PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
925.672.0500
City Council candidates address the critical issues Completing our housing element requirements.
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
On Nov. 2, voters will decide, not only who will sit in the White House for the next four years, but also who will sit on the Clayton City Council for the next four years. While our local issues are insignificant compared to the War in Iraq and the domestic economy, they are important to those of us who live in Clayton, drive its streets and wait for downtown revitalization. There are four candidates running for three seats on the City Council—Manning, Pierce and Walcutt are incumbents and Diaz is not. In an election where campaigning is limited, at best, how do the local voters find out where each candidate stands on the issues and what he or she
JIM DIAZ
GREG MANNING
JULIE PIERCE
BILL WALCUTT
sees for our city’s future? The Clayton Pioneer asked each candidate to submit three questions for all candidates to answer. We compiled these questions, combining duplications and adding a couple of
our own, into a questionnaire and sent it to the candidates. We asked them to limit their response to 1000 words. Here are the questions and their answers. We ask you to read them carefully and cast your
informed vote on November 2.
DIAZ: 1) Maintaining our quality of life; 2) Completing our “historic” downtown; 3) Addressing our traffic management issues; 4) Providing adequate landscape and maintenance services; and 5)
W
hat are the most important issues facing Clayton in the next four years?
MANNING: The largest issue is revenue and the State takeaways. We need to urge the State to give back the money they’ve taken from the cities. Proposition 1A is a move in this direction, but we must continue vigilance. Something the State will be looking at is our redevelopment money. Since the State feels that all monies are theirs and city budgets are just extensions of state expenses that can be cut, we need also to maintain our low expense level and not add additional services. PIERCE: The most important issues facing Clayton in the
See Candidates, page 7
Clayton welcomes new cop TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
Eagles christen new field with a win As nightime settled on the homecoming game pitting the Clayton Valley High School football team against Liberty, it certainly didn’t darken the Eagles spirits. They defeated Liberty 24-15 in the first game played on the new artificial field turf in Gonsalves Stadium. The multi-million dollar facility took only about 15 months to complete thanks to hard work, major sponsors, generous
donations and a great community effort. The new stadium will be dedicated to Steve and Debra Gonsalves on October 29 when the Eagles take on the Antioch Panthers. A special ceremony will be held at halftime with food, raffle and other festivities. See Around Town, page 2, for more Homecoming photos.
GPS survey maps Diablo Creek and details habitat TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
DEE MUNK
AND
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer JOHN MILLAR take GPS readings in Diablo Creek.
Sean Patrick McNamara is new on the job, but already knows he likes it. The newest face on the Clayton Police Force will smile big when you ask him what he likes about Clayton. "It's a beautiful environment…just the right size, not huge, but it's big enough when there's only one cop on duty," he says. The 31-year-old officer graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Psychology. He went to work in database management for Chevron Products. It didn't take long for him to discover that he
Did you know that there are actually fish in Diablo Creek? Tiny little mosquito fish, less than two inches long, and they can eat up to 200 mosquito larvae every day. These dinky little pest controllers share their creek with crawdads and turtles and thousands of cheerful, noisy frogs. All these little critters belong in the creek. It’s their natural habitat. But, there are some things in the creek that don’t belong there—like invasive plants, soap scum and garbage.
The Friends of Diablo Creek want to protect what belongs in the creek and get rid of what doesn’t. Earlier this month volunteers concerned with the preservation of the creek spent a Saturday morning mapping and documenting its condition. Clayton residents, Dee Munk and John Millar, both members of Friends of Diablo Creek, worked with Aspen Madrone of the Contra Costa Citizen Monitoring Program to map a quarter mile section. According to Madrone, the point of the study is to link the creek’s physical characteristics
to an exact location to determine what needs to be done to restore the creek to its natural state. Using a global positioning system and observation to document the flora and habitat in detail along the stretch between the library and the end of the golf course, the team stood in the middle of the creek, took the GPS readings and carefully detailed everything they saw. According to Lisa Anich, founding member of Friends, “We found several invasive plants – Trees of Heaven, English Ivy (migrating from
See Creek, page 20
SEAN PATRICK MCNAMARA
was not cut out for a desk job. "I was a Law Enforcement Explorer in high school, and always liked it," he said. So, he applied to the Hayward PD, was hired and trained at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Academy. As an officer in Hayward, he found the pace just too busy. "It was constant crime," he said, “you'd no sooner finish one case than they'd send you out on another. In Clayton, we actually have time to patrol around and look for bad guys on our own." With a name like McNamara, it's not surprising that there's law enforcement in the DNA. His great, great, great grandfather was a beat cop in Dublin, Ireland, and his brother, Bryan, is a federal officer at the Lawrence Radiation Lab in Livermore. McNamara lives in Tracy with his wife Sarah.The couple is expecting their first child, Caitlin Quinn, in January.
Page 2
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
Around Town CVHS Homecoming 2004 It was three days before the big homecoming game at Clayton Valley High School and you could feel the excitement especially in downtown Clayton where the homecoming parade assembled. Everyone anticipated CVHS's first home game on the new state-of-the-art field turf in Gonsalves Stadium. There were Princes and Princesses representing freshmen, sophomores and juniors. And there were ten senior nominees vying for Homecoming King and Queen. The CVHS marching band, the Hip Hop club, Senior Women, Public Speaking Club and more. paraded down Main Street. Royalty came out in all their glory on Friday night, October
8 to witness CVHS defeat Liberty 24-15. Clayton resident Natalie Pelletier was named Homecoming Queen and Concord resident Bryce Walker was Homecoming King. Renee Walker, Bryce's Mom, accepted the award for Bryce who was playing in a CVHS water polo match that evening. Fans packed the stadium cheering their Eagles on to
THE EAGLES
victory with signs and noisemakers. It was a night to remember and a home game that many will talk about for years to come.
JUNIOR PRINCESS AND PRINCE, ELISE FOX AND GIOVANNI FONTANA
SOPHOMORE PRINCE AND PRINCESS, KEL SIBBITT AND BRIDGET BAILEY
CVHS VARSITY CHEERLEADERS
CVHS HIP HOP CLUB
FRESHMEN PRINCE AND PRINCESS, DANTE FONTANA AND ASHLIE PARKE
CVHS MARCHING BAND
RENEE WALKER, MOTHER OF HOMECOMING KING, BRYCE WALKER AND NATALIE PELLETIER, HOMECOMING QUEEN
Walnut Creek - Exceptional floor plan with 2263 sq feet of living space on a premium lot! This 4 bedroom 2 .5 bath home with a large living room with stone fireplace, hardwood floors, formal dining, family room with fireplace insert and wet bar. Outside enjoy the beautiful pool, sport court and covered decks. Excellent school district and close to shopping and more. $799,980
SENIOR WOMEN , LINDSAY LEININGER AND JULIANN HUTCHINS
Clayton/Concord Border - Located on at the end private lane this charming 3 bedroom plus master retreat with remodeled master bath, family room with entertainment center, formal dining with designer touches through out. Outside you will find beautiful lush landscaped yards spa and gazebo. $639,980
Concord 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 $839,980 with oak cabinets.
Coming soon to Clayton! Tiffin Drive - This park-like setting comes with a pool on a huge lot and an updated 3 bedroom single-story home. $679,980 Concord - This two bedroom 1 ¼ bath condo is in great condition. Completely updated and ready to move in. You will find fresh paint throughout, new light fixtures and window treatments. Located on a quiet street in a private and friendly complex with community pool. $265,000
Windmill Canyon - Located on a large premium lot in Oakhurst with pool. This 4 bedroom, 2 ½ baths, updated throughout with designer touches. Gourmet kitchen with beautiful Cherry Wood cabinets, Viking appliances, Granite countertops, hardwood & tile flooring. A Must See! $769,980
Watch your mailbox for your Entry Form To
win $10,000 dollars...bucks...bills… cash…moola…dinero
Dead line for entries is November 1st
October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Pickin’ a perfect pumpkin
Around Town...
All wrapped up
Back by popular demand! Desert Dave was at the Mt. Diablo Elementary Fall Fest
The search for the perfect pumpkin ended for Katie Hartlove of Clayton Valley Presbyterian Preschool in the pumpkin patch at Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm. Katie and her preschool class spent an hour at the Farm learning about pumpkins, gourds and corn, hearing the Rollin A. Plumpkin story and, of course, finding that perfect jack-o-lantern-worthy pumpkin.
with his menagerie of reptiles. The tortoise was patrolling Room 16 as the iguana watched from his perch on a desk. The box turtles were safely tucked in a box and the bearded dragons appeared from Dave's shirt
pockets. Megan Schussman volunteered to display the second largest of Dave's boas. The snakes ranged in size from the smallest one foot corn snake to a bright yellow ten foot boa constrictor.
Classified FOR SALE REGAZZI SLEIGH CRIB, all cherry wood, excellent condition, denim plaid bedding with all accessories, 673-1255.
FOUND
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F Clayton, CA 94517 Office: 925.672.0500 Fax: 925.672.6580
2 ADULT CATS on Morgan Territory Road. One dark gray long-haired and one black with white mittens. (925) 6722529
HELP WANTED HVAC INSTALLER 3 yrs. minimum experience. Good DMV and EPA certified. Call 925-673-3776 HAIR STYLISTS. New Fantastic Sams Salon. Cuts, color, perms, free education, flex hours, fun atmosphere. Base plus commission. Great Concord location. Call Aaron, 925-899-8687A.
TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER Co-Publishers TAMARA S TEINER Editor J ILL B EDECARRÉ Assistant Editor and Display Advertising
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.
J IM Z EWAN , Sports P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B ETH N EUDELL , Administrative Assistant Member of the California Newspaper Publishers Assoc.
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Page 3
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.
Corrections: In the story on the Town Center Specific Plan in the last issue,
the quote “If we want two stories, let’s put some teeth in it. If we can get the power to control stories, let’s do it,” was incorrectly attributed to Bill Walcutt. Councilman Walcutt is opposed to the two story requirement. Additionally, Pete Laurence wants two story buildings “in most locations” downtown. The story on “Vent Free Appliances” in the last issue was pulled off an editorial service. We were unaware that the appliances referred to in the article are illegal in California. Our thanks go to Gregg Harris, owner of Buck Stove, Spa and Fan Center in Walnut Creek for bringing this to our attention.
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 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 Benton, Mureleen - American Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4523 Blimpie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-9531 Blondie's Comics & Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7783 Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1519 Call, J. Richard - Mortgage Broker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-2300 Clayton Fitness and Tanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2010 Clayton Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4664 Clayton Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6100 Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631 Clayton Valley Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6744 Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989 ComUnity Lending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5363 Concord Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9530 Contra Costa Termite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7665 Country Dog Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6100 Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447 Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . . . . . . . . .524-5100 East County Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-664-4527 Fantastic Sams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-8580 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 Holiday Home Decorating Contest - CBCA . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 HomEquity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1119 IMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-2200 Instant Imprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9815 Laurence, Pete - Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-7920 La Veranda Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011 Linguini's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6868 Law Office of Richard Littorno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463 Lyone Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .827-1520 Mavericks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-5600 Mazzei Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .757-5600 Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739 Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100 Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . . . . .280-8563 Network Service Center (NSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5009 Norman Joyal Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0059 Nu Image Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1777 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242 Pacific Coast Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429-2123 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 St. John's Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8855 Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 Sweet Bakery & Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0936 T&K Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0010 The Dog Smoothies & Sausages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5415 The Dunn-Wright Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8460 The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679 Totah, Sam - Crocker Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-641-2895 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
925-672-9989
Bureau of Electronic Repair (BEAR) Licenses E-77986 & E-81057
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
SF
30 Fleming Court 1021 Feather Circle 3908 Coyote Circle 1240 Buckeye Terrace 260 Stranahan Circle 5830 Del Trigo Lane 1025 Feather Circle 1505 Tara Court 5127 Keller Ridge Drive 22 Long Creek Circle 341 Saclan Terrace
$810,000 $599,000 $499,000 $605,000 $549,000 $565,000 $539,000 $585,000 $720,000 $415,000 $555,000
10/08/04 10/08/04 10/08/04 10/01/04 09/30/04 09/30/04 09/30/04 09/28/04 09/27/04 09/27/04 09/22/04
2,368 1,886 1,595 1,639 1,663 1,659 1,338 1,739 2,313 1,376 1,991
BED/BATH
4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5 3/2 2/2 4/3 4/2.5 3/2.5 3/2.5
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
996 Kenston Drive 26 Nottingham Circle 704 Anizumne Court 9 Clark Creek Circle 3093 Windmill Cyn Drive 7016 Molluk Way 63 Antelope Court 3305 Coyote Circle 550 Mt. Dell 641 Mt. Duncan Drive 586 Mt. Dell Drive
$645,000 $685,000 $529,500 $385,000 $625,000 $590,000 $885,000 $420,000 $450,000 $729,980 $435,000
09/17/04 09/16/04 09/15/04 09/14/04 09/14/04 09/14/04 09/13/04 09/10/04 09/10/04 09/09/04 09/09/04
1,682 2,210 1,749 1,050 1,816 1,816 3,162 1,252 1,423 2,481 1,423
BED/BATH
4/2 4/2.5 3/2.5 2/2 3/2 3/2 5/2.5 2/2.5 3/2. 5/3 3/2
ADDRESS
PRICE
SALE DATE
SF
25 Atchison Stage Road 566 Mt. Dell Drive 1558 O'Hara Court 336 Saclan Terrace 370 Blue Oak Lane 25 Long Creek Circle 1056 Pebble Beach Drive 37 Regency Drive 1163 Moccasin Court 1332 Shell Lane 262 Stranahan Circle
$690,000 $440,000 $565,000 $590,000 $769,000 $439,900 $1,045,000 $649,000 $578,000 $515,900 $560,000
09/08/04 09/07/04 09/03/04 09/03/04 09/02/04 09/02/04 09/01/04 08/31/04 08/31/04 08/26/04 08/26/04
2,275 1,423 1,739 1,929 2,515 1,378 3,620 1,895 1,639 1,745 1,650
All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed
BED/BATH
4/2 3/2 4/3 3/2.5 4/2 3/2.5 5/2.5 4/2 3/2.5 3/3 3/2.5
Page 4
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
The Van Fleet-B Bronson
Personal Service Make s the D ifference
Family
Featured H ome A Classic Victorian, circa 1876. Located in San Jose's coveted Willow Glen neighborhood. Two years in restoration. 4,600 + square feet, 4+ bedrooms, 4+ bathrooms. The kitchen is a gourmet cook's delight with brand new, yet appropriate, appliances, formal entry, music room, formal dining room & living room, laundry rooms, fabulous basement recreation room with large built-in bar and large screen television viewing area, wrap around front porch and second story balcony, crystal chandeliers and other tasteful appointments throughout. Too many features to list. For more information on this special home, please call our office or better yet, come by and see the many other features this once in a life time home has. $1,550,000
Karen Riessen, Josie Van Fleet-Bronson, Miroslav Bronson, Erika Maes, Colby Chambers, JoAnn Danilson, Kim Chambers, Darren Banke, Kathy Frame.
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: Property Management Loans/Refinancing Real Estate Sales - Residential and Investment
Properties A vailable Much Desirable Location in Concord! Walk to all schools in this wonderful home in Concord. Home features are: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, with wood paneled garage conversion. Living room includes a fireplace, dining area, master bedroom and bath, brick hearth with wood stove in converted family room. The back yard has a pool and large shaded patio area. A simply lovely home!
ING COM N SOO
2003/2004 Better Business Honor Roll Ranked #56 worldwide of 90,000 RE/MAX Realtors 2004 Heritage Registry of Who’s Who Member, Concord Chamber of Commerce Member, Oakhurst Country Club
RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 1536 Kirker Pass Road, Suite D Clayton, CA 94517
Back Yard to Die For! This is just a stunning home and property with beautiful front and back yards with pool, fountain and pond. Property backs to open space and is located in a great neighborhood. Home features include: 2,233 square feet of living space, a spacious family room with cathedral ceiling, wonderful kitchen and dining area, brick fireplace, breakfast bar, formal living and dining rooms, vaulted ceiling, master bedroom suite with slider to your private spa. Back yard features include: beautiful walkways, decks, landscaping with automatic sprinklers. Don't miss the refrigerated wine room and vault. Hurry! This one won't last. $524,950
SALE ING PEND
925-672-4333 www.CallTheVanFleetTeam.com
Beautiful One Story Home with Delta Views! Enjoy all that this lovely home in Antioch has to offer including: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,930 square feet of living space, recessed lighting, den, living room, family room with tiled fireplace, dining area, beam ceilings, beautiful spacious tile kitchen and with plenty of cabinets, new floor, island and breakfast nook. The stained glass stays in the master bedroom suite. There's cultured marble and double vanities in both baths and sunken oval tub in the spacious master bathroom. Slider in master bedroom takes you to the private, serene yard with large hot tub, gazebo and Delta views. Nicely landscaped front and back yards. Finished 3 car garage with free standing storage cabinets that stay. $474,000
SALE ING PEND
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Pending Properties 991 Almaden Circle 1621 Bruce Street 1345 Columbia Street 21 Kingswood Drive 4130 Meadow Lake Street
Coming Soon 1061 Westmont Court 991 Almaden Court 375 Grovewood Loop 5324 Olive Drive
1374 Shell Lane 118 & 120 Crivello Avenue 1130 Morello Avenue 4460 Shannondale Drive 2806 Stirrup Drive
Old World Charm! Many features accent this lovely two
story home including: 2 bedrooms, 1 & ½ bath, and 1,187 square feet of living space in a quant neighborhood. Living room with brick fireplace, kitchen with dining area, wood paneled den/bonus room, screened in back porch and large attic. Roomy back yard that backs to open space with fruit trees, and rose garden. Walk on to your balcony from the double doors in the main bedroom overlooking the yard. There is so much potential to this adorable home with its style and character. Offered for only:
2037 Sierra Rd #7 3120 Lone Tree Way 1130 Veterans Court 3984 Cottonwood Drive 75 Hardie Drive
$325,000
Concord sales on the Clayton side of town Address
Price
Sale Date
SF
Bed/Bath
Address
Price
Sale Date
SF
Bed/Bath
5379 Concerto Circle
$435,000
10/6/2004
1441
3&2.5
5463 Preston Court
$549,950
9/13/2004
2049
3&2.5
5330 Lightwood
$545,000
9/15/2004
1928
4&2
5450 Kirkwood Drive
$360,000
10/6/2004
1274
2&2
5530 Pennsylvania Blvd.
$429,950
10/5/2004
1158
3&2
5510 Pennsylvania Blvd.
$575,000
10/1/2004
1582
4&2
1683 Dugan Court
$605,000
9/24/2004
1944
3&2
1175 Krona Lane
$729,700
8/26/2004
2484
4&2.5
957 Shadybrook Drive
$885,000
10/5/2004
2778
5&3
1739 Tennyson Drive
$542,000
9/14/2004
1313
3&2
$1,017,150
9/15/2004
4300
5&4.5
5722 Roanwood Way
$565,000
8/16/2004
1919
4&2
5333 #37 Park Highlands Blvd.
$340,000
10/1/2004
1104
2&1.5
1347 Pennslyvania Blvd
$420,000
8/25/2004
1080
3&1.5
1812 Mahoo Lane
$523,000
9/30/2004
1465
4&2
2287 Flagstone Way
$689,000
8/20/2004
2493
4&2.5
5278 Pebble Glen Drive
$450,000
10/1/2004
1683
3&2.5
5504 Arizona Drive
$450,000
8/13/2004
1128
3&2
5313 Oak Point Court
$979,950
9/12/2004
2418
4&2
5313 Oak Point Court
$979,950
9/12/2004
2418
4&2
1739 Tennyson Drive
$542,000
9/14/2004
1313
3&2
5279 Concord Blvd
$617,000
8/24/2004
1600
3&3
1520 Schenone Court
$265,000
9/22/2004
768
2&1
1283 New Hamphshire
$540,000
9/3/2004
1481
3&2
5418 Paso Del Rio Court
$612,000
10/7/2004
2135
4&2.5
5510 Roundtree Drive
$264,000
9/3/2004
973
2&1.5
5183 Brookside Lane
$665,000
9/16/2004
2445
4&3
5474 Roundtree Place
$236,000
8/20/2004
973
2&1.5
5262 Grasswood Court
$421,000
10/1/2004
974
2&2
5183 Brookside Lane
$665,000
9/16/2004
2445
4&3
5550 Banff Court
$600,000
9/15/2004
0
3&2
5261 Crystyl Ranch Drive
All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Upcoming Events JAZZ FESTIVAL IS BACK Bill Graham Presents and KKSF radio announce the return of the 35th Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival. This year’s event offers free admission to the general public and will take place at Chronicle Pavilion on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. Benoit/Freeman Project,
Regina Belle, Poncho Sanchez Latin Band and Paul Jackson Jr. will perform. In 1969 the City of Concord collaborated with civic leader Carl Jefferson and local businesses to produce the first Concord Summer Festival in Concord Boulevard Park. This event blossomed into the Concord Jazz Festival, an event that attracted thousands of people to Concord and became one of Northern California’s premier summer music events. The Concord Jazz Festival also
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prompted jazz music advocate Jefferson to form a recording company that became known as Concord Jazz. The company’s commercial and artistic success (88 Grammy Award nominations and more than 1,000 albums released), combined with the Jazz Festival, established Concord’s identity with jazz music. The success of the Concord Jazz Festival also generated interest among civic leaders and local businesses to develop a performing arts facility. This interest ultimately culminated in the development of the Concord Pavilion. The original Pavilion opened in 1975 as an 8,500-seat amphitheater that presented concerts, a variety of cultural arts events, community programs and the Concord Jazz Festival. Because of its link to the Jazz Festival, many started calling the Pavilion the “house that jazz built.” Over the past threeand-a-half decades, the Fujitsu
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Crosby, Bill Cosby, Henry Mancini, Arthur Fiedler, Carlos Santana and Chet Atkins. In 2003 the Jazz Festival did not take place for the first time since its inception in 1969. “We are proud to be able to bring this tradition back to the Chronicle Pavilion with the generous support of Fujitsu Corporation, Concord Records and the City of Concord,” says Bill Graham Presents president Lee Smith. Admission to the concert is free. However, parking at the Pavilion will be $10 per car. The Pavilion gates will open at 1 p.m. with the concert starting at 2. For more information call 676-8742.
Candidates Forum
Clayton Business and Community Association will host a Candidates Forum on Thursday, October, 28 at Oakhurst Country Club following the association’s monthly meeting at 7 p.m. The four candidates vying for a spot on the Clayton City Council are the
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Concord Jazz Festival has presented many major names in jazz, including Concord native Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, McCoy Tyner, Diane Schuur, Stanley Clarke, Cal Tjader,
Page 5
The AARP is currently involved with the Diablo Valley College Foster Youth Mentoring Program. This is a new college program that assists youth in the foster system with developing life skills, planning for career and college,
and cultivating an ethic of civic responsibility. By providing community members as foster youth mentors, this state/federal collaboration establishes an outreach, support, and mentoring program for current and recently emancipated foster youth, ages 14-21. The mentoring activities include
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three incumbents, Julie Pierce, Greg Manning, Bill Walcutt, and challenger Jim Diaz. CBCA president Ed Hartley will preside with questions compiled by the CBCA membership. To reserve a seat at the forum call the CBCA at 672-2272
Halloween Events
Get ready to pick out your favorite costume when the annual Halloween Parade marches down Main Street in Clayton on October 31. The parade begins at 4 p.m. That night is the 24th annual Ghost Walk at 8 p.m. that begins and ends at Endeavor Hall. The Ghost Walk is led by our own Clayton historian, Richard Taylor. Don’t forget to bring your flashlight for a tour of 12 stops around town and be prepared for at least three appearances by guest celebrity ghosts. Ghost walkers will each receive a certificate of completion. If you would like more information on the Halloween Parade, call the city at 673-7300 and for the Ghost Walk call 672-6171. assisting foster youth in leading productive lives and in transitioning successfully from foster care to independent living. Upcoming events: Nov. 12, Educated Choices in Health Care for Seniors; Dec. 10, Annual holiday lunch at Serendipity, a vocational school program at Mt. Diablo High School that teaches youth about business and specifically, the restaurant business; Jan.14, Contra Costa Water District speaker will discuss updates on water storage and distribution. AARP, Chapter #524 meets the second Friday of each month at 1:30 p.m. 233 Gregory Lane, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center. The Chapter is established as a non-profit social organization. Members volunteer with organizations all over the area. For more information call Fred Nelson, President at 925-451-1292.
CUB SCOUT PACK 262 Last Saturday, the Pack cleaned up after Fall Fest at Mt. Diablo Elementary School with all of the Cub Scouts participating. The Annual Food Drive for the Food Bank is coming up. Watch the Pioneer for details. Cub Scouts is for boys in first through fifth grades. There are 80 boys in the Pack with 20 new firstgrade Tiger Cubs.
Pack 262 meets at Mt. Diablo Elementary School every third Wednesday. If you have a son interested in joining Cub Scouts, call Derek Pizzagoni at 673-9533. For more information, go to their Web site, www.pizzagoni.com/pack262.
Page 6
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
An outstanding preemptive offer may seal the deal This year has been another record year for home sales. Next year, home sales could drop significantly, according to the National Association of Realtors, but sales should remain high enough throughout
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE
the remainder of this year to make 2004 the best year ever. Going along with this booming housing market is an inventory crunch that has stymied buyers for the past three years. Although the housing supply should improve somewhat in coming months, buyers could still find themselves competing with other buyers. What can be done to beat the competition? One Clayton Valley homebuyer recently used the “Preemptive Offer” approach effectively. A common marketing strategy used by local agents is to expose a listing to the market and then wait a week or two before listening to offers. This creates an opportunity for mul-
tiple offers to develop if the property is priced right and the inventory is low relative to demand. Rather than wait for the designated offer date, the above buyer wrote an offer early and requested that it be presented to the sellers right away. The sellers went ahead and heard the offer ahead of schedule. The listing was sold before anyone else had a chance to compete. Is it unethical for sellers to change their mind about when to hear offers? Absolutely not. Sellers can hear offers whenever they want. However, most sellers who are intent on waiting to hear offers won’t be inclined to change their game plan. For a seller to forego the
date and a long rent-back period for the seller-just what the seller was looking for. You don’t see more buyers circumventing the competition this way because most buyers feel uncomfortable offering over the asking price unless there are competing offers. They prefer to wait and see how many offers materialize before they decide how much to offer, or whether to offer at all.
benefit of market exposure, your offer will have to be outstanding. The offer in the example above was for all cash with
“The winning offer in a multiple offer competition is usually the one for the highest price with the least number of contingencies.”
POSITION YOURSELF-
Lynne French
COMPETITIVELY
To give yourself an advantage if you are in competition, get preapproved for the mortgage you’ll need so that you can shorten or remove the financing contingency. The winning offer in a multiple offer competition is usually the one for the highest price with the least number of contingencies. Try to find out as much as you can about the seller’s needs. For instance, if the sellers are buying another home, they may favor an offer with a quick close. If the sellers can’t get into their new home for a while, a
no financing contingency and the buyers offered to pay considerably over the asking price. The offer had a 21-day closing
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There is no greater feeling than to come home from a long day at work, walk in your front door and discover a sparkling clean, clutter-free home…especially if The Maids is involved. Jim and Kathy Swanson, owners of The Maids on Clayton Road in Concord, are embarking on their 10th year in business. Customers have turned to Jim and Kathy and their service for a variety of reasons, however Jim
likes to describe it this way. “Our customers are hard-working, busy families who are purchasing a little bit of sanity and some free time on the weekends.” It’s rare today to see a business grow from year to year with the owners remaining an integral part of the business’ success. Jim and Kathy talk about their staff and business as family. They proudly recall how four of their employees recently all purchased their first homes. “It’s been very rewarding,” says Jim. The Swanson’s purchased the
The Maids franchise in 1995 and moved into office space on Clayton Road. Jim and Kathy became part of the first fourperson team of cleaners and worked in the field until they were able to hire a fifth employee. That allowed Jim to man the phones in the office. Today, they have 25 employees and six vehicles. You can’t miss The Maids when they drive by. The cars are bright yellow with green writing and catchy signs like “Honk if your floor is dirty.” “If he has a tee-time, call 798-MAID for your clean-time,” is another. The Swansons won a national award for their creative sign campaign. One test of a good business is repeat customers and The Maids has their share. In fact, the Swansons still have some of the
same customers they serviced when the business was just starting a decade ago. The Maids specialize in residential cleaning. They bring all the equipment and user friendly cleaning solutions to your home and leave it in mint condition. The business is licensed and fully insured. “Our customers have a lot of assets in their home and they take a risk when they hire someone who is not insured,” says Jim. The Maids have serviced a variety of families over the years and have helped families with a variety of situations. “We’ve worked for families who are just moving in, families bringing home new babies and families hosting back yard weddings.”
rent-back provision will be attractive to them. A rent-back provision allows the sellers to stay in possession of the property after closing. Another way to sweeten your offer is to allow the sellers a free rent-back for a time. Normally, sellers pay rent equivalent to the buyer’s carrying costs (principal, interest, taxes and insurance, or PITI) prorated on a per day basis. A free rent-back is equivalent to offering a higher price. Or you might offer to buy the property “as is.” Just make sure that the property is well inspected before agreeing to buy it “as is”. If you’re not successful on your first attempt, be sure to find out the details of the offer that was accepted. Was the price higher? Were the terms better? You can use this information to improve your next offer on another house. For any real estate needs or questions contact her at: Phone (925) 672-8787 or E-mail: Lynne@LynneFrench.com
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October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Candidates, from page 1
would support deferring state mandated programs such as the General Plan update and others.
next four years are a) preserving the financial stability of the City of Clayton – continuing to provide necessary services and amenities for our residents while maintaining a balanced budget; b) Finding ways to increase our sales-tax base by adding revenue-generating businesses to our small downtown. c) Traffic is a major concern for all of Contra Costa, both locally and regionally. We need to continue our work with neighboring cities to ensure that traffic impacts are mitigated. Locally, I continue to seek reasonable solutions to neighborhood traffic concerns. d) Clayton needs to remain active in the cooperative regional land use planning process. I am Clayton’s representative on the countywide committee to develop a mutually agreed-upon, mutually binding Urban Limit Line (ULL) by the cities, towns and county which would replace the current ULL which is only binding on the county; and e) It is critical that cities continue to fight to retain local (not state dictated) control over land-use planning. Planning regionally with neighboring jurisdictions is far better than allowing the state to dictate local land use.
will be compatible with Clayton’s small downtown and add services needed and desired by the community.
W
WALCUTT: Building more homes is not the answer because it has very little impact on Clayton’s financial situation. The City only gets 4.35 percent of the property taxes residents pay each year. This is only $305 on a $700,000 home and barely covers the cost of providing service. The other $6,695 goes to the state, county, and school districts. What we need is to increase our retail tax base. We currently have two opportunities to accomplish this—the cityowned one-acre parcel across from the new fire station and the city owned parcel at the corner of Oak and Center Street. Because the City owns the property we have more control over development. I support requiring both of them to be retail. If we do our job right, they will act as a catalyst to jump-start our downtown.
DIAZ: As noted in the answer to Question No. 2 above, provide limited tax relief for a specified period of time to businesses as an incentive to locate in Clayton.
WALCUTT: 1) Protecting Clayton’s small town ambiance and its rural character; 2) ensuring all Clayton children a quality education by avoiding overcrowded schools; 3) reducing the traffic on Marsh Creek Road caused by all the development in East County; 4) increasing traffic enforcement in residential neighborhoods; 5) maintaining a balanced budget without impacting service to the community; 6) identifying a revenue source for maintaining the proposed downtown park; 7) creating a vibrant downtown, while retaining its historic feel.
DIAZ: City Hall staffing levels would be the first choice, after a thorough cost/benefit analysis. Next, a complete review of non-essential services as identified by City Hall professional management.
I
PIERCE: Preserving city jobs and Clayton’s current service levels are the number one priority of this council. Through careful, conservative planning and with severe cutbacks in all nonessential services, we have maintained a balanced, though very tight budget. Further cuts would require cutting into the skeleton that remains of our city services and we might be forced to consider cutting the hours at City Hall or even the library. Passage of Measure 1A is critical to stopping the hemorrhaging.
n light of the “take-aways” by the state government, what plans do you have for increasing revenue to the City? DIAZ: Completing our historic downtown by providing unique tax incentives to encourage businesses to locate in Clayton. For example, providing limited tax relief for a specified period of time, while the city benefits from increased sales tax revenues. MANNING: We need to look at all city-imposed fees and make sure they are current and that the fees charged are realistic and cover the expenses incurred. We also need to look at business licenses and permit fees and ensure they are enforced fairly and equitably. We also need to look towards such things as establishing a city foundation and delve into other areas where services are not being properly compensated for. PIERCE: We are actively working to develop sales-tax generating businesses on the one-acre parcel across from the fire station and on the lot across from Endeavor Hall. We are looking for retail businesses that
I
f revenues continue to decline and cutbacks in services become necessary, what services would you cut?
MANNING: I would not pick any specific services to cut without a complete survey of who is receiving the services and what services are being received. I would look, however, to a reduction in the city’s operating hours. This would tend to reduce services across the board while retaining valued staff.
WALCUTT: Clayton has been hit hard in these difficult economic times primarily because the state has chosen to rob local tax revenue from cities instead of cutting spending. The loss of tax revenue from the economic downturn is something we can and will continue to manage on an ongoing basis. Unlike the State of California, we have cut spending in Clayton by over 20 percent in the past two years in order to maintain a balanced budget. We have deferred maintenance projects, cut programs and cut spending in all departments. I truly believe the worst is over. However, if we have to make additional cuts then I
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hat plans do you have for invigorating the downtown area?
MANNING: We would encourage all current business owners to make their properties as attractive as possible. The current marketing program the city is conducting for its properties at Center and Clayton Roads and Oak and Center Streets may produce vendors who are interested in Clayton in general. These people also should be encouraged to develop their businesses in parts of Clayton other than the current marketed parcels. We should continue our encouragement of vendors who show an interest in Clayton. PIERCE: We are actively working to increase our commercial sales-tax base by adding revenue generating businesses to our small downtown while maintaining its charm and historic character. I will continue to work to create a vibrant downtown of small shops with historic ambience and to provide local services for our residents WALCUTT: As I mentioned above, the downtown needs a jump-start. We need an anchor business that will draw people downtown. It is also important these new businesses generate tax revenue. The city-owned one-acre parcel across from the new fire station and the cityowned vacant lot at the corner of Oak and Center Street are both important links to bringing in new business. The businesses that are approved for these properties must act as a magnet for other new business. We must also complete the proposed downtown park because it is another key factor to bringing people downtown.
W
hile Clayton has one of the lowest crime rates in the Bay Area, citizens have, however, complained that traffic enforcement is inadequate. Given the constraints of the budget, how should the City balance the competing demands for an increase in police staffing, higher salaries and the cost benefits? DIAZ: Fully explore, and then apply for, law enforcement grants aimed at providing additional traffic enforcement personnel and equipment to address this issue. Encourage the expansion of the Police Department Reserve Division to recruit qualified reserve police officer candidates to augment the full-time police department staff. MANNING: The City is in no position to increase any staffing, raise salaries excessively or expand benefits. Traffic enforcement is mainly speeding and the speeders are the citizens themselves. We need to encour-
Page 7
age neighborhoods to monitor the situation, to move our Speed Indicating Trailer to problem streets on a random rotation basis and to encourage people to obey the laws. PIERCE: The increases in medical and retirement benefits have squeezed all employers, public and private alike. Passage of 1A will help stem the flow of Clayton funds to the state, allowing us to plan carefully for the use of our remaining revenue. Clayton receives only 4.35 percent of the total property tax paid by the residents – only $43.50 of every $1000 paid comes back to our hometown. Unless and until we can establish addition sales-tax generating businesses in our downtown, we will be unable to add employees in any department of our city. WALCUTT: I support hiring a twelfth police officer to work traffic when our budget recovers from the state “take-aways.” The city has almost doubled in size over the last ten years and we have only increased the police department by one officer. There are several studies that indicate the police department is understaffed. In the interim, traffic enforcement in residential neighborhoods must be raised to a higher priority by the City Council. This may require some reprioritizing of the workload in our police department. Citizens could also get involved through the new Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP).
T
he Blue Ribbon Landscape Maintenance Committee appointed by the City Council last year reports that the City’s landscaping is in a state of decline and that the Landscape Maintenance Assessment District is seriously under funded. The District comes up for renewal in 2007. Should the District be renewed? If yes, how will you go about convincing the voters to increase the assessment to provide an adequate level of funding? If not renewed, how would landscape maintenance be funded without assessments through a special district? DIAZ: Bringing this matter to the attention of the voters is of utmost importance. They must be made fully aware of the issue. If the voters support continuing the District and an increase in the assessment, they the answer is simple. If not, then accelerating the development of the downtown area, and the revenue benefits that come with increased tax revenues, is a unique way to provide additional funds to maintain the city’s landscaping. MANNING: Yes, the Landscape Maintenance Assessment District should be renewed. It is imperative that it be renewed because the landscaping, especially at the city entrances and medians reflects the city’s pride of place and contributes to the overall appearance and community values. It is also a contributing factor to property values and safety. We should continue to provide information through the
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Clayton Pioneer on the various aspects of landscaping covered by the district, present various levels of service and detail the cost of each and involve all neighborhood organizations in this process. The Committee has provided information to the community at both the 4th of July celebration and the recent Octoberfest. The dedicated members of the Committee continue to give their time and energy to the project and they are greatly appreciated by the city. The Committee members have learned the intricate details of the landscaping district and, for the most part, are convinced that there is a better way to do the job. We need to convince the majority of citizens of the necessity of improving the landscaping. If the landscaping district is not renewed, there is no money in the general fund to provide even bare bones landscaping and the landscaping that currently exists would die out. PIERCE: The District should be renewed. The Task Force (Blue Ribbon Landscape Maintenance Committee) is working to assess what structure will best address the community’s needs, what areas should be included and what the costs will be. Once their work is complete and the public hearings have been held, the resulting measure will go to the public for a vote. Without a landscape maintenance district in place our landscaping will die. There are no other funds available and I will not cut police to pay for landscaping. The Clayton citizens have indicated that a clear, properly balanced and justified landscape maintenance plan is something they will support. That’s what the Task Force has been working to develop. When it’s complete, the voters will decide. WALCUTT: The Landscape District is under funded, in part, because of City Council decisions. The council has voted to add 5 new landscaping areas to the District since 1997 that requires $72,676 a year to maintain with only $5,732 in revenue. This results in a net annual loss of $66,944 to the district. I remain opposed to these decisions. I support using some general fund money and community volunteers to repair some of the severely damaged areas. We must restore voter confidence in the city’s ability to manage the Distinct before we can ask citizens to renew it.
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hat are your plans for the one-acre parcel at Center Street and Clayton Road? For the vacant lot at Oak and Center Streets? DIAZ: In both cases, encouraging the development of compatible elements to the city’s General Plan. MANNING: The City authorized a subcommittee, which consists of two members, to discuss the properties with various interested parties. We have now sent out an RFP and are seeking parties interested in developing either or both sites. Our focus is on businesses that would generate tax revenues. This process has led to a re-
PIERCE: The City Council has issued a Request for Proposals on both of these properties and is receiving some very exciting ideas. Once all proposals have been received we will assess them and initiate the public planning process for the best proposal. These developments should help to kick-start the development of other privately owned parcels in our downtown. WALCUTT: The one-acre parcel (former gas station site) is key to the success of our downtown. We need an anchor business that is both compatible and complementary to our existing business base; a business that generates tax revenue and that will draw people downtown. I am currently serving on the Outreach/Marketing Committee for this parcel. The first thing we did was conduct a community outreach survey to determine what type of businesses Clayton residents would like to see on this corner. We used this information to develop bid packages for potential developers and we now have three strong proposals. My priorities include selecting a business that is a) acceptable to the community, b) generates tax revenue, c) complementary to our existing businesses, and d) is architecturally compatible with historic downtown. My priorities are the same for the vacant lot at Oak and Center Street.
W
hat actions or positions would you take to make Clayton a more family oriented city? DIAZ: My family has enjoyed living and growing-up in Clayton over the past twentyfive years. We need to continue civic events such as the Fourth of July Parade, Halloween activities, and the Christmas Tree lighting project to continue the family oriented atmosphere we enjoy. New residents should be contacted and encouraged to participate in these and new events. Since the size of our community continues to grow, new residents bring new ideas, experiences and energy that will be needed to continue what most of us have taken for granted. MANNING: I have always worked to make Clayton a family-oriented city. My involvement has been with the homeowners’ association, the 4th of July parade and most recently Clayton’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Our 4th of July parade is well known throughout the area and we continue to get more people attending the parade and its kiddy parade than actually live in Clayton. The first Clayton New Years Eve celebration attracted almost one thousand family members. In order to continue
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Candidates, from page 7 these family events, however, we need to encourage and develop additional volunteers. Volunteers are the heart of making Clayton a family-oriented city. Our library is a case in point. We have the greatest number of volunteers in the county library system and approximately one-third of all the library volunteers in the county. The Clayton Library presents family-oriented programs.
March Creek Road to allow for annexation and development?
PIERCE: By its nature Clayton is family oriented community. It is our job to facilitate and enhance those values. As cochair of the Raise-A-Gym committee, I am very pleased to have the Clayton Community Gym open with regularly scheduled activities for all members of the community. On December 31st, the City and the YMCA will host the 2nd annual Clayton Community New Year’s Eve Party – a family oriented, safe and sober party for entire families. The Halloween Ghost Walk and Soap Box Derby and 4th of July are all events produced and loved by members of our community, adding to our special charm.
MANNING: I support the expansion of the Urban Limit Line to the sphere of influence. I do this, not to allow for additional annexation and development, but to exert greater city control of development in that area. I would personally like to see the quarry included within our Urban Limit Line, however, I know this area is not going to be developed for quite a while because of the quarry’s current lease. But I want to go on record declaring that Clayton should be the city controlling all development in its area. My fear is that the state will continue their desire to control all development in all communities to their desires, whatever they may be, without adequate citizen input to the process.
WALCUTT: I believe Clayton is already a very family oriented town. The City currently co-sponsors the 4th of July Parade, Holiday Tree Lighting, Ghost Walk, Clayton Cleans Up, Art and Wine, Oktoberfest, the Rotary Pancake Breakfast and many others offered by local nonprofit groups. We also have a great library and three community parks. In addition, there are many family and youth programs being offered at the new Community Center/Gym. I support completing the new Downtown Park, encouraging more family oriented community events downtown and expanding family, youth and senior programs at the new community center and gym.
DIAZ: This issue is very complex and warrants further study and discussion. Clayton needs to first address current fiscal and development matters, such as completion of the downtown area and the development of the remaining parcels within the present city limits.
PIERCE: I believe strongly that an ULL passed by the voters should bind all 19 cities and the county equally. As chair of Shaping Our Future and a member of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, I have pushed for a process of cooper-
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DIAZ: Local elected officials, particularly City Council members, should be limited in the number of terms they may seek. There is wisdom in limiting various elected officials to specified terms. City Council members, specifically, should be limited to no more than three four-year terms. Residents would benefit from term limits, as well as the governing process, by having new ideas and energy introduced at lowest governmental MANNING: Term limits are the result of those who do not have the support of the community. They should be used on a case-by-case basis since to termout all elected officials at a given date, no matter their community knowledge or experience, gets rid of the good with the bad. As long as the elected officials are implementing the will of the people, they will be re-elected. When they cease to work for the people or not work with other elected officials, we already have methods to remove them from office - these are the recall process and presenting more qualified candidates to replace them.
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.
PIERCE: I am opposed to term limits. WALCUTT: I support term limits for local elected officials. It gives new people an opportunity to serve their community and it eliminates career local politicians.
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WALCUTT: The voters of Contra Costa County established the Urban Limit Line and I strongly believe that the voters should ratify any movement of the Line. In Clayton, the Urban Limit Line is a key factor in our defense against high-density development on our borders. I am generally opposed to pushing the line out just to allow more development, especially in Clayton. We moved to Clayton 22 years ago because we liked the open, rural feeling and I will continue to fight hard to keep it that way. Moving the Line in Clayton will only add more homes, traffic and overcrowd schools.
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ative planning by all agencies to establish a mutually-agreed, mutually-binding ULL which will be placed before the voters in 2006. I have been appointed by my colleagues on the council to represent Clayton at those meetings. The quarry should not be included inside the ULL at this time. When the quarry is no longer in operation (likely more than 30 years from now), its status should be reassessed. Properties that are split by the ULL in the Marsh Creek Road area should be allowed inside the ULL to allow them to annex to the City of Clayton. Future development on these parcels would be strictly guided by the Marsh Creek Specific Plan, which was approved by the City in 1995 after a five-year planning process. It contains much stricter guidelines than what is currently allowed by the county.
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Page 9
Demystifying The Federal Reserve
MURELEEN BENTON FINANCIAL SENSE The Federal Reserve System, commonly know as the “Fed”, is simply an independent central bank established by Congress in 1913 which steers the economy by periodically raising and lowering federal fund rates. STRUCTURE OF THE SYSTEM Perhaps no institution has more power to affect the nation’s economy than the Fed. The Federal Reserve System has a structure designed by Congress to give it a broad perspective on the economy. It is a federal system, composed basically of a central, governmental agency – the Board of Governors – in Washington, DC, and twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks located in major cities throughout the nation. While The Fed is under the leadership of its influential
chairman, Alan Greenspan, decisions are actually made by the 12- member Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) that has eight scheduled meetings per year. The Board of Governors is comprised of seven Fed governors, including Alan Greenspan, who are appointed by the president of the United States of America for 14-year terms. All are permanent members of the FOMC. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Most developed countries have a central bank whose functions are broadly similar to those of the Federal Reserve. The U.S. Federal Reserve states that they have four main objectives. First, they conduct the nation’s monetary policy by influencing the money and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of full employment and stable prices. Secondly, they supervise and regulate banking institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation’s banking and financial system and protect the credit rights of consumers. Third, they maintain the stability of the financial system and contain systemic risk that may arise in financial markets. Finally, The Federal Reserve provides financial
services to the U.S. government, the public, financial institutions and to foreign official institutions including playing a major role in operating the nation’s payments system. SEEKING BALANCE Basically, the central bank generally raises rates to prevent the economy from overheating and to keep inflation in check. In June 2004, the Fed raised
“Perhaps no institution has more power to affect the nation's economy than the Fed. The Federal Reserve System has a structure designed by Congress to give it a broad perspective on the economy.” Mureleen Benton rates for the first time in four years, ending a long cycle of rate cuts. Higher interest rates on credit cards and mortgages can cool consumer spending,
which accounts for about twothirds of economic activity. Higher interest rates tend to attract investment into bond and other fixed-income investments, pushing down stock prices. Furthermore, higher interest rates can also make it more difficult for businesses to get loans to expand. Unemployment tends to rise which eases wage inflation. On the flip side, The Fed generally cuts rates when inflation is subdued and the economy needs a boost. Lower interest rates can create economic activity by inducing consumer spending. For example, lower mortgage rates can spark home sales and mortgage financing. Lower interest rates can also tend to boost stock prices because bond and other fixed income investments are no longer so attractive. Furthermore, lower interest rates cut costs for companies, boosting profit and encouraging expansion. Of course, monetary policy does not always work exactly as described above. For example, the Fed has raised short-term interest rates three times since June 30 for a cumulative increase of 75 basis points or three quarters of a percentage
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accommodative monetary policy stance by the Fed will have on the economy. After all, longer-term interest rates, including mortgage and corporate bond rates, tend to have more influence on the pace of economic activity than shortterm interest rates. Hence, either longer-term interest rates will head higher or the Fed will stop raising short-term interest rates soon. The outcome depends on whether the expansion can be sustained at a solid pace in the wake of higher oil prices. At the moment, bond investors appear to be more concerned about higher oil prices and the pace of the expansion than the Fed. Federal Funds Rate: The lowest of short-term market interest rates, The Fed sets this rate by buying or selling government securities until the target level is achieved.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
Long-term care insurance protects your assets SAM TOTAH Special to the Pioneer
My mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1974. In 1998 she left home to go to a hospital for the very last time. Mom needed round-the-clock care. My mom only had MediCal to rely on for insurance. The first nursing home she went to was the kind of place you would see on an investigative special. She slept a few feet away from four other residents, in a room no bigger than the average twocar garage. I demanded a private room and was told there was a long waiting list. We looked for a more suitable facility but were often told that there weren’t any “Medi-Cal beds� available. We were desperate. Mom even faked being sick once so she could go to a regular hospital for a while to “get away.� Eventually, she was moved to a much better establishment but still didn’t have her own room. She kept getting sick from all of the germs (as do many people who are already sick and sleep in a room with other sick people), so eventually we got her a private room. According to the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners, 44 percent of Americans age 65 and older will enter a nursing home at least once in their lifetime, and more than half will stay for at least one year. The average cost of a private room in a nursing home in the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately $113,000 per year. How are you going to pay for that?
care. This generally means 20 minutes to two hours, and not on a daily basis. The real question is, would you rather rely on government insurance with multiple limitations or invest in your own poli-
WON’T THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR MY LONG-TERM CARE? Medi-Cal usually covers nursing home care and some homebased care for low-income individuals with few assets. To qualify, you must have spent down most of your assets. While the primary residence is protected, Medi-Cal may attempt to recover losses from your estate.
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WHAT ABOUT MEDICARE? Medicare covers the first 20 days after you have been sent to an approved nursing facility. You must cover $109.50 a day for days 21-100. Once you reach day 101, nothing is covered. Medicare does not pay for 24-hour care at home. If a patient is homebound, they may receive part-time or intermittent
cy to assure your quality of life? The answer is long-term care insurance. Long-term care insurance protects you from having to spend down your assets in the event you or a loved one needs care in a nursing home, assisted living facility or at home. Longterm care insurance provides coverage for personal care needs
or other services for individuals who are limited in their activities of daily living or are cognitively impaired. WHEN WOULD I USE MY COVERAGE? Coverage usually begins when the policyholder can no longer perform two or more activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, moving between a chair and a bed and remaining continent. Cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s or similar diseases will typically cause benefits to start being paid right away. WHAT IF I NEVER USE MY LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE? Invest in a return of premium rider. This will return all of your premiums to your heirs if you don’t use them. Some tips to keep in mind when shopping for long-term care insurance: Choose your coverage wisely. The average cost of a private room in a nursing home in the San Francisco Bay area is more than $300 per day. Typically, you
will have choices as to how much total lifetime coverage you want to purchase. Since the need of long-term care is so unpredictable, buy as much as you can afford. Inflation protection: This will step up your total benefit every year. Five percent is the standard. This will help protect you from not having enough coverage later. Be aware of coverage limitations. Look for requirements for prior hospitalization or doctors orders before home or nursing care can begin. It’s better to avoid these policies. Make sure your policy doesn’t require that you make premium payments while you are receiving benefits. This could lead to a lapse in your policy. Home care coverage is very
important. I suggest having equal facility and home benefits. Only buy from a reputable insurance company. Be sure to get multiple quotes from knowledgeable insurance agents. Today, my mom’s quality of life is acceptable. However, I know that if she had had longterm care insurance, a few things in this story would have been different. I know she would have had a private room sooner in a better facility, and she would have been cared for at home much longer. This information is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, financial or other professional advisors before purchasing a long-term care policy. The views expressed here may not be suitable for every person.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 11
Clayton pioneers, Antone Gomez and Mary Joaquin Antone “Tony” Gomez was born to Frank and Jennie Gomez in the Deer Valley area of Marsh Creek in 1886. About a mile away and 11 years later, Mary Joaquin was born to Antone and Mary Joaquin. Tony Gomez was a student at Liberty School when Mary came into the world. Mary moved with her parents to Irish Canyon, near Clayton in about 1904. Mary attended Clayton Grammar School (now Mt. Diablo Elementary) on top of the hill. She walked the two miles to school down Nortonville Road and back each day with her sisters. Mary recalled the time while walking home from school when a man whose face was covered with a handkerchief accosted them. Mary said they knew who it was, but it is not known if the man was ever brought to justice. Tony Gomez left school in 1901 at the age of 15 to go to work. He helped his father on the ranch doing chores such as tending to cattle and mending
fences. Around this time Tony learned to tan leather. He would then cut the leather into thin strips and intricately braid the strips to create hackamores,
JANET EASTON
OLD TIMES
reins and quirts. It was a skill for which he was known his entire life, and eventually he taught it to one of his sons. By 1906, Tony was working at the DeMartini Winery in Clayton. Tony told his children that he remembered what year he worked for the winery because early one morning in April of 1906 he was awakened by what he thought was some-
one shaking him. It turned out to be the great San Francisco earthquake. Tony continued to work in the area as well as in Pittsburg, Concord and the Vasco Grant near Tracy as a “feeder” on the hay press. 1910 found Tony working at the Mt. Diablo Ranch in Clayton. The ranch had 100 horses and mules to work on the vineyards and orchards of Mt. Diablo Ranch and for hire to work on other ranches in the area. Antone Joaquin, Mary’s father, bought a house in downtown Clayton on the northeast corner of Main and Marsh Creek Road. Mary’s father remained in Irish Canyon for a while, though, to finish a cheese he was in the process of making. Antone Joaquin was renowned for his cheese. Entertainment of the day largely consisted of dances that were held in Clayton, Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek. Whole families would attend by horseback, in buggies and on foot and stay late into the night. It is thought that Tony Gomez
became acquainted with Mary Joaquin at one of these events. 1916 was a banner year for Tony Gomez. Tony had been the proprietor of the Eagle Saloon on Main Street and sold it to Bill Bloching. He married Mary Joaquin in a double wedding ceremony with Mary’s sister, Anne Joaquin, and John Brazil at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Concord, with a reception at Rhine Hall in Clayton. He purchased a home on the southwest corner of Oak and High streets. Tony and Mary’s first son was born. With seven children by 1928, the Gomezes outgrew the little house on Oak Street. They purchased a bigger house across the street behind Endeavor Hall. They retained their former residence as a rental house. The Gomez children attended Clayton Grammar School. According to Enroy Gomez, Tony and Mary’s son, strange things happened at the Gomez house between July and September of 1957. It began as
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Clayton Historical Society Wedding photograph of Antone “Tony” Gomez and Mary Joaquin taken in 1916. The Gomez house on Oak Street in Clayton is famous for its paranormal activity in 1957.
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dents for which no human could have been responsible. Tony and Mary Gomez were parents to 11 children, eight of whom lived to adulthood and none of whom were named Tony or Mary. Tony died in 1973 at age 87. Eleven years later, Mary died at the age of 87 in Clayton. Enroy Gomez has provided a history of the Gomez family available at the Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main Street. The museum is open Wednesdays and Sundays 2 to 4 p.m.
were throwing rocks, but they claimed innocence. By September of 1957 most of the windows on the south and east sides of the house were broken by rocks, and in one case, a brick did the damage. Other normally inanimate objects flew around inside the house such as cooking utensils, vegetables, a toy bulldog, an ironing board, salt and pepper shakers and a fountain pen. Loud bangings were heard at night on the outside walls of the house. Enroy says that these events drew national media attention. The Gomez house was invaded by curiosity seekers, psychics and religious people. Duke University sent a parapsychology laboratory field worker to conduct interviews. Enroy
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
Clayton Sports CVHS Girls Water Polo Team Wins Fairfield Tournament JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer
The CVHS Girls Water Polo team has seemingly put it all together! They won all five games at the Fairfield Invitational Tournament held Oct. 1 and 2. In the first game the girls beat St. Mary's by a score of 85; followed by wins against Alhambra 8-1 and Bella Vista (Sacramento) 7-3 to advance to the semifinals. The first three games were characterized by "good defense," said Coach Dennis Bledsoe. In the semifinals the varsity played host team Fairfield. The game was tied 3-3 after the half. The CVHS defense continued to hold Fairfield scoreless and eventually scored in the fourth quarter on goals by Gina DeVecchio and Rochelle Jones, winning 5-3. In the championship game, CVHS played a tough Amador team. Early the game was tied 1-1, with CVHS going ahead in the second quarter by a score of 4-2. Then, with some back and forth scoring, the Eagles
CLAYTON VALLEY VARSITY WATER POLO TEAM. Front row: Rochelle Jones, Natalie Jennings. Middle row: Kara Roberts, Gina DeVecchio, Katie Bekakis, Lindsay Hansen, Nicole Jones. Back row: Jessica Richman, Kristen Nolting, Sara Snapp, Sabrina Inloes, Ashley Hill, Kayla Butler, Lindsay Kiyama, Kristen Langford.
held on to win the game and the tournament 7-5. Again, the ladies played some good defense, particularly when it
was really needed. Some of the defensive standouts included Lindsay Kiyama, Gina DeVecchio,
MDSL Hawks U12 boys class III team wins WESCO Apple Classic in Sebastopol JIM ZEWAN Clayton Pioneer
The Mt. Diablo Soccer League Hawks, an under-12 boys Class III traveling team, won the WESCO Apple Classic Soccer Tournament in Sebastopol on Sept. 25 and 26. The Hawks came in first place out of eight teams. In the championship game, after tying 1-1 during regulation time, the game went down to penalty kicks to determine the winner. The Hawks scored three goals on three attempts, while their opponent, the Roseville Phantoms, scored only 1 goal in four attempts, giving the Hawks the game and the championship. On Oct. 9 team played against the ABSC Panthers at Boatwright Fields in Concord, resulting in a 1-1 draw, with the tying goal scored by Andrew Davis. Maynor Guerra and Anthony Martin shared time as goalkeeper to preserve the tie. On Oct. 10, the Hawks played the Brentwood Fire in Brentwood. During the first half of the contest, both teams played to a 0-0 draw. In the sec-
In two other tournaments earlier in August, the team finished in third and fourth places. They came in second place out of eight teams in the Benicia Old Capital Classic on Aug. 28 and 29, losing in penalties in the championship game after going into overtime with a 4-4 score. The Hawks play in the CYSA Division IV U12 Class III Silver Class Division and have a record of 3-0-3 and currently are in third place in their division.
ond half, the Fire scored the first goal, but the Hawks followed up with a goal scored by Benjamin Snow on a free kick into the top of the net over the head of the Brentwood Fire goalie. Later in the game, with constant pressure from Hawks' forwards Nelson Powell, Tyler Briggs, Stefan Riedel and Guerra, the MDSL team scored the winning goal with five minutes left in the game on a left-footed shot by Guerra past the Brentwood Fire goalie to win 2-1.
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Kristen Langford, Kristen Nolting, Nicole Jones and goalie Katie Bekakis. In particular, Kiyama was stellar on defense, achieving 24 steals during the tournament. On the offensive side, DeVecchio led all scorers with 17 goals during the five games. Kiyama added 13 goals to cap an all-around balanced effort. Coach Bledsoe said he was able to play all of his players in almost all of the games. "The team really played outstanding defense," he said. The team has nine returning varsity players from last year, including eight seniors. It also has eight new varsity players, including freshmen and those who moved up from the JV squad. The team is off to a great
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on Nov. 6, with the venue still to be announced. The CVHS girls are definitely still in the hunt to get an NCS berth, and their fate will depend a lot on how they perform in their upcoming contests. NEW AQUATIC CENTER In a related matter, plans are still intact for building an Aquatic Center at Clayton Valley High, which would provide the water sports teams there with an onsite facility similar to what many of their opponents currently enjoy. Now the CVHS swimming and water polo teams must practice and play offsite and only when the Cowell facility is available. Over recent years a committee including Tad Nelson, Matt Mazzei, John Martin, Dennis Bledsoe, Matt Chamberlain, Cecelia Zefeldt and Maria Bekakis has been working on the project.
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start in BVAL league action, too. The season started against Deer Valley, whom they beat 13-5. Then the girls won against Liberty by a score of 10-1. In the third league contest of the year, CVHS bested Ygnacio Valley by a 12-4 score. On Oct. 11, the water polo team played a big contest against favorite Carondolet. Before the game, Bledsoe said he thought his girls had a chance to be competitive, but only if they played well the entire game. The team got off to a good start in the first quarter where CVHS played good defense to keep the score tied at 1-1, along with a competitive second quarter that ended with the score Carondolet ahead 4-2 at the half. However, the Clayton Valley girls were no match against the more-experienced Carondolet team. The girls worked hard to keep the match close in the third period when they trailed by only 3 goals, but they eventually lost by the final score of 11-5. Kiyama and DeVecchio played well again in defeat. Both scored; DeVecchio had 3 with Kiyama adding a goal. Coach Bledsoe, who started coaching at Clayton Valley in 1970 and who has also coached at Fresno State and Cal, said, "We just have to work on finishing our games off." The CVHS ladies' overall record still stands at a strong 12-5, and in the BVAL they are 3-1 after the Carondolet game. Upcoming games for the Varsity team include an away league game against Antioch at LMC on Oct. 20 and home BVAL matchup against Freedom High School at Cowell Pool on Oct. 27. The NCS water polo playoffs begin
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October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 13
Clayton Sports Gina DeVecchio
PIONEER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT GINA DEVECCHIO
October can be a scary month, with lots of cobwebs, ghosts and goblins. But the Pioneer spotlight this month shines like a full harvest
moon upon the water reflecting on an "Eagle," Gina DeVecchio. Gina, a Clayton resident and senior at Clayton Valley
High School, plays on the CVHS Eagle's girls varsity water polo team. This is Gina's third year on the varsity team. "Gina has a really good work ethic, a great attitude, a lot of determination, along with superb water polo skills," said Coach Dennis Bledsoe. After 17 games this season, Gina has 41 goals, 23 assists, and she has drawn opponent player "kickouts" (i.e. them being temporarily ejected, which is a good thing for your own team) 16 times. She leads her team in all of those categories. She is sec-
ond on the team for steals, with 33 steals this season. "Gina is one of the team leaders," Bledsoe said. "The fact that she leads the team in both goals scored and assists is indicative of her team play." She'll score if she has the chance, but she will gladly pass off to let a teammate score if that is the better option. It's that kind of unselfish play and attitude that characterizes Gina's own values, too. When asked what she liked most about water polo, Gina responded, "I enjoy water polo because it is a
team-oriented sport. No matter what we do, we do it together!" Gina is also a good student. Her GPA is about a 3.9 overall. Last year the girls' entire varsity team boasted a 3.7 GPA, proving that sports and grades can mix. Well done, Gina!
Favorite Sport: What else, water polo! Favorite Athlete: Scottie Pippen Favorite Band: Sublime and Snoop Dogg Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Pastime: Flying kites*
* Gina shared with us that she got started flying kites when her friend and teammate Lindsay Kiyama gave her a kite as a gift. Now Gina has two kites, and she enjoys "watching them soar" at either Newhall Park or Clayton Community Park! 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 6726580. Deadline for our Nov. 19 issue is Monday, Nov. 8.
Sports Shorts CLAYTON/CONCORD BRANCH OF YMCA Have fun, improve fitness and compete in a safe and positive environment. Beginning on Nov. 7, the Clayton/Concord Branch of the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA will host a number of adult and youth sport programs at the Clayton Community Gym at the Diablo View Middle School. All adult leagues are eight weeks long plus playoffs. Winners of post season tournament receive champion Tshirts. All youth leagues are eight weeks long and all participants receive a T-shirt and
*restr ictions apply.
Evening Circuit Training
L WEEK TRIA IP MEMBERSH
to officially dedicate the CVHS stadium to Steve and Debra Gonsalves. There will be food, raffle, prizes and other festivities.
CVHS GONSALVES STADIUM Grand Opening & Field Dedication of newly named "Gonsalves Stadium" at CVHS football game October 29. The CVHS Eagles will host the Antioch Panthers on Friday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in an important BVAL match. During half time a special dedication ceremony will be held
Got Sports Shorts? Let us know what is happening in local sports. Drop off the details about upcoming events and sporting activities at the Pioneer office or send e-mail to sports@claytonpioneer.com
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medal. Also, there will be sports camps during the winter break. 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-K-8 Soccer League, Apr. 16-June 11; Adults (18 +) Men's 5-on-5 basketball league, Nov. 7-Jan 23; Adults (18 +) Coed Volleyball, Dec. 2-Feb. 3; Grades 1-6 Winter Basketball Camp, Dec 20-23; Grades 1-6 Super Sports Camp, Dec 2731. For more information, call 889-1600.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
Clayton Community Calendar PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M., OCT. 25 FOR THE NOV. 5 ISSUE. FAX TO 672-6580 OR E-MAIL calendar@claytonpioneer.com
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT FALL YMCA Adult and Youth programs @ Clayton Community Gym Adult programs include flag football, ultimate kickball and volleyball. Youth sports programs include flag football, soccer and cheerleading. Sign up at www.mdrymca.org or call 889-1625. Clayton Community Gym 700 Gym Court, Clayton. THRU
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 OCT 5 - NOV. 16 Road Trip! Teens Read 2004 @ Clayton Community Library Read 15 hours to complete the journey. For grades 6-12. Prizes for all finishers- Carl’s Jr. coupon, classic car keychain, paperback book, Exploratorium guest pass, Blackhawk Automobile Museum Pass. All finishers will also be entered into a countywide drawing to win one of 1,600 additional prizes. See librarian for details. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. OCT. 15 - NOV. 7 Romeo and Juliet @ Diablo Valley College The passion and violence of a 16th century blood-feud in the Italian city of Verona ends with the loss of its citizens’ most precious treasures- their children. DVC drama season 2004-2005 opens with its inventive and unorthodox production o f Shakespeare’s classic. Performances Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $1012m, high school students $5. Call DVC ticket office 925-6874445 for information. OCT. 22 Mt. Diablo Nights Skate Night @ Marina Skate Details on this and other activities can be found on the school website. http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary OCT. 22 The Year I Hated Elvis @ Cal State Hayward, Concord Campus 7 p.m.Documentary made by the son of Elvis Presley’s personal secretary, composed of home movies, interviews, movies and newsreels. Concord campus of Cal State Hayward, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road., Concord, 602-6772, www.ccc.csuhayward.edu/events.htm. OCT. 22, 29, NOV. 5, 12 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. OCT. 24 35th Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival @ Chronicle Pavilion 2 p.m. Featuring Benoit/Freeman Project, Regina Belle, Poncho Sanchez Latin Band and Paul Jackson Jr. Free admission, parking is $10/car. Pavilion gates will open at 1 p.m. For more information call 676-8742. OCT. 26 Quilting as Art Form Display and Talk @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 10 a.m. Liz Piatt, quilter and artist, will display and talk about her creations. Coffee and refreshments served. Call Lois, 685-1876, or Jackie, 672-8103 for information. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ygnacio Valley Road & Alberta Way, Concord.
OCT. 26 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, 673-0659. OCT. 26, 27 Free College Cost Reduction Workshop @ Civic Park Community Center 7:00 p.m.For Parents of college bound sophomores or juniors. Learn how to get money for college, regardless of income or grades. Free. Led by Joyce Hoyner Howell. Reserve seat at 933-8100. Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. OCT. 28 Picture Book Time @ Clayton Community Library 11-11:25 a.m. Picture book time for 3 to 5 year olds, through October. Child may attend without parent. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton, 673-0659 EXTENDED FROM OCT. 21 - 30 Seussical @ CTA Crossroads Theatre Seussical creates the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as it has never been seen before. This story, not just for kids. Weds. Oct. 27 8 p.m., Thurs. Oct. 14, 21, 28 Fri. 8 p.m., Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, 8 P.M., Sat. 2 p.m. Oct. 9, 16, 23,30, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 8 P.M. $22-$25 per person, Tickets at CTA Crossroads Theatre , (925) 944-0597 , www.ctacrossroads.org, CTA Crossroads Theatre, 1277 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek. OCT. 28 Ballot Initiative Presentation by League of Women Voters @ St. Bonaventure Church 7:30 p.m. Pro/Con forum on the Nov. 2 ballot initiatives. The League of Women Voters will present all sixteen initiatives in a non-partisan format. Large Hall, St. Bonaventure Church, Concord. OCT. 30 Oktoberfest and County Fair @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church 4 p.m. Inflatable obstacle course, cake walk, Sheriff’s exhibits. Traditional Oktoberfest dinner, entertainment and zany white elephant charity auction. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. Oct. 31 Clayton Halloween Parade, Main Street, Downtown Clayton 4 p.m. Bring little ones in costume and get in the mood for Halloween before you go out to trick- or-treat! Parade around downtown Clayton. Oct. 31 24 Annual Ghost Walk- Downtown Clayton 8 p.m. Begins and ends at Endeavor Hall. Led by Richard Taylor. Costumes are optional. Bring a flashlight for a tour of 12 stops around downtown Clayton with appearances by 3 guest celebrity ghosts! Suitable for all ages. All those who complete the walk receive certificate. Call Richard Taylor at 672-6171 for more information. OCT. 31 Harvest Festival @ Crossroads Covenant Church 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Open to all ages. Food, jumpy, cup cake walk, obstacle course, lots of games. For information call 798-5905, Crossroads Covenant Church 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord (corner of Concord Blvd. and Kirker Pass). NOV. 10 Science, Pseudo-Science and Creationism Lecture @ Concord Campus of Cal State Hayward. 3:30 p.m. Philip Gasper, professor of philosophy, will use the evolution vs. creation controversy to discuss what makes an idea scientifically credible and what distinguishes science from pseudo-science. $3.00/free for SCHOLAR-OLLI members. Concord Campus of Cal State Hayward, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord, 6026772, www.ccc.csuhayward.edu/events.htm. NOV. 12, NOV. 13 Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale @ Clayton Community Library Nov. 12, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Nov. 13 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Unique creations by members of the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. Baked goods and cookie walk. Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS OCT. 28 CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association) Meting @ Oakhurst - City Council Candidates Forum 6:30 p.m.- 7:45 p.m. dinner, forum begins 7:45 p.m. All four City Council candidates have been invited to answer questions posed by CBCA members. All are welcome. Monthly business meeting to follow forum. Oakhurst Country Club, last non-holiday
Thursday of the month. Reservations due by Tuesday noon prior, 672-2272. Ed Hartley, President. OCT. 28, NOV. 4, 11, 18 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. OCT. 28, NOV. 4, 11, 18 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. NOV. 9 Diablo Valley Lioness @ Back Forty Restaurant Diablo Valley Lioness meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Help plan community fundraising events. For more information call Lisa King, President at 330-1260. Back Forty Restaurant, 1918 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill.
BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT NOV. 9, 23 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. 2, 9, 16, 23 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. NOV. 11 Clayton Community Services Commission Meeting @ City Hall 7 p.m. City of Clayton Community Services Commission meets 2nd Thursday of month. Open to the public. www.ci.clayton.ca.us 6737304, Clayton City Hall Conference Room, 6000 HeritageTrail, Clayton. NOV. 2, 16 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 - NOV. 1 Adult Education Class @ Mt. Diablo Adult Education Mondays 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Room B-1. Preschool power struggles. Learn how to turn these trying times into a rewarding growth period for both parent and child. $10 per class. 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, 6857340. ONGOING - DEC. 2 Adult Education Class @ Mt. Diablo Adult Education Thursdays 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. 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. NOV. 16 Parent Faculty Club (PFC) Meeting, @ Mt. Diablo Elementary 7 p.m. Please join us and help make a difference! Child care is provided for this event. If you would like to have a specific item included on the agenda, please contact Rosy Straka at rosystraka@yahoo.com or 672-3200. 7304. Mt. Diablo Elementary. NOV. 17 Parent Faculty Club Meeting @ Diablo View Middle School 7 p.m - 8:30 p.m. Join us and get involved in the issues efffecting your childrens’ education. Please contact PFC President Carolyn Hartnell at 672-4146 or crhartnell@earthlinnk.net if you want an item on the agenda.
The Community Calendar is sponsored by
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October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Peruvians celebrate Cristo de los Milagros with Mass and procession
St. Bonaventure’s has new parochial vicar
They thought it was a miracle when, not once but twice, an earthquake leveled an entire
Father Robert Rien has joined the pastoral staff at St. Bonaventure’s Church. Rien, 55, comes from a three-year assignment as Parochial Vicar at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Concord and replaces Father Jim McGee who transferred to Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill in July. The energetic and youthful Rien brings a passion and enthusiasm liturgy and music to the parish. He has served as an Air Force and hospital chaplain, working on the oncology support team at Merritt Hospital. He is also a licensed funeral director, having served as leader of the
funeral management team at Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro during a five-year leave of absence from his pastoral duties. An apprenticeship to an organ builder in high school and college has also led to a lifelong interest in pipe organs. He consults on a national level with churches that are buying, building or salvaging aging pipe organs. Rien is excited to be once again working with Father Richard Mangini, pastor of St. Bonaventure’s. Rien and Mangini have a “long standing friendship” going back over 35 years. The two worked together at St. Leander’s in San Leandro in the 1980’s. With the disbanding by the Oakland Diocese of the Concord Hispanic Ministry in June of 2003, several thousand Spanishspeaking Catholics are now members of the St. Bonaventure’s parish. In preparation for service to these parishioners, Rien spent the month of August studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Plymale preached and conducted weddings, funerals and special services, her primary role focused on pastoral care and visitation. “My most satisfying pastoral group experiences include establishing the Couples with Babes Covenant Groups for young families, as well as the Widowers lunch group, both of which have been meeting faithfully for over two years,” she said. Plymale also led successful stewardship campaign and fellowship programs at Worthington Presbyterian. She is married to Stephen whom she wed Oct. 12, 2002
in the hillside garden of a friend’s home in Martinez. Formerly assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio, Stephen will be relocating to the Clayton Valley area with his wife. “Clayton Valley’s pastor nominating committee was impressed by Patricia’s strong faith, preaching abilities, her passion for pastoral care, her administrative skills and, most of all, her warmth and grace,” said Jim Bever, committee chair. “She will be an asset to Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, and also to the community.”
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
PERUVIAN CATHOLICS carry the ando during the annual Fiesta Patronal de Peru procession at St. Bonaventure’s.
district on the outskirts of Peru, leaving nothing standing except one wall on which had been painted an image of the crucifixion. When the dust cleared in 1651, and again in 1655, the only thing standing in the area was this one wall. But, the local Peruvians knew it was a miracle when, in 1670, a young Peruvian with a brain tumor was suddenly cured after looking at the wall. The wall was then salvaged from the area and built into a chapel in Lima, where it stands today. Last Saturday, local Peruvians gathered at St. Bonaventure’s for their annual Fiesta Patronal de Peru to celebrate Cristo de los Milagros – Christ of the Miracles—with a Mass and procession where Peruvian Catholics carried an “ando,” or large platform, with an image of Cristo de los Milagros through the parking lot, stopping occasionally for blessings and veneration. According to the Reverend Richard Mangini, pastor of St. Bonaventure’s, there is a large association of Peruvians in the Concord area dedicated to the preservation of and devotion to the image. The first Fiesta Patronal de Peru was held at St. Bonaventure’s in 1998. “It gets larger every year,” said Mangini.
Patricia Plymale is new senior pastor at CV Presbyterian Rev. Patricia Stout Plymale, an Ohio native with strong Bay Area roots, is the new senior pastor at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church. Plymale is the former founder and chaplain of Conscious Contact in San Rafael, a non-profit organization bridging the religious community and members of 12-
step programs, which she led from 1990 to 1998. During that time, she oversaw retreats and workshops, and also guest preached at many Bay Area churches. Patricia also served as a commissioner to the Presbyterian General Assembly and was as an adjunct faculty member at San Francisco Theological Seminary, where
Church News
she earned her Master of Divinity Degree in 1989. In September 1998, she served as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Athens, Ohio. In February 2000, she was called to be Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care at Worthington Presbyterian Church, a congregation of 2,000 in Ohio. Although
REV. ROBERT RIEN
With his previous “acquaintance” with the language limited to high school and college grammar, Rien is tackling the language with his customary energy. “It’s a real challenge,” he says of learning Spanish. “It’s multi level. There’s the written language and the conversational, but then there’s also the ‘church’ language – learning the Spanish words for everything. It’ll be awhile before I can preside at the Spanish Masses.” Rien was born in Oakland and raised as a Lutheran. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from California State University Hayward. He attended a Lutheran seminary for two years before converting to Catholicism and transferring to St. Patrick’s Seminary for priests where he received a Master of Divinity in 1973. He received his Doctor of Ministry from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley in 1981 and a Master of Arts from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in 1989. Rein was ordained in 1974.
REV. PATRICIA PLYMALE Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton, CA 94517; telephone: 925-672-4848/fax, 925-672-4849; cvpres@sbcglobal.net. Services are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
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. Sr. High meet at 10:45. Call 673-9060 for more information.
BAHA’I FAITH Russell A. Ballew will speak about material and spiritual well being – the balance. Mr. Ballew has spent most of his life in service to humanity, serving at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, in Israel as a volunteer, and in an impoverished community in Florida creating an after school program.
CLAYTON VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton, CA 94517; telephone: 925-672-4848/fax, 925672-4849; cvpres@sbcglobal.net. Services are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH 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. 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. &
CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH Join us Sunday, Oct. 31 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for an evening of family fun at our Harvest Festival. There will be an obstacle course, lots of games, a cup cake walk, a jumpy and food. For all ages. For more information call 798-5905. New worship time, effective Sunday, Oct. 3 is 9 a.m. Worship will be followed by a fellowship time with classes for all ages begin-
ning 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. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH Fall Country Fair and Oktoberfest, Oct. 30. Carnival attractions in the late afternoon are followed by our traditional Oktoberfest meal and a charity auction with entertainment. 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.
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Page 16
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
The Cat Lady of Morgan Territory Road …to respect the cat is the beginning of the aesthetic sense… Source Unknown JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
If you’re a feral or stray cat wandering somewhere along Morgan Territory Road, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll meet up with the cat lady, a.k.a. Mary Smith. And that’s a good thing. Just ask Fritzi, Mr. Wonderful, Cleopatra, Ms. Morgana, Empress Riley and the seven other feline friends who have taken up residence at Mary’s home. They live in cat luxury without a care in the world. Some spend their days relaxing in a 458 square foot room with beds, and scratch posts, food, water and of course, litter boxes. Others enjoy the 252square foot fun house that Mary built in her backyard to make life more interesting for her cat menagerie. The A-framed wood house
started as a simple design, but turned out to be the “cat’s meow.” It has a tunnel that connects to the main house, a variety of scratch posts, perching beds, play area and screened windows. “ I had to teach two
summer sessions to pay for it,” Mary smiled. The plush accommodations are a result of Mary’s passionate affinity for cats, especially the ones who are abandoned and have to fight to stay alive on a daily basis. “ I am a total sucker,” she laughs. “There’s a sign at the end of my driveway that’s only visible to cats.”
MARY SMITH AND MORGANA
Her work to rescue feral (cats raised with no human contact) and stray cats is a labor of love. She was a member of Community Concern for Cats (CC4C) and is now an active member of the Feral Cat Foundation. She has story after story about her rescue operations and proudly points to all of her cherished cats as success stories. Trapping the homeless cats sometimes takes hours, days, even weeks ” It takes a lot of patience…one at a time,” she reflected. She either spots the strays near her home in Clayton or gets a call from friends who have discovered a “dumped” cat or Mom and kittens hiding out somewhere on their property. She tries to find the owners and when that fails, attempts to trap them. Once they’re trapped, Mary carts them off to the vet for an exam and shots. They are spayed or neutered and then its back to Mary’s house for some TLC and a chance to recoup and begin the socializa-
Halloween safety and your pets
BRENDA BARNETTE PICASSO
PAWS
AND
AND
CLAWS
Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children and adults, but it is a holiday that can be frightening and dangerous for your companion animals. By thinking ahead and taking a few precautions, you can assure that Halloween will be fun and safe for everyone. Some trick-or-treat goblins carry noisemakers or squeal and
scream in fright and delight as they go door to door. For many dogs and cats, these noises and sounds are new and unexpected and can be very scary. You can protect your pets by keeping them safely shut in a room that is away from the front door and the main activity. Dogs who have a tendency to guard your front door may be even more protective when the potential intruder is in costume. Protect your dog from making a mistake by not making him choose whether the masked intruder is really dangerous. Dogs and cats who become frightened by the activity can dart out an open door only to find themselves lost in the dark amid those alarming goblins and ghosts. Frightened, they are at even higher risk of running into the street where they could be hit by a car.
If your dog is accustomed to a nightly walk, go out a little earlier and before dark. When you return, bring your dog inside. No matter how secure the yard, animals should not be left out in the yard on Halloween. Frightened animals are especially adept at finding ways to escape. If you are taking children trick-or-treating, leave your pets at home. A dog may be more likely to snap as he encounters laughing and screaming children disguised as ghouls. If you do take him, use a short leash and stay away from groups of children and avoid other dogs. I do not recommend dressing up your dog for Halloween, but if you do dress her up, make sure she can tolerate the experience and that the costume will come off easily should she get away. Never use rubber bands to
tion process. Small kittens are easier to train making them good candidates for adoption. Larger cats sometimes take longer to socialize or can never be socialized. And ,unfortunately, Mary explains, most people don’t want to adopt an older cat. Hence, the reason why Mary’s menagerie quickly grew. She admits in many cases, she just couldn’t give them up for adoption anyway. There’s Cleopatra who was dumped by the side of the road with her kitten. There’s Morgana who was hit by a car and wound up dangling from a Great Dane’s mouth. And there’s the kittens born under a deck at a home in Concord. Missy Nice, Miss Spunky and Miss Feisty are the latest inhabitants of Mary’s home. She’s hoping she will find loving homes for the trio within the next week. She’s currently on a new mission to save a fourweek old kitten found in a store attic in Brentwood. Since the young kitten needs to fed around the clock, Mary has volunteered to take on one feeding session per day.
FRITZI
She would like the dumping of unwanted pets to stop. She urges cat owners to spay and neuter their pets. And she urges cat lovers to volunteer their homes for foster care. “Contributions would also be nice,” she added. “No more homeless cats,” is her motto.
Feral Cat Foundation (925) 829-9098 www.feral cat foundation.org CC4C (925) 938-2287 www.communityconcernfor cats.org
secure the costume, and do not send the family dog out with the kids to trick-or-treat without an adult handler. If you have not had your dog or cat microchipped for identification, call your veterinarian. You can protect your companion animals not only for Halloween, but all year long. Make sure your dogs and cats are wearing collars that have tags with your current home
See Halloween, page 17
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October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Many new faces at Diablo View
Shuffle is ARF’s adoption star
It’s another bright, beautiful year at Diablo View Middle School! The campus is full of chatter, the teachers are refreshed after the break, and it’s time to hit the books again. The school has changed in many ways. Faces have left, new faces have arrived, and not all are necessarily students. Several new teachers have come along, including a new vice principal, making sure things won’t be the same this year. A drama club started Oct. 3. It is run by Patti Pratt and meets during lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays in the gym. The group will be practicing for a performance about winter holidays. The performance will include all religions and all cultures that have been submitted to them. The first school dance is coming up after school
people living with a cat for the first time and for families with children of any age. Bring everyone who will live with Shuffle 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. And join us for Croissants with Kitties! Early adoptions just for cats from 10 a.m. to noon on Sat. Oct. 23 and Sat., Oct. 16. Come early and fall in love with Plush and her fabulous feline friends at ARF. Visit our website to learn more about adding a cat to your family. (925) 256-1ARF www.arf.net
“Shuffle” will make you feel like dancing. She is a playful, affectionate three-month-old calico. This affectionate girl was out of time when ARF rescued her. She is recommended for
Halloween, from page 16 phone number, too. Festive jack-o’-lanterns are delightful to see, but when lit, they can pose a fire hazard if knocked over by a pet. They can also lead to injury for those dogs who will chew anything, or inquisitive cats or kittens. Candy may or may not be good for young people, but foil and cellophane wrappers are definitely not good for dogs and cats. Chocolate is toxic to animals. It may cause vomiting,
restlessness and even death. If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten candy and is showing signs of discomfort, call your veterinarian right away. By following a few simple precautions, your human family members will fully enjoy Halloween and your furry family members will remain safe. Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, Oct. 20 (seventh and eighth grade only!) The theme is, obviously, Halloween. The songs played were chosen ahead of time by the different classes. The DJ is from the high school. The magazine drive has just come to an end. This year, certain turn-in days got you certain prizes. For example, on RetroDay you got a fiber-lamp. Also, the pig races are to start soon. When a class gets a certain amount of orders turned in, they get a pig, which they race to see who gets a Krispy Kreme party for their class. As an additional bonus, if a student turned in 18 orders overall (or 10 on the first turn-in day), they get to go to Mountain Mike’s pizza for lunch in a Hummer stretch limo. In sixth grade, some exciting things are happening. In Mr. Nichols’s class, the students will
School News CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Clayton Valley Drama’s 2004/2005 season is off to a smashing start. Come to the MU Rm and join in the theatrical mayhem. On Oct. 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. the ClaytonArts Academy Troupe will present the melodrama “Deadwood Dick,” based on the 1870’s dime novels of Edward L. Wheeler. The plot includes long lost daughters, stolen gold mines, kidnapped heroines and hairbreadth escapes. The production is directed, designed, acted, produced and constructed by students in the ClaytonArts Academy Troupe, which is the advanced drama wing of the CAA drama specialty. These CAA students must audition to be accepted in this production team and they put on two shows a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Veteran Caitlin Kenney is directing assisted by Kellie Neilsen. $5 at the door. “Viet Rock” is an all school production of Megan Terry’s venture into transformational theatre and her chilling vision of
Brenda F. Barnette is the CEO of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at bbarnette@arf.net.
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be starting a Thanksgiving food drive (this is not the school-wide one). In Mrs. Curtin’s class, students will be making “cave paintings” as they learn about prehistoric civilization. In seventh grade, excitement is buzzing, too. In Kalsbek’s class, students are working on Middle Eastern research projects, presented in port student journalism and stay informed on Clayton Valley High School events and issues.
war playing Nov. 12, 13, 17, 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. 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 you. The student staff must raise all printing costs for the newspaper. Advertising rates are available by calling 925682-7474 ext. 2602. Please sup-
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MIKE STELZNER DVMS REPORTER
DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL The Entertainment Book fundraiser was a great success. There were many multiple book sales; both local and out of town and over $4,000 was raised. There are still many books unaccounted for. There is still time to purchase the book you have have your child return the envelope with $20 to his/her core teacher. If you don’t want to buy the Entertainment Book please have your child return it to school in the envelope. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL “Taste of Kindergarten” Wednesday, November 17 at 7:00 St. Francis of Assisi School in Concord is accepting Kindergarten applications for the 2005-2006 school year. Join us for an information night while your kindergartner gets a “Taste of Kindergarten”. Children will be in the classroom enjoying story time and crafts while parents attend the information session with the
the form of a prayer rug, for their study of Islam. For Aksoy’s (The new CORE teacher) class, they are doing a poetry project. For Brewington’s class, they are studying cells and cell biology, and they will be making models of cells. Right now the eighth graders are studying the American Revolution in history. In math, we are doing a project about a living mathematician. It will be due the day of the dance. Well, it’s been good writing for you. I hope you are now “educated” about what’s chillin’ at DV. I’ll see you in two months! Same time, same place. Mike Stelzner is an eighth-grader at Diablo View and writes an editorial column for the school newspaper. He loves writing and wants to be a reporter or journalist when he grows up.
Pastor, Principal, and Kindergarten teacher. Reservations requested 6825414. MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY Fall Festival, The Mt. Diablo Elementary Fall Festival was a huge success and lots of fun! The preliminary numbers indicate that approximately $8000 was raised for our school. Attention Safeway Shoppers! If you participated in last year’s eScrip program, please renew your card. Your valuable contributions will be stopped if cards are not renewed by October 31. Please call 1-800801-4973 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. The Student Council run Entertainment Book sale raised approximately $11,000 which will be used for classroom technology. Landscaping. Mt. Diablo is enjoying its new grass, trees, fences and plants thanks to the parents and staff of the school.
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
October 22, 2004
Foie Gras: The controversial Epicurean delight Rapidly falling out of favor in politically conscious America, foie gras (literally “fat liver” from geese and ducks) has a venerable history of which most gourmands should be aware. In a bit of a departure from other Food for Thought columns, we’ll discuss today’s topic from not only the perspective of history, but also those of politicians, animal rights activists and chefs as well. About 5,000 years ago, Egyptians discovered that waterfowl gorged themselves on grains prior to their winter migration. When slaughtered, the livers of these birds were silky smooth and rich in buttery fat. Frescoes discovered in Sakkarah along the Nile depict Egyptians stuffing geese to replicate the same result. The Romans force-fed geese with dried figs, milk and honey. When corn was introduced as a grain in Europe, farmers switched to this feed, which remains the mainstay for some 1,800 French and Hungarian producers today.
The first pâté recipe was invented in 1769 by a French innkeeper. But the first person to really set the trend was the chef of an Alsatian governor, who created the classic dish of a whole foie gras baked in a pastry crust. King Louis XVI was so impressed with the dish that he gave the governor an estate to express his gratitude (the chef received 20 pistols for his efforts). The traditional pairing of truffles and foie gras came a bit later. In fact, the French Revolution earns credit for this dish. The chef Doyen, who invented truffled foie gras, fled from a truffle-producing region of France for the safety of Strasbourg where foie gras production was centered. In 1999, Michael Ginor, coowner of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, authored the definitive book, “Foie Gras: A Passion” (John W. Wiley & Sons). Ginor has an obvious appreciation for the food which, unlike its modern-day gourmet counterparts, has always enjoyed high sta-
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: Thank you for your fine coverage of the CBCA in your last couple of issues! I’d just like to correct the record concerning our Art & Wine Festival. We started this event nine years ago (not seventeen) and our first Chair was Don Fitzgerald, who took on this enormous task after a professional event planner had warned us that, even with his help, we should count on being in the red for the first three years. Wrong! We knew we had enough local talent to go forward on our own - and we did and we had a nice profit - from year #1!
(Incidentally, it was no surprise that Don stepped forward to pull all the thousands of strings together .. he had done the same thing in 1991 when he volunteered to chair our Clayton Farmer’s Market.) Howard Geller joined Don as Co-Chair in 2000 and then took over as Co-Chair with Debbie Mullins. Don became our Official Art & Wine Advisor in 2003, and Joe Medrano jumped on the Co-Chair train with Howard and Debbie last year. The CBCA has a LOT of really creative, very hard working members, and these are some of those people who direct all that
LINDA WYNER
FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT
tus in gourmet circles. Only 100 years ago, for instance, lobsters were used as fertilizer and caviar was given away in bars to stimulate more beer drinking. There are two principal foie gras producers in America— Sonoma Foie Gras and Hudson Valley Foie Gras. There will soon be one less producer permitted to force-feed geese and ducks. On Sept. 29 of this year, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that will
energy and talent into making Clayton the wonderful community it is! Joan Culver CBCA Thank you for the clarification. Ed.
Dear Editor: My wife and I always enjoy reading the Pioneer and, even though we live in Concord, we still consider it “Our Local Paper.” What we enjoy most is being able to see pictures of local friends and neighbors throughout each paper. We also like to read articles written by people we actually know and with whom in many cases we can relate. I would like to bring up one
eventually ban the in-state production and importation of force-fed foie gras. California’s new statute had considerable public support by notables such as Paul McCartney and Pamela Anderson and numerous animal rights organizations including the American Humane Society, PETA and Farm Sanctuary. It took several years to pass, and it was not smooth sailing — restaurateurs and business owners saw their families threatened and businesses jeopardized. The new law phases in over a nearly eight-year period and is intended to permit time for companies to develop more humane ways of achieving similar results without force-feeding fowl. The state follows a growing number of countries that ban foie gras because the production process is seen as cruel to animals. Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic all ban production — but not in
all cases importation. Most foie gras comes from ducks; its flavor is more rustic than goose. In both birds, it is the males that are used to produce foie gras since female fowl do not develop the same attributes. Duck is also more economical to produce since consumers’ tastes are expanding into dishes using duck meat rather than goose — magrets (duck breast), confits and cassoulets are increasing in popularity. Accordingly, more of the bird is used. Foie gras is traditionally served on toast during Christmastime as an hors d’oeuvre, often in a cold terrine, but it is also an ingredient in classic Chicken Souvaroff and Tournedos Rossini dishes. Duck foie gras has a stronger taste than the milder goose liver. High heat cooking calls for duck liver. A quick dredging in well-seasoned flour and sautéing in butter over high heat will yield foie gras with a crisp exterior and buttery interior. Canned French foie gras is
article written by Dave Gray, in the Oct. 8 edition of the Pioneer, on relaxing before or during a golf game. I know Dave and admire his golfing abilities, but I had a little trouble understanding the analogy he used in this article. Even though I can certainly understand the need to relax while playing golf, the mental vision of “Roseanne Barr dancing around the campfire in a thong” does anything but relax me. Maybe I’m closer to Joe Romano’s “Dufferville” than I thought I was.
widely available in American markets, and it is the easiest way to prepare appetizers and cold salads. By law, the tins must disclose the percentage of foie, truffles and Port, Armagnac or Cognac in the product. The color of the foie gras varies from yellow beige to pink, depending on the bird’s diet. It is the texture that is key — it should be smooth and silky. Wine selection with foie gras dishes is also an important consideration. Classically, Sauternes accompany the dishes, but other sweet white wines like Gewurztraminers or Rieslings work well. Even a light red Bordeaux pairs well with a duck foie gras. Check out Ginor’s Website www.hudsonvalleyfoiegras.com for an excellent source of simple but elegant recipes. 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.
Please recycle
Respectfully, Ed and Marie Shockley Didn’t relax me, either, but I thought it was a “guy” thing. Guess we’re both on the “Dufferville Express.” Ed.
CBCA’s
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Deadline for Decorating is December 13 Judging is Dec 14
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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 19
Outrageous orange is the color of the moment
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
Outrageous orange is the color of the moment for perennial beds and combination plantings. As the seasons change, our eye is drawn to the warmth of autumn colors. Orange is a natural introduction to our yards. These perennials are mostly late summer through fall bloomers, therefore not competing with the spring pinks and lavenders that we enjoy as well. Orange pops out off your garden’s canvas adding more interest, longer. Lion’s tail, yarrows and alstroemeria are among a few of the outrageous oranges available for gardens. ALSTROEMERIA Alstroemeria is among one of the easiest plants to grow. This perennial is often considered semi-evergreen because of its repeated growth cycles. Alstroemeria hybrids are some of the greatest garden selections for our enjoyment. Alstroemeria can grow anywhere from 2 to 5 feet tall and wide. The azalea-like flowers are brightly colored and marked with contrasting flecks. The princess series of
alstromeria are the new cousins of a really great family. Princess Isabel has deep, clear orange blooms atop leafy stems that reach up to 18 inches tall and wide. This perennial takes almost full sun and prefers rich, well drained soil. Plant when blooming so you can be sure of the color and protect it from snails. Some companion perennials to compliment the alstroemeria are Bronze Sedge and Chinese Plumbago. The sedge is formally known as Carex buchananii Bronze Form. This curly-tipped perennial has
LEONOTIS
grasslike reddish bronze blades that can reach 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. The hazy color of the sedge adds texture to the reliable alstroemeria. CHINESE PLUMBAGO Ceratostigma willmottianum is the botanical name for the Chinese Plumbago. This deciduous shrub reaches 3 feet tall and wide. The intense blue phlox-like flowers top the wiry stems of this sun lover, and the plant has been know to continue blooming as the foliage changes color and falls off with the winter’s first frost. Again, the structure of
Photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer LEONURUS
(LION’S TAIL)
this deciduous shrub adds to the drama of the alstroemeria. YARROW Yarrow is a Clayton garden standard. This plant tolerates full sun and a wide range of soils. There is a color in this family for everyone. TerraCotta flowers start off as bright dark peach that fades to soft cream. The fern-like foliage is anything but delicate, tolerating heat and drought. Paprika is another fabulous color of yarrow. The name is true to its color, with bright orange with small cream color eyes, maturing to a reddish-brown. Yarrow is one of the longest blooming perennials. Deadhead by cutting each stem to the ground. Yarrow makes a great cut flower. MEXICAN SAGE One excellent complimenting perennial to the yarrow is Mexican Sage. This is another Clayton standard. This plant grows just about anywhere. It has woolly purple spikes and some display white or purple flowers that top the graceful shrub with narrow gray-green leaves. This plant can reach 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Plant one Salvia to three yarrow to achieve the layered garden look. Add Scavola Mauve clusters as ground cover, and you have yourself a mini garden. LION’S TAIL Leonotis leonurus is commonly called lion’s tail. This plant is a member of the mint family, coming from South America. Branching 4 to 6 feet
tall and wide, leonotis becomes the king of the garden. Stunning whirls of tubular, deep orange flowers stack tall atop hairy, square stems. Mature plants easily carry 5 to 6 whirls per stem. This plant is an excellent container center-
have deep orange tips and a dark red center. The Goblin is blooming in several Clayton gardens, often blooming yearround. Gaillardia Fanfare is a new introduction to this fabulous family of sun-loving hardy perennials. Imagine the large daisy bloom to the Goblin, yet wrap the flat petal to form a tube. Fanfare has an orange center with orange fading to yellow tips. Both selections will spread nicely to 20 inches. Pinch it back to help keep it dense.
ORANGE Gaillardia Goblin
piece or a fence cover plant. During mild winters, one can enjoy the blooms of the Lion’s tail through December. Cool down to orange by pairing up this perennial with Salvia Indigo Spires. This plant is one of my favorites. It blooms from June through November, reaches 4 feet tall and is wind, sun and heat tolerant and butterfly and hummingbird friendly. Space the Salvia Indigo Spires at least three feet away from the leonotis to ensure casual perennial contact without overcrowding. GAILLARDIA Gaillardia grandiflora are a group of hybrids with two outstanding orange bloomers. Gaillardia Goblin is a good, compact variety with extra large daisy-like flowers that
“Look Who’s Selling Clayton!”
MEADOWBRIGHT Speaking of new introductions, the family Echinacea or the purple coneflowers have a new member. Orange Meadowbright was released this past spring. This perennial is very hard to find. First-year plants are the kinds featured in magazines, on perennial collector’s wish lists. Echinacea makes a great cut flower, reaching 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. The OrangeMeadowbright just started to bloom, with clear orange, almost peach-colored petals surrounding the famous orange brown cone that the butterflies adore. Explore the colors of your garden. Enjoy the seasons, and introduce some orange to your garden. You will be glad that you did. 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
Shell Ridge: The Costanoan Trail I am happy to report that for some reason fall and winter have decided to postpone their arrival in Northern California this year. Normally, I would suspect rain pants and muddy shoes to be characteristic of hiking in this area this time of year. Much to my dismay, sunny days, warm breezes and
cut-off which immediately launches you into the Shell Ridge via an asphalt path that quickly transforms into a well traveled trail snaking uphill above the surrounding neighborhood. Continue climbing Costanoan Trail as you head in the direction of Deer Hill. You have the option of staying
Photo courtesy of Kevin Parker
FLAT TOP TRAIL is where the adventure begins
vacant trails are ripe for endless hiking in Shell Ridge Open Space. I, too, am guilty of not spending enough time in Shell Ridge considering that Mount Diablo is literally walking distance from my front door. However, for you dog lovers that require some canine companionship on the trail, this is the place to go. Shell Ridge accounts for only part of the 2700 acres of open space owned by City of Walnut Creek, but with over 15 trailhead locations, finding widespread trails can be easily accomplished. Costanoan Trail can be accessed via the Snyder Trail
on the fire road or following an unmarked single-track trail that parallels the road. Definitely opt for the singletrack trail as it twists and turns gently uphill past a rope-swing that is worth the ride, even for biggest of kids. Obvious signs of oak woodland and chaparral pepper the trail as it traverses along the base of Shell Ridge until you reach Cinder Gap Loop Trail. Follow this trail for a short distance and jump immediately onto Ridge Top Trail and head west. Ridge Top Trail skips in and out of trees groves, ascends to the top of Shell Ridge, and drops you back down to the
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Costanoan Trail Junction. The quick shuffle up Shell Ridge rewards you with glimpses of Gypsy and Joaquin Ridges in the distance. Cross Costanoan Trail and follow the continuation of Ridge Top which circumnavigates a small hillside high above Sulfur Creek. Head North on Flat Top Trail (the trail signage is faded and hard to read) and climb Flat Top Hill until the next trail junction. If time permits, I recommend a small side trip to the top of Haystack Hill (elev. 806). The surrounding hillsides and canyons make this panoramic paradise a great place to rest and eat some lunch. Flat Top Trail veers to the west, and if you have a map, this trail looks as if it comes to a dead end above Sulfur Creek Pond. Actually, where the map shows the trail ends is where the adventure begins. The fire road transitions into a singletrack trail that rapidly descends towards Sulfur Creek far below. This steep hillside trail does not know anything about switchbacks; we’re talking straight down, but easily navigated if you tread carefully. Encompassing vistas of Deer Hill and Costanoan Ridge are revealed during your descent of Flat Top Hill. Jump onto Sulfur Creek Trail as you gently wind down and out of this pristine canyon. Sulfur Creek is dry this time of year, but with a flowing creek in winter and spring, the beauty factor of this section of trail in particular would be exponential. Steep hillsides, water rushing over rocks and plenty of trees for shade make it one of my favorite places in Shell Ridge. Sulfur Creek Trail ends at Costanoan Trail taking you back to the trailhead with minimal effort and maximum smiles. In fact, as I think back
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HIKER’S HAVEN to this hike and the numerous options of connecting trails and loops, all those who travel within the park boundaries are rewarded with nature at her best. Snyder Lane trailhead is located adjacent to a local neighborhood, so please be courteous to the residents by parking down the street from the trail and keeping the area clean. For more information: www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us/ openspace/shell_ridge.htm Thanks again for tuning in and allowing me to share my passion! Comments: kaypee@sbcglobal.net. Getting there: Take Ygnacio Valley Road to Oak Grove Road. Left on Oak Grove, right on Walnut Avenue, Left on Snyder Lane. Trail head is at the end of the road. No facilities. Distance: 3.5 miles Duration: 2.0 + hours Elevation gain: 526 feet Difficulty: Moderate
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Creek, from page 1 backyards along the creek banks), giant thistles and a giant reed called Arundo. The Arundo is very difficult to get rid of— there are places where it has taken over completely. We may have to apply for a grant to eradicate it,” said Anich The team also found evidence of pollution, noted Anich. “The worst polluted spot … was very scummy and there was lots of garbage. We think it was caused by the recent storm water runoff,” she said. Anich is especially concerned with pollutants unwittingly poured down storm drains by residents along the creek. Soap is one of the most common watershed pollutants. “You can pour it down an inside drain and it gets treated before it ends up in the water, but when you wash it down the storm drain, it goes directly into the creek.” (See box inset for what NOT to wash down the gutters or storm drains.) “We know,” said Munk, “there’s always going to be encroachment, but we want it to survive as a viable creek. The idea is to know what we’re dealing with and prioritize what we need to do so we can apply for grants, if necessary.” Munk has lived on the banks of Mt. Diablo Creek for 27 years. “I care about the health and welfare of the creek,” she said. Mt. Diablo Creek has its headwaters on Mt. Diablo and flows through Clayton, Concord, the Naval Weapons Station, Clyde, and finally empties into Suisun Bay. It is fed along the way by runoff from storms and irrigation. The Clayton section of the creek used to go bone dry in the summer. But, runoff from the Oakhurst golf course now keeps it running all year—hence, fish in the creek. Anich and Mary Malko, both employees of the Contra Costa
Resource Conservation District (CCRCD), started friends of Mt Diablo Creek in May 2004. The women were responding to several needs and opportunities, not the least of which is the potential development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station land, over which flows eight miles of Mt. Diablo Creek. The group is working to develop a watershed plan for the entire length of creek. “The plan will be developed by consensus among citizen stakeholders,” says Anich. “Anyone who lives or works in the Mt Diablo Creek Watershed is eligible to be a stakeholder in the planning process. Increased public awareness of Mt Diablo Creek will favor development of a plan that is relevant and representative of local concerns.” Madrone will present GPS survey findings on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Hall, 5554 Clayton Road. Anyone with an interest in the creek is invited to attend. For more information, contact Dee Munk at 672-5115 or Lisa Anich at 689-2642. STORMWATER POLLUTANTS: Don’t wash these things down the storm drain! • Used motor oil • Antifreeze • Garden chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) • Grass clippings and leaves (in large quantities) • Copper-based root killers • Toxic household cleaning products • Grease • Paint • Solvents • Pool and spa products (chlorine, algaecides and other chemicals) • Trash Source: Contra Costa Clean Water Program
October 22, 2004
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 21
Fall Fest
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Page 22
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
“W
hen you live in a place as exciting and beautiful as the Clayton Valley area, it’s hard not to be excited for each new day,” Lynne French says. “From the energy of the city to the natural setting of the country, there’s always something to keep me on the go.” Lynne brings this positive energy and love for the Clayton Valley to her long-running career as a real estate professional.
October 22, 2004
Always focused on your needs throughout your home purchase or sale, she does whatever it takes to help you make the most of your opportunities. With Lynne and her team as your guides, you can Discover the Possibilities in Clayton Valley real estate. Her intimate knowledge of the area and dedication to your goals ensure your success when buying or selling a home. Give her a call today!
(925) 672-8787 www.LynneFrench.com Lynne@LynneFrench.com
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Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
6160 Center Street, Suite E, Clayton 94517 georgevujnovich.com
WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
REGENCY MEADOWS
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! 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!
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
NEW CONSTRUCTION CONCORD/ CLAYTON BORDER
FALCON RIDGE AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
BLACK DIAMOND AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
ING D N PE
Palatial Mediterranean Estate! Approx. 8,000sf, 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 2 half baths, 2 bonus rooms, a library, enormous family room, formal dining & living rooms, 3 fireplaces. Grand foyer features a dramatic spiral staircase. Chef's gourmet kitchen boasts commercial grade stainless steel appliances. Exceptional attention to detail from the state-of-theart mechanical systems to the rustic Italian doors & cabinetry throughout! Premium view flat lot (approx. 70 acre) on a quiet cul-de-sac overlooking city to Delta! $3,495,000
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! $799,995
ING D N PE
Picture Perfect "Pioneer" model! on a quiet court. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 1,958sf, inside laundry & attached 2 car garage! Upgraded slate entry with soaring ceiling. Living room with upgraded slate fireplace. Formal dining & family rooms with gleaming hardwood floors. Light filled open floor plan with neutral décor & upgraded wood blinds throughout! Large kitchen with abundant oak cabinets, tile counters & breakfast bar, new appliances & upgraded porcelain tile floors. Mt. Diablo views from secondary bedrooms. Spacious master suite. Quaint secluded level lot with lawn area & ornamentals. Walk to community pool/spa & downtown! $579,000
WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
Coming Soon! Large "Larson" model! on a huge lot! 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, approx. 2,467sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage! Bedroom & full bath on main level! Lot backs to open space! $729,000
WINDMILL CANYON AT OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB
ING D N PE
Simply Immaculate! "Kirker" Model! on a Premium golf course lot backing to 5th fairway with sweeping course, hillside & city/valley views! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 2,313sf, inside laundry & 2 car garage. Upgraded Italian marble entry with soaring ceiling! Upgraded neutral carpet & plantation shutters thru-out! Family room with tile wet bar & marble tile fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with tile floors, counters & island. Spacious master suite overlooks course, hills & valley. Level lot backs to course with brick trimmed patio, lush lawn area & a variety ornamentals! $729,000