AUG 10 Clayton Pioneer 2018 by Pioneer Publishers

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Parks l a n io g e R East Bay uide Activity G IT’S YOUR PAPER

Council approves ordinance to restrict parolee housing

www.claytonpioneer.com

KeiTH HAyDOn

August 10, 2018

PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer

MAYOR’S CORNER

Background on why city is examining parolee housing

Our city and community are currently examining the best approach to deal with the impact of prison reform law imposed on us by the state, resulting in Contra Costa County’s strategic plan for early release of parolees back into local communities. The state and county are doing this to offset their legal incarceration challenges (prison overcrowding) and costs. Courtesy of state law AB109, the county established a Reentry Program in October 2011 to provide for parolees to live in communities rather than finish their time in jail. Without the Clayton City Council’s enactment of a twoyear moratorium on parolee housing in 2016, parolee housing could have entered our city without a permit, public review or city regulation – with no notice to the city or a procedure for the city to have it removed once it came here. The moratorium expires on Oct. 3, 2018. If we take no action, parolee housing could come into any residential area in the city. Despite some misunderstandings among residents, the City Council is not supportive of the idea of parolee community housing. That is why we enacted the maximum two-year moratorium to deter its arrival until local regulations and location restrictions could be established to protect Clayton. Other cities aren’t discussing parolee housing along with Clayton because their municipal codes currently allow it – and under terms less restrictive than this council is considering. The Clayton City Council is not “approving” or “inviting” parolee housing, as some assert, nor is anyone on the council or staff pushing a parolee housing agenda. We have analyzed three options to determine the best plan to further protect our residents and to provide the best foundation to withstand a legal challenge. The first option is to take no further action, thereby allowing state and county programs to place parolee housing

See Mayor, page 7

What’s Inside

Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Community Calendar . . . . .13 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Hearts and Hands . . . . . . . .2 Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .16 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

925.672.0500

Map courtesy of City of Clayton

Faced with downward pressure from the county to find places to house parolees released from prison under AB109, the City Council voted to limit possible parolee housing to four locations in Clayton with multi-family zoning: (1) Keller Ridge, (2) and (3), Chapparal Springs 1 and 2; and (4) Marsh Creek Rd. and High St. across from Stranahan.

The issue of where to house released inmates is rumbling through the City Council chambers and on social media as Clayton wrestles with the state law regarding parolee housing. At the regular July 17 meeting, council members Tuija Catalano, Jim Diaz and Julie Pierce and Mayor Keith Haydon unanimously approved a municipal ordinance that will restrict where a parolee residence can locate within the city limits. Councilmember Dave Shuey was absent. The contentious meeting, lasting more than two hours, pitted Clayton residents who want no part of parolee housing in the city against a council determined to protect the city from costly lawsuits. In her report to the council, Clayton Community Development Director Mindy Gentry summarized the three options the city had on

See Housing, page 7

Marsh fire destroys one home, threatens 100s TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Smoke, flames and fear are becoming a way of life in California as dozens of wildfires rage across the state, devouring homes and taking lives. On July 25, Clayton added 275 acres and one home to the state’s grim statistics as a very fast moving, hot fire threatened to take out more than 100 homes in the Marsh Creek/Morgan Territory canyon. The fire started in a grassy field at the County Detention Facility, just a few yards from the Cal Fire Sunshine Station on Marsh Creek Rd. It immediately went to four alarms. When CalFire Assistant

the smoke from the freeway and knew it was big trouble. “I thought the whole canyon would go up,” he told the Pioneer. “I figured if we could hold the losses to 30 homes, we’d be lucky.” When the fire was first reported at 2:40 p.m. it was at 25 acres. By 5 p.m. it had spread to 225 acres and more than 200 homes in Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory were evacuated. PG&E cut power around 4:30. Cell servDan Dinneen ice in the area is sketchy so most homes were left with no Firefighters battled the Marsh fire in 105 degree heat for outside communication. three days. One home was lost in the fast-moving, intense fire that charred 250 acres and threatened more than 100 Officers from the Sheriff ’s homes. department went door to door with evacuation orders. Chief Mike Marcucci got the and immediately headed Buldozers, engines and call, he was in Sacramento toward Clayton. He could see equipment from Cal Fire, East

County Fire and several surrounding agencies fought to slow the fire while four helicopters, eight tankers and one VLT—Very Large Tanker battled from overhead. Faced with the imminent threat to lives, the air tankers were on a “no divert” order, meaning they could not be called off the Marsh fire to another fire somewhere else. On the ground, flames raced ahead of firefighters within minutes consuming a home on Aspara Drive. Neighbors scrambled to get pets and livestock out of the rugged area. John Khashabi, an area resident had a 500 gallon fire

See Fire, page 3

Young reader launches the little library that could ADAM PINGATORE Pioneer Staff Intern

Clayton’s Andrew Drynkin, an 8-year-old student at Mount Diablo Elementary, has joined the global cause for literacy by constructing a book exchange in his family’s front yard. In a technologically inundated society, it can seem like a chore for youth to read the printed word. This increasingly prevalent truth is among the many societal issues that Little Free Library branches strive to remedy. Book-loving “stewards” construct, stock and maintain the little libraries. Stewards purchase a charter number from the Wisconsin-based nonprofit, adding their library to an ever-growing

online map and connecting them to a virtual network of other stewards. The primary goal is to be an “organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world,” according to the Website. The company cites a 2010 study that “children growing up in homes without books are on average three years behind children in homes with lots of books.” The problem can be related to financial resources and a lack of access to age-appropriate books due a community’s layout. Each of the more than 70,000 little libraries worldwide adhere to the basic prin-

received widespread attention, winning an Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation, a Library of Congress Literacy Award and many other commendations. And Andrew couldn’t be more ecstatic to do his part. “I got the idea from a Jigsaw Jones Mystery. Their teacher was taking books from it. She was just taking them and putting random notes in them,” the young librarian commented. Adam Pingatore Once Andrew learned of Andrew Drynkin, center, poses with his Little Free Library Little Free Library, his voraon July 23, 2018. His cousins Timofei Woods, left, and cious curiosity couldn’t be Diana Woods, right, kept Andrew busy for the weekend stopped. “It was totally his after their initial tour of the child-friendly book exchange. idea,” said proud mother ciple: “Take a Book, Return a people of all ages to read to Katie. The speed at which a LitBook.” Todd Bol, 62, found- their heart’s content without tle Free Library can unite a ed Little Free Library in 2009 worrying about costs. on this honor system to allow Little Free Library has

See Library, page 5

Postal Customer ECRWSS

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190

Page 2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

August 10, 2018

Rotary honored for making lives better

FAiTH BARniDge

HEARTS & HANDS

Rotary club of the year: Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club was named Club of the Year at the district conference in July. The award for outstanding accomplishments in 2017-’18 included contributions in community, youth, vocational and international areas of service, along with support of Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. There are 71 clubs in Rotary District 5160, and Clayton Valley/Concord shares the award with the Brentwood and Berkeley clubs. “Our club has been improving lives locally and abroad for more than 30 years,” says outgoing president Tommy Wolf. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our activities.” Members usually meet at 7 a.m. for breakfast each Thursday at Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr.. Clayton. The next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 6, when they will welcome speaker Nick Dailey of Clayton Bicycle Center. New members are always welcome. Visit www.claytonvalleyrotary.org to learn more about this active and successful organization. Positive reinforcement: Kops for Kids is a nonprofit organization of active and retired law enforcement officers who participate in positive activities with area youth to help prevent juvenile delinquency. Programs include PMA (Positive Mental Atti-

tudes) presentations at area high schools, a summer Leadership Camp and youth mentoring program grants that fund educational and athletic activities. The Kops for Kids Golf Classic starts with registration and breakfast before a 10 a.m. shot-gun start on Monday, Aug. 27, at Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Kasey at 925-827-1998 for registration information. Ashley offers perspective: ABC7 new anchor Dan Ashley will share memories of his 30year media career, and his devotion to local nonprofits, at the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton. Ashley serves on the boards of the Bay Area Red Cross, the California Symphony, the Contra Costa County Crisis Center and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). He also enjoys singing classic and original rock at various events around the Bay Area with his band PUSH.

ABC7 news anchor Dan Ashley will be the guest speaker at the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club meeting on Sept. 11.

Clayton Worsdell

Tommy Wolf, outgoing president of Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club, received Rotary District 5160’s Club of the year Award on behalf of his fellow members.

The woman’s club is a nonprofit organization serving our local communities. For more information or to RSVP call Linda at 415-652-3503 or visit www.claytonvalleywomans club.org. Senior High Steppers: Kick up your feet at the Concord Heritage Center from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, as the High Steppers return to the dance floor – this time as senior citizens. Music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will tempt dancers to get up and move to the beat the second Friday of each month, 1721 Amador Ave., Concord. Tickets are $10. Visit concordhistorical.org or call 925-827-3380 for details. Wellness Fair: The Support4Recovery organization educates the community on addiction and recovery, hoping to increase community acceptance and support for those recovering from addiction. September marks National Recovery Month, and Support4Recovery and John Muir Behavioral Health will present

the free Wellness 4 Recovery Fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, at New Hope Church, 2120 Olivera Ct., Concord. The event features informative speakers and recovery, wellness and healthrelated vendors. Celebrate recovery through growth, education and community togetherness, honoring those who have overcome their addictions and welcoming all individuals who wish to live alcohol- and drug-free lives. To volunteer or request a booth, please send an email to AmberB.Recovery@gmail.com For more information, visit Support4Recovery.org. Alzheimer’s support: Loved ones and caregivers of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia are welcome to attend a free monthly support group to learn about care options, share ideas and plan for the future. The Choice in Aging program meets 4:40-6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Mt. Diablo Center for

Adult Day Health, 490 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Call 925-682-6330 or email info@choiceinaging.org. Choice in Aging Adult Day Programs are licensed by the state Department of Public Health and certified by the California Department of Aging. Adult day services offer therapies and social activities to help seniors continue to live independently, with a little support to both them and their families. The onsite Choice in Learning Montessori childcare program offers multi-generational activities that are fun and rewarding. The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation recently awarded Choice in Aging a $25,000 capital grant to build the first “ageless playground.” Visit www.cilmontessori.org for more information. Healing the heart: Family and friends coping with the loss of a loved one are invited to attend a free six-week grief workshop, 7:30-9 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 11, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Call Helene Billeci at 925-6864870 for more information and to register before Sept. 4. Or visit stbonaventure.net. Focusing on STEM: The Clayton branch of the American Association of University Women sponsored three Diablo View Middle School students, Azizah Bassa, Tatum Finnegan and Jadyn Martinez, to attend Tech Trek at Sonoma State. The summer camp is for middle school girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Teachers nominate girls, who then write essays and are interviewed by AAUW members. The girls experience life in a college setting and attend lectures by professionals in

STEM fields. For AAUW information, please send an email to khansensmith@yahoo.com or call 925-672-2219. Caring for families: The Bay Area Crisis Nursery is celebrating 37 years of helping families deal with a personal crisis by offering a temporary loving home to children so parents can work out their problems. In place of a big fundraising gala with expensive tickets and auction prizes, the nursery has chosen to hold a “non-event” fundraiser. They request donations that will help the organization and not line the pockets of gala venues. Please contribute what you can by contacting Catherine Eberle Dieterich at 925-6856633 or catherine@bayareacrisisnursery.org. Or visit www.bayareacrisisnursery.org. To learn how your donation is used, you can reserve a speaker for your group. Meanwhile, the Alan David Vasilauskas Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the nursery will be Aug. 26 at Boundary Oaks Golf Course in Walnut Creek, followed by a celebratory dinner with raffle prizes and an auction. $145 for golf and dinner, $35 for dinner only. Call Michele VasilauskasConforto at 925-260-3290. Finding balance: Meals on Wheels Diablo Region helps seniors live healthier and safe independent lives. The Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in Martinez recently partnered with Meals on Wheels to provide a new program, A Matter of Balance, Managing Concerns About Falls. Beginning Aug. 23, the sessions will feature physical therapists, physical therapy

See Barnidge, page 3

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181 Brandywine Pl. – Clayton

Fantastic Nantucket Model in Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club on a prime level view lot at the end of a cul-de-sac with awe inspiring views of Mt Diablo. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large den, spacious loft, approx 3820sf with a finished 3 car garage. Gleaming “Acacia” wood floors, crown moulding, designer paint colors & more. $1,149,000

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Clayton Resident Cal BRE #00933393

8 Malibu Court – Clayton

(925) 672-4433

Charming Single Story Rancher in Regency Woods. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths approx 2010 sf with a 2 car garage plus covered sideyard for Boat/Small Vehicle parking. Updated kitchen, baths, designer paint colors, recessed lighting, crown moulding. Approx .24 acre park like lot on a court with drought resistant landscape & “Heavenly Greens” lawn in backyard. . $849,000

cell: (925) 348-5700

georgevujnovich@sbcglobal.net www.georgevujnovich.com

Jennifer Stojanovich

165 Silverado Court – Clayton

Broker-Associate

Desirable Nantucket Model in Peacock Creek rs fe Of t, Mult iple is L at Oakhurst r v e O Country Club. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths approx 3600sf with a 3 car garage. Huge level prime view lot on a quiet court setting with an in-ground freeform pebble tech pool & raised spa. Exquisite upgrades throughout. $1,225,000

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Clayton Market Update ADDRESS

PRICE

124 Mt Etna Dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . $684,000 9 Long Creek Circle . . . . . . . . . $460,000 165 Silverado Ct . . . . . . . . . . $1,225,000 1209 Bridlewood Ct . . . . . . . . $1,025,000 996 Kenston Dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . $825,000 246 El Pueblo Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . $870,000

provided by Better Homes Realty SF BED/BATH DATE

. .1627 . . .966 . .3599 . .3423 . .1682 . .2390

. .4/2 . . .7/24/18 . .2/2 . . .7/23/18 . .4/3 . . .7/20/18 . .5/4 . . .7/19/18 . .4/2 . . .7/18/18 . .4/2.5 .7/17/18

ADDRESS

20 Long Creek Cir. – Clayton

Super Cute Single Story in Marsh Creek Villas. 2 Bedrooms, 2 baths approx. 966sf with an attached 2 car garage. Great floor plan features large living room & dining area with semi vaulted ceiling & lots of natural light. Kitchen features newer white appliances & a cozy breakfast nook. Dual pane windows. Walking distance to town. $424,500

5689 Lewis Way – Concord

Gorgeous Dana Farms Rancher. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths approx 1763sf with an attached 2 car garage. Updated & Upgraded throughout. Kitchen remodel. Updated baths. Expansive .37 acre private level lot features a beautiful covered outdoor BBQ/expanded living space with ample square footage to entertain or quietly lounge, lush lawn area,and bocci court. $789,000

3035 Miwok Way – Clayton

Stunning Lassen Model in Eagle Peak at Oakhurst Country Club. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx 2944sf with an attached 3-car garage. Upgraded/Updated throughout. Premium golf course View lot features built-in BBQ, lush lawn area, custom fire pit, relaxing fountain & multiple entertaining areas. Must see! $995,000

SO LD

PRICE

25 Barcelona Way. . . . . . . . . . . $869,950 3014 Windmill Canyon Dr . . . . . $799,000 1417 Indianhead Way . . . . . . . . $613,000 3035 Miwok Way. . . . . . . . . . . . $995,000 35 Jalalon Pl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $669,000 204 Mountaire Parkway . . . . . . $865,500

SF BED/BATH DATE

. .2324 . .1877 . .1355 . .2944 . .1749 . .2481

. .4/2.5 .7/16/18 . .3/2.5 .7/13/18 . .3/2.5 .7/11/18 . .4/2.5 .7/10/18 . .3/2.5 . .7/9/18 . .5/3 . . . .7/5/18

August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Barnidge, from page 2

assistants and rehabilitation therapists for the visually impaired. Call Cathleen Firestone at 925-372-2000, ext. 5156, for more information. Philanthropy awards: The East Bay Leadership Council will accept nominations from the nonprofit community to honor local leaders, business and service organizations that have made a real difference in our communities. Categories are Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist, Individual Philanthropist, Foundation or Grant Maker, Collaborative Project, Volunteer of the Year, Next Generation Philanthropist and Lifetime Achievement. Find nominations forms and details at www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com/pag es/nominate. Forms must be submitted by Sept. 7, and winners will be honored at a breakfast in November at Blackhawk Museums. Call 925-246-1880

or email events@eblc.org for more information. Fifty years in motion: The Walnut Creek Aquanuts 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held over the Labor Day weekend. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, with a reception, followed by a presentation and performance at 8 p.m. at Clarke Memorial Swim Center, 1750 Heather Dr., Walnut Creek. Activities for Sept. 2 include a picnic 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Larkey Park Swim Center, 2771 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. Tickets are $60 and include all events. Visit www.aquanuts.org or call Heather at 650-906-7568. Hearts and Hands shares news, events and opportunities for all of us to learn more about our community, have some fun, and combine our resources and talents to help others. Send items to faithbarnidge@ pioneerpublishers.com.

Fire,

s t r e c n o C

from page 1

truck that he bought several years ago to water his dad’s fruit trees. Khashabi is an experienced firefighter and former cop. He is also a good neighbor. He teamed up with local resident Gabe Sobb and together the pair assisted firefighters called in from outside the area to locate gates, back roads and water tanks. On the hill where flames were threatening Josh Thompson’s ranch, Khashabi turned his hose on the stucco home. The house was saved, but the infrastructure burned leaving the ranch with no power, water or septic tank. It will take months to rebuild. Temperatures were well above 100 degrees as firefighters from Cal Fire, East County Fire and six surrounding agencies fought for containment. Evacuees gathered at the road closure at Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory. Some stayed at roadside around the clock. A few others waited it out at the Clayton Library where Red Cross set up a shelter.

he Grove T n i Saturdays

6 to 8:30 p.m. At the Gazebo in The Grove

Set up chairs and blankets on the lawn after 4 p.m.

Aug. 18 Photo courtesy CalFire

Cal Fire firefighters, Andrew Baker, Anthony Alaimo, Kai Aquino are driven by a need to serve their communities in an adrenalin-fueled job.

By Saturday, the fire was 100 percent contained and crews were mopping up. We sat down with Marcucci and some of the firefighters that had been on the line all week. Ready for showers and a few hours of down time, they were exhausted but victorious. One home was lost, but no lives and no livestock. I have lived on Morgan Territory Road for more than

What it takes...

AIRCRAFT

1 Air Attack 8 Tankers 1 VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) 4 Helicopters

Photo courtesy of Clayton Valley Village

27 Engines from CAL FIRE 24 engines and water tenders from Local Agencies including • East Con Fire • Con Fire • San Ramon Valley FPD • Rodeo-Hercules FPD • Crockett-Carquinez FPD

Apple Z

This powerhouse band delivers dance & rock classics from 60s to today’s top 40.

Sept. 1

Steel n’ Chicago Best of Steely Dan and Chicago performed with love of harmonies and classic horns.

Sept. 15

East Bay Mudd

10-piece cover dance band with four-man horn section Please, no glassware, BBQs, water balloons, beach balls or silly-string. Please clean up before leaving. Help keep your park clean & safe.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS

Back fill and station coverage was also initiated and involved all agencies within Contra Costa County

Your donations are the primary source of funds for next year’s Concerts in The Grove. We thank Republic Services and CBCA for their on-going and generous support. Send donations to: Concerts in The Grove— Saturday Concerts, c/o City of Clayton, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, CA 94517

2 dozers (one CAL FIRE and one CON FIRE) OVERHEAD

Numerous overhead from: CAL FIRE East Con CON Fire Rodeo Hercules San Ramon Valley Fire

www.cityofclayton.org

o gS

40 years through fires and landslides. Just five years ago, we watched flames eat up 3100 acres on Mt. Diablo. With every near disaster, I am more grateful for the firefighters that suit up and show up in 105 degrees to put the fire out. And I’m especially grateful to neighbors that look out for each other. Watch for a future story on our firefighters and why they do what they do.

DOZERS

ENGINES

The Bocce Village team of Clayton Valley Village played their first game of the summer in July, including neil Brennan, Diane Berger, Pete Bardea, Sonja Wilkin, Carol Herington and Bev Adams.

Page 3

Clayton

$1,250,000

Bridlewood — Exquisite home on cul-de-sac with views of Mt Diablo on 1/3 acre. Over 4,000 sq.ft. with 5 bedrooms and 4 baths including a master retreat with custom shower dual vanities. Dramatic entry, gourmet kitchen & formal dining. Hardwood & tile flooring on 1st level, crown molding & dual pane windows. Amy Callahan (925) 699-1207 AmyCallahan@windermere.com Cal BRE#02055854

Clayton

$919,000

Regency Meadows — Spacious 5 bedroom, 3 bath home including a bed/bath on first floor. Formal living and dining rooms with soaring ceiling and family room with fireplace. Updated kitchen with quartz counters, Viking stove and convection oven. Solar heated pool, and RV/boat parking. Carol vanVaerenbergh, (925) 672-1772 CVanVaeren@aol.com Cal BRE#01221965

Concord

$799,000

Masterpiece — Gorgeous home, 3 bedrooms plus office includes a first floor master suite. 2.5 beautifully remodeled bathrooms, gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets and quartz counters. Completely remodeled with the highest attention to details. 3-car garage and RV Parking at the end of a court. Kelly McDougall (925) 787-0448 KMcDougall@windermere.com Cal BRE#01156462

Concord

$523,000

Easy Freeway Access — This beautiful home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a living room with wood-burning fireplace and has been recently updated throughout. The light and bright eat-in kitchen features new cabinets, granite counter tops, laminate flooring, and stainless steel appliances. This home is complete with new flooring throughout and a new furnace.

Lynne & Kelly offer free staging on ALL LISTINGS

Alamo

$1,739,900

Stonebridge Estates — Fabulous newer single story 4/3+ large office in prestigious area in the Mt. Diablo foothills. 3045 immaculate, lightfilled sqft with open floor plan & private back yard oasis w/waterfall, pool/spa, outdoor kitchen, gazebo backing to open space. Secluded, 5 min. from 680. Inge Yarborough (925) 766-6896 www.IngeYarborough.withwre.com

$789,000

San Marco — Spectacular Genoa model, over 4,200 sq. ft. and elegantly appointed. Chefs kitchen with gas stove, granite slab counters, and island. 5 bedrooms + office and bonus room. 4.5 baths, including a bed and 1.5 baths on first floor. Backyard that backs to open space & 3 car garage. Kelly McDougall (925) 787-0448 KMcDougall@windermere.com Cal BRE#01156462

Cal BRE# 01309306

Brentwood

Circle Bay Point

$582,000

Garrin Ranch — Spacious 5 bedroom 3 bath home on court location. Save thousands with solar system, dual pane windows and plantation shutters. Gourmet kitchen with Corian counters, island and pantry. Family room with brick fireplace, inside laundry room, media room and living room with soaring ceilings.

Clayton

$699,800

Black Diamond — Located steps from downtown Clayton and Mt. Diablo trails, this beautiful 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home offers a light and bright family room with a fireplace and stunning views of Mt. Diablo, a spacious kitchen, formal dining space, comfortable living room with fireplace, and a laundry room with plenty of storage.

Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton/Concord and Contra Costa County Closed sales by volume (1/2014-12/31/2014). Data by Maxebrdi

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Carondelet golfer to play in official PGA Tour Champions event

Photo courtesy The First Tee of Contra Costa

Carondelet junior Isabelle O’Brien (left) and two other high school girls will represent The First Tee of Contra Costa at the PURE Insurance Golf Championship at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills Sept. 24-30. Angelica Antonio (center) and Hailey Salomone are among the 81 junior golfers from 22 states in The First Tee who will be teamed with 81 PGA Tour Champions players and 162 amateurs during the official PGA Tour Champions tournament. O’Brien, Antonio and Salomone will be competing for the pro-junior title. They were selected based on playing ability and application of the Nine Core Values and life skills learned through their involvement with The First Tee’s programs. O’Brien has been part of The First Tee for 10 years. She says, “Because of The First Tee I am respectful to others, to my surroundings and myself. I am also reliable. When I commit to helping others, at home, at school, at church or at The First Tee, I follow through with whatever I say I will do. When I am doing anything that is difficult or not going as I want it to, I persevere through it instead of giving up. The First Tee has given me tools that I need to be successful in dealing with everyday life at school and at the golf course. I am thrilled to be representing our chapter at the PURE Insurance Championship, Impacting The First Tee.” The First Tee of Contra Costa is one of 150 chapters around the country and world introducing the sport of golf and The First Tee’s Nine Core Values to kids, positively impacting their lives.

www.LeighKlockHomes.com

Around Town

Clayton family finds beauty amid nature’s worst

After planning a family trip to the Hawaiian Islands months before, we frankly had to laugh at our obstacles upon arrival. Our first island to visit, Kauai, had historic floods. Then the Kilauea volcano erupted in May, sending an ash cloud 30,000 feet high. The storms wiped away some key roads, hiking trails and snorkeling areas in Kauai. Although access to Kauai’s Na Pali coastline was limited, short

A welldeserved break

Michelle Howisey, a third-grade teacher at Mt. Diablo elementary School, enjoyed her summer break at the traditional mineral baths in Budapest, Hungary. She traveled europe for three weeks, visiting a friend in Amsterdam and making other stops in germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia.

925.212.5593

852 McElroy Court, Concord

373 Blue Oak Lane, Clayton

This beautifully updated 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with 2,089 sq feet of living space is light and bright with soaring ceilings, granite counters, and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen is open to the family room which has a wall of windows and sliders leading to the private yard that is an entertainer’s dream, offering a sparkling pool, decking, and lush landscaping. Don't miss this ideally located home less than 1 mile from Trader Joe’s and about 3 miles from the Pleasant Hill Bart Station.

This Stunning Eagle Peak home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths with 2,981 square feet of living space. Be inspired in the chef's kitchen with island, granite counter tops, and open floor plan. The master bedroom boasts a fireplace and luxurious updated spa inspired en suite. Relax and enjoy the private, lush backyard and serene rolling hills view.

PENDI

Offered at $775,000

Leigh Klock, Senior Real Estate Specialist Accredited Staging Professional

CalBRE# 01874255

August 10, 2018

SOLD

Offered at $989,000

Realtor

Leigh@LeighKlock.com

drives still afforded massive waterfall views. And we found a breathtaking look at Hanalei Bay from the St. Regis lobby. Boating through waterfalls into secretive caves along the Na Pali coastline brought thoughts of hidden pirate coves. A few times, entire ships disappeared into a cliff before coming out of the rocks on the other end. We also enjoyed snorkeling in pristine turquoise waters, with schools of colorful fish and huge sea turtles taking a break in the reef. Spinner dolphins careened out of the waves in groups of five or more and spun in the air with what seemed like pure delight. We left with magic in our hearts. Arriving next on the big island of Hawaii, we were surrounded by volcanic haze known as “vog.” It was thick enough that we could not make out the beautiful mountainous terrain. This year, though, is certainly the year to see Kilauea. It was raining the day we went up, cooling the top layer of the eightmile river of lava. At first, it seemed like a solid black river. Looking closely, we could see the earth seething and moving the crust of the river downstream. We moved further up the mountain to see the spewing lava at Fissure 8. Its gaping red mouth could be seen from miles away.

From the air, two explosive areas of hot lava seemed akin to lava rapids. We watched in awe from the helicopter as we turned from the main eruption and followed the molten river down toward the sea. To the left, a lava flow stopped – avoiding a few buildings. We saw lush green

vegetation. But to the right was total destruction. Down at the ocean’s edge are three miles of new land mass that are still growing. Pele’s creations lay in the middle of the Pacific. “She calls to you.” Go. Travel. It will be unforgettable. Jennifer Gladding-Buticci

Culinary tour begins and ends with vodka

When in Russia, you drink vodka. And that’s just what Clayton residents Diane and Rolf Selmer did on a cooking and vodka tasting tour of St. Petersburg. During a two-day stop on a Baltic cruise, the Selmers visited chef Alexeoy F. Delemi at Amo Cucinare. The excursion began with beluga caviar and two types of vodka, then the group learned to make Russian meatballs – which they sampled with more vodka. “They called them meatballs. I found them to be more like dumplings or tortellini,” Diane Selmer says. Delemi uses both beef and pork for the restaurant version, but the chef skipped the pork for the tour group. Their guide interpreted the chef ’s Russian for the visitors. “He was very thorough in his explanations,” Selmer says. “He was really proud of his job.” The finale was a Russian dessert – served, of course, with a dessert vodka. Amo Cucinare gets rave reviews on Trip Advisor and Facebook, with comments

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Jennifer gladding-Butticci

Jennifer gladding-Butticci and her children, James and grace, take in the wonders of Hawaii alongside King Kamehameha.

Rolf and Diane Selmer of Clayton met with chef Alexeoy F. Delemi during a tour in St. Petersburg. “i couldn’t get him to smile,” Diane Selmer says with a laugh. “This was the best he could do.”

such as “best pasta in the city” and “cooked to perfection.” According to the Website, the Italian restaurant is the new project for the owners of the popular café Fruktovaya Lavka (Russian for Fruit Grocery). This was just one of several

trips to Russia for Selmer, who operates Selmer’s Tickets and Tours. “I do some really unusual tours, and I try everything first,” she says. “This one really surprised me, how thorough and professional it was.” -Bev Britton

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August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Around Town Two local youth complete Golden Gate Summer Marathon

Clayton Valley Charter High School senior Sean Malley and June grad Ryan McGhehey took on the challenge of running in last month’s Golden Gate Summer Marathon and came up with great results in their first races over that distance. They were supported by family members and their CVCHS cross country coach Anthony Munch in Marin County that day. McGhehey of Clayton was second overall among the runners who completed the 26.2-mile marathon and he was also first in his age group. Malley was second in the age group and 12th overall. Halfway through the grueling marathon the two local runners were surprised by coach Munch who showed up on the course to run the sec-

Library, from page 1 neighborhood became apparent before Andrew’s exchange even opened its door. Support first came from the Oak Hollow 2 Maintenance Corp., which gave approval for the book nook. As construction progressed, more local assistance poured in. Neighbor Artem Lukinov and Andrew’s father Alex were instrumental in the planning and heavy-lifting stages. Artem’s daughter Nicole helped Andrew paint the box’s exterior.

It’s the

to it,” he said with glee. The library appeals to audiences of all preferences. The top shelf currently caters to more seasoned readers, while the bottom shelf provides top choices for younger readers – from nonfiction to the lighthearted Junie B. Jones series, Andrew’s favorite. Andrew’s Little Free Library is located on Buckeye Terrace in Clayton. Anyone is welcome to contribute to its growth or “Take a Book, Return a Book.”

Nathan Smith of the local Smith and Bernal Roofing Co. provided free materials and labor, and local contractor Alex Smith also offered building materials and tools without charge. At the library’s June 8 ribbon-cutting, neighbors came out to donate books, sign a guest log and enjoy a complimentary magic show from Chris Throop of Antioch. Andrew intends to promote his library even more For more information about once school starts. “We Little Free Library, visit littlemight even have a field trip freelibrary.org.

Celebrating the marathon race were, from left, Kim Mcghehey, Judy Malley, Pat Malley, Jayleen Malley, Sean Malley, Steven Malley, Ryan Mcghehey and Munch.

ond half of the race, pacing his proteges. The sponsoring Coastal Trail Runs is holding the

Diablo Marathon in Clayton on Aug. 26. Please visit coastaltrailruns.com for more information.

Clayton student joins STEM forum

Diablo View student Jack Parker attended a STeM summer camp at San Jose State.

Page 5

Jack Tobin Parker of Clayton met outstanding middle school students from across the nation at the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM at San Jose State in July. Explore STEM is one of the Envision family of programs that enables students to explore medicine, forensic sciences, engineering design and robotics. Teachers and school administrators typically nominate students to attend. Jack is an eighth-grader at Diablo View Middle School with a 4.0 GPA. He is involved in the California Junior Scholarship Foundation and the

Contra Costa County Courage Health Initiative program for tobacco use prevention in adolescents. At the forum, Jack was most interested in forensic sciences and engineering problems. “Envision’s Explore STEM camps are a great opportunity for high-achieving scholars to get outside the classroom and see, through hands-on interactive learning, how to innovate and think creatively,” said Andrew Potter, the chief academic officer for Envision. For more information, visit www.envisionexperience.com.

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presents

The 5th Annual Benefit Ride Sept. 1, 8 a.m. • • • • •

52 mile Morgan Territory Ride or a 32 mile Danville Loop Ride starts at Sports Basement in Walnut Creek Donations accepted online and day of ride Refreshments and Lunch will be provided For more information, go to

(This is not a race)

Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

August 10, 2018

Oakhurst’s Bucey joins select winners’ list with Hall of Famers JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Bobby Bucey had a fairly successful golf career at Clayton Valley High School. But when he graduated in 2007, he didn’t draw much attention from college golf programs. Many colleges might rue that oversight as the Oakhurst Country Club member recently did something four World Golf Hall of Fame members have done by winning the California Amateur Golf Championship., just like icons Ken Venturi, Mark O’Meara, Johnny Miller and Gene Littler achieved in the annual amateur tournament first held in 1912. Oh, and by the way, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods played in the California Amateur without winning. At 29, Bucey was considered an old man in the field of 156 qualifiers at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. The golfers competed for two days of stroke play that whittled the field down to the top 32. Bucey was seeded 11th after 36 holes of stroke play. He then faced a grueling schedule of six more rounds of match play over four days to claim the trophy. He had to rally in a couple of the matches, including his 1 up win over UCLA junior

Photo courtesy Bucey family

Oakhurst Country Club members Bobby Bucey (center) and dad/caddie Bob Bucey (right) celebrate the son’s recent win at the 107th California Amateur golf Championship this month along with mom Karen.

Hidetoshi Yoshihara of Irvine in the 36-hole Sunday finals. With his dad Bob (a fellow Oakhurst member) serving as caddy, Bucey maintained a positive attitude even after falling behind by three holes. “I felt I was hitting it really well and if I could just make a couple more putts, I’d be back in the match,” he says. He fell back a further stroke before he birdied the 24th and 25th holes to halve the deficit and give him “a second wind and a shot of adrenaline.” He finally took the lead on the 35th hole as Yoshihara made

County libraries play key role in children’s learning

KARen MiTCHOFF

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR

Libraries are such an important resource for our community. I have a passion for reading and enjoy hearing about the positive impact our libraries have on so many here in Contra Costa, especially children. My staff recently attended a policy briefing held by First 5 Contra Costa, which invests in programs and advocates for policies focused on children during their first five years – the most important time in children’s development. First 5 shared a recent study they completed that assessed kindergarten readiness in Contra Costa County. Many factors play a role in determining kindergarten readiness, one largely being family income. Another factor in this report was how many times a child visits a library. Investment in our libraries can significantly impact children in our community through the learning activities and resources available there. You can find the report at www.first5coco.org. The Contra Costa County Library hosts Storytime at all 26 branches. Storytime is an activity where parents and kids can learn and practice skills that are fundamental to early literacy. However, some families are not able to attend Storytime at their local library for a variety of reasons. The Contra Costa County Library is now offering Video Storytime through the Library’s YouTube channel. You can find this channel at the website youtube.com/user/theccclib. Each playlist includes

songs, rhymes, finger plays and stories. A new video will be available each month through the rest of the year. Early literacy is the process and activities that build a foundation to help children get ready to learn to read. Singing, reading, playing and talking are all critical early literacy skills. Storytime reinforces the library’s commitment to helping its youngest community members learn to read. It also provides parents and caretakers with a valuable resource in promoting early literacy skills. Thanks to help from Contra Costa County Television, these special videos feature several county librarians performing some of their favorites. I know that the Storytime at the Pleasant Hill library with Patrick is a popular one for many families, so it’s great to see some of our community’s treasured Storytimes included on the YouTube channel. Free summer lunch is another important program that the county library offers. Nine libraries provide this program in an effort to prevent a summer nutrition gap. Many children face nutrient deficiencies when school closes for summer break. This makes it hard for children to learn or focus on anything other than hunger. Lunch at the Library is part of a statewide collaboration between the California Library Association and the California Summer Meal Coalition to unite libraries and summer meal providers and keep kids healthy and engaged when school is out. Lunches are free for kids 18 and under. In addition to lunch, the libraries will offer free programs that include board games, arts and crafts, musical performances, Legos, movies and more. For more information about Lunch at the Library visit, ccclib.org/summer.

bogey. When they halved the 36th hole, Bucey claimed the Edward Tufts Trophy.

GOLFING AT AN EARLY AGE Bucey says the family story is that his golf-playing dad chopped down a club for him

to start playing at age 2. Through elementary and middle school, he played lots of golf and also baseball in Clayton Valley Little League. At Clayton Valley High, Bucey realized that his two favorite sports were both in the spring and he decided to “really focus” on golf. He helped his Eagle teams to North Coast Section tournament appearances as a sophomore and senior. His junior year the team didn’t qualify for NCS, but Bucey did by finishing eighth at the Section qualifying tournament. The only college offer he received was from Cal State East Bay. Bucey attended the Hayward school for two years, helping the Pioneers to the NAIA National Championship playoffs as a freshman and then qualified individually as a sophomore. Bucey transferred to Chico State and enjoyed two years of success with the Wildcats. He

Bucey’s Cal Amateur championship was his fourth Northern California Golf Association title and by far the most prestigious. He earned a 10-year exemption to the state championship, which relieves him of having to qualify each year. “The exemption is great, because you need to shoot under par just to make it into state,” he notes. Bucey has won an NCGA championship in four of the

they can avoid a call to a plumber: Be mindful of what food goes down the disposal. Fats, bones and vegetables peels can clog drains and damage the disposal. Rice and pasta can swell and clog the drain as well. Toss scraps in the trashcan when possible. Always run water when using the disposal. The garbage disposal works best when small particles are mixed with water. Run hot water into the disposal to keep grease moving down the drain. Continue running water for at least 30 seconds after everything has cleared. Know what to do if the garbage disposal becomes clogged. If your disposal gets clogged, turn it off and shut off the water. Don’t reach into the disposal and never use harsh chemicals to treat a clog. Instead try a plunger. Educate your guests about what can and cannot go down the toilet. Commonly flushed items that may clog your pipes include napkins, paper towels, facial tissues and feminine products. Keep a trashcan near the toilet and

remind guests to please only their due date to avoid an flush toilet paper down the toioverdue flag. let. Considering placing a little • Set up payment plans when card by the toilet with details. necessary. On-time, consisInform guests of any tent payments are pivotal. existing plumbing issues. • Keep credit card balances For example, let them know under 50 percent of their if the toilet handle needs a maximum. Going above this little jiggle in order to flush will hinder credit scores. properly. • Avoid opening unnecessary new credit accounts, Q: I just tried to refibecause frequent credit nance my house to get a inquiries negatively affect lower interest rate and take a credit scores. little equity out. Much to my • Call any creditor if there’s surprise, I was turned down likely to be a problem paying because my credit score was your bill on time. too low. Do you have any advice to help raise it? Once mistakes on your A: After homeowners report are corrected, your obtain their mortgages, they score could be improved in as may relax their credit habits. I little as two weeks. Even where know how discouraging it can credit has been badly neglectget to be turned down, but ed, most people can achieve a don’t worry. You can boost mortgage-worthy score of 640 your credit in less time than within 12 months by following you may think. the above guidelines. Banks like to see a credit score of 640 or more, with Send your question and look for scores of 740 and above the your answer in a future column. Email best range. To boost your Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is score, try to follow this plan: the broker/owner of Windermere • Pay any overdue bills and Lynne French & Associates. Contact stay up to date with future her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 payments. Center St., Clayton. • Pay all bills within 30 days of

says coach T.L. Brown “helped me learn to really believe in myself. He gave me a chance when really no other coaches wanted me.” The Wildcats made it to the 2012 NCAA championship dual match before losing the finale. That team is considered the best in Chico State history. The team won the NCAA stroke play title and also captured the school’s first league crown. LONG LIST OF CHAMPIONSHIPS

past five years, starting with the 2014 NCGA Amateur Stroke Play in a playoff. He teamed with Brett Viboch to capture the 2016 NCGA Four-Ball Championship. Last year, he won a playoff for the NCGA Mid-Amateur Championship, that time with mom Karen as his caddy. Bucey was denied back-to-back Mid-Amateurs when he lost a playoff in the final match this May. After his accountant job in San Ramon, Bucey heads to Oakhurst to play a round or work on his chipping or putting. He credits PGA pro Dave DeLong of Boundary Oak as the coach “who got me so far.” DeLong also coached Clayton Valley High golfer Domenic Mazza when he placed second in the 2010 World Long Drive Championships. “I can text him a video or just tell him what my ball is doing and he can fix me over the phone,” Bucey says of DeLong.

Put pipes into your party planning

Lynne FRenCH

REAL ANSWERS

Q: My wife and I have been in our new home almost a year but are just now planning our housewarming party. We are both very particular about home maintenance, which is probably why we have waited this long to have guests. Is there anything we should be especially careful about? A: Have you thought about your pipes? If you’re getting ready to host a house full of people, you’re likely focusing on a zillion details – from food to home staging and music. Here are some precautions to follow to avoid common mishaps, so you and your guests can focus on having fun. They might seem basic, but

Centenarian O’Grady recalls family time in Clayton DeBBie eiSTeTTeR

THE WAY WE WERE

Happy 100th birthday to Iola Murchio O’Grady, born Aug. 4, 1918, in Berkeley to Albert and Ellen Murchio. Iola’s grandfather, Dominic Murchio, came to the United States from Genoa, Italy, in 1868 and worked as a winemaker at the DeMartini Winery in Clayton. In 1879, he purchased ranchland in Mitchell Canyon. Through the years, he and Iola’s uncles increased the ranch’s size from 480 to more than 4,000 acres. The land became part of Mount Diablo State Park in the 1970s. We have the Murchio family to thank for the open space in and near Mitchell Canyon that we enjoy and Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa treasure today. Iola’s father was the oldest County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to of 11 children. Before Albert karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us married, he worked on a ship

that sailed to Alaska. They stored fish they caught in barrels he made as the ship’s cooper. When the family made their home in Berkeley, he supported Ellen, his son Jack and daughter Iola working as a cooper in an ink factory. In a 2009 interview, Iola recalled many good times visiting the Mitchell Canyon ranch for holidays and extended stays. The Murchio farmhouse had a huge kitchen, and Grandmother Julia was a wonderful cook – with her spaghetti and ravioli being family favorites. When Iola was 8 or 9, her aunts would seat her on the back porch with scissors and a big bowl of carrot and turnip peels for her to cut up and feed to the chickens. She says her father sometimes left right after Thanksgiving dinner with her uncles to hunt birds or deer on the mountain because they “got used to that when they were growing up in Clayton.” These outings, however, would make her mother “mad.”

As a young woman, iola Murchio O’grady often visited her grandparents in Clayton.

Seeing the Standard Oil beacon on Mount Diablo shining into her grandmother’s bedroom window is another fond memory. Iola attended Berkeley schools and then went on to Cal, where she majored in Spanish and earned a teaching degree. Finding a teaching position was difficult, so she worked at Cutter Laboratory. During World War II, a friend who worked for the U.S. government urged Iola to go to the Federal Building in San

Francisco and tell them she spoke Spanish and was interested in joining the war effort. She was assigned a job in a censorship office, where all incoming and outgoing mail was “condemned or excised.” She wore a pin that said “Serve in Silence.” The job ended at the close of the war. When she bought her own car and didn’t know how to drive, her brother introduced her to his friend, Patrick O’Grady. He taught her how to drive and later married her. They moved to Concord and Iola began a long teaching career at Mount Diablo High School. She was a counselor and taught history and Spanish. She believes her interest in foreign languages was fostered by trying to read her grandparents’ Italian newspapers in their Clayton farmhouse.

Debbie Eistetter is membership chair of the Clayton Historical Society. Visit claytonhistory.org or come to the museum on Main Street, 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays. Admission is free.

August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Housing, from page 1

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517

TAMARA

AND

R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers

TAMARA S TEINER , Editor

P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design

B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor

J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor

PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor

S TAFF W RITERS : Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré, Bev Britton

C ORRESPONDENTS : Kara Navolio, John T. Miller Remembering Jill Bedecarré February 24, 1950 - June 17, 2007

PIONEER INFO CONTACT US

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schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com 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 resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have

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approaching parolee housing as it relates to state law AB109: • They can do nothing and let a two-year moratorium on parolee housing passed in 2016 expire in October. • They can pass an ordinance that regulates and limits the locations where parolee housing can go. • They can institute an all-out ban on parolee housing, which, according to City Attorney Mala Subramanian would open the city up to lawsuits by the ACLU and other civil rights groups.

The council voted for regulation and to limit parolee housing to four locations within the city. All four are zoned high-density, multi-family. “I would personally want to know if a parolee home was being proposed in my neighborhood and so would you,” Pierce said at the meeting. “Without this ordinance, I won’t know and neither will you.” The city passed the moratorium in 2016, prompted by an email from a non-profit inquiring about the city’s policy on parolee housing. Prior to the moratorium, a communal parolee house could locate anywhere in Clayton with no restrictions and no use permit required. If the city takes no action before the moratorium runs out in October, those wishing to create parolee housing can “fly beneath the radar,” Gentry says, moving into the city at will. Pierce said the new ordinance would control how these homes are noticed, permitted and conditioned. “We can put them on a broadly seen radar, so everyone in town knows and weighs in,” she said. “Without this ordinance, we won’t have that ability.” The issue stems from a mandate by AB109, the Public Safety Realignment Act, to reduce the number of incarcerated inmates. It transfers the responsibility for managing and supervising parolees from the state to the counties. This puts downward pressure on counties to find places for them to live under supervision. The ordinance approved by the Clayton council restricts parolee housing to four locations zoned for high density and will require a conditional use permit and public hearing. Parolee homes cannot be within 500 feet of a daycare, school, library, park, hospital, group home or any place that sells alcohol, nor within 1,000 feet of another parolee home. They must be supervised around the clock.

There are four designations in Clayton with those buffers: Keller Ridge, Chaparral Springs 1 and 2 and on Marsh Creek Road across from Stranahan. The council directed city staff to prepare maps showing permitted locations with wider buffer zones of 750 feet and 1,000 feet. for the Aug 21 council meeting. The only area that would be accessible with a 1,000-foot buffer would be Keller Ridge. This could be viewed as a “de facto” ban and could open the city up to lawsuits, said City Attorney Mala Subramanian. Clayton is one of the only cities in the county without restrictions. Nearby Concord allows “group housing” that is prohibited in single-family districts. Clayton’s ordinance would be more restrictive. Still, many residents want no part of parolee housing anywhere in the city regardless of potential civil rights lawsuits. “I think the council is taking the easy way out,” attorney Brian Buddell said of the new ordinance. “You’re not fighting for my safety, or my family’s safety.” He vehemently urged the city to ban parolee housing and fight a lawsuit if it were filed. “I think the council needs to man up.” Many speakers at the meeting viewed the ordinance as encouraging parolee housing rather than restricting and regulating it. “What will this do to our property values?” asked resident Nancy Ahern. After the council vote, the anti-parolee housing sentiment was echoed online on Nextdoor. “Clearly, we need some people willing to fight, not bend over,” wrote Buddell’s wife, Kendra. “It is not unreasonable to add a protective border of 1,000 feet (two city blocks) around our schools and daycares.” Gentry said two California cities, Newport Beach and Colton, have instituted a complete ban on parolee housing and have not been sued. “But that was before AB109,” she explained, “and their bans could be legally challenged.” As for the brouhaha playing out on social media, Haydon said he believes people don’t truly understand the issue. “I don’t think the residents of Clayton would want us spending our surplus money on defending a court case when the money can be used to improve infrastructure or protect against another recession like the one in 2009,” Haydon said.

Page 7

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Mayor, from page 1

in any residential area of our community. That would allow parolee housing with no local notice or control and does not provide reasonable protection for our community. A second option is to adopt an outright ban on all parolee housing within our community. Such a ban would be problematic and costly to defend if challenged. According to our legal counsel, serious concerns exist about whether a ban would prevail in court. Exposing our city to potentially costly and unsuccessful litigation would not be a prudent or reasonable long-term solution of our stewardship to protect our community. Likely based on similar analyses, no other city in Contra Costa County has adopted an outright ban on parolee housing. The last option is to adopt a local ordinance that would strictly regulate and limit the locations of this type of housing. The council would enact local laws requiring approval of

a city permit in advance, public notices and hearings, and local regulations such as confining the placement of parolee housing into small sections of the city with buffer distances (500 feet) from sensitive uses such as a licensed daycares, parks or schools. The council decided this last option was the best, sustainable approach to maintaining local control over parolee housing in our community. We will be reviewing the proposed ordinance at the City Council meeting on Aug. 21. For more background on this issue, the full staff analysis that was presented at the July 17 meeting is available on the city of Clayton website, under the City Council, Agendas tab. I look forward to sharing more information with you about Clayton items and activities in upcoming months. See you out on the trails and, as always, feel free to send comments to me at khaydon@ci.clayton.ca.us.

Courage

Do the Right Thing

Sports

Page 8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

August 10, 2018

Blockbuster games kick off high school football Two injuries have hit the team with Pauaea Aumua out for the year after ankle surgery and Josiah Dobbins recently injuring his hand and will miss most of the nonleague schedule. Their opening game opponent, Pitt, won the school’s first-ever Northern California championship last winter and led the State I-A Bowl Game 21-0 before falling 28-21 to Narbonne, which beat CVCHS in the 2015 state finale. Pittsburg coach Victor Galli says, “If we tap into and reach our true potential, we could be really good. This could be one of the best teams that I’ve ever had, maybe one of the best teams ever.”

JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

With the starting date for high school football practices and games moved up in order to conclude the season before the holiday break the first round of games is just a week away on Aug. 17-18. And, what a pair of games involving local schools are on tap to kick off the season. De La Salle begins its schedule Aug. 17 with one of the nation’s most anticipated games (rated No. 7 among all 2018 high school games by MaxPreps) with defending state I-AA champion Folsom from the Sac-Joaquin Section visiting the new AstroTurf field at Owen Owens Field in Concord. The third nationally-ranked team playing in the area that evening will be Pittsburg High when they host sixtime Diablo Athletic League champions Clayton Valley Charter at Pirate Stadium. CVCHS, Pitt and DLS comprised three-fourths of the North Coast Section Open Division playoffs last fall. In the DAL, Concord and Las Lomas have been moved to the Valley Division along with new DAL school Benicia, making for a seven-week league season (one bye per team) that begins Sept. 14. After two strong showings in the Valley Division, Northgate and Alhambra were placed in the Foothill Division along with Clayton Valley Charter and the three Lamorinda schools. Foothill play runs for five Fridays from Sept. 28 – Oct. 26. The North Coast Section playoffs begin Nov. 2-3 with the State Bowl Games wrapping up the season Dec. 7-8. Folsom and DLS met in the 2012 and 2013 CIF Northern California Bowl Game with the Spartans winning a pair of high-scoring affairs. After those results the Northern California playoff system was changed so that a top team wouldn’t be eliminated from State Bowl Games after playing De La Salle. For the past four years the Spartans earned automatic berths in the Open Division Bowl Game after winning NCS titles, which they’ve done every year starting in

AREA SCHOOLS NON-LEAGUE SCHEDULES

Berean Christian: 8/18 John Swett, 8/24 at Kelseyville, 9/1

Jay Bedecarré

Clayton Valley Charter High School will be seeking its seventh straight league football championship this fall but before the Ugly eagles can think about Diablo Athletic League games they face a daunting non-league schedule. That begins next Friday when the team travels over Kirker Pass to face nationally-ranked Pittsburg High, who have been touted as a serious threat to De La Salle’s north Coast Section supremacy. The linemen who must make the CVCHS wing-T offense work are, standing from left, Kavika Baumgartner, Jacob Sartario, PJ Davis, Jason Cannedy; sitting, Diyar Kudrat.

1992. The winner of the DLSFolsom game will have a leg up in the race for the berth in the State Open Division Bowl Game. The Spartans haven’t lost a game (290 total) against a Northern California team north of Fresno since the 1991 NCS championship game when Pittsburg defeated them 35-27. They are 39-0 against teams from the SacJoaquin Section, the second largest in the State. Folsom, the predominant Sac-Joaquin team in recent years, has three State Bowl game wins this decade and the Bulldogs of coach Kris

Richardson (a College Park High grad) return 17 starters this fall including Sacramento Bee 2017 Players of the Year receiver Joe Ngata and quarterback Kaiden Bennett. DLS coach Justin Alumbaugh has two of the state’s most highly-recruited players in Henry To’oto’o and Isaiah Foskey while sophomore Dorian Hale, a lefthander who made a rare appearance on the field last year as a freshman, is the starting quarterback. Another QB on the roster is Jack Fulp, the record-setting, two-time all-DAL quarterback from Northgate who transferred to De La Salle dur-

Local players help West Regional champ Diablo FC 01/00 girls to USCS Nationals

Photo courtesy Diablo FC

Diablo FC 01/00 girls won the US Club Soccer West Regionals this summer, earning them a ticket to the USCS national Cup XVii last month in Colorado. Players from Clayton Valley Charter (Mackenzie Tobin, Olivia Kreamer, Serena Connel), Carondelet (Brianna Murray, Carissa Capinpin) and northgate (Julia Hagedorn) helped the local club team as they won the West Regional in June with an undefeated record in the U17 Super group. They competed on consecutive weekends last month at national Cup and the prestigious Surf Cup in San Diego, finishing up their U17 season. in Colorado they played teams from Oklahoma, new Jersey and Massachusetts. They are now moving up to U19 and are ranked 17th in the United States in that age group. Diablo FC 01/00 includes, bottom row from left, Alexis Castillo, Alexus Jackson (captain), Tobin (captain), Alicia Cardenas-Perez, Xitlali Martinez, Renny Buchanan; back row, giulianna Arias, Sarah Smith, Madison Johnson, Connel, Katey Hartwig, Hagedorn, Cassia Souza, Sophia Salimpour (captain), emily Smith, head coach Scott Alexander, Kreamer, Talia Benioff-White, Capinpin, Murray and Hannah Corn. not pictured, natalia Leroux and Megan Schieber.

ing the spring semester. His NCS eligibility after transferring wasn’t determined at press time. The other interesting aspect of the Spartans season is that they are now back in the East Bay Athletic League playing four schools in the Mountain Division—Monte Vista, California, San Ramon Valley and Foothill—-after completing their nationallyranked non-league schedule. For the past several years DLS operated as an independent school, awarded automatic NCS football playoff entry as the designated EBAL champ. They now will need to qualify for Section based on the EBAL standings, although they have never lost to an EBAL opponent since joining the league in 2008. Coach Tim Murphy’s six years in charge of Clayton Valley Charter has resulted in six successive undefeated league championships (31 straight victories) and an overall record of 68-12, with only five of those 12 losses to Bay Area teams, including three to DLS and one to Pittsburg, their opening-game opponent. The Eagles were in 2014 and 2015 State Bowl games but were seeded fourth and had to face De La Salle in the new NCS Open Division playoffs the past two years, eliminated each time from further postseason play by the Spartans.

UGLY EAGLES OLDER Last year’s Ugly Eagles were a junior-dominated team and that has flip-flopped this year with Murphy having a senior-laden starting lineup. Senior quarterback Logan Sumpter will be running the offense (“extremely accurate, can run and throw on the run, fearless and a winner,” according to his coach) and junior runningback Makhi Gervais (“game-breaking speed, good power, very coachable”) will be the No. 1 runningback at the beginning of the season on offense.

Middletown, 9/7 at St. Vincent-St. Patrick (Vallejo). Clayton Valley Charter- 8/17 at Pittsburg, 8/24 Stella Prep (Oakland), 8/31 at Concord, 9/7 Antioch, 9/21 Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas). Concord- 8/17 Dougherty Valley (San Ramon), 8/24 at Arroyo (San Lorenzo), 8/31 Clayton Valley Charter, 9/7 Rodriguez (Fairfield). De La Salle- 8/17 Folsom, 8/24 Central Christian (Modesto), 8/31 Bishop O’Dowd, 9/7 at St. Francis (Mountain View), 9/14 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 9/21 at Buchanan (Fresno). Mt. Diablo- 8/17 Armijo, 8/24 at Mountain House, 8/31 at Hercules, 9/7 John Swett.. Northgate- 8/17 Hercules, 8/24 at Deer Valley, 9/1 at Santa Clarita Christian (Canyon Country), 9/7 Las Lomas, 9/14 Rodriguez (Fairfield). Ygnacio Valley- 8/17 Fremont (Oakland), 8/31 at Brookside Christian (Stockton), 9/7 Galileo (San Francisco).

Fall sports athletes getting ready for season to begin during August JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Formal practice for high school sports get underway during the first two weeks of August with non-league competition soon to follow. The Diablo and East Bay athletic league schedules commence in September. Entering its third season since realignment, the DAL has also adjusted its two divisions in football, cross country, girls volleyball and water polo. Additionally, Benicia High has joined the DAL and North Coast Section after being part of the Solano County Athletic Conference in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Girls Golf – The DAL tournament for each division is Oct. 15. The NCS Division I qualifier and D-II championships are Oct. 22 and the DI championship Oct. 29, one week before the NorCal championships on Nov 5. The State meet concludes the season Nov 13. Carondelet won the NCS championship last year and in 2015. The Cougars lost a tiebreaker for third place at NorCals, ending two consecutive State championship appearances. Water Polo – DAL has moved Northgate to the Valley Division in water polo after two years in the Foothill Division while Benicia will also be in that division. Ygnacio Valley doesn’t have water polo teams this year while ”visiting schools” Hercules, Pinole Valley and St. Patrick-St. Vincent are no longer in DAL. This year, Valley teams are playing a single round-robin weekly schedule that runs Sept. 19 through Oct. 17. The Foothill Division has a double round-robin ending one week later. Clayton Valley (Riley Shaw) and Carondelet (Cat Arroyo) each has a new coach this fall. NCS tournaments for boys and girls begin Oct. 31 and end Nov. 10. NorCal Championships are Nov. 13-17. Carondelet was runner-up in NCS Division II girls while Miramonte won the 2017 DI girls championship. Girls Volleyball – DAL moved Alhambra to the

Foothill and College Park to Valley for this year and next. The seven-team Valley Division has a double round-robin schedule including a bye in each round. The schedule runs from Sept. 4 - Oct. 18. The sixschool Foothill’s double round-robin begins Sept. 18 and ends Oct. 18. North Coast is Oct. 23 through Nov. 13 with the NorCal Championships Nov. 6-13 and the CIF State finals Nov. 16-17. Carondelet (Division II) and Berean Christian (Division V) each reached the semi-finals at NCS last fall before losing to their respective division’s Section champs. The Cougars then went all the way to the NorCal Regional Division IV championship match before losing to top seed Presentation. Berean got to the NorCal Regional Div. V semi-finals. Cross Country – DAL moved Clayton Valley Charter up to the Foothill Division this fall. The league has two Wednesday center meets on Sept. 26 (Hidden Valley Park, Martinez) and Oct. 24 (Newhall Park in Concord). The teams in each division will be scored against each other at the center meets. The DAL Championships are Saturday, Nov. 3, at Hidden Valley Park. Concord High’s Rayna Stanziano returns for her final NCS after placing third in Division III last fall. She was fifth as a sophomore and sixth (in Division II) as a freshman. De La Salle senior Connor Livingston won Division II in 2017 and the Spartans were third in the team standings. The NCS Meet of Champions is Nov. 17 at Hayward High School with the CIF State Meet Nov. 24 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Girls Tennis – DAL tennis matches for seven Valley Division schools are in a double round-robin format from Sept. 4 - Oct. 18 while the Foothill Division is Sept. 18 - Oct. 18 for six schools. The DAL division championships are Oct. 25-27. The NCS team championships are Nov. 6-10 with the singles and doubles tournament Nov. 12-13. The NorCal team tournament is Nov. 1617.

August 10, 2018

Sports

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Athlete Spotlight

Allison Fuentes Age: 12

Team: Dana Hills ST Sport: Swimming

Before Fuentes begins seventh grade at Diablo View Middle School next Thursday she will have a brand new experience when she competes at the 58th annual Contra Costa County Swim Championships this weekend in Lafayette. The Dana Hills Swim Team

12-year-old qualified for the County Meet in three events---breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley. It’s new because Fuentes has been a DHST Otter for eight years and this is the first time she’s achieved County qualifying times. “Allison is hardworking, always

positive and it’s exciting that she made County in three events this year,” Otters assistant head coach Dan Cottam says. She is also a member of the Otters freestyle and medley relays. Besides spending each summer for Dana Hills, Fuentes swims the rest of the year for coach Serge Victor’s New Wave Aquatics USA Swimming team at Oakhurst. “I just enjoy having fun in the water and being competitive,” Fuentes says with a big smile. Cottam adds, “She leads by example.”

The Clayton Pioneer congratulates Allison thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com

in Walnut Creek for its tennis, water polo, swimming and diving, soccer, softball and Athletes, coaches, students lacrosse teams this year. and the community will be greeted by new or upgraded MDUSD SCHOOL facilities at most area high FACILITIES OPEN schools this month when the Concord High’s athletic 2018-19 school year begins and teams felt like nomads during the fall sports schedules get the 2017-18 school year as a underway. new turf softball field was Concord, Northgate and added, turf was installed for De La Salle have new and the first time on the baseball refurbished facilities on their and football/soccer facilities campuses while Carondelet plus an all-weather track. Only will open its athletics complex in the late spring were the soft-

City Meet swimming results on Facebook

The 58th Contra Costa County Swim Championships are this Friday through Sunday in Lafayette at Acalanes High School. Dana Hills and Oakhurst swim teams will be competing in the final meet of the recreation swim season. DHST has been in the top five at County Meet Division I the past seven years. The Otters have finished third in the team standings for three consecutive summers. The team’s best-ever finish at County was second in 1995 and 2011. Due to early printer deadlines the Pioneer wasn’t able to carry the results of last weekend’s 52nd annual Concord Swimming Championships in this issue. We will have coverage in our September paper. Please look at our Clayton Pioneer Facebook page for results on our local teams and swimmers.

Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@claytonpioneer.com.

Area high schools unveil new turf fields, other facility upgrades this fall JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Page 9

ball and baseball teams able to have home games after football and soccer had no games on campus last school year. The Concord tennis courts also were redone. All the facilities are now open and Minuteman football head coach Paul Reynaud says the team will unveil its new home field on Friday, Aug. 17, against Dougherty Valley of San Ramon. The school’s gymnasium has also been outfitted with new, larger bleachers. The gym

now has the largest capacity of any school in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Mt. Diablo High’s basketball court was also redone this summer. Most of the funding for the facilities at MDUSD schools have come from Measure C monies, although the CHS bleacher project was funded by the original Measure C bond and the outdoor sports facili-

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Diablo FC boys finalists at Tournament of Champions

Diablo FC 07B Premier were finalists, losing in a penalty kick shootout in the Juventus Tournament of Champions. The under 12 final was tied 1-1 and, after scoreless extra time, the local team lost 3-2 in the shootout. Diablo FC 07 was the defending champ of the TOC. in their last five tournaments the worst they have finished is third one time. Diablo FC 07 includes, kneeling from left, Carlos Torres, Cian Rattigan; standing, Drew Cazarez, Colin Farley, Ronan Rattigan, Misael Chavez, Hamza Saeed, Hayden Hubbard, enzo Valenzuela and Brett van erp; back coach Brian Voltattorni. not pictured, Tad Dresdow.

Photos courtesy Diablo FC

Diablo FC 05 nPL boys finished second in their first tournament of the season, the Juventus Tournament of Champions in Redwood City. The local competitive under 14 team won three of its four games, losing in the finals to AC Marin WnB Timbers. The team includes, bottom row from left, Brady Kulisch, Marco Jara, garrett van erp, Matteo Arias, Juan Diego Botello, Alex Braginsky; back row, Skye Megyesi, Chase Caldwell, Tristen Cazarez, Jose Ortiz, Owen Sherry, Harrison Hubbard, Leo Bravo, Julian Renteria and coach guillermo Jara.

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Justin Joyner joins DLS teammate Marcus Schroeder on St. Mary’s staff JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

Former De La Salle basketball standout Justin Joyner has been promoted to the coaching staff of the St. Mary’s College Gaels where he is reunited with Marcus Schroeder, his backcourt teammate from the Spartans 2006 State championship team. The two local athletes turned coaches went on from De La Salle to successful Division I collegiate careers and have circled back to their local turf as part of the highly-successful basketball program led by head coach Randy Bennett, who is entering his 18th season after the team posted a 30-6 record last winter and made its 11th straight post season appearance. Joyner and Schroeder will be assistant coaches for Bennett in the 2018-19 season. Joyner joined the St. Mary’s staff last August after spending one year at his alma mater, University of California Santa Barbara, where he served as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations/Graduate Manager. Prior to joining UCSB, Joyner spent 2012-2016 as an indi-

Justin Joyner traveled from De La Salle High to UC Santa Barbara as a player. now he’s at St. Mary’s College on the basketball coaching staff.

vidual basketball coach specializing in skill development. During this time, he worked with elite players ranging from professional to middle school. Joyner graduated from UCSB in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He played point guard for the Gauchos from 2006-2011, where he helped lead UCSB to three Big West Championships, two NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT. “Justin was a strong addition

Turf, from page 9

ties from Measure A. Every MDUSD high school plus Clayton Valley Charter now have lighted turf fields and all-weather track for football, soccer, track and field and lacrosse teams. Northgate has refurbished its gymnasium floor and reconstructed its tennis courts.

DE LA SALLE GOES ASTROTURF AstroTurf, a leading synthetic turf company, teamed up with De La Salle to make history in California as the local school chose AstroTurf for its 75,000-square-foot athletic field, which was complet-

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ed last week in time for fall football season practices. What makes this project noteworthy is it’s AstroTurf ’s first installation of SuperNatural EPDM infill and the 3D360 Blend turf system featuring Trionic Fiber in California. “De La Salle is excited to partner with AstroTurf,” said Leo Lopoz, vice president of athletics at the Concord school. “Throughout the selection process, AstroTurf has exceeded expectations and demonstrated tremendous professionalism. “After discussion with many other schools at different levels, it became apparent that Astro-

Sports Shorts

CLAYTON VALLEY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME LOOKING FOR 2019 NOMINEES

Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its sixth class on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek. The Hall of Fame committee is seeking nominees for that 2019 induction class. Nominees must be a CVHS grad or coach from 1959-2009. Nomination forms can be picked up at the high school office during business hours. Contact Herc Pardi herc_pardi@hotmail.com with any questions. The committee will accept completed application forms until Oct. 15.

ST. BONAVENTURE CYO CROSS COUNTRY PRACTICE UNDERWAY

St. Bonaventure CYO cross country is open to boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades in the St. Bonaventure attendance area. Cross country is a short, family-oriented season with practices in Newhall Park. The program is for youths who want to learn proper technique for cross country running. Friday meets begin Sept. 21 with the Oakland Diocese meet Oct. 19. Contact St. Bonaventure CYO athletic director Joe Sullivan at 787-6745, email rleprcn@pacbell.net or visit stbonaventurecyo.com for more info.

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August 10, 2018

DIABLO FC FALL REC SOCCER PROGRAM STARTS THIS MONTH

Boys and girls of all skill levels in the 6U-19U (1999-2014) age groups are invited to sign up for the Diablo FC fall rec soccer program which runs from August through October. The area’s premier soccer club is offering this new fall season program that includes two practices per week and one game per weekend. Volunteer parent coaches get free registration for their child. The 8-10 game season includes coaching education provided by Diablo FC staff. Additional free clinics run by Diablo FC coaches for rec players are offered in addition to team practices. Fee includes a uniform. Visit diablofc.org for details.

ST. BONAVENTURE CYO BASKETBALL TAKING SIGNUPS ONLINE UNTIL SEPT. 1

New St. Bonaventure CYO basketball athletic director Ferd Santos has announced signups for boys and girls in second through eighth grades living within St. Bonaventure parish boundaries or attending Catholic education classes. Signups are being taken online at stbonaventurecyo.com. The program is

last year and did a fantastic job in the operations role,” Bennett said. “Now having him on the court will help our guys improve. He brings a tremendous amount of energy and is excellent on individual training.” Joyner and Schroeder were outstanding AAU basketball and competitive soccer players in their youth athletic years. Both played for the Diablo Valley Soccer Club, Joyner helping his team to a CYSA State Cup championship. Before high

Turf checked all of the boxes that we were looking at. We look forward to the next phase of our stadium field surface and couldn’t be happier with our selection of AstroTurf.” The De La Salle project is using the Melos SuperNatural EPDM Infill. Advantages of this super-durable system include hemp which wicks water to help further reduce surface temperatures, no water required for the product integrity and the bulk density reduces the quantity needed. AstroTurf says it is pushing field performance and safety to a new standard, explaining that the new field includes a sublayer of crimped fibers that stabilizes the infill and increases shock absorbency. The com-

school each athlete decided to concentrate on basketball. De La Salle were the 2006 State CIF Division I basketball champs with its starting senior backcourt of Schroeder and Joyner leading the way to a 32-1 record that landed them the No. 8 national ranking for coach Frank Allocco. A third local player, junior Ryan Silva of Clayton, was their backup that season. Silva went on to play at UC Davis. This season Schroeder will be entering his fourth season as an assistant coach and seventh season overall with the Gaels. A 2010 graduate of Princeton, Schroeder was a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers’ basketball team. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. As a freshman, he led all NCAA Division I men’s basketball players in minutes per game (38.8) and was on the floor for 1085 of a possible 1,130 minutes during the 200607 season. His three-year record at DLS was 83-10 with three league titles and two NorCal championships. HIs sister, Anna, was a four-year letterwinner for the Saint Mary’s volleyball team.

pany says all of the factors combine to make a synthetic turf that is stronger, safer, better and more resilient. Besides the legendary De La Salle football team, the school’s rugby club, soccer and lacrosse teams will also play on the new surface beginning this fall. This is the third artificial surface installation at DLS. One of the state’s most ballyhooed high school football games in years will serve as the debut for the new field when Sacramento-area powerhouse Folsom—the defending CIF State Division I-AA champion—visits Owen Owens field to kick off the season Aug. 17 against the Spartans, who have only lost five games in their stadium in the past 33 years.

offering multi-family discounts and has volunteer coaching positions open. Deadline to register is Sept. 1. Late registrants will be waitlisted. For more information visit the program’s website stbonaventurecyo.com or call 270-9390.

DIABLO FC OFFERS COMPETITIVE TEAM SOCCER EVALUATIONS

Diablo FC 8 under through under 19 competitive soccer teams (birth years 2000-2011) have held formal tryouts for the 2018-19 season. Players interested in joining Diablo FC should email director of coaching Zach Sullivan at docdiablofc@gmail.com with any questions about the club or to arrange a player evaluation for players in birth years 20002011. Visit diablofc.org to get more information on the area’s premier youth soccer club.

WALNUT CREEK AQUANUTS 50TH ANNUAL SHOW AUG. 30-SEPT. 2

Labor Day Weekend the Walnut Creek Aquanuts will showcase its annual synchronized swimming show to commemorate a half century of excellence. The evening performances at Clarke Memorial Swim Center showcase synchronized swimming in a theatrical format complete with lights, props, a 3-D stage and glittering costumes. The show runs Thursday through Sunday with doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance at 8. A general snack bar, and beer and wine bar will be available. Tickets are sold at the door or online tickets are available on the club website. For more information and to purchase tickets to the fall show go to www.aquanuts.org.

ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES SIGNING UP FOR FALL PROGRAMS

Youth leagues, clinics and tournaments are scheduled by All Out Sports Leagues in Clayton this fall and winter. Fall youth basketball and adult softball leagues are currently taking signups. For complete information on All Out Sports programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com.

WALNUT CREEK AQUANUTS OFFER TRY IT DAYS SEPT. 1-2

Walnut Creek Aquanuts are offering “Try It” days Sept. 1 and 2 to introduce athletes to its synchronized swimming program. The 90-minute sessions are at Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Walnut Creek. Cost is $10 if you pre-register online or $15 on the day. The fee includes USA Synchro insurance/registration for the day, a cap and nose clip. For more information on WCA’s year-round recreational programs or to register for upcoming programs go to aquanuts.org.

August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 11

Schools

Freshman Transition program a pathway to success As we begin a new school year, Clayton Valley Charter High School is ready to welcome students and support their enthusiasm to take on new challenges. CVCHS takes great pride in the Freshman Transition program, which strives to help incoming ninth-graders prepare to have a successful first JeFF AnDeRSOn year of high school. CVCHS As principal, I recognize the importance of a successful PRINCIPAL high school transition. According to national statistics, freshschool graduates experimen are the largest at-risk popenced the same difficulty. ulation in schools: • More students struggle in • Most students who end up ninth grade than any other dropping out of high school grade, because transition to fail at least 25 percent of a larger high school can be their ninth-grade courses, challenging for some. while only 8 percent of high

• Low attendance during the first 30 days of ninth grade is a strong indicator that a student will drop out.

pate in a variety of academic and social orientation activities to promote student safety, a sense of wellness, better communication among peers and, more importantly, to encourage students to think about the paths they will take during the next four years and beyond. CVCHS owes special thanks to Link Crew student leaders and school counselors for their tireless efforts hosting amazing activities at Freshman Transition Week. It is a rewarding experience for upperclassmen, who share advice and tips for a smooth and spirited opening to the school year. And our dedicated staff and volunteers provide support and encouragement for all new freshmen students to become

CVHCS offers a unique transition program to provide a structure to connect upperclassmen to underclassmen. It includes training and the necessary support to make the relationships meaningful and allows new students to focus on school, rather than wondering if they’re going to fit into their new academic environment. Link Crew’s main goal is to address the fundamental needs of every student in order to understand the social, extracurricular and academic climate of CVCHS. Over the four-day process, new students partici-

Eagle band putting its best foot forward

Members of the eagle Marching Band are joyous about the fall season.

Club News

The Clayton Valley Charter High School Eagle Marching Band is already hard at work for the upcoming football halftime and field show season. The band has grown in both size and success over the last few years under the direction of Lydia Lim. This year’s program, “The Bringer of Joy,” features music by Gustav Holst from his orchestral masterpiece “The Planets.” Fans can support the Ugly Eagle football team and see the Eagle Marching Band halftime show at Friday night home

football games beginning Sept. 7. The band will also be at the Twilight Parade in Walnut Creek on Sept. 15 and San Francisco Fleet Week in the Golden Gate Park Bandshell on Oct. 8. The band has several tough competitions lined up on Saturdays in the fall, including the new WBA James Logan Review in Dublin with more than 300 bands across the Western United States.

proud Ugly Eagles. In addition to Freshman Transition, CVCHS sponsors numerous events and activities for other new and returning students. Each is designed to build connections among students and to fulfill the school’s vision that every child lives in a world where they feel safe, respected and celebrated in a positive learning environment. Each school year is unique, and this year will be no exception at CVCHS. We look forward to showcasing to the community the great work of our students, teachers and staff throughout this academic year. Send comments to editor@ pioneerpublishers.com ucin Easy y a d n Su tening Lismusic 4-7pm Introd

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Clayton gets saucy at BBQ competition

especially thank all of the vol- competed along with 24 back- tion, Rob’s Smokin’ Rub was unteers that assisted with the yard teams. When the smoke grand champion of the Backorganizing and executing of cleared, Smokey Hog Island yard Competition and the PeoLuv was the grand champion ple’s Choice winner was Clayton residents woke up the event.” Twenty professional teams of the Professional Competi- Chuck’s Wagon BBQ. the morning of July 14 to the scent of barbecue wafting through the air, heralding the start of the Clayton Business and Community Organization’s annual barbecue cookoff. Claycord 4-H is holding For the second year in a an information meeting for row, more than ribs were children interested in joinjudged as the contest was ing and their parents at 7 sanctioned by the Kansas City p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, Barbecue Society. Professional at Farm Bureau Hall in teams were also called upon to Concord. The program is cook chicken, pork and for youth ages five to 19 brisket. who want to participate in The contest included a hands-on learning, leaderBackyard Barbecue competiship and community servtion, where non-professional ice activities. cooks dished up chicken and ribs for the judges. HighlightRegular club meetings are on ing the competition was the the second Tuesday of every People’s Choice competition, month from September through where the public was able to June from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at judge their favorites. Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 4-H members elizabeth Riley, Ava Meals and Leah “By design, the People’s Clayton Road, Concord. For Flamino are working on a baking project at one of the Choice cooks want to run out more information, send an email Claycord 4-H meetings. The goal of 4-H is to educate of ribs, so that they do not youth members in important life skills through different to claycord@contracosta4h.org. waste any of the meats that projects like baking, sewing, hiking and gardening. they cook,” said organizer Rory Richmond. “For this year’s event, the seven People’s Choice teams cooked 240 racks of ribs to serve to the Serving Northern California for Over 30 Years & public, which translated to 2,400 individual ribs.” To qualify to enter the PeoSpecializing in Large ple’s Choice, a team must supHazardous Trees & ply a minimum of 20 racks of Heritage Oak trees ribs. A few teams cooked douCrane Service ble and, in one case, triple that Tree & Stump Removal amount. Arborist Consulting The cook-off, in its ninth 24 HOUR Arborist Reports year, has grown from its humFREE EMERGENCY Pruning/Cabling ble beginnings behind the ESTIMATES SERVICE Fire Abatement Clayton Club to a downtown affair, accented by vendors, a Custom Milled Lumber beer garden, community organizations and live music. “Overall, I was pleased with the crowd and the Craft Lic. #642272 Certified Arborist #WC-3386A Brew Garden; that was a great success,” Richmond said. “I think the event went off 5444 Clayton Rd, Clayton smoothly and look forward to Ed and Patsy Waraner Bonded and Fully insured growing next year. I want to

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Page 12

T HE ARTS

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Young Clayton actors take flight in ‘Poppins’

KATHy MCCARTy

THE

MARQUEE

I was like an understudy waiting in the wings, excited and thankful for the opportunity to step into my new role as theater columnist for the Pioneer newspapers. Thank you to the talented actress and writer Sally Hogarty, who has provided such wonderful support and guidance to Pioneer readers. I look forward to carrying on the showbiz tradition.

When Clayton resident Grayson McDonald was 5, he would run around the house singing and wishing upon the stars for Mary Poppins to fly by his house. “I’ve been in love with ‘Mary Poppins’ my whole life,” says Grayson, now 15. Tonight, he opens in the classic Disney musical at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Grayson performs as Robertson Ay, alongside his older brother Dawson as Bert. Kayla Schoelkopf stars in the title role as the magical nanny who leads her family on a memorable adventure. Noelle Arms directs the Poison Apple production, which runs through Aug. 19. Last year, the brothers performed scenes from the company’s award winning-production of “Fiddler on the Roof ” for an audience of more than 1,000 at Junior Theater Festival West. Dawson, a junior at Clayton Valley Charter High School, won Best Male Per-

August 10, 2018

grayson McDonald, left, and his brother Dawson of Clayton are teaming up again for “Mary Poppins” at the Lesher Center.

forming Actor for his work as Tevye. “Working with Grayson is a challenging and fun experience,” says Dawson, 16. “It has taught me many things about my brother and opened my eyes to many different sides of his personality and talent I do not see at home.” The siblings have also performed in “Seussical” and “Legally Blonde,” but this is the first leading role for Grayson, a freshman at Clayton Valley. It’s just as Mary Poppins sings: “Anything can happen if you let it.” For tickets, call 925-943SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

town somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon Line to pay their respects. Bud’s son Ray-Bud (Scott Poitras) is afraid he will be saddled with the funeral expenses because his younger brother Junior (Tony Rocha) has lost all his money investing in a machine he invented to clean parking lots. Their wives

Lucille (April Wright-Hickerson) and Suzanne (Alicia Rydman) and anything-butDelightful sister (Kaitlyn McCoy) are joined by Bud’s sister Marguerite (CeCelia Wavrick), a devoutly, pious woman who laments for her brother’s soul as she henpecks her out-of-work son Royce (Moses Kaplan). There is dark comedy when the dysfunctional family tries to pay their disrespects to a grouchy old man whom no one is willing to forgive. Ultimately, Veda (Gwen Sampson) and her husband Norval (Sloan) are the highlight of the funeral activities. Sampson’s energy is commanding and her sense of comic timing impeccable as she strives to keep her rambling husband alive by feeding him pills and supplying him an oxygen mask. David Bottrell and Jessie Jones wrote the Southern comedy, which is directed by Clinton Vidal and produced by Women of Words in associa-

Mean old family patriarch Bud Turpin (Jeff Sloan) is the “Dearly Departed” soul whose widow Raynelle (Lisa Luttinger) gathers her dysfunctional family for the curmudgeon’s funeral. There is no peace of mind for these comical kin folks, who shoulder the baggage that their surly relative left behind. Barry Hunau, left, Sheilah Morrison and gary Mutz star in The family gathers in a “Sylvia” in Martinez.

tion with Onstage Repertory Theatre. It runs through Aug. 19 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St. For tickets, call 925-350-9770 or visit campbelltheater.com. Following shows in Antioch and Lafayette, the Vagabond Players move to the Martinez Campbell Theatre for A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia.” The hilarious Sheilah Morrison appears in the title role as a street-smart, feisty mixture of a Lab and poodle that becomes a bone of contention between the man who rescued her and his wife. The comedy runs Aug. 24Sept. 1 at 636 Ward St., Mar-

tinez. For tickets, call 925-3509770 or visit the website at campbelltheater.com.

If you like “Game of Thrones,” you will enjoy “The War of the Roses” – adapted from the “Henry VI” trilogy and “Richard III.” When political unrest and powers clash to create one of Shakespeare’s most monstrous monarchs, who will reign supreme? Danny Scheie, a favorite of Cal Shakes audiences, plays King Richard. “Roses” runs Aug. 22-Sept. 9 at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. Call 510-809-3290 or go to www.calshakes.org.

Kevin Berne

Aysan Celik, left, Danny Scheie and Aldo Billingslea appear in “The War of the Roses” at the Bruns Amphitheater.

Mystery and more, with a Lake Tahoe backdrop If you are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe this summer, don’t forget to bring along Todd Borg’s “Tahoe Skydrop.” Even if you’re not headed up to the Sierra, you won’t want to miss the latest book in his Owen McKenna mystery thriller series. It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a mystery, but Borg reminds me how much fun this SUnny SOLOMOn genre is. Borg’s mysteries are BOOKIN’ WITH FF: Fast Fun. From his prologue, which takes place in the SUNNY small passenger section of a Bell helicopter, I was almost or her death. immediately holding my breath Borg is at his best with the – never certain which passenger physicality of his fight and is going to be shoved out to his chase scenes. But no chases

here, just a lot of unbelievable action in very close quarters. I’m still not sure if I read this scene or saw it; Borg can make you feel like you are watching a movie, not reading a book. Once the victim has fallen to certain death and the prologue ends, Owen McKenna takes over. For me, “Tahoe Skydrop” was a one-sitting read. From the moment a distraught mountain climbing dad begs McKenna to find his kidnapped son, an 11-year-old geek, (please, absolutely no police!) until we know of the boy’s connection to the first murder victim (the count never remains at one), the pace is nonstop.

But in this mystery, the nonstop is the story and the byzantine planning of how to rescue the boy (paragliding and rollerblading) from a highly fortified mountain home once owned by Isaiah Hellman. For all of us non-geeks, “Skydrop” is a crash course in the tech world of robotics. We also learn about the generous money folk who give life to an entrepreneur’s dream and the money-grabbing folk who want to steal the dream if they can discover the heavily encrypted password. The bad guys are members of a notorious Swedish prison brotherhood, who give new meaning to the

word brotherhood. The kidnaped boy’s father is drawn into the plot if he wants to see his son alive. McKenna, childless himself, is a sucker for a family in trouble, and this family has more than missing son trouble. McKenna’s girlfriend, Street, and his Harlequin Dane, Spot, are major players in the story. Only one of his police friends becomes involved, and Borg lets the reader see why Martinez is such a good friend. Although the thugs are captured, we must wait until the epilog to find out who among the cast of characters was the mastermind. In this story, the

reader’s attention is key, and I wouldn’t bet a single bitcoin you’ll guess correctly. I can’t imagine ever tiring of dropping in on Owen McKenna, who now feels like family. Between the history and beauty of Lake Tahoe present in every McKenna mystery and the relevant subjects contained in “Skydrop,” Borg takes his readers into a nail-biting and enlightening look into the future. Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’

August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Agencies team up to fight fires statewide California’s climate plays a major role in establishing the state as a fire-prone area. Our Mediterranean climate assures us of months of dry weather between spring and fall. Once the summer sun sucks the moisture out of the green winter grasses, the state’s hills and valleys become fuel for wildfires. Recent fire activity in the Concord/Clayton area gives local residents a first-hand appreciation for how fast a wildfire can spread and how difficult it is for fire crews to contain and control the windwhipped flames. During high fire danger episodes, the likelihood increases for concurrent fires erupting in several parts of the

WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS

state. It takes a high level of coordination between local, state and federal agencies to provide the resources to manage each fire. When a wildfire is reported, local fire officials coordinate the initial attack. Fortunately,

the vast majority of fires are contained within the first two hours. If additional resources are required, a coordinated inter-agency response team takes over. In Contra Costa County, fire protection services are primarily the duties of the several incorporated cities and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). In counties with national parks, the federal government is the lead fire suppression agency within park boundaries. All fire agencies work directly with meteorologists from the National Weather Service. Forecasters issue Red Flag Warnings to alert fire

departments of the onset of critical hot, dry and windy conditions that breed wildfire activity. In response to this warning, Cal Fire will place additional firefighters on duty. Our local fire districts and Cal Fire utilize Incident Command Teams (ICT) to manage large and complex wildfire incidents. Coordinated wildfire attack responses include dispatch of resources such as fire trucks, ground crews, bulldozers and aircraft. Meteorologists also play a role in the ICT. Localized wind, temperature and humidity forecasts guide team decisions. Computerized, smallgrid forecast models predict how a wildfire will behave, tak-

ing into account winds, geography and fuel conditions to provide a visual display of each fire’s potential. Cal Fire maintains 10 active incident command teams. Each team has members with skills to fill responsibilities including planning, finance, logistics, safety, public information and air operations. Two ICT units are ready for deployment anywhere in the state every day of the year. The ICT is tasked with providing regularly scheduled briefings to the press and public. Evacuations, road closures and fire statistics, including acres and structures burned, are the primary topics of the briefings.

Clayton Community Calendar

Page 13

Safety is a primary concern at all levels of fire response teams. Public safety is a paramount concern. Fire crew safety guides deployment decisions. As real-time fire modeling accuracies improve, risks to field crews should decrease. Summer and fall are hot and dry in our climate zone. Every dry season is a wildfire season. Recent local burn events are unforgettable examples of how quickly wildfires spread. We rely on emergency response teams dedicated to a common objective: containing a wildfire. Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG. 29 FOR THE SEPT. 7 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com

IN CLAYTON

Saturdays, except Sept. 1 Farmers’ Market

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 6095 Main St. pcfma.org.

Saturdays: Aug. 18, Sept. 1 Concerts in the Grove

6 – 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. ci.clayton.ca.us. For a complete concert series list, see page 3.

Aug. 22, Sept. 5 Wednesday Classic Car Show

Car show and DJ music. 6 – 8 p.m. 6099 Main St. Free. ci.clayton.ca.us.

Sept. 1 Derby and Car Show

Clayton Community Church’s Annual Labor Day event. Kids 7 – 14 race derby cars down Main Street. Classic car show. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Main Street. Free. Register for both events at claytoncc.com/labordayderby.

Sept. 29 Annual Skip Ipsen Memorial Bocce Tournament Open tournament. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. match play. Ipsen Family Bocce Park, 6000 Main St. $400 per team. claytonbocce.org.

IN CONCORD

Tuesdays Farmers’ Market

Year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.

Thursdays Music and Market

Thursday night live music and farmers’ market. Music: Aug. 16, Incendio; Aug. 23, Kingsborough; Aug. 30, Foreverland; Sept. 6, Lafayette Studio Big Band. Market 4 – 8 p.m.; music 6:30 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.

3rd Sundays Antique Faire

Antiques, collectibles, handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free admission. concordantiquefaire.com.

August, September Concerts

The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. See full concert schedule for 2018 at livenation.com. Aug. 11: The Comedy Get Down, 8 p.m. Aug. 18: Steve Miller Band, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28: Rob Zombie, 7 p.m. Sept. 2: Hot Summer Night, 4 p.m. Sept. 28: Rise Against, 7 p.m.

Aug. 11 Blue Devils Viewing Party

DCI World Championship Finals. 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. bluedevils.org.

Aug. 11 – 12 Japanese American Summer Festival

Japanese American Club’s annual event featuring Japanese food, Kendo and Judo demonstrations, Taiko drum performances, Japanese dance performance and flower arrangements. 1 – 9 p.m. Sat.; 12 – 8:30 p.m. Sun. Japanese American Religious and Cultural Center, 3165 Treat Blvd. Free admission, parking at Ygnacio Valley High School. www.diablojaclub.com.

ON AND AROUND THE MOUNTAIN

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve programs are available for registration through ebparks.org. Parking fees may apply. For additional information, contact Black Diamond Visitor Center at (510) 544-2750 or bdvisit@ebparks.org.

Aug. 12 Perseid Viewing Party

Stay after hours to peek at the peak of Perseid meteor activity. 7:45 – 10 p.m. Meet at Black Diamond Mines. Registration required.

Aug. 18 Quiet Night Hike

Look and listen for signs of predators and prey. 6 – 10 p.m. Meet at Round Valley Regional Preserve. Registration required.

Aug. 25 Baby Snakes

Newly-hatched baby snakes will soon be out on the trails. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Meet at Black Diamond Mines.

Aug. 26 Full Moon Hike

Catch the last full moon of summer. 7 – 9:30 p.m. Meet at Black Diamond Mines. Registration required.

Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Event Calendar for more information.

August, September Tarantula Hikes

Hike Mitchell Canyon in search of Mount Diablo’s famous spiders. Dates and times vary. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Registration required.

Aug. 24 Common Poorwill Bird Walk

Hike and listen to the birds of the early evening. 7 – 10:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required: blkittiwake@yahoo.com.

Sept. 2 The California Tarantula

Drop in to learn about Mount Diablo’s gentle giant. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Summit Museum.

Save Mount Diablo’s Discover Diablo is a free public hike series. Go to discover-diablo.eventbrite.com for more information.

Aug. 17 Perkins Canyon Evening Family Hike

Learn about unique geology and mercury mining at the foot of Mount Diablo. 7 – 10 p.m. Meet at State Park parking area off of Morgan Territory Road. Reservations required.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thru Aug. 19 “Dearly Departed”

Drop dead funny. Onstage Theatre at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $18-$20. womenofwords.brownpapertickets.com.

Aug. 10 – 19 “Mary Poppins”

Presented by Poison Apple Productions. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Aug. 11 “The Modern Jazz Generation”

Performed by Marcus Roberts. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Aug. 12 “A Salute to the Eagles”

Performed by Hotel California. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $12-$29. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) 757-9500.

Aug. 26 “Sylvia”

Presented by The Vagabond Players. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) 757-9500.

Aug. 31 – Oct. 7 “Mamma Mia!”

Presented by Center Rep. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $39-$83. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 9437469.

Sept. 7 Seafood Festival Comedy Jam

Hosted by Erik Awesome. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $15-$20. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. (925) 427-1611.

CHURCHES

Aug. 10 End of Summer Movie Night

“Coco.” Bring a lawn chair, blankets, invite friends and neighbors. Activities begin at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St., Clayton. Free. claytoncc.com.

Aug. 12 International Food Festival

Food, music, prizes, kids’ activities. 1 – 4 p.m. International Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1655 West St., Concord. Free admission. concordinternationalsda.org. (925) 676-4111.

FUNDRAISERS

2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast

Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.

Aug. 11 Sixth Annual Fish Fry

Proceeds go to support Team JMJ and the Lupus Foundation of America. 12 – 4 p.m. 3441 Thunderbird Drive, Concord. $20. jones.phylicia@gmail.com or meladevon@yahoo.com.

Aug. 11, 25 Adoption Fair

Sponsored by Northern California Sled Dog Rescue. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Aug. 11: Pet Food Express, 5404 Ygnacio Valley Road, Concord. Aug. 25: Petco, 1150 Concord Ave, #160, Concord. norsled.org.

Sept. 8 Hawaiian Fusion

Aug. 18 Eliane Elias

Featuring Hawaiian guitarist, Nathan Aweau. Catered dinner, no host cocktails and Hawaiian boutique. All proceeds benefit Senior Citizen Scholarship Fund from Concord Senior Center. 5 – 8:30 p.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. $50 or $450 per table of 10. cityofconcord.org/hawaiianfusion. (925) 671-3320.

Aug. 18 “Playing the 60s”

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call (925) 673-0659.

Aug. 24 “Improv for Good”

The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or (925) 646-5455.

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469. Performed by Mads Tolling. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $18-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) 757-9500. Presented by Funny Bone Productions. 7:45 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Aug. 25 Gerald Clayton Quintet with Dayna Stephens

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Aug. 25 The Stylistics Review

Tribute band for The Stylistics. 7 and 9:30 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $35-$40. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. (925) 427-1611.

Aug. 26 20th Anniversary Gala Concert

Presented by Music Repertoire. 5 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

AT THE LIBRARY

Aug. 13, Sept. 10: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m.

Aug. 11: Concord Art Association Meeting/Demo, 1 p.m. Aug. 12: Mystery Book Club, 1 p.m. Aug. 13: Family Game Night, 7 p.m. Aug. 16: “Ready Player One” Film Screening, 6 p.m. Aug. 18: AARP Tax Help, call (925) 405-5135 for appt. Aug. 20: Family Program, Marble Roller Coasters, 7 p.m. Aug. 21: Book Club, 4 p.m. Aug. 23: Community Warning System Emergency Alerts, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27: Family Program, Bead Crafts, 7 p.m.

GOVERNMENT

1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council

7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. (925) 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission

7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. (925) 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

Page 14

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

China Camp, a hike into history

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August 10, 2018

THE

TRAIL

China Camp State Park offers a chance to explore the Coast Miwoks, the Grace Quan shrimp fishing junk and a Chinese fishing village. The San Rafael site has more than 15 miles of trails, 100 acres of marshland and a family-friendly swimming beach all along San Pablo Bay. Parking near the Back Ranch Meadows Campground gives you easy access to trails, restrooms, information and trail maps. Start on Shoreline Trail, a multi-use trail that begins cloaked in shade with a twisty-turny groove route well above the shoreline of San Pablo Bay. Jake’s Island, just off the coast from Turtle Back Hill, looked prime for kayaking so I made a note to return to explore this park from the water. Quick side trips via Turtle Back and Bullet Hill Trails get you closest to the bay on this part of the trip. My goal was to cover all of China Camp in one day, easily done via a loop of Shoreline, Oak Ridge and Bay View trails. Expect to find most trails speckled with rocks, roots, hard-packed dirt and loose rock, but navigation is manageable. The many creek crossings, bridges a plenty, shady respites and trail routing are definitely highlights of the park. Continue on Shoreline as you pass Buckeye Point and Rat Rock Island enroute to China Camp Village for a well-deserved dip in the bay. If history is your thing, spend

China Camp State Park sits along San Pablo Bay.

some time exploring this area of the park. Summer temps here can reach more than 100, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Cooled off and ready to roll, I jumped on Peacock Gap Trail for an uphill blaster and then onto Oak Ridge Trail. Full sun and a bit more uphill effort high-point you into some of the best views in the park. Pick up Bay View Trail, my favorite of the day, with a canopy of shady trees and sneak peeks of San Pablo Bay at every turn. The downhill section was smooth, easy to navigate and fun to follow. I didn’t see many others on the trails, but my guess is that the weekends can be a bit more crowded. Finish the loop via Powerline or Back Ranch fire trails, both good options for an easy passage

China Camp State Park

Kevin Parker

Where: 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael. Trail permit

required, $3 at kiosk. Trail + parking, $5 at kiosk.

Hike Details: Shoreline Trail, Peacock Gap Trail, Oak

Ridge Trail, Bay View Trail, Powerline Fire Trail

Distance: 12+ miles Elevation gain: 1,636 feet Time: 2-3 hours, depending if biking or hiking Level: moderate-strenuous Hike-lights: Bay views, trails, camping, something for

everyone For more information: www.parks.gov/chinacamp

back to the parking area. Admittedly, 12 miles is a lot to cover on a hot day by foot, so you could pick either Shoreline or Bay View Trail for an “out and back” hike. Both offer shade, amazing views and excellent routing and are the best in the park.

Whether you are a hiker, biker, kayaker, swimmer, camper, picnicker or history buff, China Camp has something for everyone.

scary music and simplify the process of choosing colors for your project. Whether you’re looking for an interior or exterior paint, the best way to begin is to eliminate colors that you have no interest in as well as colors that are difficult to use. If you’re considering a cool and calming color, put aside the reds, yellows and oranges. If you’re looking for a warm and cozy color, greens and blues probably won’t make the cut. Sometimes going with the classics – white, ivory, gray, taupe, beige or silvery blue – will make a clean and tailored statement without all the fuss. This may seem like an obvious step. But as you’re staring at the fan deck or paint chip

display, or even the millions of snapshots online, it’s a great way to focus in on the right colors for your project. From here, the research begins. If you’re looking for an exterior color, take a stroll in your neighborhood, or your favorite neighborhood, to find successful color decisions and, sometimes, not so successful ones. You’ll be able to see colors you’ve been considering in natural light and on a large palette, not a 1 by 1 inch paint chip. If you’re considering interior paint, pay attention to colors when at your favorite boutique retailers, restaurants, hotels, spas and even when visiting homes of your friends and family. Classic colors are always a good option, but if your project requires something bold, be sure to take the time to seek out this color on the same scale as you have intended for your project so you have a first-hand visual. Paying attention to where color will be used is important to your research. All elements require some sort of finish, whether it’s window and door casings, accent walls, interior and exterior doors or accent elements like shutters, railings, eaves, gutters and garage doors. It’s up to you to determine how much color is needed to accentuate your elements. As a reward for your due diligence, it’s time to purchase some sample cans. Don’t be shy when applying the sample paint. Paint big squares, circles and stripes to get the feel of the color. Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.

Contact Kevin Parker with comments or questions by email at LukeHollywood@gmail.com

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Clayton Station Shopping Center, 5439 Clayton Road (Suite F), Clayton

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Receive a $100 Reduced Refundable Deposit per person. Free Premier Beverage Package: Package applies to guests booked in a balcony stateroom or above. It is valid only for guests 1 & 2 per stateroom who are 21 years or older, andis not applicable during the land portion of cruisetours. The Premier Beverage Package price is $59.99 per guest, per day plus 15% service charge (totaling $68.99 per day) and includes beer, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only) fountain sodas, fresh juices (if available),specialty coffees and teas, Gong Cha items, Frappes at Coffee & Cones, milk shakes (if available) and Red Bull® energy drinks. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items; all bottles of wine, one liter bottles of water, canned soda and bottled juices. A daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages overa 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.) will apply. The Premier Beverage Package does not include souvenir items, room service, vending machine or mini-bar items.††Guests 1 & 2 who are under 21 will receive the Unlimited Soda & More Package. The package may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash at any point during Offer valid: June 26, 2017 — Sept. 5, 2018.

The music from “Jaws” is playing as you enter your favorite big box home store. Du-na, na-na. Du-na, nana. Coincidence? Or is it accidentally playing on the phone that’s tucked in your back pocket? No matter, you’re on a mission and have no time for cinema tunes. You circle departments like plumbing, lumber and hand tools, purposely avoiding the one department you need. The department that gives you the chills and strikes fear in the strongest of us doit-yourselfers. With one deep breath, you give in and find yourself in the paint department. Selecting paint can be daunting, but let’s turn off the

August 10, 2018

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 15

Soaptree products keep skin beautiful, naturally DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market

Skin can become dry and itchy during summer, because we’re outdoors more frequently or indoors with drying air conditioning. It’s important to take care of your skin with gentle, natural products. Soaptree Soaps offers just that with handmade vegan soaps and scrubs every Saturday at the Clayton Farmers Market. Debbie Jones, owner of Soaptree, started making soap about 10 years ago

because her skin was very dry and sensitive and she couldn’t find anything that would consistently soothe her. When she retired from teaching, she began her company with a scrub as an exfoliant to soften her skin during winter. Then she started making soaps with goats’ milk meltand-pour (M&P), a method of taking a soap base, melting it, adding fragrance and color, then pouring into a mold to cool. She’s careful about the soap base she buys, making sure to get ones that are clean

Soaptree Soaps will be offering up a selection of handmade vegan soaps and scrubs at the Clayton Farmers Market on Saturdays.

and chemical-free. She then adds color and scent. Her exfoliants are also M&P. She likes to use activated charcoal in these because its ability to absorb oil and dirt from pores leaves skin feeling balanced and soft. “Our soaps are vegan, except for a line of coldprocessed goats’ milk, and we feel that it’s important to the health of our skin to keep it that way,” Jones says. “Because we believe in this philosophy as a way of life, our packaging is biodegradable as well.” Jones says people don’t have to give up beauty and scent for purity and gentleness. She uses oxides for colors and adds essential oils as much as possible. She has a wide variety of scents, shapes and textures from which to choose. Soap fragrances include Hawaiian jasmine, oatmeal almond honey, tea tree lavender, rose and sandalwood. Dead Sea salt scrub and sugar scrub bars are among the scrubs. She also has a men’s beard and hair oil for softening and control, along with argan oil and clay masks. She has something for everyone, including beautiful gift baskets and assortments.

Next road trip head for Oregon Coast

Stop by the market to see all the wonderful products she has for soothing your skin year-round. If you have sensitive skin, this is the booth to visit. National Farmers Market

Week, Aug. 5-11, is a time to thank the farmers whose hard work comes to fruition in the produce we find at local farmers market. We also want to thank you, the customers and community, for

supporting your local farmers market.

with the speed and determination of hackers by yourself. You need help. MSP end-point AV is the only way to do it in today’s Internet environment. Your standalone AV is just that, all by itself, inside your computer, using your computer resources in an attempt to defend you against virus and malware attacks. The MSP model groups an army of computers together, all cooperating to fend off hacks. So your choice is to stand alone and defend yourself against the hordes of invading hackers, or stand with us and fight back. By the way, the cost for an army is the same as standing by yourself. OK, so you like your inferior, passé and problem-ridden old AV and switching seems such a bother. Well then, you’d better have a great backup, otherwise you risk losing everything in an instant. Poof, all your data is gone. We had a customer whose hard-disk drive (HDD) just took a dump (that’s a technical term for crashed) and his backup wasn’t working. We tried recovering the data but quickly determined this was beyond our scope. It was a job for Drive Savers in Novato. They are renowned at recovering data no one else can. Sadly, no luck.

The drive had a physical crash, meaning the head that “floats” over the media actually came in contact with the media (disk). This caused a scratch that destroyed the drive. Had Drive Savers been successful, the charge would have been $2,600. So are you managing your backups like your AV? That means standing on your own to perform a job that requires extreme technical know-how. If you are a small to medium business without Information Technology (IT) support, what the heck are you doing? Might as well drive around town without a seatbelt, no doors and a giant target that says, “Hit me, I dare you.” Nostalgia is great for black and white reruns, but hardly a formula for the hyper-connected society we live in today. I am telling you not to go it alone, asking you to wake up and start proactively managing your computer life. Otherwise, we make big bucks trying to fix everything. Your choice, make the right one. Call us for details.

For the complete schedule of the Farmers Market, see their ad on page 12.

Don’t get all nostalgic about computer safety

WiLL CLAney

TECH TALK

“Lucy, you got a lot of ’splainin’ to do.” Ricky from the ’50s sitcom “I Love Lucy” says it all if you lose your data or it becomes corrupted, stolen or held for ransom. In today’s Internet environment, there is a lot going on that needs ’splainin.’ So you’ve got an antivirus (AV). You think it’s working OK, and you’re protected from computer hacks. But if your AV is so good, why are we getting hundreds of customers every year that are infected? ’Splain dat. Not to mention you have a bloated, performance-killer, intrusive, ad-pitching, pop-up AV like AVG, Norton and McAfee that keeps you guessing if you’re in compliance. To be fair, we recommended these AVs back in the old days. But, like watching old reruns of “Lucy,” those days have passed and you need to catch up. The primary reason we have switched to the Managed Service Provider (MSP) model is simple: You can’t keep up

William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.

6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton

925-693-0757 (main) Clayton residents since 1959

ROBERT CASEY PLACES TO GO

There are plenty of possibilities for summer road trips in California, such as Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and coastal Highway 1. But if you are weary of the usual California destinations, it may be time to experience the wonders of our neighbor to the north: Oregon. Starting in Astoria on the northern Oregon coast and heading south to Brookings, here are some of the top places to stop, breathe in the fresh Pacific breeze and look around. Astoria. Situated at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, Astoria is rich in history and shipwrecks. A stop at the Columbia River Maritime Museum is a must, as well as a visit to the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks, which include Fort Clatsop National Memorial. At nearby Fort Stevens State Park, you can see the treacherous mouth of the Columbia and visit the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, which ran aground here in 1906. Be sure to see the famous Astoria Column, a

125-foot tower atop Coxcomb Hill with great views of the surrounding countryside. If that’s not enough reason to visit, Astoria is where “Kindergarten Cop” with Arnold Schwarzenegger was filmed. Cannon Beach. The home of Haystack Rock, this is one of the most popular beaches in Oregon. Watch birds, go hiking, ride horses on the beach or just soak in the stunning scenery. In 1846, the U.S. Navy schooner Shark ran aground trying to cross the Columbia Bar, known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. A cannon washed ashore but disappeared, then was rediscovered in 1898 – inspiring the name. The cannon is now housed in the city’s museum and a replica can be seen alongside U.S. 101. Tillamook Cheese Factory. An hour and 20 minutes past Cannon Beach, this is one of the coast’s top attractions and draws more than 1 million visitors a year. Take a self-guided tour and sample ice cream in the Creamery Café. Yaquina Head Lighthouse. At 93 feet tall, Oregon’s tallest lighthouse stands vigil over the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. It has a terrific visitor’s center with exhibits about the history of the lighthouse and the wildlife around it. There’s a wonderful viewing area where you can often spot migrating gray whales. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This is the largest sand dune area in North America, with some

If You Go

Dress in layers. Weather

conditions can vary dramatically between the coast and the interior valleys. Take a heavy jacket for foggy, windy days at the beaches and some short-sleeve shirts and shorts for the interior. For more information. For free travel guides, maps and things to do, go to traveloregon.com.

dunes as high as 500 feet above the ocean. ATV riding is the big attraction here, and many visitors camp among the dunes by night and ride out into the dunes by day. Don’t have an ATV? No worries. There are plenty of rental shops. Coos Bay and Brookings. Coos Bay is the largest city along the coast between San Francisco and Seattle, and it’s a popular tourist stop. The drive south is exceptionally beautiful as you cruise the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which concludes at Brookings, home to Harris Beach State Park as well as the largest stand of coastal redwoods in Oregon.

Robert Casey is president of Fair Winds Cruises & Expeditions in Clayton. He can be reached at 925-787-8252 or caseyrdc@gmail.com. Or visit fairwindscruises.com.

ACTIVE

• 115 Jeffrey Ranch Ct., Clayton

$789,999 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx. 2003 sq.ft.

Listing agent: Rula Masannat

• 9072 Powell Ave., Hesperia

$320,000 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, approx. 2601 sq.ft.

Listing agent: Rula Masannat

• 3295 Monika Ln., Hayward

$600,000 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1690 sq. ft.

Listing agent: Rula Masannat

• 955 Snow Dr., Martinez

$815,000 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 2562 sq.ft.

Listing agent: Matt Mazzei

PENDING

• 26 Lakeview Dr., Bay Point

$370,000 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx. 1491 sq.ft.

Listing agent: Matt Mazzei

• 501 Suisun Ct., Clayton

3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1904 sq.ft.

• 25 Mozden Lane, Pleasant Hill

3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1488 sq. ft.

$729,000

Listing agent: Matt Mazzei

$550,000

Listing agent: Matt Mazzei

• 627 Carpino Ave., Pittsburg Duplex

$399,000

3 bedroom/1 bathroom & 2 bedroom/1 bathroom Listing agent: Matt Mazzei

mazzeirealty.net

Matt Mazzei, Jr.,

Paula & Rod Johnstone

Rula Masannat

BRE# 01881269

DRE# 00797857

DRE# 01923757

Broker/Owner 925-766-6745 matt@mazzeirealty.net

Broker Associate Paula 925-381-8810 Rod 925-286-5765

heypaula10@gmail.com

Sales Agent 415-310-2905 rulawithmazzei@yahoo.com

Page 16

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

August 10, 2018

Senior Living

Maggie Lennon randma and Grandpa sitting around the retirement home smoking weed, or munching cannabis edibles like space cakes and fire crackers, hardly conjures up what most people imagine retirement looks like. But then present-day seniors are Baby Boomers, the generation that spent their youth getting high – encouraged to turn on, tune out and drop out while Bob Dylan wailed “Everyone Must Get Stoned.” With 23 states now legalizing medicinal marijuana and some, like California, allowing recreational use, it’s no wonder marijuana and

cannabis use is up 57 percent for people aged 50-80. At one-time, movies like “Reefer Madness” demonized marijuana. It was considered so hypnotic that marijuana was proclaimed Public Enemy No 1. Fast forward to 2018, and Time magazine declares in a special edition that weed has become the new wine. Michael Stoll, a professor at UCLA who studies retiree migration trends, says there is “anecdotal evidence that some seniors even use states legalization of marijuana in their decision on where to retire.” When it comes to buying their weed, seniors tend to spend more than others. According to karingkind.com, those over

age 70 go to marijuana stores less often than the general population. But when they’re there, they spend more – $64 dollars on average per visit. People in their 40s spend an average of $39. For the majority of today’s seniors, it is marijuana’s medicinal qualities that encourage their usage. With age comes pain and disease and the need for more medicine. Due to the crisis in opioid pain killer use, doctors are under political pressure to start prescribing something different. With its pharmacological benefits, marijuana can be of benefit when dealing with arthritis, insomnia, glaucoma, cancer and chemotherapy. Seniors tend to prefer edibles over smoking. “A lot of

people don’t like to smoke marijuana, because running hot smoke into the lungs can be unpleasant,” says Kari Franson, the medical school dean at the University of Colorado. Many doctors have concerns about marijuana use for seniors. “Marijuana can weaken balance and slow reaction time,” notes Dr. Lynn Webster, past President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. “I’m worried about falls,” he told CBS in program

about seniors and marijuana. “I wish we had the science to understand who marijuana would help and in what doses and for whom it would be toxic. Long-term effects of the drug on elderly people is not known.” Luckily for seniors, there are people like Sue Taylor. The retired East Bay school principal is about to open a pot dispensary called I Cann in Berkeley. She wants to focus on informing seniors and minorities, two demographics that are sometimes

overlooked by dispensaries. After her son introduced her to the cannabis community, Taylor turned into an activist. “I became passionate about the healing aspects, letting people know that there are alternative ways,” she says.

lenges can support independence. Maintaining a strong support system can ensure good physical and mental health. Engaging family in such discussions can provide peace of mind for everyone. Having an early conversation about the unknowns can make the decision-making process easier than having to make choices faced head-on with challenges. It does not have to be scary or invasive to have someone assist you in your home. For many, it’s no different than having someone clean your house or even having a friend visit for the day. Many times, caregivers become an extended part of the family and provide needed social support. In-home, private care comes in many forms and is

usually more affordable than assisted living or facility care. Understanding the various models of in-home care can take away the fear of making a decision. Options include:

Maggie Lennon is a columnist and is currently working on her blog. Contact her at maggielennon164@yahoo.com

Advertise in our Senior Living section: 672-0500 Johana Seminario, LVN ResCare Branch Manager eople look forward to their golden years, hoping to relax and do the things they always wanted to do. However, seniors often find that doing the little things becomes difficult. In today’s world, seniors need to find their voice in asking for help. Whether from family members or a paid caregiver, assistance with simple homemaking tasks and personal care can make all the difference. Living with dignity and independence in familiar surroundings is important, and assistance with these chal-

Affordable care you can trust

• • • • • • • • • •

Drop-in visits. Hourly care. Short-term services. Intermittent care. Overnight care. Concierge-style services. Medication assistance. Personal care. Homemaking. Companionship

Knowing when to ask for help is important. Being part of that decision will make for a winning solution and is key to lasting independence.

You may be able to use a reverse mortgage to access the equity in your home Mortgage Loan Originator Certified Public Accountant

ResCare is committed to finding innovative solutions to help seniors and individuals with disabilities stay in their own homes. • • • • • • • •

Drop-in visits Overnight care Medication reminder Personal care & homemaking Companionship Alzheimer’s and dementia care Respite Care Transport to/from appointments/errands

ResCare Home Care 1850 Gateway Blvd., Suite 280, Concord Johana Seminario, LVN, Branch Manager 925.685.5577 jlseminario@rescare.com

CALL FOR FREE ASSESSMENT

ResCare.com

• Turn Home Equity into Cash • No Monthly Mortgage Payments (Borrower to remain current on their property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA fees, occupy home as primary residence and maintain property.) • FHA-Insured Program for Seniors

HighTechLending, Inc., Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. #4130937 NMLS #7147. Equal HousingLender. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. This material is not from HUD for FHA, and was not approved by HUD, FHA or any other government agency.

August 10, 2018

Carleton Senior Living ealthy eating is important no matter your age, but it can be challenging to choose healthy snacks with high nutritional value that also sustain your appetite. Selecting items that are nutrient-dense instead of calorie-dense can be the key to snacking smart. Nutrient-dense foods are high in nutritional value yet relatively low in calories. Caloriedense foods provide many calories for a small amount of food, which can lead to consuming more than the recommended serving size of these not-so-healthy choices. Nutrient-dense foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fatfree milk products, seafood, lean meats, eggs, peas, beans and nuts. These foods con-

Christine Kogut Savvy Senior steoporosis is a condition in which bones become more porous, fragile and brittle. The result is that bones will break more easily, mobility can become more limited and people can lose height as well. This is an elusive disease. Most people won’t have any symptoms until they break a

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

tain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats. Choose these delicious treats to get the most bang for your nutritional buck. Calorie-dense foods include high-calorie foods like potato chips, sugary drinks, candy, baked treats and alcoholic beverages. Because some of these foods provide little more than energy and almost no nutrients, they are often referred to as “empty calories.” Not surprisingly, many of our favorite snacks fall into the calorie-dense category. Consuming these food items in moderation plays an important role in maintaining overall health. To give you an idea of how some common snacks stack up against each other, check out this interesting

bone. Smaller women are more prone to this condition as they age, and the risk of developing this disease is greater after menopause. In severe cases, compression fractures can occur more easily in the spine. These fractures heal spontaneously but are left collapsed. When height decreases, so does the space where the lungs, stomach and other organs reside. Over time, it can have a negative effect on breathing, eating

comparison from the National Institute on Aging. Let’s say that you wanted to have a snack that contained about 100 calories. You might choose: • A 7- or 8-inch banana. • Two ounces baked chicken breast with no skin. • Three cups low-fat popcorn. • Two regular chocolatesandwich cookies. • A half cup low-fat ice cream. • One large scrambled egg cooked with fat. • Twenty peanuts. • Half of an average-size candy bar. Although these examples all have about 100 calories, there are some big differences: • Bananas, chicken, peanuts and eggs are more nutrientdense.

and perhaps even bowel and bladder function. As we become older, balance and strength decline and falls are more likely. This can result in decreased mobility, disability, loss of quality of life, depression and significant costs. Like many diseases, osteoporosis it both preventable and treatable. It’s important to be proactive about protecting bone health before you run into trouble.

Page 17

• Popcorn or chicken are likely to help you feel more satisfied. • Chicken, peanuts and eggs have more protein. • Cookies, candy and ice cream have more added sugar.

Carlton Senior Living recognizes the importance of treating your body well through exercise and making healthy dietary choices. Our chefs, partnering with our nutritionist, have established a from-scratch menu that appeals to the wants and needs of our seniors. For more information on healthy eating, check out the USDA/NIA online tip sheet, “Choosing Healthy Meals As You Get Older: 10 Healthy Eating Tips for People Age Walnut Creek restaurant owner Peter Colicchia demon65+.” strates how to make bruschetta, a healthy italian appetizer.

He lives at Carlton Senior Living in downtown Pleasant Hill.

Preventative measures which promote healthy bones include sufficient calcium intake, achieving adequate levels of Vitamin D and performing bone-healthy exercises. The goal should be to maintain existing bone and stop further bone loss. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines and soy products such as tofu. If you find it difficult to get enough cal-

cium from your diet, ask your doctor about supplements. Good sources of Vitamin D include oily fish, such as tuna and sardines, egg yolks and fortified milk. Sunlight also contributes to the body’s production of Vitamin D. Maintain a healthy weight or lose excess weight. Stay active and ask your doctor about bone-strengthening exercises. Smoking weakens bones, so stop. Also limit intake of alcohol because it can increase the risk of falling and getting a fracture.

If you’re concerned about your bone health or your risk factors for osteoporosis, including a recent bone fracture, consult your doctor. A bone density test can help gauge your bone density and determine your rate of bone loss. By evaluating this information and your risk factors, your doctor can assess whether you might be a candidate for medication to slow down bone loss.

Christine Kogut has lived in the area for more than 40 years and is a former marketing director for the Concord Senior Citizens Club.

Consider living at Carlton Senior Living

• We offer our residents a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee “Through our exclusive 70/70 Program” • Family Owned and Operated for 35 years “Experience makes a world of difference” • Fixed pricing or level pricing on personal care services “Your option, we do not nickel and dime you”

What you see with us is what you get at our communities. We have integrity and compassion and we realize that most seniors are on a fixed budget. With us there are no unexpected rental fees, charges, or service fees increases without proper notice.

CALL US TODAY to Enjoy Life 800-227-5866

Great communities throughout Northern California: Concord, Pleasant Hill, Fremont San Jose, Fremont Davis, Elk Grove and Sacramento.

Visit our Website at:

CarltonSeniorLiving.com

Page 18

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

August 10, 2018

Mexican sage, hardy, colorful and loves the sun

bird-friendly. It is also deer- and gopher-tolerant. Mexican sage has velvety, powder-gray foliage and lanceshaped leaves. By mid-summer,

it begins to bloom. Flowering spikes stretch 8-12 inches long and are covered with tiny, twolipped flowers. Colors differ depending on the variety. You’ll

find purple, purple with white calyx and occasionally pink. As Salvia leucantha matures, it can reach 3-5 feet tall and wide. Several years ago, a dwarf called Santa Barbra was introduced. This selection stays more compact and has the traditional purple flower. Growers can enjoy the flower spikes July-October, making Mexican sage a great perennial to incorporate in a landscape to extend the flower display well into autumn. Use Mexican sage as a companion to earlier blooming perennials such as Moonshine Yarrow, Santa Barbara daisies and Spanish lavender. Mexican sage is also sturdy and hardy enough to stand alone

As residents were still awaking from hard-earned Saturday sleep-ins, the corner at Ed’s Mudville Grill filled to the brim with Hudson’s family, friends and fellow veterans. Emphasizing an opening rally on Center Street were the

thunderous motorcycles of the Warriors’ Watch Riders, a group that specializes in sending off and welcoming home troops. In escort was a powder-blue VW bug carrying Hudson, whose blissfully unbroken smile elicited cheers from all. On the patio, a collective performance of the national anthem and a prayer from master of ceremonies Matthew Boggs set the event into motion. Clayton Mayor Keith Haydon and Concord City Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister each presented Hudson with a city proclamation that recognized the extent and valor of his service. The pair declared July 21 as Lt. Col. Michael Hudson Day in their respective cities, leaving the honoree in palpable awe. Addresses from the Diablo Valley Flag Brigade, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Warriors’

Watch Riders and the Blue Star Moms ensued. They spoke of Hudson’s impending status as a leader in the community, warranted by his selfless career. Many gave Hudson organization-specific “challenge coins,” said to hold bragging rights nationwide. Other gifts included nuzzles from dogs of the Diablo Valley Flag Brigade’s Petting Officer Pack, a 9/11 American flag and a pint of cold beer. With the closing spot on the microphone, Hudson humbly commended the unceasing toil of local first responders, juxtaposed his fortunate position with that of soldiers still abroad and thanked wife Cristela and daughters Gabriella, 9, and Yullina, 8. Hudson, a Concord native, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1993. From 2004-’08, he served in Operation Iraqi

niCOLe HACKeTT

GARDEN GIRL

Salvia leucantha is a sensational sage that is perfect for Concord gardens and landscapes. This hardy perennial is commonly called Mexican sage, and it can tolerate every bit of sun and heat that our climate has to offer. It is incredibly droughtresistant, seldom needs fertilizer and is both bee- and humming-

gardeners prize Mexican Sage for its ornamental and showy velvety flower spikes produced from summer well into fall.

in the landscape. Plant near a large boulder as an accent or encase a spring-blooming ornamental tree such as a redbud or red-leafed flowering plum for extended floral interest. Mexican sage makes an outstanding cut flower and becomes a creative ingredient for a fallinspired flower arrangement. In the past, I have seen folks hollow out pumpkins and fill them with spikes of purple Mexican sage, silver-leafed eucalyptus and red alstroemeria for a super-creative combination. Consider installing Mexican sage in a large container. Plant gaillardia goblin or a black-leafed ipomoea as the filler, then add some yellow-blooming calylo-

phus for an exciting combination to be enjoyed all season long. In winter, care for Mexican sage as you would lantana. In middle spring, prune the plant way down to encourage new growth. It is easier for a plant to generate new stems and leaves if you remove dry branches from the past year. Drought-tolerant plants aren’t effective until established, so water regularly the first few weeks after installing. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com

Clayton proudly honors retiring Marine Corps vet ADAM PINGATORE Pioneer Staff Intern

On July 21, Clayton welcomed home Lt. Col. Michael Hudson, 45, following his recent retirement from a 25-year service with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Fall Program 925-672-0388

Teacher positions available

ClaytonCommunitySchool@gmail.com

Adam Pingatore

Lt. Col. Michael Hudson, center rear, stands with wife Cristela and daughters gabriela and yullina at the end of his July 21 welcome home ceremony.

Freedom as a commander and operations officer. In subsequent deployments, he worked with Ukrainian Naval Special Operations to help plan the multinational Sea Breeze exercise, was a

member of the Special Operations Task Force-South advising Afghan Village Stability Operations and worked to help his Afghan translator become a U.S. citizen through the Special Immigrant Visa Program.

Nancy E. Bennett 4460 Pinon Ct. – Concord

Beautifully updated single-story home in the Crossings. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1917 sq.ft., .17 acre lot, freshly painted. New carpet, interior doors and dual paned windows. Spacious living room includes a vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and formal dining area. Openconcept kitchen/family room combo features lots of prep space, breakfast bar, gas cooktop and double oven.

Offered at $775,000

COMING SOON

4486 Camstock Ct. – Concord

PEN

DING

Beautiful and spacious Crossings home is move in ready. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1842 sq. ft. Gorgeous laminate flooring, updated kitchen with granite counters, dual paned windows and a brand new roof. Spacious living room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and a formal dining room. Fantastic backyard with shaded arbor perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

Offered at $767,500

• Concord – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1308 sq ft single story charmer • Concord – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1108 sq ft nicely updated single story • Walnut Creek, Rudgear Estates – 5 beds, 2.5 baths, 2604 sq ft beautifully updated 2-story

Fantastic opportunity with this bright and airy two-story open-floorplan home. This home is move-in ready and in a convenient commute location. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1536 sq. ft. on a .15 acre lot. Freshly painted throughout with new carpet, and dual paned windows, vaulted ceiling, fireplace and dining area. Bright and sunny eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space.

Offered at $435,000

What our clients say

Nancy and her team were great to work with. They offered excellent advice and handled everything from getting the place updated and coordinating with various contractors as we were in another state. They also managed deadlines well in order to close on time within 21 days. They were great to work with.

CEO, The Bennett Team #1 Agent in Concord for the last 6 years combined

CalBRE #01399870

2927 Cashew St. – Antioch

925.606.8400

Nancy@BennettBetter.com

BENNETTBETTER.COM

Selling more than 8 times as many homes as the average realtor.

AUG 10 Clayton Pioneer 2018

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Pioneer Around Town Aug 10