May 27 Clayton Pioneer 2011

Eldora Hoyer, one of theprincipal players in the incorpora-tion of the city of Clayton in 1964,died Sunday. She was 88.

Her husband, Robert “Bob”Hoyer was Clayton’s first mayor.

Hoyer was noted for her loveof history and meticulous atten-tion to detail. She was a foundingmember of the Clayton HistoricalSociety and was instrumental inobtaining a grant to salvage, moveand preserve the Joel Claytonhome, now the Clayton Museum,to its present location on MainStreet.

Hoyer was active in civic affairsuntil her illness two years ago. Shewas a supporter and driving forcebehind the downtown Grove Parkand was an original member ofthe Clayton Woman’s Club and amember of the CBCA.

“She was the powerful matri-arch,” says Mayor Dave Shuey.“She was the quiet power and youjust knew, that at any moment, shecould take control if needed.”

“Eldora was a dynamic lady

whose passion for our communityis visible everywhere we look,”says Councilwoman Julie Pierce.

“I am honored to have knownher as a mentor and as a dearfriend.” Pierce says. “She wouldoften call me and say, ‘Julie, I havean idea’ or ‘a thought about that.’”

“I will dearly miss those callsand her sparkling blue eyes, herwonderful energy and liltinglaughter. Her passing leaves a holein my heart and that of ourcommunity.”

A trained journalist, Hoyer wasa frequent contributor to localnewspapers including the ClaytonPioneer. She served in the USNavy from 1943 until 1946.

In 1947, she married Bob.They bought their hillside proper-ty near downtown in 1956 andbuilt the home where they wouldraise their three children. She issurvived by her husband, sonsRobert Jr. and Fred, and daughterHelen Hoyer Falcone.

At Eldora Hoyer’s request,there are no services planned.

Who says teens are selfishand self absorbed? One look atClayton teens Haley Morucciand Lauren Ipsen proves thatthe youngest members of ourcommunity often have thebiggest hearts.

Haley and Lauren, both stu-dents at Carondelet High School,are the most recent winners ofthe school’s prestigious JeffersonAwards for Public Service.

Haley, 15, was recognized forher work on behalf of theLazarex Cancer Foundation, anorganization that became highlypersonal to her because of thehelp it gave her Uncle Danbefore his death last January.

Haley supported Lazarex –

an organization that providesfinancial assistance and helpnavigating the system of clinicaltrials to cancer patients – by sell-ing bright-orange rubberbracelets that bear the motto“Hope, Dignity and Life.” Sheand her brother, Brad, alsoorganized a fall festival, and theefforts have raised more than$7,000 for Lazarex, according toHaley’s mom Kim Morucci, alocal realtor.

“What really keeps megoing,” Haley says, “is knowingthe difference I can make forsomeone who wouldn’t other-wise have a chance. If themoney I raise saves their life,why not push it to the extent youcan to save several lives?”

IT’S YOUR PAPER

www.claytonpioneer.com May 27, 2011 925.672.0500

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DAVE SHUEY

MAYOR’S CORNER

Summer brings out thebest–and worst–in Clayton

Clayton is hopping as sum-mer approaches! Our openingMusic in the Park and Farmer’sMarket were huge successes,and new stores are close toopening in Flora Square down-town. So remember, in today’seconomy, shop Clayton first!

EVERY POLE TELLS A STORY

Questions and speculationsabound as to the what and whyof the giant erector set projectsdowntown. The real story is thewood frames downtown are“story poles” that the City askedthe Clayton Community Churchto put up as part of the environ-mental impact review of theirproposed building plans. Thesepoles are supposed to represent

Church’s ‘Story Poles’ set theframework for downtown project

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

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

Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Community Calendar . . . .13

Concert Schedule . . . . . . . .3

Directory of Advertisers . . . .5

Food for Thought . . . . . . .18

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

Letters to the Editor . . . . .16

Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . .14

School News . . . . . . . . . . . .9

So Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . .16

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

Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .11

Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

What’s Inside

TAMARA STEINER

Clayton Pioneer

See Mayor, page 8

DENISEN HARTLOVE

Clayton Pioneer

Public can reviewClayton CommunityChurch plan nowthrough June 25

It’s unlikely that anyonepassing by the ClaytonCommunity Church propertywould not have noticed whatlooks like a Burning Man set orthe start of a tent city.

The criss-crossed two-by-fours are “story poles,” and thefirst step in bringing thechurch’s application for a 42,000square foot, four-building wor-ship center before the planningcommission and city council.

The poles are designed toshow the size, scale and mass ofthe project, says ClaytonCommunity DevelopmentDirector, David Woltering.

TAMARA STEINER

Clayton Pioneer

TAMARA STEINER/CLAYTON PIONEER

RESPONDING TO A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CHURCH’S APPLICATION for a four-building,42,000 square foot complex on Main Street, the city asked the church to erect “story poles” to show the size, mass andheight of the proposed project.

Clayton teens honored withJefferson Awards at Carondelet

See Jefferson, page 12

See Story Poles, page 16

Clayton matriarchdies after long illness

The city of Clayton put some“skin in the game” at the last citycouncil meeting when the citycouncil voted 4-1 to support the

conversion of CVHS to a char-ter school with $8500 to help paylegal fees. The council had previ-ously voted to support the con-version “in concept.”

The financial support was

proposed by Mayor Dave Shueywho strongly supports the con-version effort and is workingclosely with the organizers.Shuey has five children in thepublic schools and a son whowill be a freshman at CVHS next

year. “I obviously have a vestedinterest in this whole issue,” headmitted.

To convert to a charterschool, CVHS must withdraw

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

Lauren Ipsen and Haley Morucci were each honored for theircommunity service with the prestigious Jefferson Award.

City Council agrees to pay legal fees forCV petition to convert to charter school

TAMARA STEINER

Clayton Pioneer

See Charter, page 8

ELDORA HOYER

Clayton resident Anna Chan,The Lemon Lady, has a yet onemore honor to add to a growinglist accolades. Chan was People

Magazine’s “Home Town Hero”this month. Her story is in theMay 30 issue of PeopleMagazine that is on newsstandsand in mailboxes now. The onepage story is on page 74.Needless to say, Chan is thrilled.

Little over a month ago,local writer, Susan Young, con-tacted Chan about writing astory for People. After beinginterviewed by Young, a smallcrew from People gatheredwith Chan in a Concord lemontree grove.

The crew included a photog-rapher, a photo studio, hair andmake up stylists for all the glitzand glamour of a New Yorkstyle photo shoot.

In the People article, Chantalks about her original motiva-tion for her project; getting herdaughter Ava to sleep. She dis-cusses growing up poor in

Hayward, being raised by a sin-gle mother and standing in linefor food at churches and TheSalvation Army. She still vividlyrecalls those hard times.

Chan offers pickup anddelivery service of the fruit andvegetables she collects to localfood pantries so people couldeat. If not collected, the pro-duce would end up rotting onthe ground instead.

For more information aboutChan and her work, visit her blog,thelemonlady.blogspot.com/ or(510) 406-1625. Scouts and serv-ice groups are welcome to help.

Next month, June 17 willofficially be Clayton CommunityLibrary Volunteer Day. This isthe city’s way of honoring the62 library volunteers thatdonated more than 9,000hours in 2010.

Three of the volunteers were

named Clayton CommunityLibrary Volunteer of the Yearfor their outstanding service.Mayor Dave Shuey presentedeach with a certificate at the May17 city council meeting.

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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 27, 2011

City Council honorslibrary volunteers

In keeping with the GirlScouts high value on communi-ty service, the girls of Troop30905 recently raised money fortsunami relief efforts in Japanand made blankets for thewomen at a local shelter.

Adding some of their ownmoney to a portion of the pro-ceeds from recent Girl Scoutscookie sales, the Troop raised$195 for tsunami victims. Lastmonth, the girls made blanketsfor the women at a local shelter.

Anna Chan, Clayton’s newest home town hero

Girl Scouts support tsunami relief

ANNA CHAN IN PEOPLE MAGAZINE

THE CLAYTON CITY COUNCIL HONORED THE CLAYTON LIBRARY

FOUNDATION and recognized three outstanding volunteers atthe May 17 council meeting. From left, Laura Carlson, SarahMcCracken, Mayor Shuey, John Robinson, Librarian KarenHansen, Jeanne Boyd, Joyce Atkinson, Rosemary Harwood andArlene Kikkawa-Nielsen.

Around Town

See Volunteers, page 15

Memorial Day, originallycalled Decoration Day, is morethan a day to simply worship atthe barbeque of your choice. Itis a day to remember those in theArmed Forces who have died inthe service of our nation.

Memorial Day has alwaysbeen an important holiday in ourfamily. My father served in theMarine Corps in Guadalcanalfrom January 1942 until the warended in 1945.

Each year, our DecorationDay would begin with a trip tothe cemetery with flowers.Sometimes my grandparentswere with us. We would visit thegraves of my dad’s uncles andcousins that died in France in

the First World War and of hischildhood friends who servedalongside him in WWII but didnot come home.

On the way to the cemetery,my dad would sing the MarinesHymn, softly, almost humming– “From the Halls ofMontezuma to the shores ofTripoli.” By the time I wasthree, I knew all the words byheart and it was the first pianopiece I could play with twohands.

Last year, I lost my dad in acar accident. I spent monthsgoing through his 88 years ofliving – all of those thingsimportant enough to him topack away and keep safe. As myfamily and I worked our way

MIKE DUNN

Clayton Pioneer

VFW to host annualMemorial Day Service

TAMARA STEINER

Clayton Pioneer

See Memorial, page 12

Front row: Laniey, Emmy,Syndie, Alexa, Olivia, Frieda;Back row: Kamryn, Lauren,Rochelle, Annika, Kendal,Francessca.

May 27, 2011 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com

Around Town

June 4 Hot RodsRock and roll from the 50s and 60s

June 18 Unofficial Rolling StonesThey look like the original, strut like the original and rock like the original

July 2 Diamond DaveVocals from classic Sinatra to HipHop

July 16 The Chicago Tribute AuthoritySing and dance to Chicago’s greatest hits

July 30 The Michael Paul BandFive-piece southern/country rock band

Aug. 13 Vocal-ease and The Boogie MenRetro band covers big band and swing to Doo-Wop and Motown

Aug. 27 A Swingin’ Eveningwith Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Rat Pack Orchestra

September 10 - East Bay Mudd10-piece dance ban. Powerful horn section

Local Food To GoSupport your local businesses and restaurants.

Takeout or dine in before or after the concert.

Moresi’s Chophouse 6115 Main St., 672-1333

Ed’s Mudville Grill 6200 Center St., 673-0333

La Veranda Cafe 6201 Center St., 524-0011

Canesa’s Brooklyn Deli 6054 Main St., 852-1650

Skipolini’s Pizza 1035 Diablo St., 672-1111

Village Market 6104 Main St., 672-0188

Johnny’s Int’l Deli & Café 6101 Center St., 672-1203

Cup O’Jo 6054 Main St., 672-5105

Saturdays6 to 8:30 p.m.

At the Gazebo in The GroveSet up chairs and blankets on the lawn after 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the city of Clayton, CBCAand Allied Waste Services

Concertsin The Grove

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1158 Camino Solano, Concord $459,000Seven Oaks – Lots of possibilities at this very privateproperty on a large lot. Updated kitchen & baths high-light a very desirable, open 4BD/2.5BA floor plan. Nearto schools, parks & shopping.

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Sarah Turrin and Marty Barbano to wedSarah Turrin and Marty Barbano will marry on July

2 in Brentwood.Sarah is the daughter of Art and Dee Turrin of

Concord and a 2004 graduate of Clayton Valley HighSchool. She graduated from Sacramento StateUniversity in 2008. She is currently going to graduateschool.

Marty is the son of Mark and Lea Barbano ofClayton. He graduated from Clayton Valley High in1999 and from the San Francisco City CollegeParamedic program in 2004. He is a firefighter andparamedic.

The two became engaged last October in HalfMoon Bay where they celebrated their six-year datinganniversary at the Ritz Carlton. Thinking she might beexpecting an engagement ring, Marty gave Sarah a“decoy” bracelet instead. She hid her disappointmentuntil sunset, when Marty proposed.SARAH TURRIN AND MARTY BARBANO

Miranda Lutz, 18, fromClayton was awarded aBlackhawk Women’sScholarship Fund scholarshipfor 2011. Miranda, one of sixscholarship winners selectedfrom a very competitive field ofapplicants, was presented withthe $5,000 scholarship awardduring the BWSF Annual Teaheld on May 1.

Pam Harris, Chairman ofBlackhawk Women’sScholarship Fund, said“Miranda is a charming, delight-ful girl who will quickly organizea benefit concert to help out asick friend and end up raising$8,000. We were all impressedwith her leadership skills andher compassion.”

Miranda will be heading toUCLA in the fall to major inanthropology.

“I took an AP Psychologyclass and was fascinated by the

way people interact and evolve,”says Miranda. “Anthropology isa good base for politics, journal-ism, psychology, and the healthfields. It is a strong foundationfor life because it gives you a lotof skills. I find the informationso interesting.”

Miranda Lutz receivesBlackhawk scholarship

Classmates make lemonadefor leukemia support

Clayton girls raised over $367 in honor of MDES classmate KateAmos at a lemonade stand and bake sale in the Grove on May 7. Kateis undergoing chemotherapy treatments for Acute LymphoblasticLeukemia. The school encouraged students to participate in afundraiser program called Pennies for Patients to benefit Leukemiaand Lymphoma Society. All students were invited to collect coins toraise money for a cure for cancer. The girls made posters and hung upballoons to attract customers for the donuts, muffins and homemadelemonade.

For more information about Pennies for Patients at MDES or Kate Amos,visit mdusd.k12.ca.us/mountdiabloelementary

Back row: Karen Amos, Sara Cademartori and Jeremy Amos. Front row: Anna Browett, Elaina Browett, Haley Morrison, ZoeMorrison, Maggie Levy and Bess Amos.

MIRANDA LUTZ


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Daisy Scouts cross the bridge

In a “bridging” ceremony inthe Grove on May 12, DaisyScouts from Girl Scout Troop31927 became full-fledgedBrownies. The girls put on a skitwith the help of Brownie Troops30129 and 30905 and then walkedover a bridge to symbolically

mark the occasion. Phil Kelly ofClayton built a the bridge just forthis purpose.

Pictured crossing the bridgeare (from left) Amber Capinpin,Addie Beever, Alyssa Butticci,Ainsley Townlin, LaurenWishnow. The rest of the girls are

Abby Bennett, Meaghan Vargas,Jillian Chrobak and MelindaCark. The little girl in the front isSydney Bennett. The lady in theback is Jamie Beever (Addie’smom). The girl with the pinkheadband is Melissa Cark (ourtroop assistant).

Photo courtesy of Maria Butticci.

Around Town

Eagle Scout Projects recognized by cityFlanked by Scoutmasters

Brian Blatter and Mayor DaveShuey on the left and StanHanson on the far right, EagleScouts Brayden Moore, BryanCrase and Clark Blatter werehonored by the city council at theMay 17 meeting for their EagleScout projects, benefitting thecommunity. Garrett Blatter wasamong the honorees but wasunable to attend the meeting.

The four projects broughtneeded improvements to theClayton Dog Park. BraydenMoore installed six shade treesand new signage. Bryan Craseand Garret Blatter added water

stations. The project involveddigging a trench over 270 feetacross the park and laying pipe.“I thought it would take a coupleof hours,” Bryan told the councilas he presented a brief slide

show of the project. “It tookover five hours.”

“Clayton seems to be a hotspot for Eagle Scouts,” said themayor, “and the community real-ly benefits. We are lucky.”

Pete Laurencerevisits

Viet Nam

Pete Laurence took thePioneer along when he and a fel-low serviceman visited VietNam and Cambodia on a three-week tour in April. Laurenceand Bob Little both served withthe US Army Special Forcesduring the Viet Nam War.

The two saw the “HanoiHilton” prison and Ho ChiMinh’s Tomb where he isembalmed before visiting theirold operational area of combatbetween Dalat and Phan Thiet.

They continued on to PhanThiet Resorts on the SouthChina Sea and played golf “only20 miles from where we hadbeen in combat.”

They visited Saigon, saw theCu Chi Tunnels and shot AK-47s. They visited the famousAngkor Wat Temples inCambodia before continuing onto the “Killing Fields” where theKhmer Rouge communistskilled almost two millionCambodians.


P.O. Box 1246

6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517

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

STAFF WRITERS: Denisen Hartlove, Jay Hartlove, Lou Fancher,Nicci Shipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn

We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

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ClassifiedSERVICES

Childcare

Clayton Community School

childcare. K-5, enroll for summer.

Preschool, enroll for fall only.

Located at Mount Diablo

Elementary School, 672-0388.

Math Tutor

Cal Poly student tutoring math

locally over summer. All ages,

elementary through high school

algebra. Contact Katie at (925)

818-9363 or [email protected].

Girl Gardening

Garden care, monthly pruning and

fertilizing services. Plant sugges-

tions and installation. Call or

email Nicole Hackett 673-1746,

or [email protected].

WANTED

Real Estate Agents

Be Successful! Lynne French is

expanding and interviewing for a

few agents. Call her today (925)

672-8787.

VOLUNTEERS

NEEDED

Meals on Wheels Drivers

673-0300 or e-mail

[email protected]

Help fight Hunger

Call Anna Chan at 672-1988.

Anna’s Attic Volunteers

Call 674-9072.

Hospice of the East Bay

Call Volunteer Dept. at (925) 887-

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Clayton Historical Society

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Call the museum at 672-0240.

Clayton Community Library.

673-9777 or email:

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CourageDo the Right Thing

Auto

Economy Auto Painting and Body Work . . . . . . .757-2222

Mike's Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-1739

Churches

Life Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-2020

Construction and Trades

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

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

Bill Peck Home Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-9786

Burkin Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212-3339

Contra Costa Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-8713

H&L Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4046

Handyman Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .639-4209

J&J’s Final Coat Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-5849

LHI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-9941

Smith and Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138

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

Dentist

Children’s Dentristy of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . .938-2392

Renner, Jason D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800

Rissel, Richard D.M.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-2800

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

Ravioli’s Italian Market Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689-3819

Willows Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .957-2500

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

KidFest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .671-3287

Pacific Coast Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-9090

Financial and Insurance Services

Benton, Mureleen - Ameriprise Financial . . . . . .685-4523

Kommer, Paul - Merrill Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .988-2111

Littorno, Richard - Attorney at Law . . . . . . . . . . .672-6463

ProFit Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216-1025

Travis Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-800-877-8328

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

Funerals

Acacia Cremation and Burial Society . . . .1-877-916-4779

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

Home and Garden

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

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

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

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

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

Mailing and Shipping

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

Personal Services

Hair Now Styling Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5665

Pet Services

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

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

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

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

Real Estate and Mortgage Services

Flannery, Patty - Diablo Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0541

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recreation and Fitness

All Out Sports League . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203-5626

Castle Rock Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .933-3701

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

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

Levity Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6931

Retail

Dunhaven Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-4663

Senior Services

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

Montecito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838

Services, Other

Air Cloud Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260-4119 x 2

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

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

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Travel

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This month, local journalistPeggy Spear joins the Pioneerstaff as copy editor and con-tributing news and featurewriter.

Spear brings insight and

experience to the local newsscene from her years as an editorfor Diablo Publications, com-munity news editor for theContra Costa Times and editorfor Bay Area Parent magazine.Most recently, she was editor atConcord Patch, an online newssite owned by AOL.

Spear holds a BA in journal-ism from UC Berkeley. She andher husband, Tony Ucciferri, livein Walnut Creek with their twoyoungest children, Charile, 17and Mick, 13. Oldest daughter,Frannie, just finished her fresh-man year at UC Berkeley.

She replaces copy editor BevBritton who came to the Pioneerin 2004, also with a backgroundin community news as editor ofthe Lesher Publications’ SunsNewspaper Group. Britton ispacking up her blue pencil tospend more time with family.

Peggy Spear joins Pioneerstaff as copy editor,news and feature writer

PEGGY SPEAR

Local leaders are pulling outthe big guns to fight educationcuts in California.

And they started firing lastweek, when local political andeducation leaders and represen-tative of the business communi-ty joined teachers, parents andstudents at a rally in Concord,trying to generate a groundswellof support for Gov. Brown’s2011 revised state budget—specifically, the tax extensionsthat will keep education budgetsfrom more gutting.

But more importantly, therally served as a chance tolaunch an unprecedentedalliance of county-wide leadersfrom different—and sometimesrival—factions, including cities,local schools and business lead-ers, all with the aim of saving

public education in ContraCosta County and throughoutthe state.

“I honestly cannot recall agroup of such diverse interestscoming together to supportlocal education,” said WalnutCreek Council member KishRajan, who helped organize theevent. “I think it speaks to theseriousness of the challengewith education today, and howimportant it really is to thestrength of the entire communi-ty.”

The rally was the brainchildof California Assembly member—and former Concord HighSchool English teacher—SusanBonilla (D-Concord). She is in aunique position to tie thediverse factions together; notonly because of her educationbackground but also because ofher stint as Concord mayor andcounty supervisor, where shesays she has seen statewide cutsin education take a harsh toll onlocal students.

“It is so encouraging to seeso many teachers and studentsout here today,” Bonilla said tothe amassed crowd of about100-150. Many were teacherscarrying signs that urged thestate to “Fund PublicEducation,” and in support ofspecific schools that have beentargeted for possible closure.

Schools fared well in Gov.Brown’s revised budget propos-al, which was released earlierthis month. It included anunexpected $6.6 billion in newrevenues, which many hope willalleviate cuts in education.

However, the governor has saidthat education funding still relieson the contested tax extensions.

In the past years, Californiaschools have taken a $20 billionhit, causing the demise of manyacademic, arts and athletic pro-grams, Bonilla said.

“We’ve all seen what hasbeen happening to public educa-tion,” she said. “That’s why it’sso important that we show aunited front.”

The rally, held on May 18 atTodos Santos Plaza, was anopportunity for different “stake-

holders” in local education talkabout how budget cuts havehurt. Speakers included teach-ers, business leaders and par-ents, but the message was thesame: public education is bro-ken, but there is hope it can besaved.

Still, some parents at the rallyexpressed skepticism that publiceducation could be saved.Concord resident EvelynDegman says her 15-year-olddaughter studies in a private,online school. “We just aren’thappy about all the cuts in our

local schools,” she said.”It’s a sentiment Rajan says

he’s heard quite a bit. “We didthe rally to raise awarenessabout just how serious thisbudget problem is,” he said. “Ifthe legislature does not bend,and does an all cuts budget, ourkids in Mt. Diablo could belooking at 20 or more days cutfrom the school year. This isnot only awful for the kids, butalso bad for our entire commu-nity. We need to let theLegislature know that we won’taccept such an outcome.”


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Rally calls for schools, community groupsto unite and fight state cuts to education

PEGGY SPEAR

Clayton Pioneer

Bill Peck of Bill Peck HomeImprovements schedules onejob at a time so he can be on siteeveryday.

“I am a perfectionist,” Pecksays. He prefers to do or overseeall work himself to insure aquality job. He specializes most-ly in kitchens and baths nowafter 31 years in contracting.

Peck’s love of constructiongoes back to his high schoolyears. His family business wasrenting houseboats in the delta.Peck built many a dock. “Youshow me once, the second time,I’ll do it myself,” Peck says.

Peck combined his naturalability to build with an associ-ate’s degree in constructiontechnology and architecturefrom Diablo Valley College. He

worked for a contractor for 10years before starting his ownbusiness.

“I do the plans, roofing,sheetrock, cabinets,kitchens…homes from theground up,” Peck says. “Lately,however, most homeowners arefocused on renovating their cur-rent home.”

Whether the job is small orlarge, Peck wants to do thework. “That (small job) gets youinto the big job,” Peck says. Hisattention to detail carries overinto his paperwork where helists a complete breakdown ofmaterials and labor for any job.

Mindee Spear lives near theSleep Train Pavilion in Concord.She hired Peck to redo herkitchen and ended up with acomplete home remodel – roof,windows, paint, deck and floorsbecause everything was old. She

describes Peck as honest, hard-working, there on time andevery day, considerate and car-ing, telling how “he cleans upevery day so you have a path.”And as for his work, Spear says,“The kitchen is exactly how Iused to dream about it foryears.”

Peck and wife Carol live withtheir children and grandchildrenin the same home in Concordthat they have been in since the1970s. Peck enjoys campingwith Carol. His grandchildren,Hayley and Nicholas, are hisfishing buddies and affection-ately call him “Fishing Papa.”Peck thrives on his work, butadds, “You gotta relax a littlebit.”

For more information, a checklistfor what to look for in a contractorand a photo galley, go towww.billpeckhomeimprovements.com.

Local contractor goes for perfection and detailPAMELA WIESENDANGER

Clayton Pioneer

Mike Dunn

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS JOINED COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS at a rally opposing stateeducation cuts last week in Concord. The rally was organized by Assembly memberSusan Bonilla (D-Concord).

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We have made someunpermitted additions to ourhome. What issues might weencounter when selling?

Unpermitted additions andupgrades come up in home pur-chases frequently. They don’tpreclude you from selling yourhome by any means.

The important thing is todisclose this fact to potentialbuyers. You are required to dis-close anything you know aboutthe property. A seller in our areawanted to disclose that a sun-room addition was done with-out permits but was up to code.Luckily he was instructed not todisclose that it was up to codebecause he didn’t know that forsure. When the buyer did theirinspections they were informedthat it wasn’t built to code. It isimportant to only disclose whatyou know for sure.

One thing that would makeit difficult to get financing on ahome is if it has an additionwith an unpermitted kitchen.Most lenders won’t touch anunpermitted kitchen. I know ofa seller that pulled the stove outof the kitchen area of the addi-tion before the sale so it would-n’t be considered a kitchen. Thebuyer had the option to put a

stove in after they moved in. Idon’t think I would have sug-gested this but it was fully dis-closed and the sale wentthrough.

The biggest problem thatmight arise from an unpermit-ted addition is the appraisal. Theappraiser will attribute littlevalue to this space. A buyer willlike it, though, because they aregetting extra square footage forvery little extra money.

What are some changesoccurring in housing due tothe current economy, housingmarket and demographics?

One niche that is growingamong builders is multi genera-tional housing. Part of this isdue to a growing immigrantpopulation. But also, families arepooling their resources andnesting together, so to speak.

Various cultures are creatinga strong demand for this type ofhousing. Domestic-born peopleare following suit.

Asian buyers, for instance,come with the whole family.They want to accommodatetheir parents and grandparents,uncles, aunts and cousins.Census figures in the Bay Areashow that both Asian and

Hispanic populations areincreasing. These groups aretwice as likely than domesticborn to want options that canaccommodate extended familymembers.

The gap, however, is narrow-ing somewhat with the domesticborn demographic because ofthe need for flexibility in hous-ing accommodations due to thechallenging economy.

My homeowner’s insur-ance just was increased by 8

percent. This is the secondincrease since the home val-ues started going down. Whywould my rates go up whenmy property values are goingdown?

Experts say premiums arepartially based on rebuildingcosts, not a home’s appraisedvalue. They have been on theupswing in the last couple ofyears.

More rate increases areexpected in the near future too,insurers say, due to increasedcosts from natural disasters.

Sorry to end on a negativenote. See you next time.

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ANSWERS

No permit, no problem – usually

Mayor, from page 1the width, depth and height ofthe buildings so that our planningcommission – as well as interest-ed citizens – can visualize theconcept. These poles will remainup for a little while to let anyoneinterested see them during thecomment period of the review.So take a look, but don’t touchbecause if you break ‘em youbought ‘em!

MISCHIEF MAKERS

On a sad and depressing note,as the days get longer and theweather warmer, our downtownparks and facilities are being van-dalized. We were all kids once anda little mischief is expected, butthis vandalism is permanentlydamaging our beautiful property.In this recession and with moneybeing constantly taken away bythe state, every dollar counts, andwe just can’t afford the waste oftime, manpower and expense thiscauses. So talk to your kids aboutmischief versus vandalism, heedMcGruff the Crime Dog andkeep a watch out and report anysuspicious activity to protect ourcity!

THE HOME STRETCH

And finally, a Herculean task.The Clayton Valley Charter HighSchool proposal is in its finalstages. Our teachers behind thismovement are spending every

waking free moment (while stillteaching our kids) putting thefinishing touches on the propos-al. They will then take their inter-nal vote for acceptance and,assuming passage, will then pres-ent the plan to the school districtfor a decision. This is vital to ourkids as CVHS is the only publichigh school for Clayton kids.This will also help our propertyvalues, as real estate professionalsare clear that as the quality of theschools go up, so does the valueof our property.

So what we need from every-one (whether you have no kids,young kids, old kids, small kids,big kids, cute kids...you get thepoint) is for you to send me anemail with your name, youraddress and expressing your sup-port for making Clayton Valley agreat charter school. I will for-ward these, along with the alreadyreceived 500-plus signatures wehave on a petition, to the districtwhen the plan is presented sothey can see the overwhelmingcitywide support. Please,everyone email me [email protected].

Finally, I have no pithy com-ments or jokes today, so a shortpoem: “Smiling is infectious, youcan catch it like the flu. Someonesmiled at me today, and I startedsmiling too.”

Charter, from page 1from the school district andform its own governing board.The charter school is still apublic school, but it receivesits funding directly from thestate and is responsible forfacilities operations, hiring andfiring teachers, curriculum anddisciplinary policy. The charterschool will see an increase inthe per student allowancefrom $4,900 to $6,200.

A majority of the teachers(50 percent plus one) mustagree to the charter schoolconversion. Shuey says theorganizers feel they have theneeded support now and wantto take the teacher vote beforethe end of this school year.

A call for donations at aninformation meeting with theparents last month brought in$1,500. The attorney’s fee tocomplete the petition to theschool district is $10,000. Withthe clock running, Shuey saysthe group doesn’t have enoughtime to raise the remaining$8500 by the end of themonth.

While Councilwoman JuliePierce is strongly in favor ofCVHS converting to a charterschool, she is just as stronglyopposed to giving city moneyto the effort. CVHS studentscome from both Clayton andConcord and she questionswhy no Concord organizationshave been approached to con-tribute.

She is concerned abouthow the $8,500 donation willbe perceived by the employees

and the school district.The city is currently in

negotiations with employeesfor the next fiscal year. In anongoing struggle to keep a bal-anced budget, the city has heldback on raises, increased fur-lough days and cut into paidvacation and holidays. Thepolice department is also fac-ing the possible loss of thestate funded COPS grant thatpays for one officer.

She is also concerned thatthe move may anger the schooldistrict and jeopardize theongoing negotiations to reachan agreement for the gym’soperating costs. “I’m not readyto slap the district in the facelike this,” she said. “We couldend up losing the recreationprogram which affects every-one in Clayton.”

“The school is not ourresponsibility,” she said. “Iwould be in favor only if itwere a guaranteed loan.”

Shuey sharply disagreed.“This is the time for bold lead-ership. CVHS is our only highschool. To say that the schoolis not our responsibility is flat-out wrong.”

Councilmen HowardGeller, Joe Medrano and HankStratford all agreed that thecity should pay the legal fees

Geller, a real estate profes-sional, says the charter schoolwill help property values.

Shuey agreed to ask theCBCA to help with the legalfees. If they agree, the city’sshare would be reduced.

Send your question and look foryour answer in a future column.Email [email protected] is the broker/owner ofWindermere Lynne French &Associates and a Clayton resident.For any real estate needs or questions,contact her at 672-878 7or stop in at6200 Center St., Clayton.

Student athletes take a beat-ing each time they step onto thefield or court. Normal wear andtear on athletes is to be expect-ed, considering the competitive-ness of high school sports.

However, many athletes areencouraged to play through thepain – and the results can becostly.

High school athletes suffer 2million injuries, 500,000 doctorvisits and 30,000 hospitaliza-tions annually. Because only 42

percent of high schools haveaccess to sports medicine train-ers and coaches are not trainedin this field, many studentinjuries go uncared for untilirreparable damage is done.

I recently found myself sit-ting in the orthopedic surgeon’soffice, being told I needed sur-gery for a bone lesion on myankle due to repeated ankleinjury. I was having such severepain in my heel that I could nolonger walk on it, much less playvarsity lacrosse.

Prior to the doctor visit, Ihad been told it was probablyjust a heel bruise and I shouldstay off it for a week, then hopback on the lacrosse field. Aftermy week off, I played through

the pain – knowing it hadn’thealed.

I learned it was plantar fasci-itis, or severe irritation andswelling of the thick tissue onthe bottom of the foot. It was aresult of my walking irregularlyafter repeatedly injuring my footand ankle.

Though I’m quickly recover-ing, I’ll most likely be out for therest of the lacrosse seasonbecause I didn’t take the time toproperly heal my injuries.

The nurse in the waitingroom looked at me sympatheti-cally, saying she had never seenso many students coming intothe office with sports injuries.As soon as spring sports startedup, there were countless highschool athletes with injuriesrequiring surgery. The pressureto be training five days a week tomaintain your play time ingames is tremendous, and miss-ing one or two practices serious-ly diminishes that precious time.One can only imagine the pres-sure felt by an athlete relying ona college sports scholarship.

Many injuries may be theresult of a lack of pre-game/practice warm ups orplayers not giving enough atten-tion to injuries. In the end, thereare too many injured students

who are too passionate abouttheir game to give it up for aseemingly minor injury.

I know the feeling; it kills meto watch my teammates while Isit on the sidelines. But I nowknow that it’s not worth becom-ing permanently injured.

Though my injuries are fairlysmall, there are thousands ofstudents with life-threateningsports injuries. Both coachesand students need to takeresponsibility for properlywarming up before a game andknowing when enough isenough and asking themselves,“Is it really worth irreparabledamage?”


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A new grant program ismusic to the ears to young musi-cians in the Mount DiabloUnified School District.

The Mount Diablo MusicEducation Foundation(MDMEF) recently launched itsMusic Education Grants pro-gram, designed to provide sup-port for music education pro-grams in communities withinthe MDUSD.

Donations from individualsand businesses have enabled thefoundation to provide thegrants, said Joan Miller,MDMEF President.

“As the state’s budget crisishas continued, it is gratifying thatwe are able to step in and helpfacilitate the efforts of those thatcan make a difference for ourmusic students,” she said.

Through the MusicEducation Grants, MDMEFintends to draw on the “energyand creativity” of differentcommunities within the district,Miller said, hoping to draw on“a grassroots understanding ofwhat is needed and what is pos-sible with limited funds.” MusicEducation Grants are intendedto encourage innovation byboth individuals and organiza-tions in the community.

The grant guidelines, alongwith a grant application andinstructions, are available onMDMEF's website atwww.mdmusicfoundation.org.Applications will be acceptedthrough July 1, 2011, and grantsare expected to be awarded atthe start of the 2011-2012school year.

MDUSD Music Foundationannounces grant program

SARAH ROSEN

TEEN SPEAK

Sarah Rosen is a junior atCVHS. You can e-mail her [email protected].

Sports injuries deserve morethan just a passing glance

More than 1000 CVHS students “did the right thing” lastweek when they gathered on the football field for a BBQ Bashto celebrate their membership in Club 800.

Students in the Club 800 have taken the Eagle Pride Oathwhich embraces the character traits of Responsibility, Respect,Kindness, Self-Discipline, Integrity and Courage, all part of the“Do the Right Thing” character initiative adopted by CVHS.

The designation “800” is the Academic Performance Index(API) result that CVHS is aiming for this year as part of thestate’s STAR testing program. CVHS has made continuedprogress each of the last five years, bringing the school’s APIfrom 733 in 2007 to 776 last year.

BBQ rewards Club 800

School NewsC V HIGH SCHOOL

Volunteers are still neededbefore and during Grad Nighton June 7.

Help is needed to move setsat 6 p.m. June 2. Meet at the oldParty Time store on ClaytonRoad (next to Food Maxx).

To volunteer on June 7, visitcvhspfc.wufoo.com/forms/cvhs-g rad-night-11-volunteer-signup/. Or, bring donatedcookies, brownies, soda, waterand juice to Centre Concord by9 p.m. June 7.

Preview night is 6-8 p.m.June 5. No seniors please.

EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE

Thomas Molina Smith ofClayton received the MusicDepartment’s OutstandingSenior in Music award. He wasalso named to the Dean’s Listfor the spring semester. At theMay commencement, Smith wasawarded a bachelor’s degree inmusic, teacherpreparation/instrumental.

While at Emory and Henry,Smith was a member of thebrass quintet, brass and trumpetensembles, chamber choir, BlueKey Honors Society, Sigma MuHonors Society and managingeditor of the college newspaper.The Clayton Valley High Schoolgraduate is the son of Mary andMarshall Craig Smith.

The end of the school yearnot only brings proms, finalexams and commencementexercises but also North CoastSection competition in all springsports, giving teams and individ-uals a chance to test their skillsagainst the best of the 170-school section. Clayton ValleyHigh School sent boys volley-ball, baseball and lacrosse teamsto NCS along with swimmersand track and field athletes.

Coach Bob Ralston’s Eaglesbaseball team began NCS playthis week hoping to replicatetheir NCS Division 2 champi-onship from 2009. The Eagleshave been among the top-ranked squads in the Bay Areathis season while going unde-

feated through the Diablo ValleyAthletic League season. A pairof losses at the end of April inthe Crown Classic tournamentat Valley Christian marred anotherwise stellar season.

The 1-2 pitching punch ofChaz Meadows, 30-2 for histhree-year varsity career, andleft-handed junior DominicMazza has been the backbone ofthe team. At the plate the Eagleshave a .334 season batting aver-age while scoring nine or moreruns nine times among their 19victories heading into the play-offs.

Matt Hill’s boys lacrosseteam was 6-0 in league play,gaining a ninth seed in NCSDivision 1. The Eagles lost 15-5to Las Lomas in the openinground of the playoffs. TheKnights had handed CVHS its

first loss of the season at thebeginning of March. For theyear, CV was 12-6.

Mitchell D’Angina conclud-ed his Clayton Valley volleyballcareer with 16 kills and 18 digsas the Eagles fell to Sir FrancisDrake in three sets of the open-ing NCS playoff game. CVHSwas the seventh seed in NCSDivision 2 play which matchedthem with #2 seed Drake in theopener. Junior Cole Willardsonhad 15 assists and ClarkStratford 31 digs in a losingcause. The Eagles ended theyear 16-11 overall.

TRACK MEDAL HAUL FOR

CLAYTON VALLEY

The track-and-field teamshad excellent DVAL champi-onships as they started a gruelingstretch of four competitions that

will conclude for elite athletes atthe NCS Meet of Championsthis weekend at Cal and the CIFState Meet next weekend inClovis. The Eagle girls won theDVAL team title in dominatingfashion with 177 points while theboys were second to CollegePark. Clayton Valley athletes won15 of the 32 events at the leaguemeet.

Alex Tate (1,600 and 3,200-meter runs) and Sara Holt (100meters, triple jump) were doublewinners for the girls as they tookthe league crown. Other first-place finishers for the champswere Gina Del Bene in the 800meters, high jumper MeganCoppa and both the 4x100 and4x400 CVHS girls relay teams.Coppa, Gina Del Bene, TarynPascal and Melissa Del Bene

Mt. Diablo Soccer teamsenjoyed a wonderful perform-ance at the Concord Cup XVIIItournament this month with 10teams from the local leaguereaching the finals of the 18thannual event. Three MDSAteams took first place, matchingthe total number of titles wonby the league in the past fourConcord Cups combined.

The U12 boys MDSAStrikers FC and MDSARampage U14 girls each tookhome first-place ribbons atConcord Cup while the U16girls MDSA United FC earnedtheir second straight Concord

Cup title. Seven other MDSAteams were finalists in the area’slargest soccer tournament.

A total of 137 teams fromthroughout Northern Californiaand Nevada descended onConcord for two days of soccerwith 19 separate division cham-pions determined. The tourna-ment in recent years has addeddivisions to accommodate moreteams and try to balance out thelevel of play within age groups.

Concord Cup is a joint effortof Concord AYSO, Diablo FC,Mt. Diablo Soccer and city ofConcord. Over $20,000 wasdonated last year to the hostorganizations as well as to thehigh school soccer programs atClayton Valley, Concord, Mt.

Diablo and Ygnacio Valley highschools.

MDSA Chivas were secondto their league mates Strikers FCin the U12 boys red divisionwhile MDSA United tied aPacifica team in the U14 boysblue final.

Still, it was on the girls sidethat MDSA teams really shone.Besides two distaff champs,MDSA girls team who wererunners-up included Strikers(U10 Red), Dynamite (U10White), Xtreme (U12 Blue),Vortex (U12 Red) and Rage(U14 Blue). Vortex was alsofinalist two years ago in the U10age group.

MDSA Strikers FC andChivas met in the final of theU12 boys red division. Thegame was well contested withStrikers coming away with a 3-1win and their third tournamentchampionship of the spring fol-lowing the Comstock Shootoutred division in Carson City, NVand the Area 2C/D SelectTournament.

The Strikers outscored theirfour opponents 22-3 withattacking play from forwardsTaylor Heuerman, Faisal Hakimiand Zachary Lamb and mid-fielders Diego Cordova andEvan Lonestar. Team defensewas credited by coach JorgeCordova as the catalyst to thefinal with Casey Smith, RyanAnchondo, Luca Giannini,Bryden Connel and DylanWhite in front of goalkeepersMitchell Campos and ZacharyLamb. The Strikers defeatedPCSSL Menlo Park 8-2, Pacifica

Norcal Giants 5-0 and DavisDaredevils 6-0 before the cham-pionship game.

United FC girls faced a localfoe, Liga Latina Inter, in theU16 girls finale. Liga Latinaused a fast counter attackingstyle of play to win threegames before the finals.United’s midfield was countedon to make its passing gamefrom Kristel Araujo, SerenaSoltero, Alex Tate, Alex Artigaand McKenna DeLong work to

keep Liga Latina from beingable to establish their counterattack. Erika Galdamez in thefirst half scored to give Uniteda 1-0 lead.

Liga Latina came out strongin the second half and had ahandful of good opportunitiesto tie the score. The last 10minutes of the finals sawUnited in control as they pos-sessed the ball for much of thetime to ensure their repeatcrown.

TRACK & FIELD

Alexandra Tate, two-timeDVAL cross country champ,won the mile and two-mile onSaturday for the Clayton ValleyHigh track and field team andthen jumped into Concord Cupplay with United FC as a centermidfielder. Her CVHS soccerteammate and goalie MeganElms also was a key factor forthe Concord Cup champs as sheplayed in goal for three shutoutsas well as scoring a pair of goals.


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JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

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MDSA enjoys record-breaking Concord Cup soccer

NCS competitions culminate CVHS spring season

Photos courtesy of Mt. Diablo Soccer

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW MDSA UNITED FC WON A CHAMPIONSHIP at the Concord Cup soccertournament earlier this month. The team includes, front, McKenna Peterson; sitting from left,Serena Soltero, Nicole Merritt, Megan Elms, Erika Galdamez; kneeling, Ashley Osborne,Meghan Lauer, Ashley Deichler, Stephanie Semple, Alex Tate; standing, coach JC Araujo, AshleyGingrich, Rachel Dennis, Emily Lucot, McKenna DeLong, Marie Hertz, Kristel Araujo and coachJose Soltero Jr.

CONCORD CUP XVIII HONORS IN THE UNDER 12 BOYS. RedDivision went to MDSA Strikers FC. The team includes, frontrow from left, Diego Cordova, Evan Lonestar, Bryden Connel,Dylan White, Faisal Hakimi, Luca Giannini; back row, coachJorge Cordova, Ismael (Alex) Delgadillo, Ryan Anchondo,Taylor Heuerman, Mitchell Campos, Casey Smith, ZacharyLamb, Farid Hakimi and coach Dave Lonestar.

Photo by Scott Anderson, courtesy CVHS

DEREK ANDERSON AND ALLYSON HANSEN will be heading off tocollegiate water polo in the fall but this month they cappedtheir distinguished CVHS swimming careers as the MostValuable swimmers at the Diablo Valley Athletic League meet.Each Eagle senior won a pair of individual events at DVAL withAnderson setting a league and school record in the 100 back-stroke, a mark he sought for nearly three years.See NCS, page 11

Clayton diver now looks towardsShanghai, Stanford

Clayton’s globe-trotting athlete Kristian Ipsenwas close to home last week as he notched hisfourth successive lopsided victory in the NorthCoast Section diving championships three daysbefore he graduated from De La Salle High School.

Now he can turn his attention to Shanghai andthe FINA World Aquatic Championships in Julyand then starting college this August at StanfordUniversity.

Ipsen has been named a high school All-America every year he’s been at De La Salle and thenational high school champion the past two years.At NCS in Concord last week he scored an NCSrecord 708.6 points, 277 points more than the run-ner-up diver. Ipsen had set the previous mark of699.6 as a sophomore in 2009. Final national rank-ings won’t be available for sometime but it’s unlike-ly any other high schooler will be able to outdosomeone who is representing the United States intwo events at the world championships this sum-mer.

In 2009, USA Diving paired the high schoolphenom Ipsen with veteran diver Troy Dumais as athree-meter springboard synchro team. Since thenthey’ve dominated domestic competition winningseven consecutive national meets and earned a sil-ver medal in Rome at the world championships onlymonths after starting their partnership.

Dumais and Ipsen will be competing as individ-uals and then together in 3M springboard competi-tion in the diving portion of the World AquaticChampionships July 16-24 in Shanghai.

Two meets in Florida earlier this month gaveDumais and Ipsen a chance to get back in tandemas Ipsen’s school schedule hasn’t allowed them totrain too much together.

“For not practicing much lately, I thought we hitour dives solidly,” Ipsen said after the AT&T USAGrand Prix meet in Ft. Lauderdale, where the duo

won the silver medal behind a Chinese team led byOlympic Gold Medalist Qin Kai. “Troy’s dives werereally good, but I can clean up a few things.”

A week later at the World Championship Trialsin Tallahassee Ipsen and Dumais broke their ownAmerican record by 25 points while beating the sec-ond-place finishers by nearly 70 points.

Ipsen was also named to join Dumais as theAmerican divers in the 3-meter springboard individ-ual event in Shanghai where they will compete

against the likes of Kai, who won the 3M at theGrand Prix meet. Dumais was third and Ipsen sixthin the event.

Shanghai is the first meet where countries canqualify for spots in the 2012 London Olympics, theevent Dumais and Ipsen have been eyeing sincethey began teaming up in 2009. Dumais will bevying for his fourth US Olympic team berth. Ipsen,of course, is hoping for his first Olympic teamspot.


Youth Summer Recreationcoming soon to Clayton Gym

The comprehensive Clayton Youth Summer Slamprogram offered by All Out Sports League at ClaytonCommunity Gym is accepting reservations now for jun-ior golf clinic, youth basketball and volleyball leagues,summer day camp, cheer camp, indoor floor hockeyleague and flag football camp. Summer programs runbetween June 13 and Aug. 20.

For more information call (925) 203-5626 or toregister for any program offered by All Out Sports atthe gym, visit alloutsportsleague-clayton.com.

CV football camp deadline nearsThe 10th annual Clayton Valley youth football

camp runs June 20-24 at Gonsalves Stadium on theClayton Valley High School campus from 9 a.m.-1p.m. It is for boys and girls entering third through ninthgrades.

Head football coach Herc Pardi, defensive coordi-nator Jerry Coakley and the Eagles coaching staff andplayers provide fundamental instruction and daily fullcontact competition. There is a trainer on site. Eachparticipant gets a camp shirt and written evaluation.Cost is $125, plus a refundable $75 equipment fee.

For more information, [email protected], call (925) 682-7474 ext.3115 or pick up a brochure at the CVHS front office.Deadline to apply is June 9.

CV Falcons cheer, football signupClayton Valley Falcons cheerleading and football

signups are now open online at cvaafalcons.com.

Football is open for players 7-14 years of age whilecheerleading begins for five-year-olds. The next ses-sions are Thursday, June 9, from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday,June 19, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mountain Mike’sPizza next to Clayton Bowl in Concord. The final ses-sion is Thursday, July 7, 6-8 p.m. Complete informa-tion on the Falcons football and cheer programs isavailable at cvaafalcons.com.

CV Baseball schedules summer camp June 13-30

Two-time DVAL champion Clayton Valley HighEagles coaches and players will present their annualSummer Baseball Camp June 13-30 at the Concordschool. The program each week is Monday throughThursday for boys and girls 7-15, from beginners toadvanced players. Camp Director Bob Ralston sayscurrent college players and student coaches fromClayton Valley provide positive role models and givehands-on instruction.

To register for summer camp, call 682-7474 ext.3115 or visit eaglebaseballacademy.com.

Pre-Season Summer camp for MDSA players

Boys and girls in Mt. Diablo Soccer are invited toAYSO Pre-Season Camp Aug. 1-4 at BoatwrightFields in Concord. Diablo FC will have an all-starcoaching staff including St. Mary’s College headcoach Adam Cooper, Cal Berkeley goalkeepercoach Henry Foulk, Brazilian World Cup legendSissi and 5-time NCS champion coach BrianVoltattorni on hand for the sessions. The camp isopen to all AYSO players as they get ready for their2011 fall league season. Registration and informa-tion is available at diablofc.org.

Former MLS player teaching soccer scoring skills in July

Former college and professional star MarquisWhite will be offering a shooting and skills soccercamp this summer in two sessions at BoatwrightFields in Concord. The camp is for all Under 10through U13 boys and girls interested in improvingtheir attacking skills and becoming a more dynam-ic player. White played in Major League Soccer forthe Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution.He’s now Technical Director of Diablo FC. Sessionswill July 11-14 and July 25-28. For complete detailsand to register visit diablofc.org.

New 10 Under baseball team forming in Clayton

All Out Sports League 10 Under travel baseballteam based in Clayton is now taking signups. Theteam will play in tournaments throughout N.California and Nevada and practice at ClaytonCommunity Park. Tryouts for the 2012 season willbe held Sept. 4 and Oct. 9 from 3–6 p.m. There isno fee to tryout. Players need to be born after April30, 2001 in order to qualify for the 10U age group.For more information call (925) 203-5626 or visitalloutsportsleague-clayton.com.

Diablo FC Under 8 Soccer Academy openA new comprehensive soccer program for girls

and boys 6-8 years of age is being introduced withthe Diablo FC U8 Academy. The first of four groupsof sessions in running on Tuesdays and Thursdaysthrough June 2 at Boatwright Sports Complex inConcord. New players are invited to attend a ses-sion. Camp Director Brian Voltattorni says theAcademy is a developmental soccer program that

will include psycho-motor skills, coordination exer-cises, technical training with the ball and free play.The Academy is scheduled so that players can alsoparticipate in an AYSO recreation program duringthe fall. For complete details and to register visit dia-blofc.org.

Still time to register for Mt. Diablo Soccer in fall

Mt. Diablo Soccer is still accepting applicationsfor fall league. The local AYSO recreation soccer pro-gram is offering online registration for the first time.Mt. Diablo Soccer encourages families with children4 -18 years of age to visit its website at mdsoccer.organd sign up. Children must be at least four-years-oldby July 31, 2011 to play this fall season.

Email Mt. Diablo Soccer at [email protected] on fees and volunteer requirements areon the website. Team practices begin as early asAug. 1.

Under 23 men’s, women’s teams offered at Diablo FC

Diablo FC will be fielding women’s and men’steams in the NorCal Senior Premier League CollegeShowcase Division. The goal of the CollegeShowcase Division is to provide a highly competitiveenvironment where college players and elite prepplayers can continue to develop while maintaining ahigh level of training and match fitness as they pre-pare for their collegiate season. The season runsthrough Aug. 6. St. Mary’s College Associatewomen’s head coach Scott Alexander and formerMLS player Richard Weiszmann will be coaching theteams. For complete details and to register visitdiablofc.org.

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Kristian Ipsen caps high school careerwith fourth straight section diving title

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Photo courtesy of Ipsen family

FOR THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS KRISTIAN IPSEN (center) set a new record at the North CoastSection diving championship meet last week becoming only the second person to win fourstraight section diving titles. Ipsen scored 708.6 points, besting his previous record set in 2009.He first shattered a quarter-century old NCS diving mark as a freshman. Asher Lichtig (right) ofAcalanes was runner-up with Erich Brodbeck of Monte Vista third. Ipsen was over 277 pointsahead of his nearest rival for the gold while silver and bronze was separated by 1.2 points. TheStanford-bound Ipsen has a challenging summer ahead representing the USA in Shanghai atthe World Aquatic Games in July.

comprised the 1600M relay while Jordon Johnson,Jessica Forrester, Felicia Huddleston and JanelleBandayrel were the winning sprint relay.

Although the boys finished behind College Park,Michael Stupka certainly wasn’t at fault. The Eaglesprinter swept the 100-, 200- and 400-meter racesand capped off his meet as anchor of the 400-meterrelay champs along with teammates Brenden Eddy,Andrew Segura and Kelii Dominguez.

The Eagles did very well in the field events too.Holt won the triple jump for girls while KunleFashola took the boys high jump matching Coppa’stitle, Craig Ihle won the long jump and Rudy Ellisonthe shot put.

Coach Les Garaventa sent 35 competitors to lastweekend’s NCS meet in Livermore (the most fromCV in over a decade) and he expects 15-20 will be atthis week’s Meet of Champions. “The past twoyears the girls have been co-champions with CollegePark, but this year the girls beat them!” No recordsfell at the league meet due to very windy conditionsbut three weeks ago Stupka broke the school 400Mrecord a the Sacramento Meet of Champions.

SENIOR SWIMMERS GO OUT IN STYLE

Senior standouts Allyson Hansen and DerekAnderson capped their DVAL careers as leagueMVPs and with a pair of victories each in their spe-cialties in the new College Park pool. Hansen wonthe 100 and 200 freestyles while Anderson was vic-torious in the 100 backstroke and 200 free.Anderson broke the school and league record in the100 back. His winning time of 51.45 was nearly twoseconds under his previous DVAL record and qual-ifying for all-America consideration.

Sophomore Jacob Reynolds also set a DVALrecord with his 4:56.57 mark in the 500 free. He was14 seconds faster than the old standard by theEagles’ Colton Rogers in 2009. Josh Harmon wassecond in 100 free and third in 100 fly.

Coach Dennis Bledsoe mentioned before theseason that his teams had talent spread out through-out the four classes. Among his freshman and soph-omore swimmers who placed at DVAL were SaraAbele, Ariana Bermudez, Jake Frigard, MattVanderstraeten, Bailey Rogers and Reynolds, givingthe team a strong base for the coming years.

Clayton Valley was second in the boys finalstandings and third in girls as Northgate swept bothteam titles.

Clayton Sports NCS, from page 10

Classmate Lauren, also 15,was drawn into communityservice because of a familymember as well, only in her caseit was watching her mom,Yvette, volunteer.

“I’ve always just felt like Ineeded to do something aswell,” Lauren says.

In addition to helping herparents supply food to localhomeless shelters, Lauren alsoteaches catechism classes to firstgraders at St. BonaventureCatholic Church, serves pizzafrom her family’s Skipolini’srestaurants to residents ofDiamond Terrace (then sere-nades them on her guitar), and ispreparing to put together anonline slide show to benefit EastBay Animal Rescue and Refuge’sefforts to find homes for ani-mals.

She says the key to her vol-unteerism is extending the joysof activities that make herhappy—working with animals

(Cheddar, the family cat, camefrom EBARR), and playing theguitar—to others who may be inneed.

“It makes me happy, and Ihope it makes other peoplehappy, too,” she says.

The Jefferson Awards werefounded in 1972 in part byJacqueline Kennedy Onassis,who noted that there are NobelPrizes for excellence in areasincluding physics, literature andworld peace, but none for serv-ice and volunteerism.

According to its website, themission of the awards organiza-tion today is “to recognize,inspire and activate volun-teerism and public service incommunities, workplaces andschools across America.“

Classmates, staff and facultynominate students from eachgrade level at Carondelet. ALeadership Team at the schoolreviews the list of nominees,and selects the winners.

Honey O’Leary, Coordinatorof Community Service for theschool, sees the awards as pro-viding encouragement to otherswho may not yet have discov-ered volunteering.

“When you celebrate peoplewho do service, service createsservice, and other people wantto do it,” she said.

O’Leary noted that whilevolunteering is admirable, find-ing time can be especially diffi-cult for some teens. “Peoplehave all sorts of situations intheir own homes,” she said.“Sometimes with students, bothparents are working and thereare younger siblings. There areall sorts of expectations put onhigh school students thesedays.”

The two honorees agree.“Everything takes time,” saysLauren. “But I think we need tofind time and make time forcommunity service as well.”

O’Leary, however, says thatonce started on the road tocommunity service, most peoplefind it addictive.

“The fire is there,” she says.“They get such satisfaction, andthey get such affirmation fromthe people they are serving, itmakes them want to go backand do some more.”

Top-ranked California is oneof 16 teams competing thisweekend in the 2011 NCAADivision I Women’s RowingChampionships at Lake Natomain Gold River near Sacramento.Pac 10 2010 newcomer of theyear Kara Kohler from Claytonhelped the Bears finish secondoverall and fourth in the varsity8+ grand final at last year’sNCAA Championships in herfirst year in the sport.

Just 12 months later sopho-more Kohler has experiencedwinning a world championshipand is in the No. 6 seat for theCal varsity hoping her team canadd to its outstanding seasonwith a national title. Last sum-mer Kohler and teammate MaryJeghers were part of the goldmedal-winning USA team in theU23 World Championships inBelarus.

The Golden Bears havealready raced twice this spring atLake Natoma. They competed inApril at the Lake NatomaInvitational and then two weeksago in the Pac 10 Championshipswhere they edged Stanford in thevarsity 8+.

“Racing at NCAAs is alwaysa privilege and something wework very hard to achieve,” Calhead coach Dave O’Neill said.“Our team is proud to be one ofthe teams selected and we’relooking forward to the racingahead. The level is always raisedanother notch at this regatta andmaking the podium is alwaysdifficult. We’ll be giving our best

effort for sure.”Cal has won the NCAA team

title twice - in 2005 and 2006 - inthe 14-year history of the event.

The other Pac-10 teams inthe NCAA field areWashington, Stanford, USC andhost Washington State. The restof the field includes, amongothers, Harvard, Michigan,Michigan State, Ohio State,defending team championVirginia, Wisconsin and varsity8+ champs Yale.

This weekend Kohler andthe Bears are racing after win-ning their fourth straight Pac-10team championship, as Cal’s var-sity 8+ won the conferencecrown in addition to the Bears’team title. Cal finished with 43.5points in the team standings tosecond-place Stanford’s 34.

They claimed three of the

four races at the conferencemeet at Lake Natoma in cold,rainy weather. “We knew wewere going to be right there,”coach O’Neill said. “BothStanford and USC are fantasticcrews. We’ve been coming alongand doing pretty well. We knewthat the water was going to get alittle rough at times. We’re notthe biggest crew out there, butthey definitely showed they’vegot a lot of heart and a lot offight in them. I don’t use theword epic too often, but thatwas an epic race.”

The skies opened up just asthe crews reached the startingline for the varsity 8+ race, withdriving rain pelting the course.Cal, though, led from the startand opened up a more than two-second advantage over theCardinal with 500 meters to go.

Although Stanford closed quick-ly, the Cardinal could not catchthe Bears, who won in 7:02.1.Stanford was timed in 7:02.6.

Adding a little gloss to theirachievements in the boat,women’s rowing was one offour Cal teams recognized bythe NCAA for high academicachievement. The team got amaximum score of 1000 on theNCAA’s Academic ProgressRate. Women’s volleyball andwater polo and men’s tenniswere similarly honored. Bothwomen’s volleyball and waterteams were runners-up in theNCAA finals.

Highlights of the NCAAChampionships will appear onthe 2011 CBS Sports PresentsChampionships of the NCAA,set to air on Sunday, June 19, onCBS at 1 p.m.


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SOPHOMORE KARA KOHLER (fourth from right in sunglasses) has experienced winning a worldrowing championship and is in the No. 6 seat for the Cal varsity hoping her team can add to itsoutstanding season with a national title this weekend in the NCAA Championships nearSacramento. Last summer Kohler and teammate Mary Jeghers (third from right) were part ofthe gold medal-winning USA team in the U23 World Championships in Belarus.

Kara Kohler hopes to lead Cal to NCAA rowingchampionship this weekend on familiar waters

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Jefferson, from page 1

through the keepsakes andmemories, I was looking forone thing. I wasn’t sure where itwas, but I was absolutely cer-tain it was there.

And I was right.In the farthest corner of

his garage was a steamer trunk.At the bottom, neatly foldedand wrapped in brown paperwere his Marine Corp dressblues – in perfect condition. Iknew my father would neverhave discarded his uniform. Itmeant honor and service – andsurvival. He never talked muchabout his time in the SouthPacific, but all his life, he qui-etly honored those who hadfallen.

I will remember them allthis Memorial Day.

Please join the Veterans ofForeign Wars Post 1575 on May 30at the flagpole on Main Street for theannual Memorial Day Service. Theprogram begins at 10 a.m. with thepresentation of colors by the VFWPost 1575 and Boy Scout Troop 262.

Memorial,from page 2

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Clayton Community CalendarPLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. JUNE 1 FOR THE JUNE 10 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO [email protected]

IN CLAYTONMay 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25Farmers Market8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Diablo Street between Main andCenter streets, downtown. pcfma.com.

May 30Memorial Day ProgramColor Guard, entertainment by Clayton’s Yesterday’s Kidsand speakers Mary Tollefson of Gold Star Families, Maj.Mike Hudson of the Marine Corp and Denver Mills, directorof the Concord Veterans’ Center. A Vietnam area helicopterwill be on display. Presented by VFW Post 1525. 10 a.m.-noon, downtown flagpole, Main and Oak streets. Free. CallPete at 255-3449.

June 4Hot Rods ConcertA musical tribute to ’50 and ’60s rock. 6-8:30 p.m., GrovePark, downtown Clayton. Free. For a concert series list, seePage 3.

June 13CBCA Golf TournamentSponsored by the Clayton Business and CommunityAssociation. noon shotgun start, dinner afterward, OakhurstCountry Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr. $175; $35 dinneronly. Applications due May 28. 672-2272 or cbca.org.

June 27“The Three Davids” LectureAn audio-video presentation by Ken Alexander of LosMedanos College. Sponsored by the Clayton Valley ArtCollaborative. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., La Veranda Café, 6201Center St. $25. RSVP by June 18 to Candace [email protected].

ENTERTAINMENTThrough June 12“Chicago”The Willows presents the award-winning musical of flash,sass and tabloid murders. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St.,Martinez. $22-$32. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org.

Through June 25“Blues in the Night”Center Repertory presents the songs of Duke Ellington,Benny Goodman, Bessie Smith and more. Lesher Center forthe Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $36-$45. 943-SHOW or centerrep.org.

May 28Aquanuts “Night of Champions”Synchronized swimming exhibition with poolside dinner,silent and live auctions, live entertainment. FeaturingClayton swimmers Morgan Boneberg, Carolyn Morrice andAudrey Annison. 5-9 p.m., Clarke Memorial Swim Center,Heather Farms, Walnut Creek. $25 or $40. aquanauts.org.

May 28Contra Costa Wind SymphonyResident harpist Shannon Polley performs a farewell concert,celebrating music of the dance. 8 p.m., Walnut CreekPresbyterian Church, 1801 Lacasssie Ave. $10. ccwindsym-phony.org.

May 28-30Bay Area KidFestMain stage entertainment, Kid’s Town, plus 125 arts andcrafts booths. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2450 Grant St., downtownConcord. $5-$6. Babies and seniors free. 671-3287 or kids-festconcord.com.

May 31Katy and Dell ConcertAn acoustic blend of folk, gospel, blues, jazz and more. 12-1:30 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free.671-3464 or concordfirst.org.

May 31Youth Orchestra Spring GalaFeaturing 15-year-old classical violinist Johannes Fischer. 7p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, WalnutCreek. $10. 943-5846 or arts-ed.org.

June 1, 3Spring Dance ConcertWith Civic Arts Education and Diablo Ballet, featuring“Swan Lake.” Includes Clayton resident Emily Payne. 7:30p.m., Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, WalnutCreek. $10. 943-5846 or arts-ed.org.

June 2Lumberyard ConcertLocal cover band playing music from the ’60s, ’70s and’80s. 6:30-8:00 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtownConcord. Free. 671-3464 or concordfirst.org.

June 16“Europe Through the Back Door”Travel writer Rick Steves headlines the Contra Costa CountyLibrary’s Summer Reading Festival. 7 p.m., Lesher Centerfor the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $10. 943-SHOW,lesherartscenter.org or ccclib.org.

June 18Juneteenth Dance Celebration“Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars” presented by the GrownWomen Dance Collective. 8 p.m., Diablo Valley CollegeTheater, 312 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. 680-4400 orbrownpapertickets.com.

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

WednesdaysBook BuddiesA volunteer will read stories for children of all ages. 1-2p.m.

Through June 2Picture Book TimeStory time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend withoutcaregiver. Drop in 11 am. Thursdays.

June 13Book Club Sunny Solomon leads a discussion of “Breakfast at Sally’s:One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey” by RichardLeMieux. Anyone welcome to join the club. 7 p.m.

June 15; July 13, 27Around the World Book ClubDiscussions of books set in other countries, crafts from thatarea of the world and other activities built on the theme.For ages 10-12. 4 p.m.

June 15“Sean’s Shadows”Shadow puppet theater for all ages. 7 p.m.

SCHOOLSJune 12Retirement Party/St. Agnes School PrincipalTo honor Karen Mangini’s 21+ year commitment. Mass at 1p.m., St. Agnes Church, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord.Dinner reception, 6 p.m., Concord Hilton, 1970 DiamondBlvd. $35, $25 young adults. RSVP by June 6. Call Lisa at586-7647 or stagnesconcord.com.

CHURCHES & RELIGIONJune 10Educational LectureStephen Lambden, a scholar in Biblical and Islamic scriptures,will discuss the long-awaiting expectation of the appearanceof a Messiah in Judaism, Christianity and Islam to bring abouta new civilization of peace and tranquility. 7:30 p.m., Tolouihome in Clayton. Free. RSVP to 672-6686.

FUNDRAISERS

June 20Best Martini ContestA benefit for Project Second Chance and the Contra CostaCounty Library. 6-8 p.m., Lafayette Park Hotel, Mt. DiabloBlvd. Must be 21. $25 at the door, includes two drink tick-ets. 927-3250 or ccclib.org/psc.

CITY MEETINGS

June 7, 21Clayton City Council7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road.673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.

June 14, 28Clayton Planning Commission7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road.673-7304 or ci.clayton.ca.us.


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Most everyone has seen thebig road signs and the warn-ings in the news about “dis-tracted driving.” If you’re likeme, when you hear the term“distracted driving,” the firstthing that pops into your mindis someone on a mobile phone.

When I started my researchon this topic, I found out is thatdistracted driving is so muchmore than being on the phonewhile you are driving. What Ilearned is that we could all bedriving more safely – and thatincludes me.

According to the NationalHighway Traffic SafetyAdministration, 20 percent ofall injury crashes in 2009 were aresult of distracted driving. Infact, according to www.distrac-tion.gov, there are three maintypes of distractions:• Visual – taking your eyes off

the road.• Manual – taking your hands

off the wheel.• Cognitive – taking your

mind off what you’re doing.

WHAT IS “DISTRACTED

DRIVING”?By definition, distracted

driving is any non-driving activ-ity a person engages in that hasthe potential to distract him orher from the primary task ofdriving and increase the risk ofcrashing.

While all distractions canendanger drivers’ safety, textingis the most alarming because itinvolves all three types of dis-traction. Other distractionsinclude using a cell phone, eat-ing and drinking, talking to pas-sengers, grooming, reading(including maps), using a PDAor navigation system, watching

a video, and/or changing theradio station, CD, or MP3 play-er.

So what’s the law inCalifornia? There are actuallyfour parts to the law:

1. Handheld ban for all drivers.2. Ban on all cell phone use

(handheld and hands-free)for bus drivers.

3. Ban on all cell phone use(handheld and hands-free)for novice drivers (youngerthan 18).

4. Ban on texting for all drivers

WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE

SAFER ON THE ROAD?First, we need to better

understand and know whatconstitutes a distraction. Yes weknow that phones are textingare distractions, but so issearching for that station on theradio or applying lipstick.

Second is to encourage oth-ers to gain a better understand-ing of what distracted drivingmeans – especially those of youwho have kids who are juststarting to drive. Make copiesof this article and pass themout.

Third, don’t take for grantedthat someone else on the roadknows what distracted drivingmeans. Be attentive and readyto react by focusing your eyeson the road.

Lastly, if you have a distrac-tion that will take your attentionoff the road, then pull over to asafe area and stop to deal withyour distraction. Don’t risk thesafety of yourself or others todeal with the distraction whiledriving.

Harun Simbirdi is a resident ofClayton and member of the City ofClayton Citizen Corps Council (C5-CERT). He can be reached at [email protected]


We’ve all been inspired bythe tale of a scrappy underdogpersevering to overcometremendous obstacles, butbringing such a dog (or cat)home can be a different story.

Though our hearts aretouched, the label “specialneeds” leaves us wonderingwhat extraordinary accommo-dations will be required.Caring for an animal like this isnot always a major expense oradjustment, however.

The term “special needs”encompasses a variety of con-ditions, and simply indicatesthat a little something extra isnecessary to care for that ani-mal. Not only are animals withphysical disabilities consideredspecial-needs, but so are thosewith chronic illness, emotionalor behavior problems, andthose recovering from seriousinjuries. Often what these ani-mals especially need are mere-ly extra patience, understand-ing, and love.

As with any animal, takingthe time to understand yourspecial-needs pet will lead to alonger life and a tighter bondbetween you. Working withhearing impaired animalsrequire patience and persist-ence, but sign language andhand signals are immenselyhelpful to creating a healthyand understanding relation-ship with your pet. Animalswith hearing and visionimpairments benefit greatlyfrom having their own com-panion animal at home to fol-low and mimic, and often

make good buddies for exist-ing pets.

Regular visits to rehabilita-tion facilities are often life-changing for animals that havephysical disabilities or arerecovering from debilitatinginjuries, giving them a chanceto romp and play again. It canalso be a rewarding experiencefor you, offering a betterunderstanding of the chal-lenges facing your pet andways to help him along thepath to strength and recovery.

Even healthy pets candevelop special needs fromeveryday life interaction.Allowing your cat to roam out-doors can expose them notonly to the dangers of cars,wildlife, and nature’s elements,but also to diseases like FelineImmunodeficiency Virus(FIV), easily contracted duringfights with infected animals.Comparable to HIV (thoughonly transferrable betweencats), FIV compromises theimmune system. While catswith the disease can live long,healthy lives, they should do soindoors, which can be consid-ered their particular specialneed.

Pets bring joy to each of usin different ways. Having ahiking buddy or hearing yourcat chirp at the birds can besingular pleasures. However,improving the life of a dogrecovering from a car accidentor a diabetic cat requiring dailyinsulin injections can be one ofthe most rewarding experi-ences of your life. The knowl-edge that you’re providing asafe, loving home to an animalthat might otherwise havebeen overlooked providesdeep satisfaction.

The next time you and yourfamily begin the important dis-cussion about bringing home afurry new family member,think about adopting a specialneeds animal. Though caringfor one means being aware of

your pet’s condition and pay-ing a little more attention tohis comfort, any additionaltime or energy you’ll spend ismore than worth the invest-ment, since no disability can

diminish his capacity to returnyour love.

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‘Will you still feedme when I’m 64?’

Last Saturday, I went toRodie’s Customer AppreciationDay to have a hot dog, takesome pictures and check out thevendors and I came home with aguy – kind of an older guy.

Chef is getting on in years –9 by his calendar, 63 by ours.

He is dignified and hand-some; calm and grounded; sweettempered, wise and agreeable topretty much everything.

That said, he has some –shall we say – age-related issues.He sleeps a lot, his legs are a lit-tle stiff after a nap, he has a cyston his butt and he farts a bit.

Chef is a Pointing Griffon –looks purebred, but could be amix. He’s a pretty big guy, maybe50-60 pounds. His health checksout fine except for the creakyjoints and he’s maybe a little bithard of hearing.

What Chef doesn’t have is ahome. He was abandoned,probably in the night drop, atthe Animal Shelter in Martinez.His only crime was that he gotold. Chef was one of the hope-ful homeless that rolled in onthe Adoption Truck for Rodie’sbig event.

So, now this old guy is sleep-ing in the office under the copymachine today. And he will gohome with me tonight.

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Clayton Pioneer

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The Clayton Valley Woman’sClub awarded donations to sixnonprofit organizations at theirannual donations luncheon onMay 10 at Holy Cross LutheranChurch in Concord.

Donations were given asusual to the Food Bank ofContra Costa and Solano, theClayton Community Library andthe Clayton and ConcordHistorical Societies. This year’sadditional recipients wereShelter Inc and STAND.

Timothy O’Keefe, executivedirector for Shelter Inc, said,“There has been an 81 percentincrease in need since 2007.” Hethanked the club for giving hopeto shelter clients with the dona-tion.

Kris Jachens, developmentofficer for STAND. Tearfullycredited the donation as “achance to start over” for manypeople trying to stop the cycleof domestic violence.

The Fellowship Hall was dec-orated for spring with fresh flow-ers at the podium and pottedplants as table centerpieces. Mostof the 84 members attended andprepared finger foods and saladsfor the potluck luncheon.

Never missing a chance toraise money, the club sold thecenterpieces as well as second-hand accessories after theawards presentation.

CVWC was established in1973 for woman of all ages inClayton and Concord “to providecommunity service through vol-unteering and fundraising,”according to their website. Theyare a member of the General

TWO WEEKS ENDING

MAY 19, 2011

POLICE, CANINE TRACKDANA HILLS SUSPECT

After a wild drive throughdowntown Clayton during theearly morning hours of May 14,a suspect was apprehended inhis Dana Hills neighborhood.

Clayton police had attempt-ed to stop a vehicle for speed-ing. After driving recklesslythrough downtown to avoid thepolice, the driver crashed intothe raised planted shoulder areaat Marsh Creek Road nearDiablo View Lane. The driverfled back into the downtownarea and officers lost sight ofthe vehicle.

Using evidence at the crashscene, officers went to the vehi-cle owner’s residence in theDana Hills neighborhood. Avehicle abandoned at the end ofRegency Drive had damageconsistent with the crash.There was no evidence that thevehicle had been stolen.

With the assistance of thePleasant Hill police, a K-9 trackled from the vehicle back to theDana Hills neighborhood. Thesuspect was apprehended aftera brief foot chase as heattempted to return to hishome.

The 49-year-old man wasbooked for felony recklessevading, hit and run, resistingarrest, being under the influ-ence of a controlled substanceand driving under the influence.

ACCIDENTS

9:44 a.m. May 16, ClaytonRd./Washington Blvd. Non-injury.

ARRESTS

11:04 p.m. May 7, ClaytonRd./Mitchell Canyon Rd. A 19-year-old Concord man arrestedfor driving on suspended licenseafter stop for vehicle code viola-tion.

3:11 a.m. May 9, ClaytonRd./Kirker Pass Rd. A 58-year-old Concord man arrested forpossession of controlled sub-stance, possession of drug para-phernalia, driving on suspendedlicense, false display of registra-tion and a warrant after stop forvehicle code violation.

11:57 p.m. May 9, ClaytonRd./Peacock Creek Dr. A 21-year-old Clayton woman arrest-ed for DUI after stop for vehiclecode violation.

1:18 p.m. May 11, Coal MineCt. A 42-year-old Clayton manarrested on a warrant.

8:41 p.m. May 13, ClaytonRd./Atchinson Stage Rd. A 31-year-old Concord man arrestedfor DUI after stop for vehicle

code violations.2:55 a.m. May 15, Kirker

Pass Rd./Olive Dr. A 26-year-old Concord man arrested forDUI after stop for vehicle codeviolation.

9:30 a.m. May 16, ObsidianWay. A 48-year-old transientman arrested for trespassingafter call for service.

12:57 a.m. May 17, ClaytonRd./Tara Dr. A 44-year-oldConcord woman arrested forresisting executive officer, underthe influence of controlled sub-stance, possession of drug para-phernalia and illegal possessionof tear gas after stop for vehiclecode violation.

11:12 p.m. May 17, ClaytonRd./Ygnacio Valley Rd. A 25-year-old Walnut Creek womanarrested for DUI after stop forvehicle code violation.

1:27 a.m. May 19, ClaytonRd./Heritage Tr. A 41-year-oldConcord woman arrested forDUI.

3:55 a.m. May 19, ClaytonRd./Ayers Rd. A 23-year-oldConcord woman arrested forDUI.

BURGLARIES/THEFTS

5:47 a.m. May 18, Eagle PeakDr. Vehicle burglary.

8:53 a.m. May 18, Mt.Palomar Pl. Grand theft.

VANDALISM

8:51 a.m. May 14, Main St.


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The list goes on and on.To register, go towww.LifeChurchEastBay.com anddownload the registration form or call(925) 687-2020 for more information.

Life Church, 4255 Clayton Rd, Concord

The staff of Mike’s AutoBody in Antioch had a lot tocelebrate on Cinco de Mayoas they revved up for the rib-bon-cutting of its new shop.

After months of construc-tion, Mike Rose’s shop isbright, clean and airy, com-plete with a water feature onone of the meeting room’swalls.

The remodeled buildinganchors a block that used tobe home to run-down autodealerships. In fact, city offi-cials, insurance representa-tives, chamber of commerce

members and friends were onhand May 5 to celebrate theopening of the new digs.

“The building is over23,000 square feet,” Rosesaid. “It got a total faceliftinside and out, including newwiring and all new plumbing.

Rose bought the propertyin January of 2010, and con-struction began in September.

The new facility is locatedat 1001 Auto Center Drive atthe corner of West 10thStreet. The phone number is925-755-1739.

By Mike Dunn

Mike Rose, Antioch Mayor Jim Davis, Brennan and LaurieRose.

Mike’s Auto Body PullsInto New Digs

Club News

Police Log

Laura Carlson began work-ing for the library in October1999 shelving books. She hasgiven 1016 hours of service.“We always know when Laurahas been working,” said ClaytonLibrary Foundation PresidentJoyce Atkinson. “She clearseverything up and even picks upin the children’s area. The staffenjoys working with her.”

Since starting as a volunteerin 2006, John Robinson hasracked up 899 hours helpingwith shipping and shelf reads.Accuracy and precision is a

priority for him. “He takes greatdelight in pointing out inconsis-tencies in the cataloging ofbooks,” says Atkinson.

The student Volunteer ofthe Year is Sarah McCracken,CVHS senior, who has given thelibrary 394 hours since June of2008. “She is always willing totackle any job given her,” saysAtkinson. “She will be missedwhen she heads off for collegenext year. A lot of work getsdone when she is here.”

The Clayton LibraryVolunteer Program is the largest

in the Contra Costa Library sys-tem, says Atkinson. Based onthe wage value of $23.42 perhour given to volunteer labor byan independent sector study, theClayton Library volunteers con-tributed $165,790 in 2010.

The Clayton LibraryFoundation supports the librarywith money, books and labor.Principal fundraisers are theused book sales in the springand fall. Last year, theFoundation generated $50,175for library books and supplies.

For information on how to join theClayton Library Foundation, go towww.claytonlibrary.org.

Volunteers, from page 2

Connie Weimar, CVWC; TimothyO’Keefe, Shelter Inc.; Karen Hansen-Smith, Clayton Community Library; JudyBradford, Food Bank of Contra Costaand Solano; Kay Massone, ConcordHistorical Society; Ted Meriam, ClaytonHistorical Society; Kris Jachens, STAND

Clayton Station merchants and members of theClayton Business and Community Associationmixed it up with wine and cheese at the PavilionRestaurant last month. The social, which shined thespotlight on the Clayton Station, was part of a mem-bership drive.

The CBCA sponsors three major fundraisingevents a year, the spring Art and Wine Festival, theJune Clayton Classic Golf Tournament and the fallOktoberfest. Funds raised from the events are con-tributed back to the community in the form of cityimprovements, scholarships and charitable support.

CBCA meets the fourth Thursday of the month atOakhurst Country Club. For membership information, call672-2272 or go to www.claytoncbca.org.

Clayton Valley Woman’s Clubbenefits six local charities

CBCA Mixer spotlightsClayton Station merchants

Space is limited, register early.

Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is one ofthe world’s largest women’s volunteer serviceorganizations. For more information visitclaytonvalleywomansclub.org.

Jim Frazier, Hamid Shahrodizadh and EdHartley at the CBCA fundraising event.


In a constant attempt to slashexpenses while searching forwork, I’ve thought more thanonce about dumping the cats. Youknow, two less mouths to feedand all that jazz.

Relax PETA folks. Holsterthose wagging fingers before youstart pecking out angry emails.I’m not talking about fitting themwith cement kitty shoes, or send-ing them to “a nice farm wherethey can chase mice and haveplenty of wide-open space to runaround.” Besides, I think my kidsare on to that one since they dis-covered that there’s no such thingas a guinea pig cruise ship.

But I wonder sometimes ifI’m getting a good “pleasurereturn” on my cat investment, andif I should consider investing thatmoney into something else – likeChia Pets or an expanded cablepackage.

There are three kinds of peo-ple in the world: cat lovers, cathaters and those who, while theylike cats, really don’t feel like beingbothered to clean up after them,feed them and find caregivers forthem when they want to go awayfor more than 24 hours – only tobe ignored until said cats decidethey wants to be fed, or pet, or

play Frisbee or whatever the heckelse you do with a cat.

At least dogs give you a littlelove, a wag of the tail and perhapsa little piddle of excitement whenyou return home. Dogs have per-sonality. They have pizzazz.

So anyway . . . the cats. Todaywas pet food purchasing day, andthese thoughts cross my mindevery time I strain my back heft-ing those huge bags of food intomy cart, then into my car and theninto my garage. Do the cats showany sort of thanks? Sonny just sitsthere with a blank look on his faceas I wrestle the bag into thegarage. And Nellie normally justruns away whenever someonelooks at her. Oh but when theyget hungry, there they are –meowing until they hear the satis-fying clatter of kibble on ceramic.

And can I be really honesthere? I don’t trust them, particu-larly the fat one since we put himon a diet. I see the way he looks atme, willing me to turn my back sothat he can make a dive for thepantry and his beloved Cat Chow.Many times he has attempted totrip me up by darting out fromunder a chair at just the rightmoment, his dastardly attemptsfoiled only by my remarkable ath-

letic prowess.But it’s only a matter of time.

One of these days, Sonny’s 27-pound aim will be true. I’ll whackmy head on some decorativewrought iron piece fromSouthern Living at Home andexpire on our cat hair-infestedfloor.

At least the dog would havethe common decency to whimperat my demise, before joining thecats in raiding the pantry.

JOE ROMANO

SO ANYWAY

Clayton resident, Joe Romano, isa family man, a free-lance writer forhire and the Pioneer’s “all aroundfunny guy.” E-mail him [email protected]

“Given the importance of theproject, it is very helpful to havethem to show how the projectwould fit into the existing settingand surrounding buildings,”Woltering explains.

“The city asked for them thefirst part of May,” says ClaytonCommunity Church pastorShawn Robinson. “We didn’tknow what they were,” saidRobinson. “We had to Googlethem. But once we figured it out,our guys got to work and gotthem up. I hope they are helpful.”

The story poles will remain inplace during the public reviewperiod which began May 11 andends June 25.

AMBITIOUS PROJECT

Robinson encourages peopleto stop and look at the artist’s ren-derings of the complete projectthat are posted in the windows ofthe church.

The project would sit on a lit-tle more than three acres betweenMain Street and Clayton Road.The proposed development hasgenerated controversy since 2006when the church bought the lotthat adjoined their existing churchoffices in the historic Pioneer Inn

building. The church’s downtownlocation accounts for nearly 20percent of the town center.

The plans call for a 500-seat,22,400 square foot worship centerand three other buildings thatwould house classrooms, a com-munity center, offices and 8,000square feet of retail space. Theexisting Pioneer Inn buildingwould be torn down.

The Town Center SpecificPlan and the city’s General Plancall for two story buildings in thetown center with the ground floordedicated to retail use. Approvalof the church project will requirechanging the city’s General Plan,the TCSP and zoning ordinancesto allow for assembly use.

The church is also asking for awaiver of the city’s parkingrequirements. The projectrequires 222 onsite parkingspaces. The church is proposing54 onsite spaces and plans to useexisting public parking and sharedparking arrangements with otherdowntown properties to make upthe difference.

TROUBLE SPOTS AND

ALTERNATIVES

In the draft Environmental

Impact Report released May 11,the consultants outlined severalareas of potential trouble spotsand possible ways to reduce thenegative impacts on land use, traf-fic and parking, noise pollutionand air and water quality.

The EIR evaluates the existingproposal as well as two alterna-tives. The first alternative is toscale down the whole project to31,000 square feet with a smallersanctuary, more retail space andsecond-floor residential apart-ments. The other alternativeassumes that the proposed proj-ect would be built at another loca-tion on Marsh Creek Road.

That property, however, is notfor sale, says Robinson, who sayschurch representatives have spo-ken to the owner as recently as amonth ago.

Robinson is open to the ideaof another location for thechurch. “I’d love it if someonegave me a real option,” he says.“But there aren’t any. We havetracked down every lead thateveryone has given us.

The first public hearing on theEIR was May 24 at the planningcommission meeting. The publiccan continue to weigh in duringthe public comment period whichextends until June 25. Commentsduring this period are limited only

to the issues raised in the draftEIR.

“The EIR hearing covers onlythe potential environmentalimpacts of the project,” explainsWoltering. “It does not addressthe merits of the project or theeconomic impact on the down-town. Is the report accurate, clearand complete? That is all we’ll beconsidering at this stage of theprocess.”

PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO

COMMENT

A separate economic impactreport that evaluates the econom-ic impact on the downtown willbe complete later this year. Thereport will be available before thepublic hearings on the merits ofthe proposal, which Wolteringestimates will begin in September.

The planning commissionmeets twice more during the pub-lic comment period–June 7 andJune 21, at 7 p.m. in Hoyer Hall inthe Clayton Library. Direct writ-ten comments to: CommunityServices Director, DavidWoltering, 6000 Heritage Trail,Clayton, 94517, or email [email protected]. Thecity’s fax number is 925-672-4917.

A complete copy of the draft EIRis in the city offices and on the city’swebsite at www.ci.clayton.ca.us.

Story Poles, from page 1

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The opening weekend of theWillows Cabaret production of“Chicago” was a complete sellout and the run dates have beenextended through June 18.

Set in the Roaring Twenties,the Kander-Ebb-Fosse musical isa sexy, bawdy, sophisticated taleof two ladies who get on thewrong side of love and the law.

A married Roxie Hart has afight with her boyfriend andshoots him point blank. She triesto pass of the dead man as a bur-glar and (temporarily) convincesher gullible hubby to take theblame.

Night club chanteuse, VelmaKelly finds her mate in bed withher sister and shoots them both.

The two end up on the frontpages of the newspapers . . . andin the slammer.

Velma and Roxie have thesame defense attorney who playsone off against the other as thetwo jockey for the notoriety theyhope will save them from the gal-lows.

The show is non-stop senso-ry feast of jazzy songs and high-kicking legs. Nicole Helfer asVelma lays it all out for the audi-ence in the opening number “AllThat Jazz.”

Kerrie Wininger as Roxie seesher future in neon lights as shesings with the boys in “Roxie.”

Mark Farrell as the sleazylawyer raises the roof and bringscheers from the audience as tellshis client all it takes for acquittalis to “Razzle Dazzle” the jury.

If you saw the 2002 movieversion of the show withCatherine Zeta-Jones, ReneeZellweger and Richard Gere,leave your expectations in theparking lot. This show is alto-gether different. Directed by EricInman and choreographed by LaTonya Watts and set in thecabaret-style, night-clubbyCampbell Theater, this“Chicago” is more vaudevillethan musical – grittier and gutsi-er than its big screen incarnation.

The sell-out audiences repre-sent a huge victory for the belea-guered Willows Theatre, whichwas on the verge of bankruptcyonly a year ago. Forced to closetheir Concord Mainstage last fall,managing director DavidFaustina is rightfully proud ofthe sell-out crowd at the“Chicago” opening.

“We needed this,” he said.“We are now confident that wewill be back in the black by fall.”

The company re-opened the

Concord Mainstage in March ofthis year and will be announcingtheir 2011-2012 season nextmonth.

“We had a big hill to climb,”said Faustina. “But we’re backand 2012 will be a blockbusteryear.”

“Chicago” plays Thurs-Sun.through June 18 at the CampbellTheatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez.Purchase tickets on line at www.willow-stheatre.com, by phone (925) 798-1300 or at the box office, Mon.-Fri.from noon-5 p.m., 115 Tarantino Dr.,Martinez.

Gutsy, jazzy ‘Chicago’ opens to full house

Mary Ann Singleton, MonaRamsey, Michael “Mouse”Tolliver, and their irrepressiblepot-growing landlady, AnnaMadrigal – Armistead Maupin’sbeloved characters come to lifeon stage three decades after hemesmerized millions with hisdaily column in the city's newspa-pers. His San Francisco sagacomes home as a momentous

new musical with an all-star cre-ative team including the TonyAward–winning creators ofAvenue Q and the musical mindsbehind the glam-rock phenome-non Scissor Sisters. Playing nowthrough July 10, ArmisteadMaupin’s Tales of the City makesit debut on the AmericanConservatory Theater stage.

On the bustling streets of

1970s San Francisco, neon lightspierce through the fog-drenchedskies, disco music explodes fromcrowded nightclubs, and a wide-eyed Midwestern girl finds a newhome – and creates a new kind offamily – with the characters at 28Barbary Lane. ArmisteadMaupin's Tales of the Cityunleashes an exuberant celebra-tion of the irrepressible spiritthat continues to define our Cityby the Bay.

Tickets are $40-127 and areavailable at www.act-sf.org or by call-ing 415.749.2228.

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Church too big for downtown

The pole display on theClayton Community Church'sproperty in Clayton's TownCenter is a excellent visual to seehow overpowering these struc-tures would be in our tiny TownCenter. Although proposedstructures are beautifully asshown in the artist renditions,they are best suited in anothersetting.

The parking needed to sup-port an assembly use that is pro-posed for this Church buildingwould cause a deluge of carseach Sunday; devouring ourTown Center just like theMississippi River is currentlydevouring towns on it's banks.This would also occur for otheruses that could be any day ofthe week. Parking is a criticalfactor in this environment!

Would Clayton need to giveup our weekend festivalsbecause of this assembly use?Would current and future busi-ness not have parking availablefor their use? Would other prop-erty owners not want to buildbecause of this limitation?Would potential sellers not finda market because of the parkingissue?

I certainly hope that theClayton Planning Commissionand the City Council uphold thecurrent zoning laws for no fur-ther assembly use buildings inour Town Center. Clayton hasno need for additional assemblyuse.

Marlyne L. Hadley

People of Clayton have abrief opportunity to see the“spirit poles” in downtownClayton showing the outline ofthe proposed church to take upClayton’s best remaining com-mercially zoned parcel. Folksshould picture that extra bulkand how it is so close to theClayton Road corridor that itoverwhelms our quaint TownCenter … this proposal seemsto detract from Clayton.

Drive by and decide foryourself, while the poles are stillup. Then, however you feel, letthe City Council and PlanningCommission know, because theyreally do want your feedback.

Linda Sager Ipsen

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Clayton Pioneer

Hardly any flowers are asstriking as hydrangeas, and thedramatically blooming plants arefamiliar sights in shady spotsaround Clayton Valley land-scapes and gardens.

As many gardeners will tellyou, the impressive size and vastcolors of hydrangea flowers areworth the hard work that some-times goes into their care. Thevaried sizes of flowers areshaped into three different clus-ters of blooms: formed into aball, called a mophead; stretchedinto a panicle, called a paniculata;or lying flat, called a lacecap.

Once planted, hydrangeasneed little attention, at least atfirst. The more care, the moreproductive is the plant.Hybridizers have developedhydrangeas that are easier togrow, and they are definitely rec-ommended for our environment.

EASY TO GROW

Endless Summer is theoriginal hydrangea series pro-duced for an ease of growthand reliability of bloom. Firston the scene was their OriginalBlue mophead. This hydrangeaboasted the fact that it wouldbloom on both old and newwood. They were right. It does.The blue flowers had a greatsurge of mid-spring flower, andpromise a very nice repeatbloom towards the end of thesummer. It isn’t unusual to haveblooms lasting through fall,while the shrub is actually

beginning to lose its leaves.Blushing Bride is another of

the Endless Summer series. Thismophead’s flowers begin as awhite, and age to a medium deeppink. The color journey of thishydrangea is always interesting.

New on the market this yearis an Endless Summer lacecapcalled Twist-n-Shout. This shrubhas contorted red stems that addadditional interest to the frameof the shrub. The blossoms havedeep pink centers surrounded bypink flowers. This is thehydrangea to have this summer,and it would make a great addi-tion to a larger container.

There are also traditionalhydrangeas to keep in mind forthis season’s gardens, such asNikko Blue and Pretty Red. Theseare not patented selections, sotheir prices are very affordable,and they are found almost every-where hydrangeas are sold.

SIZE MATTERS

Nikko Blue has a rewardingmophead-style flower and lightgreen foliage. Pretty Red has adeep dark pink mophead and

dark green foliage. Either ofthese hydrangeas would be greatplanted in a mostly shady spot inthe garden. Allow a little roomfor growth: Eventually thesehydrangeas will reach 4-5-feet talland wide.

If your garden has room forlarger hydrangea plants, you maywant to try Hydrangea paniculata, agroup of woody hydrangeas thatcan be as large as 6-8-feet tall andwide, creating a tree shape. Thistype of hydrangea can take aspeck more sun. Not as much asyour lavender, but definitely asmuch as a gardenia.

If you haven’t the room for alarge hydrangea shrub, dwarfvarieties are also available.Hydrangea Compact Bright Pinkproduces medium-size mopheadblooms on a shrub that growsless than half the size of itscousins.

There are other uniquehydrangea options, includingVanilla Strawberry, a newhydrangea introduced for 2011.During the summer, this shrubproduces panicle-shaped whiteflower clusters that age to a deep

pink, almost reddish bloom.This journey takes some time, soyou will probably not get a re-bloom on this hydrangea. Don’tdeadhead, let the bloomsmature.

Oakleaf hydrangea is anotherpanicle-shaped bloomer withunique leaves—which is where itgets its name. This selection isquite easy to grow, and can toler-ate a touch of sun. Unlike theother hydrangeas, the Oakleafhas fabulous fall color, addinginterest in the landscape throughNovember.

A HEALTHY PLANT IS A

HAPPY PLANT

Hydrangeas do need careonce they are planted in the gar-den. First off, they need to beawakened each early spring withfertilizer. I like to use a dose ofmulti-purpose granular fertilizerwhile it is still raining.Depending on the color of thebloom, you will need to supple-ment it with vitamins. Bluehydrangeas need aluminum sul-fate, and pinks need dolomitelime. Once during the earlyspring, and again in the earlysummer, iron should be appliedto keep the plants green. Duringbloom, apply liquid 2-10-10.This will feed the flowers, notthe leaves.

Be patient when with yourhydrangeas. With our clay soil,they need three years to gethappy. Once happy, they arerewarding, thrilling plants!


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Memorial Day weekend kicksoff summer in the U.S.—although those of us here inNorthern California may notbelieve it. Weather aside, theweekend is notable for food fes-tivals around the country, andsome of the best can be found inShreveport or Gonzales,Louisiana, Fredericksburg, Texasor Amana, Iowa.

That’s because those citieshost crawfish festivals. Crawfishare freshwater crustaceansresembling small lobsters, andthey are found all over the world(except Antarctica and Africa).Their English name comes fromthe French écrevisse, or crevice,where European crawfish areoften found.

Most Yankees call ‘em cray-fish but in Louisiana, wheresome of the best crawfish boilscan be found, they’re referred toas “crawdads” or more affection-ately, mudbugs.

There are hundreds of vari-eties of crawfish but only twoare commercially significant.Louisiana produces more than90 percent of the domestic cropof red swam crawfish and whiteriver crawfish (aquaculture farmsare serious business in theAtchafalaya Basin). Surprisingly,the country that enjoys the most

U.S. bred crawfish is Sweden,where they are in big demandduring mid-summer. China alsohas a big domestic market for thelittle beasties.

Still, Louisiana is the unoffi-cial U.S. capital of crawfish. Atfestivals, they’re boiled by thehundreds in huge pots with pota-toes, corn, sausages, onions, gar-lic and lots of seasoning—par-ticularly cayenne pepper, driedherbs and salt. In Cajun andCreole dishes, crawfish are fried,blackened, made into a po’ boysandwich, savory pies, étouffées,gumbos… and even beignets (lit-tle fried morsels of dough nor-mally doused in sugar).

Here’s a mighty fine gumborecipe that includes some mud-bugs. Don’t be frightened by thelength of the ingredients list—the completed dish is worth theeffort.

CRAWFISH & SHRIMP GUMBO

Serves 8-101¼ c. good quality vegetable

oil (not olive oil), divided1 c all-purpose flour plus

more if needed2 red bell peppers, finely

chopped1 c. finely chopped celery2 large onions, finely

choppedHalf a bunch of parsley,

chopped1 stick butter (4 oz)1 lb. Andouille or other hot

smoked sausage, sliced thin½ lb. boneless, skinless chick-

en thighs, cut into 1” cubes1 can (15 oz) peeled tomatoes4 bay leaves1 lb. okra, trimmed and cut

into ½” slices1 Tbsp. black pepper1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper1½ tsp. white pepper1 Tbsp. paprika

2 cloves of garlic, minced1 Tbsp. premade Creole or

Cajun seasoning1 tsp. seasoned salt1 tsp. dried thyme8 cups chicken stock1 lb. shrimp peeled and

cleaned1½ lb. crawfish tails2 bunches green onions, fine-

ly chopped

Combine ¾ cup oil and theflour in a heavy bottomed panover low heat. Add more flour ifneeded to absorb the oil andmake a smooth thin paste, aroux. Stir constantly until theflour thickens and turns lightbrown (about the shade ofchocolate milk). This may takeabout 20 minutes – stir andwatch carefully to avoid burningthe roux.

In another pan, melt the but-ter over medium heat and sautéthe sausage, peppers, onions, cel-ery, garlic and parsley until thevegetables are softened, about 10minutes. Add the tomatoes andbay leaves and simmer while youprepare the okra.

Heat another skillet overmedium high heat. Add ½ cupoil and the sliced okra. Cookuntil the okra has broken downand the sliminess has cooked off,about 6 to 7 minutes.

Combine the okra andsausage-vegetable mixture thenstir in the seasonings, chickenmeat and chicken stock. Bring to

a boil, reduce to a simmer andcook for an hour. When the veg-etables and chicken are cookedthrough, stir in the roux and sim-mer to desired consistency, stir-ring frequently.

Lastly, stir in the shrimp andcrawfish to the pot, turn off theheat and cook then with the resid-ual warmth of the soup (test fordoneness at 5 minutes and againat 10 minutes if needed).

Serve over rice garnishedwith green onions.

If you’re looking for freshmud bugs to cook in your ownkitchen, try 99 Ranch Market (inthe Park & Shop Center onWillow Pass) or Bob’s Bait Shopin Isleton. If you want someoneelse to do the “dirty work,” tryRed Crawfish at 611 Larkin inSan Francisco, which serves upamazing fusion Cajun-Vietnamese cuisine—they rakein kudos for their spicy crawfishboils.

Meanwhile, for a mud bugfestival close to home, check outthe Isleton Crawdad FestivalJune 18 and 19.

For more information, visitwww.isletoncoc.org/crawdad.


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Unit size Per Month5’ x 4’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$295’ x 10’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4910’ x 10’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$998’ x 20’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13910’ x 20’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$169

Other sizes available, up to 8’ x 40’ units

SAVE MONEYMove YourGoods & Toysto Rodie’s

8863 Marsh Creek Rd., Clayton � 925-672-4600

Visit our website:

www.RodiesStorage.com

Lowest Rates in the County!

RV & Boat Storagefrom $88/month

FREE Truck Rental for Move-in

PumpkinFarm

Diablo ViewMiddle SchoolOakhurst

Country Club Rodie’s

LINDA WYNER

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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

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There aren't many aspects ofmodern life that are the sametoday as they were nearly 100years ago. It's no longer the cus-tom for men to wear hats, mostwomen work outside of thehome, we even live longer. Butin this rapidly changing world,one thing has endured – thecounty fair.

The Contra Costa CountyFair has provided affordablefamily entertainment since 1936and it’s still going strong, as itopens Thursday, June 2 and runsthrough Sunday, June 5 at theContra Costa CountyFairgrounds in Antioch.Through depressions and reces-sions, wars, peace, free love andthe ‘80s, the fair has woven intothe fabric of our lives for gener-ations.

Nearly everyone has a fondmemory of a time spent at thefair. The dusty grounds, theyummy smell of corn dogs andnot-so-yummy smell of cows;the bright lights of the midwayrides; and sounds of the gamehawkers conjure up the feelingof carefree summertime fun; amingling of innocence and dar-ing that few experiences rival.

While there are new exhibitsevery year, new stock raised bythe local 4-H and bands youhaven't seen yet, the fair is time-less. In 1944, E.B. White wrote,"Anything can happen at acounty agricultural fair. It is theperfect human occasion, theharvest of the fields and of theemotions. To the fair come theman and his cow, the boy andhis girl, and wife and her greentomato pickle, each anticipating

victory and the excitement ofbeing separated from his moneyby familiar devices."

Despite economic, personalor even global upset, the fair is aplace where everyone belongs; itis familiar, constant – like com-ing home.

This year, Fairgoers canenjoy more than 100 exhibits oncooking, arts and crafts, finearts, jewelry, horticulture andmore.

And don’t forget the music:Great bands like country groupWhiskey Dawn and rockers TheLost Boys will kick off thisyear’s event with shows onThursday and Friday. Tributebands paying homage to TaylorSwift, Guns N’ Roses and DefLeopard will rock the house allday Saturday.

General admission is $8 for afull day’s admission, but thereare many ways to get free ordeeply discounted tickets thisyear.

On June 2, active militarywith ID and senior (62+) willget in free all day and everyonewill get free admission fromnoon until 3 p.m. On June 3,kids 12 and under get in free allday. You can also buy discount-ed tickets in advance atWalgreens stores.

Hours for the fair are Thursdayand Friday, noon to 11 p.m., andSaturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11p.m. For more information on dis-counts or the fair in general, visit atwww.contracostafair.com.

The fair runs Thursday, June 2through Sunday, June 5at the ContraCosta County Fairgrounds inAntioch. For a complete schedule,directions and more discounts, go towww.contracostafair.com.

County Fair is ablast from the past

LORI MARSHALL

Contra Costa County Fair

Mudbugs have a deliciousbite of their own

May 27 Clayton Pioneer 2011

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Transcript of May 27 Clayton Pioneer 2011