NOV 19 Clayton Pioneer 2004 by Pioneer Publishers

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190

IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

925.672.0500

Insurance company denies Village Market claim TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer

Nine months after a fire gutted the upper rooms of the Village Market, Farmers Insurance issued a formal denial of owner Sam Sandhu’s claim for damages. On Sept. 21, Farmers officially notified Sandhu that they were denying his claim for losses resulting from the Jan. 15 fire, claiming that Sandhu and his attorney failed to cooperate with the

insurance company’s investigation. According to Bill Greenspan, public adjuster for Sandhu, and corroborated by another informed source who asked not to be named, Sandhu has delivered everything that Farmers has asked for, even going so far as to pay, out of his own pocket, for a court reporter and transcription of his interview with the fire investigator. According to Greenspan things began to go sour with the insurance company right after

Sandhu returned from a month long trip to India taken immediately after the fire. The trip to return his mother’s ashes to India had been scheduled months before the fire and had been cleared with both the fire department and the Farmers representative before Sandhu left. However, sources said, after Sandhu’s return, the claims adjuster for Farmers asked him why he had run away to India. Frustrations grew as Sandhu’s attorney repeatedly tried to schedule a meeting for

the Examination Under Oath required by Farmers Insurance. Although 22 possible dates and times were submitted to the insurance company, none were acceptable to Farmers. Despite these efforts, Farmers cited Sandhu’s refusal to submit to the Examination as one of the grounds for their denial of the claim. “In 25 years in this business, I have never seen anything like this, not once,” said Bill Greenspan, the public adjuster representing Sandhu. “This is Orwellian.”

In July, with losses from the building, inventory and loss of income reaching over $960,000 and still no action on the part of Farmers, Sandhu filed a lawsuit against the insurance company asserting that they were unreasonably delaying the payment of the claim. Farmer’s answered in September with the denial of the claim and now Sandhu is suing Farmer’s for to force them to accept liability and for punitive damages. Representatives from Farmers declined to comment or clarify the reasons for

the denial. It’s expected that the case will go to trial next summer. The insurance company isn’t the only one who has lagged in the process. At press time, the final report by Contra Costa County Fire District had still not been completed. According to Randy Champion, fire investigator for CCCFD, there have been other cases taking priority and he hasn’t had time to finish the report. Sources close to Sandhu say that

See Insurance, page 6

Rock solid business thrives in Clayton JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

JULIE PIERCE

MAYOR’S CORNER Thank you for your support of Prop. 1A and Measure J Whew! The election is over, and we have great reasons to celebrate — Proposition 1A and Measure J both passed resoundingly. All of us on the Clayton City Council strongly supported both measures, and you listened to us. The unofficial statewide count shows Proposition 1A passed with 83.6 percent of the vote, winning every county in California. This is a mandate of tremendous proportions, exceeding our wildest expectations and delivering a clear message to Sacramento that voters do understand and care about the critical services and qualityof-life programs offered by local government. Contra Costa County passed the measure by 86.4 percent, nearly three percent above the state average – we thank you. The next couple years will be tight as the “deal” included a $160,000, two-year “contribution” from Clayton to the state budget deficit, but after that, our meager 4.35 percent share of the property taxes comes back home, where we can use it to provide needed services to our residents. Sacramento still has its fingers in our redevelopment funds ($290,000 taken from Clayton this year), so that’s likely our next battle. Our other reason to celebrate is Measure J, the reauthorization of our existing county sales tax for transportation. Measure J’s passage assures the funds needed to continue work on current transportation projects and to expedite the most critical of those. It also will return 18 percent of the funds to cities and the county for local street maintenance, which is used primarily for paving, patching and resurfacing roads. It won’t cover all the needs, but it’s a big help.

See Mayor, page 5

Some Clayton residents can see the grey carved rock ridges from their backyard. Others encounter the slow and steady single file of trucks on Mitchell Canyon Road at 7 a.m. Still others hear an occasional dynamite blast from Mount Zion. Some consider it a nuisance, others are curious. Just what is the Clayton Quarry all about? RMC Pacific Materials (the official name of the quarry) has been around since 1947 and is projected to be around for many years to come. Millions of tons remain in the Quarry reserves. It was originally developed by Harrison and Birdwell, sold to Pacific Coast Aggregates in 1954 and then to Lonestar Industries in 1965. In 1988 Lonestar partnered with RMC

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

THE RIDGES ON MOUNT ZION are actually 30 foot wide benches which are landscaped after they are completely mined. The highest bench that has already been completely mined is at the 1500 feet elevation.

GEORGE ALLEN

of London, England to create the current RMC Pacific Materials company. The Quarry encompasses a total of 437 acres on Mount Zion which has been designated

a mineral reserve by the State of California. The state mandates that the reserve be used to supply the construction needs of Contra Costa County. Twenty-one union men work at the Quarry, supported by an office staff of two women and plant manager.Many of the workers are long-time employ-

ees. “They come in young and they go out old,” says plant manager George Allen. The work is rough and rigorous. It’s noisy, dusty and can sometimes be dangerous. On any given day, there’s a myriad of operations going on simultaneously from drilling and excavating to processing, treating and

transporting rock; lots of rock, thousands of tons to be exact. Over 100,000 tons is stored on site for customer use. Despite some healthy competition from the neighboring Hanson Quarry in Concord on Pine Hollow Road, the demand for Clayton Quarry’s rock is as solid as the rock that is mined.

CVHS Forum addresses teen suicide JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer

The tragic suicide deaths of a former Clayton Valley High School student and a CVHS freshman led to a community forum at the high school on Monday, November 8. The deaths generated rampant rumors about a pattern to the suicides and a planned act of violence at the school on Tuesday, Nov. 9. More then 400 parents, students and school officials attended the forum. The purpose of the assembly

was to provide information to parents on teen adolescent destructive behavior and to address the tragic suicides and dispel the rumors. Panel members included CVHS Principal John Neary, Dr. Emanuel Weiss, a CVHS school psychologist, police officers, grief counselors, members of faith communities and mental health professionals. “The way to respond is to create a network of people taking care of one another,” said Weiss. While Neary and panelists hoped to make the evening an educational one,

DR. EMANUEL WEISS

parents came to the forum with a different agenda--to find out the truth behind rumors about more suicides, cults and violence. After listening to teen suicide statistics, risk factors and support systems, parents

talked about their fears and concerns about the safety of their children. One parent asked about the rumor of a “planned act of violence” slated for the next day. She mentioned there was talk of a mass suicide. “That’s what our kids are believing,” she says. Weiss and Neary, along with law enforcement personnel attempted to calm the fears and assure parents they were doing everything they could to protect the students and keep the campus safe. “ We’re not God and

See Forum, page 6

“Our rock is very high quality,” says Allen, a modest statement at best. In fact, companies from all over the Bay Area flock to the Quarry to get a piece of the rock. Its scientific name is basaltic andesite, which is a hard

See Rock, page 5

C HRISTMAS C OOKIES ... Nothing says Christmas quite like the Christmas Cookie. And, we are told, our town is chock full of great cookie bakers of all ages. So, dust off those cookbooks, bake a few practice rounds and enter our first Christmas Cookie Competition. Judging will be Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. at Endeavor Hall. Judges are Tevy Sun, owner of Sweet Bakery, Councilman Dave Shuey, Pastor Shawn Robinson of Clayton Community Church, Zoe Managuerra, DVMS 6th grader and Lynda Wyner, Pioneer Food Editor. See PAGE 17 for entry form. Deadline is Nov. 26.

Page 2

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Around Town Oakhurst charity event raises over $7,000 On Nov. 5, Oakhurst Country Club hosted their

Annual "Fall Harvest Wine Tasting."

MR. AND MRS. ED LEXON

In addition to highlighting wonderful regional wines, Oakhurst sponsored the event to give back to the community. This year’s non-profit recipient of the Clubs event was The Family Stress Center of Contra Costa County. Community leaders founded the Family Stress Center in 1978 to treat and prevent child abuse and to strengthen families. The Center helps more than 6,200 individuals and families every year. Besides a portion of ticket sales being donated by the club, the event included a silent auction and raffle. Joe Starkey radio personality for the Cal Bears announced the Grand raffle prizes for the event including two airline tickets to Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Maui or Honolulu graciously donated

Two new Claytonians Carrie and Sebastian Jacobs welcomed baby daughter Sophia Jessie Jacobs on August 6. Sophia weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces at birth and was 20 inches tall. She has a 14 month old sister, Catalina.

SOPHIA JESSIE JACOBS

Madison Ann York was born to Lisa and Todd York on November 1. On the petite side, Madison weighed in at six pounds, 10 ounces and was 19 inches tall. She

joins brothers Steven, 17, a senior at CVHS and Kevin, 8, a second grader at MDES and sister Emily, 5, a kindergartner, also at MDES.

MADISON ANN YORK

CHAIRPERSON LYNNE WALLACE

by Sun Trips. The event raised over $7,000 for the families and children of Contra Costa County.

Clayton artist to display work at Holiday Art Show Over 75 artists including Clayton artist, Lois Andreotti, will display their one-of-a-kind work at the Civic Arts Education and Clay Arts Guild Holiday Art Sale. Andreotti has lived in Clayton for 20 years and is a skilled potter. She specializes in horsehair Raku pieces. Andreotti worked at John Muir Hospital for 17 years as a respiratory therapist while studying her craft. She is now retired from John Muir and devotes all her time to ceramics. The award winning artist exhibits and sells her work at art shows around the Bay. The Holiday Arts and Crafts show opens with a reception on Dec. 2, 5 - 9 p.m. Show hours

are: Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Dec 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each artwork will benefit Civic Arts Education The show and sale will take place in two locations. Ceramics in Studios D and E, 1313 Civic Dr. in Walnut Creek. All other media at Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane. in Walnut Creek. For more Lois Andreotti information, call 943-5846.

Veterans remembered at Diamond Terrace Residents at Diamond Terrace gathered in the large living room to remember all of those who have served in the armed forces. Several members of the Clayton chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the event. VOW member Rot Van Buskirk read “In Flanders Fields,” the poem that was the inspiration for the red poppies that have come to symbolize Veteran’s Day, and offered some personal recollections of buddies and relatives who served. Diamond Terrace resident Marie Sutton was presented with a Blue Star for her grandson who is serving in Iraq. Families with loved ones serving in the armed forces hang

Lynne French

the small Blue Star banner in their window for as long as the loved one serves. Should the loved one become a casualty

of war, the family replaces the blue star with a white one and it continues to hang in the window.

VFW MEMBERS John Teel and Rot Van Buskirk, Diamond Terrace resident and veteran Kem Spencer, Marie Sutton and Diamond Terrace Activity Director Naomi Gary.

invites you to a

Holiday Open House

Saturday, December 4, from 3 p.m. ‘til 6 p.m. Before the Clayton Christmas Tree Lighting

Santa Claus is coming to Coldwell Banker Please join us for some holiday cheer and a complimentary picture with Santa This will be an event for the entire family Stop by today and enter to win 3 da y s, 2 nights luxury accommodations f or the whole f amily at a Tahoe area resor t Drawing on the day of the event for Tahoe trip and other door prizes

6200 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton, Between the Clayton Pioneer and Ed’s Mudville Grill

For more details, call Lynne (925) 672-8787

November 19, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Reader’s Forum

Petty thieves spoil Halloween It’s really sad when teens feel they need to ruin what is suppose to be a fun holiday by vandalizing and stealing. They have no respect for others! Someone stole some of our Halloween decoration/lights right off our front porch and it was probably the teens we had just handed candy out to on top of it. They actually had the nerve to unplug our strobe light from the extension cord that was being fed from inside

our house through our front door. I just wonder if that strobe light was worth the risk of being arrested if they were to have been caught in the act? If that wasn’t bad enough, there were also many teenagers speeding up and down Mountaire Parkway in Dana Hills all evening, when children were out trick or treating. It was just lucky that no one ended up getting hit. We felt like we had to hold on to our

children tight when we were out trick or treating because of the reckless driving that was going on. Before this, I have always felt very safe here in Clayton and never was concerned with theft. I guess next Halloween I will be on the lookout for those petty thieves or I just won’t bother decorating if we are just going to have things stolen. Julie Mitchell

Letter to the Editor

BarbKats raise $30,000 for breast cancer

Dear Editor: In this season of Thanksgiving, the BarbKats For A Cure Avon Walk Team want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community for the encouragement and support we received during our 2004 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer campaign. With the help of family and friends, combined with the generous support of the community of Clayton, the BarbKats For A Cure Team successfully raised over $30,000 for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. Fundraising efforts like that of the BarbKats enable the Avon Foundation to continue their commitment to fund initiatives to defeat the disease of Breast Cancer. Last July 13 members of the

BarbKats For A Cure team participated in the 2004 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Walk in San Francisco. Over the course of two days the BarbKats walked 26 miles covering terrain from Golden Gate Park, across the Golden Gate Bridge, into Sausalito, through the Embarcadero and up the hills of the Financial District. It was an exhilarating and inspiring weekend that was capped off with the announcement at Closing Ceremonies that the San Francisco event raised over four million dollars. Due to the generosity of our many supporters, The BarbKats For A Cure were recognized as one of the top fundraising teams for the San Francisco Walk. Named for local residents and breast cancer survivors Kathryn Carlson and Barb Beranis, the “BarbKats” enlisted support from local merchants, worked the Clayton Art & Wine Festival, and received generous donations from family, friends and business associates. Many

donations were made in memory or honor of loved ones. “We are humbled by the generosity of our community and we want to thank everyone who contributed to our cause.” said Barb Beranis. “One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and we have felt the significance of that statistic in our community this past year.” The BarbKats For A Cure Avon Walk Team is committed to continuing their fundraising efforts on behalf of the Avon Foundation. We’re confident that with the continued support of our community we can make a difference in the Fight against Breast Cancer. Thank you for believing in our cause. Watch for news of upcoming BarbKats For A Cure fundraisers, including a Cookie Lee Jewelry party on Dec. 5. For more information the BarbKats For A Cure Avon Walk Team please call Kathryn Carlson at 925-673-1066. Kathryn Carlson

HELP WANTED HVAC INSTALLER: 3 yrs. minimum experience. Good DMV and EPA certified. Call 925-673-3776

SERVICES PIANO LESSONS: Cynthia West, a Clayton Valley High School senior with ten years of playing experience and two years of teaching experience, is accepting beginning piano students for individual lessons. In each half-hour lesson, students are taught proper piano technique and theory in a comfortable environment. For more information call Cynthia at (925) 673-5026. PIANO LESSONS: Any age, any level, from 5-year olds to beginning adults, offered by experienced local teacher. Contact Eunice Flannery at 673-9858.

HOW TO PLACE AN AD Go to our Web site, claytonpioneer.com. Click on the Classified Advertising tab on the left side of the page. Complete the form to submit your ad. Mail a check for the number of insertions to P.O. Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. Or, call the Clayton Pioneer, 925-672-0500 to place your ad over the phone. Or, come by the office at 6200 Center Street, Suite F, Clayton between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rates are $12 for 30 words and 20 cents for each additional word. Classified deadline dates are printed above. The Clayton Pioneer will not accept any ad that discriminates on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, family status or disability. We reserve the right to reject any advertising we believe is unsuitable. All classified ads must be paid for in advance.

Directory of Advertisers Aames Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-862-1947 Abbey Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901 ACME Auto Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-8495 Aegis Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 Aircloud Wireless Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 Alaimo's Wood Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439-2769 Alise Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7701 All Bright Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5900 Apronstrings Pet Sitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-7621 Aragon, Al - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . .287-6921 Asemi, Hamid - State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6622 BJ's Groom & Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550-5626 Benton, Mureleen - American Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 Blimpie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9531 Blondie's Comics & Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7783 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 CBCA Holiday Home Deocrating Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 Call, J. Richard - Mortgage Broker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-2300 Candy Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6818 Dr. Christina Mason, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1559 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Home Inspection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9405 Clayton Town Tree Lighting - CBCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees . . . . . . .672-5198 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Concord Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9530 Consignment Treasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7123 Contra Costa Termite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7665 Country Crafts Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-8283 Country Dog Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6100 Crocker Insurance Agency - Sam Totah . . . . . . . . . . . . . .941-1536 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 Donna's Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2440 EAD! Surachai Fine Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-0134 East County Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-664-4527 Flannery,Patty - Coldwell Banker Real Estate . . . . . . . . .210-7480 Fleury's Floor Covering, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-1010 Fox and the Fiddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1333 French, Lynne - Coldwell Banker Real Estate . . . . . . . . . .672-8787 Graham Family Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-1333 Haydon, Cynthia - Avon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8262 Head's Up Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2277 Help You Sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-4950 HomEquity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1119 IMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-2200 Instant Imprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9815 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Law Office of Richard Littorno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lyone Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .827-1520 Mavericks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-5600 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Melanie's Gifts & Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Miller, Thomas C.P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354-1385 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . . . . .280-8563 Network Service Center (NSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5009 Northgate Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-8711 Nu Image Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1777 Oakhurst County Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Pacific Coast Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429-2123 Pasta Primavera Café & Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-5300 Pro Home Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-3300 Pro Tech Heating and Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3776 R&M Pool, Patio & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207 Robin's Nest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600 Robin's Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323 Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .947-6105 Smith Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6461 Something Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3666 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Sweet Bakery & Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0936 T&K Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0010 Team Power Tractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-7600 The Dog Smoothies & Sausages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5415 The Dunn-Wright Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8460 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Toys, Games and More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-8634 Truesdell, Lisa - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-4747 Van-Fleet-Bronson, Remax Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4333 Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2300 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4433 Walcutt, Bill - Prudential Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437-5535 We The People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370 Wine Thieves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4003 Young, Susan - All Natural Nails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .963-0893 Zandonella's Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-1700

LET US KNOW Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a Clayton resident. You will find the appropriate form for your announcement on our Web site. Also on our Web site are forms for submitting Community Calendar items and press releases for your organization. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Clayton Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be less than two double spaced pages and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print letters from “anonymous.” You can also e-mail your letter to tamara@ claytonpioneer.com

Classified

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580

H AIR S TYLISTS . New Fantastic Sams Salon. Cuts, color, perms, free education, flex hours, fun atmosphere. Base plus commission. Great Concord location. Call Aaron, 925-899-8687A.

Page 3

TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER Co-Publishers TAMARA S TEINER Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ Assistant Editor and Display Advertising J IM Z EWAN , Sports P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.

GEORGE VUJNOVICH, Broker 6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517 Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.

Tel: (925) 672-4433 Fax: (925) 672-4424

georgevujnovich.com Clayton Market Update Provided by George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty

ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

1721 Indian Wells Way 5117 Keller Ridge Drive 719 Acorn Drive 6015 Golden Eagle Way 3405 Coyote Circle 1876 Eagle Peak Ave 501 Suisun Court 1215 Buckeye Terrace 120 Gold Rush Court 101 Salazar Court 479 Obsidian Way

$590,000 $729,000 $830,000 $837,000 $432,500 $750,000 $579,000 $570,000 $596,000 $645,000 $809,480

11/05/04 11/05/04 11/03/04 11/02/04 11/01/04 10/29/04 10/29/04 10/28/04 10/27/04 10/26/04 10/22/04

1,991 2,313 2,237 2,536 1,252 2,313 1,958 1,710 1,591 1,813 2,981

BED/BATH

3/2.5 4/2.5 3/2 5/2.5 2/2.5 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 3/2.5 4/2.5

ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

3089 Windmill Canyon Dr 522 Mt. Davidson Court 302 Windmill Canyon Pl 5020 Raven Way 30 Fleming Court 1021 Feather Circle 3908 Coyote Circle 1240 Buckeye Terrace 260 Stranahan Circle 5830 Del Trigo Lane 1025 Feather Circle

$615,000 $685,000 $739,000 $620,000 $810,000 $599,000 $499,000 $605,000 $549,000 $565,000 $539,000

10/18/04 10/15/04 10/13/04 10/13/04 10/08/04 10/08/04 10/08/04 10/01/04 09/30/04 09/30/04 09/30/04

1,816 2,325 2,313 2,053 2,368 1,886 1,595 1,639 1,663 1,659 1,338

BED/BATH

3/2 3/2 4/2.5 3/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 2/2

ADDRESS

PRICE

SALE DATE

1505 Tara Court 5127 Keller Ridge Drive 22 Long Creek Circle 341 Saclan Terrace 996 Kenston Drive 26 Nottingham Circle 704 Anizumne Court 9 Clark Creek Circle 3093 Windmill Cyn Drive 7016 Molluk Way 63 Antelope Court

$585,000 $720,000 $415,000 $555,000 $645,000 $685,000 $529,500 $385,000 $625,000 $590,000 $885,000

09/28/04 09/27/04 09/27/04 09/22/04 09/17/04 09/16/04 09/15/04 09/14/04 09/14/04 09/14/04 09/13/04

1,739 2,313 1,376 1,991 1,682 2,210 1,749 1,050 1,816 1,816 3,162

All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

BED/BATH

4/3 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 4/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 3/2 3/2 5/2.5

Page 4

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

s o i e J V e a n Fleet-Bro h T nson Team thanks you for anoth er great year

Karen Riessen, Josie Van Fleet-Bronson, Miroslav Bronson, Erika Maes, Colby Chambers, JoAnn Danilson, Kim Chambers, Darren Banke, and Kathy Frame.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us to all of you. Ten Things You Never Knew About Turkey Think you know everything about that tasty bird called the turkey? Test your trivia and wow guests with these turkey tidbits. Franklin proposed the turkey as the official American bird, but the bald eagle was cho1 Benjamin sen instead. top five most popular ways to serve leftover Thanksgiving turkey are: sandwich, soup or stew, 2 The casserole, stir-fry or salad. percent of Americans surveyed by the National 3 Ninety-seven Turkey Federation eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds. That means about 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving in 2003. 2003, about 274 million turkeys were raised. It’s 4at Inestimated that 46 million of those turkeys were eaten Thanksgiving, 22 million at Christmas and 19 million

J o s i e V a n F l e e t -B Bronson For superior service and a successful real estate transaction in Clayton or surrounding communities, call Josie, a 20-year Clayton resident and area specialist — The Van Fleet-Bronson Team. Specializing in: Real Estate Sales Residential and Investment Loans/Refinancing Property Management

at Easter.

The white versus dark meat war rages on. White meat is preferred in the United States, while other countries favor dark meat. A turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat. White meat has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat.

According to the USDA, the countries that consumed the most turkey in 2001 were Israel, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. Turkey isn’t just for the holidays. Nearly half of U.S. con7 sumers eat turkey at least once every two weeks, with more than a quarter eating turkey lunchmeat.

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925-672-4333

furry friends are in on turkey, too. The turkey industry distributes 8 Your 13 percent of its production to pet food.

www.CallTheVanFleetTeam.com

gobble — but not for all turkeys. Only tom turkeys gobble, while hen turkeys make a 9 Gobble clicking noise. Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin’s first meal on the moon was foil food packets of roasted 10 Neil turkey and the trimmings.

We l ove r eferrals

Enjoy a wonderful dinner at The Fox and The Fiddle, downtown Clayton, when you refer a successful buyer or seller to Van Fleet-Bronson, RE/MAX Real Estate.

Source: National Turkey Federation

Concord sales on the Clayton side of town Address

Price

Sale Date

Bed/Bath

Address

Price

Sale Date

Bed/Bath

5516 Nebraska Drive

$507,000

11/9/2004

1691

3&2

5468 Roundtree Place, T

$264,000

10/19/2004 914

2 & 1.5

5460 Concord Blvd., A8

$261,500

11/8/2004

902

2 & 1.5

5393 Aspenwood Court

$895,000

10/15/2004 2778

5&3

1219 Missouri Drive

$550,000

11/5/2004

1437

4&2

5164 White Oak Court

$435,555

10/15/2004 1103

4&2

1134 Camino Solano

$639,000

11/5/2004

2162

4&3

5273 Clearbrook Drive

$545,000

10/15/2004 1676

3 & 2.5

5250 Pebble Glen Drive

$510,000

11/5/2004

1683

3 & 2.5

5494 Wilke Drive

$515,000

10/15/2004 1338

3&2

5486 Roundtree Drive, C

$275,000

11/2/2004

973

2 & 1.5

2066 Bluerock Court

$575,000

10/14/2004 1764

4&2

5497 Roundtree Drive, E

$275,000

11/2/2004

973

2 & 1.5

5140 Red Oak Drive

$440,000

10/13/2004 1103

3&2

5505 Lowry Court

$520,000

10/29/2004 1548

3&2

1133 Via Doble

$586,500

10/13/2004 1840

4&2

5360 Olive Drive

$740,000

10/29/2004 2115

5&2

5506 Alaska Drive

$480,000

10/13/2004 1252

3 & 1.5

5192 Heritage Drive

$865,000

10/29/2004 3940

5&3

5376 Meadow Wood Place

$575,000

10/13/2004 1411

3&2

5455 Kirkwood Drive, B2

$207,000

10/28/2004 696

1&1

5530 Pennsylvania Blvd.

$429,950

10/5/2004

1158

3&2

1175 Kenwal Road, A

$290,000

10/28/2004 915

2&1

1884 Palomino Place

$610,000

10/8/2004

1782

3&2

5294 Ableside Drive

$900,000

10/27/2004 3168

4 & 3.5

957 Shadybrook Drive

$885,000

10/5/2004

2778

5&3

5460 Concord Blvd., F5

$215,000

10/26/2004 794

1&1

5510 Pennsylvania Blvd.

$575,000

10/1/2004

1582

4&2

5392 Concerto Blvd.

$420,000

10/22/2004 1037

5333 Park Highlands Blvd. #37 $340,000

10/1/2004

1104

2 & 1.5

5309 Oak Point Court

$999,950

10/20/2004 2835

3.5

All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

November 19, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 5

Rock, from page 1 durable rock that holds up well in construction of roads, rail lines, dams and levees. During the season, anywhere from 30 to 50 trucks arrive at the Quarry gate on Mitchell Canyon Road each day to pick up product and transport it to various construction sites. Trucks can carry up to 50,000 pounds of rock in an average load. Some make multiple trips to the quarry depending on the need. The Quarry’s 25 different varieties of aggregate are deeply imbedded in major Bay Area projects like the 580 and 680 freeways, Highways 4 and 24, PacBell Park, the Los Vacqueros Dam, Concord Naval Weapons Station and Delta levees, to name only a few. Fifty percent of the entire rail ballast for B.A.R.T. came from the Clayton Quarry. The bulk of Quarry business, however, is housing driven, explains Allen. He cites statistics that show construction of a new home in the United States uses an average of 120 tons of aggregates. Sidewalks, driveways, roof foundation, floors, fences and walls all contain aggregates in one form or another. A strong housing mar-

ket keeps the Quarry on its toes. Mining is all about keeping ahead of the demand. Excavation of new rock is currently being done at about 900 feet elevation. Expert drillers and blasters bore into the mountain, fill the holes with a precisely measured amount of ammonia nitrate and diesel oil. They blast about once a week and with each blast produce eight to 10,000 tons of rock. It’s then hauled, treated and processed. “We have 550 more feet to mine until we reach the bottom,” Allen says. Mining is performed from top to bottom. What many residents see as ridges in the mountain are actually called benches, explains Allen. Each bench is thirty feet wide allowing enough room for vehicles to navigate. The highest bench completed is at 1500 feet elevation. Allen travels the treacherous route along the benches every day to inspect the site and insure its safety for his employees. When a bench is completely mined, it is landscaped to preserve the mountain’s natural contour. Safety is paramount in any quarry operation. The Clayton

EXPERT DRILLERS AND BLASTERS bore into the mountain and fill the holes with a mixture of ammonia nitrate and diesel oil.

Quarry is watched closely by a myriad of federal and state governing agencies like the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), CalOsha Mining and Tunneling Division, the Bay Area Air Quality District and State Water Resources Control Board. For Allen, the safety of his quarry is tops on his list. “Getting the guys home safely at night, all in one piece is my main job,” he says; a statement which tells you something about the man behind this colossal enterprise. Since 1990 when Allen began managing the Quarry, there have been only two serious accidents and no fatalities. In two separate

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incidences, a tractor and motor grader rolled over while traveling on one of the mined benches. Both men involved survived and are now retired. Allen runs the Quarry with a strong hand and a big heart. He’s sensitive about the movement of trucks in the morning on Mitchell Canyon Road near Mt. Diablo Elementary School. And he’s committed to adhering to the city’s local ordinance enforcing a 25 mph speed limit and banning trucks on the residential road before 7 a.m. Allen supports police citation of all violators and has taken it one step further; by detaining the errant trucker at the Quarry until after

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7 a.m. and refusing to load his truck. Allen lives in the neighborhood across the street from the Quarry. “I understand the problems and if I can correct them, I will,” he says. When a resident calls to complain, Allen immediately responds with a call back. He offers to visit them to talk about the problem. “I need to do that. I’m still a believer in face-to-face contact.” Under his guidance, the Quarry keeps active in the community. RMC provides regular sweeping of Mitchell Canyon Road and downtown Clayton streets, funds a school crossing guard at Pine Hollow and Mitchell Canyon Roads and conducts tours for local schools.

Mayor, from page 1 Clayton will receive $200,000 per year. During the campaign, a resident contacted me with a concern that Measure J listed “major road improvements including … Marsh Creek Road.” The “major” improvements referred to in the measure are in East County to facilitate access to the Vasco Road corridor. Since this Measure continues until 2034, Clayton did request $1 million for an eventual major renovation of our local section of Marsh Creek Road. While some safety improvements (turning lanes, shoulder improvements including sidewalks and bikeways) may be made further east, under no scenario will Marsh Creek Road between Clayton and Brentwood be widened beyond the existing two lanes. As your Central County representative on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, I will be working with my colleagues around the county to accelerate projects such as the fourth bore

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of the Caldecott Tunnel, interchange improvements on I-680, SR 242 and Highway 4. We will also continue the widening of Highway 4, which will give residents in East County a much better commute route than “our” Marsh Creek Road. Not all the major projects are in our backyard, but they will all benefit our residents and their families. Thank you for your support. EVENTS ABOUT TOWN Our volunteers and community groups are working on special events for the next month. First, congratulations to the Clayton Business & Community Association on another very successful event, Oktoberfest. It was very well attended, and the club is already putting some of the proceeds back into our community. The CBCA, which is Clayton’s equivalent of a Chamber of Commerce, is open to all community members, not just business folks. For more information, call 672-2272. Mark your calendars for the CBCA’s Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. on Main Street. CBCA sponsors all of the holiday decorations in downtown and is actively looking for volunteers to help put them up on Saturday, Nov. 20. If you’d like to help, just show up at the parking lot next to the museum on Main Street at 9 a.m. On Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring the family to the Clayton Community Library to have tea with Mrs. Claus and photos with Santa—another event brought to you by the CBCA. Also, mark your calendars now for a FREE evening of family fun at the second annual Clayton Community New Year’s Eve Party at the Clayton Community Gym from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. About 600 people attended last year and had a great time - please join us. If you’d like more information, or if you would like to be a sponsor or help out, call me at 673-7320. Happy Thanksgiving!

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The Quarry has donated boulders and rock for the city’s library and Veteran’s monument and agreed to take in all the old field soil from the old Clayton Valley High School football stadium. Allen came to the aid of police when they were searching the Quarry for a lost boy and his dog. And if that’s not enough to keep this 62-year old plant manager busy, perhaps his hobby of collecting antique tractors or his agricultural experiments with rock powder on 10 acres near the quarry might just do it. The experiments have actually produced some robust crops of barley, wheat, rye grass, oats and clover.

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Page 6

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Is my child becoming greedy? We just celebrated my son’s fifth birthday, and were pretty shocked at how materialistic and – I hate to say it – greedy he has become. Although he liked what he got, he kept looking for more and threw a tantrum when there weren’t any more presents to open. Now, he’s already talking about what he wants for Christmas, and I’m worried that it’s going to be the same situa-

PETE CALDWELL TOTS TO TEENS

“If you’d like your son to develop a different way of approaching the issue of gifts and possessions, think about how YOU might want to approach a few key things. Pete Caldwell tion – or worse. Is this normal? Basically…yes. At that age, we’re all pretty primitive with

regard to pleasure and disappointment; it’s perfectly normal. But it’s equally true that at this age children are learning the values they’ll hold for a lifetime. If you’d like your son to develop a different way of approaching the issue of gifts and possessions, think about how YOU might want to approach a few key things. First, plan ahead and recognize there are a LOT of influences on your child with regard to consumerism and materialism, both external (Have you

watched child-targeted TV lately? It’s astonishing), and cultural (Do YOU believe that gifts signify “love?” And more importantly, does your child see you and your family as focused on “giving” more or “getting” more as you go through life?). For these reasons, it’s important to monitor your son’s TV watching habits. Talk about what advertising means, and have conversations with him about what “things” mean to your family. Second, you might also want to consider ways to make giving as important a part of your son’s social experience as receiving. As part of his attempts to counteract some of the influence his children experience through TV and other family’s values, a friend of mine has his children hold aside a certain percentage of their allowance each week, and at the end of the year the children buy something for a

Insurance, from page 1

needy child. His kids really do see giving as an important part of the culture of the holidays. Perhaps most importantly, consider exchanging on a regular basis “things” you’d give your child with “events.” Planned time spent with him shows a gift of experience is a better expression of love than an item. Show him that just spending special time with him is a gift for you, and make sure you show your appreciation for it! Your child is expressing his wants and needs in a normal way, and it’s a good reminder that sometimes we have to be particularly active in helping our children craft the values that will determine the kind of men and women they will become. Pete Caldwell is the Mental Health Director of We Care Services for Children in Concord. In addition to this and teaching courses at local colleges, he maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Walnut Creek.

both Farmers and Champion have alluded to arson as a possible cause. Our source said that Champion suspected that the fire had been deliberately set because he was unable to explain the burn patterns on the ceiling. However, no arson charges have been made against anyone. Sandhu and his son, Johnny, who worked in the store and was with Sandhu when the fire was discovered, volunteered to take polygraph tests, but Farmers did not take them up on the offer. Sources close to the case claim that the denial by Farmers has racial or ethnic undertones. One source said that a Farmer’s claims adjuster several times referred to the Village Market as a “Kwik E Mart,” presumably

THE VILLAGE MARKET is boarded up and empty pending outcome of lawsuit against Farmer’s Insurance

referring to the Indian owned store on the popular animated TV show, The Simpsons. The fire, which caused an estimated $409,000 damage to the building, started in the early morning hours of January 15 and was discovered when Sandhu and his son, Johnny, opened the store shortly before 7 a.m.

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Forum, from page 1 there are no guarantees in life ,” said Weiss. He explained that he had done countless interviews and chased the “rumor rabbit” for weeks. Still parents pursued the issue of safety and whether they should send their students to school or not. The forum divulged many positive things that parents can do to help their teens through difficult times. “Tell them you love them everyday,” said Weiss. Even students who spoke at the forum echoed the power of communication. One young man talked about his thoughts of suicide a few years ago and how he got through the pain by talking to his mom and dad. “Get proactive,” urged Dr. Weiss. “Involvement is wonderful.” Despite the encouraging words and assurances from Neary and Weiss that it was safe to send students to school the next day, many parents kept their children home that day. In a follow-up conversation with Neary and Weiss four days after the forum, they reported that Tuesday, Nov. 9 came off without hitch. Neary said that about 1400 students attended school that day. The more than 500 students who chose to stay home cost the school over $21,000 in state funds. He said 45 parents supervised the quad on campus along with school district officials and police officers. “Everything went fine,” he added. “It was a wonderful day.” Weiss expressed

frustration about media reports suggesting some connection between the suicides. “There was no pattern,” he emphasized. Both Neary and Weiss are currently discussing ways to reach all the students at the high school and keep the lines of communication open. Weiss is a firm believer in the power of positive networking for each individual school. “Each school has a unique culture. One size never fits all,” he said.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

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Dining Around TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer As the holidays approach and our thoughts take an ever more festive turn, the age old question of “what’s for dinner?” takes on a multi dimensional meaning. Whether you are in the mood for a fine dining experience complete with candles, wine and a gorgeous view, a holiday lunch with a few friends, or a quick, tasty “take out” for the family on a cold and rainy night, you need go no further than Pioneer Territory for the best choices in “Dining Around.” Right in downtown Clayton, are two excellent fine dining choices. FOX AND THE FIDDLE, under new ownership but still in their historic building on Main Street, has a brand new menu featuring an eclectic choice of American Contemporary dishes, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Menu choices include a Pork Sirloin served with apple-cabbage slaw, creamy polenta and a molasses demi-glace for $19. For the meat and potatoes fan, there’s a Block Cut Ribeye with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes served with gorgonzola crème and Swiss Chard for $26. Fox and the Fiddle is open for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday, and all day on Sunday for both brunch and dinner. At the corner of Center and Marsh Creek Road is LA VERANDA, serving a Northern Italian menu of pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and fish, starting at $8.50 for Bruchetta with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. Pasta dishes range in price from $9 for Penne All’arrabiata to $11.75 for Spaghettini Frutti di Mare. If you’re a salad lover, be sure to try the Insalata Della Reigna with baby greens, walnuts, Gorgonzola and a honey Dijon mustard dressing for $6.50 … my personal favorite. La Veranda is open daily for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for brunch. For view and atmosphere, you can’t do better than OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB in Clayton or ZANDONELLA’S on the Delta View Golf Course in Pittsburg. The dining room at OAKHURST is open Wed.-Sun. for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu is extensive, offering appetizers, a daily soup selection, salads, sandwiches and wraps and pasta. Kids have sev-

your Book y now y part ) holida to 20

list and are open daily for lunch and dinner. A little more on the casual side and a great place to take the kids is ROCCO’S RISTORANTE at 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Voted the best pizza in the Bay Area by a Contra Costa Times Reader Poll, Rocco’s serves up a killer house specialty. The Dominator, piled high with pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, ham, linguica, sausage and onions, is not for the faint of heart. At $19.97 for a large, this pizza will feed a small army. For the vegetarian pizza lover, Rocco’s offers the Julius Caesar—a perfect pizza crust with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, feta cheese and anchovies, all topped with a Caesar dressing, for $19.14. Not up for pizza? Not to worry. Rocco’s also has several choices of classic Italian pasta, homemade minestrone and several salads. All pasta dishes are served with fresh bread. Top your pasta dinner off with a glass of wine and you’re well fed and satisfied for well under $20 (tax and tip included.) Rocco’s opens every day at 11 a.m. For a quick, healthy lunch, stop by BLIMPIE’S on Clayton Road next to the Shell Station. Tasty Sub sandwiches, both hot and cold, are served on freshly baked bread with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, oil, vinegar and oregano. Try the six-inch Grilled Chicken Breast on soft roll for $4.29. For a few extra pennies, owner Farzan will dress it up with slices of ripe avocado. And don’t think only of lunch when

eral choices as well, from PB&J to pasta. Lunches range from the traditional Ceasar salad for $6.49 to $9.39 for their Fisherman’s Wharf Crab and Avocado Melt sandwich. Dinner on Friday and Saturday features a heavenly roasted prime rib in a size that’s perfect for every appetite and a selection of chef’s specials that might include a Fall Apple Chutney Pork Chop with a baked potato and a tomato stuffed with zucchini and asiago cheese for $21.99. Friday and Saturday are Prime Rib nights. The Petite Cut (8 ounces) is $20.99, and for the truly hungry, the 14 ounce Executive Cut for $24.99 is sure to fill you up. Wednesday dinner is an “All You Can Eat” pasta buffet for $14.99 ($6.99 for kids). Just over the hill and out of the traffic is ZANDONELLA’S. Open Tue.-Sun for lunch and dinner and situated on the lovely Delta View Golf Course, this family friendly restaurant offers an extensive menu that covers every craving. From that perfect bowl of Spaghetti and Meatballs or a chicken, veal, beef or fish entree, all the way to a succulent and perfectly roasted rack of lamb, you are sure to find your favorite. Lunches range from $6.25 for a cheeseburger to $10.95 for Meat Ravioli and dinners range from $11.15 for Spaghetti Pomodore to $13.60 for Chicken Parmigiana, $19.35 for Prime Rib and $22.45 for the Rack of Lamb. All entrees include soup or salad, pasta and bread. The view is free. Just down Clayton Road a little is PASTA PRIMAVERA. This lovely little trattoria is in the shopping center on the north corner of Treat and Clayton Road. (If you want to venture a little further afield, there is also a location in Walnut Creek at 2997 North Main.) My personal Pasta Primavera favorite is Linguini with garlic and mushrooms in a virgin olive oil ($8.95), but I have a friend that won’t order anything but the Chicken Pesto Gorgonzola, a rigatoni dish with chicken breast and tomatoes in a creamy pesto Gorgonzola sauce ($13.95.) Both locations offer a small, intimate atmosphere, a good wine

(for up

you think Blimpie! Farzan also serves up a great breakfast. Try the Blimpie Bluffin, an English muffin with egg, cheese and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage for $1.99. Blimpie’s is the perfect quick meal that won’t break either your calorie budget, or your wallet. Open every day. For delectable and freshly baked pastries, cakes, cookies and bread, stop by the SWEET BAKERY in the Clayton Station. Grab an incredibly delicious Pecan Roll or Apple Cheese Danish ($1.75) and a latte for a quick break in the morning. Then come back for lunch when all gourmet sandwiches are only $5.75. While you’re there for lunch, order your holiday pies (pumpkin pie as good as Grandma ever made) and fresh baked croutons for stuffing. And almost next door to the bakery is THE DOG , where you can satisfy your hankerin’ for a sausage and smoothie. Indescribably wonderful smoothies (Chocolate Dream and Mango Mingle are only two of the temptations starting at only $3.50. And if it’s sausages you crave, you’re in the right place. Choose from 20 different grilled sausages including Bockwurst, Lemon Chicken and Bavarian Bratwurst all $4 or less. The sausages are so good, you’ll want to take some uncooked ones home with you for dinner. All uncooked sausages are $1.25 or less. So, with these offerings, there’s absolutely no reason to sit in traffic or fight the crowds. Everything to make your holiday dining memorable is right here —- in Pioneer Territory.

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Page 8

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Advertorials

Three new businesses in Pioneer Territory Sweet Bakery & Café

“Everyone is so friendly and our If the aroma doesn’t get you baked goods are wonderful,” she when you walk in the door, Tevy says. Sweet Bakery is Sun’s secSun’s smiling face and warm ond venture. She and her husgreeting will. Sun is the new band also own Chick’s Donut owner of Sweet Bakery and Café Shop on Willow Pass Road in in Clayton with her husband, Concord and they’ve developed Sunny and business colleague a strong clientele for the past 11 Bob Alexander. Her excitement years. “Some of my customers from Chick’s have followed me here to Sweet Bakery,” she says. Sun is hoping to add juices and smoothies to her menu, and she’s keeping the baked goods, sandwiches and homemade bread because they are so popular.” “People come SWEET BAKERY OWNER TEVY SUN here because we about the staff at Sweet Bakery bake daily,” she says. To reserve and the wonderful bread and your holiday pies, rolls and danbaked goods is contagious. ish call Tevy at 672-0936.

tomers to come in, browse and shop for that special someone on your list. Orme is also owner of Consignment Treasures just two doors down from Sparkle. Sparkle is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 A Sparkle employee gets ready for Grand Opening p.m. and is located next to Sparkle Tuesday Morning. For informaSparkle has arrived just in tion on Sparkle and time for the holidays featuring Consignment Treasures call new gift items and stocking Carol at 673-7123. stuffers. The new holiday boutique is located in Clayton Valley Rich Littorno Shopping Center with one-ofThere’s a new lawyer in kind finds, Diva bags, Tea items, town. Richard Littorno is here Lips Luggage, Serious Bling, to serve you in Clayton with Betty Boop, Cherries, Charms new offices at 6160 Center and Crystal and more. Owner Street, Ste. D. Littorno specialCarol Orme is excited about the izes in estate planning and asset new boutique and invites cus- protection. He maintains his

Upcoming Events The Sights and Sounds of Christmas

Santa and Mrs. Claus have made room in their busy holiday schedule to stop at the Clayton Community Library to visit with

treat with Mrs. Claus. This is the fourth year Mr. and Mrs. Claus have made visiting with Clayton’s children a priority. Don’t miss this event. Admission is $1 or donation; free for children under 12. Hosted by the CBCA.

Free Christmas Concert

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Clayton’s children. Circle Dec. 11 on your holiday calendar and be sure to bring the children to meet with Santa and enjoy a

Lighting the Clayton Town Tree

Don’t miss The Vintage Trio in a free Christmas music concert at St. Bonaventure’s on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. This talented trio of Clayton residents will perform their original Christmas Carol, Angel of God, along with their fresh, new take on some old favorites. Hear them sing Carol of the Bells, Angels We Have Heard on High, Santa Baby, and a jazzy, up-tempo Jingle All The Way; as well as some lesser known, but sure-to-be-favorites. Keyboardist and tenor, Santiago Martinez, alto Joyce NovickyMartinez and soprano Roxanne

THE VINTAGE TRIO, Roxanne Pardi, Santiago Martinez and Joyce Novicky-Martinez

Pardi formed Vintage about three years ago and regularly appear at events around the Bay. This is a happy and fun way to kick off the Christmas season.

Bundle up and share the celebration of the annual Clayton town tree lighting. Join neighbors and friends Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. outside the Clayton Historical Museum for the walk down Main Street to the tree. Santa will be there to officially begin the holiday season and light the tree. Police Chief Pete Peterson will emcee the festivities and the Mt. Diablo Elementary School chorus will entertain with songs of the season. Apple cider and donut holes will be available to keep you warm. Bring flashlights or glo-lights to light your way.

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practice in the law firm of Huffaker, Littorno & Morrison on Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg but wanted to establish a presence also in his hometown of Clayton. Littorno is a life-long resident of Clayton and graduated from Clayton RICHARD A. LITTORNO, ESQ. Valley High School and Hastings Law School. graduates of Clayton Valley He was on the Clayton planning High School. “Since our firm commission for five years and a has a strong client base in city council member for nine Clayton and Concord, we’re years. Littorno was mayor of hoping the new local office will Clayton in 1998. Littorno is better serve them,” he says. married to Nancy who is busy Littorno is available for morndecorating the new office with ing and evening appointments vintage furniture. Rich and by calling 672-6463. Nancy have four children, all

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 9

A “staged” home sells for more Although staging is a relatively new concept in the residential resale market, home builders having been staging new homes with good results for decades. It’s not uncommon for a builder to pre-sell an entire housing development of unfinished homes by using a few decorated models. To understand why staging helps sell homes, consider why model homes sell new homes that don’t yet exist. Most model homes are well decorated; they look inviting and livable. They fulfill a fantasy of the way many buyers would like to live. Your aim when you stage your home for sale is to present it at its best. Staging can involve a minimal effort like painting a few rooms and rearranging furniture to show the home off to advantage. For some sellers, however, staging is a monumen-

tal project involving hiring a fixup-for-sale decorator who rents a home full of furniture com-

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carpet replacement. after this work was completed, she brought in house plants, accessories and moved furniture around so that the home showed beautifully. The listing received three offers and sold for significantly more than the list price. Some decorators offer fullservice staging. They arrange for all the fix-up work that has to be done. The seller does virtually nothing. Then the decorator brings in a house full of furniture and accessories so that the house looks like a show place. The cost is much more than a consultation- anywhere from $4000-$5000, depending on the size of the home and on the going rate of the decorator. This full-service approach is worth it to sellers who can afford it but who have no time to deal with the project. Staging will help sell your home faster and for a higher price. Its not a must, but it makes good sense. Also consider that real estate agents like to show homes that show well. The more your home is shown, the more likely you are to have a quick, profitable sale. Our office has an “Accredited Staging Professional” on staff and offers this service for free to our clients.

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Alan contacted me because he needed life insurance and had just recovered from prostate cancer within the past two years. He is 75 years old and was having a difficult time finding a policy that met his needs. He wanted at least $100,000 in life insurance and was willing to pay $500 a month for it. Purchasing life insurance can be a challenge if you have or have had a medical condition. Before you begin to shop around for the best policy you need to understand how the insurance companies may look at you. Here are the classes generally used to categorize people. Pref + is the least expensive and hardest to qualify for. Pref is good. Standard is just like it sounds. Table ratings are substandard risk classes. This is where it starts to get expensive. There are typically 12 ratings in all. Table two is better and less expensive than table three and so on. To allow the insurance companies to be competitive some have “table shaving” programs. This program takes those who would normally be a table three or four risk and places them in a standard or even preferred risk class. This could save you a lot of money. Generally these programs are reserved for people purchasing permanent policies such as universal or whole life policies. The next step is to find a licensed insurance agent. A good agent will ask a multitude of questions regarding your health and finances. Notice

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Be more thankful on Thanksgiving

School News CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL “Viet Rock” is an all school production of Megan Terry’s venture into transformational theatre and her chilling vision of war playing Nov. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door (except for student nights). Drama teacher Tom Wills directs the production. An original and gutsy piece of theatre which challenges and ambushes the audience with an assault on social and political issues revolving around this country’s propensity for military intervention on a world scale. These issues were evident in Vietnam, before Vietnam and, unfortunately have continued since Vietnam. All 22 actors will play numerous roles in an everchanging view of events both comical and tragic from our own storied American past and present. Rehearsals will be a potpourri of improvisation, role-playing and structuring until Megan Terry’s and our statements and perspectives on war and the human experience bleed from the stage. Subscribe to Clayton Valley’s award-winning scholastic newspaper, The Talon. Send a check for $15 to CVHS Talon, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord, CA 94521. The Talon staff will mail the monthly newspaper to your home, business or office. The student staff must raise all printing costs for the newspaper. Advertising rates are available by calling 925-6827474 ext. 2602. Please support

student journalism and stay informed on Clayton Valley High School events and issues. DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Box Tops for Education have come to Diablo View! Save Box Top coupons from General Mills products and the school cashes in! Give the cut out coupons to your students; there are drop off boxes in their 4th period classrooms. It couldn’t be easier to raise money for Diablo View. Check out www.boxtops4education.com, they have coupons for General Mills products. Returned Entertainment books and checks are trickling in but there are still many Entertainment Books unaccounted for. Return the envelope with $20 to your child’s core teacher. If you don’t want to buy the Entertainment Book please have your child return it to school in the envelope. MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY Attention Safeway Shoppers: sign up for the eScrip program. Safeway donates a percentage of your purchase to our school. It costs you nothing! You’re shopping anyway, make it pay. Please call 1-800-801-4973 or visit www.escrip.com. Group Name: Mt. Diablo Elementary Parent Faculty Club. Group ID: 0137104689 Questions? Contact Katie Kreske at 672-3760 or katiekreske@sbcglobal.net.

Thanksgiving…a time for giving thanks, or is it? For many teens today, Thanksgiving means a week off school, visiting with relatives and lots of food. “My whole family goes to my grandparents’ house in Lafayette and has a giant turkey feast. Then the women go on a hike in the afternoon, while the men watch football,” said junior, Trent Tweddale. This was similar to many responses that I was given when I asked my fellow Clayton Valley students what Thanksgiving meant to them. However, some people remember what this holiday is truly about, and they remember to give thanks. “Thanksgiving is a time to truly give thanks to God. We are blessed by living in this country. We, as a nation, forget how fortunate we are,” says sophomore Julie Caruso. However, some students do not appreciate Thanksgiving as much because either they don’t celebrate with their families or they are not originally from this country. “I’ve only been in America for 2½ years, and back home in the Philippines, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Maybe in 10 years I will appreciate it some more, but for now it’s just another opportunity to mingle, eat and rest,” said senior Winnie Bruce. There are also students like me who don’t have family in California or in any nearby states. If you feel Thanksgiving no

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CYNTHIA WEST

STUDENT REPORTER longer means what it should, your family may want to try the following to get in the Thanksgiving spirit: Give toys: Most hospital children’s wards will accept brand new toys that meet the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Give your hair: If you are going to cut at least 10 inches of your hair, you can donate it to Wigs for Kids (www.wigsforkids.org) or Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org). Give food: Near the holidays, food banks always need food, including canned goods, baby food, produce or frozen foods. You can locate a food bank near you through www.secondharvest.org. Give your old cell phones: Donate your phone at www.collectivegood.com so its parts can be used to make phones for people in developing countries. Give clothes: You can give clothes through many organizations in the Bay Area to keep others clothed. Two of the better known donation sites are the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org) and Goodwill (www.goodwill.org). Give blood: If you are age 17 or older and over 115

pounds, you can give blood, which can be used to save a life. To find a donation location close to you, visit www.givelife.org. As Thanksgiving gets closer, your family may also want to start a fun Thanksgiving tradition, if you don’t already have one. My own family had a Thanksgiving tradition when we lived in Illinois of playing tag-football after the Thanksgiving feast (sometimes in the snow). However, this tradition was quickly ended after my cousin got thrown into a

bush on an “accidental” tackle. Another CVHS student, junior Paul Viscogliosi, says, “My family and I pass around a spoon and say what we are thankful for. We also have competitions to see who can eat the most the fastest.” No matter what your tradition is, just remember to take time to remember what had to happen for this country to be free, how lucky you are to live in America, and be thankful for everything you have. Cynthia West is a senior at CVHS. E-mail her at cvhs@claytonpioneer.com

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Clayton Pioneer

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 11

The American Crow has landed in Clayton Welcome to the wonderful world of Clayton back-yard birding. Have you noticed that Clayton has been invaded by some raucous, industrious AMERICAN CROWS? I don’t remember a year when I have seen so many crows in this area. At one point I counted a dozen crows in my front yard, I have CATHIE GERNHARDT also noticed them hanging out in other areas of town. Recently, FOR THE BIRDS upon returning home from my morning walk, I surprised a 17 and 21 inches. Males are a litflock of Crows who were din- tle larger than females, although ing in the walnut tree. They flew unless you see a pair together, it off as I walked by, although a is very difficult to tell the differfew minutes later they were ence. Opportunist in their feedback. As I spied on them with ing, the American Crow conmy binoculars from the kitchen sumes a great variety of plant window, I watched a crow pick a and animal food, including walnut from the tree, fly seeds, garbage, insects off and drop the nut and small rodents. on the concrete Its nest-plunderdriveway, causing is decried, ing it to crack, but in orchards and then glide and fields it down to eat destroys many the meat. injurious Seems like a insects such as pretty smart grasshoppers bird to me. It and cutworms. also gave me a However, the perverse sense of labeling of birds as justice when the either “harmful” or crows got to the AMERICAN CROW “useful” is misleadwalnuts before the ing and antiquated. Crows do pesky squirrels, who earlier had destroy many eggs and nestlings been sitting up in the oak trees of woodland and meadow laughing as they bombed us birds. However, they also weed with acorns while we walked out the weak and feeble and act along the trail. as nature’s alarm system by The American crow is a alerting other animals in a black, stocky bird with a fan- neighborhood when danger shaped tail, measuring between approaches. The crow is often

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incorrectly identified as his closest cousin, the Raven, which is a bit larger and has a wedgeshaped tail. The crow has a very loud, distinct, caw caw call. I’m not sure if this invasion is a temporary stopover or if they will be moving into our neighborhoods permanently, time will tell. In a previous column I mentioned that SONG SPARROWS had arrived back in town. Song sparrows, as well as white crown sparrows, gold crown sparrows and house sparrows have all returned with their wonderful songs. I hope you are enjoying the music. Also returning from nesting in other areas are the Junco’s, spotted on Nov. 1, and

West Nile virus (WNV) has arrived in Clayton. This is not a good thing... Cathie Gernhardt I was informed of Western Blue Bird sightings Nov. 6, so keep on the lookout. On a serious subject, WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV) has arrived in Clayton. This is not a good thing. Last year there were almost 10,000 human cases of WNV detected, including 262 deaths in the United States. Birds play an important role in

Nile Virus hot line at 877-9682473 or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. As a warning to those of you who frequent our wonderful trail system, be advised the squirrels have upgraded their ammunition and are now

Cathie Gernhardt has lived in Clayton for the past 38 years. Bird watching is one of her greatest joys. You can email her at Cathie@claytonpioneer.com.

Glasbergen Chuckles

We’re pleased to present the cartoons of Randy Glasbergen who needs little introduction. His cartoons appear in syndication as “The Better Half ” comic strip. Look for a Glasbergen cartoon in every issue of the Pioneer.

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maintaining and spreading this virus. Mosquitoes acquire the virus from infected birds, and then transmit the virus to people. Evidence of the virus in dead birds is often the first indication that WNV has been introduced into a new region. WNV is a mosquito-borne disease that is common in Africa, west Asia and the Middle East. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. There have been a total of 794 human WNV infections reported from 23 counties. As of Nov. 5, there have been 23 human fatalities, 3,179 bird fatalities and 533 equine fatalities in California. On Oct. 22 I was alerted to a dead barn owl along the Cardinet Trail. The owl seemed to have no obvious cause of death, so I put in a call to the Lindsey Museum, which referred me to the WNV hot line. I was told if I retrieved the Owl and bagged it, Vector Control would pick it up for testing. I received a call back on Nov. 4 with confirmation that the owl tested positive. This is the first positive documented case of WNV in Clayton and the sixteenth in Contra Costa County. WNV is a very serious problem and I urge all readers to find out more about how to protect yourself and wildlife. Please, if you find a dead bird in your yard with no apparent cause of death, notify the West

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Clayton Sports Clayton Soccer Club has roots in the British Isles Part 2: The rest of the story JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer

Summary of Part 1 from the Nov. 5 issue: Clayton not only has its well-known ties to the old American West, it also has a connection to the British Isles and to soccer through the Clayton Soccer Club, which was established in 1987. The first Clayton team was the Rovers, which made a big impact on the league. In part two of this series, we cover the Clayton teams themselves, where they play and the CSC’s future plans. The Clayton Soccer Club has five teams of over-30 players, which play in the East Bay Senior Soccer League. There are currently 42 teams in the EBSSL, which indicates the popularity of senior soccer in the Bay Area. Among the other local area teams of interest in the EBSSL are the Walnut Creakers, the Walnut Creek Soccer Club, Walnut Creek United, the Mt. Diablo Soccer Club, the Moraga Soccer Club and the Orinda Soccer Club. In keeping with British soccer tradition, all five Clayton Soccer Club teams have banners or shields with their team name and design on it. The five teams in the CSC are the Clayton Town, the Orient, the Wanderers, the Rovers and the Royal Oaks. The Orient was established in 1989 so that the club could support its growing numbers. The Orient eventually won the B division championship, filling a well-

publicized spot in their previously empty trophy case. They have been back and forth between the A and B divisions and are currently back in the B division and have spent the season in either first or second place. As of Nov. 7 the Orient was in second place, with a 4-0-4 record, just one point behind the first-place team. They also have a goal differential of 10, five better than the first-place team. The Wanderers formed in 1994 and became the social team of the club. They hold all of the records for attendance to any club event where beer is served or soccer is played. After winning the C division championship in 1995, the Wanderers found competition tough in the B division and were sent back to the friendlier C division after two seasons. In the 199798 and ‘98-99 seasons, they finished third in the C division, narrowly avoiding promotion. They currently play in the A division, and as of Nov. 7 they were in first place, leading division A with a 6-11 record and 19 points. Their goal differential is a division-leading 13. The Town (a.k.a. Clayton Town), CSC’s newest team, was started in 1995. They were originally managed by Des Docherty until the beginning of the 1997 season. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Town found themselves with only five players two weeks before the ‘97 season started. After considerable effort on the parts of many club mem-

bers, the Town raised itself from the ashes and finished second in the D division to move up to the C. The following season was not so good, with the Town failing to win a league game and moving back down to the D division. (In

The Town has nine points, just seven behind the first place team with six games left to play. The Clayton Royal Oaks play in the E division and are currently in fifth place in this 10-team division with a record of 4-3-0.

Clayton Soccer Club’s planned “field of dreams” English soccer rules, teams move regularly from one division to another, depending on their records for the season. It is sort of like in the National or American leagues if the bottom few teams during a season were replaced by the top finishers in the Minor Leagues each year. Wouldn’t that improve the competitiveness of American baseball!) Clayton Town is currently in fifth place in division D, with a record of 3-4-0.

The Rovers won the League Championship in the A division for six consecutive years under the management of Jeff Green, Danny Cooke and Mac Couto, the current President of CSC, and finished second in 1997-98 and ‘9899. They have also been Association Cup Champions four of the last six times the cup has been played, as well as having been Referees Cup Champions two times over that same period. In

Sports Shorts YMCA HOLIDAY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The Concord/Clayton YMCA invites area youth basketball teams to play in the YMCA Holiday Classic. This tournament has an A and B bracket with three age groups (Grades 2/3, 4/5 and 6). Boys’ tournament dates are Dec, 20-22. Girls’ tournament dates are 27-29. Winner of tournament gets championship tshirt. For more information call the Program Director, Delise Young at 925.889.1625, or email at dyoung@mdrymca.org.

CLAYTON/CONCORD BRANCH OF YMCA Have fun, improve fitness and compete in a safe and positive environment at the Clayton/ Concord Branch of the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA. Several exciting adult and youth sport programs will be held at the Clayton Community Gym at the Diablo View Middle School off Marsh Creek and Clayton Roads. All adult and youth leagues are eight weeks long. The “Y” will also be hosting sport camps during winter break.

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1999-2000 the Rovers achieved their long-term aim of winning the league and cup treble, only the third team to do so in EBSSL history. Over this period the Rovers’ league and cup record is 99 wins, 24 draws and 16 losses. Currently, the Rovers are in third place in the A division with a record of 4-2-1, just one point behind secondplace Sporting Club. It is possible that Clayton’s two teams in division A, the most competitive division within the EBSSL, could take first and second places this year. The CSC’s five teams have approximately 100 players, about 20 per team. The youngest players are 30 and the oldest is 58. Most of the players on the top teams are under age 40 but, of course, there are some exceptions. Most of the players live in the Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Walnut Creek area. A few live further away in Danville and Pittsburg. Then there are a few diehards that come from as far as Sacramento, San Francisco and Tracy to play. “The EBSSL is an over-30 league,” Couto said. “All new teams come into the league through the E division, the lowest division. At the end of each season the top two teams in each division move up and the two bottom teams move down.”

The next games are scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 21 at Clayton Community Park Field #1 when the first-place division A Clayton Rovers play Ajax at 9 a.m., and the second-place division B Clayton Orient takes on the Berkeley Fog at 11 a.m., also at Field #1. The Royal Oaks play visiting Polonez at Clayton Community Park Field #3 (the top back field) at 11 a.m. The Polonez lead division E with a 5-0-2 record. The CSC’s immediate goal is to start a men’s amateur team, followed by some youth teams. Their dream is to operate a soccer club for men and women of all ages who love the sport and the social life that comes with it. They are working on that dream and have a committee in place planning to acquire land and build their own “field of dreams” (see artist’s rendition). As the CSC states on its Web site, “Stay young, play soccer!” (Clayton Pioneer’s Sports Editor’s note: To give credit where credit is due, many of the words and history of the CSC and its teams for this story were taken from the CSC’s own website, www.claytonsoccer.com where you can find more information. In addition, see www.ebssl.com or more information about the EBSSL and future game schedules).

The following programs are available: Pre-K-8, Basketball League, Jan.15-Mar. 19; K-8, Indoor Soccer League, Mar.7-May 9;Pre-K-1, Floor Hockey League, Mar 7-May 9; Pre-K8, Soccer League Apr. 16-June 11; Adults (18 +) Coed Volleyball, Dec. 2-Feb. 3; Grades 1-6, Winter Basketball Camp, Dec. 20-23; Grades 1-6, Super Sports Camp, Dec. 27-31. For more information on all of the YMCA programs call 889-1600.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 13

Clayton Sports Nick Culum

PIONEER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Pilgrims, Indians, turkeys, Thanksgiving, colorful leaves and football all make November a very special time of year. Similarly, Nick Culum helps makes Clayton Valley football something special to watch as the Spotlight this month beams in on this two-way starter for the Eagles’ squad. Nick, a senior at Clayton Valley

NICK CULUM High School, plays on both sides of the ball for the Eagles, a rarity in these days of sports specialization. And he plays both of his positions extremely well. On offense, Nick is the starting tight end, and on defense he is a starting inside linebacker. The

Clayton resident recently had an outstanding game in a surprising 17-17 tie against heavily-favored De La Salle on Oct. 22. De La Salle was the No. 1 ranked team in the East Bay at the time, and on Nov. 5 the Spartans proved it again by winning 35-14 against a tough Pittsburg team. So tying the perennial powerhouse Spartans was a big event in Eagleland, and Culum provided a lot of the reasons for the outcome. In that big game, Nick had a total of 17 tackles on defense, 12 of which were unassisted. On the offensive side, Nick made a spectacular smashing block to help spring Jason Poltl on his 77-yard touchdown run to start the second half. The touchdown enabled the Eagles to keep the game within reach and allowed for the fantastic, late fourth-quarter tying field goal. Nick is a returning letterman

this year and brought needed experience to the young CVHS team. Head coach Herc Pardi called him “one of our most dedicated and improved players.” And since Pardi earlier in the year told the Pioneer he saw defense as the key to his team’s success this season, it is significant when Pardi added, “Nick is one of our leading tacklers so far this season.” That comment gets amplified when one looks at Nick’s overall defensive stats. After eight

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games Nick had 82 tackles (56 unassisted/26 assists), one interception, caused two fumbles and had three quarterback sacks. Add in his offensive skills, and you have the makings of a special player. “Our running success is directly attributed to our offensive line, and Nick is a key blocker on that unit” Offensive Line Coach Sam Quinones said. When asked, Nick says he prefers the defensive side. “In our system, I am mostly a blocking tight-end instead of a receiving tight-end, so I don’t get the ball much,” he said. But he did catch a touchdown pass against Freedom on Nov. 5! About his future plans, Nick says he wants to attend a local junior college or a state college and continue playing football.

We wish you the best, Nick, and good luck in your last game against Deer Valley. A win there could put the Eagles in the NCS playoffs! Note: Nick’s father, Frank, is a 1975 CVHS alumni who played quarterback on the football team and was a pitcher on the baseball team. Pardi coached Frank on the summer 1973 Clayton Colt baseball team. As Pardi put it, “when you reach a particular age you are fortunate to have coached some fathers and their sons!” The Clayton Pioneer spotlights a local youth athlete from our circulation area in the second issue each month and Rocco’s congratulates the athlete with a free pizza. If you are a coach or an administrator and would like to nominate a young person (under 20 years of age) for the Rocco's Athlete Spotlight, please send information to sports@claytonpioneer.com or fax to 672-6580. Deadline for our Nov. 19 issue is Monday, Dec. 6.

Oakhurst women’s tennis team is national champion But things didn’t go exactly according to plan this year either. On the first day of competition Oakhurst lost to Texas, but rallied in the afternoon to defeat Florida, keeping hopes alive. The next day they defeated the Midwest Section team to win their flight and advance to the final four. But three teams were tied at first flight during this round. It came down

THE OAKHURST WOMEN’S TENNIS TEAM: Lisa Saporito, Karen Treppa, Lynne Meiers, Pam Maloney, Kathy Williams, Caryl Kohler (team captain), Bev Britton, Patti Baggett, Leslie Marr, Laurie Lenhart (cocaptain), Kris Karr.

JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer

For the first time ever an Oakhurst Country Club tennis team has won a National Championship. With close to a thousand 3.0 rated Women’s Teams in the USA this is an amazing accomplishment. Last year the Oakhurst team also performed well beating last

years eventual national champions at the Sectional Playoffs but just fell short later in the tournament. This year the team swept for a 5 lines to 0 win on the last day of Sectional Playoffs to advance to Nationals level, leaving nothing to chance this time around. Seventeen Sectional Champions from around the country competed against each other in Tucson for the National Championship.

to the third tiebreaker to determine who would advance to the final four. The tiebreakers were matches lost, sets lost and individual games lost. Once in the final four they took out the Pacific Northwest team from Washington State. In the final championship match they downed the Intermountain team from Salt Lake City by a 3-

JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer

THE WOLVERINES The MDSL Wolverines U 9 Soccer Team placed first in the Al Caffodio Youth Soccer League Silver Division this season.

This is only the second year that the Mt. Diablo Soccer League (MDSL) registered an under 9 boys team for competitive traveling league play. The team, the Wolverines, were coached by Eric Tate and Ken Ballard, and competed against teams from Danville, Pleasanton,

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password to view the teams, standings, and scores. THE HAWKS The MDSL Hawks, an under 12 boys soccer team did it again. The Hawks, a first year team coached by Franz Riedel and assistant coaches, Scott Briggs and Mark Blasi, participated over the weekend of Oct. 30-31 in the 26th Annual Almaden Halloween Classic at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex. The Hawks took first place out of eight teams from all over the Bay Area and Sacramento to win the tournament. The boys from Clayton and Concord beat the Elk Grove Arsenal, a tough team, 3-0 in the championship game. The team’s great defense and goalies of the MDSL Hawks held each of the four teams they played during the qualifying rounds and championship game to only one goal during the entire tournament. The midfielders were just as outstanding and controlled the level of play in the midfield with their running and endurance up and down the field, aggressiveness, passing and assists to their forwards. The Hawks forwards made it extremely difficult for the other teams to get the ball out their side of the field of play with their aggressiveness, dribbling and shooting. The team hopes to continue their success in the State Association Cup in Jan 2005.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., NOV. 22 FOR THE DEC. 3 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING Art at the YMCA @ Clayton Community Gym Art program starts at the YMCA - sculpture, painting, drawing for beginners, advanced drawing.and Children's books, writing illustrating and publishing. For information contact instructor Seth Ahonen at 889-1612 or 889-1600. ONGOING After School Programs @ Clayton Community Gym 3-6 p.m., After school program for Diablo View Middle students. Homework help, sports and art activities. Fun, safe environment. Call Liz Travers for information at 889-1600. Clayton Community Gym, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. ONGOING Dance Classes @ Clayton Community Church Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Dance Technique Class, ages 8-adult, a fun multi-level dance class open to the community, $5 per class. Fridays 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Devotion in Motion, Pilates-based body-spirit mat exercise class for adult women, free. Wednesdays 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Praise Dance Class, ages 4-7, Free.Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main Street, Clayton. Ongoing - May 25, 2005 "The Bee's Knees", The Best of the 1920s @ Clayton Historical Society Museum Special exhibit features the best of the 1920s including film, entertainment, fads, fashion, photos, art, literature, music, inventions, sports, and world events of the 1920s. The Clayton Museum also features special kitchen and quilt exhibits, a mining exhibit, outhouse and Clayton's early 1900s jail. Free. Sundays & Wednesdays 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and by Appointment.Phone-(925) 672-0240/www.claytonhs.com. Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main Street, Clayton. ONGOING - DEC. 4 Festival of Trees @ Diamond Terrace Retirement Community Silent auction fundraiser of tabletop holiday trees benefitting the Clayton Business and Community Association’s Adopt a Family Program. Come see the trees designed by your local businesses! Diamond Terrace Retirement Community, 524-5100, 6401 Center Street, Clayton. NOV. 8 - DEC. 31 "Annie" @ Willows Theatre The classic family musical based on the adventures of the popular comic-strip heroine. Annie follows the story of the young orphan as she finds new family wtih billionaire Daddy Warbucks and dog Sandy. Directed by Richard Elliott. $20-35. Willows Theatre, Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 925798-1300, www.willowstheatre.org. NOV. 19, 26, DEC. 3, 10 Digital Thunder Bowling @ Clayton Valley Bowl 4-6 p.m. Bowling on Friday afternoons for kids includes music, lights and bumper lanes. 689-4631, Clayton Valley Bowl, 5300 Clayton Road, Concord. NOV. 19 Prime Time Performances in Cinema @ Concord Campus of Cal State Hayward 7 p.m. A salute to film actors including Burt Lancaster, Don Ameche, Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, Art Carney, Jessica Tandy, George Burns and others, using a variety of classic films. 602-6772, www.ccc.csuhayward.edu/events.htm, Concord Campus of Cal State Hayward, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord. NOV. 20 Girl Scout Gift Boutique @ Clayton Presbyterian Church 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Over 15 local Girl Scout Troops have created hand made crafts, gift baskets, baked goodies and decorations to raise money for Troop activities. Clayton Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. NOV. 26 - DEC. 18 Christmas My Way- Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra @ CTA Crossroads Theatre

From the team that created My Way, it’s beginning to look a lot like a Sinatra Christmas, complete with 40 swingin’ hits perfect for the holidays. Selections include Come Fly with Me, Let it Snow, The Man that Got Away and many others. Thurs. 12/9, 12/16 - 8 p.m., Fri. 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 - 8 p.m., Sat. 11/27, 12/8 - 2 p.m and 8 p.m., Sat. 12/4, 12,11- 8 p.m. Previews 11/19, 11/20 - 8 p.m. Tickets $22 - $25 per person. 944-0597, www.ctacrossroads.org, CTA Crossroads Theatre, 1277 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek.

NOV. 30 Vintage Trio performing @ St. Bonaventure Church 7:30 p.m. Santiago Martinez, Joyce Novicky Martinez and Roxanne Pardi, Clayton’s Vintrage trio, will perform their Christmas program in a free concert. The public is invited. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. DEC.1 Holiday Boutique @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. - -8 p.m., Multi Use Room. Vendors include Joel Harris, Southern Living at Home, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Pet Lane pet products, Creative Memories, Wine Charms, Pampered Chef, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Stampin’ Up, Lots of holiday crafters, Candy Cane Kitchen and more. Mt. DIablo Elementary Multi Use Room. DEC. 2-5 Civic Arts Education and Clay Arts Guild Holiday Sale Holiday art sale featuring the talented artists of Civic Arts Education and the Clay Arts Guild. Ceramic pottery and sculpture at Civic Park, Studios D&E, 1313 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Paintings, jewelry, photographs, fiber arts at Shadelands Campus, 111 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. 12/2 - 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (opening party), 12/3 - 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., 12/4 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 12/5 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information Sally Hogarty, 376-6457 or Dave Hanney, 943-5846. DEC. 2 Leisure and a Fulfilling Retirement @ The Concord Senior Center 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Melany Spielman, professor of recreation and community services presents lecture on leisure and the role it plays in a fulfilling life. Registration for program required, $3.00, free for SCHOLAR-OLLI members. Register at 925-602-6776 or visit www.ccc.csuhayward.edu/events.htm. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. DEC. 2 Polar Express Craft Time @ Clayton Community Library 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Make a holiday for display in the library. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. 6730659. DEC. 3, 4,5,10,11,12 The Shadow Box @ Diablo Valley College Michael Cristofer’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play opens in DVC’s intimate Arena Theatre. The play draws three distinct family stories into a universal tale of humanity and morality. It is a beautifully realized drama of sensitive perceptions, reminding us of the gift we’ve been given with every dat we live. Fri. and Sat. performances at 8 p.m. Sun. at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 - $12, high school students $5. Call the DVC ticket office at 687-4445. DEC. 3 Presentation on Bolivian Village of Puka Puka @ Toloui Residence 7:30 p.m. A case study in transformation of a very simple society through application of learned progressive ideas and moral principles and virtues. Presented by Hugh and Flor Toloui. Everyone welcome. Call 672-6686 for more information. DEC. 4 Clayton Tree Lighting @ Downtown Clayton 6 p.m. Help Santa light our Clayton Town Tree. Meet at Clayton Historical Museum (bring flashlights or glo-lights). Emcee is Police Chief Pete Peterson. The Mt. Diablo Elementary School Chorus will perform and there will be apple cider and donut holes. DEC. 4,5 We Care Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair @ The Barbara Milliff Children's Center 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Avoid the holiday mall madness. The boutique will feature local artists and crafters, entertainment, food and a raffle. Proceeds from the event will benefit We Care Services for Children. Open to the public, no admission charge. The Barbara Milliff Children's Center, 2191 Kirker Pass Rd. (across the street from the Chronicle Pavilion). DEC. 7, 14, 21, 28 Patty Cakes Story Time @ Clayton Community Library 11-11:20 a.m. Story time for birth to 3 years, through October. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 6730659.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS ONGOING - JAN. Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Say No to Drugs contest is underway. “Drug Awareness & Abuse”and “Alcohol Awareness & Abuse” categories. Ages 8-11 and 12-14. Entries will be judged by school, local council, district State and International competition. Posters must be original, 11 x 17, color or black or white. Contact Claire Tryon, Youth Director, at 673-8564 for entry sheet, rules and more details or e-mail grey_eototo@man.com. NOV. 20 Ygnacio Valley Republican Women @ Oakhurst Country Club 10 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m. The speaker, Ron Giglio, will talk about “The Grand Jury and You.” R.S.V.P. to Barbara Allen at 672-5061by November 15. Everyone welcome, cost is $17.50. Contact www.yvrwf.org for additional club information. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Road, Clayton. NOV. 23 Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Meeting @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 10 a.m. Social meeting featuring Vintage Harmonic Trio; refreshments served. Guests welcome. Call Lois 685-1876 or Jackie 6728103, for information. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ygnacio Valley Road and Alberta Way, Concord. NOV. 25, DEC. 2, 9, 16 Weights Watchers Weekly Meeting @ Contra Costa Farm Bureau 10 a.m., 5 & 6:30 p.m. Weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in & meeting on Thursday. 800/326-8450 x2023.Contra Costa Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. NOV. 25, DEC. 2, 9, 16 Rotary Club of Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise @ Oakhurst 7 a.m. Meets every Thursday for breakfast meeting that usually features a speaker.www. claytonvalleyrotary.org Chuck Graham 689-7640. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT NOV. 23, DEC. 14 Planning Commission Meeting @ Clayton Library 7p.m. City of Clayton Planning Commission meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 6737304, Clayton Library Community Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. NOV. 23, 30, DEC. 7, 14 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ County Administration Building 9 a.m. County Board of Supervisors holds regular weekly meetings Tuesday mornings. Open to the public. www.co.contra-costa.ca.us 335-1900. County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Room 107, Martinez. DEC. 7, 21 Clayton City Council Meeting@ Clayton Community Library 6 p.m. City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Open to the public. Agendas posted at the following locations: City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, Ohm's Bulletin Board, 1028 Diablo St., Clayton, Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton.

SCHOOLS & EDUCATION ONGOING - DEC. 2 Adult Education Class @ Mt. Diablo Adult Education 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Thursdays. Room B-1. Building Healthy Families, an informative series of classes to discuss topics relevant to parenting today. $5 per class or $35 for all 8 classes. Childcare provided for ages 18 months and up for an additional fee. Join at any time. Mt. Diablo Adult Education, 1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord, 685-7340. DEC. 2 Clayton Valley High School Parent Faculty Club @ CVHS Library 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Clayton Valley High School Parent Faculty Club holds general meetings the 1st Thursday of the month in the school library.

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November 19, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 15

Celebrate Native American heritage and achievement The 19th century had been a hard one for the United States, marked by industrial growth and a heart-wrenching war between the states. There was rapid expansion out west where settlers fought for land against Native Americans desperate to preserve their way of life in battles that had already been waged east of the Ohio River. Perhaps it's fitting that November, capped by its homage to Thanksgiving Day tradition, is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It's the perfect time to reflect on America's complex and, at times, tumultuous, relationship with its indigenous peoples - one that has embedded itself in the nation's culture and conscience.

HISTORY OF A CELEBRATION By the start of the 20th century, many had started to reflect on the importance of American Indians to the nation's history and people began making proposals for a day to honor them. In 1914, Chief Red Fox James, a Blackfoot, rode horseback from state to state in the hope of gaining support for a day of tribute.

The following year, Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca anthropologist and social activist who was director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to designate a day of recognition for Native Americans. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, in 1915, at the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, a plan celebrating American Indian Day was formally approved. The group's president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, issued a proclamation on September 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of May as American Indian Day. New York was the first state to observe American Indian Day in 1916. Over the years, other states followed suit in designating a day to honor Native Americans. In 1976, a Senate resolution authorized the president of the United States to declare the week of October 10 to 16 as Native American Awareness Week. The celebration was expanded to a month in 1990 when President

George Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month.

HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE There are many ways to pay homage to Native American heritage and achievement in your community. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Map it: Many place names throughout the country have their origins in Native American languages. Invite children to locate and tag some of the more familiar ones, like Minnesota, Texas, Chicago and Ohio, as well as other places in your community. Explore Native American languages: This is a great way to learn about similarities and differences between regional groups, as well as the influence Native American words have had on the English language. For example, did you know that the word "canoe" comes from the language of the Arankawa, a Caribbean people? Or that "skunk" is thought to come from the Abnaki people? Investigate local history: Look to

your community's historical society or library for help. You may find that significant moments in Native American history happened right in your own backyard. Host a food festival: Your local library, community center, college or university may be able to help host the event. Set up tables featuring information about each culture as well as unique or popular dishes. This is also something you can do on a smaller scale at home with your family or neighbors. Explore the work of Native American achievers: Take time out to discover and share with your community the innumerable contributions of Sacagawea along Lewis and Clark's voyage of discovery; the heroism of Navajo code talkers who risked their lives during World War II; the films of actors like Irene Bedard, Graham Greene and Russell Means; and the research of scientists like Fred Begay, Wilfred F. Denetclaw Jr. and Jerrel Yakel. Throughout the nation's history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have been the bearers of values and ideas that

Church News

CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton, CA 94517; telephone: 925-672-4848/fax, 925-6724849; cvpres@sbcglobal.net. Services are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH New worship time is 9 a.m. Worship will be followed by a fellowship time with classes for all ages beginning at 10:45 a.m. 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord, 798-5905. There is a new group beginning this Sunday, Oct. 10 at 10:45 a.m. Are you curious about Jesus? A great teacher, mystic, healer? Come hear the eyewitness accounts and ask your tough questions in an open atmosphere. “Meeting Jesus” at Crossroads Church – a ten week group experience. ETERNAL LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH A Thanksgiving Eve worship service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., to thank God for his gift of eternal life in Christ.Eternal Life Lutheran Church meets at the County Farm Bureau, 5554 Clayton Rd., Concord. The congregation is a member of the WELS. It is served by Pastor Will Kant. The regular weekly schedule of worship and study is: Sundays: Sunday school and Bible class, 9:45 a.m., Worship 11 a.m.; Wednesdays: home group study @ 7 p.m. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH Congregational Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 21 at 12 p.m. Thanksgiving day service, Nov. 25 9 a.m., worship with communion. First Sunday in advent service is Nov. 28 9 a.m. worship. Mid-week advent service is Dec. 1, 8, 15 at 7 p.m. For all mid-week services a soup supper will be provided at 5:45 p.m. Regular worship service 9 a.m. worship with Communion 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday, worship noncommunion 2nd and 4th Sunday. Sunday school and Bible studies 10:30 a.m., Confirmation classes 11:30 a.m. Weekly Bible Study topics: Sunday 10:15 a.m. Bible study on Matthew in conference room, 10:15 a.m. Bible study on 1 Corinthians in library. Monday: 12:30 p.m., Women of prayer in conference room. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. LifeLight on Genesis in conference room. Thursday: 7 p.m. Home Bible study at the Mortenson’s. Choir rehearsal Tuesday 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Youth group meets 2nd and 4th Sun., 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

that diversity can be a source of strength rather than division - values that are increasingly important in today's world. Source: Metro Editorial

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The Pioneer wants to know what is happening in your parish, congregation, temple, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. Tell us about your ministries, upcoming activities or notable members. Send your news items to Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton 94517 or e-mail religion@claytonpioneer.com. CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH We are putting on a production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in the multi-use room at Diablo View Middle School. Donations welcome. Join us for worship Sundays 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Diablo View Middle School. Children’s programs at both gatherings, Jr. & Sr. High meet at 10:45. Call 673-9060 for more information. We are having two Christmas Eve candlelight services on Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Diablo View Middle School. W.O.W. (Women of the Word) Bible Study group for women meets every Wed., 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main Street, Clayton. We will be studying the book of Ephesians Sept. 22 – Dec. 8. Childcare is available.

have become ingrained in the American spirit: the importance of the natural environment; working together with people from different cultures, religions and traditions; and the awareness

Have any leftover yarn and don’t know what to do with it? Women of Holy Cross collect yarn for making infant layettes for newborns. Please call 686-2000.

SAINT JOHN’S PARISH In keeping with the holiday spirit, St. John’s is once again participating in the Holiday Adopt-a-Family project. Working with the Monument Crisis Center in Concord, St. John’s will be helping to brighten several families holiday season. Community members are welcome to participate in this program. Contact the church and you will be matched with a family. Names, age, gender, sizes and gift ideas for your adopted family will be provided. Then go shopping to brighten the holidays for brothers and sisters in our human family. Drop off times and deadlines will be provided. Monetary donations are also accepted. For more information contact the church at 5555 Clayton Road, Clayton or call 672-8855. Information is also available at www.saintjohnsparish.org. Thanksgiving Day Service, “We gather together,” will be held at 9 a.m. Traditional hymns, stories and reflections of gratitude will be offered in this one-hour gathering. Everyone is most welcome to join us. The Advent season of preparation for Christmas begins Nov. 28 with special activities included in regular worship services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. St. Nicholas revisits Saint John’s Dec. 4-5. Children in the community can visit old St. Nick and get their picture taken Dec. 4. Contact the church for information. St. Nicholas also drops in at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. worship services Dec. 5 to re-tell his great story. Everyone is welcome.

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ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH CYO track signups will be held Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the large hall at St. Bonaventure. Team is open to boys and girls grades 2-8. Children compete by grade level and gender. There are no tryouts required. Season runs from the beginning of February until May 7. Practices are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Clayton Valley High School track. Call Joe Sullivan 9690207 for information.

C o m m u n i ty C o n n e c t i o n s

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Treat your best friend wisely this Thanksgiving BRENDA BARNETTE PICASSO

PAWS

AND

CLAWS

Thanksgiving is often the time of year when family and friends get together to enjoy each other’s company and a jillion delicious food options. We have a tendency to include our four-legged family members, which often results in overindulgence. Even when we don’t plan to include them, dogs and cats are often pretty creative as they manage to capture special treats from the kitchen counter, trash or dinning room table! Thanksgiving weekend is a busy time for emergency veterinary clinics. Dogs and cats can suffer serious, and some-

times fatal, consequences from turkey bones, too much rich and fatty foods or just overeating. Turkey bones can cause blockages or internal punctures. The symptoms may not appear for days. Large amounts of rich and fatty foods can lead to serious and painful pancreatitis. Overeating can cause gastritis or a very inflamed digestive tract. If your companion animal is not acting like herself, consult your veterinarian. Your best friend could be seriously ill. When giving pets treats, you must consider the relative size of their body compared to your own. This concept can be difficult to comprehend. If you weigh 150 pounds and your dog weighs 25 pounds, she is only 1/6 of your weight. It may

help if you visualize a whole pie that is often cut into six slices. Think of yourself as the whole pie and your dog as only one slice of pie. Therefore, sharing an unfinished plate that still holds a generous serving of mashed potatoes with gravy, a side of very rich dressing, a few bites of turkey and a small slice of pumpkin pie with your best friend can make her feel miserable or perhaps result is a trip to the emergency veterinary clinic. Of course you do want your pets to enjoy the holiday. Stop by a pet food store and purchase some new dog biscuits or cat treats. Be sure to reduce the amount of his regular meal to make room for the treats he will be getting throughout the day. Pet biscuits and treats are

November 19, 2004

usually much higher in calories than regular pet food, so having him skip dinner may be a wise decision if he has been snacking all day. Some people enjoy cooking for their dog and cat while they are cooking for the rest of the family. You can pick up a recipe book just for companion animals at the bookstore, or just type “homemade pet treat recipes” into your favorite Web search engine for a lot of interesting choices. If you are planning a quiet holiday at home without a lot of company and confusion and you don’t already have a dog or cat to share your life, this could be the perfect time to visit ARF. Perhaps you will fall in love with your new best friend. You can get him settled in while you have a couple of days off work. After all, in the words of Nobel Prize winning author, Anatole France, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

Brenda Barnette is the CEO of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. and can be reached at bbarnette@arf.net.

Clovis is ARF’s Adoption Star

“Clovis”, a four-month-old heeler mix, is friendly and active. She likes to play, and she is ready to start training classes. She is recommended for families with children six years old and above Bring everyone who will live with Clovis to meet her at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek during

adoption hours: 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Check out the new fall schedule of classes for kids. Starting with pre-k through high school, with special classes for the entire family! Class size limited. Visit ARF’s Web site to learn more and sign up today. (925) 256-1ARF, www.arf.net.

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November 19, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 17

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What's more inviting about the holidays than Christmas cookies? They bind together families, friends and neighbors and create warm memories that linger through the year. The Clayton Pioneer is sponsoring a special holiday event--our first ever Christmas Cookie Competition on Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Endeavor Hall in downtown Clayton. The public is invited to view the judging and enjoy the post-competition cookie sampling. Three winners each will come from the Master Baker (age 12 and up) and Junior Baker (ages 5-11) categories and winning recipes will be appear in the December 17 issue of the Clayton Pioneer. Our panel of judges will rank entries on taste and appearance. The competition is open to residents of our circulation area; only one cookie recipe per contestant. Bring at least a dozen cookies to the competition. Get your entry form in now. Competition limited to the first 40 contestants to enter.

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Clayton Valley Shopping Center 5400-T Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord 672-3 3666 Phone: 925-6

Deadline to enter is November 26.

Something Special

Present this coupon for a 15%

Discount on your purchase.

One Coupon per customer, per visit.

Mail your entry to: the Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517; or drop off at our office at 6200 F Center Street. Slip it through the mail slot of the office is closed.

expires: Dec. 24, 2004

Your Clayton toy store in the Clayton Station Shopping Center

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Page 18

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Back to work after baby... it’s a real trip

Here come Mel and Ernie The Pioneer is proud to be the first to publish “Farm 51,” a fresh and original cartoon strip by Seth Ahonen. The idea for a comic strip came to Seth while he was attending St. Mary’s College. Seth says this about Farm 51: “For as long as I can remember I have had an intense interest in UFOs, Bigfoot, and anything of a paranormal nature. The idea for this comic strip comes straight from my sincere belief that somewhere in the universe there is a race of aliens living lives just as normal as we are; the same problems between neighbors, the same hopes, the

DOWN ON and Ernie

THE FARM

with Mel

same dreams and aspirations.” The two main characters, Mel and Ernie, live on Farm

Farm 51

51, somewhere in the universe and live remarkably ordinary, American Gothic kind of lives. (UFO Junkies will immediately pick up on the reference to the infamous government test site, Area 51.) We hope you enjoy this fresh, original, strip, and that you will fall in love with Mel, Ernie and all their friends just as we have. Seth is an artist/illustrator and is a St. Mary’s College graduate with a degree in art. He recently taught art classes for the Clayton YMCA. He lives on the Concord/Clayton border with his wife, Kirsten Helena.

Seth Ahonen

You P ic You S k UP ave $ $$

Happy Holidays from

November 19, 2004

DEANNA HLEBECHUK

LAUGH LINES

Hesitantly, I went back to work when my son was seven months old. I wasn’t sure I could juggle day-care, a commute to San Francisco and the responsibilities of returning to a demanding job. Thanks to some creative scheduling and a bit of good luck, things worked out. Although I firmly declared to my boss, my husband and my friends that I could do it (No problem!), secretly I still had misgivings. Finally after months of maternity clothes, followed by months of flannel pajamas, jeans and sneakers, I pulled out my old work clothes from the back of the closet. Silk shirt, wool skirt (safety pinned at the back to provide a little extra tummy room), stockings, heels and lipstick, all the items I hadn’t touched since being enveloped in motherhood. I was back in the work force.

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Within a few weeks I needed to travel to Los Angeles. The night before, the baby was fussy and I was nervous. Consequently I was exceptionally tired in the morning as I scrambled to make my 6: a.m. flight. By the time I arrived at the airport I was running late and feeling frazzled and full of self-doubt. (“Who am I kidding? I’m going to be late and the whole day will be goofed up.”) In the midst of listening to the negative voice in my head and making a dash to the gate I realized I had too many carry-on items. Looking more like a Sherpa than a businessperson, I toted a laptop, a briefcase and my breast pump, none of which I could risk going through baggage check. With airport security just a few steps ahead, I knew my three items would likely put me in the slow lane. Sure enough I was beckoned to “step aside” so my belongings could be screened in detail. A very young man examined my shoes, perused my purse, turned on my laptop. All was going fairly well - -maybe I would catch my plane after all, I thought optimistically. Then, he came to my pump and all progress came to a halt. He scratched his head. He dusted it for explosives, took out the yards of tubing, was baffled by the double suction cups, and examined the icepacks. He plugged it in and held it up to his ear like a

seashell and listened to the s ch l o o p - s ch l o o p - s ch l o o p drone it made. The clock ticked away. Now I was certain I was going to miss my flight. “What in the heck is this thing?” he asked silently. “What-am-I-doing-so-faraway-from-my-baby-I’mgonna-freak-out-if-I-miss-myplane!” I responded in my thoughts. He placed a call to his supervisor and we waited. Soon a stern looking woman appeared. They conferred and looked carefully at the contents of my bags, item by item. They whispered to each other, looked at me, and got to the pump. The clock ticked away. The supervisor nodded at me, smiled broadly, and waved me through. Whew! As she turned to go I noticed she also had the back of her skirt pinned for some extra tummy room, and I wondered how old her baby was. As I was collecting my things, the young man mumbled, “Umm... if you don’t mind my asking, wha-what is this, Ma’am?” Ma’am? Who’s he calling Ma’am? I proudly yelled over my shoulder on the way to the gate “It’s my breast pump!” Deanna Hlebechuk holds a BA in English from Arizona State University. She is married and the working mother of a 4-year-old. Contact her at deedee@sbcglobal.net

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November 19, 2004

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Page 19

Time to plant for winter color Poppies, snaps and violas are the annuals of the moment. As the weather cools down, it’s time to say goodbye to our summer’s lobelia and zinnia and hello to some winter favorites. Unique selection is still the motivation for most gardeners. They have seen the same choices at shopping cart nurseries for years, and they desire some punchy color that their neighbors definitely do not grow. Clayton gardeners have to be aggressive about soil when installing annuals and other heavy bloomers. Rich soil and plant selections are the key to getting lots of blooms. High in nitrogen and organic ingredients, Paydirt with n’rich is a soil designed by nursery professionals to stimulate root and encourage top growth. “Rich” is the key phrase that stands for all the good stuff. The worm castings, bat guano, chicken manure and other fungi and

bacteria are essential to the makeup of living soil.

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

Regular fertilizer is also important when you demand a lot from your annuals. Watersoluble Bud and Bloom should be applied every two weeks for best results. When the weather is cool, liquid fertilizer is easier for annuals to digest and makes for faster results. Another hint to make the

most out of your cool weather annuals is to remove faded blooms. Cutting back spent flowers rejuvenates plants, freeing up stored energy to promote new growth and blooms. Flower power is wasted on trying to die back faded blooms. Snapdragons are among my favorite annuals to install in fall. Antirhinum has a cottage garden appeal to be enjoyed by those who love the romantic side of the garden. Double Azalea Pink is a selection of snapdragon that reaches 3 feet tall, with many side branches of color. This variety is definitely old fashioned. Plant in full sun, near the back of your garden so not to block lower growing flowers. This selection is also very fragrant, adding to its appeal. Antirhinum magus ‘Black Prince’ is a find, even though it was introduced more than 100 years ago. Reaching 20 inches tall, this velvety deep crimson

flower has equally interesting bronzy, purple foliage. Plant in full sun and enjoy as a cut flower. Brighton Rock is a family of interestingly stripped snapdragons. These selections are found are in pastel mixes: Pale yellow with violet, white with pink, white with yellow and bright yellow with copper are among the combinations. The great features of these hybrids are that they are completely rustfree. Those of you who have grown snaps before may have noticed that spring rain and warm weather tend to bring about rust. Though treatment is easy with garden fungicide, it is unsightly and best avoided. Papaver is the botanical name for the plants we know as poppies. These graceful, beautiful flowers are easy to grow, often reseeding to be enjoyed for many years. Store-bought varieties are the norm, but many show-stopping varieties are offered, and they are very easy to grow. The tulip poppy has an unusual shape. This annual reaches 3 feet tall and wide. Huge, single red flowers are 3 inches wide, and the buds are just as interesting with their raindrop-shape sprinkled all around the bush. This poppy needs full sun and average water, with regular deadheading to really thrive. Mother of Pearl is a truly fascinating family of poppies. An abundance of flowers that have strange and unusual shades of gray, blue gray, lavender, BI-colors and speckled whites, this family is very easy to grow, reaching 14 inches tall and wide. Papaver Laced Danebrog Poppy is an antique selection.

VIOLA

Plant now for your early spring garden. A white Maltese cross centers true red, 5-inch, lacy flowers. This variety is excellent cut. Burn the stems at the bottom for lasting enjoyment. The Laced Danebrog reseeds for years of enjoyment. Violas are a favorite for many gardeners. They love the happy faces of this annual. Etain is easily one of the most beautiful violas. Large, light yellow blooms are perfectly edged

BRIGHTON ROCK

in lavender. This viola is a prolific bloomer that needs to be occasionally cut back for rejuvenation. Reaching 10 inches tall and wide, violas love rich soil, and here in Clayton we plant them in partial sun.

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Whiskers Red-Gold is a powerful selection of viola. This variety is one of the newest and cutest violas to be found. Ruby red and golden yellow 3-inch blooms have strong, black veining resembling cat whiskers. This viola is a great accent. Viola nigra Bowles Black is a cottage garden classic, with shinny black, dainty flowers with yellow eyes reaching 8 inches tall and wide. This selection is fragrant, adding to its interest. Cut back to renew and enjoy for many months. This variety will reseed to be enjoyed for many seasons. Snapdragons, poppies and violas are more successful when planted in groups. When plants are annuals, we need to install many close together to really get some drama out of our choices. A row of snaps is never as dramatic as a group. Keep that in mind during installation. Venture out this season with your annuals. Your never know what kind of treasure you will discover.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Garden. Contact her with questions, comments or suggestions at GardenGirl94517@aol.com

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3 Bedrooms, 2 updated Baths, approx 1,075 sq.ft. Great Location in Clayton! Gorgeous Detached Town-Home with attached garage! Large front and back patio with trees! Hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen with white cabinets and granite tile counters & spacious family room for all your entertaining!

4 Bedrooms, 2 Updated Baths, approx 1,680 sq.ft. Huge .31 Lot with RV parking! Spacious family room w/brick wood burning fireplace & French doors off Dining room, new carpet, fresh paint in/out & tile entry. Some hardwood floors, spacious master suite, new heat/air & new roof/gutters.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

I yam what I yam...not We revisit sweet potatoes in this column to discuss their nutritional properties and versatility. While most of us think of sweet potatoes (remember, they’re not yams!) as the gooey Thanksgiving casserole swathed in sugar and butter, nutritionists are discovering they do far more than satisfy a sweet tooth. Well-known Dr. Andrew Weil extols the virtues of sweet potatoes because of their high fiber, low calorie content. And while you might think that a starchy vegetable like a sweet potato should be avoided by diabetics and others seeking to control their carbohydrate intake, he says you could be wrong. Sandra Woodruff, author of The Good Carb Cookbook reports that a halfcup of cooked sweet potato has 24 grams of carbohydrate (and six grams of fiber) but it rates only 51 on the glycemic index scale (compared to 85 for a baked medium white potato). Some recent animal studies suggest that sweet potatoes might lower insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugar.

Dr. Janice Bohac, a research geneticist for the USDA Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC, says that sweet potatoes are a more complete food than rice, with high-quality protein, carotenoids and fiber. One cup of cooked sweet potato has more than 1,000 times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A and more than half the RDA of Vitamin C. All of this good news comes with a downside. Sweet potatoes contain small amounts of oxylates, chemicals which can cause kidney stones or even interfere with calcium absorption (spinach has oxylates, too). Also, while the skin is entirely edible, some food producers tint the skin or coat it with wax, so consumers may wish to peel sweet potatoes purchased from nonorganic purveyors. Try not to refrigerate uncooked sweet potatoes, since the cold will change their flavor. Simply store them on a cool shelf away from light. If you’re from the northern parts of the U.S., chances are you’re partial to lighter fleshed, mealy sweet potatoes, which

actually have higher sugar content that the deeper yellow and orange varieties preferred by Southerners. Although popular in Hawaii for some time, mainland stores are beginning to stock Okinawan sweet potatoes. Their lavender flesh turns bright purple during cooking and makes for a uniquely tasty side dish for roasts and meaty fish. Whatever the color, sweet potatoes can be used in just about any recipe calling for Irish (white) potatoes. Most are served baked, boiled, steamed, or sautéed, but they can also be shredded raw and included in salads. Here are two savory dishes you might like to try to break away from the brown sugar and marshmallow standbys. SCALLOPED SWEET POTATOES 4 medium sweet potatoes 1 large or 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 Tbsp brown sugar 2 Tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp salt 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp flour Pinch of cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg

LINDA WYNER

FOOD

FOR

THOUGHT

¼ tsp fresh ginger, grated ½ tsp salt 1½ cup low-fat milk Simmer whole sweet potatoes until tender all the way through but not mushy (about 20 minutes). Cool. Heat olive oil in large skillet and add onions. When onions are translucent but not quite tender, add brown sugar and ¼ tsp. salt. Continue to cook over low heat for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently, until caramel colored. Prepare sauce by melting butter and adding spices and salt. Remove from heat and stir in flour. Return to heat and stir the roux for 3 minutes. Remove again from heat and slowly stir in milk. Return to medium heat and continue to stir until the

November 19, 2004 sauce is thickened somewhat. Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and slice the cooked sweet potatoes into rounds about a quarter inch thick. Place one-third of the sweet potatoes in bottom of greased 9x9 baking dish, top with one-half of the onions, followed by another layer of sweet potatoes, then the remaining onions, and finishing with another potato layer. Pour sauce over the potatoes and bake 30-40 minutes, until the top is bubbly and browning. SWEET POTATO TORTA 4 medium sweet potatoes 2-3 Tbsp. olive or canola oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. green onions, minced 2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped 1 Tbsp. flat leaf parsley, chopped 6 eggs Boil the sweet potatoes until

tender but not soft, cool, peel and cut into thin rounds. Warm the oil in large oven-proof frying pan and sauté onion, jalapeños and garlic until soft. Add sweet potatoes and carefully sauté until lightly browned. Beat eggs with cilantro, green onions and parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the vegetables, lifting potatoes carefully to allow egg mixture to penetrate. Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until set and golden brown on the bottom. Pre-heat broiler and toast the top of the torta until bubbly and browned. Invert on plate and cut into wedges. Garnish with salsa and yogurt or sour cream, and serve warm or cool with your choice of breakfast meat. Linda Wyner is an attorney in Walnut Creek by day, and an accomplished chef and “foodie” by choice. Direct your suggestions or questions to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com

Tips for a no-panic Thanksgiving feast If you are hosting this year's Thanksgiving feast, it's likely that you are serving dinner to an army. The thought of entertaining for more than just your immediate family may make make you feel pressured. But, with a little planning, your feathers won't get ruffled. CHECK YOUR SUPPLIES: You want to make sure that you are armed with the right tools. Inspect your cooking equipment. You should have enough flatware, china, glasses, serving dishes, serving spoons, oven mitts and knives for slicing, chopping and carving. You'll

want to heat more than one item at a time, so you should have adequate oven racks, too. Purchase anything you are missing in advance so you aren't scrambling on the big day. Party-rental stores have items that caterers use like chafing dishes and big bowls. You can also rent chairs, tables, tablecloths and dishes for the evening from them. ASSESS YOUR SPACE: Your menu should be compatible with the space that you have. Look at your fridge, freezer and counter space. If you want to display dinner items or serve an

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help set the table, chill wines, wash dishes and set and clean the table. Or get help from the store -- that is, buy prepared foods so you don't have to make everything from scratch. If you want the homemade touch without the hassle, ask a guest to make one of the recipes or to bring a dish. DO KITCHEN PREP WORK: Many foods can be frozen if prepared in advance. At the very least, prep work like chopping, cutting and slicing can be done in advance. Make a calendar of what will be made when. That way everything will get done in a timely manner, and you won't stress on the big day. Happy feasting! Source: Metro Editorial

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array of desserts, make sure you have the space to spread them out and transfer onto plates. MAKE A MENU: Decide what you are cooking, and make a list of ingredients. Do you have enough sugar, spices, flour and other staples on hand? Buy your ingredients in advance so you aren't short on breadcrumbs as you are making the stuffing. CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE: You want to have room for all the raw and cooked ingredients. Consider buying a small fridge or cooler to stash excess food. Or, you can borrow the fridge space of a neighbor who isn't playing holiday hostess. GET HELP: Consider getting help. Hire a housekeeper to

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Page 22

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

November 19, 2004

Clayton Border - Dana Farms - This 3 bedroom, 2 bath single story home with a large private backyard with patio, mature trees and sitting area. Inside you will find an expansive updated kitchen, hardwood floors, beautiful updated bathroom and family room with wood burning fireplace. $629,980

Montecito - This almost new 4 bedroom, 2 ½ bath Turismo model is located on a large corner lot with fully landscaped yards. You will find the master suite on the main floor, formal dining room and living room with lovely arched doorway, family room with wood burning fireplace and a gourmet kitchen with oak cabinets.

$839,980

Meadow Creek - Charming single story home shows pride of ownership in new neighborhood. 3 bedrooms, two full baths with den/office. Quality features include tile flooring, designer window treatments, family room with fireplace and much more. Close to shopping, schools and parks.

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Diablo Downs Single story with horse set up. Lots of updates. Call for details

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6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517 georgevujnovich.com

EAGLE PEAK AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

DIABLO RIDGE AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

G DIN N E P

Just Listed! Stunning Former Model Home! on a spectacular premium ridgeline lot overlooking/backing 3rd hole of golf course with magnificent course-rolling hill/ridgeline-city/valley to Delta views! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, approx. 3,000sf., 3 car garage & inside laundry with utility sink. Grand formal dining room with soaring ceiling. Great family room with upgraded brick fireplace & wet bar. Gourmet kitchen features tile counters, island & breakfast bar, upgraded tile floors, large eating area, abundant cabinets + pantry. Enormous master suite offers a romantic two-way fireplace & boasts breath-taking panoramic views. Private level lot on a quiet court features, two patio's professional landscape, a variety of low maintenance ornamentals, lots of trees & a large lush lawn area. $1,125,000

WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

G DIN N E P

Just Listed! Beautiful "Crandall" model! on a quiet court with sweeping views of hills, golf course & valley to Delta! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,877sf, inside laundry room & 2 car garage with extensive built-in storage. New neutral carpet & bamboo wood floors, recent interior/exterior paint & upgraded light fixtures. Living room with vaulted ceiling & marble fireplace. Formal dining. Eat-in kitchen features tile floors, counters & breakfast bar. Spacious master suite offers panoramic views! Level lot features large trellis covered patio, lawn with paver mow strip & flower beds, fish pond & assort$639,000 ed fruit trees, grape vines & roses!

WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

ING D N PE

Just Listed! Adorable & Rare One Story "Clayton" model! on a prime golf course view that backs to 5th hole with awesome views of fairway, hills & valley. Situated at the end of a quiet court! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 1,561sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Well maintained with neutral décor. Spacious master suite with views. Eat-in kitchen features tile counter, breakfast bar & upgraded parquet flooring. Low maintenance level lot with trellis covered deck, aggregate walkways & a wide assortment of ornamentals & roses $600,000

Just Listed! Awesome End Unit “Autumn” model! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,554sf, inside laundry & 2 car attached garage. Living & family rooms share two-way fireplace. Formal dining area. Gourmet kitchen. New interior paint & neutral décor. Situated in a quiet private setting backing to greenbelt with great views of valley and Delta! $499,500

Just Listed! Large "Larson" model! on a huge park-like .34 (approx.) acre lot that backs to oak dotted open space! 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, approx. 2,467sf, inside laundry and 2 car garage! Bedroom & full bath on main level! Family room with marble tile fireplace & tile wet bar. Formal living & dining rooms. New paint and neutral décor. Tile gourmet kitchen with bay window eating nook & sunny garden window. Private lot features aggregate patio, built-in benches, lawn area, wide assortment of towering trees and mature landscape! $729,000

REGENCY MEADOWS

FALCON RIDGE AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB

I N GT D N PE R LIS OV E

Just Listed! Magnificent Mediterranean! located on a quiet cul-de-sac with spectacular un-obstructed Mt. Diablo views! Impeccably maintained! 4 bedrooms. 2.5 baths, approx. 2,831sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage with built-in & extensive under home storage. Enormous main level master suite. Main level den/4th bedroom with custom solid oak built-in cabinetry & floor to ceiling bookcase. Gourmet kitchen features pergo floors, pantry, tile counters, island & new appliances. Private lot with cascading waterfall & pond, large paver style patio, custom hardscape & sunken spa in a secluded setting! $750,000

D SOL

Rare One Story “Moonlight” model on a prime view lot overlooking valley to Delta & beyond! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approx. 2,237sf & 3 car garage. Upgraded flooring & neutral décor throughout! Gourmet kitchen with an abundance of cabinets, tile counters & island. Formal living & dining rooms. Great family room with fireplace. Spacious master suite. Level lot with lush lawn area & a variety of flowers & ornamentals is situated on a quiet court backing to open space with spectacular views! Sold over list at: $830,000