IT’S YOUR PAPER
It’s Pierce, Diaz, Catalano
www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
925.672.0500
HOwARD GELLER
MAYOR’S CORNER
Mayor Geller says ‘farewell’ to eight years on the Council
During my eight years on the City Council, Clayton traditionally operated with a balanced budget without major issues. With our limited funds and a small retail tax base, it takes frugality and the ability to look at the big picture to protect what our forefathers created for this marvelous small city. We have faced many challenges over the past eight years, including police department turnover that exceeded the norm, an extended drought wherein trying to maintain public landscaping was a daily issue and the loss of our Redevelopment Agency funds. If that weren’t bad enough, the state – through “claw backs” – has made us pay back money spent on lawful activities using redevelopment funds. But I am happy to say we have survived it all with balanced budgets. This year, we added two more solid department heads to the staff: Mindy Gentry as community development director and Chris Wenzel as chief of police. Coupled with our “star” finance manager Kevin Mizuno and city manager Gary Napper, we now have what I consider one of the strongest management teams assembled to serve our community. Here are some events that will occur this next month: Election: With Election Day around the corner, we have all been inundated with mailers touting whom to vote for, as well as information about measures and propositions. Our forefathers fought for the right to vote, which many people living in other countries do not have. I encourage all to be wellinformed and read all sides and opinions. If you do not vote, you are allowing someone else to make decisions for you. Veteran’s Day: Concord/ Clayton VFW Post 1525 will host our local Veteran’s Day service at Willow Pass Park at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. It will be a one-hour ceremony followed by a veterans’ softball tournament. Thanksgiving: This has always been one of my most enjoyable holidays, with friends and family gathering to eat one of my favorite meals. For me, it’s all about the turkey, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and apple pie. I wish you and yours a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
INCUMBENTS JULIE PIERCE AND JIM DIAZ AND NEWLY ELECTED TUIJA CATALANO keep track of election results at an election night party at Pierce’s home. All three were elected to the City Council by a decisive margin.
CVCHS, DLS to NCS playoffs
Jason Rogers
THE BATTLE OF CONCORD IN THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS IS COMING NOV. 18. Clayton Valley Charter and De La Salle will battle in the first-ever North Coast Section Open Division football playoff game next Friday at Owen Owens Field on the Spartans campus. The two Concord schools have faced one another only once before (1986) in the NCS playoffs and last met in the 2013 season opener where DLS pulled away in the second half for a 34-14 victory. Pictured, CVCHS junior quarterback Kenny Gardner Jr. (5) tried to outrun three Campolindo defenders as the Ugly Eagles won the inaugural Diablo Athletic League Foothill Conference championship 50-15. Tight end Dino Marraccini (17) looked to give his QB a block. See page 10 for complete story.
Two girls keep bike project on steady course
Olivia and Emma Forrester started their Two Girls and a Bike Project when they moved to Clayton in 2015. Since then, they have purchased and/or refurbished three bicycles for Toys for Tots, First Place for Youth and Youth Homes Inc. During November, they will Send comments to the mayor at be raising funds to refurbish a hgeller@ci.clayton.ca.us. women’s mountain bike for donation to STAND!, a local domestic violence shelter. Residents of the shelter will use the bike to run errands, attend classes or even commute. They are calling the bike the Transformer because it will transform lives. The girls cleaned the bike
and took it to Clayton Bikes for repairs and a tune-up. Next, the girls outfitted the bike with new gear, including handlebar mirrors, a cell phone holder, bell and travel bag. The refurbished bike, along with informational material on domestic violence, will be on display at Clayton Fitness, 1516 Kirker Pass Road, during November. The girls will periodically visit to discuss their project to anyone willing to provide a small cash donation. Donations can also be made through the website www.2girlsbike.com. For updates on fundraising projects, visit the website or fol- OLIVIA (LEFT) AND EMMA (RIGHT) DETAIL A BIKE before sending low the Two Girls and a Bike it to Clayton Bikes for repair. Next the bike will be outfitted Project on Twitter or Instagram. with new gear and delivered to a group home/shelter.
Clearly pleased with their performance, Clayton voters sent incumbents Julie Pierce and Jim Diaz back to the City Council for four more years. Planning commissioner, Tuija Catalano won the seat vacated by Howard Geller who elected not to run for a third term. The three join David Shuey and Keith Haydon who each have two more years left on their current terms. Pierce has served on the Council since 1992. She also serves on the Contra Costa Transporation Authority and is president of the Association of Bay Area Goverments. This will be Diaz’ second term. He has a background in law enforcement and security. He previously served on the planning commission. All three list downtown development as a top priority. Pierce hosted an election night party at her home where the three candidates, friends, family and officials from local agencies and surrounding cities awaited election results.
City says ‘time out’ on parolee housing
A recent inquiry from a county contractor asking for the city’s policy on parolee housing prompted some quick action by the City Council at the Nov. 1 meeting. Community Supervised Housing (“halfway house”) allow a non-violent, non-sexual parolee to serve out his or her remaining sentence within the community. The Public Safety Realignment Act, (Assembly Bill 109) passed in 2011 transferred the responsibility for managing parolee housing and parolee support programs to the counties. The Contra Costa Realignment Plan (passed in October 2011) then shifted the burden to the cities. Since the Clayton Municipal Code does not contain any regulations or operating policies for community supervised housing, a “time-out” was needed while the city considers the impact such housing would have on the community. “The intent is not to permanently ban these uses, but to give the city time to study locations, concentrations and distance from schools, parks and day care facilities,” said Community Development Director Mindy Gentry in her staff report. With nearly half (48.8 percent) of parolees reoffending within three years following release, there is potential for negative impacts to the community if there were several facilities in an area or if they were near schools or parks, Gentry said.
What’s Inside
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Community Calendar . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 School News . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Postal Customer ECRWSS
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190
Around Town
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Clayton Valley Village volunteer in national spotlight
National Village President Frank Harnden, Sonja wilkin, Prof. Andrew Scharlach of Cal-Berkeley.
November 11, 2016
Keller Monument dedicated
CVV’s Sonja Wilkin named finalist for Volunteer of the Year at National Village-to-Village Conference Clayton resident Sonja Wilkin, presidentelect of Clayton Valley Village, was named one of four finalists for “Volunteer of the Year” at the 8th Annual National Village conference in Columbus, Ohio, October 17-19. The conference brought over 250 village executives from all over the U.S. Clayton Valley Village was represented by Wilkin and past president Maria Xiaris. Wilkin was honored as one of the top four Volunteers of the Year during the conference. She was nominated by fellow members of CVV. Clayton Valley Village plans to launch in May of 2017 and will provide programs and services for seniors in Clayton and south Concord who choose to join the organization.
Shannon Seven, Patty Stice, Bob Hoyer, Julie Pierce, Linda Pinder; E Clampus Vitas volunteers Jim Decosta, Duncan Kibbie, Tyson Freeman, Jack Brown; Marilyn Schmidt and Cindy Haydon. Seater are Iola Murchio O’Grady and Dick Ellis.
Members of the Clayton Clampus Vitas gathered at Historical Society and E the Keller House on Oct. 8 to dedicate a monument marking the historical significance of the site which was home to the Volvon Miwok Native Americans as early as 2000BC. The Keller Ranch was The Clayton Bocce Feder- likely a part of the Mexican ation Summer League rolled land grant, Rancho Del Diato a close last week with the blo. More recently, it was the Avengers, led by capo David home of Harry and Elodia Shuey taking home the championship. The bocce federation is a part of the Clayton Business and Community Association, formed when the CBCA and the Ipsen family, founders and owners of Skipolini’s Pizza, jointly built the Ipsen Family Bocce Park on land donated by the family patriarch, Skip Ipsen, who died in March. The club now in its second year has quickly grown to be one of the largest bocce club in the United States, with yeararound play, 180 teams and 1800 players.
Clayton Bocce club wraps up second year
Liberty Keller. Among the guests at the dedication was Iola Murchio O’Grady, 98, who recalls playing in the yard of the Keller house when she was a child. Volunteers from E Clampus Vitas installed the marker near the Cardinet Trail where it is visible from both the trail and the bridge behind the library.
Pioneer Travels
TAKING HOME THE CBCA BOCCE SUMMER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WERE THE AVENGERS, from left Greg Berndt, Mike Berndt, Rod Overstreet, Dave Shuey, Dave Scolini, Char Iacobitti and Nick Iacobitti.
Helping friends, neighbors and newcomers buy and sell since 1979
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
Better Homes BRE#00933393
George Vujnovich, Broker, Clayton Resident
(925) 672-4433
3065 Windmill Cyn. Dr. – Clayton
Super Single Story “Augusta” model backing to open space! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1835sf. Open living & dining room. Kitchen feature solid surface counters, tile floors & maple cabinets! Adjoining family room features a cozy fireplace and custom built media center. Spacious master with updated master bath $679,000
1138 Peacock Creek Dr. – Clayton
Rare “Baccarat” model in Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club! Backing to open space! Downstairs en-suite plus a bonus room/home office with separate entry. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 3530sf & 3 car garage! $1,079,000
G P EN DI N
5799 Pepperridge Wy – Concord
cell: (925) 348-5700
georgevujnovich@sbcglobal.net Cal BRE #00933393
www.georgevujnovich.com
Jennifer Stojanovich Broker-Associate
Spectacular custom home tucked away in an irreplaceable setting backing to open space at the top of Davis Ridge! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 3305sf & 3 car garage! Private Oasis lot is approx. .56 acres! $1,095,000
PE ND I NG
201 Prospector Pl. – Clayton
PE ND I NG
Lifelong Clayton/Concord Resident
(925) 567-6170 jenstojanovich@yahoo.com
www.jenniferstojanovich.com
provided by Better Homes Realty
3037 Windmill Cyn. Dr.–Clayton
Rarely available singlestory “Clayton” model in Windmill Canyon at Oakhurst Country Club! Backing to open space! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1493 sf, inside laundry & two car garage. New carpet! $630,000
SO LD
Cal BRE #01446062
Clayton Market Update
Rarely available Diablo Village! Walk to town! 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, approx. 2172sf & attached 2 car garage. Peaceful court setting, backs to open space! $729,000
ADDRESS
PRICE
121 Forest Hill Drive . . . . . . $980,000 1943 Eagle Peak Ave. . . . . . $423,000 585 Mt. Olivet Pl. . . . . . . . . . $789,500 8 Malibu Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $749,000 1302 Easley Dr . . . . . . . . . . $880,000 1650 Curry Canyon Rd . . . . $490,000 3037 Windmill Canyon Dr . . $630,000
SF
. . . . .2684 . . . . .1026 . . . . .2177 . . . . .2010 . . . . .2391 . . . . .1512 . . . . .1493
BED/BATH SALE DATE ADDRESS
. . . . . .4/2 . . . . . .10/15/16 . . . . . .2/2 . . . . . .10/15/16 . . . . . .4/3 . . . . . .10/21/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .10/18/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .10/14/16 . . . . . .2/2 . . . . . .10/13/16 . . . . . .3/2 . . . . . .10/13/16
Hawaii
Former Clayton residents, Peter Therre and LaRaine Therre, now of Folsom, with current Claytonians, Sue and Bill Manning, traveled to Kaanapali Beach, Maui, together for a week of relaxation. The Mannings brought along the Clayton Pioneer to bring the Therres up to date on the latest news of Clayton.
8015 Kelok Way – Clayton
Spectacular “Serenade” model in Falcon Ridge at Oakhurst Country Club 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, plus den. 2843sf with an attached 3 car garage. 4th bedroom can be bonus room. Gourmet kitchen opens to family room with upgraded river rock faced fireplace. Huge lot offers trellis covered patio and built in BBQ. $869,000
795 Silver Hills Dr. – Brentwood
Exceptional Custom Built Estate in the Exclusive Gated Silver Hills Community. ! Perched on a hilltop overlooking gently rolling hills and offering un-obstructed panoramic views in all directions from Mt. Diablo, Carquinez, Delta & Beyond. Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout! 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, approx.4816sf, two 3 car garages on approx. 11.40 fenced and gated acres! $1,450,000
213 Falcon Place – Clayton
Super Single-story “Keller” model nestled in a quiet court! Updated floor plan features a large living room with French doors, separate enclosed formal dining room. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 2053 sf. Gourmet kitchen. Spacious master suite with gorgeous redesigned master bath! Private lot! $719,000
G P EN DI N
8 Malibu Court – Clayton
Sharp updated singlestory on a court! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 2010 sf & inside laundry. Granite kitchen, engineered hardwood floors, crown moulding, deco paint & new carpet are just some of the many upgrades! Private low maintenance lot features “Heavenly Greens” lawn & Mt. Diablo views! $749,000
S OL D
PRICE
5607 Ohman Pl . . . . . . . . . . $722,000 1377 Shell Lane . . . . . . . . . . $525,000 1550 Ohara Ct . . . . . . . . . . . $585,000 5121 Keller Ridge Dr . . . . . . $725,000 1001 Feather Cir . . . . . . . . . $685,000 1197 Shell Ln . . . . . . . . . . . . $518,000 15 Petar Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $740,000
SF
. . . . .1693 . . . . .1355 . . . . .1549 . . . . .1877 . . . . .1899 . . . . .1355 . . . . .2010
BED/BATH SALE DATE
. . . . . .3/2 . . . . . .10/12/16 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . .10/12/16 . . . . . .3/3 . . . . . . .10/7/16 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .10/5/16 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .10/4/16 . . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .9/30/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .9/30/16
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
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Responsible and respectful Clayton kids DTRT
Mayor Howard Geller presented DTRT certificates for Responsibility to DVMS students Kellie Hintzoglou and Timmy Onakoya (back row) and MDE students, Brady Bahorski and Preston Marks (in front). (Right) At a later meeting, MDE students, Carter Dudley and Eva Leaver-Solano receive certificates for Respect from the mayor.
Six remarkable Clayton kids received kudos from the City Council in separate meetings on Oct 18 and Nov. 1. The first four were nominated by their teachers for showing extreme responsibility as part of the community-wide initiative Do the Right Thing. From Mt. Diablo Elementary, Preston Marks and Brady
Bahorski, both first graders, were nominated by their teacher Deborah Huaco. Both students always “do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do,” she said. DVMS principal Patti Bannister introduced eighthgraders, Timmy Onakoya and Kellie Hintzoglou, both office assistants.
“Timmy has grit, is always on time and always has a smile,” said Bannister. Bannister described Kellie as an extremely hard worker; someone who is “constantly thinking ahead… our go-to girl.”
The City Council welcomed Officer Ashley Wright to the force at the Nov. 2 meeting. Wright joined the department in September after serving two years with the Walnut Creek Police Department. Wright graduated from New Mexico State University in 2014 with a degree in Criminal Justice. She is married to Robert, also a police officer. They have three children, one son, 8, and 4-year-old twin girls.
More than 120 volunteers from Clayton Community Church completed 16 projects during the 4th annual Building Bridges event on Oct. 15. Building Bridges is a community outreach ministry where volunteers take on one-day home repair and improvement projects for seniors, veterans, single-parent households and others in need. The volunteers provided basic home repair, plumbing and electrical work, carpet replacement, painting and yard cleanup. All of the labor is provided free. “We try to address those with the most urgent needs in our community,” says Pastor Shawn Robinson. “We want to help
$798,000
Morgan Territory — Custom home at foot of Mt Diablo on 1.73 acres. Wood beamed ceilings, hardwood flooring and 2 fireplaces. 3 bedrooms including a huge master suite with sliding door to yard and spacious closet. Private location with barn and city water.
Clayton
ce
Clayton
$529,900
Chaparral Springs — Exceptional townhome with 2 master suites in Oakhurst. Spacious floor plan with soaring ceilings, fresh paint and newer carpet. Beautiful location, backing to the golf course with breathe taking views. Michelle Gittleman, (925) 768-0352 MichelleGittleman.com Cal BRE# 01745325
$649,000
Dana Hills — Priced to sell 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Updated kitchen with granite counters, butlers pantry and cherry wood cabinets. 1,567 sq foot rancher on .30 acre lot with Mt Diablo views, covered patio and RV access.
Pri
Photo courtesy Supervisor Mitchoff’s office
Clayton resident Jay Bedecarré (second from left) and Solo Opera founder and artistic director Sylvia Amorino (right) were honored last month by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors as recipients of the 2016 Arts Recognition Award from the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County. Bedecarre is the producer of Bay Area KidFest and marketed Concord Pavilion events for nearly three decades. Awards chairperson Liz wood (left) and District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff were on hand for the presentation in the Board Chambers in Martinez.
Church’s community outreach helps build bridges
New Clayton Officer
Clayton
Highly responsible students “take care of themselves as well as others,” Bannister said. On. Nov. 1, two secondgraders from Mt. Diablo Elementary were honored for showing “extreme” respect. From Alexandra Pike’s class came Carter Dudley. “He comes everyday ready to learn,” said Pike. “He uses polite language and always listens respectfully.” Joining him at the dais with the mayor was Eva LeaverSolano, nominated by her teacher Cindy Knapp who said “Eva exemplifies all the life skills we teach. She’s kind to her friends and always respectful to adults.” The DTRT character-building program is embraced by the city, the police department and the schools. The program emphasizes one of six specific character trait which rotate every two months throughout the year. The next trait is Kindness followed by Self-Discipline, Integrity and Courage.
Local arts leaders honored by county supervisors
the people we don’t usually connect with on a weekly basis. It’s love in action.” “I’m not sure who gets more out of it – those we help, or those who volunteer for the day of service,” added David Mills, Building Bridges project chair. “Both those who give help and those who receive help are truly blessed by this service day.”
Clayton Community Church meets 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays at Diablo View Middle School. For more information, visit www.claytoncc.com or call 925-673-9060.
Concord
$510,000
Wildwood Manor — Charming 3 bedroom home on quiet street. 2 updated bathrooms, kitchen with granite counters & gas range. Light & airy with dual pane windows. Fenced backyard with covered patio perfect for entertaining
ed
Concord
$549,000
Bay Point
$559,000
Diablo Creek — Investors special! Desirable single story home in quiet neighborhood. Light and bright with dual pane windows and soaring ceilings. Built in 1996 this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home boasts over 1500 square feet. Great location near shopping and schools
uc
d Re
Clayton
$749,980
Easley Estates — Updated 4 bed, 2.5 bath home on corner lot. Bright open floor plan with updated kitchen featuring granite counters, maple cabinets, & recessed lights. Formal living/dining rooms plus beautiful fireplace & slider in family room. Fresh paint, newer carpets. Huge RV parking! Heather Gray (925) 765-3822 RealEstatebyHeather.com Cal BRE#01329100
Lynne & Kelly offer free staging on ALL LISTINGS
Clayton
trails.
$549,000
Dana Ridge — Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located at the foot of Mt Diablo. Updated kitchen with granite counters. Freshly painted interior. Private patio with spa. Close to hiking
Nancy Donofrio (925) 998-7705 NDonofrio@windermere.com Cal BRE#01353299
San Marco — Updated to perfection 5 bedrooms + loft & 3 baths including one bed/bath on first floor. Granite eat in kitchen with island & pantry. Formal dining, living and family with soaring ceilings and recessed lights. Dual zoned heat/air, water softener, shed and patio. Convenient location. Heather Gray (925) 765-3822 RealEstatebyHeather.com Cal BRE#01329100
Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton/Concord and Contra Costa County Closed sales by volume (1/2014-12/31/2014). Data by Maxebrdi
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- Windermere Clayton!
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
’Tis the season for giving back One of my favorite aspects of the holiday season is our community’s culture of generosity. A season that celebrates and inspires gratitude makes us aware of how much we have to be thankful for in our lives. It also encourages us to think of the less fortunate and to donate, conKAREN MITCHOFF tribute and volunteer our time. COUNTY Each year, Contra Costa SUPERVISOR County participates in the County Food Fight. It’s a fun and competitive way to raise departments, including my money for the Solano Contra office, will be selling $5 Costa Food Bank. All county reusable bags designed by a
www.LeighKlockHomes.com NEW LISTING
This beautifully updated Dana Hills home with ideal end of court location boasts a desirable floor plan with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, including one full bath and bedroom on first level. This home also offers a fabulous oversized lot with Mt. Diablo views, detached office/bonus room, and 3 car garage. Offered at $880,500 www.11MtEdenPlace.com
Turn Key 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2106 sq ft home in Bay Point. Chef's kitchen with granite, spa-inspired master bath updated 2015. Offered at $469,000 www.1034SaintRaphaelDr.com
SOLD r e $21k ovg askin
Leigh Klock, Realtor
Senior Real Estate Specialist Accredited Staging Professional CalBRE# 01874255
Leigh@LeighKlock.com
NEW PRICE
local high school student; all of the proceeds benefit the food bank. One in eight families in Contra Costa rely on the food bank, and these bags serve as an excellent way to show support. Drop by my office during office hours and pick up a bag. If you’re a Concord Disposal customer, you can also support the food bank by signing up for paperless billing before Dec. 2. Current customers can sign up to “Give Back” and get free paperless billing by calling 925-682-9113. Concord Dis-
925.212.5593
Premium view lot Clayton Rancher with Mt Diablo State Park as your backyard! This immaculate 3 bed, 2 bath home boasts amazing curb appeal with drought tolerant front landscaping, inviting drive with custom pavers & new roof in 2015. Entertain under your pergola taking in the Mt Diablo View. Offered at $679,999 www.15ElMolinoDrive.com
SOLD
Keller Ridge Beauty 4 bedroom 2.5 baths. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters. Court location with pool and spa. Adjacent to open space. Offered at $849,000
posal will donate $2 for each new sign-up. If you are interested in donating items such as clothing and toiletries, numerous organizations are collaborating for a Community Donation Day on Nov. 19. In honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, there will be three drop-off centers collecting donations for more than 15 homeless services providers. In Central County, the donation site is the Trinity Center at 1924 Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek, 9 a.m.-noon. Please consider donating spare blankets, sleeping bags and non-perishable food to these worthy organizations. Turkeys are also in need this month. The Monument Crisis Center will collect
November 11, 2016
Meeting to review Urban Limit Line
The county Department of Conservation and Development is nearing completion of a capacity analysis in relation to the Urban Limit Line (ULL). In 1990, Contra Costa County voters approved the ULL, which limits urban development to certain areas of the county and helps to preserve farmland and open space. In 2006, county voters passed Measure L, which extended the term of the ULL through 2026 and required a 2016 review to determine whether enough capacity existed inside the ULL to accommodate jobs and housing growth through 2036. The county will present its preliminary findings at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 30 Muir Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa Road, Martinez. Afterward, staff County District IV supervisor. Email will take public comments and questions or comments to answer questions. karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us For more information about the meeting, call 925-674-7203.
frozen turkeys (or grocery store gift cards) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 21. Your time is a wonderful gift to donate. The Trinity Center needs volunteers for their winter nights’ shelter starting Nov. 12, and they are not alone. Numerous organizations, including the Solano Contra Costa Food Bank, need extra volunteers this month. I encourage residents to seek out opportunities to engage in our community this holiday season. Giving back can be rewarding, and your generosity can make the difference in District IV.
We’re working together to keep our community safe As of Nov. 2, I completed my first full year as police chief. I am fortunate to have the staff to help with the necessary changes and improvements as we continue to provide service to this community. Law enforcement today is constantly under the microscope as we perform our duties in providing service to our citCHRIS wENzEL izens. Some appreciate us, but for others, we can’t do enough BEHIND THE BADGE or we do too much. The sucWe recently arrested a cess of our community is parolee who had just commitbased on the ability to work ted a residential burglary of an together to keep our city safe.
occupied home. This incident started as a patrol officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a vehicle code violation, not knowing that the driver had just committed a residential burglary. Due to the dangerous driving by the suspect to evade the officer, the pursuit was canceled for public safety reasons. Minutes later, a resident advised of a vehicle that had run over a mailbox. It turned out to be the same vehicle police chased earlier.
See Chief, page 7
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Club News
Page 5
Creekside Artists Guild ‘Meet the Artists’ Nov. 12
LOCAL ARTISTS (front) Maria Ley, Alice Martinez, Lois willhite and (back) Renaye Johnson and Thea Jue display art at the Clayton Community Library highlighting the latest Clayton Reads book, “The Language of Flowers,” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
paintings in watercolor, oil and acrylic, plus photography and ceramics. Nearly 15 artists are represented by 25 pieces of floral artwork. All items are for sale. Stop by Cup o’ Jo in downtown Clayton and meet local artists at Creekside Jo’s Gallery Artists Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. Over 30 pieces of original artwork by a dozen local artists are on display, including paintings, ceramics and textiles, plus greeting cards for sale in time for the holidays. Food, drink and ukulele and hula entertainment provided.
We specialize in educating you to improve and maintain your wellness
Clayton Community Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Cup o’ Jo is at 6054 Main St., Clayton. For more information, contact: Art Find the perfect gift, origi- Library through November Exhibit Liaison, Renaye Johnson, nal artwork by local artists. and see Creekside Artists by phone at (925) 672-3488 or Visit the Clayton Community Guild’s beautiful floral art email, doublera@aol.com.
Nothing but good news from CBCA GARY CARR Special to the Pioneer
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club
Clayton Valley Woman’s packets, folded and stacked Club members donated over 900 Sunday comics and approximately $1,100 towards postage and supplies, prepared See CVWC, page 20 500 creamer/sugar/stir stick
During this contentious election season, it’s refreshing to spend two hours listening to good news. And that’s what happened at the Oct. 27 meeting of the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) at Oakhurst Country Club. It started with the children. Two young women from Diablo View Middle School talked about their experiences at Tech Trek, a two-day science and technology camp for girls held at CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB MEMBERS Connie weimar, Sonoma State. Emily Giadone president; Kathleen Horvath, Blue Star Moms service proj-
See CBCA, page 20
• We boast one of the most comprehensive supplement departments in Northern California. • Our vast bulk foods section includes over 700 items — nuts, grains, spices, herbs, and more.
ect chairman; and Kathy Olson show some of the donations given to CC Blue Star Moms for troops this year.
Coldwell Banker San Francisco Bay Area Top 100 Agent & International President's Circle Award Recipient
• Locally owned and operated for 39 years
NEW
8001 Kelok Way
Highly sought after single level Oakhurst Country Club home. 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 lovely baths — PLUS den PLUS office! Chef kitchen with commercial cooktop, gorgeous raised hearth, beautiful landscaped corner lot. Offered at $825,000
www.8001KelokWay.com
175 Mt. Vernon Drive
NEW
Clayton There is room for everyone in this 5 bedroom, 2 and 2half bath Dana Hills Home. Master suite AND 2nd bedroom downstairs! Extra large country kitchen, huge lot! www.175MtVernonDrive.com
Harvest House
2395 Monument Blvd. Concord (925) 676-2305
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www.Harvesthouse.com
Fantastic Price $799,500
5545 Merritt Drive
NEW
rittDrive.com
Clayton/Concord view border — Feels like a view resort! Over 2850 sf w/ 4 HUGE bedrooms 2.5 remodeled baths. Fantastic kitchen w: high-end appliances and finishes. Master bath spa, warm hardwood, 2 stone hearths, Windows all around bring in Tahoe style natural views. .39 acre landscaped oasis!www.5545MerOffered at $835,000
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Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
NOVEMBER
LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN PROGRAM
“Beauty and Fashion: Feeling Your Best at Any Age” With Image Stylist Carolyn Woodward and Licensed Esthetician Dynese Mouzakis
Appraisals are tricky for home buyers
Thurs. Nov. 17, 11:30 am - 1 pm
Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd, Clayton Bring a brown bag lunch
Call Jeanne Boyd (925) 672-3672
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November 11, 2016
LyNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS
how you will even start scaling back, you can hire someone to help you. There are people who specialize in helping organize and plan a move. Once you choose a realtor to assist you they can give you a referral. Many seniors and movedown buyers are looking for a smaller house with one level, in a safe location, convenient to shopping and transportation. They are often interested in reducing their overall costs to have money left over to fund retirement. One thing that can be a challenge is the fact that they might find themselves in competition with first-time buyers. There is frequently a higher demand for smaller, lower priced homes, especially single story, than a higher priced home. Please realize that the price per square foot will be much higher than for a larger home. When you buy a home half the size of the one you are selling don’t expect it to sell for half the price. There are subdivisions for 55+ residents. Of course in these
Q. We are having a problem with the appraisal on a home we are selling coming in at the offered price. Why don’t appraisers just figure out the price per square foot? If they did that our appraisal would have come in higher than the offering price. A. There are several approaches to appraisals on a home that an appraiser might use, but cost per square foot isn’t one of them. When a home is being built, a builder figures their building costs on a per square foot basis. When it is resold an appraiser uses criteria from previous sales. The smaller the home, the higher the price per square foot is. The value of the land and the location, or premi- Sponsored content ums such as a view, add to the value of the home. Think of it this way: a 1,200-squarefoot home which has a kitchen, three bedrooms, two baths, a living room and a dining area sold for $380 a square foot, or $456,000. If a 1,800-square-foot home, down the street, with the same amount of beds and baths, a living room and a dining room also sold for $380 a square foot it would go for $684,000. Anybody can see that is too much. Nobody would pay that much for the additional air space. The larger home would have to sell for much less per square foot.
homes you won’t be competing with first time buyers. Anybody that is buying and selling a home, including move-down buyers, wonders whether to buy or sell first. If you sell first you will know exactly how much money you have to work with, but you may worry about finding the next home. If you buy first, you might worry about selling your current home. Many seniors are in a position to buy first, or have enough equity in the home after years of appreciation, to take out an equity line to buy the next house. If this feels too uncomfortable to you, an alternative is to sell your current home and put your things in storage, and live in a temporary rental, perhaps in the same area you want to buy, until the right house comes along. Before you put your home on the market, make sure that your realtor has shown you enough homes for you to be confident that you will find what will work for you when your house does sell.
To soften the stress of navigating this move you might consider the tax advantages. If you have lived in your home for two out of the last five years, you and your husband are forgiven up to $500,000 of the capital gain you realize on the sale. If you live in Contra Costa County, you can transfer your property taxes to your new home if you move to another home in Contra Costa County, as long as the sale price of the new home is the same or less than the current home. You can consult with the tax assessor to see in what other counties you can transfer taxes. Please hire a trusted realtor early on to be your guide. Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates. Contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
Lynne French is on vacation this week. This article is reprinted from the March 13, 2013 issue of the Clayton Pioneer.
Research shows new lung cancer treatment options
Q. My husband and I are getting up in years and are thinking of downsizing. We have a large two-story home. The stairs are killing us. The cost of maintaining a home, where we use just a few rooms, is hard to afford. Any tips on how to proceed? A. Now that you are starting to think about moving, you can start the process by getting rid of things that you are not using or won’t be able to take to a smaller home. After living in your home for many years you are bound to have accumulated far more possessions than you need. One benefit of paring down early is that your home will show much better when it is on the market. If you are having trouble figuring out
GIGI CHEN, M.D.
Through early screenings and advanced medication options, strides are being made in lung cancer treatment. Lung cancer occurs in about 225,000 U.S. patients and causes more than 160,000 deaths per year. It is the most common cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, and smoking is the most important and controllable risk factor. Other risk factors include a history of radiation exposure, environmental toxins, lung condition such as pulmonary fibrosis and genetic factors. Until recently, screening for lung cancer was not widely used. The National Lung Screening Trial compared a CT screening with a chest X-ray for individuals who are heavy
smokers. It found that CT screening annually for three years can detect lung cancer early and, as a result, decrease the risk of lung cancer death by 20 percent. Now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has agreed to cover the cost of CT screening in patients 5577 who have a 30 “pack-year” smoking history and who have quit within 15 years. This is an exciting advance in early detection and prevention. Lung cancer treatment involves a team approach, including the patient, primary care physician, pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. Previously, chemotherapy was the only approach for advanced lung cancer. Now we have an improved understanding of what drives cancer growth. Some patients may have a “driver mutation” in their cancer, which is a molecular pathway that stimulates cancer growth. If we know that information, doctors can target drugs to treat the cancer – yielding safer and more effective treatment. Oral targeted medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lung cancer include Gefitinib, Erlotinib or Afatinib for patients with EGFR mutation and Crizotinib for patients
with ALK rearrangement. Doctors are also learning about resistant pathways, which is when these medications stop working. Medicines that fight the resistant pathways have emerged, such as Osimertinib for patients with T790m EGFR mutation. Cancer immunotherapy is used to stimulate immune responsiveness to treat cancer. It helps the immune system to detect cancer as foreign and work to eradicate it. The FDA has recently approved immunotherapy drugs Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab to treat advanced lung cancer. When Nivolumab was compared with Docetaxel (chemotherapy) in squamous cell patients, one-year survival rate was 42 percent vs. 24 percent with chemo. Other immunotherapy drugs are in clinical development. There are also clinical trials looking at immunotherapy combined with other immunotherapy drugs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation. Doctors eagerly await the results and hope they will greatly improve treatment of lung cancer. Chen is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. She has extensive experience in treating lung and gynecologic cancers and sees patients in Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor and San Ramon.
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517
TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor
Charmed by Clayton, dentist opens new office in Village Oaks
CONTACT US
Tamara Steiner tamara@claytonpioneer.com Send ads to ads@claytonpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@claytonpioneer.com Send Club News to clubnews@claytonpioneer.com Send School News to
schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. You can also mail or bring your print to the office and we can scan it for you. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have
CIRCULATION
Total circulation of the Clayton Pioneer is 5,500 to ZIP code 94517, all delivered by US Mail to homes and businesses. We cannot start or stop free delivery to individual addresses. This must be done directly through the Post Office. The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 30,500 in Concord by carrier. Papers are delivered once a month on a Friday morning near the end of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 or send an email to circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in the shaded area and are not receiving the paper, please call us or send an email to circulation@claytonpioneer.com. If you are not in the shaded area, please be patient. We will come to your neighborhood soon.
SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe, call the office at (925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are $35/year for each paper, $60/year for both.
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Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 Events DR. VICTOR TRUONG with wife, Mary, Kaylie 10, and Brayden, 3, opens new Clayton dental office Nov. 25. PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
The journey took six years from when Victor Truong first visited Clayton to opening a dental practice here. “Wow, this is a cool place to live,” thought Truong, who was still in dental school at the time. After that first visit chaperoning his daughter’s class at the pumpkin farm, he kept coming back – spending birthdays at Skipolini’s and exploring local trails. He, his wife and two children starting spending more time away from their home in Bay Point to enjoy activities in Clayton. It was serendipitous that when Truong decided to open his own dentist office, data from his consultants showed Clayton as one of the top three choices in a 25-mile radius. The journey actually began thousands of miles away and decades ago when Truong, his parents and a few other family members left Vietnam for greater opportunity in America. He was not quite 2 years old in 1979, so he does not remember the two weeks on a boat and months in Malaysia before getting to San Francisco. Although he clearly remembers his parents starting from scratch, initially being on welfare, working during the day and going to school at night to learn English. “It
Officers found the vehicle unoccupied and with stolen items inside. A second resident called and told us that a person was hiding next to a vehicle near the accident. Officers responded to the location and apprehended the parolee. This arrest occurred through good police work and
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instilled in me work ethic,” Truong says. He teaches the same lesson about working hard for something they really want to his children, Kaylie, 10, and Brayden, almost 3. Truong finished medical school before earning his doctorate of dental surgery from UC San Francisco. He found his drive in a career where he could be hands-on and even artistic via the cosmetic side of dentistry. He most recently worked at Muir Family Dentistry in Martinez. His coworkers describe him as a good dentist and a really good man. They say they miss him already. Dr. Stephen Francis describes Truong as having the highest integrity and being a skilled dentist. “He’s one of my best associates,” Francis says. Truong has a strong desire to support those in need as he was aided upon coming to America, so he donates his time to charitable acts like CDA Cares. Truong’s office in Clayton, the Grove Family Dentistry, opens Nov. 28. He will have an assistant and a receptionist. His wife, Mary, is a dental hygienist and may eventually join the staff. His No. 1 goal is patient comfort. “Dentistry is one thing,” he notes. “Experience is the other and even more important.”
Chief from page 4
Owners Dustin & Kim Waraner
Construction and Trades
Mr. Fix-it Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0347
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Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 www.ClaytonPioneer.com
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J.A. Ronco Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .872-3049
Jay Bedecarré, Bev Britton
priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail.
Business Services
Gary’s Home Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787-2500
C ORRESPONDENTS : Kara Navolio, John T. Miller, Jennifer
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Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144
S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Leischer
Page 7
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the assistance of residents. It illustrates the importance of being involved and keeping our community safe together. As we approach the holiday season, I will again remind people that being vigilant and locking doors, securing property or at least keeping it out of view and picking up your mail will make you less of a target to crime. Security cameras, alarm systems and proper lighting will also deter criminal behavior. Parolees like the one arrested and other criminals will keep coming into our community. Together we need to deter these types of individuals from coming into our city by paying attention to suspicious behavior, gathering information and protecting our property and loved ones. Meanwhile, we are continuing to see damage in the Grove Park. It is such a wonderful place to visit and spend time, yet some individuals are misusing the gazebo. Please talk to your children about respecting the park, as this also represents what we are as a community. And as always, please drive safely as well as being good pedestrians. Chris Wenzel is Chief of Police of Clayton. Send questions and comments to chris.wenzel@claytonpd.com or call (925) 673-7350
Clayton Business and Community
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The Grove Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219-3939 Home and Garden
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French, Lynne – Windermere Real Estate . . . .672-8787 Klock, Leigh – Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593
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Kindness
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Schools
Page 8
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
‘Never stop learning’ with MDUSD Adult Ed programs
NELLIE MEyER
MDUSD
SUPERINTENDENT
The phrase “Never stop learning because life never stops teaching” speaks to the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s philosophy about adult education. We offer it all: from mastering an art form or a technical skill to learning a second language, from the cute (a parent education co-op preschool program) to the courageous (adults recovering from head injuries). Research espouses the benefits of adult learning, includ-
ing that it makes you happier. Check out this article for other benefits: www.inc.com/ajagrawal/4-reasons-why-weshould-never-stoplearning.html. In addition to traditional offerings such as high school diploma equivalency classes and English as a Second Language, the district’s adult education also offers highly regarded medical assistant and surgical technician training programs. Experts who perform highly technical work
day-in and day-out make time to share their talents as adult ed teachers. The district has compassionate instructors working with adults with disabilities as well as adults overcoming head injuries to relearn and remaster important life skills. We have an incredible array of artistic, hobby and recreational programs, including painting, culinary, dance and finance. Take a look at the adult ed program at http://mdae-mdusd-
ca.schoolloop.com/ to learn more. The district will host an open house 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Pleasant Hill Education Center, 1 Santa Barbara Road. Classrooms will be open so visitors can see woodcarving, woodturning and woodworking instruction and
examples. We’ll also be hosting an arts and crafts fair with handcrafted items, displays, a quilt exhibition and demonstrations.
Dr. Nellie Meyer is Superintendent of Schools for MDUSD. Email questions or comments to meyern@mdusd.org
A future worth copying
Mock election taps into timely topics While the nation’s eyes were on the U.S. presidential race, a different election was taking place at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Two of CV’s four academies, the Clayton Arts Academy (CAA) and the Public Service Academy (PSA), participated in a mock presidential race. The CAA was separated into four parties: the Tempus, the Lotus, the Carousel and the Compromise. Each group elected nominees for president and vice president. Their faces were plastered all over campus in fliers vying for the support of their peers. Within each group there were different positions, with jobs like chief editor and portfolio creators. This ensured that no party member was left without a vital role in the election. Each party declared themselves as either liberal or conservative. They were then given a list of issues, such as
ALySSA ARINO
CVCHS CORRESPONDENT
Syrian refugees, affirmative action, LGBTQ+ rights, the legalization of marijuana, and took stances that reflected their beliefs. The PSA made up the interest groups, which contained the lobbyists. The academy divided into 12 groups, with each representing one of the issues given to the presidential candidates. During lobbies with the CAA, they presented topics and attempted to persuade the nominees to endorse
their causes in exchange for donations. The interest groups did extensive research in order to fill the brochures they gave candidates with information about their issues. They also created policy papers that outlined the problems and possible solutions and filmed commercials. On Nov. 2, the CAA presidential nominees participated in a live debate. The PSA interest groups took turns asking the candidates questions related to their topics. Each nominee gave mature and thoughtful responses. After the debate, all 280+ PSA and CAA students in the audience voted on the candidates along with 12 propositions. The Compromise Party won the election, and all the propositions passed. The academy students worked tirelessly on their campaigns. “Every day, we got together and had project time for an hour,” says Jordan
Steinberg, the Tempus Party nominee for vice president. “We worked on our platform and what we stand for.” The project has immense educational value, as it relates so much to one of the biggest events that happens in our country. “I’ve been teaching for 10 years, and I’ve never seen students as interested in an election as they are for (the 2016 election),” says Anthony Munch, one of the CAA teachers involved in the project. “So I think they were excited to do a simulation of it.” With live debates between opposing parties and lobbies full of important issues, Clayton Valley’s mock-presidential race was every bit as exciting as the real thing. Arino is a sophomore at Clayton Valley Charter High School. She has written for the school newspaper and likes creative writing. Send comments to editor@claytonpioneer.com.
Walkers as well as drivers need to observe safety rules
NATALIE PURSCHE
DVMS
CORRESPONDENT
A couple weeks ago, I was hit by a car while jaywalking. There were no serious injuries, but it was a scary and unnecessary experience. It frightened my family and friends. In 2014, 4,884 people were killed in pedestrian accidents in the United States. That averages to about 13 people killed per day. Although Clayton is a small and fairly safe town,
there have been two to three student accidents in each of the past few years. In the first nine months of 2016, there was only one pedestrian accident in Clayton – my October accident was the second. I talked with Clayton Police Chief Chris Wenzel about the incident. He said many problems contribute to this issue. “People by nature are not patient; (they) want to cheat,” Wenzel said. “People are usually in a hurry and are not thinking about the danger.” Wenzel said that distracted drivers are a big problem. Texting, shaving and putting on makeup while driving is dangerous. Cars weigh more than a ton, and there is a big
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responsibility in driving. You have to keep your eyes on the road and follow the speed limit to make sure you are not in danger of hurting yourself or someone else. It is not just the driver’s responsibility. Pedestrians need to pay attention and watch where they are going. Many students at my school have been observed walking in the street, running against the light and jaywalking across busy Marsh Creek Road. Many parents and police have seen students fool around, pulling and pushing each other, playing in the street and not paying attention to things going on around them. There is a lot of traffic and congestion in that
area, making these activities dangerous for students. “There is a reason for crosswalks and sidewalks,” Wenzel noted. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, cross at appropriate times at a crosswalk and walk on the sidewalk. Don’t walk in the street or jaywalk. There could be serious consequences, even death, when students dismiss safety rules. “Take a minute to walk safely,” Wenzel advised. “Be patient.” Believe me, I know. The risk is not worth it.
CAITLIN PAPALIA shows off some items replicated on the new 3D printer at Carondelet High School. The uPrint SE Plus printer, made by Stratasys, makes three-dimensional, plastic copies of objects. This technology can aid the invention of new ideas and concepts. Students can create models with a software application, then transfer them to the 3D printer. The school purchased the printer, along with a CO2 laser for cutting and engraving, with funds raised at the Swing to Science golf tournament.
Increased number of absences leads to media coverage
SyDNEy SKOw
CVCHS
CORRESPONDENT
coming Plague”, “I became very dizzy and more congested as the day went on.” Students in every class developed similar symptoms in the days following the homecoming dance. This made focusing on schoolwork extremely difficult, leading students to leave school early, arrive late, or not attend school at all. “I missed 4 days of school and felt very behind,” says Cline of her absences. Other students that missed school felt the same way that Cline did, and had to work extra hard to catch up what they missed. The news of the nearly 500 absences in one day quickly reached a local blog, and eventually became a topic discussed among the Clayton and Concord communities. Many Bay Area news stations flocked to Clayton Valley the week of October 24-28 to cover the story of the alarmingly increased number of absences. Alison Bacigalupo, the Operations Director at CVCHS, spoke with NBC Investigative, KRON 4, and Telemundo, among others that produced stories on the outbreak of sickness. “I was surprised that was the story of the day,” Bacigalupo says of the large amount of media coverage the school had gotten. Haaziq Madyun, a reporter of KRON4, explains why he wanted to cover the story, saying “The large number of absences in a single week sparked interest...It is not something that happens every day.”
Classes were half-empty. Teachers called out names but got no response. Coughing and raspy voices could be heard in every hall. Students leaving school early or arriving late were more common than students staying for the entire day. Missed assignments and makeup tests galore. What could it be? The answer is an outbreak of what has been identified as a sickness like the flu, or most recently nicknamed, the “Clayton Valley Homecoming Send comments to editor@clay- Plague.” tonpioneer.com. Clayton Valley held its annual homecoming football game on October 21 and homecoming dance on October 22. Over 1,300 students attended the dance, which was held in the large gym on campus, along with a game area in ALL FIELDS of SERVICE the small gym. and REPAIR WORK “I had a great time at homeest. 1973 coming,” says John Cook, junior Insured, Bonded & Workers’ Comp at CVHCS, “but it was very crowded, like a mosh pit.” Air Conditioning, Appliance Repair, Carpentry, ConOver the next few days, the crete, Electrical, Ceramic Tile, Heating, Insurance effects of being in such close Work, Painting, Plumbing, Remodeling, Wallpaperencounters with so many people ing, and any Miscellaneous Items took its toll. “I started having really bad Call Us for Any Work and headaches and my body felt very We’ll Get It Done Right Away. weak and tired,” CVCHS sophSydney Skow is a sophomore at 925-825-0347 omore Camille Cline explains of CVCHS. Email her at B-1 Lic.#358217 C-44 the beginning of the “Home- sydneyaskow@icloud.com.
Mr. Fix-it Co.
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Charter Tech School proposed near Concord Pavilion appears headed for county rejection JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
A proposal for a new charter public school in Concord called Clayton Valley Charter Tech Academy was formally presented to the Contra Costa County Board of Education this Wednesday. County staff recommended against the petition, which it termed “fatally flawed.” The petition requested approval of a county-wide benefit charter school for students in sixth through 12th grades proposed on the grounds of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Kirker Pass Rd. across from the Concord Pavilion. The lead petitioners are Clayton Valley Charter High School executive director Dave
Linzey, CVCHS governing board member Richard Asadoorian and Samuel Cove, a member of Microsoft’s High Potential leadership devel opment program. The petition describes a free countywide public charter school slated to open next August with 600 students in sixth through ninth grades. In the three subsequent years another high school grade will be added until the school houses 1200 students in grades 612. Eventually, 900 of the 1200 students would be of high school age. The petitioners say the school is proposed to address the large waitlist that exists after CVCHS accepts its annual freshman class of about 500 students. They see the new tech charter school as respond-
DA investigates pedestrian fatality A Clayton officer who was secondarily involved in a pedestrian fatality on Kirker Pass Rd. Oct 31, is back to work after taking a few regularly scheduled days off. At 2:30 am on Oct. 31, a driver heading north on Kirker Pass, reported to Concord police that he had “struck an object” in the roadway. When Concord police arrived on the scene, they found a man lying in the road. The Clayton officer was on the scene and reported that while responding to an unrelated call, he had accidentally struck the man already lying in the roadway. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He is identified as Robert Smith, 29, of Walnut Creek. Concord Police and the County District Attorney are
wILL CLANEy
TECH TALK
As Bones says: Jim, let it go;it’s dead
Microsoft will no longer offer Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 for sale to computer makers or to the general public. It’s the company’s all-out
jointly handling the investigation. Which impact was the actual cause of death will be determined by the coroner’s report which may take up to six weeks to complete. Clayton Chief Chris Wenzel, who was present at the autopsy, says “We know for a fact, the secondary incident – our officer hitting the individual — was after the first incident. The investigation is to determine if there is any culpability” “This is protocol in any case when an officer is involved,” Wenzel said. “This is so unique that it’s important to conduct a thorough investigation.” The names of the police officer and the civilian driver have not been released.
ing to some of that demand. The CCCOOE staff report was issued last Friday and said “although the petition may be well-intentioned, it is not designed to serve students on a county-wide basis….the charter plans to serve the students of Clayton and Concord and primarily the students on the waiting list of CVCHS.” In spite of this recommendation, Charter advocates were “hopeful” that their presentation would convince the five-member elected board to approve the new charter school. Linzey says, “It’s truly a heart-breaking experience to meet with students and hear from parents pleading for their ninth grader to be admitted to our great high school. It’s unfortunate when parents — especially those who are seeking to have their students enroll in a high-performing charter school curriculum — learn that our school is impacted.” The petitioners explain the CVCHS governing board decided “that our community should have a voice in the development of a new, high
Page 9
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performance charter school with an emphasis in 21st century career skills — the vision for CVCTA. “This new charter school will be separate from CVCHS with their own executive director, administrative team, governing board and charter petition.” 35 years Clayton/ Linzey says his role is sim- Concord resident ple – “to serve as an advisor to Lic#844344 their governing board and administration by utilizing my extensive experience of opening and operating high perforucing mance charter schools.” Introd Easy ay Should the county board Sundtening reject the proposal the petiLismusic 4-7pm tioners can go to the Mt. DiaLive blo Unified School District and seek a startup district charter. If MDUSD turned down that request the petitioners can 6096 Main Street, Clayton, 673-0440 then appeal to CCOOE. This Entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. was the successful path folNov. 11, 12 ..................................Diamond Ridge lowed by the Contra Costa Nov. 18-19.........................................Barrelhouse School of Performing Arts Nov. 25-26......................................Blues Healers which opened this school year Dec. 2-3 .........................................................TBA after it was turned down by MDUSD and did not get an Karaoke Mon. & Wed. nights Open Mic Thur. nights, 8-11 pm approval recommendation www.claytonclubsaloon.com from County staff. Beer only. Good anytime with
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I would like to offer you a chance to choose between two options (to speak with clarity or to speak with confusion). CHOICE (Old French, “choose”) and OPTION (Latin, “choose”) reflect the difference between an action and a thing. Choices are acts of choosing, not the options from which you select. If you choose between two options, those options are not choices. To choose between Option A and Option B is to make a choice. To have two choices means to make two decisions! Choice is also an adjective (“high quality”), and option is a verb (“to buy and sell”), but try to keep track of their primary meaning here.
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Seriously, the time is now for the move to Windows 10 effort to move its entire PC and tablet market to a more secure and modern operating system: Windows 10. Like it or not, Windows 10 will be Microsoft’s only PC and tablet operating system (OS) going forward. PCs with the older systems will still qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 through a qualified computer repair service. But this upgrade grace period could be revoked at any time. My advice to owners of computers with the older OS is to make the switch before the
new year. If you are a business owner with software that is not compatible with Windows 10, now is the time to research substitutes if your existing software company doesn’t offer an upgrade or patch for Windows 10. If you are a die-hard and must keep Windows 7, I suggest you rush out and buy a copy today a shove it into a drawer for emergency. If your existing computer with Windows 7 fails, you could load your emergency copy onto the replacement PC. This might
extend your usage by a year or so. But, here’s the rub: New computers will begin to migrate away from Windows 7 features, meaning that the new computer you buy may not even respond or recognize Windows 7. If you need help moving from an older PC or tablet, seek help from a professional. It will be far less expensive to take this step now than to wait until your computer needs critical help.
See Windows, page 19
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Sports
Page 10
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
League champion Clayton Valley in showdown with DLS JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
North Coast Section made a big change in its football playoff setup this year introducing an Open Division of four teams. Clayton Valley Charter, which won three of the past four Division II NCS championships, earned the fourth and final coveted spot in the Open Division awarded from a six-member NCS selection committee last Sunday. And as their reward the Ugly Eagles get a matchup with Concord rivals and No. 1 seed De La Salle next Friday, Nov. 18, at Owen Owens Field. De La Salle has won 24 consecutive NCS football crowns and hasn’t lost a game to a Northern California school since 1991, a span of 279 games. Clayton Valley Charter won the inaugural Diablo Athletic League Foothill Conference
title last Friday over Campolindo of Moraga. The Ugly Eagles prevailed 50-15 to run their unbeaten league streak over 5+ years to 27 games. By beating Campo in the first-ever game between the two schools, Clayton Valley ended the Cougars 34-game league undefeated string that went back to November 2010 for their last league loss. Both teams had been to the State Bowl championship game the past two years with Campo taking a 2014 DIII state title. Because of their success in recent years coach Kevin Macy’s team was moved up to DII for this year’s playoffs and they are the top seed in that division. Justin Alumbaugh’s De La Salle cemented its top seed in NCS Open by taking care of previously-unbeaten Monte Vista 45-17. The loss dropped the Mustangs out of the top four and into Division I where
they are the No. 1 seed. Kairee Robinson exploded for 199 yards in the second half as the Spartans pulled away from Monte Vista. The junior running back scored four touchdowns and quarterback Abel Ordaz ran in two scores. Because of the new NCS playoff setup the team that wins DI cannot advance to the State playoffs while both Open Division finalists can potentially move on. Monte Vista was edged out by CVCHS based on the strength of schedule comparison between the two schools. CVCHS defeated two strong Nevada schools and its one loss was to Helix of San Diego, giving them a slightly stronger schedule based on computer ratings. The other Open Division semi-final pits undefeated Freedom of Oakley in a rematch of a Bay Valley Athletic League game at the end of October with Pittsburg. The Falcons outlasted Pitt 41-38 and they are the only 10-0 team in the semi-finals with the other three teams all coming in at 9-1. Freedom is ranked as high as seventh in California prep rankings with DLS at On. 11, perhaps the first time in decades a team is higher ranked than DLS going in NCS. CLAYTON VALLEY-DLS HISTORY
Photo by Phillip walton courtesy SportStars Magazine
DE LA SALLE WRAPPED UP A 9-1 REGULAR SEASON and the No. 1 seed for the Spartans in the new Open Division of the North Coast Section football playoffs behind junior Kairee Robinson’s (25) rushing exploits. He scored four touchdowns on 265 yards from scrimmage last Friday when DLS beat previously-undefeated Monte Vista 45-17. Robinson’s style and physique have drawn comparisons to Spartan legend Maurice Jones-Drew.
During DLS’s 25-year undefeated streak against NorCal teams the Spartans didn’t lose—-or win—when they played Clayton Valley in 2004 as the teams tied 17-17. The teams played again in 2006 with DLS winning a lopsided game. The two Concord schools last played one another in the 2013 season opener with
Jason Rogers
CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER FOOTBALL has enjoyed five consecutive undefeated league seasons. Until this year the Ugly Eagles offense was given much of the credit for that success using coach Tim Murphy’s wing-T attack to rack up record-breaking rushing totals. This year CVCHS’s 9-1 record and a berth in the first-ever North Coast Section Open Division playoffs is due in large part to a stifling defense, demonstrated by the gang tackling of a Campolindo runner last Friday in the Diablo Athletic League Foothill Conference championship game. Aaron Fonseca (28), Dusty Mitchell (31), Evan Barney (13), Masi Latu (10), Brandon Abon (12) and Kitione Tau (53) put a smile on defensive coordinator Ryan Reynolds’ face with this play.
in the Diablo Foothill Athletic league over the past five seasons without losing a league game. The Cougars won their first four games in the new DAL before meeting up with Clayton Valley last Friday at Gonsalves Stadium with the Foothill Conference championship on the line. Murphy’s Eagles controlled most of the game as Campo essentially abandoned its balanced offensive attack and relied on senior quarterback Jacob Westphal to beat the Eagles outstanding defense. Westphal threw a season-high 35 passes, completing 20, but it was much too little to offset a CAMPO CONTROVERSY strong CV running game that Campolindo ruled the roost gained over 400 yards.
each coming off a NCS championship. The Spartans won 34-14 after a very close 17-14 battle at halftime. The Nov. 18 game will be the second time the Concord schools have met in the NCS playoffs. The first was in the 1986 3A semi-finals where the Spartans prevailed 24-6. Clayton Valley will be looking to advance in the playoffs and get to their straight state championship game. DLS is the only school in California to reach all 10 State Championship games and the Spartans have won seven, including six of seven since 2009.
Sophomore Thomas Alatini scored a pair of touchdowns on 99 yards rushing for the Ugly Eagles. Junior Kenny Gardner filled in when starting QB Zia Rahmany went down early in the game with an injury to guide the CV offense. Gardner ran for 85 yards on just five carries. Clayton Valley attempted only two passes. The Eagles defense allowed only one touchdown until the score rose to 42-7 with a running clock in the fourth quarter. Campo drove down for its second TD and two-point conversion with just under five minutes left. Following the ensuing kickoff Campo made the unusual
See DAL, page 11
Local soccer teams enjoy Halloween weekend tournaments
Photos courtesy MDSA
MDSA BOCA JUNIORS UNDER 14 BOYS scored 15 goals and didn’t give up any to win the white Division of the U14B San Ramon FC Boo Cup Tournament. The team includes, front row from left, Anthony Montoya, Christian Nomellini , Riley Claunch, Bakari Johnson, Jason zimmer, Omar Popal; back row, coach Luano Nomellini, Michael Boyle, Logan Gonzales, Marques wirth, Sebastian Ledezma, Evan Hunter, Davin Fabrizio, Aidan Nolan and coach Robert Helena.
DIABLO FC 05 GIRLS PREMIER TEAM held up its lofty state ranking by winning the witchcraft under 12 division at the 18th annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic. The local team won three and drew one to take first place. Coach Miguel Gonzalez’ team has been ranked as high as second in California and fifth in the USA this year. The team includes, front row from left, Tade Scheid, Courtney wagner, Jules Colchico, Allyssa Pringle, Indigo whiteley, Jacky Bellamy; back row, coach Gonzalez, Caroline Tobin, Emily Beeson, Lil Bailey, Erica Upson, Grace Dausses and Anonda walker.
MDSA ELITE UNDER 13 GIRLS PHOENIX were champions in the 2004 Girls Division of the Creek Cup Bronze Edition Octoberfest. The team include front row from left, Mipo Okeowo, Emma Howe, Morgan Perkins, Katelynn Brown, Sydney Mendelson, Nyah Akoni; back row, coach Heidi Brown, Princessa Barragan, Sarandon Kamrud, Rachel lloyd, Julia Stranko, Sophia Menard, Isabella Veran, Sophia Sinclaire, Laine Moraes, Hawah Opeyany, Kaitlyn McNevin and coach Chris McNevin. Not pictured, Kelsey Macaulay
Photos courtesy Diablo FC
DIABLO FC UNDER 12 BOYS were voted Best Costume in their U12 division at the 18th annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic. The “Skeleton” Diablo FC 2005 team coached by Brian Voltattorni includes, from left, Andres Leroux, Andy Arriaga, will Van Voorhis, Cameron Imberg, Luis Esteban, DJ Hanley, Raul Arana, Jose Ortiz, Humberto Sanchez and Samuel Moreno. Not pictured, Angel Ruiz. In the tournament the team had one win, one draw and one loss.
Sports
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
ties, O’Leary is the president of Senior Women and Public Service Academy Student Council, co-president of French Honors Society, a CSF Chairperson and a member of the National Honors Society and Multicultural Club. She won the CVCHS All-Academy award her junior year. “I love being able to represent my school and show what we can do. The pride I have for my team and school comes through in my game play,” O’Leary explains of her enjoyment being a student athlete. She looks forward to graduation next spring and will receive a seal of biliteracy in French with her diploma. She plans to attend a four-year university on the East Coast, majoring in International Relations/Policies and hopes to use her background in French to study abroad.
Athlete Spotlight
Caitlin O’Leary Grade: Senior School: CvCHS Sports: Water Polo, Swimming
A committed student athlete attends as many practices as possible, manages their time between athletics and academics and puts 100 percent into everything they do. Clayton Valley Charter High School senior Caitlin O’Leary does all of this while serving as a leader and extremely involved student at CVCHS. “Caitlin is a successful student athlete because of her drive, passion and leadership skills. She excels at any task that is thrown her way, whether that is in her academics or in her athletics,” says Kelsey Carrigan, the CVCHS varsity girls water polo coach. When
O’Leary was young, she played almost every team sport including soccer, basketball, swimming, volleyball and softball/baseball. Her dad encouraged her to try water polo, as she was a good swimmer and soccer player and water polo seemed to be a combination of the two sports. She has played water polo and swam for CVCHS throughout her four high school years. O’Leary has been on the varsity water polo and swim teams for three years and captain the last two. She was an NCS Scholar Athlete every year for both sports. Along with her athletic responsibili-
Warriors season to end with a title? Page 11
CVCHS student journalist Sydney Skow contributed to this Spotlight.
The Clayton Pioneer congratulates Caitlin O’Leary and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@claytonpioneer.com.
JACOB SAMUELS SPORTS TALK
The Golden State Warriors are coming off the best regular season in NBA history. They also happen to be coming off one of the worst blown series leads ever in the NBA Finals. No matter how good their 739 record was, the 2015-16 season will not be remembered the way Curry and company wanted. Winning that last game is what the Warriors will now try to change this season. This 2016-17 season will show the guts and heart that the team has. It will not be easy. This year’s start is already not the same as last year’s – a record-breaking 24-game winning streak. They got beat badly on opening night by the
San Antonio Spurs and then again by the lowly Los Angeles Lakers. This was just a preview of their tough early-season schedule which also includes games against the Thunder, Raptors and Celtics, all before Thanksgiving. The Warriors will also be highly susceptible to the same struggles the Miami Heat had in LeBron’s first year there. The new “Big Three” of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh faltered to a 9-8 record in the opening weeks of the season. The Warriors are trying to avoid the same adjustment period with Kevin Durant and skip straight to the next part as the Heat only lost one game that December and ended up winning 21 of their next 22 overall. The Warriors rebounded somewhat from their blowout opening loss to the Spurs with three consecutive road victories. A few more wins and the “adjustment” period will be bypassed. While those are potential “hazards” to look for when watching the two-time defending Western Conference cham-
See Warriors, page 13
Eagle teams win five fall titles in first DAL season JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The new Diablo Athletic League was setup for its 12 schools to compete in separate Foothill and Valley conferences for each sport. The concept is to try and achieve competitive balance for teams based on their results in recent years in the former Diablo Valley and Diablo Foothill athletic leagues. Based on the inaugural DAL fall sports competition Clayton Valley Charter High School has to be pleased with the new setup. Five CVCHS teams won DAL fall sports championships. The football team was crowned Foothill Conference champs last Friday while the Eagles girls water polo and tennis squads along with both cross country teams were all Valley Conference titlists. The Foothll Conference contains the top-ranked teams based on results from the past two years for the schools that previously were in DVAL and DFAL while the Valley Conference has the balance of DAL schools.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Clayton Valley went to North Coast Section Division I playoffs as the seventh seed. The Eagles took the first set against Livermore before losing three tight sets to bow out of the tournament. Second-year head coach Sebastian Sheehan’s team finished behind Valley Conference champs Alhambra in league play. The Bulldogs from Martinez joined Miramonte and
Acalanes from the DAL Foothill Conference in this week’s NCS Division III semifinals. Berean Christian reached the quarterfinals of the Division V quarter-finals. Campolindo is the Division II top seed and bounced Carondelet in the quarter-finals.
GIRLS TENNIS Clayton Valley Charter went a perfect 10-0 to win the DAL Valley Conference for coach Sayed Anwar. For the second year in a row an Eagles doubles team took the league title. Dalia Anwar and Tracy Nguyen were doubles winners. Last year, Anwar and Glynnalyn Ajero won DVAL doubles. During the season, Anwar, Nguyen and Megan Brys were the team’s top singles players followed by Sarisha Bhalla, Nelly Elahmadie and Grace Gius. The top doubles teams in dual matches were Sarah Condon and Kaeli Calica, Emily Lyons and Cate Mcgloin and Maya Gonzales and Tehya Balido. CVCHS started the NCS Division I team competition on Monday against top seeded Monte Vista. Acalanes were the DAL Foothill Conference champs and they were joined by Miramonte and Campolindo at NCS. The section singles and doubles tournament is next week that will include the Eagles doubles team.
in the quarter-finals. Valley Conference winners College Park, Northgate and Las Lomas were also in the DI field. Alhambra was in DII to complete the seven DAL boys teams at NCS.
Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Charter High School
CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS found the competition in the Diablo Athletic League Valley Conference to their liking as they won the new league’s inaugural title. The team included, front row from left, Dalia Anwar, Maya Gonzales, Emily Lyons, Tracy Nguyen, Alana Clement, Cate Mcgloin; back row, Megan Brys, Elizabeth Slivinski, Sarah Condon, Kaeli Calica, coach Sayed Anwar, Jovelle Torres, Natallie Hudgins, Tehya Balido, Nelly Elahmadie, Sarisha Bhalla and Grace Gius. Not in picture, Tehya Balido, Maya Gonzales and Jovelle Torres.
results of the first DAL season as his varsity, JV and froshsoph boys and girls squads were all undefeated in matchups with Valley Conference schools through the DAL center meets and league championships last Saturday. Dylan White was third overall and JJ Perez 10th at the league meet taking 1-2 among varsity boys in Valley Conference. The Eagles won the league meet with Branden Bizicki, Paris Ruiz, Michael Cox and Matt Hyland led the Eagles into North Coast. On the girls side, Kelly Osterkamp was ninth (third in Valley) with her teammates Serena Connel, Casie Bizicki, Angie Dubnoff, Jessica HevenCROSS COUNTRY er, Sarah Verderame and NatalClayton Valley Charter ie Ruzicki in the top 40. Sensahead coach Anthony Munch tional soph Rayna Stanziano of has to be pleased with the Concord High was the leading
Photo by Chris Ruzicka courtesy CVCHS cross country
CLAYTON VALLEY CROSS COUNTRY won every competition from frosh to varsity in the Valley Conference of the new Diablo Athletic League to claim both the boys and girls championships. The Eagles boys varsity includes, front row from left, Paris Ruiz, Michael Cox, Dylan white, JJ Perez, Matt Hyland, Branden Bizicki and Floyd McCluhan. The CVCHS girls team included, back row from left, Cassie Bizicki, Sarah Verderame, Natalie Ruzicka, Kelly Osterkamp, Jessica Hevener and Angie Dubnoff. Not pictured, Serena Connel.
Valley Conference runner in fourth at DAL. The NCS Meet of Champions is Nov. 19 and the State meet a week later. The Eagles boys were in the State meet last fall.
WATER POLO Clayton Valley’s girls water polo team won its first league championship since 1999 with an undefeated 6-0 Valley Conference league mark and 18-5 overall record. Coaches Kelsey Carrigan and Dennis Bledsoe saw their girls win the Modesto tournament and take fourth in the Napa tourney. Bailey Reading and Caitlin O’Leary were the leading scorers and assist makers. Goalie Skyy Burney anchored a defense while Reading, Brooke Johnson and Haley Darr led
the Eagles in steals. The team was eliminated from NCS 9-4 by California of San Ramon in the Division I opening round. Five DAL teams were in the 16-team field including Foothill champs Miramonte, Las Lomas and Campolindo all in the Section semi-finals. Those three teams won all six NCS DII titles before being moved up to DI this year. College Park, like CVCHS, was out after one round of games. Acalanes was No. 1 NCS seed in DII and is in this week’s semi-finals along with third seeded Carondelet. Concord and Alhambra were also in the DII bracket. Eight DAL girls teams were in the playoffs. In the boys NCS playoffs Foothill champs Miramonte went to the DI semi-finals along with second seed Campolindo. De La Salle lost 10-8 to Campo
GIRLS GOLF Defending NCS champions Carondelet were second this year while sophomore Yealimi Noh was the Section medalist, shooting a four under par 68 at Chardonnay Golf Club in American Canyon. East Bay Athletic League rival Dougherty Valley is Division I champion, dethroning the Cougars. The NorCal Championships were this Monday at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas and the CIF State playoffs are set for Nov. 15 in Southern California. Carondelet’s squad at NorCals was Angela Bagasbas, Annika Borrelli, Alexis Browne, Courtney Gaoiran, Noh and Carissa Wu. DAL Foothill Conference champ Northgate and Valley Conference winner Alhambra were also at NCS, as were Miramonte and Acalanes.
DAL,
from page 10
decision to jump offside with two players every time Clayton Valley came to the line of scrimmage as the Cougars tried to stop any further score by the home team. Exasperated game officials started calling personal foul penalties for the repeated infractions and eventually the Eagles moved down the field only running a couple plays from scrimmage and ran it into the end zone without any defensive effort from Campo. The extra point was even weirder as Campo only had a few players on the field and CV’s placekick holder ran in a two-point conversion for the final 50-15 score. The Campolindo coaches said they did not want to get any players injured late in the Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Charter High School game before the start of the CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER GIRLS WATER POLO won the Diablo Athletic League playoffs. It appeared that not all Valley Conference championship while compiling an undefeated 6-0 the Cougar players agreed with league mark. It is the team’s first league title since 1999. The team inthe coaching decision and the cluded, front row from left, Hannah Kommer, Skyy Burney; second row, Camylle Callahan, Camille Cline, Jenny Vonnegut, Jordan Frost, Kimi Svo- broadcasters on the Comcast Hometown Sports TV telecast boda, Brooke Johnson, Margaret york; back row, Emma Skow, coach of the game were stunned by Kelsey Carrigan, Bailey Reading, Haley Darr, Jenna Armstrong, coach the final minute’s antics. Dennis Bledsoe, Melissa Olson, Caitlin O’Leary and Sydney Skow.
Page 12
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
MDSA World Cup dedicated to late coach Chris Turner
Sports
November 11, 2016
Teams, athletes form Clayton Valley High Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy MDSA
THE EIGHTH ANNUAL MDSA WORLD CUP this fall was dedicated to Chris Turner, a 47-year-old coach in the local AySO program who passed away from cancer on Sept. 5. The league said, “Coach Chris was a passionate and dedicated soccer coach and he made soccer fun for many MDSA players through several years of coaching in the fall, spring, select and elite programs. He is remembered fondly by all that were ever on the pitch with him. MDSA says support for the Turner family can be made through a GoFundMe site set up to benefit his wife Christie and daughters Kelsey and Grace. Turner was a graduate of Clayton Valley High School. The finals of the world Cup in his honor were held last weekend. The website is www.gofundme.com/2n8mthuq.
Team Crush are fall volleyball champs
Photo courtesy All Out Sports League
TEAM CRUSH WON THE FALL ADULT Coed 4’s volleyball league at Clayton Community Gym. The All Out Sports league winners are, from left, Michael Siradze, Monica Ravin, Carla Carmona and Mike (Marat) Mudriyan. Not pictured is Priscilla Rivers. The Crush finished ahead of runners-up Desperadoes, DC…Demolition Crew and Hammer Time.
The Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2017 that will feature five teams, seven athletes, one coach and a community member. The honorees will be inducted next May 19 at Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek. Long-time aquatics coach Dennis Bledsoe will be inducted along with two teams he coached: North Coast Section champion 1994 girls swimming team and 1994 league champion girls water polo titlists. The other teams to be installed in the school’s hall are the 1972 NCS champion wrestling team coached by Glen Scringer and Bill Nelson, Diablo Valley Athletic League championship 1960 baseball team coached by Vic Petresh-
See CVHS, page 13
Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Charter High School
CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH’S 1978 SOFTBALL TEAM won the Diablo Valley Athletic League regular season and playoff championships and finished second to Montgomery in the first North Coast Section softball playoffs. The Eagles won three straight in NCS before falling 6-1 in the 3A finale. The team and Sharon york will be inducted in the CVHS Athletic Hall of Fame next May as part of the Class of 2017. Already in the hall from this championship team are Karey Sheehan, Kellie Ruiz and Starry Suttich. The team includes, front row from left, Sue Gietzen, Sheehan, Kelly Domgaard, Ruiz, Suttich, Julie McDonald, Paula Hobson; back row, coach Jack Bailey, york, Kathy Tarascio, Gina Kaai, Erin Lyons, Val Charles, Carol McElhare and head coach Larry Fogelstrom.
DLS Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2016 JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
De La Salle has proved a dominate force in high school sports over the past several decades and the Spartans inducted six athletes and two teams into the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame last month. The school’s Hall of Fame began in 2007.
coached football at De La Salle since 2012 and has recently been appointed to a member of the DLS chemistry faculty.
John Baker ’99 was the class Salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA. He had a .433 batting average and earned All-BVAL honors as a junior and senior. He selected and was a unique lefthanded catcher who emerged as a top PAC-10 player and a key to Cal advancing to an NCAA Regional. He was an Class of 2016 inductees: honorable mention All PAC-10 and honorable mention Pac-10 Chris Crespi Class of 1981 All-Academic. He went on to the is the Alumnus of the Year. He majors playing for the Florida was All-NorCal in football and Marlins, San Diego Padres and went to UC Davis and graduatChicago Cubs. He won the ed in 1985 with a BS in electrical 2009 Heart and Hustle Award engineering and then received from the Florida Marlins. In his MBA from the Kellogg School 2011 he received the Jefferson of Management at Northwestern Award for Outstanding Service University. He has worked over by an athlete. ast year he was 30 years in the fields of engihired as Baseball Operations neering, finance and technology Assistant by the Chicago Cubs. for companies such as Banc of America Securities. He’s
Sports Shorts Tryouts for the Blaze 2017 basketball teams are coming up in Clayton! • 2nd-8th graders on December 11th, 2016 • 9th-12th graders on March 4th, 2017
visit www.blazetravelball.com for more information or to register
Michael Hurlbut ’98 was the goalie on consecutive BVAL title teams who made back-toback North Coast Section tournament appearances. He was firstteam all-BVAL both seasons and was senior co-captain. He was a soccer goalie for the 1996-98 seasons and helped the team to consecutive BVAL titles, consecutive NCS appearances. Hurlbut was named first-team all-BVAL was a co-captain his senior year. He was also a member of the swim team and on the volleyball squad that won its first of five straight NCS titles. He was DLS athlete of the year as one of the first athletes to letter in four varsity sports in one school year. He went on to Pepperdine University where he played one season of Division D. J. WILLIAMS I water polo and one season on the Wave volleyball team that was the University of Miami before an NCAA finalist. signing in 2004 with the Denver Broncos. With the Spartans he D. J. Williams ’00 was one of the school’s best defensive players ever and then excelled at See DLS, page 13
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA DEC . 18 BENEFITING NORTHGATE ATHLETICS
The Northgate High School athletic department is hosting a Breakfast with Santa at Boundary Oak Golf Course on Sunday, ST. BONAVENTURE GIRLS WIN OAKLAND DIOCESE Dec. 18. The event will include an all you can eat breakfast, visit CYO CROSS COUNTRY TITLE with Santa and hug one of Santa’s elves and take family or silly St. Bonaventure’s girls 3-5 grade girls cross country team friends pictures with a beautiful winter holiday backdrop. The won the Oakland Diocese CYO championship this fall. Abby breakfast is from 8 a.m. – 12 noon. Cost is $5 per person. Schauman was third overall in a field of 183 runners. Zoe Lahanas was fifth and Skylar Bennett sixth to give St. Bonnies MDSA SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION BEGINS DEC . 15 the championship. The team’s fourth runner Violet Barbosa Registration opens Dec. 15 for Mt Diablo Soccer Associatook 20th overall to help the local runners edge out runnerup St. tion’s 2017 Spring season. The program is open to boys and girls Patrick of Rodeo-Hercules.Samantha Schauman was fifth in the under 5-U19 divisions. The older divisions are co-ed teams. 6-8 grade girls race as St. Bonnies took sixth among 22 teams. Games start mid-March. MDSA AYSO Region 223 serves ClayCARONDELET GIRLS JV WATER POLO’S STELLAR SEASON ton, Concord and surrounding communities. For more details and to register visit mdsoccer.org. INCLUDES TOURNAMENT TITLE
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Carondelet’s junior varsity water polo team were overall CLAYTON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE champions of the annual Delta Shootout Tournament in BrentACCEPTING PLAYER REGISTRATIONS ONLINE wood as a highlight of a 20-2 season. Freshman Marissa Ennis Registration for Clayton Valley Little League is now open for scored the tournament winning goal on the assist from Gigi Balthe spring 2017 season. Baseball programs for players ages four dacci over California High 7-6 in sudden death overtime. Caronto 15 and softball for girls six to 16 are both open for registradelet JVs lost only to San Ramon Valley and Miramonte by a tion. Tryouts are in January. The CVLL program includes a goal. Challenger Division for players with disabilities and special needs. Players must reside within the CVLL boundaries. Go to 2 CLAYTON VALLEY HOLIDAY YOUTH BASEBALL cvll.org for complete information and to register. Families who PROGRAMS ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS sign up by Dec. 2 receive a $40 early bird discount per player. Clayton Valley Charter High School baseball coaching staff and players are offering Thanksgiving (Nov. 21-22) and Christ- DIABLO FC SOCCER TRYOUTS COMING UP IN JANUARY mas Dec. 19-20) holiday baseball camps. The camps for ages 6Diablo FC will be holding tryouts for its 2017 competitive 14 focus on the skills necessary to be a successful player includ- teams Jan. 21- Feb. 5 for under 8 through under 11 (birth years ing batting, fielding, pitching and throwing. Sessions are held 2010-2006) age groups. The U12-U14 (birth years 2005-2003) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Clayton Valley Varsity Baseball Facil- competitive team tryouts will be Feb. 13-27. Under 15 and older ity. There is a large discount for boys and girls who sign up for team tryouts will be in May after spring league games conclude. both camps. Contact Eagles head coach Casey Coakley at Visit diablofc.org to get more information and signup for Winter uglyeaglebaseball@gmail.com with questions or to register. Academy clinics and tryouts.
CVCHS SEEKING COACHES FOR SPRING SPORTS TEAMS
Clayton Valley Charter co-athletic director Eric Bamberger announced several open coaching positions for spring sports teams at the Concord school. Open spots include varsity boys and girls swimming and diving, junior varsity and frosh girls lacrosse, varsity badminton (new sport) and varsity girls rugby. Interested persons should send a resume and cover letter to eric.bamberger@claytonvalley.org. Call Bamberger with any questions at 682-7474 ext. 3162.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES PROGRAMS , TRYOUTS
Winter programs including basketball offered by All Out Sports Leagues in Clayton are taking registration now online. Tryouts for Blaze AAU boys and girls basketball will be held Sunday, Dec. 11, for grades 2-8. For complete information on All Out Sports programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Cold weather coming – be sure you Clayton Fair Properties understand ‘Spare the Air’ burn rules As the weather starts to cool, many Clayton residents look forward to evenings spent by the fireplace. That’s why it’s important to understand the Spare the Air rules. Cold temperatures and calm winds during winter can cause wood smoke to build up in the region, causing unhealthy air quality. When weather conditions trap pollution close to the ground and when air quality is forecast to
Pets
be unhealthy, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District calls a Winter Spare the Air Alert for the next full calendar day. The district may call Winter Spare the Air Alerts up to three days in advance to keep air pollution from building up and exceeding federal standards. During a Winter Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal to burn wood, manufactured logs or any other solid fuel – both
indoors and outdoors. “Wood smoke from the Bay Area’s 1.4 million fireplaces and wood stoves continues to be the largest source of wintertime air pollution in the region,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. Exposure to wood smoke has been linked to serious respiratory illnesses and even increased risk of heart attacks. “The air district’s
Priscilla and Magic are this month’s ARF stars
PRISCILLA
2-year-old Priscilla is a smart girl with a sensitive side who is looking for a home that will treat her like a queen. Days with her will be filled with hiking, play time, fetch and lots of fun, especially if you have a kiddie pool! Priscilla’s adoption includes 1 year of routine veterinary care. We recommend she does not go into a home that has cats or small animals. We recommend Priscilla take a Basic Manners class where she can learn polite ways of seeking creature comforts in life. Priscilla prefers a home without small children. She currently weighs 72 pounds.
MAGIC
Priscilla’s adoption fee has adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm been prepaid by a generous Wednesday & Thursday, Noon donor. to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday. 1 1/2-year-old Magic is a Would you like to be part of the super sweet, sensitive gal who heroic team that saves the lives of enjoys gentle petting and chin rescued dogs and cats? Can you rubs. Though she is shy at first, share your talents to connect people she warms up beautifully with and animals? ARF volunteers are gentle attention and encour- making a difference! For more inforagement. She is suitable for a mation see our website, first time cat guardian. Magic www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256has a positive history with cats. 1ARF. The adoption fee for cats is $75
DLS, from page 12
was the USA Today Player of the Year, California Gatorade Player of the Year and rated the top player in the nation by SuperPrep. He and his teammates never lost a game at DLS. With the Miami Hurricanes he was first-team All Big-East in 2002 and 2003.While playing for Denver, he was regarded as one of the NFL’s top linebackers. During his NFL rookie year, he led the Broncos with tackles. He was the AFC combined tackles leader in 2007. He went on to play for five more seasons with the Broncos before being signed by the Chicago Bears in 2013 where he played two more years. Jonny Tucker ‘01 was a standout athlete, playing football and baseball at De La Salle, both with great success. He attended the University of Florida on a baseball scholarship before
• Anyone whose sole source of heat is a wood-burning device must use an EPAcertified or pellet-fueled device that is registered with the air district to qualify for an exemption to Spare the Air Alerts. An open hearth fireplace will no longer qualify for an exemption. • Bay Area residents who begin a chimney or fireplace remodeling project that costs more than $15,000 and requires a building permit will only be allowed to install gasfueled, electric or EPA-certified device. • No wood-burning devices of any kind may be installed in new homes or buildings being constructed in the Bay Area. First-time violators will receive a $100 ticket, or they must attend a wood smoke awareness course. Second violations are subject to a $500 ticket, with the amount increasing for subsequent violations.
To find out if a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, call 1877-4NO-BURN, visit www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov. Residents may sign up for e-mail alerts at www.sparetheair.org or for phone alerts by calling 1-800430-1515. Or download the Spare the Air app for iPhone and Android.
Warriors, from page 11
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell pions, it is almost a lock that Drive, Walnut Creek, during the Warriors will return to the postseason. A real life “Dream Team” made up of four allstars and two MVPs could be an unstoppable force of nature. In addition, the once inexperienced Warriors could Husband and wife duo be heading into May (and Matt and Michele Hill who hopefully June) with one of helped jumpstart the school’s the most playoff-tested rosters lacrosse program and served in in the league. Without a title next suma number of volunteer capacities will be inducted as the mer, the Warriors will have Community Leadership hon- another disappointing season, no matter what else they do. orees. The first CVHS Hall of All of this leads to one comFame class was inducted as monly misused phrase: “champart of the school’s golden pionship or bust”. If there’s a anniversary in 2008. This is the time where this phrase is fitting, it is with the 2016-17 fifth class to be honored. Golden State Warriors. My prediction: The WarTickets for the dinner will be on riors inevitably regress from sale soon. their legendary season to the
CVHS, from page 12
ene and coach Larry Fogelstrom’s NCS finalist 1978 softball team. The athletes being installed are Doug Balough (Class of 1969) wrestling, Mike Emry (1974) cross country and track, Leo Rowland (1987) football, soccer and tennis, Ryan Salazar (1999) wrestling and diving, Sharon York (1980) volleyball and basketball, Katie Beck (1995) volleyball, water polo, swimming and track and Heather Wallace (1996) cross country and track.
more stringent amendments to our wood-burning rule serve to further protect public health from wood smoke pollution,” Broadbent added. Starting Nov. 1, the following new requirements went into effect:
being drafted in 2004 by the Baltimore Orioles. He played on a number of professional baseball teams in the Orioles and Washington Nationals organizations. He coached baseball for Contra Costa College and the Bentley School. He recently started the Tuck Baseball Academy.
Mike Gibson ’87 lettered in football, baseball and track. He was one of the all-time great strong safeties in De La Salle football history. Gibson was a tenacious tackler, played in the secondary that has the record for most interceptions in a season (28) and was an excellent tight end. Gibson was All East-Bay and All Bay Area as a senior. He was DLS athlete of the year and East Bay Cream of the Crop in 1987. Mike went on to play football at UC Berkeley and Cal Poly SLO.
1998 Football Team was arguably one of the best teams in De La Salle football history. Named national champions they beat top-ranked Bakersfield and then toppled Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei in one of the biggest high school games in California history. Their dedication and commitment to one another were second to none and they made the 1998 season a perfect season, where they won the NCS title, State Championship and were ranked first in the nation.
1997 Swimming & Diving Team were winners of both the Bay Valley Athletic League and NCS titles as one of the best in De La Salle history. Five seniors went on to swim at Division I colleges. Several also were All-Americas. Many of the team members went on to coach swimming and diving including two who have come back to teach and coach at their alma mater.
tune of 65 wins and 17 losses. It is still more than enough to have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. This year, the Dubs don’t waste it, winning game seven at Oracle to take the title back from Cleveland.
OTHER MUSINGS: MVP - Russell Westbrook Rookie of the Year - Joel Embiid Biggest threat to GSW in West - Oklahoma City Thunder Biggest threat to Cleveland in East - Washington Wizards Darkhorse NBA team to watch - New York Knicks Email any comments or questions to sports@concordpioneer.com.
Page 13
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Performing Arts
November 11, 2016
Pittsburg Community Theatre salutes ‘Mister Roberts’
SALLy HOGARTy
STAGE STRUCK
Fleet week – or at least the appreciation of everything Navy – is still going strong as Pittsburg Community Theatre (PCT) presents “Mister Roberts.” This rowdy saga of American sailors aboard a Navy cargo vessel in the Pacific continues at 8 p.m. Nov. 11, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 12 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., in downtown Pittsburg. “What better way to honor our military than a special production of ‘Mister Roberts’ on Veteran’s Day weekend,” notes PCT member Dianna Schepers. Alice Lustre directs the popular comedy about a cantankerous, very disliked Skipper and
the likable Mr. Roberts, who leads the crew on a series of pranks. A popular piece since Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan penned it in 1948, the production offers insight into the dull life on a cargo ship and just how far a crew will go for a bit of fun. You may remember the 1955 film version starring Henry Fonda as Mr. Roberts and James Cagney as the Skipper. William Powell and Jack Lemmon were also among the starstudded cast. In PCT’s production, Kevin Burns plays the unpopular Skipper with Michael Wilson as Lt. Roberts, Avery Brooks as the mischievous Ensign Pulver and Tim Biglow as the wise “Doc.” For tickets, call 925-427-1611 or go to www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.
The Navy is nowhere in sight at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez as Onstage Theatre presents “Reefer Madness.” Inspired by the 1936 film of the same name, this fast-paced musical comedy takes a satirical look at the evils of marijuana as it begins to corrupt the youth of a small town. “It’s over-the-top comedy,
Randall Nott
Emily Krysa, Dean Engle and Michael wedgley star in OnStage’s “Reefer Madness” at the Campbell in Martinez through Nov. 19
March 31-April 30 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center. Those auditioning should prepare 16-32 bars of an uptempo Broadway or ’50s rock song. Bring sheet music in your key; accompanist provided. To schedule an audition, go to www.ccmt.org/auditions_casting.
Kevin Berne
Rolf Saxon as Doctor watson, Jennifer Erdman in one of her many roles, and Mark Anderson Phillips as Sherlock Holmes in Center Rep’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.” At the Lesher through Nov. 19
check out Center Repertory’s hilarious production of “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. Running through Nov. 19, the play offers Ken Ludwig’s comedic genius at its best in this murderously funny takeoff on Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Michael Butler directs, adding his fine comedic timing and sensibilities. This results in a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek laugh riot. You’ll be aching from laughing as Sherlock Holmes (the remarkable Mark Anderson Phillips) and Dr. Watson (a distinguished Rolf Saxon) attempt to keep the current Lord Baskerville safe from harm. Jeremy Kahn plays Lord If you’re in need of a laugh, Baskerville, as well as a host of
music and dance,” says Jennifer Brown-Peabody, who plays Mae, the hostess of the reefer den. Brown-Peabody, who won Best Actress Shellie Awards for her work in Onstage productions of “Mama Won’t Fly” and “Spots of a Leopard,” welcomes the chance to make people laugh. “It’s not a statement on the drug, but more a satire on government gaining too much control.” Directed by Randall Nott, the show runs through Nov. 19. Tickets at the door are $22 general, $18 seniors and students and may be reserved by calling 925-518-3277. On Bargain Night Thursdays, all tickets are $15. For more information, visit onstagetheatre.homestead.com
Christmas Ghosts coming to the Geary
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other characters. Ditto for Jennifer Erdmann and Mark Farrell. Half the fun of this production is watching this amazing trio literally change characters in a blink of an eye. Costumes (beautifully done by Victoria Livingston-Hall) and wigs must be flying everywhere backstage and, sometimes, on stage. Nina Ball’s gorgeous set and evocative lighting by Kurt Landisman provide the scene for London, the Scottish moors and much more. This is a not-to-bemissed fun night of theater. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
The newly re-formed B8 Theatre Company in Concord is currently casting the World Premier of “Man of Letters,” written and directed by Alan Cameron. Roles are available for one woman 18-30, one man 2030 and one any gender, age indeterminate. The diversity of Oscar Wilde’s creative output reflects a person of enormous emotional and intellectual complexity. In “Man of Letters,” Cameron uses Wilde’s own letters to illuminate the private man behind the public figure. Auditions are Sat., Nov. 12, 4-7 p.m, 2292 Concord Blvd, Concord. Email casting@b8theatre.org for appointment. Cold reading. Bring headshot and resume. All ethnicities welcome.
Clayton Theatre Company will be holding General Auditions Nov. 15 from 7-10 p.m. at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton Please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue, 32 bars of a song from a Broadway show (if interested in the 2017 fall musical, TBD). Please bring a head AUDITIONS Here’s your chance to play a shot and resume. No appt. necreally cool guy or gal in Contra essary. For more info, go to clayCosta Musical Theatre’s tontheatrecompany.com “Grease.” The company will Sally Hogarty is well known hold auditions Nov. 14, 15 and 17 at Lareen Fedner’s Ballet around the Bay Area as a newspaSchool, 13157 N. Main St., Wal- per columnist, theatre critic and nut Creek. Christina Lazo is the working actress. She is also the director/choreographer, with editor of the Orinda News. Send Cary Litchford as musical direc- comments to tor. The show will perform sallyhogarty@gmail.com
Short form ‘Nutcracker’ still sweet
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Kevin Berne
James Carpenter (center) is back again this year as the irascible Ebenezer Scrooge in A.C.T.’s production of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” at the Geary in San Francisco Nov 25-Dec. 25
Consider adding a theater trip to San Francisco to your holiday celebrations. The Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” opens Nov. 25 at the American Conservatory Theatre’s Geary Theatre in San Francisco. Featuring legendary Bay Area actors James Carpenter as Ebenezer Scrooge, Ken Ruta as the Ghost of Jacob Marley and a lively cast of dozens, the beloved A.C,T. production
runs through Dec. 25. Delightful music, gorgeous costumes and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition stays true to the heart of Dicken’s timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility his rich language.
Center REPertory Company presents is annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 8-18 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Because the show is brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts, critics have called it the “Christmas Carol” to see in the Bay Area. Many residents make it a part of their annual holiday tradition. Center REPertory is the resident professional theater
company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Its mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving and visually astonishing live theater and, through outreach and education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the community. For more information or to purchase tickets, please go to www.centerrep.org, call 925.943.SHOW or Kevin Berne visit the ticket office at 1601 Civic CenterREP brings its own version of the traditional “A Dr., Walnut Creek. Christmas Carol’
Returning for its 26th year, Contra Costa Ballet presents the Bay Area’s most familyfriendly production of The Nutcracker. For one weekend only, join Clara and her beloved nutcracker-turnedprince on a magical journey among giant mice and toy solFor performance times and ticket diers into the deliciously information, call the A.C.T. Box delightful Candy Kingdom. Office, 415.749.2228 or go to Contra Costa Ballet brings The www.actsf.org. Nutcracker to life in this fes-
tive production filled with colorful costumes, whimsical sets and an array of talented, young dancers. This one-hour performance is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic.
Fri., Sat., and Sun, Nov. 2527 at the Lesher Center for the Arts. For performance times and ticket info, , or go to lesherartscenter.showare.com or you can call 925.943.SHOW.
Center REP’s ‘Carol’ a holiday tradition
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Clayton Community Calendar
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. NOV. 30 FOR THE DEC. 9 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com
IN CLAYTON
Nov. 17 “Beauty and Fashion: Feeling Your Best at Any Age”
Sponsored by Clayton Valley Village. Bring brown bag lunch. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Registration recommended. claytonvalleyvillage.org.
Dec. 3 Annual Caroling and Tree Lighting
Downtown festivities. Caroling, followed by Santa, tree lighting and refreshments starting at 6 p.m. Grove Park to Main and Oak Streets, Clayton. Free. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272.
Dec. 10 Dessert with Mrs. Claus
Prizes, party favors. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring camera. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Donations appreciated. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272.
Dec. 11 Christmas Home Tour
Showcasing homes decorated for the holidays. 12 - 6 p.m. Clayton Historical Society and Museum, 6101 Main St., Clayton. For tickets and more information, contact the museum at 672-0240.
Mondays Off the Grid
IN CONCORD
Rotating lineup of food trucks. 5 – 8 p.m. 2151 Salvio Street. offthegridsf.com.
Tuesdays Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.
Nov. 11 Veterans Day Celebration
Kicking off the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Softball Tournament sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525. 11 a.m. Willow Pass Community Park, 2748 E. Olivera Road, Concord. vfwpost1525.org.
Nov. 12 Diabetes Health Fair
Health care lectures, information booths, screenings, vaccinations, cooking demonstration. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. Free. 671-3320.
Nov. 12 E-waste Drop Off
E-waste recycling for Concord residents. Receive up to two bags of compost. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mt. Diablo Recycling, 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. Free. 682-4518.
Nov. 14 Stroke Support Group
Speaker: Nancy Caldwell Walker. Topic: Self-Compassion for All. 7 – 9 p.m. Concord Room 1, John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus, 2540 East St., Concord. Free. Contact Ann Dzuna 3766218.
Nov. 24 Turkey Trot Concord
5K/10K run/walk sponsored by Calvary Temple Church. 8 a.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. $35; Kids Dash is free. turkeytrotconcord.org. 643-1207.
Dec. 2 Holiday Gift and Craft Fair
Unique, hand-crafted gift items and baked goods. 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. 671-3320.
Dec. 3 Tree Lighting
Santa, entertainment, Mayor’s sing along and tree lighting. Santa arrives at 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant Streets, Concord. cityofconcord.org.
Dec. 3 - 4 Super Holiday Boutique
Special one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Holiday arts and crafts, free Santa and Olaf photo opportunity. Canned food donations benefit Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Dec. 3, Pleasant Hill; Dec. 4, Concord. Free admission. superholidayboutique.com.
Dec. 12 Tree of Lights
Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony
Dec. 3 “Handel’s Messiah”
Nov. 11 – 13 “A Swingin’ Holiday and More”
Dec. 3 “Home for the Holidays”
Join the city of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Concert Band in honoring veterans. 11 a.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Free. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Presented by Diablo Ballet. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $27-$47. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 11 – 13 “Mister Roberts”
Rowdy, realistic saga of American sailors aboard a Navy cargo vessel suffering from deadly boredom. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Nov. 12 “Rock Stars and Stripes: The American Rock Experience”
Presented by David Victor Presents. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $39-$79. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 12 “Soundworlds”
Presented by Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $7-$15. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 12 “The Everly Brothers Experience”
Presented by The Bird Dogs. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 12 – 13 “Our Names in Water”
A staged reading. B8 Theatre Company, 2292 Concord Blvd., Concord. $10. brownpapertickets.com.
Nov. 13 “Home Grown Talent”
Featuring Evan Torres and other Bay Area artists. 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 17 Comedy
Featuring headliner Kool Bubba Ice. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10 in advance; $20 at the door. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Nov. 18 Fall 2016 Showcase
Performed by the Pittsburg Performing Arts Academy. 7 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $8. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Nov. 18 “Some Enchanted Improv”
Presented by Trapped in a Rumor. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 18 – 19 “The Christmas Ballet”
Presented by Smuin Ballet. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $57-$73. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 19 Pachuco Jose Y Los Diamantes
Presented by Pittsburg Pops. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $20-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Nov. 19 Scan-a-thon
Preserve family documents in digital form. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Contra Costa County History Center, 724 Escobar St., Martinez. $10 suggested donation. Drop in or register at cocohistory.com.
Nov. 19 “The Rocky Horror Improv Show”
Presented by Trapped in a Rumor. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 19 Toree McGee and RodeoHouse
Antioch native Toree McGee performs, backed by RodeoHouse. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $10-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 20 Tree lighting for Clayton and Concord by Hospice of the East Bay. Benway Plays Brahms 5 – 6:30 p.m. John Muir Medical Center parking lot, East Street and Almond Avenue, Concord. Donations accepted. 887-5678.
ON AND AROUND 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.
Nov. 25 Three Canyons Hike
An autumnal outing on the north side of Mount Diablo. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thru Nov. 19 “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery”
Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms the classic into a murderously funny adventure. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33-$60. centerrep.org.
Thru Nov. 19 “Reefer Madness The Musical”
Presented by Onstage Theatre. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $15-$22. 518-3277.
Nov. 11 A Salute to Veterans
Presented by The Delta Veterans Group and Antioch VFW Post 6435. 6 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $5. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 11 “La Vida de los Muertos – The Joyful Journey”
Presented by Carolina Lugo’s and Carole Acuna’s Ballet Flamenco. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30-$40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Local pianist Randall Benway performs. Presented by Diablo Symphony Orchestra. 2 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 25 – 26 “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class”
One-woman show of songs from “Nunsense.” Brentwood Senior Activity Center, 193 Griffith Lane, Brentwood. $9-$26. thebrentwoodtheater.org. 513-3863.
Nov. 25 – 27 “The Nutcracker”
Presented by Contra Costa Ballet Company. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 26 “Motown Holiday Revue”
Featuring Top Shelf. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 29 Holiday Concert
Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $17. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 2 Holiday Improv
Presented by Funny Bone Productions. 7:45 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 2 – 3 “Once Upon a Christmas”
A delightful narrated holiday ballet by The Ballet School Ballet Joyeux. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12-$27. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Presented by the Brentwood Community Chorus. 7:30 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $12. elcampaniltheatre.com. Presented by the SF Gay Men’s Chorus. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30$40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 4 Piano Recital
Presented by The Ballet School. 3:15 and 5:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 6 Prostate Health Talk
Dr. Stephen Taylor and Dr. Parminder Sethi discuss prostate health issues. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Walnut Creek Library, Oak View Room, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. Reserve space by calling 6775041, ext. 272.
Dec. 8 – 18 “A Christmas Carol”
Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $27-$41. centerrep.org.
Dec. 9 – 11 “IMpossible”
Family friendly magic show. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20-$25. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.
Dec. 9 – 16 “Christmas Caroled”
A unique take on a holiday musical that revisits TV Christmas specials of the 1960s with a twist. 2 p.m. Delta Gallery of the Arts, 2485 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood. Free. thebrentwoodtheater.org.
Dec. 11 ‘A Very “Follies” Holiday!’
Presented by The Golden Follies. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $12-$25. elcampaniltheatre.com.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION
Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Dinner
For anyone in need. 11:30 – 2 p.m. First Lutheran Church, 4000 Concord Blvd., Concord. Free. flcconcord.org. 207-0035.
Dec. 2 – 3 “The Light of Christmas”
A Christmas musical. 7 p.m. Bethel Baptist Church, 3578 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. 798-7470.
SCHOOLS
Dec. 2 – 11 “The Laramie Project”
A breathtaking theatrical collage. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $16-$21. dvcdrama.net.
Nov. 13 Holiday Faire
FUNDRAISERS
Student and vendor booths, gifts, raffle. Sponsored by Clayton Valley Charter High School Parent Faculty Club. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. CVCHS, Large Gym, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. Free admission. cvchspfc.com/holiday-faire.
Nov. 19 Food Drive
Cub Scout Pack 262 and Boy Scout Troop 262 will be collecting nonperishable items in Clayton neighborhoods to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Door hangers with details Nov. 12. For more information, go to cubpack262.com or call 759-6615.
Dec. 3 Open House - Art and Craft Sale
Handcrafted gifts available for purchase. Chat with students at work. Benefits Mt. Diablo Adult Education. 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pleasant Hill Education Center, One Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill. Free admission. 937-1530.
AT THE LIBRARY
The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call 673-0659.
Thru Nov. 16: Clayton Reads, “The Language of Flowers” Thru Nov. 30: Flowers Art Exhibit Nov. 14: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m. Nov. 14, 28: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16: Flower Arranging, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30: Board Game Night, 7 p.m. Registration required. Dec. 1: Winter Stories and Craft. 4 p.m. Registration required.
The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or 6465455. Nov. 14: Fall into STEAM, 7 p.m. Registration required. Nov. 15: Teen Tuesday, 4 p.m. Nov. 17: Concord Book Club, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3: Crafters Swap Meet, 12 p.m. Dec. 5: Help, Health and the Holidays, 6:30 p.m.
GOVERNMENT
1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council
7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 6737304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.
Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at claytonpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’
Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
Rehashing Knox travails not as engrossing as ‘13th’
Unless it’s the latest from Michael Moore, you won’t be seeing a documentary at the local multiplex. The best chance to see one these days is via DVD or streaming. Netflix is now producing its own documentaries, including
THE
BOOKS
There is something strange and dazzling about Lily Brooks-Dalton’s debut novel, “Good Morning, Midnight.” The novel is a weaving of parallel tracks. The first narrative is from Augustine (Augie), a jaded and circumspect researcher at the Arctic Circle who has refused to evacuate the station – and who will likely reach his life’s end there. There is an unnamed crisis occurring in the outside world,
Oakhurst Tourney to benefit The Food Bank
Oakhurst Country Club will host a Fall Fest Golf Tournament, Mon. Nov 14. Registration is open to both members and non-members. Bring a canned food donation and get a $10 discount on the entry fee. Fees include golf cart, range and golf balls and a box lunch. To register, go to www.sadiegolf.com/fallf estgolf2016.
one in which he has no interest in participating. “He wanted to be remembered. Yet here he was, seventy-eight years old, at the top of the Arctic archipelago, on the rind of civilization … having come to the terminus of his life’s work.” The second narrative is from a space research station returning from exploring the moons of Jupiter. Sully, the communications officer, is in charge of relaying information to and from Mission Control. Problematically, there has been an “event” on Earth, and there are no longer transmissions emanating from Earth. “Time means very little in deep space, but she roused herself anyway. The regimen that Mission Control had prescribed for the crew of the Aether spacecraft was precise, down to the minute, and although Mission Control was no longer available to enforce it, the astronauts continued to adhere for the most part.” Both adrift, both coming to what may be the natural conclusion of a lifetime’s work, each manages conflicting feelings of loss and hope in nearly complete isolation. Sully and Augie take stock of their lives thus far, lamenting the loss of a future while assigning narrative to regrets accumulated over a lifetime. As a scientist, Augie built an impressive career. However, as a human, he has failed to comprehend the nuance of love, relations and community. He chose work over the messy complications of family and partnership, and it isn’t until his final days that he takes time to wonder if he made the right choices.
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“Amanda Knox,” directed by Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn, starts with a recap of Knox’s life in Italy and her arrest for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Portrayed by the media as a “drugfueled sex murderer,” Knox
‘Midnight’ explores isolation, introspection
CyNTHIA GREGORy
FOR
“Amanda Knox,” which details her life during and after her infamous murder trial, and “The 13th,” a candid look at race relations and the American prison system. Both are interview-style and provide mostly one-sided views.
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Sully spends her time thinking about her daughter. What kind of mother leaves her child for a two-year space odyssey? She never knew her own father, whom she presumes was a scientist like her mother. She knows her mother loved her and that she was displaced when her mother married her stepfather and gave birth to twins. In space and returning to home base without knowing exactly what awaits is its own brand of hell. The Aether must move forward and return to Houston. Though the journey may be pointless, there is no alternative. “It was time to turn her attention back to Earth – not the Earth she’d left, the Earth she was returning to. The long months of retrospection and grief, thoughts of people she’d left, people she’d lost were too heavy for her to carry anymore. She had been looking backward long enough. Now, finally, she gave herself permission to look forward.” Life is funny that way. When you’re isolated – whether you’re in deep space or surrounded by thousands of miles of wilderness – you have more time to consider your humanity. All that space doesn’t make the passing of time any easier. “Good Morning, Midnight” has an excellent heart of exploration at its center. If you’re up for the adventure, I highly recommended it. Gregory is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her book, “Journaling as Sacred Practice: An Act of Extreme Bravery,” is available on Amazon. Email comments and questions to Editor@ClaytonPioneer.com
finds her credibility is tarnished before any trial can even begin. Along with her new boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, and Rudy Guede, she is presumed guilty. The directors interview obnoxious journalist Nick Pisa and borderline sexist prosecutor Giuliano Mignini. Pisa was smack in the middle of everything and admits that he shamelessly promoted rumors of Knox’s promiscuousness, leading to her ferocious damning by the Italian people. When the film discusses Guede’s criminal past, it casts major doubt on the prosecution’s insistence that Knox and Sollecito are guilty. Mignini intensifies that doubt by claiming it was easy to convict all three. It’s clear that Mignini is from a different era and has a serious misunderstanding of the modern American woman. The directors convinced me that Mignini and Pisa share culpability. In “13th,” Ava DuVernay uses a loophole as a jumping off point to tell how the American prison system has never allowed African-Americans to truly be free. The 13th Amendment states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime … shall exist …” In the 1970s, President
JEFF MELLINGER
SCREEN SHOTS
Richard Nixon took a hard stance on drug-related crimes, and the prison population began to skyrocket. As the film moves forward in time, more presidents are shown cracking down on drug crimes and increasingly harsh sentences are delivered. DuVernay (“Selma”) presents interviews and statistics that are blunt and staggering. How can America have 4 percent of the world’s population, yet 25 percent of its prisoners? The film also leaves a stain on the corporations that profit endlessly from prison labor. What politician has the moxie to stand up and convince numerous corporations to forgo billions of dollars? Near the end, to great sobering effect, DuVernay uses real footage of many of the recent
unarmed black men killed by police. Scenes of blacks in the 1960s being beaten and firehosed are interspersed with blacks being shoved and threatened at protests and political rallies in 2016. Behind it all is cringe-inducing audio of Donald Trump calling for a return to “the good old days.” Knox has been acquitted twice yet wonders if she’ll ever be left alone. While it’s a good film, “Amanda Knox” was not necessary. But as civil unrest inches closer to 1968 conditions, “The 13th” could not be more relevant. “Amanda Knox”: B-; “The 13th”: A. Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@claytonpioneer.com.
Bautista family finds niche in specialty and heirloom produce DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Based in Stockton, Bautista Ranch is a second-generation family farm that has been farming a wide variety of vegetables on the same land for more than 60 years. They began selling at farmers markets in 1986 and now grow produce for 12 markets during the summer season. Bautista Ranch has found a niche growing specialty products, including heirloom tomatoes and a wide variety of hot and sweet peppers. They also grow winter and summer squash, pumpkins, melons, beans and specialty vegetables. They hand harvest each crop, which ensures quality. Afternoon and evening markets benefit from same-day harvest. “It is important for us to practice sustainable farming, not only as a farming method but as a way of life,” Joseph Bautista says. “Using a combination of techniques such as cover crops, biological control, and mechanical and hand labor, the ranch has improved the overall health of the land
Pacific Coast Farmers Market
JOSEPH BAUTISTA contemplates the future of his Bautista Ranch in Stockton. The small family farm has survived California’s extended drought, still managing to grow year around.
as well as bringing the best possible fruits and vegetables to market. Being a good steward to the land is a long-term relationship, and we also pride ourselves on the long relationship that we have with our customers.” At the core of Bautista Ranch lies a commitment to growing the best produce at a reasonable price. Along with most farmers in the Sacramento Valley, they have faced significant hardship due to the California drought and have
had to let some fields go fallow. In an interview, Joseph Bautista talked about how the farm is dealing with this extended drought and gave his perspective on the problem. This powerful piece can be found at pcfma.org/preserve. Bautista Ranch offers vegetables year-round at the Concord Farmers Market on Tuesdays. They also have their “Eat the Best” kettle corn booth. Please visit them, say hello and take home a squash or two.
Oakhurst Country Club
Celebrate fall with a new membership at one of the area's best country clubs. Membership Includes:
• Access to our beautiful clubhouse with amenities such as a fully stocked pro shop with special member pricing • Formal and casual dining and a private members' lounge • Yearlong calendar of social activities, dining events, and golf & tennis tournaments • Access to our Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center and childcare facilities.
Contact us today to take a private tour of the club and join us for lunch, on us.
Call Susie at (925) 672-9737, ext. 205 or email ssutton@oakhurstcc.com. 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton
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November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 17
Learn about the bird before the big day meat regardless of whether it’s a tom or hen. I’m in favor of smaller (hen) natural turkeys that I brine before roasting, which I think makes for a juicier bird. I either use one of the brining kits from my store Pans on Fire (herb or apple-sage from Fire & Flavor, also available at Whole Foods) or make a simple brine from 2 cups brown sugar, 2 cups kosher salt dissolved in a couple of gallons of hot water, then chilled to cover the turkey overnight (about 12 hours). Use an ice chest and a food safe bag for the turkey to keep it very cold. I only lightly stuff a turkey with herbs and aromatic fruit and veggies for food safety reasons, and I make sure that the thickest part of the thigh meat reach-
LINDA wyNER
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I’ve known a lot of turkeys in my time. You may take that whichever way you want, but I want to talk about the feathered kind in this column. The turkey is native to North America, and Benjamin Franklin nominated it to be this country’s national symbol. As you know, the bald eagle won out. It may have gotten its name from the Native American “frickee” or from the sound the bird makes when it’s alarmed, “turk.” At Thanksgiving time, more than 45 million birds flood the market. You’ve got frozen turkeys, broad-breasted turkeys, organic turkeys, heritage turkeys, kosher turkeys. Then you’ve got brines, rubs and stuffings, roasting pans and deep fat fryers … and the list goes on. Fresh turkeys have never been chilled below 26 degrees F, which is just above the bird’s freezing point. Double check the sell-by date, buy from a trusted source and know that some processors will hold a “fresh” turkey for up to two months before they send them to the store. Frozen turkeys have been flash-frozen and can actually be fresher than an unfrozen one. Recently frozen birds are preferred because freezing can break down the muscle,
causing a loss of juice and a drier turkey. Self-basting turkeys are injected with water and chemical solutions of approved food additives (usually salt, fat, flavor enhancers and “other” substances) that can increase the weight of the bird by as much as 15 percent. Natural turkeys are minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients or color. That doesn’t refer to how the bird was raised; it still may have been given antibiotics during its lifetime. Free range means that a grower must allow a turkey access to a yard for a few minutes each day. Most turkeys don’t even bother to venture out. Some good producers provide more yard time, but some keep it to an
absolute minimum because of the negative effects of stress, disease, insects and temperature on the flock. Kosher turkeys are grainfed with no antibiotics and are allowed to roam freely, then processed under rabbinical supervision and brined, which adds flavor and increases weight. Organic turkeys may not be of higher quality, but they conform to feeding protocols and are free of genetic engineering and ionizing radiation. MALE OR FEMALE? The next question is whether you should buy a hen (female) or tom (male) turkey. Here’s where size matters. Plan on 1½ pounds per person for serving and leftovers. A hen will generally be
the smaller turkey; avoid a large hen, which is older and will have stringy meat. Toms will generally be larger. An older tom is the most tender and flavorful. Avoid smaller, younger toms because they tend to have stringy meat. One way to solve the dilemma of serving a large crowd is to cook two turkeys, one the day before. Pre-carve it and reheat in a little broth to restore its juiciness. While a heritage bird tends to have larger legs and darker meat, most commercial turkeys today have a large ratio of white meat to dark
2
9
es 170 degrees F on a good meat thermometer. If you use a bread stuffing, it has to reach 165, which means the bird gets up around 190 - and you’ll have an awfully dry turkey. Be sure to let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving for maximum juiciness and put away all leftovers within two hours. Swanson Broth’s Website offers some tasty stuffings as part of a fundraising campaign for local food banks. Go to www.greatstuffingdebate.com for information. Bon appetit and Happy Thanksgiving. Linda Wyner owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Send suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
Clayton Valley Charter High School—Parent Faculty Club
Holiday Gift Faire Sunday, November 13, 2016 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. CVCHS Large Gym
Get your holiday shopping started early! Free entry! Raffle prizes!! Holiday items, gifts and more! For details visit our website at:
www.cvchspfc.com/holiday-faire
Here comes Christmas. Mark your calendar now
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• Gas firepits and wood burning patio warmers
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• Outdoor dining sets and occasional seating
• Statuary, garden decor, glazed and concrete planters and urns
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Family owned & operated since 1983
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Both events sponsored & hosted by the Clayton
Business & Community Association
Go to claytoncbca.org or call (925)
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Page 18
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
Winter blooms brighten gray days FREE ESTIMATES
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NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
As the weather becomes crisp, garden lovers crave the seasonal hues of winter. They add white, reds and blues to beds, borders and containers. White flowers hugging the ground and cascading out of containers create the illusion of snow, which is an appealing winter effect. Simple white alyssum is a garden center staple that has clusters of tiny snowy flowers with a sweet fragrance. Install this six-pack plant along a walkway. White bacopa is an exceptional evergreen with small, simple flowers. It’s a fabulous cascading plant, so encourage it to grow over the rim of an urn or glazed container. Pansies and violas are wonderful winter annuals.
NED MCKAy
PARK IT
During the rainy season, hiking in the regional parks and elsewhere can turn your boots into platform shoes as the famous clay soil of the East Bay adheres to the soles. If you want to avoid this phenomenon, there are plenty of trails that make for easy going even in the wettest of weather. Check out the Chaparral Loop Trail at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve at the end of Somersville Road in Antioch. It’s a sometimessteep climb but mostly on bedrock sandstone. It leads up to the Ridge Trail, which is also mostly mud-free and offers beautiful views of the
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Their happy faces continue to smile during the coldest of nights. Both are available in white, reds, blues and combinations. They do best where they can enjoy some winter sun. Plant 4-inch containers within garden beds or include in perennial container combinations for extended flowering. Fertilize every couple of weeks to encourage consistent blooms. Use a water-soluble product for faster results. Stock is a fabulous vertical-growing winter annual that’s available in many colors, including white, wines, reds, lavenders and pinks. During the early morning hours, stock is very fragrant. Install in the center of a container and surround with ornamental cabbage for a wintery color spot. Cyclamen is a favorite for entryways and shady gardens during the winter. This bulb is a winter-blooming perennial available in many colors, from lavender (not blue) to wine, red and white. One of the best features of cyclamen is that it returns each year. When spring begins to warm, cyclamen goes to sleep. But it returns in late fall, once the
CYCLAMEN AND ALYSSUM are happy companions in this winter window box
weather chills again. Flowers are fabulous, but touches of foliage can also satisfy winter botanical cravings. Cone- or pyramidshaped evergreens are great additions to a garden, and their shape becomes a seasonal feature during the winter. Euonymus is fantastic in a planter or flanking an entry area. It has moderate growth, which means it’ll need monthly shearing during the growing season. Boxwood grows slow and may only need annual shaping. Dwarf Alberta spruce is a conifer that does well in our
climate and naturally grows pyramidal. Both cypress and spruce have family members that can help quench winter landscape desires. Blue spruce has bright blue needles that look amazing during winter. Gardens, containers and landscapes can be as interesting during the winter months as in the spring. With some attention, you can have blooms all year long. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
If mud not in your plans, explore these park trails
countryside. Another good bet is the Stage Road Trail at Castle Rock and Diablo Foothills Regional Parks in Walnut Creek. Accessible from Castle Rock Road, the largely mudless trail leads up Pine Canyon past the Castle Rock formations. It’s a pretty hike, but note that there are four crossings of Pine Creek. For a steep climb on a paved road, walk up the Rocky Ridge View Trail at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon. It starts at the parking lot at the north end of Bollinger Canyon Road. Once at the top, you’re back on dirt trails if you wish to continue. Three other paved trails that are good for scenic, mud-free hiking are the George Miller Trail at Carquinez Regional Shoreline,
Chaparral Loop in EBRPD Black Diamond Mines Preserve
on Carquinez Scenic Drive, accessible from either the Port Costa or Martinez side. Nimitz Way starts at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road, and it’s paved for the first four miles to the north. The Pinole Point Trail leads from the park entrance on Giant Highway out to the pier at the end of the point. Mud isn’t an insurmountable obstacle. You can always bring along dry footgear to wear after the hike, and a cardboard box in which to store your muddy boots on the drive home.
More information on all regional park trails is available at Nimitz Way at Tilden Region- www.ebparks.org. You can also al Park near Berkeley and the download maps from the site. Pinole Point Trail at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Ned McKay is Public InformaRichmond. tionSupervisor for EBRPD. Email The George Miller Trail is him at nedmackay@comcast.net
Five fabulous fashion fixes for fall
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SUSAN SAPPINGTON
CLOTHESUP
Changing seasons doesn’t have to mean switching out your entire closet for a new wardrobe. But it does mean it’s time to add a few pieces to update your look as we head into the cooler months. Here are some good additions:
Velvet and suede: These touchable fabrics are hot this year. Soft and supple, these materials will give you comfortable structure. Your ensemble will move easily, but you will still stand out
with causal style. While a velvet dress or skirt makes for a high-impact evening look, I’m endorsing velvet for daytime, too. Layered over a snug turtleneck, a velvet blazer looks bookish in the chicest way, while floral-embroidered velvet pants would elevate the most basic cashmere sweater. I like the idea of mixing it with other textures, too: denim, crisp cotton, leather,
you name it. Lace-up accents: Done right, this trend is sophisticated without being “too tied up.” The trend takes its nod from the ’70s. In a discreet, refined way, these accents allow you to create a neckline or skirt slit that is completely your own. If you’re not into showing much cleavage, layer a lace-up shirt over another shirt. It keeps you warm, and
it still looks good. You don’t need a necklace with this style because it’s pretty busy already. Metallic: It’s not just for end of year celebrations. Break out metallic pieces long before the party circuit you will travel in December. Metallic is all about statement jewelry, specifically large
See Clothes Up, pg 20
Mushrooms are key to Earth’s natural internet
November 11, 2016
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
MIKE MARCHIANO
MOUNTAIN MIKE
As we move from autumn into winter, many seasonal changes take place. Fields that were golden brown begin to turn green, deciduous trees lose their leaves, and creeks and ponds begin to slowly fill. Many animals migrate to warmer climates, hibernate or go into some other form of dormancy, wintering as eggs or pupa stage. The rainy season also brings with it many species of a muchmaligned organism we call mushrooms, or “toadstools.” When I was young, I believed these “poisonous plants” grew from some sort of seed or mold each year and were a danger to my garden. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mushrooms are actually the fruiting body of a plant that grows underground all year long. The mushrooms we see are the equivalent to the apple on an apple tree. Like the apple, they contain the “seeds,” actually spores, to produce the next generation.
Mike Marciano
The edible candy cap is the visible part of this mushroom plant that grows underground all year
The actual “plant,” or mycelium, is a threadlike structure that in some species may cover hundreds of acres and be thousands of years old. Some fungi play the important role of decomposers of organic material, but far more fascinating is the role played by the larger group of mycorrhizal fungi. Ninety percent of green plants form a symbiotic relationship with these mycorrhizal fungi, sharing nutrients and water as well as sending communications from one plant to another. These threadlike organisms absorb more water for their host plant than its own root system can accomplish. They break down and dissolve nitrogen, phosphorous, iron and other tightly bound nutrients. In turn,
Windows, from page 9
I think Windows 10 is a great operating system – the best OS Microsoft has ever built. It is far better at security than previous versions. Geeks will tell you that there are better operating systems, but what do they know? You may not realize it yet, but in a year or so you’re going
to want Microsoft Hololens – the augmented reality known as VR. Only Microsoft Windows 10 will be able to support this at a reasonable price for most users. Alternatives known as Oculus Rift will be available, but at a much steeper price. Mark my words, Hololens
the green plant supplies carbohydrates to the fungi that it has formed through photosynthesis. The vast mycorrhizal fungi underground acts like a network, linking roots of different plants. This internet not only transfers water and nutrients but also picks up on impending threats of pest attacks or toxins in the soil and conveys a message to susceptible plants how best to build up immunity or fight it off. The fungi will also share information between plants on how best to resist disease. Messages are even carried between mature trees and saplings, with the mature tree supplying nutrients to the sapling as needed. This communications has been found to be between
will emerge as the leader in VR. And you’re going to want it. So quit fighting change and embrace it. I’ve heard all the arguments for keeping Windows 7. Sorry, discussion over. Move on. “It’s dead, Jim.” William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.
Page 19
w e i V o l b Dia truction Cons
divergent species. There is even a “dark side” to this natural web. Some plants have learned to use it to “steal” food and water from other plants. We are only scratching the surface of understanding this unique communication system. Once again, the amazing secrets of nature are unfolding slowly and we are finding out how much we don’t know. The intricacies and the inter-relationships in all ecosystems are proving to be far more complex and interconnected than we ever thought. The next time you see a little mushroom sprouting up in your garden or in the woods, remember how important that mycorrhizal natural internet is to all other living organisms. Mike Marchiano is a naturalist with the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association. Contact him at mmarchiano@gmail.com
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* Sample discount is per person, based on double occupancy in a Club category room on select weeks at lxtapa Pacific, Mexico, Sandpiper Bay, USA, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Discounts on other dates, room categories and/or at other resorts may vary. Blackout dates apply, including holidates and other dates. Offer requires a 3-night minimum stay (7-night minimum for Columbus Isle). Available at select resorts. Does not include airfare. Valid for new individual bookings only for select travel dates with check-out, on or before June 24, 2017 and must be booked by January 10, 2017. Offer is subject to capacity control and may increase at any time. + Children aged under 4 years stay for free at our family destinations. Children aged 4-11 years stay at up to 50% off adult price at select family resorts. Children aged 12-15 years stay at up to 40% off adult price at select family resorts. And for bookings for travel beginning May 1, 2017 children aged 12-15 years stay at up to 30% off adult price at select family resorts For flights that are booked through Club Med, tickets for children must be paid for by the client. Children who are eligible to stay for free must be lodged in the same room as the adults who are paying for their stay, or in a connecting room. Blackout dates may apply. Costs associated with Baby & Petit Club Med are at full day rate during entire stay booked.**Sample $300 air credit is per person, based on a 7-night stay in a Suite category room on select weeks at Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Ixtapa Pacific Mexico and Club Med Cancun Yucatan, Mexico. Children between 13 and 15 years of age receive 60% of the air credit of an adult. Children between 4 and 12 years of age receive half of the air credit of an adult. Children under 4 do not receive an air credit. Credits on other dates, resorts, stay duration, room categories may vary. Blackout dates apply. Offer requires a 3-night minimum stay and air must be booked through Club Med. Offer available only at select North American resorts. Valid for new individual bookings only for select travel dates with check-out, on or before June 24, 2017 and must be booked by January 10, 2017, subject to capacity control and may increase at any time. ^Offer available only at Club Med Cancun Yucatan, Mexico, Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico, Sandpiper Bay, FL and Turkoise, Turks & Caicos. Valid for new individual bookings only for select travel dates with check-out, on or before June 24, 2017 and must be booked by January 10, 2017, Blackout dates apply. Offer is subject to capacity control and may be withdrawn at any time. General Conditions: Blackout dates apply, including holidays and other dates. For Turkoise all guests must be 18 and older. Guests at Columbus Isle must be 2 and older. Club Med Membership fees of $60 per adult and $30 per child are additional. Other restrictions apply including brochure terms and cancellation/change fees. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Void where prohibited or restric ted by law. CST#: 2020955-50
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Do your research before selecting cabinet doors Page 20
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
November 11, 2016
cabinet doors are mounted on the cabinet box face frame, covering the cabinet box opening and partially covering the finished face frame. The face frame is visible, breaking up
the cabinet door layout. A full overlay door follows this same design idea, but the cabinet door completely overlays the cabinet box opening and the finished face frame. The idea is that your cabinet doors and drawer faces make up the surface of your cabinetry, not the face frame of the actual cabinet boxes. Inset cabinet doors are fitted inside the actual face frame in a precisely sized opening. This sort of design requires a higher level of craftsmanship, which could increase your cost. Once you’ve determined cabinet door and drawer style, you can have a little fun with the design of the cabinet doors and drawers. Shaker, flat panel, raised and recessed panels, headboard, rope and beaded edging, mitered construction … and the list of accoutrements continues. There are many different door designs, and it’s easy to get caught up in the pizzazz of it all. If you’re not sure what you like, check out online resources or
and Megan Gherlone spoke, while a third student, Parmis Farzanegan, was unable to attend the meeting. The CBCA and the Clayton branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) funded the girls’ immersion in science. Then Renee Culp, president of the Parent Faculty Club at Mt. Diablo Elementary, thanked CBCA for its support of the environmental program by funding the new garden. Students in all grades learn botany, nutrition and even math, by calculating square footage needed for planting. And they get to take vegetables home.
“Some children have never had the experience of eating vegetables they have picked themselves,” Culp said. CBCA will be in good hands for 2017, as the club welcomed its new officers: president Bob Steiner, vice president of programs Sandy Johnson, VP of membership Dennis Barbieri, secretary Brenda Safreed and treasurer John Perkins, along with past president Ed Hartley. CBCA needs more good hands and is looking for members who want to get involved in the Clayton community. Applications are available at www.claytoncbca.org.
JENNIFER LEISCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR When working on a remodel of a kitchen, bathroom, home office or laundry room, one of the major design decisions will be the cabinet door style. There are many choices – especially if you’re not trying to coordinate with existing cabinetry. Before jumping into how the door will look, you need to understand how the door will function. It’s best to talk with a cabinetry supplier, whether you are starting from scratch or adding new doors and drawers to existing cabinet boxes. Always do the extra leg work – from big box stores to custom cabinet shops – to understand the pros and cons
of a specific style. Consider bringing your contractor into the cabinet discussions to fully understand the whole cost. First, you need to know about face frame construction. Framed cabinet boxes use a face frame consisting of vertical and horizontal trim that covers the cabinet box opening. This is the
hoop earrings and chain-link pieces that are enjoying a resurgence. Many of the charismatic, bold pieces create just as strong a presence as the clothing. Fur: Be it faux or the real thing, fur will offer comfort and warmth well into those blustery winter months. The key is to choose pieces that are perfect for your frame. If you’re petite, consider a shawl or scarf. If you’re tall, go for full coverage with a
Make sure you don’t look as if you stole your outfit from Dad’s closet. Top off an everjacket. Colored fur is trendy, stylish white shirt with a but these are not your grand- strong, masculine jacket for a ma’s pelts. They still come in classic and cool look. tasteful black or brown, howIf you need help underever, designers have worked in a rainbow of hues from standing what trends look great on you, let me help you pastel pink to cobalt blue. Feminine menswear: and your significant other Suits create a fabulous silhou- with all your style needs. ette, but they can be too manly. Susan Sappington is the Area Choose one that honors the menswear styling through the Development Manager and Wardrobe basic cut and lines but also Consultant for ETCETERA Clothoffers a feminine appeal from ing of New York. Send comments to the fabric and embellishments. susan@etcstyles.com.
Clothes Up, from page 18
most traditional construction type for cabinetry. Frameless is just that, the boxes have no trim. This construction is more specialized and modern. Within these two construction categories, there is a second door tier: partial overlay, full overlay and inset. Partial, or standard, overlay
CBCA, from page 5
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Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.
CVWC,
from page 5
sewed more than 260 patriotic pillow cases for care packages for Contra Costa Blue Star Moms to send to overseas troops for July 4 and the holiday season this year. CVWC adopted CC Blue Star Moms as a service project in 2006. CVWC invites guests to attend their monthly meeting on the third Tuesday this month, Nov. 15, to hear Sarah Kruger speak about the Animal Rescue Foundation. Kruger will talk about ARF’s history, mission, programs and current projects. She recently moved to the Bay Area from Vermont with her husband and their two rescue coonhounds. CVWC meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton. Guests are always welcome. For more information, call Michele at 672-6434 or Linda at 482-0807 or go to claytonvalleywomansclub.org.
Nancy sells more than 8 times as many homes as the average realtor, call today to learn how.
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grocery newsstands to research cabinetry. Look at photos of finished kitchens and bathrooms and consider what worked and what didn’t work, or what looks dated. Before selecting doors, consider if the style will stand the test of time. Something classic and timeless with clean lines should be at the top of your list.
Offered at $950,000
4 bed 2.5 bath with almost 1800 sq. Home has a lovely mid century feel. Fantastic neighborhood!
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Sold for $615,000
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Stylish townhouse ready to go! 1729 Sapling Ct., Concord
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Features 3 bed/2.5 baths, newer wood floors, newer carpet, updated kitchen with farmhouse sink and spacious master suite with barn door.
Sold for $399,000
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We helped over 60 families buy and sell homes again so far in 2016. How can we help you and your family today?
Nancy Bennett, Realtor @ Keller Williams Realty CEO, The Bennett Team #1 Agent in Concord, #1 Team, Keller Williams East Bay #5 Team Nationally (U.S. & Canada) Keller Williams
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