Clayto Cleans n April Up 27, 9 a S a ve
IT’S YOUR PAPER March 29, 2013
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City H all BBQ lunch Courtyard for v at 11 olunteers :30
Daffodil Hill blooms again
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Concord chooses Valerie Barone as city manager PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
JULIE PIERCE
Valerie Barone can trace her leadership philosophy to a small hillside town in the Philippines. It was there several decades ago when the new Concord City Manager, then a Peace Corps volunteer, learned the importance of community.
MAYOR’S CORNER
A lesson in how our city works
Diablo View Middle School held their annual Career Day a couple weeks ago. I was asked to attend and speak about what the mayor does. I think some of the students were disappointed that the mayor doesn’t make the laws and can’t just order something done. We held a mock-meeting and our agenda included discussion of the roles of council members and the rotational office of the mayor. We talked at length about the role of volunteers in our community and how instrumental they have been in helping us obtain many of our prized amenities, including our library, Clayton Community Park and playfields, Clayton Community Gym, Diablo View Middle School and The Grove Park.
See Mayor, page 3
VALERIE BARONE
Nicole Hackett
A COMMUNITY-WIDE LANDSCAPING EFFORT of the city’s gateway at Marsh Creek and Clayton Roads is paying off this month with the return of the daffodils – a sure sign that spring has arrived. The $60,000 project nurtured by the Clayton Valley Garden Club and financed by the city of Concord and a grant from the Clayton Business and Community Association was completed last fall when the Garden Club planted more than 200 daffodil bulbs, a tradition that began sometime around 2000 and gave the hill its nickname.
“In any endeavor, you need to get everyone involved to have true success,” she says. “It was vital when working
See Barone, page 2
Clayton Valley legend Bob Thomason calls it a career JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
“It’s not often someone can return to your alma mater where you played, coach 25 years and retire with your dad [and mom] watching your final game in the NCAA Tournament.” CBS basketball commentator Tim Brando made that statement last Fri-
day near the end of the University of the Pacific game against Miami as UOP coach and former Clayton Valley High School star Bob Thomason was coaching his final game. UOP lost to #2 seed Miami 78-49 but that did little to take the luster off Thomason as he bowed out following a distinguished career, having taken
Pacific to five NCAA Tournaments and winning more games than any coach in his conference history. Thomason’s basketball career began on the Clayton Valley Elementary playground (current site of Kings Valley School). He was in fourth grade when he made the fifth grade team and played in the Concord
Recreation Department league for three years “for Mr. Clark with our games on Saturdays at Clayton Valley.” He continued playing at El Dorado Intermediate. He entered high school in 1963, three years before Concord High School opened so he
See Thomason, page 10
As weather warms up so does interest in downtown commercial development TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy University of Pacific Athletic Department
BOB THOMASON COMPLETED HIS 25TH AND FINAL SEASON as men’s basketball head coach at his alma mater, the University of the Pacific, by cutting down the nets after his Tigers won the Big West Conference tournament earlier this month, earning them a fifth bid to the NCAA Tournament in Thomason’s quarter century in charge. Thomason left CVHS in 1967 with a fistful of school records and a pair of league championships.
What’s Inside
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Car Tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Commercial development in downtown Clayton has been at a standstill since 2008, when real estate values plummeted, the economy tanked and the few projects that were in the works dried up. In a lousy economy with skyrocketing unemployment and the banks’ chokehold on credit, no one had any money to invest in a new business or and potential customers had little money to spend on “stuff.” But, that’s about to change.
See Downtown, page 8
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Community Calendar . . . . .14 Design and Décor . . . . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5
THE CITY OF CLAYTON IS GETTING CLOSE TO A DEAL with a commercial developer to build the Creekside Terrace project on Oak Street. The 7,200 square foot building will house retail businesses at street level with apartments upstairs. Since the building is under 8,000 square feet, the city will waive onsite parking requirement allowing customers to use public parking. Fashion Over 50 . . . . . . . . .17 Food for Thought . . . . . . . .16 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
PHMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . .9 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . .17 Pocket Parenting (NEW) . . .8 Police Report . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Speaking of Sports (NEW) .11 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 29, 2013
Around Town Scouts honor Concord couple with Spirit of the Torch Award
Sheila and Dave Rowntree, right, of Concord received the Spirit of the Torch Award at the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Recognition Dinner on March 16 at the Hilton Concord. The award recognized their outstanding service and leadership to Scouts with disabilities.
Barone, from page 1
Sandy Johnson joins Clayton Police Department
Their dedication and patience over the last 19 years made a significant difference in the lives of the Scouts in Troop 1994. The Rowntrees were also acknowledged as Second Century donors to the endowment fund, which enables Scouting to continue for future generations.
If you stop by the Clayton Police Department and think you’ve seen that face behind the window somewhere else, you’re right. The newest addition to the support staff is Sandy Johnson who fills a vacancy left by Lynn Christ Dansie who left in November to work for the Brentwood Police Department. When Sandy recently retired from her 30-year career in federal law enforcement, she felt she needed something to do. It seems co-chairing the July 4 committee, volunteering at CBCA events, working at Clayton Counts Down, sitting on the Clayton Planning Commission and serving as a lector and hospitality minister at St. Bonaventure’s wasn’t enough to keep her busy. When she heard that the
Hortons take Pioneer to Mordor Dane and Kahni Horton, despite posted warnings, were determined to reach their goal of hiking New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing all the way past Mt. Doom (aka Mt. Ngauruhoe) and the Red Crater to the Emerald Lakes. The dazzling, spectacular, demanding and never-to-be-forgotten hike was completed on Mar. 2, in just six hours and ten minutes. Frodo would have been so proud!
SANDY JOHNSON
Community Services Officer position was open, she jumped at the opportunity. It was a perfect fit, says Chief Chris Thorsen. As for Sandy? She’s having a wonderful time. “I can’t believe I’m getting paid to work with all my friends.” Sandy has lived in Clayton for 10 years. She and husband Craig will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.
What’s happening Around Town? Send your news and photos of your births, engagements, weddings, special recognitions, etc. to info@claytonpioneer.com.
1023 Pebble Beach Drive, Clayton
3075 Windmill Canyon Dr., Clayton
5795 Pepperridge Way, Concord Custom View Home nestled amongst the trees at the top of a majestic wooded knoll on the Concord/Clayton border! 5 bedrooms + a home office/au-apair, 3.5 baths, approx. 3186sf with inside laundry, wine cellar and 3 car garage! Huge approx. .51acre lot with pool. $699,900
PENDING PROPERTIES 3051 Windmill Canyon Drive Windmill Canyon! Fantastic Larson Model!
$649,000
Email the new city manager at valerie.barone@cityofconcord.com
6160 Center St., Suite E, Clayton
Better Homes DRE#00933393
(925) 672-4433
Black Diamond! Immaculate Summit Model on a large private lot! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1991sf, inside laundry & 2 car attached garage. Gleaming laminate wood floors throughout first floor. Two way Marble slab fireplace. Separate dining area. Bright kitchen opens to family room. Fantastic large yard features a trellis covered deck, cascading fountain with dry creek bed and separate patio area with big shade tree! $479,000
Short Sale Specialists helping Homeowners SUCCESSFULLY close their short sale transactions since 2007.
Clayton Market Update provided by Better Homes Realty
15 El Portal Court, Clayton Regency Woods! Classic Two Story Rancher on a huge lot! Nestled at the end of a tranquil court looking out to creek & open space! 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 2,324sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage! Beautifully maintained! $609,000
SOLD PROPERTIES Oakwood Estates! Totally remarkable custom home in an irreplaceable setting on 1.09 acres! $930,000
7020 Molluk Way, Clayton $645,000
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
215 Round House Place, Clayton
1102 Oakwood Circle, Clayton
6024 High Street, Clayton Mitchell Creek Place! First Ever Re-Sale!
Exquisite single story "Augusta" backing to open space with views of hills! Upgraded & updated extensively from top to bottom! 3 bedrooms, 2 updated baths, approx. 1816sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Gourmet kitchen boasts slab granite counters-full custom back-splash, custom euro cabinets-pantry. Completely re-done spa style baths! Custom crown moulding-picture rail-baseboard-window trim, decorator colors & so much more. Incredible private & tranquil lot features professionally landscaped extensive paver patio and walkways, deck, meandering paths and a stunning assortment of colorful flowers. $579,000
Barone received a crash course in those finances when she started in Concord in December of 2008, at the beginning of the economic downturn. The city faced a huge deficit that would cripple city services if it didn’t make changes – the major one being downsizing its staff. But through it all, Concord avoided massive layoffs, losing only eight city staff to layoffs. The rest were results of retirement and other vacancies, something Barone is very proud of. With the goal of keeping the city on stronger financial footing, Barone was instrumental in the success of Measure Q in 2010, the half-cent sales tax. She says she felt good about being able to connect with many different community residents to help educate the public about the financial realities facing the city. But that is what Barone does best, she says – work with people, whether they are community leaders, businesspeople, seniors, students or just an Average Joe off the street. “Concord is so diverse, and I love bringing all those different viewpoints together to help solve problems.” It’s a desire shared by many civic leaders throughout the country, but as Barone says, she has to make sure it’s more than just talk. “My mother always used to say, good intentions are nothing if not backed up by a realistic plan,” she says. “That’s also been one of my guiding philosophies. It takes a community to make things happen.”
Helping friends, neighbors & newcomers buy and sell their homes since 1979
Ironwood/Windmill Canyon
Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club Spacious Belvedere model on a premium view lot backing to open space & overlooking sweeping views of oak dotted hills & canyons! 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 4076sf, inside laundry & 3 car attached garage. Downstairs den + bedroom (no closet) & full bath. Gourmet kitchen! Enormous family room with 2way fireplace, bar & custom built-in media cabinet! Huge master with balcony overlooks hills & valley! Private lot with nature fencing allows yard to blend into open space! Custom stamped patio and walks, observation deck, custom BBQ Island & outdoor fireplace! $925,000
with small communities when I was in the Peace Corp, and essential now when working in city administration.” Barone, who was hired on as Concord’s assistant city manager four years ago – and has served as interim city manager since January 2012 – was the unanimous choice of the Concord City Council to fill the top position on a permanent basis. She will be officially appointed at the council’s April 9 meeting. City officials are thrilled with their decision. “Valerie is a consummate professional, and is a wonderful person to work with,” says Concord Mayor Dan Helix. “She’s earned her spurs in Concord already, and we’re proud of the job she has done. We look forward to working with her for many more years to come.” Barone, who graduated from Humboldt State with a degree in natural resources planning and received an MBA from Cal State Sacramento, says she always was interested in planning, so city administration was a natural fit. She worked in San Mateo County and as community development manager for the cities of Milpitas and Walnut Creek before shifting her attention to Concord, Contra Costa’s largest city, and one that has always been mired in issues of land use. “I am very good at pulling together disparate ideas and visions, and helping develop strong plans,” Barone says. “Especially those that are tied to reality, at least financially.” She says she has strong interest in municipal financing, something that isn’t sexy but that is “the cornerstone of strong city management.”
Ironwood/Windmill Canyon! Gorgeous Executive Home!
$735,000
269 Mountaire Parkway, Clayton
1339 Shell Lane, Clayton
Dana Hills! Sensational Updated Single Story Rancher! $624,000
Chaparral Springs! Sharp Manzanita Model!
ADDRESS
PRICE
27 Petar Ct...........................$625,000 4008 Hummingbird Way ......$680,000 48 Marquette Ct ...................$485,000 635 Mt. Duncan Dr ..............$625,000 586 Mt. Dell Dr.....................$360,000 21 Ohlone Ln .......................$615,000 51 Mt. Tamalpais Ct .............$635,000 5023 Keller Ridge Drive.......$565,000 199 Mountaire Parkway .......$625,000 913 Diablo Downs Drive ......$734,000 2 Weatherly Drive ................$620,000 3908 Coyote Circle ..............$399,000 5858 Pine Hollow Road .......$645,000 5896 Herriman Drive............$480,000
SF . . . .2010 . . . .2481 . . . .1471 . . . .2960 . . . .1423 . . . .2313 . . . .2619 . . . .1911 . . . .1947 . . . .3291 . . . .1895 . . . .1595 . . . .2257 . . . .1653
BED/BATH
$381,100
George Vujnovich
Jennifer Stojanovich
Don Howard
Broker
Broker-Associate
Realtor-Associate
Clayton Resident
Lifelong Concord/Clayton Resident
Clayton Resident
(925) 672-4433 cell: (925) 348-5700
(925) 567-6170
(925) 408-3184
georgevujnovich@sbcglobal.net DRE #00711036
www.georgevujnovich.com
SALE DATE
. . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .3/21/13 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .3/15/13 . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .3/15/13 . . . . .5/3 . . . . . . .3/15/13 . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .3/14/13 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . . .3/8/13 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . . .3/8/13 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .2/28/13 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .2/26/13 . . . . .4/4.5 . . . . . .2/25/13 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .2/21/13 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .2/21/13 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .2/21/13 . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .2/20/13
jenstojanovich@yahoo.com DRE #01446062
www.jenniferstojanovich.com
Donald.kent.howard@gmail.com DRE #01846446
donhoward.ccartoday.com
March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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MDTRA Trail ride set for May 4 Mayor, from page 1
HORSE AND RIDER KICKED UP A SPLASH last year on the Mt. Diablo Spring Ride. This year’s competitive ride is set for May 4 and is open to all riders whether members of MDTRA or not.
The Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association annual Spring Trail Ride will be May 4. This competitive ride is open to all and will cover trails built by club members through ranches, private property not normally accessible and state parkland. It is held under the auspices of the North American Trail Ride Conference, a national organization promoting conditioning and soundness of horses and good horsemanship. Veterinari-
an and horsemanship judges monitor the horses and evaluate the riders’ handling of their horses throughout the event. Not a race, the ride is grouped into divisions paced for different distances and experience levels. Some riders participate just for the pleasure of riding while others wish to learn more about improving their horsemanship skills. Riders receive written reports at the end of the ride containing the observations
of both judges. Participants check in with the veterinarian on May 3, camp overnight and ride on May 4, ending the day with an awards presentation and barbeque. Riders can stay overnight and enjoy a pleasure ride on their own on May 5. For information about the ride or to register, call (925) 672-3733 or email mtnoaks@earthlink.net. For more information about the organization, go to cmdtra.org. To learn more about NATRC competition rides, go to natrc.org.
Crossings seeks non-profits for neighborhood fair May 19 Local nonprofit organizations can show and tell Crossings residents and the wider local community about their programs, services and volunteer needs on May 19. There is no charge to the nonprofit to participate. Public admission to the Fair is free. To book a space, email or
Happy Easter
Many of you remember all of the fund-raising drives needed to match grants for these projects. They all took a lot of community support to achieve. We also discussed the cost of maintenance and repairs for damages that are the direct result of vandalism. They were surprised to learn that the cost to replace one spindle on The Grove park gazebo is $150 for the wood, carving, staining and installing. The replacement cost for a single swing seat is $175 and there have been several replacements due to misuse. One picket of the Endeavor Hall picket fence is $100 to replace and when there’s a whole section that has been kicked in, it’s closer to $1,000! How many adults know what
happens to “silly string” when it gets hot? It becomes the consistency of bubble gum and just as sticky and hard to remove from the sidewalks, resilient surfaces and tables at The Grove! It requires a lot of time to clean that every week. The students repeatedly asked why I can’t ban the sale of the product. I explained about free markets and asked them instead to stop using it. I’m sure that the cowboy, border patrol agent, Internet gurus, nurses and police officers were far more exciting for the students but I hope our discussions made some impression. My compliments go to our students and teachers at DVMS. The students were attentive and had lots of questions about things around town. They also
LAY OFF THE PEDAL Spring fever is here and with that I think everyone’s foot seems a little heavier on the gas pedal. We’ve had several complaints around town that folks are speeding through our residential streets. So, just a headsup to all of you that our police department will be on the lookout for those with a heavy foot. Don’t ever assume that the patrol car is just a decoy – it just might have flashing lights behind you. Please consider your neighbor’s safety in your rush to get where you are going. As always, you can contact me by email at Julie_Pierce@comcast.net. Let me know what you think!
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call Keith Patterson at kcp.concord@gmail.com or (808) 2955275. The Crossings Homeowners Association serves a community of over 1,000 single-family homes. The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clubhouse, 4465 South Larwin Avenue, Concord.
had a number if ideas for what facilities they’d like to add. Who knows, maybe one of our future mayors was in one of those classes!
Corner of Clayton Road & Kirker Pass Road
(925) 672-3900
claytonpioneer.com
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5256 Boulder Court, Concord $413,300 4BD/3BA with nearly 2,000 sq. ft. of living space! Enjoy high ceilings & a spacious kitchen. The private yard has a sparkling pool and tiered hardscape. Community amenities include park, tennis & greenbelt.
Deer Valley Road, Brentwood Very private, upgraded 3BD/4BA home sits on ~2.5 acres. Enjoy a full horse setup that backs to acres of open space and has mountain and valley views.
2132 Stone Valley Road, Alamo 1908 Camino Estrada, Concord $560,000 Golf Course Property – Completely remodeled 4BD/2BA on large lot that backs Oakhurst & has only one bordering neighbor. Professional landscaping and hardscape plus newer gates, fences and front & garage door. It’s a “10.”
2459 Berkshire Lane, Brentwood $499,000 Shadow Lakes – This 4BD/3.5BA with 3,100 sq. ft. has an elegant entry & a large kitchen/family room combo with vaulted ceilings. Updated downstairs bathroom & new designer lighting stays. Spacious master bedroom. offers custom closet.
Michelle Gittleman, (925) 768-0352 DRE#01745325
MichelleGittleman.com
DRE#01467993
Shelly Gwynn, (925) 207-3069 www.ShellysHomes.withWRE.com
Custom Estate – Spectacular hideaway estate at the end of a private lane is beautifully landscaped & impeccably maintained. Circular driveway with spouting fountain and flowerbed greet you graciously as you pass through the elegant wrought-iron gate. 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths are offered in the main house and alongside the rose garden is a 1BD/1BA guest house, for a total of 6,603 sq. ft. Stunning entry/living room has soaring ceilings and walls of windows that look onto the pool and manicured grounds. Complete with marble floors, floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and a full bar set up, it is optimal for grand events. The chef ’s kitchen has a 6-burner island stove, subzero refrigerator and a butler’s pantry w/ a wine nook. The master suite at the main level is replete with sitting area, walkin closet, fireplace and a private bath w/dual vanities, jetted tub & sizeable shower. 3 bedrooms are suites with private marble baths. Out in back, ample patio areas surround the pool/spa & hot tub. Just to the side are an outdoor kitchen and firepit for endless hours of fun. Take the path through the garden to reach 2 exterior pool bathrooms and the 800 sq. ft. guest house with living area, full kitchen & bath, and the bedroom loft. $2,298,000
Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton closed by sales volume (1/12 – 12/12). Data by EBRDI, Trendgraphix.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 29, 2013
Learn the fun side of recycling Mt. Diablo Recycling is celebrating Earth Day next month by encouraging the community to go beyond filling up recycling containers to learn how to help extend the life of recycled materials. In its “Reuse & then Recycle” program on Saturday, April 20, MDR will offer two free sessions introducing interested residents to its myriad functions at its 90,000square-foot facility in Pittsburg. The family “celebration” includes presentations and tours of the facility, featuring colossal recycling machine, Big Blue, and his machine buddy, Big Wall-e; information about “the 4Rs” (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Respect the Earth), and an introduction to MDR’s mascot, The Recycling Guy. Event handouts include a mini recycling container and a listing of what is accepted in MDR’s residential recycling program. Participants can also make and take home unique reusable treasures and play the “Divide up the Recycling” game. The identical sessions take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at 1300 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg. Contact Nicole Impagliazzo at 925-692-2224 or send email to Nicole@Garaventaent.com with questions or to reserve space for the morning or afternoon session. RSVP by April 12.
Local computer store moves to new digs
CUSA, THE POPULAR COMPUTER STORE has moved to a bigger and better space in the Clayton Station. For 19 years ComputersUSA (CUSA) has operated in the shadow of Clayton Station Shopping Center, but that all changed in March as they moved across the aisle and relocated into the main strip of the center. “We’ve been here at the Pavilion shopping center adjacent to the Clayton Station for nearly 20 years and the opportunity to make the move to a more mainstream center presented itself early this year and we decided to make the switch,” said William Claney, the CEO of the company and a Pioneer columnist. “The store is open for business a full month before the official opening date, thanks to the wonderful efforts of our staff,” said Stacey Creek, the company’s main administrator.
LEIGH KLOCK
The new store has a more modern design with the oldstyle “racks” being retired in favor of built-in tenant improvements. The shelves are full of bargains as CUSA attempts to sell off excess and older inventory, said Chris Stuart, one of CUSA’s chief techs. “We wanted to give our customers a great bargain on dozens of items.” The new location should benefit CUSA because it is more on the shopping path. Safeway, Little Caesars Pizza, the Postal Annex, and others like Dr. Mason’s Dentist office are located doors away from the new location. CUSA offers full service for all PCs, Macs, and servers. Visit the website at www.shopcusa.com. The new address is 5433M Clayton Road.
STEPHANIE LOPEZ
Realtor®, DRE#01874255
Realtor®, DRE#01370548
925.212.5593
925.932.7329 www.26 MalibuCt.com
Stunning 4 bedroom 2 bath single level with bonus approx 350 sf office/outbuilding. Gorgeous oak floors, new roof, new paint, new fixtures, generous gourmet style kitchen with top of the line appliances. All located on a huge view lot! Enjoy the beauty of Mt. Diablo from inside and out. Pool, hot tub pavilion, lawns, patios, outdoor deck complete with built in bbq pavilion, grapevines, and so much more! Large side yard can accommodate RV/Boat. Don’t miss!!!!
Offered at $665,000
www.724CheyenneDr.com
Sprawling 4 bedroom 2 bath single level featuring soaring ceilings, light, bright spacious rooms, beautiful landscaped property with patios, lawn, trees, flowerbeds. Updated throughout. Fantastic Northgate location – walk to Top Schools, shops, parks, and trails!
Offered at $775,000
5133 Rodeo Court
Wonderful 3 bedroom 2 bath single level with vaulted ceilings. Huge kitchen with French doors and garden window. Backyard backs up to open space. Cul-de-sac location near easy access to commute! Don’t miss this darling well appointed home.
Offered at $225,000
I N S P I R E D R E A L E S TAT E
www.myDynamicRealtors.com
March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 250 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” E-mail your letter in a Word document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters MUST be submitted via E-mail.
Classified rates per insertion: $48 for first 30 words, $.40 each additional word Non-profit: $24 for first 30 words, $.20 each additional word To place your classified ad over the phone, call the office at (925) 6720500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten ad and credit card information to (925) 672-6580. All classifieds must be paid for in advance by credit card (Master Card or Visa) We will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. The Clayton Pioneer
Events Home and Garden Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial and Insurance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Held, Chris – Morgan Stanley Smith Barney . . . .930-3815 Leraul, Luciann – CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .518-9076 Littorno, Richard – Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . .432-4211 Miller, Tom – CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354-1385 Mingham, Pete – Guild Mortgage Company . . . .906-8166 Prosperitas Wealth Management . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7700 Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-877-8328 Van Wyck, Doug – State Farm Insurance . . . . . .672-2300
Private bath with shower. Great view of Mt. Diablo.
Classified Computer Tech Growing business has position for onsite pro computer tech in Contra Costa County. Must have experience in Windows and Mac OS, network repair and troubleshooting. ComputersUSA! 672-9989.
Add some to your retirement in 2013
sunshine
Our belief is that our residents deserve the very best personalized care possible at an affordable rate.
RENTAL Charming one bedroom house on Mt. Diablo. No dogs. Super privacy. $995/month. 672-5225.
SERVICES Toastmasters Develop public speaking, presentation and leadership skills with Toastmasters. Word Weavers Toastmasters meets Monday evenings, 7 p.m. at Montecito, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord. Visitors always welcome. Email: contact-400@ toastmastersclubs.org or visit 400.toastmastersclubs.org. Flower Gardening by Nicole Hackett Perennial, ornamental, rose and container care. Keep your garden in flowers this year with monthly fertilizing and pruning visits. Email for consultation or details. Gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.
WANTED Come join Mazzei Realty! Currently interviewing and hiring new and experienced real estate agents. Call 693-0757 for details.
Our amenities include:
Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Private and Companion Studios Restaurant-style Dining Sun-filled Courtyards and Private Patios Professional and Caring Staff 24 hours a day Scheduled Transportation & Concierge Service Life Enriching Activities Housekeeping and Laundry Services
Call Juliana today for complimentary lunch, tour and ask about our move-in specials.
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Construction and Trades Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144 Iron Horse Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .595-3951 Steffan Smith Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0497 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440 Memo's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0395 Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737, ext. 205
650 sq. ft. of prime office space in downtown Clayton.
HELP WANTED
Churches and Religion Concord United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .685-5260 Eternal Life Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0295 St. Bonaventure Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5800
Real Estate Agents Be Successful! Lynne French is expanding and interviewing for a few agents. Call her today 672-8787.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help Fight Hunger Anna Chan – AKA: The Lemon Lady needs your help! Weekly commitment appreciated. For more info and contact numbers, go to thelemonlady.blogspot.com. Hospice of the East Bay Help needed at Hospice of the East Bay Concord Thrift Shoppe located at 5350 Clayton Road, Concord. 674-9072. For information contact Carmen Siems, volunteer coordinator at 887-5678 or carmens@hospiceeastbay.org. Clayton Historical Society Museum The Clayton Historical Society Museum needs a greeter for two hours per month from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. Call the museum at 672-0240 and leave your name. Clayton Community Library Needs volunteers. Minimum age 13. Minimum commitment is 6 months. Some training provided. Contact: Arlene at 673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com.
Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Home and Garden Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 Clayton Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-2299 Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245 Diablo Lawnscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-3757 Flooring City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-8220 Interiors Panache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7920 Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055 Waraner Bros. Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .831-2323 Waraner Tree Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250-0334 Mailing Services The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245 Optometry Foresight Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4100 Pet Services Cat Hospital of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2287 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Pittsburg Pet Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387 Rodie's Feed and Pet Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Real Estate and Mortgage Services French, Lynne – Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787 Howard, Don – Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . .408-3184 Klock, Leigh – Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593 Laurence, Pete – RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004 Lopez, Stephanie – Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329 Mazzei, Matt – Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757 Stojanovich, Jennifer – Better Homes Realty . . .567-6170 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . .672-4433 Recreation and Fitness Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Diablo FC Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-4625 Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-7454 Kali Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276-0845 Senior Services Courtyards at Pine Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-3900 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100 Montecito – Oakmont Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .852-6702 Services, Other ComputersUSA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 Net Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6029 Travel Travel to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9840
Integrity Do the Right Thing
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Performers needed for County Fair The Contra Costa County Fair is accepting applications for local entertainers and community acts to perform on the Community Stage at the 2013 Contra Costa County Fair running May 30 through June 2. The Fair is looking for entertainers, musicians, bands, singers, dance groups, martial arts demonstrations, cheerleaders, baton twirlers and more. Applications are now available at ContraCostaFair.com. The application must be returned to the Fairgrounds by April 15. For information, call the Fair Office at 7574400.
Buyers and Sellers – the time is right JUST LISTED BEAUTY!
This 4 bedroom, 3 Bath home of 3,169 Sq Ft, has vaulted ceilings, 2 fireplaces, 2 zone central heat and air conditioners, formal dining and a Bay Breakfast nook, Gourmet kitchen w/pantry, indoor laundry room, a full bath and bedroom on its ground floor, and a tile roof. It also has a 4 car attached garage and 10x12 shop, RV Parking, patios, a fully landscaped large lot, and a beautiful in ground pool with stone coping, a waterfall and it's own solar heating! This wonderful home is a regular seller but is not in Clayton, so it is priced at only $415,000!
SERVICE
INTEGRITY
“Every child can believe in a dream. But, as we grow older it becomes harder and harder for us to actually believe,” says CVCHS senior Heather Clary. “When I started to notice my childhood had ended and how much I had missed all the good times, I decided that I would make an effort to have other children’s lives be similar.” When time came to choose a senior project, Heather’s thoughts turned to Disneyland. “I remembered walking into the park and seeing things that shouldn’t have been real, hugging characters that I never thought I’d see again and seeing magic literally come to life.” She grew up obsessed with Disney and “everything Mickey,” and began to think about how many children might not ever have the chance to “live the magic.” Her senior project took life. She would send a family to Disneyland. She contacted local churches looking for a deserving family and connected with a single mother with six children who worked three jobs. She would be getting married in June and her family would then be even larger. “I listened to this family’s story and I had to meet them.” She met the family at Starbucks a few weeks later. They sat in the coffee shop and quietly discussed the project. “I looked up from my notes and saw that her fiancé was tearing up…It was at that moment when my heart dropped and I knew that I had to make this happen.” Heather started fundraising by selling handmade bracelets, organizing funding nights at local
Cell: (925) 890-6004
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RESULTS
HEATHER CLARY
restaurants and holding garage sales and car washes to raise the $5,000 needed to send the family to Disneyland. She is close but still needs help to reach her goal by May 1. Heather’s next fundraiser is a car wash at Mountain Mikes on Clayton Road on April 14. For more information or to donate to Heather’s project, contact Heather Clary at the disneyfund@gmail.com.
Police Activity Report
Broker, Realtor, GRI
Call PETE LAURENCE at (925) 890-6004 KNOWLEDGE
CVCHS senior project aims to send family to Disneyland
Pete Laurence, Serving Clayton and ALL of C.C. County. Walnut Creek office
March 29, 2013
Police Activity for two weeks ending March 22, 2013 ACCIDENTS: Mar. 17, 2:30 p.m. Tiffin Dr. No Injuries. ARRESTS: Mar. 11, 2:30 a.m. Kirker Pass Rd./Clayton Rd. A 19-yearold Concord male was arrested after being stopped for Vehicle Code violations. A 27-year-old female passenger from Martinez
was also arrested. Possession of stolen property; under the influence of a controlled substance; false ID to a police officer; driving with a suspended driver’s license; conspiracy; probation violation; warrant. Mar. 18, 5:00 a.m. Clayton Rd./Washington Blvd. A 25year-old Clayton male was arrested for driving while license suspended for DUI after being stopped for Vehicle Code violations.
Mar. 19, 1:34 a.m. Clayton Rd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 46-yearold Oakdale male was arrested for under the influence of a controlled substance after being stopped for Vehicle Code violations. BURGLARIES/THEFTS: Mar. 15, 10:38 a.m. Black Diamond Trail/Clayton Rd. Burglary - vehicle. Mar. 18, 9:55 p.m.Four Oaks Ln. Robbery Mar. 20, 9:00 p.m. Julpun Loop. Burglary – vehicle. VANDALISMS: Mar. 12, Mt. Washington Way.
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March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Clayton rallying to become a HeartSafe Community PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
Most Clayton residents think that their city has a lot of heart, but now, civic leaders are making sure of it. In a unique collaboration between the City of Clayton, the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA), the Clayton Community Emer-
PAM DODSON
AND TWO
will help alleviate some of the worries triggered by the closure of Clayton’s only fire station in January. The CPR and AED training – made possible partly by a grant from CBCA – was under the direction of Pam Dodson of Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services, assisted American Medical Response personnel and Fire-
from Fire Station 11’s skeletal crew, Clayton’s AMR ambulance service’s response times have been quicker than before, about seven-and-a-half minutes. That’s still about two minutes more than when the Fire Station 11 was operating a full schedule. Still, as many emergency responders will tell you, minutes are vital when responding
STATION 22 FIREFIGHTERS instruct a Clayton resident on how to give CPR
gency Response Team (CERT) and county fire and safety officials, Clayton residents are well on their way to becoming a HeartSafe community. Thirty-seven residents turned out for a CPR and AED training session at the Clayton Library earlier this month, the first in a series of trainings that organizers hope
fighters from Station 22. Many residents and city officials feared that the response time to heart-related emergencies would greatly increase with the loss of Fire Station 11, with emergency responders having to travel from further away. Since the closures, while response times have increased
to heart-related problems, which is why city officials are determined to make Clayton a HeartSafe community. Besides the additional training, city leaders hope to raise funds to provide more Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) around town. Currently, there are four AEDs in Clayton, in addition to the three in Clayton’s police cars. The four AEDs are located at City Hall, the library, Clayton
Fitness in Clayton Station and Snap Fitness next to the Clayton Pioneer office. “It’s great that we are going to have AEDs in several locations around Clayton,” says Mayor Julie Pierce. “I encourage our residents to be trained on how to properly use them.” The qualifications to become a county-designated HeartSafe community are based on a city’s population, said EMS Medical Director Joe Barger. Clayton must earn 850 points – called “heartbeats” – by completing specific tasks, which Clayton is doing with its AED training and the launch of a public awareness campaign. Currently the city is at 350. “While becoming a ‘Heart Safe’ community was always a worthy objective of the city, its attainment is even more imperative with the recent reduction in availability of Contra Costa County Fire District’s first-responder emergency medical services last January,” says City Manager Gary Napper. “We urge each of our citizens and business owners to become well-versed on the location of AEDs in our community and to be familiar with its use to help save another’s life.” Besides helping fund the CPR and AED trainings, the CBCA presented Clayton CERT with a monetary donation that will be used to produce a “Family Preparedness – All Hazards Resource Guide” pamphlet. It will be available to residents attending future CERT activities. To find out more about the HeartSafe Community campaign, visit www.cchealth.org/ems/heartsafe.php.
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not guilty in a Martinez courtroom on March 19. A friend who asked not to be named said the son had a history of violent behavior. “I was really afraid of him,” she said. “If I saw him coming down the street, I’d cross to the other side.” Wester filed a restraining order against his son in 2010, but it expired in June 2011 and was never renewed. Matthew Wester is in the County Jail with bail set at $1 million.
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Clayton man charged with murder in father’s death A Clayton man was found dead in his home off Morgan Territory Rd. on March 8 and his son was arrested and charged with murdering his father. Richard Wester, 61, was unconscious and not breathing when Sheriff ’s deputies arrived at the home on Meadow View Lane. According to an autopsy report, he died from trauma to the chest. His 22-year-old son, Matthew was arraigned on charges of murder and assault and pleaded
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Your Financial Future: Will You Be Ready? Getting your financial and investment act together takes time and close attention to detail. With more responsibilities, the process becomes even more complex. Chris J. Held Associate Vice President Financial Advisor 1333 N California Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596
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chris.j.held@mssb.com www.ms.com/fa/chris.held The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. This material was not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services. Banking and credit products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Morgan Stanley Bank, N. A. or other affiliates. Investment services are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC. Unless specifically disclosed in writing, investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Bank and involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. © 2012 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Turn off TV for toddler
PETE CALDWELL POCKET PARENTING Q. I’ve an 18-month-old who loves to watch TV. My mother says it’s not good for him, and my friends with young children are split. How much is too much? A. Well, for context, know that about 90 percent of American parents with children under the age of 2 report their kids watch some sort of
media and that by age 3, nearly a third have a TV in their bedroom. However – and just from a brain development standpoint – it’s better if they don’t. They may be fascinated by watching a ball bounce on a TV, but it’s significantly better for their growing brains to make a ball bounce in the real world. They may love the bright colors, noises and shapes on TV, but they can’t interact with them – which is how they learn. It’s mental junk food, really. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages TV and other media use by children younger than 2 years and encourages interactive play. They also say that for older children, viewing should be limited to less than one to two
hours per day. So what to do in the real world where their occasional focus on something other than you feels critical to YOUR mental health? Limit the amount of TV viewing to a specific, predictable period of time Get them used to asking you for permission to use media Don’t use it as a preschool. There’s little evidence that “Baby TV” is useful for school readiness. Pete Caldwell, MS, MFT is the Mental Health Director for We Care Services for Children. He teaches counseling courses at CSUEB in addition to maintaining a private practice.
March 29, 2013
Writer’s contest seeks Downtown, from page 1 middle school entries Sixth, seventh and eighth grade Contra Costa students are invited to submit their short stories, poems and personal narratives/ essays to the California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch contest by April 1. Cash prizes will be awarded for excellence in short story, poetry and essay/personal narrative categories. Winners will be notified and presented with their awards at the May 11 banquet. Go to cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/young-writers-contest for contest guidelines.
Time to register for kindergarten Mt Diablo Elementary is currently accepting applications for kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please stop by and pick up a packet and register fall students now so the school can plan the classrooms for next year. For more information, call 672-4840.
Why your car failed its smog test There are many reasons for a smog failure: High emissions from the tail pipe, disconnected /tempered /modified or faulty components and/or emission systems. Also, it can be indicated by the check-engine light. The first thing a technician has to do is to baseline the initial smog test and verify that it was done in line with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) requirements. This is done by running a pretest, a complete smog check. This gives the information to start with. There are five different gases measured on smog test. Hydrocarbons are unburned gasoline (HC), and can be caused by too much fuel in the system, an improper amount of air in fuel mix, a not hot-enough, or wrong ignition timing. First we will look at why too much fuel gets into the fuel mix. If there is a problem with a fuel
injector, leaking seal stuck pinnacle or it’s just dirty, this will let gas drip into the cylinder so when the spark plug fires the air/fuel mixture is off. This will not allow all the gasoline to burn. If there is a restriction in the air intake system, it may be a dirty air filter or a collapsed air hose. If a spark plug isn’t of proper heat range, or it’s fouled, there’s a wrong spark gap or the ignition timing set wrong, this lets the spark plug fire before or after the proper time in the ignition cycle. All of these will leave unburned gasoline in the exhaust. Carbon monoxide (CO) is created by burning fuel, and if the air/fuel mixture is too lean the number will increase. This is like the soot from a fire — all the fuel is burned but there is too much oxygen so the oxygen combines the carbon atoms
making oxides of carbon (too technical to explain fully here). This can be caused by leaks in the air intake system, if the spark plug is hotter than necessary, there’s a plugged fuel injector, or it’s spraying too little fuel. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) is a greenhouse gas caused by high temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber. High temperature can be caused by an extremely lean fuel mixture, too high engine temperature, or carbon build-up in the combustion chamber. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is another greenhouse gas formed by burning fossil fuels. This gas is not currently being checked, it’s just measured. Oxygen (O2) is another gas that is just measured. If perfect combustion was to occur the only thing from the tail pipe would be oxygen and water.
Disconnected emission components are when vacuum hoses fall off something or an electric plug gets knocked off. This can happen a number of ways: the vacuum hose will become brittle over time, if they get oil on them they may become soft, some plugs get left off after a repair or they can fall apart due to heat. The check-engine light on a car means that there is something telling the computer that there is a problem; this may be with the emission system, transmission, or engine. One problem is if the battery has been disconnected. This resets the engine computer and the light won’t be on but the car will fail the test due to the monitors not set. In some cases people will get a code reader and clear the codes; this is the same as disconnecting the battery. This will cause a failure.
GARY TAYLOR CAR TUNED
After the technician finds the system that is having a problem they must then find the problem and correct it. After doing the repairs the technician runs another pretest to verify that the repair is successful and problem is fixed. This is the reason diagnosing and fixing a smog failure is time consuming and costs so much. Gary Taylor is service manager at Clayton Valley Shell. Call him with questions at (925) 672-3900
Easter Song
CHANGE TO EASTER WORSHIP
Featuring the
CUMC Community Orchestra and Chancel Choir Sunrise Service at 6:45 a.m. in the Rose Garden • Free Easter Breakfast from 7:15-9:30 a.m. • Easter Service at 10:00 a.m. • Children’s Easter Egg Hunt at 11:15 a.m. •
St. Bonaventure Catholic 5562 Clayton Rd. Community HOLY THURSDAY- March 28
Concord (925) 672-5800
Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Bi-lingual . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION – March 29 Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross in the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . .11:00 a.m. Reflections on the “Seven Last Words” - Church . . .12:15 p.m. Solemn Liturgy in English - Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 p.m. Solemn Liturgy in Spanish - Church . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:30 p.m. Solemn Liturgy in English - Parish Hall . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
HOLY SATURDAY - March 30 Morning Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m. Easter Vigil: Bi-lingual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.
EASTER SUNDAY: The Resurrection of the Lord - March 31 English Masses: Church, 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. English Masses: Parish Hall, 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. Spanish Mass: Church, 12:45 p.m.
No 5:00 p.m. Mass on Easter
Concord United Methodist Church 1645 West St., Concord
685-5260
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Easter Sunday, March 31 Breakfast 9 am, Worship 10:30 am 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord (in the Farm Bureau building)
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Easter
www.EternalLifeLutheranChurch.org
Earlier this month, John and Priscilla Canesa re-opened their popular deli at the west end of Main Street after closing over a year ago. And from the frequent lunchtime lines and reports from locals, business looks pretty good. With several more new businesses at various stages between talking and closing, the Town Center Specific Plan vision of a vibrant downtown filled with restaurants and shops is slowly taking shape. CREEKSIDE TERRACE The city of Clayton is currently in negotiations with “a viable developer” for the Creekside Terrace project on Oak Street, according to Clayton mayor Julie Pierce. The project, originally called Rivulet, was begun in 2008 by the Komgold Company, the developers of Flora Square at the corner of Oak and Center Streets. In 2009, Komgold went broke and abandoned the Rivulet project. The city still owned the land. So, using Redevelopment Agency funds, it took over the project and finished the architectural plans and completed all the entitlements. The 7,200-square foot project calls for commercial space on the ground floor and seven apartments upstairs which will go toward fulfilling the city’s affordable housing requirements. According to Pierce, the developers are serious and qualified and plan to build the project exactly as the city proposed. “They are in the process of drawing up the construction plans in preparation for bringing the project to the city,” she said. FLORA SQUARE Across the street, the owners of Flora Square are in “active negotiations” with two new businesses for the ground floor. “That’s all I can say right now,” said a tight-lipped Maryann Quinn of Tioga Construction. “But it will be fun.” She couldn’t divulge who the businesses are, but they are certain to be retail or restaurant, which is required by the Town Center Specific Plan. JOHNNY’S DELI John Sandhu has sold the delicatessen on the Center Street side of the Village Market. He too is keeping the buyer’s name under wraps. “I can’t tell who it is because there are still contingencies to remove,” he said. He expects the deal to close by midApril. The family will retain ownership of the building and market and the new deli owner will lease the space from Sandhu. More downtown development is expected as the city takes title of the 1.66-acre parcel on Main Street, where Clayton Community Church had planned to build a worship center. Earlier this year, the church abandoned their plans for the Main Street site, choosing instead to build on the hill next to Mt. Diablo Elementary. The downtown parcel is prime commercial property and the city is actively seeking a developer. In addition, Clayton Station owner Chris Kretz says that his center has seen some action in recent months with several new tenants. ComputersUSA moved from across the parking lot to the main strip. Clayton Yoga Shala studio is moving in next to Travel to Go in the spot that was once the quilt shop. Remax Real Estate took over Christina Mason’s space when she moved her dental office to bigger quarters by Safeway. Kretz says a medical practice will be moving in soon, leaving only two vacancies – one space near Safeway and 700 square feet next to Subway.
March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 9
Is CVCHS failing its AP testing policy? With a little over a month remaining until the start of Advanced Placement (AP) Testing, CVCHS students still do not know exactly where the tests will be administered. Students from Clayton Valley have usually taken their AP tests at the Willow Creek Center in Concord with students from all the schools in the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Now that Clayton Valley has left the MDUSD and become its own separate governing body, it no longer has the permit to test at Willow Creek. This is a problem that should have been resolved during the summer, or at the very latest by the start of second semester. As things stand, it appears as if the tests will be administered on campus. The school website has an AP Testing page which
ALEX SHIMBERG TEEN SPEAK states that “Advanced Placement Tests are administered on the CVCHS campus each spring.” Also according to the website, the school is only offering about 10 of the 32 available tests. If that’s the case, students have not been notified of this in any way. Although the information on the website answers the
question of where AP Test will be administered, it also brings about many more complicated questions. For example, where exactly on campus will the tests be administered? AP tests take up to four hours to complete, and the testing location has to be undisturbed by interruptions such as bells ringing or students chatting in the hallway. Also, who will proctor the tests? If trained College Board proctors are not present, the tests are not considered valid. For a price of nearly $100 per test, students deserve to have these answers well in advance of the test day. Ultimately, if all the concerns are properly addressed then this won’t be a major problem. However, it is frustrating that with so little time left, resolving theses issues doesn’t appear to be on the top of the administra-
tion’s list of priorities. The confusion over AP Testing is just one of the many examples of how the administration’s priorities appear to lie with the struggling students rather than those who are excelling. Key CVCHS improvements include the Saturday Bridge Academy, the No Fail Policy, and the CAHSEE Prep Classes. These additions are targeted towards the lowest performing students and are of no value to those who are already doing well. The fact that Clayton Valley Charter is under pressure to raise its Star Test scores is likely the reason that so many of these remedial programs have been put in place. However, I know that there are plenty of high achieving students at Clayton Valley Charter that would also
Tax Time . . .
benefit from improvements such as a wider variety of AP classes or SAT/ACT Prep Classes during school hours. Ultimately, this is an issue faced not only by Clayton Valley Charter. With standardized tests scores being so crucial to a school’s rating, many teachers now find themselves admittedly teaching to “the lowest common denominator.” While it is important to encourage success amongst struggling students, it is equally important to support and expect more from those who are already excelling. Alex Shimberg is a senior at CVCHS and co-editor of the school newspaper, The Talon. He will major in international relations in college and plans on a career in politics. He lives in Concord with his parents and sister. Send comments to alex@claytonpioneer.com
Luciann Leraul, CPA/MBA is ready to take the stress out of tax time for you. Call for an appointment,
Teenagers’ love-hate relationship with cell phones
JENNIFER HOEHN PHMS REPORTER What is the absolute most important thing in a teenager’s life? Shopping? Wrong. School? Don’t be ridiculous. The cellphone is the center of our world. It gives us everything important – a mobile computer, music, apps, games, texting, and sometimes even talking. Cellphones are everything we have ever wanted in life. Cellphones are fabulous in every way, shape and form.
What I love most about cellphones, other than texting, are all the apps and music. Here is a rundown of some teen favorites: Personally, my favorite of the applications are the social network kinds, like Instagram. It is a free, simple way to add effects to your pictures, share them, and look at pictures other people posted. Snapchat is an app where you take a picture and send it to a friend, and it only shows up on their phone for a few seconds. No surprise, music is a huge part of teenagers lives and it is available to them at all times through their phone. However, some people prefer game-type apps. Angry Birds, Temple Run, 4 Pics 1 Word, Subway Surfer and many more are free and popular games teens download to their phone. However, one drawback to
cellphones is that it is making actual social contact harder and more uncomfortable. We have become so accustomed to being able to take our time with replies through texting that when you are in a conversation in person with someone, or sometimes even calling them, you don’t know what to say. It’s as if there is a constant need to keep conversations going for fear of the awkward silence we all know too well. Before texting, I have been told that things didn’t used be this way. Interesting. Cellphones are very convenient. They allow you to interact with people almost anywhere you are. I think people take this for granted nowadays. What they don’t realize is that not too long ago this was not possible. Imagine a world where you would have to call people on a phone connected to a wall, being unable to walk around
wherever your heart takes you. A chilling thought. Of course cellphones are not just for teenagers. People of all ages have and love them, and I was not trying to alienate them from the group of acceptable phone-owners. I think this is a good opportunity to do some research on whatever you might not be familiar with and check out some of the above described apps. If you don’t have a cellphone, I am truly sorry. If you had a phone and it was taken away due to bad behavior, shame on you. Reread this article for further indignity. Jennifer Hoehn is in the eighth grade at Pine Hollow Middle School. Her interests are writing and illustration. She also enjoys playing the piano, and has a Glitter Tattoo business with her family. Email her at jennifer@claytonpioneer.com
County Board of Education approves charter school expansion plans for 2013-14 Clayton Valley Charter High School is looking up … up the hill that is, to the California State University East Bay campus where they hope to lease classroom space to accommodate at least 150 stu-
dents. The Contra Costa Board of Education approved the school’s expansion request to meet the growing demand at the board meeting on March 20. The school is currently at
capacity and there are 150 students on the waiting list for the next school year. CVCHS Dave Linzey expects to reach agreement with the college for the added space quickly. The plan is to
Grad Night Donations Needed CVCHS Grad Night Committee is seeking cash sponsorships, age-appropriate goods, merchandise, services and gift certificates to be given as prizes. Send donations to P.O. Box 59, Clayton, CA 94517
Jus’ sayin ... One nice thing about egotists... they don't talk about other people. My weight is perfect for my height which varies. I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not so sure. The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity. How can there be self-help groups ? If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales? Is it just me, or do buffalo wings taste just like chicken?
create a program for high achieving students to take college classes at the same time they are completing their high school program. He expects the program to be in place for the 2013-14 school year.
It is now, as my parents used to say, time to “fish or cut bait” with regard to your taxes. There is less than 30 days to go before you need to pay your taxes on April 15th. But I can put it on extension you protest. That is so, but you need to estimate your taxes and pay the tax by April 15th. That is not really getting “off the hook” to continue my fishing analogy. If you are really dreading pulling together your tax materials you can call me and I will come by and help you. I go to great lengths (literally) to visit clients at a place and time convenient to them. To claim a deduction on your tax return, any deduction, the deduction must be allowable and you must have and keep records that support your deduction. Your records must show you spent the money or donated your property, in the case of a charitable donation of property, in the year you claim your deduction. That is a lot of paperwork to pull together. For a list of possible items to pull together go to my website LMLeraul.com.
(925) 518-9076. Leraul Accountancy l.leraul@att.net 3600 Clayton Rd., Ste. D
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 29, 2013
Sports Section champs meet to start prep football season JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
In what will be the most anticipated game of this fall’s prep football pre-season, crosstown rivals and 2012 North Coast Section champions De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter high schools will meet to kick off the new campaign at Owen Owens Field on the Spartans campus Friday, Aug. 30. Not only will it pit the NCS Division I titlists against the DII winners but it will also mark the debut of new DLS head coach Justin Alumbaugh, the first time since 1979 that anyone besides legendary coach Bob Ladouceur has been in charge of Spartans football. Looking across the sidelines from Alumbaugh will be Eagles head coach Tim Murphy as he begins his second season with CVCHS. He’s no stranger to DLS as Murphy was the head man at Ygnacio Valley High in
Concord from 1996-2000 and played his next-door neighbor in 1999 and 2000. Both times Ygnacio was very competitive with De La Salle for a half—-actually leading 7-6 in 2000—before the likes of Kevin Simon and D. J. Williams took over in the second half. Murphy was successful at YVHS, winning the NCS 3A title in 1999 and three straight league titles but he was facing a De La Salle team in those years that was in the midst of its historic 151game winning streak. Clayton Valley made history of its own last year when the Eagles won the school’s firstever Section football championship and then played in the inaugural CIF State Regional Bowl Game, losing a heartbreaker to Oakdale 27-24 to conclude a 12-2 season that rewrote the school’s offensive record book dating back to the 1950s. Murphy had planned on taking the Eagles to Las Vegas for a
Photo courtesy De La Salle High School
THE BOB LADOUCEUR ERA HAS COME TO AN END at De La Salle High School and his successor Justin Alumbaugh (left) will debut as the Spartans head football coach Aug. 30 when they host crosstown rival Clayton Valley Charter in the seasonopener for both Concord school. Ladouceur’s teams lost only 25 times in 34 years while winning 29 NCS championships as well as numerous state and national titles.
Thomason, from page 1 went to Clayton Valley. He played junior varsity as a freshman before joining coach Bruce Iversen’s varsity for three years. (The two would be inducted together in 1988 with the inaugural CVHS Athletic Hall of Fame class.) The Eagles won the Diablo Valley Athletic League two of those three years, although Thomason says the team his junior year was supposed to be the best but didn’t win the championship. Iversen was known for his full-court pressing defense and high-scoring offense. Thomason wasn’t a one-man show. When he was a sophomore Gary Logsdon and Jim Carmean led the team to both the Tournament of Champions in Berkeley and Camellia Tournament in Sacramento. This was 10 years before the North Coast Section playoffs started. Art Bentley and Ken Harvey were key cogs along with Thomason in his junior year. As a senior captain Thomason found a pair of sophs, Marc Lee and Carl Massey, joining Bob Newkirk, Lowell Gossell, Steve Wilson, Rex McQuillen and Doug Maxwell in a season the school yearbook termed “Cinderella.” The Eagles defeated Pittsburg 93-82 in a memorable DVAL Championship game. Thomason set a school record with 42 points in a preseason game and CVHS concluded the year with a fourthplace finish at the Camellia
Tournament. Thomason accumulated a raft of post-season honors that continued when he was named to the East Bay high school basketball quarter century team roster for 1947-1972. Logsdon was an honorable mention selection. The Concord Transcript quoted Iversen, “Bob has no jump shot….but compensates for this with very quick hands.He gets off a shot faster than any basketball player I’ve ever seen. Bob just has a knack of being in the right place at the right time.” His coach concluded by calling him “the finest basketball player I’ve had the privilege of coaching and certainly the most dedicated.” You had to look no further than his dad to figure out where Thomason got his basketball talent and IQ. Bob Thomason Sr. played at San Jose State and when Bob was a year old the family moved to Pittsburg and then shortly later to Concord as Bob Sr. coached Pittsburg to tremendous success for eight years. He took a full-time counseling position at Hillview Junior High in Pittsburg in 1961. Both father and son acknowledge that a main reason for stepping aside from coaching was that dad didn’t want to coach against his son. Thomason was successful at UOP, lettering in both golf and basketball for three years (freshmen weren’t eligible for varsity sports). He was all-conference
Jason Rogers photo
COACH TIM MURPHY IS PLACING A LOT OF FAITH in his returning players to lead the Clayton Valley Charter football team this fall. Two-time all-DVAL lineman Justin Rogers (79) will anchor the line for the Eagles while classmate Brenden Crabbe (52) figures to get plenty of play time as well.
season-opening game this fall but recently that arrangement fell through and he was scrambling to fill the schedule void. He heard that Livermore High was looking for a game and called the Cowboys coach. By then Livermore had filled its vacancy but said it was looking to get out of a commitment to play De La Salle. The two coaches then called DLS and the matchup between the Section champs was arranged. De La Salle is a member of the East Bay Athletic League but is no longer involved in the EBAL football standings. The league is contracted to provide the Spartans with five games each fall so CVCHS is taking the place of one of those five games. Alumbaugh was named the head coach in early January when Ladouceur announced he
as a senior, averaging 17.2 points a game and is still 11th on the all-time Pacific scoring list. He scored 19 in a loss to Jerry Tarkanian’s Long Beach State in the 1971 Western Regionals. Years later he coached against Tark the Shark at both UNLV (never beat him there) and Fresno State, where Thomason bested the legendary coach. After finishing up as a player he was first an assistant coach at Stagg High in Stockton (53-0 in two years) and then the head coach at Escalon and Turlock high schools. He then went to Columbia JC and was so successful he was inducted into the California Community College Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame. That led to the head coaching job with Stanislaus State, “where I used the Clayton Valley press.” Not forgetting his local roots Thomason recruited John Mahloch, who had rewritten the CVHS basketball record book, erasing many of Thomason’s records. The two remain close, tweeting each other before the NCAA tournament. In 1988 Thomason took over a floundering UOP program with a 22-game losing streak (the longest in the nation) but soon was competing for league championships. His teams made seven post-season appearances during the past 15 years alone. In 1998 UOP center Michael Olowokandi was the No. 1 draft choice of the NBA draft. “Pretty cool for a school like Pacific,” Thomason said. New Orleans Hornets general manager Dell Demps played for Thomason in his first sea-
was stepping down after 34 unprecedented years in charge. Ladouceur remains on the DLS coaching staff as an assistant. The Spartans have won the last four CIF State Open Bowl Games — as well as mythical national champions again in 2012 in various polls — and carry a 26-game winning streak into the match. More impressively, DLS has not lost to a Northern California team since 1991 when coach Herc Pardi’s Pittsburg beat the Spartans 3527 in the NCS finals. Since then DLS has won 21 straight section championships and has gone 236 games without a loss to a NorCal foe. The last time the Spartans failed to win a game against a Northern California opponent was in 2004 when Pardi’s Clayton Valley squad blocked a punt in the waning seconds of the
game and then kicked a tying field goal with four seconds remaining for a 17-17 tie at DLS. The last time the two schools met in football was in 2006 when DLS won 63-17. The Bay Valley Athletic League had removed DLS from its football schedule so schools would only play the Spartans every other year. Two years later in 2008 the Spartans were moved to the EBAL during a NCS realignment and Clayton Valley returned to the Diablo Valley Athletic League, winning the league championship that year and going undefeated until reaching the NCS championship game for the fourth time. Murphy’s Eagles, who will enter the season without threeyear standouts Joe Protheroe and Jesse Medrano who were among 21 seniors from last year’s team, will also play Castle-
mont and Skyline of Oakland, Hayward and Independence of San Jose in non-league games. The DVAL season gets underway in October when CVCHS starts defense of its league title. The Eagles will only have four home games at Gonsalves Stadium during the season. They play Acalanes in a scrimmage Aug. 23. Murphy says, “Last May when I came on board the players spent months getting to understand our system. Now they have a year in the program. I like what I have for this coming season. We’re not very big but we have a number of key contributors returning.” The coach summed up the DLS-CVCHS game, “It’s how it should be with the Section champions—from the same city—-playing one another.”
Photo courtesy Clayton Valley High School Aquila yearbook
BOB THOMASON OF CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL was selected as one of the top 75 high school basketball players in the East Bay for the quarter century from 1947-1972. He went on to University of the Pacific where he lettered three years in both golf and basketball and is still the 11th leading scorer in UOP history. The Concord Transcript said Thomason may have been the “best varsity basketball player in Diablo Valley Athletic League history.” This came after he completed his 1966-67 senior year with his second league title with the Eagles and a 27.6 scoring average, the highest ever at that time in Contra Costa County history.
sons and says, “He’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. When I go out and scout everyone has the utmost respect for coach Thomason. That’s a great compliment, when your peers have to prepare for you or they’re going to get outcoached or embarrassed.” Thomason wasn’t usually blessed with NBA-calibre players so he “coached to win,”
using tactics that fit his roster. His younger son Scott was a walk-on at UOP. “Much harder on Jeff and the team than for me.” His oldest son Jeff also went to UOP. Thomason, who turned 64 earlier this week, announced his retirement in May 2012 and soon thereafter he and his wife of 40 years, Jerri, sold their Stockton home (“too big”) and
moved to Lodi. At the end of the Miami game the national TV commentators called Thomason, “a wonderful guy with a magnificent career.” Brando said he is “the Regis Philbin of college basketball” with so much success late in his career and Greg Anthony, who played against him for UNLV, said, “let’s give a shout out to Bob Thomason
March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 11
Sports
US Soccer adds Diablo FC to exclusive Development Academy program JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Diablo FC has been selected by US Soccer to join its elite Development Academy program with a U13/U14 team that is now training and begins league play this fall. The local competitive youth soccer club has the only USSDA team in Contra Costa or Solano counties. Diablo FC joins the San Jose Earthquakes and 10 other top youth soccer organizations in Northern California in the U13/U14 Development Academy program. US Soccer added 22 clubs from around the United States to its current roster of Development Academy teams for the inaugural U13/U14 season. The United States Soccer Development Academy began in 2007 to develop top-level talent to represent the United States in international competition. Seventeen of the 19 Major League Soccer teams, including the Earthquakes, field Development Academy teams. Boys born in 1999, 2000 and 2001 are eligible for the Diablo FC U13/U14 Development Academy team coached by Cody Worden, who has two years prior experience with the USSDA program in Marin. Worden explains, “This is an exciting step for not only US Soccer but also Diablo FC. Soccer has a ton of layers, including US Club, USYSA and high school soccer, all of which provide wonderful opportunities including league play, State Cups, ODP/PDP, etc. By adding the Development Academy US Soccer has eliminated the need for elite players to participate in all of these programs.
Jay Bedecarre photo
CODY WORDEN is a former college national champion goalkeeper who is head coach of the Diablo FC US Soccer Development Academy U13/U14 team that is part of the inaugural US Soccer league this year.
The process has been streamlined to provide dedicated training sessions four times a week, one game a weekend during a 10-month season and, most importantly, exposure to a high level of competition as well as US Soccer scouts on a week in/week out basis.” The only other East Bay Academy team is at Ballistic United Soccer Club in Pleasanton, which means that players from throughout the East Bay and Solano are joining players in Diablo FC’s core area of Concord, Clayton, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Bay
Point for Development Academy team positions. Worden came to Diablo FC after serving as the Earthquakes Director of East Bay Youth and associate head coach at Dominican University for men’s and women’s soccer teams. He previously coached at St. Mary’s College and University of Texas at Dallas, where he was a USCAA national champion in 2002. The U13/U14 Academy program is based on the same philosophy as the older Academy age groups, which features more training sessions, less games and more meaningful
competition. The competitive schedule places a greater emphasis on local games due to the younger ages of the players and will also include a futsal component during the winter. The U13/U14 Academy includes 10 months of training four times a week. With 12 Development Academy teams in Northern California the need to travel for top-level competition is minimized. “We are excited to add 22 new clubs to the Development Academy system in the U13/U14 age group,” US Soccer Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore said. “We feel that it is very important to spread the Academy philosophy to an expanded pool of players and clubs in this age group as we launch our first season of U13/U14 programming this fall. The new clubs have the qualities we look for in the areas of coaching, player pools, training programs, facilities, infrastructure and ageappropriate development philosophy. They are also well located and based in key markets that help to expand the elite player pool in this age group, while incorporating a model that minimizes the amount of travel and costs for league play.” Diablo FC Director of Coaching Brian Voltattorni adds, “USSDA is the highest level of play for youth soccer in this country. The Federation has created this elite playing league for the top clubs in the country with a focus on longterm player development. Diablo FC has always had player development and style of play as the primary focus for our
See Soccer, page 12
Once mighty Silver and Black still faded We’re pleased to introduce a new sports column by Tyler Lehman. A journalism major at Diablo Valley College, Tyler wants to become a sports journalist. He’s “an avid sports watcher” who graduated from Clayton Valley High School. While the Pioneer sports pages normally concentrate on local sports teams and athletes Tyler will comment on professional and college teams and leagues. Welcome to the Pioneer, Tyler.
TYLER LEHMAN
SPEAKING
OF
SPORTS
After another dismal season last year the question is raised, “When will the Raiders finally turn things around?” Unfortunately it won’t be this year, but there is optimism for the future. As the free agency period began officially on March 12, the Raiders have made some nice signings, but not any huge ones. They’ve signed six new defensive players so far, three linebackers and three defensive linemen, the most notable signing being linebacker Nick Roach from the Chicago Bears. Roach is a veteran linebacker who’s been in the league for six years and at a stout 6-foot-1,
234 pounds he’s a solid enforcer at strong side linebacker but will most likely start at middle linebacker for the Raiders. Granted they are at least trying to shore up the defense through free agency, but many of the players they’ve signed so far aren’t the big game changers that are needed. The Raiders ranked 28th in points allowed last year, 16th in pass yards allowed and 19th in rush yards allowed. Not the worst defense in the league, but definitely not championship material, to say the least. With the third pick overall in the draft, hopefully the Silver and Black pick a defensive enforcer to help rally that side of the ball. Anyone who isn’t a bust as a first-round pick at this point would be a positive for the Raiders. They drafted JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in 2007 and he turned out to be one of the worst busts in NFL history. They also recently released their former first round pick wide receiver Darrius HeywardBay and will soon either release or trade former first-round pick Rolando McClain. So what do the Raiders need to do to get back on track? Well, first off they need some cap space to sign big name free agents in the future, and GM Reggie McKenzie is definitely trying to do this as shown by releasing both Michael Huff and HeywardBay as well as attempting to restructure quarterback Carson Palmer’s contract. Second, they need to have at least a few
great drafts. Nothing turns around a team like adding young, homegrown talent. Third, keep head coach Dennis Allen there for at least another two years. Anyone who follows the Raiders is very familiar with the merry-go-round of head coaches who have been in and out for the past 10 years. Great teams are great because they have stability and by firing a head coach almost every year that definitely doesn’t equate to stability. The Raiders have a long way
to go before they are a playoff contending team. With their cap space as tight as it is, as well as not having a full seven draft picks, it will be very difficult for the Raiders to be more than an 8-8 team by the end of this year. Hopefully GM McKenzie and head coach Allen can right the organization and the Raiders can return to their commitment to excellence. Email your comments or questions to Tyler@claytonpioneer.com.
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March 29, 2013
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teams and the USSDA is the perfect fit for our elite players and teams. “Our club members will be very impressed with the professionalism and structure of USSDA. The playing league will help further the growth and development of players not only at the U13/U14 age level but all the way from U9-U18. The USSDA structure closely follows youth academy models established across the world at the top professional clubs. This is the future of youth soccer in America and a system that will be in place for years to come. He concludes, “Our technical staff is honored and very excited to be accepted to such an exclusive and elite program. The Federation recognized our player pool, player development vision, style of play and coaching staff as one of the best in Northern California.” US Soccer also mentioned that U.S. Men’s National Team and San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, who tied an MLS single-season scoring record with 27 goals in 2012, is a former player with Diablo Futbol Club. Earlier this year the Earthquakes announced the creation of a landmark partnership with Diablo FC, establishing the Earthquakes’ first Youth Development Alliance and allowing for collaboration at both the competitive and recreation levels of play.
Through the partnership, Diablo FC will work closely with the Earthquakes’ Youth Development Academy while implementing recreation leagues
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Dana Hills Swim Team has scheduled new swimmer orientation sessions during the week of April 8 in preparation for the start of summer season practices a week later on April 15. DHST coaches will work with small groups to introduce them to the strokes and practice drills. This is for swimmers of all ages who are new to swim team or competitive stroke technique. The sessions are not a “learn to swim” program. For more details visit DanaHillsOtters.com.
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Head coach Jasmine Millan is still accepting registrations for the Oakhurst Country Club recreation summer swim team, which will begin practicing next month. For more information email coach Millan at swimcoach@oakhurstcc.com.
DIABLO FC U15-U18 COMPETITIVE SOCCER TRYOUTS A PRIL 8-17
Diablo FC is now aligned with the San Jose Earthquakes
an opportunity to participate in their own setting. If you have any questions about the Diablo FC U13/U14 Development Academy program or wish to try out contact head coach Worden at cworden@diablofc.org or visit the Diablo FC website diablofc.org.
Meghan Pardi’s water polo team in Loyola Marymount Hall of Fame
Clayton Valley High School graduate Meghan Pardi (back row middle in sunglasses) was a freshman utility player on the Loyola Marymount University water polo team in 2004. That squad was inducted into the LMU Athletic Hall of Fame this month and still stands as the only team in the universi-
Sports Shorts DANA HILLS OFFERS INTRO TO SWIM TEAM SESSIONS A PRIL 8-12
and development schools for girls and boys in the U5-U10 age groups. The Earthquakes will provide financial and curricular support as well as additional resources to assist Diablo FC in its overall development of competitive youth players while also offering recreation-level players
ty’s over 90-year history to play in an NCAA National Championship game. Coach John Loughran’s Lions captured its fourth straight Western Water Polo Association title that year and reached the NCAA finals before dropping a 10-8 heartbreaker to USC to finish second. They were ranked
second in the final coaches poll, the highest finish ever for a LMU team in any sport. Pardi played water polo, basketball and softball at CVHS. She was on the LMU water polo team for four years. Photo courtesy Loyola Marymount University Sports Information
CLAYTON VALLEY HALL OF FAME TICKETS ON SALE
CLAYTON PIONEER
and is holding U15-U18 tryouts for the 2013 competitive soccer season for girls and boys competitive teams at Boatwright Fields in Concord. U16-U17 tryouts are April 8 and 15, U15 on April 9 and 16 and U18 on April 10 and 17. Those who missed earlier U9U14 tryouts can register today at diablofc.org and the appropriate age group coach will contact the player about an evaluation. U15-U18 players can register for free tryouts now online. A complete tryout schedule is in the Diablo FC ad in the sports section and at diablofr.org.
Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its third induction ceremony on Saturday, May 18, at Centre Concord. This year’s class of honorees comes from the 1960s through ‘90s. Tickets for the dinner and induction at $50 are available through Clayton Valley Charter High School website (claytonvalley.org, click on Web Store) or by sending a check to CVHS Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 842, Clayton, CA 94517.
FOOTBALL, CHEER SIGNUPS OPEN FOR CLAYTON VALLEY FALCONS
Athletic Director Greg Fister says that Clayton Valley Charter High School is seeking credentialed teachers who have high school sports coaching experience. The school is specifically accepting varsity boys soccer coaching applications. Applicants can email a resume to Human Resources Director Amber Lineweaver (amber.lineweaver@claytonvalley.org) with three references and coaching experience or bring that information to the school and leave in athletic director box in the main office.
Registration is now open for 2013 Clayton Valley Youth football and cheer. Football is open for ages 7-14 while cheer accepts ages 5-14. The next in-person registration days for the CVAA Falcons are Wednesday, April 17, 6-8 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, 1-3 p.m. at Mountain Mike’s Pizza by Clayton Bowl. The season starts July 29. For more information and online registration visit CVAAFalcons.com.
CVCHS ACCEPTING COACHING APPLICATIONS FOR 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR
WANTS TO HEAR YOUR SPORTS STORY
We get plenty of information from local high schools, sports leagues and clubs. What we don’t hear about so often are from our neighbors who are competing below that radar screen. There are Claytonians who are participating in sports and recreational endeavors that we don’t normally hear about but we’d like to tell their stories too. If you know of someone — or even if you are that someone —let us know what you’re doing and perhaps we’ll find it something our readers would love to read about! If you’re running, jumping, hiking, biking, swimming , skydiving , bowling , golfing or participating in any of dozens of other sports and recreational activities let us know. Give us a brief rundown and your contact information and we might be in touch with you. It’s as simple as sending an email to sports@claytonpioneer.com.
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Galloway and Björk are ARF’s Adoption Stars
We’re here for you. GALLOWAY
4-year-old Galloway is a sweet ole hound girl who loves to go for walks and sniff her environment but can also be induced to partake in some old fashioned cuddling and petting. Galloway would love a quiet home with an active lifestyle where she can go for hikes and fun outdoor adventures but also have a regularly scheduled quiet downtime.
The adoption fee for adult dogs is $225 and includes 60% off one 7-week dog training session. 4-year-old Björk may look a little cranky, but she is really a cutie. Her underbite causes her no problems. So, don’t be fooled by her looks, come close and she will love you up! She is a curious and friendly girl. Bjork was previously declawed, and needs to be an indoor only cat.
BJORK
Bjork’s adoption fee has been prepaid by a generous donor. Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present
1026 Oak Street, Suite 200 Clayton, CA 94517 (925) 672-7700
to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arf.net, or call 925.256.1ARF.
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PET PALS Dogs are social animals who thrive on ample outlets for their social life. Whether this means meeting new dogs on walks, going to dog parks, or having special friends over for play dates, we should do our best to make these meetings a success. There are some simple steps we can take to ensure that our dog’s social life is the best it can be. Body language is the clearest way dogs communicate, so always be attentive to what their body language says. Taking in consideration your dog’s physical characteristics, mind these
cues like you would a traffic light: Green Light: wiggly, flexible body; possibly bowing; extraneous movements; ears relaxed; tail wagging in large or circular motions at or below spine level; friendly eyes; open mouth. Yellow Light: body stiff; lip licking; ears back; looking away; yawning; tail wagging in a quick back and forth movement above spine level or not at all; eyes wide; avoiding you or another dog. Red Light: rigid, inflexible body; forward posture; snarl; bared teeth; tail tucked or high like a flag; whale eye (lots of white visible); staring; avoiding you or another dog. As we all know, sniffing each other’s behinds is a dog’s favorite way to make a new friend. Sniffing is their way of asking: “are you healthy; female or male; what kind of resources do you have access to?” A quick sniff makes the decision whether to keep walking or turn
around and play. This makes physical space and freedom of movement crucial when greeting new dogs or reacquainting with old friends, so give them the maximum amount of leash possible to gather ample information. When greeting other dogs on walks, don’t allow them to point their faces right at each other. A key component in dog communication is how they adjust their distance. Have you ever seen a dog back away from someone that made them nervous? That was them utilizing distance to indicate their feelings. When inviting dogs to your home, the same principles apply. Give everyone plenty of space – the backyard is perfect. Try to prevent meeting right at the gate or doorway, as the surprise of a strange dog coming in can be upsetting. Pick up toys, food bowls and chew items to eliminate the possibility of a fight in case one of them is possessive. There are also some simple
things we can do to keep trips to the dog park fun and positive. Assess the park before you enter, and note if it’s overly crowded or if the dog guardians aren’t paying close attention to their dogs. When you do enter, wait for a time when there isn’t a crowd of dogs at the gate – if needed, ask someone to help you enter by calling the dogs away. Remember that the dog park is an off-leash area, which can hinder a leashed dog from communicating effectively. Do your best to avoid mixing leashed and off-leash dogs, and your dog will thank you.
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Petables Buster Jay regularly stops for a quick visit with his friend Ziggy the Zebra on his morning run. Buster lives in Oakhurst with his owner Jennifer Jay and Ziggy lives on the Seeno’s mini “wildlife preserve” with his pals the donkeys and llamas.
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Have a great pet photo you’d like to share? Claytonians love their pets and they almost always have their cameras with them. The next time you catch that great shot, send it to tamara@claytonpioneer.com and then look for it here on the pet page.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. APRIL 3 FOR THE APRIL 12
IN CLAYTON Apr. 27 Clayton Cleans Up Honor Earth Day with a town spring cleaning. Help pick up trash, pull weeds and share in community spirit. A great activity for clubs and organizations, school projects or a family outing. Meet at City Hall at 9 a.m., rain or shine. T-shirt, gloves and garbage bags provided. Barbecue at 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Clayton Pioneer and the city of Clayton with generous donations from Allied Waste, Travis Credit Union and many local merchants. 672-0500. May 4 Join the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association for their annual spring trail ride competition. Day ends with awards presentation and barbeque. Call 672-3733 or email mtnoaks@earthlink.net to register.
ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO
Mar. 29 – Apr. 27 “The 39 Steps” A fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $38-$47. centerrep.org. 943-7469. Apr. 6 Bumps and Bruises True, live storytelling. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Apr. 6 “The World of Webber” Celebrating the songs and musicals of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$25. elcampaniltheatre.com.
May 20 Golf Tournament Clayton Classic. 27th Annual Clayton Business and Community Association tournament. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. unkted@aol.com or 672-2272.
Apr. 8 Stroke Support Group Speaker: Richard Burns, stroke survivor, author and spokesperson for the National Stroke Association. 7 – 9 p.m. Ball Auditorium, John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Free. Contact Ann Dzuna 376-6218.
First Thursdays Oakhurst Business Network Meets first Thursday of the month for social hour. Hosted hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. 5 – 7 p.m. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Drive, Clayton. oakhurstcc.com.
Apr. 13 Chamber Music SF Presents Calefax. 2:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Tickets on sale Apr. 13 at 12 a.m. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
ON THE MOUNTAIN Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information. Mar. 30, Apr. 2, 4, 6 Wildflower Walks Come see what is blooming on and around Mt. Diablo. Times and meeting places vary. Apr. 1 Evening Nature Walk Families welcome for this nature walk to see wildflowers and wildlife. 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon trailhead. Apr. 7 Devil’s Elbow to Prospector’s Gap Guaranteed to see at least 25 different blooming plants. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Apr. 7 Eagle Peak Hike Eight-mile hike with elevation gain of 2,000 feet. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon trailhead. Save Mount Diablo programs listed are free unless otherwise noted. Go to savemountdiablo.org and click on Activities/Guided Hikes for more information. 947-3535. Apr. 6 Irish Canyon Exclusive guided tour of the spectacular 320-acre Irish Canyon property. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Registration required. Apr. 13 Mountain Biking Ride Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay April Gala Ride is a casually-paced social bike ride for men and women of all skill levels. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet at Monte Vista High School parking lot, 3131 Stone Valley Rd, Danville.
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Thru Apr. 21 “The Sound of Music” Performed by Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40$49. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Apr. 13 Music for Men Through the Ages Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus performs music written for men or sung by men from the 10th century to 2013. 7 p.m. Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. $15-$25. oebgmc.org. Apr. 13 – 27 Wildlife Museum Classes Signs of Spring and Water Exploration classes. Saturdays. Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. Register at wildlife-museum.org/education/kids. Apr. 19 Glenn Staller Award-winning guitarist Glenn Staller returns with an evening of Classical, Flamenco and Tango music. 7:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton. $15. brownpapertickets.com. 672-8717. Apr. 20 Funtastic Family Earth Day Celebration Presentations, tours and activities throughout Mt. Diablo Recycling’s facility to encourage “Reuse and then Recycle.” 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Mt. Diablo Recycling, 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. Free. Registration required by Apr. 12. Nicole@garaventaent.com or 692-2224.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION Apr. 5 Baha’i, interaction, fellowship and discussion. Topic: Like a Thief in the Night. Speaker: Russell A. Ballew, author and world traveler. 7:30 p.m. Free. For directions, call 672-6686.
FUNDRAISERS Apr. 6 Plant Sale Spring plant sale featuring many varieties of tomatoes, blueberries, herbs and more. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Markham Regional Arboretum Society Nursery. 1202 La Vista Ave., Concord. 681-2968.
calendar@claytonpioneer.com
Apr. 17 Spaghetti Feed Annual dinner held by the Clayton branch of the American Association of University Women to sponsor students at Tech Trek math and science camp. Raffle. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Tickets available from any AAUW member or at the door. $5 children; under age 6, free. $10 adults. Apr. 27 Festival/Fashion Clayton Valley Woman’s Club presents their eighth annual Festival of Tables and Fashion fundraiser. 11 a.m. Concord United Methodist Church, 1645 West St., Concord. Reserve early. $35. Call Kathy Olson 524-0641.
AT THE LIBRARY The Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. claytonlibrary.org or 673-0659. Tuesdays thru May 14 Patty Cakes Story time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. 11 a.m. Wednesdays Book Buddies A volunteer will read stories for children 3 and older. 1 2 p.m. Call in advance. Thursdays thru May 16 Picture Book Time Story time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. 11 a.m. Apr. 8 Clayton Library Book Club Sunny Solomon leads the discussion of “Claude and Camille” by Stephanie Cowell. Open to anyone who wants to join. 7 p.m. Apr. 9 Paws to Read Learn to read aloud by reading to a dog. Grades 1 – 5. Registration required. 4 or 4:35 p.m. Apr. 12 – 14 Used Book Sale Most books $1. Most children’s books $.50. Fri. 4 – 7 p.m. members preview. Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 12 – 4 p.m. half price. 2 – 4 p.m. $3/bag; bag provided. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. 646-5455. Apr. 8 Uncle Jer’s Traveling Bee Show Taste some honey, laugh at puppets, peek inside real beehive. 7 – 8 p.m.
SCHOOLS Apr. 27 Campus Clean Up Comcast Cares Day is coming to Clayton Valley Charter High School. Join the school and Comcast employees on a variety of projects to clean, repair and beautify the campus. claytonvalley.org.
GOVERNMENT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council 7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission 7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at claytonpioneer.com. Click on ‘Events’
March 29, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Bring your indoors out this Spring
JENNIFER LEISCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR I’ve suggested a few wild notions in past columns about design and décor for your home: emptying out entire living spaces for a fresh perspective on furniture layout, pruning your gardens for table top party décor, and most recently, dressing your house like you would yourself. So, once again, here’s another wild design idea – bring the inside of your house…out. Bring out everything from curtains and area rugs to chandeliers and decorative accessories to an outside space. The backyard, like all of your interior living spaces, has wonderful design possibilities if you think beyond the basic five-piece patio set. CREATE A LIVING SPACE OUTDOORS
Look for natural and fabricated elements in your backyard that would allow you to create a “room.” If you have a stone patio, pavers or stamped concrete, consider surrounding this area with different shaped pots and planters containing intricate and fluffy plants to create a cozy nook. If you have a natural grove of trees, string lights from limb to limb to create a glowing dining area. And if your backyard is mostly deck, consider
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adding permanent posts that would allow you to hang outdoor drapery panels and rods to possibly create a draped ceiling with gathered walls. Don’t fret if your entire backyard is grass; consider creating a living space with a freestanding gazebo, a couple of market umbrellas to anchor the space, or bring in your own planted trees and bushes to create a cozy dwelling. FURNITURE Are you a sun worshiper? Maybe enjoy dining outdoors? Or just like a comfortable place to read a book under a giant market umbrella? However you’d like to use your outdoor space, purchase, reuse, or repurpose furniture according to your lounging wish list. That rattan lounge chair and ottoman that’s sitting unused in your garage or
guest bedroom might be perfect for the spring and summer months outdoors. That metal patio furniture you’ve had for years? Consider a new coat of spray paint to bring these pieces back to life. Even that old breakfast nook table that is lovingly distressed (and preserved) from gallons of spilled milk could be a really fun piece outdoors, with a mismatched set of side chairs. DÉCOR Just as you have perfectly placed décor on surfaces and walls throughout your house, take this same idea outside, grouping your weather-safe bobbles with brightly colored or monochromatic pots, herbs in individual terra cotta pots painted by your children or grandchildren, or various sized candle sconces and candelabras hanging from pergolas or tree
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branches. (Side note: battery operated candles are perfectly safe for the outdoors). If you’re in the market for new or updated outdoor pillows, take some time to search out the retailers that also have the coordinating umbrellas or outdoor drapery panels. And decorative metal wall art is not only weather safe, but typically oversized and great to hang on the outside of your house or backyard fence. And don’t forget the synthetic area rug to group your living space. Most outdoor area rugs are essentially woven plastic, which makes cleaning a breeze, and keeps the elements at bay.
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Buzz and chatter about Big Techs’ next moves WILL CLANEY TECH TALK I don’t usually gossip… But, did you know the big tech companies are once again on the move? It seems that during the smartphone revolution the big guys are up to some cool things. I offer a few tidbits here. HP, one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers, has come up with a new display system. Now I don’t know when
we will actually see these new monitors but, “soon” seems to fit the bill – especially with CEO Meg Whitman at the helm; she knows how to get things done. According to an HP press release, “A new kind of threedimensional display developed at HP Labs plays hologram-like videos without the need for any moving parts or glasses. Videos displayed on the HP system hover above the screen, and viewers can walk around them and experience an image or video from as many 200 different viewpoints – like walking around a real object.”
The release goes on to say that the screen is made by modifying a conventional liquidcrystal display (LCD), the same kind found in most phones, laptops, tablets, and televisions. Researchers hope these 3-D systems will enable new kinds of user interfaces for portable electronics, gaming, and data visualization. “The work, carried out at HP Labs in Palo Alto, relies on complex physics to make 3D displays that are as thin as half a millimeter,” HP officials say.
See Tech, page 18
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Glenn Staller Returns
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Pepper’s allure nothing to sneeze at
April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Master of international styles with an evening of Classical, Flamenco and Tango music from Spain, Brazil & Argentina
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THOUGHT
All those little black particles we sprinkle (sometimes liberally) on our food we know is pepper, but most of us really don’t have much of an idea of what pepper (piper nigrum) is. First of all, it’s not related to the chile (capsicum) family; rather it’s a fruit that grows on a vine and is cultivated in most of the world’s spice regions, from south asia to South America. Like most fruits, the variety, soil, growing conditions, when it’s harvested and how it’s cured all affect the flavor of piper nigrum. White, black and green peppers are all the same fruit, harvested at a different time during the growing season. While you might think otherwise, black peppercorns are not the mature fruit. Although they’ve reached their full size,
they aren’t quite ripe. When harvested at that age and allowed to dry in the sun, enzymes turn the skin black, resulting in a berry with the most robust flavor. White peppercorns are actually the mature berry. These are soaked and rubbed to remove the outer skin, then dried and bleached by the sun. White pepper is a bit milder than black pepper. Green peppercorns are the unripe version, picked while green and then brined, resulting in the mildest flavor. Pink peppercorns aren’t piper nigrum at all; they are the berry of a bush related to the rose family. Although somewhat spicy, pink peppercorns are more floral in aroma and nuanced in flavor. When black pepper is crushed, it yields two substances, pepper spirit and pepper oil. (The chemical in pepper that makes us sneeze is piperade.) Pepper spirit is included in Coca-Cola’s recipe and in many medicinal and beauty products, while pepper oil is often used as a massage oil in Ayurvedic practice and in various beauty and herbal treatments. It was once so rare and revered that in some cultures it was used as a currency. Pepper has a ton of culinary uses in both savory and sweet dishes. Sometimes we’re
not even aware t h a t pepper can be a major contributor to flavor in processed foods. And while you can probably name some entrees and maybe a dessert or two that benefit from pepper, you might overlook tea (Chai to be exact) and some up-and-coming cocktails. Here’s a black pepper Chai tea drink that Judy Haubert of Saveur magazine created a number of years ago: BLACK PEPPER CHAI (MAKES 12 CUPS) 6 cups unsweetened almond milk or whole milk ¾ cup honey or agave syrup 8 small black tea bags (1 oz.) 8 whole green cardamom pods, crushed 8 whole allspice, crushed 8 whole black peppercorns, crushed 8 whole cloves 3 whole star anise 2 sticks cinnamon 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced ½ whole nutmeg, crushed Combine milk, honey, tea, cardamom, allspice, peppercorns, cloves, star anise, cinnamon, vanilla bean and seeds, ginger, nutmeg and 6 cups water in a 4-quart saucepan. Bring to a simmer, and remove from heat. Let mixture steep for about 10–15 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a bowl or pitcher. Serve hot or chilled over ice. Store in refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.
Linda Wyner, a local attorney and foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
Don’t miss the beet – good all year long DEBRA J. MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Beets make a great addition to any meal. It is difficult to believe how the hardy, crunchy often roughlooking exterior of raw beets can be transformed into something wonderfully soft and buttery once they are cooked. While we often think of beets having a reddish-purple hue, some varieties are white, goldenyellow or even rainbow-colored. The sweet taste of beets reflects their high sugar content, making them an important raw material for the production of refined sugar; they have the highest sugar content of all vegetables, yet are very low in calories. They’re full of folate, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin C. Cook beets lightly to preserve their anti-cancer properties. Don’t peel them until after cooking. When bruised or pierced, beets bleed, losing
some of their vibrant color and turning a duller brownish red. To minimize bleeding, wash beets gently under cool running water, taking care not to tear the skin since this tough outer layer helps keep most of beets’ pigments inside. To prevent bleeding when boiling beets, leave them whole with their root ends and one inch of stem attached. ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH ASIAN PEARS 1 bunch beets (3/4 lb. without greens or 1-1/4 lb. with), trimmed 1/4 cup sliced natural almonds 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. minced shallot 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1-1/2 Tbsp. red-wine vinegar 1/4 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1 large Asian pear 3 cups mâche (a sweet nutty lettuce) or baby arugula (3 ounces)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wrap beets in foil and roast in middle of oven until tender, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Unwrap beets and cool. While beets are roasting, cook almonds in oil in a small skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden. Cool almonds in oil (nuts will get darker as they cool). Transfer almonds with a slotted spoon to a small bowl and season with salt. Stir together shallot, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, salt and oil from almonds in a large bowl. Slip skins from beets and halve large beets. Cut beets into 1/4inch-thick slices and add to dressing, tossing to coat. Quarter and core pear and cut into julienne strips. Arrange beets on a platter and drizzle with any dressing remaining in bowl. Top with mâche, then pear. Sprinkle with almonds.
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Page 17
Let new fashions put a spring in your step JUDITH MARSHALL
FASHION OVER 50 In March, all your favorite stores are stocked with everything you need for spring. You’ll find the best selection of styles and sizes, so if you’re willing to pay full price, now is the time to
buy a couple of items to infuse a feeling of spring into your current wardrobe. On a recent warm afternoon, I decided to check out the stores in Walnut Creek, the shopping Mecca of the East Bay. The parking fairy was kind to me and I found a space in the Nordstrom lot on the first goround. Starting at Nordstrom and roaming through Chico’s,
BCBG Max Azria, Talbot’s and a few other shops, here are just a few of the fresh trends I found. Ballerina flats – Talbot’s has a huge selection in yummy candy colors. Floral cardigans – Replace your plain wrapper of a sweater with a pattern of pretty blooms in cheerful colors. Pair it with a tank and white cropped pants as
Pioneer Photo Album DVMS student Tori Hofstein took this picture of a house silhouetted against a cloudy sky. She says the high contrast of the “perfectly scattered clouds and the sideways house” make the house seem “powerful, intimidating, dark and somewhat hypnotic with a tantalizing 'perfect imperfection'.”
The Pioneer is proud to spotlight our readers’ photos. Email your photo in a high-resolution format to tamara@claytonpioneer.com with a description of the photo, where and when it was taken and a little about why you like it. Include your name and phone number. Then look for it in the next Pioneer.
the weather warms. White jeans – Super-skinny and in a clean finish. Strong Jackets – Classic cover-ups have been reworked for the new season. Biker jackets in bold colors and faux leather. Blazers with bold shoulders and sometimes in statement prints. Since you’ll be wearing a jacket often, why not buy a stylish one? Paisley prints – A modern twist on tradition seen in slim pants. Beware; if you wear a floral pattern on the lower half of your body, it’s a surefire way to call attention to your booty. It’s not about wearing a head-to-toe trend; it’s about wearing what suits you best. Before you go shopping, take a look at the colors and styles you have in your closet. Fill in the gaps (e.g., see if need a pair of cropped pants or a fitted jacket.) There are no steadfast rules on what to buy. Buy something that makes you look and feel wonderful. Live long and pester!
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Page 18
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green is a stunning garden introduction, commanding attention with both its interesting foliage and showy flower display. Loropetalum has a dramatic, arching style of growth. This attribute should be embraced, not controlled. If you are one of those garden lovers that like to shear and shape plants, this isn’t the shrub for you. When planning to install, allow area for at least 4-feet-plus of height and width. Plant in full to half a day sun. Loropetalum enjoys regular water while young, and needs to be fertilized 2-3 times a year with an acid-based granular fertilizer for those that water with bubblers or sprinklers. For those of you that rely on drip system watering, you will need to feed with acid based water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL Have you noticed that bright pink flowering shrub that is planted throughout many Clayton Valley landscapes? The shrub is called Loropetalum and it is very fabulous in our Clayton Valley yards and gardens. Loropetalum is one of those shrubs that really comes into its own as it matures. This ever-
Tech, from page 15 WINDOWS 9, REALLY? What else? Well, recently Microsoft announced that it will be releasing another new operating system called Windows 9. According to them, “Microsoft announced that it would end support for Windows Phone 8 and 7.8 by the middle of 2014.” Naturally, the two-part question on many minds immediately afterwards was simple: What comes next for Microsoft, and is it the oftrumored Windows Phone 9 (also known as Windows Phone Blue)? One employee said this in her profile: “Working as software test engineer in the Windows Phone Test Services team currently testing
Windows 9 OS on Nokia, HTC, and Qualcomm devices.” Ubergizmo, a techie website, asks the question: Will Windows be here by next November? Humm. I would be pretty surprised. It just feels too soon, and do we really need a next generation desktop operating system even before the entire world has made Windows 8 as their operating system of choice for millions of computers worldwide? One thing’s for sure though, you can bet your bottom dollar Microsoft is definitely working on a next generation of their desktop operating system, but what they have decided to call it, and when
growing season. The growing season in our Clayton Valley climate is April through October. Many varieties of Loropetalum are available. They all seem to mature into large, dramatic shrubs that lend themselves to many styles of landscapes. Loropetalum shrubs make excellent companions when planted as a visual support to deciduous trees, to soften the strong blades of phormium plants, or to accompany perennials in colorful flower beds. The original Loropetalum that hit the scene over a decade ago is still a favorite of plant lovers. The name is Razzleberry Fringe Flower. It was a patented selection only grown by a couple lucky growers. These days, almost all the growers are able to grow Loropetalum. Loropetalum
will it roll out to the masses, remain to be seen. “It would be a waste of time, too, to speculate on such details,” they [Ubergizmo ] mused. My prediction is that the Nokia Lumia smartphone will be a big hit. Well, judge for yourself as they hit nearly 10 million worldwide sales this quarter. Like William Shatner said of Priceline, “this is gonna be big, really big.” More to come, so keep reading the Clayton Pioneer for all the coolest news. William Claney is a professional computer consultant and technical writer. Will is the CEO of CUSA (ComputersUSA!) an IT repair and support center located in the Clayton Station shopping center. He is available for comments: 925-672-9989 and says, “retirement is overrated.”
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is one of those shrubs that is better installed in a larger size. When purchasing, do yourself a favor and splurge on the five-gallon selection. Loropetalum is slow to grow, and a small size is easy to forget in the landscape. Considering this shrub needs to be fertilized, being able to see it in the ground will be a nice reminder. Loropetalum Raspberry Fringe is an improved selection of the original. This Loropetalum has green leaves with burgundy undertones. When the new growth comes in, it’s a deep burgundy color. From the middle of March through the middle of April, right pink fringe shaped flowers covers the entire shrub. Loropetalum Purple Majesty is the most sought-after selection. The foliage on the Purple
March 29, 2013
Majesty is a dark purplish-red. The new growth is the same color, just with fresh foliage. Purple Majesty has the same bright pink fringe shape flower. Firedance Loropetalum is a newer introduction to the family. This selection began to flower earlier than the others. The foliage is mostly burgundy with a touch of green. Regardless of what Loropetalum variety you have or are going to install you need to
remember to plant with a soil conditioner, fertilize, and water regularly for best results. The two most important fertilizing times are in the spring right after the bloom, and the early fall feeding. Sometimes a dose of iron is needed for yellowing. This is a very Clayton Valleyworthy shrub. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contact her with questions or comments at gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
Book Review
A haunting tale of good and evil in historical Japan I have just finished reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob Zoet by David Mitchell (Random House), and I am numb. What or whom to extol first: story or author? “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob Zoet” is not a counting of seasons, or it would be a story about the oldest man to ever live. The “thousand autumns” is but one of the “florid names” the Japanese “give to their kingdom . . .” This is the story of a young Dutchman who has made a rash but heartfelt promise to the father of the girl he hopes to marry. He may win the hand of his beloved if he completes a five-year tenure with the Dutch East India Company, headquartered in Batavia, Java. From this employment, as a clerk to an officer of the company, Jacob, the orphaned nephew of a Dutch minister, can expect to return with enough money to satisfy his future father-in-law. Jacob leaves Holland with a family Psalter, a gift from his reverend uncle, who tells him “It is a gift from your ancestors...never forget this Psalter....this is your passport home.” The story takes place in Japan and its port city of
Nagasaki. In 1799, when Jacob arrives, Japan is an isolated nation of shoguns, monks, magistrates and tyrants; the Jesuits are gone and Christianity, with all its accoutrements, is forbidden. When the Dutch ship Shenandoah moors at Dejima, a floating dockyard connected by a bridge to Nagasaki, Jacob is careful to keep his treasured Psalter hidden from the ever-present prying Japanese interpreters and spies. This historical novel is steeped in the realities of what it was like to conduct business between two very different, but strangely similar, worlds. For every corrupt Japanese port official, there is a counterpart in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. Bribery is matched with thievery, lies with cruelty. Jacob’s promise to be faithful to his fiancée is sorely tested when he meets a young Japanese midwife studying under the tutelage of a Dutch physician training Japanese students in Western medicine. Orito Aibagawa is connected to the local magistrate’s household. Half of Orito’s face is disfigured from a burn, but from their first brief meeting, the possibility of more than
SUNNY SOLOMON FOR THE BOOKS friendship arises. Amid all the corruption that makes up life in Nagasaki and Dejima, Jacob’s feelings for Orito become the cause of her removal from the city, and what lies ahead for both is shocking and heartbreaking. Mitchell’s description of Japanese life in 1799 is evenhanded. The corruption of the East is no more despicable than that of the West. It is Jacob, not Japan, who, by the goodness of his nature, is truly isolated. Mitchell is unflinching in laying out the entire story, which does not end until Jacob’s death as a very old man back in Holland. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob Zoet is a fiercely satisfying novel of politics, business, treachery and ultimately the power of love to make a kind of sense out of the lives we live. Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’
April 20, 2013 10:00am - 2:00pm
Community Tack Sale
Chicks coming soon! $3.99 Rodie's Featured Bird:
Berry
This 1 year old Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is an extremely friendly and social bird. If you provide plenty of grapes and head rubs, he will happily learn multiple tricks.
Call to reserve your prime selling spot!
Stop by Rodie's to see Berry and other birds in need of a home
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Sunday, March 31 • Two Seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Come to Rodie's to sell your tack and find other horse owners selling theirs!
If you’re looking for place to go for a delicious Easter Sunday Brunch, come celebrate the holiday with your friends and family at Oakhurst Country Club. Ring in springtime with a delectable selection of food, drink, and beautiful surroundings.
Raffle prizes, BBQ, horse vendors & more!
There will also be a Petting Zoo, an Easter Egg hunt, and pictures with the Easter Bunny for the kids.
Sat 9 to 6
Sun 10 to 4
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$39++ Adults • $19++ Children (ages 4-12) For reservations, please contact (925) 672-9737 ext. 217 | events@oakhurstcc.com
1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton, CA | www.oakhurstcc.com