MAY 08 Clayton Pioneer 2009.pdf
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City gives amnesty to encourage payment of back taxes Business owners who have not paid their business license tax to the city of Clayton will be granted amnesty from back taxes and penalties if they pay the tax before November 1. In a 3-2 vote, the Council agreed to amnesty for business owners who have failed to pay the current year’s tax out of of fear getting hit with back taxes and stiff penalties which can double the amount owed. The Business License Tax, levied on anyone conducting business within the city of Clayton, raises about $100,000 a year. The amnesty period would only apply to those businesses that have never paid the tax, and would not be granted to those businesses that are simply late in paying. IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009 925.672.0500 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190 Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 For the Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Home and Garden Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 What’s Inside JULIE PIERCE MAYOR’S CORNER City honors Skipolini’s for 35 tasty years On May 3, 1974, Skip and Bev Ipsen opened Skipolini’s Pizza in downtown Clayton and their award-winning pizza has been a Clayton staple for 35 years. From the beginning, Skip’s has been the place to go for great pizza. We all have our favorites. Steve loves double pepperoni and my favorite is mushrooms, black olives and fresh tomatoes. Now owned by their son, Kent, and his wife Yvette, Skipolini’s has grown to four locations and won many awards for their family-friendly restau- rants and fabulous pizza. Skip’s is “going green,” so check out their new Website, SkipolinisPizza.com, where you can sign up to get coupons online. In recognition of their anniversary and their great sup- port of the Clayton community, we declared May 3 Skipolini’s Day in Clayton. Take the family in, order a great pizza and raise a glass to them on this special anniversary. See Mayor , page 19 Local band proves family values rock at 14th annual Art and Wine Preview this year’s Garden Tour Page 20 The 2009 Art and Wine Festival got off to a slow start last Saturday as a heavy morning rain drenched downtown. “We only sold six beer tickets in three hours,” lamented festival volunteer Cindy Hayden. Event chair, Joe Medrano, recalls only two other times that Art and Wine was rained on. But, by early afternoon, the storm broke and Main Street began to fill up with what would end up being a decent sized crowd. Despite the weather and the sluggish economy, this year’s fes- tival drew more vendors than last year, Medrano said, and people were in a buying mood. Food and art sales were brisk and the the mood, if not the sky, was sunny. The small crowd at the entertain- ment tent began to grow as peo- ple grabbed a seat on a bale of hay and settled in to rock out. This is the 14th year for the Art and Wine Festival sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. FAMILY BAND PERFORMS ON HOME TURF Of the performers at the festival, one of the unique head- liners was the Crossman Connection, a country rock band comprised of two fathers and their sons. ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer See Art & Wine, page 4 Kimberly Goddard wins Mothers’ Day title for mom in Pioneer’s essay contest Deanna “Dee” Munk, well known and respected member of the Clayton community, died at home suddenly last week of an aortic aneurysm. She was 67. Dee was active on many community fronts, most recent- ly with the CBCA Art and Wine Festival. For eight years, she has supervised the vendor selection and coordination. Her death came just three days before this year’s event. Her membership in the CBCA goes back 12 years. She served on the board of directors for three terms and was currently secretary. Dee was a woman of bound- less energy, says close friend, Julie Pierce. “She had multiple interests – all at once, and gave enthusiastic support to every- thing she did.” Dee was born on March 30, 1942 in Redwood City, California. She grew up on the peninsula and graduated from Carlmont High School in 1960. She went on to study French and French foreign studies at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1960 to 1965. A brilliant woman and a bit quirky, Dee’s talents ranged from artisan quilt making and award winning needlework to determined advocate for the area’s ranchers and farmers as executive director of the Contra Costa Farm Bureau. She was an ardent water conservationist, serving on boards and commit- tees from the regional level to the state. A supporter of the Friends of Mt. Diablo Creek, Dee worked on the watershed mapping project in 2005. “She was smart,” says Julie. “Oh, so smart—and very wise.” And she was passionate about her sports teams – the Giants, the ‘Niners and all the Cal Bears teams. “On our first date, I took her to a Raiders playoff game,” Ron recalls. “Then, the next TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer Andre Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer THE CROSSMAN CONNECTION’S TWO FATHERS AND THREE SONS captivated the audience with country favorites at the 2009 Art and Wine Festival. (From left) Andrew Freeman, Butch Crossman, Jeff Crossman, Kevin Crossman and Fred Freeman. Obituary Dee Munk March 30, 1942 - April 29, 2009 She’s strict, but she laughs easily and often. She’s a team mom, the homework cop and the lunch patrol. She scrap- books and loves the theater. She’s Monika Maytum, 12-year- old Kimberly Goddard’s mom and our 2009 Mothers Day Queen. Kimberly’s essay “My Mom Is Absolutely the Best” was the winning entry in the Clayton Pioneer’s Mothers Day essay contest. “She’s my love,” Monika said when she read Kimberly’s essay. “She’s not often open with her feelings, so this is really special.” The essay actually came about almost on a dare, Monika says. “Kimberly was complaining one day that she was bored, so I pointed to the Pioneer which was sitting on the table and said ‘here’s something for you to do—write an essay about what a great mother I am.’ “I never dreamed she would actually do it,” laughed Monika. “It was a joke.” But, the seed was planted and the essay that grew out of that thought was no joke. In a touching tribute to her mother, Kimberly writes “We are four kids in the family, but when one of us is sick, she makes us feel as if we are the only person on earth.” “If my siblings or I were to have a nightmare she would be there to make sure that the monsters in our heads will go away.” The Maytum-Goddard fami- ly lives in Regency Meadows and includes Monika’s husband Colin, Kimberly, Jennifer 15, Anthony 10 and Samuel 7. A yellow lab named Holly greets TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer “SHE MAKES THE MONSTERS IN OUR HEAD GO AWAY ,” writes Kimberly Goddard of mom Monika Maytum in her Mothers’ Day essay See Munk, page 4 See Mom, page 16 See Tax Amnesty , page 8
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Ofthe performers at the festival,one ofthe unique head- liners was the Crossman Connection,a country rock band comprised oftwo fathers and their sons. See Mayor , page 19 J ULIE P IERCE T HE C ROSSMAN C ONNECTION ’ STWOFATHERSANDTHREESONS captivated the audience with country favorites at the 2009 Art and Wine Festival. (From left) Andrew Freeman, Butch Crossman, JeffCrossman, Kevin Crossman and Fred Freeman. F AMILYBANDPERFORMS See Art & Wine , page 4 A NDRÉ G ENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
Transcript of MAY 08 Clayton Pioneer 2009.pdf
City givesamnesty toencouragepayment ofback taxes
Business owners who havenot paid their business license taxto the city of Clayton will begranted amnesty from back taxesand penalties if they pay the taxbefore November 1.
In a 3-2 vote, the Councilagreed to amnesty for businessowners who have failed to paythe current year’s tax out of offear getting hit with back taxesand stiff penalties which candouble the amount owed.
The Business License Tax,levied on anyone conductingbusiness within the city ofClayton, raises about $100,000 ayear. The amnesty period wouldonly apply to those businessesthat have never paid the tax, andwould not be granted to thosebusinesses that are simply late inpaying.
IT’S YOUR PAPER
www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009 925.672.0500
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Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
For the Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Home and Garden Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
What’s Inside
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER
City honors Skipolini’sfor 35 tasty years
On May 3, 1974, Skip andBev Ipsen opened Skipolini’sPizza in downtown Clayton andtheir award-winning pizza hasbeen a Clayton staple for 35years. From the beginning,Skip’s has been the place to gofor great pizza. We all have ourfavorites. Steve loves doublepepperoni and my favorite ismushrooms, black olives andfresh tomatoes.
Now owned by their son,Kent, and his wife Yvette,Skipolini’s has grown to fourlocations and won many awardsfor their family-friendly restau-rants and fabulous pizza. Skip’sis “going green,” so check outtheir new Website,SkipolinisPizza.com, where youcan sign up to get couponsonline.
In recognition of theiranniversary and their great sup-port of the Clayton community,we declared May 3 Skipolini’sDay in Clayton. Take the familyin, order a great pizza and raisea glass to them on this specialanniversary.
See Mayor, page 19
Local band proves family valuesrock at 14th annual Art and Wine
Preview this year’s
Garden Tour Page 20
The 2009 Art and WineFestival got off to a slow startlast Saturday as a heavy morningrain drenched downtown.
“We only sold six beer ticketsin three hours,” lamented festivalvolunteer Cindy Hayden.
Event chair, Joe Medrano,
recalls only two other times thatArt and Wine was rained on.
But, by early afternoon, thestorm broke and Main Streetbegan to fill up with what wouldend up being a decent sizedcrowd.
Despite the weather and thesluggish economy, this year’s fes-tival drew more vendors than lastyear, Medrano said, and people
were in a buying mood. Food andart sales were brisk and the themood, if not the sky, was sunny.The small crowd at the entertain-ment tent began to grow as peo-ple grabbed a seat on a bale ofhay and settled in to rock out.
This is the 14th year for theArt and Wine Festival sponsoredby the Clayton Business andCommunity Association.
FAMILY BAND PERFORMS
ON HOME TURF
Of the performers at thefestival, one of the unique head-liners was the CrossmanConnection, a country rockband comprised of two fathersand their sons.
ANDRÉ GENSBURGER
Clayton Pioneer
See Art & Wine, page 4
Kimberly Goddard wins Mothers’ Daytitle for mom in Pioneer’s essay contest
Deanna “Dee” Munk, wellknown and respected memberof the Clayton community, diedat home suddenly last week ofan aortic aneurysm. She was 67.
Dee was active on manycommunity fronts, most recent-ly with the CBCA Art and WineFestival. For eight years, she hassupervised the vendor selectionand coordination. Her deathcame just three days before thisyear’s event. Her membership inthe CBCA goes back 12 years.She served on the board ofdirectors for three terms andwas currently secretary.
Dee was a woman of bound-less energy, says close friend,Julie Pierce. “She had multipleinterests – all at once, and gaveenthusiastic support to every-thing she did.”
Dee was born on March 30,1942 in Redwood City,California. She grew up on thepeninsula and graduated fromCarlmont High School in 1960.She went on to study Frenchand French foreign studies atthe University of California,Berkeley, from 1960 to 1965.
A brilliant woman and a bitquirky, Dee’s talents rangedfrom artisan quilt making andaward winning needlework todetermined advocate for thearea’s ranchers and farmers asexecutive director of the ContraCosta Farm Bureau. She was anardent water conservationist,serving on boards and commit-tees from the regional level tothe state. A supporter of theFriends of Mt. Diablo Creek,Dee worked on the watershedmapping project in 2005.
“She was smart,” says Julie.“Oh, so smart—and very wise.”
And she was passionateabout her sports teams – theGiants, the ‘Niners and all theCal Bears teams.
“On our first date, I tookher to a Raiders playoff game,”Ron recalls. “Then, the next
TAMARA STEINER
Clayton Pioneer
Andre Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer
THE CROSSMAN CONNECTION’S TWO FATHERS AND THREE SONS captivated the audience with country favorites at the 2009 Artand Wine Festival. (From left) Andrew Freeman, Butch Crossman, Jeff Crossman, Kevin Crossman and Fred Freeman.
Obituary
DeeMunk
March 30, 1942 -April 29, 2009
She’s strict, but she laughseasily and often. She’s a teammom, the homework cop andthe lunch patrol. She scrap-books and loves the theater.She’s Monika Maytum, 12-year-old Kimberly Goddard’s momand our 2009 Mothers DayQueen. Kimberly’s essay “MyMom Is Absolutely the Best”was the winning entry in theClayton Pioneer’s Mothers Dayessay contest.
“She’s my love,” Monikasaid when she read Kimberly’sessay. “She’s not often openwith her feelings, so this is reallyspecial.”
The essay actually cameabout almost on a dare, Monikasays.
“Kimberly was complainingone day that she was bored, so Ipointed to the Pioneer whichwas sitting on the table and said
‘here’s something for you todo—write an essay about what agreat mother I am.’
“I never dreamed she wouldactually do it,” laughed Monika.“It was a joke.”
But, the seed was plantedand the essay that grew out ofthat thought was no joke.
In a touching tribute to hermother, Kimberly writes “Weare four kids in the family, butwhen one of us is sick, shemakes us feel as if we are theonly person on earth.”
“If my siblings or I were tohave a nightmare she would bethere to make sure that themonsters in our heads will goaway.”
The Maytum-Goddard fami-ly lives in Regency Meadows andincludes Monika’s husbandColin, Kimberly, Jennifer 15,Anthony 10 and Samuel 7. Ayellow lab named Holly greets
TAMARA STEINER
Clayton PioneerTAMARA STEINER
Clayton Pioneer
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
“SHE MAKES THE MONSTERS IN OUR HEAD GO AWAY,” writes KimberlyGoddard of mom Monika Maytum in her Mothers’ Day essay See Munk, page 4See Mom, page 16See Tax Amnesty, page 8
Page 2 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
Around Town
Clayton $648,000Regency Meadows – Putting green, pool & spa! 2,857s.f. 5BD/3BA incl. one full B/B downstairs. Vaultedceilings, w/w carpet & wood blinds throughout the mainliving areas. Family room w/fireplace & bar. Masterretreat w/views & fireplace. Roomy kitchen w/hard-wood floors & island. www.250ElPuebloPlace.com
Clayton $698,000Dana Hills – 2,694 s.f., 5BD/2.5BA at the top of DanaHills has custom features incl. designer tile entry, bath-room upgrades & 5 skylights. Spacious kitchen offerstop quality appliances & fixtures. French doors lead outto new redwood deck & yard. Indoor laundry & 3-cargarage are perks! www.260MountaireParkway.com
Clayton $299,000Marsh Creek Villas – Well-maintained 2BD/2BA patiohome w/a spacious 2-car garage! Features a diningroom, master suite w/walk-in closet, living room w/fire-place & wet bar and a very accessible bright, sunnykitchen. Located on cul-de-sac w/lovely views of sur-rounding hilltops. www.9DonnerCreekCourt.com
Clayton $499,980Dana Hills – Single-story 4BD/2BA includes an updat-ed kitchen w/stainless steel appliances and ample count-er & cabinet space. Spacious family & living roomw/fireplace. Dual pane windows. Private back yardw/covered deck, mature trees, plants & partial Diabloviews! www.141MountaireParkway.com
Clayton Resident & Broker Owner
Clayton $719,000Expanded Rancher – Has it all! 2 master suites, plan-tation shutters, coffered ceilings in dining & familyrooms & a large, flat backyard w/ pool. Remodeled &expanded to 2,554 s.f. 5BD/3BA. Open, eat-in kitchenhas French doors to back & patio. 3-car drive-thrugarage & huge indoor laundry.www.5830DelTrigoLane.com
Clayton $639,980Oakhurst Ironwood – Views from prime lot w/blos-soming landscaping and gorgeous pool & spa. This5BD/2.5BA offers 2,532 s.f. & a downstairs B/B.Roomy updated eat-in kitchen & formal dining w/tilefloors. French door to yard. Private-backs to openspace. www.3087WindmillCanyonDr.com
Clayton $509,600Windmill Canyon – Great Mt. Diablo & golf courseviews from this 3BD/2.5BA Oakhurst property offeringkitchen w/granite, garden window, refinished cabinets.Cathedral ceilings & custom updates make this an ele-gant home w/a great backyard for entertaining on thegreen! www.1816EaglePeakAve.com
Clayton $575,000Windmill Canyon – Upgraded 2,315 s.f. home w/fan-tastic ¼ acre lot has 3BD/2.5BA + a huge loft. Elegantentry, warm colors & sleek floors enhance your livingspace. Gorgeous landscaping and stamped concretepatio w/cover in back. Open, gourmet kitchen.Workshop in garage. www.7014MollukWay.com
Lynne offers free Professional Staging
on her listings
200 turn out for community clean up day
If you were trail trash any-where in Clayton last week, youwere in trouble as an army ofrubbish-seeking warriors, wav-ing their big orange bags likevictory flags, declared war onlitter on Clayton streets andtrails.
By any measure, the day wasa grand success. Nearly 200 indi-viduals, families, scout troopsand Rotarians proudly wore the
colors of the day in ClaytonCleans Up t-shirts as they wentabout the business of sprucingup the town in preparation forthe Art and Wine Festival. Theywere rewarded for their laborswith a barbeque lunch in the cityhall courtyard. Clayton CleansUp t-shirts and lunch were gen-erously provided by AlliedWaste.
In recognition of Earth Day
on April 22, Navlet’s GardenCenter brought packets ofCalifornia poppy seeds to scat-ter on the hillsides comeSeptember.
The event was organized bythe Clayton Pioneer and co-sponsored by the city ofClayton, Allied Waste, Navlet’sGarden Center, Peet’s Coffee &Tea and Cathie’s CustomCreations.
(CLOCKWISE) 1: MAYOR JULIE PIERCE
sets up a one-woman sorting stationafter lunch, digging through thetrash can to rescue paper plates andsoda cans for the recycle bin.2. NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY
COOKS IN THIS KITCHEN. Pictured hereare Craig Johnson, Howard Gellerand Frank Russian.3. LYNETTE AND MELISSA COX AND
NOLAN AND MARIS MEGENER checktheir trash bags for possible hiddentreasures.4. PEET’S MANAGERS DARREN MATSUURA
AND ANDREW POLLARD donated thecoffee that kept the volunteers inoverdrive; shown here serving HerbYonge.5. BOY SCOUTS WYATT BREDELL, MASI
LATU, ANDREW KINAUER AND TROOP
LEADER KURT KINAUER of Troop 492had no trouble filling their oversizegarbage bags with litter from thecreek.6. CLAYTON CLEANS UP EVENT CHAIR
BOB STEINER AND COMMITTEE CHAIR
LINDA PINDER are all smiles as theday’s work winds down.Photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
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Oldest business in Clayton,Skipolini’s is honored by city
Skipolini’s Pizza will be 35on May 3 and the city ofClayton is helping them cele-brate. As the oldest businessin Clayton, Skipolini’s willclaim May 3, 2009 asSkipolini’s Day in Clayton.
The Ipsens’ Clayton rootsrun deep. The business wasstarted in 1974 by Skip and
Bev Ipsen and is owned todayby son Kent and his wifeYvette. Bev Ipsen passed awaya few years ago. Skip hasremarried and he and his wifeLinda are active in the CBCA.Kent and Yvette live in thewhite house on the hill thatlooks over downtownClayton.
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
KENT IPSEN, CURRENT OWNER OF SKIPOLINI’S PIZZA, with Mayor JuliePierce and founder Skip Ipsen.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 3
Around Town
Yamaha of Napa459 Soscol Avenue, Napa, CA 94559(707) 254-7432 www.yamahaofNapa.com
Dave Antonson & Jeff MonroyClayton Residents
We provide parts, accessories and service for all brands of motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft.
Why go anywhere else?Pick up and deliveryservice is available,and is provided FREEfor major repairs and new purchases.
Visit our New and Used Showroom online at
www.yamahaofNapa.com
www.yamahaofNapa.com(707) 254-7432
If your bank is changing signs...
(800) 877-8328 www.traviscu.orgNCUA–Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Everyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in the 12-county area is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply.
Are all the ownership changes taking place within the banking industry todaymaking you lose sleep? Don’t know whom to trust with your money? Become a member-owner at Travis Credit Union,where we don’t play the name game withyour financial future.
Travis Credit Union is financially fit and we have money to lend for homes, cars or whatever you need because we didn’t take undue risks with ourmembers’ money.
If you left a big bank and find yourself back where you started, Travis Credit Union is a great alternative. We’re large enough ($1.6 billion in assets, 158,000 members and 20 branches) to provide you with the products andservices you need but small enough to value your business.
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Where You Belong
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TWO BRANCHES IN CONCORD
Clayton Valley Shopping Center5442 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 101257 Willow Pass RoadMon.-Fri. 10am-5:30pm, Sat. 10am-2pm
CVHS 50th year celebrations come to a close
Clayton Valley High School’syear-long 50th anniversary cele-bration came to an entertainingand nostalgic close on Saturday,April 25 at Centre Concord.Alumni, friends, teachers andstaff gathered to share memo-ries and honor distinguishedgraduates.
Sue Kwon, Consumer Watchreporter for CBS 5 Eyewitness
News and a1986 CVHSgraduate whogrew up inClayton wasMaster ofC e r e m o n i e s .“This eventtotally re-con-nected me withClayton ValleyHigh School,”said Kwon. “It’samazing how much talent hascome from this school.”
Clayton resident and attor-ney Bridget Billiter Gillespie(‘89) was recognized for hercareer achievements in law.Popular art teacher JamesEnemark was honored posthu-mously. Enemark died in 2006.
While the audience dined,former students entertained
with music and drama. RobertKikuchi-Yngojo (‘71) presenteda kinetic monologue on peace.The CVHS Show Choir “raz-zled and dazzled” the audiencewith selections from “Chicago”and the Women’s Ensemble anda mixed student/alumni choireach performed.
- Mike Dunn
May 9, Christine and ValerieSenavsky of Clayton will com-pete in the state level Solo andEnsemble Festival atSacramento State Universityhosted by California MusicTeachers’ Association.
Both girls earned the rightto participate by winning com-mand performance honors atthe March 7 District CMEAFestival held at Los MedanosCollege. For the state eventChristine will perform “BachSonata for Violin andKeyboard.”
Valerie will play the “MozartConcerto #1 for Horn.”Christine will also play the hornwith the Northgate Brass Octet.on the horn. Christine is afreshman at Northgate HighSchool and plays both violinand horn in orchestra and band.Valerie is a 7th grader at DiabloView Middle School. She is alsoassistant first horn with theprestigious Oakland YouthOrchestra and a member of the2009 All State CBDA ConcertBand.
Senavskysisters go tostate music
festival
CHRISTINE AND VALERIESENAVSKY
Photos by Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
MUNDY VIAR, ELIZABETH EMIGH, SUE KWON (‘86), TOM WILLS AND CVHS PRINCIPAL GARY SWANSON prepare tocut into the CVHS cake.
Bridget Billiter-Gillespie (‘89),Dee Billiter and Marisa Alioto ofSan Diego catch up on news.
CVHS staffer Cheryl Long of Clayton buys twoarm lengths of raffle tickets.
Summer Concert SeriesSaturdays6-8 p.m.
May 16 through Sept. 19At the Gazebo in The Grove
May 16 LAVALatin/Salsa
May 30 HOUSEROCKERSRock and Soul
June 13 MamalukeClassic Rock
June 27 The Sun KingsBeatles
July 11 Mixed Nuts‘40s to present dance music
July 25 BECCACountry
August 8 In DisguiseJazz, R&B, Pop Hits
Aug 22 Diamond DaveOldies to today’s top hits
Aug 29 Replica80s rock tribute band
Sept 19 Harvey & The Wall BangersRock, R&B, Country and Oldies
Sponsored by the city of Clayton, CBCAand Allied Waste Services
FREE
The Crossman Connectionhas played frequently at theClayton Club, but moreimportantly, has survived thetest of time.
“We started 15 years ago,”said founder Butch Crossman.“At the time, I didn’t think itwould go anywhere but at leastI’d know where they’re at andwhat they’re doing,” referringto his sons, Jeff and Kevin,also a part of the band.
At the time, they were intheir teens and the music,which ran in the family any-way, seemed like a good father-son bonding activity.
For Butch, a general con-tractor by trade, music hasbeen a mainstay in his life.“I’ve been playing guitar since
I was 10,” Butch said. “I’d playaround the house, so the kidsgrew up with me playing andmy ex (wife) singing.”
As time passed, the twoboys also started playing –Kevin when he was 5 and Jefffrom age 13. “We do three-part harmony and the voicesjust gel,” said Butch.
For fun, they entered akaraoke contest at a FairfieldShakey’s Pizza in 1989, Kevinin the kids’ division and Butchin the adult. “He kicked mybutt,” Butch said with only thepride a father could feel aboutbeing overtaken. “He was sogood that they put him in theadult division and he beat me.”
The impressed owner askedKevin if he had a band. AfterKevin mumbled that he did,the owner wanted the band to
play once a week.“So we stayed up all night
practicing,” Butch said. “Atfirst, Jeff didn’t want hisfriends to know about it sothey wouldn’t tease him, butwhen they did they used tocome and hang out.”
That gig lasted six months.Their first bar performancewas at the Cadillac Ranch inCordelia and things took offfrom there. The band also fea-tures Dave Copeland, called“Uncle Dave.”
“Dave and I were bestfriends and I was married toDave’s sister,” Butchexplained. “I divorced her andkept Dave. He used to be alead guitar player.”
The other member of theband is Fred Freeman, a drum-mer who started this past year.
“I first heard Butch four orfive years ago,” Fred said. “I
was blown away by this guyplaying such great music. Andhe was playing with his kids.”
Their wives knew each otherand it came out that Fred playeddrums. “Over time, Butch andKevin invited me to sit in whilethey played at the Clayton Cluband here we are.”
Fred’s 13-year-old sonAndrew made an appearanceat the Art and Wine Festival,playing the bass.
“It’s my first live perform-ance,” Andrew said. The sev-enth-grader at Diablo ViewMiddle School has had stageexperience playing to recordedtracks.
“It’s funny,” Andrew said.“I listen to rock and metal. I’venever really played countrybefore, but it’s pretty cool.”
“It’s all original music,”Butch said. “I’m a harmonyguy. I look at them (Kevin andJeff) and I’m amazed at whatthey can do.”
Butch and the boys burneda CD of songs in 1997 and areworking on a new CD. Theboys write constantly, Butchreports, and they have enoughmaterial for “five or six CDs.”
Fred likes being a positiverole model for kids. “Youknow, all the oldies from the’40s are back and you get afortysomething father able toplay with their kids, it doesn’tget better than that.”
“If I had all the money inthe world to pay my bills,”Butch concluded, “I’d behappy just playing music.”
The Crossman Connection hasmore dates at the Clayton Club andwill play at the Suisun CityWaterfront Concert Series on July 31.For more information, visitwww.myspace.com/crossmanconnec-tionband.
Page 4 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
Corner of Clayton Road and Kirker Pass Road � 925 672-3900
Our professionals are here to serve you:
Amir, Jameson, Gary, Alex and Peter
Free shuttle service
for major repairsOfficial Smog Check and Repair Station
Mechanical repairs and computer diagnostics including 30K, 60K, 90K factory maintenanceon all European, Imported and domestic vehicles.
Clayton Valley Shell. Maynot be combined with other
offers. Expires 5/23/09
Clayton Valley Shell. Maynot be combined with other
offers. Expires 5/23/09
BBEEAATT TTHHEE HHEEAATT
10 off$AAIIRR CCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGG
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The
Cutting EdgeKnife Works
all knivespick-up & delivery
Louie Galvin, Clayton Resident
672-7892
CustomSharpening
weekend, she cooked me dinner.”Dee and Ron were married
for almost 34 years. Together,they raised three children in theirClayton home, and both weretireless supporters of the ClaytonValley Little League. For morethan 20 years, Dee served as headscorekeeper and Ron coached. Sixyears ago, they moved fromClayton to their present home onLaurel Drive in Concord.
A gourmet cook, Dee couldspend days preparing for a specialmeal. “She was passionate aboutfood – both cooking it and eatingit,” says her husband, Ron,“Once, she fixed a Chinese din-ner. It was in the days before theCuisinart and it took her threedays to chop everything up.”
She loved the holidays andcelebrated each with a new vest.“She had them for Halloween,4th of July, Valentine’s Day,changing seasons — all of them,”remembers Ron. “She calledthem wearable art.”
She waited all year forChristmas and the carols were herfavorite music. “She’d put themon the day after Thanksgiving andplay them all the way ‘til NewYears,” Julie recalls.
Dee leaves behind a legacy offriendship. “She was a friend toeveryone,” said Ron. “She wasbright, articulate and caring. Shewas my best friend.”
“She had deep friendships,”says Julie. “We talked almost everyday. I can’t believe that I can’t justpick up the phone and call herright now.”
Dee is survived by her hus-band Ron, sons Darren and Daleand daughter-in-law Kris; daugh-ter Dawn Risden and grandchil-dren Taylor, Kori and RobbiMunk; Travis, Caitlin, Courtneyand Blake Risden, and sister SueMarshall.
Friends and family celebratedher life at a memorial service at St.Bonaventure’s Catholic Church inConcord on May 4. The family
has requested any memorial giftsbe made to We Care Services forChildren, 2191 Kirker Pass Rd.,Concord, 94521 or to Vestia, 400Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill,94523.
A STRONG SUPPORTER of conser-vation and a member of Friendsof Mt. Diablo Creek, Dee Munkis shown here during a water-shed study in 2005.
Munk, from page 1
Art & Wine, from page 1 UpcomingEvents
MAY 9FARMERS MARKET
The Farmers Market returnsto Clayton, opening and closingan hour earlier than last year. Themarket will set up on Mt. DiabloSt. between The Royal Roosterand Skipolini’s between 8 a.m.and noon on Saturday morningsbeginning May 9. Come early tobeat the heat, buy your veggies,then stop for coffee or stay forlunch at one of downtown'sgreat eateries.
MAY 16CONCERT IN THE GROVE
The first of the free summerconcert series is May 16 in TheGrove. Bring lawn chairs or ablanket and plunk down on thelawn with sandwiches, a pizza ora fine takeout dinner from Ed’s,Moresi’s Chophouse or LaVeranda. First up is Lava, a highenergy Latin-Salsa band featuringMio “Timbalero” Flores. Concertis from 6-8 p.m.
MAY 16, 17CLAYTON VALLEY
GARDEN TOUR
Tour five beautiful Claytonhomes and top off the day withwine and cheese in the bonus gar-den.
An all native-plant garden anda “hill that will thrill,” are just twoof the exciting landscapes on thisyear’s Clayton Historical SocietyGarden tour. The Clayton ValleyGarden Club will host a plant saleat the museum on Main Streetboth days of the tour.
Tickets are $25 in advance,$30 on tour days. Buy tickets atR&M Pool, Patio and Gardens,6780 Marsh Creek Road, or at theClayton Museum on Main Street.For more information, call 672-0240.
See Tour Preview, page 20
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 5
FOUNDParakeet
Found 4/24 in Easley Estates. Callto identify. 765-3822.
SUMMER CHILDCARESummer Childcare offered at
Clayton Community School
Kindergarten – 5th grade, Monday– Friday 7 am to 6 pm.Preschool offered Tuesday andThursday 9 am to 11:30 pm.Contact (925) 672-0388.
RENTALSOffice Space for Rent
250 Sq. feet, fully furnished officespace in Concord. Call 685-45223.
South Lake Tahoe
Vacation Rental
Great location, sleeps 6 to 8 com-fortably. Pictures and home detailscan be found at www.tahoehansen-house.com. Still have questions,call Debbie Hansen at (925) 766-8961.
Dana Ridge Townhome
4Bds/2.5Bth, Views, Cul de sac,New carpet and paint, Washer/Dryer, Garbage included. Requireddeposit $3,100. Monthly rent$2,125. No Smoking, Credit checkreq. Email Dave at [email protected].
Cabin Rental
Pinecrest – Rustic cabin, sleeps 11.Near lake, stores, restaurant, postoffice and movie. Huge deck.$1000/wk. Available June, July andAugust. Call 925-837-2870.
HELP WANTEDReal Estate Agents
Be Successful! Lynne French isexpanding and interviewing for afew agents. Call her today (925)672-8787.
VOLUNTEERSWANTED
Meals on Wheels Drivers
[email protected] or call673-0300.Anna’s Attic Volunteers
Call 674-9072 or (925) 766-5066.Hospice of the East Bay
Call Volunteer Dept. at (925) 887-5678 or email [email protected]. Clayton Historical Society Museum
Call the museum at 672-0240. Clayton Community Library.
673-9777 or email:[email protected]
Auto Clayton Valley Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3900
Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739
Yamaha of Napa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .707-254-7432
Construction and TradesBelfast Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-5423
Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2482
Insite Design and Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .980-0465
Michael Dwyer & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3980
Olde World Mill & Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . .1-707-558-0259
S&K Nellis Painting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-2233
Smith & Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138
Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801
Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-2679
Woodin’ It Be Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5595
Dentist Children's Dentistry of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . .938-2392
Jason Renner, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800
Richard Rissel, D.M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800
Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440
Diablo Light Opera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .944-1565
La Veranda .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011
Willows Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .957-2500
Financial and Insurance Services Andre-Grimesey Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-3000
Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . .685-4523
Carol Keane and Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200
CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900
Doug Van Wyck - State Farm Insurance . . . . . . .672-2300
Ferrante Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .674-1755
Real Prosperity Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .472-6808
Richard Littorno - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463
Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-877-8328
FitnessTraveling Trainers for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6931
FuneralsOuimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242
Home and Garden Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-9901
Clayton Valley Frameworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6066
Clear Splash Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-6245
First Choice Abbey Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .838-5580
Floors to Go Danville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .820-8700
Just Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-4747
Keenan Heinz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288-0159
Lewis & Lewis Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-2145
Majestic Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-1545
Navlet’s Garden Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550
Nichols Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9955
Pans on Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600-7267
Persson’s Touch Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240-1711
R & M Pool, Patio and Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0207
Sparkle Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-5025
The Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-6243
Utopic Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0055
Waraner Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250-0334
Welcome Home House Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . 584-5980
Window Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1930
Mailing and Shipping The UPS Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-6245
Postal Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-9030
Personal Products and Services Bella Mia Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-7792
Perfect Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8261
Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123
Tammy’s Hair Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2126
The Makeup Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-8010
The Tanning CO! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2022
Pet ServicesAussie Pet Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-738-6624
Cat Hospital of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2287
Doggie Doo Drain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286-5564
Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1100
O’Brien Family Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899-7354
Peace of Mind Pet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9781
Rodies Feed and Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600
Preschool Walnut Country Preschool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-9686
Real Estate and Mortgage Services Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541
French, Lynne - Windermere Real Estate . . . . . .672-8787
Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .937-0150
Lopez, Stephanie - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . .932-7329
Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . .280-8563
Rahimzadeh, Helen - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . .932-7375
Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty . . . . .672-4433
Recreation Clayton Valley Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-4631
Dana Hills Homeowners Assn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381-2021
Oakhurst Country Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9737
Senior ServicesDiamond Terrace Senior Retirement Living . . . . .524-5100
Services, Other Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700
Clean Cleaner Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .383-1253
Computers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989
Diablo View Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8300
Recycling Center & Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . .473-0180
The Cutting Edge Knife Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7892
Shopping Clayton Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3325
Pacific Coast Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9090
Seasonal Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4425
The Royal Rooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2025
Travel Cruise Adventures Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .935-7447
Directory of Advertisers
P.O. Box 12466200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517
TAMARA AND ROBERT STEINER, PublishersTAMARA STEINER, EditorANDRÉ GENSBURGER, Reporter and Feature WriterPETE CRUZ, Graphic DesignBEV BRITTON, Copy Editor RANDY ROWLAND, Sports BETH NEUDELL, Advertising Sales CHRISTINA SCARLOTT, Administrative Assistant
We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse
PIONEER INFOCONTACT US
Tel: (925) 672-0500Fax: (925) 672-6580
Tamara [email protected]
André [email protected]
Beth [email protected]
Send ads [email protected]
Send Sports News [email protected]
Send Club News [email protected]
Send Church News [email protected]
Send School News [email protected]
CLASSIFIEDSClassified rates per insertion:Non-profit: $12 for first 30
words, $.20 each additionalword
Individual/non-commercial:$18 for first 30 words, $.30each additional word
Commercial: $48 for first 30words, $.40 each additionalword
To place your classified ad over thephone, call the office at (925) 672-0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your type-written ad and credit card informa-tion to (925) 672-6580. All classifiedsmust be paid for in advance by creditcard (Master Card or Visa)
We will not accept any ad that dis-criminates on the basis of race, color,sex, religion, nationality, family statusor disability. The Clayton Pioneerreserves the right to reject any adver-tising we believe is unsuitable.
LET US KNOWWeddings, engagements, anniver-
saries, births and deaths all weavetogether as part of the fabric of ourcommunity. Please let us know ofthese important events. We ask onlythat the announcement be for aClayton resident. You will find theappropriate form for your announce-ment on our Website. Attach yourphoto to the form. Make sure theimage size you are about to send is atleast 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB.The only format we accept is JPG. Youcan also mail or bring your print to theoffice and we can scan it for you.
Also on our Web site are formsfor submitting Community Calendaritems and press releases for yourorganization.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Clayton Pioneer welcomesletters from our readers. As a generalrule, letters should be 300 words orless and submitted at least one weekprior to publication date. Letters con-cerning current issues will have priori-ty. 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.
Classified
(925) 672-4600 � 8863 Marsh Creek Rd. � Clayton
Saturday May 16th
&
Baby Chicks arrive May 8
from $1.99 each
Presented by
30% discount propane – May 16th only
New Ford Rousch Propane Truckon display by Big Valley Ford
Bobcat Equipment on display by Bobcats West
Serving hot dogs, baked beans, chips and sodas.Door prizes all day long.
Puppy Mart at Rodie’s Every Saturday 10 am - 4 pmFree space for breeders to display
and sell puppies. (Reserve your spot.)
BBuuyy aa nneeww ppuuppppyy aanndd ggeett 1100%% ooffffaallll yyoouurr ppuuppppyy ssuupppplliieess.. Starter kits at special prices.
City of Clayton accepting applications for
Clayton Planning CommissionTerm: July 2009 thru June 2011The Planning Commission is comprised of five members
appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The PlanningCommission advises the City Council on land use matters, includ-ing general plan amendments, zone changes, and proposed proj-ects. The Commission also makes decisions on site plans, use per-mits, subdivisions, and variances. Planning Commission meetingsare open to the public and its decisions can be appealed to theCity Council.
The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourthTuesday of each month, 7 p.m., in Hoyer Hall at the ClaytonCommunity Library.
Planning Commissioners presently receive a monthly stipendof $120.
An applicant must be 18 years of age, registered voter and aresident of Clayton.
Apply in person at Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. Foran application, call City Hall at (925) 673-7300 or send email [email protected]. Visit the city’s Website atwww.ci.clayton.ca.us.
Deadline for application is 5 p.m., June 5, 2009.Interviews will be held in mid June and appointmentsannounced at the June 16 City Council meeting.
The ClaytonPioneer -- It’syour paper!
Page 6 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
WWhheenn oonnllyy tthhee bbeesstt iiss ggoooodd eennoouugghh ccaallll
SSttrraaiigghhtt LLiinnee IImmppoorrttssNothing says high-endlike natural stone.
DCS 48" Grill & Cart
Includes:Rotisserie,
Two Storage Drawers,Two Side Shelves,
Tank Storage.All for $6,668(Includes tax and delivery)
Tec Grill "Green" Infra-Red Portable GSPORT & Pedestal $1,259
992255--333355--99880011 �� 33779955 PPaacchheeccoo BBllvvdd..,, MMaarrttiinneezz
www.straightlineimports.com
Danielle André-Grimesey 2255 Morello Ave. #150, Pleasant Hill
925-689-3000 [email protected]
License #: OF63918
Additional DiscountsAvailable for: Firefighters, Police Officers,Teachers & more.
No license?No problem.
Providing Security Through Insurance
Save up to
35% on your
insurance
F A R M E R S®
Call today for your FREE, no obligation quote
This beautiful and upgradedPlambeck/Skinner built home is inimmaculate condition ready tojust move in and enjoy. 4Bedrooms with a Master Suite withits own slider to the sparkling blueswimming pool. Highlights include an oak
kitchen with gourmet Corian coun-ters and built-in wine cooler. Adelightful breakfast nook is adja-cent to the large family room withcustom accent lighting and marble-
faced fireplace. Featuresinclude a recent 30 year roof,dual-pane windows, base andcrown molding, 6-paneldoors, a huge bay window inthe living room and a spa-tubin one of the 2 bathrooms.
A detached artists studio builtwith city permit, parklike landscap-ing with privacy, decks and astamped concrete patio for outdoorentertaining. See it before its gone!
KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTS
Pete Laurence, Broker, Realtor, GRI
2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek
Direct 940-2777 � Cell 890-6004 � Fax 937-0150
Now is the time to buy.
Clayton Rancher with Pool!
$539,000
Another
SOLDPete can sell
yours too!
Give him a call, he can sell yours too.
(925) 820-870099 Railroad Ave., Danville
Locally owned and operated by 30-yearClayton residents Keith and Mike Baker
Mon - Fri 10-6 Sat 10-5 � Sun 12-3
Hardwood, Tile and Stone, Carpet, Laminate
Free shop at home service!• Free custom baseboards
with all hard surface orders! OR
• Free upgraded padwith any new carpet order!
Agent’s history with Farmersbegan at 16, as a customer
Her parents taught her the value of insuranceat a young age by making her pay her own way, alesson that Danielle André-Grimesey takes seri-ously in her job as a Farmers Insurance agent.
“I’ve been insured with Farmers since I was16,” she says. “My dad is a cop and my parentshave been insured with Farmers for over 40years.”
With that kind of responsibility taught earlyand as the wife of a San Francisco firefighter,Patrick Grimesey, Danielle takes prides in theinformation she makes sure that her clientsreceive.
“I do like to educate people,” she says. “It isimportant that they understand what coveragethey have. Too many people do not know.”
She considers herself a people person andknows how to hold a constructive discussion, askill she learned from her time as Miss SanFrancisco in 1998 and later as a runner up in theMiss California contest. “I’m a tomboy,” Danielleconfesses, laughing at the image of the beautyqueen which she says was heavily based on theinterviewing criteria that year.
“My friend suggested I enter to earn somemoney for college,” she explains. “I was really sur-prised when I won.”
From there, she had an eight-year career as amortgage underwriter. That career ended and shewas laid off. During a real estate open house witha friend, she met a Farmers’ agent and knew it wasa good fit.
“I get to stay home with my daughter,” shesays, “and when I need to meet a client, I go to theoffice. I love my job. I especially like that there issomething new each day.”
While her 2-year-old agency focuses on publicemployees, given her family affiliations with fire-fighters and police officers, she is not limited tothat group. And she will be the first to tell you thatunderstanding how insurance works and whatcoverage you should have is important, althoughshe knows that many people are hardly thrilledwith having to read all the fine print.
“Take uninsured drivers,” she says, discussingthe impact of the recession. “It used to be that
one out of five drivers was not insured. There isa study that is not finished yet, but potentiallyhalf the drivers may be uninsured. And yet somepeople want to carry minimums on their unin-sured motorist coverage. Make sure that you pro-tect yourself as well as you are protecting otherpeople.”
Danielle also noted that many homeowners lettheir policies lapse because of an inability to payfor them. It makes her uneasy. “My main goal is toprotect you,” she adds. “I really do care aboutwhat happens; that’s my personality. If I feel Igave you bad coverage, it really would affect howI slept at night.”
For fun, she gardens and takes her two Boxersto the dog park. Danielle and Patrick are also sportsfans and avid divers. “Whenever we travel, it has tobe somewhere tropical,” she says.
She doesn’t want people to mistake Miss SanFrancisco with the agent watching out for herclients. “I take my job seriously,” she notes.
For more information, contact Danielle at 689-3000or visit www.dag-insurance.com.
ANDRÉ GENSBURGER
Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy of Danielle André-Grimesey
DANIELLE ANDRÉ-GRIMESEY with her San Franciscofirefighter husband Patrick, credits her parents forher early training in the value of insurance.
Put safety first whentaking bikes on the road
Bicycling is a great way tocombine exercise and basictransportation and has becomea popular choice for many whowant fitness and a fun way tocommute.
May has been declaredNational Bike Month as a wayto promote bicycling as ahealthy, fun, economical andviable form of transportation.Many Bay Area folks will partic-ipate in the 15th annual Bike toWork Day on Thursday, May 14,and enjoy the health benefits,including reduced air pollutionand no waiting in traffic.
By California law, bicyclistshave the same rights and mustfollow the same rules as
motorists. The following tipswill help you follow the law andstay safe on the road.
Wear a helmet. Bicyclists andbicycle passengers under 18years of age are required towear a helmet.
Always ride with traffic.Motorists are not looking forbicyclists riding on the wrongside of the road.
Observe stop signs, signals andbasic right-of-way rules. You canreceive a citation if seen violat-ing these traffic laws.
Keep clear of the car door zone. Itwill hurt if you strike a car doorthat is suddenly opened.
Use hand signals to signalmotorists of your intentions.
Keep both hands ready to brake.You may not be able to stop intime with one hand. In rain,allow for extra stopping dis-tance.
Ride a well-equipped bicycle. Besure your bike is sized for youand is well-maintained.
Use lights at night. The lawrequires both front and rearlights while riding at night.Reflectors and reflective vests
DAN LAWRENCE
FROM THE CHIEF
See Chief, page 7
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 7
925.932.7375Helen
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are valuable additions.Don’t weave between parked cars.
Motorists may not see you.Look before you pass or merge.
Make eye contact with the cardriver.
Avoid road hazards. Watch outfor railroad tracks, parallel-slatsewer grates, utility covers,painted or oily pavement, graveland pot-holes. These are morehazardous when wet.
Bicycling can be fun and safeif you obey the law and takeextra safety precautions whileriding. Please have a fun sum-mer and be safe while riding
your bicycle.The Clayton Police
Department offers bicyclelicenses for $3. If you wouldlike addition information aboutbicycle laws, safety tips orlicenses, call the Clayton PoliceDepartment at 673-7350, 9a.m.-5 p.m. Monday throughFriday.
Dan Lawrence is Clayton’s PoliceChief. Please send your questions,comments or topics you’d like to see covered to [email protected]
Chief, from page 6
“State of Play” delivers afast-paced storyline delivered bya cast of A-list actors. However,“State of Play” may have to domore with blogs taking over theprint news than with politicalconspiracies.
Directed by KevinMacdonald (“The Last King ofScotland”), the movie is basedon a BBC miniseries of thesame name. The plot followsCal McAffery (Russell Crowe),an old-school, gruff journalist.He is one of the best and mostexperienced in the business.Della Frye (Rachel McAdams)plays the young blogger work-ing for the newspaper. Theireditor (Helen Mirren) puts thetwo together to tackle the storyof Rep. Stephen Collins (BenAffleck) and his affair with awoman who worked in hisoffice.
Della and Cal delve deeperinto the woman’s death to findthat it may be more complicatedthan originally thought, havingconnections with multiple otherdeaths and with private securitycorporation PointCorp.
“State of Play” immediatelyjumps into the action; the mur-ders occur in the first 10 min-utes of the film. One can feelthe movement in the film,almost as if you are tailingCrowe while he is following
leads. There are numeroustwists in the story. Some are sur-prising, while you can see otherscoming a mile away.
What really picks this filmup was the acting. Crowe putson a great performance as thegritty journalist. Mirren portraysthe editor as vinegary and hard-ened; often she is what providescomic relief in this suspensethriller. McAdams and Affleckalso provide good support.Overall, the acting was believ-able and interesting – although Ididn’t think it was credible thatCrowe, 45, and Affleck, 37,were college roommates.
It is also worth mentioningJason Bateman, who plays aparty guy PR representative. Henearly steals the scene fromAffleck and Crowe, but hischaracter disappeared just assoon as it was introduced.
While the plot was interest-ing enough, it was not whatdrew me into the film. I wasmore interested in seeing Croweseek out his leads and put thispuzzle together. When thefocus shifted from Crowe’scharacter to any other part ofthe story, my attention wouldtrail off. Once I left the movie, Iwasn’t wowed by the brillianceof the film – but rather I wasintrigued by the newspaper andjournalism world.
Dancing with germs, part of the human conditionOne of the lessons we are
learning from the recent globaloutbreak of the Swine Flu is thespeed and ease by which itspreads throughout the world.From a small village in Mexico, aworld can get infected – demon-strating the massive inter-con-nectedness that we have in oursocieties.
The government suggestionof using Kleenex and washinghands, while simplistic, does actu-ally tackle what has essentiallybecome an exercise in laziness.Too few people wash their hands,regardless of whether it is toretain a measure of sanitation orto prevent the spread of germs.
Trying to stay clean proves tobe an interesting task. Certainlywash your hands. A commonpractice now, especially in rest-rooms, is to use the paper towelyou dried your hands with toopen the door – and with goodreason. With an informal statisticshowing that more than 30 per-cent of males using the bath-room did not wash their handsand touched the handle on theirway out, a paper towel seems avery good idea.
A study of how germs are
spread involves all aspects of ourlives. ATM machines, restaurantsand coffee shops, libraries andmalls are all areas of multipleproximity contacts. I touch thecounter to pay for merchandise.You touch the counter to pay formerchandise and, in the process,receive some free germs fromme. At work, using a photocopymachine, filing cabinet or tele-phone puts you in very closecontact with fellow germ-infest-ed humans.
Teachers and day-careproviders always get the sickest;here you have a tightly packedinstitution of learning and germdevelopment where one coldbecomes 30 colds in a short time.Is it any wonder why a school
would close down for the SwineFlu?
Do you pump gas? Howabout pushing the supermarketshopping carts? Rent videos?Workout at a gym? These activi-ties bring you direct germ-to-germ contact.
And let’s not forget diningout. Are you feeling like Mexicanfood tonight? Carnitas?
It is customary in our socie-ty for business people to shakehands as a greeting. You’d betterwash that hand afterward, espe-cially if the man whose handyou shook fell into the 30 per-cent category.
The funny thing is that wereyou to look at yourself under amicroscope, you would find thatwe are actually a hosting organ-ism for a multitude of life formsthat live on our bodies.
Germs are not our enemy;germs are actually our friend.Despite the anti-bacterial nationwe live in, exposure to germs iswhat allows us to build immuni-ty. Studies have shown that peo-ple who excessively clean actual-ly do not help their immunity.
Think about the concept ofvaccination. You are receiving a
sample of the virus, so yourbody defenses can wipe it outand store the information forfuture use.
It is ironic that on the onehand, germs can be helpful andon the other, fatal.
The 1918 Spanish Flu thatkilled millions of people world-wide remains a warning that wecould be overrun again. Anotherargument suggests that thosepeople who could not developimmunity to the Spanish Fluwere the millions who died. Therest retain that immunity.
It is a nice argument were itnot for the fact that the flumutates from generation to gen-eration.
As we watch the Swine Fluspread throughout the world, wecan take comfort in the fact thathowever the story ends, we willalways be one step ahead of avirus with our names imprintedon its genetic code. While I candeal with it that way, I’m still notshaking your hand!
ANDRÉ GENSBURGER
DEAL WITH IT
André Gensburger is a staffreporter and feature writer for thePioneer. His email address [email protected]
‘State of Play’ delvesinto journalist endeavors
Movie Review
THOMAS VO
Pioneer Movie Reviewer
See Movie, page 8
If you think every day shouldbe Earth Day, this summer is theperfect time to go green by usingthe Web. From recycling centerfinders to carbon footprint cal-culators, Websites for green-seekers are easy to find.
Instead of just bringing cansand bottles to the curb for recy-cling, take them to a recyclingcenter and receive cash. WithEarth911.com, you can searchfor centers near your home. Italso displays what materials canbe brought there. For example,NexCycle on Willow Pass Roadaccepts four types of glass andthree types of plastics, plus alu-minum cans.
If you’re more interested injunking that computer whichbroke five years ago, check outErecycle.org. This Website listsrecycling centers that specializein hard-to-dispose E-waste.There are 19 such centers inContra Costa County, includingBay Area Recycle of WalnutCreek.
You can support local farm-ers by checking outLocalHarvest.org. This site letsyou find farmers markets andorganic food restaurants nearby.Clayton residents need not trav-el far – they can drop by theClayton Farmers Market onDiablo Street on Saturdays, Mayto October. There are alsofarmers markets in Concordand Walnut Creek, so fresh foodis only a short drive away.
Since California is in adrought, the Contra CostaWater District is requiringhouseholds to reduce theirwater usage by 15 percent. Visitthe district’s Website atCCwater.com for informationon how to get free conserva-tion devices and instructionson reading your water meter.The district also has loads ofwater-saving tips for homesand businesses.
While I like the informationprovided by the district, the SaveWater article on WikiHow.comis simpler to view.
If you’re in the spirit of con-
servation, visit Ecomall.com forideas on reducing the amount ofgarbage you produce. Their firstsuggestion will surely pleaseCostco and Sam’s Club buyers:“Choose bigger sizes – theyoffer more products with lesspackaging.”
To further reduce yourimpact on the environment, cal-culate a “carbon footprint” –which measures the amount ofgreenhouse gases your activitiesproduce. Carbonfootprint.comoffers calculators for homes andbusinesses and provides solu-tions to help reduce carbonemissions.
Of course, you’ll want to
buy green products.GreenHome.com, one of thelargest environmental productsellers on the Web, sells a varietyof items made from naturalmaterials. Their inventorysounds bizarre, but they explainthat buying recycled umbrellas,organic mattresses and herbaltoothpaste will help bring abouta more sustainable existence.
Be careful before buying,though. A recent report suggeststhat many so-called green prod-ucts are marketed falsely. A sur-vey by Canadian firmTerraChoice found that only twopercent of green products“make completely legitimate
claims on their labels.”Consumers should be vigi-
lant about their buying choicesby asking questions and lookingup reviews.
Going green can be satisfy-ing, but not just because you’rehelping the Earth. In these eco-nomic times, a little conserva-tion may help keep your wallet“green” as well.
Page 8 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
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There’s nothing I love in fic-tion more than an unreliablenarrator. In Brunonia Barry’sdebut novel, “The Lace Reader,”we get unreliable in spades.
Not only do we get a narra-tor whose sanity is seriouslyquestionable, but we also get astory set in modern-day Salemalong with real and pretendedwitches, ghosts, murder andwild dogs.
To understand what it meansto have an unreliable narrator,think Faulkner or GregoryMcGuire’s “Wicked.” It meansthat sometimes the readerknows more than the storyteller.Or maybe just thinks they do.It’s a puzzle.
“The Lace Reader” is narrat-ed by a dazed young womannamed Towner Whitney. Butthat isn’t quite right, either. Herreal name is Sophya, and shestates right up front lest there beany confusion, “I am a crazywoman … we’re from five gen-erations of crazy.”
So why should a personbother to follow a self-admittedcrazy narrator? Because some-where deep down, the story hasa ring of truth to it. It containsa raw edge that makes it all butimpossible to look away. Mostof all, there’s something aboutTowner/Sophya that is fragile,and you want her to win. Evenif she is a liar.
When Towner receives a mys-terious gift from her great-auntEva Whitney, it seems yet anoth-er strange message from one ofher oddball family members. But
then her brother, Beezer, calls totell her that Eva has gone missingand Towner is compelled to trav-el from Hollywood, Calif., toSalem, Mass., despite the fact thatshe is fresh out of the hospitaland Salem is the last place shewants to be.
Eva is the rock that givesTowner a tenacious grasp on the“real world” and she is drawn tothe mystery by pure instinct.
The allure of the Salemwitch trials clashes with theSalem of modern world, wherevarious factions fight over theirparticular versions of what istrue. Tourist buses belch outzany crowds eager to sample apiece of history. Locals trade onthe reputation of Salem’s witchypast and its prurient present.
Back home again, Townerfinds herself caught in the mid-dle of a dream she can’t escape.She is the classic reluctant hero– compelled to move forwardthough she regrets every ago-nizing step of the way.
Towner struggles to relatewith her mother, who lives like arecluse on Yellow Dog Island,providing safe harbor to abusedwomen and refusing to partici-pate in the drama of Eva’s dis-appearance. Then just when itseems it can’t get weirder, Eva isfound dead.
Beezer is no help in the mat-ter, and Towner’s Uncle Cal is ascary reminder of the past shefled the East to escape. Onlylocal cop John Rafferty providesTowner a sense of balance, of asolid, sensible place to stand
when all heck breaks loose andthe truth of the Whitney legacythreatens to pull them all down.
“The Lace Reader” is a com-pelling and dazzling read, and Ihighly recommend it. And ifyou’re afraid of ghosts or witch-es, don’t worry. The scariestcharacter of all is the truth.
Cynthia Gregory has won numer-ous awards for her short fiction. Herwork has appeared in Glimmer TrainPress, the Red Rock Review, Writer’sDigest, The Sun, The Ear, SantaBarbara Review, Black River Review,Briarcliff Review, Chicago Tribune,Bon Appetit, and the HerbQuarterly. You can write her at [email protected].
‘Lace Reader’ is a compelling, if odd, tale
The amnesty idea, first putforward by Vice Mayor HankStratford, met with vigorousresistance from Mayor JuliePierce and Councilman JoeMedrano.
“The first thing you do whenyou start a business is get a busi-ness license,” said Pierce. “It’sBusiness 101.”
“Ignorance of the law is no
excuse,” said Medrano, agreeing.“Amnesty would be unfair tothe current businesses that arein compliance.’
But the two failed to con-vince Councilmembers HowardGeller and Dave Shuey.
Geller, who hopes amnestywill encourage even a few morebusinesses to pay up says, “Let’sget that money coming in on a
regular basis. It’s the only tax thestate can’t grab.”
For fiscal year 2008-09, thecity budgeted $98,000 in revenuefrom the business license tax andabout $89,500 of that has beencollected to date. There are cur-rently 475 active business licens-es, a significant decline from2007 when there were 625.
For more information on busi-ness license amnesty, call the city at(925) 673-7300.
Tax Amnesty, from page 1
The focus of the film wasnot steady or well-pronounced;it felt almost split between thenewspaper world and politicalintrigue. Perhaps the purposewas to show how the twothemes were intertwined, but ifso, not a clear enough job wasdone.
“State of Play” was anentertaining film. Although itmay not be Oscar worthy,Crowe’s acting is enough to jus-tify the trip to the movies.“State of Play” promises anentertaining ride for a fewhours, without any weightyaftereffects.
Score:
Thomas Vo is a student at SaintMary’s College in Moraga, doublemajoring in business administrationand creative writing. He is also afreelance photographer and musician.
Go to these Websites and ‘go green’
MARK FREEMAN
ON THE NETMark Freeman is a student at
St. Mary’s College in Moraga, study-ing economics and English. He enjoyscreative writing and is a reporter forthe school paper. Questions/com-ments can be sent to [email protected].
Movie, from page 7
CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR THE BOOKS
On April 24, Clayton ValleyHigh School’s Public ServiceAcademy hosted the “If I CouldChange the World” fair – show-ing what the students hadlearned about a variety of socialissues from child abuse tohomelessness.
Helmed by teachersMargaret Ljepava, DylanPerreira, Maureen Allan andNeil McChesney, the fairallowed the students to interactwith the public and articulatethe strengths they had acquired.
“A project of this magnitudewith so many complex steps anddifferent potential manifesta-tions requires a student toembrace all of their skills inorder to negotiate it successful-ly,” said McChesney. “The greatpart is that with a little guidancenow and then or a question orconstructive criticism at just theright moment, the teaching hap-pens naturally.
“In other words,” he added,“we simply become facilitatorsand the students in many waysare teaching each other. It isunder circumstances of thiskind that I believe the most pro-found learning takes place.”
Clayton resident KevinAdams helped a group of stu-dents investigate child abuse.They gathered items such ashair products and clothes todonate to the Bay Area CrisisNursery. On the table beforethem was a shocking display ofphotographs showing badlybruised and injured children,bringing their message to theforefront.
“Every 10 seconds, a child isneglected or beaten by a par-ent,” said Adams, a sophomore.
Clayton’s Sayra Gutierrez, ajunior, worked with a group thatfocused on Friends Feeding
Friends. Each wore a cardboardsign announcing the plight ofthe homeless.
“Forty percent of homelessmen had previously served inthe military,” explainedGutierrez.
“We held a car wash,” addedKari Leyba, who was in thegroup with Gutierrez. They alsosold Jamba Juice and raised $230for Friends Feeding Friends.
Before the research,Gutierrez had different percep-tions of the homeless. “Iexpected it to be like it is por-trayed in the movies,” she said,noting that all the exhibitors atthe fair just want to make a dif-ference.
“There were severalmoments during or just after thefair in which many of the stu-dents realized that the philo-sophical rationale for doing the‘If I Could Change the World’project was real,” McChesneysaid. “They had actually made adifference (however small orlarge) in the world. That
moment of pure, unadulteratedbelief in the power of the indi-vidual will and mind meanseverything. It is why we do whatwe do.”
At the fair, a smallChihuahua in a cage paced nerv-ously back and forth. The dis-play offered statistics about ani-mal cruelty. “It’s about treat-ment with kindness and care,”said freshman Nicole Dunkleyof Clayton.
Her group’s fundraisinghelped the American Society forthe Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals through Rocco’s Pizzasales as well as boxes placedthroughout the school. “If wemake students aware of theissues, we can stop animal cruel-ty,” Dunkley added.
“Our teachers gave usoptions,” explained LindaDrobatz, a senior. “We all cameup with this idea.”
Dodger, the Chihuahua,belonged to senior CassandraLondrygan. “People don’tknow,” she said of animal abuse.
“They need to learn.”The students manning “One
True Friend” demonstrated theeffects of stress on children andadolescents and how friendshipshelp buffer that. Clayton resi-dents Jonathan Kim, whoorganized the group, and KatieMarchant joined students on avisit to Children’s Hospital inOakland.
“I saw they did not have anormal life,” Kim said.
“You just want to changethat,” Marchant said.
One of the academy’s mot-tos is “We learn as children totreat others as we wish to betreated.”
“The most interesting andrewarding feedback has beenthe outpouring of suggestionsto improve the way the projectworks,” McChesney reported.“Even before we were donewith the fair, the students wereproposing changes and predict-ing the increase in quality for thenext year. The natural conclu-sion is that though this was
undoubtedly a struggle, theywant to do it again and theywant to do it better. This is theattitude of the PSA studentsand why I love teaching in thisacademy.”
The gym in which the fairwas held was crowded with stu-dents as they worked their waythrough the booths with a grad-ing sheet in hand. They wererated on a 1-5 scale, with criteriathat included levels of educa-tion, demonstration, motivationand an overall grade. Studentswere visibly impressed by thework of their peers and it wasclear that a lot of effort hadgone into the preparation forthe fair.
“Working with the PSA stu-dents and the PSA teachers islike a dream job most days,”McChesney said. “Challenging,yes, but also exponentiallyrewarding.”
For more information, visitwww.cvhspublicserviceacademy.org.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 9
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André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer
CASSANDRA LONDRYGAN, NICOLE DUNKLEY AND LINDA DROBATZ ALONG WITH DODGER, THE CHIHUAHUA, focusedon animal cruelty for their presentation at the “If I could Change The World” fair.
CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
The Safe and Sober Grad Night Committee isstill seeking donations for Grad Night 2009. Tomake a monetary gift or an age-appropriate gift cardor new item, contact Shari Case [email protected] or Stephanie Andrews [email protected].
***The Music and Drama Departments will present
their final show of the year, the award-winningmusical extravaganza “Into the Woods,” May 21, 22,29 and 30.
With direction by Tom Wills, Elizabeth Emighand Mundy Viar, the talented CV cast will take youon a fairytale journey that will leave you laughing,crying and ultimately transformed by the storiesthat strike at the heart of the child within us all.
Performances are at 7 p.m. at the school, 1101 AlbertaWay, Concord. Tickets are $7 at the door.
School News
FOUR DIABLO VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS COMPETED IN THE 14TH ANNUAL JUNIOR
SOLAR SPRINT CHALLENGE AT LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE ON APRIL 25. MonishaaSuresh is shown holding the Team M&M car, which won Best Appearance. Nextto her are Emma Hall, Josh Rosen, Coach Sylvia Chatagnier, Sohnjay Reeve,Sam Albertsen, Arthur Jones, Connor Bredehoft and Andrew Nielsen. The carbuilt by Sohnjay and Sam was awarded Best Design.
Solar car awards for DVMS students
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Located in downtownConcord, Keenan/HeinzCompany is truly a uniqueretail shop. Inside you willfind such a diverse collectionof items for home and gar-den that many customers sayvisiting the store is like beingon vacation or going to anart gallery or museum. Wegot our tag line 'Really CoolStuff' from customers walkedin and exclaimed: "Wow!That's cool." Over and overwe heard it so we thoughtthat would be a good way todescribe the shop.
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R&M POOL, PATIO AND GARDENS
R&M has been your neigh-borhood pool supply, patiofurniture store and nursery forthe past 26 years and canmeet all your backyard needs.Locally owned and operatedby Roy and Melanie Alarcon,R&M is located just outside ofClayton’s downtown onMarsh Creek Road.
R&M carries pool sanitationsupplies including granular,tablet, and liquid chlorine,multi-shock and bags of salt.Pool and spa equipment andrepairs are offered as well asreplacement parts, and filtercartridges. This year, cutwater evaporation and heatyour pool with a solar cover.
R&M carries a huge selec-tion of quality, made-in-the-USA furniture and will specialorder patio umbrellas andcushions in a wide range ofbeautiful Sunbrella fabrics.
The nursery has a vast col-lection of perennial, shrubs,trees, fertilizers, amendments,and bark. Nicole Hackett, TheClayton Pioneer’s GardenGirl is on hand with sugges-tions, problem solving andplan recommendations.
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Clayton Pioneer
Spring Home & Garden GuideMeet the Merchants
11117700 BBuurrnneetttt AAvvee..,, SSttee.. EE,, CCoonnccoorrdd 992255--668866--99990011
Contra Costa Floors Showroom hours: MM--FF 99--55 SSaatt 1100--44
Carpetstarting at
$1.99* sq.ft.
Hardwoodstarting at
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Laminatestarting at
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*Results based on testing of a statistically representative sampleof carpets of comparable construction, styles and colors.
Keenan/
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Once a year we compel our suppliers to give us incredible deals on truck loads
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Page 12 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
Clayton Sports
Each issue, for the past year-and-a-half, our panel of Clayton sportsenthusiasts aired their views on a cur-rent topic in the sporting world. This isthe final installment of “Speaking ofSports” and the Clayton Pioneerwould like to thank the panel for a jobwell done.
Some leagues haveQuiet Days, when parentsare not allowed to sayanything during their kids’games. Should parents beable to cheer for their kidsor should they be quietand watch the kids play?
Also, what should bedone when parents goover the line at their kids’games? And have youseen this happen locally?
HELENA: Parents should beallowed to cheer and support the kids.No criticism. No sideline coaching.Defining what’s over the line is a grayarea that varies by sport. What makessports special is the emotional aspect.Fighting and verbal abuse are easysuspension actions. Everything else istough. I’m not sure that zero toleranceis the answer. In the mid-’80s, highschool basketball games in Oaklandwere closed to the public. Once, wehad a youth basketball game inClayton and the other team brought atleast 100 fans. The environmentbecame intimidating for some. Thegame was close and the visiting fansscreamed and yelled at the referees thewhole time, while the home team fanswere uncomfortable to say or do any-thing. What do you do kick everyoneout? I say, just behave and enjoy thegame.
KIRMSSE: Parents do get excitedand competitive while watching theirchildren play. That is part of the cul-ture of youth sports. I enjoy this inmyself and other parents. It’s fun.When it turns negative, though, it’s adrag for everyone particularly the kids.A Quiet Day sounds like a real bum-
mer and I am totally against that kindof stuff. So parents, police yourselvesand keep it positive.
STELZNER: I’m one of thoseparents who loves to cheer for mykids’ team during a game, and I’malso very supportive of letting par-ents do so. I don’t agree with QuietDays or no cheering rules. At thesame time, I know it can get out ofhand and cross the line pretty quick-ly. Truth be told, I’ve blurted out“Oh no!” or “Come on, hustle!” in away that might come across as nega-tive. I make a conscious effort not tocross the line between being a fanand a parent. Over the last 10 yearsof watching my kids play sports, Ican only count a handful of timeswhen I’ve seen a parent really go overthe line. I recall an incident when aparent from the opposing teamyanked their daughter aside.Grabbing her arm, the parent chas-tised her for the lack of playmaking.This was clearly over the line and thatparent should be reprimanded. Thattakes some guts from coaches andsports leagues. For those cases, Iwant sporting leagues to have clearlycommunicated and consistently
enforced policies. The first offenseshould remove the parent from thegame, with further measures for sub-sequent offenses. The goal should beto make kids sports an enjoyableexperience for everyone.
MERRIGAN: I’ve never heard ofQuiet Days. I believe parents shouldbe able to cheer for their kids.However, they should not referee orcoach their kids from the sidelines;they need to let the coaches do theirjob. If an over-exuberant or rude par-ent is ruining a game for a child orother spectators or is harassing a ref-eree, a coach should have options. Acoach can enforce a “parent suspen-sion” at the next game. If it’s stated atthe beginning of the season, the par-ents should comply.
SNYDER: Parents and youthsports should always go together.Doing Quiet Days, like in Danville,seems absolutely crazy. No talking, nocheering no fun. I have coached a lotof youth teams over the years andwatched many more games and, ofcourse, there are times when theadults go overboard. Recently, wehave heard bad language from thedugouts in youth baseball and it came
from a parent sitting on the bench.The solution is training the parents.Once the parents are educated thatthe coaches are solely in charge oftalking to the refs and umpires, with-out exception, they will know they areout of line when they have something“constructive” to say. Parents canvoice their opinions but when theyare personally directed to the officialsin a negative way, it is time for themto leave the premises that day and thefollowing game. League officials alsoneed to record the event.
RAFALLO: Sports events are notmeant to be quiet. We need to startteaching our kids to have a backbone.Not allowing parents to cheer isbaloney. I know I’m in the politicallycorrect minority, but I have a realissue with this. No one wants to heara parent scream or berate a kid. It’snot appropriate. But encouragementand cheering is fine. This is like zerotolerance, by making everyone pay forinappropriate actions of a few. Ratherthan take the awful parent to task, it’sridiculous to make everyone act thesame. Any league that starts a QuietDay will not see another dollar fromme.
Rob Helena DeannaMerrigan
Chris SnyderTina Rafallo RalphStelzner
LeighKirmsse
Are parentsof youngathletes outof control?
Eagles baseball shines bright on school’s golden year
During its 50th anniversarycelebration this school year,Clayton Valley High School hasbeen able to look back at pastaccomplishments as well as gazeto the future for the AlbertaWay campus and its students.
One constant during thisspecial year has been the “phe-nomenal” senior class of ath-letes that has led the boys andgirls teams in basketball andwater polo, boys football, volley-ball, lacrosse and baseball andgirls soccer and softball teams toalready qualify for North CoastSection championship play.
CVHS head football coachHerc Pardi enjoyed the fall sea-son when the Eagles went unde-feated all the way to the NCSchampionship game for the firsttime in school history, beforelosing the title game. Thisspring, Pardi rejoined his long-time colleague Bob Ralston aspitching coach for the UglyEagles and has seen his almamater perform just as well onthe diamond as they did on thegridiron.
“This senior class has beenvery special in this 50th anniver-sary year. They’ve made it excitingand fun for the students andalumni. They have also been veryclose to the coaches,” Pardi says.
There couldn’t be a better way
to end the magical run than witha place in the NCS finals May 30at the Oakland Coliseum.
SEVERAL STRONG TEAMS
For Ralston, a teacher at theschool for the past decade, thisseason is special in a couple ways.
“Through the end of April, weare ranked by the San FranciscoChronicle as the best team in theBay Area. On MaxPreps, we areranked first in our section, 14th inthe state and 81st in the nation,”the proud coach announces.
For the past two years,Ralston was head coach at DiabloValley College after steppingdown from his CVHS coachingduties following the 2006 season.His successor, Casey Coakley,moved to Los Medanos Collegeafter last year and Ralston cameback into the Eagles dugout thisyear.
“DVC was a great experience,but I’m happy coaching atClayton,” Ralston says.
Ralston and his Clayton Valleybaseball team are no strangers tosuccess. The Eagles made it to theNCS championship game in 2002and ’03, although they fell shorteach time of claiming the topprize. Coakley’s team last year lost1-0 to College Park in the NCS
semi-finals.The only other time CVHS
has been as far as the NCS semi-finals was in 1977. One of thestandouts on that team was TimBruno. This year, his son Vince isthe Eagles first baseman and oneof the top hitters in Bay Areahigh school baseball.
As the Diablo Valley AthleticLeague season winds down,Clayton Valley has been at or nearthe top of DVAL all year.Concord High, which upset CV3-1 in their first meeting, posesthe toughest challenge to denythe Eagles an 11th league title.
The Eagles lost only three oftheir first 21 games of the season,just one of those in league play.
SUCCESS IN TOURNAMENTS
The season began to takeshape when Clayton Valley wontwo prestigious invitational tour-naments. At the Crown DublinTournament, the Eagles capped a4-0 record by defeating Foothill
of Pleasanton in the finals.Captain Vince Bruno was theMVP of the tournament and wasjoined on the all-tourney team bypitchers Joey Levine and BrandonWeller.
Levine and returning all-league pitcher Mitchell Wilhitehave both been lost for the sea-son with elbow problems.
“The staff has been solid ifnot outstanding all year.Overcoming these injuries makesit all the more satisfying,” notesPardi, who like Ralston is aClayton resident.
Sophomore pitcher and sec-ond baseman Chaz Meadowsleads the team in victories in thestarting rotation, alongside hissenior teammates Weller andRicky Dunley. Ralston and Pardiwere both quick to also laudcatcher Mike Banks.
In their second tournament,the Gordie Classic in Livermoreduring Spring Break, the Eagleswon three straight – including the
finale over Irvington of Fremont.Both Irvington and Foothill areTop 10 teams in the Bay Area.
At Livermore, outfieldersWesley Darrow and AndrewLassen (also MVP) were namedall-tournament. “It’s significantthat five different players earnedtournament honors,” Pardi pointsout.
Two CV players have alreadycommitted to Division 1 collegesfor next year. Center fielderDarrel Matthews, sporting aglossy batting average over .400all season, will be a Cal Bear nextfall. Power-hitting right fielderLassen has won a scholarship toUC Davis.
“Our offense is one of thebest we’ve had here. We are solid1 through 9 with a team battingaverage of .400,” Ralston says.
Echoing Pardi’s comments, headds: “We have an outstandinggroup of seniors.” That specialgroup includes Matthews, Lassen,Bruno, Darrow, Banks, defensive
whiz second baseman KevinChirco, DH Julian Thornton,Weller, Dunley, Levine andWilhite.
You shouldn’t worry aboutthe Eagles in future seasons, asthe baseball cupboard will hardlybe bare. The juniors are led by 3BJohnny Bekakis, slick fieldingshortstop Cody Stephens andpitchers Antonio Acosta andJordan Dyer.
Due to a trio of injuries,Ralston brought up sophomoresPeter Stoiber, Christian Kaplanand Solomon Cazares to jointheir classmate Meadows on var-sity.
Ralston salutes his entire stafffor their roles in the successfulcampaign. The coaches includePardi, third base coach DavidJeans and first base coach MarkReed. The JV coach is Skip Rayand the frosh coaches are RonPoppi, Mark Peterson, BobBanks and Travis Silveira.
JAY BEDECARRÉ
Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy Bob BanksCLAYTON VALLEY “UGLY” EAGLES BASEBALL TEAM HAS WON A PAIR OF INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS THIS SEASON AND HAS BEEN RANKED #1 IN THE BAY AREA. (Front row, fromleft) Pitching Coach Herc Pardi, Cody Stephens, Kevin Chirco, Johnny Bekakis, Chaz Meadows, Christian Kaplan, Peter Stoiber and Darrel Matthews. (Back row)Brandon Weller, Ricky Dunley, Wes Darrow, Julian Thornton, Vince Bruno, Head Coach Bob Ralston, Mike Banks, Andrew Lassen, Antonio Acosta, Jordan Dyer,Solomon Cazares and Coach David Jeans.
“Through the end ofApril, we are rankedby the San FranciscoChronicle as the bestteam in the BayArea.”
BBoobb RRaallssttoonn,Eagles Head Coach
The 2012 London Olympicsmay seem far away, but they arealready on the mind of 16-year-old Kristian Ipsen of Clayton.That is, when he’s not busy fly-ing across the country for majornational and international div-ing competitions while trying tofit in studies to complete hissophomore year at De La SalleHigh School.
The young diving prodigy,who competes for DiabloDivers under the watchful eyeof coach Phil Tonne, has awhirlwind schedule during Apriland May.
It began when he trained atStanford for three days withthree-time U.S. Olympian TroyDumais. Ipsen and the 29-year-old Dumais were pairedtogether by USA Diving forthe synchronized 3-meterspringboard event. USA Divingsent the 26-time nationalchampion to the Bay Areafrom Texas to train with Ipsenin preparation for the SpringNationals.
LOOKING FOR MIRROR
IMAGES
In synchronized diving, anOlympic sport since 2000, twodivers go off the 3-meterspringboard (or 10-meter plat-form) simultaneously. They doidentical dives and are judgedon the synchronization of thedives as well as the quality ofeach individual’s dive.
Dumais and Ipsen are veryclose in height and weight, sothey present a pleasing look tojudges (and spectators) whenthey have their synchronizationdown.
After their brief trainingtogether, the duo successfullycompeted April 22-26 in theUSA Spring Nationals at the Ft.Lauderdale Aquatic Complexand International SwimmingHall of Fame. The new team’swinning score at nationals of439.32 would have been good
enough for the silver medal inBeijing.
Ipsen also won the seniormen’s 3-meter springboard titleat nationals. This was the firstsenior-level title for Ipsen, whotwice finished second last yearin 3M Springboard Nationalfinals.
“Kristian is steadily pro-gressing,” Tonne says. “We’relooking toward 2012 for him tobe competing in both the indi-vidual and team 3-meterevents.”
A return flight to the BayArea and Ipsen was back in theclassroom at De La Salle. TheEast Bay Athletic League divingchampionship last Saturdaydelayed Ipsen’s trip back toFlorida, where he and Dumaistrained twice a day this weekbefore competing in the AT&TUSA Diving Grand Prix in Ft.Lauderdale. Their synchronized3-meter springboard event is onFriday.
Ipsen will stay in Ft.Lauderdale this Sunday andMonday for a two-day selectioncamp with USA Diving coachesto determine the team that will
represent our country in July atthe World Championships inRome.
AN OLYMPIC UPTURN?This will be the first major
international meet in the four-year run up to London, wherethe United States hopes to turnaround a long dry spell in diving.
The United States has won47 gold and 128 total medals inOlympic competition, but anAmerican hasn’t reached themedal stand since LauraWilkinson won platform gold atSydney in 2000. U.S. men havegone without an Olympic medalsince Mark Lenzi took bronzein springboard in 1996.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 13
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Clayton Sports
With this issue, Claytonsports fans will bid farewell tosports writer Randy Rowland.The entire Pioneer staff joins thecommunity of Clayton in saying“thank you” for a tireless twoyears of covering a very activesports scene.
Randy’s stories are alwaysaccurate and always from theheart. We will miss his enthusi-asm for local sports, always
reflected in a genuine interest inhis subject.
Also leaving this issue is theSpeaking of Sports panel. RobHelena, Leigh Kirmsse, DeannaMerrigan, Tina Rafallo, ChrisSnyder and Ralph Stelzner haveall participated in these lively dis-cussions. We thank them all fortheir wisdom, insight and humor.
Picking up where Randyleaves off, Jay Bedecarré will takeover as the Pioneer sports writer.Jay is no stranger to the pages ofthe Pioneer and a very familiar
figure on the local sports scene.A journalist by training, Jaybrings great attention to detail,immediacy and excitement to thepage. He was recently honoredby the Concord HumanRelations Commission with aLifetime Achievement Award forhis work with youth sports. Jaywrites sports and features forboth the Clayton Pioneer andThe Concordian.
Please send your story ideas andsports news to Jay at sports @clayton-pioneer.com
Rowland signs off asPioneer sports writer
TAMARA STEINER
Clayton Pioneer
This issue is my final one asthe sports writer at the ClaytonPioneer. In taking over thedepartment in June 2007, mythought was to help out thepaper until they could find a“real” writer. Without any back-ground in writing (unless youcount the long emails to mysoccer team), I came to thepaper only with a love of sports– especially youth sports.
This venture became aboutthe amazing sports scene andthe athletes in this great com-munity. I have enjoyed gettingto know many athletes, youngand old, women and men, whohave been accommodatingenough to meet with me sooften over the past couple ofyears (usually at Peet’s). All ofyour stories were wonderful,and I was happy to be able tofeature you and your achieve-ments to the readers of thePioneer.
From budding young ath-letes to adults of all ages, fromall of the traditional sports tosome not so traditional, yourstories were compelling andalways interesting. There are alot of great athletes in this littletown, and it was fun to covertheir successes and have themtell me their stories.
This adventure turned intoan almost two-year run, and Ihave enjoyed every minute of it.Now it’s back to being a full-time husband to my beautifulwife Gabriela, a father to mygreat girls Camila and Emilyand my other hobby – beingsoccer coach to the incrediblegirls on the Diablo FC Fury.
I want to especially thankTamara Steiner and all of thestaff at the Pioneer who havebeen incredibly supportive andhelpful. Thank you T, for lettingme live out my dream of beinga sports writer. Also thanks toall of the staff who have helpedme along the way, especially BevBritton for her amazing editingskills.
I also want to mention myfabulous “Speaking of Sports”panelists. They have been phe-nomenal for a year and a half,providing you with a wide rangeof opinions on the world ofsports. I am indebted to all ofyou for your consistentresponses and beating dead-lines. Thanks Ralph, Tina,Chris, Leigh, Robert andDeanna. You guys are the best!
I may pop up once in awhile as a fill-in, but the batonis being passed to a new writer.I am already looking forward toreceiving the next issue andgoing straight to the Claytonsports pages.
See ya on the pitch!
CoveringClaytonsports anamazingadventure
RANDY ROWLAND
Clayton Pioneer
JAY BEDECARRÉ
Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy of USA Diving
CLAYTON’S OWN DIVING MACHINE, KRISTIAN IPSEN WITH HIS COACH PHIL
TONNE. Ipsen is progressing along a path he hopes will lead him torepresent the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Three-time Olympian becomesKristian Ipsen’s diving partner
See Ipsen, page 15
Clayton resident JonathanKim has the distinction ofbeing the only freshman playingNo. 1 singles on any tennis teamin the Diablo Valley AthleticLeague (DVAL).
J.K, as he is known by hisfriends, solidified his No. 1 spotafter a summer of intense workand improvement. As he entershis high school tennis career, helooks to become one of thedominant men’s players in thehistory of Clayton Valley HighSchool. It is rare for a freshmanto play varsity and even rarer tobe the best at such a young age.
Born in the Big Apple 15years ago, Kim and his familymoved to Clayton when he was6. He went to Mt. Diablo ele-mentary and Diablo ViewMiddle schools.
He was initially interested inbaseball, competing in theClayton Valley Little League
program for six years. He playedfirst base and center field. Hislast season he hit .600 and wason a Twins team that wasamong the best in the agegroup.
“Baseball was great becauseit was the last time I played ateam sport,” said Kim.
HITTING THE COURTS
WITH DAD
Around the same time hewas playing baseball, his fatherAnthony talked him into tryingtennis. They began taking tennislessons at Oakhurst CountryClub in the summer of 2001.The younger Kim took lessonswith head pro Calvin
Thompson and then-pro JoeSablan and also played 1-3 timesper week with his father.
“My dad was an inspirationto me and encouraged me toplay,” said Kim.
His skills improved and hecontinued to play more. ButKim hit a roadblock during hismiddle school years and almostleft the sport. However, he wasre-energized during a summertennis program after graduatingfrom DVMS.
Last summer, he joined agroup of players underOakhurst coach Rick Ortega,who also serves as the varsityand JV coach at Clayton Valley.The group played in U.S. Tennis
Association (USTA) summerleague and participated in fourtournaments, including eventsin Lafayette and at Deer Valleyin Antioch.
Following the tournamentseason, Kim was ranked 56th inNorthern California in theunder 14 age group for boys.
TAKING IT UP A NOTCH
That experience committedKim to dedicate himself to thesport. He began playing almostdaily with teammates or hisfather. He worked on the weak-nesses of his game, mostnoticeably serving.
His group with Ortegabegan playing for hours everySaturday at Oakhurst, some-thing that continues year-roundduring both the tennis seasonand the off-season. During thetennis season, the team is train-ing six days a week – includingrigorous workouts of crunches,pushups and running. A practicecan consist of up to two hoursof training, along with playingsets and working on techniquefor ground strokes, volleying,serving and returning serve.
Because tennis is not a main-stream sport, fewer athletes tryout. The CV team carries every-one who comes to tryouts andhas an interest in the sport. Thisyear, the boys team has 26 play-ers between JV and varsity.
During a typical match, 12athletes play – six singles and
Page 14 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
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On the surface, Eric Lawsonled a pretty regular life inClayton as he moved from Mt.Diablo Elementary to DiabloView Middle School to ClaytonValley High School and thenonto UC Davis, where he earneda degree in economics with aminor in communications.
In December 2004, Eric wascelebrating the holidays and hisrecent college graduation with aview toward finding a satisfyingcareer. Five years later, Lawsonhas successfully established him-self as a local mortgage broker.
This might be sufficient tooccupy a 28-year-old bachelor,with maybe some time left to playgolf or softball with his class-mates and business associates.
Not for Lawson.He spends time away from
the office riding BMX bikes oras a professional mixed martialarts fighter, training for his firstnationally televised fight onShowtime in July.
Despite the housing marketcollapse and massive foreclo-sures, he stays busy in his mort-gage broker position with LandHome Financial Services ofConcord. “It’s been a real toughtime, but I think the worst isbehind us. The upside for thoseof us who have weathered thestorm is that 70 percent of thecompetition has left the busi-ness,” Lawson says.
Putting on his marketing hat,he adds: “Home prices are arti-ficially low and interest rates areat all-time lows, so it’s a greattime to buy.”
FROM BMX TO WRESTLING
From a young age growingup in Clayton, he enjoyed BMX.“Lime Ridge Open Space was afavorite spot. They actually did
photography for a lot of nation-al BMX magazines there,” herecalls.
He also spent a lot of time atClayton Bikes, checking out thelatest equipment and BMXadvancements the Kramer fami-ly featured in their store.
The euphoria of dirt bikeriding over jumps and unknownterrain has its downside, too. “Isuffered many injuries whichimpacted my other sports,” henotes. Still, his riding proficien-cy eventually landed him a spotin X Games qualifying meets.
Lawson was also a successful162-pound wrestler at ClaytonValley High. He began the sportat a young age at the ConcordYouth Center, under the watch-ful eye of USA National coachBill Martell.
He won a couple league titlesat Clayton Valley but missed hisentire junior season following
knee surgery. As a senior, he hada 35-2 record going to NorthCoast Section but had a disap-pointing, non-placing finish dueto a dislocated shoulder.
At UC Davis, he briefly par-ticipated on the wrestling team.He was taken aback when thecoaching staff told him he hadto stop his BMX riding becauseof the danger it posed forinjuries.
Lawson realized he wouldhave to give up his favorite pas-time and train year-round for acouple years before he’d seefirst-team competition for theAggies. For an action guy, thatwas a sacrifice too high.
Thus wrestling was gone andhe spent the rest of his collegedays studying. He also kept uphis BMX pursuits and enjoyed afull college social life.
JAY BEDECARRÉ
Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy of Eric Lawson
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER ERIC LAWSON prepares for his first nation-ally televised fight in July. Lawson grew up in Clayton.
Kim finds success on CV tennis courtsRANDY ROWLAND
Clayton Pioneer
Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer
JONATHAN KIM, freshman at CVHS, is undefeated by his team-mates and ranks as No. 1 singles player.
See Lawson, page 16
See Tennis, page 20
MAY 16-1715 LOCAL SOCCER TEAMS IN
CONCORD CUP XVI A record-breaking field of
124 boys and girls youth soccerteams will take part in ConcordCup XVI on the May 16-17weekend at a variety of localfields including the DanielBoatwright Sports Complexwhere five fields will host 58games. Mt. Diablo SoccerAssociation has 13 teamsentered in the tournament in allage groups from Under 10through Under 19. Diablo FChas a pair of teams taking part.Admission is free at all fields.Foe complete information,schedules and results visitwww.concordcup.com.
MAY 18CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH
FOOTBALL PARENT MEETING
An important hour-longClayton Valley High Schoolfootball parent’s meeting isscheduled for Monday, May 18,at the CVHS Multi Use Roomat 8 p.m. All varsity, JV andincoming freshman parents areurged to attend. The Eagles aredefending DVAL championsand North Coast Section final-ists. Varsity coach Herc Pardiand his staff will discuss springfootball , football tutorial , CVyouth football camp June 22-26,San Jose State camp June 14-17,team’s summer strength andconditioning program, passingleague/tournaments, linemancompetition, fundraising and2009 season. Call Pardi at (925)682-7474 x3115 or email him [email protected].
JUNE 823RD ANNUAL CLAYTON
CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
Clayton Business andCommunity Association hoststhe 23rd annual Clayton ClassicGolf Tournament sponsoredby Allied Waste at OakhurstCountry Club on Monday, June8, with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.Entry fee includes dinner, tee-prizes, 20% off all Pro Shopmerchandise, hole-in-oneopportunities (Hole #3,$10,000 sponsored by IMC andHole #11, win a New Mustangsponsored by Diablo Ford) andlots of other prizes. Entry fee is$150 per person before May 29and $175 after. Sign up athttp://claytoncbca.org/golf-tournament.aspx. Call JoeMedrano (925) 673-2210 orChance Gernhardt (925) 693-9910 for more information andsponsorship opportunities.
SportsShorts
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Clayton Sports
Clayton resident AmandaMoore took up softball inClayton Valley Little Leaguewhen she was 11. She made theAll-Star team twice and was soonaccompanying the ConcordJunior Optimist All-Star team toIllinois for the 2004 Babe RuthWorld Series.
That started a journey whichreached a high point on April 20,when she was joined by family,friends and her Clayton ValleyHigh School softball teammatesand coach to sign a national letterof intent for a scholarship toMinnesota State UniversityMoorhead.
The signing had special mean-ing for CV softball coach JennArnold-Garcia. “I started coach-ing here four years ago andAmanda is the only player to beon my team all four years,” thecoach said.
“I am so excited for you,” shesaid to Amanda. Arnold-Garciathen turned to the other players inthe classroom and added: “I hopeyou younger kids get to do this,too.”
HEADING TO THE MIDWEST
For the 17-year-old Mooreand her proud parents, Walter andMelinda Moore of Clayton, it isthe culmination of many prac-tices, games, teams, travels andfamily sacrifices.
This August, Moore will ven-ture to the western edge ofMinnesota in the Red River Valley,adjacent to the North Dakota cityof Fargo. The power-hitting cor-ner infielder will jump right intoher freshman classes and fall soft-ball with the MSUM Dragons.
Coach Kristin Boyes first sawMoore on video last September.“I am in my second year as headcoach here at MSUM, andAmanda was the first player afterI got here that I knew we neededto get,” Boyes said. “Amandabrings a solid bat that will fit wellinto the middle of our batting
order next season, along withgreat defensive play at the cor-ners. Amanda will compete rightaway for a starting spot as a fresh-man.”
Moore is looking forward tocollege life. “The people, stu-dents and staff were extremelykind,” she said of her visit. “Thecampus is clean, newly remod-eled and has a newSpeech/Language/Hear ingSciences building. The athleticfacilities include new lockerrooms, which most schools don’thave for their softball players.”
Moore is going to be in theSpeech/Language/Hear ingSciences Department. AmericanSign Language is her favorite highschool subject. Jessica Seghers,Moore’s American Sign Languageteacher and senior project men-tor, has supported her as both astudent and an athlete.
“She often comes out towatch the softball games. My sen-ior project is on audiology andshe has had a great impact on my
project,” Moore reported.“I can see that she is very
intentional about doing her bestnot only in my class but on thesoftball field as well,” Segherssaid.
Moorhead is a Division 2school that competes in theNorthern Sun IntercollegiateConference with 13 other schoolsfrom Iowa, Minnesota, NorthDakota, South Dakota andNebraska. MSUM’s outstandingaudiology program made Moore’scollege choice easier.
“I was also recruited by sever-al East Coast Division 1 Schools:Seton Hall, Fairfield University,Providence, University of RhodeIsland, Brown and Sacred Heart,”Moore added.
VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES
Moore credits Arnold-Garciafor helping develop her softballskills. “She has coached me sinceI was 14 on the high school teamas well as travel ball,” said Moore.The blond right-hander played
first base and outfield as a fresh-man and since then has been theEagles third baseman.
Traveling (or club) softball hastaken Moore to Illinois, SouthDakota, Florida, Utah, Nevada,Washington, Oregon, SouthernCalifornia, Canada and Colorado.It’s at these tournaments that top-level players gain exposure to col-lege coaches.
Along with the tough compe-tition, Moore has been tutored onclub teams by former CalBerkeley softball players, includ-ing Olympian Vicky Galindo.
Her first travel softball experi-ence was when U12 Glory(Concord Junior OptimistSoftball) traveled to Mattoon, Ill.,to play in the Babe Ruth WorldSeries. “We were the PacificConference champions playingagainst 10 other teams fromaround the country. We stayedwith a host family who took greatcare of us,” she recalled.
“Another highlight was theASA 16U Nationals in SiouxFalls, S.D. We flew intoMinneapolis and drove across thestate to get to Sioux Falls,” sheadded. “Minnesota is one of myfavorite places that I have visited.It was my first time playing infront of hundreds of top collegecoaches.”
On the high school diamond,Moore and Clayton Valley haveplayed against top-level leaguecompetition from Freedom,Antioch, Deer Valley andCarondelet. As a result of theNorth Coast Section realignment,CVHS was placed in the DiabloValley Athletic League this yearand is battling Concord High forthe championship. Moore has putup an impressive batting averageand slugging percentage thatwould make a top flight baseballplayer blush, let alone a softballplayer facing pitchers just 40 feetaway.
Among her school softballhigh points was hitting a “game-winning homerun againstHeritage that allowed the Eaglesto go to the NCS championshipplayoffs.”
Clayton teen bats her way toMinnesota college scholarship
JAY BEDECARRÉ
Clayton Pioneer
AMANDA MOORE (seated) celebrates with Coach Jenn Arnold-Garcia as she signs her National Letter of Intent to attendMinnesota State University Moorhead on a softball scholarship.
American divers will be look-ing for their first Olympic medalof any kind in synchronized div-ing in London.
Tonne expects the decisionfor the team going to Romecoming down to Ipsen-Dumaisor 2008 Olympians JevonTarantino and Chris Colwill, thetandem who took fourth atBeijing. Tarantino and Colwill
were in a World Series meet inMexico at the time of nationals,but they scored about 40 pointsless than their new rivals did inFt. Lauderdale.
At the meet this weekend andin the selection camp, the twoteams will be doing identicaldives so the comparison shouldbe clear.
As soon as the selection camp
is over, Ipsen is headed back toCalifornia to get ready for theNorth Coast Section diving finalsat Concord Community Pool onMay 14. As a freshman last year,Ipsen broke the 36-year-old NCSdiving record with a score of 618points, 63 more than the previousmark.
High school diving is on the1-meter springboard, so Ipsenneeds to make quick adjustmentsafter spending so much time onthe 3-meter board. He’s heavily
favored to defend his NCS titleand help DLS in the team cham-pionship race.
Regardless of the results inFt. Lauderdale and Concord,Ipsen will need to dive back intohis academic schedule to preparefor finals June 3-4.
He hopes his summer plansinclude a trip to Rome. Thenhe’ll really have a topic when ateacher asks the students to writean essay about “what I did dur-ing my summer vacation.”
Ipsen, from page 13
Page 16 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
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ENTRY INTO CAGE FIGHTING
One connection he did makethrough the Davis wrestling pro-gram was with Urijah Faber.Lawson was still living near cam-pus after graduation and ran intohis friend Faber. “It had to befate. I was getting ready to moveaway and we hadn’t seen eachother in some time,” Lawson saysabout the chance encounter thatchanged his life.
His former teammate showedLawson photos of cage fighting.Faber had begun participating inthis still largely unknown activity.It immediately intrigued theadventuresome Lawson. “I’ll tryanything once.”
He ended up spending two orthree months training with Faberin Sacramento and competed inhis first mixed martial arts(MMA) fight on his 23rd birthdayat the Colusa Casino near Chico.
MMA is a combination ofboxing, wrestling, kickboxing andJiu-Jitsu. The fighters are barefootwith four-ounce gloves. “The
gloves protect ourselves frombreaking our hands but don’t domuch to cushion the blows fromour opponents.”
Most anything goes in anMMA fight inside a hexagonalring surrounded by chain-linkfence – except there’s no headbutting, kicking an opponentwhen they are on the mat, biting,gauging or hair pulling.
COMPETING FOR STRIKEFORCE
Both Lawson and his sport ofmixed martial arts have come along way since he first glanced atFaber’s glossy photos. Sen. JohnMcCain called it “human cock-fighting” in the late ’90s. Sincethen, entrepreneurs have comeinto the sport, getting it sanc-tioned by state commissions thatalso govern professional boxingand finding wide exposure on TV,like wrestling and poker beforethem. Donald Trump, MarkCuban, Spike TV and Showtimeare all involved in the sport.
Lawson has risen this wave
and is affiliated with a leadingMMA organization, Strikeforce.At the last three big fight nights atHP Pavilion in San Jose, he’s beenthe top ticket seller – even thoughhe’s toiled away from the TVcameras on the undercard.
“I sold 250 tickets for the lastfight,” he says. That would be theApril 11 card, when Lawson wonin the first round over WaylonKennell on a TKO.
It was probably the most sig-nificant of his 11 bouts, of whichhe’s won nine. “This was the firsttime I really got hit hard. I sawstars for a couple seconds butshook them off and came rightback,” Lawson recounts. “Youalways wonder how you’llrespond when you take one onthe chin. Now I know.”
The victory earned him a stepup in the Strikeforce peckingorder to the main event. In July,he’ll be fighting a highly rankedfoe at the Tacoma Dome inWashington. You’ll be able to seehis bout on Showtime.
KEEPING THE WEIGHT DOWN
Lawson trains in Concord at
Combat Fitness Gym withanother local fighter RyanBasanelli, who wrestled atNorthgate High. Their fightcoach is Gil Castillo, a three-time MMA champion. Lawsoncompetes as a middleweight at185-pound weight limit.
“I walk around at about 202pounds,” the 6-foot fighterexplains, “so I have to dropdown below 185 for the weigh-in the night before each fight.It’s mostly water weight and Igain it back the same evening.”
For Lawson, each fightseems like a high schoolreunion. “I have so much sup-port from Concord andClayton. I really want to do welland represent the community,”adds Lawson, who now livesnear his high school alma mater.“When there’s a football game, Ihear the announcer and cheers.”
Venturing north to Tacomato take on a hometown fighterwill be his biggest challenge yet.But for Lawson, a challenge isnothing more than anotheradventure and he has plenty ofexperience handling those.
Lawson, from page 14
visitors at the front door andimmediately flops down for abelly scratch. The family’s twocats, Roger Norris and Daisykeep a watchful eye from thebackyard.
The dining room is Monika’scrafts studio where she works onher detailed scrapbooks. Sheloves photography and fills thebooks with pictures of her chil-dren.
Kimberly’s essay wins a hugeprize package for her mom thatincludes theater tickets, dinnersout, spa visits, beauty products,jewelry, portraits.
MANY MOMS HONORED
It was not easy this year pick-ing just one essay. Articulate andthoughtful, each entrant hadsomething special to say abouttheir mom that seemed to jumpoff the page. They lauded themfor their support, respect andstrength.
Henry Smith, 9, tells us “she’salways there for me and seems toknow me better than I knowmyself . . . and she makes a meanbowl of popcorn.”
Max Marcil, 18, believes hismom when she says “…respectis the most important thing,both in a marriage and in raisingchildren. And when I look back,respect is what I remember…she didn’t talk down to me; shedid not dwell on my imperfec-tions, she did not micromanageand she did not apologize forme. I was not a burden to her,
nor a mark of shame to beexcused in public.”
Sami Pickolick, 14, says“…my mother is a hero. She is ahero for being strong, caring andsincerely wanting the best for herkids.”
“My mother is pretty close toa perfect person,” writes ZoeyDow, 15. “Always cheery andoptimistic, she makes everythingseem like a game. She is a gen-uinely good person who rarelyloses her temper.”
And finally, Isabella Montijo,11, says of herself and two sis-ters, “We are a handful, but mymom loves us!!”
At a time when it seems thatevery sound byte and headline arecompeting for “gloom anddoom” awards, children pro-claiming the greatness of theirmoms is an extraordinarily wel-come distraction.
Happy Mothers Day to every hero-mom, whether sung or unsung.
Mom, from page 1
We are four kids in the family, but when oneof us is sick, she makes us feel as if we are theonly person on earth. When I forget I have aScience project due the next day, she will stay upwith me until 11 pm to make sure I get it done.She makes sure I get the best teachers possible soI do well in school. When I don’t, she doesn’t justtalk to me, she will talk to the teachers so I dobetter.
She is my ride to school. Sometimes I forgetto eat lunch, she then does whatever she can toget food into my system. During soccer seasonshe isn’t just like a cheerleader, she decides to bethe team mom for one of our teams. (My 2brothers and I are playing soccer), she will bringcoffee and cocoa on a cold day and water and ice
when it’s hot. She is there cheering me on atevery soccer game. She will buy material to makeour banner. She will scream her heart out atevery game. My mom can be strict and I canthink she gives unnecessary punishments, butshe uses them as a lesson. If my siblings or Iwere to have a nightmare, she would be there tomake sure that the monsters in our heads will goaway.
Everyone’s mom can be strict, but remember,we all have to grow up sometimes and as wegrow old so do our parents. Out moms won’tstay with us forever, so don’t waste years full ofhate, fill them with love and happiness.
I love my mom no matter what!Kimberly Goddard, 12
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� A spa pedicure at Bella Mia Spa in the Clayton Station� Luxury bath products and a gift certificate for $25 from A
Perfect Tan in the Clayton Station� A gift certificate for $50 from R&M Pool, Patio, Gardens and
Gifts on Marsh Creek Rd. in Clayton� A selection of summer reading from Clayton Books in the
Clayton Station� A picture frame from Clayton Valley Frameworks in the
Clayton Valley Shopping Center� Englund’s Bistro and Tea Room in Concord, $50 gift certifi-
cate� Dining out gift certificates for $25 each at La Veranda, Ed’s
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My Mom Is Absolutely the Best
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In the Clayton Station
Open9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Schedule of May events 05/09 4pm . . .Children’s author Teri Sloat presents “There Was an Old Man Who Painted the Sky.”
05/10 3pm . . .Max Isaacman, author of “Investing with Intelligent EFT’s.”
05/12 7pm . . .Shawna Ryan, author of “Water Ghosts.”
05/14 7pm . . .Mahbod Seraji, author of “Rooftops of Tehran.”
05/16 1pm . . .Kids Otter Read Day Around the Bay, a celebration of
children’s books. Scheduled authors are - Deborah Davis, Ben Esch,
Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, Kathryn Otoshi, Deborah Lee Rose, Liz Hockinson
05/17 3pm . . .Joanne Schwed, creator of “Backpocket Crosswords.”
05/21 7pm . . .C.W. Gortner, author of “The Last Queen.”
5/24 3pm . . . .Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve authors Traci Parent & Karen Terhune
5/26 7pm . . . .Fantasy authors Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon
05/29 10:30 am . . .Children’s story time with author Jennifer Riggs Vetter.
MMeeeett tthhee aauutthhoorrss aatt CCllaayyttoonn BBooookkssIf you cannot attend, we are happy to
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Reoccurring ear infectionscan be painful for dogs – andfrustrating for owners.
There are many reasons forthese chronic infections. Somecan be cured after diagnostictests are performed, while oth-ers are controlled with mainte-nance.
The dog’s ear canal is abouttwice as long as ours, with a ver-tical and horizontal component.The earflap, or pinna, forms afunnel shape with the narrowbottom portion becoming thevertical canal. The canal thenmakes approximately a 90-degree turn inward toward thebrain, forming the horizontalcanal. This portion correspondsto our own ear canal. The tym-panic membrane, or eardrum,marks the inner edge of theexternal ear.
MOISTURE LEADS TO
TROUBLE
Otitis externa is infection ofthe external ear. Head shaking,ear scratching and rubbing arecommon symptoms.
Many breeds have ear for-mations that predispose toinfection. The droopy earflapsof golden retrievers and Labsalong with the narrow canals ofthe Shar-Peis and pugs preventcanals from drying. Otherbreeds with copious ear canalhair, such as schnauzers andpoodles, have problems withmoisture being trapped in thecanals.
Bacteria and yeast theninvade this moisture, creatinginfection. These organisms,
along with the moisture, willirritate the canal – causing theear to secret wax that harborsmore organisms and eventuallybecoming a smelly infection.Swimmers and routinely batheddogs are at higher risk.
BEWARE OF ALLERGIES
Skin allergies are also a com-mon cause of Otitis externa.The two main allergy types areairborne/contact allergy, whichis called atopy, and food aller-gies.
Common airborne allergensthat can cause atopy are pollen,grasses, trees, dander and fab-rics. We see Otitis externa moreoften in the spring and summer.With time, atopy may become ayear-round problem.
Allergens can also beabsorbed through the skin withcontact, such as when loungingon grass or a wool blanket.
Most dogs with atopy devel-op a classic pattern of hair lossand red skin of the feet, legs,underside and around themouth and eyes, as well as earinfections. The most commonallergenic food is beef, with per-haps corn and wheat the nextmost common. But an individ-ual may be allergic to any type offood.
Food allergy lesions are usu-ally generalized but may be lim-ited to one or both ears. Thisinflammation sets up the idealenvironment for the growth ofbacteria and yeast.
The most common organ-ism found in the ear is yeast,Malassezia pachydermatis. Thebacteria species consist of twogroups, cocci or round-shapedbacteria and rod-shaped bacte-ria. The cocci species areStaphylococcus and
Streptococcus. The more antibi-otic resistant rods arePseudomonas and Escherichiacoli species.
FINDING THE RIGHT
MEDICATION
When presented with acanine ear infection, I examinethe ear canal as best I can. Thismay be difficult if there is a lotof wax or infected debris fillingthe ear canal or if the canal isswollen closed. Sedation may beneeded if there is too muchpain. If a foreign body is found,it is removed.
Ear cytology is an importanttest to determine which organ-isms are present. This involvesstaining slides of the ear debrisfor microscopic exam of thetype of cells and organismspresent. A pure bacterial infec-tion will be treated with anantibiotic that best treats coccior rods, while yeast requires afungicide. These medicationscan be instilled in the canaland/or given orally.
A topical or oral steroid isused to calm the inflammation,reduce the swelling and alleviatepain. Many ear ointments arecombinations of these drugs.
Ear mites certainly cause eardiscomfort but are easily treatedwith newer medications andrarely cause chronic infectionsunless there is a source of re-exposure.
Treatment recommenda-tions may include solutions orointments to cleanse the ear ofdebris or anesthesia for a com-plete ear flush and exam of thecanal. When treating medicallyto clear the ear canal, I advisethe owner to use three steps.First apply a generous amountof ointment to the canal. Then
massage the outer canal to workthe ointment down into the hor-izontal canal and wipe cleanwith a soft tissue or cotton ball.Head shaking will help clear outthe broken-up debris.
Rechecks are always impor-tant for monitoring response totreatment and to establish thebest maintenance ear care. Irecheck within one or twoweeks.
After appropriate cleansingof the canal, I hope to now seedown to the level of theeardrum. I examine closely fortumors, polyps and foreign bod-ies such as foxtails that mayhave been hiding under thedebris and assess the integrity ofthe eardrum.
If a bacterial infection doesnot respond to the chosen med-ications, a culture and sensitivitytest of the ear debris is recom-mended to identify the bacteriaand determine the best antibiot-ic.
Preventing reoccurrencerequires a commitment to rou-tine maintenance of the earcanals. To avoid getting water inthe ears when bathing, use cot-ton balls to absorb the water.(Be sure to remove them.) Oravoid running water over thehead. Stop at the neck and use awashcloth to clean around theface. Your groomer should bewell aware of these tips.
Routine use of an ear clean-er or astringent can help reducereoccurrence. Your veterinarianwill discuss the appropriatecleaner for your dog’s ears.These are best used weekly andafter bathing.
For dogs who love swim-ming, use an astringent afterevery swim to help dry thecanal. Routine plucking of earsis not generally recommendedbut may be needed if your poo-dle has repeated infections.
Despite our best efforts,inflammation and infectionoften reoccur because of ongo-ing allergies. We must then workon reducing these allergy reac-tions. Drugs such as antihista-mines and appropriate use ofsteroids or cyclosporine canreduce inflammation. Avoidbeef-based foods or any foodthat causes your dog to react.
Blood allergy testing canhelp determine what allergensto avoid. If we cannot avoidallergens, such as pollen, desen-sitizing injections can dramati-cally reduce the inflammation ofallergies.
The frustration of canine earinfections can be minimizedwith routine ear care and allergycontrol. The successful manage-ment of chronic ear infectionsdepends on good teamworkbetween owners, groomers andveterinarians.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 17
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Page 18 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In ClaytonMay-OctoberClayton Farmers Market8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Diablo Street in downtown Clayton.www.pcfma.com or 800-949-3276.
May 9Drought-Tolerant Garden TalkPlant explorer and author Dan Hinkley will speak on “The DryLush: Drought-Tolerant Gardens Need Not Be Spare.” 10 a.m.,Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr. $15 for MarkhamArboretum Society members, or $30. RSVP at 681-2968 [email protected].
May 13, 20, 27Classic Cars and Rock & RollClassic cars on display, plus a live DJ. 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Mainand Diablo Streets
May 16Shred Day at St. Bonaventure’s Shred sensitive documents through Shred This, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., St.Bonaventure's Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. $5per grocery bag, $10 and up per box. Proceeds benefit BoscoYuvodaya, a care center for street kids in Bangalore, India. 672-5800.
May 16-17Clayton Valley Garden TourSelf-guided tour of a native garden, a Mediterranean droughtstyle, California natural, a thrilling hillside and a beautiful back-yard. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $25, or $30 at the door. A party at a sixthgarden is $10. Get tickets at Clayton Historical Museum flagpole,6101 Main St., or R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens, 6780 MarshCreek Road. 672-0240 or [email protected].
May 16-17Clayton Valley Garden Club Plant SaleFeaturing more than 500 plants. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., ClaytonHistorical Museum, 6101 Main St. Call Neal at 672-2624 orwww.claytonvalleygardenclub.org.
May 16, 30Concerts in the GroveBring lawn chairs or a blanket. 6-8 p.m. May 16, Lava(latin/rock/salsa). 6-8 p.m. May 30, Houserockers (rock/soul). TheGrove Park in downtown Clayton.
May 25Memorial Day CeremonySponsored by VFW Post 1525. 10 a.m.-noon, downtown Claytonflagpole, Main and Oak streets. Contact Ming at 672-4911 or Peteat 682-6533.
May 30History DayInformation, demonstrations and hands-on activities from repre-sentatives from museums, history centers and East Bay parks. 9a.m.-1 p.m., Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St.www.claytonhistory.org or 672- 0240.
June 8Clayton Classic Golf TournamentSponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. 11a.m. shotgun start, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock CreekDr. $150 before May 29, or $175. hhttp://claytoncbca.org/golf-tournament.aspx. Call Joe at 673-2210 or Chance at 693-9910for information or sponsorship opportunities.
Close byMay 11-June 14“The Wedding Singer”A musical filled with ’80s nostalgia. Willows Theatre, 1975Diamond Blvd., Concord. $10-$40. 798-1300 or www.willowsthe-atre.org.
May 16Handbell ConcertFeaturing the Ringing Bells, LVs and handbell soloist Carol Smithof Clayton. 4 p.m., Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. 543Sunnyvale Ave. Free.
May 16-17Diablo Valley College Music DepartmentA program of choral music featuring the colleges combined choirs.8 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 17, Diablo Valley CollegePerforming Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $20, or$25 at the door. 687-4445.
Through May 17“No Sex Please, We’re British”Diablo Actors Ensemble ends its season with the hysterical farce.$10-$25. 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. 482-5110 or www.dia-bloactors.com.
May 21-June 27“Cabaret”Award Winning musical with great songs and killer dancing.Center REPertory Co, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14.50-$41.CenterREP.org or 943-7469.
May 25-June 21“Pageant”A beauty pageant musical satire. Willows Cabaret at the CampbellTheatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $22-$32. 798-1300 or www.wil-lowstheatre.org.
AT THE LIBRARYThe Clayton Community Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659 or www.claytonlibrary.org.
May 9Reading FestivalAt 10:30 a.m., Susan Elya will present “Learn to Rhyme in Englishand Spanish with Eight Animals,” a poetry program for grades 1-3.At 1:30 p.m., Dina Rasor will present a program about her mostrecent work, “Betraying our Troops.” [email protected].
May 18How to Survive in Tough TimesConsultant Randall Shores will discuss how small businesses cansurvive and prosper in a down economy. 7-9 p.m. Free. Register attinyurl.com/7phv8x.
Through May 21Picture Book TimeFor 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver. 11 a.m.Thursdays.
Through May 26Patty CakesFor babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. 11 a.m.Tuesdays.
FUNDRAISERSMay 9Stamp Out HungerLeave a donation of non-perishable food by your mailbox prior toyour regular mail delivery. Sponsored by the Food Bank and theNational Association of Letter Carriers. www.bayareahunger.org or800-870-3663.
Children’s Hospital Magnolia BranchThe group is looking for volunteers for the Rubber Ducky Race onAug. 30 at Waterworld. Meetings 7-9 p.m. the first Monday of themonth in Concord. Contact Lori at 998-8844 [email protected].
NATUREThrough June 6Mt. Diablo Junior Ranger ProgramEach session includes presentations, hands-on activities and ahike. For children 7-12, plus one accompanying parent. 1-4 p.m.Saturdays. Program is free, but park entrance required. ContactSteve at 362-8697 or [email protected].
May 8Mangini Ranch Moonlight HikeLearn how you can help preserve this open space. Meet at 7:45p.m. at Galindo Creek. Moderate, two-hour hike. Heavy rain can-cels. Contact Dave at [email protected] or www.savemount-diablo.org.
May 9Lime Ridge Native Plant MaintenanceSponsored by the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation. Meet at8:30 a.m. at No. 32 Lime Ridge Open Space, Rock OakRoad/Ygnacio Canal Trail. www.wcosf.org/activities/calendar.shtml.
May 9Oyster Point HikeCross-country, 8.8-mile round trip; experienced hikers only. 9a.m.-2 p.m. Meet at No. 3 Curry Point parking area, a mile pastMt. Diablo State Park South Gate entrance. $7. Contact Helene at415-974-2209 or [email protected].
May 9Quail Habitat ExplorationJoin Ranger Dan to explore and observe wildlife at the BobWisecarver Quail Habitat. 9-11 a.m., Borges Ranch, 1035 CastleRock Road, Walnut Creek. $10-$15. www.wildlife-museum.org.
May 16Marsh Creek Wildflower HikeA 6-7 mile educational hike, led by wildlife biologist Jim Hale.Meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Morgan Territory Staging Area. RSVP at939-4304.
June 27Diablo Trail Endurance RideSave Mount Diablo offers its first recreational opportunity forequestrians on this 30-mile limited distance and 50-mileendurance ride that starts and finishes at Castle Rock Park inWalnut Creek. www.savemountdiablo.org.
MEETINGSMay 19Clayton City Council7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304or www.ci.clayton.ca.us.
May 21Diablo View Middle School Parent Faculty ClubNext year’s budget will be planned. 9 a.m., Community Room,300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton.
CLUBSClayton Business and Community AssociationMeets 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month, except holidays,Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. CallSue at 672-2272.
Clayton Valley Garden ClubMeets 7 p.m. May 13, Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton.Rose Loveall of Morningsun Herb Farm will speak about medicinalherbs and have plants for sale. Call Dorothy at 672-2526 orwww.claytonvalleygardenclub.org.
Clayton Valley Woman’s ClubMeets 9:30 a.m. for coffee, 10 a.m. meetings, second and fourthTuesdays of the month, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 AlbertaWay, Concord. Call Joyce at 672-3850.
Contra Costa Blue Star MomsMeets 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month, Concord PoliceStation Community Room, 1350 Galindo St. Members have sonsand daughters in uniform. Visit ccbluestarmoms.org or call Beckyat 286-1728.
Contra Costa Chess ClubMeets 7-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Starbuck’s, 1536 Kirker Pass Road,Clayton. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. Contact Mikeat 639-1987 or www.uschess.org.
Contra Costa Mineral and Gem SocietyMeets 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month, Centre Concord,5298 Clayton Road. 779-0698 or http://ccmgs.org.
Creekside Artists GuildMeets 7-8:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, ClaytonLibrary Story Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. All artforms andboth emerging and experienced are welcome. Contact Arlene at673-9777 or [email protected]. Or www.creeksideartists.org.
Diablo Valley Macintosh Users GroupMeets 6:30-9 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. BancroftElementary School, 2700 Parish Dr., Walnut Creek. 689-1155 orwww.dvmug.org.
Diablo Valley Democratic ClubMeets 7 p.m. May 20, Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak GroveRoad, Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or www.dvdems.org.
Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord SunriseMeets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 PeacockCreek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. ContactChuck at 689-7640 or www.claytonvalleyrotary.org.
Scrabble ClubMeets 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. second and fourth Saturdays of themonth, Carl’s Jr. Restaurant, 1530 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. Allages and skill levels welcome. $3 fee. Call Mike at 639-1987 orwww.scrabble-assoc.com.
Sons In Retirement (SIR)Meets 11:15 a.m. first Thursday of the month, Oakhurst CountryClub, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. 429-3777.
Widows/WidowersMeets for dinner, brunch, theater, etc. This is not a dating servicenor is it a greiving class - just a way to meet other people. ContactLori at 998-8844 or [email protected].
Clayton Community CalendarPLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. MAY 11 FOR THE MAY 22 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO [email protected]
Visit mdrymca.org or call 889-1600 to register for theseteen field trips:
Save the Bay/Canoeing. Canoe in Bay Area wetlandsand help clean up the environment. 9 a.m. June 24. $45.
Great America. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 1. $50.Giant’s Game/Arcade/Magic Show. S.F. Giant’s vs.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Pac Bell Park, followed by dinnerand arcade at the Sony Metreon and all-star magic show atthe San Francisco Playhouse. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. July 19. $60.
A’s Game. Oakland A’s vs. Minnesota Twins. 11 a.m.-5p.m. July 22. $40.
Indoor Car Racing/Soccer Game. Indoor car racing atLeMan’s Karting Center, Fremont, followed by San JoseEarthquakes vs. DC United game in Santa Clara. 3-10:30p.m. July 25. $70.
No Doubt/Paramore Concert. Pizza party, followedby a show at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord. 6-11:30 p.m.July 21. $50.
Paintball/Discovery Kingdom. Paintball in AmericanCanyon, followed by Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 5. $85.
Pier 39/Alcatraz. The quintessential San Franciscoexperience. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 12. $60.
Clayton Community Recreation
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CITY UPDATES
Many thanks to City ClerkLaci Jackson and our amazingWebmaster Jason Delmar forthe many hours they spent onour newly updated cityWebsite. Check it out atwww.ci.Clayton.ca.us and tellus what you think.
Meanwhile, the CityCouncil and PlanningCommission met in a jointsession on April 28 to givepolicy direction to staff as webegin updating the HousingElement of the General Plan.The Housing Element updateincludes the goals, policies,objectives and implementa-tion programs for the preser-vation, improvement anddevelopment of housing tomeet the range of housingneeds identified for our com-munity.
State housing law requiresthe Clayton Housing Elementupdate to include site-specificdata demonstrating that thereis adequate land available tomeet the housing needs asallocated by the Associationof Bay Area Governments(ABAG). The city’s housingneed during the period of2009-’14 has been determinedto be 151 residential units,which includes housing for allincome levels as required bystate law.
The general consensus ofthe council and commission
during our joint meeting wasthat while Clayton is largelybuilt-out, there remain someparcels that are vacant orunderutilized. Over the pastyear, the council and commis-sion updated our TownCenter Specific Plan torequire ground floor retailand restrict non-retail andoffices to the second floor inour core downtown.
We have long-wanted avibrant, walkable downtownfull of small retail shops,businesses and residents. Wehave a great start with ourlocal drugstore and market,post office, restaurants, per-sonal-service businesses, localbus service, trails and ourbeautiful new park.
By adding second-storyresidential units to our down-town, we can provide a signif-icant number of affordableresidential units while increas-ing the market demand forfuture retail development. Byfocusing on the underutilizedparcels in and near our down-town, we can create our owneconomic stimulus whilemeeting the housing needs forour community.
Wouldn’t it be nice to havehousing that seniors withfixed incomes and young pro-fessionals, including our chil-dren, can afford?
In June, the PlanningCommission and City Council
will each hold public hearingsto review and finalize thedraft Housing Elementupdate for submission to thestate for approval. In earlyJune, we will be posting thedraft document on theWebsite and will have copiesavailable at the library. Pleasegive us your feedback. Youcan make your comments forthe public record online atwww.ci.Clayton.ca.us or byattending one of our meet-ings. We really do want tohear your ideas.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The Clayton FarmersMarket opens this Saturday, 8a.m.-noon, just in time to getMom some lovely flowers andtreat her to a special Mother’sDay meal with fresh veggiesand pastries.
Our Concerts in TheGrove start next Saturday,May 16. This year, the con-certs will be 6-8 p.m. toencourage everyone topatronize our downtownrestaurants before, during andafter the concerts. Our down-town restaurants lose a lot ofparking during the concerts,so we need to make sure theyenjoy the concert season, too.They are all offering pre- andpost-concert specials and areworking on special takeoutmenus for your enjoyment.Hope to see you there!
As always, you can emailme at [email protected] with your thoughts.
The words climate andweather are often used inter-changeably, but they are not thesame thing. My favorite explana-tion is that “climate is what youexpect and weather is what youget.”
Climate can be thought of asthe average temperature, rainfalland wind expected for a partic-ular region – usually taken overa 30-year period. Climatic ele-ments can include phenomenasuch as fog, frost and snow.
There is a branch of meteor-ology called climatology.Climatologists specialize in ana-lyzing long-term weatherrecords, specifically rainfall andtemperature. They have dividedthe world into climate zones,classifying areas with similartemperature and precipitationpatterns.
Most of NorthernCalifornia, including theClayton area, is classified as hav-ing a Mediterranean climate. Itis arguably one of the best cli-mates in the world and certainlyone of the most unique. Namedfor the region of the worldwhere it is most prevalent, theclimate can be found in literallyonly a handful of locations onthe globe. These account forjust 2 percent of the earth’s landarea.
Despite the small size,
Mediterranean climates areresponsible for about 20 per-cent of the globe’s plant species.This is second only to the trop-ical rainforests for plant speciesdensity.
Technically, climatologistsclassify the Mediterranean cli-mate as a Dry SummerSubtropical climate character-ized by wet, relatively mild win-ters and dry, hot summers.Geographically, the climate iscontrolled by its proximity tothe cool ocean waters to thewest and a large landmass to theeast.
Strong subtropical highpressure is the dominant factorin the summer, keeping the airpredominantly dry and tempera-tures warm. In the wintermonths, westerly jet streamwinds dominate, bringing peri-odic rainstorms.
In addition to NorthernCalifornia and the areas sur-rounding much of theMediterranean Sea, areas with asimilar climate include a portionof the southwestern coast ofAustralia from about Perth toAdelaide, a small part of thecoast of Chile near Santiago andan even smaller area on thesouthwest tip of South Africanear Capetown.
When Europeans settled indistant areas with this climate,they began growingMediterranean crops such asgrapes, olives and citrus fruits.Today, all five areas are well-known for their fine wines andexcellent fruits.
The wonderful climate weexperience in the Clayton areadoesn’t just happen by accident.It is the result of a unique com-bination of geography, oceancurrents and wind patterns.While we “get” weather condi-tions that are occasionallyextreme, such as heat waves,strong winds and cold out-breaks, we have learned to“expect” a climate that makesour area very desirable.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 19
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Once reluctant, seniors now enjoy the computer ageThis is part one in a three-part
series that looks at local senior citi-zens and their experiences using com-puters and the Internet. Today’s arti-cle explores the emerging market ofthe over-65 set in the field of technol-ogy. Parts two and three will explorethe role of computers in staying con-nected and look at online tools andresources specifically geared towardsseniors.
Whoever said it takes a teento understand the Internet clear-ly didn’t have Marie Sutton inmind. The 88-year-old residentof Diamond Terrace in Claytonis just one of the surprising num-ber of senior citizens who use –and benefit from – computersand the Internet.
With new online services,games and social networksbecoming as common as bugs ata picnic, the over 65 set isbecoming the new “hip” crowd.Savvy to the way the marketworks, willing and able to learnnew skills, this segment of thepopulation is demanding itsvoice be heard as much as the 7-
year old Wii addict in the housenext door.
Although Sutton now regu-larly uses one of the three com-puters available for Diamond
Terrace residents, she initiallyresisted the call of the wireless.“When I came here, they told mydaughter they would teach me touse the computer,” she said tart-
ly. “But I had no desire.”She changed her mind when
her daughter moved to London.The two had previously enjoyeda letter correspondence, butstamps to London cost 93 centsand letters took longer to arrive.Inspired by a 100-year-old friendwho was already using her owncomputer, Sutton learned to useemail.
In addition to emailing herdaughter, Sutton emails otherfamily members around thecountry, chats with friends aboutYouTube singer Susan Boyle andis in the process of writing herlife story on the word processorwith help from her granddaugh-ter.
“I’m addicted to that com-puter!” she said.
Fred Fenton is a 74-year-oldretired Episcopalian priest livingin Concord. He and wife Billiehave two computers in theirhouse – a desktop and a laptop –that both use.
“I have found it’s such a free-ing experience from handwritingor typing or any other way,”Fenton said of composingemails and articles on his Mac.He estimates that he spends an
average of two hours a day at hiscomputer.
Abby Stokes, author of “It’sNever Too Late to Love aComputer – the Fearless Guidefor Seniors” and “Is This ThingOn? A Computer Handbook forLate Bloomers, Technophobesand the Kicking and Screaming,”said that the perceived complexi-ty of computers and the Internetcan scare off new users. A studyconducted by Newsweek in 2005showed that fewer than 31 per-cent of seniors older than 65have ventured online.
“Because people are afraid ofit, they feel like they need tounderstand it, and that’s not thecase,” she explained.
Stokes has taught seminarsfor seniors on how to use com-puter technology. She says chal-lenges include oversensitivetouch-pad mice, Websites thattime out and poorly displayederror messages.
Nevertheless, once seniorsare versed in the basics of howto navigate their computers, theyremain active online and loyal toWebsites they know and love.
“I think part of why they stayis a comfort level. They got to
something they like that workedwell, and they stuck with it,” saidStokes.
Websites are cropping upthat are geared toward olderconsumers. Seniornet.org andaarp.net are just two of many.
Even the online matchmak-ing site eharmony.com, foundedby Dr. Neil Clark Warren, him-self in his 70s, is getting in onthe act. Spokesperson MollyGaller wrote in an email that“Of those couples who sharetheir success stories with us,nearly one in four involves atleast one spouse 50 years old orolder.”
Websites aren’t the onlycomputer application appealingto seniors these days. In 2008,an industry-wide study intocomputer game purchasing andsales patterns by theEntertainment SoftwareAssociation showed that 26 per-cent of all computer and videogame users were over 50 yearsold. This doesn’t sound likemuch until you realize that themore typically thought of cus-tomers, the under 18 crowd,
DENISEN HARTLOVE
Clayton Pioneer
Photo courtesy of Diamond Terrace
The pull of the Wii can win over techno-resistant seniors. HereDiamond Terrace residents Ginny Below and Judy Van Sickle workon their bowling scores. “I never bowled before in my life,” said VanSickle, but look at me now.”
See Seniors, page 21
Mayor, from page 1 Clayton’s Mediterranean climateis unique, but easily explained
WOODY WHITLATCH
WEATHER WORDS
Woody Whitlatch is a meteorolo-gist with PG&E. Email your ques-tions or comments to [email protected]
three doubles. Rankings areestablished by a ladder system,in which any player can chal-lenge another to a match andthe winner holds that spot.
Kim has been No. 1 singlesat Clayton since the day hestepped on the court and isundefeated against his team-mates. However, there are otherClayton boys making an impacton the team, including No. 2singles player Mark Albano, ajunior, and the No. 1 doublesteam of Chase Johnson andRicky Ahlgren, both of Clayton.
ONGOING CHALLENGES
Kim considers himself an
“all-arounder,” a player who isas comfortable at the baseline ashe is coming into the net.
He calls his serve the mostimproved part of his game andcan hit a serve with spin or slice.He has the advantage of being anatural left-hander.
“I like to swing my servesout wide to the ad court,” Kimsaid. “That is always tougher forrighties to return.”
He does not have a bigweapon but is confident that hisall-around game is strong andcontinues to get better. “If any-thing, I think the strength of mygame is my placement and set-ting up the point,” said Kim.
Kim enjoys watching RogerFederer’s court savvy and hasgone to see Andre Agassi, JamesBlake and the Williams sistersplay at local events. But hewould much rather be out hit-ting the ball himself.
“I like the challenge of beingable to beat somebody olderand more experienced,” henoted. “I never get down onmyself. And even if I’m behindin a match, I always think I havea chance.”
His coaches have had animpact on his game. He recallsSablan as a great teacher andsays Ortega “helped me developa love of the game, and he is avery passionate guy about thesport.”
“Jonathan is a pleasure to
coach,” Ortega said. “He is will-ing to adjust his game regardingtactics and is very motivated andenthusiastic.”
Kim has only lost threematches this year and isapproaching the 20 win mark atNo. 1 singles in both league andnon-league play. CV is in secondplace in DVAL, and Ortegabelieves Kim, Johnson andAhlgren can reach the finals ofthe DVAL tournament in mid-May.
Noting the number of fresh-men and sophomores on theteam, Ortega is excited aboutthe future of CV tennis.
“We went from 1-15 in myfirst year to developing a verygood competitive team now,” hesaid.
Page 20 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
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‘The Wedding Singer’ brings back the ’80s
The Willows Theatre bringsback the ’80s (as if they’d everleft) with “The WeddingSinger,” the musical comedybased on the hit film thatstarred Adam Sandler and DrewBarrymore. Ryan Weible directs,with choreography by GiaSolari-Welch, and music direc-tion by Tim Hanson. RyanDrummond stars as the wed-ding singer, Robbie Hart, withSarah Aili as his gal Julia. TheWillows production runs May11 – June 14 at the Willowsmainstage, 1975 DiamondBoulevard in Concord.
The Wedding Singer’s titlecharacter, Robbie, is a wannaberock star who lives in his moth-er’s New Jersey basement andmakes a living fronting a bandthat plays wedding receptions.Robbie is a wistful romantic
until he is left standing at thealtar by his brassy fiancée. Hefinds solace with Julia, a sweet-but-clumsy waitress who unfor-tunately already has a boyfriend.The plot thickens with nearlynon-stop musical numbers,dashing choreography, and a cli-mactic wedding scene in LasVegas.
The stage version has musicby Matthew Sklar, lyrics byChad Beguelin, with book byChad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy.
In the Willows production,Ryan Drummond (Robbie) hasbeen seen recently as LeoBloom in the DLOC produc-tion of The Producers, alsodirected by Weible. The castincludes Sarah Aili as Julia,Danny Cozart as Robbie’s bestfriend Sammy, Noel AnthonyEscobar as Julia’s fiancé GlenGuglia, Linnea vonAhn as thelovable grandmother Rosie,Brady Woolery as the outra-
geous band member George,and Mary Kalita as Robbie’s ex-fiancée Linda.
For tickets and show times, call(925) 798-1300 or visit www.willow-
stheatre.org. Performances areWednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m., with matinees Wednesdays at3:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m., andSundays at 3 p.m.
GARY CARR
Special to the Pioneer
Photo courtesy of the Willows Theatre
RYAN DRUMMOND AND SARAH AILI star in the musical comedy “TheWedding Singer” at the Willows Theatre mainstage in Concord, May11 – June 14.
Tennis, from page 14
How do these gardens grow? You canfind out on Clayton Valley Gardens Tour
Naturally styled gardens willcontrast with formal outdoor-liv-ing landscapes during theClayton Valley 2009 GardensTour, benefitting the ClaytonHistorical Museum.
This annual event grows eachyear, just like the plants andshrubs in the five featured land-scapes and gardens. The event is
10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16 and 17.Visitors will enjoy diversity in
gardening – including aCalifornia native garden, aMediterranean drought-resistantgarden, an outdoor-living land-scape, a hill that will thrill and aCalifornia natural-style gardencollection.
The California native gardenis a two-time participant in theannual Bringing Back the
Natives Gardens Tour. Roy andRosadelia Detwiler’s yard ispacked with essential garden ele-ments – numerous seating areas,curving pathways, a fountain anda pond. Their collection of suc-culents is sensational, while thebutterfly section of the gardensupports all stages of the lifecycle.
Howard and Carin Caplin’sClayton hillside has been a stren-uous and grueling test to their
gardening willpower. Throughthe years, they have triumphedover a dog, drought, sun and clay.Today, their yard gives hope toothers who have steep, slopinghillsides. Carin has planted aplethora of hardy perennials thatspike and mound, while robustshrubs give this site stability andornamental grasses add textureto this billy goat garden.
Outdoor living is the theme
at the home of Mark and LoisGill. These longtime Clayton res-idents transformed their entirebackyard. They relocated theswimming pool to make roomfor a bocce ball court, added anoutstanding outdoor kitchen andplanted a perimeter gardenpacked with perennials and treeroses. This garden is alwaysblooming. The dahlias are thesize of dinner plates, wisteriaclings to the pergola, and the
espalier pear trees produced fruitlast year for the first time. TheGill backyard is the epicenter forthis family, and their friends arealways welcome.
Ash and Angela Hakimi’sMediterranean drought-resistantgarden is only two years new, yetfeels old and established. Theyleft some of the establishedlandscape while creating a designthat lends itself to Clayton’s hot
climate. Leucandendron,Kangaroo’s Paw, fruitless olives,sage and succulents are amongthe varieties in this garden.
California natural is thetheme of Tami and AllenPierce’s garden. This newer land-scape had challenges, due to ashallow yard and moderate slope.Stacked rock retaining walls anda winding walkway add dimen-sion that the landscape lacked.The home definitely packs lotsof curb appeal. Plants that wereselected are perfect for ourClayton Valley climate. Californianative plants have been com-bined with Australian selectionsto create a hardy, sun and heatloving, low-water landscape. Arose arbor leads to a lovely out-door kitchen and dining area.Two fountains add to the ambi-ence.
The Clayton Valley GardensTour ends each day with anoptional garden for an additionaldonation of $10. Enjoy a com-plimentary glass of wine and anibble of cheese as you tour thehome and garden of LindaLandgraf. You’ll find an exten-sive shade garden under a glori-ous old oak, with sun-lovingperennials and a babbling water-fall surrounded by Japanesemaples and rhododendrons.
The Clayton Valley GardenClub will be having a plant sale atthe museum during tour hours.This is the club’s only fundraiser,and a large variety of perennialsand succulents will be available.Buy four and get the fifth free.
Garden tour tickets at $25 inadvance, or $30 on tour days. Gettickets at the Clayton Museum, 6101Main St., or R&M Pool, Patio andGardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road.For more information, call 672-0240.
NICOLE HACKETT
Special to the Pioneer
Photo courtesy of Utopic Gardens
GET SOME GREAT IDEAS FOR DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPING from Tami and Allen Pierce’sgarden on this year’s Clayton Valley Gardens Tour, May 16 and 17.
Plants that cascade over thesides of urns, garden vessels andpots are highly prized. It’s thelook that any container gardenerstrives to achieve.
There are many choices forplants that trail. Some are com-mon and others more unusual;many are great in the sun andsome prefer shade.
Most Clayton Valley contain-er gardeners deal with full tomostly sun situations. They needplants that can take our dry heatand winds.
Calibrachoa is commonlycalled Million Bells. Thesehybrid petunias have been mak-ing waves though our gardensfor seven or eight years. You canchoose from white, pinks, laven-der, yellow, oranges and red.
If you are looking for a popof orange to bring out someupright purple shades, try theCallie Orange. This newer intro-duction boasts a bright deeporange blossom and a dramaticcascade.
Superbells white is a truewhite, petunia-shaped blossom.This selection is a great choicefor gardener’s bored withalyssum.
All of the million bell familymembers desire regular fertilizer.They will bloom better if given awater-soluble feeding every twoweeks, May through October.
SAY HELLO TO ANGELINA
Sedums are a vast group ofcascading perennials. Theseplants require less water andnearly no fertilizer. Some selec-tions grip the container as theytrail, while others have morearch in their cascade.
Angelina has needle-shapedfoliage that is a golden yellowcolor. This evergreen is stunningin a dark colored urn or gardenvessel.
The color of the foliage addsexcitement to any combinationof sun-loving plants. UseAngelina when planting Platt’s
black phormium. It would alsolook great paired with MayNight sage and summer wineyarrow.
Makino is a newer sedum onthe block. The foliage of thistrailing selection looks like
autumn all year long. So if youare a gardener who is attracted tothe warm colors of fall, thiswould be the selection for you.Golden yellow flowers and trueblues would complement theMakino sedum’s tiny silvery-orange leaves.
All of the sedums aredrought-tolerant, so choosecompanion plants carefully. Itwould be silly to plant a sedumwith a demanding Gerbera daisy.
Tri-color is a sedum for thosewho enjoy a more cottage-look-ing cascading plant. This is agreat choice for the gardenerwho loves delphinium or roses.Tri-color has tiny leaves that arevariegated cream and green, withpink margins. During the sum-mer, pink clusters appear, andthe butterflies and bees becomequite taken with this plant.
A MORE FORMAL OPTION
Scaevola is another nicelooking trailing perennial. Thisplant has evergreen foliage,unless the winter becomes toocold. Flowers are fan-shaped,and the foliage is a nice, simplegreen.
Scaevola has a formal lookand does well in our ClaytonValley full sun. You can findscaevola flowers in both lightand dark lavenders, mauves andwhite.
One of my favorites is thescaevola New Wonder. This laven-der seems to be the darkest ofthis selection, and the center ofthe flower is gold. The contrastis great.
All of the scaevolas trail inpieces. The stems wave their way
down the sides of the container,adding interest and texture.
Use scaevolas under formaltopiary shapes or patio trees.Fertilize occasionally for bestresults. If the winter nips thisplant, you would have enjoyed
the growth so much, you’llreplace it with the same plantnext growing season.
SHADY PROSPECTS
Container gardeners withshady situations have a greatselection of trailer to consider aswell. There is a fabulous plantfamily called Lamium. Thesedead nettles have an awful com-mon name for a great plant;Lamium is so much nicer to say.
All Lamium plants have var-iegated foliage and a summerflower. They are a true perennial,meaning they sleep in winter andreturn in the spring.
White Nancy is a superb selec-tion of Lamium, with a bold var-iegation of silvery-green andwhite. Install this perennial totrail beneath firecracker fuchsia,or Nicco’s blue hydrangea.
During the summer, whitetwo-lipped shaped flowersemerge. As this plant cascades,the flowers lift their heads fromalongside of the container for agreat look.
Golden Anniversary is a char-treuse yellow and green variegat-ed Lamium. The foliage is inter-esting enough, but you will bepleased in the summer when thelavender blossoms appear. Usethis bright-colored Lamiumunder dark-leafed centerpieces,like any fancy heuchera or ces-trum newellii.
Campanula is another shadytrailing selection. This family isbig, so make sure you are choos-ing a cascading selection.
Campanula poscharskyanaBlue Waterfall is terrific. Thisselection will tumble over theside of any garden vessel. As thesummer warms, violet-blue, star-shaped flowers flow like a riverover the top of crisp greenfoliage. This plant looks greatpaired with abutilon or hosta.
Campanula Dickson’s Gold is abright yellow foliaged selection.A leaf color like this will addbrightness to the shade. Thebloom is the same lavendercolor. Even alone, this plant hascontrast.
All trailing and cascadingplant selections will need a smalltreatment of snail and slug killeroccasionally. They are close tothe soil and make for an easydinner. Whenever you use a snailor slug killer, one pellet persquare foot should be enough.Be sure to put the product awaywhen you are finished applying.
Use a soil moist productwhen planting to keep the soil inyour pots moist longer. Spraywith Wilt-Stop or Cloud Coverto prevent foliage dry out andtop dress your pots with themulch of your choice.
May 8, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 21
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SEDUM THRIVES in a full-sun garden
MILLION BELLS
make up a slightly smaller groupof users – 25 percent.
Diamond Terrace was givena Wii setup for Christmas inDecember 2008 as a gift fromthe CBCA. Residents have beengathering on Wednesday morn-ings to play “virtual” bowling,and activity director AllisonDeAngelis is considering start-ing a league in connection withother local retirement communi-ties.
“It’s great,” DeAngelis saidof the Wii gatherings. “Thethings (the residents) say to eachother, the high-fives, the clap-
ping. I just think it’s a really pos-itive experience for them to hearabout from their neighbors.”
Stokes recollected a visitor toone of her book signings a fewyears ago who seemed angry atthe prospect of being forced tolearn to use new technology. “Isaid, ‘You don’t have to go there,but you have to know you can,’ ”she said.
If you are over 65 years old, anduse – or are resisting using computers,we would like to hear from you aboutyour experiences. Please contactDenisen Hartlove by email [email protected].
Seniors, from page 19
Page 22 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 8, 2009
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Fresh fava beans are comingto the market these days. Alsoknown as Windsor, horse,English, broad and pigeon beans,favas are one of the world’s old-est known cultivated crops.
Believed to be native to bothNorthern Africa and SouthernAsia, favas are legumes coveredby a waxy white skin encased in aleathery pod. They are the onlybean known in Europe prior toColumbus’ voyages to theAmericas.
Fava beans are rich in L-dopa,a substances used by doctors inthe treatment of Parkinson’s dis-ease. L-dopa is also considered anatural alternative to Viagra,although consumption for thatpurpose should be discussed firstwith a physician.
The beans are also high infiber and iron, while containinglittle sodium or fat. Their high-protein content means they arewell-suited for people who havelimited or no access to animalprotein sources. As a matter offact, it is said that favas savedancient Sicilians during a famine.
On a somber health note,some people of African,Mediterranean or SoutheastAsian descent have a hereditarycondition called favism that caus-es a severe allergic response thatcan result in hemolytic anemia.Merely walking through an areawith pollen from the fava planthas been known to trigger thisserious condition.
Figuring prominently in both
ancient andcontemporaryMediterraneanand Middle
Eastern cuisine, favas are com-paratively unknown here. Thatappears to be changing, particu-larly given iconic HannibalLector’s famous declaration thathe enjoyed favas with liver and anice glass of Chianti. There arebetter food pairings, however.
While preparing favas is fairlylabor intensive, they are worththe effort. The beans first needto be shucked from their cottonypod. They are then parboiledabout 5 minutes in boiling water.The waxy coating is thensqueezed to pop out a vibrantgreen bean that naturally splits intwo. About 1 pound of wholefavas yields one cup of shuckedbeans.
The beans themselves have abuttery texture and a nice nuttyflavor. They can be servedboiled, mashed and spread oncrostini or added to stews andsoups. They are often paired withartichokes or other spring
vegetablessuch as peas andmushrooms.
To make a simple, nutri-tious and tasty appetizer, put 1cup fava beans, 1 chopped garlicclove, ½ fennel bulb that hasbeen roughly chopped and saltand pepper in a food processorand puree. Spread on toastedbaguette slices that were brushedwith olive oil prior to going intothe oven.
A traditional spring dish fromItaly features favas with pecorino,a sheep’s milk cheese.
FAVA BEANS WITH PECORINO
Serves 43 lbs. fava beans in their pods8 oz. pecorino cheese, cut
into ½-inch cubes1 T. fresh lemon juice½ tsp. dried oreganoDash of cayenne pepper, if
desired¼ c. extra-virgin olive oilSalt and pepper to taste
Prepare beans as indicatedabove. Mix the shucked beansand remaining ingredients. Tasteand adjust seasonings as needed.Can be served on crostini (toast-ed bread drizzled with olive oil)or atop a salad of springtimegreens.
FAVA BEANS WITH PASTA
1 c. shucked fava beans1 large leek, cleaned, trimmed
and diced1 large clove of garlic, minced
3 T. olive oil1-4 oz mild Italian sausage½ lb. farfalle or papardelle
pasta½ to ¾ c. half and half½ c. grated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper to taste
While cooking pasta in saltedboiling water, heat a large skilletover medium-high heat. Add theoil, leeks and crumbled sausage.Cook until the leeks are tenderand the sausage is completelybrowned. Add the garlic andcook for another minute. Add ½c. half and half and theParmesan cheese. Bring to a sim-mer then shut off the heat andallow the cheese to melt into thesauce.
Add the drained pasta, favabeans and salt and pepper to thesauce. Stir to coat. If needed, addadditional cream and heatthrough. Serve immediately.
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]
Fava beansfinally findingfavor in US
