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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
925.672.0500
City council approves final Clayton Central Park design BY TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The Clayton City Council, in a 5-0 vote last week, approved the final design plans for the Clayton Central Park. The park will be constructed on the 1.15-acre lot between Main and Center Streets and Marsh Creek Road. The property, once home to more than a dozen huge, old eucalyptus trees, is still known by many as “The Grove.” The design was submitted to the city council by the Park Design Steering Committee and is the result of more than a year of meetings and community design workshops. The park will be built around a large,
Center Streets. The central grassy area is for “movies in the park,” community art shows, Frisbee games, football and catch, and informal evening concerts. The active elements, the gazebo, playground, water play structure, picnic areas and arbor will be built around the perimeter of the park. In keeping with the western theme of the town, the children’s play area includes a stationary train and “western town” play structure. Hardy Coast redwoods, London Plane Columbia, evergreen elm and crape myrtle will shade the park and the Chinese pistache will light up the grounds with its luminous orange
Photos courtesy of Merril Morris Partners
Top photo, landscape architects rendering of final park design; At left, the gazebo
grassy area in the center with several sidewalks through the park to encourage movement between Main and
leaves in the fall. Preliminary estimates are putting the cost for construction at $1,265 million, of which the city already has
PioneerTerritory BY TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
This Christmas, I tried something new. I tried to do all of my Christmas shopping without ever going to the mall, to Broadway, to Target or WalMart or Costco, even once. Didn’t make it. I had to go to Walnut Creek one time. BUT, I am proud to say, that 98 percent of my Christmas money was spent without ever leaving the 94517/94521 zip codes. Which proves my point. Almost EVERYTHING you need can be found in Pioneer Territory! You don’t have to make that knee-jerk trip to CompUSA for a computer cable, you can buy it right in the Clayton Station. And the same holds true for cameras, clothes, car parts, Christmas ornaments or party supplies. Slow down, take a look around the next time you drive through Clayton or up
the Clayton Road corridor. Someone here sells what you want to buy. Beginning this issue, the Clayton Pioneer will be gently reminding you, our wonderful readers, that, while it may be “your paper,” it’s the advertisers that pay for it. And advertisers only advertise if people buy their stuff. They run coupons so customers will clip and use
$580,000, including the $25,000 pledged by the CBCA for the gazebo. The remaining $685,000 is expected to come from an Urban Park Act grant for which the council directed City Manager Gary Napper to immediately apply. The Urban Park Act of 2001 has $130 million in funds available to
them. Seeing these coupons in their cash register is one sure way to know that people are reading their ads. So, right here on the front page (you don’t have to look far) is our Pioneer “coupon” ad listing all the advertisers that are currently running a coupon or a special offer. Find the ad, clip the coupon, go to the store and buy something! Read ALL the ads. Think of what you can get in Pioneer Territory, and go buy it. Be sure to tell the store that you SAW THEIR AD IN THE PIONEER. In the NEXT issue, we will begin our PIONEER BUCKS promotion. We will be “hiding” the top half of the Clayton clock (see our logo) in three different ads. The first person to call, email or come by with the hidden clock and code from each ad will win $10. We’ll print the names of the PIONEER BUCKS winners and give the advertiser a little extra plug. This is one of those “everybody plays, everybody wins” games.
Spend your money in PIONEER TERRITORY Look inside for the coupons or special offers by our advertisers:
Acme Auto Repair, AJ Landscaping, BLIMPIE Subs and Salads, Clayton Fitness and Tanning,Clayton Hair Works, Concord Feed/Arena Feed, Hennis Marina, Nu Image Painting, Regina’s All Breed Pet Grooming, Shop and Go Convenience Store, The Looking Glass, Village Market Take advantage of these great deals and support the Pioneer advertisers
cities and counties for the construction of new parks. In his report to the city council Napper notes that, because of the state take-aways and uncertainty around the distribution of local tax monies, it may not seem like the best time to be applying for a grant. In fact, he explains many cities have pulled out of the process just for
this reason, leaving Clayton in a highly competitive position. “We’ve already amassed 46% of the costs, and we own the land. I am very excited about this grant,” Napper said. Assuming the city receives the grant money, construction could begin as early as this fall.
One foal at a time
SEVEN YEAR OLD HALEY
Morucci Family / Clayton Pioneer MORUCCI and Biscuit
BY JILL BEDECARRE Clayton Pioneer
Bisquit is a lucky 8-monthold foal who is responding well to his new home and family at the Morucci Ranch on Morgan Territory Road. He was among some 491 foals who were adopted this past year through Foalquest, a volunteer organization based in Alberta, Canada that finds homes for PMU (Pregnant Mare Urine) foals. Yet, the lives of more than 19,000 foals take an unfortuate,
often ugly turn, ending up in feedlots and eventually slaughtered. The figure is staggering and all too real for Clayton resident and Foalquest volunteer, Jane Buyny. She has spent the last two years matching foals with families and "doing what she can" to help the Canadian rescue operation. "Every little bit helps," Buyny says. "Every foal that finds a home is one less standing at a feedlot." Jane has adopted two foals, Nellie, a Canadien and Buffy, a quarter
hourse. The PMU industry has been operating in Canada for more than 50 years. Pregnant mare urine is contracted to Ayerst Organics, a company that extracts estrogen from the urine and manufactures the popular hormone replacement therapy drug known as Premarin. Some 450 ranches in the western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan Manitoba and in the state of North Dakota are currently engaged in the PMU process. Thirty percent of all PMU foals at these ranches end up as feed. Organizations, like Foalquest and volunteers like Jane Buyny are desperately trying to reduce that statistic and give viable PMU foals a chance at life. "The foals up for adoption are bred well", explains Buyny. Many are quarter horses, however Foal quest has access to Appaloosas, TB crosses, Canadiens, Saddlebreed crosses and draft crosses. Full drafts are usually Belgian or Percheron. The matchmaking process through Foalquest is a tedious one. It takes money, muscle and manpower, explains Buyny. With the help of some friends
See Horses
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Horses, from page 1 and neighbors on Morgan Territory Road, Buyny has spread the word about Foalquest, orchestrated five adoptions and helped establish the Renner Ranch as the
official Northern California "drop" for foals adopted through the Canadian-based organization. A drop is part of a major operation. Adopted foals are weaned from their mothers, gathered, sorted haltered, dewormed and ID'd at a
central ranch in Canada. They are then hauled across North America and finally arrive at one of many ranches like the Renners. A drop could include anywhere from six to 18 foals at a time. "It's hectic, exciting and sometimes dangerous
Rafi Hashemi / Clayton Pioneer
CLAYTON
RESIDENT
KIM MORUCCI often visits Jane Buyny's ranch to spend time with PMU foals Nellie
and Buffy.
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for the volunteers," says Buyny. "These foals are wild and stressed. They're taken from their mothers and hauled for days in a big rig. They're often not easy to handle,"says Buyny. She explains that the foals are quarantined at the Renner Ranch and cared for until owners arrive to take their foal home. It takes a lot of volunteers to round up the foals and match them up to their owners. "It's all worth it," Buyny says. "Transforming these animals from terrified babies into lovely, trusting foals is very rewarding, she says. The Moruccis are so excited about their young foal. "We were worried about the time it takes to care for a young foal, but it's brought our family together," Kim says. Bisquit is active, healthy and craves affection. Sevenyear old Haley has formed a special bond with Bisquit. "She's hoping to ride him in the Olympics someday," her mom says. Despite the successful adoption of foals through Foalquest, Buyny has a new concern. Due to the reduc-
January 16, 2004 tion of women using hormonal therapy, PMU ranches are closing. Foalquest is now working with only one ranch. The future of PMU foals is bright, but "the shortrun is awful for the mares," says Buyny.
"Thousands of pregnant mares are now up for adoption." For more information on Foalquest visit their website
at
www.pmu-
foalquest.com
Earthquake relief request
The death toll from the devastating earthquake which hit southern Iran one day after Christmas has reached 30,000 and is estimated to go as high as 50,000. Thousands and thousands more have lost everything. Most of the ancient city of Bam has been leveled. Hamid Asemi, an
Iranian-American who lives in Clayton, is asking for your help . Please send your tax deductible donation for earthquake relief to American Red Cross P. O. Box 97089 Washington, DC 20090-7089
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Lynne French “2003 Realtor Of The Year!” East Bay Business Times
(925) 672-8787
Lynne@LynneFrench.com Clayton Resident 6200 Center Str eet,Suit E Clayton, CA. 94517
The Lynne French Team Sold These Properties in 2003 321 Mt. Palomar Place 1813 Yolanda Circle 91 Regency Drive 339 Saclan Terrrace Place 4675 Morgan Territory 1586 Sunnyvale #39 1664 Wilson Court 46 Longcreek Circle 3221 Sugarberry Lane 913 Arrowhead Terrace 3030 Peppermill Circle 133 Haslemere Court 39 Parkland Drive 670 Greylyn Drive 139 El Portal Place 2430 Overlook Dr. 139 Venado Corte 70 Park Ave 4107 Marin 2512 Stanford Way 1663 Farm Bureau Road 3 Mt.Wilson Way 1206 Easley Drive 4110 Morgan Territory Road 5722 Laurelwood Place 279 Minoru Drive 628 Manhasset Court 238 Jeffry Ranch Place 2331 Holbrook Drive 33 Marquet
514 Raven Place 1443 Indian Head 1409 Indian Head 1491 Duncan Drive 111 Crow Place 233 El Pueblo Place 5125 Tehachipi 947 Autumn Oak Circle 1265 Shell Circle 3124 Lippizaner Lane 4423 Wheeping Spruce 425 Via Royal 1119 Alfred Ave 261 El Paublo 1704 Tennyson Drive 67 Fletcher Court 10 Mt. Rainier Ct 6517 Oak Manor Plaza 5542 Indiana Drive 2029 Olivera # D 51 Midvale 1743 Indian Wells Way 1816 Ohlone Heights 1719 Periwinkle Way 2473 Geraldine Drive 5208 Valmar Drive 708 Reisling Court 1870 Heatherwood Drive 5307 Grasswood Circle 5286 Jomar Drive
615 Pinot Court 3550 Oak Hill Lane 21 Mt. Hamilton Court 1200 Easley Drive 4185 Hamlet Drive 306 Windmill Canyon Place 402 Mount Sequoia Court 39 Westbrook Court 1917 San Vincente Drive 1812 Andrea Court 1808 Cole Ave #3A 5929 Cardinet Drive 3014 Windmill Canyon 25 Janin Place 82 Bear Place 1470 Lydia Lane 1631 Ponderosa Drive 2430 Harvard Circle 1691 Alvardo Ave 4804 Cache Peak 254 Stranahan Circle 5603 Bettencourt 101 Oak 1201 Glen Cove Parkway #1509 50 Glasgow Circle 321 Chardonnay Circle 228 Stranahan Circle 1296 Easley Drive 1909 Parkside Drive 100 Kinross Drive #8
8026 Kelok Way 1851 Eagle Peak Ave 1930 Randall Ave 11 Mt Mckinley Court 410 Meadow View Lane 9005 Elk Drive 1775 Lynnwood Drive 5140 Morgan Territory Road 10 Janin Place 2482 Bonifacio Street 1207 August Way 815 Lausanne Ave 2524 Standford Way 510 & 530 Gill Drive 1571 Wesley Court 907 Gatter Drive 311 Heron Drive 4279 Mercer Court 18391 Marsh Creek 6445 Morgan Territory Rd 1771 Laguna Street #20 1853 Yolanda Circle 1046 Tiffin Drive 16711 Marsh Creek 1852 Palomino Place 6469 Viewpoint Court 926 Arrowhead Terrace 1760 Indian Wells Way 801 Gray Fox Place
Next Y ear, W hy N ot H ave Y our A ddress H ere!
January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Classified
IT'S A DOG'S WORLD
Vacation Rental P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580
One week at luxury resort on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sleeps 4. Available Feb. 23 through Mar. 1, 2004. $500. Call (925) 672-8182
Services Perennial Garden Designs and Consultations, by Nicole Hackett, aka Garden Girl. Plant the right perennials in all the right places. Add curb appeal and interest. Together, we can create a magazine beautiful garden. Call or e-mail for price or to schedule appointment. GardenGirl94517@aol.com, (925) 408-7792, voicemail
It’s true. No bull! Whoever thinks these up has waaaaay too much time. Two peanuts walk into a bar and one was a salted. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says “I’ll serve you, but don’t start anything.” A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry we don’t serve food in here.” A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says, “A beer please, and one for the road.” Two aerial antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: “Does this taste funny to you?” “Doc, I can’t stop singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home.’” “That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.” “Is it common?” “It’s Not Unusual.” Two cows standing next to each other in a field, Daisy says to Dolly, “I was artificially inseminated this morning.” “I don’t believe you,” said Dolly. “It’s true, no bull!” exclaimed Daisy. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either. Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive.” Deja Moo-The feeling that you’ve heard this bull before. Two Eskimos were sitting in a kayak and it was really chilly; but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving that you can’t have your kayak and heat it too. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh. Two termites walk into a bar. One asked, “Is the bar tender here?”
Page 3
& CATS RULE
Tamara and Robert Steiner, Co-Publishers Tamara Steiner, Editor Jill Bedecarre, Assistant Editor; Display Advertising Jay Bedecarre, Sports Rafi Hashemi, Graphic Design
at
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Start with our classic Caesar salad, followed by a one pound filet mignon car-broiled, roasted, then plank carved tableside $54.95 per the couple
Irish Music January 29 6:30pm - 9pm Dining Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 until 9
672-11333
6115 Main Street Clayton, CA 94517
for reservations
Complete Canine Exercise/Education/Training
Your dog walks you Your dog is fearful and nervous Your dog needs better manners Not enough time to exercise your companion
Call Complete Canine Now! Affordable in-home training Owner and Clayton resident Jennifer Ambacher
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CATEGORIES Jobs Child and Adult Care Items For Sale Vehicles For Sale Garage and Yard Sales Real Estate Office Space Homes For Rent Pets and Horses Services Lost and Found Personal Business Opportunities
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.
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,
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@clayton pioneer.com
GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker 6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517
Tel: (925) 672-4433; Fax: (925) 672-4424
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
georgevujnovich.com Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty
ADDRESS
46 Long Creek Circle 805 Condor Place 913 Arrowhead Terrace 8012 Kelok Way 51 Mt. Tamalpais 219 Round House Place 321 Mt. Palomar Place 101 Hurd Place 80 Nottingham Place 5614 Bettencourt Drive 25 Barcelona Way
PRICE
$
375,000 359,950 539,950 719,000 599,000 489,000 635,000 650,000 525,000 627,330 640,000
SALE DATE
12/30/03 12/22/03 12/18/03 12/18/03 12/15/03 12/10/03 12/05/03 12/05/03 12/04/03 12/04/03 12/03/03
SF
1378 1252 1939 2843 2619 1939 2694 2115 1850 2479 2324
BED/BATH
3/2 2/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 4/2.5 3/2.5 5/2.5 4/2.5 3/2 4/3 4/3
ADDRESS
411 Hummingbird 139 El Portal Place 1077 Feather Circle 1755 Indian Wells Way 50 La Honda Way 6 Long Creek Circle 1813 Yolanda Circle 916 Arrowhead Terrace 6031 Golden Eagle 1206 Easley Drive 5171 Keller Ridge Drive
PRICE
$ 622,000 769,980 502,000 374,000 665,000 325,000 588,000 470,000 719,000 485,000 649,000
SALE DATE
12/02/03 12/02/03 12/01/03 11/26/03 11/26/03 11/21/03 11/21/03 11/20/03 11/20/03 11/19/03 11/14/03
SF
2467 2428 1703 1235 2390 966 2398 1939 2854 2188 2,843
ADDRESS
BED/BATH
4/3 4/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 4/2.5 2/2 5/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 4/2.5 4/3
882 Diablo Downs Drive 590 Mt. Dell Drive 339 Saclan Terrace 6025 Golden Eagle 22 Mountaire 91 Regency Drive 201 Southbrook Drive 3 Mt. Wilson Way 5694 Clayton Road 18 Rhine Court 90 Mt. McKinley Court
All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed
PRICE
$1,150,000 445,000 451,000 599,000 759,950 610,000 629,500 325,000 459,500 559,900 565,000
SALE DATE
11/14/03 11/13/03 11/13/03 11/10/03 11/07/03 11/06/03 11/06/03 11/03/03 11/03/03 11/03/03 11/03/03
SF
3,630 1,926 1,749 2,395 2,960 2,032 2,010 966 1,403 1,776 1,919
BED/BATH
4/4.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 5/3 4/2.5 4/2.5 2/2 3/2 4/2 4/2
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Thank you, all of you As we kick off the New Year in our community, I want to reflect for a few moments on part of what makes Clayton so special. This year we celebrate our 40th year as an incorporated city. Clayton owes a lot to our founding members who strove to keep us unique and separate from other cities. Volunteers founded Clayton—and that spirit thrives today. There’s always a risk when one attempts to say “thank you” that someone will be left out, but with so many who merit acknowledgment, it’s worth a try. We just held our first annual Clayton New Year’s Eve Party for families at the new gym. With the help of a small group of volunteers, the super participation of the YMCA and the generous financial sponsorship of the Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA donated $1000), Comcast ($1000), and Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal (donated 300 commemorative T-shirts, valued at $1,800), we provided a safe, fun and free party for 700-800 people. Go to Clayton’s website www.ci.clayton.ca.us to see the photos! As a small city with limited revenues, we often cannot afford many of the amenities that larger cities have. Our new gym and library are
JULIE PIERCE MAYOR’S CORNER results of tireless fundraising drives lead by volunteers with that “never-give-up” spirit and of generous contributions of those community members who wanted something special for our town. Throughout each year, many events bring Clayton together as a community. Most of these are not provided by your City but by our local community groups and scores of volunteers. The Clayton Community Library Foundation holds semi-annual used book sales that provides significant funds for new library materials and equipment. Volunteers also provide more than 12,000 staff hours at our library—number one over any other branch in the county. The annual Clayton Art &
Wine Festival and Clayton Classic Golf Tournament are fund-raisers produced by the CBCA. Over the years, funds generated have gone to pay for street furniture on Main Street and Center Street, to the gym, scholarships to Clayton students, the Historic Society, library and local school music and sports programs and U.S.A. street pole flags, just to name a few. The Clayton Valley VFW hosts the Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs that are so meaningful and well attended. They also generously provide replacement flags for all our City flagpoles and a huge new flag for our community gymnasium. Our local Boy Scout Packs and Troops 262, 444 and 484 lend their support to most of these events. The Clayton Community Services Commission runs the spring and fall Clayton Cleans Up to help keep Clayton glowing. The Clayton Garden Club is responsible for most of the bulbs planted during these events around town. The 4th of July Parade is an all-volunteer effort as well, receiving only logistical support from the City. With over 10,000 attendees every year, they’re always looking for volunteers! The Historical Society maintains the museum on
Main Street and hosts the Spring Garden Tour, showcasing many lovely local gardens. The Clayton Woman’s Club holds its annual Kitchen Tour in the fall and contributes to many local charities as well as granting scholarships to deserving students. The Clayton Valley Sunrise Rotary group meets weekly in Clayton and provides the Pancake Breakfast at the 4th of July Parade that we all enjoy so much. Our Community Services Commission coordinates the Halloween Parade, and the Ghost Walk, highlighting Clayton history and lore and is lead by a local resident. Rounding out the year, the CBCA steps up again to decorate the downtown and host the tree-lighting ceremony and Santa visits. They provide and maintain all of the decorations that make it so festive. Throughout the year, volunteers at City Hall provide help with newsletter mailings and clerical duties and are Community Services Officers in our Police department, augmenting our hardworking city staff. This year, as we struggle with the state budget crisis and reduced resources, we depend even more on our volunteers. It is more apparent than ever that what makes Clayton such a wonderful place to live, is the can-do spirit of our residents. To the many, many volunteers and sponsors of our events, we say a huge Thank You. You are amazing!
City notices 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
Fourth of July Parade Volunteers needed In order to keep Clayton’s annual red, white and blue, parade tradition going, we need of volunteers to help the day of the parade. If you or your organization can help sometime between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday July 4, please contact, Rhonda Basore, City Clerk, at 673-7304. Clayton Cleans Up On Saturday April 24, 9 a.m. to noon, Clayton Cleans Up. Meet at City Hall, rain or shine. April is Keep California Beautiful Month. Help clean up Clayton’s creeks, open space, parks, etc. Clayton residents take pride in its community and rightfully so as it has been rated as one of the “most walkable” cities in the country. Participating in the spring cleanup is a good way to help us maintain that reputation. Organize your neighborhood scouting groups,
Community Connections
church members, civic groups or even individuals. Bring your trimmers and gloves. Help trim plants and pick up litter. Together we can keep Clayton Clean. If you have questions or want to register your group, contact Dana Deely at 672-8645. Recreation Programs and Activities Available Join the fun at Clayton’s new Community Gym located at Diablo View Middle School. For more information visit www.cityofclayton.org or call the Gym at 889-1600. Recycling Enough? How can you tell if you are recycling enough? One way is by the size of your garbage cart. If your garbage cart is larger than your recycling cart, you are feeding the landfill. If you have questions about an easy recycling program, call customer service at 685-4711.
Cindy’s Custom Curtains Specializing in unique window treatments since 1987 Also available: Cellular Shades, Wood Mini and Vertical Blinds Free in-home consultations Referrals from your neighbors
Cindy Koll, owner
672-9395
January 16, 2004
Police Blotter The dates and times shown indicate when the incident was reported to the Police Department. Week of January 2-January 8, 2003 ARRESTS: Jan 4, 9:55 a.m.. Clayton Road/Mitchell Canyon. Drive W/O License. A twenty-two year old Antioch female was stopped for speeding and found to be driving without a license and with no proof of insurance. She was cited and released with her signed promise to appear. Jan 4, 5:21 p.m. Clayton Road/Mitchell Canyon. DUI Alcohol/Over .08. A fortyyear-old Concord female was stopped for speeding. After performing a field sobriety test she was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. She was cited and released to the custody of a friend after she completed the DUI and Release
Admonishment form. Jan 7, 10:54 p.m. Peacock Creek/Pebble Beach. Possession of known stolen property. Officers, on routine patrol, stopped to investigate a parked car with a woman, 21, in the driver’s seat and a man, also 21, standing on the sidewalk next to the car. The officer recognized the couple from a prior arrest in Clayton for burglary. Both individuals had suspended driver’s licenses and the car was registered to a Concord resident. The officer searched the car and found checks suspected of being stolen. The couple was detained, and then released pending further investigation. BURGLARIES/THEFTS: Jan 3, 12:51 p.m. Oak Street. Burglary Residential. Jan 7, 11:56 a.m. Joscolo View. Vehicle Theft. Jan 7, 5:39 p.m. Clayton Road. Burglary Vehicle. Jan 8, 11:23 a.m. Nottingham Circle. Petty Theft.
City commissions have vacancies PLANNING COMMISSION: One opening to fill a vacated seat. Term runs until June 2005. The Planning Commission is composed of five members, who are appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The Planning Commission advises the City Council on land use matters, including general plan amendments and zone changes. The Commission also makes decisions on site plans, use permits, subdivisions and variances. All Planning Commissions decisions can be appealed to the City Council. The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., at Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, CA. The Planning Commissioners receive a stipend $100 per month. The applicant must be a resident of Clayton. Applicants should demonstrate service and dedication to the community. COMMUNITYSERVICES COMMISSION Two Openings. One regular position and one alternate position. The stipend for Community Services Commissioners is $75 per month (when a meeting is
held). The alternate and student members are volunteer positions. The applicant must be a resident of Clayton. The Community Services Commission meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., and from time to time may have more than one meeting a month. Applicants should demonstrate service and dedication to the community. The Community Services Commission is an advisory body to the City Council and is responsible for recommending user fees and policies for use of City facilities and sponsored community activities. The Community Services Commission also helps coordinate the Fourth of July celebration; Clayton Clean Up Days; and New Years Eve celebration. How to Apply: Applications may be obtained in person at Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. To have application mailed, call City offices at 925/673-7300. E-mail: contact rbasore@ci.clayton.ca.us City’s web site: www.ci.clayton.ca.us (under blue tab on the Web site) Return the completed application to the City Clerk by Friday, February 27, 2004.
January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 5
Count your carbs and eat healthy at BLIMPIE!
Jill Bedecarre / Clayton Pioneer
New owner Farzin Rossoukh is proud to offer the new Carb Counter Menu at BLIMPIE Subs and Salads.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthy and count your carbs, BLIMPIE Subs and Salads on Clayton Road is the place to go. New owner Farzin Rossoukh and his dedicated staff are proud to present the new BLIMPIE Carb Counter menu, which features a variety of great tasting subs and salads with a lower net effective carb count. The menu offers four sumptuous sandwiches including Durango roast beef and cheddar, Baja turkey and swiss, Buffalo chicken, Tuscan ham and swiss, plus Buffalo Chicken salad and
Parenting: The “5-3-1-GO” rule We Care was founded in 1960 by parents of older children with severe disabilities. Over the years the emphasis changed, focusing on developmental programs for children from birth to six. The home and communitybased programs provide both developmental and mental health programs with therapists on a one to one basis and include the parents or caregivers. For more information, please visit the We Care Web site at www.wecarebmcc.org or call (925) 671-0777. My 4 year old daughter always has a hard time when I make her stop something she’s enjoying because we have to go, or it’s time for bed, or any number of reasons. I try to be flexible, but it’s not always possible. Is there a way to make this easier? What may feel like flexibility on your part probably has a different impact on your daughter. Consistency is one of the key components to helping your daughter learn to live in a world that can contain a lot of frustration while at the same time teaching her that when you say something you mean it. This is critical for both her safety and for your family’s peace! All discipline, if successful, is based on your child believing that you mean what you say. One great technique is the 5-3-1-Go rule. In essence, it helps children prepare for an event then stick with it. For example, say you are in the park, and tell your daughter it’s time to go, but she keeps playing. So you say its time to go again, and she keeps playing until you lose patience and drag her out of there, maybe kicking and crying. At this point, you’re thinking “she doesn’t listen,” and she’s thinking “I get to play until I get dragged away” because, basically, you said something that wasn’t true; She DIDN’T actually have to leave when you said she did (how many times do we hear parents threaten things they have NO
intention of following through with, i.e. “I’m gonna leave without you.” Notice how their children behave?) The 5-3-1-Go Rule says you warn your daughter that you’re leaving in 5 minutes... then in 3 minutes, and then in 1 minute, then you say its time to go. And you go. No “one more slide” or “one more minute,” …you are leaving. No “flexibility.” This teaches them that “its time to go” means NOW. This actually works; you can use it for pajamas, eating supper, leaving the park, etc.
Although your child likely will, with her budding negotiation skills, try to wheedle a few more minutes out of you, if you stick to your guns…always… you’ll be surprised how quickly this common scenario gets “easier.”
Sicilian salad. Other carb conscious selections include SoBe lean beverages, BLIMPIE Carb Counter chips and a zero net effective carb brownie. The BLIMPIE regular menu is packed with delicious and nutritious 6 inch and 12inch hot and cold subs, salads, hot soup and chili. A kid’s meal is also available. All subs are served the BLIMPIE Way with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, oil vinegar and oregano. Superbowl parties are just around the corner and Blimpie has the perfect party menu with a large variety of 6ft. and 3ft. BLIMPIE Blast Party Subs. Order now and avoid the rush. Farzin and his staff are
known for their courteous, friendly and efficient service. Located next to the Shell gas station, BLIMPIE is a convenient place to have lunch or
dinner. Stop in now to taste the exciting new Carb Counter menu items and place orders for your Superbowl party.
Clayton Flowers Daily deliveries to Clayton, Pittsburg, Concord, Walnut Creek Quality fresh flowers and roses Unique sympathy arrangements Green and blooming plants Very special dish gardens Balloon bouquets Weddings
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Re-opening Celebration! New owners and management
Pete Caldwell is the Mental Health Director of We Care Services for Children in Concord. In addition to this and teaching courses at local colleges, he maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Walnut Creek.
Clayton’s Favorite
Blimpie Best Ham, Salami, Cappacola, Proscuitini & Provolone
Regina's All Breed Pet Grooming
$4.29 combo special includes 32 oz. soda and chips
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Price good through Jan 31, 2004
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Counting Carbs? All new BLIMPIE Carb Counter menu. Choose from 6 delicious offerings!
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If it breaks, I can fix it. If I don't fix it, you don't pay.
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Please present this coupon before ordering. One coupon per customer per visit. Customer must pay any sales tax due. Not good in combination with any other offer offer.. Cash value 1/100 of 1 cent. ©2002 Blimpie International, Inc. Valid at this location only. only. Expires 01/30/04
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Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., JAN.19 FOR THE JAN.30 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com
BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT J AN . 20, F EB . 3, 17 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Library, 7pm. City of Clayton City Council meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. Open to the public. Clayton Library Community Room. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 6737304 J AN . 20, 27, F EB . 3, 10, 17, 24 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tuesday mornings. Open to the public. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900 J AN . 21 Deadline for Clayton Pioneer Advertising in January 30 Issue Last chance to place advertising or to submit a calendar listing for Jan. 30 issue of the Pioneer. www.claytonpioneer.com Jill Bedecarre 672-0500 J AN . 27, F EB . 10, 24 Clayton Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7 p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month. Jan. 27 meeting will be a joint meeting with City Council to discuss Goals and Objectives for 2004. Open to the public. Clayton Library Community Room. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304 J AN . 29 Clayton Business & Community Association Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting on last non-holiday Thursday of month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon. Oakhurst Country Club. Ed Hartley 672-2272 F EB . 4 Deadline for Clayton Pioneer Advertising in February 13 Issue Last chance to place advertising or to submit a calendar listing for February 13 issue of the Pioneer. www.claytonpioneer.com Jill Bedecarre 672-0500 F EB . 12 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 Heritage Trail. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS J AN . 21
Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Monthly Meeting 11:15 a.m. Barry Clausen, author of Burning Rage and Walking on the Edge (How I Infiltrated Earth First!), will be guest speaker. Optional lunch at 12:15. Oakhurst Country Club. www.yvrwf.org 8382182 J AN . 22, 29, F EB . 5, 12, 19, 26 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thursday for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker. Oakhurst Country Club. www.claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 689-7640 J AN . 22, 29, F EB . 5, 12, 19, 26 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting 10 a.m., 5 & 6:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in & meeting on Thursday. Prospective members welcome. Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. 800/326-8450 x2023 J AN . 26 AAUW Monthly Meeting @ Diamond Terrace 7:30 p.m. Clayton Branch of AAUW will be hosting monthly meeting. Slide show presentation on Habitat for Humanity in Worclaw, Poland with Ed & Dee Totman and 14 other Americans who helped build a Global Village project there. Open to the public. Diamond Terrace. Dee Totman 672-6420 J AN . 29, F EB . 26 Clayton Business & Community Association Monthly Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30pm. Monthly dinner meeting on last non-holiday Thursday of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon. Oakhurst Country Club. Ed Hartley 672-2272 F EB . 5 Sons in Retirement Monthly Meeting @ Oakhurst 12 noon. Sons in Retirement John Muir Branch 19 holds its monthly meeting on 1st Thursday of month. Oakhurst Country Club. 672-6418 F EB . 10 Clayton Valley Women’s Club Luncheon @ Holy Cross Church 11 a.m. Clayton Valley Women’s Club meets 2nd Tuesday of month. First meeting of new year includes annual Prayer Service followed by enchilada lunch. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. Mary Tarantino 798-3152 F EB . 13 AARP Senior Fair 1:30 p.m. AARP Chapter 524 presents AARP Senior Fair, all of the AARP resources in one room. Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Fred Nelson 451-1292 F EB . 27-29 St. Bonaventure Annual Men’s Retreat @ San
Damiano 7th annual retreat sponsored by Men’s Spiritual Network at St. Bonaventure Catholic Community will include Roman Catholic themes but is open to all men who seek a weekend of spiritual growth, prayer & reflection with Fr. Mark Wiesner. San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. www.stbonaventure.net/msnre treat Rich Gierak 673-0504
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT J AN . 16 Clayton Holiday Tree Curbside Recycling by Bayshore Disposal 6 a.m. Unflocked holiday trees will be picked up from curb on regular service day this week by Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal. Trees must be cut into 4’ or less lengths. Cut up trees can also be placed in yard waste carts for regular pick-up. www.pleasanthillbayshoredisposal.com 685-4711 J AN . 16, 23, 30 Digital Thunder Bowling @ Clayton Bowl 4-6 p.m. Digital Thunder Bowling on Friday afternoons for kids includes music, lights and bumper lanes. Clayton Valley Bowl. 689-4631 J AN . 16 Elvis Film Night @ CSU Hayward Concord 7-8:30 p.m. Jim Forsher, CSU Hayward Communications professor & award-winning documentary filmmaker, presents unique look at Elvis Presley. Jim’s mom Trude was Elvis’ first secretary & private publicist. From 1956-62 she worked daily with Elvis. They will show highlights from films & newsreels of the day, tied to inside story of how he rose from truckdriver to legend. Free admission. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772 J AN . 25 International Musician Tom Franzak @ St. Bonaventure 3:30 p.m. International musician Tom Franzak performs Saints, a fantastic one-man show combining contemporary music with the original text of saints such as Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc and Thomas Aquinas. Reviewers hail as “an inspiring, faithfilled celebration” and “enjoyed by all ages.” St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Rd., Concord. www.stbonaventure.net 672-5800. F EB . 13 World Changing Events Captured on Film @ CSU Hayward Concord 7-8:30 p.m. Jim Forsher, CSU Hayward Communications professor & award-winning documentary filmmaker, presents this look at first 6 decades of 20th century and the greatest events of the day which were seen for the first time in newsreels. Free
admission. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772 F EB . 15 Historical Society ’s Camellia Tea Clayton Historical Society has its annual Camellia Tea. Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. www.claytonhs.com 672-0240 F EB . 20-M AR . 13 My Fair Lady @ CTA Crossroads Theatre, Walnut Creek Thurs.-Sun. 8pm, Sat. matinee 2pm. The World’s Greatest Musical by Lerner and Loewe is the standard by which all musicals are measured at acclaimed CTA Crossroads Theatre. 1277 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek. www.ctacrossroads.org 944-0597 M AR . 3 City of Clayton’s 40th Anniversary Clayton became a city in 1964 and festivities marking the anniversary will be held. Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 Heritage Trail. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION J AN . 16 Diablo Valley & Los Medanos Colleges Spring Semester Begins Day, evening and weekend courses for spring semester begin this week with over 40 certificate programs and 2500 classes offered at two of the state’s premier community colleges. Los Medanos College, 2700 East Leland Rd., Pittsburg. www.losmedanos.net 4392181. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill. www.dvc.edu 685-1310 J AN . 16 Follies Performance Exhibit Fundraiser @ Clayton Valley High 7:30 p.m. Clayton Valley High School choir, band, drama, dance, art, guitar & photo students perform and exhibit their works as fundraiser for CVHS Performing & Visual Arts Departments. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/claytonvalley Elizabeth Wagman 682-7474 ext. 2678 J AN . 19 Martin Luther King Holiday Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools, City, County, State and Federal offices are closed in honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is a time for the nation to remember the injustices that Dr. King fought and a day to remember his fight for the freedom, equality and dignity of all races and peoples. www.holidays.net/mlk 682-8000
24 Patty Cakes @ Clayton Library 11 a.m. Story time for children up to 3 years on Tuesdays. Clayton Library. www.cclib.org 673-0659 J AN . 20 Signups for St. Bonaventure CYO Track 7 p.m. Boys and girls in 2nd through 8th grades living in parish boundaries may join St. Bonaventure CYO track and field team. Children compete by grade level and gender. There are no tryouts & everyone competes. Practice begins Feb. 2 at Clayton Valley High School. St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Rd. www.stbonaventure.net Joe Sullivan 9690207 J AN . 22, 29, F EB . 5, 12, 19, 26 Picture Book Time @ Clayton Library 11 a.m. Story time on Thursdays for children 3-5 years who may attend without parents. Clayton Library www.cclib.org 673-0659 J AN . 28 Botanical Heroes & Flora of SF Lecture @ CSU Concord 7-8:30 p.m. Tom Daniel, Cal Academy of Sciences curator of botany, gives presentation highlighting dramatic, historical roles of botanists Albert Kellogg, Katherine Brandegee, Alice Eastwood & John Thomas Howell in building (and rebuilding) a major center of botanical research at California Academy of Sciences and their efforts to document plants of San Francisco through collections and publications. Free admission. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772 J AN . 28 College Financial Aid Night @ Mt. Diablo High School 7 p.m. All MDUSD parents are invited to get all the information they need for their senior students to apply for financial aid for 20042005 college year. A college admissions officer will speak. Lots of handouts. Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/claytonvalley Cheryl Long 6827474 ext. 3151 F EB . 2 Vocabulary Instruction that Strengthens Comprehension @ CSU Concord 4-5:30 p.m. Shira Lubliner, CSU Hayward professor of teacher education, discusses vocabulary & comprehension which are two of 5 components of reading instruction designated as essential by “No Child Left Behind,” educational reform bill signed by President Bush. Dr. Lubliner will share methods utilized in the study & discuss importance of findings. Free admission. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772
J AN . 20, 27, F EB . 3, 10, 17,
F EB . 7 Clayton Valley Athletic Boosters Crab Feed & Auction 6 p.m. 9th annual crab feed benefiting Clayton Valley High School Athletic Boosters as they support CVHS sports teams with celebrity MC and CVHS graduate Sam Williams of the Oakland Raiders. Dinner, auction, raffle, music. Tickets at Mudville Grill, Skipolini’s Pizza & Diablo Foods meat dept. Clayton Valley High School. www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/claytonvalley Laurie Warner 6769521 F EB . 11 USA Patriot Act: Liberty & Security at War Lecture @ CSU Concord 2-3:30 p.m. Emily Stoper, CSU Hayward professor of political science, discusses USA Patriot Act. President Bush defines the “war on terrorism” as a war for liberty against “the enemies of freedom.” Yet very soon after Sept. 11, 2001, he signed USA Patriot Act, which significantly reduces liberties protected by Bill of Rights. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772 F EB . 19 Captain Underpants Fun-ORama @ Clayton Library 3:30-4:30 p.m. Action, thrills and “laffs” with Gary T and his Poet-Tree plus a visit from Captain Underpants himself! For kindergarten and older children. Registration required. Clayton Library www.cclib.org 673-0659 F EB . 25 Lewis and Clark Revisited Lecture @ CSU Hayward Concord 7-8:30 p.m. Greg MacGregor, CSU Hayward professor emeritus of art, retracing route of Lewis & Clark’s expedition (1804-06) using best research available, often returning to original campsites and views as seen by the explorers. His amazing photographs will be shared as well as quotes from the expedition journals. Free admission. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772 M AR . 10 Where is Genetic Research Taking Us Lecture @ CSU Concord 2-3:30 p.m. Diane Beeson, CSU Hayward sociology professor, discusses social implications of genetic testing. Developments in reproductive research & technology (reprogenetics) have fueled major policy debates on issues such as embryo research, inheritable genetic modification & human cloning. Dr. Beeson has addressed the social implications of genetic testing since the 1970s and has done postdoctoral research at UCSF & Stanford. CSU Hayward Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. www.ccc.csuhayward.edu 602-6772
The Community Calendar is sponsored by
T H E VA N F L E E T- B R O N S O N T E A M Personal Service Makes The Difference
1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Suite D, Clayton 94517; Phone (925) 672-4333 www.CallTheVanFleetTeam We are proud to support the Children's Miracle Network, an alliance of premier hospitals in North America. The Children's Miracle Network treats over 17 million children each year for cancer, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, asthma and accident trauma.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS COMPASSIONATE CAUSE, THE VAN FLEET-BRONSON TEAM WILL MAKE A DONATION on behalf of our client for EVERY TRANSACTION CLOSED BY OUR OFFICE.
January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Music biz has opportunities for non-musicians For many, the New Year becomes a time for career moves. New directions and pursuits fit nicely into the start of the new calendar-year cycle. While this column is aimed primarily toward musicians, this time we’ll look at the many opportunities the music industry offers non-musicians. The music business is unique and exciting, and more opportunities exist today than ever before. Yet, it’s ultimately like any other business: creating “product” or a service, marketing it and selling it. If you’re serious about working in the industry, do an Internet search under “Bob Baker,” an author who published a wonderful book back in 1992 called “101 Ways To Make Money Right Now In The Music Business.” Several of the following ideas come from his book along with other career possibilities based on personal experience and observation. First, determine your primary interests and strengths. See where you’re comfortable among the broad categories including Studio and Record Production, Publicity and Image Development, Writing and Music Publishing, Booking and Artist Management, Music Equipment and Repair, Concert and Event Production, Record Label Operation, Graphic Design, Legal and Administrative, and Sales/Marketing. Within each of these cate-
gories exist literally dozens of positions available to nonmusicians. Let’s take a quick look at some of the services needed by musicians. Chances are that you qualify for at least one or maybe even several positions in the musician’s “team” of associates. To get a gig, the musician needs a place to play. Care to operate a music venue? Nightclubs, restaurants, concert halls and even churches – they all require management and operation. If the musician aspires to obtain out of town engagements, booking agents, road managers and tour planners will be needed. When guitars, keyboards or amplifiers need repair, someone has to fix them. If you’d rather sell the instruments than repair them, musical instruments and recording equipment are multi-billion dollar businesses. Speaking of recording equipment, sooner or later most musicians will want to go to the recording studio to make records. They will need “studio experts” to help them: record producers, engineers and administrative people to book and keep track of studio time. When the recording is finished, they will want to have their record “mastered,” a highly specialized but necessary service. What about that CD cover. Graphic designers are always in demand, and truly good ones are valuable. They can help make or break a CD’s
JIM HUDAK
MUSIC NOTES chances for success, and a talented graphic designer can be vital in helping carve an artist’s image in print, CD cover design, and promotional materials. Once the recording and CD cover are finalized and ready, someone has to help with the release, distribution and promotion of the record. You can see why independent record labels have sprung up like wildfire. Major labels can’t risk their funding to small, relatively unknown acts, but small, one or two person record labels can make some noise with low overhead and a small roster of artists. This leads us to publicity and image development. The musician needs help in getting his story out there and in interacting with the press and media. That’s where publicists and image development specialists come in. They are absolutely necessary to the long-term interests of musicians. As you probably sense, we’ve just scratched the surface of opportunities for nonmusicians. With imagination and effort, there’s no reason why someone can’t find rewarding work in the music business. If you’re dependable and do good work, you’re bound to succeed and grow in your chosen area(s) of music industry pursuit. Contact Jim Hudak at jimmydak@pacbell.net
Page 7
“Sink your teeth into our Old Fashioned Butcher Shop!”
-- Family Owned Diablo Foods Founder Ed Stokes
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At Diablo Foods we have a new look and new tastes in our recently remodeled Shopping Center! Feast your eyes on our expanded Meat and Deli Department featuring
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Wander through our new expanded selection of Fine Wines, and visit our fresh new Floral Shop.
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Left to right: (Back Row) Danny Provinse, Colby Chambers, Ron Chambers, Miroslav Bronson. (Front Row) Kim Chambers, Cathie Provinse, Jennifer Nascimento, Josie Van Fleet-Bronson, Lynne Wills, Kathy Frame
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5013 Star Mine Way, Antioch Spacious 5 bedroom home with 3 full baths, 3,131 sq ft, vaulted ceilings, formal dining and living areas, marble entry with dramatic staircase, cozy fireplace, large family room, tile kitchen counter tops, island in kitchen, huge master bedroom with large walk in closet, large fenced backyard, possible pool site, three car garage in a nice quiet neighborhood. $525,000
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Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
There’s no place like home Real estate, mortgage loans and home improvement
How can I cure buyer’s remorse? Did I buy the right house? Will I be able to afford the monthly payments? What if I lose my job? What if home prices drop? Did I overpay? If these, or similar, worries plague you, don’t despair. You’re probably suffering from a common homebuyers’ malady called buyers’ remorse. Buyers’ remorse is an emotional response that many
homebuyers experience during the course of a real estate transaction. The response can take various forms such as feelings of regret, fear, depression or anxiety. For some homebuyers, these feelings are probably related to the uncertainty that results from relinquishing control. Your present home may no longer suit your lifestyle needs. But,
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it’s home; it feels comfortable and secure. When you decide to buy a new home, you’re forced to step outside your current comfort zone and confront the unknown. Your mind may try to compensate psychologically for feelings of uncertainty by mentally undoing the event. In other words, you may try to talk yourself out of buying your dream home. Add feelings of uncertainty to the fear of making a long-term commitment, and it’s easy to understand why homebuyers can suffer from bouts of anxiety. The first thing to do if you suffer an attack of remorse is to remind yourself that what you’re feeling is normal. The uncomfortable feelings will pass. Don’t make the mistake of attaching more significance to
JOANNA JACOBS & SEAN CONNERS
these feelings than is warranted. The best way to cope with buyers’ remorse, and minimize its destructiveness, is to make sure that you are as informed as possible. You should find out as much as you can about the home buying process, local home prices and home mortgages. Feeling certain about the price you are paying for a home is one of the most important factors that can reduce uncertainty, and increase your comfort level. If your agent didn’t prepare a comparative market analysis for you on the home you are buying, have him prepare one for you now. It’s a good idea to study a sample purchase agreement before you buy. If you failed to
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complete this step, read your contract carefully to make sure that you understand it, and that it says what you think it should. Talk to your agent if you have any questions about the purchase agreement. Have the house you’re buying thoroughly inspected to make sure you aren’t buying unwanted problems. You may want to review your finances to confirm that you can afford to make the purchase. Your feelings of remorse are probably irrational, so the more rational things you can do to put your decision into the proper perspective, the better. You will have opportunities during the transaction to return to the house for inspections, or to measure for furniture. You may feel more comfortable
about your decision if you revisit the house soon after ratifying the contract. This can serve as a reminder as to why you are doing this wild and crazy home-buying thing. Remorse often rears its ugly head when the going gets tough. The predictable times when this might occur are after inspections reveal defects, or if there is a glitch in your mortgage approval. Inspection defects can often be worked out through a process of negotiation with the sellers. In addition, loan approval problems are often solvable with the help of an experienced loan originator. Let your agent know when you are feeling anxious about the transaction. A good agent can help you cope with remorse. Lynne French is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions contact her at: Phone (925) 672-8787 or E m a i l : Lynne@LynneFrench.com
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January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 9
More real estate, mortgage loans and home improvement
New Year’s resolutions for your garden The New Year is such an exciting time. Resolutions about diet and exercise are always promising, as well as saving more money and not using so many curse words. Clayton residents should also consider making resolutions for their yard and garden. Make more time to stop and smell the roses. Resolve to give back to the soil by amending and cultivating. Feed and fertilize more often. Buy and plant more perennials, herbs and evergreens to continue on the path to year-round garden interest. Add a destination to your garden for sitting. Take more care of citrus and fruiting trees. Mulch. Check all irrigation systems before a heat wave. January is all about weeding whenever you can. With all the rain that we have been given, the soil is soft and there is no better time. When we have the bright winter sun, get outside and do some weeding. You don’t need to weed all day long: it’s hard on your back and most people have other things to do; instead do one patch at a time. Give yourself realistic boundaries, and stop there. Always pick up your pile and add it to the green waste when you are finished. You’ll see results a little at a time and it makes this job almost painless. This month is a good time to give 0-10-10 to Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Leptospermum, Daphne, and all citrus. It is formulated without nitrogen, to aid in the development of flower and fruit buds. Additionally, 0-10-10 also helps plants resist disease and cold weather damage. When fertilizing shade lovers such as the azalea and camellia, remember these acid loving plants are shallow rooted so do not cultivate under these plants. Keep a nice layer of mulch year round under these plants to protect against the cold and the heat. Look around your yard or fence line. Did you notice your flowering plum start to fruit? Many of the red-leafed flowering plums suddenly freak-out and start to fruit. It happens to the best of us. There are products out there to help you. Fruit eliminators will reduce or eliminate undesirable fruit on ornamental trees. Read and follow all your directions, they contain important information. Trees must be treated before the buds have opened, so buy the product early. Once the buds break, you’ll have fruit. Add aluminum sulfate to your soil to keep your hydrangea blue. Apply anywhere from one tablespoon to ¼ cup depending on the age of the plant. After your application, work into the soil and water thoroughly. Plant your bare-root plants as soon as you get them. To insure
healthy lawn will have an easier time fighting off the extremes of our wind, cold and heat. Look around at some of the lawns around your neighborhood. They need to be fed with a fall and winter feed. Use a fertilizer designed for cooler weather which is digested slower and does not promote top growth but focuses on root growth, disease and has a pest tolerance. If it has not rained in a week then water your lawn. Some essential perennials that are at there showiest in January are the hellebores, fancy leafed heucheras, daphnes and Japanese Skimmia. Keep an eye out for these selections. They are important garden additions. All hardy to our town’s cold and heat. Any gardener would be proud to show off these easy to
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a great start, dig a generous hole and pile a mound of good planting mix, preferably one with a tiny amount of chicken manure, some organic matter, and a little gypsum to break down some of our Clayton Clay. Place the roots of the plant around your mound of soil. The pile works as a support for the young plant. Add a starter fertilizer to encourage root stimulation, Master Nursery, makes a Master Start product with a 5-20-10. This starter fertilizer helps build strong root systems and foliage in new planting. Fill hole with your planting soil. Water deeply, stabilize and wait for stems to begin to bud before you apply any additional fertilizer. How is your grass looking? This year become more lawn aggressive. Feed year round with the proper fertilizer; add more sulfur and iron to your lawn when needed. A strong
grow dramatic selections. Pay more attention to your yard and garden this year. Spread out your chores and duties, install beautiful plants in the right places and fertilize all your plants so they will perform just as they are designed to do. A magazine beautiful yard is our goal for 2004. Together this is so possible. We can and will do it. Come by, call, ask questions, bring photos or sprigs of plants that you need identified or have maintenance questions about. We are here to help.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
Clayton Sports
Pioneer salutes 2003 “Elite Eight” In our last issue, we saluted the top sports teams of 2003 from the Clayton Pioneer area. This issue we shine the spotlight on our Elite Eight—athletes who made their mark locally, nationally and even internationally while carrying the banner of Clayton. Here’s a brief summary of what these dedicated and talented athletes (shown here in alphabetical order) accomplished during the past year. Matt Biel Swims to Fame Clayton resident Matt Biel qualified for the 2004 US Olympic Swimming Trials this July. While competing in the 2003 USA Senior National Swimming Championships in College Park, Md., Biel swam to a time of 15:43.66 in the 1,500meter freestyle while finishing 13th. Biel, 16, was the youngest 1,500 swimmer in the top 20 at the Nationals and is one of only 32 to meet the
Olympic Trials qualifying time in the men’s 1,500. He also earned a spot on the National Junior Team that represented the United States last week at the Queensland State Swimming Championships in Brisbane,
years. He then joined the Concord Terrapins and currently is a member of their Senior National squad. Specializing in long-distance freestyle events, Biel trains more than five hours a day. He was recently named
MATT BIEL Australia. This was his first taste of international competition. Biel began swimming as a five-year-old on the Dana Hills Swim Team and enjoyed competing as an Otter for five
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Pacific Swimming Senior Swimmer of the Year. Now a senior at De La Salle High School, he is a captain on the Spartan swim team and recently signed to attend the University of Arizona in the fall. Erin Dobratz picked to USA Olympic Team Erin Dobratz, a former Dana Hills Swim Team Otter and graduate of Clayton Valley High School, capped a remarkable year in December when she was named to the USA Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team for the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. She is one of nine women on the
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ERIN DOBRATZ USA team and is training with her teammates all year until the Olympic Games begin in August. The synchronized swimming team was the first American squad selected for the 2004 Games as the sport requires an extensive period of practice time in order to
perfect their routines. The U.S. synchro team is considered a strong Olympic medal contender along with Russia, Japan, Spain and Canada. Earlier, Dobratz was a member of the United State Gold Medal synchronized swimming team at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Dobratz, 20, is on leave from Stanford University while she trains with the United State Olympic Synchronized Swimming team preparing for this summer’s Athens Games. Erin earned the medal with her parents Carl and Judy Dobratz of Clayton in the stands. It was a busy summer for the Clayton swimmer, who also took part in the World Championships in Barcelona as the USA claimed third place in the team competition
Canadian/American All Stars Diving Championship. Eleven-year-old Kristian Ipsen of Clayton has arrived in the sport of diving—in a big way! This local athlete’s achievements become even more impressive when meet results show that most divers he’s competed against are two to four years older than him.
JOE MORTENSEN Kristian has been competing in the 13 and under category, which places him against many 13-year-olds on the national level. Last August, Kristian had an impressive win over 14-year-old Olympic hopeful Thomas Finchum from Indianapolis, who has a berth in the 2004 USA Olympic Trials.
KRISTIAN IPSEN to help position themselves for the Olympics. Kristian Ipsen Dives When he was seven-yearsold, he was the youngest diver ever to qualify for a Western National championship meet. Just two years ago at the USA Diving Junior National Championships, he became the youngest diver in the history of the sport to make it to the finals in all three board events (one meter, three meter and tower). This past August at the USA Diving Nationals in Coral Springs, Florida, he won two national diving titles and crushed the standing record on the 3-meter board by nearly 60 points. He earned perfect scores of 10 on three of his dives. In Buffalo, New York, earlier last year, he won three gold medals at the
Joe Mortensen Opens Recruiters Eyes Joe Mortensen endured an injury-plagued 2002 football season as a junior at Clayton Valley High School. At the end of that season, he went to head coach Herc Pardi along
Darren Rahlves wins World Cup Ski in America Clayton native, Darren
DARREN RAHLVES with some other juniors and they vowed to make their 2003 season a success. This was a rather bold pledge as the Eagles had won only three games in back-to-back sea-
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sons. Mortensen moved from the football field to the weight and conditioning room and began preparations for the new season. At the same time, he was prepping for a summer of important football camps where he would attempt to impress college scouts who evaluated potential recruits. Mortensen didn’t just impress the scouts. He was a major standout at three different camps and placed himself in an elite category nationally among all high school players even before the 2003 football season began. Once the Eagles season began, Mortensen was a terror on the field playing defense as a linebacker and offense as tight end and running back. The Eagles came all the way back from its three-win seasons to reach the North Coast Section 3A championship game and were foiled from claiming the NCS title in an epic triple overtime game against Las Lomas. Mortensen was named Bay Valley Athletic League player of the year and is currently spending January weekends (in addition to playing for the CV basketball team) with his mom Tracy visiting potential colleges. On National Letter of Intent signing day Feb. 4, he can declare which university he’ll call home for the next four years.
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Rahlves, won his fifth World Cup downhill race in December in Beaver Creek, Colo. for the first-ever World Cup downhill title by an American on US soil in almost 20 years. Rahlves followed that up the next day with a fourth-place finish in the men’s downhill-2, finishing behind three Austrians. Rahlves, 30, is now third in World Cup downhill standings and 11th in overall World Cup rankings for the 2003-2004 season. “It was one of those runs you pull everything,” said Rahlves, who lives in Sugar Bowl. “I hammered as hard as I could.” Rahlves likened the victory, the first DH triumph by a U.S. man on U.S. soil since Bill Johnson won at Aspen, Colo. after the Sarajevo Olympics in March 1984, to his win in Kitzbuehel. “This is one of the best places to win for me.” Rahlves also won the super G gold medal at the 2001 World Championships in St. Anton,
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page 11
January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 11
Clayton Sports Elite from page 10 Austria. Lindsay Nelson Carries Family Tradition As the third Nelson family member to excel in swimming and water polo at Clayton Valley High, and also with the Dana Hills Otters Swim Team, Lindsay Nelson was named CVHS Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year for 2002-2003. Nelson was a four-year varsity member on the Eagles water polo and swimming teams. She was lauded as a Contra Costa Times Athlete of the Week, All-Times Water polo team and one of the top 100 East Bay High School Athletes of the Year. Following in the wake of brother Anders and sister Natalie, Lindsay Nelson was a standout in the water. She set many records and won numerous honors while a long-time Hall of Fame member of the Dana Hills Otters. At Clayton Valley as a swim-
mer she was a BVAL and NCS finalist two years as well as a BVAL league meet champion. She capped her prep career with a third-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay with teammates Lindsay Davis, Lindsay Kiyama and Kayla Zeidler last spring as the Eagles girls swim team finished in the NCS top 10. She was three-time team MVP in water polo and led the Eagles in steals, scoring and assists. Nelson began her college career last fall at UC Santa Barbara. Sam Ray Moves from Eagles to Bruins Sam Ray began 2003 as a very Big Man on Campus. He had just completed his senior football season for the Clayton Valley High School Eagles where he made AllBVAL and was the school’s Homecoming King as well as Student Body President. At the end of 2003 Sam was just another fresh-faced freshman and one of 38,890 members of the student body at UCLA. He also was a member of the
UCLA Bruins baseball team, having earned his spot as a walk-on catcher getting ready for the season to begin Feb. 2.
SAM RAY In between that time, Sam Ray had quite a year. He was named one of the Contra Costa Times Top 100 High School Athletes of the East Bay after leading the CVHS Eagles to the finals of the North Coast Section baseball playoffs at the Oakland Coliseum for the second successive year. Ray was MVP of the Willie Stargell Easter Classic Tournament and
Youth activities Local youth soccer, track, swimming and baseball tryouts, clinics and special events are aplenty, giving youngsters a variety of sports activities to choose from this winter and spring. St. Bonaventure CYO Track Starting Up Signups for St. Bonaventure CYO Track will be Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. in St. Bonaventure large hall. Boys and girls in second through eighth grades living in the parish boundaries may join. Children compete by grade level and gender. There are no trials and everyone takes part in meets. Practice will begin Monday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. at Clayton Valley High School. Call Coach Joe Sullivan at 9690207 with any questions. MDSA Spring & Coed Soccer Registration Mt. Diablo Soccer Association will be having registration for spring soccer for under 6 through under 14 boys and girls at Mavericks Sports Club in Concord on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 21, 2-4 p.m. Parents are now able to pre-register their children via the web at www.eayso.com. They can visit www.mdsoccer.org or call 825GOAL for further information. In addition, MDSA is now registering boys and girls ages 14-19 (under 16 and under 19 teams) for Spring-Coed program. This is a fun, exciting program designed for older kids. Players can register on www.eayso.com or call 825GOAL. Dana Hills Swim Team Signups The Dana Hills Swim Team Otters have registration for the 2004 recreation swim season scheduled at the Dana Hills Cabana on Mountaire Parkway on Wednesday, Mar. 10, from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, Mar. 14, from 1-4 p.m. Dana Hills won the 2003 Concord City Swim meet, their 11th title in the past 12 years. Boys and girls three to 18 years of age with lots or no swimming experience at invited to signup. Youngsters can join the Otterpups instructional program. For further information call Karen Goodshaw 672-2053 or visit
www.danahillsotters.com. Clayton Valley High School Crab Feed & Auction Clayton Valley High School Athletic Boosters host their ninth annual Crab Feed and Auction on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. in the large gym at the school. CVHS graduate and Oakland Raider defensive end Sam Williams is the special master of ceremonies. Tickets are available at Skipolini’s Pizza, Ed’s Mudville Grill and the meat department of Diablo Foods on Concord Blvd. There will be an auction and music besides the always-delicious crab dinner. All proceeds support the athletic program at Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley High School Track & Field New coaches Joe Sullivan and Dan Sandoval have announced that Clayton Valley High School track practice will begin Monday, Feb. 9. All boys and girls at CVHS are invited to signup in advance or come out to the track after school on the first day. Students are encouraged to participate as there are no “cuts” from the CVHS track and field program and the sport offers a variety of running, throwing and jumping events. Clayton Valley Little League Clinic On Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Bob Ralston, former major leaguer and current varsity baseball coach at Clayton Valley High School, will host a clinic for all CVLL coaches at
the high school. Bob has taken the Eagles team to the North Coast Section finals at the Oakland Coliseum the past two years and is great at offering new skills to use with a youth team. Registration forms and lots of information on Clayton Valley LL are available online at www.cvll.org. MDSL Tryouts Scheduled All players in the Concord/Clayton area with a desire to play soccer at a higher level of skill are encouraged to try out for Mt. Diablo Soccer League competitive teams. Plans are to add new competitive teams in 2004 and all players are welcome to participate in tryouts. Visit www.mdslsoccer.org to see specific information for each age group. If you have additional questions, please contact Ian Brodie at ibrodie@astound.net or call 672-3532. DVSC Soccer Tryouts Diablo Valley Soccer Club will be holding tryouts March 1-11 for boys and girls of all soccer skill levels, ages five to 14 years (born August 1, 1990 through July 31, 1999). DVSC will be having teams with professional trainers in all age groups from under 6 through under 19. March tryouts are for U6 through U14 age groups. DVSC has Class 1 and Class 3 teams in every age group. For more information call 229DVSC or go to www.dvsc.com.
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helped the Eagles win the BVAL baseball championship that featured a pair of wins over De La Salle. He broke the school record for runs batted in during a season. The Oakhurst resident ended the school year as a speaker at the Class of 2003 commencement ceremonies, the class Leadership Altair winner and as the CVHS Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
Sam Williams joins Oakland Raiders Clayton Valley High and Fresno State grad Sam Williams, 23, was drafted by the 2003 AFC Champion Oakland Raiders in the third round of the National Football League draft last April 26. His signing to a contract with the Raiders was announced July 24 along with the rest of the team’s draft choices. Williams injured his knee during training camp and sat out until Sept. 22 when he debuted in the NFL on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos.
MDSL seeking sponsors The newly formed Mt. Diablo Soccer League (MDSL) is soliciting dona-
His knee never came around and he was placed on injured reserve Nov. 19, ending his rookie season.
Clayton Valley High. He was a regular rooting for all the Eagles football teams last fall. He hopes to be
SAM WILLIAMS The 6-4, 260-pound busy this summer and fall Clayton native wears jersey as a key part of the Raiders, number 54 for the Raiders. who will be trying to The only upside of the rebound from this year’s injury during his rookie drastic falloff from a Super season was that it gave Bowl season. Williams the chance to attend many games and practices at his alma mater,
tions and sponsorships. “Competitive youth soccer has evolved over the years to a level where paid trainers are a necessity to compete at the higher levels,” says Fundraising Coordinator and Clayton resident Lois Gill. The MDSL currently has over 2000 youths participating and are looking to improve their training program. Individuals and organiza-
tions are being asked to sponsor at the $5000, $2500, $1000 and $500 levels. All sponsors will be listed on the MDSL Web site and will receive advertising space in the Mt. Diablo Summer Classic program. To contribute, please contact Lois Gill, 672-3787 or Paula Lewellyn, 524-0201 before January 20.
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
Aligning Who You Are With What You Do Decisions, decisions, decisions! Most coaching clients are in the process of making decisions. Some of these are life decisions such as changing jobs, relationships, or progressing in their careers. Other decisions fall into problem solving and may be on a smaller scale, such as business growth initiatives, issues with a friend, or determining how to improve their career success. There are a variety of ways in which we make decisions, such as decision trees, lists of pros and cons, and so forth. However, a powerful tool for making decisions, which is sometimes overlooked, is selfreflection, the tool that helps you make decisions that are more aligned with who you are. Whether the decision is large or small, some process of self-reflection will allow room for clarity on your criteria— what is meaningful to you and what matches your priorities. For some, self-reflection is quite difficult. Whether you call it “going-within,” “selfdiscovery,” or “self-reflection,” it requires a time and place to get quiet and do some hard work. Do you have an ongoing practice for self-discovery? Do you have a practice of taking time out to reflect on the day, on decisions, on what is important to you? What are we actually looking for when we self-reflect?
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DORY WILLER
CHEERLEADER FOR YOUR SOUL One of my mentors, Dr. Fredric Hudson, coined the term “cocooning” as a phase we all go through during transition. This is the time we talk to ourselves, get in touch with our core values and re-evaluate to renew our lives or situations. When we are in the “cocooning” phase, we are usually in the unknown, unsure of what will happen next. That’s when one typically feels uncertainty which promotes worry, which is nothing more than using our imagination to create what we don’t want. Our mind chatters away preventing us from listening for the voice within that contains our wisdom. Effective self-discovery requires faith that an answer will emerge through quiet examination. In our fast-paced, results-oriented culture, we tend to think that “doing” will give us an answer. It takes discipline to allow ourselves simply to be, to sit and contemplate who we are and to think about how a potential decision aligns with our values and passions. Self-discovery means time with yourself to ponder and “be in the question” without figuring it out. These “time outs” usually lead to more clar-
ity and energy. What questions and decisions come to mind? How can you use self-reflection to enhance your decision-making? The self-reflection process can take many forms. What’s important is to find something that works for you, and is done on a regular basis. Here are some tips that I give my clients: Journal daily or a few times a week (handwritten or keyboard) Meditate Use guided visualization tapes Give yourself an “artist’s date” to be creative with paint, clay or other mediums Go for a walk in nature Go on a spiritual retreat Use your lunch hour to walk or sit in a quiet place Designate a space in your home for solitude Make a list of what you are grateful for about yourself Go to a self-discovery seminar Read books/listen to audio tapes that promote self-reflection: Repacking Your Bags by Richard Leider & David Shapiro; LifeLaunch: A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, by Frederic Hudson; Self Matters by Phillip McGraw; and Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn Make a date with yourself – today…and reap the wisdom from within! Dory Willer is a certified personal life coach and International Coach of the Year for 2003. Reach her at www.BeaconQuest.com or call (925) 473-4899
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Letter to Editor
Traffic issues
This is in response to last issue’s article entitiled, “The road was paved with good i n t e n t i o n s . ” My wife and I have been Clayton residents since 1994. Clayton was ( in 1994), and for a few more years later, a small, quiet, slow-paced town. We recall driving down Oakhurst Drive and waving to all the residents going out for a leisurely stroll. We remember the times when, while driving, we would pull over along Clayton Road (in Clayton) and pick up trash on the street. Cars were scarce on the road then, even on a weekday. Nowadays, though, we try to avoid driving down Clayton Road during the weekday commute hours not only because of the increasing amount of traffic, but also because of the speed at which people drive. Just the other day, we were (in the) 35mph zone around 7 a.m. Cars were zooming past us even though we were already going 45mph just so we wouldn’t get hit by the stampede! We definitely agree that there should be a way to curtail the “short-cut” method that most of these out-oftowners are doing. We have been told that Walnut Creek has intentionally set up (a) long traffic light at Ygnacio Valley and Oak Grove to slow down and discourage the amount of traffic passing through town. This is something that we should consider having at our borders. Create traffic lights at strategic locations in order to discourage these “short-cuts”, a subtle version of the bay bridge toll lights. It’s been working for Walnut Creek and our town should give it a try. Naturally, (strategic locations must be chosen) to ensure that these out-of-towners don’t use residential roads instead. (If they) complain, well, they can use Highway 4 instead. There should also be a way to stop those rat-race speeddemons. (Maybe) one of those speed-radar posts (similar to the one used on Keller Ridge Drive) would be a good deterrent...if placed along Clayton Road. Somehow, we need to preserve the small town feel of Clayton, otherwise, we will just be like another Antioch or Brentwood. Name withheld by request.
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Page 13
Currying flavor: heat up the new year! After a season of culinary over indulgence, I long for spicy dishes. Leftover chicken, turkey and roast beef, along with extra squash and potatoes, become the palette for distinctively spiced red, green and yellow curries. Curries were developed in Asia (probably south India) hundreds of years ago, but each individual chef imprints his own special flavors. The curries of India, Thailand, China and Indonesia differ in taste and ingredients. So varied and yet competitive are curries that in 1999 some Japanese entrepreneurs took the bold step of trying to patent formulas. The British embraced curries during their colonial years in India and then spread recipes around the world, including far-flung ports in the Caribbean, South Africa and Australia. It turns out that many of the curry spices provide health and medicinal benefits. In a 1998 New York Times article, Jane Brody debunked the theories that the use of potent seasonings in hot climates disguises the taste and smell of spoiled food, and that hot spices cool down diners by making them sweat. She did, however, support the concept that pungent spices are natural preservatives that inhibit food spoilage. It turns out that many spices come from plants rich
in compounds that have microbial action that wards off bacteria and predators. A Cornell University study confirms that the hotter the climate, the more spices were called for in recipes; conversely, cultures of Northern Europe have far fewer spicy dishes (Norway’s prominent seasonings are black and white pepper!). Spicy foods may also enhance digestion. Ready-made curry powders and sauces are easily found, but it is difficult to discern how spicy or hot they will be. I started making my own spice mix years ago when a client returned with a (much too) big container of turmeric for me. After experimenting for a while, I developed the following curry powder. Subtle changes in flavor occur with each new batch, but it is easy to make and stores well. Curry Powder 2 Tbsp turmeric 2 Tbsp black pepper 1 Tbsp mustard seedground 1 Tbsp cumin 1 Tbsp paprika 1 Tbsp ground coriander 1 Tbsp garlic powder 1 Tbsp onion powder 1 Tbsp red chili powder 1 tsp ground bay leaf 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ground cardamom Stir together ingredients and store. Once made, curry
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR THOUGHT
powder is an excellent addition to cornbread, stuffed eggs, creamy curry sauces, dips and seafood salads. Indian curries are generally some sort of sauce of yogurt, ghee (clarified butter) and chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour flavored with a variety of spices, particularly turmeric and black mustard seed. In Britain, curry is a dish flavored with curry powder, which also includes turmeric as well as cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, cloves, chilies, fenugreek, coriander and fennel. Fresh herbs and spices such as garlic, ginger and Kaffir lime leaves make their way into international curry dishes. I’m partial to the British preparation of curries, particularly the wonderful aroma that develops while toasting the spices. Here’s my version of lamb curry: Lamb Curry and Raisin Rice 1 c coarsely chopped
roast lamb 1 onion, coarsely chopped 1 c frozen, fresh or canned green beans 2 cloves garlic, minced 1-2 minced jalapeños (optional) 3 T curry powder or more to taste (see above) ¼ tsp salt 1 Tbsp canola or olive oil 7 oz (½ can) light coconut milk Sauté onion, spices, beans, garlic, chilies and lamb in oil over mediumhigh heat until fragrant and onion begins to soften. Add coconut milk and simmer mixture until thick. Serve over raisin rice: 2/3 c Basmati rice, ¼ c raisins, 7 oz. (½ can) light coconut milk and ¼ c water. Bring rice to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes; let rest for 10 minutes off heat, covered. For a twist on a prepared sauce that’s especially tasty on chicken, you might like the following: Jamaican Curry Sauce ¼ c canola or light olive oil ¼ c soy sauce ¼ c packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp tomato paste 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp onion powder 1 Tbsp coriander 1 Tbsp cumin 1 Tbsp ginger (fresh minced best) 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro,
DVMS musicians perform locally BY EMILY CREMISIO Diablo View Middle School Student Reporter
ALYSSA IACOBITTI, a DVMS sixth grade student, has been chosen to sing the lead in the “Christmas Card” for the Contra Costa County Children’s Chorus Winter Concert. This talented girl has also been dancing for Theatrics Children’s Theater for three years. She won a national group competition for Jazz dance, and has also won many other Bay Area awards. Alyssa has been dancing since she was two years old, and has been singing for over a year. She plans to continue singing and dancing in high school. When asked if she plans on a career in show business, she answered, “Maybe. I’m not sure, yet.” Alyssa is the daughter of Nancy St. Clair and Nick Iacobitti. She will be performing along with many other young stars at the Presbyterian Church in Walnut on December 21. Eighth graders VASO RAHIMZADEH, NICOLE WEAVER AND LUKE
HEISINGER have been selected to perform at Pre State Music Performance on Jan.17 st San Jose State. They are all part of the CMEA Conference Band and Orchestra. The three have been playing together for three years Vaso and Nicole both play
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minced 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp minced jalapeño (or habañero for the strong of heart) black pepper, crush red pepper and Tabasco sauce to taste Combine ingredients for use as a marinade or rub for grilled chicken or simmer until thick and pour over roast chicken. Store leftover sauce for 2-3 days in refrig-
erator. Hint on any curry preparation—use glass or non-reactive metal containers, pans, spoons, spatulas, etc. to avoid yellow staining from the spices, especially turmeric. 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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Jewelry: Rolex men's watch, 33.77 cts. Ruby and 10.08 cts. Diamond necklace, 15 cts. Diamond tennis bracelet, Elizabeth Taylor style necklace over 25 cts. in Diamond and Emeralds, 4 cts. Diamond solitaire ring, plus other fine jewelry pieces. Fine Art: Kandinsky Litho, Picasso, Antique Italian prints, Burkhardt signed litho, Simbari serigraph, Miro, Kathe Kollwitz, Daumier lithos, Renoir etching, Chagall signed litho, Goya etching, Tarkay original, Lautrec etchings, Max litho, and other 1930’s movie posters, Tobiasse, Maimon, Wissotzky serigraphs, Louis Icart original plus more. Handmade Rugs: Persian Quom 7 x 5 silk, Palace size carpet 18 x 12. Hallway runner 25 x 20. Tribal rug, Tea dyed rugs, plus 20 rugs. Collectibles: 3 pcs. Dresden porcelain, Carnival glass, Royal Doulton, Baccarat, Hummel figurines, silver candlesticks, 50 pcs. Turkish copperware, Telescope, Lalique crystal, Tiffany style Lamps, Bohemian cut crystal, Italian clock sets, Decorative porcelain, Marble statues, plus more. Furniture: Versace style sofa set, French inlaid table, 3 pcs. Italian leather sofa set, High Boy Empire 1860’s, 2 pcs. French Bombay commodes, Antique armoire, Chenille sofa set, Louis XIV style handpainted cabinets, Bedroom set, Dining room set, Mirrors and a lot more. Also: Chin Dynastyurn, Fine bronze statues, Life size animal statues, Fountains, outdoor bronze urns and other fine collectibles.
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Page 14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
Art for Life helps sick children heal BY JILL BEDECARRE Clayton Pioneer
Clayton resident Anthony Knutson believes that art heals. And that belief has led to the Art for Life Foundation which helps some 5,500 children heal through the gift of
art each year. Since 1998, Knutson and his friend Danny Lobree have developed eight innovative programs encompassing a variety of art forms from music and ceramics to a permanent art gallery at the Clayton Community Library. Knutson invites us to
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imagine a five year old little girl in the hematology and oncology clinic waiting for her blood to be drawn, or a young boy waking up in the Intensive care unit with frightening sounds and unfamiliar people taking care of him. What about a teenager with a chronic illness who is forced to endure a long stay in the hospital away from family and friends, or a 10 year old who waits for hours in a room before being sent to foster care.The Art for Life Foundation has had a direct impact on children and their families who face these challenging situations, explains Knutson. Knutson founded the Art for Life/Artist in Residence at Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland. Now in its fifth year, the program has become an integral part of the hospital’s Child Life Services and strives to help guide patients through the recovery process. With an artist on staff, the program is conducted in a group environment or one-on-one session in hopes of providing a nurturing and creative experience to each child. The program pro-
vides interactive, therapeutic art activities allowing ill children to express themselves and artistically work through their struggles and fears. It’s truly a family affair,” says Knutson. Not only is the ill child involved but siblings as well. Along with the Artist in Residence program, Art for Life includes Healing Notes with director Lobree who uses music to help in the healing journey. Whether it be a musician playing the violin in hospital hallways or a private “Lullabye”at the bedside of a tired and confused patient, Healing Notes features guests musicians and special concerts in the Creative Arts Center at Children’s Hospital. Arts in the Courts, Coloring Books, Crayons & Kids and Ceramics & Kids use art as a powerful healing force in three states and five cities. A special program that Knutson and his Art for Life Foundation brought to the Clayton community is a permanent art display at the Clayton Community Library. The exhibit displays a variety of children’s art from hospital
and court settings depicting the personal healing journey. “We’ve never had a children’s art exhibit before,” says Cindy Brittain, Branch librarian and we love the idea of art as a means of creativity and therapy,” she says. Many of our surveys indicated the need for our library to display children’s art. This was a perfect fit. The Clayton Community Library Foundation played a major
Most every night one can look up into the sky and see the moon. And every night she changes her face and her posture. Sometimes she’s just a tiny sliver of a thing, barely visible. At other times she is so full and bright you almost don’t need your headlights to drive. While the moon is always changing, she is also very predictable, because her phases consistently repeat themselves. During a full moon, she is at her brightest. She is completely full when she directly opposes the sun and therefore reflects his light from the full surface of her body. Astrologically, this represents a time of completion, when situations tend to come fully into the light of the intuitive mind and can therefore be seen, felt and acknowledged. Whatever is represented by the full moon, it’s no longer growing and developing. From the full moon to the
new moon things diminish, shrink, become less or fade. New moons are dark. The moon is between us here on earth and the sun, so you cannot see her face at all. Since she is hidden from your view, you cannot know what is happening with her. You are left “in the dark” both literally and symbolically. Astrologically, this is a time of seed planting. Seedlings take root in the dark, under the earth. New thoughts, ideas and plans begin to take form in the darkness of the unconscious. You can’t see them yet, and you can’t dig them up without destroying them. They are not yet fully formed or strong. So the new moon is a time of new beginnings. When you have a progressed new moon in your chart, you don’t know what is going to come of it, or where it’s likely to take you; you just know some-
thing new is in the works. But you can direct your thoughts to coax that new beginning in the right direction! An example of how this sometimes works: A client came to me with a new moon in the career area of his chart. He had just been laid off from his job. However, there was a full moon in the same house within two weeks. At his level of senior management, he believed it would take awhile to find new employment; but the full moon (full fruition) in that area seemed to indicate otherwise. I told him the layoff may have been God’s way of making him available for something else; and he might be in a new position within two weeks. He didn’t believe me. However, following a significant interview a week and a half later, he informed me they were delaying their decision because one of the decision makers was out of
Danny Lobree, left and Anthony Knutson of Art For Life
part in making the exhibit possible with their hard work and belief in the project, explains Brittain. Knutson is passionate about his work and the Art for Life Foundation. “When we pursue our passion in life, it creates a world that is a better place for all of us to live. When we are working to heal our children, we are working to heal our future,” he says.
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the country and would not be back for another week or so. I said, if the decision went past the full moon, all bets were off. The day of the full moon they called this gentleman and hired him over the phone, still unseen by the third decision-maker. (Astrology scores again!) If you have an active new moon in your chart it is time to begin something new in that area of your life. The full moon represents an area in your life where things are fully developed and not likely to continue much further. Expect things to decline following the full moon. But, not every new or full moon is significant to every individual. It is only important when the new or full moon joins something in your personal chart. That is an indicator for a significant event. Janet Bowman Johnson, MA, PMAFA is an accredited astrologer with more than 30 years of experience. Questions and comments about this column are encouraged. Contact Janet@astro-insights.com or call Astrological Insights at 925673-0658.
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January 16, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Around Town
Betty Weibert is recognized by City for years of service Planning Commissioner Elizabeth “Betty” Weibert,
(below, left) announced her resignation from the commission
after six years of dedicated service. She and her husband, Jim are moving to from Clayton to Sacramento. Betty has been a community volunteer for the past 20 years, having served on the Clayton Community Services Commission, Clayton Community Library Foundation and Raise-A-Gym committee. She chaired the Planning Commission from 1999 to 2003 and was the Commission’s representative on TRANSPAC for four years. She was also an active member of the Clayton Women’s Club and a Boy Scout leader. In recognition of Betty’s service to Clayton and the community Mayor Julie Pierce proclaimed January 7 as Elizabeth Weibert Day.
Scouts “treecycle” 840 trees Boy Scout Troop 484 collected 840 Christmas trees for their annual Clayton treecycling on Jan. 3. The troop has recycled more than 10,000 trees over the past 12 years. The treecycling program is a joint effort of Troop 484, the City of Clayton and Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal. The Troop thanks the community of Clayton for cizing the program. Troop 484 is sponsored its participation and generous support and the by the Clayton Business and Clayton Pioneer for publi- Community Association.
City’s first alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration was a smashing success BY LAURA HOFFMEISTER Special to the Clayton Pioneer
An enthusiastic crowd merged into the Clayton Community Gymnasium on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the arrival of 2004. Games, movies, food and sports competition with lots of physical activity headed up the activities. Starting at 5p.m., families with small children descended on the facility and began using the inflatable bounce room and obstacle course. From there, it got crazy with people! The BBQ fired up around 6:45 p.m. ahead of schedule because stomachs were growling. “This is a fantastic turn out for our first time, just look at all the kids having fun,” said Mayor Julie Pierce. Attendees were amazed with the variety of family fun activities. Compliments flowed through the crowds the entire evening. We heard comments about the wonderful celebration and how great the City of Clayton is. “Families are really enjoying themselves and it looks like we are off to a great start to continue this as an annual event,” stated Vice Mayor Gregg Manning. Thanks to generous cash donations from CBCA and Comcast, along with the dona-
tion of commemorative T-shirts by Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal, the City was able to “host” the alcohol-free event with the YMCA. According to City Manager Gary Napper, “The 300 T-shirts were gone by
700 people. Special thanks and appreciation to those that helped staff and volunteer the night’s activities: Elena Munoz, Mike Callahan, Sean Basore, Amber Basore, Rhonda Basore, Kyle
7 p.m., and many people were willing to pay for some if we would order more.” Although most attendees were from Clayton, the voluntary “Sign In” sheet revealed residents from Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Concord, Oakley, and Livermore. Estimated attendance was between 600-
Basore, Jennifer Fennel, Gary Napper, Kim Napper, Linda Smith, Don P. Smith II, Ray Vignola, Gregg Manning, Julie Pierce, Dustin Boots, Lisa Ramirez, Liz Travers, Cindy Zamora, Jimmy Goga. If you are interested in helping for New Years Eve 2004, please call 673-7304.
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Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
January 16, 2004
N
o, we’re not talking about the language of France. We’re referring to what many people throughout the Clayton Valley area are talking about: Lynne French. As one of the area’s leading real estate professionals, she’s changing the way people look at buying or selling homes. With an unsurpassed knowledge of the local home market and a dedicated approach to her clients’ unique needs, when
people around here speak French, they are talking about the best real estate service you can get in the Clayton Valley area. Give Lynne French and her team a call today and discover t he language of success. You’ll be glad you did!
When you call Lynne French, be sure to request a free copy of her special report “Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale.” This valuable information can save you precious time and money as you prepare to make your move.
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Outdoor entertainers dream! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, apx. 2,056sf, 2 car garage + Rv/boat parking. Updated kitchen with parquet floors, neutral tile counters & huge eating nook. Separate formal dining room. Family room with parquet floor, 2 way brick fireplace, built-in display cabinet & slider to patio. Large living room with 2 way fireplace, built-in display cabinet & slider to patio. Spectacular private backyard features a sparkling in-ground freeform pool, outdoor fireplace/BBQ, full bath for pool users, 2 covered patios, lush mature landscape, built-in bench seating, large gated side yard with storage shed & small garden area. Quiet court setting. $589,000
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