Creekside Arts Celebration
see page A3
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MARCH 10, 2006
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Loaves and Fishes feeds the hungry DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER You’ve got questions? The mayor, NOT his wife, has the answers First things first: Is your blue garbage can smaller than your brown can? Is your neighbor’s? If it is, you better get moving on recycling. We need more than lip service, or the state will mandate that we take stronger measures to reduce our garbage/recycling ratio. Now, on to better things. My wife Shelly makes a big sacrifice for my public service. There are many days and nights that I am not home with her and the kids, since I am out doing city stuff. In addition, she is around town during the day while I am off at my other job. So, she is the one who gets all the questions about what is going on in the city from friends, neighbors, strangers, aliens (OK, maybe a stretch but the way she describes some of these encounters leaves me wondering). In honor of the love of my life, here are the top seven questions (I don’t have space for 10) asked of her, and my answers, David Letterman style. No. 7: What is going on with the Village Market? We just met with the owner, Sam Sandhu, last week. The city approved his plans in January, and he is currently going through the approval process with the county and the fire district. We all hope that he will be building/remodeling in a few months. No. 6: Isn’t it great we have a new Pick Up Stix in town? Though the food is good there, this fine establishment is in Concord as is the rest of the Yard Birds shopping center and the Shell Station on the corner.
See Mayor, page A3
What’s inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2 Classifieds and Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 Minding Your Business . . .A8 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . .A9 School News . . . . . . . . . . . .A9 EcoFocus . . . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Sharing History . . . . . . . .A12 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . .A13
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
LUNCH AT ST. MICHAELS AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH in Concord is only one of nearly 2.8 million meals a year served to to the hungry by Loaves and Fishes. BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer
The mission is simple: If you are hungry, we will feed you. No questions asked. “Our places are open to anybody,” says Rick Richardson, executive director of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa. “Even if they can financially afford to eat somewhere else, we’re here for them. They are coming here for a reason.” And like the Biblical miracle, the group’s efforts just keep
multiplying. The non-profit organization was launched in Pittsburg in 1983. The first day, 26 meals were served. The group will soon reach the 2.8 million mark, providing lunch Monday through Friday at facilities in Antioch, Bay Point, Concord, Martinez, Oakley and Pittsburg. As Loaves expanded, paid staff was added. Now, a chef runs a catering kitchen and each dining room has a manager. But the 1,000-plus volunteers are the soul of the organization, con-
VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION A contingent from St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church cooks and serves spaghetti the first Friday of each month at the Concord dining hall. Claire Mittone of Clayton has been volunteering with Loaves for 18 years. Her hus-
band Dick began helping out after he retired five years ago. Although Claire recognizes faces among the diners, there isn’t time for socializing. “You could join them if you wanted to, but I’m too busy serving,” she says. “Many come back two or three times. This one fella comes back seven times – I don’t know where he puts it all.” Charlotte Simmons of Clayton also began helping at Loaves after retirement. “I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping other peo-
Decoy patrol cars help keep drivers honest BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer
As cars cruise down one of Clayton’s main streets, a driver in the front of the pack spots a patrol car lurking in the bushes. The driver quickly brakes and those behind follow suit. Soon, everyone is driving a little slower. A few drivers may even remember to fasten their seatbelts. Upon closer inspection, however, drivers notice that the patrol car is empty. And a few
recall that it was sitting in that very same spot hours earlier. But according to Clayton Police Chief Dan Lawrence, the decoy car has done its job of slowing down the traffic. Lawrence launched the decoy car program last fall, a few weeks after joining the Clayton force. He led a similar program during his last assignment, with the city of Orinda. There, the decoy cars were placed in downtown locations to thwart bank robberies. In Clayton, however, the
SECTION B Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Community Calendar . . . . .B4 Music Notes . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Letters to the Editor . . . . .B6 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . . . .B6 Church News . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Dining Around . . . . . . . . . .B8 Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . .B8 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . .B9 Food For Thought . . . . . .B10
tributing more than 50,000 hours a year. “The volunteers are one of the nicest things about Loaves and Fishes,” Richardson says, noting that they are conscientious and reliable.
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer POLICE CHIEF uses strategically placed decoy cars to slow traffic.
main purpose is traffic calming. “The goal is to educate the community and help slow them down. Visitors and residents alike speed through our town,” notes Lawrence. The patrol car is placed in strategic locations throughout town on weekdays. The kicker, though, is that sometimes the car isn’t empty. “It works when an officer comes back a few days later with a radar gun. It blows people away when they actually see an officer sitting there,” says Lawrence, noting that the speeding ticket “has lasting results.” “We have heard of people being caught and telling the officer they thought it was just a decoy,” says Mayor Dave Shuey, “so the chief is doing an excellent job of rotating decoys and regular officers.” Lawrence believes the program helps keep speeding under control, and positive comments from residents support that theory. “They say it’s a great idea – keep it up,” he reports. He calls the city’s new,
updated patrol cars a key factor. “The City Council took the leap and allowed us to change the cars to a more contemporary style,” says Lawrence. “It helps the decoy program out because they are more highly visible from a distance.” Shuey says the council also is pleased with the program. “We have all noticed the impact the decoys have on traffic, noticeably slowing down cars. In some cases, it is almost comical to see the drastic reduction in speed,” says the mayor. “You couple this with putting actual police in the cars at times to keep people honest, and it is just a great idea to help keep speed down.” Because of the small size of the Clayton force, there isn’t a traffic enforcement officer. It is part of each officer’s duty to monitor traffic while on patrol. “Our high level of presence in the community helps prevent criminal activity and helps slow the traffic down,” the chief says. “The decoy program is just one more tool to slow the traffic down as people drive through our area.”
ple. These people need food, and they are very grateful,” she says. Simmons enjoys the time spent with her fellow St. Bonaventure parishioners. “It’s a nice group of people to work with. We have a good camaraderie.” She notes that the Friday lunch at which she volunteers is very important to the crowd, because meals aren’t offered on weekends.
See Loaves, page A4
Cities work toward a disaster plan TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
What happens if there’s a major quake on the Hayward fault? A levee break in the Delta? A wildfire in the Diablo foothills? Are the local governments and agencies prepared to handle evacuation? Provide shelter? Will the various law enforcement agencies, fire departments and rescue personnel be able to talk to each other to coordinate relief efforts after a terrorist attack or major flood? These and other disaster preparedness questions were on the table at the Mayor’s Conference at Oakhurst Country Club last week when Chris Boyer, Senior Emergency Planning Coordinator with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff addressed the mayors of the county’s 19 cities. Federal law requires that every city have a comprehensive
See Disaster, page A3
Page A2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Around Town French class celebrates Fat Tuesday The Mardi Gras celebration is one of the annual highlights of Mrs. Melvia Chang’s French 1A class at Diablo View Middle School. Each year the students learn about the traditions of Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French. This year, Mrs. Katie Comeaux, the school librarian, visited the class to talk about the history of the festivities and share her parade experiences as a native of New Orleans. On Mardi Gras, which took place Feb. 28 this year, Mrs. Chang’s students participated in a toss of bead necklaces while calling out the traditional “Throw me something, Mister,” like they do at the parades in New Orleans. Then, they displayed their mask creations in a Parade of Masks judged by school personnel. “Judging the masks and selecting winners is always difficult because of the wonderful job done by all the students,” said Mrs. Chang.
Pictured clockwise from left are this year’s winners with their teacher: Sierra Andrus for Most Attractive, Mrs. Chang, Kendall Brescia for Most Outstanding, Mitch D’Angina for Most Humorous, Joe O’Leary for Most Original and Richard Ahlgren for Most Creative.
Chili time at the Clayton Club Saloon It was a hot time in the old town on Sunday, Feb. 25 when more than 150 chili lovers gathered at the Clayton Club Saloon to cheer for the 17 participants in the second annual Clayton Chili Cook-off. Owners Darrell and Kim Young, owners of the historic Clayton Club Saloon, sponsored the contest, which was judged by Mayor Dave Shuey, Councilmember Gregg Manning, Clayton Pioneer Publisher Bob Steiner and long time Clayton Club customer, Bill Hadley. After sampling each entry (it was a tough job but somebody had to do it) the judges, with broad smiles and tears streaming down their cheeks, declared the winners. Buzz Young walked away with first prize and a check for $500 and Jim Dial and Ken Hiscox captured second and third place. After the winners were announced, the spectators devoured the contents of the
Blue Ribbon Landscape Committee honored
Blue Ribbon Task Force members: Mayor David Shuey, Council Member Gregg Manning, Linda Pinder, Bob Hoyer, Dan Richardson, Memory Woodard and Bill Vineyard.
Members of the Blue Ribbon Landscape Maintenance Committee were honored by the City Council for their work in researching and analyzing the city’s landscape maintenance needs. Meeting sometimes twice a month for two years, the committee gathered information from other cities, met with the City’s maintenance crew, studied irrigation systems, researched costs and came up with a desired standard of landscape care for the City.
First prize winner Buzz Young shows off his ribbon and $500 check.
Pete Cruz/Clayton Pioneer
Judges Gregg Manning, Bob Steiner, Dave Shuey and Bill Hadley.
crock-pots, which held a variety of “secret recipes.” “Mine ain’t secret,” said the
first place winner, happy to share his prize-winning recipe. “Here it is.”
Clayton Club’s First Place Chili
1 ½ lbs pork roast cut into chunks 1 lb London Broil cut into chunks 2 large white onions, chopped 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 Tblsp. extra virgin olive oil Brown meat and onions all together in a skillet. When the meat and onions are good a brown, transfer to crockpot. Don’t drain. Add to crock pot 1 green bell pepper chopped 1 red bell pepper chopped 1 20 oz can of diced tomatoes, not drained 1 14 ½ oz can, S and W ready cut tomatoes with green chiles 1 14 ½ oz diced tomatoes, S and W Zesty mild with green chiles 1 10 oz. can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles 5 slices jalapeno pepper (about two peppers) 1 pkg of McCormick taco seasoning mix 1 tsp cumin 1 ½ tsp chili powder 1 tsp Worchestershire Sauce 1 16 oz jar Pace Picante Sauce, hot Dash of Italian Seasoning 1 can Coor’s Light Beer Mix it all up and let it cook on medium for about 3 or 4 hours. Then turn crock-pot to warm and cook overnight.
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March 10, 2006
Carol Putman exhibits in Murphys Clayton artist, Carol Putman, will be showing two paintings, “White-Faced Steer At Dry Creek I” and “Flowers In A White Pitcher,” at the Ninth Annual Spring Obsession exhibit which opened Mar. 4, and runs through May 14, at Ironstone Vineyards in the picturesque, gold rush-era community of Murphys.
Carol Putman’s painting “Flowers in a White Pitcher” will be on display until Mar. 14
“A Spring Obsession,” celebrates the release of Ironstone’s internationally recognized Symphony “Obsession” wine and includes a juried art show and competition, professional chef ’s competition, performances by local musicians and the opening of the Northern California Daffodil Societies show with over 500,000 daffodils in bloom at the Vineyards. Further information may be obtained from the Events section of the Ironstone Vineyards Website at www.ironstonevineyards.com
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page A3
Creekside Arts Celebration
Disaster,
from page A1
1
4
2
5
3
Despite threatening clouds, hundreds turned out for the annual Arts Celebration to mark the twelfth birthday of the Clayton Library last weekend. More than 40 artists, artisans, performers and environmental awareness groups were on hand to exhibit and demonstrate their art and wildlife.
Mayor, from page A1 So, enjoy the food there on occasion and remember to visit our restaurants regularly. No. 5: What else is going on at the Yard Birds center? There’s going to be a bigger Guadalajara Grill and a bunch of other stuff. But stop bothering my wife about this. As I said, it’s in Concord. For more information, call the husband of the mayor of Concord. No. 4: How do you know if
a street is in Clayton or Concord? Many people don’t realize that Clayton streets signs are brown, while Concord’s signs are green. So when you drive down Clayton Road, you can tell where you are by the sign colors. No. 3: Is Shoe really as great a guy as he appears to be? Or, is Shoe really a saint? Stop laughing. I mean it. Stop it right now.
Taking center stage for the weekend was the Eurasian Eagle Owl (pictured above) brought by Native Bird Connections, an organization that cares for injured birds that cannot be released into the wild. For more information on Creekside Arts, Association, call Arlene KikkawaNielsen, 673-9777.
Pictured are 1. Likha Coco Philippine dancers; 2. Clayton potter Lois Andreotti; 3. Clayton’s Vintage Harmonic Trio Santiago Martinez, Joyce Novicky-Martinez and Roxann Pardi ; 4. Woodworker Bill Tarleton and 5. Guatamalan weaver Ailo Gray. Photos 1 and 3, courtesy of Dave Atkinson; Other photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer.
No. 2: Now that Shoe is mayor, will he quit his job? Now I am laughing. Clayton City Council members get a small stipend each month. Most months, it amounts to pennies an hour. We are not complaining; we don’t do it for the money. It is all about the power we have over your lives. Wait, sorry. I meant we do it because we want to help. And the No. 1 question asked of Shelly when she answers the phone: Hello, is this Rhonda? Rhonda Basore is our city
clerk (and a wonderful person). When people call for me at City Hall, it is automatically rolled over to my home line. This can cause some confusion when Shelly answers the phone, because people assume she works for the city. So when you call for me, say hi to Shelly. In closing, and in honor of my wife’s sacrifices, remember the old saying: No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes. Email your thoughts and questions to shuey@rankinlaw.com.
emergency plan in place by October 2007 or risk losing out on federal implementation grant money. To avoid duplication of efforts and costs and to maximize resources, disaster planners from the cities want to craft a single, integrated emergency plan that each city can customize to fit their own situation. The cities will be working with a disaster planner from the Sheriff ’s office to coordinate the process. “Because of the changes the federal government is requiring, it makes sense for the cities to move cooperatively to reduce duplication,” said Boyer. “We want to work on a coordinated plan and leverage not having to duplicate efforts.” Clayton Councilwoman, Julie Pierce, is enthusiastic about the process, “I think the whole idea of doing this cooperatively and collaboratively is exciting,” she said. “It’s good public policy.” Any workable plan will have to address two critical areas, said Boyer. “First, we have to have interoperable communications. This means radio communication where, for instance, law enforcement can talk on the same channel and public works can talk on the same channel with a dispatch center to make triage decisions. It’s really a complex issue.” “Secondly,” said Boyer, “we have to have an agreed upon plan that we can expect each other to rely on—a checklist so that everyone knows who does what and where everything is.” Once the cities have agreed on a plan, they will submit it to the County which will be collecting emergency plans from all of the agencies required to have one. Each county will prioritize its needs and put together a request for federal grant money to implement. Grants will he based on need and vulnerability to potential disaster situations.
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Page A4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Loaves, from page A1 Gary Mann guides the rotating groups of volunteers at the Concord facility, where he has been dining room manager for seven years. “Each group puts in its own little effort. Some bring white tablecloths,” he notes. “The groups really like to put out a good meal. They pride themselves with that.” EVERYONE SHOWS RESPECT On a recent Wednesday, a handful of volunteers from Queen of All Saints in Concord are preparing the food. As they put the finishing touches on the meal, small groups of diners wait quietly outside St. Michaels and All Angels Church in the bright sunshine. When the doors open at 11 a.m., some quickly line up for lunch. Others head for the free bread line or to the stage to browse through donated clothing items. “If they come in with wet socks, I make sure they have dry ones,” says Mann. The room is quiet, but the servers greet each client warmly as they hand over trays of steaming chicken soup. “Most of the time, the clients are self-policing, because they don’t want to screw it up,” says Richardson. “If someone starts acting up, they try to calm him down.” Over the years, however, there have been some complaints from neighbors. Loaves now pays for security guards at the Martinez and Concord facilities. “It’s a pretty good group of people,” says Mann. “All in all, they know this is neutral ground.” The meal count is up to nearly 300 a day in Concord. “Concord is pretty blessed. We’re putting out a lot of meals,” Mann says with quiet pride.
While some of the clients are homeless, many are what Richardson calls “the working poor.”
some food is prepared on-site, the catering kitchen in Pittsburg provides centralized distribution. “Each site cooked its own food at first,” says Richardson. “The variety was not great. They couldn’t cook things like chicken
March 10, 2006
Loaves and Fishes with 255,268 pounds of food in 2005. “They are a strong partner, in terms of getting food to the people who need it,” says Lindsay Johnson, program director for the Food Bank. Campbell is clearly grateful
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
VOLUNTEERS FROM ST. BONAVENTURE’S CHURCH cook and serve lunch on Fridays at St. Michaels and All Angels Church. Pictured are Arley McVitty, Phil Lamoureux, Dick Mattone and Claire Mattone.
“A lot of the people we serve live in the neighborhoods,” he notes. According to a new report, Hunger in America 2006, more than 73 percent of the households being served by emergency food providers in Contra Costa and Solano counties are living below 130 percent of the federal poverty line. Nearly 43 percent have at least one adult working in their household, and 65.9 percent had an average annual income of less than $15,000 in 2004. MEALS BY THE TRUCKLOAD Six churches donate the space for the Loaves’ dining halls, with the organization offering each a small reimbursement for expenses. While
or a roast, because they only had two hours. Since we’ve had the catering kitchen, we can make use of more fresh supplies.” Mike Campbell, who says he’s cooked “all over the world,” has been in charge of the catering kitchen since it opened in 2002. After receiving a list of available supplies, he places a weekly order with the Food Bank. On this day, he and a halfdozen helpers are making barbecue chicken, cole slaw and fruit, plus 40 gallons of spaghetti sauce for the next day’s meals. “Yesterday, we cooked up pinto beans, 120 pounds of roast pork and pasta primavera,” Campbell says enthusiastically. The Food Bank provided
for the varied donations he receives. He points to 100 gallons of olive oil, with a value of $5,000, donated by a Martinez woman. “We have a tomato grower in Bethel Island who brings us 300 to 400 pounds of ripe tomatoes – at one time,” he says, with an emphasis on the word ripe that denotes a sense of urgency. “We make a lot of marinara.” While summer brings a wealth of fresh produce, Campbell has to rely on the cases of canned tomatoes and spaghetti sauce which are stacked to the ceiling at this time of year. “We use a lot of celery, carrots, whatever is cheap.” After Campbell’s main course arrives hot in Martinez,
Clayton resident Ron Busch and other local volunteers take over the fifth Monday of the month. The members of the Clayton Valley Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prepare the salad and vegetable, and cut up the bread and dessert. Busch always feels appreciated while serving the crowd. “They talk to you and thank you,” he says. “We bring the youth to help if we can, if it’s summertime, because it’s a good experience for them to see,” says Busch, noting that there are always a lot of children among the diners. THE FOCUS IS ON THE FOOD Although Loaves and Fishes organizations are operated throughout the country, each is independent. Richardson has networked with officials from San Jose and Sacramento but has found the groups’ goals to be different. “They might have a counseling service or a shelter,” he says. “Our board has said the main goal is to stay with the meals.” In addition to the dining halls, Loaves provides 175 cooked meals each weekday for Mental Health Consumer Concerns of Contra Costa and the Phoenix Program. Loaves and Fishes has an operating budget of about $650,00 – plus another $480,000 in donated food. Safeway, Costco, Albertson’s, Whole Food, Trader Joe’s and local farmers augment the Food Bank’s contributions. Funds are raised from donations from individuals, churches, community service groups, businesses and government and private grants. Clayton resident Franz Reidel joined the Board of Directors about a year ago. He brings a strong accounting background to the job. “He’s a very astute financial
analyst,” says Richardson. “He can break down the budget and create his own spreadsheets to analyze where we’re at.” Richardson was on the Loaves board for four years before becoming executive director in 2000. The retired TWA pilot also is the local president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “That’s my volunteer job,” he says with a wry smile. During Richardson’s tenure, Loaves has launched the catering kitchen and added dining halls in Bay Point, Oakley and Antioch. “We’re looking at other areas,” he notes. “The places we go are based on income and a strategic plan that rates areas where people would most likely need help.”
How to Help Loaves and Fishes is sponsoring a fund-raising bike ride from Lafayette to Mt. Diablo on Sunday, April 23. It begins at 8 a.m. at the Lafayette BART station. One group will go to the summit (50 miles roundtrip) and the other to the Ranger Station (40 miles roundtrip). Tim and Maureen McClintick will host a lunch at their Lafayette home after the event. For more information, email Tim at mccs2@comcast.net. The Board of Directors is also seeking new members, especially those with media backgrounds. For more information on Loaves and Fishes, visit www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org, call 837-8758 or write Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa, PO Box 3335, Danville, CA 94526.
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March 10, 2006
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Professional Organizer/House Cleaner OK, be honest. Are you a collector, pack rat or an all out hoarder? Is one of your annual New Year’s resolutions to finally get organized? There’s a time and a place for everything: my time, your place. As a professional organizer, I create order out of chaos and cut the clutter. No more wasting time searching for that item that “I know is in here someplace.” My specialty: closets, bathrooms, kitchens, children’s rooms, home-offices. I can also clean your home with the care and pride you would take. 925-672-1963.
HELP WANTED Cookies by Design – Supervisor, Decorator and Driver. Are you looking for interesting work? Cookies by Design is now hiring. Flexible hours, competitive pay, employee discounts, 100% training. Now seeking energetic, friendly, outgoing people to fill the following positions: Supervisor/Sales/Assembly, Cookie Decorator, and Delivery Driver. Call and ask for Deborah at 925-524-9901, or fax a resume to 925-524-9903. 5433 A Clayton Road, Clayton.
Artisans. Artists – focus on creating and let us sell your work. Craft and art website needs immediate supply of quality handmade leatherwork, woodwork, seasonal crafts, artwork, jewelry, etc. E-mail oneofakindcrafts@comcast.net with contact information. Receptionist. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church – 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Hours are Fridays 5 - 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., and as occasional backup to Monday through Thursday receptionists. Must be 18 years old or older, bilingual (English/Spanish), basic knowledge Microsoft Office; and operate multi-line telephone system. Pleasant church work environment. Salary is $8/hour. Call Sol Cuenco, 925-672-5800.
LOST Trumpet (in black case) lost at Mt. Diablo Elementary around Feb. 14th. Reward. Please call 925-788-5908. Kodak Easy Share pocket-size digital camera in a black case lost on Regency Drive Feb. 22 around 3 p.m. If found, call Carolyn Zerby in Clayton at 672-3024 or if not home, contact the Clayton Pioneer at 672-0500. The Clayton Community Library Foundation is currently seeking to fill the following volunteer positions:
VACATION RENTAL Cozy cabin in South Lake Tahoe. Two bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 car garage. Great for a family or two couples. Ten minutes to Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, casinos, skiing, and hiking. Please call Mike Risso at 925-8904623. Cabin in Blue Lake Springs (Arnold, CA). Sleeps 6, fully remodeled, quiet, use of recreation facilities. $150/night, $950/week. Call Kevin Parker @ (925) 383-9430 or http://www.vrconnection.com/parkerpaw.
Shelver - (min. age 13 years) to shelve and sensitize books in the library. Will train, day/time is Tues.10 a.m. -2 p.m. or 2 – 6 p.m. and Sat.10 a.m. –1 p.m. Book Processor (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work with labeling and marking books. Hours are Wed. 1 – 5 p.m. Book Mender - (min.age 13 years) to handle detailed work mending worn books. Hours can be chosen between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thurs. Shelf Reader (min.age 13 years) to read the library shelves in order to ensure the correct placement of books...must be familiar with the Dewey decimal system. Tutor - (min.age 13 years) to tutor one-on-one or give homework help at the library to local students in our community. You choose the age range, subjects, remedial help or light homework help, and the days/times. Call Arlene at 673-9777, e-mail akikkawa@ccc.lib.org.
PIONEER INFO HOW TO PLACE AN AD
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580 TAMARA
AND
R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers
TAMARA S TEINER , Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ , Assistant Editor and Display Advertising B ILL WAGONER , Sports Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.
Schaefer’s PAINTING
Because the Finish Counts (Cell)
260-6065
bpaintingdog@sbcglobal.net
10%
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Licensed Bonded Insured
Bryan Schaefer Clayton resident since 2000
W
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Fr ie
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T e a Cottage s ' d n u l g n E has a private room that is perfect for:
z
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Readers of The Urantia Book will start a new study group this spring. The group will meet in a downtown Clayton café. New and seasoned readers will explore the book by topics. The group will decide the time (hour and day). Email urantian@mac.com or call 925-672-4689 and ask for Tery.
Perennial Garden Design by Nicole Hackett AKA The Garden Girl Personal consultations regarding plant choices, placement, identification, fertilizing and maintenance. Spring is just around the corner. Call or email for information and pricing. 925-673-1746 (leave message) gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.
Inside Sales Assistant/Customer Service Rep. Manufacturers’ agent sales office is seeking an inside sales assistant/customer service representative this spring. Long-term position. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Strong organizational skills a plus’ experience processing orders and good communications skills needed. Working knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook are required. Location is in Concord at Treat and Cowell. Hourly position with some flexibility. Please email resume to resumetolarry@sbcglobal.net. Companion Help. Make a Difference in the lives of the elderly. Support them with companion help at home. Flex Hrs/PT/FT/LiveIn. All shifts available. Caring Solutions 935-9506.
STUDY GROUP
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Join us between 9-11 a.m. for a light breakfast, or from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. for a delicious lunch or afternoon tea time! 5433 L Clayton Road (in Clayton Station)
672-TEAS (8327)
www.EnglundsTeaCottage.com Open Daily at 9:00 a.m. (closed Mondays)
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Go to our Website, claytonpioneer.com. Click on the Classified Advertising tab on the left side of the page. Complete the form to submit your ad. Mail a check for the number of insertions to P.O. Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517 or call the office with your credit card information. Or, call the Clayton Pioneer, 925-672-0500 to place your ad over the phone. Or, come by the office at 6200 Center Street, Suite F, Clayton between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rates are $12 for 30 words and 20 cents for each additional word. Classified deadline dates are printed above. The Clayton Pioneer will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. We reserve the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable. All classified ads must be paid for in advance.
LET US KNOW
Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Website. Attach your photo to the form. Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com
Page A5
Directory of Advertisers Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 Alexander Video Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0911 Alise Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 All Loving Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0752 Apronstrings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-7621 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .726-0154 Bay Arts Custom Children's Murals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323-9323 Benton, Murlene - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 CCMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .943-7469 Calkins, Bill - Charlotte Clifford Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9164 Candy Created Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6818 Carol Keane & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200 Case, Kevin - Adam Uneven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-1940 CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900 Clayton Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0110 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Mind and Body Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0686 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900 Clayton Valley Villa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8401 Clip n Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8888888 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Cookies by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256-1137 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Denim & Lace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0345 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Digital Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899-6831 Dromlewicz, Kim - Century 21 Diablo Valley Realty . . .682-4663 Eagles Peak Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465-0435 Englund's Tea Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8327 Eternal Life Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0295 Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541 French, Lynne - Windemere Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8787 Galaxy Nail Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-8668 Garaventa, Les - American Financial & Tax Services . .676-3400 Gwynn, Jim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429-1890 Help You Sell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 Highfill, Lynne - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7335 Hudak, Jim - Pianist and Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7293 Instant Imprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9815 Jewitt, Judi - Speech Pathologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9440 Joanna's Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8911 Kelly Marshall Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0327 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Lerner Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-1130 Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Marlene M. Eastman, EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0024 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Merrigan, Deanna - Team Mount Diablo Realty . . . . . . .890-0430 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Miller, Thomas - Certified Public Accountant . . . . . . . . .354-1385 Mingham, Pete - Elite Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-8166 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Dr. Steven Moon, Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-8400 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . . .280-8563 Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-9222 NBS Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-1845 Neptune Society of Northern California . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-5100 O'Hara's Martial Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7438 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Padgett Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510-704-7716 Pasta Primavera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-5300 Postal Annex + of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8900 Rahimzadeh, Helen - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7375 R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .947-6105 Schaefer's Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-6065 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6461 SPA'tique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-1712 Sposito, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .932-7334 Steffen, Tim - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-4407 Steve Youse Painting and Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6945 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Stone Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-2094 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Swint, Brad - Team Funding Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .997-2691 Talmadge, Brad - Home Loan Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .759-8971 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 The Pool Shark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-7585 The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Tullis, Shanan - Team Mount Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . .286-1268 Truesdell, Lisa - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-4747 Van-Fleet-Bronson, Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . .672-4333 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2300 Vasona Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-0216 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . .672-4433 Williams, Mike - Williams Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-5363 Wooden' It Be Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5595
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Kropa Realty Walnut Creek, CA
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Page A6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Are absentee offers enforceable? Imagine this. You’re on your way out of town when your real estate agent calls to let you know about a hot new listing. You arrange to meet your agent at the property to take a look before you go. The house is just what you’ve been looking for. But, there’s no time to make a written offer so you ask your agent to make a verbal offer for you. When you return from vacation, you find that the home sold to someone else. Agreements to buy and sell real estate must be written to be enforceable. A real estate agent is obliged to convey a verbal offer to the seller. However, if the offer isn’t written, it’s not legally binding on either the buyer or the seller. It’s rare that real estate purchase offers are accepted without a counteroffer, even if the price is acceptable. Home purchase offers are complicated legal documents that include all the details of the sale—the personal property that’s included and excluded, the closing date, the financing arrangement, and the inspection conditions, to name a few. Buyers and sellers frequently have a counteroffer
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE
dialogue back and forth before they finalize all the terms and conditions of their deal. Even though a seller may be negotiating with one buyer, this doesn’t preclude him from entertaining offers from other buyers. Until the purchase contract and any counteroffers are accepted in writing by both the buyers and the sellers, the property is still available for sale. Timing is critical in real estate transactions. So it’s important to make arrangements for times when you’ll be unavailable to make an offer or respond to a seller’s counteroffer.
Today homes are often sold with the help of the telephone and facsimile transmission. Facsimile signatures are usually binding as long as the intent is to sign the original documents at a later date. You and your partner can sign separate copies of the same document. Make sure, if you’re using facsimile copies, that the text is legible and that you know and understand what you’re signing. Also, if you’re having contracts faxed to your office, you might want your agent to send the documents at a time when you know you’ll be available to retrieve them. If you’re leaving town in the middle of a negotiation and you won’t have access to a fax machine, you may want to give your power of attorney to a trusted friend or relative. To be legally binding, the power of attorney should be on the proper form and it should be notarized. Your real estate agent can help you with this. But don’t give a power of attorney to your agent. This would create a conflict of interest because your agent is owed a commission if
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the sale goes through. Some agents present offers, and negotiate on a buyer’s behalf, with a written authority letter from the buyer. This letter is not notarized. Be aware that when an agent signs a real estate contract for a buyer, without a power of attorney, it’s not legally binding. So, even though a written authority letter saves time during the negotiation process, you could lose out to another buyer whose offer is properly signed. You also risk committing to terms you hadn’t anticipated if you’re dealing with a less than scrupulous agent. Don’t rely on e-mail for making real estate offers and counteroffers. An e-mail isn’t signed so it’s probably not a legally binding document. Taking short-cuts when you’re trying to buy or sell real estate is risky.
Now offered
at $730,000 1 ath 4 BR, 2 /2 b house on half acre
Diablo Valley Realty Kim Dromlewicz,
Realtor®
Individual personal attention direct (925) 945-2 2602 Kim@homes4ewe.com
Lynne French is a realtor with Windermere Real Estate and a Clayton resident. For any real estate needs or questions contact her at: Phone (925) 672-8787 or E-mail: Lynne@LynneFrench.com
Dan Rosendich
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March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Coming S
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Call today for a complimentary initial consultation. Mureleen Benton CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner 5356 Clayton Road., Concord, CA 94521 (925) 685.4523; Fax: (925) 685.3520 Lic: CA 0692378
Page A7
How to measure success of your marketing campaign Many small business owners agree that marketing their businesses just makes common sense. A marketing program should includes an effective mix of the six Ps product, place, price, promotion, people and xPeriment. If a company’s product or service can fill a market’s need, then sales revenue and profits should benefit from proper marketing. But how can a small business owner measure its marketing return on investment, or ROI? And how can your marketing effectiveness be measured at a practical level? That is, how can ROI be determined without incurring a lot of expense and without an MBA in marketing or advertising? Successful large corporations spend millions of dollars fielding brand awareness research and marketing studies. These companies usually have access to sophisticated research techniques, detailed market sampling processes and sizable budgets. These enviable resources help to not only ensure the projectability of ROI findings but also allow marketing executives to incorporate the findings into their elaborate product marketing and brand management processes. But for small business owners, the sophisticated and pricey marketing research used by the Fortune 5000 sector is just not possible or really even necessary. Fortunately, simpler ROI techniques can be used successfully. There are some straightforward and inexpensive marketing measurement ideas that can provide you the directional sense needed to ensure your
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marketing expenditures are producing positive results. Marketing is an ongoing, two-way process that conveys and delivers attractive value for a pre-determined target. For discussion sake, let’s classify small business marketing ROI at several levels. Level 1 ROI is your baseline, ground-floor metric. Its results provide a directional level measurement. While not necessarily projectible to the entire market, Level 1 ROI serve as a good “Linus blanket.” It can help reassure you that your marketing investment seems to be working. Level 2 and Level 3 ROI are
“For small business owners, the sophisticated and pricey marketing research used by the Fortune 5000 sector is just not possible or really even necessary.” Bernie Theobald more involved, requiring more work and analysis. But the extra work and expense can provide results that are more projectible. While projectible research results can be extended to the entire market (depending on the methodology), most small businesses don’t require this level of ROI assurance. The directional ROI results obtained from Level 1 ROI often can suffice. A common example of Level 1 ROI research might involve evaluating a specific series of sequential advertising units that you’re placing in a newspaper or trade magazine. A “one-ad-only program” typically has minimal effect. To help your campaign success measurement metrics, you’ll probably want to run the ad campaign for at last three
months in a monthly publication and for at least a month or so in a daily newspaper. In this newspaper, which is published twice monthly, your ad campaign should probably be for at least two months. As you decide on the frequency of advertising insertions, you’ll also need to determine your objective for the campaign. Then you can measure against your objective at the end of the marketing program. For example, at Level 1 ROI, you may want to generate specific sales or services with the same “call to action” in each ad unit. The “call to action” may be a redeemable coupon or a “mention this ad” program. Then, you literally track the number of customers who have either seen your ad or redeemed your coupon. If you total your new sales generated and subtract your ad expenses, you can arrive at a simple ROI metric that should exceed your marketing investment. If it does, your ROI is positive. Of course, you can also use your generated gross profit instead of pure sales. Doing so, however, will impact your ROI results as it’s a tougher metric to reach. You can also determine your average sales year-over-year for the campaign period. Then, do a simple calculation to see how your sales this year compared with last year. While these aren’t exact sciences, each can serve as a directional ROI barometer to justify your marketing and/or advertising investment. There are other kinds of Level 1 metrics you can use. If you own a restaurant, for example, you might decide to measure your average per table or per seat revenue (or menu item selection variances) before and after your marketing campaign. This will require that you make some simple calculations a month or so beforehand to cal-
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MINDING YOUR BUSINESS culate your baseline average table receipts. Those figures are then compared to your average table receipts at the end of the campaign. If your average is higher at the end, then you have determined at least from a directional perspective that your per table receipts have increased probably due to your advertising, your direct mail program, your Web banners, etc. If you own a car wash, or you’re an accountant, you can literally count and compare the number of cars washed or new tax clients obtained, respectively, before and after your specific marketing effort. Level 2 and 3 ROI measurements are more statistically reliable, especially as the sample increases. Examples might involve fielding a simple research survey across a specific control group of people to gauge customer awareness before and after a marketing campaign. Your measurement instrument might be a simple survey asking for written responses. Or it could be a telemarketing survey that you or one of your employees can conduct. You may also have a third party build and field the survey for you. You can mail a survey to your existing customers or noncustomers, depending on your list sourcing. You can even save paper costs and postage by sending the survey electronically if you have email addresses. A Level 2 sample might involve 100 people. A Level 3 measurement might entail a sample size of several thousand. This kind of research, however, can become tricky depending on the methodology, the sample size, the data gathering process and how the questions are asked. Therefore, I usually suggest seeking professional guidance for Level 2 and 3 research. A simple measurement of marketing ROI doesn’t have to be rocket science. There are affordable and simple ways to evaluate the marketing mix effectiveness of your small business. As a result, you’ll make your limited resources work all that much harder. Bernie Theobald is a Clayton resident, practical marketing and advertising expert with years of experience helping companies build successful marketing partnerships and brand awareness programs. He can be reached at: btheobald@sbcglobal.net.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Deciding where to live in retirement Preparing financially and emotionally for retirement and choosing where to live can be a complicated process. What do you want your retirement to look like? Do you dream of retiring in a condo on the fifth green or do you envision a maintenance free loft in the city? Do you want to continue your education? Where can you afford to live and what should you save for your health and long-term care? You may want to start the decision making process by simplifying your priorities. Some of the most important attributes of a good retirement location include traditional items such as a reasonable cost of living, lowerthan-average taxes and access to top-notch medical care. But keep an open mind to other considerations that are of growing interest to seniors, such as vibrant college-centered communities filled with cultural and educational activities and smaller towns that can help stretch retirement dollars further than the more crowded, larger communities. BACK TO SCHOOL Many retirees are choosing to live out their golden years as vigorously as they did when they were in college. Spurred, perhaps, by growing research suggesting that mental activity is a “fountain of youth”, collegeaffiliated retirement communities have sprung up in at least 50 towns nationwide linking retirees with notable schools such as Notre Dame, Cornell University and Penn State, to name a few. The retirement communities and campus projects vary widely. Some are condominium developments, frequently built with community centers on site. Others are continuing care retirement communities, combining apartments with assisted living and nursing home facilities, designed for people’s changing needs from early to later retirement. Walk the streets of most college towns these days and you can see that the demographic landscape has dramatically changed. Seniors now mix with students, attending classes, sporting and cultural offerings. According to CNN Money, many universities have further responded by creating academic courses, and special pricing, specifically for seniors. While a decade ago, only a few dozen colleges offered such programs, today programs for seniors are in place in over 300 institutions nationwide. According to Consumer Reports, other factors that also contribute to the growing
MURELEEN BENTON FINANCIAL SENSE interest in retirement in a college town include inexpensive food and entertainment, teaching hospitals, and lower crime rates. Another important consideration is the opportunity to build intergenerational and diverse relationships and mentoring that benefit all generations. Critics, however, say that college-linked retirement communities are too costly for the average person. (Supporters say that prices will fall as they become even more common.) Entrance fees to some college town retirement communities currently range from $100,00 to $400,000 and monthly fees can be as high as $3,500 including meals, housecleaning and long-term medical care at The Village at Penn State, for example. OTHER OPTIONS According to Consumer Reports, retiring in resort or military towns may not be as desirable as college towns because they tend to be crowded, hightraffic areas with higher taxes and consumer prices. They do not offer the educational and cultural opportunities many seniors are seeking. There is also a growing national demand for retirement housing for younger retirees, given that the first baby boomers are now reaching 60 and will soon be retiring. With a desire for amenities such as a social clubs and gyms, but without the need for daily medical services, age restricted developments are
expanding nationwide that are not affiliated with nursing homes or assisted living facilities. According to the National Association of Home Builders, about 60 percent of such developments for those age 55 and older are now outside the Sun Belt, with the growth in northerly states driven in part by many buyers’ wishes to stay closer to family and the communities where they spent their working lives. TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED Before you jump headfirst into buying a retirement home or making a commitment to a retirement community, consider renting your retirement home for one year before buying. Once you live there, you may find that you like it more as a vacation spot than as a home. Secondly, find a place that the family is going to want to visit, with a convenient airport, and attractions for the grandkids. You do not want to isolate yourself from your loved ones while in retirement. Also, be sure to know the rules of the retirement community before you settle in. There are often regulations regarding decorating your home’s exterior and garden, for example. Finally, don’t buy too far in advance. Over five or 10 years, a community can drastically change while you are waiting to retire. In addition, your interests and health may change and you may need something completely different by the time you actually are ready to move in. HEALTHCARE COSTS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING While healthcare costs shouldn’t be the deciding factor of where to relocate, it is something retirees need to consider. Retirees spend an average of 20 percent more for nursing home care in urban areas than in rural and suburban areas, according to CBS Marketwatch. In some states, the costs of urban vs. non-urban care differ by as much as 40 percent. Furthermore, one third of Americans turning
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65 in 2010 will need long-term care at some point for three months or longer, and almost one fourth of that group will need it for one year or longer, according to the same source. Whether you dream of retirement in a vibrant college town, plan to downsize in your old neighborhood or expect to move to a retirement home or assisted living facility, there are many financial considerations including your budget, investment strategies and protection planning. Be sure to work with a qualified financial advisor who can help you create or update your personalized financial plan and help you integrate your short and long term retirement goals.
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March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page A9
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BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT STAFF Special to the Pioneer
With its quaint village charm and pastoral setting, one could forget that Clayton lies in the heart of bustling Contra Costa County. Yet in nearby Concord, Buchanan Field Airport is home to more than 500 aircrafts and four runways. The airport tallies nearly 129,000 landings and take-offs each year. For the past 50 years, Buchanan Field has been a valuable regional asset providing emergency response, business and recreational services. As Contra Costa County has grown, however, so has the need to upgrade the airport’s facilities. In 2004, the county began updating the airport Master Plan to guide growth over the next 20 years. The plan examines ways to accommodate future aviation needs, identifies the type of aircraft and
Photo courtesy of Buchanan Field
Aerial view of Buchanan Field, where more than 129,000 aircraft take of and land every year. The airport will be looking at mitigating noise in next phase of Master Plan.
businesses the airport can support and looks at how to mitigate noise. Airport officials believe public input is vital, and they are encouraging residents to participate in community meetings to learn about the process. A series of meetings has already brought local government agencies, businesses, pilots, airport users and residents together to address operations and alternate land use scenarios
School News MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mt. Diablo Elementary chorus students are preparing the fun and exciting show, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. for a spring production on Mar. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. The cast is made up of 100 fourth and fifth grade budding actors. The play, directed by Christine Billingsley, has all original Disney music. Mt. Diablo elementary has done a spring production for years with shows including Oliver Twist, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Treasure Island. $3 donation accepted. Mt. Diablo Elementary, MultiUse Room, 5880 Mt. Zion Drive, Clayton. Benefit Auction: The sixth annual Mt. Diablo Benefit Auction will be Sat., Mar. 25. The theme will be “Denim and Diamonds.” The auction sold out last year, so start looking for a babysitter now. To honor vintage Clayton and to keep the dads happy, we are planning a Western theme.
The menu will include BBQ favorites. Look for new events and lots of great items to bid on during the silent and live auctions. It’s a great way to support the school and have a night out with friends. DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL The Symphonic and Jazz Bands from Diablo View Middle School have been selected to perform in Disneyland through the Disney Magic Music Days program. They will perform on Sat., Mar. 25 on the Plaza Gardens Stage with other performing groups from around the world. This will be the fourth appearance at Disneyland for the bands from Diablo View in the last six years. For more information about the band program at Diablo View, please contact the band director, Carl Kaiser, at kaiserc@mdusd.k12.ca.us. Diablo View will hold a 5th grade parent information meeting Mon., Mar. 13 at 7
The next phase of the Master Plan begins this month, with a study to evaluate aircraft noise exposure. A kick-off meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord. Clayton residents are invited to come to learn about the study and share their views. The goal of this phase is to identify future aircraft noise concerns and seek alternatives to mitigate the impact on surrounding communities.
p.m. in the MUR for next year’s incoming sixth graders. CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL The Clayton Spring Dinner Dance, featuring live jazz music at Oakhurst Country Club, is next Sat., Mar. 18. The event is a benefit for the instrumental music department of Clayton Valley High School. Jazz, blues, and popular music will be performed by live big bands, a combo, and by the Jim Briggs band. Jim is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and an alumnus of Clayton Valley High School. The event was sold out in 2005, and we have a few tickets remaining for next week at $40 each. To get your ticket and meal reservation, please contact Mr. Mundy Viar at 6827474, ext. 3125, or email ClaytonBands@aol.com, by Wed., Mar. 15. No tickets will be sold at the door. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is including a summer arts program in conjunction with summer school. Students that are currently in grades 7, 8, and 9 may register for performing and visual arts
The county expects to complete the Master Plan next year. The final component will be a business plan that prioritizes projects and identifies funding sources. Its primary aim will be to guide property development to increase airport revenue, while balancing the needs of Contra Costa residents. For more information about the Master Plan and upcoming meetings, visit www.buchananfield-byronairports.org or call 646-5722.
enrichment classes, which will be held at Clayton Valley High School. Classes include band, string orchestra, guitar, choir, drama, dance, and art. Registration material is available at each school. Classes run from June 26-July 25, with no school meeting on July 3 or 4. For more information about the summer arts program, please contact Mr. Mundy Viar, summer arts principal, at 6827474, ext. 3125. Mark your calendar now and plan to spend Cinco De Mayo at our Fiesta, we would love to have you! Tickets will be on sale at the CVHS Open House on Mar. 23 for the Benefit Auction for Technology to be held at Centre Concord. The purpose of the auction is to raise much needed funds to update the computers at the High School. The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will include dinner, dancing, gaming, a silent auction and prizes. The committee is seeking donations of cash sponsorships, vouchers and gift certificates. For more information, contact PFC president Mindy Moore at 672-0930 or melindammoore@yahoo.com.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Water endures a sea of changes during its journey “I went to Safeway to pick up some milk, to get some soup and salad for dinner and to buy a birthday card for my mom.” “To be safe, I got non-milkbased soup for dinner and spilled some of it on my mom’s birthday card” No, I am not losing it. And, I didn’t mix my shopping list with my Ecofocus column. So, please indulge me a bit further. I love holidays with family and friends. That was especially true while I was growing up in my large, extended family. After the requisite big and long-lasting dinner, the adults did their things and we cousins did ours. We rode our bicycles, skated, played hide and seek, told each other scary stories and played many games. The game Telephone brought particular joy to all of us. Someone would make up a short message and then whisper it into the ear of the person next to them, who would do the same to the person next to them, on down the line. Invariably, what the final person announced as the message was far removed from the original message like the differences between the first and second sentences at the beginning of this column. The path and alterations that water undergoes in its journey from source to final destination (although there is no final destination, just the latest one) can be understood in terms of our telephone game. More than 97 percent of the water on earth is seawater. Two percent is freshwater ice, mostly locked up as glaciers. The remaining 1 percent is found primarily as lake water, groundwater and river water. Only this last little bit is available to us as drinkable freshwater.
Water’s journey begins as water vapor in the upper atmosphere. This vapor comes mostly from evaporative loss from the oceans, as moved by atmospheric circulation. When the vapor stored as clouds reaches saturation point (dew point), it falls from the clouds to earth, due to gravity’s pull, as some form of precipitation (i.e., rain, sleet, hail,
weather. It continually runs down from mountains and hills, as snow or ice melt or rain fall. Some of it hits impervious surfaces such as rock, concrete and asphalt, while some lands on soil, sand, oceans and other water bodies. It always seeks the low spots. As the precipitation proceeds in its journeys over surfaces or through sediment, it continues to chemically and physically interact with its surroundings. It is forever being fundamentally altered, while slowly eroding the surfaces with which it interacts. As it flows downhill, the precipitation carves out small channels which grow larger over time. Soon the channels combine again and again to form small, then larger s t r e a m s . Ultimately, rivers run through and over everything from pristine Only about 1 percent of all the earth’s water is forests to cities available to us as drinkable fresh water. and rural communities, in a dance snow). to the sea, picking up many subHerein begins the game of stances in the journey. water telephone. Water chemicalGround water continues to ly interacts with the gases and sink into pervious sediment until particles of the atmosphere so it reaches the barrier of solid that by the time it reaches the rock. From there it forms earth’s surface, it already has aquifers, which also move downgone through many chemical and hill toward the sea as underphysical alterations. Acid rain is ground flows. one example of such change. All the sediment and rock, Precipitation falls in patterns and any other substances controlled by gravity, climate and encountered along the journey,
Club News CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB The Clayton Valley Woman’s Club will hold a membership drive and Pot O Gold luncheon on Tues. Mar. 28 beginning at 10 a.m. Featured speaker will be Pat Craig, columnist and theatre critic for the Contra Costa Times. His columns, which appear in the Times each Mon., cover a wide variety of topics, from shirt tag tucking to bowling shoe issues. Each is written with Mr. Craig’s own special sense of humor. As a the-
atre critic, he attends local shows and writes, “whatever happens to pop into his mind.” He will be speaking on something that could prove to be a life-changing event, or not, but is sure to be entertaining. Following a brief meeting and the program, members and guests are invited to stay for a potluck luncheon, complete with door prizes. Attend and learn more about the Woman’s Club, a non-profit organization whose members raise funds for local charities as well as donating
their time to enrich the Clayton/Concord community. The meeting will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. Please call Membership Chair Shirley Boyd, 672-1163, if you plan to attend or would like more information. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 will be moving to a new location for their Monthly meetings starting Mar.7. The new location will be St.Agnes Parish Hall, the first Tues. of each month at 7:30 p.m. St. Agnes is at 3966 Chestnut Ave. in Concord.
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continue to alter the chemistry of the water, as they themselves are altered by it. The changes can be good or bad, depending on the interactions. Ideally, water is purified in the journey. Alternatively, it is polluted with toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, gasoline, oil, antifreeze, fertilizers and the like from wastes derived from such things as agricultural lands, paper mills, individual households, industrial effluent and golf courses. Water for human consumption is usually cleaner (less chemically altered) when intercepted closer to the mountain or groundwater sources. As it flows (e.g., from the Sierras through the Delta), it picks up the introduced chemicals, especially from the agricultural areas. Many of these substances cause serious diseases in humans and other organisms. In the end, like in the childhood game of telephone, the water has taken on a new identity one forged from the journey and the encounters along the way. To keep water pure, we must make sure its path is a clean one. This again calls on us to preserve and restore habitats and open spaces in science-inspired and wisdom-filled ways.
Gerard M. Capriulo, Ph.D., is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga.
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March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page A11
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925 946 2990 to arrange a free preview.
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PAM WIESENDANGER Special to the Pioneer
The Dubovsky home at the corner of Mitchell Canyon Road and Pine Hollow is one of those show-stopping houses that causes passers-by to take a second and third look. Some people are so stunned, they take a moment to offer their appreciation to the owners. With its broad, green lawn and inviting gazebo, the charming house draws you in. It makes you wonder what it would be like to spend a hot summer day with a cool glass of lemonade and a good book in the gazebo or greet the day from one of the
two upstairs balconies. Clyde Baker build the lovely farm house in early 1941. A tax assessor by trade, Baker became an integral part of Clayton’s history. He reportedly helped modernize Clayton by bringing in gas and electric utilities. Baker owned property from Mitchell Canyon to Del Trigo to Panadero to Pine Hollow. Panadero, loosely translated to “baker” in Spanish, was named after him. An almond orchard covered part of the land. Baker sold the land for a whopping $6,500, and it was developed into a 32-unit subdivision. For medical reasons, it was difficult for Baker’s son to live in the two-story home so the
family eventually sold the house on the corner and built another home directly behind the property. Baker lived out his life there. The Paulson family bought the original home in 1962, and the Dubovskys bought it from them in 1975. Baker visited the Dubovskys often, sharing the details of his life and keeping an eye on his old home. The Dubovskys can take credit for most of the charming features the home has today. Barbara Dubovsky says the yard was covered in bushes, and you could not even see the front door. She and her husband cleared the grounds, except for the redwood and oak trees.
They also put in the lawn and gazebo. She describes the original interior as “bare bones.” The Dubovskys gave it finishing touches such as crown molding, wallpaper and paint. With a background in antiques, Barbara added an air of gentility to the interior decor. She notes modestly, however, that the home is still a “total work in progress.” While they aren’t certain if Baker would approve of all the changes, the Dubovskys believe a friendly spirit walks their upstairs hallways. And, people still stop as they walk by and say how much they love the house.
Classes teach parents, kids about music, together
State Farm7
Hamid Ray Asemi
Photo courtesy of The Dubovsky Family
The Dubovsky family now owns this two storey home at the corner of Mitchell Canyon and Pine Hollow. This photo was taken shortly after the home was built in 1941. Notice how much vacant land you can see behind the house.
They waved their scarves and danced around the room. They shook their maracas in time to the beat and meowed like kitty cats. The grown-ups did, anyway. Some of the toddlers also participated, when they weren’t just staring at their parents. But that’s how music education begins - with children watching and listening to their parents. That’s the premise behind Music Together, a national program that aims to help children fulfill their musical potential. “Music Together classes are about parents and caregivers creating a joyful experience around music to inspire musical development in young children,” says Julia McLeod, director of Music Together of Concord. She teaches the mixed-age class in Clayton. “Expectations and ‘shoulds’ are not part of this special learning process,” she says. “Rather, children in mixed-age groupings (infants to pre-
schoolers) are free to use their own learning styles as they play.”
Photo courtesy of Julia McLeod Drew comes to grips with a tambourine in a Music Together class.
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area for more than four years. She opened a center in Concord last fall. She decided Clayton, with its large population of young families, was the perfect location for expansion. Classes are held on Friday mornings at O’Hara’s Martial Arts in downtown Clayton. Annette Hagewiesche brings her 2 ½-year-old son Brian to the classes. She says they both love the diversity of music and instruments, and she believes Music Together helps her child appreciate a wide range of musical genres. Karna Campopiano, who used to drive to Walnut Creek each week for classes, also attends the Clayton sessions. “My two boys love music, and the classes have really brought out their musical interests. They can’t wait to see which instruments they get to try out each week.” For more information, visit musictogetherofconcord.com or call 925 946 2990.
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Page A12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
This colorful past is nothing but pure beauty
Patty Flannery Realtor
Clayton Resident since 1979
serving all your
Real Estate needs
COLLEEN ELWY
SHARING HISTORY Gloria Coleman’s face sparkles against her soft lavender sweater and beaded necklace. Fashion and style have always played an important role in Gloria’s creative and artistic life. “Color is everything to me in life,” she shares. Gloria, 83, studied fashion design for two years with a teacher who was working with Christian Dior at the time. “There was a professional golfer who wanted someone to Photo courtesy of Gloria Coleman design a comfortable shorts uni- Gloria Coleman in a bright red costume for the “Pioneer Promenaders,” folk and form for him to wear, as his square dance group, circa 1942. pants were always getting in the way of his shot. And I got the movies with a long intermission together 25 years before the and other sketches can be added assignment,” says Gloria. so that the film reels could be marriage ended. They had four to her innumerable list of activ“At the time, I was also one changed. That’s when my sons, whom Gloria speaks ities. of the oldest in the class and younger sister and I, and the about lovingly, sharing each of “I was a born leader and more of a mother figure, so others from my tap class, would their life stories with pride and could pick up on things quickthey had me do the actual plas- perform for the audience,” says affection. ly,” she says. “Things would ter of paris mold right on this Gloria. “We both seemed to be She talks in a gentler voice come along my way and some golfer, so that I could design the natural dancers.” about her son Rick, who died in people would say: ‘What do you clothing to fit him just right,” Her talents in the arts 2001. “Rick had a brain tumor want to do that for?’ But I she adds with a laugh. expanded, and Gloria was given and lost his vision. But we had always would think about how Gloria sketched the outfit the lead female role in a high 25 more incredible years togeth- much fun it would be to try and designed it from scratch. school play. She attended the er as he moved back home with something new.” “The garment was a one University of Denver, me,” says Gloria. As we finish up our time piece with a zipper where she was presi“I learned so much about together at Diamond Terrace, all the way down dent of the Pep patience from him, and it’s the Gloria and I hug goodbye and the front. The Club and traveled thing I am still learning. That’s smile at how lovely the weather golfer got as one of 16 what I would tell the young peo- has turned that day. The rest of into it and dancers for the ple of today who always want my day seems a little more colreally liked P i o n e e r things here and now. Patience is orful having spent some of it it, and my Promenaders, so important to have a good with Gloria Coleman. name was a square life.” If you are a senior living in in the dancing With her husband training Clayton, or know of a senior that p a p e r group that and serving in the Navy, Gloria would like to share their life story about it,” performed in was often home on her own with the Clayton Pioneer readers, she says, Washington, with the boys for several years at please contact Colleen Elwy at 672still beamD.C., and in a time. She was involved in Boy 9565 or at colleensbyline@aol.com ing over her M a d i s o n Scouts, PTA, church and school achievement. Square Garden, activities. She also studied to be Born in along with being a teacher and was fluent in San Diego, on early television. Spanish. Gloria also lived in “We even perAlthough she became a Salt Lake City formed at teacher for fifth- and sixthand Denver durGLORIA COLEMAN Constitution Hall graders, she never had the ing her childin Washington, chance to teach Spanish as she hood. She was involved in ballet D.C.,” Gloria recalls. “Imagine had hoped. and tap dancing. that!” Gloria still has abundant “During the early 1930s, Gloria met her husband energy and enthusiasm. there were often double feature while at college. They were Beautiful watercolor paintings
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March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
Page A13
Pruning and fertilizing can be labors of love
Walnut Creek, New Construction. Anticipated Completion date of June 2006. This Spectacular Custom Built Home will Please the Most Discerning Buyer. This Craftsman Style Home Reminiscent of a Castle Feels Worlds Away, with it's Stone Tower, Heavy Wood Accents, and Copper Trim. Nearly 4600 Sq. Feet, with Three Car Garage, and an Approx. 1000 Sq. Ft. Guest Wing/Au Pair, with a Full Kitchen, Bedroom, Living Room and Bathroom, and Seperate Entrance.
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There are Two Laundry Rooms, one on each level, a Master Wing, with Offered at $2, 649,000 Library/Study, a Private Master Courtyard, Gourmet Kitchen with Wet Bar, and a Second Wet Bar in the 2nd Level Great Room. The Ammenities are Endless. Please call for more information.
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Pruning and fertilizing the yard and garden are truly labors of love. Your plants love all the attention and you do all the labor. This chore gets more time consuming each year, considering all the new plants you’ve introduced to the garden. You just have to accept that some of those introductions have special and individual needs. Giving your plants what they need allows them to reward you with healthy foliage, heavy flower and consistent growth. At the nursery, we prune and then fertilize. This gives us a chance to evaluate the plant and its requirements. Begin with a yard walk, with a by-pass pruner in one hand and a bag of 16-16-16 multi-purpose fertilizer in the other. The first stop is that dry pile of red fountain grass, respectfully called Pennisetum setaceum, ‘Rubrum.’ During the hot summer, this ornamental grass was looking great with dark red fountain-like, long narrow leaves and foxtail blooms. Now it is dormant and not looking quite like the focal point that you installed months prior.
“This is no time to be a wimpy gardener. Take a deep breath and cut that pile of grass to the ground, removing all of last year's growth.” Nicole Hackett This is no time to be a wimpy gardener. Take a deep breath and cut that pile of grass to the ground, removing all of last year’s growth. Spread 2 tablespoons of granular fertilizer around the former drip line of the plant and work in a couple of inches to avoid run-off. Mexican sage, or Salvia leucantha, is another perennial that needs to be treated brutally this time of year. You need to cut all of last year’s growth down to the ground. However, do not remove the young stems growing at the base of the perennial. Later this summer, these stems will be your new blooming branches. Spread a 16-16-16 multi-purpose fertilizer around the drip
line, avoiding the center of the plant. Distribute the food around the roots of the plant, working the fertilizer into the first couple of inches of the soil. Other forms of salvia also can be pruned at this time. If you grow any tall salvia Indigo Spires, Waverly or Black and Blue to name two, cut these selections down by two-thirds of last year’s growth. Salvia greggii is another group of sage, commonly referred to as autumn sage. You may remember your plant tags reading Desert Blaze, Lipstick or Flame. These woody perennials also need two-thirds of last year’s growth cut back to the base of the plant. Adjust the quantity of fertilizer being used on smaller salvia. Because Crape Myrtle blooms on new wood, now is the time to prune off the sterile seed heads from the past summer to make room for fresh growth. Insignificant stems and poorly shaped branches should also be removed. Feed with the 16-16-16 fertilizer around the plant’s drip line and work it in. Abutilons have the tendency to get spindly after the cold months. There are two types of flowering maples, vertical and shrubby. The vertical abutilons are grown on a stake, almost like a fuchsia. These need to be pruned in, toward the stake and down one-third to one-half depending on the age of the plant. The shrub-shaped abutilon can be pruned back a half to two-thirds, depending on the overall size of the plant. Don’t worry if your plant is still blooming. Flowering maples bloom year-round. They will regrow and re-bloom, looking better than ever. Avoid the typical multi-purpose fertilizers for this plant. You will need an organic-based, multi-purpose food, preferably an 8-4-4. Hydrangeas are next in line for maintenance. These confusing plants have many rules for pruning. I will try to say it simply: The mop heads only bloom on second-year wood. This means you should completely remove any stem that bloomed last season. Add a dose of aluminum sulfate to the soil to keep your mop head blue. Add super phosphate to keep the reds looking red. Oakleaf hydrangeas need to be cut to shape, and the cone-
shaped paniculata hydrangeas must be cut back hard because they bloom on new wood. At this time, you should feed all your hydrangeas with an acid plant food, regardless of the
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
variety. It is also a good time to put some iron back in to the soil to encourage green leaves. Consider removing some or all of the fruit off your citrus trees. It is time to focus on the next crop. Cut any weak branches back for the plant’s integrity. Feed with a citrus food and some iron. This will correct the yellow leaves and make the plant stronger. Spray citrus with horticultural oils to help prevent scale. The spraying should be done monthly though the growing season. Palm trees need to be fed with an organic food designed especially for palms and other tropical. Organic combinations are natural and easily digested. Save the Miracle Grow for other uses. Vines and fruit trees need a balanced fertilizer such as a 1212-12. Look for micro nutrients like sulfur on the fertilizer label. Sulfur is critical to promote top growth and fruit production. Prune fruit trees for overall integrity and thin branches to allow light and air circulation. Vines should be pruned in toward the fence or stake and down from the top, at least by one-third to keep the plant healthy and prevent woody undergrowth. Spread a premium soil amendment around every plant but never fertilize a dry plant. Don’t be afraid to ask an expert question if you think that you’ll make a mistake. And remember, your hard work now will really pay off later. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Garden Contact her at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com
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Tahoe? Mammoth? Pinecrest? Nope. This photo was taken after the snowstorm on Mt. Diablo on Saturday, February 18. Clayton resident Steve Biggs took a bike ride up the Juniper Trail in Mitchell Canyon and snapped this photo between the 2000 and 2600 foot elevation. Recalling that quiet morning, Steve muses, “I was by myself and there was one other set of tracks from a bike along with a few deer tracks.”
Page A14
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
georgevujnovich.com
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GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker Helping friends, neighbors and newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979
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PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB Spectacular Custom Home on a prime ridgeline view lot! backing to open space with commanding views of oak dotted hills-canyons & ridgeline! 5 bedrooms + den, 3.5 baths, approx. 3,850sf, 2 fireplaces & 2 car garage with work area & storage closet. Grand scale entry with impressive mahogany double doors, granite tile entry & ornate light fixture. Downstairs guest suite with private full bath. Elegant living room features a granite tile fireplace. Banquet size formal dining room. Enormous gourmet kitchen features 18" tile floors, huge eating area & granite tile counters & island. Spacious family room boasts a gorgeous natural slate tile fireplace & custom built-in cabinetry. Luxurious master suite offers dual French sliding glass doors leading to balcony overlooking
Mortgage Market Update
exhilarating & inspiring views! Private lot features an expansive random pattern stone patio & lawn area that blends into open space. $1,275,000
Conforming $417,000 or less (no points)
Jumbo $417,001 and up (no points)
30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . . .6.25% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . . .6.25% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.375%
30 year, fixed for 3 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 5 . . . . . . . . .6.0% 30 year, fixed for 7 . . . . . . .6.375% 30 year, fixed for 10 . . . . . .6.375% 15 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.125% 30 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.5%
PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB Exceptional "Nantucket" model with rare 4 car garage! 4 bedrooms + loft & den, 2.5 baths, 3,599 sq. ft. Upgrades include: 12" tile floors, neutral carpets, designer paint, light fixtures & custom window coverings. Living room & dining room with upgraded hardwood floors, fireplace & views. Gourmet kitchen features upgrade tile floors, counters, island, full backsplash, upgraded maple cabinets & pantry. Large master suite & bath with views of city, valley & Delta! Large level (.29 apx) acre lot with inground pool & spa with automatic cover, aggregate patio & walkways, various lawn areas, trellis cover & lots of palm trees. $1,175,000
ING D N PE
WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB Charming "Crandall" model on a private court! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,877sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Upgraded gleaming hardwood floors in entry extend into kitchen, laundry & ½ bath. Living room features a marble fireplace, neutral carpet, vaulted ceiling & wet bar. Formal dining area with bay window & vaulted ceiling. Kitchen features upgraded stainless steel "Dacor" gas range & "Broan" Vent Hood, tile counters, sunny garden window & cozy breakfast nook. Spacious master suite offers wooded & hillside views. Secluded lot features a trellis covered deck with built-in bench seating, meandering dry creek bed & sweeping views of surrounding hills. $749,000
NG I D PEN
CHAPARRAL SPRINGS AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB Rarely available End Unit "Cedar" model featuring spacious double master suites! Approximately 1,430sf, 2.5 baths, inside laundry & a 2 car attached garage. Neutral carpet, flooring, décor & upgraded light fixtures throughout! Living room features tile fireplace & semivaulted ceiling. Dining area with bay window nook. Kitchen offers tile counters & oak cabinets. Cozy rear patio with deck & lawn area. Cul-de-sac setting within walking distance to downtown, library & access to miles of walking trails. $539,000
ING D N PE
PEACOCK CREEK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB Fabulous "Coronado" model! with 1st floor master suite. 4 bedrooms + loft, 2.5 baths, approx. 3,335sf, 2 fireplaces & 3 car garage. Upgrades include: tile floors, neutral carpet, light fixtures (inside & out), window coverings, crown molding & designer paint! Elegant formal dining room off kitchen with crown molding. Living room with fireplace. Gourmet kitchen features granite tile counters, island, maple cabinets & upgr. stainless steel appliances. Large family room with fireplace & custom maple built-in media cabinets. Spacious master suite with sliding glass door to private patio. Fantastic private large (.36 approx) acre lot features prof. landscape, towering redwoods, roses, multiple lawn areas, custom aggregate
patio with a relaxing in-ground spa in a private setting off master bedroom. $1,099,000
NG I D PEN
CHAPARRAL SPRINGS AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
NG I D PEN
Manzanita model on a prime golf course view lot! backing to 15th fairway with Mt. Diablo views! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,430sf, inside laundry & 2 car attached garage. New paint & carpets throughout! Upgraded marble tile floors in entry & all baths. Granite tile fireplace in living room. Kitchen with tile counters & floors. Spacious master suite. Cozy Spanish tile patio looks out to golf course. $589,000
Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
9007 Elk Drive 718 Anizumne Court 2 Mt. Wilson Way 1164 Moccasin Court 8019 Kelok Way 5120 Keller Ridge Dr 1124 Whispering Pines 5017 Raven Way 5175 Keller Ridge Dr 5007 Raven Way 1032 Pebble Beach Dr 90 Mt. McKinley Ct 107 El Portal Place 104 Mt. Whitney Way 905 Arrowhead Terr 410 Chupcan Place 107 Jeffry Ranch Ct. 8027 Kelok Way 8000 Kelok Way 204 Falcon Place 1468 Yosemite Cir 11 Alef Court 24 Ohlone Lane 620 Black Point Ct 1127 Peacock Creek Dr 1874 Eagle Peak Ave 4003 Hummingbird Wy 118 Forest Hill Dr 151 Montaire Parkway 5185 Keller Ridge Dr 459 Obsidian Way 7009 Molluk Way 6015 Golden Eagle 108 Mt. Whitney Way 1175 Shell Lane 198 Mt. Vernon Drive 461 Obsidian Way 605 Condor Place 533 Hamburg Circle 455 Obsidian Way 1547 O'Hara Court 112 La Encinal Court
$890,000 $680,000 $499,950 $670,000 $890,000 $739,000 $1,175,000 $825,000 $899,000 $750,000 $1,060,000 $799,000 $915,000 $825,000 $665,000 $715,000 $760,000 $954,980 $889,500 $800,000 $580,000 $897,000 $825,000 $815,000 $1,332,500 $815,000 $900,000 $1,075,000 $800,000 $917,000 $1,020,000 $899,000 $867,000 $778,000 $528,900 $844,000 $938,000 $495,000 $799,950 $1,089,000 $680,000 $960,000
02/28/06 02/28/06 02/23/06 02/22/06 02/22/06 02/17/06 02/17/06 02/16/06 02/13/06 02/10/06 02/09/06 02/07/06 01/31/06 01/24/06 01/17/06 01/06/06 01/03/06 12/29/05 12/28/05 12/23/05 12/19/05 12/16/05 12/16/05 12/15/05 12/14/05 12/08/05 12/08/05 12/02/05 12/1/05 11/29/05 11/23/05 11/22/05 11/21/05 11/18/05 11/16/05 11/16/05 11/10/05 11/9/05 11/9/05 11/4/05 10/28/05 10/26/05
2,543 1,904 1,378 1,343 2,542 1,877 2,700 2,467 3,079 1,835 3,335 1,919 2,857 2,566 1,797 1,991 2,150 3,079 2,542 2,467 1,326 2,370 2,313 2,005 4,100 2,467 2,854 3,185 2,448 2,894 3,454 2,854 2,536 2,481 1,145 2,141 2,981 1,252 2,030 2,981 1,739 2,427
BED/BATH 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 4/3 4/3 4/3 3/2 4/2.5 4/2 5/3 5/3 3/2.5 3/2 4/3 4/3 4/2.5 4/3 3/2 4/2.5 4/2.5 4/2.5 6/3.5 4/3 3/3 4/3.5 4/2 4/3 5/3 5/4 5/2 5/3 2/2 4/2 4/2 2/2 4/2 4/2 4/3 4/2
CLAYTON PIONEER MARCH 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Section B Page B1
Hike of the Week
Benicia State Recreation Area KEVIN PARKER
HIKER’S HAVEN Great hikes, views, even a botanical garden await in Benicia A quick trip over the Benicia Bridge will land you into a 720acre expanse known as the Benicia State Recreation Area. This state park is packed with trails, paved roads, grassy hillsides and rocky beaches. The main trail is a paved road that serves as a thoroughfare for cyclists, runners and walkers alike. From the main parking area, which is centrally located on the trail, you can travel a few miles toward Dillon Point or head in the other direction until you reach a staging area off Military West Drive. The trail is well-maintained and mostly flat, with a few rolling sections. It’s great for pushing a stroller or riding a bicycle. I was happy to stumble across the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanical Garden, located adjacent to the main trail. The garden is filled with native flora and fauna and seems to be near completion. A highlight of the botanical garden this time of year was the brightly colored pink flowered currant (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum). It was well worth
PICNIC SPOT the quick side trip. Upon arriving at Dillon Point, spectacular views of the Carquinez Bridge are sure to please. I spent a fair amount of
“W
hen you live in a place as exciting and beautiful as the Clayton Valley area, it’s hard not to be excited for each new day,” Lynne French says. “From the energy of the city to the natural setting of the country, there’s always something to keep me on the go.” Lynne brings this positive energy and love for the Clayton Valley to her long-running career as a real estate professional.
(925) 672-8787 www.LynneFrench.com Lynne@LynneFrench.com
NEAR
DILLON POINT
time watching the tides move through the Carquinez Strait with a power and velocity reminiscent of a roaring river – keeping me standing well back
Photos by Kevin Parker/Clayton Pioneer
from land’s end. What I did not initially realize upon navigating through the park was that this recreation area serves as part of the Bay
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SHORELINE VIEW Area Ridge Trail. access along the Carquinez The trail is a planned multi- Strait, a botanical garden or a use, 500-mile ridgeline trail that section of the Bay Area Ridge encircles the San Francisco Bay Trail, head to the Benicia State Area through nine counties. Recreation Area. Park maps are There are trails that can current- not available, but they aren’t ly be used, however, various sec- needed to enjoy the easy-to-foltions of trail need to be added low network of trails. to complete the loop. For more information on So far, they have almost 300 Benicia SRA, visit miles of trail open. As more www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=476. trail is added, the goal of linking If you are interested in hikmore than 75 different public ing the Bay Area Ridge Trail, parks and open space preserves visit www.ridgetrail.org. This will be attained. Website has a section called The vision for this trail “Trail of the Month,” which began as a partnership between highlights various parts of the the Greenbelt Alliance, the East trail and gives other information Bay Regional Park District and such as distance, regulations and the National Park Service, and it directions. has been a success thus far. For more information on this hike or Finishing a 500-mile trail that other outdoor experiences, contact me at travels as far north as Napa and hikershaven@sbcglobal.net. as far south as Morgan Hill will be quite a feat. Benicia State Rec. Area If you have the time, I highzTrailhead: Staging area inside ly recommend hiking the varimain entrance, off Rose ous parks and open preserves Drive. Self registration parkthat make up the Bay Area ing, $4 Ridge Trail. A goal for my colzDistance: 5+ miles umn will be a nine-part series zDifficulty: Easy/moderate illustrating the different sections zDuration: 1.5 hours of trail in each of the nine zDog Factor: Fido is allowed counties it covers. I’ll offer more but don’t forget a leash on this type of dedicated hiking zGetting There: Take I-780 extravaganza at a later date toward Benicia. Exit (most likely after the kids are Columbus Parkway. Left on out of school). Rose Drive to the park Whether you are looking for entrance. a well-paved trail with easy
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Clayton Sports Goodwin leads CVHS track season out of the blocks
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
THE 2006 CVHS TRACK SEASON OPENED MARCH 1 with the first of eight DVAL dual meets, hosting Liberty High School at Gonsalves Stadium. The rains gave way to early afternoon sun as the boys 1600 event is greeted with the starter’s gun. BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer
The phone rang in Dallas just before the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4. Dan Sandoval, Clayton Valley High School’s head track coach for the previous two years, hadn’t spoken to his 2005 assistant coach James Goodwin since the prior season. “I wanted to touch base with you and see if you’d be interested in coaching again this coming season at Clayton Valley,” Sandoval said to Goodwin. The call led to a few others, culminating in Goodwin’s return as the head track coach for the 2006 season. “I was so excited, man,” Goodwin says of the first call from Sandoval.
Goodwin was back home in Dallas in January after wrapping up music production at his record company in Austin. His work as a musician and producer goes back to age 16, with an MC Hammer connection. The 34-year-old also has seen a bit of athletic success along the way. A star track and football athlete at San Leandro High School, Goodwin went on to play a major role for the 1991 National Champion University of Washington Huskies and the 1991-’92 UW Rose Bowl victories over Michigan and Iowa. He was a blocking back for the likes of Napoleon Kaufman. “They didn’t give the fullback the ball too often,” he notes. Goodwin is glad to be back
Sports Shorts CVLL Parents needed to help clean and prepare the fields for the upcoming Little League season. Those that want to help clean and prep the Major fields before the >season, and those that signed up for Field Maintenance, please come to the Majors Field on Mar. 11 at 9 a.m. Bring a shovel, weed whacker, gloves, rakes, etc. and plan on working for an hour or two. CVLL Opening Day Ceremonies will be on Sun., Mar. 19 at the CVHS gym. The ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Regular season games start on Sat., Mar. 25.
Send your sports announcements, bulletins and notices to sports@claytonpioneer.com
at Clayton Valley. “I had track fever the day Dan called,” he says. “I’m bleeding red and blue right now. Those were our same colors at San Leandro.” Sandoval, who ran cross country and track at Mt. Diablo High School, was drawn back to the track and field world in 2002 when his daughter Laura ran track at CVHS. He returned again in 2003 as a volunteer coach. Sandoval stepped in as head coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. After that, he advised Athletic Director Pat Middendorf that he wanted to
“take a break … a little breather.” “It was a terrific experience. I enjoyed it immensely. I’m very proud of these student athletes,” Sandoval says. “The only exception, perhaps, is that I didn’t produce a league title for the Clayton Valley women. We were possibly in line last year but fell a bit short with losses to Carondelet and the perennially strong Deer Valley.” According to Sandoval, coaching at this level has many facets. “Only about 20 percent is actually coaching the athletes and running the meets. There’s
fund-raising, equipment and all of that,” he notes. “We’re blessed at Clayton Valley to have this terrific new stadium, all-weather track and the addition of new starting blocks, hurdles, starting guns and timing equipment.” Clayton Valley has a strong track and field history. Sandoval points to John Miller, who ran the program well into
See Track, page B3
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the ’90s. “John is like a Hall of Fame coach. I’d like to be a part of returning that tradition to this school,” says Sandoval. “Clayton Valley has always had a good reputation for sports,” Goodwin reports. “Some of these athletes are going to break records. The BVAL represents some of the
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March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Clayton Sports Bill Wagoner is new Pioneer sports editor The Clayton Pioneer is pleased to our new sports editor, Bill Wagoner. Bill is a native of the Bay Area and a long-time resident of Clayton He has a passion for baseball and an active background with Clayton youth sports. Bill comes to the Pioneer having spent five years as a sports journalist with the Contra Costa Times before launching successful sales and marketing careers in both the music recording industry and world of electronic imaging. As Arizona and Florida come to life with baseball
BILL WAGONER
spring training this month, one of Bill’s first features will be an
on-location report on localarea athletes working their way through the farm system maze in hopes of fulfilling their lifelong dream of making it to the big leagues. Bill and his wife, Pamela Buck, have lived in Clayton since 1997. Their son Nolan has played Clayton Valley Little League baseball since he was four. This month he enters his second season in CVLL’s Major Division with the Astros. We are proud to welcome Bill to our staff. Send your stories, ideas and questions to Bill at sports@claytonpioneer.com.
Track, from page B2 finest track and field in Northern California. This is something special working with student athletes to build a pipeline to advance to Division I schools.” Goodwin is grateful for the support of parent volunteers and coaches, including Sandoval, Howard Janssen and Les Garaventa. Janssen, a well-respected track figure in these parts, is one of the reasons for the cohesiveness of the CVHS coaching staff. “I ran track back in the dinosaur days,” says Janssen, a former high school and college head coach. These days, he teaches at Foothill Middle School and then gives his afternoons to the Eagles track program. Sandoval refers to Janssen as “a coach’s coach,’ while Goodwin claims he’s “the BVAL track guru.” Coach Garaventa, a CVHS alum, also is an integral part of
the team working with the shot put and discus athletes. “I learned a lot playing for Coach Don James at Washington,” Goodwin adds. “I didn’t know if I’d ever want to be a coach. I’d coached Pop Warner football in Marin County and then had a great experience here last year as an assistant. I’ve been on both sides.” Goodwin isn’t the only athlete in his family. Big brother Tom played parts of 14 seasons in the big leagues, including the 2002 season with the Giants. He was a .268 lifetime hitter, with 369 stolen bases. Little brother Curtis played five MLB seasons, with the Orioles, Reds and Rockies. The dual meet season was scheduled to open March 1, but the previous two days brought a lot of rain and a likely washout of the league opener at Gonsalves Stadium. That morning, however, the
Bill Wagoner/Clayton Pioneer
CVHS TRACK COACHES Howard Janssen, James Goodwin, Dan Sandoval,and Les Garaventa.
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer CV’S NICOLE STUPKA launches a
meet-best long jump of 16-plus.
“track gods” exposed Mt. Diablo and cleared the sky for coaches Goodwin, Sandoval, Janssen and Garaventa. The meet went on, thanks in large part to the all-weather surface. “I always thought I ran faster on a blue track,” offers CYO veteran coach and CVHS volunteer coach Joe Sullivan. The Eagle women prevailed over Liberty, 71-58, while the men fell a bit shy of their target. The coaching staff is excited about the 2006 season, with Nicole Krup (high jump), Alana Laux (100), Nicole Stupka (long jump), Lindsay Vanderstratton (distance) and Karin Volpe (hurdles) as girl athletes to watch. On the boy’s side, Keith Franklin (100), Ben Miller (hurdles) and Terrell Woodall (hurdles) merit close attention. “I tell my athletes to go for the stars and encourage them to prepare to be at their very best on Wednesdays,” says Goodwin.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., MAR. 15 FOR THE MAR. 24 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH MARCH 15 Widow and Widower’s Support Group @ Pleasant HIll Hospice 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Hospice and Palliative Care of Contra Costa offers a variety of support groups and workshops for people experiencing grief and loss after the death of a loved one. Group held at Hospice’s administrative office at 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, 887-5678. FEB. 17 - MAR. 25 She Loves Me @ CTA Crossroads Theatre Set in the sophisticated capital city of Budapest in the 1930’s, it recounts the lively romantic adventures of the staff of an elegant old-world perfumery. Two co-workers bicker incessantly, unaware that they are anonymous penpals known only to each other in their secret correspondence as “Dear Friend.” She Loves Me is a musical masterpiece in miniature, as endearing and relevant as ever in this age of internet romance. CTA Crossroads Theatre, 1277 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek, 944-0597, www.ctacrossroads.org. MAR. 9, 10 Aladdin Jr. @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7 p.m. Mt. Diablo Elementary chorus students’ production directed by Christine Billingsley with all original Disney music. $3 donation accepted. Community welcome. Mt. Diablo Elementary Multi-use Room, 5880 Mt. Zion Drive, Clayton. THROUGH MAR. 18 My Fair Lady @ Dean Lesher Region Center for the Arts Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC) production of the classic Lerner-Loewe Broadway hit featuring award-winning veteran actors and newcomer Angelique Lucia as Eliza Doolittle. Performances on Feb. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, Mar. 2,3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18 at 8 p.m., Feb. 19, 26, Mar. 4, 5,18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 - $36, on sale at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek or call 943-7469, or www.dlrca.org. MAR. 11 It Might as Well be Spring Social @ Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living 4 - 5:30 p.m. Come celebrate the 40’s with us. Enjoy appetizer and live entertainment - favorite 40’s tunes. Get your photo taken free with America’s favorite sweetheart of the 40’s. Please RSVP, 524-5100, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. MAR. 12 Flock of Flutes Concert @ Shadelands Auditorium, Walnut Creek 3 p.m. A program of Civic Arts Education (CAE), Flock of Flutes offers a unique opportunity to hear a variety of flutes combining in innovative musical styles. The concert opens with a mass flute choir - over 50 flutes all playing at one time. Civic Arts Education, 111 N. Wiget lane, Walnut Creek , CA Tickets are $7, call (925) 943-5842for information. MAR. 14 "Knitters at the Library @ Clayton Community Library 3 - 5 p.m. The Clayton Community Library will be hosting knitters every second Tuesday beginning March 14th. For beginners and experienced knitters alike. Bring patterns, resources, tips and tales to share. An experienced knitter will be available for help and inspiration, and there will be plenty of books to check out. For ages 8-108." Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd. MAR. 17 - APR. 2 Streetcar Named Desire @ Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. From the great American playwright Tennessee Williams, Streetcar is set in the steamy streets of New Orleans. Stanley Kowalski struggles for dominance over his wife and her fragile sister --- Blanche du Bois. The character of this faded southern belle is caught in a changing modern world of brutish cruelty that leads to the revelation of her tragic selfdelusion and, in the end, to madness. Tickets are $10-$13. For tickets call the box office at Kara Penrose and Bryan Quinn play 925 - 687-4445. DVC Stella and Stanley in DVC’s Streetcar Performing Arts Center, 321 Named Desire Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill.
MAR. 22 Readathon @ Clayton Community Library 7 p.m. Calling all Readers! Listen to the five picture books nominated for the 2005-2006 California Young Reader's Medal at our CYRM Readathon. Vote for your personal favorite! Recommended for children in Kindergarten - 2nd grade, but all ages welcome. Registration not required. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, CA 94517.
MAR. 22 Buchanan Field Public Meeting @ Crowne Plaza Hotel 7 p.m Kick-off of Noise Mitigation Study. For information call Beth Lee at (925) 646-5722. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord MAR. 23 Dr. Seuss Preschool Story time and Craft @ Clayton Community Library 11 a.m. Join us for a story and a craft in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. For ages 3-5. No registration required. 673-0659, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, CA 94517. APR. 4 The Art of Retirement @ Loma Vista Adult Center, Concord 7 - 9 p.m. The course is five weeks in length and costs just $17 for people 55-plus. Course units include how to keep the money you have, health, long-term-care insurance, volunteering vs. working part-time, and more. Objectives include gaining confidence in your retirement opportunities and meeting other people with similar interests. Upon the completion of the course, students should know themselves better in light of their quest for a successful, meaningful retirement. People of all ages and situations are welcome. For more information on the class please call instructor George Fulmore at (925) 686-6916. Students can also join the class the night of April 11th. Call (925) 937-1530 for registration information. Loma Vista Adult Center. Located at 1266 San Carlos Ave., Concord. APR. 21 - 23 Computers and Electronics Waste Disposal and Recycling @ Chronicle Pavilion, Sponsored by Clayton Valley /Concord Sunrise Rotary Fri. open 1 - 6 p.m., Sat. and Sun. open 8 a.m. Free to all California residents, recycle computers, monitors, TVs, copy machines, laptops, keyboards, mouses, printers, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, toner cartridges, telephones, cell phones, power supplies, I-pods, and MP3 players. There is no limit for any person or business. No appliances please.
COMING IN SPRING Readers of The Urantia Book will start a new study group this spring. The meeting will be held in a downtown Clayton cafe. New readers are asked to join seasoned readers to explore the book's topics and to discuss the time/day to meet (weekly, bi-monthly or monthly). Email: Urantian@mac.com or call: (925) 672-4689 and ask for Tery.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
MAR. 14, 21, 28 Kiwanis Club of Walnut Creek 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meetings every Tues. All are invited to check us out and be our guest for lunch. Massimo’s Ristorante, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. for more information call Sam Totah, 941-1536. MAR. 16, 23, 30 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m.and 5:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in and meeting on Thurs.. 800-326-8450 x 2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. MAR. 16, 23, 30 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thurs. for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker. Feb. 16 is the Annual Valentine's Day breakfast. Members can bring their spouses/partners/sweethearts for a program that celebrates affection and romance. www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 6897640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.
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MAR. 14, 21, 28 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tues. mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. MAR. 21, APR. 4 Clayton City Council Meeting @ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tues. of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. MAR. 14, 28 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd and 4th Tues. of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.
MAR. 13 Clayton Valley 4-H club @ Farm Bureau Hall 7:10 p.m. 4-H is open to youth ages 5 - 19 and adults. Projects in small and large animals. Learn new skills including cooking, photography, arts/crafts etc. Opportunities in leadership, communty service, conferences, 4-H camp, fairs. Contact Candy Hogan at 925- 969-1325 for more information. Meetings held on the second Monday of the month Sept. - June. Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 Clayton Rd. Concord.
MAR. 14 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Diablo View Middle School 9 a.m. Meeting to be held in the Community Room. All parents welcome. Diablo View Middle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.
MAR. 14, 28 The Clayton Valley Woman’s Club @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church Coffee will be at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. Regular monthly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Anyone interested in attending or learning more about the Woman’s Club, please call Joyce Atkinson at 672-3850 or Sheila Driscoll at 6727947. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.
MAR. 21 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7:30 p.m., Multi Use Room. Make a difference in your child's education. For items to be included on the agenda, contact Stacey Wickware 673-1999, the5wicks@sbcglobal.net or Kristy Smith 673-1795, kristinsmith@yahoo.com, PFC Co-Presidents. Childcare is available. Watch website for details.! http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary.
Mar. 15 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Oakhurst Country Club 6 p.m. no-host social, business at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner is $22 The speaker is Kathleen Antrim, Opinion Editor for the San Francisco Examiner. She will discuss California Bay Area Politics. RSVP to Barbara Allen at 672-5061 by Mar. 13. E-mail www.yvrwf.org for additional club information. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Drive, Clayton.
APR. 6 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @Clayton Valley High School 7:00 p.m. If you show your child that you care about their school, your child will care too. Together we can make a difference! The meeting will be held in the school library. Clayton Valley High School, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord.
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APRIL 6 Sons In Retirement @ Oakhurst Country Club 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. SIRs Branch 19 meets the first Thursday of every month. Speaker and lunch. Dedicated to promoting the independence and dignity of retirement. Open to all men retired from their primary job and/or not seeking full-time work. New members are always welcome. For more information, call Al Brunner at 687-0594 or Membership Chairman, Carl Sisson, at 672-6418.
APR. 13 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 673-7304, Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail, Clayton.
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MAR. 30 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meeting @ Oakhurst 6:30 p.m. Monthly dinner meeting, last non-holiday Thurs. of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. John Rubiales, President. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.
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MAR. 12, 19,26 Concord Mystery Book Club @ Concord Library 2:30 - 4 p.m. All mystery readers are invited to participate and explore a different genre each month. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord, 646-5455.
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MAR. 22 Blue Star Mom Meeting in Concord 6:30 p.m. Small group Blue Star Mom meetings held the 4th Wednesday of each month. Blue Star Moms is a support and service group for those serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. 1792 Elmhurst Lane, Concord. Call 676-3654 for information.
APR. 12 Clayton Valley Garden Club @ Diamond Terrace 7 p.m. The Clayton Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at Diamond Terrace. We welcome anyone who enjoys gardening. Every meeting has an informative program concerning some aspect of gardening. We hope that you will join us. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. Call Jeff at 672-7579 or Barry at 827-9540 for information.
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MAR. 17 Knights of Columbus St Patrick's Day Dinner @ St. Bonaventure Church 6 - 9 p.m. The Knights of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 will hold their annual St. Patrick's Day dinner at St. Bonaventure Church Large Hall. Menu will be corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, salad, bread and dessert. Macaroni and cheese is available for the children. No host bar. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children under 15 years. Irish dancers and music, raffle tickets available. Proceeds to benefit the Sisters of the Assumption, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information contact Pat DePlazes @ 685-0573 or Claire Tryon, at 673-8564 or email to greyeototo@sbcglobal.net. St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Rd, Concord.
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This is one of those “truth is stranger than fiction” stories. While the names of those involved will be kept anonymous, what is described here really did happen a few months ago. There’s a booking agent I’ve worked with off and on for nearly 10 years. He’s found me a few piano performance jobs, though I hadn’t heard from him in quite a while. When he called to offer me a one-night gig at one of the Bay Area’s nicest hotels, I was interested, in spite of only a few days notice. A red flag went up, however, when the agent told me he’d recently started booking dueling piano acts at this particular hotel. I would be playing with another pianist whom I’d never met. But the agent assured me that this other pianist knew a lot of songs and was a good player. Not to worry, the agent said. Over the next few days, the other pianist (whom I’ll call “Andre”) and I exchanged several emails and a couple phone calls. We examined each other’s repertoires and found songs we both knew how to play. I was impressed with Andre’s songlist and willingness to work together as a team for
this occasion. I asked my wife, Linda, if she’d be interested in attending the performance. Given the world-class status and atmosphere of the hotel where I’d be playing, I figured she’d enjoy herself. Plus, since I’d never played as a duo with another pianist, it’d be nice having her there for moral support. As we left the house for our nearly hour-long drive to the hotel, I was feeling reasonably confident about what would transpire. Andre and I had come up with about 40 songs for our two-hour performance. We planned to take turns handling the “lead” parts from song to song. Almost as an afterthought, I turned to Linda, who was driving while I reviewed my songlist, and asked what she was thinking. With that forlorn look that spouses come to know all too well, she said: “I don’t see how this can possibly work.” “Sure it will work,” I said. “We’ve got these songs we both know and we’ll work together. And besides, what could really go wrong?” “I don’t know,” she said, “but I’m getting a bad feeling about this.” Great. A doubting wife. Yet, she’s right about things most of the time. So, I started to worry. What transpired that evening left little doubt that Linda’s fears were justified. Andre turned out
to be a madman at the keyboard. He aggressively took the lead on every song we played. He played loud and hard, and he played way too many notes. He was completely out of control. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. Our plans for working together as a team fell completely apart. The beautiful hotel lobby, full of interested, attentive patrons when we began to play, emptied out. Even Linda couldn’t take it, and she motioned that she was leaving for a while. This performance was rapidly becoming a huge embarrassment. Finally, Andre suggested we take a break. I readily agreed and proceeded to tell him that we couldn’t continue like this. I told him I would gladly succumb to his desire to be a solo piano virtuoso. To fulfill our agreement with the booking agent, I offered to “pretend” to play piano for our second set. Better yet, I’d forgo my payment and just leave. Andre apologized, and we tried to find some common ground. He lightened up a tiny bit during our second hour. He was still difficult to play with but was not quite as domineering as he’d been earlier. Linda came back, and a few new customers drifted in to have a listen. We even got a smattering of applause after a song or two.
Yet, I found myself constantly checking my watch. I couldn’t wait for this gig from hell to end. Even in his most agreeable state, Andre was a man who knew how to play only one way–loud and aggressively. With flailing arms, a bobbing head and outrageous piano pyrotechnics, he was a sight to behold. I promised myself I’d never end up in this kind of situation again.
“Even in his most agreeable state, Andre was a man who knew how to play only one way–loud and aggressively.” Jim Hudak Through the grapevine, I’ve since learned that Andre has trouble with all the pianists he’s tried to perform with as a duo. Those I’ve talked to say he tries to hide his shortcomings by playing too loud and trying to take over. It’s sad, because he really does have some talent. But for me, this was a gig I will never forget. Jim Hudak’s Music Notes column appears regularly in the Pioneer. Contact him at jimmydak@pacbell.net. His piano music CD’s are available from his Web site at www.jhudak.com or at amazon.com.
If you are 70½, be aware of April 3 IRA deadline If you reached age 70½ last year, April 3 could be an important deadline. That’s the last day you can take your 2005 required minimum distribution (RMD) from your traditional IRAs. If you miss the deadline, the penalty could be a 50 percent excise tax on the amount you should have withdrawn.
Once you reach age 70½, you must start taking annual distributions from your traditional IRAs. Normally these distributions must occur by Dec. 31 of each year. But a special rule allows you to defer the first distribution until April 1 of the year after you reach age 70½. The deadline is April 3 this
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year because April 1 falls on a Saturday. So if you turned 70½ last year, April 3 is the deadline for your 2005 distribution. You’ll still need to take your 2006 RMD before the end of this year. Generally, the amount of the RMD for any year is based on your age. Take the balance in all your traditional IRAs as of the last day of the previous year and divide by a factor representing your life expectancy. The IRS has published a standard life expectancy table to use in the calculation. Special rules might apply if your spouse is more than 10 years younger than you. The RMD rules don’t apply
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to Roth IRAs. But the April 3 deadline is used for all other retirement accounts unless you’re still working. Because all or part of your distribution may be taxable income, it is important to include RMDs in tax planning. Ideally, you should start planning for RMDs several years before you reach age 70½. Carol Keane is a Certified Public Accountant in Walnut Creek. Email her at carol@carolkeanecpa.com.
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Letter to the Editor Clayton resident questions landscaping and planning decisions Dear Editor: Landscaping: There is an exorbitant amount of landscaping in the city. I live in Diablo Village where a trails area that runs behind the development with a 4-foot wide pathway, runs down the middle of a 40 plus foot wide area of landscaping. Why wasn’t at least half of this maintained area added to the backyards of the houses when the development was planned? On average these houses only have 12-foot deep backyards while the area for a jogging or biking trail is 40 feet across! This area stretches from Center St. behind the development to
Marsh Creek/Clayton Road. Why is the city consistently planning such large areas of landscaping to maintain? Has anyone in city government proposed bidding out a contract to private landscaping companies to see if one, or maybe a collection of companies could maintain these areas at a savings? Past Mayor Manning and, it seems, Mayor Shuey believe we mere citizens just didn’t “understand” Proposition M. We citizens understood fully well that you in city government were holding the downtown park hostage and waving it like a carrot in front of the people so you could stick
Police Blotter The dates and times shown indicate when the incident was reported to the Police Department.
Police activity for week ending Feb. 24 ACCIDENTS 2/17, 12:29 a.m. Eagle Peak Avenue and Keller Ridge Drive. Traffic accident, no injuries. 2/19, 7:03 a.m. Pine Hollow Road. Traffic accident, property damage. 2/22, 7:07 p.m. Clayton Road. Hit and run traffic accident. Property damage. 2/23, 8:17 a.m. Clayton Road and Washington Blvd. Traffic accident with minor injuries. ARRESTS 2/17, 1:42 a.m. Park Highlands Blvd. and Ygnacio Valley Road. A Fairfield male, 39, was stopped for driving extremely slow and for following too closely. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking 2/17, 11:46 p.m. Clayton Road and Lydia Lane. A Concord male, 43, was stopped when the vehicle he was driving was seen drifting back and forth from the lane of traffic to the bicycle lane. After failing a field sobriety test, he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/18, 9:57 a.m. Keller Ridge Drive and Condor Way. A Clayton male, 28, was stopped for speeding and found to be driving without a license and to have an outstanding warrant (drugs) for his arrest. He was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/18, 8:50 p.m. Kirker Pass Road and Concord Blvd. A Concord male, 47, was stopped
for a vehicle code violation. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/18, 11:42 p.m. Yolanda Circle and Oakhurst Drive. A Concord male, 19, was approached when he was seen curled up in the middle of the street. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/19, 1:09 a.m. Kirker Pass Road and Clayton Road. A Concord male,21, known to have a suspended license, was stopped. He was issued a citation and released with his signed promise to appear. 2/19, 2:32 a.m. El Camino Drive and Pine Hollow Road. A Clayton male, 21, was stopped because his vehicle did not have a front license plate. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/20, 12:03 a.m. Kirker Pass Road. A Concord male, 22, was stopped for an expired registration. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/20, 7:56 a.m. Mt. Dell Drive. Police responded to a call regarding a verbal dispute and arrested a Clayton male, 47. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility where he was booked into custody 2/23, 8:39 p.m. Cardinet Drive. A Clayton male, 23, known to have an outstanding warrant for failure to comply with order of probation, was arrested at his residence without incident. He was transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/23, 2:37 p.m. Clayton
them for triple taxes. I am offended, to say the least. City Planning: If Clayton officials are trying to attract businesses why would they promote a brand new coffee shop/tasting room in the new building planned for the end of Center St.? There is a husband and wife owned coffee shop called “Cup ‘O Joe” a half block away, and with the new Peet’s Coffee, two Starbucks and Cup ‘O Joe’s all within a mile, are they really looking for a long-term tenant or are they just looking to run someone out of business? Likewise for the deli planned for the same building, the owner of the Village Market
has indicated that he wants to run a deli out of the back of the market when it reopens, yet again Clayton is promoting a new deli out of this new building on the same street (Center) a block away. Two redundant types of businesses within a block of one another. If Clayton wants businesses to come to town why are they planning so many redundancies? Why isn’t Clayton or the CBCA trying to protect the existing businesses and find other types of businesses to enhance the downtown shopping experience? James Gamble Clayton resident Taxpayer
Road and Tara Drive. Disorderly Conduct: Alcohol. After receiving a call from an off duty Clayton Police Officer regarding a male subject harassing some female juveniles, and after a short search, police found and arrested a Concord male, 42. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking. BURGLARIES AND THEFTS 2/18, 10:29 a.m. Widmar Place. Petty Theft. 2/18, 2:37 p.m. Clayton Road. Vehicle Theft. 2/21, 6:04 a.m. West Myrick Court. Burglary Vehicle. VANDALISM 2/17, 11:17 p.m. Mt. Dell Drive.
and transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/26, 3:41 a.m. Ayers Road and Clayton Road. A San Francisco male, 23, was stopped when the vehicle he was driving was observed drifting from side to side in the lane of traffic. After failing a field sobriety test he was arrested and transported to the Concord Police Department for booking. 2/26, 3:50 p.m. Tiffin Drive. Battery on spouse. After responding to a disturbance call, police arrested a Clayton male, 57. He was transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 2/28, 10:38 p.m. Clayton Road and Kirker Pass Road. Possess Controlled Substance. A Concord male bicyclist, 34, was stopped when he was seen riding his bicycle without a headlight. He was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance and for an outstanding warrant for DUI. He was transported to Concord Police Department for booking. 3/2/6, 9:14 p.m. Mt. Dell Drive. A Clayton male, 21, known to have an outstanding warrant for DUI, was contacted at his residence. He was arrested and transported to Concord Police Department for booking.
Police activity for week ending March 2 ARRESTS 2/24, 12:56 a.m. Kelok Way. After responding to a call regarding a group of subjects loitering in the area, police issued a citation to a Concord male, 18. He was released with his signed promise to appear. 2/25, 10:01 p.m. Clayton Road and Lydia Lane. A Concord male, 21, was stopped for speeding and found to be driving with a suspended license. He was arrested
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10 am Sunday School & Bible Class, 11:15 am Worship
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St. John’s to host peace observance REV. JOHN W. BENNISON Special to the Pioneer
Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Clayton is once again hosting a community-wide Peace Observance. The one-hour observance for all people of good will coincides with the third anniversary of the commencement of the Iraq War. A bell will toll once for each U.S. casualty to date, as a memorial to the countless who suffer, die and mourn as a result of continued armed conflicts around the world. The event will include candlelight, song, music and prayers. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Sat., Mar.18, in the church, 5555 Clayton Road. This will be the third such event the church has sponsored for the community at large in as many years. However, there are people who question what good comes of a peace vigil. Some
even liken it to a protest rally. Everyone is anti-war, everyone wants peace, say others. Some folks are downright suspicious, as if there’s some ulterior motive to a peace vigil other than peace. Before last year’s observance, someone told me they feared such activity would weaken our resolve to “stay the course,” discourage troop morale, and give aid and comfort to the enemy. They even thought New Testament scripture was “on their side,” quoting Matthew 12:25: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” It should be noted that in quoting a well-known proverb of his day, Jesus was describing the reign of God, not military strategy. These days, the longing for resolution and reconciliation continues to grow stronger. The inability to get closer to victory, or even to define what victory
might be, makes the case for continued conflict more difficult to sell. To those who would still question the need for a peace observance, perhaps it would be constructive to consider the alternatives we’ve tried. The rationale for waging war has digressed from national defense and the search for weapons of mass destruction to the establishment of a “free and peaceful Iraq,” to shifting criteria for a drawdown of U.S. troops and the search for any viable exit strategy. “Boots on the ground” continue to play catch-up and adapt to shifting factors, in order to “stay the course;” while any consideration to cessation of hostilities is dismissed out of hand as defeatism. It would create a big mess and result in civil war, some argue. Meanwhile, the broadening civil and sectarian strife in Iraq
suggests that any notion of a truly just and peaceful country – one in which you or I would want to live the rest of our lives remains as elusive as when we invaded that sovereign nation three years ago. Given these harsh realities, one might at least give as much weight to questioning the rationale for this continued conflict as some do for peace. But why should the religious community in particular meddle in such bloody matters? One cannot help note an increasing number of churches in our own country that have come under closer scrutiny by our government for giving the appearance of being critical of the war effort. At the same time, we see and hear our administration commending the critical role played by religious leaders of the rival Muslim sects in Iraq.
See Peace, page B10
Church News
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CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH We are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt with the YMCA on Sun., Apr. 9 from 12-2 p.m. This is a free event open to the community for children ages Pre-K through grade 3. We will have a BBQ, raffle, inflatable Bounce House and opportunity to decorate your own Easter Bag. Join us for our Easter Celebration Sunday, Apr. 16 at 9 and 10:45 a.m. You are invited to our 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Friday, May 19 at the Concord Hilton. For more information call 673-9060. We meet every Sunday at Diablo View Middle School at 9 and 10:45am CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is planning a discussion and contemplative service to commemorate the third anniversary of the War in Iraq. Pastors Patricia Plymale and Tim Mooney will lead the discussion beginning at 6 p.m. on Sun. Mar.19 in the sanctuary. The event is open to the public. People of all faiths and political opinion are welcome. Participants are invited to write poems or essays or bring letters from those who have served or are currently serving. A brief contemplative service featuring Taize music will close the evening. For directions or questions please contact the church at 672-4848 or cvpres@sbcglobal.net. Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road. CROSSROADS CHURCH Sign up today for the class “Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours.” How to bring out the best in your kids by doing what is best for them. Classes begin Apr. 2 and continue for six weeks, 11a.m.–Noon. Register by calling 798-5905. Crossroads Church 5353 Concord Blvd. ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH Lenten Suppers and Evening Prayer Eternal Life Lutheran Church invites all to its Lenten soup suppers and Lenten services of evening prayer on Wednesdays through Apr 5. The suppers are from 6 to 7 p.m. The services begin at 7:15 p.m. The message series theme is “Seven Times He Spoke – Jesus’ Words from the Cross.” A PowerPoint review of the passion history will also be presented at each service. All are invited to join us at Eternal Life during Lent for the food, friendship and focus on Jesus. One change in the regular Wed. schedule will be during the third week. There will be no service on Wed., Mar. 15. That week the service will be held on Thurs. Mar. 16, at 8 p.m. The service on that day will include music by the Handbell Choir of
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BAHA’IS OF CLAYTON The Baha’is of Clayton are extending an invitation to a talk and an evening of fellowship. The subject of the talk is moving forward with faith. The speaker is Mr. Jim Andrews. He holds a Masters degree of Arts in educational and instructional technology and a Masters degree of Science in public/business administration and organizational behavior. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social psychology. He is currently serving as Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Prior to that he worked as global program manager at Hewlett-Packard. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. with a period of interfaith devotions followed by Mr. Andrews’ presentation. The date is Sat. Apr. 1 at the Toloui residence in Clayton. For more information and directions call (925) 672-6686. Everybody is welcome.
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California Lutheran High School from Wildomar. Eternal Life’s regular Sun. schedule is Sun. school and Bible study at 10 a.m. and worship at 11:15 a.m. Eternal Life Lutheran Church is located at 5554 Clayton Rd., Suite 1B, in Concord. Please call 5240295, or visit the church Website at www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org for more information. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH Nifty Fifty News: Upstanding, clean-cut and wholesome citizens with no shady past, no unpaid parking tickets and no outstanding warrants are invited to tour the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco on Apr. 18. Picture I.D. necessary; call the church office at 686-2000 to make a reservation. Cut-off date is Mar. 12. Before the tour, we’ll lunch at a nearby restaurant. Meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. and leave promptly at 10 a.m. Ferry leaves at 11 a.m. Round trip fare is $6.50 for seniors and parking is free in Ferry Parking garage in Jack London Square. Please sign up early on Sign-up sheet in Social Hall as no additions accepted after March 12. Invite a friend for a fun and informative day. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord, CA 94521, 925.686.2000. www.holycrossconcord.org KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus annual essay contest for all Catholic School students 4th grade through high school, CCD, and Youth Ministry students at St Bonaventure and St Agnes Parishes will start Feb. 20. Contest will continue through April 1. Topics and entry sheets can be obtained by contacting Claire Tryon, Youth Director for the Concord Council 6038 and Essay Contest Chairman. For more information contact Claire Tryon at 673-8564 or email to greyeototo@sbcglobal.net Entry forms can also be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Youth Ministry in each parish. ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY The Men’s Spiritual Network of Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community in Concord is sponsoring a Lenten Men’s Retreat at San Damiano Retreat Center the weekend of Mar. 31 – Apr. 2 (close spaces). The retreat will be led by Fr. Kenan Osborne, OFM, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, and an internationally known writer, speaker and retreat master. Come meet other men from the Oakland Diocese as we begin our Lenten journey. For more information, point your browser to http://www.stbonaventure.net/msnretreat.shtml or call Matt Remington at (925) 672-4006, or Peter Nixon at (925) 363-5884. ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH “From Ashes to Easter:” Saint John’s continues with the Lenten season of preparation for Easter with special meaningful additions to worship services each Sun. morning at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Lenten acts of charity will include The “Sox” project. You may not get cold feet, but there are those among us less fortunate than ourselves who do! This is a collection project of new pairs of socks (white athletic, in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes) that will be distributed through Martin de Porres Hospitality Center, San Francisco. Community members interested in making a donation (socks or monetary contribution) can drop it off at the church between Mar. 10 and Apr. 15. In addition, Saint John’s will host a community-wide Peace Observance for all people of good will on Sat. Mar. 18 at 7:30 p.m. See story above. Interested community members can contact the church, or find more information online at www.saintjohnsparish.org.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Dining Around reasonable which make Pasta Primavera a perfect choice for any occasion. Recently featured in Diablo Magazine’s “At The Table” section, LA VERANDA CAFE received raved reviews from restaurant reporter Melissa Swanson. La Veranda serves a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and fish starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Pasta dishes range from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. “...make no mistake;” said Swanson, “this is no spaghetti and red sauce throwback. The quality of La Veranda’s food sets it apart.” If you haven’t yet had brunch at La Veranda, you are missing a real treat. The menu includes all the popular breakfast choices, Eggs Benedict and Florentine, omlettes and pancakes. A new twist on the tried and true Joe’s Special will leave you beg-
LA VERANDA CAFE
If you want a special place to dine, you might want to stop by PASTA PRIMAVERA at the corner of Clayton Road and Treat Blvd. in Concord. We recently enjoyed lunch there and commented on just how charming the dining room is with the dark cherry wood chairs and tables and mirrored back wall. The relaxing ambiance is matched by a delectable menu that offers a variety of items from antipasti and salad to pasta, seafood chicken and veal. Our party of three each tried a different lunch entrée. The Linguine with garlic and mushrooms in virgin olive oil arrived at our table piping hot and
smelling absolutely delicious. It was the personal favorite of our lunch partner and that was plain to see…every last noodle was devoured. Jill had the blackened salmon and Caesar salad. The salmon was mouthwatering and the salad fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing. The soup that accompanied the salad was cream of broccoli…perfect texture and very tasty. Another favorite was the seafood salad featuring shrimp and scallops on a bed of spinach in a warm lemon Dijon sun-dried tomato dressing. For salad lovers who enjoy their salad as main course, this is for you. Prices are very
March 10, 2006
ging for more. All are served with potatoes, toast and fresh fruit. This popular spot is a perfect place for a lovely, quiet Sunday morning brunch where you are likely to run into friends and neighbors. La Veranda opens on Sunday at 10 a.m. and is open daily for lunch and dinner. A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty. The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97, this large pizza will feed a small army. Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads. All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m. And, ROCCO’S NEW SPORTS BAR is now open. With a full bar and 12 big flat screen TVs, sports fans might just think they’ve found heaven. See you at Rocco’s.
both St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland in general. The shamrock is a threeleafed clover and national emblem of Ireland. Although it is believed that St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the trinity, this idea cannot be proven. Its first written mention appeared nearly 1,000 years after St. Patrick’s death. Also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, the shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish
from their Jewish neighbors for their traditional dish of Irish bacon. Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies. They were seen as tiny men and women who could use their magical powers for good or evil. In Celtic folk tales, leprechauns were cranky, ugly souls responsible for fixing the shoes of other fairies. But leprechauns had no connection to St. Patrick or the day’s festivities until 1959, when Walt Disney released the film, “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.” America was introduced to a cheerful, friendly leprechaun who quickly evolved into a symbol of
Crossword Puzzle Across
1- Friends; 5- Quartz grains; 9- Sudden forward thrust; 14- Prepare for publication; 15- Manipulator; 16- Inactive; 17- Dress often worn by Hindu women; 18- Bloodsucking insect; 19- Ridge; 20- Complete change; 23- Retain; 24- Levi's rival; 25- Portable bed; 28- Use a full nelson, say; 31- In favor of; 34- With speed; 36- Also; 37- Bedouin; 38- Divide up; 42- Increased in size; 43- Female fish eggs; 44- Band's sample tapes; 45- Organ of hearing; 46- Bewhiskered; 49- Before; 50- Exist; 51- At any time; 53- Not discoverable; 60- Vocally; 61- Golf club which can be numbered 1 to 9; 62- Blessing; 63- Cranium; 64- Short tail; 65- Parched; 66- Stickum; 67- Sailors; 68- Makes brown.
Down
Solution will appear in the March 24 issue of the Clayton Pioneer
1- Nuisance; 2- Purim month; 3- Currency of Turkey, and formerly of Italy; 4- Stench; 5- Feel pain; 6- Slanted; 7- ___-do-well; 8Small drink; 9- One with a bullet?; 10- Free laces, say; 11- Roman emperor; 12- Broad smile; 13- 7th letter of the Greek alphabet; 21Effluent system; 22- Dole out; 25Mooch; 26- Musical drama, usually sung in Italian; 27- Reduce gradually; 29- Point in the desired direction; 30- Unit of weight; 31Of first importance; 32- Sharpedged instrument; 33- Corpulent; 35- Crow call; 37- Beer; 39- Forest makeup; 40- Extinct bird, once found in New Zealand; 41- Milk snake; 46- Horse restraint; 47Swallow; 48- Happenings; 50Mature; 52- Capital of Morocco; 53- Actress Chase; 54- Entre ___; 55- Prehistoric sepulchral tomb; 56- Killer whale; 57- Adriatic wind; 58- Cut of meat; 59- Terminates; 60- Snake.
ast at Ou r
Mon. – Thurs. Co zy P fé 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. asta Pr avera Ca im Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat. 12 noon – 10 p.m. / Sun. 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fine Italian dining with an extensive menu • Weekend Special - grilled steaks • Gourmet desserts and fine wines Very reasonable prices
4425-F Treat Blvd. Concord, CA 94521
687-5 5300
www.pastaprimaveracafe.com
La Veranda Café
Some symbols of St. Patrick’s Day March 17, Irish or not, we celebrate the religious feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have observed the day as a religious holiday for thousands of years, traditionally attending church in the morning and celebrating in the afternoon. Here are a few tidbits on the symbols of the day. Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional meal on St. Patrick’s Day. Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only became associated with the holiday at the turn of the century. Irish immigrants saved money by substituting corned beef - a cheaper alternative learned
joy An Italian En Fe
land and make laws prohibiting the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule. Today, shamrocks are still worn to celebrate the holiday. FeatureSource
Northern Italian Cuisine in downtown Clayton Fresh soups, salads, antipasti, pizza and pasta Dinner and lunch daily Brunch on Sunday Children’s menu and take out service available
For reservations call (925) 524-0011 6201 CENTER ST. CLAYTON
Op en at 11 a.m ., 7 days a week
Banquet Rooms Patio Dining Team Parties
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Full Bar Available Corporate Catering
2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd. at Oak Grove Rd. in Walnut Creek (925) 947-6105 • Fax (925) 947-6106 www.roccospizzeria.com
Farm 51
Seth Ahonen
March 10, 2006
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page B9
Hip, elbow problems can lead to lameness in dogs Lameness is one of the most common problems I see in my canine patients. In large-breed dogs, hip and elbow dysplasia can contribute to lameness. Golden retrievers and Labradors are exuberant, mildmannered and loving making
them wonderful family pets. But they often suffer a lifetime of pain from joint diseases, as do other large breeds such as German shepherds, mastiffs, standard poodles and Saint Bernards. Medium-size dogs like springer spaniels and Australian
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shepherds also can be targeted for the problem. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary deformity in the structure of the hip joint, predisposing the animal to arthritis. Hip dysplastic dogs fall mainly into two groups. The first type display symptoms when they are 6 to 8 months old. The signs include hesitancy to jump up or to climb up steps, limping on a hind leg, difficulty standing up from a sitting position or bunny hopping when running (running with both back legs together). There may also be a characteristic swivel to the movement of the backend while walking. Your veterinarian will feel for laxity or popping of the hip joint, as well as tenderness or pain on backward extension of the hind legs. The second group includes older dogs whose hips are painful due to the onset of arthritis. The best diagnosis is obtained through X-rays, taken under sedative or anesthesia for best positioning. The hip
joint can be compared to a ball and socket. The ball is the round head of the femur, which fits into the socket of the hip or what is called the acetabulum. If the socket is too shallow, the ball will not stay in place. This allows movement away from the socket, stretching the tendons and muscles around the hip and creating discomfort. In time, painful secondary osteoarthritis will form in an effort to stabilize the joint. This late stage includes bone spurs around the acetabulum and thickening of the upper part of the femur. Weight control plays an important part in controlling hip dysplasia. Puppies should eat food formulated for large breeds to prevent obesity and accelerated growth. If it is diagnosed by 8 to 18 months old, hip dysplasia can be corrected by a surgery called Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO). This reshapes the acetabulum into a deeper socket, preventing arthritis later in life. In smaller dogs, the femoral head can be removed to allow the dog to form a new, pain-free hip attachment. This procedure is called a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO). If surgery is not possible, weight and activity control, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) and glucosamine products can be used to manage the pain. Ultimately, a total hip replacement can be done. Dogs respond quiet well, often returning to normal activity after surgery. Veterinary Surgical Associates does the procedure in Concord, or the School of
Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis is within an hour’s drive. Elbow dysplasia refers to abnormal development of the elbow in a growing dog. Several processes combine to cause incongruity of this joint and osteoarthritis. These changes are also inherited. Clinical signs of intermittent or persistent limping on a front leg start between 4 and 10 months old. The lameness is often aggravated by exercise. A veterinarian will examine for pain through manipulation of the elbow. Once again, Xrays are the initial screening tool. If radiological changes are present, such as bone fragments and bone irregularity of arthritis, your veterinarian may recommend an MRI or CT scan to clarify the condition. Arthroscopy, or scoping of the joint, markedly reduces recovery time. If surgery is done early, before the formation of osteoarthritis, there is a better chance that your dog can have normal function of the elbow. Elbow replacement is also available in specialty locations. Surgery may not always help, and the owner is left with pain management as noted above. The best way to prevent these dysplasias is to screen potential breeding dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has established guidelines for hip and elbow dysplasia. Respectable breeders X-ray their dogs at 2 years old, prior to breeding. The radiographs are then sent to OFA, where several board-certified radiologists review them. If the hips are certified as good or excellent, the dog will
receive a registration number and will be cleared for breeding. If the hips are ranked lower, it will be recommend that the dog not be bred. The inheritance of dysplasia, however, does not follow
MARYBETH RYMER,
PAWS
AND
DVM
CLAWS
simple genetics. Even certified excellent parents can produce dysplastic pups. But since the development of the OFA certification process, these dysplasias have dramatically decreased. When shopping for a medium- or large-breed puppy, be sure to ask for proof of hip and elbow certification on the parents. If a diagnosis is made within a certain time limit, many breeders will replace the puppy or help defer the cost of surgery. I hope we will have DNA testing available to screen for such problems in the future, for it is heartbreaking to see a dear friend suffer through this pain. For more information on the dysplasia screening process, visit www.offa.org. Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be reached at Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital, Concord. 672-1100.
DeeDee and Blizzard are ARF’s stars
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est. 1978
Adjacent to Hollywood Video
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4375 Clayton Rd. Unit K Concord owner & Clayton resident Grace Carson & her dog, Blue
The Clayton Pioneer’s “Music Notes” columnist
Clayton’s own
Jim Hudak Pianist and Composer For bookings and performances:
Visit our Website www.jhudak.com E-mail jimmydak@pacbell.net Piano CD’s available on his Brainstorm Records label
Custom murals for home or business
We also specialize in custom portraits
Call Or Write:
Brainstorm Records P.O. Box 488 Clayton, CA 94517 (925) 673-7293
Two-year-old DeeDee is a cutie pie who loves to snuggle and play. He would make a purrfect addition to your family. Come fall in love with DeeDee and his fabulous feline friends at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation. Blizzard is a happy-golucky 11-week-old pup who loves everyone he meets. He is likely to be a star pupil in his dog training classes and will thrive in a home filled with mind-engaging activities and experiences. Bring everyone who will live with Blizzard or DeeDee to meet them at ARF, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek. Adoption hours are 2-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 12-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you wish to adopt a dog, also bring any current canine family members. If you would you like to be part of the team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats, or if you can share your talents to connect people and animals, ARF encourages you to volunteer. For more information on pet adoptions or volunteering, visit www.arf.net or call 2561ARF
Page B10
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 10, 2006
This month learn how to use your noodle
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
March is National Noodle Month. No doubt a marketing gimmick of the National Pasta Association (NPA), this arcane “festival” still merits attention because noodles are one of the world’s favorite comfort foods. In fact, the NPA notes that noodle consumption increases by as much as 20 percent during the winter months. While most food historians believe noodles had become a mainstay of the Chinese diet during the Han Dynasty about 2,300 years ago, archaeologists recently found an upturned bowl of noodles in a deep layer of sediment that dates back 4,000 years. This find may place to rest the question of the origin of noodles. Although China has long been suspected as the source, other theorists also considered the Middle East where grain was first domesticated. About 1,400 years ago, a Chinese poet wrote an ode to noodles that reads more like a recipe. He mentions that while noodles were the invention of
the common people, some of the cooking methods came from foreign lands. Most of us learned in school that Marco Polo brought noodles back to Italy from his adventures to China in the late 13th century. Yet pasta dishes were common among the Etruscans, the forerunners of the Romans, hundreds of years earlier. One can only guess at what caused that hapless person to abandon his meal to the millennia, but so far scientists have learned that the noodles were made from flour derived from two types of millet. Today, the world’s noodles come from a host of grains, including rice, buckwheat and mung bean flour. Most American and European noodles are made with wheat. In China, noodles are called mein or lo mein. The Japanese use the term ra-men, which is their pronunciation of the Chinese characters used for lo mein. Ramen is a highly regarded regional dish in Japan. Nissin Foods figured out a way to make “instant ramen” in the 1970s (add hot water and, voila, soup). It still has a significant share of the $10 billion worldwide market for the product. Another Asian soup that focuses on noodles is Vietnamese pho, a soup developed in North Vietnam about 100 years ago. At the time,
Vietnam was under French control, and the name pho may have come from the French feu which means fire but is synonymous with a boiled dinner. The North Vietnamese serve pho quite simply with meat (generally beef) in a flavorful broth with noodles. The South Vietnamese tend to
BEEF PHO
dress up pho with bean sprouts, cilantro and other herbs, plus lime. This is the version generally seen in the United States today. Making pho is not a quick process, but the results are wonderful. BEEF PHO 1 lb. oxtails or beef shank bones ½ lb. beef brisket ½ lb. beef sirloin steak 2 Tbsp. olive, peanut or rice bran oil
1 onion, unpeeled and sliced thickly 3 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 2-inch piece fresh ginger, unpeeled 1 tsp. coriander seed 1 tsp. peppercorns (preferably white) 2 Tbsp. fish sauce ½ lb. rice vermicelli Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix together meats and bones, oil, onion, anise, cinnamon and ginger. Roast in a small pan, stirring occasionally until wellbrowned, about 45 minutes. Remove roasted ingredients to a stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, skim, and add coriander and pepper. Simmer for three to four hours to allow flavors to develop. Remove sirloin and allow to cool a bit, then slice thinly. Strain stock, discarding solids. Reheat with sirloin slices and fish sauce. Soak vermicelli in boiling water for 10 minutes. Divide noodles into
bowls. Top with very hot broth and serve with the following garnishes: ¼ lb. raw filet mignon (have the butcher slice it paper thin so the meat will cook to medium rare when hot broth is poured over it), 1 c bean sprouts, 1 c sliced green onions, 3 sliced hot chilies (Thai, bird, Serrano), lime wedges, mint, cilantro, basil and hot chili sauce. Generally, noodles are made simply from flour and water or egg. Their flavor and color can be enhanced by spinach, herbs, beets or even squid ink. Some starchy vegetables are used too, such as yams, potatoes and soybeans. You can make homemade egg noodles in less than an hour. EGG NOODLES 2½ c all-purpose flour Pinch salt 2 eggs, beaten ½ c water, with 1 Tbsp. melted butter
Peace, from page B7 Their powerful influence is critical in that country’s attempts to quell the increasing upsurge in hostilities. In light of this, it would seem religious faith communities in our own country have an equally important responsibility especially in promoting open and civil dialogue, even a cease-
fire, instead of continued acts of aggression and violence. Or is religious faith and fervor merely a strategic component of another endeavor? Every great faith tradition has at its most authentic roots the dignity and respect of every other human being, along with the twin virtues of justice and
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peace. Because this includes respect for differing points of view, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in just such a reconciliatory experience as the peace observance on March 18, regardless of one’s personal and political viewpoints. For more information, visit www.saintjohnsparish.org. The Rev. John W. Bennison is rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Clayton.
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On a large smooth surface, add salt to flour. Make a well and add eggs, water and butter. Carefully fold the flour into the liquids and begin to incorporate into dough. Knead the dough until smooth, about five minutes. (Using a stand mixer with a dough hook will yield approximately the same results.) Let dough rest about 10 minutes. Roll out on floured board to ?-inch to ¼-inch thick and slice into the lengths and widths desired. Allow noodles to air dry about 30 minutes. Bring eight to 10 cups of water to a boil, add noodles and cook al dente. (Check at four minutes—fresh noodles cook far faster than dried varieties.)
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