IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
925.672.0500
Clayton City Hall sees major changes in three departments PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER Safe Clayton says farewell to chief Congrats Clayton, we have been ranked as the third safest city in California by Value Penguin. While not sure where the rankings are from Value Blobfish, we will take what we can get. We had the lowest number of violent and property crimes overall and only Hillsborough and Imperial City ranked higher. That’s one of the reasons that it is with sadness that we accepted the resignation of our Chief of Police Chris Thorsen as he moves on to Oakley to start up their first-ever Oakley Police Department. (They previously contracted with the county sheriff ’s department). The chief
See Mayor, page 6
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
GONE FISHIN’. Clayton Maintenance Supervisor John Johnson (left) presents Ed Bryce (right), the city’s first maintenance department employee, with a fish plaque in honor of Bryce’s passion for the sport. The plaque features 27 lures, representing each year of Bryce’s employment with the city. Bryce was honored at a city barbeque on his last day of work.
New principal brings ‘creating team’ talent to CVCHS JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Jeff Eben began a new chapter in his professional life this week when he assumed his role as the first fully-dedicated principal of Clayton Valley Charter High School. The Central Valley native was selected from a broad field of candidates after interviewing with 15 CVCHS stakeholders (teachers, administrators, board members and parents)
for the position after it was decided that Executive Director Dave Linzey’s dual role as executive director and principal would be split. Linzey said he’s been discussing hiring a principal with the governing board for the past two years. The move allows Linzey to concentrate on his duties as superintendent of the charter school district, board chairperson Ted Meriam said. Eben brings three decades
experience as an elementary and high school educator, principal and administrator in California and Wisconsin. His career includes a stint as Fresno’s deputy mayor and CEO of the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau. The new position and its $135,000 salary will have a minimal budgetary impact as it replaces the administrative slot vacated by Neil McChesney early this year. There is about a 12 percent difference in the two salaries. Meriam adds, “We are excited to select Jeff Eben. I cannot imagine a better outcome for our school community. Jeff brings a wealth of experience and is committed to the well being of our students and their academic success. This is the best management structure to support [our] teaching and annual Rib Cook-off at the instruction.” Clayton Club Saloon on Aug. 8. Sign-ups are now open to prospective contestants in the seventh annual contest. This year the contest is limited to 34 contestants and cash prizes of $400, $250 and $150 will be awarded to the first, second and third place finalists. In addition, all the winners will receive trophies, including the coveted “People’s Choice” winner. The general public is welcome to attend, and can participate in judging the “People’s Choice” winner. In addition, there will plenty of ribs for sale at the food tent. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music all day. Judging starts at 2 p.m. and the winners will be announced after the panel of community judges cast and calculate their votes.
Rib fans take aim at 2015 title
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
The rumble of the ribs. The pig’s party. The cook-off in downtown Clayton. Whatever you call it, it’s time again for the Clayton Business and Community Association’s
The Clayton Club is located at 6096 Main St. in downtown Clayton. For more information, a contest application and rules, visit www. claytoncbca.org/event/ribcookoff.
See Changes, page 4
Inside
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
NEW CVCHS PRINCIPAL JEFF EBEN (right) joined CVCHS Executive Director Dave Linzey in The Grove Saturday for the July 4 concert. Eben replaces administrator Neil McChesney who resigned early this year.
Most recently Eben was principal of Case High School in Racine, Wisconsin. He took over a consistently under-performing urban school and was given the 2013 Distinguished Educator Award by Phi Delta
Kappa for his success there. He was then hired for an administrative role in the Racine Unified School District but took leave to return to
See Principal, page 13
Cruisin’ the Main
Tony Uciferri went tong-to-tong with other ‘Que-meisters to walk away with the People’s Choice Award at last year’s CBCA Rib Cookoff. This year’s contest is set for Aug. 8
It may not be as noisy, but according to City Manager Gary Napper, Clayton has all the trappings of a busy airport these days, with all the comings and goings. That’s because of the several high-profile personnel changes at the city, something usually quiet Clayton hasn’t seen in awhile. As he mentions in his column in today’s Pioneer, Clayton Chief of Police Chris Thorsen is leaving the post he’s held for three years to take over as Chief of Police for the city of Oakley. That city is starting its own municipal force after contracting with the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Department, and it’s a homecoming of sorts for Thorsen. Before coming to Clayton, he served as chief in Oakley while working for
Pioneer change to save trees We are doing our part to conserve. For 13 years, the Clayton Pioneer has been delivered free to every street address in Clayton as well as to all of the Clayton post office boxes. This has resulted in more than 800 duplicate deliveries. Beginning with the August issue, the Clayton Pioneer will no longer be delivered to Clayton post office boxes. The paper will still be delivered free to all homes and businesses in 94517 by U.S. Mail. For those readers who have a Clayton post office box but don’t have a 94517 street address, please call the office at 925.672.0500 to continue delivery by first class mail at a nominal cost of $35/year.
What’s Inside
THOUSANDS LINED MAIN STREET ON JULY 4 to celebrate Independence Day the oldfashioned way—with a parade. The day started early with the Clayton Sunrise Rotary Pancake breakfast at Endeavor Hall and wrapped up late at the concert in the Grove. Above, Cub Scout Troop 262, sponsored by the CBCA was just one of the 41 entries in the annual parade.
For more July 4 photos, turn to page 20
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Community Calendar . . . . .16 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 School News . . . . . . . . . . .13
Postal Customer ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
Around Town Scholars honor Sadie Downing Sadie Downing has been accepted for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a symbol of high academic achievement. Membership is by invitation only based on grade point average and class standing Sadie is currently attending UC Santa Cruz where she is on the Dean’s List. She is majoring in bio-engineering with a double major in neuroscience. After graduation, she plans to pursue her doctorate.
Pioneer Travels
T h e NSCS is a member of the Association of College H o n o r Societies and is the SADIE n a t i o n ’s DOWNING only interdisciplinary honors organization for first and second year top college students.
Manzecks make music in Austria
First, it’s Machu Picchu...
John and Linda Manzeck found time between rehearsals and performances for a coffee and news break at Steiner Café in Vienna. The two are members of the Oakland Symphony Chorus and are on a concert tour in Austria.
From left: Keith and Cindy Haydon, Sherie and Pete Laurence at the Machu Picchu Inca ruins in Peru
Boy Scouts get dog park ‘barking’
Then, the heights in Yosemite...
North to Alaska with Morris grands
Jamie Bowron, Pete Laurence and Alisa Bowron
Jack Wilson, Dan McAdam, Liam McAdam, Tom Cianfrano, Ian Alexander, Dave Wilson, Michael Cianfrano, Shari Alexander, Jaiden Lassair, Melinda Lassair, Spencer Chichurski and Karen Chichurski
On May 31st the Clayton Dog Park wasn’t filled with barking dogs; instead it was filled with very ambitions and hard working Boy Scouts from Troop 484. In addition, many scout parents and dog park volunteers were on hand to spread the fresh new bark throughout the park. Scout leader Tom Scianfano and his wife Sherri use the park for their retriever, Murphy. When Tom heard that a large delivery of mulch was in the works, he volunteered the assis-
Pete and Sherie Laurence and friends Keith and Cindy Haydon visited the ruins at Machu Picchu while in Peru last month. before touring Lima, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon rain forest. Later in the month, Pete celebrated his 70th birthday by climbing to the 8,839-foot summit of Half Dome in Yosemite with daughter Alisa, son-in-law Jamie Bowron and friend Dana Lawson. When they got to the top, it was time for a photo and to catch up on the local news. The group spent the night at about the 4,100-foot elevation mark from the Yosemite Valley floor, in order to get an early start on the climb. The hike, which was about 18 miles total, went by Vernal and Nevada Falls, up the granite Subdome, then up the steep and slippery infamous cables. The group then reached the top, which is about four acres of reasonably level granite with a few pines, marmots, squirrels and birds. They made the eight miles up to the summit in about seven hours. The 10-mile trip back down the John Muir Trail took about five hours.
tance of his Scout troop. Dog park president, Nancy Morgan coordinated the schedule with the troop, who planned out a course of action to tackle 15 cubic yards of mulch piles, and ultimately, lots of hands made the hard work go smoothly. The dog park board and volunteers said that the scouts were as “polite and gracious as could be” and it certainly was “more than a little refreshing to see young men with so much respect.”
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Quincy Autumn Miller and her sister, Juliet Hermione Rentner packed a Pioneer on their recent Alaskan cruise with grandparents Mark and Donna Morris. “When my granddaughter looked at me with those enormous black-brown eyes and said, ‘I’d really like to go with you on a cruise sometime, Grammy,’ there was really only one thing I could think of to say. “Sure, okay.” It was a wise choice. The family took in the sights and native culture in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC.
3505 Coyote Circle – Clayton
22 Long Creek Circle – Clayton
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Don and Emily Howard,
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tucked away at the end of the court, backing to creek with RV parking. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1407sf. Rural Country feeling yet located in the center of town. Gorgeous updated gourmet kitchen boasts slab granite counters, honey maple shaker style cabinets & stainless steel appliances. thick baseboards, light fixtures & deco paint. Extensive RV/Boat/Toy Parking, 2 storage sheds. Backyard features patio area & composite deck, large lawn area, play structure, fruit trees & raised garden $599,000 beds!
201 Falcon Place – Clayton
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Windmill Canyon at Oakhurst Country Club! Gorgeous “Larson” model!
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Clayton Market Update provided by Better Homes Realty
ADDRESS
PRICE
1533 N Atchinson Stage Rd $783,000 314 Windmill Canyon Pl . . . $765,000 224 Stranahan Cir . . . . . . . . $608,000 8021 Kelok Way . . . . . . . . . $870,000 4605 Keller Ridge Dr . . . . . $381,000 1392 Shell Lane . . . . . . . . . $485,000 3026 Windmill Canyon Dr . . $750,000 102 Mt. Trinity Ct. . . . . . . . . $732,000
SF . . . . .2178 . . . . .2467 . . . . .1650 . . . . .2843 . . . . .1026 . . . . .1366 . . . . .2467 . . . . .2481
BED/BATH SALE DATE ADDRESS . . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . .6/30/15 . . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .6/25/15 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .6/23/15 . . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . .6/22/15 . . . . . .2/2 . . . . . . .6/12/15 . . . . . .2/2.5 . . . . .6/12/15 . . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .6/10/15 . . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . .6/10/15
PRICE
SF
1007 Feather Cir . . . . . . . . . $665,000 . . . . .1886 5611 Frank Pl. . . . . . . . . . . . $680,000 . . . . .2398 1341 Shell Lane. . . . . . . . . . $540,000 . . . . .1709 3028 Windmill Canyon Dr . . $725,000 . . . . .1877 3255 Aspara Dr . . . . . . . . . . $1,070,000 . . .4323 5002 Raven Way . . . . . . . . . $835,000 . . . . .2854 1216 Buckeye Ter . . . . . . . . $640,000 . . . . .1710 1342 El Camino Dr . . . . . . . $675,000 . . . . .2325
BED/BATH SALE DATE . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .6/10/15 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .6/7/15 . . . . . .3/3 . . . . . . . .6/5/15 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .6/5/15 . . . . . .5/4 . . . . . . . .6/5/15 . . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . . .6/4/15 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .6/4/15 . . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . . .6/3/15
July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
Hanson Hills helps create ‘wildlife corridor’ As our communities grow, our highways often follow suit. This has the opposite effect on wildlife whose habitats and pathways can become smaller and disconnected as a result of a city’s expansion. However, the grassroots environmental non-profit Save Mount Diablo is striving to make sure our communities and wilderness thrive together. In fact, their supporters are helping to give wildlife exactly what they need — their own kind of oases and highways. SMD works to protect oases of land like their new Hanson Hills property along a wildlife highway of sorts. Hanson Hills’ 76 acres include a rare desert olive grove, local grasses, wildflowers, and amazing views in all directions from Long Canyon’s tall oak-
s t r e c Con Th e Grove in Saturdays 6 to 8:30 p.m. At the Gazebo in The Grove Set up chairs and blankets on the lawn after 4 p.m.
July 18 Loose Blues Plays rockin' blues, rock 'n roll, R&B, and rockin' country to make you dance
covered ridges. The land was named for those striking ridges and for the Hanson family who wanted to protect their property so that everyone could enjoy it as they have. Twinkling down the hills is another rare and critical need for wildlife these days —a stream that flows right into
Marsh Creek. That section of Marsh Creek that the stream flows into happens to be on another property that SMD protected last year, Big Bend. Most importantly, it’s another connection in the highway for wildlife. The Marsh Creek corridor runs from the headwaters on
Aug 1
Mount Diablo east to the delta and Hanson Hills is right in the middle of it. Publicly protected natural areas lie to the north of Hanson Hills as well. It’s just one property away from the East Bay Regional Park District’s future
Diamond Dave – sings the classics of Sinatra, Elvis, Justin Timberlake & even Lady Gaga
Aug 15 Fundamentals high-energy stage show, 3 dynamic, lead vocalists, “Red Hot Rockin’ Soul”
See Hanson Hills, page 6
Aug 29 Forejour – Pays tribute to the music of 80s mega bands Foreigner & Journey
Love is in the air, er, on the ground
MIKE MARCHIANO
MOUNTAIN MIKE We often equate springtime with the flush of wild flowers, butterflies, and an end to winter hibernation as a time for romance in the natural world. But for one of Mt. Diablo’s famous occupants, the dog days of summer leading into fall is a time for boys to become men and to be on the prowl for the first encounter
with the opposite sex. In early August these gentle giants, the male California Tarantula, (Aphonoplema sp) slough their outer shell one last time, acquiring small nuptial hooks on their front legs and start their wandering, looking for the burrows of female tarantulas. These are the spiders that hatched from eggs laid five to seven years before along with hundreds of brothers and sisters and are now part of the one small group that has survived predators, adverse weather, fires, flooding, etc. to propagate their species. After locating a burrow the male will gently knock at the entrance until the new love of his life comes out to meet him. After a very short introduction, the two partners entangle
their front legs and the male uses the hooks on his front legs to hold the females fangs as he lifts her up, mates with her and then immediately exits the area and she returns to her burrow. This budding romance may last anywhere from a minute to a few minutes. Over the next two months the male will try to repeat this performance with other females as often as possible, slowing down and getting feebler and then meeting his demise. His contribution to the next generations has been completed, he has survived to
Sept 12 East Bay Mudd 10-piece cover dance band with a powerful 4-man horn section
meet his responsibilities, and then he dies. On the other hand the female who has also reached her maturity in the last five to seven years will continue to live on and lay eggs and produce thousands of offspring for the next 25 years. The life-cycle, predators, daily routine and struggles for survival of this creature is fascinating. Go to the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association website at www.mdia.org and check out the event calendar for upcoming Tarantula Treks at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center in August, September and early October. Reservations are required. Mike Marchiano is a naturalist with the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association. Contact him at mmarchiano@gmail.com
Thursdays
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Thurs. Concerts end promptly at 8:30pm
June 11
Lafayette Studio Big Band
July 2
The Relyks
Aug 6
Jam Daddy
Aug 20
PHD’s
Sept 3
Crossman Country
For more band information, go to www.cityofclayton.org. Chairs and blankets may be set out after 4 p.m. on concert days.
COMING SOON!
Concord
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Secluded 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located on a private lane. Nicely updated with dual pane windows, recessed lighting and newer roof. Remodeled bathrooms, new flooring and updated kitchen. Large yard with pergola and side patio.
7065 Morgan Territory Rd. Clayton
Clayton
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Morgan Territory — 4BD/3.5BA 3,689 sq.ft. Custom showcase home. This spectacular home has a Chef's Dream Gourmet kitchen with cherrywood cabinets, granite/quartz counters, wolfe range. Porcelain floors throughout main level. Panoramic views of Mt. Diablo & surrounding hills. 5-car garage, wine cellar.
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Concord
$639,000
Stunning 4 bedroom 2.5 bath rancher includes a huge master with remodeled bath. Great curb appeal, sparkling pool and built in BBQ. Large lot on quiet street with views of Mount Diablo.
$750,000
1930 Packard, Concord
Concord
$579,000
Colony Park — Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Walnut Creek border. Formal dining, large family room and remodeled bath. Court location with huge backyard, covered patio w/ fans & spa. Perfect for entertaining
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Northgate — Completely remodeled home w/ 3 BD, 2 BA & 2052 Sqft. Newer one BD & BA separate guest house w/ 636 sq. ft . On a premium cul-de-sac lot that backs to open space. No rear neighbors. This is a rare opportunity to have extended family live next door or an income producing tenant!
Situated at the Foot of Mount Diablo, on a 1/2 acre, Built in 2007. This Custom Built Home Features a Gourmet Chef's Kitchen, Breakfast Bar with Seating for 6, off Family Room, Large granite Island, Reclaimed Wood Floors, Radiant Heat, Custom Anderson Windows & Doors, 12 foot Ceilings & More
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Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
while at the same time helping make Clayton more of a ‘destination.’” Already she said she is working on some plans, still confidential, for the city-owned property downtown. “Mindy is a fabulous addition to city hall, comes as a highly regarded planning professional in local government, has super personality and happens to be a Clayton resident,” Napper says. “She has settled in nicely to the busy pace here, is an excellent technician as well as a visionary leader.” The only major drawback to her new job, Gentry says, is that she won’t be able to commute to work with her husband, who still works for the City of Antioch. “But I think I got the better end of the deal,” she says.
Changes, from page 1 the Sheriff’s Department. In addition, the city is bidding farewell to longtime maintenance employee Ed Bryce, who is retiring after 27 years with the city. But the city is throwing out the welcome mat for Mindy Gentry, the new Community Development Director, who replaces Charlie Mullen.
tunity. “I have been blessed, both personally and professionally, and I will miss everyone here in Clayton.” And Clayton will miss him. “Chris was a great leader of the Clayton Police Department during his short stint here, and a genuinely good person,” Napper says. “We wish him the best.” Thorsen’s last day will be July 17. The city is currently NEW OPPORTUNITY searching for an interim Thorsen’s leaving comes chief. at a time when Clayton was just honored as the third MAKING CLAYTON A ‘DESTINATION’ safest city in California by As Thorsen leaves for ValuePenguin, which compared and analyzed a variety East County, the city is welof crime metrics they coming another high-level sourced from the FBI across employee from over the hill. 417 cities and towns in the Mindy Gentry is leaving her post as Senior Planner for the state. Thorsen says that while is City of Antioch to take over very sad to leave Clayton, the the challenging job of comOakley position is “an incred- munity development director in Clayton. ible opportunity.” It is a homecoming for “I’ve been a cop for 30 years, and rarely do you get her as well, as she and husthe chance to start a force band James live in Clayton from the ground up,” he says. with their 6-month-old “We’ll be doing everything daughter, Evelyn. “I wanted the ability to from purchasing firearms to developing a policy manual.” interact with residents of a Oakley’s population of smaller town and make an 40,000 will undoubtedly have impact,” she says. “It’s more challenges than Clay- refreshing to see all the work ton, but the Chief says he is the Clayton Business and ready. But that won’t stop Community Association has him from missing the city he’s done to revitalize the community, especially downtown, worked in since 2012. “Clayton is an amazing and I want to help spur that place,” Thorsen says. “Unlike economic activity.” She says that most cities many other towns, the community really embraces its are at a disadvantage these police department, and I have days due to lack of redevelfelt welcomed and part of the opment funds, but that doesn’t mean that nothing can community since day one.” The Walnut Creek resi- happen. “I am excited about the dent says he will have a longer commute, of course, possibilities for Clayton, and but that he and his family the challenge of keeping the “are thrilled” with the oppor- city’s bucolic, small-town feel
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
CITY’S SUPERHERO Finally, city staff held a retirement party for Ed Bryce on his last day, July 2, saying goodbye to the familiar face who literally helped Clayton grow up. Bryce, who grew up on a farm in southern Arizona and had been a contractor most of his life, started for the city in a temporary position in July of 1988. At that time the maintenance department consisted only of him and city engineer Rick Angrasani. He quickly became a permanent employee, and built the maintenance department with John Johnson. Bryce remembers that for many years the city ran a work alternative program. Johnson said they would have 30-40 people showing up on the weekends. “It was a zoo. They were all over the place. It was Ed’s job to keep them under control.” They had a big dump truck and there was a sign on
NANCY E. BENNETT
AMONG THE CHANGES AT CLAYTON CITY HALL are the departure of Police Chief Chris Thorsen (left), the arrival of Community Development Director Mindy Gentry (right), and the retirement of longtime maintenance department employee Ed Bryce (center.)
the truck that said “Please sit down” It was Bryce’s quiet, competent manner that made him indispensible to the city, watching the growth of parks, medians and the budding infrastructure over the years. “You won’t find a kinder, gentler soul than Ed,” Johnson said at the retirement barbecue. “He doesn’t get mad very often, but when he does you can be sure you did something wrong.” Bryce says that he will spend his time now “doing my wife’s honey-does, seeing my grandchildren, traveling and getting away to fish.” He is so enamored of the sport, in fact, that his goingaway present from the maintenance department was a fish plaque with a different lure for each of his 27 years.
LEIGH KLOCK Realtor®, DRE#01874255
His present from Johnson and his wife Lisa was a rose bush. Apparently, Lisa helped plant all the roses in the rose garden at the west end of town and always considered them “hers.” At the celebration she thanked Bryce for taking care of “her” rose garden all these years. Other community members fondly remember Bryce “coming to the rescue” when there was a maintenance emergency in town. Pioneer editor Tamara Steiner recalls that one year, during the newspaper-sponsored Holiday Cookie Contest at the library, the drain plugged. Steiner and Clayton City Councilwoman Julie Pierce tried to fix it, “but it just kept getting worse,” Steiner says. “Pretty soon, it had a life of its own, spewing stuff out of the drain like an underwater
creature. And the cookies began to arrive with people stepping through the muck.” Pierce called for help. The maintenance department was closed, so Napper called Bryce at home. Within minutes he was there, plunger in hand, “like the Lone Ranger appearing over the horizon. The only thing missing was the John Williams superhero music in the background,” Steiner says. Within 10 minutes he had it unplugged and the mess cleaned up. The usually stoic Bryce became choked up at his retirement celebration. “It’s tough ... you work with these people for all these years, it’s going to be really hard not coming in everyday.” Then he paused and laughed, “but, I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”
STEPHANIE LOPEZ Realtor®, DRE#01370548
925.212.5593
NEW
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70 EL MOLINO, CLAYTON Spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,309 sqft single-story ranch-style home with great layout. Formal living room with vaulted ceiling. Formal dining area. Beautifully updated kitchen w/ granite tile counters, new stainless steel appliances and breakfast nook. Spacious family room w/ cathedral ceiling, fireplace and glass doors to backyard with patio, fountain and lawn. Side yard for RV/boat. Large, detached bonus "cottage" (approximately 250 sqft) in backyard. Many upgrades — new maple hardwood floors throughout, crown molding and several skylights. All the benefits of Clayton living! Offered at $742,000
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July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 5
CHRIS THORSEN
BEHIND
THE
BADGE
Perhaps the greatest compliment I have heard when people discuss Clayton is “nothing ever happens there.” The fact is, crime occurs here in Clayton, most of it minor in nature. But I strongly believe one of the reasons for so little crime is the extraordinary efforts of those who work tirelessly at the City of Clayton. From the police department, to the administrative team to the skilled members of our maintenance department, all hands pull at the rope to keep Clayton the special place it is. This will be my final arti-
cle I write for the Clayton Pioneer as the Chief of Police. As many of you learned already, I am stepping down from my position to assume the role of Police Chief in the City of Oakley. Oakley has contracted for services with the Contra Costa Sheriff since incorporation in 1999. It is now starting its own independent police department. I have been a police officer for nearly 30 years. I have met very few people who have been offered the opportunity of building a new police force. I am thrilled and flattered this challenge has been offered to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Clayton. Were it not for the unique challenges of starting a new agency, I likely would never leave. From the July 4th parade, to the concerts in the Grove and the many other special events, Clayton truly stands out as a community. You have supported the members of the Clayton Police Department and embraced me on a
personal level. I could not be more proud to have served as your Chief of Police. As a community, you are fortunate to be served by a highly dedicated group of law enforcement professionals. From the officers on the street to the professional staff in the office, these folks work tirelessly to help make Clayton a safe place to live, work and play. Given the resources available, it amazes me the level of service these fine men and women provide. The search for my replacement is underway. I trust a skilled professional will be found to fill my shoes. The city is managed by skilled professionals who understand the unique qualities required to be successful here in Clayton. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this special place as your Chief of Police. !
August
Chief bids a fond farewell to the city of Clayton
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Chris Thorsen is Clayton’s chief of police. For questions and comments, call him at (925) 673-7350.
Salvation Army kicks off fundraising run The Salvation Army Church is planning a 5K walk/run on Aug. 29 to benefit the work the church does to help those in need in Contra Costa County. "Sally's Run" — so named because the Salvation Army is referred to as "Sally" by those who receive its services — will begin at 9 a.m. at Road Runner Sports in the Willows Shopping Center, and will proceed along the Iron Horse Trail. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.
"The race is a way to involve the community in the work we do here in central Contra Costa County," says Salvation Army representative Amy Lewis. "It is also a way for us to meet new partners in the community. The funds raised will be from both entry fees, and sponsorships from people and businesses in the community. " The proceeds from the race will go back into the community, helping with aid for those people struggling
with addiction, emergency assistance for utilities, character building programs for children, tutoring programs, music education and lessons and disaster relief. The Salvation Army also offers programs to help make the holidays special for needy children. Road Runner Sports is located at 1975 Diamond Blvd, #E361, in Concord. For more information, visit the Salvation Army's website www.salvationarmyconcordca.org.
St. John’s plans to subdivide Clayton Road property St. John’s Episcopal Church has submitted an application to the City of Clayton to subdivide its two-acre property on Clayton Road into three parcels. According to Community Development Director Mindy Gentry, one parcel would con-
tain the existing church and there would be two parcels created for the development of single-family homes fronting on Southbrook Drive One parcel is proposed at 8,150 square feet and the other 9,624 square feet and they would share a common driveway.
The church has applied for a zoning change from Agricultural to Planned Development. According to church member Gary Carr, the parish is selling the land to a developer. The sale is contingent on a completed application approved by the city.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
Remembering the Port Chicago disaster
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July 17 will mark the 71st anniversary of the munitions explosion at the Port Chicago Naval base that rocked the tiny town and sent repercussions clear to Washington in undoing racial segregation in the military. Little noted in modern textbooks, the explosion and subsequent mutiny was an important historical event of unparalleled consequences. Many locals know the Port Chicago Highway exit from Highway 4, but few know the history of this proud little town that provided countless tons of ammunition to both World War II and the Vietnam War efforts. The 1944 explosion claimed 320 lives and wounded more than 400. The casualties represented the single largest loss of life on American soil during World War II. The blast hit a 40mile radius, with about 10,000 verified damage claims — mostly broken windows — from as far as Vacaville, Petaluma, Brentwood, Rio Vista and Belmont.
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and severe injuries occurred in a smaller radius, including parts of Solano County and central Contra Costa. Authorities recovered 80 bodies, but could only identify 30 of them. Cleanup crews found boots with feet in them and gloves with severed hands. The SS Quinalt Victory was blown to bits and scattered at least 600 yards away, while no trace of the SS E.A. Bryan could be found. Dean McLeod, a local historian who did extensive research into the event, said, “The government’s investigation into causes was superficial. The port had to get back to work. Questions remain as to the cause of the explosion, ranging from conspiracy theory to sabotage.” The official cause of the disaster, listed as faulty handling of the weapons, is certainly understandable. The enlisted men and the officers were poorly trained in the handling of explosives. Competition between divisions in poundage loaded during a shift took precedent over safety. A curious aftermath to the blast, according to McLeod, was the government investigation: “They seemed more interested in the effects of the explosion, rather than the cause.” The disaster allowed the Manhattan Project to measure the kind of damage that could be done by a blast. Capt. William Parsons, chief ordnance officer of the Manhattan Project, was immediately on the scene to investigate the effects. Some wondered if perhaps the explosion was not an accident, but rather a test of an experimental port-busting weapon under study by the Manhattan Project. Another unconfirmed theory maintains that a torpedo-carrying Japanese mini-sub found its way through the bay, as was done at Pearl Harbor.
THE MUTINY
Whatever the cause, however, the disaster led to mutiny More serious structural damage charges of African-American sailors who refused to continue loading the munitions, and a serious examination of racism in Local governments are partnering with CaliforniaFIRST & HERO the Navy. to make energy efficient, water efficient and Known as the Port Chicago 50, these sailors represented the renewable energy products more affordable Meet us largest case of mutiny in the hisfor homeowners. Saturday’s at the tory of the Navy. helping in the cleanup Clayton Farmer’s and After seeing the horrific damage Market done by the blast, the AfricanAmerican sailors from Port Chicago were transferred to Mare Island. On Aug. 9 they
Image in the public domain
UNSAFE HANDLING LED TO A DISASTROUS MUNITIONS EXPLOSION AT PORT CHICAGO on July 17, 1944, which killed 320 sailors, most of them African-Americans, and led to the biggest mutiny in the history of the Navy. Photo is of the Port Chicago Pier looking south.
were told to report to duty. The overriding fear of another blast permeated their thoughts. Of the 328 sailors assigned to load munitions that day, 258 refused, citing fear as their reason. The dissenters were loaded onto a makeshift prison on a barge and held there. Steve Sheinkin, who chronicled the events in his book “The Port Chicago 50,” reported that Admiral Carleton Wright addressed the dissenters two days later, telling them that their actions were considered mutinous and the penalty, during wartime, could be death by firing squad. At that point, 214 went back to work, leaving 44 behind. Eventually, 50 sailors (half of them teenagers) refused to load ammunition. They did not refuse work, but requested any other assignment or changes in the current procedures. The trial began Sept. 14 on Treasure Island. To this day, it remains the largest mutiny trial in the Navy’s history. They were all found guilty, sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in prison and dishonorable discharge from the Navy. Even after the war was won, the case put considerable pressure on the Navy. Thurgood Marshall presented an appeal; Eleanor Roosevelt followed the case and members of Congress called for an investigation. After a little over a year at Terminal Island, all 50 were released and given assignments aboard ships. In 1948, President Truman’s historic order ended segregation in the military.
THE EVOLUTION OF PORT CHICAGO The name Bay Point was first used as far back as the 1850s and described its primary geographic feature, a spit of land that juts into the Suisun Bay. The name was officially changed to Chicago in 1931, but
Hanson Hills,
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Deer Valley Regional Preserve. According to SMD Executive Director Ron Brown, “That’s important because an oasis is necessary not only for the wildlife to survive but to thrive and they need more than one isolated oasis. They need a continuous corridor of connected and protected wilderness.” That is why SMD protects places like Hanson Hills and Big Bend all along Marsh Creek. The creek is a natural draw for
from page 3
wildlife seeking water and tends to be a popular pathway for them to the next protected oasis they need on their journey. “Imagine a wildlife Route 66,” said Brown. It’s all about connections. All living things in our local environment are connected. They rely on one another for food and shelter, Brown said. “Without connected land, wildlife can’t get what they need to survive. When you help us protect and connect
was soon amended to Port Chicago after objections from the U.S. Postal Service. When World War II broke out, the Navy had to expand Mare Island. McLeod stated, “Most of the Bay Area cried ‘not in my backyard,’ but Port Chicago welcomed the Navy with open arms.” The closing of the Coos Bay Lumber Company in 1932 resulted in the town losing 75 percent of its jobs. The Navy brought prosperity back to Port Chicago. The key value of the area included a deep-water port and two transcontinental railroads that passed through. Its relative small population and lack of industrial activity also added to its worth as a shipment location. In 1942, the Navy claimed 576 acres of the shoreline. Two years later, however, the explosion changed everything. The blessing turned to a curse.
A REUNION The residents who gather for a reunion picnic on the last Saturday of July each year recall when, at the height of the Vietnam War, the Navy served eviction notices and announced it would raze the town. What the residents didn’t know, and the Navy couldn’t tell them, was that the base had become home to top-secret development of nuclear weapons and they needed more of a buffer zone. The National Park Service offers guided 1.5 hour tours of Port Chicago Naval Magazine throughout the year on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. Not all dates may be available, and reservations must be made two weeks in advance online or by phone at 925-2288860 ext. 6520. For more information on the history of Port Chicago, go to the baypointhistoricalsociety.com.
lands, you get to enjoy them too. And future generations will get to experience and connect with nature just like you do.” Without SMD’s supporters, pieces of Marsh Creek and the Diablo wilderness will be lost forever to development as our communities continue to grow. “We’re creating a national parksized wilderness right here in your backyard for you, wildlife and future generations to enjoy,” Brown said. To learn more about Hanson Hills and SMD visit www.SaveMountDiablo.org.
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Mayor, from page 1 previously worked in Oakley for the sheriff’s department and could not turn down this opportunity, but we are sorry to see him go. Thanks for the service, Chief Thorsen. We are actively looking for a new chief now and also an interim chief if necessary. Stay tuned. Pet peeves of the month: Plastic bags and dog waste. Soon we will all need to use recyclable bags at the grocery store if the law stands up to the bag manufacturer’s intense opposition. However, in the meantime, I am continually in Safeway and see people take the plastic produce bags and put various fruits and veggies in that really don’t need to be in a bag. I see one apple or one cucumber go in a bag and quickly 10 to 12 bags are being
used every time. If you don’t need to put it in a bag (you would still wash it at home anyway) just put it in your cart loose and then in your recyclable bag. My kids, your kids and their kids will thank you in the future for doing what you can to save resources. As to dogs, as the weather gets better more and more people are using our top-rated trails and more and more people seem to be forgetting there is a requirement that if you take your dog out for a walk they must be on a leash and you must clean up after they do their business. Why do I, my kids and others have to step in your pet’s waste? And just because they go a few feet off the path does not mean you are off the hook
because kids (and some rambunctious adults) do go off road at times. So pretty please pick up after your dog and keep our trails as best as they can be. More trashy news. Speaking of trails and waste, we are looking at potentially adding more trash cans in certain places along the trail system to help people pick up after themselves. If you want to be immortal and have your name on a sponsored trash can, contact Clayton City Hall and explore the waste opportunities. Remember to attend our Concerts in the Park, and finally, in honor of dogs and to keep it topical, Rodney Dangerfield’s dog was named Egypt because he left a pyramid in every room. Or, what happens when it rains cats and dogs? You can step in a poodle. Email me at dshuey@ci.clayton.ca.us.
July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Obituary
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design P EGGY S PEAR , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré
C ORRESPONDENTS : John Jackson, Kara Navolio, Patricia Romero, John T. Miller
We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
PIONEER INFO CONTACT US
Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 www.ClaytonPioneer.com Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send School News to schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will
have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail. CIRCULATION as of Sept. 2014 Total circulation of the Clayton Pioneer is 5,500 to ZIP code 94517, all delivered by US Mail to homes, businesses and post office boxes. We cannot start or stop delivery to individual addresses. This must be done directly through the Post Office. The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 30,500 in Concord by carrier. Papers are delivered once a month on a Friday morning near the end of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 or send an email to circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in the shaded area and are not receiving the paper, please call us or send an email to circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are not in the shaded area, please be patient. We will come to your neighborhood soon. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe, call the office at (925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are $35/year for each paper, $60/year for both.
Joan Dorothy Culver January 11, 1935 – June 1, 2015 A party to commemorate the life of Joan Dorothy Culver, who died of a heart attack on June 1 in her Clayton home, is being planned for her friends in August. Culver was born and educated in Chicago, including attending the University of Chicago. She moved to California about 35 years ago. She purchased her Clayton home in 1989 and moved her mother Dorothy from Chicago to live with her. Culver was born Joan Dorothy Billings to parents Frank Billings and Dorothy Kimman. She later married Charles G. Culver. “Charlie” died in 1949. Because Culver so dearly loved Charlie, she changed her name to Culver in 1963. She cared for her mother until Dorothy passed away at home in May, 2009. Culver never remarried. Her family was Dorothy and Charlie and later her cats, Pretty, Lil Bit and finally Tootsie. She cherished her friendship with her lifelong Chicago pals and their extended families. Joan had countless Clayton friends who she met through the Clayton Business and Community Association. In her early years, Culver sold brick to construction companies. She was an accomplished writer when she moved to California, and she wrote newsletters for credit unions and the CBCA. Culver was a devoted community leader and tireless advocate for many local charities, especially those serving children, veterans and animals. She was a past president of the Women’s Network of Contra Costa
Page 7
Directory of Advertisers Business Services Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations
672-8717
Construction and Trades Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc.
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Belfast Plumbing
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Burkin Electric
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Custom Exteriors Home Performance
County, active member and past president of the CBCA, longtime member of the John Muir Health Women’s Philanthropic Circle, John Muir Health’s Women’s and Children’s Services, the SPCA and ARF. Culver annually coordinated with VESTIA to donate school backpacks and supplies to children who would otherwise begin the school year without basic necessities. She could be heard at monthly CBCA meetings prompting members to write little notes to our military personnel and to help Blue Star Moms with care packages. Culver could be found carting off unwanted books after the Clayton Library Book Sale. She took the books to the VA Home so veterans had something to read. She picked fruit from her yard and delivered it to the Monument Crisis Center. At Christmas, Joan and her CBCA friends organized donations for children and adults who could not afford to have gifts. Joan always put others before herself. It’s no wonder few people knew she was a cancer survivor. Friends remember that Culver was not a morning person, and she loved margaritas but was also good for an occasional scotch with her friends. She was an avid reader. She liked to cook and remodeled her kitchen so she could tweak recipes she learned at “Le Cordon Bleu.” Culver’s pastimes included trying her best to become the Friday night “Farkle Queen,” attending concerts in Clayton’s Grove Park and caring for five feral cats who showed up in her backyard. A glorious day for her was when she was able to find help to trap the feral cats, get them fixed and returned to her. Culver’s ashes, the ashes of Dorothy and those of her cat Tootsie will be taken to Kona as their final resting place. Per her wishes, if you wish to pay tribute to her, please make a contribution in her honor to any charity she loved.
888-957-7800
Diablo View Construction
822-5144
Gary’s Home Repair
787-2500
J.A. Ronco Construction
872-3049
Schaefer’s Painting
260-6065
Tipperary Construction
216-2679
Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon Mi Pi Pizza Oakhurst Country Club Scousers Fish’n Chips
673-0440 689-3819 672-9737 521-1962
Events Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market
800-949-3276
Financial, Insurance and Legal Services Archvest Wealth Advisors
215-5600
DuRee, Daniel – The Law Office of
210-1400
Littorno, Richard – The Law Office of
432-4211
SAFE Credit Union
.safecu.org/homeloans
Van Wyck, Doug – State Farm Insurance
672-2300
Flowers A Floral Experience
705-3088
Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home
682-4242
Health Foresight Optometry
672-4100
Home and Garden Clayton Furniture
686-2299
Clean Cleaner Carpet
383-1253
DeSousa, Debbie – Professional Organization
672-9598
Diablo Lawnscape
381-3757
Interiors Panache
672-7920
Mt. Diablo Pool Service
682-6003
Nichols Landscape
672-9955
R & M Pool, Patio, Gifts & Garden
672-0207
Skim ‘n’ Dip – Pool Service
348-5609
The Maids
798-6243
The Royal Rooster
672-2025
Utopic Gardens
524-0055
Waraner Bros. Tree Service
831-2323
Waraner Tree Experts
250-0334
Welcome Home House Cleaning
584-5980
Mailing Services The UPS Store
689-6245
Pet Services Pittsburg Pet Resort
432-7387
Photography Rochellez Photography
510-677-4170
Real Estate and Mortgage Services Bennett, Nancy – Keller Williams
606-8400
French, Lynne – Windermere Real Estate
672-8787
Hayes, Diane and Bill – Better Homes Realty 890-4701 Howard, Don – Better Homes Realty
408-3184
Howard, Emily – Better Homes Realty
408-1871
Where to go for LOCAL news
Klock, Leigh – Coldwell Banker
212-5593
Landgraf, Linda – Berkshire Hathaway
876-0311
Laurence, Pete – RE/MAX Realty
890-6004
For the latest police action, traffic jams and emergency info, social media and local blogs are good sources of breaking news. For in-depth coverage of local news, readers turn to their independently owned community newspapers. With news that people care about – local politics, schools, sports, events and stories about their friends and neighbors, the community newspaper is social media the old fashioned way. Here are the community newspapers for your neighborhood:
Lopez, Stephanie – Coldwell Banker
932-7329
Mazzei, Matt – Mazzei Realty
693-0757
Stojanovich, Jennifer – Better Homes Realty
567-6170
Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty
672-4433
Recreation and Fitness Earthquake Arabians
360-7454
Services, Other ComputersUSA! Net Solutions Recycling Center & Transfer Station
672-9989 672-6029 682-4518
Clayton Clayton Pioneer claytonpioneer.com
Travel Travel to Go
672-9840
Concord Concord Pioneer concordpioneer.com
Worship Clayton Community Church First Presbyterian Church
673-9060 676-7177, x15
Pleasant Hill, Martinez Community Focus ourcommunityfocus.com Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga Lamorinda Weekly lamorindaweekly.com San Ramon, Danville, and Alamo Valley Sentinel valleysentinel.com
Courage Do the Right Thing
Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Home-building demographics rapidly changing as Generation Y steps in
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Q. Are the “Baby Boomers” still the most influential group of people affecting what builders should be including in the homes they build? A. Surprisingly not anymore. Gen Y or "millennials" are having the most influence in this area. Here's why: 1) Gen Y comprises the largest share of homebuyers at 32 percent, which is larger than all Baby Boomers combined. 2) Gen Y also has the largest share of first-time buyers at 68%. 3) Among all generations of homebuyers, the first step in the home buying process is looking online for properties for sale. 4) Younger generations of buyers typically find the home that they purchase through the Internet, while the older generations of buyers first found the
estate professionals as well as builders now need to look at what they do through the eyes of the millennial generation. The other interesting piece of news is that there is another generation right behind generation Y.
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS home they purchased through their real estate agent. 5) Thirteen percent of all homebuyers purchased a multigenerational home, one in which the home consists of adult children over the age of 18, and/ or grandparents residing in the home. As you can see the demographics are changing. Real
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
A Clayton resident was seriously injured when she was attacked and stabbed by a female intruder in her Oakhurst home on June 29. Police have arrested Angel Mingus, 36, a transient with ties to the victim’s son. “This was not a random act,” says Clayton Police Chief Chris Thorsen. Mingus is charged
with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and burglary. According to police, the 57-year-old victim was sleeping in the bedroom of her Arrowhead Terrace home when she heard rustling noises in the house. When she woke up, she told police Mingus was on top of her, stabbing her in the neck. When she cried out, Mingus fled. Clayton officers Rich Enea and Tim Marchut responded
Police Activity Report Police Activity for two weeks ending July 2, 2015 ACCIDENTS June 24, Clayton Rd/Mitchell Canyon Rd. June 25, 1500 Kirker Pass Rd. ARRESTS June 19, Clayton Rd./Washington Blvd. Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. 18-year-old Concord male.
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to the 911 call. The victim was able to give police a physical description. While getting the information, another call came in from dispatch that an Eagle Peak resident was reporting a woman on her porch who said she had “been involved in an altercation” and was asking for help. The woman ran when she heard the resident calling the police. It turns out the woman was Mingus, who was quickly arrested on Yolanda Circle by
Concord Police, who were assisting. The victim told police that Mingus was an acquaintance of her son who was in county jail. He was arrested the day before for “making terrorist threats” against his mother, said Thorsen. The victim was taken to John Muir Hospital with serious injuries requiring surgery and is “lucky to be alive,” said Thorsen.
June 25, Marsh Creek Rd./Diablo Pkwy. Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol; Fourth or Subsequent Conviction Within Seven Years; Drive While License Suspended for DUI. 63year-old Antioch male. June 27, Eagle Peak Ave./Miwok Wy. Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol; Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol Over .08%. 31-year-old Burlingame male. June 27, Kenston Dr. Take Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent/Vehicle Theft; Probation Violation. 37-year-old female. June 28, Arrowhead Tr. Threaten Crime With Intent to Terrorize; Violation of Parole: Felony. 34-year-old Clayton male. June 29, Arrowhead Tr. Attempted Murder: 1st Degree. 36year-old Bay Point female. BURGLARIES/THEFTS June 22, Mt. Teton Pl. Petty Theft. June 23, Joscolo View. Burglary – Vehicle. June 23, 6400 Marsh Creek Rd. Grand Theft. June 24, Yolanda Cr. Petty Theft. June 24, Samuel Ct. Petty Theft. June 27, Savignon Ct. Grand Theft. VANDALISMS June 28, 5400 Clayton Rd.
June 24, 5400 Clayton Rd. Drunk: Protective Custody. 50year-old Concord male.
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Q. Are “green” features in a home a deciding factor in choosing a house to buy these days? A. Our California Association of Realtors latest study on this subject revealed that other features were more of an influence. These would be features that impact the bottom line such as expensive upgrades. These are the amount of impact Eco-Features have on sales: 1) Energy efficient windows are +3.8 percent; 2) Ceiling fans are +2.1 percent.
3) Rain catchments are + 7.7 percent. 4) Rain/freeze sensors are +1.8 percent. On the other hand the “One Cool Thing” survey says areas that you might have thought would affect positive influences that didn’t include: 1) Solar/Wind: -0.3 percent 2) Energy Star Appliances: 1.7 percent 3) Energy Efficient Doors: 1.7 percent 4) Mechanical Fresh Air: -3.9 percent Part of the effect of these “green” upgrades would be the added price a home would demand.
Clayton woman recovering after attack in her home on July 29
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July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
A home on O’Hara Ct. was damaged by a fire on July 2, that appeared to start in a trash can in the side yard. There were no injuries.
A Westwood home was heavily damaged on July 2 by a fast moving fire. The fire appeared to start in the trash can in the side yard of the two story home next door to Clayton City Councilman Keith Haydon on O’Hara Ct. Haydon was alerted to the fire by his gardener who spotted the flames as he pulled up in front around 2:30 p.m. Haydon ran next door and pounded on the front door while his wife, Cindy, called 9-1-1. The male resident is a nurse who works the night shift and is a day sleeper. His wife was unaware that
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the house was on fire. The couple has a young son who was in school at the time. As soon as the occupants were out, the flames quickly spread up the side of the house and into the attic. “It was amazing how fast that fire spread,” Haydon said. “(Clayton’s CCCFPD) Station 11 responded within five minutes.” At press time, the fire was still under investigation and there was not yet a damage estimate. “The home is uninhabitable,” said Haydon. There were no injuries.
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ESTATE PLANNING Estate planning is an unfortunate necessity in our lives. For most people, they select children or other family members as their sole beneficiaries without much further thought. However, if there are causes in your community that you are passionate about I encourage you to consider leaving a small part of your estate to support those causes and leave a meaningful local impact. Based on my experience dealing with trust administrations and distributions there are a number of reasons to consider leaving a small gift to a local cause that you already support.
Because there are generally multiple beneficiaries, any small amount left to support a local cause results in a very small impact on the inheritance of any one beneficiary. Say for example that a person passes away leaving an estate worth $600,000 and three adult children beneficiaries. Each child will receive $200,000. Now think about if that person left one percent of their estate to a local cause they support. That would leave six thousand dollars to the local nonprofit. To most local groups that is a very substantial amount and can have a large impact on accomplishing their mission. Six thousand dollars can feed and educate a lot of children, save a lot of animals, conserve a lot of open space or increase access to the arts for a lot of people. That
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$6,000 can change multiple lives. At the same time, receiving $198,000 instead of $200,000 for the beneficiaries in probably not going to make a major difference in their life. BENEFICIARIES ARE OLDER In the vast majority of cases, “children” are at least in their 50s or 60s when the last surviving parent passes away. I recently had a client I assisted whose son was born in 1940. The client is in great health and her son is 75. We should all be so lucky but the reality is that now children beneficiary’s lives are often well established by the time they receive any inheritance and the impact of that gift
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July 10, 2015
Sports 15 teams competing this weekend in 21st Devil Mountain Pentathlon at Dana Hills JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Each summer the recreation swim community focuses for one weekend on Clayton. The 21st annual Devil Mountain Pentathlon entertains over 1100 swimmers and 15 teams this Saturday and Sunday in the Dana Hills pool, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary year. The Pentathlon is by far the biggest meet in Clayton each year and whets the appetite for the meets that will culminate the season: 49th Concord Swimming Championships Aug. 7-9 and the 55th Contra Costa County Championships in Lafayette Aug. 15-16. Devil Mountain Pentathlon brings together teams and swimmers for a unique event that has each boy and girl swimming five events in one day. It’s not only a one-of-akind meet for the swimmers but also the Clayton team’s
major annual fundraiser to supplement family fees to pay the coaching staff, meet entry fees and other expenses. The Pentathlon was the brainchild of Otter swim team parents Mike and Toni Biel. At the first Pentathlon in 1995 there were six teams. Three of them — Springwood Sprinters, Pleasant Hill Aquatics Penguins and DHST — are involved this year along with 11 more teams — Bishop Estates Barracudas, Forest Hills Beavers, Livorna Dolphins, LMYA Dolphins, Martinez Community Otters, Oakhurst Orcas of Clayton, Pleasant Hill Dolfins, Sun Valley Rays, Sycamore Stingrays, Vista Diablo Dolphins, Walnut Country Stingrays and Ygnacio Wood Seahorses. Sixth-year meet director Lauren Velez explains that this weekend’s Pentathlon features the younger age groups (six and unders through 9-10 girls)
OAKHURST ORCA SWIMMERS will make the quick trip to the Dana Hills pool this weekend to take part in the 21st annual summer meet. Representing Oakhurst Country Club are, from left, Georgia Moraes (13-14), Donna Talmadge (7-8), Ben Lingua (6 and under) and Laine Moraes (9-10).
Jay Bedecarré photos
DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM will join 14 other clubs at the 21st Devil Mountain Pentathlon this Saturday and Sunday in Clayton. Among the 200 Otter swimmers competing are, from left, Maddy Webster (13-14), Joey Dern (11-12), Connor Velez (9-10), Yoshiye Longley (7-8) and Megan Meyerson (six and under).
competing on Saturday and the olders (9-10 boys through 1518 boys and girls) on Sunday. Oakhurst Orcas have entered nearly 50 swimmers in the Pentathlon while Dana Hills will have nearly 200 competing. “The meet recognizes and rewards all of the kids who participate [everyone gets an “I survived the Devil Mountain Pentathlon” ribbon] plus heat and stroke awards. The awards are no different for A and B flights. And DHST
years since the Otters won their first A Division title in 1992. The meet has changed in recent years with Crockett Crockett-iles and Forest Hills Swim Team of Martinez joining Concord and Clayton teams in the competition. Bishop Estates, Dana Hills, Forest Park Flyers, Gehringer Gators, Oakhurst, Walnut Country, Springwood, Vista Diablo and BIG MEETS IN AUGUST Ygnacio Wood complete the Dana Hills will be seeking field. its 23rd Concord City Meet At the recent Battle of the championship in the last 24 Ages in Pleasant Hill three
doesn’t count in the team standings. The Devil Mountain Pentathlon will always be about the kids.” Admission is free for anyone wishing to come out and view the meet, which begins at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday and Sunday. The Dana Hills pool is located at 298 Mountaire Cir. in Clayton.
Otters swimmers took first and two more were second. Ryan Levy (16), Sophia Miller (12) and Molly Boland (8) won their age group while Rebecca Adent (5) and Isabella Samardzic (13) were runners-up. DHST took fourth in the Battle of the Ages with 10time County champs Crow Canyon Country Club ran away with the team title. The Otters have been in the top five at county the past three years.
Clayton athletes making their marks in 2015 Antonson named Berean Christian athlete of year for two sport exploits
Gymnast Alexa Frost movin’ on up to Level 9 ranking by USA Gymnastics
Clayton Valley grad Domenic Mazza drafted by World Champion Giants
Photo courtesy UCSB Athletics Communications
Photo courtesy Community Youth Center
Photo courtesy Berean Christian High School
SENIOR CONNOR ANTONSON of Clayton was tabbed as the Berean Christian High school male athlete of the year. He was first team all-Diablo Valley Athletic League in soccer and volleyball, leading the Eagles to the CIF Northern California volleyball playoffs for the first time in school history. He also had a 4.07 grade point average. He earned eight varsity letters in four years at the Walnut Creek school.
COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER GYMNAST ALEXA FROST reached Level 9 status this year, allowing the 13-year-old to compete at the USA Gymnastics Region 1 championships in Phoenix. The Clayton youth has been in gymnastics since she was three and began competing as an eight-year-old. The uneven parallel bars are her best event. She’s been to the California State Championships the past three years. She hopes to reach the top Level 10 status, which leads to national competition. Her twin sister Jordan joined the CYC gym team this year. The club’s top gymnasts train 25 hours a week. The Frost sisters will be eighth graders at Diablo View Middle School this fall.
CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH 2012 GRAD DOMENIC MAZZA was selected in the 22nd round of the recent Major League Baseball draft by the World Champion San Francisco Giants. His dad Steve Mazza says the Giants have presented a contract and the family is in discussions with the team. The junior lefthander was one of seven pitchers drafted from his UC Santa Barbara team. Overall, 10 Gauchos were picked, the second most of any college. Mazza was an invaluable part of the UCSB pitching staff this season, serving as a midweek starter, spot starter and key reliever. He completed the season with a 6-1 record, 2.69 ERA and 72 strikeouts over 79 innings. Having added significant velocity to his fastball in the offseason while maintaining one of the best change-ups around Mazza earned his draft selection. Mazza made headlines while still at CVHS when he finished second as a 16-year-old in the Re/Max World Long Drive Golf Championship. He turned down the $70,000 second-place prize money in order to retain his amateur status and eligibility. His cousin Chris Mazza was drafted by and signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2011.
July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 11
Sports Athlete Spotlight
joy to coach. He was always upbeat, positive and willing to do whatever I asked. He always had lots of questions and genuinely wanted to learn and grow. His team-first attitude is the best I have ever seen. He is a great young man.” Coach Kevin Daly adds, “He always had a smile on his face while working harder than any other player…the ultimate teammate, he doesn’t care who gets the credit as long as the team succeeds.” Art Hoover Jr. says Weber was, “The spark plug of the team. Loved to play, always has a smile on his face, seemed to be on base after each plate appearance! You wish all of the kids had his attitude towards the game.” The eighth grader wants to return to Stanford in a few years—as a student and baseball player! CVCHS student journalist Celine Herrera contributed to this Spotlight.
Ipsen heading to Russia for 4th World Championship diving meet in two events JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton’s Kristian Ipsen heads off next Wednesday to Germany with the United State national diving team as they prepare for the FINA World Swimming Championships Age: 13 that begin July 24 in Kazan, Russia. This will be Ipsen’s Team: Clayton Valley fourth senior world champiLittle League Comets onship meet and what he hopes will be a major step School: Diablo View towards success at next year’s Middle Summer Olympics in Brazil. ANDY WEBER The Clayton Pioneer congratuIpsen will be competing in lates Andy and thanks Athlete SpotAndy Weber was chosen as an alter- These physical challenges didn’t dimintwo events in Russia. He is in light sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & nate for the Clayton Valley Little ish his love of baseball, which he startthe meet’s first diving event, Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have League 12-year-old all-star team this ed playing in Antioch Little League Tone-meter springboard, on the been serving the Clayton and Consummer after playing for the major divi- ball. His mom Nikkie says, “As parents, opening day July 24. He joins cord area for 25 years at Family sion Comets as a left fielder, first base- my husband Rob and I have always Michael Hixon as the AmeriVision Care Optometry. man and pitcher. And that’s only part of informed his coaches about his Poland can competitors in the 1M. www.laceyandruzicka.com the story. He was born with a rare con- syndrome and we always have them The finals are three days later Do you know a young athlete who should dition called Poland syndrome. He agree not to treat him any differently on July 27. be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown doesn’t have the major pectoral muscle but to earn his position on the team.” New partner Sam Dorman exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable on his right side and his right hand was When the family moved to Clayton improvement or great heart for the sport. Send and Ipsen will compete in also affected. When he was two he had six years ago he began playing in CVLL. three-meter synchro on July your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spota pair of surgeries at Stanford Hospital His coaches admire his positive, upbeat 28. Both the preliminary and light today to sports@claytonpioneer.com. to separate his fingers on that hand. spirit. Kevin Zimmer says, “Andy was a final 3M synchro dives are held the same day. Ipsen’s World Championship experience began in 2009 when he won the silver medal in Rome with Troy Dumais in 3M synchro, a harbinger of their success over the next few years that culminated with a place on the podium at the 2012 London Olympics as bronze medalists. JAY BEDECARRÉ worked at Archer School for director of university confer- At the 2011 World ChampiGirls in Los Angeles as the ences and events division at Clayton Pioneer assistant AD. Lawson holds a Yale University, deputy direcAfter a national search that Bachelor’s degree in political tor of athletics for Florida generated more than 100 appli- science/journalism from PepState and San Jose State and cants from throughout the perdine and a Master’s in project manager for the Stancountry, Caitlin Lawson was teaching/social studies from ford department of athletics. named director of athletics at the University of Southern In addition, she worked as Carondelet. A 2005 graduate California. regional operations manager of the all-girls school, Lawson Lawson replaces retiring for the 1996 Summer Olympic was heavily recruited by col- long-time athletic director Games in Atlanta and senior leges to play volleyball. She Gleam Green who was in the general manager for the 2002 chose Pepperdine and was a position since 2000. Winter Olympics in Salt Lake four-year member of Wave Carondelet also announced City. NCAA teams and was on the the hiring of Kellie Elliott to Elliott is already conductWest Coast Conference Com- its athletic department team in ing an athletics department missioner’s Honor Roll every an advisory capacity. Elliott audit and will be helping to CAITLIN LAWSON CARONDELET HIGH year. will be using her 20 years’ develop an athletics strategic ATHLETIC DIRECTOR She comes to Carondelet experience in professional, colplan that will include essential from Bentley School in Oak- legiate and Olympic managemarket data and innovative She has served as chief opportunities to guide Caronland, where she most recently ment positions to help position served as the K-8 athletic the Cougars athletic program operating officer of the UC delet athletics priorities and TYLER LEHMAN Berkeley Alumni Association, programming. director. Prior to Bentley, she for the next 50 years.
Andy Weber
Carondelet hires director, advisor for Cougars athletic department
Tamara Steiner
KRISTIAN IPSEN
onships Dumais and Ipsen took fourth in the event a year before the London Games. He competed individually at Worlds in the 3M in 2011 and both the 1M and 3M in 2013 without getting close to a medal. He was the World Junior 1M champion in 2006 and 2010. Ipsen wrapped up his collegiate diving career at Stanford this year. He’ll be finishing his Stanford academics in the fall semester although he already “graduated” with his classmates last month. After the World Championships the local diver will be focused on training in preparation for next June’s Olympic Trials as USA Diving selects its team for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Aug. 5-21. In prep for the Olympics Ipsen and other top American divers will make a training trip to Rio this Sept.
Warriors off-season key to continued success
SPORTS TALK
Lady Hawks in softball nationals this month
Photo courtesy Concord Lady Hawks
AFTER WINNING THE METRO OAKLAND ASA CHAMPIONSHIP in Hayward last month the Concord Lady Hawks earned a berth in the ASA/USA 12 A National Championships in Roseville starting July 28 against top 12U softball teams from all over the country who qualified by winning regional tournaments. The Lady Hawks bested a field of eight teams in Hayward with four consecutive victories, winning the finale 7-0 over Castro Valley Synergy. The Lady Hawks have won two tournaments and taken second in two others this season. The team includes sitting, Olivia Lee; front row from left, Sophia Aguilar, Gabby Villa, Leilani Mestas, Amaya Lee, Alexa Webber, Morgan Salmon, Cyana Ramirez, Sophia Lucio; back row, coach James Lee, Delaney Urban, coach Ray Mestas, Grace Zodikoff, Katie Hicks, Audrey Vincent and head coach Mike Webber.
After 40 long years the Golden State Warriors are NBA Champions once more. The Dubs defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals in six games, coming back from a 2-1 deficit in the series. Now that the Warriors are NBA champions their challenge is to defend the title. That starts with what happens over the off-season, mainly retaining key pieces from this year’s championship run. The Warriors are in great shape to defend their title. The only key free agent was Draymond Green, the boisterous and versatile power forward. Green is a tenacious defender and knows how to get under an opposing team’s skin. He was a vital cog in the Warriors championship run, allowing Steve Kerr to play him at the center position when the team used its highlyeffective “small ball” lineup. The Warriors wasted no time in re-signing Green by the end of the first day of free agency last week. Green’s fiveyear contract was for $85 million, a figure slightly below a maximum contract. The Michigan State grad is certainly worth the money, considering how valuable to the team he is. The deal puts the Warriors into an even more urgent mode to trade David Lee. The two-time NBA all-star is under contract for one more year and will make $15.4 million in the
upcoming season. He was a solid player for the Warriors, but it is usually not wise to pay that much money to a bench player. If the Warriors keep Lee it will cost owner Joe Lacob a hefty chunk of change (tens of millions) with the Warriors being well over the luxury tax threshold. The Warriors depth allows them flexibility in a possible Lee trade. There are already a few options the Dubs can use as the back-up power forward. James Michael McAdoo showed some promise last year in limited minutes. The North Carolina product can rebound well, but he does need to work on his outside shot. The Warriors drafted Kevon Looney with the 30th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Looney is a versatile power forward who can guard multiple positions. He also can shoot the three ball and has a respectable post-up game. Looney is exactly the type of player the Warriors love, the only concern with him coming out of UCLA is a possible hip injury. Even if Looney requires surgery on his hip, the Warriors can afford to let him sit a year and recover. It is a possibility that Mo Speights could see some play at the back-up power forward position, as the Warriors picked up his player option for the 2015-16 season. It’s not too difficult an offseason for the front office of the Warriors. By signing Green they will essentially have the same team as last year and can once more compete for an NBA title. Tyler Lehman is a junior at San Francisco State University and a 2012 CVHS graduate. He is majoring in print/online journalism and wants to be a sports writer. Email your comments or questions to tyler@claytonpioneer.com.
Page 12
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Sports
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CV Little League names all-star teams Clayton Valley Little League’s regular-season, District 4 Tournament of Champions and all-star play has wrapped up to complete the 2015 season, the local league’s 52nd. On the baseball side, the major division Knights, minor A Phillies and Minor B Rockies were in TOC. The Phillies won two games before losing in the semi-finals to eventual champs South Oakland. The CVLL softball teams in TOC were the senior CV Seniors, majors CV Red and minor Bears. The mini minor Cheetahs won the end-of-season interleague tournament last month. All-Star play began in late June culminating with the
international Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA Aug. 20-30. The third Intermediate World Series will be held again in Livermore Aug. 2-8.
Clayton Valley Little League all-star teams BASEBALL 12 year olds: Terrell Hopson, Joey Hawk, Matthew Hubbard, Carter Kosturos, Jake Lucas, Quinton Mahloch, Clayton Mahloch, Tanner Maltbie, Riley Mendonca, Dominic Pellegrino, Tyler Perkins, Charlie Saylor, Jason Zimmer; alternatesMichael Cinfrano, Andy Weber. 11 year olds: Michael Boyle, Alexander Friedman, Aidan Hopfner, Alexander Kowalewski, Jeremy Lagrave, Ian Mayer,
Andrew Pesmark, Angelo Rodriguez, David Seeno, Jack Skow, Drew Warner, Ian Wright; alternates-Riley Claunch, Scott Tomaszewicz. 10 year old Red: Johnny Baptista, Ryan Bomar, Jerry Coakley, Ryan Cuddy, Luke Cuneo, Cody DeMartini, Wade Elento, Casey Fosester, Dylan Gentile, Gabriel Lauricella, Colton Seastrand, Jake Solis, Ryan Ward. 10 year old Blue: Drew Brennan, Ryan Buddle, Ethan Cline, Kian Connors, Tyler Cowart, Jake Dern, Jayden Gould, Owen Luedtke, Richard McKay, Daniel Sanna, Ivan Shapiro, Alex Walker; alternate-Kyle Hetherton. Minor B Blue: Nate Luehs, Jackson Huffman, Nate Mahoney, AC Young, Cayne Terry, Ben Hosler, Ethan Alden, Ronan Agnew, Ethan Davies, Jacob Mohrland, Derek
Townsend, Giovanni Scolini. Minor B Red: Matthew Baur, Joey Postlethwaite, Aidan Hendricks, Nick Johnson, Landon Johnson, Andrei Gesmundo, Jack Dress, Bennett Shuey, Jackson Spalding, Jameson Martin, Michael Albert, Antonio Barragon.
SOFTBALL 11/12 year olds: Juliana Balestrieri, Haley Brown, Jamilett Catalan, Halle Cohen, Sophia Lovelace, Sophia Miller, Suraina Nuxoll, Katie Pike, Emma Postlethwaite, Karlie Seastrand, Juliana Vandal, Ashley Woest. 9/10 year olds: Cassidy Baker, Makaella Cherepy, Melia Fabriquer, Grace Geisler, Emma Gius, Lydia Lo, Ella Potts, Clarice Reinwald, Taylor Sandy, Isabella Scolini, Emily Storn, Samantha Thompson; alternates- Sarah Graff, Jessie Lovett, Mikaela Pike.
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MINOR A PHILLIES UPSET RED SOX TO REACH DISTRICT 4 TOC Seeded second going into the Clayton Valley Little League playoffs the Phillies used a team effort to blank No. 1 Red Sox 7-0 in the Minor A championship game. The Phillies then had a strong showing at the District 4 Tournament of Champions winning their first two AAA games against Concord American and Pittsburg but succumbing to eventual champions South Oakland Dragons in the semi-finals. The Phillies included, front row from left, Danny Akl, Jaydon Gould, Alex Akl, Jerry Coakley, Vince Pelosi, Johnny Baptista, Gabe Lauricella, Jake Solis, Corbin Clifton, Alex Walker, Nick Mackechine, Steven Guyette, Tyler Cowart; back row, coach Ken Solis and manager Mike Lauricella. Not pictured, coaches John Baptista and Casey Coakley.
Photos courtesy Clayton Valley Little League
SOFTBALL BEARS SHOW THEIR METTLE IN PLAYOFFS Minor division Bears were third in regular season play which Extreme won and then the Bears captured the CVLL post-season tournament title to advance to District 4 Tournament of Champions. The Bears continued their hot steak to reach the TOC finals before falling to Martinez Wildcats. The Bears included, laying from left, Ashley Woest, Ashlyn Evans; knelling, Molly Reynolds, Layal Solis, Sarah Boss, Anja Perreira, Sofia Lovelace, Lydia Lo; middle row, Maci Sorensen, Samantha Thompson, Jamilett Catalan, Ava Polk; back row, coach Russ Lo, manager Erick Mirabella, Katie Mirabella, coach Henry Catalan and coach Matt Reynolds.
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Sports Shorts
MDSA FALL LEAGUE WAITLIST SIGNUPS ACCEPTED THIS MONTH
Boys and girls 4-18 years of age wanting to play in Mt. Diablo Soccer Association fall league can register for the waitlist this CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER SCHEDULES FINAL month. Fall league play begins in August when all registration NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL GAME VS. MONTE VISTA closes. Families are requested to sign up for volunteer duties to Clayton Valley Charter went all the way to the State Division II help the organization offer its AYSO program. For complete Bowl championship football game in December and coach Tim information visit mdsoccer.org. Murphy has set up a tough non-league schedule this fall starting with the opening game at reigning State Division I champion Folsom. The Eagles had previously announced other games at Tracy DANA HILLS HOLDS TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER NIGHT FUNDRAISER AUG. 1 IN CLAYTON and home to perennial NCS power James Logan of Union City and Dana Hill Swim Team Board is also excited to announce our North Bay standout Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa at Gonsalves 1st ever Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Night fundraising night on SatStadium. The final non-league game was recently set at home for urday, Aug. 1 at Endeavor Hall from 6-10 p.m. To sign up for the Oct. 2 against EBAL power Monte Vista of Danville, which won Poker Night visit danahillsotters.com. the 2001 and 2002 NCS 3A championship and then moved up to Division I where they have missed the Section playoffs only one DIABLO FC FALL REC SEASON TAKING SIGNUPS time since. Diablo FC is holding its fall rec league in Sept. 1 through DANA HILLS MILE SWIM-A-THON FUNDRAISER AUG. 1 Oct. 20 in Concord at Newhall Park. Training for boys and girls Dana Hills Swim Team Otters will swim a 66-lap timed race to under five, U7 and U9 age groups with parent coaches and proraise money for the summer recreation swim team on Saturday, fessional Diablo FC staff is on Tuesdays with games on SaturAug. 1. Every swimmer who completes the one-mile swim will earn days Sept. 12-Oct. 24. Early bird registration with a $25 discount a 1-Mile Patch. Gold Medals will be awarded to the girl and boy in runs through July 15. For more information and schedule visit each age group who swims the fastest mile. Swimmers will be diablofc.org. accepting pledges and donations for their participation. Community donations can be mailed to Dana Hills Swim Team. PO Box 698, JR. EAGLES YOUTH FOOTBALL, CHEER ORGANIZATION SIGNUPS THIS SUNDAY Clayton 94517 or visit the club website danahillsotters.com. Clayton Valley youth football and cheer teams are now known as CVAA Jr. Eagles. Online registration for the upcoming fall footDE LA SALLE COACH, NORTHGATE AD GET AWARDS At the recent California Coaches Association annual banquet ball and cheer teams is open with in-person registration this Sunday, Northgate High School athletic director Steve Chappell was named July 12, at Mountain Mike’s Pizza on Clayton Rd. 12 -3 p.m. Visit California AD of the year. De La Salle’s John Pelster was the Nor- their new website cvaajreagles.com for more information. Cal cross country coach of the year. His 2014 North Coast Section T.J. BRASSIL WINS ANOTHER PAC 12 ALL-ACADEMIC champion Spartans have won four of the past five NCS titles. ChapAWARD FOR NATIONAL CHAMPS pell’s Northgate High made history this year with its boys swimClayton resident T. J. Brassil was named to the second team ming team winning the first-ever State swimming championship Pacific 12 Conference All-Academic team for the second year as after taking consecutive NCS titles the past two years. part of the Oregon Ducks national championship men’s track and field squad. The redshirt sophomore from De La Salle had PROGRAMS OPEN AT ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES Summer programs for youth volleyball and adult softball plus a 3.61 grade point average. Away from the track he was on the fall youth basketball are now open in Clayton offered by All Out board of directors for the Oregon Student-Athlete Advisory Sports Leagues. Volleyball season begins next week with softball Committee. He helped organize the first “O Show” that was the school’s version of the Espy’s which are on ESPN. getting underway Aug. 2. For more, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
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Schools
“ Let Us Light Up Your Life” Residential
Clayton Valley Charter reaches agreement in Title IX complaint over unequal girls’ facilities JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Clayton Valley Charter High School is making adjustments to its sports facilities and programs to comply with complaints filed against the school in December 2013 that it was in violation of Title IX by not providing equal opportunities and facilities for its female athletes. The central focus of the complaint filed by the Legal Aid Society and California Women’s Law Center concerned inequities in the CVCHS baseball and softball programs impacting female student athletes. The softball fields on the school campus are shared by Eagles softball teams and Clayton Valley Little League. Limited availability of the fields for high school softball and the quality of the facilities compared to the school baseball complex were at the crux of the complaint.
CVCHS governing board chairperson Ted Meriam explained that the settlement had two main components. The school has, or shortly will have, remediated all the facility issues for female athletes, and secondly the school agreed to pay the complainants’ legal fees. The Title IX lawyers made claims for “several hundred thousand dollars” in fees but the figure was ultimately reduced to $85,000. The Legal Aid Society and California Women’s Law Center stated that “school officials have agreed to improve and maintain equitable athletic facilities for girls and boys; offer additional girls’ athletic teams; increase outreach to girls to participate in sports; and provide additional Title IX training to its coaches and administrators.” The settlement is thought to be the first of its kind in the nation involving a charter
school and serves as a guidepost for Title IX compliance in the charter school setting. The Title IX lawyers said that “once notified of the issues, Clayton Valley Charter sought to work with the claimants’ counsel to address concerns and make facilities improvements while implementing best practices.” As a conversion charter school, CVCHS inherited its campus from Mt. Diablo Unified School District, which operated the facility until July 1, 2012. According to Executive Director David Linzey, “most, if not all, of the facilities issues pre-existed the conversion.” A press release from the claimants also said, “Clayton Valley denied any violation of Title IX and is committed to a course of action to promote and develop female athletics. This settlement represents an amicable resolution of the disputes between CVCHS
and the claimants.” Improvements made by MDUSD through its Measure C bond measure program and the school have made significant changes since that time. Because of a dispute between CVCHS and MDUSD concerning the annual pro rata share fee owed the district for the charter school’s use of the facilities, the final Measure C projects (primarily improving the girls locker room) have been put on hold by the district until the payment dispute is resolved. The charter school board also approved funding construction of a $1.6 million new turf field on campus that will be used by school teams, PE classes and local community youth groups. The project is also on hold pending the negotiations since MDUSD has to approve all school facility changes.
EMILY YORK
TEEN READS
Principal, from page 1 Southern California last summer to deal with a medical condition. That situation was resolved early this year and he was ready to get back to work when he saw an online posting for the Clayton Valley Charter job. Eben immediately applied. Linzey contacted him during the initial screening process and was “excited about [Eben’s] depth of principal background.” The new principal’s appointed was announced at the June 15 CVCHS governing board meeting. Eben attended the meeting for his first opportunity to meet school and community members. He is moving into a temporary location from the Central Valley while “I get my bearings” and find a long-term housing location. Eben was a star athlete in Clovis when he was injured in a water skiing accident his jun-
ior year that left him paralyzed. His high school football line coach, Jack Bohan, visited him in the hospital the day after his accident and every day after. Rather than ask the scared and heartbroken 16-year-old “how are you?” the coach would say to Eben “how many wins have you had today?” Years later that became the title of Eben’s inspirational autobiography. He’s also written leadership and children’s books. Eben steps into the principal’s office after a tumultuous year of strife and conflict at the teacher/administrative level following Linzey’s May 2014 firing of administrator and charter school founder Pat Middendorf. Undaunted by the challenge, Eben says “I’m really comfortable about ‘creating team’. I’m not at all intimated
of the “Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability,” he can predict the outcome of any relationship that the future holds for him and hopefully, help him map out how he is going to obtain the girl of his dreams, whether or not her name is Katherine. It’s a great story; plus, there are so many beautiful quotes woven into this novel. My favorite one is: “…but there was no denying her smile. That
smile could end wars and cure cancer.” Even though this book wasn’t my favorite by John Green (that would be “Looking for Alaska”), it still packed quite a punch. I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed reading anything by him and this story surely met my expectations. I can’t wait to see what else Green has in store for us in the future. Emily York is a junior at CVCHS.
or afraid of team building in any climate.” He adds that he’s coming to a school that’s “doing well” in academics, music, athletics and many other areas. In preparation for his interview he researched Clayton Valley Charter online and contacted a couple educator friends in the Bay Area and was very impressed with what he found and heard. He learned that Tim Murphy and two other members of the coaching staff from his former high school, Clovis East, are at CVCHS but he didn’t contact them before his interview. Eben is proud of his time at Clovis East. The Fresno State journalism grad was assigned the task of building the school “from dirt,” hiring the staff and leading the school for its first several years. He will be in Linzey’s current campus office so that students, staff and faculty will
have clear access to the new principal. Linzey says he and Eben are “in harmony philosophically” and both are strong proponents of school reform. Eben plans to meet students on campus during summer school and also wants to begin his long-term planning process by meeting with leadership students in the weeks ahead. Freshman transition program starts Aug. 4 and school begins Aug. 12. Linzey’s new office location, possibly off campus, is yet undetermined. The executive director will be concentrating on his superintendent role that includes budgeting, curriculum development, special education, community relations, governing board liaison, legal services, assessment coordination (transition to Common Core), facilities, staff and administration professional development and mentoring.
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July 10, 2015
Club News Stephen Lane honored by state organization
Troop 262’s 45th Anniversary Eagles, past troop masters, families and active Boy Scout Troop 262 scouts and leaders celebrated the troop’s 45th anniversary on June 30 at the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association’s club house on Mt. Diablo. Temperatures topped 100 degrees, but that did not stop over 70 people from getting together and celebrating the milestone. Alumni rekindled old friendships and formed new ones with the young scouts and leaders active in the troop today. A condensed Court of Honor together with a barbecue and cake decorating contest filled the evening of festivities.
Troop 262 is based in Clayton and volunteers at numerous community events, including the Art and Wine Festival and Clayton Cleans Up. The troop completed 64 Eagle Scout projects to date,
one of which is at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Brian Williams planned and created the 360-foot, split rail fence at the office entrance as his Eagle Project in 1995. The fence was built
with the help of his fellow scouts, volunteers and his dad, long-time Scout enthusiast, Doug Williams. The troop looks forward to planning their 50th anniversary in 2020.
The Clayton Valley Garden Club receives awards each year from the California Garden Clubs Inc., an organization of gardeners all over the state with more than 20,000 members. This year, the Clayton Valley Garden Club received first place awards for hosting a Succulent Pumpkin Workshop for STAND! For Families Free of Violence, for the Blossoms for Barbara event delivering hundreds of flowering plants to hospice patients and for their membership directory. The highest honor was given to Steve Lane, club president during 2013-2014. He received the Award of Merit for civic projects and services he initiated, guided and performed for the community of Clayton and nonprofit organizations such as the
DIABLO FOOTHILLS DISTRICT DIRECTOR, REBECCA FERGUSON, presented the Award of Merit to Steve Lane, past president of the Clayton Valley Garden Club
Clayton Valley Garden Club, the Clayton Historical Society garden, the Diamond Terrace retirement community and the Diablo Foothills District of the California Garden Clubs Inc. For more information go to www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org
Book Reviews
‘Dog On It’ is more than puppy love for readers SUNNY SOLOMON
FOR
THE
BOOKS
Don’t wait for the dog days of summer to read Spencer Quinn’s “Dog On It” (Atria Books; First Edition, September, 2009). On numerous occasions, I’ve passed on a book only because its title is too darned cute and even its cover shouts, “Read me, I’m fun!” — sort of like not picking a book for its cover. I am
so glad I found “Dog On It” (the first in the Chet [the dog] and Bernie [the private eye] mysteries), and I can almost guarantee that readers, male or female, will love this crazy mutt and his private detective partner. Bernie’s personality is known from Chet’s observations, as when Bernie, appalled that he is suddenly growing hair on his back, shouts out, “Why now. . .woman hate back hair.” This puzzles Chet; from his own experience with “females of my kind,” he has “. . . had no problems with my physical appearance.” What keeps this mystery from falling prey to its own cuteness is the seriousness of the
writing. Think about this: exactly how do you write a mystery from a dog’s point of view? Chet is a dog and Quinn avoids pretending otherwise. There are times in the story when Bernie must leave Chet behind, and at one point poor Chet is dognapped. In the time he is gone, Chet, narrating his own dognapping, has no idea what his partner is doing. “Dog On It” opens with, “I could smell him – or rather the booze on his breath – before he even opened the door, but my sense of smell is pretty good, probably better than yours.” Chet is a dog with heart and patience. He needs both as Bernie, still adjusting emotional-
ly and financially to his recent divorce, is not having such a good time running his detective agency. Chet, an almost-graduate of the local K-9 police academy, loves detecting with Bernie, an ex-cop, and would like things to get back to the way they used to be before the divorce. The mystery is set in the west: there are deserts, Las Vegas housing, shady developers, bikers to avoid, canyons to drive around (but not off), Russian Mafia, drugs, a last-stop clinic for strays, a beloved Porsche in which Chet rides shotgun and, of course, a missing person for Bernie to find. The missing person is a teenage girl who is missing, then found, and then seri-
Movie Review
Pixar movie is a joy from ‘Inside Out’
JEFF MELLINGER
SCREEN SHOTS For nearly 20 years, Pixar has convinced us to go see their latest animated film, all the while we’re thinking there’s no way they can top themselves. They were on track to do so every year until they set the bar so ridiculously high with “Wall-E” (2008) and “Up” (2009). Toy Story 3
(2010) lovers may take issue, but it was just a notch below Pixar’s two prior films. Continuing the downward trend, were a couple of misfires (“Cars 2,” “Monsters University”) and the uneven “Brave.” It looked as if Pixar was in a rut. Then along came “Inside Out.” While it’s a very complex movie, in lesser hands, it could have been downright confounding. However, Pixar and director Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters Inc.”) create an explicit message and it comes across perfectly. Within the head of a young girl named Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) resides five emotions at the helm of Riley’s every thought: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. These emotions are depicted
WITH A STRONG EMOTIONAL ARC, ‘Inside Out’ from Pixar could just be the best animated film of the century.
anthropomorphically with each represented by a different color. Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) is their undisputed leader. She guides the other four emotions through Riley’s early childhood in a beautiful montage of experiences we know all too well. The emo-
tions have everything figured out in Riley’s life, from keeping her safe, to creating memories, to monitoring her dream world. There are even specific “islands” on the periphery of Riley’s emotional headquarters
See Inside Out page 15
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ously missing a second time. Runaway or kidnapping? What keeps this mystery on track is the complexity of the plot, the sheer likability of both man and beast and, dog gone it, the quality of the writing, which means the reader will buy into a
dog as a narrator from page one. Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’
Local author pens ‘wild and funny ride’ SIDNEY FALCO Special to the Pioneer
Clayton writer and publicist Gary Carr is a frequent contributor to the Pioneer, but now his work is being seen by a much wider audience. His book of short stories was recently published by Exit Press of San Francisco. “The Girl Who Founded Nebraska and Other Stories” presents 11 tales in a variety of forms — parody, the macabre, Wikipedia entry, updated Greek myth, and even a “Dead Sea Scroll.” Pat Craig, former theater critic for the Contra Costa Times, calls Carr’s stories “a wild and funny ride” emerging from “a deep canyon of weirdness.” This is Carr’s second book, and follows a string of short stories published in offbeat magazines, including “The Journal of Irreproducible Results.” The title story is a broad, sweeping epic of settling the American West, complete in 10 pages. “It’s geared to the busy reader who doesn’t have time for a thick novel,” he says. “You can finish the story over lunch and still get back to Facebook.”
Carr is the owner of Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations, whose clients include numerous Bay Area theaters and performing arts groups. He is also a member of the Clayton Business and Community Association. He lives in Regency Woods with his wife, Kathy, and her service dog, Seila.
GARY CARR
“The pieces in this book were generated by a wandering mind,” Carr says. If you’d like to wander along with him, you can get “The Girl Who Founded Nebraska” on Amazon or at www.spdbooks.org. “It’s $14, the price of two venti mocha frappuccino lattes and a turkey panini at Starbucks,” Carr says. “And I promise it’ll give you a bigger jolt.”
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July 10, 2015
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Page 15
Pets
A doggie diet can add years to your pet’s life DEBBIE DEMELLO
PAUSE
FOR
PETS
Weight loss is tough for anyone, two or four-legged. However, losing weight and getting in shape can add years to your dog’s life and also make those years more enjoyable. Helping your canine friend shed a few pounds may be easier than you think. It does require a commitment to weight loss and fitness along with attention to details and the assistance of everyone in your household and your veterinarian. Theoretically weight loss seems simple enough. Fewer calories in and more exercise equals weight loss. Unfortu-
nately it’s not quite that simple. You should never put your dog on a diet without consulting your veterinarian. There may be an underlying medical problem contributing to your dog’s excess weight such as hypothyroidism or Cushings disease. Your veterinarian will need to calculate your dog’s ideal weight based on breed and size. A safe weight loss for most dogs is around 3 percent body weight loss per month. Most dog foods have a calorie count on the label and your vet can help you determine the right amount to feed. You can also help your dog lose weight through more exercise. The first thing you can do to help your dog lose weight is increase the intensity and length of your walks. Few dogs walk at a pace that generates the sustained aerobic activity
needed to lose weight. Walking for weight loss is different than walking for pleasure. You should aim for a brisk 30 minute walk daily. Of course check with your veterinarian to make sure this is okay for your dog. Also you can use balls, squeaky toys or sticks to encourage random games of fetch. Try to play with your dogs at least 10 minutes twice a day. There are toys that move randomly and make noises that may also be interesting to your dog. For many dogs variety is important and what may be interesting today may be boring tomorrow. Be creative and encourage play. What about treats? You also need to consider the amount of calories your dog gets from treats. Many people use treats to reward behaviors
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that they want to encourage and those calories add up quickly. Dogs care more about the number of treats that they get than the size. Using small bits of treats allows you to reward your dog without adding too many extra calories. Avoid treats that are high in fat and calories like hot dogs, cheese and peanut butter. Remember lean dogs live longer, healthier lives than dogs who are overweight. A 14-year study showed that dogs fed 25 percent fewer calories than their free-fed littermates lived nearly two years longer and showed fewer visible signs of aging. Here’s to a lean and healthy life for your dog! Debbie DeMello is a dog trainer and owner of Who’s Training Who in Walnut Creek. Contact her at debdemello@aol.com
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Inside Out, from page 14 that are modeled after her favorite things such as Hockey Island and Friendship Island. Everything is going great for 11-year old Riley…until her parents decide to move from Minnesota to San Francisco. The City by the Bay has never looked better in animated form. Pixar spared no detail in both the close-ups and the establishing shots of the city. Yet Riley is totally uncomfortable in her new surroundings. She doesn’t understand why
she got moved away from her hockey team, her best friend and all the wonderful, happy memories in Minnesota. Suddenly, Sadness (voiced impeccably by Phyllis Smith) has started accidentally fidgeting with Riley’s memories, turning some of them blue. Things Riley used to remember as joyous are now being remembered with sorrow. When Joy and Sadness accidentally get sucked into the maze of longterm memories, Fear, Anger
The adoption fee for adult dogs is $250 and includes a discount on the first six-week session of ARF U Manners classes. Three-year-old Chauncy is a sweet and sociable fellow who loves gentle petting and
and Disgust are left to run everything, with predictable results. Riley lashes out at her parents, takes no pleasure in things she once loved and is afraid of trying anything new. This is the age where we start truly forming who we will be and using our memories to reflect on who we’ve become. Docter and the geniuses at Pixar remind us exactly what it felt like to experience the beginning stages of growing up. No other film company consistently produces films that 7-year olds, teenagers and adults of all ages can all thoroughly enjoy, albeit often for
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 2561ARF.
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different reasons. Pixar has outdone themselves again with this funny, beautiful, touching and original film. Only Pixar could cause a tear to be shed at the fading away of a giant, imaginary, pink cotton-candy elephant-cat. “Inside Out” is certainly the best movie of 2015 so far and quite possibly the best animated film of the century. A+ Jeff Mellinger is a screenwriter and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email him at jeff.mellinger@gmail.com.
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July 10, 2015
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG 5 FOR THE AUG 14 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
IN CLAYTON Saturdays thru Sep. 19 Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Diablo Street between Main and Center streets, downtown Clayton. pcfma.com/clayton.
July 10, 17, 24, 31 Moonlight Movies July 10, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day;” July 17, “Big Hero 6;” July 24, “When the Game Stands Tall;” July 31, “Monsters University.” Bring a lawn chair, blankets, invite friends and neighbors and join us at sunset for a surround sound spectacular evening. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Movies start at 8:45 p.m. Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St. Free admission. claytoncc.com.
July 18, Aug. 1, 15 Saturday Concerts in the Grove 6 – 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. cityofclayton.org. For a complete concert series list, see Page 3.
Aug. 6 Thursday Concerts in the Grove
July 19 Snakes, Skulls, Spiders and Lizards See what naturalist Michael Marchiano brings. 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.
July 31 Common Poorwill Bird Walk Hike in White Canyon. 7 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead. Reservations required: blkittiwake@yahoo.com.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Thru July 19 Sculpture in the Garden Ruth Bancroft Garden transforms into an outdoor art gallery. 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. $8-$10. ruthbancroftgarden.org.
July 10 Young Actors Studio Showcase Final showcase of summer acting program filled with songs from Broadway shows presented by The Ballet School. 7 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
7 - 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. cityofclayton.org. For a complete concert series list, see Page 3.
July 10, 12 “Ariadne auf Naxos”
Aug. 8 Rib Cook-Off
This opera features both lighthearted comedy and heroic grand opera. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20-$88. festivalopera.org.
Rib cook-off sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. Family event with live music, food, drink. Teams compete for bragging rights and cash prizes. Attend or sign up by Aug. 1 to compete. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Clayton Club Saloon, 6096 Main St., Clayton. Raffle tickets available for chance to be People's Choice Judge. claytoncbca.org.
Aug. 15 – 16 Relay For Life American Cancer Society fundraiser. Join a team or walk as an individual. Activities for participants and spectators. 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Mt. Diablo Elementary School, 5880 Mt. Zion Drive, Clayton. Register at relayforlife.org/claytonca.
IN CONCORD Pavilion Concert Schedule The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. theconcordpavilion.com. Shows start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 15, Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire July 18, Sublime, 6 p.m. July 21, 5 Seconds of Summer Aug. 4, The Boys of Zummer Aug. 7, Idina Menzel Aug. 14, The Pink Print Tour Aug. 26, Slipknot Sep. 6, KBLX Hot Summer Night, 4 p.m. Sep. 19, Chris Brown Sep. 20, Counting Crows
Tuesdays Farmers’ Market Tuesdays year round. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.
Tuesday Nights in July Blues Series Some of the best blues in the Bay Area. July 14, David Landon; July 21, Alvon Johnson; July 28, Loose Blues; Aug. 4, Charged Particles; Aug. 11, Annie Sampson. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. cityofconcord.org.
Thursdays Music and Market Thursday night live music and farmers’ market. Music: July 16, Tribute to Johnny Cash; July 23, Long Train Runnin’; July 30, Aja Vu; Aug. 6, Superlicious; Aug. 13, Patron. Market 4 – 8 p.m.; music 6:30 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.
3rd Sundays Antique Faire Antiques, collectibles, handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free admission. concordantiquefaire.com.
July 11 - 12 Relay For Life American Cancer Society fundraiser. Join a team or walk as an individual. Activities for participants and spectators. 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Register at relayforlife.org/concordca.
July 23 Mayors’ Healthy Cookoff Mayors from Contra Costa County and chefs from their cities compete to prepare the best healthy meal. 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. wellnesscitychallenge.org.
Aug. 8 – 9 Japanese American Summer Festival Japanese American Club’s annual event featuring Japanese food, bonsai exhibits, Kendo and Judo demonstrations, Taiko drum performances, Japanese dance performances, calligraphy demonstrations and flower arrangements. Sat. 1 – 8:30 p.m. Sun. 12 – 8:30 p.m. Japanese American Religious and Cultural Center, 3165 Treat Blvd., Concord. Free admission, parking at Ygnacio Valley High School. www.diablojaclub.com.
ON THE MOUNTAIN Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information.
July 17 Things That Go Flap in the Night Evening hike to see bats, poorwills and scorpions. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Must be nine years and up. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required: mmarchiano@gmail.com.
July 11 Improv Vacation Presented by Act II Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.
July 17 – Aug. 2 “Hello, Dolly!” Matchmaker Dolly Levi takes a trip to Yonkers, New York. Allan E. Jones Performing Arts Center, 850 Second St., Brentwood. thebrentwoodtheater.org. 513-3863.
Amateur Radio Club. 7 – 9 p.m. The Salvation Army, 3950 Clayton Road, Concord. Materials and textbook fees. Registration required. hamradioclass@gmail.com.
Aug. 8 Jazz Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski and Harry Allen perform. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Aug. 9 #New Magic Family friendly magic and illusion performed by Alex Ramon. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $35. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Aug. 15 Comedy Performed by Scott Capurro. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $17-$37. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Aug. 15 Roy Orbison Returns Wiley Ray and the Big O Band pay tribute to Roy Orbison. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25-$45. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION July 28 Healing the Heart Start of six-week grief workshop. 7:30 – 9 p.m. Saint Bonaventure, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. Registration required by July 17. Call 686-4870 or email healingtheheart@stbonaventure.net.
FUNDRAISERS 2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast
July 18 Chevron Family Theatre Festival
Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.
A day of affordable, high quality family entertainment. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $5. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
July 18 Dine and Donate
July 21 Summer “Pops” Concert Performed by Walnut Creek Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14-$17. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
July 23, 30 Summer Sounds Outdoor summer concert series. 5:30 – 7 p.m. Outside plaza, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Free. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
July 25 Don Friesen Comedy. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $17-$20. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
July 26 Concert Don Neely and the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
July 26 Ella & Frank Vocalist Mazella Houston pays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Steven Powell remembers Frank Sinatra. 2 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $13-$17. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
July 26, Aug. 8 Belly Dance Performed by Salimpour School. 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
July 30 “Starlight, Starbright” Festival Opera Light performs. 7 p.m. Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. 934-2000.
July 31 “Mission: Improvible” Presented by Trapped in a Rumor Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12-$15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
July 31 – Aug. 2 “H.M.S. Pinafore” One of the most beloved comic operas of all time. Presented by Lamplighters Music Theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $49-$54. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.
Aug. 1 Concert Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra performs. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Aug. 1 “Dog Days of Improv” Presented by Ready or Not Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Aug. 2 Little Joe y La Familia Popular Tex-Mex band. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $30-$45. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Aug. 6 – 16 “The Little Mermaid, Jr.”
Dairy Queen will donate 20 percent of all sales to Relay For Life Clayton. No flier needed; put receipt in Relay bucket. 4463 Clayton Road, Concord. Contact Lorraine at lorraine.henney@comcast.net.
July 25 Baking for a Cure Bake sale for Relay For Life Clayton. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Starbucks, Clayton Station. Contact Michelle Treshler at mrtres94@aol.com or Gigi Pishny at gmpishny@mmm.com to donate baked goods.
Aug. 1 Texas Hold’Em Poker Night Benefits Dana Hills Swim Team. 6 – 10 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Adults only. danahillsotters.com.
Aug. 8 Paint the Town Purple Decorate store fronts on Main Street, Clayton, in purple to raise awareness for Relay For Life Clayton. 9 – 10 a.m. Contact Nancy Salmon at fishsal@pacbell.net.
Aug. 13 Gourmet Gallop Fantastic food and wine walk to benefit Diablo Ballet and its PEEK Youth Outreach Program. 6 – 9 p.m. Check in at Massimo, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $39 by July 31; $45 after. diabloballet.org.
Oct. 17 Auction/Dinner Help the Concord Historical Society complete the Concord Museum and Events Center. 5 – 9 p.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. $50. Call Carole Kelsh at 9348531 for reservations.
AT THE LIBRARY The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call 673-0659. July 13: Hums, Strums and Worldwide Drums, 7 p.m. July 13, 27, Aug. 10: Clayton Knits, 1:30 – 4 p.m. July 13, Aug. 10: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m. July 14: The Art of Henna, 2 p.m. Permission form required. July 14, 21, 28: Teen Book Club, July 14 at 4:30 p.m.; July 21, 28 at 2 p.m. July 15: Top Interviewing Tips, 6:30 p.m. July 16, 23, 30: Read to the Rhythm Fun Days, grades 3 – 5, 2 p.m. Aug. 6: Read to the Rhythm Fun Days, preschool to grade 5, 4 p.m. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or 646-5455. July 10: Reptile Rendezvous, 2 p.m. July 21: Learn to play Minecraft. Register in advance. 3:30 p.m. July 23: Meditation, 6:30 p.m.
GOVERNMENT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, except Aug. 4 Clayton City Council 7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
Presented by Poison Apple Productions. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $22. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Aug. 6 – Sep. 24 General Class Licensing Course Thursdays. Sponsored by The Salvation Army and Mt. Diablo
Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at claytonpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’
July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
A Floral nce Experie
Performing Arts
Summer sizzles on local stages
SALLY HOGARTY
STAGE STRUCK
TODD NORRIS rehearses as Bottom in “A There’s a potpourri of the- Midsummer Night’s Dream” playing July 24-Aug. 2.
ater, comedy and music to choose from this summer, beginning with a wine and cheese fundraiser supporting performances of theatreCORE’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The fundraiser takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. July 11 at Steeltown Coffee and Tea, 695 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg and includes scenes from the show. Full performances of Shakespeare’s comedy take place July 24 through Aug. 2 at Heritage Plaza on Fourth Street in Old Town. Go to www.theatrecore.com for more information. Just down Highway 24, the Orinda Starlight Village Players present “Madness on Madrona Drive,” running July 24through Aug. 15 at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheatre, 28 Orinda Way. The comedy revolves around an eccentric housewife
PCT offers slate of summer classes With summer now in full swing, Pittsburg Community Theatre is preparing to host its second annual Audition Workshop. This multiple-day workshop is designed to teach the basics of auditioning, including proper etiquette, resumes, monologues, cold reads, song selections, dance basics and more. All workshops are being held at the Pittsburg Library Community Room at 80 Power St. in Pittsburg. Two separate sessions are designed to accommodate students ages 7 through 12 years on July 11 and 18. Teens and adults will meet for four sessions on July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1. PCT is also hosting a Young Writers’ Workshop Aug. 10 at the Pittsburg Arts Academy, 351 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pittsburg. Young writers will learn the basics of writing a story and script and these one-acts written will be used in the acting workshop this fall. The Student Director’s Workshop is for teens ages 15through 18 who want to learn all the basics of directing and will direct one of the many one-acts during the fall. The director’s workshops are Aug. 22 and 29 at 75 Atherton Circle in Pittsburg. Call 925-439-PLAY (7529) for times and to reserve your seat for any of these workshops. A donation of $5 (or more if you like) for each session is appreciated but not required. Also, PCT will hold an Ice Cream Social Season Kick-off and Fundraiser to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 at Church of the Good Shepherd Hall, 3200 Harbor St. in Pittsburg. Tickets are available for $10 through Eventbrite.com or at the Railroad Book Depot. For more information regarding all these events at PCT, visit www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org or call 925-439-7529.
THEATRECORE:
whose new neighbor is a wellknown racketeer. When she finds herself held hostage by people attempting to bomb said neighbor’s house, chaos ensues. The show runs at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with a Sunday matinee at 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 and a Thursday show at 8 p.m. on Aug. 13. For tickets, call 925-528-9225. Patrons are encouraged to come early and enjoy a picnic in the park prior to the show. Be sure and dress in layers as warm days often give way to cool evenings in Orinda. At the Lesher. Improv comedy reigns at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center when “Improv Vacation” plays at 8:15 p.m. on July 11. At 8 p.m. on July 25, Don Friesen’s smart, savvy and highly-caffeinated comedy takes over Pittsburg’s California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave. Music lovers have the Lesher Center’s free outdoor concerts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Look for the eclectic sounds of the Anderson and Roe Piano Duo on July 23 and the rock and country tunes of the Mic Gillette Band on July 30. For those into big band beats, try “Ella and Frank” at 2 p.m. on July 26 at the California Theatre, where Mazella Houston and Steven Powell will bring back the sounds of two great vocalists. The Chevron Family Theatre Festival returns to the Lesher Center on July 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of non-stop theater, dance and musical performances. Popovich Comedy Pet Theater returns along with Alex Ramon Magic, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Na Mamo No’eau Polynesian dancers,
San Jose Taiko Drummers and more. Youngsters can also create their own puppets and have their faces painted. For more information on the above shows at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org. For those events at Pittsburg’s California Theatre, call 925-4271611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. Casting Call. Calling all actors who love a good comedy. Pittsburg Community Theatre is auditioning for Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo.” The story of former Broadway actors George and Charlotte Hay, who now run a
second-rate repertory company, includes such fun characters as Charlotte’s slightly deaf mother, an uptight boyfriend and a pregnant ingénue. The repertory company’s performances of “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” makes for fun costume changes and opportunities for creative enhancement. Auditions take place Aug. 1 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.); Aug. 2 (2 to 4 p.m.); and Aug. 3 (7 to 9 p.m.). Callbacks are Aug. 4 (7 to 9 p.m.). Director Barbara Halperin-Jacobs requests actors prepare to read from the script. Auditions take place at Community Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Leland Rd., in Pittsburg. Performances will be Oct. 9 through 11 at Pittsburg’s California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave. For more information, go to www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org. Door slamming ability a plus. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is also the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com
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POPOVICH AND FRIENDS from his Comedy Pet Theatre will perform at the Chevron Family Theatre Festival.
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Diablo Ballet gives at-risk kids a lift Outdoor Living Begins Here Diablo Ballet recently received a $10,500 grant, one of only eight organizations in California that will receive funds to provide arts programs benefiting at-risk youth. The grant is through the California Arts Council’s pilot competitive program, Juveniles Utilizing Massive Potential Starting with Arts (JUMP StArts). Diablo Ballet will partner with Mt. McKinley School in Martinez for three months to work with their at-risk incarcerated
Photo Bérenger Zyla
Dancers Amanda Farris and Christian Squires, Power of Dance
youth. The CAC awards more than $200,000 to support high-quality arts education programs within the juvenile justice system. Now in its second year, JUMP StArts supports arts education and artist-in-residence programs for at-risk youth within the jurisdiction of California’s juvenile justice system in the classroom, after-school or in incarceration settings. “I am so honored that we were one of eight organizations chosen for this special grant,” says Lauren Jonas, Diablo Ballet’s artistic director and co-founder. “Working in a juvenile facility with the ballet’s PEEK Outreach Extension has always been a wish of mine.” Based on State Board of Education standards, Diablo Ballet’s PEEK provides in-school movement curriculum and free dance performances to diverse, under-served children. Since 1995, PEEK has reached more than 65,000 under-served Bay Area students and is endorsed by the California Arts Council’s Artists in Schools Program. It’s also supported by federal and state policy makers, including Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, who commended Diablo Ballet for, “successfully imparting to young people the incomparable experience of live performance, inspiring them to become actively involved in all that life has to offer.” “This continued investment in California’s at-risk youth will greatly benefit our state’s most vulnerable young people and our communities,” said Craig Watson, director of the California Arts Council. “Research from the National Endowment for the Arts confirms that the arts are a successful tool in redirecting at-risk youth. At-risk students with access to the arts tend to have higher career goals, better workforce opportunities, better academic results, and increased civic engagement.”
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
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packer spread E.coli in ground beef, the restaurant worker spread staph by failing to wash LINDA WYNER hands after using the bathFOOD FOR THOUGHT room, or the family member cut up fresh veggies for a salad In this column, I mostly on the same cutting board or talk about foods — their histo- with the same knife they sliced ry, a little trivia and some raw chicken for dinner. advice on how to use them. THE DANGER ZONE But today I turn to a topic that Another significant source deserves your serious attenof contamination comes from tion: Food safety improper food temperatures. According to the U.S. Cold foods need to be kept at Department of Agriculture, 40-degrees or lower, while preone in six Americans will conpared hot foods need to stay tract some form of food poiabove 140-degrees (safe cooksoning this year, more than ing temperatures of raw foods 125,000 people will be hospimay be higher). In between talized with serious effects, and those numbers, it’s a danger some 3,000 folks will perish. zone where bacteria quickly Most of the bacteria, virusmultiply. es, parasites, molds and toxins A rule of thumb is that come onto our plates from food should pass through the improper food handling. Perdanger zone in fewer than two haps the grower contaminated hours. Roast a chicken? produce with unclean water Remove leftover meat from the laden with listeria, the meat bones and refrigerate within
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two hours of taking it out of the oven. (If you’re saving the bones for soup, great… but refrigerate or freeze them as soon as possible, too.) Making potato salad with hard-cooked eggs and some mayo for a picnic? Don’t let it sit out for more than two hours — and if at all possible, transport it in a chilled container. There are hundreds of actions you can take to make your food safer, but I’ll list a few of the major ones here. Get a good food thermometer and use it (digital is easy to read and more precise than an analog one). Wash your hands before food preparation and after handling raw proteins (such as meats, cheeses, fish) with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer might be effective — but soap and water is a better defense. Don’t rinse raw meat. Lots of folks run water over raw chicken, beef cuts, etc., but you risk putting bacteria out into the air or having it land on surfaces that aren’t cleaned — or even on raw foods near the sink. Cook foods to proper temperatures — such as 165degrees for ground meat and chicken. Be cautious of undercooked eggs, rare beef and raw fish. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or a sealed bag in cold water. If you use a microwave to thaw foods,
cook them immediately because they will be in the temperature “danger zone.” Don’t consume foods past their expiration date, and discard cans with bulging lids or jars with “popped” tops or cracks. Be particularly mindful of safe food handling if caring for the elderly or people with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems. CANNED GOODS Summer canning season is here — be sure to properly process low-acid foods (like tomatoes) to avoid bacterial growth, especially botulism. There are so many reliable ways to protect you and your family from food poisoning, and I encourage you to look further into this topic. You’ll find more food safety guidelines online (like at www.foodsafety.gov) and in your local library. Linda Wyner owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Send suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
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Go crazy for corn this summer DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Sweet yellow, white and bicolor corn is the star of summer picnics and barbecues. There’s nothing better than sitting down to a big crisp ear of sweet summer corn on the cob. Grilled or boiled, corn on the cob is a real treat that’s hard to top for flavor, freshness and just plain deliciousness. Corn is now available at your local farmers’ market through early August. Corn has a long and varied history and it wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the humans who developed it. Corn as we know it does not grow in the wild. It was developed from a grass called teosinte. Most people think of corn as a vegetable, but it’s really a grain. Scientists believe that corn was developed by the native peoples liv-
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ing in central Mexico more than 7,000 years ago. Also known as maize, the natives throughout North and South America eventually depended on maize for most of their diet. Corn spread throughout the Americas and was discovered by explorers from Europe who had never seen corn. There are numerous varieties of cultivated corn now. The Bay Area is known for sweet Brentwood corn, some
of the best and sweetest corn available. This year corn arrived early because of the drought and the warm weather, but the flavor is still amazing. Grill, roast, boil – whatever you do, get your hands on some Brentwood corn and enjoy its crisp, sweet flavor. This recipe is a favorite with farmers market customers who come by the info booth to pick up some of the fresh and simple recipes we offer.
GRILLED CORN WITH CHIPOTLE LIME BUTTER 4 ears fresh corn, husked 2 Tbsp. butter, softened 1/4 tsp. freshly grated lime zest 1 tsp. lime juice 1/2 tsp. minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce plus 1/4 tsp. adobo sauce, or 1/4 tsp. ground chipotle pepper 1/2 tsp. kosher salt Preheat grill to high. Wrap each ear in foil. Place on grill and cook, turning frequently for 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and let stand in foil while preparing butter. Combine butter, lime zest, lime juice, chipotle chile in adobo sauce, (or ground chipotle pepper) and salt. Carefully unwrap the corn and serve with the butter.
Mt. Diablo's colorful name history ARVIN BOLEN Special to the Pioneer
I think most people who either live in or grew up in the “shadow of the mountain” — Mt. Diablo, that is — know one or more of the legends of how the mountain got its name. There are many legends about the origin that translates from Spanish, “Devil Mountain.” The Native Americans named the mountain “Kah Woo Koom,” that translates, “Laughing Mountain” or “Everywhere Seen.” One of the more plausible legends is the mistranslation of “Monte Diablo” by the early English speaking Easterners arriving here. Monte as used then in Spanish meant woods or thicket of trees. In about 1804 a
military contingent from the San Francisco Presidio was chasing some runaway Indians from a mission and surrounded them in a willow thicket where Buchanan Field is today. During the night the natives escaped and sought refuge on the mountain. The next morning the military men realizing they were gone, called the site “Monte del Diablo” or “Thicket of the Devil.” In 1865/1866 there was an attempt by a group living at the base of the mountain to change the name back to the Indian name, but the California Legislature defeated that. The group complained that “Devil” was too harsh for such a beautiful mountain. There are many other legends out there and in some cases just as plausible. One very interesting legend was
told by novelist Bret Harte. He tells a story about Father Jose Antonio Haro while kneeling in deep prayer on the mountain, encountered a spirit that sat in front of him and was wearing a big sombrero. After some disagreement the spirit roughed him up. His Muleteer, named Ignacio, found him in bad shape. Father Jose thought it was the devil; Ignacio said it was a bear. Maybe Ignacio
should have checked to see what Padre Jose was smoking. However it came about, our Devil of a Mountain will always be known as Mt. Diablo. Arvin Bolen grew up in Concord, graduating from Mt. Diablo High in 1956. He is a member of the Concord Grove Druids, the Concord Historical Society and the Concord Bocce Federation. Contact him at arvin.ann@live.com.
July 10, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 19
Furniture: It’s what’s inside that counts JENNIFER LEISCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR After a long summer day, at work or play, there’s nothing better than coming home to a perfect interior temperature of 68 degrees, wispy window treatments keeping out the late afternoon sunshine, and nestling into that perfect spot on your family room sofa. You know the spot. The “most comfortable” seat cushion out of the three that you’re continually flipping and fluffing to keep the interior foam perfectly centered within the cover and the down and feather envelope evenly distributed around the foam. There’s more to upholstered furniture than meets the eye. Yes, it’s fun to get caught up in the visual details like a run of distressed nail heads along the perimeter base, a
stylish sloping arm or classic tailored skirt, but these decorative accents do not add to the comfort level. Understanding the interior, or hidden ingredients, of an upholstered piece of furniture is necessary when you are on the search for something new. HARDWOOD FRAME The interior frame of an upholstered sofa or chair is the first step of finding a piece of furniture that makes you happy. The design of the upholstered piece is aesthetically important, but if you’re interested in the comfort aspect, there are a few framing notes you should consider. Upholstered seating can have a straight back or slightly reclined back for a deeper seat. The frame size is definitely something to acknowledge, as is the height of the back, depending on whether or not you’d prefer
a higher back to rest your head. Sofa or chair arms can sit low at seat cushion level or sit a little higher to give you a perfect perch for your arms (or legs) and when you are moving from a sitting to standing position.
ful of densities, from super soft to extremely firm. Seat cushions should have a more firm density due to the fact that these cushions take the brunt of daily wear and tear. You want to feel comfortable while seated, but you also don’t want to feel like you’ve fallen into a hole that you can’t escape. Back cushions should feel supportive. When selecting furniture, take your time sitting in everything. Test out seating you don’t necessarily have an interest in just so you can experience what the seat and back cushions feel like. This homework will help you make an informed final purchase.
DACRON VS. DOWN & FEATHER When you see a seat or back cushion that has a “dare FOAM to smoosh me” welcoming Most interior bodies of seat thickness, what you are seeing and back cushions are made of is really an envelope of fill foam. Foam comes in a hand-
padded around the cut foam. The fill is the softness or loft that gives a cushion an inviting, full shape. A down and feather blend is always priced a little higher because they are natural fibers. Dacron is a synthetic fiber that holds its shape well. Both fills are very common in upholstered pieces. Regardless
of fill choice, seat and back cushions should be flipped often to maintain their structure and appearance. Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.
Schaefer’s PAINTING
Summ er Sp ecial %
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any exter interior or ior pa int jo ment ion b this a d
Sheetrock, Texture Cabinet Refinishing
Interior & Exterior Popcorn Ceilings
Bryan Schaefer Clayton Resident License #708321
(925) 260-6065
Family Trade since 1936
Rochellez
Let your scarf do the talking
I have an obsession. I can’t walk by a counter displaying beautiful scarves without stopping to touch and drink in the luxurious feel of the things. I don’t remember when this love affair started. Perhaps it was during my first to Africa when I stopped off in London and noticed fashionable women sitting in cafes, engaged in conversation, and looking so chic. Then, while travelling in Africa, I kept seeing the most amazing textiles and incredible handmade scarves. This past April, my husband, Jerry, and I visited Italy and scarves were everywhere. Needless to say, my suitcase was completely stuffed with scarves, but this time not just for me. Jerry actually purchased a couple as well. Men started wearing scarves in ancient Rome. During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Cheng used scarves to identify the rank of warriors, and this practice continued throughout history. When women finally began wearing scarves in the early 19th century, they became a real fashion accesso-
ry for both men and women. There is a scarf for everyone and a scarf for every season and occasion. I always travel with a very large scarf on long airplane flights. Let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t want to chat with the person next to you. So, hide under your beautiful scarf and pretend you are sleeping. How does the addition of a simple scarf change an outfit? Think of the clean, crisp, look of a white cotton shirt paired with a perfectly patterned light-weight scarf. This simple addition completely changes the look of your outfit. Scarves come in all shapes and sizes — light and breezy silk, cotton and modal for spring and summer, and chunky knits and textures for the fall and winter. If your outfit is made up of solid colors, choose a printed scarf; while a print outfit is best with a solid color scarf. The most versatile scarves are either square or rectangle. A rectangular scarf is easier to tie, but with a little practice, you’ll find the more versatile
square will allow you more options. There are as many ways to tie a scarf as there are days in the year. For the most part, however, there are four to five basic ways to go. Play, have fun, and choose which works for you: Use a rectangle or square – just fold the square into a rectangle before you start, then tie the corners behind your neck and presto, you’ll look marvelous. A scarf can be used as a top, if it’s large enough. Tie the corners behind your neck and waist – it can look amazing. Turn your scarf into a dress or sarong. The bigger the scarf, the longer the dress or sarong. Talk about a great way to accessorize at the beach – a cover up by day and a dress by night. How about a vest or a kimono? If your scarves are big enough, it’s amazing the things you can do with them by turning them into a piece of clothing. Consider adding a pop of color to your handbag by tying a scarf to your handles. Wear the scarf as a belt, tie it around your head or onto your hat, or even tie it into a hobo-style handbag. To view great ways to wear scarves, go to YouTube and search “scarves”. There are so many videos that will show you various ways to use the scarves that you have no idea what to do with. Please share with me your favorite way of wearing your scarves. Send me a picture to my email! I hope, when you’re running around town, you’ll take notice of the women sporting a scarf and begin to think of the endless possibilities. They can easily and affordably take your look from ordinary to extraordinary.
Photography rochellez@live.com 510-677-4170
SUSAN SAPPINGTON
CLOTHES-UP Susan Sappington is a wardrobe consultant the area development manager for EtCetera Styles. Send comments to susan@etcstyles.com
PORTRAITS - PARTIES - EVENTS Digital Enhancements - Custom Creations
www.Rochellezphotography.webs.com
COMING SOON
5111 Paul Scarlet Dr. Concord
Call for price
6 Bed, 3 Bath, Approx. 2631 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
Rula Masannat Sales Agent
PENDING
DRE# 01923757
2090 Ricardo Dr.
$469,950
415-310-2905 rulawithmazzei@yahoo.com
3 Bed, 2 Bath, Approx. 1214 sq.ft. Listing agent: Paula Johnstone
5884 Caulfield Dr. Clayton
$669,000
3 Bed, 2 Bath, Approx. 1658 sq.ft. Listing agent: Rula Masannat
3603 Coyote Cir. Clayton
$425,000
2 Bed, 2.5 Bath, Approx. 1252 sq.ft.
Paula Johnstone Broker Associate DRE# 00797857
925-381-8810 heypaula10@gmail.com
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
1041 Feather Cir. Clayton
$674,900
3 Bath, 2.5 Bath, Approx. 1886 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
Captain Grammar Pants
Sean Williams is a professor of ethnomusicology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. She is currently working on a Captain Grammar Pants book. Follow her regular postings on Facebook.
Rochelle Douglass OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER
The world is your stage
The noun IDEA and the adjective IDEAL both stem from the Greek concept of seeing a form or pattern. An idea carries with it the sense of perfect prototype; it exists in thought only. When something is ideal, it is based on the perfection of that prototype. To IDEALIZE is to imagine that something matches one’s expectations of perfection, with the understanding that the reality will fall short. IDEOLOGY (Greek, “discourse of ideas”) refers to the way in which an individual or community thinks, senses, and reacts. The ideology of grammarians idealizes ideal ways of expressing ideas.
•Affordable •Fun •Professional •Quality
379 Blue Oak Ln. Clayton
$899,000
DRE# 01881269
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
mazzeirealty.net Clayton residents since 1959
925-693-0757 (Main)
Matt Mazzei, Jr. Broker/Owner
5 Bed, 3.5 Bath, Approx. 3454 sq.ft.
925-766-6745 mazzeirealty@yahoo.com
6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton
925-693-0752 (Fax)
Page 20
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
July 10, 2015
When agapanthus blooms, you know it must be July
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL In the month of July the agapanthus begins to bloom. It is perfect timing since the flowers of the agapanthus look like fireworks in the sky. Agapanthus blooms are round shaped clusters of tubular or bell-shaped flowers that stand on sturdy stalks. Agapanthus used to be widely planted, and then suddenly fell out of favor along with oleander and juniper. Recently, hybridizers have been spending some time developing agapanthus, creating bolder colors, eliminating unsightly seed pods, and
focusing on winter hardiness. The hard work has paid off, and now several awesome agapanthus are available for those garden lovers that desire hardy foundation plants in their landscapes. Storm Cloud agapanthus was the first on the scene to command our attention. Storm Cloud has wide, strappy foliage that arches out of the crown of the plant and point back down to the ground. The foliage can mound anywhere from twoto three-feet tall and wide. Substantial stalks stand twoto three-feet above the foliage, holding large clusters of deep violet, tubular shaped flowers. Storm Cloud agapanthus will flower from July through August. You can encourage extended flowering by removing fading flowers. Mood Indigo is another dramatic selection of agapanthus. Dark purple flowers stand over medium green strap-like foliage. Flower clusters are four- to five-inches wide, and are extremely hummingbird attractive. This
selection of agapanthus is Agapanthus make great border of agapanthus planted deciduous, which means in companion plants to spring beneath tulip magnolia or the winter months the foliage blooming ornamental trees. A flowering cherry trees would goes to sleep until spring arrives. Agapanthus Purple Storm is an offspring of Storm Cloud. This selection was developed for the folks who are passionate about purple. Purple Storm shares all the same growth habits of its predecessor, yet flowers a perfect shade of purple. Little White Bird is a new variety of agapanthus to consider. The foliage of this selection is cream with a green margin. The flowers are clusters of white. Little White Bird would be lovely planted along a walkway, as its mature growth is compact. Plants are expected to reach 18-inches tall and wide. Once established, agapanthus are drought-tolerant. They can handle full to partial sun. If given too little sun, agapanthus will reach towards the light. Planting and caring for agapanthus is easy, as they require next to accentgardendesigns.com AGAPANTHUS nothing to keep them happy.
extend your flowering seasons in that area. If you have red foliage trees such as Japanese Maple or Smoke Bushes, consider adding Storm Cloud agapanthus to the collection. The dark violet color of the flower contrasts nicely with the red leaves of the other plants. Agapanthus also do well in large containers. The straplike foliage provides yearround interest and when the plants flower you will be delighted. Agapanthus benefit from a dose of spring time fertilizer. Anything multi-purpose will do. Occasionally their foliage can house snails and slugs, so be on the lookout if you see holes in the leaves. The good thing about agapanthus is that they are tried and true. You know what to expect from them, and their new colors make them more desirable in the landscape. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contact her with questions or comments at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
Clayton 4th of July celebration
Tammy Demler
Tammy Demler
Photos top row: The preferred mode of transport in the Kiddie Parade was the bicycle, but there kids in cars, on scooters, even jumping down Main on a pogo stick; Julie Aguilar sang the Star Spangled Banner; CVCHS Marching Band; Above from left: That’s Clayton’s first mayor, Bob Hoyer’s hand waving to the crowd from the back of a vintage Model A Ford, Councilmember Keith Haydon and wife Cindy; Kids ride high on Waraner Bros. Tree Service truck, Councilwoman Julie Pierce and grandson Gavin; Parade announcer Cw Wolfe (second from left) with wife Punz (far left), Clayton Pioneer publisher Tamara Steiner and parade coordinator Sandy Johnson; Far left, seniors enjoy the parade from the CBCAprovided shade tent.