PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
925.672.0500
Landscape District to go to voters this year JILL BEDECARRÉ AND TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The city council will not wait for the Landscape Maintenance District to reach the end of its ten-year term before putting the assessment issue before the voters. A Blue Ribbon Landscape
Maintenance Committee was established by the council over a year ago to review and evaluate the city’s landscaping issues. The committee presented their findings and recommendations to the city council last week. Their strategic plan calls for a special election to renew the district this year—two years before the district expires in 2007. The
election will be decided either by a mail ballot on August 30 or at the polls on November 8. Voters will be asked to increase their current annual assessment from $122.90 to at least $365 per parcel per year. The assessment is to cover citywide landscape maintenance costs and to fund $2.3 million in deferred maintenance and capital
improvements. Measure E, passed in 1997, initially provided for a special tax to fund landscape improvements and maintenance of the city’s roadways, medians, open spaces and the city fountain at the corner of Clayton Road and Oakhurst. Since its inception, the district has been seriously under funded. “(In
1997) we didn’t go for what we needed, we went for what the voters would pass, said Mayor Gregg Manning.” An unrealistic assessment compounded by an inadequate provision for inflationary increases has left the District with dying
Clayton Counts Down
Headline stories of 2004 Clayton hit the national scene last year when Erin Dobratz took the bronze in synchronized swimming at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. For a recap of this and the other top stories from last year, read on.
GREGG MANNING
MAYOR’S CORNER Last year was very eventful for the city, the state, the country and the world, for that matter. A year ago we did not know what was going to happen in 2004 but we knew it would effect us in many ways. The same is true for the coming 2005. A great many things will happen and we hope that in balance the changes will be beneficial for each of you. 2004 ended in Clayton with the city’s Countdown to the New Year. This was the second annual Clayton New Year’s Eve celebration and it was even bigger than last year’s. This is a family event and the large number of families attending seemed to have a great time. With all of the rain, I was worried there would be a lower turnout but that proved not to be the case. I want to thank all of the volunteers who worked in all aspects of the event. Without each of you and your efforts and contributions to the evening, nothing would have happened. We are already planning for the celebration that will usher in 2006. All of us do a lot of planning, and it’s good to do so. However, events in the last part of the year got me thinking about the present and whether or not I am looking too much
See Mayor, page 8
DOBRATZ
She’s not a morning person. When you call her office before
BRINGS HOME THE
BRONZE
SCOTT LORENTZEN, 6,
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
AND
JACK CLOUGH, 7, both of Clayton bounce into the New Year at Clayton’s New Year’s Eve party.
Clayton really knows how to throw a party. About 1200 people showed up to ring in the New Year at the Clayton Community Gym at Diablo View Middle School. Despite the rain and the wind, families came into the gym in droves with the kids darting from one game to another and the parents frantically trying to keep up. This was the second year that the city of Clayton in
conjunction with the YMCA put on an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party with something for everyone. The free event featured hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks for dinner plus plenty of popcorn and cookies for dessert. There was kickball, pillow polo, family soccer, adult and kids basketball, a hat decorating contest and the popular jungle gym. The first three hundred chil-
dren received a t-shirt. The Connel family of Clayton were all smiles at the event. “I think it’s fantastic,” said Jacqueline Connel as she watched her two children Serena and Tyler fly down the slide. Kate and Rick Happy of Clayton also enjoyed the festivities with their three children William, Meredith and Sarah. “We wanted to do something fun with the kids. They really did a good job,”
Hoffmeister lives a tale of two cities JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
See Landscape, page 5
10 a.m., her co-workers sometimes laugh when you ask if she’s in. “I just don’t do mornings very well,” she says. She may not do mornings
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
Laura Hoffmeister and Clayton City Manager Gary Napper
well. But Laura Hoffmeister is good at a lot of other things, like being the Mayor of Concord and the Assistant to the City Manager of Clayton, her full-time job for the past six and a half years. Her boss, Clayton City Manager Gary Napper says Laura is the “perfect assistant for a city like Clayton.” “She’s everywhere,” he adds. The petite 43-year old elected official does seem to be everywhere in Concord and in Clayton. Her calendar is chock full of meetings, special events, conference calls, socials, ribbon cuttings, council sessions and chamber mixers. And very often her days move quickly into
nights when she shuffles back and forth between a myriad of mayoral duties and the responsibilities that come with helping to manage a city. “She comes into my office at four or five o’clock ready to chat, and we’re all starting to wind down,” says Napper. He describes her as “detail-oriented” and that helps with the hoards of paperwork that come with the territory. Her office speaks for itself. Piles of documents and reports are stacked on her desk, on the floor and on top of her computer. She spends anywhere from 10 to 20 hours reading Concord City Council agendas
See Two Cities, page 8
Kate said. Over 100 people stayed until the very end and rang in the New Year. Volunteers manned the food stand, games and individual activities while a variety of sponsors made the event possible. Committee members estimate that they more than doubled last year’s attendance. For more New Year’s photos, see Around Town on page 3.
Clayton’s own 21-year old Erin Dobratz was one of nine girls on the U.S. Synchronized swimming team who swam to a bronze medal at the 2004 games in Athens this past summer. Erin has been training since she was nine years old and has traveled all over the world. “It has b e e n amazing to meet the athletes from all the other ERIN DOBRATZ sports who have the same goals and dreams as I do,” Erin said after the medal ceremony. Following the Olympics, she returned to Stanford University to finish her senior year. OKTOBERFEST THE BARRELS
ROLLS
OUT
It was a true German Volkfest right in downtown Clayton when the Clayton Business and Community
See Stories, page 6
Village Market to reopen in March TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Despite the insurance company’s refusal to pay his claim, Village Market owner Sam Sandhu says he will reopen in March. The store has been boarded up since an early morning fire last January heavily damaged the upstairs area. Efforts to collect the insurance money have been unsuccessful and Farmers Insurance denied the claim in September. In response, Sandhu filed a suit against Farmers for nearly $1 million in losses sus-
tained from the fire and another $1 million in damages, charging that the company has acted in bad faith Immediately after the fire,
See Market, page 18
Send a Valentine to your sweetie. See page 17
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
Around Town Sunshine pays visit to Clayton Pioneer
CATHIE GERNHARDT and new pony Sunshine. Cathie Gernhardt took time out of her busy holiday to show us her Christmas present from Santa. (Actually it’s a present Cathy gave to herself). Sunshine is four-month old miniature pony and he came by the Pioneer office to show off his new red coat. Cathy has begun the training process. Knowing her love of animals (dogs, cats, birds and now ponies), we expect Sunshine to spend a lot time inside the home with the family.
Diablo View drama club has a “Most Wonderful Time”
December 25 - A Gray day Tristan Anthony Gray is definitely a “chip off the old block.” Following in his dad’s footsteps, the seven pound eight ounce baby was the first thing out of Santa’s bag at 6:19 on Christmas morning. 35 years ago, dad Tony, also arrived first thing on Christmas morning. Tristan is the first child for Tony and Michelle Gray of Clayton. Grandparents Dave and Carol Gray and Cheryl Gray, all of Clayton, say that Tony was the best Christmas present ever! Now, Tony and Michelle are saying the same thing about Tristan. The baby’s maternal grandfather is Chuck Boldischiar of Pleasant Hill. Grandpa Dave Gray who writes the Golf Tips column for the Pioneer says, “Next year there will be a very festive
Courtney Carmignani, daughter of Duane and Linda Carmignani of Clayton and a 2001 graduate of Clayton Valley High School is currently teaching English and painting classes at an orphanage in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Courtney is serving a Christian Service Internship with the Christian Brothers of
MICHELLE, TONY AND NEW BABY TRISTAN GRAY
train circling the Christmas Tree carrying golf clubs, motorcycles and, of course, a
CONNOR BRADLEY, JOE
largo cargo of Coors Lite for the dads.”
Van Wycks help with toys for the needy
On Dec. 13 the Diablo View Middle School drama club performed an original multicultural holiday play called “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…Winter Traditions from
Around the World” before a crowd of 200. Co-directors Patti Pratt and Arlene KikkawaNielson, along with 45 talented and creative sixth, seventh and eighth grade students conceived the ideas and created the script during their lunch breaks. In addition to traditional Christmas and Hanukkah scenes, the grand finale included a medley of 10 multicultural traditions read by O’LEARY, CODY PRATT students.
Courtney Carmignani interns in Brazil
DOUG AND HILDY VAN WYCK
State Farm, the United States Marine Corps, and Star 101.3 teamed up to bring toys and books to underprivileged children in the Bay Area. State Farm Agents throughout the Bay Area, including Doug Van Wyck of Clayton, were designated as drop off stations for children’s books and toys. Doug sent out 875 postcards to his clients inviting them to drop by with a book or toy. Boy, did his clients come through! They brought in 112 toys, stuffed animals, games, and books. Doug thinks his clients are the best and thanks them for their generosity.
COURTNEY CARMIGNANI
St. Mary’s College and living in a Brazilian monastery with six other students. Courtney is a senior at St. Mary’s and will graduate in May 2005. Majoring in broadcasting communications with a minor in political science, she is currently employed part-time at ABC News in San Francisco. Courtney has worked with Dan Ashley of ABC News who was instrumental in helping her obtain her internship with the station.
Morgan Territory - What beautiful views of Mt. Diablo and surrounding hills, this custom built 3 bedrooms 2 baths home with newer Hickory Wood floors throughout. This property has 2 separate parcels approx. 2 acres total. The perfect horse property, 3 horse stalls, tack and hay storage. $875,000
Regency Woods - Premium lot with wonderful view of the surrounding area. Located on a court this 4 bedrooms plus office has 2 ½ baths with an updated kitchen, Anderson windows, formal living and dining room. Outside you find RV parking, newer roof, 3 car garage and views from the back yard of the Delta.
$715,000
Clayton Regency - Suncrest series Manufactured home. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. 1300 sq. ft. of living space, central heat/air, inviting master suite w/ jetted tub separate shower, walk-in closet, kitchen with breakfast bar, pantry, living and dining room area, in laundry room. $119,000
North Clayton - Tri level home with approx. 2300 sq ft of living space. 4 bedrooms 2 ½ baths all updated. Inviting master suite with granite countertops & shower gourmet kitchen with maple cabinets and granite countertops. Outside you will find beautiful landscaped yards a Gazebo & solar heated pool. $819,980
Congratulations to Herbert Kessler the winner for the Fantasy Giveaway to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida Watch your mailbox for the next
Fantasy Giveaway to Mexico
January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
Around Town New Year’s celebration had something for everyone Games, contests and food were a big hit at this year’s “Clayton Counts Down” celebration at the community gym. photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
TAYLOR JAMES, CHAD TREPPA AND JANINE BANDAYREL decorate hats for a New Year’s Eve contest.
PHIL MEYLAN, VICE MAYOR DAVE SHUEY AND MARC MACAULAY flip burgers for the hungry party goers.
Rogelstad Day in Clayton The Clayton City Council recently pro- Engineer of heavy equipment before joins claimed December 22 as Mark Rogelstad the armed forces. Day in Clayton. Mark enlisted in the army following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was in charge of training officers and soldiers deployed to Iraq. Mark is currently on leave and will be discharged from the army in six months. He plans to serve several years in the Active Reserves. A graduate of Clayton Valley High School in 1998, Mark was active in local sports and dirt bike rac- MARK ROGELSTAD with his parents and granding and was employed as an Operating mother at the city council meeting.
Melissa Johnson gets thank you call from President Bush
JOAN MANNING, wife of Mayor Gregg Manning, serves popcorn to the crowds.
GAMES LIKE THIS SOCCER on New Year’s Eve.
BALL COMPETITION
were part of the fun
Clayton resident Melissa Johnson of the U.S. Coast Guard was one of 10 members of the military who received a personal thank you call from President Bush over the holidays. Johnson is a Petty officer 3rd class stationed on the Coast Guard Cutter Munro with home port in Alameda. She is a 2001 graduate of Clayton Valley High School and accomplished soccer player. She played for the competitive Diablo Valley Soccer
Club for several years and has played for U.S. armed forces for the past three years, traveling to Germany to compete. Johnson was initially stationed in Hawaii for two years and then moved to the Munro where she serves as corpsman for her ship. The Munro left Alameda on December 7 for the Persian Gulf but was re-routed to help out with Tsunami relief.
Mike’s Auto Body gives back Mike’s Auto Body of Concord, Walnut Creek, and Pleasanton joined local vendors and gave away two “new” used cars to deserving families just one week before Christmas. As part of the A-coat Select National Benevolence Program whose mission is to present refurbished cars to deserving individuals or organizations, Mike’s Auto Body with the help of the community spent months get-
ting the cars ready for the worthy participants. Hundreds of applications are submitted each year. This is the fourth year that owner Mike Rose has participated in the program. He and his wife Laurie fill each car with Christmas presents in the true holiday spirit. “Repairing the vehicles is the easy part. With so many people in need, picking the recipient is always the hardest part,” said Mike Rose.
DORIS DAVIS cries when she sees her new van for the first time.
MELISSA JOHNSON with her brother Kevin and her father Jim in front of the Munro.
georgevujnovich.com
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Mortgage Market Update
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Tel: (925) 672-44433
Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
110 Crow Place 227 Bigelow Street 5711 Verna Way 315 Diablo Street 7028 Molluk Way 3017 Windmill Canyon Dr 3401 Coyote Circle 4007 Hummingbird Way 1871 Eagle Peak Ave 5116 Keller Ridge Drive 1433 El Camino Drive
$720,000 $600,000 $594,000 $720,000 $650,000 $790,000 $500,000 $775,000 $740,000 $735,000 $598,000
12/22/04 12/21/04 12/17/04 12/15/04 12/15/04 12/14/04 12/09/04 12/08/04 11/30/04 11/30/04 11/30/04
2,053 1,794 1,338 2,300 1,835 2,313 1,554 2,935 2,467 2,467 --
BED/BATH
3/2 3/2.5 3/1 4/3 3/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 5/3 4/3 4/3 3/2
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
5474 Tara Drive 1778 Indian Wells Way 249 El Pueblo Place 3081 Windmill Canyon 1183 Shell Lane 5126 Keller Ridge Drive 5021 Keller Ridge 1261 Shell Circle 403 Chupcan Place 117 Crow Place 401 Chupcan Place
$590,000 $635,000 $760,000 $790,000 $452,500 $659,950 $540,000 $464,900 $579,000 $610,000 $579,000
11/29/04 11/23/04 11/19/04 11/18/04 11/18/04 11/18/04 11/17/04 11/17/04 11/17/04 11/16/04 11/14/04
1739 1904 2831 2315 1145 1493 1343 1355 1939 1561 1904
BED/BATH
4/3 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 3/2 3/2 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 3/2.5
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
408 Hummingbird Place 1721 Indian Wells Way 5117 Keller Ridge Drive 719 Acorn Drive 6015 Golden Eagle Way 3405 Coyote Circle 1876 Eagle Peak Ave 501 Suisun Court 1215 Buckeye Terrace 120 Gold Rush Court 101 Salazar Court
$639,000 $590,000 $729,000 $830,000 $837,000 $432,500 $750,000 $579,000 $570,000 $596,000 $645,000
11/12/04 11/05/04 11/05/04 11/03/04 11/02/04 11/01/04 10/29/04 10/29/04 10/28/04 10/27/04 10/26/04
1877 1,991 2,313 2,237 2,536 1,252 2,313 1,958 1,710 1,591 1,813
All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed
BED/BATH
3/2.5 3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2 5/2.5 2/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 3/2.5
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
i s e o V J a n Fleet-B e h T ronson Team d to ann
nnounce our affiliation with
ud o r p is
At Intero, we begin and end each day with one goal: to provide our clients with the finest customer service available in real estate. Every Intero real estate professional is guided by principles of trust, respect and integrity.
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Josie Van Fleet-Bronson
We love referrals and it shows
(formerly of RE/MAX)
Refer a successful buyer or seller to our office and be eligible to win $5000 cash.
Specializing in
Central and East Contra Costa County residential
2003 winners
and investment real estate since 1989
Loans/Refinancing Property Management
Last year’s winners were Teresa and Joe Delao. They used their winnings to add a bathroom to a bonus room in their home, creating a rental unit and adding $700 a month in income.
Listed on the 2003/2004 Better Business Honor Roll Last year, ranked #56 worldwide of 90,000 RE/MAX Realtors Listed in the 2004 Heritage Registry of Who’s Who Member of the Concord Chamber of Commerce Member of Oakhurst Country Club
1536 Kirker Pass Road, Suite D Clayton, CA 94517 925-672-4333 This year’s winner is Rae Castillo. Rae has two special needs children and a daughter attending Carondolet High School. The extra $5000 will go a long way in helping with tuition and school expenses.
Concord/Clayton Independently owned and operated
www.callthevanfleetbronsonteam.com 2004 winner
“Josie is a wonderful realtor who will bend over backwards to get your house sold. She is easy to get ahold of and is very personable, expending much of her own time and - Rae Castillo self into her work.”
A little magic found its way into this year’s Client Appreciation Dinner Over 200 happy Van Fleet-Bronson clients celebrated the holidays at the annual Client Appreciation Dinner at Oakhurst Country Club on December 5. An energetic clown with a real knack for making balloon hats kept the children’s interest while they waited for Santa Claus. But the real hit of the party was the magic show when handkerchiefs disappeared, hundred dollar bills split in half and a kid floated in mid air.
Become a Van Fleet-Bronson client today and be a part of next year’s fun.
We love referrals. Enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Oakhurst Country Club when you refer a successful buyer or seller to our office.
Because houses are selling so fast and inventory is so low, NOW is the perfect time to sell your home. If you are thinking of selling, call The Van Fleet Bronson Team today for a free market analysis of your home.
January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Landscape, from page 1 plants, decrepit irrigation systems and $2.5 million in deferred maintenance projects and uncompleted capital improvements. If the voters approved the assessment increase, the city plans to issue bonds in order to complete all of the deferred maintenance and capital improvements within the first few years. An overworked five-member maintenance staff has not been able to keep up with the maintenance requirements, In recent months residents have voiced their dissatisfaction with the abundance of weeds, overgrown brush, dead trees and broken irrigation heads, explains Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Dan Richardson.
As part of their research into the issues, the Committee circulated a survey among 238 Clayton residents. Answers documented in the strategic plan show that almost every resident uses the city’s walkways, trails and open space areas. A huge majority of those responding to the survey also feel that the quality of landscaping within the city affects not only property values but also the city’s image and safety of its citizens. Additionally, almost all of those surveyed want to see a downtown park and a continually operating fountain. However, the assessment, as proposed, includes only enough funding to run the fountain on weekends, and no funds are included for maintenance of
a downtown park. Encouraged by the survey findings, the Committee recommends increasing the assessment and creating a Citizens Oversight Committee to monitor expenditures and help the city manage the district. Their proposal would also increase the term of
the district to 15 years and include an escalator clause sufficient to account for inflation. While the council supports the plan, Richardson cautioned “this is not the Cadillac plan,” explaining that the committee wanted a plan that voters would get behind, particularly since
Respondents were asked: Do you think that the city’s landscaping affects property values? The city’s image? Safety of citizens?
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580
Source: Blue Ribbon Landscape Committee Strategic Plan
Clayton Police Department to raise money for tsunami aid The Clayton Police Department will be competing against the other Contra Costa County police departments in raising money for the American Red Cross tsunami aid. Diana Errington of the Clayton PD is asking Pioneer readers to bring extra change or cash or checks for what you can afford to the Clayton PD, 6000 Heritage Trail between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 10-14. For more information, call the Clayton PD-673-7350.
Classified HELP WANTED HVAC INSTALLER: 3 yrs. minimum experience. Good DMV and EPA certified. Call 925-673-3776
SERVICES HOUSE PLANS: Architectural plans drawn for addition/remodel permits. Title 24 energy. 30 years experience. Call for Dan DeSousa at 672-1327.
PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN BY NICOLE HACKETT AKA THE GARDEN GIRL Personal consultations regarding plant choices, placement, identification, fertilizing and maintenance. Spring is just around the corner. Call or email for information and pricing. 925 673-1746 (leave message) or GardenGirl94517@ aol.com.
landscape maintenance is an important issue for a lot of residents. He noted that other Contra Costa cities have similar or much higher landscape assessments. Brentwood’s assessments run as high as $1200 per year; San Ramon’s from $300-$900 per year, and Antioch’s goes as high as $388 per year. “We need to get going on an outreach campaign,” said Council Member Julie Pierce.
Richardson indicated that the Committee has already begun to schedule their strategic plan presentation with groups, homeowners associations and organizations within the city. They also hope to host public workshops, Town Hall meetings and neighborhood information sessions. The council will decide in March whether to hold the election by mail in August, or wait for the polls in November.
Directory of Advertisers
Source: Blue Ribbon Landscape Committee Strategic Plan
Of the 238 Clayton residents surveyed, a huge majority use the walkways, trails and open space. Few use the Dog Park.
Page 5
TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER Co-Publishers TAMARA S TEINER Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ Assistant Editor and Display Advertising J IM Z EWAN , Sports P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.
HOW TO PLACE AN AD Go to our Web site, claytonpioneer.com. Click on the Classified Advertising tab on the left side of the page. Complete the form to submit your ad. Mail a check for the number of insertions to P.O. Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. Or, call the Clayton Pioneer, 925-672-0500 to place your ad over the phone. Or, come by the office at 6200 Center Street, Suite F, Clayton between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rates are $12 for 30 words and 20 cents for each additional word. Classified deadline dates are printed above. The Clayton Pioneer will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. We reserve the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable. All classified ads must be paid for in advance. LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and
deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Web site. Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” You can also e-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com
Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 ACME Auto Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-8495 Aegis Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 A&J Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370-0747 Alaimo's Wood Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439-2769 Alise Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 Apronstrings Pet Sitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-7621 Aragon, Al - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . .287-6921 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6622 BJ's Groom & Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550-5626 Beaconquest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .473-4899 Benton, Mureleen - American Express . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 Clayton Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Home Inspection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9405 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Concord Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9530 Contra Costa Termite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7665 Crocker Insurance Agency - Sam Totah . . . . . . . . . . .941-1536 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . .524-5100 Elysium (formerly The Fox and The Fiddle) . . . . . . . .672-1333 Englund's Tea Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8327 Essential Skin Care by Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-1190 Ewing, Ken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .586-1882 Flannery, Patty - Coldwell Banker Real Estate . . . . .210-7480 Fleury's Floor Covering, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-1010 French, Lynne - Coldwell Banker Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Gregory, Cynthia - Permanent Solution . . . . . . . . . . .286-5162 Help You Sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 HomEquity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1119 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Instant Imprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9815 LaMar Information Technology Services . . . . . . . . . . .459-5606 Laurence, Pete - 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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Stories, from page 1 Association sponsored its first Oktoberfest the weekend of Oct. 1 and 2. It was a huge success, bringing nearly 15,000 people to the city to eat, drink and dance to the tunes of The Internationals, the only nonGerman band that has been invited to play in the world famous Munich Oktoberfest. The band was so enthralled with the town and Clayton and the great turnout they asked chairperson Maryann Lawrence if they could come back next year. Plans for next year’s event are already underway. CBCA…YOU’VE COME A LONG
try’s production of Premarin from pregnant mare urine. This past Thanksgiving, 48 foals were part of a planned drop at Marilyn Groene’s Creekside Farms on Marsh Creek Road orchestrated through the efforts of local volunteers and FoalQuest. With the decline in Premarin use, many PMU farms are losing their contracts with Premarin manufacturers and adoptable foals are plentiful. “It was an incredible drop,” said Buyny. “It was the biggest drop that any of us had ever heard of, and the prettiest bunch of foals I’ve seen,” she added.
WAY BABY
The Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) celebrated its twentieth anniversary this past year and continues to grow in membership with each year. The association began as a political action group in response to a growing mistrust of the city council at the time. Today the association is 130 members strong and one of its foremost tasks is to raise money and donate to a variety of local groups, schools and charitable programs. The association meets the last Thursday of each month at Oakhurst. $500,000 GRANT BRINGS CVHS ALL-WEATHER FOOTBALL FIELD AND TRACK FACILITIES CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE
In April the Mt. Diablo Unified School District voted to give Clayton Valley High School $500,000 of Proposition 55 money for a new track and football field improvements. The grant led to a state-of-theart field turf and new track, and gave a huge boost to local efforts to raise money for the project. Leading the fundraising effort was Pat Middendorf CVHS girls Athletic director and CVHS girls varsity soccer coach. Major benefactors included Steve and Debra Gonsalves, the Dianda Foundation, Mike and Laurie Rose, The Clayton Business and Community Association and the CVHS student body. On October 8 the Eagles varsity football team christened the new field with an impressive win over Liberty high school. Three weeks later the field was dedicated to Steve and Debra Gonsalves in a special ceremony for their contributions to the project. ONE FOAL AT A TIME The adoption of PMU foals through FoalQuest, a volunteer organization in Canada, got a jumpstart last January when we published a story about local residents who joined in the rescue operation. Jane Buyny and the Morucci family rescued a total of three foals last year from a dismal future in feed lots as a result of the PMU indus-
CVHS FORUM TEEN SUICIDE
ADDRESSES
The tragic suicide deaths of two Clayton Valley High School students led to a community forum at the high school on November 8. More than 400 parents and students attended to listen to information on adolescent destructive behavior and to address their fears over widespread rumors. The rumors focused on more suicides, cults and potential violence. Despite the encouraging words from principal John Neary and school psychologist Dr. Emanuel Weiss, more than 500 students stayed home from school the following day costing the school over $21,000 in state funds. The day went off without a hitch with 45 parents supervising the quad and police officers on campus. Since then, the school has participated in a special Challenge Day program on campus to help students deal with peer pressure and peer responsibilities. LEMKE TO DEVELOP SEMINARY HILL
The beleaguered Claretian seminary property in Regency
Woods is on its way to becoming a 24-home luxury development. Diablo Pointe developed by Lemke Construction was presented to the planning commission last March after the developer fielded questions from local residents at an information presentation at the site in February. Concerns focused primarily on hillside erosion and creek pollution. The project includes average lot sizes of 13,000 square feet and six lots close to a full acre. It was recently approved by the Planning Commission after 10 months of review and awaits approval by the city council. Lemke expects to begin demolition of the seminary building this month and begin construction on the homes by June. CITY
COUNCIL FINAL C LAYTON PARK DESIGN
APPROVES CENTRAL
Everyone was optimistic about the proposed new park in “the Grove” last January when the city council approved the final design plans for Clayton Central Park. The plan included grassy areas for movies, community art shows, informal concerts and room for a gazebo, water play structure, picnic areas and an arbor. Construction estimates were a
little over one million dollars. The city already had $580,000 including the $25,000 pledged by the Clayton Business and Community Association for the gazebo. It was expected at the time that the rest of the money would come from a $685,000 Urban Park grant. Last November dreams for a downtown park faded when Clayton failed to qualify for the grant. The $130 million available in the competitive grant went to blighted low income urban areas with high youth crime. “It’s a huge disappointment,” said city manager Gary Napper. “We’re still licking our wounds and trying to decide where to go from here.” EARLY MORNING FIRE CAUSES $60,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE VILLAGE MARKET When Sam Sandhu and his son, Johnny arrived to open the Village Market just before 7 a.m. on January 16, they found the store engulfed in smoke. The fire was extinguished in less than an hour. and caused an estimated $60,000 in damage. Later estimates brought the damage total to the building to over $400k. See front page story in this issue for lawsuit developments in the case.
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Page 7
How much are those home improvements worth? Houses that are in move-in condition, with updated bathrooms and kitchens, usually fetch the highest selling prices. Listings that need work are often discounted when they sell to take into account improvements that the buyers will need to make to the property. Market value is one factor to consider when making home improvements. Buyers pay more for homes that are well maintained. One way to protect the money you invest in your home is to establish a good home maintenance regime. A cost effective way to do this is to repair defects when they occur. Also, you can often avoid costly repairs with preventative mainte-
nance. Homebuyers often underestimate the time and money required to keep a home in good shape. Aside from home maintenance expenses, how much you spend on improving your home should depend on how long you plan to live there. It’s usually not cost-effective to complete major remodeling just before selling. For example, let’s say that your home has an older kitchen. To gut the kitchen and completely redo it could cost over $30,000. While you might recoup the total amount of your investment in time, you probably won’t recover the complete cost if you sell soon after the renovation is complete. How much of your renova-
STRAIGHT LINE IMPORTS
tion costs you’ll recoup when you sell depends in part on where you live. Here in Clayton Valley, for example, designer kitchens with granite counters and high tech appliances are in high demand. Such kitchens are likely to pay back 85 to 95 percent of the dollars invested according to a survey by Remodeling Magazine. In Miami, Florida, however, a fancy new kitchen might only return 58 percent. Nationally, on average, homeowners who invested approximately $30,000 in a major kitchen remodel could expect to recoup about 70 percent of that. If you’re planning to move soon, a kitchen update is usually more profitable than a major kitchen remodel. Some kitchens are improved significantly by
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE
painting the cabinets, changing the hardware, replacing the floor covering and updating the light fixtures. This might cost as little as $5,000 to $10,000. You might recoup more than double your investment on such an improvement. The biggest dilemma for most homeowners is how much
to spend on major improvements to a home that you plan to live in for the long term. To help you make such a decision, consult with your real estate agent. Find out what your home is currently worth and how much it would be worth with the renovations you’re contemplating. You should try to avoid over-improving your home for the neighborhood. The next step is to talk to an architect and/or contractor to get a ballpark estimate of what the renovation will cost. Check this out before you pay an architect to draw plans. Then add the amount of the improvements to the price you paid for your home. If this amount exceeds the expected value of your home after the renovation is complete, you may be over-improving.
The return on your investment is rarely the only concern. Home improvements are likely to improve the quality of your life. This can be worth plenty in terms of personal satisfaction. There’s nothing inherently wrong with fixing up your home so that it’s just the way you want it. But, it’s unrealistic to expect that a future buyer will compensate you dollar-for-dollar for your efforts. If you’re planning an expensive renovation, it’s wise to consider the marketability of your improvements. Your agent can tell you if future buyers are likely to pay for the improvements you have in mind. For any real estate needs or questions contact Lynne at: Phone (925) 6728787 or E-mail: Lynne@LynneFrench.com
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If you’re not from the West Coast, you can stop reading now. You’re probably a fan of blue or king or snow or stone crabs. But, ah, the sweet flaky meat of a Dungeness crab—a truly awesome delicacy. Most of the world’s 4,000plus varieties of crab are found in North America. The majority of edible crab belongs to the order Decapoda—a name that no doubt comes from the fact that such crabs have five pairs of legs, including the front pinchers. Crabs are touted for their health benefits. They are a good source of chromium, which is used by the body to help maintain normal blood sugar levels. Chromium is also linked to higher levels of HDL, the socalled “good” cholesterol. They also contain selenium, a trace element that works as an antioxidant, as well as magnesium, folate and Vitamin B6. At fewer than 90 calories per 3-oz. serv-
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ing, crab makes a wonderful source of protein. Dungeness crabs are found up and down the west coast of North America. Alaskan varieties are caught mid-year and frozen for future sale. Fresh crab from California waters are harvested starting in late fall and throughout the winter months. The beginning of the crab season is almost always highlighted by low prices, much to the chagrin of the fishing industry, which would prefer controls to help boost prices and maintain quality of the catch. California fisherman might want to take a look at the Crab Riots of neighboring Canada before pushing too hard for political intervention. In 1982 and again in 1996, crabbers challenged quotas imposed so that more fishermen could participate. The New Brunswick crab fleet tied up in port for weeks until crowds of frustrated, financially-exhausted fishermen and processors started to attack federal fisheries offices. So far, no strikes are looming on our horizon, so let’s take a look at some toothsome ways to prepare this crustacean: My cousin, Janeen, prepared some crab meat appetizers for the family at Thanksgiving this year. They disappeared in no time at all. JAN’S CRAB CRISPS 10 English muffins, split 2 six-oz cans crabmeat, drained 6 oz fresh crabmeat 2 jars Olde English cheese
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spread 6 Tbsp butter, softened 5-6 green onions, minced Preheat oven to 375°F. Blend cheese and butter. Add crabmeat and onions. Mix well and spread over the muffin halves. Cut each muffin into quarters. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned. DUNGENESS CRAB AND HAZELNUT SALAD (serves 2) Mixed lettuces (Greenleaf, redleaf, curly endive, butter lettuce, radicchio, watercress) 2 hard-boiled eggs ½ lb. Dungeness crab 2 Tbsp hazelnuts, toasted, peeled and chopped Dressing: 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp hazelnut oil 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard Dash nutmeg 1 tsp. dried crushed tarragon salt and pepper to taste Whisk together dressing ingredients, adjusting salt and pepper to taste. Arrange greens in salad bowls, divide crab between bowls, garnish with egg quarters and sprinkle each with 1 Tbsp hazelnuts. Drizzle dressing to taste. One of my favorite dim sum has crab in it, so this dish gets made every (Chinese) New Years: CRAB RANGOON WONTONS 8 oz cream cheese, softened ¼ c crab meat 1 tsp minced ginger 1 tsp minced cilantro ½ tsp minced parsley 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 24 wonton wrappers warm water to seal wrappers ½ to 1 c canola or peanut oil Beat cream cheese until
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
smooth and add in remaining ingredients other than the wonton wrappers and oil. Drop ½ to 1 tsp of the mixture in the middle of the wrapper, wet two sides of the square wrapper and fold into a triangle. (The water helps to seal the wrapper.) Preheat oil in small pan and add a few wontons at a time. Fry until lightly browned on both sides. Repeat with remaining wontons. These wontons don’t need anything else but, if you wish, soy sauce or a spicy fruit sauce goes well with them. A final note: don’t be confused by faux crab—or “crabbe”—which is not crab at all, but most often Alaska pollock, whiting or bream. After processing, the fish is minced into a paste called “surimi.” Additives such as sugar, sorbitol, tapioca starch, egg whites and oils along with natural and artificial crab flavoring help improve the taste and texture. Paprika or annato extracts impart the red coloring. While nutritionally similar, crabbe just doesn’t measure up to the real thing. Linda Wyner is an attorney in Walnut Creek by day, and an accomplished chef and “foodie” by choice. Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com
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Two Cities, from page 1 before meetings. And she pours over documents on a daily basis at her job in Clayton. Franchise agreement negotiations, state mandates to local governments, solid waste management and recycling programs, storm water management, Clayton’s city newsletter and environmental documents, and that’s just for starters. It sounds tedious to the outsider, but Hoffmeister eats this stuff up. She’s like a walking encyclopedia for city issues, explains Napper. He’s been asked a few times if the city should allow a Concord elected official to work for the city of Clayton. “Initially I had some concerns,” says Napper, but she’s absolutely professional. She knows where to draw the line and keep the distinction between the two cities,” he explained. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it,” Hoffmeister says of her political career. “It’s passion that makes people want to get involved,” she adds. Hoffmeister handles the pressure with ease.
After all, this is her second stint as Mayor of Concord while working for Clayton. She was elected to the Concord City Council in 1997 and became
HOFFMEISTER presiding at Concord City Council Mayor in 2001. She vividly remembers the attack on the World Trade center that year. “ I now have a great respect for how certain things are done,” she says referring to the chain of command and how individual cities were drawn into the national crisis. She recalls the conference calls with Mayors from all over the country and how she immediately tackled the safety issues in
Mayor, from page 1 to the future and not enough to the present. It is this looking back on what has happened in the past and the unknown of the future which gives rise to New Year’s Resolutions. Many of us make these and for the most part they are soon broken—not because we want to, but more because of where the future takes us. We live in a great country and a wonderful city, but it can be better. Each one of us can make it better by resolving to care about the city and its people. We can do this in many ways. We can volunteer at our church, the City Library or even City Hall. We can also help our neighbors. There are an almost endless number of things each of us can do to make our city a better place. We can also resolve to be prepared for whatever disaster hits this area. We have seen in this past year the effects of the hurricanes in Florida. We saw the amount of time before relief got to the individual’s level. We need to remember that an earthquake generated the tsunami, which impacted South Asia. And, as the experts warn us, there is a greater and greater chance with each year that passes that the Bay Area will be impacted by an earthquake. Are you ready for the “big one?” Do you have enough stored food and water to survive until help comes? Does each member of your family know where to go to meet after the event? I did not want to start the New Year on a somber note, but this is a reality of the area we live in. We see what has happened to others, both in our own country
Concord. “ We wanted to make sure we had calmness in our community,” she reflects. She remembers being concerned about the economy and saw many future plans for Concord go away. “Since then, I’ve been trying to educate the public. Our city’s financial resources are just not there,” she says. She vents somewhat when she talks about how Sacramento is “picking the local pockets. “Sacramento tells us ‘you have ways to get the money.’ It’s very frustrating. We would love to have more police and more programs,” she says. The dual role as Concord’s mayor and Assistant to Clayton’s City Manager is a positive mix for Hoffmeister who frequently uses her perspective in both areas to help her with individual issues. Former Concord council member Bill McManigal says Hoffmeister’s knowledge on city issues “brought a lot to the table.” And that knowledge grew with time. If someone told Hoffmeister back in her high school days that her career would eventually land in urban planning, she would have laughed. Her mother worked in the city-planning field for 25 years. And Hoffmeister
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Favorite TV shows: History and Discovery channels. Favorite book: if she has time to read, it’s usually a council agenda or report. Although she never became the doctor that she dreamed about, she likes to think that she’s a doctor of sorts in her profession. “Instead of working to improve the quality of people’s personal health, I’m working to improve the quality of life in their surroundings.”
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Hoffmeister likes working in a small community without the luxury of departments where she gets to do a wide variety of tasks. With all that she does, including her membership in about eight organizations, Hoffmeister has little, if any, spare time. Her spare time list is often wishful thinking. Favorite thing to do: spend time with her nieces and family. Favorite hobbies: biking, hiking, snow, water and jet skiing.
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and around the world. Each of us knows that such events can impact us right here in little Clayton and that those we see on television after a hurricane or flood may be seeing us on TV after an earthquake. Although my future messages will address a number of issues including preparedness, I will try to keep them upbeat. If there are issues you would like me to address, let me know. On behalf of the entire city staff and the city council, I wish each of you a Happy New Year. As your Mayor, I will plan for the future but live in the present.
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insisted for quite some time that she “was never going to do that.” She wanted to become a doctor and pursued that dream until she was a junior at the University of California Davis when she discovered that she and her chemistry courses weren’t meshing. “It provided a revelation. Maybe I need to think about another option,” she thought at the time. She took a few other courses in urban geography and geology and those classes came naturally. She eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and a minor in Geology. That was in 1984. She moved quickly up the city planning department ladder with stints in Merced, Martinez, Dublin, Livermore, Hercules, Suisun and Clayton. She got the political bug in 1988 when she became active in the Concord Chamber of Commerce while working in the leadership program. She helped with several political campaigns and finally ran for a Concord city council position in 1997. When she’s fulfilling her mayoral duties she enjoys the opportunity to meet all segments of the community. “ I get to see a lot of the good things that are happening.” Back in Clayton,
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 9
Hike of the Week
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
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First and foremost I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and would also like to apologize for my absence at the end of 2004. However, my time off from writing this column has been well-spent exploring new areas to share with you in the upcoming year.
the day watching football or recovering from the parties on New Year’s Eve, my wife, our two dogs, and I decided to hit the trail. Rain gear? Check. Waterproof hiking boots? Check. My trusty Garmin GPS? Check. Muddy trails and a enough rain to send most people inside by a warm fire? Check. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve is a large expanse of open space run by East Bay
What better way to kick off 2005 than a hike on New Year’s Day? So while most folks spent
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Regional Park District and is located adjacent to Round Valley Regional Preserve and Los Vaqueros Watershed. With over 90 species of wildflowers, an abundance of wildlife and the fact that we almost had the whole park to ourselves, this hiking experience quickly became one of my favorites in the area. Most of the trail names within Morgan Territory are derived from the Native American tradition of choosing sacred names for features that resemble animals or their personalities. So hiking on trails such as Coyote, Condor, Prairie Falcon and Eagle, you can see how this park also has a bit of history within its boundaries. To start this hike, begin from the staging area, which is well equipped with restroom facilities, general information, maps, and even drinking water for dogs. Follow Condor Trail directly into the heart of the park. Condor is a single-track trail that is rugged in nature with rocks and various exposed tree roots, but has been beautifully routed through the hillsides of Morgan Territory to reveal views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding valleys along almost every foot of the trail. Due to the inclement weather of the past week, the trails were extremely muddy, but the rushing creeks and gentle rain drops made this hike extra special. The scents of the surrounding landscapes from the newly fallen rain were another welcome enhancement. Condor Trail eventually intersects with Volvon Trail and just down the way from this intersection is the Prairie Falcon Trail. This trail is definitely one of the highlights of this hike with some of the best scenery of the surrounding area. Prairie Falcon skirts the top of a rockfaced ridgeline that virtually puts you on top of the world. Be careful when stopping at the dozens of vista points, because in wet weather the rocks are slippery and a fall could mean serious injury. Speckled all along this trail are manzanita trees, which at this time of year, looked as if someone had recently painted them red. The vibrant colors of the trees and rocks along with the many shades of green from the wet weather and moss announced the vast beauty of the wet seasons in Northern California. Prairie Falcon Trail eventually loops back to Volvon Trail and continues northwest. EBPRD has done a fantastic job with the trail marking and facilities throughout the park. With a pregnant wife as my hiking companion, we were glad to see restroom facilities tactfully placed throughout the park. Volvon Trail is a fire-road that sits atop
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HIKER’S HAVEN the ridgeline with Mount Diablo and the Morgan Territory seen on your left and the wide-open spaces of Brentwood and its surrounding areas to your right. Once you reach the next trail junction, follow Stone Corral Road through miles of wideopen grassy hillsides and a few herds of cattle (bulls included) until you reach Coyote Trail. Coyote Trail is the final leg of this journey and with the howls of distant coyotes echoing off the canyon walls, it was no secret how this trail got its name. This portion of the hike is
Kevin Parker CREEKSIDE ON COYOTE TRAIL
like no other area I have seen within Morgan Territory. Wide open hillsides quickly transform into a shaded, lush ravine with copious amounts of vibrant moss and enough rushing water to drown out all other sound. Once you reach the bottom of the ravine, I must confess it is practically all uphill as you traverse directly beneath the rocky hillside that supports the Prairie Falcon Vistas that you stood along at the beginning of the hike. Due to the extreme amounts of rain during the past weeks, the creek that accompanies you almost the entire way was overflowing at its banks, so a few side trips unveiled some beautiful waterfalls that are probably only seen a few times a year. As we finally found our way up and out of this lush ravine, we were once again greeted by the staging area and a warm, dry car. Along with the fact that we braved the mud, the rain, and in some areas, the wind, I am ecstatic that we chose Morgan Territory at this exact time of year. Once again I discovered what I always knew was there, but had never ventured far enough to really check out. On a side note, as I sit here and write this article, both my dogs (Cassidy and Luna) lay beside me, sleeping heavily, like they have been since we finished the hike! Happy New Year and Happy Trails! Comments/Questions: kaypee@sbcglobal.net
Hike: Condor, Prairie Falcon, Volvon, Coyote Trails Loop
z Staging Area: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve z Getting There: Follow Marsh Creek Road to Morgan Territory Road for 9+ miles until you reach the staging area. z Distance: 5.4 miles z Time: 3.0 hours +/z Elevation Gain: 842 feet z Poison Oak Factor: Not easily detected this time of year, but be careful!
Page 10
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
Clayton Sports Impressive Eagles football season ends with awards JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer
The Clayton Valley High School Football program held its annual awards banquet recently at Centre Concord. Approximately 400 people attended the yearly event which recognizes the achievements of the team, players and coaches. The CVHS varsity team coached by Head Coach Herc Pardi and Assistants Jerry Coakley, John Canesa, Sam Quinones, Eric Lund and Paul Reynaud finished their season with a 7-4-1 over-all record. Awards for the varsity squad players this year included: MVP Jason Poltl, Most Improved Player Kyle Ballard and Nick Culum, Most Inspirational Player Scott Gorgen, Mr. Defense Vinnie Levine, Outstanding Lineman Jesse Hunt and Jim Mares, Scholar-Athlete Jonathan Moreno and Ed Zhao. Tri-Captains for the team were Matt Gorgen, Hunt and Mares.
Three other players received further recognition this year by making the S.F. Chronicle’s “All Metro High School Football Team.” Making the All Metro Second Team was offensive lineman, Jesse Hunt and receiving honorable mention were center, Jimmy Mares, and defensive cornerback, Robert Lorenzi. It was quite a season. It was a young team this year with only three of 22 starters returning. It was a team that won its big games at Homecoming, New Field Dedication Night and Seniors Night. The highlight of the year was an amazing comefrom-behind 17-17 tie against powerhouse De la Salle. CVHS Eagles won the first round of the NCS playoffs and made it to a North Coast Sectional (NCS) Semi-Final 3A East Bay finish. This is the 6th time in last eight years that CVHS has made it to the NCS. In two of those six years they made it to the final championship game. And, since 1991, CVHS is the only NCS team that hasn’t lost to De La Salle!
courtesy of the Eagles
TEAMMATES Matt and Scott Gorgen, Ryan Nist and Kyle Ballard after the Eagles NCS Play-off victory over Alhambra Coach Pardi described the 2004 season as “One of the most rewarding seasons ever for me. Credit goes to the players. The juniors who were reserves
Bundle up for winter golf
DAVE GRAY GRAY ON GOLF Playing golf in these cold, windy, rainy, foggy winter months can be a super challenge. Shazam! The silly game can be hard enough in 80 degree weather when scoring conditions are perfect and the double bogey bird has flown off to
Mars. But, in cold weather, the right clothes can make all the difference in our game. First, they can keep us comfortable, but more importantly, the correct clothing will allow us to turn and hit through the ball. This is the cold weather wardrobe that has worked best for me. First, wear a cotton fabric next to the skin. Then, top it with a lightweight Gortex pantsuit to keep the cold and wind out. I need to feel free and unrestricted whether I’m swinging the golf club or turning to give my honey bear a hug after a great shot. A short note about those new clubs you may have received from Santa. If you find that they are not helping you
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score any better, try making an appointment to visit your local PGA teaching professional. So many times, it’s not the arrow that’s the problem. It’s the Indian. Friends, have a wonderful warm and fun year golfing, and may the double bogey bird never poop on your scorecard. Dave Gray is a teaching professional at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. E-mail your questions or comments to him at sports@claytonpioneer.com
last year stepped up, improved during the entire season and proved they could play.” As Pardi further explained, “even the players said nobody thought we’d do anything this year. The season was truly a testament to the players.” The CVHS Junior Varsity team which was coached by Head Coach Rich Martinez, and assisted by Bob Mazza, Lou Gernhardt and Billy McDevitt finished with a 4-6 record. JV Award Winners included: MVP Demetrice Wilson, Most Improved Player Jamison Olivier, Most Inspirational Player Max Lazar, Mr. Defense Jake Turrin, Outstanding Lineman Kevin Murphy, Coaches Award Billy Burmeister Co.-Captains were Turrin and Murphy. The CVHS Freshman team also had another great season winning their second consecutive Bay Valley Athletic Freshman
League championship with a 6-0 league record, and was 7-3 overall. Freshman Head Coach this year was Pat Protheroe and his Assistants were Monty Consani, Les Garaventa and Bill Jaggers. 2004 Freshman Award Winners included MVP Shane Lissy, Most Improved Player Shane Bartlett, Most Inspirational Player Luis Casuga, Mr. Defense Keith Franklin, Outstanding Lineman Dan Roper. The Freshman Coaches Award went to Jacob Anderson. Tri-Captains: Casuga, Lissy, and Roper.
Clayton residents among those involved include Varsity coaches Pardi, Coakley, JV Coaches Mazza and Gernhardt and players: Culum, Hunt, Lazar, Murphy and Roper. Clayton Freshman team members include Daniel Allen, Jeff Henry, Matt Johnson, Steve Meyer, Arne Panzer, Zack Rockwell, Matt Stalcup, Kevin Tellian, Luke Heisinger, Ross Johnson, and Johnny Doig. Congratulations to all on another great season.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Sports Shorts K OF C BASKETBALL FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP AT DIABLO VIEW GYM
The Knights of Columbus, Concord Council # 6038 will be sponsoring their 32nd Annual Championship Free Throw Contest Monday, January 17, 2005 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Diablo View Middle School/Clayton Community Gym in Clayton on Marsh Creek Rd. The contest is open to all athletes (boys and girls) age 9 thru 14.. Winners in the competition will move up through the Council, District, Chapter, State and International levels. Special new awards exist with special frame able certificate and patch for each age and gender group winner to be awarded. All will receive a Participation Certificate. There will be team competition for girls and boys. Entry forms will be provided the night of competition.
For more information contact Claire “Pops” Tryon, Youth Director & Free Throw Chairman. (925) 673-8564 LEISURE CONCORD SERVICES/TERRAPIN SWIM TEAM COMPETITIVE SWIM CLINICS Three week sessions with twice weekly classes begin Mon. 2/7 and run through the end of the school year. There will be four swimmers maximum per class. Clinics are taught by Terrapin Swim Team staff. Open to all area summer recreational swimmers. For more information call Paul at 680-8372 ext. 206. CLAYTON PONY/BRONCO
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will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm and Bronco tryouts (ages 11 and 12) will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm each day at the Tessoro Sports Complex – Highway 4 at Solano Way in Concord. For more information call: Tom King 685-7452, Tim Bruno 672-2992, Don Hillery 672-2068, Bob Mazza 672-8874 or visit the CV PONY website www.cvpony.org. MDSL 2005 CRAB FEED FUNDRAISER Mount Diablo Soccer League’s Crab Feed fundraiser is scheduled for January 28, 2005, and will be held again this year at Zandonella’s Restaurant, 222 Golf club Road, Pittsburg (next to Delta View Golf course). MDSL’s inaugural Crab Feed last January was a great success with lots of great tasting crab and it raised funds for MDSL that helps all of the players participating in the soccer league. Ticket prices are $40 each and may be tax deductible. Please contact Ian Brodie at 925-6723532 or go to www.mdslsoccer.org for additional information. CONCORD/CLAYTON BRANCH YMCA PROGRAMS AT CLAYTON COMMUNITY GYM Several programs will be available at the Clayton Community Gym at the Diablo View Middle School Pre-K – 8th grade Basketball League January 15th – March 19th (Saturdays) Kindergarten – 8th grade Indoor Soccer League March 7th – May 9th (Mondays) Pre-K – 1st grade Floor Hockey League March 7th – May 9th (Mondays) Pre-K – 8th grade Soccer League April 16th – June 11th (Saturdays) For more information on all of the YMCA programs call 889-1600.
C/Net (news.com), “’There is a deliberate strategy to lower the price,’ said Tom Laemmel, a product manager in the
WILL CLANEY TECH TALK Windows Client unit. ‘We want this to be taken seriously as a mainstream product. It is clearly the best OS for any room in the home.’” The software is designed to give you control of your media selections such as video, TV, FM radio, MP3, and video clips to route these selections to various TV’s and computer and multiple computer screens throughout your home or office. One of the most exciting aspects of Media Center 2005 is the ability to watch one program and record another at the same time, a TIVO type experience. According to PC World Magazine, “All Media Center 2005 PCs have TV-tuner cards carrying one or two discrete tuners. With two tuners, you can simultaneously watch one show and record another (or simultaneously record two shows). Even with a singletuner card, though, the operating system lets you pause live television.” (Before you get too excited, the multituner control software is not
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fully released but due soon. More information at: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default. mspx). According to C/Net, “As for TV tuners, nearly all of the first Media Center 2005 PCs will ship with one tuner—the same as all past Media Centers. That’s despite the fact that Microsoft has made a big deal of the fact it now supports up to three tuners. Microsoft has also offered computer makers the option of having no TV tuner at all, pitching Media Center to consumers merely as a better consumer experience when it comes to handling digital music and photos, but that has few early takers…” While some ironing out of procedures will surely take place over the next few months, it is clear that Media Center has finally arrived and is ready for prime time and your consideration when buying a new PC. Not all PC’s are capable of supporting Media Center properly as all the components must be Microsoft certified to work with the software. By our homework, only one tuner card is actually working correctly, by that I mean the way Media Center wants to control it. So, as always, beware of the drum beat, seek the help of a Cale-forn-eah BEAR certified tech, or your Media Center could be “terminated”.
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Long on hyperbole, ballyhoo and promise but short on reality,the invasion of computers into TV’s is now marching quickstep into our living rooms. The latest offering from Microsoft Corporation is the Media Center PC. It offers everything manageable from pausing live TV, recording one channel on the hard drive while watching another, distributed network programming, FM radio, and MP3 players, all-in-one. Like you, I have been watching and waiting for the convergence of TV, radio and other media into the personal computer for some time. I’ve always thought it “way-cool” to watch TV while at the same time checking stock quotes and writing articles. Maybe it’s just me, but I want my PC to entertain me while I work. Perhaps you feel the same? Microsoft Media Center PC idea has actually been around for a few years now. The concept was first realized in 2002 without much fan fair and with more promise than reality. The first release was Media Center 2003. It lacked focus and functionality and was expensive. Since then, the juggernaut Microsoft machine has made significant improvements with the release of Media Center 2005 boasting a dramatic price reduction and an improvement in functionality. Chairman Bill Gates said the company hopes to see this version sell four or five times as much as the prior versions. Of course price is always a consideration and the early releases of Media Center were expensive. According to
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Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
Improve your pet’s dental health in the New Year
MARYBETH RYMER,
PAWS
AND
DVM
CLAWS
Yes, it is the time of year once again to look at your pet’s teeth and consider dental care. Between 60 and 80 percent of all pets over the age of three have periodontal disease and need immediate dental care. The overall health of your pet can be seriously affected by neglected oral hygiene. The bacteria found in the mouth, which causes bad breath, can result in seriously diseased teeth and gums. From the mouth, the same bacteria can travel to and infect the intestines (causing periodic diarrhea), liver, kidneys, and heart, which can result in premature deterioration of these vital organs. FREE DENTAL EXAM Starting in January and through the month of February,
most veterinarians will be promoting pet dental health with dental discounts ranging from free dental exams to other special offers. If you have been putting off your pet’s dental care, this is the time of the year to call your veterinarian to learn more about dental care for your pet. During an exam, your veterinarian will check your pet’s teeth, gums, and mouth for signs of dental disease, including: z Bad breath z Yellow or brown teeth z Red, inflamed gums z Broken, loose, or missing teeth z Sensitivity around the mouth
NEGLECTING ORAL HYGIENE can seriously affect the overall health of your pet.
The doctor will also examine the general health of your pet. Because general anesthesia is needed for a thorough examination, cleaning and for advanced dentistry such as extractions or
root canals, lab tests will be recommended before the procedure to check your pet’s overall health. The lab tests can be done a couple days before or the same day of the dental cleaning. THE CLEANING PROCEDURE The dental cleaning will be a day procedure. Most veterinarians will tell you not to give your pet food or water for 12 hours before anesthesia, and will have you to drop your pet off at the clinic early in the morning. At Monte Vista we will start with a pre-anesthetic injection of a cocktail consisting of pain medication, sedative and heart stabilizing drugs. Once this tranquilizer takes affect, our Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will place an intravenous catheter for fluid administration and anesthetic induction. And an endotracheal tube will be placed into the trachea and your pet will be maintained on oxygen and isoflorane gas anesthesia. This is one of the safest forms of anesthesia. Throughout the procedure we monitor heart and respiratory rates as well as blood pressure. Our RVT then takes on the role of a dental hygienist. He or she will examine and chart all dental disease and take dental x-
rays to look for “hidden” problems under the gum line. The RVT will clean your pet’s teeth with an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tarter. One of our doctors then reviews the xrays and examines the mouth. At this point, any advanced procedures will be done such as gum surgery, extractions, or root canals. The RVT then finishes by polishing all tooth surfaces, rinsing with disinfecting solution, and applying a fluoride polish. Appropriate antibiotics will be given before and after to prevent
infection. More pain controlling medications will be given as needed through recovery as well as sent home with your recovering pet. FOLLOWUP EXAM Two weeks after the dental cleaning, we will re-examine your pet’s mouth to assess how the gums have healed as well as to discuss home dental care. Your veterinarian will discuss your pet’s future oral health and recommend care you can provide at home, such as brushing teeth at
least three times per week and feeding a diet with dental benefits. Future dental cleanings may be recommended every one to two years. The frequency of dental cleanings depends on your pet’s chewing habits, age, breed, diet, and home dental care. So help your pet be healthier in the New Year by making a dental exam appointment with your veterinarian.
Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be reached at Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital, Concord. 672-1100.
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January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 13
Should you buy term or cash value life insurance? The difference between term and cash value life insurance is simple. Term is like renting a house. One can use it for a specified period of time and it will fill a need but it doesn’t build up cash value and your rent can go up after the contract or term is up. Cash value policies are more like owning your own home. You can build equity, take loans, and keep it forever without having to requalify. It can be a true asset. TERM LIFE INSURANCE Term insurance covers you
for a term of one year or more. Usually one would opt for a 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30-year policy term depending on your current and projected needs. This type of insurance is pretty inexpensive these days because of stiff competition between insurance companies and the improved medical underwriting process adopted by most insurers. Some policies do offer a return of premium rider, which will return all of the premiums paid at the end of the policy term. This feature doesn’t come cheap. The premiums can cost
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two or even four time more. You can usually convert your term insurance into a cash value policy in the future without having to go through medical underwriting. The new premium will reflect your current age and the current cost of insurance at the time you convert. This is called the “conversion option.” Always check with your agent as to how long you have to exercise this privilege—the longer the better. This will protect you if your health changes in the future. CASH VALUE LIFE INSURANCE Cash value life insurance will cost more than term insurance in most cases. Part of your money will pay for the cost of insurance while the rest will be invested by the insurance company and may build up cash value. You may borrow against a policy’s cash value by taking a loan. If you don’t pay back the loan it will be subtracted from the death benefit. There are several types of cash value policies including whole life, which will have a hefty premium but will be level for as long as you live.
SAM TOTAH FINANCIAL SENSE Universal life policies are flexible. Part of your premiums will be put into an account earning interest. If this account does well you won’t have to pay as much in premiums. If it doesn’t you will have to pay more or reduce the amount of death benefit you have. Universal life can also be structured to have level guaranteed premiums for the rest of your life. The premiums on these cash value policies are large at first but are often smaller than the premium you would pay if you were to keep renewing a term policy for the rest of your years.
A FEW TIPS When considering how much insurance to purchase, you should ask yourself some questions. How many people depend on me financially? How much do I need to send my kids to college? How much debt do I have? How many income producing assets do I own? How much money will my dependents need to invest in order to produce my annual income. For example, if I earn $100,000 a year and assuming an 8 percent return on investment in the stock or bond market, my family would need $1,250,000 to invest to make up my income. ($1,250,000 invested at 8% = $100,000 annual return) Once you have decided which type of life insurance would best suit your needs you will most likely need to have a physical exam. The insurance company pays for this and will send someone to your home or place of work. Here are some tips for a smooth exam: Don’t eat anything for at least six hours (preferably 12) before your exam. Scheduling your exam for the early morning
should make this easier. Drink plenty of water. Don’t drink any coffee before your exam. Take all of your medications on time. Have your blood pressure taken while you are lying down. Eat low-fat meals the day before. Owning life insurance is important. Determine how much you need, what you can afford to pay and consult a licensed insurance agent. It’s always a good idea to consult more than one and to consult agents who offer policies from multiple carriers. Only invest in what you can afford and need. If that means you have to buy a term policy when you wanted a cash value policy that’s ok. Just make sure the term policy you’re buying allows you to convert to a permanent plan in the future. This information is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, financial or other professional advisors before purchasing Life Insurance. The views expressed here may not be suitable for every person.
Sam Totah is an insurance broker with Crocker insurance of Walnut Creek. He can be reached at 925-941-1536; stotah@crockersecurities.com
Obesity and alcohol can trigger gout Part 2 Gout is a form or arthritis, or a joint inflammation. In the last issue, we discussed the symptoms of gout (swollen, painful big toe) and talked about those most at risk for this disease including those who are obese, have diabetes or are on chemotherapy. Gout most frequently affects middle age men. Attacks can be triggered by over indulgence in red meat, organ meats and other rich foods as well as red wine and alcohol in general.
HOW IS GOUT DIAGNOSED? A physical examination and medical history is usually sufficient. The most accurate method to differentiate gout from other conditions is to analyze the synovial fluid, which is the lubricating liquid in a protective sac that surrounds a joint. The fluid is examined through a microscope under polarized light and the presence of MSU crystals confirms the diagnosis. Other helpful tests your doctor might consider are uric acid blood level and the 24-hour urine collection. HOW IS GOUT TREATED? First, take some preventative lifestyle measures. Avoid food high in purines and binge alcohol drinking. Maintain healthy body weight. Drug treatment depends on the stage of the illness and whether it is acute vs. chronic. In an acute attack, early treat-
ment is recommended – within the first 24 hours. The medication of choice for decades has been colchicines, which will decrease local inflammatory response. This drug is known to have some major side effects, including diarrhea. In fact, doctors gradually increase the dosage until diarrhea occurs. Other good choices are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Of these, indomethacin (Indocin) is typically the first choice. Other considerations are over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen (Motrin) or Naproxen (Aleve). Corticosteroids may be used in patients who can’t tolerate the above treatment. They can be used orally or injected into the joint. Rest and protecting the affected joint with a splint can also promote recovery. In chronic or intercrtical gout,
JANA TOMSKY, MD
YOUR HEALTH
doctors may prescribe low-dose colchicines or NSAIDs as preventive or prophylactic treatment. These are simply anti-inflammatory drugs, however, and have no effect on hyperuricemia. Drugs to reduce uric acid level in chronic gout are used in certain specific situations: (1) if there is a risk of tofaceous gout, (2) if the patient has suffered three or more attacks, (3) if the attacks are unusually severe or affect more than one joint or (4) if an X-ray shows damage from the gout. Normal kidney function is essential for taking these drugs. To prevent an attack of gout, eat and drink in moderation. Try to increase your level of physical activity. Enjoy a variety of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. Before taking any drugs including those sold over the counter, please consult your doctor about possible side effects and interactions with other medication you may be taking. Jana Tomsky, MD, can be reached at the Clayton Valley Medical Group, (925) 672-6744
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Page 14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., JAN. 17 FOR THE JAN. 28 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT O NGOING Art at the YMCA @ Clayton Community Gym Art program starts at the YMCA - sculpture, painting, drawing for beginners, advanced drawing.and Children's books, writing illustrating and publishing. For information contact instructor Seth Ahonen at 889-1612 or 889-1600. Clayton Community Gym, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. O NGOING After School Programs @ Clayton Community Gym 3-6 p.m., After school program for Diablo View Middle students. Homework help, sports and art activities. Fun, safe environment. Call Liz Travers for information at 889-1600. Clayton Community Gym, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. Ongoing - May 25, 2005 "The Bee's Knees", The Best of the 1920s @ Clayton Historical Society Museum Special exhibit featurs the best of the 1920s including film, entertainment, fads, fashion, photos, art, literature, music, inventions, sports, and world events of the 1920s. The Clayton Museum also features special kitchen and quilt exhibits, a mining exhibit, outhouse and Clayton's early 1900s jail. Free. Sundays & Wednesdays 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and by Appointment.Phone-(925) 672-0240/www.claytonhs.com. Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main Street, Clayton. J AN. 15, 16 Warehouse Pottery Sale @ Clay Arts Guild of Walnut Creek 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Giant once a year event - warehouse pottery sale of original one -of-a-kind pieces will be offered to the public at bargain prices to make way for new artwork. For additional information call 943-5846, Clay Arts Guild of Walnut Creek, 1313 Civic Drive, corner of Broadway and Civic, Walnut Creek. N OW - J AN. 16 "Annie" @ Willows Theatre The classic family musical based on the adventures of the popular comic-strip heroine. Annie follows the story of the young orphan as she finds new family wtih billionaire Daddy Warbucks and dog Sandy. Directed by Richard Elliott. $20-35. Willows Theatre, Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 925-798-1300, www.willowstheatre.org. J AN. 22 University Women @ Clayton Library Princess Diana, Beyond the Myth. The guest speaker at the “Winter Tea” is Susan Maxwell Skinner, who was assigned to Princess Diana's press corp and spent 8 incredible years with her. Tickets are available for $15 and the money will benefit educational scholarships for local students. Call Diane Rogers at 6865531. J AN. 23 - M AR . 6 Square Dance Classes with Contra Costa Square Dance Workshop 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Learn modern square dancing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. No partner needed, low impact exercise. For more information call Dick at 229-2192, Barbara at 6892369 or e-mail hiltonaud@aol.com. Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd. (North of Sun Valley Mall). J AN. 25 Chilly Day Read Club @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Preschool story time and craft activities featuring the works of Ezra Jack Keats. Session 1 - Pet Show. Future dates include Feb. 1, Feb. 8, and Feb. 15. Ages 3-8. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation. Registration required. Call 673-0659 to sign up. Clayton Community Library 6125 Clayton Road. J AN. 29 - ONGOING YMCA Youth and Adult Sports Programs @ Clayton Community Gym Youth and adult leagues for winter/spring include baskeyball, floor hockey, soccer, and volleyball. For information on all YMCA programs call 889-1600. Clayton Community Gym, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. F EB . 9 Clayton Garden Club Meeting @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. The Clayton garden club meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Diamond Terrace. February’s speaker will discuss soil and fertilizer. Refreshments will be served. No reservations required. Diamond Terrace Retirement Community, 6401 Center Street, Clayton.
BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT J AN. 15 Pinewood Derby 2005 @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 10:45 a.m. weigh in, 11:30 a.m. start. Cub Scout Pack 262 is hosting the derby at Mt. Diablo Elementary, in the MUR. Categories include most creative, best paint job, looks most/least like a race car, best use of blue and gold, best use of decals and “old jalopy” award. Pizza and soda will be sold. Mt. Diablo Elementary, 5880 Mt. Zion Drive. J AN. 20, 26 College Financial Planning Workshop 7 p.m. Free workshop for parents of college bound students currently in their Sophomore or Junior year in high school. Focus on little-known ways of getting money for college, no matter your income. Jan. 20 @ Civic Arts Education at shadelands in Walnut Creek, 111 N. Wiget Lane. Jan 26 @ Civic Park Community Center, 1373 Civic Drive. Seating is limited. Call College Funding Advisors for reservations at 933-8100. F EB . 24 Small Business Workshop @ Concord Library 7 p.m. Workshop presented on Maximizing the Usefulness of Your Financial Statements. Experts from Clear Path Business Partners, Bay Area consultants will speak to utilizing your financial statements to make better business decisions. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, 646-5456.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS J AN. 14 AARP Meeting @ Pleasant Hill Senior Center 1:30 p.m. The topic of the January meeting of AARP Mt. Diablo Chapter 524 is CCWD water quality projects and Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion studies. John Burgh, the Division 2 Director will give the presentation. Refreshments will be provided. For more information call Fred Nelson, 451-1292. Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. J AN. 18 Kiwanis Club Meetings @ Massimo’s Restaurant 12:10 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek meets every Tuesday. All are invited to attend as a guest. For information call Sam Totah, 925-941-1536. Massimo’s Restaurant, 1604 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. O NGOING - J AN. Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Say No to Drugs contest is underway. “Drug Awareness & Abuse”and “Alcohol Awareness & Abuse” categories. Ages 8-11 and 12-14. Entries will be judged by school, local council, district State and International competition. Posters must be original, 11 x 17, color or black or white. Contact Claire Tryon, Youth Director, at 673-8564 for entry sheet, rules and more details or e-mail grey_eototo@man.com J AN. 19 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Meeting @ Oakhurst 10 a.m. social, 11:15 a.m. speaker and lunch. William Mayer, Cum Laude graduate from Cal State Hayward with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science will discuss the crisis in American Culture. R.S.V.P. to info@yvrwf.org or 838-2182. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. J AN. 20, 27 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thurs. for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker.www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 6897640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. J AN. 20, 27 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m., 5 & 6:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in & meeting on Thursday. 800/326-8450 x 2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. J AN. 27 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting, Oakhurst Country Club, last non-holiday Thursday of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. Ed Hartley, President.
J AN. 25 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. J AN. 18, 25 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tuesday mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contracosta.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. J AN. 18 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton.
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION J AN. 18 “T HE A RT OF R ETIREMENT ” C LASSES @ LOMA V ISTA A DULT C ENTER 7 P. M . - 9 P. M . This five week course includes topics, how to keep the money you have, activities in retirement, health in retirement, and other pertinent topics. Cost is $16 for people 55+. Upon completion students should know themselves better in light of their quest for a successful, meaningful retirement. For more information call instructor George Fulmore at 686-6916. Loma Vista Adult Center, 1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord. J AN. 18 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @Mt. Diablo Elementary 7 p.m. PFC meeting in multi-use room (MUR). Babysitting is provided. Minutes/agenda on the school website: www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary. J AN 19 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Diablo View Middle School 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Stay involved in your child’s education. Join us in the school library for the monthly PFC meeting. Please contact PFC President Carolyn Hartnell at 672-4146 or crhartnell@earthlink.net if you want an item on the agenda. J AN . 20 and J AN 26 @ 7 p.m. Free College Financial Planning Workshop For Parents of College Bound Students A free workshop is being offered for the parents of college bound students currently in their sophomore or junior year in high school. The workshop will focus on little-known ways of getting money for college, no matter how much income you make, or how good a student you have. The class will include such topics as, “How To Double or Triple Your Eligibility For Free Grant Money.” “The Secret to Sending Your Child to a Private or UC School For Less Than the Cost of a State College.” and “The Single Biggest Mistake That Nine Out Of Ten Parents Make When Planning For College.” Thurs., Jan. 20 @ 7 p.m. Civic Arts Education at Shadelands in Walnut Creek, 111 N. Wiget Lane at Ygnacio Valley Road. Wed. Jan. 26 @ 7 p.m., Civic Park Community Center in Walnut Creek, 1375 Civic Drive @ Broadway and Civic Drive. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information, or to reserve your seat call College Funding Advisors at (925) 933-8100. J AN. 21 Concord High School Jazz Band @ Dan Lesher Regional Arts Center 7:30 p.m. The band hosts and performs with Maynard Ferguson and his Big bop Nouveau Band. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students. For tickets please call 925-947 SHOW or visit www.dlrca.org/tickets.html. Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. J AN. 21 Marina Skate Fundraiser for Mt. Diablo Elementary 6:45 p.m. Mt. Diablo Elementary is having a fundraiser at Marina Skate, 335 Central in Pittsburg. F EB . 3 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Clayton Valley High School 7 - 8:30 p.m. The Clayton Valley High School Parent Faculty Club holds general meetings the 1st Thursday of the month in the school library. Parents are invited to stay informed about your children's education. If you are interested your student's school they will be too! Please join us and ask questions! Contact PFC President, Melinda Moore at 672-0930. melindammoore@yahoo.com.
The Community Calendar is sponsored by
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IN SUPPORT OF THIS COMPASSIONATE CAUSE, THE VAN FLEET-BRONSON TEAM WILL MAKE A DONATION on behalf of our client for EVERY TRANSACTION CLOSED BY OUR OFFICE.
January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Church News CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Worship is Sundays 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Diablo View Middle School. Children’s programs at both gatherings, Jr. and Sr. High meet at 10:45. Join us for a study called “Living out the Lord’s Prayer,” Weds. 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Childcare is provided. Call 6739060 for more information. Continuing study in Ephesians, Thurs. 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Janet Downing’s house in Clayton Contact Jeanine Wakefield for information at jeanine.wakefield@claytoncc.com. SDS 101 (spiritual development seminar) Commitment to Community, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the church office (6055 Main Street). Come to our membership class and hear the vision, purpose and priorities of CCC taught by Pastor Shawn. E-mail claytoncc@claytoncc.com to sign up or call 673-9060. Women’s retreat will be at Redwood Christian Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains Jan. 28-30. We still have a few spots left. Call 673-9060 if interested. Feb. 12 is the Princess ball, for girls of all ages and their chaper-
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ones, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Admission is $15 and includes a corsage for the girls. Come for a fun evening of dancing and refreshments. Held at Crossroads Covenant Church. To purchase tickets contact church office at 673-9060. CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton, CA 94517; telephone: 925-672-4848/fax, 925672-4849; cvpres@sbcglobal.net. Services are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. CONCORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Are you searching for a spiritual home? Concord United Methodist Church welcomes you in 2005! Join us and Pastor Rob Kirk at worship on Sun. mornings at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 am. Concord UMC is located at 1645 West Street (between Clayton Rd. and Concord Blvd.) For more info please visit our website at www.concordumc.org. or call (925)685-5260.
School News DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL
The first quarter honor roll list is out. 156 students made bronze honor roll (3.0 – 3.49 GPA), 128 made silver honor roll (3.50 – 3.99 GPA) and 100 students made gold honor roll (4.0 GPA). That is well over half the total population of Diablo View students! Congratulations to all. Another award given out this quarter is the Principal’s List. Ms. Cooper (Diablo View’s Principal) wants to personally acknowledge those students achieving academically as well as those who are respectful of others and their learning. Creating a “Principal’s List” is her special
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The Pioneer wants to know what is happening in your parish, congregation, temple, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. Tell us about your ministries, upcoming activities or notable members. Send your news items to Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton 94517 or e-mail religion@claytonpioneer.com.
CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord, 798-5905, service time is 9 a.m. Join Pastors Eric Sorenson and Aaron Gonzenbach for “Meeting Jesus,” 10:30 a.m. through Mar. 20 and “Knowing Jesus,” 10:30 a.m., through Mar. 20. ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH Eternal Life Lutheran Church meets at the County Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. It is served by Pastor Will Kant. The regular weekly schedule of worship and study is: Sundays: Sun. school and Bible class, 9:45 a.m., Worship 11 a.m.; Wednesdays: home group study at 7 p.m. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH Adult Sun. morning Bible classes include Study of Isaiah, Study of 1 Corinthians and its application to the life of the Church today. Mid-week Bible studies: Mondays 12:30 p.m. women’s Bible study, Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Genesis (resumes the second week of January). Youth group meets every
MDUSD middle schools. Four to five students from each school compete at each competition.
MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY Congratulations to Katia Daniel and Leslie Linderman – winners of the January Newsletter Spirit Wear. January 21 is a Skate Night fundraiser at Marina Skate, 335 Central, Pittsburg.
Fifty Year Anniversary Mt. Diablo Elementary School is gearing up for a special 50-year anniversary celebration this Spring. On May 20, plans call for a gala dinner and sock hop. A time capsule will be included in the ceremony filled with history and memories of the past 50 years. The gala committee is now seeking old photos, stories, maps, yearbooks and
second and fourth Sun. from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Choir rehearsal is Tues. evenings from 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH Knights of Columbus Sixth Annual State Essay Contest is now underway. The contest is for Catholic students fourth through twelfth grade. There are three groups, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through eighth grade, and ninth through twelfth grade. Entry forms and rules may be picked up from the Youth Ministry at St. Bonaventure or by contacting Claire Tryon, Essay Chairman, Knights of Columbus, @ 925-6738564 or e-mail to greyeototo@msn.com. Deadline for essays is Jan 25, 2005. Dramatic Performance of the Gospel of Matthew Wed. Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. performed by Michael Reardon and Patrick Lane. Using props, costumes and gestures Reardon and Lane deliver a feast of voice, music, movement and light to celebrate and honor the beauty of the Word of God. A $10 donation per person is requested. For further information call 672-5800.
any school memorabilia from alumni, staff, principals and vice-principals from 1955 through current rosters. Local sponsors that have already joined fundraising efforts are George Vujnovich, Better Homes Realty, Lynne French, Coldwell Banker, Jim and Kathy Swanson of The Maids, Ed’s Mudville Grill and Larry Domina of Contra Costa Termite Control. Please contact Sharon McNulty at 673-9333 or e-mail at sharonmcnulty123@ hotmail.com if you have information to share for the time capsule. To get involved or volunteer for the Spring Dinner/ Sock Hop call Mitzi Hyland at 672-6986 or e-mail tbsales@earthlink.net. Mark your calendars and watch for news and information on this exciting school and community event.
800-554-1391
4666 Clayton Road, Concord
Upcoming Events CALL FOR LOCAL ARTISTS – JOIN THE CELEBRATION FOR CLAYTON LIBRARY’S TENTH BIRTHDAY The Clayton Community Library Foundation is announcing the second annual Arts and Entertainment Celebration, to be held March 19 and 20. The Foundation is seeking talented community members to join them during a weekend of fun, as our library celebrates its tenth birthday. This is a great way to
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Cholesterol screening Blood pressure checks Hearing tests
Please join us. Food, information and fun!
way of saying “Thank you for being such an awesome student!” Students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA and receive “Conduct is Excellent” comments on their current report card. Each of the 262 students on the Principal’s List received a special certificate from Ms. Cooper, an early lunch pass, and a donut and hot chocolate breakfast. On December 17, the Diablo View Newscope team consisting of Bryan Alamillo, Natasha Gomez, Nick Grimmond and Shannon O’Neill brought home the “most rounds won” and “most points earned” trophies. Newscope is a current events competition between the ten
Page 15
z Free advice, exhibits Vital food choices Spiritual wellness Foot Care Staying physically active Massage therapy
Call Today (925) 524-5100 6401 Center Street, Clayton
www.diamondterrace.net
& demonstrations
Home safety advice Controlling over-active bladder High/low blood sugar problems Disability prevention Biofeedback training
ar y 24th! u n a J y b P RSV T FREE GIeFndees! tt to first 20 a
showcase local talent and support the Clayton Community Library at the same time! The celebration will be held in the Library’s Community Room and adjoining outdoor courtyard and wildlife habitat. The Clayton Community Library Foundation will provide all advertising and publicity for this community fundraising event. Local painters, potters, jewelers, craft makers, photographers and other artists, please
give us a call! An entry fee of $25 applies as well as a small percentage (15%) of artist profits that will go toward the purchase new books and related materials for our local library. Call Arlene KikkawaNielsen, Community Events Coordinator, Clayton Community Library Foundation at 673-9777 or e-mail akikkawa@ccclib.org. GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES! CUB SCOUT PACK 262 HOSTS PINEWOOD DERBY Get ready for prizes, medals,
fast cars, food and fun. Race your car against your friends from Cub Scout Pack 262. Saturday, January 15 is the date, Mt. Diablo Elementary Multi Use Room is the place and 10:45 a.m. is the time for the weigh in (11:30 a.m. start time). Come early to register and vote for your favorite cars! This year’s ballot categories include most creative car, best paint job, looks most like a race car, looks least like a race car, best use of blue and gold, best use of decals, and “old jalopy” award. Pack 262’s pit crew will be on hand to sell pizza and soda. Don’t get left in the dust.
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Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
www.roccospizzeria.com
ASK US ABOUT OUR FANTASTIC CATERING SERVICE
"Best Pizza in the East Bay" - Contra Costa Times Readers' Poll NOW BOOKING HOLIDAY PARTIES
Large Pizza for the Price of a Medium Pizza
947-6105 corner of Oak Grove & Ygnacio Walnut Creek
Your first catering order
Locally owned by Rocco Biale
Dining Around from the ordinary. Brunch menu choices include a hugely popular Steak and Egg Quesadilla served with black beans and salsa fresca for $9. Other brunch entrees range in price from $8 to $12. At the corner of Center and Marsh Creek Road is LA VERANDA, serving a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and fish, starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Pasta dishes range from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. If you’re a salad lover, be sure to try the Insalata Della Reigna with baby greens, walnuts, Gorgonzola and a honey Dijon mustard dressing for $6.50 … a popular choice. La Veranda is
Mr. Pickwick’s British Pub
& Restaurant
G O O D F O O D . G O O D FUN 12-week Karaoke Contest every Sat. - $500 Grand Prize!
1st Thurs. of the month: Gong Show! Tues. nights: Blind Draw Darts Wed. nights: Pub Quiz night Thurs. through Sat.: Karaoke British-American Cuisine Best Fish n’ Chips this side of Britain Patio available
4633 Clayton Road, Concord 925-459-0574 New American eclectic restaurant in Clayton
formerly The Fox & The Fiddle
672-11333 for reservations
5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tue. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday brunch/dinner 5 - 6 Wed. - Sunday $1.00 oyster happy hour
Featuring: Ahi Tuna Tartare Sushi Rice, Daikon, Watercress, Grapefruit, Crispy Rice Paper
Five Spice Dusted Duck Coconut Rice, Petite Herb Salad
New bar menu with lighter fare Also offering sake, soju cocktails & more
6115 Main Street Clayton, CA
SUNDAY & MONDAY SPECIALS Large 3 Item Pizza $1200
st a t
Mon. – Thurs. 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat. 12 noon – 10 p.m. Sun. 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ou
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ozy Pas ta
afé C Primavera
Fine Italian dining with an extensive menu • New specialty—grilled steaks • Gourmet desserts and fine wine
4425-F Treat Blvd. Concord, CA 94521
All Pitchers of Beer ½ price Monday: 5-close z Sunday 11-4
687-5 5300
Very reasonable prices
www.pastaprimaveracafe.com
Cannot be used with any other Coupon
Dine-in or take-out No substitutions z limit 2 per party (Team parties excluded)
open daily for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for brunch. For view and atmosphere, you can’t do better than OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB in Clayton or ZANDONELLA’S on the Delta View Golf Course in Pittsburg. The dining room at OAKHURST is open Wed.-Sun. for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu is extensive, offering appetizers, a daily soup selection, salads, sandwiches and wraps and pasta. Kids have several choices as well, from PB&J to pasta. Lunches range from the traditional Ceasar salad for $6.49 to $9.39 for their Fisherman’s Wharf Crab and Avocado Melt sandwich. Dinner on Friday and Saturday features a heavenly roasted prime rib for $20.99$24.99 in a size that’s perfect for every appetite. Wednesday dinner is a pasta buffet for $14.99 ($6.99 for kids). Just over the hill and out of the traffic is ZANDONELLA’S. Open Tue.-Sun for lunch and dinner and situated on the lovely Delta View Golf Course, this family friendly restaurant offers an extensive menu that covers every craving. From that perfect bowl of Spaghetti and Meatballs all the way to a succulent and perfectly roasted rack of lamb, you are sure to find your favorite. Lunches range from $6.25 to $10.95 for Meat Ravioli and dinners range from $11.15 to $22.45. All entrees include soup or salad, pasta and bread. The view is free. Just down Clayton Road is PASTA PRIMAVERA. This lovely little trattoria offers a delectable linguini with garlic and mushrooms in a virgin olive oil for $8.95...my personal favorite. Other pasta dishes include Chicken Pesto Gorgonzola, a rigatoni dish with chicken breast and tomatoes in a creamy pesto Gorgonzola sauce ($13.95.) For an intimate atmosphere and a good wine list, Pasta Primavera can’t be beat. A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty. The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97, this large pizza will feed a small army. Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads. All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and
It’s alway e right time for tea s th at
Englund's Tea Cottage “Where good friends gather...” A beautiful full service tea room featuring… High tea. Delectable lunches. Large tea collection. Fresh baked scones and desserts. Special events.
and Come our browse and op gift sh ibles collect
joy An Italian Fe n E a
($75 Minimum order)
Cannot be used with any other Coupon Valid anytime z Dine in or take out Present when ordering z 1 discount per table/visit
Open 7 days at 11 a.m
Whether you’re in the mood for a fine dining experience complete with candles, wine and a gorgeous view, lunch with a few friends or a quick, tasty “take out” for the family on a cold and rainy night, you need go no further than Pioneer Territory for the best choices in “Dining Around.” Right in downtown Clayton, are two excellent fine dining restaurants. ELYSIUM, formerly Fox and the Fiddle has changed its name to . New owner and chef Greg Severn also has a brand new menu featuring an eclectic choice of American Contemporary dishes, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Try the Ahi Tuna Tartare with sushi rice or a Five Spice Roasted Duck with coconut rice for a sophisticated departure
15% of f
OR Medium Pizza for the Price of a Small
Personal Checks Accepted
2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd.
m now Red Roo e for l b a l i a av rties p e t priva a
New Catering Menu
January 14, 2005
We also have a private room for z baby & bridal showers z staff meetings z club get togethers z birthdays, etc.
672-TEAS (8327) www.EnglundsTeaCottage.com Coming soon to Clayton Station 5433 Ste. L
Clayton Road
The perfect place for your holiday celebration! tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m. For delicious and freshly baked pastries, cakes, cookies and bread, stop by the SWEET BAKERY in the Clayton Station. Grab a mouth watering Pecan Roll or Apple Cheese Danish ($1.75) and a latte for a quick break in the morning. Then come back for lunch when all gourmet sandwiches are only $5.75. For the Brits and the Brits at heart, MR. PICKWICK’S BRITISH PUB AND RESTAURANT has opened in the old C C Ole’s place on Clayton Road. The menu is extensive with such British favorites as Steak and Kidney Pie served with potatoes and a vegetable for $11.25 on the lunch menu and $12.25 on the dinner. You can even get “mushy peas,” a regional specialty from Northern England. If you’re looking for fish and chips, you’ll find a thick cut of White Icelandic Cod for $9.95-$12.75. Mr. Pickwick’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The full bar stays open until 2 a.m. TEA COTTAGE TO OPEN IN CLAYTON STATION Are you ready for a relaxing afternoon with friends, enjoying a pot of tea and delectable treats in a beautiful full service tea room? ENGLUND'S TEA COTTAGE will offer these amenities and more when they open their doors in the Clayton Station soon. Proprietors Sally Englund and Pamela Barnett want the tea cottage to be a place "where good friends gather." After you browse the gift shop and collectibles, enjoy lunch or high tea with tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, fresh fruit and dip and dessert. Other offerings include the Bristol--a fresh green salad with walnuts, oranges and citrus vinaigrette, a china bowl of the day's special soup and a pot of tea. The Stratford features tea sandwiches filled with tuna supreme, chicken royal or egg salad and cucumber cream cheese. There's even the Picadilly or child's tea with PB&J sandwiches, fruit, tea cookies and tea or lemonade. And it’s not only tea that makes up the beverage menu. Coffee lovers will be glad to hear they can get a cup of Peet’s at the Teahouse. Other beverages include iced tea, lemonade, chai latte and coke. There's a beautiful muraled room perfect for bridal and baby showers, staff meetings and club gatherings. Watch for grand opening signs and plan to take tea in Clayton's first tea room.
La Veranda Café
Northern Italian Cuisine in downtown Clayton Fresh soups, salads, antipasti, pizza and pasta Dinner and lunch daily Brunch on Sunday Children’s menu and take out service available
For reservations call (925) 524-0011 6201 CENTER ST. CLAYTON
Take your sweetheart to dinner at ’s e n i t n e l day for Va Italian-American cuisine prepared perfectly, every time. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we feature
Prime Rib cooked exactly the way you like it. Every dinner includes choice of fresh green salad or our homemade soup, pasta and vegetables. Make your reservations now
We’re just over the hill 2222 Golf Club Road Pittsburg (925) 132-1700 From Clayton, take Kirker Pass over the hill Turn left on Leland to Golf Club Road
January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
Clayton’s egrets may be nesting spiral landing in an open space, but the most impressive is to watch one land, with graceful style, in a tree. The Great Egret feeds alone in shallow water. It stalks prey like fish, frogs, crayfish, snakes, lizards, salamanders, and snails.
CATHIE
GERNHARDT
FOR THE BIRDS
When it spots its prey, it pulls its head and long neck back and then quickly stabs at the prey. On land it sometimes hunts small mammals like moles and mice. They usually feed in the early morning and evening hours. Other long legged relatives would include the Great Blue Heron, Flamingo, Stork, Ibis, and the smaller Snowy Egret and Cattle Egret. When the great egret is in breeding plumage, it has long delicate plumes on its back that
e R a o E l n t y st at e Te l a C e h am T
Cathie Gernhardt has lived in Clayton for the past 38 years. Bird watching is one of her greatest joys. You can email her at Cathie@claytonpioneer.com.
expires 03/30/05
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5433-G Clayton Road, Clayton
Holiday Gift Certificates also available
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ping 36-39 inches tall. Yes— three feet. With 60 percent of that being legs, 10 percent body, and 30 percent neck, it is a very interesting looking bird. The Great Egret is a beautiful all white bird. It has a bright yellow bill, long black legs, and non-webbed black feet with very long toes. It also has a wingspan spreading approximately five feet across. It is awesome to watch this giant bird fly along the water’s edge between the trees, or make a
672-2000
This service
Ro
tem we have in Clayton. You can multi-task while you are walking/jogging/biking by keeping an eye out for our feathered friends. I’m sure you will be amazed at the abundant bird activity right out your own back door. I have been seeing the Great Egret quite frequently, and a few weeks ago I saw two of them together, so we may have a nesting pair somewhere along Diablo Creek. These water loving birds usually hang out near
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A PAIR OF GREAT WHITE EGRETS have been sighted several times recently along Diablo Creek and may be nesting in the area.
curl over its tail. During the early nineteenth century, the demand for the breeding plumage of long beautiful white feathers for women’s hats was widespread. Heavy hunting nearly drove the species to extinction before public demand resulted in laws to protect the bird. Today, pollution and habitat loss has caused their numbers to decline worldwide. This brings me to the subject of pollution along our creeks. It saddens me to see so much trash in the creek and along the water’s edge. Most of this debris is washed into the creek via the storm drain system along our city streets. It will be a great help if we all chip in and police the areas around our homes to prevent garbage from making it into our creeks. Please let one of your New Years Resolutions be to protect our creeks so that we may enjoy the wildlife it supports by keeping our streets litter free. Until next time, Happy Bird Day
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marshes, swamps, lakes, sea shores, rivers and creeks, so we are fortunate to have a creek running through Clayton that can support these magnificent birds. I put the Great Egret into the long legged bird category, as they measure in at a whop-
Yg
Happy New Year, fellow bird lovers. I trust all of you enjoyed the holidays and are sticking with those New Years resolutions. If one of your resolutions was to get more exercise, I hope you will take advantage of the wonderful trail sys-
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
2004 was a very good year for plants The year 2004 was a great plant year. Our neighborhoods are looking impressive with the surge of curb appeal. The selections of plant material to choose from was rich last year and everything was found close to home, making gardening more convenient. Clayton residents got dirty in 2004 and it shows. You can see great plant combos all around town. A few plants stood out. Crape Myrtle, Loropetalum, Flower Carpet, Red Fountain Grass, and Lantana were by far the most sought after plants of last season. These staples are all hardy—resistant to heat and frost, take minimal care, and with one exception, can tolerate full Clayton sun. One can almost create a whole garden with these plants alone, plus a couple of trees. Here are Clayton’s Five Hottest Plants for 2004. Crape Myrtle is a wonderful family of deciduous shrubs and trees. This full sun garden essential offers dramatic summer blossom and vivid fall colors, satisfying the need for vertical interest and some sun relief for underlying perennials. Zuni has dark purple panicles; Pecos— pink crape like flowers;
a little taller than expected; allow 4 feet of height as well as width. Remember that this is a perennial grass. Cut back in mid March, almost to the ground. This popular grass forms neat clumps of purplish-maroon blades topped with flower spikes from mid summer through fall. This addition to a yard or garden adds texture and movement to a plant display. Lantana comes in many colors and sizes. This groundcover or shrub has been around for years and is on the installation comeback. Verbenas were the hot flowering full sun groundcover for the past planting seasons, but their lack of longevity and winter hardiness has Clayton gardeners rediscovering lantana. Sure, this evergreen dies back during hard winters, but at least it comes back. Lavender, white yellow and orange, are among the trailing selections. Buy 4-inch pots and space at least every 3 feet to allow each plant to develop into a mature mound of color. As the years progress Trailing Lantana has been known to reach 2-3 feet tall. So, layer accordingly. Bush lantana is slightly less winter hardy.
Contra Costa County Fire District is conducting a criminal investigation into the cause of the fire, however, at this writing, no report has been filed and no suspects have been named. Fire Investigator, Randy Champion, said he expects to finish the report within the next three weeks. No reason, other than “heavy work load” has been given for the delay in issuing the report. Attorneys for Sandhu have hired their own investigation team, and that report is expected by the end of February. Arson was not given as a reason for denying the claim; rather, in a Sept. 21 letter to Sandhu, Farmers cited Sandhu’s “failure
to cooperate with the investigation” as the reason for denial. “Everything in that letter is a blatant lie,” said an informed source. “Sam and his family have done nothing but cooperate fully all along.” As for the allusions to arson, the same source says, “There was absolutely no reason for Sam to set the fire. The store was very profitable and Sam had plans to remodel and expand.” Sandhu flatly denies Farmers’ charges and has sued the insurance company for failing to act in good faith. Sandhu’s suit charges Farmers with racism, claiming that Farmers’ representative, Jeff Triplett, said on at least one occasion, “Indians
burn down buildings,” and repeatedly called the Village Market a “Quickie Mart,” presumably referring to the ethnic stereotyping on the TV show, The Simpsons. In documents filed with the court, Sandhu’s suit further claims that Farmers was “uncooperative, combative and repeatedly sought to miscommunicate…” Losses from the fire are mounting. In addition to the nearly $1 million resulting from damage to the building and loss of income, Sandhu has incurred expenses for cleaning out the store, removing debris from the fire and rodent extermination. The case is expected to go to
ORANGE LANTANA
Acoma— dark brown exfoliating bark with pure white blooms, and Dynamite—deep dark red with mahogany fall color. Consider your maximum height and width, then shop color by your requirements. These varieties have been selected for their mildew resistance. Loropetalum is a family of evergreen shrubs valued in the full sun as well as the part shade. This plant has personality. The shape is natural and interesting. The bloom is stunning with deep pink or
Market, from page 1 Sandhu, who held a fire insurance policy issued by Farmers, filed a claim. In May, Farmers hired Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group to determine the origin and cause of the fire. In their report to Farmers, the Pacific Rim investigator concluded that the fire had “originated in at least three separate areas within the second floor” and that burn patterns on the floor and furniture indicated that “someone poured a liquid accelerant (on the floor) and ignited it.” The report further implied that
white-fringed explosions through spring and a lovely fall display. The leaves of the loropetalum are engaging as well. Razzleberri has burgundy new growth maturing to olive green. Sizzling Pink has purple foliage all year. Loropetalum Chinense has clean green leaves, which is a nice look in combination with the stark white blooms. Razzleberri takes full sun and Sizzling Pink, in spite of what the tag reads, can only tolerate part sun when planted in Clayton. Flower Carpet is a family of
hybrid roses created to provide profuse bloom, disease resistance, and pest tolerance. It can handle every drop of full sun that our town has to offer. The color selection is not flashy, Double Pink, Double White, Antique Red and Coral are awesome around here. Appleblossom is another selection available, but the color fades in the hot sun, and Double Yellow was introduced in 2004. Monrovia tried to create a lot of hype around this new selection, yet it did not really blow any socks off around our nursery. These roses are fabulous in front or back yards. Plant with enough room—out of control roses are bears to maintain. They call these roses Flower Carpet for a reason; they will reach 2-3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Keep that in mind when choosing a location. This plant is patented and expensive, so it is nice not to over buy. Mid summer brought out the ornamental grass seekers. As the summer gets warmer, the grasses naturally take heat well. For the last few years, Red Fountain Grass was the grass to grow. Pennisetum Setaceum ‘Rubrum’ often reaches
Sandhu had set the fire himself since “he was the only person with keys to the property.” However, according to sources close to the case, testing of the charred floor and walls did not show any sign of accelerant or chemical residual. Furthermore, the sources say, it is unknown exactly how many keys are out and who has them, or if, in fact, anyone was able to gain entry to the building before the fire. There have been no charges filed against Sandhu or anyone else. According to Farmers, the
“Look Who’s Selling Clayton!”
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
Establish roots in spring. Look for selections such as Confetti, Irene, and Dallas Red. Combine these choices with large shrubs like the Crape Myrtle to extend flowering season. Lantanas take full sun and the berry is toxic, so consider this when making your selection. These plant choices will remain strong sellers through this next growing season, though it’ll be exciting to see the new introductions and hybrids that will make their way to the mainstream in 2005. I’ll keep you posted on what’s new. Make the most of this New Year.
Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Garden Contact her at GardenGirl94517@aol.com
trial in late spring or early summer. Personal costs resulting from the fire have also run high. Sandhu, a diabetic, has lost his health insurance, has used up his personal savings and is heavily in debt. “No one can live without income,” said Sandhu. “We are anxious to get back to work.” With refinancing efforts nearing final approval, plans for the “new” Village Market call for a refurbished food and liquor store to face Main Street and a delicatessen in the back opening on to Center Street. Upstairs will have about 1400 square feet of rentable office space with a separate outside entrance.
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30 Fleming Ct.
Clayton
$785,000
d $32,150! aved Sold! Selllerr S
522 Mt. Davidson Court
Clayton
$685,000
450 d $32,4 aved Sold! Selllerr S
25 Atchinson Stage Rd.
Clayton
$699,000
5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, approx 2800 sq.ft. Magnificent view of hills! New exterior paint, tile entry, dual pane windows, large eat-in kitchen w/corian counters, tile flr, breakfast bar, new dishwasher & large pantry. Spacious family room with tile fireplace, large living & bonus rooms & large master suite.
Clayton
4 bedrooms, plus den, 2.5 baths, approx 2368 sq.ft. hardwood flrs, marble entry, gorgeous kitchen w/granite tile counters & gas stove & large master suite w/walkin closet & marble bathroom. Spectacular tropical backyard with pool/spa & waterfall, extended BBQ island w/slate counter, sink, eating area and tile patio. This home is an absolute must see to believe! An entertainers Dream!
4 Large bedrooms, 2 updated baths, approx 2325 sq.ft. Spacious formal living & dining room w/vaulted ceilings, family room w/wet bar, hardwood floor entry, updated eat-in kitchen w/tile counters & central heat/air. Spacious master suite, tile roof, new exterior paint & meticulously maintained yards!
Awake to Views of Mt. Diablo! 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Approx 2,549 sq. ft., Custom additions w/permits, new roof, pergo flrs, spacious family room w/brick fireplace & formal living & dining room w/bay windows, 3 sets of French doors, private landscaped backyard w/deck & RV parking too! Light & bright throughout!
d $27,950 aved Sold! Selllerr S
770 d $27,7 aved Sold! Selllerr S
ys!! Sold in 4 Da6,110 3 $ d ed v a Selllerr S
050! d $13,0 aved Sold! Selllerr S
5830 Del Trigo Lane
Clayton
$565,000
5418 Paso Del Rio Ct.
Concord
$612,000
182 Mt. Wilson Way
Clayton
$751,000
19 Long Creek Circle
Clayton
$350,000
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, approx 1,659 sq.ft. Large .26 acre lot! Original hardwood flrs throughout, formal living rm w/fireplace, light & bright family rm & eat-in kitchen w/double oven. Central heat, vaulted ceilings, shutters/blinds throughout & large backyard with sparkling pool
4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, approx 2135 sq.ft. Spacious formal living & dining room, large family room w/brick fireplace, wilsonart hardwood flrs, ceiling fan, wet bar & Anderson slider! Updated eat-in kitchen w/tile counters, oak cabinets, built in microwave/convection oven, dishwasher, garden window & built in desk. Tile entry, central heat/air, gorgeous landscaped backyard w/redwood deck.
5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, approx 2,692 sq.ft. Lovely kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, gas stove, tile counters and garden window! Gas fireplace in family room, oak hardwoood flr in entry, kitchen & eating area, wet bar & large laundry room with storage. Master Bedroom features views & private deck, lovely backyard with spa & gorgeous views!
3 Bedrooms, 2 updated Baths, approx 1,075 sq.ft. Great Location in Clayton! Gorgeous Detached Town-Home with attached garage! Large front and back patio with trees! Hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen with white cabinets and granite tile counters & spacious family room for all your entertaining!
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650! d $27,6 aved Sold! Selllerr S
600! d $45,6 aved Sold! Selllerr S
5839 Verna Way East
Clayton
$555,000
4 Bedrooms, 2 Updated Baths, approx 1,680 sq.ft. Huge .31 Lot with RV parking! Spacious family room w/brick wood burning fireplace & French doors off Dining room, new carpet, fresh paint in/out & tile entry. Some hardwood floors, spacious master suite, new heat/air & new roof/gutters.
1221 Buckeye Terrace
Clayton
$495,000
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, approx 1,639 sq.ft. Lovely home with decorator touches throughout! Spacious living/dining room combo with gleaming hardwood floors and double sided ceramic tile fireplace! Family room with custom tile and double sided ceramic tile fireplace, inside laundry room & lovely landscaped backyard with built-in BBQ, stamped cement & wired for a spa. Large Gourmet Kitchen with tile counters, gas stove, built-in microwave and dishwasher. Low Hoa Too!
1816 Yolanda Circle
Clayton
$610,000
3 Large Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, approx 1,780 sq.ft. Gorgeous home inside & out! Spacious family room w/woodburning fireplace, dining room w/wood floors, new heat/air & new roof. Master Bedroom with French doors to private Trex patio deck, fruit trees & generous side & backyard with RV parking. Great Clayton Neighborhood!
102 Forest Hill Drive
Clayton
5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Gorgeous kitchen with granite counters, maple cabinets & island. Formal living w. fireplace & dining room, spacious family room w/fireplace. Open & bright throughout, inside laundry, 3 car garage, landscaped yards & Large master suite w/jacuzzi tub!
You Could Save $27,050! By selling your home with Help-U-Sell instead of with brokers who charge a 6% commission* (the savings are based on a home selling for $600,000).You can select from many fine real estate professionals.Why not choose one that will also save you money when you sell? *Commissions are negotiable and not set by law.
You’re Paying How Much To Sell Your Home?
LOW FEES HAPPY CUSTOMERS!
Visit our new office at 4918 Clayton Road
January 14, 2005
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Large two bedroom units available
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 14, 2005
When it comes to buying or selling a home in the East Bay Area, trust Lynne French to connect you with your dreams with her distinctive brand of real estate service.
L
6200-E Center St. 1801 N. California Blvd.
Clayton, CA 94517 Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 672-8787 www.LynneFrench.com Lynne@LynneFrench.com
ynne French is making connections everyday as one of the East Bay Area’s leading real estate professionals. Connections with her clients and their families on a truly personal level. Connections within her industry to give her clients the most comprehensive home buying and selling services. Connections between her clients and their unique dreams. Lynne’s approach is straightforward. By listening to you and your family
throughout the process and focusing all of her energy on your specific goals, she goes above and beyond to help you Discover the Possibilities and make the most of your unique opportunities. Give Lynne French and her team a call or visit her Web site today and discover for yourself what the East Bay Area’s “French Connection” is all about—personalized service, expert guidance and unsurpassed dedication to your needs.
GEORGE VUJNOVICH,
Broker
(925) 672-4433
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517 georgevujnovich.com WINDMILL CANYON/IRONWOOD AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
Magnificent One of a kind Estate! in a private gated court. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 5,500sf of living space + 1,216sf of finished wine cellar & professional 3-stall shooting range. Grand entry & foyer. Den offers a full bar & rock fireplace. Huge living room with marble fireplace. Elegant formal dining room. Unbelievable gourmet kitchen features an octagonal island, tile counters, hardwood floors, solid oak cabinets, huge pantry & separate breakfast room. Huge family room features a massive brick fireplace & 60" big screen, components & surround sound. Master wing features a balcony offering un-obstructed views of Mt. Diablo & rolling hills, separate octagonal sitting room with wet bar & marble fireplace. Luxurious master bath boasts marble floors, jetted tub, huge two person shower, large walk-in closet & private commode with bidet. Totally private (approx.) half acre lot offers extensive hardscape, gazebo, enormous tiled patio, huge spa & towering redwoods. 3 car garage + extensive recreational vehicle parking. A must see to appreciate/believe. $1,695,000
Just Listed! Fantastic Single Story “Augusta" model! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1,816sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Upgraded 13" tile floors in entry-kitchen & family room. Recent designer paint throughout! Beautifully upgraded gourmet kitchen features slab granite counters & island, oak cabinets & spacious pantry. Family room offers a cozy fireplace with upgraded tile, custom built-in entertainment center & wired for surround sound. Large master suite with recently upgraded master bathroom featuring designer tile stall shower, oversized soaking tub with tile surround/backsplash & tile floor. Level lot with patio, lawn area, roses & new hardscape in side yard. $649,000
Just Listed! Sensational & Rare Single S t o r y "Bainbridge" model! 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a p p r o x . 3,030sf, inside laundry & 3 garage. Upgraded tile floors & neutral décor with open flowing floor plan. Formal living & dining rooms. Spacious family room features dramatic fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, center island & huge pantry. Large & luxurious master suite with huge walk-in closet, tile stall shower & oversized tub. Large (approx. .45acre) lot backs to open space with professional landscape featuring trellis covered patio, lawn & a variety of flowers & ornamentals. Nestled in a private quiet court!
DIABLO VILLAGE
EAGLE PEAK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
STRANAHAN CIRCLE
Awesome G "Margaret" DIN N E model in P court setting with great Mt. Diablo views! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a p p r o x . 2,171sf plus a 200sf all season sun room, inside laundry room & 2 car garage. Cozy living & dining rooms with recessed lighting & upgraded wood blinds. Large family room with laminate "wood" floors & tile fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with maple cabinets with upgraded hardware, corian counters & stainless steel appliances. Spacious master suite runs the full length of the home. Large level lot offers a gated sparkling in-ground freeform "California Sport" pool with raised spa with upgraded flagstone trim & waterfall feature, exposed aggregate patio extends to side yard & around pool. Large lawn & play areas, plus a gated side yard with storage shed.
Stunning G Former Model DIN N Home! on a E P spectacular premium ridgeline lot overlooking/ backing 3rd hole of golf course with magnificent courserolling hill/ridgeline-city/valley to Delta views! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, approx. 3,000sf., 3 car garage & inside laundry with utility sink. Grand formal dining room with soaring ceiling. Great family room with upgraded brick fireplace & wet bar. Gourmet kitchen features tile counters, island & breakfast bar, upgraded tile floors, large eating area, abundant cabinets + pantry. Enormous master suite offers a romantic two-way fireplace & boasts breath-taking panoramic views. Private level lot on a quiet court features, two patio's professional landscape, a variety of low maintenance ornamentals, lots of trees & a large lush lawn area. $1,125,000
Builder's personal residence on D one of the best SOL lots in the subdivision! 2 master suites + loft with built-in cabinetry & dual skylights, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,663sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Extensive custom touches & upgrades thru-out! Gourmet kitchen features granite & ceramic tile counters, island & accents, abundance of cabinets & eating nook. Great room with granite tile fireplace & TV nook. Main master suite overlooks views of hills, open space & seasonal creek a features a mock fireplace, old fashioned claw foot tub & separate shower with overhead skylight. Located at the end of a quiet court with no side or rear neighbors this large lot backs & sides trail & open space. Rear yard features a large patio with rose trees, a trellis & outdoor speakers; huge side yard offers raised vegetable beds & fruit trees.
KINGS RIDGE ESTATES, CONCORD
$699,500
$1,095,000
$575,000