet. $599,980 Dana Estates - 3 bed/ 2 baths updated. $549,980
April 22, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
Around Town 2005 auction raises more than $40,000 for Mt. Diablo Elementary School Once again the Mt. Diablo Elementary spring
auction, chaired by Denise Stephens, Staci Enriquez and
Caren Case was a sell out and raised over $40,000 for enrichment programs, supplies and services at the school. Auction goers enjoyed an evening of food, dance, auctions and fun with a Fiesta Diablo theme.
Tiger Cubs visit Pioneer offices Tiger Cub Pack 366 visited the Clayton Pioneer office on Apr. 7 to learn about how a newspaper is put together. They learned how stories are written and the different computer programs that are used. Their group’s picture was taken and the boys were shown how the picture is placed on the front page. The pack is led by Tom O’Sullivan.
Front row: Tommy O’Sullivan,Kyle Lehman, Christopher Bredehoft,Jonathan Alexander; Back row: Austin Lara, Tony Romano, Benjamin Kllaassen
Pioneer visits twin city
MEGAN KOMMER AND NANCY LLACUNA BOB RIVERA, JOHN SOVIK, ROBYN RIVERA
DEBORAH MEYLAN, SHELLY SHUEY, PATTI BRADLEY
The Zsenai family of Clayton recently visited Buxworth, England, Clayton’s twin city, and took a photo in front of the town sign holding a copy of the Clayton Pioneer. Daughter Amy, (pictured left), is studying at the University of Nottingham. And so Cindy, John and sister Sara, a senior at Clayton Valley High School, decided to visit Amy and vacation together in England, Italy, Hungary and Holland.
CAREN CASE AND KEVIN CASE
georgevujnovich.com
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Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
714 Anizumne Court 408 Wawona Lane 5197 Keller Ridge Drive 410 Mt. Sequoia Court 901 Deer Place 2595 Morgan Territory 1372 Yosemite Circle 1370 Lydia Lane 921 Arrowhead Terrace 138 Inverness Way 5022 Raven Way
$651,000 $1,110,000 $950,000 $825,000 $846,000 $705,000 $770,000 $670,000 $651,000 $1,010,000 $792,000
04/12/05 04/08/05 04/08/05 04/06/05 04/06/05 04/05/05 04/05/05 04/01/05 03/31/05 03/25/05 03/24/05
1,991 2,951 2,843 2,261 2,237 1,768 1,695 1,386 1,939 3,030 2,467
BED/BATH
3/2.5 4/2.5 4/3 4/2 4/2 3/2 3/2 2/1 3/2.5 4/3 4/3
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
122 Gold Rush Court 1234 Buckeye Terrace 8020 Kelok Way 432 Mt. Sequoia Ct 148 Joscolo View 14 London Court 39 Jalalon Place 1363 Shell Lane 1371 Shell Lane 43 La Canada Court 1539 N. Atchison Stge Rd
$685,000 $640,000 $898,000 $805,000 $799,988 $715,000 $630,000 $530,000 $520,000 $825,000 $810,000
03/22/05 03/22/05 03/18/05 03/16/05 03/11/05 03/08/05 03/08/05 03/04/05 03/01/05 02/24/05 02/16/05
1,889 1,639 2,542 2,325 2,467 2,324 1,749 1,355 1,355 2,857 2,300
BED/BATH
3/2 3/2.5 4/2.5 4/2 4/3 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 5/3 4/2.5
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
4141 Leon Drive 51 Karkin Place 335 Mt. Washington Way 5225 Keller Ridge Drive 312 Ahwanee Lane 6022 Golden Eagle Way 973 Oak Street 202 Prospector Place 3032 Windmill Canyon 5478 Tara Drive 242 Stranahan Circle
$1,500,000 $605,000 $750,000 $969,000 $1,061,700 $649,000 $675,000 $720,000 $699,000 $583,000 $575,000
02/14/05 02/11/05 02/10/05 02/08/05 02/03/05 01/28/05 01/21/05 01/19/05 01/07/05 01/07/05 01/05/05
3,365 1,904 1,919 2,894 3,000 1,816 2,175 2,171 1,877 1,739 1,663
All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed
BED/BATH
3/3.5 3/2.5 4/2 3/3 4/2.5 3/2 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 2/2.5
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Upcoming Events CLAYTON CLEANS UP It’s that time again to clean up Clayton. Meet at City Hall this Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. and pick up maps, gloves, and garbage bags and then head to the streets and trails to clean up. When your bags are full leave them at the trailhead or street corner and a truck will come by to pick them up. Volunteers can then enjoy a BBQ lunch at City Hall. Clayton Cleans Up is a great opportunity for clubs, boy scouts, church groups and sports leagues to work together for a good cause. Last year, more than 120 Claytonians scrubbed Clayton clean. For group sign ups call Dana Deeley at 672-8645. SPRING PLANTING TOURS AND OPEN HOUSE AT THE PUMPKIN FARM Spring planting tours for pre-school and elementary school classes are here once again at Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm and Christmas Trees on Pine Lane in Clayton. Tours are conducted from April 25 through Friday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Monday, April 25, the farm will open to the general public at a cost of $5.50 per person and no reservations are required. Children and adults alike are provided with a fun, hands-on learning atmosphere with various stations for soil, composting, recycling, worms, good and bag bugs and plant parts. Tours also include games, music, digging in the dirt and a ride around the farm on the Pumpkin Farm Express. Each visitor takes home a peat pot planted with a sunflower ART AND WINE FESTIVAL The annual CBCA Art and Wine Festival is set for the weekend of April 30 and May 1 and promises to be another stellar event. Artisans will sell their wares and bands will liven up the crowds during the two-day event. There will be plenty of food and beverage to satisfy all tastes. This year’s event has new hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Bring the whole family and enjoy one of Clayton’s great outdoor events. CLAYTON GARDENS TOUR-MAY 6-7 How do Clayton Gardens Grow? Come and find out at the Clayton Historical Society’s 13th annual Clayton Gardens Tour on May 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The self guided tour begins at the Clayton Historical Museum. You can start the day with a Garden Party Fiesta Lunch including drinks and desert from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Tickets for the garden tour are $20 and $25 at the door. Garden Party tickets are $15. Ticket forms are available at La Veranda, R&M Pool Patio and Gardens, Navlet’s, Yardbirds, Skipolini’s and Ed’s Mudville Grill. For more information call Sally Turner at 672-2117 or
GARDEN AS ART is one of the many special features you’ll experience at this year’s garden tour
the Clayton Museum at 672-0240. All proceeds benefit the Clayton Historical Museum. TIP-A-COP Make sure you plan on having dinner at Ed’s Mudville Grill on May 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. Your waiters that night will be our beloved police force who are participating once again in the annual TipA-Cop event with all proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics of Contra Costa County. Clayton Police Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and Ed’s Mudville Grill are co-sponsors of the event. The actual torch run is set for June 7. Members of the Clayton Police Department will pick up the torch at Clayton Station and run through Clayton. More details to come. DIABLO VALLEY MASTERWORKS CHORALE PERFORMANCE The Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale including 10 members from Clayton, will perform Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. at Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center. The Chorale group, now in it thirty-seventh year is directed by Richard Kamprath and will perform with a live orchestra. Music selections include Haydn’s “Mass in time of War,” R. Vaughan Williams’s Dona Nobis Pacem” and Arnold Schonberg’s “Friede auf Erden (Peace on Earth).” For tickets, call Performing Arts Center, 6874445.
MASTERWORKS CLAYTONIANS Linda Manzek, John Kick, Kris Porcella, Veronica Pisani, Ed Krieger, Marcy Zewan, John Manzek, Joyce Krieger, Jim Zewan and Deborah Schnick.
i s e o V J an Fleet-B e h T ronson Team At Intero, we begin and end each day with one goal: to provide our clients with the finest customer service available in real estate. Every Intero real estate professional is guided by principles of trust, respect and integrity.
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1536 Kirker Pass Road, Suite D Clayton, CA 94517 925-672-4333
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Gorgeous Home adjacent to Lime Ridge. This Beautiful split level home features: 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, 3,000 square feet, not including the three car garage being used as a deluxe, fully equipped gym and billiards room. Sit back and relax in this $200,000 state of the art home theatre with 10 foot (horizontal) screen, sound and image quality well beyond THX standards. A must see to believe! Other features include: Formal living and dining rooms, separate family room, wet bar, two way stone fireplace, track & custom lighting, bright sunny kitchen with breakfast nook, $50,000 in flooring (Wilson Art Flooring) and carpet upgrades, marble front entry, privacy windows, beautiful private landscaped back yard with BBQ, gazebo and hot tub for 6. All of the theatre equipment, gym and billiard equipment as well as the appliances are included in the sale of this one of a kind home!
Offered for: $999,000 Curb Appeal, Location and so much more! This special Concord home is located in a wonderful neighborhood on a cul-de-sac. Home features include: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,652 square feet of living space. Other features include: Formal living room, separate family room, formal dining area, and spacious sunny kitchen with tons of cabinet space, central heat, newer air and ceiling fan. There is new laminate flooring, a hardwood entry and wall to wall carpeting and fresh paint as well. Cozy up to the two wood stoves located in both the living room and family room. You'll enjoy the lovely spacious landscaped front and back yards. Back yard has plenty of room for a swimming pool, play area or even a ball court. Such a Wonderful Offered for: $599,000 Opportunity!
Sale P ending 5144 Brookside Lane - Sold in 9 Days 19 Fairway Court - Sold in 4 Days 3319 Longview Road - Sold in 9 Days 312 Malicoat Avenue - Sold in 7 Days
Coming S oon P roperties 7 Nottingham Place - Sold in 6 Days 337 Persimmon Drive - Sold in 8 Days 2601 Sinclair Avenue - Sold in 11 Days 2009 Stewart Avenue - Sold in 9 Days
5450 Concord Blvd 121 S. Lake Drive 8 Clark Creek Circle 2814 Winding Lane 1320 Jewett Avenue
5455 Kirkwood Drive 1070 Discovery Way 3909 Bellwood Drive 3984 Cottonwood Drive 2111 Fuente Court
3732 Heritage Drive 4236 Mc Dermott Cr. 5517 Nebraska Drive
April 22, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Letter to the Editor
TAMARA
AND
Clayton should put neighborhoods and families first
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580 R OBERT S TEINER , Co-Publishers
TAMARA S TEINER , Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ , Assistant Editor and Display Advertising J IM Z EWAN , Sports P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.
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It’s not whether we need bocce ball courts or not. It’s whether we want special interest groups getting special treatment. You have to ask yourself why the city is giving three- quarters of an acre of valuable city property (your property) over to a single use. Yes, there are barbeques and picnic tables, but the focus is bocce ball league play and the crowd that it will attract. By their own estimate, that could be as many as two hundred people every night, Monday through Friday from six p.m. to nine p.m. There will be night-lights, a loudspeaker system, alcohol for sale and cars to park. Where will they park all those cars? The library lot is
already pretty busy. All of this will go on every night just 100 feet from the nearest private residence. The homeowners in the Cardinet/Wallace area know about special occasion parking. They put up with it every Art and Wine Festival and the 4th of July without complaint. But this would be every weekday night. Sure, it’s not your backyard, but it is your town. This is about private use of public land. Wouldn’t you like to be involved in decisions affecting allocation of our scarce resources? Voice your opinion. Show up at the April 26th Planning Commission meeting. Call the council members. Let them know where you stand. Don’t let the special interests groups run your town. Mike Dwyer, Clayton resident
Classified SERVICES Perennial Garden Design by Nicole Hackett aka The Garden Girl. Personal consultations regarding plant choices, placement, identification, fertilizing and maintenance. Spring is just around the corner. Call or email for information and pricing. 925 673-1746 (leave message) or GardenGirl94517@aol.com We'll Rearrange, You'll Like the Change! "Use what you have" decorating, brought to you by StageCents home staging®. Live in a model-home environment by simply rearranging the furniture you already have, regrouping artwork more powerfully and add some "life" to your already beautiful home with
fresh paint and TLC. Contact us today and we'll change your home forever. We also offer organizing services and stage homes for sale. Stage Cents (925) 672-2021, Shelly Shuey, ASP/IAHSP/Owner, Deborah Meylan, NAPO/Organizer
GARAGE SALE Clayton Multi Family Garage Sale. Two days only! Lot's of great stuff - barbecues, furniture, clothing, toys, ski equipment, baby stuff etc. This is a must see garage sale. Sat April 23, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sun April 24, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Address is 5151 Keller Ridge Drive in Clayton. Take Oakhurst to Eagle Peak to Keller Ridge.
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.
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Directory of Advertisers A Clayton Window Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-1049 Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 Alise Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 Art & Wine Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6622 Benton, Mureleen - American Express . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 BJ's Groom & Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550-5626 CCR Insurance and Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6324 Clarissa Bridal Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .930-0214 Clark Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5890 Clayton Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Home Inspection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9405 Clayton Mind & Body Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0686 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clip n' Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-9355 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Concord Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9530 Crocker Insurance Agency - Sam Totah . . . . . . . . . . .941-1536 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . .524-5100 Elysium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1333 Englund's Tea Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8327 ESI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .969-1477 Ewing, Ken - Painting Contractor and Decorator . . . .586-1882 Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Coldwell Banker Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Gregory, Cynthia - Permanent Solution . . . . . . . . . . .286-5162 Help You Sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 Hot Basil Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288-0000 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Instant Imprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9815 Jazzercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7025 Joanna's Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8911 LaMar Information Technology Services . . . . . . . . . . .459-5606 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Landman Consulting Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8817 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 Law Office of Richard Littorno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lerner Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1130 Mavericks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-5600 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Miller, Thomas C.P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354-1385 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . .280-8563 Mountain Mike's Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4965 Neptune Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-5100 Northgate Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-8711 Northshore Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439-3333 Oakhurst Childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-1000 Oakhurst County Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Pasta Primavera Café & Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-5300 Pavilion Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6868 Pro Tech Heating and Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3776 R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .947-6105 Sellers, Nicole - Diablo Funding . . . . . . . . . . . .227-0100 x 128 Skip's Happy Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9433 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6461 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Stone Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-2094 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Team Power Tractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-7600 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Truesdell, Lisa - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .686-4747 Unique Hair & Nails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-7278 Van-Fleet-Bronson, Intero Real Estate Services . . . .672-4333 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . .672-2300 Velocity Sports Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363-0066 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . .672-4433 Walcutt, Bill - Prudential Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-5535 We The People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370 Wine Thieves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4003 Zandonella's Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-1700
C o m m u n i ty Connections
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.
925-941-1536
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Bocce, from page 1 impacts from noise and traffic to parking and lights. They are concerned about the number of courts, 10 in all, proposed by the Clayton Bocce Federation. Residents told the commission that parking spaces at the library, city hall and Keller Ranch are inadequate and would create an overflow into their neighborhoods. They talked about noise impacts during games and tournaments and the glare from lighting that would be used for evening games. Others are worried about noise from the proposed public address system. Chris Fregosi whose home on Cardinet Drive is next to the proposed courts, called for a “more definitive site plan”. “ A lot of this is theory,” he said. He explained he’s just getting used to the lights in the city’s maintenance yard and more lights would make the situation worse. “We don’t appreciate the way this has been pushed through,” says Joe Simeona. He
says his home is 37 feet from the nearest court. “Usually when it’s on the table, it’s a done deal. I’m not for it,” he said. Bocce ball fans also showed up at the meeting claiming that their game is not a spectator sport and there will not be traffic and parking problems. “You’re getting alarmed prematurely,” says Clayton resident Don Fitzgerald as he addressed bocce park opponents at the meeting. “We don’t mean to intimate you. I invite you to come and play,” he added. Fitzgerald explained that lighting would be restricted along with the PA system. “We are not like a bunch of kids,” he added. Clayton resident Jerry Kosel agreed. “If I believe what they (opponents) believe, I would be against it, but I don’t believe what they believe,” he said. He explained that there would not be many cars at the games, noting some players will walk to the courts and others share rides.
Mayor, from page 1 make it work. I extend my thanks and that of the community to each of you who have volunteered to help at this years Art and Wine Festival. I urge everyone to attend especially those of you who will be attending for the first time. You will enjoy it. I will be helping in Kiddieland. Come say hello. At the April 19 meeting of the City Council, we once again addressed the business license issue. Since I am writing this before the meeting and lack omniscience, I don’t know what the outcome was. I do know that two other issues, unrelated to the business license tax, were on the agenda. Decision on these two issues has been delayed since March 1. One issue concerns skateboards, roller-skates or similar devices on public property and the other limits on the placement of solid waste carts. These two items show how the city crafts rules directed at the few to preserve the rights of the many. SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER BLADES
The Police Department has
been receiving an increasing number of complaints concerning damage at the library and the community park caused by skateboarding and roller blade activities. The staffs at Diablo View Middle School and Mount Diablo Elementary have also seen some damage caused by skateboarders and roller-skating. The damage at the schools seems to be occurring in the evenings and on weekends. When enforcement was considered to address the problem, it was discovered that the applicable portion of the City Municipal Code did not apply to property open to the public or to school grounds. The existing Code also would not apply to the proposed downtown city park. The solution was to change the Code to address skateboarding and skating in malls and shopping centers, in public parks, schools, on city property and in privately owned parking facilities open to public use. The Code has now been changed through the ordinance process and hopefully, by bringing charges against offending parties, we will see a reduction in this activity.
He mentioned that most bocce players come with coolers and equipment and would opt not to park on Cardinet or Wallace and negotiate stairs leading to the courts. “Come and watch our games at Newhall Park. We clean up after ourselves. This will be a real benefit to the city of Clayton,” he added. Clayton Bocce Federation, Inc. vice president Howard Geller says he welcomes more meetings and input from the residents who have concerns about the courts. “We want to listen to your needs,” he says. He noted that the bocce park in Clayton is a positive venture. “The park will cost the city nothing to build and our federation takes care of the maintenance,” he said. He told the planning commission that lights will have shields and that the PA system was for tournament play. “This park is a public park for public use,” he said. Bringing bocce ball to Clayton has a long history. Some three years ago, Geller and Ed Hartley co-founders of the
Bocce Federation looked to build bocce courts in the proposed “Grove Park” in downtown Clayton. Lacking enough space in the “grove,” the site moved to private land behind Skipolini’s Pizza, but that fell through due to legal matters. Last year, the federation partnered with the city to begin plans for a Bocce Ball Centre on city hall property. The project is currently before the Planning Commission for an Environmental Review, General Plan Amendment to change land use designations, a Specific Plan Amendment and Zoning Ordinance Amendment. All four actions require final approval by the city council. The Planning Commission is also considering action on a Use Permit and Site Plan Review. It has extended the public hearing to May to conduct further investigation of resident concerns surrounding the environmental impact, parking, traffic, number of courts and other mitigation measures.
SOLID WASTE CARTS The other held over from March 1 concerned solid waste carts. Although all city residents have solid waste carts for yard waste, garbage and recyclables, the Clayton Municipal Code only limits the placement and removal of carts for yard waste. It would seem to be common sense that you put your carts out the night before they are to be picked up and bring them in when they have been emptied. However, I have learned that “ common sense” is not all that common. We have people putting their carts out and leaving them there for days after they have been emptied. This leads to the carts being blown around, interference with road traffic and disruption of city street sweeping. The city has also received complaints from across the
entire city of people placing their carts in the street to save parking spaces much as people did in Boston this winter to save the spaces they had dug out of the snow. The applicable section of the Municipal Code has been changed to reflect the specific hours that carts can be left out and to clear up inconsistencies on cart size. BOCCE BALL COURTS In case you think Planning Commission and Council meetings are dull; it looks like the proposed Bocce Ball Courts currently before the Planning Commission will liven things up. I have always viewed Bocce as a quite sedate game but some seem to view it as a loud and raucous affair. We will keep you informed of this matter in coming issues.
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landscape improvements and maintenance of the city’s roadways, medians and open spaces. Water would begin flowing from the city’s fountain on weekends. During his presentation, Richardson outlined the result of the committee’s research and evaluation of the city’s landscaping during the past year. In response to a barrage of citizen complaints about the abundance of weeds, dead trees and broken irrigation pipes, the council asked the committee to come up with a strategic plan for the city’s landscaping. The committee conducted surveys and visited sites throughout the city and recommended that the city not wait until the District runs out in 2007, but rather to move forward with an election this fall. One resident who attended the meeting asked about the possibility of forming multiple districts where rates would be equivalent to the amount of maintenance in that particular area. Committee member Fred Fuld said that was something the original district tried to stay away from when it created an assessment that was equal for all resi-
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we did that pretty well.” One look around campus and it’s easy to see that Neary has been busy for the last seven years keeping things going. “I’m proud of it all; the academics, the teaching staff, the kids and I’m grateful to the parents.” He talks about the new classrooms, the new, lighted multi-million dollar football and track complex, the baseball field, the new curtains in the multi-use room, the grass and electrical work. But he’s quick to point out that he didn’t have a whole lot to do with it. “I’m hesitant to take strokes for work other people have done,” he said. Mt. DiabloUnified School District Associate Superintendent of Education Services Alan Young begs to differ. He came to MDUSD one year after Neary
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The committee is now engaged in an outreach campaign and will report back to the council in a few months. “We want to share the plan and have a dialogue with our neighbors,”
became the principal of Clayton Valley and he’s been his supervisor ever since. “We have to give him a lot of credit,” says Young. “He articulates his vision well and gets a tremendous buy-in from the community. He has developed good relationships.” Young has always been impressed with Neary’s dedication to students. “He’s a child advocate. His priority is clearly making sure that his school serves the students.” Clayton Valley has over 2,000 students and Neary watches over them like a shepherd with his flock. On a scale from 1 to 10, he says Clayton Valley is about an 81/2. He admits that drugs are a problem. “The kids bring them in, we don’t provide them and we do the best we can to intercede.” He explains that they bust kids when they can to make an example but it goes beyond just what happens on the campus. “I just think that society has really defaulted on this generation of kids,” he says. He says that students are trying to find all their needs in a social institution like a school. “We have kids here who come to class at 7 a.m. and leave at 9 or 10 p.m. and never go home in between.” Neary says they go from school to sports to band or drama. “That’s the role of society and that’s the role of a family, but that’s not the role of a school.” He thinks kids have changed incredibly over the years. “They are far more experienced and much brighter today,” he says. Neary adds that the Internet has made a huge difference in the way kids behave. “There’s a lack of respect for authority and for each other.” Statewide, he
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Richardson said. “We are all in this together.” He says that the Blue Ribbon Committee’s motto, “Let’s make sure we get it right,” refers to the fact that the District was under funded and provided nothing for inflation from its beginning in 1997. The current city maintenance
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dents. Others questioned the need for additional maintenance staff, especially if the assessment passes in November. Richardson said that the $365 includes provisions for more full-time and seasonal workers.
Page 7
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crew of five spends a lot of time in reactive triage, fixing problems after they occur, Richardson said. The new strategic plan calls for proactive steps to take care of landscape woes now and in the explains that about 74 percent of students graduate high school. Today’s economy can’t absorb those numbers and therefore you have underground economies where kids resort to drugs and stealing cars. The percentages of kids who graduate Clayton Valley and go
“We have to give him a lot of credit. He articulates his vision well and gets a tremendous buy-in from the community. He has developed good relationships.” Alan Young,
MDUSD Associate Superintendent of Education Services on to college are high, explains Neary, about 87 percent. But he cautions students to take it slow. “It’s not a race,” he says referring to the frenzied rush to get into a university or college after graduation. “I’ve been telling kids for 15 years, why go to a university and sit in a class of over 400 when you can go to DVC (Diablo Valley College) and sit in a class of 25?” He calls DVC “a gem in the ocean,” a place where kids can mature and take every class that interests them and then transfer to a college or university of their choice. “DVC transfers are what colleges want first.” He even suggests that kids travel after high school. And he doesn’t believe that college is for everyone. He supports vocational courses, like Clayton Valley’s well-respected
future with the help of a Citizens Oversight Committee, “so we don’t find ourselves having the same type of discussion in future years.” The Blue Ribbon committee is also recommending a 15year term for the new District.. Hoffmeister paints a dismal picture for the city’s landscaping issues if voters don’t renew the District before it expires. “There is no more money,” she says, referring to the more than $500,000 that it now takes to maintain the current minimal level of landscaping. “That’s the salary of half of our police force,” she added. She explained that the Blue Ribbon Committee looked at every way possible to keep the assessment fee down without compromising the landscape needs within the District. The $365 figure was the minimum amount required to maintain the city’s landscaping at an acceptable level. Members of the Blue Ribbon Committee will be available at Clayton Cleans Up, April 23 at 9 a.m. to provide information and answer questions. Neighborhood and community groups that would like to schedule a presentation by the Blue Ribbon Committee can call City Hall at 673-7300. auto shop. When Neary leaves Clayton Valley in June, his 24/7 pace won’t slow down much. “While he admits he ‘doesn’t have a clue’ about what he’s going to do for the long haul, he does have some immediate plans; like working out at Maverick’s gym everyday for the first year and losing 100 pounds. He wants to learn to play the piano. He wants to go to the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby and he’d like to try his hand at sled dog racing. He’ll travel with his wife Pat to Maui and Acapulco, visit with his two sons, Jason who lives in Reno and Sean in San Francisco who will enter a teaching credential program at George Mason University in Virginia. Neary also plans to spend time with his two greyhounds, black lab and Australian shepherd. He used to show dogs and admits “he knows more about dogs than anything.” And yes, he’ll be back at Clayton Valley, mostly to come in and sit down to chat.” He admits he’ll continue to work with the Challenge Day program that started this year to deal with student peer relationships and the high school’s sense of community. His district supervisor Young also has some ideas of his own for Neary next year. But Neary admits he’s done with the seven-day-a-week job that he’s held for the past seven years. He laughs when he says he want to be remembered as “fair, fat and funny. “Seriously, I want to be remembered as somebody who tried to encourage every kid who came here.”
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Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Can I opt out of contract? LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE
When you enter into a contract to buy a home, you sign a legally binding agreement. It is a bilateral agreement between you and the sellers. The sellers agree to take their home off the market and sell it to you. You, in return, agree to pay a certain price, including a good faith deposit (also called earnest money). Your deposit, which will be applied toward the purchase price, secures the property so the sellers can’t sell it to someone else. If you back out of the agreement for a reason that’s not allowed in the contract, you could lose your deposit. Most purchase contracts include contingencies. A contingency is a condition that must be satisfied in order for the sale to go through. The most common contingencies are for the buyers’ financing and inspections. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that just because a contract has contingencies that you have an automatic way out. An element of most real estate purchase contracts is the agree-
ment to act in good faith. This means you must proceed with the transaction unless you are unable to satisfy a contingency. For example, let’s say that the contract is contingent upon you obtaining a mortgage for 80 percent of the purchase price. You submit a loan application to a mortgage broker who tries to get you approved. But, because of your wife’s bad credit, you are turned down by dozens of lenders. In this case, you have a legitimate way out of the contract. You tried to get the financing, but failed. Depending on how your contract is written, you should be able to withdraw from the contract without penalty and have your deposit money returned to you. On the other hand, let’s say you don’t even attempt to get a mortgage. A week after you enter into contract, you see another house you like better. So you tell the seller you could not get financing and that you want your deposit money returned. In this case, the seller might have a legitimate claim to some or all of your deposit. Before backing out of a purchase contract for a reason that’s not clearly specified in the contract, check with a knowledgeable real estate attorney. In California, earnest money deposits are often for 3% of the purchase price. If you’re buying a $700,000 house, your deposit
could be $21,000 This is a sizable amount of money to put at risk. In addition to losing your deposit, you might be subject to other legal remedies if you back out for no reason. Make sure that you read the purchase contract carefully before you sign it. Most people don’t take the time to do this. It’s a good idea to ask for a copy of the contract you’ll be signing before you see a home you want to buy. This way you can read and understand it well before you actually have to put pen to paper. The way in which contingencies are written varies from one contract to the next. For instance, some inspection con-
tingencies give the buyer the absolute right to disapprove of inspections for whatever reason. Others require the buyer to give the seller the opportunity to remedy defects. In this case, even if you don’t want to buy the property after you see the inspection reports, you may not have an automatic out. Contingencies can be modified to suit your needs. Make sure that the language in your contract accurately reflects your intentions.
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If visiting the dentist is not always your favorite thing to do, you might have a change of heart if you head down town to the yellow house on Main Street in Clayton. There you’ll find a comfortable place with garden views and a friendly staff to greet you. Clayton Family Dentistry has treated patients at the same site for nearly 30 years. “I love this town,” says owner Dr. Randall Gardner, DDS who has been a Clayton resident since 1976. He remembers driving through town that same year when he spotted a “for sale” sign in front of a home on Main Street. He knew immediately that this is where he wanted to set up his practice. He and a partner remodeled the century-old home and kept some of the foundation for his new office. Over the years, Dr. Gardner has often treated two generations of patients and has witnessed a lot of changes to the city’s landscape. He said that about 75 per cent of his patients are
Claytonions. “I really like serving the residents.” While he strives to keep his dental office quaint and charming with open space and a relaxing interior, his dental practice has kept up with modern technology. His practice includes digital xray machines, computers in all treatment rooms and inter-oral cameras. A Cerec machine allows patients to have crowns made and fitted in the same visit. Although retirement is eight
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years away, Dr. Gardner is making plans to continue his practice when he leaves. In August, Dr. Keith Bradburn will come on board bringing “youth and vitality” to the practice. Bradburn has been a patient of Clayton Family Dentistry since high school and Dr. Gardner mentored him in dental school at University of the Pacific. Bradburn’s wedding reception was in Gardner’s backyard. He will replace Dr. Eric Fillmore who will leave to
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
The Pioneer: It’s your paper
USO singer recalls entertaining troops The girls followed with various shows for hospitals, clubs and theatersbefore joining the USO. They were accepted after just one audition and were sent to New York City to rehearse while a troupe was formed. When asked how her parents felt about her traveling to other parts of the world during wartime, Maddie says “my parents were very supportive of it and very proud of me.” Maddie also adds with her own pride that her father served in the French Foreign Legion and later with Lawrence of Arabia. With the OK from home for both women, they were on their way. “We actually had no idea where we were going to be sent. We didn’t even know until we were on the plane that we were headed to India to perform!” They entertained for a few weeks in Karachi, India where Maddie met future husband, Bill Caskey. Maddie shines with each word she speaks about him. Bill is a survivor of the sinking of the HMST Troopship Rohna in which 1,100 GIs perished and 900 survived. “Bill and I met when he came to see one of my shows and returned the next night and sat in the front row. We had a few dates while I was there, and during Christmas we filled stockings together with oranges and things for the orphans at the base.” After leaving Karachi, the women toured numerous bases in India and Burma and met many soldiers along the way in both large and small groups of troops. During that time, Maddie found out that her 26year-old brother Vartan had been killed at the Battle of the Bulge. Both Maddie, and Marilyn, who also lives in the Bay Area, found the USO very rewarding and say they enjoyed being able to bring some joy to the soldiers so far from home. “After six months we returned to the USA but still toured military bases and worked our way back
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SHARING HISTORY A smile from 80-year-old Madeline “Maddie” Caskey will brighten anyone’s day. And during World War II, Maddie’s warm and cheerful spirit did exactly that for many soldiers as a USO (United Services Organizations) entertainer for a year, spending six months in the China, Burma and India (CBI) Theater of Operations, from December 1944 to June 1945. Maddie started singing in high school. “I was asked by a trio of girls if I wanted to sing at pep rallies and other school programs. We did that for a short time and then continued after graduation when a man at a well-known radio station helped us out. His name was Budda, and we did shows at local GI hospitals, like Alameda Naval Air station and hospitals in Livermore and other areas. We honed our craft while doing shows at all of these places.” By this time the group had become a trio. They turned professional and had their first big audition at the Club Moderne in San Francisco. It was a tense evening as all three girls were under age, and at the last minute, one of the girls’ mothers wouldn’t allow her to try out for the show. “We just made it work in our songs without her. We immediately became a duet and called ourselves “The Two Jynxes,” Maddie laughs as she remembers her partner, Marilyn. “We got the job for four weeks and to top things off, our accompanist was Merv Griffin, who was a college student at the time.”
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MADDIE CASKEY, still lovely at 80
If you are a senior living in Clayton, or know of a senior that would like to share their life story with the Clayton Pioneer readers, please contact Colleen Elwy at 672-9565 or at colleensbyline@aol.com.
Retarded grandparents A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation. One child wrote the following: We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but Grandpa got retarded so they moved to California. Now they live in Palm Springs with a lot of other retarded people. They live in a condominium and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well. There is a swimming pool, too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim. At their gate there is a doll-
house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts. My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks; they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds. Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck. My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.
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across the South to California. We also sang on aircraft carriers and even on a submarine once.” Back in California, Bill pursued the girl with the warm smile that he had met in India. The two have now been married 58 years. Over the years Maddie has been involved in the Diablo Light Opera Company and the Civic Arts Theater in Walnut Creek, where she won two Shellie awards for “No No Nannette” and “42nd Street.” Maddie’s eyes sparkle again as she shares photos of her and Bill’s two daughters, Toni and Lynn, and their families, who brighten their days with the same joy that Maddie has given others all through the years.
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Page 10
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Clayton Sports Clayton residents rank high in national table tennis JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer
The sport of competitive Table Tennis is fast – really fast and David and Stephanie Chow are two Clayton residents that have picked up the game quickly and are still improving. Their dad, Jon, actually first got interested in the sport when the two kids were young, and David and Stephanie have been playing and loving it ever since. Eventually the two of them joined the Concord Table Tennis Club to get more involved and to get some training. David, who is almost 13 years old, is currently ranked by the USATT at about 1600. He last played in a tournament in February at the Sacramento Winter Open where he improved his rating by 18 points. He started to play competitively in May 2002 when he went to his first tournament, the Golden State Open, after which he got his first rating of 421. He made a big move up in the rankings after playing the Sacramento Winter Open in 2004 when he raised his
rating up to almost 1,000, an improvement of over 520 points. He moved up another 263 points
has been ranked in the mid 1500’s herself. She also started playing competitively at the 2002
DAVID AND STEPHANIE CHOW train at the San Francisco Tennis Club, recognized as one of the top clubs in the nation.
after the 2004 Golden State Open in May last year and another 180 points after the US Open in July. His biggest accomplishment was probably his performance at the tough US Open in July 2004 at the Navy Pier in Chicago where he finished second. Stephanie who is almost 15
Golden State Open but of course she was a little older than her brother when she started. She also took a big step of 410 points up in the ratings when she competed at the Sacramento Winter Open in February 2004. Three weeks later in her very next major competition at the California Open, she improved
another 317 points. Her biggest success was probably at the US Nationals in December 2004 where she was one of four alternates chosen for the Cadet Girls’ Team. Both children are home schooled by their mother Serena. Table tennis fits nicely with that arrangement since the home schooling permits them to travel to some of the tournaments farther afield. When we asked Stephanie what she thought about table tennis she replied, “It is really fun . . . and you get a chance to meet new friends.” David’s take was, “Its kind of fun. It’s almost like regular tennis only faster and in a smaller place.” Their table tennis coach is Masaaki Tajima who trains them at the San Francisco Tennis Club, which is recognized across the country as one of the top training clubs with many national junior champions. Coach Tajima summarized David and Stephanie’s table tennis this way, “David and Stephanie are well-adjusted nor-
Competitive table tennis, anyone? JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer
How many of us played ping pong while growing up? Or, maybe we started later in life when getting a table for the kids? How many of us have possibly spent a few more hours than we should have playing the game when we were in college? And, how many of us got to be pretty good at it (at least at one time)? But few people get serious about table tennis If you have ever played it properly or seen it played properly, for example during the Olympics, you know it can be an invigorating sport. Competitive players really run while playing this table-based sport, and it can be very competitive. USA Table Tennis (USATT) is the national governing body for the Olympic level table tennis in the United States. It has its own league. The USATT League is a growing network of interconnected leagues – neighborhood leagues, leagues in basements, recreation centers, schools, military bases, churches and work places, and in table tennis clubs all over the United States. As of Jan. 1, 2005, after little over one year of play, 3,429 players had played 40,073 league matches in 127 leagues in 46 states. There are currently about 7,250 USATT members across the United States and in Puerto Rico. California leads with 1,243 members. New York is second
with 616, while Florida is third with 462. California also leads in the number of USATT tennis clubs, with 46. Clubs are formed to enable people who are serious about the game to compete on a more formal, competitive level. USATT leagues can be run anywhere there are tables – even a single table can be used. All you have to do is get your friends or practice partners together, and you can run a league. As of Feb. 1, the USATT required that all USATT League players had to be USATT members in order to play in leaguesanctioned tournaments. A new USATT League membership option of $12 a year allows someone to play. All 7,250 USATT members are ranked from beginners at 100, all the way up to the best players in the world ranked at 2800. The five players on the USA Women’s National Team are ranked in the 2500-2600 range. The five players on the USA Men’s National team are ranked in the 2700s. There are only about six players in the country ranked at the 2700 level. Beyond that, there are just three players ranked in the 2800s, the top rating. The average USATT member is considered an Intermediate player and is ranked in the 15001700 range, whereas the average Tournament player is ranked in the 1400-1800 range. The USATT rating system allows similarly-ranked players to compete
together at tournament events. In each match, there is an “exchange” in rating points, with the winner going up, the loser going down. If a higher rated player beats a lower rated player, there is only a small exchange of points. But if a lower rated player upsets a stronger player, there is a larger exchange of points. The 2004 USA Olympic Team consisted of seven players. The men were Ilija Lupulesku, 32, of Chicago, with a 2768 rating; Khoa Nguyen, 38, of San Jose, with a 2630 rating; and Mark Hazinski, 19, of Mishawaka, In., with a 2595 rating. The women were Gao Jun, 35, of Gaithersburg, Md., with a rating of 2651; Jasna Reed, 32, of Chicago, with a rating of 2483; Tawny Banh, 30, of Alhambra, rated 2443; and Whitney Ping, 18, of Beaverton, Ore., rated 2314. Five of the
seven are still currently ranked in the top 25 players in the country. If you are interested in seeing a tournament locally, The Golden State Open will be held in Walnut Creek at the Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd., June 11-12. If you are interested in local table tennis clubs, the Concord Table Tennis Club at 796 Grayson Road in Pleasant Hill is celebrating its 32nd year of operation. It is a non-profit organization and is a USATT sanctioned club. The Club’s stated purpose is “to provide a friendly place for people of all ages to enjoy the exciting sport of Table Tennis and to help players develop in this sport by conducting classes and hosting clinics. Players of all skill levels are welcome. First time visitors play for free!” See www.concordtabletennis.com/ for more information.
mal kids with very supportive parents who do not push their kids too much. For me, this is important because so many parents have unrealistic expectations and go over the edge. This implants insurmountable pressures on the kids causing the kids to look at their sport as a chore and not fun. As you know, for kids to thrive, the activity must be as fun and exciting as possible. Since David and Stephanie are having fun training, they are learning faster. Their strengths are in their character; they are
able to handle losses and some times poor practices and put it all into perspective. They are very resilient. They, like so many others, must travel, sometimes two hours each way to get some level of quality practice and training. They are also not able to compete as often as they should because of their academic commitments, which I agree with, and also due to the low profile of the sport in this country.” Then Coach Tajima added. “Both have done very well in competition recently.”
PIONEER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Stephanie & David Chow Favorite Favorite Favorite Favorite
Sport: Athlete: Subject: Pastime:
David “ping pong” Khoa Nguyen Writing Lego’s
The Clayton Pioneer spotlights a local youth athlete from our circulation area in the second issue each month and Rocco’s congratulates the athlete with a free pizza. If you are a coach or an administrator and would like to
Stephanie Table Tennis Whitney Ping & Atha Fong Math Table Tennis & playing with my brother
nominate a young person (under 20 years of age) for the Rocco's Athlete Spotlight, please send information to sports@claytonpioneer.com or fax to 672-6580. Deadline for our May 20 issue is Monday, May 9.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 11
Clayton Sports Retaining the angle of the “L” position
Show your pride!
Delaying the unleashing of your wrist and hands just before impact can produce solid contact and greater distance. We call this the delayed hit. We achieve our full wrist cock halfway into our back swing and the wrist position should not change until just before impact. This position should look and feel like the letter “L” with the left arm being parallel to the ground and the shaft in a vertical position. When your wrist and hands retain this cock position, that storage of power can be released at the last second. When you have witnessed someone strike a golf ball 250 yards while kneeling, it makes
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East Bay Water Polo in Walnut Creek is taking signups for its boys water polo program. The programs for grades 3 – 4 and 5 – 6 begin June 13. The programs for grades 7 – 11 and the open division for graduating high school seniors and older begin May 23. All practices at Las Lomas High School in W.C. Contact Steve Mann 360-0655 or visit www.eastbaywaterpolo.com.
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one a believer in the amount of power our wrist and hands have when used properly. This power burst with our hands should feel like a martial
Deposit for Equipment rental. Fee includes: Practice Jersey, Awards, Evaluation and a Trainer on Site. Camp Phone: 925-682-7474 x 3115. Applications are available at Ed’s Mudville Grill, Mavericks and the CVHS Office DVSC BLACK PEARL SUPER Y-LEAGUE PLAYER EVALUATIONS Players interested in playing for Diablo Valley Soccer Club Black Pearl under 14 through under 18 Super Y-League teams for 2005-2006 season can call (925) 229-DVSC or email dvsctryouts@aol.com to get evaluated. Boys and girls born between August 1, 1987 and July 31, 1992 are invited to the evaluations for DVSC Black Pearl Super Y-League teams and participate in the Bay Area’s most comprehensive elite player training program focused on individual player development and college preparation. DVSC professional
arts punch through an impact zone. Think of the exhibition in jujitsu, where the blocks of wood are attempting to be split. If the angle of the wrists is released to early in that downward motion, the wood may not be broken. I see a similarity in this analogy and our golf swing at impact. If you want maximum energy out of your wrist and hands, then retain that angle of the “L” position for as long as possible when hitting through the golf ball. When you experience the results of this tip, you may hear Mr. Miyagi saying in the background “Ah grasshopper, you make ball go into orbit.”
coaching staff includes coaches with World Cup, MLS, WUSA, Olympic, international, pro and collegiate playing experience such as Sissi, Richard Weiszmann, Marquis White, Carl Edwards, Ken Boardman, Rob Terry, Henry Foulk and many more. Visit www.dvsc.com to pre-register (no charge) and get more information on the coaching staff and teams. DVSC U15 AND U16 BOYS CLASS 1 PLAYER EVALUATIONS Players interested in playing for DVSC Black Under 15 and U16 Class 1 teams for 2005-2006 season can call (925) 229-DVSC or email dvsctryouts@aol.com to get evaluated. Boys born between August 1, 1989 and July 31, 1991 are invited to the evaluations for DVSC Black Pearl Super Y-League teams. DVSC SOCCER PLAYER EVALUATIONS PLANNED Additional evaluation of players for Diablo Valley Soccer Club Under 10 through U14 Class 1 and Class 3 boys and
LET'S GO BOWLING r Summer Leagues fo rs kids, adults & senio gn up NOW! Beginning in May, Si
925.689.4631
girls competitive teams are taking place in the next two weeks in Concord. Boys and girls born between August 1, 1991 and July 31, 1997 are encouraged to register online at www.dvsc.com or call 925-229DVSC to schedule a no-cost or obligation player evaluation with the DVSC professional coaching staff. CONCORD/CLAYTON BRANCH YMCA ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2005 PROGRAMS This summer the Concord/Clayton Branch of the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA will be hosting a number of programs based out of Clayton at the Diablo View Middle School, Clayton Community Gym off Clayton and Marsh Creek Roads. These programs involve many sports activities for children of all ages and adults including the following: Pre K – 8th grade Basketball League (July 9), Pre K – 1st grade Tee Ball (July 12), 4th – 8th grade Volleyball League (July 16), High School (grades 9 – 12) Basketball League (July 9), High School (grades 9 – 12) Flag Football League (July 12), Basketball Camp for grades 1 – 8 (June 27 – July 1 & Aug. 8 – 12), Baseball Camp for grades 1 – 8 ( June 20 – 24 & Aug. 1 -5), Flag Football Camp for grades 2 – 8 (July 11 – 15), Volleyball Camp for grades 4 – 8 (July 5 – 8 & Aug. 15 -19), Super Sports Camp for grades 1 – 8 July 25 – 29 & Aug. 22 – 26), Community Open Gym Mondays and Fridays, Call 889-1600 for more information.
Morning Circuit Training
FITNESS & TANNING
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Dave Gray is a teaching professional at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. E-mail your questions or comments to him at sports@claytonpioneer.com
Got Sports Shorts? Send notices, upcoming events, etc. to sports@claytonpioneer.com
Our coaches are highly trained and have all worked as top level strength and conditioning coaches.
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Frank Lagau, owner, C.P.T. Mike Quinata, C.P.T.
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., APR. 25 FOR THE MAY 6 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING - MAY 1 Mining Artifacts Display @ Contra Costa History Center Tues., Wed., and Thurs., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The History Center is featuring Black Diamond Memories, a display of mining artifacts and photographs of the Mt. Diablo coalfields. Jointly sponsored by Black Diamond Regional Preserve and the County Historical Society. 610 Main Street, Martinez, 229-1042. Ongoing - May 25, 2005 "The Bee's Knees", The Best of the 1920s @ Clayton Historical Society Museum Special exhibit featurs the best of the 1920s including film, entertainment, fads, fashion, photos, art, literature, music, inventions, sports, and world events of the 1920s. The Clayton Museum also features special kitchen and quilt exhibits, a mining exhibit, outhouse and Clayton's early 1900s jail. Free. Sundays & Wednesdays 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and by Appointment. Phone--(925) 672-0240, www.claytonhs.com. Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main Street, Clayton. MAR. 1 - MAY 5 Patty Cakes Story Time @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Story time for children up to three years old. Child attends with parent or guardian. No Registration required. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-0659. MAR. 1 - MAY 5 Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Thursdays. Picture book time for children three to five years old. Child may attend without parent. No Registration required. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-0659. MAR. 31 - MAY 12 Grief Workshop @ St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. People grieving from the loss of a loved one need time and space to honor their grief. Candy Negrete, Alan Gaber and a team of peer ministers facilitate a seven week grief workshop to help begin the healing process. Call 672-5800 or Candy Negrete for information and to register. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. APR. 23 Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Fashion Show and Luncheon @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 11:30 a.m. “April in Paris” 2005 fundraising event. Spring/summer fashions by Talbot’s of Walnut Creek and special entertainment provided by The Hot Flashers & The Happy Hoofers from Rossmoor. For tickets call Sue Jamerson, 689-6649. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. APR. 23 Clayton Cleans Up - Spring Clean Up Planned 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Start at City Hall to pick up maps, gloves and garbage bags then walk the trails or parks to pick up trash. BBQ lunch at City Hall at Noon. Apr. 23 Mt. Diablo State Park Earth Day 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed for a variet of projects. Pre-registration is required. Call or Email Ranger Ryen Goering, 837-612, junctionrangers@earthlink,net. APR. 24 Wild About Spring @ Diamond Terrace 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Beautiful and unique varieties of wild and rescued birds. Presented by Country Bird Ranch, Inc. and Companion Parrot Connection. RSVP by April 22, 524-5100, Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. APR. 25 Diablo Home Economists @ Faith Lutheran Church 9:15 a.m. Guest Speaker, Jo Ann Staub will present a slide lecture on “The history of American wearable art. “ All those in Contra Costa and lower Solano counties with degrees in home economics, family relations, nutrition or consumer sciences are invited. For more information call Barbara at 9343835. Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Woodsworth Lane, Pleasant Hill. APR. 25 World’s Largest Ice Cream Cake Social to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation @ Cold Stone Creamery 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. During this annual event a free slice of the newly created Make-A-Wish cake will be given to ice cream aficionados in exchange for a donation to the charity. A portion of ice cream sales will be given to MakeA-Wish as well. Cold Stone Creamery, 1536Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. APR. 28 Arts & Crafts @ Diamond Terrace 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Make a unique door decoration to welcome family and friends to your home. Supplies provided, refreshments served. Bring a friend. RSVP 524-5100. Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living, 6401 Center Street, Clayton.
APR. 29 Concord Chamber of Commerce 31st Annual Golf Tournament @ Diablo Creek Golf Course Cost is $135 per person before Apr. 15, after, $150. Call the Chamber at 925-685-1181 or www.concordchamber.com for reservations or for more information. Apr. 29 through May 22 DVC presents Circus Home by Joanna Halpert Kraus This is a touching and funny story of a giant of a young man who tries to find among the clowns and sideshow freaks the home that has eluded him elsewhere. Against the backdrop of a fantastical traveling circus, a band of circus troupers play out a drama of family strife and the struggle for acceptance of this young man and his hunger for belonging. By local playwright Joanna Halpert Kraus, who has won national recognition for her ability to deal with serious themes for young people with rich theatricality. Directed by Tracy Ward. Performs April 29 - May 22. Box Office - (925) 687-4445. APR. 30 The Immigrant Experience, Francisco Jimenez @ Clayton Community Library 2 p.m. Professor Jimenez will describe his experiences growing up in a family of migrant farm workers. He will explain how this experience is part of the American experience, common to many families from the past and present. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-0659. APR. 30-MAY 1 10th Annual Clayton Art and Wine Festival - Downtown Clayton Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Enjoy beautiful art and crafts, sample premium wines and beers, indulge in the food court and dance to continuous music. Meet your friends and family at the festival and enjoy the day. Main Street, Clayton. MAY 2 First 5 Contra Costa: Why, How and What to Read to Children @ Clayton Community Library 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Guest speaker Lyn Palme, children’s specialist, works with the stories To Go and Reach out and Read programs for the CCC library. Ms. Palme will talk about the Importance of reading to children infant to five years old. 673-0659, Clayton Community Library,m 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, CA 94517. MAY 6, 7 Civic Arts Education Junior Theatere Company’s Fiddler on the Roof @ Del Valle Theatre May 6 at 12 p.m., 7 p.m.; May 7 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for audiences to enjoy a favorite musical seen through the eyes of young performers. Inspired by the stories of Sholom Aleichem, Fiddler tells of Tevye, his wife, and their daughters as they struggle to deal with the changing world around them. The music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick includes such well-known songs as If I Were a Rich Man, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, and Sunrise, Sunset. Tickets are $10, general, and $7 students. For information call 943-SHOW. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd. , Walnut Creek. May 6-7 Clayton Gardens Tour Clayton Historical Society’s 13th annual self guided tour of some of Clayton’s finest gardens. For ticket information, call Sally Turner, 672-2117 or the Museum, 672-0240. MAY 7 Friends of Diablo Creek Landscaping Work Party @ Clayton Library 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. The goal is to refurbish the existing outdoor interpretive area at the library and prepare the area for a new California Native Plant Demonstration Garden. For more information contact Lisa Anich at 6892642 or glanich@california.com. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-0659. MAY 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 My Fair Lady @ Clayton Valley High School 7:30 p.m. This classic musical, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, chronicles the transformation of Eliza from a street wise flower girl to a sophisticated lady of high society. This transformation is accomplished under the tutelage of Prof. Henry Higgins as a result of a bet and carries us along on a merry ride through the highs and lows of the ensuing relationship. Tickets are $5 at the door. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS APR. 26, MAY 3, 10, 17 Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meetings every Tues. All are invited to check us out and be our guest for lunch. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. for more information call Sam Totah, 941-1536. APR. 26, MAY 10 Clayton Valley Woman’s Club @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 9:30 a.m. Regular monthly meets held the second and fourth Tues. of the month. Anyone interested in joining the woman’s club please contact Shirley Boyd, President at 672-1163. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. APR. 28, MAY 5, 12, 19 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thursday for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker.www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 689-7640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. APR. 28 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting, Oakhurst Country Club, last non-holiday Thursday of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. John Rubiales, President. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. APR. 28, MAY 5, 12, 19 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m., 5 & 6:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in & meeting on Thursday. 800/326-8450 x 2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. MAY 4 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Oakhurst Country Club 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Contra Costa Republican Women Regional Conference, featuring Jeff Katz of KNEW Radio, Dan Schnur, Dr. History (as featured on KSFO radio. $35 including lunch. 838-2182; jngcabot@pacbell.net or www.yvrwf.org. All welcome. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. MAY 12 Clayton Valley 4-H Club @ Mountain View Elementary 6:30 p.m. The club is open to youth ages 5-19 and adults. Various projects, /conferences, 4-H camp, leadership, citizenship and community service opportunities. Meetings are the second Thursday of each month, September to June. Call Candy Hogan, Community Leader, at 969-1325. Mountain View Elementary, 1705 Thornwood Drive, Concord.
BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT APR. 26, MAY 3, 10, 17 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tuesday mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. APR. 26, MAY 10, 24 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. MAY 3, 17 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. MAY 12 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail, Clayton.
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION MAY 5 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Clayton Valley High School 7-8:30 p.m. in the school library. Parents, become more involved in your child's school. Attend a PFC meeting. Please contact President, Melinda Moore at 672-0930 or melindammoore@yahoo.com for more information.
The Community Calendar is sponsored by
T H E VA N F L E E T- B R O N S O N T E A M Personal Service Makes The Difference
1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Suite D, Clayton 94517; Phone (925) 672-4333 www.CallTheVanFleetTeam We are proud to support the Children's Miracle Network, an alliance of premier hospitals in North America. The Children's Miracle Network treats over 17 million children each year for cancer, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, asthma and accident trauma.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS COMPASSIONATE CAUSE, THE VAN FLEET-BRONSON TEAM WILL MAKE A DONATION on behalf of our client for EVERY TRANSACTION CLOSED BY OUR OFFICE.
April 22, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Farm 51
Page 13
Seth Ahonen
Advertise in the Pioneer: 672-0500
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Page 14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
y Dail ecialS
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$6
Formerly Linguini’s - NEW OWNER, NEW MENU - Now open, featuring:
grilled steak, shrimp, chicken and veggies large variety of pizzas and pastas!
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
1508 Kirker Pass Rd. behind Shell Station
Banquet facilities available
Now taking reservations for Mothers Day
joy An Italian En Fe
Fine Italian dining with an extensive menu • Weekend Special - grilled steaks • Gourmet desserts and fine wines Very reasonable prices
4425-F Treat Blvd. Concord, CA 94521
687-5 5300
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$ $
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00 Off
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Second Pizza Buy any large or
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YOU CAN EAT LUNCH BUFFET
Mountain Mike’s Pizza Valid at participating stores only. Expires 12/31/05
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Only $4.99 6 & under $1.15 kids 7-12 $2.99 5358 Clayton Rd. Concord
3501 Clayton Rd. Concord
(Next to Clayton Bowl)
(El Monte Shopping Center)
689-4965
676-9000
Fundraisers z Team Specials z Group Discounts z Parties
Thai cuisine
Indian cuisine curries, tandooris freshly baked breads
fresh soup and salads pad thai, pad kemo chicken sate
Hot Basil Café
Enjoy both Indian and Thai Cuisine Open 7 days a week Lunch: Dinner:
Mon. - Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun. - Thu. 5-9 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 5-9:30 p.m.
790 D Oak Grove Road At the corner of Oak Grove Road and Treat Blvd.
925-288-0000 Let us cater your next special event
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Linguini’s is now the PAVILION BAR AND GRILL. New owner, Hamid Shahrodizadh has added specialty items from the grill to Linguini’s traditional Italian fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, gnocchi, tortellini and vongole. Grilled items include steaks, fish and veggies and range from $5.95 for an appetizer of cheese sticks to $19.95 for the New York strip topped with sauteed mushrooms. The Pavilion Bar and Grill, next to the Clayton Station, also offers an expanded salad and sandwich menu. Pizza lovers will all be happy with the new selections. Vegetarians can choose from three selections including the Mediterranean, topped with mozzarella, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, olives, garlic, Feta cheese and drizzled with a light olive oil. The Meat Lover’s Pizza is topped with enough pepperoni, sausage, beef and salami to put every meat lover in paradise. Pizzas come in small, medium, large and extra large sizes and range from $9.95 for a small classic cheese pizza to $22.95 for an extra large Super Combo. See ad this page for hours. ELYSIUM also has a brand new menu with more choices and lower prices. Dishes range from “small plates,” featuring appetizers, soups and salads from $5 for Organic Field Greens with toasted hazelnuts, beets and champagne vinegar, to a Half Dozen Oysters on the Half Shell for $12. “Medium plates-good for tasting,” (try the Cornmeal Crusted Calamari Salad with spicy aioli for $7.50) are great for a light meal, or you can combine them with a smaller
W N Otim e rese N h etary Lunc r c e S Pamper your with a relaxing lunch or afternoon tea... Administrative Professionals Week: April 25 - 29
Englund's Tea Cottage “Where good friends gather...” A beautiful full service tea room featuring… High tea. Delectable lunches. Large tea collection. Fresh baked scones and desserts. Special events.
672-TEAS (8327) www.EnglundsTeaCottage.com
Mother’s Day Reservations available!
5433 L Clayton Road (in Clayton Station)
plate for a complete meal. “Large plates, good for an entree” include Halibut and a Five Spice Dusted Duck Breast for $15; or Flank Steak and Frites (simple as that) for $14 among other choices. Owner Greg Severn has also added a “Little Ones Only” menu and heartily welcomes families with children. See Elysium’s ad on page 15 for new menu and hours. Are you ready for a relaxing afternoon with friends, enjoying a pot of tea and delectable treats in a beautiful full service tea room? ENGLUND'S TEA COTTAGE offers these amenities and more at their lovely tea room in the Clayton Station. Proprietors Sally Englund and Pamela Barnett want the tea cottage to be a place "where good friends gather." After you browse the gift shop and collectibles, enjoy lunch or high tea with tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, fresh fruit and dip and dessert. There's a beautiful muraled room perfect for bridal and baby showers, staff meetings and club gatherings. To book your party, call 672-8327. Lunch reservations are a must. Do you have a hunger for Thai food but your dining partner is holding out for Indian? Not a problem. The new HOT BASIL CAFÉ in Concord can meet both your culinary desires for lunch or dinner. The menu has separate Thai and Indian pages but is a melding of the two cuisines. Bites of Indian curry chase Pad Thai. Three Spices Catfish, Seafood Curry, Asian Eggplant, Seekh Kabob and assorted vegetarian, noodle, curry, soups and specialty dishes fill the menu. Thai
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Mother’s Day is just around the corner and Pioneer Territory has some great places to take mom for her special day. Elysium, Oakhurst Country Club and Zandonella’s offer a sumptuous brunch for an early-in-the-day celebration. Or, plan on Englund’s Tea Cottage for a special and unique luncheon or high tea. And for dinner, call La Veranda to honor mom with a fabulous Italian dinner or Pavilion Bar and Grill for something special all day.
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672-6868
April 22, 2005
Chicken Satay and BBQ Chicken are popular for children. Finish off your meal with desserts such as fried banana or coconut ice cream. All lunches are under $10 and dinners are in the $9.95$13.95 range. See ad this page for hours. If you have a hearty appetite and a slim budget, you'll want to head on over to MOUNTAIN MIKE'S for the "All you can eat lunch buffet" Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. With two locations to serve you, the popular pizza restaurant has all the pizza, garlic sticks and salad bar you can eat for lunch. Price is only $4.99, kids 6 & under, $1.15 and kids 7-12, $2.99. There's also an "All you can eat" pizza and salad bar every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. for $5.99 for adults; kids 6 and under is only $1.15 and kids 7-12, $3.45. For fine dining and lovely atmosphere, downtown Clayton has two very fine dining establishments. At the corner of Center and Marsh Creek Road is LA VERANDA, serving a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and fish, starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Pasta dishes range from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. If you’re a salad lover, be sure to try the Insalata Della Reina with baby greens, walnuts, Gorgonzola and a honey Dijon mustard dressing for $6.50 … a popular choice. La Veranda is open daily for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for brunch. For view and atmosphere you can’t do better than ZANDONELLA’S situated on the lovely Delta View Golf
Course in Pittsburg. Zandonella’s is open Tue.-Sun for lunch and dinner. This family friendly restaurant offers an extensive menu that covers every craving. From that perfect bowl of Spaghetti and Meatballs all the way to a succulent and perfectly roasted rack of lamb, you are sure to find your favorite. Make your reservations now for Zandonella’s sumptuous Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 9 a.m. ‘til 3 p.m. Enjoy Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb or ham. If you prefer to take her to dinner, come between 5 and 8 p.m. when they will be serving from a limited but delectable dinner menu. All entrees include soup or salad, pasta and bread. The view is free. Call for reservations, 432-1700. Just down Clayton Road at the corner of Clayton Road and Treat Blvd., is PASTA PRIMAVERA. This lovely little trattoria offers a delectable linguini with garlic and mushrooms in a virgin olive oil for $8.95...my personal favorite. Other pasta dishes include Chicken Pesto Gorgonzola, a rigatoni dish with chicken breast and tomatoes in a creamy pesto Gorgonzola sauce ($13.95.) For an intimate atmosphere and a good wine list, Pasta Primavera can’t be beat. A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty. The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97, this large pizza will feed a small army. Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads. All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m.
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Please let our Advertisers know you saw them in the Clayton Pioneer
La Veranda Café
Northern Italian Cuisine in downtown Clayton Happy Mother ’s Day Make your reservations early Children’s menu and take out service available
(925) 524-0011 6201 CENTER ST. CLAYTON r our
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School News PACE (PARENT ACTION COALITION FOR EDUCATION) A campaign to raise funds for elementary music and secondary school libraries will begin in early April thanks to a group of parents in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The parents are hoping to restore funding for the two programs, which are scheduled to be reduced significantly in the coming school year. The goal of the campaign is to raise $700,000 to maintain fourth grade instrumental music and middle school and high school librarians at their current level. The campaign launches officially in early April and will conclude in early June. For additional information about PACE please contact Ellen Multari at info@mdpace.org or 979-0975. CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 100 Parent Volunteers Needed During Star Testing We need 100 parent volunteers (20 each day, 2 for each building) during STAR Testing, April 26-29, and May 2 from approximately 8 - 12 Noon. Parent Volunteers will serve as
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Fine dining on the beautiful Delta View Golf Course Italian-American cuisine prepared perfectly, every time. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we feature Prime Rib cooked exactly the way you like it. Every dinner includes choice of fresh green salad or our homemade soup, pasta and vegetables.
Bring the family and join us for lunch or dinner
We’re just over the hill 2222 Golf Club Road, Pittsburg (925) 432-1700 From Clayton, take Kirker Pass over the hill Turn left on Leland to Golf Club Road
Club News CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB Presents Gloria Heidi in “Hollywood Hats” This one-woman show features Gloria Heidi, who focuses on Hollywood hats and a variety of songs to tell her stories of Hollywood’s movie leading ladies - those great actresses who knew what it meant to be a star. Heidi,
out on Don’t miss
protégé to legendary designer Edith Head, uses changing movie millinery to highlight the changing image and lives of women from the 1920’s to the present. The show is April 26 at 9:30 a.m., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.
THE CONCORD ASSEMBLY, INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF
Centre Concord for all CVHS graduating seniors. Traditionally Grad Nite, with games, food and entertainment, is attended by over 90 percent of the graduating seniors. Car Raffle: Each year the Grad Nite committee conducts a major fundraiser. The committee will raffle off a brand new Chrysler 300, providing the minimum number of tickets is sold. Please help with this great event and buy a ticket or two. For details please call Shari Case at 687-3690. Donations needed: Please help make this year’s Grad Nite a memorable and successful night for the Class of 2005. We are asking for tax-deductible donations of prizes for the graduates, monetary donations, and/or gift baskets to support this activity. Please make checks out to CVHS Grad Nite 2005. Please mail cash donations to CVHS Grad Nite, P.O. Box 59, Clayton, CA 94517. For a list of non-cash donations, call or email Cecilia Zefeldt at 6725756, czefeldt@sbcglobal.net or Ed Cleland at 673-9272, cleland1983@sbcglobal.net.
young children with a sitter to reduce disruptions to the registration process and to the class that will be in session the MUR. Kindergarten packets will be available in the school office Apr. 18. Kindergarten orientation and readiness night is Apr. 26 at 7 p.m. in the MUR (no children please). Mt. Diablo Elementary 50 Year Anniversary Sock Hop, is Fri. May 20, at the school. Watch the school Web site for details.
MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY May 3 is Kindergarten registration, from 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. in the Multi Use Room. Please consider leaving
WE CARE SERVICES We Care Services for Children at the Barbara Milliff Children’s Center are celebrating their 45-year anniversary this spring. The Concord-based school, providing education and therapy for young children with developmental and emotional needs is calling on alumni and the community to participate in the celebration by providing stories and photos to be included in a memory album. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the project, please contact Patty Kaplan at 360-1744 or e-mail EventfulPlanner@aol.com. For additional information about We Care Services for Children visit their Web site at www.wecarebmcc.org or call 671-0777.
RAINBOW FOR GIRLS have worked with Habitat for Humanity and the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, as well as making sandwiches for the homeless at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. The girls, who range in age from 11 to 20, are actively involved in raising money for a state project to benefit a nonprofit organization. This year, the Rainbow girls raised $84,000 for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, which works to edu-
cate children about burns and holds camps for children disfigured by burn injuries. Rainbow girls is a year round activity, and there are numerous projects during the summer months. Rainbow girls earn merit awards for their activities, and scholarships are available for those seeking higher education. The members develop important life skills through their involvement.For membership information call Laura Wilson, 672-1884.
THE
6115 Main St., Clayton
runch b y a D s ' r Mothe n patio! e d r a g r in ou
hall monitors during testing hours. This will free up campus supervisors to watch the parking lots around the school and free up the PE teachers to assist the administration with delivering missing tests and handle problems during testing hours. Will you please help your school achieve attendance and achievement goals for this year? Please e-mail melindammoore@yahoo.com to volunteer! Join friends from the class of 1995 Sat. July 23 at Oakhurst Country Club for a 10 year reunion. Cash bar cocktail reception 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Dinner 8:30 p .m. – 9:30 p.m., dancing 9:30 p.m. – 12 midnight. $77 per person, tickets bought after 7/1/05 $82 per person. No tickets will be sold at the door. Checks can be sent to Reunion Makers, 213 W. Foley Avenue, Eufaula, OK 74432 or register online at www.reunionmakers.com. Clayton Valley High School’s graduating class of 2005 is having its Grad Nite celebration June 15. The Grad Nite party provides a safe, fun, alcohol and drug free environment at
Page 15
“Elysium is a bit of heaven in the suburbs” SF Chronicle, feb. 18 2005
E lysium
S MALL PLATES, SOUPS AND SALADS ORGANIC FIELD GREENS TOASTED HAZELNUTS, BEETS, CHAMPAGNE VINEGAR- 5 ORGANIC BABY SPINACH DRIED CRANBERRY, BLUE CHEESE, AND MEYER LEMON VINAIGRETTE - .5 CAESAR SALAD - ANCHOVY, PARMESAN, WHOLE ROMAINE HEART - 7 ADD CHICKEN FOR $2 POTATO HERB SOUP - CRÈME FRAICHE AND CHIVES - 6 CROUSTINI WITH BOQUERONES PICKLED SPANISH WHITE ANCHOVIES, WITH GARLIC AIOLI - 6
american contemporary bistro in the heart of beautiful downtown Clayton
½ DOZEN OYSTERS ON THE ½ SHELL - CLASSIC MIGNONETTE, SHUCKED TO ORDER - 12 SHOESTRING POTATOES - A CRISPY CLASSIC WITH HOUSE MADE KETCHUP - 4
open tuesday through saturday at 5 p.m. for dinner Susie Shuford, manager & brunch on sundays from 10 - 3 p.m. Greg Severn, owner
M EDIUM PLATES, GOOD FOR TASTING CHEESE PLATE 3 CHEESES, PRESIDENTIAL DOUBLE CREAM BRIE, CABLANCA, MANCHEGO - 12
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unique private rooms available, as well as outdoor garden patio seating
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join us for brunch every sunday
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L ARGE PLATES, GOOD FOR AN ENTRÉE LOCAL HALIBUT SAUTEÉD PEA SHOOTS, FINGERLING POTATOES, SHERRY SHALLOT DEMI - 15 GRILLED NEW YORK STEAK BLEU CHEESE MASHERS, COLLARD GREENS, CHILI RELISH- 18 CENTER CUT PORK CHOP COLLARD GREENS, CRISPY POLENTA, MAPLE JUS- 13.5 SM 16.5 LG 5 SPICE DUSTED DUCK BREAST PINE NUTS, QUINOA, PICKLED RED ONIONS GREEN BEANS- 15 ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST WILTED ROMAINE, FRENCH FINGERLING POTAOES, GRAVY-12.5 FLANK STEAK AND FRITES - SIMPLE AS THAT - 14
L ITTLE ONES ONLY BROILED CHICKEN BREAST - FRIES AND GRAVY- 7 MAC AND CHEESE - PINT SIZED - 3.5 QUESADILLA - JACK AND CHEDDAR CHEESES, SALSA- 7
email: e lysium_restaurant@sbcglobal.net
April 22, 2005
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
The senses-love ‘em or hate ‘em Infants and young children use their sensory systems to take in information about themselves and their environment, and most of us can recite the senses that readily come to mind: touch, taste, sight, smell, sound. As parents and educators, we know the importance of early sensory experiences for our children. Let them touch things, mouth toys, listen to music, etc. There is a lot of important learning that goes on underneath the surface of these activities. THE SPECIAL SENSES But there are other senses as well, our “special senses”: the proprioceptive (deep pressure), tactile (touch) and vestibular (movement) senses. These special senses are processed in the joints, skin and inner ear, respectively. They begin to develop in utero, and the complex interplay of these senses is essential for the child to accurately interpret sensory information and engage in typical, everyday activities. Swinging, merry-go-rounds, dirt play, rocking, bathing, jumping, …most kids love it, but many children can’t adequately process the pressure, movement or
culty adapting to even subtle changes in their routines. “Normal” sensory experiences don’t feel normal to them.
JENNY ROSENQUIST
TOTS
TO
TEENS
touch associated with these activities. These children may be overly sensitive and may avoid these things. Other children may be under-sensitive to these activities, and may seek them out. “Sensory integrative dysfunction” refers to the neurological inability to adequately process sensory information, and can have a significant impact on motor, language and social-emotional development. Children with sensory integrative dysfunction may appear under- or overstimulated, distractible, clumsy, hypersensitive, disorganized, and may have poor language skills, poor peer interactions and diffi-
WHAT TO DO? Remember that what seems simple to you may be quite scary to your child. Finger-paint may feel neat to you, but to a child who doesn’t process that sensory information adequately, it could feel like sandpaper, slime, hot or heavy. The swing in your backyard may be exhilarating to your 4-year old, but your 3-year old may feel scared, dizzy, insecure or out-of-control. Your 2year old can’t stop jumping…on the floor, on the bed, on your knees, anywhere…there’s a chance that he needs more of that deep pressure sensory experience for it to feel “normal” compared to you or me. THE SENSORY AVOIDER If your child seems to be a “sensory-avoider,” allow him to approach these unfamiliar and scary things at his own pace, on his own terms. Use tools: paint with a brush, then next time a smaller brush, so that he gets a little closer to the paint each
time. Sit on the swing with your child, take turns pushing an empty swing or place it lower to the ground so he can stop it with his feet. Modifying the activity will give your child more opportunities to engage in the sensory experience on his terms. And if your child seems to be a “sensory-seeker,” provide lots of opportunities for it…give him safe places to jump, safe things to put in his mouth, etc. This will actually help. Everyone is different, but the ultimate goal is to let children be children, let them enjoy and learn from normal childhood experiences, and help them grow and thrive. If you have concerns about your child’s sensory processing skills, consult a pediatric occupational therapist who is certified or specializes in sensory integrative dysfunction, such as We Care-Therapy Services for Children. Jenny Rosenquist, MA, CCC-SLP, is Director of Therapy Services at We Care Services for Children. Contact her at (925) 671-0777 x20 or send email to jrosenquist@wecarebmcc.org
Cruise Adventures hosts outdoor cruise show Cruise Adventures is hosting an outdoor cruise show on Saturday April 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the Walnut Creek Fine Arts Fair that weekend. Cruise Line representatives from Princess
Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Radisson Seven Seas, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Carnival will be on hand to offer special booking incentives and to provide information on all cruise holi-
days. “We expect hundreds of visitors so we urge visitors to come early and the enjoy the cruise fair displays and materials,” says Cruise Adventures owners Valerie and Colleen O’Connell. Cruise Adventures
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Church News BAHAI’S OF CLAYTON The Baha’is of Clayton are inviting everyone to a talk and fellowship about pscho-spiritual growth and healing on May 6 at 7:30 p.m. The speakers are Michelle Thelen- Steere and Tuli Rode. Mrs. Thelen- Steere is a master psychologist with 28 years experience as a psychotherapist and social worker. Mrs. Rode is a Board Certified hypnotherapist and program developer in the field of addiction and family therapy. For more information and directions call (925) 672-6686, bahai.concord.ca@bci.org. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS The famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be performing Tue. June 28 at the Coliseum Arena in Oakland and Thurs., June 30 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Order tickets online at Tickets.com for Oakland and Ticketmaster.com for San Jose. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets every Sun. at 1360 Alberta Way in Concord, across from Clayton Valley High School. Call 676-3977 for information. CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Join us for our message series “Fight for Your Marriage” Sun. at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at DVMS. With over 70 percent of marriages in California ending in divorce within the first five years, how do you strengthen your marriage in the midst of so many other demands and pressures? Whether you are divorced, single, in a strong or troubled marriage, we want to help you make all the relationships in your life healthy relationships that will not only persevere, but grow stronger throughout your entire life. W.O.W-Women of the Word Bible Study
meets Wed. from 9:15-11:30. Childcare is provided. Church meets for worship every Sun. at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Diablo View Middle School. Childcare provided and we offer a variety of age appropriate classes and activities. 673-9060, www.claytoncc.com.
CLAYTON VALLEY CHURCH We have activities for children of all ages. Please join us at Clayton Valley Church, 5430 Michigan Blvd., just off Ygnacio Valley Road. For more information, visit w.claytonvalleychurch.com or call 672-3397. CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH Worship Service Sun. at 9 a.m. Sermon Series: “From Saul to Paul.” Come examine a life that was changed. “Meeting Jesus” class on Sun. at 11 a.m. Pentecost Service on May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Clayton Community Park. Everyone is invited! 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord, 798-5905. ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH Eternal Life Lutheran Church meets at the County Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Suite 1B, Concord. The congregation is a member of the WELS (see www.wels.net) and is served by Pastor Will Kant. Sunday school and Bible Class at 9:45 a.m., Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Lutheran Pioneers, a program for grade-school aged boys and girls meets on first and third Sat. at 10 a.m. Please call or email for more information 524-0295 EternalLife@wels.net. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH The Women of Holy Cross cordially invites you to its Annual Spring Luncheon on Sat., May 14 at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall. The theme of the event is JOY, featuring guest speaker Pastor Richard Wolkenhauer, Spirit of Hope Choir Ensemble, bible study, singing,
lunch and dessert. RSVP 686-2000. The Holy Cross Lutheran Church is holding their 2005 Vacation Bible study on June 27 -July 1. For more information call 686-2000.
For bookings and performances:
Visit our Website www.jhudak.com E-mail jimmydak@pacbell.net Piano CD’s available on his Brainstorm Records label
Call Or Write:
Brainstorm Records P.O. Box 488 Clayton, CA 94517 (925) 673-7293
4666 Clayton Road, Concord www.claytonflowersandplants.com
SAINT JOHN’S EPISCOPAL PARISH Saint John’s worship experiences and other events are always open to the wider community and everyone is warmly welcomed. 5555 Clayton Road, 925-672-8855, or www.saintjohnsparish.org. WALNUT CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY The academy is hold an old-fashioned “Country Fair” Sat. May 7, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Activities include carnival-type games, a cakewalk, pie throwing and face painting. Refreshments will be available. Adults can bid on over 75 silent auction items including backstage passes to a Jars of Clay concert, jewelry, and a Lance Armstrong autographed “Tour de France” hat, gift certificates, and theme baskets. Admission to the event is free. All are welcome. 50-cent game and food tickets may be purchased at the door or at the school beginning Monday May 2. For more information please call the school at 935-1587. Walnut Creek Christian Academy is located at 2336 Buena Vista Avenue, near the Ygnacio Valley/North Main exits off I-680.
Send your church news items to Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton 94517 or email religion@claytonpioneer.com.
The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist
Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer
800-554-1391
ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH “Tool Time” for women – remodel your spiritual house by repairing broken “doors” which let in stressful drafts, examine the foundation of your faith for cracks, rewire and light up the rooms of your soul, learn to partner up on “big jobs” and find your way home, if you are lost or homeless. One-day retreat is Apr. 30, 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., for information call Heather at 672-3702.
Please recycle this paper Clayton’s own
Toll Free
1st Anniversary in Clayton! Come try one week FREE!
Clayton Jazzercise. Call Pam @ 672-7025 for class schedule and prices
A welcoming place and sacred space where thinking minds and caring hearts truly grow in faith
SAINT JOHN’S PARISH T HE E PISCOPAL C HURCH
IN
C LAYTON
Sunday Worship: 8 & 10 a.m. 5555 C LAYTON R OAD
Q
C LAYTON
Call anytime: 672-8855 or check us out online: www.saintjohnsparish.org
April 22, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
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nce again, the auction committee has outdone themselves. For the second year in a row, the event was a sell out with standing room only tickets available for the two weeks prior to the event. We’d like to acknowledge the following individuals who helped make it a success:
his ‘credit card services’; to all of the other volunteers for the evening; and to the many, many volunteers helping on the various committees in one way or another. Bob Rivera, John Sovik and Robyn Rivera
We’d also like to acknowledge THANK YOU Denise Stephens, Staci Enriquez the following persons: and Caren Case who co-chaired the event this Vaughn Stephens, Hugo Enriquez, Kevin Case, Tim Llacuna, Jim Gamm, Ken year; Nancy Llacuna for the weeks of work on the Alcock, Tim Merrigan, Craig Nuchols, Jamie Allen, Joe Clough, Danny Bacigalupo, catalog; Tricia Gamm who helped with anything Mike Straka, Jerry Heinz, Mike Metz, Jim Stielow, Steve McNulty, and Marc and everything; Sydney Alcock, Deanna Macaulay for stepping up and helping out and allowing the girls to pull off such a Merrigan, Alicia Nuchols and Ginny Allen who successful event! were buried in paper; Alison Bacigalupo and Kelly Clough for heading up the decoAnd last but certainly not least, to all of our Cash Sponsors, rating committee and making the place families, friends and local businesses for all of your generbeautiful with their army of volunteers; iquez, r n E i c a t S ous donations. Without you, a profitable event would not be phens and Dave Shuey, who agreed to and did a fabs r i Denise Ste a h C -C o possible. (A list of all the donations can be seen at the school Auction C ulous job as our auctioneer; Kevin Case website under Silent Auction in the Auction Catalog. for once again offering his DJ services; Rosy Updates will be posted on the website as they become availStraka for taking on the Cash Sponsorships; Dana Heinz for coordinating able. http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary) checkout; Denyse Metz and Sharon Cuff for counting money all night and all day; Melanie Stielow for coordinating the dessert auction; Deborah Meylan Thank you! Ca for her help with the tax forms; Sharon McNulty and Sandy Macaulay and husbanred n Case, 3rd Co-C C h a ir Rosy Straka, a , Kevin Ca nd se who wa ALL the room parents for the wonderful class projects; Mike Banducci for s our DJ. PFC President
ELITE - OVER $1,000 Joe Medrano Insurance Management Corporation
PLATINUm - $1,000 Diablo Ford - Pittsburg - www.diabloford.com Melanie and Jim Stielow - Industrial Services Company www.workers.com Dogaressa - Singular Italian Treasures for the Home www.Dogaressa.com
GOLD - $500 Shanan Tullis and Deanna Merrigan Mt. Diablo Realty www.teammountdiablo.com Kim Morucci - Intero Real Estate Services - www.kimmorucci.com Acura of Concord - Cynthia Kanalle - www.acuraofconcord.com
SILVER - $250 Jeff and Tami Smith Cold Stone Creamery - Clayton Station www.coldstonecreamery.com Mike Fernandes - Auto Wrecking Debbie and Neil Powell Barton R. Blumberg - D.M.D - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 925-827-0202 Jim Wickware - Strategic Benefit Concepts - www.sbcwick.com George and Mary Del Monte Redwood Painting Company Greg Farrand - HomEquity 925-673-9737 - www.homequity.us
BRONzE - $100 Lewis & Lewis Carpets April Pedrani -Creative Memories Independent Consultant Lynne French Ed’s Mudville Grill Nicolas and Natalie’s Daddy and Mama - Mike and Rosy Straka It’s through fundraisers like these that we raise over $100,000 to provide many services to our children that they would otherwise do without. Please check the school website (www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary)
Andrew and Julie Rosen Mary Mac and John Propersi Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm Marc and Sandy Macaulay Guy and Joan Huffaker - Proud grandparents of Jared & Jordan Deely Renaissance Precision MFG, LLC Kelly and Bill Burmeister Mike Kavanaugh The McLaughlin Real Estate Team Chris and Leah Kemple Rick and Kate Happy Gary and Katia Daniel Lisa Valory - Century 21 Diablo Valley Realty Jim and Patti Baas, proud grandparents of Mt. Diablo 2nd Grader, Cody White
PfC LEVEL - $50 Randell F. Gardner, D.D.S. Mike and Denyse Metz Joanna Wellsted Joanna’s Interior Designs Travel To Go Inc. Brad and Lynnette Giacobazzi
SPECIAL SPONSORS Widmer Brothers Brewing Company http://www.widmer.com Thank you for the adult beverages! Shop N Go, your neighborhood convenience store. Thank you for donating the Margarita fixings! Clayton Pioneeer, www.claytonpioneer.com Thank you for almost $1000 worth of ad space! Jackie White, Sol Vida Cellars (925) 253-2750. Thank you for donating wine! Minuteman Press, (925)-945-6006. Thank you for donating 50% of the catalog printing costs! Clayton Sports Cards, (925) 672-8445 Modern Defense Institute, TL-MDI@sbcglobal.net for additional information on our fundraising efforts. The current budget is listed in the April school newsletter, also available on the website.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Stimulate puppies with toys and fun games Having a new puppy in your home is lots of fun and lots of work, too. I often foster young litters of orphaned puppies and puppies who still have their mothers. Pups start to explore their world and venture from their safe, warm nest into the surrounding area as soon as their eyes are open.
BRENDA BARNETTE PICASSO
PAWS
AND
AND
CLAWS
To stimulate thinking, I make the surrounding area interesting. I cut the bottom off a 5-gallon plastic bucket and then cut the plastic cylinder into two halves. I lay one half on the ground with the curve facing up so the puppies can take a wobbly walk through it, and the second half facing down to make a tunnel. Another favorite is to use a 5-gallon plastic bucket like a stool and cut an upside down “U” on opposite sides of the base so the pups can peer through at each other and run through a differently shaped tunnel. These toys are inexpensive, safe and easy to clean.
FROM 2-4 MONTHS Most veterinarians agree that puppies’ vaccines are effective at around four months, and it is safe for puppies to go out in public. Prior to this time, your new pup can get to know his human and any other animal family members. Neighbors and friends can be invited in for controlled introductions. Puppies, like babies, go through several phases. Don’t be surprised if he seems totally outgoing one day and somewhat skittish another. Just continue to provide safe and positive experiences. Let visitors give him treats, but don’t let them force interactions if the puppy is feeling a little shy. At home, a small cardboard box with a small amount of kibble inside creates a wonderful toy. Seal it with masking tape. It makes noise when rolled over and has a treat inside once they chew through. Puppies have a great time learning how to find all those great treats. This is an inexpensive and fun game for dogs of all ages. Playing follow-the-leader with your puppy and stopping to give hugs or treats regularly is fun, too, and will make you very interesting to your puppy. AT 4 MONTHS Puppy training class is a great way to learn with your pup as you develop a common language. Be sure the trainer you select uses only positive methods and believes in lavishly rewarding the puppy. Regular training classes are offered at ARF. For more information, call (925) 296-3121.
Another favorite game to play with your dog is “find it.” Start by throwing a few pieces of kibble on the floor and saying, “find it.” After your dog knows the command and has learned “stay” at training class, you can put your dog in a sit or down stay and hide in the house or yard. After you are hidden, call “find me.” Keep it simple at first and just go around the corner. As your dog gets better at the game, you can make the game more challenging. My daughter tells her dog to “find Grandma,” which is Justy’s instruction to find me wherever I am in the house. Going for walks in your neighborhood, well-armed with doggie treats, is a good way to practice what you learned at each class. Puppies are adorable and attract a lot of attention. Offer your neighbor one of your doggie treats to feed your puppy, and she will soon learn to enjoy meeting strangers. At first there will be a wide range of sights and sounds in your neighborhood that can produce a variety of responses, from scared to curious, for a dog who does not know the area. Always calmly reassure a frightened dog, but also encourage her to explore her environment. Encourage your puppy; give her treats and shower her with unlimited affection and praise. Your reward will be the best friend ever who can share life with you. Not a bad payoff for so darn much fun!
JIM HUDAK
MUSIC NOTES As I write this column, I’m less than three hours away from hopping a plane to New York City. From there, I’ll rent a car and drive to scenic, rural Vermont, for five days of recording with musical legend Will Ackerman. Ackerman founded Windham Hill Records back in the ‘70s, which went on to become one of the most successful independent record labels of all time. After years of producing artists such as George Winston, Alex De Grassi and Michael Hedges, Will sold the label to BMG. This allowed him to semi-retire in Vermont, where he built his own studio on an 800acre spread that includes scenic hill country and lots of timber. (His first love is woodworking and building). Ackerman now works independently with a few artists each
year, producing their records and consulting with them about their careers. He also does a fair amount of touring on his own as a guitarist. Through a friend of a friend, I made contact with him nearly two years ago, and we began discussions about him producing a piano instrumental record for me. After countless emails and phone conversations and lots of planning, our recording sessions are now due to begin. From the beginning, he insisted that the album we do together contain all original material to better establish myself as an artist with my own identity. That’s both exciting and a bit daunting and certainly challenges me to put my best foot forward musically.
Amy Tan is this week’s ARF adoption All Star
In my next few columns, I’ll provide some real life insights as to what it’s like to work with a Grammy-award winning producer and artist. Ackerman may even lend his unique guitar sound to a track or two that we record. It’s exciting, and I’m anxious to move ahead with our project. Chronicling the event with some notes and writing should be fun, too. I’ll keep you posted. For now, I’ve got a plane to catch. See you next time.
“Amy Tan,” an 11-month-old shepherd mix, is a quiet dog with lots of love to give. She becomes very snuggly when she gets to know you. Amy Tan is athletic and loves to play. She is still young and will need training and socialization. Your investment will be repaid with years of unconditional love. Amy Tan is recommended for families with children ages 14 and above. Bring everyone who will live with Amy Tan to meet her at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Would you like to be part of the team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our Web site, www.art.net (925) 256-1ARF.
AMY TAN
Mobile Pet Grooming has arrived! BJ ZOOMs right to
your driveway in Clayton, Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill or Martinez z NEW! Now grooming birds z NEW! Announcing new de-shedding product for cats & dogs The Furminator! Amazing results. z Specializing in Cats and Older Pets z Convenient curbside service in a new state-of-the-art van (Fully contained) z Full grooming from head to toe
Brenda F. Barnette is the CEO of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at bbarnette@arf.net.
Recording with a legend
April 22, 2005
(925)
26 550 56
5) or (92
78 672-38
Bonnie Owner
Jawad
Fenced in...
Jim Hudak’s Music Notes Column appears regularly in the Pioneer. Contact him at jimmydak@pacbell.net, or order his piano music CD’s from his website at www.jhudak.com.
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A-peasing your appetite for spring Pease porridge hot Pease porridge cold Pease porridge in the pot Nine days old You probably recognize this famous nursery rhyme. It refers to a traditional British dish made from dried peas cooked in salted water and generally served hot with boiled bacon or sausage. From the Latin pisum and the Anglo Saxon term pise, there is technically no such word as “pea.” The term came about when the English thought that “pease” was a plural; therefore the singular was “pea.” Peas are one of the earliest cultivated plants from midAsia and the horn of Africa. They’ve been found in 5,000year-old Bronze Age sites in Switzerland and Hungary as well as in Ethiopia, India, Thailand, China and even the ruins of Troy. If you like
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Let’s take a tour of “pease” cuisine from France, Italy and India.
Add wine and stir until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add hot stock or water in ½ cup amounts. Stir well after each addition and once or twice more until nearly absorbed. Add peas about 15 minutes into cooking time. Continue to cook, adding stock as needed for a total of 20-25 minutes. Rice should be “al dente,” moist and creamy. Stir in ham and half of the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with remaining cheese.
fried peas to munch on (instead of popcorn) at public events. Historically, peas were small starchy seeds — much like the split peas we use in soups today. Dried peas are an excellent source of protein and, before refrigeration, sustained people during winter months and on long sea voyages. Recipes were largely nondescript until Catherine de Medici introduced “petit pois” (a small, extra sweet wrinkled pea) to France when she married King Henry II. “English peas” or “garden peas” refer to sweet green varieties developed principally in England in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They do not include cowpeas, which are bean-type seeds, brought from Africa by slave traders and frequently known as black-eyed peas and crowders. Unlike snow peas or sugar snaps that have edible pods, English peas must be shelled. If cooked fresh from the garden, they’re sublime. Because they lose sweetness and texture quickly after harvest, frozen peas are in some respects superior. If you grow some this spring, blanch the shelled peas in boiling water (with some mint or marjoram to add more flavor, if you’d like) until they turn bright green. Immerse them immediately in ice water. Drain well and then freeze.
CLASSIC PETIT POIS Four large lettuce leaves 2 cups fresh or frozen peas (preferably young and small) ½ tsp salt (omit if frozen with salt) 1 tsp sugar 1 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp minced mint or green onions Rinse lettuce leaves, leaving them wet. Line bottom of heavy pan with two of the leaves. Arrange peas on lettuce and top with remaining ingredients. Add 2 Tbsp water if using fresh peas. Top with remaining lettuce, cover the pan and cook on stovetop over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Check midway to see if more water is needed. Discard lettuce, or chop to include with peas.
GAJAR MATAR Peas and Carrots, Indian-style 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1” piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp sugar ? tsp cayenne or chili powder 2 cups diced carrots (“gajar”) 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen (“matar”)
RISI E BISI (Dinner Risotto) 3 Tbsp butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1½ cups Arborio rice ½ cup white wine 4 cups hot chicken stock or water 2 cups frozen peas ½ to 1 cup diced cooked ham ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated or shaved salt and pepper to taste Melt butter in heavy bottomed saucepan and add onion. Cook until softened but not brown. Add rice and stir until it begins to get chalky (about 3-4 minutes), stirring constantly.
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Heat oil in frying pan and add onion, garlic and ginger. Stir fry for two minutes. Add carrots, cumin seeds and remaining spices, salt and sugar, and continue to stir fry until seeds begin to pop (2-4 minutes). Stir in peas and add 2 Tbsp water if using frozen peas (4 Tbsp for fresh peas). Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots and peas are tender. (Up to 1 tsp of garam masala can be added just prior to serving, if desired.) 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
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
Lemon tree is very pretty...with the right soil, fertilizer and care year-round. The lemon is small and round, and the fruit has less acid and fewer seeds than basic grocery varieties. This moderate grower reaches 8-10 feet tall and wide but can be kept smaller if container grown. The Meyer Lemon is the lemon to grow, great for cooking and an excellent patio tree. The Pink Variegated Eureka Lemon is another excellent patio or container plant. Attractive creamy-white and green variegated leaves have a pinkish tinge to new growth. It produces an abundance of market-quality variegated lemons year round. Kumquat trees are worth growing. This patio or container tree is a small tree that can load lots of bright orange, delicate
Proper soil at the time of installation is critical. Every year many customers come in complaining that their citrus is not thriving. There are only a few regular requirements to make citrus happy. Happy plants produce. At the time of installation, consider our soil. With most homeowners dealing with clay and rock, soil conditioners and NICOLE HACKETT planting mixes must be used. GARDEN GIRL Those people with existing citrus should also amend annually. Oranges, lemons, kumquats All citrus is demanding to its and limes are among the group soil. These plants are everof plants known as citrus. All greens, they bloom, they have citrus are sun tolerant, heat lovfragrant blooms as well as ing and evergreen. They bloom, foliage, and they yield fruit. This they are fragrant, and they protakes an enormous amount of duce. You can find dwarf and energy on behalf of the plant. standard sizes. Plant in your Our current soil provides little yard or a container for a fabunutrients, so it needs to be conlous garden addition. ditioned. Incorporate a Orange and lemon soil conditioner rich in are the most soughtnitrogen, organic matter after citrus. The and live and active Washington Navel micro ingredients. Turn Orange is a backyard the soil conditioner in staple. This mediumto the soil to help sized tree yields a seedchange the total make less fruit that is easy to up. When digging your peel and delicious. The hole for installation, foliage is dark green make its size at least and handsome and double the width of the blooms fragrant flowcontainer and 1 1/2 the ers in the spring and depth of the container. early- to mid-winter Remove and discard any fruit. The Washington clay. Replace the Navel is a ground removed soil with a planting, eventually conditioner or planting providing shade as it mix that satisfies the reaches 20 to 25 feet tree requirements. Be tall and wide. If the careful not to pile soil size of the traditional up against the plant’s Washington Navel is base or trunk, place the too large, consider a plant at the soil level Citrus sinensis Dwarf that it is in the containWashington Navel. er. When installing a citThis offspring uses the rus into a container, use Flying Dragon root- LEMON TREE is sun tolerant, heat loving and fragrant. an organic, professional stock combined with potting soil combined the parent navel to create mod- tasting oval fruit along its dense with a soil conditioner for added erate growth, 6-8 feet tall and branches. The Nagami nutrients. wide and evergreen. The fruit of Kumquat is a heavy producer Fertilizing is very important the Dwarf Washington Navel is and solid variety reaching 6-8 to any citrus. These trees and just as delicious and seedless; feet tall and 6 feet wide. shrubs are demanding and need the ultimate size may be more Fragrant white blooms during to be fed to thrive. Feed your fitting to your space. Juicing early summer are followed by citrus with a food especially oranges such as the Valencia fall ripening bittersweet fruit. designed for them. They have orange are available in different Plant in full sun. needs different than most of varieties and mature heights. Bears Seedless lime is a your other plants. They require The Campbell Valencia is an hardy lime to our potential frost sulfur and iron, with an ample excellent juice orange, ripening spells. This variety comes in amount of nitrogen for top in late summer. This selection standard and dwarf sizes so growth. Feed your citrus every creates a large, rounded canopy, more gardeners can accommo- 6-8 weeks. About four times a eventually 20 feet tall and wide. date its mature size. Both selec- year, give all your citrus an iron The Dwarf Campbell Valencia tions ripen winter to mid-spring supplement. It is very important reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide. with lemon sized, juicy fruit. that the level of iron remains Trained as a tree, this evergreen The standard form can reach 15 high so your plant can have becomes useful and beautiful in to 20 feet tall and wide, while access to this vitamin when a large container. the more popular dwarf variety needed. This also keeps the The most trendy selling moderately grows to 8-10 feet foliage very dark and lush. lemon the past years is the tall and 6 feet wide. The same Yellow leaves need iron. Meyer Improved Lemon. This Flying Dragon rootstock is used Prune citrus to control size. selection has excellent, dark here as with the Dwarf Cut back long, weak stems to green foliage displayed year- Washington Navel. That means allow wood to harden. Mature round. Fragrant flowers pro- that these two citrus varieties wood can support the fruit. duce thin skinned, juicy lemons have good jeans. Thinning your citrus may be
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needed to allow air and sunlight to reach buds deep in the crown of the plant. Citrus may need occasional spraying for pests. Stay ahead of the problem by regularly spraying horticultural oil. The oil coats the pest and suffocates them. The bees and butterflies that come by later will not be harmed. Some oils are mostly natural, and others are totally organic. Choose the one that is best for you. Another benefit of using horticultural oil is that it puts an awesome shine on your leaves. Be careful applying during the hot summer months. As a practice, spray in early morning or twilight to avoid burn, or overspray onto an insect that you were not meaning to kill. Citrus is an awesome evergreen that can be enjoyed in may ways. Buy citrus that is more mature to ensure fruit earlier. Mulch around plants in the ground as well as top dress container citrus to help prevent drying out during the summer, and the mulch keeps the plants warmer during the winter.
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Page 21
Hike of the Week
Mount Diablo State Park Tassajara Creek Trail
KEVIN PARKER
HIKER’S HAVEN Trailhead: Morgan Red Corral z Staging Area: Off Morgan Territory Road near where road narrows to one lane. z Distance: 5.0+ miles z Difficulty: Strenuous z Duration: 3.0 - 3.5 hours z Poison Oak Factor: Sound the alarm (green alert, green alert!)
Prior to any hike, I usually take a few minutes to gather all my gear, load up my pack and double check all required trail supplies. A good map, a compass and even my trusty GPS are all tools necessary to navigate in the backcountry. Unfortunately, all three of these items will be of little use on this hike. However, a sense of direction, a bit of time, some patience and a little luck will help you find your way onto the pristine Tassajara Creek Trail. Tassajara Creek is a fresh cut single-track trail located within the boundaries of Silva Ranch. The 427-acre Silva Ranch was acquired in 1999 to complete the protection of Riggs Canyon in Mount Diablo State Park. Please tip your hats to “Save Mount Diablo,” for acquiring Silva Ranch and “East Bay Trail Dogs” for their time and effort in building the trail itself. The staging area (Morgan Red Corral) is just that, “a red
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corral” and is almost impossible to miss unless you are driving with your eyes closed. At the time of this hike, Morgan Territory Road was closed to through traffic from flood damage in March, but you can still access the staging area nonetheless. According to the East Bay Regional Parks Web site, you can reach the Morgan Red Corral and east side of Mt. Diablo State Park by road from Clayton, but not from the south. Morgan Creek Trail begins at the trailhead and transports you into a lush, covered canopy of greenery that provides shade for the first section of this hike. As I alluded to before, this is where the trail signs end and the adventure begins. Morgan Creek Trail connects you to Highland Trail (stay right) and eventually you arrive at Finley Road. Take Finley Road to the left and begin a gentle descent into Riggs Canyon. Continue hiking as you leave the cool, moist canopy behind and head for greener pastures, literally. This portion of trail allows beautiful views of Cave Rock and Jackass Canyon as seen across the valley. Here’s where it gets tricky, so pay close attention. A few hundred feet down Finley Road, you will see a lone oak tree off to the right with a single-track trail headed directly towards the tree. This marks the beginning of Tassajara Creek Trail and due to the high levels of moisture this season, the trail itself is partially overgrown. Find your way past the oak tree as you immediately
Kevin Parker/Clayton Pioneer
BOB'S POND near top of Tassajara Creek Trail. dive down and run alongside Tassajara Creek. At this point, you begin a steady climb in Riggs Canyon, but the elevation gain is gradual and based on the sheer beauty of your surroundings, you probably won’t even realize it. Hiking along Tassajara Creek is the very essence of why trails like this one are so worth the time and effort expended. The sound of a flowing creek, an intricate maze of trees, brush, ferns and vines reminiscent of a rainforest all add to the beauty of this trail; the perfect combination for late spring to mid-summer hiking. During my hike in early spring, the trails were very muddy and haven’t seen much foot traffic this season, which is why the beginning of the trail was so hard to find. Once you reach the top of the Tassajara Creek Trail, sunlight
and Bob’s Pond (named for the late Bob Adams, a Save Mount Diablo Board Member), greet you. Follow the fire-road back to Highland Trail and ultimately connect back to where you started. This hike marked the fulfillment of two of my goals. The first goal was to actually find Tassajara Creek Trail, which SILVA RANCH MAP believe it or not, took me two outings (the first prove that you can hike all over was foiled by a sunset). The sec- these hills and find new trails ond was to hike one of the and areas to explore every day. newest additions to Mount For more information on this hike or Diablo State Park. Silva Ranch other outdoor experiences, contact me @ kparker@perfmech.com. and the Tassajara Creek Trail
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 22, 2005
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PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
The ULTIMATE G setting atop a DIN private knoll! N E P with breath-taking views of Mt. Diablo, surrounding hills, pastures & canyons! Main residence (approx. 5,450sf) features single story living areas, 2 master suites, 5 additional spacious bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 laundry rooms, (3) 2 car garages, 2 kitchens, enormous family room with sweeping views dual wood stoves & gleaming hardwood floors, upstairs features a loft, sewing/craft/hobby room, full bath, huge bonus/game room & large sun deck with spectacular views! 1attached unit featuring 1 bedroom, 1bath, small family room & kitchen, 1 detached unit featuring 1 bedroom, 1 bath, spacious family room & kitchen approx. 700sf. Dramatic pool setting features a large aggregate patio, "PebbleTech" in-ground pool with automatic cover, fire pit, windscreen & spectacular backdrop of massive oak tree, canyon & hills. Private trellis covered patio boasts a custom built-in outdoor BBQ. Portion of property perfect for horses! Lots of room for RV, boats & more! $1,725,000
Magnificent G "Belvedere" DIN model on a N E P large lot facing beautiful unobstructed views of open space - canyonhills and oak studded ridgeline! 6 bedrooms, den, 3.5 baths, approx. 4,100sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage. Extensively upgraded from the 18" travertine tile floors to the extra thick crown moulding! Private downstairs bedroom with its own full bath. Gourmet granite kitchen features eating area & large pantry. Enormous great room boasts a custom two-way stacked stone fireplace, full walkaround granite bar & wired for surround sound. Spacious master suite. Totally private & fabulous lot boasts a "Riviera" in-ground pool with raised spa & waterfall feature, exposed aggregate patio, patio cover, maturing redwoods & a variety of tropical plantings. Custom built matching storage/play house! $1,350,000
VINEYARD/HORSE PROPERTY Spectacular 5 G year old custom DIN N one story conE P temporary lodge style home. 4 big bedrooms, office/den with custom builtins, 3 baths, approx. 3,416sf, 3 car garage + RV & more parking. Enormous great room features a dramatic custom fireplace, 16" tile floors & soaring vaulted beam ceiling. Romantic master suite with fireplace, jetted tub & sitting patio with views. Approx. 1.00 acre lot boasts a vineyard & offers a shaded area for horses that's surrounded by majestic Heritage oak trees. An irreplaceable setting! $1,125,000