2012_Clayton_Pioneer_1109

Dorothy Tudder Wright hadtwo regrets when she was 8years old:

“1. I was not born 100 yearsago so that I could have beenpart of the Wild West (or betteryet been Annie Oakley).

“2. I wasn’t born a boy.” Luckily for the East Bay,

Dorothy was neither of thosethings. Although she is remem-bered as a great hostess, a won-derful musician and a devotedmother and grandmother, it wasbecause of where she lived thatshe touched the most people.

When Dorothy died on Oct.29 at age 92, the longtime Clay-ton resident left a legacy of his-torical preservation and stew-ardship – along with decades ofmemories – for those who loveher former property, Mt. Dia-blo’s Wright Canyon and CurryCreek Park.

She sold the popular picnicarea to Save Mount Diablo in2002. “I want the public to con-tinue be able to ride and walk upto the mountain, and my prop-erty will allow it,” she told SMDback then. “I want Morgan Ter-ritory’s rural nature to remain.”

SMD’s Seth Adams said thatthe group had been familiarwith the Wright property for

years – an oak-studded 70-acreparcel in lower Curry Canyon.Not only was it a beautiful pieceof land, but the history of theparcel made it especially alluring.

From the 1940s, Dorothyand Martin Wright operated thefamily picnic and camping spot,and many longtime East Bayresidents remember going therefor overnight camping trips.

The property was near Mar-tin’s ancestral home. Swedishimmigrant Peter Olofson andhis wife Clarissa – MartinWright’s grandparents – home-

steaded in the Mitchell Canyonarea in the later 1800s and early1900s, and are rememberedtoday in the name of OlofsonRidge near Tenderfoot Flat.

In December 1895, theirsons Sylvester and Alfredbought land along Curry Creek.Sylvester and wife Louise FakeOlofson moved there to farmand ranch, and in the 1920s and30s operated a picnic groundson the property. Families arrivedon weekends and in the sum-mer, for 25 cents a group.

According to Dorothy, “peo-

ple would come from WalnutCreek to picnic, hike and campand Martin’s grandpa wouldcome down on Saturdays andcharge them two bits a car, hisonly real source of cash duringthe Depression.” A swimmingpool was added in 1933.

The Park was well used until1938 when Sylvester suffered astroke and then closed the pic-nic grounds. He died in 1941and the remaining 110 acreswere put on the market.

Love and war

That’s when true love andwar intervened.

Martin Wright, who grew upon Oakland, spent summers athis family’s’ beloved property.Even after he met and begandating Dorothy Tudder at Roo-sevelt High School in East Oak-land, he juggled his time withher with trips back to the ranch.

He was class president andshe was editor-in-chief of thenewspaper, The RooseveltCrimson. Still, neither couldafford to go to college at first, sothey both worked to savemoney. Finally he went to theUC Davis in 1939 and Dorothystarted at UC Berkeley in 1940.When Pearl Harbor wasbombed, Martin joined theNavy, and he and Dorothy mar-ried secretly, since it was againstthe rules during his officer train-

ing. He went overseas to theSouth Pacific, while Dorothyeventually became PersonnelManager over Women at Stan-dard Oil in Richmond, helping

Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Community Calendar . . . . . .14

CVCHS Reporter . . . . . . . . . .7

Design and Dé cor . . . . . . . .13

Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5

Fashion Over 50 . . . . . . . . . .6

Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . .8

From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Holiday Guide .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..16

Mind Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .15

Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . .6

Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . .8

What’s Inside

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE

PAID

CLAYTON, CA

PERMIT 190

Peggy SPear

Clayton Pioneer

It’s hard to believe anotheryear has almost gone by. Thevotes are counted and we willsoon see how the results willaffect our local, state and feder-al governments. We can nowconcentrate on the holiday sea-son. With Thanksgiving fastapproaching and Christmas andNew Year’s not too far behind,you will want to mark your cal-endar for some of Clayton’sgreat holiday events.

Dec. 1 is our annual carolingand tree lighting event. Startingat 6 p.m. at the Grove Park withcaroling, Santa will lead a paradedown Main Street to Oak Streetto light our town’s Christmastree.

Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2p.m., is our annual Tea with Mrs.Claus and Santa at Endeavor

HOWARD GeLLeR

Mayor’S cornEr

Enjoy the Clayton ofboth present and pastduring holiday season

www.claytonpioneer.com november 9, 2012 925.672.0500

It’s your paper

See Mayor, page 9

Pierce and Geller re-elected to

council; Diaz leading Liberman

Wright’s legacy will touch generations to come

Early returns on Tuesdayvirtually assured re-election ofthe two incumbents to theCity Council, but the race forthe third seat was too close tocall.

At press time, with earlymail-in ballots and the pollingplace results in, it was certainthat Julie Pierce would returnto the council for a sixth termwith 3173 votes counted.Howard Geller, running for asecond term, was close behindPierce with 2687 votes.

Veteran candidate Jim Diaztook a slim 131 vote lead overnewcomer Kevin Liberman.Joseph Medrano was also onthe ballot but disqualifiedfrom serving when he wasconvicted on Oct. 11 ofembezzling $159,000 from aformer client. By law, he wasremoved from the City Coun-cil on that date and prohibitedfrom holding public office.The verdict came too late,however, to remove his namefrom the ballot, and despitehis conviction, he had 629votes in the early count.

The new council willchoose a mayor at the regularcouncil meeting on Dec. 4.Traditionally, the officerotates between the councilmembers based on seniority.Pierce is next in line formayor.

TaMara STeiner

Clayton Pioneer

league champion Eagles top seedin north coast Section playoffs

Mike Dunn photo

Clayton Valley Charter high SChool won its first league foot-

ball championship since 2008 and capped the Diablo Valley

athletic league season with a 62-6 win over long-time

Concord rivals Mt. Diablo at gonsalves Stadium. the eagles

will bring a nine-game winning streak into the north Coast

Section playoffs next Friday as the no. 1 seed in Division ii.

they will host the winner of the livermore at Dublin opening-

round game played this Friday. See story on 0.

Tamara Steiner photo

thE four canDiDatES for city council gathered at the home of incumbent Julie Pierce Tuesday for election nightcountdown. From left, Jim Diaz, Howard Geller, Julie Pierce and Kevin Liberman. In early results, Pierce had a com-manding lead with Geller close behind. At press time, Diaz was leading Liberman by a narrow 131 votes.

Photo courtesy of SMD

SMD ExEcutivE DirEctor ron Brown with Dorothy wright atthe mouth of Wright Canyon on Morgan Territory Rd. In 2001,SMD acquired Wright’s 70 acre ranch, adjacent to Curry CreekPark which Wright and her husband operated for 33 years.Wright died Oct. 29 at the age of 92.

See Wright, page 18

Newcomer and veteran candidateduke it out for thirdcouncil seat

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com November 9, 2012

AROUND TOWNSend your news and pho-

tos of your births, engage-ments, weddings, specialrecognitions, etc. [email protected].

Around Town

CCllaayyttoonn MMaarrkkeett UUppddaattee pprroovviiddeedd bbyy GGeeoorrggee VVuujjnnoovviicchh ooff BBeetttteerr HHoommeess RReeaallttyy

38 Jalalon Place ..................$411,500 . . . .1939 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .10/26/12

1121 Easley Drive................$415,000 . . . .2116 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .10/24/12

602 Golden Eagle Place......$705,000 . . . .2854 . . . . .4/3 . . . . . .10/23/12

9 Weatherly Drive ................$540,000 . . . .2032 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .10/18/12

5801 Caulfield Drive ............$1,330,000 . .2623 . . . . .5/3 . . . . . .10/15/12

408 Grenache Circle............$650,000 . . . .2391 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .10/12/12

48 Tule Court .......................$450,000 . . . .1939 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .10/8/12

34 Long Creek Circle...........$248,000 . . . .966 . . . . . .2/2 . . . . . . .10/5/12

408 Diablo Creek Pl.............$620,000 . . . .2050 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .10/5/12

1 Long Creek Circle.............$170,000 . . . .1378 . . . . .2/2.5 . . . . . .10/3/12

1412 Greystone Lane ..........$421,000 . . . .1474 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . . .10/1/12

1052 Pebble Beach Dr ........$764,000 . . . .3620 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .9/28/12

21 El Molino Drive ...............$460,000 . . . .1648 . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .9/28/12

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Fundraiser brings Katie Gracecloser to life saving transplant

On Oct. 26, the Katie’sDream fundraiser at CentreConcord exceeded all expecta-tions by raising nearly $70,000compared to the goal of$50,000 sought for Katie GraceGroebner’s heart and lung trans-plant. The house was packedwith 360 guests who bid on thelive and silent auctions, dinedand listened to music by StevieKeys All Star Band with guestRoss Valory of Journey.

‘Missing Link’ dedicationLast week, Save Mount Dia-

blo, Clayton city officials andneighbors gathered on the hill-side below the new DiabloEstates subdivision to tour Lot25, the “missing link” that nowconnects Mt. Diablo State Parkwith the city of Clayton.

SMD’s newest preserve isfive acres of woodland andcanyon below the old ClaretianSeminary site, including 500 feetalong Mt. Diablo Creek. Theproperty was once the site ofthe caretaker’s home. The oldseminary property has beendeveloped into 24 luxury homeswith the last remaining lotdonated to Save Mount Diabloas open space preservation.

Katie’s cousin, Donnie Schwartz (left), was the auctioneer forKatie’s Dream event. Joining the party also were AselynSchwartz; Katie’s father, John; sister, Savanah; mother, Kathyand Katie Grace

FORMER MAYOR PETE LAURENCE, Councilwoman Julie Pierce, SMDSeth Adams, Clayton Community Development Director DavidWoltering and Planning Commissioner Sandy Johnson cele-brate the dedication of Lot 25.

CLAYTON VALLEY

GARDEN CLUB

Six Clayton Valley GardenClub members joined Anna Wen-dorf, museum docent and land-scape designer, on Oct. 28 tospruce up the Clayton Museumgarden in preparation for winter.

Volunteers worked on a longlist of tasks on the unseasonablywarm Sunday morning. Workincluded plantings along MainStreet in the museum’s Histori-cal/Streetscape section of thegarden, replacing some nativesand pruning and thinning existinggrowth.

The garden is open to thepublic 365 days a year and servesas an extension of the museum’sexhibit space. Each year, up to2000 visitors visit the museumand its garden. More improve-ments are planned for the spring

of 2013. Come see and smell theflowers and learn something new.

The Clayton Valley Garden Cluband Clayton Historical Society are

always looking for quality members, vol-unteers and donors to help beautify andeducate the community. For more infor-mation, go to claytonvalleygardenclub.organd claytonhistory.org.

Club News

INGELA NIELSEN, STEVE LANE, Linda Karp, Jerry Smith and ValerieAustin prepare the Clayton Museum’s garden for winter.

Last month, agents andstaff from Lynne French’sWindermere Diablo Realty

office spent a day sprucing upthe Boys and Girls Club ofDiablo Valley.

Each year, WindermereReal Estate, as part of the Win-dermere Foundation, devotesone workday to making a posi-tive change in the neighbor-hoods they serve through proj-ects and volunteerism.

This year, nearly 50 agentsfrom local Windermere officesspent Oct. 19 painting anddoing repairs at the Martinezcenter.

Lynne French, owner of theClayton office was on hand tohelp with the project. “It was aunique and wonderful experi-ence this year. With such alarge group of agents and staff,many organizations couldn’tfind a fit for us. We were sopleased to learn we would beworking with the Boys & Girls

Club. To see the kid’s faces asthey walked into the club allfreshly painted and cleanedup… It’s something none of uswill forget. That’s what servicemeans to us: building our com-munities, making them better.”

The Boys and Girls Clubhas been in Martinez since1955 and reaches over 1,000youth age 6-18 through its var-ious programs. The club pro-vides a fun and educationalexperience where young peopleare supported, both emotional-ly and academically

November 9, 2012 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Around Town

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Please help us fillour bin for theContra Costa FoodBank and support those in need.Drop non-perishable food items to our officebefore December 13th.

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Visit us at ClaytonValleyShell.com for more promotionsGiants fans revel in Series sweep

Ed’s Mudville Grill was rocking and rollingwith screaming and excited San Francisco Giantsfans as the team won the World Series on Oct. 28,4-3 and swept the series in four games.

“That was really exciting,” said Moresi watch-ing his crew pour beer and scramble to get ordersout.

“To see the enthusiasm of all our guests heretonight was just special. You can’t make that stuffup, it just happened. It was just really neat.” hesaid.

“The business man in me would have liked afew extra games,” he laughed.

“It was so much fun. Every one was so excit-ed there was so much energy. It was all positive,”said Ed’s staffer Alana Bryant.

After the game ended, within minutes therestaurant was quiet as happy fans headed onhome with thoughts the next day’s Victory Paradein San Francisco.

Windermere Real Estate’s Clayton office donates a day ofservice to Boys & Girls Club of Diablo Valley

Mike Dunn photo

LORI SULLIVAN AND PATTY GRANT both of Claytonwhooped it up at Ed’s when the Giants sweptthe World Series on Oct. 28.

Staff from Lynne French’s Windermere office devoted theirannual service day to the Boys and Girls Club of Diablo Valley.From left: Greg Courtney, John Silvester, Julie Dunn,Angelique Booth, Nancy D’onofrio, Marybeth Cook, KellyMcDougall, Inge Yarborough, Bonnie Manolas, Lynne French,Mike Davis, Stacy Hengemihle and Oma Talley.

On Halloween, the city ofConcord officially launchedNextdoor.com, a social networkprogram described as “Neigh-borhood Watch gone digital.”The city hopes the program willstrengthen neighborhood con-nections and encourage com-munication between residents.

Representatives from Con-cord Police and Nextdoor weredowntown in Concord on Hal-loween while kids were trick-or-treating to introduce the pro-gram and answer questions.

Nextdoor.com makes it easyfor neighbors to communicateon issues ranging from crimeprevention to finding a plumberor asking for help to find a lostpet or locating a babysitter. EachNextdoor.com website is pass-word protected and availableonly to people living in thatneighborhood. Members mustverify when they sign up thatthey live in the neighborhoodbefore they can join.

The program, developed inMenlo Park, has been launchedin more than two dozen Califor-nia cities. Brent Bamberger ofOrinda says “We’ve seen lostpets get returned in minutes,and ping pong tables found newhomes in a matter of posts; anda heightened sense of securitythroughout the neighborhoodwhen a recent crime wave hit.”

To date, three Concordneighborhoods have joined thenetwork, and several others arein process.

“There are many advantagesto using Nextdoor.com,” saysSgt. Russ Norris. “It’s like aNeighborhood Watch programgone digital.” The goal of theprogram is to get neighborstalking “to reduce blight,

nuisance issues and crime.When neighbors know eachother, they look out for eachother. Nextdoor.com makes iteasier for neighbors to meet,create watch groups, report sus-

picious activity, and preventcrime before it happens.”

For more information, visitwww.Nextdoor.com or contact Sgt.Norris, (925) 671-3311, ext. 4328.

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Federally insured by NCUA. Everyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Contra Costa or Alameda, part of our 12-county area, is eligible to join. Certain requirements may apply.

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Click www.traviscu.org

We are movingto better serve youacross the street5441 Clayton RoadClayton Station Shopping Center

� Friday, Nov. 9:The current branch at 5442 Ygnacio Valley

Road will close permanently at 5:30 p.m.

� Saturday, Nov. 10:ATM available at new location at

5441 Clayton Road

� Monday, Nov. 12:Closed in observance of Veterans Day

� Tuesday, Nov. 13:New branch location at 5441 Clayton Road

opens at 10 a.m.

Over the upcoming Veterans Day holiday weekend,

we’ll be relocating our Clayton Branch to 5441 Clayton

Road, near the Safeway in the Clayton Station Shopping

Center just across the street from its current location.

This move will provide our members with an offi ce

that’s easier to find, with brighter work spaces and

greater access.

Clayton Branch Manager Brad Slaughter and his staff

look forward to serving you at this new location.

City of Concord launchesnew digital neighborhood site

Two girls, 6 and 9, escapedwith minor injuries on Oct. 30when they were hit by a van ontheir way to school.

The girls had just beendropped off by their mother atMitchell Canyon Rd. and FourOaks Lane when they dartedacross the street in front of avan headed north on MitchellCanyon. The girls were not inthe crosswalk and the accident

appeared unavoidable saidClayton officer Sgt. JasonShaw, who was parked onMitchell Canyon and witnessedthe incident. “It doesn’t appearthat the driver was speedingand all witness accounts areconsistent with what I saw.”

The girls were taken to thehospital where they were treat-ed for minor injuries andreleased.

Mike Dunn photo

AURORA HARKNESS AND SAMANTHA TIER BOTH OF CONCORD pre-pare to work the tables for treats at Todos Santos Square onHalloween. The event was sponsored by the Todos SantosBusiness Association, Concord Police Department andNextdoor.com a new social media site that connects people intheir neighborhoods.

MDES students hit bycar on way to school

Varsity head girls’ lacrosse

coach at CVCHS (spring

2013 season). Submit electron-

ic resume with coaching expe-

rience and three references to

[email protected]

rg or bring paper copy appli-

cation to CVCHS.

Come join Mazzei Realty!

Currently interviewing and hir-

ing new and experienced real

estate agents. Call 693-0757

for details.

Real Estate Agents

Be Successful! Lynne French

is expanding and interviewing

for a few agents. Call her

today 672-8787.

VOLUNTEERS

NEEDED

Art

Clayton Valley Art

Collaborative (CVAC) is

looking for computer savvy

individual for specific proj-

ects. Appreciation for art and

creative people necessary.

CVAC collaborates with wide

range of community organiza-

tions, individuals and busi-

nesses in East Bay. Contact

Candace Bass at 673-7036

or [email protected].

Help Fight Hunger

Anna Chan – AKA: The

Lemon Lady needs your help!

Weekly commitment appreci-

ated. For more info and con-

tact numbers, go to thelemon-

lady.blogspot.com.

Hospice of the East Bay

Help needed at Hospice of the

East Bay Concord Thrift

Shoppe located at 5350

Clayton Road, Concord. 674-

9072. For information contact

Carmen Siems, volunteer coor-

dinator at 887-5678 or car-

[email protected].

Clayton Historical

Society Museum

The Clayton Historical Society

Museum needs a greeter for

two hours per month from 2-4

p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays.

Call the museum at 672-0240

and leave your name.

Clayton Community Library

Needs volunteers. Minimum

age 13. Minimum commitment

is 6 months. Some training

provided. Contact: Arlene at

673-9777 or

[email protected].

P.O. Box 1246

6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517

TAMARA AND ROBERT STEINER, PublishersTAMARA STEINER, EditorPETE CRUZ, Graphic DesignPEGGY SPEAR, Copy Editor JAY BEDECARRÉ, Sports PAMELA WIESENDANGER, Administration

STAFF WRITERS: Denisen Hartlove, Nicci Shipstead, PamWiesendanger, Mike Dunn

We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

KindnessDo the Right Thing

Auto

Clayton Auto Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-1000

Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900

Beauty and Pampering

Bella Mia Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7792

Business Services

Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations . . . . .672-8717

Chiropractor

Coflin Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0500

Construction and Trades

Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700

Belfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423

Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672-1519

Cheyenne Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .566-8226

Copa Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2202

Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144

Iron Horse Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .595-3951

Ken Mitolo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2460

Steffan Smith Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0497

Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679

Dentistry

Perfect Smiles Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . .889-9212

Dining and Entertainment

Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440

Financial and Insurance Services

Held, Chris - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney . . . .930-3815

Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . .432-4211

Prosperitas Wealth Management . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7700

Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-877-8328

Van Wyck, Doug - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . .672-2300

Funerals

Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242

Home and Garden

Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245

Diablo Lawnscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-3757

Flooring City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-8220

Interiors Panache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7920

Just Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-4747

Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955

Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055

Waraner Tree Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250-0334

Optometry

Foresight Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4100

Pet Services

Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100

Peace of Mind Pet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9781

Pet Suites Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387

Rodie’s Feed and Pet Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600

Real Estate and Mortgage Services

French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787

Klock, Leigh - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212-5593

Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6004

Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329

Mazzei, Matt -Mazzei Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .693-0757

Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433

Recreation and Fitness

Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631

Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-7454

Kali Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276-0845

Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737, ext. 205

Senior Services

Diamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100

Montecito - Oakmont Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .852-6702

Services, Other

Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989

Net Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6029

Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . .473-0180

The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243

Specialty Stores

HobbyTown USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-3802

Travel

Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447

Holiday Guide

Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901

Blessed Brides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1200

Contra Costa County Fair . . . . . . . . . .contracostafair.com

Jennifer Leischer Interior Design . . . . . . . . . . . . .270-9955

Memo’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-0395

The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245

Waraner Bros. Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .831-2323

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letters from our readers. As a generalrule, letters should be 250 words orless and submitted at least one weekprior to publication date. Letters con-cerning current issues will have prior-ity. We may edit letters for length andclarity. All letters will be published atthe editor’s discretion.

Please include your name, addressand daytime telephone number. Wewill not print letters from “anony-mous.”

E-mail your letter in a Worddocument to [email protected]. Letters MUST be sub-mitted via E-mail.


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The body of a white male,estimated to be in his mid-for-ties, was found dead in West-wood Park on Monday, Nov. 5,from an apparent self-inflictedgunshot wound. A handgun wasfound with the body and policesay there was no evidence offoul play.

He was found around 10:30a.m. by two Clayton womenwho were walking the trail. Hewas slumped against a tree next

to the parking lot behind Safe-way. They initially thought hewas sleeping, but when theyreturned to the trail after break-fast, they saw that he had bloodon his arm and called police.

The man had been livingwith a girlfriend in KirkwoodVillage which is across the creekfrom Westwood Park. At presstime, his identity was beingwithheld pending notification ofhis parents who live out of state.

Body found behindSafeway probable suicide

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6096 Main Street, Clayton, 673-0440

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Q. My family is going tobe moving soon. We have adog and a cat. I am worriedabout how they will adjust tothe move. Any suggestions?

A. Moving is an adjustmentfor humans but it is also difficultfor pets. We are responsible foreasing the transition and keep-ing the pet safe. I went to the“Pet Realty Network” and gotsome suggestions:

1. Keep the pets separatedfrom all the chaos of movingday. If your pet isn’t alreadycomfortable with a crate itwould be a good idea to get oneand get them accustomed to it.Make it sturdy and well ventilat-ed. Put them each in one in aquiet well-ventilated place. Ifyou don’t use a crate, still find aquiet place such as a bathroomand put their toys or treats inthere with them.

2. Find a veterinarian in yournew area and ask if there are anylocal concerns like Lyme diseaseor any vaccinations or medica-tions your pet may require. Ifyou are moving to another

country, carry an updated rabiesvaccination and health certifi-cate. It is important to contactthe Agriculture Department orembassy to obtain specific infor-mation about bringing a pet intothe country.

3. Make sure your pet iswearing a sturdy collar with anidentification tag, labeled withyour current contact informa-tion. It should include your cellphone number and destinationlocation.

4. Keep at least one week’sworth of food and medicationwith you in case of an emer-

gency. Ask your current vet foran extra prescription before youmove. Purchase an extra supplyof special food in case you can’tfind it right away in your newarea.

5. If you are moving farenough away that you will begetting a new vet, get a currentcopy of your pat’s medicalrecords and vaccinations. Keepyour current vet’s contact infor-mation handy in case of anemergency or in case a new vetneeds more information.

6. Prepare a first aid kit.Being prepared and knowingbasic first aid could save yourpet’s life. Supplies shouldinclude: gauze to wrap woundsor to muzzle your pet, adhesivetape for bandages, non-stickbandages, towels and hydrogenperoxide (3 percent).

7. If you are traveling in a cara crate is ideal. A restraining har-ness is also good. For cats a wellventilated carrier is best. Don’tleave your pet alone in a parkedvehicle. Try to keep your pet onits current eating schedule.

8. Prepare your new homefor pets. They are often fright-ened and confused in new sur-roundings. When you arrive,immediately set out all the famil-iar and necessary things your petwill need: food , water, medica-tions, bed, litter box, toys etc. Becautious of narrow gaps behindor between appliances whereyour pet might try to hide. Keepexternal doors and windowsclosed when your pet is unsu-pervised. If your old home isnearby, your pet might try tofind a way back there. Make surethe new owners have your con-tact information and a photo ofyour pet.


Send your question and look foryour answer in a future column.Email [email protected] is the broker/owner ofWindermere Lynne French &Associates and a Clayton resident.For any real estate needs or questions,contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at6200 Center St., Clayton.

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ANSWERS

Humans aren’t alone in their stress over moving

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Everyone has heard thecomment: “Time flies whenyou’re having fun!” Well, Ihave to say that the past sevenyears serving the Claytoncommunity as your PoliceChief, has flown by in theblink of an eye. As many ofyou may already know, Irecently announced my retire-ment after 40 years of a careerin law enforcement. Duringthe past seven years, I haveencountered many challengesand successes. One of themany experiences that I haveenjoyed was writing themonthly “From the Chief ”column for the Clayton Pio-neer. For each article, I triedto be informative as well asprovide answers to questionsabout issues of the day. Myarticles have covered a widespectrum of issues, such asHalloween Safety, dog leashlaws, identity theft, solicitinglaws, provisional driver’slicenses, identifying when it istoo old for seniors to drive,and many other subjects. Formy last article, I would like to

provide you with what I con-sider to be the top ten signsthat indicated to me that itwas finally time to retire fromlaw enforcement in the 21stcentury. They are:

You are about to call thedispatcher and advise thatthere have been shots fired.Turns out it was just your

knees and back cracking asyou get out of bed.

The new officer wants toknow if the chicken in thesandwich you bought him isorganic and free range.

Back in the day it was acouple of hard charginghomicide detectives that wentout, found the suspect and

brought him in for question-ing. These days it’s Facebook,GPS, Tweets, and fusion cen-ters.

You’ve been on the joblonger than Andy Griffith.

The tech guy talks your ear

Lawrence muses on last sevenyears as he readies for retirement

DAN LAWRENCE

FROM THE CHIEF

Where did they come from?How long have they been there?You know what I’m talkingabout – those nasty brown spotson the back of your hands, onyour arms, or even your face. (Ihave one on my right eyelid.)

We call them age spots, butthe medical term is hyperpig-mentation, and getting rid of

them takes patience and perse-verance. Sure you can have thespots burned off with liquidnitrogen or zapped with a laser,but to stay on top of the littlebuggers, you need a plan thatincludes exfoliating the dam-aged skin and protect-ing new skin from sundamage.

Luckily, there aremany promising prod-ucts available that canhelp get rid of agespots. Here is a list ofrecommended prod-ucts that you may wantto consider:

MAC Spot On Tar-geted Skin BrighteningSystem ($38). Thisproduct has an arrayof skin lightenersincluding Lumiskin, a

peptide that inhibits skin pig-mentation, several forms of Vit-amin C, niacinamide and botan-icals.

E’shee Intensive BrighteningSerum ($119). This productworks best on a localized area

like a patch or dark spotrather than lighteningthe overall skin tone.

Sevani RapidRenewal ResurfacingCream ($120) Exfolia-tion is essential for tak-ing down hyperpigmen-tation and here the jobis done with sugars andfruit acids. With bright-eners and moisturizingingredients, this is agreat multi-tasker.

NIA Rapid Depig-mentation Serum ($75)This serum’s main

ingredient is Vitamin C, whichnormalizes pigment productionwhile increasing collagen andproviding antioxidant protec-tion. After 12 weeks, users saw a21percent improvement in skintone and a 23 percent progres-sion in radiance.

Some of these products areavailable atwww.truthinaging.com. I’veordered the MAC Spot On Sys-tem and will let you know how itworks. Obviously, anotherimportant part of this treatmentis sunscreen. Don’t forget to putit on the back of your hands,even in winter.

Live long and pester!

JUDITH MARSHALL

FASHION OVER 50

Judith Marshall is the author of“Husbands May Come and Go butFriends are Forever.” Send commentsto [email protected].

Help age spots just fade away

Pioneer Photo AlbumKim Hill built this 20 footarachnid for Halloween andthen left it up to hubby Dougto figure out how to get it onthe roof of their Molluk Waygarage. “It stops traffic,” says Doug.“It’s pretty awesome, if I dosay so myself.”

In keeping with our motto, “It’sYour Paper,” the Pioneer is proudto spotlight our reader’s photos.Send in your cute pets, funny kids,great landscapes, favorite sites intown or whatever makes yourheart beat a little faster. Emailyour photo in a hi-resolution jpegor tiff format to [email protected] with a description ofthe photo, where and when it wastaken and a little about why youlike it. Include your name andphone number. Then look for it inthe next Pioneer.

See Chief page 9

One of the primary goals ofthe new administration at ClaytonValley Charter High School thisyear is to get more students to bemore active and engaged inextracurricular activities. Theschool’s Robotics Club, which gotoff the ground officially last year,is a major beneficiary of this newemphasis on campus and hasalready reaped some of the bene-fits with their showing at the firstVex Robotics Tournament of theyear.

Clayton Valley Robotics par-ticipated in its first-ever Vex eventat the end of October atDougherty Valley High School inSan Ramon. The initial tourna-ment can be termed nothingshort of a major success as Clay-ton Valley finished 13th out ofthe 40 schools entered as theyadvanced to the quarterfinals,beating four of the six teams inSan Ramon sponsored by NASA!

The Robotics Club at Clayton

Valley got its start two years agoby a trio of then sophomores –Jeremy Bucher, Jacob Reynoldsand Matt Vonnegut. Reynoldswent to Diablo Valley Collegeafter his junior year and Vonnegutis no longer in the club. Bucher,on the other hand, is club presi-dent during his senior year andchief cheerleader for the club aswell. “Our club is composed ofbrilliant young minds who lovethe hands-on experience withtechnology that Robotics Clubprovides,” Bucher says without ahint of shyness.

He adds, “Technology is oneof the major defining characteris-tics of the future and the oneswho will shape that future are thestudents of today. Robotics Cluballows students to stop only hear-ing about innovation and startinnovating. Members of the clubhave the opportunity to take theknowledge from the classroomand apply it in a competitive andfun environment.”

Drawn mainly from studentsin the Clayton Valley EngineeringAcademy, the club has grown

substantially this year and is nowmeeting twice a week after school.Bucher heads the competitionteam that builds and competes inVex Tournaments while juniorGonzalo Carrasco leads Team 2which is divided up into smallgroups of four that build smallrobots and compete against eachother in interclub challenges.Reinforcing an unfortunatestereotype about math and sci-ence students, only three femalesare currently in the club – Nneo-ma Nwosu, Veronica Staneck andCeline Jusuf.

The club decided to competewith Vex robots because they areamong the least expensive. Robotkits can easily run up to $30,000.Chevron donated two Vex kits tothe club last year at a cost ofabout $1,500 each.

John Ouimet, who teaches inthe Engineering Academy andalso instructs auto technology atClayton Valley Charter, is the clubadvisor. Since Ouimet splits histime with auto shop activities theclub also has received guidancefrom wood shop teacher Paul

Meyer, whose classroom is rightnext door.

In addition to Carrasco andBucher the competition team atSan Ramon included seniorsAnthony Solhtalab and CarlosSilva and juniors Joshua Reynoso,Sam Ritzo, Joseph Camaddo andDavid Tejeda. “We learned manythings being there 12 hours. We’rebrainstorming now on how tocorrect our flaws, tweak ourdesign within the competitionguidelines and strengthen ourentry for next time. We are ecstat-ic about how well we did in thiscompetition and now the onlything holding us back is lack offunding [for more advanced

parts],” Bucher explained.The club hopes to apply the

lessons learned there for eventsnext February at Northgate Highin Walnut Creek and in Tracy.

On the Vex Robotics websiteit says the “Robotics Educationand Competition Foundationexists to connect students, men-tors and schools in every commu-nity to a variety of successful andengaging technology-based pro-grams. Our goal is to providethese programs with services,solutions and a community thatallows them to flourish in a waythat fosters the technical andinterpersonal skills necessary forstudents to succeed in the 21st

Century. The Robotics Founda-tion is committed to promotingtechnology and related studentand professional advancement sothat one day these programsbecome accessible to all studentsand all schools in all communities.To learn more about the competi-tions visit robotevents.com.

Like so many things, the ClaytonValley Robotics Club can use addi-tional resources so that they can pur-chase advanced parts for the competi-tion team and additional materials sothat more students can participate.Interested parties can contact Ouimeton campus or email the club at [email protected].

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Ever since I have been inschool, Red Ribbon Week hasbeen a regular part of the year-ly routine. In elementary andmiddle school, Red RibbonWeek wasn’t much more thanpinning a crimson ribbon to mychest and receiving a compli-mentary lollipop as a result.Both grade schools I attendedkept me quite sheltered fromharms such as drug abuse andviolence, and as a result, pro-grams like the Red RibbonWeek campaign had littleimpact on me. I had alwaysbeen told to “say no to drugs!”However, the concept was dif-ficult for me to grasp consider-ing I had never been exposed toany drug, alcohol, or tobaccoabuse before.

However, now that I am inhigh school, these issues aremore prevalent than in previ-ous years. With age comes free-dom, and this is very much thecase with chemical abuse. Eventhough Clayton Valley CharterHigh School does an excellentjob with managing drug andalcohol use on campus, it issimply impossible to prevent itcompletely. However, when Ilooked across the field duringmy first period class on thatfoggy Wednesday morning andsaw a few students passing ajoint, it only struck me withfeelings of disappointment.Never before had the message

of Red Ribbon Week been soclear to me.

CVCHS participated in RedRibbon Week Oct. 23 to 31, as apart of the National FamilyPartnership’s ongoing Red Rib-bon Campaign. On Oct. 24, stu-dents wore red in support of theschool’s effort to provide aware-ness and education on the pre-vention of drug, alcohol andtobacco use. In their classes, stu-dents were recommended tosign a pledge promising to live ahealthy drug-free lifestyle. Thecampus was decorated withposters with the slogan, “TheBest Me is Drug Free.”

Since its creation in 1985, theRed Ribbon Campaign hastouched the lives of millions ofpeople around the world. Itstarted with tragic killing ofDrug Enforcement Administra-tion Agent Enrique Camarena,a 37-year-old man who joined

the force to make a difference inthe world. He was sent under-cover to investigate a large drugcartel in Mexico, but on Feb. 7,1985, was abducted and mur-dered before meeting his wifefor lunch. The death ofCamarena sparked emotion inthousands in communitiesacross the country. Supporterseverywhere voluntarily beganwearing red ribbons as a symbolof awareness. It representedtheir commitment to raiseresponsiveness to the damagecaused by drugs in America. In1988, NFP sponsored the veryfirst National Red Ribbon Cele-bration. Today, the symbolic redribbon serves as a catalyst toeducate kids and teens andencourage involvement in drugprevention activities. Schoolsnationwide take part in thismovement every year.

Seeing students using drugson MY campus during a com-memorative week such as this islike a blatant and unashamedslap in the face, not only toCVCHS, but to the family andfriends of deceased DEA AgentEnrique Camarena. It’s no greatshock that drug abuse has thepotential to destroy one’s life,but it appears that it degradesone’s deference as well.

CV Robotics Club outpaces NASA teams at first tournament

For all of my childhood, Ihave held school as a veryimportant aspect of my life.Both my parents and I valueacademic success, and regardattending school as a top priori-ty. I am currently in my senioryear of high school, and regard-less of my early onset “seniori-tis,” this is still the case. Howev-er, I believe that many differentexperiences are necessary inbecoming a well-rounded indi-vidual, and that rules can occa-sionally be broken with justifica-tion – which is why I do notregret my decision to forgoschool on Halloween, andinstead attend the San FranciscoGiants’ World Series VictoryParade.

I do feel slightly guilty overthe money that the school loses.My absence alone would not

make much of an impact, but Iknow for a fact that many of mypeers were also in San Franciscothat day, and, added to the usualamount of sick students, thatwill be a larger-than-usual sumof money lost. I know that twoyears ago, when the Giants wonthe World Series in 2010,absences were a huge topic ofdiscussion, as many schools inthe area were hit with fairly dra-matic money losses.

However, being at the paradeeased my conscience fairlyquickly. There was an atmos-phere of excitement in the city,as reportedly one million fansfrom all across the Bay Areagathered to cheer on theirfavorite baseball team. Many ofthose fans were of high schoolage or younger. But the all-agesaudience made the atmosphereeven more fun.

Of course, there is also theissue of instructional time lostin a day. For many younger kids,the Halloween date made miss-ing school easier, since it is usu-ally a day of parties. However,there were no Halloween parties

being held in any of my classes,and I knew all along that Iwould be missing work.Although I may suffer when Iam actually doing my make-upwork, I do know that I am anindependent learner, and havingto play catch-up is a sacrificethat I am willing to make for thisexperience.

Next year, I will be in collegeat this time of the year, and evenif the Giants do win anotherring, I will likely not be aroundto celebrate. Who knows when Iwill have the opportunity toexperience this again? In myopinion, everything fell perfectlyinto place, with my favorite teamwinning during my senior year,arguably the most opportuneyear to miss school. And maybeI missed seeing some interestingcostumes at school, but I would-n’t have wanted to celebrateHalloween any other way.

Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Robotics Club

JUNIOR SAM RITZO IS MAKING FINAL ADJUSTMENTS ON THE CLAYTON VALLEY ROBOTICS CLUB entry attheir first-ever Vex Robotics Tournament last month at Dougherty Valley High School in SanRamon. The rookie team from Clayton Valley Charter High School reached the quarterfinalsfrom among a field of 40 schools.

Sara Chavez is a senior at ClaytonValley High School. She hopes to pur-sue her passions of writing and dancingin college, as well as working toward acareer as a school psychologist. Emailher at [email protected].

Robbie Parker is a freshman atClayton Valley High School. Send comments to [email protected]

ROBBIE PARKER

CVHS REPORTER

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Not a Giant sacrificeto attend parade

Drug use shreds RedRibbon Week message

SARA CHAVEZ

TEEN SPEAK

Simon & Garfunkel notwith-standing, there’s a lot to be saidfor parsley, sage, rosemary, andthyme this time of year. Theseherbs, along with bay leaf andsometimes oregano or marjo-ram, are the traditional aromaticseasonings for Thanksgivingdishes.

What is an herb as opposedto a spice? In general, an herb isthe leafy portion of a plant usedeither in dried or fresh form.Spices are harvested from otherportions of the plant and areusually dried. Spices may comefrom berries (pepper), roots(actually rhizomes like ginger),seeds (nutmeg), flower buds(cloves) and the stamens offlowers (saffron).

Parsley is perhaps the mostwell-known herb used in Amer-ica. Of the two forms typicallyused, flat leaf or Italian parsleyis used more often in cookingsince it has a stronger and lessbitter flavor than its cousin,curly parsley. It’s long been usedto flavor and garnish food, butin ancient times it was made intowreaths and worn to preventintoxication. Parsley seed oil is acommon modern ingredient inshampoo, soap, and men’scologne.

There are more than 500varieties of sage, popularly usedto season bread stuffing forturkey. Like most herbs, sagewas viewed as to heal, to treatsnake bites, eye problems, infec-tions, memory loss and intestin-al problems. It is naturally anti-bacterial and contains powerfulanti-oxidants.

Of these four herbs, perhapsrosemary has the longest pedi-gree of social, medicinal, andculinary applications. Some ofthe earliest references to rose-mary associate the herb with the

remembrance of significantevents, as when it was throwninto graves to remember thedeparted, used as a garland bystudents studying for exams,and worn by brides to show theywould always remember theirfamilies. Its piney aroma is stillused extensively in perfumes,bath oil, shampoos and even asan insect repellant.

Rosemary oil and tinctureswere prescribed to treattoothache, headache, gout,coughs, baldness, and indiges-tion. It was believed that burn-ing rosemary could kill germsand protect against infectiousdisease.

While whole sprigs of rose-mary can be added to oil andvinegar to flavor condimentsand marinades, usually it is fine-ly chopped to enhance vegeta-bles like tomatoes, spinach, peasand mushrooms, added tobreads and cheeses, or used toflavor all natures of meat, par-ticularly when roasting.Thyme is a member of the mintfamily and was used by theancient Greeks to symbolizecourage, a belief that persisted

into theM i d d l eAges whensprigs ofthyme wereused to deco-rate the scarvesof knights toreflect their braveryin battle. Egyptianmummification prac-tices included thyme inpreserving solutions.

There is considerable differ-ence in using fresh herbs anddried herbs. While they can beinterchangeable (dried herbs aremore pungent than fresh, sowhen substituting use far lessdried herb), there are notewor-thy flavor and texture differ-ences. While you might enjoyfresh parsley sprinkled on top ofa bowl of pasta, freeze-driedparsley would be altogether toobitter, dry and crunchy. Infusedried herbs in oils and theyimpart lovely flavor (and rehy-drate in the oil too).

Returning to the musical duoallusion, you might like to trythis recipe:

SIMON & GARFUNKEL

STUFFING

4 stalks celery, chopped 1 onion, chopped3 cloves of garlic, minced1/2 bunch fresh Italian parsley,chopped6 leaves fresh sage, minced2 sprigs fresh thyme, leavesstripped and rubbed 1 to 2 tsp minced fresh rose-mary6-8 c bread cubes 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil4 Tbsp butter, melted 1 c vegetable broth (or more ifneeded to moisten)

Salt and pepper

Preheat large skillet overmedium heat. Add the oil, but-ter, celery, onions and garlic.

Sauté, stirring occasionally, untilonion is tender.

Add the herbs and seasongenerously with salt and pepper.

Add the mixture to thebread cubes in a large bowl andstir in enough vegetable brothto moisten.

Turn stuffing into an oiledcasserole dish and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or untilwarmed through and dry andcrispy on top.

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Herbs for the Holidays

As a meteorologist, I fol-lowed the path of HurricaneSandy as it moved in a norther-ly direction from its genesisnear Cuba. As a father I paidspecial attention to this stormas it approached the Mid-Atlantic states since myyoungest son had just moved toNew York City.

It soon became obvious thatSandy was going to be a dan-gerous storm with respect towind, rain and storm-surgepotential. Typically, hurricaneslose strength as they movenorthward over cooler water.Sandy was actually strengthen-ing as it moved northward as itmerged with a cold trough oflow pressure that originated in

central Canada.Hurricanes that move north-

ward over the Atlantic are usual-ly steered to the east by the jetstream and dissipate withoutmaking landfall. Not so withSandy. Weather forecast modelsindicated that a strong highpressure system over the north-ern Atlantic would steer thiscyclone toward the U.S., withlandfall expected along the NewJersey coast.

As it turned out, the com-puter models were accurate.The center of the stormcrossed the New Jersey coast-line about 150 miles south ofNew York City. The city avoid-ed a direct hit as far as the windand rain were concerned, butencountered a paralyzing stormsurge that flooded subways andclosed all three major airports.

Hurricanes are large stormswith winds that move in acounter-clockwise (cyclonic)direction around the center.Sandy approached the NewJersey coastline moving fromeast to west. This means thatwinds in the area north of thecenter of the storm were alsomoving from east to west,pushing ocean water toward

the coastline.Superstorm Sandy’s storm

surge rode in toward New YorkCity’s coastline on top of aoceanic tide that was higherthan normal due to the presenceof a full moon. Tidal gauge datafrom the Battery Station inManhattan show the water levelthere was the highest everrecorded, reaching 13.88 feetabove normal. That broke theofficial record set during a hurri-cane in 1821 by more than threeand a half feet.

Damage from SuperstormSandy will likely be in the tens ofbillions of dollars, making thestorm one of the most expen-sive disasters in U.S. history.

Meteorologists and coastal

urban planners will study thecauses and effects of this stormfor years.

My son said he was luckyhe rented an apartment awayfrom the shoreline, but hasendured some nightmare com-mutes to work. He moved toNew York just in time to expe-rience Hurricane Sandy, one ofthe most unique storm eventsin recent history. I was able towatch the storm from my com-puter – he was able to see itout his window!

Despite distance, hurricane hits close to home

LINDA WYNER

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Linda Wyner, a local attorney andfoodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmetcookware store and cooking school inPleasanton.

Direct your suggestions or questionsto [email protected]

WOODY WHITLATCH

WEATHER WORDS

Woody Whitlatch is a meteorolo-gist with PG&E. Email your ques-tions or comments to [email protected]

As we watched the coverageof the devastation and destruc-tion of Hurricane Sandy, ourhearts filled with sadness forthose who lost their businesses,their homes, and in some cases,their lives. We may also have feltthe uncomfortable twinges ofanxiety and fear as we reflect onwhat we might do if somethinglike that happened to us.

While we may not have toworry about hurricanes here inthe Bay Area, we do live with theawareness and knowledge that amajor earthquake could occur atany time. Whether helping ourloved ones on the East Coast orpreparing ourselves right here inClayton, this seems like theopportune time to share sometips for coping after a major nat-ural disaster. Dr. Judy Kuriansky,a clinical psychologist who hashelped survivors after HurricaneKatrina and after earthquakes inHaiti and Japan, offers the fol-lowing advice:

1) Accept a wide range ofemotional reactions. Natural

disasters are out of our control,so it is normal to feel helplessand powerless. It can be veryfrustrating to not have anyone

or anything to blame for the dis-aster, and often times, that frus-tration is misdirected at thoseclosest to us. You may find your-self being more short and irrita-ble with your loved ones.Acknowledge but do not holdonto feelings of “survivor guilt”if you did not suffer as muchloss as others, or blame yourself

if you feel relieved that you didnot suffer as much.

2) Connect with others. Dur-ing times of threat and tragedy,pay attention to who you con-tact and who contacts you andacknowledge their importance.Having a network of peoplewho you care about and viceversa is a demonstrated positivecoping strategy during times ofemergency. If you are notdirectly at risk, then please con-sider reaching out to those whoare to offer support and help.

3) Grow from the experi-ence. Research has shown thatnegative events can cause notonly post-traumatic stress butalso post-traumatic growth.After natural disasters, peopleoften re-evaluate their priori-ties, find new meaning in theirlives, and re-affirm how theywant to do things differently inthe future.

4) Get back to normal assoon as possible. Even if busi-nesses and schools are closed,try to get yourself and your fam-

ily back on a routine as much aspossible.

5) Be prepared for feelingsto last. Even after the disasterdangers go away and the mediaattention fades, feelings can stilllinger and hang around. Anargument, outburst, or break-down a week later may be leftover from the event. Noticingthis connection may help diffuseand dissipate the intensity ofthose emotions.

6) Pay particular attention toyour child’s reactions. Use thedisaster as a teachable momentto explain about unexpectedevents and to ask about theirthoughts and feelings. Reassurethem of your presence andexpect to spend extra time withthem, especially in dark or unfa-miliar settings.

Sandy may evoke a storm of emotions

STEPHANIE HO

MIND MATTERS

Stephanie T. Ho is a licensed psy-chologist. She has a private practiceoffice in Walnut Creek and works atUC Berkeley. She can be reached [email protected].


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off about the web apps onbluetooth-equipped blackber-ries. You nod politely andhave no clue what the heckhe’s talking about.

All of the officers areyoung enough to be yourgrandchildren.

Your idea of “roughing”the suspect up is to get him inthe interview room and talk

about your sciatica non-stopfor 45 minutes.

You’re wondering when“friend” went from being anoun to a verb.

You overheard a first-yearcop talking about you: “Thatdude’s so old; he probably stilllistens to CD’s!”

You’re the only employeeon Medicare.

Some of these signs aresilly, and some are slightlytrue. I have had a great careerespecially my last seven yearswith the Clayton PoliceDepartment. However, I rec-ognize that it is time for someelse to lead the Clayton PoliceDepartment. As I write thisarticle, the city’s recruitmentprocess to locate the nextchief is well under way. I amvery certain that the “newguy” will be a great fit for thecity and the department.

Although I will miss theexcitement that a career in lawenforcement brings, I will stayactive and have more time toshare with Sandy, my wife of42 years. In the words ofGeneral Robert E. Lee, “I bidyou all an affectionatefarewell.”

Hall. There will be lots ofsweets for the kids and photoopportunities for parents.

Dec. 31 is our annual Clay-ton Counts Down” New Year’sEve program. This is an alco-hol-free environment for fami-lies and their children sponsoredby donors through the City ofClayton. It will feature kid activ-ities, refreshments, food, gamesand prizes. This event takesplace at the Clayton CommunityGym from 5 to 8 p.m. Furtherdetails on these events, as well asothers for the holiday season,will appear in future editions ofthe Clayton Pioneer. You canalso check our City’s website:www.cityofclayton.org.

HISTORIC CLAYTON

If you have guests for theholidays, an interesting place totake them is the Joel Clayton

Historical Museum. There islots of history for our smalltown that most will find fasci-nating. The building was builtaround 1860 and moved severaltimes before it ended up at itspresent location in 1976. JoelClayton’s home, a second small-er Oak Street home of the samevintage, the old town jail and anouthouse have all been movedand converted by the ClaytonHistorical Society members tocreate our museum. Furnishedwith artifacts acquired throughdonations depicting the historyof the Mt. Diablo region fromthe early 1800s, you and yourguests will get a true feeling ofour community back in the daysof yore.

Although it was gold thatbrought the miners to Califor-nia, it was the discovery of coalin the 1850s in the foothills of

Mt. Diablo that brought theminers to our region. It provid-ed a cheap, readily available fuelnot only for the foundries, butalso for the mills, ferries, steam-ers and other developing indus-tries. Though Clayton was not amining town, it was centrallylocated to the mining towns ofSomersville, Nortonville, Jud-sonville and Stewartville. Clay-ton provided the services andsupplies for these miners. Clay-ton soon became the hub ofactivity and a bustling town.There was a General Store,school, hotel, taverns andchurches. By 1868, with a popu-lation of 900, Clayton was oneof the largest cities in ContraCosta County.

By 1902, high mining costand the advent of oil as anindustry fuel drove most of themines out of business. Nor-tonville and Somersvillebecame ghost towns almostovernight. Clayton became a

quiet ranching community.The museum will be decorat-

ed for the holidays and theircases will be stuffed with uniquegifts and Clayton memorabiliafor you to purchase. Admissionis free. However, you shouldcheck their website atwww.claytonhistory.org for spe-cial holiday hours.

My grandfather, a wise man99 years old when he passed,said, “If you always tell thetruth, you never have to remem-ber what you said.” As always, e-mail questions or comments [email protected].

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Acetabulum is a typicalShar Pei. He is social on hisown terms and he really lovesto explore his environmentand take in all the sights,sounds, and smells of his sur-roundings. Acetabulum has aquirky side that comes outwhen he plays. It would begreat to focus Acetabulum’scuriosity and attention to astimulating activity like a BasicManners training class or a vig-orous hike in the hills.

The adoption fee for adultdogs is $225 and includes 60percent off one 7-week dog

training session.Mimosa is a darling little

girl who is looking for aquiet/calm home. She lovesreceiving gentle pets and needspatient adopters who will giveher time to adjust to a newfamily.

The adoption fee for adultcats is $50.

Meet your forever friend atTony La Russa’s Animal Res-cue Foundation, 2890 MitchellDrive, Walnut Creek, duringadoption hours: Noon to 5p.m. Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, Noon to5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.The primary caretaker must bepresent to adopt. ARF alsoencourages kids 16 andyounger and canine familymembers (dog adoptions only)to be present during the adop-tion process.

Would you like to be part of theheroic team that saves the lives ofrescued dogs and cats? Can youshare your talents to connect peopleand animals? ARF volunteers aremaking a difference! For more infor-mation see our website, www.arf.net,or call 925.256.1ARF.

Acetabulum and Mimosa areARF’s Adoption Stars

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Spayed and neutered pets arehealthier, happier, and don’tcontribute to an already over-whelming pet overpopulation.As one of the many ways theAnimal Rescue Foundation ishelping to reduce the popula-tion of unwanted animals, ARFis pleased to offer freespay/neuter surgeries onWednesday, Dec. 5 at their 2890Mitchell Drive facility in WalnutCreek.

Dogs and cats must between17 weeks and 6 years of age,healthy, and current on rabiesvaccinations. Puppies and kit-tens must weigh at least twopounds.

Dogs must have their DHPPvaccination and cats must becurrent on the FVRCP vaccine.Proof of vaccinations will berequired on the day of surgery.

Space is limited, so be sureto book an appointment inadvance by calling theSpay/Neuter Clinic at (925)296-3125. Leave a message andan ARF representative willreturn your call within threebusiness days.

ARF tohold freespay/neuterclinic

Mayor, from page 1

Chief, from page 6

Dan Lawrence is Clayton’s PoliceChief. Please send your questions,comments or topics you’d like to see covered to [email protected]

For many years one of thearea’s most anticipated soccerevents, the 14th annual editionof the Halloween Kick or TreatClassic proved as popular asever with 107 under ninethrough under 11 competitiveteams taking part over the lastweekend of October. The hostDiablo FC ended up with threeteams reaching the champi-onship finals and its Diablo FC03 boys winning the covetedcostume contest in its division.

Diablo FC 02 girls won threeconsecutive games to earn aspot in the U10 finals againstAlmaden Arsenal FA Elite 03.

In the championship matchDiablo FC and Almaden tied 2-2 in regulation time and werescoreless in two golden goalsovertime periods. Almaden thenwon the Broomsticks U10 titlein a penalty kick shootout, deny-ing Diablo FC 02 a win in theKick or Treat finals for the sec-ond year in a row.

The home team coached byMiguel Gonzalez defeated Mus-tang Stars 4-2 and Mill ValleyRockers U10 Red 2-1 in round-robin play. Diablo FC 02 edgedTri Valley Blues 1-0 in the semi-finals.

In the U10 flight coach SteveShott’s boys had strong offen-sive play while beating MustangStrikers 6-2, Dublin United

Arsenal 5-1 and MustangHibernian 6-2 to setup up thefinale against Mustang Roma,the first-place team in fall leaguegold division. Roma defeatedDiablo FC 02 4-1 to claim theBats division title after also win-ning the Kick or Treat U9 title ayear ago.

The third Diablo FC team toget into the championship finalswas the U11 boys coached by St.Mary’s College head coachAdam Cooper. They started offthe weekend on fire with a winof 7 – 0 over West CoastWolves. Kyle Antonson andRyan Giacobazzi scored goalswhile Juan Haro and LincolnAdams netted twice each. Anown goal completed the shutout

scoring.On Sunday morning Diablo

FC 01 faced Milan FC in a tensegame as each team battled toadvance to the Vampires divi-sion championship. Milanscored first, but Diablo FC boysbattled back. At halftime, Milanhad a 2 -1 lead with Haro net-ting for the home team. Coach-es James Quijano and PaulBockenkamp, filling in forCooper away on college duty,gave a stirring halftime talk andDiablo FC was able to tie the 3-3 game with goals by CooperPauline and Bryan Rodriguez.The final berth came down to

An incredible offensive out-put utilizing new coach TimMurphy’s wing-gun offenserewrote the school record bookand propelled Clayton ValleyCharter, now the top scoringhigh school football team inCalifornia, to nine consecutivevictories including an undefeat-ed Diablo Valley AthleticLeague slate. The Eagles are theNo. 1 seed in the North CoastSection playoffs, hosting theirfirst NCS game next Friday,Nov. 16, at Gonsalves Stadiumagainst the winner of this Fri-day’s first-round game betweenDublin and Livermore.

Based on past experience,carrying a high playoff seedbodes well for the Eagles. In2008 Clayton Valley embracedits return to the DVAL by goingundefeated through 10 regular-season games, got the No. 2seed in the playoffs before los-ing the NCS championshipgame to No. 1 Cardinal New-man and finishing with a schoolrecord 12-1 record. In 2003Clayton Valley was also the No.2 seed and went to triple over-time before dropping a wild 37-36 NCS finale to Las Lomas.

The Eagles have been seededno higher than fifth in their sixother NCS appearances in thepast decade and have made it tothe semi-finals only once inthose years (2004).

This season began inauspi-ciously as the team adapted tothe new offensive and defensiveschemes introduced by thecoaching staff. Perennial power

Pittsburg defeated CVCHS 40-27 in the opener but since thenthe Eagles offense has neverscored fewer than 41 points in agame and exceeded 54 six timeswhile averaging 53.5 points pergame. Despite its frenetic pacethe Eagles offense has had only

one lost fumble and one passinterception while punting justthree times in 10 games!

Running back Joe Protheroeshattered the school mark forrushing yards with 2,091 yardsheading into the playoffs. Theprevious record of 1,741 was set

in 1994 by Dominic DeMartini.The team established new marksfor scoring (535 points in theseason and 68 in a game), rush-ing yards in a game (547) andseason (4,027) and total offensewith nearly 5,100 yards beforeNCS play.

The league championshipwas decided two weeks agowhen CV scored 20 unansweredpoints in the fourth quarter todefeat Northgate 41-21 after theteams were tied at 21 enteringthe last quarter.

Both teams were undefeated

in league heading into the show-down clash. Three times theEagles scored touchdowns to takeleads and each time the Broncostied the score. In the fourth quar-ter junior quarterback MikeProtheroe scored on a 27-yardrun for a 27-21 Eagles lead afterthe conversion kick was blocked.Northgate took the ensuing kick-off 80 yards to the CVCHS five-yard line, threatening to tie or takethe lead. The defense stopped theBroncos near the goal line onfourth down and then drove 99yards to ice the win and take theDVAL crown for the first timesince 2008.

REGIONAL FINAL BECKONS

This year California highschool football has addedRegional championship gamesfor each division in Northernand Southern California todetermine the teams for the CIFBowl games in Carson Dec. 14-15. With the Eagles as the topseed they will be well positionedto earn a berth in the Division IIRegional final should they rackup three straight playoff winsand win the school’s first-eversection football title. With theNo. 1 seed brings a bye thisweekend. Murphy welcomes thetime off “for a ton of reasons.The players can heal up fromthe long season and get readyfor what we hope are five moreweeks of games.”

Murphy led Ygnacio Valley toits initial NCS crown in 1999 inthe midst of a three-year run asleague titlists. Murphy left YVHSin 2001 for a new position atClovis East in the Central Valleyreaching four Section champi-onship games, winning two.

Sports

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Mike Dunn photo

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID LINZEY, center, is all smiles along with star running back JoeProtheroe, left, and his younger brother and quarterback Mike Protheroe after CVCHS completed an undefeated DVAL seasonwith a 62-6 romp over Mt. Diablo at Gonsalves Stadium. The Eagles are No. 1 seed in the Division II football playoffs.


See Kick or Treat page 11

League champion Eagles top seed for NCS playoffs

The 14th annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic is renownedfor its soccer and also a fabulous costume contest. The undernine boys division winners were from the host Diablo FC.Coached by Joel Cazarez, Diablo FC 03 includes, front rowfrom left, Christian Nomellini, Kevin Murguia, AnthonyLozano, Jack Simpkins, Mauro Ruiz, Dominick Rodriguez; backrow, AB Lozano-Garcia, Killian Pollock, Davin Fabrizio,Jonathan Wence, Juanpablo Hernandez and Cesar Garcia.

3 young Diablo FC teams reach finals of Halloween Kick or Treat Classic

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Clayton junior Lauren Ipsenhelped her Carondelet HighSchool golf team to a fourth-place finish at the North CoastSection Tournament of Cham-pions last week. Carondelet justmissed out on moving on to theNorthern California Champi-onships as only the top threeteams qualified for NorCal andthe Cougars East Bay AthleticLeague rivals Foothill took thethird and final berth.

Ipsen shot 84 to finish tiedfor second on the team withBlake Haverty behind theCougars’ low scorer sophomoreSabby Virtusio, who carded a 77at the Windsor Golf Course.Rounding out the Carondeletscoring total of 417 strokeswere Kelly Ransom (85) andMorgan Allen (87).

Clayton Valley Charter wasin the tournament as two-timeDiablo Valley Athletic Leaguechampions. Sisters McKennaDeLong (88) and Rachel Delong

(93) were top TOC performersfor the Eagles.

Carondelet’s fourth-placefinish completes a strong seasonfor Coach Rick Eisenhour’ssquad. The coach has been lead-ing the Cougars golf programfor 14 years and they reachedthe NorCal meet for the thirdtime. In 2006 they were secondat NCS and third at the NorCalChampionships. Eisenhour isonly losing one senior, Allen, offthis year’s squad so he expectsIpsen and mates to be a strongcontender next year.

Carondelet was 11-3 in dualmeets in the strong EBAL. Inaddition they posted their lowestever tournament score with a401 at the Freedom Tournamentin Brentwood where they fin-ished third behind the top twoteams at the TOC, Mission SanJose and Justin-Siena. Ipsen shot81 there to finish behind Virtu-sio (71) and Haverty (78). Earli-er in the fall they were fourth atthe Deer Valley Tournament inAntioch and third at MonarchBay in San Leandro.

Senior Casey Adams ofClayton Valley Charter HighSchool is one of 20 scholar ath-letes in California selected as afinalist for the Wendy’s HighSchool Heisman Award.

Across the United States45,000 athletes were nominatedfor the award with 2,677 comingfrom California. Ten boys and10 girls were recentlyannounced as finalists from ourstate. The sponsors say, “Thesefinalists embody the Heismanspirit of hard work and dedica-tion through their outstandingachievements in athletics, aca-demics and community/schoolleadership.” Students who applyare judged on their academic

achievements, athletic accom-plishments, community-leader-ship and involvement in variousextracurricular activities duringgrades nine through 11.

Adams has been a four-yearvarsity water polo starter forcoach Dennis Bledsoe. Shehelped the Eagles earn a No. 3seed in the North Coast Sectionplayoffs this fall and she figuresto earn her third straight all-Dia-blo Valley Athletic Leaguehonor.

If Adams is successful inadvancing to the next level as astate winner she will be on herway to Wendy’s donating$2,000-$10,000 to CVCHS inher name.

For more information on the HighSchool Heisman program visitwendyshighschoolheisman.com.

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Kick or Treat, from page 10

Sports November 9, 2012 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com

Photo courtesy Yary Photography

Clayton junior Lauren Ipsen shot 84 to help the CarondeletHigh School golf team to a fourth-place finish at the NorthCoast Section Tournament of Champions last week. Ipsen justfinished her third year on varsity and her coach Rick Eisenhourexpects the Cougars to have a strong team again next year asthey seek to earn a berth in the Northern CaliforniaChampionships.

Scott Anderson photo

Senior Casey Adams (right) has enjoyed a four-year varsitywater polo career at Clayton Valley. She’s now a state finalistfor the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

Lauren Ipsen helps Carondelet golf to4th place at Tournament of Champions

Casey Adams Wendy’sHigh School HeismanAward state finalist

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goal differential and Diablo FCwas able to advance to the finalsby one goal.

The championship game wasagainst their neighbor and rivalWalnut Creek Arsenal. WalnutCreek came out strong and wasup 2–0 at halftime. With about10 minutes left in the game,Mika Parodi fired a long-rangeshot to draw Diablo FC withinone but Arsenal held on for thechampionship.

The U11 girls, Diablo FC 01,

had a pair of shutouts on Satur-day to reach the semi-finals.They blanked Palo Alto Thun-der 5-0 and Sagebrush SC IceDragons of Nevada 6-0.

Coach Gonzalez’ team thenwas defeated 3-1 by Union CityPremier TOPS 3-1 in the semis.UC Premier won the finals 6-0later Sunday. Ironically, UnionCity defeated Diablo FC 01 in lastyear’s U10 Kick or Treat finals.

Find complete results and costumecontest photos at diablofc.org.

Photos courtesy Diablo FC

Diablo FC 02 enjoyed three decisive victories to reach thefinals of the 14th annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classicbefore they came up short to league champion Mustang Romain the championship match. Coach Steve Shott’s team alsoenjoyed taking part in the costume contest. The squadincludes, front row from left, Daniel Romo, Marcus Stich,Sebastian Vaisset-Fauvel, Isaac Morfin, Zachary Hamilton;back row, Dami Olatunji, Radi Mijatovic, Gavin Dausses,Gabriel Perez and Cayden Weiszmann.

Sports Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com November 9, 2012

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Happy Thanksgiving

CLUB VOLLEYBALL TRYOUT AT CLAYTON GYM SATURDAYAll Out Sports is holding tryouts at Clayton Community Gym for

Blaze girls volleyball club this Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for ages10-18. The competitive volleyball program runs from January – Junewith Blaze teams playing in up to 10 tournaments throughoutNorthern California. Cost to tryout is $10 per player. Informationand registration for tryouts can be found at alloutsportsleague.com.For more information on the Blaze program and tryout require-ments contact coach Shauna at (510) 816-3362.

DIABLO FC WINTER SOCCER ACADEMY ACCEPTING PLAYERSDiablo FC’s renowned 12th annual Winter Soccer Academy is tak-

ing signups now for its 2013 session running on Mondays and Thurs-days from 5-6 p.m. at Willow Pass Park in Concord from Jan. 7 throughFeb. 21. Boys and girls 5-12 years of age in all skill levels can participatein Winter Academy getting professional coaching in a non-competitiveenvironment. The year-round U8 Diablo FC Academy also begins its2013 sessions with the Winter Academy. St. Mary’s College head coachAdam Cooper runs the Winter Academy. For more information onWinter Academy and U8 Soccer Academy visit diablofc.org.

WINTER YOUTH BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL LEAGUES

DEADLINES SOONRegistration for the popular winter youth basketball and volley-

ball leagues at Clayton Community Gym is closing soon. Basketballfor girls and boys from 4-16 years of age begins Dec. 15 and playerevaluation day is Nov. 23. Winter youth volleyball for ages 8-16 runson Sundays 6-9 p.m. from Nov. 18 through Jan. 6. Registration isbeing taken online until next Friday, Nov. 16, for volleyball and Tues-day, Nov. 20, for basketball at alloutsportsleague.com. Call 203-5626for more info.

KARA KOHLER HELPS USA WOMEN’S EIGHT ROW TO

CHAMPIONSHIPIn the first major international meet since the Olympics Clayton’s

Kara Kohler was part of the USRowing women’s team that won thefeatured Championship Eight race at the 48th Head of the CharlesRegatta in Cambridge, MA, the world’s largest two-day rowing event.

Kohler and her Olympic Quad bronze medal teammates AdrienneMartelli and Megan Kalmoe joined five members of the USA goldmedal women’s eight to defeat an international field. Kohler is cur-rently training with her Cal crew team preparing for her junior sea-son which begins in the spring.

CV OFFERS YOUTH BASEBALL SKILLS CLINIC NOV. 23Clayton Valley Charter High school baseball coach Casey Coakley is

offering a youth baseball skills clinic on Friday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to1 p.m. at the Concord school on the Thanksgiving weekend. Coakleyhas returned to CVCHS as varsity coach and he will be running the clin-ic along with his players, who are favored to once again reach the NCSplayoffs next spring. Girls and boys six to 14 years of age can sign upnow by emailing coach Coakley [email protected].

CV SEEKS 2013 HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONSClayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee is

accepting nominations for the 2013 induction class. This will be thethird class for the Hall, which began during the school’s 50thanniversary year in 2008. Individuals can nominate student athletesand coaches for the Hall of Fame. The requirement is that the nom-inee was a CVHS grad or coach in the years 1960-1999 who was all-league in at least one sport. Requests for a nomination form can besent via e-mail to Dee Billeter at [email protected] or Bill Nel-son at [email protected]. Include a mailing address andan application form will be mailed to you. The induction takes placenext May 18 at Centre Concord.

DIABLO FC U9-U11 COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS IN JANUARYDiablo FC tryouts for the 2013 season for under 9 through under

11 competitive teams will be held in late January. Boys and girls bornbetween Aug. 1, 2002 and July 31, 2006 are invited to try out. Try-outs for boys and girls in the U12-U14 age groups will be in Febru-ary. There is no charge to try out and players can pre-register todayat diablofc.org.

10TH ANNUAL DIABLO FC CRAB FEED & AUCTION FEB. 8The 10th annual Crab Feed and Auction to support Diablo FC

youth soccer programs is Friday, Feb. 8, at Centre Concord. Besidesthe crab feed dinner and fund-raising live and silent auctions, therewill be dancing. Tickets are $50. To get more info or to buy ticketsvisit diablofc.org

Sports Shorts

The fall AYSO soccer seasonfor Mt. Diablo Soccer Associa-tion came to a close at the endof October for the majority ofthe 60 teams in the under 10through U14 age groups withthe conclusion of the fourthannual World Cup tournament.However, the top MDSA WorldCup teams still have some moremountains to conquer as they

take part in the AYSO Area 2CCup this weekend where thelocals will compete againstPHMSA, Concord, Richmond,Stockton and American Canyonregion opponents.

Each MDSA age group wasdivided into pool play for thefirst two World Cup weekendsto determine seeding going intothe quarterfinals on the finalSaturday of the Cup. Of theeight teams who were seededfirst (two age groups had a tie

for most points in pool play)only one was able to claim theWorld Cup championship onthe final weekend as each agegroup went from eight teams toa champion through the quar-terfinals, semi-finals and finalgame.

The lone team that not onlyfinished atop pool play but alsowon the championship matchwas the U14 boys Englandcoached by Chris Snyder, whichdefeated Italy 4-3 in the finals.Italy had also been second inpool play.

The top three teams in U10and U12 divisions were invitedto play in the Area Cup thisweekend along with the top twoU14 girls and U14 boys winningteam.

The U10 Ghana boyscoached by Kevin Ross endedup 15-1 including regular seasonand World Cup games. Theironly loss came in the first roundof World Cup to Bolivia 4-3 butthen they ran off six straightvictories including a narrow 3-2decision over Cuba in the finals.In U10 girls Guatemala andHaiti battled through a scorelessgame and two overtime periodbefore Guatemala won in apenalty kick shootout.

World Cup top four teams(and coach):

U10 Girls1. Guatemala - Janelle Adams2. Haiti - Karen Amos3. Ecuador - Shane Velez4. Morocco - Patricia King

U10 Boys1. Ghana - Kevin Ross2. Cuba - Clark Colvis3. Bolivia - Paula Crawford4. Switzerland - Jesse Glaves

U12 Girls1. Fiji - Jerry Bascom2. Puerto Rico - Josh Harkness3. Finland - Robert Waller4. Argentina - Marvin Davis

U12 Boys1. Ireland - Richard Sielman2. Colombia - Greg Ballardo3. Poland - Werner Menard4. Spain - Lisa Mendelsohn

U14 Girls1. China - Ken Lopes2. Cameroon - Ruben Izon3. Paraguay - Anthony Campos4. Nicaragua - Pete Villa

U14 Boys1. England - Chris Snyder2. Italy - Charles Schoffstall3. Chile - Joern Weigelt4. Senegal - Andrew Jackman

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Photos courtesy MDSA

Team Guatemala coached by Janelle Adams and SpencerWilliams defeated Haiti in the finals of the under 10 girlsMDSA World Cup. The teams played a scoreless game andtwo overtime periods before Guatemala prevailed in penaltykicks. Both finalists and third-place Ecuador earned a spot inthis weekend’s Area 2C Cup. The team includes, front rowfrom left, Kelly Adams, Katelyn Walling, Tristel Arugay, LilyWilcox, Megan Shipstead; back row, coach Williams, MiaPeterson, Emma Williams, Kylie Nielsen, Caleigh Olgeirson,Emilee Fife and coach Adams.

Team Fiji coached by Jerry Bascom and Andy Byde shut outPuerto Rico 4-0 in the finals of the U12 girls MDSA WorldCup. The champs include, kneeling from left, Noelle Lucas,Abby Byde, Isabella Gonzales, Rachel Burnett, Lindsey Smith,Catherine Richard, Amelia Bascom; standing, Carly Lynch,Jewel Triggs, Anjali Byrne, Natalee Galdamez, Mariah Dilelioand coach Byde. Not pictured, coach Bascom.

Ireland came up green with a win in the championship matchof the MDSA World Cup to claim the U12 boys crown. Theteam coached by Richard Sielman and Troy Amerine barelymade it out of pool play as the next to last seed but went allthe way to win the age group finale 3-2 over Colombia in atense, exciting match. Team Ireland was, front row from left,Max Lehman, Josh Dulong, Eric Zimmer, Grant Sielman,Damon Amerine; back row, coach Amerine, Kevin Olson, LukeTaylor, Chris Miller, Thomas Kearney, Ethan Pacak, MichaelPerez and coach Sielman.

MDSA World Cup teams advance on toseason-ending Area Cup this weekend

Fireplace mantels are morethan “just a shelf.” They arethe perfect place to hang a dec-orative mirror, provide a ledgefor holiday stockings, offer asmall perch for books and col-lectibles, and “the ultimatespot” for a flat screen TV.They can be adorned and

embellished to create a visualcenterpiece for your livingspace. So if the beloved familyTV is not taking up this primereal estate, something fabulousand interesting has to gothere…but what?

BOOKS

As you all know, books aremy go-to accessory for justabout any living space. Just bystacking them on tables amongframed photos, baubles andtrinkets, books are an inexpen-sive way to add some décor. Soinstead of the paperback nov-els or extra large picturebooks, take your book décorone more step forward anddress your mantel with a col-lection of vintage leather-bound decorative books. Wornand distressed, English or for-

eign, found at an antique faireor purchased online, there’ssomething really nostalgic andcozy about having old or old-

looking books on a fireplacemantel.

See Mantels, page 14


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Her life was saved by gen-erous blood and platelet dona-tions after a tragic accident as atoddler. Now, Molly Avilezwants to give back.

“I don’t want to stop. Iwant to do as much for theRed Cross as I can,” 16-year-old Molly says.

The blood drive on Nov. 27at Diablo View Middle Schoolis Molly’s fifth such effort. Herblood drives with the Ameri-can Red Cross traditionallycollect double and nearly triplethe average collection of 40units for the Bay Area.

Molly’s goal for this drive is174 units to not only flood theblood banks, but beat thelargest single-day collection inthe region of 172 units.

“I would be so excited tobe the youngest blood drivesponsor and beat the record,”Molly says.

Justin Mueller, director ofDonor Resources Develop-ment for the Red Cross inNorthern California, says,“She keeps raising the bar.”The Red Cross is prepared for200 donors at Molly’s drivethis month to insure appoint-ments and walk-ins are accom-modated. Eligibility testing isalso available for futureplatelet donors.

“Molly’s blood drive could-n’t have come at a better time,”Mueller says. There is a greaterneed for donors during theholidays and that is magnifiedby the affects of HurricaneSandy. Three hundred blooddrives were cancelled. Thosenumbers will only grow.

Molly was crushed in an

accident as a child when shewas backed over by the familyvehicle. She lost more than 50percent of her blood. Bloodand platelet donations savedher life. She is eager to keeppaying the gift forward.

One blood donation cansave up to three lives. Donorscan prepare by including ironin their diet, being hydratedand bringing their ID to thedrive.

To donate, you must be 17or older and meetweight/health requirements.The drive runs from 1:30 –7:30 p.m. at Diablo View Mid-dle School, 300 Diablo ViewLane, Clayton. Call 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcross-blood.org for more informa-tion. For appointments, usesponsor code MOLLY925.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, 10a.m. to 5 p.m., The LibraryFoundation Board Members willbe selling book bags for $10;Christmas ornaments for $12 or2 for $20; red and blue T-shirtswith the 94517 logo for $14 foradult shirts and $10 for children;and “Clayton Cooks…” a col-lection of favorite recipes,including some by local celebri-ties, at $5 per book at the Clay-ton Library.

Other possible gift itemsinclude a Membership in theClayton Community LibraryFoundation at $10 for an indi-vidual and $15 for a family, aswell as several higher categories.Membership forms are availableonline and at the Library.

You may also honor some-one special and “Buy a Brick,”which will be installed along thewalkway. Cost is $55 for threelines of engraving, 20 charactersper line. Forms are available atthe Library or at www.claytonli-brary.org. Gift cards are avail-able, too.

Proceeds from the sale of allitems are used to purchase newmaterials for the Clayton Com-munity Library.

All items are available in thelobby of the Clayton Library,6125 Clayton Road, Mondayand Wednesday, 1 to 9 p.m.,Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1to 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army’s annualfrozen turkey and food basketdrive takes place Nov. 12through Nov. 17. Drop offhours are Monday through Sat-urday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at TheSalvation Army, 3950 ClaytonRoad, Concord.

The number of familiesserved last month tripled from2005. The Salvation Army’s goalis to provide food baskets andfrozen turkeys for every one ofthese families this year. Smallerfrozen turkeys of 10 to 15pounds fit the need best. Stapleslike peanut butter, cannedmeats, tuna and canned beansare helpful.

Three options to help year

round are:1) Make an electronic dona-

tion online athttps://secure20.salvation-army.org. Type “Concord, CA,Food Pantry 94521” inSpecific Use box.

2): Send a check made out to:The Salvation Army, Concord,CA. Mail or drop off atThe Salvation Army, 3950 Clay-ton Rd, Concord, CA 94521.

3) Donate food daily, Mon-day through Friday. There isalways a need.

For more information or to volun-teer, contact Lauri Vint, social servic-es director, at 676-6180, ext. 10 [email protected].

FAMILY MEMBERS HELP MOLLY PAY THE GIFT OF LIFE-SAVING BLOOD DONATIONS FORWARd at herannual blood drives with the American Red Cross. Molly checks on her grandmother,Diane Avilez, during their donations at the January drive earlier this year.

Clayton teen hopes to break record with blood drivePAMELA WIESENDANGER

Clayton Pioneer

Find a perfect holidaygift at the library

Salvation Army needsfrozen turkeys forannual food basket drive

Let fireplaces wear a mantle of beauty

In the late 1800s, just a littleover two miles out MorganTerritory Road on a knoll nextto Curry Creek Park, stood alittle one-room schoolhouse.

Morgan Territory settler

and rancher Jeremiah Morgancould neither read nor write.But, education was highly val-ued and schooling his offspringwas very important. So, hedonated some land and in 1888,

the Morgan Territory Schoolopened. It was always a oneroom school and neveremployed more than oneteacher. Its greatest enrollmentwas in 1870, when 32 studentsattended.

But, it was always difficultfinding a teacher willing to liveso far out in the country andthere were no rooms availableto board a teacher. So, in 1947,the little school closed and theremaining 15 students rode abus to Concord until Mt. Dia-blo Elementary School wascompleted later that year.

The school building andland was given to the commu-nity for use as a meeting hall,but shortly after that, it wasdestroyed by fire and neverrebuilt.

On the steps of theMorgan Territory Schoolcirca 1899 are, front row:Albert Morgan, unidenti-fied, Lissy Morgan, EdithOlofson and Jerry Morgan;second row Bob Morgan,Sally Morgan, unidentified,Alice Morgan and CharlieNeary; standing in backwas teacher Ellen Riley.

The Way We Were

Morgan Territory School

JENNIFER LEISCHER

DESIGN & DÉCOR

IN CLAYTONNNoovv.. 1122AAAAUUWW GGeenneerraall MMeeeettiinnggClayton branch of American Association of University Women gener-al meeting with Gay Gerlack presenting fashion show of jackets,coats and wraps made with little to no sewing. 7:30 p.m. DiamondTerrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. claytonaauw.org.

DDeecc.. 11AAnnnnuuaall CCaarroolliinngg aanndd TTrreeee LLiigghhttiinnggDowntown festivities. 6 p.m. Grove Park to Main and Oak Streets,Clayton. Free. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272.

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENTTThhrruu NNoovv.. 1100““JJoosseepphh aanndd tthhee AAmmaazziinngg TTeecchhnniiccoolloorr DDrreeaammccooaatt””Brilliant celebration of music, color and words. Lesher Center for theArts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40-49. ccmt.org.

TThhrruu NNoovv.. 1177““AAllll iinn tthhee TTiimmiinngg””Evening of comedy combining wit, intellect, satire and just plain fun.Diablo Actors’ Ensemble, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $10-$25.diabloactors.com.

TThhrruu NNoovv.. 1177““TThhee UUnnddeerrppaannttss””From the mind of Steve Martin comes a wild and crazy satire. LesherCenter for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33-$53. center-rep.org. 943-7469.

TThhrruu NNoovv.. 1188““SSttaattuuss UUppddaattee””A comedy with music about Internet addiction for the curious and thecuriouser. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.$25-$35. centerrep.org. 943-7469.

NNoovv.. 1111CCoonncceerrttVeteran’s Day Civic Remembrance Concert by the Walnut CreekConcert Band. 11 a.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr.,Walnut Creek. Free. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

NNoovv.. 1111““PPaarrttss ooff tthhee WWhhoollee””Concert by Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. LesherCenter for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $10-$30. lesher-artscenter.org. 943-7469.

NNoovv.. 1122SSttrrookkee SSuuppppoorrtt GGrroouuppSpeaker Lindsay Visocchi will discuss California Relay TelephoneServices. 7 – 9 p.m. Concord Room at John Muir Medical Center,2540 East St., Concord. Free. Contact Ann Dzuna 376-6218.

NNoovv.. 1166 -- 1177““AA SSwwiinnggiinn’’ HHoolliiddaayy””19th season of Diablo Ballet begins with Latin flare and holidaycheer. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $22-$52. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

NNoovv.. 1188CCoonncceerrttDiablo SymphonyOrchestra with flautistAnnie Wu. 2 p.m.Lesher Center for theArts, 1601 Civic Dr.,Walnut Creek. $10-$25. lesherartscenter.org.943-7469.

NNoovv.. 2277AAnnnnuuaall HHoolliiddaayy CCoonncceerrttPerformed by Walnut Creek Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Centerfor the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12-$17. lesherartscen-ter.org. 943-7469.

NNoovv.. 2299 –– DDeecc.. 11SSttoorryy ooff tthhee NNuuttccrraacckkeerrContra Costa Ballet’s hour-long narrated version of the holiday clas-sic is perfect for children. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr.,Walnut Creek. $23-$33. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

DDeecc.. 11SSiinngg--aa--bbrraattiioonn,, TThhee WWoorrlldd TToouurrMusical extravaganza featuring award-winning Diablo Vista Chorus.2:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.$17.75. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

DDeecc.. 22CCllaassssiiccaall GGuuiittaarr HHoolliiddaayy CCoonncceerrttPerformance by Marten Falk. 2:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts,1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

DDeecc.. 33HHoossppiiccee TTrreeee ooff LLiigghhttss Annual ceremony. 5:30 p.m. John Muir Medical Center parking lot,East Street and Almond Avenue, Concord. Donations accepted.Hospice of the East Bay. 887-5678.

FUNDRAISERSTThhrruu NNoovv.. 1188CCooaatt DDrriivveeClayton Community Church and CVCHS Public Service Academy arecollecting winter wear at the church to give to families in need in theBay Area. 6055 Main St., Clayton. Contact Jayleen at [email protected].

NNoovv.. 1122 -- 1177FFoooodd DDrriivveeFrozen turkey and food basket drive. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bring frozenturkeys and canned goods to The Salvation Army, 3950 ClaytonRoad, Concord. For more information or to volunteer, contact LauriVint, social services director, at 676-6180, ext. 10 [email protected].

NNoovv.. 1177,, 1188HHoolliiddaayy BBoouuttiiqquueeClayton Valley Woman’s Club annual holiday crafts and bake sale.Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 1 – 4 p.m. Clayton Library, 6125 ClaytonRoad. claytonvalleywomansclub.org.

NNoovv.. 2277BBlloooodd DDrriivveeMolly’s “Pay It Forward” blood drive. 1:30 – 7:30 p.m. Diablo ViewMiddle School, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. redcrossblood.org,sponsor code MOLLY925.

NNoovv.. 3300HHoolliiddaayy FFaaiirrHoliday gift and craft fair featuring handmade crafts, clothing, jewel-ry, baked goods and more. Sponsored by Concord Parks andRecreation 50 and Better Program. 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ConcordSenior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. Free admission. 671-3320.

AT THE LIBRARYThe Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are freeunless otherwise noted. claytonlibrary.org or 673-0659.

WWeeddnneessddaayyssBBooookk BBuuddddiieessA volunteer will read stories for children 3 and older. 1-2 p.m.

TTuueessddaayyss tthhrruu NNoovv.. 2277PPaattttyy CCaakkeessStory time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. 11a.m.

TThhuurrssddaayyss tthhrruu NNoovv.. 1155PPiiccttuurree BBooookk TTiimmeeStory time for 3 to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver.11 a.m.

TThhrruu NNoovv.. 1155CCllaayyttoonn RReeaaddssWhile supplies last, pick up “One Amazing Thing” by ChitraDivakaruni. Read and pass along to another reader or back to thelibrary.

NNoovv.. 1155TTeellll YYoouurr OOwwnn SSttoorryyMake your own picture book for children ages 4 – 9. Registrationrequired. 673-0659.

NNoovv.. 1177GGiifftt SSaalleeBook bags, ornaments, shirts, gift cards and more on sale in time forholiday giving by Library Foundation. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

GOVERNMENT11sstt aanndd 33rrdd TTuueessddaayyssCCllaayyttoonn CCiittyy CCoouunncciill7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304or ci.clayton.ca.us.

22nndd aanndd 44tthh TTuueessddaayyss CCllaayyttoonn PPllaannnniinngg CCoommmmiissssiioonn7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304or ci.clayton.ca.us.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONSAAllzzhheeiimmeerr’’ss aanndd DDeemmeennttiiaa SSuuppppoorrtt GGrroouuppMeets 6 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month, Montecito, 4756Clayton Road, Concord. 692-5838.

CCllaayyccoorrdd 44--HHMeets 6:45 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, Farm Bureau Hall,5554 Clayton Road, Concord.

CCllaayyttoonn BBuussiinneessss aanndd CCoommmmuunniittyy AAssssoocciiaattiioonnMeets 6:30 p.m. last Thursday of the month except holidays,Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Sueat 672-2272.

CCllaayyttoonn VVaalllleeyy GGaarrddeenn CClluubbMeets 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, February throughNovember. Nov. 14 speaker: Kerri Kemp Gardner from the KelloggCompany. Topic: It starts with the soil. Diamond Terrace, 6401Center St., Clayton. claytonvalleygardenclub.org.

CCllaayyttoonn VVaalllleeyy WWoommaann’’ss CClluubbMeets 9:30 a.m. second Tuesday of the month except July andAugust, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord.672-9448.

CCoonnccoorrdd MMtt.. DDiiaabblloo TTrraaiill RRiiddee AAssssoocciiaattiioonnMeets 6 p.m. first Saturday of the month for a potluck. Open tomembers and guests. CMDTRA, 1600 Trail Ride Road, Clayton. cmd-tra.org or [email protected].

CCoonnttrraa CCoossttaa CChheessss CClluubbMeets 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Starbuck’s, 1536 Kirker Pass Road,Clayton. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. ccchess.com orcontact Mike at 639-1987.

CCrreeeekkssiiddee AArrttiissttss GGuuiillddMeets 7-8:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Library StoryRoom, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. All artforms and both emergingand experienced artists welcome. Contact Arlene [email protected], creeksideartists.org or call 673-9777.

DDiiaabblloo VVaalllleeyy DDeemmooccrraattiicc CClluubbMeets 7-9 p.m. third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio ValleyLibrary, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. dvdems.org, 946-0469.

KKnniigghhttss ooff CCoolluummbbuussMeets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, St. Bonaventure Church,Ministry Center, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Art 672-1850,[email protected] or Chuck 849-5466,[email protected].

MMOOMMSS CClluubb ooff CCoonnccoorrdd//CCllaayyttoonnMeeting dates vary. 331-0674,[email protected] or concordclaytonmom-sclub.webs.com.

OOaakkhhuurrsstt BBuussiinneessss NNeettwwoorrkkMeets 5 – 7 p.m. first Thursday of the month for social hour. Hostedhors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Dr.,Clayton. oakhurstcc.com.

RRoottaarryy CClluubb ooff CCllaayyttoonn VVaalllleeyy//CCoonnccoorrdd SSuunnrriisseeMeets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 PeacockCreek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. claytonvalley-rotary.org or 566-8166.

SSccrraabbbbllee CClluubbMeets 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. second and fourth Saturdays of the month,Carl’s Jr. Restaurant, 1530 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. All ages andskill levels welcome. $3. scrabble-assoc.com or call Mike at 639-1987.

SSoorrooppttiimmiisstt IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ooff DDiiaabblloo VViissttaaMeets 12:15 p.m. second, third and fourth Wednesdays of themonth, September-June, Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord.Contact Nicole at 692-2224.

VVeetteerraannss ooff FFoorreeiiggnn WWaarrssBreakfast 8-11 a.m. second and fourth Sundays of the month, 2290Willow Pass Road, Concord. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. $4,$2 children under 12.

YYggnnaacciioo VVaalllleeyy RReeppuubblliiccaann WWoommeennMeets third Wednesday of the month, except June, July, August. 10a.m. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton.Reservations required. $25. Call Barbara Allen at 672-5061.

Community CalendarPLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. NOV. 14 FOR THE NOV. 23 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO [email protected]


What began as a tragedybecame the dramatic theme forFestival Opera’s production,About Face — an opera experi-ence.

In 2007, the beautiful andtalented Bay Area soprano HeidiMoss was stricken with Bell’spalsy, resulting in permanentfacial paralysis, a double tragedyfor a very public performer.Heidi struggled but rose aboveher affliction, continued hersuccessful opera career andbecame a spokesperson forfacial paralysis.

Act One explores the psy-chological effects of affliction,

acceptance andcompassion with amultimedia experi-ence that blendsclassic opera andcreative screen pro-jections. The pro-duction incorpo-rates classic operaarias from “LaTraviata” and“Rigoletto” with anew work, “Mister Merrick,”based on the life of the so-called“Elephant Man.”

Act Two features a per-formance of the contemporarychamber opera “The Face on

the Barroom Floor”by Henry Mollicone.This imaginative storytells two tales, separat-ed by a century, of afemme fatale, andmysteriously links thecharacters of bothtales with a surprisingtwist of fate.

“About Face — anopera experience” will have two per-formances at the Lesher Center for theArts in Walnut Creek onWednesday, Dec. 5, at 4 and 8 p.m.For ticket information, go to festival-opera.org.

Festival Opera production explores thefaces of affliction in “About Face”

FOUND OBJECTS

One of my most-favoritehobbies is antique shopping,and also where I find all of my“found” decorative objects.When I’m out and about,shopping for a designatedmantel area, I look for big,interesting pieces. Old gardenpieces are great for a mantlebecause they’re usually rustedand distressed, and of goodsize. Old distressed mirrors,empty decorative frames,baubles and urns are also greatfinds.

I like to use the fireboxopening as a good scale for

when I’m shopping for some-thing decorative. The mainitem that will grace the mantelhas to be at least the same sizeof the firebox opening, if notbigger. And then I like toflank this particular objetd’art with items of varyingsize and texture, until themantel has a very organic andcollected feel.

LIGHTING

Illuminate your mantle witha pair of candlestick lamps,hardwired sconces, recessedmini-light fixtures showeringthe shelf, or a collection of

candles – whatever you deemappropriate for the design ofyour living space and the scaleof your mantel.

Regardless of the fireplacelocation in a living space (deadcenter of the living room, usedas a backdrop in a diningroom, tucked away in the cor-ner) a fireplace mantel has thisunique way of commandingattention, so don’t resist. Givein and create a story on yourmantel using an interestingmix of eclectic finds.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner ofJ. Designs Interior Design based inClayton. Contact her with ques-tions, comments and suggestions [email protected]

Mantels, from page 13

Direct from its sold-out pre-miere in Los Angeles, AmericanConservatory Theater will bringA.C.T. Artistic Director Carey

Perloff ’s sweeping productionof Sophocles’ Greek tragedyElektra – featuring AcademyAward winner OlympiaDukakis, reuniting the team thatbrought Bay Area audiences the1995 critically acclaimed, smash-hit production of Euripides’“Hecuba.”

Clocking in at an intense 90minutes, this new interpretationof the timeless Greek tragedy isa fast-paced thriller – of epicproportions.

Love and revenge take centerstage in “Elektra.” After herfather, King Agamemnon, ismurdered by her mother andher mother’s lover, Elektra isconsumed by grief and fiercelyintent on revenge. Every day,she prays to the gods that herexiled brother, Orestes, mightreturn to help her avenge theirfather’s death, and every night,the silence of the gods drivesher closer to madness. AsSophocles’ iconic tragedydepicts humanity in its mostextreme behavior, “Elektra”engages the audience as judgeand jury – a stark reminder thatwe are all witnesses to ourshared history.

“Elektra” performs a limited

run through November 18 atA.C.T.’s Geary Theater, 415Geary Street, San Francisco.

Tickets are on sale now and maybe purchased online at act-sf.orgor by calling 415-749-2228.

Christmas just wouldn’t beChristmas without the redemp-tive tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.Hailed by critics as “…THE‘Christmas Carol’ to see in theBay Area,” CenterREP’s “AChristmas Carol” comes back tothe Lesher Center for its fif-teenth year, with Bay Areafavorite Mark Anderson Phillips

as the miserly, joyless Scrooge.Director Scott Denison directsthe ensemble of new faces andold pros, from the tragicallydoomed Jacob Marley to theincurably optimistic Tiny Tim.

“A Christmas Carol” isCharles Dickens’ enduring andinspiring tale of EbenezerScrooge’s transformation andredemption after meeting a seriesof ghosts one Christmas Eve.

Theatergoers of all ages willenjoy this traditional holidaytreat which opens Dec. 8 with16 performances. Tickets areexpected to sell out fast.

To buy tickets, which start at$41, call (925) 943-7469.

Center REPertory Company, theresident professional theatre companyof the Lesher Center for the Arts(LCA), celebrates its 46th Subscrip-tion Season of high-quality theatricalproductions during 2012/2013.

As any good coming-of-agenovel, Peter Kahle’s “Passage ofthe Kissing People” (74th StreetProductions) walks betweentwo worlds. When 50-year-oldMichael Kohler is called toSonoma County from Seattle tobuild stained glass windows foran Episcopal church, he findsthe project stirs memories thathe had successfully buried foryears. Michael returns to theValley of the Moon for the firsttime in decades, and confrontsthe truth of what drove hisfamily from Sonoma all thoseyears ago.

Michael is just a boy whenhis father takes a job at theSonoma State Home for theFeeble Minded in the early1950s. His family lives in pas-toral Sonoma, where the land iscomprised mainly of ranchesand farms:

“Sonoma is a word with agrand sound to it – all openvowels and nasal consonants. Itcan be murmured with passion,but it also shouts well. Sonomatastes of hot dust and toastedgrass. It blazes with light. Thesky in Sonoma is a dark blueforce that twists the branches ofthe oak trees like the limbs ofthe cerebral palsy patients at theold State Home. Sonoma holdsthe sound of quail calling in thelong golden dusk. . . ”

Young Michael is a little inlove with Gisella Marrosi, sec-ond daughter of the neighbor-ing family; he holds up Gisella’sbrother, Joe, as a hero. The Mar-rosi family is loud and happyand Italian, and the Kohler fam-ily is swept into the embrace oftheir collective joy.

The wonderful thing about achild as narrator is that ele-ments of a story appear withoutcontext, and therefore are notfully understandable. As a boy,Michael is exposed to pieces ofwhat will create his life story,parts that he does not fathombut that will form the basis ofthe man he will become. Hedoes not understand the cruelconditions of the patients at theState Home, he merelydescribes them and leaves it upto the reader to know. He does

not say that Joe Marrosi is bi-polar; he describes Joe’s manicbehavior as it escalates to acrescendo and how the localpolice are called to haul Joe to“The Home,” where he will bemedicated into a stupor.

While in a child’s world littlesense is made of the adult struc-tures around them, superstitionsloom large; a lucky charm car-ries great meaning. Before theKohler family’s sudden exodusfrom Sonoma, Michael’s fatherloses the talisman from his key-chain and accidents begin tostack up. In a child’s way,Michael wants to make thingsbetter, and so takes Mama Mar-rosi’s lucky talisman, a brooch oftwo people kissing. He doesn’tthink about it, he doesn’t plan it.He finds the piece of jewelrybetween the cushions of thesofa, and pockets it. Bad thingscontinue to happen, culminatingwith the Kohler family’s exilefrom the Valley of the Moon.

Years later, a grown Michaelreturns to Sonoma and pullstogether the fragments of hislife’s story, where he can finallymake sense of it all.


Please let our advertisers know you saw them in the Clayton Pioneer

Oakhurst Members enjoy complimentary club events,reduced dues and reasonable initiation fees.

Memberships start at only $75 per month!

Visit our Newly Remodeled Fitness Center and

Nina Voss, Director of Sales, at

Saturday, December 1

Saturday, December 1“Ringing in

Christmas”“Ringing inChristmas”

St. John’s Parish presents

Appetizers and wine at 6:00Dinner, dessert, entertainment followLive music, gift basket & quilt raffle& “Tree Farm Boutique”

Social Evening & Fundraiser

Reserved seating, $40per person

All proceedsbenefit St.

John’s Parish

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Rd, Clayton

Tickets must be purchased in advance.Rosemary Francis, Chair: 925-818-3911

Theatre

Making sense of a troubled Sonoma childhood

CYNTHIA GREGORY

FOR THE BOOKS

Cynthia Gregory writes bookreviews, award-winning short storiesand a blog. Visit her at www.twogirlstakeonlove.com or write [email protected]

Jeff Ellingson photo

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS as thefiercely partisan ChorusLeader in Carey Perloff’ssweeping production ofSophocles’ Greek tragedyElektra – featuring a specially-commissioned new translationby London playwrightTimberlake Wertenbaker.

Dukakis back at A.C.T. in new interpretation of ‘Elektra’

Book Review

Tradition continues withCenterREP’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

Creating a memorable holi-day celebration can be simpleand fun. Whether you are host-ing an intimate dinner party or ahouse full or party-goers, makeyour soiree one not to bemissed.

Ambiance is key. Set themood by dimming the lights inyour home ( after all, don’t weall look better in candlelight?).Lots of votives and white can-dles are an easy addition totransform any home for theholidays.

Fill vases and hurricaneglasses with fresh cranberries

and a few sprigs of fresh ever-green and place around the liv-ing room and dining areas.

Pick an upbeat, festiveplaylist during cocktails andswanky lounge tunes for dinner– whatever you choose, remem-ber that music makes the party.

Tidy your home using deco-rative baskets, which make iteasy to consolidate clutter, andclose rooms “off limits” to theparty.

Forget the chips and dip.Arrange cheeses, salami, minipickles, olives and gourmetcrackers on platters. Amp up anaverage grilled cheese byspreading pesto on crusty rose-mary sourdough bread, addingsmoked gouda and roasted red

peppers and cutting into longrectangles or short wedges. Adda few variations to create yourvery own Grilled Cheese Bar.

Always create a signaturecocktail – there are so many to

ARE YOU...…in need of fresh ideas for your home decor?

…thinking now is the time for new paint colors, inside and out, before your family arrives for Thanksgiving?

…wanting to update your furniture and windowtreatments in your living room before your holiday party?

…ready to move forward with your interior designprojects? Call J. Designs to get started!

JENNIFER S. LEISCHERINTERIOR DESIGN925.270.9955WWW.J-DESIGNS.COM

Abbey Carpet &Floor: There is nothingthat brightens up your homefor the holidays more thannew floor covering. Imaginewalking into your home andseeing new carpet, wood,tile or vinyl on your floors.We have an outstandingselection of all types offlooring to choose from.Even Santa will be surprisedat how beautiful your homecan look!

Blessed Brides is amother-daughter-ownedbusiness, which openedApril 1, 2011. We are awomen's bridal and formalwear store for average anda b o v e - a v e r a g e - s i z e dwomen. Our idea is thatanyone who walks in can tryon a dress and have it be anenjoyable experience. Our

boutique offers designerwedding gowns, mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaid andprom dresses.

Fall Faire at theContra Costa CountyFairgrounds

Kick off the holiday sea-son at the annual Fall Faireat the Contra Costa CountyFairgrounds on Nov. 17 and18 with gift shopping andfun feasting.

There is something foreveryone on the holidaylist. Unique gifts and craftsfrom vendors and localbusinesses give shoppers achance to purchase qualityhand-made holiday itemsand a variety of jewelry,clothing, woodworking andnovelties. Gourmet FoodTrucks are a new additionthis year, rolling in to feedthe famished.

J. Designs providesinterior design services forprojects of varying squarefootages, styles and budg-ets that reflect your person-al style, your family’sneeds, and the specialcharacter of your home.This holiday season, treatyour home to the gifts offunctional and practicaldesign, with a sprinkling ofstylish whimsy.

Got packages to mail?Pressed for time? Stop byThe UPS Store in theVineyard Shopping Centerand let owner Tricia Tamuraand her knowledgeable staffhelp get your gifts deliveredsafely and on time. Theyalso assist with copies,FAXing, Notary Services,Passport photos, Mailboxes,Document Services andBinding.

We are Ivalina andAdelio, the father-daughterteam that has owned andoperated Memo’s since2003. We are passionateabout the restaurant andvery proud of the distinct,unique dishes we offer ourguests. Our deep apprecia-tion for exceptional quality isnoticeable in every thing wedo. Every dish is made fromscratch of the freshest ingre-dients. We look forward toserving you for specialevents, holidays and any-time you feel like stopping infor a great dinner.

Waraner Bros.Tree Service wasestablished in 1980 by EdWaraner and has been serv-ing the greater NorthernCalifornia region for over30 years. Ed is a certifiedarborist and licensed con-tractor. He completes eachjob to the highest standards.Waraner Bros. lives up to itsmotto: “A Shade Better.”


NINA VOSS

Special to the Pioneer

Fall Faire at the Fairgrounds in

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Candlelight, bubbly help create festive holiday parties

Pioneer Guide to Holiday Shopping

See Parties, page 17

Mums the word in the gar-den throughout the month ofNovember. These sturdyblooming shrub-like perennialsgrace our color-spots, entrywaysand even tablescapes providingall the colors of autumn. Mumsare so much more than décor,they are fantastically reliable,long-lived perennials that shouldbe treated with respect aftertheir flowers have faded away,and they’ve been replaced withcyclamen and poinsettias.

Mums thrive in our ClaytonValley gardens. They enjoy allour heat, and full sun. Mums aregreat installed with other

blooming perennials. Use themaround your roses, mixed withsalvia, alstromeria, lavender orpenstomen. Mums are excellentflowers for cutting and bringingindoors. They come in manyshapes like Pompon, Quilled,Daisy and Spider. The colorselections of mums reflectmuch of the autumn season.They are found in gold, bur-gundy, rusts, orange, cream andoccasionally lavenders.

Mums are heavy bloomersthat need regular fertilizer andsignificant pruning at propertime. When treated with the carethey need, they’ll be more fabu-lous than the day you boughtthem. Often in Clayton Valleygardens you see leggy mums thistime of year. To avoid this,towards the end of July, cut yourmum plants clear down to theground. It doesn’t matter howmany leaves or buds your mumsmay have, cut them back. Then

fertilize. By doing this, you willencourage sturdy, shrub-likeplants, rather than the leggy,stringy looking plants that manyalready have in the yard.

Feeding mums are easy. Theydon’t require anything unusual;they just want to be fertilized.After you cut them back, hitthem with a dose or two of amulti-purpose product. Use 16-16-16 granular if you water bysprinkler, or for those that waterby drip irrigation use the sameTriple 16 product, only select awater-soluble formula. Water-soluble fertilizer will need toapplied more than once. Thistype of fertilizing will encouragegrowth of the entire plant.Beginning in September, when

buds have begun to form onyour mums, change your fertiliz-ing to a 0-10-10 granular, or a 3-20-20 water-soluble to encour-age large, vibrant flowers.

When installing mums toyour garden’s color-spot areas orin containers, mix a percentageof high nitrogen soil condition-er into the existing soil. Purchas-ing mums this time of yearmeans that they have beengreenhouse grown. Greenhousegrown plants will need someextra love as they transitionfrom an optimum-growing envi-ronment into our Clayton Valleylandscapes. You will also need tohave some fertilizer for bloomson hand. Quick shots of 3-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer on

your newly installed mums willinsure their lasting bloom, untillate November.

Once you are finished withyour mums, and are consideringyour next color-spot installa-tions, relocate them into youlandscape in a place where theywould get summer sunshine.Mums will go dormant and die

back during the winter months.Cut away the ugly, dying stems,they will be back in the spring.


[email protected]

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Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&MPool, Patio, Gifts and Garden and the2012 president of the Clayton ValleyGarden Club. Contact her with questions,comments or suggestions at [email protected]

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

Mums are the mother of all

choose from online. Guests willremember the unique food anddrinks from your holiday bash.

Keep the bar simple –sparkling wine is always in style,especially around the holidays,so pop a few bottles, add slicedfruit to a pitcher of water, andset your bar with chilled whitewine and a few bottles of red.Sparkling lemonade comes inpretty glass bottles that make achic non-alcoholic option.

Create a candy or dessert barwith unique vases, apothecaryjars and glass platters. Add littletreat bags or mini to-go boxesand your party favors are done.

Still not ready to open your

home and play the host? LetOakhurst Country Club do thework for you. The club nowoffers complimentary deliveryto any Clayton home or businessand catering menus to comple-ment any occasion. And on Fri-day, Nov. 30,, the club hosts itsHoliday Extravaganza, a cele-bration complete with passedhors d’oeuvres, served dinner,DJ, dancing, gift giveaways andspirited fun. It’s $35 per person.

Nina Voss, Director of Sales atOakhurst Country Club, can bereached at 925-672-9737 extension205 [email protected]

Parties, from page 16

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place women in jobs vacated bymen off fighting in the war.

When Martin returned inDecember 1945, the 110-acreCurry Creek Park property was stillfor sale. Martin and Dorothydecided to buy it and run the pic-nic business themselves.

NOT A PICNIC TO RUN

They borrowed money fromwherever they could get it, eventu-ally paying $20,000 to buy theproperty. Yet life wasn’t a bed ofwild mountain roses. They movedto Morgan Territory in 1946 to alittle two room shack with no insu-lation or toilet facilities – theirbathroom was the restroom at thepicnic area.

They reopened Curry CreekPark in Spring 1946, whenDorothy was pregnant with thefirst of five kids in six years. In

1952 when the twins, Thomas andJudy, were born, Dorothy won aWestinghouse contest for familieshaving twins, and she received awasher, dryer and a year’s supply ofGerber baby food. That year, sheremembers, “the whole family ateomelets of minced beef babyfood.”

While Martin worked for Con-tra Costa County, Dorothy ran thecamp.

“We had no cash at all andwere building the house literallyone board at a time,” she toldAdams. “We built picnic tables aswe could afford it.”

But their property became apopular vacation spot. Openingafter Easter, the park would strug-gle until about the Fourth of July,Dorothy told Adams, charging 20cents a person and 25 cents a car.After that, at it made enough

money to operate “in the black”until it closed around mid-Octobereach year.

The property caught the eye ofSMD founder Mary Bowerman,who wanted to purchase the prop-erty as a land preserve. WhenDorothy finally sold the land in2002, she told Adams, “I realizenow what a neat thing it is to haveyour priorities in something thatwill last longer, into perpetuity.”

“THE GATHERING PLACE”Of course, it helps if a piece of

property is full of memories, aswell. “We always had Thanksgivinghere, and we would eat dessert firstwhile the turkey was cooking thengo for a hike, sometimes up themountain,” Dorothy reminisced toAdams. “At least once a year wewould have the ‘Hike to the Moun-tain’ to the top of the main peak,especially when there was snow, afamily thing, little and big kids,with a big pot of clam chowderwaiting at home. Martin’s momhiked to the top when she was 74.”

Finally, in 1979, they closedCurry Creek Park to the publicwhile continuing operation of atrailer park. Much of the CurryCanyon acreage was eventuallysold. Dorothy and Martin contin-ued living at the bottom of WrightCanyon.

On the knoll above WrightCanyon is “The Gathering Place,”a site where family ashes have beenbrought for decades, includingMartin’s, who died in September1999 at age 79, a week before theWrights 57th wedding anniversary.A cross and plaque commemoratethe grounds, and the family still hasfull access to it.

For years Dorothy would takeher dogs to visit The GatheringPlace, even after SMD purchasedthe land for $640,000.

“I wanted the land to stay ruraland natural,” she told Adams.

It is fitting that the ranch willbe the gathering spot for a publicmemorial on Sunday, Nov. 18.

Save Mount Diablo contributed tothis story.


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An event celebrating the lifeof Dorothy Tudder Wright willheld at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov.18, at Wright Canyon, 4390Morgan Territory Rd. in Clay-ton. Wright died Monday, Oct.29. She was 92.

The longtime Clayton resi-dent was active in many charitiesand organizations, and her fam-ily’s former property in WrightCanyon was a well-known Mt.Diablo campsite for many years.

Wright was born in Eugene,Ore. on Dec. 14, 1920, toGrover Cleveland Tudder andSarah Adele (Johnson) Tudder.She came to California as a babyand grew up in Oakland. Shewas active at Roosevelt HighSchool, served as editor of thenewspaper, “The RooseveltCrimson,” and attended theUniversity of California atBerkeley until the attack onPearl Harbor.

It was in high school that shemet her future husband, MartinWright. During World War II hewas a U.S. Navy officer, whileDorothy worked for StandardOil as assistant Personnel Man-ager and then as Personnel Man-ager in charge of hiring womenfor the Richmond Refinery – areal-life Rosie the Riveter – toreplace the men called for mili-tary duty.

After the war the couple pur-chased 150 acres at the easternfoot of Mt. Diablo and operateda resort business, Curry CreekPark, which had originally beencreated by Martin’s grandpar-ents. The popular park andswimming pool attracted fami-lies and groups from through-out the East Bay for picnics andcamping.

Within six years, they hadfive children, including a set of

twins: Claudia, Diana, Cindy,Tom and Judy. Dorothy andMartin ran the business for 38years until 1979. After Marinpassed away in 1999, Dorothysold the family’s remaining 76acres to Save Mount Diablo andcontinued to live on the proper-ty for the remainder of her life.

Besides charitable volunteerwork, Dorothy earned a realestate license and worked as asalesperson for 10 years in the1980s and 90s. She was also amaccomplished musician, playingflute for 35 years as a memberof the Diablo Light Operaorchestra, the Contra CostaMusical Theatre orchestra andother chamber music groupsand in solo performances.

Besides her family, however,her true love was “the ranch,”the Wright Canyon propertyshe called home. As Martin’smother and grandmother aged,Dorothy and Martin providedthem living quarters at CurryCreek so that Dorothy could beclose and allow them to liveindependently for as long aspossible, said Valerie Gardner,Martin’s sister.

“For years the whole familywould gather periodically to hiketo the top of the mountain,” shesays. “Dorothy would put on apot of beans before they left sothat a hearty meal awaited theirreturn.” When Edith OlofsonWright, Martin’s mother,became unable to walk that far,they would put her on a horse“so she wouldn’t have to missout on the fun.”

That sense of fun permeat-ed everything Dorothy did,friends recall, especially hersense of humor. She was also“no-nonsense,” says ClaytonPioneer Publisher and long-time neighbor Tamara Steiner.“She spoke her mind, sharedher wisdom unabashedly andhad just enough edge to be real-ly interesting,” Steiner says.“She didn’t suffer fools. Shealways made me think of Bar-bara Stanwyck.

Dorothy’s daughters JudyWright (1993), Diana Jo Barr(2001), husband Martin Wright(1999) and sister Sarah Eleanor(2009) preceded her in death.She is survived by daughterClaudia Dell Phippen, BethelIsland, and granddaughter LeaMarie Lasater, Concord; grand-sons Eric Valverde, Brentwoodand Jamey Robison, Beaverton,Oregon, and great-granddaugh-ters Joanna and Jaelynn Robi-son; daughter Cindy LouWright, Susanville, and son TomWright, Clyde.

Besides the public memorialservice, a private family ceremo-ny will be held at a later date. Inlieu of flowers, the family wouldappreciate donations to SaveMount Diablo (www.save-mountdiablo.org), Hospice, or acharity of your choice.

Obituary

Dorothy Tudder Wright1920 – 2012

2012_Clayton_Pioneer_1109

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